Dalua of Tibradden

Saint Dalua of Tibradden (in Irish Do-⁠Lúe, in Latin Daluanus; also called Dalua of Craoibheach) was an early Irish saint, a disciple of Saint Patrick. He was born in Britain, in the first half of the 5th century.

The Book of Armagh (9th century) mentions a "Du Luae Chroibige", whom Professor Gwynn understood as the brother of a certain Lonan; his father was named Senach and his mother Rigell, who has been supposed to be Richella, a sister of Saint Patrick. Having come to Ireland, he founded the church called Tegh Bretan or Dun Tighe Bretan (Tibradden), in the townland of Cruagh, County Dublin; the ruins of the stone church in the old section of Cruagh cemetery, in use until about 1620, are linked with his name. Later he became a disciple of Patrick, who placed him with another disciple, Lugaid, at Dromiskin, County Louth. Lugaid later became the first bishop of Dromiskin and died in 515 or 516. Dalua is said to have reposed at Dromiskin, probably before that. Some scholars regard him as the same as Molua of Creevah, "pilgrim of the Britons", but this is not certain. His day is 7 January, by the Western calendar (new style). He is honored as a saint of the undivided Church.