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Bible Encyclopedias
Brecan (Bracan, Brocan, or Berchan)
Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
or Brecan (Bracan, Brocan, Or Berchan)
Of those bearing this name it is difficult to define what properly belongs to each.
(1) Bishop of Ard-Braccan, commemorated December 6. He was of the race of Eoghain, son of Niall, and bishop of Meath; but the name of his place is derived from Brecan of Ara and Killbraccan.
(2) Of Cillmor-Dithruibh, commemorated August 9, is one of the nineteen saints of Kilmore, near the Shannon, Co. Roscommon.
(3) Of Cluain-catha and Ard-Bracan, July 16. In Mart. Doneg. he is Bracan of Cluain-catha in Inis-Eoghain, bishop of Ard-Brecain and abbot of Magh- bile. Another dedication may be April 29.
(4) Of Ros-tuire September 17. Mart. Doneq. calls him Bracan, and his name is still found in Killbraghan, County Kilkenny. In Colgan's Life of St. Abban an account is given'of a meeting between the two saints Abban and Brecan, the latter being abbot of the two monasteries in the region of Ossory, Ros-tuire and Cluaini-imurchuir; but we must doubt the legend.
(5) Bishop — May 1. This was Brecan of Ara and of Cill-Breacain, in Thomond, the son of Eochaidh Balldearg. In the island of Inishmore there was a beautiful parish: church, called Templum Brecani (Colgan, Acta Sanctorum, page 715). This Temple-braccan was St. Brecan's principal establishment; but he also founded and gave his name to Ard-Braccan, the diocesan seat of the bishop of Meath.
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McClintock, John. Strong, James. Entry for 'Brecan (Bracan, Brocan, or Berchan)'. Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/tce/b/brecan-bracan-brocan-or-berchan.html. Harper & Brothers. New York. 1870.
