St Brigid’s Day falls on February 1 and marked the beginning of Spring in the traditional Irish calendar. It was an important festival for our rural ancestors as it ushered in a new season of hope and growth after a long, dark winter. The evening beforehand, 31 January, was the focus for the customs associated with the celebration of St. Brigid.

TALK: Folklife objects in the National Museum of Ireland associated with the traditional celebration of St. Brigid's Day

12pm to 1pm | Suitable for adults and children aged 12+

Join Clodagh Doyle, Keeper of the Irish Folklife Division, to learn how the National Museum of Ireland has the largest collection of objects associated with the celebration of St Brigid's feastday. In the Irish Folklife Collection, there are over 300 crosses from all over Ireland, created in different styles and materials. There are also Brídeoga (dolls representing the saint), Biddy Boy costumes and brat Bríde (fabric strips).  The objects reflect the devotion to St Brigid and the seeking of her protection. Besides being a popular name for girls, throughout the country, there are holy wells dedicated to her and her name is used as a first name in placenames and for hospitals and GAA clubs. Learn about these objects and the devotion to St Brigid in this curator's talk. 

About the speaker
Clodagh Doyle has been working with the Irish Folklife Collection of the National Museum of Ireland since 1995 and is now based at Turlough Park, Castlebar, Co. Mayo. She has a degree in Irish Folklore and Archaeology and her MA thesis is on the subject of Traditional Hearth Furniture. With a love for folklore, ethnology, objects and their stories, Clodagh was appointed Keeper of the Irish Folklife Division in 2020.

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