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St. Brigid of Ireland

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Religious Figure

The Resume

    (circa 451-circa 525)
    Born in Faughart, County Louth, Ireland
    Feast day is February 1
    Patron saint of babies, fugitives, dairymaids, poets and Ireland
    Venerated by Catholics, Anglicans and Eastern Orthodox Christians
    Represented by Saint Brigid’s Cross
    Often called ‘ Mary of the Gaels’

Why she might be annoying:

    She is sometimes mixed up with Saint Bridget of Sweden.
    Her early biographies mix fantasy with fact.
    She may have been a Christianized version of a pagan fire goddess, also called Brigid.
    As a child, she frequently gave away all of her family’s milk and butter to the poor.
    Later, she angered St. Conleth by donating his expensive vestments to charity.
    Her father initially opposed her wish to become a nun.
    She is said to have worked alongside St. Patrick, but there is no proof they ever met.

Why she might not be annoying:

    Next to St. Patrick, she is the most popular Irish saint.
    Her mother may have been a Portuguese slave sold to a druid.
    She could turn bathwater into beer.
    She was kind to stray dogs.
    St. Mel accidentally made her a bishop.
    She founded a monastic community (for both monks and nuns) that became renowned for its learning.
    She improvised a cross out of rushes to convert a dying man.
    Her remains had to be moved to protect them from Scandinavian raiders.

Credit: Georgina


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 1553 Votes: 48.42% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 233 Votes: 50.64% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 138 Votes: 46.38% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 4 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 296 Votes: 53.72% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 235 Votes: 47.66% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 16 Votes: 56.25% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 6 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 193 Votes: 60.62% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 50 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 37 Votes: 48.65% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 362 Votes: 48.07% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 202 Votes: 44.55% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 555 Votes: 44.32% Annoying
    In 2009, Out of 187 Votes: 37.43% Annoying
    In 2008, Out of 138 Votes: 33.33% Annoying