Saint of the Day – 14 September – Saint Cormac of Cashel (c836-908) Bishop, King

Saint of the Day – 14 September – Saint Cormac of Cashel (c836-908) Bishop, King of Munster, Ireland, a great Scholar and Writer. Born as Cormac MacCquilenan was the son of Cuillenan and descended from King Aengus who Saint Patrick Baptised. Cormac was probably the first Bishop of Cashel and the compiler of the “Psalter of Cashel” an Irish history. Irish writers have celebrated him for his learning, piety, charity and valour. He was killed in a battle against King Flan of Meath.

Coprmac, in his early years received a good education in one of the Irish Monastery schools. He was Ordained Priest and afterwards appointed Bishop of Cashel.

In the year 900 he became, on account of his descent, King of Cashel and thus were combined in his person, the two offices of spiritual and temporal ruler of Leth Moga, as the southern portion of Ireland was called.

In 906, The Ardri (ard-ri, High King) Flann, assisted by the King of Leinster, led his forces into the Southern Province and was met by the Munstermen under Cormac. The Ardri suffered a signal defeat. However in 908, Flann, assisted by Ceorbhall, King of Leinster and Cathal, King of Connaught, returned to the attack, apparently because Cormac, instigated by Flaherty, Abbot of Inniscathay, had claimed tribute from Leinster and had even signified his intention of assuming the position of High King there. The battle was fought, the Munstermen suffered a complete defeat and Cormac was killed in the battle.

An Irish Glossary called “Sanas Chormai,” containing etymologies and explanations of over 1400 unusual Irish words which has come down to us. Although, etymologically, the work is of little value, yet on account of the light it throws upon many ancient Irish customs and institutions, it is of great importance to the historian. The “Glossary of Cormac” is said to be only a part of the “Psalter of Cashel” also attributed to Cormac, but which has been lost. The lost Psalter of Cashel and the “Lebor na Cert—the Book of Rights”—is also linked to Cormac.

Cormac was regarded as a Saint after his death and his Shrine at Castledermot, County Kildare, is the site of miracles and pilgrimages.