The Brigid 2025, Spirit of Kildare Festival has announced an extraordinary line-up for its highly-anticipated programme, featuring some of Ireland’s most celebrated artists, performers and celebrities – with events taking place in towns and villages across Kildare from January 24 to February 3, 2025.

Delivered by Kildare County Council, the festival's women-focused musical line-up, which is curated by Hot Press, includes Imelda May, Lyra, Sharon Shannon, Una Healy, Róisín O, Mary Coughlan, Orla Gartland, Lisa O’Neill, Camille O’Sullivan, Lemoncello, Megan O’Neill, Irish Women In Harmony, HamsandwicH, Cathy Jordan, Eimear Quinn, Maria Doyle Kennedy, Muireann Bradley, Rachael Lavelle and Laura Whitmore – with more names to be added.

LYRA. Credit: Aaron Hurley

The 2025 festival will also see a landmark He For She: An Evening For Equality concert, set to take place in Athy, which will feature a sterling line-up of male performers including Bob Geldof, Danny O’Reilly of The Coronas, Amble, Jack L and Robert Grace, among others.

Building on the success of the Brigid 1500 celebrations, which attracted nearly 80,000 visitors to Kildare in the early part of 2024, Brigid 2025 is set to deliver a bigger, bolder, and more vibrant experience as it becomes the latest cultural mainstay in an increasingly colourful annual Irish calendar. This coming year’s festival combines intimate concerts, large-scale events, and a series of cultural gatherings that honour Brigid’s enduring legacy through the theme "Her Spirit, Our Story".

Mary Coughlan at Brigid 2025 Spirit of Kildare launch in Naas. Copyright Miguel Ruiz.

Tickets for this year's ticketed events go on sale at 12 noon on Friday, December 13. Given 2024's rapid sell-out, the public is encouraged to act quickly.

The concert series, curated by Hot Press, features concerts in Leixlip, Athy, Naas, The Curragh, and St. Brigid’s Cathedral in Kildare.

See details below:

Saturday, January 25 – This Wonderful World: The Concert
An evening of music celebrating This Wonderful World, set against the beautiful backdrop of The Wonderful Barn, the concert honours the spirit of Brigid and the beauty of our natural world.
Starring: Mary Coughlan, Orla Gartland, Lisa O’Neill & more
Location: The Wonderful Barn, Leixlip
Time: 8:00pm (doors 7:15pm)

Lisa O'Neill. Copyright Miguel Ruiz.

Sunday, January 26 – He For She: An Evening For Equality
In the spirit of positivity and inclusivity that runs throughout the Brigid Festival, this unique concert will bring together some of Ireland’s leading artists to celebrate the He For She* concept, adding a new dimension to the Brigid’s Day proceedings in which men share the festival, and its core message, of female empowerment.
Starring: Bob Geldof, Danny O’Reilly, Amble, Jack L, Robert Grace and local Athy band MOA
Location: Dreamland Ballroom, Athy (seated)
Time: 7:30pm (doors 6:30pm)

Bob Geldof

Friday, 31 January - Nothing Compares: A Celebration of Irish Women Artists
A night of extraordinary genre-spanning music by Irish women, will celebrate the boundless range and talent of Ireland’s contemporary female artists – as singers, songwriters, musicians and spoken word performers. Naas will also host a special film screening, highlighting the contribution of Irish women artists to the world of cinema; and a special busking session in the courtyard of the newly refurbished Naas Library & Cultural Centre.
Starring: Imelda May, Maria Doyle Kennedy, Una Healy, Lemoncello, Rachael Lavelle with special guest Sabina Higgins, who will present a spoken word reading.
MC: Laura Whitmore
Location: The Moat Theatre, Naas
Time: 8:00pm (doors 7:00pm)

Imelda May at Nothing Compares at The Moat Theatre, Naas to celebrate Brigid 1500 with Hot Press and Kildare County Council. Copyright Miguel Ruiz.

Sunday, 2 Feb – Written In The Soul: An Evening of Song
St. Brigid’s Cathedral in Kildare will be a marvellous setting for this exceptional musical event. In keeping with the spirit of Brigid, and the dignified aura of the Cathedral, this specially curated event will draw from the well of spiritual music, choral music, soul, blues and the Irish tradition to deliver an event that stirs the soul and the spirit alike.
Starring: Cathy Jordan, Róisín O, Eimear Quinn and Muireann Bradley
Location: St. Brigid's Cathedral, Kildare
Time: 8:00pm (doors 7:15pm)

Cathy Jordan

In addition to the ticketed performances above, the festival will feature a vibrant programme of free activities, including family fun days, participatory events and night-time concerts across the county for tourists and locals to enjoy:

Friday, January 24 - Songs on a Boat: The Tiny Deck Concert
Location: Sallins
Celebrate the opening night of the St. Brigid’s Festival 2025 with an unforgettable floating concert on the Sallins Grand Canal. From the deck of the historic M52 canal barge, Megan O’Neill and friends will deliver a magical performance under the stars.

Megan O'Neill at Brigid 2025 Spirit of Kildare launch in Naas. Copyright Miguel Ruiz.

Saturday, January 25 – This Wonderful World: A Day for Wellness & Joy
Location: The Wonderful Barn, Leixlip
Fun for all the family, including wellness workshops, sound therapy sessions, artisan food trucks, face-painting, music, yoga, QiGong, story-telling, meditation, holistic health talks, dance & fitness, storytelling and Brigid’s cross-making.
Highlights: Professor Noel Fitzpatrick (Channel 4’s Supervet), Michelin Green Star restauranteur Jess Murphy, and fascinating music therapy workshops with Minding Creative Minds.

Jess Murphy at Kai restaurant, Galway. Copyright Miguel Ruiz.

Thursday, 30 January - Procession of Light with Luxe Landscape Theatre
Location: Maynooth
Luxe Landscape Theatre will lead a grand fiery processional event in Maynooth ‘Stepping into Light’ for St. Brigid’s Festival 2025. Celebrating the transition from winter days into the beginning of spring, and recognising the spirit of renewal.

Brigid 2025 - Spirit of Kildare launch. Copyright Miguel Ruiz.

Saturday, 1 February – Warriors! Celebrating Women In Irish Sport
Location: The Curragh Racecourse, Co. Kildare
Family activities include sports demonstrations, training sessions, meet & greets, and public interviews. Hosted by Anna Geary, participants include Athletics Ireland, Irish Athletic Boxing Association, Kildare LGFA & Leinster Rugby.

Anna Geary

Saturday, 1 February – The Brigid’s Day Gathering
Location: The Curragh Racecourse, Co. Kildare (indoors)
Starring: Sharon Shannon, Lyra, Irish Women In Harmony, and more!

Sharon Shannon. Copyright Trevor McGrath.

Tickets for the festival’s intimate concerts will go on sale at 12 noon on December 13. Further details on ticketing, event locations, and the full programme can be found at www.spiritofbrigid.ie and through the festival’s social media channels.