The Brigid 2025: Spirit of Kildare celebrations are officially getting underway this week – and among the many highlights is This Wonderful World: A Day for Wellness & Joy, coming to the The Wonderful Barn in Leixlip, Co. Kildare on Saturday, January 25.

Presented by Kildare County Council and Hot Press, this free all-day event – centred around health, wellness, enjoyment and fulfilment – guarantees fun for all the family, with a wide range of activities for adults and children alike.

"This is a free event," Hot Press editor Niall Stokes said, "and open to all, so the message is – it doesn't matter where you're from, or what age you are, you're welcome at The Wonderful Barn. You can start with a late breakfast or brunch at one of the brilliant food trucks and get immersed in a fantastic range of activities, that run till 4pm, when darkness is falling.

"It is a day for families, with loads of fun stuff happening. But it is also one where ideas will be discussed, and secrets revealed, that might just change your life greatly for the better – whether in terms of fitness, general well-being or mental health. Not to mention the fact that barrel saunas offer a lovely, relaxing, different experience. So come prepared for all eventualities – and join in the celebration of what This Wonderful World has to offer."

Activities on the day will include:

• Food and health panel discussions (for more details see below)
• Wellness workshops (yoga, pilates, qigong, crystal healing sound baths from instructors at Koru Wellness)
• Dance with Elaine (Saor Dance and Fitness)
• The Rustic Wood Fired Barrel Sauna Experience from Tigh'n Alluis
• Delicious Food Trucks such as Spraoí, Gaelic Burger, Ginger's BBQ
• Family story-telling with Helena Byrne
• Live music and trad with from Leah Moran, Gemma Cox and the Brigid Players
• Guided history tours
• And lots more...

You can book a slot for the Tigh'n Alluis sauna experience at The Wonderful Barn here – with 30-minute sessions in the perfectly set heat and humidity available throughout the day.

There will be a water rinse available for after and during the session. All you need to bring is two towels (one to sit on and one to dry yourself), bathing wear, flip-flops, warm clothing, and drinking water to stay hydrated.

Admission to The Wonderful Barn Arena – where all the family-fun takes place – is free from 11am.

There will also be free parking available in the Kildare Innovation Campus, with a free shuttle bus ferrying people from there to The Wonderful Barn. The Arena is also accessible by foot, located just a short walk from the Kildare Innovation Campus.

Free Workshops & Panels in the Wonderful Marquee:

Pride of Kildare!
12noon

A Scoop and a Yarn with renowned food writer Dee Laffan

Panellists:

• Mark Bergin (Bergin’s Family Butchers)
• Mary O’Sullivan (Beara Bitters)
• Martin Donovan (Killadoon Milk)
• Barry Flanagan (Kildare Brewing Co. & Prokulture Drinks)
• Colman Power (Colman Power Organic Fitness)

Dee Laffan

Fab Food & Nourishing Nutrition
1pm

How to enjoy fabulous food with all the family – a panel discussion hosted by Ali Dunworth

Panellists:

• Jess Murphy (Kai Restaurant)
• Darina Allen (Ballymaloe Cookery School)
• Cass McCarthy (Lúnasa Farm)
• Nutritionist Laurann O'Reilly

Darina Allen

Dogs And Their Humans
2pm

The Wonderful World Chat with Noel Fitzpatrick (Channel 4’s Supervet and No.1 best-selling author)

Supervet Noel Fitzpatrick

Let's Make Sweet Music
3pm

A fascinating music therapy workshop for all with Minding Creative Minds.

This immersive musical experience was one of the highlights of the Hot Press Chat Room at Electric Picnic 2024:

Music therapy, showing the tangible effect it has on us and the room 🔥

Well done Lyndsey raising the roof off the @hotpress tent @epfestival 🙌

[email protected] if you're interested in engaging with our creative art therapies pilot programme 💚 pic.twitter.com/pnd7XdEAWr

— Minding Creative Minds (@MindingCreative) August 18, 2024

That, of course, is just a flavour of what promises to be a wonderful day at The Wonderful Barn.

For more about the Brigid 2025: Spirit of Kildare Festival Programme, see spiritofbrigid.ie