OMNIUM SANCTORUM HIBERNIAE

ALL THE SAINTS OF IRELAND

  • Saint Airmedach of Cong, June 8

    June 8 is the commemoration of a saint of the west of Ireland, Airmedach of Cong. Cong Abbey is today associated with the twelfth-century processional cross pictured left. As our saint is featured in the late eighth/early ninth-century Martyrology of Tallaght, however, he obviously predates these later medieval glories. Canon O’Hanlon brings us the details and gives us a brief guide to the area:

    St. Airmedach, or Ermedhach, Abbot of Cong, County of Mayo.

    On the 8th of June, in the Martyrology of Tallagh, appears the name Airmedach a Cunga. This place is now known as Cong, delightfully situated at the head of Lough Corrib, and in the county of Mayo. About its early ecclesiastical history, little appears to be known ; but, it is probable, a bishop had been here, from an early period. The founder seems to have been a St. Molocus, or as otherwise called St. Loichen, whose name is found to be connected with the place. But his period does not appear to have been discovered. In 1114, Cunga was destroyed by fire; and, as Gilla-Keerin O’Roda and O’Draeda, two of its Erenachs or Conventual superiors, are stated to have died, A.D. 1127-28, it is not improbable, that some time within these dates, a fine abbey was founded, which belonged to Canons Regular of the Order of St. Augustine.

    The ruins at Cong are yet seen, in a good state of preservation; and, they are a truly picturesque group, in a district celebrated for the loveliness of its natural features. They have undergone restoration, at the instance and expense of the lately deceased public-spirited proprietor, Sir Benjamin Lee Guinness. Though not exactly an island, Cong is surrounded by water; while the town or rather village is situated upon an isthmus, by which Loughs Corrib and Mask are divided. The old name Cunga, in Irish, means “a neck,” so that the site is very appropriately described, as indeed, many of the Celtic denominations preserved in Ireland are indicative of the local peculiarities connected with them. The delightfully situated village of Cong is remarkably rich in scenery, natural wonders, and antiquities. Here, there is a curious cave , called “the Pigeon Hole,” to which a flight of stone steps descends, from the upper surface of the ground outside ; while, at the bottom, runs a subterraneous river, that petrifies into transparent blocks. We find, set down in the Martyrology of Donegal, that a festival in honour of Ermedhach, Abbot of Conga, was celebrated on this day.

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  • Saint Colman Speaks With His Mother

    June 7 is the commemoration of Saint Colman of Dromore. Various of this saintly bishop’s miracles have been recorded, one of which, the story of Saint Colman and the Water Monster,  Canon O’Hanlon related in a collection of folklore. In the Lives of the Irish Saints he records some other of Saint Colman’s miracles, including this one concerning the saint’s mother:

    Our saint’s mother had sent a message, that she desired the privilege of speaking to him. But, the servant of Christ returned for answer: “Let her take choice of the alternative, either to see me only, or to speak without seeing me”. On hearing this, she said: “I had rather he would speak to me, on matters pertaining to the welfare of my soul”. Then, both met, but on opposite sides of a tree, and they began to converse with each other, without being mutually seen. Meantime, by Divine interposition, an opening was made through the tree, and which enable both to behold each other, without the intervention of any obstacle. 

    Rev. John O’Hanlon, Lives of the Irish Saints, Volume VI, (Dublin, n.d.), 234.

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  • Saint Lonan, June 6

    Another name to add to the long list of obscure Irish saints- Saint Lonan, commemorated on June 6. Canon O’Hanlon can bring us only the recording of his name on the calendars:

    St. Lonan.

    The name Lonan is entered, in the Martyrology of Tallagh, at the 6th of June. His time and locality are alike unknown. It is recorded, likewise, in the Martyrology of Donegal, that veneration was given to Lonan, on this day.
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