Garden Exhibition at Butler Gallery in Kilkenny to celebrate Brigid’s Day

Butler Gallery is hosting a colourful Garden Exhibition of Brat Brídes over the coming week to celebrate Brigid’s Day becoming a national holiday.

The Brat Bríde Project aims to raise the Divine Feminine Vibration by exploring the many Goddess Cultures that existed pre the rise of the patriarchal religions.

Some 70 women took part in the printmaking workshops both online and in person at Butler Gallery and Grennan Mill.

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The participants were invited to create a print of a Goddess, matrilineal figure or feminine symbol that resonated with them on a piece of fabric – i.e. a Brat Bríde.

Traditionally, a Brat Bríde was a piece of cloth, usually red or white, that was left outside the house on Brigid's Eve to collect dew. The Brat was then believed to have curative powers, particularly against ailments like headaches and earaches, and to protect against drowning (Duchas.ie).

Project founder and facilitator Michelle McMahon states that she developed the project in response to a combination of factors including the announcement that Ireland was to have its first public holiday in honour of a divine feminine figure – St Brigid. 

The Brat Bríde exhibition takes place from January 31 to February 7 2023 in the Butler Gallery’s Garden. The artist already has plans – including screen-printing special fabric to create a Brigid’s Cloak – for next year’s celebrations!

The Brat Bríde project was curated and delivered by Michelle McMahon in partnership with The Butler Gallery and co-funded by Kilkenny Carlow ETB Kilkenny, Kilkenny One Parent Community, Kilkenny Arts Office, Home Focus and SG Education Art Supplies.