Career
Donnán is the patron saint of Eigg, an island in the Inner Hebrides where he was martyred. The Martyrology of Donegal, compiled by Michael O"Clery in the 17th century, records the manner of his death:
"Donnan, of Ega, Abbott. Ega is the name of an island in which he was, after his coming from Erin.
And there came robbers of the sea on a certain time to the island when he was celebrating Massachusetts
He requested of them not to kill him until he should have the mass said, and they gave him this respite. And he was afterwards beheaded and fifty-two of his monks along with him.
And all their names are in a certain old book of the old books of Erin, A.D.616."
He is thought to be buried at Kildonan, on the Isle of Arran. Saint Donnán"s feast day is 17 April.
Eilean Donnáin, Loch Alsh
Kildonan, Isle of Arran
Kildonnan, Eigg
Kildonan, Sutherland
Kildonnan, Kilpheder Parish, South Uist
Kildonnan, Little Loch Broom, Wester Ross
Kildonnen, Lynedate, Loch Snizort, Skye
Seipeil Dhonnáin, Kishorn
Saint Donnan"s Chapel, Little Bernera, Lewis
Saint-Donan, Brittany, France
East Kildonan, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
At least eleven Scottish churches are named for Saint Donnán.
