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Holiday · 2033

Saint Brigid's Day 2033

Saint Brigid's Day falls on Monday, 7 February 2033 in the 1 countries that observe it.

Dates by country

Saint Brigid's Day 2033 by country
CountryDateLocal name
IrelandMon 7 FebSaint Brigid's Day

What is Saint Brigid's Day?

Saint Brigid's Day honours Brigid of Kildare, one of the three patron saints of Ireland alongside Patrick and Columba. Tradition describes her as an abbess who lived from about 451 to about 525 and founded a monastery at Kildare, and who was remembered for her charity and care for the poor. She is also linked to an older Celtic goddess of the same name, and the historical record about her is thin. One of her traditional titles is Mary of the Gael.

The date, 1 February, coincides with Imbolc, an ancient Gaelic festival marking the beginning of spring and the start of the lambing season. A traditional custom is making Brigid's cross from rushes, usually with four arms, and hanging it over the door or in the stable for protection. People also left a cloth outside overnight for Brigid to bless, and brought it in the next morning as a protective charm. A perpetual flame associated with Brigid at Kildare was relit in 1993, and the Solas Bhride centre in Kildare keeps the saint's memory.

Why it is observed

The cult of Brigid is among the oldest in Ireland, and her feast on 1 February has long been observed. Its status as a public holiday is recent. In 2022 the Irish government announced a new holiday to give workers an extra long weekend at the start of the year, and chose Brigid, so that the holiday would be, as widely reported, the first Irish public holiday named after a woman. It was first observed on Monday 6 February 2023. Each year it falls on the first Monday in February, or on Friday 1 February when 1 February is a Friday.

How the date is set

Saint Brigid's Day itself is 1 February, but the Irish public holiday is the first Monday in February, unless 1 February is a Friday, in which case the public holiday is that Friday. In 2027 1 February is a Monday, so the holiday falls on the day itself.

How it is observed

Saint Brigid's Day is a public holiday in Ireland. Banks, public offices and schools are closed, many shops and restaurants stay open, and public transport runs on a holiday timetable. Events are held around the date, including in Kildare. In Northern Ireland the day is not a public holiday. Entitlements to pay or time off depend on Irish public holiday law, the employer and the contract.

Sources

Questions

Good to know

When is Saint Brigid's Day in 2033?

Monday, 7 February 2033 in all 1 countries that observe it (Ireland).

Which countries observe Saint Brigid's Day?

In our coverage: Ireland. Only holidays that apply across a whole country are counted.

Why is Saint Brigid's Day observed?

The cult of Brigid is among the oldest in Ireland, and her feast on 1 February has long been observed. Its status as a public holiday is recent. In 2022 the Irish government announced a new holiday to give workers an extra long weekend at the start of the year, and chose Brigid, so that the holiday would be, as widely reported, the first Irish public holiday named after a woman. It was first observed on Monday 6 February 2023. Each year it falls on the first Monday in February, or on Friday 1 February when 1 February is a Friday.

How is the date of Saint Brigid's Day set?

Saint Brigid's Day itself is 1 February, but the Irish public holiday is the first Monday in February, unless 1 February is a Friday, in which case the public holiday is that Friday. In 2027 1 February is a Monday, so the holiday falls on the day itself.