Forannan

Saint Forannan was an Irish bishop and abbot of the monastery of Waulsort on the River Meuse in Belgium. He reposed in the year 982 and is commemorated on 30 April. He is invoked against toothache and rabies.

He was born around 910 into a noble family of the plain of Magh Feimhin near Clonmel, received a good upbringing and education, and became a Benedictine monk. Chosen bishop by popular election, he was, according to his Life, consecrated at Domnach mor, that is Donoughmore.

Around 969, following a vision that sent him toward the Meuse, he left Ireland with twelve companions. On the way they met Count Eilbert, builder of many churches, who led them to Rome so that they might receive the monastic instruction they sought. There Forannan received the episcopal dignity and the title of abbot, and for training in the Benedictine rule he was sent to the abbey of Gorze. From there he came to Waulsort, between Dinant and Givet, a monastery founded in 945 by Eilbert and the Irish monk Macculind, its first abbot. The emperor Otto heard of his fame and took the abbey under his protection. Through his influence the place of Hastière was added to the monastery, and the village of Gruthen was given to it so that its vineyards might supply the monks with wine.

Seven years after his arrival Count Eilbert fell ill; Forannan attended him until his death, and the count was buried in the basilica of Waulsort. Other lists give 962 as the year in which Forannan became abbot.