The 17th of April is the feast day of Saint Donnán of Eigg, also known as Saint Donan. He is the patron saint of Eigg.
Little is known about Saint Donan, except that he was probably from Ireland and travelled in his missionary life through Galloway to Scotland. He may have been the contemporary of Saint Columba. In the island of Eigg in Scotland, Saint Donan formed a religious community which grew to fifty-two men and was attacked by either pirates or Viking raiders. After they had celebrated Easter Vigil Mass the men were all martyred. According to tradition the community had gathered together and was killed in the refectory in the night in 17th of April 617 either from fire or by beheading. However, during this time martyrdom of Christian missionaries were rare and it was thought that a malicious local queen who viewed Saint Donan and his community as a threat was the person who set up the attack.
Little is known about Saint Donan, except that he was probably from Ireland and travelled in his missionary life through Galloway to Scotland. He may have been the contemporary of Saint Columba. In the island of Eigg in Scotland, Saint Donan formed a religious community which grew to fifty-two men and was attacked by either pirates or Viking raiders. After they had celebrated Easter Vigil Mass the men were all martyred. According to tradition the community had gathered together and was killed in the refectory in the night in 17th of April 617 either from fire or by beheading. However, during this time martyrdom of Christian missionaries were rare and it was thought that a malicious local queen who viewed Saint Donan and his community as a threat was the person who set up the attack.
