For our pan Celtic community
What is the greatest gift someone could give you?
I remember the day I first learned to make a St. Brigid’s Cross in school. Our teacher walked in with a bundle of rushes and told us about the old tradition. St. Brigid’s Cross was something many families made every year. It was placed in homes to bring blessings and protection. That day, we would learn how to make our own.
The process was slow at first. The teacher showed us how to fold and layer each piece of rush. My hands struggled to keep the rushes in place. The folds would slip, and I had to start over again. It took patience. Slowly, I began to understand the steps. Fold, hold, turn, and add. The cross began to take shape, and I started to feel calm as I worked.
As I made it, I thought about how each piece of rush needed the others to stay together. It reminded me of how connected we are in life. Each strand was important. Without one, the whole cross would fall apart.
When I finished, I held it up proudly. It was not perfect, but it felt special. I imagined people in the Celtic nations and further a field making these crosses hundreds of years ago. Maybe children like me had sat with their families, weaving these same patterns. It made me feel part of something bigger.
This simple craft taught me more than just how to weave a cross. It showed me the beauty of connection, patience, and tradition. Now, whenever I see a St. Brigid’s Cross, I think about that day and how it links us to the past and to each other across the Celtic world. It is a reminder that, just like the rushes, we are stronger when we are woven together.
Pan Celtic Cuisine 