Saint Brigid of Kildare or Saint Brigid of Ireland (Irish: Naomh Bríd; Classical Irish: Brighid; Latin: Brigida; c. 451 – c. 525) is the patroness saint (or 'mother saint') of Ireland, and one of its three national saints along with Patrick and Columba.

Mar 10, 2025 · Saint Brigid of Ireland was an abbess who founded an important monastic community at Kildare in the 5th century and is revered as one of the three patron saints of Ireland, with St. Patrick and St. Columba (Colmcille).

Brigid and seven friends organized communal consecrated religious life for women in Ireland and she founded two monastic institutions, one for men and one for women. Brigid invited a hermit called Conleth to help her in Kildare as a spiritual pastor. Her biographer reported that Brigid chose Saint Conleth "to govern the church along with herself."

It is generally accepted that St Brigid built her double monastery for men and women in Kildare around 470AD. Some scholars credit Brigid with pioneering monastic life in Ireland. Her monastery was acclaimed as a centre of education, pilgrimage, worship and hospitality until the 16th century when all the monasteries were suppressed.

Jun 10, 2019 · Brigid of Kildare (c. 451–525) was a nun and abbess who founded several monasteries in Ireland. Christians believe that God performed miracles through Brigid during her lifetime, most of which had to do with healing.

Feb 1, 2024 · Brigid was the name of a prominent goddess worshipped by ancient pagan Celts — the namesake of the saint who lived in the fifth and sixth centuries. Brigid the goddess was associated with everything from poetry, healing and metal crafting to nature, fertility and fire.

May 14, 2023 · Saint Brigid of Kildare, one of Ireland’s patron saints, is a prominent figure in Irish religious history and folklore. Known as the ‘Mary of the Gael,’ her legacy is marked by her dedication to the Christian faith, her founding of several monastic communities, and her …

Feb 1, 2024 · The pagan goddess Brigid was evoked in fertility blessings and oversaw poetry, crafts, and prophecy. She was said to have been born with a flame in her head and that she drank the milk of a mystical cow from the spirit world. Thus, Brigid is associated with fire and milk.

Mar 15, 2022 · Around the same period these hagiographers worked, Brigid’s cult center at Kildare became one of the wealthiest, most powerful religious communities in Ireland.

Saint Brigid of Kildare, also known as Brigid of Ireland or Brigit, was one of Ireland’s most beloved and important saints. She lived during the 5th and 6th centuries and is often regarded as the patroness of Ireland, alongside Saint Patrick and Saint Columba.