Diarmaid the Just

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Diarmaid the Just was a 6th‑century Irish monk, abbot, writer, and confessor. He is also known by several spellings, including Diermit and Dermod. He led religious life on Inchcleraun Island in Lough Ree, County Longford, and founded a second monastery at Faughalstown, County Westmeath.

Around the year 530, Diarmaid founded a great monastery on Inchcleraun. He chose the quiet island to escape daily distractions, a place connected with Queen Medbh. His fame soon drew many disciples, including the famous Ciarán of Clonmacnoise. Seven churches are said to have been built on the island, and traces of six remain today. One church is Teampul Diarmada, believed to be Diarmaid’s own church. He was known as a good teacher and a gifted writer and poet, producing metrical psalms such as Cealtair Dichill.

The monastic school he founded on the island remained prestigious for about six centuries after his death, and the island itself was famous for pilgrimages in pre‑Reformation days. During the Reformation, an ivory statue of the saint was moved to protect it from destruction.

Diarmaid also founded another monastery, Caille‑Fochladha, at Lough Derryvaragh in County Westmeath, where there is a holy well dedicated to him.

Diarmaid’s nickname was “the Just.” He came from a princely Connacht family and was the youngest of Dediva’s notable children. Dediva (also called Editua or Deidi) was the mother of several saints, including Saint Senan, Saint Caillin, Saint Mainchín, Saint Felim, Saint Daigh, Saint Femia, and Senchán Torpéist. Dediva’s lineage traced back to Nath Í mac Fiachrach.

Diarmaid died on 10 January at Inchcleraun, and his feast is celebrated on that date. He is remembered as a devoted teacher, writer, and teacher of the Irish church.