Brigit ingen Dubthaig (of Kildare)

Other names

Brigid of Ireland

Introduction

Brigit is consistently commemorated on Feb 1, and appears on that day in all the Scottish Calendars in Forbes, Kalendars. Genealogies in CGSH (Rec. Mai. no 2-2.2), notes to Mart. O in RB512 (Stokes 1905 p 64) and Mart. Do., all assign her to the Fothairt. From at least the seventh century she was 'the pre-eminent saint of Leinster' (Charles-Edwards 2000 p 237). There are at least 8 Lives, the earliest of which dates to around 650 and which seeks to promote the importance of Cell Dara. An attempt was made at least by the late 12th century, however, to claim that her body was at Downpatrick, along with Colum Cille and Patrick (Cambrensis v, 163-4,387 via ES p 47; Annals of Clonmacnoise, 91-2; Berchan's Prophesy via ES p 47). Brigit is widely commemorated in Scotland. In Argyll Kilbride is easily the commonest cill- name, for example A tradition, first articulated in the Chronicle of the Kings of the Picts (A) in the Poppleton MS (ES p 247) links Brigit with Abernethy.

Gender

Female

Associated places

Cell Dara (Mart. Do.,): Kildare tl. and par., bar. of Offaly East. co. Kildare

Obituary

AU 524.2 Quies sancte Brigite anno .lxx. etatis sue AU 526.1 Dormitatio sancte Brigite anno lxx. etatis sue. Also in Clon. group. AU 528 .3 Uel hic dormitacio Brigide secundum Librum Mochod. (add. H2)

Genealogies

She is usually assigned to the Fothairt (Rec. Mai., CGSH no 2; Rec. Min., CGSH no 427, Mart. Do etc). In CGSH no. 2.1 (an addition in LbR1) mother is said to be sister of Chuimmne [Cumman ingen Dallbrónaig, Achad Togarta]. She is of Dál Conchobair a descert Muige Breg [Dál C. are in the Déise of Brega; held lands around Ardbracken, do. Meath. Mag Breg is the plain of Brega.]

Territory or Ethnicity (broad)

Gaelic

Related Saints

Belongs to the group Brig, Brigit, Bride (ns) (certain)

Related Personal Names

Name

Brigit (certain)

Feast days

Day of Year

Feb 1

Calendar

Martyrology of Oengus the Culdee

Source code

Mart. O

Source title

Martyrology of Oengus the Culdee

Editors

Stokes, Whitley

Year

1905

Notes

Full title is Félire Óengusso Céli Dé, The Martyrology of Oengus the Culdee, critically edited from Ten Manuscripts, with a Preface, Translation, Notes and Indices.

Quote from source

Brigit bán balc núalann, cenn cáid caillech n-Érenn. Brigit the fair, strong praiseworthy, chaste head of Erin's nuns.

Day of Year

Feb 1

Calendar

Martyrology of Tallaght

Source code

Mart.T

Source title

Martyrology of Tallaght

Editors

Best, R. I. and Lawlor, H. J.

Year

1931

Notes

From the Book of Lesinter and MS 5100-4 in the Royal Library, Brussels.

Quote from source

Dormitatio sancti Brigitae lxx anno aetatis suae.

Day of Year

Feb 1

Calendar

Martyrology of Gorman

Source code

Mart. G

Source title

Martyrology of Gorman

Editors

Stokes, Whitley

Year

1895

Notes

Full title is Félire Húi Gormáin, The Martyrology of Gorman edited from a manuscript in the Royal library, Brussels, with a preface, translation, notes and indices. It is published by the Henry Bradshaw Society.

Quote from source

Brigit ard-ogh Erenn 'Brigit the chief virgin of Ireland'

Day of Year

Feb 1

Calendar

The Martyrology of Donegal

Source code

Mart. Do.

Source title

The Martyrology of Donegal

Editors

Todd, J. H.

Year

1864

Notes

Other author to be specified.

Quote from source

Brighit, ógh bannab Cille Dara - Brighit, virgin, abbess of Cill-dara.

Notes

This is the opening of a long entry on the saint (1 ½ pages). Includes a genealogy (see below), story about how Moling called upon B. for help, recital of her vitues, death date (AD 525 or, in later hand, 522) aged 74, and fact she was buried i nDún in aon tumba lá Patraic mar ar hadhnacht Colam Cille iaram - at Dún, in one tomb with Patrick, where Colum Cille was afterwards interred