St Adamnan (Eunan) - Born Ireland c628, died Iona 704
Dedication day September 23rd.
Ninth abbot of Iona and important figure within Celtic
church during transitional period to Roman rule when he
strongly supported the Roman cause. Biographer of St
Columba. At one time expelled for having the scripture
translated into Gaelic and for saying Mass in Gaelic.
Kneen suggests that there is little evidence of this
dedication - there being no festival or fair corresponding
to the patronal date and also that the Parish dedication is
almost certainly to St Lonan Machaisre (of Donegal) whose
dedication day of August 2nd would fit with the nearby Laxey
fair generally held on the 5th (i.e. within the octave). An
alternative is that Lonan refers to a nephew of St. Patrick
who became third Bishop of Sodor and Mann
