This excellent compilation was put together by the Brigadene Sisters whose story begins in 1807 when Daniel Delany, Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin, Ireland, invited six women to form a religious community in Tullow, Co Carlow on the first of February. 

http://www.brigidine.org.au/reflection/reflection.cfm?loadref=56

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77InGZBujoM

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMM6FXkWWnc

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmBkHZxIUDw

 

A haunting Gaelic song performed by Aoife Ní Fhearraigh

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tP5FS6IXJJA

 

Decorate your home & life with a Celtic Twist:  Choose from an  amazing product line of custom items as well as traditional product lines.  They carry Artwork, Crafts, Jewelry, Wedding Rings, Sun Catchers, Wind Chimes, Irish Kitchen Items, Wedding Gifts, Irish Slate, Stamps,  Clothing, Home Decor, Signs, Christmas Ornaments & more. Shop now for St. Patrick's Day  & Visit their Sales Pages for some great new items.  Their current special  is 15% off your order, plus a free gift, just put code cyber in the coupon code section to take advantage of this offer. To shop on line, please click:

https://www.acelticcalling.com/index.php?CSC&Affiliate=Bridget

And please visit their other sister site:

Celtic Attic

http://www.celticattic.com

For hone Orders, please call: (360) 531-1107 10am to 5pm PST Week Days

 

Now it's St Brigid's Day and the first snowdrop

In County Wick low, and this a Brigid's Girdle

I'm plaiting for you, an airy fairy hoop

(Like one of those old crinolines they'd trindle),

Twisted straw that's lifted in a circle

To handsel and to heal, a rite of spring

As strange and lightsome and traditional

As the motions you go through going through the thing.

From A Brigid’s Girdle for Adele by Seamus Heaney

 

St Brigid dies and goes to Heaven. God greets her at the Pearly Gates. "Be thou hungry, Brigid?" asks God. "I could eat, says she. So God opens a can of tuna, reaches for a chunk of dry bread and they share it. While eating this humble meal, St. Brigid looks down into Hell and sees the inhabitants devouring huge steaks, lobsters, pheasants, pastries, and wines. Curious, but deeply trusting, she remains quiet. The next day God again invites her to join him for a meal. As before, it is tuna and dry bread. Once again, St. Brigid can see the denizens of Hell enjoying smoked salmon, roast lamb, Guinness and Irish whiskey cake. Still she says nothing. The following day, mealtime arrives and another can of tuna is opened. She cannot contain herself any longer. Meekly, she says: "God, I am grateful to be in Heaven with you as a reward for my life of piety, obedience and generosity. But here in Heaven all I get to eat is tuna and bread and in the Other Place they eat like emperors and kings!

I just don't understand..."God sighs. "Let's be honest," he says, "for just the two of us, does it pay to cook?"

 

1. St Brigid was raised by Druids and as a child heard St Patrick preach?

 

2. She is buried at Downpatrick where  St. Columba and St. Patrick are also laid to rest?

 

3. According  to legend,  St Brigid struck a deal with St Patrick to allow women to propose to men every four years? This is believed to have been introduced to balance the traditional roles of men and women in a similar way to how Leap Day balances the calendar.

Source: Time and date

http://www.timeanddate.com/date/leap-day-february-29.html

 

Help us keep this newsletter free by visiting our good good friends at The Irish Lottery:

 Drawings are held every Wednesday and Saturday, so enter now. You don't have to live in Ireland to play, winnings are tax-free and checks are mailed within 48 hours. Do you have the luck of the Irish? Play the Irish lottery and find out! Please click here for full details including a compilation of stats based on previous draws which could improve your chances of winning!

http://www.irishlotto.net

 

 http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ASaints/Brigit.html

 

http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/AWriters/Pearse.html

 

http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACustom/NameDay.html

 

http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACalend/Candlemas.html

 

http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ALandmks/HolyWells.html

 

http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ASaints/Valentine.html

 

http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACalend/IrishinLove.html

 

8. The Irish Kitchen: St. Brigid's Oatcakes

http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/2Kitch/rBreads1.html#StBrigidsOatCakes

9.  Basic Irish: The Language of Love - in Irish

 http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/3Focloir/Lessons1.1.html

http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/1Kids/MakingBrigdXs.html

 

 So there you have it until we write again. If you're celebrating a birthday, anniversary or other important event between now and then, we hope it's an occasion filled with joy and happiness. In anticipation of tomorrow- Pinch punch, first day of the month, White Rabbit! Tied the knot in February or planning a wedding? Here's your special Irish verse:

 

 

 We’ll  take our leave with this timely old Irish verse:

 And as they say in Ireland, mind yourself!

 

 

 Slan agus beannacht,

 

 

Russell & Bridget

Get down on your knees and thank God you’re still on your feet.

Téigh ar do ghlúine is bí buíoch le Dia go bhfuil tú fós ar do chosa.

And now for something completely different in case you might be getting a wee bit weary of St Brigid:

 

A priest and a bus driver both died and went to Heaven at the same time. They get to the pearly gates where St. Peter greets them. He motions to the priest, and they both hop in a jeep and go out the back door. There are about 50 acres of rolling hills with a little cottage on the knoll. 

 

St. Peter turns to the priest and says "This will be yours for eternity. A perfect little cottage, right next to lovely pond, a lush little garden, and a library full of books." 

 

The priest says, "Thank you so much. This I shall enjoy!" St. Peter drops off the priest, goes back to the pearly gates and motions to the bus driver. 

 

They hop in a stretch limo and go out the front door. There are about 500 acres of land, with mountains and lakes and rivers. There is a huge 200-room castle on one of the mountains, and a wishing well that makes wishes come true. St. Peter says "This will be yours for eternity. You can live in that castle with servants to wait on you hand and foot, and you can have everything you want." 

 

The bus driver looks and St. Peter and says "Well, now, don't think I'm not grateful, but why am I getting so much more than the priest?" 

 

St. Peter just laughs and says "You brought more souls to Heaven! When the priest preached, everyone fell asleep. When you drove your bus, people prayed!"

 

With thanks to a fun site called Fish Eaters - well worth a visit!

http://www.fisheaters.com/jokes.html