St. Conleth of Kildare

Conleth was an Irish metal worker and hermit. He lived as a recluse at Old Connell on the Liffey and was a close friend of St. Brigid. In time he served as spiritual director of St. Brigid’s Convent at Kildare. A copyist and skilled illuminator of manuscripts, he is noted for the crosier that he fashioned for St. Finbar of Termon Barry. Conleth died when he was attacked by wolves in the forests of Leinster on pilgrimage to Rome on May 4, 519 and was buried nearby. In 799 his relics were transported and laid beside Brigid's in the great cathedral in Kildare. His relics were finally laid to rest in Connell in 835 to protect the inhabitants from invading Danes. His feast is May 4.