Community celebrates St Brigid’s Day

LARGE crowds gathered across our communities to celebrate St Brigid’s Day, marking the beginning of Spring and the Celtic festival of Imbolc.

People came out last weekend and on Tuesday, February 1, to honour and to celebrate St Brigid, who is one of the Patron Saints of Ireland, along with St Patrick and St Colmcille.

On Tuesday, people gathered in Café Aon Scéal in Tallaght Village for St Brigid Cross making classes, which were supported by Bríd from Scoil Caitlín Maude in Killinarden.

Dawn McKeever, Manager of Café Aon Scéal in Tallaght, told The Echo that they wanted to come together in the cafe to celebrate strong Irish women.

She added how making crosses from rushes is a “tradition to mark the feast of St Brigid…to leave by the window or on the door with the hopes that St Brigid will bless the house.”

Across Ireland landmarks such as the GPO and Trinity College were lit up on the day to celebrate women who have contributed to Irish society and culture.

Bernie and Celine in Café Aon Scéal on Tuesday

In Clondalkin, the one-day festival took place on Sunday, January 30, after a two year break due to Covid-19 restrictions. People enjoyed a pilgrimage walk from Bridewell in Dublin City Centre to St Brigid’s Well in Clondalkin, stopping at significant locations along the way to learn about the history of St Brigid and her deep-rooted connection to Clondalkin.

St Brigid holds a special place in the local heritage of Clondalkin. Historians believe that St Brigid’s Well near Newlands Cross was established by St Brigid in the 5th century to baptise pagans. To celebrate this history, traditional Irish music was played at the well on Sunday as well as speeches given from local historian Mervyn Ennis and committee member Caitriona Breslin.

One of the rituals traditionally carried out on St Brigid’s day is the ritual of cross making, which are made of rushes that are then hung by the door and said to protect the home from fire and evil.