Friday 17 May 2013

Saint Fionnchan of Druim-Eanaigh, May 17


The Irish calendars record the commemoration of a saintly Bishop Fionnchan on May 17. Canon O'Hanlon gives the following account of him in his Lives of The Irish Saints, Volume 5:

ST. FIONNCHAN, BISHOP OF DRUIM-EANAIGH AND OF DRUIM-FESS.
[SIXTH CENTURY.]

Little more is known regarding this holy Prelate, than his having flourished at an early date, in the Irish Church. We find, both in the Franciscan and in the published Martyrology of Tallagh, Finnchan of Droma Enaigh. He is commemorated, by Marianus O'Gorman, and he is said to have flourished in the sixth century, having been a synchronus with St. Colman Elo, who was himself contemporaneous with the great St. Columkille. Under the head of Druim Eanuigh, Duald Mac Firbis enters Fionnchan. Bishop, at May the 17th. Again, do we find the same writer calling his place Druim Fes, or Fesi. This form of an Irish local name has not been identified, no more than the former etymon. The Bollandists place Findchanus. Bishop of Druim-Enaich, at the 17th of May; but, they are at a loss to find any particulars regarding him, and deserving of insertion. This day, likewise, the Martyrology of Donegal records the name of Fionnchan, Bishop, of Druim-eanaigh, and of Druim-fess, as having been venerated.

Content Copyright © Omnium Sanctorum Hiberniae 2012-2015. All rights reserved.

No comments: