Finnbar

Finnbar is an Irish name, the Anglicization of Fionnbharr from the Irish-Gaelic elements “fionn” meaning “white, fair” and “barr” meaning “head”. It would have originated as a descriptive name in ancient Ireland for a fair-headed (blond) man. Fionnbharr is the name of several Irish saints, most notably the 6th century St. Fionnbarra who established the first monastery at Cork. As a baby, he was baptized with the name Lóchán but later given the moniker “Fionnbarr” from his fellow monks while a student in Kilkenny (because of his blonde hair). Finnbar must have lived an exciting life because he traveled to Rome on pilgrimage, he refused the Pope who wanted to ordain him a bishop (a vision told him only God could consecrate him), he chill-axed in Wales with St. David, he bopped over to Scotland for a spell to preach, he did some time as a hermit, he founded a monastery, and as if that wasn’t enough, during his down time he performed some miracles. For instance, when one of those pesky Irish serpents parked herself in Cork, all Finnbar had to do was douse the slithering beast with a bit of holy water. As the serpent slinked back into the sea, she left in her trail the River Lee. It was also said that a blinding glow emitted from St. Finnbar’s hand when he gave blessings; the radiance was apparently so bright that he had to wear a glove for the rest of his life. According to legend, at St. Finnbar’s death in 620 A.D., the sun did not set for two weeks. Apparently heaven was glad to see him! As the patron saint of Cork, Finnbar remains much beloved and celebrated – he even has his own ditty (A Hymn to Saint Finbarr) which implies our fair-headed holy man is also the patron saint of “naggins” (that’s Irish slang for hard alcohol). “You can keep St. George and his dragons / St. Pat with his shamrocks and snakes / For drinking the quarts and the naggins / St. Finbarr the trophy must take!”