ST. CONLETH
St. Conleth
“Brigid’s Artificer”
- First Name : Roincenn
- Surname: Conleth, Conlath, Conlaeth, Conlaith, Conlaid, Conlian.
- Date of Death: 3rd May 519/520 A.D.
- Bishop of Kildare: Prior to 480 AD
- Feast Day: 3rd May
- Lived as a recluse in a cell at Old Connell on the banks of the Liffey.
- He was a metalworker and made religious objects from gold and silver. Said to have made the crozier which belonged to St. Finnbharr of Termon Barry in
Connaught . - Said to be an illustrious man, adorned with every virtue, and that the Almighty had been pleased to effect great wonders on him.
- Visited St. Brigid and her nuns in nearby Kildare and stayed for a number of days. Shortly after this visit Brigid chose Conleth as Bishop of Kildare.
- St. Brigid gave his vestments of many colours, which were made in , to the poor.
- Killed by wolves on his way to possibly in Wicklow.
- Was buried close to where he died then moved to Cathedral in Kildare on right of alter, upon her death Brigid was buried on the left.
- The shrines of Brigid and Conleth were raided by Danes in 836 and either his remains or relics were then buried at Connell.
Source; Lives of Irish Saints Vol V. By The Rev John O’Hanlon M.R.I.A.
