The statue of Saint Eugene is set in a niche in the tower of the Cathedral above the main entrance doors. The statue is one of a consignment of nine statues around the exterior of the Cathedral, ordered from the firm of Pearse & Sons - the family of Padraig Pearse (one of the executed leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising in Dublin).

The name Eugene is a comparison of the anglicised/latinised ‘Eugenius’ with the saint’s actual Gaelic name ‘Eoghain’ (pronounced ‘Owen’) which translated from Irish means ‘born under the protection of the yew tree’.

Saint Eugene was born towards the end of the 5th century or the beginning of the 6th century. Along with Tighernach, a close friend who later became Bishop of Clones, he received his early education in Clones.

Eugene is said to have founded a monastery in Kilnamanagh, near Dublin, spending 15 years there as an abbot. Among his novices there was his relative Kevin (Saint of Glendalough). According to legend, Eugene had a vision, a divine command to travel north - a command he obeyed with great reluctance and against the wishes of his monks. It has been suggested however, that he was invited north to the See of Ardstraw because of his reputation for learning and sanctity. He was said to have foretold the coming of Columba.

Saint Eugene died on the evening of 23rd August while his monks were chanting their evening office. He is buried somewhere in Ardstraw graveyard and the suggested date of his death is 550.