Benan
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Benan, Benignus (Latin Translation - the doer of good), Benen (Irish)
[edit] Benan
Benan was reputedly the first and most favoured apostle of the national saint of Ireland, St. Patrick. We are told that Benen (in Irish), was an Irish boy from Cashel district and was adopted by St. Patrick. Benen is described as Patrick's psalm-singer, and may also have at first acted as his interpreter. In Cavan, he established a monastery on Drom Benen (hill of Benan), today's Drumbannon, and also in cill benen (church of Benan), today's Kilbonane, West Cork. Benan is known as the second bishop of Armagh, as he succeeded St. Patrick in that office from 458 to 468.
[edit] Teampull Bheanáin
http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/289330 Context Pictures of Aran Island http://www.ovestirlanda.com/galway/gallery1.htm
The oratory Tempull Bheanáin is a unique example of celtic church construction. Situated near Kilronan on Inishmore Island, Aran, Galway Bay, Ireland, it marks the location of the original monastic settlement founded by Benan the disciple of St. Patrick, the national saint of Ireland. The Atlantic Islands, where the raw force of nature is omnipresent, have long been attractive to monks - the spartan existence offering few destractions from prayer. Dating from the 11th century, its not a conventional church in the sense of its ability to hold a congregation, more it is reasonably assumed to be the tomb-shrine of this saint. This ensured its survival when the adjacent round tower and medieval monastery were recycled to fortify the now-ruined Cromwellian sea fortress nearby.
The oratorary is situated high on a ridge, which dominates the windward southeast sea approach to the main island port. Roofless and with high squared gables it cuts a striking, almost oriental silouette against the skyline, even though internally it measures a tiny 3.2 m x 2.1 m. It is formed of uncharacteristically massive blocks of stone bonded by mortar and very careful fitting. Its thick walls has are pierced by a traveated (three beam) west doorway and a small west window facing out to the Atlantic Ocean, while the altar faces north. It has stood unaltered a thousand years.
References: 'HABITUAL MASONRY STYLES AND LOCAL ORGANISATION OF CHURCH BUILDING IN EARLY MEDIEVAL IRELAND' Tomás ó Carragáin, Dept. of Archaeology, UCC 2005. www.ria.ie/cgi-bin/ria/papers/100432.pdf
[edit] The Benan of Egypt
Benan (Bnon Seshi, throne name 'May-ib-re'(Seeing in the Heart of the Sun God)) Ca. Aprox 1650 BC. Is noted as the second egyptian king of dynasty 15, a people called "Hyksos" (shepherd kings(!) / hill palestine foreigners) who ruled the top half of the nile for 100 years. Adopting all egyptian customs, they introduced the horse, improved wheaponry and generally strengthened the civilisation. http://www.nemo.nu/ibisportal/0egyptintro/6egypt/index.htm http://www.imninalu.net/Hyksos.htm
