St Brigid's Day / Lá Fhéile Bríde 2022: Louise Mulcahy performs her new jig, Port Naomh Bríd

To celebrate Lá Fhéile Bríde/St Brigid's Day 2022, the Irish Traditional Music Archive, in collaboration with the Department of Foreign Affairs, commissioned three traditional artists to compose new works inspired by lore relating to Brigid: Louise Mulcahy, uilleann pipes/flute; Síle Denvir, harp/sean-nós singing, and Caitlin Nic Gabhann, concertina/dancer. These new works are featured on TO BE IRISH ON ST BRIGID’S DAY an online celebration of St Brigid and the lives and legacies of women at home and abroad.

Uilleann piper/flute player Louise Mulcahy's new composition, Port Naomh Bríd/St Brigid's Jig, celebrates St Brigid, her legacy and her important connection with nature and the environment.

"Throughout my research at the Irish Traditional Music Archive, I discovered some charming legends and folklore connecting St. Brigid to nature. St. Brigid is synonymous with the spring season, a time of renewal, new life, growth and positivity. It is the time of year when we celebrate new beginnings and new life on earth. This jig seeks to encapsulate the feelings of hope and positivity whilst celebrating the beauty of nature and new life. The jig is performed on the uilleann pipes which have a range of sonic possibilities. The instrument allows for the deep connection with the sounds of nature and these possibilities are explored in the tune."

The pipes Louise is playing were once owned by the master piper Liam O’ Flynn and were entrusted to her by Na Píobairí Uilleann.

For more information and background on the newly composed tunes, song, and dance visit: https://www.itma.ie/blog/st-brigids-d...

For more events and projects celebrating St Brigid's Day: Celebrating the Creativity of Women / Lá Fhéile Bríde: Ag Ceiliúradh Cruthaitheachta na mBan, visit https://tobeirish.ie