I’m delighted to announce that Mantles: Encountering Brigid (Arlen House: 2021, Dublin) is published! It is currently exclusively stocked by Maynooth Bookshop (shortlisted for Irish bookshop of the year in the Irish Book Awards, winner of the Leinster category) – buy it here.
Margo and I are delighted with the critical praise so far:
“….thoughtful, evocative…the book is a rich meditation on folklore, tradition and contemporary experience.” Lia Mills, author of Another Alice
“This book will inspire many others to search out and walk in Brigit’s footsteps.” Mary Condren, ThD. author of The Serpent and the Goddess, and National Director, Woman Spirit Ireland.
“The interweaving of artworks by Margo McNulty with the writings of Shauna Gilligan can only be compared with the overlapping plaited strands of Brigit the Goddess and Brigid the Saint.” Clodagh Doyle, Keeper, Irish Folklife Division, National Museum of Ireland, Country Life, Mayo.
We were delighted to partake in Samhain @ Sult in Kildare Town on Wednesday 24th November, the first public reading from Mantles. It was wonderful to read surrounded by such inspiring artwork by Sult Collective and to be accompanied by live music from James Blennerhassett. We hope to mark the publication with another event soon!
This publication forms the final part of the Creative Ireland funded collaboration between myself and artist Margo McNulty.
We are grateful to Alan Hayes at Arlen House, our publishers, and Kildare County Council and Roscommon County Council, our funders.
Shauna Gilligan Writer 
Thank you Shauna, what a wonderful publication of writings and images by you and Margo, a truly evocative and moving journey with Brigid. I love the title, “Mantles”, so representative and symbolic, covering and revealing past and present.
Thanks also to Sult Artists and friends and James for a lovely evening, creating a very relaxed atmosphere, blending visual, reading and music.
“Mantles” is a must for Christmas and so accessible to all age groups. I hope every school and library will have it available.
This book will encourage many people to look afresh at Brigid, her life and legends and through the words and images therein, a whole new encounter awaits the reader.
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Thank you for your kind comments and so delighted you have enjoyed Mantles.
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