Preparations are currently underway at Market Square to assemble a spectacular light installation in honour of our beloved Saint Brigid. As part of the celebrations taking place nationwide to honour Brigid of Faughart, County Louth is set to shine the brightest! A new state-of-the-art installation known as ‘The Northern Lights – Brigid 1500 Series’ will launch on Wednesday 31st of January. Featuring up to 200,000 individual points of light it will be adorned with unique decorative symbols exclusively inspired the iconic Brigid of Faughart mural, and created in collaboration with renowned Irish artist Friz.
Tourism Officer Sinéad Roche explained “It is an important moment in time to celebrate the extraordinary life of St. Brigid of Faughart. This special anniversary, marking 1500 years since her death, is a collective opportunity, of social significance, for the nation to honour and reflect on her legacy. To embrace her Celtic heritage and Christian origins, exploring her deep connection to the land and people of Louth, and their enduring pride and devotion to her.”
Town Centre Commercial Manager, Martin McElligott said “Since this initiative was first announced Dundalk BIDS and Louth County Council have been working hard behind the scenes to create a visual concept epitomising the spirit of Brigid – combining her historical, cultural, and spiritual story with creativity and light. We knew that County Louth, as birthplace of Brigid, would play a pivotal role nationally, that it would need to be a project of scale celebrating Brigid of Faughart as a beacon of light in the world. A showcase connecting the past to the present, illuminating her legacy, and transcending her story into the future, and with that ‘The Northern Lights – Brigid 1500 Series’ was born.”
Starting on Wednesday 31st of January and running until Monday 5th of February, there will be three shows each evening. This spectacular lighting show, never before seen in Ireland, is choreographed to the rhythm of music that will invigorate and inspire, and is described as a fusion that will take you on a majestic journey through the ages.
Martin continued “Brigid of Faughart has always had a special place in the hearts of the people of Louth and Kildare, but now she is getting the national and even international attention that she deserves, stepping out of the shadow of St. Patrick into her own light. It was important that we reflect the magnitude of this in the overall design.
“Inspiration for the visual concept came directly from the iconic Brigid of Faughart mural, since it was created by the amazingly talented urban artist Friz back in 2020 it has captivated the attention of people across the world on a scale that we could never have imagined. It has continued to inspire us in countless ways and was central to the design of The Northern Lights – Brigid 1500 series.”
Exact show times will be announced in the coming days and updates will be posted to @TheNorthernLightsDundalk social media accounts.
