ST. NATHY OR DAVID, PRIEST PATRON OF THE DIOCESS
OF ACHONRY, ANCIENTLY CALLED ACHAD, IN IRELAND
ST. FINIAN, bishop of Clonard, built this church
in 530, and gave it to his disciple Nathy, called also Dathy, which
in Irish signifies David, a man of great sanctity. He is surnamed
Comrah and Cruimthir. The former, Harris thinks, bears the sense of
consecrated or elected. Cruimthir signifies in old Irish a priest,
the same as sagart in modern Irish. In St. Finian’s life
he is only styled priest; but in St. Fechin’s, prelate or
abbot. Harris thinks he was raised to the episcopal dignity; but
Colgan, with all ancient annals, calls him only priest, though this
church was made a bishop’s see soon after his time. In the
Annals of Ireland the bishops of Achonry are often styled of Luigny
or Leny, from the little province or barony in which Achonry is
situated. The church is dedicated in memory of St. Nathy, and his
festival is celebrated on the 9th of August. See Colgan in MSS. on
this day, and Ware, p. 658.
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