Saint Inan

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Saint Inan (Evan) was the patron saint of Irvine, Ayrshire, Scotland where he resided during the 9th-century AD. His holy well still exists in the Kirk Vennel beside the Old Parish kirk, near the River Irvine. He is reputed to have come from Iona[1]

Contents

[edit] History

Beith Kirk in 1876, built on the site of Saint Inan's chapel.
Beith Kirk in 1876, built on the site of Saint Inan's chapel.
The Rocking Stone at Cuff Hill.
The Rocking Stone at Cuff Hill.

Although he is said to have been a hermit,[2]according to tradition St. Innan often visited the nearby town of Beith, frequenting Cuff Hill with its Rocking stone and various other prehistoric monuments. A cleft in the west-front of Cuff hill is still known as 'St. Inan's Chair' and said to have been used by the saint as a pulpit.[3] and a crystal clear holy well existed nearby,[4] now sadly covered over (2006). An unsuccessful search for the saint's writings which were said to be preserved in the library of Bonci, Archbishop of Pisa was made by Colonel Mure of Caldwell in the 19th-century.[5]

[edit] The Holy well and chapel

Irvine circa 1870. The Old parish kirk, manse and site of Saint Inan's well (where the two figures are standing on the right bank below the kirk).
Irvine circa 1870. The Old parish kirk, manse and site of Saint Inan's well (where the two figures are standing on the right bank below the kirk).
[6]

The well is also known as St Mary's or the chapel Well.[7] It is situated at Grid reference NS 3226 3851. It lies close to what was probably a chapel dedicated to St Mary. Above the opening is a small stone plaque stating 'St Inan's Well AD 839-1921'.

Saint Inan's Well near the Old Parish kirk. Dated 839 AD.
Saint Inan's Well near the Old Parish kirk. Dated 839 AD.

Saint Inan's chapel stood on the site of the old church in Beith.[8]

A Saint Inan's well once existed in Fullarton, south of the present harbour.[9]

[edit] Variations in the name

His name has several recorded spellings, such as Innan, Inin, Innen, Enen, Ennen and latterly Annan, Anan, Tinnan or even Tennant.[4] He is remembered in local names such as Southannan, near Fairlie.

[edit] Tennant's day

Beith's annual fair, called Tennant's or Saint Tinnan's Day, was previously on the saint's day, 18th August.[3] It is now held in June.[10] In ancient times the fair is said to have been held on Cuff Hill. It was famous for its show and sale of horses.[11]

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Beith parish
  2. ^ Scottish Saints
  3. ^ a b Smith, John (1895). Prehistoric Man in Ayrshire. Pub. Elliot Stock. P. 83.
  4. ^ a b Dobie, James (1876) Cunninghame topographised by Timothy Pont Pub. John Tweed, Glasgow. P. 324.
  5. ^ Dobie, James (1876) Cunninghame topographised by Timothy Pont Pub. John Tweed, Glasgow. P. 41.
  6. ^ Wilson, Professor.(1870) The Works of Robert Burns, Pub. Blackie & son. London.
  7. ^ The RCAHMS's Canmore Website. Retrieved on 2007-09-28.
  8. ^ Paterson, James (1866) History of the Counties of Ayr and Wigton. Vol III.-Cuninghame. Pub. James Stillie, Edinbirgh. P. 65.
  9. ^ Strawhorn, John (1985). The History of Irvine. Pub. John Donald. ISBN 0-85976-140-1. P. 4.
  10. ^ Beith on Line
  11. ^ Dobie, James (1876) Cunninghame topographised by Timothy Pont Pub. John Tweed, Glasgow. P. 324.

[edit] External links