Cellach of Killala
Encyclopedia
Cellach of Killala, supposed first Bishop of Killala
, fl. mid-6th century.
Cellach appears among the saints of the Ui Fhiachrach in Genealogiae Regum et Sanctorum Hiberniae, where Walsh suggests he may have been the Cellan Ua Fiachrach who appears under 1 May. It is not certain if he ever existed, as the only source, Betha Chellaig, is a much later pseudo
-historical account found in Leabhar Breac
.
The account states he was the eldest son of Eogan Bel
, King of Connacht, was taught by Ciaran of Clonmacnoise
. Ciaran made him a monk, and Cellach stayed with him till Eogan Bel was killed in the battle of Slicech (Sligo
) against the northern Ui Neill
, dated at 543
, 546
or 547
. He succeeded his father but under a curse from Ciaran, who foretold a dire fate.
Cellach was eventually ousted and returned to Ciaran, with whom he remained until elevated to bishop of Killala in the reign of Tuathal Maelgarb
. He later fled to a hermitage on Lough Conn
, County Mayo
. He was said to have been murdered by Guaire Aidhne, who had him killed by four of his students who dumped his body in a hollow tree. Cellach's brother, Muiredach, is said to have avenged his death.
The account has many chronological discrepcancies.
Bishop of Killala
The Bishop of Killala is an episcopal title which takes its name after the town of Killala in County Mayo, Ireland. In the Roman Catholic Church it remains a separate title, but in the Church of Ireland it has been united with other bishoprics.-History:...
, fl. mid-6th century.
Cellach appears among the saints of the Ui Fhiachrach in Genealogiae Regum et Sanctorum Hiberniae, where Walsh suggests he may have been the Cellan Ua Fiachrach who appears under 1 May. It is not certain if he ever existed, as the only source, Betha Chellaig, is a much later pseudo
Pseudo
The prefix pseudo- is used to mark something as false, fraudulent, or pretending to be something it is not.-See also:*Falsehood*Pseudorealism*Deception*Mimicry*Pseudo.com*Pseudo: Blood of Our Own...
-historical account found in Leabhar Breac
Leabhar Breac
Leabhar Breac is an Irish language publisher based in Indreabhán in the County Galway Gaeltacht of Cois Fharraige.Specialising in fiction, and named after the 15th century manuscript Leabhar Breac, the publishing house was founded in 1995 by Darach Ó Scolaí and Caomhán Ó Scolaí...
.
The account states he was the eldest son of Eogan Bel
Eógan Bél
Eógan Bél mac Cellaig was a king of Connacht from the Ui Fiachrach branch of the Connachta. He was the grandson of the high king Ailill Molt. His reign began sometime after 500....
, King of Connacht, was taught by Ciaran of Clonmacnoise
Ciarán of Clonmacnoise
Saint Ciarán of Clonmacnoise was one of the early Irish monastic saints and Irish bishop. He is sometimes called Ciarán the Younger to distinguish him from Saint Ciarán of Saighir. He was one of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland....
. Ciaran made him a monk, and Cellach stayed with him till Eogan Bel was killed in the battle of Slicech (Sligo
Sligo
Sligo is the county town of County Sligo in Ireland. The town is a borough and has a charter and a town mayor. It is sometimes referred to as a city, and sometimes as a town, and is the second largest urban area in Connacht...
) against the northern Ui Neill
Uí Néill
The Uí Néill are Irish and Scottish dynasties who claim descent from Niall Noigiallach , an historical King of Tara who died about 405....
, dated at 543
543
Year 543 was a common year starting on Thursday of the Julian calendar. The denomination 543 for this year has been used since the early medieval period, when the Anno Domini calendar era became the prevalent method in Europe for naming years.- Religion :* The doctrine of apocatastasis is...
, 546
546
Year 546 was a common year starting on Monday of the Julian calendar. The denomination 546 for this year has been used since the early medieval period, when the Anno Domini calendar era became the prevalent method in Europe for naming years.- Byzantine Empire :* December 17 – The Ostrogoths...
or 547
547
Year 547 was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar. The denomination 547 for this year has been used since the early medieval period, when the Anno Domini calendar era became the prevalent method in Europe for naming years.- Europe :* Ida founds the kingdom of Bernicia at...
. He succeeded his father but under a curse from Ciaran, who foretold a dire fate.
Cellach was eventually ousted and returned to Ciaran, with whom he remained until elevated to bishop of Killala in the reign of Tuathal Maelgarb
Tuathal Maelgarb
Túathal mac Cormaic , called Túathal Máelgarb, was said to be a grandson of Coirpre mac Néill. He was High King of Ireland. In the earliest accounts he appears to have been regarded as the man who completed the conquest of what would later be Brega for the descendants of Niall of the Nine...
. He later fled to a hermitage on Lough Conn
Lough Conn
Lough Conn is a lake in County Mayo in the province of Connacht in Ireland and covers about 14,000 acres . With its immediate neighbour to the south, Lough Cullin, it is connected to the Atlantic by the River Moy...
, County Mayo
County Mayo
County Mayo is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the village of Mayo, which is now generally known as Mayo Abbey. Mayo County Council is the local authority for the county. The population of the county is 130,552...
. He was said to have been murdered by Guaire Aidhne, who had him killed by four of his students who dumped his body in a hollow tree. Cellach's brother, Muiredach, is said to have avenged his death.
The account has many chronological discrepcancies.