Saint
Begnete
A saint venerated in the Western Church, of whom few details survive.
- Era
- 7th century
Life
Saint Begnet (also called Begneta, Begnete, Begnait or Becnait) is the patron saint of Dalkey, Ireland, perhaps of the 7th century. She is called in Latin "virgin, not martyr" and remembered on 12 November.
Two ruined churches in Dalkey bear her name: one on Dalkey Island, the other near the 14th-century castle, in the area called Kilbegnet. A holy well near the martello tower on the island is also linked with her. Stories about her are said to show her as one of several saints called Bega or Becga in the calendars of the saints. It is uncertain whether she existed, or even whether the saint was female or male; in Dalkey no one argues about it.