TÃÂrechán was a 7th-century Irish bishop from north Connacht, specifically the Killala Bay area, in what is now County Mayo.
Based on a knowledge of Irish customs of the times, historian Terry OâÂÂHagan has concluded that TÃÂrechán was probably from a wealthy, elite family. Sometime in the 650s, he was sent to Ardbraccan in County Meath as a "fosterling" and student of Ultan, bishop of Ardbraccan. References to numerous geographical areas and to sites such as holy wells, cemeteries, crosses, and churches have led OâÂÂHagan to call TÃÂrechán one of the most "widely travelled" of early medieval writers.
TÃÂrechán is known to have authored one work, the Collectanea. This is a biography of St. Patrick which has been preserved in the Book of Armagh. The Collectanea is often called a hagiography, but it may be better described as an itinerarium. TÃÂrechán presents Patrick's journey through the north of Ireland and lists the various foundations he establishes along the way. TÃÂrechán wrote in Latin, and historian Terry OâÂÂHagan indicates that TÃÂrechánâÂÂs work should be considered "a work in progress" in that he probably died before his work was complete. TÃÂrechán says that he drew on the oral and written testimony of Bishop Ultán. Ultán was TÃÂrechán's teacher. TÃÂrechán wrote to promote the cult of Patrick, and he was especially critical of institutions associated with rival saints who possess foundations which TÃÂrechán viewed as belonging to Patrick. He chastises the community of Columba and Clonmacnoise for appropriating foundations associated with Patrick.
Tirechán has been credited, incorrectly, with authoring other texts. This includes the Catalogus Sanctorum Hiberniae, which Grosjean dated to c.900. Eoin Mac Neill had assigned TÃÂrechán as the author of Vita tripartita Sancti Patricii, however, this has been roundly rejected.
TÃÂrechán's Collectanea has been dated to between 688 and 693 by Thomas Charles-Edwards. TÃÂrechán mentions recent plagues that had afflicted Ireland. These probably refer to those recorded for 664-6 and 686-8. The late seventh century witnessed a flourishing of Patrician literature as seen in Muirchú's Vita Patricii and the Liber Angeli.