The saint who liked to gather folk round
to hear their stories
and soak up the wisdom of the ancients
With persistence she fought
for a place at the table
and brought her sisters with her
Confounding every obstacle encountered on the way
she held space
widened the circle
kept the fire burning
and still, today
points to the light
as winter gives way to spring
and the light returns
Liz Crumlish, St Brigid’s Day, 2026
Compassion
Courage
Curiosity
Cussedness
are the gifts I want to embody
as winter gives way to spring
This is a time for audacity
not tentative fluffiness
A time for making big strides
not little steps
The time for being compliant,
for fitting in without making waves
belong to days gone by.
This is a season for tsunamis.
Today, I throw caution to the wind
and care less about others’ opinions.
Today I choose to stand
under the mantle of Brigid’s cloak
that stretches far and wide
falling gently on those who are resolved
to disrupt and dismantle
the stifling strictures of patriarchy
and to emerge untethered
into the wildness that was always our calling
forging a path as ancient as time
finding unconventional companions along the way,
recovering beautiful souls destined to be free,
unleashing the wild woman
blessed with compassion, courage,
curiosity and cussedness.
Come, Holy Spirit, Come.
I should like a great lake of beer to give to God.
I should like the angels of Heaven to be tippling there for all eternity.
I should like the men of Heaven to live with me, to dance and sing.
If they wanted I'd put at their disposal vats of suffering.
White cups of love I'd give them with a heart and a half.
Sweet pitchers of mercy I'd offer to every man.
I'd make Heaven a cheerful spot, Because the happy heart is true.
I'd make men happy for their own sakes.
I should like Jesus to be there too.
I'd like the people of Heaven to gather from all the parishes around.
I'd give a special welcome to the women, The three Marys of great renown.
I'd sit with the men, the women of God,
There by the great lake of beer
We'd be drinking good health forever,
And every drop would be a prayer.
TRADITIONAL
As I dipped my hand
in the well of eternal youth
that it is said was blessed by St Brigid
and splashed the cooling water on my face
my prayer was not for youthfulness
but for wisdom
for peace
and for laughter
For the spirit of Brigid
and her divine feminine energy
That same Brigid
who turned water into beer
who prayed for an end to suffering
Who cared for children
who welcomed women
I pray for her humour that disarmed
so much of the patriarchy around her
I pray for some of her indefatigable spirit
that brings newness every day
and is filled with compassion
and tenderness
for all of creation
And, this I know - there is always room for more beer
