Thread: Saturday is Imbolc, which celebrates the first day of Spring in Ireland. It is an ancient Gaelic-Celtic feast & is also marked as St Bridget’s Day, its Christian re-incarnation. In schools children make Bridget’s crosses to celebrate it. (pictured: Hill of Tara) - ThreadSky

robertbohan.bsky.social • 23 days ago

Thread: Saturday is Imbolc, which celebrates the first day of Spring in Ireland. It is an ancient Gaelic-Celtic feast & is also marked as St Bridget’s Day, its Christian re-incarnation. In schools children make Bridget’s crosses to celebrate it. (pictured: Hill of Tara)

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robertbohan.bsky.social•23 days ago

Harry Clarke’s studio depicted her unique cross in their stained glass windows. Here’s the ‘Saint’ & her cross. Historians now believe she is an integration of an early medieval Kildare Abbess & a Celtic goddess. Because of this she holds a popular place in Irish tradition

robertbohan.bsky.social•23 days ago

Here’s an overview of my work. I love to draw in pen & ink on paper in bold lines & vibrant colours. Ancient Irish Celtic art is inspiring to me - as you can see in the drawings in this thread: https://bsky.app/profile/robertbohan.bsky.social/post/3lfswsltutc2i

robertbohan.bsky.social•23 days ago

Intriguingly, traditions re prophecy are associated with the feast in Ireland. Irish Hedgehogs may have been the inspiration of ‘Groundhog Day’. It’s said if one comes out of its burrow, on the day & doesn’t scuttle back in, then good weather is augured! (Pic: Irish Examiner)

robertbohan.bsky.social•23 days ago

Another prophetic tradition related to the spring tide closest to the feast. This is called Rabharta na Féile Bríde. It’s when coastal dwellers could go out furthest to gather seaweed & shellfish. Incoming Tide by Paul Henry (1912)

robertbohan.bsky.social•23 days ago

Much activity took place on St Bridget’s Eve. A cake was made & the neighbours called. There are traditions to do with wheat & red ribbons; Items associated with fertility of the land & of nature. Here’s St Bridget by Patrick Tuohy (1894-1930) - it’s a Catholic take but the red refs Celtic tradition

robertbohan.bsky.social•23 days ago

The goddess Brigid was a member of the Tuatha Dé Danann. She was prob a triple deity (poetry, healing & metal smithing) & was associated with fertility, growth & birth. Her feast day & St Bridget’s are the same, thus a Christian appropriation of the deity. (Bridget by Evie Hone)

happylilcoo.bsky.social•23 days ago

Not what you're really talking about her, but I got to see a few of Harry Clarke's glass panels in Dublin. They're so amazing and I was instantly obsessed with him.