St. Éoghan of Ardstraw, is commonly known as Eugene in English, Eugenius in Latin, or sometimes referred to as Tir Eoghain which is the Irish for Tyrone, a county in Ulster. Éoghan was an important figure in Irish Christianity from the 6th century. His life was marked by a series of remarkable events that shaped his future as a monk, as abbot and bishop.
Hagiologist Colgan, wrote the unpublished Acts of St. Eugene. His work called the ‘’Acts of St. Eugenius of Ardsrata’’, are currently found in the Burgundian Library at Bruxelles. Historians have since edited and published from the original draft, such as Carolus de Smedt and Joseph de Backer.
Éoghan is a descendent of Laeghaire Lore, son to Ugaine Mór, whom the Leinster people are also descended. Éoghan’s father was Cainnech of Leinster and his mother was Muindecha, descendent of the region of Mugdarnia, Co. Down. Éoghan was uncle to St. Kevin of Glendalough. As a youth, Éoghan received his education with Tighernach, in a school at Clones.
Éoghan, Tighernach and another school friend Corpre, were taken hostage to Britain by pirates. By the grace of God, a man called Neunyo, (Mancenus), from the Rosnat monastery (or Candida Casa, in Scotland) procured their liberation from the King of Britain. The three lads received their tutelage under St. Ninian. But later again Éoghan, with companions, found themselves taken hostage and this time they were brought to British Amorica in Brittany. They became slaves under a Gallic King, as mill workers.
They loved reading and would skive from their work duties to read more. One day, the king’s steward caught them on the hop studying, as the milling wheel suspended operations without reason. The steward lorded it over them to resume work at the mill. Finding themselves alone again the three students begged Almighty God, for some respite so they could study. In response, the Angels of God appeared, and these angels worked the mill-wheel, so it revolved, giving the captive slaves time to study. When the miracle was made known to the king, the noble man sent the three captives back to the Rosnat monastery as free men. Restored to his tutor and master, Éoghan studied some more years in the monastery.
After a long period, St. Ninnian felt drawn to sail for Ireland, with Tighernach and Éoghan. There Éoghan went on to establish the monastery of Kilnamanagh (church of the monks) in Co. Wicklow. Éoghan gave his life to sanctity, mortification and prayer. For fifteen years He was Abbot of excellent repute. At Kilnamangh, he influenced the mind of his nephew, Coemghen or Kevin of Glendalough.
Éoghan set out on an evangelical mission to the north of Ireland. His monks at Kilnamanagh were encouraged to excel into their diverse capacities as Abbots, priors, and ministers. Éoghan, later established a monastery at Ardstraw, along the shores of Lough Derg. He built this monastery close to the junction of confluent streams in the Mourne region, near Lifford on the river Foyle… The ancient name Ard-straha means the height by the bank of the river…
In Ardstraw monastery, Éoghan led a saintly life, distinguished by his miracles and a spirit of prophecy. Towards the end of Éoghan’s life, a grave infirmity grew on him day by day. Recognising his time was near, he called his monks around, and he received the last rites, with pious resignation. His monks present, then separated into two choirs, and standing, with alternate chanting of the psalms. During the celebration of the Divine Office, Angels received the soul of Éoghan, who went home to his eternal reward.
The memory St. Éoghan is celebrated by the church in Ireland on the 23rd August.
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