Saint Kevin of Glendalough

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Saint Kevin of Glendalough
Feast Day	June 03
Liturgical Class
Patronage	Dublin; Glendalough; birds; Ireland (co-patron)
Birthplace	Leinster, Ireland
Death Place	Glendalough, County Wicklow, Ireland
Cause of Death	natural causes
Primary Shrine	Glendalough Monastic Site, Ireland

Saint Kevin of Glendalough (Irish: Naomh Caoimhín; c. 498 – 3 June 618), also Coemgenus, was a 6th–7th-century Irish abbot, hermit, and one of the foremost saints of early Irish monasticism. Born to noble parents in Leinster, tradition holds that he was baptized by Saint Cronan and fostered by Saint Petroc of Cornwall before studying under Saint Eoghan of Ardstraw. At age 12, he entered the monastery of Saint Petroc, returning to Ireland to live as a hermit in the valley of Glendalough (“valley of two lakes”), County Wicklow, where he founded the famous monastic city c. 540. Known for extreme asceticism—standing in cold lake water reciting Psalms, living on nettles, and wearing animal skins—Kevin attracted disciples including Saints Moling, Comgall, and Ciarán, establishing Glendalough as a major centre of Irish Christianity that flourished until the Norman invasion.

Venerated from the earliest centuries without formal canonization, Kevin’s cult was confirmed by ancient recognition and his inclusion in the Roman Martyrology; his feast is 3 June. While hagiographic traditions from the 11th-century Vita Sancti Kevini describe miracles such as the blackbird nesting in his outstretched hand during Lent and otters bringing him salmon, these are presented as devotional legends rather than historical facts. Patron of Dublin, Glendalough, and blackbirds, he is co-patron of Ireland with Saints Patrick and Brigid.

Biography

Birth

No exact date is recorded. Tradition places Kevin’s birth c. 498 in Leinster to noble parents of the Dál Messin Corb.

Early Life

Fostered by saints, educated in monastic life, ordained priest at 30.

Occupation

Hermit; abbot of Glendalough.

Vocation

Kevin’s vocation was radical eremitism followed by reluctant abbacy; he founded Glendalough c. 540 and governed until old age.

Death

Saint Kevin died peacefully on 3 June 618 at Glendalough, aged c. 120 (legendary longevity).

Saint Kevin met his end peacefully in extreme old age.

Significant events

• Founded Glendalough monastery c. 540.
• Lived as hermit in “St. Kevin’s Bed” cave.
• Died 3 June 618.

Significant locations

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Legend

• Birth location: None
• Death location: Glendalough, County Wicklow, Ireland
• Notable location: Founded monastery and hermitage (Glendalough Monastic Site, Glendalough, County Wicklow, Ireland)
• Notable location:
• Notable location:
• Notable location:
• Notable location:

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Saint Kevin of Glendalough
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Shrines

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Canonization

As a 7th-century Irish saint, Saint Kevin was venerated from the earliest centuries without formal canonization.

Miracles

Traditions include:

• Blackbird nesting in his hand during Lent prayer.
• Otters bringing salmon.
• Healing miracles at Glendalough.

Patronage

Saint Kevin is patron of Dublin, Glendalough, blackbirds, and Ireland (co-patron).

Feast day

June 03

Veneration

Saint Kevin is venerated on 3 June with pilgrimage to Glendalough. Relics lost; site remains major shrine.

External links

• New Advent: St. Kevin
• Catholic Online: St. Kevin