She’s a constant reminder of where we’re from, and now we’re happy to see St Brigid woven into the Irish story and calendar.
The St Brigid’s Cross is quintessentially Irish, a squinty cross made out of rushes in the country.
Marketed up and down the island and hanging on every wall of the Irish diaspora, of which I’m one.
Ours was courtesy of myself and a souvenir I brought home from my travels in the West of Ireland with my cousins.
Which I knew that my Dear Old Irish Mammy would love and put beside a multitude of other Irish paraphernalia…
Irish Cottages, Sacred Hearts of Jesuses, a Little Child of Prague and shamrocks galore.
The idea of the St Brigid’s Cross was that they would hang over the door of a house and ward off evil.
Its other symbolism is that it heralds in the Spring season.
All of which gives us the perfect opportunity to promote Ireland at its greenest with our old pals at Discover Ireland.
Particularly with Monday, February 5, now being designated Ireland’s newest bank holiday.
The thrills of Donegal
And because that’s where I first saw and learned about St Brigid, let’s go to the hills of Donegal for spring which was our annual pilgrimage.
And where we stood at the cliffs of Sliabh Liag and looked out across Donegal Bay to Sligo.
Discover Ireland recommend Donegal Town, less than an hour’s drive from the cliffs, while in truth anywhere in where you’ll find accommodation and plenty of cosy spots to refuel.
Bridge the generations
Now despite my Irish Mammy’s protestations that Donegal is the best of the 32 Irish counties, others exist too and Brigid is associated with Kildare.
She is said to have been the daughter of a chieftain and a slave woman, raised in a druid’s household, who went on to found Kildare Abbey in the sixth century.
And is a patroness of poetry, learning, healing, protection, blacksmithing, livestock and dairy productions.
One of the quirkier stories, and remember this is Ireland who have a monopoly on the bizarre, surrounds butter.
Important in those days and these and who doesn’t spread their bread with Kerrygold now?
Well, the young Brig is said to have given away her mother’s entire store of butter.
Before it was then replenished in answer to Brigid’s prayers, probably because Mammy was going to give her a hiding.
How to make the cross
You’ll want to know too how to make one of her crosses.. well the Office of Public Works helps out here.
Well get two sticks, cross them over one another to provide a wooden framework for the cross.
And at its centre, weave straw into the shape of a diamond. Sometimes, additional woven diamonds are added to the four arms of the cross.
Kildare wins
Now obviously now you’ve got the hang of making the cross.
And are intrigued by our Brig you’ll want to visit her native county.
Well, while you may have not been there before you’re bound to have picked a horse which was reared here.
With the Leinster county famous for its studs, stables and racecourses.
And you’ll want to visit the Irish National Stud and Japanese Gardens.
Before a bit of retail therapy at Kildare Village and Newbridge Silverware.
A prayer to St Brigid
Whether Brig rode horses, we can’t say, only that it was probably the preserve of the better off then.
But on our trail of the saint we’ll naturally take in St Brigid’s Cathedral.
Restored in the 19th century, it contains older vaults with early Christian and Norman carvings.
Its 12th century round tower is also said to be the second tallest in Ireland with spectacular views.
So now you know, if you’ve wondered about the cross on your Irish pal’s wall.
It’s St Brigid, woven into the Irish story and calendar.