Feasting On Some Saint Brigid History

With today being Saint Brigid (one of the patron saints of Ireland)'s feast day, Saint Mary's set up a very hard to get tour for us to enjoy that taught us all about Saint Brigid, as well as many other things near Maynooth. We had the cutest tour guide, and his name was Shamus Cullen. When he found out my last name, he was very excited, but when he found out my brother's name was his last name, we instantly became friends.

On our way to the first stop, we passed a castle that was apparently owned by Eric Clapton (Shamus found me very funny when I asked why we couldn't go there). In the center of one of the roundabouts, was a sculpture of Finn MacCoul, a mythical Irish warrior. Shamus was practically obsessed with him, and told us all about how he supposedly built the Giant's Causeway as stepping stones to Scotland.

The statue of MacCoul was really well done

Our first stop was at what used to be a theater, but is now a memorial to the famous boxer, Dan Donnelly. After winning one of his matches in the 1800s, people traced his footsteps up the hill as he exited the arena. They stayed, and we were all able to walk in the champion's footsteps (he must have been really out of it because he was not walking straight).

You can see the footsteps leading up the hill

Next, we traveled to Saint Brigid's Well, where there was also a statue in her honor, and in the stream, there was an arch and rock carved to symbolize her shoes. At the well, we were to walk around it once, then dip our hand in, as many did hoping Saint Brigid would cure them years ago.

The arch and shoes

Saint Brigid's Well

My headband totally didn't fall in

Praying

The place in its entirety

Posin with Brigid

Continuing with our Saint Brigid theme, we traveled to Saint Brigid's Cathedral in Kildare. The story was, Saint Brigid begged the King of Leinster to allow her to build an abbey, but he refused. She prayed that he may change his mind, then asked him if he may give her land as much as her cloak could cover. Laughing at how tiny her cloak was, the king agreed. Brigid had four people grab each corner of the cloak and walk in every direction, stretching over acres and acres of land. Seeing that she was a holy woman, the king offered Brigid food and whatever else she needed, and he converted to Christianity at the sight of her miracle.

It's amazing what a cloak can do

There were also many superstitions on the grounds (as there seems to be for every little thing in Ireland). For instance, there was a hole in the church, and if two people held hands and made a wish, Saint Brigid would help it come true. There was also Saint Brigid's fire temple behind the church, that only women were allowed to enter. If a man entered the temple, he would turn to stone. We all got a huge kick out of that.

Wishing with Kayla

The fire temple

On our way to our next holy site, we stopped at the side of the road to pick rushes for when we would make Saint Brigid's crosses later. I'm sure the locals must have laughed to see forty girls running around by the side of the road snipping plants with safety scissors. 

Before lunch, we visited Father Moore's Well. This was yet another place that people would come to be cured of illnesses and the weights they had in their lives. There were three steps for the well, but since we didn't have enough time for the first step of praying a rosary, we only did two. The second step was to cross the stones from north to south, dip your hand in the water, and pray for Father Moore, his parents, your own intentions, and if there was something that needed healing, bathe it with water from the well. Once that was complete, you would say three Hail Marys. 

Crossing the stones

Where we prayed for the second and third steps

After a much needed lunch, we made our Saint Brigid's crosses. I was actually very good at it, and was able to teach my peers how to do it. It is now hanging in my room, and Shamus made me promise to take it home (I just hope it lasts that long!). We quickly visited a few more grave sites, but didn't have much time at them.

My Saint Brigid's cross

We finally did it!

We loved Shamus so much

I'm really enjoying how much I'm learning here. It's a fantastic Catholic experience, and I'm very grateful to have such kind, Catholic people to share it with. My first day of classes is tomorrow, and I have an extremely heavy class load. Like, six hours of classes with barely any breaks kind of heavy. But, I'm in Ireland, so how can I complain? Also, if anyone wanted my address, here it is:

3A Quilty

River Apartments,

North Campus,

Maynooth University,

Maynooth,

Co. Kildare,

Ireland

I know it's long, but that's how it has to be printed in order for me to get anything (although I don't suggest sending me mail because it's rather expensive!) I hope everyone is doing well, and you'll definitely be hearing about my first class day tomorrow.