Today was a very special day in Kildare Town. According to legend, St Brigid died on 1st February 524 – 1500 years ago today. Many events were held across the county and beyond to mark the day. I was fortunate to be able to attend two events in St Brigid’s Cathedral – the Service of Thanksgiving in the morning and the Altan concert in the evening. To be celebrating the occasion in the place where St Brigid lived and died was very special. The Service of Thanksgiving finished with the Pause for Peace and everyone made their way to the Market Square for the dedication of the new mural of St Brigid on the gable end of McHugh’s chemists.
No special day would be complete without a cycle. I skipped lunch and headed out on St Brigid’s Cycle. After a quick stop in Solas Bhríde, I visited the Wayside Well and the Garden Well. When I reached Riverstown House near Kildangan, the gate to St Bridget’s Well (SMR: KD026-011) was open. After many times cycling this road, I was delighted to finally get to visit the well.
The well is probably the biggest holy well I have visited, measuring approximately 12m in diameter and enclosed by a low stone wall. There is a gate in the wall allowing access to the water. In the centre of the well there is a stone post with a wooden cross standing upon it. On the opposite side of the well to the gate is a stone feature with two indentations that were supposedly left there by St Brigid after kneeling at the well. There were a few brambles but I felt I had to try them out.
After a lengthy visit, I continued on my way. From Monasterevan I took the Canal Blueway to Umeras where there is an impressive new sculpture of St Brigid to mark her (possible) birthplace. I took the Slí Bhríde across the Redhills back to Kildare Town. After a quick shower and a bite to eat, it was back to the Cathedral for a wonderful Altan concert organised by Glór an Churraigh.
It truly was a day to remember.
Postscript: Kildare County Council brought out a book in 2023 on the Holy Wells in County Kildare. I looked up St Bridget’s Well in Riverstown and read the site visit report from September 2021. At that time, the well was drained and the stone with the knee impressions could not be found. Fair play to the owners of Riverstown House for restoring the well to its former glory.
