WATCH: Art of late Non Waters features in new video celebrating Brigid
A powerful new film and poem celebrating the goddess and St Brigid showcases the captivating art of the late Non Waters, a hugely popular local artist who passed away last November.
Her 'Pink Haired Brigid' formed part of a new production by Herstory Poet in Residence Laura Murphy in Kildare recently, lighting up the stunning walls of Kilkea Castle, near Athy. It also featured as part of a light show illuminating the walls of Trinity College and the GPO in Dublin.
'Pink Haired Brigid' was a painting she donated to the popular Lunch by the Lake event held in Wineport Lodge back in 2019 for Breast Cancer Awareness. Non told this paper early last year that it represented a protective Brigid who stands by women affected by cancer, as they take their journey to healing.
With the announcement of a new public holiday in her honour of Brigid from 2023, and ahead of her 1500th anniversary in 2024, Kildare County Council with Kildare’s Creative Ireland team commissioned this production with filmmaker Peter Martin capturing beautiful scenes of Laura, who is a Laois native, performing her poem ‘Is Mise Bríd’ at this year’s Herstory Light Show in Kildare on Lá Fhéile Bríde.
The performance took place alongside illuminations of St Brigid, Bríd and other Goddesses by artists the late Non Waters, Bernie Sexton, Jim Fitzpatrick and Courtney Davis.
Iconic landmarks across the county including Kilkea Castle near Athy, Kildare Cathedral, Newbridge Town Hall and The Wonderful Barn, Leixlip featured in the momentous Herstory Light Show video co-produced with Dodeca.
Crowds who had gathered to soak in the magic were captivated by Murphy’s performances of the poem ‘Is Mise Bríd’. When speaking about the inspiration behind her poem, Laura Murphy explained: “It's been over 1500 years since St Brigid walked these lands and longer still since the time of Goddess Brigid, yet She has much to offer us today. A guiding light for some of Ireland’s greatest humanitarians and revolutionaries including Grace O’Malley, Lady Gregory and Maud Gonne, Brigid has been a source of inspiration in my own life too.
"Goddess Brigid and St Brigid are not the same person per se, but the same qualities run through them both, and they both hold a hugely significant place in Irish history. My intention with this poem was to demonstrate the magic that happens when I, as a woman and citizen of 21st century Ireland, embodies and emulates the spirit of Brigid,” she explained.
Mullingar's Melanie Lynch, Herstory’s CEO and Creative Director said she was inspired by the enlightened creative process of their Poet in Residence Laura Murphy and visual artists the late Non Waters, Courtney Davis, Jim Fitzpatrick and local Newbridge artist Bernie Sexton.
“Today we need both the Saint and the Goddess. The Saint because she represents early Irish Christianity which has been somewhat lost over the centuries. The Goddess offers a window into our ancient past and the wisdom of Celtic spirituality, rooted in reverence for nature. In this era of ecological crisis, it’s time to reawaken symbiotic love for Mother Earth and in the words of philosopher John Moriarty, ‘remember how to walk beautifully on the earth again.’
Founded in 2016, the Herstory movement tells the stories of modern, historic and mythic women. Their mission is to give the public authentic female role models and a game-changing education programme, inspiring countries around the world to start their own Herstory movements.