# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Eoghan

​EOGHAN, Saint and Bishop (d. 618), was of Ardsratha, now Ardstraw, in the county of Tyrone and diocese of Derry. Descended from Ugaine Mor on the father's side ​he was thus connected by kindred with the chieftains of Leinster, while through his mother, Muindech, he claimed relationship with the Ulster families. In his boyhood he, with many others—among whom was Tigernach, afterwards bishop at Clones—was captured by pirates and carried off to Britain. St. Ninian, of the monastery of Rosnat, better known as Candida Casa or Whithorn, interceded for them with the king, and, having obtained their liberty, took them into his establishment, and ‘brought them up in ecclesiastical discipline.’ Some years after Gaulish pirates, in one of their inroads, again carried them away captive, one of their number on this occasion being Corpre, afterwards bishop at Cuil-rathain, now Coleraine. They were brought to Armorica, or Britannia minor (Brittany), by their captors, and there employed in turning a mill. One day the steward, finding them engaged in study instead of work, sternly ordered them to turn the mill, but an angel is said to have come to their assistance and relieved them.
Eoghan and Tigernach subsequently returned to Ireland, where the former founded a monastery at Hy Cualann, in the north of co. Wicklow. There he remained fifteen years, ruling over many bishops and presbyters. With him was placed Coemgen (Kevin), his brother's son, afterwards so famous, and under his instruction he learned the Psalms (probably the chanting of them) and was also employed as steward. Eoghan, in obedience to a divine admonition, next visited the north of Ireland to preach the Word of God. Here he helped Tigernach, who had also proceeded to the north, to found several monasteries. Chief among these were Cluaineois, now Clones, in the barony of Dartry and co. Monaghan, and Gabail-liuin, now Galloon, co. Fermanagh. The two saints were united in a spiritual compact, and rendered each other mutual assistance. Eoghan had much influence with the fierce chieftains of Ardstraw, and when Fiachra slew one of the monks in the doorway of the oratory, in the presence and with the approval of his father, Lugaid, the son of Setna, uncle to St. Columba, Eoghan informed Lugaid that not one of his seed should reign who should not be deformed in body, and that the son who committed the crime should die in a few days. The latter prophecy having come to pass, Lugaid repented; and on promising for himself and his successors to pay a silver screapall every third year to the monastery of Ardstraw, the punishment was reduced, and it was announced that his posterity should be councillors and judges (Brehons), and that no one should hold his kingdom in security who neglected their advice. But Eoghan was not always successful. He was unable to restrain a cruel king named Amalgid, who insisted, in spite of the saint's entreaties, on consecrating (or rather, as the writer says, desecrating) his five-barbed spear in the blood of children, according to a heathen rite.
As a proof of the generosity of Eoghan, it is related that on a journey in the north of Ireland, while travelling through a great wood sixth miles in extent near the river Bann, he was appealed to by a beggar afflicted with leprosy, and, having nothing else, bestowed on him the horses that drew his chariot. St. Corpre soon after supplied him with others.
The Bollandists are of opinion that Eoghan lived in the beginning of the sixth century; but as this belief is founded on the statement that he foretold the birth of St. Columba, which took place in 520, it is of little weight. The choice seems to lie between 618, the date given by Bishop Reeves, and 570, that assigned by Ussher. But the former seems the most probable. His day is 23 Aug.
T. O.