Mac Creiche (or Maccreehy, MacCrecius) of
Liscannor
Liscannor () is a coastal village in County Clare, Ireland.
Geography
Lying on the west coast of Ireland, on Liscannor Bay, the village is located on the R478 road between Lahinch, to the east, and Doolin, to the north. The Cliffs of Moher a ...
is described by various old texts as an 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 ...
saint, a hermit who slew monsters and persuaded kings to submit to him through miracles. He was probably not a historical figure. The stories of his life are most likely derived from earlier pagan legends, and he may be equated with a pagan god.
The
civil parish
In England, a civil parish is a type of administrative parish used for local government. It is a territorial designation which is the lowest tier of local government below districts and counties, or their combined form, the unitary authority ...
of
Kilmacrehy
Kilmacrehy, sometimes also Kilmacreehy, ( ga, Cill Mhic Creiche) is a civil parish in County Clare, Ireland. The ruins of the old parish church lie near the coastal village of Liscannor, which is also a part of the parish.
Geography
Kilmacre ...
on the west coast of
County Clare
County Clare ( ga, Contae an Chláir) is a county in Ireland, in the Southern Region and the province of Munster, bordered on the west by the Atlantic Ocean. Clare County Council is the local authority. The county had a population of 118,817 ...
is named after him.
Family
Mac Creiche is said to have lived in the late 6th century and to have been descended from the god Ercc, the Corcu MoDruad chieftain Mac Ercc.
According to his biography, the Corcu MoDruad was the leading sept of the ''Tuadmumu'' region of northern
County Clare
County Clare ( ga, Contae an Chláir) is a county in Ireland, in the Southern Region and the province of Munster, bordered on the west by the Atlantic Ocean. Clare County Council is the local authority. The county had a population of 118,817 ...
, which included the
Corcomroe and
Burren baronies, and was paramount over the neighboring people of Cenél Fermaic.
His homeland "Corcu Mruad in Nindois" also included the
Aran Islands
The Aran Islands ( ; gle, Oileáin Árann, ) or The Arans (''na hÁrainneacha'' ) are a group of three islands at the mouth of Galway Bay, off the west coast of Republic of Ireland, Ireland, with a total area around . They constitute the histo ...
.
One source says Mac Creiche's father was Pesslan (not an Irish name) and his mother was from the Cíarraige people. It is possible that the Corcu MoDruad were subordinates in an alliance led by the Cíarraige. Another source says he was of the Fermacaig, and the son of Saint
Ailbe of Emly. The sources agree that he was connected to the Cíarraige. He may have been a cousin of Saint
Brendan Brendan may refer to:
People
* Saint Brendan the Navigator (c. 484 – c. 577) was an Irish monastic saint.
* Saint Brendan of Birr (died 573), Abbot of Birr in Co. Offaly, contemporaneous with the above
* Brendan (given name), a masculine given na ...
of Clonfert on his mother's side. Mac Creiche is said to have lived to 180 years of age, which would make him one of the oldest of the Irish saints.
Legends
Various legends of the saint are recorded in his ''life'' and other sources.
Sea shore legends
Mac Creiche lived as a hermit in a structure made of four stones at a place called Cluain Í. The dwelling had "a stone at his back, a stone to each side, and a stone in front of him", and seems to have been designed for discomfort. He lived a frugal life: "Mac Creiche, the devout, loved / A hard and undefiled dungeon. / From Shrovetide to Easter would he subsist / Upon only bread and cresses."
He was a pupil of Ailbe of Emly. Ailbe and Mac Creiche once made a spring appear through their prayers.
Saint
Mainchín Manchán, Mainchín, Manchéne and a variety of other spellings may refer to:
Places
* Manaccan, south Cornwall, England, United Kingdom.
People Saints
* Ireland
** Mainchín of Limerick (''fl''. late 6th century), son of Sétna, patron saint of ...
is described as Mac Creiche's son, or spiritual son, whom Mac Creiche baptized and taught.
Mainchín and Mac Creiche went to Fid Inis, an island, where Mac Creiche told Mainchín to fetter him and hand him the key.
Mac Creiche threw the key into the sea, saying he would stay on the island until the key came out of the water to free him.
Ailbe later came to Fid Inis. He caught a salmon and found the fetter key in its stomach, with which he released Mac Creiche.
Mac Creiche travelled to
Aran
Aran m
Places Azerbaijan
Villages and municipalities:
* Aran, Aghjabadi
* Aran, Lerik
* Aran, Shaki
* Aran, Tovuz
* Aran, Yevlakh
Iran
* Aran, Alborz, a village in Alborz Province
* Aran, Nain, a village in Isfahan Province
* Aran, K ...
with Ailbe.
Mainchín waited on the shore at Cluain Dirair (today's
Kilmacrehy
Kilmacrehy, sometimes also Kilmacreehy, ( ga, Cill Mhic Creiche) is a civil parish in County Clare, Ireland. The ruins of the old parish church lie near the coastal village of Liscannor, which is also a part of the parish.
Geography
Kilmacre ...
), near the fort of Baethbrónach,
king of Corco Mruad.
Mainchín purchased a ridge of corn from Baethbrónach, which he sowed.
When Mac Creiche and Ailbe returned, Mainchín began to reap his corn, while Baethbrónach's men reaped another ridge by the fort.
A strong wind swept over Baethbrónach's field and blew all his corn into the sea, while Mainchín's remained unharmed in the sun.
This convinced Baethbrónach to submit to the saints, with his people.
Mac Creiche declared that the coast in this region would henceforth be safe from damage by the sea.
Plague monster legend
Mac Creiche was called upon by the Cíarraige, his mother's people, to save them from a monster.
The ''Brioch-Seach'' (badger monster) appeared in Loch Briocsighe (badger's lake). Today this is called Loch-no-Rátha (Lough Raha), and lies in the parish of
Rath, southwest of
Corofin.
The demon badger killed both cattle and men, and was not subdued by the prayers of six local saints.
The monster was lulled to sleep while Blathmac went with 1,200 followers to seek help from Mac Creiche, whom he found with his disciple Mainchín and his bell, the Finnfaidech. Mac Creiche asked for the promise of a perpetual tribute to himself and to his relics before he would come.
Mac Creiche arrived after three days. He was accompanied by Mainchín, who carried the bell.
The monster, as high as a tall tree, had awoken and was pursuing and killing the people, discharging balls of fire from its mouth.
In the contest that followed a ball of fire from Mac Chreich's bell shot into the monster's maw and set it on fire. The saint drove the monster into the waters of the lake, which turned red. The monster rose up again, embarrassing Mac Creiche, who took his cowl (or possibly his cap) and threw it over the monster.
The cowl grew so it was "like a cowl of smelted iron" that pressed the monster to the lake bed. The monster would not arise again until the eve of
Judgement Day
The Last Judgment, Final Judgment, Day of Reckoning, Day of Judgment, Judgment Day, Doomsday, Day of Resurrection or The Day of the Lord (; ar, یوم القيامة, translit=Yawm al-Qiyāmah or ar, یوم الدین, translit=Yawm ad-Dīn, ...
.
Mac Creiche accepted the thanks of the people but warned that if they did not pay the promised tribute they would be cursed with disease, pestilence and internal strife.
Another version of the legend says Ireland was afflicted by a plague called ''Crom Chonnaill''. The men of
Kerry
Kerry or Kerri may refer to:
* Kerry (name), a given name and surname of Gaelic origin (including a list of people with the name)
Places
* Kerry, Queensland, Australia
* County Kerry, Ireland
** Kerry Airport, an international airport in Count ...
(his kinsmen, the Cíarraige) invited Mac Creiche to meet them in
Ulster
Ulster (; ga, Ulaidh or ''Cúige Uladh'' ; sco, label= Ulster Scots, Ulstèr or ''Ulster'') is one of the four traditional Irish provinces. It is made up of nine counties: six of these constitute Northern Ireland (a part of the United King ...
to turn the plague away from them.
Three sons of the brother of MacCreiche's mother came from the east, but were felled by the ''Crom Chonnaill''.
When Mac Creiche saw this he raised his ''Finn Faidheach'' bell, and soon after the ''Crom Chonnaill'' was destroyed by a bolt from heaven.
It was common at the time for a plague to be personified as a monster.
Other tales
Other stories tell of Mac Creiche winning back plunder and hostages from robbers, and having an unjust tribute remitted.
The saint was asked by the people of Tuadhmhumhain and Corca Modhruah to come to Carn Mic Táil to advise them about a cattle tribute that the king of
Connacht
Connacht ( ; ga, Connachta or ), is one of the provinces of Ireland, in the west of Ireland. Until the ninth century it consisted of several independent major Gaelic kingdoms (Uí Fiachrach, Uí Briúin, Uí Maine, Conmhaícne, and Delbhn ...
was exacting.
He agreed at once, and came with Mainchín. They stopped at
Tomfinlough
Tomfinlough ( ga, Tuaim Fhionnlocha) is a civil parish in County Clare, Ireland. A Christian establishment was first made here around 540 AD. The parish lands were often raided by Irish, Viking, Norman and English forces in the years that followe ...
, where they persuaded
Luchtigern
Luchtigern ( la, Luctigernus) was an early Christian leader who was active in Ireland in the 6th century, and has been recognized as a saint by the Catholic Church.
Life
According to ''The Martyrology of Donegal'' Luchtigern's mother was Brigh, ...
to join them.
They found the tribes of Corcomroe waiting for them at Cairn-mic-Táil near
Ennistymon
Ennistymon or Ennistimon () is a country market town in County Clare, near the west coast of Ireland. The River Inagh, with its small rapids known as the Cascades, runs through the town, behind the main street. A bridge across the river leads to ...
.
After much discussion it was decided to make Mac Creiche the tribe's ambassador to the king to demand return of their property.
The saints went on and met the
druid
A druid was a member of the high-ranking class in ancient Celtic cultures. Druids were religious leaders as well as legal authorities, adjudicators, lorekeepers, medical professionals and political advisors. Druids left no written accounts. Whi ...
s of the king of Connaught at Magh Aoi, whom Mac Creiche defeated.
The king of Connacht still refused to surrender his spoils.
Mac Creiche was disheartened and went to spend the night on the field at Magh Aoi.
He was seized with thirst, and wished that the king would have a greater thirst.
Sure enough, the king became so thirsty that no drink could satisfy him.
He came to Mac Creiche and offered to submit himself and his heirs to the saint in return for relief.
Mac Creiche struck his staff on the ground and a spring of water broke forth, which satisfied the king and became a holy well.
Mac Creiche is linked with
Inis Cealtra
Inis Cealtra, also known in English as Inishcaltra or Holy Island, is an island off the western shore of Lough Derg in Ireland. Now uninhabited, it was once a monastic settlement. It has an Irish round tower, and the ruins of several small chur ...
, an island in
Lough Derg.
Saint
Columba of Terryglass
Columba of Terryglass (Colum) (died 13 December 552) was the son of Ninnidh, a descendant of Crinthainn, King of Leinster. Columba was a disciple of St. Finnian of Clonard. He was one of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland.
Life
In his youth he lea ...
visited him there, where he found a tree whose sap had the taste of honey and the intoxicating qualities of wine. An
angel
In various theistic religious traditions an angel is a supernatural spiritual being who serves God.
Abrahamic religions often depict angels as benevolent celestial intermediaries between God (or Heaven) and humanity. Other roles include ...
told Mac Creiche to leave the island and find another place for his hermitage.
Historicity
There is a life of Mac Creiche, the ''Betha Meic Creiche''. It is written in
Middle Irish
Middle Irish, sometimes called Middle Gaelic ( ga, An Mheán-Ghaeilge, gd, Meadhan-Ghàidhlig), is the Goidelic language which was spoken in Ireland, most of Scotland and the Isle of Man from AD; it is therefore a contemporary of late Old Engli ...
, and probably dates from the 11th or 12th century. The surviving manuscript was copied in 1634 from an earlier manuscript of 1528. Mac Creiche is mentioned in accounts of
Columba of Terryglass
Columba of Terryglass (Colum) (died 13 December 552) was the son of Ninnidh, a descendant of Crinthainn, King of Leinster. Columba was a disciple of St. Finnian of Clonard. He was one of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland.
Life
In his youth he lea ...
,
Ailbe of Emly and
Enda of Aran
Saint Enda of Aran (Éanna, Éinne or Endeus, died 530 AD) is an Irish saint. His feast day is 21 March.
Enda was a warrior-king of Oriel in Ulster, converted by his sister, Saint Fanchea, an abbess. About 484 he established the first Iri ...
. He is the subject of a quatrain in a poem said to be written by Cuimmín of Conor about the Irish saints.
However, there is no historical evidence that Mac Creiche existed, and much that suggests he was mythological. The tale of the eviction of Mac Creiche from Inishcealtra, the island with what sounds like a sacred tree, may refer to Christians taking a pagan sanctuary. The antiquarian
Thomas Johnson Westropp
Thomas Johnson Westropp (16 August 18609 April 1922) was an Irish antiquarian, folklorist and archaeologist.
Career
Westropp was born on 16 August 1860 at Attyflin Park, Patrickswell, County Limerick. His relatives were landowners of Engli ...
says that Mac Creiche's feast day was
Garland Sunday
Reek Sunday ( ga, Domhnach na Cruaiche) or Garland Sunday is an annual day of pilgrimage in Ireland. On the last Sunday in July, thousands of pilgrims climb Ireland's holiest mountain, Croagh Patrick (764 metres) in County Mayo. It is held in ...
, but was actually held on 11 August. On the sole basis of the date, Mac Creiche has been identified with Saint
Mochta
Saint Mochta (or Mochtae, Mahew, Mochteus, Maucteus, Mauchteus; died 20 August 535, or A.D. 537), was the last surviving disciple of Saint Patrick.
Life
Mochta was, like Patrick, a native of Britain. His name is British, and Adomnán's ''Life ...
of Louth. However, Garland Sunday was also the date of the pagan festival of the Irish god
Lugh
Lugh or Lug (; ga, label=Modern Irish, Lú ) is a figure in Irish mythology. A member of the Tuatha Dé Danann, a group of supernatural beings, Lugh is portrayed as a warrior, a king, a master craftsman and a savior.Olmsted, Garrett. ''The God ...
.
"Mac Creiche" may be translated "Son of Plunder". He traveled in a chariot with his companion Mainchín, defeated the enemies of the Corcu MoDruad and the Cíarraige, and fought a monster. This all suggests that the ''Betha Mac Creiche'' was originally the saga of a pagan tribal hero, son of a god and a mortal woman. Stories similar to that of Mac Creiche's fetter and key are told of other figures.
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 ...
is said to have commanded a wicked tyrant called Macuil moccu Greccae to fasten his feet with a fetter, throw the key into the sea, and let a coracle carry him away to a new land, where he should live a good life. Macuil moccu Greccae was so evil he was called
Cyclops
In Greek mythology and later Roman mythology, the Cyclopes ( ; el, Κύκλωπες, ''Kýklōpes'', "Circle-eyes" or "Round-eyes"; singular Cyclops ; , ''Kýklōps'') are giant one-eyed creatures. Three groups of Cyclopes can be distinguish ...
. From this it appears that Macuil is the old Irish god
Mac Cuill
In Irish mythology, Mac Cuill of the Tuatha Dé Danann, was a son of Cermait, son of the Dagda. Mac Cuill's given name was Éthur and he was named Mac Cuill after his god, Coll, the hazel. His wife was Banba.
Description
He and his brothers Mac ...
. Mac Creiche may well be the same person, his name a corruption of "moccu Greccae".
Traces
Mac Creiche was said to have founded several churches in County Clare, but only Cill Mic Creiche (
Kilmacrehy
Kilmacrehy, sometimes also Kilmacreehy, ( ga, Cill Mhic Creiche) is a civil parish in County Clare, Ireland. The ruins of the old parish church lie near the coastal village of Liscannor, which is also a part of the parish.
Geography
Kilmacre ...
) is named after him. The church of "Kilmaccrik" is mentioned in the Papal Taxation of 1302. The ruins of the old church lie near the village of
Liscannor
Liscannor () is a coastal village in County Clare, Ireland.
Geography
Lying on the west coast of Ireland, on Liscannor Bay, the village is located on the R478 road between Lahinch, to the east, and Doolin, to the north. The Cliffs of Moher a ...
. There was a holy well near the church dedicated to MacCreiche, but the nearby well of the more famous Saint
Brigit of Kildare
Saint Brigid of Kildare or Brigid of Ireland ( ga, Naomh Bríd; la, Brigida; 525) is the patroness saint (or 'mother saint') of Ireland, and one of its three national saints along with Patrick and Columba. According to medieval Irish hagiogra ...
drew many more visitors in the 19th century. Mac Creiche is said to have founded the church of Teampull na glas Aighne near
Inagh
Inagh ( ; ) is a village and civil parish in County Clare, Ireland. It is situated 14 km west of Ennis on the Inagh River. It contains the villages of Inagh and Cloonanaha.
Location
The parish is part of the barony of Inchiquin.
The ''Par ...
. Some remains of this building could still be seen in 1839. He also founded the church of Cill Scanbotha, nearby to the west.
Two rocks on the strand of Kilmacrehy, visible when the tide is out, are called "'Mac Creiche's Bed". Locals say that the saint asked for his coffin to be set on the shore where the tide would carry it out, and for it to be buried when it was washed in again.
Notes
Citations
Sources
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Mac Creiche
People from County Clare
6th-century Irish people
6th-century Christian saints
Medieval saints of Munster
Angelic visionaries