Mauchte, St

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Mauchte, St (d. c.535). Born in Britain, taken to Ireland by Christian parents, Mauchte became a disciple of St Patrick. When in Rome, he was allegedly consecrated by Pope Leo I. He returned to Ireland with twelve followers, eventually settling to build a monastery at Louth, and is claimed as its first bishop. The enormous community was said to include 200 bishops. Probably 90 when he died, one of many legends attached to him claims he lived for 300 years, a sentence pronounced on him by St Patrick for questioning the ages attributed to Old Testament patriarchs.

Audrey MacDonald