Celebrate St Brigid’s Day with the Friends of Ireland

Posted on 14 February, 2024

Rolling emerald hills, lyrical traditional music and vibrant dancing are some of the things that might spring to mind when Ireland is mentioned.

However, you might also think of your own heritage too – after all, an estimated 300,000 Irish settlers migrated to Australia between 1840 and 1914, not to mention the more than 7000 who were sent to Australia as convicts in the years before, whose families still remain here to this day (like mine!).

But regardless of whether your family came to Ireland in that era, last year or if you’re just an appreciator of Ireland’s vibrant culture and rich traditions, you’re invited to celebrate St Brigid’s Day with the Friends of Ireland Society Canberra on Wednesday 21 February at The Federal Golf Club.

Kicking off from 6 pm, the evening will encompass live Irish music and dancing, delicious food and a special talk from Dr Bernadette Boss about the importance of St Brigid. There will also be a two-course dinner for those who purchase it alongside their ticket and don’t forget to wear your green!

Celebrating an icon who blends folklore and faith, Maire O’Callaghan CEO of Friends of Ireland explains that St Brigid’s Day has recently been made a public holiday in Ireland as a way to “honour the strength and achievement of women”.

“Saint Brigid of Kildare or Saint Brigid of Ireland is the Mother Saint of Ireland, and one of its three national saints along with Columba and Patrick,” explains Lorraine. “According to medieval Irish accounts she was the Abbess who founded the important Abbey of Kildare.”

“Brigid is the patroness of many things, including poetry, learning, healing, midwifery, protection, blacksmithing, livestock and dairy production. The saint’s feast day is 1 February, and traditionally it involves weaving Brigid’s crosses and it was originally a pre-Christian festival called Imbolc, marking the beginning of spring.”

Above all, St. Brigid’s Day will be a chance for people to come together and celebrate their shared heritage and love of Irish culture.

“There will be traditional Irish music, singing and dancing as well as The Corrs songs performed by Belle Whyte, who is a descendent of the Murawari people of northwest NSW and of Irish heritage and a two-course meal can be purchased with your ticket.”