On The Trail of St Brigid Traditions / Ireland20

A Harry Clarke stained glass panel depicting St Brigid can be seen in the window of the parish church in Castletownshend, West Cork. This year 2023, in Ireland, there will be the first new annual publ... © Celia Bartlett/shotbywomen

St Brigid, the patroness saint of Ireland born to a a pagan father and Christian mother c450. She entered religious life herself, going on to establish many convents, then becoming a very powerful abb... © Celia Bartlett/shotbywomen

Throughout Ireland, there are hundreds of Holy Wells dedicated to many different saints. Not far from Castletownshend in West Cork, tucked away in a small gulley at Ardra, overlooking Squince Harbour,... © Celia Bartlett/shotbywomen

On the feast day of St Brigid, it has be tradition for the local community to make the walk to the Holy Well. Credit: Celia Bartlett / shotbywomen © Celia Bartlett/shotbywomen

A short but steep turf slope down into the gulley leads to a small flowing pool, bordered on one side by the steep bank, and edged along the other side by stones. Credit: Celia Bartlett / shotbywomen © Celia Bartlett/shotbywomen

Simple tokens and religious icons are left at Holy Wells throughout the year by those visiting for peace or prayer. Credit: Celia Bartlett / shotbywomen © Celia Bartlett/shotbywomen

The feast day of St Brigid sees an influx of visitors to this well in Ardra, where freshly made St Brigid crosses are left. Credit: Celia Bartlett / shotbywomen © Celia Bartlett/shotbywomen

As well as the tradition of cross making, on the eve of St Brigid's day, a strip of fabric is left outside the house for St Brigid to bless overnight. The fabric is then said to posess healing propert... © Celia Bartlett/shotbywomen

The St Brigid crosses are traditionally hung above doorways to pour a blessing on those passing through. A new cross is woven each year to replace the old one. Credit: Celia Bartlett / shotbywomen © Celia Bartlett/shotbywomen

By falling on 1st February, the feast of St Brigid also coincides with the Celtic quarter day of Imbolc, which is mid-way between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. Literally translated, Imbo... © Celia Bartlett/shotbywomen

The Holy Well at Ardra is nestled in a gulley just above the sea. However, the Holy Well was once on the nearby Rabbit Island but the faithful ceased to visit. Thus it was moved to this spring on the... © Celia Bartlett/shotbywomen

Local farmer, John O'Donovan walked several miles to visit the Holy Well on St Brigids Day. As a boy, he would visit the well regularly with his brother, who later entered the ministry and went to New... © Celia Bartlett/shotbywomen

John O'Donovan takes a moment of prayer at St Brigids Holy well. The traditions run deep. Credit: Celia Bartlett / shotbywomen © Celia Bartlett/shotbywomen

The tradition of a newly made St Brigid's Cross, and a bottle of Holy Water, with the modern spin of a pre-used plastic bottle. Credit: Celia Bartlett / shotbywomen © Celia Bartlett/shotbywomen

The year 5&6 pupils from the Union Hall National School - Scoil Naomh Bhride, walked the two miles to the Holy Well for an educational visit. Having done this visit for the first time last year, Princ... © Celia Bartlett/shotbywomen

St Brigid's Holy Well lies in the parish of St Bridget's Roman Catholic Church in Union Hall, with the National School located next door. Credit: Celia Bartlett / shotbywomen © Celia Bartlett/shotbywomen

There are several spellings of the saint's name, the board at the church showing the Anglicised version 'Bridget'. It is also spelled Brigit or Brigid, with the Gaelic form being Brighde. A stylised f... © Celia Bartlett/shotbywomen

Inside the Church of St Bridget in Union Hall, freshly made St Brigid crosses lie on one end of the altar rail. Credit: Celia Bartlett / shotbywomen © Celia Bartlett/shotbywomen

Inside the Church of St Bridget in Union Hall, bottles of Holy Water from St Brigid's Well sit at the other end of the altar rail. Credit: Celia Bartlett / shotbywomen © Celia Bartlett/shotbywomen

From 2023 onwards, St Brigid will be remembered by more than just Holy Water in a plastic bottle and a simple woven rush cross. This new public holiday, which will this year be on 6th February, will b... © Celia Bartlett/shotbywomen