THIS saint is distinguished by the surname of Kele-De, that is,
Worshipper of God; which began in his time to be the denomination of
monks to the Scottish language, commonly called Culdees. He was born in
Ireland, in the eighth century, of the race of the Dalaradians, kings of
Ulster. In his youth, renouncing all earthly pretensions, he chose
Christ for his inheritance, {568} embracing a religious state in the
famous monastery of Cluain-Edneach in East-Meath. Here he became so
great a proficient both in learning and sanctity, that no one in his
time could be found in Ireland that equalled him in reputation for every
kind of virtue, and for sacred knowledge. To shun the esteem of the
world, he disguised himself, and going to the monastery of Tamlacht,
three miles from Dublin, lived there seven years unknown, in the quality
of a lay brother, performing all the drudgery of the house, appearing
fit for nothing but the vilest employs, while his interior by perfect
love and contemplation was absorbed in God. Being at length discovered,
he some time after returned to Cluain-Edneach, where the continual
austerity of his life, and his constant application to God in prayer,
may be more easily admired than imitated. He was chosen abbot, and at
length raised to the episcopal dignity: for it was usual then in Ireland
for eminent abbots in the chief monasteries to be bishops. He was
remarkable for his devotion to the saints, and he left both a longer and
a shorter Irish Martyrology, and five other books concerning the saints
of his country, contained in what the Irish call Saltair-na-Rann. He
died about the year 824, not at Cluain-Edneach, but at Desert AEnguis,
which became also a famous monastery, and took its name from him. See
his acts in Colgan, p. 579.