Oiche Bhríde

It's St Bridget's Eve, a big day in the Irish calendar as we prepare to welcome in the 1st February - St Bridget's Day, the start of the ancient festival of Imbolc and officially the first day of Spring. Yay!
One of the main things that happens tonight is that some people leave out a ribbon ro scarf, or even a hanky or tie, known as the bratog bride. It's placed on a windowsill, or on the doorstep or even a bush outside. St Bridget is believed to be out and about and if she sees the cloth she will bless it. Bring it in next day and it can be used as a cure for headaches for the following year - just tie it around the head. This extract from the Schools' Folklore Collection of the late 1930s describes a few other customs:
In olden times in this parish St. Brigid's Eve was a great feast like November Eve.

St. Brigid's Eve
On St. Brigid's Eve January 31st which is called "Bridoge's Night" the following customs were practised in this parish.

The Ribbon
They used to put out a ribbon on St. Brigid's Eve and bring it in next morning. This ribbon was eft up carefully for the year. It cured a headache by putting it around the head of the person who was suffering from the headache.


Dressing up the Doll
The boys and girls used to dress up a doll and go around and put it in the doors of the houses asking for money for St. Brigid.

The Supper
On St. Brigid's Eve there used to be an extra good supper prepared in every house. They used to have lots of sweet cakes and they used to have rice pudding at the supper.
It is also traditional to make a St Bridget's Cross and put it up on the front door.This will protect the household for the coming year. Here's the story:


There was an old pagan Chieftain who lay delirious on his deathbed in Kildare (some believe this was her father) and his servants summoned Brigid to his beside in the hope that the saintly woman may calm his restless spirit. Brigid is said to have sat by his bed, consoling and calming him and it is here that she picked up the rushes from the floor and began weaving them into the distinctive cross pattern. Whilst she weaved, she explained the meaning of the cross to the sick Chieftain and it is thought her calming words brought peace to his soul. He was so enamoured by her words that the old Chieftain requested he be baptized as a Christian just before his passing.


I find the cross fiendishly difficult to make and am cheating - here's one I bought earlier in Cork city! Should you fancy making your own all you need are some rushes and a lot of patience. Watch this mesmerising video to learn how. He's so calm and posh!
Hmm ... rice pudding.