School: Siolbhrain (Shelbourne) (roll number 5235 or 5484)
- Location:
- Gortrooskagh, Co. Kerry
- Teacher: Síghle, Bean Uí Thuama
Archival Reference
The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0461, Page 068
Image and data © National Folklore Collection, UCD.
See copyright details.
DownloadOpen data
Available under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)
- XML School: Siolbhrain (Shelbourne)
- XML Page 068
- XML “An Bhrídeog”
Note: We will soon deprecate our XML Application Programming Interface and a new, comprehensive JSON API will be made available. Keep an eye on our website for further details.
On this page
- In the Parish of Tuogh it is an old-time custom to make a "Biddy" for St. Bridget's Night.
The BIddy is built on a churn-staff, so that the figure can stand on the table. She is dressed in white, wearing a blue sash.
For a head a large turnip is shaped, carved and painted by a handy-man. Some flax is kept from year to year, and stuck on for hair. A large cross is made & sewn on to her left shoulder. When finished she looks quite real.
On St. Bridget's Night a crowd collects, & one is selected to carry the Biddy, the others march, accompanied by music. They go about from house to house, place the Biddy on the table, she is welcomed by the bean s'age. There is a round of music & dancing in each house.
