Manchán of Lemanaghan

Saint Manchán mac Silláin (died 664), Manchianus in Latin sources, is the name of an early Irish saint, patron of Liath Mancháin, now Lemanaghan, in County Offaly. He is not to be confused with the scholar Manchán or Manchéne, abbot of Min Droichit (Co. Offaly).

Manchán's church, Liath Mancháin, was located in the kingdom of Delbnae Bethra

About 500 meters from the monastery is a small stone house built by Manchán for his mother Mella. The structure is known locally as Kell and the ruins of the house can still be visited today. Legend says that one day the saint was thirsty and the monastery was absent of water. Upon striking a rock a spring well bubbled up, and the area is now known as St. Manahan's well. It's been visited by people from all over the world, commonly on 24 January every year. It is said that many people have been cured of diseases after visiting the well. The saint is also credited with writing a poem in Gaelic, that describes the desire of Ireland's martyrs. He died from the yellow plague in 664. He was known for his generous nature, wisdom and his knowledge of sacred scripture.

An Old or Middle Irish nature poem described as a comad and beginning "I wish, O Son of the living God ... a hidden little hut in the wilderness" is attributed to him. The language has been variously dated to the late 8th or early 9th century,

Death and veneration Shrine of Manchán, drawing from Graves, "The Church and Shrine of St. Manchán" (1874) Several sources, notably Irish annals, relate that Manchán was one of the churchmen to meet in 664 for a communal prayer and fast to God, in which they insisted that God would send a plague on Ireland. The purpose was to bring death to a large segment of the lower classes of the Irish population (see also Féchín of Fore). Manchán was one of the saints to die in the event.

St. Manchán's shrine Perhaps St. Manchán is best known for Saint Manchan's Shrine which containing his relics, and is now preserved in the Catholic Church at Boher, County Offaly. The shrine was created in 1130 at Clonmacnoise and still contains some of the saint's remains. It is considered a masterpiece of Romanesque metalwork.