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.