Cenn Fáelad

Cenn Fáelad (Cennfaeladh) mac Ailella was an Irish scholar of the 7th century, who died in 679, renowned for his powerful, almost eidetic memory, an unintended consequence of a head wound received in battle. Our sources present him as a scholar, not as a saint, and mention no veneration, feast day or miracles; so we cannot say that he is venerated as a saint.

He belonged to the Cenél nEógain and descended from King Niall Noígiallach. He fought in the battle of Mag Ráth (636 or 637), where he received a severe head wound; he was taken to the monastery of Tomregan and healed by the abbot Saint Bricrin. His father, Ailill mac Báetán, had been killed at Magh Slécht in Connacht in 620.