Category: Writing Festival

Exhibitions, Writing Festival, Writing Workshops

Brigid’s Worlds

Photograph of some items in the Brigid’s Worlds Conference Goodie Bag: Brigid 1500 Cross Pin, Brigid Chocolate, details of the Medieval Irish History Podcast, Conference Programme

It was a joy to attend the Brigid’s World Conference in Maynooth University this weekend. The conference explored – as the title says – the many worlds of Brigid, conversion, land and living, textual and material evidence of Brigid, ecclesiastical patronage, the cult of Brigid among other themes. Through the five sessions over two days in the atmospheric Renehan Hall, the conference gave attendees a glimpse into the rich and varied research into Brigid’s Worlds that is ongoing in academic institutions around the world.

It was also a great opportunity to re-connect with others interested in and fascinated by the world of Brigid in this, the 1500th anniversary of her recorded death.

Slide from Tiago Veloso Silva’s fascinating talk on “Women’s ecclesiastical patronage: the case of Kildare”
Dr Sharon Greene’s talk on “Traces of Brigid’s Material World” was a fascinating look into the 6th century lived life through an archeological lens.
Slide from Dr Sharon Greene’s talk – bone damage and wear/tear brought on by daily activities: heavy cattle, sitting weaving, herding cattle….

Congratulations to Dr Niamh Wycherley and all at the Department of Early Irish and the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, and to Brigid 1500 / Kildare County Council for a wonderful conference. For more details on speakers and conference presentations see the CONFERENCE WEBSITE

Book launch, Collaboration, Writing Festival, Writing Life, Writing News

Fire: New Anthology Cover Reveal

Editors Niamh Boyce and Shauna Gilligan are delighted to reveal the cover for Fire: Brigid and the Sacred Feminine (Arlen House: Dublin, 2024)

Save the date:

Fire: Brigid and the Sacred Feminine an anthology of art and writing (Eds Niamh Boyce and Shauna Gilligan) will be launched at Naas Library and Cultural Centre at 6.45pm on Thursday, 26th September by Lucina Russell, Lecturer in Art & Design Teacher Education, Limerick School of Art. This is part of the Kildare Readers’ Festival 2024. Copies of a special limited edition to celebrate 50 years of Arlen House will be available at the launch only!

We are thrilled to feature “Snakelady” by the brilliant Noël O’Callaghan as the cover art – see more of her work here. Keep posted for more on this exciting new anthology on the themes of Brigid, the Sacred Feminine and the heritage of Kildare.

This anthology  – the result of the Holy Cows Project started by Shauna Gilligan – was made possible with a 2024 Brigid 1500 / Kildare County Council Arts Act Grant.

Writing Festival, Writing Workshops

Writing Workshop: Blackrock Library

These days my teaching and workshop facilitation is within educational institutions so it is wonderful to be working with fellow writer Sara Mullen giving a workshop in a community setting. Join us in Blackrock Library, Tuesday 11th June 6pm – 7.30pm. Max 12 places. To book, email blackrocklib@dlrcoco.ie or Tel (01) 288 8117

Supported by the Creative Ireland Programme and DLR Libraries.