The Saint, the Nettles, and Seamus Heaney's Poem

St. Kevin 9th or 10th Century

For the Irish, their stories of saints and religious figures are often accepted on faith. The Irish don't seem to care about the exact details; the true nature of the person or the deed is somehow more important. In some ways it is the poetry of the situation holds sway.

Glendalough in the Wicklow Mountains is famous for its monastic school and its founder, St. Kevin (of the Nettles). Born near Rathdrum at the end of the fifth century, Kevin means fair-begotten and it is said he was the first man named Kevin. St. Kevin was tutored at first by St. Petroc of Cornwall on the Scriptures. Then he studied under his uncle, St. Eugenius, who had studied in the famous British monastery of Rosnat. [Rosnat is mentioned in many places as special place of learning, but scholars cannot agree on its early location. Lost in the mist of history.]

The Nettles

According to Irish tradition, Young Kevin was a handsome youth and one day was followed by a young maiden into the woods.  When he realized, he was in danger of committing a sin, he threw himself into a bed of nettles--and earned his nickname--Kevin of the Nettles.  Some sources suggest he turned the nettles on the girl as well. 

Not Allowed to Live as a Hermit

Kevin then retired into the wilds of the Glendalough valley, where he lived in a cave by himself until holy men and others gathered around him. He was asked to build a monastery. And like other such men, his humility and self-denial attracted disciples and a school of learning.  This monastery founded several others, and around it grew a town. St. Kevin served as abbot for several years, but once the monastery was well-established, he withdrew once again to live as a hermit. Four years later, he returned to Glendalough at a monk’s request and served as abbot until his death at age 120. 

St. Kevin was a great protector of animals. Many of the St. Kevin’s miracles also involve nature and animals. His feast day is June 3rd. He died in 618 and received his canonization in 1903. 

Seamus Heaney  wrote a poem based on a traditional story about St. Kevin. A black bird landed on St. Kevin’s hand—the bird laid its eggs in his hand and St. Kevin held the bird until the eggs hatched and the young birds were ready to leave. 

Here’s Heaney’s reading of the poem.

Despite attacks by Vikings over the years, Glendalough survived until the Normans destroyed the monastery in 1214 A.D. A visitor’s center has an audio visual introduction and a model of the monastic site on display. Other building of interest are present. Glendalough is one of the top attraction on Ireland’s Ancient East.  

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Larry Norris is the publisher of Patrick McCaskey's Pilgrimage and Norris's own book, The Brown and White.