His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama

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

La Fheile Bhride

Happy St. Brigid's Day to everyone, we are again celebrating the feast of Imbolc, a very special day in the Irish calender, and indeed in County Kildare where St. Brigid lived. There are many events planned to commemorate and celebrate over the next few days, click here and see what Feile Bride 2011 have planned.

Imbolc means,“in the belly” (of the Mother), this was the time to celebrate the stirrings of spring, the sprouting of seeds in the womb of Mother Earth. this day belonged to Brigit, the Goddess of Fire, and patroness of smith-craft, poetry and healing (especially midwifery). There are several ways of spelling Brigit, (Bridget, Bridgit, Bríd or Bride) who is associated with Holy Wells, so, as well as lighting candles and bonfires, there is a tradition of trying strips of cloth on bushes beside the wells.

Big hugs,

Margie