Bridget: Goddess and Saint

Bridget: Goddess and Saint

By Gresham College

Bridget: Mother Saint of Gaelic people and pagan goddess of healing, poetry and smithcraft. This lecture examines her tangled identity.

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Location

Gresham College

Barnard's Inn Hall Holborn London EC1N 2HH United Kingdom

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Highlights

  • In person

About this event

Spirituality • Folk Religions

Bridget is the most popular Celtic goddess or saint in modern spirituality. She straddles the pagan and Christian division as no other figure does, and remains entirely benign while being also independent and capable. She is at once the Mother Saint of Gaelic people and a pagan goddess of healing, poetry and smithcraft. This lecture examines the very tangled history that lies behind this identity. It asks if the goddess became the saint, or if they were different beings, and how good the evidence is for the existence of a real woman or a genuine pagan deity behind all the mythology.

A lecture by Professor Ronald Hutton.

This event is also available to watch live online. To register, visit: https://www.gresham.ac.uk/whats-on/goddess-bridget

Gresham College has offered free public lectures for over 400 years, thanks to the generosity of our supporters. We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to learn from some of the greatest minds. To support Gresham College's mission, please consider making a donation: Donate Today | Gresham College

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Gresham College

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On Sale Feb 10, 2026 at 8:00 AM