Mary of the Gael
Mary of the Gael
Virgin, popularly known as Mary of the Gael, born Faughart, County Louth, Ireland , 451 ; died Kildare, Ireland , 525 . Having received the veil from Saint Macaille, she was professed by Saint Mel of Ardagh from whom she received abbatial powers, 468 . Her famous convent of Gill-Dara (church of the oak) at Druin Criadh became a center of religion and learning which developed later into the cathedral city of Kildare. She established a second monastery there for men, under Bishop Saint Conleth, and also a school of art , needlework, and illumination. She became a friend of Saint Patrick. Patroness of Ireland , and of scholars. Represented in art on her knees, holding a vase, with a cow nearby. Relics in the grave of Saint Patrick and Saint Columba near Down-Patrick; head in the Jesuit Church at Lisbon. Feast , 1 February .