Saints in Scottish Place-Names
Funded by a Leverhulme Trust Project Grant
Abbán m. Laignig, moccu Cormaic
Other names
Abbán maccu Comaic, (Mart. T); Blat (Mothers of the ss 722.79). Abán of Adamstown (Ó Riain, Dictionary, 51)
Introduction
Abban is envisaged in his vita as a contemporary of Columb Cille and Brénainn of Clonfert. The vita, whose author may have been Albinus Ua Maoil Mhuadh, bishop of Ferns (died 1223) survives in two Latin redactions. Here he is one of the three sons of Leinster, along with Cóemgen of Glendalough and Moling of St Mullin’s. A vernacular adaptation, possibly produced by Franciscans at New Ross in Wexford, is less concerned than the original with miracles designed to defend property interests. Abbán also appears in the Life of Finnian of Clonard, where he baptises Finnian, and in the Life of Molua of Clonfertmulloe. In addition to Co. Laois and Co. Wexford, his cult appears in Leixlip in Co. Kildare, and Kirk Braddan on the Isle of Man (Ó Riain, Dictionary, 51-2). In an Irish Litany, dating perhaps to the 9th or 10th centuries, Abbán appears as a pilgrim saint: "Thrice fifty men of orders…..who went on pilgrimage in one company with Abban Mac hUí Chormaic" (Plummer 1925, 61).
Gender
Male
Associated places
Cell Abbáin (Killabban, barony of Ballyadams, Co. Laois); Mag Arnaide (Moyarney, barony of Bantry, Co. Wexford).
Genealogies
In Mart. T he is identified by his membership of the Moccu Cormaic. He is assigned to the Laigin, specifically Uí Labrada, in Rec. Mai 287.1: Abban Maige Arnaide & Cilli Abbain m. Lagnig m. Cainnig m. Labrada m. Cormaicc m. Con Corbb. His mother is either Mella, sister of St Cóemgen (Rec. Mai. 287.3), or Cainech Apad ingen Lugna (Mothers of ss, 722.79). Lugna is also father to Bishop Ibar (Mothers of ss, 722.14).
Territory or Ethnicity (broad)
Gaelic
Territory or Ethnicity (refined)
Laigin
Related Saints
Belongs to the group Abbán (ns) (certain)
Belongs to the group Moccu Cormaic (ns) (certain)
Related Personal Names
Name
Abbán (certain)
Name
Blat (certain)
Source
On the Mothers of the Saints
722.79
Cainech Abbad ingen Lugna mathair Blait m. Laignig .i. Abbain m. Laignig.
Feast days
Day of Year
Oct 27
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
Abbain m.h. Chormaic.
Day of Year
Oct 27
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
Abbán abb cain clíarach. 'Abbán an abbot fair and train-having'
Notes
Abbán abb cain clíarach. 'Abbán an abbot fair and train-having'
Day of Year
Oct 27
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
Abban gloss: Abbán mac úi Corbmaic i Maigh Arnaidhe in Uibh Ceinnselaigh & i cCill Abbain in Úibh Muiredhaigh.
Day of Year
Oct 27
Calendar
Source code
Mart. Dr.
Source title
The Martyrology of Drummond
Editors
Ó Riain, P
Secondary Title
Four Irish Martyrologies: Drummond, Turin, Cashel, York
Pages
1-120
Year
2002
Quote from source
Et in Hibernia natale sanctorum confessorum Ercci, Abban, Odran, et Colmain.
Notes
Of these three saints, only Odran is mentioned in Grevenus's MS of Mart. Usuard (Ó Riain, 2002, 103)
Day of Year
March 16
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
Abbani m.h. Chormaic.
Day of Year
March 16
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
Abbán doss óir ainglech, 'Abbán, anglelic bush of gold'
Day of Year
March 16
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
Abbán Gloss: mac ua Corbmaic i Maigh Arnaidhe i nUibh Censelaigh & i cCill Abbain i n-Úibh Muiredhaigh.
Day of Year
March 16
Calendar
Source code
Mart. Dr.
Source title
The Martyrology of Drummond
Editors
Ó Riain, P
Secondary Title
Four Irish Martyrologies: Drummond, Turin, Cashel, York
Pages
1-120
Year
2002
Quote from source
Et apud Hiberniam, sancti confessores Abban et leprosus Finan ad astra hoc die perrexerunt.
Notes
The Grevenus MS of Usuard reads: In Scotia,...Albani episcopi et confessoris...In Hibernia, Finiani abbatis et confessoris.
Day of Year
March 16
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
Abbán, mac Ua Corbmaic, ó Mhuigh Arnaidhe in Uibh Ceinnsealaigh a Laighnibh, acus o Cill Abbain in Uibh Muireadhaigh allaignib do sliocht Labradhda Luirc, mic Ugaine móir dó. Miolla deirbhsiúr deaspucc Iobhair a máthair, amail adeir a betha féin isin ched cap. 'He was of the race of Labhraidh Lorc, son of Ugaine Mór. Miolla, sister to Bishop Iobhar, was his mother, as his own life states in the first chapter.'
Saint in place-names
Names
Place known as | Name (plus degree of certainty that this saint is commemorated here) |
Cill Moccu Chormaic, eccles. North Knapdale | Cill Moccu Chormaic (maybe) |
Eilean Mòr (maccu Cormaic), South Knapdale | Eilean Maccu Cormaic (probable) |
St Cormac's Chapel, Eilean M. South Knapdale | Cill Moccu Chormaic (maybe) |