(Left, a Brighid's Cross. Graphic © 1999 Lisa Paitz Spindler)

St. Brighid's Day in Today's Ireland

By Shae Clancy

Except for a two-year period in London, I have lived in Ireland all my life and have never seen any customs associated with St. Brigid's Day. Today, in a semi-rural area outside Limerick city, people have to think hard when asked the date on which the feast falls.

During my early schooldays, back in the 1950's, the first thing theteacher did in the morning was write the date on the blackboard in Irish. On 1 February, he wrote 'Lá 'le Bhríd' (Lá Fhéile Bhríd). I received a letter a few years ago from a local historian dated the same way. These are the only two instances of recognition of the feast that come to mind. Even people with a much longer rural backbround than mine cannot recall any special customs associated with the day. Only one was able to tell me that there is still a Pattern Day in Ballyheigue, Co. Kerry, on St. Brigid's Day.

However, all is not lost yet. Craggaunowen, a Celtic theme park in Co. Clare, had a very impressive display of St. Brigid's crosses last year. Most people don't realise there are many different regional variations of the cross, and this display demonstrated them all. It was organised by a group intent on reviving some of the old customs and, although I am not aware of them, I'm sure there must be other groups around the country involved in the same activity.

As things stand at the moment, however, Ireland's second saint is all but forgotten.

This article in the Celtic Well E-Journal is © Copyright 1999 by Shae Clancy. Sections may be freely quoted, provided the author is properly cited with the URL and the words"electronic version." You may link to this site, but please do not copy this web page and its dependent web pages without contacting one of the Celtic Well List moderators.