Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Colchu
COLCHU, Saint (d. 792), of the family of Ua Dunechda, was ferleighinn or prelector, that is in modern style head-master, of the famous school of Clonmacnoise. He is termed in the ' Annals ' ' chief scribe and master of the Scots ' (Irish), the office of scribe being so honourable in those days that the title was frequently added to enhance the celebrity of an abbot or bishop ; and from the specimens which have come down to us, such as the 'Book of Kells,' many of them appear to have been artists of no mean skill. He was also known as 'Colchu the wise,' and the 'general opinion was that no one in his age or country was equal to him in learning or superior in sanctity.' The only literary production of his of which we have any notice is that which bears the peculiar title of the 'Scuap Crabhaigh,' or 'the sweeping brush of devotion,' which Colgan had in his possession and meant to publish, though he never carried out his intention. The name was probably suggested by St. Luke xi. 25, where the soul from which the unclean spirit is gone forth is described as 'swept' ('scopis mundatam,' Vulg.)
The chief subject of interest connected with him is his correspondence with DNB lkpl|Alcuin}} [q. v.] Only one letter of the series has been preserved: it is from Alcuin to Colchu, and throws considerable light on Colchu's position in the literary world and the influence of the Irish on the continent in that age. It was published by Ussher and forms the eighteenth in his 'Sylloge Epistolarum.' The superscription is, 'To the blessed master and pious father Colchu, from the humble Levite Alcuin.' Alcuin calls him his holy father and speaks of himself as his son. The writer was at this time the preceptor and confidential adviser of Charlemagne, and he mentions Irish friends of Colchu as being with him in France. In reply to Colchu's desire for information on foreign affairs, he tells him of the progress of the church in Europe, lamenting at the same time the Saracen conquests in Asia and Africa respecting which he had previously written to him in detail. Alcuin in conclusion refers to certain presents which he sends Colchu from Charlemagne and himself. 'I have sent,' he says, 'fifty sicli of silver to the brethren, of the king's alms, and fifty of my own; thirty of the king's alms to the southern brethren of Baldhuninega, and thirty of my own; twenty sicli of the alms of the father of the family of Areida, and twenty of my own; and to every hermit three sicli of pure silver.' At the present value of silver this sum of two hundred or more siculi would be worth 10l. or 11l., but the value would be immensely greater at the early period of which we are treating.
The studies of Colchu were chiefly directed to the elucidation of the epistles of St. Paul, whom he accepted as his 'special master and patron in the spirit as well as in the letter,' and the story went that one day when returning with his books on his shoulder, St. Paul appeared in person, relieved him of the satchel, and bore it for him to his destination. An important theological discussion took place among the learned men of the school of Clonmacnoise; and the fathers of another establishment, with some others of high position and learning, took the opposite side to Colchu. The final decision was in his favour, his knowledge of the epistles of St. Paul giving him the advantage. It was after this, and no doubt in consequence of the ability of which he had given proof, that he was appointed to the responsible position of headmaster. It is to be regretted that we have no information as to the nature of the question under discussion. Colgan discusses the meaning of his name. Alcuin writes it Coelchu, which he interprets 'slight or thin hound.' Another form is Colga, which he thinks may be for Colg-cu, 'fierce hound.' The application of the name hound to an ecclesiastic was derived from secular usage, the word cu entering into the composition of the names of some of the most famous personages in Irish history and legend. His day is 20 Feb.
[Colgan's Acta Sanct. 20 Feb.; Petrie's Essay on the Round Towers, pp. 214-21; Annals of the Four Masters, i. 397; Ussher's Works, iv. 466; Reeves's Adamnan, p. 57, note; Lanigan's Eccl. Hist. iii. 207; Hallam's State of Europe during the Middle Ages, iii. 520; Stowe Missal in Royal Irish Academy; C. O'Conor's Dissertations on the History of Ireland, p. 219.]