St Ascius, also called Ascicus and Tassach, is the patron saint of our Diocese of Elphin. He is buried at the Top of a field between Donne town and Ballyshannon near Ballintra. He was a skilled coppersmith and silversmith and copperwork can be seen on the shamrock patterned beaten brass altar screen in the Cathedral in Sligo.
He was one of the earliest of St Patricks disciples and after St. Patrick established the diocese of Elphin County Roscommon circa 450 Ad, he appointed Asicus as its first Bishop. It is said hat he was a humble and often troubled by thoughts that he was not worthy of his high office in the Church. He left Roscommon and travelled to Rathlin O’Beirne in Donegal Bay where he resigned his office and became a hermit living for a period on the top of Sliabh Liag along the area called the pilgrims way.
He remained there for seven years unt he was found by the monks of Elphin who persuaded him to return to Elphin with them. However not in good health he died on the journey back circa 490AD.
He is buried where he died near the Village of Ballintra between Bally Shannon and Donegal town in County Donegal. His feast day is the 27th of April. His burial site is situated along the road from Ballyshannon to Donegal town, just before the turn off to Rossnowlagh. Turn off the main road to the left and short distance along the narrow land you will see the gate posts on your right. The grave is up the hill beyond the gates at a monument.