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Sunday 1st February
Imbolg Celebrations with the Brat Bríde Project
Join us on Sunday 1st February to celebrate the first of Spring, Imbolg and the Celtic goddess Brigid!
Workshops and events will take place throughout the gallery, with a special exhibition of Brigid's Cloaks and print works in the Learning Centre and gallery grounds, by the Brat Bríde project participants.
Programme of events:
Brat Bríde Project Exhibition | Learning Centre | 11am - 5pm
Exhibition of Brigid's Cloaks and print works in the Learning Centre by the Brat Bríde Project participants.
Embroidery Workshop with Michelle McMahon | Learning Centre | 12pm - 3pm
The Brat Bríde project are currently working on the embroidery aspect of the Green Mother Cloak; they began embellishing the Mother Cloak with Ireland’s native hedgerows in May 2025 at the Bealtaine Fire Festival - burial place of the Goddess Eirú.
The Irish Hedgerows start to come alive in Spring with blossoms, birds and insects. However, our hedgerows are currently under threat due to road development, farming practices and lack of training in hedgerow management.
The Green Mother Cloak aims to highlight the beauty of Ireland’s hedgerows and the essential role that they play in providing protection and shelter to wildlife as they traverse habitats to access food and water, in a country practically devoid of native woodlands. Essentially, hedgerows allow nature to thrive by providing connectivity, food and shelter.
Join us as we attempt to capture the beauty of hedgerows in embroidery upon the Green Mother Cloak, and in doing so, we also aim to capture the tale of Brigid’s Magic Cloak stretching over the fields of Kildare.
Ruth Lydon Harp Recital | Main Gallery | 1pm - 1:30pm
Ruth Lydon will herald the spring with a Harp recital in the gallery, including a composition that she penned in honour of Brigid.
Fashion a Brigid’s Brooch with Monica Fleming | Wildflower Cafe | 2pm – 4pm
Join local craft artist Monica Fleming to create your own brooch – a miniature Brigid’s cross, with locally sourced rushes.
Éiru Film Screenings | Digital Gallery | 12pm – 4pm
Special screenings of Éiru will take place across the day in the Digital Gallery.
This short movie about the Goddess Éiru, was created by Cartoon Saloon in collaboration with Herstory.
Éiru is the smallest child of an Iron-Age clan. All she wants is to be a mighty warrior who is taken seriously by her kinfolk. But when the village’s well mysteriously dries up, only she is small enough to descend into the belly of the earth to investigate and bring the water of life back to her people. Éiru is the story of a child in search of a challenge, and a goddess in search of a champion.
All ages welcome!
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About the Artists
Michelle McMahon is a contemporary, multimedia, visual artist based in south Kilkenny. Her work is primarily focused on print-making and painting. She draws much of her inspiration from nature and works in a non-toxic studio, using eco-friendly materials. Michelle is currently a studio technician and workshop facilitator at PrintBlock Callan, Workhouse Union.
Michelle has an MSc in Sustainable Development and endeavours to create art using sustainable practices. Her most recent body of work explores feminine themes of empowerment, such as goddess cultures and Sheela-na-gigs. She is passionate about equality and is currently facilitating lino print workshops for women's community groups, with the Brat Bríde Project - see Instagram page @brat_bride.
Monica Fleming is a horticulturist and a tutor with Kilkenny Community Education, teaching Horticulture as well as Crafts using Natural Materials. She is enthusiastic about helping people relate to the beauty of nature and the living world around them. Monica has worked with plants for many years, in nature conservation, landscaping and horticulture, as well as making various crafts with natural materials.
Ruth Lydon is a Callan based harpist with over 20 years experience of performing, teaching and composing for the Irish harp.
Cartoon Saloon, established in 1999 by Paul Young, Tomm Moore, and Nora Twomey, is a world renowned animation studio with five Academy Award® and two Golden Globe® nominations and many award wins including BAFTA® and Emmy®.
