St. Brigid's Cross

St. Brigid was abbess and patroness of Ireland, and founder of the first Irish monastery in Kildare, was born near Dundalk in 450 A.D.
This cross is found throughout Ireland. It is told that the cross was made by Brigid, daughter of a pagan king from reeds to be used as an instrument of conversion. However, Brigid's name is derived from Brigit, a Celtic Goddess of fire, poetry, and smithcraft, and today the cross is used to protect houses from fire. This is an example of the integration of religious traditions.
It is piously believed that this rush cross, which became her emblem, keeps evil and hunger from the homes in which it is displayed.
For centuries, it has been customary on the eve of her feast-day for the Irish to fashion a St. Brigid’s Cross of straw or rushes and place it inside the house, over the door.