Brat Bhríde. An Irish tradition of care, protection and renewal
Have you heard about the Irish tradition of leaving out a Brat Bhríde overnight on St Brigid’s Eve? A cloth that is left outside as St Brigid passes by, and it’s then kept through the year as a healing cloth, used for things like sore throats, headaches, and even childbirth.
I only came across this tradition in recent years, and I love being reminded of it all through the year.
Another tradition linked to St Brigid is the Cros Bríde, which I’ve written a bit more about in this blog post if you’re curious.
There’s faint line art in the background of my Brat Bhríde, something I often use to suggest the otherworldly side of Irish folklore.
What is a Brat Bhríde?
A Brat Bhríde doesn’t need to be anything special. It could be a scarf, a ribbon, or a scrap of fabric that’s no longer needed. I’ve also heard of children’s coats being left out to be blessed.
I like how informal it is. People use what they have. It makes sense that something so ordinary has adapted over such a long time to suit different people and different houses.
How it’s used through the year
Traditionally, the Brat Bhríde is said to hold healing properties once it’s been blessed. It might be tied around the neck, head or shoulders, or anywhere connected to the pain.
As long as the person is touching it, it’s believed to help.
I keep mine hanging over the back of a chair, so I see it every day. I like that it’s a reminder all year round of my connection with this tradition.
It can just as easily be kept in a drawer and taken out when needed. Some people also wear theirs regularly.
Brat Bhríde on a bush, waiting for Brigid to bless as she passes
Why I like this tradition
It feels like a link with my heritage. My ancestors would probably have known this as a normal part of the annual calendar.
There are no rules and no special materials. You don’t have to do it perfectly. It’s a small thing, but every year that I do it, I feel part of a growing community.
My parents and siblings also do it. I see others mention it online, and I suspect there are many more who are doing it privately without ever talking about it. I love that sense of connection with like-minded people out there somewhere.
I also like that, whether you take it literally or symbolically, the Brat Bhríde is a reminder to slow down and be a bit gentler with ourselves when we’re not feeling great.
If you want to try it yourself
It’s very simple:
Choose any piece of cloth
Leave it outside or on a windowsill on the night of 31st January
Bring it in the next morning
Keep it and use it through the year in whatever way suits you
Repeat every year
That’s it!
Every year
For many people in Ireland, St Brigid’s Day marks the start of spring and Imbolc. It’s when you really notice that grand stretch in the evenings everyone talks about.
For me, it feels like coming out of the darkness of winter and starting to look ahead to a fresh start.
In that way, it makes sense to me that the Brat Bhríde is renewed at this point every year.
My own Brat Bhríde
I created my own Brat Bhríde using my drawing of Cros Bríde. I wanted it to feel usable rather than precious. Something that could be brought out year after year and just fit into everyday life.
The sun shining through my Brat Bhríde
Planning ahead
If you’re reading this after 31st January, it’s still worth thinking ahead to next year. A Brat is something that lasts. Once you have one, it can be kept safely and used year after year as part of your own routine.
If you’d like to find out more about the Brat Bhríde I made using my Cros Bríde drawing, you can have a look here.
Go raibh míle maith agat for reading.
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