Venerable · 6th century
Kenneth of Aghaboe
Venerable Cainnech (Kenneth), Abbot of Aghaboe in Ireland
New Calendar October 11 Old Calendar October 24
Why they are a saint
The Orthodox Church commemorates Saint Cainnech (Canice in Ireland, Kenneth in Scotland) of Aghaboe, an Irish abbot and missionary also active in Scotland, who reposed about the year 600. He founded the monastery of Aghaboe, and a commentary on the Gospels long known as Glas Chainnigh is attributed to him. His feast is kept on October 11 (New Calendar; October 24 Old Calendar).
Life
Saint Cainnech, called Canice in Ireland and Kenneth in Scotland, was born in 515 or 516 at Glengiven, in what is now County Derry; his father was a distinguished bard. In his early years he watched his chieftain's flocks. In 543 he was at Clonard under Saint Finnian, a fellow pupil of Saint Columba, and in 544 he studied at Glasnevin under Saint Mobhi with Saints Kieran and Comgall.
He was ordained priest in 545 at the monastery of Llancarfan in Wales, under Saint Cadoc, and set out for Rome. In 550 he was again at Glengiven, where he converted his foster-brother, who helped him found Drumachose. A close friend of Saint Columba, he passed over to Scotland in 565; the islet of Inch Kenneth near Mull and churches on Tiree and elsewhere recall him.
His Irish foundations included Drumachose and the great abbey of Aghaboe in Ossory, and the city of Kilkenny is named after him. A man of eloquence and learning, he wrote a commentary on the Gospels known for centuries as Glas-Chainnigh. He died at Aghaboe in 600.
Sources: Catholic Encyclopedia (1908, public domain) · Celtic and Old English Saints. Retold in our own words.
Traditional patronage
Kilkenny is named after him, and the cited sources call him patron of Kennoway in Fife.
Patronage / why chosen as patron
The city of Kilkenny is named after him, the cited sources call him patron of Kennoway in Fife, and those named Kenneth, Kenny, Canice or Cainnech take him as their patron.
Prayer
O holy Kenneth of Aghaboe, pray to God for us.
A short general prayer to a saint, not a liturgical text. No public-domain troparion for this saint is included.