Celebrating St Brigid of Kildare

More than 60 people attended the joint celebration at St Bride's Church on Thursday 1 February to celebrate 1,500 years since St Brigid's death. Those taking part heard Paul Raymond, manager of the Senior's project speak of how her life has inspired the Chaplaincy and her place as Patron Saint. Pat Gaffney, a volunteer with the Chaplaincy, spoke of the symbolism of the St Brigid Cross and of organisations in Ireland who live out her vision today. Ellena Costello, Project Officer for the Traveller Equality Project, shared two poem-reflections on Brigid.

The Rev Jeff Lake offered a warm welcome and spoke of St Bride's links with the community in Kildare, joined today by the Rev Canon Alison Joyce, vicar at St Bride's.

At the opening of the service those gathered kept a minutes silence, as part of the Global Pause for Peace, in solidarity of those gathering in Ireland and elsewhere. This symbolic gesture was introduced in 2023, an initiative of the Brigidine Sisters, Ireland.

Paul Raymond's talk here

Pat Gaffney's talk here

Full service here

Gathering around the candle lit for the Pause for Peace: Paul Raymond, the Chaplaincy, Eddie Gilmore, former CEO who led singing, Rev Jeff Lake, St Bride's and Chloe, from the Kildare Tourism Office.