Brigid (also known as Bride) was born in the latter part of the fifth century, of humble origin just five miles from Kildare. She was to become first a nun in the monastery there and then its abbess. She is believed to have been baptised by Saint Patrick and the stories of her portry a woman of great compassion who, like many Celtic saints, had a particular affinity with animals and the natural world. Her life was written in the middle of the seventh century and is the earliest life of an Irish saint. She is said to have been consecrated a bishop by Bishop Ibor, because of her resemblance to the Virgin Mary, but this may have been put abroad to support the claim of the primacy of the Abbey of Kildare. By her prayers and miracles, she is reputed to have strongly influenced the formation of the Church throughout Ireland, where she is, with Patrick, the patron saint. She died in about the year 525.
Reflecting upon the lives of the Saints - Brigid, Abbess of Kildare 1 February