Bláán of Bute

Other names

Blane of Bute, Balaan (Mart O notes in RB505),

Introduction

Blane is linked to Kingarth from the early 9th century (Mart. O) and the name Dul-blaan (later Dunblane) appears in the chronicle of the kings of Alba, compiled in the second half of the 10th century (ES i p 288) . His relationship with Molaisse is not articulated until perhaps the late 13th century (Latin Life of Molaisse – Heist 1965 p 341; Sharpe 1991 p 395), and with Catán not until a gloss on Mart. G.. Mart. G. calls him Blaan buadach Bretan - victorious Bláán of the Britons, and Mart. Dr. has Et in Britannia, sancti confessoris Blaain. It is possible that Blane is a British name. The name possibly appears in Ireland, however, in Taughblane townland which is church land in the parish of Hillsborough Co. Down, and which might come from Teach Blaan, St Blaan's church (Kay Muhr, pers. comm). No Life of Blane survives, but a work by George Newton, Archdeacon of Dunblane, is cited by Colgan, on the authority of Dempster. A Blane appears in the Dunkeld litany among abbots (Forbes, Kalendars p lix ). The saint does not appear in CGSH, but appears in a list of bishops in LL: 'E Blaan' (Ó Riain 1985 no. 704.55). There are two non-saints called Blaan in CNE - ibid 707.8.91. He appears in the Irish Life of Colman Ela, chapter 8 (BNE,Plummer 1922 vol. 1, 169 & vol 2, 163). Odrán (whose name precedes Blaan's in the list of bishops) and Mernag (< Mo Ernóc) are also present in this scene.

Associated places

Kingarth, Bute (Mart. T, Mart. O); Gall-Gaidheil (Mart. T, Mart. O notes in RB505 - epscop Cinn garad hi nGallgaidelaib, and F). Dunblane (Mart. O notes in F - Dul Blaan; Mart. G gloss - Dub (sic) Blaan)

Genealogies

No genealogy in CGSH. Uncle of Molaisse m. Cairill Chruaid according to the Latin Life of Molaisse – Heist 1965 p 341) and nephew of a Catán (ibid; Ab. Brev. Macquarrie 2012); Colgan 1645 (Acta) p 233-4) .

Related Saints

Belongs to the group Bláán (ns) (certain)

Related Personal Names

Name

Bláán (certain)

Name

Blane (certain)

Feast days

Day of Year

August 10

Calendar

Martyrology of Tallaght

Source code

Mart.T

Source title

Martyrology of Tallaght

Editors

Best, R. I. and Lawlor, H. J.

Year

1931

Notes

From the Book of Lesinter and MS 5100-4 in the Royal Library, Brussels.

Quote from source

Blaani episcopi Cind Garad i nGallgaedelaib.

Day of Year

August 10

Calendar

Martyrology of Gorman

Source code

Mart. G

Source title

Martyrology of Gorman

Editors

Stokes, Whitley

Year

1895

Notes

Full title is Félire Húi Gormáin, The Martyrology of Gorman edited from a manuscript in the Royal library, Brussels, with a preface, translation, notes and indices. It is published by the Henry Bradshaw Society.

Quote from source

Blaan buadach Bretan, 'victorious Blaan of the Britons'

Day of Year

Sept 14

Calendar

Calendar of Saints by David Chambers

Source code

K. Camerarius

Author

Chambers, D.

Source title

Calendar of Saints by David Chambers

Editors

Forbes, A. P.

Secondary Title

Kalendar of Scottish Saints

Pages

233-243

Year

1872

Quote from source

Hoc eodem die celebratur translatio sancti Blani Episcopi Dumblanensis in Scotia.