This is a list of the saints of Ireland, which attempts to give an overview of saints from Ireland or venerated in Ireland. The vast majority of these saints lived during the 4th–10th centuries, the period of early Christian Ireland, when Celtic Christianity produced many missionaries to Great Britain and the European continent. The exact number of Irish saints is not known but the Martyrology of Donegal lists 1000 saints, male and female.[1] For this reason, Ireland in a 19th-century adage is described as "the land of saints and scholars".[2]
Christianity was introduced into Ireland toward the end of the 4th century. The details of the introduction are obscure, though the strict ascetic nature of monasticism in Ireland is said to be derived from the practices of the Desert Fathers. Although there were some Christians in Ireland before Patrick, who was a native of Roman Britain, he played a significant role in its full Christianisation.
After 1000, the process of recognizing saints was formalized, after which fewer people were named saints. Those canonized in the modern era include Oliver Plunkett (d. 1681, canonized 1975 by Pope Paul VI) and Charles of Mount Argus (d. 1893, canonized in 2007 by Pope Benedict XVI).
Veneration
The medieval Irish saints were venerated locally in the areas in which they lived or established churches. With the Viking invasions, Irish churches were frequently ransacked and saints' relics and shrines were often destroyed.[3][4]
In 1902, Pope Leo XIII added a group of 25 medieval Irish male saints to the Roman Martyrology, giving them a greater significance to the majority of other Irish saints who were not officially canonised by the pope.[143] They are as follows:
Blessed Charles Meehan (Mahoney) (1640-1679), professed priest, Franciscan Friars Minor (Recollects), born in Ireland but included in the Martyrs of England and Wales
Blessed Dermot O'Hurley, Archbishop of Cashel, and 16 Companions, martyrs
Patrick O'Hely professed priest, Franciscan Friars Minor (Observants); bishop of Mayo
Conn O'Rourke, professed priest, Franciscan Friars Minor (Observants)
^Todd, James H., ed. (2007-07-25). The Martyrology Of Donegal: A Calendar Of The Saints Of Ireland. Translated by O'Donovan, John. Kessinger Publishing. ISBN 978-0-548-22367-3.
^ a bThe Monthly Packet of Evening Readings for Members of the English Church, Volume 3, John and Charles Mozley (1852), p. 215.
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^"The Annals of Kildare – Kildare Local History . ie". kildarelocalhistory.ie. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
^This column covers the religious houses which are strongly associated with the saint, e.g. because he or she was remembered or promoted as the founder and/or patron of a church. The modern name of the town or parish named after the church is given first, followed by the medieval Irish name where possible and by the county in which it is located today.
^Ó Riain, Pádraig. "Abbán". Dictionary of Irish Biography. Retrieved 2010-02-24.
^Costambeys, Marios (Sep 2004). "Abel (fl. 744–747)". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Vol. 1 (Jan 2010, online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/29. Retrieved 28 April 2010.
^Holweck, F. G., A Biographical Dictionary of the Saints, St. Louis, MO: B. Herder Book Co. 1924. p. 7
^"St. Adalgis". Catholic Online. Retrieved on 29 October 2009.
^"Adomnán of Coldingham", Saints in Scottish Place-Names
^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab acStalmans, Nathalie and T.M. Charles-Edwards, "Meath, saints of (act. c.400–c.900)"
^ a b c d e fDoherty, "Leinster, saints of (act. c.550–c.800)"
^"St. Aidan of Lindisfarne". Catholic Encyclopedia. Retrieved on 28 October 2009.
^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae afJohnston, "Munster, saints of (act. c.450–c.700)."
^O'Halloran, Wm., Early Irish History and Antiquities..., Chapter XI, 1916
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^"St. Andrew the Scot". Catholic Encyclopedia. Retrieved on 3 November 2009.
^"St. Assicus". Catholic Encyclopedia. Retrieved on 3 November 2009.
^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q rCharles-Edwards, "Ulster, saints of (act. c.400–c.650)."
^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t uCharles-Edwards, "Connacht, saints of (act. c.400–c.800)."
^Holweck, F. G., A Biographical Dictionary of the Saints, St. Louis, MO: B. Herder Book Co. 1924. p. 124
^ a b c d e fCharles-Edwards, "Iona, abbots of (act. 563–927)."
^Holweck, F. G., A Biographical Dictionary of the Saints, St. Louis, MO: B. Herder Book Co. 1924. p. 129
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^Thornton, David E. "Barinthus". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/1609. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
^ a b"St. Barrfoin". Catholic Online. Retrieved on 8 November 2009.
^"St. Bécán". Catholic Online. Retrieved on 8 November 2009.
^"St. Bega". Catholic Online. Retrieved on 28 October 2009.
^"St. Benignus". Catholic Encyclopedia. Retrieved on 8 November 2009.
^ a bJohnston, "Beoán (supp. fl. 1012x24)"
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^"St. Berach". Catholic Online. Retrieved on 13 November 2009.
^Bonner, Gerald; Rollason, David W.; Stancliffe, Clare (1989). St. Cuthbert, His Cult and His Community to AD 1200. Boydell & Brewer. ISBN 978-0-85115-610-1.
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^https://www.catholicnursesjoliet.org/2024/01/29/feast-of-st-blath-of-kildare-6/ "Feast of St. Blath of Kildare", Council of Catholic Nurses, Diocese of Joliet]
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^"St. Brendan". Catholic Online. Retrieved on 13 November 2009.
^"St. Briarch". Catholic Online. Retrieved on 13 November 2009.
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^John O'Donovan, 1839, cited in Peter Harbison, Pilgrimage in Ireland. The monuments and the People, 1991, p 91.
^O'Clery, Michael; O'Donovan, John; Reeves, William; Todd, James Henthorn (1864). The martyrology of Donegal : a calendar of the saints of Ireland. Oxford University. Dublin : Printed for the Irish Archaeological and Celtic Society by A. Thom.
^O'Clery, Michael; O'Donovan, John; Reeves, William; Todd, James Henthorn (1864). The martyrology of Donegal : a calendar of the saints of Ireland. Oxford University. Dublin : Printed for the Irish Archaeological and Celtic Society by A. Thom.
^"Caemh (or Caoimhe) from the McClintock and Strong Biblical Cyclopedia". McClintock and Strong Biblical Cyclopedia Online. Retrieved 2024-02-06.
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^O'Clery, Michael; O'Donovan, John; Reeves, William; Todd, James Henthorn (1864). The martyrology of Donegal : a calendar of the saints of Ireland. Oxford University. Dublin : Printed for the Irish Archaeological and Celtic Society by A. Thom.
^Flanagan, "Cellach (1080–1129)"
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^O'Clery, Michael; O'Donovan, John; Reeves, William; Todd, James Henthorn (1864). The martyrology of Donegal : a calendar of the saints of Ireland. Oxford University. Dublin : Printed for the Irish Archaeological and Celtic Society by A. Thom.
^Marcella. "Saint Colman the Thirsty, March 5". Retrieved 2023-03-22.
^Murray, Henry. "Saint Colman of Dromore", Dromore Historical Journal, Dromore and District Local Historical Group, 1992
^"Comnat (Comnatan, or Connat) from the McClintock and Strong Biblical Cyclopedia". McClintock and Strong Biblical Cyclopedia Online. Retrieved 2023-03-22.
^O'Clery, Michael; O'Donovan, John; Reeves, William; Todd, James Henthorn (1864). The martyrology of Donegal : a calendar of the saints of Ireland. Oxford University. Dublin : Printed for the Irish Archaeological and Celtic Society by A. Thom.
^O'Clery, Michael; O'Donovan, John; Reeves, William; Todd, James Henthorn (1864). The martyrology of Donegal : a calendar of the saints of Ireland. Oxford University. Dublin : Printed for the Irish Archaeological and Celtic Society by A. Thom.
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^Notes on the Place Names of the Parishes and Townlands of the County of Londonderry, 1925, Alfred Moore Munn, Clerk of the Crown and Peace of the City and County of Londonderry
^MacNeill, The festival of Lughnasa, p. 611
^"Saints Mary and Martha Orthodox Monastery, SC". www.saintsmaryandmarthaorthodoxmonastery.org. Retrieved 2023-08-14.
^Lives of the Irish Saints, O Hanlon (Pg.299)
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^Butler, Alban (1821), The lives of the fathers, martyrs, and other principal saints, p. 320, retrieved 2021-07-22
^Johnston, "Fiachra"
^O'Clery, Michael; O'Donovan, John; Reeves, William; Todd, James Henthorn (1864). The martyrology of Donegal : a calendar of the saints of Ireland. Oxford University. Dublin : Printed for the Irish Archaeological and Celtic Society by A. Thom.
^O'Clery, Michael; O'Donovan, John; Reeves, William; Todd, James Henthorn (1864). The martyrology of Donegal : a calendar of the saints of Ireland. Oxford University. Dublin : Printed for the Irish Archaeological and Celtic Society by A. Thom.
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^Martyrology of Oengus,page 425
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^O'Clery, Michael; O'Donovan, John; Reeves, William; Todd, James Henthorn (1864). The martyrology of Donegal : a calendar of the saints of Ireland. Oxford University. Dublin : Printed for the Irish Archaeological and Celtic Society by A. Thom.
^Hoffstot, Daryln (1 August 1999). "Where Legends Outnumber People". The New York Times. Retrieved 1 September 2010.
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^O'Clery, Michael; O'Donovan, John; Reeves, William; Todd, James Henthorn (1864). The martyrology of Donegal : a calendar of the saints of Ireland. Oxford University. Dublin : Printed for the Irish Archaeological and Celtic Society by A. Thom.
^O'Clery, Michael; O'Donovan, John; Reeves, William; Todd, James Henthorn (1864). The martyrology of Donegal : a calendar of the saints of Ireland. Oxford University. Dublin : Printed for the Irish Archaeological and Celtic Society by A. Thom.
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Sources
Charles-Edwards, T. M. (Jan 2007) [Sept 2004]. "Connacht, saints of (act. c.400–c.800)". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (Online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/51012. Retrieved 14 December 2008. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
Charles-Edwards, T. M. (Sep 2004). "Iona, abbots of (act. 563–927)". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/51141. Retrieved 9 February 2009. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
Charles-Edwards, T. M. (2004). "Brigit (439/452–524/526)". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Vol. 1 (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/3427. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
Charles-Edwards, T. M. (Jan 2007) [Sept 2004]. "Ulster, saints of (act. c.400–c.650)". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/51011. Retrieved 14 December 2008. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
Doherty, Charles (2004). "Leinster, saints of (act. c.550–c.800)". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/51009. Retrieved 9 February 2009. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
Flanagan, M. T. (2004). "Cellach (1080–1129)". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/4992. Retrieved 2011-02-16. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
Johnston, Elva (May 2008) [Sept 2004]. "Munster, saints of (act. c.450–c.700)". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Vol. 1 (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/51008. Retrieved 14 December 2008. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
Johnston, Elva (2004), "Beoán (supp. fl. 1012x24)", Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (Online ed.), Oxford University Press, retrieved 2011-02-16
Johnston, Elva (2004). "Fiachra (fl. mid-7th cent.)". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Vol. 1 (Online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/9378. Retrieved 2011-02-16. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
Johnston, Elva (2004). "Mo Ling (d. 697)". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (Online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/7007. Retrieved 2011-02-16. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
Kenney, James F. (1966) [1929], The sources for the early history of Ireland: ecclesiastical (revised ed.), New York{{citation}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
MacNeill, Máire (1962). The Festival of Lughnasa: A Study of the Survival of the Celtic Festival of the Beginning of Harvest. London: Oxford University Press.
Ní Dhonnchadha, Máirín (2004). "Adomnán [St Adomnán] (627/8?–704)". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/110. Retrieved 2011-02-16. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
Stalmans, Nathalie; Charles-Edwards, T. M. (May 2007) [Sept 2004]. "Meath, saints of (act. c.400–c.900)". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Vol. 1 (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/51010. Retrieved 14 December 2008. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
"Under the Oak: Irish Saints of September". Under the Oak. Retrieved 22 August 2012.
Further reading
Plummer, Charles (1925), "A tentative catalogue of Irish hagiography", Miscellanea Hagiographica Hibernica, Subsidia Hagiographica 15, Brussels, pp. 171–285{{citation}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
Ó Muraile, Nollaig (2004–2005), "Index of the saints of Ireland", Dubhaltach MacFhirbhisigh: Great Book of Irish Genealogies, vol. 3, Dublin: De Burca, pp. 236–243
Ó Riain, Pádraig (2011), A Dictionary of Irish Saints, Dublin: Four Courts Press, ISBN 978-1-84682-318-3
External links
Look up naomh in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.
Ancient Order of Hibernians — complete list of Ireland's saints