Today is Oiche Fhéile Bhríde – St Brigid’s Eve. The Saint’s festival – tomorrow – marks the beginning of Spring: we will feel the lengthening of the days, and we have to be alert for so many portents.
Firstly – Hedgehogs. Watch out for your Hedgehogs: to see one is a good weather sign, for on Brigid’s Eve the Hedgehog comes out of the hole in which he has spent the winter, eyes up the weather and, if he likes the look of it, starts his foraging. If he goes straight back in again, then you’ll know that the storms will continue! This is according to Kevin Danaher, a frequent contributor on our seasonal folklore. The wind direction on the eve of the festival ‘…betokens the prevailing wind during the coming year; the festival day should show signs of improving weather, although an exceptionally fine day is regarded as an omen of poor weather to come…’
For those of us who live by the sea we have to be alert for Rabharta na Féile Bríde, the spring tide nearest to St Brigid’s day, as it is said to be the most significant one of the year – that’s when the difference between high and low tide is the greatest. Danaher, The Year in Ireland, Mercier Press 1972, notes: ‘…The people were quick to take the opportunity of cutting and gathering seaweed to fertilize the crops and of collecting shellfish and other shore produce. In a few places a live shellfish, such as a limpet or a periwinkle, was placed at each of the four corners of the house, to bring fishing luck and ensure plentiful shore gathering…’ But don’t forget that it’s not until Good Friday that you harvest the Mussels.
All the photographs in this post are from the collection of Tomás Ó Muircheartaigh, who documented life in rural Ireland between the 1930s and the 1950s – an invaluable pictorial record of the times
This is the day to make – and eat – your bairin-breac: ‘…On St Brigid’s Eve every farmer’s wife in Ireland makes a cake, the neighbours are invited, the madder of ale and the pipe go round, and the evening concludes with mirth and festivity…’ (Danaher). I’m holding out hopes that Finola will oblige and get out her delicious barm-brack recipe. Of course, the mirth and festivity will follow as she soaks the fruit in whisky! The Saint travels around the countryside on the eve of her festival, bestowing her blessing on the people and their livestock. We must be sure to leave out for her a piece of our cake: ‘…Often a sheaf of corn was put beside the cake, as refreshment for the Saint’s favourite white cow which accompanied her on her rounds. Others laid a bundle of straw or fresh rushes on the threshold, on which the Saint might kneel to bless the house…’ (Danaher).
Tonight we will hang a piece of red ribbon outside our door: ‘…One traditional story says that St Brigid wove the first cloth in Ireland and worked into it white healing threads which were said to have kept their healing power for centuries. In many places in Ireland it was customary to put a piece of silk ribbon, red being the preferred colour, outside the house on the Eve of St Brigid’s Day, much in the same way as articles of clothing or cloth left out on the saint’s eve would be endowed with St Brigid’s blessing when they became known as the Brat Bhríde (Brigid’s cloak). It was believed that St Brigid, when travelling around the country on the Eve of her Day, would see and touch the ribbon, so endowing it with her blessing and conferring on it some of her healing power. After this it was referred to as the ribín Bhríde…’ from Brigid: Goddess, Druidess and Saint Brian Wright, The History Press 2009. This reminds me very much of another saint – Gobnait – who also has a February festival. It’s going to be a busy month! To start it off it’s essential that we make our bogha Brídhe – St Brigid’s Cross.
I have never seen a hedgehog since I came to live in Ireland! Ive seen badgers, foxes, squirrels and lots of birds but never a hedgehog, sadly. I love this post, it’s great to keep all the old traditions alive.
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I have only seen one in the last three years… Where have they all gone?
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I know. It’s very sad. They are such lovely little creatures.
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In my part of Nova Scotia, people used to gather the Irish Moss (as the carrageenan seaweed is called) to earn extra money and the dulse during the spring tides. Dulse is to this day a NS delicacy. Your pictures could be showing scenes from my province’s past and once again shows that the ocean between Ireland and Nova Scotia is the ocean that links us together.
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Well said! I’ll be following in the footsteps of St Brendan one day, to see the ‘Irish’ side of Canada for myself!
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As a child in south Tipperary I used put out the ribbon for St Bridgets day under the guidance of our elderly housekeeper
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Thank you Elizabeth – it’s good to hear of ‘live’ examples of the traditions. We put our ribbons out last night!
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Hodgehegs are an endangered species so if you see one on the road take special care NOT to run it over ! I recently found one on the shoreline, entangled in a discarded bit of fishnetting, it had drowned with the incoming tide.
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That’s a sad tale, Julian. I was watching out all day but didn’t see one…
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Looking forward to Spring and sighting the first hedgehog – just hope the gales die down shortly. I’m sure your red ribbon is fluttering. Are you sure you can’t join us tomorrow?
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I’ve got to stay home and watch out for the Hedgehogs…
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Reblogged this on West Cork History.
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