A celebration of Irishwomen

IN IRELAND, February 1 traditionally marks the beginning of spring and the celebration of Lá Fhéile Bríde, St Brigid’s Day. St Brigid’s Day is also Ireland’s newest public holiday, marking the contributions of women to Irish life.

The legend of the Brigid begins in the mythology of pre-Christian Ireland. Brigid was a goddess and associated with healers, poets, smiths, childbirth, and inspiration. As Christianity spread through Ireland, the Celtic goddess Brigid shared her name with St Brigid of Kildare (c451–525AD), one of Ireland’s patron saints alongside Patrick and Columba. She was reputed to have mystical powers and performed miracles, including healing the sick. Her feast day, on February, 1—originally a Celtic festival called Imbolc—marks the beginning of spring. In the pagan tradition, this day also celebrates Brigid’s divine femininity.

Over the last number of years, Ireland’s Embassy and Consulate network across the world have used St Brigid’s Day to celebrate the contributions of Irishwomen in the arts, science, education, business and many other fields. This year was no different with many events here in Scotland.

On January 29, the Consulate hosted an event celebrating women in STEM. We were delighted to be joined by Women in Technology and Science Ireland (WITS) to host the event. Panellists included Dame Anne Glover, Professor of Molecular Biology and Cell Biology, former Chief Scientific Adviser to the President of the European Commission and the first Scientific Adviser to the Scottish Government, who spoke of her experiences working in STEM in multiple fields and her reflections on being involved in previous policy interventions aimed at supporting women in STEM from primary school onwards.

Professor Eva Malone, Professor of Bioscience Education and Immunology at Edinburgh Napier University and National Teaching Fellow, who is currently working on Irish-Scottish collaborations on HPV vaccine rollout, reflected on the importance of storytelling, intersectionality and working cross discipline in this field.

Professor Jennifer Keenahan, Associate Professor in Civil Engineering, University College Dublin and Deputy Chair, WITS Ireland explored the work she had done in promoting engineering at primary school level and changing perceptions through workshops and concerted engagement.

In her opening keynote address, Jean O’Donnell, Chair of WITS Ireland discussed her experiences of working in STEM and the challenges faced in terms of attracting, retaining and progressing women in STEM.

The event concluded with thanks by Jo Shaw, General Secretary of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. With a standing room only turn out, the Consulate was very appreciative of the support from our colleagues at Enterprise Ireland and Causeway: Ireland Scotland Business Exchange in helping us to promote the event.

On February 2, the Consulate was delighted to again partner with Glasgow City Council (above) for their second annual St Brigid’s Day event. Thanks must go to Lord Provost Jacqueline McLaren, Bailie Annette Christie and all the team at the City Council for their continued interest in celebrating St Brigid.

Over the evening, we heard from Paula Larkin, archivist at the Govanhill Baths Trust, author Sara Sheridan and journalist and broadcaster Lesley Riddoch about the contributions of Irishwomen to Glasgow life and in their own careers.

The true impact and appreciation of St Brigid can be seen in the number of community celebrations held in her honour this year.

On January 30, the Little Ireland Art Collective held a St Brigid’s Day event at the Salisbury Centre in Edinburgh. I was delighted to be able to attend for an evening of St Brigid’s cross weaving, singing, music and poetry.

The Consulate also co-hosted a dinner with ESB at the Scottish Parliament marking the day, where Cabinet Secretary Gillian Martin MSP and Michelle Thomson MSP both acknowledged the importance of the celebration.

On January 31, Conradh na Gaeilge also hosted a Céilí Oíche Fhéile Bhríd (St Brigid’s Night Céilí) no doubt a night of great craic and celebration.

We hope to see the celebration of St Brigid continue to grow across Scotland over the coming years. If you have any ideas for events next year or are already planning your own, let us know and we will be happy to support or help promote as we can.

Sarah (Bridget) Keating is the Vice Consul General of Ireland in Scotland