Page 82 - WDT MAGAZINE IRELAND ISSUE WINTER 2018

windows looking out onto each of the four Gardens. It or a shop for a blacksmith. According to legend, when
is used for art and music events, meditation, meetings a ring fort was no longer used by people, the fairies
or just relaxing. Next to it is an ancient looking Stone moved in. Wary of upsetting the fairies, Irish locals left
Chamber constructed in 2004 but feels much older. It the forts alone over the decades.
is built with enormous limestone flags gathered from Perhaps the biggest lesson for us was the name-
local fields using old techniques minus mortar or ce- sake of the garden - Brigit. Real of legendary, and
ment. Stones for the walls and the corbelled roof were known by many names including Brigid, Brid, Brighid
carefully positioned to support each other. A capstone and more, she helped bridge popular pagan beliefs to
at the top holds the structure in place. Christianity. When the Christian church was struggling
The Ring Fort also called Fairy Fort is a circular for a foothold in Ireland, leaders discovered it didn’t
enclosure that may date back to the 4th century. The work to claim the Celtic goddess Brigid was a wicked
fort may have been home for extended family groups demon. Instead, they made Saint Brigid of Ireland,

82 WDT MAGAZINE WINTER 2018