Sárnait, also known as Surney of Drumacoo or Sourney, was a 6th-century Irish

saint In Christianity, Christian belief, a saint is a person who is recognized as having an exceptional degree of sanctification in Christianity, holiness, imitation of God, likeness, or closeness to God in Christianity, God. However, the use of the ...

. She is commemorated on May 30. Surney was an associate of

Colman mac Duagh Saint Colman mac Duagh ( – 29 October 632) was born at Corker, Kiltartan, County Galway, Ireland, the son of the Irish chieftain Duac (and thus, in Irish, ''mac Duach''). He initially lived as a recluse, living in prayer and prolonged fasting ...

, who was the bishop of the locality at the time. Her background is unknown, but may have been a name of

Uí Fiachrach Aidhne Uí Fhiachrach Aidhne (also known as Hy Fiachrach) was a kingdom located in what is now the south of County Galway. Legendary origins and geography Originally known as Aidhne, it was said to have been settled by the mythical Fir Bolg. Dubhalta ...

like Colman. Her floruit is estimated from Colmán mac Cobthaig to

Guaire Aidne mac Colmáin Guaire Aidne mac Colmáin (died 663) was a king of Connacht. A member of the Ui Fiachrach Aidhne and son of king Colmán mac Cobthaig (died 622). Guaire ruled at the height of Ui Fiachrach Aidne power in south Connacht. Early reign Guaire ap ...

. Surney was the founder of the church of

Drumacoo Drumacoo is a medieval ecclesiastical site and National Monument (Ireland), National Monument located in County Galway, Republic of Ireland, Ireland. Location Drumacoo is located north of Ballinderreen, to the east of Galway Bay. History The ...

, in the parish of

Ballinderreen Ballinderreen (), also Ballindereen, is a village located on the N67 road (Ireland), N67 road between Kilcolgan and Kinvara in south County Galway, Ireland. Location and name Ballinderreen village is approximately 22 km south of Galway ...

County Galway County Galway ( ; ) is a Counties of Ireland, county in Republic of Ireland, Ireland. It is in the Northern and Western Region, taking up the south of the Provinces of Ireland, province of Connacht. The county population was 276,451 at the 20 ...

around 550. She was known to resurrect animals, even after they had been eaten.Geraghty, Darragh. "Sourney", ''The Irish Times'', March 17, 2024
/ref> A later medieval church, now disused, now stands on the site of the original foundation. The adjoining graveyard is still in use. St. Sourney’s Holy Well is nearby.Ó Loinsigh, Breandán. "Drumacoo Church", Galway County Council Heritage Office, April 20, 2020
/ref>

References

Sources

* ''The Manners and Customs of Hy Fiachrach'',

John O'Donovan John O'Donovan may refer to: *John O'Donovan (scholar) (1806–1861), Irish language scholar and place-name expert *John O'Donovan (politician) (1908–1982), Irish TD and Senator *John O'Donovan (police commissioner) (1858–1927), New Zealand pol ...

, (Dublin, 1846) * ''Episcopal Succession'', John Brady,

Rome Rome (Italian language, Italian and , ) is the capital city and most populated (municipality) of Italy. It is also the administrative centre of the Lazio Regions of Italy, region and of the Metropolitan City of Rome. A special named with 2, ...

, 1876 * ''The History and Antiquities of the Diocese of Kilmacduagh'', Jerome A. Fahy, 1893 * ''Irish Catholic Directory for 1909''

External links

* http://www.stcolman.com/life_monastery.html People from County Galway 6th-century Irish people 6th-century Irish women Female saints of medieval Ireland {{Ireland-saint-stub