Brigid Festival: Building a Kildare cultural landmark

WHAT began as a commemorative celebration of the 1,500th anniversary of St Brigid’s passing very quickly blossomed into a cultural festival which hopes to be a permanent fixture in the County Kildare calendar.

St Brigid herself put Kildare on the map in early medieval Ireland, attracting visitors from across the seas to visit the monastery she founded in Kildare, which became a significant religious and cultural centre.

Hugely beloved in our country with a feast day in her name, she is celebrated for compassion and care for her community. She has also become a 21st century feminist icon, embodying inclusivity and equality to her core. 

Brigid organisers hoped to garner the same energy, and put Kildare back on the map as a cultural landmark, inviting visitors to share Brigid’s message through community events and sought to reconnect people with the cultural and spiritual depth of Ireland’s only female patron saint through a festival that belonged to everyone. Now, with Brigid 2025, that vision has only expanded.

“We wanted the festival to be something rooted in St Brigid’s values—welcoming, inclusive, and deeply connected to the community,” said one of the festival’s key organisers, Katie Lane.

“This year, it felt even more vibrant and more reflective of what Kildare stands for.” 

Community engagement was at the heart of it all, with a dedicated grant scheme supporting dozens of grassroots initiatives that brought local talent to the forefront.

“One of the biggest challenges was making sure the festival didn’t lose its roots as it grew,” said Katie. “We kept the community at the centre of everything, and it paid off.” 

Among the many standout moments, the 'He For She' event at the Dreamland Ballroom struck a particularly powerful chord. 

Bringing artists like Amble and Bob Geldof to the stage to celebrate feminism in its truest form – in the involvement and support of everyone for equality, including men.

Events such as ‘Nothing Compares’, which highlighted contemporary Irish female artists, brought talented Irish women together in an incredibly empowering concert.

Sustainability, inclusivity, and the empowerment of women were not just themes—they were threads woven into every layer of the festival. 

Efforts ranged from eco-conscious planning and use of local vendors to offering free events like ‘Songs on a Boat.’ 

“Seeing people of all ages and backgrounds come together—that’s what the festival is really about,” said Katie.

Festival organisers hope the festival will continue on far into the future: 

“Our goal is to make the Brigid Festival a permanent cultural landmark — not only for Kildare but for Ireland. It’s about celebrating heritage while also looking outward, creating a space for national and international dialogue around creativity, sustainability, and equality.” 

And if the success of Brigid 2025 is any indication, that goal is well within reach. As the festival continues to evolve, it remains firmly grounded in the values of a saint who still inspires, 1,500 years later.

“We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who made Brigid 2025 possible,” said Katie. 

“The local groups, the artists, the volunteers, the businesses, the councillors — it truly was a community effort. The Spirit of Kildare was alive this year, and we’re excited to see where it takes us next.”