Finnian of Clonard

Finnian of Clonard
Statue of St. Finnian in Clonard
Teacher of the Saints of Ireland
Born	470 Myshall, County Carlow
Died	12 December 549(549-12-12)
Venerated in	Orthodox Church, including True Orthodox Church jurisdictions such as the Tikhonites, Roman Catholic Church
Major shrine	Clonard Abbey (destroyed)
Feast	12 December
Patronage	Diocese of Meath

Saint Finnian of Clonard ('Cluain Eraird') – also Finian, Fionán or Fionnán in Irish; or Vennianus and Vinniaus in its Latinised form (470–549) – was one of the early Irish monastic saints, who founded Clonard Abbey in modern-day County Meath. The Twelve Apostles of Ireland studied under him. Saint Finnian of Clonard (along with Saint Enda of Aran) is considered one of the fathers of Irish monasticism.

Finnian was born at Myshall, County Carlow towards the end of the fifth century and it is said his mother dreamt that all the birds of Ireland gathered as a portent of the holy life he would lead. His father was Rudraigh, an Ulster noble; his mother, Telach of Leinster. His birthplace is generally supposed to have been near the present town of New Ross. Saint Abban baptised Finnian, and at an early age he was placed under the care of Bishop Fortchern of Trim.

According to some sources, Finnian studied for a time at the monastic centre of Martin of Tours in Gaul. Tours was noted for its austerity. He later went to Wales and continued his studies at the monastery of Cadoc the Wise, at Llancarfan in Glamorganshire. He remained there for years, at prayer and study. Finnian made copies of Rome's classics and of St. Jerome's Vulgate.

After a sojourn in Wales of thirty years, according to the Codex Salmanticensis, he returned to his native land.

Finnian came first to Aghowle in County Wicklow at the foot of Sliabh Condala, where Oengus, the king of Leinster granted him a site. He then founded a monastic community on Skellig Michael, off the coast of Kerry. From there, he went to St Brigid's monastery at Kildare. Around 520, he was at last led by an angel to Cluain Eraird (Clonard, County Meath) on the River Boyne, which he was told would be the place of his resurrection.

At Clonard Finnian built a little cell and a church of clay and wattle, and entered on a life of study, mortification, and prayer. The fame of his learning and sanctity soon spread, and scholars of all ages flocked from every side to his monastic retreat. Finnian established a monastery modelled on the practices of Welsh monasteries, and based on the traditions of the Desert Fathers and the study of Scripture. The rule of Clonard was known for its strictness and asceticism.