OMNIUM SANCTORUM HIBERNIAE

Author: Michele Ainley

  • The Four Sons of Ercan, August 9

    One of the interesting groups of Irish saints is commemorated on August 9. In this case we are told that there are four males and that they are the sons of Ercan, but there are no other details of either the father or the sons, as Canon O’Hanlon explains:

    The Four Sons of Ercan, or Ercain.

    The Martyrologies of Tallagh and of Donegal register the Four Sons of Ercan or Ercain, at the 9th of August. Whose sons these were does not clearly appear.

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  • Saint Curcach of Cloonlogher, August 8

    One of our enigmatic female saints, Curcach of Cluain-Lothair, is commemorated on the earliest of the surviving Irish calendars, the Martyrology of Tallaght, on August 8. Canon O’Hanlon identifies the locality associated with her as the modern Cloonlogher in County Leitrim:

    St. Curcach, Virgin, of Cluain-lothair, now Cloonlogher, County of Leitrim.

    At the 8th of August, the published Martyrology of Tallagh, records the simple entry, Curcach, Cluana Lothair.  This place must be Cloonlogher, in a parish of the same name, barony of  Dromahaire, and County of Leitrim.  It is a vicarage in the Diocese of Kilmore, consisting chiefly of mountain land.  Her name appears, also, in  the Martyrology of Donegal,  at this same date, as Curcach, of Cluainlothair, Virgin. There is a Curcach, daughter to Dael, son of Maisine, and belonging to the race of Colla Menn, adds the calendarist. There is a Cluain Lothaire in Breifne O’Ruairc, and Curcach is patron there, follows the foregoing announcement.
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  • Saint Molocca of Tullyallen, August 7

    Among the saints commemorated on the Irish calendars at August 7 is one whom Canon O’Hanlon feels is associated with a locality in County Louth. All he can tell us of Saint Molocca is the recording of his name at this date:

    St. Molocca or Molacca, of Tulach-h-Olainn, or Tullyallen, County of Louth.

    The name Molocca or Molacca, of Tulach-h-Olainn, is set down in the Martyrologies of Tallagh, and of Donegal, at this date. In the former of these Calendars, his place is less correctly spelled Thilaigh olaind. The place is now Tullyallen, in the County of Louth .

    Content Copyright © Omnium Sanctorum Hiberniae 2012-2015. All rights reserved.