St. Brigid's Day, known in Irish as Lá Fhéile Bríde, celebrates Ireland's only female patron saint, St. Brigid of Kildare. It is held each year on the 1st of February, marking the beginning of Celtic Spring. This date is halfway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. Brigid is held in high regard in Ireland, revered for her compassionate nature and miracles. She is often associated with healing, fertility, and agriculture.
The celebration features numerous folklore traditions and religious rites. Many engage in the practice of making St. Brigid's Crosses from rushes or straw. These distinct interwoven crosses are often hung in homes and stables as tokens of protection against fire and disease. Other traditions include the ritualistic creation of a 'Brídeog', a doll symbolizing Saint Brigid, linked to fertility and prosperity, and Brigid's wells where people gather for prayers and healing rituals.
Processions and parades often characterized pre-Christian festivities, and this spirit still exists in some areas where towns host vibrant community gatherings. The day engages both religious and secular communities, as it is not only an important feast day in the Christian calendar but also acknowledges Ireland's ancient customs and heritage. St. Brigid's Day is seen as a celebration of the arrival of longer, warmer days and the promise of growth and regeneration that come with spring.