Skip to content

Saint

Deirbhileadh of Inishkea

Saint of Inishkea, venerated in the Western Church.

Feast
August 3old style August 16
Era
6th century

Life

Deirbhileadh of Inishkea (Darbiled, Deirbhile, Dervla) was an Irish anchoress and founder of Inis Cethig, who lived between 575 and 600. She is said to have been of the Uí Fiachrach dynasty of Connacht. Her father's name was Cormac mac Brecc, and a brother of hers, Triallach, was also a churchman. The Book of Leinster names as her mother Cumman inion Dallbronach, claimed as the mother of some twenty saints, among them Moninne of Armagh and Saint Senan.

She founded the hermitage of Inis Cethig on Erris in County Mayo. She appears to have lived in the time of Columba of Iona. She is commemorated in the martyrologies under 3 August and 16 October. An Irish saint venerated locally, from the time of the undivided Church.

Commemorated the same day August 3