Ceannanach
Encyclopedia
Ceannanach aka Gregory, early Irish
missionary
, fl. c. 490
-500
?
He was a very early Christian
missionary who worked in what is now called Connemara
in the late 5th/early 6th centuries. He may be associated with the western mission of Saint Patrick
.
Places associated with im include An Cartrún, Baile na Cille, some three km north of Cleggan
. A medieval church set within traces of a rectangular enclousure is dedicated to him. A second church dedicated to him is located on Inishmore, which, according to Previte, "is considered to be one of the most ancient and perfect of all the ecclesiastical remains on the island"
From him is also said to derive the name Gregory's Sound, the sea passage between Inishmore and Inishmaan
.
Folklore in the parish of Ballinakill states that Ceannach's mission was the first in this part of Ireland, which was still pagan. The tradition stated that this infuriated a local king, who seized him and had him beheaded close to the eastern extremity of Cleggan. Lore has it that he then picked up his head and took it to the Holy Well in Clooncree where he washed it before lying down to die.
From this incident the village is supposed to derive its name, although An Cloigeann (meaning head or skull), apparently refers to a coastal headland. Gregory's new name, Ceannach, also seems to be derived from this.
A heap of stones pointed out as the site of his death.
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
missionary
Missionary
A missionary is a member of a religious group sent into an area to do evangelism or ministries of service, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care and economic development. The word "mission" originates from 1598 when the Jesuits sent members abroad, derived from the Latin...
, fl. c. 490
490
Year 490 was a common year starting on Monday of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Faustus and Longinus...
-500
500
Year 500 was a leap year starting on Saturday of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Patricius and Hypatius...
?
Biography
Ceannach's original name is said to have been Gregory, the former name only associated with him after his death.He was a very early Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
missionary who worked in what is now called Connemara
Connemara
Connemara is a district in the west of Ireland consisting of a broad peninsula between Killary Harbour and Kilkieran Bay in the west of County Galway.-Overview:...
in the late 5th/early 6th centuries. He may be associated with the western mission of Saint Patrick
Saint Patrick
Saint Patrick was a Romano-Briton and Christian missionary, who is the most generally recognized patron saint of Ireland or the Apostle of Ireland, although Brigid of Kildare and Colmcille are also formally patron saints....
.
Places associated with im include An Cartrún, Baile na Cille, some three km north of Cleggan
Cleggan
Cleggan is a picturesque fishing village in County Galway, Ireland. The village lies 10 km northwest of Clifden and is situated at the head of Cleggan Bay....
. A medieval church set within traces of a rectangular enclousure is dedicated to him. A second church dedicated to him is located on Inishmore, which, according to Previte, "is considered to be one of the most ancient and perfect of all the ecclesiastical remains on the island"
From him is also said to derive the name Gregory's Sound, the sea passage between Inishmore and Inishmaan
Inishmaan
Inishmaan is the middle of the three main Aran Islands in Galway Bay on the west coast of Ireland. It is part of County Galway in the province of Connacht. Inishmaan has a population of about 160, making it the smallest of the Aran Islands in terms of population. It is also quieter and less...
.
Folklore in the parish of Ballinakill states that Ceannach's mission was the first in this part of Ireland, which was still pagan. The tradition stated that this infuriated a local king, who seized him and had him beheaded close to the eastern extremity of Cleggan. Lore has it that he then picked up his head and took it to the Holy Well in Clooncree where he washed it before lying down to die.
From this incident the village is supposed to derive its name, although An Cloigeann (meaning head or skull), apparently refers to a coastal headland. Gregory's new name, Ceannach, also seems to be derived from this.
A heap of stones pointed out as the site of his death.
See also
- Guairim of InisbofinGuairim of Inisbofin-Biography:Little is known of Guairim. He is said to have been a contemporary of Colmán of Lindisfarne who founded a monastery on the island in 665. A site adjacent to the harbour on some old maps was called 'Guairim's Castle'; the presbytery is now located there. Another site, listed on the...
- Mathias of Inis NíMathias of Inis Ní-Biography:Inis Ní is located in Bertraghboy Bay in Connemara, Ireland, and contains the remains of a chapel and well dedicated to Mathias, the probable founder of the Christian settlement on the island...
- MocánMocán-Biography:Mocán established Teampall Inis Adhaimh south-east of Carraroe, Connemara. Very little seems to be known of him, other than he belongs to the medieval era.-References:...
- Gormgal of ArdoileánGormgal of Ardoileán-Biography:The monastry of Ardoileán, off the west coast of Ireland, was founded by Feichin in 664. It is now gone but on its site sits a medieval church, completely buried in sand until it was excavated in 1981....
, died. 1017/1018.