Cooke (Jessica)
The Vita Secunda Fursei collated by Arnulph of Lagny, recounting the seventh-century saint’s Galway origins, is discredited because of its late eleventh century date. Through analysis of 1) placenames, archaeology, genealogies and Connacht history, 2) an early Vita Prima Fursei embedded in Arnulph’s text, and 3) Arnulph’s methods, this paper concludes that the Vita Secunda deserves rehabilitation.
Was Áth an Tearmainn at Cloghvanaha, Shrule, Co. Mayo? Shrule abbey held the ford to Iar-Connacht of the Uí Fhlaithbertaig, powerful opponents of the Uí Chonchobair. If Toirrdelbach Mór’s inauguration site and the Cong-Tuam diocesan boundary were identical, Shrule was key to dividing and controlling the Uí Fhlaithbertaig, politically and ecclesiastically.
