Kilian of Cologne

Kilian of Cologne was an Irish abbot, a native of Ireland, who died on 19 January 1003. In 974, with a group of Irish missionaries led by Minnborinus, he arrived at Cologne and founded the abbey of Saint Martin on an island of the Rhine. After the death of Minnborinus, Kilian became abbot. Described as a very religious man, he received from Archbishop Evergerus, with the consent of Emperor Otto III, farms, churches, vineyards and the fishing of the Rhine, plus the monastery of Saint Pantaleon. After his death the Irish connection of the abbey declined.