KILDARE CALLS FOR A GLOBAL PAUSE FOR PEACE, 2025
The people of Kildare, Ireland, call on people worldwide to Pause for Peace for 1 minute's silence/reflection at 12 noon, local time, on St. Brigid's day, February 1st each year. By pausing for Peace we send out a message that we actively oppose warfare and the proliferation of arms in our world.
A global Pause for Peace Movement was jointly launched by Kildare Tourism and Solas Bhride in Kildare in 2023 to mark the new national holiday in honour of St. Brigid who was renowned as a Peacemaker in early Ireland. One of the most popular legends associated with Brigid is that of giving away her father's precious sword to a poor person so that it could be bartered for food to feed his family. It is a rolling pause for peace commencing in New Zealand and moving seamlessly through continents and islands on St. Brigid's Day.
Since its inception in 2023, the Pause for Peace is gaining widespread support nationally and internationally.
The Pause for Peace is promoted by trained peace ambassadors from schools throughout
County Kildare and further afield - an initiative of Kildare Town Community School.
Join us! Answer the call!
Let us continue to sow seeds of peace across the globe.
Supporters for the Pause for Peace Movement include:
President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins
Dáil Eireann and Seanad Éireann
Kildare Local Authority
Irish Embassies and Consulates
A quotation from President Higgins with reference to the Pause for Peace:
"Your efforts to bring together communities from across the globe in the name of Naomh Brid (St. Brigid) is truly admirable. Mar Uachtarán na hEireann (As President of Ireland) may I thank you for this initiative which constitutes a form of active global citizenship at its best.
This new Pause for Peace Movement is a unique event which breaks new ground in recognising the cultural and historical importance of St. Brigid beyond borders and aims to form a spirit of solidarity and peace in societies all over the globe.”