Today is the …
First day of Spring
The first day of February
St Bridget’s day
St Bridget’s day on the first of February was an important day in our growing up. St Bridget was the patron saint of Kildare and I was from that county. I remember trying to make St Bridget’s crosses from rushes at school. The crosses were then hung at home and their purpose was to get the help of St Briget in warding off sickness.
The tradition of making St Bridget’s crosses was the inspiration for a great sculpture on the M7 near Kildare.
It brings to mind the words of the Irish poet Ó Raifteirí which we learned at school
Anois teacht an Earraigh
beidh an lá dúl chun shíneadh,
Is tar eis na féil Bríde
ardóigh mé mo sheol.
Go Coillte Mach rachad
ní stopfaidh me choíche
Go seasfaidh mé síos
i lár Chondae Mhaigh Eo.
Translated as
Now with the springtime
The days will grow longer
And after St. Bride’s day’
My sail I’ll let go
I put my mind to it,
And I never will linger
Till I find myself back
In the County Mayo
Maybe Patrick had thoughts like Ó Raifteirí who lived from 1784 to 1835. He put his mind to it and didn’t linger to fly a small plane from Vancouver to San Francisco this weekend. Like me, Antaine Ó Raifteirí’s mother was probably also worrying about her son’s journey back then too.
Though she didn’t have twitter then to keep up with his progress back then. Twitter told me that Patrick touched down in Palo Alto 7 hours ago.
So on this St Bridget’s day, wishing everyone good health and safe journeys for the year ahead.
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So that is what that sculpture group is all about! Thanks Lily.
Well done Patrick. Any chance you would fly over to Co Antrim and collect me, I need to go to Galway at the end of March and it is a long walk!
I’m glad that Patrick did it this weekend because the burgeoning security blanket/bubble being spread over our surfaces here, in preparation for the Olympics in 2 weeks, would most likley preclude him from doing it over the next few weekends.
Way to go, Patrick!
Happy St Brigid’s day to you too my dear
I’d be very appreciative if Brigid could keep an eye out for me when I travel to Notts next week
I had my scans done today so perhaps her powers were already at work?
btw I’m very impressed by Patrick’s flight. Now, Lily, that would be a COOL way to arrive at the IBA’s
Roll-on Spring!
Grannymar, that’s why I’m so looking forward to the book that’s going to be published on roadside sculpture. I’ll let Patrick know you are looking for a lift
Niamh, There was also a small matter of class beginning on Tuesday. It’s the Winter Olympics which afforded him the opportunity. He has it for the next few weeks. It will be a novel distraction for a student from his studies. Hope all of you are keeping will in Vancouver, will email you.
Lorna, And to all of you in Carlow too
Steph, You were very much on my mind as I wrote it
I was so glad to see that Patrick had reached SF. Mind you he will be flying every weekend for the next while, so I’d better get used to it.