St Brigid Cross Irish Woven Rush 7"

Saint Bridget, Saint Bridgid, Saint Bridgit, Saint Brigid of Kildare or Brigid of Ireland is one of Ireland's patron saints, along with Patrick and Columba. Irish history makes her an early Irish Christian nun, abbess, and founder of several monasteries of nuns, including that of Kildare.(451 – 525) which was famous and was revered. Her feast day is 1 February, which was originally a pagan festival called Imbolc, marking the beginning of spring.

Daughter of a Pagan Chieftain- a stubborn unbeliever, before his death Bridgid sat by him in prayer and whiled away the time by weaving the first St Bridgid's cross from the rushes strewn about the floor. Her father seeing the Cross asked her to explain its meaning and was so overwhelmed he became a Christian before his death.

The St Bridgid's Cross is still made in Ireland today and placed in homes on her feast day February 1. It is believed this emblem protects the home and animals from evil and want.



Handcrafted with rush from the River Shannon Cloonshee, Strokestown Co. Roscommon mounted on a placard





St Brigid's Prayer

Brigid of the Mantle, encompass us,

Lady of the Lambs, protect us,

Keeper of the Hearth, kindle us.

Beneath your mantle, gather us,

And restore us to memory.

Mothers of our mother, Foremothers strong.

Guide our hands in yours,

Remind us how to kindle the hearth.

To keep it bright, to preserve the flame.

Your hands upon ours, Our hands within yours,

To kindle the light, Both day and night.

The Mantle of Brigid about us,

The Memory of Brigid within us,

The Protection of Brigid keeping us

From harm, from ignorance, from heartlessness.

This day and night,

From dawn till dark, From dark till dawn.