Fahan
Encyclopedia
Fahan is a district of Inishowen
, in County Donegal
, located five kilometres south of Buncrana. In Irish, Fahan is named after its patron saint
, St. Mura, first abbot
and patron saint of Fahan, an early Christian monastery
.
, is home not only to the resting place of pioneering nurse
Agnes Jones
, but also to the ruins of a 6th century monastery, which features a 7th century cross-slab of St. Mura. In both the 10th and 13th centuries, the village was ransacked by Vikings. A second monastery was built in the 16th century, but fell later into decay. Cecil Frances Alexander lived in the Old Rectory in the late 19th century. Her contemporary, Agnes Jones, who trained with Florence Nightingale
and nursed in the Crimean War
, was born in Fahan House. Edward Maginn
, a 19th century bishop, was a parish priest in Fahan. The church to the north of The Rectory contains an early 20th century stained-glass window by Evie Hone which depicts St. Elizabeth of Hungary
.
Inishowen
Inishowen is a peninsula in County Donegal, part of the Province of Ulster in the north of Ireland. It is also the largest peninsula in all of Ireland. Inishowen is a picturesque location with a rich history...
, in County Donegal
County Donegal
County Donegal is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Ulster. It is named after the town of Donegal. Donegal County Council is the local authority for the county...
, located five kilometres south of Buncrana. In Irish, Fahan is named after its patron saint
Patron saint
A patron saint is a saint who is regarded as the intercessor and advocate in heaven of a nation, place, craft, activity, class, clan, family, or person...
, St. Mura, first abbot
Abbot
The word abbot, meaning father, is a title given to the head of a monastery in various traditions, including Christianity. The office may also be given as an honorary title to a clergyman who is not actually the head of a monastery...
and patron saint of Fahan, an early Christian monastery
Monastery
Monastery denotes the building, or complex of buildings, that houses a room reserved for prayer as well as the domestic quarters and workplace of monastics, whether monks or nuns, and whether living in community or alone .Monasteries may vary greatly in size – a small dwelling accommodating only...
.
History
The walled graveyard, located to the west of The RectoryRectory
A rectory is the residence, or former residence, of a rector, most often a Christian cleric, but in some cases an academic rector or other person with that title...
, is home not only to the resting place of pioneering nurse
Nursing
Nursing is a healthcare profession focused on the care of individuals, families, and communities so they may attain, maintain, or recover optimal health and quality of life from conception to death....
Agnes Jones
Agnes Jones
Agnes Elizabeth Jones of Fahan, County Donegal, Ireland became the first trained Nursing Superintendent of Liverpool Workhouse Infirmary. She gave all her time and energy to her patients and died at the age of 35 from typhus fever. Florence Nightingale said of Agnes Elizabeth Jones, ‘She...
, but also to the ruins of a 6th century monastery, which features a 7th century cross-slab of St. Mura. In both the 10th and 13th centuries, the village was ransacked by Vikings. A second monastery was built in the 16th century, but fell later into decay. Cecil Frances Alexander lived in the Old Rectory in the late 19th century. Her contemporary, Agnes Jones, who trained with Florence Nightingale
Florence Nightingale
Florence Nightingale OM, RRC was a celebrated English nurse, writer and statistician. She came to prominence for her pioneering work in nursing during the Crimean War, where she tended to wounded soldiers. She was dubbed "The Lady with the Lamp" after her habit of making rounds at night...
and nursed in the Crimean War
Crimean War
The Crimean War was a conflict fought between the Russian Empire and an alliance of the French Empire, the British Empire, the Ottoman Empire, and the Kingdom of Sardinia. The war was part of a long-running contest between the major European powers for influence over territories of the declining...
, was born in Fahan House. Edward Maginn
Edward Maginn
Edward Maginn was an Irish Roman Catholic priest, an advocate of Catholic Emancipation, and supporter of Daniel O'Connell in the Repeal movement. He became coadjutor bishop of Derry....
, a 19th century bishop, was a parish priest in Fahan. The church to the north of The Rectory contains an early 20th century stained-glass window by Evie Hone which depicts St. Elizabeth of Hungary
Elisabeth of Hungary
Elizabeth of Hungary, T.O.S.F., was a princess of the Kingdom of Hungary, Countess of Thuringia, Germany and a greatly-venerated Catholic saint. Elizabeth was married at the age of 14, and widowed at 20. She then became one of the first members of the newly-founded Third Order of St. Francis,...
.
Transport
- Fahan railway station opened on 9 September 1864, closed for passenger traffic on 6 September 1948 and finally closed altogether on 10 August 1953.
See also
- List of towns and villages in Ireland
- List of abbeys and priories in Ireland (County Donegal)