Daign

Daign (or Dega; Lat. Dageus), an Irish bishop of the 6th century, was son of Cairell, of the race of Eoghan. He was a pupil of St. Finnian of Clonard and, after he became a priest, gave the viaticum to St. Mochta of Louth. He was a skilfill artificer, and was said to pass his days in reading, and carving iron and copper, and his nights in transcribing manuscripts. The construction of three hundred bells and three hundred crosiers of bishops and abbots, with the transcription of three hundred copies of the gospels, is attributed to him. He died A.D. 587. His chief festival was August 18, although February 19 is given as a minor festival.