Saint Fintan Munnu
Encyclopedia
Saint Fintán, or Munnu was the founder and abbot of the abbey at Teach-munnu, today Taghmon
in the County Wexford
, Ireland
.
(alternately Nial) family, son of Tulchan (or Tulcan) and Feidelmia. He may have first studied at the school of Bangor Abbey
under St. Comgall, and later in the school of Kilmore Deathrib. It is more certain that he studied 18 years under the abbot Sinell, son of Maynacur, at Cluain-inis in Lough Erne
. St. Columba
also studied at Cluain-inis under Sinell, but left prior to Munnu's arrival.
In 597, Munnu, resolved to go to Hy (now called Iona
) to join the monastery there under St. Columba
. Just before his departure, news reached him that St. Columba had died and that St. Baithen
had succeeded him. Undeterred, Munnu, made the journey and applied to St. Baithen for reception into the community. Munnu responded "humbly" as St. Baithen made the customary inquires into his background. However, when Munnu requested requested to be admitted as a monk, Baithen replied:
Munnu returned to Ireland shortly thereafter to found his monastery. A local chieftain in what is modern day Wexford
in Leinster
, named Dímma mac Áeda Croin, granted Munnu land circa 597. Munnu, in turn, granted, Dímma his personal guarantee that Dímma would gain the kingdom of heaven. Munnu at some point took Dímma's son into fosterage, and Dímma later became a cleric and was burred among the monks at the monastery. The monastery was named Teach-munnu or "House of Munnu" and became a center of learning. Munnu was versed in scientific knowledge and gave frequent public lectures where Christian revelation was illuminated by the sciences and mathematics. Munnu presided over 152 monks at Teach-munnu.
Munnu probably founded a religious establishment at "Kilmund" (Kilmun
). and may have done so at Eilean Munde
as well. However, it is improbable the he is founder of Clonenagh, Fintan of Clonenagh, though they are often confused. He did have an abbey in Heli (or Hele, perhaps in County Westmeath
), which he and his monks forsook, giving it to Saint Cera
and her companions. Saint Cera
named the place, according to Munnu's instructions, after St. Telle who had given three jubilations in the plain of Miodhluachra that day. There are several references to Munnu being a leper.
Toward the end of his life he opposed the adoption of the Roman method for determining the date of Easter. He strongly promoted the Irish method in opposition to Laserian. A synod convened at Magh Lene in 631 to resolve the matter, but the parties were unable to resolve the matter so a delegation was sent to Rome. Munnu withdrew his opposition, and adopted the Roman system with the rest of southern Ireland. He died October 21 635.
Taghmon
Taghmon is a village in County Wexford, Ireland. It lies on the R738 regional road, 14 km west of Wexford town and 24 km east-southeast of New Ross.-History:...
in the County Wexford
County Wexford
County Wexford is a county in Ireland. It is part of the South-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Wexford. In pre-Norman times it was part of the Kingdom of Uí Cheinnselaig, whose capital was at Ferns. Wexford County Council is the local...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
.
Life
Saint Fintán was born of the NiallNiall of the Nine Hostages
Niall Noígíallach , or in English, Niall of the Nine Hostages, son of Eochaid Mugmedón, was an Irish king, the eponymous ancestor of the Uí Néill kindred who dominated Ireland from the 6th century to the 10th century...
(alternately Nial) family, son of Tulchan (or Tulcan) and Feidelmia. He may have first studied at the school of Bangor Abbey
Bangor Abbey
Bangor Abbey was established by Saint Comgall in 558 in Bangor, County Down, Northern Ireland and was famous for its learning and austere rule. It is not to be confused with the even older abbey in Wales on the site of Bangor Cathedral. Bangor Abbey was a centre of learning which trained...
under St. Comgall, and later in the school of Kilmore Deathrib. It is more certain that he studied 18 years under the abbot Sinell, son of Maynacur, at Cluain-inis in Lough Erne
Lough Erne
Lough Erne, sometimes Loch Erne , is the name of two connected lakes in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. The lakes are widened sections of the River Erne. The river begins by flowing north, and then curves west into the Atlantic. The southern lake is further up the river and so is named Upper...
. St. 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...
also studied at Cluain-inis under Sinell, but left prior to Munnu's arrival.
In 597, Munnu, resolved to go to Hy (now called 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...
) to join the monastery there under St. 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...
. Just before his departure, news reached him that St. Columba had died and that St. Baithen
Baithéne mac Brénaind
Baithéne mac Brénaind was an Irish monk, specially selected by St. Columba as one of the band of missionaries who set sail for what is now Scotland in 563....
had succeeded him. Undeterred, Munnu, made the journey and applied to St. Baithen for reception into the community. Munnu responded "humbly" as St. Baithen made the customary inquires into his background. However, when Munnu requested requested to be admitted as a monk, Baithen replied:
" I thank my God, that you are come to this place; but this you must know: that you cannot be a monk of ours." Fintan much afflicted at these words said; "Is it that I am unworthy of being one?" "No" answered Baithen, "but, although I should be very glad to keep you with me, I must obey the orders of my predecessor Columba, who some time ago said to me in the spirit of prophecy; Baithen remember these words of mine; immediately after my departure from this life, a brother, who is now regulating his youthful age by good conduct, and well versed in sacred studies, named Fintan, of the race of MocuMoie, (74) and son of Failchan, will come to you from Ireland (Scotia) and will supplicate to be reckoned among the monks. But it is predetermined by God, that he is to be an abbot presiding over monks, and a guide of souls. Do not therefore let him remain in these islands of ours, but direct him to return in peace to Ireland (Scotia), - that he may there establish a monastery in a part of Leinster not far from the sea, and labour for the good of souls."
Munnu returned to Ireland shortly thereafter to found his monastery. A local chieftain in what is modern day Wexford
Wexford
Wexford is the county town of County Wexford, Ireland. It is situated near the southeastern corner of Ireland, close to Rosslare Europort. The town is connected to Dublin via the M11/N11 National Primary Route, and the national rail network...
in Leinster
Leinster
Leinster is one of the Provinces of Ireland situated in the east of Ireland. It comprises the ancient Kingdoms of Mide, Osraige and Leinster. Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the historic fifths of Leinster and Mide gradually merged, mainly due to the impact of the Pale, which straddled...
, named Dímma mac Áeda Croin, granted Munnu land circa 597. Munnu, in turn, granted, Dímma his personal guarantee that Dímma would gain the kingdom of heaven. Munnu at some point took Dímma's son into fosterage, and Dímma later became a cleric and was burred among the monks at the monastery. The monastery was named Teach-munnu or "House of Munnu" and became a center of learning. Munnu was versed in scientific knowledge and gave frequent public lectures where Christian revelation was illuminated by the sciences and mathematics. Munnu presided over 152 monks at Teach-munnu.
Munnu probably founded a religious establishment at "Kilmund" (Kilmun
Kilmun
Kilmun is a linear settlement on the north shore of the Holy Loch in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It runs between the head of the loch and connects with the village of Strone at Strone Point, where the loch joins the Firth of Clyde....
). and may have done so at Eilean Munde
Eilean Munde
Eilean Munde is a small island in Loch Leven, close to Ballachulish. It is the site of a chapel built by St. Fintan Mundus , who travelled here from Iona in the 7th Century. The church was burnt in 1495 and rebuilt in the 16th Century. The last service in the church was held in July, 1653...
as well. However, it is improbable the he is founder of Clonenagh, Fintan of Clonenagh, though they are often confused. He did have an abbey in Heli (or Hele, perhaps in County Westmeath
County Westmeath
-Economy:Westmeath has a strong agricultural economy. Initially, development occurred around the major market centres of Mullingar, Moate, and Kinnegad. Athlone developed due to its military significance, and its strategic location on the main Dublin–Galway route across the River Shannon. Mullingar...
), which he and his monks forsook, giving it to Saint Cera
Saint Cera
Saint Cera of Ireland was an abbess in the 7th century who died in 679. Her history is probably commingled with another Cera who lived in the 6th century...
and her companions. Saint Cera
Saint Cera
Saint Cera of Ireland was an abbess in the 7th century who died in 679. Her history is probably commingled with another Cera who lived in the 6th century...
named the place, according to Munnu's instructions, after St. Telle who had given three jubilations in the plain of Miodhluachra that day. There are several references to Munnu being a leper.
Toward the end of his life he opposed the adoption of the Roman method for determining the date of Easter. He strongly promoted the Irish method in opposition to Laserian. A synod convened at Magh Lene in 631 to resolve the matter, but the parties were unable to resolve the matter so a delegation was sent to Rome. Munnu withdrew his opposition, and adopted the Roman system with the rest of southern Ireland. He died October 21 635.