Ciar

Ciar (Cier, Cera, or Cyra). The Irish calendars give three dedications to saints of this name, January 5, February 8, October 16; but the first and last probably belong to the same individual. At January 5 is the feast of the birth of St. Ciar or Cera, virgin of Kul-Cheire, and at October 16 is that of her death. When her sanctity became known, and her disciples were numerous, she went forth with several virgins, and received from St. Munna or Fintan (October 21) the monastery of Tech-telle in Heli, or Eli O'Carrol, in King's County, which he had built and then left to St. Ciar. After a short residence here she returned to her native province, and founded the nunnery of Kil-cheive, which she governed till her death, in A.D. 680. See Lanigan, Eccles. Hist. of Ireland, 3:129 sq.; Kelly, Cal. of Iris Saints, page 51; Todd and Reeves, Mart. Doneg. page 7; O'Hanlon, Irish Saints, 1:62 sq,