Luchtigern

Luchtigern (Latin: Luctigernus) was an early Christian leader who was active in Ireland in the 6th century, and has been recognized as a saint by the Catholic Church.

This article is about the saint. For the legendary beast, see Luchthigern (beast).
Luchtigern
Born
Luchtighern Mac Ua Trato
Diedc. 550
NationalityIrish
OccupationChristian leader
Known forAbbot of Ennistymon

Life

According to The Martyrology of Donegal Luchtigern's mother was Brigh, daughter of Forannan, son of Conall, son of Tochtan, son of Amhalgaidh, sister of Maelaithghin.[1] He was a disciple of Saint Ruadhán of Lorrha. He appears to be a different person from Luchern or Luctigern, a disciple of Saint Comgall at Bangor.[2][3] Luchtigern presided over the abbey of Ennistymon, which has since disappeared without trace. An old ruined church in the Ennistymon burial ground, although more recent, most likely marks the location of the abbey.[4] Luchtigern resigned the apostleship of Ennistymon to Saint Mainchín. Luchtigern was also connected with Corcomroe Abbey, and seems to have had authority over all of Thomond or North Munster.[5]

Luchtigern is mentioned in the life of Saint Mac Creiche, who died in 541. At this time Luchtigern was connected with Ennistymon and Corcomroe.[5] He accompanied MacCreiche to Carn Mic Táil to give advice to the Corca Modruadh and Tuadhmhumhain people over a tribute of cattle that the king of Connaught was demanding.[6] Luchtigern's main church would have been at Tuam Fionnlocha in the barony of Upper Bunratty.[5] Tuamfinlough is the oldest known settlement in the region of Newmarket-on-Fergus.[7] He is commemorated in the Feast of St. Luchtigern on 29 April, the date when he became abbot of Tuam Fionnlocha.[5]

Legends

Visit to Saint Íte

Luchtigern was one of the friends of Saint Íte, a contemporary of Saint Brigid of Kildare.[8] It is recorded that Luchtigern and Saint Laisren were travelling to visit Íte with a young monk, who called them "stupid and foolish" to visit the old hag. The abbots reproved the monk, suspecting that Íte would have heard his words. Their fears were justified. Íte greeted them by asking why they had come to visit an old hag. The young monk was forced to do penance before the visit could proceed.[9]

Plague stone

A traditional story tells of Luchtigern curing a woman inflicted by the plague, who came to him when he was working in the field at Tomfinlough with two deacons. One of the deacons was greatly impressed, and attributed the cure to God working through the saint. The other was skeptical. Luchtigern carved three faces on a stone, representing himself and the deacons, and said that heaven would show who was right. Soon the face of the skeptic was worn away, while the other two faces remained. The "plague stone" with its three bosses, one flat and two round, is part of the Tomfinlough graveyard wall, and may be seen today.[10]

References
  1. Frost 1893, p. 191.
  2. Smith & Wace 1882, p. 744.
  3. Lanigan 1822, p. 28.
  4. Archdall 1873, p. 82.
  5. Archdall 1873, p. 83.
  6. FitzPatrick 2004, p. 90.
  7. Newmarket-on-Fergus: Historical Background.
  8. Schulenburg 1998, p. 324.
  9. Bitel 1996, p. 186.
  10. Westropp 2014.

Sources
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