Brigid Festival Vancouver 2023 was particularly exciting as this was the first time we could gather in person since 2020. To view some of the images of this event, see our photo gallery on our main page.

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A special thank you to Cathy Geagan, the new Consul General of Ireland for Western Canada, and her team at the Consulate in Vancouver for their incredible support.

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This free event was made possible through a grant by the Government of Ireland Emigrant Support Programme along with generous sponsorship by a number of local Irish businesses which we have listed below. 

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​We would also like to extend a warm and sincere thank you to everyone who registered and participated and to all our presenters who offered such inspiring stories and talents.

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On February 1 we welcomed the Brigidine Sisters of Kildare in a virtual format entitled 'Tending the Flame of St. Brigid'. This event celebrated the first St. Brigid's Day in Ireland to honour a woman.

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The Irish Women Leaders in Business discussion panel was held in person at the Consulate of Ireland in Vancouver to a full house. This was a great networking event and it brought together four dynamic businesswomen who offered a lively discussion on some of their remarkable achievements and the unique issues facing women in the workplace. This was followed by a reception with wine generously donated by Laura Donnellan of the IRL Group.

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The next day, the Irish Women's Network of BC hosted a special welcome for Bridget Brownlow who was the keynote speaker on February 4 at Simon Fraser University Segal Building.

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Bridget was awarded the Irish Presidential Distinguished Service Award for Peace, Reconciliation and Development by President Michael D. Higgins in 2021 for her work with conflict resolution programming in Northern Ireland.

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Our showcase event on Saturday offered a full program of events with music, Brigid cross-weaving, storytelling, a silent auction, hospitality, and much more. 

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As a volunteer-led event, we are very proud to say that Brigid Festival Vancouver is the largest celebration of Ireland’s matriarch saint in North America.

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Míle Buíochas (a thousand thank yous). We hope to see you back again next year!