2025 Update: Celebrating Celtic tradition and St. Brigid in Galway on the first Bank Holiday of the year

Ireland is gearing up to celebrate its third Bank Holiday in honour of Brigid, a figure deeply embedded in the nation’s cultural and spiritual history. Brigid is both a revered pre-Christian goddess and a beloved Celtic Christian saint and this holiday offers an opportunity to reflect on her enduring influence.

Brigid’s Day, which falls on February 1st, marks the Celtic festival of Imbolc, signalling the shift from winter into spring. This period of renewal has long been observed with rituals celebrating nature, creativity and peace.

For Galway, this celebration is especially significant, as the city and surrounding areas are home to some of the country’s most cherished traditions tied to Brigid’s legacy. At Brigit’s Garden, in Rosscahill Galway, the centre will be celebrating Celtic heritage over the Bank Holiday weekend. Local communities and visitors will be reconnecting with ancient customs and rituals tied to her legacy.

Among the most cherished practices in the Galway area is the crafting of Brigid’s crosses from rushes, which are believed to protect homes from harm. Families throughout Galway continue to hang these crosses as a meaningful symbol of safety and prosperity.

Another beloved tradition is the creation of the Brídeog doll, which represents St. Brigid. In some communities, this doll is carried from house to house as part of blessing ceremonies that honour Brigid’s enduring legacy. The community gatherings surrounding this tradition are a beautiful reminder of the deep cultural ties Galway shares with the broader Irish history surrounding Brigid.

With this new Bank Holiday, Galway joins the rest of Ireland in embracing Brigid’s significance, celebrating both her ancient roots and the ongoing relevance of her teachings. Whether through attending events at Brigit’s Garden or participating in local rituals, it’s a wonderful time for locals and visitors alike to reconnect with Galway’s rich heritage and the natural beauty of the season.

2025 Update End

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St Brigid’s Day. In Ireland, the 1st February marks the beginning of spring and the celebration of Lá Fhéile Bríde, St Brigid’s Day. The day has long symbolized hope, renewal and the feminine. 

St Brigid’s Day originated from the Celtic festival of Imbolc. It was the festival of fertility and marked the beginning of spring in Ireland. Since 2023, there has been a new annual public holiday in early February to mark St Brigid’s Day. This new public holiday is the first Monday in February. If St Brigid’s Day (1 February) falls on a Friday, then Friday 1 February will be a public holiday.