mac creiche lived as a hermit in a structure made of four stones at a place called cluain í. the dwelling had "a stone at his back, a stone to each side, and a stone in front of him", and seems to have been designed for discomfort. he lived a frugal life: "mac creiche, the devout, loved / a hard and undefiled dungeon. / from shrovetide to easter would he subsist / upon only bread and cresses."