Brigid’s Awakening Festival

Art Exhibit

Three female Roscommon based Visual Artists; Frances Crowe, Margo McNulty and Lea Farrell have come together for a group show located in the Vaulted Stables, Strokestown Park, also included in this show will be work by Ukranian Artist Olena Kosalevych. Visitors can also view as part of this showing an exhibit of the famed local hero’s the Sharkey Sisters. This show will open Saturday January 28th and run until Sunday February 26th. Visit www.strokestownpark.ie for opening times and further information.

SAT 28TH JAN

Strokestown Park

4.00pm: Herstory Salon – Vaulted Stables. Join in the conversation lead by Melanie Lynch (CEO of Herstory) and featuring speakers including Mary Kennedy (Irish TV Personality).

5.30pm: Herstory Light Show - Park House. Illumination Spectacular featuring the work of local schools.

6.30pm: Shadow Puppet show - Vaulted Stables. Experience the story of St Bridgid through shadow puppetry performed by local schools.

Lá Fhéile Bríde - WED 1st FEB

6.15pm: Installation ceremony of Ireland’s largest illuminated Brigid’s Cross on Tarmonbarry Bridge

6.40pm: Tarmonbarry Players performance of “Bridets Cloak” – Keenans Hotel – experience an original short play perfomed by the Tarmonbarry players club.

Bank Holiday - SAT 4th FEB

Rathcroghan Visitor Centre

11.00am: Mike McCarthy, Deputy Manager of Rathcroghan Visitor Centre and co-author of a number of publications, including ‘Slí Seandálaíochta Ráth Cruachan’ and ‘Rathcroghan - The Guidebook’ “Female Divinity in Early Ireland” - The gure of the goddess was very important in early Europe and Ireland and this talk, which also marks the festival of Imbolc outlines specically how it relates to the Royal Site of Rathcroghan and Roscommon.

12.00pm: Dr Marion McGarry – author of Irish Customs and Rituals - Recent Irish customs marking St. Brigid’s day’ - explore the folk rituals of Brigid’s feast day, which also marks Imbolc. Many of the customs of St Brigid’s day were those practised mostly in rural Ireland, from the mid nineteenth to the mid twentieth century, and some are still followed today.

Strokestown Park

3.00pm: Candlelit Tales, Goddess & Saint Family Show - Gather around the fireplace to hear the stories of ancient times in a new light, with music and magical storytelling for all ages. 7.00pm: Candlelit Tales, Imbolc & Bridget - Join us for the tale of Brigid, who might have been a goddess and might have been a saint, as memories of her ancient power come to the surface again.

Bank Holiday - SUN 5th FEB

Strokestown Park

3.00pm: Candlelit Tales – New Communities (WorkShop) - The oldest legends of Ireland tell us that the Irish came from elsewhere, so we are sharing stories of ancient Irish peoples and their journeys to welcome some of our newest arrivals.

*Please note events may change or vary due to unforseen circumstances

COLLABORATION: SCHOOLS - MEN’S SHED - WOMEN’S SHED - LOCAL DRAMA - LOCAL HISTORIANS - LOCAL ARTISTS

#StBrigidsDay #Imbolc