Graves — An Oga?n Monument found in Co. Kerry. 377 



Coimagni, which gives us the name of the person commemorated in 

 the inscription, is the genitive of Coimagnus, the Ogamic form of Coiman, 

 Coeman, Caeman, Caoman. Of these spellings the first is the most 

 ancient. "VVe have examples of it in the Book of Armagh — (1) latinised 

 as Coimmanus,^ (2) as in the simple form Coiman.- The termination 

 -agni, as representing the genitive of names ending in -an, is common 

 in Ogam inscriptions. Thus Artagni (Artan), Colomagni (Coiman), 

 Talagni (Talan). 



The name C(9^H^rt;^ appears to have heen essentially an ecclesiastical 

 one. I do not rememher to have met with any instance of its having 

 heen home in ancient times by a layman. On the other hand in 

 Colgan's Trias and Acta Sanctorum we meet with it as the name 

 of different individuals ahout twenty -four times. ^ It is probable, 

 nay almost certain, that this number might be reduced to about 

 fourteen, which is that of the Coemans named in the Martyrology of 

 Donegal. Of these the following appear to deserve especial mention : — 



I. Coeman Brec, better known as ^ngus MacMssi, founder of 

 the See of Connor. He died September 3, 514. A full account of 

 him, based on the life in the BoUandist A A. SS. and on notices in the 

 Tripartite Life, and elsewhere, is given by his distinguished successor, 

 whose recent loss we all deplore.* 



II. Coeman of Airtne Coeman (Ardcavan) near Lough Garman 

 (Wexford Harbour), was the son^ of Talan, son of Cathbad, of the 

 race of the Gregraide, of Loch Techet, and brother of Atracbt. 



In the Pelire® on June 12 is commemorated "the pious Coeman, 

 who was named vehement Sanct-lethan." He was so called after a 

 queen with whom he had been in bondage as a little gillie. A curious 

 story is told of his having been carried off from the queen by Bishop 

 Ibair, in spite of her opposition. 



The Martyrology of Donegal (June 12) identifies Caomhan of Ard- 

 Caomhan with Sanct-Lethan, and adds that " he had the same mother 

 as Caoimhghin andJN'atcaeimhe, of Tir-da-ghlas, i.e. Caoimell, daughter 

 of Cennfhionnan, son of Cis, son of Lughaidh. He was of the race of 

 Corb Uloim, son of Pergus, son of Eoss, son of Eudhraighe." This 

 would make him brother of St. Kevin of Glendalough. But it 



1 Fol. 9, b. 2; Stokes, Trip., p. 305. 



2 Fol. 19, a. 1 ; Stokes, Trip., p. 350. 

 ^ See especially Trias, p. 177, note 88. 



^ Eeeves, Eccl. Antiq. of Down and Connor, pp. 237-9, 



* Stokes, Trip., p. 108. ^ Stokes, Fel. xciii., ci., cii. 



