Saint Crunathan
Encyclopedia
Saint Cruithnechán also known as Cruithnechan, Crunathan and Cronaghan, is an Irish saint
from around the 6th century, known as one of St Columba
's mentors.
Cruithnechán is briefly mentioned in Adomnán's 7th-century Life
of St Columba
, founder of the monastery at Iona. Here he appears as the priest who served as fosterfather or tutor (nutritor) to the young Columba before Columba went on to study with Gemmán in Leinster and later with Finnian
at Movila
. An anecdote is told that Cruithnechán once saw a ball of fire hanging over Columba's head, while the boy was sound asleep. The miracle has been explained as representing a "typical motif used to show how teachers or parents were made aware of the precocious sanctity of their charges".
Adomnán names no church for Cruithnechán, but the present-day parish of Kilcronaghan
in County Londonderry
is thought to derive its name from his church there.
A number of later sources supply details which are not found in Adomnán's account. The otherwise "austere" Middle Irish version of Columba's Life, which has been dated to the 12th century, identifies him as a son of one Cellachán and says that he baptised the boy before he took him into fosterage. The story of Columba's upbringing had undergone further expansion by 1532, when Donegal chieftain Manus O'Donnell
produced the Betha Colaim Chille, a vernacular Life compiled from a range of sources. For instance, citing a poem ascribed to St Mura of Fahan, it relates that Columba was sent to Temple Douglas, in the modern parish of Conwall, County Donegal
, to be baptised by Cruithnechán mac Cellacháin, who then fostered the boy in Kilmacrenan
, County Donegal.
His festival day is given as 7 March in the Acta Sanctorum Hiberniae
by John Colgan
.
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...
from around the 6th century, known as one of St 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...
's mentors.
Cruithnechán is briefly mentioned in Adomnán's 7th-century Life
Hagiography
Hagiography is the study of saints.From the Greek and , it refers literally to writings on the subject of such holy people, and specifically to the biographies of saints and ecclesiastical leaders. The term hagiology, the study of hagiography, is also current in English, though less common...
of St 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...
, founder of the monastery at Iona. Here he appears as the priest who served as fosterfather or tutor (nutritor) to the young Columba before Columba went on to study with Gemmán in Leinster and later with Finnian
Finnian of Moville
Finnian of Movilla Abbey, Irish Christian missionary, 495–589.-Origins and life:Finnian was a Christian missionary who became a legendary figure in medieval Ireland. He should not to be confused with his namesake Finnian of Clonard...
at Movila
Movilla Abbey
Movilla Abbey in Newtownards, County Down, Northern Ireland, is believed to be one of Ulster's most important monasteries and was founded by St. Finian in 540 AD. There was a school on the site in 543 which was attended by St. Columba. The Abbey was plundered by Vikings in 824 AD and refounded in...
. An anecdote is told that Cruithnechán once saw a ball of fire hanging over Columba's head, while the boy was sound asleep. The miracle has been explained as representing a "typical motif used to show how teachers or parents were made aware of the precocious sanctity of their charges".
Adomnán names no church for Cruithnechán, but the present-day parish of Kilcronaghan
Kilcronaghan
Kilcronaghan is a civil parish in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. Containing one major settlement, Tobermore, and lying on the descending slope of Slieve Gallion, Kilcronaghan is bordered by the civil parishes of Ballynascreen, Desertmartin, Maghera, and Termoneeny. It lies within the former...
in County Londonderry
County Londonderry
The place name Derry is an anglicisation of the old Irish Daire meaning oak-grove or oak-wood. As with the city, its name is subject to the Derry/Londonderry name dispute, with the form Derry preferred by nationalists and Londonderry preferred by unionists...
is thought to derive its name from his church there.
A number of later sources supply details which are not found in Adomnán's account. The otherwise "austere" Middle Irish version of Columba's Life, which has been dated to the 12th century, identifies him as a son of one Cellachán and says that he baptised the boy before he took him into fosterage. The story of Columba's upbringing had undergone further expansion by 1532, when Donegal chieftain Manus O'Donnell
Manus O'Donnell
Manus Ó Domhnaill, anglicized Manus O'Donnell , was an Irish clan leader, son of Hugh Dubh O'Donnell. He was an important member of the O'Donnell dynasty based in County Donegal.-Early life:...
produced the Betha Colaim Chille, a vernacular Life compiled from a range of sources. For instance, citing a poem ascribed to St Mura of Fahan, it relates that Columba was sent to Temple Douglas, in the modern parish of Conwall, 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...
, to be baptised by Cruithnechán mac Cellacháin, who then fostered the boy in Kilmacrenan
Kilmacrenan
Kilmacrenan is a small village located in County Donegal on the north west coast of Ireland. The village had a population of 430 in the 2002 census, however the village's population has increased rapidily over the last decade as a result of people leaving Letterkenny and living in the countryside...
, County Donegal.
His festival day is given as 7 March in the Acta Sanctorum Hiberniae
Acta Sanctorum Hiberniae
Acta Sanctorum Hiberniae is the abbreviated title of a celebrated work on the Irish saints by the Franciscan, John Colgan . The full title runs as follows: Acta Sanctorum veteris et majoris Scotiae, seu Hiberniae, Sanctorum Insulae, partim ex variis per Europam MSS. codd...
by John Colgan
John Colgan
John Colgan was an Irish hagiographer and historian.-Life:...
.