Declan
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Saint Declan | |
|---|---|
| Born | 5th century in Ireland |
| Died | 5th century |
| Venerated in | Roman Catholicism |
| Major shrine | Ardmore |
| Feast | July 24 |
 Saints Portal |
|
Saint Declan was an early Irish bishop and abbot. He is sometimes said to be one of four bishops to have preceded Saint Patrick in Ireland in the early 5th century (See also Saints Ailbhe, Ciaran, and Ibar), although he is also made a contemporary of Saint David in the mid-6th century. His feast day is July 24.
Contents |
[edit] Life
He converted the people of the Decies, an ancient principality of southern Ireland, to Christianity. There he founded the monastic settlement of Ardmore. Although Ardmore is no longer the seat of a diocese, the local Catholic parish bears Declan's name. His Life is preserved in both a Latin and Irish version; the latter was translated into English by Rev. P. Power in 1914.
[edit] Pattern
Every year on his feast day, locals and people from the region celebrate his pattern. The pattern includes various devotional acts at sites associated with his life.
[edit] Namesakes
Due to popular devotion to the saint, the name Declan has been relatively common in County Waterford for centuries. Its use has since spread beyond Munster, and even outside Ireland.
- Declan Costello, Attorney-General of Ireland
- Declan Galbraith, English singing phenomenon
- Declan McMahon, Grandson of WWE owner Vince McMahon
- Declan Donnelly, British television personality
- Declan Patrick Aloysius McManus (better known as Elvis Costello), British musician
- Declan McGonagle, Irish art curator
- Declan Masterson, Irish band member of Patrick Street
- Declan Nerney, Irish country music personality
- Declan Durcan, Photographer, currently a Network Engineer for Yahoo
[edit] External links
- Lives of SS. Declan and Mochuda, available freely at Project Gutenberg
