Sechnall

SECHNALL, Saint. b. ca. 372/3; d. ca. 447. His Latin name was Secundinus. Little is known of his life; such information that we have, from early Irish manuscript sources, is conflicting. Sechnall may have been born in Lombardic Gaul or Italy, and was probably educated in Gaul. ‘Secundinus’/ ‘Secundus’ was a common late-Roman name in both Gaul and northern Italy. He seems to have been a bishop, included in the mission to Leinster led by Palladius. He was appointed bishop of Dunshaughlin (Irish ‘Domnach Sechnaille’, ‘Church of Sechnall’), Co. Meath. His feast-day is 27 November.  Sechnall is said to have composed the hymn ‘Audite omnes’ at his episcopal church at Domnach Sechnaill. According...