While St. Patrick’s Day is known the world over as March 17th, a day that is dedicated to Ireland’s patron saint, Patrick, little fanfare is given to Ireland’s patron saint, Brigid.
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Otherwise known as Saint Brigid of Kildare, this early Irish Christian nun is celebrated in Ireland each year on Feb. 1, which marks her feast day.
February 1st is also the beginning of spring in Ireland, a day that is associated with the pagan festival known as Imbolc, a popular event in pre-Christian Ireland that worshipped the Celtic pagan Goddess of Fire known as Brigid.
When the day became known as St. Brigid’s Day, people in towns and villages across Ireland would make St. Brigid’s crosses that were woven from rushes.
Doll-like figures were also created and were brought from house to house by girls.
St. Brigid, who is believed to have been born in 451 AD in Dundalk, Co. Louth, to a Christian slave baptized by St. Patrick and a father who was both a pagan and a wealthy chieftain in Leinster was truly revered in Old Ireland.
Most Irish people over the centuries believed that by worshipping her their homes and livestock could be protected. Special feasts were made and holy wells visited.
Shop for a Variety of St. Brigid's Crosses & Jewelry on Etsy
Honoring Brigid in Modern-Day Ireland
Devotion to Saint Brigid is alive and well in Ireland.
An initiative called HerStory is a national campaign that aims to make St. Brigid’s Day a national holiday.
To kick off the celebrations this year, a number of events have been planned beginning in Galway on Jan. 27th with a HerStory Light Show.
Several iconic landmarks in the city will be illuminated, including Lynch’s Castle, the St. Nicholas Church, Galway City Museum, and the Pálás Cinema.
This year's Festival of Light will also be showcased in other areas around Ireland.
Artists from around Ireland and globally were invited to be part of the illuminating displays as a way of honoring the goddess and saint.
Other HerStory events will take place on Saturday, Jan. 28th at the National Famine Museum at Strokestown House in County Roscommon.
The event is part of Roscommon’s new Brigid’s Awakening Festival set to take place between Jan. 28th and Feb. 5th.
Information on other events can be found at the HerStory blog.
Read More: Saint Brigid's Cross: The Meaning Behind It
Tourist Attractions Honoring Saint Brigid
County Kildare is most closely associated with Saint Brigid.
It is where she founded a monastery for both men and women.
As a result, it became an important center of religion and learning, in addition to being a place where metalwork and illumination were taught.
Apparently, an illuminated manuscript was created at the monastery. More than likely, it was similar to the Book of Kells, but we will never know since it has been lost for centuries.
Saint Brigid’s Trail in Kildare traces the history of this pious woman, who was known for giving to the poor.
The trail, which takes about two hours to complete, starts at the Kildare Heritage Center (once an 18th-century market house), where you can watch a film about Brigid’s connection to the town.
It continues to St. Brigid’s Cathedral (built on the site of the monastery). The west windows of the nave show Saint Brigid helping the poor and making her religious vows.
Behind the cathedral is a round tower built in the 12th century and to its north are the restored foundations of an ancient fire temple.
In pre-Christian times priestesses are believed to have held a perpetual fire to the goddess Brigid.
The local Saint Brigid nuns carried on the tradition until two bishops tried to have it extinguished. It was eventually put out during the Reformation and only lit again in 1993.
The trail continues south toward St. Brigid’s Parish Church, which was opened by Daniel O’Connell in 1833.
The main church doors contain six bronze panels each bearing a Saint Brigid cross.
At the altar, eight stones were cut to form another Brigid’s cross. There are many more tributes to the saint in this beautiful church, including an interior shrine.
Also included in the trail is the Solas Bhride Centre and the ancient St. Brigid’s Well, where you’ll see a statue of Brigid with a bishop’s staff in her hand, lending to the belief that some think she may have risen to the rank of bishop while in charge of the Kildare monastery.
Other Places in Ireland that Venerate Saint Brigid
Since Brigid was born in County Louth, so it’s no surprise that she is remembered there.
Located about 15 minutes from Dundalk, you will find a shrine and a well in her honor.
The shrine has stones that are said to heal head, back, and knee ailments, and another stone that is always wet is said to bless the eyes.
Legend says that Brigid drew water from this well, hence its popularity among people who seek solace and healing.
A well in Liscannor in Co. Clare is also dedicated to Saint Brigid. It is one of the oldest wells in the country rumored to have healing powers.
Other holy wells and shrines exist in Counties Cavan, Donegal, and Westmeath.
Brigit’s Garden in County Galway also pays homage to Ireland’s female patron saint. The garden evokes images of Celtic heritage and mythology and is well worth a visit.
The award-winning gardens are known as one of the most spectacular in Ireland containing 11 acres of native woodland and wildflower meadows.
There’s also a nature trail there, as well an ancient ring fort, otherwise known in Ireland as a fairy fort, a thatched roundhouse and crannog, and a calendar sundial, the largest in the country.
Do the legends of Saint Brigid resonate with you? Are you named after the saint or perhaps a relative is? Let me know in the comments below.
