Weaving a Tradition: St. Brigid’s Crosses and the Dawn of Spring
For over two decades, a cherished tradition has unfolded each year at St. Brigid’s Primary School in Drumilly, south Armagh. Carmel Hayes, a dedicated artisan, has been a familiar face, guiding young hands in the intricate craft of weaving St. Brigid’s crosses. “The whole secret is to hold them good and tight,” she emphasizes, her words echoing the importance of precision in this ancient practice.
The “them” she refers to are rushes, a common, grass-like plant often found in abundance in rural landscapes. For Carmel, these humble reeds are the essential material for a craft steeped in history and symbolism. Among her most engaged students is her granddaughter, Mya, who articulates the key to a well-made cross: folding the rushes firmly, maintaining a tight grip, and steadily adding more strands to each side. In a corner of the classroom, a basket overflows with rushes, some of which were personally gathered by young Olivia. “I went to the fields and cut them down and brought them into school,” she explains, her voice filled with pride in her contribution.
Beyond the physical act of cross-making, Carmel imbues the experience with the rich tapestry of stories surrounding St. Brigid. She educates the children on how her feast day, observed on February 1st, signifies the arrival of spring in the Celtic calendar, a period known as Imbolc. “It is lovely to talk about her in a school named after her,” Carmel remarks, highlighting the special connection between the saint and the institution. “It’s a tradition every year for 1 February, getting out of the winter blues and getting into spring, looking for snowdrops and looking for flowers because the start of the spring is so linked to St. Brigid.”
Legends of Land and Legacy
The children are captivated by the tales of St. Brigid’s life and her enduring influence. One particularly resonant story recounts how Brigid sought land from the King of Leinster for her missionary work. His initial refusal was overcome by Brigid’s clever proposition: she would be granted whatever land her cloak could cover. Riona recounts the narrative with enthusiasm: “She wanted land to build a church and she had a cloak and it grew all over the land but the king didn’t want her to have the land.” Eadaoin adds to the story, explaining the significance of Brigid’s most famous church: “She built that church in Kildare and it was her most famous church but she was from near here in Louth.”
The geographical connections to St. Brigid are compelling. Faughart in County Louth, her birthplace, lies a mere ten miles from St. Brigid’s Primary School. While Louth and Kildare boast strong established links to the saint, Downpatrick in County Down also presents a significant claim to her legacy.
The Resting Place of Saints
Downpatrick, though more widely recognized as the final resting place of St. Patrick, is also believed to be the burial site of Ireland’s two other patron saints: Brigid and Colmcille. Brigid Watson, a tour guide whose name fittingly aligns with the saint, stands by the reputed graves of these three revered figures at Down Cathedral. “When she died she was buried beside the high altar in Kildare,” Watson explains. “But because of Viking attacks it was decided in 878 AD to bring her remains here to Downpatrick where she is buried with St. Patrick and also St. Colmcille – so the three patron saints of Ireland are buried together here on Cathedral Hill.”
The exact whereabouts of St. Brigid’s earthly remains in Downpatrick are, however, a subject of historical complexity. Watson notes that relics, including her skull, were transported elsewhere over time. “I’ve actually been to the church on the outskirts of Lisbon where her skull is kept,” she reveals. “It was brought there by three knights who left there in the 12th Century.”
A Growing Observance
In recent years, St. Brigid’s Day has experienced a resurgence in prominence. It is now officially recognized as a public holiday in the Republic of Ireland. While not a public holiday in Northern Ireland, the number of events commemorating her feast day continues to grow annually. A testament to this increasing observance is the weekend-long festival held at Down Cathedral, situated just a stone’s throw from her presumed grave. This event serves as a vibrant hub for celebrating the life, legacy, and enduring spirit of St. Brigid, connecting communities to a rich heritage and the promise of spring.
