Ruadhan of Lorrha

Saint Ruadhan of Lorrha (Ruadhán, Rodan), who died on 15 April 584, was an Irish abbot, the founder of the monastery of Lorrha (Lothra) in County Tipperary, near Terryglass. He was born at Tara in Leinster and educated at Clonard, a disciple of Saint Finnian; he is counted one of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland. He was known for his prophecies. He is said to have replaced Saint Brendan the Navigator at Lorrha, when Brendan crossed the Shannon and founded his monastery at Clonfert. At Lorrha Ruadhán directed a hundred and fifty monks. The settlement was surrounded by a ditch or mound, the outlines of which are still visible; the monks' life was tough but simple: they rose early from beds of rushes or straw laid on the bare ground, then prayed and fasted between their domestic chores. He is a saint of the undivided Church, commemorated on 15 April (new style; 28 April in the old style).