Declan of Ardmore

Saint Declan of Ardmore (Declán) was an early Irish saint of the Déisi of Munster, remembered for having converted the Déisi to Christianity in the fifth century and for having founded the monastery of Ardmore (Ard Mór) in what is now County Waterford. He was regarded as a patron of the Déisi of East Munster. The principal source for his life is a Latin Life of the twelfth century, surviving in a single redaction.

Through his father, Erc, he belonged to the royal dynasty of the Déisi Muman; his mother's name was Dethiden. His birthplace is said to be Drumroe, near Cappoquin. According to the Life, Declán first journeyed to Rome, where he studied and was ordained bishop. The Life presents him, like Ailbe of Emly, Ciarán of Saigir and Abbán of Moyarney, as a Munster saint who brought Christianity to Ireland before Patrick. Another chapter makes him a contemporary of Saint David of Wales in the sixth century. It is also told that he visited the Déisi of Meath, where the king of Tara welcomed him and granted him land to found a "monastery of canons", Cill Décláin (Killegland).

According to the Life, he reposed in the Lord at his monastery in Ardmore and was buried there. His feast in the martyrologies is 24 July. A late note to the Félire Óengusso says he introduced rye into Ireland. He is honored in Waterford, where many churches bear his name, and on his feast day the locals keep his "pattern". The path he walked from Ardmore to Cashel has been restored as Saint Declan's Pilgrim Path, with an annual walk from 24 to 28 July. A round tower still stands at Ardmore, with a stone oratory and a small stone church; the diocese of Ardmore and its episcopal church lasted until the thirteenth century. He is commemorated on 24 July as a saint of the undivided Church, by the New Calendar.