Urcaen macAelill

Faercilah of Drúmlaen

Urcaen macAelill (/'ɜː(ɹ) keɪn/; c. 580 - 659), known as Faercilah of Drúmlaen, was an early devotee of Saent Maedóc, who, after decades in service to the saent, became his Coaerb, Aerenah of Drúmlaen, and Abbot of the monastery there. He and his brother, Aelcaen, were the earliest and most steadfast associates of Saent Maedóc, becoming the esteemed saent's fosterlings as mere boys, and remaining by his side throughout their lives. In the fullness of time, Urcaen became Saent Maedóc's most beloved and reliable disciple, entrusted with managing the books of account for all of his churches and monasteries throughout Olengael.

As Saent Maedóc approached his last days, he appointed Urcaen to be his Coaerb - heir to his ecclesiastical authority, and to all of the holy relics and sacred books housed within his monasteries and churches. He also made Urcaen the Aerenah of Drúmlaen, with the right, indeed the duty, to collect and administer the profits, rents and levies of Drúmlaen's termon lands. In addition to these bequests, Maedóc also gave Urcaen a new name, Faercilah, meaning "man of the church," symbolic of his lifelong personal devotion to Maedóc and the fervent passion of his commitment to the faith.

Upon the death of Saent Maedóc, newly renamed Faercilah assumed the dual roles of Coaerb and Aerenah, with all of the wealth, power and influence inherent in those offices. Since that time, Urcaen’s descendants have been known as Clonn Faercilah, an ancient and honorable Ecclesiastical House that have served in an unbroken line as hereditary Coaerbs of Maedóc, and the Aerenahs and Abbots of Drúmlaen, for centurís.

Early Life

Urcaen was born in the late sixth centurí near the village of Tullyvár, in the pagan hills of southern Ardma. His father was Aelill macRechtaed, chief of a prosperous sept of the Clonn Óghán, an eminent branch of the Royal House of Clonn Niall. His mother’s name is unknown, though the Book of Drúmlaen suggests she was not one of the chief’s wives, but rather a concubine or slave. Urcaen was the second of Aelill’s sons, six years younger than his older half-brother Aelcaen.

When Urcaen was but a lad of seven years, a traveler from away came through the gate of his father’s ráth, alone and on foot. No knackered beggar he, this stranger was dressed in the robes of a cleric, though he was clearly not a druid. On his breast he wore a decoration, like the ogham mark aelem, suspended from his neck on a cord. His bearing was graceful and confident, and his voice commanding when he spoke to Aelill. The visitor introduced himself as Maedóc macSetna, come to teach the people of Ardma about a new god, named Íosa Críost, who promised everlasting life.

The outsider made an immediate impression upon Urcaen, who quickly became fascinated with his teachings, ever eager to hear more. Revealing insights and wisdom beyond his years, the young boy engaged with Maedóc, questioning and challenging the cleric in order to comprehend his words to the fullest extent. Likewise, Maedóc was impressed with the gifted young child's eagerness to learn and capacity for understanding, and quickly became quite fond of him.

In due course, having instructed and baptized several members of Aelill's family, including the boys Urcaen and Aelcaen, Maedóc determined to bring his catechism to another trave. Before setting out, he proposed that Aelill place Urcaen in fosterage with him, that the boy might continue in his theological education. Urcaen was eager to follow Maedóc, to learn more about his new Savior God. But the young boy was also reluctant to leave his family behind, especially his older brother, to whom he was closely attached.

Urcaen, precocious lad that he was, made his feelings known in no uncertain terms, declaring he would not leave without Aelcaen at his side. Maedóc, perhaps remembering a similar incident from his own childhood, agreed to the boy's demands, and accepted both brothers into his care as fosterlings. And in that fashion, young Urcaen and his half-brother Aelcaen, entered the religious life, becoming the first disciples of Saent Maedóc.

Disciple of Maedóc

Stained Glass Window of Saent Maedóc
Drúmlaen Abbey Church

Thereafter, Urcaen and his brother Aelcaen accompanied Saent Maedóc on his missionary peregrinations throughout northern Olengael, spreading the Gospel to the pagan Gael. Urcaen took easily to his studies, in time becoming the saintly cleric’s trusted aide and confidant. Likewise, Aelcaen also matured in his knowledge and his faith, assuming a protective role toward his beloved mentor. And thusly the boys came to be Maedóc’s most loyal and trusted friends, beyond all others.

For many years they travelled together, first in the north, and eventually throughout the length and breadth of Olengael. Together they spread the Gospel, converted and baptized pagans, and established churches and monasteries in every quarter of the island. They taught the ignorant, fed the hungry and comforted the sick. As the reputation and esteem of Maedóc increased over the years, young men came from across the land to be his students.

Men of great wealth and power sought him out, to be baptized into the faith by the cleric of great renown, and to grant him benefactions for the poor, and lands for churches and monastic houses. And it was to Faercilah that Maedóc entrusted the custody of his relics and books, and the oversight of his lands and accounts, which by the end of his life amounted to great earthly riches. In like manner, it would be to Faercilah that the Great Saent bequeathed the oversight of his monasteries and churches and the collection of his dues and tributes after him.