Dundalk Municipal District meeting take place in Faughart in honour of St Brigid

Dundalk Municipal District held its February meeting at the Kilcurry Resource Centre as part of an initiative by Cllr John Reilly to help promote Faughart Parish as the birth place of St Brigid and to mark the first St Brigid's Bank Holiday.

Cllr Reilly, who is from Faughart, had made the request for the meeting to be held in Kilcurry a number of months ago, and on the evening had organised an event, with entertainment and refreshments, for the people from the area and the council members who attended.

There was a good turnout of local people at the event which took place following the meeting, which saw the local choir sing a hymn to St Brigid.

The event also highlighted Faughart as the place where Edward de Bruce, High King of Ireland, was killed. Brother of Robert de Bruce, High King of Scotland, Edward was killed at the Battle of Faughart in 1318. Flower of Scotland was performed at the event by Cpl Vinny Murray on bagpipes and sung by opera singer Padraig McGinn.

Speaking to the Dundalk Democrat, Cllr Reilly said he felt the evening was "a golden opportunity" to to celebrate St Brigid in Faughart Parish.

Cllr Reilly said he was "very very thankful to the rest of the councillors, especially the Cathaoirleach, for all agreeing to come out here."

He continued, "hopefully next year, we're celebrating the anniversary of 1500 years since the death of St Brigid, and I'd be confident that we might have a full County Council meeting out here – but its a long time to go between now and next year. But I'm very very thankful of everything that went on tonight. It's been a great achievement."

Looking at the impact the new bank holiday has had on people visiting the area, Cllr Reilly said, "we had record numbers at Faughart Graveyard, we've had record numbers at the Shrine. The profile of St Brigid has been greatly enhanced since the bank holiday [was announced] and people are very hungry for facts and her history."