SAINT COLMAN
near Gort, County Galway

A King of Connaught, father to King Guaire the Generous (of Dunguaire Castle), had heard the prophecy of a child who would outstrip the Kings. It was believed that, in 559AD, Queen Rhinach would give birth to this child, so the King sent two henchmen to kill her while the baby was still in her womb. A stone was tied around Rhinach's neck and she was thrown into Kiltartin River, near Gort. Legend has it that the rock floated and carried Rhinach and her baby to safety.

Rhinach's stone reputedly rests on the inside windowsill of the ruined church in Corker near Kiltartin, the rope marks still evident!

After his birth, Colman Mac Duagh was hidden away for many years and prepared for his monastic life and the priesthood.

One day, many years later, King Guaire discovered his cousin Colman living in

the wilds of the Burren. To make amends for what his father had done, Guaire gave land to Colman build his monastery. Colman accepted the gift and set about to choose the perfect spot. It wasn't until one day while he was riding that his girdle (belt) accidentally fell to the ground that Colman made his choice. The building of the monastery began immediately on the land where his girdle fell.

Centuries later, the girdle was still in the hands of the O'Shaughnessy's and O'Heyne's, as was Colman's crozier.

While the crozier is now on display in the National Museum of Ireland on Kildare Street in Dublin City, the girdles whereabouts are unknown today. It disappeared during the Battle of the Boyne, where the O'Shaughnessy's had taken it into battle with them for luck. The girdle was studded with precious gems and was said to hold unexplained powers. It was said that no matter how slim, the girdle would not go around an unchaste waist. The discovery of the girdle would be a great boon for Ireland, especially if the gems are still intact.