Culture

Sara Keating on Culture: How to embrace the spirit of ‘badass Brigit’ this bank holiday

Series of events planned to celebrate patron saint and protector of poetry and learning

Brigid O'Leahy, Brigid Kavita, Bridget Cloonan and Brigid Moorhouse, all spanning multiple generations, whose names originate with or derive from 'Brigit' launch ‘Brigit: Dublin City Celebrating Women 2024’. Picture: Julian Behal

As you start to make plans for Monday’s bank holiday, it is worth pausing to remember the woman who has gifted this extra day of rest to us: Saint Brigid, third national patron saint of Ireland, who died 1,500 years ago this year.

Saint Brigid was the protector of poetry and learning, whom the writer Nidhi Zak/Aria Eipe called “brightest of the flame” in her lyrical dedication to the saint, imbolc. The play on words ...