Daigh
Encyclopedia
Saint Daig was an Irish Christian bishop and confessor of Inis-Caoin-Deagha (now Inniskeen
, County Monaghan
), who lived towards the end of the 6th century. His name in Gaelic means "A great flame" and he was probably named after his mother Deighe.
. His father was Carill, son of Laisrén, son of Dallán, son of Eógan mac Néill, son of Niall of the Nine Hostages
, son of Eochaid Mugmedón
.
Daig's mother's name was Dediva (also called Editua or Dedi or Deidi or Deighe or Deidiu or Deaga or Mediva), daughter of Tren, son of Dubhthach moccu Lughair
, who was Chief Ollam of Ireland
and royal poet of King Lóegaire mac Néill
. Dediva's other children were Saint Senan of Laraghabrine, son of Fintan, Saint Diarmaid the Just
, son of Lugna, Saint Caillin
, son of Niata, Saint Felim
of Kilmore, who was another son of Carill and Daig's older brother, Saint Femia, who was another daughter of Carill, St.Manchin
, son of Collan of Corann and Senchán Torpéist
, another Chief Ollam of Ireland
.
When a boy he went to the monastery of Devenish Island
, County Fermanagh
to study under Saint Laisrén mac Nad Froích
. After finishing his studies there he went to study under Saint Comgall of Bangor
monastery. When he graduated he worked as an artisan for Saint Ciarán of Clonmacnoise
for whom he made 300 bells, 300 croziers and 300 Gospels which were distributed as gifts to other monasteries in Ireland.
He then founded his own monastery at Inniskeen
, County Monaghan
. Saint Columba
blessed it for him. Locals tried to kill him but failed and were expelled to the Beara Peninsula
, County Cork
. Saint Berach
was one of his disciples. Daig performed many miracles which are enumerated in his Life. The Félire Óengusso ("Martyrology of Óengus"), states "A man of grace for our wheat was Daig, the good and great son of Cairell". He was present at the death of Carláen the bishop of Armagh
who died on 24 March 588. Daige died shortly afterwards on the 18th August in the same year and his feastday is celebrated on that date.
Inniskeen
Inniskeen, officially Inishkeen , is a small village and parish in County Monaghan, Ireland, close to the County Louth and County Armagh borders. It is located about 17 km from Dundalk and 12 km from Carrickmacross and 5 km from Crossmaglen...
, County Monaghan
County Monaghan
County Monaghan is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Ulster. It is named after the town of Monaghan. Monaghan County Council is the local authority for the county...
), who lived towards the end of the 6th century. His name in Gaelic means "A great flame" and he was probably named after his mother Deighe.
Biography
Daig was born in Kiennacta Breagh, County MeathCounty Meath
County Meath is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Mid-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the ancient Kingdom of Mide . Meath County Council is the local authority for the county...
. His father was Carill, son of Laisrén, son of Dallán, son of Eógan mac Néill, son of Niall of the Nine Hostages
Niall of the Nine Hostages
Niall Noígíallach , or in English, Niall of the Nine Hostages, son of Eochaid Mugmedón, was an Irish king, the eponymous ancestor of the Uí Néill kindred who dominated Ireland from the 6th century to the 10th century...
, son of Eochaid Mugmedón
Eochaid Mugmedon
-Biography:According to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, Eochaid was a High King of Ireland, best known as the father of Niall of the Nine Hostages and ancestor of the Uí Néill and Connachta dynasties...
.
Daig's mother's name was Dediva (also called Editua or Dedi or Deidi or Deighe or Deidiu or Deaga or Mediva), daughter of Tren, son of Dubhthach moccu Lughair
Dubhthach moccu Lughair
Dubthach maccu Lugair is a legendary Irish poet and lawyer who supposedly lived at the time of St Patrick's mission in Ireland and in the reign of Lóegaire mac Néill, high-king of Ireland. In contrast to the king and his druids, he is said to have readily accepted the new religion...
, who was Chief Ollam of Ireland
Chief Ollam of Ireland
The Ollamh Érenn or Chief Ollam of Ireland was a professional title of Gaelic Ireland.-Background:An ollam was a poet or bard of literature and history. Each chief or tuath had its own ollam...
and royal poet of King Lóegaire mac Néill
Lóegaire mac Néill
Lóegaire , also Lóeguire, is said to have been a son of Niall of the Nine Hostages. The Irish annals and king lists include him as a King of Tara or High King of Ireland. He appears as an adversary of Saint Patrick in several hagiographies...
. Dediva's other children were Saint Senan of Laraghabrine, son of Fintan, Saint Diarmaid the Just
Diarmaid the Just
Saint Diarmaid the Just was a Catholic Abbot of Inis Clothrann , Lough Ree, County Longford & of Faughalstown, County Westmeath and a famous Irish confessor of the late-sixth century.He was of princely origin as he was 7th in descent from Nath Í, King of Ireland who died 428...
, son of Lugna, Saint Caillin
Saint Caillin
Saint Caillin, Irish medieval saint and monastic founder, fl. 6th century.-Background:The patron saint of Fenagh, County Leitrim, Caillin was born in the 6th century and founded a famous monastic settlement at Fenagh. He...
, son of Niata, Saint Felim
Saint Felim
Saint Felim , an Irish Christian hermit and priest, was born, probably in Kiennacta Breagh, County Meath in the mid sixth century....
of Kilmore, who was another son of Carill and Daig's older brother, Saint Femia, who was another daughter of Carill, St.Manchin
Manchin
Mainchín mac Colláin was an Irish saint in Corran who is supposed to have flourished in the late 5th or 6th century.He is commemorated on 13 January in the Martyrology of Tallaght, the Martyrology of Gorman and the Martyrology of Donegal. The Martyrology of Donegal compiled by Micheál Ó Cléírigh in...
, son of Collan of Corann and Senchán Torpéist
Senchán Torpéist
Senchán Torpéist, Gaelic-Irish poet of Ireland, -Background:Seanchan Torpest was the Chief Poet of Connacht in 598 AD when he succeeded Dallán Forgaill as Chief Ollam of Ireland...
, another Chief Ollam of Ireland
Chief Ollam of Ireland
The Ollamh Érenn or Chief Ollam of Ireland was a professional title of Gaelic Ireland.-Background:An ollam was a poet or bard of literature and history. Each chief or tuath had its own ollam...
.
When a boy he went to the monastery of Devenish Island
Devenish Island
Devenish or Devinish is an island in Lower Lough Erne, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. Aligned roughly north–south, it is about one and a quarter miles long and two-thirds of a mile wide. The main place to get a ferry to the island is at Trory Point, just outside Enniskillen.- Features...
, County Fermanagh
County Fermanagh
Fermanagh District Council is the only one of the 26 district councils in Northern Ireland that contains all of the county it is named after. The district council also contains a small section of County Tyrone in the Dromore and Kilskeery road areas....
to study under Saint Laisrén mac Nad Froích
Laisrén mac Nad Froích
Saint Laisrén mac Nad Froích , or Laisrén of Devenish, also known by his petname Mo Laisse, was the patron saint of Devenish Island in Lough Erne , near Enniskillen, in the present diocese of Clogher...
. After finishing his studies there he went to study under Saint Comgall of Bangor
Bangor, County Down
Bangor is a large town in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is a seaside resort on the southern side of Belfast Lough and within the Belfast Metropolitan Area. Bangor Marina is one of the largest in Ireland, and holds Blue Flag status...
monastery. When he graduated he worked as an artisan for Saint Ciarán 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....
for whom he made 300 bells, 300 croziers and 300 Gospels which were distributed as gifts to other monasteries in Ireland.
He then founded his own monastery at Inniskeen
Inniskeen
Inniskeen, officially Inishkeen , is a small village and parish in County Monaghan, Ireland, close to the County Louth and County Armagh borders. It is located about 17 km from Dundalk and 12 km from Carrickmacross and 5 km from Crossmaglen...
, County Monaghan
County Monaghan
County Monaghan is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Ulster. It is named after the town of Monaghan. Monaghan County Council is the local authority for the county...
. Saint Columba
Columba
Saint Columba —also known as Colum Cille , Colm Cille , Calum Cille and Kolban or Kolbjørn —was a Gaelic Irish missionary monk who propagated Christianity among the Picts during the Early Medieval Period...
blessed it for him. Locals tried to kill him but failed and were expelled to the Beara Peninsula
Beara Peninsula
The Beara Peninsula is a peninsula on the south-west coast of Ireland, bounded between the Kenmare "river" to the north side and Bantry Bay to the south. It has two mountain ranges running down its centre: the Caha Mountains and the Slieve Miskish Mountains...
, County Cork
County Cork
County Cork is a county in Ireland. It is located in the South-West Region and is also part of the province of Munster. It is named after the city of Cork . Cork County Council is the local authority for the county...
. Saint Berach
Saint Berach
Saint Berach of Termonbarry, . Berach was a disciple of Saint Kevin and a celebrated Irish saint, whose memory is still celebrated in County Roscommon....
was one of his disciples. Daig performed many miracles which are enumerated in his Life. The Félire Óengusso ("Martyrology of Óengus"), states "A man of grace for our wheat was Daig, the good and great son of Cairell". He was present at the death of Carláen the bishop of Armagh
Armagh
Armagh is a large settlement in Northern Ireland, and the county town of County Armagh. It is a site of historical importance for both Celtic paganism and Christianity and is the seat, for both the Roman Catholic Church and the Church of Ireland, of the Archbishop of Armagh...
who died on 24 March 588. Daige died shortly afterwards on the 18th August in the same year and his feastday is celebrated on that date.
Further reading
- Charles-Edwards, T.M. "Ulster, saints of (act. c.400–c.650)." Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Oxford University Press, Sept 2004; online edition, Jan 2007. Accessed: 14 Dec 2008.