Ciarán of Saighir

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Saint Ciarán of Saighir
Bishop and Confessor of Ossory
Born Cape Clear Island
Venerated in Roman Catholic Church
Feast 5 March
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Ciarán of Saighir (also know as St. Kieran, Kieran Saighir and Kevin the Elder) was an early Irish monastic saint and bishop in the 5th century.

Bishop Ciarán of Saighir is often referred to as "first saint born in Ireland."[1] He was one of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland.[2] There were twenty-five St. Ciaran's in Ireland so Ciarán of Saighir is often referred to as Ciarán the Elder. He may also be the St. Piran venerated in Cornwall, Wales and Brittany.

St Ciarán is the patron of the Diocese of Ossory. His feast day is 5 March. He was the founder of Seir-Kieran, County Offaly.

Contents

[edit] Background

His father was Laighne one of the nobles of Ossory. His mother was Liadain, of the of the Corca-laighde tribe. [3]

He was a native of Ossory in Leinster. Cape Clear Island south west of County Cork is regarded as his birthplace. A church reputedly built by him on Cape Clear Island.[4]

The saint is sometimes referred to as one of four bishops to have preceded Saint Patrick in Ireland. This is unlikely, though he may have been his contemporary.

Kieran's biography is full of obscurities. It is commonly said, however, that he left Ireland before the arrival of St. Patrick. Already a Christian, and of royal Ulster blood, he had determined to study for the Church; hence, he secured an education at Tours and Rome.

[edit] Saighir

On his return from France, he built himself a little cell in the woods of Upper Ossory. He settled as a hermit at Saighir near to the Slieve Bloom Mountains but soon disciples were attracted to him and a large monastery grew up round his cell, which became the chosen burial place for the Kings of Ossory. His mother Liaden is said to have gone to Saighir with a group of women who devoted their lives to the service of God and the members of her son's community.

[edit] St. Patrick

When St. Patrick arrived in Ireland, Abbot Kieran gave him his glad assistance. Some writers say that Kieran was then already a bishop, having been ordained while on the continent. It seems more likely, however, that he was one of the twelve men that Patrick, on his arrival, consecrated as helpers. He became the first bishop of Ossory.

[edit] Miracles

Legends attribute remarkable miracles to Kieran.[5] It is claimed he restored to life several of those who had died, and there are charming tales of his relations with the animal kingdom.

[edit] References

  1. ^ St. Kieran - Catholic Online
  2. ^ Gratton-Flood, W.H. (March 1, 1907), The Twelve Apostles of Erin, vol. I, New York: Robert Appleton Company, <http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01632a.htm>. Retrieved on 9 February 2008 
  3. ^ Life of St. Kieran
  4. ^ [1]
  5. ^ [2]. [3]The Justice went to Athlone, with the intention of sending his brothers to Limerick, Waterford, and Wexford, that he himself might reside in Dublin and Athlone (alternately); but it happened, through the miracles of God, St. Peter, and St. Kieran, that some of the stones of the castle of Athlone fell upon his head, and killed on the spot Richard Tuite, with his priest and some of his people, along with him. [4]As to Cathal Carragh, King of Connaught, he assembled his forces, and marched against this army, and arrived at Guirtin Cuil luachra, in the vicinity of the monastery. They remained confronting each other for a week, during which daily skirmishes took place between them. At the end of this time Cathal Carragh went forth to view a contest; but a body of his people being violently driven towards him, he became involved in the crowd, and was killed. This happened through the miracles of God and St. Kieran.

[edit] Bibliography

  1. Gratton-Flood, W.H. (March 1, 1907), The Twelve Apostles of Erin, vol. I, New York: Robert Appleton Company, <http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01632a.htm>. Retrieved on 9 February 2008 .

[edit] External links

v • d • e
Twelve Apostles of Ireland
Finnian of Clonard
Ciarán of Saighir · Ciarán of Clonmacnoise · Brendan of Birr · Brendan of Clonfert · Columba of Terryglass · Columba of Iona
Mobhí of Glasnevin · Ruadhan of Lorrha · Senan of Iniscathay · Ninnidh the Saintly of Loch Erne · Lasserian mac Nadfraech · Cainnech of Aghaboe
Persondata
NAME Ciarán Saighir
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Kieran Saighir, Kevin the Elder, Saint Kieran
SHORT DESCRIPTION An early Irish Bishop
DATE OF BIRTH
PLACE OF BIRTH
DATE OF DEATH
PLACE OF DEATH