List of saints of Ireland

The saints of Ireland derive from the various túath, tribes or peoples, who lived on the island of Ireland. The vast majority of these saints lived during the 4th—10th centuries, a period in which Ireland was known as the "land of saints and scholars"—it produced many missionaries. The introduction of Christianity into Ireland was during the end of the 4th century. Its exact introduction is obscure, though the strict ascetic nature of monasticism in Ireland, suggests a connection to Coptic monks from Egypt. Although there were some Christians in Ireland before him, Patrick from Britain played a significant role in its full Christianisation. Some of the best known saints are the Twelve Apostles of Ireland and Brigid of Kildare.
==Saints==
Name 	Born 	Life 	Comments 	Reference
Abban of Magheranoidhe 	Leinster, Ireland 	570—620 	Son of Cormac, King of Leinster from the Uí Dúnlainge. Nephew of Ibar. 	
Abban of New Ross 	Leinster, Ireland 	600s 	Founder of New Ross, abbot and missionary. 	
Abel of Reims 	Ireland 	died 764 	Bishop of Reims, Benedictine abbot. Accompanied Boniface on his mission. 	Retrieved on 29 October 2009.
Abran 	Ireland 	died 515 	Sailed to Brittany with siblings, lived as hermit by Marne River. 	Retrieved on 29 October 2009.
Adalgis 	Ireland 	died 686 	Worked as a missionary in Arras and Laon, was a disciple of Fursey. 	Retrieved on 29 October 2009.
Adomnán 	Donegal, Ireland 	627—704 	abbot of Iona, hagiographer, statesman and lawyer. Authored Cáin Adomnáin. 	
Adomnán of Coldingham 	Ireland 	died 680 	Confessor, prophet, monk at Coldingham. Noted for the gift of prophecy. 	Retrieved on 29 October 2009.
Aengus, see Óengus 	 	 	 	
Aidan of Ferns, also Máedóc 	Inisbrefny, Ireland 	7th century. 	Leinster saint. Founder and first bishop of Ferns (Co. Wexford), learned under David at Deheubarth. Feast day: 31 January.	Retrieved on 31 October 2009.
Aidan of Lindisfarne 	Connacht, Ireland 	died 651 	First Bishop of Lindisfarne, invited by king Oswald to reconvert Northumbria. 	
Ailbe of Emly 	Munster, Ireland 	died 534? 	First Bishop of Emly. Son of Feidlimid, King of Munster. Baptised saint David. 	Johnston, "Munster, saints of (act. c.450–c.700)."
Aileran 	Ireland 	died 664 	Scholar at Clonard. Wrote litanies on saints and genealogy of Christ. 	
Alto of Altomünster 	Ireland 	700s 	Founded Altomünster. Missionary to Bavaria, hermit and Benedictine. 	
Andrew the Scot 	Ireland 	died 877 	Archdeacon at Fiesole in Tuscany, studied under Donatus. Gave to the poor. 	
Assicus 	Ireland 	died 490 	First Bishop of Elphin, converted by Patrick, expert metal worker and bellfounder. 	
Athracht ingen Thaláin (in Latin, Attracta) 	 	c. 500 	Connacht saint. Nun under Patrick, founded a hostel at Lough Gara, known for charity to the poor. 	Charles-Edwards, "Connacht, saints of (act. c.400–c.800)."
Autbod 	Ireland 	died 690 	Missionary on continent, patron of Valcourt, known for miraculous cure of fever. 	Retrieved on 3 November 2009.
Baíthéne mac Brénainn 	Ireland 	d. 598 	first abbot of Iona in succession of Columba 	Charles-Edwards, "Iona, abbots of (act. 563–927)."
Balin 	Northumbria 	600s 	Brother of Gerald of Mayo, disciple of Colmán, took up residence in Connacht. 	Retrieved on 8 November 2009.
Balther 	Ireland 	died 757 	Hermit and priest, moved to Lindisfarne, known as Apostle of the Lothians. 	
Barrfoin 	Ireland 	500s 	missionary at Drum Cullen, Offaly. Friend of Columba. Joined voyage of Brendan. 	Retrieved on 8 November 2009.
Bean 	Ireland 	 	great-grandson of Aedh Dubh, King of Leinster. Worked at Feighcullen, Kildare. 	Retrieved on 8 November 2009.
Bécán 	Ireland 	500s 	Founder of Kilbeggan, Westmeath worked in a monastery there. 	Retrieved on 8 November 2009.
Bega 	Ireland 	 	princess, valued virginity, moved to Northumbria to avoid pirates. 	Retrieved on 28 October 2009.
Benignus of Armagh 	Meath, Ireland 	died 467 	Patrick's psalm-singer, favourite disciple, helped compile Senchus Mór—Irish law. 	
Béoáed mac Ocláin 	Ireland 	died 520/24 	Connacht saint. Bishop of Ardcarne, an artistic relic the Bell of St. Beoadh was widely venerated. 	Retrieved on 13 November 2009.
Beoc 	Ireland 	400s 	Founded St Patrick's Purgatory monastery at Lough Derg, Donegal. 	Retrieved on 13 November 2009.
Berach mac Amargin 	Connacht, Ireland; of the Uí Briúin 	late 6th–early 7th century	Founder of Tarmonbarry, abbey built. Disciple of Kevin and nephew of Freoch. Feast day: 15 February. 	Retrieved on 13 November 2009.
Blaithmaic 	Ireland 	died 823 	Abbot, martyred by Danish Vikings, killed on altar steps of the abbey at Iona. 	Retrieved on 13 November 2009.
Boadin 	Ireland 	 	Monk, moved to France. Know for kindness and living the strict Rule of Benedict. 	Retrieved on 13 November 2009.
Boethian of Pierrepoint 	Ireland 	600s 	Founder of Pierrepoint, Picardy, disciple of Fursey. Martyred by rebellious monks. 	Retrieved on 13 November 2009.
Brandan 	Ireland 	400s 	Monk who fought Pelagianism in Britain. Later became abbot in Gaul after fleeing. 	Retrieved on 13 November 2009.
Breaca 	Ireland 	400s 	Nun, follower of Brigid of Kildare. Travelled to Dumnonia, settled by River Hayle. 	Retrieved on 13 November 2009.
Brendan of Clonfert 	Tralee, Ireland 	6th century 	Connacht saint. Founder of Clonfert, monk. Voyaged to mysterious St. Brendan's Island. 	Retrieved on 13 November 2009.
Brendan of Birr 	Ireland 	died 573 	An Apostle of Ireland, monk and abbot. Founder of Birr, friend of Brendan. 	Retrieved on 13 November 2009.
Briarch 	Ireland 	died 627 	abbot and founder of monastery in Brittany. Closely associated with Tudwal. 	Retrieved on 13 November 2009.
Brigid of Kildare 	Faughart, Ireland 	451—525 	Founder of Kildare, abbess of Ireland's first convent. A patron saint of Ireland. 	Retrieved on 13 November 2009.
Brogan 	Ireland 	600s 	abbot of Ross Tuirc, Ossory, author of a hymn to Brigid. 	Retrieved on 13 November 2009.
Brón mac Icni 	Ireland 	died 512 	Connacht Bishop of Cassel-lrra, disciple of Patrick, set monastic literary & artistic standard. 	Retrieved on 13 November 2009.
Caimín 	 	d. 644? 	Munster saint 	
Cainnech moccu Dálann 	 	521/7–599/600 	Munster saint 	
Cairech Dergain 	 	d. 577/9 	Connacht saint 	
Canir 	 	6th century 	Munster saint 	
Carthach mac Fianáin 	 	late 6th century 	Munster saint 	
Céthech 	 	5th century 	Connacht saint 	
Ciarán mac Luaigne 	 	fl. 450–500 	Munster saint 	
Cóemgen 	 	7th century 	Leinster saint. Known as the founder of Glendalough (Co. Wicklow) 	Doherty, "Leinster, saints of (act. c.550–c.800)"
Colmán mac Léníne 	 	530–606 	Munster saint 	
Colum mac Crimthainn 	 	d. 549 	Munster saint 	
Comgán mac Dá Cherda 	 	d. 645 	Munster saint 	
Commán mac Fáelchon, Mo Chommóc 	south of Roscommon, among the Sogain	d. 747 	Connacht saint, patron saint of Roscommon. Feast day: 26 December. 	
Cormac mac Eogain 	 	6th century 	Connacht saint. 	
Cranat ingen Buicín 	 	6th century 	Munster saint 	
Crónán moccu Éile 	 	d. 665 	Munster saint 	
Cumméne Albus 	 	d. 669 	abbot of Iona 	
Cumméne Fota 	 	c.591–662 	Connacht saint 	
Déclán mac Eircc 	 	late 5th century 	Munster saint 	
Énda mac Conaill 	 	6th century? 	Munster saint 	
Fachtna mac Mongaig 	 	6th century 	Munster saint 	
Fergno Britt mac Faílbi (in Latin sources, Virgno)	probably southern Scotland 	d. 623 	abbot of Iona, probably a Briton 	
Findbarr mac Amairgin 	 	6th century? 	Munster saint 	
Findchú mac Finnloga 	 	d. 655/5 	Munster saint 	
Finten 	 	7th century 	Leinster saint. 	
Fintan 	 	d. 603? 	Leinster saint. 	
Flannán mac Toirrdelbaig 	 	7th century 	Munster saint 	
Garald, Gerald 	England 	d. 732 	Connacht saint. Feast day: 12 or 13 March. 	
Gobnait 	 	6th century? 	Munster saint 	
Grellán of Cráeb Grelláin 	 	5-6th century 	Connacht saint. 	
Iarlaithe mac Loga 	 	6th century 	Connacht saint, patron saint of Tuam (Tuaimm dá Gualann). Feast day: 25 or 26 December. 	
Ibar mac Lugna 	 	d. 500 / 501 	Munster saint 	
Íte ingen Chinn Fhalad 	 	d. 570/77 	Munster saint 	
Lachtín mac Tarbín 	 	d. 622/7 	Munster saint 	
Laisrén mac Decláin 	 	6th century 	Connacht saint 	
Laisrén mac Feradaig 	 	d. 605 	abbot of Iona 	
Lallóc 	 	5th century 	Connacht saint 	
Mac Creiche mac Pessláin 	 	late 6th century 	Munster saint 	
Máedóc, see Aidan of Ferns 	 	 	 	
Máel Cétair mac Rónáin 	 	6-7th century? 	Munster saint 	
Máel Ruain 	 	d. 792 	Leinster saint. 	
Mainchín mac Setnai 	 	late 6th century 	Munster saint 	
Mo Chua mac Bécáin 	 	d. 694 	Connacht saint 	
Mo Chóemóc mac Béoáin 	 	d. 656 	Munster saint 	
Mo Chutu mac Fínaill 	 	d. 637 	Munster saint 	
Mo Lua moccu Óche 	 	554–609 	Munster saint 	
Móenu 	 	d. c. 572 	Connacht saint 	
Mo Laga mac Duib Dligid 	 	late 6th century? 	Munster saint 	
Mucnoe (in Latin, Mucneus) 	 	c. 500 	Connacht saint. According to Tírechán, buried at Domnach Mór. Feast day: 12 August. 	
Muiredach mac Echdach 	 	early 6th century 	Connacht saint. Feast day: 12 August (in place of Mucnoe). 	
Nessán 	 	d. 556 	Munster saint 	
Óengus of Tallaght 	Clonenagh, Ireland 	died 824 	Hermit and author of the Festlology of the Saints of Ireland. 	Retrieved on 29 October 2009.
Ruadán mac Fergusa Birn 	 	d. 584 	Munster saint 	
Sachellus 	 	5th century 	Connacht saint 	
Ségéne mac Fiachna 	 	d. 652 	abbot of Iona 	
Senán mac Geirrcinn 	 	6th century 	Munster saint 	
Suibne moccu Urthrí 	 	d. 657 	abbot of Iona 	
Virgno, see Fergno Britt 	 	 	 	
==Footnotes==
==Sources==
*Charles-Edwards, T.M. "Connacht, saints of (act. c.400–c.800)." Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Oxford University Press, Sept 2004: Jan 2007. Accessed: 14 Dec 2008.
*Charles-Edwards, T.M. "Iona, abbots of (act. 563–927)." Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Oxford University Press, Sept 2004. Accessed: 9 February 2009.
*Doherty, Charles. "Leinster, saints of (act. c.550–c.800)." Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Oxford University Press, 2004. Accessed: 9 February 2009.
*Johnston, Elva. "Munster, saints of (act. c.450–c.700)." Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Oxford University Press, Sept 2004, online edition May 200. Accessed: 14 Dec 2008.
==Further reading==
*Plummer, Charles. "A tentative catalogue of Irish hagiography." Miscellanea Hagiographica Hibernica (1925).
==External links==
*Ancient Order of Hibernians — complete list of Ireland's saints
*Catholic Online — Irish saints
Ireland