I was part of a group of over 1000 people who extended a Céad Mile Fáilte (a hundred thousand welcomes) to His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Kildare town centre today.
The Brigid flame was presented to His Holiness by the two keepers of the flame, re kindled in 1993 and tended since. Sr. Mary Minehan also presented him with a Bog Oak and Silver Brigid's Cross especially commissioned at Newbridge Silverware. See more photos of the visit to Kildare here
Two local school children sang the Brigid song and presented His Holiness with a Brigid's cross.
The bronze sculpture an acorn, with a perpetual flame in the town centre was host to international media and the mood of the assembled crowd was one of reverence and emotional quiet. Liam O Flynn's Uileann pipes music hypnotising and haunting us while we waited.
For those of you who know my obsession with basketmaking and willow, I was so pleased to see the willow circle surrounding the bronze sculpure in full spring mode.Earlier today His Holiness, Richard Moore (Children in Crossfire, who lost his sight as a ten year old boy on the streets of Derry during the Troubles), and Mary Robinson (retired Irish President and UN High Commissioner on Human Rights) were in City West at a social forum dedicated to creating a space for dialogue. Tomorrow His Holiness travels to Limerick for a special address on the theme of forgiveness.
Big hugs,
Margie
