St. Brigid’s Day & Imbloc Celebration

Description

Event Highlights

🌱 Winter Seed Sowing Demonstration with Monica Longlet.

Learn the art of sowing Bells of Ireland and Chamomile seeds as Monica guides you through this symbolic act of planting intentions for the year ahead. All materials will be provided by BIIHG, so you’ll leave with your seeds sown in anticipation of a beautiful harvest in the summer months. Discover a deeper meaning of sowing seeds in fellowship and community.

🕊 Presentation on Brat Bhríde (Brigid’s Cloak)

Explore the tradition of leaving a piece of cloth or ribbon outdoors to receive Brigid’s blessing. Each participant will take home their own ribbon and beeswax candle to continue this beautiful ritual on the night before St Brigid’s Day (February 1st)

✳ St Brigid’s Cross-Making Session with Cindy Gillespie Cushman.

Cindy will teach the art of weaving your own St. Brigid’s Cross with rushes from Ireland, as well as sharing her love for the bodhrán and her personal connection to Irish heritage and music.

📜 Paper Cross Craft Activity

For a unique twist, make a St Brigid’s Cross using a printed paper. Take home your finished craft as a keepsake of the day.

Complementary light refreshments and snacks will be provided.

About St. Brigid’s Day: The Promise of Light in Midwinter

As winter holds the land in its quiet grip, a subtle shift begins around the first days of February. In some corners of the Northern Hemisphere, buds swell on bare branches, birdsong breaks the stillness, and daylight grows stronger. These gentle signs whisper that spring is stirring – a promise that the frozen earth will soon awaken. This turning of the season has long been honored as Imbolc, a festival celebrating renewal and the goddess and saint, Brigid.

The tradition of Brigid’s Cross reaches back to pre-Christian Ireland and the ancient Imbolc gatherings, where communities honored Brigid with music, dance, and offerings. These crosses, woven from rushes or straw, feature a central square with four arms at right angles. Hung in kitchens and doorways, they were believed to protect homes from fire and harm. Making the cross was – and still is – a communal act, bringing families and neighbors together in fellowship.

This St. Brigid’s Day, join the Beaver Island Irish Heritage Group (BIIHG), in partnership with the BIC Center and sponsors Island Airways and Clarion Vitality, for an uplifting celebration of Brigid, Imbolc, and the returning light.

St Brigid’s Day is a national holiday in Ireland and is being celebrated this year on February 2nd, 2026. Our celebration will take place prior to the day on Saturday, January 31st. 

Reserve Your Spot Today! Spaces are limited—sign up now to join us in celebrating St Brigid’s Day and the promise of spring.

Children are welcome (and encouraged) to participate but must be accompanied by an adult. Cross making is not suitable for children under the age of 9 (even the adults find it tricky!)

Go raibh maith agat! Thank you!

About the Beaver Island Irish Heritage Group

The Beaver Island Irish Heritage Group (BIIHG) aims to present authentic and varied educational activities to recognize, showcase and preserve Beaver Island’s unique Irish Heritage including its connection to Arranmore Island, County Donegal, Ireland. The BIIHG conducts year-round programming and activities, including the St. Brigid’s Day Imbolc, the Currach Club, and of course, the annual Emerald Isle Irish Féile.