The Life of Brigid from the Book of Lismore recounts a number of miracles attributed to Brigid, but tells us little of her role in the church. Brigid's miracles include moving a river and turning water into beer. It does tell us that she founded many churches, altars and monasteries, and that she was considered holy and respected. A ninth century poem entitled "Hail Brigid" celebrates Brigid as a queen. It is important to realize the legendary role played by women such as Brigid in the Celtic church.
Brigid took over many of the functions of a pre-Christian goddess. Imagery and themes from the goddess Brigid were integrated into the legend of Saint Brigid. Real women became, in a sense, Christian goddesses, inspiring others to follow them. Virgin women, such as Brigid could step outside the traditional female realm of motherhood and become part of a male world, a world of ecclesiastical politics and positioning.
Like Brigid, Darerca was a powerful abbess. While she was still a young girl, Patrick came into the town of her birth and baptized her. He encouraged her to found a convent, and provided her with a priest to serve as her teacher. Darerca was a foster mother to a young boy who she later consecrated as a bishop. Darerca and the eight virgins who had joined her under Patrick's care traveled through Ireland, visiting St. Ibar and Brigid. Under St. Ibar's care, Darerca supervised a large group of women, including a number of wealthy noblewomen. Darerca, like Brigid, is credited with a number of miracles, including reviving the dead and turning water into wine. As we have seen in the story of the Daughters of Loguire, extreme holiness is characterized by death. While Darerca died quite naturally, after her death, one of the nuns in her community followed her on her journey to Christ.
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