Image Source From Billy Kangas
Material distilled from Catholicireland.net and Saint Fintan of Clonenagh
He was the founder of the ascetic life in Ireland. Fintan of Clonenagh was born about 524. In his early life he encountered St. Colmkille who prophesized over Fintan’s future sucess. He went on to study under St. Colman in Terryglass in north Tipperary. The Irish for Terryglass is Tír Dhá Ghlas, (which means ‘land of the two streams’). St. Colman and his students went to Clonenagh and Fintan travelled with them. They stayed a year in the harsh environs of Clonenagh in Co. Laois. It is called Cluain Eidhneach in Irish which means ivy meadow. They departed for the Slieve Bloom Mountains near present day Portlaois town. St. Colman could still see Clonenagh and beheld a vision of angels who were hovering about that place. He felt sorry that they departed that land. The students could see his sorrowful face and he had to explain them what he saw as he looked back over the Ivy Meadow. Colman said that someone should go back to that place and build a monastery. Fintan offered himself as a candidate. Colman accepted and told him to return to his place of his resurrection at Clonenagh. Fintan set up an oratory which attracted numerous disciples, and formed his own austere rule. Such austerities along with miracles recalled the apostolic ages. His monastery at Clonenagh include disciples such St. Comgall of Bangor, St Colmán of Oughaval, and St Aengus the Culdee (Céile Dé = Spouse of God). They learned a great deal of asceticism through Fintan’s school.
For his austere living Fintan is considered an Irish equivalent to St. Benedict. He is also considered as a “Father of Irish Monks” along with St. Enda. According to a disciple Oengus, Fintan lived on “bread of woody barley and water from the earth clay”. His followers became unhappy with the lack of anything wholesome… They had not even a cow for milk, nor butter. St. Canice of Aghaboe came to remonstrate with Fintan over this. So Fintan allowed the community this small comfort, but denying himself such a treat. The angels impresed on fintan the need for special feasts for guests, that too he granted while denying himself the luxury. Because of the hardships, Fintan’s monastery flourished with young monks from all over Ireland. The monastery of Clonenagh became an important seat of learning with students coming from all over Europe.
Fintan was succeeded by Fintan Maeldubh at the Abbey of Clonenagh. He was laid to rest by his monks at the Abbey around the year 603..
There is a well near his burial site that sprung up in in a field, and the farmer who lived close by, refused people a visit to this holy well. So much so, that the well miraculously transferred itself to ”St. Fintan’s tree”. It became known as “The Money Tree” as people hammered coins into its bark with prayerful intentions. This tree was blown down in a storm in 1994.
Fintan memory is celebrated 17th February
by 