#irishsaint

Saint Patrick

390 - 460  Feast Day: March 17 Patronage: Ireland, engineers, paralegals. Invoked against snakes, sins, and witchcraft.

St. Patrick was born in Scotland. As a boy of fourteen or so, he was captured during a raiding party and taken to Ireland as a slave to tend sheep. During his captivity, he turned to God. Patrick's captivity lasted until he was twenty, when he escaped after having a dream from God in which he was told to leave Ireland. Patrick was ordained a priest and eventually a bishop and returned to Ireland where he preached the gospel for over 40 years converting many.

 Saint Kevin of Glendalough

498 - 618

Feast day: June 3

Patronage: blackbirds, Glendalough, Ireland

St. Kevin, also known as Coemgen in Ireland, lived with monks from age 12. After being ordained he came to live a hermit’s life in Glendalough Ireland (meaning glen of two lakes). There are many stories of his connection with animals, a blackbird is even said to have made a nest in his prayerfully outstretched hands. St. Kevin eventually left his life of solitude to build a monastery and teach the people of Ireland about God. His life is surrounded by many extravagant miracles. 

Saint Finbarr of Cork

550-623

Feast Day: September 25

Patronage: Cork, Diocese of Cork

Saint Finbarr, an Irish saint, who was well educated in Kilkenny, became a monk and was Cork’s first bishop. Legend has it that “God Himself” consecrated him bishop. He founded a monastery in Cork, where students and monks gathered to learn. It became an important center of learning in Ireland. He died of natural causes.

Saint Ciarán of Clonmacnoise (St. Ciarán or Kieran the Younger) 516 AD - 546 AD Feast Day: September 9th Patronage: Connacht

Saint Ciarán of Clonmacnoise, (sometimes called Ciarán or Kieran the Younger to distinguish him from the 5th-century Saint Ciarán the Elder who was bishop of Osraige), was an Irish saint and abbot whose miracles provided food for many in a time of famine. He was one of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland and the first abbot of Clonmacnoise.