Becan

Becan is the name of several saints.

1. The son of Cula, and contemporary of St. Columba, lived at Imlech- Fiaich, now Einlagh, County Meath, Ireland. He was so famous in his day that some place him among the twelve apostles of Ireland. He is comnmemorated April 5.

2. Of Cluain-aird-Mobecong, commemorated May 26. He was brother of St. Corbmac, in whose Life his monastery is called Kilibrecain (or Cluainaird-Mobecoc) in Munster. O'Clery puts the site of this church in Muscraighe Breoghain, and attaches him also to Tigh Chonaill, in Ui- Briuin Cualann; adding, from the Life of St. Abban, that he himself built a church at Cluainaird Mobecoc, and left Becan in it with the office of the holy Church, as in every church he blessed. Here St. Becan continued till his death, A.D. 689 (or 690). In the Annals of Ireland he is known by the diminutives Dabeoc and Dabecoc. See Lanigan, Eccles. Hist: Irel. ii, 21, 129; O'Donovan, Four Masters.

3. Surnamed Ruim (or Ruiminn); commemorated March 17, was the son of Ernan, and a near relative of St. Coltmba, and of the early abbots of Hy. Leaving Ireland, he went first to Iona, and then into a solitary place. There he lived for several years, while his uncle, Segenius, was abbot of the island. He died March 17, 077.