THE IRISH CALENDAR IN JANUARY

3rd St Munchin (Mainchin) is the patron saint of the diocese of Limerick . He is known only from Dalcassian genealogies and seems to have been born in Dal Cais, where a parish and old graveyard Cell Mainchin (Kilmanaheen) existed. In the 7th century he was granted Inis Sibtonn (Ibton) in the tidal waters of Limerick , in the region of which he funded a church and had a thriving religious community.

5th ( Dublin ): Blessed Charles of St Andrew. John Andrew Houben took vows as a Passionist in 1846, and came to Mount Argus in 1857, and it was there he spent most of his priestly life. His ministry in the confessional was renowned and the poor of Dublin found in him a strong support. He died on the 5th January, 1893 ,

15th St Ita was born in Co Waterford of noble and Christian parents. Early on she set her mind on serving Christ in religious life. She founded a monastery in Killeedy, Co Limerick , which attracted a great variety of young people. She was given the title 'foster-mother of the saints of Ireland '. She died in 570,

16th St Fursa was born in Ireland and became one of the great monastic missionaries abroad. He went first with his brothers Foillan and Ultan to live the monastic life in East Anglia . But as great numbers continued to visit him there he left Foillan as abbot and sought refuge in France around 644. A patron gave him a hermitage at Lagny on the Marne . He died about 650 at Mezerolles while on a journey. His body was buried in Peronne, which became a great centre of devotion to him.

30th St Aidan or Maedoc (Mogue) was born around 550, probably in Co Cavan. Aidan studied under David in Wales , and on his return he founded a monastery at Ferns. He became bishop there and was renowned for his generosity and kindness, He died in 626 and his Lives testify to his popularity both in Cavan and in Ferns.

30th ( Dublin ): BI Margaret Ball was imprisoned for teaching Catholicism, harbouring priests and having Mass celebrated in her home. The harsh conditions of Dublin Castle wore down this old lady of gentle birth, and she died there in 1584. BI Francis Taylor was born in Swords, Co Dublin and was elected Mayor of Dublin in 1595. For his Catholic faith he was put in prison for seven years and died of the hardships suffered there on 30 January 1621 at the age of 70.

THE IRISH CALENDAR IN FEBRUARY

1st St Brigid is renowned for her hospitality, almsgiving and care of the sick. She was born c. 454. When she was young her father wished to make a very suitable marriage for her but she insisted in consecrating her virginity to God. She received the veil and spiritual formation probably from St Mel and stayed for a period under his direction in Ardagh. Others followed her example and this led her to found a double monastery in Kildare with the assistance of Bishop Conleth. She died in 524 and her cult is widespread not only throughout Ireland but in several European lands.

7th St Mel died in 488. He is said to have been a Briton who came to Ireland with Patrick, with whom he worked until he was ordained in Ardagh. He is one of the earliest Irish saints and gave the religious veil to Brigid.

11th St Gobnait is one of the best loved saints in West Cork but only traditions concerning her life survive. The main part of her life was spent in Ballyvourney, Co Cork where there has always been a deep devotion to her, and which is a place of pilgrimage on this day and on Pentecost. Her gifts of caring for and curing the sick have been a significant part of her cult through the centuries. Happily her memorial coincides with the World Day for the Sick.

17th St Fintan was born in Leinster . He received his religious formation in Terryglass, Co Tipperary under the abbot Colum, and was deeply influenced by his penitential practices and the severity of the Rule. Fintan made his own foundation in f=lonenagh, Co Laois. He died in 603.

THE IRISH CALENDAR IN MARCH

1st St David is the patron saint of Wales , where he was an abbot and bishop in the 6th century. Several Irish saints were his pupils and he seems to have influenced monastic development in Ireland . He died around 601.

5th St Kieran. Kieran of Saigir was born in Cape Clear, Co Cork . He is numbered among the pre-Patrician saints of Ireland . He went to the Continent, where he was baptised and later ordained priest and bishop. He returned to his father's territory, Ossory, and seems to have lived as a hermit. Disciples soon joined him and Saigir became a well-known monastery.

8th St Senan was born near Kilrush, Co Clare. His family were prosperous farmers. Hs vocation seems to have resulted from an experience of danger from the sea. His early studies were mainly made at the monastery of Kilnamanagh. His principal monastic foundation was on Scatter)' Island , near Kilrush, in the Shannon Estuary. He was anamchara to Ciaran of Clonmacnois and Brendan, and died in 544.

11th St Aengus (Oengus) was a monk in Clonenagh, Co Laois, who came to the monastery at Tallaght at the end of the 8th century during the abbacy of Maelruain to spend a period under his direction. He was renowned for his devotion to both foreign and native saints and composed two martyrologies. He returned to Clonenagh, where he became abbot and bishop. He died around 830.

17th St Patrick was born very probably in the early years of the 5th century in Britain . He was taken captive at the age of 16 and brought to Ireland where he worked as a slave. His captivity had a very positive effect on his spiritual life. He escaped back home at the age of 22. It was obvious to him that God was calling him to return to convert the Irish. He studied probably in France , returned to Ireland c. 457-61 and made a tremendous number of converts. He died in 491.

21st St Enda is considered to be one of the three great late vocations (athlaech) of Ireland . His sister, Faenche, a nun, set his thoughts on a religious vocation. He made a small foundation in Cell Aine, Co. Louth and, after studies in Scotland under Ninian, made several foundations in the Boyne valley. On Faenche's urging he went to Aran. He died probably in 520 and is considered as one of the early models of ascetic monastic ism in Ireland .

24th St Macartan belongs to a very early generation of saints in Ireland and is recognised as the first Bishop of Clog her. He is known as Patrick's 'Strong Man' for his dedication and faithfulness.

THE IRISH CALENDAR IN APRIL

1st St Ceallach (Celsus) was born in 1080. He became abbot of Armagh in 1105 and was ordained priest. He was influenced by the reform then in progress in Munster . He presided at the synod of Rathbreasail in 1111. In 1129 on a visitation of Munster he died and is buried in Lismore in accordance with his own request.

18th St Laserian (Malaise) worked in both Ireland and Scotland in the 7th century and later entered the monastery at Leighlin, where he became abbot. His monastery thrived and gave its name to the diocese established in 1110. He adapted church discipline in accordance with the practices of Rome and introduced the Roman method of dating the celebration of Easter. Laserian died in 639.

27th St Asicus was St Patrick's expert craftsman in metal work and accompanied him on his journeys. He was left in charge of the church in Elphin which Patrick is said to have founded.

THE IRISH CALENDAR IN MAY

4th St Conleth is believed to have come from the Wicklow area. While living as a hermit he was persuaded by Brigid to act as priest for her community in Kildare. He was venerated as a great saint and Cogitosus in his Life of Brigid calls him bishop and abbot of the monks of Kildare. He was buried beside Brigid in the great church there.

5th BI Edmund Ignatius Rice (1762-1844) came from Callan, Co Kilkenny. After his young wife s early death, he sold his possessions and dedicated his life to the education of the poor. To advance the work; he gathered other like-minded men who took religious vows together to work for the Catholic education of boys. He is a model of patient and cheerful acceptance of the sufferings God sends, a true lay apostle and a deeply committed religious.

10th St Congeal was born around 516 in Co Antrim. His father was a soldier and wished his son to follow in his steps but Comgall wished to become a soldier of Christ. He studied under Finnian of Moville and deepened his life of prayer to counteract his temptations to boredom and homesickness. He was persuaded to become a priest and then established a monastery at Bangor around 555-558, which attracted people like Columbanus. He also founded a monastery at Tiree in Scotland . He died alter a long illness at Pentecost 602 or 605.

15th St Carthage (or Mochuta) hailed from a rich family in Kerry. As he loved the chanting of the psalms the local king arranged for him to become a priest. Having spent a year possibly at Bangor he founded his own monastery at Rahan in 595. It grew rapidly. But opposition made him move southwards around 637. He, with hundreds of monks and their patients from the leper colony, finally arrived at Lismore, where he made a foundation. He died in 638.

16th St Brendan was a Kerryman who was born in 486. He studied at Clonard under Finnian. His name is connected with many places in Kerry such as Ardfert and Mount Brandon . He visited Scotland and reached the Hebrides and possibly areas beyond. He founded a monastery in Clonfert in 568 and died there in 578.

THE IRISH CALENDAR IN JUNE

3rd St Kevin was a native of Leinster and grew up in Kilnamanagh, where he received his early religious formation. Wishing to be a hermit, he crossed the mountains to Glendalough and settled in Disert Caoimhghin at the foot of the upper lake. But disciples began to gather round him. Gradually the great monastic settlement grew, and spread through the glen after his death in 618.

6th St Jarlath is said to have been a disciple of St Enda, and was taught also by St Benignus. He became abbot-bishop of the monastery he founded at Tuam in the 6th century.

7th St Carman (Mocholmoc) of Dromore, Co Down seems to have spent most of his life in that area. Possibly he studied under Caetan of Nendrom, Co Down and was persuaded by St Mac Nissi to settle at Dromore c. 514.

9th St Calumba, also known as Colum Cille was born in Gartan, Co Donegal in 521 and was of royal lineage. He studied under St Finnian of Moville and St Finnian of Clonard. He founded monasteries in Derry, Durrow, Iona and possibly Kells. He left Ireland , either for penance or to be a pilgrim for Christ, but Iona became his principal foundation. From it missionaries undertook the conversion of Northumbria . Colum Cille is noted for his great love for people and for all living creatures. He died 9 June 597 .

14th St Davnet seems to have lived and died at Tydavnet at Sliabh Beagh, Co Monaghan. Tradition speaks of Saint Davnet as a virgin and she was also regarded as the founder of a church or monastery. A bachall (staff) said to have been hers has been preserved and in the past it was used as a test of truth.

20th Blessed Irish Martyrs. Seventeen Irish martyrs, men and women, cleric and lay, put to death for the Catholic faith between 1579 and 1654 were beatified by Pope John Paul 11 in 1992: Dermot Hurley, Archbishop of Cashel, hanged 20 June, 1584 at Hoggen Green. Conor O'Devany, Bishop of Down and Connor, hanged, drawn and quartered. Patrick O'Loughran, chaplain to the O'Neill family (native of Donaghmore and celebrated specially in Donaghmore and POMEROY Parishes, Armagh diocese) and Maurice McKenraghty, chaplain to the earl of Desmond, both hanged. Also hanged were Dominicans Terence O'Brien and Peter Higgins, Franciscans John Kearney, Patrick O'Healy and Conrad O'Rourke, Augustinian William Tirry, and a Jesuit lay brother, Dominic Collins. Lay people Francis Taylor, mayor of Dublin , and Margaret Bermingham died of ill-treatment: a baker, Matthew Lambert, and a group of sailors, Robert Meyler, Edward Cheevers and Patrick Cavanagh were hanged, drawn and quartered on 5 July 1581 . Six Catholics of Irish birth or connection executed for the faith in England had already been beatified in 1929 and 1987: John Roche (alias Neale), John (Terence) Carey, Patrick Salmon, John Cornelius (alias John Con or O'Mahoney), Charles Meehan, Ralph Corby (Corbington).

THE IRISH CALENDAR IN JULY

1st St Oliver Plunkett from Irish nobility whose family supported King Charles I. Ordained in Rome in 1654 he became a Professor of theology from 1654 through 1669. He was appointed Archbishop of Armagh in 1669. He was forced to conduct a covert ministry during the suppression of priests. He was arrested and tried at Dundalk in 1679 for conspiring against the state. It was seen that Oliver would never be convicted in Ireland , and he was moved to Newgate prison, London . St Oliver Plunkett was found guilty of high treason "for promoting the Catholic faith," and was condemned to a gruesome death. He was martyred 1 July 1681 at Tyburn, by hanging, disembowelling, quartering and beheading. He was the last Catholic to die for his faith at Tyburn, and the first of the Irish martyrs to be beatified. His body was initially buried in two tin boxes next to five Jesuits who had died before; his head is in St Peter's Church at Drogheda, Ireland; most of his body is at Downside Abbey, England; some relics in Ireland.

6th St Moninne of Killeavy was one of Ireland 's early women saints. After instruction on the religious life, she founded a community which consisted initially of eight virgins and a widow with a baby at Sliabh Gullion, Co Armagh . They lived an eremitical life, based on that of Elijah and St John the Baptist. Moninne died in 517 or 518.

7th St Maelruain (Maolruain), bishop and abbot, founded the monastery of Tallaght, Co Dublin in 774 which introduced a reform. Important liturgical and spiritual writings emerged from this movement known as Cell De reform. He died in 792.

8th St Killian was probably born in the parish of Mullagh in the diocese of Kilmore. With eleven companions he left Ireland and became known as the apostle of Thuringia and Eastern Franconia . With two others he was put to death c. 688. There is a very strong devotion to him in Wurtzburg, where his remains lie, and also throughout the Bavarian countryside.

24th St Declan is considered to be one of the pre-Patrician saints. He was of noble blood. Colman, a local priest, baptised him. Later he went to Europe to continue his studies where he was ordained priest and possibly bishop. He settled in Ardmore and evangelised the Decies country.

THE IRISH CALENDAR IN AUGUST 

9th St Nathy is said to have been born in the barony of Leyny, Co Sligo . He made a foundation in Achrony, where many students gathered to learn from him. He is buried in Achadh Cain.

9th St Felim was born probably in the 6th century in Breifne. He was a hermit near Kilmore, Co Cavan where he later founded a monastery. He is patron of Kilmore diocese.

12th St Muiredach was probably the founder of the church at Killala. He may also be the founder and patron of the monastery of Inishmurray off the Sligo coast.

12th St Attracta lived in the 6th or 7th century. Local tradition remembers her great healing powers. Her convents were famous for hospitality and charity to the poor.

12th St Lelia (Liadain) had a church at Kileely, near Thomand Bridge . She is said to have been baptised by St Patrick.

13th St Fachtna (also called Fachanan) founder of the monastery of Ross Carbery (Ross Ailithir). He died around 600. His monastery became the principal monastery of west Cork and later had a famous scripture school.

23rd St Eugene (Eoghan) lived in the 6th century and was said to have been taken by pirates to Britain . On obtaining his freedom he went to study at Candida Casa. Returning to Ireland he made a foundation at Kilnamanagh in the Wicklow hills, but his principal foundation was at Ardstraw (Ard Sratha), Co Tyrone.

30th St Fiacre was an Irishman who went abroad to seek a hermitage. He passed through Normandy and eventually met Faro, who was a great patron of Irish pilgrims at Meaux. Fiachre was given a hermitage near Breuil and there he stayed until his death around 670.

31st St Aidan of Lindisfarne was of Irish descent and was a monk of Iona . When Oswald, the exiled king of Northumbria who had fled for refuge to Iona , returned to his throne in 634, he invited Aidan to come to reconvert his people. Aidan made his headquarters at Lindisfarne . With the aid of the king as interpreter he was very successful in his mission. He died in 651.

THE IRISH CALENDAR IN SEPTEMBER

4th St Mac Nissi. Oengus Mac Nissi took his name from his mother Cnes or Ness . It is claimed that Patrick baptised him and taught him the psalms. He chose the district of Con nor for his hermitage, but later became bishop of his clan. He died early in the 6th century.

9th St Ciaran was born in Roscommon around 512. He came to Clonmacnois in January 545 where he founded a monastery which was to become one of the most renowned in Europe . He died at the age of 33 while the monastery was still being built.

12th St Ailbe is sometimes claimed as one of the pre-Patrician saints, but the annals note his death in 528. A tradition held that he went to Rome and was ordained bishop by the Pope. He founded the monastery of Emly which became very important in Munster . A 9th century Rule bears his name.

23rd St Eunan (Adomnan) was born in Donegal around 624 and died in 704. He became a monk in Iona and was chosen abbot there in 679. One of his writing is the life of Colum Cille.

25th St Finbarr came to Loch Irce (Gougane Barre) and probably lived there as a hermit. When disciples gathered round him he moved to Cork at the mouth of the Lee where he founded a monastery which became a famous centre of learning.

THE IRISH CALENDAR IN OCTOBER

3rd Bl. Calumba Marmion was born in Dublin in 1858 and ordained priest in Rome , in 1881. He served as curate in Dundrum Parish and then as professor in Holy Cross College, Clonliffe, before entering the Abbey of Maredsous, Belgium, in 1886. Elected Abbot of Maredsous in 1909, he remained in office up to the time of his death in 1923. He was the author of three best-selling spiritual classics: Christ, the Life of the Soul; Christ, in His Mysteries and Christ, the Ideal of the Monk. He was beatified in Rome on 1 September 2000 .

11th St Canice was born in Co Derry around 527 and died in 603. Though his people were poor he studied at Clonard under Finnian and at Glasnevin under Mobhi. A deep friendship developed between himself and Colum Cille, with whom he worked for a time in Scotland , where he set up a number of churches. In Ireland his principal foundation was in Aghaboe in Ossory, but this was replaced centuries later by his church in Kilkenny.

16th St Gall was a monk of Bangor and set out with Columbanus far the Continent. When Columbanus was exiled from France , Gall accompanied him to Bregenz on lake Con stance. When Columbanus crossed into Italy , Gall remained in Switzerland . He lived in a hermitage, which later became the monastery of St Gallen. He died around 630.

25th (Cloyne, Cork and Ross): BI Thaddeus MacCarthy was born in 1455. His appointment as Bishop of Ross was opposed and Innocent VIII then appointed him bishop of Cork and Cloyne. He set out as a humble pilgrim to Rome where he was confirmed as bishop of Cork and Cloyne. On his return journey in 1492 he died at Ivrea in Italy .

27th St Otteran, a descendant of Conall Gulban, is usually identified with Odhran who preceded Colum Cille in Iona . His death is recorded in 548 and his grave was greatly revered in Iona . He was chosen by the Vikings as patron of the city of Waterford in 1096 and later patron of the diocese.

29th St Col man hailed from Kilmacduagh, Co Galway , in the 7th century. After studying in Aran, where he founded two churches on Inis Mhor, he returned to make a foundation at Kilmacduagh.

31st (Cloyne): BI Dominic Collins was born around 1566 in the city of Youghal , Co Cork. In 1598, after a military career, he entered the Society of Jesus as a Brother. He returned to Ireland in 1601, but on 17 June 1602 he was captured by the English who tried in vain to make him abjure his faith. Condemned to death, he was hanged in his native city on 31st October 1602 .

THE IRISH CALENDAR IN NOVEMBER

3rd St Malachy was born near Armagh in 1094. He introduced the Cistercians and the Canons Regular into Ireland . He died at Clairvaux, in 1148.

6th All Saints of Ireland . "In the communion of saints, many and varied spiritualities have been developed throughout the history of the Churches... The different schools of Christian spirituality share in the living tradition of prayer and are essential guides for the faithful. In their rich diversity they are refractions of the one pure light of the Holy Spirit." CCC, 2684

7th St Willibrord was born in Northumbria in 658. He entered the Benedictine order and was sent to study. After ordination he was sent with eleven companions to evangelize Frisia. He established a mission at Utrecht and in 695 was ordained archbishop of Utrecht by Pope Sergius I. He founded a monastery at Echternach in Luxembourg in 700, where he died in 739.

14th St Laurence O'Toole became a monk and abbot of Glendalough. He was made Archbishop of Dublin in 1162. He returned to Ireland after the Third Lateran Council as papal legate in 1179. He died at Eu in Normandy seeking to make peace between Henry 11 and the Irish rulers in 1180.

23rd St Columban (also known as Columbanus) was born around 543. He became a monk of Bangor and later principal teacher there. Inn 591, desiring to "go on pilgrimage for Christ," he set out with 12 companions and came to Burgundy . He established monasteries at Annegray, Luxeuil and Fontaine according to the severe Irish rule. Later he founded Bregenz in Switzerland and his greatest foundation at Bobbio, where he died in 615. He is remembered as one of the greatest of the Irish missionary monks.

25th St Col man was born around 530, probably in West Cork . A bard by profession, he is reputed to have been influenced by St Brendan to become a priest, His apostolate was to East Cork and his main foundation was at Cloyne.

27th St Fergal (Virgil) lived first in France and then in Bavaria , where he founded the monastery of Chiemsee. He was appointed bishop of Salzburg around 754 and died in 784 leaving a reputation for learning and holiness.

THE IRISH CALENDAR IN DECEMBER

12th St Finnian studied in Idrone (Co Carlow) and later, in Wales and on his return he settled in Clonard, Co Meath, around 520, where he established a famous school. His pupils, among whom were Can ice, Colum Cille, and Brendan, were the initiators of the great monastic expansion in Ireland . He died in 549 and is remembered as the tutor of the saints of Ireland .

18th St Flannan lived in the 7th century and was the son of a king of Thomond. He entered Molua's monastery at Killaloe and seems to have become abbot there. He is remembered as a great preacher.

20th St Fachanan Although little is known with certainty about Fachanan, a strong tradition from early times links him with Kilfenora and records that he founded a church or monastery there in the 6th century. He is venerated as the patron of the diocese of Kilfenora, now part of Galway .