COMMUNITY groups in Clare are hosting a Culture Exchange afternoon in glór on Bank Holiday Monday, February 6 to celebrate St Brigid’s Day.

“This is the first St Bridget’s Day Bank Holiday and we want to make it memorable,” said Michelle Nolan, of Clare Local Development Company, one of the organisations alongside Women’s Collective Ireland – Clare, Mna Ag Gaire Women’s Shed and Respond who are organising the gathering of communities from all over Clare.

“This event will have something for everyone and all are welcome,” said Hilary Tonge of Mna Ag Gaire Women’s Shed. There will be, stories of St Brigid from Ruth Marshall, singing from Mary Frances Keenan and Yvonne Ketwa music from Los Paddy’s, interactive art workshops with Aine O’Brien.

There will be cultural performances from around the world, art exhibits and face painting for children. Those in attendance will get to sample teas and food from around the world.

“In preparation for the event we have been busy having workshops making St Brigid’s crosses all around the county,” said Ruth Carr of Respond.

Elaine D’Alton added, “We are so happy to host this rich exchange of cultures from so many countries, here in Clare. All of us have so much to share and learn from each other and we thought St Brigid’s day was the perfect opportunity and setting to merge the old with the new and celebrate the richness of diversity available to us here in Clare.”

With its origins in the Celtic festival of Imbolc, St Brigid’s Day was the festival of fertility and marked the beginning of spring in Ireland. It signalled an end to the darkness of winter and ushered in a new season of hope and growth.

As such, people celebrated the day with a festive meal and a host of customs, all aimed at securing St Brigid’s protection and promise of new life and abundance for the year ahead.
The event is from 2pm until 5pm. Traditional costume welcome.

For more see https://glor.ie/events/clare-local-development-company-presents-st-brigids-day-irish-cultural-exchange/