St Brigid's Crosses no museum piece in Tuam

WHILE the age-old tradition of making St Brigid’s crosses has become a craft demonstration at the National Museum of Ireland – Country Life in Castlebar next Sunday (January 29) hundreds of the crosses are still being made for the general public in Tuam by members of the Apostolic Work Society.
The National Museum of Ireland — Country Life may claim to be keeping 'an age-old spring tradition alive’ on Sunday by hosting this free crafting demonstration but the ladies in Tuam Apostolic Work Society are still busy making hundreds of them this year as usual during the month of January, according to member Lily Francis.
“Some years we have made up to 1,000 crosses and while we usually work together doing so for a few hours every Tuesday and Thursday in a room at the Tuam Parish Centre, we also make some of them in our own homes.
“Last week I made 18 crosses at home for one lady who sends them to friends in the USA every year and this week I have another 15 to make for her,” says Lily.