Imbolc or Imbolg, also called Saint Brigid's Day, is a Gaelic traditional festival. It marks the beginning of spring, and for Christians, it is the feast day of Saint Brigid, Ireland's patroness saint. It is held on 1 February, which is about halfway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. Historically, its traditions were widely observed throughout Ireland, Scotland and the Isle of Man. Imbolc is one of the four Gaelic seasonal festivals, along with: Beltane, Lughnasadh and Samhain.
County Armagh is one of the six counties of Northern Ireland and one of the traditional thirty-two counties of Ireland. Adjoined to the southern shore of Lough Neagh, the county covers an area of 1,327 km2 (512 sq mi) and has a population of 194,394 as of the 2021 census. County Armagh is known as the "Orchard County" because of its many apple orchards. The county is part of the historic province of Ulster.
Brigid or Brigit, also Bríg, is a goddess of pre-Christian Ireland. She appears in Irish mythology as a member of the Tuatha Dé Danann, the daughter of the Dagda and wife of Bres, with whom she had a son named Ruadán.
Saint Brigid of Kildare or Saint Brigid of Ireland is the patroness saint of Ireland, and one of its three national saints along with Patrick and Columba. According to medieval Irish hagiographies, she was an abbess who founded the important abbey of Kildare, as well as several other convents of nuns. There are few historical facts about her, and her hagiographies are mainly anecdotes and miracle tales, some of which are rooted in pagan folklore. They say Brigid was the daughter of a chieftain and a slave woman, and was raised in a druid's household before becoming a consecrated virgin. She is patroness of many things, including poetry, learning, healing, protection, blacksmithing, livestock and dairy production. In her honour, a perpetual fire was kept burning at Kildare for centuries.
Kildare is a town in County Kildare, Ireland. As of 2022, its population was 10,302, making it the 7th largest town in County Kildare. It is home to Kildare Cathedral, historically the site of an important abbey said to have been founded by Saint Brigid of Kildare in the 5th century. The Curragh lies east of the town.
The Ring of Gullion is a geological formation and area, officially designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, (AONB) located in County Armagh, Northern Ireland. The area centres on Slieve Gullion, the highest peak in County Armagh, measures roughly 42 by 18 kilometres and comprises some 150 km2 defined topographically by the hills of an ancient ring dyke. Parts of the area have also been officially listed as Areas of Special Scientific Interest.
Jonesborough or Jonesboro is a small village and civil parish in the Ring of Gullion in County Armagh, Northern Ireland. It is about 5 miles (8 km) south of Newry and lies 1,000 yards (1 km) from the border with County Louth in the Republic of Ireland. The Catholic parish includes the neighbouring area of Dromintee and crosses the Irish border into Louth.
Mél of Ardagh, also written Mel or Moel, was a 5th-century saint in Ireland who was a nephew of Saint Patrick. He was the son of Conis and Patrick's sister, Darerca. Saint Darerca was known as the "mother of saints" because most of her children entered religious life, many were later recognized as saints, and several of her sons became bishops.
Slieve Gullion is a mountain in the south of County Armagh, Northern Ireland. The mountain is the heart of the Ring of Gullion and is the highest point in the county, with an elevation of 573 metres (1,880 ft). At the summit is a small lake and two ancient burial cairns, one of which is the highest surviving passage grave in Ireland. Slieve Gullion appears in Irish mythology, where it is associated with the Cailleach and the heroes Fionn mac Cumhaill and Cú Chulainn. It dominates the countryside around it, offering views as far away as Antrim, Dublin Bay and Wicklow on a clear day. Slieve Gullion Forest Park is on its eastern slope.
Faughart is an early Christian ruins and shrine site just north of Dundalk, County Louth, Ireland. As a popular site for modern pilgrimages, it was the birthplace of St Brigid in 451 AD, and one of her relics is held in a church in nearby Kilcurry. Edward Bruce, a younger brother of Robert the Bruce, is buried in the graveyard on the hill above the shrine. Bruce, who had taken the title King of Ireland, was defeated and killed at the Battle of Faughart in 1318. Landmarks include St Brigid's stone and pillar, her shrine and well, and modern religious sites devoted to the saint that attract thousands of pilgrims and tourists, providing a massive boost to the local economy. Ruins include an Iron Age fort, a Norman motte-and-bailey castle, and a medieval church.
Mullaghbawn, or Mullaghbane, is a small village and townland near Slieve Gullion in County Armagh, Northern Ireland. In the 2011 Census it had a population of 596.
Saint Medan was a saint, apparently of the early British or Irish period, whose existence and name are inferred from the name Kirkmaiden in Wigtownshire, but who is also associated with Angus and Aberdeenshire.
Modwenna, or Modwen, was a nun and saint in England, who founded Burton Abbey in Staffordshire in the 7th century.
Ibar mac Lugna, whose name is also given as Iberius or Ivor, was an early Irish saint, patron of Beggerin Island, and bishop. The saint is sometimes said to have been one of the "Quattuor sanctissimi Episcopi" said to have preceded Saint Patrick in Ireland, although possibly they were just contemporaries. His feast day is 23 April.
Seamus McMurphy was an Irish poet and rapparee, 1720-1750.
Killeavy Saint Moninna's Gaelic Athletic Club is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in Killeavy, County Armagh, near Newry, Northern Ireland. Killeavy won the 2012 Armagh Intermediate Football Championship and participates in other Armagh GAA football, ladies' football, hurling and camogie competitions. It is one of the largest clubs in the county, fielding upwards of 20 teams from Under-8 to Senior levels, and has been Ulster Club of the Year. The club's ground is Killeavy Memorial Park.
Naomh Moninne Hurling Club is a Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) club based in Dundalk, County Louth, Ireland. The club was founded in 1959 and is exclusively concerned with the game of hurling. Naomh Moninne has the distinction of being the first club to represent Louth in the Leinster Senior Club Hurling Championship and is recognised for founding the All-Ireland Poc Fada Championship, a national annual GAA event.
Dundalk Upper is a barony in County Louth, Ireland.
Creggankeel Fort is a stone fort and National Monument located on the island of Inisheer, Ireland. It also contains a later Christian site, the Grave of the Seven Daughters.
Cainnear is a female Irish given name. Potentially deriving from caoin and der, meaning "gentle daughter", it is the name of one of the legendary daughters of Queen Medb of Connacht and several Irish saints. Variants of the name include Canair, Cainder, and Cainner, and at least two early Christian saints have borne these variants.
