Failbe of Iona
Encyclopedia
Fáilbe mac Pípáin was the eighth abbot
of Iona
(fl.
669-679 ?). Failbe was of the same kindred as Columba
, the Cenél Conaill
, distantly related to him through their common ancestor Conall Gulban
. We know from the writings of Adomnán
that Failbe was at Iona when King Oswald of Northumbria
visited sometime in the 630s. Little is known of his abbacy, but we do know he enjoyed a good relationship with his monk and successor, to whom he relayed information. Failbe died on March 22, 679
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...
of Iona
Iona
Iona is a small island in the Inner Hebrides off the western coast of Scotland. It was a centre of Irish monasticism for four centuries and is today renowned for its tranquility and natural beauty. It is a popular tourist destination and a place for retreats...
(fl.
Floruit
Floruit , abbreviated fl. , is a Latin verb meaning "flourished", denoting the period of time during which something was active...
669-679 ?). Failbe was of the same kindred as Columba
Columba
Saint Columba —also known as Colum Cille , Colm Cille , Calum Cille and Kolban or Kolbjørn —was a Gaelic Irish missionary monk who propagated Christianity among the Picts during the Early Medieval Period...
, the Cenél Conaill
Cenél Conaill
The Cenél Conaill is the name of the "kindred" or descendants of Conall Gulban, son of Niall Noígiallach defined by oral and recorded history. They were also known in Scotland as the Kindred of Saint Columba....
, distantly related to him through their common ancestor Conall Gulban
Conall Gulban
Conall Gulban was an Irish king who founded the kingdom of Tír Conaill in the 5th century, comprising much of what is now County Donegal. He was the son of Niall Noígiallach....
. We know from the writings of Adomnán
Adomnán of Iona
Saint Adomnán of Iona was abbot of Iona , hagiographer, statesman and clerical lawyer; he was the author of the most important Vita of Saint Columba and promulgator of the "Law of Innocents", lex innocentium, also called Cáin Adomnáin, "Law of Adomnán"...
that Failbe was at Iona when King Oswald of Northumbria
Oswald of Northumbria
Oswald was King of Northumbria from 634 until his death, and is now venerated as a Christian saint.Oswald was the son of Æthelfrith of Bernicia and came to rule after spending a period in exile; after defeating the British ruler Cadwallon ap Cadfan, Oswald brought the two Northumbrian kingdoms of...
visited sometime in the 630s. Little is known of his abbacy, but we do know he enjoyed a good relationship with his monk and successor, to whom he relayed information. Failbe died on March 22, 679