Molua of Kilmoluagh
Encyclopedia
Molua of Kilmoluagh was an early Christian missionary among the Soghain
people of County Galway
.
Molua may have been a native of the kingdom, as a St Moluoc (another form of Molua) is listed as "Moluoc mac Luchta mac Finchada mac Feidlimithe mac Sodhan Salbhuidhe." Sodhán Salbhuidhe na Sreath - Sogan of the Battle-lines/Sogan of the Preys was a semi-legendary son of a king of Ulster
whose people setteled in what became called the kingdom of Soghain
. This is said to have occurred sometime around 300. Thus Molua was a great-great grandson of the founder of the kingdom, which led Joseph Mannion to comment that "The brevity of the pedigree might indicate that he belonged to the very early stages of the Christian period", perhaps as early as the late fifth century.
He is credited with the erection of a cross at Crossmaloo (Cros mo Luaidh), of which only the base and broken lower shaft remains. It is believed to mark his grave, and was once a traditional resting place for funeral processions leading to the church of Kilmoluagh, of which he was the founder. The name Kilmoluagh no longer exists even as a townland
name.
Soghain
The Soghain were a people of ancient Ireland. Dubhaltach Mac Fhirbhisigh identified them as part of a larger group called the Cruithin, and stated of them:...
people of County Galway
County Galway
County Galway is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the city of Galway. Galway County Council is the local authority for the county. There are several strongly Irish-speaking areas in the west of the county...
.
Molua may have been a native of the kingdom, as a St Moluoc (another form of Molua) is listed as "Moluoc mac Luchta mac Finchada mac Feidlimithe mac Sodhan Salbhuidhe." Sodhán Salbhuidhe na Sreath - Sogan of the Battle-lines/Sogan of the Preys was a semi-legendary son of a king of Ulster
Ulster
Ulster is one of the four provinces of Ireland, located in the north of the island. In ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for administrative and judicial...
whose people setteled in what became called the kingdom of Soghain
Soghain
The Soghain were a people of ancient Ireland. Dubhaltach Mac Fhirbhisigh identified them as part of a larger group called the Cruithin, and stated of them:...
. This is said to have occurred sometime around 300. Thus Molua was a great-great grandson of the founder of the kingdom, which led Joseph Mannion to comment that "The brevity of the pedigree might indicate that he belonged to the very early stages of the Christian period", perhaps as early as the late fifth century.
He is credited with the erection of a cross at Crossmaloo (Cros mo Luaidh), of which only the base and broken lower shaft remains. It is believed to mark his grave, and was once a traditional resting place for funeral processions leading to the church of Kilmoluagh, of which he was the founder. The name Kilmoluagh no longer exists even as a townland
Townland
A townland or bally is a small geographical division of land used in Ireland. The townland system is of Gaelic origin—most townlands are believed to pre-date the Norman invasion and most have names derived from the Irish language...
name.