St Brigid's Cross making at Letterkenny Cathedral Quarter

Honouring the feast day of St Brigid’s is a unique and special event that resonates with everyone

Letterkenny Cathedral Quarter are inviting the public along to celebrate St Brigid’s Day by creating Brigid’s crosses and celebrating the many special traditions connected to the saint on Tuesday next, January 31.

The Cathedral Quarter is welcoming everyone religious, non-religious, young and old to celebrate with them. This is our first in-person St Brigid Cross making event in three years.

Help will be at hand to guide and show guests how to make the traditional crosses in the lovely setting of Dillons Hotel in the heart of the Cathedral Quarter from 6.30pm-8.30pm.

The event also marks the beginning of Spring and honours old customs.

A spokesperson said: “Legend tells us Brigid converted a dying Pagan. To explain the new faith to him, she improvised making a cross from rushes which was all that was available to her in the location.

“So in keeping with tradition, we’ll have rushes for you to make your traditional crosses. Whether it’s for yourself or a special gift to give to neighbours and friends, this long-standing tradition of hanging a St Brigid’s cross above your door will extend a warm welcome to visitors and protect their homes/buildings and families for the year ahead.

“We’ll also be celebrating the Brat Bríd-the custom of hanging a small piece of cloth (can be a ribbon, a piece of linen or cloth like a scarf or handkerchief) on a tree overnight and this is said to have healing powers in the morning.

“This is a very special time of year linking Imbolc the ancient Celtic festival marking the beginning of Spring, Candlemas the ancient festival of light marking the midpoint of winter and St Brigid's day we hope you’ll come to get involved and if you would like to add to our evening with poetry, song or customs, we’d be delighted.”

The event will also be a bittersweet event for the Cathedral Quarter organisation as it is the first time that they will host St Brigid cross-making without the late Siobhan McGranaghan, who sadly passed away last May.

"Siobhan facilitated all our St Brigid's Cross-making events since we began celebrating the occasion in 2016. We are very thankful to Louise Ozbay who will be helping us on St Brigid's Eve but we are looking for volunteers to help out at the tables with the cross-making on the evening.

If you would like to help out, please ring Donnan Harvey at (086) 345 2457. This is a free event but all donations are kindly welcomed.