Saints in Scottish Place-Names

Colmán Ela m. Beogna

Introduction

There were varying perceptions as to the origins and affiliations of this saint. His assignation by Adomnán to the moccu Sailni is the earliest and the blood relationship with Columb Cille was promoted later. His Irish Life brings him to Kintyre to kill a monster. He is given a monastery by the Scottish king (Irish Life ch 26-27 in Plummer 1922 vol ii p 169-70). In Ireland he is mostly associated with Lann Ela in Offaly, but he is linked with Connor in his Latin life in D (Plummer 1910 vol 1 p 259), and the annals report joint headship of Connor and Lann Ela (eg AU 778) Mart. T has, on Sept 27, Columbani eliuatio. Stokes identifies this as Columbanus of Bobbio (Mart. G, p 345) but Colmán Ela was said to be enshrined (Life in S ch 52, Heist 1965, 224) so, given the proximity to his main feast, perhaps it is him. There is another Colmán on Sept 26, who may be a doublet: Colmán of Rosbranduib (Colmán m. Ainmerech in CGSH) who appears on this day in Mart T, Mart G and Mart Do. It is probable also that he is the same as Colmán moccu Beognae, to whom various literary works have been attributed, notably the Alphabet of Devotion (Clancy and Markus 1995, 195, 257). Colmán Ela may ultimately be the same as Columb Cille, and a number of other saints of similar name (Ó Riain, Dictionary, 205).

Gender

Male

Associated places

Lann Ela (Lynally, near Tullamore, co. Offaly) (Mart. O; Mart. T etc)

Obituary

AU 611.3 Quies Colmain Elo. Sic est in Libro Cuanach. AT 611 Quies Colman Ela maic húi Seilli .l.ui. anno etatis sue. Also in CS

Genealogies

He is assigned to the Dál Sailni by Adomnán (VC i.5 Colmán moccu Sailni) of the Cruithni, as he is in CGSH (Rec. Mai. 311, Rec. Min. 454, Rec. Met. 662.184). In his Latin Lives he belongs to the Uí Néill (Heist 1965 p 209 etc),, and in his Irish Life he is a nephew of Colum Cille (Plummer 1922 i p 168).

Related Saints

Belongs to the group Columb, Colmán, Commán, Mo Cholmóc, Mo Chommóc, Mo Chumma, Columba, Columbanus etc (ns) (certain)

Same as Colmán moccu Beognae (probable)

There is a Colmán maccu Béognai in Mart O on 22 Jan, who, in Mart T, is Mocholmoc <.i.. Liss Móir> m.h. Beonna. This is probably a doublet of Colmán Ela.

Same as Colmán of Cell Ruad (possible)

Both associated with Mac Nise; Colmán Ela is connected genealogically to Mac Nise, and comes into the latter’s vita (Heist 1965, 406 ch. 14) while Colmán of Cell Ruad is rescued by the bishop as a young boy (Heist 1965, 406 ch. 9).

Same as Columb Cille m. Feidlimid (possible)

Colmán Ela has much in common with Columb Cille, as he does with several other saints of similar name. Ó Riain regards them as ultimately identical (Ó Riain, Dictionary, 205)

Same as Mo Cholmóc m. Conratháin of Dromore (possible)

There are various associations common to both saints. For example both bring back to life King Brandub of Lesinter (Heist 1965, 359 ch. 10 (Colmán of Dromore); Heist 1965, 221 ch 40 (Colmán Ela)). Also both are connected with the bishop Mac Nise of Conor: Colmán Ela is linked genealogically, and Colmán of Dromore accepts advice from the Bishop as to where to found his monastery (Heist 1965, 358 ch. 5-6).

Related Personal Names

Name

Colmán (certain)

Feast days

Day of Year

Sept 24

Calendar

The Calendar of Fearn: text and additions, 1471-1667

Quote from source

Macolmi abbatis

Notes

This is two days before his normal feast-day. It was not necessarily thought to be a commemoration of Colmán Elo.

Day of Year

Sept 26

Calendar

Martyrology of Tallaght

Quote from source

Colmani Lainni Elo .

Notes

Also on this this: Colmani Ruis Branduib. This might be a doublet.

Day of Year

Sept 26

Calendar

Martyrology of Oengus the Culdee

Quote from source

Colmán ó Laind Elo la hógi alt légend, conid hé, án núallan, Iohain már macc nÉrenn. 'Colmán from Land Elo, with perfection of high studies, so that he is - splendid cry - the great John of Erin's sons.'

Notes

There are notes in the various manuscripts: in Laud 610: .i. Colman mac Beogna o Laind Ela .i. Ela nomen mulieris quae ante Colman in illo loco habitabat, et ab ea nominatur ciuitas .i. Lann Ela. In F: Vel Ela proprium nomen anmis proximantis eclesiae. Colman Ela dixit: Exurgam dilucolo, confitebor Domino, quia non est inane sperare in Domino. In RB505: Ioin: .i. cosmail he do Eoin ara ecna 7 ara óge. R1

Day of Year

Sept 26

Calendar

Martyrology of Gorman

Quote from source

Colman alaind Ela, 'com din 'na doss dalaimm, is Colman Rois rimeimm. 'Beautiful Colmán Ela, whom I meet, protecting me like a bush, and Colmán of Ross whom I reckon.' gloss adds 'abb.' beside 'Colmán' and '.i. Ros Branduibh' beside 'Rois'

Day of Year

Sept 26

Calendar

The Martyrology of Donegal

Quote from source

Colman Eala, abb o Laind Eala.

Notes

The entry is 7 lines long, saying Lann Elo is in Fir Ceall in W Meath and giving genealogy (race of Eochaidh son of Muireadh on father's side, his mother was Columb Cille's sister) with ref to his Life ch. 1. Died aged 52 in 610. Mart. Do does not commemorate Colmán Elo on 3rd Oct.

Day of Year

Sept 26

Calendar

Scottish Entries in the Martyrology of Aberdeen

Quote from source

In Ybernia Sancti Colmani confessoris viri Dei inter suos diuinis scripturis eruditissimi. In Ireland saint Colman, confessor, a man of God among those most erudite in divine scriptures.

Day of Year

Sept 26

Calendar

Perth Psalter

Quote from source

Colmonel

Notes

This is an addition to the main text.

Day of Year

Oct 3

Calendar

Martyrology of Tallaght

Quote from source

Colmani Elo natiuitas

Day of Year

Oct 3

Calendar

Martyrology of Oengus the Culdee

Quote from source

gein cain Colmáin Ela - the fair nativity of Colmán Ela.

Notes

Notes in F: .i. o Lainn Eala i Tír cheall.

Day of Year

Oct 3

Calendar

Martyrology of Gorman

Quote from source

Colman Lainni lanfer 'Colman of Lann, a full man'

Notes

no gloss

Saint in place-names

Names