Ibar

Saint Ibar (Iberius, Ivor), son of Lugna, was an Irish saint and bishop of the fifth century (died around 502 according to our record), patron of Beggerin Island. He is sometimes said to have been one of the four most sacred bishops who preceded Saint Patrick in Ireland, with Ailbe, Ciarán and Déclán, though perhaps they were just contemporaries. He preached mainly in Leinster and Meath.

According to the Annals of the Four Masters, he was of noble birth, descended from the tribe of Ui Echach who occupied east County Down; his sister Mella married the king of Hy-⁠Kensellagh, a kingdom consisting of all the present County Wexford and a considerable part of Wicklow and Carlow. Much obscurity attaches to his early training; it is said that his early education took place in an important druidic school. When followers of Martin of Tours began to appear in Ireland, Ibar travelled to Armorica to learn more of this teaching, and spent some time at Lérins, where he must have met Ciarán of Saigir. Returning with some companions, he established his first monastic community. He is a saint of the undivided Church, commemorated on 23 April (new style; 6 May in the old style).