Ennistymon hosts community festival to celebrate St Brigid and Imbolg

Taking place from Friday, January 31, to Saturday, February 1, the town of Ennistymon will come alive with a vibrant festival celebrating Lá Fhéile Bríde (St Brigid's Day) and the ancient Celtic festival of Imbolg, which marks the midway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox.

This unique event brings together Irish tradition, folklore, and creativity in a series of workshops, talks, music, and parades.

The festival features a rich programme of events to engage and inspire people of all ages. 

On Friday, from 8pm to 9pm, the festival will open with a fireside chat, conversing with Dáire Spillane and Tom Barry on St Brigid's Eve traditions, along with an introduction to the Brideóg custom, at Pot Duggan's.

Saturday morning, from 10am to 11am, will see a guided nettles walk and talk through the Glen, with foraging and biodiversity expert Oonagh O’Dwyer, renowned storyteller Aindiras De Staic, and herbalist Tara Roche. They will be meeting at The Falls carpark at 9:45am and set off into the woodland walk from 10am.

From 11am, there will be traditional St Brigid's Cross workshops ongoing throughout the day at Stack's Corner.

If the workshops are not your cup of tea, you can still learn more about Brigid as an Imbolg and St Brigid’s zine has been designed and curated by local artist, Josie O’Connor, as part of the festival celebration which features a group of local creatives.

The zine will be launched at the Salmon Bookshop between 12:30pm and 2:00pm, and will follow a talk on local St Brigid history, and Brigid’s significance as both a goddess and saint. The talk will feature speakers including archaeologist and guide Martina McCarthy, eco-poet Grace Wells, and historian Martin Barry.

This will be concluded with a live music performance by local fiddle player, Trish O'Dea!

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In preparation for the parade, from 2:30pm to 4:30pm, a creative dress-up workshop led by performing artists Áine O’Brien, Gilly Kelly Dunne, and Róisín Lennon, will be held at the Ennistymon Community Centre. All ages are welcomed.

At 5pm, the festival will close with a magical night-light procession from the Community Centre to Market Square, culminating in song-sharing, and an exciting and expressive silent disco led by ‘Hush Disco’.

These events provide an opportunity to embrace the spirit of Brigid - a figure of transformation, creativity, and healing - while marking Imbolg, the ancient seasonal celebration of renewal and growth.

From nature walks to stories, craft workshops, and music, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

All admissions are free, with some events accepting cash donations.

Bring your family, friends, and night lights to join this community event as Ireland's sacred traditions are honoured. 

For more details, you can contact an organiser at feilebrigid@gmail.com, or call Aoibheann on 087-337-7827.