Saint Caillin
Encyclopedia
Saint Caillin, Irish
medieval saint
and monastic founder
, fl. 6th century.
, County Leitrim
, Caillin was born in the 6th century and founded a famous monastic settlement at Fenagh. He
Caillin was born in Conmaicne
Dun Mor (now north County Galway
. He founded a monastic site at Fenagh
, County Leitrim
, which was then the territory of the Conmhaícne Magh Rein, part of the overkingdom of Breifne. He became the patron saint of Fenagh and the Conmaicne of Magh Rein.
, 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, St.Manchin
, son of Collan of Corann, Saint Felim
of Kilmore
son of Carill, Saint Daigh
of Inniskeen
son of Carill, Saint Femia daughter of Carill and Senchán Torpéist
, another Chief Ollam of Ireland
. Caillin was the third eldest of Dediva's famous children.
Caillin also had another brother by his father Niata who was called Nisi. This brother was murdered and an eric-fine was paid to Caillin according to the Book of Fenagh as follows-
to recover the lost tale
called Táin Bó Cúailnge
.
. To complete his studies he went to Rome and for this journey St. Fintan gave him 300 ounces of gold. At the end of a long period of study in Rome messengers came from the Conmaicne to ask Caillin to return and save them and this he did. He brought with him relics of the twelve apostles and the neck-cloth of the infant Jesus.
The fame and glory of St Caillin spread through the land and soon Fenagh became a very important place. Its importance we may judge from the story that claims many of Irelands Kings are buried in the ancient graveyards adjoining the Abbey.
s of Fenagh. The surname is now rendered as Roddy http://www.irishtimes.com/ancestor/surname/index.cfm?fuseaction=Go.&UserID=. Members of the family included Tadgh Ó Rodaigh (fl. 1516) http://www.fenagh.com/history/the-book-of-fenagh/,
his namesake Tadhg O’Rodaigh (fl. 1726, a freind of Tadhg Ó Neachtain
), and Brian O’Roddy, Parish Priest of Kilronan (fl. 1820's?) http://www.fenagh.com/history/the-book-of-fenagh/
and County Sligo. Bearers of the name include T.J. Kilgallon http://www.mayonews.ie/index.php?option=com content&view=article&id=13213:more-ups-than-downs-for-mayo-legend-kilgallon&catid=14&Itemid=100008 and Matthew Kilgallon
.
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
medieval saint
Saint
A saint is a holy person. In various religions, saints are people who are believed to have exceptional holiness.In Christian usage, "saint" refers to any believer who is "in Christ", and in whom Christ dwells, whether in heaven or in earth...
and monastic founder
Entrepreneur
An entrepreneur is an owner or manager of a business enterprise who makes money through risk and initiative.The term was originally a loanword from French and was first defined by the Irish-French economist Richard Cantillon. Entrepreneur in English is a term applied to a person who is willing to...
, fl. 6th century.
Background
The patron saint of FenaghFenagh
Fenagh is a village in County Leitrim, northwest Ireland. It is on the R202, between Ballinamore and Mohill.-History:The area was the site of the battle of Fidhnacha in 1094....
, County Leitrim
County Leitrim
County Leitrim 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 Leitrim. Leitrim County Council is the local authority for the county...
, Caillin was born in the 6th century and founded a famous monastic settlement at Fenagh. He
Caillin was born in Conmaicne
Conmaicne
The Conmhaicne or Conmaicne were an ancient tribal grouping that were divided into a number of distinct branches that were found scattered around Ireland in the early medieval period. They settled in Connacht, where they gave their name to several territories....
Dun Mor (now north 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...
. He founded a monastic site at Fenagh
Fenagh
Fenagh is a village in County Leitrim, northwest Ireland. It is on the R202, between Ballinamore and Mohill.-History:The area was the site of the battle of Fidhnacha in 1094....
, County Leitrim
County Leitrim
County Leitrim 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 Leitrim. Leitrim County Council is the local authority for the county...
, which was then the territory of the Conmhaícne Magh Rein, part of the overkingdom of Breifne. He became the patron saint of Fenagh and the Conmaicne of Magh Rein.
Pedigree
His pedigree is given as follows:- Caillin, mac Niata mac Duban mac Fraech mac Cumscrach mac Echt mac Ere mac Ercdal mac Echt mac Dubh mac Moghruadh mac Nert mac Fornert mac Echt mac Beidhbhe mac Doilbhre mac Lugaid Conmac mac Oirbsen Mor mac Ethedon mac Seghda mac Art mac Allta mac Oghamun, mac Fidhchar mac Doilbhre mac Eon mac Cetguine Calusach mac Conmac mac Mochta mac Fergus mac RóichFergus mac RóichFergus mac Róich is a character of the Ulster Cycle of Irish mythology...
mac Mesoman mac Rossa mac Mogh Taeth mac Rudraige.
Parents and siblings
Caillin'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 LughairDubhthach 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, 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, 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
Kilmore
-Places:Australia*Kilmore, VictoriaNorthern Ireland*Kilmore, County Armagh, a village and townland in County Armagh, Northern Ireland*Kilmore, County Down, a village, parish and townland in County Down, Northern Ireland*Kilmore, County Tyrone...
son of Carill, Saint Daigh
Daigh
Saint Daig was an Irish Christian bishop and confessor of Inis-Caoin-Deagha , 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....
of 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...
son of Carill, Saint Femia daughter of Carill 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...
. Caillin was the third eldest of Dediva's famous children.
Caillin also had another brother by his father Niata who was called Nisi. This brother was murdered and an eric-fine was paid to Caillin according to the Book of Fenagh as follows-
- "Caillin proceeded afterwards across the Shannon eastwards, to Magh-Cellachain. He stayed that night with Cellachan, for it was their journey. They went after that to Tulach-na-crot. Nevertheless, they left Nisi (i.e. son of Niatach), Caillin's brother, at the Bennachan in Magh-Nisi, where Nisi was slain by Cellachan. Magh-Cellachain, moreover, was the name of the plain at that time. Cellachan, however, gave the plain and its profits to Caillin, as an eric for Nisi; wherefore it has been called Magh-Nisi from that time to this; and that is why the plain belongs to Caillin."
The Old Book of Fenagh
Caillin’s history was given in the Old Book of Fenagh (no longer extant; material included in the Book of Fenagh, written 1516). It states that when Caillin commenced the erection of the monastery at Fenagh he performed a great miracle against the Druids, whom Fergal mac Fergus, King of Breifne sent to destroy him. St Caillin turned the Druids into stones which gives its name to the townland called Longstone. (Beside Edentenny on the Fenagh Ballinamore road.) These standing stones of the Druids are still visible to this day at Longstone.Táin Bó Cúailnge
Caillinn is said to have helped his brother Senchán TorpéistSenchán 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...
to recover the lost tale
Táin Bó Flidhais
Táin Bó Flidhais, also known as the Mayo Táin, is a tale from the Ulster Cycle of early Irish literature. It is one of a group of works known as Táin Bó, or "cattle raid" stories, the best known of which is Táin Bó Cúailnge...
called Táin Bó Cúailnge
Táin Bó Cúailnge
is a legendary tale from early Irish literature, often considered an epic, although it is written primarily in prose rather than verse. It tells of a war against Ulster by the Connacht queen Medb and her husband Ailill, who intend to steal the stud bull Donn Cuailnge, opposed only by the teenage...
.
Saint Fintan and Rome
Before St. Caillin came to Fenagh, he studied under St. FintanFintan
In Irish mythology Fintan mac Bóchra , known as "the Wise", was a seer who accompanied Noah's granddaughter Cessair to Ireland before the deluge...
. To complete his studies he went to Rome and for this journey St. Fintan gave him 300 ounces of gold. At the end of a long period of study in Rome messengers came from the Conmaicne to ask Caillin to return and save them and this he did. He brought with him relics of the twelve apostles and the neck-cloth of the infant Jesus.
Fenagh abbey
The site of the Abbey at Fenagh was chosen by God who sent an angel to Caillin and did not let him rest until he came to Fenagh – for here it was prophesied that the site of his church should be according to the instructions of God. Fenagh was celebrated for its divinity school which students from all over Ireland and Europe came to study, among whom was Saint Mogue of the neighbouring parish of Templeport.The fame and glory of St Caillin spread through the land and soon Fenagh became a very important place. Its importance we may judge from the story that claims many of Irelands Kings are buried in the ancient graveyards adjoining the Abbey.
Prophecy
The importance of being buried in this ancient graveyard lives on to this day in a prophecy given by St. Caillin as he lay dying, that anyone buried in Fenagh Abbey graveyard and in full observance of the true faith will go straight to Heaven on their death.Mortal remains
St. Caillin’s mortal remains are in a vault attached to the wall (south) of the Abbey. His Feast day is celebrated on November 13.Ó Rodaigh, Erenaghs of Fenagh
The Ó Rodaigh family were erenaghErenagh
The medieval Irish office of Erenagh was responsible for receiving parish revenue from tithes and rents, building and maintaining church property and overseeing the termon lands that generated parish income. Thus he had a prebendary role...
s of Fenagh. The surname is now rendered as Roddy http://www.irishtimes.com/ancestor/surname/index.cfm?fuseaction=Go.&UserID=. Members of the family included Tadgh Ó Rodaigh (fl. 1516) http://www.fenagh.com/history/the-book-of-fenagh/,
his namesake Tadhg O’Rodaigh (fl. 1726, a freind of Tadhg Ó Neachtain
Tadhg Ó Neachtain
Tadhg Ó Neachtain, Irish writer, scribe, lexicographer, c.1670-c.1752.-Origins:Described as "the fulcrum of the coterie of Irish language scholars who were working in Dublin in the early years of the eighteenth century" , Ó Neachtain was the son of Seán Ó Neachtain , who had moved from his native...
), and Brian O’Roddy, Parish Priest of Kilronan (fl. 1820's?) http://www.fenagh.com/history/the-book-of-fenagh/
Mac Giolla Chaillín/Kilgallon
The family of Mac Giolla Chaillín took their name from Caillin. The surname is now rendered as Kilcullen, Kilgallen, Kilgallon, and is found mainly in County MayoCounty 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...
and County Sligo. Bearers of the name include T.J. Kilgallon http://www.mayonews.ie/index.php?option=com content&view=article&id=13213:more-ups-than-downs-for-mayo-legend-kilgallon&catid=14&Itemid=100008 and Matthew Kilgallon
Matthew Kilgallon
Matthew Shaun Kilgallon is an English professional footballer currently playing for Sunderland. He is a central defender who can also operate at left back.-Leeds United:...
.