Saint Ciaran of Saighir

Ciaran or Kieran, Saint, of Saighir [Serkeiran in the King's County], the founder of the see of Ossory in the 5th century, is sometimes styled the "first-born of the saints of Ireland." He was born on Cape Clear Island, where he afterwards founded a church. He is said to have been one of St. Patrick's earliest disciples, and one of Saint Finnen's scholars; he established a monastic institution at Saighir. By some he is supposed to have died in Cornwall, and to have been identical with Saint Piran, whose little Church of Piranzabuloe was preserved intact for centuries covered with sand. His festival is the 15th of March.

Sources

119. Ecclesiastical History of Ireland: Rev. John Lanigan. 4 vols. Dublin, 1822.

179. Ireland before the Conquest: M. C. Ferguson. London, 1868.

234. Martyrology of Donegal: Edited by J. H. Todd, D.D., and William Reeves, D.D. (I.A.S.) Dublin, 1864.