Faughart Community Group are holding a St Brigid candlelit procession in Louth

Following on from their very successful Brigid 1500 event last year, Faughart Community Group said they are delighted to announce details of their upcoming celebration on Sunday 2nd February starting at 6.30pm.

This will be an ancient style candlelit procession which will be led by female robed figures carrying a representation of Brigid followed by a lone drummer who will lead everyone from St. Brigid’s Shrine to Faughart graveyard.

There will be a limited number of procession candles and lanterns handed out free of charge.

"This event is for people of all religions and none", a spokesperson for the Faughart Community Group said.

"The walk from the shrine to the graveyard will be an opportunity to remember those that have gone before us or maybe a time to reflect on our busy lives or on the life of Brigid or maybe just a time to have a bit of craic with your companions. It’s up to you!"

Local school children will follow the drummer up to the Hill of Faughart where they will be greeted by fire on the motte and candlelit ruins in the ancient graveyard with Gregorian chant and incense floating in the air.

Brigid’s Holy Well and birthplace is on the site of Faughart graveyard and the idea of this procession is to go back to where her light began to shine first before it radiated throughout the world.

"It is also to celebrate this extraordinary local woman who has become Ireland’s Matron Saint, this Celtic Goddess, this iconic figure who should be an inspiration to all women; this woman was born here and we should all be immensely proud of her", the spokesperson continued.

Standing in the medieval abbey ruins, surrounded by candle light, a student from Fatima, Kilcurry and Faughart national school will speak about what Brigid means to them.

Poet, Siobhan Mac Mahon, will recite her beautiful St. Brigid poem, commissioned by Brigid of Faughart Festival Group, and a piper will conclude the atmospheric celebrations.

Faughart Community Group said it would like to thank Louth County Council for their generous financial support of this unique event which has now become  an annual tradition where friends from near and far and neighbours come to celebrate an incredible local.

They said they encourage all locals to take part and don’t forget to come prepared for all weather conditions.

It’s approximately a 1km walk.

"See you at St. Brigid’s Shrine Sunday  2nd February at 6.30pm", the spokesperson concluded.