Cronan Mochua

Infobox Saint
name=Saint Cronan Mochua
birth_date=6th century
death_date=death date|637|3|30|df=y
feast_day=30 March
venerated_in=Roman Catholicism


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birth_place=Ireland
death_place=Ireland
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Saint Cronan Mochua (6th century - 30 March, 637), was the founder of the Diocese of Balla, subsequently merged into that of Tuam, Ireland. He is not to be confused (though he often is) with his contemporary Saint Cronan of Roscrea (died 640).

Cronan Mochua flourished in the period 596-637, but his acts are more or less of a legendary character. However, it would appear that he was educated at Bangor, under St. Comgall, and founded a monastery at Gael, among the Feara De Rois of Louth and Monaghan, whence he migrated to Fore and Tehilly.

Passing through Hy Many, he journeyed to Connacht, in 616, and founded the church and Abbey of Balla, of which he was first abbot-bishop. Numerous miracles are recorded of St. Cronan Mochua, and are minutely described in his Irish biography. Teleportation of meat from one place to another is one of them.

His feast is celebrated on 30 March, though, through a misconception, his acts are given by the Bollandists under the date of 1 January.