Saint Etchen
St. Etchen (Etchenius, Ecian or Echen) (490-February 11, 577) was an Irish Abbot who founded a monastery in Clonfad, County Westmeath. Legend states that Etchen ordained Columba into the priesthood, and that he had to stop in the middle of ploughing a field to perform the act. Veneration. A number of local schools and churches are named after St. Etchen, including: Death. Etchen died on February 11, 577AD of natural causes. He was buried at his monastery in Clonfad. His date is celebrated as the Feast of Saint Etchen in Ireland.