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Gilla Críst Ua Máel Eóin (anglicised as Christian Malone; died 1127) was an Irish historian and Abbot of Clonmacnoise.
Ó Maoil Eoin (now anglicised as Malone), denotes descent from a grandson of a person baptised in honour of Saint John.
This assumption was introduced long after Maol Eoin had lived. It was contrived to demonstrate a long-standing association with the Church. As such "maol" is often described as meaning bald and then quickly followed by the idea of a monks shaved head. While "maol" does mean bald it also can mean thin. However, in both cases it is used in reference with the landscape; bald might mean lacking in trees, and thin might mean a peninsula or island. It defines a feature of the landscape that is associated with the family. The use of maol, in a family name, is found recorded some 200 years before Maol Eoin was born. Maolrunaigh (Mulrooney)was a past family name that was passed down, mostly in part, through the generations. This was a common way to include the name of the bride's father, as a mark of respect. If Maol Eoin means devotee of St John, then it would stand to reason that Maolrunaigh must be a devotee of St. Rooney. However, a St. Rooney does nor exist.
The Ó Maoil Eoin were wrongly accorded kinship with the Uí Briúin, based on the statement that "Maoliosa {son of Tairrdelbach Ua Conchobair}, Bishop of Roscommon, who had a son named Maol Eoin ... a quo O'Maoil Eoin, anglicised Malone." However, the family were already in existence before Tairrdelbach was born, so the kinship is mistaken, or possibly a forgery, though at least one very old family tradition [1] holds the name was intended to signify a friendship or political alliance at the time of baptism.
They seemed to have been an ecclesiastical or Erenagh family native to the area, with no links to any great royal houses.
Gilla Críst is the earliest known member of the family associated with Clonmacnoise, and perhaps the ancestor of all subsequent Ó Maoil Eoin's associated with it.
He was associated with Tairrdelbach Ua Conchobair, as attested in an entry in Chronicon Scotorum sub anno 1124 - "The great bell-tower of Cluaín moccu Nóis was completed by Gilla Críst ua Maíleoin and Tairdelbach ua Conchobuir."
Two years later the same text records that "Gilla Críst ua Maíleoin, abbot of Cluaín moccu Nóis, the fount of wisdom and charity, the head of wealth and riches of Ireland, rested."
Chronicon Scotorum is an account of Irish affairs that ends in an unfinished manner in the entry dated 1150. Gilla Crist has been associated with the text as its compiler, [2] but if so, it was continued at some point after his death. His actual role in relation to the Chronicon is uncertain.
Subsequent abbots included
Later Bishop of Clonmacnoise included:
Ruaidhrí Ó Máel Eóin, canon of Tuam and Clonmacnoise, administered the Clonmacnoise diocese from about 1520 to 1540. He was elected Bishop of Ardagh in 1517 and died in 1540.
Richard Ó Malone of Donore, County Westmeath, "enjoyed the distinction of the being the first musician pardoned by Queen Elizabeth, the date being 1565."
Ruaidrí mac Tairrdelbach Ua Conchobair was King of Connacht from 1156 to 1186, and High King of Ireland from 1166 to 1198. He was the last High King of Ireland. Anglo-Normans invaded Ireland. Ruaidrí was the last native and Celtic King of Ireland.
Clonmacnoise is a ruined monastery situated in County Offaly in Ireland on the River Shannon south of Athlone, founded in 544 by Saint Ciarán, a young man from Rathcroghan, County Roscommon. Until the 9th century it had close associations with the kings of Connacht.
Toirdhealbhach Mór Ua Conchobhair anglicised Turlough Mór O'Conor, was King of Connacht (1106–1156) and High King of Ireland.
Chronicon Scotorum, also known as Chronicum Scotorum, is a medieval Irish chronicle.
Toirdhealbhach Ua Briain, anglicised Turlough O'Brien, was King of Munster and effectively High King of Ireland. A grandson of Brian Bóruma, Toirdelbach was the son of Tadc mac Briain who was killed in 1023 by his half-brother Donnchad mac Briain.
The Annals of Tigernach are chronicles probably originating in Clonmacnoise, Ireland. The language is a mixture of Latin and Old and Middle Irish.
Mac Aodhagáin, is an Irish Gaelic clan of Brehons who were hereditary lawyers - firstly to the Ó Conchobhair Kings of Connacht, and later to the Burkes of Clanricarde.
Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair, called Ruaidrí na Saide Buide was King of Connacht, perhaps twice.
Conchobar mac Taidg Mór was a King of Connacht from the Uí Briúin branch of the Connachta. He was the grandson of Muirgius mac Tommaltaig, a previous king. His father Tadg Mór had been slain fighting in Muirgius' wars versus the minor tribes of Connacht. He was of the Síl Muiredaig sept of the Uí Briúin. The Ó Conchobhair septs of Connacht are named for him.
Áed Ua Crimthainn, also called Áed mac Crimthainn, was abbot and coarb of Terryglass, near Lough Derg in County Tipperary, Ireland. He was the principal scribe of the Book of Leinster, the Book of Oughaval, an important Middle Irish medieval illuminated manuscript, and is also believed to have been its sole compiler.
Áed Ua hOissín was consecrated first Archbishop of Tuam in 1152 and died in 1161. He was closely associated with Connaught royalty, and had served as abbot of Tuam.
The Abbot of Clonfert was the monastic head of the abbey of Clonfert in County Galway, Ireland. The abbey was founded by Saint Brendan in the early sixth century. The abbots also bore the title "Comarbai Brénaind", "successor of Saint Brendan".
The Abbot of Clonard was the monastic head of Clonard Abbey, which is in modern-day County Meath, Ireland. The abbey was founded by Saint Finnian in the early sixth century. After the death of Saint Finnian, the abbots bore the title "Comarbai Finnéin". However, the title was ambiguous, since it may refer to the abbots of Moville, County Down, founded by Finnian nepos Fiatach. The abbots of Clonard were sometimes called 'coarbs of Finnian and Mo Cholmóc'. Until the early twelfth century, a few of the abbots and some others at Clonard Abbey were consecrated bishops, but this did not necessarily mean they were bishops of Clonard, since the diocese of Clonard was not established until the Synod of Rathbreasail in 1111.
The Abbot of Glendalough was the head of the monastery at Glendalough, founded by Saint Kevin in the early sixth century, which is in modern-day County Wicklow, Ireland. After the death of Saint Kevin, the abbots bore the title "Comarbai Cóemgein". Until the early twelfth century, a number of abbots and others at the monastery of Glendalough had also been consecrated bishops, but this did not necessarily mean they were bishops of Glendalough, since the Diocese of Glendalough was not established until the Synod of Rathbreasail in 1111.
Áed Ua Conchobair or Áed in Gai Bernaig was the King of Connacht, and reigned from 1046 to 1067. He was the son of Tadg in Eich Gil.
Muireadhach Ua Dubhthaigh was an Archbishop of Connacht, in Ireland.
Maghnus Ua Conchobair, Prince of Connacht, died 1181.
Urard mac Coise was an Irish poet who lived in the townland of Clare, County Westmeath.
Cétadach was the 31st Abbot of Clonmacnoise. He died in 848.