Connell of Aughrim
Encyclopedia
Connell, aka Saint Connell, was a late fifth-early sixth century missionary among the Soghain
of what is now County Galway
.
Nothing appears to be known of the background of Connell. He was appointed Bishop of Aughrim
by Saint Patrick
; the site of his church is now believed to be at Foats or Levallynearl townland in the parish. The adjoining parish of Clontuskert contains the townlands of Crossconnell More and Crossconnell Beg, which commemorate his name. Aughrim parish is bordered on the north by the parish of Kilgerrill, and there is a tradition concerning a dispute between Connell and Saint Kerrill, though this tradition is believed to have its roots in a dispute between the parishes as much as a thousand years later.
According to Joseph Mannion:
"... it is clear that St Kerrill and St Connell were contemporaries of St Patrick and as such they belonged to the fifth century. Both were disciples of his who were raised to the episcopate and placed over churches by him. Their respective ecclesiastical territories are likely to have bordered each other at the Ballinure river which formed part of the southern boundary of Sodhan. Under these circumstances one cannot rule out the possibility of conflict arising over disputed areas of jurisdiction which would have given rise to the legendary disagreement between these two fifth-century evangelists."
In the life of Saint Attracta
it is told that she "approached her brother, St Connell, seeking permission to erect a nunnery close to his own foundation. He prevailed upon St. Dachonna (Conainne
) to request his sister not to build in the area. St Attracta complied with her brother's wishes but was very displeased and is said to have denounced his church."
Since the sixteenth century he has mistakenly been credited with the foundation of Kilconnell
, which was instead founded by Conainne
, a female missionary.
Soghain
The Soghain were a people of ancient Ireland. Dubhaltach Mac Fhirbhisigh identified them as part of a larger group called the Cruithin, and stated of them:...
of what is now County Galway
County Galway
County Galway 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 city of Galway. Galway County Council is the local authority for the county. There are several strongly Irish-speaking areas in the west of the county...
.
Nothing appears to be known of the background of Connell. He was appointed Bishop of Aughrim
Aughrim, County Galway
Aughrim is a small village in County Galway, Ireland. It is located in the west of Ireland, between the towns of Loughrea and Ballinasloe, along the N6 national primary road that connects Galway and Dublin....
by Saint Patrick
Saint Patrick
Saint Patrick was a Romano-Briton and Christian missionary, who is the most generally recognized patron saint of Ireland or the Apostle of Ireland, although Brigid of Kildare and Colmcille are also formally patron saints....
; the site of his church is now believed to be at Foats or Levallynearl townland in the parish. The adjoining parish of Clontuskert contains the townlands of Crossconnell More and Crossconnell Beg, which commemorate his name. Aughrim parish is bordered on the north by the parish of Kilgerrill, and there is a tradition concerning a dispute between Connell and Saint Kerrill, though this tradition is believed to have its roots in a dispute between the parishes as much as a thousand years later.
According to Joseph Mannion:
"... it is clear that St Kerrill and St Connell were contemporaries of St Patrick and as such they belonged to the fifth century. Both were disciples of his who were raised to the episcopate and placed over churches by him. Their respective ecclesiastical territories are likely to have bordered each other at the Ballinure river which formed part of the southern boundary of Sodhan. Under these circumstances one cannot rule out the possibility of conflict arising over disputed areas of jurisdiction which would have given rise to the legendary disagreement between these two fifth-century evangelists."
In the life of Saint Attracta
Attracta
Saint Athracht , in Latin sources Attracta, is the patron saint of the parish of Locha Techet and Tourlestrane, Co. Sligo, Ireland. Her legend states that she fled from home and took her vows as a nun under Saint Patrick at Coolavin...
it is told that she "approached her brother, St Connell, seeking permission to erect a nunnery close to his own foundation. He prevailed upon St. Dachonna (Conainne
Conainne
Conainne, also known as Dachonna, was an Irish missionary and saint.Conainne was a female missionary who evangalised in the Soghain area of County Galway...
) to request his sister not to build in the area. St Attracta complied with her brother's wishes but was very displeased and is said to have denounced his church."
Since the sixteenth century he has mistakenly been credited with the foundation of Kilconnell
Kilconnell
Kilconnell is a small rural village in County Galway, Ireland.Its population in 2006 was 680. Its land is mainly used for dairy farming and the raising of cattle....
, which was instead founded by Conainne
Conainne
Conainne, also known as Dachonna, was an Irish missionary and saint.Conainne was a female missionary who evangalised in the Soghain area of County Galway...
, a female missionary.