Gobnait
Encyclopedia
Saint Gobnait also known as Gobnat or Mo Gobnat, is the name of a local female Irish saint whose church was Móin Mór, now Bairnech, in the village of Baile Bhuirne (Ballyvourney), County Cork
in Ireland
. She was associated with the Múscraige
and her church and nunnery lay on the borders between the Múscraige Mittine and Eóganacht Locha Léin
.
No hagiographical Life is known to have described her life and miracles, but she appears in the Life of her senior companion St Abbán moccu Corbmaic
, written in the early 13th century but known only through later recensions. Saint Finbarr's Life implies that Gobnait's church belonged to Finbarr's foundation at Cork by alleging that it was not founded by her, but by one of his disciples. In spite of this, Gobnait's cult continued to thrive here and the ruins of a medieval church dedicated to her are still visible today.
The Félire Óengusso and the Martyrology of Donegal give her feast-day on 11 February. In 1601 Pope Clement VIII granted a special indulgence to those who, on Gobnait's day, visited the parish church, went to Confession and Communion and who prayed for peace among 'Christian princes', expulsion of heresy and the exaltation of the church.
The saint is still locally venerated today. She is depicted on a stained glass window at Honan Chapel
in Cork, which was made by artist Harry Clarke
in 1916.
County Cork
County Cork is a county in Ireland. It is located in the South-West Region and is also part of the province of Munster. It is named after the city of Cork . Cork County Council is the local authority for the county...
in Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
. She was associated with the Múscraige
Múscraige
The Múscraighe were an important Érainn people of Munster, descending from Cairpre Músc, son of Conaire Cóem, a High King of Ireland. Closely related were the Corcu Duibne, Corcu Baiscind, both of Munster, and also the Dál Riata of Ulster and Scotland, all being referred to as the Síl Conairi in...
and her church and nunnery lay on the borders between the Múscraige Mittine and Eóganacht Locha Léin
Eóganacht Locha Léin
Eóganacht Locha Léin or Ui Caipre Luachra were a branch of the ruling Eoganachta of Munster. Their territory was in Iarmuman or West Munster. Luachair is the old name of a large district on the borders of Co Cork, Kerry and Limerick...
.
| "Mo Gobnat from Muscraige Mitaine, i.e. a sharp-beaked nun, |
| Ernaide is the name of the place in which she is. |
| Or Gobnat of Bairnech in Món Mór in the south of Ireland, |
| and of the race of Conaire she is; a virgin of Conaire's race" |
| –Note to the Félire Óengusso, tr. Whitley Stokes, p. 73 |
No hagiographical Life is known to have described her life and miracles, but she appears in the Life of her senior companion St Abbán moccu Corbmaic
Abbán
Abbán moccu Corbmaic , also Eibbán or Moabba, is a saint in Irish tradition. He was associated, first and foremost, with Mag Arnaide and with Cell Abbáin...
, written in the early 13th century but known only through later recensions. Saint Finbarr's Life implies that Gobnait's church belonged to Finbarr's foundation at Cork by alleging that it was not founded by her, but by one of his disciples. In spite of this, Gobnait's cult continued to thrive here and the ruins of a medieval church dedicated to her are still visible today.
The Félire Óengusso and the Martyrology of Donegal give her feast-day on 11 February. In 1601 Pope Clement VIII granted a special indulgence to those who, on Gobnait's day, visited the parish church, went to Confession and Communion and who prayed for peace among 'Christian princes', expulsion of heresy and the exaltation of the church.
The saint is still locally venerated today. She is depicted on a stained glass window at Honan Chapel
Honan Chapel
The Honan Chapel is located on the grounds of University College Cork in Cork city, Ireland.-Irish Arts & Crafts movement :The chapel, and its liturgical collection, was produced during the late phase of the Irish Arts and Crafts movement . Both the building and furnishings were designed and...
in Cork, which was made by artist Harry Clarke
Harry Clarke
Harry Clarke was an Irish stained glass artist and book illustrator. Born in Dublin, he was a leading figure in the Irish Arts and Crafts Movement.- History :...
in 1916.