FINNIAN OF CLONARD (FINNIAN, FINNIAN, DIAN), St. — Irish monk, born at Myshall (County Carlow) about 470, and died at Clonard in 549 or 522 (not to be confused with the homonymous St. Finian of Moville, Ulster).
Educated by Bishop St. Fortcherr, on his advice he went to Wales, where for thirty years he devoted himself to the study of sacred sciences and religious life, especially at the school of St. David, founder of Menerva. Returning to Ireland with some British disciples, he engaged in apostolic work, preaching, teaching, and founding churches, until, according to pious tradition, an angel led him to Cluain Éráid (the meadows of Érard), where he established the great monastery of Clonard, a famous school from which there certainly issued not only men illustrious for learning and virtue, but also those who merited the title of "guide of the Saints of Ireland" (Tutor of the Saints of Erin): among these were St. Columba, founder of Iona, St. Ciaran, founder of Clonard, and St. Connolly, founder of Bangor. Patron of the diocese of Meath, his feast is celebrated on December 12.
He promoted classical culture; his teaching was distinguished in the exposition of Holy Scripture. None of his writings have come down to us.
He has been thought to be the author of the Poenitentiale Vinniani (ed. F. Wasserschleben, *Die Bussordnungen des abendländ. Kirche*, Halle 1851, p. 118 sq.); but this could also be by the homonymous St. Finnian of Moville.