She's got a flower named after her.
February 1st is the Feast of St Brigid, which is also (in Ireland) the first day of spring.
St Brigid is one of the three patron saints of Ireland, together with St Patrick and St Columcille (also known as St Columba). She is much revered, and there are many stories about her. She was a strong and determined woman at a time when Ireland was just becoming Christian.
She became the Abbott of a mixed (male / female) monastery, and was made a bishop (see below).
She is not to be confused with St Birgitta of Sweden.
St. Brigid (or Bridget, Brighid, Bridgid or Bríd)
holds a special place for the Irish people. St. Brigid's Day is on February 1st. It is very significant in Dundalk, Co. Louth.
It is said that St. Brigid was born just outside Dundalk, in a place called Faughart.
There are a number of traditions associated with St. Brigid.
The St. Brigids Cross
The most characteristic and most widespread Irish custom connected with St. Brigid's Eve was the making of the "cros Bríde"or "Bogha Bríde" (St. Brigid's Cross) to invoke protection. The most usual type was very simple in design but of course these were variations - one of these in fact, was adopted as its symbol by Radio Telefís Eireann, the Irish broadcasting service.
The making of the crosses was attended with some ceremony.
In the southern half of the country the cross was sprinkled with holy waters, hung up above or close to the entrance door with an appropriate prayer but in the northern of the country the ritual was much more elaborate, especially in Sligo, Leitrim, Mayo, Roscommon, most parts of Ulster and also in the Dundalk area of Co. Louth: One of the family, a girl, representing the Saint leaves the house and when outside knocks three times to gain admittance. She carries rushes in her hands. Each time on knocking she says:
"Teighidh sibh ar bhus nglúna, déaraidh sibh umhlaíocht, agus ligigidh Bríd Bheannachtach isteach".
(Which means "Go down on your knees, do homage and let Blessed Brigid enter the house").
When this has been said for the third time, those inside respond " O tar isteach, tá céad fáilte romhat". (O, Come in, you are a hundred times welcome).
Then she enters and places the rushes on the table. The supper has already been laid out on the table and the following grace is recited by the father and mother:"Beannaigh sinn, a Dhia, beannaigh ár mbiadh agus ár ndeach, is tú a cheannaigh sinn go daor, soar sinn ar gach olc!"(Bless us, O God, bless our food and our drink; it is Thou who has redeemed us at great price, deliver us form all evil!).When the supper was eaten the parents recite a long thanksgiving prayer.
In explanation of why the crosses were made and put up tradition without hesitation answers 'protection'. Protection against fire, storm and lightening is the most usual reason given but also illness and disease.
The Candlelight Procession
On the eve of St. Brigid's Day, there is a candlelight procession from Faughart graveyard, the location of St. Brigid's Well, past St. Brigid's Shrine up to Kilcurry Church, approximately 3 miles away. Then prayers are said, including the Rosary.
St. Brigid's Well
The graveyard in Faughart, just outside Dundalk, Co. Louth,is the location of an old well, normally associated with St. Brigid. It is said that the water in the Well rises on her feast day, February 1st. The graveyard is actually at one of the highest points in the area, and therefore so too is the Well. This makes the myth all the more interesting.