Brigid, also written Brigit, is an important figure in early Irish tradition. Medieval sources associate her with poetry, learned speech, healing, smithcraft, livestock, and seasonal renewal. Calling her only a fire goddess leaves out much of the evidence.
Early Irish sources
Cormac’s Glossary describes Brigit as a daughter of the Dagda and a goddess honored by poets. The same entry refers to sisters of the same name connected with healing and smithcraft. Scholars differ on whether these represent three goddesses, three aspects, or learned classification by medieval writers.
Brigid is linked in later tradition with Imbolc, the seasonal festival at the beginning of February. Connections with livestock, milk, poetry, craft, and fire fit the transition toward spring, but modern ritual descriptions should not be presented as complete survivals from pre-Christian Ireland.
Goddess and saint
Saint Brigid of Kildare shares the name and several later associations with the goddess. The relationship between them is debated. It is too simple to say that the saint was merely the goddess renamed, just as it is too simple to assume that no older traditions influenced the saint’s folklore.
Accounts should distinguish the early medieval goddess references, Christian hagiography, regional custom, and modern revival. Each belongs to a different body of evidence.