Bridget's Cloak - the inspirational story behind Donegal Town community float

Donegal Town's St Patrick’s Day Parade had for the first time, a community float. Its theme marked our new public holiday in honour of our national matron saint, Bridget, Brigid, Breedge, Bríd.

Brigid was also a powerful goddess of the Tuatha Dé Danann in pagan times. Through this float we celebrate this powerful female figure, in honour of all the powerful women of Ireland, and welcome all those who have made Ireland their new home. 

Indeed, we were so happy to be joined in this project by talented Ukraine ladies, Karina and Olya who gave a huge amount of time creating this float. The ladies wore traditional Ukrainian dress, handmade floral headdresses and Karina wore very impressive Ukraine Wings which she made just the night before the parade. 

Their colour and enthusiasm added so much to the parade and preparations running up to the big day. Thank you so much.

A special piece of music accompaniment  in our float, Road Trip From Dublin to Donegal was written by Ukrainian musician and composer Kristina Korina MELORISE on the day when she first came to our country and was amazed by the hospitality, warmth and love with which she was met by Ireland.  It was on the road from Dublin to Donegal that hope began to spring up in her heart - hope for the future.  Dedicated to the people of Donegal … Road Trip From Dublin to Donegal 

The Story of the Cloak

Brigid approached the King of Leinster requesting the land on which to build her monastery in Kildare. The King refused her request. Undeterred, Brigid asked for as much land as her cloak would cover. Seeing her small cloak, he laughed and then granted this request. 

However, Brigid had instructed her four helpers each to take a corner of the cloak and walk in opposite directions – north, south, east and west. As they did this the cloak began to grow and spread across many acres. 

The cloak was made from collected green and patterned fabric and beautiful traditional tweeds sourced and donated from local businesses. 

Also, in our group we had St Patrick and the snake, Bridget and Cloak carriers, giant St Bridget crosses, the Celtic hound, the Rag Tree carriers - these represent prayer trees that can be found at holy wells all around the country and traditionally dressed Ukrainian ladies, Karina, Olya, Karina’s daughter and Brava.

Donegal Town Community Float was created by a core group of creative parade committee members, namely Nuala Toland, Georgina Casey, Sinéad O'Donnell-Carey and our wonderful Ukrainian friends Karina Prenko and Olya. 

There was a great team effort by many members of the community who were so enthusiastic about taking part in the parade and helping to bring Bridget’s Cloak to life. We are truly grateful for all helping hands and openness to get into the spirit of the whole project. A special word of thanks has to go to our wonderful Bridget – Ciara Boyle and our great St Patrick, Nigel Carey. 

There are also many businesses and individuals who helped bring our float to life.  We would like to thank especially, Peadar McGinty, The Central Hotel, Magee of Donegal, Triona Design, Hanna Hats of Donegal, Morna's Patch, Eugene Gallen of Eurosaver, St Vincent de Paul Thrift Shop, Christina Irwin, George Irwin Hardware, Donegal Town Hardware & DIY Ltd, Dark Daughter Productions & Costume Hire, Niamh O’Brien, Kavanagh's Supervalu Donegal Town, Austin O Kennedy, Zack Gallagher, Donegal Town St Patrick’s Day Committee, DLDC, Kristina Korina Melorise for the use of her beautiful piece of music Road trip from Dublin to Donegal. Thanks to you all.