Saints in Scottish Place-Names

Commán m. Fáelchon of Roscommon

Other names

Mo Chommóc (Mart O)

Introduction

This saint is usually associated with Roscommon in Co. Roscommon, in Connachta, where in 1170 his alleged remains were enshrined, but his genealogy places him in NE Ireland with the Dal nAraide. It is claimed that his Law was promulgated throughout Connacht in 772, 780 and 793. He has a short Latin office life, consisting of nine short paragraphs (AB 77, 183). He is probably the same as Mochommoc of Cluain Daim of the Uí Echach Ulad with whom he shares a feastday. The Uí Echach Ulad held the baronies of Iveagh in County Down. Given Commán’s NE Irish genealogy one might expect traces of his cult somewhere around here. Mart T regards them as different saints, but the notes on Mart O in Laud 610 and RB505 suppose that the Mochommoc of the main text is the same as Commán of Roscommon. It has been argued that Commán of Roscommon has his origins in the cult of Colum Cille (Ó Riain, Dictionary, 183)

Gender

Male

Associated places

Ros Commáin (Roscommon, barony of Ballintober South, Co. Roscommon). He is also associated with Leithglenn according to a gloss in Mart G. This is in Leinster, adds Mart Do. Old Leighlin parish is in the barony of Idrone West, Co. Carlow.

Obituary

AU 747.12 Pausatio Comani relegiosi (sic), .i. Ind Roés

Genealogies

He is assigned to the Dal nAraide, in particular to a branch named Soghain, who had additional settlements in Connacht (Ó Riain, Dictionary, 216). His link with Ulster is repeated in various places, such as in his own brief Latin Life, and in the Life of Mochua of Balla (ibid). Comman Rois Chommain m. Faelchon m. Dretleain m. Condla m. Domangin m. Imchada m. Nair m. Erca m. Soguin Salbude m. Fiachach Araide (Rec. Mai. 109)

Related Saints

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

Belongs to the group Commán (ns) (certain)

Same as Columb Cille m. Feidlimid (possible)

Ó Riain, Dictionary, 183. 'What appear to be localized versions of Colum Cille are to be found at the important churches of Terryglass (Colum), Inchcaltra (Caimín), Roscommon (Comán), and Kilkenny (Cainneach).'

Related Personal Names

Name

Commán (certain)

Name

Mo Chommóc (certain)

Source

Félire Óengusso Céli Dé: Martyrology of Oengus the Culdee

p 262

In the scholia in Laud 610 and RB 505, an equation is made between the Mochommoc in the main text of Mart O and Commán of Roscommon.

Feast days

Day of Year

Dec 26

Calendar

Martyrology of Oengus the Culdee

Quote from source

Atnecham diar ndigdi mo Chommóc do náni ‘Let us pray him to bless us, my Commóc with splendour’

Notes

Mart O notes in Laud 610 Mo chommoc .i. Coman mac Faelchon o Rus comain a Maig Áe. Mart O notes in RB505 .i. Comman o Rus comman i Connactaib & Iarlade Tuama da gualann in eodem die cum Comman.

Day of Year

Dec 26

Calendar

Martyrology of Tallaght

Quote from source

Commani in Rois (‘of the Ros’)

Notes

Also on this day, Mochommoc.

Day of Year

Dec 26

Calendar

Martyrology of Gorman

Quote from source

Comman co coeme ‘Commán the lovable’ gloss: o Ros Commáin for Magh Aói & o Leithglinn ‘from Ross Commain on Mag Ai and from Leithglenn’

Notes

Also on this day mo Commóc (gloss: Clúana daimh i n-Uibh Eachach Uladh)

Day of Year

Dec 26

Calendar

The Martyrology of Donegal

Quote from source

Commán, ó Ross Comain, for Magh Ai, acus ó Leithglind atá Leithghlionn a Laighnibh. Do siol Ireil, mic Conuill Cernaigh do. ‘Comman of Ross-Comáin, in Magh Ai; and of Leithghlinn. There is a Leithghlionn in Leinster. He is of the race of Irial, son of Conall Cernach.’

Notes

Also on this day Mochummocc Cluana daimh, i nUibh Eachach Uladh.

Saint in place-names

Names