Saints in Scottish Place-Names
Funded by a Leverhulme Trust Project Grant
Cóelán m. Luachain of Nendrum
Other names
Caolán; Mochaoi (both Ó Riain, Dictionary, 152); Mochóe; Coe
Introduction
Cóelán is best known as bishop at the important monastic site of Nendrum, Co. Down. He has no vita but is mentioned in the Tripartite Life where Patrick baptised and tonsured him. ‘As it also mentions a yearly tribute promised by Caolán to Patrick, this passage was probably designed to underline Nendrum’s affiliation to Armagh.’ (Ó Riain, Dictionary, 153). His head (mullach Mochoe) is among the contents of Adomnán’s reliquary described in the poem A maccucain (Carney 1983, 30; CGSH, 714.11).
Associated places
Óendruimm or Nóendruimm (Nendrum) on Loch Cuan (Strangford Loch), Co. Down.
Obituary
AU 497.2 Mo-Choei Noendroma quieuit. 499.4 [add. H2] Uel hic Mo-Choe Ndhaendroma (sic) secundum librum alium
Genealogies
Cóelán is attached to the Ulaid (Rec. Mai. 159) and given connections with two bishops. His father is variously Luachán, Uachán and Duachán (Ó Riain, Dictionary, 152). Through his mother, Brónach (whence Cill Bruaine, Kilbroney in Co. Down) he is descended from the Dál mBuain and related to Fursa of Killursa (Mothers of the ss, 722.92).
Related Saints
Belongs to the group Cóelán, Mo Chóe (ns) (certain)
Related Personal Names
Name
Cóelán (certain)
Name
Mo Chóe (certain)
Source
Martyrology of Oengus the Culdee
June 23
Feast days
Day of Year
June 23
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
Foraithmet mo Choe ní fil ardon-sela in sab sochla sona ó Óendruimm don-rema! Commemoration of my Coe, there is nothing that escapes us: may the famous happy champion from Oendruim protect us!
Notes
There is further information in the notes. Notes in F has 'A sleep without fading of flesh Mochoe of Oindruim slept:
Day of Year
June 23
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
Mocoe sac. ab Noendroma. [heads the list]
Day of Year
June 23
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
mo-Choe ciuin ciamair 'my Coe gentle, sad' gloss: abb Naondroma, Cáolan a ainm fén
Day of Year
June 23
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
Mochaoi, abb Naon Dromma iUltaib.
Notes
Very long entry - over a page - stating first that Caolán was his first name (céd ainm) and then saying his mother was Bronach inghean Miliuc, mic Buain and that Patrick was in captivity with Miliuc. Story of blackbird / angel singing to Mochoe in a wood for 300 years. When finished M goes back to his church where his people have made an oratory for his soul. When M relates his story the people make a shrine of the wood and build a church in the place where he was listening to the bird. 2 stanza poem (cf Mart O notes in F). AD 496. 'Mochaoi (sic) was the first man of the saints of Erin to whom Patrick gave a gospel and a crozier ie Eiteach Mochaoi, which came from Heaven, as is related in the Life of Patrick, lib 1 chap 16.'
Saint in place-names
Names
Place known as | Name (plus degree of certainty that this saint is commemorated here) |
Tobar Macha, Killean & Kilchenzie | Tobar Macha (maybe) |