Celebrating St Brigid – From a ‘Make Your Own Vulva’ workshop to a parade through the capital

A wealth of events have been organised across the country to mark the 1,500th anniversary of the death of St Brigid. Here’s how you can celebrate our formidable patron saint...

The Bríd Festival Sligo is one of the many events lined up this year to mark St Brigid's Day

Aoife Barry

As Ireland’s only female patron saint, St Brigid is a figure steeped in legend and history. Today, she has become a figure representing independence, feminism and pushing back against tradition — and the celebration of St Brigid’s Day on February 1 emphasises her links to the Celtic goddess Brigid and Imbolc, the folk tradition of the beginning of spring.

This year marks the second year of Ireland celebrating St Brigid’s Day with a public holiday (this year, it’s on Monday, February 5), as well as the 1,500th anniversary of the death of St Brigid. A wealth of events and festivals have been organised around the country to mark the day. Want to celebrate the great woman yourself? Here are some of the highlights.