Gregory Ceannanach, early

Irish Irish may refer to: Common meanings * Someone or something of, from, or related to: ** Ireland, an island situated off the north-western coast of continental Europe ***Éire, Irish language name for the isle ** Northern Ireland, a constituent unit ...

missionary A missionary is a member of a Religious denomination, religious group which is sent into an area in order to promote its faith or provide services to people, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care, and economic development.Tho ...

, fl. c. 490-500?

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 Christians () are people who follow or adhere to Christianity, a monotheistic Abrahamic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. The words ''Christ'' and ''Christian'' derive from the Koine Greek title ''Christós'' (Χρι ...

missionary who worked in what is now called

Connemara Connemara (; )( ga, Conamara ) is a region on the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic coast of western County Galway, in the west of Ireland. The area has a strong association with traditional Irish culture and contains much of the Connacht Irish-speak ...

in the late 5th/early 6th centuries. He may be associated with the western mission of

Saint Patrick Saint Patrick ( la, Patricius; ga, Pádraig ; cy, Padrig) was a fifth-century Romano-British Christian missionary and bishop in Ireland. Known as the "Apostle of Ireland", he is the primary patron saint of Ireland, the other patron saints be ...

. Places associated with im include An Cartrún, Baile na Cille, some three km north of

Cleggan Cleggan () is a fishing village in County Galway, Ireland. The village lies 10 km (7 mi) northwest of Clifden and is situated at the head of Cleggan Bay. A focal point of the village is the pier, built by Alexander Nimmo in 1822 and ...

. A medieval church set within traces of a rectangular enclosure is dedicated to him. A second church dedicated to him is located on

Inishmore Inishmore ( ga, Árainn , or ) is the largest of the Aran Islands in Galway Bay, off the west coast of Ireland. With an area of and a population of 762 (as of 2016), it is the second-largest island off the Irish coast (after Achill) and ...

, 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 ( ; ga, Inis Meáin , the official name, formerly spelled , meaning "middle island") is the middle of the three main Aran Islands in Galway Bay, off the west coast of Republic of Ireland, Ireland. It is part of County Galway in the p ...

. 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.

References

* ''A Guide to Connemara's Early Christian Sites'', Anthony Previte,

Oughterard Oughterard () is a small town on the banks of the Owenriff River close to the western shore of Lough Corrib in Connemara, County Galway, Ireland. The population of the town in 2016 was 1,318. It is located about northwest of Galway on the N5 ...

, 2008. {{DEFAULTSORT:Ceannach Christian clergy from County Galway 5th-century Irish priests Irish Christian missionaries

Biography

See also

References