Name: St. Brigit's Festival
Start: 2026-01-31T14:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-01-31T17:30:00+00:00
Location: St. Andrew's Community Centre

An afternoon of St. Brigit traditions: ancient textiles, weaving a Brigit’s Cross, and a closing healing ritual with music.
About this Event

St. Brigit’s Festival in St. Andrew’s Community Centre

Saturday 31st January

14:00 – 17:30

Join us at St. Andrew's Community Centre for an immersive afternoon celebrating St. Brigit through textiles, tradition, and ritual across three individual events.

This festival programme weaves together ancient Irish heritage, hands-on craft, and living ceremonial practice.

· 14:00 – 14:45 The Cloth of St Brigit: Fashions and Fabrics Found in Irish Bogs (Slideshow and Q and A)

A relic comprised of a piece cloth over a thousand years old, known as St Brigit’s Cloak, is honoured in Bruges cathedral. Annie Dibble, textile researcher and weaver, worked with the OPW in Dublin to reconstruct clothing found in the Irish bogs. Annie explains ‘I was given full and free access to the Shinrone gown, the Kilcommon and Tawnamore costumes, as well as part of an Irish Brát (cloak) made famous by St Brigit.’ Annie will talk about the process and extraordinary detail found in the garments and in their construction, with cloth samples and drawings.

· 15:00 - 16:00 Weave your own St. Brigit’s Cross (Workshop)

St.Brigit’s cross, woven from green rushes, is an ancient symbol of the sun. It is traditional to weave a cross and to place over your home’s doorway on St. Brigit’s Day. This cross is said to protect and bless the household. This workshop is led by Marja Almqvist, weaver and founder of the award-winning community group The Liberties Weavers.

· Dining Room 16:30 – 17:15 Ritual of the Red Cloth (Musical Performance & Group Ritual)

It is traditional to leave a piece of red cloth outside to collect the dew on St.Brigit’s Day. This cloth is reputed to have healing benefits when worn close to the chest of loved ones. Musical duo combine to present songs related to this celebration and our very own ‘Ritual of the Red Cloth’. This session is led by Sound Therapist Tina McVay and Singing Instructor and Heritage Author Vawn Corrigan.