The Irish government has added a new public holiday to the national calendar to honor the country’s female patron, St. Brigid of Kildare.
The fifth-century abbess — who is one of the country’s three patron saints along with St. Patrick and St. Columba — founded several monasteries of nuns. From 2023 her feast day on February 1 will become the new public holiday.
Brigidine Sisters in the Northern Hemisphere along with many Irish people mark that date as the traditional first day of spring.
St Brigid of Kildare is the Patroness of Brigidine Sisters everywhere, together with their associates in US, colleagues and partners in ministry and is remembered around the world particularly on February 1.
Bishop Denis Nulty of Kildare and Leighlin, where St. Brigid founded her largest monastic settlement in Kildare backed calls for the female saint to be honored on the civil calendar.
St Brigid’s example and message is still relevant for our world today. https://brigidine.org.au/about-us/our-patroness/