Finbarr, has been dead since about 622 AD, but a surprising number of the Irish know his name and a bit of his history. He lived from 550 AD to 622. Most knew him as Saint Finbarr. Let's just call him Barra for now. He was born in what is now Connaught, Ireland at Garranes near Bandon. He was born into what might be an upper middle class family, his father dealing in iron works and his mother a Lady at court. I think they called him Lochan. His father's name was probably Amegain. Later Irish mothers and Fathers named there sons Finbarr and one or two of them also became Saints!
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Barra is venerated by both the Easter Orthodox and Roman Catholic Church. He and his closest disciples began over a dozen schools and churches in Ireland and beyond. His first school has been called: a school of learning, a college of religion, an asylum for the poor, a hospital for the sick, an abode of wisdom, and a sanctuary of Christian virtues. His schools produced many Irish Saints. He has been described as a torch of wisdom and humility for all. He is well known as a bishop of Cork. He provided his schools with a copy of the Gospels transcribed by him. He is know to have visited Rome at least twice and Scotland more.
He seems to have been familiar with teachings and translations of Rufinus of Aquileia who has often been called Tyrannius(or Tyrannous Rufinus). Rufinus lived from about 344 to 420 AD and may have visited Ireland. He studied at Alexandria and certainly had knowledge of Ireland. Rufinus knew the works of Origen.
Barra was also familiar with Jerome and his translations from Hebrew and Greek. Jerome was alive in 342 and 370 AD.
His formal studies probably began in Ossory in what is now county Connaught. He also learned from the works of Origen, Jerome, and Rufinus. Origen lived from about 185 to 253 AD. He studied and taught at Alexandria. If you know more these last three tell us a bit about these intelligent and learned men.
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rcs