Saint Caillin was an Irish medieval saint and monastic founder, who lived in the 6th century. His Feast day is celebrated on November 13.
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The patron saint of Fenagh, County Leitrim, Caillin was born in the 6th century and founded a famous monastic settlement at Fenagh.
Caillin was born in Conmaicne Dun Mor (now north County Galway). He founded a monastic site at Fenagh, County Leitrim, which was then the territory of the Conmhaícne Magh Rein, part of the overkingdom of Breifne. He became the patron saint of Fenagh and the Conmaicne of Magh Rein.
His pedigree is given as follows:
Caillin's mother's name 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 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 Diarmaid the Just, son of Lugna, St.Manchin, 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, another Chief Ollam of Ireland. Caillin was the third eldest of Dediva's famous children. Caillin is said to have helped his brother Senchán Torpéist to recover the lost tale called Táin Bó Cúailnge.
Caillin also had another brother by his father Niata who was called Nisi. This brother was murdered and an eric-fine was paid to Caillin according to the Book of Fenagh as follows-
Before St. Caillin came to Fenagh, he studied under St. Fintan. To complete his studies he went to Rome and for this journey St. Fintan gave him 300 ounces of gold. At the end of a long period of study in Rome messengers came from the Conmaicne to ask Caillin to return and save them and this he did. He brought with him relics of the twelve apostles and the neck-cloth of the infant Jesus.
Caillin’s history was given in the Old Book of Fenagh (no longer extant; material included in the Book of Fenagh, written 1516). It states that when Caillin commenced the erection of the monastery at Fenagh he performed a great miracle against the Druids, whom Fergal mac Fergus, King of Breifne sent to destroy him. St Caillin turned the Druids into stones which gives its name to the townland called Longstone. (Beside Edentenny on the Fenagh Ballinamore road.) These standing stones of the Druids are still visible to this day at Longstone.
The site of the Abbey at Fenagh was chosen by God who sent an angel to Caillin and did not let him rest until he came to Fenagh – for here it was prophesied that the site of his church should be according to the instructions of God. Fenagh was celebrated for its divinity school which students from all over Ireland and Europe came to study, among whom was Saint Mogue of the neighbouring parish of Templeport. The fame and glory of St Caillin spread through the land and soon Fenagh became a very important place. Its importance we may judge from the story that claims many of Irelands Kings are buried in the ancient graveyards adjoining the Abbey.
The importance of being buried in this ancient graveyard lives on to this day in a prophecy given by St. Caillin as he lay dying, that anyone buried in Fenagh Abbey graveyard and in full observance of the true faith will go straight to Heaven on their death.
The family of Mac Giolla Chaillín took their name from St. Caillin. The surname is also commonly Anglicized as Kilcullen, Kilgallen, and Kilgallon, and is found mainly in County Mayo and County Sligo. Bearers of the name include T.J. Kilgallon [1] and Matthew Kilgallon.