Brat Bhríde welcomes you to this festival which celebrates Brigid of Faughart and the Celtic festival of Imbolc in myth, landscape, folklore, spiritual customs, music and dance. The emphasis of this festival is to revisit and reclaim the richness of the traditions associated with Brigid of Faughart, in ways relevant to our lives in the 21st century.

The lectures and workshops will offer opportunities for:

* expanding and deepening our knowledge of Brigid * tasting the Wisdom that she was and still
* Integrating Feminine Consciousness more surely into contemporary culture.

The music and the time-honoured rituals associated with Brigid and Imbolc will nourish our hearts and souls and give us confidence in these uncertain times.

Lá Fhéile Bhríde will also be celebrated with a Tridium in St Nicholas’s Church Dundalk (29th Jan—1^st Feb) and a candlelight pilgrimage at Faughart Shrine (1^st Feb.)

Brat Bhríde (Maura Lennon, Mairead Heeney, Fr Tom Hamill and Dolores Whelan) is a voluntary group which has come together to organise this festival.

Wednesday 28th January 4.30pm

Reception in the Centre of Dundalk of a Sacred Flame from Kildare and
Healing Water from Faughart Well.

This reception will gather people from the local area and all over the island. Invitations have been extended to representatives from all the traditions. We hope you will join us in this special celebration.

Public Lectures
Wednesday 28th January 7.30 pm
St Brigid’s School, Ard Easmuinn, Dundalk
(1) Irish Seasonal Festivals in Culture, Landscape and Myth
Mary McKenna, architect and mythologist

Mary’s presentation is an illustrated exploration of the presence and reflection of myth as it occurs in the landscape of Ireland and relates to the festivals of the Celtic year. Mary McKenna is an architect with the OPW. She has a passion for both Celtic and Greek mythology and has created a spectacular visual documentary on the mythological landscape of Ireland.

(2) The Archaeology of Faughart Hill

Victor Buckley, archaeologist Victor Buckley is a Senior archaeologist with the National Monuments Service. He compiled, with David Sweetman, ‘The Archaeological Survey of County Louth’, and, with Tom Condit, the ‘Archaeology Ireland’ Heritage Guide Number 37 “Faughart, Co. Louth – the hill of heroes, saints, battles and boundaries”.
Cost: €10

Thursday 29th January 7.30pm

County Museum Roden Place Dundalk

(1)The Folk customs and beliefs surrounding Lá Fhéile Bhríde and Imbolc - Pádraigín Clancy

Pádraigín Clancy is an Irish Folklorist and historian with a special interest in Celtic Spirituality. She facilitates retreats that embrace Celtic She is editor and co-author of “Celtic Threads exploring the wisdom of our Heritage” (1999)

(2)Exploring Brigid as an inspiration for modern Ireland - Dolores Whelan

Dolores Whelan is a contributor to ‘Celtic Threads’ and author of “Ever Ancient Ever New Celtic Spirituality in the 21^st Century”. She facilitates retreats and workshops in Celtic Spirituality and its relevance in our lives in the 21^st century.
Cost €15, Concession €10


“Opening the Heart through Music”

Friday 30thJanuary 8.00pm

Holy Trinity Heritage Centre, Carlingford, Co. Louth

An evening of uplifting and inspirational music with Deirdre Ní Chinnéide (Vocals), Gabriella Kapfer (Cello and Percussion), Gerry O’ Connor (Fiddle ) and Paddy Martin (Flute and Pipes). This unusual combination of artists will weave a web of sounds and textures that will awaken the heart, creating magical moments that will last long after the concert is over. Both Deirdre and Gabriella understand the healing potential of sound and music. The Celtic consciousness is the source of Deirdre’s inspiration, while Gabriella allows the sounds of nature and the angelic realms to flow through her creating unique music. Both use sound to bring the listener into the deeper realms within themselves and into the healing space of the heart.

Gerry “fiddle” O'Connor comes from a musical family in Dundalk with at least four generations of fiddle players. He learned his music from his mother Rose. He is known for his uniquely personal style of fiddle playing – splendidly fluid bow-hand combined with technical virtuosity.

Deirdre Ní Chinnéide has sung extensively in both Irish and English for many years. She explores the healing potential of sound and song with particular connection to the Spirit and Shadow of Celtic Consciousness.

Gabriella Kapfer is a sound-weaver, who has developed her own style of intuitive, improvised meditative healing music, inspired by the Celtic lands and her deep connection with Nature. Her music inspires, opens hearts and souls to remember.

Paddy Martin lives near Inniskeen and plays music professionally, on uilleann pipes and bagpipes. He recently made an album entitled 'the moving cloud', and is also pursuing his interest in manufacturing pipes and flutes.

Cost €20, Concession €15


Saturday 31st January 10.00am -5.00pm

Pastoral Centre, the Magnet, Dundalk
An invitation to Brigid to come walk among us again and to step into our world carrying the fullness of her world.

Tom Hamill will facilitate a workshop
“Brigid of Faughart. Her giftedness can be ours!”
Dolores Whelan will facilitate a workshop
“The Festival of Imbolc and its role in the Celtic year Calendar”

This full day event will open with music and movement facilitated by May Coyle and Deirdre Ní Chinnéide who will also facilitate the gathering of the insights of the day.

Tom Hamill is deeply committed to, and experienced in offering opportunities to adults whereby they can grow in self-knowledge, compassion and a sense of interconnectedness.

Dolores Whelan is a contributor to Celtic Threads (1999) and author of “Ever Ancient Ever New Celtic Spirituality in the 21^st Century”. She facilitates retreats and workshops in Celtic Spirituality and its relevance in our lives in the 21^st century.

May Coyle has worked as a facilitator for many years in her work she weaves a tapestry using colour, movement music and much more Cost for the day: €65, Concession €45

Light lunch is available and must be pre-booked (€10)
Parking is available behind the Pastoral Centre


Sunday 1st February Lá Fhéile Bhríde

9.00am - Pilgrimage to Faughart Shrine:

The pilgrimage will start at the Peace garden in Linenhall Street Dundalk at 9.00a.m. and people may walk some or all of the way to Faughart Shrine where a Eucharist will be celebrated at 12 noon with Fr. Tom Hamill.

4.00pm A Ritual celebration of Lá Fhéile Bhríde and Imbolc
Ravensdale Community Hall, Ravensdale, Co Louth

This community celebration of Lá Fhéile Bhríde, facilitated by Maura Lennon, Dolores Whelan and May Coyle, will close the festival. Join us in this community-based celebration to invoke the blessings of Brigid in our lives on her special day.
Donation: €10 per person or family (children free)

Accommodation

There is a wide range of accommodation available in Dundalk and Carlingford.
The following providers are offering special rates for this festival:

• Beaufort House, Carlingford +353 (0)42 9373879
• Four Seasons Hotel, Carlingford +353 (0)42 93 73530
• Arlee House B and B, Dundalk +353 (0)42 9351984
• Mount Oliver Convent +353 (0)42 9371123
• Or contact Fáilte Ireland +353 (0) 44 9348761 FailteIreland.ie