St. Brigid’s Day is the first day of February, the first day of Spring. St Brigid was born near Dundalk, Co. Louth about 451 A.D. She lived around the time of St Patrick. She is the second patron saint of Ireland, after St Patrick. She is also known as Muire na nGael or Mary of the Irish.

Legend tells us that Brigid visited a dying pagan chieftain in Kildare. She weaved a cross from rushes. The chieftain asked her what she was doing. She explained the story of Jesus and the cross to him. The chieftain was converted and was baptised a Christian.

Anois teacht an Earraigh

le Antaine Ó Reachtabhra (1784-1835)

Anois teacht an Earraigh
beidh an lá dúl chun shíneadh,
Is tar eis na féil Bríde
ardóigh mé mo sheol.
Go Coillte Mach rachad
ní stopfaidh me choíche
Go seasfaidh mé síos
i lár Chondae Mhaigh Eo.
Fágaim le huacht é
go n-éiríonn mo chroí-se
Mar a éiréonn an ghaoth
nó mar a scaipeann an ceo
Nuair a smaoiním ar Cheara
nó ar Ghaileang taobh thíos de
Ar Sceathach an Mhíle
nó ar phlánaí Mhaigh Eo;
Cill Aodáin an baile
a bhfásann gach ní ann,
Tá sméara is subh craobh ann
is meas de gach sórt,
Is dá mbéinnse i mo sheasamh
i gceartlár mo dhaoine
D’imeodh an aois díom
is bheinn arís óg.
Bíonn cruithneach is coirce,
fás eorna is lín ann,
Seagal i gcaobh ann,
arán plúir agus feoil,
Lucht déanta poitín
gan licence á dhíol ann,
Móruaisle na tíre ann
ag imirt is ag ól.
Tá cur agus treabhadh
is leasú gan aoileach
Is iomaí sin ní ann
nár labhair me go fóill,
Aitheanna is muilte
ag obair gan scíth ann,
Deamhan caint ar phingin cíosa
na dada da shórt.