Limerick artist celebrates St Brigid through art and workshops

FOR many of us, our earliest memories of St Brigid’s Day include crafting crosses from rushes in school.

In recent years, the bank holiday in her name has given rise to somewhat of a revival.

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It is fitting that St Brigid is celebrated with arts and crafts, as one Limerick artist has dedicated her work to the life, story and experience of the saint and Celtic goddess.

Artist Breda Stack made a life-changing decision 16 years ago - one that now allows her to bring St Brigid and her inspired artworks into the lives of many.

In 2010, Breda left the world of IT, where she had worked in the field of software testing and returned to what she calls her “creative roots.”

She spent 10 years working in this area, before leaving the sector to become self-employed.

She says: “I had a strong desire to help others.”

As a child, Breda recalls how she won art competitions, played the piano and enjoyed knitting and sewing.

She went on to study art in her Leaving Certificate and developed a love for Impressionist artists Renoir and Monet.

We all have things in our lives that sometimes we need to shed to get a bit more headspace or creativity.

Breda recognised this and started a business in the therapy of decluttering.

Through a self-employed venture, Breda recognised the power of decluttering.

“It’s the power of letting go and decluttering to feel good,” she says.

“Following my own let it go teachings has been instrumental in the emergence of my own creativity and connection with my name sake Brigid and I’m really passionate about inspiring others to connect with the heart of Brigid,” Breda added.

She describes the decluttering technique as a “holistic approach that supports people in letting go mentally, emotionally and energetically through the physical act of decluttering.”

Her work reached an international audience through a book, an international declutter day, extensive media appearances across television, radio, newspapers and magazines, and collaborations with charities, institutions and household brands.

She still continues this work through a training academy and as a consultant to global brands.

In 2018, after more than 20 years away from painting, Breda returned to art classes and creative works, leading her to St Brigid - her namesake.

As the intuitive artist and guide from ‘Lightbridge’, Breda helps people to connect to the story and spirit of St Brigid through ceramic St Brigid fonts with St Brigid’s well water.

She focuses on the four elements of earth, water, air and fire as being central to the artwork.

She says that time spent at a vantage point overlooking St Brigid’s Temple on Holy Island in Lough Derg “reignited” her relationship with St Brigid or Bríde the ancient Celtic goddess.

Breda says 'Lightbridge' “draws deeply on Irish spiritual heritage, with St Brigid emerging as a central and guiding presence. Revered as a bridge between pagan and Christian traditions, Brigid’s symbolism resonates strongly with the name Lightbridge - representing connection, transformation and truth.”

Her original abstract paintings are inspired by energy, nature and the unseen.

Breda’s artwork has been showcased and awarded in numerous solo and group exhibitions in Ireland and internationally.

Through one-to-one or group sessions, Breda guides people to “explore the beauty, relevance and living energy of Brigid in contemporary life.”

Breda explains: “The Brigid Experience draws on Celtic spirituality, nature and the wisdom of the feminine to support personal wellbeing, clarity and alignment.”

She added that during the experience: “Participants are guided to let go of what no longer serves them, to understand the archetype of Brigid as both Goddess and Saint, and to connect with her energy in a deeply personal way.

“The experience explores the balancing of masculine and feminine energies, the reclaiming of gentle strength, and the rediscovery of natural wellbeing and intuition. It also supports participants in understanding and moving closer to their soul purpose, and creating daily rituals and physical spaces that inspire meaning and beauty.”

Speaking about her artistic inspiration, she says: “Drawing inspiration from the cosmos, Irish woodlands, springtime and natural materials, my work with St Brigid is ultimately about connection - to place, to heritage, to creativity and to inner truth.”

For more information on the intuitive artist and guide of Lightbridge Breda Stack, visit www.lightbridge.ie.