told,
overhanging the upper lake, and command-
ing a fine view of the valley, is a circular en-
closure about iofeet in diameter, containing
a rude cross of clay-slate, and formed by a
wall of loose stones, about two feet high,
with an entrance facing the east.
overhanging the upper lake, and command-
ing a fine view of the valley, is a circular en-
closure about iofeet in diameter, containing
a rude cross of clay-slate, and formed by a
wall of loose stones, about two feet high,
with an entrance facing the east.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v6
Kevin, Satan appeared at the same
time with them. The devil told our saint all things, after the manner in which
he had been directed, by the holy Abbot of Bangor. Whereupon, giving
thanks to God, and blessing his friend St. Comgall, our holy Abbot ordered
the devil, that he should, thenceforward and for ever, remove his wicked com-
panions from that happy valley. On hearing St. Kevin's orders, with a terri-
ble howling the demons departed from Glendalough, and saying at the same
time, that they should never more take up their station within it. After this
departure of the demons, that rock on which they were accustomed to alight
fell into pieces. These were precipitated into the Lake, and with a great noise.
Blessed Kevin, as we are informed, had been engaged at prayer, to effect this
2
miracle,'' at the time of its occurrence.
39 See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Junii iii. Vita S. Coemgeni, cap. hi. , num. 17, p. 315.
40 This denomination has not been identi
fied:but, probably, Fiodh, or Feadha, the Fews of Armagh, may be the correct reading.
*" The Life of this saint is already given, in the Fifth Volume of this work, at the 10th of May, Art. i.
*3 See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Junii iii. Vita S. Coemgeni, cap. iii. , num. 18, pp. 315, 316.
:
" I have come from the territo-
48 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 3.
CHAPTER III.
THE AUSTERITIES OF ST. KEVIN—HIS ORATORY AND ROAD BESIDE THE LAKE—KING BRANDUBH'S HUNTSMAN AND THE BOAR—ST. KEVIN'S BED—HE IS PROVIDENTIALLY RESCUED FROM A LAND-SLIDE—ST. FINTAN MUNNU'S VISION OF THE DEMONS— ST. KEVIN BEHOLDS ST. PATRICK IN A VISION—ST. KEVIN AND HIS MONK CRONAN—AN ANGEL APPEARS AND COMMANDS ST. KEVIN TO FOUND HIS CHIEF MONASTERY—HE RECEIVES A GRANT OF THE PLACE FROM DYMMA—ST. KEVIN'S JOURNEY TO USNEACH, WHERE HE MEETS THE HOLY ABBOTS COLUMBA, COMGELL AND CAINNIC
St. Kevin is said to have prayed each night, for a full hour, surrounded by the Lake waters, in that place where he stood. A monster frequenting the Lough, according to a legend, was accustomed to swim around his body, without offering him any violence. The servant of God bore all this with patience, for a long time. To reward his virtues, the Almighty sent an Angel, at last, to assist him, and to relieve him from what he saw and endure—d. For three
: principal reasons, the Angel was despatched to his assistance First,
that he might be relieved from his many self-imposed labours ; secondly, that the monster might be repelled ; and thirdly, that the cold water might be ren- deredwarm. For,ontheAngeloftheLordcomingtohimeachnight,the monster retired. Then, reposing on his bosom, that Angel caused the Lake water to lose its naturally cold temperature, and to become warm. It is also
of seven 1 to this 2 St. Kevin years, previous time,
that within a
had constructed a little oratory, formed of osiers, on the northern shore of the Lake. At present a passage is shown, near the lower outlet of the Upper Lough, and through the young plantations, which now cover that side of Camaderry, and, it is traditionally called St. Kevin's Road. This pathway goes upwards by a very steep ascent to the very summit of that mountain, and then it drops downwards into Glendassan, on the other side ; while, it continues afterwards to ascend that ravine, on the northern face of the glen. Perhaps, his abode might be located somewhere, over the outlet of the Upper Lough, and near the beginning of St. Kevin's Road. At least, this conjecture should accord very well, with the account contained in his published Acts. In that temporary bower, the holy man had often prayed to God. In this retreat, moreover, St. Kevin dwelt free from the interruptions of mankind, and sustained by no human nourishment. It seems most probable, also, that his manner of living there must be referred to the latter part of the sixth century. 3 About this time lived the celebrated Brandubh,* son to Eatach, belonging to the family of Enna,5 who was King of Leinster. He had a huntsman, who entered this valley, on a certain day, his dogs being engaged in the pursuit of a boar. The hunted animal ran into the saint's oratory ; but, the dogs, not daring to
said,
period
Chapter hi. —* The Life says: "In- Keating's "History of Ireland," book ii. , fra spatium prsedictorum septem anno- part L, chap, i. , p. 465.
4
It is difficult to collect the author's mean- there is an account of Brandubh, and
ing, for there is no allusion in previous especially in reference to his victory ob-
rum,"&c. 2
In the Life of St. Aidan or Moedhoc,
paragraphs to a period of seven years. St. Kevin is stated to have lived a hermit's life for a duration of four years. But, it is said, likewise, himself and his disciples had with- stood the demons, in Glendalough, for seven whole years.
3 St. Kevin was regarded as the special Patron of the Tuathalaigh (O'Tooles) and Brannaigh(O'Byrnes). SeeJohnO'Mahony's
tained over Aedh I. , or Hugh, son of Am- mirech, King of Temoria and of Aileach. He reigned from a. d. 572 to A. D. 598, when he was killed in the Battle of Dun- bolg. See Ussher's " Britannicarum Eccle-
"
siarum Antiquitates,
500, and Index Chronologicus, A. D. DXCVI II. , p. 535.
s j. n the Life of St. Kevin a parenthesis is
cap. xvii. , pp. 490,
June 3]
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 49
follow, lay down before the door. St. Kevin remained praying beneath a tree, while many birds were seen perched upon his head and shoulders. They flew around him, likewise, and warbled sweet hymns in honour of God's ser- vant. Surprised at what he witnessed, the hunter called away his dogs. He there left the boar at liberty, on account of a reverence he entertained towards the holy anchorite; and, he told this miraculous occurrence, which he had witnessed, to the king, and to all others. Even, the branches and leaves of trees were said to chant sweet hymns to St. Kevin, in order to assuage by
heavenly psalmody his extraordinary austerities.
6
Approach from the Lake to St. Kevin's Bed, Glendalough.
8 gerous pathway.
yet,
it,
Sta-
tions were formerly made there, by the devout peasantry,9 and especially on their Patron's festival day. Many of the young and agile mountaineers are
inserted, as follows: "a quo nominate —"Glendalough, or the Seven Churches, "a
gens Censelach, qui innumerabilem csedem
in maxima plaga super Aquilonales Hiber-
riise provincias in bello magno fecit," &c.
6
See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Junii iii. Vita S. Coemgeni, cap. iii. , nn. 19, 20, p. 316.
didactic poem, by an ex- Moderator, T. C. D. , Canto iii. , St. Kevin's Bed, sect, iii. , p. 75.
8 The accompanying illustration of this rocky ascent, as taken from a photograph, by Frederick Mares, has been transferred to the wood, by William F. Wakeman, and it has
7 This is —
poetically described, by J.
T. S. been
closures, cairns and crosses are in the field below the Upper Lake, and St. Kevin's chair
Lefanu, in these lines
:
"
Where in yon low-browed glooming cave,
The fair-begotten Coemghine—
Hung midway o'er the pathless wave. "
is shown on the rock above
Skellig, which is reduced to little more than its foundations,
On the southern bor-
der of the Upper Lake
rises a steep, rocky and
mountainous
while at a height of about thirty feet over the water's surface, a cave may be seen, and it has been artificially hollowed out in the northern face of the rock. This is said to have been the work of St. Kevin's own hands and, to it he frequently retired, for purposes of devout
tion. ? Here, too, he reposed by night on this stony bed, when not engaged in pious vigil and meditation. A ledge of level rock is formed at its en- trance. Even adventurous pilgrims dare climb into from Tempul na Skel- lig, while they ascend by a steep and dan-
Mrs. Millard.
9 Numerous caiseals or circular stone en-
engraved by
range;
;
contempla-
Teampul-na
5o LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 3.
accustomed to ascend to St. Kevin's Bed, byapathway still more dangerous; and,
sometimes, even they descend from the upper part of the mountain, on to that ledge of rock, which lies before the cave. This south-eastern part of the lake
was called Disert Caoimhghin, or Disartkevin, which comprised Righfeart or Reafert Church 1C and Teampul-na-Skellig, with a large number of ancient crosses"andtombstones. 12 Manyofthesearenowsetupinthecemetery,at- tached to the former ruin, which has been very carefully repaired and restored. An ancient "pilgrims' road'' extended across the valley, from the Righfeart Church to that river which connects the two Lakes. It was border—ed by lines of
"
cairns and crosses, whi—ch still remain, as do a couple of "caiseals apparently
sepulchral enclosures in the adjoining fields. But, the southern half of the road has been destroyed, and its site was ploughed over within the last few years.
During the time of Lent, when our saint lived in the desert, an Angel of the Lord appeared to him, on three different nights. This Angel
" O servant of Christ, that rock hanging over the cave I3 in which you
said
dwell,willsoonfallupon wherefore lookoutforsomeother 1*
:
it, speedily place. " This is a narrow place in which I dwell, but, I wish to remain in it, during the time of Lent, if it be pleasing to God. " The Angel continued : "Truly, the hand of the All-powerful God shall sustain this rock
for many days, lest it should deprive thee of life. " Saying these words, the Angel vanished. Holy Kevin then said within himself: "Trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ, my God, here shall I remain, until Eastertide. " There can be no question, as enormous precipices of amorphus granite soar at the head of Glen- dalough, and are cut irregularly across by fissures, that, in former times, vast masses of rock have tumbled away to their base, or slipped down from their brow, and formed a kind of gigantic or acclivitous stair, in certain places, to the verysummitofthemountain. ^ ToaprovidentialescapeofSt. Kevinfrom one of these landslides is allusion here made ; and, it has been an early tra- dition in the Irish Church, that such an accident actually occurred, during the time he resided l6 under the brow of Lugduff. Nay more, immediately over the ruined cell of the saint, in the upper valley, the geological spectator at the present day may have ocular demonstration of a vast rent, from the face of that mountain, which must have carried large masses of stone into the valley beneath, or further even into the waters of the Lough. When the holy evening of Easter came, the Angel again warned St. Kevin : "Depart imme- diately from this cave following me. " Then, blessed Kevin followed the Angel across the Lake and with dry feet. As the Angel had intimated, the
St. Kevin replied :
"
10 It was formerly overgrown with trees and brambles; but, these have been cleared away from this church and its cemetery. Its Cyclopean doorway shows to great advan-
stood on the margin of the Lake, may be
questioned ;but,mostprobably, itrelatestothe latter, as being the chief place where he lived. * 4 At present, there is a remarkable open- It had a nave and chancel, now ing between the rocks on the south side of
tage.
restored ; the voussoirs of the chancel-arch have been set in their place, and the arched heads of windows, recovered from heaps of
According to the local guides, it the Giant's Cut, a long fissure in
fit over them, and in their origi- nal position. The churchyard's boundaries have been ascertained, and fenced, with ap-
proaches, appropriately planned.
11 These are usually of clay-slate, and for
the most part small and rudely fashioned.
"One of these, said to have had an in-
scription, which designated it as that of King 0'Toole,has been so mutilated, that the for- mer inscription cannot now be recognised.
13 Whether this refers to St. Kevin's Bed on the brow of the cliff, or to that cell, which
stones, now
G. R.
the lake.
is called
the Glen's side, where the mighty F—inn Ma- coul (they say) tried his sword. " Powell's "Official Railway Hand-book to Bray, Kingstown, the Coast, and the County of Wicklow," p. 70.
"
' 5 See "Parliamentary Gazetteer of Ire- land," vol. ii. , p. 267.
,6 In the " mansiunculum," or cell, "in
loco angusto inter montem et stagnum. " In ""
the Feilire of Oengus, he alludes to St.
Coemhghan escaping, from the perils of the mountain, at Gleann da Locha.
* On a knoll above the Righfeart Church,
June 3. ]
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
1 ? so soon as ou—r saint had taken Abbot Munna IQ who lived in his monastery called Teach-Munna, in the southern part of Hy-Kinsellagh terri-
rock fell afterwards on the immediately
cave, departure. day, holy
his 18 On another the
tory—heard one demon, conversing withanother, and after this manner
O friend, is thy countenance so sorrowful, and so very pale, at this time ? "
The demon thus addressed " replied :
Why
with my other confederates fought bravely for a long time against one man,
andwehavebeenvanquished. Theplaceinwhichhedwellshadbeenours,
from the beginning of the world. But now, as it is impossible for any living man to exist in a burning fire, so it is difficult for us to traverse the space, between that place and the sky ; for, we are consumed with the flame of his prayer. If you wish to know who this man is, his name is Coemgen, and he dwells in the valley of the two Lakes. However, at this time, we have per- suaded him to set out on a pilgrimage, from that place ;
pared
to
go,
if God shall not
prevent
his
journey.
20 On
hearing
these
words,
through the Divine assistance, St. Munnu bound this demon with a fiery
chain. 21 Then,St. MunnasentmessengerstoholyKevin,totellhimminutely
those designs of the demon, directed against him. Giving thanks to God and to his servant Munna, our saint did not fulfil that vow he had made, to
22
On a certain night, it is related, that St. Kevin and his monks
were engaged singing a hymn to St. Patrick. ^ Suddenly, the holy Abbot remained in a silent ecstasy, and then ordered his brethren to sing
undertake his
projected pilgrimage.
this hymn three different times.
sing it so often, the Abbot said
you have sung, stood on the pavement leaning on his staff, and he blessed
us,
2* when we ceased our
:
singing. "
We are then that this was St.
told,
overhanging the upper lake, and command-
ing a fine view of the valley, is a circular en-
closure about iofeet in diameter, containing
a rude cross of clay-slate, and formed by a
wall of loose stones, about two feet high,
with an entrance facing the east. This looks
like a sepulchral enclosure ; but, the late
George V. Du Noyer thought it to have been
the cell, which St. Kevin built for his habi-
tation. See "Proceedings of the Royal
Irish Academy," vol. vii. Mr. G. V. Du related in the Sacred Scripture. See Tobias Noyer's description of his Series of 118 Ori- viii. , 3.
ginal Drawings of Irish Antiquities, includ- "See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Junii
ing 21 sketches of Glendalough, p. 256, and iii. Vita S. Coemgeni, cap. iii. , n. 22, p.
vol. ix. , at p. 424.
316.
l8 ^ee "Acta *3 In the sixth and . . . . Sanctorum," tomus L, Junii
beginning of the seventh iii. Vita S. Coemgeni, cap. iii. , n. 21, century, Father Baert remarks, there is
P- 3 J 6.
13 This saint's festival is celebrated, on the
hardly a doubt, many hymns, composed in honour of St. Patrick, were extant. There is a hymn said to have been composed before the time of St. Kevin, by St. Secundin, and another by St. Fiech of Sletty. See the latter, Irish, with Latin translation and notes, in " Trias
21st of October. In a note, at this passage of our saint's Life, after explaining that St. Munnu was also called Fintan, son of Tul- chan, Father Francis Baert promised, that St. Munua's Life should be
at the 2 1 st of October; but, he fears that abound- ing as it does in prodigies of narrative, the reader may well suspect the authenticity of many stories there recorded. See n. (c),
Thaumaturga," Hymnus
published,
Colgan's
seu Prima Vita S. Patricii, pp. 1 to 10.
P- 3! 7-
ao Hsec audiens S. Munna, dcemonem " Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Junii iii. Vita
ilium in catena ignita per virtutem Christi alhgavit, per lapideum titulum Dei auxilio hue usque in memoriam virtutis ligatum. "
S. Coemgeni, cap. iii. , n. (e), p. 317.
2
* It is perfectly credible, that St. Patrick would have blessed those reciting his Hymn,
should I not be sad ? I For,
When the monks enquired, why they should " Our holy Patron Patrick, whose hymn 2*
and, he is now pre-
The latter part of the foregoing sentence does
not furnish as with any very intelligible idea; but, it probably refers to some local legend or tradition, which had been known at that time, when the author of our saint's Life composed his narrative,
This account in the text will naturally
suggest to the reader the circumstance of the
Angel Raphael taking the devil, and bind- ing him in the desert of Upper Egypt, as
"* However, Father Baert does not think, that it was that hymn, said to have been composed, by one Sechnal, as mentioned by Colgan, in Tertia Vita S. Patricii. See
M :
Why,
52
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 3.
26 the
who had converted Ireland from the errors of
Archbishop,
Lake, and in the same manner, with dry feet. Seeing him following in this
way,blessedKevinsaidtohim "OBrother,whyhastthoudaredtounder- :
take this unusual journey without my leave? Wherefore, I tell you, that your
bones cannot rest in the place, where my remains shall be interred. But,
however, that you may not be driven to despair, you shall repose with me in
Heaven. " Itissomewhatremarkable,thattheoccupationofthetanner,and
successful tanneries,3° have been established from probably the sixth to the
present century, in or near Glendalough, where extensive oak forests and cop-
pice woods are; yet to be found. 31 Cronan followed this trade,32 in the
community of St. Kevin. Being obedient, faithful, and humble, these things
happened, according to the prophecy of his holy Abbot. 33 Soon, however,
it was destined, that the latter should leave his hermitage, in the unsociable
desert of the steep encircling mountains surrounding the Lakes, and seek
" O saint of God, the Lord hath sent me with a message, that you may be induced to go to a place he hath appointed for you, eastwards from the lesser Lake. Thereyoushallbeamongyourbrethren,anditshallbetheplaceof
Patrick,
paganism to the true Faith ; who, many years before, had departed happily ; and, it is stated, that the efficacy of this hymn was to be found related in his Life. 2? On the night following such occurrence, St. Kevin walked over the Lake with dry feet, from that place where he had sung the hymn of St. Patrick, with his monks, and he came to that spot, where his city afterwards stood. 28 The holy Abbot thought he had not been observed, during this migration ; but, his tanner, named Cronan,29 followed our saint across the
another 3* for the site,
foundation of his
After these things, an Angel of the Lord came to St. Kevin and said :
resurrection. "
your
in the mannerdescribed.
26
St. Kevin
replied :
" H it would not the displease
Lord,
See his Life, in the Third Volume of this work, at the 17th of March, Art. i.
"7 It is doubtful, if that Life of St. Patrick,
to which allusion is here made, be extant.
Its superior antiquity to the published Acts of St. Kevin must be manifest.
28 The writer of St. Kevin's Life has it "now stands. "
2» Baert maintains, that this Cronan must
have been a different person, from the
Cronan, who is said to have baptized St.
Kevin ; although, the last-named Cronan is
there represented, as saying prophetically, that he should be first monk with the child
3° Especially those established, by the re-
spectable family of the Byrnes of Croney-
Byrne.
3I See on this subject Robert Fraser's
" General View t>f the Agriculture and Mineralogy, Present State and Circum- stances of the County of Wicklow," &c, part iii. , chap, v. , sect. 18, pp. 267 to 271.
** It is interesting to meet with such early
indications of manual industries, in the an-
cient ecclesiastical establishments of Ireland,
as instanced from this old Life of our saint.
he baptized. For, Baert observes, if he were the same, it should be necessary to assign him a lifetime, at least extending to one hundred and In the
iii. Vita S. Coemgeni, cap. iii. , nn. 23, 24,
pp. 316, 317.
3* —
It is thus described, by John D'Alton,
forty years.
portion of our saint's Life, —a Cronan—sup-
:
" In the east, no envious
Shut out the golden flood of light ;
posed to be the present one was to survive St. Kevin, for the duration at least of one year. Now, St. Kevin is said to have lived one hundred and twenty years. The Cronan, by whom he was baptized, must have been not less probably than twenty-five years old, being a Priest at the time of the baptism. Baert remarks, moreover, that the place, where the relics of both these saints had been deposited, is not now known. See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Junii iii. Vita S. Coemgeni, n (f), p. 317.
No interposing forest—
permanent
monastery.
ensuing
height
33 See
"
Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Junii
in his Poem
—
. "Dermid orErininthe of
To veil the rising or
Full in the breach fate
that rode
Had placed it there a golden gate, To guard and gild this sacred ground ; While, brightly arched o'er all, and
wound — Aboutthemountains'tops thesky Closed up the enchanted scenery. "
;
Days Boru,"
b
stood
——
e'en now
;
as
June 3. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
53
I should wish to remain to the day of my death in this place, where I have
toiled for Christ. " The Angel answered
:
" If you, with your monks, go to
thatplaceindicated,manysonsoflightshallbealwaysinit; andafteryour
time, the monks shall have a sufficiency of earthly possessions, and many
thousands of happy souls shall arise with you, from that place, to the king-
:
dom of Heaven. " Kevin said " Indeed, O holy messenger, it is impossible
for monks to dwell in this valley surrounded by mountains, unless God assist
:
thembyhispower. " TheAngelthenspoke "Hearme,OmanofGod,if
you desire it, the Lord will maintain without earthly food fifty holy men in that place, should they remain unanimous after thy departure. And, to the day of judgment, another shall succeed for those after their death, in the same habitandprofession,havingfearandloveforGod. " Kevinanswered "I
:
do not wish that my monks should be so few, in that place. " Then, said the
"
Angel :
If you are unwilling, that they be few, many thousands shall dwell
there prosperously and abundantly, the Lord preparing for them all earthly necessaries. 35 And thou, from thy celestial habitation, thou shalt aid thy
earthly family, as thou mayest wish in Christ, and through God's assistance, here and hereafter, thou shalt govern thy monks. For, that place shall be sacred and venerable ; kings and the powerful ones of Ireland shall honour it with a religious veneration, on thy account. It shall be enriched with lands, gold and silver, precious gems and silken garments,30 with gifts from beyondthesea,aswithregaltreasuresandabundance. Agreatcity37shall spring up ; and the ministry of thy monks shall be so perfect, that none of them, buried under this soil, shall endure the pains of hell. 38 And, if thou desirest, that these four mountains, surrounding this valley, should become pleasant and fruitful plains, no doubt the Almighty would so order it, on thy account. " St. Kevinsaid:"Idonotdesire,thatGod'screaturesbemoved on my account, for the Lord can otherwise assist my place ; and, moreover, all animals about these mountains are mild and domesticated towards me, and they should feel sorrowful, at what thou sayest. " With these and like dis- courses, the Angel and St. Kevin walked upon the waters of the Lake, towards a locality indicated. Diligently examining this site, holy Kevin said to the Angel " This place is rugged obstructions 39 cover its surface
:
;;
fitted for burial within it. " The " These Angel replied :
there is no
stones are immovable from the first day of creation, to this time ; yet, from this day, they shall always be movable. "40 We are told, that in this soil,
and,
place
Not " In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, arise with thy monks, and go to that place, which the Lord hath ordained for thy resurrection. " After pronouncing these
pointed out to St. Kevin, by the Angel, no stone is found immovable. *
long afterwards, the same Angel appeared to St. Kevin. He said words, the Angel departed.
Canto v. , sect, xi. , p. 132.
35 From this statement, it appears evident,
that the author of our saint's Acts set down, what had been the current popular tradition,
in his day, and when the early religious es- tabl. shment of holy Kevin at Glendalough
enjoyed a great degree of temporal and spiritual prosperity.
36 Such a description plainly indicates, not alone the author's familiarity with a civilized state of society, but even with objects of great value and luxury, then abounding in the
4 ' 37 This seems to have been written, while iii.
"
"
houses of Ireland.
Glendalough was yet a flourishing city. p. 317.
Junii
religious
:
38 This promise must have been made, under certain reservations. In any case, if given, it can only be'accepted as applicable
generally to deceased persons, happdy dis- posed for death, and there buried,
3? The Latin word is
scrobes," which
has either the signification of ""
furrows," or
of sloughs.
4° It is a remarkable circumstance, that
the whole of the lower valley at Glenda- lough is covered with huge boulders, and large detached stones.
See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. ,
Vita S. Coemgeni, cap. iv. , n. 25,
1
54
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 3. While St. Kevin yet remained in that same place he chose for a home,
8 son to and descended from a noble Tiagni,
a man named good
Dymma,*
Leinster family, came to him. At that time, this valley of Glendalough is said
to have been in the possession of Dymma, and the following story is told, to account for its transfer to our saint. Dymma and his sons presented it to God
: andtohisservantKevin,inthismanner. ThelattersaidtoDymma"On
a day appointed, do you and your people come to me, that you may transfer the chattels and houses of your brethren to another place, appointed by God. " Coming as he had promised, Kevin asked this man, if he had brought all his people with him as commanded. Dymma answered, that he had brought eightsonsandotherfollowerswithhim; but,thataninthsonremainedat home, unwilling to come. Kevin asked the name of the recusant, and then
" :
:
should be located. He received this answer from our saint
herd was formerly buried, and around him many shall arise ; for, the local cemeteryshalltherebefound. " St. KevinthensaidtoDymmaandtohis sons: " O my children, cut away the thorns and brambles, and make a com- mencement,inthisplace,sinceinityoushallbeburied; here,afteracon- siderable time, a temple shall be built to God in my name, and under its altarshallyourepose. " ThisfoundationofamonasteryatGlendaloughhas been assigned, to the year 549 ;** but, we are of opinion, it must be referred
to a period much later, in the sixth century. The eighth son of Dymma, named Dycoll, laboured in an humble manner, and more than all the rest, in pro-
portion to his strength. Our saint said to him " O my son, thou shalt be
:
blessed by God and by men, and thou shalt be amiable, in the sight of all; as thou hast been more humble than all the rest, so shalt thou and thy seed be elevated above others, and thou^shalt rule over thy brethren. " Then, Dymma and his sons, rejoicing in the saint's benediction, went to their own habitations.
There, Kevin began to live holily, in that spot he had chosen for his dwelling. Clothed in rough garments, he lay without a bed on the bare ground ; he fasted much, only tasting herbs and a little water. Without a fire to warm him, or a roof to shelter him, he lived mostly in the open air, and for a long time. At length, at the request of his disciples, some pious men withdrew him, by reasonable representations, from those austerities, and attracted him to the society of his brethren. A renowned and religious city soon arose there, in honour of St. Kevin. ** It was called Gleanndaloch,from the name of that valley, in which it was situated.
*" He is not more particularly identi- fied.
*3 Interpreted in Latin, "Calvus lugubris," which may be Anglicized, "a sorrowful bald man. "
44 See Rev. M. J. Brennan's " Ecclesiasti-
learned,thathewascalledMoelguby. Thensaidthesaint
!
time with them. The devil told our saint all things, after the manner in which
he had been directed, by the holy Abbot of Bangor. Whereupon, giving
thanks to God, and blessing his friend St. Comgall, our holy Abbot ordered
the devil, that he should, thenceforward and for ever, remove his wicked com-
panions from that happy valley. On hearing St. Kevin's orders, with a terri-
ble howling the demons departed from Glendalough, and saying at the same
time, that they should never more take up their station within it. After this
departure of the demons, that rock on which they were accustomed to alight
fell into pieces. These were precipitated into the Lake, and with a great noise.
Blessed Kevin, as we are informed, had been engaged at prayer, to effect this
2
miracle,'' at the time of its occurrence.
39 See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Junii iii. Vita S. Coemgeni, cap. hi. , num. 17, p. 315.
40 This denomination has not been identi
fied:but, probably, Fiodh, or Feadha, the Fews of Armagh, may be the correct reading.
*" The Life of this saint is already given, in the Fifth Volume of this work, at the 10th of May, Art. i.
*3 See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Junii iii. Vita S. Coemgeni, cap. iii. , num. 18, pp. 315, 316.
:
" I have come from the territo-
48 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 3.
CHAPTER III.
THE AUSTERITIES OF ST. KEVIN—HIS ORATORY AND ROAD BESIDE THE LAKE—KING BRANDUBH'S HUNTSMAN AND THE BOAR—ST. KEVIN'S BED—HE IS PROVIDENTIALLY RESCUED FROM A LAND-SLIDE—ST. FINTAN MUNNU'S VISION OF THE DEMONS— ST. KEVIN BEHOLDS ST. PATRICK IN A VISION—ST. KEVIN AND HIS MONK CRONAN—AN ANGEL APPEARS AND COMMANDS ST. KEVIN TO FOUND HIS CHIEF MONASTERY—HE RECEIVES A GRANT OF THE PLACE FROM DYMMA—ST. KEVIN'S JOURNEY TO USNEACH, WHERE HE MEETS THE HOLY ABBOTS COLUMBA, COMGELL AND CAINNIC
St. Kevin is said to have prayed each night, for a full hour, surrounded by the Lake waters, in that place where he stood. A monster frequenting the Lough, according to a legend, was accustomed to swim around his body, without offering him any violence. The servant of God bore all this with patience, for a long time. To reward his virtues, the Almighty sent an Angel, at last, to assist him, and to relieve him from what he saw and endure—d. For three
: principal reasons, the Angel was despatched to his assistance First,
that he might be relieved from his many self-imposed labours ; secondly, that the monster might be repelled ; and thirdly, that the cold water might be ren- deredwarm. For,ontheAngeloftheLordcomingtohimeachnight,the monster retired. Then, reposing on his bosom, that Angel caused the Lake water to lose its naturally cold temperature, and to become warm. It is also
of seven 1 to this 2 St. Kevin years, previous time,
that within a
had constructed a little oratory, formed of osiers, on the northern shore of the Lake. At present a passage is shown, near the lower outlet of the Upper Lough, and through the young plantations, which now cover that side of Camaderry, and, it is traditionally called St. Kevin's Road. This pathway goes upwards by a very steep ascent to the very summit of that mountain, and then it drops downwards into Glendassan, on the other side ; while, it continues afterwards to ascend that ravine, on the northern face of the glen. Perhaps, his abode might be located somewhere, over the outlet of the Upper Lough, and near the beginning of St. Kevin's Road. At least, this conjecture should accord very well, with the account contained in his published Acts. In that temporary bower, the holy man had often prayed to God. In this retreat, moreover, St. Kevin dwelt free from the interruptions of mankind, and sustained by no human nourishment. It seems most probable, also, that his manner of living there must be referred to the latter part of the sixth century. 3 About this time lived the celebrated Brandubh,* son to Eatach, belonging to the family of Enna,5 who was King of Leinster. He had a huntsman, who entered this valley, on a certain day, his dogs being engaged in the pursuit of a boar. The hunted animal ran into the saint's oratory ; but, the dogs, not daring to
said,
period
Chapter hi. —* The Life says: "In- Keating's "History of Ireland," book ii. , fra spatium prsedictorum septem anno- part L, chap, i. , p. 465.
4
It is difficult to collect the author's mean- there is an account of Brandubh, and
ing, for there is no allusion in previous especially in reference to his victory ob-
rum,"&c. 2
In the Life of St. Aidan or Moedhoc,
paragraphs to a period of seven years. St. Kevin is stated to have lived a hermit's life for a duration of four years. But, it is said, likewise, himself and his disciples had with- stood the demons, in Glendalough, for seven whole years.
3 St. Kevin was regarded as the special Patron of the Tuathalaigh (O'Tooles) and Brannaigh(O'Byrnes). SeeJohnO'Mahony's
tained over Aedh I. , or Hugh, son of Am- mirech, King of Temoria and of Aileach. He reigned from a. d. 572 to A. D. 598, when he was killed in the Battle of Dun- bolg. See Ussher's " Britannicarum Eccle-
"
siarum Antiquitates,
500, and Index Chronologicus, A. D. DXCVI II. , p. 535.
s j. n the Life of St. Kevin a parenthesis is
cap. xvii. , pp. 490,
June 3]
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 49
follow, lay down before the door. St. Kevin remained praying beneath a tree, while many birds were seen perched upon his head and shoulders. They flew around him, likewise, and warbled sweet hymns in honour of God's ser- vant. Surprised at what he witnessed, the hunter called away his dogs. He there left the boar at liberty, on account of a reverence he entertained towards the holy anchorite; and, he told this miraculous occurrence, which he had witnessed, to the king, and to all others. Even, the branches and leaves of trees were said to chant sweet hymns to St. Kevin, in order to assuage by
heavenly psalmody his extraordinary austerities.
6
Approach from the Lake to St. Kevin's Bed, Glendalough.
8 gerous pathway.
yet,
it,
Sta-
tions were formerly made there, by the devout peasantry,9 and especially on their Patron's festival day. Many of the young and agile mountaineers are
inserted, as follows: "a quo nominate —"Glendalough, or the Seven Churches, "a
gens Censelach, qui innumerabilem csedem
in maxima plaga super Aquilonales Hiber-
riise provincias in bello magno fecit," &c.
6
See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Junii iii. Vita S. Coemgeni, cap. iii. , nn. 19, 20, p. 316.
didactic poem, by an ex- Moderator, T. C. D. , Canto iii. , St. Kevin's Bed, sect, iii. , p. 75.
8 The accompanying illustration of this rocky ascent, as taken from a photograph, by Frederick Mares, has been transferred to the wood, by William F. Wakeman, and it has
7 This is —
poetically described, by J.
T. S. been
closures, cairns and crosses are in the field below the Upper Lake, and St. Kevin's chair
Lefanu, in these lines
:
"
Where in yon low-browed glooming cave,
The fair-begotten Coemghine—
Hung midway o'er the pathless wave. "
is shown on the rock above
Skellig, which is reduced to little more than its foundations,
On the southern bor-
der of the Upper Lake
rises a steep, rocky and
mountainous
while at a height of about thirty feet over the water's surface, a cave may be seen, and it has been artificially hollowed out in the northern face of the rock. This is said to have been the work of St. Kevin's own hands and, to it he frequently retired, for purposes of devout
tion. ? Here, too, he reposed by night on this stony bed, when not engaged in pious vigil and meditation. A ledge of level rock is formed at its en- trance. Even adventurous pilgrims dare climb into from Tempul na Skel- lig, while they ascend by a steep and dan-
Mrs. Millard.
9 Numerous caiseals or circular stone en-
engraved by
range;
;
contempla-
Teampul-na
5o LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 3.
accustomed to ascend to St. Kevin's Bed, byapathway still more dangerous; and,
sometimes, even they descend from the upper part of the mountain, on to that ledge of rock, which lies before the cave. This south-eastern part of the lake
was called Disert Caoimhghin, or Disartkevin, which comprised Righfeart or Reafert Church 1C and Teampul-na-Skellig, with a large number of ancient crosses"andtombstones. 12 Manyofthesearenowsetupinthecemetery,at- tached to the former ruin, which has been very carefully repaired and restored. An ancient "pilgrims' road'' extended across the valley, from the Righfeart Church to that river which connects the two Lakes. It was border—ed by lines of
"
cairns and crosses, whi—ch still remain, as do a couple of "caiseals apparently
sepulchral enclosures in the adjoining fields. But, the southern half of the road has been destroyed, and its site was ploughed over within the last few years.
During the time of Lent, when our saint lived in the desert, an Angel of the Lord appeared to him, on three different nights. This Angel
" O servant of Christ, that rock hanging over the cave I3 in which you
said
dwell,willsoonfallupon wherefore lookoutforsomeother 1*
:
it, speedily place. " This is a narrow place in which I dwell, but, I wish to remain in it, during the time of Lent, if it be pleasing to God. " The Angel continued : "Truly, the hand of the All-powerful God shall sustain this rock
for many days, lest it should deprive thee of life. " Saying these words, the Angel vanished. Holy Kevin then said within himself: "Trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ, my God, here shall I remain, until Eastertide. " There can be no question, as enormous precipices of amorphus granite soar at the head of Glen- dalough, and are cut irregularly across by fissures, that, in former times, vast masses of rock have tumbled away to their base, or slipped down from their brow, and formed a kind of gigantic or acclivitous stair, in certain places, to the verysummitofthemountain. ^ ToaprovidentialescapeofSt. Kevinfrom one of these landslides is allusion here made ; and, it has been an early tra- dition in the Irish Church, that such an accident actually occurred, during the time he resided l6 under the brow of Lugduff. Nay more, immediately over the ruined cell of the saint, in the upper valley, the geological spectator at the present day may have ocular demonstration of a vast rent, from the face of that mountain, which must have carried large masses of stone into the valley beneath, or further even into the waters of the Lough. When the holy evening of Easter came, the Angel again warned St. Kevin : "Depart imme- diately from this cave following me. " Then, blessed Kevin followed the Angel across the Lake and with dry feet. As the Angel had intimated, the
St. Kevin replied :
"
10 It was formerly overgrown with trees and brambles; but, these have been cleared away from this church and its cemetery. Its Cyclopean doorway shows to great advan-
stood on the margin of the Lake, may be
questioned ;but,mostprobably, itrelatestothe latter, as being the chief place where he lived. * 4 At present, there is a remarkable open- It had a nave and chancel, now ing between the rocks on the south side of
tage.
restored ; the voussoirs of the chancel-arch have been set in their place, and the arched heads of windows, recovered from heaps of
According to the local guides, it the Giant's Cut, a long fissure in
fit over them, and in their origi- nal position. The churchyard's boundaries have been ascertained, and fenced, with ap-
proaches, appropriately planned.
11 These are usually of clay-slate, and for
the most part small and rudely fashioned.
"One of these, said to have had an in-
scription, which designated it as that of King 0'Toole,has been so mutilated, that the for- mer inscription cannot now be recognised.
13 Whether this refers to St. Kevin's Bed on the brow of the cliff, or to that cell, which
stones, now
G. R.
the lake.
is called
the Glen's side, where the mighty F—inn Ma- coul (they say) tried his sword. " Powell's "Official Railway Hand-book to Bray, Kingstown, the Coast, and the County of Wicklow," p. 70.
"
' 5 See "Parliamentary Gazetteer of Ire- land," vol. ii. , p. 267.
,6 In the " mansiunculum," or cell, "in
loco angusto inter montem et stagnum. " In ""
the Feilire of Oengus, he alludes to St.
Coemhghan escaping, from the perils of the mountain, at Gleann da Locha.
* On a knoll above the Righfeart Church,
June 3. ]
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
1 ? so soon as ou—r saint had taken Abbot Munna IQ who lived in his monastery called Teach-Munna, in the southern part of Hy-Kinsellagh terri-
rock fell afterwards on the immediately
cave, departure. day, holy
his 18 On another the
tory—heard one demon, conversing withanother, and after this manner
O friend, is thy countenance so sorrowful, and so very pale, at this time ? "
The demon thus addressed " replied :
Why
with my other confederates fought bravely for a long time against one man,
andwehavebeenvanquished. Theplaceinwhichhedwellshadbeenours,
from the beginning of the world. But now, as it is impossible for any living man to exist in a burning fire, so it is difficult for us to traverse the space, between that place and the sky ; for, we are consumed with the flame of his prayer. If you wish to know who this man is, his name is Coemgen, and he dwells in the valley of the two Lakes. However, at this time, we have per- suaded him to set out on a pilgrimage, from that place ;
pared
to
go,
if God shall not
prevent
his
journey.
20 On
hearing
these
words,
through the Divine assistance, St. Munnu bound this demon with a fiery
chain. 21 Then,St. MunnasentmessengerstoholyKevin,totellhimminutely
those designs of the demon, directed against him. Giving thanks to God and to his servant Munna, our saint did not fulfil that vow he had made, to
22
On a certain night, it is related, that St. Kevin and his monks
were engaged singing a hymn to St. Patrick. ^ Suddenly, the holy Abbot remained in a silent ecstasy, and then ordered his brethren to sing
undertake his
projected pilgrimage.
this hymn three different times.
sing it so often, the Abbot said
you have sung, stood on the pavement leaning on his staff, and he blessed
us,
2* when we ceased our
:
singing. "
We are then that this was St.
told,
overhanging the upper lake, and command-
ing a fine view of the valley, is a circular en-
closure about iofeet in diameter, containing
a rude cross of clay-slate, and formed by a
wall of loose stones, about two feet high,
with an entrance facing the east. This looks
like a sepulchral enclosure ; but, the late
George V. Du Noyer thought it to have been
the cell, which St. Kevin built for his habi-
tation. See "Proceedings of the Royal
Irish Academy," vol. vii. Mr. G. V. Du related in the Sacred Scripture. See Tobias Noyer's description of his Series of 118 Ori- viii. , 3.
ginal Drawings of Irish Antiquities, includ- "See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Junii
ing 21 sketches of Glendalough, p. 256, and iii. Vita S. Coemgeni, cap. iii. , n. 22, p.
vol. ix. , at p. 424.
316.
l8 ^ee "Acta *3 In the sixth and . . . . Sanctorum," tomus L, Junii
beginning of the seventh iii. Vita S. Coemgeni, cap. iii. , n. 21, century, Father Baert remarks, there is
P- 3 J 6.
13 This saint's festival is celebrated, on the
hardly a doubt, many hymns, composed in honour of St. Patrick, were extant. There is a hymn said to have been composed before the time of St. Kevin, by St. Secundin, and another by St. Fiech of Sletty. See the latter, Irish, with Latin translation and notes, in " Trias
21st of October. In a note, at this passage of our saint's Life, after explaining that St. Munnu was also called Fintan, son of Tul- chan, Father Francis Baert promised, that St. Munua's Life should be
at the 2 1 st of October; but, he fears that abound- ing as it does in prodigies of narrative, the reader may well suspect the authenticity of many stories there recorded. See n. (c),
Thaumaturga," Hymnus
published,
Colgan's
seu Prima Vita S. Patricii, pp. 1 to 10.
P- 3! 7-
ao Hsec audiens S. Munna, dcemonem " Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Junii iii. Vita
ilium in catena ignita per virtutem Christi alhgavit, per lapideum titulum Dei auxilio hue usque in memoriam virtutis ligatum. "
S. Coemgeni, cap. iii. , n. (e), p. 317.
2
* It is perfectly credible, that St. Patrick would have blessed those reciting his Hymn,
should I not be sad ? I For,
When the monks enquired, why they should " Our holy Patron Patrick, whose hymn 2*
and, he is now pre-
The latter part of the foregoing sentence does
not furnish as with any very intelligible idea; but, it probably refers to some local legend or tradition, which had been known at that time, when the author of our saint's Life composed his narrative,
This account in the text will naturally
suggest to the reader the circumstance of the
Angel Raphael taking the devil, and bind- ing him in the desert of Upper Egypt, as
"* However, Father Baert does not think, that it was that hymn, said to have been composed, by one Sechnal, as mentioned by Colgan, in Tertia Vita S. Patricii. See
M :
Why,
52
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 3.
26 the
who had converted Ireland from the errors of
Archbishop,
Lake, and in the same manner, with dry feet. Seeing him following in this
way,blessedKevinsaidtohim "OBrother,whyhastthoudaredtounder- :
take this unusual journey without my leave? Wherefore, I tell you, that your
bones cannot rest in the place, where my remains shall be interred. But,
however, that you may not be driven to despair, you shall repose with me in
Heaven. " Itissomewhatremarkable,thattheoccupationofthetanner,and
successful tanneries,3° have been established from probably the sixth to the
present century, in or near Glendalough, where extensive oak forests and cop-
pice woods are; yet to be found. 31 Cronan followed this trade,32 in the
community of St. Kevin. Being obedient, faithful, and humble, these things
happened, according to the prophecy of his holy Abbot. 33 Soon, however,
it was destined, that the latter should leave his hermitage, in the unsociable
desert of the steep encircling mountains surrounding the Lakes, and seek
" O saint of God, the Lord hath sent me with a message, that you may be induced to go to a place he hath appointed for you, eastwards from the lesser Lake. Thereyoushallbeamongyourbrethren,anditshallbetheplaceof
Patrick,
paganism to the true Faith ; who, many years before, had departed happily ; and, it is stated, that the efficacy of this hymn was to be found related in his Life. 2? On the night following such occurrence, St. Kevin walked over the Lake with dry feet, from that place where he had sung the hymn of St. Patrick, with his monks, and he came to that spot, where his city afterwards stood. 28 The holy Abbot thought he had not been observed, during this migration ; but, his tanner, named Cronan,29 followed our saint across the
another 3* for the site,
foundation of his
After these things, an Angel of the Lord came to St. Kevin and said :
resurrection. "
your
in the mannerdescribed.
26
St. Kevin
replied :
" H it would not the displease
Lord,
See his Life, in the Third Volume of this work, at the 17th of March, Art. i.
"7 It is doubtful, if that Life of St. Patrick,
to which allusion is here made, be extant.
Its superior antiquity to the published Acts of St. Kevin must be manifest.
28 The writer of St. Kevin's Life has it "now stands. "
2» Baert maintains, that this Cronan must
have been a different person, from the
Cronan, who is said to have baptized St.
Kevin ; although, the last-named Cronan is
there represented, as saying prophetically, that he should be first monk with the child
3° Especially those established, by the re-
spectable family of the Byrnes of Croney-
Byrne.
3I See on this subject Robert Fraser's
" General View t>f the Agriculture and Mineralogy, Present State and Circum- stances of the County of Wicklow," &c, part iii. , chap, v. , sect. 18, pp. 267 to 271.
** It is interesting to meet with such early
indications of manual industries, in the an-
cient ecclesiastical establishments of Ireland,
as instanced from this old Life of our saint.
he baptized. For, Baert observes, if he were the same, it should be necessary to assign him a lifetime, at least extending to one hundred and In the
iii. Vita S. Coemgeni, cap. iii. , nn. 23, 24,
pp. 316, 317.
3* —
It is thus described, by John D'Alton,
forty years.
portion of our saint's Life, —a Cronan—sup-
:
" In the east, no envious
Shut out the golden flood of light ;
posed to be the present one was to survive St. Kevin, for the duration at least of one year. Now, St. Kevin is said to have lived one hundred and twenty years. The Cronan, by whom he was baptized, must have been not less probably than twenty-five years old, being a Priest at the time of the baptism. Baert remarks, moreover, that the place, where the relics of both these saints had been deposited, is not now known. See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Junii iii. Vita S. Coemgeni, n (f), p. 317.
No interposing forest—
permanent
monastery.
ensuing
height
33 See
"
Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Junii
in his Poem
—
. "Dermid orErininthe of
To veil the rising or
Full in the breach fate
that rode
Had placed it there a golden gate, To guard and gild this sacred ground ; While, brightly arched o'er all, and
wound — Aboutthemountains'tops thesky Closed up the enchanted scenery. "
;
Days Boru,"
b
stood
——
e'en now
;
as
June 3. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
53
I should wish to remain to the day of my death in this place, where I have
toiled for Christ. " The Angel answered
:
" If you, with your monks, go to
thatplaceindicated,manysonsoflightshallbealwaysinit; andafteryour
time, the monks shall have a sufficiency of earthly possessions, and many
thousands of happy souls shall arise with you, from that place, to the king-
:
dom of Heaven. " Kevin said " Indeed, O holy messenger, it is impossible
for monks to dwell in this valley surrounded by mountains, unless God assist
:
thembyhispower. " TheAngelthenspoke "Hearme,OmanofGod,if
you desire it, the Lord will maintain without earthly food fifty holy men in that place, should they remain unanimous after thy departure. And, to the day of judgment, another shall succeed for those after their death, in the same habitandprofession,havingfearandloveforGod. " Kevinanswered "I
:
do not wish that my monks should be so few, in that place. " Then, said the
"
Angel :
If you are unwilling, that they be few, many thousands shall dwell
there prosperously and abundantly, the Lord preparing for them all earthly necessaries. 35 And thou, from thy celestial habitation, thou shalt aid thy
earthly family, as thou mayest wish in Christ, and through God's assistance, here and hereafter, thou shalt govern thy monks. For, that place shall be sacred and venerable ; kings and the powerful ones of Ireland shall honour it with a religious veneration, on thy account. It shall be enriched with lands, gold and silver, precious gems and silken garments,30 with gifts from beyondthesea,aswithregaltreasuresandabundance. Agreatcity37shall spring up ; and the ministry of thy monks shall be so perfect, that none of them, buried under this soil, shall endure the pains of hell. 38 And, if thou desirest, that these four mountains, surrounding this valley, should become pleasant and fruitful plains, no doubt the Almighty would so order it, on thy account. " St. Kevinsaid:"Idonotdesire,thatGod'screaturesbemoved on my account, for the Lord can otherwise assist my place ; and, moreover, all animals about these mountains are mild and domesticated towards me, and they should feel sorrowful, at what thou sayest. " With these and like dis- courses, the Angel and St. Kevin walked upon the waters of the Lake, towards a locality indicated. Diligently examining this site, holy Kevin said to the Angel " This place is rugged obstructions 39 cover its surface
:
;;
fitted for burial within it. " The " These Angel replied :
there is no
stones are immovable from the first day of creation, to this time ; yet, from this day, they shall always be movable. "40 We are told, that in this soil,
and,
place
Not " In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, arise with thy monks, and go to that place, which the Lord hath ordained for thy resurrection. " After pronouncing these
pointed out to St. Kevin, by the Angel, no stone is found immovable. *
long afterwards, the same Angel appeared to St. Kevin. He said words, the Angel departed.
Canto v. , sect, xi. , p. 132.
35 From this statement, it appears evident,
that the author of our saint's Acts set down, what had been the current popular tradition,
in his day, and when the early religious es- tabl. shment of holy Kevin at Glendalough
enjoyed a great degree of temporal and spiritual prosperity.
36 Such a description plainly indicates, not alone the author's familiarity with a civilized state of society, but even with objects of great value and luxury, then abounding in the
4 ' 37 This seems to have been written, while iii.
"
"
houses of Ireland.
Glendalough was yet a flourishing city. p. 317.
Junii
religious
:
38 This promise must have been made, under certain reservations. In any case, if given, it can only be'accepted as applicable
generally to deceased persons, happdy dis- posed for death, and there buried,
3? The Latin word is
scrobes," which
has either the signification of ""
furrows," or
of sloughs.
4° It is a remarkable circumstance, that
the whole of the lower valley at Glenda- lough is covered with huge boulders, and large detached stones.
See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. ,
Vita S. Coemgeni, cap. iv. , n. 25,
1
54
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 3. While St. Kevin yet remained in that same place he chose for a home,
8 son to and descended from a noble Tiagni,
a man named good
Dymma,*
Leinster family, came to him. At that time, this valley of Glendalough is said
to have been in the possession of Dymma, and the following story is told, to account for its transfer to our saint. Dymma and his sons presented it to God
: andtohisservantKevin,inthismanner. ThelattersaidtoDymma"On
a day appointed, do you and your people come to me, that you may transfer the chattels and houses of your brethren to another place, appointed by God. " Coming as he had promised, Kevin asked this man, if he had brought all his people with him as commanded. Dymma answered, that he had brought eightsonsandotherfollowerswithhim; but,thataninthsonremainedat home, unwilling to come. Kevin asked the name of the recusant, and then
" :
:
should be located. He received this answer from our saint
herd was formerly buried, and around him many shall arise ; for, the local cemeteryshalltherebefound. " St. KevinthensaidtoDymmaandtohis sons: " O my children, cut away the thorns and brambles, and make a com- mencement,inthisplace,sinceinityoushallbeburied; here,afteracon- siderable time, a temple shall be built to God in my name, and under its altarshallyourepose. " ThisfoundationofamonasteryatGlendaloughhas been assigned, to the year 549 ;** but, we are of opinion, it must be referred
to a period much later, in the sixth century. The eighth son of Dymma, named Dycoll, laboured in an humble manner, and more than all the rest, in pro-
portion to his strength. Our saint said to him " O my son, thou shalt be
:
blessed by God and by men, and thou shalt be amiable, in the sight of all; as thou hast been more humble than all the rest, so shalt thou and thy seed be elevated above others, and thou^shalt rule over thy brethren. " Then, Dymma and his sons, rejoicing in the saint's benediction, went to their own habitations.
There, Kevin began to live holily, in that spot he had chosen for his dwelling. Clothed in rough garments, he lay without a bed on the bare ground ; he fasted much, only tasting herbs and a little water. Without a fire to warm him, or a roof to shelter him, he lived mostly in the open air, and for a long time. At length, at the request of his disciples, some pious men withdrew him, by reasonable representations, from those austerities, and attracted him to the society of his brethren. A renowned and religious city soon arose there, in honour of St. Kevin. ** It was called Gleanndaloch,from the name of that valley, in which it was situated.
*" He is not more particularly identi- fied.
*3 Interpreted in Latin, "Calvus lugubris," which may be Anglicized, "a sorrowful bald man. "
44 See Rev. M. J. Brennan's " Ecclesiasti-
learned,thathewascalledMoelguby. Thensaidthesaint
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