St Mantan Pastoral Area

St Mantan is the name that has been chosen for the Partnership Pastoral Area which comprises the Parishes of Ashford, Wicklow and ‘Kilbride and Barndarrig’. St Mantan was a disciple of St Patrick. It is said that when St Patrick tried to land in Wicklow, the people stoned the boat and one of the stones broke the teeth of Mantan and hence he was named ‘Mhantain.’ which translates as ‘Gubby’ or ‘Gap Toothed’. Mantan was later to come back to Wicklow where he spread the Gospel message and founded Churches. He is the Patron Saint of the County of Wicklow. We now entrust the care of the new Pastoral area to him asking for his guidance on the journey ahead wherever it may lead us. The Pastoral Area has a Partnership Pastoral Council made up of the Chairs, Priests and Representatives of the Parish Pastoral Councils of the three parishes. Its current Chair is Hilary Madden (Ashford Parish). The Pastoral area is served by three priests and has seven Churches in its area.

Below is an icon which was created by Dominican sister, Sr Pauline McGrath and also the inscription which gives a little detail on the meaning of the icon.