Ros Comáin/Roscommon "(the) wood, of Comán"
Date: 18/12/2023
With the passing of Christmas Day we move into the period called idir an dá Nollaig "between the two Christmases" in Irish, i.e. between An Nollaig "Christmas" on December 25th and Nollaig na mBan "Christmas of the women, women's Christmas" on January 6th. The first day of this period, Saint Stephen's Day, refers to Saint Stephen the martyr, but as he did not feature in the native Irish calendar of saints, he is not mentioned in any townland name of Irish origin, although he is commemorated in the parish name Saint Stephen's Within and Saint Stephen's Without in Waterford. Of the placenames connected with saints celebrated in native calendars on December 26th the best know is unquestionably Roscommon/Ros Comáin "the wood or the wooded height of Comán", who is described as 'Commán, ó Ross Comain' in the native Irish calendar Félire na Naomh nÉrennach (see logainm.ie: #100027). Among others whose feast was celebrated on December 26th is Coda, who gave his name to Kilcotty/Cill Coda "the church of Coda" in Wexford.
(Conchubhar Ó Crualaoich & Aindí Mac Giolla Chomhghaill)