Senán of Iniscathy

Saint Senan of Inis Cathaigh
Born	488 Moylougha, Kilrush, County Clare, Ireland
Venerated in	Roman Catholic Church
Feast	March 8

Senán mac Geircinn (fl. 6th century) is a prominent Munster saint in Irish tradition, founder of Inis Cathaig (Scattery Island, Iniscathy) and patron of the Corco Baiscinn and the Uí Fhidgeinte. He is listed among the Twelve Apostles of Ireland.

He was born in 488 in a place once known as Moylougha, about four miles east of present-day Kilrush, County Clare, Ireland. According to the prose life, his mother entered labor while walking through the woods; when she grasped a tree branch for support, it is said to have blossomed to foretell the virtues of the saint. The translation of "Senan" from old Gaelic means "little old wise man." It is thought that Senan may have got his name from an earlier river god whose name gave rise to the river Shannon. He was a stepbrother of St. Conainne.

While still only a child, Senan began to practice and preach self-denial, once even reproving his mother for gathering blackberries. God, he reminded her, made time for abstinence as well as for eating. The boy promised his life to God after the miracle at the estuary, where a path opened for him and the cattle he was driving at high tide.

He studied under a monk, named Cassidus from whom he received the habit and tonsure of a monk. From him he learned sacred scriptures and the practices of the religious life. Cassidus sent him on to St. Natalis at Kilnamanagh, whereupon completion of his studies he was ordained a priest. He commenced his missionary career by founding a church near Enniscorthy, in 510 (or 512), and the parish is still known as Templeshannon (Teampul Senain).

Senan was well read and an exceptional traveller in such times, travelling to Britain (see the village of Senan in Cornwall), France (Plouzane in Brittany being translated as the town or church of Senan) and Rome. He returned to Ireland about 520. Studying in many monasteries in Ireland, including Glendalough and Kerry, he founded the abbey on Inishmore (or Deer) Island, leaving Saint Liberius to preside over it. About 534, he founded a monastery of five churches and a round tower on Inis Cathaigh or Scattery island in the bay on the estuary of the river Shannon just 3 km out from Kilrush. The rule of the monastery was extremely austere. Ciaran and Brendan, and other holy men, who had heard of his sanctity and miracles, visited him for spiritual guidance. Scattery Island became not only a famous abbey but the seat of a bishopric with Senan as its first bishop.

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