St. Kieran is one of St. Patrick’s most important followers, and he helped the great bishop evangelize Ireland. It is said that he was the first saint to be born in Ireland.

Before he was born, Kieran’s mother had a dream in which a star fell into her mouth. She took this dream to druid priests for interpretation, and they told her that she would bear a son who would be famous around the world for his virtue.

Kieran left Ireland to pursue an education in Rome. When he returned, he settled as a hermit in the mountains. Soon, others joined him there, and a small monastic community was formed. When Patrick arrived in Ireland, he asked Kieran to join him in his work, and ordained him bishop of Saighir (now Ossory).

Many folkloric miracles are attributed to Kieran—stories of him teaching wild animals, for example. Several accounts tell of him raising people from the dead. His image is used here with permission from Catholic.org.

St. Kieran, first born of the saints of Ireland, pray for us!