Banban the Wise, Irish saint, fl. c. mid to late 5th century.
Contents
Name
Banban's name is rendered differently in a number of sources. The most common include Banbanus, Banbhanus, Mauranum cognomento Barbanum, alias Banbanum, Banuanus Sapiens. Others include Mabran Barbarus, Methbrain, Methbruin, Mauran, Niabrain, Nia Brain, Nie Brain, Niethbrain, Seannan.
Biography
After destroying the idol Crom Cruach in Magh Slécht, Templeport, County Cavan, Ireland, St.Patrick installed Banban as pastor of the Domnach Mór (Big Church) church which he erected there. This is now the site of the Roman Catholic church in Kilnavart townland and is the oldest Christian site in County Cavan.
Feast day
His feast-day is either 1st or 9 May. It may or may not be a coincidence that the next saint's name listed at 9 May in the Bollandists' Acta Sanctorum is St.Bricín of Tomregan which is also in Magh Slécht.
Others of the name
Banban should not be confused with Colman Banban, Bishop of Leighlin & Kildare who died in 720 AD. His feastday is 26 November.