Cele Dabhaill mac Scannal facts for kids
Cele Dabhaill mac Scannal (born 858 – died 14 September 927) was an important leader of a monastery called the Abbot of Bangor, County Down. He was known for his wisdom and his long journey to Rome.
Who Was Cele Dabhaill?
Cele Dabhaill was born in the year 858. He became the Abbot of Bangor, which means he was the head of a large monastery in what is now Northern Ireland. Monasteries were very important places in those times. They were centers for learning, prayer, and helping the community.
Besides being an abbot, Cele Dabhaill was also a:
- Bishop: A high-ranking church leader.
- Scribe: Someone who copied books by hand, which was a very important job before printing presses existed.
- Preacher: Someone who gave religious talks.
- Learned Doctor: A very knowledgeable teacher.
He was seen as a successor to Saint Comhgall, who founded the Bangor monastery. This shows how respected and influential Cele Dabhaill was across Ireland.
His Big Journey to Rome
In the year 926, when he was quite old, Cele Dabhaill decided to go on a special journey called a pilgrimage to Rome. A pilgrimage is a trip to a holy place, often for religious reasons. Rome was a very important city for Christians because it was where Saint Peter and Saint Paul were believed to have died.
Before he left, Cele Dabhaill wrote a poem about his journey. In it, he talked about leaving his home and preparing for the long trip across the sea. He also wrote about wanting to live a good life and get closer to God. This poem shows how deeply religious he was and how much thought he put into his journey.
His Legacy and Death
Sadly, Cele Dabhaill died during his pilgrimage in Rome. He passed away on 14 September 927, when he was 59 years old. Even though he died far from home, his journey was a testament to his faith and dedication.
His life and journey were recorded in important historical books called the Annals of the Four Masters. These books are like ancient diaries that tell us about events and important people from long ago in Ireland. They help us remember figures like Cele Dabhaill, who played a significant role in the history of Ireland and its religious life.
