Saint Senan

statue of Saint Senan carved in Australia and now standing in parish of Doonbeg, West Clare, Ireland; artist unknown, photographer unknown Also known as

Senames
Senan of Scattery
Senames of Inis Cathaigh

Memorial

8 March
6 January as one of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland

Profile

Apparently born to a Christian farm family. Educated by Saint Naul and a saintly monk named Cassidan. Monk at Kilmanagh (Kilkenny), Ireland. Founded a monastery at Enniscorthy, Ireland. Pilgrim to Rome, Italy and to Tours, France, a center of monasticism at the time. Founded several churches and monasteries including houses at Iniscarra, Ireland. Spiritual teacher of Saint Aiden of Lindesfarne. Aquaintance of Saint David of Wales, and friend of Saint Cannera of Inis Cathaig. In later life he retired to Inish Cathaig (Scattery Island) on the river Shannon; the river is believed to have been named for him. Bishop. Legend says that he chased away the Cathach, a type of monstrous sea serpent, from the island by ordering it, in the name of the Trinity, to depart.