Mná na hÉireann reclaim their sovereignty, sexuality and spirituality in the 2021 Herstory Light Show as the group calls for February 1st to be officially declared an Irish national holiday.

To celebrate Brigid’s Day the Herstory Light Show, by Dodeca, will illuminate iconic landmarks across Ireland from Sunday, Jan 31 to Monday, Feb 1 in honour of the Mother & Baby Homes victims; COVID-19 pandemic heroes  Black Lives Matter, "women who have arrived", and the Brigids of the world. 

February 1 marks the beginning of Spring and the Celtic festival of Imbolc, once honoured as the feast of the goddess. Herstory is calling on the Irish public and our diaspora to sign the petition to make Brigid’s Day a national holiday and celebrate Ireland’s triple goddess and matron Saint Brigid equally to our world-renowned patron Saint Patrick. 

From the shadows into the light, castles, cathedrals and historic sites will illuminate in honour of the mothers and children who suffered in the Mother & Baby Homes; featuring portraits of the survivors by Karen Morgan, powerful haiku poetry by Laura Murphy, and thought-provoking art from the Stay with Me Show, curated by activist Rachael Keogh and journalist Alison O’ Reilly.  A specially commissioned photographic series created by photographer Myriam Riand and conceptual artist Áine O’ Brien reclaims and reimagines the mother archetype that has been historically dictated and defined by Church and State. Now Mná na hÉireann are reclaiming our sovereignty, sexuality and spirituality.

The Herstory Light Show also features a special tribute to the heroines and heroes of the pandemic: women and men who have battled the virus and the everyday heroes who have played a role in these challenging times including domestic violence services, teachers, farmers, shopkeepers, cleaners, bus drivers, journalists, nurses, doctors, and more.

“Women's achievements and struggles have been lost in the shadows for too long, resulting in global inequality and a regression of women's rights. That's why Herstory is harnessing the alchemical power of light, to celebrate women and equality, spotlight inequality, and create visions for a World of Equals."- Melanie Lynch, Founder of Herstory

For more visit www.herstory.ie or follow #Herstory  #BrigidsDay  #MotherAndBabyHomes.

Purchase an Irish Heritage Tree this St. Brigid's Day to celebrate the special women in your life.