St Gobhan

Clans, landscapes and borders

A holy man named St. Gobhan (St Goban-Gobban-Goba) is associated with the foundation {{Circa|600}}, of a church of Celtic Christianity origins in the parish of Seagoe, Portadown, County Armagh, Northern Ireland.{{cite book|author1=Robert Benedetto|author2=James O. Duke|title=The New Westminster Dictionary of Church History|url={{Google books |plainurl=yes |id=g46euaF7HAsC |page=137 }} }}[http://www.placenamesni.org/historicforms.php?getPnameId=18109 Place Names NI – Home] The present St. Gobhan's church is a post reformation Church of Ireland and is located within the Diocese of Down and Dromore (of the Church of Ireland), or alternatively the Roman Catholic Diocese of Dromore.{{cite book|author1=Andrew Hadfield|author2=John McVeagh|title=Strangers to That Land|url={{Google books |plainurl=yes |id=dvlN-m3SYGcC }} |year=1994|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |isbn=978-0-86140-350-9}}[http://www.downanddromore.org/parishes?list&deanery=clanbrassil Area Deanery of Clanbrassil | Down and Dromore][http://www.dromorediocese.org/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=34&Itemid=35 Dromore Diocese] The 17th-century Irish historian and hagiographer John Colgan wrote of this location: "Gobanus – Goba of Teg da-goba – Seagoe, on the bank of the Bann in Iveagh of Ulidia (also) St. Gobanus of Killamery, near the mountain called Slievenaman."Acta Sanctoriam Hiberniae, 750b File:Ireland early peoples and politics.gif Situated four miles due south of Lough Neagh, St. Gobhan's church stands on a high-commanding ridge overlooking and to the east of the upper river Bann in a region where three counties almost meet – County Armagh, County Down and County Antrim. When St. Gobhan first arrived in this locale almost one and a half thousand years ago he was in the lands of the Uí Echach Cobo whose territory would later become the baronies of Upper & Lower Iveagh, in modern-day County Down.[http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~irlkik/ihm/ulster.htm Ireland's History in Maps – Ancient Uladh, Ulidia, the Kingdom of Ulster][http://www.libraryireland.com/Pedigrees1/GuinnessIr.php Guinness or MacGuinness family pedigree]http://www.smo.uhi.ac.uk/~oduibhin/oirthear/downmaps.htm {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130814163748/http://www.smo.uhi.ac.uk/~oduibhin/oirthear/downmaps.htm |date=14 August 2013 }} In this old barony map Seagoe is located just beyond the western border of Lower Iveagh, having been annexed to county Armagh in 1605.(Seagoe is just below the letter H in ARMAGH boundary line.)

This boundary remained for many centuries until the Plantation of Ulster when in 1605 "The land east of the Upper Bann on the shore of Lough Neagh, known as Clanbrassilagh was formally annexed to the County of Ardmaghe...becoming eventually the barony of Oneilland East".[http://www.irishhistorylinks.net/History_Links/Ulster_Plantation.html The Ulster Plantation][http://ancestryireland.com/scotsinulster/Scottish%20Undertakers/Scottish_Undertakers.html The Scots in Ulster: Scottish Landlords]Place-Names of Northern Ireland, Vol.111, County Down. Publisher; Queen's University Belfast.1993 {{ISBN|978-0853894483}} The continuous spread of urban development and the re-designation of boundaries has masked or obliterated the ancient topography allowing many small and independent hamlets to be swallowed up.

Seagoe continued its independent existence until in 1888 the Local Government (Ireland) Act 1898 facilitated its inclusion into Portadown Urban District.

So although present-day Seagoe by definition is in county Armagh, its location and ancient history display an affinity and tenuous bond of ecclesiastical ties with the lands within the historical diocese of Down and Dromore. The original foundation of St. Gobhan's church is in the ancient cemetery some one hundred yards distance from the present church. The old church ruins set amid tall Yew trees and ornate headstones are a poignant reminder of many past incarnations.

Whether political upheaval or ecclesiastical differences precipitated St. Gobban's departure from OldLeighlin is unclear. However, prior to the highly important synod of 633, it would appear that he left his monastery and along with numerous monks journeyed into the west of the kingdom of Ossory. Again whether or not he founded or inherited the monastery at Killamery:Cill lamraidhe in Ossory is disputed; however, during his abbacy, its fame and importance flourished. The 9th-century book – "The Martyrology of Oengus states “of Gobban of Cell Lamraide in Hui Cathrenn in the west of Ossory, a thousand monks it had, as experts say and of them was Gobban.''",Martyrology of Oengus,page 425

The Killamery High Cross has become famous as part of the west Ossory group of High crosses.{{cite book|author1=Michael W. Herren|author2=Shirley Ann Brown|title=Christ in Celtic Christianity: Britain and Ireland from the Fifth to the Tenth Century|url={{Google books |plainurl=yes |id=zDT-4fTqbgAC |page=201 }} |year=2002|publisher=Boydell Press|isbn=978-0-85115-889-1|pages=201–}}

File:Rattoo Round Tower.jpgIn the southwest of Ireland, in the province of Munster, on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, lies the "Kingdom" of County Kerry (Irish: Ciarraí). The kingdom of the Ciarraige tribe whose founder was Ciar, son of the legendary Fergus mac Róich of the Ulster Cycle in Irish mythology. A place where crumbling fortresses on jagged headlands still guard the memories of faded kingdoms.

In the "Martyrology of Oengus the culdee", (9th-century register of saints and their feast days), it is stated…"Of Gobban, i.e. of cell Lamraide in Hui Cathrenn in the west of Ossory, i.e. a thousand monks it had, as experts say. angelic wall, i.e. angels founded the wall of his church for him. Lane, an old tribe which was once in the south of Ireland, and of them was Gobban."[https://archive.org/stream/martyrologyofoen29oenguoft#page/256/mode/2up The Martyrology of Oengus the Culdee]

The tribal name of Lane is an interpretation of the Irish O'Laoghin or O'Laeghain as mentioned by Geoffrey Keating when referring to the Topographical Poems of Seán Mór Ó Dubhagáin and Giolla na Naomh Ó hUidhrín.{{cite book|author=Geoffrey Keating|title=History of Ireland|url={{Google books |plainurl=yes |id=SIv6M89mOswC |page=703 }} |date=1 March 1998|publisher=Irish Roots Cafe|isbn=978-0-940134-49-2|pages=703–}} where it is stated – "O'LAEGHAIN, O'Leyne, or Lane, chief of UI ferba and O'Duibhduin, chief of Ui Flannain, districts in the county of Kerry...O'Laeghain, a warrior of fame, We found him over Ui fearba; O'Cathnendaigh obtained the land, firmly settled under the high hills of cualan."

Some authorities describe the land of Ui Ferba as extending northwards from Tralee along Ballyheigue bay to Cashen Bay.{{cite book|author=Edmund Curtis|title=A History of Medieval Ireland (Routledge Revivals): From 1086 to 1513|url={{Google books |plainurl=yes |id=V5TjoUm0eAAC |page=97 }} |date=26 April 2013|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-136-29870-7|pages=97–}} However prior to its breakup during the Cambro-Norman invasion of Ireland, Ui Ferba not only included the forementioned lands but also included territory to the west of Tralee in the Dingle/Corkaguiny peninsular.{{Cite web|url=https://archive.org/stream/journalofroyalso40royauoft#page/n131/mode/2up|title = The journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland|year = 1849}}{{Cite journal|url=https://www.academia.edu/2058460|title = Lordship and colony in Anglo-Norman Kerry: 1177-1400|journal = Journal of the Kerry Archaeological and Historical Society|last1 = MacCotter|first1 = Paul| date=January 2004 }}{{Cite journal|url=https://www.academia.edu/2058454|title = The see-lands of the diocese of Ardfert: An essay in reconstruction|journal = Peritia|volume = 14|pages = 161–204|last1 = MacCotter|first1 = Paul|year = 2000|doi = 10.1484/J.Peri.3.399}} Scattered and embedded into this primitive landscape of stone age dolmens and Iron Age forts are the very foundation stones of early Irish medieval ecclesiastical sites.

Many of these early Christian sites have been lost to the vagaries of time, man, and nature. However many still exist to some extent: one of which is the ancient ecclesiastic site of Rattoo, with its famous round tower.

The estate of the Abbey and churches of Rattoo{{cite book|author=Charles Smith|title=The Antient and Present State of the County of Kerry.|url={{Google books |plainurl=yes |id=9HJbAAAAQAAJ |page=214 }}|year=1756|publisher=author: and sold|page=214}}{{cite book|author=Philip Luckombe|author-link=Philip Luckombe|title=A Tour Through Ireland|url={{Google books |plainurl=yes |id=g_tWAAAAcAAJ |page=288 }} |year=1780|publisher=T. Lowndes|page=288}} arose within the ancient ecclesiastical see of Ardfert{{Cite web|url=http://www.libraryireland.com/topog/A/Ardfert-Diocese-of.php|title = The DIOCESE of ARDFERT and AGHADOE – Topographical Dictionary of Ireland (1837)}} in the cantred of Altry bordering Ui Ferba, within the over kingdom of Ciarraige Luachra and was founded by – "the gentle bishop Lugdach".{{Cite web|url=https://archive.org/stream/martyrologyofoen29oenguoft#page/214/mode/2up|title = The Martyrology of Oengus the Culdee|year = 1905}}{{Cite web|url=https://archive.org/stream/martyrologyofoen29oenguoft#page/220/mode/2up|title = The Martyrology of Oengus the Culdee|year = 1905}} This ecclesiastical site, which was reported to consist of seven churches was long known as "Rath Muighe tuaiscirt" – the fort of the northern plain.{{cite book|author=George Petrie|title=The Ecclesiastical Architecture of Ireland Anterior to the Anglo-Norman Invasion: Comprising an Essay on the Origin and Uses of the Round Towers of Ireland ...|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2lAcAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA395|year=1845|publisher=Hodges and Smith|pages=20,395}}{{cite book|title=The Dublin University Magazine|url={{Google books |plainurl=yes |id=GFkZAAAAYAAJ |page=638 }} |year=1855|publisher=William Curry, Jun., and Company|pages=638–}} This bishop Lugdach, could be the father of Gobban find mac Lugdach and this ecclesiastical enclosure might not only be St. Gobhan's birthplace: but also that of his real final resting abode.

It is generally regarded that St. Gobhan was buried, or his holy relics preserved at the celebrated monastery of St. Fintan of Clonenagh(Cluain Ednech), county Laois.{{cite book|author=Thom Walsh|title=History of the Irish Hierarchy: With the Monasteries of Each County, Biographical Notices of the Irish Saints, Prelates, and Religious|url={{Google books |plainurl=yes |id=5eQBAAAAcAAJ |page=495 }} |year=1854|publisher=Sadlier|pages=495–}} However St. Gobhan had no apparent ecclesiastical ties to this historic establishment. An examination of the etymology of Cluain Eidhneach{{Cite web|url=http://www.logainm.ie/en/28686?s=Clonenagh|title = Cluain Eidhneach/Clonenagh}} may be instructive. The meaning of the middle Irish word Cluain is invariably found to be a piece of fertile land surrounded by a bog or moor, or on one side by a bog, and the other by water. Also the word eidnech/eidhneach refers to an area of ivy-clad trees.{{Cite web |url=http://edil.qub.ac.uk/dictionary/results-new.php?srch=eidnech&dictionary_choice=edil_2012 |title=EDIL – Irish Language Dictionary |access-date=30 October 2014 |archive-date=30 October 2014 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20141030213646/http://edil.qub.ac.uk/dictionary/results-new.php?srch=eidnech&dictionary_choice=edil_2012 |url-status=dead }} In summary, an area of raised fertile land surrounded by bog/swamp.

A few miles to the north of Ratoo the river Feale, Brick and Gale converge: thus united they become the Cashen river which flows some six more miles before emptying into Cashen Bay on the River Shannon estuary.{{cite book|title=THE FOURTH REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS|url={{Google books |plainurl=yes |id=8C9bAAAAQAAJ |page=90 }} |year=1814|pages=90–}} The low ground south of the Cashen river was known as Cashen bog.{{cite book|title=The Parliamentary Gazetteer of Ireland|url={{Google books |plainurl=yes |id=9rblf03SdkYC |page=398 }} |year=1846|publisher=A. Fullarton and Company|pages=398–}} The church of Rattoo lies within this bog, though now much reduced: however, one and a half thousand years ago this topography would have been more apparent.

The church of Rattoo adjoins the ancient townland of Clooneagh:Cluain Each.{{Cite web|url=http://www.logainm.ie/en/23909|title = Cluain Each/Clooneagh}}{{cite web| url = http://maps.osi.ie/publicviewer/#V1,487695,633627,6,9| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120829114800/http://maps.osi.ie/publicviewer/| archive-date = 2012-08-29| title = Shop.osi.ie Mapviewer}} – while seven miles west of Tralee, on the Corkaguiny peninsular is the old church of Kilgobbin.{{Cite web|url=http://ireland.anglican.org/information/dioceses/parish/16980|title=Church of Ireland – A Member of the Anglican Communion}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.libraryireland.com/topog/K/Kilgobbin-Corkaguiney-Kerry.php|title = Kilgobbin (Kerry) – Topographical Dictionary of Ireland (1837)}}

St. Gobban founded his monastery at OldLeighlin in 616. The boundary lines of counties Carlow, Laois and Kilkenny all meet on the Castlecomer plateau. A portion of this plateau has often been referred to as Slieve Margy.{{cite book|author=Angela Bourke|title=The Field Day Anthology of Irish Writing|url={{Google books |plainurl=yes |id=V01-76iQ48gC |page=134 }} |year=2002|publisher=NYU Press|isbn=978-0-8147-9906-2|pages=134–}} OldLeighlin sits on the eastern slopes of the Johnswell hills in the south of the plateau in county Carlow. In the 6th century Scuithin{{cite book|author=James Henthorn Todd|title=St. Patrick, Apostle of Ireland|url={{Google books |plainurl=yes |id=um44AAAAMAAJ |page=91 }} |access-date=13 December 2012|year=1864|publisher=Hodges, Smith & Company|pages=91–}}{{cite book|author=Royal Institution of Cornwall|title=Journal of the Royal Institution of Cornwall|url={{Google books |plainurl=yes |id=PBwMAQAAMAAJ }} |access-date=13 December 2012|year=1901|publisher=Workers of Cornwall Limited}} left Ireland to become a disciple of the Welsh holy man Saint David, whom he is credited with saving from poisoning.St David of wales;Cult,ChurchandNation.JohnWynDavies,JonathanM.Vooding,p133 On returning home to Ireland he became a hermit and holy man in the Johnswell hills where the memory of his name and abode are preserved in "tigh scuithin."{{cite book|author=John Lanigan|title=An ecclesiastical history of Ireland, from the first introduction of Christianity to the beginning of the thirteenth century|url={{Google books |plainurl=yes |id=hBEHAAAAQAAJ |page=300 }} |year=1829|publisher=Printed for J. Cumming|pages=300–}} While the site of "Tigh Scuthin" has thankfully been preserved in the eponymous location of Tiscoffin it has unfortunately almost obliterated the memory of St. Scuithin as an actual historical entity.

When the ancient tuatha were reorganised Kilkenny was divided into baronies and parishes. The Kilkenny barony of Gowran includes the civil parish of Tiscoffin{{Cite web|url=http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~irlkik/twlnd/parisw.htm|title = Townland List by Civil Parish (S-W), County Kilkenny Ireland}} (tigh scuithin) which stretches into the Johnswell hills. It seems probable that here, in the 7th century, existed the fluid and fluctuating boundary between the Kingdom of Ossory and that of Leinster in which Oldleighlin is situated. Kilkenny would eventually become a county of Leinster in 1210.{{Cite web|url=http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~irlkik/ihm/ireclans.htm|title = Ireland's History – Early Irish Tribes, Septs and Clans}}

The county Kilkenny town of Castlewarren:(Caisleán an Bhairínigh) in the civil parish of Tiscoffin preserves his memory with the Church of Scuithin.{{cite web| url = http://www.ossory.ie/parishes-and-people/diocesan-database/parish-details/?page=ddb_parish_details&parishID=6| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110429095734/http://www.ossory.ie/parishes-and-people/diocesan-database/parish-details/?page=ddb_parish_details&parishID=6| archive-date = 2011-04-29| title = Parish Details « Ossory Diocese}} This church is seven kilometres distant from OldLeighlin. No doubt the ancient abode of St. Gobban of OldLeighlin is on the periphery of Tigh Scuthin – Tiscoffin. Also according to the Journal of the Royal Antiquaries of Ireland (1876) St. Gobban may have briefly aboded at tigh Scuithin.{{cite book|title=Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland|url={{Google books |plainurl=yes |id=S5kxAQAAIAAJ }} |year=1879}} (after leaving OldLeighlin and before Killamery) for at a time unknown a monastery was erected here.

Time, linguistic variations, dialects and anglicisation have confused and entangled St Goban and St.Scuithin: however, two distinct historical persons did exist. Vague references to a tascaffin in county Limerick are extant but no designation of that name can be found. However, Tiscoffin monastery, county Kilkenny is in the List of monastic houses in Ireland.

The Goban Saor.

The history of Ireland is steeped in mythology. According to Irish invasion tradition, the fifth group to arrive was the Tuatha Dé Danann. They fought and won many battles and displaced and disposed of the Fir Bolg. The Tuatha de Danann had a trinity of gods of craft, the most important of which was Goibniu. Goibnui forged lethal weapons and brewed their magical elixirs of invincibility. His name in Old Irish Gobae~Gobann translates as smith~craftsman. Gobann the craftsman – a skilled builder – the Gobán Saor. St. Gobhan was renowned as a builder-founder of many churches. However, as a founder, he should be acclaimed, for the churches were not lavish, spectacular Romanesque or Gothic cathedrals but simple mud and wattle mixtures that embraced usually the holy well – Christianized to act as the font. The interconnectedness and mutuality of names and professions undoubtedly gave rise to an expression of oneness.

The Goban Saor of the Tuatha de Danann existed in an un-dateable period of Ireland's pre-history. St. Gobhan's death is recorded during a dateable period of Ireland's early history. Although St. Gobhan is not the goban saor of the Tuatha de Danann, he could be described as a Goban Saor of 6th–7th century Ireland.

{{Portal|Ireland}}

• Saint Gobain

{{Reflist}}

• Byrne, Francis John (1973), Irish Kings and High-Kings, London: Batsford, {{ISBN|0-7134-5882-8}}
• Charles-Edwards, T. M. (2000), Early Christian Ireland, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, {{ISBN|0-521-36395-0}}
• "The Annals of Ulster, volume 1". CELT: Corpus of Electronic Texts.
• Annals of Tigernach at CELT: Corpus of Electronic Texts at University College Cork
• Fragmentary Annals of Ireland at CELT: Corpus of Electronic Texts at University College Cork
• Irelands History in maps – rootsweb.ancestry. com
• Offaly Historical & Archaeological Society – local history
• Annals of the Four Masters
• Geoffrey Keating, 1636, Foras Feasa ar Eirenn

{{Saints of Ireland |collapsed}}

{{County Armagh |state=collapsed}}

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Category:7th-century Irish people

Category:Medieval saints of Ulster