The Place Of Myths, Legends And Story Telling

Did it really happen? This question is frequently asked by people who study events that occurred many hundreds of years ago. People who study history like to examine what they call primary sources, that is, documents or accounts of events written at the time as 'eye witness' reports. Primary sources are regarded as the most accurate and true accounts of historical events. Secondary sources are documents written after an event or period of time in which writers interpret and analyse what really happened, relying on primary sources and other secondary sources for their information.

The first written account of the life of Brigid was recorded by Cogitosus writing in the late seventh century, over 200 years after her death. Cogitosus would have relied on stories and legends passed down through the generations and whatever visible evidence existed in and around Kildare of the life and works of Brigid. There is also uncertainty because Brigid lived at the very beginning of Christian times in Ireland when people were moving away from the old pagan religion to become followers of Christianity which was introduced by the other legend of Irish history St Patrick. A complicating factor is that the old religion recognised a Goddess named Brigid who possessed supernatural powers. Goddess Brigid was honoured in the pre-Christian Celtic festival of Imbolc which celebrated the beginning of spring in the northern hemisphere. In this changeover period of religious history, legends about the ancient Goddess Brigid easily became linked to stories about the new age Christian Brigid and it is likely that, in some ways, the two became one in the minds of people who were telling the stories.

So the question emerges "How reliable are the stories and legends about Brigid"? The simple answer is that in one way they cannot be relied upon at all to represent events that actually happened because they are not based in primary sources. However, in another way they are very significant because, at the time, they were of such importance that they survived and were passed down through many generations before being recorded in written form. In this way, they are similar to the gospels, the first of which was first written about 40 years after Jesus' death and which were based on spoken accounts passed on to people over the years.

In the case of Brigid, the importance of the stories, myths and legends associated with her life is not in the accuracy of the events as described by the early writers, but in what lies behind them. Behind every story there lies an important principle or message which is bigger than the story itself. As you find out more about Brigid through the stories and legends that have been told about her, always ask the question "What is the message or principle that this story is trying to convey and what does it mean in today's world"?

One thing is clear. Brigid was the most significant woman of early Irish history. In modern day terms she would be described as a legend. There is evidence of this everywhere. Think for example of the number of girls named Brigid, Bridget, Brigit, Briget, Bride, Bree, Brigitta, Brigida, Brighid, and Biddy. Further evidence lies in the number of churches and schools named after Brigid not only in Ireland but throughout Europe and all places to where the Irish have migrated. It lies in the commitment of the Brigidine Sisters who for two hundred years have modelled their working lives on Brigid in many countries the world. It lies in the number of Brigid's Wells located in Ireland and in the thousands of Irish homes that have a Brigid's Cross located above the entrance.

The stories, myths and legends about Brigid's life and works have truly inspired thousands of people over many centuries.

The Icon Of St Brigid