--- title: O’Loughlin welcomes St.Brigid’s Public Holiday description: St Brigid image: https://www.fiannafail.ie/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Fiona_OLoughlin_FF_KildareSouth-Apr-26-2021-10-24-04-56-PM.jpg --- [ Join ](https://www.fiannafail.ie/join-fianna-fail) [ Donate Now ](https://www.fiannafail.ie/donate-now) Search website: ** Search # O’Loughlin welcomes St.Brigid’s Public Holiday Published on: 21 January 2022 Local Fianna Fáil Senator Fiona O’Loughlin has welcomed the announcement that St Brigid’s day will be marked with a new public holiday from 2023 after years of active campaigning on the issue. The closest Monday to the 1st of February will be a public holiday.    Senator O’Loughlin said, “As a Kildare person I am delighted to see that our patron Saint will be honoured with a public holiday. This year more than ever, St Brigid’s day represents a new dawn and new beginnings for the people of Ireland- a time full of hope and promise after what has been a difficult year, and an utterly devastating week.   “I have been raising this for a number of years both in the Dáil and the Seanad and directly with the Taoiseach. I have always supported the call for an additional bank holiday in tribute to the huge sacrifices made by the Irish people throughout the pandemic- especially those on the frontline.   “Brigid was a strong and determined individual, who was met with many challenges, but she persevered on her quest, and she cared for so many. A message that has a newfound relevance to us as we begin to emerge from yet another wave of covid. We need to take comfort from Brigid, who was in many ways Ireland's first Feminist - in the promise that better days are to come and a future that defies grief and obstacles.   Senator O’Loughlin concluded “Outside of it being important to use this opportunity to honour a woman and to honour our frontline workers, I think many people will appreciate a break in February. January is often called the longest month of the year, it is cold and dark, and this could give people a little break and a lift between Christmas and St. Patrick's day.” Tags: [Fiona O'Loughlin](https://www.fiannafail.ie/news/tag/fiona-oloughlin) --- ## **Related news:** [![O’Loughlin urges the Department of Health to intervene to address the unsustainable staffing situation in the pharmacy sector](https://www.fiannafail.ie/hubfs/FionaOLoughlin_PR.jpg)](https://www.fiannafail.ie/news/oloughlin-urges-the-department-of-health-to-intervene-to-address-the-unsustainable-staffing-situation-in-the-pharmacy-sector) March 25, 2022 --- ##### [O’Loughlin urges the Department of Health to intervene to address the unsustainable staffing situation in the pharmacy sector](https://www.fiannafail.ie/news/oloughlin-urges-the-department-of-health-to-intervene-to-address-the-unsustainable-staffing-situation-in-the-pharmacy-sector) [![](https://www.fiannafail.ie/hubfs/fianna-theme/icons/arrow-next.svg) ](https://www.fiannafail.ie/news/oloughlin-urges-the-department-of-health-to-intervene-to-address-the-unsustainable-staffing-situation-in-the-pharmacy-sector) April 26, 2021 --- ##### [O’Loughlin calls for greater awareness on hate speech and hate crimes following attack](https://www.fiannafail.ie/news/oloughlin-calls-for-greater-awareness-on-hate-speech-and-hate-crimes-following-attack) [![](https://www.fiannafail.ie/hubfs/fianna-theme/icons/arrow-next.svg) ](https://www.fiannafail.ie/news/oloughlin-calls-for-greater-awareness-on-hate-speech-and-hate-crimes-following-attack) [![O’Loughlin calls for rule forcing premature retirement of experienced soldiers to be changed](https://www.fiannafail.ie/hubfs/PRFionaOLoughlin.jpg)](https://www.fiannafail.ie/news/oloughlin-calls-for-rule-forcing-premature-retirement-of-experienced-soldiers-to-be-changed) December 17, 2021 --- ##### [O’Loughlin calls for rule forcing premature retirement of experienced soldiers to be changed](https://www.fiannafail.ie/news/oloughlin-calls-for-rule-forcing-premature-retirement-of-experienced-soldiers-to-be-changed) [![](https://www.fiannafail.ie/hubfs/fianna-theme/icons/arrow-next.svg) ](https://www.fiannafail.ie/news/oloughlin-calls-for-rule-forcing-premature-retirement-of-experienced-soldiers-to-be-changed) [![“Time to Bring Moore Abbey into Public Use”](https://www.fiannafail.ie/hubfs/FionaOLoughlin_PR.jpg)](https://www.fiannafail.ie/news/time-to-bring-moore-abbey-into-public-use) February 16, 2026 --- ##### [“Time to Bring Moore Abbey into Public Use”](https://www.fiannafail.ie/news/time-to-bring-moore-abbey-into-public-use) [![](https://www.fiannafail.ie/hubfs/fianna-theme/icons/arrow-next.svg) ](https://www.fiannafail.ie/news/time-to-bring-moore-abbey-into-public-use)