St. Modomnóc of Ossory (also Domnóc and Dominic) (died c. 550) was an Irish saint and missionary in Osraige who was a disciple of St. David of Wales and a member of the Uí Néill royal family.C. Plummer, Miscellanea Hagiographica Hibernensis, p. 217; B.T.A., i. 322 His feast day is February 13.
Life Modomnoc's name is likely to have been Dominic or Donogh, as the words "my", ("mo") "little" and "dear" were added to Irish saint's names; hence Domnóc's name is often rendered mo Domnóc or Modomnóc. He left Ireland to practice priesthood and crossed the sea to Wales to study under St. David at Menevia.Haggerty, Bridget, "The Bees Who would not be Left Behind", Irish Culture and Customs
Beekeeper One of the best known stories regarding Saint Modomnoc concerns his work as a beekeeper in Saint David's monastery . Bees were kept both for their honey and the production of wax. He was never stung.Holy Father Modomnoc of Ossory, Patron Saint of Bees, Dmitry Lapa, Orthodox Christianity When the time came for him to return to Ireland, three times the bees followed in great swarm and settled on the mast. With Saint David's consent he let the bees sail with him and introduced the honeybee to Ireland on his return from Wales.Who is St David, stdavidscathedral.org.uk
Modomnoc's talking to his bees is in keeping with an Irish folklore custom of ‘Telling the Bees’ which ensures that the bees not feel any offence due to exclusion from family affairs and so will remain with the hive. It was believed that if one didn't tell the bees of a wedding, a birth, or a death they would take offence and leave.Chaomhánach, Eimear, "The Bee, its Keeper and Produce, in Irish and other Folk Traditions", University College Dublin This same custom forms the basis of John Greenleaf Whittier's poem, "Telling the Bees".Whittier, John Greenleaf, "Telling the Bees"
Bishop Upon returning home he continued his religious services at Tybroughney. He is said to have been honoured with the episcopal dignity, about the middle of the 6th century.Butler, Alban. "St. Modomnoc, or Dominick, of Ossory, Bishop and Confessor", The Lives of the Saints, Volume II, 1866
References
External links HOLY FATHER MODOMNOC OF OSSORY, PATRON SAINT OF BEES Commemorated: February 13/26 St. Modomnoc - Catholic Online Chaomhánach, Eimear, "The Bee, its Keeper and Produce, in Irish and other Folk Traditions", University College Dublin "A Saint and His Bees" by Dessi Jackson