> >KIERAN, or Piran, Abbot of Saigir (about A.D. 552)
> >
> >An Irish saint.
> >
>I protest this slighting (to say the least) reference to Kieran or Ciarán
>of Saigir (or Saighir) (aren't the Irish fun with names?) Here's an
>addendum---and certainly a correction on dating:
Hear, hear. I noticed that the Irish were rather underrepresented in
the very appreciated Interim Saints postings, and then to see this
weak entry on blessed Ciarán, well . . .
According to John Hogan, Ciarán founded "the first Christian Temple
ever raised in Ireland" on the site of Kyteler's Inn (Hogan is silent
on the irony). Does anyone else know anything of this claim? The
current proprietor was very surprised to learn of it, though she was
prevented from expanding the inn by the OPW as human remains of as
yet undetermined age were discovered in the rear of the courtyard
(which could have more to do with Alice's alleged nefarious
activities than Ciarán's saintly ones). I don't know when (or if)
excavations are planned.
I'd also be grateful for a reference for Ciarán's perpetual fire.
Maeve
>
>Ciarán of Saighir, Saint
>
>Ciarán, who has been called the "first-born of the saints of Ireland," is
>one of the mysterious Christian figures that were active in Ireland before
>the time of St. Patrick. According to a much later tradition, Ciarán
>received his belief and baptism directly from heaven, before the faith came
>to Ireland. He was then told in a vision to go to Rome to be baptized and
>study "under the abbot of Rome" (the pope). After 30 years in Rome, the
>saint was consecrated bishop and sent back to his homeland. According to
>some tales, he was consecrated as bishop after his return, by St. Patrick.
>The truth behind this legend is probably that Ciarán became a Christian
>after contact with foreign traders in Ireland, and went somewhere on the
>Continent for his studies.
> Upon his return to Ireland, Ciarán became a hermit at Seirkieran
>(Saighir) near Birr (Co. Offaly). Gradually he attracted disciples, and
>founded a monastery on the site, which may have been important in
>pre-Christian religion-there is said to have been a perpetual fire burning
>there for centuries, as at Kildare.
> There are many legends of Ciarán. He is presented as an Irish John
>the Baptist, retreating to the "desert" yet preparing the ground for his
>greater successor (Patrick). In his hermitage, the saint was attended by
>wild animals, over whom he had great influence. In fact, Ciarán's first
>monks were animals: a wild boar cleared the site for the monastery of
>Saighir with its tusks, as well as cutting and dragging timber; a badger, a
>wolf, and a fox soon joined them. In one tale, the fox suffered from
>temporary apostasy and stole Ciarán's shoes. Ciarán sent the badger to
>root the fox out of his lair and bring him back, then enjoined monastic
>penance on the fox for its bad behavior.
>
>Phyllis
>
>Phyllis G. Jestice
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