Brigid 1500 Festival Programme Unveiled

Just a reminder before our “newest” bank holiday of some events that are planned for around the county particularly for February but also the restof the year.

The full festival programme of events can be found on www.brigid1500.ie

Kildare County Council extends a warm invitation to our communities and visitors alike to participate in the Brigid 1500 Programme and celebrate the extraordinary life and legacy of St Brigid throughout 2024, marking the 1500th anniversary of the death of St Brigid. For more information and updates on the programme, please visit www.brigid1500.ie and all Brigid 1500 social media channels.

MY DECISION MY RIGHT

This law Assisted Decision-making (Capacity) Act came into effect last April and there was a lot of media commentary about it. I attended a talk on it recently which clarified some queries I had.

A new agency called Decision Support Services is available to answer queries.

Green Gardening Enthusiasts

Paddy Madden has contacted me. He plans on running a course in Ardclough Village Centre towards the end of February and wonders if any retirees might be interested.

Location

Ardclough Village Centre, Ardclough, Co. Kildare and Botanic Gardens. Tea/Coffee and biscuits available on arrival.

Cost

€50; Minimum 10 persons; Maximum 20 persons.

Course Presenter Dr. Paddy Madden

Paddy was a primary teacher and a lecturer in a College of Education for over four decades. He is an advocate of wildlife and organic gardening. In 1984 he established the first school wildlife garden in Ireland and later wrote a book entitled, ‘Go Wild at School’ which is now in its 3^rd edition. This book demonstrates how to garden in tune with the earth. Paddy became a ‘Heritage in School Specialist’ in 1999 and since then he has visited nearly 700 schools around the country teaching pupils and teachers about the natural world and gardening. His website is: www.engagewithnature.ie

Paddy sent me a colourful poster – but unfortunately the format is not copying to blog – follow link to see it – but all the info is here

Organic Gardening Course Spring 2024

Topics covered in course

Wed. February 21^st	11-1 pm	Benefits of gardening; Soils; Composting; Growing new potatoes-bed/bag; Mangetout peas in biodegradable pots; Making biodegradable pots; Lightbox; Organic deterrents. Suppliers of open-pollinated seeds
Tues. February 27^th	11-1 pm	Rationale for growing organic vegetables; Growing organic peas, carrots, marrowfats; Growing scallions, beetroot, lettuce, salads indoors; Growing onions and tomatoes.
Wed. March 6^th	11-1pm	Growing herbs; Rotation of crops; Gardening for bees and butterflies; Friends and foes in the garden; Home-made fertilizers; Wormery
Wed. March 13^th	11-1 pm	Green manures for summer beds; Sowing vegetable plants outdoors; Analysing wildlife potential of the grounds of Village Centre; Taking softwood cuttings.
Sat. March 16^th	11-1pm	Guided walk of the Botanic Gardens by Paddy Madden

Panto Season still here!

A trip to Kill to see their 2024 Pantomime would be worthwhile this week – you might spot a few retirees/múinteoirí scortha among the waves.

YOU CAN SCAN QR CODE TO BOOK

Event: Kill Musical and Dramatic Society – The Little Mermaid

Venue: St. Brigid`s Church, Kill, Co. Kildare.

Date(s): 30/01/2024 – 03/02/2024

Time: Tuesday 30th to Friday 2nd February Nightly at 8pm
Saturday 3rd February Matinee at 1pm.

Tickets: €15
€50 Family (2+2)

Kill Musical and Dramatic Society – The Little Mermaid
A Family Pantomime by Warren McWilliams

Director: Tom McCarthy,

Choreographer: Imelda Winters

Musical Director: Emer Hartnett
Assistant Director: Laura Sheehan

St Brigid’s Cloaks

I took a trip to nearby Kildare town on Saturday to visit the launch of the Brigid’s Cloaks exhibition. I love “launches” as they usually provide an opportunity to talk to the artist and I was not disappointed here.

It was a pleasure to meet the manager/director of this project, Lorna McCormack of the Wool in School programme. She discussed how the schools’ programme aligned closely with local culture and heritage and Sustainable Development Goals 2030 (my muinteoir roots are obvious!)

Lorna introduced me to lead Artist Michelle Hickey Legge who described the works. Four stunning St Brigid’s Cloaks were crafted “with an all-encompassing approach to wool heritage and art” Lorna explained. “With a focus on an all island approach involving many generations, people across Ireland came together and immersed themselves in heritage crafts and community connections”. Lorna had some amusing stories about how the children chose the placement of their work. She also pointed out some interesting features I might have missed: a knitted piece from one of Seamas Heaney’s aran jumpers featured; one of the cloaks had Brigid Cross motifs included.

A total of 925 were involved, including 250 local school children from the town of Kildare who made pompoms, covered CDs, pieces of wool lace and knitting, each placed onto a cloak.

St Brigid’s Cloaks is a community artwork developed by Wool in School in association with Creative Ireland and Kildare County Council.

Unravelling an Icon 1500

A visit to Kikdare Town is must for your diary!

Saturday last 27th Jan Kildare town was transformed into an art gallery. More than 20 local businesses decided to exhibit 60 works of international and national art in their windows, as part of Brigid 1500 celebrations. A free catalogue (donations to Medicins sans Frontiers) and map were available. Niamh Wycherley from Maynooth University launched the exhibition.

Look out for mural of Brigid on pharmacy wall at Square.

For you Drama Enthusiasts

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Delighted to post news about the 34th Rathangan Drama Festival line-up for March 2024.

Put it in your diary!

Beannacht na hAthbhliana

Go mbeirimid beo ar an am seo arís

Singers wanted

Some news as we head into 2024: The Mornington Singers are auditioning! This appeared on Facebook yesterday:

Some news as we head into 2024:

We are auditioning!
We are seeking a soprano one and a tenor one to join us in the new year.
For those who don’t know us, we are an internationally award-winning choir based in Dublin. We love singing choral music from the Renaissance era through to modern day, and we also have a special interest in promoting the contemporary music of living composers. We rehearse on Wednesday evenings in Dublin city centre.

We’re looking for experienced choral singers and confident sight-readers. Auditions will be held in January. Should you wish to submit an application, please send details of your prior vocal and musical experience to info@morningtonsingers.ie by Monday 8th January.