With St. Columba, St. Bridget and St. Maelrubha, St. Kenneth ranks among the most popular of the Irish saints honoured in Scotland. He was the child of poor Irish parents, and was employed during his early years in tending sheep. When he attained the years of man hood he became a monk, and passed over to Wales, where he became the disciple of the renowned St. Cadoc. He was one of that saint's most beloved followers on account of his perfect obedience. After being ordained priest he made a pilgrimage to Rome, and returning {146} to Ireland became the disciple of St. Mobhi and St. Finnian. St. Columba, St. Comgall and St. Kiaran lived with him as members of the same community. Later on St. Kenneth visited Scotland, where he lived for some years as a monk. He is believed to have founded a monastery at St. Andrews and to have built churches in other parts of the country, converting many of the pagan inhabitants to Christianity by the fervour of his preaching. He spent some time at Iona with St. Columba, and accompanied that saint in his visit to King Brude at Inverness, and it was St. Kenneth who, with the sign of the Cross, caused the King's hand to wither when he drew his sword against the missionaries. St. Kenneth died in Ireland. He founded the monastery of Aghaboe, and around it grew up the town of that name, which up to the twelfth century was the seat of the Bishops of Ossory, whose residence was later transferred to Kilkenny. In Scotland this saint had many dedications. Kilchenzie, in Kintyre; Kilkenneth, in Tiree; Kilchainnech, in Iona; Kilchainie, in South Uist; Laggan in Inverness-shire, {147} and others. The great abbey of Cambuskenneth takes its name from him, as well as Chenzie Island, in the river of Islay, and Kennoway (anciently Kennochi) in Fifeshire. 13--St. Comgan or Congan, Abbot, 8th century. This saint was the brother of the holy recluse, Kentigerna, whose life was given on January 7th, and was consequently the son of a Prince of Leinster. On succeeding his father in the government of the province he ruled his people as a true Christian prince should do; but, meeting with violent opposition from the neighbouring chiefs, he was forced to fly the country to save his life. Taking with him his sister and her son, Fillan, he crossed over to Scotland, and settled in Lochalsh, Argyllshire. Here he lived many years as a monk in great austerity. He was far advanced in years when death came. He was buried at Iona.