Kildare students to participate in St. Brigid’s day workshop in Leinster House 

Ten primary school students from Bunscoil Bhríde, Rathangan, Co. Kildare, an four secondary students from Ardscoil Rath Iomgháin, Rathangan, Co. Kildare, designed and created the cloak in a series of workshops led by textile artist Aideen Cross. 

At the Leinster House workshop, the students will complete the St Brigid’s cloak and present it to the Women’s Caucus. Staff and Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas will have the opportunity to add to the cloak, guided by the students. The cloak is made from recycled fabrics, some of which were contributed by members of the Women’s Caucus and embellished with symbols of the life and legacy of St. Brigid.

Chairperson of The Irish Women’s Parliamentary Caucus, Senator Fiona O’Loughlin, said of the workshop: 

“This year we mark the 1500th anniversary of the passing of St Brigid. She was born around 453 A.D. and died in 524. There are many stories and legends relating to her birth and early years, but she is synonymous with my home county of Kildare and is patron Saint of Women

Brigid was a peacemaker and negotiator. She accommodated all kinds of apparently irreconcilable differences. It is timely to remember this message about non-violence as we recall all those who strive to maintain peace on the island of Ireland.

As both pagan goddess and revered Saint, Brigid was a bridge between the pagan and Christian worlds and was associated with healing, fertility and midwifery, the farming community, the animal kingdom and environmental issues.”

To mark Brigid1500, Dáil and Seanad Éireann will participate in the Pause for Peace at 12 noon

Photographs of the event can be downloaded from the Houses of the Oireachtas Flickr account.