Saint Canice
Saint Canice (also Cainnech, Kenneth, Cainnech of Aghaboe; born c. 515 AD near Glengiven, County Derry, Ireland; died c. October 11, 600 AD at Aghaboe, County Laois, Ireland) was an Irish Celtic abbot, missionary, and one of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland. He founded the great monastery at Aghaboe in Laois and a monastery at Aghaboe that became a major center of learning. He accompanied Saint Columba on his mission to Scotland and founded a monastery at Kilkenny — the city of Kilkenny (Cill Chainnigh, "Canice's Church") takes its name from him. His feast day is October 11.
Stored in Cargo: Saint Canice
| Saint Canice | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | October 11 |
| Profession | Celtic abbot; missionary; monastic founder; one of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland |
| Rel. Affiliation | Celtic Church; Irish monastic tradition |
| Patronage | Kilkenny; Diocese of Ossory; Scotland (in part) |
| Attributes | Abbot's staff; book; Celtic cross; Kilkenny Castle in background |
| Birthplace | Glengiven, County Derry, Ireland |
| Death Place | Aghaboe, County Laois, Ireland |
| Cause of Death | Natural causes |
| Primary Shrine | Saint Canice's Cathedral, Kilkenny, Ireland |
| Liturgical Class | Not included (universal calendar); feast in Ireland and Scotland |
| Historic Class | Not included |
Biography
Canice was born around 515 AD in Glengiven in County Derry, son of a bard. He studied under Saint Finnian of Clonard, one of the great teachers of Irish Christianity, and is counted among the Twelve Apostles of Ireland — the principal disciples of Clonard who evangelized Ireland. He also studied in Wales and established connections with the Welsh church.
He founded the great monastery at Aghaboe in County Laois, which became one of the most important centers of learning in early medieval Ireland. He traveled to Scotland with Saint Columba, establishing friendships and missions there. Several Scottish places bear his name (Kilchenzie, Kennoway). He also established a church at what is now Kilkenny — the Irish name Cill Chainnigh ("the church of Canice") gave the city its English name Kilkenny. The medieval cathedral at Kilkenny is dedicated to him: St Canice's Cathedral, founded in the thirteenth century, stands on the site of his early foundation.
Canice was known for his love of Scripture, his gentleness, and his willingness to take long solitary retreats on small islands off the Irish coast. He died around 600 AD at Aghaboe, on his feast day of October 11.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Glengiven, County Derry, Ireland
Death location: Aghaboe, County Laois, Ireland
Notable location: His principal monastery and center of learning; where he died (Aghaboe, County Laois, Ireland)
Notable location: The city bears his name (Cill Chainnigh = "Canice's Church"); Saint Canice's Cathedral, Kilkenny, is named for him (Kilkenny, County Kilkenny, Ireland)
Notable location: He accompanied Saint Columba on the Scottish mission and worked in Scotland (Iona, Scotland, United Kingdom)
Notable location:
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Parishes
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Shrines
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Known shrines
- St Canice's Cathedral, Kilkenny, Ireland — the medieval cathedral bearing his name; includes an intact round tower from the early medieval period.
- Aghaboe Abbey, County Laois — site of his principal monastery; ruins survive.
Feast day
October 11
Veneration
Saint Canice is venerated in the Roman Catholic Church and the Church of Ireland with a feast day on October 11. He is patron of Kilkenny and the Diocese of Ossory.
Prayers
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