Lá Féile Bhríde - St Bríd's day - is February 1, when we pull fresh rushes to plait a Crois Bhríde or St Bridgit's Cross.

Another of her good scams was to ask the local chieftain for only as much land as her cloak could cover, to build a monastery, and then to spread out her cloak miraculously so that it covered the whole of Kildare. Good woman.

She is the patron saint of dairying, and is said to have been noted for the excellence of her cheeses, butter, milk products generally, and beer.