Welcome Under Brigid’s Mantle

As Imbolc approaches — that ancient Celtic threshold between winter and spring — we invite you into a nourishing day carried by the spirit and example of Brigid, flame-keeper, healer, poet, and monastic woman.

As we dreamed this day into being, three words emerged with clarity and gentleness:
cineáltas, comhbhá agus comhluadar
(kindness, compassion, and community).

Moments later, a rainbow arched across the Slieve Felim hills — a quiet blessing affirming these were the qualities Brigid herself wished to guide our gathering.

Walking Brigid’s Monastic Way

Throughout this retreat, we will lean into the monastic rhythm Brigid herself lived by — a way centred on simplicity, presence, and shared humanity.

In her monasteries, daily life unfolded through a sacred rhythm:
gathering together, eating together, praying together, and listening together.

These are the practices that shaped Brigid’s spiritual communities, and they will shape our day as well.

This gentle, spacious rhythm is the container through which we will explore:

• Her stories, myths, and lesser-known teachings
• Her deep connection to the land, language, and the light of Imbolc
• Her devotion to hospitality, healing, and sanctuary
• Her lineage of song, silence, creativity, and spiritual presence

This is not a reenactment of monastic life, but a warm invitation to slip into Brigid’s rhythm — one that nourishes, grounds, and gently awakens the soul.

What the Day Holds

In community, we will:

• Gather in circle, arriving into presence

• Eat together in simple shared hospitality

• Pray with intention, silence, and sound

• Listen deeply — to story, to language, to one another, and to the inner voice

• Explore the magic of our máthairtheanga, weaving Irish words, chants, and meanings

• Compose and sing chants dedicated to Brigid

• Create a ritual of light as we cross the threshold into Imbolc

• Share in personal reflection, connection, and gentle conversation

No Irish language is needed.
No prior experience with chant or ritual is required.
Only your presence.

This day is ultimately for you — a spacious moment to soften, reconnect, and be held in community.

A Sacred Setting: Glenstal Abbey

Glenstal Abbey offers the perfect home for this gathering: a place where monastic rhythm is still alive, where silence has texture, and where Brigid’s flame feels close.

The land, the stillness, and the atmosphere of prayer will quietly hold us as we journey together.

Event Details

📅 Date: Saturday 31 January, 2026
⏰ Time: 10:00am – 5:00pm
🥣 Lunch: Included
📍 Location: Glenstal Abbey, County Limerick, V94 A725

Join Us Under Brigid’s Mantle

Imbolc is a time of stirring, awakening, and gentle renewal.
We would be honoured to welcome you into this day shaped by Brigid’s monastic rhythm — a rhythm of presence, simplicity, and shared humanity.

Ag tnúth go mór le do láithreacht —
We look forward to your presence and your wisdom among us.

— Nóirín & Lucia

BIOGRAPHIES

Rev. Nóirín Ní Riain PhD

Nóirín Ní Riain, PhD, has had an extraordinary career as Ireland’s Celtic jewel of song and soul. A theologian, musicologist, and recording artist, she has written several books, including her autobiography, Listen with the Ear of the Heart. #

Her latest book, Sacred Rituals: An everyday book of prayer was on the best seller list of non-fiction and is now in its second edition. In 2003, she was awarded the first ever doctorate in theology from Mary Immaculate College for her originality in creating a theology of listening, for which she
coined the term theosony – meaning "the sound of God";.

Now in her seventies, Nóirín has recently presented extensively, live and on line on ageing well and its inevitable stage of dying. Her unique approach which embraces the physical, mental and primarily, the spiritual, aspect of the third chapter of life, she will share in depth mingled with joy and fun throughout the day.

An ordained Interfaith minister, alongside celebrating weddings and separation rituals, she offers spiritual mentoring and direction for people worldwide.

https://www.noirin.love/

Lucia Guerin began her journey into the power of voice and spoken word with The Naked Voice in 2005 as a way of self-exploration and deep healing.  After her first weekend, Lucia made the immediate decision to train in this work and a few years later graduated as a facilitator.  Since then, she has been sharing her passion for voice, sound, movement, silence and mantra with her community in groups and one to one sessions.
 

Lucia's love of the spoken word found her training with Kim Rosen (author of "Saved by a Poem") in the Poetry Mystery School, now adding poetry as a powerful tool for healing and transformation. More recently, Lucia has been delving into the the deeply subtle sounds of yoga through her studies of sanskrit with Lucy Crisfield.

Lucia's lifelong passion for learning and exploring consciousness led her to travel to India and later to train as a Yoga teacher in 2018 and now Lucia combines this unique combination of these skills to offer creative classes, workshops and training events.

Lucia hosts monthly sound baths and has continued to explore and share the subtleties and wisdom in inherent in sound and vibration through and embodied deep listening. You will find more about her work on www.listeningfield.ie.