St. Brigid's Day sits at the gentle hinge between winter and spring and is a lovely moment to try a handful of Irish words. With a few easy phrases, you can join rituals, wish friends well, and name the objects you see at parades and fireside gatherings.
St. Brigid is remembered as a fifth-century abbess and founder of the Kildare monastery, and as one of Ireland's patron saints. Her feast day is closely linked with the older Celtic festival of Imbolc, which marks the beginning of spring and the lambing season.
In 2023, Ireland made St. Brigid's Day a permanent national public holiday observed on the first Monday in February, unless the first falls on a Friday, in which case February 1 is observed. This change means the feast now has the same official visibility as other Irish holy days, and it is the first national holiday named after a woman in Ireland.
Simple greetings you can use in person or in a card
"Lá Fhéile Bríde sona duit."
This means Happy St. Brigid's Day to you. Pronunciation guide law AY-luh BREE-juh SUN-uh ditch. Use it when you meet friends on February first or during parish and community events.
"Beannachtaí na Féile Bríde."
This is Brigid's blessings. Pronunciation ban-ock-tee nuh FAY-luh BREE-juh. It is a warm, slightly formal phrase you can use in a short blessing or a social media message.
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"Céad míle fáilte."
This famous phrase means a hundred thousand welcomes and is handy if you are greeting visitors at a Brigid festival or parade. Pronunciation kayd MEE-luh FAWL-chuh. It is useful in both formal and friendly situations.
"Sláinte!"
This word means health and is used as a toast, much like cheers. Pronunciation slawn-chuh. You will hear it in pubs and at meals during festival weekends.
Objects and actions around St. Brigid's Day
A Brigid's cross is a woven straw cross hung in a home for protection and blessing. Pronunciation kross VREE-juh. To say I made a Brigid's cross, say Rinne mé Cros Bhríde. Pronunciation RIN-uh may kross VREE-juh.
This is the older name of the seasonal festival that takes place on February 1 and celebrates the first signs of spring and the lactation of ewes. Pronunciation IM-bolk. You will hear the word at workshops on seasonal crafts and on poetry about renewal.
Brigid and Brigit
Brigid, or Brigit, appears both as a Christian saint and as a goddess in earlier Irish tradition, associated with poetry, healing, smithcraft, and fertility. Many modern celebrations blend the saintly stories with older myths and outdoor rituals that welcome light and new growth. This twin identity is what gives St. Brigid's Day its rich language and ritual life.
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