Saints in Scottish Place-Names

Mo Cholmóc m. Conratháin of Dromore

Other names

Colmán of Dromore

Introduction

Colmán or Mocholmóc of Dromore is not designated bishop in the early martyrologies, but in his vita, of perhaps the late twelfth century, this position is an important part of his profile (Heist 1965, 357-60). The vita brings him into contact with other important bishops – Ailbe of Imlech Ibair (Emly), Cóelán (Mochoe) of Nóendruimm, Mac Nisse of Connor and Patrick - in addition to Columb Cille. Maire Herbert suggests that it is an abbreviated version of a lost life ‘tailored to the reform era’, the shortened version perhaps designed for liturgical use around the time of the establishment of the Diocese of Dromore (Herbert 2008, 259). No attempt is made at chronological credibility. Ó Riain suggests that the saint of Dromore is identical both with Colmán of Kilroot (Ó Riain 1982, 153-4 ), and ultimately with Colum Cille (Ó Riain 1983, 20-35). His attachment to Inchmahome, Menteith may derive from Augustinian influence from nearby Cambuskenneth, which was founded by David I in 1140 following a visit from Malachy, Bishop of Down (Herbert 2008, 261).

Gender

Male

Associated places

Druimm Mór (Dromore townland and parish, barony of Iveagh, Co. Down)

Genealogies

In CGSH Rec. Mai., he is linked to Comgall of Bangor and both are among the saints of Dál nAraide. Comgall is several generations younger (CGSH, Rec. Mai. 99). In the metrical recension he appears under the heading Sir Iareil Mic Conuill. Other saints include Comgall Benchair, Ultan Ard Breccáin, Molaisse Daiminis, Moluóc mac Luchta, Catán mac Matáin, and Ibar mac Lugna. Other genealogies exist (O Hanlon vol VI, 228)

Related Saints

Belongs to the group Columb, Colmán, Commán, Mo Cholmóc, Mo Chommóc, Mo Chumma, Columba, Columbanus etc (ns) (certain)

Same as Colmán Ela m. Beogna (possible)

There are various associations common to both saints. For example both bring back to life King Brandub of Lesinter (Heist 1965, 359 ch. 10 (Colmán of Dromore); Heist 1965, 221 ch 40 (Colmán Ela)). Also both are connected with the bishop Mac Nise of Conor: Colmán Ela is linked genealogically, and Colmán of Dromore accepts advice from the Bishop as to where to found his monastery (Heist 1965, 358 ch. 5-6).

Same as Colmán of Cell Ruad (possible)

In his discussion of Oral Lives Ó Riain makes a link between Mocholmoc m. Conratháin (Colmán of Dromore) and Colmán of Kilroot via Ailbe. In Colmán of Dromore's vita he is sent to be educated by Ailbe at Emly (Heist p 358 ch. 4), a fact not mentioned in Ailbe's vita. In Ailbe's vita, however, there is a member of his familia called Colmán who sets up the church of Cell Ruaid (Kilroot) in Lower Belfast, next to diocese of Dromore. ‘It is too much to expect that Ailbe could have been associated with two saints Colmán from the same part of Ulster yet neither source can have been drawing on the other. The assumption must be, then, that there survived in each area an independent recollection of a connection between Ailbe and the northern Colmán which probably took the form of an episode in the local Oral Life.’ O Riain 1982, 153-

Same as Columb Cille m. Feidlimid (possible)

This identification is suggested by Ó Riain and is part of the argument which sees Columb Cille as ultimately identical to Cainnech of Achadh Bó (Ó Riain 1983)

Related Personal Names

Name

Colmán (certain)

Name

Columb (certain)

Source

Martyrology of Oengus the Culdee

féil Choluimb

This appears on June 7

Name

Columban (certain)

Source

Martyrology of Gorman

Columbanus (.i. epscop) mac ú Arti ó Dhruim mór mo-Colmóc i n-Uibh Eachach Uladh

This is a marginal addition on 7 June

Name

Mo Cholmóc (certain)

Source

Martyrology of Tallaght

Moc[h]olmóc Dromma Moir

June 7th.

Feast days

Day of Year

June 7

Calendar

Martyrology of Oengus the Culdee

Quote from source

féil Choluimb cen sotlai 'the feast of Colomb without evil'

Notes

Notes in Laud have 'Colmain .i. mo Cholmoc Droma Moir ind Huaib Echach Ulad'.

Day of Year

June 7

Calendar

Martyrology of Tallaght

Quote from source

Moc[h]olmóc Dromma Moir

Notes

Note the other versions of the name Colum on this day. The whole entry is: Columbae monachi. Mochonne. Caemhán Airdni Caemain. Colum Gobbae. Moc[h]olmóc Dromma Moir

Day of Year

June 7

Calendar

Martyrology of Gorman

Quote from source

mo-Cholmoc gloss: Dhromma Móir.

Notes

The main text also includes da Cholum, and mo-Chonna. In the margin is 'Columbanus (.i. epscop) mac ú Arti ó Dhruim mór mo-Colmóc i n-Uibh Eachach Uladh'.

Day of Year

June 7

Calendar

The Martyrology of Donegal

Quote from source

Mocholmocc, epscop, .i. Mac Ua Arta o Dhruim Mocholmocc [.i. Druim mór] i nUibh Eachach Uladh. Do siol Ireoil, mic Conaill Chernaigh do.

Notes

In more recent hand is added: At this day there is a Colmán, Bishop of Druim-mór, according to his Latin Life and the Feilire, for the two names are the same, and Columbanus is his name with O'Gorman in the Gloss.

Day of Year

June 6

Calendar

Kalendarium Breviarii Aberdonensis

Quote from source

Sci Colmoci epi ix. lc

Day of Year

June 7

Calendar

Scottish Entries in the Martyrology of Aberdeen

Quote from source

In Scotia Sancti Colmoci episcopi et confessoris apud Inchmahomo sepultus de quo in insula monasterium canonicorum regulare vita patrocinante Colmoco Deo famulancium vbi tanto iocundius celebrantur sua natalicia quanto salubrius claruerunt eius miracula. ‘In Scotland, [the feast] of St Colmoc, bishop and confessor, buried at Inchmahome, of whom on the island [there is] a monastery of canons under the patronage of St Colmóc, serving God by a regular life, where his birthday is celebrated as joyfully as his miracles shine forth wholesomely’

Day of Year

June 6

Calendar

Calendar of Adam King

Quote from source

S. Colme bischop and confess. in scotland vnder king kennethe 3. 1000.

Day of Year

June 6

Calendar

Calendar of Saints by Thomas Dempster

Quote from source

Kirkae Colmi Orcadum Apostoli. K.

Notes

K. is Dempster's way of indicating he has used the Kalendar of Adam King as a source.

Day of Year

June 6

Calendar

Calendar of Saints by David Chambers

Quote from source

Sanctus Columba Confessor & Presbyter.

Saint in place-names

Names