Fintán of Taghmon

Saint Fintán, or Munnu (died 635) is one of the saints of Ireland and Britain who served in Ireland and Scotland, being the founder and abbot of the abbey at Teach-Mhunn (The House of Saint Munn), where his bed may be visited and is a pilgrimage site; today Taghmon is in the County Wexford, in the province of Leinster, Ireland. In Scotland, he is venerated as the patron saint of Clan Campbell.

Alternate names He was known in Ireland as St Fintán or St Munnu. In Scotland, he was recorded as St Mun, St Munn, St Munda, St Mundas and St Mund.

Fintán was born of the dynasty of Niall, son of Tulchan (or Tulcan) and Feidelmia. and later in the school of Kilmore Deathrib. It is more certain that he studied 18 years under the abbot Sinell, son of Maynacur, at Cluain-inis in Lough Erne.

Ministry in Scotland Iona monastery Fintán arrived in Scotland in 579 A.D. He was said to be assisted by two wolves in guarding his sheep.

In 597, Fintán resolved to go to Í (now called Iona) to join the monastery there under St. Columba. Just before his departure, news reached him that St. Columba had died and that St. Baithen had succeeded him. Undeterred, Fintán made the journey and applied to St. Baithen for reception into the community. Munnu responded "humbly" as St. Baithen made the customary inquiries into his background. However, when Munnu requested to be admitted as a monk, Baithen replied:

" I thank my God, that you are come to this place; but this you must know: that you cannot be a monk of ours." Fintan much afflicted at these words said; "Is it that I am unworthy of being one?" "No" answered Baithen, "but, although I should be very glad to keep you with me, I must obey the orders of my predecessor Columba, who some time ago said to me in the spirit of prophecy; Baithen remember these words of mine; immediately after my departure from this life, a brother, who is now regulating his youthful age by good conduct, and well versed in sacred studies, named Fintan, of the race of MocuMoie, (74) and son of Failchan, will come to you from Ireland (Scotia) and will supplicate to be reckoned among the monks. But it is predetermined by God, that he is to be an abbot presiding over monks, and a guide of souls. Do not therefore let him remain in these islands of ours, but direct him to return in peace to Ireland (Scotia), - that he may there establish a monastery in a part of Leinster not far from the sea, and labour for the good of souls." at the site of the modern Kilmun Church.

Ministry in Ireland Wexford monastery Fintán returned to Ireland shortly thereafter to found his monastery. A local lord in what is modern-day Wexford in Leinster, named Dímma mac Áeda Croin, granted Fintán land circa 597. Munnu, in turn, granted, Dímma his personal guarantee that Dímma would gain the kingdom of heaven. Fintán at some point took Dímma's son into foster care, and Dímma later became a cleric and was buried among the monks at the monastery. The monastery was named Teach-munnu or "House of Munnu" and became a centre of learning. Fintán was versed in scientific knowledge and gave frequent public lectures where Christian revelation was illuminated by the sciences and mathematics. Munnu presided over 152 monks at Teach-munnu. and may have done so at Eilean Munde as well. There are several references to Munnu being a leper. Munnu withdrew his opposition and adopted the Roman system with the rest of southern Ireland. and was buried in the cemetery at St Munn's Parish Church, Kilmun, Scotland.

Veneration as a Saint His feast day is on 21 October.