St. Kieran

There are several Irish saints named Kieran. The most famous is Kieran of Clonmacnoise. He is also called Ciaran Mac an Tsair “Ciaran son of the carpenter.” Kieran was born in 512 in County Roscommon. He was baptized and cared for by the Deacon Justus and later was taught by St. Finnian at Clonard; his classmates were other young men who with him would be called the Twelve Apostles of Ireland. St. Finnian greatly esteemed and trusted young Kieran and would have liked for him to have succeeded him at Clonard, but Kieran declined, feeling God had work for him elsewhere. While visiting with the holy man Enda, the two had a shared vision of “fruitful tree beside a stream.” Enda told Kieran that the tree was himself and that he should found a monastery beside a river. Kieran obeyed, founding Clonmacnoise on the Shannon River between Athlone and Banagher. He was given large grants of land by Diarmait, son of Cerball who later became High King of Ireland. The foundation of the monastery school was begun on January 23, 544 and the building was completed on May 9. Kieran did not live to govern his new foundation for long; he died of the plague the following September 9. Other well-known Irish saints with this name include St. Kieran of Seir-Kieran who lived in the fifth century and St. Kieran of Disert-Kieran who lived in the eighth century. There are also St. Kieran son of Colga and St. Kieran patron of Consost.