To Be Irish returns on St Brigid’s Day (Lá Fhéile Bríde), with a month’s long programme comprising online and in-person events around the world and across Ireland celebrating leadership, creativity, and the talent of women.More than 75 events have been planned globally with the full list available to view here; and many more events marking St Brigid’s Day around the world will be announced and added to the calendar over the coming weeks.
Some highlights from across the 20+ countries include webinars featuring trail-blazing Irish women who have helped shaped the world; classical and traditional music concerts; art exhibitions; artisan workshops; literary discussions and much more.
In Australia, the public is welcomed to join the Canberra Irish Club in person for some Irish culture inspired by the legends of the goddess Brigid and St Brigid of Kildare and celebrating Mná n hÉireann, the Women of Ireland, with food, music, song and dance. Tickets start at $20 and the event dates are:
– 28 – 30 Jan: St Brigid’s Festival at the Embassy of Ireland, Fremantle, WA
– 1 Feb: Lá Fhéile Bríde, St Brigid’s Day at the Canberra Irish Club, ACT
– 20 Feb: BrigidFest, Féile Bríde at the Embassy of Ireland, Melbourne, VIC
Working alongside the Department of Foreign Affairs, To Be Irish brings Embassies and Consulates, international Irish community organisations, local authorities, venues and organisations in Ireland and around the world to join forces with the 70 million-strong Irish diaspora to mark St Brigid’s Day and an impressive platform for a battalion inspired by Brigid.
Minister of State for Overseas Development Aid and Diaspora, Colm Brophy, T.D., said, “I am delighted to launch the ‘To Be Irish on St Brigid’s Day’ initiative. The Department of Foreign Affairs has been organising a special St Brigid’s Day programme since 2018 – honouring the contributions of trail-blazing women to our diaspora, to Ireland and to the world. This is the first year that we are taking this programme online – to share the amazing performances, seminars and other discussions which take place at Irish Embassies and Consulates at this time of year and to connect these with inspiring Brigid’s Day events taking place here in Ireland.”
Submissions are still open to women around the world with a connection to Ireland to share their story or join the conversation using the hashtags #ExtraordinaryStories #ToBeIrish #StBrigidsDay.
Organisations that wish to register their event on the To Be Irish platform, can do so here.
To Be Irish on St Brigid’s Day is brought to the world by the Department of Foreign Affairs with support from Local Authorities, cultural institutions, broadcasters and organisations across Ireland.
