Saint Ibar of Beggerin
Saint Ibar of Beggerin (born c. 5th century AD in Leinster, Ireland; died c. 500 AD on Beggerin Island, County Wexford, Ireland) was one of the pre-Patrician bishops of Ireland — a group of early missionaries who brought Christianity to Ireland before or independent of Saint Patrick. He founded a monastic settlement on Beggerin Island (Beg Éire — "Little Ireland") in Wexford Harbour, which became one of the earliest Christian communities in Ireland. He is patron of the Diocese of Ferns. His feast day is April 23.
Stored in Cargo: Saint Ibar of Beggerin
| Saint Ibar of Beggerin | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | April 23 |
| Profession | Bishop; monk; founder; missionary |
| Rel. Affiliation | Catholic Church; pre-Patrician bishop of Ireland; patron of Diocese of Ferns |
| Patronage | Diocese of Ferns; County Wexford; Beggerin; pre-Patrician Irish Christianity |
| Attributes | Bishop's vestments and staff; island (Beggerin); early Irish monastic symbols |
| Birthplace | Leinster, Ireland |
| Death Place | Beggerin Island, Wexford Harbour, County Wexford, Ireland |
| Cause of Death | Natural causes; died on Beggerin Island, County Wexford, c. 500 AD |
| Primary Shrine | Beggerin Island area, Wexford Harbour, County Wexford — his memory is preserved in local place names and the diocesan cult; no surviving physical shrine |
| Liturgical Class | Not in universal Roman Calendar; feast April 23; observed in the Diocese of Ferns and in Irish local calendars |
| Historic Class | Not in universal 1962 calendar; locally observed in Ireland |
Biography
Ibar (also spelled Ibaar, Ibhar, or Iberius) is one of the four pre-Patrician saints of Ireland — the others being Saints Ailbe, Declan, and Ciarán of Saighir — who are said to have brought Christianity to Ireland before or independently of Saint Patrick. Whether this historical claim is accurate or reflects later legend is disputed, but it preserves memory of early Christian activity in the south and east of Ireland before Patrick's mission began in 432 AD.
He founded his monastery on Beggerin Island (Beg Éire) in Wexford Harbour, which became a center of learning and the religious life. Irish tradition assigns him a long life — some accounts say he lived to be 130 years old and that his island community preserved relics and memory for several centuries.
He is patron of the Diocese of Ferns, whose territory covers much of County Wexford, and his feast on April 23 is observed there. His name is preserved in Irish place names in County Wexford and in local devotion.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Leinster, Ireland
Death location: Beggerin Island, Wexford Harbour, County Wexford, Ireland
Notable location:
Notable location: The modern cathedral town of the Diocese of Ferns; Ibar is one of the patron saints of this diocese, which covers County Wexford and parts of surrounding counties; his cult has been maintained in Wexford since the early medieval period (Wexford, County Wexford, Ireland)
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Parishes
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Shrines
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Feast day
April 23
Veneration
Saint Ibar is venerated in the Roman Catholic Church with a feast day on April 23, observed in the Diocese of Ferns and in Irish local tradition.
Prayers
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