1500th anniversary of the death of St. Brigid to be honoured in Kilkenny

This year's St. Brigid's Day Service led by the Kilkenny Gospel Choir will take place on Thursday, February 1 in St Fiacre's Church, Loughboy at 7.30pm.

A first-class relic of St Brigid will be available on the night for blessing and all members of the community are invited to bring their St. Brigid's Crosses to be blessed.

The saint is remembered for her hospitality and hard work, as a woman of God and a woman of the people. St Brigid is also considered a powerful personality, who appealed to all, from those on high to the humble beggar.

"People attend the service and take the water and red flannel home with them invoking the protection of St. Brigid. It is said that St Brigid's cloak was made of red flannel and when she spread her cloak over the sick, the worried or the anxious they were healed," commented Fr Willie Purcell, who will lead the service.

"At this difficult time in the lives of all people its important we are united in support of each other and what better way than to gather and pray for each other," Mary Kealy, Kilkenny Gospel Choir PRO, added.

For further information on the night contact the Kilkenny Gospel Choir by emailing: kilkennygospelchoir@gmail.com