St. Conleth and St. Brigid are the patron saints of Kildare. The irish name “Cill Dara”, means the cell of the oak. Now Saint Conleth in his earlier religious days was a hermit living in Old Connell on the River Liffey near Newbridge, and he became a skilful artificer in gold and silver. He was a metalworker and made religious objects. Conleth made a crozier for example which belonged to St. Finnbharr of Termon Barry in Connaught.
Conleth visited St. Brigid and her nuns in nearby Kildare, and they worked together in the Lord, attracting many followers. Shortly after this visit, St. Brigid requested the appointment of a bishop and great deference was paid to her wishes. She had recommended St. Conleth, to be consecrated the first Bishop of Kildare about 490.
Now we have Saint Patrick who early disciple St. Laserian became the abbot – bishop of Leighlin, and we have St. Brigid who was baptised by St. Patrick, and because of her fame, she was able to influence the ordination to ecclesiastical authority, St. Conleth as Abbot – bishop of Kildare. Today the two diocese are merged as one, namely the Kildare and Leighlin diocese. Both places have strong monastic traditions, established or maintained by Irish Saints.
As a bishop, Conleth made a journey to Rome, and returned with vestments for his church at Kildare. He later died tragically in the woods, being attacked by wolves, on 3 May, 519. Conleth is buried in Kildare Cathedral along with St. Brigid. His feast day is celebrated on the 4th May.
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