Events celebrating St Brigid will take place across Louth

As Ireland prepares to mark St. Brigid’s Day on the 1 February, County Louth is inviting people to reconnect with the place where her story began.

Brigid’s story is celebrated across Ireland, beginning in Faughart, just outside Dundalk, where her life, as saint, goddess and enduring symbol of renewal, first unfolded.

Her legacy remains visible in Louth’s landscape, in seasonal rituals, and in the communities that continue to honour her each February.

Born at sunrise on 1 February in 452 AD, Brigid’s life is closely linked to Imbolc, the ancient Celtic festival marking the return of light, the promise of spring, and the renewal of land and spirit.

Her life bridges pagan and Christian Ireland, shaped by beliefs associated with healing, fertility, poetry and care for the land.

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Discover Brigid’s Sacred Landscape in Faughart

Faughart has been a place of pilgrimage for centuries. In 1934, Cardinal MacRory declared it the National Shrine of St. Brigid, cementing its significance for Ireland.

Visitors can explore St. Brigid’s Shrine and Holy Well, Sruth Bhríde (St. Brigid’s Stream), ancient and modern Stations of the Cross, and healing stones long associated with Brigid’s protective power.

Set within the rolling landscape of north Louth, the site offers a rare sense of stillness and reflection.

Speaking about Brigid’s deep connection to the county, David Conway, Chief Executive of Louth County Council, said: “Brigid’s story begins here in Louth, and St. Brigid’s Day offers an opportunity to experience Faughart and the surrounding landscape, and to see how this place continues to shape how her story is remembered and marked today.”

Events to Celebrate St. Brigid’s Day in Louth:
Throughout late January and February, Louth will host a programme of events celebrating Brigid’s legacy.

St. Brigid Medieval-Style Candlelit Procession. Saturday 31 January | 6.30pm | St. Brigid’s Shrine, Faughart

Hosted by the Faughart Community Group, this ancient-style candlelit procession begins at St. Brigid’s Shrine and walks to Faughart graveyard, led by robed figures and a lone drummer.

Open to people of all faiths and none, the evening concludes at the Hill of Faughart with fire on the motte, candlelit ruins, chant, incense and music, including an uilleann piper, a powerful communal tribute to Brigid as saint, goddess and local woman. 1km walk.

The Northern Lights: Celebrating Brigid - Market Square, Dundalk

Live shows: 1 & 2 February | 6pm, 6.20pm, 6.40pm, 7pm

This multisensory light installation will transform Dundalk’s Market Square with a striking display choreographed to music, weaving together Brigid’s history, symbolism and spiritual resonance using cutting-edge lighting technology.

Féile na Tána - 25 January – 2 February

Now in its twelfth year, Féile na Tána celebrates the very best of Irish traditional music, song and dance across intimate venues at the foot of the Cooley Mountains.

Programmed by acclaimed local violinist Zoë Conway and guitarist John McIntyre, the festival presents world-class concerts, workshops and sessions led by some of Ireland’s finest traditional artists.

Eco-Darkroom on Blackrock Beach – 24 January

Creative Spark presents Eco-Darkroom on Blackrock Beach, a day-long workshop led by photographer Maria McSweeney where ecology, landscape and analogue photography meet.

Participants will forage local seaweed, create collaborative lumen prints, and shoot and develop 35mm black-and-white film using non-toxic, seaweed-based developers in an open-air darkroom by the sea.

Work created will be showcased in a Brigid’s Day exhibition at the Creative Spark Downtown Hub, launching Thursday 29 January at 7pm.

St. Brigid Exhibition – County Museum Dundalk | 30 January – Mid-February

County Museum Dundalk will host a St. Brigid exhibition exploring her roots in both pagan and Christian traditions, presenting the Faughart-born saint as a figure of continued relevance today.

The exhibition features examples of Brigid’s Cross, highlights her birthplace as a long-standing site of pilgrimage, and traces how her symbol has been adopted by organisations including RTÉ and the GAA.

A key feature is a contemporary cloak inspired by the legend of Brigid and the King of Leinster. Designed by artist Shauna Swords and created by students of St. Brigid’s School, Ard Easmuinn, Dundalk, the cloak is composed of hundreds of hand-stencilled copper foil circles, each unique. Admission is free.

EPSO Walking Tour: Stories, Street Art & Hidden Gems of Dundalk. Saturday 31 January | 2pm | Dundalk Town

This special edition 90-minute EPSO Walking Tour explores Dundalk’s stories, street art and hidden corners, with a focus on Brigid’s connection to County Louth.

Highlights include a visit to the Brigid of Faughart mural on Bridge Street by acclaimed Irish street artist Friz, celebrating Brigid as both goddess and saint through bold colour and symbolism.

The tour also offers insight into the artists behind Dundalk’s murals and the stories they tell about the town today.

Life Style Sports Dundalk Half Marathon & 10K. Sunday 1 February | Dundalk

The Life Style Sports Dundalk Half Marathon and 10K takes place on St Brigid’s Day, bringing runners and supporters together for one of the town’s most energetic annual events.

Organised by Bear Races, the event welcomes both seasoned athletes and recreational runners, combining challenge, community spirit and a lively race-day atmosphere through the streets of Dundalk.

The half marathon begins at 10am, followed by the 10K at 10.20am.

Crios Belt Weaving for Brigid’s Week - 4 February | 6pm | An Táin Arts Centre (Bó Studios)

Join artist Úna Curley for a hands-on workshop exploring the ancient craft of crios belt weaving, often associated with weddings and rites of passage.

Brigid of Faughart Festival 2026

Celebrating Brigid of Faughart as both saint and pre-Christian goddess, this festival is rooted in her birthplace and the enduring power of her story.

 - Brigid Symbols & Customs Workshop. 31 January | 11am–1pm | An Táin Arts Centre, Dundalk

Learn to weave the iconic Brigid’s Cross and Crios Bríd (Brigid’s Belt) while sharing stories and traditions with Roisin Cotter and Maura Lennon.

 - Pilgrimage Walk: Hill of Faughart to Dundalk (12.8km). 1 February | 10am–2pm

The opening walk of Brigid’s Way Celtic Pilgrimage, beginning at St. Brigid’s Holy Well and travelling through her shrine, ancient stones, Kilcurry and Toberona, before finishing at Brigid’s stream at Lisnawilly Estate, Dundalk.

Includes ritual, a Brigid Water Blessing and storytelling exploring Brigid’s myths, legends and local history. Guided by Dr Karen Ward and eco-artist Siobhán Madden.

 - Dancing at Imbolc. 1 February | 2.30–4.30pm | Wellington Hall, Dundalk

Join Stephanie O’Hanlon for a welcoming dance circle celebrating Imbolc and St. Brigid, featuring simple, lively and meditative dances set to uplifting music. No experience or partner required.

 - Tour of Faughart’s Sacred Sites with Roisin Cotter. 1km guided walk | 2 February | 11am–1pm

Guided by Roisin Cotter, this walk explores Faughart’s sacred landscape from the Hill of Faughart to St. Brigid’s Shrine, highlighting its significance from pre-Christian times to the present day.

Cooley Connect Well: Celebrating Spring in the Footsteps of Brigid - Late January – February

A series of community-led wellbeing, creativity and nature-based events marking St Brigid, Imbolc and the return of spring, rooted in tradition and connection to the land.

 - Weave St Brigid’s Crosses & Brigid’s Eve Gathering. Saturday 31 January | From 10am | Ravensdale Hall

The day begins with weaving St Brigid’s Crosses (10am), followed by herbal teas and tasters (11am) and a Food as Medicine workshop with guest herbalist Donna Weir (11.30am).

The afternoon includes a Brigid’s Eve celebration walk, weaving, songs, stories and traditions, with a talk by Evelyne Bourton, concluding at Eagles Rock Retreat (3.30pm).

 - Walk in the Footsteps of Brigid. Sunday 1 February | 1pm | Grange

A 5km guided Walk & Talk exploring Brigid’s connection to the Cooley landscape with Warrior Walks.

 - Celebrating Brigid – Full Day Programme. Wednesday 4 February | 9am–4pm | Cooley Hall

A full day of creative and wellbeing activities including weaving, community sewing, herbal creations and Brigid-inspired art.

 - Collective Sewing & Weaving Project. Wednesdays 4, 11, 18 & 25 February | 11am | Cooley Hall

A four-week collective sewing and weaving project rooted in tradition and community.

 - Connecting with Brigid at Imbolc – Wellbeing Morning. Saturday 7 February | 10am | Cooley Hall

A morning focused on natural wellbeing and seasonal connection, followed by Food as Medicine: Natural Health & Wellbeing talk at 2pm.

- Love of Spring – Garden Walk & Talk. Saturday 14 February | 11am | Ravensdale Country Market

A seasonal garden visit and walk with Dominica McKevitt celebrating early signs of spring.

 - Outdoor Spring Creative Gathering – Proleek Dolmen. Tuesday 25 February | 1pm | Ballymascanlon

A guided outdoor creative walk (approx. 2km) linking landscape, history and seasonal change.

Brigid’s Trail Map & Guide

Visitors can explore Brigid’s story at their own pace using the Brigid’s Trail Map & Guide, highlighting key sites including St. Brigid’s Shrine and Holy Well in Faughart and the striking Brigid of Faughart mural by visual artist Friz on Bridge Street, Dundalk.

Plan Your Visit

Now a national public holiday, St. Brigid’s Day offers the perfect opportunity to experience Louth, the birthplace of Brigid.

Whether seeking spiritual reflection, cultural discovery or meaningful connection with Ireland’s ancient traditions, visitors are invited to walk the landscape where Brigid’s story began.

Full details of all events, together with St. Brigid’s Trail Map and Guide can be found at www.visitlouth.ie or at Dundalk Tourist Office.