Bríd Festival Sligo project, ‘Giolla Bríd’ is a commission project that will include research, creation of visual imagery, and design work on publication. There will be a project publication to link in with the Bríd Festival Sligo Feb 2025.

An old folktale tells how St. Brigid was being chased by a band of men who wanted to kill her. As she ran out into the bay she realised there was nowhere to hide and lay down on the sand to accept her fate. A flock of oystercatchers saw what was happening and quickly covered her in seaweed to hide her from her pursuers and stood by her to keep guard. The men could see nothing on the beach but a pile of seaweed and a flock of birds and were sure that no one could have passed this way and so she was saved. She blessed the oystercatchers and ever since they have been known as St. Brigid's bird.

The intention is to explore the relationship between Brigid and nature with a particular focus on the story of Giolla Bríd and the seaweed. Both Brigid and the oystercatcher are seen to herald the arrival of spring and a time of growth. Brigid is recognised as a goddess of agriculture with seaweed traditionally having strong associations with the fertility of the land. 

A small limited edition publication will be created, with a collection of work that celebrates Brigid and her connection to the land through the medium of seaweed. It will explore seaweed as a traditional resource and habitat, and also as an art material, looking at photography processes.

Please note that the details of events listed above are provided by the relevant Local Authorities.