Cainnech of Aghaboe (515/16–600), also known as Saint Canice in Ireland, Saint Kenneth in Scotland, Saint Kenny and in Latin Sanctus 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 Kenneth's Lock 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 1 or 14 August in the Eastern Orthodox Church.

Introduction

thumb|130px|Depicted in stained glass, [[St Mary's Cathedral, Kilkenny]]

A lot of what is known of Cainnech comes from legend. However, he is documented by 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.

Cainnech's background

thumb|150px|left| Statue at St. Canice's Catholic Church, Kilkenny

Cainnech was born in 515 or 516, at Glengiven, near Dungiven in Ulster, the northern province in Ireland.

Cainnech's father Lughadh Leithdhearg was descended from the CorcoDalann or Ui Dalainn, a tribe whose ancestor, Dalann, is traced back to Fergus (King of Ulster), son of Ross, son of Rudhraighe. The Corco-Dalann were from an island referred to as "Insula Nuligi", and is usually identified with Inis-Doimhle or Inis-Uladh, which is now the Little Island, in the River Suir, south-east of Waterford.

Cainnech's mother was called Maul or Mella.

He left for Rome to obtain the blessing of the reigning pontiff. In 550 he returned to Glengiven, where he converted his foster brother, Geal-Breagach, who afterwards assisted him in founding Drumachose, in nearby Limavady.

Scotland

In 565 Cainnech joined Columba in Scotland, where he is known as Kenneth. Adamnan tells of the arrival of Cainnech, on Iona. Columba had a prophecy of a "certain holy and excellent man, who will arrive here among us before evening." According to Adamnan, God provided Cainnech with a safe and calm crossing, even though the sea was perilous and stormy that day. Columba received him that evening with all honour and hospitality. He built monastic cells on the island of Ibdon, possibly South Uist, and Eninis, an oratory called Lagan-Kenny on the shores of Loch Laggan (the remains of which are marked on the OS map), and a monastery in Fife on the banks of the Eden. The saint may have been an important saint in converting South Uist to Christianity. Cainnech's name is still recalled in the ruins of an ancient church, Kil-Chainnech on Tiree, in a burial ground, Kil-Chainnech, in Iona and Inch Kenneth off Mull.

Return to Ireland

Cainnech spent a good deal of his time in County Meath and Ossory in what is now County Laois. In Ossory, he had a good repute with the king, Colmann son of Feradach. Colman gave him grants of land including Aghaboe ("the field of the Ox") which became his principal monastery. Cainnech is also the patron saint of the shipwrecked.

  • St. Kenneth Church, Plymouth, Michigan
  • St Canice's Church and St Canice's School in Westport, New Zealand
  • St Canice's Church in Lockington, Victoria, Australia
  • Mount Saint Canice convent in Sandy Bay, Tasmania, Australia
  • Church of St. Canice, Kilkenny, Minnesota, US https://hredeemerparish.org/
  • St. Kenny NS, Kilpatrick, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, Ireland. https://www.stkenny.com/

Troparion of St Cainnech (tone 8)

This is a Troparion of St Cainnech. <br />

In honour thou dost rank with Ireland's Enlightener, <br />

O Lover of the Desert, Composer of sacred verse, <br />

Father of Monks and Founder of Monasteries, O Father Cainnech. <br />

Labouring for Christ, both in thy native land and in Scotland, <br />

thou art a tireless intercessor for the faithful. <br />

Pray for us who hymn thee, that despite our frailty we may be granted great mercy.

Notes

References

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Further reading

  • Baring-Gould, S, "S. Cainnech", The Lives of the British Saints;The Saints of Wales, Cornwall and Irish Saints, V2, (1908), Kessinger Publishing, (2005).
  • O'Donovan, John, The Banquet of Dun Na N-Gedh and The Battle of Magh Rath, For the Irish Archaeological Society, (1842) .
  • A hymn to Columcille attributed to Cainnech, original Irish text from Rawlinson B 505 at Thesaurus Linguae Hibernicae
  • A poem in praise of Cainnech attributed to Columcille, original Irish text from Royal Irish Academy MS 23 N 10 at Thesaurus Linguae Hibernicae
  • Omnium Sanctorum Hiberniae; Saint Canice of Kilkenny, October 11:
  • Catholic Forum
  • <!-- A Compendium of Irish Biography/Canice, Cainneach, or Kenny, St. -->