Perhaps
no personal name in the Early Christian Period of Celtic Ireland was more
evocative of the Period than MaoilMhichil. Meaning, literally,
“bald Michael”, it’s colloquial interpretation was as “servant” or “devotee” of
Saint Michael. The “Saint Michael” was, of course Michael the Archangel
of the Old Testament - the warrior of God.
According to the ancient texts, the first adoptee of the name
was, paradoxically, the brother of Ona, archdruid of the Ui Briuin
clan, in about 460 AD. The choice of the name MaoilMhichil to
proclaim his new faith thus underlines the speed with which the transformation
was spreading, as well as the environment in which it was proceeding. What
could be more befitting to a newly baptized Warlord than to evoke the image of
God’s principal and most terrifying warrior.
© James M. Mulvihill UPDATED:
1/27/03