Dallan Forgaill
Encyclopedia
Saint Dallán Forgaill (c.530–598)—also Dallán Forchella; Dallán of Cluain Dalláin; born Eochaid Forchella—was an early Christian Irish poet best known as the writer of the Amra
Choluim Chille ("Eulogy of Saint Columba
") and the early Irish poem Rop tú mo baile, the basis of the modern English hymn Be Thou My Vision
.
, and his mother was called Forchella. He was the son of Colla, son of Erc, a descendant of the legendary High King Colla Uais
. His nickname, Dallán ("little blind one"), was earned after he lost his sight,, reputedly as a result of studying intensively.
He was born in Maigen (now Ballyconnell
), the eastern edge of the territory of the Masraige
of Magh Slécht
in modern County Cavan
. He was not a member of the Masraige
but belonged to a branch of the Airgíalla
called the Fir Lurg who were in the process of spreading southwards into Fermanagh and Cavan (the barony of Lurg in County Fermanagh
was named after them). His first cousin was St Mogue and his fourth cousin was Saint Tigernach of Clones
.
He died in 598 when pirates broke into the island monastery of Inniskeel, County Donegal
, where he is buried. He was reportedly beheaded, and it is also said that God reattached his head to his body after he was martyred. He was acclaimed a saint in the early 11th century, during the reign of the High King
Máel Sechnaill mac Domnaill
A medieval poem entitled "On the breaking up of a School" composed by Tadhg Og O Huiginn, c.1400, refers to the death of Dallán which caused his school to break-up and the students disperse as they would accept no other master. In a list of ancient Irish authors contained in the Book of Ballymote, Dallán is called “grandson of testimony”.
, as well as a scholar of Latin scriptural learning. He helped to reform the Bardic Order at the Convention of Drumceat.
He is best known for eulogies attributed to him on the subject of contemporaneous Irish saints, namely the Amra Choluim Chille on Saint Columba
, Amra Senain on Saint Senan
, and Amra Connaill on Saint Connall. These poems, rarely translated, were written in such obscure language that subsequent scribes included copious glosses on the poems. The best example of this is the Amra Choluim Chille wherein the glosses contain poems in themselves, some of which deal with the Fenian Cycle. He is said to have written the Amra Choluim Chille, which he completed shortly after the death of Saint Columba
in 597, because Columba had successfully saved the poets from expulsion from Ireland at the assembly of Druim Cett in 575.
The early Irish poem Rop tú mo baile, the basis of the modern English hymn Be Thou My Vision
, is also sometimes attributed to him.
Amra
Amra are the name of certain ancient Irish elegies or panegyrics on native saints. The best known is the Amra of Coluimb Cille...
Choluim Chille ("Eulogy of 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...
") and the early Irish poem Rop tú mo baile, the basis of the modern English hymn Be Thou My Vision
Be Thou My Vision
Be Thou My Vision is a traditional hymn from Ireland, which is commonly attributed to Dallán Forgaill. It is popular among English-speaking churches around the world.-History:...
.
Personal history
Dallán Forgaill's given name was EochaidEochaid
Eochaid or Eochaidh is a popular medieval Irish and Scots Gaelic name deriving from Old Irish ech, horse, borne by a variety of historical and legendary figures, including:*Eochaid mac Eirc, mythological king of the Fir Bolg in the 16th or 20th century BC*Eochaid Ollathair, also known as...
, and his mother was called Forchella. He was the son of Colla, son of Erc, a descendant of the legendary High King Colla Uais
Colla Uais
Colla Uais , son of Eochaid Doimlén, son of Cairbre Lifechair, was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, a High King of Ireland. His given name was Cairell...
. His nickname, Dallán ("little blind one"), was earned after he lost his sight,, reputedly as a result of studying intensively.
He was born in Maigen (now Ballyconnell
Ballyconnell
Ballyconnell is a town in County Cavan, Ireland. It is situated on the N87 national secondary road at the junction of four townlands Annagh, Cullyleenan, Doon and Derryginny in the parish of Tomregan, Barony of Tullyhaw. The town has an altitude of 55 metres above sea level...
), the eastern edge of the territory of the Masraige
Masraige
The Masraige were a Fir Bolg tribe inhabiting Magh Slécht in County Cavan, Ireland. They were also called Masragii, Masraide, Masraidhe, Masruidhe, Mascraide, Masree or Mascraidhe...
of Magh Slécht
Magh Slécht
Magh Slécht is the name of an historic plain in Ireland. It comprises an area of about three square miles situated in the south-eastern part of the Parish of Templeport, Barony of Tullyhaw and County of Cavan. It is bounded on the north by Templeport Lough, on the east by Slieve Rushen mountain,...
in modern County Cavan
County Cavan
County Cavan 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 Cavan. Cavan County Council is the local authority for the county...
. He was not a member of the Masraige
Masraige
The Masraige were a Fir Bolg tribe inhabiting Magh Slécht in County Cavan, Ireland. They were also called Masragii, Masraide, Masraidhe, Masruidhe, Mascraide, Masree or Mascraidhe...
but belonged to a branch of the Airgíalla
Airgíalla
Airgíalla or Airgialla was the name of an Irish federation and Irish kingdom which first formed around the 7th century...
called the Fir Lurg who were in the process of spreading southwards into Fermanagh and Cavan (the barony of Lurg in 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....
was named after them). His first cousin was St Mogue and his fourth cousin was Saint Tigernach of Clones
Tigernach of Clones
Tigernach was one of the saints of the territory ruled by the Uí Chremthainn dynasty, together with Mac Caírthinn of Clogher and Mo Laisse of Devenish. His principal foundation is Clones, which lay in the western part of Fernmag, an area ruled by the Uí Chremthainn branch Uí Nad Sluaig...
.
He died in 598 when pirates broke into the island monastery of Inniskeel, County Donegal
County Donegal
County Donegal 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 Donegal. Donegal County Council is the local authority for the county...
, where he is buried. He was reportedly beheaded, and it is also said that God reattached his head to his body after he was martyred. He was acclaimed a saint in the early 11th century, during the reign of the High King
High King of Ireland
The High Kings of Ireland were sometimes historical and sometimes legendary figures who had, or who are claimed to have had, lordship over the whole of Ireland. Medieval and early modern Irish literature portrays an almost unbroken sequence of High Kings, ruling from Tara over a hierarchy of...
Máel Sechnaill mac Domnaill
Máel Sechnaill mac Domnaill
Máel Sechnaill mac Domnaill , also called Máel Sechnaill Mór, Máel Sechnaill II, anglicized Malachy II, was King of Mide and High King of Ireland...
A medieval poem entitled "On the breaking up of a School" composed by Tadhg Og O Huiginn, c.1400, refers to the death of Dallán which caused his school to break-up and the students disperse as they would accept no other master. In a list of ancient Irish authors contained in the Book of Ballymote, Dallán is called “grandson of testimony”.
Works
Dallán Forgaill was a poet, Chief Ollam of IrelandChief 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...
, as well as a scholar of Latin scriptural learning. He helped to reform the Bardic Order at the Convention of Drumceat.
He is best known for eulogies attributed to him on the subject of contemporaneous Irish saints, namely the Amra Choluim Chille on 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...
, Amra Senain on Saint Senan
Senan
Senan may refer* Saint Senan of Inis Cathaig* Saint Senan of Laraghabrine* Senan, Yonne, a commune in France* Senan, Tarragona, a municipality in Spain...
, and Amra Connaill on Saint Connall. These poems, rarely translated, were written in such obscure language that subsequent scribes included copious glosses on the poems. The best example of this is the Amra Choluim Chille wherein the glosses contain poems in themselves, some of which deal with the Fenian Cycle. He is said to have written the Amra Choluim Chille, which he completed shortly after the death of 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...
in 597, because Columba had successfully saved the poets from expulsion from Ireland at the assembly of Druim Cett in 575.
The early Irish poem Rop tú mo baile, the basis of the modern English hymn Be Thou My Vision
Be Thou My Vision
Be Thou My Vision is a traditional hymn from Ireland, which is commonly attributed to Dallán Forgaill. It is popular among English-speaking churches around the world.-History:...
, is also sometimes attributed to him.