St. Brigid’s day, celebrated here in Ireland on February 1st, marks more than just the beginning of spring. It is a day rooted in hope, renewal and resilience, honouring one of Ireland’s most powerful female figures. St. Brigid is both a saint and earlier known as the celtic goddess, she has long been associated with healing, compassion, creativity and protection. Her power was seen as nurturing rather than domineering. When we reflect on women’s empowerment and mental health today these themes are strongly present. St. Brigid was known as a woman of action and her caring for the sick and vulnerable as well as her commitment to justice and community. Her legacy reminds us that to care is not a weakness and having compassion does not make you less worthy of having leadership and she reminds us that rest, reflection and recovery are essential parts of strength.
St. Brigid’s day is an important day in modern Ireland to celebrate women’s achievements and to advocate for gender equality. While much progress has been made in recent years women still face inequality every day such as caregiving burdens, financial stresses, gender-based violence and societal expectations that can deeply impact one’s well-being. Empowerment is not only about opportunity and representation but it is also about feeling valued, heard and supported. True empowerment includes creating spaces where women can speak openly about their mental health without the fear of shame or stigmas arising.
Traditionally women played a central role in St. Brigids day rituals such as weaving Brigids crosses, tending the hearth and passing down stories. These practices fostered connection and collective strength and this sense of community remains vital in modern contexts.
A lot of women experience mental health challenges in ways that are often shaped by social, cultural and biological factors. Anxiety, depression, trauma and burnout are common, particularly among women juggling multiple roles at work, home and in their communities. Many women are also primary carers, often placing the needs of others above their own. Honouring St. Brigid can mean advocating for gentler expectations of women both socially and internally.
Here at LMHA we recognise that mental health support must reflect these realities . Listening, empathy and accessible services are essential in supporting women to prioritise their mental well-being, not as a luxury but as a necessity.
St. Brigids day is a holiday celebrating new beginnings and the sense of renewal, gives us an opportunity to reflect, and for women it can be a reminder to check in with ourselves and to acknowledge signs of exhaustion and burnout as well as resilience. It also gives us the opportunity to practice self-compassion. Caring for your mental health can start with small steps such as setting boundaries, asking for help, resting without guilt, and connecting with supportive communities. St. Brigid’s cloak was said to offer protection, we can create protective spaces where our mental well-being is prioritised and nurtured.
This day is a reminder that empowerment also means rest, strength includes vulnerability and caring for your mental health is an act of courage. We can carry her flame forward by advocating for women’s mental health, checking in on one another, and challenging systems that exhaust rather than uplift women.
St. Brigid’s day connection to Irish culture
St. Brigid’s Day or Lá Fhéile Bríde, was once a major festival in the old Irish calendar and was celebrated widely, it occurred at the same time as Imbolc, an ancient festival that initiated the beginnings of spring and new growth, it marked a stretch in the evenings and was a welcome to longer days. The holiday blends ancient pagan traditions with Christian beliefs. It reflects the layered, resilient nature of the Irish identity.
St. Brigid is one of Ireland’s three patron saints, alongside St. Patrick and St. Columba. Said to have been born in the 5th century and to have founded a monastery in Kildare that became a centre for learning, spirituality and refuge. From storytelling to activism and art, the spirit of St. Brigid lives on in Irish creativity.
St. Brigid’s day became an official public holiday in 2023, hopefully peaking interest and renewal in the holiday that a lot of people just brush by. There are music and cultural events being held all over the country to mark the new bank holiday weekend. Particularly in Limerick the winter festival is set to take place January 31st to February 3rd and is called ‘All we Have is Days’. There will be showcases all over the city hopefully giving the city some vibrance after a long, cold winter. It’s a great opportunity to socialise as January can be a very lonely month, as well as bringing the community together and bringing the city to life.
Don’t be afraid to reach out to us at info@limerickmentalhealth.ie or www.limerickmentalhealth.ie or call 0852612025 or drop in for a chat.