Ave Maris Stella ("Hail Star of the Sea") is a plainsong Vespers hymn to the Virgin Mary. It is of uncertain origin an can be dated back at least as far as the eighth century. It was especially popular in the Middle Ages and has been used by many composers as the basis of other compositions. The creation of the original hymn has been attributed to several people, including Saint Venantius Fortunatus.. The melody is found in the Irish plainsong "Gabhaim Molta Bríde", a piece in praise of St. Bridget.