Clodagh Finn: St Brigid’s Day — and seven other choices for a new bank holiday

Why should we turn to the US for inspiration when we have so many under-celebrated dates in our own calendar?

A portrait of Brigid illuminates the GPO, Dublin. Why don’t we make St Brigid’s Day, February 1, a bank holiday? 

Who doesn’t welcome the idea of having an extra bank holiday? Bring it on — although it doesn’t quite seem fair that frontline workers, the very people supposed to be honoured by the proposal, often work bank holidays.

All the same, the discussion has focused attention on who should be recognised by the Government — and in what way.