bride). (c.455-c.523. Patron saint of pity and mercy. She largely inspired the convent system that was to make such an impact on life in Ireland. She was born at Fochart, near Dundalk, where her mother was slave to a Druid. Bridget was possibly the Druid's illegitimate child. On obtaining freedom she settled at Kildare where she built for herself and her female friends a house for refuge and devotion. It is difficult to get a true picture of her life and work on account of the excessive legend surrounding her. Her name is commemorated in places like Kilbride or Kirkbride, and as these place names are found in Scotland as well as Ireland it is possible that she exercised a missionary influence there before the days of Columba.*