Saint Brigid and Brigid's Cross

John Duncan: 'Saint Bride', 1913

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Today it is St. Brigid of Kildare's Feast - the traditional first day of spring in Ireland. St Bridgid was one of Ireland's patron saints - but this feast coincides with the more ancient one of her pagan namesake: One of pagan Ireland's most important Goddesses, Brigid, who is associated with fire, healing and holy wells. It celebrates the earliest stirrings of Spring, and is called Imbolc (one of the four principal festivals of the Celtic calendar)

The Cross Of Saint Brigid was first recorded in seventeenth century, as an Irish symbol. Though a Christian symbol, it possibly derives from the pagan sunwheel. Many rituals are associated with the making of the crosses. It was traditionally believed that a Brigid's Cross protects the house from fire and evil.

Reids Weeds, Etsy


'Saint Brigid' Patrick Joseph Tuohy, before 1930