Brigid was born in Faughart in the year 452, so County Louth claims her as one of their own and is celebrating with a multitude of events. As part of the Brigid of Faughart Festival you can learn how to weave your own Brigid’s Cross on January 31 at An Táin Arts Centre. On Sunday morning, there’s a Pilgrimage Walk from the Hill of Faughart to Dundalk, a 13km route that makes up day one of the Brigid's Way Celtic Pilgrimage. 

Things get a little more primal on Sunday evening, when the Faughart Candlelit Procession takes place. This walk will lead from St Brigid’s Shrine to Faughart Graveyard, finishing up with a fire-lit motte, drumming and chanting at the Hill of Faughart. If you want to explore on your own during daylight, you can check out Brigid’s Trail, which brings you to those key sites as well as the mural of Brigid in Dundalk.  

While you’re in town, you can check out Northern Lights Celebrating Brigid – a multi-sensory light show that pays homage to the saint. The full show will take place on Sunday and Monday evening in Market Square. 

While Brigid may have been born in Louth, she spent much of her life in Kildare, and the county celebrates with gusto. The main hub of activity is around the Brigid, Spirit of Kildare festival, with loads of events taking place throughout the county. On Saturday January 31, storyteller and fire performer VolkiDána will take over Maynooth with their fiery rendition of the Raiders of Cooley. The following evening, head to Kildare town for the Carrying Her Flame light show. Then on February 2, biodiversity is the focus at Brigid's Spring Parade where the theme is Brigid, Bees & Butterflies. Bring the kids along in fancy dress and take part in the spectacle. 

There are plenty of gigs and concerts throughout the weekend, too. Starting things off with a bang is Kildare-born Picture This with their homecoming concert on January 30. The next day, Celine Byrne – another proud Kildare native – will bring operatic classics to the intimate setting of St Brigid’s Cathedral. The streets of Kildare town are also set to turn into mini musical venues for Brigid’s Busking Festival, which will welcome a talented group of buskers from around the town and beyond. Closing out the festivities on February 2, Irish trad legends Altan will perform their infectious rhythms in Áras Chill Dara.  

The capital will host their fifth edition of Brigit: Dublin City Celebrating Women from January 30 to February 2. The GPO and Palace Building by City Hall will be illuminated as part of 
Shine On: Brigit, with colourful art projected after nightfall. Over at the lovely Abbey Presbyterian Church, there will be musical performances from Irish artists like club-pop performer Gemma Dunleavy and guitarist Muireann Bradley, as well as a talk with author Kim Curran about her latest novel inspired by the saint.

You can head to Meeting House Square on Monday for Imbolc Fair, with crafting workshops where you can make a flower crown or churn butter, and there are live demonstrations and talks all day, too. And if you’re looking for family-friendly activities, there are plenty taking place in the city’s museums – the Chester Beatty is holding a Saints, Goddesses and Queens workshop, and there are Saints, Scholars, and Scribes workshops in the National Museum of Ireland, Kildare Street.  

For a unique dining experience inspired by the arrival of Imbolc, snag a place at the Whitestown Estate's Dining Club on January 31. Each detail of this multi-course menu is inspired by the changing of the seasons, accompanied by live music throughout. 

The heart of the celebrations is the parade on Sunday. Roller skaters, samba dancers and cyclists will make their way from Capel Street to the GPO, paying tribute to inspirational Irish women along the way.    

Want to tap into your own pagan goddess while busting a move? Levis' Corner House in Ballydehob is celebrating St Brigid's Day in style with their own Imbolc Disco night on February 1. Hosted by Irish drag haus Mockie Ah! and DJ'd by Candy Warhol, the night will be filled with pop, disco and Irish classics, plus audience singalongs and games. You can also connect with your spiritual side through intention manifestations and astrology readings. 

Up in Bundoran, Féile na mBan returns for its fourth year with a weekend celebrating women. There are poetry receptions, wellness activities and a series of talks on topics like the history of St Brigid. You can get arty with knitting, printing and other workshops, or you can head along to the craft market in the Bundoran Community Centre to pick up something that’s handmade locally. Catch musical performances from artists such as singer-songwriter Niamh Regan and fiddler Mairéad Ní Mhaonigh.  

Brigid’s Day goes by many names, and in Killorglin you’ll find the unique traditions of the Kerry-specific Biddy’s Day. There’s a strong focus on craft and tradition at the Biddy's Day Festival, where you’ll see Biddy groups in straw hats holding Brídeóg dolls as they parade through the town with lanterns and flaming torches.  

What better place to mark the woman of the hour than Brigit’s Garden? There’s always loads to see and do at these gardens, but over the bank holiday weekend there are two events honouring St Brigid. On Saturday evening, you can celebrate St Brigid's Eve with songs, stories and meditations, and on Monday there are two free workshops where you can learn how to weave your own Brigid’s Cross or craft your own Brídeog (Brigid doll).

St Brigid has strong associations with nature and spring, and that’s the focus at the Bríd Festival. The celebrations will run from January 30 to February 1 and will include a variety of exhibitions, workshops, discussions, readings and musical performances across the long weekend. 

Photo credit: @bridfestivalsligo

On February 1, the Butler Gallery in Kilkenny will host a day-long programme of engaging workshops and events for their Brigid's Day Imbolg Celebration. Explore the exhibition of Brigid's cloaks and prints, all crafted by Brat Bríde – a female-led creative collective. Then, take part in an interactive embroidery workshop led by multimedia artist Michelle McMahon before catching a screening of Éiru, an animated short by Kilkenny's own Cartoon Saloon.

This year will be the third edition of Boyle's Brigid's Awakening Festival, which takes place over the three days of the bank holiday weekend. Get creative at the Boyle Craft Shop with St Brigid-inspired activities, whether it's wire bracelet making, cross weaving or painting. Meanwhile, the Rathcroghan Visitor Centre have put together a programme of interesting talks that explore Brigid's history and cultural legacy. 

Over at The National Famine Museum | Strokestown Park, you can join author Amy Abdullah Barry for a creative writing and poetry workshop. Together, you'll explore themes of nature, resilience and tradition, all in celebration of the Irish goddess. 

Looking for a wholesome way to spend your Friday night? Head to Ennis for a Brigid's Day Yoga and Soundbath gathering on January 30. Hosted by Raquel Sound Therapy and Flow with Grace Yoga, this event includes revitalising exercises such as yoga, breathwork, guided meditation and a soundbath session, which will start your bank holiday weekend off on a peaceful note.