Relic of St Brigid Returns to Kildare After 1,000 Years
The long-awaited return of a relic of St Brigid to her home town in Co Kildare has brought joy and excitement to the local community. Hundreds of people gathered in Kildare on Sunday morning for a special church service to mark the historic occasion, which coincided with what is believed to be the 1,500th anniversary of St Brigid’s death.
Brigid, known for her peacemaking efforts, was originally buried in Kildare, where her grave became a shrine for pilgrims. However, her remains were later moved to Downpatrick Cathedral in Northern Ireland for safekeeping during the Viking raids. The location of her grave was lost for centuries until it was rediscovered in 1185 with the help of a divine beam of light.
Despite the destruction of the shrine in Downpatrick, a portion of St Brigid’s relic was saved and eventually brought back to Ireland in the 1930s by the Brigidine Sisters. Now, the relic has found its way back to Kildare and will be housed in a specially designed shrine at St Brigid’s parish church.
Locals accompanied the relic in a procession from Solas Bhride Centre to the church, where a special Mass was held. The homecoming event was described as a significant moment for Kildare, with Brigidine sister Rita Minahen emphasizing the town’s indebtedness to St Brigid for its existence.
David Mongey, chair of the Kildare Tourism Board, highlighted the potential tourism boost the relic’s return could bring to the region. He compared the significance of St Brigid’s relic to that of the relics in Santiago de Compostela, suggesting that pilgrim routes could be created in Ireland to honor St Brigid.
As the relic of St Brigid returns to her native town, the community is hopeful for the future. Mr. Mongey even joked that the relic might bring luck to the county’s football team, hinting at the possibility of an All-Ireland win. With the recent announcement of a new bank holiday named after St Brigid, the legacy of this revered saint continues to inspire and unite the people of Ireland.