Saint Erc

Saint Erc (also known in Latin as Ercus; in Cornish as Erth; and incorrectly as Herygh) was an Irish saint who was apparently also active in Cornwall.

Saint Erc of Slane was the only person to give homage to Saint Patrick during the latter's confrontation with the druids on the Hill of Slane in 433. Patrick later ordained him a priest and bishop of Slane. Erc is said to have trained the young Saint Brendan the Navigator at his church in Tralee. Saint Erc is also responsible for establishing the famous school at Slane, where King Dagobert II is said to have received his early education. The 12th century martyrology of Gorman calls him "Erc of Slane, bishop of Lilcach and from Ferta Fer Feic beside Sid Truim from the West." His feast in Ireland is 2 November.

The Cornish Saint Erc is generally, though not certainly, believed to be the same man. He was the brother of Saints Uny and Ia and crossed from Ireland to Cornwall, where a church and the village of St Erth are dedicated under his patronage. His feast in Cornwall is 31 October.