St. Brigid's Day in Ireland
Channel: Rosetta Stone
Date: 21/04/2024

Have you heard about #StBrigidsDay or #Imbolc? It marks the arrival of longer, warmer days and the early signs of spring. 

Here are 3 facts you might know about this ancient #Irish festival: 

1. Held midway between the Winter and Spring Equinox, St. Brigid's Day has been celebrated by the Irish for centuries (before Ireland was a Christian country), and celebrates the pagan goddess Brigid (who was also known as Imbolc), one of Ireland's 3 patron saints, along with St. Patrick and St. Colmcille, and is the only woman patron saint. Brigid is associated with everything from poetry to healing, peacemaking, fertility, fire, and food production.

2. Ireland celebrates the holiday with a number of traditions. The most famous one is the making of the Saint Brigid's Cross, a unique cross made from fresh rushes or reeds. They're made in schools, communities, and private homes across Ireland, and then hung in people's homes, where they are believed to bring good luck and prevent fire and hunger. The crosses hang for a year, until new Saint Brigid's Crosses are created the next year (the old ones are then burned in the fire). The Brigid’s Cross has become one of the symbols of Ireland, along with the shamrock and harp. 

3. In Ireland and Scotland, a representation of Brigid is paraded around the community by girls and young women on February 1st every year. Usually, it's with a doll known as a Brídeóg ('little Brigid'), called a 'Breedhoge' or 'Biddy' in English.

Would you visit #Ireland to experience this unique holiday?