How to make a St. Brigid's Cross

Dear Parent/Guardian,

Making a St Brigid’s Cross is an important tradition in St. Mary’s.  

The St Brigid’s Cross is made out of rushes and is traditionally hung in our homes to gain Brigid's protection and healing for the family over the coming year.

St Brigid’s Day is celebrated on the 1st February each year and the crosses are made at this time. 

Traditionally each year, we welcome parents and grandparents to St. Mary’s to help the children to make St. Brigid’s crosses. Sadly,  this won’t be possible this year. But we hope that the children will continue this important tradition in their own homes with the help of family members. 

On Friday the children joined me for our weekly Virtual Assembly. The children were set a Feel Good Friday challenge and encouraged to go for a walk with their parents, find some rushes and together as a family make a St. Brigid’s cross. 

The children will also find some St Brigid’s Day activities on Google Classroom tomorrow morning. 

Please see the attached document and video clip for a tutorial on how to make a St. Brigid’s Cross. 

Kind Regards, 

Louise Quinn

You Will Need

• 16 Rushes
• 4 small rubber bands
• Scissors

What to Do

1. Hold one of the rushes vertically. Fold a second rush in half as in the diagram.
2. Place the first vertical rush in the centre of the folded second rush.
3. Hold the centre overlap tightly between thumb and forefinger.
4. Turn the two rushes held together 90 degrees anti-clockwise so that the open ends of the second rush are pointing vertically upwards.
5. Fold a third rush in half and over both parts of the second rush to lie horizontally from left to right against the first rush. Hold tight.
6. Holding the centre tightly, turn the three rushes 90 degrees anti-clockwise so that the open ends of the third rush are pointing upwards.
7. Fold a new rush in half over and across all the rushes pointing upwards.
8. Repeat the process of rotating all the rushes 90 degrees anti-clockwise, adding a new folded rush each time until all rushes have been used up to make the cross.
9. Secure the arms of the cross with elastic bands. Trim the ends to make them all the same length. The St Brigid’s Cross is now ready to hang.