Tag Archives: St. Patrick

Posted in Irish church history

St. Macnessius – 4th September

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Much of the information below has been gleened from Omnium Sanctorum Hiberniae: Saint Mac Nissi of Connor, September 3

St. Macnessius was known as Oengus. The ancient Irish ”Leabhar Breac” narrate that the saint’s mother was Cnes, a daughter to Conchaid of Dal Cethern. It was common enough among the Irish to derive a surname from the mother in those times. So we have Oengus Mac Cnes toda known as St. Mac Nissi or Macnessius… Oengus was baptised by St. Patrick, at a fountain of water that suddenly sprung from the ground. As a fostered child, Oengus became known as Mac Cnes Patraic.

St. Patrick placed Mac Cnes under the care and formation of his disciple Abbot Bolcan. Mac Cnes was a docile pupil, and progressed through his elementary studies. When St. Patrick was later on a journey through Dalaradia, having met Bolcan with Mac Cnes, he prophesied that the Apostlic mission of Bolcan would be handed over to Mac Cnes. The docile student proved himself perfect in every good work, and was later again raised to the episcopal dignity of Abbot by St. Patrick. The holy Abbott was founder of a monastery that was to become the see of Down and Connor. Mac Cnes was thus also a Bishop.

Mac Cnes undertook a pilgrimage to Rome and to Jerusalem. The Bollandists narrate that Mac Cnes was a prayerful pilgrim, and that returned to Ireland with several relics from the Holy Land. He took a stone relic from our Lord’s Sepulchre, a portion of the Blessed Virgin Mary’s hair, a bone of the Apostle St. Thomas, and pieces from the garments of the Apostle’s vestments. Mac Cnes returned to Ireland via Rome, and lodged in the Apostolic curia for a few days. He was treated with marked distinction by the curia. Certain Roman magnates, bestowed on Mac Cnes many valuable gifts, along with several gold, silver, and brazen vessels. After visiting the shrines of various saints, Mac Cnes received the Sovereign Pontiff’s benediction and prayers. Mac Cnes returned to Ireland laden with remarkable relics. The native Irish went forth to meet him, from the towns, villages, churches and even from the woods and mountains. They received him with most reverend joy.

Mac Cnes did many miracles through his prayers. For example he healed a blind man, and a leper companion. They presented themselves to Mac Cnes full of confidence of being healed. At his request, they washed themselves in a fountain of clear water. The blind man then received his gift and the leper was cleansed from his leprosy. In a document on Mac Cnes, contained in the Salamancan Manuscript, we read, that he miraculously changed the current of a river in Ireland named Curi. He changed the flow, to mitigate the murmuring of the waters so as not disturb the infirm at a place called ”Dysart” which means hermitage. The Bollandists relate that through the effect of his prayers, Mac Cnes obtained the birth of a saint for a woman. We are told, that a certain man called Setna was with his wife Brig while travelling in their chariot. Upon seeing St, Macnessius travelling on foot, Setna said to his wife: “O woman, descend that the Bishop may take a place in this chariot.” But, Macnessius called out: “Do not disturb her, for she shall give birth to a king, who will rule over many.” It was his prophecy of St. Comgall of Bangor who would rule his people as spiritual King in the name of the Lord.

St. Macnessius reached old age, and the time of death approached. He departed this life, on the 3rd day of September, in the very early 500s. The church in Ireland celebrates St. Macnessius on September 4th.

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St. Declan; patron and the Patrick of the Deise of the Waterford and Lismore Diocese – 24th July

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St. Declan

We have a latin account of Declan’s life called ”Vita Declani” in which we can learn about this distinguished Irish saint. Declan is the  patron of the Waterford & Lismore diocese, of the ancient territory of the Déise. Declan was born around 373A.D at Dromroe between Lismore and Cappoquin, to his father Erc Mac Trein and mother Déithin. His parents were of noble blood and his father’s line extended back to King Tuathal Teachtmhar in the 1st century. Around the 1st century, a dispute happened at the Royal Seat of Tara, where the Désii tribe were expelled from the Royal Province. This tribe moved south to Tipperary & Waterford, and its from this tribe that Declan comes from. Another section of the tribe was exiled to the South West Wales, settling in Meniva.

Coming back to the birth of St. Declan, a holy priest called Colman, baptised Declan and explained to his parents that the child was blessed by God. Declan was fostered, trained and educated by his Uncle Dobhrán, for seven7 years. As Declan grew older, he was sent to a holy man named Dioma to further his studies. Whilst with Dioma, his reputation grew and many follower came to Declan.

Around the year 395, he later travelled to Rome via Gaul, now France, to study. At Rome, he met and became friends with Ailbe, the future bishop of Emly. Humble Ailbe is considered the Patrick of Munster. During Declan’s stay in Rome, he was ordained priest and bishop by the pope of the time. While still in Rome, as he began his pilgrim journey back to Ireland, he met Patrick, Ireland’s future patron. They became providentially acquainted during this encounter. Today, St. Declan is considered “the Patrick of the Déise.

St. Declan was to establish a monastery Ardmore (meaning great height), which grew into a large town. He is one of the pre-eminent figures in the early Irish Church. Declan was one of four pre-patrician saints (along with Ailbe of Emly, Ciarán of Saigir, and Abbán of Moyarney) who preached the Gospel along Ireland’s south coastal regions, before Patrick arrived in Ireland.

Anecdotes of St. Declan.

Declan’s monastery at Ardmore has long been a place of pilgrim significance, with large crowds that gather every year for his feast day on July 24. The story behind this pilgrim, has it routes in a religious and political meeting that took place. Declan and Patrick met at Cashel, and this ancient meeting is commemorated today in a long-distance trail known as St Declan’s Way. In the 5th Century, St Declan walked 110 km from his monastery in Ardmore, Co. Waterford to visit St Patrick in Cashel where he was resident. Patrick had been appointed a bishop by pope Celestinus and at that time, and was preaching and converting the King of Cashel Aongus MacNatfrich to Christianity. At the same time, a man named Ledban, the King of Déise, was antagonistic to Christianity. There was a persecution brewing, and so an Angel of the Lord appeared to Declan to tell him that he must make a journey to Cashel before matters escalated. Declan made his way over the Knockmealdown mountains, passing through Mount Melleray, Lismore, Ardfinnan, Cahir and met Patrick at Mullach Inneonach which is just off the R687 road spur from the N24 not far from Clonmel. Here, Declan was greeted with hospitably by his old acquaintance, Patrick. They held a meeting and came to an arrangement and  encouraged the deise people to denounce Ledban and follow Patrick instead. A new King of the Deise was selected by Declan and Patrick, named Fergal Mac Cormac; a Déise relative of Declan, he led his people in the grace of God and Ledban was banished and never heard of again.

Another anecdote

An imminent naval attack threatening Ardmore was averted when Declan asked St. Ultan to intervene. Ultan then raised his left hand against the attackers and the sea engulfed them. Declan and Ultan disputed the originator of the miracle, but the saying holds sway today in Ardmore “The left hand of Ultan be against you’’.

Nb* Much of the information here is taken from the book ‘’’Declan’’ by Liam Suipéil, published in 2020

[When Declan realised that his last days were at hand, his disciples brought him back to his citadel Monastery, for Declan dwelt in a small venerable cell, built in a quiet  place near the sea called Diseart Decláin (Declan’sHermitage). Before he died, He received the body and blood of Christ and he blessed his people, his dependents and his poor and he kissed them in a token of love and peace.]

Taken from Canon Donal O’Connor’s book -‘The Pilgrim’s Round of Ardmore’ Co. Waterford 2000.

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St. Colum Cille; the dove of Iona – 9th June

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St. Colum Cille is one of the three Patron Saints of Ireland. He was born at Garten, Donegal in Ulster, 7th December, 521. Colum Cille was from the noble O’Donnell Clan. His father was Fedhlimdh (Irish for Phillip) and his mother was Eithne, of Leinster nobility. Fedhlimdh’s father was Felimy, whose grandfather was great King Niall, who was dubbed Niall of the Nine Hostages. King Niall kidnapped St. Patrick along with his sisters Lupita and Dererca and a host of other victims from Armoric Britain. Colm Cille’s baptismal name was Chiomhthainn (Chriffin) but he became known as Colum, which signifies a dove. His name was further adjusted becoming Colum-cille, meaning “dove of the Church”.

When he attained a foundational level of education, he entered St. Finnian’s monastary of Movilla in Co. Down. Finnian had once upon a time studied under St. Colman of Dromore. At Movilla, Colum Cille’s sanctity began to manifest itself by miracles, and he also received his ordination to diaconate. Traditions attests through the writings of St. Eunan, (Adamnan) that by Colum Cille’s prayers, he converted water into wine, for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass (Adam., II, i). St. Columba was also tall and dignified. St. Eunan further says: “He was angelic in appearance, graceful in speech, holy in work” (Praef., II). His voice was strong, sweet, and sonorous capable at times of being heard at a great distance.

From Movilla, Colum Cille travelled southwards into Leinster, and he became a pupil of an aged bard named Gemman for a while. He later entered the monastery of Finnian of Clonard, and became one those twelve Clonard disciples. These twelve subsequently became known as the Twelve Apostles of Ireland. It was around this time, he was ordained a priest by Bishop Etchen of Clonfad. Colum Cille founded several important monasteries, including at places like Derry, and Durrow.

Colum Cille travelled to Tours in France. There he managed to get a relic of those gospels that had lain on the bosom of St. Martin for a one hundred years. Tradition says this relic was deposited in Derry (Skene, Celtic Scotland, II, 483).

Colum Cille left Ireland for Iona in Scotland in 563 in his forty-fourth year. He took with him twelve companions, on a mission, crossing the Irish sea in a currach. The twelve took to land at Iona on the eve of Pentecost, 12 May, 563. Iona island, according to Irish sources, was granted to Colum Cille by King Conall of Dalriada, who was his kinsman. St. Bede however, an English monk, attributes the gift of the island by the Picts (Fowler, p. lxv). These diverse explanations offer expediency; an way to appease Colum Cille’s  kinsmen of Dalriada and the Picts of Caledonia.

From Iona, St. Comgall, St. Canice, and St. Colum Cille travelled up to the highlands of Scotland. There, they would seek to visit King Brude at his royal residence near Inverness. However, admittance was denied to the missionaries, and the doors were all shut up, and the gates shut off. To gain entrance, they made the sign of the cross at the gates, and suddenly the bolts flew back, and the doors & gates opened out. The three monks walked right into the castle. Amazed by so obvious a miracle, king Brude, then gave ear to Colum Cille with reverence. From this exceptional encounter the Pictish King Brude was baptized. His people soon followed his example of baptism, and thus Christianity took sway over the whole of Caledonia. The Druids lost their status in the Highlands.

Tradition tells us that St. Colum Cille occupied frequently within an hour, his studies, his prayers, and the likes. He was regularly engaged in transcribing, even upon the  eve of his death. Colum Cille was a prolific transcriber and it is believed he wrote 300 books, two of which are extant; “The Book of Durrow” and the psalter called “The Cathach”. This psalter enclosed in a shrine, was once upon a time carried into battle by the O’Donnells as a pledge of victory.

St. Colum Cille was conscious of his death looming, in the spring of 597. By Saturday, 8 June, he climbed up the hill on Iona, overlooking his monastery, giving it his final blessing. He was to make himself present for vespers, and after the prayers, the monastic bell summoned the community for a midnight service. Colum Cille forestalled his monks, deciding to enter the church without assistance. As he made his way to the altar, the aging Abbot sank down, breathing forth his last, by now surrounded by his disciples. This happened between the 8th and 9th of June, 597. He died in his monastery in Iona, Scotland. The relics of St. Colum Cille were carried back to Ireland and deposited in the church of Downpatrick in Ireland. He is now buried there together with the two other national patrons of Ireland, St. Patrick. and St. Brigid.

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Jarlath, disciple of Benignus, disciple of Patrick

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St. Jarlath of Tuam (Iarlaithe mac Loga)

Jarleth was the son Loga, son of Dana, of the Conmaicne clan. Jarlath’s mother was Mongfinn daughter of Ciardubán of the Cenél Chinnenn clann. These parents Recognized Jarlath’s spiritual potential, sending him to be educated under St. Enda of Arran about 495 A.D. Jarlath grew in holiness and understanding and later went to study under Benignus, a disciple of St. Patrick, in Kilbannon. Benignus was also baptized by St. Patrick, and grew up to became coadjutor in the See of Armagh.

Jarlath Moved out from Kilbannon and founded a monastery at Cluain Fois (Cloonfush), (meadow of the respite), near Tuam. This monastery attracted scholars from all parts of Ireland. Two notable pupils were, St. Brendan of Ardfert, and St. Colman of Cloyne. The “Felire” of Aengus says that Jarath was a man of ascetics, noted for his fasting, watching, and mortification. Three hundred times by day and three hundred times by night did this saint bend the knee in prayer. St. Patrick prayerful influence continued through St. Jarlath, who was also endowed with the gift of prophecy.

An aging Jarlath received a spiritual prompting, not to remain in Cloonfush. It was recommended that Jarlath “sit in his wagon” and the location where the wagon wheels break will “mark the spot of his resurrection…”. And so, in the 6th century Jarlath travelled a short distance and arrived at a place, where the wheel fell off the wagon. He interpreted this to be a divine sign, and he established a monastery there on that spot. This place became known as ‘’Tuaim dá Gualann’’ which means tomb of the two shoulders. There Jarlath died, ‘full of days,’ on 26 December.

Since around Jarlath’s time, the broken wheel has been the emblem of St. Jarlath in Tuam. His feast is kept on 6th June, being the date of the translation of his relics to a church built in his honour. Its now a ruin that adjoins the cathedral of Tuam. His remains were, encased in a silver shrine inside the 13th century built church called Teampall an scrín, (temple of the shrine).

We shall conclude with a short prayer associated with our Tuam Saint. ‘’St. Jarlath of Cloonfush and Tuam, we pray to you for inspiration and enthusiasm, for a sense of adventure and mission, to spread the Gospel and live the faith. When the spokes close to the hub needs repairs, when the chariot wheel falls off, keep us on track, on the right road, as we continue our pilgrim journey, through your intercession and prayer’’. NB* – Prayer taken from a short video created in 2022, on St. Jarlath given by bishop Fintan Monaghan of Killaloe diocese.

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St. Kelly of Armagh, ‘’Naomh Ceallach’’, (St Celsus): the wrestling administrator – 1st April

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Kelly was born in 1080. His name in Irish is Ceallach Mac Aedha. He was heir, to a lay administration, known as ‘’coarb’’ of St. Patrick. This role was the family heirloom of Clann Sínaigh, who took control of the administration of the abbacy of Armagh, to keep the monastic settlement from the foreign Viking hands. This was after the historic period of great instability in the Gaelic kingdom. In that epoch, there were seismic ethnic incursions in Ireland, that we find narrated in the ‘’Book of Invasions’’. This book encapsulates a difficult situation for the Gaels, wrought by the Vikings, who as the book recounts, arrived in Ireland ‘’wave after wave after wave’’. The Norse Vikings took hold of Dublin and Waterford, and later the Danes arrived and despoiled the established Catholic sees in Ireland. The nation’s formerly established diocese became depleted of bishops and priests.

The Clann Sínaigh had took control of the Abbey of Armagh for security, and did financially well from this arrangement. Then in 1091, Kelly became the family lay administrator of Armagh. But he took the unusual step to priestly ordination and chose the celibate life, with a view to reigning in the reform, introduced by Pope Gregory VIII across Europe. To explain; lay administrative control of abbeys were a feature in Europe, after the fall of the roman empire. But Pope Gregory VII (1073-85) wished to replace the lay administration with the administrative role of a diocesan bishop.

Around that same era, in England, strong Norman archbishops like Lanfranc and St Anselm were appointed to the see of Canterbury. They had support from the growing Norse community in Dublin and Waterford. Anselm consecrated Samuel Ó h-Ainglí as bishop for Dublin and consecrated Malchus as the first bishop of Waterford.

After Pope Gregory, a momentum built up in Ireland regarding reform. The 1st Synod of Cashel (1101) was presided over by King Muircheartach Ó Briain in Ireland at the request of Lanfranc and Anselm. The reform momentum was led by bishop of Meath, Maol Muire Ó Dunáin, who was appointed papal legate to Ireland by Pope Paschal II (1099-1117). This 1st synod of Cashel enacted decrees against lay investiture, and against the idea of a lay administrator.

Then in 1106 bishop Maol Muire Ó Dunáin ordained Kelly as a bishop. He was present at the Synod of Rathbreasail in 1111, which also promoted the reforms of synod of Cashel on a nationwide level. The momentum was gaining ground. Cashel and Armagh were to be the two recognised archdioceses in Ireland pending approval from Rome. The synod of Rathbreasail begin the re-establishment of the diocese structure in Ireland.

All of this momentum was the backdrop in whom Kelly found himself as administrating bishop of Armagh, and set him on a collision course of family rivalry upon the now defunct hereditary practices. Kelly had also to simultaneously wrestle the diocese of Dublin from the Norse influence, and their loyalty to Canterbury. It was around this time, that bishop Kelly appointed a young monk named Malachy, ‘’Maolmhaodhóg Ua Morgair’’ to act as his vicar in Armagh. When bishop Kelly returned to Armagh in 1122, he felt that Malachy would make a suitable bishop. Malachy was sent to Lismore, an influential monastic centre with Benedictine influences from England and the continent.

In a shrewd move, bishop Kelly later appointed Malachy as successor to Armagh. In this way, the hereditary succession of the coarbs of Armagh from his Clan was broken, with a successor outside the family hegemony. In 1129 Kelly died at Ardpatrick and was buried in Lismore. Malachy was left with the difficulties of wrestling control as bishop from Kelly’s next of kin, Muircheartach. He only took control of Armagh after Muircheartach’s died in 1134, thanks to the support from Cinél Eoghain. This support secured the see of Armagh, from the next of kin, Niall of the Clann Sínaigh, the would-be successor to Muircheartach. With the see of Armagh now assured, Bishop Malachy appointed as his own successor, Gilla Mac Líag, abbot of Derry. And the rest is history…

St. Kelly of Armagh is celebrated on the 1st of April in the church calendar.

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St. Macartan of Clogher: The Staff of St. Patrick – 24th March

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Aidus Macartan grew up in the South Mid Ulster region, of pagan parents. He was the son of Caerthen, and Saint Bridget was his niece.

Aidus Macartan (Aedh MacCairthinn) converted to Christianity after having travelled south to Leitrim to hear St. Patrick preach. Soon afterwards, Ireland’s patron saint baptised Aidus. This happened at Drumlease, near Dromahair and Macartan was to become St. Patrick’s ‘’Tréanfhear’’ which is Irish for strong man”. When the patron saint grew old, Macartan became known as the “staff of Patrick”. He supported St. Patrick’s faltering steps as they traversed on mission over the Irish topography with its hillocks, mountains, marshlands, rivers and streams.

When St. Patrick was crossing a stream at the druidic stronghold of Clogher, Macartan, acting as his staff was showing signs of old age himself. The Irish patron saint perceived Macartan’s weariness of travel. After a short discussion, the Primate of Ireland agreed to Macartan’s wish to found a church not to far from the see of Armagh diocese. A close proximity would be ideal, as both men could then remain in communication as friends and as prelates.

St. Macartan was appointed the first Bishop of the diocese of Clogher, and St. Patrick left his apostle a reliquary containing a fragment of the True Cross, known as the ”Domhnach Airgid”. He also gave Macartan his ‘’Bachal-Íosa” which means the staff of Jesus. A monastery was then founded near an ancient fort in Rathmore.

At that time, Eochad reigned as King of Clogher, and he had in his possession an idol stone called the Gold Stone or ‘’Cloch Ór’’, in which his principal seat of power is named. This stone was a ceremonial stone originally used by the druids. Macartan’s appointment as bishop did not go down well with King Eochad. The jealous King desired to expel St. Macartan and give his monastery to his kinsman Tigernach of Clones. Eochad created problems for Macartan, seizing an ox that was essential as a type of cargo haulier for the monastery monks. The cruel Eochad tied the ox to a a large and heavy stone. Soon enough the ox became hungry and could be heard lowing for food. A prophet advisor to the king warned Eochad that all his land within hearing distance of the ox’s lowing would soon become the monastic property of St. Macartan. So, Eochad tried to circumvent this prophecy by sending his son Cairpre to force Macartan from the King’s territory. Cairpre failed to execute his mission, so the king went in person, drawing his sword to force the issue. But Eochad’s arm became paralysed in the act of raising his sword against the venerable servant of God. The queen made herself present to prevent Eochad harming St. Macartan, pleading with the bishop to show clemency on her husband. Her pleas were granted as St. Macartan sprinkled her husband with Holy Water. This act restored the king to full mobility health. In exchange and thanksgiving, king Eochad submitted himself in obedience to St. Macartan, endowing the monastery with a large tract of regal land. Thus the prophetic warning was fulfilled regarding lowing ox heard across the lands. When Saint Macartan died, he was succeeded as bishop by Tigernach of Clones. The Good God works marvels…

Another anecdote we have of Macartan is that one day, there appeared in an unnatural bright light, a woman troubled by a demon. The bishop was able to offer help to the afflicted woman with his apostolic office. The bishop restored this bedevilled woman to full health, in mind, body and spirit. All her familiar family and friends who witnessed her tremendous recovery the following day, were astonished.

Another anecdote we have is that St. Macartan was an avid reader of scriptures. One evening in his cell, as the light declined, God granted him a powerful light like a star, equal to the strength of the sunshine. This light penetrated into the cell, and Macartan was able to continue with his studies and prayer until the dawn.

Our final Anecdote is, of a time when Macartan had meagre food for certain wayfarers. This incident was a great embarrassment having little food to entertain guests. The saint prayed for divine help, and in the night the corn rained down like manna from Heaven on his monastery. Additionally, a clear fountain suddenly sprang up where there was none before. This became a baker’s dream as the  bread produced from such grain from heaven tasted as sweet as honey and the water was flavoured like wine.

We conclude our research on St Macartan, who spent his remaining years as bishop and abbot giving sermons on the gospel in the regions of Tyrone and Fermanagh. He passed away in the year 506 from natural causes and is believed to buried at Clogher, in Co Tyrone. His memory is celebrated on 24th. March.



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St. David of Wales and the Irish influence – 1st March

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St. David is the national saint of Wales. He lived in the 6th century and his mother Non was Irish. David’s mother became a devout Christian and later became a nun. She had David baptised by the Irish St. Ailbhe of Emily. She also had her son educated by a monk called St Paulinus and later David founded the monastery at Meniva in Pembrokeshire, in south Wales.

How this monastery came about is fascinating. St. David lit a fire on the grounds of Meniva where he was directed to, by an angel. At that time, a pagan druid named Baya, ruled those lands and beyond with an iron fist. Upon seeing the fire lit, Baya was filled with dread, for he knew it was a Christian fire that would take possession of the land. Baya only granted the land of Meniva to St. David after Baya’s troops failed to expel him.

The Irish connection with Meniva is quite strong. The monastery was built on the promenade and was frequented by Irish pilgrims. For example, there is St. Senanus who ploughed the land using himself for an ox. St. Brendan took a retreat there, after his long sea voyage to the Americas. St. Modomnoch brought back from Meniva the culture of honey bees to the Irish monasteries. St. Aidan of Ferns was a close and early disciple of St. David when founding the monastery at Meniva. St Aidan was even an abbot at Meniva for a spell.

We have biographical accounts in ‘’The life of St. David’’ written by Rhygy-Farch. This author wrote on the saint some centuries later. He depicts David’s mother Non as a type of Mary of Wales. David, is depicted as a Christ-like figure, whose birth was prophesised to St. Patrick by an angel. David was a thaumaturge, a mathematician, a musician and theologian, as well as curing the blindness of a teacher with a simple touch.

St. David was known for drinking only water, refraining from beer. His monks were called the water drinkers, and were known for austere living. St. David encouraged all his monks to be their own ox when ploughing the land. He lived on vegetables and herbs.

David advised Welsh soldiers battling against the Saxon to wear leeks in their hats so that they knew who to strike and who not to. This advice gave rise to the depiction of the saint with the leek, which is the national emblem of Wales.

A great miracle attributed to St. David was that while preaching to a large and gathering crowd, many of those who came, could not hear or see David very well. Suddenly, a white dove landed on his shoulders, and the earth beneath him began to rise upwards forming a hill which enabled his voice to travel further, and the crowds at the back rows could now see him as well.

It was along the coast of Wales near Meniva where was St. Patrick foretold of the future Saint David to be. It was St. Patrick’s return trip to the Irish, this time as a missionary. When St. David was canonised a saint in 1120 by Pope Callistus II, the Pope declared that two pilgrimages to the national holy shrine of Wales at Meniva is equal to one to Rome.

St. David feast day is celebrated on 1st March

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St. Mel of Ardagh; nephew of St. Patrick – 7th February

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St. Mel was no film director, but he did follow Christ, inspired by His Passion. St. Mel of Ardagh was companion and nephew of St Patrick of British Amorica. Mel and his brothers Melchu, Munis and Rioch accompanied their uncle Patrick to Ireland as missionaries with approval from Rome. They are the sons of their father Conis, and their mother Darerca, sister of Saint Patrick. The ‘’Memoir of Tíreachán’’ and the ‘’Tripartite Life’’, mentions that St Patrick came to Ardagh, in Co Longford.

South of the river Inney, west of Lough Rea, Patrick founded a church at Forgnaidhe. There in Ardagh, he placed Mel as bishop, with his brother Melchu to assist him. Patrick’s other sister St. Lupita also remained at Ardagh as a house keeper. Her presence there was short lived as St. Patrick later felt it better that St. Lupita lived elsewhere, so as not to give opportunity of unfounded gossip by pagans. She moved to Brí Leith where she founded a monastery for religious sisters at Drum Chea on Sliabh Golry.

Mel was a traveling missionary, supporting himself by working with his hands. He was generous with the poor, giving away much of his income, living only on what was essential. On Mel and Melchu’s first missionary journey, they blessed St. Brigid in her mother’s womb and foretold her future greatness. It was Mel who later “gave Brigid the veil”. He also made her an abbess of a monastery.

Ardagh was a diocese established by St. Patrick. But it was formally recognised as a diocese much later at the Synod of Kells (1152). Although St. Patrick established diocese in Ireland, he founded many monasteries and with time and cultural influences, the Irish church became more monastic as the diocesan model faded into the background. St. Mel died in 488, leaving a flourishing influential institution. Shortly after his death, Mel was so regarded as a saint by the local faithful for his authentic witness to Christ. His sainthood is of the pre-congregation canonization type, being proclaimed a saint by popular devotion and recognised as such in this case by a succeeding bishop.

St. Mel of Ardagh is celebrated on the 7th February

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