There are four of his sons
numbered
among our saints, and they are called Colman, Foilan, Lugad and Natalis.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v7
See ibid.
7 His feast occurs, at the 27th of August.
8 In connexion with an entry to this effect,
we are referred to Cobran, at the 19th of
July, and the present Cobair, at the 30th of
July. See Table of the Martyrology, appended to Drs. Todd's and Reeves' edi-
tion of the Donegal Martyrology, pp. 360, 361.
6 A note Dr. 5, by
where an account of him be seen, may
at
the meaning to be attached for such an in the Sixth Volume of this work, Art. ii.
Article hi.
*
Edited by Rev. Dr.
—
See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga,"
Todd,
Goll, explains June,
Kelly, p. xxx.
2 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
204, 205.
3 See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. ii. , n. (a), p. 828.
p.
2
6
ad Acta S.
Quarta Appendix Columbse,
cap. x. , p. 488, p. 501.
Article v. —1 Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly,
xxx.
2 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
206, 207.
registers
5o8
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[July 30.
Irish Calendar^ belonging to the Royal Irish Academy, at the iii. of the August Kalends—July 30th—there is an entry of Saran, without any epithet to distinguish him. Among the Scottish Entries in the Kalendars of David Camerarius, there is one for St. Saran, also, at the 30th ofJuly. 4
ArticleVI. —St. German,SonofGoll,orofMacGuill. Venera-
tion was
at the
of 30th July,
as we read in the of Martyrologies
1 Tallagh,
of
given Marianus^O'Gorman,
and of
Donegal,
2 to
German,
or
Germanus,3 son of
Goll, as the latter record has it written, or of Mac Guill, as found in the
former. It has been conjectured,* that the present holy man may be identi-
fied with a St. German, who left Ireland for France, in the beginning of the
sixth century. He is said to have been accompanied by six holy brothers
and three by
sisters. 5 The names of the former were St. 6 Gibrian, St.
holy
TressaiV St. Helan,8 St. Aleran,9 St. Petran,10 and St. Veran;11 while the latter were called Saints Fracla, Promptia and Posemna. 12 Another Festival has been assigned for this St. German, at the 3rd of December. ^
Article VII. —Festival of St. Aodh mac Brice, of Sleibh Liage, CountyofDonegal. TheinsertionofAodhmacBrice,ofSle—ibhLiacc,
1
of atthe of This ifnotan
in the—
appears Martyrology Tallagh, 30th July.
inexact entry seems to have been a festival of St. Aedh, son of Breac, Bishop of Cill air, in the county of Meath, and of Sliabh Liag, in the county Donegal. Hisprincipalfeastisnoticed,atthe10thofNovember,wherehis biography may be perused.
Article VIII. —St. Febrithae, or Febrithe. The Martyrology of Tallagh entersthenameofFebrithaeashavingbeenvenerated,atthe30th of July. The identification of this saint with time, family, or place, does not
to be known. In the of 2 the name Febrithe appear Martyrology Donegal,
occurs, at this same date. 3
Article IX. —St. Colman, Bishop. The
records a festival at this date, in honour of Colman, a Bishop. Nothing more is known concerning him.
3 See Ordnance Survey Office Copy, Com- mon Place Book F, p. 66. —
8 9
present.
His festival is not known.
" At the of some account 3rd December,
ofhimmaybefound.
" It has not been discovered, that these
sisters had any festivals.
I3 The reader is referred to that date. Article VII. — Edited by Rev. Dr.
4 Thus
:
"Sanctus Saranus. " Bishop
be known at
Forbes' "Kalendars of Scottish Saints,"
,0
p. 239.
Article vl—'
Edited
by
Rev. Dr.
Kelly, p. xxx.
2 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
206, 207.
3 A note by Dr. Reeves says at German :
" This entry is by the more recent hand. "
«
Kelly, p. xxx. Article vm. —1
Kelly, p. xxx.
'
Edited
Rev. Dr
By Father John Colgan.
by
5 See
"
Acta Sanctorum Hiberniae," vii.
Februarii, Appendix ad Acta S. Tressani,
Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp- 206, 207.
3 A note by Dr. Todd says at Febrithe The more recent hand adds here Ferbritea. M. Tarn. , meaning that the name is so written in the Mart, of Tallaght. "
Article ix. — l Edited
cap. iii. , pp. 274, 275.
6 See his Acts, at the 8th of Fifth Volume of this work.
May,
in the
:
7 See his Life, in the Second Volume of
this work, at the 7th day of February, Art. i.
by
Rev. Dr.
of x Martyrology Tallagh
See for notices of him, at theSthof October. If he had a feast-day, it does not seem to
July 31. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 509
Article X. —Festival of Saints Abdon and Sennen, Martyrs, at
""1
Rome. In the Feilire of St. ^Fngus, the Festival of Saints Abdon and
Sennan is entered, at this day ; showing that in olden times, these illustrious MartyrswereveneratedintheancientIrishChurch. Thecommentatorhas a note explanatory of their suffering for the Faith in Rome. 2 Their short Acts,3 with a previous commentary,* may be found in the great Bollandist collection. s An account of the Translation of their Relics follows. 6
Article XI. —Reputed Feast of St. Erentrudis. In the anony-
1
mous Calendar of the Irish Saints, issued by O'Sullevan Beare, we find a
St. Erentrudis, at the 30th of July ; but, no other authority appears to warrant
2
C&trtg*ffr*t ©ap of 3uty<
ARTICLE I. —FESTIVAL FOR THE SONS OF NADFRAECH, VIZ. , COLMAN, FOLLAMAN, PAPAN, IERNOC AND NATALIS.
p MUC
such an entry.
[FIFTH AND SIXTH CENTURIES. }
H uncertainty prevails, as we shall see, regarding the parentage and
the sons—if were not rather the —of Nad- laces, they grandsons
fraech, should have in our histories and calendars. We do not read of his
conversion to Christianity, nor any very particular allusion to him, in the Acts of 1
St. Patrick, althoughhissony£ngus,KingofMinister,becameadistinguished convert, when the Gospel was preached in that part of Ireland. 2 However, it is likely, in this case, the father's name has been set down for that of his
son iEngus. According to the Martyrology of Donegal,3 the sons of Nad-
Kelly, p. xxx. —
Article x. ' In the "Leabhar Breac"
copy is the following rann, at the 30th of
are annexed.
4 In three sections, and forty-five para-
graphs, with an engraving of their tomb.
with an Whitley Stokes :—
translation
by
Dr.
s See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus
July,
English
vii. ,
Heche Cjurc neoch nochAncAip CoruitiAib A-oglencip
"OiavLuaj; rnpnich Atipoc •<\b-oon ocu]' Sennir*.
Julii xxx. De SS. Abdon et Sennen Martt.
Romse, pp. 130 to 138.
6
"2 Christ's law to every one they used to
sing, with mysteries which they used to
learn : in their host was n—ot found heedless-
ness, Abdon and Sennis. " "Transactions of and
the Royal Irish Academy," Irish Manu- script Series, vol. i. , part i. On the Caleu- dar of Ocngus, p. cxii.
2Thus:"i—. e. duomartiresetRoraxpasi sunt gladio. " Ibid. , p. exxi.
3 By some anonymous writer, and taken
from a Manuscript belonging to Fulda, col- lated with other Manuscript Notes, these
In two chapters, and nineteen para-
graphs, with notes, pp. 139 to 141. Article XI. —l See "Historiae Catho- Hex Ibernire Compendium," tomus i. , lib. iv. ,
cap. xi. , p. 50.
It is evidently a mistake for June 30th, the Festival Day for St. Erentrudus, or Eren-
trude, Virgin Abbess of Nunberg, Bavaria,
an account of whom
the Sixth Volume of this work, at that date, Art. i.
l
Article i. — See the Life of St. Patrick,
in the Third Volume of this work, at the
of Art. i. 17th March,
2
However, it is stated, that the sons of Nadfraech were then baptized by St. Patrick, See ibid. , chap. xix.
may be found, in
5io I TVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [July 3 1
faech had veneration paid them at this date. Their names are entered in detail, with marked distinction, and in the following order, according to the foregoing Calendar, viz. : Colman, Bishop; Fallamain, Bishop Iarnog, the
;
sickly; and Natal of Cill-na-manach. It is not otherwise recorded, nor~does it seem probable, except in a remote degree, that Natfraich had many children,
who were saints. However, it is generally assumed, that ^Engus was the father of a numerous and holy offspring.
There are four of his sons numbered among our saints, and they are called Colman, Foilan, Lugad and Natalis. * Nor does this account wholly agree with that of other authorities. s At the 31st of July, Marianus O'Gorman seems to say, that the feast of Angus' five
sons, viz. : Colman, the son of Darenia, Follamonius, or Follomen, Papan, Iernoc and Natal is, had been celebrated on that day. These he calls the sons of Natfraich. But, by another designation, we are to understand, that they were only his grandsons, ^Engus being their father. 6 In succeeding articles, we shall treat individually regarding each one of those saints, and as we find references to them in our records.
Article II. —St. Natalis or Naal, Abbot of Kilmanagh, County of Kilkenny. [Fifth and Sixth Centuries^ The Acts of this saint are given by Colgan, at the 27th of January; but, whether his festival should be assigned to that day, or not, has been already considered, in a previous part of this work, when treating about a St. Natalis or Naal of Kilnaile, who appears
1
This saint is variedly named in Irish Naal. Naile, Noele, Naaile, and sometimes
Natal or Nataile. Again, his name has been Latinized intoNaalis, Natalus,
Natalius, Natalis or Naalius. 2 He is said to have been the founder of a
religious establishment, at Kilmanagh, in the county of Kilkenny. There
stood a famous monastery, frequently mentioned in our Annals. -^ Alluding
to Natalus, called by some Naalius, and by others more correctly Natalis,
AbbotofKilnaile,orKinnawly,Colganremarks,4 however,thathedoesnot
seem to have been a different person from St. Natalus, s the son of ^Engus,
the first Christian of Mummonia. 6 he that the of King Also, supposes, 31st July
was a commemoration, a translation, or some secondary festival of St. Natalis, of Kilmanagh, while his principal Natalis was observed on the 27th ofJanuary. 7 Furthermore,Colganpossessedacopyofoursaint'sActs; but,
to have been a different person from the subject of this present memoir.
3 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 206, 207.
Martii viii. Vita Metrica S. Senani Episcopi,
n. 8, p. 611, recte 525,
5 Nevertheless, this writer. to have appears
entertained doubts regarding their identity.
For, after that the Abbot oflnber- stating,
naile, Killnaile. and Deveni-h. had been
venerated on the 27th of January ; he adds,
that if St. Natalis, Abbot of Kilmanagh, and master of Scnan, were one and i
person, another festival must have been in- stituted as a commemorative one, at th
of See il>i<L, xxvii. be S. July. Januarii.
Natali, Abbate et Confessore, can. iv. , pp. 169, 170.
'' He was St. Patrick, as may baptized by
be seen in his Life, at the 17th of March, in
the Third Volume of this work, Art. L,
chap. xix.
' See Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
nix," xxvii. Januarii. De S. Natali, Abbate et Confessore, nn. 19, 20, p. 174.
to the " logy," cap. xxxiv.
4
5 See the Rev. Dr. of Tallagh," p. xxx.
Genoa-
6
In the Brussels Manuscript of Marianus
According
Menelogic
"
Kelly's Marlyrology
O'Gorman, the following note occurs in the margin, as we are told by Rev. Dr. Todd :
" Kolluman, Papanus, Iernocus, et Natalis sunt filii Aengusii regis, filii Natfraich. "
Article ii. — ' See the Acts of St. Nata-
lis of Kilnaile, at the 27th of January, in the First Volume of this work, Art. i.
- See
nix," xxvii. Januarii. Do S. Natali, Abbate et Confessore, n. 1, p. 173.
3 See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters," at A. n. 780, vol. i. , pp. 802, 839, 843.
4 See "Acta Sanctorum Ilibcinix,"
Colgan
's "Acta Sanctorum Iliber-
July 31. ]
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
he acknowledges, that they contained many things false, doubtful and con- tradictory. Hence, he considered—them of no historical value. Moreover, he seems to cla—ss the present saint who he says was also venerated on the
8
27th of January among the disciples of St. Patrick. His mother was called
Ethnea, being daughter to Crimthann, King of Leinster,9 according to an
apocryphal Life of the saint, in Colgan's possession, and to the genealogy of 10
IrishSaints,inthePsalterofCashel, asalsototheMenologiumGenealogi-
cum. 11
death. Tin'slattereventtook
a native of the province of Minister. At an early age, our saint gave indica- tions of great sanctity, and having abandoned the pleasures of this world, he embracedtheprofessionofareligiouslife. Aftersometime,hebecamepre-
fect over a religious community of one hundred and fifty monks, at a place, "
ever afterwards called Kilmanagh, or the Church of the Monks," and pro-
bably owing to this very circumstance. His monastery was situated about eight miles to the west of Kilkenny City, and not far from Tipperary County. '3
of Formerly it
Probably
during
century,
At is a present, Kilmanagh
9 See "Acta Sanctorum
Hiberniae,"
"Statistical Survey of the County of Kil-
kenny," part i. , sec. 4, pp. 21, 22.
l6 An account of this saint and interesting
of his place, Kilmanagh, will be found in Rev. J. Holahan's "Notes on the Antiquities of the United Parishes of Ballycallan, Kil- managh and Killaloe," &c, pp. 25 to ^^.
1? When treating on the manorial posses- sionsofthe Grace family, we are informed,
he was born the fifth and before his father's
xxvii. Januarii. De S. Natali, Abbate et
Confessore, nn. 2, 3, p. 173.
10 11
Chap. xii.
Cap. xxxiv.
12 See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 152, 153, and nn. (n, o), ibid.
14 It is on the " Ordnance
noted, Survey
Townland Maps for the County of Kil- kenny," sheets 18, 22. The town of this name is on sheet 18.
15 Of this barony, Mr. Tighe remarks : " The centre of this barony is formed of hills, sometimes moor)', but always with a slaty
subsoil, capable of great improvement, as they are so easily rendered dry. Below them lies a rich and extensive plain, spreading on one side, to the vicinity of Kilkenny, and to the low hills which border the Nore ; on the other, to the bounds of the county, extend- ing from Killmanagh to the south of Calkin, as far as Conlagmore, watered in its southern part by King's River, and turning westwar—ds towards Kilmagany and Knocktopher. "
by Sheffield Grace, that
"
the neighbouring
13 See Dr.
tory of Ireland,'' vol. i. , chap, ix. , sect, iv. , n. 50, p. 446. Only the modern Protestant church is to be seen at present in the ancient
graveyard.
of
Lanigan's
parishes
Kildrinagh, Killaghy-Grace,
place,
inthe
year 489.
12 He tohavebeen appears
1 * in the
Kilkenny. By the people it has been called Killmanach Drohid.
part
Country. for
of Grace's great reputation
over his 8
parish,
county large community,
1 ?
The saint
was a
with a
profiting by his lessons, placed themselves under his direction. Among the most illustrious of these was the youthful St. Senan, '9 afterwards Abbot of Iniscathy. We are informed, in the Metrical Life of this latter saint, that Natalis was in the habit of requiring all his disciples, in turn, to watch over and tend flocks and
while St. Natalis and his —
2I Killmor-aradhthire church
8"
See Trias Thaumaturga," Quinta Ap-
pendix ad Acta S. Patricii, cap. v. , p. 269.
learning
and
sanctity. '
Many,
desirous of
herds, belonging youthful disciple
day,
" Ecclesiastical His-
barony presided
of 1 * Crannagh,
to the 20 On a certain monastery.
Senan
said to have been Kilmore,
on their
near Iniscathy,
proceeded 22
way
to
Ballycallan, Kilmanagh, and others, were
also formerly in the patronage of this family. "
—"
of Tullaroan or Grace's
Survey p. 117.
Parish,"
Colgan's
16
" Acta Sanctorum Iliber-
l8 See
niae," viii. Martii. Vita Metrics S. Senani
Episcopi et Confessore, sect, x. , p. 606,
recte
19 See the Life of St. Senan to be found at
the 8th of March, in the Third Volume of
this work, Art. i.
20 "
See also Colgan's Acta Sanctorum
Hiberniae," viii. Martii. Secunda sine Sup- plementvm Vitae S. Senani, cap. xii. , p. 613, ; arte 527.
w It must be remarked, likewise, that the church, which is called Killmor-Aradhthire, in St. Senan's prose Life, is converted into a place called Ceallaraacht, in his metrical Life, and this is said to have been the spot, where the miracle was wrought.
516.
5 i2 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [July
in the county of Clare 23—they observed a great concourse of persons at its entrance. Tears and lamentations of this multitude, especially weeping
parents and kindred, gave them to understand, that the only son of a Dynast, over that part of the country, was dead, and about to be interred. The deceased person's mother, seeing God's holy servants approach, ran towards
them. Casting herself on her knees with passionate earnestness, she besought them to address the Almighty, that her son might be restored to life, through their potent intercession. St. Natalis replied, that effecting such an object was out of his power. Yet, the mother still continued her moving entreaties. At length, taking compassion on her misfortune, Natalis ordered the body of her deceased son to be brought before St. Senan, who he said would endea- vour by his prayers, to gratify her wishes. The latter, however, through humility, thought himself unworthy in God's sight of being the instrument employed for effecting such a miracle. But, the venerable superior com- manded him to offer up prayers, assuring him they would be favourably heard. Not daring to disobey, Senan fell down and embraced the dead man's body ; he then poured forth most fervent prayers, for a restoration to life. 2'* The Almighty deigned to reward his fervour and humility, and the faith of all pre- sent, by restoring the dead to his former health and vigour. The multitude gave thanks to God, and thenceforth, they began to extol the sanctity and power of his holy servants/5 St. Natalis predicted the future greatness and sanctity of his disciple, St. Senan, and advised him to depart for another place,whereheshouldfoundamonastery,andruleovermanymonks. As his memory was celebrated at Kilmanagh, on the 31st of July f6 this was probably the day of Naal's death. The feast of St. Naul or Natalis is yet kept with great veneration on the 31st of July, at his holy well, which is to be seen
of 2^ of Marianus Martyrologies Tallagh,
2? Afestival,inhonour of Natalis or Natal, of Cill-manach, or Cill-na-manach,28 is set down in the
inthe of inthe of
parish Kilmanagh, county Kilkenny.
O'Gorman,
31st of July. The Rev. Dr. Lanigan supposes, that our saint might have
lived until the year 564.
s1
But, there is no authority, for a conclusive opinion
2
on this point. From this saint, it is probable, that Killenaule,3 situated in
the county of Tipperary, took its name. 3^ As seems most probable, it was
- In the Diocese of Killaloe. See ibid. ,
recte 535.
23 See/^/V. Metrical Life of St. Senan, n.
10, p. 611, rccte 525.
'-'* See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum I liber-
nioe," xxvii.
7 His feast occurs, at the 27th of August.
8 In connexion with an entry to this effect,
we are referred to Cobran, at the 19th of
July, and the present Cobair, at the 30th of
July. See Table of the Martyrology, appended to Drs. Todd's and Reeves' edi-
tion of the Donegal Martyrology, pp. 360, 361.
6 A note Dr. 5, by
where an account of him be seen, may
at
the meaning to be attached for such an in the Sixth Volume of this work, Art. ii.
Article hi.
*
Edited by Rev. Dr.
—
See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga,"
Todd,
Goll, explains June,
Kelly, p. xxx.
2 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
204, 205.
3 See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. ii. , n. (a), p. 828.
p.
2
6
ad Acta S.
Quarta Appendix Columbse,
cap. x. , p. 488, p. 501.
Article v. —1 Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly,
xxx.
2 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
206, 207.
registers
5o8
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[July 30.
Irish Calendar^ belonging to the Royal Irish Academy, at the iii. of the August Kalends—July 30th—there is an entry of Saran, without any epithet to distinguish him. Among the Scottish Entries in the Kalendars of David Camerarius, there is one for St. Saran, also, at the 30th ofJuly. 4
ArticleVI. —St. German,SonofGoll,orofMacGuill. Venera-
tion was
at the
of 30th July,
as we read in the of Martyrologies
1 Tallagh,
of
given Marianus^O'Gorman,
and of
Donegal,
2 to
German,
or
Germanus,3 son of
Goll, as the latter record has it written, or of Mac Guill, as found in the
former. It has been conjectured,* that the present holy man may be identi-
fied with a St. German, who left Ireland for France, in the beginning of the
sixth century. He is said to have been accompanied by six holy brothers
and three by
sisters. 5 The names of the former were St. 6 Gibrian, St.
holy
TressaiV St. Helan,8 St. Aleran,9 St. Petran,10 and St. Veran;11 while the latter were called Saints Fracla, Promptia and Posemna. 12 Another Festival has been assigned for this St. German, at the 3rd of December. ^
Article VII. —Festival of St. Aodh mac Brice, of Sleibh Liage, CountyofDonegal. TheinsertionofAodhmacBrice,ofSle—ibhLiacc,
1
of atthe of This ifnotan
in the—
appears Martyrology Tallagh, 30th July.
inexact entry seems to have been a festival of St. Aedh, son of Breac, Bishop of Cill air, in the county of Meath, and of Sliabh Liag, in the county Donegal. Hisprincipalfeastisnoticed,atthe10thofNovember,wherehis biography may be perused.
Article VIII. —St. Febrithae, or Febrithe. The Martyrology of Tallagh entersthenameofFebrithaeashavingbeenvenerated,atthe30th of July. The identification of this saint with time, family, or place, does not
to be known. In the of 2 the name Febrithe appear Martyrology Donegal,
occurs, at this same date. 3
Article IX. —St. Colman, Bishop. The
records a festival at this date, in honour of Colman, a Bishop. Nothing more is known concerning him.
3 See Ordnance Survey Office Copy, Com- mon Place Book F, p. 66. —
8 9
present.
His festival is not known.
" At the of some account 3rd December,
ofhimmaybefound.
" It has not been discovered, that these
sisters had any festivals.
I3 The reader is referred to that date. Article VII. — Edited by Rev. Dr.
4 Thus
:
"Sanctus Saranus. " Bishop
be known at
Forbes' "Kalendars of Scottish Saints,"
,0
p. 239.
Article vl—'
Edited
by
Rev. Dr.
Kelly, p. xxx.
2 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
206, 207.
3 A note by Dr. Reeves says at German :
" This entry is by the more recent hand. "
«
Kelly, p. xxx. Article vm. —1
Kelly, p. xxx.
'
Edited
Rev. Dr
By Father John Colgan.
by
5 See
"
Acta Sanctorum Hiberniae," vii.
Februarii, Appendix ad Acta S. Tressani,
Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp- 206, 207.
3 A note by Dr. Todd says at Febrithe The more recent hand adds here Ferbritea. M. Tarn. , meaning that the name is so written in the Mart, of Tallaght. "
Article ix. — l Edited
cap. iii. , pp. 274, 275.
6 See his Acts, at the 8th of Fifth Volume of this work.
May,
in the
:
7 See his Life, in the Second Volume of
this work, at the 7th day of February, Art. i.
by
Rev. Dr.
of x Martyrology Tallagh
See for notices of him, at theSthof October. If he had a feast-day, it does not seem to
July 31. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 509
Article X. —Festival of Saints Abdon and Sennen, Martyrs, at
""1
Rome. In the Feilire of St. ^Fngus, the Festival of Saints Abdon and
Sennan is entered, at this day ; showing that in olden times, these illustrious MartyrswereveneratedintheancientIrishChurch. Thecommentatorhas a note explanatory of their suffering for the Faith in Rome. 2 Their short Acts,3 with a previous commentary,* may be found in the great Bollandist collection. s An account of the Translation of their Relics follows. 6
Article XI. —Reputed Feast of St. Erentrudis. In the anony-
1
mous Calendar of the Irish Saints, issued by O'Sullevan Beare, we find a
St. Erentrudis, at the 30th of July ; but, no other authority appears to warrant
2
C&trtg*ffr*t ©ap of 3uty<
ARTICLE I. —FESTIVAL FOR THE SONS OF NADFRAECH, VIZ. , COLMAN, FOLLAMAN, PAPAN, IERNOC AND NATALIS.
p MUC
such an entry.
[FIFTH AND SIXTH CENTURIES. }
H uncertainty prevails, as we shall see, regarding the parentage and
the sons—if were not rather the —of Nad- laces, they grandsons
fraech, should have in our histories and calendars. We do not read of his
conversion to Christianity, nor any very particular allusion to him, in the Acts of 1
St. Patrick, althoughhissony£ngus,KingofMinister,becameadistinguished convert, when the Gospel was preached in that part of Ireland. 2 However, it is likely, in this case, the father's name has been set down for that of his
son iEngus. According to the Martyrology of Donegal,3 the sons of Nad-
Kelly, p. xxx. —
Article x. ' In the "Leabhar Breac"
copy is the following rann, at the 30th of
are annexed.
4 In three sections, and forty-five para-
graphs, with an engraving of their tomb.
with an Whitley Stokes :—
translation
by
Dr.
s See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus
July,
English
vii. ,
Heche Cjurc neoch nochAncAip CoruitiAib A-oglencip
"OiavLuaj; rnpnich Atipoc •<\b-oon ocu]' Sennir*.
Julii xxx. De SS. Abdon et Sennen Martt.
Romse, pp. 130 to 138.
6
"2 Christ's law to every one they used to
sing, with mysteries which they used to
learn : in their host was n—ot found heedless-
ness, Abdon and Sennis. " "Transactions of and
the Royal Irish Academy," Irish Manu- script Series, vol. i. , part i. On the Caleu- dar of Ocngus, p. cxii.
2Thus:"i—. e. duomartiresetRoraxpasi sunt gladio. " Ibid. , p. exxi.
3 By some anonymous writer, and taken
from a Manuscript belonging to Fulda, col- lated with other Manuscript Notes, these
In two chapters, and nineteen para-
graphs, with notes, pp. 139 to 141. Article XI. —l See "Historiae Catho- Hex Ibernire Compendium," tomus i. , lib. iv. ,
cap. xi. , p. 50.
It is evidently a mistake for June 30th, the Festival Day for St. Erentrudus, or Eren-
trude, Virgin Abbess of Nunberg, Bavaria,
an account of whom
the Sixth Volume of this work, at that date, Art. i.
l
Article i. — See the Life of St. Patrick,
in the Third Volume of this work, at the
of Art. i. 17th March,
2
However, it is stated, that the sons of Nadfraech were then baptized by St. Patrick, See ibid. , chap. xix.
may be found, in
5io I TVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [July 3 1
faech had veneration paid them at this date. Their names are entered in detail, with marked distinction, and in the following order, according to the foregoing Calendar, viz. : Colman, Bishop; Fallamain, Bishop Iarnog, the
;
sickly; and Natal of Cill-na-manach. It is not otherwise recorded, nor~does it seem probable, except in a remote degree, that Natfraich had many children,
who were saints. However, it is generally assumed, that ^Engus was the father of a numerous and holy offspring.
There are four of his sons numbered among our saints, and they are called Colman, Foilan, Lugad and Natalis. * Nor does this account wholly agree with that of other authorities. s At the 31st of July, Marianus O'Gorman seems to say, that the feast of Angus' five
sons, viz. : Colman, the son of Darenia, Follamonius, or Follomen, Papan, Iernoc and Natal is, had been celebrated on that day. These he calls the sons of Natfraich. But, by another designation, we are to understand, that they were only his grandsons, ^Engus being their father. 6 In succeeding articles, we shall treat individually regarding each one of those saints, and as we find references to them in our records.
Article II. —St. Natalis or Naal, Abbot of Kilmanagh, County of Kilkenny. [Fifth and Sixth Centuries^ The Acts of this saint are given by Colgan, at the 27th of January; but, whether his festival should be assigned to that day, or not, has been already considered, in a previous part of this work, when treating about a St. Natalis or Naal of Kilnaile, who appears
1
This saint is variedly named in Irish Naal. Naile, Noele, Naaile, and sometimes
Natal or Nataile. Again, his name has been Latinized intoNaalis, Natalus,
Natalius, Natalis or Naalius. 2 He is said to have been the founder of a
religious establishment, at Kilmanagh, in the county of Kilkenny. There
stood a famous monastery, frequently mentioned in our Annals. -^ Alluding
to Natalus, called by some Naalius, and by others more correctly Natalis,
AbbotofKilnaile,orKinnawly,Colganremarks,4 however,thathedoesnot
seem to have been a different person from St. Natalus, s the son of ^Engus,
the first Christian of Mummonia. 6 he that the of King Also, supposes, 31st July
was a commemoration, a translation, or some secondary festival of St. Natalis, of Kilmanagh, while his principal Natalis was observed on the 27th ofJanuary. 7 Furthermore,Colganpossessedacopyofoursaint'sActs; but,
to have been a different person from the subject of this present memoir.
3 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 206, 207.
Martii viii. Vita Metrica S. Senani Episcopi,
n. 8, p. 611, recte 525,
5 Nevertheless, this writer. to have appears
entertained doubts regarding their identity.
For, after that the Abbot oflnber- stating,
naile, Killnaile. and Deveni-h. had been
venerated on the 27th of January ; he adds,
that if St. Natalis, Abbot of Kilmanagh, and master of Scnan, were one and i
person, another festival must have been in- stituted as a commemorative one, at th
of See il>i<L, xxvii. be S. July. Januarii.
Natali, Abbate et Confessore, can. iv. , pp. 169, 170.
'' He was St. Patrick, as may baptized by
be seen in his Life, at the 17th of March, in
the Third Volume of this work, Art. L,
chap. xix.
' See Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
nix," xxvii. Januarii. De S. Natali, Abbate et Confessore, nn. 19, 20, p. 174.
to the " logy," cap. xxxiv.
4
5 See the Rev. Dr. of Tallagh," p. xxx.
Genoa-
6
In the Brussels Manuscript of Marianus
According
Menelogic
"
Kelly's Marlyrology
O'Gorman, the following note occurs in the margin, as we are told by Rev. Dr. Todd :
" Kolluman, Papanus, Iernocus, et Natalis sunt filii Aengusii regis, filii Natfraich. "
Article ii. — ' See the Acts of St. Nata-
lis of Kilnaile, at the 27th of January, in the First Volume of this work, Art. i.
- See
nix," xxvii. Januarii. Do S. Natali, Abbate et Confessore, n. 1, p. 173.
3 See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters," at A. n. 780, vol. i. , pp. 802, 839, 843.
4 See "Acta Sanctorum Ilibcinix,"
Colgan
's "Acta Sanctorum Iliber-
July 31. ]
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
he acknowledges, that they contained many things false, doubtful and con- tradictory. Hence, he considered—them of no historical value. Moreover, he seems to cla—ss the present saint who he says was also venerated on the
8
27th of January among the disciples of St. Patrick. His mother was called
Ethnea, being daughter to Crimthann, King of Leinster,9 according to an
apocryphal Life of the saint, in Colgan's possession, and to the genealogy of 10
IrishSaints,inthePsalterofCashel, asalsototheMenologiumGenealogi-
cum. 11
death. Tin'slattereventtook
a native of the province of Minister. At an early age, our saint gave indica- tions of great sanctity, and having abandoned the pleasures of this world, he embracedtheprofessionofareligiouslife. Aftersometime,hebecamepre-
fect over a religious community of one hundred and fifty monks, at a place, "
ever afterwards called Kilmanagh, or the Church of the Monks," and pro-
bably owing to this very circumstance. His monastery was situated about eight miles to the west of Kilkenny City, and not far from Tipperary County. '3
of Formerly it
Probably
during
century,
At is a present, Kilmanagh
9 See "Acta Sanctorum
Hiberniae,"
"Statistical Survey of the County of Kil-
kenny," part i. , sec. 4, pp. 21, 22.
l6 An account of this saint and interesting
of his place, Kilmanagh, will be found in Rev. J. Holahan's "Notes on the Antiquities of the United Parishes of Ballycallan, Kil- managh and Killaloe," &c, pp. 25 to ^^.
1? When treating on the manorial posses- sionsofthe Grace family, we are informed,
he was born the fifth and before his father's
xxvii. Januarii. De S. Natali, Abbate et
Confessore, nn. 2, 3, p. 173.
10 11
Chap. xii.
Cap. xxxiv.
12 See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 152, 153, and nn. (n, o), ibid.
14 It is on the " Ordnance
noted, Survey
Townland Maps for the County of Kil- kenny," sheets 18, 22. The town of this name is on sheet 18.
15 Of this barony, Mr. Tighe remarks : " The centre of this barony is formed of hills, sometimes moor)', but always with a slaty
subsoil, capable of great improvement, as they are so easily rendered dry. Below them lies a rich and extensive plain, spreading on one side, to the vicinity of Kilkenny, and to the low hills which border the Nore ; on the other, to the bounds of the county, extend- ing from Killmanagh to the south of Calkin, as far as Conlagmore, watered in its southern part by King's River, and turning westwar—ds towards Kilmagany and Knocktopher. "
by Sheffield Grace, that
"
the neighbouring
13 See Dr.
tory of Ireland,'' vol. i. , chap, ix. , sect, iv. , n. 50, p. 446. Only the modern Protestant church is to be seen at present in the ancient
graveyard.
of
Lanigan's
parishes
Kildrinagh, Killaghy-Grace,
place,
inthe
year 489.
12 He tohavebeen appears
1 * in the
Kilkenny. By the people it has been called Killmanach Drohid.
part
Country. for
of Grace's great reputation
over his 8
parish,
county large community,
1 ?
The saint
was a
with a
profiting by his lessons, placed themselves under his direction. Among the most illustrious of these was the youthful St. Senan, '9 afterwards Abbot of Iniscathy. We are informed, in the Metrical Life of this latter saint, that Natalis was in the habit of requiring all his disciples, in turn, to watch over and tend flocks and
while St. Natalis and his —
2I Killmor-aradhthire church
8"
See Trias Thaumaturga," Quinta Ap-
pendix ad Acta S. Patricii, cap. v. , p. 269.
learning
and
sanctity. '
Many,
desirous of
herds, belonging youthful disciple
day,
" Ecclesiastical His-
barony presided
of 1 * Crannagh,
to the 20 On a certain monastery.
Senan
said to have been Kilmore,
on their
near Iniscathy,
proceeded 22
way
to
Ballycallan, Kilmanagh, and others, were
also formerly in the patronage of this family. "
—"
of Tullaroan or Grace's
Survey p. 117.
Parish,"
Colgan's
16
" Acta Sanctorum Iliber-
l8 See
niae," viii. Martii. Vita Metrics S. Senani
Episcopi et Confessore, sect, x. , p. 606,
recte
19 See the Life of St. Senan to be found at
the 8th of March, in the Third Volume of
this work, Art. i.
20 "
See also Colgan's Acta Sanctorum
Hiberniae," viii. Martii. Secunda sine Sup- plementvm Vitae S. Senani, cap. xii. , p. 613, ; arte 527.
w It must be remarked, likewise, that the church, which is called Killmor-Aradhthire, in St. Senan's prose Life, is converted into a place called Ceallaraacht, in his metrical Life, and this is said to have been the spot, where the miracle was wrought.
516.
5 i2 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [July
in the county of Clare 23—they observed a great concourse of persons at its entrance. Tears and lamentations of this multitude, especially weeping
parents and kindred, gave them to understand, that the only son of a Dynast, over that part of the country, was dead, and about to be interred. The deceased person's mother, seeing God's holy servants approach, ran towards
them. Casting herself on her knees with passionate earnestness, she besought them to address the Almighty, that her son might be restored to life, through their potent intercession. St. Natalis replied, that effecting such an object was out of his power. Yet, the mother still continued her moving entreaties. At length, taking compassion on her misfortune, Natalis ordered the body of her deceased son to be brought before St. Senan, who he said would endea- vour by his prayers, to gratify her wishes. The latter, however, through humility, thought himself unworthy in God's sight of being the instrument employed for effecting such a miracle. But, the venerable superior com- manded him to offer up prayers, assuring him they would be favourably heard. Not daring to disobey, Senan fell down and embraced the dead man's body ; he then poured forth most fervent prayers, for a restoration to life. 2'* The Almighty deigned to reward his fervour and humility, and the faith of all pre- sent, by restoring the dead to his former health and vigour. The multitude gave thanks to God, and thenceforth, they began to extol the sanctity and power of his holy servants/5 St. Natalis predicted the future greatness and sanctity of his disciple, St. Senan, and advised him to depart for another place,whereheshouldfoundamonastery,andruleovermanymonks. As his memory was celebrated at Kilmanagh, on the 31st of July f6 this was probably the day of Naal's death. The feast of St. Naul or Natalis is yet kept with great veneration on the 31st of July, at his holy well, which is to be seen
of 2^ of Marianus Martyrologies Tallagh,
2? Afestival,inhonour of Natalis or Natal, of Cill-manach, or Cill-na-manach,28 is set down in the
inthe of inthe of
parish Kilmanagh, county Kilkenny.
O'Gorman,
31st of July. The Rev. Dr. Lanigan supposes, that our saint might have
lived until the year 564.
s1
But, there is no authority, for a conclusive opinion
2
on this point. From this saint, it is probable, that Killenaule,3 situated in
the county of Tipperary, took its name. 3^ As seems most probable, it was
- In the Diocese of Killaloe. See ibid. ,
recte 535.
23 See/^/V. Metrical Life of St. Senan, n.
10, p. 611, rccte 525.
'-'* See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum I liber-
nioe," xxvii.
