The feast of Saint Odran is celebrated on February 19. He was a disciple of St Patrick and his chariot driver. St Odran was the first Christian martyr in Irish history and the only martyr during the time of St Patrick....
Early Christian Period of Ireland
The Book of Kells
The Book of Kells is located at the Trinity College in Dublin and it is open for public visits, most times. The Book of Kells contains the four Gospels of the Christian scriptures written in black, red, purple, and...
Ray Church is Founded
Just outside Falcarragh village in the parish of Raymunterdoney, Donegal, the ruins of Ray church can be found. Located beside the River Ray the ruins contain a large High Cross. It was also the site of a massacre by...
Cooley Monastery & High Cross
Cooley monastery is located in a small field outside of Moville town in County Donegal. Its a site of important historical significance and what looks to be an old graveyard, it's actually one of the earliest monastic...
Monasteries In Ireland
In Ireland, there are monasteries dotted all over the island, some lay ruins and some still in use. When Christianity was first introduced into Ireland the construction of monasteries followed. These new Irish monasteries, built in the 6th century, would play...
St Columba (Colmcille) of Iona
St Columba also is known as Colmcille was born on the 7th December 521 in Gartan, Ulster (in today's County Donegal). His father, Phelim McFergus, was a great-grandson of Niall of the Nine hostages and his mother, Eithne, was from a noble family of Leinster. Early...
Saint Finnian of Clonard
Saint Finnian of Clonard, who also goes by,'Cluain Eraird', or Finian, 'Fionáin'. In Irish, he was one of the early monastic saints. He lived from around 470-549. He may have been born at Myshall, County Carlow. St Finnian's early life At an early age he was...
St Brendan The Navigator
St Brendan of Clonfert or in Irish; Naomh Breandán, is known as "the Navigator", "the Voyager", or "the Bold" and is one of the early Irish monastic saints and was one of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland. He is chiefly renowned for his legendary quest to the "Isle of...
Saint Brigid of Ireland
St Brigid of Ireland, also known as St Brigid of Kildare, was born on 453 AD and died aged 70. St Brigid's feast day is celebrated on February 1, the first day of spring coincides with the pagan festival of Imbolc. In Christian teachings, Brigid was an Irish nun,...
Saint Enda of Aran
St Enda of Arran, also known as Eanna, Enda of Arranmore, Endeus or Enna, is an Irish Saint of the Roman Catholic Church. Historical Researchers are unsure of his birth date, it is widely believed that he was born in Meath, Ireland. He died around 530 of natural...
St Patrick - Patron Saint of Ireland
St Patrick is a Patron Saint of Ireland. His feast day is celebrated on March 17th, his traditional date of death. Even though St Patrick wasn't Irish, his feast day is celebrated all over the world as an Irish cultural event. Who was St Patrick? Patrick (Patricius in...
Saint Palladius - First Bishop of Ireland
Palladius was known to have been married and have a young daughter and may have come from a noble family of Gaul. He is described as a friend and younger kinsman by Namatianus. He lived in Rome between 418-429 and appears to be the “Deacon Palladius” responsible for...
Saints Of Ireland
Ireland is known as the land of Saints and Scholars due to the many Saints and Scholars it actually produced. When Christianity flourished among the Celts and Irish in Ireland a monastic movement had been created. Churches and monasteries were being built around...
Christianity Arrives In Ireland
The Early Christian period in Irish history was between 400AD – 800AD. The first Christians to arrive in Ireland most likely traveled from Britain and Gaul (France). There is no written historical records for the beginning of the early Christian period in Ireland....