St. Declan of Ardmore Framed

Saint Declan was born a prince of the Decius (the ruling class) tribe of Celts. Baptized by St. Colman, he was the first person to bring Christianity to Ireland, before St. Patrick, though only locally. He was the bishop of Ardmore and established a monastery there. His well, known as “the waters of St. Declan”, still has healing properties. St. Patrick and St. David of Wales considered him as a friend. He died “in a narrow place beside the sea” called Declan’s Desert. Local Catholics celebrate his feast day, called his “pattern” on July 24.