FREE Gift to Kildare Primary Schools - "The Book of Kildare" - available for collection from Kildare Education Support Centre

 ‘The Book of Kildare’ by Josephine Hardiman; a manuscript for the 21^st Century, "an educational tool of merit", is gifted to Kildare’s primary schools

When Kildare Town Medieval Festival invited Josephine Hardiman to be a Scribe at St. Brigid’s Cathedral in 2016, little did she realise she would spend the best part of the next seven years creating a manuscript for the 21^st Century. In the tradition of Ireland’s ancient manuscripts, such as the Book of Kells, every line of calligraphy and illustration of ‘The Book of Kildare’ was created by the artist’s hand.

The book was officially launched by Laura Murphy, Poet, Activist and campaigner for the national holiday for St. Brigid, at Kildare Town Library, on Sunday 28^th January 2024. Representing Kildare Primary Schools, Donal Fleming, Principal of St. Brigid’s Primary School in Kildare Town was presented with an inscribed copy of the book.

Author, Artist and Calligrapher Josephine Hardiman, a former Primary School teacher in her hometown of Newbridge, explains:

“I have received tremendous support and encouragement throughout this project, particularly from Kildare Library Service, Kildare Heritage Centre and Kildare County Council. I received Kildare County Council Arts Service and Creative Ireland Bursary Awards, which allowed me to complete 40 pages of Illuminations, as Gaeilge, each complimenting stories of Ancient Kildare, Brigid of Kildare, and Kildare Heritage.

Kildare County Council and Brigid 1500 awarded me a grant which allowed me to fulfill a long- time ambition of mine to gift the book to every Primary School in Kildare. This book will be a valuable resource in terms of “If even one future artist is inspired to continue the ancient Irish Art of Calligraphy and Illumination then my legacy as an Artist and an Educator, will be realised.”

Josephine Hardiman at her Studio in Punchestown by Tony G Murray

The Book of Kildare is now available for each Kildare Primary school to collect from Kildare Education Support Centre, Friary Road, Kildare Town, Co. Kildare R51 KN66.

Celebrating National Heritage Week 2024 with workshops occurring throughout August, an exhibition of the original pages, shown together for the first time, will take place at Naas Town Library. More information on the author, book and retail locations may be found on the website  josephinehardiman.ie.