Ruadhan, Saint

Ruadhan, Saint, one of the twelve “Apostles of Erin” (q.v.); d. at the monastery of Lorrha, Co. Tipperary, Ireland, April 5, 584. Ruadhan studied under Saint Finian of Clonard. His embassy to King Dermot at Tara, in 556, is worked into a romance known as the “Cursing of Tara”, but the ardri continued to reside at Tara till his death (564). The legend as to Tara’s halls having been deserted after 564 is of comparatively late origin, and is contradicted by the fact that a Feis was held at Tara in 697. St. Ruadhan founded the monastery of Lorrha. His bell is preserved in the British Museum; St. Ruadhan’s feast is kept on the anniversary of his death.

W. H. GRATTAN-FLOOD