Author: Michele Ainley

  • Saint Lughaidh of Clonleigh, March 24

    March 24 is the commemoration of a County Donegal saint, Lughaidh of Clonleigh. The calendars also record his patronymic and the locality associated with him. Canon O’Hanlon, in his account below, also notes that Saint Lughaidh may also have been related to Saint Colum Cille:

    St. Lughaidh, son of Eochaidh, of Cluain-laogh, now Clonleigh, County of Donegal.

    [Sixth Century.]

    A holy man is recorded, in the Martyrology of Tallagh, at the 24th of March, as Lughaidh, mac Eachach. He is classed, among the disciples of St. Columkille.  The Bollandists pass him over, with a few brief remarks. We are told, that Lugaid Mocu-Theimne, or “the son of Teimne,” was the son of Eochaid, son of Ulan, son to Eogan, son to Niall of the Nine Hostages, as his paternal pedigree has been traced, in the Genealogies of the Irish Saints. He was a relation of St. Columba, and his companion, when the latter first set out on his voyage to the shores of Britain. As we are informed, by the Martyrology of Tallagh, this saint belonged to Cluain Laigh. This place is at present called Clonleigh, meaning the “pasturage,”  “lawn,” or “insulated meadow of the calves.” This parish is situated, on the western bank of the River Foyle, about two miles northward from Lifford, in the barony of Raphoe, and in the county of Donegal, formerly Tyrconnell. There was a monastery of considerable importance, in this place. Marianus O’Gorman and Cathal Maguire have this holy man, in their respective Calendars. On this day is entered, likewise, in the Martyrology of Donegal, Lughaidh, son to Eochaidh, of Cluain-laogh.
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  • Saint Lassar, Daughter of Fintan, March 23

    The earliest of the Irish calendars, the Martyrology of Tallaght, records a female saint, Lassar, daughter of Fintan, at March 23. She is one of fourteen saints with this name found in the Irish calendars, most of whom are completely obscure figures. Canon O’Hanlon can bring us only the barest details regarding this one:

    St. Lassair, or Lassar, Daughter of Fintain.

    An entry appears, in the Martyrology of Tallagh, at the 23rd of March, regarding St. Lassair, daughter of Fintain. On this day is registered, likewise, in the Martyrology of Donegal, Lassar, daughter of Fionntan. The Bollandists notice Lassara filia Fintani.

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  • Saint Molocca, Son of Colman Finn, March 22

    On March 22 the Irish calendars commemorate Saint Molocca, son of Colman Finn, of Lilcach. Having both a patronymic and a place name recorded with the saint does not do a great deal to help identify him, as Canon O’Hanlon’s brief entry below shows. He quotes, however, the opinion of Father Anthony Cogan that the place name may refer to a monastic site in County Meath. Cogan cited the records from the Annals of the Four Masters recording the deaths of prominent holy men associated with this site but our saint does not feature among them. We can start with Canon O’Hanlon’s account and then move to Father Cogan:

    St. Molocca, or Molocus, son of Colman Finn, of Lilcach

    Such is the description we find, regarding this almost unknown holy personage. He is entered, in the Martyrology of Tallagh, at the 22nd of March, under the designation, Molocca mac Colmain find i Lilchaich. A notice of his feast occurs in the Bollandists’ collection. Again, the name Molocca, son of Colman Finn, occurs in the Martyrology of Donegal, as having been venerated on this day. The exact locality of Lilcach, or Liolcach, has not been determined. It was near the Boyne, as we are informed; and, in all probability, not far removed from Slane, in the county of Meath.

    LIOLCACH

    The exact location of this monastery, called Liolcach, or
    Lilcach, has not as yet been identified. It was situated near
    the Boyne, and in all probability not far from Slane. The
    following notices of this place occur in the Four Masters:

    512. Died, St. Erck, Bishop of Slane and Liolcach. 
    723. St. Gall of Lilcach died. 
    743. Cuan, Anchorite of Lilcach, died. 
     In the Martryology of Tallaght the festival of St. Cillene
    of Lilchaich is marked as having been commemorated on
    the 12th of March. 
    Rev. A. Cogan, Diocese of Meath, Ancient and Modern, Volume 1, (Dublin, 1862), 229.

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