News
The Launch of The Book of Kildare, 28th January 2024
.png)
On Sunday 28th January, 2024, Josephine will launch The Book of Kildare at Kildare Town Library. The event will be hosted Celine Broughal, Head Librarian and MCed by Poet and Activist, Laura Murphy, who successfully campaigned to mark St. Brigid's Day as a national holiday. The launch will also feature a talk by Author and Historian Mario Corrigan, and a very special performance by Kildare musician and Songwriter, Sive O'Sullivan. Refreshments will be served during the book signing.
2.30pm - 5pm
Kildare Town Library Claregate Street, Kildare Town Centre, Co. Kildare, R51 P403
RSVP to aoife@withhoney.ie by 21st Jan 2024, after which time tickets may be booked here
With thanks to Kildare Library Service, Kildare County Council and Brigid 1500.
"'Breathtaking' Book of Kildare set for Kildare Launch
Kildare Nationalist, Fri 19th Jan 2024
Josephine Hardiman at her studio in Punchestown. Photo: Tony G Murray
A book that has been described by author and historian Mario Corrigan as “breathtaking in scope, artistic endeavour, and originality” will be launched at Kildare Town Library on Sunday 28 January.
The seed of inspiration for The Book of Kildare by Kildare artist and calligrapher Josephine Hardiman was sown when she was invited to be a scribe at Kildare’s Medieval Festival in 2016.
New Exhibition Announced, January 2023
January 11, 2023
Throughout Féile Bríde and for the entire month of February 2023, the Brigid pages from The Book of Kildare will be exhibited at Solas Bhríde and the new, Illuminated pages will be on display at Kildare Town Library.
Josephine will be working on new pages of calligraphy in situ at Kildare Town Library, giving talks on the projects as well of demonstrations of her work during the month.
The Book of Kildare February 2023 exhibitions at Solas Bhríde and Kildare Town Library are supported by
Creative Ireland and Kildare County Council Art Services.
January 24, 2023
An RTÉ TV documentary to air on Tuesday night next will feature the Celtic calligraphy and illumination artwork of Josephine Hardiman, from her work in progress The Book of Kildare, writes Brian Byrne.
Finding Brigid is hosted by Derry Girls actor Siobhán McSweeney and will show pages from Josephine's work relating to Brigid as Goddess, Woman and Saint.
The documentary is produced by RTÉ producer and director Ashling Fallon Casey and visits key sites across Ireland and the UK relevant to Brigid. Among those taking part are former President Mary McAleese, sisters Mary Kennedy and Deirdre Ní Chinnéide, Herstory activist Melanie Lynch and Laura Murphy, as well as Brigidine Sister Rita Minahan.
Throughout Féile Bríde and for the entire month of February 2023, the Brigid pages from The Book of Kildare will be exhibited at Solas Bhríde and new Illuminated pages will be on display at Kildare Town Library. Josephine will be working on new pages of calligraphy in situ at Kildare Town Library, giving talks on the projects as well of demonstrations of her work during the month. The Library event opens at 3pm on Tuesday, 31st January.
Festival to honour the 1,500th anniversary of St Brigid ahead of new public holiday
January 16, 2023
An event to mark the 1,500th anniversary of the death of Brigid, the Patroness of Ireland, will be held in Kildare in February. Brigid is said to have died in the year 524 and Brigid 1500 has been set up by Kildare County Council to honour the saint.
Former Eurovision winner Eimear Quinn will perform in a Concert for Brigid 1500, which takes place on Sunday, February 5th at St Brigid’s Cathedral in Kildare town. She will also sing an original song dedicated to the saint.
The Government has decided to have a public holiday in her honour starting from this year, the first one after a woman. The public holiday takes place on Monday, February 6th which is the first Monday after her feast day of February 1st.