- Saint Coman of Roscommon: Unknown (possibly January 26 or local veneration), c. 8th century (exact dates unknown): Roscommon town, County Roscommon Coman founded a monastery in Roscommon, from which the town derives its name (Ros Comáin, meaning “St. Coman’s Wood”). He may have been a bishop, and his foundation was a significant seat of learning, supported by the Connachta kings. The monastery adopted Augustinian rule later, and a 9th-century grave slab from his foundation is displayed in the Roscommon County Museum.
- Saint Conall of Drumconnell: May 22, c. 5th century (exact dates unknown): Drum (Drumconnell), County Roscommon Conall, possibly from a noble family, is linked to the monastic site at Drum, near Athlone. He was the brother of St. Attracta, who prophesied his monastery’s decline due to another’s fame. His cult is local, with ruins of the Drum monastic site still visible.
- Saint Attracta (Athracht) of Achonry: August 11, c. 5th–6th century (exact dates unknown): Killaraght, County Roscommon (and Sligo) Attracta, a contemporary of St. Patrick, founded a convent at Killaraght, which spans Roscommon and Sligo. Known for her charity and miracles, such as healing the sick, she is venerated as a patroness of the diocese of Achonry. She is also linked to a holy well and St. Conall.
- Saint Berach of Kilbarry: February 15, c. 6th century (exact dates unknown): Kilbarry, County Roscommon Berach founded a monastery at Kilbarry, near Termonbarry. A disciple of St. Kevin of Glendalough, he was known for miracles, including calming storms. His relics were venerated locally, and his monastery was a spiritual center in Roscommon.
- Saint Finnian of Clonard: December 12, c. 470–549: Clonmacnoise, County Roscommon (via influence) Known as the “Tutor of the Saints of Ireland,” Finnian founded the monastic school at Clonard, Westmeath, which influenced Clonmacnoise in Roscommon’s neighboring county, Offaly. His students, including the Twelve Apostles of Ireland, spread his teachings to Roscommon. He is celebrated for his scholarship and asceticism.
- Saint Ciarán of Clonmacnoise: September 9, c. 512–546: Clonmacnoise, County Offaly (near Roscommon) Ciarán founded Clonmacnoise, a major monastic center near Roscommon’s border, influencing the region. One of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland, he was known for miracles and died young, possibly of plague. Clonmacnoise’s scholars, like Tighernach O’Braoin, were linked to Roscommon.
- Saint Columba (Colum Cille): June 9, c. 521–597: Roscommon (via Clonmacnoise connections) Columba, one of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland, founded Iona but studied under Finnian at Clonard, linking him to Clonmacnoise’s network, which influenced Roscommon. Known for missionary work in Scotland and the Battle of Cúl Dreimhne over a psalter, his legacy reached Roscommon through monastic ties.
- Saint Assicus of Elphin: April 27, c. 5th century (exact dates unknown): Elphin, County Roscommon Assicus, a disciple of St. Patrick, was the first bishop of Elphin, establishing a monastery there. Known as a skilled metalworker, he crafted sacred vessels for Patrick’s missions. His humility led him to retire as a hermit after criticism, and he died in obscurity.
- Saint Bron of Cassel-Irra: June 8, c. 6th century (exact dates unknown): Cassel-Irra, County Roscommon Bron, a disciple of St. Patrick, founded a church at Cassel-Irra (near Boyle). He was known for his pastoral work and miracles. His cult is local, with limited surviving records, but his association with Roscommon is noted in martyrologies.
- Saint Faithleann of Killellin: June 4, c. 6th century (exact dates unknown): Killellin, County Roscommon Faithleann (or Faitleann) is an obscure saint linked to Killellin, possibly a monastic site. Little is known beyond his feast day in Irish calendars, but he represents the local veneration of lesser-known figures in Roscommon.
- Saint Ronan of Aghalurcher: May 22, c. 6th century (exact dates unknown): Aghalurcher (near Lisnaskea, but venerated in Roscommon) Ronan, associated with Aghalurcher in Fermanagh, was venerated in Roscommon due to monastic networks. He was known for his ascetic life and miracles, with his cult spreading regionally. His Roscommon connection is through shared devotion.
- Saint Grellan of Craughwell: November 10, c. 5th–6th century (exact dates unknown): Kilcloony, County Roscommon (and Galway) Grellan, a disciple of St. Patrick, is linked to Kilcloony, near Ballinasloe, which spans Roscommon and Galway. He is the patron saint of the Kelly clan and was known for miracles, including protecting his community from invaders. His staff was a revered relic.
- Notes and Limitations
- Scarcity of Direct Roscommon Saints: Roscommon has fewer saints explicitly tied to it compared to counties like Offaly, with its prominent Clonmacnoise. Many saints listed here are connected through monasteries near Roscommon’s borders (e.g., Clonmacnoise) or regional veneration, as monastic networks spread influence across counties.
- Sources Used: Omnium Sanctorum Hiberniae provided feast days and details for obscure saints like Faithleann and Ronan. Catholic Online and Wikipedia confirmed details for Coman, Assicus, and others. A post on X helped identify Conall and Attracta., Exact dates are often unavailable for early Irish saints, as hagiographies emphasize miracles and foundations over chronologies. Estimates are based on historical context (e.g., 5th–8th-century monasticism).
- Parish Associations: Modern parishes may not align perfectly with early monastic sites, but current place names (e.g., Roscommon, Elphin) are used for clarity. Some saints, like Finnian and Columba, are included due to their influence via Clonmacnoise or other regional ties.
- Other Details: Irish saints’ lives often blend Celtic and Christian elements, with miracles like healing or controlling nature common, as seen in Berach and Grellan. Roscommon’s monastic history, tied to the Connachta dynasty, amplified the influence of figures like Coman
Saints
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
Sacred Places
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
Holy Wells
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
County Roscommon:
Ireland’s county Roscommon combines historic sites with tranquil landscapes, with Roscommon Castle’s imposing ruins offering a glimpse into medieval Ireland. Lough Key Forest Park provides boating and treetop canopy walks, while the Arigna Mining Experience explores the county’s industrial past. Other attractions include the sacred site of Rathcroghan, linked to ancient mythology. Roscommon is Ireland’s 11th largest county by size (2,463 square km) and eighth smallest by population (70,259). Population peaked at 253,591 in 1841 and reached its lowest point, 53,519 in 1971. In terms of hospitality, Roscommon is Ireland’s 31st most visited and Ireland’s second least visited tourist county with around 25,000 international visitors per year.
Introduction – Adventure – Anthem – Archaeology – Attractions – Awards – Birdwatching – Camping – Castles – Churches – Contact list – Cycling – Dining – Equestrian – Festivals – Fishing – Folklore – Gardens – Golf – Graveyards – Happening – Haunted – Highest – Hiking – History – Holy Wells – Hotels – Hotels top 8 – Hunting & shooting – Instagrammable – Itineraries – Largest town – Luxury – MICE – Movies – Music – Name – New – Novelists – Off the beaten track – Poets – Pubs – Quotes – Random Facts – Restaurant Awards – Sacred Places – Saints – Songs – Spas – Sports – Sunsets – Sustainable – Things to do – Towns – Video – Villages – Walking – Wanderlist – Weddings – Wild swimming – Writers – 1837 – 1846– 1852 – 1909 – 1955 – 1980 –
