Saints in Scottish Place-Names
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Ernán mac Eogain
Other names
Variants in CGSH are Eirne and Eirnín.
Introduction
Reeves suggests this saint as a possible dedicatee of Kilviceun in Mull, but Watson doubts it (Reeves, VC, 415; Watson 1926, 305). Mart. Do is the sole basis on which this saint is connected to Columb Cille, though there are claims elsewhere that Columb Cille had a brother called Eoghan (CGSH 397) . In Mart. T the Jan 1 commemoration has the father’s name but no place, while Aug 6 has the location only: Erne Clúana Railgech. Another saint with an Ernán-type name is said to be nephew of Columb Cille - Moernóc m. Déicull - but he is son of the saint's sister (CGSH 397) This info is also given in an appendix to VC (Reeves VC, 245-7; Tract on Mothers of the SS 722.24). Ó Riain observes that most of the holders of names related to Érnán are connected in some way with Columb Cille, and thus may originate in a single cult (Ó Riain, Dictionary, 286)
Associated places
Dromma / Cluana Railgech (Mart. T, Rec. Mai.37): Cluain Railgeth in Mide, now Clonrelick tl., par. of Ballyloughloe, bar. of Clonlonan, co. Westmeath?
Genealogies
Mart. Do (Jan 1) says he is son of the brother of Columb Cille. His grandfather is Feilim, and he is of Cenél Conaill. Rec. Mai has a saint of this name descended rather from Fergus Cáechán m. Echach Muigmedóin (Rec. Mai 37)
Related Saints
Belongs to the group Ernán, Ernaíne, Mo Ernóc, Marnan (ns) (certain)
Sometimes confused with Meic Eogain (possible)
Related Personal Names
Name
Name
Ernán (certain)
Feast days
Day of Year
Jan 1
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
Ernan mac Eogain
Notes
There is no corresponding entry in Mart. G.
Day of Year
Jan 1
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
Ernan, mac Eoghain mic Feilim .i. mac derbbpatar do Cholum Chille; ata do Chenel gConuill. ‘Ernan, son of Eoghan, son of Feilim, ie son of the brother of Colum Cille; he is of the Cinel-Conaill’
Saint in place-names
Names
Place known as | Name (plus degree of certainty that this saint is commemorated here) |
Cill Earnadail, eccles. (Jura) | Cill Earnadail () |
Cille Mhic Eoghainn, KKE (Ulva, Mull) | Cille Mhic Eoghainn (maybe) |
Cnoc Mhic Eoghainn, North Uist | Cnoc Mhic Eoghainn (maybe) |
Inchmarnock, North Bute | Inchmarnock (maybe) |
Kilmarnock, ~eccles. Inverchaolain | Kilmarnock (maybe) |