St Laisren

Irish monk. This 7th century saint was born in Ireland and is venerated in Ireland and Scotland. He was abbot of Old Leighlan, Co Carlow, founder of Inishmurray, Co Sligo and supported the Roman calculation of Easter. Not much else is known about him.

One story suggest that he travelled to Rome and was made a bishop there. According to legend he managed to contract 30 illnesses at once, as a penance.

There are some large monastic ruins (pictured), and a series of praying stations at Inishmurray said to date back from his time. In Scotland, a cave hermitage bears his name on Holy Island in Lanlash Bay, off Arran. St Laisren died in 639.