Saint Felim
Encyclopedia
Saint Felim an Irish Christian hermit and priest, was born, probably in Kiennacta Breagh, County Meath
in the mid sixth century.
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
.
His mother 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 a Chief Ollam of Ireland
and royal poet of King Lóegaire mac Néill
. Dediva's other children were Saint Senan of Laraghbrine
, son of Fintan, Saint Caillin
of Fenagh, son of Niata, St.Manchin
, son of Collan of Corann, Saint Daigh
of Inniskeen
, who was another son of Carill and Saint Felim's younger full brother, Saint Femia who was a daughter of Carill and Saint Felim's full sister, Saint Diarmaid the Just
, son of Lugna and Senchán Torpéist
, a later Chief Ollam of Ireland
.
Felim became a hermit living near Kilmore
, Co. Cavan
, where he later founded a monastery in the townland of Tonymore (Domnach Mor = Big Church). He is patron saint of the Kilmore diocese
.
According to the Martyrology of Tallaght
and Martyrology of Donegal his feastday is the 3rd of August but the other Calendars give it as 9 August which is celebrated as his feastday in present day. The discrepancy arises because the 3rd of August was the start date of the annual pattern or fair devoted to the saint in Kilmore, which lasted a week from 3 to 9 August. The Ulster Plantation papers of 1608 give a list of fairs in county Cavan which includes- "One fayre holden att Killmore yearly the third day of August being Saint Phelime's Day"
See Catholic Encyclopedia
County 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...
in the mid sixth century.
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...
.
His mother 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 a 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 Laraghbrine
Saint Senan of Laraghbrine
Saint Senan of Laraghbrine , County Kildare, was an Irish Christian monk who lived towards the end of the 6th century. His father was Fintan, son of Strened, son of Glinder, son of Corc, son of Conned, son of Aengus, son of Fieg, son of Mail, son of Carthage of the race of Eochaidh, son of Muireadh...
, son of Fintan, 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...
of Fenagh, son of Niata, 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 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...
, who was another son of Carill and Saint Felim's younger full brother, Saint Femia who was a daughter of Carill and Saint Felim's full sister, 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 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...
, a later 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...
.
Felim became a hermit living near 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...
, Co. Cavan
Cavan
Cavan is the county town of County Cavan in the Republic of Ireland. The town lies in the north central part of Ireland, near the border with Northern Ireland...
, where he later founded a monastery in the townland of Tonymore (Domnach Mor = Big Church). He is patron saint of the Kilmore diocese
Diocese
A diocese is the district or see under the supervision of a bishop. It is divided into parishes.An archdiocese is more significant than a diocese. An archdiocese is presided over by an archbishop whose see may have or had importance due to size or historical significance...
.
According to the Martyrology of Tallaght
Martyrology of Tallaght
The Martyrology of Tallaght, which is closely related to the Félire Oengusso or Martyrology of Óengus the Culdee, is an eighth- or ninth-century martyrology, a list of saints and their feast days assembled by Máel Ruain and/or Óengus the Culdee at Tallaght Monastery, near Dublin...
and Martyrology of Donegal his feastday is the 3rd of August but the other Calendars give it as 9 August which is celebrated as his feastday in present day. The discrepancy arises because the 3rd of August was the start date of the annual pattern or fair devoted to the saint in Kilmore, which lasted a week from 3 to 9 August. The Ulster Plantation papers of 1608 give a list of fairs in county Cavan which includes- "One fayre holden att Killmore yearly the third day of August being Saint Phelime's Day"
See Catholic Encyclopedia