A selection of St. Brigid’s Crosses were brought out from storage in 2022 to mark the 21st anniversary of the opening of the National Museum of Ireland – Country Life at Turlough Park, Castlebar, Co. Mayo. Twenty-one of these crosses are now available to view online at the National Museum’s website: https://www.museum.ie/en-IE/Collections-Research/Collection/St-Brigid-s-Crosses
It is well worth a look to see the variety of weaved traditional crosses, from the most basic Latin cross to the more complex three and four-armed varieties, that have been part of the folk tradition surrounding the celebrations of St Brigid on her feast day over the years.
St Brigid’s Public Holiday Events @ NMI Collin’s Barracks
The National Museum at Collin’s Barracks also has a programme of events to celebrate the role of women in Irish History and to mark the new public holiday, see: https://www.museum.ie/en-IE/Museums/Decorative-Arts-History/Events/2023/Brigids-Bank-Holiday-Tours-at-the-NMI-Decorative
From their website: Join Museum tour guides at the National Museum of Ireland- Decorative Arts & History at Collins Barracks on a variety of engaging free family tours exploring the role of women throughout Irish history.
Also, join Museum educators for Hands-on History: ‘Unconvertible Rebels’- The Women of Revolutionary Ireland. For more information, see here.
Saturday February 4th
1pm: Women in Revolution: Representations through Soldiers and Chiefs
2pm: The Way We Wore: Representations of Social Change through Clothing
Sunday February 5th
2pm: Eileen Gray: Irishwoman and Architect
3pm: Women in Revolution: Representations through Soldiers and Chiefs
Monday February 6th
2pm: Women in Revolution: Representations through Soldiers and Chiefs
3pm: Women in Revolution: Representations through Soldiers and Chiefs
Booking not required, however spaces are limited and will be allocated on a first-come first-served basis. If you require further information, please see: https://www.museum.ie/en-IE/Museums/Decorative-Arts-History/Events/2023/Brigids-Bank-Holiday-Tours-at-the-NMI-Decorative