Irish Saint of the Day

St. Cainnech (also known as St. Canice in Ireland or St. Kenneth in Scotland) was one of the early monastic missionary saints of Ireland. Son of a Bard, Cainnech was born in Dungiven around the year 525. He raised sheep early in life and later studied in a monastery with fellow saints Columba and Ciarán and Comgall. He left Ireland for Scotland with St. Columba and helped found the missionary monastery of Iona.

Not much is known about him, but in true Irish fashion, every hamlet has their story about him. One story about his missionary work in Scotland relates how King Brude of the pagan Scots attempted to kill Cainnech and so end his mission. At the prayer of the saint, the Kings arm was paralyzed and would not move until he was baptized. He died in Scotland around the year 600, and is still highly regarded in that country as well as his native land.

The town of Kilkenny is named after the saint due to the monastery, founded by the saint, that gave rise to the modern town named after the saint (Cill=Church + Cainnech=Church of St. Cainnech). The cathedral that marks the spot today was built in 1285, and is still very lovely, despite being desecrated by Oliver Cromwell (of hated and damnable reputation) and used to house his horses. Unfortunatly, as is the case with many of the ancient Irish cathedrals, the infidels still maintain ownership of the cathedral...someday we will get it back!