St. Brigid of Ireland, also known as Brigid of Kildare or Naomh Bríd in Irish, is one of the patron saints of Ireland. Her story is steeped in legend and is intertwined with both Christian and pre-Christian traditions. St. Brigid is celebrated for her charitable works, piety, and her role in early Irish Christianity.
The first of February is a very important day in Ireland – known as Imbolc- is a Cross Quarter Day, the midpoint between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. It symbolizes the end of winter and the beginning of spring. It is one of the four Gaelic seasonal festivals along with Bealtaine, Lughnasa and Samhain. It is also the feast day of Ireland’s patroness, Saint Brigid.
Where was she born?
St. Brigid was born in the mid-5th century in Faughart, near Dundalk in County Louth, Ireland. Her parents were Dubhthach, a pagan chieftain, and Brocca, a Christian slave. Brigid’s mother was sold to a Druid, and it was in this Druid household that Brigid grew up.
Brigid’s father named her after one of the most powerful goddesses of the pagan religion – the goddess of fire, whose manifestations were song, craftsmanship, and poetry, which the Irish considered the flame of knowledge. Her father, Dubhthach, was a pagan chieftain of Leinster and even though he was a wealthy man he treated Brigid and her mother as slaves. Brigid spent her earlier life cooking, cleaning, washing and feeding the animals on her father’s farm. From a young age, Brigid showed signs of compassion and generosity. Brigid lived at the time of Saint Patrick and was inspired by his teachings and became Christian.
Once she turned 18 she decided she would no longer work for her father but instead spend her life working for God helping the poor and the sick. Legend tells of her giving away her father’s belongings to those in need, which didn’t sit well with him. Eventually, her father granted her freedom, and Brigid embraced Christianity.
Brigid wanted to found a convent and so she went to the King of Leinster to ask for land to build. The area that she wanted to build on was beside a forest where they could cut firewood. There was also a lake nearby that would provide water. The king laughed and refused but Brigid prayed to God and asked him to help change the kings mind.
Brigid asked the king “will you give me as much land as my cloak will cover?” The king was amused – he knew the cloak would only cover a very small piece of land. The king agreed and Brigid spread her cloak on the ground. She asked her four friends to hold a corner of the cloak and walk in opposite directions. The friends walked north, south, east and west.
The cloak began to grow began to cover many acres of land. The king was astonished and he realized that she had been blessed by God. He fell to the ground and knelt before Brigid and promised her the land and anything she needed. Brigid’s miracle was the first of many miracles that she worked for the people of Ireland.
She is said to have founded a monastery in Kildare around 480 AD, where she established a community of nuns. This monastery became a center of learning, spirituality, and hospitality. The monastery in Kildare had both monks and nuns, with Brigid as its abbess. It is said that a sacred flame burned in Kildare continuously, tended by the nuns, symbolizing Brigid’s hospitality and the light of Christ.
There under the hand, God will answer your prayers.
The popular tradition of the woven St. Brigid’s cross is believed to have begun during a visit by Brigid to a dying pagan chieftain. To explain the significance of the Christian faith she quickly wove a simple cross from the rushes strewn on the floor, a popular floor covering of the time.
From this time on the woven rush cross has become synonymous with the saint. Commonly hung over the doorway in many Irish homes it is believed to bless and bring luck to every person who crosses the threshold.
St. Brigid is remembered for her kindness, charity, and commitment to Christian values. St. Brigid’s Day is still observed in Ireland, in fact we now have a bank holiday every year in her honor and it is a time when people traditionally make St. Brigid’s crosses, woven from rushes or straw, as a symbol of protection.
Her legacy lives on in the stories told about her and in the continued reverence for her contributions to Irish Christianity
If you enjoyed reading our blog why not sign up for our free newsletter and receive updates from Ireland and lots of fantastic special offers from Connemara Marble Jewelry and Irish gifts.
Head Office
J.C. Walsh & Sons.
24 Main Street,
Rathfarnham Village,
Dublin D14K032,
Ireland.
