Modern Brigids 2025 - Wisdom weavers and healers

To mark Brigid’s Day, HerStory is celebrating the modern women who embody her qualities and share her passions as an environmentalist, feminist, Pride icon, healer, pioneer, human rights activist, goddess of the arts, alchemist and wisdom weaver.

St. Brigid may be a woman who lived 1,500 years ago and the Celtic goddess Brigid pre-dates Christianity, but she continues to inspire today. 

Wisdom weavers and healers

Sorcha Hegarty – storyteller

Sorcha Hegarty – storyteller.

For several years, Sorcha Hegarty has been researching and contemporizing Irish mythology, synthesizing multiple versions into an accessible and coherent whole. In 2014, she and her brother, Aron, founded Candlelit Tales to share the rich tapestry of Irish mythology and folktales in cozy, informal settings, accompanied by acoustic musical backing.

They offer live performances, live music, podcasts, and workshops on Ireland’s ancient tales. Sorcha Hegarty embraces the raw elements of Irish storytelling tradition, never shying away from the sex and violence inherent in these myths.

Niamh Daly – menopause yoga instructor

Niamh Daly – menopause yoga instructor.

Niamh Daly has been teaching Hatha Yoga since 2004 through private sessions, group classes, and a global membership community for women. She is especially recognized for her expertise in menopause and is the founder of Yinstinct Yoga, which offers balanced, evidence-based training and support for women.

In 2020, Niamh launched the Certificate in Teaching Yoga for the Stages of Menopause, one of only two such training programs in the world. This certification provides courses for other professionals dedicated to supporting women through menopause, benefiting over 3,000 women worldwide.

Catherine O’Keeffe – Menopause Coach, author

Catherine O’Keeffe – Menopause Coach, author.

Catherine O’Keeffe, founder of Wellness Warrior, is Ireland’s first menopause coach. A self-confessed health geek, she assists organizations of all sizes in implementing comprehensive menopause strategies that lead to meaningful change.

Through her talks, online courses, and the Menopause Success Summit, she has helped countless women embrace their menopause journey. Catherine is breaking the taboo surrounding menopause and reshaping the narrative in major publications, including TED Talks, and the book ‘All You Need to Know About Menopause’.

Maria B. Bourke – spiritual healer, author, entrepreneur

Maria B. Bourke – spiritual healer, author, entrepreneur.

Maria B. Bourke is a life coach, spiritual healer, and author, known for creating My Kinda Magik books and affirmation cards, as well as the 321 Focus ONLINE Challenge. For over 20 years, she has been on a personal development journey, driven by a desire to play the lead role in her own life.

Beyond her personal exploration, Bourke has developed and delivered a wide range of personal empowerment courses, both privately and for organizations such as Leader Companies and Family Resource Centers, since 2006. Her work, offered both in person and online, has empowered many individuals to pursue personal growth and real happiness.

“Real is the next BIG trend and you just can’t fake it!”

- Maria B. Bourke.