Gilla-Cóemáin (Gilla-Cóemgin)

Gilla-Cóemáin (Gilla-Cóemgin) (fl. c.1072) was one of the most distinguished poets and historians of pre-Norman Ireland, and made a very significant contribution to Irish pseudo-history and early history. His father was Gilla-Samthainne, whose name, which implies devotion to St Samthann (qv) of Clonbroney, suggests a west-midlands origin. Gilla-Cóemáin contributed to the formulation of an Irish world chronicle down to AD 1072, and was thereby responsible for assigning dates to a number of proto-historical events including the fall of Emain Macha, which he placed at AD 324/7, and the death of Niall Noígiallach (qv), which he dated to AD 405. His poem on the descendants of Gáedel Glas, supposedly early settlers in Ireland, forms part of the Lebor Gabála (The Book of Invasions). He was also the author of a poem summarising the history of Ireland from the Creation to the time of St Patrick (qv), and of a king-list ranging from earliest times to the reign of Brian Bórama (qv). One of his best known achievements was the translation into Irish of the ‘Historia Brittonum’, the full original of which he was willing to ascribe to Nennius. The ‘Historia’ purported to tell of the Roman conquest, the native revival, and the Anglo-Saxon invasion of Britain. It is understood that Gilla-Cóemáin died some time after 1072.