Cill Dara

Cill Dara

St. Brighid's community grew around a tall sacred oak trees. Under her guidance it became a large mixed community and centre of learning. She coopted Bishop Conleth to help her manage the community which was famous for its illuminated manuscripts. With the same generosity that made her give her father's sword to a leper she set to giving Conleth's precious vestments to the poor.

Cill Dara is famous for the sacred perpetual fire that was tended by nineteen nuns. This was enclosed by a fence of brushwood which no man was allowed to enter. It burned continuously until 1220ce when Bishop Henry de Londres, concerned by its pagan connotations, had it extinguished. However, it was quickly relit but finally extinguished during the Reformation.

According to Cogitosus, Brighid and her community were renowned for their faith, healing powers, love of creation, hospitality, generosity and compassion. St. Brighid went on to found communities at, Breagh in Meath, Hay in Connaught and Cliagh in Munster