ABOUT SAINT FECHÍN
Saint Fechín's feast day is the 20th January.
The text below is taken from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Feichin
Saint Feichin (pron. Fe-heen), a saint of the Roman Catholic Church, operated and had his ministry in 7th century Ireland. Feichin's life is surrounded by folklore and mythology, yet the facts of his life demonstrate that he was a profoundly important figure in the spreading of the Irish monastic tradition.
Said to have been descended from Con The Hundred Fighter, Feichin was to become as much renowned for his ascetism and piety as for his prodigious establishment of religious communities. His name comes from the Gaelic word, Fiach, meaning 'Raven'. With the dimunitive suffix his name thus means little raven.
Operating throughout Ireland, but particularly in the west, Feichin dedicated his life after ordination (in 610 AD) to establishing oratories and monastic settlements throughout Mayo and Galway and further along the western seaboard of Ireland during the early to latter 7th century. Among these is Fore Abbey, founded by Saint Feichin in 630AD. By the time of Feichin's death it is believed there were up to 300 monks in the monastery. Between 771 and 1169 Fore was burned at least twelve times. Around 1200 Norman landlords the De Lacys built a Benedictine Priory dedicated to Saint Feichin and St Taurin.
Born into the great age of celtic christianity, Feichin's life is depicted in stories and legends shrouded in the period's pagan mythology. Stories abound of Feichin's supernatural powers and healing abilities, with holy wells being dedicated to him throughout Ireland, with a concentration of sites in the west.
Saint Feichin Fore Abbey
Although often claimed to be native to manifold regions of Ireland ( "St. Feichin of Fore", "St Feichin of Cong" etc), Feichin had his base in Connemara, a region of county Galway. The abbey at Cong (in county Mayo) is often said to be in the region where Feichin was born as is Leyney in county Sligo, yet more recent research has suggested he was indeed from further south, in Connemara.
The details of Feichin's life are by no means clear, yet the extent of the remains of buildings and villages etc which carry his name bear witness to the immense activity of this early Irish saint. His contribution to the conversion of the Irish cannot be underestimated, and devotion to him remains strong to this day.
On Omey Island in Connemara there are the remains of a monastic community bearing Feichin's name. The holy well bearing his name still stands and remains to this day a pilgrimage site for those seeking a physical cure for all manner of ailments.
St. Feichin died circa 660 AD during the yellow plague which struck the island. It is believed Feichin died at the monastic settlement on Omey Island.
In Scotland Feichin is venerated in the latinised form Vigeanus. The village of St Vigeans, near Arbroath in Angus, has a major collection of early medieval sculpture surviving from a monastery dedicated to the saint, perhaps founded in unrecorded circumstances among the Picts in the 8th century.
SourcesSources for his life and legend include Irish annals, martyrologies, genealogies and hagiographical works. Of the two surviving medieval Lives, one was written in Latin, the other in Irish. The Latin Life was written c. 1400 by Augustine mac Graidín, who belonged to the All Saints' Islandmonastery in Lough Ree.[1] His main source appears to have been a Life originating in Féchín's monastery on Omey Island.[2] The Irish Life (Betha Féchín Fabair "The Life of St Féchín of Fore") was written down by Nicol Óg, son of theabbot of Cong, in 1328 and it seems that parts of it go back to even earlier (Latin) sources.[2] The text may be seen as a combination of two texts. The first part is primarily concerned with the saint's position as a mediator and negotiator between the Luigne (or Luigni) of Connacht, of which he was supposedly a member, and the more powerful Luigne of Meath, on whose territory Fore Abbey was founded.[3] The second part focuses more attention on Leinster and the payment of tribute.[3] The Latin and Irish Lives both agree that Ailerán of Clonard, a contemporary of St Féchín, had composed an account of the saint's good works.[2] In the 17th century, John Colganproduced another Latin Life (the Vita seu supplementum), for which he drew on three Irish Lives.[2][4]
BackgroundFéchín is said to have been born in Bile, probably Billa in what is now the parish of Collooney (Kilvarnet), (Co. Sligo).[2] The medieval Lives call his mother Lassair, identified in the Irish text (first part) as a member of a royal Munster line.[3] The late Irish Life asserts that the saint's foundation at Fore (Co. Westmeath) in Mide was connected to the Luigne and that Féchín himself belonged to the Luigne of Connacht.[5] In the annal for 814, however, the Chronicon Scotorum appears to suggest that the saint's church was connected to both the Gailenga and the Luigne.[5] On the other hand, the Life's claim is corroborated by an entry in the Annals of Ulster (sub anno 993) which styles Máel Finnia, bishop of Fore, bishop of the peoples (túatha) of the Luigne.[5]
The Lives tell us that Féchín received his monastic training from St Nath Í of Achonry and later moved on to Clonmacnoise.[2]
It has been suggested that his name translates as "little raven", consisting of the Old Irish noun fiach"raven" and a diminutive suffix. His name is explained in this manner in a note added to the Félire Óengusso, which says that he received this name when his mother saw him gnawing on a bone and exclaimed "my little raven!" (mo fiachan). The same note also names him Moéca, which is explained as meaning "backslider": when Féchín felt aggrieved over the reward he received for herding the oxen ofCiarán of Clonmacnoise, he left in anger, going eastwards. When he was called back, he refused to return with his face before him and so walked backwards instead, hence the name.[6]
Saint Féchín statue at Fore AbbeyFoundationsThe first monastic houses said to have been founded by Féchín are those on the islands of Omey and Ardoilén, both off the coast of Galway, which fell under the protection of the king of Connacht, Guaire Aidne mac Colmáin.[2]
His principal foundation was Fobur, now Fore, Co. Westmeath. Between 771 and 1169, Fore was burned at least twelve times.
DeathAccording to the Annals of the Four Masters, Féchín died on 14 February in the year 664 [665], during the plague which struck the island at the time.[7] His feast-day is celebrated in Ireland on the 20th of January.[2] A story about Féchín and the plague is found both in the Latin Life of St Gerald of Mayo and in the notes to the hymn Sén Dé (by Colmán of the moccu Clúasaig) in the Liber Hymnorum. It relates that the joint high-kings Diarmait Ruanaid and Blathmac appealed to Féchín and other churchmen, asking them to inflict a terrible plague on the lower classes of society and so decrease their number. Féchín was one of the churchmen to answer their request and to perish in the event, whereas Gerald kept aloof and survived.[2]
One of Féchín's fellow victims in the plague of 665 is said to have been St Rónán mac Beraig (son of Berach), founder of Druim Inesclainn, whose relics were enshrined in 801.[8] The Uí Chrítáin, a clerical dynasty who claimed collateral descent from Lóegaire, ruled his house between the mid-9th century and 978, and asserted that their eponymous ancestor Crítán was Rónán's grandfather.[8][9] The Uí Chrítáin also claimed another five saints as descendants of their line, notably St Columba.[8]
VenerationPlaces connected with Féchín's cult include: Fore Abbey (Co. Westmeath), Cong Abbey (Co. Mayo),Omey Island (Co. Galway), Ardoilén/High Island (Co. Galway), Inishmaan (Co. Galway), Claddaghduff(Co. Galway), Cleggan (Co. Galway) and Termonfeckin (Co. Louth). Around 1200 the Norman landlords known as the De Lacys built a Benedictine Priory dedicated to St Féchín and St Taurin.
In Scotland Féchín is venerated in the Latinised form Vigeanus. The village of St Vigeans, near Arbroathin Angus, has a major collection of early medieval sculpture surviving from a monastery dedicated to the saint, perhaps founded in unrecorded circumstances among the Picts in the 8th century.
Other places possibly connected with Féchín in Scotland are Ecclefechan in Dumfriesshire and Torphichen in West Lothian.
Supernatural powers and healing abilities were attributed to Féchín, with holy wells being dedicated to him throughout Ireland, with a concentration of sites in the west. A holy well stands among the remains of his monastic community on Omey Island. A pilgrimage site for those seeking a physical cure for all manner of ailments, including Iris root rot. Today it has a limited use in treating headaches, certain allergies and incompetence.
SOURCES
Sources for his life and legend include Irish annals, martyrologies, genealogies and hagiographical works. Of the two surviving medieval Lives, one was written in Latin, the other in Irish. The Latin Life was written c. 1400 by Augustine mac Graidín, who belonged to the All Saints' Islandmonastery in Lough Ree.[1] His main source appears to have been a Life originating in Féchín's monastery on Omey Island.[2] The Irish Life (Betha Féchín Fabair "The Life of St Féchín of Fore") was written down by Nicol Óg, son of theabbot of Cong, in 1328 and it seems that parts of it go back to even earlier (Latin) sources.[2] The text may be seen as a combination of two texts. The first part is primarily concerned with the saint's position as a mediator and negotiator between the Luigne (or Luigni) of Connacht, of which he was supposedly a member, and the more powerful Luigne of Meath, on whose territory Fore Abbey was founded.[3] The second part focuses more attention on Leinster and the payment of tribute.[3] The Latin and Irish Lives both agree that Ailerán of Clonard, a contemporary of St Féchín, had composed an account of the saint's good works.[2] In the 17th century, John Colganproduced another Latin Life (the Vita seu supplementum), for which he drew on three Irish Lives.[2][4]
Background
- Féchín is said to have been born in Bile, probably Billa in what is now the parish of Collooney (Kilvarnet), (Co. Sligo).[2] The medieval Lives call his mother Lassair, identified in the Irish text (first part) as a member of a royal Munster line.[3] The late Irish Life asserts that the saint's foundation at Fore (Co. Westmeath) in Mide was connected to the Luigne and that Féchín himself belonged to the Luigne of Connacht.[5] In the annal for 814, however, the Chronicon Scotorum appears to suggest that the saint's church was connected to both the Gailenga and the Luigne.[5] On the other hand, the Life's claim is corroborated by an entry in the Annals of Ulster (sub anno 993) which styles Máel Finnia, bishop of Fore, bishop of the peoples (túatha) of the Luigne.[5]
The Lives tell us that Féchín received his monastic training from St Nath Í of Achonry and later moved on to Clonmacnoise.[2]
It has been suggested that his name translates as "little raven", consisting of the Old Irish noun fiach"raven" and a diminutive suffix. His name is explained in this manner in a note added to the Félire Óengusso, which says that he received this name when his mother saw him gnawing on a bone and exclaimed "my little raven!" (mo fiachan). The same note also names him Moéca, which is explained as meaning "backslider": when Féchín felt aggrieved over the reward he received for herding the oxen ofCiarán of Clonmacnoise, he left in anger, going eastwards. When he was called back, he refused to return with his face before him and so walked backwards instead, hence the name.[6]
- FOUNDATIONS
- The first monastic houses said to have been founded by Féchín are those on the islands of Omey and Ardoilén, both off the coast of Galway, which fell under the protection of the king of Connacht, Guaire Aidne mac Colmáin.[2]
His principal foundation was Fobur, now Fore, Co. Westmeath. Between 771 and 1169, Fore was burned at least twelve times. - DEATH
- According to the Annals of the Four Masters, Féchín died on 14 February in the year 664 [665], during the plague which struck the island at the time.[7] His feast-day is celebrated in Ireland on the 20th of January.[2] A story about Féchín and the plague is found both in the Latin Life of St Gerald of Mayo and in the notes to the hymn Sén Dé (by Colmán of the moccu Clúasaig) in the Liber Hymnorum. It relates that the joint high-kings Diarmait Ruanaid and Blathmac appealed to Féchín and other churchmen, asking them to inflict a terrible plague on the lower classes of society and so decrease their number. Féchín was one of the churchmen to answer their request and to perish in the event, whereas Gerald kept aloof and survived.[2]
One of Féchín's fellow victims in the plague of 665 is said to have been St Rónán mac Beraig (son of Berach), founder of Druim Inesclainn, whose relics were enshrined in 801.[8] The Uí Chrítáin, a clerical dynasty who claimed collateral descent from Lóegaire, ruled his house between the mid-9th century anVenerationPlaces connected with Féchín's cult include: Fore Abbey (Co. Westmeath), Cong Abbey (Co. Mayo),Omey Island (Co. Galway), Ardoilén/High Island (Co. Galway), Inishmaan (Co. Galway), Claddaghduff(Co. Galway), Cleggan (Co. Galway) and Termonfeckin (Co. Louth). Around 1200 the Norman landlords known as the De Lacys built a Benedictine Priory dedicated to St Féchín and St Taurin.
VENERATION- In Scotland Féchín is venerated in the Latinised form Vigeanus. The village of St Vigeans, near Arbroathin Angus, has a major collection of early medieval sculpture surviving from a monastery dedicated to the saint, perhaps founded in unrecorded circumstances among the Picts in the 8th century.
Other places possibly connected with Féchín in Scotland are Ecclefechan in Dumfriesshire and Torphichen in West Lothian.
Supernatural powers and healing abilities were attributed to Féchín, with holy wells being dedicated to him throughout Ireland, with a concentration of sites in the west. A holy well stands among the remains of his monastic community on Omey Island. A pilgrimage site for those seeking a physical cure for all manner of ailments, including Iris root rot. Today it has a limited use in treating headaches, certain allergies and incompetence.d 978, and asserted that their eponymous ancestor Crítán was Rónán's grandfather.[8][9] The Uí Chrítáin also claimed another five saints as descendants of their line, notably St Columba.[8]
OMEY ISLAND
Omey Island is situated 9.5 km south-west of Cleggan, this island can be reached on foot at low tide. There are fine strands and pony races take place in August. In the sandhills of the northern shore are the ruins of Teampall Féichin (Temple Feheen) a small medieval church, preserving the memory of the monastery founded by Saint Féichin of Cong.
On the western shore is Tobar FéichIn - Féichin's Well.
Monastic Heritage- In the early to mid 1990s a team of archaeologists from University College Dublin began work to study the monastic heritage of the island, long known for being the site of a monastery and settlement founded by the prodigious St Feichin. In fact, its name derives from the Irish Iomaidh Feichín meaning Feichín's bed or seat.
The excavation gave new insights into the life of early Christianity in Ireland and included one of the few known burials of a female within a monastic burial ground. The site is believed to date from the early 6th Century.
The island of Omey remains a place of devotion to Saint Feichín to this day, with a Holy Well situated by the western edge and several other key landmarks of piety, including the still existing ancient church - with the majority of its vast stones still very much in place (having been buried in centuries of sand until the parish priest took matters into his own hands and dug up the area surrounding it with the help of locals.
St Feichín is known to have established many such communities across the west of Ireland and is considered one of the most important of the early founders of the rich tradition of Irish Christianity. - Omey Island and St. Feichin’s church
One of the most interesting walks to be found around the Cleggan Peninsula is on Omey Island (Iomaidh Feichin-St. Feichin’s Bed). At the church in Claddagduff take the road to the left and walk down to the strand. The timing of this adventure is most important. At low tide you can walk across the strand to the island. To the left and right of you is the sea which covers the hard packed sand at high tide so be sure to check the tide charts (or The Strand pub) for the best time to cross if you are on foot. As you come up onto the island to your right you will see a graveyard. The view of the graveyard from the strand seems to give one the feeling that those buried there are indeed in their right place for the stones appear to lean toward the sea in reverence. A few hundred yards around to the north is the Little Hill of the Woman where there are the remains of cemetery dedicated exclusively to woman. To the left and up the road is Cloon. Here is the site of Omey House built in1789 and destroyed in a powerful storm in 1839. If you walk along the shoreline of Omey in the sandbank you will find evidence of layers of small shells, used for dyeing, and burnt stone rising up the sandbanks. This apparently is the site of an ancient settlement.
From this point on Omey the walking starts to become less easy but the views are breathtaking. Out across the water can be seenCrow Island, uninhabited except for the seals and dolphins that cavort in the bay on the back side of the island. On a brisk windy with the sun glancing off the sea and the spray from the breakers pounding on the shore the sheer joy in being there overpowers any weather worries. It is akin to being on a tropical island, with the ocean boiling up through the rock crags and the huge boulders protecting the inner island. It’s a mite colder than the tropics.
On around the island is the ruin of St. Feichin’s Church which, until 1981, was buried in the sands. Standing here in the sunlight one gets the impression that the Spirit of the Saint for whom the island is named is watching and blesses the visit. Near the church are the remains of a cemetery for men. One wonders why the men and women were separated in death and if they hover over the lovely place in unison to protect all whom pass. Omey Island abounds with history and mystery, with a mixture of the ancient and the contemporary. It calls to the traveller to enjoy its wondrous places and captivating scenery….., and to remember that the timing is in the tides.
There are many things to see on the island. The graveyard named St. Brendan’s altar (ula bhreandain) where six teen fisherman after the cleggan disaster were laid to rest. Tobar Feichin, a holy well with a shrine around it in Gooreen, or the ruins of St. Feichin’s church on the north side of the island. In 1981 some local people took an interest in St Feichin’s church which was under tons of sand for centuries. Saint Feichins came to Omey shortly after his ordination around 610 A.D. and had a difficult time converting the people on and around Omey. Saint Feichin’s day is celebrated on the 14th of January every year. The mass is held in the ruins in the church which makes you feel as if you are going back to the time when he said mass himself, a lovely feeling as if you were taking the place of your forefathers.
The Lives tell us that Féchín received his monastic training from St Nath Í of Achonry and later moved on to Clonmacnoise.[2]
It has been suggested that his name translates as "little raven", consisting of the Old Irish noun fiach"raven" and a diminutive suffix. His name is explained in this manner in a note added to the Félire Óengusso, which says that he received this name when his mother saw him gnawing on a bone and exclaimed "my little raven!" (mo fiachan). The same note also names him Moéca, which is explained as meaning "backslider": when Féchín felt aggrieved over the reward he received for herding the oxen ofCiarán of Clonmacnoise, he left in anger, going eastwards. When he was called back, he refused to return with his face before him and so walked backwards instead, hence the name.[6]
His principal foundation was Fobur, now Fore, Co. Westmeath. Between 771 and 1169, Fore was burned at least twelve times.
One of Féchín's fellow victims in the plague of 665 is said to have been St Rónán mac Beraig (son of Berach), founder of Druim Inesclainn, whose relics were enshrined in 801.[8] The Uí Chrítáin, a clerical dynasty who claimed collateral descent from Lóegaire, ruled his house between the mid-9th century anVenerationPlaces connected with Féchín's cult include: Fore Abbey (Co. Westmeath), Cong Abbey (Co. Mayo),Omey Island (Co. Galway), Ardoilén/High Island (Co. Galway), Inishmaan (Co. Galway), Claddaghduff(Co. Galway), Cleggan (Co. Galway) and Termonfeckin (Co. Louth). Around 1200 the Norman landlords known as the De Lacys built a Benedictine Priory dedicated to St Féchín and St Taurin.
VENERATION
Other places possibly connected with Féchín in Scotland are Ecclefechan in Dumfriesshire and Torphichen in West Lothian.
Supernatural powers and healing abilities were attributed to Féchín, with holy wells being dedicated to him throughout Ireland, with a concentration of sites in the west. A holy well stands among the remains of his monastic community on Omey Island. A pilgrimage site for those seeking a physical cure for all manner of ailments, including Iris root rot. Today it has a limited use in treating headaches, certain allergies and incompetence.d 978, and asserted that their eponymous ancestor Crítán was Rónán's grandfather.[8][9] The Uí Chrítáin also claimed another five saints as descendants of their line, notably St Columba.[8]
OMEY ISLAND
Omey Island is situated 9.5 km south-west of Cleggan, this island can be reached on foot at low tide. There are fine strands and pony races take place in August. In the sandhills of the northern shore are the ruins of Teampall Féichin (Temple Feheen) a small medieval church, preserving the memory of the monastery founded by Saint Féichin of Cong.
On the western shore is Tobar FéichIn - Féichin's Well.
Monastic Heritage
The excavation gave new insights into the life of early Christianity in Ireland and included one of the few known burials of a female within a monastic burial ground. The site is believed to date from the early 6th Century.
The island of Omey remains a place of devotion to Saint Feichín to this day, with a Holy Well situated by the western edge and several other key landmarks of piety, including the still existing ancient church - with the majority of its vast stones still very much in place (having been buried in centuries of sand until the parish priest took matters into his own hands and dug up the area surrounding it with the help of locals.
St Feichín is known to have established many such communities across the west of Ireland and is considered one of the most important of the early founders of the rich tradition of Irish Christianity.
One of the most interesting walks to be found around the Cleggan Peninsula is on Omey Island (Iomaidh Feichin-St. Feichin’s Bed). At the church in Claddagduff take the road to the left and walk down to the strand. The timing of this adventure is most important. At low tide you can walk across the strand to the island. To the left and right of you is the sea which covers the hard packed sand at high tide so be sure to check the tide charts (or The Strand pub) for the best time to cross if you are on foot. As you come up onto the island to your right you will see a graveyard. The view of the graveyard from the strand seems to give one the feeling that those buried there are indeed in their right place for the stones appear to lean toward the sea in reverence. A few hundred yards around to the north is the Little Hill of the Woman where there are the remains of cemetery dedicated exclusively to woman. To the left and up the road is Cloon. Here is the site of Omey House built in1789 and destroyed in a powerful storm in 1839. If you walk along the shoreline of Omey in the sandbank you will find evidence of layers of small shells, used for dyeing, and burnt stone rising up the sandbanks. This apparently is the site of an ancient settlement.
From this point on Omey the walking starts to become less easy but the views are breathtaking. Out across the water can be seenCrow Island, uninhabited except for the seals and dolphins that cavort in the bay on the back side of the island. On a brisk windy with the sun glancing off the sea and the spray from the breakers pounding on the shore the sheer joy in being there overpowers any weather worries. It is akin to being on a tropical island, with the ocean boiling up through the rock crags and the huge boulders protecting the inner island. It’s a mite colder than the tropics.
On around the island is the ruin of St. Feichin’s Church which, until 1981, was buried in the sands. Standing here in the sunlight one gets the impression that the Spirit of the Saint for whom the island is named is watching and blesses the visit. Near the church are the remains of a cemetery for men. One wonders why the men and women were separated in death and if they hover over the lovely place in unison to protect all whom pass. Omey Island abounds with history and mystery, with a mixture of the ancient and the contemporary. It calls to the traveller to enjoy its wondrous places and captivating scenery….., and to remember that the timing is in the tides.
There are many things to see on the island. The graveyard named St. Brendan’s altar (ula bhreandain) where six teen fisherman after the cleggan disaster were laid to rest. Tobar Feichin, a holy well with a shrine around it in Gooreen, or the ruins of St. Feichin’s church on the north side of the island. In 1981 some local people took an interest in St Feichin’s church which was under tons of sand for centuries. Saint Feichins came to Omey shortly after his ordination around 610 A.D. and had a difficult time converting the people on and around Omey. Saint Feichin’s day is celebrated on the 14th of January every year. The mass is held in the ruins in the church which makes you feel as if you are going back to the time when he said mass himself, a lovely feeling as if you were taking the place of your forefathers.