Carthage was born in County Kerry towards the end of the 6th century. Drawn to the monastic life by hearing the chanting of psalms he took his name from his teacher, Carthage the Elder. His major monastic settlement for nearly forty years was in Rahan, County Offaly. Exiled from there he came with his monks towards this County and was given this site “Moccody’s Hill” by the Chiefs of the Deise in 635. He died in 637 having lived his last 18 months as a hermit.