Finbarr=Barr the White
6th Century. He was the son of an artisan and a lady of the Irish royal
court. Born in Connaught, Ireland, and baptized Lochan, he was educated
at Kilmacahil, Kilkenny, where the monks named him Fionnbharr (white
head) because of his light hair; he is also known as Bairre and Barr. He
went on pilgrimage to Rome with some of the monks, visiting St. David in
Wales on the way back. Supposedly, on another visit to Rome the Pope
wanted to consecrate him a bishop but was deterred by a vision,
notifying the pope that God had reserved that honour to Himself, and
Finbar was consecrated from heaven and then returned to Ireland. At any
rate, he may have preached in Scotland, definitely did in southern
Ireland, lived as a hermit on a small island at Lough Eiroe, and then,
on the river Lee, founded a monastery that developed into the city of
Cork, of which he was the first bishop. His monastery became famous in
southern Ireland and attracted numerous disciples. Many extraordinary
miracles are attributed to him, and supposedly, the sun did not set for
two weeks after he died at Cloyne about the year 633.
Troparion of St Finbar tone 4
Truly thou art hymned, O Hierarch Finbar,/ as a Father of monastics and
shepherd of souls./ Seeing our plight and feeling for us in our great
necessity,/ cease not to intercede with Christ our God/ that He will
raise up in our days pastors of thy stature to lead us into the way of
Truth.