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Mil'' ' V>%!^iS^^^^K2StiVS^BMf» ^s^^^ffi 3 5 if ''^^^^^^^ ^^Hi a d H ''' j .■ ^^ii^^^^Bm ^M 3 <: ^MH i 1 ^IN 'I! >ilv i I'li; ^H elruan's tr Hi , ^ill.Ti , "^%~r*rrwJ»5Tii/*8SESiia! ljl|pJf^ga^^^BBi^^^l^5"^9BK*( < ■ ' > '-•"^ < H-vOO^^'^lSiB^wM^ •Tj^^flB^^^vfiB^^^^r '^i^Wk s H ^ >-^-:i% ~J^!C»^ »rf^»I^^M!l«< '^naNH^^F^Sw^ ^^E ■ ' ^^^^^0(^2v^^ ^^HR ^^^^^1^ Mtfl^-^nK H 11 !j, vlJ^^^^f^T^^^Sffl ^PHi^K^ C/3 1 ! i !■' ^1 s 1 ' ^-1>^r*w4r.^»pt^v^:i^^:wBr^alB?9■ Ufig^HMiSrn^^^SI ■^ 1 !i 'ill s^fi^sSijBj^^yi ? -"^TO > 'llllll k^ #^^s ^^m 1 ><< - LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS, WITH ^\)tt\nl ^t»i^vi^\^f m& iht (tommmoxniiowfi of itoltj ^txmxfi, COMPILED FROM fslphp, iBijigpiDjip. Bnii |apns %m^ii%, RELATING TO C!)e Ancient €i)xm\) JSi^torp of Jrelantr, BY THE REV. JOHN O'HANLON, M.R.I.A. Vol. I. Dublin : James Duffy and Sons, 15 Wellington -quay, and la Paternoster-row, London. London: Burns, Oates, and Co., 17 & 18 Portman-street, and 63 Paternoster-row, E.G. New York : The Catholic Publishing Society, 9 Warren-street. [all rights reserved.'\ 6X r.. ( JOSEPH DOLLARD, PRINTER, I3 & I4 DAMK-STREET, DUBLIN. INTRODUCTION. THROUGH all ages, the saints and servants of God furnish the brightest examples of faith and morals reduced to practice. Christian doctrine and the rule of life it enjoins are best promoted and most attractively shown to those, who study, with great care and pious reflection, the motives, words, and actions of religious persons. The applause of mankind, notwithstanding, is seldom lavished on objects really worthy of attention or deserving admi- ration. True virtue is ever unobtrusive. It avoids not only the public gaze and admiration of men, but even it seeks withdrawal from that interior consciousness, which — however natural and unpretending — may prove, it fears, false and exaggerated. The maxims of religion and of the world are often opposed in spirit and tendency. Hence, it so frequently happens, that the conquerors of earth are exalted in History above the benefactors of their race ; that incentives to ambition, dazzling achievement, and material great- ness are considered indications of superior genius ; while true wisdom, that disregards the rewards, the applause, the vanity of this world, in consi- deration of heavenly enjoyments, is too frequently unheeded, because its nature and merits are not sufficiently appreciated. Fame is usually but the echo of prevailing opinion, subject to various changes, or modified according to accidents of thought and expression. When it celebrates the actions of individuals, who have been distinguished in the present, or during a former age, and whose lives are worth recording on the page of History — not for the mere satisfaction of idle curiosity, but for the edification and improvement of posterity ; truth becomes served, through its means, and lessons of virtue are more easily inculcated. Thus, are the lives of really great men brought under observation, and proposed as examples for imitation to the human race. The History of our Holy Church presents subjects, whence sublime in- struction may be drawn, for the guidance of her faithful children. From earliest years, we have been taught to admire and venerate those sanctified persons, who have passed before us to the tomb, and who have attained the full possession of eternal rewards. Their lives and actions — their trials and sufferings — their virtues and merits — their temporal sacrifices and enduring recompense — their calm exit from this life to never-ending joys in Heaven ; — these, and similar considerations, have oftentimes reproduced miracles of Divine Grace, and have procured beatification for countless multitudes, iv INTRODUCTION. among the faithful, through succeeding ages. The ApostoHc labours and preaching — the Martyrs' torments ?ind death — the mortification and peni- tential exercises of Recluses — the constancy and heroism of Confessors — the stainless purity and tender devotion of Virgins — the Contemplatives' sublime aspirations — even the humble trust and final perseverance of Christians, more exposed to assaults of the world, the devil, and the flesh ; — all such examples, reverently presented to the view of a devout Catholic, can scarcely fail to excite in his mind those pious desires and that holy emulation, which, in every age, have peopled Heaven with saints. While those heroic souls constituted a happy portion of the Church on earth, their lively faith, their persevering zeal, their ardent charity, their extraordinary miracles and ordi- nary actions, were hidden from the generality of men. But, to the great Searcher of hearts, the noble motives that actuated His servants were fully known. As here they had lived the life of true Christians, so it followed, that in the Lord's sight the death of His saints was precious. When trans- lated to the choirs of the Church Triumphant in Heaven, those blessed spirits, who had achieved a victory over the world and its allurements, left bright examples and memorials for all succeeding generations to the Church Militant on earth. Hagiologists and ecclesiastical writers have been careful to preserve for us interesting incidents of Saints' Lives, with records of their merits and miracles, so far as these could be discovered. Biographical notices and references to their Acts mainly constitute sources, whence Church History is derived. Among the Greeks and Orientals, collections of such biographies were known as Menologias, and among the Latins they were styled Acta Sanctorum. Calendars and Martyrologies, compiled by various individuals or communities, have preserved for us more concise outlines of Saint History, with the commemorations and festivals of numerous holy servants of God, belonging to many different nations. For an Introduction, explaining the scope and design of this work, the writer deems it superfluous specially to descant on the general utility of Hagiography, or to dwell in detail on the labours of illustrious and learned men, who have devoted their lives to its culture and exposition. Not to men- tion the names of various ancient writers, who flourished before the invention of printing in the fifteenth century, and who have left behind them manu- script memorials of saints ; printed biographies, since pubhshed by a host of mediaeval and modern authors, have taken an extensive range through this interesting department of Church History. It must prove an almost impos- sible task to enumerate the various general, national, provincial, and local collections of Saints' Lives, which have been already published ; to particu- larize different languages or idioms wherein those acts have been written ; and to name all the individuals or congregations, who have been en- gaged, at stated periods, and at several places, in bringing them to light. While the writer of this present work has restricted his researches and con- fined his object to recording Lives of the Irish Saints, he has always felt tNTR OD uctiOn: regret that this fertile and wide domain of Ecclesiastical and National History should have been hitherto so imperfectly cultivated. However limited might appear, at first sight, that particular section of biography which comprises the Hagiology of so small a country as Ireland ; yet, it is scarcely to be hoped, in the ordinary course of nature, that any single person will be found to exhaust — even remotely — those rich treasures that remain after the wTeck of ages, and which contain materials for extended memoirs of distinguished saints, connected with our Island. Such records are now accessible to the generality of capable scholars and students. For- tunately and opportunely, for the proximate accomplishment of his object, the Lives of many Irish Saints, printed and in manuscript, have become available for the writer's purpose. Rare and voluminous archives chiefly grace the shelves of large public libraries, or are found among the private collections of men, possessing ample means and a taste for procuring scarce and valuable literary treasures. Several manuscript biographies of our national saints are yet to be found in the Irish, Latin, and other tongues, and many of these have not yet been published. From records that remain, we have been enabled to discover titles and occasional fragments, referring to numerous ancient and valuable Acts or Lives, that have been irreparably lost, or not hitherto recovered. How many more manuscripts have perished, during the changing fortunes of their former possessors, or through lapse of time, cannot be known to the present, or perhaps to any future generation. Within the limits of this Introduction it might be expedient-^were it possible — to present an abbreviated account of unpublished and published documents, that furnish the principal materials for compiling Irish Hagiology. Those manuscripts and printed works of chief importance must be noticed, however, in connexion with this subject, and especially according to the order of their first composition or publication. While several manuscript memorials of Irish saints are contained in the public libraries of Dublin city, and of other places throughout Ireland, a very considerable portion has been removed from this country. Some are to be found in private collections, belonging to gentlemen at present or lately in Ireland. Manuscripts have been undoubtedly lost, yet many are still preserved in the libraries of Great Britain and of various other countries on the Continent of Europe. The cities and towns, where those documents are kept, shall here be briefly noticed, and authorities are cited, that best serve to corroborate the several statements. It should require a separate and large volume to characterize the value and authenticity of those various records, regarded as sources for the illustration and development of our Saint History. From earliest ages of the Church, writers were accustomed to register Acts of the Martyrs and Lives of the principal Saints. This usage was adopted in Ireland, likewise, and from the first dawn of Christianity in our Island. Many of those writers even deserve to rank among the Beatified. Abundant sources for Hagiography formerly existed, but, at present, many fail the research of modern Irish archaeologists and historians. Besides vJ JNIR OD UCTIOM. treating topics purely moral and doctrinal in poems and prose writings, various ancient authors have compiled Acts and Lives of our Saints. Calendars and Martyrologies, Festilogies and Litanies, Canonical Decrees and Epistles, the Rules and Exercises of Monastic observance, Penitentials, Visions and Revelations, H)nTins and Panegyrics, Dialogues, Prophecies and Legends, Psalters, sacred Genealogies and local Traditions, as also our generally accurate Annals and Chronicles, have respectively their relative and authentic value to evolve the facts of past Ecclesiastical History from much obscurity. To those old writers and their tracts, we can only allude in a very cursory manner. For a more suitable place and distribution of topics, in succeeding pages, further literary details and biographical infor- mation are reserved. Although we may be arrested occasionally by the introduction of some remarkable writer or work, in the chronological order of this recapitulation ; yet, it will only be done to furnish the studious reader with some necessary previous knowledge for better understanding the period, character, and impor- tance of authorities, frequently cited throughout these volumes. Not to speak of some Irish persons, who flourished, it is thought, before the time of St. Patrick, and who are said to have written as Christians, it will suffice to state, that, in the fifth and sixth centuries, some of our earliest and best kno\vTi saint authors lived and wrote. Their literary labours, when well authen- ticated, best serve to illustrate their personal history ; or, when treating about the peculiar topics and authors hereafter enumerated, it must appear that the respective writers, without concerted action, have wTought a chain of evidence, every link of which, making all due allowance for defective parts, will bear the strain of opposing force, and lift our early Irish Church and her sanctified ones to the highest level and brightest position yet attained by other Chris- tian nations. Section I. — Irish Hagiologists of the Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Centuries. The great Apostle of Ireland, St. Patrick,^ has left us, as genuine tracts,* a short Confession, Epistles, and Canonical Decrees ; but other treatises ascribed to him are not regarded as quite authentic.^ His successor in the see of Armagh, St. Binen, or Benignus,* is said to have written a book, partly in Irish, and partly in Latin, on the Virtues and Miracles of St. Section I. — ' See his Life at the 17th of learned Spanish Priest, at Dublin, a.d. March. 1835, in an octavo volume, having for its ' In the opinion of good critics. title, " Sancti Patricii, Ibemorum Apostoli, 3 Sir James Ware published at London, Sjmodi, Canones, Opuscula, et Scriptorum A.D. 1656, an octavo volume, "Opuscula quae supersunt, Fragmenta ; scholiis illus- Sancto Patricio, qui Hibemos ad fidem trata," a Joachimo Laurentio Villanueva, Christi convertit, adscripta." But by far Presbytero. It is already a very scarce the most correct and erudite edition of our work. Apostle's compositions is that issued by a * Sec his Life at the 9th of November. INTRODUCTION. Vll Patrick, as also a tract, called the Leabhar na g-Ceart, or the Book of Rights.s Dubthach Ua Lugair,^ Arch-Poet to King Laogaire, became an early convert to Christianity, and thenceforward his gifts of intellect were employed in composing elegant verses, praising the Omnipotent Creator, and extolling His holy preachers.7 The disciple of this Dubthach, St. Fiec or Fiach,^ afterwards Bishop of Sletty, wrote an Irish Hymn of Thirty-four Distichs or Ranns, on the Acts of St. Patrick.9 Sedulius, an accompHshed Poet, Orator, and Divine,'° has left behind him many works in prose and verse." To St. Cathaldus, Bishop of Tarentum," some prophecies have been ascribed. '^ St. Kianan or Cienan, Bishop of Duleek,'+ is said to have written a Life of St. Patrick, by whom he had been baptized.^s gt. Fridolin,^'^ the son of an Irish king, flou- rished towards the close of the fifth and the beginning of the sixth century. He wrote some pious Exhortations and Treatises, now supposed to be lost.'7 5 This work has been most ably edited for the Celtic Society, by the late John O' Donovan, LL.D., who has added a valu- able Introduction, a Translation from the Irish, and notes. It was published at Dub- lin, A.D. 1847, in an octavo volume. * See a valuable series of erudite Disqui- sitions by the Rev. John Francis Shearman, intituled, "LocaPatriciana,"inthe "Journal of the Royal Historical and Archaeological Association of Ireland," vol. ii.. Fourth Series, No. iii., pp. 486 to 498, and No. iv. pp. 544 to 560. Also vol. iii. No. v. pp. 24 to 59, and No. vi. pp. 183 to 196. 7 Colgan maintains, he possessed different little compositions of this celebrated poet. See ' ' Trias Thaumaturga, " n. 5, p. 8. ^ See his Life at the 12th of October, 9 This, with a Latin translation and notes, has been published by Colgan, as the first of St. Patrick's Lives, in the "Trias Thauma- turga." See pp. I to 10. It was originally extracted from the " Liber Hymnorum," a MS. now preserved in the Franciscan Con- ventual Library, Dublin. Another Irish version, with an English translation, intro- ductory observations and notes, will be found in " The Irish Ecclesiastical Record," vol. iv., pp. 269 to 293. March, 1868. The Rev. Dr. Todd was about to introduce this Hymn, in his edition of the "Liber Hymno- rum ;" but he has left the Preface even in- complete, at part ii., p. 304. This is all we have as yet published, and it issued soon after the death of the lamented Dr. Todd, in 1869. " See his Life at the 12th of February. " John of Trittenhem enumerates some of these works, in his * ' Catalogus Scriptorum Ecclesiasticorum, sive illustrium virorum, cum Appendice eorum, qui nostro etiam seculo doctissimi claruere," fol. xxxiiii. a. This work was published at Cologne, A.D. 1531, in quarto shape. Bale has added to John of Trittenhem's List, in his " Scripto- rum Illustrium Majoris Brytannije, quam nunc Angliam et Scotiam vocant, Catalogus: a Japheto per 3618 annos, usque ad annum hunc Domini 1557." Cent. xiv. p. 187. Owing to the author's peculiar bias and temperament, this work is not very reliable, except in passages, chiefly extracted from Leland's collection. See also Bellarmin, "De Scriptoribus Ecclesiasticis," pp. 149 to 152. " See his Life at the 8th of May. '3 See Bartholomew Moroni, "Vita S. Cathaldi." This was published at Rome, A.D. 1614. See also Wills' "Lives of Illus- trious and Distinguished Irishmen," vol. i., part i. First Period, p. 77. '* See his Life at the 29th of November. ■5 See Harris' Ware, vol. iii. " The Writers of Ireland," book i., chap. ii. p. Ii. '^ See his Life at 6th of March. *7 Such is the statement of Bale, in his work already mentioned. Cent. xiv. No. x. p. 188. In his " Historia Ecclesiatica Gen- tis Scotorum," tomus i., lib. vi., No. 515, pp. 280, 281, Dempster adds the titles of other works, but he cites no authority for his statement. See Edinburgh edition, a.d. 1829. This writer's great partiality for Scotland induces him improperly to claim the present saint, as also many other saints and writers, although unquestionably these were Irishmen. vm INTROD UCTION. St. Ailbe, Bishop of Emly,^^ is believed to have compiled a Rule for Monks, ^9 which had been preserved in manuscript.^" The illustrious St. Brigid,^^ justly regarded as the great luminary in our Irish Church, about the close of the fifth and beginning of the sixth centu- ries, is stated to have composed a Rule for her Nuns, and to have written some devout poems and epistles.^^ Her chaplain, St. Nemid or Ninnidh Lainidan,=^3 is said to have produced some Hymns, in one of which there is a Panegyric of St. Brigid.^-^ St. Brogan Cloen,*s Abbot of Rostuirck in Ossory, also wrote an Irish Hymn in her praise.^*^ Cogitosus compiled a Life of St. Brigid.^7 St. Diarmuid, the Just, was Abbot of Inis-Clothran,'^ and to him is attri- buted a work in the form of a Psalter, wherein fifty-two Irish saints are com- memorated."9 St. Finen or Finian, Bishop of Clonard, is enumerated among our writers. 3° A certain Geman wrote a hymn in praise of this holy Bishop.3^ St. Kieran, Abbot of Clonmacnoise,^" is also said to have written a Rule for his Monks, and it is known under a title, The Law of Ciaran, the Artificer. 33 Some Prophecies are rather doubtfully ascribed to St. Jarlath,34 Bishop of Tuam.35 Amergin Mac Auley, Poet Laureate to Dermod Mac Carroll,3'5 is supposed to be author of the Dinnsenchus, or the Etymology of Remarkable Places in Ireland. 37 Again, the Canons of '^ See his Life at the I2th of September. '' This seems to have been the Law of St. Albe, embraced in Munster, according to the "Ulster Annals," at a.d. 792. See Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum Hibemicarum Scrip- tores, "tomus iv. Annales Ultonienses, p. 1 16. =~ See Harris' Ware. Vol. iii. "The Writers of Ireland," book i. chap. ii. p. 6. '' See her Life at the ist of February. "^ Other writings are likewise ascribed to her. See Colgan's " Trias Thaumaturga,"' Appendix Tertia ad Acta S. Brigidae, cap. ii., p. 610. The life of St. Brigid is more fully treated, at the ist of February, the day of her chief festival. The work attributed to her by Bale, " Suarum Revelationum, lib. i.," on the authority of some older writers, Sir James Ware believes should rather be ascribed to St. Brigid of Sweden. See "De Scriptoribus Hiberniie," lib. i. cap. ii., p. 9. "3 See his Life at the 2nd of April. "* His acts occur at the i8th of January, according to Colgan. See "Acta Sancto- rum Hibemise," xviii. Januarii. Vita S. Nennidhii, pp. iii to 115. 'S See his Life at the 17th of September, =«See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga." Appendix Tertia ad Acta S. Brigidae, cap. i., p. 609. His feast occurs at the 17th of September. '7 See Gerard Vossius, " De Scriptoribus Latinis," lib. iii., p. 624. Canisius, "An- tiquje Lectiones," tomus v. =** See his Life at the loth of January. '9 Colgan says,' he had a copy of this Poem, but he thinks that interpolations have been inserted there by a more recent hand. See "Acta Sanctorum Hibernifc," X. Januarii, Vita S. Diermitii, n.9, pp. 51,52. 30 His Life is given at the 1 2th of Decem- ber. For his imputed writings, see Sir James Ware's " De Scriptoribus Hiberniae," lib. i., p. 10. 3' See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber- niae," xxiii. Februarii, Vita S. Finiaui, cap. xxiii., p. 395. ^ See his Life at the 9th of September. 33 See Sir James Ware's " De Scripto- ribus Hiberniae," lib. i., p. 10. 3* See his Life at the 6th of June. 35 Colgan had a copy of those reputed prophecies. See "Acta Sanctorum Hiber- niae, "xi. Februarii, VitaS. Hierlathi, p. 309. 3* See Dr. Kelly's edition of Gratianus Lucius, or Lynch's "Cambrensis Eversus," vol. i., cap. vii., pp. 376 to 379. 3' Copies of this ancient tract are pre- served in the Libraries of Trinity College, and of the Royal Irish Academy, Dublin. INTR on UCTION. IX the Blessed Frigidian^^ are attributed to a celebrated Irish Bishop of Lucca, who bore that name, and there founded a monastery.39 St. Ruadan''° flourished in the sixth century, and it is said he wrote three different tracts.'*' Much about the same time, St. Brendan,'*^ Bishop of Clonfert, — some maintain, however, that he ruled over the see of Ardfert — wrote a Rule for his Monks, and other treatises have been ascribed to him.43 His namesake and contemporary, St. Brendan, 44 Abbot of Birr, has ascribed to him some enco- miastic verses on St. Columkille.45 This latter great Apostle of Caledonia*^ is the reputed author of Saints' Acts, Prophecies, Monastic Rules, Poems, and Religious Tracts.^? St. Comgall, or Congall,4S Abbot of Bangor, is said to have Wtten a Rule for Monks and some Epistles.49 St. Eochaid Dalian, the Blind, 5° wrote some Irish poems in praise of St. Columkille, of St. Senan, Iniscathay, and of St. Conald Coel, Abbot of Inis-Coel.s' St. Colgius or Colchuo,52 is said to have been author of a Treatisess on the Miracles of his Master, St. Columkille. 54 St. Baithen, Abbot of Iona,5s is also said to have written in Irish verse, The Life of St. Columba.s'^ To St. Canice, Abbot of Aghaboe,57 has been attributed a Biography and Hymns, eulogistic of the same saint, s^ The foregoing enumeration, however, by no means exhausts the list of Hagiograpers,S9 who lived in the fifth and sixth centuries. They are contained in the Books of Lecan, Leinster, and Ballymote. Also in the MS., classed H. 2. 15, and H. 3. 3, T.C.D. See Eugene O'Curry's " Lectures on the Manu- script Materials of Ancient Irish History," Lect. i., pp. 9, 10. Lect. ii., n. 28, p. 49. Lect. iii., p. 53. Lect. ix., pp. 188, 193. Lect. xii., p. 257. Lect. xiv., p. 302. Lect. xxi. p. 449. 3^ See his Life at the iSth of November. 39 His Acts, with notes and appendices, are published by Colgan. See "Acta Sanc- torum Hibemiae," xviii. Martii. Vita S. Fridiani, sive Findiani, pp. 633 to 651. *° See his Life at the 15th of April, 4' See Harris' Ware, vol. iii. "Writers of Ireland," book i., chap, iii., pp. 16, 17. *" See his Life at the 1 6th of May. ^3 See Bale's "Scriptorum Illustrium Ma- joris Brytanniae, &c. Catalogus." Cent, xiv., No. 78, p. 236, and Arnold Wion's ' ' Lig- num Vita;," lib. ii. 4* See his Life at the 29th of November. 45 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga. " Quinta Vita S. Columbse, cap. xli. and Appendix Tertia, pars, i., p. 469. ** See his Life at the 9th of June. 47 The reader is referred for very complete particulars regarding him to Colgan's " Trias Thaumaturga," pp. 31910514. See Tertia Appendix ad Acta S. ColumbiE, pars. ii.,pp. 471 to 473. Also, to the Rev. William Reeves' edition of Adamnan's " Life of St. Columba," published in a large quarto volume, with learned Introduction, notes, and Appendices, for the Irish Archaeological Society, Dublin. '■^ See his Life at the loth of May. Also, Sir James Ware, "De Scriptoribus Hiber- nire," lib. i., p. 14. ^9 See Dempster's " Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Scotomm," tomus i., lib. iii.. No. 254, p. 152. s" See his Life at the 29th of January. 5' See Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- nias," xxix. Januarii. Vita S. Dallani, pp. 203 to 205. s« See his Life at the 20th of February. S3 See Dr. Reeves' Adamnan's "Life of St. Columba," lib. i., cap, 17, 35, pp. 45, 46, 65, 66, and accompanying notes. S'* In Dempster's " Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Scotonim," tomus i., lib. vii., num. 578, he is called " St. Golgus." 55 See his Life at the 9th of June. 5* See O'Donnell's "Vita S. Columbae," lib. i., cap. xxvi., p. 393. Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga." Also, Appendix Tertia ad Acta S. Columbae, Pars Prima, p. 470. 57 See his Life at the nth of October. 5* See Sir James Ware, " De Scriptoribus Hiberniae," lib. i., cap. iii., p. 34. 59 Many of these are unknown by name, while it is uncertain if the tracts ascribed to INTRODUCTION. In the sixth, and early in the seventh century, St. Colman,^ Bishop of Cloyne, is said to have written a Life of St. Senan,^' in Metre.^^ St. Kevin or Coemgen, Abbot of Glendalough,^3 is thought to have written a Rule for his Monks, while other Tracts have been ascribed "to him.*^* St. Ethernan or Ernan,^3 and St. Eoglod or Eochod,^^ both disciples of St. Columkille, are stated, likewise, to have written his Acts.^7 St. Molua, otherwise called Lugid, Abbot of Clonfert Molua,^^ wrote a most admirable Rule for Monks, which is said to have obtained the highest approbation from Pope St. Gregory the Great.^9 St. Evin,7° Abbot of Ros-Glas, or Monasterevin, is said to have wTitten the Lives of St. Patrick and of St. Congall.7' St. Fintan Munnu,7=» Abbot of Tagh- mun, is classed, likewise, with the sacred Avriters of the seventh century. 73 St. Baithen, Abbot of Tech-Baithen,74 St. Virgnous,7S St. Gallanus or Grellanus,76 St. Ereneus or Ernenenus of Rathnew,77 St. Murus, Abbot of Fahan,78 g^^ Failbe, Abbot of Iona,79 St. Cumene the Fair,^" and probably many other holy men of this age,^* ^vrote Acts or Panegyrics of the illustrious St. Colum- kille.^^ Besides these authors, St. Colman, Bishop of Dromore,^3 compiled a Rule for his Monks during this century.^* But, by far the most distin- guished Irish ecclesiastical writers of this period were St. Columbanus,^^ the renowned Abbot of Luxeuil,^^ and St. Gall,^7 the Apostle of Switzerland.^^ St. Carthage or Mochudu,^? Abbot, prepared a Rule for Monks, written in the Irish language.9° An accomplished hagiographist^^ was St. Jonas, Abbot others are authentic or referable to this bishop, at the 1 7th of September, of a St. period, or to their reputed authors. Grellan at the 1 8th of September, of a St. *° See his Life at the 24th of November. Grellan, of Lann, at the loth of November, '' See his Life at the 8th of March. and of a St. Grealloc Oeblach, of Tamlacht, ** See Harris' Ware, vol. iii. " Writers at the 13th of July. Among these, it is dif- of Ireland," book i., chap, iii., p. 21. ficult to find the author. *3 See his Life at the 3rd of June. 77 His feast was held on the i8th of August. ** See Dr. Hanmer's " Chronicle of Ire- 78 gee his Life at the 12th of March, land," pp. 120, 121. 79 He is venerated on the 22nd of March. *5 See his Life at the 23rd of December. ^o ggg j,js Ljfg ^x. the 24th of February. ** See his Life at the 25th 'of January. ^i gee Venerable Bede's " Historia lic- '7 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga." clesiastica Gentis Anglomm," lib. iii., cap. Tertia Appendix ad Acta S. Columbze, iv., pp. 168, 169. Cambridge edition, A. ». pars, i., p. 470. 1644, fol. *8 See his Life at the 4th of August. Also, ^2 ggg Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga." Sir James Ware, "De Scriptoribus Hiber- Tertia Appendix ad Acta S. Columbae, pars nise," lib. i., cap. iii., p. 17. i., p. 470. ^ See Dr. Hanmer's " Chronicle of Ire- 83 gee his Life at the 7th of June, land," pp. 121, 122. 84 gee Harris' Ware, voL iii. " Writers 7° See his Life at the 22nd of December. of Ireland," book i., chap, iv., p. 26. 7' See Harris' Ware, vol. iii. " Writers 85 ggg i^jg Life at the 21st of November, of Ireland," book i., chap, iv., p. 23. 8« ggg Fleming's " Collectanea Sacra." 7" See his Life at the 21st of October. 87 ggg ^jg Life at the i6th of October. "gee Harris' Ware, vol. iii. "Writers 88 ggg Henricus Canisius, " Antiquse Lec- of Ireland," book i., chap, iv., pp. 23, 24. tiones," tomus v. T- See his Life at the 22nd of May. *' See his Life at the 14th of May. 75 See his Life at the 2nd of March. 9° See Harris' Ware, vol. iii. " Writers ?' The feast of a St. Grellan, sonof Rotan, of Ireland," book i., chap, iv., p. 29. occurs at the 15th of April.of a St. Grellan, «' See Ibid. INTRODUCTION. XI of Luxeuil.52 St. Moling, Archbishop of Ferns,93 is accounted a writer of Prophecies. s-^ St. Dagan, Abbot of Achad-Dagain,95 St. Segene, Abbot of Iona,96 St. Aidan, Apostle of Northumbria,97 St. Finan, Bishop of Lindis- fame,98 St. Camin, Abbot of Iniscaltra,99 St. Fursey, Abbot of Lagny/°° St. Manchen, supposed to be the Wise,'°' St. Colman, Bishop of Lindisfarne,'°" and St. Disibod,'°3 styled Bishop of Dublin/"* as ecclesiastical writers, also belong to this century. ^°s In addition to the foregoing list, St. Ultan, Bishop of Ardbraccan,'°* St. Tirechan, Bishop'°7 St. Aileran, the Wise,'°^ Mac- cuthen,'°9 and Ainmire or Animosus, are said to have written, in prose or verse. Acts of St. Patrick and of St. Brigid."° St. Cumin of Connor'" wrote in Irish verse a Poem, which has been published,"^ on the Singular Virtues of the Principal Irish Saints."^ St. Livinus, the Martyr,"-* wrote some elegant Latin verses."5 With some few additional names must we close this section. St. Braccan, Abbot of Ardbraccan,"^ Colman 0'Cluasaigh,"7 St. Fiacre, the Hermit,"^ Maildulph, the Monk,"9 of Malmsbury,"" St. Carnech, surnamed Moel,"^ St. Cuthbert,"^ Bishop of Lindisfarne, and St. Kilian,"^ Apostle of Fran- '*See Sir James Ware, "De Scriptoribus Hibemise," lib. i., cap. iii., p. 21. 93 See his Life at the 17th of June. 9* See Wills' " Lives of Illustrious and Distinguished Irishmen," vol. i., part i. First Period, pp. 109, no. 95 See his Life at the 13th of September. 9* See his Life at the 1 2th of August. 9'' See his Life at the 31st of August. 9** See his Life at the 9th of January. 99 See his Life at the 25th of March. '°* See his Life at the i6th of January. "' Some doubts are entertained regarding the identity of the holy man thus distin- guished among the many saints called Man- chen. "=" See his Life at the 8th of August. "3 See his Life at the 8th of July. "^ His feast is assigned to the 8th of July in John Wilson's " Martyrologium Anglica- num." See John D' Alton's "Memoirs of the Archbishops of Dublin," pp. 20, 21. "SSee Harris' Ware, vol. iii. " Writers of Ireland," book i., chap. iv. Also Bishop Nicholson's " Irish Historical Library," chap. iv. »°* See his Life at the 4th of September. '°7 See his Life at the 3rd of July. "■^ See his Life at the 29th of Decem- ber. "^See Wills' "Lives of Illustrious and Distinguished Irishmen," vol. i., part i. First Period, p. 151. "° See Harris' Ware, vol. iii. " Writers of Ireland," book i., chap, iv., p. 37. "' He is said to have flourished about the year 656. '" He devotes a stanza of four lines to eulogize some remarkable virtue or heroic action of each saint. This poem has been translated into English by Professor Eugene O'Curry, and published with the original Irish, by the Rev. Matthew Kelly, D.D., in his " Calendar of Irish Saints," pp. 160 to 171. "3 See Wills' " Lives of Illustrious and Distinguished Irishmen," vol. i., part i. First Period, p. 142. "•♦ See his Life at the 12th of November. "5 See John D'Alton's " Memoirs of the Archbishops of Dublin," pp. 16 to 18. "* See his Life at the 6th of December. "7 See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber- niae," xx. Januarii. Vita S. Molaggse, n. 7, p. 149. "* See his Life at the 30th of August. "9 See Bale's " Illustrium Majoris Brytan- niae Scrip torum Catalogus," Cent, xiv.. No. 26. ''° See, also, William of Malmsbury, " De Gestibus Regum Angliae," lib. i., cap. ii. "' See Harris' Ware, vol. iii. " Writers of Ireland," book i., chap, iv., p. 47. "' See his Life at the 20th of March. "3 See his Life at the 8th of July. XI! INTRODUCTION. conia,^^* are enumerated among the Irish writers who adorned the seventh century."s Many other anonymous authors, whose works have not been subjected to very critical tests, or whose writings have been lost, lived during this flourishing period of Irish ecclesiastical literature. Section 1 1. — Irish Hagiologists of the Eighth, Ninth, Tenth, and Eleventh Centuries. To the eighth century — within which immediately succeeding writers de- parted this life — more properly are ascribed, Sedulius the Younger,^ ^engus Mac Tiprait,^ Colman Vamach or Huamacensis, a scribe of Armagh,3 Albuin or Witta,* and St. Colchuo or Colga,s the Wise.^ The illustrious St. Virgil,? Bishop of Saltzburgh, belonged to this age,^ remarkable for its learned men. St. Adamnan, Abbot of lona, was a very distinguished writer ;9 Choelian or Coelan, a Monk of Iniscaltra,'° St. Ciaran or Kiaran the Devout," Abbot of Belaigduin," Ermedus, Hermetius, or Airmedach,'3 sup- posed to have been Bishop of Clogher, as also Cruimthir CoUait or CoJlon,'* and especially St. Maelruan, Abbot of Tallagh,'s with various other authors. '-•*See Wills' " Lives of Illustrious and Distinguished Irishmen," vol. i. , part i. First Period, p. 150. »*s See Harris' Ware, vol. iii. " Writers of Ireland," booki., chap. iv. Also Bishop Nicholson's " Irish Historical Library," chap. iv. Section ii. — ' See Harris' Ware, vol. iii. *' Writers of Ireland," book i., chap, v., pp. 47, 48. ^See Sir James Ware, " De Scriptoribus Hibemioe," lib. i., cap. iii., p. 35. 3 See Harris' Ware, vol. iii. " Writers of Ireland," book i., chap, v., p. 48. Also, Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga. " Septima Vita S. Patricii, n. 50, p. 172, and Quarta Appendix ad Acta S. Patricii, pars, iii., p. 218. * See Trithemius, "DeViris Illustribus Ordinis Benedictini," lib. iii., cap. 367, and lib. iv., cap. 190. The festival of this holy man is observed on the 26th of October, where some notices regarding him will be found. 5 See his Life at the 20th of February. 'See Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- nise," XX. Februarii. Vita S. Colchonis sive ColgiE, pp. 378, 379. ' See his Life at the 27th of November. "See Wills' "Lives of Illustrious and Distinguished Irishmen," vol. i., part i. Second Period, pp. 233, 234. ' See his admirable Memoir, written by the Rev. Dr. Reeves, and prefixed to an edition of Adamnan's "Lifeof St Columba." The biography of St. Adamnan occurs at the 23rd of September. '° See Dr. John Lanigan's " Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. i., chap, viii., sec. ii., n. 18, p. 381. The feast of this saint is kept on the 29th of July. " His feast occurs on the 14th of June. " See Sir James Ware, ' ' De Scriptoribus Hibemiae," lib. i., cap. iv., p. 37. '3 His feast is kept on the 2nd of Feb- ruary, according to Colgan's "Trias Thau- maturga." Quarta Appendix ad Acta S. Patricii, pars, iii., p. 218. Yet, it seems more likely, his feast should be referred to a different day. '♦ See ibid. He is said to have been of Druim-reilgeach. '5 See his Life at the 7th of July, the date for his festival. The Frontispiece to this volume represents the chief scene of his labours, and an object associated in popular tradition with his name. " St. Maelruan's Tree" — of the walnut species — yet grows, and it covers an immense extent of ground, in a garden attached to the modern Domi- nican Convent of Tallagh, eight miles from Dublin city. On this spot most probably stood the ancient monastic establishment of St. Maelruan. At a later period, appa- IN7R0DUCTJ0K XI u are said to have compiled Acts of Saints or Treatises, which furnish sources to illustrate Irish hagiography, during the eighth century. ^^ But by far the most valuable collection of records on Irish biographical lore, that have come down to our time, is that left us by the celebrated St. ^n- gus, the Culdee, who wrote towards the latter part of the eighth, and the be- ginning of the ninth century.'? It is said, that while this holy and learned man lived in the Monastery of Tallagh, under the Abbot, St. Melruain, both were engaged in compiling from earlier records that very complete Calendar of Irish Saints, known and generally quoted as " Martyrologium Tamlach- tense," or " The Martyrology of Tallagh."'^ Sometimes, from the compilers' names, it is designated, "The Martyrology of ^ngus, the son of Ua-Oblein, and of Moelruain."'9 Very few copies of this work have come down to our time, in manuscript ; and these hitherto discovered are found to be imper- fect, while faultily transcribed or interpolated by scribes, who assume to have copied from the original work. rently after its dissolution, the place passed into the hands of the Archbishop of Dublin, and here, in 1324, Alexander de Bicknor built a fine mediaeval castle or palace for his country residence. Here, too, several of his successors dwelt. In 1 771, Gabriel Beran- ger made a drawing of it, which is extant. Until 1803, the Protestant Archbishops of Dublin resided in this palace. In 181 8, W. Monck Mason had a beautiful copperplate engraving, by S. Lacey, prepared by C. V. Fielding from a sketch by P. Byrne, and this view he dedicated to His Grace Euseby, Lord Archbishop of Dublin, &c. , &c. This has been reproduced in the new and en- larged edition of Archdall's " Monasticon Hibemicum," edited, with extensive notes, by the Right Rev. Patrick F. Moran, D.D., Lord Bishop of Ossory, and other distin- guished Antiquarians. In vol. i., at p. 201, there is an elegant view of the Ancient Ar- chiepiscopal Palace, Tallaght, in the County of Dublin. In 1825, this Palace was taken down, with the exception of its ancient square belfry tower, now incorporated with the new Dominican Convent, as shown in the background of our Frontispiece. On the 6th of January, 1839, during a night of fear- ful storm, "St. Maelruan's tree," which had for centuries grown upright — yet parted near the roots — from two large trunks ; these were blown down in opposite direc- tions, and several of their branches were firmly bedded in the earth. Each autumn, this fine tree is loaded with a vast number of walnuts. The people believe it had been planted originally by St. Maelruan, and that it has continued to grow there since his time. '*See Harris' Ware, vol. iii. "Writers of Ireland," book i., chap. v. Also, Bishop Nicholson's "Irish Historical Library," chap. iv. '7 See the "Life and Works of St. .^n- gussius Hagiographus or St. ^ngus the Culdee," by the author. Dublin, 1868, 8vo. See, also, the Life of this saint, which occurs at the nth of March, the date for his festi- val. '* John Boland, who had possibly seen an old copy belonging to John Colgan and the Franciscans, at Louvain, confesses, that he was unable to decide what degree of autho- rity should be attached to it. When quoting it, for his purpose at the latter days of January, he calls it " Hibemicum Mar- tyrologium." See "Acta Sanctorum," , Januarii, tomus i. Prsfatio Generalis ad Vitas Sanctorum, cap. iv., sec. 4. '9 The title prefixed to this Martyrology is couched in these terms : " Incipit Martyro- logium i^ngussii, filii Hua-oblenii et Mel- ruanii." But in the copy, preserved at St. Isidore's convent, Rome, Dr. Todd says, at the beginning, the following title is in ru- bric : "Incipit martira oenghusa mc oiblean et maolruain ie \i. e. hie.]" " Here begins the Martyrology of Oengus Mac Oiblean and Maolruain." This, however, can only mean, that the work had been compiled from the collections of Aengus and Mael- ruain, as its basis, for it exhibits internal xiv INTRODUCTION. Oi that celebrated Martyrology, attributed to the authorship of St. Maelruan, as also to his renowned disciple St. ^ngus, the Culdee, Colgan appears to have possessed two defective copies. The names of saints are simply set down in this work, which, for stated reasons, he preferred calling the Martyrology of Tallagh, or Tamlacht. In the first place, it had been composed by joint labour, on^^the part of -^ngus and Maelruan, at Tallagh ; secondly, it could not be cited as the work of both saints, without tediousness and confusion — the more so, because he had been obliged frequently to quote another Martyrology, the sole production of ^ngus ; and thirdly, h&cdiwse. it is reasonably conjectured, that ancient writers called it the Martyrology of Tamlacht.=^° This latter work, therefore, was supposed to differ in no respect from the Martyrology of .^ngus and Maelruan, which had been composed at Tallagh. There was no other Martyrology known to be extant in Colgan's time, and that could better deserve such a title, or which, in fact, was distinguished by such an appellation. Fourthly, that work entitled, " Martyrology of yEngus and Maelruan," contains the names of its reputed authors'^ and of some other saints, who were their contemporaries, but who departed this life after their time. Nor does it follow, because Blathmac, who had been martyred for the faith at lona, a.d. 823,=^ and Feidhlimidh Mac Crimhthainn, King of Mun- ster, who died on the i8th of August,=3 a.d. 845, have been entered in it, that their names had not been introduced for copies, transcribed after the death of .^ngus. Among other insertions, we find recorded therein the name, St. Corpre, Bishop of Clonmacnoise, who died a.d. 899 ; but we do not find the name of St. Cormac Mac Cuileannan, king and bishop, who departed this life, in the earlier part of the tenth century, nor, in fact, of any saint, who died after a.d. 900.^4 Hence, it is thought, that certain subsequent additions were made to the joint work of ^ngus and Maelruan, by some monk, belonging to the monastery of Tallagh, or to some other place, and who lived towards the close of the ninth, or who died in the beginning of the tenth century. ^^s evidence of comprising more recent entries March nth, and July 7th. of saints living long after their death. See *^ According to Professor O'Curry, on the Drs. Todd's and Reeves' " Martyrology of 19th of July. This appears, however, to be Donegal." Introduction, p. xv. It shows, a mistake for the 24th of that month. See however, that both saints must have been the life of this holy martyr at the 19th of joint labourers at the work, previous to the January. Art. i., and n. 32. death of Maelruan, in the year 792. Some *3 His festival, however, is placed on the additions were undoubtedly made in the Calendar at the 28th of August, succeeding centuries. ^■* From circumstances already alluded to, *°Thus, Marianus Gorman, who lived Eugene O'Curry seems to doubt if Aengus more than five hundred years before Col- had anything to do with its authorship. See gan's time, in the preface to his Martyrology, "Lectures on the Manuscript Materials of rightly remarks in Colgan's opinion, that St. Ancient Irish History," Lect. xvii., p, 362. .(Engus composed his metrical Festilogy, '^ See Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- from the Martyrology of Tamlacht, which niae," xi. Martii. Vita S. iEngussii, cap. had previously been written. See "Acta xii., p. 581. In Harris' Ware, a similar Sanctorum Hibernige," xi. Martii. Vita S. opinion has been adopted. See vol. iii. ^ngussii, cap. xiii. p. 581. " Writers of Ireland," book i., chap, v., p. " At the date of their respective festivals, 52. tmk on ucTioN: itv The Martyrology of Tallagh is generally believed to be the oldest con- taining our Irish saints' festivals known to be extant ; and with the days, it often records their immediate fathers and their particular churches.^^ Still criticism must remain greatly at fault, in reference to its real author or authors ; especially, as we are not likely ever to recover the original copy, which most probably has been destroyed. A version of the Martyrology of Tallagh has been published by the late Rev. Professor Matthew Kelly, D.D., of Maynooth College.^? In the year 1847, ^^ procured^^ a copy, partially de- fective, and transcribed from the Burgimdian Library one, at Brussels. ^9 This version he published in 1857, shortly before his lamented death.3° Its defects have been supplied, in parts, from other Irish Martyrologies. Corrections were carefully made by Professor O'Curry from his Transcript for Rev. Dr. Todd.3' When this distinguished scholar visited Rome in 1862, he collated the Irish portion of Dr. Kell/s work with the original manuscript. Nume- rous errors and omissions were thus corrected.s^ However, the edition published by Rev. Dr. Kelly still contains valuable historic notes and addi- tions. 33 It is to be regretted, that the learned editor had not been able to obtain a more complete — yet still deficient — copy for publication, which Colgan had once procured.34 Indeed, a number of different copies, had they been available, must have greatly enhanced the value and accuracy of such an interesting work. Long before the composition of this valuable national Calendar of holy per- sons by St. .^ngus and St. Maelruan, an older Martyrology of Saints had been ^* It has been described by Professor Tamlactense et Genealogias SS"™ et plura O'Curry, in his "Lectures on the Manu- alia opuscula." We may add that the bind- script Materials of Ancient Irish History," ing of this valuable volume is of vellum, Lect. xvii., pp. 362, 363. Also, by Rev. with a piece of calf-skin, rudely stitched James Henthom Todd, in his Introduction upon its back. See Mr. Bindon's Paper, to the " Martyrology of Donegal." read May 24th, 1847. " Proceedings of the ^7 The editor used two mutilated copies of Royal Irish Academy," vol. iii., pp. 489, this work. See Rev. Dr. Kelly's "Disser- 490. tations chiefly on Irish Church History." ^i See Rev. Dr. Kelly's ** Calendar of Edited by Rev. Daniel Mac Carthy, D.D., Irish Saints," Preface, p. iii. p. 214. 32 See "The Martyrology of Donegal," ^^ Through the kindness of Rev. Father edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves. Intro- Tinbroeck, S.J. duction, n. 3, p. xvi. *9 As the original is in the Irish character, 33 in 1849, the Rev. Dr. Todd likewise with some peculiar Irish contractions, and procured from the Belgian Government the many strange Irish names, certain inaccu- loan of a MS. containing this, as well as racies were unavoidable when making the O'Gorman's and iEngus' Martyrologies, first transcript. all in Father Michael O'Clery's handwriting. 3° This MS. occupies about twenty-seven Professor O'Curry made accurate transcripts pages, and it has various testimonials ap- from it, for Dr. Todd's private library, pended. It is found among the MSS., as See "Lectures on the Manuscript Materials vol. xvii., No. 5104. Upon the outside of of Ancient Irish History," Lect xvii., pp. this volume will be found the following 362, 363. note, in a hand apparently as old as that of 34 The edition of the Martyrology of Tal- the text or testimonials: " Continens Mar- laght, published by the Rev. Dr. Kelly, tyrologia CEngussei, Mariani Gormani et must have been prepared from a copy, diffc- XVI Wtroduction. in use among ecclesiastics. 35 This seems to have been originally compiled at, or even before, the time of St. Jerome.3^ Although not wholly written by him, yet it bears for title, " The Martyrology of St. Jerome.'"^? By many learned men, it is considered to be the oldest work of its kind extant ;3S ing from that older one,described by Colgan. Dr. Kelly's edition only contains the names of Irish, and omits the list of foreign saints. 35 Father Heribert Roswede, a man deeply versed in ecclesiastical antiquities, had re- ceived frem the Canhusians at Treves, or Triers, in Germany, a certain very ancient codex, belonging to St. Willebrord's Monas- tery at Eptemac, in Triers diocese, duchy of Luxemburg. It contained an exceedingly old and most complete Martyrology. This included names of many saints for each day, not found in the " Martyrologium Roma- num," or in any other Martyrology hitherto edited. He thought this was the Martyr- ology of St. Jerome, and that it should have been thus designated, owing to the prefixed title: " Christe fave votis. Codex S. Wil- lebrordi continet Martyrologium Hiero- nymi." Whether this had been the Mar- tyrology ascribed to St. Jerome, or to St. Eusebius, or to St. Willebrord, in most particulars, Colgan says, it agreed with the Martyrology of St. .<^ngus, and with the Maryrology of Tallagh. Only those places where the Martyrs suffered were more accu- rately noted, and it had the advantage of being more copious. Tlie Martyrology of Tallagh has also added at each day certain Irish saints, and frequentlysome other saints, wanting in the Eptemac copy. Two reasons incline Colgan to believe that St. Willebrord brought that Martyrology — which is known as "Codex S. Willebrordi" or "Epterna- censi" — with him, when he left Ireland on his way to Eptemac. First, two copies had been preserved in Colgan's time, although dif- fering somewhat in certain passages. Those belonged to Ireland. One of them had been transmitted to Louvain. Itwaswrittenon old vellum, but it was not found in a perfect state. Each day, that other copy had been expect- ed, and from which excerpts of Irish saints had been already obtained. No other copy of this work was known to be extant in any of the European libraries, that only excepted which belonged to the collection of Eptemac MSS. Secondly, one of these copies seems to have its authenticity proved correlativelywith the other. For St. Willebrord, whose Codex has his name inscribed, and whose very handwriting can be traced in part, with every appearance of certain proof, did not come from Anglia — as some writers say — but he came from Hibemia immediately to Friesland or Frisia, and thence to Eptemac. * Willebrord had previously lived in Ireland, from the twentieth to the thirty-third year of his age, engaged in scholastic studies and in practices of piety, as Alovinus Flaccus states in his " Life," and as Venerable Bede has it in his " Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Anglo- rum," lib. v., cap. lo, II, and 12. For the trath of these statements, Colgan cites other authorities, in the Life of St. Suithbert, at the first day of March. 3* Launoy says that the Martyrology called of St. Jerovie cannot be proved to have been written by that very learned saint, on any authority prior to the reign of Charle- magne. 37 It must be remarked, that D'Achery, in his " Spicilegium, sive Collectio Veterum aliquot Scriptomm," has published "Mar- tyrologium vetustissimum Sancti Hieronymi Presbyteri nomine insignitum," tomus iv. This is even imperfect, since he appends the following remarks : " Cetera legi non potu- erant in MS utpote a tineis corrosa ; silicet ab hac die ad viii. Kal. Jan. a quo incipit hocce Martyrologium." It must be con- fessed, if this Martyrology, for the most part, were written by St. Jerome, it has been interpolated by some one, who lived since his time, as the names of many among the more recent saints are contained in it. .See the remarks of Henry Valois in his Ap- pendix to the edition of ' ' Eusebius's Eccle- siastical History,'" on this subject. St. Je- rome's Martyrology had been used by Pope St. Gregory the Great, and it existed many years earlier. Since those times, some names have been added to it, such as that of Gre- gory himself. These D'Achery has marked in Italics. Among such reputed additions, is the name of St. Patrick. See Dr. Lani- gan's "Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. iii., chap, xx., § x., n. 102, pp. 249, 250. 3^ See on this subject the " Acta Sane* INTRODUCTION. while others are of opinion, that Eusebius39 drew up some sort of an earher Martyrology. It has even been asserted, this latter was the original author of that work ascribed to St. Jerome,^" who was only its translator into Latin.^^ However, this may be, St. ^ngus appears to have used a certain Codex, and he styles it the Martyrology of Eusebius and Jerome. ■♦^ The Martyrology of St. ^Engus and of St. Moelruan was well arranged, and very comprehensive in its plan. A list of foreign saints was first set down, for every day, and then followed the names of our Irish saints. Colgan considers this work the most copious of all the Martyrologies he had ever seen.*3 Yet, it would seem to have been extremely defective, in parts. The names of many saints, omitted in the Roman and other Martyrologies, are to be found first in the Martyrology attributed to ^ngus and Maelruan.44 However, a learned authority supposes, that ^ngus composed a still more ancient work, which deserves to bear his name, and that this is the oldest Irish Mar- tyrology known.4s It is thought, St. ^ngus wrote this work about or before A.D. ygS.-*^ We find a more detailed — yet still a very imperfect — description of what has torain Januarii," of the great Bollandist Collection. Tomus i., Prefacio, cap. iv. sec. 4. Also, Tillemont's "HistoireEcclesi- astique," tome xii., § 144, Art. St. Jerome. 3' This prelate flourished in the early part of the fourth century. *° This learned and illustrious saint's fes- tival occurs at the 30th of September, on which day he departed to bliss, in the year 420. See an admirable account of his life and writings in Rev. Alban Butler's ' ' Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs, and other Prin- cipal Saints," vol. ix., xxx. September. *' The learned Bollandists, Henschenius and Papebrochius, were inclined to think that Eusebius was not only translated, but likewise augmented by St. Jerome. See their " Pro- logomina" to the Martyrology of Bede in "Acta Sanctorum," Martii, tomus ii., pp. V. toviii. *' The Martyrology ascribed to St. Jerome, or rather to Eusebius and St. Jerome, as quoted by Aengus, is mentioned more than once by Bede, who lived many years before Charlemagne. Thus, he cites ' ' Martyrolo- gium Eusebii et Hieronymi vocabulis insig- nitum." He states, that Eusebius is said to have been the author, and Jerome the trans- lator. See lib. ii. " in Marcum," cap. xxvi., and "Retract, in Acta Apostolorum," cap. i. *3 This opinion he must have entertained — at least so far as Irish saiijts are concerned — before the O'Clerys had prepared the cele- brated one, now popularly known as " The Martyrology of Donegal." See *' Acta Sanctorum Hibernise," xi. Martii. Vita S. .^ngussii, cap. xii., p. 58 1. ^'' It is not at all probable, that Wille- brord found the Martyrology of St. Jerome in the territory of Frisia, or in other adjoin- ing districts, inhabited only by unbelievers. Nor has any similar copy been there dis- covered. On thecontrary, Colgan asserts, that many such copies were to be found in Ireland when he wrote. As here mentioned, in the Life of St. .^ngus, the Martyrologies, ascribed both to Eusebius and to St. Jerome, were extant in his time, or before A.D. 787» when such testimony is supposed to have been recorded. These Martyrologies are considered to be the oldest compilations of the kind. 4S See Professor Eugene O'Curry's " Lec- tures on the Manuscript Materials of Ancient Irish History," Lect. xvii., pp. 362, 363, 364. Yet in Father Michael O'Clery's pre- face to a poem of Marianus Gorman, he states, that the Martyrology — otherwise the Festilogy — of ^ngusCeile De had been com- posed from the Martyrology of Tamlacht. ^* So far as Mr. O'Curry ascertained, "no saint is found in it who died after that year." Wherefore, it would appear, that St. ^Engus composed a Martyrology, distinct from that known as the Tallagh Martyrolog}'. How- iNTRODUCTldN. been called the HieronymianTallaghMartyrology, than that furnished either by Colgan or Bollandus.*^ It comes from the pen of Father John Baptist SoUer.*^ It seems almost certain that Bollandus and his fellow-labourers had seen Colgan's copy. ^9 SoUer inspected and describes it, as containing ten vellum folia of large size, with nearly half a leaf, and covered with another leaf of similar material and appearance.^" In the commencement of this Codex, some modem hand has inscribed it, Martyrologium Tamlactense, et Opuscula S. Aengusst Keledei.^^ In two different places it is noted as having belonged to the convent of Donegal. Those leaves were not clearly traced nor well arranged.^^ Many names in this Codex were almost illegible. 53 Soller says it was defective from the iv. of the February Kalends to the iv. of the March Ides : so that the months of January and March were not per- fect. S4 The whole of February was missing. ss The April month was alone complete. May ran on to the 20th day,^^ or the xiii. of the Kalends of June. June and July were wanting. August began from the iv. Nones,S7 but its remaining days were preserved. In September were missing the xii., xi., and x. days of the October Kalends.s^ October continued to the iii. of the Kalends of November. The whole of November was missing. Decem- ber commenced only at the xv.ss of the Kalends of January.^ Soller de- ever, the peculiar Martyrology of St. ^Engus must be regarded as identical with his Fes- tilogy. *' Bollandus has published some extracts from Colgan's copy, ^^ sub nomine Martyro- logia Hieronymiani Tamlactensis,'^ at the last days of the January month. *^ See "Acta Sanctorum," Junii, tomus vii., in his learned preface to a new edition of ancient Martyrologies. In this, he treats regarding various copies of the Martyrology ascribed to St. Jerome. *9 The Bollandists appear to bad frequent recourse to the Franciscans of Louvain for the names and festivals of saints mentioned in their copy of the Martyrology of Tallagh. See "Acta Sanctorum Januarii," tomus ii., xxiv. Januarii. Praetermissi et in alios dies rejecti, p. 561. 5° Dr. Todd, when at Rome, in 1S61 and 1862, first ascertained beyond question, that these yi^/Zfl had been extracted from the Book of Leihster, a manuscript written in the twelfth century, and now preserved in the Library of Trinity College, Dublin. S' On an average, there are from six to seven columns across each page. The folia are loosely placed within a parchment cover. William M. Hennessy, M.R.I.A., has greatly obliged the author by lending his Catalogue Raisonni oi this MS., and from it the con- tents are described hereafter in a detailed form. Only a brief account of it is con- tained in J. T. Gilbert's description, as found in the " Fourth Report of the Royal Com- mission on Historical Manuscripts," part i., Report and Appendix, p. 601. 5^ From an inspection of the manuscript here alluded to, and now preserved in the Franciscan Convent, Dublin, the writer would be inclined to hold a very opposite opinion. S3 The first folio of this MS., and the first entry in this Martyrology, owing probably to some ancient ecclesiastical arrangement, commence with the 25th day of December, and foremost in order is noted the feast of our Lord's Nativity. The Martyrology does not merely record the obits of Irish saints. Under each day, it gives a chief place to foreign saints, adding Irish saints, at the end, and distinguishing the first of these by a peculiar mark. 5* This statement is not quite correct. ss This is likewise an incorrect statement. s*To the 19th day, he should have said. 57 But it contains Irish names ol the pre- ceding day. ^ It contains, however, Irish names be- longing to the loth of the Kalends. 59 It contains, however, Irish names of the previous day. " All this account is exceedingly inaccu* INTR OD UCTION. xix clares, after a diligent examination, he could easily observe that this Codex had been over-rated by the members of his society.^' Papebroke had fre- quently mentioned to Soller, that Colgan or the Irish Minorite Fathers at Louvain had merely sent extracts of this copy to BoUandus. After this Martyrology, Soller found a list of what he conjectures to be Irish names, running through three leaves.^' In fine, there were opuscula or fragments of Tracts in the Irish language, of which he was entirely ignorant. Soller in- correctly declares his account to be a complete description of the Codex.^3 During Dr. Todd's visit to Rome in 1862, he found the eleven missing leaves of the Book of Leinster in the Franciscan ^Convent of St. Isidore, among the documents shown him by the superior. Those leaves contain some of the curious Tracts, attributed to St. ^ngus the Culdee, together with the copy of that Calendar or Martyrology of Tallaght, referred to by Colgan. However, owing to the loss of a leaf, this is unfortunately imperfect. The defect includes the whole ot November, and the first sixteen days of December. This Calendar is a transcript of a very ancient Martyrology, which contained a' list of saints and martyrs belonging to the Universal Church, under each day of the year ; Irish saints were added at the end of each day. ^4 Might it not be most probable, that the first diurnal entries of the old Tallagh Martyrology are, at least to some extent, transcripts from that ascribed to Eusebius or to Jerome P'^s if so, what delight and interest should not lovers of ecclesiastical history take in the discovery of such a literary and patristic treasure ! If a conjecture of this kind be well founded, those writings so much regretted by the learned as lost, because not hitherto discovered, might in part — if not altogether — be found among unpublished MSS., attributed to an Irish saint, and yet mouldering on the shelves of our Dublin Franciscan Library. We feel inclined to believe, that the prose Martyrology of Tallagh had been written — but perhaps not in its completed state — before ^ngus had composed his metrical Felij-e.^^ An opinion was entertained by some ancient writers, that the Martyrology and the Feilire rate. Owing to the loss of a leaf, pp. 6, 7, All Saints, and many other solemnities of a there is a defect in the text, extending from like description. 19th of May to the 2nd of August. The *3 gee "Acta Sanctorum," in his preface Martyrology closes at the 26th day of De- to a new edition of Usuard's Martyrologyj cember. It runs along each page, in 71 cap. i., art. i., sees, i, 2. closely written columns in the Irish character, '■♦ See Drs. Todd's and Reeves' " Martyr* with coloured initial letters of various names ology of Donegal." Introduction, pp. xiv., introduced. xv. *' This, however, was owing probably to *s Ledwich very incorrectly states, that his inability to i-ead Irish ; or to appreciate the Martyrology called of St. Jerome was the value of such a rare Codex or fragment. not known until about the ninth century, *^ Besides the insertion of Irish proper and that Launoy had proved — while he had names in this Martyrology, there were found not — its fabrication about that time, other festivals, added by a comparatively ** This word, properly speaking, signifies modern hand. Among these, he notices a Festilo^ium or Festivale, which means a the feast of St. Joseph, the Revelation of list of Feasts or Festivals, placed in their St. Michael the Archangel, the festival of natm"al sequence. ■m I, XX INTR on UCTION. had been written by him at Tallaght, while engaged in following the humbler duties of a farm servant. Sufficient evidence can be adduced, however, to prove, that the Feilire could not have been issued, until some years after St- Melruan's death. As -^ngus, in this metrical work, cites the Martyrologies attributed to Jerome and Eusebius, it is highly probable, that he must have used these works, while engaged at the compilation of his own writings. ^7 Of the Metrical Irish "Felire" or Festology — sometimes called the Martyr- ology of Aengus Ceile De — six copies, at least, are known to be extant, and four of these are on vellum. Two copies are preserved in the Bodleian Library, Oxford ; one copy is kept in the Franciscan Library, Dublin ; one in the Burgundian Library, Brussels f^ one, a transcript, made for Dr. Todd, by Professor O'Curry ; and one, found in the celebrated Leabhar Mbr Di^na Doighr'e^ — commonly called the Leabhar Breacp° and now in posses- sion of the Royal Irish Academy, Dublin. 7^ We are indebted to the late distinguished Irish scholar. Professor Eugene O'Curry, for a particular de- scription and analysis of Angus' metrical Festology or Fdire.T^ This com- position, considered to be one of the first in date and importance among our Kalendars, consists of three distinct parts. IYiq first part, knoAvn as the In- vocation, contains five quatrains,73 which ask grace and sanctification from Christ on the poet's work.74 It is \vritten in the ancient Conachlann, as *7 Dr. Ledwich strives to show, that this Martyrology was first written in the ninth century, because it has the names of Moel- ruan, Aengus, and other later saints. See "Antiquities of Ireland," p. 365. "It is true that, considered in its present state," says Dr. Lanigan, "it was not completed until even the end of that century ; but does it follow that Aengus and Moelruan had no share in drawing it up ? He adds, that in its second preface, it cites the Martyrology of St. Jerome. Here the doctor is wrong ; for this Martyrology is quoted, not in any preface to the Mart)rrology of Tallagh, alias that of Aengus and Moelruan, but in the second preface to ih&Festilogium of Aengus." "Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. iii., chap, xx., § x., n, 102, p. 249. ^ This is a copy of " Festilogium S. Engusii Keledei," in Irish, and beautifully written by Michael O'Clery. The accom- panying gloss and notes are very full, and the " Festilogium" occupies fifty-one pages. Vol. xvii.. No. 5102 of the " Inventaire." See " Proceedings of the Royal Irish Aca- demy," vol. iii., p. 489. *9 It was compiled about A.D. 1400. 7° " A copy of his poem, called ' Felire,^ is preserved in the Leabhar Breac, in the Library of the Royal Irish Academy." — " Tracts Relating to Ireland." Muirchear- tach MacNeill's Circuit of Ireland, page 32, Mr. O'Donovan's Note 36, I.A.S.'s Publi- cations. Copies of the Leabhar Breac have been lately multiplied by the lithographic process. 7' " There is a short history of the author, and the tract prefixed to this copy, which commenced, as such Gaedhlic documents usually do, with giving the name of the author, the time, the place, and the object of the composition. There is, then, a short disquisition on this arrangement, in which the usages of the philosophers and the order of the creation are referred to as precedents." See * ' Lectures on the Manuscript Materials of Ancient Irish History," Lect. xvii., p. 363. 72 In O'Reilly's "Chronological Account of nearly Four Hundred Irish Writers," p. liii., it receives the designation of a Hier- ology. 73 A quatrain means four rhymed lines. T" We are informed, that General Val* lancey and Theophilus O'Flanagan, having met with this poem- — which is rather a con- spicuous one — in the leabhar Breac, and finding the name of Christ contractedly INTRODUCTION. modem Gaelic scholars call " chain-verse."7s By such metrical arrangement, the last words of each quatrain are identical, or nearly so, with the first words of that succeeding. 7^ The second part, ^o. are told, is a poem, by way of preface, and it consists of 220 quatrains. But of these, only eighty are found prefixed to the main poem, or chief subject matter. The remaining 140 quatrains are postfixed to the main poem, and these are called the post or second preface. We may rather, perhaps, consider them in the light of those verses, which many of our mediaeval and modern poets designate the " L'Envoy," as the conclusion of a poem. Those stanzas are of a similar character, and follow in a like measure, as they are indeed a continuation of the Invocation. Eighty stanzas, prefixed to the main poem in very beauti- ful and forcible language, give us a glo%ving account regarding the sufferings and tortures of the early Christian martyrs ; how their persecutors' names have been forgotten, while those of their victims were remembered with honour, veneration, and affection ; how Pilate's wife sinks into oblivion, while the Blessed Virgin Mary has been remembered and venerated from earth's uttermost bounds to its centre. Even in Ireland, the enduring supre- macy of Christ's Church had been manifested. Tara had been abandoned and had become a desert, because its kings were vain-glorious, while Armagh remained the populous seat of dignity, piety, and learning. Cruachain, a former royal residence of the Connaught kings, is deserted, while Clonmac- nois resounds with the dashing of chariots and the tramp of multitudes to honour St. Ciaran's shrine. Aillinn's royal palace had passed away, while written CR, with a horizontal dash over "Sanctify, O Christ ! my words : — these two letters, considered they had found O Lord of the seven heavens ! an address to the sun. This was a supposed Grant me the gift of wisdom, proof of the former worship of that luminary O Sovereign of the bright sun ! by the ancient Irish. The letters C R were presumed to have been a contraction for " O bright sun, who dost illumine Creas, which, from the books of Indian The heavens with all thy holiness ! Brahmins and the Sanscrit, Vallancey con- O King who governest the angels ! jectured to be a name for the sun, common O Lord of all the people ! both to Ireland and India. These views of *■ General Vallancey, with a highly poetical ' ' O Lord of the people ! translation of Aengus' poem, were embodied O King all righteous and good ! in a small printed pamphlet. This was ad- May I receive the full benefit dressed " To the President and Members of Of praising Thy Royal hosts, the Royal Irish Academy, as a Proof of the Ancient Histoiy of Ireland," by General " Thy royal hosts I praise, Vallancey. Because Thou art my Sovereign ; 75 Such is the English equivalent. I have disposed my mind 7* An illustration, in the Irish language To be constantly beseeching Thee, and character, will be found in "Lectures on the Manuscript Materials of Ancient " I beseech a favour from Thee, Irish History," Appendix No. cxiii., p. 6io,' That I be purified from my sins and which has been published from the ori- Through the peaceful bright -shining ginal, contained in the Leabhar Breac. The flock, five Irish stanzas have been thus rendered The royal host whom I celebrate." into English, by Mr. O'Curry : — — Ibid., Lect. xvii., pp. 365, 366. INTR on UCTION, St. Brigid's church at Kildare retained its dazzling splendour. Ulster's royal palace at Emania had disappeared, while the holy Coemghen's church at Gleann-da-locha remains in full glory. The monarch Leaghaire's pomp and pride Avere extinguished, while St. Patrick's name continues to shine with undiminished lustre. Thus, the poet contrasts fleeting and forgotten names and reputations of great men and establishments, belonging to the pagan and secular world, with the stability, freshness, and splendour of Christian Churches, and with the ever-flourishing names of their illustrious, although often humble founders. The third pai't is properly the Felire or Festological Poem itself, and it is comprised within 365 quatrains, which, the reader will observe, form a stanza for each day in the year. The author has imposed on himself the task of introducing into each stanza some saints' names or festivals commemorated on that particular day to which they refer.77 The Circum- cision of our Lord is placed at the head of the Festivals, and with it the Felire begins. 7^ This poem is not wholly confined to notices of the Irish saints, as the festivals of many foreign ones are generally first introduced. The whole of this, which is the chief poem, as also the first preface, is thickly interlined with an ancient gloss and commentary. These explain difficult or obsolete words and passages. Sometimes, notes may be found on the sites of ancient churches, connected with Irish saints, who lived to the time of our author. Occasional passages from their Lives and Miracles will be seen. Those notes are interspersed over the margin, and they require close and accurate study to connect them with their appropriate textual passages. The three parts, or cantos, into which the entire poem has been divided, may be treated, indeed, as one continuous composition. The last words of the In- vocation are the first words to the first preface of eighty stanzas ; while the last words of this preface are the first words of the main poem ; and again, the last words of this chief poem are the first words of the post or second preface, which consists of 140 stanzas. This latter division concludes the work, and in it yEngus recapitulates the subject of his Felire,Ti teaching the faithful how to read and use it, and explaining its arrangement. He declares, though great the number, he has only been able there to enumerate the princes of the saints. He recommends it for pious meditation to the faithful, and indicates spiritual benefits to be gained by reading or reciting it. He says he had travelled far and near to collect the names and history of subjects for his praise and invocation. For the foreign saints, he consulted St. Ambrose, St. Jerome, and Eusebius. He collected the festivals of our Irish saints, "See "The Martyrology of Donegal," from the original found in the "Leab/tar edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves. Intro- Brmc." duction, p. xiv. 79 The Felire or Festology is closely con • 78 In the "Lectures on the Manuscript nected with lives of the saints. That of Materials of Ancient Irish History," Ap- Aengus especially receives the praise of M. pendix No. cxiv., p. 611, may be seen the de la Villemarque in the November number first stanza of this part of the poem in the of the French periodical, " Le Correspon- Irish language and character, as extracted dant," for 1863. INTROD UCTION. XXlU from " the countless hosts of the illuminated books of Erinn." ^ He then says, having already mentioned and invoked the saints at their respective festival days, he will now invoke them in classes or bands, under certain heads or leaders.^' Towards the saints of his country, .^ngus seems to have entertained an extraordinary veneration. According to Colgan's account, he wrote five distinct Tracts,^^' " De Sanctis Hiberniae," which treat, in a particular manner, about their several lives, or on matters pertaining to them.^s in the first *> See " Manuscript Materials of Ancient Irish History," Lect. xvii., pp. 365 to 370. *' This is done in the following order : — The elders or ancients under Noah ; the prophets under Isaiah ; the patriarchs under Abraham ; the apostles and disciples under Peter ; the wise or learned men under Paul ; the martyrs under Stephen ; the spiritual directors under old Paul ; the virgins of the world under the Blessed Virgin Mary ; the holy bishops of Rome under Peter ; the bishops of Jerusalem under Jacob or James ; the bishops of Antioch also under Peter ; the bishops of Alexandria under Mark ; a division of them under Honoratus ; a division of learned men under the gifted Benedict ; all the innocents who suffered at Bethlehem under Georgius ; the priests under Aaron ; the monks under Anthony ; a division of the world's saints under Martin ; the noble saints of Erinn under St. Patrick ; the saints of Scotland under St. Colum Cille ; while the last great division of Erinn's saintly virgins has been placed under holy St. Brigid of Kildare. In an eloquent strain, Aengus then continues to beseech our Saviour's mercy for himself and for all man- kind, through the merits and sufferings of those saints he has named and enumerated. He asks through the merits of their dis- membered bodies ; through their bodies pierced with lances ; through their wounds ; through their groans ; through their relics ; through their blanched countenances ; through their bitter tears ; through all the sacrifices offered of the Saviour's own Body and Blood, as it is in heaven, upon the holy altars ; through the blood that flowed from the Saviour's own side ; through His sacred Humanity ; and through His Divinity in union with the Holy Spirit and the Hea- venly Father. After this long invocation, Aengus says the brethren of his order deemed all his prayers and petitions too little ; whereupon, he resolves to change his course, that no one may have cause for complaint. Then, he commences another moving appeal to our Lord for himself and all men. He beseeches mercy according to the merciful worldly interposition of Divine clemency in times past. Thus Enoch and Elias had been saved from dangers in this world ; Noah had been saved from the deluge ; Abraham had been saved from plagues and from the Chaldeans ; Lot had been saved from the burning city ; Jonas had escaped from the whale ; Isaac had been delivered from his father's hands. He entreats Jesus, through intercession of His Holy Mother, to save him, as Jacob was saved from the hands of his brother, and as John [Paul] was saved from the viper's venom. He again recurs to examples found in the Old Testament. He mentions the saving of David from Goliath's sword ; the saving of Susanna from her dangers ; of Nineveh from destruction ; of the Israelites from Mount Gilba [Gilboa] ; of Daniel from the lion's den ; of Moses from the hands of Faro [Pharaoh] ; of the three youths from the fiery furnace ; of Tobias from his blindness ; of Peter and Paul from the dungeon ; of Job from demoniac tribulations ; of David from Saul ; of Joseph from his brothers' hands ; of the Israelites from Egyptian bondage ; of Peter from the sea-waves ; of John from the fiery caldron ; of Martin from the priest of the idol. Again, he beseeches Jesus, through intercession of the heavenly household, to be saved, as St. Patrick had been, from the poisoned drink at Teamhar [Tara], and as St. Coemhghin [Kevin] had been at Gleann da locha [Glendalough], from perils of the mountain. *^ See likewise Rev. Matthew Kelly's " Dissertations chiefly on Irish Church His- tory." Edited by Rev. D. M'Carthy, D.D., pp. 215, 216. ^3 It may be observed, that these tracts INTROD UCTION. Treatise, he gives the different distinctions of those saints in classes ; he enu- merates 345 bishopSj^-^ 299 abbots and priests,^^ and seventy-eight deacons.^^ These he has comprised within the hmits of three chapters. The second Tract is known as the " Homonymi," or the enumeration of saints bearing similar names, but distinguished by various other titles.^7 It mentions 855 distinct persons, under sixty-two different names, and it is divided into two parts ; the first part containing fifty chapters, on holy men of the same name,^^ and the second, twelve chapters on holy women. ^9 The third Treatise, known as the " Book of Sons," divides the saints into another classification.9° It names saints, who are descended from the same father, and afterwards only sons, each cited by the father's name.9' Lastly, are enumerated female saints, in their descent from the same father.?^ The names of ninety-four fathers,93 who had one saint, or more saints than one, as children, are here preserved, although the number of saints cannot always be discovered.^* The fourth Tract comprises the names of 210 saints, with their maternal genealogy.9s It would appear from this title, that the paternal genealogy of these saints had been previously written, either by another hand, or by that of yEngus. The fifth " Book of Litanies" enumerates, in form of an invocation, a long list of saints.9^ In several of its invocations, the principal name, with associated disciples, is generally found.97 This name usually pertains to the saint who seem to be comprised in the ten folia, ex- tracted from the Book of Leinster. ^* In the itn folia, these names begin with Patrick, and end with Cobthach, fol. II, col. 4- ^s At the end of col. 4, this list begins, and it occupies nearly four columns. ^ These begin at fol. 12, col. 4. ^^ Half-way down col. 5, this commences. Copies of this list are contained in the " Book of Ballymote," as also, in the "Book of Lecain." ^ Thus all those named Aedan are given first : all those named Aed, Brenain, Coluim, &C, , are regularly tabulated, in alphabetical order. ^ Their names follow on a plan similar to the foregoing. 9° At fol. 15, col. 3. This list extends over three columns. 9' As the brothers, who were sons to Aed, to Nessan, &c. , or a son of — . 9^ As the daughters of — or the daughter of — fol. 16, col. I. 93 Colgan adds, that he omitted other names, which he could not read, owing to the worn state of this old Codex. See "Acta Sanctorum Hibernise," xi. Martii. Vita S. ^ngussii, cap. xiv., p. 581. 9* Here in the 10 folia, other tracts occur, which as they are not attributed to the authorship of St. ^ngus, Colgan passes over. 95 At fol. 18, and on the first column of fol. 19, these matrons are numbered from I 93, by Colgan for purposes of reference ; while the numbers thus given correspond with the figures quoted in his " Acta Sanc- torum Hibemire," and "Trias Thau- maturga. " 9^ This begins near the top of col. 2, fol. 19. 97 In Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber- nige," Martii viii. Vita S. Senani, n. 11, p. 535, a part of this Litany is quoted. Dr. Petrie also introduces this extract into his " Ecclesiastical Architecture of Ireland an- terior to the Anglo-Norman Invasion," part ii», sect, ii., pp. 137, 138. He was wrong in stating, that a copy of this was in that part of the Book of Leinster, kept in Trinity College, Dublin. He alluded to yEngus' Book of " Pedigrees of Irish Saints," and not to his "Litany." This is to be found in the ' ' Leabhar-Mor Duna Doighre." See Professor O'Curry's "Lectures on the Manuscript Materials of Ancient Irish His- tory," Lect. xviii., n. 47, p. 381. INTR OD UCTION. XXV presided over a particular monastery,?^ with the number of holy disciples under his nile ;99 or to a saint who was buried at some particular church, with his companions, who " slept in the Lord /' '°° or perchance to some apostle, who, with his numerous band of missionaries, went forth to preach the Gospel to benighted nations. ^°^ The names, or native places of many foreigners, who flocked to the hives of learning and sanctity in Ireland, are noted in an especial manner/"^ Here are found invoked the names of Italian, Egyptian? British, and Gallic saints, who had been buried in Ireland. ^°3 It has been incorrectly asserted, that the foregoing work is sometimes called " Saltair-na-rann," which means, the Metrical or Multipartite Psalter. ^°4 Yet, it would appear from Colgan's statement, that the " Saltair-na-rann" was altogether a distinct treatise. '°5 After describing " De Sanctis Hibemiae," '-" Some years ag;o, Dr. Todd examined this MS., containing ten folia, which he foimd to have constituted a part of the "Book of Leinster." This fact would seem to iden- tify it with the MS. seen at Louvain, and described by Father Soller, the BoUandist, as we have already stated. In point of an- tiquity, this version dates back to the first half of the twelfth century. These folia contain the Martyrology of Tallaght — to which allusion has been already made — to- gether with five of seven works attributed to ^ngus. Ward and Colgan consulted this MS. ; for their readings seem to have been marked, and these are very useful in assisting the Irish scholar to decipher certain words. However legible in their time, these are nearly altogether defaced at present. In Ward's and O'Sheerin's Acts of St. Rumold, published at Louvain in 1662, this Litany is quoted at great length, p. 206. With the exception of the groups of seven bishops, nearly all the saints, whose intercession is invoked, are given. 99 The 8vo paper MSS., No. 40, 4, in the R.I. A., contains the "Litany of St. yEngus." '°° At the end of the Litany, in the ten folia, there is some memorandum in Irish. "" See also Harris' Ware, vol. iii., " Writers of Ireland," book i., chap, v., pp. 52, 53- "^ There is an incomplete copy of this Litany in the Leabhar Breac, R.I. A. copy. ^=^3 The portion of this work, known as the Litany, has been translated and published for the first time in the " Irish Ecclesiastical Record," vol. iii. Nos. xxxii. and xxxiii., for May and June, 1867. The original Irish occupies one side of the page, in the Irish characters ; while on the opposite side, there is a correct English translation, by a competent scholar, writing under the initials B. M. C. Explanatory notes are found at the foot of nearly all those pages. A learned dissertation precedes this Litany, taken from the Archives of St. Isidore's Franciscan Convent, at Rome. '°^ See Dr. Lanigan's" Ecclesiastical His- tory of Ireland," vol. iii., chap, xx., § x., p. 247. In note 106, p. 251, he remarks on this passage : " Under this title, Colgan says {ib. , p . 582) that it appears in some old Irish MSS., and that he got a part of it, with the inscription, from Saltair-na-rann composed by Aengus Cele-De. He observes that the latest saint mentioned in it is St. Tigeniach, son of St. Mella, and founder of Doire-melle (see chap, xix., sec. 13), who died abbot of Kill-achad, in the now county of Cavan, on the 4th of November, A.D. 805 (806). See A A. SS. p. 796, and Arch- dall at Kilachad. This is a strong proof of the assertion that Aengus was the author of this work." He seems also to have written — at least a great part of it — after the ninth century commenced. '°5 There is a MS. Martyrology, entitled, " Saltair-na-Rann," preserved in the British Museum [Egerton, 185]. It is a thin, small quarto-sized volume in verse, and with the exception of a few pages, it has been written in the bold and accurate hand of Dubhal- tach Mac Firbisigh, about the year 1650. It consists of sixty-seven pages, containing five quatrains, or twenty lines, on each page. The title is in accordance with the second quatrain, which, as Anglicized, thus begins : "The Saltair of the verses shall be the name Of my poem : it is not an unwise title." xxvi INTRODUCTION. he mentions the " Saltair-na-rann" as having been composed in the Irish language ; and, of course, as being distinct from the first named treatise, which had been written mostly in Latin. '°^ Yet, it must be confessed, that the sentences employed by Colgan in his account are rather ambiguous. ^°7 The work entitled, " De Sanctis Hibemiae,'' does not appear to have been a metrical composition, as may be seen in extracts taken from it, and found in many of Colgan's notes. The " Saltair-na-rann" comprises a History of the Old Testament, ^°^ written in verse,'°3 and which is attributed to ^ngus as its author. We are informed, that the Chronicle of ^ngus Ceile De, known as " Saltair-na-rann," /. e. " Saltair of the Poems" or " Verses," has been so called, because " sailm" means a " psalm.""° It contains one hundred and fifty poems, composed in the finest style of the Gaelic language, as under- stood in the eighth century.'" This work, attributed to ^ngus Ceile De, has been called " Saltair-na-rann,"" and it is distributed into parts."3 Written in the form of prayers, it tends to raise the reader's mind to the love of God, and to the celebration of His praise, for all the Creator's works are referred to His greater glory, and rest upon His power, as their final cause. This "Saltair-na-Rann," however, is en- tirely distinct from that of Aengus Ceile De. '°* Dr. Geoffrey Keating attributes to the authorship of St. iEngus a " Saltair-na- Rann." See '* History of Ireland." Pre- face. O'Mahony's edition, p. Ixii. »o7 " Opus ex jam memoratis opusculis conflatura in quibusdam antiquis patriae membranis patrio sermone intitulatur Sal- tuir-na-rann : quae vol Latine reddita Psal- terium metricum, nunc Psalterium multipar- titum denotat. Et in utroque sensu, diversa S. Aengussii opera recte sic inscribi pote- rant.V — "Acta Sanctorum Hibemiae," xi. MartiL Vita S. Aengussii, cap. xv., pp. 581, 582. «* The other " Saltair-na-Rann," to which allusion has been made in a preceding note, contains three hundred and twelve quatrains, written in the inferior Gaelic of the sixteenth, if not of a later century. Yet, it is not, strictly speaking, a Gaelic Martyr- o'ogy J for all the Irish saints Professor O'Curry could discover in it were , St. Pat- rick, St. Brigid of Kildare, St. Ciaran of Saighir, and St. Ciaran of Clonmacnois. According to the poet's arrangement, every quatrain commenced with a saint's name, but sometimes there are three or even four quatrains devoted to one day, as the number of festivals happened to fall within it. Every saint, however, has a separate quatrain de- voted to him. The modem writer, who supplied Mac Firbis's omissions, has ad- mitted some incorrections. See "Lectures on the Manuscript Materials of Ancient Irish History," Lect. xvii., pp. 360, 361, and Appendix, No. cix., p. 609. '"s Harris says, this work had been written in elegant metre, but he seems to regard it as a distinct work from the " Psaltar-na- Rann." "" Dr. Jeoffrey Keating adds, that "sal- tair" means a " a psaltery," or a book con- taining many "duans," or "verses." See "History of Ireland." Preface. O'Mahony's edition, p. Ixxi. '"The VIII. vol. of O'Longan MSS., in the R.I. A., contains Poems of Aengus the Culdee, pp. 52 to 54. '" This is most probably the work de- scribed by O'Reilly, where he says : " Aen- gus also wrote the ' Psalter-na-rann,' which is an abridged history of the descendants of Abraham, from the birth of Isaac until after the death of Moses The Psal- ter-na-rann is preserved in a large MS., the property of Sir William Betham. It is written in a fine strong hand, and occupies upwards of six folio pages, closely written on the largest size vellum." — "Chronolo- gical Account of nearly Four Hundred Irish Writers," p. liv. "3 In Harris' Ware, vol. iii., " Writersof Ireland, " book i., chap, v., p. 33, it is said, INTR OD UCTION. xxvu The foregoing reasons are assigned for this work deserving the title of " Sal- tair-na-rann,""< or the " multipartite psalter.""S Colgan adds, both authority testifies and evidence persuades us, that it had been thus inscribed and com- posed by St. -^ngus. The authority assigned is that of an old parchment MS., from which the treatise, " Homonymi," already described, has been ex- tracted. It was sent from Ireland"^ to Colgan. It bore the following title : *' Homonymi Hiberniae Sancti ex Saltair-na-rann, quod composuit .^ngus- sius Keledeus." We are the more induced to believe, that this had been a work of St. ^ngus, since there is no saint found in any portion of it, who had not departed life before his time, or who had not been, at least, his con- temporary."7 For, although our annals relate the death of St. Melditribius in the year 840, yet, it is doubtful, if he be the saint bearing that name, and mentioned in the fortieth chapter of the second tract, as already described."^ There are some Pedigrees of Irish saints yet existing, and these have been generally ascribed to Aengus Ceile De. Several copies of this Treatise are preserved in our ancient MSS. ; but it is doubtful, if any such copies date back in their present, state, to the time of Aengus. In those copies we po ssess, there may be defections or additions, as compared with the original that some ascribed to Aengus a Psalter-na- Rann, being a miscellany on Irish affairs, in prose and verse, Latin and Irish. ' ' Aengus wrote no such work," says Dr. Lanigan, "and his ovily Psalter, ox Saltair-na-rann, were those above mentioned. Harris got his information either from Toland, or from some one who took it from him." — Dr. Lanigan's " Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. iii., chap, xx., sec. x., n. 107, p. 251. "* See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber- ni?e," xi. Martii. Vita S. Aengussii, cap. XV., p. 582. "5 The late Professor Eugene O'Curry told me, he had examined a magnificent copy of the " Psalter-na-Rann" at Oxford. At that time, he informed the writer, no perfect copy of it was known to be extant in Ireland. "*The person who brought this book with him from Ireland was the Very Rev. Father Francis Mathew, at one time guar- dian of the Convent at Louvain, and Francis- can Provincial over the Irish province. He was a man of much erudition, austerity of life, and very zealous in the cause of religion. He presented this work, already mentioned, to Colgan, in the year 1633. By his preach- ing, exhortations, and pious labours, he had greatly contributed for many years to the advancement and preservation of Ireland's orthodox and persecuted faith. At length, having endured various trials and tortures, with the greatest patience and constancy, this pious sufferer was put to death by the Protestants, A.D. 1642. "7 This matter had been discovered, by a careful collation of this treatise with our annals and native records. According to these later authentic sources, no saint men- tioned in the work alluded to, is found to have lived after A. D. 800, except St. Tiger- nach, founder of Doire-melle monastery. He is said to have departed A.D. 805, at which time there can be no doubt that iEn- gus was still living, "^ See Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- ni?e," xi. Martii. Vita S. .(Engussii, cap. XV. , p. 582. Colgan observes, that he was induced to treat, at some length, on the valuable works of this venerable saint, that his readers might know what great antiquity and authority attached to the aforesaid Mar- tyrologies and other works, and which he had so frequently taken occasion to quote in his own volumes. It would also appear, Colgan intended to publish the works of St. ^ngus, had his own life been prolonged. Ibid., cap. xiv., p. 581. xxviii INTR OD UCTION. composition. The oldest copy known is also the best and most copious,"? and its genuineness has been generally admitted by most of our antiquarians. It is the more valuable, because it almost invariably gives references to the sites of churches, in connection with the holy persons whose pedigrees are found recorded. It often enumerates and traces the lineage of groups of persons or associates, who occupied such churches at one time, and occa- sionally their successors for a few generations. In the form of anno- tations, an immense amount of ecclesiastical and topographical information is conveyed. These historic comments establish with satisfactory exactness a date for the foundation of nearly all our primitive churches. It is an almost invariable rule with the venerable genealogist, to trace the pedigree of each saint to some remarkable personage, whose name and period can be ascertained from our national records . and books of secular genealogy."" This is thought to be the oldest known collection of our national saints' pedigrees in existence. Its exact time of composition cannot be determined ; but, if genuinely attributed, it was probably one of Aengus's latest and most matured literary efforts. Fothadius, the Canonist, so called from his knowledge of the Church Canons, on which he is said to have written ;"^ Dicul or Dicuil, called the Geographer;"^ Dungal, the Recluse ;"3 Albin,"4 Clement,"5 and Claude;"^ St. Donatus,"7 Bishop of Fiesole, and St. Andrew,"^ his Archdeacon ; all these were Irish writers, whose learning served to render the ninth century somewhat remarkable. St. Boniface, also, first Bishop of Mentz,"9 is said to have been a Scot by birth, and to have been the author of a Life of certain "9 This is found in the Book of Leinster, the year 520. He was actually bom, as we which was compiled within the years 1120 know from other sources, in 515." and 1 1 60. A copy is contained in the Book "'He is said likewise to have written of Ballymote, composed in 1391 ; and ano- some poetic precepts. See Edward O'Reilly's ther in the Book of Lecain, written a.d. "Chronological Account of nearly Four 1416. A later still is found in the great Hundred Irish Writers," pp. Iv. Ivi. Book of Genealogies, compiled by Dudley '"The work attributed to him, "Liber Mac Firbis, in 1650. de Mensura Orbis Terrae," was first pub- "° See Professor Eugene O'Curry's " Lee- lished at Paris in 1807 by Walckenaer. lures on the Manuscript Materials of Ancient Another edition, edited by Letronne, was Irish History," Lect. xvii., pp. 359, 360. published in 181 1. A more complete edi- This learned writer adds : " By referring to tion still is that published at Berlin, A.D. these pedigrees, you may easily find the 1870, and edited by Gust. Parthey. time at which any of the early saints of "3 See "Irish Folk Lore," by Lagenien- Erinn flourished. As, for instance, St. Co- sis. Chap, xxx., pp. 253 to 284. lum Cille is recorded to have been the son '^'' See Henricus Canisius, " Antiqute of /i'/^//wzd%, son of Fergus, son of Conall, Lectiones,"tomus i., and Polydore Virgil, sonofNiall, " of the Nine Hostages," mo- "Anglicse Historioe Libri Vigintiseptem," narch of Erinn, who was killed in the year lib. v. 405. Now, by allowing the usual average '^^ See his Life at the 20th of March, of thirty years to each of the four genera- '^^ See Sir James Ware, " De Scriptoribus tions from Niall to Colum, making 120 Hibernias," lib. i., cap. v., pp. 38 to 41. years, and adding them to 405, we shall "? See his Life at the 22nd of October, find that Colum (who is known to have died '-^ See his Life at the 22nd of August, in the year 592) must have been bom about '^ See his Life at the 5th of June. INTRODUCTION. xxix saints.'3o Besides these, Maolmura of Fahan, a poet and historian j^3i St. Patrick, Abbot of Armagh ;'32 ^ngus,'33 who wrote the praises of his more celebrated namesake in elegant verse ;'34 Moengal or Marcellus, Master over the Schools of St. Gall j'35 and St. Buo,'36 Apostle of Iceland, with many others : all are classed among the theological, philosophical and historical writers of this age. '3? Towards the close of the ninth, and- the commencement of the tenth century, flourished the celebrated and accomplished St. Cormac Mac Cuoil- linan,^38 King of Munster, and Bishop of Cashel. In our Irish annals and records, he has been called the most learned among the Scots. ^39 He was skilled in philology, antiquities, poetry, and history. He is said to have composed a book, " De Genealogia Sanctorum Hiberniae ;" another famous collection of records, in prose and verse, known as the " Psalterium Cassel- ensi," or " Psalter of Cashel ;"'4° as also a book, " Sanas Chormaic," that is, Cormac's Glossary or Etymological Dictionary.^'*' Contemporaneously, and in the tenth century, flourished Selbach, secretary to King Cormac, already mentioned, and like him a man of great piety and learning. He is said to have written a book, with the Latinized title, *' Genealogiai Sanctorum Hibemiae.""*^ This is supposed to be identical with an ancient Genealogical and Metrical Menology in Irish verse, commencing with the words, *' Naoimh Sheanchus Naomh Innsefail," or " Poetical History of the Irish Saints.^'^^a Although Colgan could not pronounce the authors real name with certainty, yet he generally quotes it as the " Menologium Genealo- '3° According to John of Trittenhem in Ireland," book i., chaps, v. vi. Also Ed- " Catalogus Scriptoram Ecclesiasticomm, ward O'Reilly's " Chronological Account sive illustrium Viroruun, cum Appendice of nearly Four Hundred Irish Writers," pp. coram, qui nostro etiam seculo doctissimi liii. to Ix. claruere," fol. li. b. and Hi. a. '38 See his Life at the 14th of September. '3' See Dr. Todd's and Hon. Algernon '39 See Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- Herbert's edition and translation of " The niae," i. Januarii. Vita S. Fancheae. Sup- Irish version of the Historia Britoram of plementum, sec. ix., p. 5. Nennius," n. (q), p. 222. "k* See O'Mahony's Keating's " History '32 See his Life at the 24th of August. of Ireland," Preface, pp. Ixi., Ixii., Ixxi. '33 See further notices of him at the l8th '^' This work, called Zmi.\ ChoT\mAic, of Febniary. " Cormac's Glossary," translated and anno- '34 A question may here be raised— and tated by the late John O'Donovan, LL.D., one rather difficult to be solved— if some of edited, with Notes and Indices, by Whitley the tracts attributed to St. yEngus the Culdee Stokes, LL D., was printed at Calcutta, A.D. may not have been the composition of this 1868, and published as one of the Irish ^ngus. Both were addicted to literary Archjeological and Celtic Society's books, pursuits, both were accomplished poets, "»^ This Colgan states, on the authority of while the identity of name, of time, and pro- an ancient Irish poem, which he quotes in bably of place, might easily induce mistakes two lines. in assigning to each one his respective pro- "t3 It is comprised in twenty-two chap- ductions. ters. There is a copy of this poem in the '35 See Goldast, " Rerum Almanicaram Burgundian Library, Brassels, and an excel- Scriptores," and Eckenhard's " De Casibus lent one in the Book of Lecan, fol. 58, b. a. Monasterii S. Galli," tomus ii., pars. i. See Drs. Todd's and Reeves' edition of the '36 See his Life at the 5th of February. " Martyrology of Donegal," Introduction, '37 See Harris' Ware, vol. iii. " Writers of p. xix. XXX INTR OD UCTION. gicum," and attributes it to Sealbhach, or Seluacius,^** as the name is Latin- ized. This writer lived some time after King Cormac's death. Regarding this deplorable event and the monarch's virtues, he is reputed to have penned an admirable description. '4s in this century, likewise, Probus wrote the Life of St. Patrick and flourished j'^e as also the Poets, Corbmacan Eigeas, Finnsneachta O'Cuill, chief Poet of Munster, Cinaeth O'Hartigan, Eochaidh O'Floinn, and Urard Mac Coise were known. The latter, however, seem to have written chiefly on ancient topography and romantic traditions. '47 In the eleventh century lived an anonymous author of the " Calenda- rium Casselense," or " Calendar of Cashel," which Colgan preferred calling it, rather than a Martyrology ; because it seemed a compilation intended to serve as a Calendar for Cashel Church or Diocese — many of the most cele- brated Irish saints, not having been recorded in its pages. It has but a very small number of saints, who have not been found in St. ^Engus's Martyrology ; but these are treated about at greater length in the former than in the latter work. The latest saint, mentioned in the Calendar of Cashel, is St. Gormgal, Abbot of Ard-oilen, who died a.d. 1017. The writer is sup- posed to have flourished about a.d. io3o.''>^ Although this Calendar of Cashel is not known to exist at present ; doubtless, it was accessible to Brother Michael O'Clery. In order of antiquity and importance, for the special illustration of Irish Hagiology, it ranks next to the works of St. Mael- ruain and of St. ^ngus.'+s Besides these writers, we may name Flann of the Monastery, a Poet and Historian ; Dubdalethy, Lecturer of Divinity and afterwards Archbishop at Armagh, said to have written Annals of Ireland,*5o and an account of the Archbishops of Armagh, carried down to his own time; Blessed Marianus Scotus,'5' the Chronicler ;'5' Gilda Coemhain, or Caevan, who wrote Genealogical Sonnets on the Affairs of Ireland; and Erard Mac Coisi, of Clonmacnoise, Chief Chronicler of the Gaels ; all lived in this century. '53 In this age also lived St. Moelisa 0'Brolcain,'54 who 144 Yet this poem, called the Naoimh plementum, sec. iv., p. 5. Seanchus, has been attributed to St. ^ngus '^9 See Drs. Todd's and Reeves' " Mar- the Cele De, in the preface to O'Clery's tyrology of Donegal," Introduction, p. xvi. transcript of Reim Rioghraidhe. See Pro- »5o ggg Sir James Ware, *' De Scriptoribus fessor O'Curry's "Lectures on the Manu- Hibernise," lib. i., cap. viii., pp. 49, 50. script Materials of Ancient Irish History," »5' See his Life at the 30th of January. Lect. viii., p. 163. 'saxhe finest edition of Marianus Scottus' '« See Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- " Chronicon" is that edited by Professor nias," i, Januarii. Vita S. Fanchese. Sup- George Waitz, and published in "Monu- plementum, sec. x., p. 5. menta Germanije Historica," under the su- '4* See Sir James Ware, " De Scriptoribus pervision of Georgius Heinricus Pertz. See Hibernire," lib. i., cap. vi., p. 49. "Scriptorum," Tomus v., pp. 481 to 568. '47 See Edward O'Reilly's " Chronolo- '53 See Edward O'Reilly's "Chronological gical Account of nearly Four Hundred Irish Account of nearly Four Hundred Irish Writers, ",pp. Ix. to Ixix. Also Harris' Ware, Writers," pp. Ixxii, to Ixxxi. Erard Mac vol. iii. "Writers of Ireland," book i., Coisi is distinguishable from Urard. Also chap, vii., pp. 64, 65. Harris' Ware, vol. iii. "Writers of Ireland," '4^ See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber- book i., chap, viii., pp. 65 to 67. nise," i. Januarii. Vita S. FancheK. Sup- '54 See his Life at the i6th of Januaiy. INTR OD UCTION. XXXI wrote many works ; while Tigernach O'Braoin, Abbot of Clonmacnoise,^ss an excellent and a judicious antiquary, ^ss collected the Annals of Ireland, which were brought down by him to the very year of his death. 'S7 Various copies of his work are still in existence. 'ss These are generally called in in Latin " Annales Cluanenses," and in English " The Annals of Clonmac- noise."'S9 His Annals have been ably edited by Rev. Charles O'Conor, D.D.^^ The foregoing digest presents only a brief and a very imperfect enumeration of ecclesiastical writers and their works, as serving to illustrate the hagiology and Church history of four consecutive centuries. Section III. — Irish Hagiologists of the Twelfth, Thirteenth, Fourteenth, Fifteenth, and Sixteenth Centuries. In the twelfth century, the best known ecclesiastical, biographical, and historical writers were Gilda Modhude O'Cassidy,^ Gille or Gillebert,' Bishop of Limerick and the Pope's Legate in Ireland, Giolla na Naomh 0'Dunn,3 St. Celsus, or Cellach Mac ^d Mac Mcelisa,'' and St. Malachy 0'Morgair,s Archbishop of Armagh, Abbot Congan,^ Concubrann,' Tundal or Tungal,^ •55 At the year 1088, we read, that " Ti- ghemach Ua Braein, chief successor of Ciaran and Coman, died at Imdhaidh Chia- rain ; he was a paragon of learning and history." '5* He questions the veracity of all the most ancient documents relating to Ireland, while he makes the true historical epoch begin from Cimbaeth, and the founding of the palace of Eamhain Macha, about the eighteenth year of Ptolomy Lagus, before Christ 305. Thus he writes: "Omnia monumenta Scotorum usque Cinbaeth in- certa erant." His quotations from Latin and Greek authors are numerous ; and his balancing their authorities against each other manifests a degree of criticism uncom- mon in that age in which he flourished. He quotes Eusebius, Orosius, Julius Africanus, Bede, Josephus, St. Jerome, and other writers, '57 See the remarks of Sir James Ware on this subject. " De Scriptoribus Hibemiae," lib. i., cap. vii., pp. 51, 52. 's^See "Catalogue of Irish Manuscripts in the Library at Stowe," p. 192. '59 See Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- nise," i. Januarii. Vita S. Fanchese. Sup- pi ementum, sec. xi., p. 5, and xvi. Januarii. Vita B. Moelisa Brolchani, p. 108. '*° " It is stated in the Dublin copy of the Annals of Innisfallen, at A.D. 1088, that this remarkable man was of the tribe of the Sil-Muireadhaigh ; and Dr. O'Conor boasts in a note that he was of the same race as the O'Conors of Connaught, who were the prin- cipal family of the Sil-Muireadhaigh." — Dr. O'Donovan's '* Annals of the Four Masters," vol. ii., pp. 930 to 932, andn. (o). Ibid. Section in. — ' See Wills' " Lives of Illustrious and Distinguished Irishmen," vol. ii. , part ii. Third Period, p. 249. ^ See Sir James Ware's ' ' De Scriptoribus Hibemiae," lib. i., cap. viii., p. 53. 3 He died on the 17th of December, A.D. 1 160. He was a lector of Inis-Clothran and "a paragon in history and poetry." — Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters, " vol ii., pp. 1136, 1137. * See Sir James Ware, ' ' De Scriptoribus Hiberniae," lib. i., cap. viii., p. 53, 54. 5 See the present writer's ' ' Life of St. Malachy O'Morgair, Bishop of Down and Connor, Archbishop of Armagh, Patron of these several Dioceses, and Delegate Apos- tolic of the Holy See for the Kingdom of Ireland." Dublin : 1859. 8vo. * See Dr. Meredith Hanmer's * * Chronicle of Ireland," pp. 209, 210. 7 See Sir James Ware, " De Scriptoribus Hibemiae," lib. i., cap. viii., p. 57. * " The Vision of Tundal" was very cele-- brated, and several MS. copies of it are yet INTRODUCTION. and Eugene, Bishop of Ardmore.5 But the Martyrologist, Maolmurry or Marianus O'Gorman, who composed a Martyrology in very original and elegant Irish metre/° about the year 1 167, in the time of Gelasius, Arch- bishop of Armagh, contributed more especially to elucidate Irish hagiology, in this age. In it, Marianus includes, with those of Ireland, the principal saints of other countries." An ancient scholiast declares, that most of the Irish por- tion of this work had been compiled from the Martyrology of Tallagh. For its faithful execution and singular felicity of style, the Martyrology of Marianus was held in deserved estimation. The author was Abbot over Cnoc-na- napstol, or " Hill of the Apostles," now Knock, near Louth. He is said , by Sir James Ware, to have published a supplement to the Martyrology of ^ngus, or ^neas, a.d. 1171." The only copy of Marianus O'Gorman 's Martyrology, known to Dr. Todd, was that preserved among the Burgundian Library MSS. at Bruxelles.'3 Scholia, written in the manner of a gloss, are found in it, and add considerably to its value as historical authority. '"^ In the thirteenth century, Matthew O'Heney, Archbishop of Cashel, author of the Annals of Innisfallen, the author of the Annals of Multifernan, Gelasy or Gillisa Mac Firbissy, a historian and a poet, with the author of an Office of St. Finian, Bishop of Clonard, and Donogh Mor O'Daly, Abbot of extant. This was written in the third per- son, so that Tundal was probably only its narrator to another writer. It is usually known as " Apparitionum Suarum," lib. i. See Harris' Ware, vol. iii. "Writers of Ireland," book i., pp. 70, 71. It was ge- nerally known in the middle ages, and it probably furnished the Italian poet Dante with hints for some of his most inspired passages and conceptions of plan. There is a copy of this vision, attributed to the close of the thirteenth century, in the Bur- gundian Library at Bruxelles. The MS. is beautifully written on vellum, in eighteen small 8vo sheets. There is no name for the scribe, no illumination, nor trace of Irish characters in it. — " Inventaire," vol. xiii., No. 4531. There is another copy described in vol. xxiv., No. 7960. It occupies, in double columns, 20 vellum folios, written upon both sides, and ascribed to the four- teenth century. There is even a third copy described in vol. ii. , No. 1161. See a fur- ther description, in Mr. Bindon's paper, read May 24th, 1847. " Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy," vol. iii., pp. 478, 479, 486, 499, 500. 9 See Edward O'Reilly's *' Chronological Account of nearly Four Hundred Irish Writers," pp. Ixxxiii. to Ixxxvi. Also Har- ris' Ware, vol. iii. "Writers of Ireland," book i., chap, ix., pp. 68 to 72. '° A copy is preserved in the Burgundian Library, Bruxelles, among the MSS., vol. xvii.. No. 5103. In the copy this piece is entitled " Mariani Gormani Sancti de qui- bus dubito, an sint Hibemi an alij, quid non reperiantur in aliis Martyrologiis iis quibus denotantur diebus. " It is in the Irish lan- guage, as well as a testimonial which pre- cedes it, and bearing date August i8th, 1633, signed Fearfeassa O Maoliconaire and Cu- coiccrice O Clerig. This Martyrology is in short metre, and its contains 141 pages. " " Onecarmot doubt," says Harris, " but that this is the same treatise mentioned by Ware, under the name of a supplement, which Colgan calls a Martyrology, notwith- standing the difference in the dates, which is but small. " See Harris' Ware, vol iii. "Writers of Ireland," book i., chap, ix., p. 71. " See " De Scriptoribus HiberaiiB," lib. i., cap. viii., p. 56. '3 From this he procured a transcript, pre- pared by Professor Eugene O'Curry. It is now in Rev. Dr. Reeves' possession. '^ See Drs. Todd's and Reeves' edition of the Martyrology of Donegal," Introduction, pp. xvii., xviii. INTRODUCTION. Boyle, called the Ovid of Ireland, for the rhythmical flow of his dulcet verses,'5 are regarded as the chief hagio graphical and reHgious writers.'^ In the fourteenth century, Malachy Mac ^da, Archbishop of Tuam, Richard Fitz Ralph, Archbishop of Armagh ,"^7 John Clyn, a Franciscan Friar of Kilkenny, and Magraith Mac Gowan,^^ John O'Dugan, chief poet of Hy Many, and Siodruadh O'Cuirnin, a poet of Breifne, were the chief literary men, whose works are very serviceable in the compilation of a na- tional Saint History/9 Augustine Magraidain, an Augustinian canon, lived in a monastery on All Saints' Island, in Lough Ree, and near the western boundary of Longford county. He wrote a book, intituled, " Vitas Sanctorum Hibernise." He also compiled a Chronicle, which other can ons of his monastery had com- menced, and which he then continued down to his o\vn time. From the secluded place in which it had been written, this Chronicle is usually titled, " Annales Insulenses" or " Annals of the Island." Magraiden died on Wednesday, following the Festival of All Saints, and in the year 1405. The original of his Lives of the Irish Saints now seems to be lost ; but under a parchment cover, a paper copy, folio size,^° has been transcribed by Fr. John Golde, a Cork religious of the order of Friars Minor, belonging to the regular observance, and Guardian of the Franciscan Convent at Cashel.^^ The manuscript from which it was compiled — said to be from an authentic transcript of the originaP'^ — was in the careful keeping of a nobleman, the initial letters of whose name, G. F., are only given. The copy made from it is the authority so frequently used and quoted by Colgan,^3 under the title, " Vitas Sanctorum ex Cod. Inisensi,"^^ or '' Insulensis." This is now pre- 'S See Edward O'Reilly's " Chronological plished in A.D. 1627, by command of Rev. Account of nearly Four Hundred Irish Father Francis Matthew, Minister Provin- Writers, " pp. Ixxxviii. to xcii. cial over the Irish Province, as attested on '* See Harris' Ware, vol. iii., " Writers of the last page. Ireland," book i., chap, x., pp. 72 to 78. ^^ Belonging to Inis na naomh, on Lough '7 See his Life at the i6th November. Ree. '^ Sir James Ware is said to have had this =3 He has made some divisions into chap- writer's works in manuscript. Magraith ters, on the margins of this manuscript, and Mac Gowan is the reputed author of works in his own handwriting. in the Irish language, On the Genealogies of ^'* On the cover, this title is inscribed, and the Saints of Ireland, and On the Succession immediately under, "Vide Indicem post of the Kings and Chiefs of Ireland, with Vitam Stse. Athractse, seu folio." Again, some other miscellanies. He is thought to this Index is headed : " Index Sanctorum in have been a member of the community of hoc extracto Codicis Insulse Sanctorum Con- St. Ruadan, at Lurrah, county of Tipperary. tentorum." From this, I infer that the pre- See Harris' Ware, vol iii. '* Writers of Ire- served MS. is not a complete copy of that land," book i., chap, xi., p. 87. " Book of the Island." Under an inverted '9 See Edward O'Reilly's "Chronologi- but alphabetical order of paging, reference cal Account of nearly Four Hundred Irish is made in the Index to the several saints' Writers, " pp. xcvi. to cxi. lives, in Latin. There are thirty-three ^° It contains 304 pages. Acta. The Index fairly enough describes "' This he diligently and faithfully accom- the contents of this manuscript. INTR on UCTIO N. served in the library of the Convent of St. Francis, Merchant's-quay, Dublin. Again, Barrett, Bishop of Ferns, wrote a catalogue of his predecessors in the see of Ferns ; Coll Deoran, a native of Leinster, wrote Annals of Ire- land f^ an Irish monk belonging to the Abbey of St. James, at Ratisbon, in Bavaria, is said to have written about the Saints of Ireland, but in a very credulous fashion ; Tatheus or Thaddeus, Abbot over the Scots, at Ratisbon, also drew up certain fragments,^^ extracted from the chronicles of this foun- dation in 1457. Many other fifteenth century writers are known to have been engaged on various historical works. It is stated, that Malachy O'Lachnayn, a secular priest of Killaloe Diocese, a.d. 1489,^7 transcribed a Missal in Latin.'^^ This contains divers prayers and lessons from Holy Scripture, a Kalendar, the Psalms of David, with many prayers and hymns intermixed. After the Psalms, several hymns, prayers and short sermons, with offices and short Lives of Saints, are written.^9 Besides the foregoing, Charles or Cathal Maguire, a canon of Armagh and Dean of Clogher, about the year 1470, composed a tract on the Irish Saints. This writer only en- larges on the Martyrology of St .^ngus, adding, from Marianus O'Gorman, and from other sources, some Irish Saints not found in the work of ^ngus . His compilation is intituled "vEugussius Auctus," and it is often quoted by Colgan, under such title. Maguire was a pious, patriotic, and > learned man, well versed in antiquarian studies.3° He was a native of Fermanagh, and he died, according to Sir James Ware,3^ on the 23rd of March, a.d. 1498, in the sixtieth year of his age. He drew up a valuable compilation of Irish Annals, which he brought down to his own period. These are frequently called " Annales Senatenses," from a place called Senadh, otherwise, Senat Mac-Magnus, in the county of Fermanagh, where they had been composed. Most modern writers, however, usually describe them as " Annales Ulton- ienses," or the " Annals of Ulster," because their contents chiefly relate to the northern province of Ireland.3' The best known hagiographical and annalistic writers the sixteenth cen- tury produced were Nicholas Maguire, Bishop of Leighlin,33 Thomas Fitch, a canon of Christ's Church Cathedral, Dublin, Magnus or Manus Fitz- ^5 See Sir James Ware, " De Scriptoribus " Writers of Ireland," book i., chap, xii., Hibemiae," lib, i., cap. xi., p. 75, pp. 89, 90. =* These are contained in Canisius, "An- ^o Scholia or Annotations on the"Re- tiquteLectiones." gistry of Clogher" are also ascribed to him. »7 Such a date, with the author's name and See Harris' Ware, " Writers of Ireland," title, written by himself, is in the beginning vol.iii., booki., chap, xii., p. 90. of this codex. ^i See "De Scriptoribus Hiberni*," lib. '* This 4to manuscript is written in a fine i-j cap. xi., p. 77. Gothic character on vellum. It is likewise ^^ See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber- illuminated. niae," i. Januarii. Vita S. Fancheae, Sup« ""* Harris says it was classed A. 4. 8. in plementum, §§ v., xii., pp. 5, 6. Trinity College Library, where it is pre- ^3 See Harris' Ware, vol. i. "Bishops of served. See Harris' Ware,| vol. iii. Leighlin," p. 460. INTRODUCTION. xxxv Hugh O'Donnell, Prince of Tyrconnell,3'> who wrote an Irish Life of St. Columkille, Patrick Culin, Bishop of Clogher,3s and Roderick O'Cassidy, Archdeacon of Clogher, John Bale,3^ Richard Creagh, Archbishop of Ar- magh, Richard Stanihurst, Thady DowHng, Chancellor of Leighlin, John Alan or Allen, Archbishop of Dublin,37 and Dr. Meredith Hanmer.s^ He is said to have written an " Ephemeris of the Irish Saints."39 Various col- lections of Irish Saints' Lives of this or of an antecedent period were then in the possession of Irish families.'^" We next approach an epoch when enlightened learning and criticism first began to dissolve those mists, which had so long obscured the Legends, re- lating to our former religious life. Section IV. — Irish Hagiologists of the Seventeenth Century. It was principally during the seventeenth centur)', that the best efforts were made to give a systematic and permanent commemoration to the Acts and Festivals of Irish Saints. Early in this century, the Most Rev. Peter Lombard, Archbishop of Armagh, composed a work, which is intituled, " De Regno Hibernige, Sanctorum Insulse, Commentarius." In it, allusion is made to the national saints, distinguished in our Island, or as missionaries in many other countries on the Continent of Europe. This was first printed and published at Louvain, a.d. 1632,' some few years after his death. The Catalogue of holy Irishmen, and an enumeration of their respective missionary labours, are well worth the Irish hagiographist's study, because this narrative, in point of issue, takes precedence of many seventeenth century Catholic works, that have seen the light on similar subjects. Those chapters, treating on the saints, have been consulted with great advantage for this special theme. About the commencement of this century, the celebrated Scottish writer, *♦ See Colgan's " Trias Thaumaturga," as we find by referring to Michael O'Clery's Quinta Vita S. Columbas, pp. 389 to 453. manuscript. See vol. iv., No. 2324-2340, 35 See Harris' Ware, vol. i,, "Bishops of fol. 12, of the Burgundian Library Cata- Clogher," p. 187. logue at Bruxelles. In this same codex w^e 3^ See Wills' *' Lives of Illustrious and find noticed " Scriptores Antiqui Hib.," Distinguished Irishmen," vol. ii., part i., Ec- fol. loi. clesiastical Series, Period iii., pp. 218, 219. Section iv. — 'A second and a much more 37 See Harris' Ware, vol. i. * ' Archbishops accurate edition has appeared at Dublin, of Dublin," pp. 34610348. A.D. 1868, edited by the Very Rev. Mon- 3* See Harris' Ware, vol., iii. "Writers signor Patrick F. Moran, D.D., since con - of Ireland," book i., chap, xiii., pp. 91 to secrated Bishop of Ossory. An interesting 100. Also, book ii., chap, v., pp. 32410 Memoir of the Author is found prefixed. 328. Before its publication, the first edition had 39 See " The Irish Ecclesiastical Record," been often quoted throughout this work ; vol. viii., p. 560. but, as being a far more valuable one, the *° Among others, a gentleman, named second edition is that to which reference is Simon Barnwell, had "Vitse Sanctorum," most generally made. C XKXvi INTRODUCTION. Thomas Dempster, a zealous but a very unscrupulous and intemperate patriot, wrote several books, relating to Scottish history, especially referring to its ecclesiastical, hagiographical and literary aspects. He contrived, in very many instances, to extol the fame of Scotland,^ while depreciating that of Ireland. 3 David Camerarius, a Scotch priest, was a contemporary, and engaged in the like pursuits. ■♦ This naturally raised a host of literary Irish- men and controvertists, anxious to vindicate their country's fair claims to the honour of having given birth to many holy and very distinguished men. Among those champions were John Wadding, a secular priest of Wexford, who wrote " Historia Ecclesiastica Hibemise,"s D. G., the anonymous author of " Brigida Thaumaturga,"^ and Donatus Roirk,7 who published at Rouen a tract, intituled, " Hibernia Resurgens, sive Refrigerium antidotale adversus Morsum Serj)entis antiqui."^ These latter anonymous works are attributed to David Roth, Bishop of Ossory. This learned man was bom in Kilkenny A.D. 1572, became an alumnus of Douay and Salamanca, was ordained priest, and returned to Ireland in 16 10.9 Afterwards, he was promoted to the see of Ossory, and took an active part in the civil and ecclesiastical affairs of the Confederation. Besides the works to which allusion has been made, he wrote others ; and especially one on the history of the Irish saints inti- tuled, " Hierographige Sacrae Insulas Hibernise Lineamenta adumbrata (sine arrhabo) et praegustus Tripartitae Descriptionis Ecclesiae Regni et Gentis Hibernorum, ex variis Scriptoribus, tam veteribus, quam neoteris delibatus. Industria et studio Analectae et Anagnestse Catholici H. . . collectore et dygestore Philadelpho cui adjuncta est in antecessum largioris defensionis decertatio apolegetica adversus Conaeum,^" Camerarium," Dempsterum, de ' He especially took advantage of the Svo. At the end he gives a small tract, in- tcrms, Scotia and Scoticus, as applied by tituled, " Prsecidaneum Nomenclaturre ancient writers to Ireland and to individual Dempsteri." Irishmen. ^ This is supposed to have been a name, 3 The versatile and learned Father Bona- assumed by David Roth, Bishop of Ossory. venture Baron has penned a Latin Epigram See Ussher's " Primordia," p. 737. Dr. on Dempster, in reference to his erratic Kelly's " Cambrensis Eversus," voL ii., flights. See " Opuscula, Prosa et Metra." chap, xiv., pp. 230, 231. Argumento etiam Varia. Tomus i., lib. ii., 8 jt bears on the imprint, Rothomagi, A.D. p. 27. 1 62 1. It appeared in Svo shape. See * All that Camerarius has about the Scot- Watt's "Bibliotheca Britannica," vol. ii., tish Saints is comprised in his work, " De p. 813. Statu hominis veteris simul ac Novae Eccle- 9 See an interesting account of this pre- siae, et Sanctis Regni Scotiae," lib. i., cap. late, in Rev. C. P. Meehan's "Rise and iii., § 2, pp. 116 to 263, following the order p"all of the Irish Franciscan Monasteries, of days and months, as these occur in the and Memoirs of the Irish Hierarchy in the Calendar. Seventeenth Century," chap, vi., pp. 1 76 to 5 Lynch is thought to have been in pos- 157^ and Appendix, pp. 347 to 356. session of this Manuscript, from which he "Coneus was an Itahan theologian, sent quotes. See "Cambrensis Eversus,'' vol. by Pope Urban VIII. to the court of Hen- ii., cap. xiv., pp. 230 to 232. Dr. Kelly's rietta Maria, Queen of England, edition. " This Scotsman's work was published in *This was printed at Paris, A.D. 1620, in Catalonia, Spain INTRODUCTION. xxxvii ejusdem sacrse insulse originibus."" This learned Bishop of Ossory was most zealous in promoting the knowledge of Irish ecclesiastical history and hagiology, during that stormy period in which he lived. His death occurred on the 2oth of April, a.d. 1650, soon after the city of Kilkenny surrendered to Oliver Cromwell. '3 Some anonymous author,'^ under the letters G. F.,^s wrote a work, having for its title, " Hibernise sive Antiquioris Scotise Vindiciae adversus Immodes- tam Parechasim Thomse Dempsteri, modern! Scoti, nuper editam ; quibus accessit Nomenclatura Sanctorum Prsecipuorum Hibernise, per Hen. Fitz- Simons, Soc. Jesu."'^ Previous to this time, Father Henry Fitz-Simons, a celebrated Irish Jesuit, ^^ had compiled " Catalogus Aliquorum Sanctorum Hibernise." The first edition of this Catalogue was printed at Douai, a.d. 1 61 5. It appears to have been enlarged from a list of Irish saints, compiled by another Irish Jesuit, Father Richard Flaminius, or Fleming, who lived in Paris. A second edition appeared at Liege, a.d. 1619.'^ This work had been republished, likewise, at Antwerp, a.d. 1621.^9 This interesting Calendar has been re-issued — at least in part — by Philip O'SulleyaiLBeare.'" It has been inferred, by a late learned editor of his work,^' that O'SuUevan, who was composing the first part of his history in l6.i8, had not then seen the first edition of Fitz-Simon's Catalogue.^^ From the manner in which O'Sullevan alludes to it, this, indeed, is extremely probable. Father Henry Fitz-Simon has disposed the names. Latinized, and in an alphabetical form, while he quotes also those authors, who treat concerning the holy persons so distinguished. Lest the record so prepared might perish, and no previous and similar list pubhshed before that time being considered more complete, O'Sullevan resolved to include, with numeration at each alpha- betical entry, those names, in his History.^3 Besides this list, he inserts " Some fragments of this work have been of this remarkable man will be found in the recovered by the Rev. James Graves, A. B., "Irish Ecclesiastical Record," vol. viii,, M. R.I. A. Nos. Ixxxix., xc, xci., xcii., xciii., xcv., xcvi., '3 It is said, he left in manuscript an and vol. ix., Nos. xcvii., xcviii., c, cii., cv. "Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," and See likewise Rev. George Oliver's " CoUec- other writings, which are probably lost. See tions towards illustrating the Biography of Thomas D'Arcy M'Gee's " Gallery of Irish the Scotch, English, and Irish Jesuits," pp. Writers," pp. 112 to 118. 227, 228. '■* Who styles himself " Veredicus Hiber- '^ In 8vo, p. 117. See likewise "Acta iius." Sanctorum Augusti," tomus i., iv. Augusti, '5 Most likely this is the nobleman G. F., Vita S. Luani seu Moluse. whose initials only are given, and who is '9 In 8vo shape. See Watt's " Biblio- said to have possessed the original copy of theca Britannica," vol., i., p. 370, f. g. " Vitffi Sanctorum" belonging to the Island '"' See " Historise Catholicse Ibernise of All Saints, on Lough Ree. Compendium," tomus i., lib. iv., cap. xii., '*This book appeared at Antwerp, a.d, pp. 51 to 58. 1621, in 8vo. " Very Rev. Matthew Kelly, D.D. '7 He was born at Dublin in 1569, and he ^"^ See ibid., p. 57, n. died in 1644. See " Bibliotheca Scripto- ^3 The numbers represent 289 distinct rum Societatis lesu, opus inchoatum a R. saints, connected with Ireland, and a great P. Petro Ribadenira," &c. A Nathanaele many of these were venerated on the Conti- Sotvello, p. 224. An interesting biography nent. xxxviii INTRODUCTION. another catalogue of our national saints.^* Their festivals were arranged, according to the order of months and days, yet hardly were they drawn together with sufficient elaborateness and care.^s Seldom more than the simple name of each saint is given. In addition, O'Sullevan presents another list, collected by Conveus,^^ from the works of approved authors.'^ This was especially extracted from a small book, treating on the hagiology and literary proficiency of the Irish. Only a few saints' names are included, in this list, with some brief notices referring to them. In some of the previous chapters, likewise, O'Sullevan Beare commemorates holy prelates, doctors, and saints belonging to Ireland."^ In the course of this present work, frequent references will be found, at the various festivals assigned to each saint thus recorded. Yet, there can be no doubt, that mistakes and typo- graphical errors abound in those Catalogues ; while some holy persons are noted as Irish, without any satisfactory authentication of their nationality. In the year 1629, O'Sullevan pubHshed his Life of our Irish Apostle, inti- tuled, " Decas Patriciana," or " St. Patrick's Decade." It was so called, because this work had been divided into Ten Books, while each Book con- tained Ten Chapters. The first eight Books are devoted to the Acts of the great Irish Apostle. They are generally in accord with the longer lives, afterwards published by the BoUandists and by Colgan. The ninth book treats on the history of St. Patrick's Purgatory ; while the tenth book contains much miscellaneous matter on Irish history, and especially on that period subsequent to the Reformation, together with his singular treatise, intended as a reply to Ussher, and intituled, " Archicomigeromastix."*? This work was the first in a series of Irish Saints' Lives he designed publishing ;3® for he had completed the Acts of St. Kyran of Saiger, of St. Abban, of St. Ailbe, of St. Declan, and of St. Mochudda. Excepting the Latin translation of an Irish Life of St. Mochua, which he gave to Father John Boland, no other national saint's biography issued, nor had Colgan been able to ascer- tain where his manuscripts were deposited. 3^ The interest awakened on the Continent of Europe, by the peculiar reli- gious and political state of Ireland, and the circumstance, that the works of **The author's name was unknown to iv., cap. i. toxiv., pp. 93 to 112. him. *9 This title has been translated "Scourge 'SOver 220 distinct entries of saints, pre- of the Arch-horned." sumably Irish, are here inserted. 30 There is an interesting Life of Philip "^^ Father Ricardus Convoeus was a Jesuit. O'Sullevan Beare, written by the Rev. Mat- ^7 It is headed : "Catalogus Quorundam thew Kelly, prefixed to the edition of his Sanctorum, Virorumque illustrium Iberno- History. See, likewise, Thomas D. M 'Gee's rum, alias Scotorum, seu Irlandorum, qui " Gallery of Irish Writers," pp. 24 to 33. varias mundi plagas disseminandse aut con- 3' gee the Preface, written by the Rev. servandae fidei, sacrarumque literarum desi- Matthew Kelly, D.D., and prefixed to the derio incensi peragrarunt aut speciali bene- second edition of the "Historic Catholicac ficio patroni habentur, ommissis innumeris Iberniae Compendium," supervised by him, qui domi floruerunt." and published at Dublin, A. D. 1850, in 8vo. ''See " Historise CatholicaB Ibemiae Com- The first edition of this work appeared in pendium,"tomusi., lib., i., cap. ii., p. 6, lib. l62j. INTRODUCTION. XXXlX Giraldus Cambrensis,32 since the invention of printing, had been extensively circulated and read, caused some learned and patriotic Irishmen to refute the calumnies of that accomplished and effective, but vain and prejudiced writer. One of the first to enter the lists was Father Stephen White, a learned Jesuit. He wrote some very exhaustive and valuable treatises.33 One of these is entided, " Apologia pro Hibernia adversus Cambri Calum- nias : sive fabularum et famosorura Libellorum Silvestri Giraldi Cambrensis, sub vocabulis Topographise, sive de Mirabilibus Hiberniae, et Historia Vati- cinalis, sive Expugnationis ejusdem Insulae Refutatio." This tract, preserved in the Burgundian Library, at Brussels, had long lain in MS., until it was published and edited with various additions, by the Very Rev. Matthew Kelly, D.D.3+ The original treatise had been composed very early in the seventeenth century, and probably before the year 1615. With great honesty and research, but with a tone of controversial acerbity, the patriotic writer, White, proceeds to refute various errors and misrepresentations of Giraldus.35 His work is rather diffuse, however, and it abounds with unnecessary repe- titions. In this particular treatise, 3^ the sanctity and learning, for which Ireland had been famous during ages long past, have been ably vindicated, while the names and acts of various holy persons are instanced, for proof of several propositions advanced by the author. He states, also, that while 3» Especially in relation to Irish History and Topography. 33 In the Burgundian Library, at Bruxelles, there is a very large folio paper MS ., classed as vol. xxi., and containing Nos. 7658, 7659, 7660, 7661. This is bound in vel- lum, and from the class-mark, it would seem originally to have belonged to a Jesuit Li- brary. The title or heading occupies half the first page, and has the following note written across it, in an old hand differing from the text : " Authore N. P. Stephano Vito, soc'^. Jesu Hiberno, Clonmeliensi. " The title is as follows : " Vindiciae Scoto- rum veterum. Sanctorum indigenarum Iber- niae oceani magnae Insulae, quas olim ab immemorabili tempore, passim per Europam usque ad annum Christi saltem 1000 audie- bat Scotia, deinde vero per 200 et amplius annos dicebatur Scotia major sive vetus, ad discrimen Scotiae primoris et novae, quae ante per plurima secula audiebat Patria Pic- torum Britanniffi. In tres libros distributse, adversus graves crebrosque errores novorum de rebus Scoticis historicorum Hectoris Boetii, Georgii Buccanani, Georgij Tomsoni, Roberti Turneri, sub nomine Joannis Leslei, et asseclarum ipsorum qui Ibernorum natio- nem et patriam prisco nomine proprio chris- tianorum Scotorum et Scotiae, una cum in- genti numero Sanctorum Ibemiae Scotorum veterum immerito privant et transformant in Neoscotos Britanniae Insulae posteros, priscae Pictorum ac Dalreudinorum Gentis candido Lectori memorabilium antiquitatum amanti. S." This first part contains a Pre- face, with the censurae of various ancient authors, and afterwards a table of contents, divided into eleven chapters. The body of the tract commences at p. 14, and it is con- tinued in 202 folios, written on both sides. Then a different character of hand appears, which cbntinues to p. 309, written very closely and on both sides. 3* Some notices of the author are prefixed, by the learned editor. See the Dublin edi- tion, A.D. 1849. 33 Dr. Todd called the attention of Mr. Bindon to a manuscript fragment in the Latin language, forming part of the Ussher Collection, in the Library of Trinity College, Dublin, classed E. 3. 19. Upon inspection, it was discovered, it is a part of this work of Stephen White, which is above de- scribed. 3* It is the only one of the author, as yet published. Another Tract, " De Sanctis et Antiquitate Hibemiaj," had been thought worthy of publication ; yet, it appears never to have seen the light. xl INTRODUCTION. compiling this work,37 he consulted, in addition to various published books, very mxny ancient manuscripts.38 Much use has been made of this learned tract, as must appear from subsequent pages of the present work. 39 Father Stephen White''" was a friend of Archbishop Ussher. The contents of the Bruxeiles MS., or of the part, fastened within the binding, amount in all to about 1,000 closely written pages. It was evidently a copy, made perhaps for the author, by four, or, at all events, by three different scribes. As for its contents, as a valuable historical document, information appears to have been drawn from many and high authorities. The immense amount of learning with which the author was gifted, and the facility of arrangement with which he has used it, are apparent. Later still was written the celebrated, " Cambrensis Eversus, seu potius Historica Fides in Rebus Hibernicis Giraldo Cambrensi abrogata," and it was published a.d. 1662,4' by its author. Dr. John Lynch, under the anony- mous designation of Gratianus Lucius. Altogether abstracting from its im- portance, as a work of refutation, it embraces a great variety of well-digested and accurate information in reference to Irish History. The labours of various eminent ecclesiastics, his countrymen, had already supplied the author with materials to render the hagiographical portion of his work espe- cially valuable. This, however, was not the only service he rendered to Irish historical and biographical literature. 4* One of the first efforts, to invest with the immortality of print, a separate collection of Offices and Acts of the Irish Saints, was attempted by Thomas Messingham, a secular priest of Leinster, and who was Moderator of the Irish College in Paris. There a.d. 1620, he published " Officia S.S. Patricii, Columbae, Brigidae et aliorum quorundam Hibernias Sanctorum." This was followed in 1624, by his " Florilegium Insulge Sanctorum, seu Vitse et Acta Sanctorum Hibernige, quibus accesserunt non vulgaria monumenta, hoc est Sancti Patricii Purgatorium, S. Malachise Prophetiae de Summis Pontificibus, 37 Pi-obably at Dilengen. Lynch's "Cambrensis Eversus," vol. i., 38 The Rev. Dr. Oliver, in his "Collec- cap. i., p. 94, Dr. Kelly's edition. tions towards illustrating the Biography of 4' The original edition appeared in folio size, the Scotch, English, and Irish Members of and the place where it was printed is not stated, the Society of Jesus, "has alluded with com- At the instance of the Celtic Society was mendation to this Irish Father and his issued a new and greatly improved edition, works. See No. cclxxxvii., p. 250. with Introduction — a Life included — trans- 39 At the end of this MS. volume will be lation into English, and notes explanatory, found a detached folio tract, entitled, upon prepared by the Rev. Matthew Kelly, D.D. the cover, "Apologia pro Sanctis Scotiae, It appeared in three 8vo volumes, at Dublin, sed Infirma videtursaltem si conferatur cum from the years 1848 to 1852. Vindiciis P. Step. Viti, pro Scotia antiqua *=In 1669, he published at St. Malo, Seu Hibernia." This tract, unpublished, " Pii Antistitis Icon ; sive de Vita et Morte formed part of a Jesuit collection. It con- Reverendissimi Francisci Kiroveni, Alla- tains twenty folios written upon both sides. densis Episcopi." This work has been re- It has a few leaves of detached Irish MSS. published at Dublin, 1848, in small quarto upon 4to paper. size, with a translation and notes by Rev. ^ This learned man is greatly extolled in C. P. Meehan. INTRODUCTION. xli aliaque nonnulla quorum elenchus post Prsefatione habetur." Omnia nunc primuni partini ex MS. codicibus, partim typis editis collegit et publicabat Thomas Messinghamus, Sacerdos Hibernus, S. R. E. Protonotarius, nee non Seminarii Hibernorum Parisiis Moderator. ^^ On the whole, this work is de- ficiently edited, and defective on the score of historical or topographical notes and criticism. However, some valuable disquisitions and observations are dispersed throughout, while some important acta have been included. Early in this century, the Rev. Dr. Jeoffry Keating wrote his popular "His- tory of the Kingdom of Ireland,"t'^ in our national language. A folio paper MS. of this work, and thought to be the original, is yet extant. ■♦s It formerly be- longed to the Franciscan Convent at Donegal.*^ It comprises 84 leaves, numbered, and representing double that number of closely-written pages.47 It has been annotated throughout by Colgan. Two pages in his handwriting are prefixed, and these contain the names of authors cited in this History. Besides, there is another folio paper copy of Keating's History, preserved in the Library of the Convent of St. Francis, Merchants'-quay, Dublin. It is very legibly written in the Irish language and character. 4^ A great number of manuscript copies of the History were multiplied by Irish scribes, and are yet preserved, in various places, before this work had been published, with its English translations. Although much condemned by incompetent critics, and having some apocryphal statements introduced, yet Keating's is a volume of exceeeding great value for the student of Irish History. 49 But the illustrious martyr, Christopher Fleming, and the never-to-be-for- gotten Father Luke Wadding, so renowned as a pious, patriotic, and learned Irishman, were the first great promoters of that noble spirit, which served in the seventeenth century to perpetuate the early hagiographical fame of Ireland. Fleming was descended from the lords of Slane,^^ and he was born on the 17th of April, 1599, at a place called Bel-atha-Lagain, in the *3 In this work are included two pieces under vellum covers, from the pen of David Roth, afterwards *^ It is comprised in 373 pages, under calf Bisiiop of Ossory, viz., "De Nominibus binding. From an entry, we find, that it Hiberiiiae Tractatus," and " Elucidatioaes belonged to a Dr. James Duffy, of the dio- in Vitam S. Patricii a Jocelino Scriptam." cese of Limerick, and of the College of ** In the Irish, it is styled, " Foras Feasa Sorbonne, a.d. 1652. From another entry, •irEirinn." we learn, that it was placed in St. Isidore's 45 Father Peter Mac Cormack, Guardian Lil)rary, Rome, by Father Murphy, Guar- of St. Isidore's Convent, Rome, in the last dian, i6th July, A.D. 1739. century, says, this MS. has been traced by ^9 ^ considerable number of editions, in Dr. Jeolfry Keatmg, propria in.inu. Coin- Irish, and translated into English, have been ciding with this opinion is one of the late issued during the last and the present cen- Dr. James Henthorn Todd, expressed to the tury. One of the most valuable, probably, Franciscan Fathers, at Roma, in 1862. is O'Mahony's translation, published at 4* It was afterwards sent to St. Anthony's New York, A.D. 1866. See the Life of Dr. Franciscan Convent, Louvain, thence to St. Jeoffry Keating in Thomas D'Arcy M 'Gee's Isidore's, Rome, and in 1872, it was trans- "Gallery of Iris li Writers," pp. 34 to 43. ferrei to the Coavent of St. Francis, Mer- ^° His genealogical pedigree will be found chants'-quay, Dublin. in the " Ulster Journal of Archjeology," 4' The paper is of a faded colour, and vol. ii., p. 254. xlii INTRODUCTION. parish of Cluain-Caoin, in the county of Louth. s' He was a subject of Armagh diocese. Owing to early pious sentiments, his parents were induced to favour dispositions, which led him to embrace a religious life. At the age of thirteen, he was sent over to the Continent. His maternal uncle, Christo- pher Cusack, presided over the Colleges of Douay, Tournay and other semi- naries, founded in those parts for the Catholic education of Irish students. Having studied humanity at Douay, Fleming afterwards entered the Fran- ciscan College of St. Anthony of Padua, at Louvain.s^ In 1616, the first stone of this celebrated house was laid by Prince Albert and Isabella. 53 On the 17th of March, 161 7, he took the probationary habit of St. Francis, from Father Anthony Hickey,54 then superior over that college. On the same day, in the following year, Fleming was solemnly received into the order of St. Francis. At the same time, he relinquished the baptismal name of Chris- topher, to assume in religion that of Ireland's patron saint. He continued his Philosophical and Theological studies until the year 1623. Then, in com- pany with Hugh Mac Caghwell, Definitor General of the Franciscan order, he removed to Rome. Taking Paris on the way, he formed a close friend- ship with Father Hugh Ward. The latter was urged by him to collect and prepare for publication materials for the Lives of our Irish Saints. To Fleming, therefore, is due the first enlightened idea of starting an undertaking, which afterwards was continued by Ward and Colgan. During Fleming's travels through Italy, and while he continued at Rome, he was diligently employed in collecting all the Lives of Irish Saints to be found in Manu- scripts. By earnest and pressing letters, he urged on Father Ward the duty of prosecuting this work. After some time. Father Fleming joined him in Louvain, and there for some years he taught Philosophy and Theology. In 1630, he was appointed Superior of the Franciscans at Prague, in Bohemia. In different libraries of France, Italy and Germany, Fleming found a great variety of Irish Saints' Acts, and their writings. He had actually prepared for the press materials for a volume, which had been left in the hands of 5' The ruins of his family mansion are still bishop of Tuam, Philip III., King of Spain, pointed out close by Lagan Bridge. See founded this College for the Irish Francis- " The Irish Ecclesiastical Record," vol. vii., cans. See Very Rev. Laurence F. Rene- February, 1871, p. 193. A very interesting han's " Collections' of Irish Church His- Memoir follows. tory," edited by Very Rev. Daniel M'Carthy, 5* In the month of July, 1863, the writer D.D., vol. i., p. 398. had an opportunity for inspecting this vene- ^ See some notices of him in Father Luke rable house — now used by a Belgian educa- Wadding's " Scriptores Ordinis Minorum, tional religious community. It is situated Quibus accessit Syllabus Illorum, qui ex on the great square of Louvain, not far from eodem ordine pro Fide Christi fortiter oc- the magnificent church of St. Peter. The cubuerunt," pp. 33, 34. In the Franciscan College was founded A. d. 1607. See the Archives, Dublin, there is a letter from him Bull of foundation in the Appendix to the to Father John Colgan, in reference to mate- " Fourth Report of the Commission of His- rials for Irish Saints' Lives. It is in a very torical Manuscripts," by J. T. Gilbert. damaged state, and very difficult to be S3 At the solicitation of the Franciscan read ; however, as an autograph, it pos- Father, Florence Conry, afterwards Arch- sesses great interest. INTRODUCTION. xliii Moret, a printer at Antwerp. In this he intended to comprise St. Colum- ban's acts and works, with those of some other Irish saints, appending notes and essays.55 Before it could be published, however, or before its editor could arrange and mature other works on his country's sacred Antiquities,5° the devoted Franciscan was called away from this world to enjoy com- panionship with the saints.s7 His life terminated with the holy crown of martyrdom. A civil war raged in Germany, and Lutheranism, sustained by the vic- torious arms of the Swedes and Saxons, brought a cruel persecution on Catholics, and especially on religious, at that time Father Fleming had re- moved to Prague. This city was threatened with an assault, after the battle of Leipsic.5^ In order to consult for their safety, nobles, citizens and clergy prepared to seek shelter in places more secure. Having made all necessary arrangements for flight, and having given the directions required, in case he should not survive, Father Patrick Taafe, and Brother Francis Magennisss — not then advanced to orders — had been directed to proceed towards Benes- chau village, about twenty-four miles S.S.E. of Prague. Their venerable Su- perior, Fleming, accompanied by a Deacon, Brother Matthew Hoar, set out for the same destination, on the day following ; but on approaching Benes- 55 This work did not appear until A.D. 1667, under the editorship of Father Thomas O'Sheerin. It bore the title : " R. P. F. Patricii Fleming! Hiberni Ordinis Fratrum Minorum Strictioris Observantias, olim Sa- crse Theologiffi Lectoris Collectanea Sacra, seu S. Columbani Hiberni Abbatis, Magni Monachorum Patriarchse, Monasteriorum Luxoviense in Gallia, et Bobiensis in Italia, aliorumque Fundatoris et Patroni, necnon aliorum aliquot a Veteri itidem Scotia seu Hibernia antiquorum Sanctorum Acta et Opuscula, nusquam antehuc edita, partim ab ipso brevibus notis, partem fusioribus commentariis, ac speciali de Monastica S. Columbani institutione Tractatis illustrata ; in quibus de ejusdem Sancti patria, doctrina, monachatu, Magistris, CoUegis, setate, pere- grinatione, monasteriorum ab ipso ejusque discipulis conditorum origine et progressu ; Hibemorum quoque ac Britonum differentia olim a Romanis in Paschae celebratione multa curiosa et nova, per V. A. P. F. Tho- mam Sirinum in Lovaniensi Collegio S. An- tonii de Padua ejusdem Ordinis et Provintiaa Hibemiae S. Thae. Lectorem Jubilatum re- cens castigata et aucta." This work was published at Louvain, in small folio size. 5* Father Francis Matthews, Minister Pro- vincial of the Irish Franciscan Province, and who was mart3Ted in the year 1644, also gave help to Father Fleming in writing the Lives of the Saints. 57 In the year 1626, he had published, "Vita Reverendi Patris Hugonis Cavelli" (Mac Caghwell). He also abridged a book intituled, " Chronicon Consecrati Petri Ra- tisbonae. " 5^ See Feller's " Dictionnaire Historique," tome vii., art. Fleming (Patrice), p. 113. Paris edition, 1828, 8vo. 59 Afterwards he became Guardian, Vicar, Superior, and Instructor of Novices in the Irish College at Prague. He wrote a small tract, under the following title : '* Historia Martyrii Venerabilis Patris Fratris Patricii Fleming!, Ordinis Fratrum Minorum Stric- tioris Observantiaj Provincise Hibernife Sa- crae Theologis Lectoris, et CoUegii Imma- culatae Conceptionis Bmas Dei genetricis, Fratrum Minorum ejusdem Instituti et Pro- vinciffi Pragse primae Praesidis, ejusque Socii Fratris Matthsei Hoar, Diaconi." This tract was preserved among the College Ar- chives at Prague. In 1665, it was fitted for the press by Anthony Donnelly, and t\^u years later O'Sheerin prefixed it to the "Collectanea Sacra." See Harris' Ware, vol. iii. "Writers of Ireland," book i., chap. xiv., p. 113. xllv INTR OD UCTION. Ciiau,^° seven rustics armed with clubs rushed suddenly upon the religious, both of whom fell dead beneath their blows. This barbarous murder was perpetrated on the 7th of November, 1631.^' It was remarked, that although the atmosphere had been clear and bright before this butchery occurred, at the very moment this outrage was perpetrated, and afterwards to the ninth hour, dense clouds obscured the air, as if in mourning for such a foul deed. So came the end of venerable Father Fleming, renowned for his virtues and learning, but especially distinguished for great zeal in promoting the venera- tion of saints belonging to his native country. He died in the repute of sanctity. Those, who had an opportunity for viewing the body, after his tragic and most holy death, affirmed, that it possessed an almost miraculous beauty and freshness. It appeared, even for an unusual length of time, to have been preserved from the least corrupting taint. Both the bodies of Father Fleming and of the Deacon Matthew Hoar were recovered, and buried within an enclosure in the Monastery Chapel of the Reformed Brothers Minor at Voticium, about four miles distant from the place of that shocking murder. An iron grille surrounded the place of their sepulture. Meantime, the distinguished friend of Fleming, Father Hugh Ward,^^ had proceeded to Louvain in 1623 to teach Theology in the College of St. An- thony. ^-^ A little later he was chosen Guardian of that Convent.^^ Thus a favourable opportunity was afforded him to promote more effectually the glory of the Irish saints. From various Continental libraries, he soon gathered a great number of their Acts, and he began to collect a fine histo- rical Bibliotheque. But, he knew full well, that Ireland was the great field for research in this line. While Guardian at Louvain, Michael 0'Clery,^5 a man advanced in years, and an excellent Irish scholar and antiquary, who knew no Latin, asked to be received among the lay-brothers of the Franciscan Order. ^^ His request was complied with, and Father Ward clearly compre- '°See an account of this place in " Ga- gid, and of the Glorious Abbot St. Columb, zetteer of the World," vol. ii., pp. 679, Patrons of Ireland." This work appeared 695. at St. Omers in quarto shape, with the "See Father Luke Wadding's "Scrip- letters B. B. — doabtleis a typographical tores Oriinis Minorutn, Quibui accessit Syl- error — at the end of the Dedication. It is labus Illorum, qui ex eodem ordiiie pro chiefly a collection from Cogitosus, Jocelyn, Fide Christi fortiter occubuerunt," p. 272. and other writers. It is a very uncritical ''^ He belonged to a celebrated bardic production, and it has little or no value for family of Donegal, who gave name to Bally- historical purposes, mac- Ward. *s This was his name in religion. He was "^See a very interesting account of this bom in the year 1575, and was generally remarkable Franciscan in the " Irish Eccle- called by his contemporaries Teige na- siastical Record, " vol. vii., November, 1870, Sleibhe, or "Teigheof the Mountain." See pp. 56 to 77. an interesting memoir of himself and hisco- *'■* A Leinsterman and a Franciscan Friar, labourers in- the " Irish Ecclesiastical Re- Robert Rochiort, who was a Lecturer there, cord," vol. vii., March, 1871, pp.268 to published, a.d. 1625, in English: "The 289. Life of the Glorious Bishop St. Patrick, ^^ See Rev. Pere Victor De Buck's "L'Ar- Apostle and Primate of Ireland, together cheologie Irlandaise au Couvent de Saint- with the Lives of the Holy Virgin, St. Brid- AutoLne de Padoue a Louvain," § i., p. 5. INTR on UCTION. hended how invaluable must be his services to Irish literature were O'Clery sent over to Ireland, commissioned to search out and transcribe Lives of the Irish Saints, and all other documents connected with the History and Anti- quities of that kingdom. The requisite permission having been obtained, Brother Michael set out from Louvain for Ireland, where he was en- gaged collecting materials for Irish History, about the long term of fifteen years. During this time, he transcribed, from ancient Irish MSS. many Lives of Saints, from a number of Genealogies, from some ancient Martyrologies, and from a vast and widely-dispersed collection of other antique documents. With the assistance of associated antiquarians he compiled arranged and en- larged three distinct Treatises on History. By collating with other MSS., he expunged various errors, which had crept into the writings of ancient authors. One of his compilations, and in his own handwriting, is now preserved in the Franciscan Convent, Dublin. This is a parchment-bound and a small quarto paper MS. of 125 leaves, traced on both sides, in Irish characters, with several pages of Testimonia prefixed. It is intituled on the cover, " Genealogia Regum, et Sanctorum Hiberniae."'^? This was transcribed by Michael O'Clery, a.d. 1630, at the Convent of Athlone, in the Bishopric of Clonmacnoise,^^ as noted in the Manuscript. These genealogies throughout are copiously annotated by Colgan ; and from this Codex, he frequently quotes in his printed hagiographical works. Another important work engaged the labours of Michael O'Clery, and this was the " Leabhar Gabhaltas or Book of Conquests," relating the various settlements, battles and events in Ireland, from the year 278 after the Flood to A.D. 1 1 71. Greatly aided by Cucogry or Peregrine O'Clery, Conary O'Clery and Peregrine O'Duigenan, in the well-known convent of his order, O'Clery wrote his " Calendar of the Saints of Ireland," generally called the " Martyrology of Donegal," so frequently mentioned by Colgan.^9 It was begun in the Franciscan Convent of Donegal, 7° and there finished on the 19th of April, 1630.7^ Until 1847, it was considered to have been irrecover- ably lost. During that year, it was discovered in the Burgundian Library, Brus- *? The latter of these is sometimes called, written, rather than any other merely per- " Sanctogenesim." But most generally does sonal or descriptive, and deducible from its Colgan — who often quotes it — term it the authorship, in which so many persons had "Sanctilogium Genealogicum." It treats been concerned. concerning the genealogies of Irish saints, 7° Some fathers of this house, likewise, distributed under twenty-seven classes or rendered literary assistance to the fore- chapters. Through a long series of proge- going writers, by adding saints who lived in niters, O'Clery refers each saint to the first distant countries, but who had been con- family stock or ancestor, whence he or she nected with Ireland, and about whom foreign had descended. authors treated. *^ See a more detailed account of this MS. ^i As published, the first title stands, in Professor O'Curry's "Lectures on the "t^eb^e riA riAoniTi ne-t\ennAcVi. Marty- Manuscript Materials of Ancient Irish Hi.s- rologium Dungallense, seu Calendarium tory," Lect. viii., pp. 162 to 16S. Sanctorum Hibernife, coUegit et digessit *9 He preferred giving it this name for a Fr. Michael O'Clery, Ord. Fr. Min. Stric- title, after the place in which it had been tioris Observantia;. " INTR OD UCTION. sels ; and the Belgian Government having lent it to Dr. Todd, a transcript was made by O'Curry, and translated into English by Dr. O'Donovan. This was published by the Irish Archaeological and Celtic Society in 1864, under the able editorship of Drs. Todd and Reeves.^^ It is a very fine and an ac- curate edition, with copious notes and appendices. 73 These have greatly enhanced the value of this work in a historical and typographical point of view. The Martyrology of O'Gorman had been used frequently by O'Clery, while compiling the Donegal Martyrology. Certain names given without any local designation are from O'Gorman, as also some which have short topographical notices .Of these, many— if not all — are taken from the scholia. The " Old " or " Very Ancient Vellum Book/'74 so often referred to in the published Martyrology of Donegal, was a Fasciculus, containing some Tracts on Irish Hagiology. In certain places, 7S this " ancient old Book " is said to have contained the Martyrology of Moelruain of Tamlacht, and saints of the same name,^^ with names of the mothers of saints. It contained, like- wise, the comparison of Irish saints^^ with those of the Universal Church, who were supposed to have been of similar habits and life. In the beginning of 1632, under the patronage of Fergall O'Gara, lord of Magh O'Gara and Coolavin, in the county of Sligo, for which county he was member of Parliament, O'Clery and his co-labourers already named began a compilation of the Annals of Ireland, from authentic records they had col- lected. This was finished in August, 1636. The great work was carried on i'' In the Catalogue or * ' Inventaire" of the value to all students and \vriters of Irish Manuscripts preserved in the Duke of Bur- Hagiolog}'. Throughout the published vo- gundy's Library at Brussels, the original of lume, many prophecies, poems and various this has been classed as vol. xvi. , Nos. 5095, ancient lives of Irish saints are quoted. 5096. It is a small 4to volume, bound in " See an ample description, with Tes' vellum, in the Irish characters. There is a timonia et Approbationes Superiorum in the second, but a shorter copy of the Donegal Introduction to the published copy, pp. ix. Martyrology— a small duodecimo volume to Iv. Also Mr. Bindon's Paper read on bound in calf — and an autograph of Michael May 24th, 1847, in "Proceedings of the O'Clery in the Brussels Library, and classed Royal Irish Academy," vol. iii., pp. 486 to vol. xiv., No. 4639. On the fly-leaf, it is an- 489. nounced to have been compiled and arranged t- This is the detached tract, containing by Michael O'Clery, at Douay, in 1629. the ttn/olia, taken from the Book of Lein- Four pages in Irish follow, and dated Done- ster, and now preserved among the Francis- gal, 1628, in the handwriting of Michael can archives, Merchants'-quay, Dublin. O'Clery. This MS. is in the Irish language, 75 As in Drs. Todd's and Reeves' edition and it can be read without much difficulty. It of the " Martyrology of Donegal," pp. 35, contains about 250 pages. This Martyrology 45 and passim. is arranged according to the Calendar in the ?* Viz., lists of Colmans, Finians, Bren- first instance, and then alphabetically. Testi- dans, &c. //w«w are prefixed, dated A.D. 1636 and 1637. " See pp. 23, 27 a.nd passim. This has See "Proceedings of the Royal Irish Aca- been published from the Brussels MS. in demy,"vol.iii.,pp.486,487. In all probabi- the Book of Hymns, p. 69. It has been lity, this was the first fair copy of the work printed, also, by Rev. Dr. Kelly, in his as published. It contains also a preface by "Calendar of the Irish Saints," pp. xli., the author, and not yet published. Although xlii. not a very early record, this is of immense INTRODUCTION. xlvii in their convent. Owing to this circumstance, it has been called the '* An- nals of Donegal." It has been styled the " Annals of the Four Masters," because of the number of chief writers engaged on the work. Four copies were made, one transcript of which was sent to Louvain. Ample and valuable use was afterwards made of it by Father John Colgan. The work was in two volumes, the latter tome commencing in 1 171 and ending in 16 16. This was translated into Latin, and printed by Charles O'Conor. No English translation appeared until 1846, when Bryan Geraghty pubHshed one prepared by Owen Connellan, with notes by Dr. M'Dermott. In 1850 appeared Dr. O'Donovan's magnificent edition of the entire work. Wonderful correctness, illustration, as also identification of parties and places mentioned, with indexes, in them- selves monuments of industry, and containing 22,000 headings, arranged so as to form a chronological key to the work,?^ will for ever cause this edition to be regarded as a great treasury of national history. The first folio volume of the original, known as " The Annals of the Four Masters," in Brother Michael O'Clery's handwriting, is now preserved in the Franciscan Library, Dublin.79 This is contained in 523 paper leaves, repre- senting double that number of written pages, and the last year entered is 1 169, There are additional leaves prefixed, containing O'Clery's Dedication to Feargal O'Gara, with the Testimonia. Colgan has introduced a few anno- tations in this copy. It differs, too, from Dr. O'Donovan's published edi- tion, in which there are omissions of many earlier specified years, under which no event has been described.^" There is likewise preserved a vellum Testimonium of the Franciscan Bishop of Dublin, Thomas Fleming, ap- proving of all Michael O'Clery's works.^' Another volume, transcribed by this learned lay-brother, was that cele- brated tract, known as the Wars of the Danes.^' O'Clery wrote his first copy of this work, from the Book of Cuconnacht O'Daly, and in the Franciscan Convent of Multifamham, county of Westraeath, during the month of March, 7^ In the Preface to this great work, the vantia Laicus in Antiquitatibus Hybemicis reader will find the fullest particulars regard- undequaque peritissimus opus quadri-parti- ing the compilers and the progress of their turn, utpote de Historiis antiquis Hyberniae, literary labours . de Annalibus ejusdem Regni, de Genealo- "9 The second volume of the autograph giis Regum et Sanctorum Hyberniae im- exemplar of the Annals of the Four Masters menso labore, summa fide et maxima indus- is in the Barbarini Library, Rome : how it tria elucrubravit prout constat ex approba- got there seems to be shrouded in mystery. tionibus nonnullorum Antistitum et testimo- See " Proceedings of the Royal Irish Aca- niis prselatorum sui ordinis, necnon syngra- demy," vol. vi., pp. 95, 105. ])hisgiavissimorumhistoricorumhujus regni. ^ O'Clery has entered the dates of all the Nos eorum authoritati innitentes pr^fatum years in succession, frequently observing, opus dignissimum judicamus quod publicas however, that nothing remarkable occurred. lucis fiat et typis mandetur. Actum Dub- Yet, he seems to have left spaces to fill in linii 5 Februarii Anno reparatse salutis 1636. anything that might afterwards appear suit- Fr. Thomas Fleming, Archiepiscopus Dub- able for insertion. liniensis, Hiberniae Primas. *' It runs in the following terms : " Frater ^* This work has been edited by the Rev, Michael Clery Ordinis Minorum de Obser- James Henthorn Todd. xlviii INTR OD UCTION. A.D. 1628. From this copy he transcribed another, in the Convent of Done- gal, during the month of November, a.d. 1635. Another of O'Clery's works was his " Glossar}^ of Difficult Gaelic Words,'"' which was printed at Louvain, A.D. 1643, ^ short time previous to his lamented death. ^3 He left behind hnn, likewise, a transcript of Acts of the Irish Saints in the Irish language and character,^"* except a Life of St. Moling, which is in Latin.^s He also left a thick quarto volume, divided into two parts. The first part contains 105, and the second 246 pages, \vritten on both sides of the paper.^ It seems likely enough, he had something to do with another MS. ; although no name or date may be found in it. This is a thick quarto, composed of dififerent sized paper. It contains about 270 leaves, with short memoirs and notices of Irish saints in the Latin language ; the arrangement is alphabetical, and the volume appears to have been a note-book of some hagiographer.^7 Again, there is a thin quarto volume ; the first part is occupied with a collection of religious poems in the Irish language ; some upon St. Columbanus, and others attributed to him, and to St. Moling, also the rules of the Irish Saints, com- mencing with that of St. Columbanus. This collection was finished in 1630.^^ As we have already seen, it contains copies of the Festilogy of St. ^^ngus, and of the Martyrologies of Marian O'Gorman and of Tallagh.^? All of the foregoing are kept in the Burgundian Library of Bruxelles. The Rev. Father Ward had been engaged in preparing materials for his work on the Irish saints, greatly assisted by others, when death surprised ^3 See Father Luke "Wadding's " Scrip- tores Ordinis Minorum," pp. 259, 260. ** This is a thick 4to vellum MS. , on coarse paper, and the penmanship is rudely executed. Judging from the writing of this volume, one would not suppose it to be a compilation of Michael O'Clery ; however, his name appears as the scribe in several places ; for instance, at folios 121, 131, and 183. The volume apjiears to have been written during the years 1628 and 1629 ; it contains 270 folios. It is classed, vol. xi. (Nos. 4190—4200.) ^2 It contains no less than twenty-one dif- ferent Acts or Treatises, nearly altogether in Irish, regarding the saints of our country. ^^This MS. is classed vol. iv (2324— 2340). At the beginning of this Codex, the contents of the first part are given in an alphabetical table. At the end of the Codex, there is a table of contents for the second part. With the exception of a list of Fran- ciscan Provincials, in Latin, the contents of this volume are altogether in the Irish lan- guage. The paper upon which this MS. is written, is very coarse, and some of the writing is not well executed, in comparison with other MSS. written by Michael O'Clery. His name appears at folio 75, and also at the end of the first part of the volume.. There it is stated, that the MS. was finished at Donegal, upon the 7th of August, 1631, by " Brother Michael O'Clery." His name appears in several places of the second part, also, with various dates, in the year 1629. See pp. 7, 22. From these dates it seems, that the second portion of the work had b^en written before the first. From the ap- pearance of the binding, it may be con- cluded, that the collection was bound, after having been written, as the paper in the first half of this volume does not corre- spond with that which is to be seen in the remainder. *'Vol. xii. (4241.) At page 99 is a pe- digree of " SS. Furseus, Foilanus, et Ulta- nus," the sons of Giltanus, "Rex Hiber- nise." ^ As may be seen at p. 45, where it ends. *^ Vol. xvii., containing Nos. 5101, 5102, 5103, and 5104. 2NTR OD UCTION. xlix him on the Sth of November, a.d. 1635.9° Yet, a posthumous work of his appeared at Louvain, in 1636. It was intituled, " Dissertatio Historica de S. Rumoldi Patria."9i Several years, afterwards, this Treatise appeared under the following more extended title : "Sancti Rumoldi Martyris Inclyti, Archie- piscopi Dubliniensis, Mechliniensium Apostoli, Advocati Sterilium Conju- gum, Agricolarum, Piscatorum, Institorum, et Navigantiura, Acta, Martyrium, Liturgia Antiqua et Patria, ex antiquissimis cum manu, turn prelo editis, harum rerum Scriptoribus, summa fide collecta, Notis illuStrata, et aucta Dis- quisitione Historica, seu Investigatione genuinse Scotiae S. Rumoldi et Con- tribulium Sanctorum. Per R. P. F. Hugonem Vardaeum, Hibernum, olim in Lovaniensi Collegio S. Antonii de Padua, F.F. Minorum Hibernorum strict, obser. Guardianum, S. T. Professorem et Hagiographum. Opus Posthumum, nunc recens a V. A. P. F. Thoma Sirino, ejusdem Ordinis et Collegii Lectore Jubilate recognitum, et in nonnuUis suppletum. In quo obiter ex Scriptoribus antiquis et novis, ac publicis instrumentis demon- stratur Hibernia ad sseculum quindecimum Christianum vocata Scotia, et Hiberni Scoti ; detegiturque ejusdem Insulse ingens olim multitudo Sanctorum et Cathedralium Ecclesiarum ; Genuina item origo et Anti- quitas Regni cum Pictorum, tum Scotorum in Albania, sive Boreali parte Magnse Britanise passim hodie dicta Scotia, aliaque scitu digna."?^ Besides this work, we are informed by Father O'Sheerin, that he had prepared the following Treatises : i. " De Nomenclatura Hibemise." 2. " De Statu et Processu Veteris in Hibernia Reipubhcae." 3. "Anagraphe Mirabilium Sancti Patricii." 4. " Investigatio Expeditionis Ursulanse." 5. " Martyro- logium ex mult is Vetustis Festilogiis Latino Hibernicum."93 In addition to his printed work, the Martyrology94 is said to have been the only treatise to which he put a finishing hand.^s The great task of writing the Lives of the Irish Saints now devolved on the truly learned Father John Colgan.96 with the aid of O'Clery's collec- tions, and of others, gathered from some foreign monastic houses, he devoted 9° See Father I.uke Wadding's " Scrip- '+ See Harris' Ware, vol. iii., p. 115. tores Ordinis Minorum," p. 179. 93 Y)x. Todd, when treating of the large 9' See Harris' Ware, vol. iii. " Writers Irish Martyrolog)', now missing, did not of Ireland," book i., chap, xiv,, p. 114. seem to suspect that Father Ward might Harris says he never saw this edition. have been its compiler. See Introduction 9^ This work appeared at Louvain, a.d. to the " Martyrology of Donegal," edited 1662, in 4to shape. by Drs. Todd and l»eeves, p. xvi., n. i. 93 This, perhaps, was a complete and 9* This illustrious historian was a native very extensive collection, which does not of Donegal county, and he had been a now exist among the Brussels MSS. It seems secular priest before he entered the Francis- to be alluded to in the Rev. Dr. Kelly's can order. This fact is established from published version of "The Martyrology of the printed statement, notifying his death to Tallagh," under the entry of St. Donnan of the order, and which is yet preserved in the Egha and his fifty-two companions, "quo- Franciscan Convent, Dublin. After joining rum nomina in majore libro scripsimus." the order, he was appointed to teach theo- See p. xxi. Also "Acta Sanctorum." logy in the Convent of St. Anthony of Aprilis, tomus ii., p. 487. Padua, Louvain. INTR on UCTION. his entire energies to its accomplishment. BoUandus wished him to publish the Irish martyrologies first, especially those of Tallaght and of Marian O'Gorman, next the ancient councils and hymns, together with the annals, so that the learned of other countries might be able to appreciate the credibility of Irish history, and assist him in his labours. In deference to the opinion of his superiors, Colgan, however, fortunately determined on giving the lives first. This was a great advantage for the Hagiology of Ireland, because with information then accessible, he was able to annotate them, and glean by such induction materials for more varied research. Colgans? was well versed in the language and literature of his native country, profoundly read in the civil and ecclesiastical annals of Ireland, while his competency for writing and annotating the Acts of our Irish Saints, his learning, candour, wonderful industry and research, are fully manifested in the two magnificent folio volumes which he published, and which must remain as the imperishable monuments of his zeal, piety, and patriotism. Colgan gratefully and honestly acknowledges the literary assistance he received from others, in compiling these works. He candidly declares, that a great portion of his labours had been forwarded by Father Hugh Ward, before the death of this latter eminent man. He had already collected and prepared for the press, nearly all those important and complete lives of saints in Colgan's published volumes. Still, Acts written in Irish, and in other languages, besides lives obtained through various sources, were translated into Latin by Colgan, and by his assistants. Many Franciscan brethren con- siderably lightened his labours, by transcribing and writing. Thus, Owen O'Gallagher, Guardian of the Franciscan Convent, Louvain, translated into Latin the French life of St. Fursey, written by Desmay. Father Brendan O'Connor procured from different Hbraries in France and Italy most useful and necessary Irish documents, serving to illustrate the Acts of our Saints.s^ These were brought to Louvain, where O'Connor laboured assiduously for some years, to aid the noble project Colgan had in view. Afterwards, he went to Ireland, and there, during the tumult of those civil wars then raging, he endeavoured to procure all the documents he could find, and which might enable him to perfect still more the " Acta Sanctorum Hibemiae," just pre- paring for publication. Father Stephen White, the J esuit, had communicated from his own collection many valuable memoirs of Irish saints, and among others may be mentioned St. Adamnan's Acts of St. Columkille, and St. Ultan's Life of St. Brigid. As Father Ward had a principal share in pre- paring the " Acta Sanctorum Hibemiae" for the press, Colgan wished to 97 There is a very interesting account of assisted. His death is thus entered in the Father John Colgan, by Rev. William Necrology of St. Anthony, "DieagAugusti, Reeves, in the " Ulster Journal of Archteo- l68o, obiit. V. R. Pater Bonaventura logy," vol. i., under the heading, "Irish O'Docharty, vir religeosisimus, et qui Acta Library," No. I, pp. 295 to 302. Sanctorum sub Patribus Colgano et Sirino »^ Also, Father Bonaventure O'Docharty describebat indeflfesse." INTRO DUCTTOy. give him the credit of its authorship,?? but, contrary to arguments ad- vanced for this desire, his superiors and friends alleged other reasons, and he was induced to consent to their arrangement. Among Martyrologies quoted in his work, he reserved for a separate notice and as a complete pub- lication the calendar '"° which had been composed by Ward. Colgan com- pleted his editorial labours, by numbering the chapters and arranging the position of each saint's life ; he added marginal with subsequent notes and elucidations, to nearly all those acts, as likewise valuable appendices to many of them. He prepared, likewise, some short notices of saints, whose acts could not be discovered. These were placed at the days, when their festivals occurred, and they had been collected from various sources.'"* Our great national hagiologist had judiciously resolved to avoid all im- provement or polish of the style, in those old acts of saints he published. This resolution he observed for two chief reasons. First, he considered those lives must be of greater historical authority, if their writers' simple narratives were solely given, than if a more pretentious style or arrangement were ap- plied to their phrases or sentences, even al hough the ancient compiler vio- lated grammatical rules, and used a faulty Latin constniction. Secondly, he thought the student of history and of Christian antiquities will always be more desirous to obtain an exact and a truthful statement of facts, than merely fanciful and ornate narratives. Hence, when Colgan commenced his work, he eschewed any meretricious style. Although this should procure more popular approval, yet it might cause, likewise, some interruption of accordant truth, and obscure historic elucidations. Sometimes, he applies to similar examples for corroboration of unusual and wonderful miracles, related in the acts, to confirm the faith of weak believers, or to disarm the animadversions of stem critics, and especially when those accounts were not opposed to Faith or deserving fair censure. Where a few particulars could only be gleaned regarding a saint, he deemed it proper to collect all authentic extracts and references from old writers, in support of what had been advanced. Thus, he intended to show, how holy individuals were not the mythical creatures of modern invention, and that he had advanced nothing on his own authority. His faithful and candid adhesion to such professions and inten- tions must be manifest to all scholars, who take any trouble in studying the substance, arrangement and execution of Colgan's two learned folio tomes. His general plan is well explained in a preface to the first of these published volumes."" Tor these and further particulars, the "' See Thomas D'Arcy M 'Gee's "Irish reader is referred to Colgan's " Acta Sane- Writers of the Seventeenth Century." Lives torum Ilibernire," Prsefatio ad Lectorem. of Ward, Colgan, and O'Clery, pp. 62 to •°° This was quite a distinct one from 72. what we know at present, under the title of '" See, likewise, Rev. M. J. Brenan's "The Martyrology of Donegal," or the "Ecclesiastical History of Ireland." Seven- "Martyrology of Tallagh," or any other of teenth century, chap, iii., pp. 528 to 530. the ancient calendars. New edition. d HI INTR OD UCTION. After a circular had been issued to secure subscriptions from the Irish clergy and laity,"'^ towards the expenses of publication, in the year 1645, appeared at Louvain, and from the press of Everard de VVitte, " Acta Sanc- torum Veteris et Majoris Scotise, seu Hibemise Sanctorum Insulse, Partim ex variis per Europam MS. Codd. excripta, partim ex antiquis Monumentis et probatis Authoribus enita et congesta ; omnia Notis et Appendicibus illustrata. Per R. P. F. Joannem Colganum. In Conventu FF. Minor. Hibern. strictior obseru. Louvanii Theologise Lectorem Jubilatum, primum de eisdem Actis juxta ordinem mensium et dierum prodit Tomus Primus, Qui de Sacris An- tiquitatibus est Tertius, Januarium, Februarium et Martium complectens." This volume was dedicated to the Most Rev. Hugh Reilly, Archbishop of Armagh, and Primate of Ireland. In this Dedication, a just tribute is paid to his virtues, as also to the zeal and munificence manifested in behalf of that great work undertaken by the Franciscans. It would appear, that the Archbishop had given great encouragement to those engaged collecting documents, necessary for writing the Lives of our Irish Saints ; that, by his own example, he had stimulated his suffragan bishops to promote the object Colgan had in view ; and that, in fine, he had supplied a large sum of money towards the cost of this publication. •"♦ It had been intended to furnish a series of volumes on the Sacred Antiquities of Ireland. The "Acta Sanc- torum Hibemise" first published, because it had been the first tome prepared for press, was to be regarded as the third serial volume in order of arrange- ment. The unpublished or ideal volume, which Colgan intended to designate the first, was to have contained a synopsis, in several divisions, regarding Ireland's Ecclesiastical Antiquities, "s Although he had been urged by some, to give this precedence, he preferred a longer delay, that he might be able to bestow on it more matured study. *°* Two years later, in 1647, from the press of Cornelius Coenesten, at Louvain, issued " Triadis Thaumaturgse, seu Divonm Patricii, Coltn-.lse et Brigidse Trium Veteris et Majoris Scotise, seu Hibetn'ae Sanctoivm Insulae, conimunium Patrononim Acta. A variis, iisque pervetustis, ac Sanctis authoribus scripta, ac studio R. P. F. Joannis Colgani in Conventu FF. Minor. Hibernor. strictior. obseru. Louvanii, S. Theologise Lectoris Jubilati, «« A copy of thi$ appeal in English is uncertain whether he should publish it in a published by an accomplished writer, the separate tome, or include it in the volume. Rev. Charles P. Meehan, M.R.I. A., in an "Trias Thaumaturga." Not being found Appendix to his highly interesting historical in this tome, he must have subsequently en- work, "The Rise and Fall of the Irish tertained an intention of publishing it as a Franciscan Monasteries, and Memoirs of distinct one. the Irish Hierarchy in the Seventeenth "* In another part of his preface, Colgan Century," pp. 322, 323. This circul.nr is expresses doubt, that the natural term of preceded by other valuable notices of the life allotted to man could enable him to learned Father John Colgan. See Fourth undertake the laborious course of investiga- Edition, A.D. 1872. tion, necessary to produce this preliminary ••* .See Hid., chap, v., p. 169. treatise, and unhappily his lorcbodingi '^ In a part of his prefacej Colgan seems were too early verified. INTRODUCTION^. lili ex variis Bibliothecis collecta, Scholiis et Commentariis illustrata, et pluribus Appendicibus aucta ; complectitur Tomus Secundus Sacrarum ejusdem In- sulae Antiquitatum, nunc primum in lucem prodiens." This tome was dedicated to the Most Rev. Thomas Fleming, Archbishop of Dublin, and Primate of Ireland. '°7 He was a truly learned and virtuous prelate, belong- ing to the Franciscan Order. From the dedication we learn, that notwith- standing Dr. Fleming's private necessities, and the calamitous civil war then raging in Ireland, he not only presented some documents serving for its elucidation, but he likewise supplied pecuniary means, requisite for printing this national Avork. In the preface, Colgan states his reasons for including Acts of St. Patrick, of St. Columba and of St. Brigid, within a separate volume, in this particular instance. He had interrupted that regular order of arrange- ment, which he proposed to observe, according to months and days, regard- ing other saints' festivals. First, because the number and extent of acts, concerning those holy personages, were such, that he doubted, if belonging to any other nation three saints could be found, about whom more rare or even equal virtues and miracles had been recorded. Secondly, because through Divine Providence, those three saints died and were interred in dis- tricts respectively remote, although their bodies were afterwards buried in the same tomb ; thus, through God's decree it was ordained that those, united in a common grave and in Heaven, should receive a united honour and veneration on earth. Thirdly, because through the Almighty's inspiration, those same saints were assumed and adopted as common Patrons and Pro- tectors of Ireland, by the declared will of its clergy and people, sanctioned by authority of the Holy See."^ And fourthly, because if the lives of any one among those three saints had been placed in the order of months and days with other Iribh saints' acts, the notices of each distinct one muFt have occupied too greatly disproportioned a space for that volume, in which it might require to be inserted. A necessity for treating about each of those saints, at greater length, and for combining their various acts, should require a distinct volume of large size. In publishing their several lives, Colgan tells us, he had one sufficient motive, although it was not his sole reason. Amon^ the many editors of the Triad Acts, he was not able to discover any, who had not omitted various matters, orwho had not obscured passages,mcre clearlyand creditably given by other publicists. It might be objected, why he preferred issuing so many different lives of the same saint, to the publication of one life, clear, compendious and complete, embracing substantially all matters dispersed through separate Acts. Indeed, while needless iterations should '0? The most complete account, we as yet vol. ii., still unpublished, possess regarding tliis prelate, is that con- "^ This is proved from the Office of their tained in the Rt. Rev. Dr. Moran's "His- Translation.insertedby Colgan in his "Trias tory of the Catholic Archbishops of Dulihn, Thaumaturga." This Feast, with an Octave, since the Reformation," vol. i., chap. x. to sanctioned by the Sovereign Pontiflf, was chap, xviii., pp. 294 to 411. The continua- celebrated on the fourth of the June Ides, tion of this biography may be expected in each year. liv INTRODUCTION, have been spared the fastidious reader, clearness and brevity must have been substituted, while labour, study and expense must have been lessened. Yet, to such objections, Colgan well replies, that by publishing those saints' hves, which were of very great antiquity, and full of wondrous miracles, it was re- quisite to produce concurrent and antique reliable evidence, so that their acts and miracles should not be set down as modem fictions. The united testimony of ancient authors, or even of those who wrote at comparatively recent periods, must furnish a degree of credibility, weight and correctness, beyond unauthorized brevity. He wished to discover and assert truth, espe- cially to establish credit for those wonderful actions the saints performed, and to obviate criticism in his day.*°9 Not only the habitual incredulity of persons separated from the Church, but even the comments of CathoUc critics, should be met, not with the assertions of a modern writer, but be op- posed by testimonies, drawn from ancient sources. Hardly equalled in the sacred history of other countries, those virtues and miracles, enumerated in the acts of St. Patrick, of St. Columba, and of St. Brigid, are certainly not surpassed ; and preferring olden evidence to modem style, Colgan stated nothing, save on the authority of witnesses so ancient, that some of these might have seen various wonderful actions related, while others could have derived accounts from persons who were eye-witnesses. Several of those writers were holy and learned men ; so, it cannot justly be supposed, they are chargeable with fictitious inventions or ignorance, regarding those subjects they treated. Neither, on the score of great credulity, should such authors too hastily incur the censure of carping critics. The different biographers of St. Patrick, of St. Columba, and of St. Brigid, with an account of various writings attributed to them, as also disser- tations on the age or period when they flourished, afford subjects for interest- ing enquiry. There are several valuable Appendices and Indices, to both the " Acta Sanctorum Hibernise," and to the " Trias Thaumaturga" — these very rare and prized works of our great national hagiographist.'"* The former of these will furnish a just idea of Colgan's contemplated design, to issue in succession the lives or acts of Irish saints, according to the order of months and days. When Father Luke Wadding had been writing a work,'" about the year 1648 or 1649, we are informed, that the Fourth Volume of the " Acta Sanctorum Hiberniae," comprising saints' lives for the months of April, May and June, was under the press, and that Colgan promised to give the public, in a short time, the fifth and sixth volumes, which were destined to embrace six remaining months of the year. To these he intended to add a prefatory volume, to be called the first, and in a great measure already prepared. In '"'9 It seems quite unaccountable, that such "° In any other civilized country, but Ire- a critical editor should have allowed so land, these works— -so difficult to be pro- many clerical, chronological, and careless cured by scholars at present — must have typographical errors to remain, if indeed passed through repeated editions, he ever revised the proof-sheets of those two '"See *' Scriptores Ordiais Minorum," folio volumes. p. 210. INTRODUCTIOI^. Iv it, he purposed publishing four different Irish Martyrologies, or even a still greater number. Conjointly with these, he desired to edit the sacred and profane annals of Ireland. This indeed formed a most comprehensive design, on the part of Colgan; but, could he have seriously hoped its adequate completion within the limit of existence usually allotted to man ? If so, he appears to have inherited, with the hagiological learning and research of Rosweyde or Boland, their ingenuous hallucination and trusting confidence to accomplish work, the conclusion of which seems to lie far in the future, and after a lapse of more than two centuries from the commencement."* Colgan lived to pubUsh another small work in 1655, "3 and he died at Louvain, January 15th, a.d. 1658. Many of his writings and compilations appear to have been ready for the press j"-* but, it is much to be regretted, that he did not live sufficiently long to issue his prepared Acts of Irish Saints, enriched with his admirable critical and topographical notes. Long after his death, however, in the convent of his order at Louvain, several volumes of his manuscript productions had been preserved. "s It is feared, that some of these — especially the shorter notes or notices — have been lost. However a very considerable collectanea of saints' lives, now preserved in the Burgundian Library, at Bruxelles,""^ with certain MSS., afterwards transferred to St. Isidore's Convent, Rome,"7 may fairly represent those left unpublished. Among the latter, several catalogue copies of manu- scripts or printed books, found at Louvain, after the death of Colgan, are dis- tinguishable."^ There are some slight discrepancies between them ; and '" Colgan wrote also a Theology, which "* In " Proceedings of the Royal Irish was published at Louvain in the year 1639. Academy," vol. iii., p. 487, Mr. Bindon It was intituled, " Theologia Scholastica, " quoting the '* Invenlaire" thus describes and it appeared in 4to shape. probably one of these MSS. : " Vol. xv. "3 It was intituled : " Tractatus de Vita (5057, 5058, 5059). This is a thin quarto, Patria, Scriptis, Johannis Scoti, Doctoris rudely stitched together, and in bad condi- Subtilis." tion. It contains, first, a fragment of a "* See Rev. Mr. Brennan's " Ecclesias- catalogue of saints, then some poems by tical History of Ireland," vol. ii., p. 271. 'Eogan mac an Bhaird,' and by ' Moel "5 Owing to the favour of the Franciscan Patric,' &c., &c., and ends with a fragment Guardian of St. Anthony's Convent, Harris in prose, commencing ' Gloriosus Episcopus obtained the following titles and descrip- Carthagus qui vuigo vocatur lllochu'OA.' tions of these. Tomus i. De Apostolatu The contents are all in the Irish language, Hibernorum inter Exteras Gentes, cum and I was unable to discover the name of Indice Alphabetico de exteris Sanctis. This the scribe or date of the compilation ; how- was a folio containing 852 pages. Tomus ever, I believe it belonged to the Louvain ii. De Sanctis in Anglia, in Britannia, collection, and is justly attributed in the Aremorica, in reliqua Gallia, in Belgio. It catalogue to the seventeenth century." consisted of 1068 pages ; but a small part "' In the time of Napoleon I., the French was wanting at the end. Tomus iii. De soldiers used St. Isidore's Convent for a Sanctis in Lotharingia et Burgimdia, in Ger- barracks, and it is feared they destroyed or mania ad sinistram et dextram Rheni, in purloined books and MSS. See " Pro- Italia. This contained 920 pages, but a few ceedings of the Royal Irish Academy," vol. are wanting at the end of this volume. vi., pp. 95, 104. See Harris' Ware, vol. iii., "Writers of "» Owing to the care of Charles Mac Ireland," book L, pp. 140, X41. Donnell, Esq., one of these catalogues in- Ivl INTRODUCTION. they had been drawn up, most probably by different members of the com- munity, who were deputed perhaps to examine separately what Colgan had left behind him. "9 A catalogue of manuscript lives, prepared for printing by Colgan, states at the end, that notes to many of the acts had been placed over them in a chest."° Although he had paper and copy to a very con- siderable amount ready for the printers, it is not sufficiently clear, that any had gone to press for the projected volumes unpublished. During the pro- gress of Colgan's labours, the illustrious Father Luke Wadding took the deepest interest in their completion, as evidenced by his printed and manu- script remains. Although the latter great man intended to produce a " General History of Ireland," with other vast intellectual projects in mind, his extraordinary and interminable literary and ecclesiastical occupations left no possibility for the accomplishment of more than that wonderful amount of work achieved, and which ended only with the close of his life, on the i8th of November, a.d. 1657, in the seventieth year of his age.'" I'he learned and criacally renowned Father Papebroke of the Jesuits* Society informs us, that Father Thomas Sirinus or O'Sheerin, the editor of St. Rumold's acts and of Fleming's " Collectanea Sacra," had been appointed by the Franciscans to resume and continue Father John Colgan's hagio- graphical labours. From the former of these works we learn, that O'Sherrin or O Sheridan had nearly finished a work, called, "Tractatus de Veteris et neotericje Scotiae nomenclatura et Sanctorum vindiciis." But, the existing disturbed and impoverished state of Ireland prevented a continuation of his editorial labours. This jubilate lector and Professor of Theology, in St. Anthony's Convent, Louvain, died on the 3rd of September, 1673 ; and the pressure on Irish ecclesiastical seminaries abroad to supply home missionary wants prevented the Franciscans from naming a successor to prosecute that interrupted labour,"' the inception of which does such immortal honour to their order. Thus ended Irish archaeological and historical studies at Lou- vain. "^ For a time, the Irish hagiological manuscripts and books were pre- tituled, " Catalogus Actuum Sanctorum quae edition of his uncle's most learned and volu- MS. habentur ordine Mensium et Dierum," minous work, '* Annales Minorum, in qiu- has been published. See "Proceedings of bus res omnes trium Ordinum Franciscano- the Royal Irish Academy," vol. vii., pp. rum tractantur." This was issued at Rome, 37110375. It purports to be a list of Irish a.d. 1731 in sixteen folio volumes, with saints' biographies, which seem to have been additions and supplements, by Joseph ready or in preparation for publication, with Fonseca ab Ebora, an Observantin Francis- some preliminary notices. His paper was can. The first edition of this work, in read on the 14th of January, 1861. eight folio volumes, bringing the history of "9 These do not all contain the published his Order down to A.D. 1540, was issued at list of saints' lives at full length. Lyons r.nd Rome, between the years 1625 '** Allusions are made to the various saints and 1654. named there, in the progress of this work, '" See " Acta Sanctorum Junii," tomus and at the days of the months when their v. Vita S. Baboleni. Comraentarius Pnevius, festivals occur. § 6, p. 180. "' See Father Francis Harold's "Vita "^Sge Rev. P. Victor De Buck's Fr. Lucae Waddingi," prefixed to the second " L'Archeologic Irlamlaise au Convent de INTR OD UCriON. Ivii served there, but ultimately some were removed to St. Isidore's Franciscan Convent, Rome, while others were transferred to the Bur^^undian Library, Bruxelles. It is probable, that some were sent elsewhere,"-* and many are pos- sibly lost. During the last century, the Irish Franciscans abandoned their historic convent of St. Anthony, and left Louvain. The library of the Irish Franciscans, at St. Isidore's Convent, Rome, had been assigned as one to be specially consulted by the Congregation of Sacred Rites, in reference to the canonization of saints. The illustrious Franciscan Father Luke Wadding engaged his nephew Father Francis Harold to prepare in alphabetical order an " Index Sanctorum" of all holy men, known to have existed to that time, and from the earliest ages, in every country on the globe. "s Under their respective names, references were to be given to various writers in the Isidore Library, who treated about them. This was methodically performed. The various slips were strung on threads, and when this task had been laboriously accomplished by Harold, a com- petent scribe was ready to transfer to their proper double columns, those names and references, into two large and very thick folio paper volumes. Pope Alexander '^li., who saw this M3., was greatly pleased with the per- formance."^ These manuscripts are bound in vellum, but unfortunately some pages of the second volume have been nibbled through by mice."' The first volume contains 794 written pages, as the writer has counted them ; it commences with the letter A, and the word Aaron, while it ends with the letter H, and the word Hypatii. The second volume has 836 written pages, as counted ; it commences with the letter I, and the word lachelinse, while it ends with the letter Z, and the word Zozimi. On an average, each page, in both volumes, contains ten to twelve names. Many of these belong to Irish saints, and hence its value for purposes of reference must be apparent."^ This transcript of Harold's notes appears to have been finished in 1647."' A Watenbrd mm, named John Hartrey , became a Cistercian Monk in the Abbey of Nucale, in Spain, where in religion he took the name of Francis. He returned to Ireland and resided in the Abbey of Holy Cross, county of Saint- Antoine de Padoue a Louvain," § vii., Opera R. Patris Fr. Francisci Haroldi, Hi- pp. 42 to 45. berni, L mericensis. In this, Wadding's '^ An opinion seems to prevail, that since labours are justly extolled, the foundation of the Belgian Kingdom, the "' They are now accessible in the Fran- Franciscan Convent at Wexford received ciscan Lil)rary, Merchants'-quay, Dublin, several books and par'aaps M.SS., formerly '■* A few leaves of MS. are in tiie end of belonging to the Franciscan College, Loa- the last volume, giving the titles of 132 vain. An Irish friar, it is said, removed these books, which had been lost or missing from literary treasures. See " Proceedings of the St. Isidore Library, the Royal Irish Academy," vol. vi., pp. "^ The scribe adds, on the concluding 95» 96, 106. page : " Hunc librum magno conscripsi "S Wadding ordered a copy to be made crede labore ego loannes Thierry incola for himself. Secanicus, patria Bisuntinus, patris Wad- "' See Harold's "Vita Fr. Lucjb Wad- ingi scriptor." Then follows the date, as dingi," cap. Ivi., p. 43, prefixed to his well as the note, and in a sort of eccentric "Epitome Annalium^ Ordinis Minorum." arrangement of letters and umueriiL, Iviii INTR OD UC2I0N. Tipperary. In the year 1640, he commenced a work, intituled, " Triumphalia Chronologica de Csenobio S. Crucis, Sacrae Ordinis Cistertiensis in Hibernia ; in quibus plura a salutifero S. Crucis ligno patrata Miracula, aliaque memo- ratu desiderata illustrantur."'3o it ^as a small folio MS. on vellum, toler- ably well adorned and illuminated. It had a preface, dedication and com- mendatory verses prefixed, as if intended for publication. In 1649, he wrote another work, " Synopsis nonnullorum Sanctorum illustriumq ; Monachorum Hibernorum Cislertientium," the running title of which was " De Cistertien- tium viris illustribus." It was also written on vellum. In the year 1733, Walter Harris had a loan of these tracts, bound together, from the officiating parish priest of Holy Cross Parish. 's^ Richard Archdeacon, born in Kil- kenny A.D. 1619, was a learned member of the Society of Jesus, and besides his theological works '3^ he wrote " Vitse et Miraculorum S. Patricii Hibernise Apostoli Epitome," published at Louvain, a.d. 1671. '33 He died at Antwerp, about 1 690.^34 Among the most learned men of his age must ever be ranked James Ussher, who was born in Dublin, a.d. 1580, who was educated in the newly founded Trinity College, and who afterwards became successively Protestant Bishop of Meath, and Archbishop of Armagh. Passing over his other literary labours, as irrelevant to our scope, we must especially notice the valuable mass of material for the diligent investigator of earlier Irish records in his " Veterum Epistolarum Hibernicarum Sylloge,"'35 and in his " Britannicarum Ecclesiarum Antiquitates." '33 These works throw great light on the early history of the British and Irish Churches, and they have been frequently ex- amined and quoted for our purpose. Certain theories and inferences, which had their origin, rather in the peculiar bias of this celebrated writer's mind, than in a perfect conception or array of facts, must be doubted. Incidents connected with the establishment and progress of Christianity in our island, and illustrating our national saints' acts, have been confined, for the most part, to the concluding chapters of his work. They bear only a minor pro- portion of historic data to his previous chapters. The appended Chronolo- gical Index is exceedingly valuable, and it has been so arranged as to afford great assistance to the student or compiler of our earlier ecclesiastical annals. Considering the want of ready guidance and the period when Ussher was '30 On the 2ist of July, 1752, this work »33 in 8vo shape, was in possession of Rev. John Dorrony, '34 See some particulars regarding him Parish Priest of Holy Cross, as stated by in Rev. George Oliver's "Collections the Most Rev. James Butler, Archbishop, in towards illustrating the Biography of the his Visitation Book of the Archdiocese. See Scotch, English, and Irish Members of the Limerick Reporter of February i8th, 1873. Society of Jesus," p. 213. '3» See Harris' Ware. Vol. iii., " Wri- '3S PubUshed at Dublin in 1653, as a thin ters of Ireland," book i., chap, xiv., p. 125. quarto. '3* Sec " Bibliotheca Scriptorum Socie- '3* This was first published in Dublin A.D. tatis Jesu," &c., a Nathanaele Sotvello, 1639 in 410 shape, and afterwards as a folio ejusdem Societatis Fresbytero, p. 71S. volume iu London A.D. 16S7. INTRODUCTION. llx enabled to print this volume, sound and critical judgment exercised through- out his entire work must always make it be regarded as a truly researchful ac- cession to our historical literature. It has preserved for us, likewise, many important particulars regarding this island's early state, and which might not otherwise be transmitted to our time. It may almost seem uncalled for to express an opinion, that with better care and greater revision bestowed on his great work, Ussher might have corrected many errors, digested more care- fully abundant disposable materials, and improved its style or arrangement, in a great variety of instances. When objectionable remarks must be re* futed, in subsequent pages of these volumes, special examination and obser- vations are made, in accord with the design and scope of our work. Besides his great volume, Ussher's smaller treatises, in which he has preserved a col- lection of ancient pieces, on matters connected with Ireland's ecclesiastical history, are very interesting, although of somewhat lesser importance. These relate to the condition and habits of the early Irish. '3? After an extremely chequered career, Ussher died at Rygate, Surrey, on the 21st of March, a.d. 1655, in his seventy-sixth year, and he was buried in Henry Seventh's Chapel, Westminster Abbey. '^s Not less were those services rendered to our history and antiquities, in that century, by the learned, honest and painstaking Sir James Ware, who was bom in Castle-street, Dublin, a.d. 1594. Educated in Trinity College, he soon became a distinguished and diligent student, as also a great collector of records and manuscripts, both in Ireland and in England. In 1626, he published at Dublin, a tract,'39 intituled, " Archiepiscoporum Cassiliensium et Tuamensium Vitae, duobus expressae Commentariis." Again, in 1828, he issued, " De Praesulibus Lageniae, sive Provinciae Dubliniensis, Liber unus."'*° Under the more general title, " De Praesulibus Hibernise," he included both the foregoing treatises, in one book. In 1639, he published, "De Scriptoribus Hibernis." Libri Duo. Prior continet Scriptores in Hibernia natos; Pos- terior Scriptores alios, qui in Hibernia munera aliqua obierunt.'*^ The dis- turbed state of affairs, his official situation, in Ireland, and exile abroad, caused much interruption to his historic pursuits for some years. His work, " De Hibernia et Antiquitatibus ejus Disquisitiones," appeared at London, '37 A very complete edition of Ussher's Bishop of Armagh, Primate and Metropoli' works, in seventeen octavo volumes, edited tan of all Ireland." Parr wras chaplain and by Dr. £lrington, has been issued from the literary executor for Ussher, at the time of University Press, at Trinity College, Dublin. his death. This edition is illustrated with A life is prefixed. This edition issued be- a collection of 300 letters between the Pri- tween A.D. 1847 and 1864. mate and some of the most eminent of his '3^ His life has been written by his chap- contemporaries at home and abroad. It lain Dr. Nicholas Bernard, and by Dr. was published at London, in folio, A.D. Thomas Smith of Oxford. The life of 1686. Archbishop Ussher, by Dr. Richard Parr, '^9 in quarto shape, his chaplain, is the Inography best known. '*"' In quarto size. It is intituled, "Life of the Most Reverend '^' This was published in quarto shape at Father in God, James Usher, late Lord Dublin. ix introduction: A.D. 1654.'''' He published a second, or corrected, and an enlarged edition of this work, at London, a.d. 1658. '43 in the year 1656, he published the works ascribed to St. Patrick, under this title, " Opuscula Sancto Patricio, qui Hibernos ad Fidera Christi convertit Adscripta, in lucem emisit, et notis illustravit," Jacobus Waraeus, Eques auratus.'** At the Restoration of Charles II., Sir James Ware returned to Ireland. He published some pieces of the Venerable Bede, under this title, in 1664, " Venerabilis Bedae Epistolse duae; necnon Vitae Abbatum Wiremuthensium et Gerwiensiura. Accessit Egberti, Archiepiscopi Eboracensis, Dialogus de Ecclesiastica In- stitutione ; ex Antiquis MS. in lucem emisit et Notis ad Rem Historicam et Antiquariam spectandbus illustravit," Jacobus Waraeus, Eques auratus.^^s This same year, he published, "Rerum Hibernicarum Annales Regnantibus Henrico VII., Henrico VIII., Edwardo VI. et Maria, ab anno (scil.) Domini 1485 ad Annum 1558." »46 Lastly, he issued at Dublin, a.d. 1665, the folio volume intituled, " De Praesulibus Hiberniae Commentarius ; a Prima Gentis Hibernicae ad Fidem Christianara Conversione, ad nostra usque Tempora.'' Sir James Ware always kept an Irish scribe in his house to interpret and copy Irish documents. The celebrated antiquary and genealogist, Dudley Mac Firbis, served him in that office, at the time of his death. '^^ Tnis happened on the 1st of December, a.d. 1666, having just entered on his seventy-ihird year. At great expense, Sir James Ware collected several valuable Irish historical manuscripts. These fell into the hands of Earl Clarendon, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, in the reign of James II. They were brought into England afterwards, and there sold to the Duke of Chandos.'*^ Among the works al- ready enumerated, the lives of the bishops and writers of Ireland especially have afforded us no inconsiderable aid, as the Irish sainis are frequently ranked under either class. Sir James Ware's moderated judgment, impartiality, perspicuity of style and arrangement are greatly to be admired. At a time when Ireland's national literature had been consigned to manuscript, which could only be reproduced by much expense and exertion, Archbishop Ussher and Sir James Ware'*^ became Anglo-Irish historical pioneers, and but '** In 8vo size. In this, too, he included Annals of Henry Eighth's reign, a tract, previously published, "Caeaobia '^' An account of this learned Irish scho* Cistertientia Hibernise. " lar and his writings will be found in Pro- '43 It was issued in 8vo size. To it he fessor O'Curry's *' Lectures on the Manu- added, " Rerum Hibernicarum Regnante script Materials of Ancient Irish History," Henrico Vil. Annales nunc primum in lect. vi., pp. 120 to 130. See, likewise, lucem editi." Thomas D'Arcy M 'Gee's " Gallery of Irish '*• Issued in London, 8vo. See Thomas Writers," pp. 103 to iii. D'Arcy M'Gee's" Gallery of Irish Writers," '♦« See Harris' Ware. Vol. iii., " Wri- pp. 731082. ters of Ireland," book i., chap, xiv., pp. '« This appeared at Dublin. 145 to 157. •4* This folio work was published in Dub- '*' It is much to be regretted, that Harris lin. Previously, he had published the had not more completely and judiciously Annals of Henry Seventh's reign, which he translated and edited his works in the suc- introduced again in this volume ; and in ceeding century. The additional and im- X662, he had printed in a separate 8vo the portant matter, often introduced by the editor, INTR OD UCTION. Ixi for their efforts, many precious fragments and records must undoubtedly have been lost. Only a small portion of some documents, then existing, have been preserved. Both writers had access to the most important public and private records, while their patient, laborious research and literary zeal urged them to arrange and publish important historic materials. In Father John Colgan's frequent references to their published works, and as representing the great degree of credit attaching to them, our national hagiographer im. plied, more frequently than expressed, his obligations. He often quotes those writers as standard authorities for many of his statements. After the middle of this century, a discussion and two learned Treatises appeared, regarding the precedency of their respective sees, on the part of Dr. Oliver Plunkett, Archbishop of Armagh'^" and of Dr. Peter Talbot, Archbishop of Dublin.'s^ Indeed, notwithstanding the civil disturbances of this period, the people of Ireland, during the seventeenth century, arc praised for the prevalence among them of learning and morals by a contemporary writer. '5» This was certainly an age of national scholarship. Section V. — Irish Hagiologists of the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries. The eighteenth century — a depressing period — was rather barren in the production of Irish historical works, both at home and abroad. Besides some controversial pieces. Father PYancis Porter, O.S.F.,' wrote " Compen- dium Annalium Ecclesiasticorum Regni Hiberniae,"' in which he treats of Irish saints, churches, and monasteries. Another work of his was, '* Opus- culum Contra Vulgares quasdam Prophetias de Electionibus Summorum Pontificum S. Malachiae, Archiepiscopo Armachano, Hiberniae Primati, Legato Apostolico, hactenus falso attributas j Gallice primum editum, nunc novis Supplementis auctum, et in Latinum Idioma translatum : Adjunctis celebrium Authorum refiectionibus et judiciis de Abbatis Joachimi Vaticiniis, ejusque Spiritu Prophetico."3 This writer was a Professor of Divinity and hardly compensates for his defective arrange- Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of all ment and many incongruous observations. Ireland." Dublin, i86r. 8vo. Without the requisite marks of division, '5« See an account ol this prelate and of his Harris frequently leaves the reader in doubt, writings, in John JJ' Alton's "Memoirs of as to whether he is perusing the editor's the Archbishops of Dublin," pp. 430 to statements, or the opinions of his original 446. author, Sir James Ware. »S3 See " Itinerarium" R. D. Thomze Carve 'SO The reader is referred to Very Rev. Tipperariensis, &c., Pars, i., cap. iv., p. Laurence F. Renehan's " Collections on 34. Irish Church History," vol. i., pp. 63 to SECTION v.—' He was bom in the 79, for a further account of this celebrated county of Meath. and martyred prelate. The most complete * This was published at Rome, A.t>. 1690, and learned biography published, however, in a quarto volume. is the Rt. Rev. Patrick Francis Moran's ^ This was published at Rome, A.D. 1698, " Memoirs of the Most Rev. Oliver Plunket, in au octavo volume. ixii introduction: President of St. Isidore's College, Rome, where he Hved a long time. He died there, on the 7th of April, 1 702.* The Rev. Cornelius Nary, bom in the county of Kildare, about the year 1658, was distinguished as a contro- versial writer ; but he also wrote " A Brief History of St. Patrick's Purgatory,"^ besides a " New History of the World, according to the Computation of the Septuagint."^ He died the Parish Priest of St. Michan, Dublin, on the 3rd of March, 1738. Towards the close of the seventeenth century, the learned Roderick O'Flaherty produced some most elaborate treatises, in rela- tion to Irish history and topography. Born about the year 1629, at Galway, where he had been educated, fiora an early age he became a distinguished cultivator of antiquarian studies. His first literary production was a " Letter on the Chronology of Irish History," addressed to Dr. John Lynch. This was afterwards revised and prefixed to his " Ogygia, seu Rerum Hiberni- carum Chronologia," published at London, a.d., 1685.7 He left other works in manuscript, and notably among these were his " Chorographical De- scription of West or H-Iar Connaught, written a.d., 1684," and also " Observa- tions on Dr. Borlace's Reduction of Ireland.^ He collected many Irish manuscripts, but these he appears to have parted with, long before his death, as he felt the pressure of great poverty, consequent on the confiscation of his paternal estate. He died at Park, in the western part of Galway county, about the year 17 17. Long after his death, under the editorship of the Venerable Charles O'Conor, a work of his, " Ogygia Vindicated against the Objections of Sir George Mackenzie,"? appeared in 1775. Nor can we omit the names of Thomas De Burgo, Bishop of Ossory,'° of Walter Harris," of the Venerable Charles O'Conor," of Ballenagare, of Dr. Thomas Le- * See Rev. J. M. Brenan's " Ecclesiasti- '° See an account of this learned man and cal History of Ireland, from the Introduc- his works in the Rev. M. J. Brenan's " Ec- tion of Christianity into that country to the clesiastical History of Ireland." Eigh- year M.DCCCXXix." Eighteenth Century, teenth Century, chap, iii., pp. 585 to 587. chap, iii., pp. 580, 581. New edition : He was bom in Dublin about a.d. 1709, Dublin, 1864, 8vo. and he died at Kilkenny a.d. 1786. 5 Published in Dublin, 1718, l2mo. " He was a native of Dublin, and a ne- ' Published in Dublin, 1 720, fol. phew to Sir James Ware, whose works he 1 In quarto shape, and in Latin. It was translated and edited in three large folio translated into English, by the Rev. Mr. volumes, published in Dublin, before the Hely. See Thomas D'Arcy M 'Gee's "Gal- middle of the last century. Other works of lery of Irish Writers," pp. 200 to 209, his are noticed in W. B. S. Taylor's " His- ^ Both of these have been published and tory of the University of Dublin," chap. vL, edited for the Irish Archaeological Society, § iii., pp.427, 428. in 1846, with valuable notes and illustra- '* This excellent Irish scholar belonged tions by James Hardiman, Esq., M.R.I. A. to a highly respectable and ancient family 9 In his Preface to it, Charles O'Conor in Connaught. He published, " Disserta- gives some interesting particulars of the tions on the History of Ireland." To which author, an account of whom, still more ex- is subjoined " A Dissertation on the Irish tended, from the pen of Mr. Hardiman, will Colonies established in Britain. With some be found in his edition of the " Chorogra- Remarks on Mr. Mac Pherson's Translation phical Description of West or H-IarCon- ofFingal and Temora. " The second edi- naught." Appendix iii., pp. 419 to 430. tion is dated Dublin, 1766, 8vo, and a, INTRODUCTION. Ixiil land,'3 of the Abbe Ma-Geoghegan,'* of Dr. Sylvester 0'Halloran,'s and of Rev. Mervyn Archdall,'^ with a few other writers. These have rendered some special services to our history. In the beginning of this present century, a work was intended for issue, and bearing the following title : " The Lives of the Saints of Ireland, com* piled from the works of the Venerated Father Colgan, of the Franciscan Order ; as also from the learned Dr. De Burgo, Bishop of Ossor/s History of the Irish Dominicans, and from other Catholic Hagiographers, and authors of equal estimation for orthodoxy and erudition. By a Catholic Divine." It was announced, that this work was to be dedicated to the Catholics of Ireland, and to be published by the notorious and eccentric Walter Cox'7 The conditions of publication were thus announced : " I. The Lives of the Irish Saints will be printed in the octavo size. II. The history of each will be apportioned in extent to the rank and estimation of the Saint in the Catholic Church. III. Each life will be accompanied with notes, chiefly from Col- gan's works, for illustrating the saints' birth-place, nomenclature, festival day religious foundations, &c. IV. No Saint's Life shall be recorded or admitted in the work, but that of a native of Ireland. V. In arranging and publishing the work, each Saint's Life will be placed in succession, according to the order of its festival day in the Calendar, from the first of January to the year's end. VI. For the accommodation of pious Catholics, whose pecuniary resources are so limited, as to preclude the possibility of their purchasing third edition in like shape was there issued, Century." London : 1778. 2 vols., 4to. A.D. 1812. The author died July 1st, 1791, He died in June, 1807. See Ryan's *' Bio- in his eighty-second year. See Richard graphical Dictionary of the Worthies of Ire- Ryan's "Biographical Dictionary of the land," vol. ii., pp. 456, 457. Worthies of Ireland," vol, ii., pp. 453, '* He was bom in Dublin, A. D. 1723, and 454. hediedA.D. 1791. See W. B. S. Taylor's '3 Among his other works a " History of "History of the University of Dublin," Ireland," with a Preliminary discourse, ap- chap, vi., § iii., pp. 422, 423. After his peared simultaneously in Dublin and Lon- death was published an enlarged edition of don, in three volumes, 4to, a.d. 1773. See Lodge's Peerage, in seven octavo volumes, an account of this writer in W. B. S. Tay- Forty years he was engaged on the " Mo- lor's " History of the University of Dublin," nasticum Hibeinicum; or an History of the chap, vi., § iii., p. 422. Abbies, Priories, and other Religious Houses '^ His " Histoire de I'lrknde," appeared in Ireland." It was published at London, at Paris in 1758 and 1762, in two thick a.d. 1786, in a thick 4to volume. See also 4to volumes. The author was chaplain to Ryan's '• Biographical Dictionary of the the Irish troops in the service of France, Worthies of Ireland," vol i., pp. 17 to 19. and his work, written in the French Ian- '^ Editor of " The Irish Magazine." See guage, was found v.ry serviceable in fami- volume for a.d. 1814, p. 528. The office liarizing the people of that country with a of his periodical was at No. 1 50 Abbey- knowledge of Irish History. street, iJublin. A very singular account of '5 He was a native of Limerick city, and this extraordinary character will be found in born December 31st, 1728. Besides his Dr. Richard R. Madden's "United Irish- " Introduction to the Study of the History men, their Lives and Times," vol. i., p. 385 ; and Antiquities of Ireland," he published vol. ii., pp. 234 to 449 ; vol. iii., pp. 481 to "A General History of Ireland, from the 613; vol. iv., pp. 259 et seq. Dublin, earliest accounts to the Close of the Twelfth i860, 8vo. Ixlv INTRODUCTION, the work together, it will be printed in Numbers of Three sheets, or Forty-eight pages each, at the moderate price of One and Three Pence. VII. The first Number will be published God willing, on the ist of January next."*^ I have not been able to find any further account of this projected ■ publication : but, most probably, ^it fell still-born through the hands both of author and publisher. In the beginning of the present century, likewise, the Rev. Charles O'Conor, D.D.,'9 and Rev. John Lanigan, D.D.,='«' produced most important and valuable works, containing disquisitions, which are masterpieces of criticism and extensive research. The " Rerum Hibernicanmi Scriptores," Four Quarto volumes, is a truly valuable collection of Annals. Dr. Charles O'Conor's First Volume of the " Rerum Hibernicarum Scriptores," con- taining his invaluable Epistola Nuncupatoria, and Prologomena ad Annales, fully exhibits the variety and extent of his erudition, with his critical abilitj-. The Second Volume comprises his elaborate editions of the "Annales Tigemachi,''"' the "Annales Inisfalenses,"" and the "Annales Buelliani ;"'3 the Third Volume contains the " Quatuor Magistrorum Annales Hibernici;"'* which, however, are only brought down to a.d. 1172; the Fourth Volume embraces the "Annales Ultonienses,"*s to the year 1 131. Translations of the original Irish into Latin, with suitable Dissertations, Annotations, and Critices, characterize those Tomes throughout; while they must ever remain as monuments of patient industry and of genuine scholarship, indispensable for consultation to all writers who may happen to deal exhaustively with the varied subjects of early Irish history.*^ The " Stowe Catalogue,"^? of materials for Irish History, was published with the former work, mainly owing to the muni- '^ To the foregoing we find this notice a very interesting account of this distin* appended: "The public are requested to guished scholar in W. J. Fitzpatrick's observe, that the publication is a distinct *' Irish Wits and Worthies ; including Dr. work, from the Rev. Alban Butler's Lives Lanigan, his Life and Times," &c. Dublin: of Saints, and owes nothing to the same, as 1873, cr. 8vo. Mr. Butler's general work could not afford " They extend from A. M. 305 to A.D. space enough for the insertion of Irish Bio- lo88, and are executed with great learning graphy, which, indeed, is very briefly no- and chronological knowledge, ticed by him ; and, therefore, the pubiica- "These commence with A.D. 428, and tion now about to appear will be found to continue to a.d. 1196, following the Bod- be the best and most authentic, that has leian Codex, and from A.D. 250 to A.D. yet been offered to the patronage of Catho- 1088, following the Dublin Codex, lie Ireland, and equally interesting, also, =^3 These extend from A.D. 420 to 1245. for local antiquities and family histories." *< These begin A.M. 2242. '» The reader will find an interesting ac- 'S These begin at A.D. 431. count of his life and writings in S. Austin ** These volumes were published. Buck- Allibone's " Critical Dictionary of English inghamije, A.D. \%\6fetseq. Literature, and British and American Au- "' This very instructive and rare book is thors, Living and Deceased," vol. ii., p. intituled, " Bibliotheca, MSS. Stowensis: 1448. A Descriptive Catalogue of the Manuscripts ''° This learned Divine was bora in the city in the Stowe Library, with Appendix." of Cashel, A.D. 1758, and he died at Finglas, Two volumes in tlirec, 4to. Buttkinghami* near Dublin, on the 7th of July, 1288. See iSlS-igL INTRODUCTION. Ixv ficent patronage of an English nobleman, the Duke of Buckingham. These pre- ceded in time of publication Dr. Lanigan's remarkable "Ecclesiastical History of Ireland." Considering accessible materials which formed this author's chief resources, no writer in any age or country has brought a more discriminating judgment, patience, industry, and candour, to the investigation of abstruse historic points, than this wonderfully learned and laborious enquirer.'^ We can hardly over-estimate the difficult task on which Dr. Lanigan entered, or the innumerable obstacles that were presented at almost every step. To consult so many original authorities, and to compare or analyse their varying statements, to unravel specious theories, and to subject wild speculations to the crucial test of searching and legitimate criticism, were accomplished with an amount of care and exactness worthy of a true scholar. Nothing was received on trust. Even the superior authority of Ussher, Colgan, Ware, and other celebrated writers, had been minutely scrutinized. In many instances, when the statements of early annalists and hagiographers had been found obscure and incomprehensible. Dr. Lanigan has reconciled apparently conflicting accounts ; he has suggested many important explana- tions, which, if not always found perfectly satisfactory, are at least most ingenious and suggestive ; while, he has detected and thoroughly refuted various inaccuracies and mistakes of previous writers. In the Lives of our early Saints, attempts to reconcile recorded incidents and personal acts, with dates to which they had been ascribed, and even to determine the authorship or periods of such compositions, were very difficult subjects for examination.'? Yet, with all his varied erudition and sagacious induction, occasionally was Dr. Lanigan led astray by the very acuteness of a critical spirit, and by his conscientious discrimination, in attempts to synchronize events, which might accord with some preconceived ideas. He had, also, a dread of being charged with credulity, and with accepting romantic or supernatural accounts, on uncertain evidence. He became almost hypercri- tical, while his power of analysing statements rendered his great work too realistic for popular reading. It also showed his want of sympathy with the legendary aspects and poetic colouring uf our saints' biographies. Since the time of Dr. Lanigan, much has been published, that should have tended to lighten his labours, had such materials been accessible to him. Only to a limited extent could manuscripts or works published, in Irish, and without a translation, have been available ; for he does not appear to have had a sufficient knowledge of that language, in which the most valuable materials for historic purposes had been clothed. In some instance?, it is true, he professes to derive the meaning of proper names, places and pre- ** See W. J. Fitzpatrick's " Dr. Lanigan, mortal work, and in 1822 it was first pub- his Life and Times," chap, xxxii., pp. 224 lished in four octavo volumes. See Rev, 10235. M. J. Brenan's " Ecclesiastical History of ^ About the year 1813, he commenced Ireland," Nineteenth Century, chap, iii., the arraugemeat of materials for this im- pp. 650, 651. Ixvi INTRO DUCTICN, fixes, from our national tongue. 3° Yet, in such cases, he often had recourse to glossaries, or to the kind assistance of persons, more accurately versed than he was in a knowledge of Irish etymologies and structural peculiarities. So much as could have been reasonably expected has been accomplished by Dr. Lanigan, in the publication of his learned, well-arranged, and valuable Ecclesiastical History. Had he given us a complete and connected series of Irish Saints' Lives, somewhat on the plan now adopted, and with the necessary materials within his reach, he should have found it a much less laborious task, although forming a more comprehensive design, than that he attempted, when engaging upon his very celebrated historical work. But the duration of an ordinary lifetime, even with possession of the highest abilities, and the utmost desirable leisure, could hardly have sufficed for including complete Lives, or even extended notices, regarding all the Saints to be found in our Calendars, with adequate notes or critical disquisitions. As it stands. Dr. Lanigan's " Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," may be considered a chronological arrangement of our principal saints' biographies, with their Acts necessarily abridged, while, for the most part, their recorded miracles have been suppressed. To arrange incidents, and to produce a continuous, really important narrative of ecclesiastical affairs, without running into personal and obscure details, become tasks of extreme difficulty. Subsequent to Christianity being established in this country, and previous to the English invasion, for many centuries our National Church was singularly free, not only from inroads of heresy and schism, but even from very radical changes in her governmental rites and general discipline. From the time Faith had been first securely established in Ireland, and to the period last named, our Church met with little opposition from native dynasts or kings. Even Danish and Norwegian spoliations were of too sporadic a character permanently to affect her material or spiritual interests. With such diffi- culties to encounter, and precluding the possibility of framing a luminous and connected narrative, Dr. Lanigan has contrived to present a clear, con- secutive and recondite history.31 After a careful examination of this historio- grapher's work, the present writer is greatly under an impression, that the author was only careful to correct and improve his style, throughout the text of his history, and that he allowed the original draft of his notes to stand without much alteration as to mere phraseology. Perhaps, he shrank from the additional and very considerable time and labour that must have 3° In one passage, Dr. Lanigan leaves his acrimonious remarks —however justly me- readers to infer, that he had some general rited by writers to whom they apply— de- acquaintance with the Irish language. See tract much from the literary merits of his "Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. work. They partake more of the pamphle- iii., chap, xviii., § v., n. 59, p. loo. teer's or the polemic's questionable temper, 3« It is to be regretted that in many in- than the dignified tone and calm judgment stances his notes have been disfigured by of an accomplished historian, conscious of writing in a careless style, while occasional his own intellectual superiority. INTRODUCTION. Ixvii devolved upcn him, by instituting a more careful revision and exami- nation. 3* Prizing greatly the researches of previous investigators, many additional facts have been ascertained since their time, and many errors of those laborious, critical, and learned writers having been detected, are more easily corrected or refuted. Systematic efforts have been made, by eminently gifted histo- rians and archaeologists, to overturn visionary speculations, and to place our archaic studies on the firm basis of scientific research. Periodical litera- ture and able contributors served to elicit and record many local traditions and facts of importance. These were popularized, and even the sympathy and enquiries of distant scholars were directed to Ireland. It was then known, almost for the first time, that our country was yet covered with the ruins of churches and monasteries, capable of being identified with numerous saints, clerics, and students. The Irish Ordnance Survey staff of Antiqua- ries was organized, and foremost among these able directors were the late John O'Donovan, LL.D., George Petrie, LL.D., Sir Thomas Larcom, and Professor Eugene O'Curry. So far as available manuscripts and published works, in various languages, had reference to local history, tradition, and topo- graphy, suitable and requisite extracts were furnished by competent scribes.33 Those afforded a vast amount of special information for purposes of local investigators, fully conversant with the subject, when sometimes set apart, or frequently in communication, visiting and examining on the spot ancient buildings and remains, by the additional light of documents supplied to them. 3* Observations and accurate measurements were usually taken down 3* Although not observing minor graces of composition throughout his notes ; yet, in a critical and historical point of view, their value is unquestionable to the student of this island's ecclesiastical history and anti- quities. 33 About the year 1830, this work com- menced. The very complete materials for county and parish histories, which were the result, had been originally preserved in the Ordnance Survey Office, at Moun joy Bar- racks, Phcenix Park, Dublin. Afterwards, the most important of those manuscripts, in a historical sense, were transferred to the Library of the Royal Irish Academy. Owing to the kindness of his learned and lamented friend, the late John O'Donovan, LL.D., the writer was introduced to the chiefs of this department, who, on all occa^ Eions, have manifested uniform courtesy, and furnished every possible facility to the writer, while he had been very constantly oc- cupied in preparing the present serial volumes for the press. Many a solitary and studious hour has he passed in the Ordnance Survey Library, with the privilege, a:corJel by Major-General Sir H. Jam^s, Chief Super- intendent of the Depariment, Colonel Georg* A. Leach, R.E., and Lieutenant-Colonel Berdoe Wilkinson, R.E., Local Directors, to take transcripts or copies, and otherwise consult ancient and modern records or maps, illustrating the past and present history or topography of Ireland. Especially, to the obliging and talented chief clerks, Messrs. Joseph Mooney and John O'Lalor, the writer feels most grateful. For their solici- tude and unremitting attention to afford every facility during his researches, he is truly indebted. 3^ At the request of Rev. James Graves, A. 15., M.R.I. A., the writer prepared a pretty complete catalogue of the Ordnance Survey materials for County and Parish Histories, which were published seriat.in in the "Transactions of the Kilkenny and Souih-East of Ireland Archaeological So- ciety." Ixviii INTR OD UCTION, amid the ecclesiastical and civic ruins, or on the sites of duns, battlefields, and ancient remains. Popular traditions were noted and tested by com- parison with existing records. Using great care and accuracy, ancient divi- sions of Ireland were traced out, according with the most correct modem maps and measurements. Changes of names and differences of orthography, at various dates, and in different authorities, were duly recorded. The statements of writers, imperfectly acquainted with old documents, and who frequently mistook local positions, were at once corrected, not alone by in- disputable inferences, but often by most convincing testimony. The records of our ancient Annals, Poems, Calendars, and Martyrologies, in many in- stances, were elucidated by local monuments and popular traditions, coupled with the nomenclature of ancient districts, parishes, and townlands, in the several Irish counties. In many instances, the memory of former patron days and festivals, referring to early Irish Saints, had been obliterated, at particular localities ; yet, in a vast number of cases, the district or parish patron saint had not been unknown, especially to the older living inhabi- tants. The holy wells, where devotions to certain patron saints had been heretofore practised, but of late years discontinued, were closed or diverted to other channels, in various places ; still, in most cases, the position of those wells could be shown, while popular traditions connected them with the old saints and their festival days, even when the existing nomenclature hardly afforded any other clue towards investigation. Penitential stations and pilgrimages were not altogether forgotten, in remote districts of country, before the introduction of modern influences and customs. Although pre- vious writers had agreed, that nothing was known or could be discovered, regarding individual saints, or their exact localities ; yet, those Ordnance Survey antiquaries were enabled to demonstrate the inaccuracy of such statements, by furnishing necessary and conclusive evidence to substantiate opposite opinions. Various styles of building, the forms of different objects and their constituent materials or position, often afforded intrinsic evidence, regarding \ urposes for which such erections had been designed, as also indi- cating their periods, apart from extrinsic evidence, pertaining to their origin and history. Artists who had been engaged on the survey rendered very material assistance in this branch of enquiry, by delineating most accurately ancient buildings, crosses, inscriptions, &c., which abounded in different places. 35 Accurate criticism was brought to bear on every object and record, for the purpose of arriving at correct conclusions ; while vague etymological conjectures and groundless theories were set aside, for more legitimate modes of demonstration. Former writers had created a great 35 All these collections are exceedingly Although in a shape sufficiently classified Taluab'e, as tending very fully to illustrate for reference, it is to be regretted, they have l.-eland's civil and ecclesiastical history and not yet been properly digested for publi- topography, not even omitting the records of cation, with a view of rendering them her natural productions and social condition. generally accessible* tNTR OD UCTION. Ixbc amount of popular delusion on the subject of Irish history and antiquities. Those writers, having neither requisite capabilities to decipher ancient Irish manuscripts, nor opportunities for historic investigation afforded, had the pretension and imprudence often to dogmatize on ill-constructed theories and obscure matters. When the test of strict examination had been applied, their ignorance and incompetency were fully manifested. Published pro- ductions often tended to spread a thicker mist over those dark passages of enquiry, even where they professed to guide. The masters of a new and better school were consequently obliged to pursue their investigations, not only without deriving much aid from writers who had preceded them, but firequently were they obliged to controvert absurd or unfounded state- ments, and to dissipate existing prepossessions. The establishment of our Irish Archaeological and Celtic Societies procured the translation and publication, at various intervals, of important manuscripts — especially from the Irish language — and other historic documents were edited by most competent scholars. The independent issue of Dr. O'Dono- van's most important " Annals of the Four Masters," of Dr. Petrie's learned work on the ancient " Ecclesiastical Architecture and Round Towers of Ireland," the historical works of Dr. William Reeves, Rev. M. J. Brenan, Dr. James Henthom Todd, John D'Alton, Rev. Dr. Kelly, Professor Eugene O'Curry, Right Rev. Patrick F. Moran, D.D., Bishop of Ossory, and many other writers, gave a signal impulse to the study of national antiquities. Their works naturally induced enquiry, regarding our Irish Saints' Lives, the homesteads where they Hved, and the places which had been hallowed by their traces.3^ To all the foregoing authorities has the writer frequently referred, because he felt satisfied, that nothing which zeal, industry, and ability could master had been left unattempted, in order to render our historic literature reliable and complete. Besides, he has adopted indepen- dent means to procure information. Through local enquiries and personal investigation, or through epistolary correspondence, the writer has often discovered traditions and remains, of exceeding great value for his purpose. Section VI. — The Chief Foreign Ecclesiastical and other Writers, WHOSE Works serve directly or incidentally to elucidate Irish Hagiology. As we have already indicated. Acts of the Saints and Martyrologies were compiled for the Eastern and Western Churches, from a very early period. St. Clement I., Pope and Martyr, who lived in the first century,' had the city 3* We may observe, that a crown octavo M. A., and published in London, volume appeared in 1873, and intituled, Section vi. — ' From A. D. 91 to 1 00 was "Biographical Sketches of Ancient Irish the duration of his Pontifical dignity. .See Saints «nJ other Missionaries." This was Sir Harris Nicholas' "Chronology of His« written by the Rev. Herbert .M'Laughlin, tory," p. 209. Ixx INTR on UCTION. of Rome divided among seven notaries — one notary for each of its districts' — and it was their charge, to make a diHgent investigation, regarding the acts and sufferings of the martyrs, so as to write them with accuracy and care.3 Those notaries diligently recorded in ecclesiastical tablets the days called Fasti. From those noles were compiled Martyrologies, which were read on the eve of the Martyrs' Festivals.* It would seem, likewise, that our Irish ec- clesiastics were quite conversant with such documents. Briefly must we re- capitulate this species of literaiure, which has a collateral affinity with our na- tional hagiology, through various stages of its development. The writings of the first and most celebrated fathers of the Church abound in anecdotes or notices of their holy predecessors or contemporaries. But chiefly in Europe — excluding consideration of Irish writers already referred to — St. Sulpicius Severus,5 who flourished in the fourth and fifth centuries, Rufinus and St. Gregory, Bishop of Tours,^ born at Auvergne, and who died at Rome a.d. 595 o^ 59^>^ cultivated letters, in connexion with sacred history and bio- graphy. The Greek and Eastern Churches were sedulous in committing to writing the acts of saints and martyrs.^ The Rule of St. Benedict? re- quired the reading of passages from Lives of the Fathers of the Church, after meals, and to instruct his monks ;'° while a decree of Pope St. Gelasius" had enumerated those Livesof those Holy Fathers, Anthony," Paul,-3 Hilarion,'* * See Rev. Joseph Mullooly's " Saint Clement, Pope and Martyr, and his Basi- lica in Rome," chap, iii., pp. io2, 103. 3 See '* Breviarium Romanum," Officium S. dementis, P.M., ii. noct., lect. iv., die xxiii. Novembris. < See Boldetti's " Osservazloni sul Cimi- terii de ' Martiri," lib. i., cap. xi. 5 This holy and learned man died in the earlier part of the fifth century, and his festival is kept on the 29th of January. His best known works are, a Life of St. Martin, Bishop of Tours, and an Abridgment of Sacred History, from the beginning of the World to A.D. 4CXJ. His works were issued at Verona in 1741, in two folio volumes, and they have been carefully edited by F. Jerom de Prato, with various readmgs, dissertations and notes. The life of this saint is included. ' His complete works have been edited by Ruinart, in a folio volume, published at Paris, A.D. 1699. This is a good but scarce edition. See Watts' "Bibliotheca Britan- nica ; or a General Index to British and Foreign Literature," vol. i., p. 439, r. s. ' His feast occurs on the 1 7th of Novem- ber, the day of his death. He wrote various books on the glories, virtues and miracles of the Martyrs, Fathers and other saints, espe- cially of the French. But his Ecclesiastical and Civil History of France, in sixteen books, is of the greatest possible value to the antiquary ; because, it is a repertory of the ancient usages and laws of the Gauls, hardly to be found elsewhere. See Collier's " Great Historical, Geographical, Genealo- gical and Poetical Dictionary," voL i., art. Gregory of Tours. ^ These, however, have little reference to the matter of Irish hagiography. An inte- resting and a brief account of such writings may be found in a work lately published, " I^s BoUandistes et I'Hagiographie An- cienne et Moderne," par MM. J. Camandet et J. Fevre, pp. 97 to 104. The reader may also consult John Albert Fabricius, '* Bibliotheca Graeca," editio tertia, in 14 volumes, 4to, published at Hamburg, from 1 718 to 1728. 9 This great founder of Monasticism had his feast on the 21st of March. " Cap. Ixii, " His feast occurs at the 2lst of Novem* ber. He ruled over the Church, from A.D. 492 to 496, when he died. " His feast occurs on the 17th of Janu- ary. '3 His festival is assigned to the ISth of January. '* His festival takes place on the 21st of October. INTRODUCTION. Ixxi and all the hermits, as written by St. Jerome, to be received with due reve- rence.'s Cassiodorus,*^ recommends such studies.'' Pope St, Gregory the Great'^ has given us various accounts of early saints, in his celebrated Book of Dialogues, And, in continuous succession from these early ages, generations of saints and writers have left souvenirs of their holy predecessors behind them. '9 Especially the various religious congregations have been careful to preserve the memorials of their respective luminaries. In the large ecclesi- astical collections of the last centuries,'" much interesting information, re- garding Hagiography and early sacred literature, will be found.'' Venerable Bede, born in 672, or as some will have it in 673," was a chief ornament, during the seventh and eighth centuries. A very full and in- teresting account of his indefatigable industry and comprehensive genius,'^ as also of his various works, will be found among Pitts''^ lives, and in different other biographies. To Bede has been attributed the composition of a Mar- tyrology in prose,'s as also a second Martyrology in hexameter verse. An edition of the former was published at Antwerp, a.d, 1564, or 1565.'^ This 'S See " Decretum Gratiani," Dist., xv. cap., Sancta Ecclesia, '* This writer flourished in the sixth cen- tury. See an account of him in Cardinal Bellarmin, ' ' De Scriptoribus Ecclesiasticis," pp. 203, 204. Philip Labbe's edition. Operum tomus vii. Venice, 1 720 fol. '' A fine edition, " Opera Omnia Magni Aurelii Cassiodorii Senatoris" was published at Venice in two folio volumes, A.D. 1 729. '^ The feast of this great Pontiff— spe- cially reverenced in the Irish Church — be- longs to the 1 2th of March. See a notice of him in R. Chambers' "Book of Days," vol. i., p. 361. Edinburgh, 1864, imp. 8vo. "See Ozanam's "CEuvres Completes," tome v. This writer remarks: "Les in- terpolations etaient faciles : les fables pene- traient sans peine dans une suite de frag- ments qui n'avaient pas de lien : chaque monastere eut son recueil abrege ou grossi, selon le loisirdesescopistes." — Des .Sources Poetiques de la Divine Comedie, sec. iii., pp. 436, 437. =0 See " Bil)liothecce Patruum, et Vete- nim Auctorum Ecclesiasticonim." Per Margarlnum de la Eigne. This edition appeared at Paris in folio, a.d. 1610. An enlarged and a corrected edition of this work appeared at Cologne, in 14 folio volumes, a.d. 1618. The most extensive series, however, is the " Cursus Completus Patrilogiae," issued by the Abbe Migne, in 3CX) small folio volumes, of double columns. This series was intended to comprise all the Greek and Latin Fathers and writers in the Church. It appeared at Paris, during the present century. * The work of Fabricius, "Bibliotheca Latina Medise et Infimae .^Etatis" is most valuable. It was published in 6 thick i2mo volumes, at Hamburg, from 1 734 to 1 746. Schoettgenius added a supplement, and an edition by John Dom Maurus issued at Padua, A.D. 1754, in 4to. Besides these, Fabricius compiled, " Bibliotheca Ecclesi- astica in qua continentur de Scriptoribus Ecclesiasticis S. Hieronymus, Genadius, Isidorus, Trithemius et alii." This folio was published, at Hamburg, A.D. 1 718. "See " Biographica Britannica : or the lives of the most eminent persons, who have flourished in Great Britain and Ireland, from the earliest ages to the present Times," vol. i., p. 642. *3 See Dr. John Inett's " Origines An- glicante : or, a History of the English ChurJi," vol. i., chap, ix., sec. i., p. 130. London and Oxford, a.d. 1704 and 1 710. fol. '■* See Pitseus, " Relationum Historicar- rem de Rebus Anglicis," tomus i., pars, ii., pp. 129 to 140. *3 The most elegant, and, we believe, exact edition of Bede's '♦ Martyrologium de Nata- litiis Sanctorum ; cum Auclario Flori et aliorum," has appeared among the series, " Patres Ecclesiffi Anglicanae." »« In Svo. See Watts' "Bibliotheca Britannica," vol. i., p. 92, k. o. Ixxli INTRODUCTION. hovygvcr is regarded as spurious.'' Various editions of Bede's Martyrology -have since issued, and more or less perfect.'* His Martyrology appeared in the folio edition of this writer's works, which issued at Basle, a.d. i563,»9 and in that published at Cologne, a.d. 1612.30 The Martyrology of Bede, in hexameter verse, has been published by D'Achery.3' This " Martyro- logium Poeticum" will be found among the ascetic's poetical works ;3' and a complete collection33 of his writings has been edited by the Rev. J. A. Giles, D.C.L., from the original Latin, with an English translation. 3* No saint later than Wilfrid3s is found in the metrical Martyrology,36 while it omits several saints found in the prose Martyrology,37 attributed to Bede.s^ The former is a very brief composition, containing only a few hexameter lines, under headings of the several months.39 His celebrated " Historia Ecclesi- astica Gentis Anglorum," is a work of rare value and authenticity. ■♦"' It was •y It is said to be taken from Ado's ' Mar- tyrology," and not to be Bede's compilation. »• Hcnschinius at first attributed this to Florvis, but afterwards to Bede. Edited from six different MSS., he pub'ished it in the "Acta Sanctorum" Januarii, tomus i., Prffifacio, p. 40, and again tomus ii., Martii, Prolegomina, sec. 5 et seq. Smith published it, "cum auctario Flori," in his folio edition ; while Eckarthus gave a con- tinuation to it, from a Wirceburg manuscript. See his work, "Commentaria de Rebus Francise Oriental's et Episcopis Wirceburg," tomus i., pp. 829, 830. Wirceburg, 1729. Such is the statement of Mabillon in " Acta Sanctorum Ordinis S. Benedicti," sec. iii., pars i. ^ In eight volumes. See vol. iii., pp. 380 to 487. 3" In eight volumes. See vol. iii., pp. 277 et seq. 3' See " Spicilegium," tomus x., p. 126, and the new edition, vol. ii., p. 23. Also, Mabillon's Acta Ordinis S. Benedicti, sec. iii., p. 560, and sec. iv., ii., p. 85. 3* In Rev. J. A. Giles' edition, published at London in 1843, i^^ twelve volumes, 8vo. In vol. i., pp. 50 to 53, the " Marty rologium Poeticum," with a Prologue will be found ; and in vol. iv., pp. 16 to 172, the "Martyr- ologium" in Prose is contained. 33 From previously printed editions, and from MSS. "^ The enumeration of Venerable Bede's works is given in JohnofTrittenhem's "Ca- talogus Scriptorum Ecclesiasticorum," fol. Ii., a, b. 35 He died A.D. 732, while Bede died A. D. 735. 3* All that has reference to Irish saints may be found under the title Martius, and in these two lines : — " Patricius Domini servus conscendit ad aulam, Cuthbertus denas tenuit temasque Ka- lendas." This Martyrology was first found by Ma- billon at Rheims, and bearing the name of Bede, as its author. The Rev. Mr. Giles calls it a "dull and heavy composition." 37 As restored in the Bollandists' "Acta Sanctorum." 3* A Martyrology, forming a sort of al- manack and entitled, " Ephemeris sive com- putus Vulgaris," is found in the folio editions of Basle, vol. i., pp. 242 to 266, an:l o Co- logne, vol i., pp. 191 to 213. This is said to have been written by Wandelbertus Prumiensis. See Oudin, "Comment," tomus i., p. 1683. 39 " Two other tracts, entitled, ' Liber Annalis,' and forming a kind of Martyro- logy) are found in Martene and Durand's ' Collectio Veterum Scriptorum,' vol. vi. ; but they are of no importance, and the editors themselves allow, that very little of them can claim to be the production of Bede." See Rev. J. A. Giles' "Complete Works of Venerable Bede," vol. iv., pp. iv., v.. Preface. ♦° Various editions of this work have ap- peared, in single and collective shape, while it has been translated and pullished in the English and in other languages. The edi- tion chiefly quoted, throughout succeeding pages, is the Cambridge folio of 1644. INTRODUCTION. Ixxiii finished in 731/' and it has caused Bede to be regarded as the Father of English History. This illustrious writer died on the'26.h of May,** in the year 735. Walafridus or Galafridus Strabo, a Benedictine monk,« who flourished in the ninth century, and who died a.d. 847, wrote various lives of the saints, while some of these were intimately connected with Ireland. His works were published at Paris, in ten folio volumes, a.d. 1624.44 Rabanus Maurus,*s Archbishop of Mentz, a truly learned German theo- logian and divine,** was bom about 786,^7 at Fulda. He wrote a " Martyro- logium," which was printed at Ingoldstadt, a.d. i 604.4^ A collected edition of his works*9 was issued at Cologne, in three folio volumes, a.d. 1627. s* Rabanus died on the 4th of February, a.d. 856.5' St. Ado, Archbishop of Vienne, in Dauphiny, was boni about the year Soo.s' He belonged to a noble family. He is the author of a Universal Chronicle, from the Creation of the World to the year 874. This was continued, to a later period, by Others -p and as an authority for early French history, it has often been edited and published.^* He wrote a Martyrolngy, likewise, and this was better arranged than any which preceded it, while it was enriched by Lives of the Saints.55 This was printed at Antwerp,56 a.d. 1613, and at Paris, in folio, a.d. 1645. It is inserted, also, in the " Bibliotheque des Peres.''S7 The works of this prelate were published by Morellus, at Paris, a.d. 1512, 1567 and 1568.58 He died in the year 875. Usuard was a French hagio- grapher, and a monk at St. Geimain-des-Pr^s, near Paris. By ccirmar.d of Charles the Bald, he compiled a Martyrology. This was first printed at the end of " Rudimentum Novitorum," a.d. 1475. ^^ ^^'^^ published at Louvain, ♦' See Rev. Thomas Innes' "Civil and pro Hibernia," cap. iii., p. 23. Ecclesiastical History of Scotland." Chrono- S' See Chalmers' "General Biographical logical Memoirs, p. 320. Dictionary," vol. i., pp. 171, 172. *^ At this date he is venerated in the Eng- S3 See " Bibliotheca Historica," instructa lish Calendar. a B. Burcardo Gatthelf Struvio, aucta a B. *3 See John of Trittenhem's " Catalogus Chiisti Gottleib Budero, nunc vero a Joanne Scriptorum Ecclesiasticorum," fol. Iii., a. Georgio Meuselio ita digesta, amplificata, +♦ See Watts' "Bibliotheca Britannica," et emendata, ut paene novum opus videri vol. ii., p. 484, i. j. possit, vol. i., pars. L, cap. ii., sec. iv., p. *3 There is an account of him and his v/rit- 66. ings in John of Trittenhem's "Catalogus 5* At Paris, in folio, A.D. 1512, A.D, Scriptorum Ecclesiasticorum," fol. Iv. b. 1522, and in 8vo, a. D. 1561. It was printed and Ivi. a. at Rome, in folio, a.d. 1745. It also ap- ** See Rev. Joseph Dixon's "General In- peared in the " Bibliotheca Patruum." troduction to the Sacred Scriptures," vol. ss pje wrote the life St. Didier, uhich is ii.. Dissertation, xviii., chap, ii., p. 351. in Canisius. See "Antiquje Lectiones," <7 See Haydn's "Universal Index of vol. ii., p. i. He also wrote the life of St. Biography," p. 463. Teudier, which is in the "Acta Sancto- <* In 4to. The Martyrology of Raban is rum." to be found printed in Henricus Canisius' ^6 By Rosweyde. "Antiqufe Lectiones," tomus vi. 57 See Watts' " Bibliotheca Britannica," <9 Edited by Georgius Calvinerius. vol. i., p. 8, a, b. 5* See Watts' " Bibliotheca Britannica," ss See Collier's " Great Historical, Geo- vol. ii., p. 787, d, e. graphical. Genealogical and Poetical Die- s' See Father Stephen White's "Apologia tionary," vol, i,, art. Ado. Ixxiv INTRODUCTION. A.D. 1568, and A.D. 1573.55 It is intituled, " Martyrolcgiim, cvm cddit. et annot. J. Molani." It was reprinted at Antwerp, in 1583/° Usuard died on the 8th of Januar}', a.d. 876 or 877/' Among the Greek ccclesiaslical historians and biographers, David Nicetas was distinguished, about the close of the ninth century. He composed panegyric? in honour of the Apcstles, and of other saints.^' Those are found inserted by Ccmbefis, as a continuation of the " Bibliotheca Patruum.''*^ Various hymns and treatises are attributed to this Nicetas/* About this period, also, Simeon Metaphrastes, a patrician, flourished. He was first secretary and chancellor to the Emperors Leo VI., surnamed the Wise,^s and Constantine VI.," Porphyrogenitus.^7 From the works of previous authors, he collected one hundred and twenty-two Lives of Saints.^^ Sometimes, Metaphrastes altered the style of such documents, when it appeared to be barbarous ; while, sometim.es he inserted later inter- polations, not always entitled to implicit credence, unless supported by co- incident evidence. Notker or Notger, a monk of St. Gall,^9 lived in the ninth and tenth cen- turies.'** He too wrote a Martyrolog}',^* and is said to have composed a Life of St. Gall in verse, with other learned tracts. '» It is stated, that he died on the 6th of April,73 a.d. 912.7* Aimoinus or Aimoin, a native of Aquetain, » In Svo. •• Also in Svo. See Watts' " Bibliotheca Britannica," vol. ii., p. 924, w. *' See Hayderi's " Universal Index of Biography." Edited by J. Bertrand Payne, p. 548. ••See Fabricius' "Bibliotheca Graeca," Tol. vii. «3 See Watts' " Bibliotheca Britannica," ▼ol. ii., p. 703, d. Also, "Novissimum Actuarium." Paris, 1672, folio. *•• See Cave's " Scriplonim Ecclesiasti- ccrum Historia Litsraria," torn, i., p. 562. 's This Emperor dieJ, May nth, a.d. 911, in his forty-sixth year, after a reign of 25 year?, 2 months, and 10 days. See "L'Art de Verfier les Dates des Faits His- toriques," tome i., p. 430. ** This Emperor died, on the 9th or 15th of November, A.D. 959, in the fifty-fourth year of his age. See ibid., p. 431. ^ See M. Le Dr. Hoefer's " Nouvelle Biographis Geiierale," tome x.\.xv., cols. 188, 189. " See Dr. William Cave's "Scriptorum Ecclesiasticorum Historia Literaria," tomus ii., p. 88. *« John of Trittenhem treats of him and of his writings in " Catalogiis Scriplonim Ec- clesiasticorum," fol. IviL b. ^ See Father Stephen White's "Apologia pro Hibemia," cap. iii., p. 23. 1^ This has appeared, in the learned work of Henricus Canisius, " Antiquas Lectiones," tomus vi. 7» See Mre L. Ellies Du Pin's "Nouvelle Bibliotheque des Auteurs Ecclesiastiques," tome viii., chap, iv., p. 56. Ed. 2. Paris, 4to, 1697. 1^ On this day, his feast is noted in the Necrology of St. Gall. Pope Innocent III. complained, that there had been no com- memoration of this pious man at St. Gall. Pope Julius II. required Hugo, Bishop of Constance, to appoint an inquisition, so that the question of canonization might be reserved for the Holy See. Having instituted the necessary process, Hugo permitted a Mass and an office in Notker's honour to the monastery of St. Gall and to its dependant churches ; but, in the time of Mnbillon, the authority of the Sovereign Pontiff had not been added to that decree. See " Annales Ordinis S. Benedict!," tomus iii., lib. xli., sec. Ixix., p. 340. " By Du Pin and Mabillon. An interest- ing account of him will be found in Ma- billon's " Annale? Ordinis S. Benedict]," tomus iii., lib. xxxiv., sec. xxx., p. 13, lib. xxxvii., section xxx., pp. 173, 174, sectioa INTRODUCTION. I XXV flourished in the tenth and eleventh centuries.75 He possessed an ardent and a highly poetic imagination, 7^ while he was one of the most industrious among saintly biographers.77 He lived until after the year 1004."^ The abbot Guibert was born in 1053. His writings contain a singular treatise on the relics of the saints.?' His works were published at Paris in folio, A.D. 165 1, and the editor was the learned Dom. Luke d'Achery.^ Guibert died August ist, in 1124.^' Ailred,^' who is also called Ethelred,^^ Allread, or Ealred/* was abbot of Revesby, in Lincolnshire-^^ Ailred left various historical, hagiographical and theological tracts behind him.^^ Some of his works are yet unprinted.^7 Among other learned treatises, one deno- minated, " Sermones de Tempore et de Sanctis," was published at Douay^^ in 1631.^9 Ailred died a.d. 1166.S0 In this century, also lived Laurence of Durham, who wrote the Acts of St. Brigid.9' St. Anthony of Padua was born at Lisbon, in 1195. He belonged to the religious orders of St. Augustine and of St. Francis. He has left us " Sermones de Sanctis," and an edition of his works was published in 1641, by Father Jean of the Hague.9^ St. Anthony died at Padua in 1231,93 being only thirty-six years old. The elegant and seraphic writer, St. Bonaventure, was born at Bagnarea, in Tuscany, a.d. 1221. He wrote " Opus Sermonum de Tempore et Sanctis,"'^ as also " Histcrie Plurimorum Sanctorum ex Ixxxviii., pp. 199, 200, lib. xxxix., section i., p. 275, lib. xli., section xvii., p. 318, section Ixix., pp. 339, 340. 75 See remarks regarding this writer and his works in Bellarmin, " De Scriptoribus Ecclesiasticis," pp. 305, to 308. Operum, tomus vii. Venice, 1728, fol. 7' See Capefigue's "Charlemagne," tome i., cap. ii., p. 39. 77 He has written, " De Miraculis Sancto- rum Germanise," and " De Miraculis Sanctse Genefovse." See D. Bouquet's text, tome vii., p. 348. 7^ See a further account of his writings, in William Cave's " Scriptorum Ecc'esiasti- corum Historia Litei'aria a Christo nato usque ad sajculum xiv. facile Methodo di- gesta," tom. i., p. 597. 7' See " Tiie Imperial Dictionary of Uni- versal Biography," vol. iii., p. 750. ^^ See Biimet's " ilanuel du Libraire," tome ii., col. 1803. *' See Cardinal Bellarmin, " De Scrip- toribus Ecclesiasticis," p. 369. ^* " Historite Anglicas Scriptores X." London, 1652. *3 See Leland's " Commentarii de Scrip- toribus Britannicis," cap. 169. ^* See John Pitts' " Relationum Histori- carum de Rebus Anglicis," ^more usually quoted as, " De lUustribus Anglia; Scrip- toribus," tomus i., pars, ii., pp. 229 to 231. *5 He is classed as a saint in the Calendar, at the 1 2th of January. See R. Chambers' " Book of Days," vol. i., p. 97. ** See Cave's " Scriptorum Ecclesiasti- corum Historia Literaria," tom. i., p. 672. '*7 See George L. Craik's " Compendious History of English Literature and of the English Language," vol. i., p. 84. London, 1 86 1, 8vo. ^ By Richard Gibbons, a Jesuit. ^5 See Watts' •' Bibliotheca Britannica," vol. i., p. 12, j, k. *" See " Biogi-aphica Britannica : or the Lives of the Most Eminent Persons who have flourished in Great Britain and Ireland from the earliest ages to the present Times," vol. i., p. 72. 9' For life and writings of Laurence of Durham see John Leland's "Commentarii De Scriptoribus Britannicis," tomus i., cap. clxxlv., pp. 204, 205. 9^ See Watts' "Bibliotheca Britannica," vol. i., p. 36, f. g. " See Chambers's " Encyclopedia, a Dictionary of Universal Knowledge for the People," vol. i., p. 305. '"•This appeared in folio, A.D. 1479, at Swollis, but without the printei"'s name. See Ixxvi INTRODUCTION. diversis libris in unum collecte,"95 and these are to be found in his collected works.9^ He died, July isth, a.d. 1274.97 Barthelemy of Trent, an Italian writer, lived during this century likewise, and he was one of the first authors, who endeavoured to place in a regular series the acts of the saints. Jacobus de Voragine, who was born about a.d. 1230, and who became Provincial of the Dominicans and Bishop of Genoa — the native city of Columbus — gave St. Brendan's land a special prominence in the thirteenth century, by writing his " Legenda Aurea" 9^ or the " Golden Legend." Various editions of this work, which ordered the saints' acts according to cycles of the ecclesiastical year, issued from the press, soon after the introduction of the printing art." It was one of the first and most popular collections of saint's lives or legends then placed before the reading public.'*' An English version appeared of the ** Golden Legend ; wherein ben conteyned all the hygh and grete Festys of oure Blessyd Lady ; the Ly ves, Passyons, and Myracles of many other Sayntes." It was printed'"' in a folio volume, at London, a.d. 1503.'°' The Subtile Doctor, Joannes Duns Scotus,'°3 who fiourished in the early part of the fourteenth century,'°* is said by Trithemius to have composed some sermons on the saints. '°5 xhe distinguished Luke Wadding published the life and works of this celebrated Avriter, at Lyons, a.d. 1639, and in twelve volumes. Watts' "Bibliotheca Britannica," vol. iv. p. 131. 95 This appeared at Louvain, in folio, A.D. 1489. See Ibid. 9* By order of Pope Sixtus V., an edition of his works, in eight volumes, was pub- lished at Rome. See Bellarmin, " De Scriptoribus Ecclesiasticis," pp. 448, 449. 9' See Rev. Alban Butler's " Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs, and other Principal Saints," vol. vii., at the 14th of July. 9^ Tiraboschi say.-, that at each festival, it contains a coronal of poetic traditions. See *' Storia della Letterati^.ra Italiana," tomo iv., lib. ii., cap. i., § xxxviii., pp. 140, 141. Ed. Roma, 1782, et seq., 4to. 99 The edition which I have used bears the following title : " Legenda hasc Aurea nitidis excutitur formis claretque plurimum censoria castigatione : usque adeo ut nihil perperam adhibitum semotumve : quod ad rem potissimum pertinere non videant offendi possit." This inscription is over a wood- engraving, representing the trade-sign of the bookseller Huguetan. Immediately under the woodcut we find, Venumdantur Lugduni ab Jacobo Huguetano ejusdem civiiatis bibliopola in vico mercuriali : ad augriportam qui in ararim ducit. Et Par- bibiis in vico sancti Jacobi sub diva vii^ine prope sanctum Benedictum." It is a blade letter 410, printed in double columns, but it has no date of impression. However, en the back, in modern binding, there is an inscription, Legenda Aurea, 1505. The only special Acts of Irish Saints in this volume are. Vita S. Patricii, p. xlix., and De undecim milibus virginura, pp. clviL, clviii. '°° A folio Italian translation of this work appeared at Milan, A.D. 1519. The trans- lator was the Venerable Messer Don Nicolas de Maneibi de 1 ordine de Camalciulense, Abbate del Monasterio de Sco Mathia de murano. "" By Julian Notary. '" See Watts' "Bibliotheca Britannica," vol. ii., p. 711, y. '°3 Some notices of him will be found in Henry Morley's " English Writers," vol. i., book i., chap, xxii., p. 701. London : 1864. 8vo. The Scotch and Irish dispute about his birth-place. '°* A fine edition o( his " Sententiarum Quajstiones Subtilissimae," edited by Father Hugo Cavellus of Louvain, is published in two large folio volumes, at Antwerp, A.D, 1620. '°s See Harris' Ware, vol. iii., " Writers of Ireland," chapter xi,, p. 8a INTRODUCTION. Ixxvn A native of Ashperton, in Herefordshire, '"'^ John Grandison, Bishop of Exeter, wrote a book, " De Vitis Sanctorum,"'°7 besides other works. He died the 15th of July, a.d. 1369, in the seventy-eighth year of his age, ***^ His works are noticed by John Pitts.'°9 Petrus de Natahbus, who flourished towards the close of the fourteenth century, "o wrote a work, and it bears on the title-page, " Catalogus Sancto- rum et Gestorum eorum ex Diversis Voluminibus Collectus," editus a Reve- rendissimo in Christo Patre Domino Petro de Natalibus de Venetiis, Dei Gratia Episcopo ^quilino. The first folio edition of this work appeared at Vicenza, a.d. 1493.'" Another small folio edition, in double columns and in contracted Latin, with many rude wood-cuts, was published at Lyons, in the year 15 14. A French translation of this work issued at Paris, in 1523 and 1524."* John Capgrave, who was born a.d. 1393, compiled the " Nova Legenda Anglise," in which work he included the acts of various Irish Saints. This was published at London, a.d. 15 16, in a fine black letter edition, without title on first page, but on both sides of first leaf there are old rude wood engravings. "3 These are intended to represent the Three Persons of the Most Holy Trinity, with the Church triumphant in heaven, on the upper part, while beneaih them are representations of different holy men and women of all known orders in the Church militant."* After the manner of old printed books, this volume is only numbered on alternate pages. The lives of the saints are given in alphabetical order, and in contracted Latin."5 He also wrote an interesting '• Chronicle of England.""^ He died on the 1 2 th of August, 1464. '°* See Thomas Fuller's " History of the Worthies of England," vol. i., p. 450. John Nichols' London edition, A.D. 181 1, 4to. "*' See " Commentarii de Scriptoribus Britannicis," auctore Joanne Lelando Lon- dinate. Ex autographo Lelandino nunc primus edidit Antonius Hall, A, M. Coll. Reg. Oxon. Socius. Tomus i., cap. xcii., p. 126. '°* See Bishop Tanner's " Bibliotheca Britannico-Hibemica,"pp. 338, 339. "9 See " Relationum Historicarum de Rebus Anglicis," tomus i. , pars, ii., pp. 503. 504. "° See Cardinal Bellarmin, "De Scrip- toribus Ecclesiasticis," p. 501. "' See Brunei's " Manuel du Libraire," tome iv.. col. 18. '" Two volumes in folio, intituled, " Le Grand Catholique des Saintcz et sainctes nouuel'ement translate de Latin (de I'ierre des Natalies) en francoys (par Guy Bres- lay)." See ibid. "3 A copy of the work here described belongs to Trinity College Library, Dublin. It has the foregoing information supplied in writing on the title-page, and on the first page of the prologue. On the back, this particular volume is lettered, "Legenda Angliae. Wynkyn de Worde. Anno Dom. M.ccccc.xvi. B. dd. 35." "♦ The engravings on both sides of the first page are fac-similes. A similar en- graving is found at the end. "5 As in all very old printed books, the title is to be met with on the last page. In the present instance, it runs : " Explicit (Nova Legenda Angliae) Impressa Londonias in domo Winandi de Worde : commoratus ad signum solis : in vico nuncupate (the flete strete). Anno dni. M.CCCCC.XVI., xxvii die Februarii. Itaque omnes hystoria; hie col- lects: merito dicuntur novae: quia licet quiedam de istis etiam reperiuntur apud plures : non tamen ita emendatae et correctse sicut in hoc volumen ccntinentur." "*This work, edited by Rev. Francis INTR on UCTION. An Italian work, " Vite de' Santi Padri," appeared at Venice, in i448."7 About A.D. 1470, a small folio appeared at Cologne; it was styled, "Vitae Sanctorum Patrum." It was printed by Ulric Zell. This was the original of Caxton's " Lyves of the Fathers." Boninus Mombritius or Membrizio, a native of Milan, wrote " Sanctuarivm, sive Vitse Sanctorum." This col- lection was published in two folio volumes, double columns, without date or place; yet, it is thought to have been printed at Milan in 1477, 1479. This is a work of unccmmon rarity."^ An old printed collection appeared at Louvain, a.d. 1485. It is in a black letter, and in contracted Latin, with the title : " Hystorie plurimorum Sanctorum noviter et laboriose ex di- versis libris in unum collecte.""? This 4to volume has alternate pages numbered, but only to the figure cccv. The two first folios contain an alphabetical list of the saints' names, with reference to those pages, at which the commencement of their acts may be found. These appear to have been printed from MSS., and they are unaccompanied by note or comment The name of editor or compiler is not given. John Herolt, commonly called Discipulus, wrote a work, " Sermones de Tempore et de Sanctis per Circulum anni cum Prcmptuario Exemplo- rum."'^"> He also produced, " Sermones de Sanctis, cum Speculo exemplo- rum.""* In the beginning of the sixteenth century, Richard Whytford or Whitford flourished. He was a native of Flintshire, and he was educated at Oxford. He became a monk of the order of St. Bridget, at Sion, of Middlesex,"* and he appears to have been chiefly employed as a translator of original works by Wynkyn de Worde. From " Martyrologium secundum usum Ecclesise Sarisburiensis," he compiled "The Martilogein Englysshe, after Vse of the Chyrche of Salisbury, and as it is redde in Syon, with Addicyons.""3 The translator added feasts to this Martyrology, at the various days. Bale says, that he flourished a.d. 1520,"* and he is followed Charles Hingeston, was published by the Stephen, Alexander, and many others. Master of the Rolls. London, 1858. 8vo. '^ Various editions of this work appeared, Biographical notices of the author are pre- viz., at Arg. per Mar. Flach, A.D. 1499; fixed to this volume, under the heading- at London, A. D. 1510,410; at Paris, a.d. '* Introduction," pp. ix. to xxix. 1513, 8vo, and at Nuremturg, A.D. 1514, fol. "7 Another edition of it was printed at "' This appeared at Mng. ad. 1612, in Firenze, ill 1758. 4to. See Watts' "Bibliotheca Britannica," "* See Brunet's " Manuel du Libraire," vol. i., p. 489, c. tome iii., col. 181S, 1819. "'See Bi.shop Tanner's "Bibliotheca "9 To this title areai)pended the remarks, Britannico-Hibernica," p. 765. that all these collected histories are properly "3 It was printed at Lpndon, A.D. 1526, termed ne»v, even though some of them in 4to. See Watts' "Bibliotheca Britan- might be found in other collections; how- nica," vol. ii., p. 965, b. c, and p. 582 v. ever, they were not so amended and pro- "* See " Scriptorum lllustrium Majoris longed as in the present work. This would Brytanioe quam nunc Angliam et Scotiam be specially apparent in the Legends of vocant, Catalogus, a Japhetoper36i8annos, Saints Frederic, bishop, Gurinus, Gangulph, usque ad annum hunc Domini 1557." Cen- Oswald, Kilian, Aflfre, Juliana, Pope tuaria Nona, § .\v. , p. 709. INTRODUCTION. Ixxix by John Pitts ;"5 but, it may be added, that he lived at least twenty years later. "6 Oliver Maillard, a. French Divine, wrote " Sermones de Sanctis." These were published at Paris, a.d. 1507, 1509,^7 and afterwards in 8vo size. Frater Hungarus, of the Minorite Order, wrote " Biga Salutis, sive Sermones de Sanc- tis, necnon Miracula." These appeared at Hagen, a.d. 151 5, 1516."^ Likewise, Wolfgang Hopyl printed a work at Paris, a.d., 1518, " Legende totius anni, tam de tempore quam de Sanctis, secundum ordinem Sarum." This is a folio volume. '^9 ]?orn in the year 1462, John of Trittenhem became Abbot of Spanheim. He published many ascetic and historical works. Among the latter are chiefly note-worthy, " Catalogus lUustiura Virorum Germaniam suis ingeniis et lucubrationibus omnifariam exornan- tium ;" " De Illustribus Viris Ordinis Sancti Benedicti ;" and *' De Scripto- ribus Ecclesiasticis."'3o After his death appeared, a.d. 1531, a new edition of this work, intituled, " Catalogus Scriptorum Ecclesiasticorum, sive illus- trium Virorum, cum Appendice eorum qui nostro etiam seculo doctissimi claruere."'3i It contains some brief notices of a few among our earlier ecclesiastical writers. Leland complains of Trithemius having classed many English writers as Scoti.'32 This writer died on the 13th of De- cember, a.d. 1516.^33 Thiery Martins, or Martens, or Theodore Martinus, an early and a most learned Flemish printer, was born at Alost, about a.d. 1450. He began printing in the Netherlands, in 1473, and being a very distinguished philologist,'34 he was intimately acquainted with some of the most learned men in Louvain University.'ss He wrote, "Hymni in Honorem Sancto- rura."'36 Besides his own writings, beautiful editions of other works issued from his press. '37 He died at Alost, on the 28th of May, a.d. ''SSee " Relationum Historicarum de Re- Britannicis," tomus i., cap. xcii., p. 126. bus Anglicis," tomus i., pars, ii., pp. 695, '33 See Cardinal Bellarmin's "De Scrip* 696. toribus Ecclesiasticis," pp. 540 to 542. "* See "Athcnae Oxonenses," vol. i., Venice edition, 1728. col. 132 to 134. See the edition of 1813. '^4 See F. A. Van Iseghem's " Biogra- London. 4to. phie de Thierry Martens." This 8vo work "7 See Brunei's "Manuel du Libraire," appeared at Malines, a.d. 1852. tome iii., col. 1316. '35 See Mon. de Ram's "Considerations »*® In two 4to volumes this work saw the sur I'Histoire de I'Universite de Louvain." light. This dissertation appeared in "Bullentins '^See Watts' "Bibliotheca Britannica," de 1' Academic Royal de Belgique," tome vol. i., pp. 513, o, and 526, 1. Also vol. ii., xxi. p. 635, i. '3* Valere Andre attributes to his anthor- '3° A collected edition of this writer's his- ship this work. See "Bibliotheca Belgica." torical works was issued at Frankfort, a.d. At present it seems to be unknown. 1600. "' See Walts' " Bibliotheca Britannica," '3« This work, in a thin 4to volume of vol. ii., p. 649, x, y. Mailtaire's " Annales 184 folios, was printed at Cologne. Typographici," vol. i., p. 334. Second '3» See " Commentarii de Scriptoribus Edition. Ixxx INTRODUCTION. 1534.^38 Anthony Corvinus also wrote a work which was published, '39 "Breves Expositiones supra ea Evangelia quae in praecipuis Festis Sanctorum praedi- cari soleat." It was composed or broa/it to light about a.d. 1537.'^=' The first great collection of saints' lives was that published by Aloysius Lewis or Ludovicus Lippomanus, who was born about the year 1500. Successively he had been appointed Bishop over Modon, over Verona, and over Bergamo. Lippomani was secretary to Pope Julius III., and he was also made Legate of the Holy See, and President at the Council of Trent. Notwithstanding the exalted nature of his functions, he was enabled to publish many learned works. Among these, the principal are, " Sanctorum Priscorum Patruum Vitae, numero clxiii. ex variis Auctoribus CoUectae, cum Notis." Lib. iv.'^i This appeared at Rome, a.d. 1551. It was followed by the second tome, comprising two hundred and twenty-five lives, in 1553. The third contained a new series of detached lives ; St Palladius, the Book of St. Gregory of Tours, De Miraculis Martyrum, St. Julianus and St. Martin, Bishop: it was published in 1554. The fourth volume, containing two hundred and seventy lives, appeared this same year. The fifth tome, issued A.D. 1556, having Metaphrastes in the beginning, with the months of November, December, January, and February. Two additional tomes came out, A.D. 1558. One of these contained Saints' Acts for the months of May, June, July, August, September, and October; while the other was divided into three parts, viz. : i, the months of March and April j 2, another collec- tion of Metaphrastes,' 4^ translated by Cardinal Sirlet : and 3, the " Pra tum Spirituale" of John Moschus.'*3 For critical accuracy, this coUectio n of Saints' Acts is not greatly esteemed.'** It had been completed, too, without any regularity of plan-'^s Tnis pious and learned prelate died a.d. 155 9,'** or according to other accounts, a.d. 1560. His nephew, Hieronimo Lippo- mani, published a supplementary posthumous volume, and which comprised an eighth tome of '* Lives of the Fathers," translated from the Greek, by his uncle.'*' This compilation was reprinted at Louvain, a.d. 1566.'*^ The •a" His tomb is to be seen in the pare- vol. ii., p. 609, s. t. chial church of this place. To honour his '*5 The notes, however, were the germs memory, a public statue has been erected in of future hagiographical criticism, his native town, A.D. 1856. '**SeeJeremy Collier's "Great Historical, '39 In 8vo. Hal. S. Geographical, Genealogical, and Poetical '♦* See Watts' " Bibliotheca Britannica," Dictionary," vol. Art. Lippomannus. vol. i., p. 260, j. '♦' <« In the article in the Biographie Uni- '*' The notes are separately printed in verselle on Lippomani, though signed by Italian ; and two volumes have been devoted two honourable names, there are three to a Latin translation of Simeon Meta- errors: they give but six volumes— state phrates' Lives of Saints. See M. le Dr. that Metaphrastes fills the two last — and Hoefer's " Nouvelle Biographie Generale," thatall were published froml55i to 1558." — tome xxxi., pp. 328, 329. Duffy's " Irish Catholic Magazine," vol. ii., '♦* This was taken from a MS. of the p. 30, n. ist col. Crypta Ferrata. '** It was translated into French, by Ga- '*5 Thus were seven folio tomes published briel de Payorbault, and published at Paris, by Bishop Lugi Lippomani. a.d. 1572. This work of the Lippomani •♦4 See Watts' " Bibliotheca Britannica," was a great publishing effort, for the time. INTRODUCTION. Ixxxi learned antiquary, John Leland,'<9 flourished within the first half of the sixteen:;h century. He went to Cambridge, and received his academical education at Christ College ;'5o afterwards he studied at Oxford. By his industrious researches into English history, Leland materially contributed, to preserve from time's decay, many particulars regarding Irish Saints and religious foundations. Besides some valuable antiquarian works, which appeared during his lifetime, he left several manuscript volumes of extracts and collections, taken from cathedral, abbatial, and collegiate libraries. His " Commentarii de scriptoribus Britannicis," very imperfectly edited by Anthony Hall, appeared at Oxford, a.d. lyog.'s^ His "Itinerary through most parts of England and Wales," has been published by Mr. Heame, A.D. lyio-ii.'s' His "Collectanea de Rebus Britannicis," appeared a.d. 1 71 5. '53 These works are now extremely scarce. A collected and well edited series of this celebrated antiquary's complete works should be issued, as a boon for historical investigators. He died on the iSth of April, a.d. 1552, in the city of London.'54 " The Life of Leland," by the Rev. William Huddesford, was published at Oxford, a.d. i772.'ss A very elegant edition of Saints' Lives was prepared for publication by Laurence Surius. This he published in six folio volumes ; the first tome appearing in the year 1576 ;'56 others following at successive intervals. The Saints' Acts were arranged according to successive days of the months and year, as found in the order of the Roman Calendar. 'S7 Surius made his selections from Lives of the Saints, as published by Lippomani. However, he rejected those that were considered open to severe criticism ; but, he added many inedited documents to his collection. Deliberate expurgations and alterations were made in the text of original documents, either to render his work less objectionable for prevailing critical and severe taste, or to infuse a greater elegance of style and a purer Latinity. These suppressions and amendments, however, tended to lessen the authentic and historical value of his work, " De Probatis Sanctorum Vitis," and to destroy the origi- nality of its component materials. There are few notes, historical, topogra- phical, or critical, annexed to the various Saints' Lives, but there are short '*9 See Anthony A. Wood's " Athenae 'ss In 8vo shape. Oxonienses," vol. i., col. 197 to 204. New 'ss An edition of this work was published Edition, with additions, and a continuation at Cologne, A.D. 1617, in six folio volumes, by Philip Bliss. London, 1813, 4to. The title-page of this edition is : *' Vitae '50 See "Athenae Cantabrigienses," by Sanctorum ex Probatis Authoribus et JISS. Charles Henry Cooper, F.S.A., and Codicibus." Primo quidem per R. P. Fr. Thompson Cooper, vol. i., pp. no, ill, Laurentium Surium Carthusianum editre, 542. London, 1858, et seq. 8vo. nunc vero multis sanctorum Vitis auctse, 'S' In two 8vo volumes. * emundatas et notis marginalibus illustratae. 'S» In nine 8vo volumes. Colonise Agrippinae, cio.ioc.xvii. The '53 In six 8vo volumes. paging of this edition is frequently found to '5* See John Pitts* " Relationum Histori- be incorrect, carumde Rebus Anglicis," tomus i., pars. »57 The saints of two months are comprised ii., p. 744. in each tome. Ixxxli INTRODUCTION. accompanying notices regarding the sources, whence those biographies had been derived. Several Acts of our national Saints are found in his volumes. Surius was about to publish a second edition of the work, but he did not live to complete this design. The Spanish Jesuit, Father Ribadineira, published a series of Saints' Lives, in his country's vernacular. 'ss This collection was afterwards translated into Latin,'53 French, and English.'^ Professedly it digests into the form of sermons or pan/gerics t'.i3 saints' actions ; bat, it mast be remarked, the mode of treatment is severely historical more than rhetorical. It only con- tains a few notices of Irish Saints. Pietro Galesini of Milan, Apostolic Notary, endeavoured to new-model the Roman Martyrology, by illustrating and correcting it, as likewise by adding a number of new facts respecting the saints. His work was dedicated to Pope Gregory XIII. It was published at Milan, A.D. 1577, and at Venice, a.d. 1578."^' This work was not ap- proved by the Roman censors, "5» owing chiefly to its over-elaborate plan. ^'3 Jean Ver Meulen, Latinized John Molanus, born at Lille, a.d. 1533, be- came a Doctor of Theology at Louvain, and he published there " De Pic- turis et Imaginibus Sacris," a.d. 1570. In the year 1573, " Indiculus Sanc- torum Belgii" issued. In the year 1595, a small octavo posthumous volume was published. It is intituled, " Natales Sanctorum Belgii, et eorum chronica recapitulatio." These works contain some short acts or notices of Irish saints, who in various missionary capacities had been connected with Belgium. The author died, September i8th, 1585.'^+ Arnold Wion, a Belgian monk of the Benedictine Order, published " Lignum Vitae, in quo Religionis D. Bene- dicti initia, et viri clari describuntur in lib. v." It appeared at Venice,*^^ A.D. iSgS-'^"^ In it are contained some notices of Irish saints. Fr. Zacharias Lippeloo published compendious acts of the saints at Brixiad, a.d. 1601.*^' This was intituled, " Vitge Sanctorum sive Res Gestae Martyrum, Confessorum atque Sanctarum Virginum.""^^ Besides these works, Antonio Possevino, »s8 It was illustrated with cuts, and pub- vol. i., p. 396, w. lished A.D. 1572. See Watts' "Bibliotheca '^3 See "Encyclopedic Catholique," &c., Britannica," vol. ii., p. 801, j. Public sous la Direction de I'Abbe Glaire '59 The Latin title is, " Flos Sanctoram, et de M. le Vte. Walsh, tome xii , p. 425. seu Vitae et Res Gestas Sanctorum ex pro- '** See M. le Dr. Hoefer's "Nouvelle batis scriptoribus selectae, et in forniam Biographic Generale," &c., tome xxxv., concionum singulari cura ad usum conciona- cols. 240, 241. torum accommodata." Primum Hispanice »*5 in 4to form. a R. P. Petro Ribadineira Toletano e socie- '** See Watts' ••Bibliotheca_Britanmca," tate Jesu. This edition was published at vol. ii., p. 976, z. Cologne, A.D, 1630. It had a-lditions of ""' In lour 410 volumes, new Saints' Acts, w.lh useful annotations. '^s The only edition of this work, I have '^^ A third English edition of this work, been enabled to consult, bears for title ; in folio shape, was issued in Dublin, by " Vitae sive Res geitce Sanctoram, ex se- subscription, a.d. 1763. It is a very creJit- leclissimisorthodoxis patribu.s, brevi et fideli able specimen of typography. Compendio conscripta;, " per Fr. Zachariam '*' It was printed in 4to shape. Lippeloo, Canhusi.« Coloniensis alumnium, >'» Sec Watts* " Bibliotheca Britannica," et nunc recens recogiiitae, ac Vitarum ali- INTRO D UCTION. Ixxxiii bom in Mantova, a.d. i534,»^9a learned Jesuit, issued a highly-esteemed work, " Apparatus Sacer,'"?" in which he notices nearly 8,000 writers, sacred and profane.'^' Again, Giambattista Possevino,'?* nephew of the more celebrated Antonio Possevino, wrote, "Vite de Sancti di Todi." It was published at Perugia,'73 a.d. i597.'74 The learned Henricus Canisius, born about the middle of the sixteenth century,' 75 published a valuable work, called "Antiquse Lectiones," at In- golstadt, from a.d. 1601 to 1608. It appeared in seven 4to volumes. '7^ These were afterwards reprinted and put in order, by Jacques Basnage, under the title of " Thesaurus Monumentorum Ecclesiasticorum."'77 These works contain curious tracts, which serve to elucidate the Acts of some Irish saints. The learned editor died a.d. i 609.^78 John Watson published his " English Martyrologie, conteyning a Summary of the Lives of the glorious and re- nowned Saintes of the three kingdoms ; England, Scotland, and Ireland ; collected and distributed into Moneths, after the form of a Calendar, accord- ing to every Sainte's Festivity." This work appeared, a.d. 1608. '79 One of the most comprehensive and industrious literary projectors of his age was Cardinal Csesar Baronius. This eminent Ecclesiastical Historian and Martyrologist was born at lora, in the Kingdom of Naples, October 31st, A.D. 1538.'^° For a great part of his life, Baronius laboured at his in- valuable work, " Annales Ecclesiastici/"*^' containing a history of the first quot accessione locupletatse, per Fr. Come- lium Grassium ejusdem Carthusise profes- sum. This edition has been issued at Co- logne, A. D. 1602, in four thick i2mo volumes. In it the Lives of the Saints are distributed, according to the order of months, each vo- lume comprising respectively three months. Another edition seems to have issued in the same city, in three thick i2mo volumes, A.D. 161O. '^ See Tiraboschi's "Storiadella Lettera- tura Italiana," tomo vii., parte ii., lib. iii., pp. 398 to 402. '70 It appeared at Venice, 1603-1606, in 3 vols, folio. Another edition issued at Cologne, 1607, two vols, in fol. '7« See Brunet's " Manuel du Libraire et de r Amateur de Livres," tome iv., pp. 834, 835. '7» Bom A.D. 1520. See Tiraboschi's " Storia della Letteratura Italiana," tomo vii., parte i. , lib. ii., p. 572. '75 In 4to form. '74 See M. le Dr. Hoefer's " Nouvelle Bio- graphie Generale depuis les Temps les plus recules jusqu'a nos Jours," tome xl., pp. 876 to 878. '7S See L' Abbe F. X. de Feller's "Dic- tionnaire Historique," tome ii., p. 460. Paris edition, 1818. '7* See Graesse's "Tresor de Livres Rares et Precieux, ou Nouveau Dictionnaire Biblio- graphique," tome ii., p. 35. '77 This work was printed at Antwerp, A.D. 1725. It appeared in seven folio vo- lumes, with a preface and notes by the editor. '7^ See " A New General Biographical Dictionary,"&c., vol. iii.,p. 303. Published at London in 15 volumes 8vo, A.D. 1798, a new edition. '79 In small 8vo. By some this work is at tributed to John Wilson, as the letters J. W, are only affixed on the title-page. See William Thomas Loundes' " Bibliographer's Man ual of English Literature." Anew edition revised, corrected, and enlarged, by Henry G. Bohn, vol. v., part x., p. 2854. London 1864, 8vo. '8° See Tiraboschi's "Storia della Let teratura Italiana," tomo vii., parte i., lib, ii., p. 364. '^' A folio. edition of this valuable work which was intended to expose the historical forgeries of the Centuriators of Magdebourg, appeared in several volumes, Mpgantiae et / Ixxxiv JNTR on UCTION. twelve ages of the Church.^^* He also edited, " Martyrologium Romanum restitutum," in a folio volume, at Rome, a.d. 1586. This work has passed through repeated editions there and in other countries. *^3 Baronius died June 30th, 1607, at Rome.'^* Ralph Buckland, who was bom in 1564, be- came a convert to the Church, and he was aftenvards ordained a priest. It is said, he prepared for the press, " A Translation of the Lives of the Saints from Surius,"*^5 and he produced other works. For twenty years he was a missionary in England.'^'^ He died in 161 1. Richard White or Vitus pub- lished "Historiarum Britannise," from 1597 to i6o7,'^7 and at Douay, in 1609, a work, "De Reliquiis et Veneratione Sanctorum ;" he also issued in 1610, " Explicatio Martyrii Sanctse Ursulae, et undecim millium Virginum Britannicarum." ^'^ This author died in 1611 or 161 2. '^9 Sieur de la Barre was the author of a work, " Histoire des Saints." It was published at Paris, A.D. 1619, in two octavo volumes. *9° John Pitts, or as his name is found Latinized, Joannes Pitseus, was a native of Southampton, and he was dis- tinguished for his learning, as also for his piety. He filled many important positions as an ecclesiastic on the Continent, while he \\Tote some very erudite works,'?' and departed this life about a.d. i6i6.'9=' The learned Robert Bellarmin, one of the most celebrated controversialists of his age, was born October 4th, 1542. '93 Even Mosheim acknowledges, that his style was not only clear, but that he was copious in argument, fertile in imagination, candid and diligent in proposing and answering adverse ob- jections.'94 Scaliger has expressed a much less favourable opinion of his in- Colonise Aggripin», a.d. i6or. Another Wood's " Athenue Oxonienses," vol. ii., fine folio edition with notes by Pagius was pp. 1 18, 119. issued at Lucca, a.d. 1742. 'so See Watts' " Bibliotheca Britannica," '** Various editions, abridgments, or con- vol. i., p. 77, h. tinuations of this work have appeared at ''' The one best known is " Relationum different intervals, and in separate countries. Historicarum de Rebus Anglicis," usually •'3 See Watts' " Bibliotheca Britannica," quoted as, " De Illustribus Britannise Scrip- vol. i., p. 76, u, V, w, X, y. toribus," published in 410 shape at Paris '*•♦ See R. Chambers' "Book of Days," a.d. 1619. This seems to have been only vol. i., p. 828, and vol. ii., p. 516. one of a written series, comprised in four '®s See John Pitts' " Relationum Histori- large volumes. One of these had been de- carjm de Rebus Anglicis," tomus i., pars. voted to the Lives of the English Kings ; ii., p. 816. This has been quoted incor- another to those of the English Bishops ; rectly as the work of Robert Buckland. and a third to those of Apostolic English- »** This statement is found in Witte's men. "Diarium Biographicum." Also Anthony '«= He concludes with a short notice of a Wood's " Athenae Oxonienses," vol. ii., himself and his works in "Relationum His- cols. 105 to 107. London edition, 1815,410. toricarum de Rebus Anglicis," tomus i., »*7 This work, in two small 8vo volumes, pars, ii., pp. 816, 817. The editor supplies bears on the title, Atrebati et Duaci. a further biographical narrative. '"See Henry G. Bohn's edition of '^ See Tiraboschi's "Storia della Let- Loundes' " Bibliographer's Manual of Eng- teratura Italiana," tomo viL, parte i., lib. lish Literature," vol. v., part x., pp. 2902, ii., p. 314, 2903. 'S4 See Mosheim's " Ecclesiastical His- '■9 See Tanner's " Bibliotheca Britannico- tory," vol. iii., p. 155. Maclane's transla- Hibemica," p. 764. Also Anthony a tion. INTRODUCTION. Ixxxv tegrity.'ss Bellarmin's published works are exceedingly voluminous ;^9^ and various editions of them have appeared.'?? Among these, "De Sterna Fselicitate Sanctorum Lib. v.," '9^ must here be specially noted. This cele- brated author died a.d. i62i.'99 Autbertus Mirseus published a small work at Bruxelles, in the year 1622. It is intituled: "Fasti Belgici et Burgun- dici."2°° No date is assigned for its issue on the title-page. It contains various short notices of Irish saints. Joannes Vastovius, a Goth, wrote " Vitis Aquiloniae, seu Vitse Sanctorum in Scandinavia Magna et Regnis Gothorum, Suecorumque." This was printed at Cologne, in 1623.^°' Francis Harseus or Van der Haer, a learned Dutch Catholic Divine, was born at Utrecht, in 1550. Among his works is found, " Vitae Sanctorum : Compendium ex Surio et aliis." This was pub- lished at Antwerp, a.d. 1594.''°* John Bachot wrote " Fasti Christiani sive Pantheon quingentis in omnes sanctos distichis cum commentariis ornatum." This was produced at Paris, ^°3 a.d. i624.*°4 Arnoldus de Raissius wrote " Auctarium ad Molani Natales Sanctorum Belgii." This was published at Douay, in i626.=°s Thomas Dempster, to whom we have already alluded, was a Scotch gentleman of varied acquirements, and of extensive rather than of accurate learning. '°^ He was born in Aberdeenshire, on the 23rd of August, a.d. 1579-^°' He was the twenty-fourth out of twenty-nine children, by the same father and mother. He received an excellent education at Aberdeen, at Cambridge University, at Paris, Louvain and Rome. He was a distinguished lay professor in various universities and colleges on the Continent ; but his '»s This criticism Bayle rebukes. See "Dictionnaire Historique et Critique," tome i., p. 508. Ed. 5, Amsterdam, 1740, fol. »9* See a very complete account of them in Graesse's ' * Tresor des Livres Rares et Precieux," &c., tome i., pp. 325 to 327. '97 See "Penny Cyclopaedia," vol. iv., p. 192, '98 Cologne, 1618, 8vo. See Watts' ** Bibliotheca Britannica," vol. i., p. 96, u. '95 As if to commemorate the Centenary of his death, in 172 1 a fine folio edition issued at Venice, in four large volumes, "Dispu- tationum Robert! Bellarmini Politiani, S.J., R.E., Cardinalis, De Controversiis Chris- tianae Fidei ad versus hujus Temporis Hcere- ticos." Also another folio volume, "Vari- orum Operum Eob. Bellarmini Collectio," issued the same year. Another folio, con- taining his learned Commentaries on the Psalms, appeared there in 1 726 ; while in 1728, "Ue Scriptoribus Ecclesiasticis," issued, thus completing his works, in seven large folios. . -00 Bruxellis, apud Joannem Pepemian- num, Bibliopolam juratum Typographum- que civitatis, sub Bibliis aureis. -°' It was reprinted at Upsal, A. D. 1 708, in 4to. See Watts' " Bibliotheca Britan- nica," vol. ii., p. 928, r. -°- Ap. Plant. It was printed at Lyons in 8vo, and in a more enlarged shape at Cologne, Olympiades et Fasti, l6o2, 4to. In 1605, fol. See Watts' " BibHotheca Britannica," vol. i., p. 465, e. ^°3 In thick 8vo shape. *°* See Graesse's "Tresor de Livres Rares et Precieux," &c., tome i., p. 271. ^°3 See Watts' "Bibliotheca Britannica," vol. ii., p. 788, j. =^°* He was a lawyer, historian, poet and orator. See Collier's " Great Historical, Geographical, Genealogical and Poetical Dictionary," vol. i. Art. Dempster, (Thomas). ^^ See Francisque-Michel's "Les Ecossais en France, les Frangais en Ecosse," vol. ii., chap. XXX. pp. 215, 216. Ixxxvi IN7R0DUCTI0N. turbulent disposition involved him in frequent quarrels with his fellow-pro- fessors. His domestic relations also proved unhappy. ""^ A list of fifty works, written by him, has been given by Dr. Irving. =°9 Among these, more immediately relating to Irish and Scottish hagiology, are, I. " Scotia lUustrior, sive Medicabula repressa, modesta Parecbasi ; qua Libelli famosi impudentia detegitur, mendacia ridicula confutantur, Scotiae Sancti sui vin- dicantur, ac bona fide asseruntur." ^'^ II. " Asserti Scotise cives sui, S. Bonifacius, Rationibus IX. Joannes Duns, Rationibus XII. Excerptum e Libris de Scriptoribus Scotis."*" III. "Apparatus ad Historiam Scoticam," lib. ii. Accessenmt Martyrologium Scoticum Sanctorum dclxxix. Scrip- torum Scotorum mdciii. Nomenclatura.^" Opus a pcregrini omnium gentium historiis coUectum, omnia orbis regna pio studio lustrantur, religiosae S. R. E. familise nobilitantur, historia patriae augetur, Sectarii admonentur, Catholica Veritas contra hostes Dei et Scotiae firmatur. Justi et parati operis praenun- tia." ^'3 IV. " Menologium Scotorum : in quo nullus nisi Scotus gente aut conversatione, quod ex omnium gentium monimentis,'pio studio Dei gloriae, Sanctorum Honori, Patriae Ornamento, colligit, publicat, et inscribat, illustriss. Principi Moecenati suo, D. Maphaeo S. R. E. Card. Barberino, Scotorum Protectori. Opus Ecclesiasticae hierarchiae ac monastica2 vitae dignitati au- gendae, haeresi in Scotia vigenti confundendae, operose utila." ^'* V. " Scotorum Scriptorum Nomenclatura, quartum aucta. Sancti dclxxix. Beati lxxxi. Papas v. Cardinales xiv. Patriarchae iv. Reges aut Regum Liberi xlviii. Apostoli Gentium lxiii. Monasteriorum extra Scotiam Fundatores, Archiepiscopi, et Episc. cclviii. Abbates extra Scotiam cxcii. Acedemiarum Fundatores xii. viri domi et tota passim Europa omnium Scientiarum genere illustrissimi. Haeretici. pauculi confutantur. Ex suis Historiarum, lib. xix. excerpsit." ^'s VI. Finally, his " Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Scotorum" in Nineteen Books, was first published at Bologna, a.d. 1627.''^ It would seem, however, that Dempster's historical ^Tilings were far from being received with favour at Rome.^'^ This versatile \vriter'** died of fever at Butri, near Bologna, on the 6th of September, 1625, and in '^ See ibid., pp. 216 to 221. ='3 This was published at Bononia, A.D. "°9 See " Lives of ScoUish Writers," vol. 1622, in 4to. i., pp. 363 to 370. ='* This was published at Bononia, A.D. "° This was published at Lyons, A.D, 1622, in 4(0. 1620. '^'a This work was published at Bononia, "" This was published at Bononia, a.d. a.d. 1622, in 4to. 1621, in 4to. 2'* In 410. See Watts' •' Bibliotheca "" Sometimes the "Martyrologium" and Britannica," vol. i., p. 296, a, b, c. the " Nomenclatura" are found separately "'See "Irish Ecclesiastical Record," published. See Dr. David Irving's " Life vol. vii.. No. Ixxvii., p. 179. of Dempster," prefixed to his edition of the "" Postfixed to the Edinburgh edition of " Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Scotorum," his work on Scottish Ecclesiastical History brought out for the Bannatyne Club, at is a biography of Dempster, WTitten by Edinburgh, in two quarto volumes, A.D. Matthew Peregrinus. Colgan frequently 1829. Vol, i., p. X. exposes Dempster's mistakes. INTR OD UCTIOK Ixxxvii his forty-sixth year.='9 David Camerarius, a Scottish priest, flourished in the beginning of this century, and he too with over zeal sought to claim for his country those holy men, designated Scoti. But nothing seems more to show the mala jides of Camerarius in his classification of so many native-born saints of Ireland with the saints of Scotland, than his suppression of the great St. Columkille's name, at the 9th of June. As an apostle he might well be classed with the Scottish saints, but his nativity was too well known to remove its claim from Ireland. His work, most frequently quoted, was published a.d. 1627^'° in a thin, but closely printed small quarto volume.'^^ Camerarius, however, does not appear to have drawn on his imagination for his statements so much as Dempster did.^'^ Philippus Alexandrinus FerrariuS, General of the Servite Order, was born at Ovilio, a small village near Alexandria, in Milanois.^'^s Among his learned works may be included, " Topographia et MartyrologiumRomanum." This was published at Venice, a.d. i6o9.=24 He wrote, also, " Catalogus Sanctorum Itali^e, &c., qui in Martyrologio Romano non sunt." It was published in the same city, a.d. 1625.^^5 Among the saints connected with Italy by mission, this writer enumerates some of Irish birth. His chef-cTauvre was his " Lexicon Geographicum," in which his other works were included. This was published at Milan, a.d. 1627,"^ the year after his death. ='7 It was afterwards corrected and augmented by Michel-Antoine Baudrand of Paris, in 1670.==^ While the previous partial attempts to collect Saints' Acts engaged the attention of various writers already named, a vast project had been matured in the mind of Father Heribert Rosweyde, a learned Jesuit and man of great genius, who was born at Utrecht, in 1569. During his life-time, this celebrated ecclesiastical antiquary published "Fasti Sanctorum, quorum Vitge in Belgicis Bibliothecis Manuscriptae asservantur,"^^9 as likewise a History of the Belgic Church. ^30 He it was who first conceived the idea °'9 See "The Imperial Dictionary of *^ Another edition appeared in folio. Universal Biography," vol. ii., p. 66. A.D. 1677, Isenaci. It is intituled : "No- **° At Catalavni. vum Lexicon Geographicum, in quo uni- "' It is intituled, " De Statu Hominis, versiorbis oppida, Urbes, Regiones, Pro- Veteris simul ac Novae Ecclesiw, et Infide- vincias, Regna, Emporia, Academiae, He- lium Conversione." tropoles, Flumina et Maria, antiquis et re- ='^ There was also published at Paris his centis Nominibus appellata, suisque dis- work, " De Scotorum Fortitudine, Doctrina tantiis descripta, recensentur." This is an et Pietate, ac de Ortu et Progressu Heraesis enlarged edition by Michael Antonius Bau- in Regnis Scotiaj et Anglise," lib. iv., a.d. drand. l63i,4to. SeeGraesse's "Tresor deLivres "' See Moreri's " Grand Dictionnaire His- Rares et Precieux," &c., tome ii., p. 25. torique," tome v., p. 100. "^ See Collier's " Great Historical, Geo- "" See Ibid. Also, Tiraboschi's "Storia graphical, Genealogical and Poetical Die- della Letteratura Italiana," tomo viii., lib. tionary." Art. Ferrarius, or Ferrari, (Philip). iii., cap. i., p. 287. "'' In 4to. "9 This appeared A. D. 1 607. ==sin 4to. See Watts' " Bibliotheca ^3o See Watts' " Bibliotheca Britannica," Britannica," vol. i., p. 363, u. vol. ii., p. 617, d, e. Ixxxviii INTR OD UCTION. of that extraordinary and completely scientific plan, for comprising, in an orderly and a critical series, the full biographies of those illustrious Church heroes and heroines, whose feasts and memories had been celebrated throughout all parts of the Christian world.^^i His project, formed in the beginning of the seventeenth century, long engaged Rosweyde's preparatory labours. It was the nucleus from which the great BoUandist collection had its origin. However, Father Rosweyde died on the 5 th of October, a.d. 1629, in the sixtieth year of his age, and fourteen years previous to the publication of the first great folio volume of the " Acta Sanctorum." This collection swelled far beyond the limits originally contemplated by its first designers. Although long continued, and yet in process of publication, it has not been completed even to the present day.*3" It includes, of course, the acts of many among our national saints, as furnished to the successive editors from various sources. For the most part, the old Latin lives are accompanied by Prolegomina, Dissertations and Notes.^^a As will be seen, from an examination of their special Irish biographies, those editors^^^ omit acts of many among our saints, which have been published by Colgan in his " Acta Sanctorum Hibernise," comprising only saints of the first annual trimester. This is more remarkable in the BoUandist volumes ; for, their months of February and March were issued, subsequent to Colgan's publi- cations. These should have furnished matter and have facilitated research, so far as the saints of our island are concerned. Some of Colgan's saintly biographies, as given at the first three months of the year, are referred by the earher Bollandists to days differing from dates, set down for their fes- tivals, by our national hagiographist. While much of Colgan's matter has been retained by them, the lives of our Irish saints assume, in a great degree, some character for originality, being preceded either by critical no- tices, or being accompanied by notes and illustrations, differing in substance or arrangement, from those of Colgan. Instances, however, may be dis" covered, where editorial judgment or convenience furnishes only a re- publication. The Bollandists sometimes question Ireland's claim to many of her saints ; while, with regard to others, their opinions in favour of our *3' He published, before his death, "Vita; p. 39. Patrum, sive Historiae HeremiticoeLibri X., »33john Boland, in 1643, published the ex variis auctoribus in unum congestis et first two folio volumes, comprising saints notationibus, ac onomastico indicibusque il- for the month of January, and his colleagues lustratis." A second edition of this work, or successors have since been named Dol« enlarged, appeared in folio at Antwerp, A.D. landists. 1628. See Bnmet's " Manuel du Libraire," '34 information respecting their labours tomeiv., col. 1410. will be found in " Memoires sur les Bol* '3«M. Capefigue most correctly says: landistes et leurs Travaux," by Jackanl, •'c'estdans les Bollandistes qu'il faut ap- archivist of Belgium, 1835. Also, in the prendre le Moyen age : ces Plutarques de la "Gentleman's Magazine" for 1865, the solitude ecrivaient avec foi les miracles qui author has furnished articles on " The Bol- avaient preserve le faible de la vengeance landist Library at Brussels," in two sue* du fort." — Sec "Charlemagne," tome i., cessive numbers. INTR on UCTION. Ixxxlx islands pretensions are expressed with hesitancy or doubt.'3S The equivocal meaning of Scotia, which applies both to Ireland and Scotland, occasionally caused them to leave undecided those controversies maintained by writers of either country, when claiming certain saints, whose acts are given in their great collection.^36 This supplies, notwithstanding, the lives of many Irish saints, not published by Colgan, nor to be found in any previously is- sued hagiographical work. The BoUandist notes and criticisms are mostly distinguished for judiciousness of comment, great research, and accuracy of historical information. Yet, it must be observed, some of those writers, who have edited the " Acta Sanctorum," were not profoundly versed in the pro- fane history of Ireland, and all were totally unacquainted with the Irish language, in which so many of our holy biographies had been originally Avritten. The Bollandists are far from having exhausted materials for Lives of the Irish Saints ; for, many inedited biographies have been omitted from their pages. This being premised, particular remarks must be reserved for those days, at which our national Saints' Lives are written, when commenting on documents and observations, published by those learned members of the Jesuit Society.^37 Their labours are still continued, at the College of S. Michael, in the city of Bruxelles -p^ and, for purposes of reference, they have one of the most choice, rare, and extensive collections of historical books known to exist.^39 The fine Burgundian Library, to which ^3S Besides these published lives, there are allusions to Irish saints, in a list prefixed to each day of the month. This is headed, " Prsetermissi et in alios dies rejecti." Such names and acts frequently receive due pro- minence in other pages of this voluminous work. ''s'The "Churchman's Shilling Maga- zine" has the following allusions to it : — "These goodly tomes are not alone de- voted to dry records of the often wearying details of saintly lives, but, as Mr. O'Han- lon remarks, ' vast stores of archaeological and historic matter, daily accumulating through the printing of state documents and other serial society papers, have added very considerably to the resources of the modern Bollandists, who most creditably emulate the zeal and learning of their distinguished predecessors. ' M. Guizot has in high time expressed his appreciation of the value of their labours." *37 The fifty -fourth folio volume appeared in 1864. No volume was published from 1794 to 1838. Four years before the latter date a Royal National Commission had been appointed in Belgium for the publica- tion of historic works, and people began to wish the work of the Bollandists were con- tinued. Accordingly, the fathers were, A. D. 1837, installed at the College St. Michael, in Bru ssels, and since that period they have published several folio volumes, all devoted to the month of October. ^38 A highly interesting account of their literary pursuits is that contained in a work, " Les Nouveaux Bollandistes." Rapport fait a la Commission Royale d'Histoire, par Mons. P. F. X. de Ram, Rector Magnificus of Louvain University. Bruxelles, i860, 8vo. =39 The modem Catalogue of their present library is comprised in one very large folio volume of 270 numbered folios. But the leaves are filled on both sides. First, the name of the author is given ; then, the title of his work ; the place where the edition was printed ; the year ; the number of vo- lumes ; the size of the volume ; the place where the work is to be found or where quoted ; and lastly, a space left for notes and observations. This volume is desig- nated " Bibliothecse Bollandianse." Pars. Prima. The author had an opportunity of inspecting and of making some use of the Bollandists' Library, on the occasion of two INTRODUCTION. they have ready access, is also sufficiently near when required for consul- tation.''*'' Nicholas Hugues Menard, a learned and pious Benedictine Maurist, was bom in Paris, a.d. 1587. He was a celebrated hagiologist, and all his works display a talent for appropriate research and sound criticism. Among them his " Martyrologicum Sanctum Ordinis S. Benedicti" was pubUshed, a.d. 1629. '<' He added notes to it, and this work appeared in two folio vo- lumes.'«» He also edited " Sacramentarium Sancti Gregorii Magni," a.d. i642.»« He died at St. Germain des Peres, Paris, a.d. 1644.'*+ Bartholo- \\ mew Ambrosini, a physician of considerable eminence, published a curious work intituled, " Panacea, ex Herbis quae a Sanctis denominantur." It ap- peared at Bononia, a.d. 1630. The author died at Bologna in 1657.^*5 John Fronteau, Canon Regular of the Congregation of St. Genevieve, and Chan- cellor of the University of Paris, published " Kalendarium Romanum." This was taken from an ancient manuscript, and illustrated by a Preface and two Dissertations on Festival Days and on Saints' Days. It appeared at Paris A.D. 1652.^46 The author died there A.D. 1662. Father Vincent Baron, a Benedictine monk, published " Paneg>Tiques des Saints," at Paris, a.d. i66o.'47 He died in 1674. Robert Amauld d'Andilli translated " Des Vies des Saints Perbs des Deserts et de quelques Saints," in three octavo volumes. These appeared in 1668, and again in 1688, at Paris. The author died, how- ever, in 1674. ^-i^ Andrew de Saussay was bom at Paris about a.d. 1595.^^9 This writer became Bishop of Toul, and he published a valuable " Martyr- ologium Gallicanum," in 1638. It appeared in two folio volumes.'S" He died in 1675. F. Gabriel Bucelinus, with other learned works,'S' published his " Menologium Benedictinum Sanctorum, Beatorum atque illustr. Ejusdem Ordinis Virorum, accesit sacrarium, sive Reliquiarium Benedictinum. Magnus Thesaurus; et annales Benedictini." This work appeared, Veld-Kirchii, a.d. 1656, in two folio volumes, with a beautifully engraved title. There is a work little known and intituled, " Martyrologium vetustius Occidentalis short visits, during the months of July and -'■^ See Watts' '* Bibliotheca Britannica,*' August, 1863. vol. i., p. 26, k. ^■♦"Thc fullest information, regarding =-»*In 8vo. See Watts' "Bibliotheca these world-renowned writers, will be found Britannica," vol. i., p. 389, a, b. in " Les Bollandistes et I'Hagiographie An- "*' in 4to, See Watts' "Bibliotheca cienne et Modeme." Par MM. J. Caman- Britannica," vol. i., p. 77, d. det et J. Fevre. Published in a double co- '*^See M. le Dr. Hoefer's " Nouvelle Bi- lumned 4to volume at Lyons and Paris, A. D. ographie Generale depuis les Temps les plus 1866. recules jusq'a nos Jours," tome iii., p. 282. *<' In an octavo volume. »« See L' Abbe F. X. de Feller's " Dic- "♦^ See " Collier's Great Historial, Geo- tionnaire Historique," tome viii., p. 79. graphical, Genealogical and Poetical Die- Paris edition, 1818. tionary," vol. ii. Art. Menardus (Hugo). '5° See Graesse's "Trcsorde Livres Rares **3in one 4to volume. See Watts' €t Precieux," &c., tome vi., p. 277. " Bibliotheca Britannica," vol. ii. p. 664, c. 'S« See L'Abbe F. X. de Feller's •• Dic- •♦• See Moreii's " Grand Dictionnaire His- tionnaire Historique," tome ii., pp. 372, torique,"tome vii., p. 432. 273. INTRODUCTION. Ecclesias D. Hieronymo a Cassiodoro, Beda, Walfrido, Notkero aliisque Scriptoribus tributum, quod nuncupandum esse Romanum a Magno Grego- rio descriptum, ab Adone laudatum," &c. Fr. Maria Florentinius cum notis et exercitationibus integre vulgavit." This folio volume was published at Lucca, A.D. i668.'52 Soon after this time, Louis Moreri, born in 1643, pub- lished his great folio, " Le Grand Dictionnaire Historique.^ss He died at Paris, July loth, a.d. 1680.^54 Udala Dirrhaimer wrote a work called, " Currus Quadrijugus Glorias Sanctorum, sive Sermones Panegyrici breves de Sanctis," and it was pub- lished at Augsburg, a.d. i 682.^55 John de Neercassel was bom at Gorcum, in 1623. During 1663, he became the sole bishop for a population of 500,000 persons scattered over HoUand.^ss Among other works, he produced a Tract on the worship of the Saints and of the Holy Virgin.^s? The best Latin edition of his works appeared, in 1684, in two octavo volumes.^^s Some opinions, attributed to him, savour, however, of Jansenism.'S9 He died at Zwell, in 1686, A " Martyrologium Ecclesise Germanicse pervetustum," e Bibliotheca Matth. Frid. Beckii ejus additur Commentarius, was published at Augsburg,^^ A.D. 1687,='^' and its contents are specially interesting. The Canon Giacomo Certani wrote his Life of St. Brigid, under this Italian title : "La Santita Prodigiosa, Vita di S. Brigida Ibernese," scritta del G. Certani. It appeared at Venice,^^^ a.d. 1677. The same writer pubHshed a Life of St. Patrick, bearing for its title : " II Mose dell' Ibernia. Vita del glorioso S. Patrizio Canonico Regolare Lateranense, Apostolo, e Primate dell' Ibernia," descritta dall' Abb : D. Giacomo Certani, Can. Reg. Lat, &c. This work was published at Bologna,2*53 a.d. 1686. The writer filled a chair of Moral Philosophy, in the University of Bologna. Lobineau has published the Acts of saints belonging to Bretagne, and among various holy persons, whose memoirs are given, we find some who are honoured by the Irish Church.'^-f "5* See Brunei's "Manuel du Libraire," sued in an 8vo volume, at Utrecht, A.D. tome iii., pp. 1510, 1511. 1675. It was translated into French by *S3The first volume appeared in 1673, ^"^1 L'Abbe Le Roy, and it appeared at Paris, anew edition issued after his death. It A.D. 1679, in 8vo shape. An edition issued contains many sacred biographies. The at Posen, in 1786. succeeding editions most esteemed are, that ^ss ggg Watts' "Bibliotheca Britannica," published A.D. 1718 in 5 folio volumes, that vol. ii., p. 697, x. in 1725 in 6 folio volumes, and that in 1732 =S9 See L'Abbe F. X. de Feller's " Die- in 6 folio volumes. tionnaire Historique," tome vi., pp. 506 to ^S'* See L'Abbe F. X. Feller's " Diction- 508. naire Historique," tome vi., pp. 426, 427. ^^ It appeared in 4to form. =55 In folio. See Watts' " Bibliotheca =^' See Graesse's "Tresorde Livres Rares Britannica," vol. i., p. 307, m. et Precieux," &c., tome i., p. 320, ^5* See " Batavia Sacra." Also, Du Pin's '*'In a 4to volume. " Nouvelle Bibliothcque des Auteurs Eccle- ^^ In a 4to volume, siastiques." Dix Septieme Siecle. =** The edition of this work chiefly used by '57 It was intituled, " De Sanctorum et the writer is that published at Paris, a.d. prsecipue B. Marice CuUu." This was is- 1836. It is intituled : "Les Vies des Saints dc xcii INTR on UCTION. Fr. Albert le Grand wrote a valuable History of the Saints of Bretagne. An edition of it appeared at Rennes, in 1680. This was intituled : " Les Vies des Saints de la Bretagne Armorique avec un ample Catalogue des Evesques d' icelle :" augmente par Guy Autret et autres."^^5 Francis Giry was bom at Paris, in 1635.^^ He became Provincial of the Minum Order. =^^7 He compiled, " Les Vies des Saints, composees par le P. Simon Martin," corrigees et augmentees par le P. Girj%=^^ This work was published at Paris, A.D. 1682, in two folio volumes.^^9 The author was greatly esteemed for his piety, manifested not alone in his writings, but in his austere practices of devotion. These and his literary pursuits prematurely hastened his death, which took place at Paris, on the 20th of November, a.d. i688.=^7o Augustine Lubin was bom at Paris in 1624. He became an Augustinian friar, and he was appointed geographer to the French king. Among other works, he composed notes on the Roman Martyrology, describing such places as are there marked. It was called, " Martyrologium Romanum, cum Ta- buhs Geographicis et Noticis Historicis," and it was published at Paris, a.d. i66o.=7i The author died in 1695.^72 Jacqueline Bouette de Blemur, born in 161 8, a leamed French lady of eminent piety, and an elegant writer of her country's language, published " L'Annee Benedictine, ou Les Vies des Saints, de rOrdre de St. Benoit." This appeared at Paris,=73 a.d. 1667. She^vrote, likewise, "Vies des Saints," in two folio volumes.'^74 She died in 1695. But one of the most attractive and satisfactory readings, for those who wish to pursue the study of histor}',^75 is that truly leamed work, the first folio volume of which appeared at Paris, a.d. 1668, edited by D'Acher}'. This was followed by other volumes, under the joint supervision of D'Achery and Mabillon. The last of these volumes was printed in the year 1702. The object of this publication was to embrace the Lives of those Saints, pre- sumably belonging to the Benedictine order.'T^ This great work of D'Achery'^; Bretagne et des personnes d'une eminente »"° Rene Thuillier, in his " Diarium Ordi- piete qui ont vecu dans cette Province, par nis Minim.," vol. ii., p. 291, has given an Dom. Guy- Alexis Lobineau, Pretre, reli- account of Pere Giry. This work was pub- gieux Benedictin de la Congregation de lished at Paris, in 4to, A. D. 1 709. yaint-Maur," Nouvelle Edition, revue, -^^\xvi,io. corrigee et considerablement augmentee, -"'- See Moreri's " Le Grand Dictionnaire par M. L'Abbe Tresvaux, Chanoine, Vi- Historique," tome vi., p. 480. caire-General et Official de Paris. This "73 in seven 4to volumes. edition appeared in five octavo volumes. =7* See Watts' "Bibliotheca Brilannica," '^s See Watts' " Bibliotheca Britaimica," vol. i., p. 138, i. vol. i., p. 432, X. =7SSee M. Capefigue's "Charlemagne," '**His Life has been written by P. Raf- tome i,, p. 39, n. (i.) ron. It was published at Paris, A.D, 1691, *76 ««li va jusqu'a I'annee 1 1 10. L'ouv. in i2mo. To this "Vie de Fran9oisGiry," rage est aussi estime pour les monuments a portrait is prefixed. qu'il renferme que pour les prefaces dont "^ See " Les Bollandistes et I'Hagiogra- I'auteur I'a ome. Ces prefaces ont etc im- phie Ancienneet Modeme," p. III. primees separcment, in 4to. 1732." — Fel- '^^ See Watts' "Bibliotheca Britannica," ler's "Dictionnaire Historique," vol. x., vol. i., p. 418, c. Art. Mabillon, p. 458. Paris, 1828, 8vo. ^ A fourth edition, in the same city, and '7; See an account of John Lucas D'Achery of the same size, was issued, a.d. 1719. and his works in John Darling's " Cyclo- INTR OD UCTION. xciii and Mabillon^?^ is intituled in the first volume : " Acta Sanctorum Ordinis S. Benedicti, in Saeculorum Classes distributa." Sseculum i. quod est ab anno Christi d. ad dc. coUegit Domnus Lucas D'Achery, Congregationis S. Mauri^ Monachus, ac cum eo edidit D. Johannes Mablillon ejusdem Congregationis, Qui et universum opus Notis, Observationibus, Indicibusque necessariis illus- travit. These great tomes appeared at Paris, and they include Acts of cer- tain Irish saints, claimed as belonging to the Benedictine institute. Various biographies of holy persons, contained in this work, are preceded by some observations, and illustrated by many valuable notes. The matter and ar- rangement of those different tomes manifest editorial erudition, with an elaborate style and plan. The great services rendered by the learned editors to the republic of letters are well known to all ecclesiastical scholars. The learned Maurist Father, Theod. Ruinart, collected " Acta Primorum Martyrum sincera et selecta ex Libr. tum ed. cum manuscr. coll. eruta vel emend, notisq. et obs. ill.^79 This work appeared at Paris,^^A.D. 1689,^^' and again at Amsterdam in 1713.^^^ WiUiam Hopkins, a divine of the Anglican Church, and who died in 1700, left behind him a Latin tract, which was a translation of a small treatise, " On the Burial Places of the Saxon Saints,'"' composed in the Saxon tongue. It was illustrated with notes. This tract was afterwards produced by Dr. George Hickes, in a work,^^3 published at Oxford, a.d. 1705.^^* Adrien Baillet was born at Neuville, in Picardy, a.d. 1649. Among various other works, this writer produced " Discours sur la Vie des Saints," which was published at Paris,=^5 a.d. 1701.^^^ He also published, " Histoire des Fetes Mobiles : Les Vies des Saints k I'Ancien Testament," &c., which issued at Paris,^^^ a.d. i 703.=^^^ His pretentious, hypercritical and shallow work on the saints was dedicated to his Eminence the Cardinal De Noailles, Archbishop of Paris.'^^s) It is preceded by a discourse on the History of the Saints' Lives, and by an Advertisement addressed to Readers. The Lives psedia Biographica," cols. 849 to 856. perial Dictionary of Universal Biography," '^s See an account of John Mabillon and vol. iii., p. 895. his works. /(J«V/., cols. 1895 to 190 1. ='* See Watts' " Bibliotheca Britailnica," '"' A translation of this work into PVench vol. i., p. 513, g, h. by Drouet and Maupertuy, appeared in ^^s in three folio volumes. Paris. It is intituled, "Les Veritables *®^ This appeared again in 1 704, 8vo, and Actes des Martyrs." It was issued in two in 1715, at Paris, volumes 8vo. =87 jj^ foU^ shape. =8°In4to. =^See Watts' "Bibliotheca Britannica," -•8' See Jean George Theodore Graesse's vol. i., p. 63, h, i, j, k. "Tresor de Livres Rares et Precieux ou =^^9 Menage charges this very celebrated Nouveau Dictionnaire Bibliographique, " writer of saints' lives with not having tome i., p. 16. read from original sources ; with falsifying ^** In folio shape. This was emended quotations ; with an ignorance of Greek, and enlarged. See Brunei's "Manuel du Latin, Chronology and History ; with being Libraire," tome iv., col. 1457' neither poet nor philosopher, jurisconsult or -*3This was intituled: " Linguarum Ve- theologian. He was merely a presumptu- terum Septentrionalium Thesaurus." See ous casuist, vain, ignorant, and only praised the author's commemoration in "The Im- by the enemies of the Church. xciv INTR OD UCTION. of Saints for each month are preceded by separate critical tables, enumerating authors and their tracts.^s" These serve as authorities for the composition of succeeding biographies ; and besides these, the writer presents an Alpha- betical Index of saints' names for each particular month. Nicholas Fon- taine was bom at Paris, a.d. 1625. Among the principal works of this volu- minous writer are reckoned ** Vies des Saints de I'Ancien Testament." This work appeared at Paris, in five octavo volumes, a.d. 1679.^91 Again, " Les Vies des Saints pour tous les Jours de I'Anne'e," in five octavo volumes, was issued at Paris, a.d. 1679. This work appeared, also, in one folio volume. =9^ Fontaine assisted, too, in the compilation of other works.^^^ He died at Melun, on the 28th of January, a.d. 1709. Esprit Flechier was bom in 1632. He was a celebrated orator, and he was consecrated Bishop of Nismes. He composed " Panegyriques des Saints," which were published in three volumes, but after his death. This is considered one of the most elegant compositions of its kind.^^-* The com- plete works of this scholarly and accomplished prelate appeared at Nismes.^^s A.D. 1782.^9'^ The elegance of his style has been universally admired, although in some respects it is regarded as artificial, and too much abound- ing in antitheses. Flechier died in 1710.^97 Claude Chastelain was born in Paris about a.d. 1639. He was ordained a Priest, and he became a Canon of Notre Dame Cathedral.^ss He wrote " Un Liste des Noms des Saints," which was published at Paris, a.d., 1697. He also issued " Le Martyrologe Remain," a French translation with notes. It was published at Paris,^99 a.d. 1705; but this was not a complete work. He issued " Le Martyrologe Universel,"3°° with additions and notes, at Paris, a.d. 1709. He also pub- lished " Un Vocabulaire Hagiologique." This was inserted by Menage,3°' in his ** Dictionnaire Etymologique" of the French tongue, and with great praise of the author. 3°= Besides his being regarded as the chief compiler of -3° The edition of this work, which I have "5= In ten 8vo volumes, chiefly used, bears on its title-page the fol- -^ Another edition was published in the lowing inscription: "Les Vies des Saints, same number of volumes and form, A.D. composees sur ce qui nous est reste du plus 1825. A " Discours sur la Vie et les Ouv- authentique et de plus assure dans leur His- rages de Flechier" is found prefixed to this toire, disposees selon I'ordre les Calendriers, edition. et des Martyrologes ; avec L'Histoire de ^'See M. le Dr. Hoefer's "Nouvelle leur culte, selon qu'il est etabli dans I'Eglise Biographic Generale," tome xvii., pp. 878 Catholique, et I'Histoire des autres Festes to 883. de I'annee." This edition was published in =9^ See William a Beckett's "Universal four folio volumes, at Paris, A.D. 1724. Biography," vol. i., p. 775. =9' See Watts' " Bibliotheca Britannica," "^ In 410 shape, vol. i., p. 376, u. 300 lu ^tQ shape. =9* See Moreri's "Grand Dictionnaire His- 301 jje was born at Angers, A.D. 1613, torique." and he was the author of several learned -s^SeeM. le Dr. Hoefer's "Nouvelle Bio- works. He died at Paris, A. D. 1692. See grapie Generale," tome xviii., pp. 84, 8$. "The Popular Encyclopedia ; or Conver- *9*The Abbe Migne has published, in two sations Lexicon," Division viii., p. 770. large volumes, at Paris, " Qiuvres Com- 3°* See Watts' "Bibliotheca Britannica," pletes de Flechier," a.d. 1856, 1857. vol. i., p. 217, x, y. INTR OD UCTION. xcv the Parisian Breviary, published a.d. 1680, he wrote a few other ecclesiastical and historic tracts.3°3 He specially studied the Liturgy, Rites and Ceremo- nies of the Church. He travelled in France, Italy and Germany, so that he might personally observe the usages and peculiarities of each locality. He died on the 20th of March, a.d. 1712.304 Laurence Blondel was born at Paris, A.D. 167 1. He was celebrated for his bibliographical knowledge, and he was an eminent French Hagiologist. He was author of "Vies des Saints pour chaque Jour de I'Annee, tirees des auteurs origineux."3°s it was first printed3°^ at Paris, a.d. 1722,3°/ and it has passed through successive editions.3°8 The author died at Evreux, on the 25th of July, a.d. i74o.3°9 In the year 1 745, was published in London the " Britannia Sancta, or the Lives of the most celebrated British, English, Scottish, and Irish Saints, who have flourished in these Islands, from the earliest times of Christianity, down to the change of Religion in the Sixteenth Century. Faithfully collected from their ancient Acts, and other Records of British History."3'o It con- tains the Lives of many Irish Saints. The name of the author who* com- piled this useful work is not given ; but the volume is known to have issued from the ready pen of Bishop Challoner,3" who died in 1781.312 The amiable and learned Sovereign Pontiff, Benedict XIV., was born at Bologna, a.d. 1675. He became Pope in 1740, and one of his most erudite works is a Treatise on the Beatification and Canonization of the Saints. This subject he has fairly exhausted. His complete works have been published at Rome, in 12 quarto volumes.3'3 He died a.d. 1758, aged eighty-three years.314 A work of some importance for the hagiographer is, " A Memorial of Ancient British Piety, or British Martyrology, giving a short account of all such Britons as have been honoured of old amongst the saints." This was pubHshed at London, a.d. i76i.3'5 it seems to have been the production of a Catholic writer. Francis Philip Messenguy was born at Beauvais, a.d. 1677.3*6 This French divine had a large share in preparing the Lives of the 3°3 See Richard and Giraud, " Biblio- Meighan. tWque Sacree." Gouget's Bibliotheque des 3" Vicar- Apostolic of the London Dis- Auteurs Ecclesiastiques du Dix-huitihne trict. See P. Pius Bonefacius Gams' " Se- Siecle, tome i. ries Episcoporum Ecclesise Catholic*," p. 3°4 See M. le Dr. Hoefer's "Nouvelle 202. Biographic Generale," tome x., pp. 64, 65. 3" See William a Beckett's "Universal 3°s See Watts' "Bibliotheca Britannica," Biography," vol. i., p. 730. vol. i., p. 122, V, w. 313 A.D. 1747 to 1751. See Brunei's 3°^ In folio shape. " Manuel du Libraire," tome i., col. 772. 3°7 See Querard, " La France Litteraire." 314 See Aikin's and Enfield's "General Richard and Giraud, "Bibliotheque Sa- Biography; or, Lives, critical and histori- cr^e." cal, of the most eminent persons of all 3°^ In William a Beckett's " Universal ages, countries, conditions and professions, Biography," vol.i ., p. 463, it is stated, this arranged according to alphabetical order," work was published in 1772. vol. ii., pp. lOl, 102. 3°9 See "The Imperial Dictionary of Uni- 3>s in i2mo. It includes Irish as well as versal Biography," vol. ii., p. 623. Scoto-British saints. '*° It is di\'ided into two parts, and it ap- 31* See William a Beckett's " Universal peared in 4to shape, published by Thomas Biography," vol. iii,, p. I la xcvi INTRODUCTION. Saints, afterwards published by the Abbe Gouget.3*7 Messenguy wrote on many other doctrinal and historical subjects. He died on the 19th of Fe- bruary, A.D. 1763.3^8 Peter Claude Gouget was bom at Paris in 1697. He became a Canon, and among other learned works, he produced a valuable one, " Les Vies des Saints, pour tous les Jours de I'Anne'e." This work ap- peared at Paris,3's a.d. 1730.3=° Gouget died A.D. 1767.3=' Nicholas Charles Joseph Trublet was bom at St. Malo, in 1627.3== He became a canon and an archdeacon, connected with that see. Among his other greatly admired works, he \\Tote *' PanegjTiques des Saints."3=3 These compositions are thought to be in a pure, but frigid French style ; yet, they are preceded by some excellent thoughts on sacred eloquence.3=4 The writer was a man of solid talents, and of estimable qualities.3=s He died March 14th, 1770. Antoine Touron, bora in 1688, was a Dominican. Besides his well-known Lives of St. Thomas d'Aquin, and of SL Dominick de Guzman, and of St. Charles Boromeo, he produced a very valuable work, " Histoire des Hommes lUustres de I'Ordre de Saint Dominique," in Paris,3=6 be- tween A.D. 1743 and 1749. He died there on the 2nd of September, About the year 17 10 was bom the justly celebrated, and most popular English hagiologist, the Rev. Alban Butler. This learned man, among other admired works, produced that sterling contribution to Catholic literature, which, for depth of emdition, and happy selection of subjects or mode of treatment, must ever be regarded as a masterpiece of sacred biography. It is intituled : " The Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs and other principal Saints, compiled from original Monuments and other authentic Records, illustrated with the Remarks of Judicious Modern Critics and Historians." This work was published in twelve volumes, but in the first edition, the author's valu- able notes were omitted, to render the printing less expensive. In subse- quent editions these were restored ; and numerous indeed were the issues of this work, in almost every possible form of typographic and illustrated pro- duction. Some notices of Irish saints are included ; but, for the most part, 3'' Messengui's part of it only reached to Biographic Generale," tomexlv., col. 676, the I2th of March. 677. 3'* See Lequeux's " Memoire Abrege sur ^23 This work appeared at Briasson in one la Vie et les Ouvrages de I'Abbe Messen- 1 2mo volume, A. D, 1755. A second edition, guL" This 8vo volume was published at in two volumes, was issued a. d. 1764. Paris, A.D. 1763. 324 See Watts' "Bibliotheca Britannica," 3'9 In six i2mo volumes. vol. ii., p. 917, i. ^'o A new and an enlarged edition issued 2^3 gee " Biographic Universelle, Anci- there, in two quarto volumes, A.D. 1734, enne et Modeme," &c. Redige par une 1740. An abridged edition of this work Societe de gens de Lettres et de Savants, has often appeared since, in two volumes, tome xlvi., pp. 599 to 601. or in a single volume. 3=* in six 4to volumes. 3»' See Watts' " Bibliotheca Britannica," 327 See M. le Dr. Hoefer's " Nouvelle vol. i., p. 429, n, and vol ii., p. 666,0, p. Biographie Genei-ale," tome xlv., col. 547, 3'= See M. le Dr. Hoefer's " Nouvelle for a more extended account. INTRODUCTION. xcvii too briefly or carelessly written.3^^ The illustrious author died, on the 15th of May, A.D. i773.3'5> Among a great many learned and interesting works, of which John Pinker- ton33o was author or editor,33» stands a book, " Vitae Antiquse Sanctorum qui habitaverunt in ea parte Britannise, nunc vocata Scotia vel in ejus insulis." Quasdam edidit ex MSS., quasdam collegit Johannes Pinkerton, qui et vari- antes lectiones et notas pauculas adjecit. This work was published at Lon- don, A.D. 1789 ;33» and it contains ancient maps of Ireland, in the middle ages ; as likewise maps of lona and of Caledonia or Pikia, from the years A.D. 500 to 800. This is a truly useful and critical production. A very learned work, comprising the acts of Belgian saints, was published at Bruxelles and Tongerlo, in six quarto volumes, ranging in dates of issue from the year 1783 to 1794. The following is the title of the first volume : " Acta Sanc- torum Belgii Selecta, quae tum ex Monumentis Sinceris nudum in Bollendiano opere editis, tum ex vastissimo illo opere, servata primigenia scriptorum phrasi," collegit, chronologico ordine digessit, commentariisque ac Notis, il- lustravit, Josephus Ghesquierius, Presbyter. Tomus I. Complectens Acta Sanctorum Belgii ab exordio Ecclesise Christianae usque ad annum Christi Dxxxii. cum figuris. This work was at first carried on, under the editorship of Joseph Ghesquiere, who was afterwards assisted by Cornelius Smet and Isfridus Thysius. It is verj' correctly printed, and illustrated with many in- teresting copper-plate engravings. These represent shrines and other ob- jects of antiquity. As many of our native-born Irish saints were connected with Belgium, during their missionary labours, the valuable work in question admirably illustrates their acts. The " Lives of the English Saints," written by Anglican divines belong- ing to the University of Oxford, first popularized this species of pious study among English readers without the Catholic Church. The Venerable and Very Rev. John Henry Newman, D.D., and Father Faber — afterwards con- verts to the Catholic Church — wrote biographies embraced in this series, which is contained in fourteen thin and elegantly-printed volumes, 333 3=® To supplement omissions, a small i2mo Account of the Life and Writings of the volume was published at Dublin, in the Rev. Alban Butler ; interspersed with ob- year 1823. It is intituled: — "The Lives servations on some subjects of sacred and of the Irish Saints, extracted from the profane literature mentioned in his writings." Writings of the Rev. Alban Butler, and By Charles Butler, Esq., Barrister-at-Law, now placed in order, with a prefixed Calen- and the Divine's nephew. This biography dar ; to which is added, an office and litany usually precedes modem editions, in their honour, with a defence of the Mo- 330 gom at Edinburgh, February 17th, nastic Institute." By a Cistercian Monk. 1758. See R. Chambers' '• Book of Days," In some instances the compiler has altered vol. i. , p. 266. the dates of saints' festivals, as found in 33« See Knight's "English Cyclopaedia." Butler. This little work is preceded by an Biography. Vol. iv., pp. 836, 837. original Preface and Calendar of Irish 332 in 8vo. See Watts' "Bibliotheca Saints, pp. iii. to xviii. Some appendices Britannica," vol. ii., r. are found, in addition to the text of the Rev. 333ini2mo. These issued at London, Alban Butler. a.d. 1844, 1845. "The Virgin Saints" 3'' Long after his death appeared " An followed, as a supplement to this serial. xcviii INTR OD UCTION. In the year 1853 a work was published : " Lives of the CambroBritish Saints of the fifth and immediate centuries, from ancient Welsh and Latin MSS. in the British Museum and elsewhere, with English translations and explanatory notes ;" by the Rev. W. J. Rees, M.A., F.S.A., Rector of Cas- cob, Radnorshire, Prebendary of Brecknock, and Member of the Cambrian Archaeological Association, &:c. It appeared at Llandovery, under the auspices of the Welsh MSS. Society.334 This work contains a lithograph of St. Illtyd's Cross, Lantwit, with fac-similes from ancient MSS. In it are to be found, also, pedigrees of the saints, from a MS. of the thirteenth cen- tury, with pedigrees of the Welsh saints, both in Welsh and English.335 It also comprises the acts of some saints, having a connexion with Ireland. During the present century have appeared in Germany a work by Abban Stolz, on " The Legends of the Saints," a translation by the Abbe Dacas, " La Fleur des Saints," extracts from the Church History of Rohrbacher, " Les Vies des Saints," the Benedictines of Solesmes' translation, " Les Actes des Martyrs," as also, " Les Vies des Saints de France," by Charles Barthd- lemy,336 and the unfinished but magnificent work of Le Comte de Monta- lembert, so popularly known as " Les Moines d'Occident."337 Besides the foregoing productions, L'Abbe C. Martin has published a very useful and instructive work at Paris : " Vies des Saints a I'usage des Predicateurs, comprenant : 1° La Vie du Sainte de chaque Jour ; 2° Son Pandgyrique ; 3° Des Materiaux appropries a chaque sujet pour Panegy- riques, instructions familieres et colloques." Mon. L'Abbe A. Vaillant pub- lished an octavo volume, " Vies des Saints des Families Chretiennes et des Communantes Religieuses." It appeared at Paris, in 1865. A very interesting and important work, by the Abbe J. Corblet, appeared in two large volumes, and it was published338 both in Paris and Amiens, a.d. 1870. It is intituled, " Hagiographie du Diocese d' Amiens," and the learned author has added notices of the saint's relics, under the heading of each biography, together with an account of the veneration, liturgy, monuments and traditions, iconography and books referring to each individual subject. This work has allusion to some of our Irish saints. 339 A voluminous and highly interesting work has been projected in France, and on a very comprehensive plan. It is intituled, " Les Acts des Saints,'"* Louis Gauthier, Editeur. The first volume was published at Lyons, a.d. 334 In one volume, royal 8vo. 33* gee "Les Bollandistes et I'Hagio- 335 In addition, it has an account of Bry- graphic Ancienne et Modeme," p. 128. chan of Brycheiniog, Latin and English — 337 A second edition of this work ap- Hymns of the Martyr St. Curig, Welsh peared at Paris in five 8vo volumes, ex- and English— an Epitome of the His- tending from A.D. 1863 to 1867, and ele- tory of Britain, Latin and English, with gantly printed. Preface, Index and Supplementary Notes 338 in gvo shape. totheLiberLandavensis, by Thomas Wake- 339 See "Revue des Questions Histo- man, Esq., of Graig House, Monmoutli- riques," tome vii., p. 699, and tome ix.,pp. slurc 510, 511. INIRODUCTION. 1865, in royal quarto size, and in double columns. This promises to be a collection of the highest importance. Its erudition is manifest. Another collection of saints' lives, by Mgr. Paul Guerin, has appeared in France. The latest, or sixth edition, is kno^vn as " Les Petits Bollandistes, Vies des Saints, d'apres les Bollandistes, Lipoman, Surius, le P. Giry, les hagiologies et les propres de chaque diocese et les travaux hagiographiques les plus recents."34o This series appeared in fifteen large octavo volumes. Among later books, which treat on saintly history, may be mentioned one containing a variety of interesting and reliable facts. The Rev. S. Baring-Gould, M.A., Protestant Rector of East Mersea, near Colchester, commenced in 1872 the publication of a beautifully-written series, " The Lives of the Saints." This work is to be completed in twelve volumes.S'ii While historic and chronologic accuracy has been well preserved, the style is very attractive and picturesque.34" Many Irish saints find place among the biographies ; nor are these the least interesting in the author's collection. The lives of various saints, published in English by the Very Rev. F. W. Faber, and by other Fathers of the Oratory, are distinguished for a felicity of style and a devotional cast of thought, worthy these accomplished writers, who undertook the editorship of this series of volumes. 343 But they con- tain little reference to the subject of our national hagiography. A truly erudite and elegant quarto volume has lately appeared at Edin- burgh. It must prove a work of inestimable value to the Irish and to the Scottish hagiologist. As a collection, its uses towards illustrating the history of Ireland and Scotland are most obvious. Materials for this volume have been selected from many different sources, and by processes involving long- continued labour and research. It is intituled, " Kalendars of Scottish Saints. With Personal Notices of those of Alba, Laudonia, and Strathclyde. An attempt to fix the Districts of their several Missions and the Churches where they were chiefly had in Remembrance." By Alexander Penrose Forbes, D.C.L., Bishop of Brechin. The opening part of his book is occupied with a series of Kalendars.344 These are taken from books read in the Scottish Church, at different periods. The first of these collections is a Celtic Ka- lendar, found in the Drummond Castle Missal, with a fac-simile illustration. This work is ascribed to the twelfth century, and it is of Irish origin. Here, we find saints' commemorations referring to the east and west, while the 3<° This edition has been wholly revised, tivals, to be found in the Church Kalendar, carefully corrected, and considerably aug- commences each day of the month and mented. year ; besides a general reference to the best 34' Crown 8vo size. hagiographical and historic works serves to 34^ The iconography, symbols and mot- authenticate the acts, which are at once toes of the saints are faithfully reproduced gracefully and learnedly compiled. from medals, statues, pictures and scrolls ; 343 The prospectus of this series was is- while those serve to inform and direct sued in 1850, when some of the volumes popular and intellectual tastes, in the con- had already appeared, at London and Derby, templation and study of mediaeval and in 8vo shape. Christian art. A heading of the chief fes- 344 Preceded by an Introduction, INTR OD UCTION. Irish saints are largely represented. It is given in Roman capitals. The Hyrdmanstown Kalendar follows, in a beautiful Gothic lettering. This is of the thirteenth century, when it was used in East Lothian, In general, it follows the usage of Sarum Church. The third Kalendar is that of Culross. This may belong to the fourteenth century, and it is in Gothic lettering. Here, only a few of the Celtic saints are to be found. In this, we obser\'e an Anglicising of the Scottish Church, resulting from that policy introduced by Queen Margaret and her sons. Wars between England and Scotland, however, soon obliterated this feeling. In the Kalendar of Nova Farina or Feme, which next occurs, more of the Scottish and Irish saints appear in Gothic letters. A Celtic Kalendar, preserved in the Advocate's library, succeeds. It is in small Roman letters. The saints there given are mostly those held in esteem on the Scottish western coast. Followed by the Kalendar of the Arbuthnott Missal, in Gothic letter, and by the Kalendar of the Aberdeen Breviary, given in Gothic letter, the Scottish saints are extracted from the " Martyrologium Aberdonense." The Kalendar of Adam King furnishes ex- cerpts, which are printed in small Roman letters. The " Menologium Sco- torum" of Thomas Dempster follows, with his Preface and an Index. Next are Scottish entries, from the Kalendar of David Camerarius. The Scottish Kalendar of the Prayer Book, used in the time of Charles I,, concludes this valu- able array of authorities. The most generally interesting portion of the volume, however, is not that referring to the Kalendars, but to the historical notices of saints. With these, this portly volume ends in an alphabetical and a bio- graphical list. Personal biography and topography are here blended. It is thus we realize more thoroughly the ecclesiastical history of different districts in Scotland. Over 200 closely printed and double-columned pages are under this division of the work. Among the Scottish saints, it must be premised, that very many are Irish by birth. The biographical sketches, translated and selected from many sources, both printed and in manuscript, number over 400 special articles. The foregoing enumeration and description only present a curtailed and meagre synopsis of universal hagiographical literature. Additional authors, and their various works, relating to individual saints, w^ill be quoted in notes, which accompany succeeding pages. Section VII. — Materials for Irish Saints' Lives, in Irish Libraries. It is not to be supposed, that the foregoing writers and their special volumes remotely exhaust authorities, even yet available for the study of Irish hagiology. Numerous other tracts in manuscript and in print re- main, the authors and periods of many being known, while in a vast num- ber of cases, the writers and dates of composition cannot be clearly ascer- tained. It will be requisite, however, to make some brief allusion to the INTRODUCTION. . d chief of those libraries and archives, both at home and abroad, which con- tain acts of our national saints, or documents illustrating their history. In Ireland, its metropolis notably holds the most extensive collection. Among those manuscripts in Trinity College Library, Dublin, which materially serve to illustrate Irish hagiography, national ecclesiastical history, with the liturgy and rites of our primitive Church, these following deserve particularly to be enumerated.^ In Dr. John Barrett's catalogue of the Trinity College ma- nuscripts, these are found classed and described in detail, yet frequently with very inaccurate notices, as a personal and minute examination of all the originals has assured the present writer.' I. On press B. shelf or tab. i, No. I, we find, " Breviarium Romanum, continens Officia et Cantica in Fe- rias et Dominicas totius anni, cum Rubricis, mutilum initio et fine," &c. A calendar of saints3 is found in this manuscript. It likewise contains pane- gyrics of several persons named, with dates of their deaths, generally re- ferring to the sixteenth century.* Some of these entries are extraneous to the subject-matter. 5 There is an account, referring to grants of land and of churches, founded a.d. 1170, by Dion O'CarroU, Lord of Ergall.^ This manuscript is incorrectly called a " Roman Breviary,"^ while it appears to have been written about the fifteenth century. In reality, it is an " Anti- phonarium,"^ beautifully traced in black and red characters. It is a large vellum folio and impaged. It is said, formerly to have been in the posses- sion of Culdees, attached to the metropoHtan church of Armagh, II. B. i, 2. "Proprium Sanctorum per anni circulum secundum Ritum Romanas Eccle- sise, cum omnibus Antiphonis." This is also a large vellum folio, and an unpaged " Antiphonarium." It appears to resemble in character and date the previously noticed one. A part is missing towards the end.^ III. B. Section VII. — ' The following list is entries are more recent, and in a different confined to the chief manuscripts, illustrat- character, from that found in the original or ing our present theme. proper text. ' During this process, the writer had fre- * These notices are written in the Irish quently the advantage of the late learned character. librarian's opinion, on matters which re- ^ In Dr. Barrett's Catalogue. Another quired special enlightenment. The Rev. manuscript catalogue has been compiled, by James Henthom Todd, and his obliging H. J. M. Mason, LL.D., to correct mis- library assistants, were always most kind in takes in the former. Even in this latter, affording all facilities for research. the MS. in question has been incorrectly set 3 The names of many Irish saints and down as " Missale Romanum." The Rev. their festivals are there given. James Henthom Todd, S.F.T.C.D. — * These entries are in the Irish and Latin whose labours as librarian were so incessant character. The MS. also contains a de- — has corrected various errors of both com- scription of certain lands, which formerly pilers. Dr. John O'Donovan commenced belonged to the see of Armagh, and which, the compilation of a Catalogue Raisonniy it is stated, were afterwards unjustly ac- relating to those MSS., purely Irish ; but, quired and retained by Con O'Neill. The unfortunately, this work was never com- latter restored these to Archbishop Dowdall pleted. and to his successor in perpetuity. * Or an OfSce Book to be used in choir. s The latest date of an obit, I could dis- ' This MS. contains anliphcns and mu- cover in it, refers to A.D. 1596. Many other sical notation for the feast of St. Patrick, cii INTRODUCTION. I, 3. " Breviarium Romanum." This, too, is incorrectly described, for it should be called an " Antiphonarium." It is a large vellum unpaged folio, very much defaced by stains and imperfect, especially at its commencement and at the end. This appears to have been written in the fifteenth century. It is said, to have formerly belonged to Clondalkin Church, in the county of Dublin. It contains a calendar of saints, ^° among whom many are Irish, with notation of their offices, lessons and dates of their festivals." IV. B. I, 4. " Iterum, cum Psalterio," &c." This MS. should be called an " Anti- phonorium." It is a large vellum unpaged folio, with some pages wanting in the commencement. Formerly, it is said to have been kept in the Church of St John the Evangelist, Dublin. It contains a calendar of saints, many of whom are Irish. '3 Nine lessons of an office for St. Patrick, written in a different character and by a more recent hand, than in those of the original text, are found prefixed.^* All of those lessons are short, and contained on one page, within two columns. V. B. i, 5. "Iterum."'s Like the pre- ceding manuscripts, however, this should have been noticed as an " Anti- phonarium." The characters are rather stained and defaced by age, or they have not been written in good black ink. It is imperfect at the beginning and at the end, as also in other places. It is paged at the bottom margin throughout, but in a rather modem hand.^^ This appears to be a manuscript of the fourteenth or fifteenth century. It contains only one page of a ca- lender, including saints' names and festivals — some Irish — for the months of May, June, July and August. Other pages of it seem wanting. ^7 All the preceding manuscripts, for the most part, are written in black and red ink. At the musical notation parts, the notes are traced in black, and the lines in red, while many capital letters are curiously ornamented and variously co- loured : in some instances these are gilt. A few curious figures are traced, in many places, throughout those manuscripts. The pages are all written bishop and confessor. Nothing else, speci- calendar. Comparatively recent annota- ally referring to an Irish saint, is included. tions, also, are here noticeable. '^ The deaths of many persons, written '* Each lesson varies in length, occupying within unoccupied spaces and margins of from five to seven lines of that column, in the calendar, with other unimportant anno- which it is found. tations, are found in different parts of its »s Thus it is noted, in Dr. Barrett's cata- calendar. These are traced in a compara- logue, by which we are to understand he lively recent hand from that which formed regarded it as a " Breviarium Romanum." the original fine Gothic characters. In Mason's Catalogue, on the contrary, it is " Within the leaves of this MS. a very noted as a " Missale Romanum." correct and beautiful transcript of January '* The figures on the last leaf are 180, al- month, taken from the calendar, is to be ternate pages only having been numbered, found. It is on an unfastened page, and in On a leaf, pasted to the cover at its com- Dr. Todd's handwriting. mencement, I find a title, "The Breviary " " Id est, Breviarium Romanum." Thus of Kilmoon," with notices of its containing noticed, in Dr. Barrett's catalogue. Mr. St. Brigid's office, at fol. 114 b., and St. Mason inaccurately describes it as, "Missale Patrick's office, at fol. 122 a. Romanum, cum Psalterio et Antiphonis. " '7 It contains some obits, scattered through- '3 There are various obits entered in the out its pages. INTRODUCTION. ciii within double columns.'^ VI, B. i, i6. "Sanctorum Quorumdam Vitze et Passiones, una cum eorum Diebus Festis." This is a beautiful vellum folio, written in the 13th or 14th century. It is unpaged, and traced in double co- lumns. On its first written pages, a table, containing a list of saints' lives, with the days of their festivals, may be found prefixed. '9 Some folios are wanting throughout this manuscript, and especially towards the end, as ap- pears from the loss of saints' lives referred to in the table of contents.*" It formerly belonged to the Monastery of St. Mary de Jorevalle, in the county of York ; while the characters are traced with elegance, on pencilled lines, and in fine black ink, having initial letters in red, blue and green colours, with handsome illuminations and tracery. VII. B. 2, 7. " Sanctorum Quo- ruradam Vitse." This elegant vellum folio was written in the thirteenth or fourteenth century ; illuminated in gold and various colours throughout, it contains for the most part lives of English saints.*' It is unpaged. Pre- fixed to this manuscript, and bound with it, some extraneous matters are found, written on a few vellum pages. Towards the end matters of like import are discovered.** This particular codex has many marginal notes, some of which are in Ussher's hand-writing. *3 VIII. B. 3, i. " Missale Romanum, quod olim fuit Monasterii de Kilcormick, in comitatu Regis."** In Mason's catalogue, this manuscript is said to have been finished a.d. i458.*s A calendar is prefixed to this missal.*^ One folio, containing the months of January and February, is wanting. Many leaves are torn and in part defaced, while several are altogether wanting. Some fragmentary folios of an " Antiphonarium" are inserted at the end. This manuscript is un- *^The publication of these MSS., or of =^ They are written in 25 columns. Among any particular one among them, and col- these last-mentioned fragments, I find the lated with the others, should throw much following curious prophecies. They are light on the liturgical observances of our thus noticed in Mason's Catalogue : — ' ' Pro- early Irish Church, at divers periods pre- phetise diversse de Sexto Hibemiaj,'qui vo- ceding the Protestant Reformation of the catur Dominus." They are in Latin prose sixteenth century. In the hands of a judi- and verse. These are followed by other vi- cious and competent editor, having a know- sions and prophecies attributed to Thomas ledge of Church music and rubrics, it might of Canterbury, Merlin, &c. be rendered a most interesting publication. »3 To him this MS. belonged, after it had '9 All I could meet with in it, regarding been procured from St. Peter's Church, Irish saint history, is " Vita S. Patricii, Westminster. Epis. et Confes.," at the i6th of the April ^-^ It contains many curious obits of the kalends. This life occupies 40 cols, of the O'Molloys, &c., with other marginal writ- MS. There is likewise a tract, " De Pur- ing. An account of these is given by Dr. gatorio Hibemiae," comprising 24 cols., with Todd, in his edited " Miscellany of the Irish one leaf, or perhaps more folios, missing at Archaeological Society," vol. i., Art. vi., the end. pp. 99 to 106. This account is accompa- ^° Although the remaining folios are ge- nied by suitable notes and historic illustra- nerally in a fine state of preservation ; yet tions. there is a partial mutilation on one of the ^s \ have been unable to find that record leaves, where the life of St. Gudlac, con- in the codex, fessor, commences. ** It contains the festivals and names of *' Only a few of these saints had con- some Irish saints, nexion with Ireland. civ INTRODUCTION. paged, and it is written in double columns, throughout elegantly traced, with several curiously-coloured and ornamented capital letters. IX. B. 3, 5. "Ceremoniale Romanum," &c. This manusucript belongs to the fifteenth century, and it contains a varied collection of tracts."' The whole of it is very elegantly written, but for the most part in very minute characters. Many of its capital letters are handsomely coloured and ornamented."^ X. B. 3, 8. " Juliani Epis. Toletani (qui floruit 450) Liber de origine mortis humanse," &c. This manuscript contains a number of tracts, on different subjects, and apparently transcribed by various writers.'? The several tracts it con- tains appear to have been WTitten in the twelfth, thirteenth, and fourteenth centuries. However, this codex is imperfect. It comprises constitutions and rules of religious orders, together with an abbreviation of Venerable Bede's Martyrology.3° There is a calendar, containing the insertion of some Irish saints' festivals. XI. B. 3, 9. " Breviarium Romanum," &c. This manuscript contains Dominical and festival offices, with an order for reading them, as also different Masses for the feasts of saints, and a calendars' This is a beautiful quarto vellum codex, written about the fourteenth century, and illuminated. XII. B. 3, 10. " Iterum." This manuscript contains " Officia Dominicalia totius anni, cum Kalendario, Psalterium Latinum, cum Lectionibus e Vitis Sanctorum Quorumdam precipue Hibemiorum."3» Ac- cording to a notice affixed to the first folio of this breviary, it was written A.D. 1489, at that time a war took place about a right to the principality of Ely. 33 This codex was written by Malachy O'Lachnayn, a cleric of Killaloe diocese. 34 It is a vellum folio, beautifully traced in double columns, the capital letters being variously figured and coloured. It is in a fine state of preservation, as a curious and valuable memorial of our Irish Church liturgy, during the middle ages, and as particularly relating to Killaloe diocese. XIII. B. 3, 12. "Psalterium Romanum, cum Officiis persolvendis in Diebus Festis Sanctorum, a mense Junio usque ad mensem Novembris exclusive, cum Kalendario," &C.35 It is imperfect towards the end, and it contains an ^^ First in order among these is found a tyrology, should doubtless reward the labour "Calendar," containing notices of Irish of a competent editor, and become a source saints. It wants, however, the four last of interest to the learned in such matters, months of the year. It contains, also, 3i This contains notices of Irish saints, Usuard's " Martyrology," with monastic their festivals and offices, rules, epistles, &c. 3' Irish saints' names, festivals, and of- ^^ This codex formerly belonged to the fices are here noted. The arrangement of Abbey of St. Thomas, near Dublin. It is the lessons differs, however, from the Ro- a vellum folio, and paged in comparatively man Breviary, at present in use. recent characters. 33 The disputants were Tatheu or Thad- =5 It is a vellum quarto, with ornamental deus and William O'Keruayle. and coloured capitals. 34 He concludes the insertion of this no- '^ As the Martyrology of Bede is already tice, by requesting the reader of his book printed, I thought it unnecessary to extract to offer up the Lord's Prayer for his soul's several notices of Irish saints contained in salvation. this version. Yet, a publication, or a com- 35 This quarto vellum manuscript for- parison of this latter, with the printed Mar- merly belonged to the Blessed Virgin Mary's INTRODUCTION. cv entry of several obits in the calendar. 3^ This codex is beautifully written, in double columns, with coloured capitals and gold illuminations. XIV. B. 3, 13, " Breviarium Romanum cum Psalterio Latino." This is a vellum octavo manuscript, written about the fifteenth century, and it contains also a calendar, 37 This codex is greatly effaced towards the close, through the effects of damp or of some other injury. XV. B. 3, 14. " Psalterium Ro- manum cum Officiis B. Marise et mortuorum," &c. To this psalter, an im- perfect calendar is prefixed.3^ It wants the months of May, June, July and August. The remaining months only give a small diurnal proportion of saints, for there are no entries at many of the days. However, on certain blank spaces within this calendar, several curious figures illuminated, and illustrating the various menstrual employments, as also astronomical repre- sentations for the sun's entrance into the twelve zodiacal signs, may be seen. 39 This is a vellum octavo, and it was probably written during the thirteenth century. XVI. B. 3, 15. "Iterum, cum aliis Canticis," &c. This is an octavo vellum codex, beautifully illuminated throughout, with gold and colours. The capital letters are elegantly designed. We find a calendar prefixed, and the names of saints there are written in French.*"* This manuscript probably belongs to the fourteenth century. XVII. B. 3, 18, 19. " Breviarium secundum usum Sarum," pars. i. & ii. In the second part of this breviary there is a calendar of saints, including some that are Irish. Although classed among the manuscripts of Trinity College, this is a printed book.*' It contains, however, manuscript comments and insertions throughout, while some of these are traced in the Irish language. XVIII. B. 4, 4. " Theodorus Archiep. Cantuariensis de Ecclesia (ex ejus Peneten- tiali)," &:c. This is a quarto paper manuscript, transcribed in 1637. Pro- perly speaking, it contains nothing on the subject of Irish hagiology ; but, as regarding the British Churches of the seventh century, many curious ac- counts of discipline and regulations may be seen.*^ These matters serve incidentally to throw light on the contemporaneous practices of our Irish Church.43 XIX. C. 4, 3. " Januensis seu de Voragine (Jacobi) Legenda Sanctorum seu Dictionarium de Vitis Sanctorum." This is a quarto vellum Monastery at Trim, and it was written about curiously-traced capital letters and illumina. the fifteenth century. tions. 3* This contains the names, festivals and <° A few Irish saints and their festivals are office lessons of various Irish saints. given. 37 Notices of Irish saints, their festivals "*' It was published in the suburbs of and office lessons, are contained in it. But Paris, at St. German de Pratis, by Peter the leaves are so much injured, where the Lever, living at the sign of the Golden lessons of saints' offices are to be found, as Cross, a.d. 1494. It is issued in iSmosize, to render a correct examination of their and in contracted Latin, on vellum, contents, not only a matter of difficulty, ''^ There is an article, "De Communione but, in some passages, an utter impossibi- Scotorum et Britonum, qui in Pascha et Ton- lity. sura Catholica non sunt. 3^ Only a few Irish saints and their festi- ■♦^ It also contains a treatise of Joannes vals are found in it. Scotus, seu Erigena. He flourished about *' Gold and colours are employed in the a.d. 800, cvl INTR OB UCTION. — or rather a large octavo — manuscript, written throughout in double co- lumns, about the fifteenth century.** It is imperfect towards the end. XX. C. 4, 7. " Lives of Saints." This quarto vellum manuscript was written in old English, about the fifteenth century.45 It is imperfect, both at the beginning and at the end, while many of its leaves are decayed. XXI. D. I, 17. " Catalogus seu Inventarium omnium Librorum pertinentium ad Commune Armorialum Domus Eboraci ordinis Heremitarum S. Augustini ; factum in presentia Joh. de Ergun, Joh. Ketiswell, Ric. de Thorpe, Joh. de Apilby, A.D. 1372, festo Nativitatis Virginis Gloriosse. Fratre Will, de Staynlon tunc existente Priore." This is a folio vellum manuscript, having apparently one or two leaves missing.*'' In this codex, we find an inte- resting list of hermeneutical, patristic, theological, historical, grammatical, rhetorical, geometrical, philosophical, classical, and hagiographical works.*? XXII. D. I, 19. "Catalogus Vetus MSS, Cujusdam Bibliothecse Monasterii S. August. Cantuar. in Tempore Edwd. IV." This is a foUo paper ma- nuscript of 132 pages; for the most part written about the year 1470, and in double columns.*^ XXIII. D. 3, i to 23. The various manuscripts, here included, were written by Archbishop Ussher. In these, there are se- veral scattered notices, regarding Irish saints and Irish ecclesiastical history ; but, it will be unnecessary to particularize the value of those documents, since all have obtained publicity in the late edition*9 of Ussher's works, prepared for press by the late Rev. Charles Elrington, of Trinity College, Dublin. XXIV. E. i, 35. "Walsingham (Thomas) Pars ejus Historiae Brevis," &c. This is a paper folio manuscript of the fifteenth or sixteenth century. There is in it a Latin version of Nennius' History of the Britons, 5° and some passages referring to the Irish saints.s' XXV. E. 2, 14. A ** This treatise was among the first printed would undertake its publication and exposi- works, and known as the * ' Legenda Aurea. " tion. It contains legends of St. Patrick and St. 48 Remarks referring to the former MS. Fursey. would also apply to the present one. The ^s Among these lives, none have reference Council of the Camden Society seems to to Irish hagiology, unless perhaps an ac- have entertained the idea of their publica- count of the Eleven Thousand Virgins. tion ; but, this intention has not yet been re- There are only three leaves on this subject, alized. at the end of the manuscript ; and these, in « Published by Messrs. Hodges and a great measure, are illegible. The re- Smith, Dublin, in xvii. Volumes 8vo. maining part of those acts is wanting. so «« Nennii Britonum Historiographi, mo- ** It is a curious and an instructive re- nachi Banchorensis, qui claruit A.D. 620, cord of valuable contents in the aforesaid Eulogium Insulre Britannia; : cum Historia library, as it existed over 500 years ago. Britonum, et Mirabilium Britanniae, Mouk, *'That it contained allusions to Irish et Hibemise." This tract ^vas compared by saints, in the latter department, can scarcely Archbishop Ussher with old copies. It be questioned. I am unable to say, how- contains more matter than is found in ever, if any of those MSS. be yet extant, Thomas Gale's published edition of Nen- nor can I even conjecture to what extent nius. they might serve for illustrating Irish hagi- s« Jhe Irish version of Nennius' *' Historia ology. It is much to be desired, that this Britonum" has been printed by the Irish MS. might find a competent editor, who Archseological Society, for the year 1848. INTRODUCTION. evil Catalogue of all the manuscripts contained in the Library at Lambeth, chiefly relating to the affairs of Ireland. This a folio paper manuscript. s^ It was written about the year 1700, by three different hands. Four of the books mentioned formerly belonged to Sir George Carew, and these chiefly relate to Irish history. Among many others, those tracts were given to the Bodleian Library, by Archbishop Laud, in 1636. The last tract, contained in two large folded leaves, gives an exceedingly curious and an interesting chroro- graphical account of ancient Thomond, just at the time of its transmutation into a county. 53 Among the Lambeth Manuscripts appear notices of works, referring to Irish hagiology, and to early ecclesiastical history.54 XXVI. E. 3, I. " Alani, seu, Alan (Joh :) Archiepiscopi DubHn : Rotula Nova seu Reper- torium Viride, tractans de Omnibus Ecclesiis infra Diocesin Dublin : scilicet de Nominibus, jure Patronatus et Statu Earundem, a.d. 1531." This is a large paper folio manuscript, transcribed from the original one of Alan,5s and about A.D. i6oo.s^ Although this codex especially relates to the state of churches, within the diocese of Dublin, as found at an early part of the six- teenth century, it is of value and interest to the Irish Church historian and hagiologist, whose researches relate even to a more remote period. XXVII. E. 3, 5. " Jura Antiqua Hibernica Gentis," &c. This is a large vellum folio manuscript, and written in the Irish language.57 It is traced in three dis- tinct hands.ss The manuscript is of very great antiquity. XXVIII. E. 3, 8. " Miscellanea de Rebus potissimum Hibernicis," &c. This is a paper folio manuscript, by different writers, produced about a.d. 1600.59 Several matters contained in this codex, are in Archbishop Ussher's handwriting, together with notes and emendations throughout, by the same writer. ^° XXIX. E. 3, 10. This is a very interesting paper folio manuscript, containing 82 leaves, some of which are numbered, but irregularly. It was written by various It has been edited, with a translation and entered on the catalogue as a glossary of notes, by Rev. James Henthorn Todd, the Irish language. He tells us, moreover, M.R.I. A., with an introduction and addi- it contains apart of the l,eAbA|^ S^b^lA, or tional notes, by the Hon. Algernon Herbert. Book of Conquests of Ireland ; and besides s* It contains 176 leaves: the first 174 two fragments of the Brehon Laws — one are numbered. old as the Seanchus Mor, established by St. S3 It shows the baronies, parish churches, Patrick— the other written at the Academy gentlemen's names and their castles. of Tara, about the tenth or eleventh cen- 5* In addition, there are vast materials for tury. Under these remarks there is a note illustrating the civil history and state of the in Professor O'Curry's handwriting : " Tara country, since the English invasion. and its academies were abandoned and de- ss Preserved among the Archives of Christ molished four hundred years before this Church Cathedral, Dublin. period." (Scilicet, the tenth and eleventh s^ It has written within the cover, "Ex centuries.) " So much for the great CacaI done Joh: Lyon, A.M." In the same Vallancey's knowledge of Irish history." handwriting are various emendations, with eoJAn O c6m]\Ai'6e. two written leaves at the close. 59 it includes 144 leaves ; yet, only some 57 It consists only of 45 leaves : but it is of these are numbered. imperfect. *° This codex contains most interesting 58 On the fly-leaf of this codex, Charles tracts, relating to Irish hagiology and eccle* Vallancey has remarked that this MS. is siastical history. cvm INTR on UCTION. hands, in the seventeenth century.^* For the most part, its writing is very close.^^ XXX. E, 3, ii. This is a most valuable parchment and hagio- graphical manuscript, in large quarto shape.^3 It was written by three different hands, during the fourteenth or fifteenth centuries. It is imperfect, as would appear from the numbering and heading of some folios.^^ XXXI. E. 3, 13. This is a paper folio manuscript,^s with four leaves of vellum, and written by various hands,°^ about the commencement of the seventeenth century. ^7 XXXII. E. 3, 16. This is a paper folio manuscript, traced by different hands, in the seventeenth century.'^^ It contains 85 leaves in manuscript ; ^ together with a folded and printed broad-sheet, intituled, " Catalogus Prsecipuorum Sanctorum Ibemise," by Father Henry Fitz Simon, the Jesuit. XXXIII. E. 3, \ 7. This is a paper folio manuscript,7° written by different hands, about the sixteenth century.^* XXXIV, E. 3, 20. This is a paper folio manuscript, 7* written by different scribes, about the sixteenth cen- tury. 73 The nature of its contents renders it extremely valuable to the student of Irish civil and ecclesiastical history. XXXV. E. 3, 22. This is a paper folio, 74 written by different hands, about the year 1600 or earlier. 7s XXXVI. *' Among the pages, we have traces of Ussher's handwriting. *" With matters referring to the civil his- tory of the country, extracted from monastic registers, annals and other sources, some incidental allusions to Irish saints and curious ecclesiastical illustrations are found, in a small tract, relating to Ardsratha. *3 Among other extraneous matters, it contains the lives of several Irish saints, in contracted Latin. Many deficiences are met with throughout. '* For the most part, it is arranged in double columns, and it comprises 93 written folios. *s It consists of 134 leaves. ** Many leaves are in Ussher's handwrit- ing. *7 Some curious papers on the controversy for precedence between the Churches of Armagh and of Dublin are found ; also an Irish extract from S. Benignus, regarding the inhabitants of Dublin, taken from the old Books of Sligo and Ballymote, with a Latin version, by John Kelly of Trinity College, Dublin ; likewise, disquisitions on Herenach lands, taxations of churches in various dioceses, lists of bishops and incum- bents in some of the Irish dioceses, &c., &c. ^ Besides notices of various Irish saints, it contains much Irish historical matter. ** They are chiefly written by Ussher. 7° It contains 64 leaves. 7' In this volume will be found a few pages, containing the names and positions of some episcopal sees, founded by St. Patrick. 7' It consists of 35 1 leaves. 73 Among the most valuable ecclesiastical fragments is a catalogue of the Bishops of Clogher, with some Irish extracts from the register of Clogher, composed by Brother Caljm Augustieil Epo. Clochoren, and Ruarico O'Cassyde, archidiacono. The annals of Thady Dowling and James Grace, w^hich have been published by the Irish Archaeological Society are included. There are extracts from the Annals of Boyle ; from a book of the port of St. Mary's Monastery ; from the Red Book, the White Book, the Black Book, &c. These contain notices regarding St. Patrick's purgatory, Irish annalistic notes, churches and their founders, together with names of the Archbishops and Bishops of Dublin. There are extracts from Clyn's Annals and from the Annals of Ulster. Besides Gildas' " Historia Bri- tonum" — already published by the Irish Archaeological Society — there is a Latin Life of Gildas, with extracts referring to Ireland and Britain. 7< It contains 104 leaves. '5 It comprises Annals of Ireland from 1162 to 1579, as printed at the end of Camden's Britannia ; names of the Bishops of Kildare — twenty-three in number — from the time of St. Brigid to a.d. 1518; note* INTROD UCTION. E. 3, 28. This is a paper folio, 7^ written by several hands, about the com- mencement of the seventeenth century.77 XXXVII. E, 4, 2. This is an old vellum folio.78 This manuscript?? has been analysed by Edward O'Reilly, in Monk Mason's Catalogue ; while there are additional annotations and corrections, by Dr. Todd.^° O'Reilly considers this manuscript more ancient than the eleventh or twelfth centuries. It is usually known as the " Liber Hymnorum." The hymns or poems are mostly in the Latin language, but some are in the Irish.^^ In part, they have been published,^^ by the Irish Archaeological Society. XXXVIII. E. 4, 3. This is a vellum folio, con- taining the " Books of Obits and Martyrology of Christ Church, Dublin."^^ It comprises 159 leaves, perfectly legible throughout, illustrated, and written in the fifteenth or sixteenth centuries. Many festivals of Irish saints are interspersed through the Martyrology. XXXIX. E. 4, 6. This is a folio, partly vellum and partly paper. ^'^ It includes Pembridge's '* Annales Rerum Hibernicarum."^s XL. E. 4, 10. This is a quarto paper manuscript, written by at least two" different hands, and in the seventeenth century.^^ It contains " Vita et Legenda S. Brigidse Virginis.''^? XLI. E. 5, 23. This is an old and a beautiful octavo manuscript of the 12th or 13th century, and written on vellum. It is lettered on the back, " Florentii Opera Historica."^^ on Irish saints ; Annals of Ireland from A. D. 947 to the death of Gerald, Count of Kil- dare, A.D. 15 13, written by Phil. Fflatis- bury of Johnyston, near Naas, in 1577. On the first page of the MS., containing the foregoing subjects, we find written : "To my very loving friend Mr. Thos. Messingham, President of Boncourt College at Paris," to whom this MS. formerly belonged. 7* It consists of 70 leaves. ^^ Among the matter it contains will be found an extract from the Annals of Con- naught, A.D. 432 to 466. There are three Irish hymns on St. Brigid, attributed to Saints Columkille, Broccan and Sanctan ; the successors of St. Patrick to A.D. 1356, taken from the Ulster Annals ; an English extract, from a Life of St. Patrick ; Fiach's Irish hymn in praise of St. Patrick, with English notes and comments. '^ Its leaves are greatly stained, owing to the etiects of time. " It is profusely and beautifully illustrated, with coloured initial and interlaced letters, in the old Irish manner. ^° This manuscript contains 34 leaves, with three subjoined fragments of vellum. '' These compositions are interlined throughout, with scholia or comments. *• They have been edited by Dr. Todd. ^■' This MS. has been published for the Irish Archaeological Society, and the matter it contains, therefore, is accessible to the general reader. It has been edited by John Clarke Crosthwaite, A.M., while an intro- duction by Dr. Todd accompanies this pub- lication. For an account of the Martyrology especially see the introduction, pp. xli. to cii., and the body of this work, pp. 60 to 193- *■* Containing 36 leaves. ®5 These extend from 1162 to 1370. ^* It is copied from a more ancient one in the Cottonian Library. ^^ Ussher supposes this to have been the Life of St. Brigid, written by St. Ultan of Ardbraccan. It includes, also, various readings, on the margins, and copied from a more copious old MS., belonging to the Monastery of St. Magnus, at Ratisbon, in Bavaria. This was tenanted by Canons Regular of St. Augustme. ^^ It contains 156 leaves. Formerly it belonged to William Howard, who edited the works in question, at London, A.D. 1 592. The matters of most interest included for Irish ecclesiastical historians, are Ap- pendices ad Marianum Scotum and the Chronicon Chronicorum, or the history of England to A.D. 1 138. ex INTR OD UCTION. XLII. E. 5, 28. This is a vellum folio manuscript,^? and it was written in the 1 2th or 13th century. 9° XLIII. E. 6, 2. This is a very small quarto vellum manuscript,?^ beautifully written, about the 14th century.?' XLIV. F. I, 8.93 This is a large folio paper manuscript, and a comparatively modem transcript from an older copy, or from the original, commonly known as the " Liber Niger," or " Register of John Alan, Archbishop of Dublin." ^ XLV. F. I, 15, 16. The manuscripts thus classified are found in two folio paper volumes. Those form a collection of monastic records, referring to Ireland, as extracted from registers, belonging to the religious houses, and from other authentic records. The first volume contains 227 leaves. The second volume contains 258 leaves.9S Those manuscripts appear to have been written in the seventeenth century. XLVI. F. i, 18. This is a folio paper manuscript.?^ It was written by several different scribes in the seventeenth century.?7 XLVII. F. 3, 19. This is a folio paper manuscript.?^ It com- prises Conell M'Geoghegan's " History of Ireland," compiled in the year 1684-5.?? I^ ^s written in English. XLVIII. F. 4, 4. This is a folio paper ^3 It includes 41 leaves. 9° It contains the following lives or acts of saints : — i. Vita S. Ethelburgae, Virginis. 2. Vita et Translatio S. Wilfridae. 3. Trans- latio SS. Virginum Ethelburgae, Hildeli- thse ac Wilfridae. 4. De Alcunia Abbatissa. The MS. has a few marginal notes. 9' The most curious matters contained in it are, a list of the archbishops and bishops in many countries of Europe and Asia, " De situJerusalemetDe Locis Sanctis, "by Vene- rable Bede, with curious figures, " Merlini Scoti Vaticinium," with expositions of Mer- lin's Prophecies. The foregoing belonged to Archbishop Ussher. 9^ It comprises 241 folios. 93 The manuscripts, commencing with the classification, F. i, i, belonged to Sterne, Bishop of Clogher, who died in 1745. See Wills' "Lives of Illustrious and Distin- guished Irishmen," vol. iv., part ii. Fourth Period, p. 471. 9* It contains many charters and decrees, referring to the privileges and possessions of churches within his diocese. 95 Many of these, however, are blank, and a still greater number are partially filled. They contain invaluable materials for illus- trating the mediaeval period of Irish ecclesi- astical history. 9* It consists of 198 leaves. 97 Matters of importance for illustrating Irish ecclesiastical history are these — viz. : I. The names of archdeacons and deans in different dioceses in Ireland, from the 12th to the 1 6th century. 2. A list of 63 Irish saints, in Irish and English, copied by TuUy O'Conry, 20th April, 1658, at Madrid. The dates of their festivals and places, and where they were venerated in Ireland, are furnished in many instances. 3. There are several pages of ecclesiastical returns, re- lating to different Irish dioceses, as also grants of abbatial lands, from the time of Edward I. to that of Charles I. 4. " A Registry of All Saints' Monastery, near Dublin." 5. "Annals of the Blessed Virgin Mary's Monastery, Dublin," from A.D. 684 to 1434. 6. " Annals of Multi- femam," from A.D. 45 to A.D. 1274. 7. Excerpts from the " Annals of All Saints, Ireland, in Loughree. " These annals were written by Augustin Magraidcn, canon of that place (Circitcr, 1400). The extracts extend from A.D. 1004 to 144 1. 8. " Ex- cerpta ex Annalibus Loughkeensibus," ab. A.D. 1249 ad A.D. 1356. 9. "The Annals of Inisfallen," from A.D. 430 to A.D. 1 175 in Latin. A continuation in English from A. D. 1 1 73 to A.D. 1 28 1. A continuation in Latin, from A.D. 1283 to 1320. 10. Extracts in English from the " Annals of Leinster," ex- tending from 1 1 72 to 1 1 78. II. Anony- mous " Annals of Ireland," from A.D. 1136 to 1252, in English. 9* Containing 133 leaves, numbered, with five additional as a preface. 99 This commences with the first man, Adam, and it continues to A.D. 140S. INTRODUCTION. manuscript of collections '*» made about the year 1600.'°^ XLIX. F. 4, 6.'°=» This is a vellum folio manuscript. ^°3 L. F. 4, 22.^°* This is a paper octavo manuscript. ^°s LI. F. 4, 30. This is a paper duodecimo manuscript, '°° written about the middle of the seventeenth century. '°7 LII. F. 5, 7. This is a beautifully traced and illuminated quarto vellum manuscript,'"^ supposed to have been written about a.d. i40o.'°9 LIII, H. i, ii. This is a folio paper manuscript,"" compiled by Hugh O'Daly, in the eighteenth century."' LIV. H. I, 18. This is a paper folio manuscript."" It was written during the last century."3 Within the cover, it contains a quarto paper manu- script,"* copied from a manuscript, written by Dr. O'Conor, to whom this *' Miscellanea Hibernica" had formerly been lent."S LV. H. i, 19."* This is a quarto vellum and paper manuscript."^ It has been written at various periods, and by different hands."^ LVI. H. 2, 16. "9 This is a paper '°° These comprise the " Vaticinal History of Ireland," by Giraldus Cambrensis, in Eng- lish, with addenda from a "Book of the Lord of Howth," and from other sovirces. "" It contains 91 leaves. '°' It comprises 134 leaves. "3 This MS. contains the "Vita S. Pa- tricii," by Jocelin ; as also the "Vita S. Malachise," by St. Bernard. The latter portion, however, is imperfect. "< It contains 82 leaves. '"5 This MS. contains notices regarding the foundations of religious houses, as also inquisitions relating to monasteries, in the time of Henry VIII., with extracts and do- cuments, taken from various monastic re- gisters. '°* It contains 246 leaves. '°7 This MS., contains. I. The date for the foundation of Cistercian Monasteries in Ireland. 2. A very useful catalogue of the saints of Ireland, as taken from the Annals of Ulster and of Connaught. 3. A few ex- tracts, from an ancient book of hymns for Irish saints. This MS. also includes many other useful illustrations of Irish history. "* It contains 451 leaves. '°9 This MS. comprises solely the "Le- genda Sanctorum, "by Jacobus de Voragine. "' It contains 182 leaves. "' This MS. contains, I. A Life of St. Brigid, according to the accounts of learned antiquarians handed down by tradition. It begins with treA^cuf -oo "OubcAt. 2. A Life of St. Patrick. It begins with " Po- pulus qui sedebat." 3. Various prophecies. 4. The Rule of St. Mochoda, in Irish. 6. Poems by Beg mac De, the Prophet, and by St. Columkille, by St. Fursey, by Kia- rain, by Maol Isa, &c. 7. A Litany, by St. Fursey. 8. Catalogue of male and fe- male Irish saints, in alphabetical order. 9, Account of the mothers of some amongst the most remarkable Irish saints. 10. Pedi- grees of Irish saints. 1 1 . The second his- tory or pedigree of the saints of Ireland in verse. "* It includes 218 leaves, most of which are numbered. "3 This MS. contains, the Annals of Tighernach of Clonmacnoise, continued to the year 1407, by Augustine Magraiden, and by a certain anonymous writer ; as also the " Chronicon Scotorum." This latter work has been learnedly edited by William M. Hennessy, M.R.I, A., in 1866. Pub- lished by the Master of the Rolls, in his series. "* Of 36 pages. "S The small tract, written by Dr. O'Conor, gives an elenchus of the contents in 15 codices, of the larger MS. "* This collection has 99 vellum pages, all closely filled with writing ; and 31 paper leaves, mostly blank. "7 This contains "Annals of Ireland," from A.D. 1 014. These are called " Annals of Kilronan," and within the cover we find a quarto tract, written by Eugene O'Curry. He supplied the deficiencies of this MS., from the Clarendon MSS., in the British Museum Library. This addendum was copied accurately, May, 1849. "* Some portions of this MS. are faded and illegible, and it is imperfect. "' It contains 24 1 leaves. cxu INTRODUCTION. quarto manuscript,^*^ written by John M'Gauran."^ LVII. H. 2, 16. This is a folio vellum manuscript — with the exception of one small tract on paper — containing books and fragments of books, written by various hands,"^ and at different periods. "3 It contains many tracts of great importance,"* for illustrating the history, antiquities and literature of ancient Ireland. "s LVIII. H. 2, 17. This is a quarto manuscript."^ It contains books and fragments of books, in various shapes and sizes. The handwriting is by different persons, and at various times."^ It contains 245 vellum leaves — partly illuminated but greatly defaced — and 41 paper leaves."^ LIX. H. 3, 18. This is a quarto manuscript, "9 in two distinct parts. The first part consists of 457 numbered pages ; the second part, beginning with p. 458, continues to p. 868. In addition it has 8 numbered pages.'3° They were written at different periods, by various hands, and on miscellaneous sub- jects. »3i Many of those tracts are most beautifully traced on vellum, of which material the manuscript is principally made up, with the exception of a few pages.'3' LX. H. 4, 4.^33 This is a small quarto book.'34 The contents are in the Irish language and character. ^35 Apparently in the eighteenth century this manuscript was produced. *36 -LXI. H. 4, 6, 7. '*° The sole matter of hagiological im- portance in this MS. is a Life of St. Maed- hog, first Bishop of Ferns. The body of this narrative is prose ; but some poems and extracts from poems are occasionally intro- duced. Some of these are found in the shape of prophecies, and they are said to . have been delivered by Maedhog himself. "' Between the years 1715 and 1720. "' This MS. is illuminated throughout, while generally in good order and legible. "5 But mostly in the 14th and isth cen- turies. "* Among these may be enumerated, i. Cormac's " Glossaiy." 2. Poems on various historical and religious subjects. 3. A short account of St. Cummin Fada. 4. A list of the Bishops of Armagh, and the length of time that each bishop governed the see, from St. Patrick to Giolla Mac Liag, successor of St. Malachy O'Morgair. 5. " Prophecy of St. Moling." 6, An account of the mother of St. Patrick, and of his five sisters. 7. The "Amhra Columkille," by Dalian Forgall, with a copious gloss. 8. A tract on Colman, son of Duagh, from whom Kil- mac Duach is called. 9. A story of the Prophet Beg mac De. 10. A short notice of St. Columkille. "s This MS. contains 250 leaves, and it is badly bound. There are besides a few scraps of paper in it : and one of these is in Dr. O'Donovan's handwriting. '=* It is badly bound. '*^ Some of these writers appear to have lived, so early as the 13th and 14th centuries, while others lived late as the 17th century. "* In this MS. will be found a discourse of St. Columkille ; tracts on St. Ciarain of Cluain Boain ; on St. Moling ; on St. Fursey ; on St. Columkille ; genealogies of different Irish saints, beginning with St. Patrick. Besides these, the MS. contains many other valuable tracts, on Irish his- torical and religious subjects. "9 It is badly bound. '3° These are made up of books and frag- ments of books, in various sizes. '3' The ecclesiastical and historical matters of most interest will be found : First, An explanation of some of the difficult words in the Felire of Aengus, or Calendar of Aon- gus ; secondly, a treatise on the Ogham characters, and lastly, various law tracts, poems and Irish family genealogies. '32 Many of these are defaced and illegible. '33 It numbers 97 leaves. '34 It contains a poem, attributed to St. Columkille, and a Life of St. Kevin of Glendalough, in prose. This latter tract has been divided in the binding. '35 The subjects are miscellaneous, and mostly in verse. '3* It was written by different hands. INTROD UCTION. cxm This paper manuscript's^ consists of two volumes. '38 Vol. i. contains 182 pages, besides blank ones interleaved. Vol. ii. consists of 164 pages, inter- leaved.'39 LXII. H. 4, i4.''io This is a small quarto paper manuscript.'*' The handwriting is good ; but the ink is bad and the paper thin.'^^ LXIII. H. 4, 27. This is a paper manuscript, '^3 which includes 40 pages at one end, and 15 at the other, containing writing. '44 LXIV, I. i, 3. This is a large folio paper manuscript, consisting of 336 pages. '45 It should be re- marked, in closing this list of the Trinity College Library'46 manuscripts,'47 as specially referring to Irish ecclesiastical history and hagiology, before the twelfth century, that there are many other tracts, whence notices might be culled, serving to elucidate — less directly, however — the scope and matter of this present work.'48 The public library — called Archbishop Marsh's — attached to St. Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin, contains several lives of Irish saints, '49 and other matters '3' In duodecimo size. '3» These are bound in vellum, and re- spectively lettered, on the back, " Clerici, Reges et Sancti Hibemise." "Vol. i." "Vol. ii." They were beautifully and legibly written, by Maurice O'Gorman, about A. D. 1770. '39 The second volume is made up of valu- able Irish hagiological tracts exclusively, and it contains genealogies of Irish saints, an Irish poem, by Eochaidh Eigeas O'Clai- reachan ; besides pedigrees of Irish saints, in prose, with the dates of their festivals, and the years in which most of them died. '<° This includes 102 leaves. '♦' There is nothing of ecclesiastical value in it, except O'Dugan's Rules for finding the festivals, and parts of the year in verse, written on one leaf of the MS. '<' These latter characteristics make it a matter of some difficulty to read certain pas- sages. '43 In 1 6 mo size. '44 Chiefly by Edward Llwyd, the Welsh antiquary. It contains a " Catalogue of Irish Chronicles," and "Names of Ancient Irish Bishops." '45 The only matter referring to Irish ha- giology, in this MS., is a letter from a Mr. Domville, dated Jan. 6th, '82, concerning a traditionary dispute between St. Laserianus or Molaissi and St. Munnu, in a Synod held at Leighlin, A.D, 630, and regarding a well there, sacred to the former saint. ^46 For a pretty accurate and complete ac- count of this noble institution, with accom- panying illustrations, the reader is referred to W. B. S. Taylor's " History of the Uni- versity of Dublin," chap, ix., § ii., pp. 308 to 320. Since the period of its publication in 1845, considerable changes have been effected, which greatly require the modifica- tion of several statements. '47 For a more complete, yet compendious account of the manuscripts in Trinity College Library, Dublin, the reader is referred to J. T. Gilbert's enumeration in * * Fourth Re- port of the Royal Commission on Historical Manuscripts," part i., pp. 588 to 599. '4^ The Library of Trinity College con- tains many very rare and valuable historical works. Manuscript catalogues and slips in alphabetical order include a list of the books. In 1854, the late Dr. James Henthorn Todd, edited an 8vo volume, which was published the same year. It is intituled : " Catalogus Librorum quibus aucta est Bibliotheca Col- legii SS. Trinitatis Reginae Elizabethae, juxta Dublin, anno exeunte Kal. Novembr., M. DCCC.Liii., Dublin. Subsequently, the same indefatigable scholar had prepared and issued that finely printed folio — the first of a series yet to be completed — " Ca- talogus Librorum Impressorum qui in Biblio- theca Collegii Sacrosanctse et individuse Trinitatis Reginae Elizabethae, juxta Dublinii adservantur. Tomus Primus, cum suppple- mento, continens litteras A et B." Dublinii : e Typographeo Academico. M.DCCC.LXIV. The third volume is already( 1875) published, while succeeding volumes are slowly under- going the process of publication. '*9 The chief of these is in a MS. classed V. 3, 4, among the Marsh MSS., and it appears unauthoritatively intituled, " Codex Kilkenniensis." This is imperfect, both at CKIV INTR on UCTION. of ecclesiastical importance ;^so but most of these records refer to compara- tively recent periods of our history. St. Patrick's Public Library was founded about the beginning of the last century, and at present it contains over 18,000 printed old volumes,^5i of great historical and ecclesiastical in- terest's* In the endowment, little has been left for binding the books and manuscripts, or for increasing their number, through the purchase of modem works or documents. '53 The Royal Dublin Society, besides its fine collection of printed works,'54 preserves a small manuscript collection, 'ss which must be useful in the com- pilation of a work like the present. Nothing of an original character, however, is kept ; but there are several extracts, copied from charters, archives, muni- ments, and various documents, printed and in manuscript. For our present purpose, the collections of William King,'s6 Protestant Archbishop of Dublin, and of Walter Harris, are most serviceable. '57 This society was founded June 25th, 1731, for promoting husbandry and other useful arts and sciences in Ireland,'5^ and it was incorporated by the Irish Parliament in 1750. The library contains about 60,000 volumes, and it is practically open to the reading public, at convenient hours. '59 the beginning and at the end. It is a velluna folio, written in old contracted Latin. Each page is in double columns, and alternate pages are only numbered. The first and last pages are so stained and defaced, as to be almost illegible. The Rev. William Reeves supposes it to have been at one time in pos- session of Archbishop Ussher. '50 The most interesting of these are pro- bably, a " Processionale," as it is described by Dr. Robert Travers, and according to the use of the Church of Salisbury, which appears to have prevailed in some of our Irish churches — a beautiful and perfect vel- lum copy, with musical notation ; Dudley Loftus' "Annales Hibemiae," transcribed from older sources, and sparsely written by him within the leaves of a large manuscript ; a copy of Archbishop John Alan's "Re- pertorium Viride," with a copy of his " Li- ber Niger, seu Registrum" — the two lat- ter refer to the state and charters of the Dublin archdiocesan churches. All the foregoing are in folio. There is a paper copy of Keating's " History of Ireland," in small 4to. The other manuscripts — to the number of about 100 — have little direct reference to ecclesiastical history ; nor have their contents been even adequately de- scribed. *s' Of these more than three-fourths are Latin, Greek and Hebrew. '5* The late courteous Librarian of St. Patrick's, Rev. Thomas Russell Cradock, A.M., and his assistant, the truly learned Dr. Robert Travers, A.M., afforded the writer peculiar aid in the examination and useof ma- nuscripts and books requisite for his purpose. '53 See W. B. S. Taylor's " History of the University of Dublin," chap, vii., § ii., pp. 241 to 244. '54 The "Catalogue of the Library of the Royal Dublin Society" was originally issued in 1839 at Dublin in 8vo. It was re- issued, with supplement, in the same form, A.D. 1850. Yearly additions to the library are printed in separate catalogues. '55 This is contained in an iron safe, with some rare books on Irish history, or which are curious for other reasons. '5* These manuscripts of Archbishop King were consulted by Archdall, while compiling his " Monasticon," and they are frequently quoted by him. '57 To procure the collection of Harris' MSS. for the Dublin Society, the Irish Par- liament voted £^QO. This fact is stated on the title-page of one of these manuscripts. 1 '58 A number of statistical surveys of the various Irish counties has been published at various dates, from the beginning of the present century, and those surveys, in many instances, contain some valuable notices of antiquities. '59 From 10 o'clock in the morning to 10 o'clock at night. INTR on UCTION. cxv Among the Dublin Society's manuscripts the " Collectanea de Rebus Hibemicis/' in ten folio paper volumes, with two folios of indices, and which formerly belonged to Harris, are doubtless of great interest, for the illus- tration of Irish history. The first volume of indices refers to six volumes of the collection : while the second volume of the indices relates to from volume vii. to X. of the collection. By referring to the contents of all, it must be appa- rent, that this chronological arrangement of materials for Irish history, from A.D. ii54to A.D. i7ii,willbe of indispensable necessity, for the future historian of Ireland, within such an interval. The documents, extracts, or memoranda are taken from Irish rolls, charters, letters-patent, statutes, bulls, decrees, proclamations, public and private state-papers, muniments, conciliar consti- tutions and ordinances, deeds and grants. Again, from printed historical works, many extracts have been made. A very considerable portion of this collected matter has never yet seen the light in published shape. '^° The first volume contains most documents suitable for illustration of those biogra- phies which succeed ; but, throughout it, and the succeeding volumes, are various notices of historic churches and of their possessions, from the twelfth to the eighteenth century. This first volume contains 475 folios, but having nearly double the number of pages written. In it are the Constitutions the Council held at Cashel, a.d. i 172 ; a confirmation of the lands and posses- sions belonging to the Abbey of Glendalough ; concessions to the Arch- bishop of Dublin, a.d. 1192 ; an extract from the " Crede mihi," regarding the union of Dublin and of Glendalough, a.d. 1216 ; the bull for canonization of St. Laurence O'Toole, &c., &c. From a.d. 1154 to a.d. 1324 these extracts extend. The second volume contains 269 folios, with nearly double the num- ber of written pages, containing a vast number of ecclesiastical and civil docu- ments. From A.D. 1326 to a.d. 1357 these documents range. The third volume contains 276 folios, with nearly double the number of written pages, chiefly relating to civil — but frequently to ecclesiastical — affairs, from a.d* 1357 to 1453. The fourth volume contains 516 folios, with nearly double the number of written pages, relating to obscure ecclesiastical and civil matters, from a.d. 1424 to a.d. 1557. The fifth volume contains 441 folios, chiefly written on both pages, and its notices are principally of a civil cha- racter, although some have references to ecclesiastical matters, from a.d. 1559 to A.D. 1602. The sixth volume comprises 230 folios, with nearly double that number of written pages, illustrating Irish civil history, more especially Irom A.D. 1602 to 1633. The seventh volume contains 431 foHos, nearly all of which are written on both sides. They contain matters, chiefly of a civil character, from a.d. 1633 to a.d. 1640. The eighth volume contains 369 folios, nearly all of which are written on both sides. They are chiefly of a civil complexion, and extending from a.d. 1641 to a.d. 1645. The '** It eminently deserves attention, and of the Master of the Rolls. Numberless the services of a competent editor should documents here serve to illustrate English be secured to bring it out, under supers'ision history as much as Irish. h cxvi INTRODUCTION. ninth volume contains 336 folios, chiefly written on both sides. The matter principally relates to civil history, from a.d. 1645 to 1680. The tenth volume contains 319 folios, nearly altogether written on both sides. The matter is chiefly civil, from a.d. 1685 to 1711. Besides the foregoing, there is a large folio manuscript of 179 written pages. This is intituled, " Syllabus Chartarum et Litterarum Patentium de Rebus Hibernicis Ordine Chrono- logico digestus collected from Rymer's Faedera, Doctor Wilkins's Councils, Bullarum Romanum, Birmingham Tower Records, &c., &c., intended as a subsidia ad Rem Historicam Hibernicam," by Walter Harris, Esq. Another interesting large folio manuscript of 206 numbered pages, with nine addi- tional, and all closely written, belonged to Walter Harris. The matters of chief ecclesiastical and record importance are: — i. Codices MSS. in Biblio- theca Lambethiana, ad res Hibernicas pertinentes.'^' 2. Codices MSS. in Bibliotheca Bodleiana de Rebus Hibernicis.'^* 3. A Topographical Divi- sion of ye County of Clare.'^^ 4. Codices MSS. in Bibliotheca Ducis de Chandois, a Jacobo Warseo olim collecti.'^* Another large folio, containing 227 numbered pages, written, however, only on one side, belongs to the Harris collection. It is intituled : " Syllabus Chartarum et Literanmi Pa- tentium de Rebus Hibernicis Ordine Chronologico digestus."'^s There is another folio manuscript, which undoubtedly belonged to Walter Harris, but which has now no title, except an illegible one, traced on the back of its cover. It has 374 numbered pages, and it seems to have been destined for entries of notes to illustrate the reigns of English monarchs, from Henry II. to Charles I. Yet, only from Henry Eighth's reign, a.d. 1399, to the 27th or 28th of Queen Elizabeth's, do we find any recorded events. These are chiefly of a civil nature. There is another large folio manu- script of Harris, containing 405 written pages of extracts, relating to Ireland's civil and ecclesiastical history. It bears no title, but it has a table of con- tents preceding. There is another manuscript of Harris' collection, and it contains 493 most legibly-written pages. It has no title, but it has a table of contents preceding. The tracts in this manuscript chiefly illustrate Irish civil history during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. They are mostly copies from the manuscripts of Rt. Rev. John Sterne, Protestant Bishop of Clogher. The foregoing eighteen folio volumes seem to comprize this valu- able collection of the Harris Manuscripts.'^^ The King Manuscripts, in two closely-written folio volumes, are intituled, " Collectanea de Rebus Hi- bernicis." What may be designated the first volume'^7 — although no distinc- tion is marked — contains 420 numbered pages, with several additional ones »*» From p. 1 to p. 93. the possessor of the King Collection, which »'•' From p. 94 to p. loi. is next to be described. »'3 From p. loi to p. 106. ■*? It is to be regretted, that no attempt "*< From p. 106 to p. 120. has been hitherto made to present a com- a's These documents range from a.d. plete epitome of the Dublin Society's Ma- 1155 to A.D. 1633. nuscripts ; nor aie they even classed as yet I»6 Yet, it is probable, Harris was aUo in an intelligible order. INTR OD UCTION. CXVll unmarked. ^^^ What may be described as the second volume — owing to the want of notation^^9 — comprises 427 closely-written pages. These are fol- lowed by a very complete index^7o to the whole of the preceding pages. Again, we find the sources — whence the manuscripts were drawn — indicated, with letters and diagrams or symbols,^7i showing the several authorities, in a very satisfactory manner. As an appendix to this latter volume, we find two other historical papers of considerable interest, and added, apparently, at some after period, before the volumes had been bound.'^^ In addition to the foregoing, there is a modern paper manuscript copy of the " Foras Feassa ar Eirion," or Keating's History of Ireland, in the Irish character. '73 Other manuscripts kept there have no interest for the student of Irish history. It is very certain, that one of the finest and most extensive collections of manuscripts in the world, for the illustration or compiling of our national Saints' Acts, is that contained in the Royal Irish Academy's Library, Dublin. Comparatively recent as has been the formation of this institution,'74 its ''^ This includes a very choice collection, in whole or in part, of extracts taken from various Irish annals, inquisitions, deeds, charters, manuscripts and printed books, specially referring to Irish history. This is an invaluable and a well-indexed manuscript, of very great importance for the study of an Irish hagiographist or ecclesiologist. The antiquary, topographer and chronographer will find, likewise, abundant matter in it of the highest interest. '*5 On a previous blank page is written, " Collectanea Rev. admodum viri Gulielmi King, nuper Arpi Dublin de Hospitalibus potissimum, Coenobiis, et Monasteriis Hi- bemicis ; varia etiam alia de Rebus Hi- bemicis, tam Ecclesiasticis, quam Civilibus complectentia MS." ''''It is headed, "Index Rerum Memo- rabilium quae in hoc Libro continentur summa industria congestus." This index contains 37 closely- written pages. It is followed by eight additional pages, which are headed " Tabulae in qua Nomina Hospit. Ccenobiorum, Monasteriorum, &c., in hoc Libro occurrentium Ordine Alphabetico de- scribuntur." '7» These sources are thus noted in order : —"I. Chartse Civit. Dublin. 2.Rotul. Rem. 3. Repertorium Arpi Dublin. 4. Antiqui- tates Hiberniae. 5. Officium Rotul. 6. Repertorium Civitatis Dublin. 7. Sacca- rium. 8. Rotul. Pipoe. 9. Communia Placita. 10. Rotul. Coglei. 11. Calendar Fratrum Prsdicatorum Limer. 12. An- nates Loughkeensis. 13. Rotuli in Turri Londin. 14. Repertorium Clochorens. 15. Codex Status Fratrum Minorum. 16. Status Cisterc. 17. Annates Pembrokian. 18. Chart£e Jacobi Ducis Ormond. 19. Bermingham Turris. 20. Ware, de Prossu- libus." After this, we find a Latin note, that in the year 1732, Walter Harris had caused all the included papers or extracts in those two manuscript volumes to be tran- scribed from a manuscript codex, belonging to the Rt. Rev. William King, lately Arch- bishop of Dublin. Afterwards, five pages follow, and these refer to the foundations and charters of Irish religious houses. Then a short column succeeds, with paginal re- ferences to religious houses almost un- known, and here mentioned in this volume. '7^ There are headed, " An Abstract of the Grand Inquisition of the County of Down, Anno 1621," in 48 closely-written pages ; again a heading, " De Concilio Hi- berniae per Magnates totius illius Insulce," taken from the "Liber Niger," in Trinity College, Dublin, f. 6 a. This latter docu- ment is thought to date A.D. 1295, and it takes up six pages and a half page. Other documents are, A Grant of Freedoms to the City of Dublin, by King Henry II., with supplementary Charters, and a Charter, granting Meath to Hugh de Lacy. A short and an unimportant index closes thisMS. volume. '" It comprises 140 folios, well and legibly traced on both sides, although on poor paper. '?■» The Royal Irish Academy, for pro- moting the study of Science, Polite Litera- CXVUl INTRODUCTION. members have already acquired, by donation or purchase, most invaluable historical, poetical, and topographical tracts, especially in the native lan- guage. Besides many old and original manuscripts, generally in a fine state of preservation, more modern copies, from older sources, have been procured. It will only be necessary to mention here, the O'Longan family collection, Edward O'Reilly's, Sir William Betham's, the Messrs. Hodges and Smith's, James Hardiman's, John Windale's, Du Noyefs Antiquarian Drawings, with some less extensive additions. Not to speak of the Ordnance Survey collection and sketches, these MSS. are the gradual acquisition of less than a century, while the stock promises a continuance of increase. Much progress has been already made with the task of preparing suitable catalogues,'' 75 by order of the council.'^^ Messrs. Owen Connellan and Eugene O'Curry'77 have partially described the contents of Irish Manuscripts.' 78 Since their death, this work has been resumed by Messrs. O'Longan and Br)'an O'Looney, M.R.I.A. Other competent and zealous Irish scholars have likewise contributed to extend a knowledge of matters contained in this department of literature.'79 De- scriptions are to be found in printed volumes, regarding some of the most important among those manuscripts and their contents.'^ The writer has ture, and Antiquities, was incorporated by the Irish Parliament, a d. 1786. '75 As yet, these are in manuscript, with the exception of Sir William R. Wilde's learned and scientifically designed " Cata- logue of the Antiquities of Materials in the Museum of the Royal Irish Academy." Dublin, 1857, et seq. In three parts, pro- fusely illustrated. The remaining parts are yet to be published. '7' And under the able direction of John T. Gilbert, Esq., M.R.I.A., Librarian. '77 Mr. Eugene O' Curry had been em- ployed to give a complete Catalogue Rai- sonni of all materials — especially Irish — contained in the manuscript department. This task was commenced in 1842. He soon compiled a large folio volume, thus described by himself, and in his own hand- writing, on the fly-leaf: "A Catalogue of the Number and Contents of Messrs. Hodges and Smith's Collection of Irish Manuscripts," by Eugene Curry, Dublin, 1843. In the year 1842, as is apparent from a note in Eugene O'Curry's own hand- writing, prefixed to the first volume, he commenced the compilation of a Catalogue, comprised in three large folio volumes. Besides these, he compiled two more volumes, describing the Betham collection of Irish Manuscripts. In all, this learned Irish scholar and scribe compiled six large folio volumes of Catalogues, containing a description of all the manuscripts preserved in the Royal Irish Academy's collection, to that period, when his labours terminated. »7^ It must be understood, that these are described according to the classification adopted in the old Academy House in Grafton-slreet, and before the Institution had been transferred to its present site in Dawson-street, Dublin. '79 Denis H. Kelly, Esq., M.R.I.A., has compiled, in two folio volumes, an Alpha- betical Index of subjects to five of Eugene O'Curry's Catalogue volumes. This valu- able personal compilation was presented by Mr. Kelly to the Academy in 1861. These Indices are most creditable to this gentle- man's industry, learning, method, judgment and public spirit. '*° The reader is specially referred to Eugene O'Curry's " Lectures on the Manu- script Materials of Ancient Irish History ;" as also to a work, by the same author, " On the Manners and Customs of the An- cient Irish. " A Series of Lectures. Edited, with an Introduction, Appendices, etc., by W. K.Sullivan, Ph.D. Likewise,see "Trans- actions of the Royal Irish Academy," and " Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy," from the first to the latest volumes. INTRODUCTION. CXIX frequently, and for many years past, consulted the manuscripts and books belonging to this noble institution,'^' while he has drawn from them some of the most valuable illustrative matter, contained in succeeding pages of this work. Permission being accorded, by the Superior-General of the Franciscans, at Rome, to remove the valuable collection of Irish MSS., kept at St. Isidore's Convent,'^* to Dublin, together with several rare works, relating to our national history,*^3 about the beginning of 1872, these treasures were safely transferred to the Franciscan Convent, on Merchant's-quay.'^'* Some of these MSS., having been removed from Louvain originally, are in Colgan's beautifully minute, yet legible hand-writing. Many of them had been used during the compilation of his hagiographical works. Besides what have been already partially described, a good sized folio paper MS. of Irish Saint's Lives, written in Latin, is remarkable. Most legibly and elegantly transcribed or compiled'^5 for the purpose of publication, it includes 304 very closely-written pages. The Acts of St. Attracta, which precede the index, are not numbered, and throughout this MS., there are various margi- nal notes. '^^ Nor can I discover that these Acts — except very few — had been published by Colgan in their present form •^'^^ although it seems evident ''' Long before he had the honour of being elected a Member of the Royal Irish Academy, the writer enjoyed the privilege mentioned ; and, during the whole period, since his first introduction as a reader, he has received the most unremitting kindness and attention from the Librarian, John T. Gilbert, Esq. ; from the Clerk of the Aca- demy, Edward Clibbom, Esq. ; from the Resident Curator, Robert M'Eniry, Esq. ; and from the Assistant Clerks, Messrs. J. J. MacSweeney and R. F. O'Mulrennan. '^^ The Irish Manuscripts preserved at St. Isidore's, Rome, had been described in letters from Charles MacDonnell, Esq. , and read before the Royal Irish Academy on June I2th, 1854. See " Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy," vol. vi., pp. 95 to 112. *^5 This happy incident, and an admirable poetic description of the recovered national treasures, are most spiritedly and feelingly recorded in a poem, intituled, "The St. Isidore Manuscripts, now in St. Francis', Dublin." It was written by John Francis O'Donnell, and published in "The Nation" of 30th March, 1872. The following is its opening stanza : — " From Ireland of the four bright seas. In troublous days these treasures came — Through clouds — through fires — through darknesses — To Rome of immemorial- name — Rome of immeasurable fame. The reddened hands of foes would rive Each lovely growth of cloister — crypt — Dim folio, yellow manuscript — Where yet the glowing pigments live ; But a clear voice cried from Louvain : ' Give them to me, for they are mine !' And so they sped across the main — The Saints their guard, the ship their shrine." '^^ The task of selection, supervision, and direction, was left to the learned Father Theobald Carey, O.S.F. To him, the writer feels deeply indebted, as custodian of these treasures, for every facility afforded to peruse and copy them. Father Carey has most kindly supplied many extracts of great value, during the progress of this work, and which greatly enhance the value of its con- tents. '85 By Father John Golde, O.S.F. The title of this MS., already alluded to, is "Vitffi Sanctorum ex Codice Inisensi." '^* All apparently in Colgan's hand- writing. '^7 Among the exceptions are the Acts of St. Gerald, at the 13th of March. These cxx INTR Or> UCTION. he had intended them for publication. Again, there are three large Fas- ciculi, in folio, including some hundreds of closely-written pages, for the most part — indeed nearly altogether — in Colgan's hand-wTiting. These are loosely placed within vellum covers. They seem to have been a first draft of Lives, Appendices, and Notes, which Colgan afterwards printed, but in a more enlarged and finished way, in his " Trias Thaumaturga."'^^ In one case, over thirteen pages of St. Columban's Life are found ;'^9 these, how- ever, are not in Colgan's hand. Within a parchment cover, on which is inscribed " Martyr ologium Cathaldi Maguir, sive ^ngussius Auctus," and " 8 Ccnt.,"'9° there are forty-nine folios in vellum. '9' This codex is of the largest folio size, but several of the pages — especially towards the beginning and end — are so begrimed and worn, as to become illegible in various places. This valuable record was frequently consulted by Colgan. '9- Some of its initial letters are very curiously traced. Although there is a very general unifor- mity of Irish writing ; yet, here and there, can be detected the introduction of notes, and in different styles of Irish character. These are presumably modern, as compared with the original text. Besides the " Feilire " of .^ngus, and the Scholia affixed, this Codex has other Irish poems and com- ments interlined, both at the beginning and end. The " Liber Hymnorum," a vellum MS. of the ninth or tenth century, it is presumed, and in twenty- three folia,'93 is very much stained and worn, so as to be illegible in various places. *9* This differs in many respects from the MS. " Liber Hym- norum," preserved in Trinity College Library. Besides the foregoing, there is a beautifully and legibly transcribed copy '9s in parchment of Manus are printed verbatim from Colgan's copy of slip of small size. the " Book of the Island. The Acts of St. '»* He often quotes it under either of the Fechin, at the 20th of January ; the Life aforesaid titles. of St. Berach, at the 15th of February ; tlie '^ In 410 size. Acts of St. David, at the ist of March ; and '»* In the poem of John Francis O'Don- the Acts of St. Endeus, imperfect : these nell — to which allusion has lieen already are all taken from that " Book of the made — the following stanza thus faithfully Island." describes — and yet with some poetic li- '^ In one instance, I find a leaf, which cense — this venerable manuscript : — contains the concluding portion of St. *^ Liber Hymnorum ! Beauteous book, Seizin's Acts, and a part of the first note to Gray with the glory born of time, them, as published by Colgan in " Acta Dim leaves which the Franciscan took, Sanctorum Hibernioe," vi. Martii, p. 47S. At dewy eve, at early prime — This was not written by Colgan. Even at midnight's measured chime — '^ His feast occurs on the 21st of Novem- And on them wrote, with pen devout, ber. The life does not end in a complete ' The cries in which the Saints of God manner. Adored the blessed path He trod, '9" This indicates how that copy of the When sorrows ringed Him round about. " Feilire" belongs to the eighth century. Stand firm, dear Book, that all may see From another annotation, within the Codex, That in the years which have no name, we learn, that it was one of those MSS. Our country had a history, belonging to the Convent of Donegal. And Europe echoed back her fame." '»' Besides these, there is an additional "''^ In large 410 sliapc. INTRODUCTION. CXXl O'Donnell's Irish Life of St. Columkille.'?^ The subject matter of this Treatise is perfect throughout, but it wants a title. On the last page, John O'Neill, the name of its scribe, is to be found ; and, on the original blank side, a few irrelevant entries are to be seen. '97 The leaves are inserted within a much older embossed leather cover, of an exceedingly ingenious pattern, and reticulated, in the Irish style of art. '9^ Evidently the cover was not made for the present Codex, for it is somewhat smaller in size. There is another paper copy of this work in MS., but greatly damaged on many of the pages. It is under a very worn parchment cover, and there are included ii8 pages, closely written in Irish. '9^ Other leaves — in the beginning and end — contain a few irrelevant entries.'°° Besides those tracts, attributed to St. -^ngus the Culdee, as author, and contained in the ten vellum /<7//a,'°^ various other fragments of an interesting historical character are found.^°" Hardly less valuable — although not per- taining specially to the subject of Irish hagiology — are many highly important papers, ^°3 which preserve the arcana of Ireland's ecclesiastical and civil affairs, during the troubled period of the seventeenth century. '">♦ Reference is specially made to the papers of Father Luke Wadding. '9® It contains 132 pages, written in double columns, besides a quarter page, which concludes this work. '97 One of the comments there found are these words in Colgan's hand-writing, "Sancte Columba ora pro me peccatore." '9^ The Rev. Dr. Reeves is of opinion, that the cover had be'en prepared many hundred years before Manus O'Donnell wrote this life. J99 By Bryan MacNally, whose name is given in Latin, on the last page. 200 Throughout are various marginal an- notations of Colgan ; and, from this copy, he probably prepared his Latin translation, abbreviated for insertion and printed in the " Trias Thaumaturga. " '°' Extracted from the Book of Leinster. '"* William M. Hennessy, M.R.LA., de- scribes the following tracts. At page 16, and col. 3, there is a list of foreign saints, with some of the Irish Saints — resembling them in manner — compared. It is headed " Hie incipiunt Sancti qui erant unius moris." It has been published by Dr. Todd, in his " Marty rology of Donegal." Besides other treatises, composed by Irish Saints, or relating to them, we find at page 20, and col. 3, a poem of ten stanzas, as- cribed to St. Ciaran. The last composition on this same page, and in the tenth folium, is a poem of twelve stanzas, enumerating twice as many saints, whose intercession in heaven and whose prayers on earth were the same or of equal efficacy. *°3 For a very detailed and interesting account of the Manuscripts belonging to the former College of the Irish Franciscans, Ivouvain, that account of J. T. Gilbert may be consulted in "Fourth Report of the Royal Commission on Historical Manuscripts," part i., pp. 599 to 613. ^°^ John Francis O'Donnell thus concludes those glowing stanzas, to which attention has been already drawn :■ - XII. " Rare psalters, whose initals glow With fairy fancies— birds and flowers — Roses of everlasting blow, And blooms of never-fading bowers — Blue lakes, green isles, and mystic towers ! O blessed be the monkish hands Which filled each page with such sweet gi-ace. When earth for Learning found no place, And war streamed red across the lands. Fade never, but be monument Of what the brave Franciscans did, Wlien battle shook the Continent, And half the world in gloom lay hid. XIII. ' * Ireland shall treasure book and scroll ; And from their sacred leaves may rise cxxii INTRODUCTION. Some few of our Irish Catholic Colleges'°s and religious houses,"^* as likewise private collectors, have obtained very useful records, which help to solve many difficulties, in relation to our theme. The Irish Catholic University Library, Stephen's Green, Dublin, has already secured several valuable Irish MSS., collected or transcribed by a former eminent Gaelic scholar, Professor Eugene O'Curry. Copies of the Brehon Laws,^°7 have also been added. These manuscript contents may be conveniently clas- sified, under the following heads : — I. Historic Literature. II. Heroic Tales. III. Lives of Saints. IV. Glossaries. V. Laws. I. In the de- partment of Historic Literature, there is a choice collection of Historic Tales, Annals, and Genealogical works, with a rare collection of poems and prose pieces of great value. II. Of heroic and legendary pieces, there is a large selection, taken from poems and tracts, found among the oldest and best Irish manuscripts extant. '°^ III. In the Ecclesiastical department, there is a very large collection of the Lives of Irish Saints, Calendars, Homilies, Festilogies, &c., collected from the Libraries of Oxford, and of the British Museum, as likewise from those of the Royal Irish Academy and of Trinity College, Dublin. To those tracts is added that unique collection containing the Lives of Irish Saints, made by the indefatigable Michael O'Cleary, and by his brother scribes, known as the Four Masters. Those im- portant works, in the original, are now preserved in the Burgundian Library, at Brussels. From this collection, O'Curry selected copies of such biogra- A newer and a mightier soul, one for the Library of the Royal Irish To raise her nearer to the skies, Academy, and another for that of the And win her grander destinies. Catholic University. He got a conditional And Ireland never can forget undertaking, on behalf of the Brehon Law The loving men who through long Commission, that those sets should be made years — complete. This latter "^promise has not yet Sad centuries of silent tears — been fulfilled. Their seal upon these treasures set, '°* The value of this class of literature is Guarding them for the brighter day shown, by the important use made of them Which, be it far or close at hand, in O'Curry's Lectures on the " Manners Must pour inevitable ray and Customs of the Ancient Irish." Pro- On this unconquerable land." fessor Bryan O'Looney, of the Catholic University, has been so forcibly impressed »°s Among these, Maynooth contains some with the value of these Heroic and Legen- valuable Irish Historical Tracts. dary pieces, [that he has already collected »"* The Franciscan Convent, Wexford, and translated over 200 of such documents. has probably a large collection of such do- On the evening meeting of the nth Novem- cuments. ber, 1872, he submitted to the Royal Irish ">' These are distinguished from the rest, Academy for publication, no less than 153 by the title, "Smyth Collection," because independent pieces, illustrating this class of they were secured for the Catholic Univer- literature. Happily, these are now in course sity, owing to the exertions of Mr. P. J. of publication. This number is quite inde- Smyth, MP., for the County of Westmeath, pendent of his invaluable translation of the who, on entering Parliament, in the year " Leabhar na h-Uidhri," which he sub- 1872, brought this matter before the House. mitted to the Academy, during the previous He repeated a demand, until his exertions year. This translation has been referred to secured two sets of seventeen volumes each — the Council for publication. INTRODUCTION. CXXUl phies as are not elsewhere to be found. ^"9 He also copied some curious religious rules, poems, and pieces of great importance, for the student of Irish Ecclesiastical History.^'" IV. The Glossaries, collected by O'Curry, and styled the O'Curry Glossaries, number over twenty-five thousand sepa- rate articles. All of these have been copied, and arranged in alphabetical order. They may be put to press, so soon as funds can be made available for their publication.'" V. Laws. The collection of Brehon Law manuscripts was copied from transcripts, made by O'Donovan and O'Curry, under the direction of the Brehon Law Commission. Short as has been the time since the CathoHc University was founded, this National Institution has done more to promote the study of Irish Literature and Archaeology, than any other University or Collegiate establishment now existing.'" There are several thousand original Records preserved,"3 nearly all written in Norman or Latin court-hand, chiefly relating to the Possessions and Privileges of the Prior and Convent of the Holy Trinity, and sub- sequently of the Dean and Chapter of Christ Church, Dublin. Among those Records were the " Registrum Novum,""* the " Repertorium Viride,"''s a vellum book of entries comprising leases, belonging to Christ Church, '^ This he did, when many years ago MSS. had been sent over to Ireland by the Belgian Government. "° Professor O'Curry made these collec- tions, with a view to their translation, and hoping to have them published by the Ca- tholic University. But his valuable life was too short forsuch a great effort, and therefore no translations of those transcripts remain in his collection. However, his very worthy and industrious successor, in the Chair of Irish History and Archaeology, has taken up the programme where O'Curry broke off; and Professor O'Looney has now finished trans- lations of those ancient Irish Lives, with other most interesting tracts, rendered into English. In the kindest and most generous spirit. Professor O'Looney has afforded the most ready access to and use of these pre- cious materials to the author. ="' Besides the O'Curry Glossaries— pro- perly so called — there are several other col- lections, including those of the Brehon Laws. When added to the O'Curry collec- tion, thoseaccessions should bring the number of words to 34,000, which are not found, so explained, in any dictionary now available. ^" For proof of this assertion, the reader may be referred to those volumes of ' ' The Atlantis," published in Dublin, A.D. 1858, et seq. Likewise see O'Curry's " Lectures on the Manuscript Materials of Irish History, " and also O'Curry's " Lectures on the Manners and Customs of the People of Ancient Ire- land," edited, with an Introduction, Appen- dices, Glossary, and Indices, by his colleague Dr. Sullivan, efficiently assisted by Professor O'Looney. "3 These begin about the time of Henry II., and continue down to the Reformation, with little or no remarkable interruption. There is a Charter of Henry IL, issued about 1 1 72, to the former community ; while there are two Bulls of Pope Urban, to confirm the constitutions of Archbishop Comyn, and the possessions of this church, dated A.D. 1 1 86. There are many Papal Bulls and Indulgences, Statutes and Ordin- ances, Kings' Letters, Royal and Private Grants, Charters, Inquisitions, Conventions, Wills, Rolls of Accounts, and Rentals. ^'* Compiled by Doctor Lyon, in three folio volumes. It contained, copies of most of the foregoing Records, digested chronologically, with extracts from the "Liber Niger," and " Liber Albus," as also from the Chancery Rolls." His ob- ject appears to have been the furnishing of a complete collection, regarding the Anti- quities, Property, and Privileges of Christ Church. Several Records here copied are now missing. "5 This is a Book, respecting the Churclies and Religious Houses in the Diocese of CXXIV INTR OD UCTIOX. a book of Benefactions to Christ Church, the " Liber Niger,"''^ the " Liber Albus,""7 and a Charter of Henry VIIL, which changed the Prior and Con- vent to a Dean and Chapter.^^^ Among the Municipal Records of Dublin City, are some curious Ecclesiastical Documents.^'? Those Records, preser\'ed in Birmingham Tower, Dublin Castle, in custody of the Ulster King-at- Arms, although of importance for genealogical purposes, as serving to throw a great deal of light on the social and political history of the centuries immediately preceding our time, are not of a character materially to aid the hagiographer's researches. The King's Inns' Library contains few Manuscripts, and none of ecclesiastical consequence f'° but the admirable selection of its books, and their most convenient arrangement for the student's purpose, were found of especial utility, while the writer had been engaged on the present work.='' The Dublin Library Society and Hiber- nian Athenaeum was established in 1791. It contains some fine historical works, but no Manuscripts.^'* Several religious houses in Dublin preserve very rare and valuable books. Dublin, composed by Archbishop Allen, A.D. 1532. "* This remarkable Manuscript is a vel- lum folio, bound in wood, and written in court-hand. It comprises nearly 500 pages, closely written, with many illuminated capi- tals, about the year 1340. Its contents are very miscellaneous : Charters, Statutes, Norman-French Poems, Leonine and Latin verses, Registries of Writs, Calendars, Chronicles, Chronologies, Martyrologies, Legends, Grants, Letters, Historical and Empirical ; Memorandums, Lists of Ten- ants, a curious Treatise of Arithmetic, ex- hibiting the state of that science before the introduction of Arabic numerals, with sun- dry articles, relating to the Antiquities of Christ Church. "^ This is a vellum folio, bound in wood, written by Thomas Tyche, about 1490. It contains statutes, grants, and other docu- ments, relating chiefly to this Cathedral, its Lands, Immunities, and Rights. Almost every article it contains has been copied into the " Registrum Novum." 218 See " Reports of the Commissioners appointed by his Majesty to execute the Measures recommended in an Address of the House of Commons, respecting the Public Records of Ireland," vol i., p. 307. ='9 In 1870, some of these first saw the light, under the editorial supervision of John T. Gilbert, Esq., F.S.A., and Secretary of the Public Record Office of Ireland, with the title, " Historic and Municipal Docu- ments of Ireland, from the Archives of the City of Dublin, &c. , 11 72-1 320. This work is a cullection of original documents, eluci- dating mamly the history and condition of the municipal, middle, and trading classes, under or in relation with the rule of Eng- land over Ireland, — a subject hitherto left in almost total obecurity. Extending over the first hundred and fifty years of the Anglo- Normarf settlement, this series includes charters, municipal laws and regulations, rolls of names of citizens and members of merchant-guilds, lists of commodities with their rates, correspondence, illustrations of relations between ecclesiastics and laity ; together with many documents, exhibiting the state of Ireland, during the presence there of the Scots under Robert and Edward Bruce. It is published in 8vo. shape. "° See Report of Bartholomew Thomas Duhigg, Librarian, among " Reports of the Commissioners, appointed by his Majesty to execute the measures recommended in an .Address of the House of Commons, respect- ing the Public Records of Ireland," vol. i., pp. 321, 322. ^^ To the unvarying courtesy and kind- ness of the accomplished Chief Librarian, Joseph M. La Barte, Esq., and of his learned associate officers, Messrs. Martin Haverty and John David O'Hanlon, must his grate- ful acknowledgments be made, in a special manner. "'In 1S57 was printed, " Catalogue of the Lil)rary oftheDubHn Literary Society INTRO D UCTION. C?(XV The Irish Public Records may be classed under the headings of Chancery Enrolments,^^3 commonly known as the Patent"* and Close Rolls,'^5 the Parliament,^^^ Recognizance,"? CromwelFs,"^ the Convert,"? Roman Catholic"3o and Palatinate Court of Tipperary Rolls -p^ the Pleadings, Bills, Answers and Decrees in the Court of Chancery f^^ Letters of Guardian- ship ;^33 Warrants -p^ Inquisitions •p''> Transmises of Public and Private Acts of Parliament, from the Reign of Henry VII. to the Union f^^ with several original and miscellaneous Records. ^37 Many of our ecclesiastical, civil and legal documents, having been badly placed, were destroyed, owing to the effects of fire, water, damp, and want of care in their arrangement and use. The fullest account of the state of our Irish Records, at the commencement of the present century, is that given in " Reports of the Commissioners appointed by his Majesty to execute the Measures recom- and Hibernian AtheniEum," in 8vo., Dublin. "3 The " Rotulorum Cancellariie Calen- darium in Hibeinia," in two folio vo- lumes, printed a.d. 1828, comprises Grants of Land, Deeds, Cliarters, &c., from the time of Henry II., to that of James I. These volumes are of great historical and topogra- phical interest. Some " Chartse, Privilegia, et Immunitates," from a.d. 1171 to a.d. 1399, were printed, and many of these re- late exclusively to ecclesiastical maUers. ^-'* These commence in the reign of Ed- ward I., and continue to the present time, with various chasms in the series. Especi- ally are they incomplete, during the reigns of Henry VIII., Edward VI., IMary, Elizabeth, and James I. "5 These commence in the twentieth year of the reign of Edward II., and end in the thirteenth of Charles I., but they were never continued in regular succession. A "Ca- lendar of the Patent and Close Rolls of Chancery in Ireland, of the Reigns of Henry VIII., Edward VI., Mary, and Elizabeth," in two octavo volumes, has been edited by James Morrin, and published A.D. 1S61, 1862. These volumes greatly serve to elucidate the ecclesiastical and civil history of that period included. "* These comprise both the public and private Acts of the Irish Parliament, begin- ning with the reign of Henry VI., and end- ing in the year 1800 — that lamentable era of a legislative Union. ^-^ These commence with the reign of Henry VIIL, and end in the tenth year of the reign of Charles I. ^^^ These contain chiefly deeds and memo- randa ; they date from A.D. 1653 to a.d. 1659. -^'i These commence a.d. 1703, and con- tinue to A.D. 1829 ; they contain certificates of conformity to the Protestant religion. -^=' These commence a.d. 1778, and con- tain the qualifications of Roman Catholics. ^^^ The pleadings filed in that court com- mence in 1662 and end in 1714. -'= These e.xtend from 1568 to the present time. ^^3 These commence in 1796, and continue to the present time. ^3+ These commence with the twenty-first of Henry VIII.'s reign, and continue to the present time. =^35 The " Inquisitionum in Officio Rotu- lorum Cancellari^ Hibernite asservataram Repertorium,"vol. i., in folio, was published A.D. 1826. It contains the inquisitions for Lagenia or Leinster, with Indexes. The vol. ii., in folio, was published a.d. 1829. It contains the inquisitions for Ultonia or Ulster, with Indexes. These volumes show the tenures of Irish lands and their received names, at various periods, from the time of Henry VI. to that of William HI. The inquisitions for Munster and Connaught are not yet published. ^3^ These documents are very numerous, and were transferred from the Parliamentaiy Office to the Rolls Office, at the time of the Union. =37 These consist of Surveys, Charters, Rentals and various other instruments. CXXVl INTR OD UCTION. mended in an Address of the House of Commons, respecting the Public Records of Ireland ;" with supplements and appendices. These reports are included in three large folio volumes. '3^ The whole state of afifairs, there described, no longer exists ; since, in the year 1867, an Act of Parliament has authorized the erection of a new Public Record House and Treasury, adjoining the Four Courts, Dublin.'^' Thither have been transferred — from various places of deposit — the public records of Ireland f*^ and there they are now available for legal and historic searches.'*' This vast collection of documents,^-** reaching from the twelfth century to the present date, has little of a character tending directly to illustrate Irish saint histor)', although much can be gleaned therefrom, serving to elucidate the mediaeval and modem condition of the monasteries and churches of Ireland. The various cathedral and parochial libraries, or registry offices, the re- cords of counties, cities, courts and corporate towns, with family papers, in -^ The first volume comprises five reports, with the work of calendaring done from A.D. 1810 to A.D. 181 5. These were ordered by the House of Commons to be printed, 14th July, 1813 ; 27th July, 1814 ; and 1st June, 181 5, with admirable appendices and in- dices, alphabetically arranged. The second volume contains the sixth to the tenth re- port, with the work done from A.D. 1816 to 1820, and ordered by the House of Com- mons to be printed, 13th July, 1 8 19, and 8th July, 1820. It contains supplements and indices to the various reports. The third volume contains from the eleventh to the fifteenth report, with the work done from A.D. 1 82 1 to 1825, and ordered to be printed by the House of Commons, 20th February, 1824, and 13th of June, 1825. It contains indices, special and general. The sixteenth and seventeenth reports, with an appendix, and work done, A.D. 1826, 1827, were ordered by the House of Com- mons to be printed, 20th February, 1828. The eighteenth and nineteenth reports, with an appendix and work done, a.d. 1826, 1827, were ordered by the House of Com- mons to be printed, 23rd March, 1830. '39 Here the writer has enjoyed frequent facilities for search, owing to the courtesy and kindness of the Deputy Keeper of the Public Records in Ireland, Samuel Fer- guson, Esq., LL.D. ; of John James D. La Touche, Esq., Assistant Deputy Keeper ; of John T. Gilbert, Esq., Secretary ; and of William Maunsell Hennessy, Esq., Chief Clerk. •'"The admirable progress made in this work of transfer and arrangement \\ ill be found fully detailed in the annual re- ports of the Deputy Keeper of the Public Records in Ireland. The first of those re- ports appeared 12th of February, 1869 ; the succeeding reports have issued yearly to the present time. These reports are filled with much interesting historical information. **' Among these. Sir William Petty's Maps of the Down Survey, with a copy of those maps, taken by General Valiancy from the originals, contained in the King's Library, Paris, serve greatly to enlighten us, regarding the existing nomenclature of old churches, in the middle of the seven- teenth century. Those Records have been re- moved from the Surveyor-General's Office. For a detailed account of them, the reader may consult " Reports of the Commissioners, appointed by his Majesty to execute the Measures recommended in an Address of the House of Commons, respecting the Pub- lic Records of Ireland," vol. i., pp. 501 to 543- '♦' Among the most valuable of those folio works, ordered to be printed in 1824, is the " Liber Munerum Publicorum Hi- bemiae, ab An. 1152 usque ad 1827; or the Establishments of Ireland, from the Nineteenth of King Stephen to the Seventh of George IV., during a Period of Six Hundred and Seventy-five Years." Being the Report of Rowley Lascclles, of the Middle Temple, Barrister-at-Law. In two volumes. Besides a resunii of Irish his- tory, at the commencement, these volumes are full of ecclesiastical and civil materials. INTR OD UCTION. CXXVll other parts of Ireland, have hardly been scrutinized or described sufficiently to enable historic investigators to understand or fully to appreciate their con- tents. It must be assumed, however, that various incidental allusions to our old churches and religious houses, with the lands or appurtenances annexed — and perchance to many local patron saints — may be found in several ancient deeds and charters. The labours of the Record Commissioners served partially to reveal stores of information, hitherto so little developed, in an antiquarian point of view ; but further editorial work is required, to unfold their manifold uses, in a legal and historical sense. Section VIII. — Materials for Irish Saints' Lives in British and Foreign Libraries. The public and private libraries,* in England," Scotland, 3 and Wales^ — perhaps also in the Channel Islands, 5 — abound in chronicles, charters, his- toric, legal and ecclesiastical records,*^ poems, acts of saints, calendars, me- nologia, missals, rolls, epistles and inquisitions, in a variety of languages Section viii. — ' See J. Hunter's " Eng- lish Monastic Libraries, with Catalogues of Books," published in small 4to, a.d, 1831. Also the " British Historical Intelligencer," published at Westminster, in 8vo, A.D, 1829. " See Bishop Nicholson's *' English, Scotch, and Irish Historical Libraries, giv- ing a short view and character of most of our historians, either in Print or Manu- script, with an Account of our Records, Law-books, Coins," &c. A new edition, corrected. In 4to. London: a.d. 1776. This is a valuable work for consultation on the subject of British and Irish Libraries. Also, John Power's "Handy Book about Books for Book Buyers, Book Lovers and Book-sellers." InSvo. London : a.d. 1870. Likewise, J. Savage's "Librarian, being an Account of Scarce, Valuable, and Useful English Books, Manuscript Libraries," in three volumes, 8vo. London, 1808. 3 The Advocate's Library, General Re- gister House, with other public libraries in Edinburgh, also various cities and towns of Scotland, are filled with invaluable records, for illustrating the sacred antiquities of Ire- land, as well as of Scotland. The reader has only to consult those admirable serials of the Spaulding Club, the " Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland," Sir Francis Palgrave's " Documents and Records illustrating the History of Scotland, and the Transactions between the Crowns of Scotland and England ; preserved in the Treasury of her Majesty's Exchequer," vol. i., in royal 8vo. a.d. 1837. Also, Turnbull's " Fragmenta Scoto-Monastica, or Materials for the Formation of a Scottish Monasticon." Edinburgh : 1842. * See "Cambrian Bibliography, containing account of Books relating to Wales, from 1540, with Biographical Notices," by the Kev. William Rowlands, in 8vo. A.D. 1869. A long list of Welsh records will be found in Thomas' " Hand-Book to the Public Records," pp. 321 to 333. s In reference to this interesting branch of inquiry, the student may consult W. Clarke's " Repertorium Bibliographicum, or an Account of the most celebrated British Libraries." This fine royal 8vo volume con- tains portraits of eminent book collectors, and it is full of curious and interesting bibliographical information, to which Lowndes was frequently indebted. It was published A.D. 18 19. * See " Report of the Proceedings of the Record Commissioners, from A.D. 1831 to 1837." One vol. folio, a.d. 1837. See like- wise a " Handbook to the Public Records," by F. S. Thomas, Esq., Secretary of the Public Record Office. One vol. royal 8vo. A.D. 1853. Besides these, the student may ex- amine the various folio, quarto and octavo volumes of the Record Commissioners, which began to issue early in the present century, and which yet continue in course of publication. County, city and town histories are worthy of investigation. cxxvm INTRODUCTION. and forms. 7 As a matter of course, such ancient manuscript documents chiefly serve to elucidate the civil and ecclesiastical history of those coun- tries or districts to which they severally belong f but so closely allied are the hagiology and church chronicles of Ireland, with many of the topics therein treated, that several are most useful for illustration of our early na- tional or social customs and habits of life. Besides these containing incidental allusions, there are special manuscripts, referring exclusively to Irish hagio- graphy, or written in the Irish language, and touching on Irish ecclesiastical subjects, preserved in that great depository of learning, the British Museum.' The Harleian and Cottonian collections contain its chief old records. '° Besides the general Catalogue," a special one relating to Irish manuscripts has been compiled, by Professor Eugene O'Curry, under direction of the trustees." The British Museum collection of Irish manuscripts contains lives of various Irish saints, in the native language, historical and topo- graphical tracts of great interest, not to mention a vast number of poems and miscellaneous treatises. Many such documents are to be found in the Archiepiscopal Library at Lambeth.'3 The University Libraries, — especially 7 There is a printed folio of great value to the inquirer after such materials, and in- tituled, ** Catalogi Librorum Manuscrip- torum AnglijE et Hiberniae, in unum col- lecti, cum Indice Aiphabetico." It was printed A.D. 1690, at the Sheldon Theatre, Oxford ; but, it is needless to state, subse- quent enquiries have both corrected many of its descriptions, and enlarged the list of its subjects. " Several noblemen and gentlemen have published very interesting catalogues of their respective private libraries ; and such aids enable the scholar to ascertain the ex- istence of rare books and manuscripts. 9 See Richard Sims* "Hand-book to the Library of the British Museum," &c. Pub- lished at London, A.D. 1854, in i2mo. '" See Richard Sims' " JVIanual for the Genealogist, Topographer, Antiquary, and Legal Professor, consisting of Descriptions of Public Records ; Parochial and other Registers ; Wills ; County and Family Histories ; Heraldic Collections in Public Libraries," &c., &c. Monastic Records, p. II. "A "Catalogue of the Manuscripts in the British Museum," has been issued in three fine folio volumes, from A.D. 1834 to 1840. These contain various beauli- fully-cxecuted specimens of writings, orna- ments and illuminations. See also " Li- brorum Manuscriptorum Bibliothecae Har- leianw Catalogus." Four folio volumes. Edited by the Rev. T. Hartwell Home. A.D. 1812. " At the expense of Rev. Maxwell Close, M.R.LA., a copy of this ad- mirable manuscript catalogue, in two mag- nificently-bound manuscript folio volumes, has been procured for, and presented to, the Royal Irish Academy, where it is now available for the Irish scholar's consultation. It is intituled, " Catalogue of the Irish Manuscripts in the British Museum," com- piled by Eugene Curry, 1849. The first volume contains 330 folios, only written on one side ; the second volume, without a title, begins with folio 331, and it ends with folio 630. Then follows an alphabetically, arranged index to the whole, and consisting of 36 folios. This munificent gift of the donor now enables Dublin residents to judge regarding the exact value of those historic and literary treasures, to be found in the Manuscript Department of the British Museum. '3 Especially the Carew Papers, which relate to Ireland, are of rare importance, and their contents are now becoming known to the students of Irish history. See the " Calendar of the Carew Papers, pre- served in the Lambeth Librarj'." Etlited by J. S. Brewer, M.A., Professor of Eng- lish Literature, King's College, London ; and William Bullen, Esq. Vol. L — 1515. TNTRODUCTION, the Bodleian'* and Corpus Christi'3 — at Oxford, preserve several Irish ma- nuscripts. The Bodleian Library is especially rich in the possession of such documents."^ Among the Cottonian manuscripts, '? preserved in the Oxford University Library, there is one fragment, which purports to give an account of the first founders of Christian Churches in Gaul, luigland and Ireland/^ 1574. Vol. II.-1575-15SS. \'ol. HI.— 1589-1600. Vol. IV. — 1601-1603. \'o!. V. — Book of Ilowth ; Mi^ccll.iiicous. \o\. VI. — 1603-1624. The jniblication com- menced A.n. 1S65, and it still proceeds, in imperial Svo volumes. In addition, the reader may consult " Report of the Deputy Keeper of the Public Records and of the Rev. J. S. Ihewer to the Master of the Rolls, upon the Carte and Carew Papers in the Bodleian and Lambeth Libraries." A.i). 1864. '"•See " Catalogus Impressorum Libro- rum Bibliotheca; Bodleian.-e in .-Ycadcmie Oxoniensi," per Thomam Hyde, published in a thick folio at Oxford, A.n. 1674. A later and a more carefully compiled cata- logue was again issued at Oxford, in two thick folio volumes, a.d. 1738. '5 Among its manuscripts, one is tlius classed and described : "MS. 1730. 263. Vol. X." It contains, " Mirabilia Cor- nubiae, Hiberniae, Anglia", Scotia: et Va!- lise." '* We obtain a very interesting and de- tailed account of an ancient Irish manu- script here kept, in the " Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy," vol. ii., pp. 336 to 345. We are told, that it is a large vellum 4to manuscript, which formerly belonged to Archbishop Laud. On the margin of its first page, the autograph " G. Carew" may be seen. It contains a large collection of miscellaneous pieces, historical, genea- logical, theological and poetical, written by various hands and at different dates. The ancient Irish called such collection a psalter. On the inside of its cover, this memoran- dum is pasted : " Oxford y<= 9th of August, 1673- This booke is a famous coppie of a great part of SaIcaii\ CAipiL, the booke of St. Mochuda of Rathin and Lismore, and the chronicles of Conga ; wherein is con- tained many divine things, and y= most part of y' Antiquities of y' auncientest houses in Ireland, a Cathologue of their Kings, of the coming in of y« Romans vnto England, of )* coming of y« Saxons ; a notable ca- lendar of the Iri.-,h Saints composed in verse eight hundred years agoc ; w-'' the saints of y'= Romane Breviary vntil that tyme ; a Cathologue of y-' Popes of Roome ; ti^-.'.v y^ Irish antl English were converted to tlie Catholique faith ; w''' many other things, .T- the reader may finde, and soe under- stan;!ing what they containe, lett him re- member Tri.i.Y C'oNKV. ruilcijuA O niAoleconAipe." We are told, that this account of the con- tends is both inadequate and erroneous. It is said to be doubtful, if this MS. contains a copy of any part of the Psalter of Cashel, although this celebrated ^LS. is sometimes referred to or quoted. There is reason to suppose, tliis Bodleian >LS. may liave lost some portion of its contents, since Tully Conry furnished the foregoing account, un- less he fell into a mistake. In an entry, this MS. is designated "The Psalter of Mac Richard Butler ;" and for convenience sake, the Rev. Dr. Todd, who gives a history of this 'codex and its several possessors, so calls it. He does not pretend, however, to present a complete account of its contents, although he furnishes some interesting !ne- vtoraiida regarding it. '" This most interesting collection of ma- nuscripts relating to English history, anti- quities and topography, is described in the " Catalogus Librorum Manuscriptorum Bib- liotheca; CoUoniana;," scriptore Thoma Smitho, a folio, with a fine portrait of Sir Robt. Cotton, ]-)ublished Oxonii, .\.D. 1696. '^ It is intituled, "De Primis Ecclesia- rum Christianarum in Gallia, Anglia at Ili- bernia Fundatoribus," and it seems to have been transcribed from a manuscript, written about the year 720. It is classed, Cleop. E. 1. f. 5. It is a paper folio, written in the seventeenth century. See Sir Thomas Duffus Hardy's " Descriptive Catalogue of Materials Relating to the History of Great Britain and Ireland," vol. i., part i., p. 423. Three volumes of this valuable historical guide have been published already ; and the cxxx INTRODUCTION. The University Library at Cambridge'' must be regarded as a valuable source for consultation. A collection of MS., relating to British history and antiquities, as also to Irish affairs, is deposited in the library of Corpus Christi.=° The Tower of London"' and Chapter House at Westminster, =^' contain some curious charters and rolls, but chiefly useful for the compilation of British history. The State Paper Office, ="3 and the Public Record Office, at London, con- stitute the most complete and perfect series of documents for British history,'* and these serve, likewise, to elucidate Irish matters, especially since the period of the Anglo-Norman invasion.'s Some old municipal collections fourth, which brings the date from A.D. 1327, is now at press. ''See Rev. C. H. Hartshome's *'Book Rarities in the University of Cambridge," in 8vo., 1829. *° To their contents, we have a guide in Nasmith's " Catalogue of Manuscripts in Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, " in 4to, 1777. " The Record Commissioners have given a clue to the contents, by issuing the follow- ing folio volumes, edited by Sir Thomas DufTus Hardy: — " Rotuli Chartarum in Turri Londinensi asservati. 1199 — 1216." Vol i., issued in 1837. "Rotuli Littera- rum Clausanim in Turri Londinensi asser- vati. Vol. i., 1204 — 1224," issued A.D. 1833. Vol ii., " 1224— 1227," issued a.d. 1844. "Rotuli Litterarum Patentium in Londinensi asservati. 1 20 1 — 1 2 1 6, " issued A.D. 1835. The introduction was published in 8vo. The following appeared in royal 8vo shape : " Rotuli Normanniae in Turri Londinensi asservati. 1200— 1205 ; also, i4i7toi4i8." Vol i., A.D. 1835. "Ro- tuli de Oblatis et Finibus in 1 urri Londin- ensi asservati, tempore Regis Johannis." Vol. i., A.D. 1835. "Excerpta e Rotulis Finium in Turri Londinensi asservatis. Henry IH., 1216 — 1272." This was edited by Charles Roberts, Esq., in 2 vols., A.D. 1835, 1836. '* The history of Scotland receives some advantage from the preservation of these documents, as described in " Rotuli Scotioe in Turri Londinensi, et in Domo Capitulari Westmonasteriensi asservati. 19 Edward I. — Henry VIIL" Edited by David Mac- pherson, John Caley, and W. Illingworth, Esqrs., and the Rev. T. Hartwell Home. In 2 volumes, folio, A.D. 1819. Again, Irish affairs receive illustration from "Ro- tuli Select! ad Res Anglicas et Hibernicas spectantes, ex Archivis in Domo cap. Westmon. deprompti," vol. i. in 8vo, 1834. "3 From A.D. 1803 to 1852, eleven 4to volumes were published by the Record Commissioners of "State Papers, during the reign of Henry the Eighth : with Indices of Persons and Places." The contents were : Vol. i. — Domestic Correspondence. Vols. ii. & iii. — Correspondence relating to Ireland. Vols. iv. & v. — Correspondence relating to Scotland. Vols. vi. to xi. — Cor- respondence between England and Foreign Courts. The first of our Irish historical writers, who made use of the State Papers, was the illustrious bard of Erin, Thomas Moore, while engaged in compiling his " History of Ireland." *< Under the direction of the Master of the Rolls, and under the able editorial su- pervision of competent ladies and gentlemen, a most voluminous series of calendars, relat- ing to the contents of public records and documents, illustrating British, Irish and Colonial history, has been already published by an order of the Lords of the Treasury. The first of these imperial 8vo volumes was printed A.D. 1856, and the course of publi- cation yet proceeds. "5 Among these, the volumes of special interest for the Irish historical student are these: "Calendar of State Papers relating to Ireland, of the reigns of Henry VIII., Edward IV., Mary and Elizabeth, preserved in Her Majesty's Public Record Office." Edited by Hans Claude Hamilton, Esq., F.S.A. Vol. 1.-1509 — 1573., A.D. i860. Vol. ii. — 1574—1585, A.D. 1867. Ano- ther volume is in the press, and it be- gins with 1586 of Queen Elizabeth's reign. Her successor's government is illustrated by a " Calendar of State Papers relating to Ireland, of the Reign of James I., presei-ved in Her Majesty's Public Record Office, and INTR OD UCTION. CXXXl and documents should also reward the industry of the historical student,^^ while these might help to enlighten us regarding places and churches, asso- ciated with the memories of certain Irish Saints. The inestimably precious Stowe Manuscripts,"? collected by the Duke of Buckingham, and since trans- ferred to the custody of Lord Ashburnham, are almost inaccessible to Irish scholars. There is a fine collection of manuscripts,'^ in the Cathedral Library,*?* at Canterbury. 3° The public library, attached to Durham Cathe- dral,3^ abounds in some fine specimens of illuminated and plainer manu- scripts, which have an interest altogether special for the student of Irish history, while many of these are in the peculiar opus Hibernicum style. 3" A vast number of ancient and irrecoverable monastic records, formerly existing before the suppression of religious houses in these islands, has been dispersed, destroyed, and lost,33 since the sixteenth century. Only a small part of elsewhere. Edited by Rev. C. W. Russell, D.D., and John P. Prendergast, Esq., Bar- rister-at-Law. Vol. i. — 1603 — 1606, A.D. 1872. This series is in continuation of the Irish State Papers, commencing with the reign of Henry VIII. ; but, for the reign of James I., the Papers are not confined to those in the Public Record Office of Eng- land. The same learned editors have in the press, vol. ii. of this series, which commences with the year 1606. Another series is at press under the following title : "Calendar of Documents relating to Ireland, excerpted from the Records preserved in her Majesty's Public Record Office ; to the end of the Reign of Henry VII." Edited by Henry Savage Sweetman, Esq., A.B., Trinity College, Dublin, Barrister-at-Law. ^ Sir Richard Whittington founded a library at Grey Friars — now Christ's Hospi- tal— in 142 1, at a cost of ^400 in the cur- rency of that time. Pie also gave many precious treasures, in manuscript, to the Guildhall Library, and devoted ;if400 to the erection of a suitable edifice in which to preserve them. John Carpenter, who founded the City of London School, gave directions in his will, that any " good or rare books" which he possessed, and which might seem adapted to the purpose, should be placed in the common library of the Guildhall for the use of students. About one hundred years afterwards, Protector Somerset carried away an immense number of the works. In 1553. the library was let as a common clothes- mart. Those manuscripts and books which remained were destroyed, in the great fire of 1666. For more than a century and a half, the London Corporation made no attempt to re-establish a library. At the present time, however, their library contains no less than 50,000 volumes, devoted to the un- restricted use of the people. ^^ As we have already seen, a full descrip- tion of these has been furnished by Dr. Charles O'Conor, D.D., in "Bibliotheca MSS. Stowensis." =■8 See H.J. Todd's "Catalogue of the Manuscripts in the Church Library of Can- terbury, with some account of the Deans, from the time of Henry VIII." This was printed 1793, in an 8vo volume. "9 The first English library, it is said, was founded by Pope Gregory I., in 596, when St. Augustine, the missionary bishop, brought nine precious volumes of a religious character and deposited them at Canterbury. 3° See W. Woolnoth's "History of the Cathedral of Canterbury, with Biographical Sketches, and an Account of the Convent of Christ Church," in 4to, London, 1816. 3' • ' The History and Antiquities of Dur- ham," by William Hutchinson, F.S. A., in three 4to volumes, printed at Newcastle, A.D. 1785, as also "The History and Anti- quities of Durham," by Robert Surtees, in four folio volumes, published in London, from A.D. 1 81 6 to 1840, will affiard the en- quirer much useful information. 32 The writer had an opportunity affiarded him of inspecting these manuscripts, during a visit to Durham, in July, 1872. 33 John Bale, who wrote in 1549, and Ful- ler, testify to the wanton destruction of vari- CXXXll INTR OD UCTION. those Chartularies has been preserved and identified with their former places. 34 Exclusive of such documents, the parochial and other registers contain little of an interesting character, for the hagiologist's purpose ; nor, in private collections, do we as yet discover, all that may serve to assist his researches. 35 Although, in many of the large Continental cities and towns, throughout Europe, there are numberless manuscripts relating to Irish hagiology and Church history ; yet, it must be regretted, that several are still unknown. Others have been imperfectly examined and described.3'5 Catalogues, al- ready published, furnish lists or notices, more or less detailed, regarding ma- terials to be found in different libraries, archives and collections.37 The travels of learned men have somewhat increased our knowledge. As few scholars are afforded, notwithstanding, time or opportunity for travel to inspect all of those literary treasures,38 dispersed in so many different places, ous early libraries and their contents. See Richard Sims' " Manual for the Genealogist, Topographer, Antiquary, and Legal Pro- fessor," &c. Monastic Records, p. lo. 34 A good and succinct account of such documents may be found in the work just quoted. See ibid., pp. 14 to 28. 33 An examination of the various annual " Reports of the Royal Commission on His- torical Manuscripts," in folio shape, and be- ginning with the year 1870, will exhibit the materials kept in public or private libraries, and specially useful for Irish ecclesiastical students. 3* A very valuable book for reference is a royal octavo volume, headed on the first pagCi " Appendix (A)," and subsequentlythis is fol- lowed by a "Supplement to Appendix (A)." This, as a serial part, was compiled by Charles Purton Cooper, Esq., from printed books and from foreign correspondence. The book itself was intended as an Appen- dix to a Report on the Historical Records, relating to Ireland, as preserved in foreign Libraries. That report, however, was not published, nor was a title-page ever printed for its appendices. The "Appendix (A)" contains 259 closely-printed pages, while the "Supplement to Appendix (A.)" con- sists of 116 similar pages, together with 28 plates, giving fac-simile characters, from va- rious old Irish MSS. Several marginal notes occur throughout this book, which either explain the compiler's design, or which refer to particulars in connection with the manuscripts he designates. The volume also contains extracts from Mr. Cooper's foreign correspondence, or bibliographical notices of those books and manuscripts, contained in the various libraries to which he refers. A copy of this work, containing a few pencilled notes, and memoranda in the author's handwriting, was presented to the Library of Trinity College, Dublin, There it is found classed, "Gall. G. 12, 27." In this work, special reference is given to matters, regarding Irish hagiology. Head- ings and traces of saints' acts are often fur- nished. The different places, ' where such Irish or British historical materials exist, follow in regular alphabetical order. Some of these localities are passed over ; the author referring merely to printed catalogues of their several libraries. 37 See the learned Benedictine Montfau- con's work, " Bibliotheca Bibliothecarum. " This was published at Paris, in two folio volumes, A. D. 1729. Also, Bailly's "No- tices historiques sur les Bibliotheques." This work issued at Paris a.d. 1828, in 8vo. 3* For a considerable amount of bibliogra- phical information, the student may examine these succeeding works: — Struvius' "Notitia Rei Litterariae. " This octavo volume was published at Frankfort and Leipzig, in 1754, edited by Fischer. Still a better oc- tavo edition, by Ingler, appeared at Jena, in the same year, and in three volumes. Like- wise, see "Nouveau Traite de Diploma- tique," par deux Religieux Benedictins de la Congregation de S. Maur, Published at Paris, from A.D. 1 750 to 1765, in six volumes quarto. INTRODUCTION. the aid of learned and descriptive manuals39 for the Hbrarian must usually be sought.4° The examination and publication of great historical collections and library catalogues, relating to French,*^ German,-*' 39 The reader may consult Fabricius, " De Transpositione Bibliothecaram Memora- bili,"J. J. Bauer, " Bibliotheca Librorum Rariorum," Ebert's "Zur Handschriften- kunde." This work was published at Leipzig, in two volumes octavo, A.D. 1825, 1827. *° Some general works and editions of great value for this investigation are : Jacob's ' ' Traicte des plus belles Bibliotheques pub- liques et particulieres qui ont este et qui sont a present dans le Monde." Published at Paris, in 8vo, A.D, 1644. A work of Maderus, "De Bibliothecis atque Archivis. " Published at Helmstadt, in three volumes, 4to, A.D. 1702 to A.D. 1705. A work of Pezius, ' ' Dissertatio Isagogica in Primum Tomum Thesauri Novissimi Anecdotorum. " This was published at Augsburg, in five folio volumes, between the years 1 72 1 and 1 728. Also Mabillon's " Vetera Analecta. " Issued at Paris, A.D, 1723, in folio. *' See Gerbertus, " Iter Alemannicum, accedit Italicum et Gallicum." Published at St. Blasius, Suabia, in 8vo, A.D. 1765. A vast amount of historical, as likewise of literary and scientific information — espe- cially as relating to Great Britain, France, Switzerland and Germany — will be found in the periodical series of octavo volumes, published at Geneva, where issued in Ja- nuary, A. D. 1796, the " Bibliotheque Bri- tannique," for the first time. In 18 16, this series assumed the title, "La Bibliotheque Universelle ;" and later still, it issued un- der the title. " Bibliotheque Universel, Revue Suisse et Etrangere." Especially as regards France, the student of Irish eccle- siastical history will find De Chesne's " His- torise Francorum Scriptores Coetanei" most instructive. It was published at Paris, A. D. 1636 and succeeding years, in several fine folio volumes. See also Buchan's "Col- lection des Chroniques Nationales Fran- 9aises." This has been issued at Paris, from 1824 to 1828, in a series of forty-seven volumes, 8vo. That great work, ' ' Recueil des Historiens des Gaules et de la France," was projected by the Benedictine Fathers of the Congregation of St. Maur. The first folio volume was edited by Dom Martin Bouquet, a priest of this order, and pub- lished at Paris, in 1738. This learned editor carried on his work to the eighth volume. Afterwards the tomes M-ere successively issued and edited, by other members of the order, to the commencement of the present century. Members of the French Institute have since continued that work, which had lately been issued from the French Imperial press. The twenty- first tome appeared in 1855. ''^ The libraries, in various old, indepen- dent, but at present absorbed or centralized, states of Germany, have been admirably described by several competent scholars. Thus we may refer to Mabillon's " Iter Germanicarum." On this subject, the scholar may consult Kundmannus, " Aca- demiae et Scholae Germanise, praecipue Du- catus Silesise, cum Bibliothecis in Nummis." Published at Breslau, a.d. 1741, in 4to. During the last century, too, the remarkable libraries of Germany have been described in Hirsching's ' ' Sehenswiirdige Bibliotheken Teutschlands." This work was published at Erlangen, in four octavo volumes, be- tween the years 1786 and 1 79 1. Literary travels through several of the German States are found in Baader's " Reisendurch verschiedene Gegenden Deutschlandes in Briefen." This work was published at Augsburg, in one octavo volume, A.D. 1795, Early in the present century. Von Aretin had been appointed a commissioner to visit Bavarian convents that had been secularized, to inspect their libraries, and to seize all the MSB. he could find for the Electoral Col- lection. He published " Beytrage zur Ges- chichte und Literatur," or Contributions to History and Literature. In this work, he gives an account of his tour and of the prin- cipal codices he discovered. All these, it is presumed, are now at Munich. The work appeared in this city from 1803 to 1807 in nine octavo volumes. Besides the foregoing works, the student may consult with great advantage, the German Art Lexicon of Meusel, intituled, " Teutsches Kiinstler Lexicon." This work was published at Lemgo, in three octavo volumes, between the years 1808 an4 1814. The archives CXXXIV INTR on UCTION. Austrian, Swiss,43 Italian,44 Spanish,< See Murray's "Handbook for Travel- lers in France." Route 25, p. 75. "5 See Glay's " Catalogue Descriptif et Raisonne des Manuscrits de la Bibliothe- ques de Cambrai," published at Cambrai, A.D. 183 1, in 8vo. '<^ Not a vestige of Fenelon's tomb, nor even the church which contained it, was in existence, at the beginning of the present century. See James Forbes' ' ' Letters from France, written in the years 1803 and 1804," vol. i., Letter xxi., p. 220. "^7 See "Gazetteer of the World," vol. iii., p. 319. "^ See Cooper's "Appendix A," pp. 58 to 60. And " Supplement to Appendix A," pp. 9, lo. '°9 See Charles Knight's "English Cyclo- paidia." Geography, vol. ii., col. 534. "° See "Catalogus Historicus Criticus Codicum MSS. Bibliotheca? Ecclesiae Me- tNTROD UCTtON. cxli to throw some light on Irish ecclesiastical affairs."^ Copenhagen. — The Royal Library at Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, contains about 400,000 volumes, and a valuable collection of 15,000 manuscripts. Among them are many Icelandic ones, written in the Runic character. These are now in course of publication, and they must serve greatly to illustrate Scan- dinavian history and literature, as also the ancient state of Iceland and of Greenland.'" Hugh Ward mentions,"3 that he heard of a quantity of Irish manuscripts, in the King of Denmark's library', that they were brought from Ireland 800 years before the time he wrote,"4 and that he learned such facts from eye-witnesses. Correy or Corbie. — In the Department of the Somme and arrondissement of Amiens"^ is the town of Corbie, in France. It contained MSS. of great interest, as appears from a catalogue privately printed."^ Douai. — This old city, in the north of France, has a fine public library, containing 30,000 volumes."^ It has a large collection of manu- scripts,"^ and among them are a few, embracing Acts of our Irish Saints. During the fury of the French Revolution, several books and manuscripts, belonging to religious houses here, were burned. Some were destroyed, or have disappeared. "9 The remnant is now preserved in the public library. Dresden. — The Royal Public Library at Dresden contains 300,000 printed volumes, 3,000 manuscripts, above 150,000 pamphlets, and 20,000 maps."° It is not without some hagiographical materials for the Irish writer."' t ropolitanae Coloniensis." Printed at Cologne, A.D. 1752, in 4to shape. "' See Cooper's "Appendix A," pp. 62 to 65, and "Supplement to Appendix A," pp. II, 12. '" See Murray's " Handbook for Travel- lers in Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Iceland." Route I, p. 37. "3 See " Sancti Rumoldi Vita," pp. 272, 317- "* In the earlier part of the seventeenth century. "5 See "Gazetteer of the World," vol. iv., p. 671. "* Sir Thomas Phillipps' " Catalogus Bi- bliothecse Monasterii Corbeiensis, Codex Sseculi XI." "7 In July, 1863, the author visited this library, when the young and learned Pere De Haisnes, College de S. Jean, was libra- rian. At that time, a new division of the library was in progress, and the manuscripts were carefully stowed in boxes, so that no access to them was practicable. However, the courteous librarian directed my atten- tion to notices of Irish hagiographical manuscripts in the catalogue, of which I took the following notes : No. 792. Lives of St. Livinus, St. Columban, and St. Co- lumba. No. 793. Life of Blessed Ethbin. No. 804. Life of St. Columban, Abbot, and with this manuscript is bound " Historia Undecim Millium Virginum Colon, " printed A.D. 1507. No. 815. Vita S. Brendani, Vita S. Fursaji. The obliging librarian kindly informed me, that if, at any future time, I found it necessary to apply for tran- scripts from the Douai Manuscripts, or fur- ther information regarding them, he should be happy to furnish whatever might be re- quired. A hurried visit did not afford time for proper examination. "® See Murray's " Handbook for Travel- lers in France." Route I, p. 8. "9 The Irish Franciscans had a house in Douai, which perished during the French Revolution, and the writer was shown that place, where stood the old Irish College, now destroyed. The site was occupied by a fine French mansion. '=° Sir Charles Knight's " English Cyclo- paedia." Geography. Vol. ii., col. 803. '^' Ebert's " Geschichte und Beschrei* bung der Koniglichen offentlichen Biblio- thek zu Dresden," or History and Descrip- tion of the Royal Public Library at Dres- den. Published at Leipzig, A.D. 1822, in 8vo shape. cxlli INTROD UCTION. Eberach. — Eberach is a town of Baden, in the circle of the Lower Rhine."' Its library"3 contains many interesting old manuscripts. "+ Epternac. — There are very rare codices preserved in the Monastery of Eptemac."5 Here there is a priceless and very ancient Martyrology, which has been con- jectured to contain the handwriting of St. Willibrord himself. As we have already seen, this codex was probably brought from Ireland, and, it is sup- posed to be the only copy extant of that old Martyrology, ascribed to Eusebius and Jerome."^ Erlangen. — The library annexed to the University here has 100,000 volumes on its shelves. "7 It also possesses a collection of manuscripts, which deserves attention from Irish students."^ Its catalogue is an interesting one. "9 Fischingen. — There is a curious account of Fisch- ingen, in Switzerland, having had a colony of Christians settled at that place, in the second century.'^o Florence. — The city of Florence — founded by the ancient Romans' 31 — is especially rich in the possession of great public and various private libraries. The chief public library is a noble one,'^* and the religious orders were not without their own valuable records.^33 Several most valuable historical manuscripts are here preserved. '34 From the learned Maurist Benedictine Father D. Bernard de Montfaucon's enumeration, we learn, that some of these should interest the Irish ecclesiologist.'35 a more modern account of the artistic and literary treasures at Florence is that con- '=" See " Gazetteer of the World," vol. v., p. 130. "3 See De Blainville's ** Travels through Holland, Germany, Switzerland and Italy. " Published at London, a. d. 1757, in three volumes, 4to. '=♦ Among these is " Vita S. Burkhardi, Episcopi Herbipolensis. " "5 See Baringii, " Clavis Diplomatica," pp. 254, 255. Published at Hanover, A.D. 1 754, in 4to shape. "* The " Martyrologium S. Hieronymi" — as usually styled — is an interesting old calendar of Saints, and this codex be- longed to St. "Willibrord. Many think he was the transcriber. See "Voyage Litte- raire de deux Religieux Benedictins de la Congregation de St. Maur," tome ii., pp. 297, 298. "^ See Charles Knight's " English Cy- clopaedia." Geography. Vol. ii., col. 930. "* See Nicolai's " Beschreibung einer Reise durch Deutschland und die Schweitz im Jahre 1787," or Description of a Journey through Germany and Switzerland in the year 1787. '''See Irmischer's " Diplomatische Be- schreibung der Manuscripte, welche sich in dcr Koniglichen Universitats-Bibliothek zu Erlangen befinden," or Description of the Diplomatic Manuscripts which are found in the Royal University Library of Erlangen. Published at Erlangen, A.D. 1829, in 8vo. '3° See Cooper's " Appendix A," p. 75, and " Supplement to Appendix A," p. 18. Scottish MSS. were formerly preserved there, at an early age, but they are thought to have perished. See Gerbertus "Iter Alemannicum," p. 79. '3' See Leonardi Aretini, " Historiarum Florentinarum," libri xii., lib. i., p. i. '3' See Astle's '* Origin and Progress of Writing," Introduction, p. xvii. '33 The Laurentian Library is said to have almost equalled the Vatican in the number of its manuscripts. See Rev. John Chet- wode Eustace's " Classical Tour through Italy," An. mdcccii., vol. iii., chap, ix., PP- 352, 353- '34 See Murray's " Handbook for Travel- lers in Northern Italy," Part ii.. Route 59, pp. 609 to 61 1. '35 See •' Diarium Italicum, sive Monu- mentorum Veterum, Bibliothecarum, Musa:- orum," &c., cap. xxv., pp. 362 to 375. Parisiis, A.D. 1 703. With Plans and Fi- gures. INTRODUCTION. cxliii tained in the work of Lady Morgan/36 Frankfort-on-the-Main. — This fine commercial and prosperous German city, '3? Frankfort-on-the-Main, has a pubUc Ubrary. A wealthy citizen, Monsieur de Uffenbach, had collected there a great number of manuscripts.^^s Many of these belonged to St. Gall, and they were saved by him after the pillage of that place. In the early part of last century, a catalogue of the public library here was pubHshed.*39 Several manuscripts of great interest for the Irish hagiographist are preserved.^<° Freysingen. — The Bavarian city of Freysingen has a public library. It contains several valuable books, with nearly 300 manuscripts, ">! and some of them are almost 1,000 years old.^42 Fulda. — This fair city'43 has many interesting associations, ^-^^ in connexion with some of our celebrated Irish Saints. '^'♦s Fulda is exceeding rich in the possession of curious and ancient records.'*^ There, Irish and British writers have left some MSS., written by them, as known by dates and names, thereto affixed. ^47 Among these MSS. is a Book of the Four Gospels, said to have been traced by the hand of St. Boniface, and in very small characters. '♦^ Geneva. — This delightfully situated Swiss city dates back to a time antecedent to Caesar's, '49 for it is alluded to as a place of consequence in his Commentaries. Geneva has a fine public library, founded by the celebrated Bonnivard.'5° It contains '3* See "Italy," vol. ii., chap, xv., xvi., pp, I to 72. '37 See Philippus Ferrarius "Novum Lexicon Geographicum," tomus i., p. 299. '38 See " Bibliotheca Uffenbachiana MSSta. seu Catalogus et Recensio MSS- tonim qui in Bibliotheca Z. C. ab Uffenbach Trajecti ad Maenum adservantur." Pub- lished at Halle, A. D. 1 720, in folio. Later still was produced, "Catalogus Manuscrip- torum Codicum Bibliothecae Uffenbachi- anse." Published at Frankfort, a.d. 1747, in 8vo. '39 See Lucius, "Catalogus Bibliothecae Publicae Mseno-Frankafurtensis." Frankfort, A.D. 1728, in 4to. '4° See Cooper's "Appendix A," pp. 75, 76, and " Supplement to Appendix A," pp. 16, 17. "" See Struvius, Bibl. Hist. Lit., p. 443, and Canisius, " Lectiones Antiquae," tomus i., p. 769. Also Cooper's "Appendix A," p. 18. '^^ See Pezius, "Disertatio Isagogica," p. xxvi. Likewise, " Nachrichten von einigen alten Handschriften der ehemaligen Freysinger Stifts-Bibliothek. " Also, Von Aretin, * ' Beytrage zur Geshichte und Li- teratur," Band or volume vii., pp. 227 to 2^9, likewise 509 to 534. '■*3 See Philippus Ferrarius, "Novum Lex- icon Geographicum," tomus i., p. 303. Michael Antonius Baudrand's edition. '*■* A very rare and interesting work, " Fuldensium Antiquitatum Libri IHI.," auctore R. P. Christoforo Brovvero, Socie- tatis Jesu Presbytero, published at Antwerp, A.D. 161 2, gives a detailed account of this ancient German city. '■^s See Serarius, "Res Moguntiacse." Mayence, a.d. 1604, 4to. '**See Schannatt, " Vindemise Literariffi," two volumes folio, published at Leipzig and Fulda, a.d. 1723. Also, Schannatt, " Dioecesis et Hierarchia Fuldensis." Pub- lished at Frankfort-on-the-Maine, a.d. 1727, in folio. '■•^See Lomierus, " De Bibliothecis." Also Maderus, " Libelli et Conimenta- tiones de Bibliothecis atque Archivis," ac- cessio altera, p. 115 ; see also p. 206. "Na- chrichten von der ehemaligen aus lauter Handschriften bestandenen Bibliothek in Fulda." Published at Leipzig, A.D. 181 2,' in i2mo. '^^ See Cooper's " Appendix A," pp. 77, 78, and " Supplement to Appendix A," pp. 18, 19- "t9 See Isaac Spon's " History of the City and State of Geneva," book i., p. 3. 'S'See William Coxe's "Travels in Cxliv INTR OB UCTION. 40,000 printed volumes, and very valuable MSS.,'S' to the number of about 5,000,^53 Among these are some, which have a special value for- Irish his- torians. *S3 GoTHA. — In central Germany, the town of Gotha possesses some interesting codices,'54 in its public library,*ss which contains 150,000 printed volumes, ^56 and 5,000 manuscripts. ^S7 Hamburg. — This city — situated on the River Elbe — was the seat of a Catholic Archiepiscopal See. It formerly abounded with abbeys, nunneries and other charitable foundations. 'ss Hamburg contains a great number of libraries, both public and private ; while the wealth, public spirit and education, prevailing among its citizens, have tended to amass those rare codices, so prized by the leamed.'59 Several of these have a special interest, as they abound in Acts of our Irish Saints. Heidelburg. — Situated on the River Neckar, it had a rich library before 1622, when this city was taken by the Spaniards.^^ The books and manuscripts were dispersed •}^^ a part was taken to Vienna, and a part to the Vatican at Rome.*^^ Some matters of interest for the Irish hagiographer are kept at Heidelburg.^^3 Heiligenskreutz, or the Holy Cross. — A very considerable collection of old manuscripts was preserved here,^^* and some of these were interesting in an Irish ecclesiastical sense. '^^ The old Cistercian Monastery of the place was founded a.d. 1134.^^ Heilsbronn. — In this city of Wurtemberg, some manuscripts on Irish hagiological matters are to Switzerland and in the Country of the Gri- sons," vol. ii., Letter 63, p. 334. 'S'See the Librarian Senebier's "Cata- logue raisonne des Manuscrits conserves dans la Bibliotheque de la Ville et Repub- lique de Geneve." Published at Geneva, A.D. 1779, in 8vo. '3' See M. Valery's "Voyages Histo- riques, Litteraires, et Artistiques en Italic, Guide Raisonne, et Complet du Voyageur et de 1' Artiste," tome i., liv. i., chap, vii., p. n. 'S3 See Cooper's "Appendix A," pp. 97 to 103. Also " Supplement to Appendix A," p. 23. 'S^See Cooper, "Appendix A," pp. 104 to 106. And "Supplement to Appendix A," p. 24. '55 See Cyprianus, " Catalogus Codicum Manuscriptorum Bibliothecse Gothanae. Clarorum Virorum Epistolas cxvii. e Biblo- thecae Gothanae Autographis." Published at Leipzig, a.d. 17 14, in 4to. 'S«See "Gazetteer of the World," vol. vi., p. 655. '57 See Charles Knight's "English Cy- clopaedia." Geography. Vol. iii., col. 59. '5^ See Adam Neale's "Travels through some Parts of Germany, Poland, Moldavia and Turkey," chap, ii., p. 20. '59 See Cooper's " Appendix A," pp. 108 to 121, and " Supplement to Appendix A," pp. 24, 25, for a detailed account of its manuscripts. ''° Afterwards the philologist, J. G. Grae- vius, laid the foundation of a new collection. "' Wilken, " Geschichte der Bildung, Be- raubung imd Vemichtung der alten Heidel- bergischen Biichersammlungen. Nebst einem meist beschreibendcn Verzeichniss der im Jahr 1816 von dem Papst Pius VII. der Universitat Heidelberg zuriickgege- benen Handschriften," or, a History of the Formation, Spoliation and Destruction of the Old Heidelberg Collections of Books, which, together with a chiefly descriptive Index or Register of the restored Manu- scripts in the year 1816, were given by Pope Pius VII. to the University of Hei- delberg. Printed at Heidelberg, a.d. 1817, in 8vo. '^3 These were restored in 1815, states the "Gazetteer of the World," vol. vi., p. 863. ''3 See Cooper's "Appendix A," pp. 122, 123. Also " Supplement to Appendix A," p. 25. '** See "Archivder Gessellschaft fur al- tere deutsche Geschichtkunde, " and Pezius, " Dissertatio Isagogica," p. iii. '*5 See Cooper's "Appendix A," p. 123. INTR on ucrioN. c::lv be found. '^7 A catalogue of the former monastic and now public library has been printed. ^^^ Some subjects of great national interest are there enumerated. '^9 Kremsmuenster. — At this place, in Austria, a valuable collection of manuscripts^^" — some on Irish ecclesiastical matters^^i — is preserved in the Benedictine abbey. It has a noble library of 50.000 vo- lumes. ^72 The foundation of this monastic institute dates back to the eighth century. '73 Leipzig. — Leipzig, '74 in Saxony, is a celebrated literary mart, the seat of a noble university, and it has many extensive libraries there es- tabUshed. The public library contains 120,000 printed volumes, and 2,000 manuscripts : the University Library has 80,000 printed volumes, and 2,000 manuscripts. '75 Many of these latter records contain acts of our Irish Saints.'76 Lilienfeld. — This Cistercian Abbey,'77 in Lower Austria, possessed manuscript materials'78 of interest for the Irish student.'79 Lille. — This city, formerly the capital of French Flanders, is now that of the Northern Department. '^° It has a public library, containing 20,000 volumes.'^' There was an Irish College at Lille ;'^^ but whether or not, it possessed Irish hagiological manuscripts, the writer cannot discover. Lisbon. — Lisbon has a Bibliotheca Publica,'^3 and some few other chief libraries, '^4 containing a large number of books and several hundred manu- »*^ See Murray's "Handbook for Travel- lers in Southern Germany," Route 195, p. 224. '^7 See Hirsching, " Sehenswiirdige Biblio- theken Teutschlands," band or volume i., pp. 159, 162. '^See Hockerus, "Bibliotheca Heils- bronnensis, sive Catalogus Librorum om- nium tam Manuscriptorum quam Impres- sorum, qui in celeberrimi Monasterii Heils- bronnensis Bibliotheca Publica adservantur. " Published at Nuremberg, a.d. 1731, in folio. '^ See Cooper's "Appendix A," p. 123 to 126, and " Supplement to Appendix A," P-2S. '70 See Meusel, " Teutsches Kiinstler- Lexicon." Also Dibdin's " Bibliographical, Antiquarian and Picturesque Tour through France and Germany," vol. iii., p. 224. Pezius, "Dissertatio Isagogica," p. ii. '7' See Cooper's "Appendix A," p. 141. '7^ See "Gazetteer of the World," vol. viii., p. 594. '73 See Murray's " Handbook for Travel- lers in Southern Germany," Route 198, p. 243- '74 See Fellerus, "Catalogus Codicum Manuscriptorum Bibliothecse Paulinre in Academia Lipsiensis." Published at Leip- zig, A.D. 1826, in 24mo, Also, Teisserius, " Catalogi Auctorum qui Bibliothecas Scrip- tis consignarunt," vol. ii., p. 281. Likewise, Meusel, "Teutsches Kiinstler-Lexicon." Band iii., p. 438. '75 See Charles Knight's "English Cyclo- pedia." Geography, vol. iii., col. 490. '7^ See Cooper's " Appendix A," pp. 142 to 148, and " Supplement to Appendix A," p. 27. '77 It was founded A.D. 1220, by D. Leo- pold Vn. See Murray's " Handbook for Travellers in Southern Germany," Route 245. P- 389- '7^ See " Archiv der Gesellschaft fur altera Geschichtkunde. " '79 See Cooper's " Appendix A," p. 149. '8° See Murray's " Handbook for Travel- lers in France," Route i, p. 7. '8' See Charles Knight's " English Cyclo- pedia." Geography, vol. iii., col. 513. '^^ A short memoir of this foundation is yet preserved among the "Archives du Royaume" of the Belgian government. See " Some Notices of Manuscripts relating to Ireland, in various languages, now to be found in the Burgundian Library at Brux- elles, with fac-simile Illustrations," etc., p. 32. By Samuel H. Bindon. '^3 Open daily from 9 o'clock, A.M., to 3 o'clock, P.M., with free admittance. ■^4 The King of Portugal's Palace das cxlvi INTR OD UCTION. scripts, but without printed catalogues, which miglit enable strangers to judge of their contents. '^s The King's Library has a large collection of good books. *^ LouvAiN. — In this Belgian city, a celebrated university'^? was founded in 1423, by John IV., Duke of Brabant.'^^ It was long the chief literary institution in the Provinces of the Netherlands. '^9 The University Library of this ancient Brabantine city's" contains some fine old Belgic Chronicles. '9^ Several manuscripts, likewise, of special importance for the Irish hagiographer's purpose, are there preserved.'?* The University, sup- pressed by the French in 1793, was restored a.d. 181 7. In this city, too, was that famous and best school of Irish hagiology, established by the Fran- ciscan Fathers, in the seventeenth century. Madrid. — The Biblioteca Na- cional'93 of Madrid contains about 200,000 volumes, largely increased since the suppression of the Spanish convents. It is peculiarly rich in Spanish literature, and it possesses many curious manuscripts. '94 That, however, is not the sole great public library in this city.'ss The collection of manu- scripts here contained the lives of various Irish saints,'96 and these are pro- bably yet preserved in the Spanish capital. Mannheim. —This ancient city, in the Duchy of Baden, has a fine public library, containing several curious Necesidades has a library full of precious MSS. The Bibliotheca da Academia con- tains 80,000 volumes. See Henry O'Shea's *' Guide to Spain and Portugal," pp. 540, 541. Third edition, 1868. '*s See Murray's " Handbook for Travel- lers in Portugal," sect, i., pp. 13, 14. Second edition. '^* See Don Juan Alvarez de Colmenar's " Annales d'Espagne et de Portugal, avec la Description de ces deux Royaumes," tome iii., p. 266. '*' An account of Louvain University will be found, in " Fasti Academici Studii Gene- ralisLovaniensis,"&c. Published, Lovanii, A.D. 1650, in 4to. '88 See C. M. Davies' " History of Hol- land and the Dutch Nation, from the be- ginning of the Tenth Century to the end of the Eighteenth," vol. i., part i., chap, vi., p. 213. '*9 See John Lothrop Motley's " Rise of the Dutch Republic," vol. i. Historical Introduction, § xiii., p. 85. '9° See Philippus Ferrarius " Novum Lexicon Geographicum, " &c, tomus i., p. 431. Baudrand's edition. '9' The most complete accoimt we possess of the innumerable historical works, pub- lished and in manuscript, which serve to illustrate the history of Belgium is probably to be found in the introduction to that finely printed series of Belgian Chronicles, issued by order of the government, and learnedly edited by various competent scholars, under direction of the Royal Historical Commis- sioners. The first of those magnificent quarto tomes appeared at Bruxelles in 1836, and these Records are yet in course of pub- lication. It need scarcely be observed, they contain matters of very great importance for the Irish hagiologist. '9^ During the writer's visit to Louvain, in July, 1863, the library was closed, so that no opportunity was afforded for in- specting the books or manuscripts. '93 This was formerly called the Biblio- teca Real, having been established by Philip v., and opened in 1 712. See Martin Haverty's " Wanderings in Spain, in 1843," vol. ii., chap, xxi., p. 239. '9* See Richard Ford's " Handbook for Travellers in Spain," part ii., sect, xi., p. 721. '95 See a very excellent description of its chief Bibliotecas in Henry O'Shea's admi- rable "Guide to Spain and Portugal," pp. 291, 292. '9* TuUy O'Conry furnished a list of 63 Irish saints, copied at Madrid, in A.D. 1658. See the Trinity College Manuscript, classed F. 1, 18. INTRODUCTION. cxlvii manuscnpts,'97 and 60,000 printed volumes.'s^ Mayence or Mainz. — This city, the ancient Roman Moguntiacum, abounds in good libraries. '59 Cata- logues of those have seen the light,^"° and from them we learn, there are matters of import for the Irish ecclesiastical student.'"' The city library consists of above 90,000 volumes.'"' Milan. — This beautiful city of Northern Italy contains many extensive libraries. Among these, the Brera Librar}' is one of the largest in Europe.'°3 TheBibliothecaAmbrosiana,'°*atMilan,was founded, a.d. 1609, by Frederigo Borromeo,'°5 a cousin to San Carlo Borromeo. It con- tained nearly 100,000 volumes, in 1846 ; there are over 500 volumes of manu- scripts alone,'°^ while some of these are of great antiquity and interest. '°7 It possesses several Irish manuscripts ; and, in it, materials for the compilation of an old Irish grammar are to be found. '°^ Molk or Melk. — In this romantically-situated town of Lower Austria, there is a fine monastic library.'°9 A beautifully engraved view of the large monastery here, with a description of its literary treasures, will be found in the work of Rev. Thomas Frognall Dibdin."° There are several manuscripts of value for the Irish hagiologist's use.'" Monte Casino. — The romantically-situated abbfy of this place owes its origin to St. Benedict, who founded it in the year 529."' The Benedictine Library of Monte Casino must always have a peculiar in- 'w See Gercken, " Reisen," band Hi., pp. 169 to 173, and Bjomstahl's "Briefe," band v., pp. 159 to 165. 's* See Charles Knight's "English Cyclo- paedia." Geography, vol. iii., col. 693. '»9 See ' ' Recensus Codicum Manuscrip- torum Bibliothecse Moguntinse." Likewise, Gudemus, " Sylloge variorum Diploma- tariorum Monumentorumque veterum in- editorum adhuc, " pp. 337 to 400. Published at Frankfort, A. D. 1 728, 8vo. Also Cramer, "Haus-Chronik," p. 141. "" See Gercken, '* Reisen," band iii., pp. 32 to 62. "' See Cooper's " Appendix A," pp. 159 to 161, and " Supplement to Appendix A," p. 28. =~ See Charles Knight's *' English Cyclo- paedia." Geography, vol. iii., col. 672. ^"3 See the Rev. G. W. D. Evans' work, "The Classic and Connoisseur in Italy and Sicily," vol. ii., p. 120. *"* Montfaucon has noticed several of its manuscripts. See "Diarium Italicum," cap. ii., pp. 10 to 20. ""S The monastic libraries of the Benedic- tines formed the nucleus of this collection. See "Italy," by Lady Morgan, vol. i., chap, v., p. 88. *^ The Rev. John Chetwode Eustace re- ports it as containing 15,000 manuscripts. See "Classical Tour through Italy," An. MDCCCII., vol. iv., chap, i., p. 28. '^ See J. S. Buckingham's " France, Piedmont, Italy, Lombardy, the Tyrol, and Bavaria," vol. i., chap, ix., pp. 131, 132. ** Professor J. G. Ascoli, of Milan, has long since promised to publish, from manu- scripts of the eighth century, a rare collec- tion of Irish glosses. "^ See " Bibliotheca Mellicensis, seu Vitae et Scripta Benedictinorum Mellicensium," auctore Martino Kropff, qui etiam Cata- logum selectorum nonnullorum Manuscrip- torum addidit. Published at Vienna, A. D. 1747, in 4to. See also Struvius, " Notitia Rei Litterarise," cura Fischeri, p. 393. Also, " Archiv der Gesellschaft fiir altere deutsche Geschichtkunde." ""See "A Bibliographical, Antiquarian and Picturesque Tour in France and Ger- many," vol. iii., Letter xlvi., pp. 408 to 418. "■ See Cooper's "Appendix A," pp. 161 to 163, and " Supplement to Appendix A," p. 29. '" A very interesting account will be found in M. Valery's " Voyages Historiques Lit- teraires et Artistiques en Italie," tome ii., liv. xiv., chap, xii., pp. 540 to 549. k cxlviii INTR on UCTION. terest for the scholar, since in addition to its books, it contains numbers of the most rare and vahiable manuscripts'^3 for the illustration especially of ecclesiastical history. Father John Mabillon has written a description of this place, and it is accompanied by two fine copperplate engravings of this magnificent monastery; while Father Montfaucon gives some curious ex- tracts and illustrations, regarding its manuscripts, about the beginning of the last century. 2^4 Munich. — This chief city of Bavaria contains one of the finest collections of valuable books on the Continent of Europe.^'s Munich's Royal Library comprises a number of rare manuscripts,^'^ in almost every department of literature.^'7 This latter collection includes some Irish glosses, on a book of St. Paul's Epistles.^'^ Various other manuscripts here are singularly interesting for the student of our ecclesiastical history.^'9 MuNSTER. — In this Prussian city — which has a Catholic University"" — there are some interesting manuscripts^^^ for the Irish hagiographer's study. "^ Miinster city is stated to have been founded by Charlemagne. ^^3 Naples. — The three chief Public Libraries and the archive depositaries of Naples,^'^ besides their vast stores of books, contain several thousand manuscripts. =^^s Of these latter, numbers are inestimably valuable for an ecclesiologist."^ The Museo Borbonico has a library with 150,000 volumes — 4,000 of which be- long to the earliest age of printing — with 3,000 manuscripts. ^^7 Nurem- berg.— In this city of Bavaria, there is a fine public library,"^ which con- =13 See Murray's " Handbook for Travel- lers in Southern Italy," Route 141, pp. 30. 31- "•< See Mabillon's " Annales Ordinis S. Benedicti," tomus ii., lib. xx., sec. xxxii., pp. 5610 57, and Montfaucon's "Diarium Italicum," cap. xxii., pp. 322 to 333. =•5 The Rev. T. F. Dibdin gives an ad- mirable description of the public library here, with some fine illustrations of its trea- sures, in his "Bibliographical, Antiquaian and Picturesque Tour in France and Ger- many," vol. iii., letter xlii., pp. 257 to 298. ^^^ Hardt's ** Catalogus Manuscriptorum Graecorum Bibliothecae Regis Bavariae" was published at Munich, A.D. 1806, in five quarto volumes. "7 A catalogue of the manuscripts be- longing to the Public Library of Munich was prepared by Joannes Georgius Her- wartus. This was published at Ingolstadt, A.D. 1600-4. See Struvius, " Notitia Rei Litterarioe," cap. 4, sec. 5. Also, Ber- nouilli, " Sammlungkurtzer Reisebeschrei- bungen," or, a collection of short de- scriptive travels, band or volume ii., p. 86. Likewise, Cramer, " Haus-Chronik," p. 191. "^ It also contains, " Vita S. Bonefacii." ''' See Cooper's " Appendix A," pp. 166 to 179, and "Supplement to Appendix A," pp. 32 to 62, =»°See "Gazetteer of the World," vol. ix., p. 421. **' See " Archiv der Gesellschaft fur al- tere deutsche Geschichtkunde." ^" See Meusel, "Teutsches Kiinstler- Lexicon," band iii., p. 461. ""^ See M. Malte-Brun's " Universal Geography, or a Description of all parts of the World, on a new plan,'' &c., vol. vii., book cxx., p. 224. "* See a notice of these treatises, in P. Petit-Radel's " Voyage Historique, Choro- graphique et Philosophique dans les Prin- cipales Villes de ritalie, in 1811 et 1812," tome iii., chap, iv., pp. 57, 58. "s Some notices of these treatises, classical and ecclesiastical, will be found in Mont- faucon's " Diarium Italicum," cap. xxi., pp. 301 to 320. *=* See Murray's " Handbook for Travel- lers in Southern Italy," Route 144, pp. 150 to 153. *^ See Lady Morgan's " Italy," vol. ii., chap. xxiiL, pp. 350, 351. *^8See G. C. Ranner's " Kurzgefasste INTR on UCTION. cxlix tains many bibliographical curiosities.^^9 These have been catalogued, ^3° and frequently described, both by Germans^^i and by foreigners. ^3^ Among the manuscripts here, several have a special interest for Irish hagiographers.'^33 OcHSENHAUSEN. — In this town of Wurtemberg, we are informed, some manuscripts of interest for the Irish hagiologist^34 were to be found.^35 The rich abbey here was given to Prince Metternich in 1803.^36 Palermo. — The city of Palermo in Sicily has a fine library, at the Liceo, containing 40,000 volumes, with many curious old manuscripts, while its Libreria del Comune contains 70,000 printed volumes, and 2,000 valuable manuscripts, chiefly on Sicilian matters.='37 An interesting history and description of this ancient city are given by F. Th. FazeUi, of the Dominican Order.^38 The writers and bocJks, connected with Sicily, are exceedingly numerous, and will repay the bibliographer's and the biographer's study. ^39 Paris. — At Paris, Francis I. laid the foundation of its chief public library, now containing most inestimable treasures of books and manuscripts, in almost every language. ^'♦° The Jesuits, Benedictines and other reHgious orders had for- merly enriched most of the chief cities and towns, throughout France, with many noble libraries, '^''i and with most curious collections of priceless manu- Beschreibung der Nurnbergischen Stadt- Bibliotek mit einigen Beylagen und dem Abdnick einer Handschrift," &c., or Briefly collected descriptions of the Town Library at Nuremberg, with some supplements and the copy of a manuscript. This work was published at Nuremberg, A.D. 1821, in 8vo. *^9 See Murray's " Handbook for Travel- lers in Southern Germany," Route 167, p. 95- *3° See Saubertus, " Historia Bibliothecse Noribergensis duabus oratiunculis illustrata. " This was published at Nuremberg in a l2mo volume, A.D. 1843. Also, Von Murr's " Beschreibung der vornehmsten Merk- wUrdigkeiten in Niirnberg und auf der hohen Schule zu Altdorf." *3' See Hirsching, " SehenswUrdige Bib- liotheken Teutschlands," or Remarkable Libraries of Germany, vol. iii., pp. 23 to 41. *3» See Rev. T. F. Dibdin's " Bibliogra- phical, Antiquarian and Picturesque Tour in France and Germany," vol. iii., Supple- ment, pp. XV. to xliv. *33 See Cooper's "Appendix A," pp. 181 to 184. Also " Supplement to Ap- pendix A," pp. 62, 63. '34 Among these is one designated " Trac- tatus de veneno Vitiorum, a fratre Malachia de provincia Ybernise." See Cooper's " Appendix A," p. 184. *3S See Canisius, "Lectiones Antiquae," tomus ii., pars, i., p. 117, ^36 See " Gazetteer of the World," vol. X., p. 661. '37 See Murray's " Handbook for Travel- lers in Sicily," pp. 67, 68, 70. '38 In the work, ' ' De Rebus Siculis, Prioris Decadis," lib. viii. De Panormo Vrbe, cap. i., pp. 148 to 174. See "Rerum Si- cularum Scriptores ex Recentioribus prae- cipui, in unum Corpus nunc primum con- gesti, diligentique recognitione plurimis in locis emendati." '39 See the valuable work of Antonio Mongitore, *' Bibliotheca Sicula, sive, De Scriptoribus Siculis, qui turn vetera, turn recentiorasaecula illustarunt, notitia? locuple- tissimffi ; in quibus non solum Siculorum Auctorum, qui ad haec usque tempora scrip- serunt, Codices excussi, vel manuscripti adnotantur ; verum etiim eorumdem Patria, .^tas, Professio, Munia, Dignitates, Me- , moranda, Obitus & Epitaphia recensentur." In two folio vslumes. Panormi, A. D. 1708. '*> See Thomas Astle's " Origin and Progress of Writing," Introduction, p. xviii. '*' Many of these were dispersed before and about the period of the great French Revolution. Mon. Galvais wrote a valu- able treatise on the libraries of France, in the earlier part of the last century ; and the learned Father Montfaucon treats about cl INTRODUCTION. scripts. The former Royal or Imperial — now known as the National — Library of Paris contains a vast number of most rare and interesting manu- scripts for the Irish ecclesiastical historian's purpose. '<* The Library of the Arsenal and the Library of St. Genevieve, as also the Mazarine or Institute Library, abound in similar treasures.'*3 These four libraries alone are com- puted to contain over 60,000 manuscripts."** Other great French cities, we have been informed from many sources, contain numberless acts of Irish Saints — especially as connected with France. Prague. — There is a fine collection of books and manuscripts'^^ in this city,'*^ the seat of a cele- brated ancient university, '*7 and the capital of Bohemia.'*^ Rebdorf. — At this place, there are some antique literary treasures.**' Here are matters of interest for the Irish hagiographer.'so Ratisbon or Regensbourg. — The books and manuscripts kept in the various libraries here's' are of special value's* The learned Mabillon has allusion to them,'53 and they have been frequently noticed by bibliographers's* and by travellers. 'ss The Irish historio- grapher will even find materials's^ for the furtherance of his objects.'sr Rennes. — This town, once the capital of Upper Brittany.'ss has a public library, containing 30,000 volumes, and many rare manuscripts.'59 This city was anciently called Condate, by the old Celtic inhabitants, while the them in his " Bibliotheca Bibliothecarum," tomus ii. »*' See Dibdin's "Bibliographical, Anti- quarian, and Picturesque Tour through France and Germany," vol. ii., letter xxiv. to letter xxviii., pp. 122 to 318. '*3 See ibid., letters xxviii., xxix., pp. 318 to 380. '*< See Petit-Radel's "Recherches sur les Bibliotheques anciennes et modemes " In an 8vo volume, published at Taris, a.d, 1819. '« See Cooper's " Appendix A," pp. 188 to 190, and " Supplement to Appendix A," p. 63. '** Hirsching, " Sehenswurdige Biblio- theken Teutschlands," band iii., pp. 192, 199 and 201 to 211. Savigny, "Geschichte des Romischen Rechtes im Mittelalter," History of the Roman rights or laws in the Middle Ages, band iv. , p. 359. ^^ See Murray's " Handbook for Travel- lers in Southern Germany," Route 265, pp. 453. 454- »*« See Ennis' "Complete System of Mo- dem Geography," p. 940. »*' See Canisius, " Lectiones Antiquse," tomus ii., pars, i., p. 99. '50 See Cooper's " Appendix A," p. 196, and " Supplement to Appendix A," p. 63. 'S' The reader will find an interesting de- scription of this city in Murray's " Hand- book for Travellers in Southern Germany," Route 168, pp. 106 to 112. »S3 ggg »i Bibliotheca Rinckiana seu Supel- lex I.ibrorum tam ImpressorumquamManu- scriptorum," quos collegit E. G. Rinck, pars, vi., pp. loii to 1048. Published at Leipsig, A.D. 1747, in 8vo. "53 See " Iter Gtrmanicum," prefixed to the " Vetera Analecta," pp. 9 to ir. '5* See Pezius, "Dissertatio Isagogica," p. xxxviii. '55 See Krauss* "Bibliotheca Principalis Ecclesiae et Monasterii Ordinis S. Bene- dicti, ad S. Emmeramum Epis. et Martyr." Published at Ratisbon, in four parts, A.D. 1748, i2mo. '5* See Cooper's "Appendix A," pp. 197 to 200, and " Supplement to Appendix A," pp. 63 to 65. '57 See Dr. O'Conor's "Bibliotheca MSS. Stowensis," vol. i., pp. 50, 51, vol. ii., p. 26. '58 See Mrs. Charles Stothard's "Letters written during a Tour through Normandy, Brittany, and other parts of France, in 1818," Letter xviii., p. 184. '59 See Murray's *' Handbook for Travel- lers in France," Route 34, p. 120, INTRODUCTION. cli Romans afterwards distinguished it as Rhedones.'^ Rheinau or Riche- NAU. — Here were preserved very curious manuscripts.^^' Richenau is an island, about three miles long and one broad, and it contains a fine Befie- dictine abbey.'*^ Several coaices of interest for the Irish hagiographer will be found here.'^3 Rome. — The Library of the Vatican at Rome, in 1846,'** contained the collected books and manuscripts, which four hundred years of care and expense have enabled the Popes to accumulate from every part of the civilized world, with the addition of many libraries of convents and royal palaces, voluntarily added to its stores.=^s The Greek, Latin and Oriental manuscripts alone number' 24,000. These are admitted to be among the richest and rarest in the world.'^^ In the great Vatican Library ."^^ we are informed, that there is a vellum MS., of 170 folios, in 4to size, con- taining the chronicle of Marianus Scotus,'^^ " the most elaborate historical production of the Middle Ages," and bearing the autograph of its illustrious chronographer.'^9 The chronicle is divided into three books :'7° the first book embraces that period from Adam to Christ fT^ the second is a life of '*°See M. Malte-Brun's "Universal Geo- graphy," &c., vol. viii,, book cxliii., p. 304. »*'See Zapf, " Reisen," or Travels. Also Haenel's '* Catalog! Manuscriptorum," PP- 734-740. '''See Coxe's "Travels in Switzerland, and in the Country of the Orisons," vol. i., Letter iii., pp. 14, 15. "'sSee Cooper's '* Appendix A," pp. 200, 201. '^^See J. S. Buckingham's "France, Piedmont, Italy, Lombardy, and the Tyrol," vol. ii., chap, vii., p. 133. The new Vatican Library, and the printing press in the same palace, are among those foun- dations due to Sixtus V. See Charles Isi- dore Hemans' " Historic and Monumental Rome," chap, iii., p. 115. 3*5 "The Librarian of the Vatican, or as he is more properly called the " Librarian of the Roman Church" {Bibliotecario dilla ChUsa Romana), is always a cardinal, com- monly the cardinal of state. His duties as such, however, are, in a great measure, nominal ; and the details of the manage- ment practically rest with the Ptimo Custode, or Chief Keeper of the Library, who is as- sisted by a second keeper, and seven scrit- toriy or secretaries, among whom are dis- tributed the seven departments - Hebrew, Syriac, Arabic, Greek, Latin, Italian, and modern foreign languages— into which the books are classified." — "The Life of Car- dinal Mezzofanti," &c. By Very Rev. Charles W. Russell, D.D., chap, xii., p. 338. '** See Murray's " Handbook for Rome and its Environs," sect. i. The public and private libraries at Rome are noticed. The Vatican, at pp. 217 to 219; Angelica, p. 128 ; Barberini, p. 244 ; CoUegio Romano, p. 271 ; Sapienza, p. 271 ; Minerva, p. 152; Corsini, p. 254 ; Chigi, 250 ; S. Filippo Neri, p. 156 ; Inquisition, p. 260 ; S. Ca- listo, p. 155 ; Casinatense, p. 152 ; S. Croce in Gerusaleme, p. 140. Several other li- braries in Rome, however, are there un- noticed. '*' Pope Nicholas V. may be considered as its great ibunder, and succeeding Pontiffs, by their munificence, industry and influence, have greatly enriched that inestimable re- pository. See Astle's " Origin and Pro- gress of Writing," Introduction, p. xvii. ="* See his lile, at the 30lh of Jan. arv. '*9 On the first folio is written, " Iste liber pertinet ad Librarium, L. Martini, Mogun- tiae, 1497." "70 At fol. 27, line 26, is found, " Incipit Mariani Scoti Cronaca clara. " ''■The first and third books were pub- lished by Heroldus, at Basle, in 1559 ; they were reprinted at Frankfort in 1583 ; and by Struvius in 1720. Voss undertook to publish this work in its integrity, but did not live to carry out his design. Finally, it was edited by Waitz, in the fifth volume of clii INTR OD UCTION. Our Lord, being a Catena of the Gospels fT^ while the third extends from the Ascension to the year 1083. Not forming part of the Chronicle, is given a list of Irish kings,=73 introduced by a sentence, partly Irish and partly Latin. Several noble families and most of the religious houses, at Rome, had formed extensive collections both of books and manuscripts. ^74 in the Barbarini list of manuscripts, relating to Ireland, about thirteen of them refer directly to Irish saints. Among the Palatine manuscripts are two, con- taining the purest text of a collection of Irish canons.^^s Few other docu- ments of purely national interest seem to be preserved in this large collec- tion of manuscripts. =76 Within the -former Papal States, there were no less than seven universities, namely, those of Ferrara, Bologna, Urbino, Mace- rata, Camerino, Perugia and Rome. Each of these universities was supplied with an ample library, in some of which were to be found works of great antiquity and of rare value.'^z Rouen. — The public library at Rouen, in Normandy, has several curious manuscripts of an ecclesiastical character.'^s It is mainly composed of books,'79 belonging to the Academy, and spoiled from different monasteries, convents and chateaux, after the great French Revolution.^^ There appear to be kept here some manuscripts of interest the " Monumenta Germaniae Historica." Giesebrecht examined the MS. when search- ing for materials for the " Life of Gregory the Seventh." Owing to their ignorance of the Irish language, however, both he and Waitz committed some blunders. '7^ It seems somewhat strange that, nei- ther in the old editions nor in that celebrated Collection of Pertz, is there any mention of the second book. *73 At folio 15, b, occurs this notice : " Hi %yycAflathi Hibemiae qui ex dimedia {sic) parte eius ; i., de Leth Chiunn, vegerunt, 0 Chunn Cetchatach co Fland Alac Mailsech- naill. It may thus be translated into Eng- lish : "These are the Kings of Ireland, who reigned in one half of it, namely, the portion of Conn (the northern half of Ire- land), from Conn of the Hundred Battles (a.d. 151), to Flann, son of Maelsechnaill (A.D. 914). *7* One of the most interesting works, on the subject of the Roman Libraries, is the Very Rev. Jeremiah Donovan's '* Rome : Ancient and Modem, and its Environs." See vol. i., chap, ii., pp. 335, 336 ; vol. ii., chap, i., pp. 488 to 503 ; vol. iii., chap, xi., PP- 943 to 999. See also an account of the ruins of the ancient Palatine Library in vol. iv., chap, xvii., pp. 261 to 266. '« Allusion is made to them by Dr. Graves, the Protestant Bishop of Limerick, who says, these ecclesiastical canons contain among them several laws, that are of a purely civil character, with many allusions to the existing state of society. Among ancient Brehon laws, still exant in the Irish lan- guage, the very same institutions are to be foimd, forming part of a system, which is altogether similar and coherent Thus, the independent testimony of the Canons, whose age is now fully ascertained, demonstrates the genuineness and antiquity of our Brehon laws. ='70 See a letter of Rev. B. MacCarthy, dated St. Colman's College, Fermoy, July 9th, 1872, headed "Celtic MSS. in the Vatican. " It was published in Tlie Tablet of Saturday, July 20th, 1872. "77 See John Francis Maguire's " Rome : its Ruler and its Institutions," chap, xxv., pp. 288, 289. '7* A library belongs to the cathedral here, and a beautiful view of this library stair- case is given in Mrs. Charles Stothard's " Letters written during a Tour through Normandy, Brittany, and other parts of France, in 1818," Letter iii., p. 26. '79 The Catalogue contained over 33,OO0 titles of books, in 1835. =^See Le Vicomte Walsh's "Explora- tions en Normandie," pp. 511 to 514. INTRODUCTION. cHii to the Irish hagiographer.''^^ About the time of the French Revolution, not fewer than 10,000 volumes, taken from the public library, are supposed to have been burned.^^^ Saint Gall. — This very famous monastic library in Switzerland contains numerous and most choice specimens of early Irish literature. ^^3 An inedited catalogue of its codices yet exists, and of an old date.^^'* Fully and minutely, the Chevalier Constantino Nigra has described Irish MSS., existing in the Monastery of St. Gall, and treated about their ancient compilers.'^^s This is done, however, more in a philological than in a historical point of view. Those MSS. also greatly assisted the learned German Celtic scholar, I. C. Zeuss, to construct his celebrated work,^^'^ and to furnish it with old Irish forms of words. Travellers and local historio- graphers have alike excited the curiosity of Celtic scholars, regarding the St. Gall manuscripts. ^^7 A great mine of ancient national lore is to be found among these codices.'^^^ The learning of Pertz^^9 has introduced many of those treasures to the attention of historical students.^9° Salamanca. — Besides some libraries of the religious orders here, the University Library contains 6o,,ooo volumes. ^9' Its university dates back to the fourteenth century, and it once attracted upwards of 10,000 students from all parts of the world. ^9^ It had an Irish college attached, well attended by Irish stu- ^^ See a description in Rev. Thomas Frognall Dibdin'& " Bibliographical, Anti- quarian and Picturesque Tour in France and Germany," vol. i., Letter ix., pp. i6i to 179. ^8= See ibid., p. 180, ''^s See Miiller, " Geschichte der Schweitz," or History of Switzerland, band i., p. 282. Also Wilhelm Carl Grimm's "Ueber deutsche Runen," or Concerning German Ruins, pp. 106 to iio. Published at Gbttingen, A.D. 182 1, in i2mo. ''^'' It is intituled, "Catalogus Librorum Coenobii S. Galli Confessoris Xpi. saeculi noni," in No. 728. '*5 In his " Reliquie Celtiche." The first number was published at Fizenze, Torino and Rome, by Ermanno Loescher, A.D. 1872, in 4to. ^^ See " Grammatica Celtica. E monu- mentis vetustis tam Hibemicse linguae quam Britannicae dialecti Cambricse Comicse Ar- moricae, nee non e Gallicse priscae reliquiis construxit," I. C. Zeuss Fhilos. Dr. Histor. prof. Lipsiae, mdcccliii. 2 vols. Editio altera. Curavit H. Ebel, Berolini, M DCCCLX VI 1 1 .-LXX I. *^' See Scheuchzerus, " Itinera per Helve- tiam," tomus iv., pp. 546, 547. Published at Leyden, ad. 1723, in four volumes 4to. Also, Von Arx, " Geschichte cles Kanton St. Gallen," or History of the Canton of St. Gall. Published at St. Gall, in three vo- lumes 8vo., a.d. 1810 to 1813. '^ Several very curious illustrations and accounts of these invaluable manuscripts are to be seen in Cooper's " Appendix A," pp. 78 to 96, and " Supplement to Ap- pendix A, pp. 19 to 23. ^^9 The most authentic ancient chronicles of St. Gall may be read in that magnificent collection, " Monumenta Germanise His- torica," edited by George Henry Pertz. These will be found ably edited, in Scrip- torum, tomus ii., the "Casus S. Galli per Ratpertum, Ekkehardum IV. Burkardum, Conradum de Fabaria," pp. 59 to 183. At the end is found this notice, "Christiani Kuchinmeister continuationem Casuum S. Galli, una cum aliis Chronicis Germanica dialecta scriptis edendam Tomo Uno e sequentibus seposuimus." ^90 Notices of these appear in the "Mo- numenta Germanise Historica," tomus ii., PP- 31. 34- =9' See Henry O'Shea's "Guide to Spain and Portugal," pp. 359, 360. ^^ See the ' ' Historia del Convent© de San Agustin de Salamanca," by Herrera, published at Madrid, A.D. 1652 : the His- toria del Colegio Viejo de S. Bartolome, by Roxas y Contreras, published at Madrid, in three (olio volumes, A.D. 1766 to 1770; also, " Resena Historia de la Universidad," cliv INTRODUCTION. dents, and its biblioteca contained manuscript acts of our island saints.'53 Salmansweiler. — At the monastery of this place, in Baden, there is a valu- able collection of manuscripts. '9* Among these are some interesting to the Irish hagiographer.'ss The learned Benedictine Fathers, John Mabillon and Micliael Germanus, have left some notices of this place.'?^ Saltzburg. — Near this city of Upper Austria'97 is the Benedictine abbey of Monchs- berg,'98 with its fine library of 36,000 vGlumes.'99 This city had a university formerly,3<» but it is now reduced to a lyceum, having a library of 20,000 volumes, and probably containing 120 manuscripts. 3o» Some of these latter belong to the eighth and ninth centuries. 3°' Several are of great interest for the Irish ecclesiologist and antiquary. 3°3 Among them is an account of the life and miracles of the Irish founder, St. Virgil, apostle of Carinthia.3°4 ScHAFHAUSEN. — This Swiss town is situated on the northern shore of the Rhine. 3°5 Here there is a fine public library, and from the published cata- logue, 3°^ we are made acquainted with the fact, that it possesses Irish histo- rical records. 3°7 Simancas. — This old Spanish towTi, about two leagues from Valladolid — formerly a royal seat — preserves the archives of Spain. In 1853, contained in forty-three rooms, there were 90,000 packages of paper, awaiting investigation from the curious. 3°^ Here, on the loth of September, 1602, died Red Hugh 0'Donnell,^°5 in that house belonging to the King of Spain.3»° Stockholm. — In this capital city of Sweden, the by several of its Professors, published at Salamanca, A D. 1849. •93 Colgan frequently quotes such manu- scripts as once belonging to Salamanca. *9^ See Z ipf's "Reisen in einigen Klostem- Schwabens," or Travels in some Cloisters of Swabia, p. 54. Also Gerbertus' *' Iter Alemannicum, " p. 245. "95 See Cooper's " Appendix A," p. 202. ^ See the *' Iter Germanicum," prefixed to Mabillon's " Vetera Analecta," pp. 14 and 25. '9' See Gerbertus, " Iter Alemannicum," p. 419. *»* There is a printed Catalogue, "Biblio- thek der Benedictiner Abbey, St. Michaelis *uf dem Monchsberg." •99 See Murray's " Handbook for Travel- lers in Southern Germany," sect, xi., p. 241. 3<»A description of this occurs in the " Iter Germanicum," prefixed to Mabillon's "Vetera Analecta," pp. il, 12. *»See J. R. M'Culloch's "Dictionary, Geographical, Statistical and Historical," vol. iv., p. 121. 3°' Archiv der Gessellschaft fiir altere deulsche Gcschichtkunde." Also Bernouilli, ' ' Sammlungkurtzer Reisebesclireibungen, " band xii., p. 220. 3°3 See Cooper's " Appendix A," pp. 202 10204. 3°< See Cooper's " Supplement to Ap- pendix A," p. 66. 3°5 See Coxe's ' ' Travels in Switzerland, and in the Country of the Grisons," vol. i.. Letter 2, p. 5. 3<* For the first time, the Catalogue of the Public Library at Shalhausen was printed in 1824. It is an octavo volume of 574 pages. See, also, " Bibliotheca Ministerii Sacri Scaphusiensis," a. D. 1820. Likewise see Meusel, " Teutsches Kunstler-Lexicon, band iii., p. 501. 3°7See Cooper's "Appendix A," p. 204, and " Supplement to Appendix A," pp. 66, 67. 3°* See Lady Louisa Tenison's superbly- illustrated work, " Castile and Andalucia," chap, xiv., pp. 393, 394- 3°9 He was buried in the church of the Monastery of St. Francis in Valladolid, but now not a vestige of the convent or of his tomb remains. See ibid., p. 396. 3'° See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. vi., pp. 2296 to 2299. INTRODUCTION. civ Royal Library contains 70,000 volumes, with several rare manuscripts.3" The Stockholm libraries are rich in Icelandic manuscripts, which have been chiefly collected within the last two centuries. These are of great historical and antiquarian interest,3" Many of them ought, doubtless, throw great light on the relations of Ireland with more northern nations, during the ninth, tenth, and eleventh centuries. Strasburg — The fine public library here contained many valuable books and manuscripts.3'3 Some of these latter had a special value for the Irish hagiographer and ecclesiologist. The public library of Strasburg was founded by Bishop Otho, in the sixteenth century ;3i4 but unfortunately its valuable books and manuscripts have been utterly de- stroyed,3's during the bombardment, in the late war between France and Prussia. Struttgart. — This town lies in a beautiful and flourishing coun- try.3'<5 fhg public and royal libraries3''' at Struttgart, in Wiirtemberg, con- tain several invaluable manuscripts3'^ for the Irish hagiographer's object.3'9 The public library has a collection of 130,000 volumes. 3^° Some of the manuscripts are very old and very curious.s^^ Triers or Treves. — The public library of this Prussian city contains 70,000 volumes, 3" and 10,000 MSS., or books, printed in England before 1500.3*3 These illustrate ancient Church history3*'« to a remarkable degree. It contains several of use for the Irish hagiologist. Turin. — The city of Turin, in Northern Italy, probably possesses manuscripts, both written and glossed by Scoti. The university On this hero, the Franciscan annalists have pronounced a most pathetic and noble eulogy. 3" See Murray's " Handbook for Travel- lers in Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Iceland, " Route 60, p. 323. Third edition. London, 1858, 8vo. 3i" As a key to their study, a valuable "Icelandic-English Dictionary," based on the manuscript collections of Richard Cleasby, enlarged and completed by Gud- brand Vigfiisson, M.A., has been edited by G. W. Dasent, D.C L. It issued from the Clarendon Press, at Oxford, in 1874. 3'3 Some of the literary treasures, until of late, at Strasbourg, are described in Rev. Thomas Frognall Dibdin's " Bibliographi- cal, Antiquarian and Picturesque Tour in France and Germany," vol. ii., Letter xxxv., pp. 48 to 71. j'^ See Thomas Astle's " Origin and Pro- gress of Writing, " Introduction, p. xix. 3'SOnthe 24th of August, 1870. See Col. W, RUstow's "War for the Rhine Frontier, 1870 ; its political and military History." Translated from the German by John Leland Needham, vol. ii., chap, xxv., p. 182. Edinburgh and London. 187 1, 1872, 8vo, in three volumes. 3'* See William Howitt's "Rural and Domestic Life of Germany," chap, xviii., § 2, p. 270. 3'7 See a description and details of the Royal Library here in Dibdin's " Biblio- graphical, Antiquarian and Pic'uresque Tour in France and Germany, " vol. iii.. Letter xxxviii., pp. 157 to 165. 3'8See Meusel, " Teuisches Kiinstler- Lexicon," band iii., p. 509, 3'9 See Cooper's " Appendix A," pp. 206 to 208, and "Supplement to Appendix A," pp. 67 to 79. 3" Dibdin's " Bibliographical, Antiqua- rian and Picturesque Tour in France and Germany," vol. Hi., Letter xxxviii., pp. 131 to 147. 3" See ibid., pp. 147 to 157. 3» See M. Malte-Brun's " Universal Geo- graphy," vol. vii, book cxx., p. 249, for a more particular account. 3'3See Cooper's "Appendix A," pp. 209, 210, and "Supplement to Appendix A," pp. 79, 80. 3"' See " Voyage Litteraire de Deux Re- ligieux Benediclins de la Congregation de S. Maur," tomeii., p. 285. clvi INTR on UCTION. here is a noble establishment, with library, museum, observatory and halls. 3^5 The public library of Turin contains 120,000 volumes of printed books, and a valuable collection of manuscriptSjS^^ many of which belonged to the Dukes of Savoy. 3^7 Upsala. — The libraries of the Swedish City, Upsala, abound in Icelandic manuscripts. The University Library alone contains about 130,000 printed books and 7,000 manuscripts. 3'^ Some ot these should doubtless re- ward the study of an Irish antiquary. A very valuable work, for the ecclesiastical antiquary's and historian's consultation, is the " Monumenta Ullerakerensia, cum Upsalia Nova illustrata," &c., composed in Swedish and Latin. It includes many very fine and curious plates, especially of Upsala, its cathedral and monuments.3'9 This work was written by Johan Peringskiold.330 Verden. — The town of Verden, in Hanover, has a library, which contains some Acts of Irish Saints,33' among its manuscripts. 33' Vienna. — This beautiful capital of Austria is rich in the possession of fine libraries.333 In 1480, the Vienna Imperial Library was founded by Maximilian I., and this he enriched with a vast number of manuscripts,33< collected or copied from the Austrian monasteries. 335 Hence, we have the gleaning of literary stores,336 3'5 See Rev. John Chetwode Eustace's " Classical Tour through Italy in mdcccii," vol. iv., chap, iv., p. 95. ^ Among these is a Latin manuscript of Sedulius, which dates back to the seventh century, and it is one of the oldest at Turin. See M. Valery's " Voyages Historiques, Lit- teraires, el Artistiques en Italic, Guide Rai- sonne et complet du Voyageur et de I'Ar- tist," deuxime edition, tome iii., liv. xxi., chap, iii., p. 423. 3^7 See Murray's " Handbook for Travel- lers in Northern Italy," part L, Route i., p. 27. 3=^8 See Murray's " Handbook for Travel- lers in Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Ice- land," Route 62, p. 338. 3*9 This is a folio volume, printed at Stockholm, A.D. 1719. 330 Ecclesiastical and other antiquaries will find much curious information about ancient Upsalia, in that interesting work of Johan Peringskiold, "Monumentorum Sveo- Gothicorum Liber Primus, Uplandias Partem Primariam Thiundiam continens, cum Antiquitatibus ac Inscriptionibus quae Cippis et Rupibus, vel Tumbis incisa passim reperiuntur; justa delineatione, brevique Commentario illustratas. " This thin folio volume, written in Swedish and Latin, was published at Stockholm, A.D. \^\o. It contains curious engravings of ancient Northern— in a style, many features of which closely resemble our most primitive Irish — churches. Inscriptions and coins of singular interest are likewise represented. 33' Among these are noticed, "Vita S. Fursei," and "Vita S. Brigidie ex Scotia." See " De Codicibus Antiquis Manuscriptis," tomus Podronus, p. 37. 33* See Cooper's "Appendix A," p. 211, and " Supplement to Appendix A," p. 80. 333 See Lambecius, "Commentani de Bibliotheca Caesarea Vindobonensi. " Pub- lished at Vienna, A.D. 1665 — 1679, in eight volumes folio. This same work was issued, "operaet studio A. F. Kollarii,"at Vienha, A.D. 1766— 1782, in eight volumes folio. See Kollarius, "Analecta Monumentorum omnis aevi Vindobonensia. " Published at Vienna, A.D. 1761, 1762. Two volumes folio. See also Kollarius, " Ad Lambecii Commentariorum libros octo Supplemen- tum." Liber Primus Posthumus. Published at Vienna, a.d. 1790, in folio. Like- wise, Leon, " Kurtzgefasste Beschreibung der K. K. Hof-Bibliothek in Wien," or Brief Description of the Court Library in Vienna. Published at Vienna, A.D. 1820, in 24mo. 33* It contains 16,076 manuscripts. See Murray's " Handbook for Souihera Ger- many," sect, xi., p. 202. 335 See Thomas Astle's " Origin and Pro- gress of Writing." Introduction, p. xviii. 33*' In Rev. Thomas Frosmall Dibdin's INTR OD UCTION. clvii likely to be of singular value for the Irish historiographer's examination. 337 But there are, likewise, several other magnificent libraries in and around Vienna ; such as the Emperor's Private Library, the University Library,338 and that belonging to the Monastery of Closterneuburg,339 Wiengarten. — In this city of Baden, once existed the Abbey of Wiengarten. 34° It was re- peatedly burned, yet Gerbert observes, that several fine manuscripts have been preserved. 34' Some of Irish interest are among these. 34^ Mabillon gives an interesting account of his literary researches, at WeingaTten.343 Wind- berg. — This town, in Austrian Styria, had a collection of manuscripts.344 Among these are some, which have an interest for Irish hagiographers.34S WoLFENBUTTEL. — The city of Wolfenbuttel, in Brunswick, has a public library, containing 220,000 volumes. 34^ Among the manuscripts of this place are several,347 which deserve the attention of an Irish historical inves- tigator. 348 WuRZBURG. — In Bavaria, at Wurzburg, situated on the Main, the martyrdom of the Irish Apostle of Franconia, St. Kilian,349 took place. The great cathedral there now occupies that exact site. 35° Here, too, there is a university and some monastic establishments.35i Some curious manu- scripts,352 of interest for the Irish student, are shown, and among these is a Book of Gospels, said to have been used by St. Kilian.353 In the Burgundian Library, at Bruxelles, there is a tract,354 which specially refers to this local " Bibliographical, Antiquarian and Pic- turesque Tour in France and Germany," a most admirable account of this great collec- tion will be found, with a number of beauti- fully engraved fac-similes of the manuscripts. Vol. iii., letters xlvii., xlviii., pp. 446 to 534- 337 See Cooper's " Appendix A," pp 212. to 239, and " Supplement to Appendix A," pp. 80 to 82, for very copious reports on this subject. 338 See Murray's " Handbook for Travel- lers in Southern Germany," sect, xi., p. 215. 339 See Rev. Thomas Frognall Dibdin's "Bibliographical, Antiquarian and Pic- turesque Tour in France and Germany," vol. iii., letter xlix., pp. 589 to 619. 34° See Murray's " Handbook for Travel- lers in Southern Germany," sect, ix., p. 30. 34' See "Iter Alemannicum," p. 235. Also Gercken's " Reisen," or Travels. Theil or part i., pp. 119, 120, 142. 3*^ See Cooper's "Appendix A," pp. 242, 243- 343 See "Iter Germanicum," p. 6, pre- fixed to " Vetera Analecta." 344 See, Canisius, " Lectiones Antiquge," torn, i., p. 674, torn, ii., p. 161, tom. iii., pp. 13, 171. 345 See Cooper's "Appendix A," p. 244, and " Supplement to Appendix A, " p. 83. 346 ^ee "Gazetteer of the World," vol. xiv., p. 532. 347 See "Archiv der Gesellschaft fiir al- tere deutsche Geschichtkunde." Also Burckhard, " Historia Bibliothecse Augus- tse, que Wolffenbutteli est." Published at Leipzig, A.D. 1744, 1746, in two volumes 4to. 348 See Cooper's "Appendix A," pp. 245 to 253, and "Supplement to Appendix A," pp. 83, 84. 349 See his Life at the 8th of July. 350 See Murray's " Handbook for Travel- lers in Southern Germany," sect x., p. 88. 35' See Eckhart, " Commentarii de Rebus Francise Orientalis et Episcopatus Wice- burgensis," tom. i., p. 452. Also, Gercken's " Reisen," theil ii., pp. 340 to 343. 352 See Hirsching, " Sehenswiirdige Bib- liotheken Teutschlands," band i., p. 261. 353 See Cooper's " Appendix A," pp. 253 254, and " Supplement to Appendix A," pp. 84 to 87. 354 Intituled, " De Monasterio S. Jacobi Herbipolensis. " This was a peculiarly Irish foundation. clviii INTRODUCTION. religious establishment. 355 Thus have we endeavoured to give a very suc- cinct account, respecting those chief European libraries and archives, whence matters of import may be gleaned, for the illustration of our national Saints' Acts, and of our early ecclesiastical history. Yet, there can hardly be a doubt, regarding the preservation of innumerable and of nearly similar ma- terials, in cities or towns unnamed — the examination and description of which must devolve on future investigators. Whether or not Irish hagio- graphical manuscripts have been removed to, or written, in other parts of the world, and if preserved, in any considerable number, has not been ascer- tained, as yet, to a very satisfactory extent, by the present writer. Conclusion. The foregoing writers and hagiographical works, printed or in manuscript, comprise not all that might be named or noted, in reference to universal or special Irish sacred biographies. While the chief authors and books have been mentioned, regarding general and classified collections of holy lives'; it must be observed, that various writers, scribes, and productions of minor celebrity, or invested with less historic importance, have escaped our notice, or have been placed without the range of our examination and knowledge. Having, likewise, designated the various libraries or archives throughout Europe, where, in different languages, several acts of the Irish Saints have been hitherto kept, and having described the most important and authentic published works or documents, from which succeeding biographies are chiefly drawn : it may be remarked, that, under headings of the respective names or festivals of our holy personages, marginal and reference notes will furnish a more detailed enumeration and critical analysis respecting those authorities, which have been used for the author's purposes of evidence or illustration. As a study, Irish Hagiology hardly ever suppresses or alters — although occasionally it distorts — facts of our ecclesiastical history ; neither does it suggest wrong inferences, nor directly give any false colouring to past records. But, acuteness of mind, correct judgment, and delicacy of per- ception, are always required during the process of investigation. These gifts are necessary qualifications for writers or readers, who, in this field of re- search, must niver consider their education adequate, much less complete. Some interesting popular legends of our saints have been preserved in oral tradition, and have been transferred, in various instances, to these pages. Such reminisences of our peasantry may not always prove to be genuine illustrations of national hagiology ; yet, in all cases, they preserve a sound morality, and have often engaged the interest and sympathies of highly- educated and pious persons. They serve, also, to popularize the mere 3SS See " Inventale," vol. xviii., >'o. multi in Scotia." No doubt, this tract 5313. It commencci, " Circa hoc tempus should interest the Irish student INTRODUCTION. clix chronological or topographical details, which otherwise might hardly excite sufficient narrative interest. Besides, such lore should be likely to fade away from recollection, after the lapse of a few generations ; whereas, once com- mitted to type, those stories may afford future archaic and hagiological stu- dents means for critical comparison with hitherto unpublished or undiscovered acts of some saints. An unaccountable and indescribable analysis of adventi- tious legends has frequently placed obscure historic accounts within the limits of reliable fact ; or, at least, traces of truthful narrative apparently gleam through the tinsel of false ornament, in which tradition had been so long dis- guised. It is very possible, that some biographical incidents — which were origin- ally simple and natural enough — had passed, in traditional narratives, and through exaggerated statements, to the writers of our saints' lives. Chiefly from defect of attention or of memory, such accounts were subject to various alterations ; and, as they did not all come from similar sources, the biographer may have been obliged to compose his acts, without regard to proper order or system, in his arrangement. The most marvellous and inexact details were those most likely to be fixed in people's minds ; so that, after the lapse of a few ages, we may easily comprehend, how difficult it must have been to obtain wholly reliable facts, dates, or traits of personal character, without the aid of contemporaneous records. Through mistake of entry, or owing to the circumstances, that different festivals or forms of name had been assigned to the same individual, in certain instances, our Calendarists appear sometimes to have multiplied or confounded particular saints' feasts. Frequently, the same saint had been venerated at more than one place, and thus correct identifications have be- come exceedingly difficult. It requires great study, close attention, instinc- tive capacity, and special knowledge, to detect such errors. In many cases, the effort must be attempted with very doubtful results. Genealogies of the saints, topographical objects or denominations, popular traditions, and an- nalistic entries, are the best guides to establish a distinction or identity. Yet, even these fail us, in regard to several of our holy personages. The obsolete names of places, their divergency, or proximity of distance, and frequently local folk-lore or legends, often help us to an exact solution of problems in our Calendar. Ancient records, charters, inquisitions, and maps of remote date, furnish likewise very important aids towards forming an opinion, or pronouncing a judgment, on subjects under consideration. As the author's design includes in his work the lives of saints, connected with our island, by birth, residence, or death, it may be observed, this publi- cation must tend, incidentally, to illustrate the Hagiology and Church His- tory of England, Scotland, Wales, and many other countries on the Con- tinent of Europe. Throughout, it inculcates lessons of faith, of morality, and of Christian heroism. Every possible effort has been made to discover and place upon record — arranged according to a monthly and diurnal order — the biographies, festivals, and commemorations of all known, or reasonably clx INTRODUCTION. reputed, to be Irish Saints. Patrons of various churches, parishes, or dio- ceses, throughout Ireland, and in more distant countries, as likewise the patrons of different families, are identified, in a vast number of cases ; while ecclesiastical ruins, more modem structures, shrines, artistic and antiquarian objects, having close reference to them, are accurately noted and described. In order to render the life of each saint comprehensive and complete, as materials and information furnished to the writer will allow, he has been careful to omit no statement of importance, judged consistent with sound morals and doctrine, or Christian edification. Thus, it is hoped, this series of volumes on our national Hagiology, in scope and design, will furnish more satisfactory and accurate information, regarding the saints of Ireland, than any publication that has yet appeared. Under the form of biography, likewise, is included the most enlarged — if not the most exact — ecclesiastical history of Irish affairs yet published, and reaching from the earliest dawn of Christianity in this country to a period subsequent to the Anglo-Norman invasion, when the latest of our saints flourished, as recorded in acts, calendars or recorcjs. It may be stated, even, that Irish civil history, for such an intervening period, receives incidentally, a very full amount of careful investigation and treatment. Anciently the festivals of various Irish saints were solemnly celebrated in those localities, which had a special claim on them as patrons. This appears from the entry of such feast days and saints, with their places, noticed in our old calendars. Different memoranda, contained in our ancient annals, likewise attest such facts ; for deaths and other occurrences are re- ferred, not alone to certain years, but even to particular days, which were consecrated to the memory of native saints then commemorated. The early dioceses of Ireland had been governed by a great number of bishops, whose territorial jurisdiction must have been verj- limited, as com- pared with modern arrangements. These date from the twelfth century.^ Hence do we find so many saintly prelates assigned to various localities, whose denominations have become almost obsolete in our modem topography. It may be observed, likewise, that previous to and during the twelfth century, certain great abbey-houses seem to have been regarded as parent establish- ments, whence smaller and dependent monasteries or cells had their origin. Thus do we account for so many hundreds and thousands of religious being assigned to great and celebrated foundations. It is likely, too, superiors and monks of subordinate houses acknowledged the jurisdiction of an abbot, who mled for the time being, over that establishment, which cradled the infancy of particular minor houses. During a long interval, that must elapse between the beginning and com- ' According to Keating, A. D. mo was gate in Ireland. There, a new distribution held the celebrated Synod of Rath Bresail — and the boun-laries of existing dioceses were sometimes called Fiadh-mac Aengusa — defined. See O'Mahony's Keating's " His- under the presidency of Gilla-Espog, Bishop tory of Ireland," book ii., part i., chap. L, of Limerick, and the Pope's Apostolic Le- pp. 595 to 601. INTR OD UCTION. clxi pletion of this work, its author respectfully solicits communications of im- portant traditions and memoranda, relating to Irish Saints, from those various localities with which they were formerly connected. A reception of such information he will gratefully acknowledge, as it may in many — if not in most — instances serve to throw additional light upon obscure passages in the acts of our national saints. • An alphabetical list of authors, the titles, dates, and places where published, of works, or of MSS., and whtre pre- served, as consulted and cited throughout these several volumes, must prove satisfactory to a studious reader. Complete Chronological Tables, with an Ordo of Irish Saints' Names, Festivals, Commemorations and Periods, when known, will be found in the Appendix. The Names or Titles of Persons, Places, and Subjects, contained in this Work, with an exact numeration, re- lating to the corresponding volumes and pages, must greatly tend to facilitate reference, and to promote research. The Notes are carefully discriminated from the Text, in this general arrangement. Maps and Engravings will tend to enhance the value of this work, in a great degree, for a student of Irish Ecclesiastical History, Topography, and Antiquities. Those illustrations re- present the remains of ancient monuments, which are celebrated in connexion with Saints of Ireland, and they are, in all instances, reproduced from correct Photographs or Drawings, taken on the spot ; while Civil and Ecclesiastical boundaries are faithfully traced from the best authorities, and reduced to a graduated scale, according with the most recent and accurate copies of our Irish Ordnance Survey Maps. For several years past, these extensive collections have employed inter- vals of time, that remained to the compiler, after a discharge of more urgent occupations and duties. Early hours in the morning, and late ones at night, have often been devoted to this long-continued and absorbing labour. The most critical supervision and anxious desire to attain accuracy have been exercised, both in the composition and correction of those volumes. The writer can safely assert, that as a matter of fact, few important or contro- vertible statements have been advanced, throughout his Work, for which exact historical references are not presented to the reader. For individual deductions or opinions, the author is responsible, wherever they occur. He has adopted the opinions of many learned authorities, consulted and cited in these volumes, whenever he conceived such accounts conformable to truth, or even in accordance with probability ; and, he has never ventured to dis- sent, except in cases where recent investigations and superior reasons afforded safe motives for a contrary judgment. Acts or notices of several Thousand Irish Saints, or their Festivals, are here inserted. This Work is designed to be critically accurate, in a historical point of view, and a valu- able record, so far as accessible sources and opportunities for information allow. Local traditions, histories, and existing monuments, relating to different saints, serve fairly to illustrate the lives and actions of several among those holy persons. Original and relative facts, in almost endless variety, are duly adverted to, throughout these volumes. clxii INTRODUCTION. The Civil History of Ireland cannot be throughly known without a de- velopment of the Ecclesiastical. Oftentimes we might be obliged to study statements with doubtful results, or to draw nothing better than probable conclusions from certain recorded political incidents, had we not the acts of our saints to give the light of personal anecdote, and to explain domestic customs or habits, in connexion with very concise entries. The saint is frequently the most vividly individualized character among contemporary personages. We form his portraiture, by ascertaining the peculiarities of his air, gesture, voice, figure, personal and mental characteristics — even from imperfect and injudicious records, sometimes left by writers of legends or acts. His manner of life 'and conversation remains in our recollection, when the policy and actions of kings or chiefs have passed into utter ob- livion. Not alone have our poets and romancists allowed their imagination to conflict with the incidents of Irish Ecclesiastical History, thus confusing the literary student's mind, in the wide domain of fancy and of fact ; but even do they change real to false names, as fantasy serves. Poetic licence hardly justifies such usage. But, what is still of more serious import, some of our most accomplished and venerable clergy have confounded old patrons of their parishes and churches, with other saints, bearing indeed like names, but havmg special relation with different, and perhaps very distinct, localities. In many cases, a similarity of pronunciation has led to the substitution of a misapplied saint's name for that of a true patron saint, wholly distinct as to de- nomination, epoch and locality. But, in numberless instances, although lingering popular traditions and documentary evidence tend to establish the exact local festival and saint's name, comparatively few students of our history were enabled to trace links of connexion, so as to place the matter in a satisfactory point of view. With the very best, most religious, and most patriotic intentions, various mistakes have been admitted, in the dedi- cation or decoration of parochial churches and religious foundations. The identification of many hundred national saints, with their former monastic or ecclesiastical establishments, may greatly aid in preventing a recurrence of similar errors. The lives or notices of aphemeral holy persons — namely, those whose names have not been assigned to any known day in our calendars — are rele- gated to a special supplement. To various groups of Irish Saints similar re- marks also apply. It will be seen that such pious servants of the Almighty furnish no inconsiderable number for alphabetical classification. It must be evident, according to an arrangement effected, that their degrees of distinc- tive rank and personality are better defined, while their possible more exact identification and description, at some future period, may solve present doubts, referable to their places in history, and may serve especially to as- sign their position, in the/ax// of our national hagiography. Wherever it was found practicable, to procure the names and notices of churches, religious establishments, orders, sodalities, holy wells, penitential INTRODUCTION. clxui stations, shrines, relics or other objects, associated with the veneration or memory of our saints, the author has not failed to insert corresponding brief records in those pages, when the interest appeared of most special impor- tance. In a historic point of view, it seems right to preserve such details, especially as they have at least a remote connexion with saintly biography, and are the result of a popular veneration paid to the heroes and heroines of our national Christianity. In various instances, the names and descriptive accounts of particular churches, monastic establishments or objects, having concurrent denomina- tions, are set down in connexion with notices of certain saints, because these have been mentioned in accidental agreement of etymology as belonging to homogeneous localities. But, it is not to be assumed, in all cases^ that the concurrent names of saints and places form the fitting links of a chain to evidence the identification of holy persons noticed with such places or objects. Facts thus noted are frequently left disconnected, or open to further investi- gation. Meanwhile, those ecclesiastical antiquities, so described, have a dis- tinction accorded them, and their description may serve for future and fuller illustration, reference or identification. Among the Appendices to this work, it is the writer's desire to introduce a very complete alphabetical list and summary notices of ancient Irish churches and monasteries. There, in numerous cases, it will be only necessary to direct the reader's attention to previous pages, where many of those erections had been already described, in connexion with some saints' biographies or festivals. Not only is it requisite, to arrange the synaxaria of our saints, to enume- rate their names, orders, times, places, and distinctions, or to narrate their acts, but it requires much study and severe criticism to balance the weight of evidence, in reference to various statements of writers, before we can decide on their true history, or on many of the false relations with which it has been so frequently confused. Unintentional mistakes of copyists, or ill-founded conjectures of authors, have been received as data, which cannot be sus- tained after a careful examination. We have to ascertain, likewise, if the different names set down in our calendars represent distinct saints, in the proper localities and on the respective days to which their feasts have been assigned. This process must be of use, in seeking to determine, if legitimate veneration be due, or if any falsification can be detected in the words, com- positions, or actions attributed to them. As we must zealously guard the honour deserved by our saints, so do we also feel bound to eliminate from their biographies false or doubtful accounts, wherever these become apparent. When hesitating and uncertain, the writer often deemed it better to indicate the causes for ambiguity, rather than hastily to rule narratives unworthy of all credence. Such labour is not devoid of usefulness, in the interest both of religion and nationality, while the Church, directly or indirectly, sanctions and approves it, as may be fairly inferred from her minute and elaborate scrutiny, pending the process both of Beatification and Canonization. A few sentences on this subject may deserve here the reader's attention, / clxiv INTRODUCTION. From the earliest age of the Church, a solemn veneration was given to the Martyrs, whose constancy in suffering torments and death itself, as the highest testimony^ which could be afforded of their attachment to the Catholic faith, deserved special reverence from the first Christians. The Apostles, according to an ancient tradition, resting on the authority of the holy Fathers, died like their Divine Master for the various Churches which they founded ;3 while vast multitudes, at the same epoch,^ and in succeeding ages, were aspirants for their crown.s From a well-founded principle of devotion in the human mind, the origin of that respect for their memory and for their relics must be derived ; and, soon over their tombs were erected altars,^ on which had been offered the most holy mysteries of the Christian religion.7 Thus, the people began to entertain an extraordinary veneration for those heroes and heroines of Christianity, as proved by various monu- ments of the past. The bishops^ took particular care to prevent popular veneration for any, 9 except those, whose lives and virtues were well known, or the circumstances of whose veritable martyrdom were fully proved in attested acts.'° In course of time, it was deemed just to render, after their death, a religious homage to the memory of holy persons, who during their lives had specially adorned the Church by their virtues, although they had not suffered martyrdom." Doubtless, both Christian bishops, pastors and people had a strong conviction, regarding the miracles and virtues as- signed to those venerable subjects of their reverence, while the Church appears to have tacitly sanctioned or tolerated devout customs and traditions long established in regard to them. - Ignorance and superstition were found to have casually, yet exceptionally, prevailed, when some persons, whose acts or merits were not sufficiently known, or had been exaggerated, or when relics, not properly authenticated, had been thought worthy of veneration. " See Bergier, " Dictionnaire de Theo- to have been more ancient than the time of logic," tome iii., sub voce. Martyr, p. 226. Pope St. Felix I. See " Acta Sanctorum," Edition, Lille, 1844, 8vo. Aprilis, tomus i., p. 23. 3 See Clement of Alexandria, " Stroma- ^ Some ancient councils and capitularies tum," lib. iv., cap. v. require the faithful, not to manifest public *See Tacitus, " Annalium," lib. xv., veneration for any deceased person, without cap. xliv. permission from the bishop of the diocese. s See St. Clement of Rome, " Epistola 'See Bergier, "Dictionnaire de Th^o- i.," num. 6. logic," tome i., sub voce Canonization, p. * See Dcvoti, " Institutionum Canonica- 321. rum," libri iv., tomus i., lib. ii., tit. viii., '° St. C)rprian, who suffered martyrdom, § ii., p. 640. Edition, Gandae. A.D. 1852, A.D. 257, directs such precaution to be taken 8vo. in his Epistles, numbered 37 and 79, in the "> This usage has been attributed to a de- collected edition of his works, crec of Pope St. Felix I., who himself suf- "The name of confessor was at first only fcred martyrdom, a.d. 275. See Baronius, applied to a person, who had made a public " Annales Ecclesiastici," tomus iii., num. profession of faith before persecutors. 2, p. 192. Edition, Lucca, a.d. 1742. Also, Afterwards, the term was extended to those sec Ciaconius, ' ' Vitse et Gesta Summorum who had greatly edified the Church by their Pontificum," p. 66. Romae, A.D. 1601, fol. heroic virtues, although they had not shed The BoUandists, however, deem this custom their blood in her defence. INTRODUCIION. clxv These were causes for determining with greater exactitude or for removing mis- placed piety; and to correct possible abuses, the Sovereign Pontiffs reserved for themselves judgment in such matters." The records of ecclesiastical history are believed by many to furnish evidence of several solemn canonizations by the Popes, even before the beginning of the eleventh century. '3 At one of the first of such functions,^'^ solemnized by Pope Leo III., the celebrated Emperor Charlemagne assisted, together with a brilliant array of courtiers and a vast army. The holy bishop St. Ulric,'^ or Udalric, was canonized by Pope John XV., a.d. 993.^^ Several other such ceremonials followed, and are on record. About the middle of the eleventh century. Pope St. Leo IX. ,'7 is said to have canonized St. Erard or Erhard,'^ an Irish missionary, at Ratisbon, in Bavaria. Yet, others maintain, that the first instance of a solemn canonization by the Pope occurred towards the close of the eleventh century. '9 Since that period, the Church discipline has been uninterruptedly preserved, to retain exclusively for the Popes this prerogative of catnonizing saints. No new saints^° or relics are publicly to be venerated, unless with the accustomed sanction of the Holy See.^' All canonizations, invested with the strict and solemn formalities celebrated since the tenth century, have been carefully registered, and are recorded in ecclesiastical history." As years rolled on, the ceremonies and investigations, connected with the process, have increased with more splendour, preciseness and solemnity."3 The beatification of a saint is considered a necessary preliminary to his canonization.^4 A rigorous and prolonged scrutiny into the life, virtues and "Alexander III. is thought, by some JuIii,"tomus ii. iv. Julii, Commentarius writers, to have been the first Pope who re- Prsevius, §§ ii., iii., pp. 76 to 80. New served the exclusive privilege of canonizing edition. saints to the Holy See. He governed the ^^ His feast occurs at the 19th of April. Church from A.D. 1159 to 1181. See See Rev. Alban Butler's "Lives of the Berti's " Ecclesiasticse Historise Brevia- Fathers, Martyrs and other Principal Saints," rium," pars, ii., ssec. xii., cap. i., p. 67. vol. iv. April xix. '3 See Very Rev. Thomas Canon Pope's '^ See his life, at the 8th of January. " St. Peter's Day in the Vatican." Doctrine ''See the First Part of Grandcolas' An- and History of Canonizations, p. 6. cient Sacramentary, p. 385, as cited in Ber- '*St. Swidbert, first apostle of the West- gier's " Dictionnaire de Theologie," tome phalians, venerated on the 30th of April, i., sub voce. Canonization, p. 321. in several martyrologies, is said to have ^ According to the decree of Pope Urban been thus canonized. His acts are to be VIII., and dated March 13th, A.D. 1625. found, written by Father Papebroke, in the "See Devoti, " Institutionum Canoni- Bollandists' "Acta Sanctorum Aprilis," carum, lib. iv., tomus i., lib. i., tit. viii., tomus iii. xxx. Aprilis, pp.811 to 815. § ii. , p. 640. New edition. "The present course of procedure for '5 His feast occurs in the Roman Martyr- the canonization of saints principally has ology, on the 4th of July. See " Martyr- its origin from a decree of Pope Urban ologium Romanum, ad Novam Kalendarii VIII., and which is dated March 13th, A.D. Rationem," &c. Edited by Cardinal Caesar 1625. Baronius, pp. 297 and n. (h) 298. Roman =3 See Very Rev. Thomas Canon Pope's edition, A.D. 1586, 4to. «« St. Peter's Day in the Vatican," Doctrine '* See the remarks of Father John Pinius, and History of Canonizations, pp. 7, 8. on this subject, in the "Acta Sanctorum ** The whole of this elaborate proceeding clxvi INTRODUCTION. miracles of the subject precedes, under initiation and direction of that ordi- nary, to whose diocese he or she belonged. Aftenvards, these acts are for- warded, with necessary authentication, to the Congregation of Rites. A report of all previous facts and proceedings is submitted to the Pope. Com- missioners, usually bishops, but never laymen, are then appointed and dele- gated by his Holiness to examine into all the merits of the case. After repeated and long examinations, if all be found imexceptionable and satis- factory, consistories are held. Next, the Pope may sign the Brief of Beatifi- cation, and its publication is performed in the Church of the Vatican. Yet, this is only a declaration, that such z. primd, facie case has been made out, as to allow the faithful to honour with a ailtus the person beatified ; the place or manner of this veneration, however, being qualified.^s In this permissive stage, the Sovereign Pontiff's act is not a judicial decision, to determine the question, that the person has really attained the enjoyment of eternal happi- ness.'^'^ When all proceedings requisite for beatification have been com- pleted, the process for canonization may begin. Fresh judicial evidence must be obtained to prove the working of new miracles, through the merits or intercession of the beatified. Three congregations extraordinary, a general assembly, and three consistories are held, to pronounce on the authen- ticity of those new miracles, and to determine whether it be prudent to decree canonization. If it be decided in the affirmative, the Pope, as judge, issues a brief for this purpose, and the final decree, ex cathedra, pronounces that the person in question is really a saint, with that special cultus, to which he or she is entitled.^7 The strictest evidence of everything offered in proof, either of virtues or miracles, is thus obtained ; so that when all acts and proceedings are completed, in due form, they are printed and promulgated for the acceptance and faith of all members belonging to the Holy Catholic Church.^^ Like the earliest and most renowned saints of the Western and Eastern Churches, those venerated in the early Irish Church lived before the present ordeal of beatification and canonization had been decreed and adopted. Yet, we have a reasonable tradition and belief that our holy men and women eminently deserved the honour and worship bestowed on them is fully set forth by Pope Benedict XIV., in Patrick Murray, D.D., in his learned work, his work, " De Beatificatione et Canoniza- " Tractatus de Ecclesia Christi." Disp. tione Sanctorum." xvii., nn. 194, 197. "S A decree of Pope Alexander VII., in ''^The author feels specially indebted to 1659, prevents the faithful from carrying the kindness and courtesy of two highly- these honours higher than the Bull of Bea- distinguished and erudite Maynooth profes- tification authorizes. sors, viz., Very Rev. Denis Gargan, D.D. , ** See Bergier's " Dictionnaire de Theo- Professor of Ecclesiastical History, and logic," tome i., sub voce, Beatification, p. Very Rev. William J. Walsh, D.D., Pro- 253. fessor of Dogmatic and Moral Theology, -7 On the nature of Beatification and Ca- for assistance and suggestions, which were nonization, and the difference between cordially afforded, and which were grate- them, ecclesiastical students may consult fully received, in preparing some of the the very lucid statements of Very Rev. foregoing paragraphs for publication. INTR on UCTION. clxvii by our ancestors. That their virtues and miracles were preserved in popular tradition and in written record can be shown from what remains of past ages. By what exact process, their veneration has been derived to us, is not so clearly known ; although, we have every reason to believe, that it has ever been regarded as legitimate and laudable. Constant intercoiu-se with the Sovereign Pontiif and with the See of Rome, as also the frequent presents of sacred relics obtained through those sources — as related in the acts of our saints — prove that our insular Church conformed closely to the usages and requirements of the Universal Church. By the Irish prelates and reli- gious, vast numbers of sainted persons were inscribed on our martyrologies and calendars ; churches were built in their honour, and called after them ; then: relics were frequently preserved there, and exposed for veneration to the faithful ; litanies and hymns were composed in their honour ; Masses and offices were celebrated in their name ; they were invoked by prayers ; while every just title of religious prescription has hallowed their memory, leaving them as our guardians and intercessors in heaven. And when the practice of formal canonization had been decreed, many of our latest saints were classed among the most illustrious and best recognised ornaments of Christendom. ^9 In the chronotaxis, as in the synaxaria, of the Irish saints, we are too generally left at fault, for want of sufficient or suitable biographical materials ; it is probable, however, that the industry and ability of our native writers and students may greatly contribute, in course of time, to remove this re- proach. The homonymous entries in our festilogies have increased difficul- ties to a very considerable degree. Even when the saints are perfectly well distinguished and identified, further lights are required to render their acts more detailed and interesting. Thus, there are nearly one hundred Colmans, if not even more, and hardly are these discriminated by appending places, titles, or attributes. Besides, the forms of a single name often require great caution to be applied. Under such circumstances, errors seem almost unavoidable, and their frequent recurrence deserves a certain amount of toleration and pardon. Various holy wells of Ireland, and numberless crosses, were blessed by those saints, whose names they bear. 3° In many cases, when the saints were foreign, or probably when the holy persons themselves did not officiate, several of those wells and crosses were regarded as memorials, or comme- morative of their places, when living, or as marking their resting-places, when ■^ Among those illustrious servants of the 3° Thus, in an old Life of St. Columkille, Almighty may be particularized St. Mala- preserved in the Leabhar Breac, it is no- chy O'Morgair, Patron of the Archdiocese ticed— of Armagh, whose li(e occurs at the 3rd of November, and St. Laurence O'Toole, " He blessed three hundred miraculous Patron of the Archdiocese of Dublin, crosses, whose life is \vritten at the 14th of Novem- He blessed three hundred wells, which bcr. ^vere constant." clxviii INTR on UCTION. dead. At all events, for some sufficient reason, such objects ^Yere placed under their special patronage, and were dedicated to particular saints. In after times, those wells and crosses were resorted to during the year, as spots especially suitable for devotions and penitential exercises. On the vigil or morning of the saint's own festival or commemoration, the people were ac- customed to frequent those hallowed places. There they recited prayers, or performed stations,3' after a prescribed form. Then they prepared for a reception of the Sacraments, before departing for their respective homes. The ancient Irish Church approved such devotions, which, under the direc- tion and sanction of pious and enlightened ecclesiastics, were found to have been great auxiliaries to fervour and faith. It is likely, too, that special indulgences were granted to persons, who performed those devotions with proper dispositions. There can hardly be a doubt, from the number of humble votive offerings affixed to the branches of trees immediately near the wells, that many miraculous cures, both of soul and body, were popu- larly held to have been effected, as a result of such pilgrimages. The Almighty could as easily have made those waters instrumental, in exjiibiting His power and mercies towards fallen man, as when the withered, the blind, the lame and the sick, were healed by Him, through a visit to the Probatica or Bethsaida, at Jerusalem.^^ Exceptional abuses, which subsequendy took place, are referred to the days of persecution, when regular religious services were proscribed by penal enactments, and when priests and their flocks frequently assembled by stealth to celebrate the holy mysteries. Re- moved from ecclesiastical supervision, in many cases, when the people met in great numbers, for the purpose of prosecuting their devout exercises on patron days, disorderly and ill-disposed persons too often indulged in riotous and objectionable courses. Hence, owing to a degeneracy and demoraliza- tion, consequent on abhorrent laws and prevailing ignorance, the pastors and priests of Ireland prohibited those open-air devotions.33 Thus very generally discouraged, especially since the commencement of the last century, the patrons at holy wells, for the most part, ceased, or had been prohibited. However necessary it might have been found to forbid their'continuance, under these circumstances ; yet, we must deeply regret, that with the proscription of such popular assemblages, our Catholic peasantry, in the course of a few generations, lost all recollection of those days, when their former local patron saints had been venerated. Had such a tradition even survived, in the absence of written accounts, we might still be able to connect many saints, mentioned in our calendars, with their exact places, and thus clear away much of that obscurity, in which our early hagiology is at present involved. The plan and divisions of this work have been adopted, as most likely 3' These practices got the Irish denomina- remarks of the Rev. Anthony Cogan, in tion of cu|\ Article XIV. — St. Eimhin or Emin, or Emenus .. ... loi Article XV. — The Daughters of Ferghna ... ... ... loi Article XVI.— St. Inna ... ... ... ... loi Article XVII. — Beginningof the Lent of Jesus ... ... loi (Z^ifffitH) IBap of Sanuarp* Article I.— St. Albert, Bishop and Patron of the Archdiocese of Cashel AND of the Diocese of Emly. [Seventh Century.] Chap. I. — Introduction — Feast and Acts of St. Albert — His Name and Origin — Supposed to have been created Bishop of Cashel or of Emly — Descriptive, His- torical and Ecclesiastical Particulars regarding Cashel ... ... ... 102 Chap. II. — Early Archiepiscopacy in Ireland — St. Albert's See — He leaves it and goes on a Pilgrimage to France, Germany, and Rome — The Period of this Pilgrim- age— He returns to Germany and afterwards visits the Holy Land ... ... ... 105 Chap. III. — St. Albert goes to Ratisbon — His Death and Inter- ment there — A Miracle wrought at his Tomb — Con- clusion ... ... ... Ill Article II. — St. Erard or Erhard, Missionary at Ratisbon, in Bavaria. [Seventh Century.] Chap. I.— Introduction — Writers of St. Erard's Acts — His Coun- try and Race — Derivation of his Name ... 1 14 Chap. II. — Early Youth of St. Erard— His Attainments and Virtues — The Period St. Erard lived on the Con- tinent— His Ecclesiastical Rank— His Manner of living — His Connexion with the City of Ratis- bon ... ... ... 117 Chap. III.— Duke Etico, and the Baptism of his Daughter St. Odilia — St. Erard returns to Ratisbon and founds a Monastery there — His preparation for Death — He departs this Life on the Eighth of January — Several Miracles wrought afterwards — Translation of his Relics and Canonization by Pope Leo IX. — Con- clusion ... ... ... 120 Article III. — St. Ergnat, Virgin, of Tamlacht, County of Armagh, and of Dun- eane, County of Antrim. [Fifth Century^ ... ... 124 CONTENTS. Page Article IV. — St. Neachtain or Nechtanan, of Dungiven, County of Londonderry. {^Probably in the Seventh Century. \ ... ... 127 Article V. — St. Cocca, Cucca, Cuach, Cuaca, Virgin and Patroness of Kilcock Parish, County of Kildare . ... ... 130 Article VI. — St. Moshacra, Son of Bennan ... ... ... 130 Article VII. — St. Saran, of Cuil-creamha ... ... ... 131 Article VIII. — St. Molibba, Bishop of Glendalough, County ofWicklow. \Seventh Century.^ ... ... ... ... 131; Article IX. — St. Finan, Son of Rimhidh, Bishop. [Seventh Century.] ... 133 Article X. — St. Dagain of Glinn-da-locha, County of Wicklow. [Fosstbly in the Seventh Century.] ... ... ... 133 Article XI.— St. Cillein, Abbot ... ... ... 133 ftitttft liap of Sfanuarp* Article I. — St. Foilan, Felan, or Fillan, Abbot, in Scotland. [Seventh and Eighth Centuries.] Chap. I. — Introduction — Name and Parentage of St. Foilan — His Biographies — Narratives regarding his Birth, Baptism, and early Education — His Religious Life under the Abbot Mundus ... ... 134 Chap. II. — St. Foelan succeeds St. Mundus as Abbot — Said to have visited his Uncle St. Congan — Retirement at Glendorchy — His Connexion with Scotland ... 137 Chap. III. — Various Opinions regarding the Date of St. Foilan's Death — Place of Interment, and Veneration paid to his Memory — Bell of St. Fillan — His Crozier — The Victory at Bannockbum attributed to his Interces- sion— Account of this Battle, and of that Miraculous Incident connecting St. Fillan with it — Conclu- sion .., .... ... 140 Article II. — St. Finan, Bishop of Lindisfarne, and Apostle in North- UMBRIA. [Seventh Century.] Chap. I. — Introduction — The Country and Father of St. Finan — A Monk at lona — Consecrated as Bishop there, and sent to succeed St. Aidan at Lindisfarne — He builds a Church of Wood on that Island — His Intimacy with King Oswin — Controversy between himself and Ronan, an Irishman, on the Paschal Question — Ob- servations on this Subject ... ... 144 Chap. II. — St. Finan baptizes Peada, Prince of the Middle- Angles — He sends Missionaries among these People — St. Finan consecrates Diuma as Bishop — He baptizes Sigebert, King of the East Saxons — He consecrates St. Chad as Bishop — Various Saints called Finan in the Irish Calendars — Writings attributed to the present St. Finan — His Death — His different Commemorations — Conclu- sion ... ... ... 146 Article III. — St. Guaire, Beg, Patron of Aghadowy or Aghadoey, County of Londonderry. [Probably in the Seventh Century.] ... 148 Article IV. — St. Faelan, or Foilan, Abbot of Cluain-Mhaoscna, probably Clon- maskill, County of Westmeath ... ... ... 150 Article V. — Lomchu, of Kill Lomchon. [Probably in the Sixth Century.] ... 151 Article VI. — St. Suibhsech or Suabseg, Virgin, of Tirhugh Barony, County of Donegal ... ... ... ... 151 Article VII. — St. Ciaran, of Ros Cumalcha ... ... ... 151 Article VIII. — St. Baithin ... ... ... ... 152 Article IX. — St. Finia or Fine, Abbess of Kildare. [Eighth Century.] ... 152 Article X. — St. Brendin, or Brenainn ... ... ... 152 Article XI. — Reputed Feast of St. Erhard, Bishop of Ratisbon, in Bavaria. [Seventh Century.] ... .^ ... 152 CONTENTS. Centf) J3ap of Samiarp* Ckbentfi IBap of Sanuarp* Page Article I.— St. Diarmaid or Diermit, Abbot of Inis Clothrann, or Inch- CLERAUN, County of Longford, and of Faughalstown, County of Westmeath. \Sixth Century. '\ Chap. I. — Introduction — Father and Mother of St. Diarmaid — His Identity and Birth— His early Studies — He be- comes a Monk and afterwards a Priest — He is said to have been the Author of a Metrical Psaltery — This Authorship is doubtful ... — 152 Chap. II. — St. Diarmaid retires to Inis-Clothrann — He founds a Monastery there — His Manner of Living — His Death — Popular Opinions about this Saint on the Shore around Inchcleraun — Ivory Statue of St. Diermit — St. Diermait is said to have founded a Church at FaughalstowTi, in the County of West- meath— His Festival and Commemoration — Con- clusion ... ... ••• ^55 Article II. — St. Thomian, Toimen, Thomenus, or Thomanus, Archbishop of Armagh. {Seventh Century.'\ ... ... ... 158 Article III. — St. Diman or Diomman, of Inishkeen ... ... 159 Article IV.— St. Tulelacia, or Tuillelaith, Abbess of Kildare. {Ninth Century. ^ 161 Article V. — St. Moel-Odhran ... ... ... ... 161 Article VI, — St Paul, a Monk and a Disciple of St. Patrick or of St. Fiach of Sletty. {Fifth or Sixth Century.] ... ... 162 Article VII. — St. Seanog, or Moshenoc ... ... ... 162 Article VIII.— The Blessed Eochaid O'Kelly, Bishop of Meath. {Eleventh and Twelfth Centuries.] ... .. ... 162 Article IX. — Feast of the Translation of St. Wasnulf's Relics ... ... 163 Article I.— The Holy Virgins, St. Ethnea and St.Fedelmia, Daughters of King Laoighaire. {Fifth Century.] Chap. I. — Introduction — King Laoighaire — His Daughters, Ethnea the Fair, and Fedelmia the Rosy— Their Fosterage and Absence from Tara, when St. Patrick Preached before the Irish State Assembly — Varia- tions of Narrative in Reference to the Acts of these Holy Sisters ... ... ... 163 Chap. II. — Ethnea and Fedelmia nurtured and educated by the Druids, Mael and Caplit — These endeavour to ob- struct the Preaching of St. Patrick — He visits Croghan and the Fountain of Cliabach — The King's Daughters meet the Apostle and his Clerics — They hear his Sermon and become Converts ••• 165 Cn.\i'. III. — The Daughters of King Leaghaire are baptized at the Fountain— Afterwards they take the Veil from St. Patrick and receive Holy Communion at his Hands — Their holy Departure to the Lord — The Places where their Relics were deposited — Subse- quent Conversion of their Magi Tutors — Conclusion 168 Article II. — St. Suibhne, or Suineus, Abbot of lona. {Seventh Century.] ... 171 Article III. — St. Amphadhan, or Anfadan, 15ishop of Glendalough, County of Wicklow ... ... ... ... 172 Article IV.— St. Eman or St. Emin of Cluain-deochra, said to be in Westmeath, or in the County of Longford. {Possibly in the Sixth or Seventh Century.] ... ... ... ... 1 74 Article v.— St. Eman, Son of Caemhan ... ... ... 175 Article VI.— St. Orthinis, or Carthinisa, Bishop. {Possibly in the Fifth Century.] 176 Article VII.— St. Alten, or Eltene, Son of Maolan of Seanchua, now Shancoe , Parish, County of Sligo ... .. ... 176 CONTENTS. Page Article VIII. — St. Beandan, Abbot and Confessor ..• ... 176 Article IX. —St, Kenan ... .. ... ... 177 Article X.— St. Failbe. {Possibly in the Fifth Century. '\ ... ... 177 dttelftft Bap of Sanuarp^ Article I. — St. Laidgen, or Laidcend, of Clonfert Molua, now Kyle, Queen's County. {Seventh Century.} ... ••• 178 Article II. — St. Conain, or Conan, of Aeg, or Ega, now the Island of Egg, in Scotland ... ' ... ... ... 180 Article III. — St. Cummein or Cuimmine, Son of Dubh, of Drum-Druith ... 181 Article IV. — St. Sinell, Son of Tighernach . ... ... 182 Article V. — St. Loichein of Iveagh, County of Dowp. ... ••• 182 Article VI. — St. Laighne or Laigne, Son of Garbain ... ••• 182 Article VII. — St. Fuillen or Foelan, Bishop ... ... •■• 182 Article VIII. — St. Baoithin or Baithin, Son of Neamhnann, Abbot ... 183 Cftirteentfi Bap of Sanuarp* Article I.— St. Ailild I., Archbishop of Armagh. {Fifth and Sixth Cen^ turies. ] Chap. I . — Introduction — Descent and Genealogy of St. Ailild I. — His Holy Brothers and their Places ... 183 Chap. II. — Peculiarity of St. Ailild's Position in Reference to the Reception of the Sacraments — Misrepresentation and its Correction — St. Ailild said to have been Abbot of Maghbile, and Archbishop of Armagh — His Death and Commemoration - Conclusion ... 185 Article II.— Reputed Festiral of St. Kentigem, or St. Mungo, Bishop of Glasgow, Scotland. {Sixth and Seventh Certturies.} . ... 189 Article III.— Festival of St. Hilary, Bishop and Abbot of Poitiers. {Fourth Cen- tury.] ... .. ... ... 190 Article IV.— St Mochonna, Bishop of Leamhchoill, said to be the present Low- hill, County of Kilkenny ... ... ... 191 Article V.— St. Bamitus or Barrintus, Abbot, probably of DrumcuUen Parish, King's County. {Possibly in the Sixth Century.] ... 192 Article VI. — St. Saran, Bishop ... ... ... 192 Article VII.— St. Ronan ... ... ... ... 192 Article VIII. — St. Deoraith or Deuraid, of Eadardrum, Diocese "of Elphin. {Fifth or Sixth Century.] .. .. ... I93 Article IX.— St. Mochonna, Doconna, or Connan, Bishop of Inis-Patrick, County Dublin ... ... ... ... 193 Article X.— St. Mainchinn, Son of Collan, in Corann .. ••• ^94 Article XL— St. Colman, Son of Tighernach ... ... .- I9S Article XII.— St. Colman Cirr, of Sail-beg ... ... ... I95 Article XIII,— St. Supplicius ... ... ... ... 196 Article I.— St. Baetan or Baodan Mor, Son of Lughaidh, Abbot of Inismore, or Inis-Bo-Finne, now Boffin or Bophin Island, County OF Mayo. {Seventh and Eighth Centuries.] ... 196' Article II. — St. Lugeus or Luighbhe, of Inismore ... ... 198 Article III. — Feast of Saints Brigid and Maura, Sisters, Virgins and Martyrs ... 198 Article IV.— St. Flann Fionn Cuillinn, of a Place near Cork ... .,. 198 Article V, — Saints Itharnaisc and Latharnaisc, in Achadh-fearta ... 199 CONTENTS. Page Article VI. — St. Dibleni, or Diblini ... ... ... 199 Article VII. — Feast of the Blessed Alexander, a Cistercian Monk, of Fogni, in France. \Thirteenth Century.^.. ... ... 199 Jfifte^tttl^ 23ap of Sanuarp* Article I. — St. Ita or Mida, Abbess, Patroness of Killady, or Killeedy Parish, County of Limerick. {Sixth Century^ Chap. I.— Introduction — Acts of St. Ita — Her Race and Parent- age— Her early virtuoiis Inclinations — Miracles attest the Virgin's great Sanctity during her Youth ... 200 Chap. II. — St. Ita declines an Offer for Marriage — She gains the Consent of her Parents to lead a single Life — She as- sumes the Veil of Virginity — Opposition of the Demons — Guided by an Angel to her Place in Hy- Conaill — Several Holy Virgins place themselves under her Direction at Cluain-Credhuil — Description of Antiquities there — Great Veneration of the Chief and People of Hy-Conaill for St. Ita — Her Austeri- ties and Miracles — Her Spiritual Gifts ... 203 Chap. III. — Marriage of Bevan with St. Ita's Sister, Nessa — The Holy Ita's Contempt for Riches — Her Intimacy with St. Brendan — Her Prayers and Contempla- tion— Her internal Illumination — Her Supernatural Communion — Visit of the Clonmacnois Clerics to St. Ita ... ... ... 208 Chap. IV. — St. Ita's Prophetic and Miraculous Powers — Her Prayers for the Repose of her Uncle's Soul — Her intercession for a Homicide effectual with the Chief of Hy-Connaill .. ... ... 211 Chap. V. — Victory obtained by the Hy-Connaill Clan through the Prayers of St. Ita — Her Merciful Offices towards a Penitent— St. Ita's bodily Affliction — Her last Ill- ness and Death — Local and general Commemora- tion— Her Intimacy with many Irish Saints — Con- clusion ... ... ... 214 Article II. — St. Critan, Criotan, or Finncridan, of Craibhaigh, or Crebee ... 217 Article III. — Saints Maura and Britta, Martyrs ... ... 219 Article IV. — St. Diarmaid, Priest ... ... ... 219 Article V. — St. Farannan, Abbot of Kildare. \Seventh Century^ ... 219 Article VI. — St. Breacc Fele, of Bealach-Fele. {Probably in the Seventh Century ^ 220 Article VII. — St. Darerca, Virgin, Daughter to Cairbre ... ... 221 Article VIII. — The Seven Bishops of Druimairbhealaigh, now probably Drum- reilly. County of Leitrim ... ... ... 221 Article IX. — Saints Airechtaigh and Robertaigh, of Inis-mor, and of Aithche, Virgin ... ... ... ... 222 ^frteetttj) Bap of Samiarp* Article I. — St. Fursey, Abbot of Lagny, in France. \Seventh Century.^ Chap. I. — Introduction — The various Codices, Biographies, and Writers referring to St. Fursey's Acts— This Holy Man a Native of Ireland — His Family and Race — Critical Observations ... ... 222 Chap. II. — Some Particulars relating to St. Fursey's Ancestry — He is said to have been bom on the Island of Inis- quin — It is stated he was there baptized and edu- cated by St. Brendan of Clonfert — St. Fursey's great Virtues — He founds a Monastery at Rathmat or Kilfursa — A Miracle ^vrought through his Merits . 233 CONTENT'S. Chap. III. — Account of Aedfind's Conversion and Interview with St. Fursey — This holy Man is thought to have Page founded Kilfursa or Kilursa — Description of the Ruins — King Findlog succeeded by St. Fursey's Father, Fintan — Fursey a Disciple of St. Meldan — Some of St. Fursey's Relations lived under him — He resolves on visiting the Province of Munster ... 239 Chap. IV. — St. Fursey's Illness — His visions — His Spirit returns to his inanimate Body ... ... 243 Chap, V. — St. Fursey's subsequent Revelations — Date of his Visions — His Missions and Preaching — He leaves Lough Orbsen — Rosserrilly — Fursey withdraws to an Island in the Ocean — Afterwards he goes to England — Sigebert, King of the East Angles, joy- fully receives him — A Monastery founded at Cnob- hersburg — Fursey's Visions, Travels, and Miracles — He leads an Eremitical Life — Disturbances and Wars in England — Fursey, with some Companions, visits Gaul ... ... ... 256 Chap, VI.— The Period of St. Fursey's visit to Gaul— St. Vin- cent, Count of Hannonia, and his Wife, St. Walde- true, embrace a Religious Life — St. Fursey restores Duke Haymon's Son to Life — Accounts regarding St. Fursey's Journey to Rome — His Miracles — The Honours and Dignities said to have been conferred on him by the Roman Pontiff ... ... 265 Chap. VII. — His return from Rome to France — Honours and Possessions bestowed on St. Fursey — His Reception by King Clovis II. and Erchinoald, Mayor of the Palace — His Foundation at Lagny — Fursey is invited to Perrone— He baptizes the infant Son of Erchi- noald— St. Fursey's Miracles .. ... 271 Chap. VIII. — St. Fursey establishes a Branch of his Institute at Perrone— The Fame of our Saint becomes greatly extended — SL Emilian and a Band of Irish Monks join him — St. Fursey meditates a Journey to Eng- land—He takes ill, and dies at Macieres or Maze- roelles — Duke Haymon beholds him in an Appari- tion— Contention for the Saint's Remains — Fursey is buried at Perrone — The Year and Day of his Death — Notices in the Calendars — Works attributed to him — His Disciples — Honours paid to his Memory in various Countries — Conclusion... ... 277 Article II. — St. Monoa or Monua, of Magh-Niadh, in Tuaith-Ratha, now Monea, in Tooraa, County of Fermanagh ... ... 286 Article III. — St. MoeHsa or Maelisa Ua Brolchain, Patron of Clonmany Parish, County of Donegal. [Eleventh Century.'] ... ... 287 Article IV. — Feast of the Finding of St. Foillan's, St. Faoillen's, or Foelan's Relics, with these of his Companion Martyrs, in Belgium. [Seventh Century.] ... ... ... 289 Article V. — The Sons of Ailill, of Drum-bairr, County of Fermanagh ... 289 Article VI — St. Diarmaid of Airther-Maige, County of Fermanagh ... 290 Article VII. — St. Dianoch, Bishop of Domhnach-mor-Muighe-Ene, County Donegal ... ... ... ... 290 Article VIII. — St. Jarlugh, Jarloga, or Jamlaig, of Lismore, Bishop and Abbot 291 Article IX.— St. Cillen ... ... ... ... 291 Article X.— St. Lochin of Dal Araidhe ... ... ... 292 Article XI. — St. Lithghean, of Clonmore-Leithghein, in Ophaly, of Leinster ... 292 Article XII. — St. Dunchad O'Braoin, Abbot of Clonmacnoise, Anchorite and Pilgrim. [Tenth Centufy.] ... ... ... 293 Article XIII. — Reputed Festival of St. Ninnida or Nennius of Leth-derc, in Inis- Muighe-Samh, now Inishmacsaint Island, Lough Erne, County Fermanagh ... ... ... ... 295 CONTENTS. ^ebenteentl^ Bap of Slanuarp* Page Article I. — St. Muricherodac, Recluse at Ratisbon, in Bavaria. [Eleventh Century.'\ ... ... ... ... 296 Article II. — St. Ultan, Son of Etechdach of Cuilcorra ... ... 297 Article III. — St. Ernain, of Tigh-Emain ... ... ... 298 Article IV. — Feast of St. Nennius or Nennidhius, Abbot ... ... 298 Article V.— St. Adda, Missionary among the Midland English. [SeveniA Ceniury.] 299 Article VI — St. Molaisse, of Cill-Molaisi, now Kilmolash, County of Waterford 299 Article VII. — Feast of St. Anthony, Monk and Apostle of the Thebaid in Egypt. \Third and Fourth Centuries. "^ ... ... ... 299 Article VIII.— St. Mica or Micca, Virgin ... ... ... 300 Article IX. — St. Clairnech, of Druim Bidhg ... ... ... 3CX3 Article X.— Reputed Feast of St. Ultan, Monk of Lindisfarne, in England. [Eighth Century.] ... ... ... 301 (0igftteentft Bap of 3amiarp* Article 1.— St. Dichuil, Deicolus, or Deicola, Abbot of Luke, in Fra.nce. [Sixth and Seventh Centuries.] Chap. I. — Introduction — Various Writers of St. Dichul's Acts — His Origin and family Connexions — State of France and Germany, when Irish Missionary Enterprise began — St. Dichul's Birth — His intimacy with St. Columbanus and St. Callus — An Anecdote regarding him — St. Dichul leaves Ireland with St. Columban 301 Chap. II . — St. Columbanus establishes his Monastery at Luxeu — He and his Community driven from that Place — St. Dichul's Infirmities prevent him from accompanying his Superior — They part at Vepras, with affectionate and religious Sadness— St. Dichul'sTravelsand Suffer- ings— A Fountain of Water miraculously produced 304 ChaI'. III.— St. Dichul guided to Lure by a Swineherd — The Chieftain Weifhar— The Saint calumniated and in- jured—Punishment inflicted on Weifhar — His Death — At the Request of his Widow, Berthilde, St. Dichul interposes on his Behalf — She afterwards endows his Monastery — Hunting Adventure of King Clotaire II. — He belriends the holy Abbot ... 307 Chap. IV. — Visit of St. Dichul to Rome, and his Reception by the Sovereign Pontiff' — He returns to Gaul— He proposes St. Columbin as Abbot of Lure, and retires to a Cell — His Preparation for Death — The Day and Year of his Decease — St. Dichul's Veneration in Burgundy -Miracles wrought at his Tomb— His Sarcophagus at Lure — Conclusion ... 312 Article II. — St. Ninnidh, or Nennius, Bishop of Inismacsaint, County of Fer- managh. [Sixth Century.] ... ... ... 31J Article III. — Saints Scoth, Feammor, Blath and Ana, Four Virgins of Cluain- Greanach ... ... ... ... 323 Article IV.— St. Coppa or Cobba, Virgin, Daughter of Baedan. [Possibly in the Fifth Century.] ... ... ... 323 Article V. — St. Mochua ... .. ... ... 323 Article VI. — St. Rottan. [Possibly in the Fifth Century.] ... ... 324 Article VII. — Feast of St. Peter's Chair at Rome, and Feast of the Death of the Blessed Virgin Mary, observed in the Ancient Irish Church ... 324 Article VIII.— St. Aedamair, Virgin, Daughter of Aedh. [Possibly in the Fifth Century.] ... ... ... ... 325 ^uteteentft Bap of Sfanuarp* Article I.— St. Blaitmaic or Blathmac, of Iona, Martyr. [Eighth and Ninth Centuries.] ... ... ... 326 CONTENTS. I rage Article II. — St. Fachtna, Bishop of Nuacongbhail >.. ... 330 Article III.— St. Ochtide or Ochted ... ... ... 334 Article IV. — St. Suibhne, Son of Eoghan ... ... ... 334 Article V. — St. Molaissi Mac Ua Necte .. ... ... 334 Article VI. — Festival of Mary, Martha, and of Blessed Paul ... ... 335 Article VII. — Reputed Festival of St. Duncadh Ua Brain, Abbot of Clonmac- noise, Anchorite, and Pilgrim. {Tenth Century. \ ... 335 Article VIII. — Reputed Festival of St. Fursey, Abbot of Lagny, in France. \Seventh Century. '\ ... ... ... 335 Chjentietl^ IBap of Samiarp* Article I. — St. Molagga, or Laicin, Patron of Tegh-Molagga, County OF Cork. \Seventh Century.] Chap. I. — Introduction — Prophecies and Miracles before the Birth of St. Molagga — His Hace and Family — His Birth and Baptism— His Education — Erection of a Mon- astery at Tulach Mhin ... ... 336 Chap. II. — Cuanna's boundless and imprudent Liberality — De- struction of Cam Chuilinn, with the Fort and Town of Liathmuine — St. Molaga goes to Ulster — His Miraculous Passage of an Arm of the Sea at Fertais Chamsa — He next visits Albania, and thence he is said to have gone to St. David, Bishop of Menevia — Receives the Name Lachinus or Molaga, and the Boban Molaga, from that holy Bishop — He returns to Ireland and establishes himself at Bremore in Fingall — Drumcondra Missionary College — St. Mo- laga visits Clonmacnoise— He is afterwards induced to return to Fermoy ... ... 343 Chap. III. — King Cui Can Mathuir wishes to resign his Regal Power — He is dissuaded therefrom by his Chieftains — A Public Assembly convened at Tearmain Mo- laga— Grant ofLandsand Immunities to St. Molaga — A Miracle at Leamhanchia — The Saint's Mission to Corcobhaiscind— His Death — Supposed Interment at Leabba Molaga— His Veneration throughout the South of Ireland — Conclusion ... ... 350 Article II.— St. Fechin, Abbot of Fobhar, or Fore, County of West- meath. [Sevent/i Century.] Chap. I. — Introduction— St. Fechin's Old and Modern Lives — His Parentage and Place of Birth — Portents regard- ing his future Greatness and Sanctity — His early Education— Monastic Establishments and Churches erected — Imay — Ard-Oilean ... ... 356 Chap. II.— St. Fechin builds a Monastery at Fore — His Rule of Life while there — Description of this Place -The chief Holy Persons with whom the Saint established a Friendship — St. Fechin makes Peace between Domnald II., King of Ireland, and the Southern Hy-Nialls - Moenach, King of Munster, releases a Captive at his Request — Fechin procures the Return of Tirechan to his Mother ... ... 365 Chap. III. — St. Fechin's various Miracles — His Visit to Poula- phoka Waterfall and to Naas — Tulach Fobhuir — He visits St. Ernan at Cluain-Deochra — The Saint's Penitential Exercises— He obtains the Release of Aid, from Diermit II. and Blaithmaic, joint Mon- archs of Ireland — Churches connected in Veneration with this Saint — Punishment inflicted on Violators of his Sanctuary— Last lUnessof St. Fechin — His Death and Festival — His Character — Conclusion ... 371 Article III, — St. Aenna or Genu Ua Laighsigh, Abbot of Clonmacnoise, King's County. [SixtA Century. } ... .^ ... 382 C0N2ENTS. Page Article IV. — Feast of St. ^ngus, or Macnessius, Patron and first Bishop over the Diocese of Connor, County of Antrim. {Fifth and Sixth Centuries.^ 382 Article V. — St. Lugna, Priest of Cill-Tarsna. \Possiily in the Sixth Century.'] ... 383 Article VI. — St. Ecca Mac H-Uca, of Lethcain ... ... 385 Article VII.— St. Saran ... ... ... ... 385 Article VIII. — St. Fearghus, or Ferghass, Abbot ... ... 386 Article IX. — St. Cronan ... . ... ... 386 Article X. — Patron Day of St. Vauk, or Vaak, Parish of Cam, County of Wex- ford ... ... ... ... 387 Cberttp-first J3ap of Sanuarp* Article I.— Saint Maccallin, or Malcallan, Abbot of Saint Michael's Monastery at Therasche, and Abbot of Wasor, in Bel- gium. [Tenth Century.] ... ... ... 387 Article II. — St. Briga or Brigid, of Kilbride, in the Diocese of Lismore, County of Waterford, and of Kilbride, or Brideschurch, County Kildare. [Possi6/y in the Fifth or Sixth Century.] ... ... 390 Article III.— St. Seighin, of Cill-Seighin. [Possii/y in the Fifth Century.] ... 393 Article IV. — Flann Mac Laich, or Mac Lughdach, Bishop of Finglas, County of Dublin ... ... ... ... 394 Article V. — The Daughters of Figeradhah or Feraidaigh ... ... 395 Article VI. — Saints Fainche and Eghlionna, Virgins, of Cluaincaoi, in Eoghanacht, of Cashel, County of Tipperary ... ... 39$ Article VII. — Reputed Festival of St. Finnian, Abbot of Moville, County of Down, called by the Scotch St. Wiminus, Viminus, or Vimius. [Sixth Century.] ... ... ... ... 396 Chjetttp-'Sfewnlr JBap of Sanuarp* Article I. — St. Colman, Bishop and Abbot of Lismore. [Seventh and Eighth Centuries.] ... ... ... ... 397 Article II.— St. Goar, Guarius, or Guaire Mor, of Aghadowy, County of London- derry. [Probably in the Seventh or Eighth Century.] ... 400 Article III. — St. Umhalghaid or Amhalghaidh... ... ... 400 Article IV. — The Daughters of Comgall, Cohna, Bogha, and Lassara, of Glenavy, County of Antrim ... ... ... 401 Article V. — St. Lonan Finn ... ... ... .., 402 Article VI.— Keputed Festival of St. Erlulph, Bishop of Verdim and Martyr. [Eighth and Ninth Centuries.] ... ... ... 402 Article VII. — Reputed Festival of St. Adalgisus, or Algisus, Priest, in Theoracia, a District in Picardy .. ... ... 402 2Dtaentp.-tl)irtr Bap of Sfamiarp* Article I.—St. Maimbod, Martyr, in France. [Probably in the Ninth Cen- tury.] ... ... ... ... 403 Article II.— St. Mocelloc, or Mocheallog, of Telach Olainn, or Tualach Ualaim 406 Article III. — St. Mochuppa, or Mochnopa ... ... ... 407 Article IV.— Reputed Festival ot a St. Saran ... ... ... 407 Article V.— Reputed Festival of St. Adamnanus. [Seventh and Eighth Centuries.] 407 Article VI.— Reputed Festival of St. Ursula and of her Companions, Martyrs. [Fifth Century.] ... ... ... 408 Article VII. — St. Lucain or Lucan of Tamhnach, or Tawrny ... ... 408 Article VIII. — Saints Lucas and Coinnech ... ... ... 409 CONTENTS. CtDentp-fotirtf) IBap of Sfanuarp* rage Article I. — St. Manchan, Patron of Lemanaghan, King's County. \Seventh Century.'\ ... ... ... 410 Article II. — St. Cadoc, Abbot of Lanncarvan, in Wales. [SixfA Century.] ... 415 Article III.— The Blessed Felix O'Dulanus, or O'DuUany, Bishop of Ossory. [Twelfth and Thirteenth Centuries.] ... ... 424 Article IV. — St. Guasacht, Bishop, Son of Maelchu, in Granard, County of Long- ford. IFtfth Century.] ... ... ... 428 Article V. — Feast of St. Florentin, Confessor ... ... ... 429 Article VI. — St. Batan or Buatan of Methuis Truim or Eathais-Cruimm ... 429 Article VII. — Supposed Feast of St. Eman, Abbot of Druim Tomma. \Seventh Century.] ... ... ... ... 429 Article VIII. — Reputed Festival of St. Forannan, Abbot of Wasor. [Tenth Cen' tury.] ... ... ... ... 430 Article IX. — Reputed Feast of St. Caidoc, Apostle of the Morini, in France. [Sixth and Seventh Centuries.] ... ... ... 430 Article X. — Feast of St. Babaill, with his Three Companions ... ... 430 Article XI. — Reputed Festival of St. Ethemanus, or Ithemaisc, Bishop and Abbot in Scotland, and of Clane, County of Kildare ... 431 Article I. — St. Eochod, Apostle among the Picts. [Sixth Century.] ... 431 Article II. — St Aedh, Bishop of Lis-gabhail, now Lisgool, on Lough Erne, Comity of Fermanagh ... ... ... ... 433 Article III. — ^Translation of the Relics of St. Brigid, Patroness of Ireland, to Lisbon, Portugal ... ... ... 434 Article IV. — St. Guaire, Bishop in Gobhail ... ... ... 436 Article V. — St. Mochonna of Eamaidhe, probably the Parish of Umey, County of Cavan ... ... ... ... 436 Article VI. — St. Mochua ... ... ... ... 436 Article VII. — St. Fincheall of Sliabh-Guaire, now Slieve-gory, County of Cavan 437 Article VIII. — St. Finche, Virgin ... ... ... 437 Article IX. — Mac h Grecca, of Finchill, or Findchill ... ... 437 Article X. — Reputed Festival of St. Falbeus, Abbot ... ... 437 Article XI. — Feast of St. Paul's Conversion ... ... ... 438 Article XII. — Reputed Festival of Blessed Paul, Hermit, and a Disciple of St. Patrick. [Fifth Century.] ... ... ... 438 Article XIII. — St. Poppo, St. Pappan, or Poppon, Abbot of Stabuletum. [Eleventh Century.] ... ... ... 439 Article XIV. — St. Hia, Hya, lia or lies, Virgin, at St. lies, in Cornwall, Eng- land. [Fifth Century.] ... ... ... 442 Chjentp-Sirtfe IBap of lanuarp^ Article I. — St. Notburga, Widow, and her Eight Beatified Children, IN Germany. [About the Ninth and Tenth Centttries.] ... 444 Article II. — St. Conon or Conan, Bishop of Sodor and the Isle of Man. [Sixth and Seventh Centuries.] ... ... ... 446 Article III. — Festival of St. Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna, Martyr ... 449 Article IV.— St. Calb, or Calbh, of Tulach Carpait, now Tullycorbet, in Menna Tire, in Ui-Meith-Macha, County of Monaghan ... 449 Article V. — St. Emen or Ernin, Bishop ... ... ... 450 Ctoentp-gebentlb IBap of Sfanuarp* Article I.— St, Natalis or Naal, Abbot and Patron of Invernaile, County of Donegal, and of Kinnawly, County of Fermanagh. [Sixth Century.] ... ... ... 450 CONTENTS. rage Article II. — St. Croine, Virgin, of Xill-Crony, in the County of Wicklow, or at Inishcrone, County of Sligo ... ... ... 455 Article III. — St. Noe, of Fing^as, County of Dublin ... ... 456 Article IV.— Keputed Feast of St. Adamnan, ol Coldingham, in England ... 457 Article V. — St. Lucan, Priest ... ... ... 457 Article VI. — St. Finnbheo, of Inbher-Melge ... ... ... 457 Article VII. — St. Muirgen, or Muirgeilt, Virgin, of Teach Dabeoc, County of Donegal. \Sixth Century. '\ ... ... ... 457 Article VIII. — St. Muirghen, Abbot of Gleann-Uisean, or Killeshin, Queen's County ... ... ... ... 459 Article IX. — Reputed Feast of St. Palladius, Bishop and Apostle of the Scots. \Fifth Century. ^ ... ... ... 461 Article I. — St. Cannera, Cainder, or Kinnera, Virgin. \Sixth Century.] 461 Article II. — St. Meallan, of Kilrush or of CloncrafT. [Fosstdly in the Fourth and Fifth Centuries.] ... ... ... 465 Article III.— St. Commain or Comman Lobhar, Son of Laighne ... 467 Article IV. — St. Aedhlugh of Aird or Eridh-Cassain ... ... 468 Article V. — St. Eochaidh, Bishop and Abbot of Tallagh ... ... 468 Article VI. — Reputed Feast of St. Dunstan in Scotland. [Frobablv in the Sixth Century.] ... ... .. ... 468 Article VII. — St. Acobran of Kilrush, probably in the County of Clare ... 469 Article VIII. — Reputed Festival of the Translation of the Holy Martyrs, St. Ursula and her Companions, in Germany ... ... 471 ItDentw-'itintlb 2Bap of ^anuarp* Article I.— Life of St. Gildas Badonicus, or St. Gildas the Wise. [Fi/th and Sixth Centuries. ] Chap. I. — Introduction — Differences of Opinion regarding more than one Gildas— Manuscript Lives and Authors who have treated on the Biography of St. Gildas — Dale of St. Gildas' Birth — The Place where he was born, and his Family — Educated by St. Iltutus— His youthful Studies and Character ... ... 471 Chap. II. — St. Gildas makes a Voyage to Ireland — His Austeri- ties— His studious Disposition — He fashions a Bell for St. Brigid — His Professorship at Armagh — His Ordination, Preaching, Miracles and Conversions — He is thought to have visited Ireland a second Time, when invited by King Ainmire— His Labours there 477 Chap. III. — Disturbed State of Great Britain — Gildas leaves Ire- land en hearing about the Death of his Brother, Hoel — King Arthur asks Forgiveness and obtains it from Gildas — His Intimacy and Companionship with Cadoc of Lanncarvan — Said to have lived together in the Holmes' Islands— Gildas is driven therefrom, and it is stated he thence went to Glastonbury — Death of King Arthur — The Residence of Gildas in Armorica — His Establishment at Ruys — His Life and Miracles while there ... ... 4S0 Chap. IV. — St. Gildas is thought to have visited Rome and Ra- venna— Statements regarding him — The Works of St. Gildas — His History of the Britons — His Queru- lous Epistle — Various other Writings attributed to him ... ... ... 4S5 Chap. V. — Reported Return of St. Gildas from France to Great Britain — He exhorts the Monks before his Death — CONTENTS. rage His Body committed to the Deep is subsequently re- covered— Dates and Places mentioned in Connexion with his Departure — His Festival — ^Veneration of his Relics — Conclusion ... «. 491 Article II. — St. Gildasius or Gildas, Abbot of Reys, in the Diocese ofVannes, in Britany, France. [Fifth and Sixth Centuries.] ... ... 494 Article III. — Reputed Festival of St. Gildas Albanius. [Fifth and Sixth Cen- turies.] ... ... ... ... 495 Article IV.— St. Blath or Flora, Virgin, Cook to St. Brigid, at Kildare. [Fifth or Sixth Century.] ... ... ... 495 Article V.— St. Dalian Forgaill, Martyr, of Cluain Dallain. [Sixth Century.] ... 496 Article VI. — St. Baeithin ... • ... ... ... 503 Article VII. — St. Cronan ... ... ... ... 503 Article VIII. — St. Seighin or Segin ... ... ... 503 Article IX.— Reputed Festival of St. Amnichad ... ... 504 Article X. — St. Mocheanna, or Mac Conna, Virgin ... ... 504 Article XI. — St. Volocus, Macwoloch, or Faelchu, Bishop and Missionary in Scotland. [Probably in the Fifth or Sixth Century.] ., . 504 C&irtietf) Bap of Sfamiarp* Article I. — St. Amnuchad, Anmichadius or Anmchad, Recluse of Fulda, IN Germany. [Tenth and Eleventh Centuries.] ... 506 Article II. — St. Momhemog of Glenn Faidhle, probably Glenealy, in Hy-Garchon, County of Wicklow ... ... ... 510 Article III. — St. Enan, SonofGemman, of Rosmore, County of Wexford ... 511 Article IV. — St. Glastian or Makglastian, Bishop and Confessor, in Scotland ... 512 Article V,— St. Eusebius, Monk at St. Gall, Switzerland. [Ninth Century.] ... 513 Article VI. — St. Cruimther-Ailbhe, or Elbhe, Patron of Shancoe Parish, County ofSligo. [Fifth and Sixth Centuries.] ., ... 515 Article VII. — St. Ailbhe, Son of Ronan, Monk at lona. [Sixth or Seventh Cen- tury.] ... ... ... ... 516 Articlr VIII.— St. Cronan, a Priest ... ... ... 516 Article IX.- St. Bairrfhinn, probably of Inch, County of Wexford ... 517 Article X. — St. Temog or Temoc, probably of Uaran or Oran, County of Ros- common ... ... ... ... 517 Article XI.— Reputed Festival of Blessed Marianus Scotus, the Chronographer, at Ratisbon, Bavaria. [Eleventh Century.] ... ... 518 C&utg-ftirsit I3ap of Sfanuarp* .\rtici.e I.— St. Aedan or Maidoc, Patron and Bishop of Ferns, County OF Wexford. [Sixth and Seventh Centuries.] Chap I. — Introduction — Various Acts of St. Aedan or Maidoc — His family Genealogy — Portent before his Birth — Period assigned for that Event — Place where he was born— The Variations of his Name — Miracles at the time of his Birth — Holy Dispositions of his Youth... 521 Chap. II. — Chronological Difficulties regarding this Saint Maidoc — Detained as a Hostage by King Ainmire, and afterwards released — Miracles during the Youth of Maidoc — His Intimacy with St. Laserianof Devenish — He rescues three Boys from Drowning — He is allowed by King Aedus, the Fair, to depart from Breffney — St. Maidoc then goes over to Wales — His Discipleship under St. David, Bishop of Mene- via — His Miraculous Works among the Britons — He obtains, through Prayer, a Victory for them over the Saxons ... . ... ... ^30 Chap, III. — St. Maidoc goes back to Ireland — A Miracle — Dymma presents Lands and Services to the Saint — CONTENTS. Page Heavenly Admonitions — Miracles recorded — Mai- doc's Sojourn in the County of Waterford — Difficul- ties of Identification— Brandubh, KingofLeinster — He grants the Site of Ferns for Mogue's Religious Establishment — The Saint's Manner of Life — Mira- culous Occurrences ... ... 540 Chap. IV. — Mount Leinster and Templeshanbo — Maidoc ap- peases a hungry Wolf — The Invasions of Leinster by Cumuscagh and the Monarch Aedh — Account of Maidoc's Intervention— The Saint's Sojourn atCluain Dicholla Gairbir — King Brandubh's Charity and his remarkable Vision — His Largesses bestowed on St. Maidoc — A Synod convoked at Ferns — Memoranda of this City — Maidoc's Visit to the Monastery of St. Fintan Munnu — Our Saint's return to St. David — Maidoc's Fast of Forty Days, and his Petitions offered to the Almighty ... ... 546 Chap. V. — St. Maidoc's Adventure withthe School-boys— Miracles wrought by him in the Territory of Hy-Connail Gabhra — He blesses Clbncagh Parish, and returns to Ferns — King Brandubh visits him there — Journey of Maidoc to Munster and Connaught — He restores Health to KingGuaire atKilmacduagh — His Friend- ship for St. Colman — St. Molua — Miracles — Legend regarding the Death of King Brandubh and his Re- suscitation by St. Maidoc — Burial in Ferns Cemetery of that King ... ... ... 556 Chap. VI. — The holy Bishop Maidoc earnestly desires to join the Heavenly Choir — He releases a poor Bondsman — He blesses the ingenious Architect Gobhan — The latter builds a Church for him — Maidoc raises a Nun to Life, at St. Ita's Monastery of CluainCredhail — A Thief's Guilt manifested — The Saint procures Liberty for a Captive — A Miraculous Vision of the World — Maidoc's Miracle wrought on behalf of St. Colman Fiacre — The holy Bishop a Horticulturalist ... 564 Chap. VII. — St. Finian Lobhar's reputed Vision regarding the Departure of St. Maidoc — The Death of this holy Patron of Ferns — Year of his Decease — Miracles afterwards attributed to his Intercession — Writings ascribed to this Saint — Memorials — Feast Day and Offices of St. Maidoc — Veneration for his Memory in Ireland, Wales, and Scotland— His Character — Conclusion ... ... ... 568 Article II. — St. Mochumma or Documma, Bishop of Inis Mahee, County of Down. [Probably in the Fifth, or Sixth, or Seventh Century^ ... 580 Article III. — St. Adamnan, of Coldingham, in Scotland. [Seventh Century.] ... 586 Article IV. — St. Sillan of Cill-Deilge, or Kildalkey, County of Meath ... 593 Article V. — Reputed Festival of St. Eusebius, Monk, at St. Gall, Switzerland. [Ninth Century.'] ... ... ... 595 Article VI. — St. Oebhnat, Eabhnait, or Eabnait, of Ros-Enche, or Ros na Seanchae 596 Article VII. — St. Mittan, of Kilmadock, Scotland ... ... 596 Article VIII. — St. Molanfide, or Maolanfaidh, Abbot of Dairinis or Molana, County of Waterford. [Sixth Century.] ... ... 597 Article IX. — St. Dathaedhog, Son of Colga, or Taeda MacColgan, of Achadh- dumha ... ... ... ... 598 Article X. — St. Docaem, Bishop ... ... ... 599 Article XL — St. Caoman or Caiman, of Cill-Chaomain, or Kilcoman, County of Galway. [Possibly in the Sixth and Seventh Centuries.] ... 599 Article XII. — Reputed Festival of St. Brigid, Patroness of Ireland. [Fifth and Sixth Centuries.] ... ... ... 600 Article XIII. — St. Cainneach, Priest, and Son of Ua Chil. [Eighth Century.]... 601 Article XIV. — St. Gildas, Confessor, of Blavet, in Britany, France. [Seventh Century.] ... ... ... ... 602 Article XV.— St. Lug, or Lughaedh, Son to Eochaidh, of Tir-da-Chraobh, now Teemacreeve, Parish of Castletown Kindalen, County of West- meath. [Sixth Century.] ... ... ... 607 Names of Original Subscbibers ... ... ... 609 ^s. , OR NTY 4CE- • m a tella- owed hy of ; but ;lude rciful id to ance, Irish irally nan's have moir, rious oubt- irces, . that y of Irish 2ngus ) the ;rated chief ARTICt- ARTICli Artici^ I I Artici, Artici Artici Artici Artici Artici Artici Artici Artici Artici Names LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. Sit^t IBap of Sanuarp^ ARTICLE I.— ST. FANCHEA, VIRGIN, ABBESS OF ROSS OIRTHER, OR ROSSORY, COUNTY OF FERMANAGH, AND OF KILLANY, COUNTY OF LOUTH. [FIFTH AND SIXTH CENTURIES.^ CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION — SOURCES FOR ST. FANCHEA's BIOGRAPHY — HER PARENTAGE AND RACE— HER BIRTH^-HER HOLY DISPOSITIONS — SHE EMBRACES A RELIGIOUS LIFE. BRILLIANT and beautiful as may appear the fixed or isolated star in a clear sky, yet brighter still and more magnificent shines that constella- tion which expands its rays over a larger surface, and which sheds a mellowed yet more powerful light through the firmament. Our saints are worthy of admiration, where they exist singly, among members of the same family ; but when, as in the present instance, a group of saintly children seems to include all the dwellers in a particular household, we are taught to revere the merciful and mysterious dispensations of grace, so abimdantly poured forth, and to exalt in our estimation those glorious creatures of light. As we advance, whole families and religious communities shall we find, in the early Irish Church, reflecting radiance even through the shadows of her later history. Numerous have been the females of Ireland renowned for their naturally moral and religious dispositions. Purity in thought and feeling is woman's chiefest ornament. Therefore we should not feel surprised that so many have been ranked in a sisterhood of sanctity. Fanchea, the subject of this memoir, obtained special heavenly favours. That the acts of this noble and illustrious virgin were not given at greater length has been lamented by Colgan.^ Doubt- less her eventful life was not devoid of great interest. From various sources, he has endeavoured to compile her biography f but it must be admitted that some of the legends therein related ought to be rejected as unworthy of credence. Art. I.— Chap, i.— ' With St. Fan- Saints," vol. i., p. 3. chea's Acts begin the "Acta Sanctorum == The Genealogical Menology of the Irish Hiberniae," I Januarii, VitaS. Fanchese, with Saints, with the Martyrologies of St. ^ngus notes, pp. I to 6. The Rev. Alban IJutler and of Marianus O'Gorman, as also the has some brief notices of St. Fanchea or old Acts of St. Endeus, who is venerated Faine, Virgin, at the same date. "Lives of at the 2 1st of March, furnished the chief the Fathers, Martyrs, and other principal materials. Vol. I. — No. i. n LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January i. Tliis saint's name is found variedly written Fanchea, Fuinchea, Fainc, Fuinche, and Funchea, Four other holy virgins bearing this name are inscribed on our Irish Calendars. 3 To the present St. Fanchea's name,-* the denomination Garbh, is also found affixed.s She was daughter to Conall Dearg, prince of Oriel territory, in the Ulster province f while her mother was Briga,7 or Aibfinn,^ daughter to Anmiry, of the Dalaradian race. St. Fanchea was bom at a place called Rathmore,9 in the vicinity of Clogher. She was sister to the celebrated St. Endeus, Abbot of Aran,'° as also to Saints Lochina," Carecha," and Darenia.^3 When our saint grew up, she was distinguished for extraordinary beauty ; but remarkable virtues rendered her still more admirable. ^ngus, son of Natfraich, King of Munster, is said to have desired Fanchea's hand in marriage. Notwithstanding all his pressing entreaties, however, and rejecting those earthly dignities to which she might be advanced by yield- ing to his suit, the holy virgin's mind was intent on a life of celibacy, and on those rewards promised by Christ to his spouses. Even she was obliged to resist parental importunities in refusing this offer of a matrimonial alliance. In order to divert .Angus'-* from his solicitations, she had sufficient address, while declining his advances towards herself, to direct his attentions towards her sister Darenia. To her he was afterwards united in marriage. Darenia was the mother, or, according to another account, the aunt and nurse of St. Colman,'s who was Abbot and Bishop at Daremore or Derr}Tnore Monastery. In the list of holy virgins, who received the veil from St. Patrick, St Fanchea 3 The Genealogical Menology of the Irish Saints thus distinguishes their race and pa- ternity. I. Fanchea, daughter to Ronan Ninnid, &c., of the Eugenian race. 2. Fan- chea, daughter to Crimthann, son to Guarius, belonging to the race of Leogaire, brother to the same Eugenius. 3. Fanchea, daughter to Bleden, son to Lugad, &c., of Cailbad's race. 4. Fanchea, daughter to ^ngus, son to Crimthann, &c., of the same Cailbad's race. Colgan thinks the festival of this last named Fanchea was observed in Munster on the 1 2th of January. * In the Martyrologyof Tallagh, published by Rev. Matthew Kelly, D.D., at p. xi., we find the entry, Finnche Lochari, at the 1st of January. In the old copy of this Martyro- logy, extracted from the Book of Leinster, and now preserved among the MSS. belong- ing to the Franciscan Convent, Merchant's- quay, Dublin, the corresponding notice at this date is pn'ochi tochA]\i. The latter words seem referable to her place, near Lough Erne. s In the Martyrology of Donegal, edited by Dr. Todd and by Dr. Reeves, pp. 2, 3. There too she is said to be descended from the race of Eoghan, son of Niall. * In the Genealogies of the Irish Saints, Endeus, brother to this holy virgin, is said to be son of Conall the Red, son to Damen, son of Corpre, sumamed Damh-airgid, son to Eochod, son of Crimthann, son to Fieg, son of Deodad, son to Rochad, son of Colla, sumamed Dachrioch, &c., chap. xiii. ^ She is called Briga, in the Acts of St. Endeus. 8 In the work of St. i^ngus, the Culdee, on the Maternal Genealogies of the Irish Saints, she is denominated Aibfinnia, chap. Ixxii. Here we are told she was the daughter of Ainmire, son to Ronan, King of Ferard. The copy in the Book of Lecan reads, ^15 riA hAp'OA, fol. 90. But Aibfinnia, which signifies "the beautiful," appears to have been used as an appellative. The Calendar of Cashel calls her "Briga" or "Aibfinnia." See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hibemiae," xxi. Martii. Vita S. Endei, Appendix, cap. iii., pp. 712, 713. 9 This was formerly a celebrated fortress and a chief residence belonging to the Princes of Oirgiell. '° See the Life of this celebrated saint at the 2 1 St of March. From his Acts we learn that Conall was his father, as also the parent of St. Fanchea and of St. Darenia. " The Menologic Genealogy, in the first and second chapters, states, likewise, that Conall was St. Lochina's father. " See notices regarding her at the 9th of March. The Calendar of Cashel makes Conall father to this holy virgin. '3 An ancestor of this holy family, Cairbre, is said to have received for himself and his posterity the blessing of St. Patrick. See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga, " Septima Vita S. Patricii, lib. iii., cap. vi., p. 150, and n. 12, p. 184, ibid. '♦ According to some accounts, this .(Tlngus was the father of twelve holy daughters and of as many sons. The fes- tival of the daughters of Angus is set down in our calendars, at the 23rd of February. To this day, we refer the reader for further notices. 's See some notices of this saint at the 31st of July. January i.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAlNTS. is numbered by Colgan'^ ; this statement, however, seems to rest on no good authority. Her reputation for piety was so great that several ladies of royal birth were numbered among her disciples, and placed under her rule. Having entirely consecrated herself to God, Fainche, in her own person, furnished a bright example of self-denial and sanctity. Many others of her sex, desiring to walk in the way she had marked out, renounced the pleasures of this world, for happy enjoyments in the next. She built a nunnery, at a place called Ross Oirthir,'7 on the borders of Lough Erne, and within the present county of Fermanagh. ^^ It appears to have been within the patrimonial territory of Oriel. '^ CHAPTER II. SITUATION AND DESCRIPTION OF ROSSORY — ST. FANCHEA EFFECTS THE CONVERSION OF HER BROTHER, ST. ENDEUS — THE DEATH OF A NOBLE LADY INDUCES HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE WORLD. The site of this foundation is said to have been in Tir Rathe, on Lough Eme.^ Rossory is now a parish, partly in the barony of Glenawley, and partly in that of Magheraboy. It lies on the shores of Lough Erne, and not far from Enniskillen.^ About the year 1106 Lisgoole Abbey is said, incorrectly, to have been established on the site of Rossory by Mac Noellus Mackenleff, king of Ulster.3 Of the ancient Ros-airthir, or " the eastern peninsula," only its cemetery remains. ^ There is a sublimity and chann in its present loneliness of aspect. The old spot where St. Fanchea's establishment stood has been clearly ascertained. It immediately adjoined the cemetery, pictured in the accom- panying engraving, 5 and actually touched upon the burial-ground, right over the Sillees river. Here exist the remains of a very large earthwork of the Rath class. On the western side the mur is thirteen vards in thickness at its '* See "Trias Thaumaturga. " Quinta Ap- of Glen Righe, Lough Neagh, and the Lower pendix ad Acta S. Patricii. cap. xxiii. Bann. Originally the country of this sept p. 270. comprised the greater part of Ulster, but for '7 Because St. Fanchea's festival was many centuries it was confined to the present there celebrated, and because it lay within counties of Louth, Armagh, and Monaghan. the paternal territory of Fermanagh, near Shortly after the introduction of Christianity, Lake Erne, Colgan so names the place, the descendants of Eoghan, son to Niall of and identifies it with her. See "Acta Sane- the Nine Hostages, deprived them of that torum Hibemias," i Januarii, n. 10, p. 3. part, represented by the present counties of '^ Dr. Lanigan will not admit this asser- Londonderry and Tyrone. See the "Topo- tion of Colgan. The latter writer, as the graphical Poems of John O'Dubhagain and former remarks, found a parish church, Giolla na Naomh O'Huidhrin." Edited by where her festival was kept, at Ross Oirthir, John O'Donovan, LL.D., M.R.I. A. Notes in Fermanagh, and there he supposes her n. 103, p. xix. nunnery to have been. Harris and Archdall Chap.il — ' "Leahbar Breac," 30 b, follow this statement. Although several SS. R.I. A. There is another Rossory in Leitrim Fancheas existed, Dr. Lanigan maintains, county. nothing occurs, on good authority, to make ^ For a description and illustration the us admit that any of them founded a nunnery reader is referred to J. B. Doyle's " Tours at Rossory in the fifth century. See"Eccle- in Ulster," chap, xx., pp. 368 to 379. siastical History of Ireland," vol. i., chap. 3 See Lewis's " Topographical Dictionary viii., § ix., n. 114, p. 404. But Colgan had of Ireland," vol. ii., pp. 538, 539. access to authorities and correct sources of * See W. F. Wakeman's " Lough Erne, information which Dr. Lanigan could hardly Enniskillen, Belleek, Ballyshannon, and have surmised. Bundoran, &c.," concluding chapter, p. 151. '9 This territory was formerly possessed s By William Oldham, from an original by a great sept, descended from the three drawing on wood in William F. Wake- CoUas. These conquered the ancient Ul- man's best style. This and every subsequent tonians, and wrested from them that portion engraving has been prepared expressly foi" of the Ulster province which lay westwards the present work. LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January i. base, and it is double at one part. The original buildings there are thought to have been entirely composed of timber ; but of these not a single trace remains. The original church, indeed, may have been of stone. How- ever, Rossory Church of our fa- thers' time has been demolished, and in the memory of people still living. The eastern and north-eastern sides of the ancient mur have become all but obliterated, owing to tillage.^ Ac- cording to the "An- nals of the Four Masters'V in the year 1084 the Mo- nastery of Fuinche,. i. ^^'^^^"^^^^^ Z^ an old church are within an enclosed cemetery beside the high road, and these are probably on the actual site of St. Ossene's more ancient reli- gious establish- ment. About thirty years ago, the most dilapi- dated portions were repaired with modem masonry.^ The nave alone remains, and its walls are thickly covered with ivy. A belfry seems to have surmounted the western gable, while the choir gable and a finely- turned arch re- main. Portions of the choir walls were considerably over ground with- in the memory of persons yet living, but they are now Church ruins at_Clonmore. levelled to the very foundations. This church was fully seventy feet in length,? and the nave measures seventeen feet in width ; the walls averaged two feet nine inches in -• Edited by the Rev. Dr. Kelly, mo^ are only Art. III.- See p. xi. ^ The words Of fene visible in the Franciscan copy. 3 See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i., n. (o) p. 441. •» Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, p. 2. A similar entry is in the Irish Calendar, R.I. A. s See Rev. A. Cogan's' "Diocese of Meath. Vol. I. Ancient and Modem," vol. i., chap, xxi., p. 127. Also Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Vita Quinta S. Columbae, lib. i., p. Ixv., p. 400, and n. 65, p. 450, and cap. x., p. 492. Quarta Appendix ad Acta S. Columbae. * The square-headed doorway, under the circularly-headed window figured in the ac- companying engraving, is altogether of modern introduction. 1 During the year 1836, when the old ruins C i8 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January i. thickness.^ No old monuments are to be seen at present in the cemetery; but some interesting objects of antiquity are in the locality immediately sur- rounding it.9 We can scarcely doubt there had been a sufficient endowment for the Church of Clonmore after the time of St. Ossene, for in a.d. 826 the death of a Herenach belonging to Clonmore-Arda is recorded in the " Annals of the Four Masters. "'° Here it is likely for some years, about the middle of the sixth century, the life of St. Ossene ran in beneficence, like the onward course of a smooth-floA\ang and fertilizing river. Varied by the discharge of his daily pastoral and religious duties, no moment was left unconsecrated to the service of God. Article IV. — St. Colman Muilinn, of Derrykeighan, County of Antrim. \Fifth or Sixth Century.^ From various accounts, it would appear, the Church of Derrykeighan must have been one of the oldest founda- tions in Ireland.^ Its first administrator is stated to have been brother to St. Mochay,^ who died towards the close of the fifth century.3 The name of this place seems to have been derived from •ooi^e, " an oak wood," and from cTiAoeAiri, a proper name, and also meaning, " purblind." Foundations of the original church remain in the old churchyard. ■♦ Upon them stand the roofless walls of an old building, s Colman Muilinn is simply entered in the " Martyrology of Tallagh,"^ on this day.7 He belonged to a place known as Derrykeighan,^ in the county of Antrim, and within the diocese of Connor. Further particulars concerning him we read in the "Martyrology of Donegal."9 There it is stated that Colman Muilinn, ^° of Doire-Chaechain," belonged to Dal-Riada, in Ulster. Bronach, daughter of Milchu," son to Buan, is said to have been his mother. We are at Clonmore were more perfect, in situ, than the Irish Saints, is the only authority knowTi for they now are, in a joint letter of Messrs. P. this statement ; but, it must be observed, O'Keefe and T. O'Conor, written at there are apparent anachronisms in this Dunleer, those were described as measuring tract. thirty feet in length by fifteen in width, while 3 See his life at the 23rd of June, the side walls standing were about fourteen * Several years back, 280 silver coins, par- feet in height. On the southern side-wall tially enumerated in the " Numismatic Chro- opened four window places, reaching to the nicle," p. 213, were found in a field outside top of the wall. On the eastern gable was the old graveyard. a large arched way, twelve feet high and ^ For these and further interesting particu- nine feet wide, but then stopped up with lars see Rev. William Reeves' "Ecclesias- stone-work. This church was dedicated to tical Antiquities of Down, Connor, and St. Columkille, according to popular tradi- Dromore," pp. 78, 79. tion, and his feast was held in the parish on * Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xi. the 9th of June. — "Irish Ordnance Survey 7 We can only make out "CottnAti Letters on Louth," vol. i., p. 119. IHai'L. . ." in the Franciscan copy. ^ The annexed excellent engraving by Mrs. * A parish, partly in the barony of Lower Millard, of Dublin, is executed from a sketch Dunluce, and partly in that of Carey. The drawn by the writer on the spot, in February, town of Dervock lies within it. See Lewis's 1873. "Topographical Dictionary of Ireland," 5 The Moats of Clonmore, of Killaly, and vol. i., pp. 453 to 455. of Ardballon are remarkable land-marks. 9 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, p. 2. A ground plan of Clonmore Castle is to be In the table subjoined to this Martyrology seen engraved in "Wright's Louthiana," his place is called Daire-Chaochain. See book ii., plate xiv. ibiid., cised O'Hea, and sometimes Hayes. See chap, xix., p. 514 and n. From its tolerable "The Topographical Poems of O'Dubhagain proximity tcUsney, this church may have and O'Huidhrin," edited by Dr. O'Dono- been dedicated to the present saint. Near van, nn. 603, 604. Killoughy townland, in the parish so called, s See Dr. O'Donovan's " Leabhar na g- the ruined church and cemetery are marked Ceart," or the "Book of Rights," n. (v), on the King's County Ordnance Survey pp. 42, 44. Townland Maps, sheet 32. * At the 6th of September another festival " See County of Westmeath Ordnance of this saint then occurs. Survey Townland Maps, sheet 24. ^See Dr. O'Brien's "Focaloir Gaoidhilge- Art. vn. — "Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, sax-Bhearia," or "An Irish-English Dic- p. xi. tionary, st/^ voce, Muiscrith, with its various ' In the Franciscan copy we can only de- subdenominations," p. 358. cipher " Seech Ae ui]a, i.e Sc . . ." ^ (;;jjijg(j ^^dskagh in 1615. January l] LIV:B:S OF THE IRISH SAINTS. it Cloyne.9 Its denomination seems to have been derived from the Irish word i:eA]\c, having these various EngHsh significations, "an act," "action," "virtue," "attribute," repute," "a miracle," "a grave," "a tomb," "a country," "land," " a fair-green," '° joined with sciacTi, the proper name of the virgin patroness, belonging to this locality. Article VIII. — Festival of St. Ernan, Abbot of Druim-Tomma, NOW Drumhome, County of Donegal. \Sixth and Seventh Centuries?^ At first view, on entering a garden where flowers are growing, we are dis- posed to cull some which are desirable for our purpose, while we leave others untouched as serving to supply our requirements on some occasion for a more suitable selection. Thus, although Ernan Mac Eoghain's feast is men- tioned in the "Martyrology of Tallagh"^ at the ist day of January,^ we find it a preferable arrangement to refer his acts to another festival at the 23rd of December. This saint was of a princely and renowned family. He was son to Eoghan, son of Feilim, consequently he was a nephew to the great St. Columbkille ;3 he therefore belonged to the Cinel-Conaill race. The " Martyrology of Donegal "* is found corresponding with this date for his fes- tival. His place is now recognised under the appellation Drumhome. It is situated in the barony of Tirhugh and county of Donegal. This is said to have been one of St. Adamnan's churches, s It is referred to under the Latinized name of " Dorsum Tommge."^ Colgan has published acts of this saint at the ist of January.7 These he has collected from various sources. Article IX. — St. Mathilde, Virgin. {Thirteenth Century i\ This pious lady is said to have been the daughter of a Scottish king. She had four brothers, all of whom embraced a religious life. One was a duke or chief, who left his wife, but in a Christian manner, to embrace a state of poverty ; another was a count, or a subordinate chief, who chose to lead an eremitical life ; another became an archbishop, but he abdicated this func- tion to enter the Cistercian order ; while the junior among them, named Alexander, owing to his holy sister's persuasion, left his native country. He accompanied her to Fogny, in the diocese of Laon, in Gaul.^ Here she left him, as a lay brother, to discharge menial offices in a Cistercian monastery. Then the holy virgin herself appears to have retired from this world. Although she wished to conceal her person and rank from the knowledge of men, yet nine years before her death, she was discovered and recognised by some soldiers of Scotia. Both during life and after death, her merits were rendered manifest by the performance of many great miracles. ^ On the ist of January, a.d. 1269, Camerarius, who claims this noble virgin as a native of 9 See a note communicated by Dr. Reeves vol. iii., n. (c), p. iii. in ''The Topographical Poems of O'Dub- ^ See Rev. Dr. Reeves' "Adamnan's hagain and O'Huidhrin," edited by Dr. Vita S. Columbse," lib. iii., cap. xxiii., p. O'Donovan, n. 605, pp. Ixix., Ixx. 223, and n. (m), ibid. Also '* Ussher's "See "O'Reilly's Irish- English Die- Primordia," p. 969. \Xqx\.2.vj, sub voce" 7 See "Acta Sanctorum Hibemise," i. Art. VIII. — ' Edited by the Rev. Dr. Januarii. Vita S. Emani, pp. 7 to 9. Bis- Kelly, p. xi. hop Forbes, in his " Kalendars of Scottish * In the Franciscan copy " e^MiAn tTlAc Saints," has notices of him at this date. Go ..." is only legible. See p. 332. 3 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Art. ix. — ' Colgan gives his Acts at the Quarta Appendix ad Acta S. Columbse, 14th of January. See "Acta Sanctorum cap. iii., p. 482, cap. x., p. 490. Hibemise," xiv. Januarii. Vita S. Alexandri, '^ Edited by the Rev. Drs. Todd and pp. 64, 65. Reeves, p. 5. ^ Such is the substance of what Thomas 5 See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Cantipratensis relates in his work, " De Four Masters," vol. ii., n. (m), p. 602, and Miraculis," lib. ii., cap. x. 22 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January i. Scotland, says she departed to eternal happiness. 3 By a series of well- drawn negative and historic proofs, Colgan asserts that Mathilda could not have been daughter to any of the regal Scottish monarchs ; while he endea- voured to show how Ireland might probably \vith better reason claim the honour of her nativity. Yet Colgan honestly affirms he could not advance this latter claim beyond all question.'^ Unless the names of Alexander and Mathilda received some alteration, during the years of their exile, they seem to accord more with Scottish than Irish use during the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. Article X. — St. Aedhan, son of Deigill, of Cluain-Fionna- BHRACH, ClONKEEN, CoUNTY OF LoUTH, AND OF CiLL-IlJNLEITH. NotchcS and shadows on the distant landscape just reflect forms of beauty, which the eye cannot search in detail, because the reach of vision is too great. Imagi- nation and judgment vaguely combine to fill up the dreamy outline. This present saint possibly may have lived during the very infancy of our Christian establishments. One of St. Patrick's disciples is called Mac Dichoill, and he is thought by Colgan^ to have been the same as the holy man, who is here commemorated. In the " Martyrology of Tallagh"^^ Aedhan-h-Fiachna ap- pears at the I St of January. He is probably identical with a Mac Decill of h-Eachach Uisneach, who seems to have been entered as a different person in the same record and on the same day. 3 Marianus O'Gorman, or his scholiast, at the ist of January, as also the " Martyrology of Donegal,"* record a commemoration of Aedhan, son to Deigill, of Cluain-Fionnabhrach,s and of Cill-Ilialeith,^ at the north of Fochard.? His places are likewise called Cluain-Chaoin Fionnabhrach and Kill-alinn. On this account, how- ever, it may be doubted if this saint can be identified with St. Patrick's disciple, Mac Dichoill,^ who is known to have been connected with the people of Assal,9 and to have built a church a little to the south of a ford on the River Ethne,'° and near a place known as Ath-Maigne." Yet there is 3 " De Pietate Scotorum," at the ist of thiana," book i., plate xiv., p. 9, and book January, lib. iii. iii., plate xx., p. 19, there are engravings of ♦See "Acta Sanctorum Hibemiae," i. a moat and some curious ecclesiastical anti- Januarii. Vita S. Mathildis, pp. 6, 7. quities, called after St. Brigid, and with Art. X. — ^ See "Trias Thaumaturga" letter-press descriptions to illustrate the Septima Vita S. Patricii, pars, ii., cap. xvi., plates, p. 131, and n. 49, p. 174. ^Colgan remarks, that this name ac- * Edited by the Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xi. cords with Mac Dechill, meaning the son In the Franciscan copy one entry reads, of Dichoill, Dechill, or Deicola. Hence " -Ae-OAni. h. -piAchriA;" but there is another, he who is called in one place Mac Dichuill, " ITlAc "OACit Ach upiij," at this date. elsewhere may have been named Mac 3 See ibid. Dechil. < Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, p. 2. » In one instance, Dr. O'Donovan attempts 5 Now Clonkeen, barony of Ardee, county to identify Assal with a district lying round of Louth. Tory Hill, near Croom, in Limerick. See 'This place must have lain near the "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i., n. boundaries of the counties of Louth and (f), p. 58. With a happier effort, Colgan Armagh. Perhaps it is represented in the says, these people inhabited that part of modem townland, Killeen, in the parish of Meath (Westmeath) known in his day as Killevy, coimty of Armagh. Magassil (Moycashel). See "Trias Thau- ^For a description of this place see "The maturga," n. 46, p. 174. History of Dundalk and its Environs," by '°This seems to be the River Inny, south John D'Alton, Esq. , and J. R. O'Flanagan, of the county of Longford. Very near it, Esq., M.R.I.A., pp. 277 to 281. Also and to the south, in the county of West- William Shaw Mason's " Statistical Ac- meath, there is a Temple-Patrick parish. count,^ or Parochial Survey of Ireland," This might give a clue to the site of the voL ii., No. xii., pp. 207 to 214. This church, and the disciple might have dedi> latter account is from the pen of Rev. Ger- cated it to his great master, vais Tinley, rector. In Wright's "Lou- " This place is now said to be known as January l] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 23 nothing improbable apparently in giving him other establishments at Cluain- Chaoin" Finnabhrach, in Ferrois,'3 and at Cill-Alinn, or Cill-Ilialeith. If such be the case, according to Colgan, this saint was the son of Dechill, son of Bruin, to whom St. Brigid sent an admonitory epistle, dissuading him from undertaking a pilgrimage to Rome. The time and name seem to favour Colgan's supposition, as he asserts ; still it must be urged, the name and places mentioned rather cause us to adopt a doubtful, if not an opposite, pronouncement.'* When the Latin "Tripartite Life of St. Patrick," pub- hshed by Colgan, had been composed, the former servers of Mac DichoilFs Church,'S near Lissmoyny, allowed it to lapse from a previous dedication, and to come under the patronage of St. Columkille.'^ Article XL — Feast of St. Mochua, or Cuan, Abbot and Patron OF Teach-Mochua, or Timahoe, Queen's County. \Sixth or Seventh Century^ At this date, the Rev. Alban Butler has a very brief notice of St. Mochua, whom he calls hkewise by the name Moncain and Claunus. The I St of January is said to have been the day of his death, at Dayrinis.' This day, the Bollandists have published his acts, which had been presented to them by the Rev. Father Hugh Ward.^ Notwithstanding, they state that some Irish Martyrologies refer his festival to the month of April. This life is said to have been compiled from Irish records worthy of credit. The Bollandists, however, remark, that it contains some wonderful accounts, but not unusual ones, for the single-minded and holy nation to which they apply. This may be known by referring to other acts of Irish saints. They allow, indeed, that there may be some errors or amplifications, owing to faults of ignorant compilers. The learned Henry Fitzsimon, an Irish Jesuit theolo- gian of eminence, put the Bollandists on their guard, against giving implicit belief to many Irish documentary statements. Being ignorant of our island's profane history, the BoUandist -writers acknowledge their difficulty in distin- guishing between genuine and spurious records. They warn readers to receive cautiously accounts of many wonderful miracles that appear in acts of different Lismoyny, a townland in the parish of Ard- uamach, which was a lough in Breffny, near nurcher, barony of Moycashel, and county the Buannad river, towards the south, writes of Westmeath. In his translation of the Colgan. The same author conjectures his "Annals of Clonmacnoise," at A.D. 1158 feast to have been kept on the 1st of January, and 12 13, Connell Mageoghegan thus iden- or on the 9th of October. See "Trias titles it. See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of Thaumaturga, " Vita Septima S. Patricii, lib. the Four Masters," vol. ii., n. (o), pp. 1106, ii., cap. cii., p. 143, and n. 148, p. 180. I107, and vol. iii., n. (f), p. 182. The "Annals of Ulster" place the death "This place has been Anglicised "the of St. Aedhan O'Fiachrach at A.D. 569, al. beautiful lawn," or "meadow." It is now 562, while those of the Four Masters have knovvn as Clonkeen, in the barony of Ardee, it at A.D. 557. See Dr. O'Donovan's edi- and county of Louth. tion, vol. i., pp. 196 to 199, and n. (b). '3 This church lay in the old territory of '^ n cannot be safely asserted, moreover, Fera Rois. See Colgan's " Trias Thauma- that all the disciples or founders of churches turga," Septima Vita S. Patricii, pars, iii., under St. Patrick are inscribed on our calen- cap. Ixv., pp. 161, 162, and nn. 96, 97, p. dars. 185. '* This statement serves to show, that in its ''* Elsewhere, when allusion is made to present state, at least, all the Tripartite Life a St. Aidan, of Lochhuamhach, or, as writ- cannot be ascribed to the authorship of St. ten in his text of the Tripartite Life, of Evin. Cochnamach, Colgan says St. Aidan, of Art. xi. — 'See "Lives of the Fathers, Clann Eochuille, of the Hy-Fiachta race, Martyrs, and other Principal Saints," vol. i., flourished in Corann, a part of Connaught, January i. through which St. Patrick passed. He ^ Franciscan guardian over St. Anthony's may be identical with St. Aidan, of Loch- convent, Louvain. 24 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January i. Irish saints, unless the authors of these lives are known to have been per- sons of discrimination. The Bollandists only proposed to expunge in those Irish lives of saints whatever may be repugnant to faith and good morals, or whatever account might be manifestly absurd. St. Mochua's life they give from old MSS. It is contained in six chapters, comprising twelve different sections ;3 but as referring more appropriately to the 24th of December, fuller notices of this saint are deferred to that day. Article XII. — Feast of St. Mochua, or Cronan, Abbot of Balla. \Sixth and Seventh Centuries.'] The Rev. Alban Butler' has a notice at January ist in relation to St. Mochua, of Balla, who otherwise is called Cronan. We prefer, however, reserving for the 30th of March a further account of this saint, as it iDetter accords with the arrangement in our calendars. The place where he was most specially venerated is now known as Ballagh, or Bal, a market to\vn and parish in the barony of Clanmorris, county of Mayo. This town is situated on the road from Castlebar to Clare- morris, and it is surrounded by fertile pasture and tillage lands. ^ The Bol- landists have inserted the Acts of this saint at the ist day of the year.3 The original, in Irish, had been translated by O'Sullevan Beare. With one acknowledged omission it was published in the great Bollandist collection. Article XIII. — St. Fintan, son of Eochach, of Bealach. [Sixth or Seventh Century.'] As in the twilight, when a few objects appear distinct, the more possible it becomes to shape an outline of images less clear ; so the patronymic and locality of a saint being kno\vn, are aids that may assist in evolving further information, and in stimulating more painstaking research. Fintan Mac Eochach, of Bealach, has been set down in the " Martyrology of Tallagh "' at the ist of January." It is not easy to discover where the *' bealach," meaning a " pass " or " road,"3 lay. At this date the " Martyro- logy of Donegal "* like^vise registers Fuintain, son of Eochaidh, descended from the race of Laeghaire, son to Niall of the Nine Hostages. 5 At the period of his death, which probably occurred sometime about the close of the sixth or beginning of the seventh century,^ he passed to a blessed life, pro- mised to faithful servants, in the household of the Lord. Article XIV. — St. Connat, or Comnatan, Abbess of Kildare, County of Kildare. [Sixth Century.] Meekly have the true spouses of Christ chosen the better part by retiring from the world to the cloister. Like the dove, 3 See "Acta Sanctoram," Januarii, tomus p. xi. i., prgemium, &c., pp. 45, 46, 47. 'The words "pnc^n TJIac ec . '. ." Art. XII. — ' See " Lives of the Fathers, only appear in the Franciscan copy. Martyrs, and other Principal Saints," vol. i. 3 See "Edward O'Reilly's Irish-English " See Lewis' "Topographical Dictionary Dictionary, j«(J z'^«." of Ireland," vol. i., pp. loi, 102. * Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, p. 5. 3 See "Acta Sanctorum," i Januarii. s Fintan, son of Eachach, son to Ailealla, Vita S. Mochuae Ballensi, sive Cronani. son of Guaire, son to Luighdeach, son of This life is divided into six chapters, with a Laoghaire, son of Neill Naoighiall. The premonitory notice. Tomus i., pp. 47, to 49. foregoing pedigree is in the MS. " Genealo- Colgan has reproduced it at the 30th of gia Regum et Sanctorum Hibemiae " be-* March, with additional matter and illustra- longing to the Franciscan Library, Dublin. tive notes. ° Judging by probable inferences de- Art. xiii.— * Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, duced from the genealogical line. January i.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 25 with its emblem of rest, the ark and the sanctuary receive them in safety. Comnatan, a virgin without further designation, is met with in the " Martyrology of Tallagh,"' at the ist of January.' Elsewhere she has been particularized. We find at the same date a festival to Comnat, virgin, abbess of Cill-dara, in Leinster. This ancient city was very renowed after the death of its early foundress, St. Brigid; and venerable ruins there yet attest its former import- ance. 3 St. Comnat is no- ticed by Marianus O'Gor- man, and her feast occurs in the " Martyrology of Donegal."* According to Colgan, she must have flourished in the sixth century. How long she ruled over the nuns at Kildare does not appear, s Her death is assigned to A.D. 590.^ We may rest assured, likewise, that her thoughts and affections were purified by the holy life she led, and that they procured her a peaceful dissolution. The virgins of Christ hear the Gospel, and the evangelical coun- sels are practised by them on earth. When death seals their eyes to its scenes, like those newly recovering sight, or like those awaking from sleep, their souls open to the transports of light supernal. No more can shadows return, for their crowns of glory are encircled with a- radiance that can never pale. Kildare Round Tower and Old Cathedral. Article XV. — St. Fintan, son of Tioctheach. While under the bondage of centuries our people clung with tenacity to the creed of their ancestors, and suffered much for their religious opinions, it seems most singu- lar, that in so many instances, they have lost the traces of several holy persons who blessed our island in the olden time. Finntan Mac Tuicthech is recorded in the " Martyrology of Tallagh "' at the ist day of January.* Art. XIV. — ' Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xi. ^ In the Franciscan copy we find " Coin- MACAn. U." 3 The annexed wood engraving of the round tower and cathedral ruins, by Mrs. Millard, is from a photograph, taken by Frederick H. Mares, 79 Grafton-street, Dublin. 4 Edited by Drs, Todd and Reeves, p. 5. s According to Colgan, a St. Talulla, daughter of Nadfraich, and sister to St. MO" lasius, flourished about the year 590, and she was abbess at Kildare. Whether or not the present saint preceded or succeeded her in that office seems undetermined. * See "Trias Thaumaturga," Appendix Quinta ad Acta S. Brigidse, cap. ii., p. 629. Art. XV. — ' Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xi. ' " i:incAiri -nUc C01C . . ." is found in the Franciscan copy. 26 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January i. Probably he lived before the ninth century began ; but hardly more can be gleaned from this mere entry. Finntain, son of Toictheach, appears in the " Martyrology of Donegal "3 on this day ; yet such record is only a repetition of the earlier notice. Article XVI. — St, Colman, son of Eochaidh. Many of our saints and their actions have been described with very considerable distinctness ; but regarding several others, as in the present instance, we search in vain for satisfactory details. We do not meet with any notice of this particular saint in the published "Martyrology of Tallagh"^ at the ist of January,^ How- ever, we find that Colman, son of Eochaidh, is set down in the " Martyrology of Donegal "3 on this particular day. When he flourished seems uncertain. There is a St. Colman, or St. Columbanus, the founder of Snamh-Luthir, who is said to have been venerated on the ist day of January.* Perhaps he may be identified with the present saint. Article XVII — St. Tobrea, or Tobia. That venerated names should live in history, having left an impress on their age, while their acts should have all but perished and been totally forgotten, within the historic period, too, are facts that appear almost incomprehensible, and fill us with surprise. At the ist day of January, in the pubhshed " Martyrology of Tallagh,"' we find the simple entry, " Tobrea." In the Franciscan copy it is " Tobiae." Nothing more seems recoverable in reference to this saint. Article XVIII. — St. Crone, Galma, In the "Martyrology of Tal- lagh,"' at the ist of January, Crone Galma is recorded, without any further distinguishing epithet. Article XIX, — St, Brocan, son of Enda. After the time of St. Patrick, and for several succeeding ages, the Irish Church was guarded by a succession of religious men. Brocan, son of Enda, is mentioned in the " Martyrology of Donegal "' on this day. His name occurs likewise in the " Martyrology of Tallagh "^ as Brocan Mac Ennae.3 We may fairly conclude that he flourished before the commencement of the ninth century : to fix the exact time is attended with more difficulty. Article XX. — Feast of the Circumcision of our Lord. — This fes- tival, which is traced to the very earliest ages of Christianity, seems likewise to have been celebrated in Ireland, from the time St. Patrick first introduced the light of the Gospel among our people. It is remarkable that our cele- 3 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, p. 5. Art, xvin, — ' Edited by Rev, Dr. Kelly, Art. XVI. — ' As edited by Rev. Dr. p. xi. In the Franciscan copy we can only Kelly, Seep. xi. make out "C]\one5Alm . . ." =■ In the Franciscan copy, notwithstanding, Art. xix. — 'Edited by Drs. Todd and we meet the reading " CoLiriAnn ech" ap- Reeves, p. 2. parently intended for this saint. =" Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xi, 3 Edited by Drs, Todd and Reeves, p. 5. 3 in the Franciscan copy it is " bpoccAim *See Colgan's " Trias Thaumaturga," -niAC eine<\," Twenty-three foreign saints' Quarta Appendix ad Acta S. Columbae, names precede this entry, in that copy, cap, x., p. 488. at the ist of January ; and these are fol- Art. XVII.- ' Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, lowed by the present saint, with sixteen P' '''• other Irish saints' names, for this day alone. January 2.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 27 brated hagiologist, St. yEngus, the Culdee, devotes solely the opening stanza of his elegant metrical Irish Calendar, known as the Felire, to record this feast.' ^ewntr ®a|) of Sanua^p* ARTICLE I.~ST. MUNCHIN, BISHOP AND PATRON OF LIMERICK CITY AND DIOCESE. [PROBABLY ABOUT THE FIFTH OR SIXTH CENTURY.'\ CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION — ENQUIRY CONCERNING THE IDENTIFICATION OF ST. MUNCHIN — CALLED THE SON OF SEDNA — SAID TO HAVE BUILT A CHURCH IN FIDH-INIS — ST. PATRICK FIRST VISITS LIMERICK — DIVERS SAINTS BEARING THE NAME OF MUNCHIN, OR MUN- CHEN. NO man is perfect who desires not greater perfection ; and in this especially does a man prove himself a proficient in the knowledge of God, when he ever tends to the highest degree of perfection. The holy bishops of our Irish Church studied well the course to be pursued for the exercise of their pastoral charge. In charity and humility they excelled, and therefore it does not appear strange that so many, with a great fervour of affection, aspired to an intimate union with the true Pastor of Souls. Adorned with all the graces of solid virtue, the great guilt of sin had no abiding place in souls devotedly attached to the duties of their sacred profession. Not only are conflicting opinions held regarding St. Munchin's identity with various holy men similarly named, but great doubts prevail with respect to the exact period when he lived. The best authorities on Irish ecclesias- tical history seem to agree pretty generally in calling the patron saint of Limerick, the son of Sedna. From what we can learn this parentage connects him apparently by birth, or at least by extraction, with the district in which Lumneach, as called by the old chroniclers, was situated. Some writers beheve St. Munchin of Limerick may be identical with a Mancenus,' who is reputed to have been a very religious man, and a master well versed in a knowledge of the Holy Scriptures.^ When Christianity had been first introduced by St. Patrick among the subjects of Amalgaid, King of Connaught, about a.d. 434,3 this Mancenus was placed as bishop over the Art. XX. — 'The following copy of this A. Kal. "Before the multitudinous race stanza has been obligingly transcribed by of men, Mr. Joseph O'Longan from the Leabhar Let the king proceed before us, Breac version, fol. 79, belonging to the To the high noble law submitted Royal Irish Academy. The English trans- Christ, on the kalends of January, lation has been furnished by Mr. Bryan Art. i. — Chap. i. — ' Mentioned by O'Looney, M.R.I. A. Jocelyn, " Sexta Vita S. Patricii," cap. lix., p. 78. * See Colgan's "Trias Thauraaturga," Sep- A.cU llefiL T)AiAcli ■oome tima Vita S. Patricii, lib. ii., cap. Ixxxvii., Caitdo-o in ^1 |\eniAiii p. 141. tuTo CO ^\echc A]\'o e^Ait 3 SeeUssher's"BritannicarumEcclesiarum Ct\ifC 1 cAllAin-o enAi|»i Antiquitates, Index Chronologicus, " p. 517. 28 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 2. people in that part of the country. Yet it does not seem probable, that such an efficient and a distinguished pastor had been called away from his own field of missionary labour to assume the charge of a see established at Limerick, long subsequent to the date of his appointment. St. Munchin, called the son of Sedna, was grandson to Cas,'^ and great grandson to Conell of the Dalgais.s He was nephew to Bloid, King of Thomond. Nothing more have we been able to collect regarding his educa- tion, pursuits, and preparation for his call to Holy Orders. Neither docu- mentary fragments nor popular tradition aid our endeavours to clear up his personal history. It has been asserted, that St. Munchin, Bishop of Limerick, built a church in the island of Fidh-Inis, which lies within the large estuary where the River Fergus enters the River Shannon. Here he is said to have . lived for a long time, and, it is thought possible, a St. Brigid,^ who was his kinswoman,? may have lived there after he left it.^ By the erudite, local, and modem historian9 of Limerick, we are informed that St. Patrick crossed the Shannon near this city, and at a place called Sois Angel, now Singland. Not long ago there was a round tower at this place. The holy well with the stony bed and altar of the Irish Apostle may yet be seen there.'" He is said to have had a vision of angels at this spot, and to have preached. Then we are told, that St. Manchen, a religious man who had a complete knowledge of the Sacred Scriptures, was appointed by St. Patrick first bishop over Limerick. He also ruled spiritually, it is said, over the subjects of Amailgaid, King of Connaught. This prince, at the time, had been a recent convert to Christianity." Notwithstanding what has been so frequently asserted in reference to this matter, if, as appears probable enough, St. Patrick founded the See of Limerick, as also the Abbey of Mungret, and if he appointed a bishop over the former, most likely he would have selected a Dalcassian to hold the office, especially were one to be found capable and worthy to assume this responsible charge. So conflicting are the statements, however, and so unsatisfactory the evidence yet brought to light, that on such a subject, it would be useless to hazard a conjecture, and it seems still more difficult to form even an opinion. St. Manchinus, the disciple of St. Patrick, and who, from his proficiency in sacred erudition, has been sumamed " The Master," is said to have flourished about the year 460. He is, therefore, to be clearly distinguished from St. Manchin of Dysert Gallen, from St. Manchin of Mena Droichit, from St. Manchin of Mohill, from St. Manchin of Leth, as also from other holy men bearing this name, since all of these latter are known to have lived at a much later period." There was another St. Manchin, who was a disciple of St. Declan'3 of Ardmore, and who was only a boy at the time St. Patrick is sup- * He is called Cassius Tail, the Dalcassian, ^ See Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- by Colgan in "Acta Sanctorum Hibemise," nije," viii. Martii. Vita S. Senani, n. 24, n. 24, p. 540. Oliol Olum, King of Mun- p. 240 recte 236. ster, A.D. 125, is said to have divided his ' Maurice Lenihan, Esq., M.R.I.A. principality between his two sons. North '°See likewise Ferrar's "History of Lime* Munster, including Limerick, fell to the lot rick," part i., chap, i., p. 4. of Cormac Cas the Younger. See Gough's " " We thus catch a glimpse," adds the "Camden's Britannia," vol. iii., p. 516. historian, "through the dimness and ob- 5 This is borne out by the Genealogies of scurity of distant time of the halo that en- the Irish Saints. He is also associated with circled the name and character of Limerick." Limerick. See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Lenihan's " History of Limerick," chap, i., Hibemiae,"xiv. Februarii. VitaS. Mancheni, p. 4. n. 4, P- 332. " See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber- * See some notices of her at the 30th of niae," xiv. Februarii. Vita S. Mancheni, n. September, presumedly the day of her feast. 6, p. 333. ^ Her descent is traced through the same '^ He is mentioned in "Vita S. Declani," Dalcassian line. cap. xix. January 2.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 29 posed to have been at Limerick/* It seems not unlikely he may have been consecrated for the work of the ministry, and he might have been the first to preside over that church. It is barely possible, but hardly probable, that Mainchen, or Munchin, of Limerick, can be identified with the learned Mainchin, who presided over the Monastery of Rosnat, in Britain, ''s and who was the master of so many renowned saints. Yet the circumstances of time, of station, and of erudition, would not render this an extravagant supposition. This holy man, with one hundred and fifty of his disciples, has been invoked in the Litany of St. ^ngus.'^ Yet it seems difficult to assign his exact festival, owing as well to the confused orthographies, Munchin, Manchen, Mainchein, and Manchan, not to speak of Mansen, Manicheus, and other varied Latinized forms with which we meet, as also to the great number of saints thus called, but whose festival days are not sufficiently distinguished by predicates, in our Martyro- logies.'7 Certain \vriters confound St. Munchin of Limerick with St. Manchan ot Menadrochid.^^ Not alone are these places far apart, but the periods when both holy men flourished seem to mark a wide difference. St. Manchan of Menadrochid'9 died a.d. 648, according to the "Annals of the Four Masters." The "Annals of Clonmacnoise " record his demise at a.d. 649. Dr. O'Donovan regards this latter date even as antecedent to his dormition.=° The " Annals of Ulster " assign the death of Maencha, Abbot of Menadro- chit, to A.D. 651. This place is now known as Monadrehid, a townland situated in the south-west end of Magh-Thuat plain, or parish of Offerailan. It lies about one mile, north-east from Borris-in-Ossory, Queen's County.^^' If St. Munchin of Limerick, flourished in the time of St. Patrick, we must then fairly conclude he cannot be confounded with St. Mainchein the Wise, or Manchene, Abbot of Menedrochaidh, who died a.d. 651,^^ or 652.^3 How- ever, it is thought that St. Manchin of Limerick lived at least two centuries before that period assigned by our Martyrologies to St. Manchen, Abbot of Menedrochit.^4 CHAPTER II. ST. MUNCHIN AND ST. MOLUA REGARDED AS PATRON SAINTS OF THE THOMOND O'BRIENS — SAID TO HAVE BEEN ABBOT OVER MUNGRET — DESCRIPTIVE PARTICULARS OF THIS PLACE — SISTERS OF ST. MUNCHIN — ORIGIN OF THE CITY AND SEE OF LIMERICK — ST. MUNCHIN SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN ITS FIRST BISHOP. St. Munchin thus belonged, as tradition holds, to the blood royal of North Munster. St. Molua and he were regarded as tutelary saints of the ""^ Ibid, n. 3., p. 332. '^ See "Harris' Ware," vol. i.; Bishops 'S He is specially noticed in the Acts of of Limerick, p. 503. St. David, of St. Tighernach, of St. Enda, '9 Colgan thinkshim to be identical with St. and of St. Modwenna. Manchein the Sage, of Dysart Gallen, and '* Num. 60. whose festival follows on this same day. '7 It has been remarked by Colgan that ^° See "Annals of the Four Masters," the various forms of this name are derivable vol. i., pp. 262, 263, and n. (n. ) from the Irish Manath, which means "a ^' There are still some ruins here, which monk. " These appellations in many cases are described at St. Laisren's feast day, the were substituted it is thought for cognomens, i6th of September. and thus they are probably sometimes read ^ According to the " Annals of Ulster." as proper names of saints, and sometimes as ^3 According to the " Annals of Tigher- a characteristic of their profession. See nach." '* Trias Thaumaturga,"Sexta Vita S.Patricii, ** See Lenihan's " History of Limerick," n. 67, p. loi. chap, i., p. 5. 30 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 2. Thomond O'Briens.^ St. Munchin, called the son of Sedna,^' is said to have been the first founder of Mungret Monastery, regarding which a curious legend has come down in popular tradition. Some maintain that the Priory of Mungret, within the Liberties of Limerick, was first founded by St, Patrick, in the fifth century. 3 Other writers state, that St. Nessan was the founder of this monastery, or at least its first abbot. Hence probably the place derived its name in ancient times ; for we are told it was formerly called the City of Deochain-assain.'^ Whether before or after his appoint- ment as Bishop of Limerick is not stated ; but, it has been thought, St. Munchin, in due course of time, succeeded St. Nessan as abbot over Mun- gret or Muingharid.s This house or colony contained 1,500 monks,^ 500 of whom were devoted to preaching, 500 others were so classed and divided as to have a perpetual full choir day and night, while the remaining 500 were old men of exemplary piety, who devoted themselves to charitable and re- ligious works. 7 This statement seems to have been founded on a local tradition. ' .^~ :: z-^^ C - — ^ — ~~ * i w m^^i. '•1-- ••^' "^ jJSt= ^TSffiETreT" Old Church at Mungret. Mungret parish is situated partly within the Liberties of Limerick and partly in the barony of Pubblebrien. The River Shannon forms its northern boundary.^ Although it has been stated on the authority of the Psalter of Chap. ii. — ' See " O'Halloran's History of Ireland," vol. ii., p. 97- ^ Rev. Dr. Reeves identifies him with the patron saint of Limerick. See a paper read before the Royal Irish Academy, June roth, l86i, on Augustine, an Irish Writer of the seventh century. Note. 3 See Ferrar's " History of Limerick," part iii., chap, iii., pp. 136, 186, 187. ■♦ According to Cormac MacCuillenan, in the Psalter of Cashel, as quoted in "Cough's Camden's Britannia," vol. iii., p. 519. 5 See Lenihan's "Limerick, its History and Antiquities," chap, liv., pp. 539, 540. * See an illustration and some account of Mungret Priory in Mr. and Mrs. Hall's "Ireland, its Scenery, Character," &c., vol. i., p. 361. This, however, is not a very ancient building. 7 See Ferrar's "History of Limerick," part iii., chap, iii., p. 186. ^ In the "Annals of the Four Masters," the name of this parish is mun5Ai|\ic. Dr. O'Donovan confesses himself unable to resolve its etymology. January 2.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 31 Cashel, that Mungret had formerly within its walls six churches, and con- tained, exclusive of scholars, 1,600 religious,? yet the ecclesiastical remains now left are very inconsiderable. There is an old church in the Irish style of the tenth century. ^° This is situated immediately to the left of the road as you approach it from Limerick. On the inside this church measures 41 feet in length by 23 feet in breadth. Considering its age, the walls are in good preservation.^' The side walls are 2 feet xo inches in thickness, and 14 feet in height ; they are built with good stones, cemented with excellent lime and sand mortar. The west gable is remarkably high and sharp at the point, while the east one is rendered obtuse after the storms of ages. As is usually the case in old Irish churches, the door-way opens in the west gable. It is 6 feet 8 inches in height, while it is 3 feet 7 inches wide at the bottom, and it diminishes to 3 feet 4 inches at the top." A large breach in the south wall extends from the ground to the top of a round-headed window, which, excepting its top, has altogether disappeared. The east gable con- tains a rude round-headed window, placed at some height from the ground. On the inside it measures about 5 feet 10 inches in height, and 2 feet 8 inches in width : on the outside it is about 3 feet 10 inches in height, and i foot 6 inches in width. '3 The north wall is in very good preservation, but feature- less : the south wall is a good deal injured, and besides the window already alluded to, it contained another, now reduced to a formless breach.'* According to tradition, little Kilrush'5 is said to have been built by Rose, a sister of St. Munchin. Again, the Church of Killeely, in a parish of the same name, was dedicated to St. Lelia, also thought to have been a sister to St. Munchin."^ It adjoins Mungret parish. When the death of St. Munchin happened has not been ascertained with any degree of correctness. We are carelessly told, indeed, that St. Munchin, the first Bishop of Limerick, died in the year 652.^7 No authority whatever is cited for such a statement. It is not considered probable, by Dr. Lanigan, that the patron saint of Limerick, St. Munchin, or St. Manchin, had been a bishop over that see.'^ It has been remarked,'? likewise, that we can find nothing related respecting the successors of St. Munchin in the see of Limerick, before the times of those Pagan Ost- men who held Limerick by force of arms, as they did other cities. ^° We labour under like defects and disadvantages in reference to the early origin of many among our most celebrated towns and cities. 5 See Gough's "Camden's Britannia," vol. Among the Ordnance Survey Sketches pre- iii., p. 519- served in the R.I. A., there is a pencil '° So states Dr. O'Donovan, who describes sketch of this abbey by William F. Wake- this parish. See "Letters containing Infor- man, and taken in 1840. mation relative to the Antiquities of the '5 This ancient church is said to resemble, county of Limerick, collected during the pro- in various particulars, that of Mungret. The gress of the Ordnance Survey in 1840," vol. residence of the Hon. Robert O'Brien, i., pp. 33, 34. brother of Lord Inchiquin, adjoins it. "The accompanying engraving of this '^ Lenihan's "Limerick, its History and old church, by Mrs. Millard, Dublin, is after Antiquities," chap, liv., pp. 542, 543. a drawing by William F. Wakeman in 1840, ^7 See Ferrar's " History of Limerick, " and now preserved among the Irish Ord- part i., chap, i., p. 4. nance Survey Records, R.I. A. '^ See "Ecclesiastical History of Ireland, " '^ It is built of Cyclopean masonry, and vol. ii., chap, xi., §iv., n. 53, p. 63. Dr. O'Donovan supplies a rough drawing ^9 In "Harris' Ware," vol. i., Bishops of it. of Limerick, p. 503. '3 Dr. O'Donovan gives a sketch of this ^° "But in the tenth century they were window. converted to the Christian religion. How- '■* An account of the more modem abbey ever I hardly find any bishop in this see be- church and some other ecclesiastical ruins in fore Gille or Gillebert, who begins to govern this parish follows the foregoing, with the it about the beginning of the twelfth "HistoryofMungret." Seetiit'^., pp. 35to57. century." ^ccilnd. 32 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 2. CHAPTER III. ANTIQUITY OF THE SEE AND CATHEDRAL OF LIMERICK — THE OLD CHURCH OF ST, MUNCHIN CONVERTED INTO A PARISH CHURCH — ST. MUNCHIN'S CATHOLIC CHAPEL ERECTED — FESTIVALS AND OFFICES OF ST. MUNCHIN — CONCLUSION. An impenetrable mystery seems to shroud the history of the establishment of a see at Limerick, while the acts of its patron saint and first bishop are involved in a maze of obscurity. Various \vriters have endeavoured to solve the problem presented ; but they have been obliged to leave much for con- jecture, and this has only tended the more to perpetuate uncertainty. Some authors make this city identical with the Regia found on the Map of Ptolemy, the Geographer. St. Munchin is thought to have been earliest bishop over Limerick,^ and he is traditionally said to have founded this see, and a cathe- dral there called after his name.^ The first historian of this city, Ferrar, could not discover anything authen- tic concerning it, until about the middle of the ninth century. 3 A still later history of the county and city of Limerick has been written by Rev. T. Fitzgerald and J. J. M'Gregor. These \\Titers have acknowledged the obscurity in which the city of Limerick's original foundation is involved. The same historians state, that a manuscript^ belonging to the friars of Multi- farnam, designates Limerick as Rosse de hailleagh.s Although little be known regarding Limerick before the Danes landed there, yet its having been reputed the see of a bishop, so early as the seventh century, furnishes some proof that it was a place of consequence at a very remote period.^ But there can hardly be any question that the Church of Limerick had a continued succes- sion of bishops from a very early date.7 To St. •Munchin the foundation of Limerick Cathedral has been generally assigned.^ From about the middle of the sixth century. Limerick appears to have held rank among the cities of Ireland.9 In the second life of St. Senan, one Denon, called Bishop of Limerick, is said to have attended the funeral of Iniscathy's first abbot. '° Yet, it has been asserted, that there was neither a city nor a bishop of Limerick at this early period." St. Munchin's Church in this city is said, by one writer, to have been founded by St. Minchin about the year 630." It is thought to have been rebuilt by the Danes after their conversion to Chris- tianity. St. Munchin's Church continued to be this city's cathedral until Chap. hi. — ' See Ferrar's " History of thorities, as also by our ancient and modem Limerick," part iii., chap, ii., p. 170, and writers. This was the Cathedral of Limerick chap, iii., p. i86. see until about the time of the English in- ^ See "Harris' Ware," vol. i., Bishops of vasion, when St. Mary's Cathedral was Limerick, p. 503. founded by Donald O'Brien, King of Lime- 3 See Ferrar's "History of Limerick^" rick. The Ostmen are said to have restored p. 3. St. Munchin's Church. See Lenihan's * This, however, would not seem to have "Limerick, its History and Antiquities," been the "Annales de Monte Femandi." chap. liv. p. 542. 5 The "Annales de Monte Fernandi," or 9 See Mr. and Mrs. Hall's "Ireland, Annals of Multifernam, edited by Dr. its Scenery, Character," &c. vol. i., p. Aquilla Smith, have been published by the 325. Irish Archaeological Society. In these An- '° Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hibeniiae," nals, I cannot discover any allusion to viii. Martii. Vita S. Senani, cap. xliii., Limerick, under the foregoing name, as p. 537 (recte) 533. given in the text. " See Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical His- ^ See Ferrar's "History of Limerick," tory of Ireland," vol. ii., chap. xi. iv, 33, part iii., chap, i., pp. 149, 150. p. 92. 7 See Lenihan's "Limerick, its History "See Ferrar's "History of Limerick," and Antiquities," chap, liv., p. 544. part i., chap, i., p. 4. Yet, in another ^ This continued tradition has been place, its erection is assigned to A.D. 651. followed by Sir James Ware and his au- See ibid., part iii., chap, i., p. 149. January 2,] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 33 after the erection of St. Mar/s Church. ^3 Then it would appear to have been converted to a parish church, as the new building had been considered more convenient and appropriate for cathedral purposes. It is situated at the north end of the English to^vn.^'^ Little is knowTi regarding its sub- sequent history until the year 1711, a time of great excitement in Limerick. Then the church was diverted from its original purposes. It received some additions and repairs under the superintendence of the Protestant Bishop Smyth. 'S This old church was a plain building, 86 feet in length by 23 in breadth. It was destitute of any interesting object, except a fine monument of black and white marble placed over the restorer's family vault. The church, converted to Protestant purposes, received further improvements through the family exertions of Bishop Smyth. He died in 1725, and was interred in St. Munchin's Church. A gallery was erected, at the west end, in 1752. The rebuilding of this church was commenced by the Board of First Fruits, before A.D. 1827. The site of St. Munchin's Church, at the northern extremity of Limerick, is extremely agreeable ; the churchyard is 630 feet in circumference, over- hangs the Shannon, and having the old to\vn wall for its northern boundary. A pleasant elevated terrace-walk extends along it, from which a view of Thomond Bridge, the river, and the county Clare may be obtained. The parish of St. Munchin's contained 2,250 acres of cultivated land, and upwards of 300 of mountain heath and bog, in a.d. 1827. Part of the parish was then situated in the King's Island, the remainder in the city's north Liberties and in the adjoining barony of Bunratty, county Clare. St. Munchin's was one of the prebends in the gift of the bishop. It was an entire rectory, partly within the city and partly within the county of the city, being united to the rectory of Kill Conygayn, and to the rectory and vicarage of Killon- chan.^^ In the year 1 744, the Catholics of Limerick built a chapel near Thomond Bridge, on the North Strand. This plain building was dedicated to St. Munchin.'7 According to present arrangements, the parish of St. Munchin forms a cure of souls apart from the cathedral which has been lately built, in a style of great architectural beauty. The festival of the patron, St. Munchin, is celebrated on this day as a double of the first class, in Limerick city and diocese. However, De Burgo's *' Officia Propria Sanctorum Hibernias" contains no proper office of this saint, nor indeed does any other ritualistic collection. The office and mass for his festival are taken from those common to a bishop and confessor, as found in the Roman breviary and missal. In the anonymous catalogue of Irish Saints published by O'Sullivan Beare,^^ this saint is set down as Munchinus, at the ist day of January. ^9 Nor can we doubt but he is commemorated in Henry Fitz-Simons' list, under the name Monuchinus, although the day of his feast is not entered. ^° However, the prevailing practice at Limerick celebrates the patron saint's festival on the 2nd day of January. This appears, likewise, to have been the usage from time immemorial. Another '3 See ibid, note, p. 4. For a further ac- Munchin. See "Fitzgerald and M'Gregor's count in reference to the parochial history of History, Topography, and Antiquities of the this rectory, see CarUsle's "Topographical County and City of Limerick," p. 4, 556 to Dictionary of Ireland," under the heading 558, and Addenda. Limerick. '? See Ferrar's "History of Limerick " '+ See Lenihan's "Limerick, its History part iv., chap, i., p. 196. and Antiquities," chap. liv. p. 149. '* See "Historiae Catholicae Ibemise Cqui. '5 See Lenihan's "Limerick, its History pendium," Tomusi., lib. iv. cap. xi. p .„ and Antiquities," chap. liv. pp. 542, 543. '' See "Harris' Ware," vol. i., "Bigj^Qpg '* This whole benefice was valued in the of Limerick," p. 503, where a similar gt^te- King's books at £2 13s. 4d. There is a ment is to be found, glebe house and garden in the parish of St. ^° See ibid, cap. xii., p. 56. Vol. I. Tk 34 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 2. feast has been assigned to a St, Mainchin, conjecturally supposed by O'Clery to have been identical with this holy Bishop of Limerick. It was held on the 29th of November." It is only in the Church of Christ true merit is recognised and worthily honoured. The world may disregard holy men, as our Blessed Saviour was once discredited and rejected by his chosen people. In a worldly sense the saints never enjoyed ease or comfort ; and this truth must be admitted by all Christians, in whatever degree or rank they live and move. Yet, the pious ser- vants of God find it a great happiness to lay securely the foundation of a spiritual life, in discharging the highly responsible duties entrusted to them during life. Beyond that goal, good bishops and the pastors of the Church point out a true inheritance to their flocks, as Moses from Mount Nebo did the promised land to the children of Israel. Like that great leader and prophet, too, they may rest in the unknown graves,^=' but their memories shall live in the recol- lection of a grateful people, even though the traditions of their age and personal characteristics may have perished in those places, once sanctified by their living presence. ARTICLE II.— ST. SCHOTIN, OR SCUTHIN, PATRON OF TASCOFFIN PARISH, COUNTY KILKENNY. CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION — PARENTAGE OF ST. SCUTHIN — DATE OF BIRTH — EARLY PIETY — EDUCATED BY ST. DAVID, ARCHBISHOP OF MENEVIA — RETURNS TO IRELAND — ESTABLISHES A RELIGIOUS FOUNDATION AT TASCOFFIN — DESCRIPTION OF THIS LOCALITY. In every Irish parish, the incessant missionary labours of some early founder or patron saint have been strenuously, if not successfully, emulated by pastors and assistants, anxious to advance the spiritual and temporal welfare of their flocks. This is their true happiness, since it places them in true relations with their brethren and with God. It also serves to perpetuate the blessings brought upon that district by those who associated their fives and actions with the spot, where the works of light dispelled those of darkness. Colgan remarks that the acts of St. Schotin, if extant, had not come into his posses- sion.^ From other sources he prepared some biographical notices. St. Schotin, otherwise Scutin, was son to Sedna,^ and he was a child of respectable parentage. This saint was born, perhaps, towards the close of the fifth or about the beginning of the sixth century. Deriving his descent from Fertlacta, son *' See Drs. Todd's and Reeves' edition of t). 1111, n. e^o'oi)\ in cepfcop the " Martyrology of Donegal," pp. 350, Abb ecAitj'e Ai|\'oe 351. See likewise notices regarding him ttlAincliine AneijAge at the same date. Scviichine tnint) iriAiixge. ^^ See Deuteronomy, xxxiv. Art. II. — Chap. \. — ' What Colgan pub- B. iiii. n. Isidore, the bishop; lished concerning him was chiefly drawn Abbot of a noble church ; from the " Martyrology of St. ^ngus," at Manchine in Eirge, the 2nd of January, and from other writers Scuthine, diadem of Mairge. whose authority he faithfully cites. See — " Leabhar Breac, " R. I. A. , fol. 79. "Acta Sanctorum Hibernire," ii. Januarii. ^ The commentator on the "Martyrology Vita S. Scutini, n. i., p. 10. The second of St. ^ngus," at this day, and also the stanza of the Feilire of St. ^ngus, tran- "Genealogical Menology," thus gives his scribed by Mr. O'Longan, and translated by pedigree: "St. Scotin was son to Sedna, Mr. O'Looney, introduces to our notice one son of Trebtac, son to Duleus, son to Ladir- foreign saint, with the two Irish saints most aridh, son of Cucorb, son to Imrossy, son to renowned for this day. Fertlachte." See ibid. n. 4, p. 10. January 2.] LIVES OF 7HE IRISH SAINTS. 35 of Fergus Rogo, who was also progenitor to Ailbe, Bishop of Emly,3 it may have been the case that both saints Hved contemporaneously. St. Schotin is said to have been a cousin to St. Ailbe.^ In youth Schotin was distinguished for his piety, but being desirous to increase his stores of virtue and of know- ledge, he conceived an intention of devoting himself to their further acquisi- tion. This object he desired to accomphshs under the direction of St. David, Bishop of Menevia, in Wales. Schotin left Ireland for this purpose, and, in companionship with many fellow-students and countrymen,^ he endeavoured to emulate the virtues of his great master, and to profit by the lessons of wisdom and science which were taught in his school. After remaining some time in Wales, the saint returned to his native Ireland, where his first concern was to find out a suitablejplace for his contemplated rehgious estabhshment. Tiscofi&n Mur or Rath, where the Seven Bishops are said to have been buried. He selected an elevated and a beautifiil spot, situated in a southern district, among the mountain ridges, extending from Slievemarigue barony,7 Queen's 3 The feast of St. Ailbe is observed on the 1 2th September. 4 The "Genealogical Menology," and the commentator on the festilogy of St. Angus, state that the father of St. Scothinus and Olchuo, father to St. Alveus, were the sons of brothers, cap. i., cap. xxix. See ibid. im. 5, 6, p. 10. s St. Scutin is called his disciple, both by Capgrave, in his " Life of St. David," and in that published by Colgan, at the 1st day of March. * He is said to have had for fellow-disciples St. Aldus, or Maidoc, afterwards Arch- bishop of Ferns, whose feast occurs at the 31st of January, as also St. Modomnoc of Tribrach, whose acts are to be found at the 13th of February. 7 Slievemarigue, or Slievemargie, was called Hy-Mairche, prior to the English invasion. This district constituted a part of the county of Carlow, A.D. 1553, as appears from an inquisition of that date. It was taken to prove the King's right to the lands of Killishen, &c,, which are situated in the lordship of Slieumargie, and county of Carlow. It so continued "till the statute 3rd and 4th of Philip and Mary, chap. 2nd, incorporated the Queen's County." See Grace's " Description and Architectural Sketch of the Grace Mausoleum in the Queen's County," p. 7, note. 36 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 2. County, into the present county of Kilkenny. Here he built a cell, which was afterwards called Tech-Schotin, or the house of Schotin. In this place he aspired to practices of the most heroic virtues. This locality has been identified with Tascoffin or Tiscoffin parish, situated not many miles from the city, and in the northern part of the county of Kilkenny. In the days of Scothinus, it is probable that extensive forests covered the greater part of that mountainous region, for even in the last century, accord- ing to tradition, stretches of forest timber skirted many of the rivulets in that quarter. A rushing stream gurgles onward towards the River Barrow, where it is lost in a deeper channel.^ Not far from its source, and on the right bank, a hill slopes gently, and on its top there is a large circular earthen enclosure. Within it are pointed out seven flag-stones, under each of which popular tra- dition states that a holy bishop lies interred. 9 This is said to have been the exact site of Scothin's hermitage or religious house. Furthermore, he is beheved to have founded a college there, and to have trained many students.^" Almost immediately adjoining this place, but on a somewhat more elevated crest of the hill, is the ancient cemetery of Tascoffin." Here, within the memory of persons yet living, some portions of a ruined church remained, but the materials had been removed and used for the erection of a modem Pro- testant church, which now rises within the cemetery. The shafts of broken Irish crosses were found, but in avery fragmentary condition. That St. Scothinus had a just appreciation of picturesque and charming scenery is evidenced to every pilgrim of taste, who desires to visit the site of his former home. Nor can it be allowed that the formal wall, which now surrounds the cemetery, can at all equal in beauty and convenience the high-breasted and flower-thorn fence, which even in winter sheltered the grave of the patron saint and his deceased clients, and which in summer lent bloom, colour, and fragrance to a lonely and an interesting locality. Through the vallies the eye traces many a de- lightful vista, and from any of the hill-tops grand ranges of prospect spread far away over the lower plains, in almost endless variety and most pleasing combinations. CHAPTER 11. PIOUS OBSERVANCES AND AUSTERITIES OF ST. SCUTHIN — HIS VOYAGES TO BRITAIN — PROBABLE PERIOD OF HIS DEATH — RELIGIOUS COMMEMORATION AND POPULAR REVERENCE FOR THIS SAINT — CONCLUSION. St. Scuthin subjected himself to the most rigorous observances. On every occasion he took great care to mortify his passions, and to wage a continual warfare with rebellions of the flesh against the spirit. By day he was occupied in prayer and fasting ; by night his vigils were excessive and long continued. He cultivated the love of purity to such a degree, that whenever he found within himself a tendency to irregular temptations he was in the habit of plunging into a tub of cold water. In this he remained, offering up his prayers, until not only these temptations were overcome, but frequently until he had scarcely any vital sensation left. By such practices long continued he 8 Near Goresbridge, county Kilkenny. Millard, is from a sketch taken by the 9 A very curious legend is related regard- writer on the spot in March, 1873, and it re- ing those bishops, all of whom are said to presents the old circular rath, which contains have been brothers, the children of one the graves of the seven bishops, and which birth, and remarkable for their smallness of surmounts the hillock beside the high road, stature. " See sheet 15 of the Ordnance Survey " The accompanying engraving, by Mrs. Townland Maps of the county of Kilkenny. January 2.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 37 acquired a very exalted degree of sanctity. He likewise received the gift of working miracles. It is said he paid one visit, or even made more journeys, to Britain, chiefly through a desire of seeing his beloved master. That he even went to Rome has been asserted.' Circumstances related in connection with those journeys are almost incredible •? " How the winds became the willing slaves Of those who labour in the work of God ; And how Scothinus walked upon the waves, Which seemed to him the meadow's verdant sod. "3 The year of his death is not known, but it probably fell from within the middle of the sixth to early in the seventh century. The feast of this saint has been assigned to the 2nd of January, in the *' Martyrology of Tallagh," * and in the Feilire of ^ngus.s The " Martyrology of Donegal," has an unusually lengthened notice of his miracles at the same date,^ when it is supposed that he departed this life. St. Scothin's festival was celebrated on this day at the Church of Tech-Schotin. For his wisdom and virtues he was equally distinguished, for in the Feilire of ^ngus he is styled — "Scoicliine minT) UlAiiNge." " Scuthine crown of Mairge." The epithet applied to him appears to indicate that his intelligence and mental powers rendered him pre-eminent throughout the whole of Marge district. Even yet, in the adjoining Catholic church? dedicated to this saint, a statue of St. Scothin has been erected,^ while his feast is celebrated with appropnate solemnities, and with great popular devotion. Within the memor}'- of persons yet living, pilgrimages were made to St. Scuthin's well, yet seen to issue from the cemetery enclosure, and beside the high road. Within the graveyard, and lying level with the ground, there is an antique monumental stone, having a deeply incised and ornamental cross described on its upper surface. Under this, according to popular tradition, the remains of St. Scothin are deposited. The holy apostle, St. John, has declared, that he who keepeth the word of God in him most truly is charity perfect.9 The learned Bellarmine dis- tinguishes and describes four different degrees of perfection,^" as follows : — first, that degree of loving God as much as he ought to be loved, and which is solely attainable by God himself; secondly, the loving of God so far as creatures can, and this is peculiar to the beatified ; thirdly, the loving of God, so far as mortals can do it, by removing all impediments to such love, and by an entire consecration of the heart to him; and fourthly, that grade of divine love, whereby men love God, not so much as he is to be loved, not so far as a creature can absolutely love him, or love him in this life, yet in such a Chap. ii. — ' We are told, he went thither first of four Irish, preceded by twenty-three from Ireland and returned within two days. foreign saints, for this day. Colgan quotes ^ngus, Maguire, and others s The Calendars of Cashel, of Marianus as authorities for such statement. O'Gorman, and of Maguire, follow the same * These miracles may be found in his Acts order, as furnished by Colgan. See ' ' Acta Sane- ^ See Dr. Todd's and Dr. Reeves' edition, torum Hibemiae," ii. Januarii. Vita S. pp. 4, 5. Scutini, cap. vi., vii., viii., p. 10. ? The approach to it is through picturesque 3 See Denis Florence M 'Carthy's "Voyage scenery, and the interior sanctuary is neatly of St. Brendan," part ii., stanza 8, and n. 61, decorated. pp. 182, 231,232. Tke Bell Founder and ^ He is represented with a priest's habit, other Poems. having on a surplice and stole. 4 The simple entry "Scuithin" is in the ^ i John, ii., v. 5. edition of Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. 9. In the '° See Tomus ii., *' Controvers. De Mon- Franciscan copy, Scocinne is found, the achis," cap. ii., col. 427. Editio Ingolstadt 38 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 2. manner as that nothing should be equally or more greatly loved than God, and that nothing should be entertained contrary to divine love. This latter grade of perfection is required from all men ; but great saints aspire to a still more sublime degree of merit and of holiness. Article III. — St. Mainchinn, or Manchan, Sage, of Disert-mic- CuiLiNN, OR Disert Gallen, Queen's County. We must not disparage oral tradition when it comes to us in support of written history. For such a tradition there must be some assignable reason and connexion, although it be difficult to determine actual deficiency or excess. And never lingered popular lore in a more delightful spot than where it preserves the traces of this holy man's religious establishment. On this day, the Martyrology of Donegal^ mentions Mainchinn, Sage, of Disert-mic-cuilinn,^ now Disert Gallen, in Laeighis, of Leinster.3 Manchen the Wise, is his designation, according to the Martyrology of Tallagh,^ at the 2nd of January. s From the Irish Calendars^ we are able to collect no less than twelve various entries of festivals set apart to honour saints called Mainchein or Manchen.7 To disintegrate the epithets, genealogies, and places, or to ascertain their diversity or individuality, seems a matter of extreme difficulty. It has been observed,^ that the different names of places, wdth which they were connected, will not ser\x sufficiently to mark a distinction, in some cases. It is remarkable, furthermore, that St. Mainchine of Disert- Chuilinn, and St, Mainchine of Mena-Droichit, are both distinguished by the epithet of the Wise, while both of their places were in ancient Leix. In the Feilire of St. ^ngus, at the 2nd day of this month, we have the line, "ITlAinc'liirieAri ei^je." " Manchine in Eirge." This may serve to distinguish the present St. Manchen from other saints bearing the name. Now there is a parish, partly in the barony of Upper Ossory, Queen's County, but chiefly in that of Galmoy, county Kilkenny, which bears the name of Eirke.9 With this, it seems most likely, the saint had some ministerial connexion. In this parish the ruins of more than one old church are yet traceable. We are told that a commemoration Art. III. — ' Edited by Drs. Todd and Sanctorum Hibemiae," xiv. Februarii. Reeves, pp. 4, 5. Vita S. Mancheni, n. 6, p. 333. ° This place has been called Disert Chuil- ? These are : i. St. Mainchine of Disert, linn, by Colgan, in his Life of St. Manchin at 2nd of January. 2. St. Mainchine, son of Mohill. See "Acta Sanctorum Hiber- of Collan, at the 13th of January. 3. St. niae," p. 333. Mainchine of Leth, at the 24th of January. 3 See likewise the table appended to 4. St. Mainchine of Mohill, at the 14th of the "Martyrology of Donegal," pp. 440, February. 5. St. Mainchein, at the 23rd 441. of March. 6. St. Mainchine, son of Failbhe, ♦ Edited by the Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xi., at the 24th of March. 7. St. Mainchein, and in the Franciscan copy we read " niAn- at the 1st of May. 8. St. Mainchein Leper, cheni SApiencif," scil "Festum." at the 2ist of October. 9. St. Mainchine, 5 It is remarkable, that the feast of St. Abbot of Lismore, at the 1 2th November. Munchin, or Mainchin, patron of Limerick, 10. St. Mainchine, cook to Mochta, at the falls on the same day with that of St. Main- 2nd of December. 11. St. Mainchine, at chinn, patron of Dysart Gallen, and yet 4th of December. 12. St. Mainchine, at from what has been already said, they must the 29th of December. The reader is re- probably be distinct persons belonging to ferred to the several days here mentioned different epochs. for separate notices. ^ The Feilire of St. ^ngus, the Calen- 8 gy Colgan. dars of Cashel, Marianus O'Gorman, Cathal 9 See Lewis' "Topographical Dictionary Maguire, and Donegal. See Colgan's "Acta of Ireland," vol. i, pp. 596, 597. January 2.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 39 of the Menadrochit Manchenus' death is pointed out under the name of Manicheus, the Wise Irishman, which occurs in the books, " De MirabiHbus Scripturae." These have been erroneously attributed to the great St. Augus- tine, ^° but they are now known to have been penned by an Irishman bearing his name. The times, it is said, agree very exactly, and the name is not unlike." Father Fitzsimon^^ has fallen into an error, in making St. Mainchin the author of that treatise^3 intituled " De Mirabilibus Sacrse Scrip turae," comprised in three books. ^'^ This is now well known to have been the production of an Irishman named Augustine, who wrote it about the year 655.^5 In this tract, allusion is made to the epoch of a St. Manchen's demise. ^'^ The present saint appears to have lived within the existing parochial limits of Dysart-gallen, near Ballynakill, in the barony of Cullinagh, Queen's County. Yet the epithet of Manchen the Wise seems also to have been applied to Mainchen,'? Abbot of Mena, or Meana Drochit, near Burris-in-Ossory, in the western part of the same county. ^^ This latter holy man died, A.D. 648, according to the Annals of the Four Masters, ^9 or in the year 651, according to those of Ulster. ^° This last named saint appears to have been identical with the saint of Dysart Gallen, since both their places were formerly situated within the ancient territory of Leix.^' However, we may observe that Mena Drochit was afterwards detached from it, and is now found within the present bounds of Ossory. But it is not more than fifteen miles removed from Dysart Gallen, which from time immemorial was situate in the deanery of Leix proper. ^^ In a lovely and sheltered valley, through which a rushing and rapid mountain stream rolls, beside this river, the triangularly-shaped graveyard of Dysart Gallen rises on a knoll. The situation is a lonely one, but the surrounding scenery for romantic beauty cannot be surpassed. The richest verdure covered the hill slopes, traversed in all directions by high haw- thorn hedges, which were covered with a profusion of snow-white blossoms, shedding exquisite odours around, at that season of the year when it was our good fortune to have first visited this spot. A few late showers had intensified the delicious fragrance. A day of unclouded sunshine lent an air of cheerfulness to the whole prospect, contrasting with shadows cast by tree and bush over the green pasture lands. Ash and other tall trees grew around the old graveyard, and sheltered the church ruins, which rose in its "See "Opera S. Augustini," tomus iii., lOth, 1861. lib. ii., cap. 4. '? This appears to have been the Mani- " Sir James Ware, " De Scriptoribus chgeus, whose death is alluded to in the Hibemise," lib. i., cap. iii., p. 26. treatise of Augustin, an Irishman, " Mira- " See his " Catalogus Prsecipuorum Sane- bilia Sacras Scripturse." See "Harris' torum Hibemiae," printed at Antwerp, in Ware," vol. iii. booki., chap, iv., p. 35. 1 62 1. '3 Only the foundations of Mun-dre-hid *3 See Colgan, n. 67, p. loi. church, as locally pronounced, now remain, '+ This tract had been printed in the early with a cemetery, beautifully located, sur- editions of the great St. Augustin's works, rounding them. The place is incorrectly although classed among the spuria, on ac- named on the Ordnance Survey maps, coimt of the intrinsic evidences of its not '^ See O'Donovan's edition, vol. i., pp. having been written by the celebrated Bishop 262, 263. of Hippo. ==° See ibid. n. (h), p. 263. 's The author says his tract was vmtten =' See " Acta Sanctorum Hibemise," xiv. the third year of the twelfth great cycle. Februarii. Vita S. Mancheni, n. 6, p. Cave says he wrote it A.D. 657. The Bene- 333. dictine editors of St. Augustine's works ^^ See "Liber Regahs Visitationis," 5th state that he wrote after 660. and 6th of July returns, A.D. 161 5. Then '* See the learned and lucid dissertation it had been a rectory impropriate, with a on this subject of Augustine and his work, benefice {and residence for a vicar, p. 52. by the Rev. Dr. Reeves, in a paper read Copy belonging to the Royal Irish Aca- before the Royal Irish Academy, June demy. 40 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 2. midst. So protected from nipping winds were the primroses, that they were yet in full bloom, and in numerous tufts under the hedge-rows and along the thorn-covered hill-sides, even at so advanced a period in summer. =^3 The old ecclesiastical building here had been divided into nave and choir, an arrangement, in our opinion, peculiar to nearly all our Irish churches, built since the Anglo-Norman invasion. We do not mean to assert, however, that it did not form an earlier type of our church archi- tecture. The choir is utterly ruined,^* only the foundations being dis- cernible. These are about 20 feet in length by 14 in width. The nave walls are in much better preservation. These measure 40 feet in length by 20 feet in breadth. The walls are over 3 feet in thickness. A great part of the side walls is removed, but in two of them doorways may yet Old Church at Dysart Gallen, Queen's County. be traced Two windows are also visible. The western gable is still very perfect, but It is termmated by a tottering belfry. A large window likewise pierced it. A gable-wall surmounted the beautifully jointed stone arch near tne choir The walls of this church seem to have been well cemented. Iti&j are built of grit and limestone materials.'s The writer is indebted for the following additional information regarding tnis locality. ' When passing by that sequestered and romantic spot, where 3 In A.D. 1870, the 1st day of June. ^ Such was the case, so far back as 1615, When other portions of the church had been in repair and used for Protestant purposes. See the " Liber Regalis Visitationis," drawn up in the reign of James I. Return fur- nished from Carlow, on 5th & 6th July, 1615. '^ The accompanying engraving of the church and adjoining scenery, by William Oldham, has been executed from a drawing, sketched by the author, on the spot in March, 1873. January 2.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 41 stood the remains of Dysart Gallen, you must have noticed the base ^^ on which stood a huge stone cross. Between it and the monastery below flows a stream, that in winter and freshet times assumes vast proportions. ^7 The district around is called Augh-na-cross, * the field of the cross/ or Ath-na-cross, ' the ford of the cross.' This monastery was remarkable for its hospitality. It was like an eastern caravansary, in which the soiled and foot-sore wayfarer, as well as the religious brethren, found a home and a hospital. So at least runs the tradition." ^^ Two remarkable looking antique roads crossed near the old church, and at the ford or wooden temporary foot-bridge, thrown across the mountain stream. Evidently these were very ancient thoroughfares. They wound steeply up the sides of this romantic glen, and led in different directions. Article IV. — St. Lochaid or Lochait, Abbot of Magh Bile or MoviLLE, County of Down. The religious community presided over by this saint was situated near the head of Strangford Lough. It lay about an English mile to the north-east of Newtown Ards.^ We learn from the " Martyrology of Donegal,"^ that the feast of Lochait, Abbot of Magh-bile, had been celebrated on this day.3 A similar entry is met with in the "Martyro- logy of Tallagh,"4 at the 2nd of January. Although our annals have deaths of various bishops and abbots of Maghbile, yet this holy man's name does not appear among them. It is difficult, in consequence, to assign his exact place in the local and abbatial succession. Article V. — The Daughters of Baith or Bath, in the Plain of the River Liffey. The collective sanctity of old Irish families is here sufficiently displayed. We read about Ingena Baithi, or the daughters of Baith, in Maigh Liphe, or the Plain of the River Liffey, as having had a festival at the 2nd of January, according to the "Martyrology of Tallagh."^ It seems the site of their old church must be sought for not far from the banks of the Liffey, and probably somewhere within the present county of Kildare,^ which forms the level plain of that river. 3 Article VI. — St. Ainbhithen, Virgin. The feast of Ainbhithen, a Virgin, is mentioned in the " Martyrology of Donegal,"' as occurring this day. We have not been able to find any further account regarding her. "* This is now built into a wall, on the Maghbile. See " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- high road from Timahoe to Ballynakill, niae," xviii. Martii, Vita S. Fridiani, having been removed from its former site. Appendix, cap. viii., p. 650. ^7 See sheet 30 of the Ordnance Survey * Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xi. In Townland Maps of the Queen's County. the Franciscan copy, we find "LochAic .Abb *^ Extract from a letter headed Ballynakill, tTlAige bibe " at this date. Queen's County, 2nd November, 1870. It Art, v. — " Edited by the Rev. Dr. Kelly, was written by the Rev. James Delany, p. xi. In the Franciscan copy we read, P.P., who has charge of Dysart Gallen "IngeriAbAcli in tTlAg Lipi." parish. ^ From a careful examination of the Art. IV. — ' See Rev. William Reeves' Ordnance Survey Townland Maps, adjoin- '* Ecclesiastical Antiquities of Down, Con- ing the banks of the Liffey, I have not been nor, and Dromore," p. 151, and Calendar in able to discover a probalsle identification, Appendix, p. 376. although many old church sites are indi- " Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. cated. 4, 5. 3 See the " Topographical Poems of 3 This is evidently the St. Locatius, Abbot O'Dubhegan and O'Huidhrin," edited by of Maghbile, placed by Colgan, through Dr. O'Donovan, n. 440, p. liv. mistake, the 2nd of March, instead of the Art. vi. — ' Edited by Drs, Todd and 2nd of January, in emunerating the saints of Reeves. See pp. 4, 5« 42 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 3. Clbirii IBap of Sanuarp* ARTICLE I.— ST. FINTAN, PATRON OF DUNBLEISQUE, NOW THE PARISH OF DOONE, COUNTY OF LIMERICK. [SIXTH CENTURY.^ CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION — THE ANCIENT BIOGRAPHY OF ST. FINTAN — HIS PARENTAGE AND RACE — OPPOSITION OFFERED TO HIS PREACHING BY A CERTAIN DYNAST — CONVERSION OF ST. FINTAN's PERSECUTORS. THE fairest parterre cannot be presented to the eye and be always covered solely with beautiflil shrubs and flowers. Unsightly weeds thrive apace at the same time, and require the horticulturist's skill to sepa- rate them from the soil. So it happens in writing our saints' acts, for it becomes equally necessary to exclude unmeaning and absurd legends from these pages, when they could only tend to disturb sound judgment, or to offend correct taste. However, the weed has a utility and an interest, apart from its noxious properties, for the naturalist, and the legend even serves the antiquary's process of deduction. Not forgetting the proper application of this knowledge, it may be observed, that in the old published acts of this saint, while it must be desirable to lop off many excrescences, the hagiologist or the religious reader will have no great reason to regret such removal from his field of vision. A very ancient biography — or rather a compendious life — of this saint has been published by Colgan.^ Its defects are very apparent, and the manuscript from which it was printed had been in part defaced by ink. This life was taken from a Salamancan MS.^ It contains, without doubt, some gross fables and many errors.3 From this record, however, we shall be obliged to extract whatever unobjectionable particulars it embraces, with some additional information, suppHed from Colgan's notes.^ Fintan was brother to St. Finlug, and son to Pipan,s son of Tule,^ who lived at a place called Cliach,7 according to the life of this saint. But Art. I.— Chap. i. — 'See "Acta Sane- the ist and 7th of January, the 21st of torum Hibemise," iii. Januarii. Vita S. Februaiy, the 27th of March, the nth of Fintani, pp. II to 14. May, the 9th of October, and the 14th of ' See ibid., n. I, p. 12. December. See Colgan's "Acta Sancto- 3 Among these the most incredible longe- rum Hibemise," iii. Januarii, n. 2, p. 12. vity has been assigned to St. Fintan. s As this saint, in his acts, is called Fin- * The present St. Fintan was a different tan, son to Pipan, so likewise Marianus person from St. Fintan, Abbot of Clonenagh, O'Gorman, at the 25th of November, and whose acts are recorded at the 17th of Feb- Selbach, cap. i., called him St. Finnan, son to ruary ; also from St. Fintan, surnamed Pipan. Yet the latter is said to have been of Munna, whose feast occurs at the 2ist of different race, viz., that of Conall Gulban. October ; likewise from St. Fintan, Prince * Such is the account given in the acts of Leinster, whose acts are given at the 15th of our saint, as published by Colgan. of November; as from many other saints 7 See "Acta Sanctorum Hibemiae," iii. bearing this same name, and who are men- Januarii, n. 6, p. 13. Colgan supposes tioned in the " Martyrology of Tallagh," Cliach to have been identical with Ara- and in the Commentaries on St. .(Engus, at cliach, in the county of Limerick. January 3.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 43 according to a commentator on ^ngus, his father was named Diman,^ who descended from Mured Manderig, King of Ulster.9 The mother of our saint was named Alinna/° said to have been daughter to Artgail, or Lenine, and she was of noble birth," belonging to a family that lived in the county of Limerick, as Colgan supposes. The early career of this saint seems to have been involved in some obscurity, not dissipated by his old biographer. Hence, we are abruptly brought to narrate the following rather unconnected events. In the time of St. Fintan, a certain incredulous and irreligious king lived in a district then known as Calathmagh," but it was called Eoghanacht,''3 at a period when the writer of his life flourished. Formerly there were several Eoghanachts in different parts of Ireland, especially in the southern ^ The commentator on ^ngus has a state- ment concerning St. Fintan's parentage and race. At the 3rd of January, he writes, re- garding Fintan and his brother Fining, that these were the two sons of Diman, son to Fingen, son of Deman, son to Carill, son of Mured Manderig. St. Laserian, or St. Molassius of Leighlin, is said to have been son to the aforesaid Carill. The author of " Menologie Genealogy," gives the descent of those saints in the same manner. Sel- bach says, that both those saints were sons to Diman of Fiatac Finn's race, whence the aforesaid Carill descended, cap. 15. 9 If these authors only maintained that the present St. Fintan, who was Abbot of Duinbleisch, had been son to Diman, and descended from the race of Ulster kings, Colgan could easily be induced to suppose, that they had been led into error with regard to his condition or dignity, and that the son of Diman had been a different person from the Abbot of Duinbleisch. But, as they state, that he and his brother Finlog were sons to Diman, he would not dare to call in question their assertions, nor those advanced by the author of our saint's acts. These he supposed to be of con- siderable antiquity. Hence Colgan could not imdertake to decide the matter in con- troversy, until further light should have been thrown upon it, from some other quarter. '° In the book, "On the Mothers of the Irish Saints," chap, i, and num. 21, we find these remarks regarding the mother of this saint, and of his two brothers : Aialenna, daughter of Lenine, was the mother of Saints Fintan, Columbus, also called Colmanus Midhisil, and of Lughaidh, or Lugadius. Here Lughaidh is understood for Finlug- haidh, or Finloga, as said in a former note. The father to St. Fintan's mother, who in the acts is called Artghail, is here named Lenine. But either of these names must have been a surname or cognomen. In St. Fintan's life we are told, that his mother's sister was a holy virgin, named Finna, at whose tomb, in the writer's time, many miracles were performed ; and Colgan says that this Finna appears to be that saint, to whose name is prefixed Ly, Cael, i.e.^ '* at- tenuated," or "lean," by Marianus O'Gor- man, and others. Thus, at the 3rd of Feb- ruary, the day of her Natalis, she is called Coel Fhinnia, i.e., " Finnia the Lean," or perhaps she was the saint called Moinnia, at the 2 1 St of May, ^by these same authors. Mo, which signifies my, was prefixed to ex- press veneration towards saints, -according to a custom common among our ancestors. Afterwards, through repetition, this particle became incorporated with the original name. However, this virgin was different from Fin- nia, daughter to Ere, mentioned by Selbach, cap. 18, for one had Ere as her father, and the other Artgal, or Lenine, See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hibemise," iii. Januarii. Vita S. Fintani, cap. i., p. II, and ibid. nn. 5, 7, p. 13. " The acts of St. Fintan state that Alinne, daughter to Artghail, belonged to a noble family, called by the Hibernians in their tongue " Solar," to which Colgan adds, in a note, " Hibemice Grienan puta Grienan Cuannach, vel Grene mempe Grene Cliach, vocatur." The author alludes to this meaning of the word, for the " solar land " is denominated the East. This re- gion, so called, is in the coimty of Limerick. See Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum Hibemiae," iii. Januarii, Vita S. Fintani, cap. i., p. II, and ibid., n. 6, p. 13. " According to St. Fintan's acts, Col- gan suggests, however, that Cabthadh-magh should most probably be read. '3 There were seven districts in Munster, according to Colgan, each division of which had been denominated Eoghanacht. He enumerates the following, viz., i. Eogha- nacht Chaisol. 2. Eoghanacht Locha-Lein, or Eoghanacht Ui Donnchadha. 3. Eog- hanacht Roisairgid. 4. Eoghanacht Criche Cobthaidh , This appears to have been the one to which allusion is here made. Again, we find mentioned, Eoghanacht Aine Cliach, Eoghanacht Gleanna Amhnach, and Eog- hanacht Rathlenn. See O'Flaherty's "Ogy- gia," pars iii. cap. Ixvii., p. 328, and Dr. O'Donovan's " Leabhar na g-Ceart, or Book of Rights," p. 46, n. (z) ; pp. 59, 60, nn. (k, 1) ; p. 72, n. (o) ; p, 78, n. (g) ; pp. 86, 87, n. (d). 44 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 3. province/4 To the king Fintan had resolved on preaching God's holy word, but the dynast was unwilling to receive our saint on the object of his mission. Hearing that Fintan, accompanied by a number of holy monks, was on the way, orders were despatched to certain mowers in a field to bar the further progress of God's servants on that highway by which these travelled. At the same time the king expressed himself in very opprobrious terms regarding his expected visitants, in calling them impos- tors or seducers. Having arrived at a place denominated Keall-ruis,^s where there was water, the mowers were stationed in a field to oppose their passage. In vain God's holy servants asked permission to proceed, but insult was added to the refusal. However a mighty tempest arose on the instant, and a great commotion of the elements ensued, accompanied by thunder and lightning. The very crops there matured began to blaze, while the mowers, unable to pass the hedges^^ on fire, were nearly blinded with smoke. Then humbly asking pardon for their offences, St. Fintan blessed some water, which was applied to their eyes, when the faculty of vision was restored. Wherefore these men bound themselves to his perpetual service. Not only were certain temporal possessions bestowed, but even their children, grand- children, and posterity, were dedicated to him, in the manner then understood by such engagements. CHAPTER II. ANCIENT IRISH ECCLESIASTICAL TRIBUTES — ST. FINTAN STUDIES UNDER ST. COMGALL — PIRATES INVADE BANGOR — MIRACLE WROUGHT BY ST. FINTAN — VARIOUS PLACES VISITED BY HIM — THE DUBH-LABHAR — REMARKABLE EXORCISM — ST. FINTAN SETTLES AT DOONE — VARIOUS RELIGIOUS ESTABLISHMENTS THERE — TOBAR FIONTAIN. In the lives of our Irish saints we find several instances, similar to the fore- going, Where individuals, families, and even whole clans, are said to have bound themselves and their posterity to the service of particular saints. The exact nature of these services is not definitely described ; but it may be supposed, in most instances, such vows or dedications included a bond, expressed or implied, of giving tribute in money or in kind, for the building, repair, or maintenance of churches, monasteries, or other religious establish- ments, and for the support of clerics or monks attached to them.^ In a succeeding chapter of our sainf s acts, we have only a portion of the first sentence preserved. From this we learn how Fintan was in St. Comgall's school, where his master imposed a certain command, the nature of which is unknown. The remainder of this chapter was illegible in that copy of St. Fintan's Biography, which Colgan used, it having been blotted with ink; ■* From these words, used by the writer territory of Eoghanachta Ros-airgid. of St. Fintan's acts, "nunc vero Eog- '* From this account, at an early date, hanacht dicitur," we are led to infer he agricultural operations seem to have been lived at a remote period. In Colgan's time, well carried on in Ireland. Hedges set and many years before, no district in Munster round fields are obviously of remote origin, had been commonly known by such a name. and incidental passages, like the present, 'S Answering to the description of this may be discovered in the acts of Irish place, there was a church so called in the saints, serving to illustrate many social territory of Corcabaschind, and kingdom of usages and habits of our ancestors. Thomond. It lay within the diocese of Chap. ii. — ' In corroboration of this Killaloe, and in the southern part of the opinion, the reader is referred to St. Grellan's county Clare. It is Anglicised Kilrush. acts at the 1 7th of September, where a tribute However, Colgan supposes the place here of this kind was paid by the people of Hy- mentioned was named Ros-airgid, in the Maine. January 3.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 45 but he infers from the imperfect sentence remaining, Fintan had been a disciple to St. Comgall, Abbot of Bangor,^ who there founded his celebrated school about the middle of the sixth century.3 From such account we may at least suppose that our saint was contemporaneous with St. Comgall— it is to be presumed — of Bangor, and that he must have flourished after a.d. 550. In the fifth and sixth chapters of Fintan's life we have some rather doubtful incidents described, which appear as having reference to that time he spent with St. Comgall. From the names of places contained in this life, his future mission and miracles, for the most part, seem to have been confined to the southern parts of Ireland. From the acts of our saint, it is stated, that sea-rovers were accustomed to haunt our shores even before the Danish invasions commenced. St. Fintan once asked St. Finian of Maghbile,+ to lend him a book of the Gospels for purposes of study; but he could not obtain that favour. His master, St. Comgall, heard of this refusal, and said to our saint : " If faithful, perhaps, next day you will be in possession of that book of the Gospels." On the succeeding night St. Fintan and his companions, fearing the approach ot pirates, were on guard at the port.s It had been rumoured that sea-rovers were about to despoil St. Comgall's religious establishment. In the beginning of this same night, however, their course had been directed to Magh-bile, which was St. Finian's city, and, among other robberies there perpetrated, they took away the aforesaid book of Gospels. Then, by a circuitous route, those pirates reached that place where Fintan and his companions were on guard. They had resolved on attacking the city of Bangor. But, behold ! a large tree, near which St. Fintan watched and prayed, was suddenly uprooted by a violent tempest and cast upon their ships, lying near the shore. Except one of these, all the other vessels were broken to pieces and submerged. The book of Gospels and other effects in possession of those pirates were then recovered. In the schools of Bangor, Scriptural studies were not neglected. As St. Fintan, with his companions, had been engaged reading the Gospel during a spring season, a certain leper came to St. Comgall — so runs the legend — and he demanded bread, which should be made from corn lately ripened. At that season, it seemed impossible to procure what he required ; nevertheless, St. Fintan desired this leper to follow the oxen and plant seed in a field they were ploughing. Seed having been cast into the first furrow turned, com immediately grew up and ripened ; so that bread was obtained for this leper in a miraculous manner, and it was taken from grain thus prema- turely produced.^ While Fintan was resting in a place called Kell Fintain,7 a certain very corpulent man, named Lothraid, then labouring under some loathsome bodily distemper, ruled over this part of the country. He is said to have died of ^ See his life at the lothof May. ^ Colgan's "Acta Sanctoram Hibemige," 3 Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hibemiae," iii. Januarii. Vita S. Fintani, cap. v., vi., iii. Januarii. Vita S. Fintani, cap. iv., p. ii. p. II, and nn. ii, 12, p. 13. ^ Dr. Lanigan says that this place was "t The feast of this saint is celebrated on " probably Killfinan, in.the county of Lime - the I oth of September. rick." " Ecclesiastical History of Ireland, " s Of Bangor — a semicircular bay at the vol. ii., chap, xii., § xii., n. 179, p. 234. outer part of Belfast Lough, opening to See Ordnance Survey Townland Maps of the the sea, and on the north shore of Down County Limerick, sheet 48. There a St. County. The harbour affords a refuge for Finnen's well is noted. Dr. O'Donovan, fishing craft of considerable tonnage, and the however, thinks Dr. Lanigan's identification town itself is now in easy commimication with of this place with Kill-Fintain, mentioned in Belfast by means of steamers, which arrive the text, as very doubtful. See "Letters con- and depart daily. taining information relative to the antiquities 46 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 3. this complaint after he had become a great burden to himself and to his servants. Afterwards people living in this part of the country desired the saint to take up his abode there, so that they might manifest the highest respect towards him. But Fintan went to a place named Tulach Bennain,^ where he intended to reside. Certain British strangers, notwithstanding, would not allow him to remain in this place. Departing from it our saint said : " Although you expel me hence you shall not be honored here, and your name shall be known only to very few ; but a certain woman, and a stranger, will dwell in it, while the same place will honor me." This prophecy was afterwards fulfilled. A holy virgin named Ernait,^ daughter to King Kiannacht, came from the northern part of Ireland, and dwelt in Tulach Bennain.^° Afterwards St. Fintan went to a certain hill, which was called Cabhair, at a time the writer of his acts lived. There Fintan intended to remain ; but an angel appearing said to him : " It is not decreed that you will remain here ; however, this place must honor you, and, as token of my promise, you shall see a bell coming hither through the air." Wherefore, looking towards heaven, they saw a bell," which was heard tolling as it descended. It rested on a rock, and full in their presence. This bell was of a black colour ; hence it was called Dubh-labhar," which in Latin is inter- preted, Nigra soiians, or in English, " the black toller ."^^ Like many similar objects among the Irish and Britons, it was formerly held in great veneration. Much about the same time a rehgious man, named Cuan,'* sent one of his disciples to visit St. Fintan. Whilst this disciple moved on his way, it was thought a demon approached and took bodily possession of him. Colgan's religious faith in this instance, and in many similar narratives, leads him to defend from censorious doubters the possibility of such an incident. Nor does he even find anything incredible in this narrative. St. Fintan is related to have exorcised this demon. Immediately he departed from the monk and entered a neighbouring rock.'S By the power of God, we are told, he remained here in a state of perpetual imprisonment, not being able to inflict further injury on any human being. ^^ of the County of Limerick, collected during and Labhar, Labhj-a, or Labhairt, means the progress of the Ordnance Survey in 1840," " sonus." vol. i., p. 207. '3 Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hibernite," ^ Colgan remarks that both Kill-Fintan iii. Januarii. Vita S. Fintani, cap. vii., and Tulach Bennain were probably in Mun- viii., ix., p. 13. ster. Yet he does not attempt to identify '■• Colgan says, he appears to have been them. See "Acta Sanctorum Hibemias, St. Cuanus, of Moethal Brogain, whose iii. Januarii, n. 14, p. 13. Natalis occurs on the lOthof July, according 9 The Natalis of this virgin was observed to St. iEngus. The Martyrologies of Tal- on the loth of April, according to the Mar- lagh and Marianus O'Gorman state that tyrologies of Tallagh, Marianus O'Gorman, his memory was venerated in the territory of and the enlarger or commentator of ^ngus. Kenselach, in Leinster, and of the Decies, in '"' Another wonderful miracle is afterwards Munster. Veneration was paid to other recorded as having taken place in Tulach saints(Cuans)at the 15th and agthof October. Bennain. 'S in Irish pagan mythology it was believed "In the acts it is called "campana." that local genii or evil spirits haunted certain Another name for a bell in Latin is "nola." places, and various legends are told concern- These are comparatively modern terms to ing them. express a more ancient name, "tintinnabu- '^ In a note, Colgan writes to state, that if lum, " signifying "a little bell." The former it be meant the demon there continued, and terms are thought to have come into use was no longer able to injure any person, this about the time of St. Jerome, when we are is not to be regarded as irrational ; for, on informed Paulinus, Bishop of Nola, a city in earth, and in the air, as in hell, devils exist Campania, first converted the ' ' tintinnabu- and use their tempting powers or arts against lum " to sacred purposes, and used bells in men, nor can they escape that punishment connection with his church services. inflicted on them by the Almighty ; or, if '^ Colgan thus interprets this word Dubh, the meaning be, that the demon entered and which has the Latin signification of "nigra," had been enclosed within a rock, leaving January 3.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS, 47 After this occurrence, St. Fintain is said to have reached a place denomi- nated Dunbleisque. This the Lord had destined for his habitation.^? It was situated within the territory of Cuanach, in Munster, With his usual extraor- dinary sagacity, when unveiling objects and names relating to Irish topography, Dr. O'Donovan has been enabled to identify its precise locality, ^^ It is identical with Doone, a parish situated partly in the barony of Owneybeg, but mostly in that of Coonagh, in the county of Limerick. '9 The townland Doone gave a distinctiveness to the parish, and its name is not of ecclesiastical origin. The townland derived its etymon from an earthern Dun which still remains, and from a person named Blesc, who appears to have resided there, or from a river near the place. It is absolutely certain, this is the Dun Bleisce of ancient Irish writers. They describe the Dun as situated in the territory of ^ Convent of Mercy, and St. Fintan's Convent and Chapel, Doone. Cuanach, and as having taken its name from Blesc. Here the original parish church was placed. Besides this one, there is no other church in the barony some impress thereon, but not being able to effect further mischief — this is equally intelli- gible and reasonable. In either case, God might have wished to manifest his power over this demon through the merits and prayers of two holy men. It might also be regarded as an instance of divine favour shown to his people. No devout Christian can presume to question such possible exer- cise of omnipotent bounty. '7 In the "Leabhar Breac," the following' quartain is given as a prophecy of St. Com- gall that his alumnus should settle at Dun Bleisce, its more ancient name : — "SebATO ino 'DAtcAn iti tnu^ •pincAti ^j&x fAjebcheiA •oxxn ^'^\ AcliACAi]\ corriAbb n-jl^ "OiA m-bA coiii-Ainni •oun bbeii'ce." Dr. O' Donovan supplies a very lite^-al translation in the following version : — " My little foster-son shall obtain the_/&;-/r^jj [mur] J Fintan, by whom the dun will be obtained ; His city of sacred protection shall be That which is called Dun-Bleiske. J^ree Translation. " My Dalta Fintan shall erect \i\%fane At that old fort which now we Dun-Blesc call ; And there immortal honors he will gain : His city will a termon be to all. or thus : — " My dear alumnus Fintan shall erect His sacred city at the fort we call The dun oi Blesc ; and then he shall protect The poor and weak, and pray for mankind all." '^ See his letter, dated Tipperary, August 1 8th, 1840. " Antiquarian Letters for the County of Limerick," I.O.S., vol. i., pp.433, 434. Afterwards follows some account of other objects in the parish of Doone. '9 See Ordnance Survey Townland Maps of the County of Limerick, sheet 16, 48 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 3. of Coonagh, the name of which begins with Doon. Every ambiguity is removed, however, by the existence, to this very day, of the patron saint's holy well. The site of St. Fintan's old monastery is not known at present in Doone, nor can the oldest inhabitant give any information as to where it stood, nor is its existence even remembered in any current popular tradition. However, about twenty years ago, an old church stood just opposite to the Mercy Convent, which was then the dwelling of a former parish priest. This, it has been supposed, must be the actual site of St. Fintan's Church, but at present little or no trace of the ruins appear. This very spot is now occupied by a potato garden. ^° Convent Schools of St. Fintan, Doone. The Rev. Father Hickey, late parish priest of Doone, and Rev. Father O'Dwyer, C.C, had a great devotion for St. Fintan." When the parish church was built they desired to place it under his protection ; but, at the time it was dedicated, they found it difficult to get any trustworthy information regarding the saint's biography. The Rev. Mr. Hickey left a provision for founding the Sisters' Convent of Mercy and Schools, with some land attached. ^^ The Christian Brothers' Schools, to be placed under the invocation of St. Fintan of Dunbleische, will form a very attractive feature in this locality. The Rev. Patrick Hickey, P.P., Doon, who died in the year 1864, bequeathed ^° The foregoing and succeeding items of information have been obligingly supplied by Sister Mary Patrick Joseph — a nun belong- ing to the Mercy Convent at Doone. The good and patriotic community there have most kindly, and at their own expense, en- gaged the services of an accomplished artist and photographer, Mr. T. O'Connor, of Limerick, to furnish these subjects : the Convent and Chapel of St. Fintan, engraved by Mr. Oldham, and the Convent Schools of St. Fintan, by Mr. Charles M. Grey, Gardi- ner-street, Dublin. '''■ Before the death of Father O'Dwyer, he had expressed an intention to ask permis- sion from the archbishop of the diocese to have St. Fintan's festival observed as a half holiday in the parish of Doone. ^= The convent is not yet quite finished, and the Chapel of St. Fintan has yet to be built ; but, according to the plans prefigured in the engraving, the Sisters of Mercy are arranging to obtain certified industrial schools, which will greatly improve the condition of the juvenile females of the neighbourhood, and it is intended to have this educational establishment dedicated to the local patron, St. Fintan, January 3.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 49 to the Rev. Br. P. Walsh, Director of the Christian Brothers' Schools, Limerick, sufficient funds for the establishment of a branch of their useful institute at Doon. The buildings, as in the annexed engraving,^3 are now nearly completed, according to the provisions of his will ; and in a short time, Christian Brothers' House and Schools of St. Fintan, Doone. it is hoped, they must diffuse the blessings of a sound religious education in that neighbourhood. They are built about one hundred yards from the supposed old site of St. Fintan's Church. The well of this saint flows at the other end of the village of Doone. ^'^ Tobar Fiontain is situated in a grove of fir trees, in the east comer of Lower Kilmoyhn townland. The people often make use of its water in cases of sickness. On the feast-day the peasantry were accustomed to assemble and pray beside St. Fintan's well.^s it lies west of the road which nms through Kilmoylin townland. Many resorted thither to be healed of various infirmities. " They have left their cot for the holy well, Near the cross, in the valley flowing ; Its bright blue tide hath a seraph's spell, Light and joy to the blind bestowing."^ The religious erections of the present day, and objects connected with the veneration of our early saints, may not interest an antiquary to the same degree that representations and descriptions of antique churches or monastic ruins might afford him pleasure. But, altogether apart from their utility and civilizing influences, modem churches, conventual establishments, charitable institutions, chapels, and schools, have an archaic value peculiarly their own. When a few »3 By Mr. Charles M. Grey, of Gardiner- street, Dublin, from a photograph taken by Mr. T. O'Connor, of Limerick. The cost has been kindly borne by Rev. Brother P. Walsh. To him, as to his admirable insti- tute and its members, the author feels bound to record his deep sense of obligation for practical and generous efforts made in sus- tainment of the work now commenced. ^ Dr. O'Donovan's letter of August l8th, Vol. L 1840, in the "Limerick Letters of the Irish Ordnance Survey," vol. i., pp. 433, 434, R.I.A. ^5 It is accurately represented in a sketch of Mr. T. O'Connor, from which the an- nexed woodcut, by Mrs. Millard, has been engraved. ^"Original Poems and Ljrrics," by Stephen Nolan Elrington, Jun., "The Blind Girl," p. 69. 56 LIV£S OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 3. hundred years shall have passed, future generations will desire to realize some idea of our present religious foundations ; and, it is to be hoped, national feeling must be gratified to know that in our day so many had been dedicated under the invoca- tion of Irish saints. Exact pictorial il- lustrations will best preserve • for all time the forms of buildings, which, through various accidents, may lapse into ruins, or which may be replaced by further architectural chan- ges or erections. However much some persons may object to several long established devotional prac- tices of the people at holy wells on the feasts of saints, who probably blessed them many centuries ago with solemn rites and ceremonies ; yet, as in the case of Tobar Fiontain, surviving usage on the patron day has St. FIntan's Holy Well on the festival day at Doone. invested the turas, or " pilgrimage," with a peculiar importance, since it served as a clue to dis- cover the special patron saint of Doone parish. CHAPTER III. ENTERTAINMENT AND PREDICTION OF ST. FINTAN — MIRACULOUS INCIDENTS — BESTOWAL OF KILL-MAITOGE — CHARITY OF ST. FINTAN — HIS MIRACLES — REPUTED LONGEVITY — FESTIVAL DAY AND ITS CELEBRATION AT DOONE — CHARACTER OF THE SAINT, AND CONCLUSION. At Dunbleisque'' St. Fintan was received with much honour, and he was hospitably entertained by Columbanus, son to Kynchadha. The flesh of a Chap, hi,—' By some it is called Dun- flesche, according to Colgan. The Irish Commentator on St. ^ngus, using Latin, as he often does, at the 3rd day of January, deduces the etymology of this word from an evil woman called Blesc, who lived there, or from a swineherd of the king who ruled over Ua-Cuanach, now the barony of Coon- agh, county Limerick ; or from Flesk, the name of a river, so called from a former city near its banks. January 3.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 51 cow and calf, with some milk, had been prepared at a banquet, where seven companions sat down with St. Fintan. One of these was his brother, named Finlogh, or Finloghait.^ Fintan predicted that his brother should pass over the sea and die an exile from his native country. At a time when the author of our saint's acts flourished, Finlog's memory was venerated in many places. Columbanus,3 the entertainer of our saint, said to Fintan, " I assign this place to thee, and for thy honour. Show me, therefore, that spot to which I must remove." St. Fintan, his companions, and St. Columbanus, went south of the city, and near its principal street. There a mutual agreement was entered into between those saints. Columbanus asked how his baggage should be conveyed. Fintan then rang his bell. Immediately two deer* issued from an adjoining wood, and tamely presented themselves before those devout men. Having placed St. Columbanus' effects on the horns of one, our saint said, " O Columbanus, follow this deer wheresoever he shall pre- cede until you come to where foxes shall issue from their dens, and there shall you remain." Having placed the luggage of his brother, Finlogh, on the horns of the other deer, Fintan then said, '' Do you follow this animal in whatever direction he shall go." That course taken led towards the sea, where Finlogh found a vessel. On board of this he passed over into Alba- nia.5 As had been ordained, in Scotland he lived and died. Afterwards he there awaited a future resurrection of the living and dead.^ On a certain day, being afflicted with a grievous headache, an attendant, named Feradach, coming to St. Fintan, said, " To-day there appear to be signs of health and joy in your countenance." Fintan repHed, " And justly should I rejoice ; for on to-morrow our dearly-beloved friend, Columba, shall come to visit us. Therefore do you quickly prepare some com for the mill." " That I would willingly do," said Feradach, " if there were water to turn it." However, through the intervention of St. Fintan the mill-stone began to move and to grind for three days and three nights without cessation. This was looked upon as a great miracle, because there had been no water or human assistance afforded during the process of grinding. During this visit which was made to our saint, with whom Columba and a number of holy men remained for some time, abundance of bread was supplied for their use. Then St. Columba bestowed in perpetuity to St. Fintan a city, which was called Kell-maitoge,7 with all those services due by its inhabitants to the possessor. ^ His festival is likewise observed on this s From the circumstance that the writer of day, and some accomit of him follows im- this life of our saint called Scotia Minor, or mediately after the present biography. North Britain, by the name Albania. Col- 3 Colgan has reason to suppose that this gan is of opinion he must have flourished Columbanus was a holy man ; but he is at a at least 500 years, if not more, previous to loss to discover among many saints bearing the time at which Colgan himself wrote, this same name who he was. Colgan offers From the epoch of St. Bernard, who lived a conjecture, however, that he may have in the twelfth century, Scotland was not been identical with Columbanus, or Colu- called Albania, but rather Scotia. manus, abbot, son to Kortgidh. According ^Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hibemiae," to the Martyrologies of Tallagh, Marianus iii. Januarii. Vita S. Fintani, cap. x., xi., O'Gorman, and^ngus, he was venerated on xii., pp. 11, 12. the 1 8th of October. Perchance some error ' In a note at this word, Colgan says he had been perpetrated by the writer of these knows not whether Cell Martoige, Mac- acts, or his copyist, when calling him son toige, or rather Maodhoige, should be read, to Kynchadha instead of Korchidh or Cor- The Martyrologies of Tallagh, Marianus chidha. O'Gorman, and the commentator on iEngus, '' In connexion with legends relating to treat of a St. Mattocus, at the 25th of April, our saints deer are frequently introduced ; But Colgan knew not where a church had while these timid and wild animals are most been dedicated to his memory. In the dio- generally represented as obedient to the com- cese and county of Kildare, in the Leinster mand or serving the purposes of holy persons. province, there is a place called Cell-Mao- 52 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 3. While St. Fintan was stopping near a great river^ in the city of Tyr-da- glass,9 certain mimics and buffoons approached him. They asked Fintan to supply them with some fish to eat. He told them truly he had not what they sought. One of the mimics then said, " The water is near thee, and if thou art that holy man thou art said to be, we shall easily obtain what we ask." ^° Fintan replied, *' It is not more difficult for the Almighty to procure a fish than to produce the water itself." Then calling his disciples, he sent them to a well which lay nearer to them than the river. In a vessel, together with some water, they brought a large fish. But when those mimics thought to remove this fish's bones, they found it impossible to separate them, even by the aid of an iron instrument. Whereupon they said, " Although our fish is a tough one, however, it shall not be left here by us." Taking their depar- ture, they then carried it along with them ; but an eagle, hovering over their party, suddenly descended, and snatching away the fish, bore it to a tree. This stood over the well already mentioned. The fish was dropped into the spring whence it had been taken." The author of our saint's acts informs us, that for the sake of brevity he omitted writing many other miracles that, through Fintan, the Almighty was pleased to effect. He adds, also, on account of the numerous miracles which Fintan wrought and continued to work in his biographer's time, it would be impossible for man to recount, or even to retain them in memory. In his Acts, our saint is said to have attained the incredible age of 260 years," and to have been quite decrepit at the time of his death. The year when this occurred is not recorded. His ancient biographer asserts, that God, who can accomplish whatever He pleases on the earth, in heaven, on the sea, or under the abyss, was specially desirous of prolonging St. Fintan's life. '3 When very old, this saint's cheeks were furrowed by wrinkles. The author of St. Fintan's Acts gives us no particulars regarding the day and year of his death."* Nor even does he mention that particular place dog ; yet it cannot with certainty be affirmed might have been written for clx. or cxl. It that this was the locahty alluded to in the is said that Irish biography affords many text. Colgan adds, that from this passage instances of life having been prolonged to we may infer St. Fintan lived before A.D. 140 or even to 160 years. 565, when St. Columkille left Ireland; or '3 Colgan, however, is persuaded that St. at least before a.d. 597, when St. Colum- Fintan did not survive to the extraordinary kille died. However, there is nothing in age of 260, as recorded in his Acts. Al- these acts of St. Fintan to indicate the Co- though there is frequent mention of this lumba mentioned as having been identical saint by domestic writers, yet we do not find with the great St. Columkille. any biographer, annalist, or historian relates ^ Doubtless the Shannon, on the borders of that he lived about or after the middle of which Tyr-da-glas, now known as Terry- the eighth century ; and he could not possi- glass, near Lough Derg, had been situated. bly have attained 260 years of age without ' This place is situated within the diocese having lived to a much later period. He of Killaloe, county of Tipperary, and pro- was also a disciple of St. Comgall, A.D. 550. vince of Munster. His great grandfather, Dinan, son to Carill, '"This early social custom of insolent and King of Ulster, died A.D. 565 ; and Mured, strolling players frequently travelling from King of Ulster, father to this Carill, and one place to another in Ireland, and levying grandfather to this same Dinan, died in A. D. gifts from the people, is fully proved from 479. See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the various passages in the acts of our national Four Masters," vol. ii., p. 1190. Addenda saints. et Corrigenda. Colgan says incorrectly this "Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hibemise," latter died in the year 503. According to 3 Januarii. Vita S. Fintani, cap. xiii, xiv., the Four Masters it was Eochaidh, son to p. 12. Muireadhach, Muindearg, King of Ulster, " It seems perfectly possible that the who died at the latter date. See Dr. O'Do- writer or compiler of the MS. copy of St. novan's edition, vol. i., p. 165. Fintan's Acts may have transcribed it from '-* The third stanza of the Feilire of St. one more ancient, and that some wrong .^ngus, transcribed by Mr. O'Longan, and numeral was allowed to creep in j thus cclx. translated by Mr. O'Looney, records with January 3.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 53 where it occurred, nor the circumstances attending it. But from St. Angus' commentators, and from other sources, we learn that the day of St. Fintan's death fell on the 3rd of January.'S It is generally allowed, however, that he must have flourished in the sixth century. On the 3rd day of January the festival of St. Fintan had been celebrated formerly in the parish of Doone, and county of Limerick. It forms a portion of the archdiocese of Cashel, or diocese of Emly. At this date, the saint is commemorated in the " Feilire Unguis" in the Martyrologies of Tallagh^"^ and of Donegal. '7 According to the latter calendar, this saint belonged to the race of Fiatach Finn, monarch of Ireland, and he was a descendant of Heremon. After the example of his Master, our Lord Jesus Christ, this saint minis- tered as a servant not only to his guests, but even to his brethren. He often unloosed the shoes from their feet, which he washed after their labours. In him no guile was found ; he judged and condemned no person ; to none did he return evil for evil. He was never found to be angry or disturbed in mind. He was never known to mock any person, nor to grieve at any cala- mity. Peace, compassion, and piety were throned in his heart. '^ He always manifested the same equanimity of temper ; he preserved such a heavenly serenity of countenance that he seemed to have abandoned even the imper- fections of human nature. For these and such like virtues, he now reigns in supreme felicity, more brightly than the sun shines in the firmament, and more effulgent than its rays are spread over illuminated space. Article II. — St. Finlugh, Lugad or Finn-Lugain, Patron of Tam- LACHTFiNLAGAN, CouNTY OF LONDONDERRY. [^Stxth Century.'] This holy man was brother to the preceding saint, but whether senior or junior to him does not appear. He is variously named. Sometimes he is called Finlog or Finlugh, Lugad, Lagan, or Logha. The latter forms appear to represent his original name, to which the prefix Finn or Fionn, which signifies " white " or " fair," was afterwards added. This appellation was probably bestowed on account of some quality of complexion, or from the colour of his hair. He had the same father and mother' as Fintan ; and to the former biography the reader is referred for notices regarding them. At the 3rd day of January," St. Finlog, as well as his brother Fintan, was venerated at Dunbleisque, or Doone ; and again do we learn from St. ^ngus and his commentator,3 from the foreign saint Rodanus, two other Irish of this saint's'name in Rev. Dr. Kelly's edi^ saints at this day. tion, at this date. '7 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. C. 111. ri. rno^ ■mAT\ci\A •Ro'OATiii' 6, 7. Con A cLein cAinef ce '^ In the published Acts of our saint this pncAn CO peib uAifle sentence, in the former part, appears slightly ■pinnlug •oe(\b "Ouin tefce. defective. There we read, " Nunquam in illius ore nisi Nunquam in illius C. iii. n. — The great martyrdom of corde nisi pietas, pax, et misericordia," &c. Rodanus, Art. ii. — 'In a copy of the tract attributed "With his brilliant clergy ; to St. ^ngus "On the Mothers of the Irish Fintan, of noble practices, Saints, " transcribed for the writer, and Finlug, the truthful, of Dunblesc. copied from the " Leabhar Lecan," a MS. — " Leabhar Breac," R.I. A., fol. 79. belonging to the Royal Irjsh Academy, by '5 Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum Hibernise," William M. Hennessy, M.R.I. A., I find 3 Januarii, Vita S. Fintani, cap. xv., p. Ailgend, daughter of Lenin, mother of Fin- 12, and n. 25, p. 14. tan, and Coluim, and Lugada, fol. 89 b. ^* After introducing the names of twenty- * Through misprint, the 5th of January is four foreign saints at this day, the first set down in Colgan's work. Irish saint's record stands pncAni in the 3 He says, that Finnluga was disciple and Franciscan copy. There is a total omission brother to St. Fintan of Dunbleisque, and 54 . LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 3. the " Martyrology of Tallagh,"4 from the " Calendar of Cashel," and from Marianus O'Gorman, as also from the " Martyrology of Donegal/'s that St. Finlog had been venerated at Tamlacht Finnlogha, or Finlagan,^ in the territory of Cianachta Glinne Geimhin, on this same day. Finlog seems to have been originally the disciple of his brother, at Dunbleisque, where, as has been- already related, it was predicted that he should pass over the sea, and die an exile from the country of his birth. In the former life we have already related the manner of his departure. It is thought probable, that he went to lona, and that he was the identical Findluganus, who interposed to save the life of his great master, St. Columkille, in the island of Hinba. We are informed,? that while living here St. Columkille had resolved on excommuni- cating certain oppressors of religious houses. Among these, Joan, the son of Conall, was especially conspicuous. One of his wicked associates was called Lamh Dess. Instigated by the devil, he rushed on the saint with a spear intending to kill Columba. To prevent this dreaded result, one of the brethren, named Findlugan,^ put on the saint's garment and interposed his person, being ready to die for sake of the holy man. But St. Columba's garment served as a kind of strong and impenetrable shield, which could not be pierced by the thrust of a very sharp spear, although made by a powerful man. The brother who wore it remained safe and uninjured under divine protection. The ruffian who attempted this outrage, and whose name is found Latinized Manus Dextra,9 retired, thinking he had transfixed the saint^° with his spear. Exactly one year afterwards, when the saint was in the island of Hy, he said : " A year has just now elapsed since that day when Lamh-dess did his best to put Findlugan to death in my place, but that man is now slain, as I believe, and on this very hour." So it happened ; for at that moment, according to the saint's revelation, in an island which is Latinized " Longa,"" in English, " Long Island," a battle was fought between a number of opposing warriors. Lamh-dess alone was slain by Conan, son of Baithen, and trans- fixed with a dart. It is said, this stroke was given in the name of St. Columba. After the fall of Lamh-dess the battle ceased. Whether these events occurred before or after what remains to be noted regarding St. Finlog cannot very therefore both are named together ; that this "Adamnan's,"or"QuartaVitaS. Columbae," saintjoumeyedto Albania, and that he is the lib. ii., cap. xxiv., pp. 355, 356, and saint who had been venerated in Tamlacht- O'Donnell's or " Quinta Vita S. Columbse," Finnlogain, in the territory of Kiennacht, of lib. ii., cap. cii., p. 428. Glenn Gemin. See Colgan's " Trias Thau- ^ Saints bearing this name are honoured in maturga" Quarta Vita S. Columbae, n. 23, our Irish calendars, respectively, at January p. 383. •3rd, May nth, June 5th, and November 13th. * In the edition published by Rev. Dr. Besides, we find a Lugh venerated at the Kelly, this saint's festival is thus entered at i6th of June, and a Lughan at the 21st of the present day: " Finnlag Duinbleisci, i. July. In addition, there are twelve Lugh- Blesc ainm Mucida Righ, h-Cuanach, ise aidhs or Lughaedhs, respectively, venerated roboi. is in ionad seu artus unde nominatur at the 31st of January, 12th February, 2nd, locus," p. xi. The Franciscan copy has 9th, and 24th of March, 1 7th of |April, 12th pn'otvi5Ae'Ounblefa,i.e.,bleifCAnn.muc- of May, ist of July, 6th of Augiist, 30th of cit)A nigh CuAriAcn Tpe ■|\oboi September, 6th of October, and 2nd of No- The latter part is quite illegible. vember. See table of the " Martyrology of 5 See Dr. Todd's and Dr. Reeves' edition, Donegal," as edited by Dr. Todd and Dr. pp. 6, 7. It is added, that he was a disciple Reeves, pp. 418, 419, 436, 437. and brother of the previous St. Fintan, and ^ That is "Right Hand," rendered into that both were the sons of Diman, or Deman, Irish, " Lamh-dess." son to Fingen, son of Deman, son of Cairell, '° Neither in Adamnan's nor O'Donnell's son to Muiredhach Muinderg. life is it sufficiently clear whether the spear ^ It adjoins Drumachose or Newtownlima- had been thrust at St. Columkille or at Find- vedy, in the county of Londonderry. See lugan, although from the context it seems Rev, Dr. Reeves' ' ' Adamnan's Life of St. probable enough the latter was meant. Columba," n. (d.) p. 136. ''There are islands of this name near 7 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Scarba, among the Hebrides. January 3.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 55 clearly be ascertained. Again, St. Columkille is said to have founded a religious establishment at a place near Lough Foyle, in the barony of Kenaught, county of Londonderry." The townland is called Tamlacht.^3 Over the house thus established the great father of Irish monasticism placed his disciple, Finlog, as first abbot. Hence the place seems to have derived its appellation of Tamlachtfinlaghan,'+ It is now a parish in the diocese of Deny. '5 The place of the old monastic site is marked by a much frequented cemetery, within the enclosure of which are the ruins of an old church. Whether any portion of this building dates back to the time of St. Finlog may very fairly be questioned. '^ Or -*' OLl Church at Tamlacht Finlagan. The old church at Tamlacht was drawn by George V. Du Noyer, in 1836,'^ and this sketch is faithfully produced in the accompanying engraving. '7 The " According to one authority this happened A.D. 585. See Lewis' "Topographical Dictionary of Ireland," vol. ii., p. 592. No reference, however, is given for the date. '3 Tam-lechta, " plague -graves. " The root-word is supposed to be tam-tzbes, by Whitley Stokes, editor of " Sanas Chor- maic," or "Cormac's Glossary," p. 160. In the same manner Tamlacht is explained by O'Flaherty when treating about Tallagh, near Dublin. See "Ogygia," pars.iii., cap, v., pp. 168, 169. To the foregoing opinions Dr. O'Donovan adheres, notwithstanding certain interpretations advanced by others. See ' ' Letters containing information relative to the antiquities of the county Londonderry during the progress of the Ordnance Survey in 1834," pp. 122, 123. ^^ See Archdall's ' ' Monasticon Hibemi- cum," p. 93. Archdall incorrectly renders the denomination into English, as "the church of Finnlugan." Dr. P. W. Joyce more correctly declares the word Taimh- leacht to mean "a plague monument," or a place when people who died of an epidemic had been buried. The word is said to be of Pagan origin, and considered as applicable by adoption only to Christian cemeteries, like other Pagan terms. In the northern coun- ties it is generally written Tamlaght and Tamlat, while in other places it takes the forms, Tawlaght, Towlaght, and Towlett. See " Origin and History of Irish Names of Places," part ii., chap, iv., p. 151. '5 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Quinta Appendix ad Acta S. Columbse, cap. ii., p. 495. '^ It was designed for illustration of the antiquities of the county of Londonderry, and intended for the engraver. It is preserved in the " Oblong Book of Sketches for Lon- donderry," in the Royal Irish Academy, vol. ii., No. 114. '7 By Mrs. Millard. 56 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. January 3. ground plan represents only a nave, with the annexe of a tower,^^ on the left side of the ruined entrance way. On the opposite gable was a circularly- headed window, now greatly injured. Two windows seem to have been on the right side-wall, and one window on the left. A great portion of the old building — which appears to have been an ancient one — has crumbled into decay. It adjoins the Bessbrook river beside the road, and about two miles from Lough Foyle.'9 The place of St. Finlogue, or Finlogus, has been incor- rectly confounded^" with Tallagh, a parish in the county of Dublin. Besides his cultus at Tamlacht Finnlaghan, and Dunbleisque, St. Finlog appears to have been venerated, likewise, on the island of St. Finlagan, where are the ruins of a small chapel dedicated to him. I'hat island lies within Loch Finlagan,^^ in the parish of Killarrow, at Islay, or Ila. From this fresh water lake flows the Killarrow river, and between the chapel of St. Finlagan and the east coast at Kilcholmkill stood a chapel dedicated to St. Columba. Before the year 1380, John, lord of the Isles, is said to have roofed the chapel of Finlagan and other churches. He gave them, moreover, proper furniture for the service of God, and for the maintenance of officiating clergy. The lords of the Isles exercised the right of patronage in connexion with the chapels of St. Finlagan and of St. Columba.^^ On the island cemetery of Finlagan the wives and children of the island lords were buried, while these latter were buried at lona — regarded as still more sacred ground. =^3 It may have been the case that a part of St. Columba's missionary enterprise embraced Islay, and that St. Finlog either founded a church at Loch Finlagan, or lived and, perhaps, died there ; but great uncertainty prevails in referenqe to these matters. At what particular time the monastic institute of Tamlaght Finloga ceased is unrecorded, but it is classed as a parochial church in the Taxation of Pope Nicholas, a.d. 1291. On the old monastic site stand the ruins of a former parish church, destroyed in the wars of i64i.='4 In the beginning of the present century there was a tower visiMe on the north-west comer of the old church ruin, near the stream, behind Bessbrook.^s The Christian courage and charity of this saint deserve well the enco- mium of Prince O'Donnell, for he desired to sacrifice his own life in preserving that of his great spiritual father, whose loss to the Church Findlugan deemed irreparable on earth. Greater charity than this no man possesses, when he is ready to give up his own life for the safety of his friends. Utterly unselfish and nobly generous was his spirit of self-devotedness. His humility and obedience were equally conspicuous, for he felt ready to accept any injunction which might best promote God's honour. In either Scotia his religious acts were conspicuous ; and the people both of Ireland and of Scotland have just reasons for celebrating his virtues. '^ This seems to have had a circular stair- Argyle and seven priests, with great ceremony, way in the interior. See ibid., pp. 240, 241. '9 See the Ordnance Survey Townland =^^ See C. Innes' "Origines Parochiales Maps of the county of Londonderry, Scotiae," vol. ii., part i., pp. 261, 262. sheet 9. *3 See Pennant's " Tour in Scotland and ^^ See Archdall's "Monasticon Hiberni- Voyage to the Hebrides," mdcclxxii., vol. cum," p. 257. ii., p. 227. *' See the map annexed to M. Martin's ^-t For further particulars regarding this "Description of the Western Islands of parish the reader is referred to Lewis' " To- Scotland." Here, too, in the beginning of pographical Dictionary of Ireland," vol. ii., the last century, the guard-houses and court pp. 592, 593. of the great MacDonnell, lord of the Isles, =s See Rev. G. Vaughan Sampson's " Sta- were to be seen in ruins, and here the tanist tistical Survey of the County of Londonderry," was formerly inaugurated by the bishop of chap, v , § 27, p. 486. January 4.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 57 Article III. — St. Cillin, or Cillene Ua Colla, Abbot of Fathan- MuRA, NOW Fahan, County of Donegal. \Seventh and Eighth Centuries.'] — We find a festival, Cillini Mac h Colla, at the 3rd of January, in the " Martyro- logy of Tallagh."^ In addition to this notice the " Martyrology of Donegal"^ mentions Cillin Ua Colla, abbot of Fathan-Mura,3 as having been venerated on this day. The name of this place is sometimes found WTitten Athain and Othain in ancient records. A church was founded here so early as the sixth century by the great St. Columkille. St. Cilline, the descendant of Colla, was bom most probably about the middle of the seventh century. The modern designation of his locality is Fahan, within the peninsula of Inishowen, in the county of Donegal. At present, it is said, the old church of Fahan Mura lies close to the eastern shore of Lough Swilly, in the barony of Inish- owen, county of Donegal, and in an exceedingly picturesque situation within the ornamental glebe grounds."* In the Annals of Ireland we have on record the death of Ceallach, son of Saran, abbot of Othan-mor or Fahan, a.d. 657.5 It seems likely the present saint did not succeed him as abbot for many years afterwards, as the death of St. Cillene Ua Colla is set down in the "Annals of the Four Masters," at a.d. 720, on the 3rd of January. The "Annals of Ulster" place his death at a.d. 724,^ and the Martyrologists of Donegal seem to adopt this latter computation. Article IV. — Reputed Feast of St. Findan, Recluse of Rhingaw, IN Switzerland. According to Bucelinus,' this saint died on a 3rd of January. His principal festival, however, is kept on the 15 th of November. At this latter day his Acts will be found. But it seems more than likely, Bucelinus confounded his feast incorrectly with the festival of St. Fintan of Doone — altogether a different saint. jfouitJ) J3ap of 3attuarp> ARTICLE I.— ST. AIDUS, BISHOP OF KILDARE. [SIXTH AND SEVENTH CENTURIES.^ NOTHING appears more remarkable in Irish Church history than the fact, that so many scions of royal and noble houses voluntarily abdi- cated their worldly rank to assume the humble garb of the monk ; thus choosing to be governed rather than to rule. Some account of this saint has been given by Colgan, at the 4th of January; but these short notices are very Art. III. — ' Edited by the Rev. Dr. Kelly, s gee Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the p. xi. In the Franciscan copy we find Four Masters," vol. i., pp. 268, 269. Also Cil-tine tllAc h CoILa. Colgan's " Trias Thaumaturga, " Quinta Ap- * Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. pendixadActaS. Columbae, cap. ix., p. 510. 6, 7. * See ibid., pp. 318, 319, and n. (g). 3 So called from the patron, St. Mura, Art. I v. — ■' Menologium Benedictinum whose feast occurs at the 12th of March. Sanctorum Beatorum atque Illustrium Ejus- * See Ordnance Survey Townland Maps of dem Ordinis Virorum, accessit sacrarium sive the county Donegal, sheet 38. Reliquiarium Benedictinum. 58 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 4. unsatisfactory.^ The obscurity of his acts, however, is not the fault of this writer. Most probably St. Aidus was bom about the middle or towards the close of the sixth century. From the data afforded us, it appears a matter of great difficulty to unveil the chief incidents of his life. In the " Martyrology of Tallagh,"^ at the 4th of January, we find the entry of Aedin, a bishop. 3 Various saints, bearing the names Aedh,^ or Aedhan,^ appear at different dates in our calendars. In the Feilire of ^ngus not only is the present but every other native saint excluded at this date.^ By Marianus O'Gorman our saint is denominated Aidus ; while by other calendarists ' and writers he is styled indifferently ^dinus, ^dus, and ^dius. According to some accounts St. Aidus is stated to have been King of Leinster ; yet this hardly seems recon- cilable with our annalistic chronology.7 Following the pedigree of the Genealogic Menology,^ St. Aidus, the bishop, was son to Moelodran, son of Brocan, son to Corbmac, son of Diermeit, son to Eochad Guinech, son of Ere, son to Brecan, son of Fieg, son to Daire Barrigh, son of Catheir the Great.9 From all we are able to ascertain, it does not seem probable the present saint ever occupied the throne of Leinster j although Colgan thinks Aedh Cerr,^° who ruled over that province, and whose death is noted at a.d. Art. I. — 'See Colgan's "Acta Sancto- rum Hibemise," 4 Januarii. Vita S. Aidi, p. 14, and Dr. Lanigan's ' ' Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. iii., chap, xvii., sec. vii., and nn. 86, 87, pp. 33, 34. ^ Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xi. 3 After the introduction of eight foreign saints the Franciscan copy of the Tallagh Martyrology, extracted from the Book of Leinster, now in Trinity College Library, has ^Xexjim epi. '* Besides the present saint, whose name has been varied to Aoth in the table prefixed to the " Martyrology of Donegal " at the 4th of January, a. St. Aedh was venerated respectively at the 25 th of the same month ; one at the 7th, 12th, and i6th of February ; one at the 7th and nth of April ; one at the loth of May ; one at the 27th of June ; one at the 8th and loth of July ; one at the 1 6th of August ; one at the 22nd of Septem- ber ; one at the 6th and 29th of October ; one at the ist and loth of November ; and one at the 19th of December ; in all, eighteen. See Dr. Todd's and Reeves' edi- tion, pp. 356, 357. s The following Aedhans are enumerated : — AjCdhan, at the 1st of January ; the same name occurs at the I2tii of February ; at the 1 6th, 20th, and 29th of March ; at the 1st and 8th of April ; at the 2nd and 17th of June ; at the 19th of July ; at the 3rd, 7th, 27th, and 31st of August ; at the 4th and 20th of September ; at the 9th, 12th, and 20th of October ; at the 2nd, 6th, and 2ist of November ; at the 25th of Decem- ber ; in all, twenty-three. See ibid. pp. 356 to 359. ^ The following Irish stanza and its Eng- lish translation have been obligingly fur- nished by Mr. O'Longan : — t), 11. n. bAf CAit) ^^^uilim, Combtn'oiri b^ bAlcu ; 1fi ^ib C^MfC c^eA cunpu, X)o coeinnAccAi\ cbAcncA, The death of chaste Aquilinius, With a troop who was firm ; In the blood of Christ They beautified garments. — " Leabhar Breac," copy in the Royal Irish Academy. ^ Colgan had four different catalogues of the Leinster kings, showing the following re- sult in a regular line. These I have taken the liberty to invert from Colgan's order. His accounts correspond pretty faithfully with chronology, contained in the " Annals of the Four Masters." Dunlang is said to have been twenty years in the sovereignty of Leinster. Olild, son to Dunlang, died in 526. Cormac, son to Olild, died in 535, after reigning nine years over Leinster. Cairbre, son to Cormac, King of Leinster, died in 546, after a reign of eleven years. Colman, son to Cairbre, King of Leinster, died in 576, after a reign of thirty years ; whilst Aedh Cerr, King of Leinster, and son to Colman, died in the year 591. Ronan, son to Colman, King of Leinster, and bro- ther to Aedh Cerr, is next named as succes- sor to this latter, and he died A.D. 610, according to the " Annals of the Four Mas- ters." Aedh Cerr had a son named Ere, the father of Nessan. ^ Cap. XX. 9 See Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- nise," 4 Januarii, n. 2, p. 14. '° He succeeded his father, Colman, and reigned fifteen years. If our saint be a different person from the aforesaid Aedh Cerr, Colgan thinks him to have been Aidus, son to Moelodran, being a descendant from the royal race of Leinster. His genealogy is traced to Cathair, King of Leinster, after- wards King of Ireland. January 4.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 59 591," may have only died politically, to have lived forty-seven years subse- quently in the religious state. But, besides the usual accurate phraseology of our annalists, and other irreconcilable circumstances, the different fathers of Aedh Cerr and of St. Aidan, the bishop, ought to have shown Colgan" how improbable must have been an identity between both. Another conjecture has been ventured upon, that perhaps Aedh Cerr had been a different person from this Saint Aldus, whose name perchance has been omitted from the catalogue of Leinster kings, because he reigned only for a short time, and abdicated a throne to the regret of his people. It seems more than likely, however, that as the present saint was descended from a right regal Leinster line, he may have been some minor potentate connected with that province rather than its chief ruler. '3 It is said, that having abandoned his exalted position, he became a monk in Kildare Monastery. He seems to have been denominated " Dubh," " black," probably from some pecuharity of com- plexion. Greatly distinguished for his virtues and merits in the monastic profession, he was afterwards called to preside over the religious as abbot ; but, furthermore, he was elevated to the episcopal dignity, and he ruled for some time over the see of Kildare. Although this see maintained a con- stant succession of zealous and pious prelates from the time of St. Conlath,'* yet until we come to this St. Aidus's they do not figure on the pages of his- tory with sufficient distinctiveness.^^ Thus he was advanced to spiritual honors, having escaped from royal dignities. He died in the year 638,^7 but we cannot ascertain the duration of his episcopacy. Whether the demise of St. Aldus occurred on a 4th of January, or on a loth of May, is thought to be uncertain. Colgan has a few notices regarding him at the former date, yet he states, that it might be possible, the memory of St, Aldus had been celebrated on both days.^^ At the 4th of January the " Martyrology of ''See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i., pp. 208, 209, 214, 215- " His attempted explanation has been re- jected on sufficient grounds in "Harris' Ware," vol. i., Bishops of Kildare, pp. 381, 382. '3 Dr. Lanigan observes, that in the early part of the seventh century there was not an Aldus sovereign of Leinster. King Aidus, who died in 591, according to the Four Masters, could not have been that bishop whose death they assign to A.D. 638. There- fore it is probable that some mistake has occurred with regard to the title given Aidus. Although belonging to the royal family ot Leinster, he might not have been a king. Colgan conjectures he was the bishop, son to Moelodran, and a member of that house. See "Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. iii., chap, xvii., sec. vii., n. 87, p. 34. It must be remarked, this latter is only a conditional and secondary supposition of Colgan. '* He died on the 3rd of May, A.D. 519. The reader is referred to his life at that day. 'Sit seems strange St. Aidus has been overlooked by Sir James Ware in his Cata- logue of the Kildare Bishops. '* See Sir James Ware, " De Prsesulibus Lagenias Episcopi Darenses," p. 42. '7 At A. D. 638 we find the following re- cord in O'Donovan's " Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i., pp. 256, 257 : — "Aedh Dubh, Abbot and Bishop of Cill-dara (Kil- dare), died. He had been at first King of Leinster. " The Annals of Ulster and those of Clonmacnoise agree with this account. This Aedh Dubh must have been a different person from Aedh Cerr mentioned above, both owing to a difference of names and the circumstance that, this latter was a parent, and ancestor to the sons of Nessan, as will be seen by referring to their Acts at the 15th of March. Yet the latter argument would not be conclusive, and the circum- stance mentioned might not prevent his be- coming a bishop ; either because he might have embraced holy orders after the death of his wife, or owing to a mutual and volun- tary engagement of celibacy, after the birth of children, had both parties been living, '^A St. Aidus, bishop, is venerated on the 4th of January, according to the Martyro- logies of Tallagh and Marianus O' Gorman. According to the same authorities, a St. Aidus, son to Cormac, was venerated on the loth of May. The great-grandfather to Aidus, King of Leinster, who died a.d. 591, was named Cormac. As the name and epis- copal dignity at the 4th of January would seem to indicate our saint, and as the name of Aidus, the aforesaid Cormac being his ancestor, is found at the loth of May, hence Colgan confesses himself unable to decide whether the festival of this present saint 6o IIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 4. Donegal" '9 simply enters Aedh, bishop. It has been well remarked, that the world knows little of its greatest men ; and it seems strange that they should be almost forgotten or not sufficiently honoured, especially in their own country. Article II. — St. Maolan, of Enagh, probably in the parish of Clondermot, County of Londonderry. From the extreme north to the extreme south, and from points the most distant in the east or west, spots of former ecclesiastical interest and importance are to be found in Ireland. There is entered in the " Martyrology of Tallagh"^ on the 4th of January the name Maolan, Eanaigh, more generally written Enagh. ^ Maolan, of Enach, occurs hkewise in the " Martyrology of Donegal"3 on this day. It is quite probable this saint had his dwelling within the present parish of Glendermot, or Clondermot, in the barony of Tirkeeran, county of London- derry. There, it would appear, considerable remains of old ecclesiastical foundations are yet visible ; and at an early period, it is said Saints Patrick and Columkille founded religious houses in this place. The ruins of Annagh, or Enagh, near one lough of this name, are very extensive.* Many other places having a similar etymon are to be found in various parts of Ireland. If the conjecture of Colgan be admitted, it is possible the present saint may be identified with St. Moelchuo,s son to Degill and Cumenia, sister to the great St. Columkille. The words Moelchuo and Moelan have nearly the same signification in Irish. Except St. Melchuo, the nephew and disciple of St. Patrick, and who was bishop over Ardagh'^ about the year 460, Colgan was not able to find the natalis of any saint similarly named in our calendars. Hence he seems inclined to conclude, that the St. Melchuo, nephew to St. Columkille, may perchance be St. Maolan, of Enach;? or, if not, St. Mae- Ian,^ of Snamhluthair,9 now Slanore, in the county of Cavan.'° If the nephew of St. Columkille can be identified with the present saint, then his period should be assigned to the close of the sixth or to the beginning of the seventh century. But it must be confessed the conjecture appears rather apocryphal. He may have lived at an earlier or a later date than the epoch noted. Enagh lies about two miles north-east of Deny ;" and here formerly the O'Cahans should be kept on the 4th of January or on Quarta Appendix ad Acta S. Columbae, the loth of May. See "Acta Sanctorum cap. ii., pp. 478, 479. Hibemise," 4 Januarii, nn. 5, 6, p. 14. ^ See his life at the 6th of February. '9 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeve?, pp. 7 This church, if not founded by, appears 6, 7. to have been dedicated to, a St. Columb Art. II. — ' Edited by the Rev. Dr. Kelly, Crag, who lived in the time of St. Colum- p. xi. In the Franciscan copy rriAeLAn kille, and who is venerated at the 22nd of eriAi 5 occurs. September. See Dr. Reeves' "Adanman's * This is probably the old church of Life of St. Columba," n. (d), p. 19. Enagh, pointed out by Dr. O'Donovan as ^ See notices regarding him at the 27th of situated between two loughs in the north of May. Clondermot parish, and near the present » Colgan mistakes by placing this in Con- city of Londonderry, in the county bearing naught. the same name. See " Annals of the Four "See Rev. William Reeves' "Adam- Masters," vol. iii., n (q.), pp. 108, 109. nan's Life of St. Columba," n. (f), pp. 173, 3 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 1 74. 6, 7. " On the Ordnance Survey Townland * See Lewis' "Topographical Dictionary of Maps of the County of Londonderry, sheet Ireland," vol., i, pp. 661, 662, for a fuller 14, the site of a "Church in Ruins" is description of this parish. shown within a graveyard between the two 5 He is said to have had no less than six lakes. Eastern and Western Lough Enagh, or seven holy brothers, whose names are set and in the townland of Enagh, Clondei'mot down in Colgan's " Trias Thaumaturga," parish. January 4.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 61 or O'Kanes had their chief residence " in the castle of Enagh, situated on an island in Eastern Lough Enagh. From this family the whole tract from the Foyle to the Bann was called the O'Cahan country. The church ruins at this place are very extensive. They measure ninety-one by twenty-one feet, with a transept on the south twenty-three feet square. In the year 1197, Rotsel Piton'3 violated the religious establishment here, and he was after- wards defeated on the strand of Faughanvale.'+ In former times, Enagh was a chapel of Clondermot, in the corps of the deanery. It seems to have been well endowed by the O'Kanes, and to have been managed by a Herenach about the beginning of the seventeenth century. 'S The exact period of St. Maolan's career upon earth yet remains in doubt. Out of life the faithful adorer of our Divine Lord passes to the embrace of Him who fills the soul with most delightful nourishment, with never-ending joy, and unclouded hap- piness. Article III. — St. Mochumma, or Machomma, of Drum-ailche, pro- bably Drummully, County Fermanagh. Fancy can as little embellish as facts scantily supply the memoirs of many among our saints. We find a festival to Machomma, Droma Ailchi, recorded in the " Martyrology of Tal- lagh"' on the 4th day of January. Without the designation of that territory, in which some particular spot was situated, it is difficult to identify the places of many Irish saints. However, in the present instance, the *' Martyrology of Donegal" ^ calls this saint Mochumma, of Drum-ailche, in Dartraigh. Hence it becomes possible to arrive at a solution. There was a Dartraighe- Oirghiall, or Dartraighe Coininse,^ which was the ancient denomination of the present barony of Dartry, in the south-western part of Monaghan county. •♦ There was likewise a Dartraighe Meg Flannchaidh,s in West Breifne. Both of these Dartrys are frequently alluded to in our ancient records.^ We do not know of any other such likely place for identification with Drum Ailche as the present townland of Drummully,? in the parish so called. It is situated in the barony of Coole, county of Fermanagh.^ It lies near the River Finn. A part of this parish is in the barony of Dartree, county of Monaghan.9 At Drummully we think it probable this saint lived and died at some early period. "See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," O'Huidhrin," Edited by John O'Donovan, Quarta Vita 5. Columbse, n. 22, p. 373. pp. 30, 31. '3 He was acting under the orders of John •♦ It adjoins Fermanagh. See Dr. O'Do- De Courcy and the English of Ulidia. See novan's " Leabhar na g-Ceart," or "Book Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four of Rights," n. (i), p. 153. Masters," vol. iii., pp. 106 to 109, and nn. s This was the ancient, and still the local, (m, n, o, p, q, r, s, t). name for the present barony of Rosclogh, in '* In 1555 the castle of Enagh was demo- the northern part of Leitrim county. The lished by Calvagh O'Donnell. It seems Meg-Flannchaidhs are now Anglicised Mac afterwards to have been re-edified, although Clancy, or Clancy. See "Topographical at present the ruins do not exist. See ibid. Poems of John O'Dubhagain and Giolla na vol. v., pp. 1540, 1541, and n. (h). NaomhO'Huidhrin," edited by Dr. O'Dono- '5 See Rev. William Reeves' edition of van, n. 268, p. xxxvii. " Acts of Archbishop Colton in his Metro- *^ See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the politan Visitation of the Diocese of Derry," Four Masters," Index Locorum, vol. vii., p. A.D. MCCCXCVII.," n. (b), pp. 28, 29. 46. Art. III. — ' Edited by Dr. Kelly, p. xi., 7 There is a graveyard in the townland of The entry ■moccornmA '0|voinA ^iLche is in Drummully, in the parish of Drummully, the Franciscan copy. barony of Coole, and county of Fermanagh. ^ Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 6, See Ordnance Survey Townland Maps of 7. the County Fermanagh, sheet 43. 3 The Muinter Baoigheallains, or people ^ See Lewis' "Topographical Dictionary of the O'Boylans, inhabited it according to of Ireland," vol. i., p. 519. O'Dugan. See "Topographical Poems of ^ See Ordnance Survey Tovraland Maps John O'Dubhagain and Giolla na Naomh of the County of Monaghan, sheet 16. 62 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 5. Article IV. — St, Fidnatan, or Fiadhnat, Virgin. Numberless fe- males are found in society addicted to idle or frivolous pleasures. Their lives are spent as a taper that wastes away its substance, giving little or only a very flickering light. The name of Fidnatan, virgin, is mentioned in the " Martyrology of Tallagh," ' on the 4th of January. Besides this entry, Fiadhnat, the same virgin,^ is recorded on this day in the " Martyrology of Donegal."3 The distinction of sanctity accorded her proves the genuine merits of her well-ordered life. Article V. — Feast of Saints Brigid and Maura, Sisters, Virgins AND Martyrs. A feast instituted in honour of these holy sisters is set down at this day in some old Gallic Breviaries and Martyrologies, as also at the 13th of July. At this latter date, further notices are given regarding those saints. jfitft Bap tif Sanuarp* ARTICLE I.— ST. CEARA, CIAR, CYRA, CIOR, OR CERA, VIRGIN, PATRONESS OF KILKEARY PARISH, COUNTY OF TIPPERARY. [SEVENTH CENTURY.I CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION — TIME WHEN ST. CIAR, OR CERA, LIVED — HER PARENTAGE AND FAMILY — HER EARLY YEARS — SHE FOUNDS A CONVENT AT KILKEARY — SHE THERE RULES OVER A RELIGIOUS COMMUNITY. METHOD and order in the division of life-duties give a saint the power of producing preternatural work. From childhood this may have grown into a habit, improving with the increase of holiness. But usually the religious inmate effects her first great impressions within the convent walls. There frequently she continues them for long ages, when producing a work inspired by sublime ideas and sound spiritual teaching. We find the name of this holy virgin variously -vvTitten Ceara, Ciar, Cior, Cyra, and Cera^ in the Irish Menologies.=^ Our national hagiographist, Col- gan, has endeavoured to compile acts of this saint for the 5 th of January ;3 but it is probable he fell into mistakes during the process. According to his computation, she must have been born sometime about the middle of the sixth century. It seems more likely, however, that her birth took place about or after the commencement of the century succeeding. The father of Art. IV. — 'Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, nat and on Emlinat, mother of Emhin." p. xi. In the Franciscan copy of the " Tal- 3 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. lagh Martyrology " I find an entry of this 6, 7. saint's festival at the 4th of January as Art. i. — Chap. i. — ' As in all words "pTinACAin. U." similarly initialed, and found in the Irish * In a note by Dr. Todd he says, " There language, the C-is pronounced like the Eng- is added in a more recent hand, aca aj lish letter K. mobing iriA eA'OAiAJui'oe, A bht^gic beriAig ^ The Martyrologies of Tallagh, of Maria- A|\ ■per). -poyv A^x ChoiniriAC Ajtif a^ nus O'Gomian, and of Donegal. eAThtiAC mAUAi|\ eiiiiii : "whom Moling 3 See "Acta Sanctomm Hibemise," v. has in his prayer beginning, 'O Briget, Januarii. Vita S. Cerse, with notes ap- bless our path ;' also in his verses onColm- pended, pp. 14 to 16. January 5.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 63 this holy virgin was named Duibhre/ Her origin is derived from the royal race of Conor, King of Ireland.^ Both in this island and in Scotland many royal and saintly descendants from this monarch flourished.^ As founders of families and religious houses many of those personages are distinguished. 7 St. Cera is said to have been a native of Muscraidhe Thire f but in what particular part of the present baronies of Upper and Lower Ormond, in Tip- perary county, she was born has not transpired. As she grew, however, the fame of her sanctity and miracles became widely known. A miracle having reference to her is introduced by Colgan, in which it is stated,9 that at the request of St. Brendan, patron of Clonfert, this holy virgin, St. Cera, by her prayers extinguished a pestiferous fire^° which had broken out in the region of Muscraidhe Thire." Her reputation for piety soon drew many virtuous persons to imitate her example. She was then induced to erect a nunnery, which took the name of Cill Ceire from her." It is now known as Kilkeary, '• He is also called Duibhrea by St. .^Engus, the Martyrology of Tallagh, the Annals of Clonmacnoise, and those of the Four Mas- ters. s The Genealogical Menology, in the 1 7th chapter, as also the Calendar of Cashel, at the 1 6th of October, and Maguire, who by some is called Angus' Commentator, at the 5th of January, thus draw his pedigree : — This Conor the First immediately suc- ceeded in the sovereignty of Ireland the celebrated Conn of the Hundred Battles, to whose daughter, Saraid, he had been mar- ried. Conor the First reigned from A.D. 158 to 165; and by Saraid he had three sons, viz., i^Cairbre Muse, 2 — Cairbre Baschaein, and 3 — Cairbre Riada. See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Mas- ters," vol. i., pp. 106, 107. * From his son Cairbre Muse descended the tribes of Muscraige Breogain, now the barony of Clanwilliam, in the south-west of Tipperary county ; the tribes of Muscraige- Mitine, now the barony of Muskerry, county of Cork; and the tribes of Muscraighe- Thire, now the baronies of Upper and Lower Ormond, in Tipperary county. See ibid., n. (t), p. 106, and O'Flaherty's " Ogygia," pars, iii., cap. Ixiii., p. 322. From his son Cairbre Baschaein descended the Corca Baiscinn, a people who inhabited a district in the south-west of Clare, now comprised in the baronies of Moyarta and of Clondera- law. From his son Cairbre Riada descended the Dalriads, a tribe who dwelt in the north of the present Antrim county. This tribe is long extinct or unknown there ; but a more illustrious tribe of the Dalriads settled in Scotland, as mentioned by the Venerable Bede. " Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis An- glorum," lib. i., cap. I. ^ Colgan names several of these as saints. See " Acta Sanctorum Hibernise," n. 5, p. 15- 8 The Church of Cill Cheire, now Kil- keary (near the town of Nenagh), and Lea- tracha, now Latteragh (about eight miles south of the same town), are mentioned as being situated in this territory. It is stated in a letter written by Sir Charles O'CarrolI to the Lord Deputy in 1585, and preserved in the Lambeth Library (Carew Collection, No. 608, fol. 15), that the name Lower Ormond was then lately imposed upon " Muskry-heery " by the usurpation of the contemporaneous Earl of Ormond. See Dr. O'Donovan's " Leabhar na g-Ceart," or "Book of Rights," n. (e), p. 29. 9 This is found in a MS. called the Codex Kilkenniensis, towards the end of St. Bren- dan's Acts. '° See an account of this miracle in the first "Vita S. Brendani," cap. xxiii., p. 21, published among the "ActaS. Brendani," original Latin documents connected with the Life of St. Brendan, Patron of Kerry and Clonfert, edited by Right Rev. Patrick Moran, D.D., Bishop of Ossory. '^ The Irish word "Muscroighe" is said to have been derived from " Muse," the name of a hero, and from ' ' trogh, " which signi- fies a progeny or race, or, according to others, from " rige," which signifies a king- dom or region. This territory and the Mus- craige family derive their name and origin from Carbery Muse, son to Conor, King of Ireland. The initial letter T is sometimes elided and sometimes retained, as in Kia- roghe Alt roighe, Dart roighe, Coenroighe, Muscroighe, Bentroighe. '* Colgan certainly mistakes when he places it in the county and diocese of Cork. See n. 6, p. 15. Kilcrea Abbey, in the latter county, was dedicated to St. Brigid, and founded for the Franciscan Order in the fifteenth century by Cormac Mac Carthy, chief of Muscraige Mitine. See O'Dono- van's "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. iv., pp. 1038 to 1040, and notes (y, z). A St. Credh also had a nunnery here at an early period, but the exact time has not transpired. She appears to have been con- founded with this present saint by Colgan. Avery exquisite poem, called, " The Monks of Kilcrea," anonymously published, admi- rably describes its scenic beauties. 64 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 5. near Nenagh, in the barony of Upper Ormond, county Tipperary. Here she governed a community of nuns, but not so early as the sixth century. ^3 There appears to be no sufficient reason for supposing she hved contempo- raneously with St. Brendan of Clonfert ;'■♦ and the story to which allusion has been already made may rest only on popular rumour, or have reference to some other St. Cera. Perhaps, indeed, as we shall see hereafter, she may have lived in the time of a St. Brendan, 's who was quite a different person ; and in the case of homonymous saints, it may often be doubted, if legends prevaihng and attributed to one of them may not rather be ascribed to some other, and to a totally distinct person.'^ Moreover, for want of correct infor- mation, or because sufficient inquiry had not been instituted, it is to be sus pected that various irreconcilable and chronological inaccuracies have been allowed by the writers of saint legends to find place in their compositions. '7 CHAPTER II. ST. CERA TRAVELS TOWARDS ELY O'CARROLL — SHE FOUNDS A NUNNERY AT TEHELLY — RETURNS TO KILKEARY — HER DEATH, AND PLACE OF INTERMENT — FESTIVALS — CONCLUSION. Having ruled over her religious establishment in Muscraighe Thire for some time with great prudence and sanctity, Cera found the number of her postu- lants daily on the increase. She then resolved on seeking another location where she might erect a second house. Accordingly, the holy woman left Kilkeary, in company with some of her religious. She directed her course, '3 Yet in " Harris' Ware," vol. ii., such a statement is to be found. See " Antiquities of Ireland," chap, xxxviii., p. 270. Arch- dall, too, places St. Cyra's foundation in the county of Cork. See "Monasticon Hiber- nicum," p. 72. '* This anachronism is insisted on by Dr. Lanigan in his " Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. iii,, chap, xviii., § xii., n. 159, and pp. 129-131. '5 The Abbot of Birr, St. Brendan, died on the 29th of November, A.D. 571 or 572, according to our native annals, and therefore it would hardly seem he could have been the person. Brendan is sometimes written Brenainn ; and there are no less than ten of the latter denomination found in our calen- dars. One is venerated at the 9th of Janu- ary; one respectively at the 8th and i6th of May ; one at the 27th of July ; one respec- tively at the 1st, 3rd, and 29th of Novem- ber; and one respectively at the 1st, 8th, and 13th of December. '* Thus it seems hard to believe that St. Brendan of Clonfert, who died in 576, could have requested St. Cera, who died more than one hundred years later, to perform the miracle to which reference has been made in the text. '' The following stanza, from the Leabhar Breac copy of the Feilire of St. ^ngus, in Irish, at the Nones of January, with its English translation, was obligingly furnished by Mr. O'Longan : — e. n. CojAi^w Semeoin, ^ochA, Co C]\ifc c]\uch ^ongloA ; "bA CAin 5]MAn speic nuA, CiA]\, in gen 'Ouib]\eA. " The call of Semeoin, the sage, To Christ of purest form ; A new transitory gentle sun was| Ciar, the daughter of Duibrea. " According to this translation, the probable inference to be drawn from the foregoing would be that Ciar lived for a short time only, and yet her virtues shone brightly; while it is right to observe the commentator on this passage seemed to think she lived only a short time before St. .^^ngus wrote, for in a gloss to 5]\eic he thus states: — . 1 . 5e|\Aic riA 5Ai]MC o]\o bui .1.1 Cibl/ Che^i A niUfcyvAi'oe Ch1]^e aca aju^* tdo pt CoriAi^e T)! — i.e., "not long since, or short since, she was, i.e., in Cill Chen, in Mus- craidhe Thire, and she is of the race of Conaire. " The acceptation of either transla- tion would apparently serve to remove her in point of time far from the age of St. Brendan of Clonfert. The Semeoin alluded to in the text was St. Simeon Stylites, vene- rated at the 5th of January. January 5.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 65 iris said, ''towards Heli, or Ely O'Carroll country -^ but it would appear she went beyond its bounds to the northern part of the King's County. From St. Fintan Munnu^ she is said to have obtained the site for a nunnery, and at a place called Tech Telle. 3 It is now known as Tehelly.'* There St. Fintan Munnu lived ; but to St. Ceras and to the five nuns who accompanied her he resigned that site. Here she is thought to have remained for some time f afterwards she returned to Kilkeary.7 M.LEUVHAvNTDtW Church Ruins at Kilkeaiy. On the right side of the road, as the traveller proceeds from Nenagh to Burrisoleigh, are situated the ancient cemetery and ruined church of Kilkeary Chap. ii. — ' The tribe name was derived from Eile, the seventh in descent from Cian, son to OUoU Olum, King of Ireland. Ac- cording to O'h-Uidhrin this territory, situ- ated in ancient Mumha, or Munster, had been divided into eight "tuatha," ruled by eight petty chiefs, over whom O'Cearbhall, or O'Carroll, was the king or head. An- cient Eile, or Ely, comprised the whole of Eile O'Carroll, included within the baronies of Clonlisk and Ballybritt, King's County, as also the baronies of Ikerrin and Elyo- garty, county of Tipperary. That portion of the King's County belonging now to the diocese of Killaloe was comprised in Ely O'Carroll, and it originally belonged to Munster. On its northern line the boundary between the dioceses of Killaloe and Meath determines that between the ancient territo- ries of Ely O'Carroll and Midhe or Meath. SeeDr.O'Donovan's "Leabhar na g-Ceart," or "Book of Rights," n. (i), pp. 78, 79. ' His feast occurs on the 2ist of October, at which day some notices regarding him will be found. 3 It was called from St. Telle, who ob- tained possession of it, as may be seen by referring to some notices of this saint at the 25th of June. Colgan has its situation in Vol. I. — No. 2. the county of Westmeath. ■* This is stated to have been neau-Durrow, in a gloss to the Feilire of St. ^ngus, at the 25th of June, according to the Leabhar Breac copy. It lies within the present parish of Durrow, where St. Columbkille founded a celebrated monastery in the sixth century. See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i., n. (u), p. 282, and n. (h), p. 319- 5 ' ',She is stated to have been m that place before it was occupied by St. Telle. The only difficulty is that Telle flourished before the death, in 635, of Fintan Munnu. But St. Cera seems to have been young at the time she is said to have been there. Sup- posing that this was about 625, her having lived until 680 contains nothing contradic- tory or unchronological. " — Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. iii., chap, xviii., § 12, n. 157, pp. 130, 131. * Treating of the religious houses in West- meath County, Archdall incorrectly states that St. Cera built an abbey at Teaghtelle some time before the year 576. See " Mo- nasticon Hibernicum," p. 728. ^ Marianus O'Gorman, in his Martyrology, and the Scholiast on St. ^ngus, are autho- rities for this account. F 66 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 5. parish; in the county of Tipperary.^ They lie in the middle of a very beautiful landscape and in a rich country, not far from Latteragh mountains and the hills of Templederry, being placed about three Irish miles from Nenagh. The Poor Law Guardians of Nenagh Union have lately enclosed the graveyard with a wall. None of the old church ruins remain, except the western gable, 23 feet in extent by 20 feet in height. This gable is richly mantled with ivy. A fine old hawthorn tree, near one comer, gives a picturesque appearance to the solemn scene. The church seems very ancient, and some of the old stones, which are scattered about the churchyard, are very long and broad. One of them measures 1 2 feet in length by 4 feet in width.9 All are covered over with moss. The foundations of the old walls at Kilkeary peep over the thick grass, and are moss-covered. They measure 72 feet in length, from the end of the gable represented in the sketch. '° This ancient burial-place contains the tombs of the D'Altons of Knuck D'Alton, and of the O'CarroUs of Ballycrenode and TuUa, a branch and sept of the O'Carrolls of Ely O'Carroll. The churchyard is kept in excellent order. A learned writer supposes St. Cera's establishment was not formed at Kilkeary until after she had left Tech Telle ; but for this opinion he assigns no valid reason." At all events, in Kilkeary she spent many years, which were devoted to the exercises of penance and of a holy life. To reconcile his conjecture that St. Cera lived before the death of St. Brendan the Navi- gator," Colgan maintains that she must have attained the extraordinary age of 120 or 130 years.^3 This holy virgin resigned her pure soul to the Creator on the 5 th day of January, a.d. 679,'-* but another festival to her memory is held on the i6th of October. The " Martyrology of Tallagh,'"^^ the " Calendar of Cashel," Marianus O'Gorman, and the " Martyrology of ^ This description has been taken from that he entertained a firm conviction that notes written by Maurice Lenihan, Esq., not only were both saints distinct, but that M.R.I. A., to whom the %\Titer is specially one considerably preceded the other in the indebted for a visit to the ruins, two distinct order of time. Yet it seems difficult to re- sketches, and the notices here embodied. concile this matter with the long prevailing 9 It lies near Lieutenant-General Sir traditions of two separate dioceses ; the co- William Parker's monument. incidence of their respective patrons being '° Taken on the spot by Maurice Lenihan, styled Abbot, and their festival ha^^ng been Esq., M.R.I. A., in September, 1873. The set down at the same day, not to mention engraving is by George A. H anion, 37 the almost universally created opinion. College-green, Dublin. founded on ancient records, that to St. " See Dr. Lanigan's " Ecclesiastical His- Brendan of Clonfert are attributed the Acts tory of Ireland," vol. iii., §. 12, p. 129. of St. Brendan the NaNagator, said to have '* He died, it is supposed, as Patron of been a native of Kerry. For a further con- Clonfert and of Ardfert a.d. 576, while St. sideration of these questions the reader is Cera died a.d. 679. An opinion now pre- referred to the i6th of May. vails, however, that St. Brendan the Navi- '3 He adds, that as compared vA'Ca. the ex- gator was a distinct person from St. Brendan traordinary longe%'ity of other persons men- of Clonfert, and identical with St. Brendan tioned in his "Acta Sanctorum Hibemias," of Ardfert, in the county of Kerry. The these years of St. Cera do not exceed the present writer had long suspected that such bounds of credibility. might have been the case; but in July, '■»" The age of Christ 679. The sixth year 1871, chancing to meet a very intelligent of Finshneacta. St. Ciar, virgin, daughter of old man, and an excellent Irish scholar, Mr. Duibhrea, died on the Sth of January. " Andrew O'Sullivan, at Cahirciveen, in the O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Mas- county of Kerry, he was very positive in the ters," vol. i. , p. 287. assertion that the native St. Brendan of '^ in the ^ition of Dr. Kelly, p. II, Ardfert was the Navigator, and that Bren- " Ciar ingen Duibhrea" is noted. In the dan of Clonfert was altogether a different copy belonging to the Franciscan Library saint William K. Sullivan, M.R.I. A., Cioii\ ingeti 'Ouibi\eA itifulA is read at the irrespective and independently of the infor- Nones or 5th of January. It is difficult to mation already furnished, has assured me account for the adjunct, Inful-A. January 5.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 67 Donegal,"'^ commemorate a Ceara on both these days. This latter feast, however, may have reference to a different saint of the name, for we find her called Ceara, of Maghascadh.^7 Yet it is expressly stated by Marianus O'Gorman and Charles Maguire that the present St. Cera's body was buried in the Church of Magh-ascadh. It seems doubtful enough if this can be identical with the Church of Kill-chere, where the " Calendar of Cashel " and other authorities state that her remains repose. Some confusion seems to have arisen, for there are different saints of this name represented as having been assigned to various days in our Menologies.'^ It is conjectured by Colgan'9 that the 5th of January ^° must have been her natalis,^' or the date for St. Cera's death f^ while the i6th of October must refer to some other commemoration or solemnity, probably to a translation of her relics. Altogether independently of that periodical delight the phenomena and vicissitudes of the year convey to the mind of a naturalist, the return of festive days and various rites and ceremonies connected with them have a special interest for every Christian people. ^3 Those antiquities relating to the days of the calendar are like landmarks on the great road of life. They remind a palmer of progress he is making, at the same time, they point out what is to be done on the way. They become salutary mementoes of mor- tality, and useful excitements to vigilance. Year by year as they pass, fewer are the opportunities afforded for making our election secure. Article II. — St. Ciaran Mac Aeda, or Son of Aedh. It would seem that Colgan fell into an error in identifying by a possible conjecture the present saint \vith St. Kieran, son of Tulchan, thus making him the brother of St. Fintan Munnu, and of St. Conchenna.^ This saint is entered in the Mart5Tology of Tallagh^ as Ciaran mac Aedh ; while in the Martyrology of Donegal,3 at this same day, his name is entered as Ciaran, son of Aedh. His '* See Dr. Todd's and Dr. Reeves' edi- name at the 5th of January. The English tion, pp. 6, 7. In a note Dr. Todd says, translation on the opposite page reads as at this word, " In the margin is this note in follows — ["Ciar and Lassar, virgins, pa- a more recent hand, i.e., ' Cill Cree, nomen trons of the parish church of Domhnach- per corruptionem ;' but this note is incorrect, moin, of the diocese of Clochar, in the for the church is still called Kilkeare." country of Mac Mathghamhna. "] See Dr. lUd. Todd's and Dr. Reeves' edition, pp. 376, '7 See the "Martyrology of Donegal," 377. edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 278, ^ The Irish Annals support this state- 279. ment. '^We'leam, besides the present St. Cera, ^3 See "Circles of the Seasons," preface, that St. ^ngus, the Martyrologies of Tal- p. 6. This work, published anonymously, lagh and Marianus O'Gorman state a St. appears to be the work of a devout Catho- Cera, at Rath Mointich, was venerated on lie. the 5th of February ; another St. Cera, vir- Art. II. — ' See "Trias Thaumaturga, " gin, at the 8th of February ; besides a third Quarta Appendix ad Acta S. Columbse, cap. at the 9th of September. I do not find this iii., p. 482. latter entered in Drs. Todd's and Reeves' ^ Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xi. After edition of the "Martyrology of Donegal" the entry of thirteen foreign saints in the at that date ; but an additional St. Ceara, of Franciscan copy of the Tallagh Martyrology, Magh-ascadh occurs at the i6th of October. we have five distinct entries of Irish saints, ''See "Acta Sanctorum Hibemise," § 4, at the Nones, or 5th of January. These and n. 14, pp. 15, 16. commence with CiA]\<\n mAC-<\eT)A. In the ^ The Festilogy of ^ngus, the Com- published copy we find, Colman Mac Each- mentator on St. ^ngus, the Calendars of tach joined with the foregoing, at this day ; Tallagh, of Cashel, and of Donegal have but there is no such entry in the Franciscan her feast at this date, copy. ^^ In the table appended to the " Martyr- 3 See Dr. Todd's and Dr. Reeves' edition, ology of Donegal," within brackets, some pp. 6, 7. notes are ■written in Irish under this saint's 68 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 5. place and the period when he flourished are ahke unknowTi to the writer. Allusion is made to a certain Kieran, in the Acts of St. Fintan, Abbot of Clonenagh.4 This ^\^ll not solve the question, however, in reference to his being identical with the present saint. In the published Martyrology of Tal- lagh, Colman mac Eachtach has his name joined incorrectly with that of St. Ciaran, and at this same day.s There is a manifest error, occasioned through the misapprehension of a copyist, who confounds the present saint's father with the progenitor of a holy man, whose commemoration we have next to record. Article III. — St. Mac Coge or Maccoige of Rosinver, County OF Leitrim. a great deal of misunderstanding, in reference to the identifi- cation of the present saintly personage, has been exhibited by some of the best authorities on Irish history. With St. Moedoc, the great Patron of Ferns, he has been confounded by Colgan,' Dudley Mac Firbis,^ Dr. 0'Donovan,3 and various other native \\Titers. Although the parentage of the present saint, called Mac Ogi, mac Eachdach, in the published Martyrology of Tal- lagh,-* and noticed as Maccoige, son of Eochaidh, in the published Mar- tyrology of Donegal,5 be sufficiently confused ; yet, all the genealogies and his acts agree in calling St. Moedoc of Ferns, the son of Setna or Sedna. Many a distinguished person in our annals had been designated only as the son of a well-kno^vn father ; and a similar peculiarity is occasionally noticeable in our calendars, when calling holy individuals in a patronymic fashion. By Colgan,^ the denomination Maccoige has been converted into Maidoc. The latter may have been this present saint's peculiar name, and he might be re- garded as the son of Coge or Coige. However it seems altogether as likely that Maccoige was his proper appellation. The different modes of spelling his father's name must prove somewhat embarrassing to those who under- take to resolve his genealogy. This present saint may be identified with St. Aidan Mogue, or Moeg, who is said to have been the patron of a once famous abbey church, now in ruins, at Rossinver.7 Anciently it was written Rosinbhir, near Lough Melghe, now Lough Melvin. It is a parish in the barony of Rossclogher and in the county of Leitrim. This foundation of St. Mogue dates from the sixth century, as supposed. A * See Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- 3 See "Annals of the Four Masters," niae," xvii. Februarii. Vita S. Fintani, n. vol. i., n. (p), p. 247. 16. p. 354. ■♦ Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xi. At 5 See Rev. Dr. Kelly's edition, p. xi. the 5th of January, we there find recorded, Art. III. — ' See " Acta Sanctorum Hi- Airendan, mac Ogi, mac Eachdach. It is bemise," xxxi. Januarii. Vita S. Maidoci. easy to perceive, that duplicated saints are Appendix, cap. v., p. 223. Yet in a pre- introduced, under this single entry. In the vious cap. i., p. 221, Colgan clearly dis- Franciscan copy •Ai^Mn'OAin is kept quite dis- tinguished St. Maidoc of Fems, from the tinct from X\\&c Coje mAC ec]\Ach, as present saint, called Maidoc, son of Eochod, %\Titten down at the Nones of January, who was venerated at Lough Melge, in Con- s Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. naught, on the 5th of January. 6. 7. ^ See " Leabhar Genealach Mhie Fhir- ^ See "Acta Sanctorum Hibemice," xxxi. bhisich." Professor O'Curry's copy, trans- Januarii. Appendix ad Acta S. Maidoci, scribed in 1837 from the original manuscript cap. i., pp. 220, 221. in possession of the Earl of Roden.' Thus ^ Here Red Hugh O'Donnell encamped we read : ITIao'ooJ o V^ajmia 11101^ o for one night in the month of April, a.d. ■Ropnbe|\, o "OiNUnnteAfcAii. " Maodoc of 1 595, See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of FemsMor, of Rosinver, and of Drumlane," the Four Masters," vol. vi., pp. 1964, 1965. p. 714. R.I. A. January 5.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 69 metrical composition has this statement. It probably conveys the pith of local traditions. " Here temples rose and idols fell ; in islands green the pealing Was listened of the Sabbath-bell, while hosts to Heaven were kneeling. In smiling vale of silver streams (the ruins still respected), St. Moeg's holy abbey gleams, by angel hands erected."^ St. Mogue is thought to have built a church — the time has not been ascer- tained— at this place ; but in the Irish Ordnance Survey Records, the founder is incorrectly supposed to have been identical with Mogue, the Patron Saint of Ferns. 9 Near the church there is a well called afterj^him.'° And not far removed, there ds another well dedicated to St. Caillin." ^feSf^^^^^T'****^^*' Rossinver Church Ruins, county of Leitrim. A considerable portion of Rossinvefs crumbling pile, as altered or rebuilt during the middle ages, yet remains. It constitutes a very picturesque ruin. The style was " Decorated ;" however, at present, little work of an ornamental character may there be found. A part of the west end seems intended to have been used for a dwelling. Within the churchyard bounds some curious headstones appear. A very early leac or flag-stone, bearing an ancient Irish cross, and perhaps referable to St. Moeg's time, may be observed. At a little distance from the church, near its south-eastern angle,'^ this object will be found. ^ See lines, written by Mr. P. Magenniss, and published in that admirable Guide Book of W. F. Wakeman, "Lough Erne, Ennis- killen, Balleek, Ballyshannon, and Bun- doran," &c. Third Excursion, pp. 88, 89. 9 Venerated on the 31st of January, where his life will be found. '° See " Letters containing information re- lative to the Antiquities of the Counties of Cavan and Leitrim (Breifny), collected dur- ing the progress of the Ordnance Survey in 1836." p. 249, " See ibid. This must have been the patron saint of Fenagh. '^ See ibid. The accompanying engraving by George A. Hanlon is copied from a drawing on wood by William F. Wakeman, ■\A'ho took a careful and correct drawing, on the spot, in October, 1873. 70 LIVES OF J HE IRISH SAINTS. [January 5. In Killybeg townland, about three miles inland from Garrison, and in a wild district, unapproachable to all but a pedestrian, there was formerly another foundation of St. Moeg. Here, according to Colgan, as noticed by the Rev. Dr. Reeves, there was a " miraculous stone," which had been called Lac-Maodhoc, or " Moedoc's stone." Unless this can be identified mth a curi- ous oboliscal dallan, which stands upon an eminence near the centre of the townland, no trace of the monument at present remains. The neighbouring peasantry call it " Fion Mac Cumhal's Finger-stone." An interesting collec- tion of " giant's graves" siurounds it. That object is minutely described by W. F. Wakeman. He considers it to have formed a purely pagan monument, and not to have been the Lac-Moedhog of Colgan.'3 Dr. O'Donovan says the western part of Rossinver parish was dedi- cated to St. Mogue, whose coarbs were the 0'Ferguses.'+ One of this family living there in 1836 was said to have had in his possession a Life of St. Mogue. This information, however, Avas found to have been incorrect ; but a Mr. Ward then dwelling near Lough Melvin had a modem copy of it, from an old manuscript. A native of Fermanagh, James Maguire, Avrote a more ancient copy. This was in possession of Myles John O'Reilly, Esq., who lent it to Dr. O'Donovan. From this curious legend, many historical facts may be inferred. Besides the veneration paid to the present saint, at these places already mentioned, it would appear that his memory had been respected in another locality. Solitude and beauty were to be found connected with the various localities. Under the head of Lis-Gabhail, Duald Mac Firbis enters, Aedh, bishop, from Lis-Gobhail,^5 on Loch Erne, for January 5th. '^ This Aedh seems to have been identical with the present saint. The illustrious St. Bernard said to the monks of Citeaux, that they might find something far greater in the woods, than they could find in books. Stones and trees might teach them that which they could never learn from masters. " Think you not," he says, " you can suck honey from the rock, and oil from the flinty rock ? Do not the mountains drop sweetness, the hills run Avith milk and honey, and the valleys stand thick with com ?"'? Such pious resignation in a life of solitude, and such a communing with the great Creator's works, led the contemplative to the real object of his heart's desire. Article IV. — St. Joseph, Bishop of Tallagh, County of Dublin. Many old scenes of monastic life in Ireland are yet venerable and still endeared to popular recollection. Within the walled and enclosed graveyard of Tallagh, where, on a gentle eminence, stands the present Protestant church, the tall tower of a more ancient religious edifice may be seen. This formed the west entrance and porch to the more ancient church, the very foundations of which are now quite obliterated ; although early in the present century the building itself had been used for Protestant services.' The tower contains in in the second story a bell ; but above it are opes, in which probably a peal of '3 See ibid. p. 90. There is an interesting '* See " Proceedings of the Royal Irish description of Rossinver in Lewis' " Topo- Academy" Irish MSS. Series, vol. i., parti., graphical Dictionary of Ireland," vol. ii., pp. pp. 118,119. 536, 537. On the eastern shore of Lough ^^ S. Bemardi "Opera Omnia." Epis- ?telvin are the ruins of Rossinver's ancient tola, 106. church. Art. IV. — ' The sexton — not a very old '•♦ "Ordnance Survey Letters for the man in May, 1873 — told the writer, he recol- County of Leitrim," pp. 227, b. 228. lected the pulling down of the old church, '5 Now Lisgoole, in the county of Ferma- the materials of which were used in con- nagh, as identified by William M. Hennessy, structing the new one. M.R.LA. January 5.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 71 three small bells had formerly been placed. It is connected by a covered passage with the Protestant church, the vestry of which is the under-part of this old tower. 2 Not far from the site of the obliterated church, and on the southern side of the cemetery, is shown the pedestal of an old stone cross, bedded in the earth, and at the head of a high grave are the arms of an old granite cross, which at one time surmounted the plinth. The intermediate shaft seems to have been broken, nor are its fragments discoverable. Here, it is said, St. Melruan,3 the patron of Tallagh, lies interred. Every year, on the 7th of July, at Tallagh, and from time immemorial, the inhabitants have been accustomed to walk from the adjoining village in procession, bearing a long pole, crowned with natural flowers, to the site of St, Melruan's grave. The standard-bearer carries what is locally called " the garland," seven times in a walking circuit around the grave : then all the processionists return to the Old Tower of St. Melruan's Church, Tallagh. village, after prayers have been said at the spot. The pole is carefully set aside, until required for floral decoration the following year. This custom is probably but the remnant of an ancient processional and solemn religious service in memory of St. Melruan. The site of his grave is held to be sacred, and no person is allowed to be interred there. The people are accustomed to measure their family places of interment, as being so many feet or so many yards from the grave of Tallagh's holy patron.'* Few other antique monuments are now to be seen, although there is a ^ The accompanying engraving by Mrs. Millard is copied from a sketch taken by the author in July, 1855. 3 See his Life at the 7th of July. * Lying in the open cemetery there is a fine old granite font, in a solid mass, of ex- ceedingly large dimensions. The hollowed part is in a horse-shoe shape, cut clown from the upper edge to a depth of 15 inches. At the bottom it measures 4 feet 6 inches in length by 4 feet 3 inches in width. This font is yet very perfect, although the granite of which it is composed has become a little disintegrated, owing to the effects of atmos- pheric action and long exposure. The trough may have been an ancient lavatory. 72 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 5. tradition, that very ancient Irish inscriptions had been read on tombs and crosses there during the last century. These have all disappeared, but many are probably buried in the soil beneath. This day the published Martyrology of Tallaghs registers a festival in honor of Joseph, Bishop of Tamlachtan. In addition to this entry of the calendar, having its origin at his own locality, we read in the Martyrology of Donegal,*^ that Joseph, Bishop of Tamlacht-Maelruain,? set do\vn on this day, was vene- rated among our national saints. This name was no unusual one, in the early period of our Christian history.^ It is pleasing to discover, that the chaste spouse of the Immaculate Blessed Virgin Mary gave name to this holy man. Under the heading of Tamlacht,^ Duald Mac Firbis enters the present Joseph, Bishop of Tamlacht Maolruain, for January the 5th.^° In the Irish Ordnance Survey Extracts for Dublin County his name occurs." Another distinguished ecclesiastic of this name is found in our Annals." Under the head of Claun-uais,^3 Duald Mac Firbis and the Four Masters enter Joseph of Ros-mor,^4 who was an eminent bishop and scribe of Cluain-uais. He died in 83 9. 's He presided over other churches. Article V. — St. Arenanus, Airenanus, Airendan, or Airindain. In every affair of life we ought to begin ^vith God, and consult Him in everything that concerns us. To view Him as the author of all our blessings and all our hopes, as our best friend and our eternal protection, is the good advice given to Christians by a devout -smter.^ Such was ever the practice that guided great saints. We find Arenanus^ registered in the Martyrology of Donegal,3 on this day. The name is enclosed within brackets. As we have already noticed, Airendan occurs in the published Martyrology of Tallagh,+ at this date. Nearly the same spelling of the name is found in the Franciscan copy.s Further notices of this saint, his place, and the period when he flourished, seem to have escaped the searches of our Avriters. 5 Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xi. In '^ See O'Donovan's " Annals of the Four the Franciscan copy it is only possible to Masters, " vol. i. , pp. 458 to 460, and n. (b). decipher 1 0f ep epf CAm ^^ Clauin-uais ; the same as Cluain-Eois, ^ Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeve?, p. 7. now Clones, county of Monaghan. ' Dr. Todd in a note says at this word, '•* "The Great Wood." This is the place Tamhlacht Maelruain, " There is added in in the county Monaghan, whence Lord Ros- a more recent hand, ' Fit dicipulus vel so- more derives his title. cius sancti Albini Flacci cujus extat epistola, '5 " gee "Proceedings of the Royal Irish 19 P- 53 ad S. Colcum ad Scholarcham in Academy," Irish MS S. Series, vol. i., parti., Hibemia. Anno 795.'" Then are we re- pp. 102, 103. Thfs is the date for his death ferred to Ussher's Sylloge, Ep. 18. Works in the Annals of Ulster. At 837 it is entered vol. iv., p. 466. This, however, appears to in the Annals of Clonmacnoise. These also be a groundless conjecture. The Joseph call him an anchorite, there noted cannot be proved identical Art. v. — ' See " Star of Bethlehem. " with this saint. "^ In a note Dr. Todd says at the word, * See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Arenanus, " This name is inserted in a more Four Masters" at A.D. 780, 789, 811, 828, recent hand, and not in Irish characters." 839. 899, 936, 963, 1022. It is possible, in my opinion, that the writer 9 See Irish MSS. Series, vol. i., part i., may have intended it, to supply the omission pp. 128, 129. of the name Airendan — to which the afore- " See "Proceedings of the Royal Irish said name bears a resemblance — as Maccoige Academy." had only been written in a previous line. " See I. O. S. Records, p. 130. These 3 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, p. 7. are now preserved in the Library of the •* Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xi. Royal Irish Academy. s in it the name is written logy there is an entry, the latter portion of which is obliterated. * See " Ordnance Survey Townland Maps nished a very elegant and correct sketch of in the County of Limerick." Sheet ii. the ruin. This has been drawn on wood ^ In a letter headed Curragh Chase, Adare, by William F. Wakeman and engraved by Dec. 30th, 1873. George A. Hanlon. * The foregoing descriptive particulars Art. v. — ' Edited by Drs. Todd and were communicated to the writer in a letter Reeves, pp. 8, 9. dated Curragh Chase, Adare, January 6th, ^ Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xi. At 1874, from Aubrey De Vere, Esq., through this day, the viii, 1x>uf, the Franciscan copy whose kind instrumentality, a friend and has tusiTDon mc .... neighbour, Mr. Taylor of HoUypark, fur- 84 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 6. This regards a Saint Digdi Cercl...' In the published Martyrology,^ there is no such entry — at least under the foregoing form. In the Martyrology of Donegal,3 at the 6th of January, we find a St. Dighdhi simply ^vritten. Article VII. — A Reputed St. Cearclach. The name of a St. Cear- clach is set down, at this day, without further designation, in the Martyr- ology of Donegal.^ We suspect some error in the application of such name to a person, regarding whom we have no other account. The form, in which the word occurs in a preceding entry, at this date, renders it very dubious in application, except possibly to some place. Article VIII. — St. Dianarch or Dianach, Bishop. The Franciscan MS. copy of the Martyrology of Tallagh enters a Dianarch, bishop,' at this day. In the published copies of this Calendar,^ we have Dianach a bishop. In the Martyrology of Donegal,3 there is no mention of such a saint at this day. Yet, there is a St. Dianach, Bishop of Domhnach Mor-Muighe-Ene, at the 1 6th of this month. 4 It is is not possible to state with certainty whether the present holy prelate must be distinguished from him. Article IX. — St. Muadhnat, Virgin, of Caille, Drumcliffe, County Sligo. \Sixth Century.'] In numerous instances, we find it was customary in the Irish Church to venerate, on the same day, saints of a particular family, community, or place. Nor is it probable, that all such persons could have died on that particular festival. It rather appears to have been a matter of convenience, thus to classify and unite them, for various good reasons. The present holy woman, and the other two virgins, who follow in order, are said to have been the daughters of Naidfraic, and sisters to St. Molaissius, Abbot of Devenish.' The Martyrologies of Tallagh and of Marianus O'Gorman, as also a Commentator on St. ^ngus, place the festivals of those pious sisters at the 6th of January. They were venerated at a place called Enac-ard.^ We find that Caille is said to have been the name of St. Muadhnat's habitation. It seems to have been situated in Cairbre, and near Drum-cliabh.3 This was probably her natal place. It is now known as Drum-cliffe, a parish in the barony of Lower Carbery, and county of Sligo.4 It lies near the sea-shore, a little to the north of Sligo, and it is situated within the diocese of Elphin. A portion of its round tower here remains, as a proof of its ancient consequence.^ St. Columkille is said to have been the first founder of a religious establishment, at this place.^ From the sixth century, Drumcliffe had its abbatial succession, Art. VI. — ' In the original it is •Oi^-oi nise," xv. Febmarii. Vita S. Farannani, n. Cq\cl. . 36, pp. 339, 340. _ =" Edited- by the Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. 3 There is a description of Drumcliff by xi. Thomas O'Conor in the " Letters Contain- 3 Edited by the Rev. Drs. Todd and ing Information relative to the County of Reeves, pp. 8, 9. Sligo, collected during the Progress of the Art. VII.—' Edited by Drs. Todd and Ordnance Survey in 1836." R. I. A., pp. Reeves, pp. 8, 9. 83 to 131, and subsequently to p. 401. Art. VIII. — ' in the original it is 'OiAnAi\c ■* See " Ordnance Survey Townland Maps O^D. of the County of Sligo." Sheet 8. ' Edited by the Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xi. s The annexed engraving by Mrs. Millard 3 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves. is from a photograph taken by Frederick II. 4 See ibid., pp. 18, 19. Mares, 79 Grafton St., DubHn. Art. IX.— ' See his Life at the 12th of ^ See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," September. Quinta Vita S. Columbse (O'Donell's), lib, = See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber- i.^ cap. Ix., p. 399. January 6.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 85 and the herenachy of the Church became limited in the eleventh century to the family of O'Beollain or O'Boland.7 To St. Columkille is attributed the poetic sentiment of attachment to this spot : — Beloved to my heart also in the West — Dnimcliffe at Culcinne's strand.^ Its situation is one of great attractiveness to the tourist, and yet in a district but little frequented. The present Protes- tant church stands on the site of an ancient religious es- tablishment ; while many relics of the past are observable throughout the par- ish.9 We are told/° that areligioushouse had been founded here by a St. Fintan, a disciple of St. Co- lumba, at a place called Cailleavin- de." This was pro- bably the C a i 1 1 e, where St. Muadh- nat's Convent stood. St. Muadhnat is men- tioned in the Martyr- ology of Donegal," as having had a fes- tival on this day. She lived in the sixth century. In the table appended, she is also called Muagh- neat, i.e., Mo-Aig- nes.^3 In the pub- lished Martyrology ,• ' ., ,-r\ Drumcliffe Round Tower, County Sligo. a notice at the 6 th > / & of January, Ingen Natfraich, in Enach-airdd. There is probably a mistake ^ See Rev. William Reeves' Adamnan's "Life of St. Columba." Additional Notes, G. p. 279, and O. pp. 393, 394, 399, 400. ^ See ibid. , p. 289. Allusion is made to "rich Drumcliff," in that wonderful poem of James Clarence Mangan, " most musical, most melancholy." It is well known as " The Lament of the Princes." See Hayes' "Ballads of Ireland," vol. i., p. 147. 5 See Lewis' " Topographical Dictionary of Ireland," vol. i., pp. 266, 512, 513. '°/l>id., p. 513. " A little to the north and north-west of Drumcliffe Round Tower are the denomina- tions of CuUaghmore and Cullaghbeg. Here it is likely the present holy woman had hpr residence. See " Ordnance Survey To^vnland Maps of the County of Sligo." Sheet 8. '^ Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 8,9. '3 In a marginal note. Dr. Reeves here says, "The name Agnes is written in the margin opposite this entry; meaning that Agnes is the Latin of Aignes, who is in the Irish Calendar called Mo- Aignes, My Agnes or Muaghneat. This however cannot be the St. Agnes of the Roman Calendar, as her commemoration is Jan. 21 and 28. Molanus has two other Agneses at 2 and 16 Sept." See Hid., pp. 454, 455. "* Edited by Dr. Kelly, p. xi. In the Franciscan MS. copy, we can only decipher, 86 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 6. for Ingena, the plural form, and which relates to the festival of Natfraich's daughters. Likewise, incorrectly joined, there is an entry together with St. Diarmaid, whose feast occurs this same day. Article X. — St. Tallulla or Tulilach, Virgin, and Abbess of Kil- DARE, County of Kildare. \Sixth Ceufury.] The spouse of Christ leaves her home ^vith its comforts, its joys, and its happy associations, as the bird leaves earth beneath it, soaring upward towards the skies, where it feels exposed to less danger and enjoys truer liberty. A sister to the fore- mentioned holy Virgin was St. Tallulla or TuUilach. By ArchdalP she is incorrectly called Falulla, and apparently without authority he assigns her rule over a community to a.d. 580. Tallulla, Abbess of Cill-Dara, or Kildare, occurs in the Martyrologies of Marianus O'Gorman and of Donegal," on this day. The epithet. Virgin, is affixed to a nearly similar entry in the Martyrology of Tallagh3 at the 6th of January. Here she is called Tuilila- tha.4 It cannot be ascertained, whether she preceded or succeeded St. Comnats in the government of nuns at Kildare f for we only learn that the present holy abbess flourished about the year 590.7 Article XI. — St. Osnat or Osnata, Virgin, of Gleann Dallain, Patroness of the Parish of Killasnet, County of Leitrim. [Si'xf/i Century.'] This saint was the daughter of Nadfraic. She appears to have lived in retirement, and within that romantic valley, known as Glendallain, or Dalian's glen, in the parish of Killasnet, barony of Rossclogher, and county of Leitrim. It is now generally called Glencar.^ Colgan erroneously placed this saint's church in Carbry.^ It is true, the valley extends into the barony of Carbury, in the county of Sligo. The church of St. Osnata, Anglicised to Killasnet, and called after the patron, is situated in that part of the glen3 which belongs to the present county of Leitrim.* Now Glencar extends for about five miles in length. There was a tradition among the people, that the old church in this parish was first built in Castletown town- land ; but that it was afterwards removed and built in one night, where the old churchyard, called Killasnat, is now situated. 5 In this parish, there is another old cemetery, . where a church formerly stood, and this gives name Injen riACfiMcli 1 enriAic, should have Breffny for Carbry. See n. 36, Art. X. — ' See ' ' Monasticon Hibemicum, " p. 339. p. 323. 3 See " Ordnance Survey Townland Maps ^ Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. of the County of Leitrim. " ' Sheets 6, 7. 8, 9. * See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the 3 Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xi. Four Masters, " vol. v., pp. 1462 to 1465. A * The Franciscan copy, at this day, has fortified Crannog and a village were on the CuLi^Ach. eastern side of Glenn-Dallain Lough. In 5 See some notices of her already at the a.d. 1541, this stronghold was the subject of 1st of this month. a'contest between the O'Roorkes. Through * The abbey or cathedral church and Glenn-Dallain, the host of Red Hugh O'Don- round tower of Kildare, drawn by Dr. nell marched a.d. 1595; and in 1597, he Wynne, will be found engraved in Grose's again encamped for a short time, south-west "Antiquities of Ireland," vol. i., pp. 25, 26. of this place. See ibid., vol. vi., pp. 1976, 7 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga,"Ap- 1977, 2036, 2037. pendix Quinta ad Acta S. Brigidae, cap. ii., s Hence it was thought by the people, the p. 629. church ought to have got for its name, Killa- Art. XI. — 'From O'Rourke's Castle, stair, " the church of the journey." This called Caislean a' Chartha. however, is a worthless tradition, which only "See "Acta Sanctorum Hibemise," xv. serves to obscure the real origin of the Februarii. Vita S. Farannani, cap. vii. , p. name ; although Irish local traditions are in 336. Read by the comment, the Irish Life the main highly valuable. January 7.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 87 to the townland of Killroose. There was also a church called Killmhinorach ; but Dr. O'Donovan was unable to learn in what townland it was situated.^ The name of Osnat, Virgin, is enrolled in the Martyrology of Donegal.? But afterwards we find added: "These three were the three sisters of Molaisse of Damhinis."^ Reference is made, of course, to the previous saints, Muadnuat and Tallula, venerated on this same day. 9 The present St. Osnata is supposed to have visited St. Farannan,'° at Drumcliff. She is thought likewise to have belonged to Gleann Dallain, said to have been situated in the territory of Carbry." This appears, however, to be a mis- take of Colgan. This saint lived in the sixth century ; but the date of her death does not seem to be on record. Article XII. — Reputed Feast of St. Erhard, Bishop of Ratisbon, Bavaria. [Eighth Century.'\ In Father Stephen White's work,^ the Feast of St. Erhard, Bishop of Ratisbon, in Bavaria, is assigned to the 6th of January. This seems to have been an error. The Acts of this saint will be found at the 8th of this month. ^t\imt\) ©ap of Sanuarp. ARTICLE I.— ST. CEDDA, CHAD, CHEADDAN, OR CEDD, BISHOP OF LONDON, AND APOSTLE AMONG THE MIDLAND ENGLISH, AND EAST SAXONS. [SEVENTH CENTURY.^ CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION — IRISH SCHOOLS— ST. CHAD'S BIRTH AND EDUCATION — HIS MISSION TO THE MIDLAND ENGLISH AND EAST SAXONS — HE RETURNS TO LINDISFARNE — CONSE- CRATED BISHOP, AND CHARGED WITH THE ECCLESIASTICAL GOVERNMENT OF THE EAST SAXONS. DURING the seventh century, as the Venerable Bede states, numbers of the English nobles and persons of the middle class left their homes, for the purpose of pursuing sacred studies, or of leading religious lives, in Ireland, or under Irish directors. Many embraced the monastic profession. Others again went their rounds to the cells of the most celebrated masters, who instructed them in learning. It was an age, when education was gratuitously obtained in * See "Letters containing information man says nothing of the sort. relative to the Antiquities of the Counties of ^ in the Bruxelles MS. of Marianus' Cavan and Leitrim (Breifney), collected Martyrology, the corresponding gloss on the during the Progress of the Ordnance Survey name of this present saint agrees with that in 1836," p. 256. comment in the text. It states that Muadh- 7 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. nat, Talulla, and Osnat, were the three 8, 9. sisters to Molaisse of Damhinis. * In a note appended to the foregoing '° See his Acts at the 15th of February, word in the text. Dr. Todd remarks, that a "See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hi- more recent hand has added here in the berniae," xv. Februarii. Vita S. Farannani, original record, " Sed Marianus non prece- § vii., 337, and n. 36, p. 339. dentes sed sequentes dicit esse sorores S. Art. xii. — ' See " Apologia pro Hiber- Molassii." This appears however to be a nia," cap. iv., p. 44. mistake ; for Marianus or Maolmaire O'Gor- LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 7. Ireland. Willingly did the Irish receive their Anglo-Saxon and British visitors : daily food was given to these without cost ; books they received without payment; and masters were provided to teach them without fees.' For biographical and historical notices regarding this distinguished pre- late and missionary, we are chiefly indebted to Venerable Bede.^ The Acts of St. Cedd or Chad more properly are found connected with England, and noted in English martyrologies and records. The educational direction of this saint's mind was received, however, from Irishmen, and in Irish-founded schools. 3 Ceadda or Cedda is variously called Cedd and Ceddus,+ as also Chad, Chada, and Cheaddan.s Probably, he first saw the light about the beginning of the seventh century. This saint was a native of the Kingdom of Northumbria; but Cressy says he was born at London, in East Anglia.^ His earliest education was received in the famous Monas- tery of Lindisfame or Holy Island. This estabhshment had been founded by the great Saint Aidan,7 an Irishman. Retired from the noise and distrac- tions of this world, here St. Chadd learned from that excellent master the science of the saints. He was, in course of time, esteemed worthy to attain the priestly dignity. Among so many other servants of God, who then flourished in the Kingdom of Northumbria, St. Cedd was selected as most eligible to be sent as a missionary, first to the Midland English,^ and after- wards to the East Saxons.9 These latter inhabited Essex and Middlesex. To the former of these missions St. Chad was sent, together with three other holy priests, Adda,'° Betti," and Diuma,'^ after King Peada had em- braced the Christian faith.'s This prince was baptized by St. Finan,'* Bishop of Lindisfame. All the King's cornpanions, his soldiers, and their servants, that came along with him, were regenerated at Atwell, or Walton. '5 This was the country residence of Oswy, King of Northumbria.'^ For their erudition and godliness of life the missionaries already named were esteemed Art. I. — Chap. i. — ' "SeeHistoria Ec- of January, clesiastica Gentis Anglorum," lib. iii., cap. " Camerarius tells us, but without citing 27, pp. 240, 241. Cambridge edition, authority, that his feast was held on the 1644, fol. nth of February. ^ See " Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis An- ^'^ Some writers state his festival was held glorum," lib. iii., cap. 2i, 22, 23, 25, 26. ; on the 22nd of February, and others on the lib. iv., cap. 3. 19th of July. 3 In the collection of Irish Saints, by a '3 His father was Penda, King of the Cistercian monk, we find mentioned, St. Mercians, and he was killed A.D. 655. Cedd, Bishop of London, at this date. See Then Oswy, King of Northumbria, ruled pp. 32, 33. over them ; but he generously bestowed the "t His acts are given by Colgan, in "Acta southern part of Mercia on Peada, son to Sanctorum Hibernise," vii. Januarii. Vita King Penda. Peada is said to have been S. Ceddse sive Ceddi Episcopi, §§ i. to xvi. , murdered through the treachery of his own pp. 18 to 20. wife A.D. 657. The River Trent separated s See ibid. , nn. 2, 3, p. 20. the Northern from the Southern Mercians. ^ See " Church History of Brittany under See Matthew of Westminster, " Flores the Saxon Heptarchy," book xv., chap. Historiarum, " pp. 230 to 232. xvii., p. 368. "• See his Life at the 9th of January. 7 See his Life at the 31st of August. 'S This was near the great northern wall ^ The Midland English or Middelengli, built by the Romans, as called by Venerable Bede, are distin- '* He succeeded his brother St. Oswald, guished by this historian from the Mer- killed 5th of August, a.d. 644, by Penda, cians. The former inhabited Leicestershire, King of the Mercians. Oswy is said to have according to Ussher. Perhaps, too, they reigned twenty-eight years over the King- occupied some other adjacent countries. dom of the Bernici, and to have died a.d. At this time, King Penda had transferred 670. See Matthew of Westminster, "Flores them as subjects to his son Peada. Historiarum," pp. 224, 235. Oswy's 9 See Rev. S. Baring-Gould's " Lives of daughter, Alchfleda, became the wife of the Saints," vol. i., pp. 91, 92. Peada. '° The Bollandists give his Acts at the 1 7th JANUARY 7.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 89 fit to teach and baptize Peada's nation of the Midland EngHsh. This potentate returned home with much joy to prepare for the reception of those priests. Diuma, the last-named, was a Scot/7 while the others belonged to the Angli race. Arriving in the province, with the Prince, these holy mis- sionaries diligently preached the Gospel. ^^ They were willingly hearkened to by the people. The nobility and the humbler inhabitants, renouncing the filth of idolatry, were daily baptized in great numbers. '9 Nor did KingPenda offer any obstruction to their^ preaching the Word among his people, the Mercians, if any of these were willing to hear it.^° But he hated and des- pised such as had received the Gospel of Christ, yet who did not live up to their faith. He most truly declared, that these wretches deserved to be despised, when they would not obey their God, in whom they professed to believe.^'^ Saint Cedd was labouring with great success on his midland field of duty, when called away to be sent upon another holy expedition. His next desti- nation was to the Eastern Saxons.^^ For Sigbercht or Sigebert,^^ the monarch of that province, had visited Oswy, King of Northumbria.'^^ This religious prince, omitting no opportunity for exhorting his friends to embrace the true way of salvation, had induced his guest to accept the sweet yoke of the Christian faith.^s Sigebert was baptized by Bishop Finan.^^ Having now become a citizen of the Eternal Kingdom, Sigebert returned to the seat of his temporal kingdom, and requested King Oswy that he would despatch teachers, who might convert his nation to the faith of Christ. Leaving the province of the Midland English, the man of God, Cedda, obtained another priest for his companion.^7 These went as preachers to the nation of the East Saxons. ^^ After travelling through all the country, when they had gathered a numerous Church to our Lord, Cedda returned to Lindisfarne Church to confer with Bishop Finan.^9 Finding how successful he had been in the work of the Gospel, after the year 652, Finan constituted him bishop over the Church of the East Saxons, while calling two other bishops to assist at the consecration. 3° Having received the episcopal degree, Cedd returned to his province. Pursuing the work he had begun with more ample authority, '7 This Venerable Bede states expressly, rated on the 24th of April. See Rev. yet Dr. Lingard calls the four missionaries Alban Butler's ' ' Lives of the Fathers, Mar- Northumbrian priests. See "History and tyrs, and other principal Saints," vol. iv., Antiquities of the Anglo-Saxon Church," April xxiv. chap. i. ^3 Sigebert, sumamed the Little, the son '^ Ingulph, Abbot of Croyland, states, of Siward, feigned over the East Saxons that this prince was disposed to found a A.D. 623, according to Matthew of West- monastery at Medishamisted, but his im- minster, "Flores Historiarum," p. 215. timely death frust^-ated his purpose. See ^^Seezizd., p. 225. "Historia," p. 850. Rerum Anglicarum ^s See Bishop Challoner's "Britannia Scriptores post Bedam Prsecipui. Sancta," part L, p. 11. '9 See Bishop Challoner's " Britannia ^* Matthew of Westminster assigns these Sancta," parti., p. Ii. events to A. D. 649. See "Flores Historia- ^° See Dr. Lingard's "History of Eng- rum," p. 225. land," vol. i,, chap, ii., A.D. 651., p. 95. ^7 See Bede's "Historia Ecclesiastica Edition, 1837. Gentis Anglorum," lib. iii., cap. 22., pp. ^' See Bede's "Historia Ecclesiastica 221,222. Gentis Anglorum," lib. iii., cap. xxi., pp. =^ In "The Circle of the Seasons," at the 218, 219. 7th of January, p. 7, occurs "St. Cedd, ^^ St. Mellitus, in the beginning of the Bishop of London. " seventh century, had partially succeeded in ^ See Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical His- bringing many of them to the true Faith. tory of Ireland," vol. ii., chap. xv.,sec.xv., On the death of their King Sebert, about p. 428. A.D. 616, his sons banished this holy first 3° Camden has fallen into an error, in as- bishop of London, and many of the converts signing to A. D. 630 the conversion of the lapsed into paganism. St. Mellitus is vene- East Saxons. Now King Oswy did not 90 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS, [January 7. the newly-appointed prelate built churches in several places.3^ He also ordained priests and deacons to assist him in preaching the Word, and in administering baptism, more especially in that city called by the Saxons Ythancester.32 This was formerly denominated Othona, once a town of note, but now swallowed up by encroachment of the sea. 33 It was seated on the bank of a river, named Pante, now Froshwell. His mission was prosecuted, hkewise, in another city called Tillaburg, now Tilbury, 34 near the River Thames.35 In both of these places, St. Chad gathered communities of devout servants to our Lord.36 These he instructed in the discipline of a regular life, so far as those rude people, lately reclaimed from paganism, were then capable of learning. CHAPTER II. ST, CHAD FREQUENTLY VISITED NORTHUMBRIA — KING ETHELWALD GRANTED HIM LAND, WHEREON TO ERECT A MONASTERY — AUSTERITIES PRACTISED THEREIN — THE RELIGIOUS INSTITUTES OF LINDISFARNE INTRODUCED AT L^STINGA OR LESTIN- GAN — THE HOLY PRELATE RETURNS TO THE EAST SAXONS. Our saint did not confine his apostolic labours, however, to the province of the East Saxons, or to his diocese of London,^ the capital of that pro- vince.^ He went several times, as we learn from St. Bede, to visit and exhort his countrymen, living on the north side of the Humber river. Here, Ethelwald, son to King Oswald, who reigned among the Deire, in Yorkshire, finding him to be a holy and a wise man, desired him to accept of some landed possessions, on which to build a monastery. There, the King desired to resort, to offer his pious prayers and to hear the Word of God. There he wished to be buried when he died, firmly believing he should receive much benefit from the prayers of those who were to serve God in that place. The King had with him Celin, a brother of the same holy prelate. Celin was a man of great piety, and being a priest, he administered frequently to the King and to his family, the Word of God and the Sacraments of Faith. Through his means. King Ethelwald chiefly came to know and love the bishop. Wherefore, complying with the King's desires, St. Cedd choose a place to build his monastery. He selected a site among the craggy and re- mote mountains. These seemed to be a fitter retreat for robbers, or a lurking place for wild beasts, than a suitable habitation for men. The ser- begin his reign until 642, and before the Brittany," book xv., chap, xvii., p. 369. year 652, St. Finan had not been consecrated 35Xhe monasteries of Ythancester and Til- bishop, bury, in all appearance, were destroyed by 3' See Matthew of Westminster, " Flores the Danes, about the ninth century. We Historiarum, " p. 225. find no further mention of them in history. 3^ It is situated on the Blackwater. An 3* gee Bede's " Historia Ecclesiastica old chapel marks the site, and there are Gentis Anglorum," lib. iii., cap. 22. pp. numerous traces of an ancient settlement. 222, 223. It is in the parish of Bradwell. See Rev. Chap. ii. — ' Colgan remarks, that this S. Baring-Gould's " Lives of the Saints," saint is called Bishop of London in the Eng- vol. i., p. 91, note. lish Martyrology, by William of Malms- 33 See Rev. Alban Butler's "Lives of bury and by other writers, as it was the chief the Fathers, Martyrs, and other principal city of the East Saxons. See "Acta Sane- Saints," vol. i., January 7. torum Hibernije," vii., Januarii, n. 14, p. 3'' Cressy maintains, however, that the 21. seat of St. Cedd's bishopric among the East ^ See Wharton's " Historia Episcoporum Saxons was not at Tilbury, as Camden London." and Polydore Virgil Urbinatis imagines, but at London, the Metropolis of " Anghcse Historiae," lib. xxvii., lib. iv., the kingdom. See "Church History of p. 71. January 7.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 91 vant of God desired by prayers and fasting to cleanse this place from crimes, formerly committed there, and thus he prepared to erect a monastic founda- tion. He requested the King, that there he might be permitted to abide in prayer, during the whole of an approaching Lent. This request was granted. According to Ecclesiastical custom, St. Cedd kept fast until the evening every day, except on Sundays. Then he was content with a small piece of bread, one egg, and a little milk, mingled with water. Such he stated was anciently the custom of those,3 from whom he had learned a rule of regular discipline.'^ They consecrated first to the Lord by prayers and fasting those places, which were given them for the building of monasteries or churches. When only ten days of the Lent remained, a person came inviting St. Cedd to pay a visit to the King. That so religious a work should not be intermitted, even to regulate the King's important affairs, Cedd desired his priest, and his own brother, Cynibil, to continue there those devotions which he had piously begun. Cynibil most willingly consented. The full time for prayer and fasting having been completed, St. Cedda there built a monastery, which was called Laestinga.s His disciples were furnished with such religious institutes as were observed at Lindisfame, where he had been trained. After this, the holy Prelate returned to his bishopric among the East Saxons.^ There he diligently carried on God's works, yet so as to keep superintendence over Lestingan Monastery. He placed superiors to govern it, and he visited it from time to time.7 CHAPTER III. KING SIGEBERT REJOICES AT THE GOOD BISHOP's WORK — EXCOMMUNICATION OF A NOBLE, AND TRAGIC DEATH OF THE KING — SUIDHELM SUCCEEDS HIM — ST. CHAD ASSISTS AT THE SYNOD OF STREANESHALCH — ON A VISIT TO LESTINGA, HE IS SEIZED WITH HIS LAST ILLNESS — HIS DEATH AND BURIAL — HOLY BROTHERS OF THIS; SAINT — REMARKABLE DEVOTEDNESS OF THE RELIGIOUS OF ESSEX — FEAST OF ST. CHAD — CONCLUSION. King Sigebert saw with joy the great progress which the Gospel made among his people, owing to the preaching of St. Cedda. Yet by instigation of the common enemy to all good deeds, Sigebert was basely murdered by two of his own kinsmen. The murderers could allege no other reason for what they had done than a hatred towards him, because he was too mercifully inclined, and too easily induced to forgive his enemies.' Sigebert's death might have entitled the King to some share in the martyr's glory, had there not been a former fault, which drew on him this punishment from Divine justice. 3 St. Columba's disciples, under whose but to the Bemicians. See " The Church rule he had received his first education at History of Brittany under the Saxon Hep- Lindisfame. Besides the fast days in each tarchy," book xvi., chap, xii., p. 393. week, there were three particular portions * This people first received the faith in of each year, during which a solemn fast was 604, according to the Chronicler, Ethel- formerly kept in Ireland. See Rev. P. J. werd. See "ChroniconimEthelwerdi," libri Carew's "Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," iv., lib. ii., cap. L, p. 836. Rerum Angli- chap. viii., p. 309, note. carum Scriptores post Bedam Prrecipui. "t See Bishop Challoner's "Britannia ' See Bede's " Historia Ecclesiastica Sancta," part i., p. 13. Gentis Anglorum," lib. iii., cap. 23, pp. s This place is sometimes written Lestin- 225, 226. gau, and Lestinghen. In the Breviary of Cap. in. — ' See Heniy of Huntingdon's Sarum it is said to have belonged to the Isle " Historiarum," libri viii., lib. iii., p. 333. of Lindisfame. According to Cressy, this Rerum Anglicanmi Scriptores post Bedam island did not pertain to the Deiri province, Praecipui. 92 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 7. Venerable Bede thus relates the circumstance. One of those Earls, who murdered him, had contracted an unlawful marriage. Not being able to pre- vent or correct this irregularity, St. Chad excommunicated the noble, and for- bade all under his charge to enter the nobleman's house. On returning, the holy bishop met the King, who began to tremble on seeing St. Cedd. Alighting from his horse, Sigebert prostrated himself at the bishop's feet, and begged a pardon for his offence. St. Cedd in like manner alighting from the horse he rode touched the King, as he lay thus prostrate, with a rod which he held. With episcopal authority Cedda spoke these words : " I tell thee, O King, because thou wouldst not refrain from the house of that wicked excommunicated person, thou shalt die in that very house." Thus it happened, that the bishop's words were fulfilled.^ Sigebert was succeeded in the kingdom by Suidhelm, son to Sexbald, in 661. St. Cedda had regenerated him to Christ through the sacrament of Baptism.3 Ethilwald,^ King of the East Angles,5 as sponsor, received Suid- helm, when arising^ from the sacred font. 7 St. Cedda continued his apostolic labours, during this reign, and until 664. He was present at the famous conference or synod of Streaneshalch,^ where was discussed the canonical observation of Easter.9 St. Cedd, with all the rest of the English, conformed to the more general church usage, upon hearing the arguments of St. Wilfrid. Notwithstanding, he had been brought up in the Irish or Scottish mode of observing that festival, as followed at that time by the Lindisfarne monks. ^° Our saint does not seem to have long survived this synod. A great plague soon succeeded." Going to visit his beloved solitude of Lestinga, ^ See Nicholas Harpsfeld's *' Historia Anglicana Ecclesiastica, 'ssec. vii., cap. xiii., p. 69. 3 He was baptized at a place called Rendlesham, i. e., " The Mansion of Rendil. " It is in Suffolk. * He was brother to King Anna. See Cressy's " Church History of Brittany," book xvi., chap, xii., p. 394. King Anna was killed by Penda, King of the Mercians, A.D. 654. 5 He began to reign A'.D. 655, and he died A.D. 664, according to Florence of Worcester. * The word " ascendentem" is introduced between brackets. 7 See Bede's " Historia Ecclesiastica Gen- tis Anglorum," lib. iii., cap. 22, pp. 223, 224. * Held in 663, according to Matthew of Westminster, " Flores Historiarum," p. 233. 9 There is a very full account of these transactions in Cressy's "Church History of Brittany," book xvi., chap, xvi., xvii.,xviii., xix., pp. 397 to 404. '° See Bede's "Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Anglorum," lib. iii., cap. 25, 26, pp. 233 to 239. " This seems to have been a form of the Buidhe Connail, which devastated Ireland in 664. It swept over Leinster, and again specially affected that portion of the south now denominated Cork. We have likewise references to its devastations on the sea coast of Ulster, and we read that it even spread inland to the heart of Connaught. The contemporaneous notices of this second out- break of the great "yellow plague" are chiefly confined to its ravages in Great Bri- tain. The advent of the disease in Ireland was characterized by peculiar cosmical phe- nomena, of which the most remarkable were a great fall of snow, the turning of water into blood (as it has been termed), and a very notable eclipse, mentioned in no less than five Irish annals, and which has also been described by Bede. It is confirmed by the calculations given in L'Art de Verifier les Dates, as having occurred upon the 1st of May, 664, while its conclusion was marked by a heavy fall of snow. The se- cond great emigration from Ireland was caused .by this pestilence. Sir William Wilde has very ably treated on this subject in "The Reports of the Irish Census for 1 85 1," part V. He thus writes: — "By all accounts this yellow plague spread both epi- demically and by infection ; and as it raged in Great Britain, at least contemporaneously with, if not before that island was attacked, we are not surprised to find that it com- menced in the county of Wexford, a portion of Ireland which then appears to have been in more direct intercourse with England than other parts of Leinster. It seems to have been particularly fatal to persons of rank and ecclesiastics ; but, that the mor- tality must have been very great among all classes may be learned from several entries, but particularly from that in which St, Col- January 7.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 93 St. Cedd was there seized with the contagion.'^ This put an end to his mortal career, and set his holy soul loose from the prison of the body. In the regions of eternal light and peace, he was then received. At first, his body was buried without the church. In process of time, a church of stone was built, in connexion with the monastery, which was dedicated in honour of the Blessed Virgin, the Mother of our Lord. Thither his body was re- moved, and laid at the right-hand side of the altar. This saint had three brothers, eminent for sanctity, and all of these were ordained priests. They were named, Celin, Cynebil and Chad. ^3 This other, St. Chad, governed the Monastery of Laestinga after the death of his brother and namesake. Afterwards, the holy man was created bishop. On the 2nd of March, the Church venerates his memory. The religious, whom St. Cedda had left behind him in the province of Essex, soon heard that their holy father was dead. About thirty of them, leaving their native country, repaired to the Monastery of Lgestinga. These felt desirous to live and die where he had died, and to be buried with him. Wilhngly were they received by their brethren at Laestinga. These monks did not long survive their holy father. They were all carried off by the same frightful pestilence, which at that time caused great havoc in all places. It was constantly beheved, that one little boy had been preserved from death, owing to the prayers of St. Cedd ; for, it was afterwards found, that boy had not been baptized. This made his preservation seem the more re- markable, because he had been delivered from an eternal as well as from a temporal death. He lived to be a holy priest. Through his labours and preaching afterwards, he brought many souls to God.^^ The Monastery of Laestinga, founded by St. Cedda, flourished in venerable repute for some time. Subsequently, it was destroyed by the Pagan Danes,^5 when they ravaged these parts. At present the place where it stood is not well known. St. Cedda, it is stated, died on the 26th of October. ^^ But his festival is marked in the English Martyrology, at the 7th of January.^? Those apostolic husbandmen, who go forth as sowers of that seed, which is the word of God, find consolation, when it falls on good soil, and pro- duces fruit abundant, according to the pious dispositions of various souls. Sometimes the seed falls on the wayside, to be picked up by birds, and sometimes on the rock, where it takes no root. Sometimes the thorns choke its growth. ^^ Thus the difidculties, the obstinacy, the cares and passions of human life impede those men of good-will. But when multitudes hear the word of God, and understand it. Divine grace often moves the hearts and man Ua Cluasaigh states that this great '^ This is the date assigned for his festival plague ' left only every third person in Ire- by the Bollandists. See "Acta Sanctorum, land alive.' " Seep. 50. Januarii." tomus i., vii. Januarii. Acta S. " In his translation of Venerable Bede's Ceddae, pp. 373 to 376. The English Mar- account, Cressy speaks of St. Cedd, as hav- tyrology, Florence of Worcester, Ralph of ing administered for many years the bishopric Chester, Harpsfeld "Historia Anglicana Ec- of London, in the province of the East clesiastica," sjec. vii., cap. xiii., William of Saxons. See "Church History of Brit- Malmsbury, "De Gestis RegumAnglorum," tany," book xvi., chap, xxii., p. 406. The cap. vi., p. 35, "De Gestis Pontificum Anglo- whole of this passage we do not find in the rum," lib. ii., p. 235. See " Rerum Anglica- original. rum Scriptores." JohnCapgrave, "Legendae ^3 See Rev. S. Baring-Gould's "Lives of SanctorumBritanniae," as also Arnold Wi©n, the Saints," vol. i., p. 94. "Lignum Vitse," treat about this saint and his ''• See Bede's " Historia Ecclesiastica death. Gentis Anglorum," lib. iii., cap. 23, pp. ^^ Florence of Worcester has his death 226,227. "Septimo Calend. Novemb." Annales ad '5 See Rev. Alban Butler's "Lives of the A.D. 664. Fathers, Martyrs and other principal Saints," '^ St. Matt. xiii. vol. i. , January vii. 94 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 7. minds of unbelievers to sincere conversion. They bring forth fruit with patience, and thus crown the work of their spiritual labourers. Article II. — St. Kentigerna or Centigerna, Widow and Recluse IN Scotland. [Probably in the Eighth Century.^ This holy woman is called variedly Quentigema,^ Kentigerna,^ Centigerna,3 She was daughter to Kel- lenus.4 He was a man of noble birth, who derived his origin from the Leinster regal family.s The Scottish writer, Camerarius, incorrectly calls her father Tyreus.^ St. Kentigerna was sister to St. Comgan of Turrefif.? In her youth, she married a chieftain, named Feredach,^ by whom she had a numerous offspring. 9 To the religious training of her children she devoted herself, with untiring assiduity, until she had the happiness of seeing them grow up in God's service, thus fully rewarding her maternal care and protec- tion.'" Among her children and the saints of his country, Foilan" was par- ticularly distinguished." Art. ii. — ' Quentigerna is the name given to her by Terrains and Dempster. ^ Kentigerna she is called by Camerarius, and more correctly; for, according to the Irish idiom, Kentigerna or Coentigerna is the true form. 3 The Irish vary the diphthong at one time to Caentigema and again to Coentigerna. See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hibemise," vii. Januarii. Vita S. Kentigemse, n. i., p. 22. * Dempster, Camerarius, a Scotch priest, and some other modem Scoto-British writers, not content with the honour accruing to their coimtry, by possessing the remains and tomb of this holy woman, have sought to deprive the Irish of a claim to her nativity in their island. They try to conceal the place of her birth. But Camerarius betrays this claim of the Irish in these words, " Fuit, S. Kentigerna Tyrei Lageniensium Reguli filia,"(!!cc. His Dumferline authorities must have stated this before him. See "De Statu Hominis, Veteris simul ac Novae Ec- clesiae et Infidelium Conversione et Sancti Regni Scotias," lib. i., pars ii., cap. iii., sec. 2, p. 120. 5 Until the Scotch can transfer to their coimtry or appropriate Lagenia, a large Irish province, they must be satisfied to allow our country the honour of St. Kentigema's birth. ^ There is no monarch, bearing this name, to be found in the catalogue of Leinster Kings. The name was rather Kelleus or Kellach, whose death is recorded in the " Annals of the Four Masters," at A.D. 713, thus, " Ceallach Cualann, son of Gerrtide, King of Leinster died." Colgan also says, that in the "Annals of Donegall" — a title by which he designates those of the Four Masters — we read of our saint's death thus recorded, "Anno 728 Coentigerna, filia Kellei Cualann, obiit." Now, in Mr. O'Donovan's edition of the "Annals of the Four Masters," there is no such entry at A.D. 728 ; but at the year 738, we there read, " Coincheann, daughter of Ceallach." Colgan remarks, that instead of Girtheus, her grandfather, Camerarius seems to have read Tyreus, when he calls her the daughter of Tyreus. See "Acta Sanctorum Hiber- niae," vii. Januarii, nn. 2, 7, p. 22. Also Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Mas- ters," vol; i., pp. 312, 313 and 340, 341. 7 According to the Breviary of Aberdeen. The same authority makes her " Laynensium reguli filia." Laynensium, denoting the Leinster people, is a corruption Lagenien- sium. Muirenn, another of his daughters, died a. d. 748. Cellach Cualann, father of the present saint and King of Leinster, is said to have died A.D; 715. See Dr. Reeves' "Adamnan's Life of St. Columba." Additional Notes [O] n. (h), p. 384, ^ The Chronicle of Paisley, Camerarius, and other writers, in the Life of St. Foilan, son to St. Kentigerna, thus name him. Camerarius, however, wrongly calls him Feriath. The Irish always have the name written Feradach, as may be seen in the Acts of St. Foillan, at the 9th of January. See Colgan's "Acta Sanctonim Hibemise," vii. Januarii, n. 3, p. 22. 9 St. iEngus, in his Martyrology, at the 23rd of March, names the Natalis of Fere- dach's daughters, so like'wise state the Mar- tyrology of Marianus Gorman and the Scho- liast of yEngus. The "Martyrology of Tal- lagh" has a commemoration of them in the month of January. The " Genealogical Me- nology of Irish Saints," at cap. 29, com- memorates a St. Mundus, a son of Feradach. See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hibemiae," vii. Januarii, n. iv., p. 22. " Camerarius " De Statu Hominis Veteris simul ac Novse Ecclesias et Infidelium Con- versione et Sancti Regni Scotise," lib, i., pars, ii., cap. ii., sec. 2, p. 120. " See the Life of St. Foilan or Fillan, at the 9th of January. " Speaking of St, Kentigem, at the 7th of January, she is compared by a French writer in her green widowhood to a laurel, "un arbre dans le habit de penitence, une January 7.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 95 As St. Kentigema cultivated a most tender devotion towards the Mother of God, and towards her Angel Guardian, she also taught her children the great importance of cherishing such religious sentiments. '3 At length, being deprived of her husband, this pious matron resolved on renouncing other ties of the world, in order more securely to practise devout prayer and contem- plation. For this purpose, she left her native island, ''^ and went over to Scotland. Here she found a resting-place, in the Island of Inchelroiche, situated on the waters of the romantic Loch Lomond. 's From the Breviary of Aberdeen, we learn, that St. Kentigerna lived here, towards the close of her life.'^ Adam King likewise commemorates her in his Kalendar. St. Kentigema or Caintigem -nTought many miracles, during her sojourn on Inchelroiche Island. Thence she departed to a brighter world, on the 7th day of January'7 — according to the Scottish accounts — and in the year 728, fifteen years after the death of her father. ^^ Elsewhere, however, we find her death placed at a.d. 734.^^ A parish church, dedicated to this holy matron's memory, and bearing her name, formerly stood upon Inchelroiche. While living there, the holy matron had not probably the travelling experiences of one possessing great gifts of genius, ='° who spent his early life near the beautiful Loch Lomond, and who declared for its enchanting scenery his preference of it over the more celebrated lakes of Switzerland or Italy. But we may suppose, like- wise, that St. Kentigema loved to repose her eyes on the sublime and pic- turesque beauties of its shores and islands, while she prayed and meditated on Inchelroiche. There she forgot almost the attractions of home and friends, in the island of her birth ; and most probably she enjoyed the com- panionship of some religious women, who found refuge, like herself, from the deceitful snares of this world. ^^ Article III. — St. Cronan Beg, Bishop of Nendrum, County of Down. \Sei'enth Century^ This prelate obtained his cognomen, probably owing to his being under the middle size. Cronan Beg, or " the little," bishop over the ancient Aendrum, had a festival on this day, according to ombre h. son petit fils Felan, centre les '^ Colgan says, that this saint [had a orages de I'adversitie. " Flor. D. A. 7. sister, named Conchennia, whose death is See " Circle of the Seasons," p. 7. recorded in the " Annals of the Four Mas- '3 Camerarius "De Pietate Scotorum," ters," at A.D. 738. The Martyrology of lib. iii. Tallagh places the festival of St. Conchen- '•» See Rev. Alban Butler's " Lives of the nia at the 28th of April, and Marianus Fathers, Martyrs and other principal Saints," O'Gorman, at the 20th of August. See January vii. " Acta Sanctorum Hibemise," vii. Januarii, '2 ' ' Loch Lomond, which was called in n. 8, p. 22. former times Loch Leven, is perhaps with '' See Dr. Reeves' Adamnan's "Life of its numerous islands the most picturesque St. Columba." Additional Notes (O), p. 384. and beautiful of any lake in Great Britain. ^° Tobias Smollett. In the preface to Thos. This fine lake is about 23 miles long, and Roscoe's edition of his "Miscellaneous near the south end of it is five miles broad, Works," p. viii. but the breadth of the middle and northern ^' To such a holy state aptly apply the part, is only about one mile. " See ' ' Cale- beautiful lines of the minstrel, who is intro- donia," vol. iii., chap, viii., sec. iii., p. 859. duced by Sir Walter Scott, as inviting '* See Bishop Forbes' "Kalendar of Scot- strangers to repose in an adjoining islet of tish Saints," p. 361. Loch Katrine: — '7 Camerarius, Dempster, in his " His- " Waste not a sigh on fortune changed, toria Ecclesiastica Gentis Scotorum," and On thankless courts, or friends estranged, Ferrarius, in his "Catalogus Generalis But come where kindred worth shall smile, Sanctorum," record the festival of St. Ken- To greet thee in the lonely isle." tigema, at this day. — Lady of the Lake, canto ii,, § ii. 96 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 7. the Martyrology of Donegal^ The Martyrology of Tallagh^ simply registers Cronan, bishop, at the 7th of January. His place is now distinguished as Inis Mahee,3 in the county of Down.^ It is a portion of Tullynakill parish,^ and it lies about a quarter of a mile from the shore in Strangford Lough.^ This island is situated about thirteen miles N.N.E. from Downpatrick.? The name of this present bishop mil be found in a letter, written from Rome, A.D. 640,^ on the subject of the Pascal Controversy.9 In his tract on some of the Irish bishops, Duald Mac Firbis says, that perhaps this is he mth whom Caendruim is placed f° and his remark seems to have reference to a subsequent entry regarding the rest of Cronan, Bishop of Caondruim," who died about the year 639. Other, and more reliable, authorities place his demise at the 7tla of January, a.d. 642." As may be seen, this date is only a little over a year later than the date of the epistle from Rome, addressed to him in common with other Irish bishops. Some very interesting remains of antiquity are yet traceable on Mahee Island. ^3 Article IV. — St. Corcan, Bishop. To the hagiographer it is particu- larly disappointing to be unable to connect a holy bishop mth his proper see. Corcan, without any other designation, is entered in the Martyrology of Tallagh,'^ at the 7 th of January. The place with which he was connected does not appear to be known. The Martyrology of Donegal^ mentions Corcan, bishop, as having a feast at this date. This prelate seems to be distinguishable from another saint, bearing a like name, and reverenced on the present day. Article V. — St. Brigh, of Coirpre, or of Annaghdown, County Galway. About this sainfs identity, a considerable amount of doubt must yet be entertained."^ We find simply entered, in the Mart)T:ology of Donegal,^ on this day, Brigh, of Coirpre. The life of Brenann, son of Flinnlogh of Cluain-Ferta,3 proclaims that he had a sister named Brigh ; but the same life states,^ that she was of Enach-Duin. The present saint is recorded, in Art. III. — 'Edited by Drs. Todd and Royal Irish Academy." Irish MSS. Series, Reeves, pp. 8, 9. vol. i., part i., pp. 84, 85, 92, 93, and nn. "^ Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xi. 24, 8, 9, ibid. 3 It is pictured on the Ordnance Survey " Forte, Aondruim, is added by Duald Townland Maps for the County of Down. MacFirbis, pp. 92, 93, ibid. Sheet 17. " See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the 4 After the entry of seventeen foreign Four Masters," vol. i., pp. 258, 259. The saints at the Seventh of the Ides, in the Ulster Annals and those of Clonmacnois Franciscan copy of the Martyrology of Tal- agree in this date. lagh, the following is the first entry of an '3 See "Papers read before the Down and Irish Saint, CiAoriAn epi. Connor and Dromore Church Architecture s The site of an old to^vn is figured on the Society, during the year 1844." — A Descrip- Ordnance Survey Map of Mahee Island. tion of Nendrum, commonly called Mahee *See Rev. William Reeves' "Ecclesiastical Island, by the Rev. William Reeves, pp. Antiquities of Down, Connor, and Dromore," 23 to 39. p. 10, n. (e). Art. iv. — ' Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, T Ibid., p. 147, and Calendar in the Ap- p. xi. pendix, p. 376. * Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 8, 9. ^ See Venerable Bede's"HistoriaEcclesias- Art. v. — ' Colgan's conjecture, that she ticaGentis Anglorum,"lib. ii.,cap. 19, p. 154. may have been one of Fergna's daughters, s Dr. O'Conor very properly cites this venerated on this day, seems extremely far- incident to prove the accuracy of entries in fetched. See "Trias Thaumaturga," Vita our Irish Annals. Septima S. Patricii, n. 33, p. 185. '° Such is also the opinion of William M. = Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. Hennessy, who tells us, moreover, that 8, 9. Caondruim was one of the ancient names of 3 Cap. vi. the hillof Tara. See " Proceedings of the •» Cap. bcix. January 7.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 97 the Martyrology of Tallagh,s at the 7 th of January, as being Brige, Corpre. Annaghdown is in the county of Galway, and here there are yet extant several interesting vestiges of antiquity.^ Article VI. — St. Dimma. In the pubHshed Martyrology of Tallagh,' St. Dimma's name is joined with the former saint at this date. Although much obliterated in the Franciscan copy, there is likewise note of a Dimma venerated on this day.* Article VII. — St. Modichu or Modicus. As the smallest and least observable mosaic has its proper place to complete a setting, so has even the single entry of a sainf s name. A festival in honour of Modichu is recorded in the published Martyrology of Tallagh,' at the 7 th of January. The name seems to be Latinized Modicus,^ Nothing more appears to be known about him. Article VIII. — Cormac, Bishop. St. Cormac, bishop, is entered in the published Martyrology of Tallagh,^ at the 7 th of January. There is a like record in the Franciscan MS. copy.* Regarding his place we are uninformed Article IX. — St. Dalua of Dun-Tighe-Bretan, now probably Tibradden, County of Dublin. \Possibly in the Fifth Cetitury^ A cer- tain Mo-luan is said to have flourished in the time of St. Patrick. He is also called the Foreigner, and Colgan thinks he may be the saint whose festival is here celebrated, and whose church was called Tegh Bretan, " the house of the Britons." Dalua of Dun-tighe-Bretan occurs in the Martyrology of Donegal,' on this day. A nearly similar entry, Dalua Tighi Bretan, is made in the Martyrology of Tallagh,* on the 7th of January. In the Acts of St. Patrick, the Irish Apostle is said to have built the celebrated church of Druim-Inisclainn,3 in the territory of Delbna. Here were placed two of his disciples, namely Daluanus of Croebheach, and Lugadius, son to ^ngus Naitfraich, Prince of Munster.^ Colgan does not think, however, that Dalu- . anus of Craebhaigh can be identical with the present saint, s The only Irish towmland denomination, I can find, at all corresponding with Tigh or Tegh Bretan, is Tibradden, in the parish of Cruagh, barony of Upper Cross, in the county of Dublin. Within the to^vnland of Tibradden proper, there does not appear to have been left any trace of a burial-ground; but in the townland of Cruagh or Creevy, immediately adjoining, are the ruins of a very ancient church within a graveyard.^ Now the question has to 5 Edited by the Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xi. ^ Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xi. In In the Franciscan copy we read b^ige Co]\p. the Franciscan copy we have 'OALAe C151 * See " Ordnance Survey Townland Maps b^veAce. of the County of Galway." Sheet 69. 3 Now Dromiskin, a parish in the barony Art. VI. — 'Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, and county of Louth. See " Ordnance Sur- p. xi. vey Townland Maps for the County of * It is written "Oime or 'Oinne. Louth." Sheet 12. Art. VII. — 'Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, '•See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," p. xi. Septima Vita S. Patricii, lib. ii., cap. xii., ^ In the Franciscan copy, we read, THoTJici, p. 131. See likewise p. 266. at this date. s See ibid,, n. 40, p. 174. Art. VIII. — ' Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, * The proximity of both places will be p. xi. apparent from a glance at the ' ' Ordnance * Thus written Co^tmac ep. Survey Townland Maps for the County of Art. IX. — ' Edited by Drs, Todd and Dublin." Sheet 25. It must be observed Reeves, pp. 8, 9. that Dunbrettan, "the mount of the Bri- VOL. I, H 98 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 7. be solved, can Daluanus of Croebheach (Creevy), be the Dalua of Tigh Bretan (Tibradden), as the proper names of the persons correspond, and as the places named are not only in juxtaposition, but actually within the bounds of the same parish ? The upper lands of Cruagh ascend the Dublin mountain slopes, whence glorious views of the metropolis of Ireland, and its incomparable surroundings may be obtained. In the to-\vnland and parish of Whitechurch, in the barony of Rathdown, which lie immediately to the north of Tibradden, there is a very old burial-ground, 7 in every way cor- responding with the idea of an ancient Dun, as does Cruagh or Creevy graveyard, likewise, — but making all due allowance for the rather modem innovation of enclosing old cemeteries with stone walls. It does not appear, that although Daluanus of Creevy had been placed over Drumisken, that the place, from which he was called, held any proximate position to it. Of over one hundred townland denominations, called Creeve or Creevy,^ in its various combinations, we do not find any one marked on the Ordnance Survey Maps for the County of Louth. Tibradden is also written Tibroden, alias, Kill- Whitechurch, County Dublin. nasantan Beg.9 Whitechurch was anciently called the Church of Balgeeth, and sometimes it is found Latinized, " Ecclesia Alba." Occasionally it was styled " the Church of the Marches " during the middle ages.'° Its situation is a very delightful one, and the verdure of the shady trees surrounding it gives it an imposing appearance. Three gable walls are yet standing, and thickly mantled over with '\wy. The central gable wall divided the nave firom tons," as Dunbarton in Scotland was formerly called, must certainly be distinguished from the present saint's place of Tegh Bretan or Dun Tighe Bretan. Dunbrettan is mentioned in Jocelin's or Sexta "Vita S. Patricii, cap. xi., p. 67, andn. 12, p. X09, Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga. " 7 See " Ordnance Survey Townland Maps of the County of Dublin." Sheet 22. ^ See "General Alphabetical Index to the To%vnlands and Towns, Parishes and Baro- nies of Ireland," pp. 325 to 327. 5 See D'Alton's " History of the County of Dublin," p. 796. '"Its history is given by Mr. Dalton, ibid., pp. 790 to 794. January 7.] LIVES OB THE IRISH SAINTS. 99 the choir. The nave is about thirty feet in length, by fifteen in breadth. The choir is twenty-one feet in length, by fifteen in width. The side walls, in a great measure, have disappeared. A choir-arch is to be seen in the central gable wall, with additional loop-hole windows, one on either side of the choir- arch. The old graveyard is crowded with graves, and it is greatly elevated over the ground and the roads which bound it." Dank and matted grass and nettles covered the graves, at a season when visited by the writer. It has been a long time since the prayers of worshippers were heard under the roof of the present mediaeval church, which has yet a melancholy interest attaching to its " voiceless aisles." Article X. — St. Corcan. Unnoted by further designation, it seems diflScult to determine this holy man's place in history. Another saint, bearing the name of Corcan, is entered in the Martyrologies of Tallagh^ and of Donegal,^ on this day. In the Tripartite Life of St. Patrick after leaving Cashel, the Apostle of Ireland is represented as having visited Musc-righe Breogain,3 where he converted many to the Faith. Here he is said to have erected various cells and churches. While washing his hands and face at a certain river, one of his teeth being loose fell into the water. Some of his disciples knowing the circumstance searched for it a long time during the absence of the aged- Apostle, who was seated on a mountain that was near. At length they found it shining like a bright star through the limpid water. They brought it as a relic with great reverence to an adjoining church, which afterwards got the name Kilfiacla, *' the Church of the Tooth."^ Their action was permitted by St. Patrick, and he allowed four of his disciples, Curcneus, Loscan, Cailech, and Beoan to remain there. These were greatly rejoiced to possess and guard such a precious relic.s Assuming the foregoing dis- ciples to be classed among the saints, Colgan thinks it possible,^ Curcneus might be easily resolvable into Corcanus? or Corcnatanus.^ Two Corcans are noted at this day. But the conjectural identity of names and events here noticed must be received with caution and hesitancy. Article XL — St. Donnan, Priest of Inis-Aingin, now Hare Island, Lough Ree, Parish of Bunown, County Westmeath. \Sixth Century.] This holy man's course of life seems to have sped in the sixth age. The Martyrology of Donegal' mentions a feast on this day, to a St. Donnan, priest. He was connected with Inis-Aingen, in Loch-Ribh, or Ree. The life of Ciaran of Cluain or Clonmacnois states,^ that he was the son of Senan's brother.3 This is the account it gives: Donnan the son of Senan's brother came to Ciaran, to Inis-Aingin. He and Senan had the same mother. St. Ciaran* left him the island, "and also his Gospel and its true bearer, "The annexed engraving by Mrs. Millard, p. 156. from a sketch taken by the author in August, ^ See idid., n. 59, p. 186. And Quinta 1873, represents the presentstateof the ruined Appendix ad Acta S. Patricii, cap. xxiii., building. p. 267. Art. X. — ' Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, ' There is a St. Corcan venerated at the p. xi. The Franciscan MS. copy has 30th of September, and a St. Corcran at the Co]\CAni, at this day. 8th of October. ^Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. * There is a St. Corcnutan of Doire-eidh- 8, 9. nech venerated at the 3rd of November. 3 Now the barony of Clanwilliam, in the Art. xi. — ' Edited by Drs. Todd and south-west of the county of Tipperary. Reeves, pp. 8, 9. * This is now the parish of Kilfeacle, in ^ Cap. xxxvi. the diocese of Cashel. 3 See the Acts of St. Senan at the 8th of 5 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Sep- March, tima Vita S. Patricii, pars, iii., cap. xxxii., * See his Acts at the 9th of September. loo LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 7. Maelodhrain." The Martyrology of Tallaghs registers St. Donnan, on the 7th of January, as Donnan of Innse Angin. This saint is also called Adonnan,and he governed for many years the monastery at Inis-Aingin or Inchinneen, also known as Hare Island. Respecting the names of his successors, we possess no record, except that of Toicthiuch, who died a.d. 895. This monastery was plundered or profaned in a.d. 843, 894, and 895, and also in 920, 922, 929, 937, and 1089. The old church of St. Ciaran on Hare Island measures 49 feet 8 inches, by 1 5 feet 4 inches ; and here there is a tomb with an Irish inscription, asking a prayer for Tuathal Hua Hurain.^ The old church Hes on the south shore of this romantic island, which owes as much to its beautiful position and outlines, as it does to the care of Lord Ashtown, whose residence there is surrounded with noble woods and fine pleasure- grounds.7 The scenery along Lough Ree and the River Shannon is truly charming, and in many cases very subhme. In Lough Ree, besides Inis-Aingin, known also as Inchinneen, and now called Hare Island, may be enumerated Inish- more or Inchmore, "the great Island," Inch-turk, Nuns' Island, and Inishboffin. All of them belong to the union of Kilkenny West, in the deanery of Clara. In all of those islets, we are told, were churches or monasteries. The bracing air, which encounters the tourist, on the lake's placid or ruffled waters ; the numerous islands which dot its horizon ; the extensive prospect of wood and water ; the stillness and solemnity around ; the boats or yachts that scud along the surface of the lake ; the crumbling walls and ivy-mantled ruins of ancient hermitages, monasteries, and churches ; these all lend an unrivalled charm to the panorama. The invalid, the artist, and the antiquary may draw their several sources of comfort, inspiration, and pleasure amidst the hills, shores, islands and waters of the \vide-spreading Lough Ree.^ When its surface is unruffled by high winds and waves, nothing can be conceived more enjoyable, than a sail to its various haunts of " pleasaunce." Article XII. — St. Molacca of Lifeachar. The name of a holy man called Molacca, of Lifeachar, occurs in the Martyrology of Donegal,^ on this day. At the 7th of January, a nearly similar entry, Moloca Liphechair, is recorded in the Martyrology of Tallagh.^ It seems from the epithet, postfixed to his proper name, that his former place of residence must have been ad- joining some part of the River Liffey. Article XIII. — St. Elither or Ailitri, Abbot. It is entered in the Martyrology of Donegal,' that EHther, abbot, was venerated on this day. In the table appended to this Martyrology his name is Latinized, Elutherius.^ The name of Ailitri occurs in the Martyrology of Tallagh,3 at the 7th of January. In this latter record, he is also styled abbot. 5 Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xi. The Art. xii.— ' Edited by Drs. Todd and Franciscan MS. copy has, at this day, Reeves, p. 8, 9. ■OonriAni 1nfe -Anjin. ^ Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xi. In * See Rev. A. Cogan's "Diocese of Meath, the Franciscan copy the entry is nioiocAe Ancient and Modern," vol. iii., chap. Ixx., l,ipecAi]\. pp. 571, 572. Art. xiii.— ' Edited by Drs. Todd and 7 See " Ordnance Survey Townland Maps Reeves, pp. 8, 9. for the County of Westmeath." Sheet 22. " See ibid., pp. 406, 407. " See Rev. A. Cogan's "Diocese of Meath, 3 Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xi. In Ancient and Modem," vol. ii., chap, xix., the Franciscan MS. copy the enUTr is ^ilici\i p. 527. ^b. ' January 7.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. loi Article XIV. — St. Eimhin or Emin, or Emenus. The soul of the just man is tranquil, and nevertheless it yearns for that rest which cannot be obtained on this side of the grave. In the Martyrology of Donegal/ we find the name Eimhin, simply recorded, at this day. And again we have a plain entry of Emin Sci, which occurs in the published Martyrology of Tallaghj^" on the 7th of January. The name is Latinized Eminus or Emenus. Article XV. — The Daughters of Ferghna. We find merely the entry of Ingen-Fergna, in the published Martyrology of Tallagh,^ on the 7 th of January. 2 In an English rendering, the " Daughters of Feargna " are mentioned in the Martyrology of Donegal,^ as having a feast on this day. From these entries, it has been conjectured,'* that one of these daughters may have been the pious matron Briga, the daughter of Fergna, son to Cobtach, and who warned St. Patrick regarding the plot laid against him by the people, as he approached the confines of Leix.3 This lady belonged to the Hy-Erchon tribe, and on her, on her relations, and on the people of that district, St. Patrick bestowed a special blessing.^ In the Life of the great Irish Apostle,7 this incident is more fully related. Article XVI.-— St. Inna. Within brackets, the etymon [Inna] thus appears in the Martyrology of Donegal,' on this day.^ For whom it is meant, we have no means for determining. Article XVII. — Beginning of the Lent of Jesus, A penitential observance began on this day, in the ancient Irish Church ; and probably it continued for several days afterwards. In the Felire of St. ^ngus, we find : 5. Uli. It). tHAfClAA tticiAm Co ^^015 rnAiv bAtdtpu CoffAcli co|\5 35- Also Bollandus " Acta Sane- == She was mother to the Emperor Henry torum Januarii," tomus i., viii. Januarii, II., sumamed the Pious. See Bollandus, Commentarius Prsevius, p. 533. "Acta Sanctorum Januarii," tomus i., viii. '9 See Mabillon's " Annales Ordinis S. Januarii, n. (c), p. 539. Her son Henry II. Benedicti," tomus i., lib. xvi., sec.xv.,p. 507. was regarded as a great warrior and states- ^° The Breviary of Ratisbon. See a fur- man. See Benevenuti de Rambaldis Liber ther account of this incident in Mabillon's Augustalis. Burcardus Gotthelffius Stru- " Annales Ordinis S. Benedicti," tomus iii., vius' "Rerum Germanicarum Scriptores lib. xlviii., sec. ix., pp. 629, 630. Varii," tomus ii., p. 18. ^' See the account of this vision in Paul's ^3 This holy martyr was assassinated on Life of St. Erard, book ii. , chap. i. , in the the 28th of September, A. D. 938. 124 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 8. companions to the Church of the Lower Monastery, he was present at a solemn Mass, celebrated on the altar of St. Erard. Prostrating himself, with outstretched arms before Ihe altar, while "Alleluia, O Gemma pastoralis lucida," and the sequence, " Salve splendor firmamenti," were in the course of being sung, the patient, in his fervour of soul, applied these words in devotion to St. Erard. From that moment a new vigour seemed to enliven his body, and gradually he recovered the use of his limbs. This miraculous recovery urged him to write a compendious Life of St. Erard for the edifica- tion of his readers, to give glory to God, and to honour his faithful servant. ^4 St. Erard is said to have been canonized by Pope Leo IX., about the year 1052.^5 This celebration took place in the time of Henry III., sur- named the Black, Emperor of Germany, who died in the year 1057.^^ On the occasion of Pope Leo IX. visiting Germany, and staying at Ratisbon, the relics of St. Erard were transferred to a new place of sepulture. It is probable an account of the whole proceeding had been written soon after- wards by Pope Leo IX., in that history contained in the Roman Library, to which Paul alludes.^? This is presumed to have been a Bull issued by the Sovereign Pontiff, in reference to the elevation and translation of St. Wolf- gang's and of St. Erard's relics. ^^ In an old sarcophagus, containing the rehcs of St. Hildulph, and thought to have been fashioned in the twelfth century, St. Erard and St. Hildulph are represented as bearing archiepiscopal palliums.^9 One of the writers^" of Erard's acts, commenting on the deriva- tion of his name, declares, that as God fashioned and elected such an ark of sanctity, so did He place there treasures of honour; and as the noble saint had preserved innocence, during the whole course of his life, he was justly regarded, as chosen solely by and looking constantly on his great Maker. From his earliest years, in the sight of man, he bloomed as a spring flower, breathing fragrance around, owing to his chaste deportment and sincerity of disposition. His prayers were soul-felt and fervent when a child; his obedience and docility at school were grateful to his masters; while he willingly aided his class-fellows, less advanced in ability and knowledge, to overcome the difficulties of study. This happy life-time of youth, Hke the new vine in spring, began to expand its tendrils, to shoot forth its leaves, and to gather its blushing weight of fruit, which ripened at a later season. Among the less accomplished and cultivated of his companions, he was the purple rose growing amid brakes and brambles. In his native Scotia, the odour of his virtues soon became diffused. As he reached the prime of life, holiness increased within him. As life itself declined, his glory shone the more beautiful and gorgeous, like the sun sinking down behind the western waves, leaving a glittering brightness and variety over the myriad billows, surging and chafing on the troubled ocean. Article III. — St. Ergnat, Virgin, of Tamlacht, County of Ar- magh, AND OF Duneane, County OF ANTRIM. \Fifth Century^ We learn ^*' See Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- ^® See " Chronica Australis" sub anno, p, nise," viii. Januarii. Vita S. Erardi, authore 440, " Rerum Germanicamm Scriptores Paulo, lib. ii,, cap. i., ii., pp. 26, 27, and aliquot insignes," tomus i. Editio tertia Conrad's Vita S. Erardi, cap. iii., pp. 31, curante Burcardo Gotthelffio Struvio, 32. ^7 In his Life of St. Erard, lib. i., cap. ii. ^s This Sovereign Pontiff died A.D. 1054. It seems to have included notices of St. See Sigeberti Gemblacensis Coenobitae Hildulph. "Chronographia," p. 599, in Johannes Pis- "^ See "Acta Sanctorum Januarii," tomus torius Nidanus, "Illustrium Veterum Scrip- i,, viii. Januarii, n. (b), p. 536. torum, qui rerum a Germanis per multas ="9 See Mabillon's " Annales Ordinis S. setates Gestarum Historias vel Annales poste« Benedicti," tomus i., lib. xvi., § xv., p. 507. risreliquerunt," tomus i. 30 Conrad de Montepuellarum, chap. i. January 8.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 125 from the Homilies of St. Gregory the Great, as also from some of the early canons of the Irish Church, that as a physician cannot apply his remedy, unless he happens to know the malady of his patient, so cannot sins be healed without confession. Although with our hearts we believe unto justice, with our mouth confession is made unto salvation. It serves to restrain, also, evil temptations, and it represses the force of passion. They who conceal sin cannot be directed ; but persons who with penitent minds confess and relinquish all those sins, entertained or committed, will obtain mercy. ^ This noble lady flourished in the very dawn of Christianity in our island, and about the year of Christ, 460. The places of her veneration are called Clauin-da-en or Dun-da-en, in the Feevah or wood of Dalaradia, and also in the Church of Tamlacht-bo. The parish of Duneane is situated in the diocese of Connor. Its church was an ancient one, standing within Lisnaclosky townland.^ We, find in the Martyrology of Donegal,3 as having a feast on this day, Eargnat, Virgin, of Dun-da-en, in Dal-Araidhe. This holy penitent's acts have been written by Colgan.* Her place is now called Duneane, in the county of Antrim, s There is a St. Herenat, Virgin, of this same locality, entered at the 30th of October. It appears most probable, they are iden- tical ; in which case, this virgin had a double festival in the year. One of the Irish saints introduced to us this day, in the Felire of St. ^ngus, is the present St. Erenait.^ The etymology of Dun-da-en, contracted to Duneane,? has been interpreted to signify " the fort of the two birds." The four towns of Duneane — on one of which the Protestant church stands^ — are surrounded by that part of Lord O'Neill's property, known as " the estate of Feevah."9 From the Irish Apostle's Lives, it would seem, that Ercnata was the daughter of Darius, and that she flourished as a contemporary of St. Patrick. '° Darius, sumamed Derga, was the son of Finchod, son to Eugene, son to Niell." This latter seems to have been the distinguished founder, from whom the family and territory of Hy-Niellain, near Armagh, derived origin. Colgan thinks the charming and celebrated locality, known as Drumsailech'^ belonged to him, and that afterwards it was made over to the great Irish Apostle, St. Patrick, to found the noble city of Armagh, the Ecclesiastical Metropolis of Ireland. Among the noble ladies, who received the veil from St. Patrick, St. Ercnata Art. III. — ' "Collectio Hibemorum Can- ? See "Ordnance Survey Townland Maps onnum," xlviii. 3. of the County of Antrim," sheets 42, 43, ^ See Rev. William Reeves' "Ecclesiasti- 48, 49. cal Antiquities of Down, Connor, and Dro- ^ It measures 54 by 26 feet, and is thought more," p. 86, n. (h), and Appendix DD. pp. to be ancient. See Rev. William Reeves' 300, 301, Calendar LL. p. 376. "Ecclesiastical Antiquities of Down, Con- 3 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. nor, and Dromore," p. 86, n. (h). 10, II. " " See ?(^/i/. Appendix DD., pp. 300, 301. * See " Acta Sanctorum Hibemite," viii. '° See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Januarii. Vita S. Ergnata, pp. 41, 42. Quarta Vita S. Patricii, cap. Ixxxvii., p. 46. Colgan mistakes, however, in assigning Dun- There she is said to rest in Tamlachta-bo. da-en to the diocese and county of Down. Sexta Vita S. Patricii, cap. xcvii., pp. 87, 5 According to William M. Hennessy's 88. Septima Vita S. Patricii, lib. iii., cap. MS. note. Ixxii., pp. 162, 163. * The following rann from the original, " Colgan thinks he must have been Neil- with the English translation, has been fur- Ian, the son " of Fedhlim, son to Fiachrius nished by Professor O'Looney : — Cassan, son of Colla, sumamed Dacrioch, A. ui. IT). ec]'echc ecimoni as mentioned in the "Menologic Genealogy," e-pfcop ecl>A AiixTJAe chap. ix. e-i\cnAiu UA5 Ano^AbA '^ This is a townland name, sometimes nechcAn nAi|\ •oeAbbAe. sounded Drumhillagh, of frequent occurrence A. ui. d. " The death of Ecimon, in some of the Ulster counties, and it means A bishop chaste and noble, " the ridge of sallows." It takes the modem Ercnat chosen to the inheritance spelling Drumsillagh. See Dr. P. W. [of heaven], Joyce's " Origin and History of Irish Names Nectan the noble of Alba." of Places," part i., chap, ii., p. 21 126 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 8. or Ergnata is enumerated. ^3 Her love of God was earnest and sedulous. Her pure-mindedness and observance of charitable and pious works served to single her out from among other pious women, to make and keep in repair, as also to wash, the sacred vestments. These offices accorded with the tastes and zeal of St. Ergnat, while nothing on her part was left undone to promote that splendour and decency becoming the Divine Mysteries. At these she attended Avith rapt devotion. ^4 But her love for sacred music furnished an opportunity to the enemy of her soul to excite a momentary feeling, which soon developed into a strong temptation. Her admiration for the exquisite voice of St. Benignus, who sang sacred music with great pathos, presented a dangerous occasion of sin. Thus, even the holiest mortals may have reason to fear the imguardedness of a spiritual friendship, contracted through the purest motives. But, the Almighty saves from the iDlast of temptation those who fondly love Him, and so was the holy virgin Ergnat rescued from a tempo- ral's and spiritual death, through the instrumentality of St. Patrick'^ and St. Benignus.'? Rendered more cautious by her escape from a great danger, and increasing her labours with sole trust in the sustaining grace of God, she be- wailed with abundance of tears in after-life the frailty of a short time. As a penitent, she afterwards obtained that Divine aid, which caused her perfectly to regard only the love of God and to despise that towards created beings. Her closing years were rendered illustrious by signs and miracles. About the middle of the fifth century she is thought to have flourished ; but the exact year when or place where she died does not appear to have been discovered. She was buried at Tamlachta-Bo.'^ Probably her death took place about the close of the fifth century. Our hagiographers assign two different festivals to honour her. One of these occiirred on the 8th of January, and the other on the 30th of October.'^ The first denotes the day of her natalis ;^° the other feast probably marks some particular event during her life, or a translation of her relics after death. In the Lives of the Saints, nothing engages more our human sympathies than a fall from grace and a subsequent return to its Divine Author ; while our o\vn trembling hopes of salvation are encouraged, when so many feeble mortals have bravely resisted the assaults of Satan and escaped from his wiles. The remote occasions of guilt are to be dreaded, since the fires of deceitftil passion are seldom wholly extinguished. Some- times transforming himself into an angel of light, the devil designs our destruc- tion the more dangerously, because his approaches are insidious. He does not desire to sound the note of alarm, when his unseen snares are dra^vn closely around us. '3 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," seven years of age, when St. Patrick came Quinta Appendix ad Acta S. Patricii, cap. to Ireland, about A.D. 432. The death of xxiii.,p. 269. Colgan refers to a very ancient St. Benignus is entered in the Annals of Irish Life of St. Patrick, lib. iii., cap. vi., Ulster and of the Four Masters at A.D. 467. and the last, for confirmation of this fact, See Dr. O'Donovan's edition of the latter, as likewise to Jocelyn, cap. xcvii. vol. i., pp. 146, 147, and n. (t), ibid. '■* The place where she seems to have lived '^ See Colgan's "Trias Thaumatiu-ga," was at Tamlaght, in the parish of Eglish, Quarta Vita S. Patricii, cap. Ixxxvii., p. 47, west of Armagh City. See " Ordnance Sur- and n. 68, p. 50. Tamlacht, a towiiland in vey Townland Maps of the County of Ar- Eglish, near Armagh, is the modem name magh," sheet 12. of this place. See Rev. William Reeves' "Ec- '5 Her temporal death on this occasion is clesiastical Antiquities of Down, Connor, and stated in St. Patrick's Fourth Life. Joceline Dromore," Appendix DD., n. (h), p. 300. only remarks that she was on her sick-bed, '« See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber- when St. Benignus procured her health of nise,"viii. Januarii. Vita S. ErgnatK, and mind and body. nn. 9, 10, 11, p. 42. '* See his Acts at the 17th of March. ^ See " Kalendarium Drummondiense," '^ See his Acts at the 9th of November. in Bishop Forbes' "Kalendars of Scottish This holy bishop is said to have been only Saints," p. i. January 8.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS, 127 Article IV. — St. Neachtain or Nechtanan, of Dungiven, County OF Londonderry. {Probably the Seventh Century^ The venerable anti- quary,^ who has rendered such services to Irish Hterature, wrote over forty years ago, that no ruin, equal in interest and importance to the Abbey Church of Dungiven, could be found in the county of Londonderry. Nor per- haps in all Ireland is there any ecclesiastical relic, more remarkable for the romantic beauty and fitness of its situation.^ Dungiven Abbey ruins are seated upon a bold and projecting rock, about 200 feet perpendicularly over the River Roe, whence sounds the torrent from its deep channel. It is diffi- cult to imagine anything more singularly wild and striking. The grandeur of the surrounding mountains, and the stillness of the spot, the crowded monu- ments of mortality near, and seclusion from the busy haunts of men, make it a scene which contemplation must love, and which devotion may claim as peculiarly her own.3 Reflections such as these, and a desire for solitude, most probably drew St. Nechtanan to its site many centuries ago.4 He is commemorated in the Martyrology of Tallagh,s on the 8th of January. Most likely he was bom about the beginning of the seventh century. Whether or not he was the founder of the first religious establishment here can hardly now be ascertained, with any great degree of certainty. There is a very obvious mistake of Colgan, when the present saint is classed among the disciples of St. Patrick,^ since more than a century inter- vened between the time of both. However, a Life of St. Benignus, the dis- ciple of the Irish Apostle, and his successor in the See of Armagh, is cited, to prove that he had a contemporary and companion in Nectan.7 We may take it for granted the latter preceded our saint in point of time, and that he must have been quite a different person. The present holy man was probably the first founder of a church here, and he seems to have been taken as the local patron. The Martyrology of Donegal^ enters the festival of St. Nechtain of Dun Geimhim,9 in Cianachta Glinne Geimhin, at this date. This place is now to be found in the barony of Keenaght,^° and it is called Dungiven, a parish in the county of Londonderry." Without the village, the old church and a round tower stood. ^^ This latter fell to the ground in 1784. The Abbey Church at Dungiven^3 is said to have been founded by O'Cathan or O'Kane, a lord of the district, Oireacht-ui-Chathain, about a.d. i 100, for Augus- Art. IV. — ^ George Petrie, Esq., LL.D. 7 Vita S. Benigni, cap. xi. ^ See his article in "The Dublin Penny ^ Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, p. II. Journal" of June 15th, 1833, vol i., No. 51, 9 Dungiven and Glengiven, the Munitio pp. 404, 405, with two interesting wood cuts. Pellium and the Vallis Pellium, now, strange The subjects are, first, the chancel of the to say, belong to the Skinners' Company. Abbey of Dungiven, and secondly, the tomb See Rev. William Reeves Colton's "Visi- of Con-ey-na-gall, in the interior of this tation of the Diocese of Derry, 1397," P- chancel. Both were drawn by A. Nicholl, 41, n. (s). The accompanying engravmg of Esq. The first was engraved by Branston Dungiven Church Ruins, by Mrs. Millard, and Wright, and the second by Clayton. Dublin, is from a drawing by Geo. Du Noyer, 3 See Mason's " Parochial Survey of Ire- preserved among the Ordnance Survey land," vol. i., p. 302. sketches in the Royal Irish Academy. 4 One of the most complete and interesting "See Archdall's "Monasticon Hibemi- descriptions of this place, we have met with, cum," p. 92. is that by the Rev. Alexander Ross, Rector, " See J. B. Doyle's "Tours m Ulster, in WilUam Shaw Mason's " Statistical Ac- chap, xiii., pp. 269 to 273. count or Parochial Survey of Ireland," vol. '^ See representations of both m Samp- i.. No. xiv.— " The parish of Dungiven, dio- son's " Statistical Survey of the County of ceseof Derry, and county of Londonderry," Londonderry," p. 328. pp. 283 to 348. '2 The town of Dungiven and its beautiful s Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xii. surroundings are represented on the "Ord- ^ See " Trias Thaumaturga, " Quinta Ap- nance Survey Townland Maps of London- pendix ad Acta S, Patricii, cap. xxiii,, p. derry County," sheets 24 and 25. 268. 128 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS, [January 8. tinians,'-* There are few remains of the most ancient ecclesiastical buildings at Dungiven knowoi at present to be visible. It seems to be doubtful, whether the present holy man had been bom in Ireland or in Scotland. In a gloss to the Feilire of St. ^ngus, we read, *' anair de Albain," i.e., " from the east, from Alba," apphed to the name of Nechtan. It may be probable, he was born in the latter country, or at least that he came over from it into Ireland. He has been identified with the great saint of Deeside, called Nathalan, in the Breviary of Aberdeen. 'S This holy man is called Nachlan or Naughlan, by the common people.'^ According to the Aberdeen Breviary, he is thought to have been born in the northern parts of the Scoti, in ancient times, and at Tul- licht, within the dio- cese of Aberdeen. He was a man of great sanctity and devotion. After he had come to man's estate, and had been imbued with the liberal arts, Nech- tain devoted himself wholly to Divine c o nte mplation. Though educated as the member of a noble family, when he learned that turn- ing the soil ap- proached nearest to the occupation which favoured holy meditation, he aban- doned all other pur- suits to cultivate fields. Thus he wished" the body to be industriously oc- cupied, so that he might never allow his mind to be overborne in a struggle with dangerous temptations. While he thus waged warfare against the devil and a perishing world, a terrible famine broke out among his neighbours, relations, and friends. Most of the people were nearly lost, owing to hunger and want of food. But the singularly disinterested Nathalan, moved by the highest spirit of charity, distributed all his grain and stores, in the name of Christ, to the poor. At the spring time, no seed was left him, even to sow his lands ; yet, God Ruins at Dungiven, Co. Londonderry. '^ See Harris' Ware. " The Antiquities of Ireland," chap, xxxviii., p. 265. 'S Pars HyemaUs, xxv. (b). '* See Bishop Forbes' " Kalendars of Scottish Saints," pp. 417 to 419. January 8.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 129 wrought a miracle, which produced an abundant harvest. When this time came, however, and when a great multitude of both sexes had been collected to gather in the crop, a tremendous tempest of rain and a whirlwind prevented the husbandmen and women from pursuing their labours. For a moment losing patience, and being excited to anger, along with other reapers, the saint murmured a Httle against God. The tempest soon ceased. But, on second thought, Nathalan, feeling he had offended the Divine Majesty, was induced to bind himself by vow to continue a rigid course of penance. This ended, it is stated, and in a miraculous way, after he had visited the thresholds of the Blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, in the city of Rome. There, too, he sought the monuments of the saints, so thickly placed on every side. Hearing a report of his extraordinary miracles and sanctity, the Supreme Pontiif summoned him into his presence. Notwithstanding the saint's reluct- ance, he was persuaded, at length, to assume the episcopal dignity. If we are to place implicit faith in these accounts, probably either before his going to Rome or after he had left it, the saint visited Ireland, and then he must have founded Dungiven, or at least he spent some time there. But, it must be allowed, we feel at a loss to determine the period. In the practice of Divine contemplation, having rendered himself very acceptable to all at Rome, by permission of the Sovereign Pontiff, as we are informed, Nathalan got permission for returning to that part of Scotia, whence he spnmg. In extreme old age, he visited his natal soil. He then built the churches of Tullicht, Bothelim, and Colle,'7 at his own expense. He also dedicated them to the Almighty, and long aftenvards they existed in those provinces, as monuments of his zeal. The death of St. Nechtain occurred A.d. 677,'^ according to the Annals of the Four Masters, ^9 but we find the rest of Neachtain Neir recorded a.d. 678, in the Annals of Ulster. We meet no less than four different saints of this name recorded in our calendars.*" It would seem that this holy man died in Britain, on the 8th of January,*' after the performance of many won- derful miracles. He is said to have been buried with great reverence at Tul- licht. St. Nachlan is patron of TuUich.** There in after time he often afforded health to the sick, who came to seek it piously and devoutly. At TulHcht a cross of very early type, incised on a rude granite slab, once lay in the parish church. It now forms the top Hntel to one of the doors of the old kirk there.*3 He is also the patron of Balthelney, or rather Bothelney.** now Meldrum. Owing to the fervour of his prayers, Nathelan is said to have averted a raging pestilence from this place. *s At the old kirk here, about three miles from the town of Old Meldrum, is Naughlan's Well. At Collie '7 Now Cowl. The church there was de- Saints," p. i. dicated to St. Nachlan. See "View of the *^ See "View of the Diocese of Aber- Diocese of Aberdeen," p. 633. " Collec- deen," p. 639. See " Collections for a His- tions for a History of the Shires of Aberdeen tory of the Shires of Aberdeen and Banff." and Banff." =^3 See Bishop Forbes' " Kalendars of '^ See Rev. William Reeves' Colton's Scottish Saints," p. 419. "Visitation of Derry," p. 41, n. (s.) ^'t That is "the dwelling of St. Nethalenor '9 See Dr. O'Donovan's Edition, pp. 284 St. Nachlan, " the tutelar. See " Collections to 287, n. (q), ibid, for a History of the Shires of Aberdeen and *° One at 22nd of April — erroneously as- Banff. " ' ' View of the Diocese of Aber- signed by Colgan's printer to the nth; — deen," p. 558. another at the 2nd of May — St. Patrick's ^5 Long after this tradition, and when the disciple ;— St. Neachtain, a virgin, at the saint's name was even forgotten, the pa- 22nd of November, besides the present saint. rishioners kept the 8th of January as a feast, "See Kalendarium Drummondiense, in on which they did no work. " Origines Paro- Bishop Forbes' "Kalendars of Scottish chiales Scotiae," vol. i., Preface, p. xxii. n. Vol. I. — No. 3. k I30 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 8. or Cowle, his name is rhymed among the fishermen,^^ and in the parish of Kildalton, in Islay, we find Kilnaughtan.^? By the labour of his hands, hke the Apostle St. Paul, this holy man Avrought humbly to purify and make more perfect his good dispositions. Idleness is a very prevailing vice in our corrupt age, and society is greatly poisoned owing to its fatal indulgence. Were the energies of men's minds and bodies more righteously exercised, comparative innocence must have more abounded in the world ; for industrious pursuits, reasonably regulated, foster vigorous thoughts, and are even conducive to our corporal health. Article V. — St. Cocca, Cucca, Cuach or Cuaca, Virgin and Patroness of Kilcock Parish, County of Kildare. The name of Cuaca, Virgin, is mentioned in the Martyrology of Tallagh,^ on the 8th of January. In addition to this notice, we are further informed regarding the exact locality, which appears to have been named after her. Cuach, Virgin, of Cill-Cuaiche — said to have been in Cairbre-na-Ciardha — occurs in the Martyrology of Donegal,^ on this day. The district last named is said to have been included Avithin the modem barony of Carbury, in the north-west of Kildare County.3 But to include Kilcock,-* it must have ex- tended into the baronies of Ikeathy and Oughterany, in the same county. The ancient church or religious house, dedicated to St. Cocha, must have given name to this place, which is situated on a stream, called the Rye Water, here forming the boundary of the county of Kildare,5 and separating it from the county of Meath. But the chief festival of St. Cuach, Cuaca or Cocca, Patroness of Kilcock,^ seems to have been commemorated on the 6th of June, when further notice shall be given, regarding this holy \'irgin and her locality. Article VI. — St. Moshacra, Son of Bennan. Moshacra, Mac Bennain, is met with in the Martyrology of Tallagh,' at the 8th of January. He is mentioned more fully elsewhere ; for we read, that on this day, according to the Martyrology of Donegal,^ was venerated, Moshacra, son of Bennan. The Cain of Adamnan3 states, that he was among the guarantees Abbot Adamnan obtained to free women from every servitude and slavery under which they laboured. It happens, however, that there is another Moshacra, p "* " Atween the kirk and kirk ford, Kilcoke,' which I presume can refer only There lies St. Nauchlan's hoard. " to your church. This does not however ^ " Origines Parochiales Scotise," vol. i., exclude in any way the joint commemoration part ii., p. 269, of any other saints. " The letter of Father Art. v. — 'Edited by the Rev. Dr. Kelly, Geoghegan is dated December nth, 1873. p. xii. In the Franciscan copy we can read s See Lewis' "Topographical Dictionary of Cucca t^1^^. Ireland," vol. ii., p. 62. "Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, p. 11. ^ It would appear, as already stated, that 3 The family name O'Ciardha is now An- in the seventeenth century, owing to forget- glicized Keary and Carey. See O'Donovan's fulness or disuse, the memory of this early "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. ii., n. Patroness died out in her place, and that (y), p. 670. St. Gall was afterwards adopted as Patron * The following is a notice, obligingly at Kilcock. furnished by the Rev. Thomas Geoghegan, Art. VI. — ' Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, P.P. of Kilcock, with an extract from a p. xii. letter addressed to him by the Rt. Rev. ' Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. Dr. Moran, Bishop of Ossory. " In an old 10, II. list of the churches of Kildare, drawn up at 3 in a note Dr. Todd says at these words, the time of Colgan, there is the following Cain of Adamnan, i.e., the "Law of Adam- entry under the head of the Deanery of nan." See Reeves' Adamnan's "Life of Clane: ' Ecclesia Parochialis S. Galli de Columba," App. to Pref., pp. 1., Ii. January 8.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS, 131 Abbot of Cluain-eidhneach, He is venerated at the 3rd of March. It is not clearly understood, which of them is spoken of in the Cain, as we cannot find the years of their deaths recorded in our books of Annals. Article VII. — St. Saran, of Cuil-creamha. Saran, of Cuil-cremha, is recorded in the Martyrology of Donegal/ on this day. Nor is his name omitted in the Martyrology of Tallagh,^ which has a similar entry, on the 8th of January. The time and place of this saint do not appear to have been determined. Article VIII. — St. Molibba, Bishop of Glendalough, County of WicKLOw. [Seiienth Century^ St. Libba,' better known, however, with the Irish prefix Mo^ which signifies My'^ — as applied by our ancestors to a person for whom great love or reverence had been entertained — was born of re- spectable parentage.3 His father's name was Colmad'* or Colraan, as he is differently named ;5 his extraction had been derived from the family of Messin-corb, that ruled over a district of country within bounds of the Leinster province. His mother was named Coeltigerna, the daughter of Coemlog, and she was descended also from the Messin-corb family, accord- ing to one account.^ Yet this statement regarding the saint's parents is contradicted by another : his father being called Arad of Dalaradia, and his mother Coemoca, the sister of St. Kevin.7 Here there would seem to have been some ambiguity in naming the present saint's mother. However, besides a sister named Arbhinnia or Coemola, Coeltigerna had three distinguished saints, who classed as brothers ; namely, Saints Kevin,^ Abbot of Glenda- lough,9 Mochemius, othenvise called Natchchaoimhe, Abbot of Tirdaglass," and Coeman, Abbot of Annatrim, Queen's County." In addition to our saint, his parents had three other sons. All of these were distinguished for their sanctity: and they were named respectively, St. Dagan," Bishop of Achad- Dagan, or Inverdaoile,^^ St. Menocus, or Enanus^^ of Glennfaidhle,'s and St. Mobaius, whom it appears difficult to identify with any known saint of this name, to be found in our calendars. St. Molibba is said to have flourished during the early part of the seventh century, and most probably he spent Art. VII. — 'Edited by Drs. Todd and ^ See his Life at the 3rd of June. Reeves, pp. 10, 11. 9 " Glendalough was an ancient episcopal ' Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xii. see, and a well-inhabited city, till about Art. VIII. — ' The Calendar of Cashel 1214, when the see was annexed to the applies this name to him. diocese of Dublin, and the city, memorable ^ His name is found Latinized Molibbeus. for its religious edifices, not only suffered 3 See Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- decay, but insensibly became a receptacle for nice," viii. Januarii. Vita S. Molibbte, and outlaws and robbers." Eraser's "Statistical nn. I, 2, p. 43. Siu-vey of the Coimty of Wicklow." Part ^ St. ^ngus and the Martyrology of Tal- i., sec. 7, p. 36. lagh have Colmad. Again, under the head '° See his Acts at the ist of May. of Glenn-da-locha, Duald Mac Firbis enters '' See his Life at the 3rd of November. Molioba, son of Colmadh, from Glenn-da- " See his Life at the 13th of September, locha, at January the 8th. See " Proceed- '3 gee Joseph Nolan's " History and An- ings of the Royal Irish Academy," Irish tiquities of Glendalough," cap. iii., p. 20. MSS. series, vol. i., part i. , pp. 112, 113. The author, with many other writers, sup- 5 In the Genealogy of St. Dagan, he is poses it to be in the county of Wexford. It called Colman. "Menologic Genealogy," is, however, the present Ennereilly on the cap. XX. south-eastern coast of the county of Wick- ^ See Colgan's ' ' Acta Sanctorum Hiber- low. nise," viii. Januarii. Vita S. Molibbse, p. '^His feast occurs at the 29th of Decem- 43. ber. ^ In the tract of St. .^Engus, " On the 'S Now Glenealy, in the county of Wick- Mothers of the Irish Saints." low. 132 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 8. some time under the direction of his holy uncle St, Kevin, at Glendalough. There, even at the present day, may be seen a great number of ecclesiastical of which in all likelihood date back to the sixth or seventh rums, some Old Archway and Round Tower, Glendalough. century.'* Their situation, in reference to each separate cell or church, is one of curious interest to the explorer of past history.'^ After the death of his uncle, St. Kevin, which took place in the year 6i8, or 622, according to Usher, *^ our saint is believed to have succeeded him in the see of Glenda- lough. Such is the statement of Colgan ; but Dr. Lanigan seems inclined to think, that Molibba was the first bishop over this see, '9 St. Kevin having only been an abbot. Molibba ruled over his charge with great prudence and virtue,'" and he departed this life — or at least he is honoured — on the 8th day of January. We are not told the exact year of his death, by Colgan. He intended, perhaps, to state this in notes, which he designed appending to his short notice regarding this saint. These comments, numbering fourteen or fifteen, were lost through ac- cident ;=' yet, it would appear, Colgan had hopes of recovering them, since he directs the reader's attention to addenda, at the close of his work. The omitted notes are not to be found there, however ; and most certainly they '* The annexed engraving by Mrs. Millard is from a photograph taken by Frederick W. Mares, of Dublin. '' See ' ' Ordnance Survey Townland Maps of the County of Wicklow," sheet 23. '^See Usher's "Index Chronologicus, " p. 537, and ** Britannicarura Ecclesiarum Antiquitates," cap. xvii., p. 495. '9 See " Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. ii., c. xiv., § xvi., p. 364, and n. 228, p. 366. *> Harris says, that "Molibba, being con- secrated a bishop, succeeded his uncle St. Kevin in the see of Glendaloch, A.D. 612, six years before St. Kevin's death." Harris' Ware, vol. i., "Bishops of Ireland," p. 373. Yet Harris gives us no authority for this statement. "See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber- nise," viii. Januarii, p. 43, n. 4, and perhaps January 8.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 133 must be regarded as important, in elucidating some particulars, relating to ovu: saint's meagre biography. ="2 Elsewhere, we shall have occasion to record the acts of his sainted relations. We read in the Martyrology of Donegal,^3 that Molibha, of Glenn-da-locha, bishop, had a festival on this day. This saint is entered likewise in the Martyrology of Tallagh,^^ on the 8th of Januar}', under the designation of Molibha Mac Colmadha. Frequently hereafter, we shall have an opportunity to introduce notices of saints con- nected with the ruined city of Glendalough. Article IX. — St. Finan, Son of Rimhidh, Bishop. {Seventh Century.'] Finan is recorded in the published Martyrology of Tallagh,' on the 8th of January. There he is distinguished as belonging to the episcopal order.* On this day is mentioned, also, in the Martyrology of Donegal,3 Finan, son of Rimhidh, bishop. In a.d. 659, according to the Annals of Ulster and of the Four Masters, he departed to everlasting life.^ Colgan has classed him among the disciples of St. Columba, at lona ;5 but it is not probable he lived there under the great archimandrite.^ His Acts seem more properly referable to the succeeding day, when they are given. Article X. — St. Dagain of Glinn-da-locha, County of Wicklow. \Posstbly in the Seventh Century.] Unless this saint be St. Dagan of Enne- reilly, in the barony of Arklow, and county of Wicklow, it would seem to be a difficult matter to determine the time of his connexion with Glendalough. If an identity could be estabhshed, he was nephew to St. Kevin. The name Dagain of Glinn-da-locha occurs in the Martyrology of Tallagh,' at the 8th of January. In the supposition of his being the patron saint of Ennereilly — a matter by no means certain — two other festivals were assigned him : one feast at the 12th of March, and the other at the 13th of September,' when he died A.D. 639.3 Article XL — St. Cillein, Abbot. The happy death of the just man opens to him the light of Heaven, when that of earth fades from his view. 5. Errors of the press are of frequent oc- ' After fifteen entries of foreign saints, currence throughout this great work on at this date, in the Franciscan copy of the Irish Hagiology. Tallagh Martyrology, the first notice of an " There were two other saints bearing this Irish saint is -pin Am epi. Besides three name, Molibba, in the Irish calendar. One legible there are five other entries ; but too of these was venerated at Enach-elte, in much effaced to be decipherable. Ulster, on the i8th of February, at which 3 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, p. II. day his Acts may be seen. The other was •♦ See O'Donovan's Edition, pp. 268 to celebrated at a place called Gortchirb, 271, and n. (q) iMd. where his festival was kept on the 5th of s See "Trias Thaumaturga." Quarta August. Appendix ad Acta S. Columbse, cap. x., p. =3 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, p. 490. r I. A commentator adds in the table his * Colgan remarks that St. Finan, son of opinion of this Saint Mo-Liobha being Rimid, was otherwise called " Finanus Sax- Livinus, while this word is a diminutive onicus." See "Acta Sanctorum Hiber- from Livius. See Hid. pp. 452, 453. See nise," ix. Januarii. Appendix ad Acta S. Duffus Hardy's "Descriptive Catalogue of Finani, cap. i, p. 46. Materials relating to the History of Great Art. X. — ' Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. Britain and Ireland," vol. i., part i., p. xii, 254. " See his Life at this date. »* Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xii. 3 See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Art. IX. — ' Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. Four Masters," vol. i., pp. 256, 257, and n, xii. (d) Md. 134 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 9. So must it Have been when Cillein, abbot, recorded in the Martyrology of Donegal,' departed this Hfe. To-day his festival was celebrated, and this seems established from a similar entry occurring in the Martyrology of Tallagh,^ at the 8th of January. His period or locality has not been deter- mined. ^uttft I3ap of Sanuarp* ARTICLE I.— ST. FOILAN, FELAN, OR FILLAN, ABBOT, IN SCOTLAND. {SEVENTH AND EIGHTH CEN7URIES.\ CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION — NAME AND PARENTAGE OF ST. FOILAN — HIS BIOGRAPHIES— NARRA- TIVES REGARDING HIS BIRTH, BAPTISM, AND EARLY EDUCATION— HIS RELIGIOUS LIFE UNDER THE THE ABBOT MUNDUS. THE people of Scotland, as well as those of Ireland, have an ecclesias- tical and a civil history, of which they may justly feel proud. This might be allowed, although episodes in the course of narrative are often clouded and infelicitous. A saint, connected with so great a military event as the victory at Bannockbum — attributed to his intercession — must excite an interest, beyond that occasioned by narrating the facts of his Hfe. Through the virtues and miracles of this holy abbot, Hibemia and Albania acquired new glories. Ireland and Scotland combine most interesting historic asso- ciations. The " Land of brown heath and shaggy wood, Land of the mountain and the flood,'" has received no inconsiderable amount of Christian blessings and missionary benefit from the Major and older Scotia. This holy missionar/s name is variously spelt, according to the different authorities cited by Bishop Forbes.^ It is found ^^Titten Felanus,3 Foelanus,* Faelan,5 Foilanus,^ Fillanus, Filanus,? Filane,^Phillane,9Fulanus.'° Foilan or Faolan is the more Irish mode of wTiting this saint's name." In Scotland he Art. XI.—' Edited by Drs. Todd and Donegal, as hkewise St. ^ngus. Reeves. See pp. 10, 11. *Colgan. ' Edited by Rev, Dr. Kelly, p. xii. In "> Camerarius " De Statu Hominis veteris the Franciscan copy we can decipher simul ac Novae Ecclesiae et Sanctis Regni CitLeAn. . . . The latter addition is nearly Scotise," lib. i., cap. iii., § 2, pp. 120 to 122, altogether obliterated. and Dempster, " Historia Ecclesiastica Article i.— Chap, r.— ' Sir Walter Gentis Scotorum." Scott's " Lay of the Last Minstrel," Canto « King, vi., § ii. 9 The Retours of the seventeenth century. » See "Kalendars of Scottish Saints," p. '"Some Charters. 342. " In the Irish language our saint is called, 3 The " Breviary of Aberdeen" and the by a transmutation of the diphthong, at one " Kalendarium Drummondiense." time, Faolan, again Faelan, and also Foelan. *The "Sanctorale" of the Aberdeen Hence, in Latin, he may be called Failanus, Breviary. and more correctly still, Foelanus. See 5 The Martyrologies of Tallagh and of Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hibemiae, " ix. January 9.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 135 is known more generally as Fillan, and there likewise his memory is greatly held in regard. The most detailed narrative of his Acts we can find is that contained in the Breviary of Aberdeen, and in additions to it by Camerarius, Dempster, Colgan and Bishop Forbes." The Bollandists'3 and Rev. Alban Butler^4 in- sert, likewise, some short notices of St. Filan, Felan or Foelan, abbot in Scotland. The father of our saint was named Feradach,^s Colgan supposes him to have been a prince in the Ulster province, or of some place adjoining. At least, he belonged to the family of Fiatach Finn."^^ His mother was St. Kentigema, whose acts and origin have been already treated, at the 7th day of this month. Their son, who has acquired such celebrity in Scotland, was a native of Ireland. In this island he was bom, probably towards the close of the seventh century. '7 The Breviary of Aberdeen recounts a curious story, regarding the saint's earliest infancy. But, we may well question the truth of a prodigy, which is found related in the Chronicle of Paisley, ^^ and afterwards by Camerarius. '9 His father, as the legend tells us, considering his child to be a monster, had ordered him to be thrown into a neighbouring lake. There he remained for a whole year, during which time he was sustained by angels. Through a Divine revelation, Foelan was found by a holy bishop, named Ybarus or Ibar, while the infant was playing with these ministers of God, Lifting the child carefully from the lake, Ibar took charge of Foelan's maintenance and instruction in the knowledge of holy things. Where this lake was situated does not appear from the narrative. Foillan was baptized by this holy man Ibar. He could not have been St. Ibar, who, according to some accounts, flourished in Ireland, before the ar- rival of St. Patrick, in the fifth century, ^° and who, according to other state- ments, died A.D. 500.^' Equally futile is the conjecture of Colgan, that he might have been St. lomhar or Imar Ua h-Aedhagain or O'Hagan,^^ who lived in the eleventh century. Yet, the context of our saint's acts seems to favour a supposition, that all we have hitherto described took place in Ireland, where likewise he made a religious profession, under the direction of another holy instructor, called Mundus. When the saint grew up, he was transferred from the care of Ibar, and he was given in charge to this good abbot, named Mundus. ^3 Under their joint Januarii. Vita S. Foilani, n. 3, p. 50. Januarii, n. i., p. 49. " See "Kalendars of Scottish Saints," pp. '^ See Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- 34110346, nise," ix. Januarii. Vita S. Foilani, cap. iv,, •3 In seven paragraphs. See "Acta v,, p, 49, Sanctorum Januarii," tomus i., ix, Januarii, '^See " De Statu hominis Veteris simul Vita S. Filani seu Felani, pp. 594, 595. ac Nov£e Ecclesiae," &c., lib, i., cap. iii,, § "*See "Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs, 2, pp. 120, 121, and other Principal Saints," vol, i,, ix. ^^ This appears, it is said, from the Life January, of St, Kieran of Saigir (cap, 7), from the 'S Camerarius has the false reading, Life of St. Declan (cap. 12 and 23), and Feriath. Perhaps he meant Feredachius, from the Life of St. Brigid, by St, Ultan of the family of Fiatach Finn. See " De (cap, 22), Statu hominis Veteris simul ac Novae Ec- ^' See Dr, O'Donovan's ' ' Annals of the clesise," &c,, lib, i,, cap. iii., § 2, p. 120, Four Masters," vol. i,, pp, 162, 163. The recte. Acts of this saint are given ^at the 23rd of '^ Thus his race was Ultonian. April, '7 This may be collected from the facts of ^- See notices of him at^the 13th of August, his mother's death, A,D, 728, and of his However, it must be allowed, Colgan thinks grandfather's, which occurred A,D. 713, the baptizer of St, Foillan should be dis- Wherefore, Camerarius falls into an error, tinguishable from both those just mentioned, when stating this saint died A, D, 649, See '-"^ Bishop Forbes seems to consider him as Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hibemiae," ix, identical with St. Mun, or Fintan Munnu 136 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 9. direction, St. Foilan made great spiritual progress. A conjecture has been offered, that St, Mundus was brother to St. Foilan. The disciple's fame for extraordinary sanctity was not only known to his brethren in the monastery, but it was soon diffused over all the country. Having received the monastic rule and habit from Abbot Mundus, desiring to indulge more in heavenly contemplation, our saint built a cell near the monastery. '"'^ On a certain oc- casion, when supper was ready in the refectory, a little messenger was des- patched to announce this news to Foilan. Peeping through a chink in the cell, the servant was surprised to see the blessed monk writing in the dark, while his left hand afforded a clear light to his right hand. This he told to the monastic brethren. Foelan had a supernatural knowledge regarding this secret information ; and, by Divine permission, an accident happened to the servant. Although displeased respecting the servant's want of secrecy, yet Foilan was afterwards moved with compassion, and he restored the use of that sight which the messenger had lost.^s A great deal of doubt prevails with regard to the St. Mundus, who was the master of our saint. In one passage, Colgan seems to regard them both as the sons of Feredach.^* But again, he inclines to an opinion, that the baptizer must have been St. Fintan Munnu, and the son of Tulchan.'? Camerarius more widely errs against chronology, when he makes this St. Mundus,'^ an abbot in the territory of Argyle, in Scotland, and who died a.d. 962. ="9 In this latter case, it is easy to understand, that St. Foilan could not have been his disciple, much less, that he could have succeeded Mundus3° as the ruler of a monastery. A Scottish authors' says Fillan was brought up in virtue and literature, in the Monastery of Pittenweem,3^ and that a short time before his death he retired to the solitary desert of Tyrus. venerated on the 21st of October, at Kil- mund, and Dissert, and Teach Munnu, now Taghmon, county of Wexford. See "Ka- lendars of Scottish Saints," pp. 344, 415, 416. *♦ According to the Rev. Alban Butler, this was not far from St. Andrew's in Scot- land. See " Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs, and other Principal Saints," vol. i., ix. January. 'S " Breviary of Aberdeen." '* There was a Mundus, son to Feradach, of the Dalfiatach family in Ulster, according to the " Menologic Genealogy, " chap. xix. Colgan says he considers there is no reason to object to this person being master of St. Foilan. On the contrary, he thinks it highly probable ; and for a reason, that both the latter Mundus and our saint, were sons to this same Feradach. Consequently they were brothers. Feradach was also father of those holy virgins, whose Natalis is cele- brated on the 23rd of March, according to the Martyrologists. See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hibemiae," ix. Januarii, n. 8, p. 50. Then is celebrated the feast of the Daughters of Feradach. "7 A St. Mundus son to Tulchan, and a man of renowned sanctity, flourished in Ire- land, about A.D. 626. He died in the year 634, according to our Annals. He is said to have presided over a holy community of 234 disciples. The Martyrology of Tallagh, at the 2 1st October, enumerates two or three Foilans amongst them, when expressing their individual names. However, the time in which this St. Mundus flourished hardly admits of supposition, that our saint could have been his disciple. St. Kentigema, mother to this saint, and who died in the year 728, must have lived to a very gieat age, if her son Foilan were a disciple to this St. Mundus, who died in the year 634. '^Camerarius places the death of St. Foilan or Fillan at a.d. 649. See "De Statu hominis Veteris simul ac Novae Eccle- siae," &c., lib. i., cap. iii., § 2, p. 122, and pp. 181, 182. ''Dempster has the same statement in " Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Scotorum," lib. xii. num. 854. 3° Camerarius says he erected many mona- steries in Albania or Scotland. His feast is assigned to the 15th of April. See " De Statu hominis Veteris simul ac Novae Eccle- sia:," &c., lib. i., cap. iii., § 2, pp. 181, 182. 3> See McKenzie's " Lives of the Scottish Writers," vol. i., p. 272. 3* There is a description and a copper- plate engraving of the mediaeval Pittenweem Priory in Grose's "Antiquitiesof Scotland," vol. ii., pp. 282, 283. January 9.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 137 CHAPTER II. ST. FOELAN SUCCEEDS ST. MUNDUS AS ABBOT — SAID TO HAVE VISITED HIS UNCLE ST. CONGAN — RETIREMENT AT GLENDORCHY — HIS CONNEXION WITH SCOTLAND. When the blessed father Mundus died, by unanimous consent of the brethren, ' the holy monk Faolan, although reluctant, was elected abbot over the monastery. This he governed wisely, for his virtues and good example instructed his brethren in all holiness, chastity, and humility. Those who believed in Christ, he regarded as true and special friends. He exercised hospitality, through love for God and in the noblest spirit of charity. After his baptism, and probably during the early stages of youth, St. Kentigerna was careful to rear her offspring in the most tender sentiments of piety. ^ It is said she had a brother, named Comgan or Congan,^ who, ^vith his sister and her sons, emigrated to Scotland. There he took up his residence, at Loughelch, in Northern Erchadia or Argyle. Here it is thought all lived together for a time. 3 Again, we are informed, that in obedience to an angelic message,'* St. Foelan went to his uncle, St. Congan, living at a place called Sirach or Siracht, in the upper parts of Glendeochquhy, or Glendorche. Whether this place was in Ireland or in Scotland has been disputed. But, it must be allowed, there are accounts in the acts of this saint which have been confused, very probably owing to the ignorance of those early waiters who have treated about him and his relatives. While Camerarius calls the place of our saint's retirement Sira, not far from Glendorchy, this latter district he localizes in Fife, and he associates St. Fillan with Pittenweem. Again the place is called Sirach. s On the other hand, Colgan has Cerete, the desert of Sirach, at Glendorche, formerly a forest, on the confines of the counties of Tyrone and Fermanagh, in the Ulster province.^ Wherever this spot may have been situated, we are told the site for a basilica had been Divinely pointed out to him, with his seven serving clerics.7 There he was given altogether to prayer, contemplation, and exercises of penance. It would not be easy to account for the great veneration in which St. Faolan was held throughout Scotland, unless he lived for a considerable time in that country. As we know his mother Kentigerna chose it for a place of residence, and, as it is stated, other relations were there domiciled, every motive urges us to believe the present saint selected Cale- donia as a theatre for his missionary labours. While at Glendorchy, St. Foelan, with his little dog, drove away a ferocious Chap. II. — ' See Colgan's "Acta Sane- bourhood of Pittenweem, with his store of torum Hibemise," ix. Januarii, Vita S. cheap hterature, influenced the boy with a Foilani, cap. i., ii., iii., p. 49. strong desire to learn the bookselhng busi- * See notices regarding him at the 13th ness. See "Archibald Constable and his of October. Literary Correspondents," a Memorial by 3 See Bishop Forbes' "Kalendars of Scot- his son Thomas Constable, vol. i. tish Saints," p. 310. ' He tells us, that there was a large wood * " Breviary of Aberdeen." known by this name, on the confines of these sSee Bishop Challoner's "Britannia counties. From the etymology of this word, Sancta," part i., p. 20. At Cambee, in the he interprets it as the "dark" or "shady neighbourhood of Pittenweem, the celebrated valley. " See " Acta Sanctorum Hibemise, " Scottish publisher, Archibald Constable, ix. Januarii, n. 9, p. 50. was bom, a.d. 1774. The arrival of an ^ " Breviary of Aberdeen;" itinerant Edinburgh stationer in the neigh* 138 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 9. boar that had devastated this district. He also converted many of the people there from the errors of Gentilism. While building the basilica at Glendorchy, wains and oxen were used to draw materials. A miraculous occurrence is related, which enabled the saint to prosecute his good work without inter- ruption.^ It must be observed, however, that a certain St. Faolan, surnamed " the Stammerer," is stated to have belonged to Rath-Erran, in Alba, and also to Cill-Fhaelain,9 in Laoighs, of Leinster.^° Now, it seems just possible, he was really the saint so greatly venerated in Scotland, and to whom so many churches and places have been dedicated. He is also said to have been a leper." Yet, the authority of Bishop Forbes determines the proba- bility of greater celebrity to St. Faolan or Fillan, whose feast is celebrated on this day." For the most part, Scottish historians^3 endeavour to claim this saint as a native of Scotland. This pretension, however, cannot fairly be allowed.^* This Colgan attempts to show, but in the effort he seems to admit very inappropriate chronologies. But, it would seem he rather quoted popularly national names to prove the force of historic tradition, in favour of his arguments. First, St. Foelan's mother was Kentigerna, daughter to a king of Leinster, as already appears from the life of this holy widow, 's and from an ac- count, found in Scottish documents, cited by Camerarius himself Secondly, he was baptized by St. Ibar, who was an Irishman. This Colgan promised to show, in his notes to the acts of St. Ibar, bishop, at the 23rd of April. Thirdly, our saint was a disciple of St. Mundus, who he assumes not to have been a Scottish, but an Irish saint. This would appear, from Colgan's note to the present Acts, as also from a Life of St. Mundus and corresponding notes, which it was intended to publish at the 21st of October. Fourthly, because the natalis of our saint was observed in Ireland on the same day as in Scotland, viz., on the 9th of January, at Cluain Moescna, in the region of Feratulach, according to St. -^ngus, to Marianus O'Gorman, the Commentator on .^ngus, the Martyrology of Tallagh and Cashel, at the same day. While, therefore, St. Foilan is venerated in Scotland, because he reposed there, he is also reverenced in Ireland, because he was a native and an abbot belong- ing to our country. Fifthly, the natalis of our saint's sisters, who are called daughters to Feradach, is observed in Ireland, on the 23rd of March. This must appear, from what has been previously observed, and from notes to St. Kentigerna's Life, published at the 7th of January. And lastly, Foelan is expressly numbered among our Irish saints, at the 9th of January, by the Martyrologies of Tallagh, and of Cashel, as also by the Commentator on ^ngus.^^ Thus, while Ireland is honoured by his birth, education, and training, Scotland deserves a participation in the honour acquired, owing to his missionary career, his death there occurring, while his tomb and relics 8 "Breviary of Aberdeen." ing and leprosy might be monstrosities, 9 Now Kilwhelan, an old and venerated, referable to St. Faolan, who is venerated on but long disused, graveyard, near the slope the 20th of June. of the White Mountain, on the Cullinagh '^ See "Kalendars of Scottish Saints," range, in the Queen's County. p. 344. *" His feast is observed on the 20th of '-^ Such as Camerarius and Dempster. June, where some notices of him will be '* Chatelain confounds the present St. found. Foelan with St. Finan of Lindisfarne, pro- " The '* Breviary of Aberdeen" relates of bably because their festivals occur on the St. Faelan, venerated at this day, that it had same day. been prophesied of him, he should be born 'S At the 7th of January, with a stone in his mouth, and his being '* See " Acta Sanctorum Hibemiae," ix. considered by his father as a monster, may Januarii, n. 2, p. 50. explain why the natural defects of stammer- January 9.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 139 had been preserved, with so many great benefits conferred on his adopted country. St. Foelan seems to have laboured at missionary work in Scotland. Bishop Forbes tells us, that the chief scene of his labours was in the parishes of Glendochart and Killen, in the uplands of Perthshire. There a river and strath are called after him. The saint's cave is yet shown at Pittenweem,'^ in Fifeshire. This seems to indicate his close connexion with the locaHty.'^ There is a place of worship dedicated to him at the chapel-yard, parish of Largs. '9 In Wigtown there is a Kilphillane.^° In the parish of Largs, and in the lands of Skelmorlie or Cunningham, are the lands of St. Fillan's Well.*^ There was a chapel of St. Phillane, within the castle of Down, and another chapel of St. Phillane, without the same fortress, on the banks of the Teith.^^ St. Philan is said to have had a monastery, dedicated to him, in Knapdale, where St. Cathaldus was educated.^3 There is a Killellan — a corruption of Kill-Fillan — near Lochalsh, formerly in Northern Argyle, now Ross-shire,^* where our saint is said to have built a church in honour of his uncle, St. Congan.^s Srowan has a fair called Feile Fhaolain. There is a parish, called Killallan or Killellan — a corruption of Kill-Fillan — in Renfrewshire, Scotland.*^ Near the kirk there is a large stone, with a hollow in the middle. This is called St. Fillan's Seat ; and a little distant from it, there is a spring called Fillan's Well.^7 At the close of the last century, a local minister had it filled up, to prevent devotions there practised. Here there is a fair in the month of January. The time for holding it is called indiffe- rently, Fillan's Day, or Fillan's Fair.^^ The "Kalendarium Drummondiense" states that Felan departed to Christ, in Ireland, on the 9th of January. At the same day, his feast occurs in the " Kalendarium de Culenros," in the " Kalendarium de Arbuthnott," in the " Kalendarium Breviarii Aberdonensis," in Adam King's Kalendar, in Dempster's " Menologium Scoticum," as also in the Scottish entries in the " Kalendar of David Camerarius."^? Dempster tells us, that his natalis was particularly observed at Lough Levin, and he is called Abbot in Argyle. From some of the foregoing authorities we learn, also, that his office was contained in Nine Lessons.s*' '7 In a note to the Rev. Alban Butler's *3 Dempster's " Historia Ecclesiastica Gen- account of this samt, his place is called tis Scotoram," vol. i., lib. iii., p. 163. Pettinuine, where his memory was greatly *♦ See " Origines Parochiales Scotise," revered, before the beginning of the seven- vol. ii., p. 395. teenth century. The county of Fife was ^s See Bishop Forbes •* Kalendars of celebrated for its many fine religious estab- Scottish Saints," pp. 310, 344 to 346. lishments, which the fanatics of the previous Bishop Forbes adds, ' ' at the present day, century demolished, crying, "Pull down, Kilkoan and Killellan, the churches of Con- pull down. The crow's nest must be utterly gan and Fillan, bear testimony to the truth exterminated, lest they should return, and of the legend." attempt again to renew their settlement. " ^ See Rev. Wm. Reeves' Adamnan's Such is the statement in " MS. Memoirs on " Life of St. Columba," p. Ixxiv. the Scottish Saints," formerly preserved in ^7 Bishop Forbes' " Kalendars of Scottish the Scots' College, Paris, fol. 7. The author Saints, " p. 468. was a missionary priest in Scotland, in 1609. ^* " Statistical Account of Scotland," vol. '* St. Phillan's is the alternative name of i., p. 316. This, the oldest work on the the parish of Forgan in Fifeshire, although subject, was printed in Edinburgh, A.D. the church had a subsequent dedication to 1 791 to 1799. St. Andrew, as we see by a confirmation of "^ Here it is stated, that St. Felan, Abbot Pope Adrian IV. , given in the " Registrum of Strathfillane, from the earliest years, Prioratus S. Andree," p. 51. practised such rigid bodily discipline, that 19 "Origines Parochiales Scotise," vol. i., in after-time he was an example of how p. 89. sensuality and vice might be restrained. ^° Retours, Wigtown, 37. *> Bishop Forbes' "Kalendar of Scottish " Retours, Ayr, 258. Samts," pp. i, 53, 95, in, 141, 190, 233. " Retours, Perth, 97. 140 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 9. CHAPTER III. VARIOUS OPINIONS REGARDING THE DATE OF ST. FOILAN'S DEATH — PLACE OF INTER- MENT, AND VENERATION PAID TO HIS MEMORY — BELL OF ST. FILLAN — HIS CROZIER — THE VICTORY AT BANNOCKBURN ATTRIBUTED TO HIS INTERCESSION — ACCOUNT OF THIS BATTLE, AND OF THAT MIRACULOUS INCIDENT CONNECTING ST. FILLAN WITH IT — CONCLUSION. The exact year of this sainfs death cannot be ascertained. Were we to credit Camerarius, he died a.d. 649. But it would seem, this is almost — if not altogether — a century too early. St. Foilan probably died, about the middle of the eighth age. He seems to have departed, on the 9th day of January ; and at that date, our native martyrologists' record a festival in honour of a Faelan or Foilan, of Cluain Maosgna, in the territory of Feara- Tulach.' Whether or not he must be identified with the present holy man seems open to great doubt. Some of the Scottish historians state, that St. Faolan was buried at Strathfillan. There for a long period his remains were rehgiously preserved. There too a celebrated fountain, known as " St. Fillan's Well, "3 was held in great estimation throughout Scotland, on account of the many cures said to have been \vrought in favour of pilgrims to it. Here a fair was held, and most likely on the day of this saint's festival. An elaborate notice of the ancient bell of St. Fillan, with two excellent wood engravings illustrating it, has been prepared, by the Right Rev. A. P. Forbes, D.C.L., Protestant Bishop of Brechin. This object of art is very minutely described by the learned dignitary. "> In this paper the bishop stated that, when on a visit to Lord Crawford in the autumn of 1869, he met an English gentleman, who told him in a casual conversation regarding the early Scotch Church, that in the house of a relation of his in Hertfordshire there was preserved St, Fillan's bell. The father of that relation, partly in frolic and partly to abolish a still existing usage, had carried it away in the year 1798. The result of this communication was, that ultimately the bell was handed over to the custody of Lord Crawford and the bishop. It was then placed on the table, for the purpose of being deposited in the society's col- lection. This bell was held in great reverence, and it was believed to possess miraculous powers. It is of yellow bronze — now covered with a fine patina — four-sided as all those ancient bells are. It is about twelve inches high. But the most remarkable portion of this bell is the handle, on which there is twice repeated the well-known emblem of the Phallus. This symbol has never hitherto been found in any of the Scoto-Irish metal work, although the cultus of the Menhir, which is the same in stone, still survives in Brittany. It was a moot question, whether St. Fillan's bell was Christian or pre-Christian. After careful consideration, Bishop Forbes came to the conclusion, that the bell belonged either to the bronze period, anterior to Christian times, or that, if Christian, it had been imported from southern lands. It might, in the Chap, in.--' St. ^ngus, the Martyrology the Lake :— " of Tallagh, the Calendar of Cashel, " Harp of the north ! that moulderittg long Marianus O'Gorman and Charles Maguire. hast hung " This is said to be Fertullagh in West- On the witch elm, that shades St. Fillan's meath. See Rev. A. Cogan's "Diocese of spring." Meath, Ancient and Modem," vol. ill., Canto First, The Chase, chap. Ixxiv., p. 557. *See "Proceedings of the Society of An- 3 Perhaps it is to this saint and to his holy tiqulries of Scotland," vol. viii., part ii. well Sir Walter Scott makes allusion, in his Meeting of Monday, January, 1870, pp. spirited and charming invocation, which 265 to 276. opens his romantic poem, "The Lady of January 9.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 141 latter case, have come from Italy, for, according to the legend, St. Ternan is said to have got his bell from Pope Gregory the Great, s At StrathfiUan are the ruins of a building, 120 feet in length, and 22 broad. Some of its walls are standing, and the structure itself is said to have been a cathedral. Again at this place, there was a deep pool called the " Holy Pool," where even to the beginning of the present century insane people were brought. These were dipped after sunset and before sunrise, on the first day of the quarter, and their friends had hope of a restoration to sanity. Certain functions took place at the well, and afterwards in a corner of the ruined chapel, which was called " St. Fillan's Bed."^ This bed still exists. For a long time, a stone called " Fillan's Chair," and seven small stones,7 that are said to have been consecrated by the saint, had been kept at the mill of Killan. These were regarded as sacred objects.^ Long after the time of St. Foelan, his staff or crozier had been preserved in the wilds of Glendochart, in Perthshire, where the saint is said to have been buried. As usual among the Irish and Scotch, a certain family had charge of this relic. The possessors enjoyed special privileges in consequence of their trust. Among these were the holding of maintenance lands. This relic of St. Fillan was called the Coygerach, and its holders sought a royal charter, early in the fifteenth century, to confirm their rights. On the 22nd of April, A.D. 1428, the BaiUie of Glendochart called an inquest of the men of the glen to give their verdict, regarding the authority and privileges of the relic of St. Fillan, commonly called the '* Coygerach." Their verdict was, that this relic, then in the keeping of Finlay J ore, had been originally granted by the successor of St. Fillan to one of Finlay's progenitors. Finlay himself was declared the rightful " heir of the office," whose privileges had been in exercise from the time of King Robert Bruce, and downward to their own day.9 Malise Doire was keeper of the " Coygerach" forty years later.'" Many miracles were wrought by St. Foilan. To his intercession is attri- buted that glorious victory of Bannockburn, obtained by Robert Bruce over the English forces. The details of this celebrated battle are recorded by the mediaeval and more modem Scottish and English historians. Edward II., King of England, collected a force, amounting, it is stated, to one hundred 5 Mr. Stuart, secretary of the society, in If it happened, that goods or cattle were moving a vote of thanks to the Bishop of stolen or "lifted," from any of the pa- Brechin for his paper, said, he was inclined rishioners, who from any cause might not dare to agree with him that the bell may have to follow after their property, then they might come from Italy, or some other foreign despatch a man to the keeper of the Coy- country. The society was very much in- gerach with four pence or a pair of shoes debted to the bishop, for the learned paper and a night's provisions. Then the keeper, they had heard, and he was glad to say, that on his own charges, was bound to follow the Lord Crawford and the bishop, who were stolen goods, wherever he could trace them, now the custodiers of the bell, were willing within the kingdom. it should be deposited in the National '° In 1487, he received from King James Museum. III. a royal letter, narrating that the "Said * The bell of St. Fillan was used on those Malise and his forebearis has had ane relik occasions. of Sanct Fulane callit the Quegrick in kep- ' Five of these are still preserved. ing, of us and of oure progenitouris of maist * See " Statistical Account of Scotland," nobill mynde, guham God assoyle, sen the vol. xviii., p. 378. tyme of King Robert the Bruys, and of be- 9 Moreover they found, that the keeper of fore," without owing service to any person the "Coygerach" was entitled to demand spiritual or temporal — therefore the King yearly from all the inhabitants of the parish enjoins on the lieges " to intend and obey to of Glendochart certain dues — viz. : From the said Malise Doire in the peccable broik- everyone owning or labouring a merk of ing and joicing of the said relik;" "and land, whether for a rent or otherwise half a that ye mak him nane impediment letting boll of meal, and smaller quantities from nor distrowblance in the passing with the those who had less land. But they found, said relik throu the contre, as he and his that these privileges inferred certain duties. forebearis was wount to do." 142 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS, [January 9. and fifty thousand foot, with several thousand horse, for the invasion of Scot- land. To oppose this immense army, comprising men of various nations, Bruce could scarcely muster thirty-four thousand men. Placing his whole trust in God, the Scottish King betook himself to prayer. Entertaining a great veneration towards St. Fillan, he entreated a certain abbot or priest, who was custodian, for a relic of this saint. The relic was an arm of St. Fillan, which had been preserved in a silver case. Fearing this relic might be lost in battle, the priest removed it fi:om the shrine, which was then presented to King Robert. In presence of many persons, the shrine was seen to open suddenly, and afterwards to close of its own accord. The priest then ap- proached, to behold the result of this miraculous occurrence, when he saw the arm of St. Filan deposited again within its shrine. He related what had oc- curred to the King. Filled with admiration, on account of this incident, the priest exclaimed that Heaven should prove favourable to their cause. On the eve of this great battle, the Scottish King obtained some successes. Thus inspired with hope, although greatly fatigued, Bruce spent the remaining part of that night in prayer, and in acts of thanksgiving." On the following day, he ordered the Holy Sacrifice of Mass to be celebrated. He desired all his soldiers to partake of the Holy Eucharist, that thus they might be spiri- tually strengthened. A certain abbot, named Maurice," celebrated the Divine Mysteries on an eminence. He administered the Holy Sacrament to King Robert and to his nobles. Through the ministry of other priests, the entire army received Holy Communion. Afterwards, taking a crucifix in his hands, and showing the image of Christ crucified to the Scottish soldiers, Abbot Maurice exhorted them to defend their country with courage, trusting solely in God's goodness. ^3 He then desired the warriors to prostrate them- selves in prayer. After a spirited address to his soldiers, ^^ the army was placed in position by Bruce, while the English cavalry and archers advanced. Immediately the onset commenced, and the Scots fought with determined courage. After a fierce con- flict, victory declared in their favour. Both armies were engaged not far from the castle of Sterling, then besieged by the Scots, '5 and on the glorious field of Bannockbum. This battle took place on Midsummer Day, the Feast of St. John the Baptist, a.d. 13 14. The forces on both sides are variously estimated by English^^ and Scottish writers. '7 The English summoned a large host " See Bellenden's translation of " The pp. 391, 392. In this, he is made to say : History and Chronicles of Scotland," from "God hes now schawin to us his favour be the Latin of Boece, vol. ii., p. 391. mirakle of Sanct Phillane, quhilk is cumin, " He is called Abbot of Inchaffray, the as I belief, to your eiris." This oration pro- " Insula Missarum" in Stratheme. "If S. bably furnished Robert Bums' inspiration to Fillan be the Faolan of Ratherran," says write those soul-stirring lines, on Robert Bishop Forbes, "we here see a reason for Bruce's ."Address to his Army" before the this particular relic being brought into the battle of Bannockbum : — camp; and it will be recollected, that Killin, "Scots wha hae wi' Wallace bled, the special seat of the cultus of the saint, Scots wham Bmce has aften led, was a church under the jurisdiction of Inch- Welcome to your gory bed, affray." See "Kalendars of Scottish Saints," Or to glorious victory." P- 345' 'S See Holinshed's "Chronicles of Eng- '3 See Dr. Lingard's "History of Eng- land, Scotland, and Ireland," vol. ii., p. land," vol. iii., chap. iv. The incidents of 553. Scotland's invasion by the English King '* See Thomas Carte's " General History Edward I., are very lucidly set forth in this of England," vol. ii., book ix., Edward II., valuable history. See chap, iii., ibid. pp. 333 to 336. This writer states, that an '* This address, after the manner of the Irish contingent was expected by the King classical writers, may be found in Hector of England to aid in his Scotch expedition. ^^ce. See John Bellenden's translation, Yet it does not appear to have arrived in ' The History and Chronicles of Scotland," time. volume ii. The Fourtene Buke, chap, xi., '? One of the most interesting and pic- January 9.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 143 belonging to various nationalities ;'^ but the Scots appear to have had not alone the advantage of a brave and able leader, but a greater perfection of military discipline and order in their ranks. Soon after the battle commenced in earnest, the English skirmishers and vanguard fell into disarray. Bruce, leading the centre division'^ and bringing up his reserves, added to their con- fusion, and the Scots advancing in compact bodies ensured their foes' dis- comfiture. The valiant Scottish king pushed forward the various divisions of his army. After a vigorous charge, the English horse and infantry became ■ panic-stricken. At last the invading host gave way, and Edward's forces fled from Bannockburn in the wildest disorder. Many, trying to escape across the river in their rere, were driven into its waters and drowned ; while a vast number fell under the battle-axes and spears of their opponents.^" An immense booty was the prize of the Scottish army. Like chaff scattered before the whirlwind, the English fled in dismay, and with continuously diminishing bands, towards the northern borders of England. Stirling almost immediately surrendered to King Robert, while Scotland recovered her inde- pendence, in a manner, most creditable to her military prowess, and most complete in the results achieved. It was believed, the great triumph at Bannockburn had been owing solely to St. Fillan's intercession, and to the mercy of the Almighty. Fifty thousand of the English are said by Scottish writers to have fallen in battle, or afterwards in the pursuit.^^ Only a very small number of the Scottish army, and especially of their nobles, had been slain. The English king escaped with great difficulty, and he crossed the River Tweed, in a small boat, with only a single attendant. ^^ When Bishop Macdonnell, who lately died in Upper Canada, and at a very advanced age, left the Highlands of Scotland, he brought with him that old staff and crook, used by the Abbot of St. Fillan to bless the Scottish army, before the battle of Bannockburn. It was of solid silver, and the workman- ship proves its genuineness and antiquity. A relic is inclosed behind a white stone. This precious heirloom is yet preserved by the Catholic Bishop of Toronto.''3 The Scots knelt before the abbot while holding this staff, ac- cording to tradition. The English monarch is said to have remarked, that his northern foes were then kneeling to sue for mercy. ''^ But, as of old, the chosen people of Israel trusted in the God of Battles when their cause was just, and referred to Him all the glory of victory ; so did an oppressed nation wrest from ambitious and cruel invaders their rights and freedom, of which they had been so treacherously deprived. Our saint prayed for the devoted soldiers, who combined patriotic ardour with religious feeling and duty. The turesque descriptions of this decisive battle is ^See Camerarius, "De Pictate Scoto- that contained in the admirable "History of rum," lib. iii. Lesley, lib. xxvii., is quoted Scotland" by John Hill Burton, vol. ii., by the Rev. Alban Butler, as an authority for chap, xxiii., pp. 376 to 388. the foregoing statement, as also Boelius, lib. '^ Among these King Edward II. issued xiv. See " Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs, personal requisitions to the kings or chiefs and other Principal Saints," vol. i., ix. of " the Irishry." See Rymer's "Foedera," January. vol. ii., p. 245. Record Commissioners' ^3 it was used at the consecration of Right edition. Rev. Bishop Lynch, by the consecrating '9 See Buchanan's "Rerum Scoticarutn prelate, the Right Rev. Bishop de Char- Historia," lib. viii., p. 247. bonnel of Toronto, in the presence of a vast '° See Charles Knight's " Pictorial History congregation. — " Toronto Mirror" of Nov. of England," vol. i., book iv., chap, i., p. 25th, 1859. 738. '"' See Hector Boetius' Scotorum His- ^' See N. Tindal's translation of " The torisea Gentis Origine, cum aliarum et rerum History of England," written in French, by et gentium Illustatione non vulgari, libri xix., M. Rapin de Thoyras, vol. i., book ix., p. lib. xiv., p. 303. 393- 144 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 9. issue was fraught with triumph, right gloriously prevailing against the efforts of human might and despotic power. So should the warrior, especially in the trying moment of battles and danger, strengthen his soul by spiritual exercises, and trust his valour and his safety to the protection of the Lord of Hosts. ARTICLE II.— ST. FINAN, BISHOP OF LINDISFARNE, AND APOSTLE IN NORTHUMBRIA. \S EVE NTH CENTURY.\ CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION — THE COUNTRY AND FATHER OF ST. FINAN — A MONK AT lONA — CON- SECRATED AS BISHOP THERE AND SENT TO SUCCEED ST. AIDAN AT LINDISFARNE — HE BUILDS A CHURCH OF WOOD ON THAT ISLAND — HIS INTIMACY WITH KING OSWIN — CONTROVERSY BETWEEN HIMSELF AND RONAN, AN IRISHMAN, ON THE PASCHAL QUESTION — OBSERVATIONS ON THIS SUBJECT. That wonderful centre of Irish missionary enterprise, at lona, continued to inherit the spirit and zeal of its great founder, St. Columkille, long after he had passed to enjoy an eternal reward. In a great measure Scotland had been evangelized, her pastors having been largely recruited from the clerical schools of Ireland. To lona constant accessions of novices and students repaired, during the sixth and the succeeding century. In the latter age, Irish missioners made their first successful inroads on the border-lands of Northum- bria, to extirpate Pagan errors. Soon their conquests extended, until the whole Saxon Heptarchy began to experience the happy results of their labours. The Acts of this holy missionary have been collected from Venerable Bede and other writers by Colgan.' It must be admitted, that one of the most distinguished Apostles of the ancient Kingdom of Northumbria was St. Finan, a native of Ireland. He is called the son of Rimed or Ryves. In what part of our island he was born, or where his earliest education had been received, does not seem to have transpired. Our first accounts of him are, that he was a monk in the Monastery of lona. Here he remained probably for a very considerable time, under the jurisdiction of Seghine, the fifth abbot in succession from the great St. Columkille. Seghine ruled over this house from A.D.6i23 to 652, a period of twenty-nine years.' While under his guardianship, St. Finan must have been greatly distinguished for his zeal and virtues ; for wlien St. Aidan,3 the first Bishop of Lindisfame, died on the 31st of August, A.D.651,'^ Finan was chosen as his immediate successor. He was consecrated bishop at lona, and sent at once to assume the duties of his new pastoral charge. The Island of Lindisfame lay near the sea-shore, and only a short distance from the eastern coast of Northumbria. s St. Aidan had already erected a religious establishment there. Yet it seems to have been of very humble Art. II. — Chap. i. — 'See "Acta Sane- ■♦The " Chronicon Scotorum," so ably torum Hibernise," ix. Januarii. Vita S. Fi- edited by W. M. Hennessy, M.R.I. A., nani, pp. 43 to 48. places his death at A.D. 648. See pp. 90, 91. * See Rev. William Reeves' Adamnan's s At low tide it is easily reached on foot "Life of St. Columba." Additional Notes from the main shore, "twice an island and O, pp. 373 to 375. Yet the " Chronicon twice a continent in one day." See Grose's Scotorum" places his death under the year "Antiquities of England and Wales," vol. 649. See pp. 92, 93. iv., p. 109. 3 See his Life at the 31st of August. January 9.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 145 pretensions.^ St. Finan's first care was to build a more suitable church, for a see which had become so distinguished. He was both consecrated and sent on his new mission by the Scots,? as the Irish were then called \ and from lona he brought the ecclesiastical lore and discipline, which had been there taught.^ In this isle of Lindisfarne he built a church for the episcopal see. Accord- ing to the Scottish fashion he constructed it, not of stone, but of hewn timber, and he covered it with reeds. This church was afterwards dedicated by the Most Reverend Archbishop Theodore to the honour of St. Peter, the Apostle. But Eadbert, who in following times was bishop of that place, took away the thatch. He caused it to be covered all over, both roof and walls, with plates of lead.9 King Oswry, or Oswin, was the king who ruled over this northern district, when our saint began his mission ;'° and that local monarch was a zealous seconder of Finan's exertions, to spread the Gospel among his Anglo-Saxon and British subjects." Soon after St. Finan's arrival, the disputed Paschal question was again revived, owing to some persons who had come from Kent or France. These had asserted, that the Irish computation differed from that of the universal Church. Among them was an ardent abettor of the more general practice. Ronan, an Irishman, had learned the true Paschal method in France and Italy." While he brought over several persons to his system, this Ronan was not able to convince Fman. Rather by his reproofs was our saint rendered still more persistent.'^ Nearly all the Saxon kingdoms, with the exception of Sussex, had already heard the instructions of Christian missionaries, towards the middle of the seventh century. The missionaries in England had come from different countries. While they taught a like doctrine, they disagreed regarding several points of ecclesiastical discipline. Their most important difference affected the canonical time for celebrating Easter. During several centuries this question had disturbed the peace of the Church. That Easter time depended on the commencement of the equinoctial lunation was universally admitted. The Roman astronomers maintained that lunation might begin as early as the fifth, but according to the Alexandrian computation it could not commence before the eighth day of March. In consequence of this diversity of opinion, when the new moon fell on the fifth, sixth, or seventh of that month, the Latins celebrated the feast of Easter a full lunation before the Greek Chris- tians.''* Towards the middle of the sixth century, weary of the disputes occasioned by these different computations, the Roman Church had adopted a new cycle. This agreed in every important point with the Alexandrian cal- culation. Such an improvement was unknown, however, to the British Chris- * This sufficiently appears from the sequel. siastica Gentis Anglorum," lib. iii., cap. 25, In the work already quoted the reader will p. 233. find a description of Lindisfarne, and some '° See Cressy's "Church History of Brit- fine copper-plate engravings of its antiquities, tany," xv. book, chap, xvii., p. 368. vol. i. Frontispiece, vol. iv., pp. 93 to 97, with "See the Life of St. Chad at the 7th of a view of Holy Island Castle, taken in 1773 ; this month. and pp. 109 to 122, with three distinct views "The ancient "Annales Cambrifc," edited of ancient monastic ruins there, and each by the Rev. John Williams, ab Ithel M. A. taken from adifferentpointof view, a.D. 1773. for the Master of the Rolls, note under a.d. ~' See Bartholomieide Cotton Monachi Nor- 453, " Pasca commutatur super diem Domi- wicensis "Historia Anglicana;" a.D. (449— nicum Papa Leone episcopo Roma;," p. 3. 1298), necnon ejusdeni "Liber de Archie- St. Patrick brought most probably the older piscopis et Episcopis Anglio:,'' p. 413. Edited form of observance into Ireland, by Henry Richards Luard, M. A. London, '^ gee Bcde's "Historia Ecclesiastica 1859. 8vo. Gentis Anglorum," lib. iii., cap. 25, p. 233. _ ** See Venerable Bede's "Historia Eccle- '^ There were a few other variations in the siastica Gentis Anglorum," lib. iii., cap. 17, Paschal canons, which contributed still more ?• 204. to perplex this subject. They may be seen in 5 See Venerable Bede's "Historia Eccle- Smith's Bede, App. ix., p. 698. L 146 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 9. tians. At that period, these were wholly employed in opposing their countr/s invaders. They continued to observe the ancient cycle of Sulpicius Severus. This had become peculiar to themselves. Hence, it occasionally happened, that Easter, and other festivals of the year depending on that solemnity, were celebrated at different times by the Saxon Christians. As these had been instructed by Scottish, by Roman, or by Gallic missionaries,'^ so did their obser- vances vary, and in accordance with the practice of their respective teachers.'^ It is not easy to determine, from the order of his composition, whether by a man of ferocious or rough mind, Bede intended to describe Finan or Ronan. The context seems to favour an allusion to the former ; but the phrase used by him to denote Ronan's mode of arguing,'^ a mode very unbe- coming towards a bishop, might incline one to think that he alluded to Ronan. He appears to have been a very persistent and acute disputant. It is difficult to believe the Scoto-Irish prelates and clergy would have fixed upon St. Finan as their champion were he man of rough disposition. Colgan says,^^ that this Ronan here alluded to had been revered in Armoric Brittany, on the ist of June," and this seems to form a very probable ground for supposition. CHAPTER II. ST. FINAN BAPTIZES PEADA, PRINCE OF THE MIDDLE-ANGLES — HE SENDS MISSIONARIES AMONG THESE PEOPLE — ST. FINAN CONSECRATES DIUMA AS BISHOP — HE BAPTIZES SIGEBERT, KING OF THE EAST SAXONS — HE CONSECRATES ST. CHAD AS BISHOP — VARIOUS SAINTS CALLED FINAN IN THE IRISH CALENDARS — WRITINGS ATTRIBUTED TO THE PRESENT ST. FINAN — HIS DEATH — HIS DIFFERENT COMMEMORATIONS — CONCLUSION. Notwithstanding this Paschal diversity, justly considered a great inconve- nience, there was no breach of communion, nor did Finan disturb the con- science of those who preferred the Roman computation. This prelate had the happiness to baptize Peada, Prince of the Middle-Angles, and son to Penda, Pagan King of the Mercians. Peada had come to the court of the Northumbrian King Os\vin, for the purpose of obtaining in marriage his daughter, the Princess Alchfleda.' His proposal would not be agreed to, unless he and his subjects should become Christians. Peada listened to the Word of God, and he was so convinced of the truth, that he declared himself willing to become a convert, even should the princess be refused to him in marriage. Accordingly Peada and all his companions and suite, were baptized by Finan. Having obtained four learned and worthy priests, for the instruc- tion of his subjects, the prince returned with joy to his o\vn country. Those priests were Cedd, Add, Betti, and Diuma. The three former are said to have been English, and the last was an Irishman. "^ It has been maintained, however, notv^ithstanding the statement of Venerable Bede, 3 that Cedda,^ '5 See Dr. Lingard's " History of Eng- four Northumbrian priests. Bede expressly land," vol. i., chap, ii., a.d. 656, p. 99. states, however, that Diuma was not a North- '* See what has been already observed on umbrian or an Englishman, but an Irishman this subject in the Life of St. Diman Dubh, or Scot. Nor does Dr. Lingard say a word Bishop of Connor, at the 6th of January. about Finan, nor the part he had in the con- '7 The words are "acerbiorem castigando." version of Peada, nor of his having supplied See ' ' Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Anglo- those priests to the Middle- Angles, rum," lib. iii., cap. 25, p. 233. 3 " Erant autem presbyteri Cedda et Adda '* See "Acta Sanctorum Hibemise," ix. et Betti et Diuma, quorum ultimus natione ' Januarii. Vita S. Finani, n. 6, p. 45. Scotus, coeteri fuere de Anglis. " See '' His- '9 See notices of him at that day. toria Ecclesiastica Gentis Anglorum," lib. iii., Chap. ii. — ' See what has been already cap. 21, p. 218. stated in the Life of St. Chad, at the 7th of * Bede declares that this Cedda spent some this month. time with St. Egbert in Ireland, when both 'Dr. Lmgard, in his "History of the were young men. See ?^/if Westmeath. ITAeLAn ■oeooA •oi5i\Aif 5 The foregoing is the substance of a note febix ptro UicAbAif added in Wm. M. Hennessy's copy of the " Martyrology of Donegal." B. u. id. "Delightful the hostages in purity * See O'Flaherty's " Ogygia," pars, iii., In presence of the king whom I cap. 60. Also, the Book of Ball)Tnote, fol. have mentioned, 229, b. ; Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Faelan, the godly, the sincere cap, ii., p. 139, and p. 184, nn. 23, 24; Felix the fair, Vitalis." January 9.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS, 151 on the Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the County of Westmeath." Yet there is a graveyard in the adjoining townland of Crownstown. Article V. — Lomchu, of Kill Lomchon {Probably in the Sixth Century?^ When St. Patrick was in that district of Munster, known as Ara, he came to a mountain called Teidhil, Near it, two of his disciples fell asleep, and never awoke with life. A church was there erected, and it was afterwards called Killteidhil.' Although this saint seemed to have been connected with Munster, for one was named Longa^' or Lomchu, and the church in which he was specially venerated received its name, apparently from him ; yet the exact locality has not hitherto been ascertained. However, on this day, in the Martyrology of Donegal,3 and in that of Marianus O'Gor- man, Lomchu, of Cill-Lomchou, in Ulster, is set doAvn. We merely find the name, Lomchon, with the adjunct " Sci," entered in the Martyrology of Tallagh,4 on the 9th of January.^ Very little more seems to be known concerning him. Although he might have died and have been buried in Munster, still his church of Kill-Lomchon may have been in another province. St. Longa or Lomchuo — supposed to be the present saint — is specially enumerated among the illustrious St. Patrick's disciples.^ Article VI. — St. Suibhsech or Suabseg, Virgin, of Tirhugh Ba- rony, County of Donegal. Virgins are purchased from among men, the first fruits to God and to the Lamb. Undefiled those virgins follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth.^ Suabseg, a virgin, is mentioned simply in the Martyrology of Tallagh,^ as having been venerated on the 9th of January. Again, Suibhsech, in Tir-Aedha, occurs in the Martyrology of Donegal,3 on this day. The old name of the territory has been converted into the modern denomination of Tirhugh barony, in the county of Donegal. There probably we must look for the exact locality where this saint was venerated as patron. Article VII. — St. Ciaran, of Ros Cumalcha. Whether or not this St. Ciaran be the son of Tulchan, according to Colgan's alternative con- jecture,' does not seem to be very clear. If so, he was brother to St. Fintan Munna,^ and to his sister St. Conchenna,3 as also probably to St Lugad, abbot of Cluain-Finchoil.+ We find mentioned in the Martyrology of Donegal,s on this day, a Ciaran of Ros Cumalcha. A nearly similar entry occurs in the Martyrology of Tallagh,^ at the 9th of January. There he is said to have been of Ruis-Cumulca.7 In reference to a complete knowledge of our saints, we may truly observe, that at present we can only see them " See sheet 14. Quinta Appendix ad Acta S. Patricii, cap. Art. v. — ' See Colgan's " Trias Thauma- xxiii., p. 267. turga." Septima Vita S. Patricii, lib. iii.. Art. vi. — ^ Apocalypse, xiv., 4. cap. xli., p. 157. Regarding the name of 'Edited by the Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xii. this place, Colgan says, " forte rectius Kill- In the Franciscan copy we find SuAibpgl teimhil," which he interprets, "theCillof t1iiA. the Shade or Rest," because here St. Patrick 3 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, p. 11. declared they should rest. See nn. 72, 73, Art. vii. — ' By a typographical error, p. 186, ibid. Colgan has the 19th for the 9th of January. ' Colgan could not find any St. Longa in =* Venerated at the 21st of October, our Calendars. 3 See " Trias Thaumaturga," Quarta Ap- 3 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, p. 11. pendix ad Acta S. Columbse, cap., iii., p. See also the Calendar appended to the Rev. 482. St. Conchenna was venerated at the William Reeves' " Ecclesiastical Antiquities 13th of March. of Down, Connor, and Dromore," LL. p. 376. '^ Venerated at the 2nd of March. ^Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xii. s Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, p. il. 5 In the Franciscan copy we find tomchon * Edited by the Rev. Dr. kelly, p. xii. I'd. 7 In the Franciscan copy only Ci<3,|\An *See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," t^ui|' . . . . tcA can be deciphered. 152 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. January io. as through a glass and dimly, and know them in part f let us trust in the Divine mercy, that hereafter we shall know them, as we ought to be known, and see them face to face. Article VIII. — St. Baithin. The preservation of a saint's name is too frequently in our calendars the mere representation of a well-spent life. A festival, in honour of Baithin, is recorded in the Martyrology of Tallagh,^ at the pth of January. Nothing more explicit occurs, where Baeithin is simply set down in the Martyrology of Donegal,^ on this day. His place is not recorded. Article IX. — St. Finia or Fine, Abbess of Kildare. [Eighth Century.'] Because truth and innocence of life distinguish holy virgins, they live without stain before the throne of God.^ We are informed by Colgan,= that Finia, Abbess of Kildare, died on the 9th of January, a.d. 800. The same year is set down for the death of this Fine, in the Annals of the Four Masters. 3 Although it is not expressly stated, Colgan seems to regard this day as dedicated to her memory. Article X. — St. Brendin, or Brenainn. He is the true disciple, who, leaving all things to follow Christ, never swerves from a faithful service. Brendin is mentioned in the Martyrology of Tallagh,' at the 9th of January." Nor do we find any etymon localizing him, where we read, in the Martyrology of Donegal,3 of Brenainn, as having a feast on this day. Article XI. — Reputed Feast of St. Erhard, Bishop of Ratisbon, in Bavaria. [Seventh Centmy.] The 9th of January, to St. Erhard or Nerard, bishop and confessor, the MS. of Florarius enters as a feast, accord- ing to BoUandus. His Acts have been given at the previous day. Cents Bap of Slanuarp* ARTICLE I— ST. DIARMAID OR DIERMIT, ABBOT OF INIS CLOTHRANN, OR INCHCLERAUN, COUNTY OF LONGFORD, AND OF FAUGHALS- TOWN, COUNTY OF WESTMEATH. iSIXTH CENTURY.^ CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION — FATHER AND MOTHER OF ST. DIARMAID — HIS IDENTITY AND BIRTH — HIS EARLY STUDIES — HE BECOMES A MONK AND AFTERWARDS A PRIEST— HE IS SAID TO HAVE BEEN THE AUTHOR OF A METRICAL PSALTERY — THIS AUTHORSHIP IS DOUBTFUL. NOTHING is more common in life than the eager pursuit of false objects and false friends. Thus human beings are led astray in the search for true hap- piness. Man has three kinds of friends on earth. For the most part, he does 'See I Corinthians, xiii., 12. 3 See OTJonovan's edition, vol. i., pp. Art. VIII. — » Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, 410, 411. p. xii. Art. X. — 'Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p.xii. ' Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, p. 11. "In the Franciscan copy we read t^^^e11•011■l1 Art. IX. — ' Apocalypse, xiv., 5. ^5"]% boA... The latter part is illegible, "See "Trias Thaumaturga, " Appendix but there can be no doubt it is intended to Quinta ad Acta S. Brigidje, cap. ii., p. commemorate Beathen. 629. 3 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, p. II. January io.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 153 not know them well until the time when he is called from this world, in order to give an account of his conduct. The first of these friends, wealth and possessions, remain behind him, and fall into the keeping of others. The second, his relations, accompany him only to the grave, and soon forget his past existence. His works of faith and labours of love follow him into eternity, and are his real abiding friends, before the throne of God. There he will be recompensed, according to his works. Even the cup of cold water, which is given to one who thirsts, will not be unrewarded. How thoughtlessly, then, does the man act who concerns not himself, in the least degree, about such true friends, when he can secure them here below, and cause them to smooth his departure from a world of disappointments and trials. The holy anchorites disregarded wealth and the society of kinsmen ; they only desired to labour and to live for God, that so He might befriend them in the hour of danger. In various Irish calendars and records we are furnished with the pedigree of this celebrated saint' He is called in Irish, Naoimh Dhiarmuit, which signifies Diermit " the Just," or " the Holy." He is said to have been son to Lugna, and to have followed seventh in descent from Dathy, King of Ire- land, who was killed about the year 427.* This holy Diarmait belonged to the Hy-Fiachrach family, who inhabited a considerable part of the Connaught province. 3 According to ^ngus the Culdee, and Maguire, his mother was named Dediva f but following another account, in the Calendar of Cashel, her name was Editua,^ of the Kiennacht country.^ She is said to have been of noble race and the mother of many saints. 7 She was a grand-daughter to Dubtach O'Lugair,^ arch-poet, who so courteously received St. Patrick,' when he preached in the royal palace of King Leogaire at Tara.'° It is hardly admissible, as Colgan seems to think, the present St. Diarmaid was that same Diermitius, the disciple of St. Fiech." He spent some time Article i. — Chapter i. — ' Charles Senan, son of Fintan ; St. Manchin, son of Maguir, or the Commentator on St. Angus' Collan, in the territory of Corann; St. Callin, "Feilire,"at the loth of January, refers our a disciple of St. Columkille ; St. Fedlimid saint's origin to King Dathy, in the follow- of Kilniore ; St. Dagius, son of Cariil ; St. ing line. St. Diermit of Inis-Clothrann was Femia, daughter of Cariil; and St Diermait, son to Lugna, son of Lugad, son to Finbarr, of Inis-CIothrann. This seems a very surpris- son ofFraic, sontoCathchuon, son of .(Engus, ing number of saints, and childi'en of the called by some Becchuon, son of David, son same mother. From the foregoing accounts, to Fiachrius, son of Eochod, sumamed it would appear, that Dediva had been Moimedon. married to four different husbands. *The " Menologic Genealogy," chapter s Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum Hibemise," viii., and the "Martyrology of Cashel" at x. Tanuarii, n. 3, p. 52. the loth of January, give the same gene- ° So Cathal Maguir states. Ibid, n. 4. alogy. See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum 7 This matron was the mother of six sons, Hibemiae," x. Januarii. Vita S. Diermitii, and of one daughter ; all of these were 11- n. 2, p. 52. lustrious for their sanctity, as St. ^ngus 3 The fullest and most satisfactory descrip- the Culdee asserts, in his book "On the tion of this race and their district we possess Mothers of Irish Saints," num. 2. is in that ably-edited work, "The Genealogies, * Thirty holy men and women are said to Tribes and Customs of Hy-Fiachrach, have descended from this celebrated per- commonly called O'Dowda's Country," with sonage. See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum a Translation and Notes, and a Map of Hy- Hibemise." Vita S. Diermitii, cap. i, and Fiachrach, by John O'Donovan. It ap- nn. i to 8, p. 52, ibid. peared in 1844, under the auspices of the ' See his Life at the 17th of March. Irish Archaeological Society. This account was '° We are told by Colgan, on this account, taken from the Book of Leacan, R.I. A., and that he deserved the distinction of being from the Genealogical Manuscript of Duald progenitor to a numerous and holy offspring. Mac Firbis, in the Library of Lord Roden. An Irish Life of St. Patrick, lib. i., cap. '• She was the daughter of Tren, son to xvii. , is quoted as authority. Dubthach O'Lugair. The following were "See "Trias Thaumaturga," Septima her children, according to one account : St. Vita S. Fatricii, lib. iii., cap. xxii., p. 153. 154 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January lo. at Domnach Fiac, as mentioned in the Tripartite Life of St. Patrick." Such a supposition must throw Diarmait back to a generation before that in which he really flourished. We feel at a loss to know the exact period of this saint's birth ; but it took place, most probably, about the commencement of the sixth century. In his early youth, St. Diermit made great progress, both in learning and sanctity. After the usual course of ecclesiastical studies, having first become a monic, he was afterwards ordained priest. ^3 The duties of this office he discharged with great zeal, fervour, and fidelity. He became a spiritual director and teacher, it is said, to St. Kieran of Clonmacnoise,'+ and he was also a friend to St. Senan, Abbot of Iniseathy.'s Besides the exalted opinion entertained of him by many distinguished ecclesiastics, the laity conceived a most extraordinary veneration for his character. That surname,'^ by which he was distinguished, served to indicate the depth and sincerity of this feel- ing. *' According to Colgan, he composed a sort of metrical psaltery. In this the names of the principal holy persons are invoked, including those of fifty- two Irish saints. This work was written in very ancient and very elegant metre. Some of those celebrities mentioned, however, appear to have lived after St. Diermaifs time, in the opinion of Colgan. Such names he supposes to have been interpolations of a later period. The names, St. Malruan and St. Adamman alone, are instanced, as examples of additions by another and a more recent writer.'^ In the absence of other proof than bare assertion, might we not consider less distinguished saints, bearing such names, to have lived before or contemporaneously with St. Diermit ? Still, it must be ad- mitted, that if the identity be unquestionable, the authorship of this piece must be assigned most likely to some writer who lived centuries after the age of St. Diermaid. The Martyrologists of Donegal favour the opinion, that he was the author of this tract ; although its very title would seem to disprove any such conjec- ture. It was Diarmaid, they tell us, that composed the Cealtair Dichill,'9 in verse, in which he invoked a countless number of the apostles and saints of the world, and of the saints of Ireland, as a protection and shelter for himself, just as Colum composed the difficult poem, called the Luirech or Sgiathluirech of Colum-Cille, This latter begins : " The shield of God as a protection " Ibid, n. 40, p. 183. Also Quinta Appen- corded of St. Diermit, in the Life of our dixad " ActaS. Patricii," cap. xxiii., p. 267. illustrious Irish Apostle. See ibid. " Acta '3 He is called a priest, by the Commen- Sanctorum Hibemiae," x. Januarii, nn. 1 1, tator on jEngus, at the loth of January. He 12, p. 52. is designated as a bishop by Marianus O'Gor- 'S See the Life of St. Senan, which is man, at the same day. All the Martyrologists given at the 8th of March, style him abbot. '* Naoimh-Dhiarmuit or " Dennod the '* For this statement, we have the autho- Just. " rity of the Commentator on ^ngus, at the ^^ The name of our saint, in Irish, is loth of January, where he calls our saint, written Diarmuid, and sometimes Diarmuitt ; "the Priest of St. Kieran." Again, in the in Latin, it is written, at one time, Dier- Life of St. Kieran (chapters i. and iv.) it is medus, and again Diermetus, but for the stated, that St. Diermitius, surnamed the most part Diermitius. The more correct Just, baptized St. Kieran, when an infant, writing is Diermetus or Diermitius. and afterwards instructed him during the '^ Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum Hibemiae," time of his youth. Yet, Colgan says, he n. 9, p. 52. was not altogether certain these accounts '' In a note Dr. Todd says, regarding refer to our St. Diermit; especially since, Cealtair Die hill, "This poem, and also the in the Life of St. Patrick (lib. i., cap. 21.), Lorica of Colum-Cille, mentioned here, are it is written, that St. Diermit, who baptized extant in the Bruxelles MS., which contains St. Kieran, was also a disciple of St. Patrick. the Felire of ^ngus, and the Martyrologies Therefore, he was unwilling to insert in this of Marianus O' Gorman and Tamlacht," One saint's Acts, those edifying particulars re- named Dichill probably wrote it. January io.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 155 upon me," &c. But, " They shall protect me against every danger," was the beginning of what Diarmaid composed,^" as we are informed. CHAPTER II. ST. DIARMAID RETIRES TO INIS-CLOTHRANN — HE FOUNDS A MONASTERY THERE — HIS MANNER OF LIVING — HIS DEATH — POPULAR OPINIONS ABOUT THIS SAINT ON THE SHORES AROUND INCHCLERAUN — IVORY STATUE OF ST. DIERMIT— ST. DIERMAIT IS SAID TO HAVE FOUNDED A CHURCH AT FAUGHALSTOWN, IN THE COUNTY OF WEST- MEATH— HIS FESTIVAL AND COMMEMORATION— CONCLUSION- Being desirous to secure solitude and the delights of heavenly contemplation, St. Diarmaid sought a retreat on Inis-Clotran Island, placed within Lough Ree, and adjoining the fore-shore of the present county of Longford.' It was a suitable spot for religious retirement.* Here, surrounded by the spreading waters of the Shannon, he erected a monastery. It afterwards became famous, on account of many persons, distinguished for their learning and piety, who were found within its enclosure.3 St. Diermit was abbot over the community here, and which he had collected around him. Whilst on this island, we may suppose, without giving much credence to fabulous accounts, regarding the manner in which their transmissions up and down the Shannon were made, that frequent interchanges of friendship took place between the holy abbots of Inis Clotran and Iniscathy.^ The foundation of our saint's monastery is referred to about the year 540.S In a note, Dr. Lanigan seems to hesitate as to whether or not our saint flourished at such an early period.^ The year of ^ In an Irish note, found in the table ap- pended to the Martyrology of Donegal, and of which the following is an English trans- lation, [" On Loch Ribh in Cuircne, and no woman or young female child can touch his Relig {sepulchral church). And a Saxon heretic woman, who violated it, cried out and died immediately. Inis Diarmada is the name of the island, with many Religs and monasteries."] We thus obtain an idea of the popular veneration paid this saint. See ibid., pp. 400, 401. Chapter ii. — ' It is remarked by Colgan, that between ancient Meath and Connaught, the River Shannon here extends, and forms a lake, studded with many islands, where cells and hermitages of various saints for- merly abounded. ^ At certain times, it is both difficult and dangerous to reach the islands on Lough Ree in an open boat. Wild waves curl over the surface of the lake, beating on its shores and islands, when high winds prevail, as the writer had experienced during a boating ex- cursion to some of its islands in i860. 3 After St. Diermit, there flourished and reposed at Inis Clothran, St. Senach, ab- bot of this place, a.d. 719, whose feast occurs on the 20th of April ; St. Eochodius, abbot, A.D. 780 ; St. Curoius, abbot, and a most learned doctor, A. D. 869 ; Aldus O'Finn, bishop, A.D. 1136; Nehemus O'Dunin, a man of letters, a poet and an excellent historian, who died on the 17th of December, A.D. 1160. Besides these, others are mentioned in the "Annals of Clonmacnoise" and in those of All Saints' Island. See also Dr. O' Donovan's " Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i., pp. 318, 319, 386, 387, 514, 515; and vol. ii., pp. 1052, 1053, 1 136, 1 137. * Colgan has introduced some stanzas from the metrical Life of St. Senan to illustrate St. Diermait's Acts. 5 By Dr. Lanigan. Thus the times of St. Diermait are said to synchronize with those of St. Kieran of Clonmacnoise, who died A.D. 548 ; of St. Senan of Iniscathy, who died A.D. 544 ; and of St. Dagseus, who died AD. 586. See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i., pp. 184, 185, 212, 213. * Colgan maintains, that Diermit lived about this time. Ware places the founda- tion of Inisclothran in the first ages of the Irish Church. See "De Hibemia et Anti- quitatibus ejus," cap. xxvi., p. 172. Harris assigns it to the fifth century. But according to what Colgan has collected concerning this saint, it must have been much later ; for he is said to have been descended in the seventh generation from Dathy, King of Ireland. This monarch was killed about the year 427. Such circumstances would lead us to be- lieve that Diermit flourished later than even 540. See Dr. Lanigan's " Ecclesias- 156 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January io. Diermait's death is not known ; but we have it recorded, he departed this Ufe in his monastery, at Inis Clotran,? the loth of Januaiy. On this day his feast is celebrated.^ By one of our Martyrologists, Marianus O'Gorman, he is said to have been a bishop.9 The present situation of Inis-Clothran — now called Inchcleraun'° — is ad- mirably distinguished with its antique remains on the Ordnance Survey Town- land Maps for the County of Longford." The inhabitants of Cashel parish, in this district, call it the Seven Church Island," and consider it to have been the most important of those various islands on Lough Ree.^3 The people about the shores have a very special veneration for St. Diermait, who is said to have blessed all the islands in the lake, except one, to which an Irish name is given. This signifies in English " the forgotten island." Popular traditions abound, in connexion with the ruins of a church, Temple- dermot, named after our saint, and the " clogas" or square belfry of Dermot, for the desecration of which, a remarkable punishment befel the Quaker who resided on Inchcleraun. The boatman, who rowed Mr. O'Donovan over to this island, declared, that about six weeks previously he and tvvo others saw plainly and distinctly in the noon-day, a tall and stately figure walk along the waves from Inchcleraun with a measured step, until this apparition disap- peared in the dim distance, near Athlone. The boatman and his companions believed the phantom to be St. Diermait, or some other early saint, connected with the island, and who had come to visit his old habitation on earth.'* A beautiful ivory statue of St. Diermit, for a long time, had been preserved on the island. In order to save it from the Vandalism of Protestant Re- formers, it was buried in the earth. Afterwards, it was removed, '= by the brother of a regular priest. He wTote an account, concerning this discovery, to the Irish hagiologist. Father John Colgan. The name of this person has not been given, lest, as Colgan asserts, the Iconoclasts might be enabled to tical History of Ireland," vol. ii., chap, x., commonly-called Clunes ; and whom that §3, p. IO, and p. ii, n. 36. registry says, was buried there with St. ^ Having mentioned the island of Inis- Tigernach, first bishop of that see. But I boffin, on Lough Ree, Brewer says : " On submit this point to the enquiry of others." Inisclothrann, not far distant from the above, Harris' Ware, vol. i., "Bishops of Kil- St. Dhiarmuit Naoimh founded an abbey, more," p. 226. The church, here alluded about the year 540, which became famous to, is that of Clones, a town within the for its schools, and the numerous learned county of Monaghan, and diocese of Clogher. men who studied within the grateful retire- »° It has likewise obtained the modem ment of its insulated walls." See "Beauties name of Quaker's Island, from a person of of Ireland," vol. ii., p. 276. that denomination formerly residing there. ^According to St. i^ngus, Marianus " See sheet 21. O'Gorman, and the Calendar of Cashel. " In Irish, OileAn riA yQ&tz ■DceATn^vuLl. These authorities give the names of his See John O'Donovan's letter, dated Long- father, mother and their progenitors. Many ford. May 22nd, 1837. "Letters and Ex- other saints bore his name, and were from tracts containing Information relative to the the same part of the country. Concerning Antiquities of the County of Longford, col- these, the reader is referred to a note already lected during the progress of the Ordnance given at the 6th of January, when treating Survey in 1837," pp. 54, 56. about St. Diarmaid, Bishop of Airindh-In- '3 The fullest account of Inis Clothran is daich, art. iii., note 5. Henry Fitzsimon, that subsequently written by Mr. O'Donovan, the English Martyrology, and other authori- when he had visited this island. See his ties also treat about Diermit, a disciple to letter dated Strokestovvn, August 19th, St. Columba, at the 3rd of August. Adam- 1837. " Letters containing Information re- nan often mentions the latter, in his Life of lative to the Antiquities of the County of Columba. See Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum Roscommon, collected during the progress of Hibemiae," X. Januarii, n. 17, p. 52. the Ordnance Survey in 1837-8,^' vol. ii., 9 Speaking of this saint, a writer says : pp. 189 to 216, with a tracing of the island. "This Dermod is he (as I think) whom the '*See ibid., pp. 198, 199. Registry of Clogher calls Bishop of Cluain, *s In Colgan s time, a church situated near Lough Erne, and January io.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 157 discover St. Diermit's image, and subject it to their usual process of destruc- tion.'^ At an early period, it is said, the monastery known as Caille-Fochladha, now Foghly or Faghly, or Faughalstown, county of Westmeath, was probably founded by this St. Diermit. The abbey was charmingly situated on the northern brink of Lough Derryvaragh,'? and under the shadow of giant Knock- Eyen.'^ The old church measures 61 'feet, by 20 feet 9 inches. Eye cannot gaze on wilder or more gorgeous scenery than that presented from the lone churchyard. A splendid panorama presents itself across the bright waters from Stonehall to Multifemham ; colossal proportions spread from Coolure to Crooked-wood ; and here scenic or antiquarian tastes may be thoroughly gratified. There was a holy well, dedicated to St. Diermit, An- glicized Darby. Formerly this was much frequented, on the annual recur- rence of his feast. It lay near the old church of Faughelstown.'s Diermaid of Innsi-Clothrand, without any other designation, occurs in the Martyrology of Tallagh,^° at the loth of January.^' Further particulars this day are recorded, in the Martyrology of Donegal,^^ regarding Diermad, Bishop of Inis-Clothrann, in Loch-Ribh. He belonged to the race pi Fiachra, son to Eochaidh Muighmheadhoin, according to the calendarists. Also at the loth of January, the " Kalendarium Drummondiense" notes the passage of St. Diermait, confessor, to the Lord, in Ireland.^3 In the Feilire of St. ^ngus, he is commemorated at this date.^+ Besides, under the head of Inis Clothrann, for the loth of January, Duald Mac Firbis enters Diarmaid, bishop, from Inis-Clothrann, in Loch Ribh, who sprung from the race of Dathy, King of Erin ; and from Dedi, daughter to Trian, son of Dubhthach ua Lughair, chief bard of Erinn.^'s Resignation to the holy will of God is always a characteristic of the saintly contemplative. He lives only to love, and his resolutions have been taken from the loving words of the Apostle, "Whether we live, we live to the Lord, or whether we die, we die to the Lord ; therefore, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord." Such are the reflections of every good priest, whether regular or secular, and of every devout nun, whether mingling in the world or retired in the cloister. An inexhaustible mine of rich thoughts, that cannot fail to become a source of joy to the mind of every pious laic should be the adoption of holy sentiments, which cannot fail to nourish fidelity to Christian engagements. By dwelling frequently on such meditations, the love of Saint '* See Colgan's * ' Acta Sanctomm Hiber- *^ The following stania from the Leabhar niae," X. Januarii. Vita S. Diermitii, cap. Breac copy, R.I. A., with its English trans- vi., and n. i8, p. 52. It may be asked, is lation has been furnished by Professor this curious and artistic relic of olden times O'Looney of the Irish Catholic Univer- yet in existence ? sity : — '7 See " Ordnance Survey Townland Maps of the County of Westmeath. " Sheet C. ii'ii. it) Ailme irje ri-t>iclii\A 7. riAch incecmA 'oi\och uAnt) '* See Rev. A. Cogan's " Diocese of mibir> cait) cAin cAcVibine rVlAc CoemAin. * See "Trias Thaumaturga." Quinta Vita S. Columb?5, n. 70, p. 451. 5 See what has been already stated in Article iv. on this day. * These are: i. St. Ernan, sonofEoghan, at the 1st of January. 2. St. Ernain, of Cluain Deochra, at the nth of January. 3. St. Ernain, son of Caomhan, same day. 4. St. Ernain of Tegh Ernan, at the 17th of Januar)'. 5. St. Ernain, bishop, 26th of January. 6. St. Ernin Cass, of Lethghlinn, at the 23rd of February. 7. St. Ernin, at 28th of February. 8. St. Ernin, bishop, at 1 2th of April. 9. St. Ernin, at 12th of May. 10. St. Ernain, son of Aedh, at l6th of May. 11. St. Ernin, of Creamh- choill, at the 31st of May. 12. St. Ernin, of Cluain, at the 4th of June. 13. St. Ernin, of Cluain-finn, at the 28th of June. 14. St. Ernin, at the 1st of July. 15. St. Ernin, of Inis-caoin, at the 13th of July. 16. St. Ernin, of Cluain-Railgheach, at the 5th of August. 17. St. Ernain, at the 17th of August. 18. St. Ernin, i.e., Memog, of Rath-noi, at the l8th of August. 19. St. Ernin Ua Briuin, at the 27th September. 20. St. Ernan, of Miodhluachra, at the 26th of October. 21. St. Ernan, at 27th of Oc- tober. 22. St. Ernin, Abbot of Lethghlinn, at the 1 2th of November. 23. St. Ernin, son of Dubh, at the 13th of November.- 24. St. Ernin, son of Senach, at the 14th of December. 25. St. Ernin, at the 23rd of December. The reader is referred for notices to their several days. 7 Colgan remarks, that if his conjecture about the mistake of the letter be not ad- mitted, St. Ernain of Torey, may be iden- tical vnth. some one of the foregoing undis- 176 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 11. Article VI. — St. Orthinis, or Carthinisa, Bishop. \Possibly in the Fifth Ceutury.] The Franciscan copy of the Martyrology of Tallagh' has this saint's name written, apparently Oanthinis, or possibly Oarthinis, bishop. Orthinis, a bishop,^ is mentioned in the Martyrology of Donegals on this day. Differently indeed the published Martyrology of Tallagh+ registers him, under the designation of Carthinisa, bishop. About him, nothing more appears to be known. A conjecture has been offered by Colgan, as to how he may have been that Temoreris^ or Tememoreris,^ who has been classed by Tirechan among the disciples of St. Patrick, and who founded a holy church. 7 Article VII. — St. Alten, or Eltene, Son of Maolan of Seanchua, NOW Shancoe Parish, County of Sligo. We find the simple entry, Alten, without any other designation, in the Martyrology of Tallagh' at the nth of January.^ But again, Eltene, son of Maolan of Seanchua, is mentioned in the Martyrology of Donegal,3 as having a feast on this day. Senchua, now Shancoe, was in the territory of Tiroilill, now the barony of Tirerrill, in the county of Sligo.* This church is alluded to in the annotations of Tirechan,s and in the Lives of St. Patrick,^ as one of his foundations.^ It is situated on the confines of Leitrim county,^ and, with some good land, a large portion of this parish is under bog and mountain tracts.? Article VIII. — St. Beandan, Abbot and Confessor. This holy man braved persecution and exile as the consequence of his becoming a champion of the faith. He was a native of Ireland, where his parents were distinguished persons.' Leaving his native country, this noble athlete of Christ, contended against certain British heretics,^ who conceived a violent enmity towards him.3 tinguished at the 28th of February, at the 1 2th of April, at the 12th of May, at the 1st of July, at the 1 7th of August, at the 23rd of December. See tiiit. To these he might have added one at the 26th of January, and at the 27th of October. Art. VI. — ' The reading seems to me OAnchimp epi. Yet the first 11 may possi- bly be resolved into ]\, partially obliterated. " In a note Dr. Todd says, at this word, ' ' There is here added in a more recent hand, '•Alii CATpciniofA.' The Mart. Tamlacht omits Orthinis and substitutes CA^cmif-A epifcopi, adding in a more modern Italian hand, ' Amadeus seu Ama-Jesus, ' which is a translation of the name Carthiniosa." 3 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 12, 13. * Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xii. s " De Cairce, sen Cairrec." * Colgan says perhaps he is the same as St. Morthennis or Demorthennis, who is venerated at the nth of January. See "Trias Thaumaturga." Quinta Appendix ad Acta S. Patricii, cap. xxiii. p. 268. He evidently meant this Orthinis or Carthinisa. 7 Quam tenuit familia Clonoauis." See Ussher's " Britannicarum Ecclesiarum Anti- quitates." p. 950. Art. VII.—' Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xii. ' In the Franciscan copy ^Iceri. 3 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 12, 13. * St. Ailbe of this place, venerated on the 30th of January, died a. d. 545. See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i., pp. 184, 185, and n (h), ibid. 5 "Book of Armagh," fol. 15, a. a. ® See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga." Sexta Vita S. Patricii, cap. cv., p. 89, and n. 119, p. 113. Also Septima Vita S. Pa- tricii, lib. ii., cap. xxxv., p. 134, and n. 70, p. 176. 7 See "Quinta Appendix ad Acta S. Pa- tricii." cap., xxiv. p. 271., ibid. * See Lewis' "Topographical Dictionary of Ireland," vol. ii., p. 550. 9 See "Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the County of Sligo." Sheets 27, 28, 34> 35- On Ummeryroe Townland (Sheet 28) in this parish, a graveyard is noted, but there seems hardly any other object of interest. Art. viii. — ' So it is stated in the " Gal- lic Martyrology " at this day. ' These were probably Pelagians, whose errors spread in Great Britain, although they did not obtain any countenance in Ireland. We are incorrectly told, however, by Richard of Cirencester, that Saints Germanus and Lupus came into Britain to extirpate the Pelagian heresy, "annis circiter trecentis quadraginta quattuor." This was many years before Pelagianism. See " Speculum Historiale De Gestis Regum Anglias," vol. i., cap. Ixi., p. 248. Edited by John E. B. Mayor, M.A., for the Master of the Rolls. ^ Pelagius was a Scot by birth, who passing January ii.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 177 From insular Britain he was obliged to seek a refuge in Gaul, where he embraced the rule of St. Benedict, which then began to flourish in the country where he found an asylum. In that religious house in which he lived, Beandan was an exemplar of heroic virtue to all his companions. His life was renowned, and miracles were even wrought through him. To the general regret of all his disciples, this holy man passed from their companionship ; but they were consoled, because he ranked among the blessed in heaven. His festival was observed on the nth of January, and this is probably the date for his holy rest from earthly labour. Colgan, who has entered some notices of him at this day,* is of opinion, his right name should be Breandan,5 which was one very common in Ireland.^ Article IX. — St. Ronan. Nothing has transpired to connect the present saint with any particular locality. In the Martyrology of Donegal,' we find Ronan as having a festival on this day. Phocas, or Phocianus, is found ap- pended to the entry of his name in the table to this work.= A similar entry is to be met in the Martyrology of Tallagh,3 at the i ith of January. 4 We are not able to glean further information about him. Article X; — St. Failbe. [Possibly in the Fifth Century. 1 A festival, in honour of St. Failbe, is entered at the nth of February, in the Martyrology of Donegal,' as edited by the Rev. Drs. Todd and Reeves. It would seem, there was a St. Falveus, a disciple of St. Patrick, and a bishop of Kill-fobhuir. He was a companion of St. Benignus,^' in the conversion of Jarmonia. Colgan was doubtful,3 as to whether his feast should be assigned to this day — in which case he must be identical with the present saint — or to the i6th of April, where another St. Failbe is honoured. We are told that Fortrui, the queen of King Echinus, came to St. Benignus, and requested him to arrange for a friendly conference with St. Patrick. He requested this queen, a relation of his own, to proceed with the king, and her children, to a place called Cluain-na-Coinne.'^ This request was complied with, and St. Patrick met them at this^ village, where he founded the cell of Kill-Fobhar,s for St. from insular Britain, became a monk in at this date, call him Beandanus, while Ar- Palestine. About the commencement of the nold Wion, and others, write his name, fifth century, he urged certain errors against Blandanus. The Irish never used such forms the Catholic doctrines of Grace, and of Origi- for proper names. Besides, the mistake of a nal Sin. See Cabassutius' " Notitia Ecclesi- single letter might easily convert Brandanus asticaHistoriarum Conciliorum,"&c. Eccle- into Beandanus or Blandanus. sise Quinti Sceculi Historica Synopsis, § i6. Art. ix. — ' Edited by Drs. Todd and pp. 186, 187. The history and tenets of Reeves, p. 13. this heresiarch are well detailed in Bergier's ' See ibid., pp. 462, 463. " Dictionnaire de Theologie." Art. Pelagi- ^ Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xii. anisme. * In the Franciscan copy we have HoiiArii. ^ See "Acta Sanctorum Hiberni?e," xi. Art. x. — ' See pp. 12, 13. Januarii. Vita S. Beandani, and n. i, pp. 56, * This is mentioned in a Life of St. Benig- 57. nus, chap. x. This life Colgan promised to 5 To the acts of St. Cera, at the 5th of publish at the 9th of November. January, the reader is referred for a number 3 See "Trias Thaumaturga, " Quinta Ap- of Irish saints, bearing this name. Brendan pendix ad Acta S. Patricii, cap. xxiii., p. of Ardfert, had many churches in Britain. 268. Again, St. Brendan of Clonfert, venerated ■• This is Latinized, " Villa Conventionis," on the 1 6th of May, is said to have erected or "The Village of Meeting," in English, many monasteries in different islands. See 5 It does not appear an easy task to iden- ibid., n. 2, p. 57. tify this place among the modern denomina- ' We are told that Maurolycus and Felix, tions of Ireland. Vol. I. N 178 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 12. Falveus, bishop. St. Patrick asked St. Eenignus to bless Echinus, and prophesied that this king, and his posterity, should afterwards serve him in return for this blessing.^ CtDelftl^ Bap of Sanuarp* ARTICLE I.— ST. LAIDGEN, OR LAIDCEND, OF CLONFERT MOLUA, NOW KYLE, QUEEN'S COUNTY. ISE VENTH CENTUR Y. ] SOME brief notices of St. Laidgen have been collected by Colgan,' and inserted in his work, at the 12th of January, the date for his festival. This saint was son to a man named Baithus Bannaigh, or Buadhach, which means Baithus the Victorious. Laidgen thus belonged to a very respectable parentage. Yet, we are told, he abandoned the riches and honours of this world, to become a monk in Clonfert Molua Monastery. This must have been soon after its foundation. Here, under the direction of its abbot, St. Lactan,^ the disciple became distinguished for all the virtues of his state ; and in order to forget worldly allurements, St. Laidgen's thoughts were continually occupied with enjoyable meditations on eternal life. He was exercised in all the humble practices of penance. He spent many years in performing his usual monastic observances, and in the cultivation of extraordinary virtues, which were the admiration of his fellow religious. He wrought many miracles. It seems possible — but by no means certain — that this holy man may have been under the direction of the illustrious founder, who died in the year 605.3 This once-renowned sanctuary of Clonfert MoUoe, now so desolate, within the barony of Upper Ossory and Queen's County, is still represented by the parish of Kyle. It is in a townland also ca'led Kyle,* where some remains of the ancient church may still be seen. The^e fragments are faithfully represented in the accompanying sketch. s Here St. Lua or Molua^ established a religious foun- dation, in the sixth century ; and from him the place was anciently known as Clonfert Molua. Various popular traditions are rife regarding this holy founder, among the peasantry in the neighbourhood of Kyle. Its graveyard has long been a favourite place for burial. Laidgen does not appear to have reached a higher station than that of a simple monk at Clonfert Molua, although the contrary has been s::ated,7 without sufficient examination. The memory * See Colgan's "Trias Thaumiturga.'' Sheet 15. There also are noted, not alone Appendix iii., ad Acta S. Patricii, § xxvi:., St. Molua's Abbey, but his graveyard and p. 204. grave. Not far from the cemetery enclosure AuT. I.--' See " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- a"e to be found a curious upriglit rock, called niae," xii. Januarii. Vita S. Laidgenni, pp. S:. Molua's Stone, and another object called 57, 58. St. Molua's Trough. ' He was the immediate successor of the s Taken by the writer in May, 1872. The founder, as appears from the Life of St. engraving is by Mrs. Millard. Molua, cap. liii. " See his Life at the 4th of August. 3 See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the 7 By Archdall, who is a very unsafe autho- Four Masters," vol. i., pp. 230, 231. The rity. In his account of Clonfert Mulloe, ifi- " Annals of Ulster" place his death at A.D. correctly placed in the King's County, he 608. writes, " 660, January 12, died the Abbot * It is represented on the " Ordnance Sur- Laidgene," &c. See " Monasticon Hibei;- vayTownlandMapsfor the Queen's County," nicum," p. 379. January 12.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 179 of St. Laidgen was celebrated at Clonfert Molloe^ with a devotion second only to that entertained towards the founder of this house.^ Our saint died on the 1 2th of day of January/" in the year 660." He was buried in Clonfert Molua. That this saint was notable amongst most distinguished holy men in his time may be collected from the circumstance of his being named in the Festilogy of St, ^ngus," written before or soon after the year 800 ; for in this no. saint is mentioned who was not considered to hold a high rank in the Irish Church, Old Church of Kyle, or Clonfert Molua, Queen's County. and whose memory was not honoured by a special festival. The name of this ' Many holy persons are venerated in that place, such as Luanus, at the ^.th of August ; St. Lactan, his disciple and succes- sor, at the 19th of March ; Saints Chrittanus, Lonanus, and Mellanus, sons to Dareus, at the 7th of February ; Soergalus, Moenachus Finginus, with other saints and celebrated abbots. Of none, however, with the excep- tion of our saint, is it remarked that their tomb is there to be seen. 9 All our annalists and martyrologists are unanimous in recording these facts, as may be seen by referring to Colgan's " Acta Sanc- torum Hibernise," xii. Januarii, pp. 57, 58. '° At this day all our Menologies record the death of St. Laidgen. " The " Martyrology of Donegal" agrees with these foregoing authorities, as to the day on which our saint's natalis had been celebrated. It also coincides as to the year of his death. The " Annals of Clonmac- noise," of Roscrea, of All Saints' Island, and of Ulster, place his demise at the year 660. See Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum Hi- berniiE," xii. Januarii, n. 5, p. 58. At this same year his death is thus recorded by the Annals of the Four Masters, "St. Laidh- geann, son of Baeth, of Cluainfearta-Molua, died on the I2th of January." — O'Donovan's edition, vol. i., pp. 270, 271. " The following Irish stanza and its Eng- lish translation were supplied by Professor O'Loonev, from the Laebhar-Breac copy, R.I.A., fol. 79. e. I'i. I'D. melves called bishops." See "•Lcclesi- appear abroad veiled." See iiarris' Ware, astical History of Ireland," vol. i., chap, ix , vol. i., "Archbishops of Armagh," p. 37. § iii., n. 40, p. 442. s His words, in reference to Ailild, are, ' There are two Movilles in the province "abuxorislege solutus," &c. Colgan took of Ulster. One of these is in the northern this phrase from St. Paul, who uscj it — ag- peninsula, called Inishowen ; while the cording to the Vulgate translation — where other Moville is in the eastern part oi Down, he declares, that, in case of the husband's The latter is more celebrated. Here, too, 'death, a woman may marry again. " Nam most likely the present saint dwelt, especially quae sub viro est mulier vivente viro, alligata as it seems to have been a patrimonial in- est legi ; si antem mortuus fuerit vir ejus, heritance. soluta est lege viri," Rom. vii., 2. 'thus * See Dr. Reeves' "Ecclesiastical Anti- the words used by Colgan necessarily pre- quities of Down, Conor and Dromore," Ap- suppose, in a scholastic sense, the wife's pendix A, p. 157. There, it is calculated, death. that Moville or Maghbile Monastery had * •' I mean real bishops and regularly con- been founded about tne year S4a January 13.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. If; called away from life.s On the death of Duach or Dubtach I., which took place in the year 512/" St. Alild I. was appointed to succeed, as Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of Ireland. Our saint sustained the honours of this exalted station for a continuance of thirteen years." During this period, his merits and virtues were found fuiiy equal to that great trust reposed in his keeping. Full of years and of virtues, he passed out of this life, on the 13th day of January, in the year of salvation, 525.'- T icdi-al, He was succeeded in ihe Archiei^scopal See of Armagh, by St. A'.ild II. -p and from the concurrent c ;n:umstances of both distinguished persons bearing the same name, claimiiig tlie same family origin, '4 and coming in an im- ' See ihid., Appendix IX, p. 376. '" At this year, we have the following enti'y : " Dubhtach, i.e., of Diuim-Dearbii, Bishop of Arcl Macha [i\rmagh], resigned his spirit." .See O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i., pp. 168, 169. And in a note, on this entry, Mr. O'Donovan remarks, that Druim-Dearbh was probably identical v/ith Derver, in the county of Louth. See n. (m), ibid. " .Sec Usslier's Catalogue of the Primates of Armagh in " Britannicaium Ecclcsiarum Antiquitates," cap. xvii., p. 454. " At this year, we have the following entry: " Ailill, liishop of Armagh, who was of the Ui Brcasail, died." .See O'Dono- van's " Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i., pp. 172, 173. In note (a), on this entry, Mr. O'Donovan says, in reference to the Ui- Breasail, or Race of Breasal, "These were otherwise called Ui-Breasail-Macha and Clann-Breasail, and derived their name and lineage from Breasal, son of Feidhlim, son of Fiachra Casan, son of Colla Dachrioch. Sec O'Flaherty's Ogygia, iii., c. 76. On an old ma]:) of a part of Ulster, preserved in the State Paper Office, London, the territory of Clan-brazil is shown as on the south side of Lough Neagh, where the Upper Bann enters that lake,, from which, and from the place given it, we may infer that it was co- extensive with the present barony of Oneil- land East," ibid. '3 This is attested by the Catalogue of Prelates in this see, and by the Annals of Scnat-mac-Magnus, of Clonmacnoise, and of the Four Masters. He died in the year 535. See Rev. Robert King's " Memoir Introductory to the early History of the Primacy of Armagh," p. 69. '••The annals and authorities already quoted relate, that Ailill I. died a.d. 525. He and his successor Ailill II. belonged to the race of Bressail, who belonged to the family of Fiatach Finn. \Vherefore the line of Breassail, drawn from the Dalfiatach LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 13. mediate order as regards succession in the same see, they have been incor- rectly confounded. But the distinction of days, months and years, having reference to their departure from this Hfe, will tend to correct such an error. Our annalists and hagiologists assign the second Alild's death to the ist day of July, A.D. 53 5. 's As already observed, those dates referring to the decease of St. Alild I., are altogether different.'^ The Natalis of Alild I. is held on the Ides or 13th of January, and that of Alild II., on the ist of July.'? For these statements, we may cite as authorities, the Martyrology of Tallagh,'^ Marianus O'Gorman, the Commentator on St. ^ngus, and the Irish Martyrology of Donegal. '9 Despite a positive assertion of the learned and researchful Colgan, who appears to have had ample materials before him on which he might ground an opinion, a learned Irish historian presumes to question the statement, that AiHld L, Archbishop of Armagh, was the identical person, named Alild of Magbile.^° The latter -writer asserts, that in Colgan's acts of our saint, which he designates a strange and an incoherent medley," the Irish hagiologist has confounded into one person two saints, who ought to have been regarded as distinct in identity, and as living at different periods. While allowing Alild of Magbile to have been one of Prince Trichem's sons, and a grandfather to St. Finnian of Magbile, Dr. Lanigan considers this St. Alild to have been always a layman. From confounding the latter with St. Alild, Archbishop of Armagh, this historian asserts an impression was thence derived that the metropolitan prelate had been married before his ordination. Again Dr. Lanigan maintains, that Alild, Archbishop of Armagh, was not nearly con- nected with Dichuo, St. Patrick's early convert, while the prelate in question was a native of Clanbrassil, this being a district, far distant from Lecale, in which Dichuo's family resided. ^^ This \\T:iter will not allow there is any foundation for a statement, that Alild, Archbishop of Armagh, or even Dichuo, came from a princely extraction. But the argument he principally urges, to sustain his opinion, is the assumption of Dichuo having had a settled family in the year 432, when in all probability he could not have been less than forty years of age, and consequently the improbability of his having had a root, gave name to Clan-bressail, a district '' Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. in Ulster. See ibid. The accompanying 14, 15. In the table postfixed to this view of the exact site of Armagh's ancient Martyrology, he is likewise styled Eulalius. cathedral — the modem structure is com- See ibid., pp. 360, 361. paratively a recent one — has been drawn by *° In the " Menologic Genealogy." William F. Wakeman, and engraved by A. '• See Dr. Lanigan's " Ecclesiastical His- Appleton. tory of Ireland," vol. i., chap, ix., § iii., n. '5 At the year 535, we find it stated, 35, p. 441. " Oilill, Bishop of Armagh, died. He was " The Doctor adds in a note, "The Four also of the Ui-Breasail." See O'Donovan's Masters have (,ap. Tr. Th., p. 293): 'S. " Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i., pp. Alildus Ep. Ardmach de gente de Hi-Bres- 178, 179. In note (u) to this entry, Mr. sail :' i.e., Clanbrassil, in the county of Ar- O'Donovan's says, " He is otherwise called magh. Colgan (at 13th January) strives to Ailill. He succeeded his relative Ailill I. reconcile this with his assumption that Alild who died in 526." Ibid. was son of the great dynast Trichem, by '* In the different Catalogues of the Pri- saying, that the Hi-Bressail sept was a mates at Armagh, Ailill I. is said to have branch of the Dalfiatachs. This is a pitiful ruled for thirteen, and Ailill II. for ten evasion. If Alild was a son of Trichem, years. who was of the great and right line of the '' See " Acta Sanctorum Hibemiae," xiii. Dalfiatachs, he would not have been placed Januarii. Vita S. Alelli, cap. vii., and n. in the distant and minor branch of the Hi- 19, p. 62. Bressail." See "Ecclesiastical History of '^Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xii. In Ireland," vol. i., chap, ix., § iii., n. 38, p. the Franciscan copy the reading is ^iLLelo 442. ep. January 13.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS, 189 brother capable of discharging episcopal duties in 513.^3 The objections of Dr. Lanigan are sufficiently plausible and pertinent, but not entirely convinc- ing nor unanswerable, especially when weighed with received accounts re- garding our saint.'+ According to his usual theory of computation, this historian says, Ailill I. died about, or in the year 526,^5 after having governed Armagh See nearly thirteen years.^^ The same writer supposes, that Ailill I., dying so early in the year as the 13th of January, it is very probable, his in- cumbency did not last fully thirteen years, although having its commence- ment in 513. In the body of his text, to Avhich the above observation is ap- pended, the learned Doctor tells us, that the first Alild died on the 13th of January, a.d. 526, after an incumbency of thirteen years.^7 No doubt much remains to be discovered regarding the Life of St. Alilid I., under these peculiar circumstances; and probably, at some future time, certain involutions of facts now presented may receive adequate solution. For the present, therefore, too much unwarranted assertion or mere speculation might be risked, were the writer of this notice to enter upon further details concern- ing him, and the contemporary events of his period. Article II. — Reputed Festival of St. Kentigern, or St. Mungo, Bishop of Glasgow, Scotland. \Sixth and Seventh Centuries.'] The period in which this remarkable saint lived, was fertile in that peculiar sanctity which characterized the Celtic and British races. The evangelizer of the Strathclyde Britons, St. Kentigern has left traces of an extraordinary moral influence in after times, among those people who inhabited the mountainous districts of Cumberland and Wales. ^ Although conceived in Britain, his mother was obliged to leave it, and the saint is said to have been a native of Ireland, by the learned English antiquary, John Leland.= At this date, according to Thomas Dempster,3 the Scottish writers place Kentigern's festival.* But we prefer reserving for the 13th of November a more detailed account of his extraordinary virtues and miracles, since that appears to synchronize best with the most respectable chronicles and calendars. The Martyrology of Aberdeen relates,5 at this date,^ that St. Kentigern, Bishop of Glasgow, was venerated "3 See ibid., p. 440. he seems elsewhere (p. 874) to place it in ** Especially as furnished by Colgan. 527." See Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical *5 " Usher, Ind. Chron. Ware, &c. The History of Ireland," vol. i., chap, ix., § Irish Annals quoted by Colgan at 13 Jan. xiii., p. 494, and n. 194, p. 495, ibid. have A.D. 525, which was the same as our Article II. — ' See Bishop Forbes' 526." See " Ecclesiastical History of Ire- "Kalendar of Scottish Saints," p. 362. land," vol. i., chap, ix., § vii., p. 461, and By this writer his natalis or festival has been n. 100, p. 462, ibid. assigned to the 13th of November. ^'^ See "Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," ^ See Hall's edition of John Leland's vol, i., chap, ix., § vii., p. 461. "Ailill's " Commentariide Scriptoribus Britannicis," incumbency is generally reckoned af thirteen tomus i., cap. xlvi., p. 72. years. It is more probable that the thirteen 3 See " Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis years were not complete : unless we should Scotonim," tomus ii., lib. x., pp. 406, 407. suppose that Dubtach, his predecessor, died ^ For this statement, he also cites John before the 13th of January, a.d. 513. This, Molanus, in his additions to Usuard's Mar- however, can scarcely be admitted ; and from tyrology. The Kalendar of the Aberdeen the days on which his memory was revered Breviary likewise places his festival at this (See Note 29), it would appear that he died date. See Bishop Forbes' "Kalendars of later in the year." Ibid., n. loi, p. 462. Scottish Saints," p. iii. =■7 See "Ware, Bishops, &c. He assigns s See Bishop Forbes' "Kalendars of the death of Ailild to A.D. 526, as does Scottish Saints," pp. 127, 128. Colgan (Tr. Th., p. 293) who, however, * In Adam King's Kalendar, there is an following the old Irish mode of anticipating entry at the 13th of January. " S. Mungo, the vulgar era, calls that year 525. Usher Bischop of Glascowe, in Scotland, under (Ind. Chron.) agrees with Ware, although King Con-Walle." See ibid., p. 142. 190 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 13. in Scotia, and he was held in such honour for his unstained purity, for his austerities and charities, enjoying the society of angels, with the grace and power of working such great miracles, that not only was he reverenced among the Scotch, but even he was regarded as a particular patron by the English and Irish.7 The Venerable Bede pronounced his eulogy, where he says, as Lucifer among the stars, so did Kentigernus shine among the British saints. His illustrious contemporary, the Abbot Columba, took a long journey, on account of St. Kentigern's distinguished merits, to see him in person.^ During this visit, various miracles were wrought. In the anonymous Calendar, pub- lished by O'SuUivan Beare,9 at the 13th of January, this holy bishop is ranked among our national saints. Henry Fitzsimon, also, in his '* Catalogus Aliquo- rum Sanctorum Ibernise," has Kentigernus Epis., at the same date. '° Buchan- nan incorrectly supposes" this holy man to have been one of the early bishops of Scotland consecrated by Palladius. Article HI. — Festival of St. Hilary, Bishop and Abbot of Poitiers. \Fourth Century^ This illustrious saint — one of the lights of the French, and even of the universal Catholic Church — was born at Poitiers, of a highly- respectable family. Brought up in the errors of Paganism, his sincere love of truth, and his earnest, well-directed enquiries brought him to embrace the Faith, and to receive baptism. He was chosen Bishop of Poitiers about a.d. 353. He was distinguished for h's great learning, eloquence, genius, and virtues. The Irish, from the very earliest period of their Christian initiation, entertained the highest veneration for this illustrious saint. They even con- trived to spread his fame in Scotland,' and on the Continent of Europe. In the Feilire of St. -^ngus, he is commemorated, and under the denomination of Elair. A comment, annexed to his name, however, exjjlains that the Latinized form is Helarius." Although in ancient Martyrologies the feast of St. Hilary has been recorded on the 13th of January, and on the ist of November,3 yet in the Roman Breviary, his office is celebrated on the 14th of January.* His own writings best interpret his spirit. The two books of the two Fortunatuses, written at an early period, are both inaccurate. These 'In his "Menologium Scoticum," Thomas Article in. — ' There he is patron saint Dempster enters at this day, the feast of of Drumblait, where we have Teller's Well. Kentigarn, Bishop and Confessor of Glascoe, See "New Statistical Account of Scotland," the son of King Eugene, who converted the Aberdeen, p. 298, In the parish of Fetlar Welsh to the faith, and who deserved to be and North Yell, in Shetland, we find St. called their Apostle. See ibid., p. 190. Hilary's Kirk, above Feal. /(J/fl'., Shetland, The " Scottish Kalendar" of the Prayer p. 25. Book for the Church of Scotland in the * Professor O'Looney has furnished the time of Charles I. has ''Mungo, bishop," following Irish extract, with its English at this date. translation, from the Felire : — '.See Rev. William Reeves' Adamnan's ^T. i-o. ^tn-bent)A6c ]\otibiA "Life of St. Columba." Additional Notes bAlc icje cen Aibjif (m), p. 321. Sochnge fochld fUAbAif ' .See " Historix Catholicse Ibernice Com- e^Aip Abo piccAuif. pendium," tomus i , lib. iv., cap. xi., p. 49. '° The Mart. Angl. and Flor. are quoted F. id. " Their blessing may I hav^ as authorities. The Rev. Alban Butler has Powerful their prayer without a$- an extended notice of St. Kentigern in ' persion, " Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs and other Eloquent, noble, accomplished, Principal Saints," January xiii. This learned Elair Abbot of Pictavis." writer seems to have been ignorant of the 3 See Rev. Alban Butler's " Lives of the saint's nativity having been assigned to Ire- Fathers, Martyrs and other Principal land. Saints," January xiv. " See " Rerum Scoticarum Ilistoria," lib^ * See " Breviarium Romanum," Die xiv., v., xliv. rex., p. 132. Pars Hiemalis. January 13.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 191 are supposed to have been Italians. The first in point of time probably wrote St. Hilary's life in the first book. The second, Venantius Fortunatus, Bishop of Poitiers, it is thought Avro'e the saint's miracles, in the second book. St. Gregory of Tours, Alcuin, Flodoard, Dom Contant, Tillemont, Cellier, Rivet, Rev. Alban Butler, with many other ancient and modern writers, have very fully recorded his acts. Into biographical particulars, the scope of this work will not enable us to enter; but as many ancient ofllices, antiphonaries, and calendars of Ireland have his name inscribed, we could not wholly omit to notice him. When he started from Ireland, St, Fridolin, first visited Poi- tiers.s Thence he passed by the Moselle and Strasburg. He founded churches dedicated to St. Hilary, first at Glarus, which still retains in its name the trace of his presence, and finally at Seckingen, near Basle,^ A circle of churches in that neighbourhood, dedicated to St, Hilary, or to St. Fridolin himself, serves to prove the reality of this story.7 Not alone in Gaul, but in more distant countries, did St. Hilary labour and suffer much for the faith ; and at length, he happily departed on the 13th day of January, a.d. 368, at Poitiers. Article IV. — St. Mochonna, Bishop of Leamhchoill, said to be the PRESENT LowHiLL, CouNTY OF KILKENNY. Truc sanctity engages the inte- rest and love of true Christians. Thousands catch some utterance or witness some sign from God's holiest servants. Thus sanctity becomes a great moving power even on earth. Mochonna, Bishop of Leamhchoill, is recorded in the Martyrology of Donegal,' on th:s day. A nearly similar entry is found in the Martyrology of Tallagh,^ on the 13th of January. This place has been identified with Lowhill, in the Queen's County, by William M. Hennessy.3 Among the townland denominations of Ireland, we have not been able to identify this particular etymon ; but we have been further in- formed by an excellent Irish topographer,-* that the old place must be recognised under the present Loughill, near Ballynakill, in the Queen's County. It lay, however, within the old territory of Idough. There are no less than three Loughills in this part of Kilkenny County, and all within the present barony of Fassadinin.s One is in the parish of Abbeyleix, another in that of Attanagh, and a third in that of Rosconnell.^ On that part of Abbeyleix parish, outside the Queen's County, and within the barony of Fassadinin, in the county of Kikenny, may be seen the ornamental grounds around Loughill House. Here an abbey in ruins, and a St. Chadden's Church in ruins, are in close proximity.? This is likely to have been the site of St, 5 There can hardly be a doubt, that as Article IV. — 'Edited by Drs. Todd St. Hilary was the master of St. Martin of and Reeves, pp. 14, 15. Tours, the instructor in turn of our illustrious =" Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xii. In Apostle St. Patrick, a great traditional re- the Franciscan copy we read at this date verence towards him grew up among the niochonde ©p bemchAibb Ooliiijdch. early Irish Christians. See Le Comte de 3 See "Proceedings of the Royal Irish Montalembert's " Les Moines d'Occident," Academy," IrishMSS. series, vol. i., part i., tome i. , liv. iii., Les Precurseurs Monas- nn. 27, 30, p. 117. tiques en Occident, p. 222. ■♦Rev. John F. Shearman, C.C.. Howth. '' Bishop Greith tells us, that the text of s See "General Alphabetical Index to St. Matthew, used in St. Hilary's Com- the Townlands and Towns, Parishes and mentary on the Gospel, agrees with that in Baronies of Ireland," p. 673. the MS. Gospels, which are preserved at St. * There is an interesting old ruin in this Gall. See Haddan's " Scots on the Con- parish, at which a patron had been formerly tinent," in "Christian Remembrancer," held, vol, xliii., p. 477. 7 See "Ordnance Survey Townland Maps ^ See Bishop Forbes' " Kalendar of the for the County of Kilkenny." Sheet i, Scottish Saints," pp. 358, 359. 192 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 13. Mochonna's place ;^ and perhaps, owing to some corruption of spelling or pronunciation, Chadden has been used for Conna, the original form of this holy man's name. When he lived, we have not been able to ascertain. Under the head of Leamhchoill, Duald Mac Firbis, enters a feast to Mochonna, bishop of this place, at January i3th.9 Moderate and wise in his views, the true pastor of souls is staunch and firm in discharging his Christian duties. Article |V. — St. Barnitus or Barrintus, Abbot, Probably of Drum- CULLEN Parish, King's County. \Possibly in the Sixth Century.'] A holy man of this name was venerated in Scotland, on the 13th of January. We are led to infer from Bishop Forbes' proximate allusion to St. Barrendeus,' Abbot of Druimcuillen," in Fearceal, on the borders of Munster and Leinster, that he was identical with the present saint.3 According to Dempster, he was a companion of St. Brandan, and honoured in Argyle.* His relics were venerated at Dreghom, August 6th.5 Some writers place his festival at the 5th of January.^ Article VI. — St. Saran, Bishop. A festival in honour of Saran, a bishop, is entered for the 13th of January, in the Martyrology of Tallagh.* More than this announcement we have not been able to discover ; for it is only simply repeated in the Martyrology of Donegal," where we find Sar^, bishop, venerated on this day. Article VII. — St. Ronan. The real love of God, and the love of our neighbour, are identified in the soul of the Christian. They serve as a living evidence, when we pass from death to life. Those marks of that Divine charity, of which St. Paul speaks, never leave a doubt of man's resurrection from the death of sin to the happy life of God's grace. And so do they ever burn most ardently in the happy souls of holy persons. The festival of Ronan, is entered in the published Martyrology of Tallagh,' as also in that of Donegal,' on this particular day. There is a fragment of a Life of St. Ronan, ' The Franciscan entry leaves no doubt and on the north bank of Carrig River regarding this site, which agrees not only (Sheet 36) may be seen Drumcullen Church, with the localized denomination, but also marked in ruins, within the surrounding with the territory of Ui-Duach or Idough. cemetery. It lies within a mile of Kinnity. This was long considered to have been co- ^See " Kalendars of the Scottish Saints," extensive with the barony of Fassadinin, in pp. 274, 275. the county of Kilkenny; but O'Huidhrin * See ibid., " Menologium Scoticum," p. gives them the "fair wide plain of the 190. Dempster has his feast at the 5th of Feoir" (Nore). See " The Topographical January. Poems of John O'Dubhagain and Giolla na 5 See ibid., p. 208. Naomh O'Huidhrin." Edited by John ' This we learn from the Scottish entries O'Donovan, LL.D., p. 95, and n. 496, p. in the Kalendar of David Camerarius. See lix. ibid., p. 233. The " Scoti-Chronicon" is 9 See " Proceedings of the Royal Irish here quoted ; but we find this follows the Academy," Irish MSS. series, vol. i., part i., placing of St. Barnitus, confessor, at the pp. 116, 117. 13th of January. Article v. — ' According to Ussher, a. d. Article vi. — 'Edited by Rev. Dr. 591. See his works, vol. vi., pp. 532, 598. Kelly, p. xii. In the Franciscan copy the ' Now Drumcullen parish, barony of entry is S4j\aitii Op. Eglish, King's County. The site of an " Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. ancient church can now be seen in the 14, 15. graveyard of Tinnacross townland. See Article Vll. — ' Edited by Rev. Dr. "Ordnance Survey Townland Maps of Kelly, p. xii. the King's County," Sheet 30. Sheets 31, ''Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 35 and 36, complete the plans for this parish, 14, 15, January 13.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS, 193 son of Berach,3 among the manuscripts preserved in the Burgundian Library at Bruxelles ;■* but from an imperfect description, we cannot surmise whether or not it refers to the present saint, or to some other similarly named.s Article VIII. — St. Deoraith or Deuraid, of Eadardrum, Diocese OF Elphin. Sj^ifth or Sixth Century.'] This holy man was of royal and British origin. His parents were Bracan, of Irish descent, and his mother was Din, daughter to a King of the Saxons.'^ With several of his sainted brothers, he emigrated to Ireland. According to Colgan, he appears to have lived at Eadardruim, where a monastery formerly stood. At present it is a parish in the diocese of Elphin.^ Deoraith is recorded in the Martyrology of Donegal,3 on this day. In the Martyrology of Tallagh,4 he is called Deuraid. Marianus O'Gorman records him at this date. This saint appears to have lived towards the close of the fifth or the beginning of the sixth cen- tury. It is to be regretted, we have not been able to glean ampler materials to extend his biography. Article IX. — St. Mochonna, Doconna, or Connan, Bishop of Inis- Patrick, County Dublin. Holy persons are not so selfish as to care only for themselves, their kindred or their class ; but they wish and procure the safety and security of society. This saint is said to have been descended from an illustrious family. He was still more distinguished for his virtues and graces. In the Martyrologies of Tallagh, Marianus O'Gorman, Cathal Maguire,and Donegal,^ we find the nameDochonna,Theoconna,Conna,Conda, Theoconda, or Mochonna, of Inis-Patraig, set down as having a festival on this day.2 Foreign writers call him Connanus, Connidrius, or Condeus. He is called Daconna in the Martyrology of Tallagh,3 and without further title or locality assigned. His conjectural Acts are entered by Colgan at this date.'* It is to be apprehended, that misled by later writers, Colgan has confounded the Inis-Patrick, or Patrick's Island,^ to the east of Skerries, county of Dublin, with Sodor or the Isle of Man. At an early period this saint very probably built a monastery on the island first named, where he lived for the most part, died, and was buried.*^ His remains appear to have been preserved in a rich shrine, one of the earliest to attract the cupidity of the Danes, when they landed on the Irish shores towards the close of the eighth century.7 3 ex buiLe ■puibne. is a note added in Wm. M. Hennessy's copy * It is classed in the Catalogue, vol. iv., of the Donegal Martyrology. nos. 2324-2340, fol. 59. 3 Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xii. In the 5 The Franciscan copy of the Tallagh Franciscan copy is read Ceochonne Cti|\Ane Martyrology has HonAni Ajti^ CotTnAni ■Ajvif "OetiiAAinc. In the published copy Chi|\^. the foregoing inscription seems so divided as Article viii. — ' See the Life of St. Beoc if three separate names were intended. or Dabeoc — brother to the present saint — '' See " Acta Sanctorum Hibeniise," xiii. at the 1st of this month. Januarii. Vita S. Connani, pp. 59, 60. * See "Acta Sanctorum Hibemise," xi. 5 See it represented on the "Ordnance Februarii. Vita S. Canoci, pp. 311, 312. Survey Townland Maps for the County of It was in the Tuath-ainlighe district, as Dublin." Sheet 5. Colgan learned from a Catalogue of the ^ The accompanying sketch of the old Churches of Elphin diocese, sent to him by church on St. Patrick's Island has been the pious, learned and patriotic Bishop drawn on the spot by William F. Wakeman, Boetius Egan. See n. 12. and engraved by George A. Hanlon. 3 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. ^ There are very interesting drawings of 14, 15. the old ruins at Holmpatrick, near Skerries, '* Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xii. county of Dublin, among the sketches of Art. IX. — ' Edited by Drs. Todd and George Du Noyer, preserved in the Royal Reeves, pp. 14, 15. Irish Academy, vol. vii., Nos. 4, 5, on ^ " See Felire (Land 610) at 13 January," large drawing paper. Vol. I. — No. 4. q 194 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 13. The date is variously assigned to a.d. 793,^ 794,^ 797," and 798." Then they burned Inis-Patrick, and bore away the shrine of St. Dochonna. There are some remains of a very old church on St. Patrick's Island, which comprises about nine acres." The volume of Dublin Extracts, preserved Jn the Royal Doorway of primitive Church on Patrick's Island, Skerries. Irish Academy, ^3 has a notice of Inis Padruic, with the present saint, who was there venerated on the 13th of January. Most probably he lived before the eighth century. Article X. — St. Mainchinn, Son of Collan, in Corann. Men of the world live a fevered life ; the children of God are alone at rest. Mancin mac CoUain is mentioned in the Martyrology of Tallagh,' at the 13th of January. And, in addition to this entry, we read, as having been venerated on this day, according to the Martyrology of Donegal,^ Mainchin, son of Collan, in Corann. Deidi, daughter of Tren, son to Dubhthach Ua Lughair, was his mother. This Dubhthach was chief poet to Laoghaire, son of Niall, who was king over Erinn, at the coming of St. Patrick. From this genealogical statement, we may assume he flourished in the fifth, or at or after the commencement of the sixth century. Colgan seems to think he might have been identical with a certain domestic of St. Patrick, and who is called ' See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i., pp. 400, 401. 9 The " Annals of Clonmacnoise." '"The "Annals of Ulster." " Dr. O'Donovan maintains that this is the true date. See n. (y. ) " See D' Alton's " History of the County of Dublin," p. 444. The island in question is called after our national Apostle, who is supposed to have landed there, about a.d. 432. '3 " Irish Ordnance Survey Records," p. 130. Art. X. — ' Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xii. In the Franciscan copy the reading is tTlAricViiiii rriAC CoblAni. ' Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 14, 15. January 13.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 195 his provider of wood for the fire. He is also called St. Monachus, a priest.3 In the Scottish Kalendars, it would seem the name of St. Mainchin has been changed into that of Mancina. This is the name of a woman,* how- ever, and in the Dunkeld Litany we find Mancinach classed among the virgins and widows.s David Camerarius,^ at the 13th of January — we cannot find on what authority — has St. Mancina, a virgin, formerly celebrated in the Hebrides for her miraculous gifts.? It is to be suspected he had unwit- tingly confounded this assumed personage with the present holy man, whose place is not well known. There is a townland denomination of Cooraun, in the parish of Edermine, barony of Ballaghkeen, and county of Wexford f there are two Corrans in the county of Cavan — one in the parish of Temple- port, and barony of Tullyhaw — the other in the parish of Killashandra, and barony of Tullyhunco ; there is another Corran in the parish of Lisnadill, barony of Upper Fews, and county of Armagh ; there is a Corran, in the parish of Dunderrow, barony of East Muskerry, and county of Cork, East Riding ; while there is a Corran Beg, in the parish of Kilmoe, barony of West Carbery, and county of Cork, West Riding? — all these, however, with many other denominations compounded with the word, are not Hkely to be identified with the place here named. It must probably be the present barony of Cor- ran, in the county of Sligo, that is here meant.'" Article XI. — St. Colman, Son of Tighernach. Colman is men- tioned in the Martyrology of Tallagh,* at the 13 th of January. This simple entry is somewhat amplified in a later calendar, when his descent is traced. We have recorded in the Martyrology of Donegal,^^ on this day, Colman, son of Tighernach, son to Fearghus. He descended from the tribe of Conall Gulban, son of Niall. Article XII. — St. Colman Cirr, of Sail-beg. Time, the destroyer of human memories and monuments, has dealt too harshly with the mortal and moral characteristics of very many among our holy ones in Ireland. Thus Colman Cirr, of Sail-beg, is only mentioned in the Martyrology of Donegal,' on this day. The place where he was venerated is not known. We find him entered, on the 13 th of January, in the Martyrology of Tallagh,^^ under the simple designation of Colman Cirr. It does not seem possible to identify his place or period. 3 See "Trias Thaumaturga," Septima the Townlands and Towns, Parishes and Vita S. Patricii, lib. iii., cap. xcvii., p. 167, Baronies of Ireland," p. 298. and n. 127, p. 188. 9 See ibid., p. 314. * In the ' ' Martyrology of Donegal" we '° In this district there is a graveyard find a woman's name Mannsena, pp. 189, called Kilmorgan, in a townland and parish 321. Dr. Forbes maintains, this is an in- of the same name. See "Ordnance Sur- stance of the change of sex, as happened in vey Townland Maps for the County of the case of a well-known Irish saint, Moch- Sligo." Sheet 34. But it would not seem aemhoc, pronounced Mo-kee-voc, venerated to be referable in etymology to St. Main- at the 1 3th of March, having been converted chinn. into a St. Kevoca, an assumed virgin, com- Art. xr. — ' Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, memorated in Scotland on the same day. p. xii. After the entry of thirteen foreign See his work, pp. 374 to 377. saints, at the 13th of January, the Francis- 5 See Bishop Forbes' " Kalendars of Scot- can copy begins the Irish list with the pre- tish Saints." Appendix to Preface, p. Ixi., sent saint, simply inscribed CobmAni. and p. 387. * Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. * Scottish Entries in the Kalendar of 14, 15. David Camerarius. Art. Xll. — ' Edited by Drs. Todd and ^ See ibid., p. 233. Reeves, pp. 14, 15. * See "General Alphabetical Index to * Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xii. 196 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 14. Article XIII. — St. Supplicius. "WTioever this saint was does not ap- pear to have been discovered ; however, we have the simple mention of his name in the unpubHshed Martyrology of Tallagh," at this date. In the Rev. Dr. Kelly's published edition, this entry runs on the same line with the notice of St. Ailill's name.^ We do not find Supplicius recorded in any of our other calendars. jfourteentfi ISap t\i 3amiarp» ARTICLE I.— ST. BAETAN OR BAODAN MOR, SON OF LUGHAIDH, ABBOT OF INISMORE, OR INIS-BO-FINNE, NOW BOFFIN OR BOPHIN ISLAND, COUNTY OF MAYO. [SEVENTH AND EIGHTH CENTURIES.^ AMONG the commemorations this day, we read in the Martyrology of Donegal,' concerning Baodan Mor, son to Lughaidh, and Abbot of Inis-mor. He is entered in the MartjTology of Tallagh,^' as Baetan, son of Lugeus, on the 14th of January. In the latter record, he is likewise said to have been a bishop. At the year 711, the death of Baetan, Bishop of Inis- Bo-Finne, is recorded in the Annals of the Four Masters.3 Those of Ulster place it at a.d. 712. Under the head of Inis Mor, Duald Mac Firbis enters Baeden, bishop, for January i4th.4 Colgan offers a conjecture — but without much confidence — that this St. Baedan may be identical with a St. Buadmael, a disciple of St. Benignus and of St. Patrick, who died at Kill Buadmael, near the River Shannon.s Yet, it is plainly seen, the place of this saint and the date assigned for his death exclude such a supposition. The island of Inishbofin^ gives name to a parish in the barony of Murrisk, and county of Mayo. Some ancient monastic remains are to be seen here, adjoining St. Colman's Well and Church Lough. The monastic institution is said to have been founded there by St. Colman,? a.d. 667, and he*died a.d. 674.^ St. Coenchomra9 is said to have succeeded him in the government of this monastery ;'° and, in such case, it would be probable, the present saint Baetan was his immediate successor. St. Coenchomra was connected with another Inis-bo-finn. How long St. Baetan's term of incumbency lasted, we have no dates preserved to aid in determining." There are two other Art. xiii. — ' In the Franciscan copy we *It is represented, with its outlying smaller read Siipplicii. islets, on the "Ordnance Survey Townland " See p. xii. Maps for the County of Mayo. " Sheet 1 14. Art. 1. — 'Edited by Drs. Todd and 7 See his life, written at the 8th of August, Reeves, pp. 14, 15. the day for his festival. " Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xii. This ^ See Archdall's "Monasticon Hibemi- would seem to be the saint for whom the cum," p. 497. following entry is made, tTlAC tugei ©pi., 9 His feast appears to be assigned to July at this date, in the Franciscan copy. 23rd, but at that date the St. Coencomhrac 3 See O'Donovin's edition, vol. i., pp. venerated does not seem to have had con- 310, 311. nexion with the Mayo Inis-Bo-Finn. ♦ See " Proceedings of the Royal Irish '° For this statement, Archdall quotes Academy," Irish MSS. series, vol. i., part Yard, p. 159. i., pp. 116, 117. "According to exact historic accounts, 5 See " Trias Thaumaturga," Septima his name comes next to that of St. Colman, VitaS. Patricii, lib. ii., cap. xxxiii., p. 134, the founder of this very celebrated monas- andn. 68, p. 176. tery. January 14.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 197 islands, named Inis-bo-finne in Ireland ; one of these is in the county of Donegal, near Tory Island, while the other is situated in Lough Ree, on the River Shannon. Neither of these islands, however, is of such celebrity as this Western Inis-bo-finne,'^ which Dempster has sought even to connect with Scotland. '3 Remote as its situation was, for centuries the voice of prayer and the song of praise to God rose above the murmurings of the wild Atlantic waves that surged around its shores. Ruins of St. Colman's Church, Innisboffin. The old oratory of St. Colman, on the Island of Innisbofifin, yet remains. The ruined quadrangle measures externally 61 feet in length by 23 feet in width. The walls are about three feet in thickness. The oriel window measures, on the outside, 2 feet, and on the inside, it is splayed to a breadth of 5 feet ; while it is 6 feet 6 inches in height. On the eastern gable are two buttresses ; the buttress towards the south is 6 feet thick, and that towards the north is only 5 feet 6 inches. Small side-windows are broken away. In the south side wall and west gable are two doors of similar dimensions, viz., 5 feet in height by 4 feet in width.'* No mullions are to be found in the windows ; while the arches of oriels and doors are very flat. The stones are placed edgewise, and the mortar in the walls is very adhesive. St. Flannan's "Smith and Ussher, on one occasion, have confounded it with the island in Lough Ree. On the western Inis-bo-finne, there is a lake, lying between the townlands of Westquarter and Fraunmore. This is called Loch-bo-finne, "the lake of the white cow," from which, according to local tradition, an enchanted white cow, giving name to the island, used to be seen emerging. See "Letters relating to the Antiquities of the County of Mayo, containing information collected during the Progress of the Ord- nance Survey in 1838," vol. i. — Letter of John O'Donovan, dated Westport, July 14th, 1838, pp. 482 to 485. '3 See " Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Sco- tonim," lib. i., cap. xv* '* The accompanying engi-aving of St. Colman's Church, by George A. Hanlon, was obligingly procured for the writer by Mr. James McCormack, residing on Innis- boffin island. The sketch, and accompany- ing descriptive notes, were furnished by Mr. Thomas O'Connor, of the R. I. Constabu- lary, with a great degree of accurate out- line. This sketch was afterward drawn on wood by William F. Wakeman, with its surrounding objects. 198 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 14. well is enclosed, about 100 paces from the ruin, with a stream running between both. The ruin is in a deep valley. The water of the more im- mediate north hill is carried clear of the church-site through a drain sunk by the monks, and it is effective to this day. No stones of the building are dressed ; while the church stands on a natural rock-terrace 8 or 10 feet high. Around the ruins grow some few briars, the only shrub. It is a hoary, grey stone church, still in good preservation, so that one doubts if it be the original foundation of St. Colman. On one side of the ruin is an eminence called Knock. On the right, as represented in the engraving, is a sheet of water, called Lough Teampul, on the left is the Atlantic Ocean. Article II. — St. Lugeus or Luighbhe, of Inismore. It seems likely this holy man had a residence on Inis-bo-finne ; but it is not easy to fix the true period. A festival, in honour of St. Lugeus, of Inismor, is entered in the Martyrology of Tallagh,' on the 14th of January.' There are many islands bearing the name Inishmore in different parts of Ireland. According to the Martyrology of Donegal,3 on this day was venerated Luighbhe, but without any further distinctive adjunct to the simple entry of his name. From the manner in which the unpublished Martyrology of Tallagh connects St. Lugeus and St. Beatan, it seems probable that both belonged to Inis-bo- finne, in the county of Mayo. Article III. — Feast of Saints Brigid and Maura, Sisters, Virgins AND Martyrs. Already, at the 4th of this month, a brief notice of the festival which commemorates both these holy sisters has been inserted. At the 14th of January, Ferrarius, in his Calendar, has an account regarding them j but, failing to discover with certitude the date when their relics were first found, Colgan conjectures this must have been the anniversary day for that event.' We much prefer reserving for the 13th of July — the most probable day of their natalis — a consecutive narrative relating to their acts, passion, and subsequent culttts. Article IV. — St. Flann Fionn Cuillinn, of a place near Cork. Hereafter it may be possible for local investigators to discover the sites of holy places, the names alone being on record. The Irish MS. Calendar' of the O'Clerys, which is kept in the Library of the Royal Irish Academy, mentions a saint, named Flann Fionn Cuillinn," at this day. He is said to have been from or of a place near Cork. We may suppose the place, called Guillen or CuUen, must have been convenient to this southern city. A festival in honour of Fiann fion i Cuillin i Fail Corcaighe, occurs in the Martyrology of Tallagh,3 on the 14th of January. Besides the foregoing Art. II. — ' Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, were afterwards manifested to theirrecovered p. xii. relics. ' In the Franciscan copy, after the entry Art. iv. — ' Also the MS. Calendar of of seventeen foreign saints at this day, the Professor Eugene O'Curry contains the name first record of Irish saints' names commences of this saint, at the same day. The words with Sci tugei Aju]" bAecAni in 1ni|'inoi]\. Flann Fionn, however, are omitted. 3 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. * In the " Extracts Containing Information 14, 15. relative to the Antiquities of the County of Art. III. — 'See "Acta Sanctorum Hi- Cork, collected during the progress of the bemise," xiv. Januarii. SS. VV. et MM. Ordnance Survey in 1839-40," vol. i., we Maurse et Brigida; Inventio, n. i., p. 63, find, among extracts from the " Irish Ca- and p. 64. There Colgan has introduced lendar," this entry: "14th Jan., VlAnii certain lessons, with notes, referring to their ponti 6 Cuillinn Abf Ail Coi\cuige, " p. 1 70. lives, sufferings, and those honours which 3 Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xii. In January 14.] LIVES 01 THE IRISH SAINTS. 199 entries, we find set down in the Martyrology of Donegal, -^ on this day, Flann Finn of CuiUinn, in the vicinity of Corcach. This holy man must have flourished during or before the eighth century, since his festival, at this date, has been inscribed by St. yEngus ihe Culdee, in his Irish ^Metrical Calendar.s Article V. — Saints Itharxaise and Latharxaisc, ix Achadh-fearta. In practical works of beneficence ihese saints devoted themselves to religion ; while exalted philantrophy was combined \\\\\\ Christian piety, in their every aspiration, and in their sacrifice of self. Idiarnaise and Latharnaisc, of Achadh-ferta, occur in the ]\Iartyrology of Donegab on this day. Again, a festival in honour of Itharnaise solely, in Achadh-fearta, is recorded in the Martyrology of Tallagh,^ on the 14th of January. Another lotharnaisc, venerated at Clane, in the county of Kildare,^ and at Lanthrisk or Lathrisk, in Fife,'^ under the name of Ethernasc, creates some suspicion of identity with the present saint, and perhaps some confusion of entry at this present date. Article VI. — St. Diblexi, or Diblixi. Although we cannot unveil the curtain which intercepts our view, when we seek to gain a feeble gleam of holy persons whose course on earth has run, yet can we surmise this saint had always strong and abiding faith in the Divine promises, passing to his grave with bright visions of the future. Dibleni, is recorded in the Martyrology of Donegab on this day. Diblini, an almost similar entry, is found in the published Martyrology of Tallagh,^ on the 14th of January. In the unpublished MS. of the Franciscans, we learn furthermore, this saint had attained to the episcopal grade. ^ It was truly compatible with the holiness of his life. Article VII. — Feast of the Blessed Alexander, a Cistercian MoxK, OF FoGXi, IX Fraxce. \Tiiirtccnth Century?^ According to the Men- ology of Hugh Menard, it is stated, that the Blessed Alexander, a Scottish pr nee and a Cistercian monk, fell asleep in the Lord, on the 14th day of January. At this date, likewise, Colgan has collected his acts, chiefly from Thomas Cantipratensis.' Some notices of tliis holy man have been already given, when treating about his saintly sister, St. Mathilde, at the ist day of January. But, as many martyrologists refer the festival of Blessed Alexander to the 6th of August,^ more fully do we hope to record his great \irtues and merits at that date. the Franciscan copy we read, at this date, Reeves, pp. 14, 15. VIai-i-o -pint) 1 CriLlint) yAiL Co^NCAi^i. = Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xii. In ^Edited by Drs. Todd and I-leeves, pp. the Franciscan copy -we read LacIiaimii]^ 14, 15. •<^5^'r 1chAi\iiAip 111 ^vdiut) ■JTe-pcA. 5 Professor O'Looney has furnislicd the ^ See Bishop Forbes' " Kalendars of Scot- Irish "rann" from the Feilere, with the tish Saints,'' p. 334. English translation : — '^ See notices ot him at the 22nd of De- 5. XIX. kl. pAiy bucoiM ■ooocliAin ceniber. X)-\&\\ pAUcMc bA pe|\CAch Art. vr. — ' Edited by Drs. Todd and S]Micli nobde noeb poclilAcli Reeves, pp. I4, 15. ■pelic i:Laii-o piix) ]:cclicnAch - Ediieel by Kc\-. Dr. Kelly, p. xii. g. xix. kl. " The passion of Luceri thedeacon ■' In the Franciscan copy we find Dibbnn To our Lortl he was loving, Gp. The learned divine of Nolae, an ART. VII. — 'In his work, "De Miraculis," illustrious saint, lib., ii., cap. x. The happy riglrteous Fland ^ See Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum Hibev- Find." niae," xiv. Januarii, pp. 64, 65, and corres- Art. V. — 'Edited by Drs. Todd and ponding notes. 200 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 15. jfifUentfi I3ap cf Sanuarp* ARTICLE I.— ST. ITA OR MIDA, ABBESS, PATRONESS OF KILLADY, OR KILLEEDY PARISH, COUNTY OF LIMERICK. [SIXTH CENTURY.'] CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION — ACTS OF ST. ITA — HER RACE AND PARENTAGE — HER EARLY VIRTUOUS INCLINATIONS — MIRACLES ATTEST THE VIRGIN'S GREAT SANCTITY DURING HER YOUTH. THE Church, in all its festivals of her numerous saints, shows the means by which our predecessors in the faith worked out their salvation, in order that we may draw from such solemnities lessons of wisdom, to guide us safely towards another and a better world. We are from time to time reminded concerning the vigils of the recluse, the ardent zeal and wonderful success of the Apostles, as also those fierce conflicts and glorious triumphs of the mar- tyrs. Such like traits of our departed great ones are called to memory, and proposed for the imitation of all Catholics, by our Holy Mother the Church. It is no wonder, then, that the anniversary festival of glorious Ita, in the the south of Ireland, is yet celebrated ^vith all that solemnity prescribed in the sublime ritual of our ancient faith. No wonder that a profound feeling of devotion pervades the vast multitudes who assemble to commemorate the merits of their patroness. So early as the sixth century, she abandoned the vanities and perishable follies of her royal father's house, to take up the Cross of Him, who, more than eighteen centuries ago, became poor and lowly for the sins of men. Long before the invention of the printing art, several manuscript copies of this holy woman's acts appear to have been preserved.^ The chief and most ancient of these seems to have been published by Colgan," and by the Bollandists.3 The Rev. Alban Butler has some brief notices regarding her at the 15 th day of January.* The chief particulars regarding our saint come down to us from an ancient life, extracted from the Codex Kilkenniensis. To this, three chapters have been added, in the shape of an appendix, s The writer of this life is thought by Colgan to have been a trustworthy person, Art. I. — Chap. i. — ' Among these, one in six chapters. See "Acta Sanctorum Hi- is preserved in a vellum folio of the four- bemiK," tomus i., xv. Januarii. Vita S. Idse teenth century, in the Bodleian Library, at vel Itse, pp. 1062 to 1068. Oxford. It is intituled, " Vita S. Itse, Vir- ♦See "Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs, ginis," and classed, Rawl. B, 505, pp. 164- and other Principal Saints," vol. i., January 170. Another copy is in the " Codex Kil- xv. kenniensis," fol. no to 113. s in Colgan's work, the first chapter treats ' See "Acta Sanctorum Hibemiae," xv. about the parents and country of St. Ita or Januarii. Vita S. Itx, sive Midae, Virginis Mida ; the second chapter regards saints et Abbatissae, pp. 66 to 74. Three chapters belonging to St. Ita's family, and of the of an Appendix and notes are included. Nan Desii race ; while the third includes 3 The Bollandists have published the Acts eulogies and references to this holy woman, of this saint, with preliminary notices, at taken from various sources and authorities, the 15th of January. The Life is comprised January 15.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 201 and to have flourished about a.d. 640. The Hfe is also l&.id to be reliable and authentic, although there are occasional grammatical errors in it.^ Colgan had another life of holy Ita, which was taken from a manuscript of the Island of All Saints, in Lough Ree, county of Longford. These different copies were substantially the same, and they only differed in style ; the latter was distin- guished by greater conciseness in narrative, and written in purer Latin, being also of more recent composition.7 St. Ita is variously named Ida, Ite, Ide, Idea, Mida, Mide, and Midea, as also Ytha.^ Sufficient reason has been assigned for this apparent change of name. Among the ancients, it was customary to join and prefix to proper names of our saints, the syllable mo, which signifies my or our. This was done in order to manifest special love and veneration towards a particular saint.9 Thus, from two distinct words, in course of time, a fusion into one proper name was effected, including this idea, that the person or saint bearing such name should be held in great veneration among the people. Moreover, not alone variations are found in the mode of writing proper names, but even changes are met with in the names themselves.'" On account of these dif- ferences, it has often happened, that a similar name is found variously written, and the same saint is differently called." The illustrious St. Ita'^ was daughter of Kennfoelad, son of Corbmac. By the father's side, in the eighth genera- tion, she descended from Fedhlimidh Reachtmhuir, Anglicized Felim the Lawgiver, King of Ireland. '3 He was celebrated in Irish history, on account * One of the principal mistakes is, placing the nominative case for an ablative absolute. 7 The simplicity and antiquity of the former, however, as evinced in style, induced Colgan to consider it more worthy of publication ; besides, from some passages, he inferred, that the author iriust have lived a short time after St. Ita's departure. In the fif- teenth chapter of St. Ita's Life, we read, ' * qui vocatur Pulcherius et ipse est sanctissi- mus Abbas in cujus honore ci vitas Liath adi- ficata est." St. Pulcherius died in a.d. 655, according to the " Annals of the Four Masters." From this foregoing passage, Colgan would seem to infer, that St. Pul- cherius must have been living at a time when the author of St. Ita's Life wrote. However doubtful this opinion may be, the city of Liath or Liathmore was in existence at the time. Dr. Lanigan is of opinion, that St. Pulcherius founded his monastery there, probably about, or not long after, A. D. 580. See " Ecclesiastical History of Ire- land," vol. iii., chap, xvii., sec. v., p. 24. Some time we must allow to have elapsed, after the monastic foundation, before a city had been formed around it. In the twenty- fifth chapter of St. Ita's Life, we read : " Alio tempore quidam vir, nomine Feargus, cujus filius adhuc vivit, adductus est ad S. Itam in maximo dolore occulorum et cor- poris." This seems to be a most con- vincing proof for the establishment of Col- gan's position, in referring the composition of St. Ita's Life to a period not long subse- quent to the death of this holy abbess. ^ Thus the modem writers of Irish are accustomed to write d, g, ao, or aoi, and ua, where ancient writers often, if not most fre- quently, wrote t, c, oe, and oa. So while the modems write Ide, Moadhog, Buadan, &c., the ancients wrote Ite, Moedhoc, Baotan, &c. 9 Examples of this are found in the proper names Mochaomoc, Molua, Mocholmoc, &c. But, when a simple proper name commenced with a vowel, m only, instead of mo, was pre- fixed to the name, the 0 being elided for sake of euphony ; hence, in place of Aodhoc, Ide, &c., we find Maodhoc, Mide, &c. ^° The Irish had a habit of using diminu- tives to characterize the names of persons. These ordinarily ended in a four-fold manner, in the syllables an, en, in and oc. The ancients most frequently employed an. We have examples in the words Colman, Ceallachan, Cassan, Ernan, Baoithin, Cassin, Emin, Colmoc, Mocholmoc, Mochelloc, Emoc, Memoc, &c. " Thus we read, Aiden, Aidan, Maidoc, Aodhan, Maodhoc, Momaodhoc, &c., ap- plied to one person. So the same individual at one time is called Colman, again Colmoc, or perhaps Mocholmoc. The same person is called Cassin, Cassan, or Mochaissin. Another is called Caomhan, Caomhoc, orMo- chaomog ; another, Lua, Molua, or Moluoc ; another Lasren, Molasren, or Molasse, &c. " " She was of the race of Fiacha Sui- ghdhe, son of Feidhlimidh Reachtmhar, son of Tuathal Teachtmhar." See "Martyro- logy of Donegal," edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, p. 17. ^3 He had three sons, Fiacha, Conn, and Eochaich. This king reigned from A. D. Ill to 119, according to O'Donovan's "Annals of the Foxir Masters," vol. i., pp. I02, 103. LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 15. of the strict severity of his laws, which were based on a principle of retalia- tion. Feidhlim the Lawgiver had a second son, who succeeded him on the throne. He was the celebrated Conn of the Hundred Battles, who began to reign a.d. 122 or 123, and who was slain a.d. 157,'"^ having occupied the throne of Ireland about 36 years, 's Fiacha died before his patrimonial in- heritance could have been secured ; however, he left three sons, who are re- spectively called Rossius, yEngussius, and Eugenius.^^ Indeed it must be stated, our genealogists differ in accounts regarding her father's line. '7 Ac- cording to St. -^ngus the Culdee,'^ her mother's name was Necta.'s She is also called Neacht.^° The birth of our saint is referred to about the year 480. Since it is supposed^^ that our saint had under her charge, St. Brendan, Abbot of Clonfert, before she became an abbess.^^ By the father's side, she was descended from the Nan Desii family,^3 She was bom probably in some part of the present Waterford county. ^^ Our saint's parents appear to have been Christians, from the circumstance of her having been baptized when an infant. The first name by which she had been called was Derthrea, Deirdre,^5 or Dorothea, according to many of our old Martyrologists.^^ On account of an extraordinary thirst for Divine love she experienced, it is said her name was afterwards changed to Ita. With its various readings, this word signifies " thirst," in the English language. '■* This warrior-monarch is said to have fallen on the plain of Cobha. Colgan tells us, that in the copy of St. Ita's Life, which he used for publication, Cotha was erroneously put for Cobha, as found in the Codex Insu- lensis and elsewhere. He tells us, that this was a celebrated plain of Ulster, commonly called Mag Cobha. But the " Annals of the Four Masters" state, that Conn of the Hundred Battles was killed not at Cobha, but by Ti- braite Tireach, son to Mai, son to Roch- raidhe, King of Ulster, at Tuath-Amrois. Ibid,, vol. i., pp. 104, 105. Mr. O'Donovan was not able to identify Tuath-Amrois, but he says, " It must have been the name of a district very near the Hill of Tara, as King Conn was murdered while making prepara- tions for the Feis Teamracti, according to the older authorities. " Note (s), ibid. '5 See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the Four Masters," vol. L, pp. 102 to 105, and notes. '* As may be seen in the first and third chapters of St. Declan's Life, according to the "'Menologic Genealogy," chap, xvi., they were Rossius, Eugenius, and Artcorbius. See Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum Hiberniae," XV. Januarii. Vita S. It£e, cap. i., p. 66, and nn. I, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, p. 71. O'Flaherty seems to follow the latter statement, in refer- ence to the names of Fiach's sons. See "Ogygia," Pars iii., cap. Ixix., p. 339. ''Thus the "Menologic Genealogy," chap, xvi., draws her pedigree : Ita was daughter to Kennfoelad, son of Corbmac, son to Conchebar, son of Conall, son of ^ngus, son to Arthurb, son of Fiach Sui- gdhe, son of King Feidlimid. Selbach, in chap. XV., accords with this account, as does the ancient writer of St. Ita's Acts, pub- lished by Colgan. Yet the Calendar of Cashel has a slight difference. There we are told : St. Ita or Mida was daughter of Kenn- foelad, son of Conchorb, son of Comorbur, son to Conall, son of ^ngus, son to Art- corb, son of Fiach Suigde, son to Felim the Lawgiver. See Colgan's "Acta Sanc- torum Hibemise," xv. Januarii. Appendix ad Acta S. Itae, cap. i., iii., pp. 72, 73. '* In his tract on the " Mothers of the Saints of Ireland," lib. iv., cap. 42. '9 St. ^ngus the Culdee, writes that Necta was mother to St. Mida, the daughter of Kennfoelad. See Colgan's " Acta Sanc- torum Hiberniae," xv. Januarii. Vita S. Itae. Appendix, cap. i., p. 72. *° See "The Martyrology of Donegal," edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. ib, 17. *' By Dr. Lanigan. ^ ' ' The time ol her birth is not recorded ; but it must have been some years prior to A. D. 484, if it be true that she had for some time under her care Brendan of Clonfert, when an infant." Dr. Lanigan's "Eccle- siastical History of Ireland," vol. ii., chap, xi., sec. i., p. 81. And at note 4, p. 83, on this passage. Dr. Lanigan remarks : "Bren- dan is spoken of several times, in St. Ita's Life, without any allusion to this part of his history, which is to be found only in what is called his own Life, a document much less respectable than the other." -^ The Irish word Nandesi has a like signi- fication with the Latin "Desiorum." For at that time, and even to-day, the coimtry and people belong to the Decies. ^^ " St. Ita was a member of the Desii or Uandesi family, now located in Waterford. " Miss M. F. Cusack's " History of the King- dom of Kerry," chap, iii., p. 45. *s According to the " Martyrology of Donegal. " ^ Notably the " Calendar of Cashel," a very ancient document. January 15.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 203 Scarcely had this very distinguished virgin attained the dawning percep- tions of childhood, when she seemed possessed with a plenitude of the Holy Spirit ; and the grace of baptismal innocence appeared to sustain her, through all future actions and incidents of her life. From the moment she was able to speak and walk, her innate modesty betrayed itself in every word, look, and gesture. Her discourse was full of prudence, and her manners were truly characterized by a winning grace and gentleness. She always cul- tivated the spirit of continency, and no expression ever fell from her lips but such as became a virgin dedicated to God. Him she both loved and feared, with all the earnestness and constancy of a soul uncontaminated by the follies and imperfections of many children about her own age. Her resolutions were remarkable for their fidelity to the pious purposes she evoked, during years of infancy ; and, with a tender solicitude, she always feared the most remote stain of crime. She laboured to attain each day the acquisition or increase of some virtue. Her actions and manners were the admiration of all, while to her great suavity of disposition, she joined most sincere humility. Even on fasting days of precept, the abstinence of this pious child was re- markable ; so that, in fine, while living under the roof of her parents, she was regarded as a model of dove-like innocence and sanctity. She was deemed a vessel of election, in reference to her future career, as connected with the Irish Church. During her infancy many miracles attested Ita's sanctity. It is related, that on a particular occasion, while this youthful maiden slept alone in her chamber, the whole apartment appeared to be in a blaze ; and when certain persons rushed thither to extinguish this fire, the child was found uninjured, as also the room in which she slumbered. It was miraculously revealed to them, that God's grace already burned in this infant's soul, of which those external flames were only an image. Being aroused from her sleep, the child assumed an angehc form of exquisite and supernatural beauty, so that her nearest familiars could not recognise her identity ; and, after presenting this appearance for a short time, she resumed natural shape and features. As the author of her life remarks, these were remarkable for grace and comeliness. At another time, during her slumbers, the angel of God appeared, and pre- sented her with three jewels of great value. He assured her that the Blessed Spirits and Three Persons of the Most Adorable Trinity, represented by the jewels given, should often be present with her while sleeping and waking.^? Such miracles as these gave promise of future sanctity and exalted favours, for which she was destined. CHAPTER 11. ST. ITA DECLINES AN OFFER FOR MARRIAGE — SHE GAINS THE CONSENT OF HER PARENTS TO LEAD A SINGLE LIFE — SHE ASSUMES THE VEIL OF VIRGINITY — OPPOSITION OF THE DEMONS — GUIDED BY AN ANGEL TO HER PLACE IN HY-CONAILL— SEVERAL HOLY VIRGINS PLACE THEMSELVES UNDER HER DIRECTION AT CLUAIN-CREDHUIL — DESCRIPTION OF ANTIQUITIES THERE — GREAT VENERATION OF THE CHIEF AND PEOPLE OF HY-CONAILL FOR ST. ITA — HER AUSTERITIES AND MIRACLES — HER SPIRI- TUAL GIFTS. When the maiden grew up, a certain young noble sought her in marriage. With this object in view, he had already gained the consent of her father, without consulting her own incHnations. But the holy virgin had centered her affections on a Heavenly Spouse ; and, impelled by the Divine spirit, she =7 See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hibar- p. 66. Other accounts tend to prove her niae," xv. Januarii. Vita S. Ita, cap. ii., iii., extraordinary virtues. 204 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 15. sought an interview with her mother. Then expatiating on the excellence of Divine counsels, Ita procured her mother's consent to communicate to her father, Kennfoelad, the substance of his daughter's most earnest desires, to consecrate herself to God, in a state of holy virginity. Incensed at this her declaration, about to destroy ill-judged paternal ambition, Kennfoelad denied with an oath, that he would give consent to the accomplishment of her virtuous resolutions. Whereupon, filled with the spirit of prophecy, Ita said to those who were present : " Bear with my father for a while, because although he now forbids me to consecrate myself to Christ, yet hereafter he shall persuade and even command me to go whithersoever I desire, in order to serve God, he being impelled to act in this manner by our Lord Jesus Christ."' A short time subsequent to this occurrence, St. Ita fasted con- tinuously three days and three nights. During this time, she was constantly assaulted by temptations of the Devil, whose wiles our pious virgin success- fully resisted. On the last of those nights, the enemy of her salvation ap- peared in a mournful and dejected guise. He vanished, at dawn of day, saying sorrowfully : " Alas ! Ita, not only will you withdraw yourself, but many others from me." During this same night, an angel of the Lord appeared to our saint's father, saying : " Why, in the name of Christ, do you prevent your daughter from taking the veil of virginity ? For, Ita shall be a great and holy virgin before God and His saints, and she shall become an advocate for many on the day of judgment. Not only should you allow her to assume the habit of virginity, but you ought permit her wheresoever she pleases to follow Christ. In another part of the country shall she serve our Lord, and become patron over the race that inhabits it." Immediately, Kinnfoelad sought his daughter, and told her what had occurred. Moreover, according to her prediction, he not only gave her permission to assume the veil, but he even counselled her on that very day to depart for whatever place she chose.' Having obtained this permission, the virgin instantly proceeded on her way to a church, which was situated in the Nan-desii country. During this journey, she was encountered by demons, who endeavoured to obstruct her passage ; but the angels of God afforded her protection, and put those ad- versaries to flight. The evil spirits were heard proclaiming their discomfiture, and saying : " Woe to us, for henceforth we shall no longer be able to prevail against this virgin. We have desired to avenge our injuries on her to-day, and the angels of God afforded her assistance : she shall destroy our influence in various places, and she shall snatch many souls from our dominion, both in this world and in the next !" Having received consolation from angels, she proceeded to the church, where she took a vow of virginity, and received her veil at the hands of venerable ecclesiastics,3 who were already aware of those miraculous favours she had received.* Then, she besought the guidance Chap. ii. — ' See Colgan's " Acta Sane- garding the exact time and term for St. torum Hibemise," xv. Januarii. Vita S. Declan's exercising ecclesiastical functions, Itse, cap. iv., p. 66. we may well question this conjecture. In " See Bishop Challoner's " Britannia the first place, we are not told that a bishop Sancta," part i., jS. 39. conferred the veil on St. Ita, in any of her 3 " It is not improbable," says Dr. Lives or Acts ; and secondly, it is not to be Lanigan, " that St. Declan of Ardmore was supposed, if she received the veil from a the bishop from whom she received the bishop so renowned as Declan, that the re- veil. The time of her receiving it seems to lation of such a circumstance would have have been in the early part of the sixth been concealed by her biographer, century, and when Declan presided over * See Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- the Nandesi country." See "Ecclesiastical nise," xv. Januarii. Vita S. Itce, cap. v., p. History of Ireland," vol. ii., chap, xi., § i., 66. ^ 5> P- 83. Not to speak of doubts, re- January 15.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 205 of heaven, to conduct her towards a place where she might best serve God, in the promotion of his greater glory. An angel appeared, directing her to leave her native country, and proceed towards the western parts of Hy-Conaill territory, at the foot of a mountain called Luachra,5 where she should be shown a place for the erection of her nunnery, and where she was destined finally to repose. It was declared, also, that in conjunction with St. Senan,^ she should be regarded as patron of that country.? Taking some companions with her, she sought the place indicated f and having arrived in the present county of Limerick, within that portion of it now designated the barony of Glenquin, an angel appeared to her, and pointed out the exact spot on which her establishment should be erected.^ This place was called Cluain-Credhuel.'° Thither numbers of holy maidens flocked, to place themselves under this virgin's guidance. Her virtues these pious ladies endeavoured to imitate, and her instructions they laboured to practise. The fame of St. Ita, in a short time, became widely dffused ; while the place of her retirement was opened with the greatest joy and alacrity to those of her sex who sought protection within its cloisters." The situation of St. Ita's old church, and near it her well, may be found at the burial-ground of Killeedy," a little to the north of Ballagh and Gort- naclohy mountains. It is a curious remnant of antiquity, although much in- jured and partly remodelled. As standing in 1840, it consisted of a nave and choir ; the former measuring forty-seven feet three inches in length by twenty-nine feet two inches in breadth, on the inside ; while the latter mea- sured thirty-seven feet by eighteen feet. '3 The choir had been modernized, and used as a Protestant church, until about the beginning of this century. '4 The choir arch was in tolerable preservation ; but it contained no part of the 5 This was rather a name of the district in ance, had been formed already in her own which that mountain is situated. A part of country, particularly as St. Brigid had been Hy-Conaill was so called, apparently from there for some time. See Dr. Lanigan's its abounding in rushes. The barony of "Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. ii., Connello or Connillo, in the county of chap, xi., § i., n. 7, p. 84. Limerick, is the ancient Hy-Conaill, or at '° Now known as Killeedy, an ancient least a part of it. The southern division of church in a parish having the same name, this barony, or Upper Connello, was dis- in the territory of Upper Connello, and tinguished by the additional name Gaura, county of Limerick. It is situated about being called Hy-Conaill Gaura. In a western five miles to the south of Newcastle. This part of this tract, St. Ita formed her estab- monastery is described in the Life of St. lishment. See Dr. Lanigan's " Ecclesias- Ita, and also in that of St. Brendan, as tical History of Ireland," vol. ii., chap, xi., having been situated at the foot of Sliabh- § i., n. 6, pp. 83, 84. Luachra, in the west of Ui-Conaill-Gabhra * See his Life at the 8th day of March. territory. The writer of the Life of St. 7 "Hence it is said [ib., cap. 6), that the Brendan states, that it was Kill-Ite, in his entire nation of Hy-Conaill was to belong own time. See O'Donovan's "Annals of to these two saints." Dr. Lanigan's " Ec- the Four Masters," vol. i., n. (1), p. 184. clesiastical History of Ireland," vol. ii., Ferrar, in his " History of Limerick," part chap, xi., § iii., n. 24, p. 89. iii., chap, iii., p. 188, incorrectly identifies ^It was called Cluain Chreadhail, "the Cluan Credhail with a place called Clarina. religious retirement." See "Letters Con- '' Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum HibcrniEe," taining Information relative to the Antiqui- xv. Januarii. Vita S. Itae, cap. vi., pp. 66, ties of the County of Limerick, Collected 67. during the Progress of the Ordnance Sur- " See " Ordnance Survey Townland vey in 1840," vol. i., p. 75. The foregoing Maps for the County of Limerick." Sheet is Dr. O'Donovan's interpretation of the 44. name. ^3 See John O'Donovan's description, in 9 We may be allowed to suppose, that the " Letters containing Information relative to want of a similar institution in those western the Antiquities of the County of Limerick, parts was, in the order of Providence, the Collected during the Progress of the Ord- cause of St. Ita having been directed to nance Survey in 1840," vol. i., pp. 77 to settle there. Nunneries and establishments 79. for the education of females, to all appear- ^* Since then the services were disused. 206 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 15. ancient work. It was constructed with chiselled lime-stones, in the pointed style, and it measured ten feet nine inches in width. It was about thirteen feet to the vertex, from the level of the floor. This choir contained three modem windows ; one Avindow was in the middle of the south wall, and an other was opposite to it in the north wall, while a third was in the east gable. 'S Its walls were fairly preserved, but these contained no part of the ancient work. The nave of this church is in the primitive Irish style ; and, in all probability, it is thought to have formed a part of St. Ita's primitive church. The west gable is now destroyed down to its very fovmdation ; but, in the last century, people saw it standing, and some of these asserted, that it contained a door- way, consisting of concentric arches.'^ Of the north wall on this nave only a fragment remained, which connected with the middle gable : this measured eighteen feet six inches in length, by about nineteen feet six inches in height. Saint Ita's Church at Killeedy. The Irish historian O'Halloran has mistaken the extent of Hy-Conaill Gabhra, supposing it to have been only a part of the present barony of Conello.^7 It included, however, not alone the modern baronies bearing that name, but even the entire barony of Glenquin.'^ Archdall'9 was led astray by this statement, and Gough,^" likewise, for they have placed Cluain Chredail or Kilita at Castle Mac Eneiry, in the barony of Conillo. '5 Not being much more than a century old, these objects are not worth the anti- quary's attention. '* Liice the door- way in the west gable of Clonfert church, county of Galway. The ac- companying engraving by George A. Hanlon, was drawn on wood by William F. Wake- man, from an elegant crayon sketch, procured through the kindness of Aubrey De Vere, Esq. '7 See O'Halloran's " General History of Ireland," vol. ii., book xiii., chap, v., p. 390. '8 See "Letters containing Information relative to the Antiquities of the County of Limerick, Collected during the Progress of the Ordnance Survey in 1840," vol. i., p. 75. Dr. O'Donovan's statement in this in- stance differs from one in his edition of *' The Topographical Poems of John O'Dubhagain and Giolla na Naomh O'Huidhrin," n, 664, p. Ixxv. Here he makes Ui-Conaill only commensurate with the baronies of Upper and Lower Connello. '5 See " Monasticon Hibernicum," p. 419, and note (d). »° See Cough's " Camden's Britannia," vol. iii., p. 519. January 15.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 207 A chieftain, who ruled over Hy-Connaill, at the period of our saint's ar- rival, together with the inhabitants of this country, waited on Ita, and offered her some land, which immediately surrounded her establishment ; in order thus to afford herself and her community certain means of living, free from the solicitude of all worldly cares. The people naturally supposed, that want of sufficient support must necessarily distract the thoughts of those pious in- mates, during their first struggles, in the foundation of an unendowed religious house. To the people's and the chieftain's great regret and disappointment, our saint refused to accept a larger tract of land than four acres. ^' These she converted into a garden. In it were cultivated vegetables, necessary for the subsistence of her sisters in religion. The chieftain declared, however, that after the death of the abbess, her nunnery should be more richly endowed with lands and substance. This prediction in due course of time was fulfilled. The Hy-Connaill inhabitants thenceforth placed themselves under the patron- age and intercession of this holy virgin. Her prayers and these of her nuns were continually offered to heaven in their behalf. Numberless blessings as a consequence were showered upon this favoured people. In honour of St. Ita, many gifts and oblations were made by inhabitants of that district to her nunnery, and to its community, as well during the life-time of their patroness, as after her assumption to the beatitude of life eternal. ^- The fasts of Ita were so rigorous and excessive, that she frequently spent two, three, and even four days, without taking any kind of nourishment. To moderate this austerity, an angel of the Lord appeared to her, and com- manded her to relax in some measure those practices, which reduced her to great bodily weakness and exhaustion. He also declared, that from this time forward she should be supplied with heavenly food, which she must of necessity use when brought to her. Having promised a compliance with this supernal request, thenceforward she was miraculously supplied with food from heaven to the day of her death, as the author of her life conjectures. A certain religious female, who often discoursed with our saint on pious subjects, made enquiries regarding this miraculous benefit, and many other great spiri- tual favours she received ; such, for instance, as gifts of prophecy, a power or healing the sick, and of expelling demons, besides many intercommunications she held with the angels of God. St. Ita replied, because from her infancy, she was accustomed to meditate on Divine things, and to invoke frequently the Three Persons of the Most Adorable Trinity, therefore, she had been favoured with such supernatural powers. Being thus informed, the nun re- tired joyfully to her cell ; and, no doubt, she endeavoured afterwards to put in practice those virtues and incentives, which were received from St. Ita's life and conversation. The holy virgin was peculiarly gifted with a spirit of prophecy, which enabled her to foretel whether persons in sickness should recover or be called away from life. ^3 Many miracles of an extraordinary character are related, in our sainf s acts ; such as the restoring of sick and infirm persons to health and strength, and even raising the dead to life.^+ She is said, also, to have had a know- ledge of transgressions, which were thought to have been secrets known only "The text has "quatuor jugera in usus ^^ Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hibernias," hortorum." According to a vulgar mode of xv. Januarii. Vita S. Itas, cap. vii., p. 67. translation, this might be rendered four ^3 See Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- acres, &c. But I am not able to define the nise," xv. Januarii, cap. viii.-ix., p. 67. quantity of ground contained in the ancient ^'' These miracles are found in the Vita S. juger or acre." Dr. Lanigan's " Ecclesias- Itse, in Colgjn's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber- tical History of Ireland," vol. ii., chap, xi., nise," xv. Januarii, cap. xii., xiii., xiv., xv., § ii., n, 8, p. 86. xvii., xxii., xxiii., xxvii., &c. 2o8 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 15. to God, and to the perpetrators of those hidden crimes.^5 Qn a certain oc- casion, a wise man lost the use of speech, and having visited St. Ita, with. some of his companions, she offered up her prayers to God in his behalf. Immediately afterwards he was enabled to speak. The first use made of his voice was to give thanks to God for this favour. Then he returned to his own people, filled with joy and gratitude. ^^ These repeated miracles spread far and wide our saint's reputation ; while they caused her to receive un- bounded respect and admiration from all people. CHAPTER III. MARRIAGE OF BEVAN WITH ST. ITA's SISTER, NESSA — THE HOLY ITA's CONTEMPT FOR RICHES — HER INTIMACY WITH ST. BRENDAN — HER PRAYERS AND CONTEM- PLATION— HER INTERNAL ILLUMINATION — HER SUPERNATURAL COMMUNION — VISIT OF THE CLONMACNOIS CLERICS TO ST. ITA. An artificer in wood and stone- work, named Beoanus,' came from the pro- vince of Connaught to Corcobhaiscin, in Hy-Connaill territory. He had been driven from his o\vti country, by certain powerful enemies. While sojourn- ing in this place, he built some addition to our sainfs monastery.^ Becoming captivated with the beauty and virtues of Nessa,3 a sister to St. Ita, he besought that lady to give her consent to a proposal of marriage. Nessa had formed an idea of devoting herself to a life of celibacy, but St. Ita induced her to become the wife of Boeanus. Afterwards, through her prayers, Ita procured for this married couple that choicest blessing of Heaven, the birth a son, predestined to become a great saint in the Irish Church. This infant was called Mochoemoc* or Pulcherius.s He is vene- rated at the 13th of March.^ A rich man, at one time, brought a great sum of money to the self- denying servant of Christ, and laid it at her feet ; when having removed it, in order to show her contempt for the mammon of this world, Ita ordered her female attendants to bring water, and wash her hands which had been defiled, as it were, by coming in contact with such treasure. Surprised at this action, *5 See Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- Mochoemoc, Caomhoc or Caomhan, in nise," XV. Januarii. Vita S. Itas, cap. xiii., Irish, corresponds with the Latin word p. 67. Pulcherius. ^ See Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- s See Colgan's *' Acta Sanctorum Hiber- niae," xv. Januarii. Vita S. Itae, cap. xvi., niae," xv. Januarii. Vita S. Itae, cap. xv., p. 68. p. 68. Chap. hi. — ' There was another Beoanus, * There is an account, both in the Life of St. or, as others have it, Beoadus, in the province Ita and of St. Mochoemoc, regarding an event of Connaught. He was an artisan, likewise, preceding the birth of this latter saint. It and father to St. Keiran of Clonmacnoise ; would seem almost incredible, if there were but a different person from the Beoanus not some grounds for supposing the author here mentioned. See Colgan's "Acta of either Life to have been cotemporaneous. Sanctorum Hibemise," xv. Januarii, n. 15, at least with St. Mochoemoc. However, as p. 71. the event referred to had a more particular * This narrative proves the proficiency of relation towards St. Mochoemoc, it may be our native artisans in carpentry and ma- better to defer its insertion until the acts of sonry, at a very early period. this saint are given, in accordance with a 3 This holy woman was a saint of Mun- system generally observed in the compila- gret. Professor O'Looney has informed the tion of this work, viz., to refer incidents writer, that in an Irish manuscript, it is to their natural place, and to avoid unneces- stated, she procured the use of sight for St. sary repetitions of similar narratives, which Colnian, a Bishop of Lismore. may be found in different Lives of Irish * In another Life of St. Ita, he is called Saints, or in the other records which il- the father of many monks. The name, lustrate their acts, January 15.] LIVES OF 7 HE IRISH SAINTS. 209 the man asked our saint whether riches should be given to the wealthy and powerful, or to the poor and strangers ; whereupon she replied, that they belonged to both — to the rich and powerful, to maintain their worldly honours, and to poor and strangers, to attain a reward in Heaven. " But," said the man, " if I cannot give to both, what am I to do ?" Ita replied, " It is in your power to apply your substance in the pursuit of worldly honours ; or to bestow it on the Lord, from whom it has been received, and who for tem- poral treasure will accord everlasting life." Much edified iDy her disinterested- ness, this man received her blessing and departed.? At another time, St. Brendan of Clonfert, with whom she was on very intimate terms of friend- ship, had asked her, what three works were most pleasing to God's sight.^ The spouse of Christ answered : " Confident resignation of a pure heart to God ; a simple religious life ; magnanimity with charity — these three works are most agreeable to the Lord." Hereupon she was asked, what three things were most displeasing to God. She replied : " A countenance hating men ; an affection of depravity in the heart ; an absorbing love of riches — these three things are very displeasing in God's sight." St. Brendan and those who were present admired the holy virgin's wisdom ; and they gave praise to God, who appeared to have spoken through the lips of his gifted servant.s The saint was accustomed to retire frequently into some secret place, where she gave herself up entirely to prayer and Divine contemplation ; especially re- volving in mind mysteries of the Holy Trinity, which nearly always formed the subject of her sublime meditations, and which excited devotional fervoiu: within her soul. Desirous of beholding her during these moments of trans- port and rapt adoration, a holy virgin stole upon her unawares, and beheld three brilliant globes of light, radiant as the sun. These shed an intense and a lustrous glare over the whole space surrounding her. Alarmed at this vision, the virgin felt unable to approach St. Ita. She returned, however, filled with admiration at this unexpected apparition, which appeared emble- matic of the usual subject matter occupying our saint's contemplative aspira- tions. ^° It happened that a theft had been committed in some nunnery, at a place called Direo-Chuisgrigh." In the narrative of our saint's life, it would seem to have been situated at no great distance from her enclosure, and it was probably one of her own affiliated establishments." In order to discover the offender, their abbess questioned her nuns. These were unanimous in denying all knowledge of this crime. However, as one among the number was undoubtedly guilty, suspicion fell upon a nun, who, as the sequel proved, was unjustly accused of this offence. But the abbess, knowing St. Ita's pro- phetic inspiration, proposed to the nuns that they should all visit her in a body. Having a fore-knowledge of their approach, our saint had baths and a banquet prepared for her visitors. The abbess with her nuns approached St. Ita. Each rehgious saluted her in turn with a kiss of peace, excepting 7 See Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- ^ Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum HibernizE," nise/'xv. Januarii. Vita S. Itse, cap. xviii., xv. Januarii. Vita S. Itse, cap. xix., p. 68. p. 68. 10 See Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- * To her St. Brendan is said to have been niae," xv. Januarii. Vita S. Itae, cap. xx., indebted for his education. While devot- pp. 68, 69. ing herself to teaching the young, she also " This place does not appear to have assisted the poor around her by finding em- been yet identified. ployment for them in erecting her monastery, " Dr. Lanigan's ' ' Ecclesiastical History and in prosecuting other virorks. See Miss of Ireland," vol. ii., chap, xi., sec. ii., n. M. F. Cusack's " History of the Kingdom 10, p. 86. of Kerry," chap, iii., pp. 45, 46. Vol. I. P LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 15. that nun who rested under an unjust suspicion of her sisters.'3 The spouse of Christ, however, noticing her hesitation, said, " Come hither, innocent virgin, and kiss me, for certain it is that you are not guilty of this theft." The other nuns requested Ita to declare who had been the delinquent. Our saint replied : " She who for another fault has been put upon penance is the thief, and she has hidden the article stolen''* in a particular place, where you shall discover it. Yet she who has stolen it will not remain in your cell, but she shall become an abandoned creature." According to our saint's prediction, the missing article was found in that place indicated ; and the unhappy culprit, quitting her habit, became lost to a religious life, while the falsely-accused virgin's character remained pure and unsullied after this trying ordeal. 's On a great festival, St. Ita besought the Almighty to grant a favour, namely — that on a particular holiday, she might receive Christ's Body and Blood from the hands of a most .worthy priest.'^ Through Divine bounty, she was immediately conducted to Clonmacnoise city,'? where at a great dis- tance, and according to her desire, she had the happiness of receiving Holy Communion. This was administered by a venerable priest. But no person had seen the virgin travelling on her way to Clonmacnoise, nor returning therefrom ; nor had any person been witness to her reception of Holy Com- munion. St. Ita returned to her nuns, on the same day she had received Communion, in that unusual manner. Meantime, an angel appeared and re- lated to a certain holy and aged man at Clonmacnoise, all that had happened. Wherefore, that priest who had offered up the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass,'^ with other clerics, undertook a long journey to St. Ita, that they might obtain her blessing. During this journey, one of them had been deprived of sight owing to some accident. But the pious pilgrims consoled themselves with an expectation that the holy abbess should entreat our Lord on their arrival, and that by her prayers the blind man must be restored to sight. Ita had a miraculous manifestation of their approach, and she was enabled to relate their expected visit to her religious sisters. The servant of God received her guests with great joy ; and through her instrumentality, sight was restored to that monk who had met with the accident. St. Ita then requested that priest from whom she had received Communion at Clonmacnoise, to sing Mass in her presence ; and she ordered her spiritual daughters to bestow u^on him those vestments he wore during immolation of the holy Victim. However, he refused to accept them, saying, that his superior, the Abbot Eneas,'? had commanded them to receive nothing from Ita, but the favour of her prayers. St. Ita then said, " Your holy abbot, Eneas, will not be displeased, if you accept this gift from me ; and I shall '3 This incident serves to show how the Blessed Eucharist, strictly a community of goods was required '7 In noticing the exact location of Clon- to be observed in our early Irish monastic macnoise on the banks of the Shannon, and conventual establishments. Colgan also adds, that in his own time it '* "Inter lignum veli et pratum suum," was an episcopal see. "Acta Sanctorum are the words used to denote the spot where Hibernias," xv. Januarii, n. l8, p. 72. this article had been hidden. A literal ren- Clonmacnoise must have been a consider- dering of the Latin will hardly serve to able place, when St. Ita's Life had been convey any distinct idea regarding the written, locality. '^ The words in the Life are, " Hie '5 Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hibernise," autem sacred os qui immolavit hostiam, XV. Januarii. Vita S. Itae, cap. xxiv., quam suscepit S. Ita," &c. p. 69. '9 St. Oena, /Engus, or ^ngussius, »* This passage is worthy of notice, as Abbot of Clonmacnoise, is venerated on the showing belief of the early Irish Church in 20th of January, where further notices of the Catholic dogma, regarding the reality of him may be found. Christ's Body and Blood in the Sacrament of January 15.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. an give you a token to this effect, in an anecdote I am about to relate. On a certain occasion he visited the monastery of the holy virgin Chinreacha Dercain,=^° who asked permission to wash his feet, to which request he assented. Then this holy virgin, Chinreacha, washed the feet of Eneas, and she wiped them with a towel ; as God is now my witness, I held a part of that towel, and also helped to wipe your abbot's feet. When reminded of this circumstance, he shall be pleased, and he will joyfully accept my present." While the visitors received her gift, they also admired the holy virgin's piety. Having obtained her blessing, they returned to Clonmacnoise. All that St. Ita had spoken was afterwards verified.^' CHAPTER IV. ST. ITA'S PROPHETIC AND MIRACULOUS POWERS — HER PRAYERS FOR THE REPOSE OF HER uncle's soul — HER INTERCESSION FOR A HOMICIDE EFFECTUAL WITH THE CHIEF OF HY-CONNAILL. At one time, a certain man had killed his o\ati brother ; moved with remorse he came to St. Ita, and did penance, according to her direction. Seeing his devout dispositions, the abbess told him, that were he to follow her advice, he should not die a sudden death, but enjoy eternal life. As a military man, he was afterwards summoned to battle by his chieftain. Being unsuccessful, this soldier, with many of his comrades, was slain in battle. When the matter was told to Ita, she said, " I have promised this man should terminate his life in a happy manner, because he performed faithfully what I enjoined on him." She then directed her servants to go and call the deceased from the field of slaughter, in God's name, as she believed he should then return to life. Having obeyed her orders, this soldier arose from the field. He then ran towards those who had called him, as if he had not been even wounded. He afterwards went with the servants to visit St. Ita. As she had foretold, the future event of a happy departure was granted him, in addition to other favours he received. On a certain occasion, greatly afflicted at the death of his son, a man came to our saint, and, while tears bedewed his cheeks, declared in a rude manner, that he could not cease to weep, nor leave her habitation, until she should have restored his son to life. St. Ita meekly an- swered : " Whatever you ask of me, O man, is not due to my merits, but to those of the apostles, and saints like to them." The man replied, " I am chiefly afflicted, because my son lost the use of speech before his death, so that he could neither confess to God, nor speak to us -^ I ask, therefore, that you obtain from the Holy Trinity he might even live for one day, so that I might be able to hear his words." Ita said, *' For what length of time would ^° Not being able to find any female saint nus O'Gorman and Maguire, St. Cairechawas named Kenrecha, either in our ancient Mar- venerated on the 9th of February. See tyrologies or in other records, for a length of "Acta Sanctorum Hibemise," xv. Januarii, time, Colgan was under an impression, that n. 20, p. 72. Kenrecha was erroneously inserted for ^' See Colgan's *' Acta Sanctorum Hiber- Kunera. But, having examined this matter niae," xv. Januarii. Vita S. Itse, cap. xvii., more attentively, he thought the saint p. 68. here spoken of must have been identical Chap. iv. — » This means that he could not with St. Kairecha, called also Dercain. ask God's pardon for his sins, or, as written in The addition of this latter cognomen leaves another codex, " sua peccata confiteri." See the question beyond doubt ; especially when Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum Hibemiae," n. we take into consideration a strong affinity 25, p . 72. This is an instance of our ances- between the names themselves. According tors ancient practice of confessing sins to the " Martyrologies of Tallagh," Maria- orally, in the Sacrament of Penance, LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 15. you be satisfied he should live, if the merciful God, who raises the dead, had compassion on you, and brought your son to life." The man replied he would feel grateful if his child should live but one day, Ita then said, " He shall live seven years, seven months, and seven days." The youth imme- diately arose when the saint had prayed for his restoration to life ; and he afterwards lived that exact term specified by the holy virgin.^ A man named Feargus, whose son lived at a time when the author of our saint's acts wrote,3 had been afflicted with a malady in his eyes and body. He was brought to St. Ita, in a most deplorable state. Although, in the opinion of friends, his death seemed imminent at the time, yet, through our saint's bene- diction and prayers, he was completely restored to the use of sight, and to general health of body. Having returned to his home, he enjoyed those blessings accorded him, to the very date of his death.* An uncle of our saint, who dwelt in the Nan-Desii country, died. He left eight sons, who were sent for by the holy Abbess of Cluain Credhuile, when this report of their father's decease had been made known. On their arrival, she addressed them as follows : — " My uncle, your father, is dead ; alas ! for his transgres- sions, he now suffers in the lower regions.s To me the manner of his suffering has been revealed ; but let us attempt something for the deliverance of his soul, therefore, do as I require : let each one of you, every day throughout the whole of this year^ give bread and meat or butter with lights to the poor, for his soul's rest, and at the end of this year return to me." Being rich in this world's goods they did as their venerable relative had commanded them, and at the expiration of the time appointed they returned to her. Ita said : " Your father is in a great measure released from his sufferings, through your offerings and my prayers ; now go, and make like ' Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hibemiae," ture, where " infemus" is taken for a sub- XV. Januarii. Vita S. Itoe, cap. xxii., xxvii., terranean place, and for purgatory, we also pp. 69, 70. find a like sense applied to this term, both 3 The reader will refer to what has been by the Church and by the Holy Fathers. Thus said, in a previous chapter. Tertullian, "Liber de Anima," cap. 17, * Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum Hibemise," says, "In carcerem te mandet infemum XV. Januarii. Vita S. Itae, cap. xxv., p. unde non dimittaris nisi modico quoque de- 69. licto mora resurrectionis expense. Here, by 5 Colgan, having cited these words, "in "carcerem infemum," we must necessarily pcenis infemalibus pro commissis suis tor- understand purgatory, as souls are not freed quetur," and, " pater vester ex undis infemi from any other lower prison. Likewise, St. dimidia parte extractus est," and "pater Jerome, "in cap. 9, Amos," " Quando vester ex toto inferno ereptus est," adds, that anima vinculis laxata corporis, volandi quo no real difficulty can occur in understand- velit, sive quo ire compeliitur habuerit liber- ing these passages, although it might appear tatem ; aut ad infema ducetur, de quibus otherwise at first sight. For by ' ' poenas scriptum est, in inferno quis confitebitur tibi ; infernales," we are to consider the heavy aut ad cselestia sublevabitur." Here "infer- punishments of purgatory, and by the word nus" is taken generally, as well for the " infemum, " we must understand purgatory prison of the damned, as for purgatory, itself. This is rendered plain for a double The Church, again, in the Apostles' Creed, reason. First, in another copy of St. Ita's says, regarding Christ, " descendit ad in- Life, in his possession, there is no mention feros." See "Acta Sanctonmi Hibemiae," made of the pains of hell, but of dire and xv. Januarii, n. 23, p. 72. heavy punishments. As a proof of his as- * In connection with this subject. Dr. sertion, Colgan quotes those extracts, which Lanigan also remarks: "The phrase, infer- justify his statements. In such passages, nal pains, affords a very strong proof of the we find no punishments distinct from those antiquity of the Life, whereas for many of purgatory. Secondly, the word "infer- centuries back the Western Church has, nus," is frequently used to designate a sub- instead of it, generally expressed such pains terranean place; and " poena infemalis" is by the name of purgatory. A similar phrase often intended to signify punishment to be is still retained in one of the prayers of the endured in a place under earth. Not to Mass for the Dead : ' Libera Domine ani- mention many passages from Holy Scrip- mas omnium fidelium defimctorum de pcenis January 15.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 213 offerings this year, and then return once more to me." They accordingly obeyed her instructions, and on their visiting Ita again, she said : "Your father is now released from the pains of purgatory ; but he is yet without clothing, because he gave no garments to the poor, in Christ's name ;7 there- fore, give ye alms in clothing that he may be clad." They again distributed gifts in the manner pointed out for another year. Then returning once more to their cousin, she said, "Your father now enjoys rest, through your alms and my prayers, but especially through God's mercy. Therefore, do you refrain from unlawful desires of the world and its concupiscence, for which your father has suffered." Giving thanks to God, and to His servant, Ita, they returned to their own country.^ One day, our saint desired some of her nuns to go forth from the enclosure, and bring her word regarding two men, who were on their way to visit her nunnery. Doing as they were ordered, these nuns brought back intel- ligence, that two brothers of the neighbourhood, well known to them, were coming. Fetching a deep sigh, the abbess said, " Woe ! woe, to these men, grief shall shortly oppress me and them, for one of these brothers shall murder the other." This event happened in accordance with the saint's pre- diction, whereupon, the culprit was brought before the chieftain of Hy- Connaill, to receive judgment due to his crime. Being condemned to death, and considering the affliction into which his mother must be plunged by the double loss of her two sons, St. Ita resolved on exerting her influence with the chief, to effect a respite for the malefactor. This mediatorship she assumed, through the double motive of affording consolation to the parent of the unfortunate criminal, and of giving the fratricide an opportunity for doing penance. The chieftain was moved by our holy virgin's entreaties on behalf of this guilty young man, and he was restored to liberty. However, lest any damage should afterwards take place, through this extended clemency, the chief declared that to St. Ita must be imputed its occurrence. He recom- mended her, moreover, to induce the murderer to expiate his crime by prac- tising a rigorous course of penance. Ita returned for answer, that although his repentance might be deferred for a while, yet it must certainly take place ; and as she desired, that the criminal's repentance should rather be voluntary on his part than a result of coercion, the servant of God waited in patience and hope for his conversion. Although, for a time delayed, her expectations were finally crowned ; and her patience was amply rewarded by the total change of heart which tranquillized the mind of this unhappy man.9 inferni, et de profundo lacu,' &c. I need the grave." See " Ecclesiastical History of not tell the reader that the i«;^r«Mj or in- Ireland, " vol. ii., chap, xi., sec. ii., n. 11, fernalibus in the now quoted passages do pp. 86, 87. not refer to the hell of the damned, out of ^ " This means that, although he was freed which the Church never expected any de- from the purgatorial sufferings, yet his soul liverance. This manner of speaking was was not as yet in a state fit for enjoying the used in consequence of an opinion held by beatific vision and that heavenly clothing, many theologians, that not only the devils of which St. Paul says, 2 Cor., v. 2: We and the damned, but likewise the souls in groan, desiring to be clothed over with our a state of purgation are confined in subter- habitation, which is from heaven." Dr. raneous regions, yet with this difference, Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical History of Ire- that the former are kept in its lowermost land," vol. ii., chap, xi., sec. ii., n. 12, p. and deepest parts, while the place for the 87. latter, although contiguous to it, is supposed * See Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- to be higher up (See Bellarmin De Purga- nice," xv. Januarii. Vita S. Itae, cap. xxvi., torio, lib. 2, cap. 6). But, as this place pp. 69, 70. was still considered as under the earth, the ' See Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- name infernus, which signifies a lower re- nias," xv. Januarii. Vita S. Itse, cap. xxix., gion or tract, was often applied to it, in the p. 70. same manner as it has been used also for 214 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 15. CHAPTER V. VICTORY OBTAINED BY THE HY-CONNAILL CLAN THROUGH THE PRAYERS OF ST. ITA — HER MERCIFUL OFFICES TOWARDS A PENITENT — ST. ITA'S BODILY AFFLICTION — HER LAST ILLNESS AND DEATH — LOCAL AND GENERAL COMMEMORATION — HER INTIMACY WITH MANY IRISH SAINTS — CONCLUSION. Sometime after these occurrences, a great war' was waged against the Hy- Connaill people, by habitants from the western part of Munster. The Hy- Connaill sept, being numerically inferior to their enemies, had recourse to St. Ita, who addressed her prayers to heaven, and to the adorable and undivided Trinity, that her clients might receive succour from above, in the unequal conflict, and from which, in all human probability, they could not hope to escape with success. A small army, they were able to muster, went forth with confidence, founded on the prayers and intercession of their saintly patron ; and, having encountered an overwhelming force opposed to them, they fought with desperate resolution, until victory finally inclined to their side. The enemy was routed with great slaughter ; and the sept of Hy- Connaill returned from the battle-field, full of gratitude to God and to their patron saint, for that glorious victory they obtained. It would appear, that St. Ita exhorted her people to do penance for their sins, before joining in battle array. But at least one among their number, although he promised repentance, did not redeem this pledge. Therefore our saint desired him to be conducted to her presence. According to a description given by the abbess to her messengers, this man was found wounded after the battle, having being engaged in the foremost ranks. When brought before Ita, he was kindly received, and healed of his wounds through her intercession. Afterwards, he brought forth fruits worthy of penance, and departed to the rest of an immortal life.^ Once upon a time, St. Ita said to her spiritual daughters, in a spirit of prophecy : " At this very moment one of our family has lost her soul ; go, therefore, and inquire which one among us has become a prey to the ravening wolf." But they were unable to discover this offender. St. Ita ordered them to appear collectively in her presence. Being questioned on the matter, all denied their knowledge or consciousness of this imputed crime. That person who had sinned denied her guilt wath the rest. Then St. Ita told her, she had deeply offended God on that day ; and, because she had not confessed her crime, or repented its commission, she should be dismissed ^vith shame and reproach. This guilty person, wandering about through many places, at length became a slave or servant to a certain magician, in Connaught. The Chap. v. — 'This, in all probability, was of Hy-Figente and the Corcoiche sept. The the event thus recorded in O'Donovan's Hy-Figente derived their name from Fiach "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i., pp. Figente, and they occupied that plain of 184, 185. " The Age of Christ, 546. The Munster, extending from Luachra mountain, battle of Cuilne, in which rtiany of the in Kerry to the southern bank of the Corcoiche were slain through the prayers Shannon. See ** Ogygia," pars, iii., cap. of [St.] Ita, of Cluain-Creadhail." Mr. Ixxxi., p. 381. The battle of Cuilne is O'Donovan says, he was unable to identify placed five years later, in the " Annals of Cuilne ; but of the Corcoiche, he remarks Ulster," than in those of the Four Masters, that they were a Ui-Fidhgente sept, located We there read : " A.D. 551, Bellum Cuilne, in the present county of Limerick, and in in quo ceciderunt Corcu Oche Muman, ora- the barony of Lower Connello. After the tionibus Itce Cluana." establishment of surnames, O'Macassy was "See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber- chieftain over this sept. Seeidid., nn. (i.k.), n\x," xv. Januarii. Vita S. Itse, cap. xxx., p. 184. O' Flaherty describes the country p. 70, January 15.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 215 abbess knowing her condition told her sisters in religion, that were she to regain her liberty once more, she should atone for past offences. Ita then sent messengers to St. Brendan, to request his influence in obtaining from the King of Connaught freedom for this wretched vassal. Her object was at length effected. This unfortunate creature and her daughter were sent back to the abbess, by St. Brendan. Both were received with compassion, and even with joy by our saint. They remained in Ita's nunnery ; the mother subjecting herself to a rigorous course of penance. Afterwards she persevered in a blame- less course of life, until the day of her death. 3 St. Ita is said to have suffered a great bodily affliction, which she carefully concealed from the knowledge of others. A sort of worm, called a Daol,^ preyed upon her side, and at last it grew to a large size. This continued for a long time, so that the holy woman suffered a continuous martyrdom. Moreover, Cuimin of Coindeire states, in the poemS which begins, " Patrick, of the city of Macha, loved ;" that for love of the Lord, she never laid down her cheek or her face to rest. Thus he says, " Mide loved great nursing, Great humility without ambition ; Her cheek on the pillow she never laid, From love of the Lord," &c. Having now attained an extreme old age, the holy abbess called her daughters around her, and told them in a calm manner that the term of her sojourn in life was nearly accomplished. Before this period, however, had arrived, St. Macnessius^ of Clonmacnoise despatched messengers to her with word that his predecessor, and the friend of our saint, had requested her to send some holy water. Having complied with this request, she desired the messengers to return, and that they should find her living ; but before their next arrival at Clonmacnoise, she declared that the Abbot Eneas should have departed this life.? Shortly after such occurrence, she was seized wdth her last illness. No sooner had the news of her infirmity gone abroad, than many holy persons of both sexes flocked to her nunnery, expecting to witness the happy termination of her labours and virtues.^ Before her departure, she invoked a blessing on the clergy and people of Hy-Connaill, who adopted her as their patron saint. There, with devout aspirations towards the Holy Trinity, her soul passed out of this world, to rejoice for ever before God's throne, in company with the saints and angels.9 The body of our saint was deposited in that place she had chosen for her earthly habitation. After a solemn celebration of the holy Sacrifice of Mass,^° 3 See Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- macnoise. His feast was kept on the 13th nise," XV. Januarii. Vita S. Itse, cap. xxxi., of June. See notices of him at that day. p. 70. The incidents related in this chap- ^ See notices of him at the 20th day of ter seem only a more detailed account re- January. garding what we read in the fourteenth ^ It is yet a practice, in the primitive chapter of St. Ita's life. mountainous and insular parts, where Celtic < In a note at this place Dr. Todd says, customs most prevail, for neighbours to as- " The word Daol is explained a cockchafer, semble in groups, when the death of an a leech." Colgan renders it "Vermis." adult is expected in any particular house. 5 In a note l3r. Todd says, "This poem For many days before the sick person's de- which is frequently quoted by our author, cease, they recite prayers in Irish for a happy has been printed with a translation by departure. Mr. Curry, in the late Rev. Matthew Kelly's ^ See Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- Calendar of Irish Saints, p. i6o. The niae," xv. Januarii. Vita S. Itse, cap. xxxii., editor, however, does not state from what xxxiii., pp. 70, 71. manuscript he has copied." '° This is an early instance of a Requiem * This saint was the immediate successor Mass having been celebrated in the Irish of St. ^nguss or Eneas, Abbot of Clon- Church. 2i6 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 15. according to her previous directions, her sacred remains were committed to earth. The ancient author of her hfe assures us, that a great concourse of people was present at these offices ; while innumerable miracles took place at that time, and on future occasions, to the period when his interesting record of her acts had been composed." St. Ita departed this life on the 15th day of January. The different Martyrologies of ^ngus the Culdee," as also the Commentator on his works, Marianus O'Gorman, the Calendars of Tallagh,'3 Salisbury, and Donegal, '^ agree in assigning St. Ita's feast to that date. In like manner, the Circle of the Seasons has her commemorated. '5 This saint is mentioned at the present day, in the anonymous list of Irish Saints published by O'Sullivan Beare.'^ The year of her death has been generally assigned to A.D. 569.^7 At Killeedy she has been constantly venerated. On the 15th of each recurring January, the faithful of this remote parish become rejoiced and gladdened at the grandeur and solemnity of ceremonies prepared for them. They are invited to dilate their hearts, and to contemplate, not only the dazzling brilliancy of Him, in whom there is neither change nor shadow of alteration, but also the exceeding great honour of a saint once a pilgrim and sojourner here below, but now crowned with a diadem of unfading lustre. The author of her life remarks, that many of her actions were unrecorded by him ; of those he had given, some are omitted in the present narrative, and those in which her name occurs, conjointly with other saints, will be found distributed in different other pages of this work. This holy virgin was formerly held in great veneration by our ancestors ; not alone on account of her own sanctity, but because of virtues implanted in those religious persons who were imder her direction and training. Be- sides her sister, St. Fina, and other pious women, Ita taught the principles of religion in early youth, to those holy confessors, the famous St. Brendan, styled the Navigator, on account of his seven years' voyage on the Atlantic, to St. Pulcherius, already mentioned in her life, and to St. Cuminens, Bishop of Clonfert. This holy woman was not only venerated in Cluain-Credhail, or Killady Church, and throughout the whole territory of Hy-Connaill ; but like- wise in a place called Rosmide, in her native country of the Desies. Also, the parish of Kilmeedy, in the barony of Upper Connello, in the county of Limerick, signifies " the Church of Mide ;"'^ and of course it derived name from the celebrated virgin of Kileedy. There are no ruins visible in this parish, '9 but the Protestant church appears to have been built within the old " See Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- copy of the Tallagh Martyrology we read, nise," XV. Januarii. Vita S. Itse, cap. xxxiii., ■Ooi\micAcio 1CAe A^uf •piuoi]\UTn CAi|\p|\e. p. 71. '♦Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. " The following extract from the Felire, 16, 17. In the table appended, we are in- and its English translation, have been fur- formed that there was a holiday to her in the nished by Professor O'Loouey : parish of Cill-Ide,in the diocese of Limerick. See ibid., pp. 438, 429. A xtiiii. kl. Vo^Ai-o mop n-ju^A h-^aLap '^ At p. 15. CA]\Aif mof C|\oin ci\eT3An *® See " Historiae Catholicse Ibemiee Com- tn 5]\iAn b Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xii. In M 'Tucker, P.P., Boyle, and V.G., in a the Franciscan copy we find X)iAi\mAic letter dated October i6th, 1873. Pt\efbecetM. Art. v. — ' See Dr. O'Donovan's "An- 3 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga." nals of the Four Masters," vol. i., pp. 296, Quinta Appendix ad Acta S. Patricii, cap. 297. 220 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 15. memory is celebrated' — and the year 697 was the last of his life.3 Reared in all the traditions of the Catholic faith, this prelate seemed from the begin- ning a child of benediction, and full of promise ; and his end was but the continuance and realization of his opening career. Article VI. — St. Breacc Fele, of Bealach-Fele. [Probably in the Seventh Century^ On the 15 th of January, the Martyrology of Tallagh' enters the name of Brice fheli, of Bealach fheli. He is somewhat differently alluded to elsewhere ; for we have a clue to his family given in a later calendar. We find recorded, in the Martyrology of Donegal,'' on this day, Breacc Fele, of Bealach Fele. He is here said to be of the family of Fiacha Suidhe, son to Feidhlimidh Reachtimhar. This holy man, Brecus, as the name is Latinized, was the son of Silaus, son to Dubtach, son of Fergna, son to Muredach, son of Sinell, son to Brecan, son of -.'Engus Lethain, son to Eugenius Breac, son of Artchorb, son of Fiach. Thus he had a common ancestor with St. Ita, and he belonged to the Desii race, in the south of Ireland.3 He lived three generations later than St. Ita. The place where he was venerated has eluded our search, if it be not Ballyfoile, the Anglicized form of the Irish word Bea- leach Foele, i.e., " the pass or road of Foele." It is now the name of a townland, in the parish of Kilmadum, and county of Kilkenny,^ according to some writer in the local newspapers His further remarks, probably some- what erroneous, may serve to establish an identity between St. Mobrigue and the present St. Breacc Fele. His death is thus recorded in the Annals of the Four Masters at a.d. 730 : — " St. Mobrigue, of Bealach-Fele, died."^ The name of this saint is said to form part of the name for the next parish, i.e., Kill-ma-de-mogue. This probably means the Church of my Mogue or Mo- brigue, adds the wTiter, but we believe incorrectly. The site of the original church of this saint, he continues, which is also most probably the place of his burial, is well known by the denomination of Kill-Mogue, on Mr. Comer- ford's land, only a few fields from the old castle of Ballyfoile.7 It is showm by the same name on the Ordnance Townland Survey, where it is marked, " a burial place for children." In the neighbourhood, this ancient cemetery is said to be used only for unbaptized children and strangers. We do not think it probable, as the writer avers, that Mobrigue — while it may pos- sibly be contracted into Breacc — can at all be softened down to Mogue. He regards St. Mobrigue as the patron of Ballyfoile.^ "See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga, " Series. Quinta Appendix ad Acta S. Brigidae, cap. * See Dr. O'Donovan's edition, vol. L, pp. ii., p. 629. 326, 327. The learned editor admits that 3 The "Annals of Ulster," and those of he could not identify this place. The obit the Four Masters agree in this year for his of Mobrigiu is not given in the " Annals of demise. Ulster," or of " Clonmacnoise." See n. Art. VI.—' Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, (q), ibid. p. xii. In the Franciscan copy at this date ^ The surrounding scenery, its mountain we read b^Mcc pheLi obec. glens, and ways, will be found admirably ' Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, p. 1 7. described in the pages of the national novelist 3 See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber- and poet, John Banim. niae," Appendix ad Acta S. Itae, cap. ii., p. * There are two other to^vnland denomina- 73. tions, Upper Ballyfoile and Lower Ballyfoile, * See the site of Kilmogue graveyard and in the parish of Dysartmoon, barony of Ida, church marked here on the "Ordnance and county of Kilkenny. No ancient burial- Survey Townland Maps for the County of ground appears to have been in either. See Kilkenny." Sheet 14. " Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the s " The Kilkenny Journal" of September County of Kilkenny. " Sheet 37. Ilth, 1872, vol. xxxi., No. 3,883. New January 15.] LIVES OF THE IE TSH SAINTS. Article VII. — St, Darerca, Virgin, Daughter to Cairbre. The published Martyrology of Tallagh' records Darerca, virgin, at the 15th of January. With the entry of St. Ita's feast on the same day, it unites that of the daughters of Cairpre. We only find, however, that a saint called Darerca, virgin, and a daughter of Cairbre, occurs in the Martyrology of Donegal'' on this day. Little besides can be found relating to this religious woman. Article VIII. — The Seven Bishops of Druimairbhealaigh, now probably Drumreilly, County of Leitrim. From such notices as our ancient litanies and calendars afford us, we may very reasonably infer that chor- episcopal sees and pastors were numerous in the earlier ages of our national Christianity. To find so many saints, and of the same class, venerated in so many different places — the old names of which can scarcely be identified exactly with modem localities — shows full well the prevalence of holiness among the shepherds who were Divinely appointed to tend the flocks entrusted to their care. Among most nations, it has been remarked by an Irish writer, who has given this subject much attention, seven appears to have been a peculiar, if not a mystical, number. It has been called by a Pagan author' the knot and cement of all things, as being that by which the natural world and spiritual world are comprehended imder one idea. It was considered a fortunate number among the Persians. But seven is pre-eminently a sacred number. =* In that sense, it must have been referred to, in connexion with our various groups of saints and ancient churches. As we are informed in the Martyrology of Tallagh,3 a festival is registered on the 15th of January in honour of Seacht, n-Eps Droma airbelaigh. Their special names do not appear to be known. An equal number of saints is mentioned in the Mar- tyrology of Donegal.* It has for an entry the seven bishops^ of Druimair- bhealaigh, as being venerated on this day. It is not easy to ascertain this exact locality, under its present denomination ; but as these holy prelates are invoked in the Litany of St. -^ngus the Culdee, they probably flourished, and possibly not all of them as contemporaries, before the ninth century. At the 15th of January, under the head of Druim Airbhalaigh, Duald Mac Firbis enters, the seven bishops of Druim Airbhalaigh. It has been identified with Dnimreilly, in the county of Leitrim.^ The parish of Drumreilly is situate partly within the barony of Drumahaire,? and partly within the barony of Carrigallen,^ in the county of Leitrim. A part of this parish also lies in Art. VII. — ' Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, Academy," Irish MSS. Series, vol. i., part p. xii. In the Franciscan copy we have i., pp. io6, 107. only ■OAiNeT\CA tli-p. ^ This portion of it is shown in the " Ord- ' Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. nance Survey Townland Maps for the County 16, 17. of Leitrim." Sheets, 18, 19, 20, 21. It Art. viii. — ' See Cicero, Tusc. Quaest. has an area of 16,276 acres. Its western i., 10. boundary is the River Shannon and Lough ' See an interesting article, written by the Allen. On the latter, in the small island of Rev. John O'Roorke, in the " Irish Eccle- Inishmagrath are shown the ruins of an an- siastical Record," vol. ii., May, 1866, p. cient church and a graveyard. South- 380. eastward from it there is a graveyard, in the 3 Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xii. In adjoining townland of Fahy. Some [old the Franciscan copy we read tin. nepf forts and holy wells lie within this portion of niAOtntnA <\|\beb