The Legacy of St Brigid tour introduces participants to one of the most important Irish saints – an icon who is revered across the world for her work with the poor and marginalised.
St Brigid is one of Ireland’s three patron saints, together with St Patrick and St Colmcille, and was traditionally commemorated in Ireland each year on 1 February.
The Legacy of St Brigid tour is led by Brigid Watson, a local expert tour guide and environmentalist with a passion for Christian heritage. The tour begins in St Patrick’s Centre in the historic town of Downpatrick , County Down, where the three patron saints are said to be buried.
The centre is the only permanent exhibition dedicated to St Patrick in the world and tells his story through interactive, high-tech, audio-visual presentations.
There is also an excellent display about St Brigid and the ancient traditions associated with her, as well as one on the ancient pagan goddess Brigid or Brid, a figure in Irish mythology. The saint’s feast day is inextricably linked to the Celtic goddess and the ancient festival of Imbolc, the first of the four major ‘fire’ festivals from Gaelic Ireland. A new public holiday in Ireland on the first Monday in February marks both St Brigid’s Day and Imbolc.