Íomar Fir Bolg
Encyclopedia
Íomar Fir Bolg, early Irish
Saint
, fl. 5th/6th century AD.
Writing on the 5 November 1838, John O'Donovan
reported that his field work for the Ordnance Survey
had brought him to the parish of Killimer-Bologue, which was "according to tradition ... the principal establishment and the birth-place of St. Imor, whose life was preserved in the Country in Irish metre to a late period." O'Donovon, who appears to have been informed by a Mr. McEgan "who lives near the old church" included the following account of Íomar in his letter:
At the time of O'Donovan's visit, it measured 75 feet long and 18 broad, "It is the largest parish churcy of the period to which it must be referred, that I have yet seen in Ireland ... The greater part of the two side walls is destroyed, but the two gables, which are 75 feet asunder are in good preservation. The oldest tombstone in this church is a monument to William O'Tressy, who died in the year 16-4."
St. Imor's well was situated at the side of the road immediately beside the church.
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...
Saint
Saint
A saint is a holy person. In various religions, saints are people who are believed to have exceptional holiness.In Christian usage, "saint" refers to any believer who is "in Christ", and in whom Christ dwells, whether in heaven or in earth...
, fl. 5th/6th century AD.
Writing on the 5 November 1838, John O'Donovan
John O'Donovan (scholar)
John O'Donovan , from Atateemore, in the parish of Kilcolumb, County Kilkenny, and educated at Hunt's Academy, Waterford, was an Irish language scholar from Ireland.-Life:...
reported that his field work for the Ordnance Survey
Ordnance Survey
Ordnance Survey , an executive agency and non-ministerial government department of the Government of the United Kingdom, is the national mapping agency for Great Britain, producing maps of Great Britain , and one of the world's largest producers of maps.The name reflects its creation together with...
had brought him to the parish of Killimer-Bologue, which was "according to tradition ... the principal establishment and the birth-place of St. Imor, whose life was preserved in the Country in Irish metre to a late period." O'Donovon, who appears to have been informed by a Mr. McEgan "who lives near the old church" included the following account of Íomar in his letter:
Imor was a very respectable man living in Sil-AnmhcadhaSíol AnmchadhaSíol Anmchadha was a sub-kingdom or lordship of Hy-Many, and ruled by an off-shoot of the Ui Maine called the Síol Anmchadha , from whom the territory took its name....
a long time ago [tradition never remembers dates] and had no idea originally of becoming a saint, but had intended to apply himself to increasing the number of the human family in a lawful manner [liberis procreandis operam dare sibi proposuit] and for this purpose he married a very beautiful girl, a native of Ely O'CarrollÉileÉile, Éle or Éli, commonly anglicised Ely, was an ancient and medieval kingdom of northern Munster in Ireland.-Overview:They claimed descent from Céin , a possibly mythical or spurious younger son of Ailill Aulom and brother of Éogan Mór, and thus kinship with the Eóganachta...
on the other side of the ShannonRiver ShannonThe River Shannon is the longest river in Ireland at . It divides the west of Ireland from the east and south . County Clare, being west of the Shannon but part of the province of Munster, is the major exception...
. But before he had seen her she had been wooed by another who was driven to desperation on hearing of her marriage with Imor, and he swore that he would never suffer her to be brought to ConnachtConnachtConnacht , formerly anglicised as Connaught, is one of the Provinces of Ireland situated in the west of Ireland. In Ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for...
. Accordingly on the day that Imor went with a party of his friends to take her home, he [his MunsterMunsterMunster is one of the Provinces of Ireland situated in the south of Ireland. In Ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for administrative and judicial purposes...
rival], having collected a body of the men of Slieve BloomSlieve Bloom MountainsSituated close to the geographical centre of Ireland The Slieve Bloom Mountains rise from the central plain of Ireland to a height of 527 metres. While not very high, they are extensive by local standards...
, attacked him on the way after he had cross (the Shannon), and made a desperate effort to carry off the bride. But the Connaught (party) were equally vigorous in resisting, and the poor girl was killed in the struggle between them! After this Imor became a melancholy recluseRecluseA recluse is a person who lives in voluntary seclusion from the public and society, often close to nature. The word is from the Latin recludere, which means "shut up" or "sequester." There are many potential reasons for becoming a recluse: a personal philosophy that rejects consumer society; a...
and swore to (he would) dedicate his virginity to God. He never took holy orders, but still was always esteemed as an Irish saint.
At the time of O'Donovan's visit, it measured 75 feet long and 18 broad, "It is the largest parish churcy of the period to which it must be referred, that I have yet seen in Ireland ... The greater part of the two side walls is destroyed, but the two gables, which are 75 feet asunder are in good preservation. The oldest tombstone in this church is a monument to William O'Tressy, who died in the year 16-4."
St. Imor's well was situated at the side of the road immediately beside the church.