Senach
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Saint Senach (also called Seanach, Seanoir, Senóir, Senior; c. 550 – 11 April 610) was the Bishop of Armagh, Ireland from 598 to 610.
Saint Senach was a member of the Ui Nialláin clan, who were the rulers of the present baronies of Oneilland West and Oneilland East, County Armagh, Ireland. The patriarch of the clan was Nialláin m. Féicc m. Feidelmid m. Fiachrach Cassáin m. Collai Fochríth, who lived about 370 AD, and Senach would have been in about the 7th generation of descent from him. His father was Maeldalua. Senach was born c. 550 in Cluain hui meicc Gricci (the meadow of the descendants of Grici) which was in the parish of Kilmore, Barony of Oneilland West and County of Armagh.[1]
Education
Senach was nicknamed the "Rough Smith" so he may have been a metalworker in a monastery.
Bishop of Armagh
On the death of Eochu macDiarmaid, the Bishop of Armagh, in January 598, Senach was appointed as the 14th coarb in succession to Saint Patrick. The Annals of the Four Masters for 457 AD state "Ard Mhacha was founded by Saint Patrick, it having been granted to him by Daire, son of Finnchadh, son of Eoghan, son of Niallan." So Senach’s appointment was probably due to the influence of his family as the original grantors of the land and several Bishops of Armagh came from this same family. Senach reigned as Bishop for 12 years. Thomas Walsh states, without giving the specific source, that "Senach is mentioned by several annalists as a learned man, and is said to have written valuable tracts on the Scriptures and the works of the Fathers, which are now lost."[2]
Death
St. Senach died on 11 April 610 AD. The Annals of Ireland give the following obituaries:
- Annals of the Four Masters 609 – "Seanach, Abbot of Ard-Macha, died; he was of Cluain-Ua-nGrici."
- Annals of Ulster 610 – "Senach from Cluain Uaingrighe, abbot of Ard Macha, rested."