Diarmaid the Just

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Saint Diarmaid the Just (also known as Diermit, Dhiarmuit, Dermod, Diermedus, Diermetus, Diermitius,
Diermitius) was a Catholic abbot of Inis Clothrann (Inchcleraun), Lough Ree, County Longford and of
Faughalstown, County Westmeath and a famous Irish confessor of the late-sixth century.

He was of princely origin as he was seventh in descent from Nath Í, King of Ireland, who died 428 and a
member of the Hy-Fiachrach family from Connacht. His father was Lugna, son of Lugad, son of Finbarr,
son of Fraic, son of Cathchuon, son of Aengus Becchuoun, son of Nath Í son of Fiachrae son of Eochaid
Mugmedon. His mother was Dediva (also called Editua or Dedi or Deidi or Deighe or Deidiu or Deaga or
Mediva), daughter of Tren, son of Dubhthach moccu Lughair, who was a Chief Ollam of Ireland and royal
poet of King Lóegaire mac Néill. Dediva's other children were Saint Senan of Laraghabrine, son of Fintan,
Saint Caillin of Fenagh, son of Niata, St.Mainchín of Corann, son of Collan of Corann, Saint Felim of
Kilmore son of Carill, Saint Daigh of Inniskeen son of Carill, Saint Femia daughter of Carill and Senchán
Torpéist, a later Chief Ollam of Ireland. Saint Diarmaid was the youngest of Dediva's famous children.

About the year 530, he founded the great monastery of Inchcleraun on Lough Ree, in the Diocese of
Ardagh. Wishing to found an oratory far from the day-to-day distractions of civilization, he selected the
isolated island associated with the memory of Queen Medbh, Inchcleraun.

Here his fame soon attracted disciples. He was a good teacher and also a distinguished writer and poet.
On the island seven churches are traditionally said to have been erected, and the traces of six are still in
evidence, including Teampul Diarmada, or the church of St. Diarmiad. This oratory, eight feet by seven
feet, is said to have been Diarmaid's own church. The monastic school he founded kept up its reputation
for fully six centuries after his death, and the island itself was famous for pilgrimages in pre-Reformation
days. An ivory statue of the saint was removed from the island during the Reformation to avoid
destruction. He also founded the monastery of Caille-Fochladha, Lough Derryvaragh, Co Westmeath,
where there is a holy well dedicated to him.

St. Diarmaid's nickname was 'Diarmaid the Just'; he is sometimes confused with an earlier St. Justus who
was both baptizer and teacher of St.Kieran of Clonmacnoise. He was a friend of St. Senan, Abbot of
Iniscathy and he composed metrical psalters, among which is "Cealtair Dichill".
He died on January 10 at Inchcleraun and his feast is celebrated on that date.

This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Herbermann, Charles, ed.
(1913). "St. Diarmaid" . Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton.

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Hiberno-Latin culture to 1169

Categories: People from County Roscommon6th-century Christian saints542 deathsIrish writersMedieval

Irish saints6th-century Irish people6th-century Latin writersMedieval Irish writers

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This page was last edited on 28 October 2018, at 23:17 (UTC).

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