Today is St Brigid’s Day, an annual celebration with which marks the first day of Spring in the Celtic calendar. Louth-born St Brigid is the patron (or ‘matron’) saint of many things including beer, poets and dairy.
Brigid is also a Celtic goddess of fire, and today stands as a symbol of female empowerment, social justice, environmentalism, creativity and compassion on the island of Ireland. Monday 3rd February 2025 marks the third national holiday in Ireland in honour of St Brigid.
Part of the Celtic celebration of Imbolc, St Brigid’s Day celebrates the new season of growth, nature, colour, and creativity. Spring is a fantastic time to visit the island of Ireland, as the days get longer, landscapes come alive with nature and seasonal produce is in abundance.
Here are a few ways to follow Brigid’s footsteps and celebrate spring on the island of Ireland…
Sip Brigid’s Ale from Two Sisters Brewery
Brigid is Ireland’s patron saint of beer, so celebrate her legacy with a glass of Brigid’s Ale brewed by Two Sisters Brewery in Kildare. Fifth-generation publicans Susan and Judith Boyle use barley locally grown and malted in Kildare, Kildare water and Kildare honey from their own bees to brew a rich copper-coloured unfiltered ale with malty, floral and honeyed notes.
Embrace dairy at Graze micro-dairy or Cork’s Butter Museum
Brigid was also a saint of dairy, on an island with an abundance of dairy farms producing delicious milks, butters, creams and cheeses. Head to Graze Dairy, a new micro-dairy in Kildare offering fresh raw milk straight from the farm. They also sell syrups to create tasty milkshakes. The Butter Museum in Cork, celebrates one of the great success stories of Ireland, the butter trade, from the story of the central role of dairy culture centries ago in Ireland, to the modern success of the Kerrygold brand.
Take in St Brigid’s Cathedral before hiking up The Curragh
Take a visit to St Brigid’s Cathedral in Kildare, which was built in the 13th century on the site of an important Celtic Christian abbey, said to have been founded by St Brigid in the 5th century. After taking in the cathedral’s gothic architecture, walk up the Curragh, where Brigid built a church. Legend says that Brigid negotiated with the King Leinster to be granted as much land as her cloak would cover, which was said to expand to cover the whole area.
Springtime seaweed foraging
Spring is also the perfect time for seaweed foraging. Enthusiasts can embark on a Seaweed Discovery Walk with Atlantic Irish Seaweed based at Derrynane. As nature awakens with the changing season, the coastline comes alive with an abundance of marine flora, ripe for exploration. Visitors can delve into the fascinating world of seaweed harvesting with guided tours which provide participants with firsthand knowledge of this ancient practice and its ecological significance.
Slow down and soak in the season on Ireland’s newest cycle trail
A new cycle trail has launched in Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands, inspired by the mythical Jackalope. Visitors can opt for an e-bike or normal bike and enjoy a leisurely 4–5-hour cycle along the Shannon Blueway with guide Seamus Gibbons who shares his local knowledge and stories along the way. The Jackalope Cycle Trail takes in the Acres Lake Floating Boardwalk, a tour and tasting at The Shed Distillery, the home of Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin, and offers a chance to spot native wildlife – keep an eye out for the Jackalope. The purpose of the route was the encourage tourists to slow down and immerse themselves in the beautiful rural region.
Wild liquors and foraging walks
Visitors can embark on a spring foraging walk with Wicklow Wild Foods and discover the bountiful treasures of County Wicklow’s glacial valleys, lakes, rivers and forests. Led by knowledgeable guides, these immersive experiences offer insights into the seasonal delights found in nature’s pantry. From wild herbs to vibrant flowers, each step unveils a world of culinary possibilities, and natural medicinal benefits waiting to be discovered. Visitors can join Mary Bulfin, also known as Wild Food Mary, for a unique adventure into the wilderness. Her expertise in wild liquors and foraging skills promise an unforgettable journey through Ireland’s springtime abundance.
Reconnect with nature and weave a St Brigid’s Cross
The Sustainable Journeys Ireland tour in County Down encourages visitors to follow in St Brigid’s footsteps by participating in a guided coastal walk or coach tour with local, specialist tour guide, Brigid Watson. The tours offer visitors a chance to learn about Brigid, slow down and reconnect with nature and Irish culture, allowing them to immerse themselves in nature in the beautiful coastal regionTwo-hour walking tour from £12 per person depending on group size.
For more information on the island of Ireland, please visit ireland.com
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