Banban the Wise

Banban the Wise (c. mid to late fifth century) was an Irish saint installed by Saint Patrick as pastor of the Domnach Mór (Big Church) in Templeport, County Cavan, Ireland, erected after the destruction of the idol of the pre-⁠Christian god Crom Cruach at the nearby plain of Magh Slécht. His name is rendered in different ways: Banbanus, Banbhanus, Banuanus Sapiens, Mabran Barbarus, Methbrain, Nia Brain and others. Some sources claim he was related to Saint Patrick.

The Tripartite Life of Saint Patrick says that Patrick founded a church there, Domnach Maighe Sleacht, and left in it Mabran, whose cognomen is Barbarus of Patrick, a relative of his and a prophet. Tírechán, in the Book of Armagh, says that Patrick sent Nie Brain to Magh Slécht, a native close to Patrick, who made true prophecies inspired by God. The Annals of the Four Masters at 448 call him the son of Patrick's sister. John Colgan makes him a son of Patrick's sister Richella, but "Barbanus" can also mean a paternal uncle. His feast day is 1 or 9 May. He should not be confused with Colman Banban, bishop of Leighlin and Kildare, who died in 720, commemorated on 26 November. He is locally venerated, as a saint of the undivided Church.