Mael Ísu Ua Brolcháin (died 1086), Irish churchman and writer.

Biography

A member of a high-class ecclesiastical family in what is now County Donegal, "genealogical sources give his father as Máel Brigte and his three brothers as Áed, Diarmait, and Muirecan." Besides holding a number of benefices and wielding considerable political influence, he was the author of the poem To an Elderly Virgin. He died as a member of the religious community of Armagh in 1086, recorded as being the chief sage of Ireland. Members of his lineage served as Bishop of Derry.

Works

His best-known work is a Latin and Irish hymn, Deus Meus Adiuva Me. Here are the modern Irish lyrics. For a translation by Professor Gerard Murphy of this well-loved piece see link below: Deus meus adiuva me Tabhair dom do shearch, a Mhic ghil Dé Tabhair dom do shearch, a Mhic ghil Dé Deus meus adiuva me. Domine da quod peto a te, Tabhair dom go dian a ghrian ghlan ghlé, Tabhair dom go dian a ghrian ghlan ghlé, Domine da quod peto a te. Domine, Domine, exaudi me, M’anam bheith lán de d’ghrá, a Dhé, M’anam bheith lán de d’ghrá, a Dhé, Domine, Domine exaudi me. For translation see Deus Meus, Adiuva Me and live version sung with harp

Sources