Westropp — Ancient Churches in Co. Limerick. f335 



Foynes).^ He did not cross Sliabh. Luachra into Kerry, or tlie Shannon 

 into Thoraond. The ruling house of the Dalcassians, witli Carthan its 

 king, and liis son, Eochy, received baptism, and produced eventually 

 several saints and church-founders. One of the first who could call 

 himself Dalcassian, Dioma,- son of Cass, founded, about 400, a church 

 at Kildimo, in Kenry, which site bears his name. Mainchin, son of 

 Dioraa's brother, Sedna, was Bishop of Luimneacli, probably the Tuath 

 Luimneach, with influence in Clare and Connaught. He is reputed 

 founder of the oldest church, St. Munchin's, on the island in the 

 modern city. Late legend made his sister, Lelia, the founder of Kil- 

 leely Church, nearly opposite the last, but across the Shannon. Rossa, 

 another supposed sister, who founded Kilrush, is a still later myth, 

 derived from the *'Eoss," or wooded point, which gave the little oratory 

 its name. The later saints of Dalcassian blood (Brecan, ^lolua, and 

 Plannan) belong to Clare. The great St. Ailbe, a contemporary (if not, 

 as some say, a precursor) of St. Patrick, founded several churches at 

 Emly (Imleach lubhair) and in eastern Limerick ; he died (it is said) 

 between 537 and 541 . jS'essan, the deacon, famed for his love of truth, 

 founded Mungret (Mungairit) in the early sixth century, and died 

 about 560. He is mentioned in Cummian's epistle 628, which alone 

 seems evidence for rejecting the too ingenious theory of a recent local 

 antiquary that Xessan and Kieran were the centaurs, jS'essus and 

 Chiron. 



The most famous of the abbey-founders, St. Ita,^ Mide, or Deirdre, 

 of Cluain Credhail (named after her, Killite, or Killeedy), died about 

 570. Her " Life " seems fairly historic, and shows her to be a woman 

 of commanding intellect and wisdom, and the most eager virtue 

 and piety ; a wise adviser and organiser, sought from afar — an 

 earlier St. Teresa. She is patroness of Connello ; her churches, 

 Killeedy and Kilmeedy, remain. 



Probably of the sixth century are Inghean Baoith, tlie patroness of 

 Kilnaboy,^near Inchiquin, in Clare, and the reputed founder of Strand 



^ Vit. Trip., pp. 199, 209. It lay westward from Donaglimore, oomtuanded a 

 view of the " territories and islands " of Thomond, and of " that green island in 

 the mouth of the sea," i.e., Iniscatha. These conditions are only fulfilled by 

 Knockpatrick, near Foynes. 



- Calendar of Oenghus (ed. Stokes), Jan. 2. 



3 Calendar of Oenghus, Jan. 15. Canon O'Hanlon, "laves," vol. i., p. 200. 

 Colgan, Yita S. Itae, Jan. xv. Tighernach, **in quo ceciderunt Corcoiche Munihan 

 per orationes Ite Cluain Credhail." 



^ See E. S.A.I. Journal, xxiv., pp. 26-29. 



