Feast of St. Brigid

Sláinte to St. Brigid of Kildare!

February 1st marks St. Brigid’s Day, honoring one of Ireland’s three patron saints—alongside St. Patrick and St. Colmcille. Known as the patroness of poetry, learning, healing, protection, blacksmithing, livestock, and dairy production, St. Brigid’s influence is deeply woven into Irish history.

But long before Brigid’s time, this date was celebrated as Imbolc, an ancient Celtic festival marking the transition from winter to spring. A time of renewal, fertility, and light, Imbolc welcomed the changing seasons and sought blessings for the land, livestock, and home.

With the arrival of Christianity, St. Brigid’s feast day naturally took the place of Imbolc, blending old traditions with new faith. In her honor, a sacred fire burned at Kildare for centuries, tended by her followers. Some historians believe Brigid is a Christianization of the Celtic goddess Brigid, a reflection of how Ireland’s spiritual heritage intertwined across generations.

Brigid was no ordinary woman—born into slavery, she defied expectations at every turn. She gave freely to the poor (even when it wasn’t hers to give), outwitted kings, and established Ireland’s first women’s abbey in Kildare, known as the "Church of the Oak" (Cill Dara).

St. Brigid’s story is especially meaningful to us at Saints & Scholars, as our family has roots in Naas, Co. Kildare—just a short distance from where she founded her abbey. But what truly fascinates us is the legend that she could turn water into beer—and who are we to argue with such divine gifts?

One of her most enduring symbols, the Brigid’s Cross, was woven from rushes as she comforted a dying pagan chieftain. By the time the cross was complete, he had converted to Christianity. Today, these crosses are still made and hung over doors for protection and good fortune.

In old Ireland, St. Brigid’s Eve (Jan 31st) was a night of blessings. Families tidied their homes, left out food and drink (for the saint… or a hungry traveler), and placed a special cloth outside to be blessed overnight—said to cure headaches and offer protection.

Raise a glass to St. Brigid this week—after all, if a saint can turn water into beer, that’s a tradition worth celebrating! 🍻