Tag Archives: Irish monks

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The United States of St. Brendan the navigator; forerunner to Columbus – 16th May

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St. Brendan of Ardfert and Clonfert, is also dubbed Brendan the Voyager. He was born in Ciarraighe Luachra, near Tralee, in the south west of Ireland, in 484. His parents were Finnlug and Cara. He was baptized at Tobar na Molt holy well, near Ardfert, by Bishop Erc of Slane. He was catechised by St. Ita of Killeedy in Limerick, who ran a boarding school for future clerics. After this, Brendan studied under Bishop Erc, mastering the scriptures. St. Brendan was also disciple of St. Enda of Inishmore. He was further tutored by an angel who gave him the rule of St. Brendan. It was around this time he became ordained a priest in 512 by bishop Erc. Brendan developled an ascetic hermitage style of life. Between the years 512 and 530 he built monastic cells at Ardfert, and at Shanakeel or Baalynevinoorach, at the foot of Brandon Hill.

At Brandon Hill, Brendan first lived the life of hermit by the coast, but soon a religious community formed around him, living under his rule. They would be a band of brothers becoming familiar with the sea, its weather patterns, and became accustomed to the frequent sun sets. From contemplating these patterns, Brendan decided to build a boat, in the Irish fashion of that time. It was a coracle with wooden frame and animal skin stretched over it. Tradition tells us he set sail with many monks. There is a Latin version of his sea voyage that speaks of one boat and eighteen monks. The oldest account of Brendan’s voyage is found in Latin, “Navigatio Sancti Brendani”. He set sail in search of Paradise with a company of monks. Additionally, the old Irish Calendars assigned a special feast for the “Egressio familiae S. Brendani”, on 22 March. We also learn from the book of Lismore that Brendan set sail with others on the 22nd of March. This has been translated into French, English, German and Dutch. From the Latin version, “Navigatio Sancti Brendani”, Christopher Columbus was encouraged that there might just be something out there worth investigating.

These accounts recount the adventures. For example; during the seven year sea voyage, the monks witnessed the sea at its best as well as times when it might threaten to swallow them up. They would witness the many large sea creatures showing their presence. It was a strange & frightful world for the monks to witness. The monks were also tested along their ocean voyage. One particular test was a time, they landed on this strange island somewhere in the Atlantic, but St. Brendan remained on the boat. He had an inkling there was something not quite right. The monks got out of the boat looking to lit a fire to cook food on the island. They lit a small fire and then they felt a sudden earth quake. It turned out they landed on the top of Jessconius the largest of the ocean fish. When Jessconius suddenly began submerging, the monks found themselves swimming back quickly to the boat. Brendan remained calm as his monks made it back to safety. It was there he was able to explain what exactly happened when they lit the fire.

Whenever the monks were afraid, Brendan would encourage them with spiritual advice. He told them not to be afraid of the large sea creatures, as our life span is in the hands of God. Brendan would celebrate Mass on the boat, and the sea creatures would circle the boat as if to participate in some way at the Mass. In this way Brendan demonstrated the power of God over His creatures.

After a long voyage that lasted seven years they reached the “Terra Repromissionis”, or the promised land, a most beautiful land with luxuriant vegetation. Through St. Brendan’s ocean voyage, many scholars claim for the Irish the glory of discovering America; namely, MacCarthy, Rafn, Beamish, O’Hanlon, Beauvois, Gafarel, etc. They rest there claim on the account of the Northmen who found a region south of Vinland and the Chesapeake Bay called “Hvitramamaland” (Land of the White Men) or “Irland ed mikla” (Greater Ireland), and on the tradition of the Shawano (Shawnee) Indians that in earlier times Florida was inhabited by a white tribe which had iron implements.

In the 70s, Tim Severin and a team of explorers built themselves a replica of the Irish currach, and sailed across the Atlantic to Newfoundland from the Irish coast, making several stops en route. They proved the plausibility that St. Brendan could have done the same! Additionally, during their voyage Severin’s crew identified some “mystical” objects described in the accounts in Brendan’s voyage; such as “the island of sheep”, “the crystal towers” (glaciers and icebergs on the northern islands), “the mountains that hurled rocks” (volcanoes in Iceland), “sea monsters” (whales, porpoises and probably walruses).

The moral of the story… Today we celebrate the Stars & Strips of St. Brendan!

Brendan died at Enachduin, (Annaghdown) in 577. St. Brendan was interred in Clonfert, and his feast is kept on 16 May.

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The Irish St Carthage (or Mochuda) – 15th May

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Carthage (affectionately known as Mochuda) was born near Castlemaine 564. He was Kerryman and a swineherd. He was herding his father’s pigs in the fields, and by providence he saw passing a religious procession, with a bishop and clergy chanting psalms.  Carthage was so moved at the sight that he ran to tell his father of the wonderful spectacle. Now his father had plans that Carthage become a warrior, but with time, and after some opposition, his father relented. His son became a monk instead in a nearby monastery.

The young Carthage became a disciple of St. Carthage the Elder. The lad earned his knick name, Mochuda and did his religious profession at age twenty, in 584; he was ordained priest and founded the monastery of Kiltullagh in Kerry around 590-592. Mochuda was very handsome, and young women were swooning at the sight of him. But the clever chap used his charms, persuading them to devote themselves to God as virgins. He built them cells around his monastery.  

Mochuda eventually had to leave Kiltullagh, and visited other monasteries, staying with St. Comgall at Bangor for a year. He also visited Colman Elo at Lynally in Offaly, on whose advice in 590 he established his second monastery at Rahan near Lynally. The Rahan enterprise was a great challenge for Mochuda even though it thrived for forty years. His austerity was so severe, that his disciples felt unable to match his virtues, instead they sought to rid themselves of their master. Mochuda’s enterprise came to an end at the order of the High King Blathmac, based in Tara.

The Irish Abbot lived by the Roman Easter calendar as opposed to the more common Celtic calendar of that era in Ireland. At around Easter time in 635, Mochuda and his community were constrained to move on by the high king’s soldiers. But their expulsion from Rahan, led to a newer foundation at Lismore. You see… they Journeyed by Saighir, Roscrea, Cashel, and Ardfinnan. Finally Mochuda arrived at the banks of the River Blackwater. He obtained permission to build a monastery from the king of the Déisí at Lismore (Lios-mór) in Co. Waterford. The name Lismore means the “Big Ring-Fort. Mochuda died a short time later on his arrive to Lismore, dying on the 14th May 637.

St. Mochuda’s legacy is that of a very austere & ascetic life. The Saint refused at first to acquire even an ox or plough. The tillage had to be done by hand & shovel strength. His monastery was to become a famous abbey and later became a diocese. At Lismore, besides establishing a thriving abbey, Mochuda had a scriptorium that produced three important manuscripts of works on scripture, asceticism and morals. Lismore monastery had a school of metalwork, where artefacts like the famous Lismore Crozier were artificed. The Crozier and the Book of Lismore were found concealed in the walls of the Lismore Castle in the nineteenth century. The present day castle replaced the monastic buildings.

A biography on the life of St Mochuda is still extant and there are many fragments of a Rule of St Carthage. This large diocese was joined with the smaller Waterford city diocese in 1363. Mochuda is remembered by the church on the 15th May.

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St. Comgall; founder of the Bangor monastery, Co. Down – 10th May

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Comgall was born between 510 and 520 A.D in Ireland’s Dal Riada district along the north-east of Co. Antrim. He was the son of Sedna, a soldier and Comgall followed his father’s footsteps for a while. He soon changed direction, embracing the Christian life, and trained as a monk with St. Fintan at Clonenagh in Co Laois. Comgall received training from other spiritual gurus as well. For example, he studied with St. Finian at Clonard, and with St.  Ciarán at Clonmacnois, who died in 549. He was also influenced by St, Brendan, and St. Finbarr of Moville. Finally, Comgall was ordained a priest by an influential Bishop Lugidius of Clonmacnois. From there he went from strength to strength…

St. Comgall began living an austere life on an island in Lough Erne, with a band of brothers. In 552 he founded the famous monastery with his band on brothers at Bangor, Co Down. The monastic life was rigorous and demanding, fostering strong bonds of brotherhood.  Bangor became the largest monastic centre in Ireland a population of 3,000 or more. Comgall had many notable students and visitors. For example, he taught St. Lua and St. Columban. His close disciple, St. Columban, went on to become a senior lecturer at Bangor monastery, before setting out with his twelve disciples from Bangor on ‘’peregrinatio pro Christo’’. Comgall was also afforded visits from royalty. According to historian Alfred Webb, the King Cormac of Hy Kinsellagh, retired to the monastery at Bangor in his old age.

Comgall combined the austerity of St. Fintan with the academic focus of St. Finian. Comgall’s ascetic Rule for his monks; “Love Christ and hate wealth” was the essence of their practice. Comgall lived by this rule, eating just one meal a day. Another element to Comgall’s teaching was his council to have an ‘’anamchara’’ or spiritual director.

After about eight years from the establishment of the Bangor monastery, Comgall went to Scotland and visited the Pictish King Bruide of Inverness with Colmcille and Canice. Comgall founded a monastery on the island of Tiree in Scotland, which suffered attack by the Picts in 564.

With St. Comgall, you would have either a blessing or a curse. For example, when some thieves stole the monastery’s vegetables, and they became blind. But with one repentant thief, he healed his blindness. Comgall is also said to have spat into a beggar’s pocket, where a gold ring suddenly appeared. Then there was the case of the stingy farmer who snubbed the monks plea to have some grain, and this denied grain was later devoured by mice.

Towards the end of his life, after intense suffering Comgall received the Eucharist from St. Fiacra and expired in the monastery at Bangor. Comgall’s death occurred in 602 according to the “Annals of Tighernach” and “Chronicon Scotorum”. His relics remained in Bangor until 822, when they were scattered by Viking raiders. His memory is celebrated by the church on the 10th of May.

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St. Conleth the patron of Kildare

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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.

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St. Laserian, The pyre of the Leighlin diocese (Kildare and Carlow) April 18th

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St. Laserian was said to have been of noble birth. St. Laserian was the son of Cairel de Blitha, a ”Ulidian” noble celt, and Gemma, daughter of a Scottish king. He was born around the year 566. He is commonly known as Molaise. The names Laisren or Molaise are to be found in ancient manuscripts and occur for instance in The Book of Leinster and in The Calendar of Oengus. The name Laisren comes from the Gaelic name for flame, usually “lasair”. The ”Molaise” form of the name derives from placing the personal Gaelic pronoun “Mo” ahead of the name Laisren and thus meaning “My Light” the light being from a pyre (flame).

Laserian was sent to Scotland to get his education from monks, beginning from a young age. He was educated by a monk called Munus. On his return home, he refused his right to the kingship of his clan, preferring a life of solitude as a hermit. He lived his youthful life as a hermit in the cell of a cave on Holy Island off the coast of the Isle of Arran in the west of Scotland. This island became known as Molaise’s island. He worked many miracles there; enabling water to flow when it was needed for milling for example. At a later stage in his life he restored a beheaded boy back to life. After his time in soliitude, he set out for Rome, where he studied for fourteen years and was ordained a priest by Gregory the Great. Reverend Laserian then journeyed back to Ireland to preach the faith.

As a priest he established a monastic community at Old Leighlin in present day Carlow in the late sixth century. His choice of location was said to have been inspired by Divine Guidance. He went first to Lorum Hill, south east of Muinebheag, in Carlow. From here he was directed by an angel to go to where he would see the sun first shining and set up his religious foundation there. The place thus chosen was Old Leighlin Hill.

Now Laserian crossed the River Barrow and came to Old Leighlin. But a holy abbot named Gobanus and his followers were already settled there. Gobanus and his community moved on and allowed Rev. Laserian to establish his monastery at Old Leighlin. The monastic community grew, and the establishment became famous, containing as many as 1500 monks.

St. Laserian was a very faithful priest and took the leading part in settling the Irish Easter calender controversy. In the Synod of Magh-lene he successfully defended the Roman Easter calendar computation, and was sent by the council as delegate to Rome. There, in 633, he was consecrated first Bishop of Leighlin by Honorius I. On his return from the eternal city, bishop Laserian pleaded the cause of the Roman Easter calendar so powerfully at another synod in Leighlin that the controversy was practically ended for the greater part of the country. Of course the Celtic Easter calendar would rear it’s head again over the following centuries. But St. Laserian was among the first pioneers to change this and bring the Roman Easter Calendar into regular usage in Ireland.

The original wooden church dedicated to the bishop of Leighlin was plundered several times both by the Danes and by the native Gaels. In later times, a cathedral stood in its place, but in the reign of Henry VIII it was seized by the Reformers, was made a Protestant church, and has continued as such ever since.

The Catholic Church in Ireland celebrates St. Laserian on the 18th April

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St. Enda: The real man of Aran – 21st March

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”Teaghlach Éinne” is the name of an old monastic ruin on the Aran islands, off the coast of Galway. The name means “the household of Enda. Now St. Enda of Aran is believed to be buried here, either under the altar or close by in the chapel interior.

St. Enda (or Éanna, Éinne or Endeus), was the succeeding warrior king of Oriel in Ulster, in the 5th and 6th centuries AD. His father was King Conall Dearg of Oriel which is in south and mid-Ulster today. The reigning king Enda successfully defended the territoty of Oriel against raids from neighbouring clans. On his return from once such successful battle, he passed by the monastic community of his sister Fanchea. There, Enda was attracted to one of consecrated young virgins. But the abbess Fanchea persuaded Enda to renounce his worldly ways and pursue the religious life. Enda thus decided to embrace the monastic life. He became a student at St Ailbe’s monastery at Emly. He later studied at Ninian’s Candida Casa in Scotland. He also would have travelled to Rome for a time.

Foundation on Inis Mór, Aran Islands

On his return to Ireland, Enda settled on the lonely Aran islands to build and develop his monastic life. He founded a monastery of ”Teaghlach Éinne” at Killeany (Cill Éanna) on Inishmore, which is the bigger of the three Aran islands on the west coast of Ireland. Edna received the lands on Inis Mór (Inishmore), from his relative, King Áengus of Munster. Edna also established other monastic sites on the island, creating a spiritual centre of learning that attracted many pilgrims and scholars from further afield. Some noteable students that came to the island were Ciarán of Clonmacnoise, Jarlath of Tuam, and Carthage, who later built monasteries at Lismore. Enda’s reputation grew widespread and even Brendan the Navigator got his blessing before he set sail to the new world (mentioned in the Navigatio Sancti Brendani).

The ruin at Teaghlach Éinne, is believed to have been originally built around the 8th or 9th century. It is a simple stone structure with a round-headed doorway. The chapel has altars and several stone slabs with carved Gaelic inscriptions. The cemetery contains the graves of some of St. Enda’s disciples.

Teaghlach Éinne is amongst the oldest and intact examples of early Irish monastic architecture. The monastic chapel reflects the influence of Romanesque and Celtic styles. This monastic site represents the legacy of St. Enda and his monks. These monks contributed to the preservation and dissemination of knowledge, culture and faith in Ireland and beyond during the Dark Ages. Because of his many disciples, Enda along with Finnian of Clonard are regarded as the patriarchs of Irish monasticism.

The church celebrates his memory on the 21st March

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St. Aengus of the Irish Céile Dé movement – 11th March

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St. Aengus lived around the 8th and 9th century. He heralds from Clonenagh, Co. Laois. He went to monastic school close to present day Mountrath, under the direction of St. Fintan.

He lived as a hermit, at Dysert-beagh by the banks of the river Nore. The word ‘’Dysert’’ comes from the original Irish ‘’An Díseart’’, meaning hermitage. At his small hermitage, he grew close to God, through an austere life & solitude. He became a spouse of God, hence he took on the Irish title, ‘’Céile Dé’’. In his prayer life, he experienced the presence of Holy angels. He moved and built a hermitage a little further away from his original one in Clonenagh, and settled in a more isolated placed near Maryborough called Dysert-Enos, which takes its earlier Irish form for Hermitage of Aengus.

He loved the solitude, and the austere life, feeling the benefits of being a spouse of God. But he also gained a big following. This raised a great challenge to his life of solitude, as he was constantly interrupted by a stream of visitors. He therefore abandoned his new hermitage and went to live discreetly as a lay brother in a monastery in Tallaght, south Dublin. St. Maelruain was the abbot, and he was unaware that Aengus was in his midst, as Aengus did not reveal his true identity.

But Aengus was found out with time, as his qualities were so good, that it became evident that the stranger was someone of note.  This came about one day, when Aengus went to assist of a young monk student during a particularly challenging lesson. Upon the discovery of the very gifted ‘’lay brother’’, Maelruain collaborated with him to produce the “Martyrology of Tallaght”, which gives an account of the Irish saints. This work was done around the year 790 and is the eldest of the Irish martyrologies. St. Aengus went on to produce his notable ‘’Feliré’’, which poetically celebrates the saints of Ireland, and was inserted into the ‘’Leabhar Breac’’.  The ‘’Feliré’” is one of the primary sources of information on the early Irish saints.

Aengus and Maelruain are considered the founders of the Céilí Dé movement, which was a reform movement seeking a purer and more austere monastic life. After St. Maelruain passed away, Aengus returned to Clonenagh and remained at Dysert-beagh where he passed away on Friday, 11 March, 824.

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St. Ciarán of Saighir – the austere abbot and premier Irish born saint – 5th March

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St. Ciarán of Saighir, alongside Ailbhe, Iban, and Declan were the four pre-patrician Irish Saints. That is, they were evangelising in Ireland before St. Patrick began his Irish mission. St. Ciarán of Saighir is also one of the twelve Irish apostles who studied under St. Finnan of Clonard. He is also known as St. Ciarán the Elder, and he is considered “the first-born of the Irish saints”. Ciarán’s father was Luaigne, a noble in Ossory. Ciarán’s mother was Liadan whom was from Cork. During her pregnancy, she had a dream of a star falling from the sky and resting on her. It was a prelude for her child to be, as Ciarán was to be specially gifted. Ciarán grew up bright & holy being loved by all. He was fond of animals, but most of all he treasured God. Ciarán met St. Patrick in Rome, and he was to become Patrick’s precursor in Ireland. In effect he was a type of John the Baptist figure. St. Patrick gave him a bell to help him on his Irish mission as when the bell sounded, it would mark the spot where God desired the foundation of a great spiritual centre. This eventually happened at Saighir.

Initially at Saighir, by a water spring, Ciarán built a hermitage of wattle, thin branches and mud plaster. The roof was thatched with grass and leaves. In his early days at his hermitage in the woods, injured wild animals such as wolves, deer and the like, would seek Ciarán’s help, having no fear for their lives in his presence. They in turn would help him too. Often doing tasks, difficult for a mere man. In this way Ciarán of Saighir is similar to St. Kevin of Glendalough. 

His strict diet was herbs and barley bread, with a drink of only water. Ciarán imitated the spiritual life of the Desert Fathers, and modelled himself on St. John the Baptist, wearing animal skins and sleeping on the ground. He had angels minister to him from childhood. He lived a life of prayer, fasting and abstinence.

With this austere life style, he attracted a following of disciples. He became the first Abbot at his large monastery at Saighir beside this hermitage in present day Co. Offaly. The monastery became a centre of learning and preaching. His mother Liadan, with other holy women, came to live nearby in a convent.

One day St. Patrick visited St. Ciarán’s monastery with a few of his men. Ciarán was not expecting such a visit, and food was scarce at the monastery. This pre-patrician saint, prayed to God to provide, and his supplies of food multiplied miraculously, for he knew a great patron for Ireland had arrived.

On his deathbed, Ciarán predicted to his monks that in the future, the faith in Ireland would be distorted and the monasteries supressed. This was fulfilled with the advent of the Anglo-Norman invasion and at the protestant Reformation. The monastery at Saighir became the seat of the Diocese of Ossory for several centuries. Today the monastic ruins can be visited in the village of Clareen, in Co. Offaly. The water there has miraculous medicinal properties as Local residents say that the water that gathers around the cross cures warts.

Ciarán of Saighir reposed in the Lord around 530 A.D. The church celebrates Ciarán the elder on the 5th of March.

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St. Fintan of Clonenagh; the austere Irish monk – 17th February

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Fintan of Clonenagh was born about 524. He studied under St. Colman in Terryglass in north Tipperary. The Irish for Terryglass is Tír Dhá Ghlas, (which means ‘land of the two streams’). In 550 Fintan settled along the Slieve Bloom Mountains in the solitude. His dwelling was near present day Portlaois town. Fintan set up an oratory which attracted numerous disciples, and formed his own austere rule. Such austerities along with miracles recalled the apostolic ages. Fintan founded his monastery at Clonenagh in Co. Laois. Among his disciples were St. Comgall of Bangor, St Colmán of Oughaval, and St Aengus the Culdee. Culdee in Irish is Céile Dé which in Irish which means spouse of God.

A thaumaturge, Fintan was a prophet, and performed miracles. For his austere living Fintan is considered an Irish equivalent to St. Benedict. Fintan is also considered as the “Father of Irish Monks”. According to a disciple Oengus, Fintan lived on “bread of woody barley and clayey water of clay”. Despite the hardships, Fintan’s monastery flourished with young monks from all over Ireland. The monastery of Clonenagh was an important seat of learning with students coming from all over Europe. Among the disciples at Clonenagh was St Comgall, founder of Bangor moastery. There was Oengus, the disciple of Fintan, who became an associate of St Maelruain of Tallaght and was also a member of the Céilí Dé reform movement. Fintan was succeeded by Fintan Maeldubh at the Abbey of Clonenagh.

At St. Fintan’s Tree in Clonenagh, there is a well 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.

The lost Book of Clonenagh is a source cited by Geoffrey Keating in his Foras Feasa ar Éirinn (The General History of Ireland) regarding the Synod of Rath Breasail which was to lay the foundations stones for the current diocese structure in Ireland.

Fintan died on 17th February, around the year 603.

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St. Flannan the baker saint and patron of Killaloe – 18th December

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St Flannan is patron of Killaloe (Cill Dalua) diocese which extends between areas of Co. Clare and Co.  Tipperary, as well as areas of Co. Offaly, Co. Laois, and Co. Limerick. The name Flannan is a diminutive of flann which means ruddy.

The Killaloe monastic connection

St Lua (554-609) is considered the founding abbot of the Killaloe monastic centre. He was from Ardagh, in Limerick. Lua (Lughaidh) was to studied in Clonard and later in Bangor for the religious life and was ordained a priest. This came about after an encounter of St. Comgall. His name became more familiarly known under the affectionate name of Molua. He later returned home and he was to found a few monasteries, as well as at Killaloe, at Friars’ Island near Ardnacrusha. Killaloe means the church of Lua.

St Flannan succeeds St Molua at Killaloe monastery

St Flannan was the son of Turlough, King of Thomond, and also Molua’s nephew. In his younger days Flannan studied under St. Blathmet who was well versed in Sacred Scripture.

Interestingly, in Ireland’s royal history, kings and queens would keep a biographer and an account of family and political life. There is an account given that Flannan studied to “till, sow, harvest, grind, winnow, and bake for the monks.” Tradition will add to this, that one day, while baking continuously for long and extended hours, his left hand became transfigured. There was enough light to enable him to continue baking right through the night. Molua, learnt of this incident, and felt it was opportune for him to consider retiring with the view that Flannan could be the new abbot.

Travels to Rome
Flannan was a hospitable man and his people in Thomond were in accord that he should be consecrated. On a trip to Rome, he received consecration from Pope John IV (640-2).

How Killaloe became a significant diocese from its monastic beginnings

Killaloe owes its existence as a diocese thanks to the vision of Brian Ború high King of Ireland. Brian wished to have a church independent of Norman influence. Between 1002 and 1014, the Irish High King had a palace in Killaloe on the grounds of the present-day Catholic church. On the other hand, Lanfranc, the Archbishop of Canterbury, desired to extend Norman influence over Irish ecclesiastical affairs. But when Lanfranc died in 1089, Canterbury’s foothold on Irish ecclesial affairs waned, particularly on the diocese of Killaloe which enjoyed the patronage of the Dalcassian Kings. Muirchertach Mor O’Briain was by now King of the Dal gCais.

After the Synod of Rathbreasail in 1111 in which king Muirchertach was present, Killaloe became formally recognised as a major diocese. At the synod of Kells in 1152, Killaloe as a diocese shrunk, as Roscrea monastery founded by St. Crónán, as well Scattery island monastic centre founded by St. Senan became small diocese. Today the Killaloe diocese has absorbed them both.

We celebrate the noble St. Flannan on the 18th December

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