Ireland has long been known as the island of saints and scholars - and it has even been suggested that it was the Irish that saved civilization when Rome crumbled. And while most of the Irish saints were never canonized and are barely remembered, some even today manage to stick out.
When traveling through Ireland you will encounter saints, either in placenames, in effigy or even face-to-face. Which might be a slightly disturbing experience, considering that all have been dead a long time.
Saint Patrick (Padraig)
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Saint Patrick, Patron Saint of Ireland, has been credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland - single-handedly. While this almost certainly is not true, he was influential in his mission of the northern half of the island. Traditionally 432 is seen as the start of his mission.
Patrick's feast-day is March 17th, Saint Patrick's Day.
Places connected to Patrick worth seeking out are numerous, it might be worth considering a tour in Saint Patrick's Footsteps.
Saint Brigid (Bride, Briege, Brighid)
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Sometimes called the "Mary of the Gael", Bridget was converted by Patrick, dedicated herself to a religious life and became both abbess and bishop in the process. On the other hand there was a pagan goddess called Bridget before - and elements of the cult of Saint Bridget bear definite pre-Christian tones.
Bridget's feast-day is February 1st, the ancient pagan feast of Imbolc.
While Bridget is very popular all over Ireland, the center of worship is in Kildare.
Saint Brendan
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This saint might well be called the doyen of Irish migrants - as abbott he packed a small number of associates into a boat and set out west. Whether he actually reached American shores is debateable. The work detailing his travels might be an allegory. Then again Tim Severin proved that the journey was possible.
Brendan's feast-day is May 16th.
The spot to visit is Brendan's reputed starting point - near Mount Brandon on the Dingle Peninsula in Kerry.
Saint Fiachra
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A hermit from the 7th century, Fiachra went from Ireland to France and was granted some land by Saint Faro near Meaux. Building his hermitage and then living a live in contemplation, shunning above all female companionship, seems to have been Fiachra's main occupation. But he soon acquired fame as a healer, especially for venereal diseases and haemorrhoids - at the same time becoming patron saint of gardeners and taxi drivers.
Fiachra's feast day is September 1st.
The center of the cult of Saint Fiachra is in France, but the charming Saint Fiachra's Gardens in the Irish National Stud (Kildare) are a fitting memorial.
Saint Columba (Colmcille)
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A pan-Celtic saint, Columba (not to be confused with Columban) is revered in Ireland and Scotland. Starting his career in his native Donegal, he founded monasteries in Derry, Durrow and finally Iona. Bringing Irish spirituality into the east, so to say.
Columba's feast-day is June 9th.
Glencolumcille in County Donegal is most closely associated with Columba, though the most charming statue of him stands (or rather squats) at Drumcliff in County Sligo.
Saint Valentine
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We do not know a lot about Valentine - there are several contenders for the title of martyr with this name.
Confusingly enough they also share the same feast-day, February 14th - Valentine's Day.
While it is unexplained how Valentine became known as the patron saint of lovers, it is easy to trace his Irish connection. The relics of the saint were presented to the Carmelites in the 19th century, to be used in a shrine in Dublin. So, like Saint Patrick, he is a "blow-in". But his shrine in the Whitefriar Street Carmelite Church in Dublin is well worth a visit!
Saint Kevin
"God ... give me patience!" Kevin certainly got his share, managing to lose himself in contemplation in the most unlikely (and uncomfortable) places. To the extent that a bird started to build a nest in the saint's outstretched hand once. And true to form Kevin did not move until the eggs were laid, hatched and the little birds were old enough to fly away.
Kevin's feast-day is June 3rd.
The one place most closely associated with Saint Kevin is the monastic settlement of Glendalough in County Wicklow.
Saint Laurence O'Toole (Lorcan ua Tuathail)
Laurence was born into Leinster nobility, became a monk at Glendalough and then Archbishop of Dublin. During his tenure the Anglo-Norman conquest of Ireland began, dragging him into politics. Becoming Papal legate in 1179 drew the anger of English king Henry II, leading to a temporary ban to enter his home country - resulting in his death in exile at Eu (France).
Laurence O'Toole's feast-day is November 14th.
As Laurence's heart was Irish through and through it is only fitting that this part of him was brought home posthumously ... it is still on display in Dublin's Christ Church Cathedral.
Saint Oliver Plunkett
Born in 1625 in Meath, Plunkett went to Rome and was ordained as a priest in 1654, working directly for the papacy. A dozen years later he became Archbishop of Armagh, went back to Ireland and got caught up in Titus Oates' (non-existent) "popish plot". Convicted as a traitor in London he was hanged, disembowelled and quartered - which partly explains why his remains are in several places today.
His feast day is the day of his execution - July 1st (or July 11th in the reformed calendar).
The head of Saint Oliver Plunkett is on display in Drogheda, a thighbone can be found in the church of Oldcastle (County Meath) - near the old Plunkett family church at Loughcrew Gardens.
