Saint of the Day – 29 January – St Dallan Forgaill (c 530- 598) Martyr, Monk, Reformer, poet. St Dallan was born c 530 in Magh Slécht, County Cavan, Connaught, Ireland. He was martyred by beheading by pirates in 598 at the monastery at Inis-coel (Inniskeel), Ireland. Legend says that his head was thrown into the sea, washed back up on shore, and re-attached to his body so he could continue to recite poetry during the attack. Works – Be Thou My Vision, Eulogy of Saint Columba, Eulogy of Senan.
St Dallan was the son of Colla Mac Erc and Forchella. He was related to Irish royalty and to Saint Aidan of Ferns. He was a noted student who went blind as a young man; some said it was due to too much reading. He became the Chief bard and poet of Ireland in 575 and later reformed the Bardic Order, thus helping preserve the Gaelic language and literature.
His most famous work is Ambra Choluim Kille (Eulogy of Saint Columba) after Columba had defended the institution of the bards; legend says that upon its recitation, his eyesight was restored. He is generally considered a martyr, having died in an attack on a monastery.
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