Take a bunch of reeds and look up the internet for instructions to make the kind of cross to grace a Brigid house.
The off-centre cross, invented and popularised by the 5th-century saint, would hang in every Irish and diaspora doorway to stave off fire and evil.
Not that it needed to be Brigid’s house you were visiting but it just happened that our Grannie was a Brigid, and a proud one at that.
Or Bridie as she was always known and Massie to my Mum.
While her and Grandpa Eddie’s cottage also had a bit of Bridge about it, referred to by all and one in the area as the Bridge House.
Fording the Sur Wee burn (or stream) as it did in Brockagh, Co. Donegal.
St Brigid a feminist icon
Now St Brigid, the darling of Old Ireland has had something of a reinvention in Modern Ireland, as of all things a feminist icon.
On account of how she rose from humble beginnings with her mother a Portuguese slave brought to Ireland.
And went on to become the equivalent of an archbishop, in charge of 1500 nuns.
Which, of course, is timely as the English as they love to do have claimed their newly instated Archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally as the first female archbishop.
Paddy’s dynasty
When the Irish will gleefully point to Brigid who was ordained by Saint Patrick‘s nephew Bishop Mel.
Though the story also goes that Mel may have read her the wrong prayers,
In ordaining her a nun and given her even greater status.
But we say that she richly deserved it because who else could weave a cloak to cover the acres of the Curragh in Kildare.
And persuade a king to give them their land for their monastery.
Prevailing against the patriarchy
A woman of her times, and all times, St Brigid clearly had to prevail against the patriarchy.
And still does as Ireland’s only patroness saint.
So we, of course, welcomed that her day, February 1, was granted National Day status, three years ago.
While she would doubtless be proud of the Mná na hÉireann today, three Presidents and counting.
And the 100 Tipperary women who weaved a giant cloth.
Which they paraded in Clonmel on the Premier County on the eve of St Brigid’s Day yesterday.
With the cloak carried in procession too and showcased in Dublin Brigit’s Parade today, February 1.
So, with an eye to our own St Brigid’s Cross, and crossing myself for my mum’s mum without whom I wouldn’t be there.
And countless other Brigid connections, we say…
HAPPY ST BRIGID’S DAY
