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Chapter three 83
to the present county of Kildare. There, beneath an oak tree on a hill close to the world- famous Curragh of Kildare she established her religious community. Hence the name Cill Dara, which translates as ‘The Church of the Oak’. In addition, the chronicles inform us that she extinguished the ritual ire of the Druids and in its place lit a lame dedicated to Jesus Christ, a lame which was thereafter protected by her followers, until it was quenched by the forces of British King Henry V111, nearly 1,000 years later..
As mentioned, not too far away, at Dun Ailinne, ‘Ailinn’s Fort’ lived Ailinn, the King of Leinster whom we met earlier, and it was he who apparently donated the site to the holy woman. An associated story tells that the King ofered Brigid as much land as her cloak would cover and when she spread her garment upon the ground it miraculously stretched out to embrace the entire site now occupied by the Curragh. True to his promise, the King gave her the fertile plain, and there the new community grazed their sheep and cows.
In addition to the abbey which she founded and which was to be for centuries the most famous in Ireland, Brighid also founded the school of Kildare-one of Ireland’s most emi- nent early schools. Both the abbey and the school became great centres of religion and learning not only in Ireland but throughout Europe, so much so, that they even rivalled Patrick’s establishments at Armagh.
From all over came throngs of the poor seeking learning, of the pious seeking higher faith, and of scholars seeking more learning, and as a result, Brighid later won the mantle ‘Patron Saint of Irish Students’. In fact, at one time, so strong was the respect and rever- ence for this iconic woman that she became the patroness of parishes, towns, counties and regions, across Europe and during the age of chivalry, Brighid was so revered as a model woman, that knights and noble gentlemen throughout the civilised world began the custom of calling their sweethearts and wives-to-be, their Brides-a custom which is still very much in vogue to this day.
As clerics in those days most frequently had some worldly occupation, in addition to their spiritual, Brighid’s bishop, Conlaeth, was no exception. Described as being a ine artii- cer, it is supposed that it was under his tuition that decorative metal art-work was developed at the school of Kildare, which then became a centre for the turning out of exquisitely ornamented bells, chalices, shrines and other religious objects.
From her centre at Kildare, Brighid frequently journeyed to the various parts of Ireland, counseling and directing leaders, spreading the Christian faith, and inspiring great numbers