Sir, – Frescoes of both Brigid (Ireland) and Brigitte (Sweden) are clearly visible today in the Catholic church in Iffezheim, near Baden-Baden, Germany.
On inquiry, I was told that originally the Swedish Brigitte looked down alone on the congregation. The Thirty Years’ War with King Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden at the helm of the Protestant army from the north reached Germany in 1630. Brigitte was declared persona non grata, duly covered up and the Catholic Brigid mounted instead. Time passed, Brigitte was restored, but Brigid stayed put and so the two historical figures “live” side by side today – in peace. – Yours, etc,
DÓNAL CLANCY,
Vaihingen an der Enz,
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Germany.