Gobhan

Gobhan is the name of two Irish saints of the 6th and 7th centuries whom the sources do not distinguish clearly. He is venerated in the Western Church, and his name also appears as Gobban or Goban.

The first is Gobban Find mac Lugdach, born about 560 and reposed in 639. He was known chiefly as abbot of the monastery of Old Leighlin in County Carlow, where in 633 an important synod was held on the date of Easter. The monastery later became Saint Laserian's Cathedral. He also held authority at Killamery in Kilkenny. He was buried either at the ancient monastery of Clonenagh in Laois or at Clooneagh in Kerry.

The second Gobhan is linked to the parish of Seagoe in County Armagh, where tradition says he founded a church of Celtic origin around the year 600. The 17th-⁠century Irish hagiographer Colgan mentions him as Gobanus of Seagoe, on the bank of the river Bann. It is not certain that the two are the same person, and the source gives no sure day of commemoration for either.

The sources being vague, this account keeps to what can be said with confidence.