OMNIUM SANCTORUM HIBERNIAE

Category: Female Saints

  • Saint Cocca of Kilcock, June 6

     

    On June 6 we commemorate the memory of a County Kildare female saint, Cocca (Coca, Coc). Although there is no surviving Vita her memory has lived on in the parish of Kilcock, ‘Cocca’s church’ and in the dedication of a holy well. Interestingly, in one of the footnotes to his account of Saint Cocca, Canon O’Hanlon records that the 17th-century hagiologist, Father John Colgan, was given a list of the churches of County Kildare which showed that her memory had been displaced by that of Saint Gall. Be that as it may, by the time of Canon O’Hanlon a new Catholic church had been built at Kilcock and dedicated to the patroness of the parish. Much of the latter part of his account is taken up with a description of the building but I have omitted this. As O’Hanlon’s account below will also make clear, Cocca of Kilcock is not the only saint to bear this name and it is one which, according to Colgan, she shares with the reputed nurse of Saint Ciarán of Saighir. Another writer, Father Comerford, whose account of Saint Cocca can be read here draws on other traditions that she was a sister to Saint Kevin of Glendalough and to Saint Attracta and that she had embroidered vestments for Saint Columba!

     

    St. Cocca, Cucca, Cuach, Cuaca, or Coc, Patroness of Kilcock Parish, County of Kildare.

    That the present holy woman flourished, at an early period, can hardly be doubted; although it is difficult,for want of satisfactory proofs, to furnish authentic statements, even regarding her identity. What seems certain is, that she lived—most probably long—before the eighth century, when we have a passing record of the place— named Kilcock after her—in our Irish Annals. It means “the Church of St. Coc,” or as Latinized Ecclesia S. Cocceae. Its locality gave name to a parish, within the present barony of Ikeathy and Oughterany, in the county of Kildare. Incidentally, Father John Colgan introduces a St. Cocca, as the nurse of St. Kieran, Bishop of Saigir; but, it cannot be ascertained, that she was the same as that holy woman, whose festival is recorded, at this date. Assuming the Patroness of Kilcock to have been in early years the nurse of St. Kieran, a gentleman well versed in Irish ecclesiastical and profane history has furnished the writer with elaborate notes, referring to St. Cocha and to Kilcock. He suggests, that as she acted in that capacity, St. Cocca may have accompanied St. Kieran to Rome, where he received from the Supreme Pontiff permission to preach the Gospel in Ireland, even before the coming of St. Patrick, its great Apostle. The Bollandists have a notice of this holy virgin, at the 6th of June, but they express only a desire to learn more regarding her, than has been stated by Colgan. The name and feast of St. Choca, virgin, in the province of Meath, Ireland, is commemorated, at the 6th of June, by Chastelain, and also, in Right Rev. Bishop Challenor’s “Memorial of Ancient British Piety.” Already, at the 8th day of January, we have given some notices of a St. Cocca, Cucca, Cuach, or Cuaca, who is called a Virgin of Cill-Cuaiche—said to have been in Cairbre-na-Ciardha—identical with Kilcock, in the north-western part of Kildare County. However, her chief festival seems referable to this date. Again, there was a St. Cuach, or Coiningean, a Virgin, of Fionnmagh Church, and said to have been of Killeen Cormac, county of Kildare, whose feast occurs, at the 29th of April. She flourished, in the fifth or sixth century; and, it has been supposed, she was identical with the Patroness of Kilcock. Indeed, the time, place, and circumstances, concerning her, render it possible enough; however, this is still only a matter for vague conjecture. An Irish comment is added in the table subjoined to the Martyrology of Donegal; and, the writer of it supposes this present saint to have been the nurse of St. Kieran, Bishop of Saigir. However, he advances such an opinion with doubt. Now, as St. Kieran was born in the Island of Cape Clear, off the remote southern coast of Ireland, it seems likely his nurse Cochoea belonged to the same region; but, at all events, she was afterwards placed over the monastic institute of Ross-Bennchoir, near the western sea of Ireland, which was very far removed from Saigir. The present holy woman, we suspect, must be distinguished from that St. Cocha or Cocca, of Ros-Bennchair, who was nurse to St. Kiaran of the former place. This is also the opinion of Father John Colgan. We can only observe, that the present holy virgin is recognised and distinguished as patroness of Kilcock, on the borders of the county of Meath. The localities already alluded to are far distant from each other, having apparently no connexion.

    In the Introduction to the O’Clerys’ Calendar, we are informed, that Cill-Choca is in Meath. When this holy virgin settled there is unknown; but, it is thought, that she presided at Kilcock over a community of nuns, in quality of Abbess, and local tradition has it, that a religious house formerly stood on the spot, lately occupied there by the National School. The Parish Register styles this locality Parochia Sanctge Cogae, while the former church was called Ecclesia Assumptae Virginis de Kilcock…Although the memory of St. Coca was displaced, in former times, to introduce that of St. Gall, still there were local memorials, such as Tubbermohocca, or the Holy Well of Chocca, to perpetuate her celebrity. It sprang as a stream, in what is now an enclosed yard of the town. Kilcock also extends as a town land into the adjoining parish of Rodanstown, in the barony of Upper Deece and county of Meath. In the county of Kerry, there is a townland of Kilcock, divided into the distinct denominations of Upper and Lower. A townland is called Kilcock, in the county of Roscommon, as also a Kilcoke in the Queen’s County, and in the North Riding of Tipperary but, we cannot state if any of these were called after this holy virgin. With regard to the present saint, an entry is found in the Martyrology of Tallagh, at the 6th of June. Moreover, a feast in honour of Cocca was celebrated, on this day, as we read, likewise, in the Martyrology of Donegal. Her festival is noticed by Archdall, at the same date; but, we find it impossible to throw further light on her history or period.

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  • Saint Brunsecha of Killyon, May 29

    May 29 is the feast day of an early female monastic, Brunsecha the Slender, linked with the parish of Killyon, County Offaly. The story of this saint takes a rather shocking turn when her beauty proves irresistible to a local chieftain who kidnaps and rapes her. Help is at hand, however, in the person of the elder Saint Ciaran, who humbles this rogue and restores life to his victim. Canon O’Hanlon’s account also introduces us to the saintly mother of Saint Ciaran, the lady Liadania, who provides sanctuary for the ill-used Brunsecha, and he is in homiletic mood at the end of the piece:

    ST BRUNSECHA, VIRGIN, OF MAGH-TREA, AND OF KILLYON PARISH, KING’S COUNTY.
    [FIFTH OR SIXTH CENTURY.]

    The Martyrology of Tallagh simply records this holy woman, at the 29th of May, as Brunsica, Virgin. Allusion is made to her by the Bollandists, at this date, relying on the foregoing statement, and on other Irish authorities. In these allusions to her, however, there is no account of any place, where she was specially venerated. We find, likewise, on this day, a festival set down, in the Martyrology of Donegal, in honour of Briuinseach Ceal, or the Slender; here, also, she is said to have been a daughter to Crimhthann, of Magh Trea. Whether this was her natal place, however, or that in which her memory had been specially venerated, we cannot determine. From the epithet here applied to this saint, it is probable, she was slender in figure, and this bodily condition may have been partly the result of her well-practised austerities during the conventual state.

    In the table postfixed to the Martyrology of Donegal, it is remarked, that a St. Buriena, a virgin of Ireland, was venerated, at a town bearing her name, in England, on the 29th of May. We have no certain record, elucidating the Acts of this saint; but, to adopt a conjecture of Colgan’s she was identical with St. Brunechia, or Bruinecha, alluded to in the Lives of St. Kieran of Saigir. An English translation of the Irish Life of this latter holy Patriarch had been lent to the present writer, which varies in some few particulars from one of those published in Latin, by Father John Colgan. This writer had promised to say more about her, than he had furnished, in the Acts of St. Kieran, at that day.

    The holy virgin St. Brunsecha or Briuinseach Ceal is said to have been the daughter of a Munster chieftain, and to have embraced a religious life, under direction of St. Liadan or Lidania, mother to St, Kieran, in the Monastery of Kill-Liadhuin, now Killion or Killyon, in the parish of Drumcullen, and barony of Eglish, in the King’s County. According to one statement, Killiadhuin was founded, about the beginning of the fifth century; but, this is too early a date for its erection. The feast of St. Liedania has been referred to the 11th of August, in the Martyrologies of Marianus O’Gorman, of Cathal Maguire, and of Donegal. By this pious matron Liadania, the devout novice Bruinseach was trained to the practice of every virtue; yet, we cannot ascertain, at what exact period she entered upon a religious state and profession. The hamlet of Killion has only a small population, but it is placed in the midst of a picturesque neighbouring country. The site of St. Liadhain’s former convent lies close to the high road—on the south side—leading from Birr to Kinnetty. There can be no doubt, but that a celebrated religious establishment was here, and at a very early period. Two round towers on a small scale, about 17 feet high, and of rude masonry, stood in the graveyards of Seir-Kieran and of Killion, the places of St. Kieran and of his mother St. Liedhain. They seem to have been attached to other buildings, and to have been used as sacristies or Dearthachs. There are no remains of St. Liadhane’s primitive convent now existing..

    Being exceedingly beautiful, a chieftain, named Dymma, of the HuaFiach or Ui Fiachach district, conceived an unlawful desire of taking Brunsecha away by force, from the convent where she lived; and, he accomplished such a purpose, with the assistance of his retainers. He then detained her for some time, in his castle. During this period, he extorted from her the rights of a husband. Hearing of this violence, St. Kieran went to Dymma, to remonstrate with him, on behalf of Brunsecha; but, the chieftain refused to restore her to liberty. He even derisively told the saint, he would not release the lady, unless it should happen, on the following morning, that the heron’s note awoke him from sleep. At this time, which appears to have been in the winter season, although a great fall of snow covered the ground, yet, it did not obstruct the place, where Kieran and his companions were. On the following morning, the piping of a heron was heard in the castle, contrary to a usual natural course. Surprised and moved by this miraculous occurrence, Dymma prostrated himself in penitence, at the feet of St. Kieran, and he released Brunechia, although she had been already pregnant. On her release, St. Kieran conducted his spiritual daughter back to Kill-Liadhuin, now Killyon, and left her, as before, under the charge of his mother.

    However, Dymma appears to have felt regret, after separation of that lady from his home. He then went towards the monastery, in which she lived, to repeat his former violence. When Brunechia heard of his approach, she became terrified, to such a degree, that her sudden death ensued. Seeing what had occurred, Dymma demanded of St. Kieran—who it appears was present— how he had dared to kill his wife; for such, he declared Brunechia to be, and he had determined she should so continue. He threatened, at the same time, to expel the saint, from this part of the country. Then, Kieran replied: “Thou hast no power over me; for, the omnipotent God, so long as He wills it, hath given thee only a shadow of earthly power; therefore, I shall remain in this my place, contrary to thy will.” Shortly afterwards, the chieftain was chastised for this insolence, towards God’s servant. On returning to his castle, he found it enveloped in flames. A very dear son, named Dunchad, had been left, at this time, sleeping in one of its apartments, when a nurse, despairing of his preservation, cried out with a loud voice: “I commend thee, my child, to the protection of St. Kieran of Saigir.” This boy was found alive and unharmed, after the castle had been entirely consumed. Dymma felt moved by such a miraculous preservation of his son; and, in company with a saint, named Aidus, he went to St. Kieran, promising to perform whatever should be required of him, as a proof of his penitence. He presented Dunchad and another son, saying, as he had been absolved from his sins, through the holy bishop, that henceforth he and his posterity should be subject to St. Kieran. Having received the blessing of the saint, he departed; while sorrowful on account of the death of Brunecha, Kieran went to that place, where her body lay. He prayed with great earnestness, for her restoration to life. This prayer was heard, for the virgin arose from the sleep of death. She subsequently lived, in her state of religious profession, for many years.

    It is supposed, that if not the first nunnery erected, at least Kill-Liadhain must have been among the very early nunneries, in Ireland. This appellation which it received is said to have been derived from Kill, or Ceall, meaning “a place of retirement,” or “a cell,” joined to Liadana, or Liadhain, the name of its foundress. Again, the latter proper name, pronounced Leean, gave rise to the modern denomination of Killyon. The little river, called Comcor, runs beside that place, where her religious house was founded; and, while St. Kieran had his monastery at Seir-Kyran, within the territory of Ely, yet was his mother’s nunnery within the territory of Fearcall, in the kingdom of Meath. How long St. Brunsecha lived, under the rule of St. Liadania, is not known, nor whether she succeeded as superioress over that nunnery, founded by her and by her celebrated son St. Kieran. It seems likely, however, that she survived both of these holy contemporaries.

    The year of our saint’s death is not recorded; but, it happened, most probably, within the sixth century. The festival of St. Brunsecha occurs, on the 29th of May, according to the Martyrologies of Tamlacht, of Marianus O’Gorman, of Maguire, and of Donegal. In another Irish Calendar, at the iv. of the Calends of June —May 29th— her feast is recorded. She was venerated, also, at Magh-trea, according to various accounts. This place we may assume to be identical with Magh Treagha, in Teathbha territory— said to be the same as Moytra, in the barony and county of Longford.

    We cannot doubt, that many of our native chiefs abused their authority, in a very unhappy manner; but, our saint had compassion for the weakness of their nature, especially when their state or vocation did not incline them to exalted perfection. Sincere contrition for sin pleaded effectively for their absolution, and it is to be hoped, that after grievous offences, they were mindful of God’s mercies towards them. If frequently they yielded to violent assaults of temptation, and to wild impulses of passion; their faith in atonement was a motive always urging them to bewail their past transgressions, knowing there was joy in Heaven for one sinner doing penance, more than for ninety-nine just who needed not penance.

     

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  • Saint Luith of Druim-Dairbhreach, April 30

     

    We close the month of April with the commemoration of an Irish holy woman, Luith of Druim-dairbhreach, one of the many Irish saints about whom we have no other details, as Canon O’Hanlon explains:

    St. Luith, Virgin, of Druim-dairbhreach.

    An entry appears, in the Martyrology of Tallagh, at the 30th of April, which describes a holy female as Luta, virgin, of Dromadairbreach. This place means in English “Oakhill;” but, it has not been identified. However, it is mentioned, in the Annals of the Four Masters, at the year 1062, and, in such a manner as to indicate, that it must have been situated within the territory of Leinster, as then recognised. The Bollandists quote the Tallagh Martyrology, at this date, for the festival of the virgin Luta of Droma-airbreach. The name of Luith, virgin, of Druim-dairbhreach, also occurs in the Martyrology of Donegal, as having had veneration paid her, on this day.

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