How to celebrate St. Brigid's Day

Ireland’s female patron saint, St. Brigid finally has her own national holiday since 2023, marking her feast day on February 1st. St. Brigid’s Day or Lá Fhéile Bríde in gaelic, is a celebration of spring, fertility, and protection that can trace its roots back to the 5th century saint and beyond, to a Celtic goddess and the Celtic quarter day celebration of Imbolc.

Lá Fhéile Bríde was once one of the most important days in the calendar in Ireland. Today many of the old traditions have fallen by the wayside. But with the new national holiday, we've seen Lá Fhéile Bríde receive some much deserved recognition and revival.

So if you would like to mark St. Brigid's Day, Imbolc, or Lá Fhéile Bríde this year, read on to find out about some long held Irish traditions and how you might adapt them wherever you are in the world:

1) Make a St. Brigid’s Cross

The most traditional way to mark St. Brigid’s Day, and one still widely held around Ireland, is to make your own cross that bears her name. The traditional cross is actually made on the eve of St. Brigid’s day, January 31st and is a family affair with everyone getting involved.

You can learn how to make your own cross here. And if you don’t have fresh rushes to hand, don’t fret. You can use hay, thin rolled up tubes of paper, paper straws, or even pipe cleaners to make one! When you're finished, tradition says to hang your cross in your home near the door, fireplace or wherever you would like special protection. Brigid’s crosses were thought to bring the blessings of the saint to the family, home, crops and any domestic animals for the year ahead.

2) Give a gift to newlyweds

If you get good at making these crosses, you may want to give some to friends or family. The protective powers of a Brigid’s cross were believed to be so strong, that it was common to give one as a gift to friends and especially to newlyweds. The cross was seen to offer protection and to bring the blessings of Brigid to the home, setting them well on their way to establishing their family. So if you have a friend or a family member just establishing themselves in life, a Brigid’s cross is a housewarming gift that is sure to surprise and delight. Not crafty? You could always sub in one of our lovely Brigid’s crosses made from silver or gold.

3) Visit a well, a river, or walk in nature

In towns around Ireland you will find many things dedicated to St. Brigid, giving an indication of how esteemed she has been by Irish people of all faiths and none for centuries. There are more schools, hospitals and landmarks that bear her name in Ireland than any other saint, including the famous Patrick! There are numerous holy wells dedicated to St. Brigid, with some believing the well’s water holds special healing power, which is at its most powerful on the eve of her feast day.

There may also be a connection to the older Celtic Goddess, Brigid, who had mastery over water and is the goddess of wells and rivers. To this day, people make pilgrimages to wells and rivers, leaving offerings for the saint or goddess to receive her blessing. If you don’t have a well near you, a walk in nature to a local stream or river will bring a welcome moment of calm or relaxation to your day.

4) Gather with Friends and Family

All the cross making on the 31st is hungry work. Traditionally, a hearty supper of potatoes and fresh churned butter would be served up to keep the cross weavers happy. This could be made into colcannon by adding chopped cabbage. And for dessert, warm sugary tea served with a slice of barm brack or apple cake. If you would like to make some barmbrack to fuel your own cross making here is a recipe. Otherwise a warm and comforting meal with friends or family would be a fine way to celebrate Lá Fhéile Bríde

5) Light Candles

Outside many rural homes in Ireland, a candle would be lit on St. Brigid's Day to commemorate the saint, to bring luck, and perhaps even to light her way. It was believed that the saint herself traveled the land on St. Brigid’s eve conferring blessings to homes that bore her cross. This may also stem from the much older fertility celebrations of the Celtic goddess Brigid who was master of the smyth and fire.

Lighting a few candles around the home certainly adds a cosy feeling on a cold dark evening, especially if you have paired it with good food and company!

6) Blow off some steam like the Biddy Boys

Coming out of the dark days of winter, you may feel the need to blow off a little steam and a cosy dinner at home just may not cut it. In several parts of Ireland, there is a curious celebration that sees groups of people disguised in straw costumes, going door to door. These merry bands carry a straw ‘Biddy’, an effigy of St Brigid, and collect for a party in her honor, singing and reciting rhymes. A full blown 'hooley' then ensues with dancing, singing and storytelling long into the night.

You needn’t dress in straw, carry a Biddy, or go collecting, but a good get together with friends is sure to be a welcome treat to banish January and great the coming of spring with energy and laughter.

Want to know more about Brigid?

Intrigued by these traditions and want to know more about the woman herself, or the older Celtic goddess that shares her name? Read our take on the Secrets of St. Brigid's Day or learn how to make your own Brigid’s cross.

Your own Brigid’s Cross to treasure

And if you would like your own Brigid’s cross you can treasure forever, browse our selection crafted in sterling silver and gold. Not sure what style is right for you? Get in touch. We would be delighted to use our years of experience to help you find the perfect cross for you.