Monthly Archives: January 2024

Posted in Irish church history

St. Aiden of Ferns, known as Maedóc the disciple of St. David – 30th January

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St. Aidan is one of the 25 Irish Saints recognised in 19 June 1902 by the universal church via a process of cultus confirmation. This saint helps us to glimpse the close relationship that existed between the Gaels and the Welsh.

Aidan was born c558 on Inisbrefny, in Cavan. He was baptised Aedan. His parents Sedua and Eithne, from the noble families of the O’Neils and O’Briens, later called him Mo-Aidh-og, which means “My little Hugh” or its like saying my little Aed. His Irish name became Maodhóg or in old Irish Maedóc which he is now commonly known as. Maedóc was held hostage as a child by Aedh Ainmire, High-King of Ireland to ensure his family’s loyalty. He was later released, and he directed his life towards the religious, following his childhood inclinations.

Maedóc studied for several years in Wales under St. David at Menevia in Pembrokeshire. David is patron saint of Wales. Maedóc was listed in the Welsh triads as one of David’s three most faithful disciples. To give you a few stories recounted about St. Maedóc during his time in Wales, we have 1) by accident he broke a jug of ale destined for his fellow monks over a meal; but making the sign of the cross over the broken jug, it became repaired and thus he was able to serve his monks. 2) At another time in Wales, a yoke given to Maedóc by David’s steward which was not sufficient in size to fit around the necks of his oxen. Maedóc miraculously accommodated them which permitted him to travel with material to Llanddewi Velfrey.

Maedóc later returned to Ireland. At the same time, there was a victory at Dunbolg, Co. Wicklow, in 598, in which the High King Aedh was slain by Prince Brandrub of Leinster. In thanksgiving the prince gifted Maedóc lands in Wexford, for his prayers attributed to the victory. Aedh was a pagan king, and did not do himself any favours. Prince Brandub belonged to the dynasty of Uí Chennselaig, whose domain was the territory of Ferns. Maedóc’s monastic foundation was became known as Fearna-nor-Maedhog

St. Maedóc died on 31st January 632 on Lough Melvin’s shore, Co. Leitrim. His relics are held inside the tomb at the cathedral crypt in Ferns. St. Edan’s Cathedral in Ferns remains the seat of Church of Ireland diocese.

At the synod of Ráith Bressail in 1111, Ferns became one of five episcopal sees in Leinster. The diocese of Ferns is equivalent to the earlier kingdom of Uí Chennselaig over the territory of Ferns.


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Posted in Irish church history

The good Lord Mayor of Dublin; Blessed Francis Taylor – 30th January

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Francis Tayloy was born in Swords in 1550. He was a respected senator of Dublin and was imprisoned because of his adherence to his Catholic faith. We have the testimony of Most Rev. Thomas Flemming, Archbishop of Dublin along with other esteemed clergy which can be found in the Book, ”Our Martyrs” by Rev. D. Murphy, S.J.

To summarise… Francis Tayler was sprung from an ancient noble family and filled several public offices with great credit, as that of Mayor, Treasurer, and Senator in Dublin city. He was a loving husband and father of six children. Francis died in prison, having been incarcerated for seven years due to his Catholic faith. He was told that if he only took the Oath of Supremacy he would be released and could enjoy his comfortable lifestyle again, but he adamantly refused to do this as it would mean renouncing his Catholic faith. He put on the crown of a glorious death after an imprisonment of seven years in Dublin Castle  died in the dungeon at the age of 71 on 29 January 1621 AD.

In 1992 a representative of seventeen Irish martyrs, were chosen from a list of almost three hundred who died for their faith in the 16th and 17th centuries. Francis Tayler was beatified among them by St. Pope John Paul II. Francis Tayler is also a patron of St. Oliver’Plunkett’s parish in Clonmel. Blessed Francis is regarded as a patron for politicians and fathers.

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Posted in Irish church history

Blessed Margaret Ball, a devout mother and wife, and Martyr to the Catholic faith – 30th January

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Margaret Bermingham was born about 1515 in Skreen, Co Meath, she married Bartholomew Ball, a prosperous Dublin merchant, where she came to live. Her eldest son, Walter, yielding to the pressure of the times, became a Protestant and an opponent of the Catholic faith. Margaret however remained faithful to the Catholic faith, and even provided ‘safe houses’ for bishops and priests passing through Dublin. She would invite her son Walter to dine with them, always hoping for his reconversion to Catholicism.

But her ambitious son then became the Lord Mayor of Dublin, and shamefully had his own mother arrested and drawn through the streets, on a wooden hurdle, (as she could no longer walk), to Dublin Castle. There Margaret was imprisoned, thrown into the dungeons of the Castle for the rest of her life. In the vaults, she remained in a cold, dark, damp environment for three years until she expired, worn out from hardship. Margaret bore this condition with great patience and humility.

She could easily have returned to her life of comfort if only she took the Oath of Supremacy, acknowledging Queen Elizabeth I as head of the Catholic Church. But she refused to do this. Margaret died in the dungeon of failing health in Dublin Castle at the age of 69 in 1584 AD.

She passed over to receive the crown of glory for her steadfast fidelity to Christ. Blessed Margaret’s body was interred at St. Audoen’s Church, Dublin. She is one of the seventeen listed Irish Martyrs and a patron of St. Oliver Plunkett’s parish in Clonmel. In 1992 a representative of seventeen Irish martyrs, were chosen from a list of almost three hundred who died for their faith in the 16th and 17th centuries. Margaret among 16 others was beatified by St. Pope John Paul II.

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Fursey, the Irish Saint who conquered East Anglia for Christ while pouring many blessings on France – 16th January

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Fursey was of noble Irish birth, born around 575. He embraced religious life at the monastery of St. Meldan on the island of Inchquinn on the Lough Corrib, Co. Galway in the West of Ireland. Fursey was an avid learner of spiritual writings and the practice of virtue from his youth.

Bede recounts in his Ecclesiastical History of the English nation, that St. Fursey went to East Anglia in 633 on a mission with at least four pilgrim companions, two brothers St Foillan and St Ultan, as well as two other priests. King Sigbert II of East Anglian, received these pilgrims very well and gave them a tract of land for a monastery at Burgh Castle (Cnobbersburg), near present day Yarmouth. The King had many years earlier found himself exiled into Gaul, in France by his step father King Redwald. This was providential, as in Gaul, Sigbert became a Christian under the guidance of St. Columbanus and his monks who where on their peregrinus pro Christo. Sigbert returned to East Anglia in 631 and ascended the throne a new man. Now Fursey and company founded and stayed at their newly founded monastery in East Anglia, for around twelve years. They followed the Celtic liturgical tradition, which was an unusual occurrence in England.

Later King Anna, succeeded King Sigbert II, and St. Fursey was afforded further support, in evangelising East Anglia. He established double communities for monks and nuns, which was particularly customary in southern and western Ireland. St. Fursey adorned his monastery with a precious bell, and bestowed another bell with monks at the monastery of Lismore in Ireland’s co. Waterford.

The two other pilgrim priest that travelled with Fursey to England are Dicul and Maeldubh. Now Dicul evangelised the South Saxons. He founded a monastery at Bosham, near Chichester, with a small group of monks. This band of brothers held onto to their Celtic liturgical traditions deep in the  Romanized territory. Maeldubh founded a monastery at Malmsbury in Wessex.

Bede says of Fursey:

‘’There came out of Ireland a holy man called Fursa (Fursey), renowned both for his words and actions, and remarkable for his singular virtues, being desirous to live like a stranger for our Lord, wherever an opportunity should offer… he saw the angels chanting in heaven, and a vision of hell in which he saw four fires – the fire of falsehood, the fire of covetousness, the fire of discord and the fire of iniquity.’’

Sigbert was killed as an oblation to the Lord, in a battle against Penda of Mercia, in which King Anna succeeded him. After about 12 years in East Anglia, Fursey and some monks departed to the Frankish kingdom of Neustria. St. Foillan was left in charge of the Norfolk monastery, while St. Ultan travelled with St. Fursey to Gaul. They met a French king, Clovis II ( 636-657) and he authorised Fursey to establish a monastery near Paris at Lagny-sur-Marne in the region of Neustria (648). Fursey was given protection by Echinoald, Mayor of the palace of Clovis II.

St. Fursey was on another pilgrimage, this time to Rome, and stopped at the church of Mont-des-Cygnes in Mezerolles, dedicated to the apostles Peter & Paul. In this church Fursey deposited the sacred relics of St. Patrick as well as St. Meldan. After his trip to Rome, he stayed awhile at Pérrone. He then wanted to go to East Anglia. On his way there, he stopped again at Mezerolles, staying a short time there, feeling ill, he soon died. His body reposed for a time in that same church of Mont-des-Cygnes. His body was later translated to Péronne, where we get the name Perrona Scottorum (Péronne of the Irish). For this was the place offered to him by King Clovis through his mayor, Echinoald. Fursey’s tomb at Perrona Scottorum became an important pilgrim shrine and the monastery became a centre for the Irish. Ultan the brother of Fursey became the first abbot of this centre. St. Fursey’s body was interred two times to be placed in a tomb more fitting to his legacy, and his body was found to be incorrupt.

St. Fursey died around 650 A.D. and is remembered on the 16th January

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Posted in Irish church history

St. Ita the rediscovered Irish Princess – 15th January

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St. Ita is one of the Déise people, of the Waterford based Irish citizens. Her original name was Deirdre, and she was of noble stock, growing up along the river Suir in Waterford. Many aspects of her life parallel closely with St. Philomena from Greece. For example, her father desired an arranged marriage for her with a young nobleman. Like Philomena, Deirdre from an early age desired to have Christ as her spouse and serve him alone. Like Philomena, Deirdre’s beauty won the hearts of many men including kings seeking her hand in marriage, and like Philomena, she always remained faithful to Christ.

Deirdre’s Story differs though in that she is inspired by a dream where angles gift her with three stones, that symbolise each Divine Person within the Holy Trinity. From such a dream, she understood that she was to receive many talents and gifts from the Holy Trinity. Deirdre was thus considered naturally gifted; helping in the affairs of her clan, and breeding horses. She also picked up on herbal medicine from her community, and applied it to the sick.

Deirdre took the name of Ita which in Irish is pronounced Íde (Eydeh). Many towns in Ireland can trace their names back to Íde. For example, Ita established a foundation at Chluana Credal, now called called Killeedy in Limerick. Now Cill in Irish means church, and Killeedy means church of Íde. another example is where Ita made another foundation nearby at Kilmeedy. The name means Church of my Íde, which is a term of endearment. There is also Kilmeadan which is taken from the Irish form Cill Mhíodáin which means church of my little Íde. Kilmeadan is a townland along the river Suir in co. Waterford near where Ita was raised. In North Dublin there is a town called Malahide, called from it’s original Irish name form Mullach Íde, which means Hilltop of Íde. Now Ita had a sister too called Ína and we can trace the place name Killiney in South Dublin to Ína.

Christian Influence

We find memory of Ita in poetry; for example, Alcuin attributed to Íde the title of “the foster mother of the saints of Ireland”. Oengus attributed to her as ‘’the white sun of the women of Munster’’ in a poem written in Irish: ‘’in grían bán ban Muman, Íte Chluana Credal’’

Ita gave formation to a community of nuns, and established a school for boys, teaching them on “faith in God with purity of heart; simplicity of life with religion; generosity with love”. She learnt to build a ship, and later rebuked St. Brendan for not seeking her advice on building sea worthy vessels, after he returned from his Atlantic crossing to America.

Ita was a big player in converting the Druids (Draoi – pronounced Dree) to the Catholic faith. She received a sword from heaven, and she would wield it at members of the Draoi. They were strong in numbers particularly in Malahide and nearby Swords. Ita wielded this divine sword, and without touching anyone, her opponents would fall to the ground dying. This became her opportunity to preach the Good News of salvation, and the fallen draoi would forever accept the offer, and thereby quickly regain health.

St. Ita died around the year 570. We celebrate her memory on the 15th January, and this day is regarded as the last day of Christmas particularly in Limerick where she is established her monasteries.

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