Kevin of Glendalough facts for kids
Quick facts for kids SaintKevin of Glendalough |
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|---|---|
St Kevin and the Blackbird,
reputed to have nested in his hand |
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| Born | 498 (reputedly) Leinster |
| Died | 3 June 618 |
| Venerated in | Catholic Church Eastern Orthodox Church |
| Canonized | 19 June 1902 (cultus confirmed on the Roman Catholic Church) by Leo XIII |
| Major shrine | St. Kevin's Cell, St. Kevin's Bed, St. Kevin's Church |
| Feast | 3 June |
| Attributes | blackbird |
| Patronage | blackbirds, Archdiocese of Dublin, Glendalough, Kilnamanagh |
Saint Kevin (whose name means "fair-begotten" or "of noble birth") was an important Irish saint. He is famous for starting a monastery called Glendalough in County Wicklow, Ireland. His special day, or feast day, is celebrated on June 3rd. Kevin lived a very long life, from about 498 AD to 618 AD.
Contents
Kevin's Early Life
We don't have many records from Kevin's own time, so much of what we know comes from stories written down later. One old Latin book, called a Vita (which means "Life"), tells us about him.
According to this book, Kevin came from a noble family in Leinster. His parents were Coemlog and Coemell. He was born in 498 AD at a place called the Fort of the White Fountain. A saint named Cronan of Roscrea is said to have baptized him.
There's also a cool legend about Kevin when he was a baby. It says a white cow would come to his parents' house every morning and evening. This cow provided milk just for baby Kevin!
Glendalough: Kevin's Special Place
Glendalough means "Glen of Two Lakes." It's a very important place in Ireland because of its ancient monastery ruins. Before Kevin arrived, this valley was quiet and remote, making it perfect for someone who wanted to live a simple, peaceful life away from others.
Kevin's Hermitage
After Kevin became a priest, he moved to Glendalough. He wanted to be alone and avoid too many followers. He lived like a hermit in a small cave, which is now known as St. Kevin's Bed. Stories say an angel led him to this spot.
St. Kevin's Bed is a cave carved into the rock face, high up on the mountain. It looks out over the upper lake from about 30 feet (9 meters) high. Getting to the cave is quite tricky! You have to go through a small opening and a short, narrow passage. The main part of the cave is only about 4 feet (1.2 meters) wide and less than 3 feet (0.9 meters) high. This means Kevin could only have used it for sleeping or quiet prayer, as an adult couldn't stand up inside.
Many years later, Laurence O'Toole, another famous saint, is said to have used the "bed" for prayer. Even Michael Dwyer, a well-known Irish rebel, supposedly hid there from British soldiers. The story goes that he escaped by jumping into the lake and swimming across! Today, it's too dangerous for visitors to try and reach the "bed" from the mountain side. It's best to enjoy the view from a distance.
The Monastery Grows
Kevin lived a very simple life as a hermit, feeling very close to nature. His friends were the animals and birds around him. For seven years, he wore only animal skins, slept on stones, and ate very little. He walked barefoot and spent his time praying.
Soon, people started to be drawn to Kevin's holy way of life. More followers came, and a small settlement, surrounded by a wall, was built closer to the lake. This was called Kevin's Cell. By 540 AD, Kevin's reputation as a wise teacher and holy man had spread far and wide. Many people came to him for help and advice.
Glendalough grew into a famous place for learning and prayer, where many saints and scholars were trained. It even became the starting point for other monasteries. Kevin visited other holy leaders, like Columba, Comgall, and Cannich. He also went to Clonmacnoise, another important monastery.
After setting up his community, Kevin went back to living alone for four years. But his monks really wanted him to return, so he did. Kevin led his monastery in Glendalough until he passed away around 618 AD. He spent his life fasting, praying, and teaching.
Kevin is one of the special patron saints of the Diocese of Dublin. Eventually, Glendalough, with its seven churches, became one of the main pilgrimage sites in Ireland.
Kevin's Legacy
Kevin of Glendalough was officially recognized as a saint by Pope Pius X in 1903.
One of the most famous poems about Kevin is by the Nobel Prize winner Seamus Heaney. It's called 'St Kevin and the Blackbird'. The poem tells a beautiful story: Kevin holds out his hand perfectly still, and a blackbird builds a nest in it! The bird lays eggs, the eggs hatch, and the baby birds grow up and fly away, all while Kevin keeps his hand steady. The Welsh artist Clive Hicks-Jenkins even created a series of paintings inspired by this poem.
Kevin is remembered as someone who lived a very simple and disciplined life, focusing on prayer and nature.
