Brigid zones

Head to Co Louth and discover the fascinating story of Ireland's female saint in her birthplace

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IMPRESSIVE The Brigid of Faughart mural by artist Friz in Dundalk

As Ireland prepares to mark St. Brigid’s Day on February 1, Co Louth is inviting people to reconnect with the place where her story began. Brigid’s story is celebrated across Ireland but begins in Faughart, just outside Dundalk, where her life - as saint, goddess and enduring symbol of renewal - first unfolded. Her legacy remains visible in Louth’s landscape, in seasonal rituals, and in the communities that continue to honour her each February.

Born at sunrise on February 1 in 452 AD, Brigid's life is closely linked to Imbolc, the ancient Celtic festival marking the return of light, the promise of spring, and the renewal of land and spirit. Her life bridges pagan and Christian Ireland, shaped by beliefs associated with healing, fertility, poetry and care for land.

Faughart has been a place of pilgrimage for centuries. In 1934, Cardinal MacRory declared it the National Shrine of St. Brigid, cementing its significance for Ireland. Visitors can explore St. Brigid's Shrine and Holy Well, Sruth Bhríde (St. Brigid’s Stream), ancient and modern Stations of the Cross, and healing stones long associated with Brigid’s protective power. Set within the rolling landscape of north Louth, the site offers a rare sense of stillness and reflection.

Speaking about Brigid's deep connection to the county, David Conway, Chief Executive of Louth County Council, said: "Brigid's story begins here in Louth, and St. Brigid's Day offers an opportunity to experience Faughart and the surrounding landscape, and to see how this place continues to shape how her story is remembered and marked today."

Events to Celebrate St. Brigid’s Day in Louth: Throughout late January and February, Louth will host a programme of events celebrating Brigid's legacy.

St. Brigid Medieval-Style Candlelit Procession - Saturday 31 January, 6.30pm, St. Brigid's Shrine, Faughart