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: the folk of the congregation in which the sage abode he found none save their great-grandsons. To Mochoe the beautiful sang the little bird from the skies, three strains from the tree-top, fifty years in each strain.

Day of Year

June 23

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

Mocoe sac. ab Noendroma. [heads the list]

Day of Year

June 23

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

mo-Choe ciuin ciamair 'my Coe gentle, sad' gloss: abb Naondroma, Cáolan a ainm fén

Day of Year

June 23

Calendar

The Martyrology of Donegal

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.'