He was a descendant of the Uí Néill dynasty and often served as a peacemaker for that contentious tribe, who even accused St. Patrick of putting a curse on them.
Before he rose to prominence, Àedh was an illiterate farmer, a bumpkin of sorts who was bilked of his inheritance by his brothers. Seeking revenge, the future Saint abducted their maid and headed south. A local bishop, Illathan, stopped him on the road, asking, “What do you seek, my son? Paternal inheritance? Look! You have a father who owns the sky and the earth.” Àedh was convinced and returned the girl, but the bishop wasn’t finished. He had a vision that the not-particularly-religious Àedh should start his monastery. On the spot, Áedh was transfigured, “Whatever you say to me, I am prepared to do.” He soon became a bishop, founding a monastery in Westmeath.
From that time on, many miracles have been attributed to him, including his ability to fly, turn water into wine and seamlessly restore slit throats. But his signature gift was curing headaches. When Àedh learned that St. Brigid, several miles away, was suffering from a headache, he assumed her chronic pain as his own. When word of this cure got out, sufferers flocked to him, hoping their headaches would be shifted to Àedh’s head. Even today, migraine sufferers touch the stone outside where his church once stood in Rahugh, Westmeath. Legend has it that Àedh banged his own head into the stone so hard that it left a depression in the stone.
Àedh had a particular interest in religious women. There’s a story about when he visited a convent where the holy virgins had prepared a lavish meal for him. Àedh found himself unaccountably distressed, sensing something was wrong. It was: the nun serving him was pregnant. The Saint ran out the door in horror, but she followed him and made an act of perfect contrition. Àedh forgave her sin and more; he blessed her womb, and the baby disappeared as if it had never been there.
When he knew it was time to die, Àedh asked one of his monks to join him, but the selfish man refused. A convenient peasant volunteered instead, and the two lay down on Our Saint’s bed and died together. Hours later, St Columba saw his Àedh’s soul flying up to heaven.
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