Saints in Scottish Place-Names
Funded by a Leverhulme Trust Project Grant
Bairrfind m. Muiredaig of Druimm Cuilinn, associate of Brendan
Other names
Bairrfind Ua Néill; Barinthus (of 'Navigatio Sancti Brendani')
Introduction
This saint is assigned to the Uí Néill and may be identified with Barinthus Ua Néill, a navigator who appears in the Navigatio Sancti Brandani as the inspiration behind Brendan’s journeys (Ó Riain, Dictionary, 83-4; David Thornton in ODNB http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/1609) Manus O'Donnell has a Barann son of Muireadaig who is portrayed as a relative of Columba's travelling with him towards Assaroe (Lacey 1998 p 77). Barann's lost staff miraculously appears in a stream of water gushing out of a rock. The place is called Tobar na Bachaille. Bairrfind’s feast-day of May 21st coincides with one of the commemorations of Bairre m. Amairgin. It is probable that the two are in origin the same (Ó Riain, Dictionary, 84).
Gender
Male
Associated places
Druimm Cuillin (Drumcullen parish, barony of Eglish, Co. Offaly); Cell Barrfind (now Kilbarron, north of Assaroe, see Mart. Do. p 134)
Genealogies
He is usually given a descent from Conall Gulban m. Néill Noígiallaig (Rec. Mai. 24, Rec. Min. 433, Rec. Met. 622.21) but in one MS of Mart. O he is assigned to the Ceinél Fiachach of the S. Uí Néill (Mart. O, 134, notes in La 610), probably because this was the dominant group in the vicinity of his main church at Druimm Cuillin. His mother is Didnat ingen Mechair (Mothers of the saints, 722.82).
Territory or Ethnicity (broad)
Gaelic
Territory or Ethnicity (refined)
S. Uí Néill
N. Uí Néill
Related Saints
Belongs to the group Findbarr, Bairrfind, Bairre, Uinniau, Finnén etc (ns) (certain)
Same as Barinthus of Argyll (probable)
Related Personal Names
Name
Bairrfind (certain)
Feast days
Day of Year
May 21
Calendar
Martyrology of Oengus the Culdee
Source code
Mart. O
Source title
Martyrology of Oengus the Culdee
Editors
Stokes, Whitley
Year
1905
Notes
Full title is Félire Óengusso Céli Dé, The Martyrology of Oengus the Culdee, critically edited from Ten Manuscripts, with a Preface, Translation, Notes and Indices.
Quote from source
Barrfind Drommo Cuilinn
Notes
FO notes in RB 505: Barrind, Barrinn D.c. hi feraib cell i ndesciurt Mide. .i. fil il-Laignib notes in La 610 .i. Barrind mac Muiredaig mic Fiachach mic Neill Náegiallaig. Droma cuilind .i. i Feraib cell.
Day of Year
May 21
Calendar
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
Barrfinn Droma Cuilinn
Day of Year
May 21
Calendar
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
Barrfind gloss: Droma cuilinn. [in marg. Bairrfionn epscop & ab ó Druim Cuilinn & ó Chill Bhairrfinn fri hEss-ruaidh atuaidh. Do chenel Conaill Gulbain meic Neill dó]
Day of Year
May 21
Calendar
Source code
Mart. Do.
Source title
The Martyrology of Donegal
Editors
Todd, J. H.
Year
1864
Notes
Other author to be specified.
Quote from source
Bairrfhionn, epscop, ó Druimchuilind acus o Chill Bairrfinn fri hEss Ruaidh atuaidh. Do chenel Conaill Gulban, mic Neill, do etc. Didhnat, inghen Meachair, a mathair.
Saint in place-names
Names
Place known as | Name (plus degree of certainty that this saint is commemorated here) |
Chapel Barr, eccles. Tarbat | Chapel Barr (maybe) |
Cill Fhinnein, chapel, Tiree | Cill Fhinnein (maybe) |