The 31st January the extended time of Christmas closes off. During the past six weeks there were a few celebrations which will come to a closure with the last three festivities we are having this week.

Spring is on the way.
In the context of Bridget’s day (Lá Fhéil’ Bríde) on the first of February, the girls of the primary school did their round along the houses of Inis Meain with their lovely made Brídóg, a doll originally made out of straw, which supposed to be Saint Bride. The first and the second of February there will be Mass because of Lá Fhéil’Muire na gCoinneal (Candlemass) and of Lá Naomh Blaise (the day of Saint Blase). For further information about the background of these celebrations, please see my blog of the 4th February 2011.

Spring is on the way
Inis Meáin is still the only place on the Aran Islands where the tradition of Brídóg is kept lively. That’s why you might like to know why the first day of February is called after Saint Bride.

Another sign of spring is in the air
It was long before Christianity was brought into Ireland that the Druids lived here. They had the gift of looking far ahead in the future. So long before the child Jesus was born in Nazareth in Palestine the Druids had already a foresight, a vision that this magnificent event would take place in the future. And when the moment was there that the Holy Child was born the Druids just knew. At the time Bride, a young woman grew up with the Druids. It was then that it happened that Muire, mother of the Holy Child needed some rest. At the moment she thought of this Bride was there to replace her. Muire was so pleased with this gesture that she thanked her by offering her Lá Fheabhra (the first day of February) dedicated to her. Since this day Bride is called the foster mother of the Holy Child.

Another sign of spring is in the air
Slán go fóill,
Elisabeth from Inis Meáin.

Anamchara retreat. Click the link below





