St Brigid’s Day Cross-Making

Learn to make your own St. Brigid’s Cross with Patricia Flaherty on Wednesday 31^st January from 11.30 – 1 at Knock Museum. Patricia is a professional craft worker and qualified craft teacher with over 20 years in business, specialising in traditional crafts using rush and willow.

Admission is free and all are welcome.

About St Brigid’s Crosses

The feast day Saint Bridget of Kildare, also called St Brigid of Ireland, Patron Saint of Ireland, is February 1st, which is traditionally the beginning of spring in Ireland.

This tradition is based on a legend about Saint Brigid which tells us that she converted a dying Pagan. To explain the new faith to him, she improvised making a cross from rushes which was all that was available to her in the location. Traditionally, Brigids crosses are made on Brigid’s Eve, January 31st and are made from fresh rushes. There are a few different shapes of these crosses but the one we are demonstrating here how to make is the most common and best known one.Crosses can be given to neighbours and friends as presents. They make for a creative Irish gift. Placing a cross above the door is a welcome to visitors. The crosses are also thought to protect the home and its’ inhabitants