Colman

Colman

is a very common name in Irish hagiology. In the table of the Mart. Doneg. are given 97 Colmans, and in the index 113. Colgan enumerated more than 130; and Usher says there are upwards of 230. We notice here only those best known. They all seem to have flourished about the 6th or 7th century.

1. The son of Comgellain, was a man deeply versed in legal and ecclesiastical learning, and a great friend of St. Columba. He died in the year of the eclipses, A.D. 625 (Lanigan, Eccl. Hist. Of Ireland , 2:238).

2. Son of Daire, bishop of Doire-mor, is commemorated May 20 and July 31. He was a friend and neighbor of St. Pulcherius. Colman must have flourished in the beginning of the 7th century (Colgan, Acta Sanctorum, page 169; c. 2, 173, 593; c. 22; Lanigan, Eccl. Hist. of Ireland, 1:401, 402; 2:210 sq.).

3. Son of Duach, of Cill-mac-Duach, commemorated February 3, was a man of great virtue and miracles. He followed Christ from his youth, and at length retired to a hermit-cell, near the place where afterwards the Church of Kilmacduagh was built. The day of his commemoration there is October 27 (Colgan, Acta Sanctorum, 245 sq.; Lanigan, Eccl. Hist. of Ireland, 2:341 sq.; Dublin Penny Journal, 1:200).

4. Son of Eochaidh, is commemorated January 1. There are several other Colmans in the calendars having this patronymic, two being celebrated on September 6, and a fourth on October 27. The present Colman is first mentioned as driving St. Columba for a whole day in a cart without a linchpin, and is said to have been the founder of the monastery which in the native dialect is called Snamluthair. He must have been a young man in the days of St. Columba (O'Hanlon, Irish Saints, 1:26).

5. Son of Fintan, is commemorated December 14 in Mart. Doneg., but others call him son of Finnbar, and about A.D. 703 the Irish annals give the obit of Colman, son of Finnbar, abbot of Lismore (Colgan, Acta Sanctorum, page 793). See No. 25.

6. Son of Lenin, of Cluain-uamha (Cloyne), commemorated November 24, is regarded by Lanigan among the saints of the second order in Ireland, and believed to have flourished in the 6th century. He was brother of St. Brigida (q.v.), daughter of Lenin, and was one of the saints belonging to the family of St. Foilan. He seems at first to have been a poet attached to the court of AEdh Caemh, king of Cashel, about the middle of the 6th century, and after his conversion to have attended St. Jarlath's school at Clonfois, where he was next in order of sanctity to St. Brendan of Clonfert. He died about A.D. 604. His character as a poet appears in the very elegant metrical Life of St. Senan, which he composed, and of which we have now but a fragment; the substance of it is incorporated into Colgan's second Life of St. Senan (Acta Sanctorum, page 104, c. 2, 533; c. 22, 539; Lanigan, Eccl. Hist. of Ireland, 2:41 sq., 212 sq.; Todd, St. Patrick, page 208; Ware, Irish Antiq. page 144).

7. Son of Lugaidh, priest of Cluain Bruchais, is commemorated July 12. He was a grandson of Laeghaire, king of Ireland, and is given among those of that race who embraced the faith (Colgan, Acta Sanctorum, 3, c. 3). He lived not later than the middle of the 6th century.

8. Son of Murchu, has had attributed to him and his two brothers (Colman, the oldest, being a bishop, and the others priests) the authorship of a hymn in praise aof Michael the archangel; it is given in the Book Of Hymns, and edited by Dr. Todd. He seems to have belonged to Connaught, and for a time, at least, was engaged in missionary labors on the Continent before becoming abbot of Moville, where he died, A.D. 735 (Todd, Book Of Hymns, Fasc. 2:165 sq.).

9. Son of Roi, of Reachrainn, is commemorated June 16. His mother, Eithne, was the mother also of many other saints, such as St. Columba, St. Maedoc of Ferus, and St. Comgan of Glen-Uissen. He is also called Colman the Deacon, and received from St. Columba the church which that saint had built at Reachrainn (Todd and Reeves, Mart. Doneg. page 171; Reeves, Adamnan, page 70, 164; and Eccl. Antiq. page 292).

10. Son of Ronan, is commemorated March 30. Colgan places him among the disciples of St. Columba.

11. Son of Tighernach, is commemorated January 3. He is classed among the disciples and relatives of St. Columba. He was the brother of St. Begbile, St. Co-nandil, and St. Cuan Caein (Todd and Reeves, Mart. Doneg. page 15; O'Hanlon, Irish Saints, 1:195).

12. Son of Ua Laoighse, is commemorated May 15. He was a bishop at Tulach-mic-Comghaill. He was a contemporary of St. Columba, and is twice mentioned in the life of that saint. St. Colman died probably some time between the death of St. Fintan and St. Columba (Lanigan, Eccl. Hist. of Ireland, 2:177, 229 sq.).

13. Surnamed Mac-Ui-Tealduibh, is commemorated February 8 and December 12. This is Columbanus, one of the bishops to whom pope John IV, A.D. 640 (while yet but pope-elect), addressed the well-known letter urging the Scots to observe the true Easter, and avoid the Pelagian heresy (Bede, Eccl. Hist. 2, c. 19). He was bishop of Clonard, and according to the Irish annals died about A.D. 654 (Lanigan, Eccl. Hist. Of Ireland, 2:412; Reeves, Eccl. Antiq. page 149 n.).

14. Of Ardbo, is commemorated February 21. He was the son of Aedh, and descended from Colla Uais, monarch of Ireland in the beginning of the 4th century. His church was on the margin of Loch Eachach, in. the north- east of Ireland (Todd and Reeves, Mart. Doneg. page 55).

15. Abbot of Cam-Achadh (where he is commemorated March 31), and of Cammus (commemorated October 30). See No. 24.

16. Of Cill-mic-Eoghain, is commemorated October 1. This saint was surnamed Cille. He was the son of Eugenius, son of Murdoch, and descended from the family of the Oirgbialli (Oriel) in Ulster (Todd and Reeves, Mart. Doneg. page 265; Colgan, Acta Sanctortun, page 713, c. 4).

17. Of Cill-Ruaidh, is commemorated October 16. He is only mentioned in connection with St. Ailblhe, who died, according to Irish annals. after the beginning of the 6th century.

18. Of Cluain-Eraird (Clonard, in Meath), is commemorated February 9. Among the saints; prelates, and illustrious men in the school and church of Clonard, Colgan (Acta Sanctorum, page 406, c. 5) cites from the Four Masters, A.D. 700, the death in that year of Colman-ua-heirc, abbot aof Clonard. He must not be confounded with No. 13.

19. Of Comhraire, at Uisneach, is commemorated September 25. Mart. Doneg. (by Todd and Reeves) page 259) says Bronach, daughter of Milinc, son of Buan, with whom Patrick was in bondage, was his mother.

20. Of Druimmor (Dromore), is commemorated June 6 and 7. This saint is likewise known as Colmoc, probably, too, as Calmaiq. In the Irish martyrologies he is usually called Mocholmog, bishop of Dromore. The dates of his birth and death are unknown, but he evidently flourished in the very beginning of the 6th century, and is not to be confounded with Colman Ela, who flourished half a century later. About 500, he founded the noble monastery of Dromore. He compiled, like others of his time, a rule for his monks. He was buried in Dromore. As Colmac, Colmoc, and Calmaig, he appears to have several dedications in Scotland. In the Scotch calendars his feast is June 6, and in the Irish, June 7 (Todd and Reeves, Mart. Doneg. page 149; Lanigan, Eccl. Hist. of Ireland, 1:424, 431 sq.; Todd, Book of Hymns, Fasc. 1:100 sq.; and St. Patrick, page 131).

21. Of Glendalough, was the son of Uithecar. His festival is December 12. He died A.D. 660, and was contemporary with several other Colmans in the third class of Irish saints (Lanigan, Eccl. Hist. Of Ireland, 3:4; Forbes, Kal. Of Scott. Saints, page 304).

22. Of Glem-Delmhaic, is commemorated November 12. The history of this Colman is very obscure, but his memory is preserved in the dedication at Clara or Claragh, in Kilkenny.

23. Of Lindisfarne and Inis-bo-finn, being connected with two countries, has a double commemoration, in Scotland on February 18, and in Ireland on August 8. He was consecrated, A.D. 661, as bishop Finan's successor in the see of Lindisfarne. He attended the council of Whitby in 664 on the Easter controversy, where he represented the Scottish party and was defeated. (See Wilfrid). Accompanied by all his Scottish or Irish monks, and about thirty of the English, St. Colmane returned to his parent monastery of Hy. Soon after, A.D. 668, he sailed to the west of Ireland, and dwelt on the island called Inishbofin. Owing to a dispute between his disciples, he built another monastery at Mayo, where he placed his English monks, while he and the others remained at Inishbofin, where he died August 8, A.D. 676, and where the ruins of his church are still to be seen in the town-land of Knock (Bede, Eccl. Hist. 3, c. 25; 4, c. 4; Lainigain, Eccl. Hist. of Ireland, 3:59 sq.; Neander, Gen. Church Hist. [Edinb. 1849] 5:28 sq.; Forbes, Kal. of Scott. Saints, pages 303, 304).

24. Of Linn-Uachaille, or Lann, is commemorated March 30. Colgan (Acta Sanctorusn, pages 792, 793), whohas collected all the scattered notices regarding this saint, says that his mother was Lassara, and he was a native of Ulster. He had two or three churches, in which he is commemorated as above, and also October 30. He died March 30, A.D. 699., according to the Four Masters. This saint is often called Mocholmoc (Lanligan, Eccl. Hist. Of Ireland, 3:146; Todd and Reeves, Mart. Doneg. pages 91-289; O'Donovan, Four Masters, 1:300 n.).

25. Otherwise called Mocholmog, Of Lismore, is commemorated January 21. His father was Finbarr. Colman flourished in the reign of Cennfaeladh, king of Ireland, who died A.D. 769. After the death of St. Jarula, or Hierlog, January 16, A.D. 699, Colman succeeded him as bishop and abbot of Lismore, whither scholars were attracted from all quarters. Colman died January 22, A.D. 703 (Colgan, Acta Sanctorum, pages 154, 155; Lanigani Ecct. Hist. of Ireland, 3:145-147; O'Hanlon, Irish Saints, 1:397 sq.).

26. Also called Alainn, is commemorated December 14. His identity is uncertain.

27. Otherwise known as Dubhchuilenn, of Dun in the Renna, and of many other places, is commemorated November 24. He flourished A.D. 570, and was contemporary with saints Kevin, Mobhi, Clairenech, Colman of Doiremor, Colman Ela, etc. He must be distinguished from Colman of Cloyne, whose festival is on the same day (Colgan, Acta Sanctorum, page 193, Colossians 1).

28. Surnamed Eala, Ela, or Colmanellus, is commemorated September 26. He was the son of Beognai. By his mother, Mor, he was a nephew of St. Columba. He was born in Glennaichle, now Glenelly, A.D. 555. He founded the monastery at Lann-Eala, in Ferceall (now Lynally). He probably died A.D. 611 (O'Donovan, Four Masters, 1:235; Lanigan, Eccl. Hist. of Ireland, 2:304 sq.). Many places in Ayrshire and Argyleshire were dedicated to his memory (Forbes, Kal. of Scott. Saints, page 305).

29. Otherwise named Finn, is commemorated April 4. In the days when it was customary to join companions under one leader for Christian teaching and practice, we find Colman Finn in the litany of St. Aengus (Colgan, Acta Sanctorum, page 436 n2; Reeves, Adamnan, page 300). He died A.D. 771, according to the Four Masters, who call him "Colum Finn the anchore."

30. Also called Imramha, of Fathan Beg, in Inis Eoghain, is commemorated July 8. Among the abbots and saints of the Church of Fahau, where Colgan says there was at one time a noble monastery, and now there is only a parish church, there is cited, without date, "S. Colmanus cogn. Imromha, etc." He is placed in the list before St. Murus or Mura, who must have died sometime before A.D. 658, as that is the date given for the death of Cellach, St. Mura's successor" (Lanigan, Eccl. Hist, of Ireland, 2:37, 38).

31. Surnamed Itadach, or "The Thirsty," is commemorated March 5. His name does not appear in the calendars, yet his faithfulness is duly chronicled in the Life Of St. Patrick, by Evinus and Jocelyne. In his strict observance of the rule of fasting he would not quench his thirst in the harvest-field, and died in consequence at Trian Conchobuir about A.D. 445 (Lanigan, Eccl. Hist. of Ireland, 1:319).

32. Also called Mor, son of Luachan, is commemorated June 17.

33. Surnamed Muilinn, "of the Mill," is commemorated January 1. He is said.to have been of Doire Chaochain (now Derrykeighan). In St. Aengus's tract on the Mothers Of The Irish Saints, his mother is given as Bronach, the daughter of Milchu, son of Buan, with whom St. Patrick was in captivity. This Bronach is also given as the mother of St. Mochaoi, or Caelan, who died A.D. 497, and others, which is the only clue we have to the period when he lived (Todd and Reeves, Mart. Doneg. page 3; O'Hanlon, Irish Saints, 1:18).

34. Surnamed Priscus. A.D. 800, is not to be found in the calendars, but Hector Boethuis gives a Colmanus Priscus, who, with St. Medan, St. Modan, and St. Euchinus, was preacher among the Picts and Scots (Scotor. Hist. lib. 7, fol. 151 a, ed. 1575). He was patron saint of the Church of Llangolman and of Capel Colman, in Pembrokeshire (Rees, Welsh Saints, page 190).

35. Also called Stellain, of Tir-da-Glas (now Terryglass, in Tipperary), is commemorated May 26. Little appears to be known regarding him. He died A.D. 624 (Colgan, Acta Sanctorum, page 247 n2; Lanigan, Eccl. Hist. of Ireland, 2:24).

36. Otherwise named Ua Cluasaigh. This Colman is of unknown parentage. He was Fer-Leghinn, or lecturer in the theological school at Cork, and is best known as the tutor or master of St. Cumin Foda of Clonfert. He wrote a panegyric on his pupil. It is quoted by the Four Masters at A.D. 661. He composed a hymn, intended as a protection against the plague; it is given, with translation and notes, in the Book Of Hymns edited by Dr. Todd. He died during a pestilence in Ireland, about A.D. 661 or 662 (Todd, Book of Hymns, Fasc. 1:86, 93; 2:121 sq.; O'Donovan, Four Masters, 1:271, 272).

37. Also styled Ua Fiachrach, of Senbotha (now Templeshambo, in Wexford), is commemorated October 27. He was the son of Eochaidh Brec, and was related to Niall of the Nine Hostages. This Colman was a contemporary of St. Colman Macduach, and of St. Maidoc of Ferus, who flourished in the beginning of the 7th century. His monastery was situated at the foot of Mount Leinster. The year of his death is unknown (Lanigan, Eccl. Hist. Of Ireland, 3:2, 5; Todd and Reeves, Mart. Doneg. page 287).

38. Also designated as Ua Eirc, was abbot of Clonard, and died A.D. 700. His chief feast was December 5, but he appears to have been also commemorated February 9 (Colgan, Acta. Sanctorum, page 406, c. 5; Todd and Reeves, Mart. Doneg. page 327). See No. 18.

39. Likewise styled Ua Liathain, "doctor," A.D. 725, is commemorated July 25. Colgan calls him bishop of Lismore and a famous doctor, and says he died about A.D. 725, which is the year given in the Four Masters as the date when "S. Colman O'Liadain, a select doctor died."

40. Of Uamhach (Huamacensis), scribe of Armagh, died in 725. and is commemorated November 24 (Todd and Reeves, Mlart. Doneg. page 317).

41. Commemorated October 1, is supposed to be Colman of Cill-mic- Eoghain, who is of the race of Colla-da-Chrioch. See No. 16. Colgan numbers among the saints of the family of Oirghialli (Oriel), and race of Colla-da-Chrioch, St. Colman, surnamedi Kille, son of Eoghain, etc., and gives his feast as Oct. 1.