The Book of Kildare
A 'breathtaking artistic endeavour' in Celtic Calligraphy and Illumination
Having sold one thousand copies in just six month's since publication, The Book of Kildare is now in its second print. Signed copies of the book are available from a variety of Ireland's best loved booksellers.
In 2016, during Kildare’s Medieval Festival in Saint Brigid’s Cathedral, Josephine Hardiman demonstrated and illustrated some text on Brigid from the Ancient Manuscript 'The Book of Lismore'. The story of the long lost 'Book of Kildare' captured her imagination and inspired her to create a new, modern book for Kildare for the 21st Century.
Since 2017, Josephine has exhibited the work in stages, at various locations in Co. Kildare, as she completed new pages. The project was self-funded so Josephine sold prints and cards of the pages as well as completing commissions and workshops. The work has been archived by Kildare Library, and thousands of people have viewed the exhibitions.
In 2021 and 2022, Josephine received funding from Kildare County Council and Creative Ireland Bursary Award which allowed her to focus her attention on completing the book. In December 2022, Josephine received additional funding from Kildare County Council and Brigid 1500 which assisted her in not only publishing the book, but gifting a copy of The Book of Kildare to every primary school in her beloved County of Kildare.
On Sunday 28th January, 2024, The Book of Kildare was officially launched at Kildare Town Library. The event was hosted by Celine Broughal, Head Librarian and MCed by Laura Murphy, Poet and Activist, who successfully campaigned to mark St. Brigid's Day as a national holiday.
Mario Corrigan, Author and Historian spoke, and the event featured a a very special performance of 'In Cloak and Womb' a song cycle for Brigid by Kildare Singer-Songwriter Sive O'Sullivan, accompanied by Sharon Murphy and Clara Rose Monahan.
Gallery of the launch of The Book of Kildare, 28th January 2024
Kildare Nationalist "Brigid is keeping Kildare Town busy", 28th January 2024
Conor Forrest interviews Josephine Hardiman
Finding Brigid
In 2022, the Irish government announced that the feast day of Ireland’s Matron saint would be celebrated with a state holiday starting in 2023. The holiday is the first in the State recognising a woman. It was seen as a momentous occasion and celebrated nationally with festivals and events.
To mark this occasion, on the Eve of St. Brigid's Day, 31st January 2023, a special documentary on Brigid was aired and viewed around the world.
Hosted by actress and presenter Siobhán McSweeney (Derry Girls, The Great Pottery Throw Down, Graham Norton's 'Holding'), among others it featured Former President of Ireland Mary McAleese, broadcaster Mary Kennedy, Poet and Activist Laura Murphy, Rita Minehan of Solas Bríde and Josephine Hardiman.
The documentary aired again on 1st February 2024 at 6pm. You may also watch Finding Brigid on the RTÉ Player.
