Saint Enda of Aran
Saint Enda was born in Oriel in ancient times and was the son of a chieftain. He was converted to Christianity by his sister Fachtna. She did this by promising him a beautiful young wife in marriage. When the young lady dies before the marriage she forced Enda to view the corpse. Enda realised his mortality and began his journey towards Christianity. He is believed to have studied for the priesthood in southern Scotland before returning and establishing a church in Drogheda. On receiving a grant of land from his brother in law the King of Cashel, Enda established a seat of prayer, fasting and study of scriptures on Inis Mor, the largest of the Aran Islands. Here le led a lifestyle that imitated the asceticism and simplicity of the earliest Egyptian desert hermit.
Saint Edna’s monastery was known throughout the western world and scholars and priests travelled for far afield to study there. Among those that studied here were Saint Brendan (on route to North America and discovering the New World), Saint Jarlath of Tuam, and Saint Columba of Iona. Saint Finian also studied here before travelling to mainland Europe before eventually becoming Bishop of Lucca in Tuscany, Italy.
Saint Enda is buried in Tighlaghearny on Inis Mor, his Holy Well is situated in Barna, Co. Galway and his feast day is on the 23rd August.
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