Doolin Cave Aug 2015 1 24 1

St. Brigid’s Day: her legacy and traditions

St Brigid in kildare
St. Brigid’s Well Co. Kildare

The first of February: St Brigid’s day, is a day we honour one of Ireland’s patron saints. A woman of incredible strength, compassion and courage, a perfect female role model for our young women.

Today also marks the beginning of Imbolc, the ancient Celtic festival of Spring. We celebrate the return of the light and prepare for the growing season ahead. This time of the year if you’re in Ireland you might hear phrases like, there’s a grand stretch in the evening., a common greeting alluding to the evenings getting brighter or longer.

Who Was St. Brigid?

Brigid was born in the 5th century in County Louth and is one of Ireland’s three patron saints (alongside St. Patrick and St. Columba). In a time when women had little or no influence Brigid was a strong, determined and wise woman, a champion of the poor and sick. She is best known as a nun, abbess and founder of monasteries, her most famous one being the cathedral in Kildare town. Her legacy blends both Christian and pre-Christian traditions. Brigid – Pagan Goddess and Christian Saint.

Traditions and Customs

St. Brigid’s Day has always been associated with protection, fertility and abundance. Some of these traditions and customs are still alive and well in Ireland today.

  • The St. Brigid’s Cross – They are woven from straw or rushes and traditionally used as a symbol of protection to keep away evil and fire and hung over doors in every house in the country. In schools today young children are still taught how to make a St. Brigids Cross.
  • Brigid’s Cloak – The legend of St. Brigids Cloak shows what a brave and determined woman she was. She approached a local King and asked him for land to build her monastery. He agreed to give her the land but only as much land as her cloak covered. To what must have been his shock and horror Brigid laid out her cloak and it spread out and stretched over acres and acres. Brigid got the land and she built her monastery.
  • Brigid’s Mantle – On the eve of St. Brigids day people leave out a piece of cloth or ribbon (Brat Bríde) overnight for Brigid to bless and this is kept for healing and protection
  • Lighting a Candle – People light a candle for St. Brigid as she is associated with light, warmth and the hearth.

A Symbol of Strength and Courage

Brigid stood up for the oppressed, the sick and the poor in a time, as I said was difficult for a woman. She has left a legacy of faith and leadership behind her which still resonates today.

Happy St. Brigid’s Day! Lá Fhéile Bríde sona daoibh

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