Bonann

Bonann may refer to several distinct subjects, most notably a small commune in southeastern France and a medieval Irish saint. The article below presents brief information on each usage.

Bonann is a commune situated in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. It lies amid rolling vineyards and limestone ridges, with an elevation ranging from 200 to 400 metres above sea level. Covering an area of approximately 12 square kilometres, the municipality is part of the intercommunal structure of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur. The local economy is largely based on viticulture, olive cultivation and rural tourism. Architectural highlights include the 12th‑century Saint‑Jean‑et‑Saint‑Pierre church, whose Romanesque nave houses a 15th‑century fresco, and the 18th‑century manor house that now serves as a community centre. Recent demographic data show a modest population of around 200 inhabitants, reflecting a gradual decline common to many rural communes in the region.

Bonann is also the name of a celebrated 6th‑century Irish saint, believed to have died in 522 AD. Little is known about his early life, but tradition holds that he founded a monastery near the River Boyne and was renowned for his asceticism and theological writings. The saint is venerated mainly in the province of Leinster, where local churches commemorate his feast day on 21 August. Several hagiographical accounts attribute miracles such as the healing of the blind and the fertilization of barren soil to his intercession. Although his cult has largely faded outside Ireland, Bonann is occasionally mentioned in medieval Irish annals and in the manuscript collections of the Dublin National Library.

The name Bonann is occasionally encountered in genealogical studies as a surname of French or Irish origin. It also appears in place‑name indexes in Britain, where it is often linked to medieval prosperity of certain hamlets that have since vanished.