Baithéne mac Brénaind
6th-century companion of Columba and second abbot of Iona / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Baithéne mac Brénaind (also known as Saint Baoithin and Saint Buadán)[1] was an Irish monk, one of Saint Columba's followers who accompanied him to Scotland around 563, and was the first successor of the abbacy of Iona. The Annals of Tigernach record his birth in 534, and his death was likely between 596 and 598 according also to the Annals of Ulster. Irish genealogical records indicate him to be the "son of Brendan, son of Fergus, son of Conall Gulban, son of Niall Noígiallach",[2] thus being a member of the Cenél Conaill branch of the Northern Uí Néill, as the abbots of Iona following the death of Columba often were.[3][4][5][6]
Saint Baithéne | |
---|---|
Abbot of Iona | |
Born | c. 534 Ireland |
Died | c. 596-598 Iona, Scotland |
Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church |
Feast | 9 June |
Baithéne is still venerated in Ireland, but is most heavily associated with county Donegal where his cult was most active in Taughboyne and Culdaff. Celebrations of the saint in Donegal are ongoing, and a major celebration of the saint's 1400th death anniversary was celebrated in the parish of Taughboyne in 2000.[7] Folklore about the saint from Donegal further refers to him using various variants of his name.[8]
There is also evidence of Baithéne being venerated as Saint Bathan and Baodáin in Scotland as Abbey St Bathans in Berwickshire (south east Scotland) is named after him, as well as several other place names.[9]
The earliest source for Baithéne is Adomnán of Iona's Life of Columba (Vita Columbae), in which he is featured as Columba's close companion and successor. Two 12th-13th century lives of Baithéne also survive in the Codex Salmanticensis and Codex Insulensis but are heavily influenced by Adomnán's life.[10]
Baithéne is recorded in the four major Irish martyrologies as sharing his feast day with Columba on 9 June.[11]