however, there is no historical evidence that mac creiche existed, and much that suggests he was mythological. the tale of the eviction of mac creiche from inishcealtra, the island with what sounds like a sacred tree, may refer to christians taking a pagan sanctuary. the antiquarian thomas johnson westropp says that mac creiche's feast day was garland sunday, but was actually held on 11 august. on the sole basis of the date, mac creiche has been identified with saint mochta of louth. however, garland sunday was also the date of the pagan festival of the irish god lugh.