While St. Patrick’s Day has gained global fame, Brigid’s incredible tales and contributions deserve to be celebrated on an equal footing
For the past two years, Irish people have celebrated a new bank holiday over the first weekend in February, thanks to the legend of St Brigid. The young saint’s story is one of hope, resilience and defiance, and her feast day on 1 February marks the beginning of spring in the pagan calendar.
Her legacy is built on stories, blending fact and fiction in the classic Irish way.
EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum is determined to spread the word about this remarkable woman. Here are all the reasons why the experts and historians there believe St Brigid’s Day deserves as much hype as St Patrick’s.
Turning water into beer
We all know the Biblical story of Jesus turning water into wine, but did you know St Brigid performed a similar miracle?
When visiting a leper colony, Brigid discovered that the inhabitants had run out of beer – a safer beverage at the time than water, which was often polluted and dangerous to drink. Using her “powers,” Brigid turned their bathing water into beer, ensuring everyone had enough to enjoy.
Like many tales about Brigid, it’s an amalgamation of fact and fiction, but it’s also a fun story that reflects her generosity and compassion.
Stretching her cloak
One of the most famous stories about St Brigid involves how she secured the land for her monastery in Kildare.
When Brigid approached the king with her plans, he was reluctant to give her any land. In an attempt to dismiss her, he told her she could have as much land as her cloak would cover. Unfazed by his mockery, Brigid instructed her companions to each take a corner of her cloak and spread it on the ground. Miraculously, the cloak began to stretch, covering an enormous area. Awestruck, the king kept his word and granted her the land, where she built her monastery.
While the original monastery no longer stands, St Brigid’s Cathedral now occupies the site in Kildare Town, preserving her legacy.
The eternal flame
The eternal flame bridges the worlds of pre-Christian and Christian traditions, linking the goddess Brigid and the saint.
In pre-Christian times, the flame was part of the worship of the Celtic goddess associated with fire, light, and fertility, particularly during Imbolc. For Christians, it became a symbol of enduring faith and spirit. At Brigid’s monastery in Kildare, the flame was tended by 19 nuns, with Brigid herself taking the 20th day in each cycle – even after her death.
The flame was extinguished in 1220 by order of Archbishop Henry of Dublin, who feared its association with paganism. In 1993, the Brigidine Sisters reignited the flame to symbolise peace and endurance. Today, it continues to burn at the Solas Bhríde Centre in Kildare, tended by modern nuns and community members.
Brigid’s friendship with St Patrick
While no historical records confirm a relationship between St Brigid and St Patrick, Irish tradition often links the two saints as collaborators in spreading Christianity throughout Ireland.
There is some overlap in their missions: Patrick was active in the mid-400s, while Brigid was born around 451 AD. It’s possible that Patrick’s influence inspired Brigid’s path of faith.
Patrick focused on preaching and converting pagans, while Brigid emphasised monastic life, charity, and education. Legends about their interactions include Patrick declaring Brigid his spiritual equal, the two saints blessing one another, and even Patrick ordaining Brigid as a bishop.
Whatever the truth or fiction of Brigid’s stories, her importance is undeniable. In just a few years, St Brigid’s Day has grown in prominence, and her legacy is gaining the recognition it deserves. Whether through her compassion, resilience, or creativity, St Brigid embodies values that continue to inspire, making her every bit as worthy of celebration as St Patrick.
