Saint Aedh Macbricc
Saint Aedh MacBricc (also known as Áed mac Bricc, Aedus MacBric, or Hugh MacBrick; died November 10, 589 AD) was an early Irish bishop and monastic founder venerated in the traditions of Leinster and Meath. He was a disciple of Saint Illathan (Illand), founded the monastery of Killare (Kill-Áir, "the church of Aedh") in County Westmeath, Ireland, and is associated with healing miracles during his lifetime, particularly healing of headaches — giving rise to a tradition of his intercession for those who suffer from headaches and migraine. His feast day is November 10.
Aedh MacBricc is remembered in the Irish annalistic and martyrological tradition as a bishop of great sanctity. He is associated with the monastery at Rahugh (Kill-Áir/Killare) in County Westmeath. The eighth-century Martyrology of Óengus names him among the saints of November. His genealogy connects him to the royal Uí Néill kin group through the branch of the Cianachta. He is said to have healed people during his lifetime, and the tradition of seeking his intercession for headaches has persisted in Irish popular piety.
Stored in Cargo: Saint Aedh Macbricc
| Saint Aedh Macbricc | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | November 10 |
| Profession | Bishop; monastic founder |
| Rel. Affiliation | Early Irish Church; Catholic Church |
| Patronage | Those who suffer from headaches; County Westmeath; diocese of Meath |
| Attributes | Bishop's vestments; crozier; book |
| Birthplace | Ireland (probably Leinster or Meath) |
| Death Place | Rahugh, County Westmeath, Ireland |
| Cause of Death | Natural causes; confessor bishop |
| Primary Shrine | Rahugh, County Westmeath, Ireland |
| Liturgical Class | Not included in the General Roman Calendar |
| Historic Class | Not included |
Biography
Birth
No birth date or precise birthplace is recorded for Saint Aedh MacBricc. His name "MacBricc" (son of Bricc) suggests a patronymic in the Irish tradition. He is associated by genealogy with the Cianachta, a kin-group of Leinster and Meath.
Early Life
Aedh MacBricc received his religious formation as a disciple of Saint Illathan (Illand). He was ordained a bishop in the early Irish Church — as was common in the age of the Irish monastic churches, where episcopal and abbatial roles overlapped.
Occupation
Aedh MacBricc founded the monastery of Kill-Áir (Killare) at Rahugh in County Westmeath, which became the principal center of his cult. As a bishop and abbot, he presided over a monastic community and exercised pastoral oversight in the region of Meath.
Vocation
Saint Aedh MacBricc's vocation was that of a bishop-abbot in the Irish monastic tradition of the sixth century — a pastor and teacher whose community life centered on prayer, Scripture, and ascetic practice. His reputation for healing during his lifetime, particularly for those with headaches, suggests a charismatic pastoral ministry.
Death
Saint Aedh MacBricc died on November 10, 589 AD, at Rahugh/Killare in County Westmeath. His monastery continued as a place of pilgrimage and veneration for many centuries. The Irish annals record his death under the year 588 or 589.
Significant events
- Disciple of Saint Illathan (Illand).
- Founded the monastery of Kill-Áir (Killare) at Rahugh, County Westmeath.
- Known for healing of headaches and migraine during his lifetime.
- Died November 10, 589 AD; feast day November 10.
- Commemorated in the Martyrology of Óengus (c. 800 AD).
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: None
Death location: Rahugh, County Westmeath, Ireland
Notable location: Site of his monastery (Killare) and place of death (Rahugh (Kill-Áir/Killare), County Westmeath, Ireland)
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Parishes
No parishes dedicated to Saint Aedh MacBricc have been added to the database yet.
Media
No media found for this saint.
Shrines
Dynamic shrines
No results
No shrines where this saint is the primary saint.
List of shrines
- Rahugh (Killare), County Westmeath, Ireland — site of the ancient monastery and local pilgrimage.
Canonization
Servant of God
Recognized by ancient Irish tradition.
Venerable
Not applicable.
Beatification
Not applicable.
Canonization
Recognized through ancient Irish tradition; recorded in the Martyrology of Óengus and later Irish martyrologies.
Miracles
Miracle for beatification
Healing of headaches attributed to his intercession during his lifetime.
Miracle for canonization
Not applicable.
Patronage
Saint Aedh MacBricc is venerated as a patron of those who suffer from headaches and migraine, and as a patron of County Westmeath and the Diocese of Meath.
Feast day
November 10
Veneration
Saint Aedh MacBricc is venerated in the Diocese of Meath and in the Irish Catholic tradition as a holy bishop of the sixth century whose intercession is sought by those suffering from headaches.
Prayers
Authored
There are prayers authored by this saint in prayers list yet.
Intercessory
There are no prayers asking for this saint's intercession in prayers list yet.
External links
References
- Stokes, Whitley, ed. Félire Óengusso: The Martyrology of Óengus the Culdee. London: Henry Bradshaw Society, 1905. (November 10 entry.)
- The Annals of the Four Masters. Dublin, 1851. (Sub anno 588.)