Paper short abstract:

In modern Ireland rites of 1 Feb. remind in the past, but the Brigit'day is not forgotten. I outline three main 'tracks' of the old tradition: Pseudo-folkloric, Catholic, "Neo-paganic". In my presentation I'll illustrate three 'track-models' by three real events that took place the 3 February 2018.

Paper long abstract:

Like in many countries of Europe, in Ireland the 1 February was the beginning of Spring and was connected with some fertility rites. In old rural Ireland it was a traditional holiday. The people spent time to watch hedgehogs (to see one was a good weather sign), to prepare and to eat special food (Brgit's cakes and shellfish to invoke plenty of bread and fish for the rest of the year), to make straw girdles and caps, to put red ribbon on the house entry (Brat Bride 'Brigit's cloak'), to make special Brigit's crosses (supposed made first by the saint herself but really an old solar symbol), to visit a sacred spring which had a magic healing and anti-sterile power (wells and springs, worshiped in pagan Ireland, were prohibited by st. Patrick), to sing protective charms.

In modern urban Ireland all these rites remind in the past, but the Brigit'day is not forgotten or abandoned. In my paper I could outline three main 'tracks' of the old tradition:

1. Pseudo-folkloric: singing, dancing, making crosses, storytelling etc.

2. Catholic: early mass and pilgrimages to the places connected with st. Brigit, especially - sacred wells.

3. "Neo-paganic": special dresses, red ribbons, ritual dancing, fires, divinations of the future, bath in the sacred water etc. (in the most part - performed by women).

In my presentation I suppose to illustrate my three 'track-models' by three real events that took place in Dublin and Dundalk the 3 February (Saturday) 2018 (with photos and video).