By Elaine, Newbridge
This year, Ireland will be celebrating Saint Brigid on Monday 3rd February, which means that the schools will be closed and parents if they’re lucky, will be off work. So why not pick up a book and learn something about one of Ireland’s most loved and well-known saints for the that weekend?
For children:
The Book of Irish Saints by Maria Hoey
A collection of nine brief biographies of Irish Christian saints, including Saint Brigid, Saint Patrick and Saint Kevin. Suitable for ages 3 to 6.
St Brigid & Other Amazing Irish Women by Lorraine Mulholland, illustrated by Matthew Jackson
An encyclopedia of 23 Irish women from all walks of life who made a place for themselves in the annals of history as saints, scholars, healers and more! Suitable for ages 8 to adults.
The Song of Brigid’s Cloak by Catherine Ann Cullen, illustrated by Katya Swan
This is a lively retelling of the legend of Saint Brigid and her miraculous cloak written in song with lovely illustrations. There is also a song by the same name available on Youtube, so if you wanted, you could sing along using the book. Suitable for ages 5 to 100.
For Adults:
Two Lives of Saint Brigid edited and translated by Philip Freeman
The stories of Brigid’s life and deeds survive in several early sources, but the most important are two Latin lives written a century or more after her death. The first was composed by a churchman named Cogitosus and tells of her many miracles of healing and helping the poor. The second source, known as the Vita Prima, continues the tradition with more tales of marvellous deeds and journeys throughout the island. Both Latin sources are a treasure house of information not just about the legends of Brigid but also daily life, the role of women, and the spread of Christianity in Ireland. Suitable for adults only.
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