St Brigid's Day-The first day of Spring

St Brigid is one of Ireland's most famous and well- loved saints and is the Patroness of our Diocese, Kildare and Leighlin.

For over 10 years, the pupils of our school and the boys’ school have been learning the ancient craft of making St Brigid crosses. Legend says that St Brigid wove her first cross from rushes while she tended to a dying chieftain and now over 700 years later, her crosses are still being woven from wild rushes. The children love learning the craft and on the Sunday nearest the 1st February, they demonstrate the making of the crosses at all the masses in Holy Family Church, Askea.

"I love making St Brigid crosses", says Katie Barrett, one our 6th class pupils. “It's great that we can help other children in Zambia with the money from the crosses."

Every year, an assembly is held in our school to   celebrate St Brigid. This year,4th class prepared   and presented the story of St Brigid through song, music, verse, drama and art. Under the direction of Mrs Monks , a magnificent cloak was made by the girls to  remember the story of St Brigid and her cloak.

Thousands of euros  have been raised  down through   the years for charity  from the donations received for the crosses and this year  all monies raised will go to support Educational projects  in Kaoma ,Zambia, which is linked to Askea parish. The schools are very grateful to the Go Léir Women's group who also make crosses for the project.

It is a truly enriching and inspiring project for all involved.

Thank you to Mrs. Farrell who co-ordinates this work every year.