Lá Le Bríde: Imbolc
Light Projection
Immersive Light Installation
Performance
Saturday, 31 January 2026
5 pm – 8 pm
A sensory encounter
Imbolc marks our first St Brigid’s Day event within a new event series by aiarraí art nexus. It celebrates the collective power that emerges when people and communities come together through art — to reflect, exchange ideas, and remain open to new ways of seeing. In this spirit, we honour St Brigid’s vision of equality, generosity, care for the land, and the transformative power of creativity as a force for renewal and justice.
Audiences can look forward to three distinctive artistic encounters, each inviting participation in unexpected and meaningful ways and responding to shared themes of perception, connection, ecology, and storytelling:
Seolta Sídhe
an immersive light installation by Róisín Ní ChionnfhaolaidhResisting Reductionism – We’ll Tell Our Own Stories
a performance by Deborah BirminghamI Look to You
a light projection by Eileen Haring Woods
Our program
Wine reception, gathering and launch
Launch by ciarraí art nexus
When: 5 pm – 5:30 pm
Where: The Old Penal Church
Seolta Sídhe
Immersive light installation and
artist talk
When: 5:30 pm – 6:00 pm
Where: The Old Penal Church
Resisting Reductionism – We’ll Tell Our Own Stories, Performance
When: 6:00 pm – 6:20 pm
Where: Start at Holy Cross Abbey, across from The Penal Church to The Holy Well
Our program
Wine reception, launch and gathering
Launch by ciarraí art nexus
> 5 pm – 5:30 pm
> The Old Penal Church
Seolta Sídhe
Immersive light installation and artist talk
> 5:30 pm – 6:00 pm
> The Old Penal Church
Resisting Reductionism – We’ll Tell Our Own Stories
Performance
> 6:00 pm – 6:20 pm
> Start: Holy Cross Abbey, across from The Penal Church to The Holy Well
I Look to You
Light Projection and artist talk
> 6:20 pm – 6:40 pm
> Grounds of The Old Oratory, external mapped on
One group. Three artists. One night.
Launch event
by ciarraí art nexus
This launch event offers an introduction to ciarraí art nexus and to the artist’s projects developed for St Brigid’s Day in Cahersiveen.
The evening will present our vision and approach, alongside insights into the individual works by Eileen Haring Woods, Róisín Ní Chionnfhaolaidh and Deborah Birmingham.
Audiences are invited to learn more about the ideas, processes, and site-responsive intentions behind both projects ahead of their public presentation.
Launch location: The Penal Church
Wine reception: 5–5:30 pm
Eileen Haring Woods
Suffolk, Great Britain
Eileen is a visual artist working with moving image, projection, and installation, whose practice explores perception, time, and the relationship between image and space. Her work is often site-responsive, engaging sensitively with architectural and environmental contexts. She has exhibited internationally, creating immersive visual experiences that invite close attention and quiet reflection.
Location: old O’Neill’s hardware shop
(gable, facing The Oratory)
West Main Street, V23 HH63
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Photographs and video recordings may be taken during all events. These may be used for publicity, documentation, or promotional purposes, including on our website, social media channels, and printed materials.
In accordance with Irish data protection law and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), individuals have the right to privacy regarding their personal data, which includes identifiable images. By entering the event premises or taking part in tours, you acknowledge that photographs or video footage may be taken in which you could appear. If you do not wish to be recorded or photographed, please inform a member of staff on site.Photographs of Children and Young People
We take the protection of children seriously. No identifiable images of children under the age of 18 will be published without the prior written consent of a parent or legal guardian. In the absence of such consent, children will not be photographed or recorded in a way that makes them personally identifiable.
Róisín Ní Chionnfhaolaidh
Ballinskelligs, Co. Kerry
Róisín is an Irish visual artist based in South Kerry, working primarily with glass across casting, stained glass, and site-specific installations in public and landscape settings. Informed by the coastal environment of the west of Ireland, her practice explores the relationship between light, material, and place through both traditional glass techniques and contemporary installation approaches.
Location: old Penal Church
Old Market Street, opposite of The Old Abbey of the Holy Cross
Deborah Birmingham
Cahersiveen, Co. Kerry
Deborah is a visual artist and performer whose practice centres on live, site-responsive performance and mosaic-based processes, exploring themes of materiality, presence, and transformation. Her work often unfolds through durational and participatory elements, responding intuitively to place, audience, and moment. Through carefully composed actions and gestures, she creates contemplative experiences that invite connection, attentiveness, and a heightened awareness of space and making.
Deborah will be supported by Dalia Alnajaar.
Location: Tobar na Croiche Naofa (Well of the Holy Cross)
West Main Street, between V23 N6W7 and V23 CX86
Stay tuned for the detailed programme …
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all participants and supporters whose contributions made this cultural dialogue possible.
A special thanks goes to The Oratory for generously hosting our launch event and providing technical support, and to Geoffrey O’Connor for making the Penal Church available for use. Their support is invaluable in making these projects possible.