| 27 St. Odhran of Iona St. Abban of Wexford St. Colman of Senboth-Fola Ss. Ia and Breacha of Cornwall – no information St. Athelstan of England – no information |
Was born in Britain; and died c. 563. Otteran, the abbot of Meath, was one of the 12 who went with Saint Columba (f.d. June 9) to Iona. Other historians say that Otteran was at Iona before Columba, based on the fact that the ancient graveyard there is called Reilig Oran. He died soon after their arrival, the first of the monks from Ireland to die at Iona. Soon thereafter, Columba saw Otteran’s soul ascending to heaven following a battle between angels and devils [Irish toll houses?]. Otteran may have established the monastery at Leitrioch Odrain (Latteragh, Tipperary). He has given his name to Oronsay. His feast is kept throughout Ireland (Benedictines, Delaney, Farmer, Montague).
Born in Ireland, 6th century. Saint Abban, the nephew of Saint Kevin (f.d. June 3), established many monasteries, mainly in southern Ireland. His name is particularly connected with that of Magh-Armuidhe, now Adamstown, Wexford. The lives of this saint are confused with that of Saint Abban of Leinster (f.d. March 16) and others of the same name. (Benedictines, Encyclopaedia).
Saint Colman mac Duagh (c. 560 – 29 October 632) was born at Corker, Kiltartan, County Galway, Ireland, the son of the Irish chieftain Duac (and thus, in Irish, mac Duach). To begin with he lived as a hermit, living in prayer and extended fastings, first on Inismore, then in a cave at the Burren in County Clare. With his relative, King Guaire Aidne mac Colmáin (d. 663) of Connacht he founded the monastery of Kilmacduagh, (“the church of the son of Duac”), and governed it as abbot-bishop.
He has been confused with Saint Colman of Templeshanbo (d. 595) who was from Connacht and lived somewhat earlier. St Colman was reportedly the son of Queen Rhinagh and her husband the chieftain Duac, born in Kiltartan, now County Galway.
Priesthood – go to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colman_mac_Duagh#Priesthood
Veneration
Although the “Martyrology of Donegal” assigns his feast to 2 February, yet the weight of evidence and the tradition of the diocese point to 29 October.[6]
An annual pilgrimage to Colman’s hermitage takes place on 21 October
Legends
While she carried the child in her womb, Colman’s mother heard a prophecy that her son would be a great man and surpass all others of his lineage. The pregnant Rhinagh, fearing her husband would seek to harm the child, fled. However, the king’s men caught up to her and tried to drown her in the Kiltartin river by tying a stone around her neck. However, she was washed to shore. The rock with the rope marks is on display by the Kiltartin river.
Not long after she gave birth to Colman (c. 560), Rhinagh took her newborn to a priest to baptize, but they saw there was no water. Fearing to return home, the mother took shelter under an ash tree and prayed. A fountain bubbled up from the earth and Colman was baptised. That fountain is now the miraculous well of Colman mac duagh. Rhinagh handed over her child to the care of monks.
According to the Menology of Aengus, after rigid fasting throughout Lent, on Easter morning Colman asked as to whether his servant had found anything special for their Easter meal. The servant replied that he only had a small fowl and the usual herbs. Recognizing that the servant’s patience was near exhausted, Colman prayed that the Lord provide a suitable meal. At the same time, Colman’s cousin King Guaire was sitting down at a banquet. No sooner had the dishes been served than they were spirited away by unseen hands. The king and his retinue followed only to find the banquet spread before Colman and his servant. An area of limestone pavement nearby is called to this day Bohir na Maes or Bóthar na Mias, the “road of the dishes…[..]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colman_mac_Duagh#Legends