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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St. Cera of Kilkeary: A Seventh-Century Irish Abbess and Monastic Founder Saint Cera of Kilkeary also known by as Chera, Chier, Ciara, Cyra, Keira, Kiara, Cier, and Ciar is a significant yet historically obscured figure in seventh-century Irish monastic Christianity. Born into the royal lineage of Irish kings and driven by extraordinary spiritual devotion, she
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The First-Born of The Irish Saints St. Ciarán of Saighir – 18th March St. Ciarán was born in 5th Century Ireland in the kingdom of Ossory and as many of the early saints, he was related to royalty. His father was from Ossory and his mother was from Cork. Saint Ciarán’s birth was foretold in
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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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Máel Ruain of Tallaght Máel Ruain – 20th July Our Holy Father Máel Ruain was the founder, abbot, and bishop of the God-protected monastery of Tallaght in Dublin, established in the year of our Lord 755. This sacred dwelling was built upon land graciously provided to him by Cellach Mac Drunchada, who reigned as King
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