"To embrace the cailleach; to melt the winter ice . . ." This was the aim of a workshop celebrating the spirit and courage of St Brigid, which was held in the Esker Retreat House, Athenry, Co Galway, over the past weekend.
Co-ordinated by Mary Condren, it offered women an opportunity to "excavate, celebrate and liberate the myths, traditions and symbols" of the saint, whose feast day occurs today.
This coming weekend, the indefatigable Leo Hallissey, national school principal and director of the Conamara Environmental Education Centre, is hosting Tar eis na Feile Bride in his Quaker village of Letterfrack, Co Galway - February 5th to 7th.
Much of the weekend will be taken up with an outdoor classroom which takes the theme of "a slice of Ireland".
Michelle Sheehy Skeffington will speak on vegetation since the Ice Age, Mike Millar will talk about the Roundstone Bog, Erin Gibbons will expand on the Brigid tradition, and Cillian Roden will look to the sea and mountains.
What Leo terms "the power of walking and talking" will be wrapped up in the best of traditional music.
A highlight of this year's event will be a seal release in conjunction with the Irish Seal Sanctuary on Sunday in Cleggan at 2.30 p.m.
Tar eis na Feile Bride kicks off next Friday and the outdoor classroom starts at 10.30 a.m. in Letterfrack National School on Saturday. Cost for the weekend is £25. Further information available by phoning (095) 41034 or 43443.