A large crowd of well-wishers, supporters and friends came out on Sunday evening to take part in the first Sliabh na mBan Brigid’s Cloak procession under a beautiful rosy full moon sky.
This is the inaugural year for celebrating the new bank holiday which coincides with the beginning of Imbolc, the Celtic Spring.
The procession started off at the Westgate, escorted by a Gardai car. Traffic was held up at O’Connell, Gladstone and Parnell street before the float accompanied by a retinue of 200 people made their way to the New Kickham Barracks Plaza.
The waiting crowd were then treated to a rousing Spoken Word incantation to Brigid the Saint and Goddess by Clonmel writer and performer Catherine McVicker topped by a finale chorus of singing women led by Breege Phelan.
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The artist would like to acknowledge all the work, creativity and love put in by the community participants as well as the exceptional contribution of Aveen Egan, Elke Wilson, and a core group of volunteer seamstresses who helped assemble the cloak. The project would not have been possible without them and the team of stewards and production crew who came on board to help make the event a resounding success.
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This project was funded with a Creative Ireland grant as well as generous in-kind support from South Tipperary Arts Centre, Clonmel Applefest and Hearn’s Hotel. Special thanks to Clonmel Community Gardaí for their support and outstanding work.