Saint Celsus of Armagh - April 1

atural causesAlso known as
Ceilach
Ceillach
Celestinus
Cellach Mac Aodh
Cellach Mc Aedh
Cellach of Armagh
Celsus
Keilach
Kelly
Memorial
1 April
Profile
Son of Áed mac Máele Ísu meic Amalgada of the Clann Sínnaig. Benedictine monk. May have been a monk at Glastonbury. Teacher at Oxford, England. Last hereditary archbishop of Armagh, Ireland in 1106. Built a reputation as a reformer and able administrator. Travelled throughout Ireland, preaching reform and ensuring discipline. Helped preside at the Synod of Rath Bresail in 1111, which helped align the Irish church administration with the rest of Europe. Rebuilt the Armagh cathedral. Founded the monastery of Kells. Peacemaker between warring Irish kings and chieftains. Worked with, and ordained his friend Saint Malachy O’More. From his deathbed, he appointed Malachy as Archbishop of Armagh, ending the tradition of hereditary succession to the see.
Born
c.1080 in Ireland
Died
1 April 1129 at Ardpatrick, Munster, Ireland of natural causes
buried in Lismore, Ireland