This week I had the incredible privilege to be invited to perform at the Irish Embassy in London to celebrate Lá Fhéile Bríde/St. Brigid’s Day.
St. Brigid is a fascinating character in Irish history who straddles both the pagan and catholic worlds and was also a real historic figure. A daughter of an Irish chieftan and founder of an abbey, she is invoked to celebrate and promote creativity, rebirth, and even beer.
The current Irish Ambassador to the UK, Adrian O’Neill, has rebranded St Brigid as the figurehead for all things Irish, feminine and creative and has launched St Brigid’s Day festivities in a number of countries around the globe.
St Brigid’s Day is a chance to get together to celebrate and cheer for all women who create and share in the modern world.
This year’s London celebrations took place over 4 days and 6 venues and celebrated history, art, poetry, music, sport, comedy, film, politics, as well as food and wine – with all of the content created and curated by Irish women.
The event I took part in at the Irish Embassy in London saw 34 Irish female creatives share their skills, knowledge and joy with an invited audience. We heard tales of Grace O’Malley the Irish pirate queen, learned how to write a crime novel, discussed the work of Seamus Heaney, heard newly commission poetry, and ate delicious food and wine created by Irish female producers.
What Adrian O’Neill and the staff at the Irish Embassy in London have done is nothing short of a miracle. In difficult times, they have gathered all that is good, generous and creative about Irish culture and given it a voice and an international stage.
Irish women have long been shy about their own achievements. We are delighted to finally have the public platform to celebrate them.
Learn more about St Brigid’s Day here.
Daire Halpin - Soprano 