Saint Fursey of Burgh CastleLife Dates: c. 597 – 16 January 649 AD A Missionary of the Heavenly Kingdom Saint Fursey (also spelled Fursa, Furseus; Irish: Fursa mac Fáeláin) is one of the most important men of Celtic Christianity, yet he is not as widely known as many of his contemporaries. He was a man […]
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St. Columba of Iona: Apostle to Scotland Saint Columba (c. 521–597), known in Irish as Columcille (the dove of the church), stands as one of the three patron saints of Ireland alongside Patrick and Brigid, and as the primary founder of organised Christianity in Scotland. His establishment of the monastery at Iona around 563 transformed an obscure
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Saint Faolán also known as Fillan, Foillan, Faelan, and Foelan as an eighth-century Irish monk and missionary whose evangelistic labours in Scotland established him as one of the most venerated Celtic saints of medieval Caledonia. Born around 695 in Munster, Ireland, Faolán descended from Irish royal lineage: his father was Feriach, a prince or king
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Saint Assicus: A Bishop, An Artisan, And The Burden of Humility St. Assicus – 10th May Saint Assicus (also known as Asicus) is often confused with Saint Tassach—given their similar skills, names, and also by the fact they both died in the same year: 490 AD. Patrick’s Skilled Collaborator and First Bishop of Elphin Saint
A Devoted Disciple of the Enlightener St. Tassach – 27th April Born in the early 5th century, Saint Tassach walked in the luminous footsteps of Ireland’s enlightener, Saint Patrick. Imagine being a part of that foundational period of the Church! Saint Patrick himself entrusted Tassach with the care of a sacred place: the Church of Raholp.
Finbar – A Monastic Beacon Saint Finbar of Innis Doimhle – 17th July The venerable Finbar was a beacon for Irish monasticism that shone forth in the early years of the Church. Born of noble descent, in the 6th Century, in County Wexford, Saint Finbar was descended from the ancient Kings of Ireland, specifically Feidhlimidh
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Finbarr The “White Head” St. Finnian of Movilla – 23rd September Our holy father Finnian of Movilla was an Irish missionary, born around the year 495. He is sometimes known by the epithet Finbarr, meaning “white head,” a nod to his distinctive white hair. Not to be confused with his namesake, St. Finnian of Clonard,
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Early Life Its of Kileedy – 28th January The name Ita means “thirst for holiness,” reflecting a life lived in accordance with our Lord’s teachings, echoing “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.” Ita’s zeal for Christ transformed Ireland’s monastic landscape, fostering many great saints, earning her the nickname “The foster mother of
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Early Life Finnian of Clonard – 25th December Finnian of Clonard, one of the early Irish monastic saints, was the blessed founder of Clonard Abbey in County Meath. He was born in County Carlow in the Kingdom of Leinster in 470, a member of the Clanna Rudraige tribe, which originated in Ulaid, Northern Ireland. This
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Early Life Kevin of Glendalough – 16th June Born in 498, St. Kevin, or Caoimhín in Irish, lived a long and impactful life, passing away in 618. A scion of noble Leinster lineage, he became a hermit, ascetic, and a great standard bearer for the unique spiritual beauty of Celtic Orthodoxy. He was baptised by
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