Saint Odran

Odran or Odhran (fl. 430) was the charioteer of Saint Patrick and the first Christian martyr in Irish history. There are two different versions given about Odran's martyrdom. The first, in the Vita tripartita Sancti Patricii, states that on the borders of the future counties of Kildare and Offaly, the chieftain of that district, Failge Berraide, worshiped the pagan god Crom Cruach and vowed to avenge the god's destruction at Magh Slécht by killing Patrick. Odran overheard the plot, and as he and Patrick set out in the chariot to continue their journey, requested that he be allowed to hold the place of honour instead of Patrick, who granted his wish; scarcely had they set out when a lance pierced Odran's heart, who by changing places saved Patrick's life. The second version, contained in the pseudo-historical prologue (PHP) to the Senchas Már, the High-King Lóegaire mac Néill (died 462) suggests dispatching an assassin to kill someone from Patrick's household in order to test his preaching of forgiveness. The assassin is identified as King Lóegaire's brother Nuada (or nephew [?]) in the second paragraph quoted below, it being a paraphrase of the beginning sections of the PHP. Patrick then asked the Chief Ollam of Ireland, Dubhthach moccu Lughair to try the case, and this places the poet in a quandary because if he didn't impose an eric-fine this would seem an affront to Patrick, while if he did impose an eric, it would be an affront to God. However, Patrick assured him he would be inspired by God to speak what is right, and Dubhthach, after reciting the Senchus Mor as poetry, encompassing the Brehon law of Ireland, also referred to here as Patrick's law. pronounced judgment on the killer Nuada, who was condemned to death, though his soul went to Heaven. This was the earliest judgement on the conflicting values of Christian and pagan laws in Ireland. Saint Odhran is regarded as the first native Irish martyr to be martyred in Ireland.