Bricín
Encyclopedia
Bricín Irish
Abbot
of Tuaim Dreccon, c.590 - 650.
in County Cavan
), which flourished in the 7th century A.D.
Tomregan got its name in pre-Christian times from the burial mound of Dreacon, a pagan chieftain ruling the district around the Woodford river. The ancient Gaelic name was Tuaim Drecain from which Tomregan is derived.
In Christian times, the site became the centre of a school. Investigations by the Breffni Antiquarian and Historical Society have shown that the present townland of Mullynagolman, about two miles south-east of Ballyconnell town in the neighbourhood of Kildallan, corresponds to the original site place-name which since then has fallen into disuse. All traces of the building have disappeared, as have any remnants of the mound of Dreacon.
His most distinguished surgical achievement relates to his care of a serious skull wound on an Ulster noble of royal blood named Cenn Fáelad mac Aillila
. Following the battle of Magh Rath fought near Moira, Co. Down in 636 AD, the wounded Cenn Fáelad was rushed to Bricín at Tomregan for treatment. After surgery Cennfaelad remained at the academy for a period of convalescence under Bricín's care. As a result, Cenn Fáelad developed an almost perfect memory and a keen interest in study at the three colleges of the university-going on to become its most distinguished scholar and poet. The university had three colleges, Brehon Law, History and Poetry, and Classical Learning. Following his studies Cenn Fáelad produced three famous works, on law, Irish grammar and history, which included references to exploits of the Ulster Red Branch Knights.
A Romanesque sculpture depicting Bricin performing the operation on Cenn Fáelad still survives from the medieval church of Tomregan. *http://swanlinbar.kilmore.anglican.org/ballyconnell/pages/Tomregan-stone.htm
, he is stated to be in his house at Tomregan when he receives a vision.
Regarding St Bricin's later years he would seem to have left Ireland for missionary work in Scotland according to a doubtful entry in the Félire Óengusso but it may have confused him with another saint of the same name. The Scottish Kalendar of Drummond has the following entry for 4 September- "Apud Hiberniam natale sanctorum confessorum Bulaig et Bricin". The personal name Maolbhricin or Mael Bricín, Mal Bricín, Maíl Bricín (meaning 'Servant of Bricin') occurs in medieval Scottish records so it may indicate traces of a Bricin cult there.
Bricin, like St. Patrick, seems to have become a saint by popular canonisation. He is mentioned in the Book of Fenagh, page 412, as being a companion of Saint Caillin
of Fenagh, County Leitrim, which indicates that he was venerated at the time of the original composition of the Book of Fenagh.
He is also mentioned in the Life of Saint Naile (alias Saint Natalis) of Kinawley, County Fermanagh which again indicates his veneration at the time of composition of that Life. }
records it as 9 May. The mistake probably arose in copying, when 9/5 would have been miscopied as 5/9. Bricin's name survives in local place-names like Slievebrickan
(Bricins's Mountain), a townland west of Mullynagolman. This indicates that in earlier times, his name and fame was well remembered in the district.
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
Abbot
Abbot
The word abbot, meaning father, is a title given to the head of a monastery in various traditions, including Christianity. The office may also be given as an honorary title to a clergyman who is not actually the head of a monastery...
of Tuaim Dreccon, c.590 - 650.
Túaim Dreccon
The history of Bricín centres around the abbey of Tuaim Drecconin, in Breifne (now TomreganTomregan
Tomregan civil parish straddles the international border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. The chief town of the parish is Ballyconnell, County Cavan. Most of Tomregan's constituent townlands are situate in County Cavan, with the remainder in County Fermanagh...
in County Cavan
County Cavan
County Cavan is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Ulster. It is named after the town of Cavan. Cavan County Council is the local authority for the county...
), which flourished in the 7th century A.D.
Tomregan got its name in pre-Christian times from the burial mound of Dreacon, a pagan chieftain ruling the district around the Woodford river. The ancient Gaelic name was Tuaim Drecain from which Tomregan is derived.
In Christian times, the site became the centre of a school. Investigations by the Breffni Antiquarian and Historical Society have shown that the present townland of Mullynagolman, about two miles south-east of Ballyconnell town in the neighbourhood of Kildallan, corresponds to the original site place-name which since then has fallen into disuse. All traces of the building have disappeared, as have any remnants of the mound of Dreacon.
Bricín and Cenn Fáelad
In the early years of the 7th century, Bricin was attached to this scholarly establishment, distinguishing himself as a scholar and surgeon.His most distinguished surgical achievement relates to his care of a serious skull wound on an Ulster noble of royal blood named Cenn Fáelad mac Aillila
Cenn Fáelad mac Aillila
Cenn Fáelad mac Ailella was an Irish scholar renowned for having his memory markedly improve, possibly becoming eidetic, after suffering a head wound in battle.-Ancestry:...
. Following the battle of Magh Rath fought near Moira, Co. Down in 636 AD, the wounded Cenn Fáelad was rushed to Bricín at Tomregan for treatment. After surgery Cennfaelad remained at the academy for a period of convalescence under Bricín's care. As a result, Cenn Fáelad developed an almost perfect memory and a keen interest in study at the three colleges of the university-going on to become its most distinguished scholar and poet. The university had three colleges, Brehon Law, History and Poetry, and Classical Learning. Following his studies Cenn Fáelad produced three famous works, on law, Irish grammar and history, which included references to exploits of the Ulster Red Branch Knights.
A Romanesque sculpture depicting Bricin performing the operation on Cenn Fáelad still survives from the medieval church of Tomregan. *http://swanlinbar.kilmore.anglican.org/ballyconnell/pages/Tomregan-stone.htm
Baile Bricín
In a later Millennium Prophecy called Baile BricínBaile Bricín
Baile Bricín is a late Old Irish or Middle Irish prose tale, in which St Bricín, abbot of Túaim Dreccon , is visited by an angel, who reveals to him the names of the most important future Irish churchmen...
, he is stated to be in his house at Tomregan when he receives a vision.
Regarding St Bricin's later years he would seem to have left Ireland for missionary work in Scotland according to a doubtful entry in the Félire Óengusso but it may have confused him with another saint of the same name. The Scottish Kalendar of Drummond has the following entry for 4 September- "Apud Hiberniam natale sanctorum confessorum Bulaig et Bricin". The personal name Maolbhricin or Mael Bricín, Mal Bricín, Maíl Bricín (meaning 'Servant of Bricin') occurs in medieval Scottish records so it may indicate traces of a Bricin cult there.
Bricin, like St. Patrick, seems to have become a saint by popular canonisation. He is mentioned in the Book of Fenagh, page 412, as being a companion of Saint Caillin
Saint Caillin
Saint Caillin, Irish medieval saint and monastic founder, fl. 6th century.-Background:The patron saint of Fenagh, County Leitrim, Caillin was born in the 6th century and founded a famous monastic settlement at Fenagh. He...
of Fenagh, County Leitrim, which indicates that he was venerated at the time of the original composition of the Book of Fenagh.
He is also mentioned in the Life of Saint Naile (alias Saint Natalis) of Kinawley, County Fermanagh which again indicates his veneration at the time of composition of that Life. }
Commemmoration
The Félire Óengusso records his feast day on 5 September but the earlier Martyrology of TallaghtMartyrology of Tallaght
The Martyrology of Tallaght, which is closely related to the Félire Oengusso or Martyrology of Óengus the Culdee, is an eighth- or ninth-century martyrology, a list of saints and their feast days assembled by Máel Ruain and/or Óengus the Culdee at Tallaght Monastery, near Dublin...
records it as 9 May. The mistake probably arose in copying, when 9/5 would have been miscopied as 5/9. Bricin's name survives in local place-names like Slievebrickan
Slievebrickan
Slievebrickan is a townland in the Parish of Tomregan, Barony of Loughtee Lower, County Cavan, Ireland. The townland name is an anglicisation of the Gaelic placename “Sliabh Bricín” which means ‘The Mountain of Saint Bricín'. It derives its name from St. Bricín who was the abbot of Tomregan...
(Bricins's Mountain), a townland west of Mullynagolman. This indicates that in earlier times, his name and fame was well remembered in the district.