There are a number of traditions associated with St. Brigid.

The St. Brigids Cross

The most characteristic and most widespread Irish custom connected with St. Brigid's Eve was the making of the "cros Bríde"or "Bogha Bríde" (St. Brigid's Cross) to invoke protection. The most usual type was very simple in design but of course these were variations - one of these in fact, was adopted as its symbol by Radio Telefís Eireann, the Irish broadcasting service.

The making of the crosses was attended with some ceremony. In the southern half of the country the cross was sprinkled with holy waters, hung up above or close to the entrance door with an appropriate prayer but in the northern of the country the ritual was much more elaborate, especially in Sligo, Leitrim, Mayo, Roscommon, most parts of Ulster and also in the Dundalk area of Co. Louth: One of the family, a girl, representing the Saint leaves the house and when outside knocks three times to gain admittance. She carries rushes in her hands. Each time on knocking she says:

"Teighidh sibh ar bhus nglúna, déaraidh sibh umhlaíocht, agus ligigidh Bríd Bheannachtach isteach".

(Which means "Go down on your knees, do homage and let Blessed Brigid enter the house").

When this has been said for the third time, those inside respond " O tar isteach, tá céad fáilte romhat". (O, Come in, you are a hundred times welcome).

Then she enters and places the rushes on the table. The supper has already been laid out on the table and the following grace is recited by the father and mother:

"Beannaigh sinn, a Dhia, beannaigh ár mbiadh agus ár ndeach, is tú a cheannaigh sinn go daor, soar sinn ar gach olc!"
(Bless us, O God, bless our food and our drink; it is Thou who has redeemed us at great price, deliver us form all evil!).

When the supper was eaten the parents recite a long thanksgiving prayer.

In explanation of why the crosses were made and put up tradition without hesitation answers 'protection'. Protection against fire, storm and lightening is the most usual reason given but also illness and disease.

We have made St. Brigid's Crosses and examples of these are shown on the 'Decorations' page.

The Candlelight Procession

On the eve of St. Brigid's Day, there is a candlelight procession from Faughart graveyard, the location of St. Brigid's Well, past St. Brigid's Shrine up to Kilcurry Church, approximately 3 miles away. Then prayers are said, including the Rosary.

St. Brigid's Well

The graveyard in Faughart, just outside Dundalk, Co. Louth,
is the location of an old well, normally associated with St. Brigid.
It is said that the water in the Well rises on her feast day, February 1st. The graveyard is actually at one of the highest points in the area, and therefore so too is the Well. This makes the myth all the more interesting, as a well normally has located at a low point, landwise to get water. We visited this Well, and the photos are shown.

The Brídeóg

In many places of Ireland one of the main features of St. Brigid's Eve was that groups of people went from house to house carrying a symbol of the saint. They were welcomed always by the householders since they announced that they were bringing St. Brigid's blessing to the household. Sometimes they carried numerous Brigid's crosses and they gave one to the head of each house, however usually it was accepted that the girl who carried the symbol was the most beautiful and modest of them all. In many cases of Co. Louth and Co. Armagh, there were traditions associated with "Brigid's Shield" (Sciath Bhrighid) and Brigid's Crown (Coróin Bhrigid) where the most beautiful girl of a particular area wearing a crown of rushes, a shield on her left arm and a cross in her right hand, was escorted by a group of young girls from house to house on Brigid's Eve - or Brigid's Morning, and that special prayers and ceremonies were observed!

St. Brigid's Ribbon

There was also customs associated with 'ribín Bríghid' (St. Brigid's ribbon) whereby a silk ribbon was placed on the windowsill during the night in honour of the Saint. The general belief was that the Saint going about the country on the Eve of her feast, would touch the ribín and endow it with healing powers. Some believed that the healing powers only improved with age and that its healing power was greatest after it had been kept for seven years. As well as relieving illness, it could cure barrenness, help women in childbirth and ward off evil influences.

There is also a tradition, which believes that hoarfrost, gathered from the grass on the morning of St. Brigid's day, is an infallible cure for headache. Many people also brought water from a well dedicated to the Saint and sprinkled it on the house and its occupants, farm builders, livestock and fields, invoking the blessing of the Saint.

Source of some of the above: The Year in Ireland - Kevin Donagher