St Bridget

The evening of 31st January each year is known as Saint Bridget's Eve and on that day the head of the family would cut rushes and spread them on the table like a tablecloth. A meal of mashed potatoes and butter was then served and eaten with each person in the house taking their turn at mashing the potatoes.

Crosses were made for every door of the house and the outhouses for the animals. They were then put in a basket and placed outside with some cloth awaiting the blessing of Saint Bridget. Next day the family went to Mass and when they had returned they would put the crosses at every entrance. The cloth was known as 'Brat Bhríde' and was kept for use in case of sickness while the crosses remained above the doors until the following year. The

cloths were often cut into smaller pieces and given to family members for luck. They were also sewn on garments that were regularly worn throughout the year.

To make St. Bridget's Cross Click Here

Click on thumbnail to read about St. Bridget by Mickie Mueller

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