In our post about Brigid, we talked about how she was closely associated with the farm, ale, butter, and cows. She was also known for traveling the Irish countryside, blessing households as she went. To make her welcome, people would put bread and fresh butter outside on the windowsill.

A piece of white cloth or a white silk ribbon was hung on the outside of the front door for the Saint to bless. The faithful would also lay out rushes (the same kind that are used to make the St. Brigid’s cross) for her to kneel on while blessing the household.

It is traditional to make fresh butter for Saint Brigid’s Day, and in many regions, the menu for the day features a special oat bread.

Okay, so this is not the traditional Saint Brigid’s Day oat bread (here’s a recipe for the more standard version, which admittedly, would go much better with the—also traditional—glass of ale). But this bread does contain oatmeal and it is really, really good (kind of like a semi-healthy cinnamon roll). Maybe this one for breakfast—and the other for dinner??

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