As with many cultures, religion factors significantly into Irish history. These people have helped shape the lives of many Irish throughout the years, and help bring the word of God to Ireland. Who are they and what have they contributed to Ireland's history? Read on to find out.
St. Brendan- St. Brendan's story, like that of many other saints, doesn't begin with him performing majestic works to rise quickly to the role of saint. Brendan was born in Ireland in County Kerry, around 484 A.D. Christianity at this time was still slowly spreading through the isles of Ireland as well as Great Britain, and Brendan immediately took to the religious teachings. He began missionary work in 512 A.D. and established multiple monasteries in Ireland and throughout the United Kingdom.
There are conflicting accounts as to what happened next in Brendan's life-some say he set out on a seven year journey searching for the Land of Promise but there's nothing really documenting what his intent was. An explorer named Timothy Serevin took up the challenge of proving that Brendan's travels took him across the ocean, as there had been stone carvings found in Wyoming (in the United States) bearing ancient Celtic script. It's difficult to concretely prove that St. Brendan himself created these found stone carvings, but evidence certainly seems to make it seem true.
St. Brigid of Kildare- St. Brigid is an enormously celebrated figure in Ireland. Described in accounts as "handsome, strong and brave," much of what we know about Brigid today comes from folklore rather than accurate historical accounts. Born in 452 C.E. Brigid was the child of a wealthy chieftain and his slave woman. Sometime in her childhood her father sold her mother to a pagan household, although it's thought that Brigid soon returned home, leaving her mother behind.
Although she was still considered a slave of her father, Brigid gave away her father's possessions to anyone in need, thus earning her the reputation of generosity. Her father later tried to arrange a marriage, and Brigid, horrified at the thought, disfigured her beautiful face so men would fine her unattractive.
Ever wily and intelligent, Brigid saved herself from being sold to the King of Leinster by getting rid of the sword her father planned on giving to the King. After convincing her father once and for all that marriage was not the path for her, Brigid took the vows of a nun. She wanted to establish a religious community for Irish women, and she chose to do in Kildare. She actually settled on a site that held a shrine to the Celtic goddess Brigid, after whom she had probably been named. Although Brigid's story seems simply, she is thought to have produced many miracles in her lifetime and is well remembered for her inspirational spirit.
Catherine McAuley, The First Sister of Mercy- During the late 1700's, being an Irish Catholic was not an easy thing. James McAuley was a devout Irish Catholic, and tried hard to impose those beliefs on his family in spite of a world of prejudice against them. He stood up for what he believed in, and that was not lost on his daughter Catherine. James passed away in 1783, and Catherine vowed to honor his memory.
She went to work for a couple in 1803, and began to reach out to the couple's servants as well as poor people in the area. She actually was able to get the Callaghan's to convert to Catholicism, and upon their death, she received a large inheritance which today would be about $1 million. She immediately went to work with her money, establishing the House of Mercy on Baggot Street in Dublin. She recruited other woman to help her to reach out to poorer communities, and such forward thinking and action was unheard of for women during this time. Catherine and some of the other women were eventually able to study under the Presentation Sisters, and took vows in 1831 as the Sisters of Mercy.
Leigh Maher researches and writes about Celtic jewelry, and specialises in Celtic wedding rings, engagement rings and bridal jewelry. Click here for more information about Irish jewelry.
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