Bishop Joseph Duffy has published a new book Davnet and Dympna: a single cult. The book was launched in Tydavnet earlier this month. The guest speaker was Paraic Duffy, former Director-General of the GAA.
The book is a study of the life and the cult of both Dympna and Davnet or Damhnait, one of the patrons of the Diocese of Clogher and the patron of those suffering and living with mental illness.
It traces references to her in place names not only locally but much further afield; it shows how the cult spread to places in Ireland such as Lacey in Cavan, Achill Island and Kildalkey in Co Meath, as well as Gheel in Belgium and back to Wales.
It also references the pagan roots of the cult and her links to the goddess Damona. Finally, it gives a perspective on how Davnet speaks to the contemporary world and its more secular viewpoints.
Bishop Duffy spoke with Sheila Naughton all about it and whether he has another book in him to write :
