Giant community cloak displayed in Athlone for St Brigid’s Day

Athlone Family Resource Centre took to the town's new cycleway bridge last Sunday, February 1, for their 'Reclaim the Flame' project which saw the unveiling of a giant community-made cloak honouring St Brigid on her feast day.

Led by community artist Kara Richards, the project involved a number of groups which came to together to create a colossal cloak which measured in at over 130 meters in length.

In addition to Athlone Family Resource Centre, those involved in the creation of the piece included the Tullamore-based group Women's Circle Midlands, and students from Dean Kelly National School.

Patches from the USA, UK, Africa, Brazil, and beyond were incorporated into the final piece.

Gifted Athlone singer Anne Marie Hynes lent her vocal talent to the occasion, at the centre of the bridge, as the cloak was rolled out.

The cloak was unfurled across the bridge, from the back of the Radisson Blu hotel and past the John Count McCormack statue on the other side, with a stunningly decorated figure of St Brigid's acting as the base for the cloak at the bridge's centre.

A gathering estimated at more than 100 people was in attendance for the grand reveal, and joined in an atmosphere of "deep reverence" as the community came together to celebrate St Brigid.

"Patches arrived from across the globe, a stunning testament to collective endeavour, all stitched into a giant, flowing fabric," a statement by Athlone Family Resource Centre read.

"We are honoured to include these pieces, which carry significant sentimental and cultural meaning, in this project. The cloak is an artistic and symbolic tribute to Brigid, representing community unity, creativity, and the power of our shared heritage.

"The finished creation is a vast, beautiful wave of textile art."