Brat Bríde 2

Another big day, We went to Clonakilty to deliver some books and Himself wanted to look for some shoes then we carried on to Bandon where their Brigid Festival kicked off with a magnificent talk by Shane Lehane, He is a well know folklorist and tutor at University College Cork, a highly engaging speaker who delivered a tour deforce about the origins, customs and connections surrounding St Brigid. Basically she (and there may be more than one of her, Brigid possibly a general name for a powerful goddess) is the light, the earth, focusing on fertility and birth, renewal and fecundity and he drew us along at a roaring pace, throwing in all sorts of connections and food for thought. I loved it! He was very complimentary about my book too which was very nice. 

The talk was in the Library and next door a mixed group of secondary school children, Shane's college students and elders were wrestling with rushes, making Brigid crosses or fetishes as Shane prefers to call them, Behind this activity was this wonderful art installation - another version of a Brat Bríde, St Brigid's Cloak. She had to wear a cloak because her aura was just so dazzling - that light again. And the cloak itself may  originate from the Cailleach or wise woman, now rather derogatorily referred to as a hag, whose name means Veiled One. So fascinating, it's all connected. The cloak is the work of artist Claire Hurley in collaboration  with St Brogan's students and Bandon Day Care.  It includes cyanotype printing with copper highlights and is just full of wonderful details.
Beans on boxty (!) and now Himself is watching the rugby - Ireland v France. All go.