Following the success of the WEB anthology Tearing Stripes off Zebras (edited by Nessa O’Mahony and published by Arlen House), DLR and Ballyogan Libraries will host some members of the WEB Women’s Writing Group in an 8-week programme of creative writing workshops exploring memoir, the craft of writing, the Irish language, poetry, prose.
I’m delighted to be giving a workshop “The Domestic in Poetry and Prose” in Ballyogan Library on September 11th. All Welcome!
Nearer to home, Women Spirit Ireland are hosting a Brigit Weekend at An Grianán in County Louth which focus on Brigit as Peace-Weaver and is curated by the wonderful Dr Mary Condren.
*NOTE: Due to Storm Éowyn, this event will now take place on the weekend of 1 February. All registrations for the original event are valid for the rescheduled event. However, if anyone is unable to attend the rescheduled event, please contact wsibrigit2025@gmail.com and they will arrange for your refund. See WomanSpiritIreland Website for more information.
With thanks again to Kildare County Council/ Brigid 1500 for awarding me a Brigid 1500 Grant in 2024 which allowed me to work with Niamh Boyce and Arlen House to curate Fire: Brigid and The Sacred Feminine which is also available for purchase from KENNYS (free postage in Ireland), BLACKWELLS (free worldwide postage) and to borrow from libraries across Ireland.
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
Shauna Gilligan Writer 