A supplement to A Dictionary of Irish Saints
Containing additions and corrections
Pádraig Ó Riain
“The achievement of Pádraig Ó Riain’s A Dictionary of Irish Saints is to present in one volume an authoritative compendium of Irish saints from early Christian times down to the twelfth century for whom an Irish cult is known to exist. This reliable and accessible Dictionary, compiled over many years, contains narrative entries on approximately 1,000 saints. A supplement containing additional material has now been published. The breath of scholarship involved is astounding, the compiler being equally at home with the medieval hagiographical sources, recent research on place-name evidence, and the topographical and folklore evidence assembled in the past two hundred years by Ordnance Survey researchers and many others. The sources from which the account of each individual saint is drawn are meticulously recorded, so that readers are guided towards the available material should they wish to pursue further research on a local saint ... In the years since the Dictionary of Irish Saints was first published in 2011, further research by the author, together with additional information supplied to him by other scholars and relevant material that has become available in recently published books and articles, has given rise to some new entries, and the expansion of existing entries, so that the publication of a 64-page supplement to the original 660- page dictionary is now warranted. The new book has entries for previously unnoticed saints such as Cathal of Ballycahill, Co. Tipperary; Cian of Knockeyon, Co Westmeath; Colmán of Kilcooney, Co. Armagh; Donnán of Hareisland, Co. Westmeath; Ealáir of Monaincha, Co. Tipperary; Éimhearm of Fenagh and Drumreilly, Co. Leitrim; Féichín of Kilcrumper, Co. Cork; Giolla Aodha Ua Muighin, of Cork; Mac Eirc, of Teltown, Co. Meath; Mochonna of Monkstown, Co. Dublin; and Modhiúid of Killamude, Co. Galway. For the most part, however, the supplement focuses on providing additional information about saints that already featured in the main dictionary. This can be because new information has come to light, in the form of new interpretations of particular place-names, or new identifications of relics associated with individual saints. In at least one instance, sadly, the loss of a relic has had to be recorded. The so-called bell of St Caillín (of Fenagh) was among the items destroyed in the major re at St Mel’s Cathedral, Longford, in December 2009, and its loss is duly noted in the supplement. Those who already own a copy of Ó Riain’s A Dictionary of Irish Saints can now acquire this update that incorporates the most recent research and provides additional information or citations for over 350 of the biographical entries in the main dictionary. It is not intended as a stand-alone publication, and purchasers who do not own the 2011 dictionary will need to acquire one as the supplement is designed to be used in conjunction with the main dictionary ... , this well-organised and clearly presented supplement serves a very useful purpose and should be acquired by all who own a copy of the original dictionary.” Bernadette Cunningham, Search 46.3, 2023
