Saint Brigit of Kildare continues to attract attention from scholarly and non-scholarly audiences alike. Lauded as one of the premier saints in Ireland, alongside Patrick and Columba, Brigit's cult is attested in Ireland, Britain and the continent where a significant number of manuscripts preserve the earliest Brigidine writings and Lives. Interest in the saint has therefore been widespread from an early date. Brigit is traditionally associated with the fifth century and the conversion period in Ireland. Her biographers contend that it was during this time that she founded a double-monastery at Kildare, and through their writings point to a cult of some importance and vitality by the seventh century. Even so, no contemporary evidence for the saint survives and this has complicated understandings about her life and cult. Unlike her supposed contemporary, Patrick, Brigit's historicity is not nearly as secure, and the ambiguity of her origins has led to much debate. Indeed, scholars have questioned whether or not the cult is based on a real individual or a pagan goddess who was somehow transformed into a Christian abbess. It is often this aspect of the cult that receives attention; however in recent years some important scholarly contributions have considered the medieval communities who venerated Brigit rather than her formation (these include works by scholars such as Lisa Bitel, Thomas Charles-Edwards, Katja Ritari, and Elizabeth Krajewski).

This book by Noel Kissane takes a broad approach to the history of the saint and her cult, focusing on the debates that surround her formation whilst also offering a plethora of information which points to the vitality of her cult over time. The work is the product of lengthy research, which began with the author's doctoral studies in University College Dublin and resulted in his edition of the metrical life of the saint in 1977. Spanning ten chapters with an additional three appendices it addresses topical aspects of the cult, such as Brigit's identification as a pagan goddess, and details some of the most enduring aspects of Brigit's cult from its medieval origins up to the present day.

The first five chapters are predominantly concerned with the medieval cult, providing a brief introduction to early medieval Irish society and the earliest sources for Brigit's life and cult. In chapter five Kissane focuses on the question of Brigit's historicity, positing that she was indeed a real individual whose cult eventually took on features once associated with the pagan goddess of the same name. This is certainly a plausible argument. Possibly less convincing is the suggestion (following in the vein of Macalister) that Kildare was a pagan sanctuary which became Christianised and subsequently aligned itself with Brigit and her nuns; however the author is clear that, given the evidence, such hypotheses are speculative.

The final five chapters of the book are concerned with the Christian cult in Ireland and abroad from the medieval period through to the present day. Kissane details the multiple ways in which Brigit was venerated by different communities over time, and in doing so demonstrates the strength and vitality of the cult. Amongst other things he provides detailed descriptions of the local veneration of the saint, such as place names, holy wells, and artistic representations. Here the author demonstrates a real appreciation and knowledge of Brigidine traditions. In addition to this material the author has provided accessible translations of a number of important Brigidine texts for the reader; these include the seventh-century Life of Brigit by the Kildare cleric Cogitosus as well as multiple hymns and poems about the saint. This material is a real strength of the book and will surely attract readers with an interest in the specifics of local Brigidine worship as well as those who are less familiar with the primary source material.

Kissane has taken on a commendable task in charting the development of Brigit's cult and legend, not just because of the elusive nature of the person Brigit but also because of the longevity and geographical expanse of her saintly cult. His grasp of the topic is clearly demonstrated here, and he does an admirable job in bringing the dynamism of Brigit's cult to life. This is a work that will interest many readers, both the non-expert and those interested in the local veneration of saints.