Saint Lappan of County Carlow
Saint Lappan | |
|---|---|
| Born | unknown |
| Died | unknown |
| Feast | 3 November |
| Patronage | Bagenalstown |
Saint Lappan or possibly Saint Lappan of Clúain-Aithgin,[1]Aithghein[2] is an early Irish saint primarily associated with the former medieval church of Kilmolappoge[3][4][5] (Irish: Cill Molapóg[3]) that was established in the 8th c.[6] in the townland, Donore, nearby present day Bagenalstown, County Carlow, Ireland. His feast day is November 3.[1][2][4][7]
Life
Little is known of Saint Lappan's life as most information relating to him exists only within martyrologies, the mild documentation of the Kilmolappoge church site he likely founded featured within the Annals of the Four Masters as hi Cill Molappoc, in 1401,[3][8] and later known documentation of what remains of the medieval church and a former holy well south of the church site known as Tobar-Molappog (Saint Lappan’s holy well).[4][5][7][9][10] According to parish history, is it believed that Kilmolappoge operated from the 8 - 12 c.[6]
The site of Kilmolappoge Church, although largely devoid of standing archaeological features following a test excavation in May 2000, is preserved in local memory through its designation as the "church meadow" with nothing known about the church from locals.[9]
Although there is documentation of Saint Lappan in martyrologies with a feast day of November 3 known to the area of Donore as evidenced by the former church and holy well,[4][7] he is listed in both the Martyrology of Donegal and Gorman as Saint Lappan of Clúain-Aithgin or Aithghain. [1][2]
Kilmolappoge church within the Annals of the Four Masters
In the Annals of the Four Masters, an entry exists under the date 1041 recounting a military engagement at Cill-Molappoc (Kilmolappoge) It details a "preying excursion" by the Uí Ceinnsealaigh into Uí Bairrche. The incursion was met by Murchadh, son of Dunlaing, who pursued and defeated the Uí Ceinnsealaigh forces at Cill-Molappoc, resulting in a "great slaughter" that included Domhnall Reamhar, the heir to the lordship of Uí Ceinnsialaigh.[8]
Veneration
A holy well known as Tobar-Molappog (Saint Lappan’s holy well) located approximately 30 perches (roughly 150 meters) south of the former church site used to exist but is no longer in use and almost filled in.[10]
An account from 1839 indicates that the well itself was no longer discernible, with only a stream remaining at its original location.[7]
See also
References
- ^ a b c Gormáin, Félire Húi; Stokes, Whitley (1895). The martyrology of Gorman : edited from a manuscript in the Royal Library Brussels. Trinity College - University of Toronto. London : [Henry Bradshaw Society]. p. 211.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: publisher location (link) - ^ a b c O'Clery, Michael; O'Donovan, John; Reeves, William; Todd, James Henthorn (1864). The martyrology of Donegal : a calendar of the saints of Ireland. Oxford University. Dublin : Printed for the Irish Archaeological and Celtic Society by A. Thom. p. 297.
- ^ a b c "Cill Molapóg/Kilmolappoge Church". logainm.ie. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
- ^ a b c d Comerford, M. (Michael); James Duffy and Co, publisher; Edmund Burke & Co., printer; Freeman's Journal Limited, binder (1883). Collections relating to the dioceses of Kildare and Leighlin. Boston Public Library. Dublin ; [London, England] : James Duffy and Sons, 15 Wellington Quay and 1 Paternoster Row, London. p. 89.
- ^ a b "ArcGIS Web Application". heritagedata.maps.arcgis.com. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
- ^ a b "The Parish History". Bagenalstown Parish. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
- ^ a b c d (Newsletter/magazine) Carloviana: Carlow historical and archeological society - 2006 Edition, Holy Wells section - p.90
- ^ a b "Annals of the Four Masters". celt.ucc.ie. p. 841. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
- ^ a b Excavations, Admin (2014-07-16). "4852 - Excavations.ie". excavations.ie. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
- ^ a b "ArcGIS Web Application". heritagedata.maps.arcgis.com. Retrieved 2025-06-30.