Finnian of Clonard, Saint (470?-549?), helped develop the early Christian church in Ireland. He founded a monastery at Aghowle, in County Wicklow. About 520, he founded a school at Clonard, in County Meath. The school grew until it had 3,000 pupils. Saint Finnian, an excellent teacher, has been called the teacher of the saints of Ireland. His book of rules for monks still survives. Saint Finnian was born in Leinster, now a province of Ireland. He studied in Ireland and, later, in Wales with Saint David. His feast day is December 12.
