Gormgal of
Ardoileán
Ardoileán or Ard Oileán, known in English language, English as High Island (a translation of the Irish language, Irish name), is a small island off the northwest coast of Connemara in County Galway, Republic of Ireland, Ireland. It was once th ...
,
Connemara
Connemara ( ; ) 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-speaking Gaeltacht, ...
, died 1017/1018.
Biography
Gormgal is credited with building a number of monastic settlements in the late 10th century. Noted as an
anchorite
In Christianity, an anchorite or anchoret (female: anchoress); () is someone who, for religious reasons, withdraws from secular society to be able to lead an intensely prayer-oriented, Asceticism , ascetic, or Eucharist-focused life. Anchorit ...
of exceptional
sanctity
Sacred describes something that is dedicated or set apart for the service or worship of a deity; is considered worthy of spiritual respect or devotion; or inspires awe or reverence among believers. The property is often ascribed to objects (a ...
, he made Ardoileán (High Island) famous, so much so that in 1014
Brian Boru
Brian Boru (; modern ; 23 April 1014) was the High King of Ireland from 1002 to 1014. He ended the domination of the High King of Ireland, High Kingship of Ireland by the Uí Néill, and is likely responsible for ending Vikings, Viking invasio ...
visited High Island to make his
confession
A confession is a statement – made by a person or by a group of people – acknowledging some personal fact that the person (or the group) would ostensibly prefer to keep hidden. The term presumes that the speaker is providing information that ...
to him. A well on the island is named after Brian.
Gormgal's monastery ceased to exist sometime in the following centuries but High Island remained a destination for
pilgrims. His feast day is 5 August.
See also
*
Féchín of Fore
Saint Féchín or Féichín (died 665), also known as Mo-Ecca, was a 7th-century Irish saint, chiefly remembered as the founder of the monastery at Fore (''Fobar''), County Westmeath.
Sources for his life and legend include Irish annals, marty ...
died 665.
*
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 ...
, died c. 530.
*
Ceannanach,
missionary
A missionary is a member of a Religious denomination, religious group who 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.Thoma ...
, fl. c. 490-500?
*
Gillagori Ua Dubhacan, Abbot of Aran, died 1167.
References
* ''High Island:An Irish Monastery in the Atlantic'', Jenny White Marshall and Grellan D. Rourke, 2000.
* ''A Guide to Connemara's Early Christian Sites'', Anthony Previté,
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, Republic of Ireland, Ireland. It is located about northwest of Galway on the N59 road (Ireland), N59 road. ...
, 2008.
{{DEFAULTSORT:Gormgal
Christian clergy from County Galway
11th-century Irish Christian clergy
1010s deaths
Year of birth unknown