Cainnech (Canicus, Canice)

is the name of several Irish saints.

1. Commemorated Jan. 23. Colgan thinks this may be St. Cannechus, who was baptized by St. Patrick, became "praefectus monachorum S. Patricii et episcopus," and built the church of Kealltag, in the same district of Corcothemne (i.e. Corcohenny, County Tipperary), where he was baptized.

⇒Bible concordance for CAIN.

2. Commemorated Jan. 31. In Mart. Doneg. there is Cainneach, son of Ua Chil, priest. Mella was the name of his-mother, and also the mother of Tighearnach of Doire-Melle. But as to Cainnech, his father, or his life, we have nothing better than supposition.

3. Abbot of Achadhbo commemorated Oct. 11 better known in Ireland as St. Canice, and in Scotland as St. Kenneth, was of the race of Ciar, and tribe of Corco Dalann. He was born in 517, at Kiannaght, County Derry, and, being baptized by bishop Luceth (or Lryrech), was brought up in his mother's country. He afterwards went over to St. Cadocus in Wales, whose love he won by his prompt obedience. Proceeding to Rome to the linmina apostolorum, he seems, upon his return, to have studied under Mobi Clairenach at Glasnevin, and under St. Finnian at Clonard. Subsequently he appears to have gone to Scotland, and been with St. Columba in Iona. With this saint he was closely connected, as well as with other great men of his time, such as the two Brendans, St. Comgall, St. Fintan of Clonenagh, and St. Mochaemog (or Pulcherius) of Liathmor. The exact date of the foundation of his monastery is unknown, but it was probably before 577, on land granted him by his patron Colman, lord of Ossory. On an island in Loch Ree he wrote a copy of the four Gospels, under the name of Glass- Kinnich, the "chain" (or Catena") of Cainnech. He died in A.D. 600. His principal church was Achadh-bo (now Aghaboe or Aughavo), Queen's County; and he was also patron of Kilkenny. Besides his Irish dedications of Kilkenny, Aghaboe, and Drumachose, and being honored as the patron of the diocese of Ossory, he is, next to St. Brigida and St. Columba, the favorite Irish saint in Scotland. See Forbes, Kal. Scott; Saints, p. 297; Montalembert, Monks of the West, iii, 230.