Saint Kieran of Saighir (Whirledge) Icon - S720

Regarded traditionally as the earliest native-born Irish saint, Kieran of Saighir will be a welcome addition to many a prayer corner. Add this icon to a pascha basket, or gift it for a baptism, chrismation, or wedding.

Kieran was born on Cape Clear Island, Ireland in the 5^th century. As a young child he was loving and kind, displaying the Christian virtues even while he and his people still lived in the darkness of pagan worship. However, Kieran did not submit to the surrounding falsehood but went forth on a journey in search of the truth. On his travels, Kieran studied at Tours and Rome and became a devout Christian. It is said that he even met Saint Patrick himself on his return journey, at which meeting the great saint instructed Kieran and consecrated him as Bishop of Ossory. At this time, Patrick also gave Kieran a bell, telling him to carry it until it rang of its own accord. He was ordered to found a monastery on that spot. Kieran followed Patrick’s direction, and so came to establish his monastery at Saighir, Ireland. At first, he was a hermit and lived alone with only the animals to keep him company. Over time though, people began to join him in the monastic calling and the monastery grew.

Many miracles are attributed to Kieran, whose prayers and intercessions have aided the faithful across the centuries. He died peacefully in his homeland on March 5, 530 AD. His feast day is thus celebrated yearly on the 5^th of March.

This icon of the Irish saint Kieran is painted by the master iconographer Brian Whirledge and is composed of a muted color palette of browns and blacks, signifying Kieran’s spirit of humility and his monastic calling. The mantle he wears over his monastic stole is made of fur, reminiscent of John the Baptist’s cloak when he also lived alone in the wilderness with only the wild animals for company. Kieran’s right hand blesses the viewer while the left is raised as a symbol of praise to God.   

This icon is offered by Legacy Icons with the permission of the iconographer, Brian Matthew Whirledge.