Cronan, Abbot

Saint Crónán (died 640) was the abbot-bishop and patron of the diocese of Roscrea (a see later incorporated into the diocese of Killaloe), Ireland. He is not to be confused (though he often is) with his contemporary Saint Crónán Mochua of Tuamgraney (died 637). Crónán was born in the territory of Ely O'Carroll, Ireland. After spending his youth in Connacht, he returned to his native district about the year 610 and founded Roscrea Abbey, where he established a school. Previously he settled at a place known as Sean Ros or Loch Cre, which was a wooded morass far from the haunts of men; in fact, it was utterly wild, so much so, that St. Crónán abandoned it and moved to the wood of Cre, that is Ros Cre, County Tipperary. William Reeves notes...