Down Parish Church will be the venue for a special service celebrating the legacy of Saint Brigid on her feast day, 1st February.
2024 marks the 1500th anniversary of the saint’s death. The Irish government has created a new public holiday to celebrate the legacy of Brigid, who is Ireland’s most celebrated female saint.
Although Brigid’s history is focussed around Kildare, some traditions have her remains resting at Down Cathedral along with those of Patrick and Columba/Colmcille. Maintenance work will close Down Cathedral for several weeks, but LAMP (the Church of Ireland parish in Lecale) will be marking St Brigid’s Day with a celebration service on Thursday 1st February at 7.30pm in Down Parish Church, Church Avenue, Downpatrick.
The Revd Adrian Dorrian, Vicar of LAMP, extends an open invitation to this special service: “We are so excited to be celebrating the legacy of Brigid on this 1500th anniversary of her feast day. As well as her legacy of personal devotion and leading others to faith, Brigid has an important place in our cultural history as a female leader and as a patron for poets and other artists. Our special service will feature the voices of women and will include poetry, secular music, hymns of faith, scripture and teaching.”
Participating in the service will be singer/songwriter Lisa Dawson and flautist Ami Ogilby, who form the duo La Petite Duette, local poet Linda McKenna, representatives from local schools and Down Cathedral Choir under the direction of Mr Michael McCracken.
The preacher will be Down Cathedral Canon, the Revd Dr Helene Steed, who is Rector of East Belfast’s CS Lewis Church, St Mark’s, Dundela.