Children's thoughts on Brigid on view in Library

When children were asked by Kilcullen Community Library to send in drawings on the theme of Brigid, some came up with very imaginative ideas, writes Brian Byrne.

Among the to be expected images of St Brigid crosses, there were drawings of the saint in a number of capacities and activities that are not normally attributed to her.

"There's one of St Brigid having a picnic on the Curragh, for instance," says Librarian Julie O'Donoghue. "And when you think about it, why wouldn't she?" Another is Brigid alongside a JCB digger, with a caption noting her supervising the building of Kilcullen Parish Church ... which would mean she lived to be a little older than has been thought! "Then there's one of her with a wolf, which looks like a very tame and friendly one," Julie points out.

Several relate to the story of Brigid's 'magic' cloak, spreading out to take in land promised for her abbey in Kildare. One consistency through the collection, which can be viewed in the Library, is that Brigid is always smiling, which suggests that's how today's children feel about a woman whose time of 1,500 years ago we are celebrating now.

(In our selection of pictures above, we have left out any names, for privacy reasons.)

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