Cainnech of Aghaboe

Saint Cainnech of Aghaboe (515/16–600), also known as Saint Canice in Ireland, Saint Kenneth in Scotland, Saint Kenny and in Latin Saint Canicus, was an Irish abbot, monastic founder, priest and missionary during the early medieval period. Cainnech is one of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland and preached Christianity across Ireland and to the Picts in Scotland. He wrote a commentary on the Gospels, which for centuries was known as the Glas-Choinnigh or the Chain of Cainnech.

Most of what is written about Cainnech's life is based on tradition, however he was considered a man of virtue, great eloquence and learning. His feast day is commemorated on 11 October in the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church according to their respective calendars (Gregorian or Church Julian) with additional feast days on 1st or 14 August in the Eastern Orthodox Church.

Introduction

A lot of what is known of Cainnech comes from legend. However, he is documented by Saint Adomnán (also known as Eunan), the ninth abbot of Iona who died in 704. Adomnán was a hagiographer and his greatest work Vita Columbae or Life of St. Columba contains references to Cainnech.

Aghaboe

Aghaboe (Irish: Achadh Bhó, meaning "Ox's Field") is a hamlet in County Laois, Ireland. It is located on the R434 regional road in the rural hinterland west of the town of Abbeyleix.

It contains the ruins of the Abbey of Aghaboe which was founded by St. Canice in Ossory in the 6th century and, beside it, the Church of Ireland church of St. Canice. At some point before the Norman invasion of Ireland, Aghaboe Abbey succeeded Seirkieran as the principle episcopal seat in the Diocese of Ossory and in time, itself came to be succeeded by St. Canice's Cathedral in Kilkenny city, founded by the same saint. Aghaboe is famous as being the first seat of St. Feargal, bishop of Ossory, and who later traveled through Francia and became bishop of Salzburg, Austria.

See also

References