Monasterevin women’s group launch St Brigid tapestry
Mná Beoga Ballykelly Monasterevin Unveiling of St Brigids Tapestry at Solus Bhríde Geraldine Smyth Artist and Clare McAllister Chairperson Photos Jimmy Fullam
MONASTEREVIN women’s group Mna Beoga and local artist Geraldine Smyth launched their St Brigid’s tapestry at Solas Bhríde in Kildare town.
Community figures such as mayor of Kildare Kevin Duffy, cllr Suzanne Doyle and Sr Mary were among those there on the day.
The tapestry that the group worked on for nearly a year shows Brigid moving through the landscape at Umeras bog, which is said to be her place of origin.
It combines many different types of recycled materials, giving it a unique, textured effect.
The women from Mna Beoga were delighted with the opportunity to create this tapestry in honour of Brigid.
“We were very excited to be using recycled materials. It shows the younger generation that this can be done,” said the group’s chairperson, Clare McAllister.
“Monasterevin gets skipped on so much. It’s nice to have something to be proud of,” she added.
Mna Beoga’s direct translation is ‘lively women’, and that’s exactly what this group is. At the core of their group is inclusivity and kindness, offering women a space to come together to socialise and take part in fun activities.
The group was set up in 2023 and has a membership of 40 women.
Clare explained that the group meets up every Tuesday morning in Ballykelly GFC in Monasterevin and often head out on group excursions such as crazy golf and trips to Stella Cinema or more sophisticated outings to the Dáil, which the group did last year.
Mna Beoga was delighted with the fantastic outcome of the tapestry’s launch, and very proud of the hard work that went into its creation.
The tapestry will be hung on the altar in St Peter and Paul’s Church in Monasterevin for the month of February.
