Cross Weaving Workshop and Meditation
3 pm
St. Francis Room
$10 in advance/$15 at the door
REGISTER

Hosted by the UICC, the Irish Marvels cultural program, and the Patrick J. Dowling Library, this workshop offers instruction and materials for making your own cross against the backdrop of some live traditional music. Prior to the workshop, enjoy a guided meditation of the awakening of nature and spring led by the UICC Cultural Programming Director Aidan Stone who will bring his great-grandmother’s St. Brigid’s cross as a touchstone for the ritual. She hailed from Ballyglass in Charlestown. While you weave, enjoy some live music by Vincie Keehan and Kenny Somerville.

There were many regional styles and variations throughout Ireland with different materials used. Families would recite prayers, bless the rushes or straw with holy water and then each make the crosses. They would hang them over the door and around the home to welcome St Brigid. Many households kept the cross each year in the under-thatch of the house and you could tell how old a house was or how long the family had lived there by the number of crosses in the roof!

Space is limited! Registration closes on Feb. 2 so as to ensure we have enough materials for all attendees. There will be a limited number of spaces available at the door.