# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/O'Haingli, Donat

​O'HAINGLI, DONAT, called by the 'Four Masters' Donngus (d. 1095), bishop of Dublin, was a member of a family whose home was at Cinél Dobhth, co. Roscommon. He had been a student in Ireland, but, proceeding to England, became a monk of the Benedictine order, and lived for some time at Lanfranc's monastery at Canterbury. On the death of Patrick, bishop of Dublin, who was drowned on his way to England on 10 Oct. 1084, O'Haingley was elected to succeed him by Turlough O'Brien [q. v.] and the clergy and people of Dublin. He seems to have been recommended by Lanfranc, who was anxious for the reform of several Irish practices. He was sent for consecration to Lanfranc, with a letter from his patrons explaining that, as Patrick was prevented by death from reporting to him how far the abuses complained of had been remedied, Donat would give him the information. He was consecrated in Canterbury Cathedral in 1086, having made a profession of canonical obedience as follows: 'I, Donat, bishop of Dublin in Ireland, promise canonical obedience to thee, Lanfranc, Archbishop of Canterbury, and to thy successors.' When returning to Dublin, Lanfranc gave him a present of books and ornaments for his cathedral of the Holy Trinity. He died on 23 Nov. 1096 of the Seat plague, which, according to the 'Four Masters,' carried off a fourth part of the people of Ireland.
He was succeeded by his nephew, Samuel O'Haingli, who also had been a Benedictine monk, and was a member of the community of St. Albans. He was elected by Murtough O'Brien [q. v.] and the clergy and people of Dublin, and was recommended to Anselm, archbishop of Canterbury, for consecration. Anselm received him into his house, gave him instruction in ecclesiastical matters, and subsequently, on the Sunday after Easter 1096, assisted by four bishops, consecrated him in the cathedral of ​Winchester, just two years after its completion. Samuel had already made a profession of canonical obedience to Anselm and his successors. The account of Eadmer is that he was sent to Anselm 'according to ancient custom;' but the custom was certainly not ancient, as the first instance of the consecration of an Irish bishop by the Archbishop of Canterbury was that of Patrick in 1073. Eadmer apparently wished to exalt the see of Canterbury. On his return to Ireland Samuel disappointed the expectations formed of him by expelling some of the monks from the cathedral of the Holy Trinity, and taking possession of the books and ornaments Lanfranc had sent by Donat as a gift to it. He also ordered his cross to be borne before him. Anselm wrote to remonstrate with him. telling him that the ornaments belonged to the church and not to him, and that he was not entitled to have his cross borne before him, as he had not been invested with the pall. Anselm also wrote to Malchus, bishop of Waterford, to the same purport, enclosing a letter for Samuel, and requesting him to use his influence with Samuel. He adds that he had ordered the people of Dublin to prevent the removal of the objects referred to. Samuel died in 1121, being the last who bore the title of bishop of Dublin, all his successors being archbishops.
[D'Alton's Memoirs of the Archbishops of Dublin, 1838, p. 35; Ware's Bishop's. s.v. 'Dublin;' Eadmer's Hist. Nov. lib. ii. ad an.]
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