Saint Brigid's Crosses

Gareth37

Anyone know if there is anywhere to learn this craft now, or is it simply past on from generation to generation?

It would be a shame to see such a tradition and respect for one of our patron saints to die.

Gareth37

I found this page here, gives a description. It seems easy enough, I wonder do any groups get together on the feast to make these crosses together?

http://www.iol.ie/~scphadr/makecross.html

Das Kitty

I've made a few in my time, I prefer rushes to reeds though, it's very very simple as your link shows. My aunt used to make intricate ones from straw in Dublin years ago, I wonder if she still knows how, I must get a lesson.

Gareth37

Das Kitty wrote: »

I've made a few in my time, I prefer rushes to reeds though, it's very very simple as your link shows. My aunt used to make intricate ones from straw in Dublin years ago, I wonder if she still knows how, I must get a lesson.

Thats good to hear. We will should learn the craft to ensure it does not die out. Ive made ones before out of rushes but I forget now how to make one but I must learn in the next couple of weeks before the feast of Saint Brigid

Das Kitty

I usually make them in the summer when you can collect the rushes without getting soaked or drowning!

If you find an e-how about how to make the more intricate designs post the link here. Not having much luck.

New Home

Try the National Museum of Country Life just outside Castlebar (www.museum.ie), they often hold free courses/ workshops on this sort of things. If you can't make it in person you could write/email them and ask them if they can send out to you some "instructions".