by Alla Pavlutska

A mythical woman that had many faces through time gets revived in the new public holiday. 

Ireland has recently celebrated its first-ever bank holiday in honour of a woman, often referred to as the first female Irish bishop. It was a long week of festivals dedicated to culture, music, poetry, and everything that could encompass the figure of Brigid. TheCity has put together the most famous controversies around St Brigid’s Day and shed a little light on them.

“St Brigid’s Day (February 1) is one of the ‘quarter days’ marking a transition from one season to the next,” explains Irish Folklore Educator Dr Tiziana Soverino. “However, our problem is that all available sources are secondary.   

“The sources we have are basically Irish writings from the Middle Ages, folklore collected in the 19th and 20th centuries, classical writers and archaeological sources (such as Navan Fort, County Armagh). 

“Unfortunately, there are no sources written by the pagan Celts themselves about their festivals, deities (including Brigid), or religion. Thus, the origin of the festival is unclear; however, it is very likely to be pagan.” 

Brigid the Goddess

Brigid, the “High One,” was a Celtic goddess. According to Cormac’s Glossary, she was one of three women associated with smiths, poets and healers.  

“Brigid is very similar to Classic Minerva (the Roman goddess), which is associated with art, craft, motherhood and childbirth,” says Dr Soverino. “She is also linked to Sulis Minerva (England), associated with thermal springs. In Irish literature, Brigid appears as a member of the Tuatha Dé Danann (‘tribes of the goddess Danu’) and the daughter of the Dagda (‘the good god’).” 

Saint Brigid

According to legend, St. Brigid was born in AD 450 in Faughart, near County Louth. She was the daughter of a pagan chieftain, Dubhthach, and his slave, Broicsech. Dubhthach’s wife forced him to sell Brigid’s mother to a druid when she became pregnant. Broicsech gave birth at dawn while bringing milk into the druid’s house. However, following her mother’s fate, the girl was born into slavery.  

Once, a druid tried to feed Brigid; however, he couldn’t due to his impurity. So, Brigid was fed on the milk of a white, red-eared cow. When the druid realised Brigid was unique, he became concerned for her welfare, and he eventually freed the girl and her mother. 

We know much about Saint Brigid from the 7th-century monk from Kildare, Cogitosus. Brigid spent her youth as a farm worker, churning butter and shepherding the flocks. Later on, Brigid was said to have performed miracles, including healing and feeding the poor.

The most famous places associated with her figure are Clondalkin in Co. Dublin; Kildare, Co. Kildare; Liscannor in Co. Clare; and Faughart, Co. Louth. 

Dr Soverino explains that Saint Brigid has probably taken over many characteristics of the previous pagan goddess. Therefore, when we talk about St. Brigid’s Day, it is necessary to mention the figure of the Celtic goddess. However, she says, some scholars are convinced that we should mention only St. Brigid because the goddess was created by medieval writers. 

Whatever her origin, Saint Brigid is a significant example of a legendary, strong and independent woman. Even if the Christian church co-opted her pagan image to establish a link with the native faith, it shows a long-standing tradition of respect and celebration of influential female figures. 

Bank holiday

This year the new bank holiday took place on the first Monday in February.  

“It is essential that this holiday became public,” says Dr Soverino. “Firstly, it is politically correct because no bank holiday in Ireland has been dedicated to a woman until now. Secondly, it is very symbolic.  

“The idea of establishing the new national holiday first came about during the lockdown to recogniseand celebrate health workers. I thus believe that the connecting link is healing since both the pagan goddess Brigid and the Christian saint were associated with healing, as also are health workers.” 

If Brigid existed today…

“I think she would be a social justice champion who would not be afraid to stand up for herself and others. Perhaps she could be a president or a taoiseach, someone very powerful nowadays.”