Ailbhe of Ceann Mhara (died 814) was an Irish cleric.

Biography

The

Annals of the Four Masters The ''Annals of the Kingdom of Ireland'' ( ga, Annála Ríoghachta Éireann) or the ''Annals of the Four Masters'' (''Annála na gCeithre Máistrí'') are chronicles of medieval Irish history. The entries span from the Deluge, dated as 2,24 ...

list Ailbhe among a series of notable deaths in Ireland during the year 814.

''Indrechtach, epscop Cille Mic Duach; Fergus Rátha Lúiricch, abb Fionnghlaisi; Cilleni, abb Ferna; Duibh Insi sgribhneóir Cluana Mic Nóis; Cumusccach, mac Cernaigh, fertighis Arda Macha;& Ailbhe Cinn Mara, d'ég''

Which, translated, reads

''Innreachtach, Bishop of Cill Mic Duach; Fearghus of Rath Luirigh, Abbot of Finnghlais;Cilleni, Abbot of Fearna; Duibhinsi, scribe of Cluain Mic Nois; Cumasgach, son of Cearnach, OEconomus of Ard Macha; and Ailbhe of Ceann Mhara, died.''

Ailbhe was a cleric of the church of Coman of Kinvara, and his

obituary An obituary ( obit for short) is an article about a recently deceased person. Newspapers often publish obituaries as news articles. Although obituaries tend to focus on positive aspects of the subject's life, this is not always the case. Ac ...

demonstrates that a church was already in existence in

Kinvara Kinvara or Kinvarra () is a sea port village in the southwest of County Galway, Ireland. It is located in the Civil parishes in Ireland, civil parish of Kinvarradoorus in the north of the Barony (Ireland), barony of Kiltartan. Kinvarra is also ...

by the early 9th-century. The 11th-century text

The Voyage of the Uí Chorra ''The Voyage of the Uí Chorra'' (Irish: ''Immram curaig húa Corra'', literally, "the voyage of the coracle of the sons of O'Corra") is one of the three surviving Immrama, or ancient Irish voyage tales. The Immram curaig húa Corra is found in th ...

describes the destruction of the church, stating it was of the holy old man Coman of Kinvara. Kinvara was situated within the territory of

Uí Fiachrach Aidhne Uí Fhiachrach Aidhne (also known as Hy Fiachrach) was a kingdom located in what is now the south of County Galway. Legendary origins and geography Originally known as Aidhne, it was said to have been settled by the mythical Fir Bolg. Dubhaltac ...

, and within a few hundred yards of the residence of King

Guaire Aidne mac Colmáin Guaire Aidne mac Colmáin (died 663) was a king of Connacht. A member of the Ui Fiachrach Aidhne and son of king Colmán mac Cobthaig (died 622). Guaire ruled at the height of Ui Fiachrach Aidne power in south Connacht. Early reign Guaire app ...

of Connacht (now

Dunguaire Castle Dunguaire Castle ( ga, Dún Guaire) is a 16th-century tower house on the southeastern shore of Galway Bay in County Galway, Ireland, near Kinvara (also spelled Kinvarra). The name derives from the Dun (fort) of King Guaire, the legendary king ...

). It is not known what connection Ailbhe may have had with the dynasty.

References

* ''St. Coman's Church, Kinvara'', Ann Carey, Journal of the Galway Archaeological and Historical Society, pp. 22–31, volume 60, 2008. Ailbhe of Ceann Mhara 9th-century Irish priests 814 deaths Year of birth unknown Bishops of Kilmacduagh {{bishop-stub