St Jarlath of Tuam (445-550) patron of the archdiocese
From a wealthy family?
Not much is known about the life of Jarlath (Irish Iarfhlaith).
However, he is regarded as the founder and patron saint of the archdiocese of Tuam in Galway, Ireland. From the second syllable of his name, fhlaith, meaning "lord", it could be taken that he came from a wealthy family; the meaning of the first syllable is unknown.
Cloonfush and reputation
Jarlath is said to have studied under Benen (Benignus), a disciple of St Patrick, and under St Enda at Aran Isalnd. The Féilire of Aengus tells us that he was noted for his mortification, fasting, and prayer.
His own first monastic foundation was at Cloonfush, some miles east of Tuam. Among his disciples there were Brendan of Clonfert and Colman of Cloyne.
Tuam
While Jarlath was travelling in his chariot west from Cloonfush, the wheel of the chariot broke.
A prophecy of Saint Brendan of Clonfert had foretold that this place where the wheel of the chariot would break would be the place where he would meet death. So Jarlath decided to found another monastic community here.
From this incident, the chariot wheel has become the symbol of the town of Tuam.
The diocese was established by the twelfth-century synods of Rathbreasail and Kells, and subsequently became an archdiocese absorbing into it two other medieval dioceses: Annaghdown and Mayo.
The present incumbent of the archdiocese is Most Reverend Michael Neary.
Death and feast
Jarlath died around 550.
His feast is on 6th June.