Saint Declan was an early Irish bishop and abbot (c.350 - c.450). The saint is generally believed to be one of four bishops to have preceded Saint Patrick. (See also Saints Ailbhe, Ciaran, and Ibar.) His feast day is July 24.

Life

He converted the people of the Decies, an ancient principality of southern Ireland, to Christianity. There he founded the monastic settlement of Ardmore. Although Ardmore is no longer the seat of a diocese, the local Catholic parish bears Declan's name. His Life is preserved in both a Latin and Irish version; the latter was translated into English by Rev. P. Power in 1914.

Pattern

Every year on his feast day, locals and people from the region celebrate his pattern. The pattern includes various devotional acts at sites associated with his life.

Namesakes

Due to popular devotion to the saint, the name Declan has been relatively common in County Waterford for centuries. Its use has since spread beyond Munster, and even outside Ireland.

• Declan Costello , Attorney-General of Ireland
• Declan Donnelly, British television personality
• Declan Patrick Aloysius McManus (better known as Elvis Costello), British musician
• Declan McGonagle, Irish art curator
• Declan Masterson , Irish band member of Patrick Street

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