Exact comparative
analysis
and close scrutiny, drawn from all avail- able sources, have led to many valuable and scarcely hoped-for discoveries.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v1
Even when the saints are perfectly well
distinguished and identified, further lights are required to render their acts more detailed and interesting. Thus, there are nearly one hundred Colmans, if not even more, and hardly are these discriminated by appending places, titles, or attributes. Besides, the forms of a single name often require great caution to be applied. Under such circumstances, errors seem almost unavoidable, and their frequent recurrence deserves a certain amount of toleration and pardon.
Various holy wells of Ireland, and numberless crosses, were blessed by
those saints, whose names they bear. 3° In many cases, when the saints
were foreign, or probably when the holy persons themselves did not officiate, several of those wells and crosses were regarded as memorials, or comme-
morative of their places, when living, or as marking their resting-places, when
^ Among those illustrious servants of the Almighty may be particularized St. Mala- chy O'Morgair, Patron of the Archdiocese of Armagh, whose li(e occurs at the 3rd of November, and St. Laurence O'Toole, Patron of the Archdiocese of Dublin, whose life is \vritten at the 14th of Novem- bcr.
3° Thus, in an old Life of St. Columkille, preserved in the Leabhar Breac, it is no- ticed—
" He blessed three hundred miraculous
crosses,
He blessed three hundred wells, which
^vere constant. "
clxviii
INTRonUCTION.
dead. At all events, for some sufficient reason, such objects ^Yere placed under their special patronage, and were dedicated to particular saints. In after times, those wells and crosses were resorted to during the year, as spots especially suitable for devotions and penitential exercises. On the vigil or morning of the saint's own festival or commemoration, the people were ac- customed to frequent those hallowed places. There they recited prayers, or performed stations,3' after a prescribed form. Then they prepared for a reception of the Sacraments, before departing for their respective homes. The ancient Irish Church approved such devotions, which, under the direc- tion and sanction of pious and enlightened ecclesiastics, were found to have been great auxiliaries to fervour and faith. It is likely, too, that special indulgences were granted to persons, who performed those devotions with proper dispositions. There can hardly be a doubt, from the number of humble votive offerings affixed to the branches of trees immediately near the wells, that many miraculous cures, both of soul and body, were popu- larly held to have been effected, as a result of such pilgrimages. The Almighty could as easily have made those waters instrumental, in exjiibiting His power and mercies towards fallen man, as when the withered, the blind, the lame and the sick, were healed by Him, through a visit to the Probatica or Bethsaida, at Jerusalem. ^^ Exceptional abuses, which subsequendy took place, are referred to the days of persecution, when regular religious services were proscribed by penal enactments, and when priests and their flocks frequently assembled by stealth to celebrate the holy mysteries. Re- moved from ecclesiastical supervision, in many cases, when the people met in great numbers, for the purpose of prosecuting their devout exercises on patron days, disorderly and ill-disposed persons too often indulged in riotous and objectionable courses. Hence, owing to a degeneracy and demoraliza- tion, consequent on abhorrent laws and prevailing ignorance, the pastors and priests of Ireland prohibited those open-air devotions. 33 Thus very generally discouraged, especially since the commencement of the last century, the patrons at holy wells, for the most part, ceased, or had been prohibited. However necessary it might have been found to forbid their'continuance, under these circumstances ; yet, we must deeply regret, that with the proscription of such popular assemblages, our Catholic peasantry, in the course of a few generations, lost all recollection of those days, when their former local patron saints had been venerated. Had such a tradition even survived, in the absence of written accounts, we might still be able to connect many saints, mentioned in our calendars, with their exact places, and thus clear away much of that obscurity, in which our early hagiology is at present
involved.
The plan and divisions of this work have been adopted, as most likely
3' These practices got the Irish denomina-
remarks of the Rev. Anthony Cogan, in
his learned " The Diocese of truly work,
Meath, Ancient and Modern," vol. ii. , chap, xix. , pp. 510, 511.
" a
33 See, on this subject, some admirable
tion of in cu|\<if,
English, '^ See St. John V.
pilgrimage. "
INTRODUC7I0N. clxix
to be systematic, and popular, while following that convenient order found in the Roman KalendarjS* or as sometimes written, Calender. Its feasts and contents, as known in the Irish, British, and Western Churches, imitated
closely the Latin computation. The following brief exposition may serve to furnish a pretty fair and general notion of writers on this subject. There
were three remarkable days, in each of the Roman months—viz.
:
the
Kalends, Nones and Ides. The first day of each month was called Kalendse.
Romulus began his months, it is thought, upon the first day of the new
moon. On this day, one of the inferior priests used to assemble the
peopleintheCapitolandcalloverthenamesofthemonths. Fromthe
old verb or " to the first of the month had the name
KSXkw, Kaleo, call," day
KalendcB. The Nones were so called, because reckoning inclusively, there are nine days from these to the Ides, which fell near the middle of the month. This word is most probably derived from tduare, found in the
" to divide. " In the month
an In the remaining months of the year, the fifth day was denominated Nonus or Nonae, and the
thirteenth was known as the Idus. 35
In"reckoning, the Romans always went backwards, in this manner:—
The day preceding the Kalends, Nones, or Ides, was called pridie with the distinction postfixed. Again, the day before this was called tertio Kalendas^ or it was expressed thus—tertio die ante Kalendas, Nonas or idus, that is— reckoning inclusively—the third day before the Kalends, Nones, or Ides. To illustrate this, the first day of January was called KahndcB yanuarii^ the Kalend of January, or using the month's name adjectively. Kalends Janu- arice. Then the last day of December was called /r/V//<f Kalendas J^anuarii^ or adjectively, /;7V//(? Kalendas y^anuarias, that is, the day before the Kalends of January, or before the January Kalends. December 30th was called tertio Kalendas y^anuarii, the third day of the Kalends of January. De- cember 29th was the fourth from the Kalends of January, it was carried backward to December 14th, which was Decimo nono Kalendas J^anuarias, thenineteenthoftheJanuaryKalends. The13thofDecemberwasthen called Idus Decembris, the Ides of December. The 12th was pridie Idus, and so backwards to the 5th, which was the Nones of December. December 4th was pridie Nonas, before the Nones the 3rd was tertio nonas or nonarium the third None, or the third of the Nones, and thus to the 1st December, which was Kalendce Decembris. In leap year, when February has twenty- nine days, the Romans usually called both the 24th and 25th, the sixth of the Kalends of March, and hence this year is called Bissextilis. The ar^ rangement of the year, with its ecclesiastical cycles, epacts, monthly and
ancient Etrurian
language.
This word
of — and March, May, July,
signifies the seventh
was called
day Nonus,
October,
obsolete form or Nonse, and the fifteenth Idus.
3* It strictly means a memorandum or an account book, but at present it is chiefly used in a civil and an ecclesiastical sense.
ever written on the subject of ecclesiastical and civil chronology, as likewise on the ka- lendar, is the celebrated Benedictine compi-
^s The ablest and most
complete
work
lalion,
" L'Art dc Verefier des Dates. "
clxx INTRODUCTION.
lunar days, golden numbers and dominical letters, as applied to saints' days, will be found prefixed to the Roman Breviary.
It is right to observe, in this connection, that as happened frequently in
Scotland, and probably in some other countries, the Celtic race in Ireland
was accustomed, by a peculiar social usage, to hold fairs on the occasion of
local festivals. While one custom has become obsolete, the other still
survives, and so far it may serve as a clue to direct the research of our modem
hagiologists. Again, in consequence of peculiar affixes and postfixes to several of our saints' names, some difficulties of identification or discrimination
occasionally exist. Thus, Mobheocc is used for Beoan, Maodhog signifies Aodhan, Moshinog is Senan, Mochaomhog represents Caom^n, while Melteog is used for Eltin. Again, the Irish used diminutives of the names of saints,
as a mark of affection.
They prefixed mo,
"
for an of devo- expression
tion ; as we still say, Our Lord, Our Lady.
formed, by the termination an or ///, or by adding the adjective occ or og,
little. 3^ From the obscurity of mere names, in many instances, we can find no sure index-mark to guide either ourselves or our readers. Too frequently are we obliged to halt, or to run the greater risk of hazarding an unwise conjecture. It seems preferable, therefore, to wait for better men, and for future happier adventure, the solution of such difficult problems.
In very many instances, the parish and townland denominations com-
a " cell" or "
stations, relics, and holy wells, named after or dedicated to Irish saints in various parts of this island ; the veneration of the Immaculate Mother of God has been preserved and recorded for us, in such topographical denominations as
Kilmurry,
pounded
with such words as cill or
church," ceAmpull or Temple, which has a corresponding English signification, mAinii-cii\, or Monaster, "a monastery," &c. , have been derived from the name of some Irishsaint; but,inmostinstances,itwouldappear,theyhavebeendrawn from some local configuration of country or from some peculiarity connected with their erection. Besides the numerous churches, monasteries, penitential
Kill,
my,"
The diminutive was generally
" Church of or Tobermur- Mary," Tobermurry
"thewell of
is here understood, and the origin of such etymons must be referred to ages very remote. Several places have been Anglicized to "St. Mary's" in dif- ferent parts of Ireland. It is quite evident, however, from existing records, that innumerable denominations of ancient places have been lost altogether, as they cannot be identified with the parish or townland etymons, at present known. Theobsoletenamesofmanyoldchurchesandmonasterieseven survive in the recollection of our peasantry, and their sites are often pointed
riga,
Mary. "
ThenameoftheBlessed MotherofGod Virgin
3* Thus Beo, diminutive Beo-an, or Beo-occ,
and prefixing mo, Mobeoc, " my Beocc," or
"mylittle Beo. " AodA,dim'mntivtAod/uift,
Afo-aodk-an and Mo-aodk-og, "my little
Aodh," shortened into St. Mogue ; Sen, di-
minutive Senan, or Sen-og, Moshenog, "my Kcv. Dr. Todd, p. xlvi. , n. (s. )
little Sen"—the saint who gave name to the Prebend of Monmohenoc, in St. Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin. See "The Book of Obits and Martyrology of Christ's Church. " Edited by John Clarke Crosthwaite and
INTRODUCTION. clxxi
out; althoughourelaborateandvaluableOrdnanceSurveyMapsandtopo- graphical or census records fail to represent such objects or localities. The
old names have been changed for others, or for corrupt forms, owing to various causes. Since the Anglo-Norman invasion, many such alterations have occurred. Wherever the English settlements were formed new deno-
minations frequently replaced the old. During the reigns of Queen Eliza- beth and James I. numerous instances are recorded. So great was the anxiety felt by the Cromwellian settlers to efface all old recollections of ancient Irish local names, the parliament of Lords Orrery and Ormond enacted that the governor and council should be able to give new English denominations, and that after a time such newly-imposed designations should be the only ones known or allowed in this country. We can have little hesitation in asserting, that the old nomenclatures perished in numerous instances. 37 Yet, in the following pages, various discoveries of such altered denominations will be found. Several traditional accounts of the people have now sunk into oblivion, because they had not been recorded, at an earlier period, and by writers, who understood correctly etymologies and historic documents preserved in our national language.
The description and exact admeasurement of many ruined churches have been noted in the following pages, and especially where they stood on the site of some spot, hallowed by the memory of any among our saints. Fre- quently annalistic notices, regarding such old ruins, have been entered, to elucidate their history. Due caution has been observed, in hesitating to assign the exact date for their erection, because an architect or antiquary is very liable to mistake the true era, without sufficient documentary evidence to strengthen the best train of artistic or inductive reasoning. These re- marks more especially refer to our very primitive churches or monasteries, connected with Irish saint biography. It has been a pleasing task, likewise, to place on record, in various cases, those modern churches or religious in- stitutions, erected at home or abroad, with some of their architectural pecu- liarities, when we found them consecrated or dedicated, under the invoca- tion of holy men and women, who once flourished in our island.
By fortunate accident, and from the accounts of old persons versed in
rustic lore, some information, bearing on those subjects, has been preserved. The writer often obtained much valuable matter, for his purpose, by entering into confidential conversation with the simple-minded and religious peasantry, in many rural districts. The substance of several such communications, noted at the time, may usually be found embodied in the following pages. But, although he has visited the sites, and there taken admeasurements, sketches, and descriptive notes, relative to some hundreds of the old
37 As an illustration, Henry Lord Arling- Ancient Corporate System of Ireland," ton was pleased to have the borough created chap, iii. , pp. 85, 86. But the English
on his newly-acquired estate in Cooltoodera
townland, thenceforward called Portarling- ton. See Peter Gale's "Inquiry into the
usurper of Irish land did not succeed in dc-
stroying the old appellation, although he gave name to the new borough.
clxxii INTRODUCTION.
historic churches and religious remains of Ireland ; still, he nearly always left those places, with a well-founded conviction, that did sufficient time and circumstances afford him an opportunity for further prosecution of his en- quiries, many additional interesting particulars might be gleaned, in their respective neighbourhoods. Even the local antiquities, and architectural features, respecting the simplest ecclesiastical structures, require an exercise of matured thought and comparison on the spot, before the purpose for which each part had been designed, or the apparent age of erection, can be conjectured, with any degree approaching to accuracy. Besides, popular tradition is often the only safe guide to possibly existing records, which better serve to illustrate the history of our old churches and their patrons. Frequently recurring similarity of saints' names in our calendars, and the various topographical etymons coinciding, or corrupted, are calculated to confuse or totally obscure every rational attempt exactly to distinguish, or
unhesitatingly to identify.
Notwithstanding a desire and a design of the writer, for including every
saint, to whom Ireland has a just claim, in this work ; he is fully convinced, within his own greatly-restricted sphere, that complaint of the modem Bol- landists,38 in reference to their predecessors and to their own omissions, has application to his still more imperfect labours. Historic literature must al-
ways be in a transition state, owing to the constantly increasing development and combination of newly-discovered materials. With great exertion, and by
slow degrees, however, the search for truth must amply compensate inquirers. Briefly and imperfectly, indeed, has the author been able to record the names and acts of various saints ; for he was anxious, at least in many instances, to leave some memorials of them, under the presumed dates of their respective festivals. Doubt exists in particular cases, whether certain saints, bearing Latinized forms of name, may fairly be claimed as natives of Ireland, or connected with it by missionary labours. While hesitating to vindicate for his country, its title to appropriate many holy persons thus classed j the writer has endeavoured to advance reasons or quote authori- ties, so that evidences or probabilities may be weighed and judged on their intrinsicmerits. Wherestatementsandauthoritiesarefoundconflicting,he
3' Alluding to the prolific increase of his-
toric and other publications, chiefly during
the present century, whereby the ecclesias-
tical transactions of Syria, Arabia, Egypt Armenia, Iberia, Russia, with other Sla-
vonic nations, Scotland, Wales, Ireland,
&c. , have been so fairly elucidated, these celebrated hagiographers acknowledge, how progressively and daily, they had experience
in fact, that their departed fellow-labourers,
as also themselves, had not known or had omitted the names ofjpersons beatified, or See of siunts, almost innumerable, and whose
legitimate veneration had not been clearly established, to their knowledge, even al-
though many of those belonged to the Italian
or Latin nations. It is added, that those
holy persons received public and eccclesias-
tical honours, even before publication of
Pope Urban the Eighth's celebrated Decree,
regarding veneration due to saints. To sup-
ply unavoidable omisions, they suggest,
rather than promise, a supplement to their
wonderfully erudite and voluminous work,
"
Praemium, pp. iii. , iv.
Acta Sanctoriun Octobris," tomus xi.
INTR OD UCTION. clxxiu
has merely adduced, with a perfect love of candour and truthfulness, that degree of testimony afforded ; but, he believes, he has satisfactorily shown, in various instances, how several illustrious and holy persons have been
appropriated by other and neighbouring nations, while the lights of history, if less obscured, should place them in those proper niches to v/hich they belong, with full approval of all able to test and appreciate a very reason- able process of deduction.
That several ancient acts of our Irish saints had been written, to serve as discourses for their special festivals, can admit of little doubt. This opinion had been long formed by the author, after a careful study of the text in old Latin lives, recording various saints. It has been further strengthened, when, in alluding to the acts of our national saints, as written in Irish, the late eminent Eugene O'Curry, Professor of Irish History and Archaeology in the Catholic University, declared to the writer, that many of those acts were panygerics, pronounced in various places and on different occasions, as the festivals of holy persons had been commemorated. Intrinsic evidences in such documents are sufficient to establish a conclusion of this nature.
Often it is found very difficult to determine the era or age, when many of
our Irish saints flourished, for want of accessible dates and incidental illus-
trations. Our present knowledge of Irish Hagiology and Irish Ecclesiastical
History comes from few really original sources. Subsidiary materials, how-
ever, are very abundant. The chief value of our records is derived from
these circumstances, that authors wrote most nearly to the time, when their
subjects for narrative lived, and with authentic or traditional founts for reli-
ableinformation,nowwhollyunattainable. Duringtheprogressoftranscrip-
tion, and descending farther from the source, ancient documents have been
interpolated, revised, added to or curtailed. Every true historical inquirer
must thoroughly sift such records, without regard to repeated and often-
times ill-considered statements, advanced by too many modern writers. With
the light of historical and reflective thought, or with that respectful freedom
of the mind, necessary for forming just opinions regarding details, and their connexion with general incidents or sound conclusions, correct views of the
past may frequently be attained, although mists still remain to obscure our field of vision.
It is much to be regretted, that too many lives of the Irish saints contain statements of a legendary or questionable character. These tend, in a great measure, to detract from their historical value. A great probability exists, in the far greater number of cases, that the authors of those lives or acts were not cotemporaneous with their biographical subjects, nor with persons who could have furnished them with reliable information, regarding such matters as they undertook to narrate. We may well suppose, popular traditions of a vague and unauthoritative character often furnished a basis for certain accounts, that have come down to us ; and, in a great variety of instances, that these earlier traditions were further amplified, or rendered still more uncertain from additions or modifications they received, during
clxxiv INTRonUCTION.
their process of oral transmission. Such conjectures are not only possible,
but also highly probable. It may be inferred, that even at the present day, in those different localities of Ireland, once hallowed by the presence or
residence of our saints, many legends are yet current among the peasantry, and having reference to particular patrons of various places. These legends have not generally been placed upon record, or, at least, accounts thus tra- ditionally remembered are not now known to be extant in writing. Many popular traditions, at present lost, must have been perfectly reliable, as inter- pretedinajustarchaeologicalmeaning. Yet,severallegends,yetpreserved, are of a character in the highest degree ridiculous and contemptible, as being not only at variance with common sense, and usual divine manifestations of Providence in effecting supernatural works, wrought through God's holy servants, but even they are often in contradiction to written acts of our saints. They frequently involve persons, places, dates and circumstances, in such inextricable confusion, that for historical purposes such ac- counts are of no value whatever, nor do they even help for purposes of historic illustration. The same remarks will not exactly apply to written acts of Irish saints, that have been preserved to our time. For, although implicitreliancecannotalwaysbeplacedonstatementsthesecontain; yet, from intrinsic and extrinsic evidences, we are oftentimes able, not only to form probable conjectures, regarding those ages in which such treatises were composed, but even to mark, with tolerable certitude and accuracy, persons who were the authors of those tracts, with places and times at which they were written. Besides, a variety of incidental allusions and notices occur, that serve to throw a great deal of light on the social, civil and religious habits or practices of our ancestors. The acts of our saints also tend to illus- trate, and to receive illustration from, the profane records and annals of this island. Even, although the undoubted historic tests of verity, integrity and authenticity, in all instances, cannot be applied to those treatises ; never- theless, they possess sufficient national and religious interest or importance, to render their publication most desirable, especially for aiding investigators of our civil or ecclesiastical history and antiquities during their enquiries.
Nor can it be denied, that those anonymous writers and the biographies they have transmitted to us have bewildered at times the purposes and objects of researchful archaeologists. Doubtless, the subjects of their several uTitings
had not defined only
" a local
but
and a name. " What we have principally to lament, in the compilation of
those treatises, by authors who could have obtained necessar}' information, is the substitution of almost incredible prodigies and miracles for those per-
sonal and mental peculiarities, or for those strongly-marked traits and
incidents of character, which lend to modern biography its highest charms
and value. To the religious mind, or even to a philosophical enquirer, the development of intellectual and devotional faculties, possessed by the heroic and sainted individuals belonging to a past age, should afford subjects for pleasing reflection or pious meditation. Notwithstanding, the reader
existence,
they had, likewise,
habitation
INTRonUCTION. clxxv
ought clearly comprehend, that a great number of miracles, recorded in succeeding Lives of the Irish Saints, and which have not received the Church's approval or recognition, do not claim any other degree of credence, than what is ordinarily due to historic accounts, subjected to the usual tests of severe criticism.
Writers, who have treated on the virtues, miracles and actions of our principal national saints, are solely responsible for their several accounts or opinions. Such authorities possess a greater or lesser degree of weight, in proportion to their enlightenment, their opportunities for acquiring correct information, and their peculiar character for discrimination or vera- city. It cannot be denied, that many early writers of our saints' acts were unequal to that delicate task they had undertaken, or they were not sufficiently impressed with the importance of rendering their labours in a style or form, more conducive to contemporaneous or future instruction and edification. It will be no justification for their errors of judgment or omissions to plead like defects, admitted on the part of their insular neighbours, and writers inhabiting the Continent. But, it must be known, that the far greater part of our early saints' biographies had been composed by ecclesiastics or cloistered monks. These were usually engaged in particular occupations and states of life, that precluded laborious investigation and literary aid, which might serve to counterbalance disadvantagesofpositionoropportunity. Besides,theychieflyflourishedata period, when the most perfect models of hagiographical writing had not been
presented for their study and imitation. To the Continental writers of those " middle ages," which begin to date from a period, when Ireland beheld the
last living representatives of names on her calendar, we may attribute almost the first creditable efforts in this most instructive and interesting
species of composition. And, it must be observed, likewise, that the illus- trious St. Bernard has been ranked among the foremost European men of
genius, in supplying a biographical model for succeeding writers, the motives and the occasion having been furnished by one of oiu: greatest saints con- nected with the Irish Church.
The lives of m. any holy persons here noticed have been wTitten at periods
long subsequent to the English invasion; but, their biographers laboured under a disadvantage, in having descended too far the stream of time, and, as a con- sequence, being so obliged to make use of very insufficient materials. Thus, it must have happened, that even competent writers should have been compelled to present their readers with narrative and literary efforts, by no means satisfactory to themselves. Individual biographers might have endea- voured, but in vain, to discriminate between' anecdotal truth and fiction, to re- concile apparent contradictions and anachronisms, to supply omissions, and prune redundancies of previous authorities, while seeking to evolve from all available materials, personal motives for actions, the causes or results, and the sequence of incidents. Above all, they must have found it difficult to appreciate the physical characteristics and intellectual qualifications of illustrious indi- viduals, whose merits and fame survive the wreck of past time, yet whose
clxxvi INTRODUC7I0N.
distinguishing peculiarities are not always presented, especially under those indistinct and sombre lights, that glimmer through doubtful records of their former actions.
It would be quite impossible to enumerate in this preface, the names of
various persons, who have rendered the writer much valuable assistance,
while engaged in compiling his present work. But, in many cases through- out these pages, grateful reference is made to them. Such particular acknowledgments are especially due to individuals named, for their inesti- mableaidandservices. Intoomanycases,however,itmaynotbepossible to record the generously afforded particular assistance and encouragement of very many among the author's kind and talented friends. To the clergy and laity of Ireland, who sustained his efforts, grateful thanks are specially due ; and a ready response, from more distant parts of the world, manifests
both a Catholic and a patriotic spirit, on the part of generous patrons. While fully sensible respecting the advantages of ornate style, as adopted in several beautifully written lives of various saints, that have lately appeared,
in the English language ; yet, such graces of composition were considered of secondary importance to the much greater issue and more laborious effort of endeavouring to reconcile conflicting dates and accounts with historic pro- babilities, to analyse and discriminate the statements of previous writers, and to place on record various memorials, relating to our national Saints. Should even partial success reward such attempts, no inconsiderable amount of service shall have been rendered, towards the illustration of Irish ecclesi- astical history and hagiology ; and, hereafter we have just reason to expect, that writers, combining great literary qualifications and genius with profound learning and research, will produce for the delight and admiration of future generations, those vivid and truthful pictures of the past, which may not sacrifice the outline and colouring of facts, to the proprieties of style and to the ornaments of language.
While many of our Encyclopaedic collections on saintly biography, and numberless particular lives of saints have been consulted, few really impor- tant ecclesiastical or civil histories have been overlooked, as several were accessible to the writer, and were found servicable for investigating special topics connected with this work. The very best general and local Irish and
British histories were attentively studied and compared, to procure reliable
information, confirmatory or contradictory evidence, and exact reference. The most esteemed archaic works of eminent authors, belonging to
different European nations, have been pressed into requisition, when they helped to elucidate the acts of Irish saints, engaged on foreign missions.
Yet, to the further disinterment and publication of our old manuscript records, in Irish and Latin, must we chiefly look for accurate information regardingourpastHagiography. Thelocalnomenclatureandmonuments of our island serve occasionally to evolve doubtful or undiscovered tradi- tions.
Exact comparative analysis and close scrutiny, drawn from all avail- able sources, have led to many valuable and scarcely hoped-for discoveries.
INTRODUCTION,
clxxvii
Much of what is now regarded as occult, especially in our sacred antiquities, is likely to become manifest hereafter, when the process of investigation shall be better understood and further prosecuted.
The introduction of short religious or moral reflections, as prefatory or subsequent to some of our sacred biographies, is intended to prepare the reader for a more devotional and useful study. Such considerations may assist occasionally to relieve the attention, from dwelling merely on critical, descriptive, or historical details.
In succeeding pages, the author has endeavoured to avoid all unneces-
sary repetitions of facts once stated ; but reiterated allusions could not well
be dispensed with in all cases. It was found expedient to synchronize various saints with known persons and eras, and to elucidate their acts by briefreferencestoco-relativeevents,elsewherenoted. Withoutsuchpartial and occasional allusions, the individuality of certain holy men and women might remain less distinguished, while several biographies must be left more obscure, as a vast number of homonymous persons are introduced at different days, and diverse acts could only be rendered intelligible by renewed or de- tailedreferences. Withacertaindegreeofcompleteness,theauthordesired compression ; for, the materials presented to him were simply inexhaustible, and his plan required a digest of these most available. The longest and most laborious life could not suffice to compile and finish the Irish saints'
biographies in a manner fully to satisfy scholarly and historic requirements ; but, failing the hope to attain absolute perfection, mortals must be content
to achieve what is practicable. In previous pages, the writer has endea-
voured to indicate many different sources, whence further information may
be drawn by future investigators ; since, he fondly trusts, that in the deep mines of Irish Hagiology, he has only helped to open lodes, which will serve to reward the industry of other explorers, and to draw therefrom some por- tions of the precious ore, to be fashioned into proper shape and ornament by literary men of great genius and learning. Although defects of plan and treatment must be discovered in after time, when carefully surveying the firstimperfectattemptsofexplorationandresource; yet,pioneershaveto contend against wearisome and rugged obstacles in clearing the wilderness, before culture and civilization can conveniently rear trophies to art and science. These grow by slow degrees, and only with the progress of ma- tured skill, and through such aids as are derived from earlier rude efforts.
Dublin, Church of SS. Michael and John, Feast Of St. ColumkilU, 1875.
CONTENTS.
Page INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . iii
Section I. —Irish Hagiologists of the Fifth, Sixth and Seventh Cen- turies . . . . . . . . . . . . vi
SectionII. —Irish Hagiologists of the Eighth, Ninth, Tenth, and Eleventh Centuries . . . . . . . . . Section III. —Irish Hagiologists of the Twelfth, Thirteenth, Four-
xH . . . xxxi
xxxv
turies . . . . . . . . . . . . Ixi Section VI. —The Chief Foreign Ecclesiastical and other Writers, whose Works serve directly or incidentally to eluci-
date Irish Hagiology. . . . . . . . . . Ixix Section VII. —Materials for Irish Saints' I^ives in Irish Libraries . . . c Section VIIL—Materials for Irish Saints' Lives in British and Foreign
Libraries . . . . . . . . . . . cxxvii Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . clviii
SMt 2Bap ot Samiarp*
Article I. —St. Fanchea, Virgin, Abbess of Ross Oirther, or Rossory, County of Fermanagh, and of Killany, County of
teenth, Fifteenth, and Sixteenth Centuries Section IV. —Irish Hagiologists of the Seventeenth Century
. . Section V. —Irish Hagiologists of the Eighteenth and Nineteeth Cen-
Louth. \Fifth and Sixth Centuries.
Chap. I. —Introduction—Sources for St. Fanchea's Biography—
'\
Her Parentage and Race—Her Birth—Her holy
Dispositions—She embraces a religious Life
Chap. II. —Situation and Description of Rossory—St. Fanchea effects the Conversion of her Brother, St. Endeus— The Death of a Noble Lady induces his Retirement
from the World . . .
Chap. III. —St. Fanchea's Prayers confirm the Resolves of her
Brother—A Miracle wrought through her—St. Endeus fences her Nunnery—He afterwards re- tires to Kill-aine—St. Fanchea once more deter- mines his Vocation
Chap. IV. —Adopting St. Fanchea's Advice, Endeus first goes to Wales, and afterwards he visits Rome—He erects a Monastery—St. Fanchea learns the Place of his Retreat from some Roman Pilgrims—With some of her Religious, she resolves to pay him a Visit—They
sail over to Britain
Chap. V. —St. Endeus has a preternatural Knowledge of St.
Fanchea's Approach—Their Interview—Receiving
her Brother's Benediction, the Holy Virgin returns to Ireland—Her Death—Contention among the People of Meath and Leinster for the Possession of her Remains—Supposed Burial at Kill-aine—Con- clusion
Article II. —St. Beoc, Beog, Mobheoc, Beanus, Dabeoc, or Dabheoc, Abbot at Lough Derg, Templecarn Parish, County of
Donegal. \FifthorSi—xthCentury. ^
Chap. I. — Introduction Parentage and Birth of this Saint
in
Article III.
St. Ossene, or Oissein, son to Ceallach, of Clonmore, County of
—
. . . Dabheog—Conclusion . . . 14
CONTENTS.
Wales—His Family and Relationship—Period when
Page
he flourished . . . . . . . . . il
Chap. II. —Arrival of St Beoc, or Dabeoc, in Ireland—Situation
and Description of Lough Derg—Austerities and
Prophecy of St. Dabeoc—His Death—Tearmon
. . . 16
[FtyiA or
. . . 18
— Century] . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Article VI. St. Eochaid, of Uisneach, or Usneagh, County of Westmeath . . . 19 Article VII. —St. Seethe, or Sciath, Virgin and Patroness of Feart-Sceithe, now
—Ardskeagh, County Cork . . . . . . . . . 20 ArticleVIII.
distinguished and identified, further lights are required to render their acts more detailed and interesting. Thus, there are nearly one hundred Colmans, if not even more, and hardly are these discriminated by appending places, titles, or attributes. Besides, the forms of a single name often require great caution to be applied. Under such circumstances, errors seem almost unavoidable, and their frequent recurrence deserves a certain amount of toleration and pardon.
Various holy wells of Ireland, and numberless crosses, were blessed by
those saints, whose names they bear. 3° In many cases, when the saints
were foreign, or probably when the holy persons themselves did not officiate, several of those wells and crosses were regarded as memorials, or comme-
morative of their places, when living, or as marking their resting-places, when
^ Among those illustrious servants of the Almighty may be particularized St. Mala- chy O'Morgair, Patron of the Archdiocese of Armagh, whose li(e occurs at the 3rd of November, and St. Laurence O'Toole, Patron of the Archdiocese of Dublin, whose life is \vritten at the 14th of Novem- bcr.
3° Thus, in an old Life of St. Columkille, preserved in the Leabhar Breac, it is no- ticed—
" He blessed three hundred miraculous
crosses,
He blessed three hundred wells, which
^vere constant. "
clxviii
INTRonUCTION.
dead. At all events, for some sufficient reason, such objects ^Yere placed under their special patronage, and were dedicated to particular saints. In after times, those wells and crosses were resorted to during the year, as spots especially suitable for devotions and penitential exercises. On the vigil or morning of the saint's own festival or commemoration, the people were ac- customed to frequent those hallowed places. There they recited prayers, or performed stations,3' after a prescribed form. Then they prepared for a reception of the Sacraments, before departing for their respective homes. The ancient Irish Church approved such devotions, which, under the direc- tion and sanction of pious and enlightened ecclesiastics, were found to have been great auxiliaries to fervour and faith. It is likely, too, that special indulgences were granted to persons, who performed those devotions with proper dispositions. There can hardly be a doubt, from the number of humble votive offerings affixed to the branches of trees immediately near the wells, that many miraculous cures, both of soul and body, were popu- larly held to have been effected, as a result of such pilgrimages. The Almighty could as easily have made those waters instrumental, in exjiibiting His power and mercies towards fallen man, as when the withered, the blind, the lame and the sick, were healed by Him, through a visit to the Probatica or Bethsaida, at Jerusalem. ^^ Exceptional abuses, which subsequendy took place, are referred to the days of persecution, when regular religious services were proscribed by penal enactments, and when priests and their flocks frequently assembled by stealth to celebrate the holy mysteries. Re- moved from ecclesiastical supervision, in many cases, when the people met in great numbers, for the purpose of prosecuting their devout exercises on patron days, disorderly and ill-disposed persons too often indulged in riotous and objectionable courses. Hence, owing to a degeneracy and demoraliza- tion, consequent on abhorrent laws and prevailing ignorance, the pastors and priests of Ireland prohibited those open-air devotions. 33 Thus very generally discouraged, especially since the commencement of the last century, the patrons at holy wells, for the most part, ceased, or had been prohibited. However necessary it might have been found to forbid their'continuance, under these circumstances ; yet, we must deeply regret, that with the proscription of such popular assemblages, our Catholic peasantry, in the course of a few generations, lost all recollection of those days, when their former local patron saints had been venerated. Had such a tradition even survived, in the absence of written accounts, we might still be able to connect many saints, mentioned in our calendars, with their exact places, and thus clear away much of that obscurity, in which our early hagiology is at present
involved.
The plan and divisions of this work have been adopted, as most likely
3' These practices got the Irish denomina-
remarks of the Rev. Anthony Cogan, in
his learned " The Diocese of truly work,
Meath, Ancient and Modern," vol. ii. , chap, xix. , pp. 510, 511.
" a
33 See, on this subject, some admirable
tion of in cu|\<if,
English, '^ See St. John V.
pilgrimage. "
INTRODUC7I0N. clxix
to be systematic, and popular, while following that convenient order found in the Roman KalendarjS* or as sometimes written, Calender. Its feasts and contents, as known in the Irish, British, and Western Churches, imitated
closely the Latin computation. The following brief exposition may serve to furnish a pretty fair and general notion of writers on this subject. There
were three remarkable days, in each of the Roman months—viz.
:
the
Kalends, Nones and Ides. The first day of each month was called Kalendse.
Romulus began his months, it is thought, upon the first day of the new
moon. On this day, one of the inferior priests used to assemble the
peopleintheCapitolandcalloverthenamesofthemonths. Fromthe
old verb or " to the first of the month had the name
KSXkw, Kaleo, call," day
KalendcB. The Nones were so called, because reckoning inclusively, there are nine days from these to the Ides, which fell near the middle of the month. This word is most probably derived from tduare, found in the
" to divide. " In the month
an In the remaining months of the year, the fifth day was denominated Nonus or Nonae, and the
thirteenth was known as the Idus. 35
In"reckoning, the Romans always went backwards, in this manner:—
The day preceding the Kalends, Nones, or Ides, was called pridie with the distinction postfixed. Again, the day before this was called tertio Kalendas^ or it was expressed thus—tertio die ante Kalendas, Nonas or idus, that is— reckoning inclusively—the third day before the Kalends, Nones, or Ides. To illustrate this, the first day of January was called KahndcB yanuarii^ the Kalend of January, or using the month's name adjectively. Kalends Janu- arice. Then the last day of December was called /r/V//<f Kalendas J^anuarii^ or adjectively, /;7V//(? Kalendas y^anuarias, that is, the day before the Kalends of January, or before the January Kalends. December 30th was called tertio Kalendas y^anuarii, the third day of the Kalends of January. De- cember 29th was the fourth from the Kalends of January, it was carried backward to December 14th, which was Decimo nono Kalendas J^anuarias, thenineteenthoftheJanuaryKalends. The13thofDecemberwasthen called Idus Decembris, the Ides of December. The 12th was pridie Idus, and so backwards to the 5th, which was the Nones of December. December 4th was pridie Nonas, before the Nones the 3rd was tertio nonas or nonarium the third None, or the third of the Nones, and thus to the 1st December, which was Kalendce Decembris. In leap year, when February has twenty- nine days, the Romans usually called both the 24th and 25th, the sixth of the Kalends of March, and hence this year is called Bissextilis. The ar^ rangement of the year, with its ecclesiastical cycles, epacts, monthly and
ancient Etrurian
language.
This word
of — and March, May, July,
signifies the seventh
was called
day Nonus,
October,
obsolete form or Nonse, and the fifteenth Idus.
3* It strictly means a memorandum or an account book, but at present it is chiefly used in a civil and an ecclesiastical sense.
ever written on the subject of ecclesiastical and civil chronology, as likewise on the ka- lendar, is the celebrated Benedictine compi-
^s The ablest and most
complete
work
lalion,
" L'Art dc Verefier des Dates. "
clxx INTRODUCTION.
lunar days, golden numbers and dominical letters, as applied to saints' days, will be found prefixed to the Roman Breviary.
It is right to observe, in this connection, that as happened frequently in
Scotland, and probably in some other countries, the Celtic race in Ireland
was accustomed, by a peculiar social usage, to hold fairs on the occasion of
local festivals. While one custom has become obsolete, the other still
survives, and so far it may serve as a clue to direct the research of our modem
hagiologists. Again, in consequence of peculiar affixes and postfixes to several of our saints' names, some difficulties of identification or discrimination
occasionally exist. Thus, Mobheocc is used for Beoan, Maodhog signifies Aodhan, Moshinog is Senan, Mochaomhog represents Caom^n, while Melteog is used for Eltin. Again, the Irish used diminutives of the names of saints,
as a mark of affection.
They prefixed mo,
"
for an of devo- expression
tion ; as we still say, Our Lord, Our Lady.
formed, by the termination an or ///, or by adding the adjective occ or og,
little. 3^ From the obscurity of mere names, in many instances, we can find no sure index-mark to guide either ourselves or our readers. Too frequently are we obliged to halt, or to run the greater risk of hazarding an unwise conjecture. It seems preferable, therefore, to wait for better men, and for future happier adventure, the solution of such difficult problems.
In very many instances, the parish and townland denominations com-
a " cell" or "
stations, relics, and holy wells, named after or dedicated to Irish saints in various parts of this island ; the veneration of the Immaculate Mother of God has been preserved and recorded for us, in such topographical denominations as
Kilmurry,
pounded
with such words as cill or
church," ceAmpull or Temple, which has a corresponding English signification, mAinii-cii\, or Monaster, "a monastery," &c. , have been derived from the name of some Irishsaint; but,inmostinstances,itwouldappear,theyhavebeendrawn from some local configuration of country or from some peculiarity connected with their erection. Besides the numerous churches, monasteries, penitential
Kill,
my,"
The diminutive was generally
" Church of or Tobermur- Mary," Tobermurry
"thewell of
is here understood, and the origin of such etymons must be referred to ages very remote. Several places have been Anglicized to "St. Mary's" in dif- ferent parts of Ireland. It is quite evident, however, from existing records, that innumerable denominations of ancient places have been lost altogether, as they cannot be identified with the parish or townland etymons, at present known. Theobsoletenamesofmanyoldchurchesandmonasterieseven survive in the recollection of our peasantry, and their sites are often pointed
riga,
Mary. "
ThenameoftheBlessed MotherofGod Virgin
3* Thus Beo, diminutive Beo-an, or Beo-occ,
and prefixing mo, Mobeoc, " my Beocc," or
"mylittle Beo. " AodA,dim'mntivtAod/uift,
Afo-aodk-an and Mo-aodk-og, "my little
Aodh," shortened into St. Mogue ; Sen, di-
minutive Senan, or Sen-og, Moshenog, "my Kcv. Dr. Todd, p. xlvi. , n. (s. )
little Sen"—the saint who gave name to the Prebend of Monmohenoc, in St. Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin. See "The Book of Obits and Martyrology of Christ's Church. " Edited by John Clarke Crosthwaite and
INTRODUCTION. clxxi
out; althoughourelaborateandvaluableOrdnanceSurveyMapsandtopo- graphical or census records fail to represent such objects or localities. The
old names have been changed for others, or for corrupt forms, owing to various causes. Since the Anglo-Norman invasion, many such alterations have occurred. Wherever the English settlements were formed new deno-
minations frequently replaced the old. During the reigns of Queen Eliza- beth and James I. numerous instances are recorded. So great was the anxiety felt by the Cromwellian settlers to efface all old recollections of ancient Irish local names, the parliament of Lords Orrery and Ormond enacted that the governor and council should be able to give new English denominations, and that after a time such newly-imposed designations should be the only ones known or allowed in this country. We can have little hesitation in asserting, that the old nomenclatures perished in numerous instances. 37 Yet, in the following pages, various discoveries of such altered denominations will be found. Several traditional accounts of the people have now sunk into oblivion, because they had not been recorded, at an earlier period, and by writers, who understood correctly etymologies and historic documents preserved in our national language.
The description and exact admeasurement of many ruined churches have been noted in the following pages, and especially where they stood on the site of some spot, hallowed by the memory of any among our saints. Fre- quently annalistic notices, regarding such old ruins, have been entered, to elucidate their history. Due caution has been observed, in hesitating to assign the exact date for their erection, because an architect or antiquary is very liable to mistake the true era, without sufficient documentary evidence to strengthen the best train of artistic or inductive reasoning. These re- marks more especially refer to our very primitive churches or monasteries, connected with Irish saint biography. It has been a pleasing task, likewise, to place on record, in various cases, those modern churches or religious in- stitutions, erected at home or abroad, with some of their architectural pecu- liarities, when we found them consecrated or dedicated, under the invoca- tion of holy men and women, who once flourished in our island.
By fortunate accident, and from the accounts of old persons versed in
rustic lore, some information, bearing on those subjects, has been preserved. The writer often obtained much valuable matter, for his purpose, by entering into confidential conversation with the simple-minded and religious peasantry, in many rural districts. The substance of several such communications, noted at the time, may usually be found embodied in the following pages. But, although he has visited the sites, and there taken admeasurements, sketches, and descriptive notes, relative to some hundreds of the old
37 As an illustration, Henry Lord Arling- Ancient Corporate System of Ireland," ton was pleased to have the borough created chap, iii. , pp. 85, 86. But the English
on his newly-acquired estate in Cooltoodera
townland, thenceforward called Portarling- ton. See Peter Gale's "Inquiry into the
usurper of Irish land did not succeed in dc-
stroying the old appellation, although he gave name to the new borough.
clxxii INTRODUCTION.
historic churches and religious remains of Ireland ; still, he nearly always left those places, with a well-founded conviction, that did sufficient time and circumstances afford him an opportunity for further prosecution of his en- quiries, many additional interesting particulars might be gleaned, in their respective neighbourhoods. Even the local antiquities, and architectural features, respecting the simplest ecclesiastical structures, require an exercise of matured thought and comparison on the spot, before the purpose for which each part had been designed, or the apparent age of erection, can be conjectured, with any degree approaching to accuracy. Besides, popular tradition is often the only safe guide to possibly existing records, which better serve to illustrate the history of our old churches and their patrons. Frequently recurring similarity of saints' names in our calendars, and the various topographical etymons coinciding, or corrupted, are calculated to confuse or totally obscure every rational attempt exactly to distinguish, or
unhesitatingly to identify.
Notwithstanding a desire and a design of the writer, for including every
saint, to whom Ireland has a just claim, in this work ; he is fully convinced, within his own greatly-restricted sphere, that complaint of the modem Bol- landists,38 in reference to their predecessors and to their own omissions, has application to his still more imperfect labours. Historic literature must al-
ways be in a transition state, owing to the constantly increasing development and combination of newly-discovered materials. With great exertion, and by
slow degrees, however, the search for truth must amply compensate inquirers. Briefly and imperfectly, indeed, has the author been able to record the names and acts of various saints ; for he was anxious, at least in many instances, to leave some memorials of them, under the presumed dates of their respective festivals. Doubt exists in particular cases, whether certain saints, bearing Latinized forms of name, may fairly be claimed as natives of Ireland, or connected with it by missionary labours. While hesitating to vindicate for his country, its title to appropriate many holy persons thus classed j the writer has endeavoured to advance reasons or quote authori- ties, so that evidences or probabilities may be weighed and judged on their intrinsicmerits. Wherestatementsandauthoritiesarefoundconflicting,he
3' Alluding to the prolific increase of his-
toric and other publications, chiefly during
the present century, whereby the ecclesias-
tical transactions of Syria, Arabia, Egypt Armenia, Iberia, Russia, with other Sla-
vonic nations, Scotland, Wales, Ireland,
&c. , have been so fairly elucidated, these celebrated hagiographers acknowledge, how progressively and daily, they had experience
in fact, that their departed fellow-labourers,
as also themselves, had not known or had omitted the names ofjpersons beatified, or See of siunts, almost innumerable, and whose
legitimate veneration had not been clearly established, to their knowledge, even al-
though many of those belonged to the Italian
or Latin nations. It is added, that those
holy persons received public and eccclesias-
tical honours, even before publication of
Pope Urban the Eighth's celebrated Decree,
regarding veneration due to saints. To sup-
ply unavoidable omisions, they suggest,
rather than promise, a supplement to their
wonderfully erudite and voluminous work,
"
Praemium, pp. iii. , iv.
Acta Sanctoriun Octobris," tomus xi.
INTR OD UCTION. clxxiu
has merely adduced, with a perfect love of candour and truthfulness, that degree of testimony afforded ; but, he believes, he has satisfactorily shown, in various instances, how several illustrious and holy persons have been
appropriated by other and neighbouring nations, while the lights of history, if less obscured, should place them in those proper niches to v/hich they belong, with full approval of all able to test and appreciate a very reason- able process of deduction.
That several ancient acts of our Irish saints had been written, to serve as discourses for their special festivals, can admit of little doubt. This opinion had been long formed by the author, after a careful study of the text in old Latin lives, recording various saints. It has been further strengthened, when, in alluding to the acts of our national saints, as written in Irish, the late eminent Eugene O'Curry, Professor of Irish History and Archaeology in the Catholic University, declared to the writer, that many of those acts were panygerics, pronounced in various places and on different occasions, as the festivals of holy persons had been commemorated. Intrinsic evidences in such documents are sufficient to establish a conclusion of this nature.
Often it is found very difficult to determine the era or age, when many of
our Irish saints flourished, for want of accessible dates and incidental illus-
trations. Our present knowledge of Irish Hagiology and Irish Ecclesiastical
History comes from few really original sources. Subsidiary materials, how-
ever, are very abundant. The chief value of our records is derived from
these circumstances, that authors wrote most nearly to the time, when their
subjects for narrative lived, and with authentic or traditional founts for reli-
ableinformation,nowwhollyunattainable. Duringtheprogressoftranscrip-
tion, and descending farther from the source, ancient documents have been
interpolated, revised, added to or curtailed. Every true historical inquirer
must thoroughly sift such records, without regard to repeated and often-
times ill-considered statements, advanced by too many modern writers. With
the light of historical and reflective thought, or with that respectful freedom
of the mind, necessary for forming just opinions regarding details, and their connexion with general incidents or sound conclusions, correct views of the
past may frequently be attained, although mists still remain to obscure our field of vision.
It is much to be regretted, that too many lives of the Irish saints contain statements of a legendary or questionable character. These tend, in a great measure, to detract from their historical value. A great probability exists, in the far greater number of cases, that the authors of those lives or acts were not cotemporaneous with their biographical subjects, nor with persons who could have furnished them with reliable information, regarding such matters as they undertook to narrate. We may well suppose, popular traditions of a vague and unauthoritative character often furnished a basis for certain accounts, that have come down to us ; and, in a great variety of instances, that these earlier traditions were further amplified, or rendered still more uncertain from additions or modifications they received, during
clxxiv INTRonUCTION.
their process of oral transmission. Such conjectures are not only possible,
but also highly probable. It may be inferred, that even at the present day, in those different localities of Ireland, once hallowed by the presence or
residence of our saints, many legends are yet current among the peasantry, and having reference to particular patrons of various places. These legends have not generally been placed upon record, or, at least, accounts thus tra- ditionally remembered are not now known to be extant in writing. Many popular traditions, at present lost, must have been perfectly reliable, as inter- pretedinajustarchaeologicalmeaning. Yet,severallegends,yetpreserved, are of a character in the highest degree ridiculous and contemptible, as being not only at variance with common sense, and usual divine manifestations of Providence in effecting supernatural works, wrought through God's holy servants, but even they are often in contradiction to written acts of our saints. They frequently involve persons, places, dates and circumstances, in such inextricable confusion, that for historical purposes such ac- counts are of no value whatever, nor do they even help for purposes of historic illustration. The same remarks will not exactly apply to written acts of Irish saints, that have been preserved to our time. For, although implicitreliancecannotalwaysbeplacedonstatementsthesecontain; yet, from intrinsic and extrinsic evidences, we are oftentimes able, not only to form probable conjectures, regarding those ages in which such treatises were composed, but even to mark, with tolerable certitude and accuracy, persons who were the authors of those tracts, with places and times at which they were written. Besides, a variety of incidental allusions and notices occur, that serve to throw a great deal of light on the social, civil and religious habits or practices of our ancestors. The acts of our saints also tend to illus- trate, and to receive illustration from, the profane records and annals of this island. Even, although the undoubted historic tests of verity, integrity and authenticity, in all instances, cannot be applied to those treatises ; never- theless, they possess sufficient national and religious interest or importance, to render their publication most desirable, especially for aiding investigators of our civil or ecclesiastical history and antiquities during their enquiries.
Nor can it be denied, that those anonymous writers and the biographies they have transmitted to us have bewildered at times the purposes and objects of researchful archaeologists. Doubtless, the subjects of their several uTitings
had not defined only
" a local
but
and a name. " What we have principally to lament, in the compilation of
those treatises, by authors who could have obtained necessar}' information, is the substitution of almost incredible prodigies and miracles for those per-
sonal and mental peculiarities, or for those strongly-marked traits and
incidents of character, which lend to modern biography its highest charms
and value. To the religious mind, or even to a philosophical enquirer, the development of intellectual and devotional faculties, possessed by the heroic and sainted individuals belonging to a past age, should afford subjects for pleasing reflection or pious meditation. Notwithstanding, the reader
existence,
they had, likewise,
habitation
INTRonUCTION. clxxv
ought clearly comprehend, that a great number of miracles, recorded in succeeding Lives of the Irish Saints, and which have not received the Church's approval or recognition, do not claim any other degree of credence, than what is ordinarily due to historic accounts, subjected to the usual tests of severe criticism.
Writers, who have treated on the virtues, miracles and actions of our principal national saints, are solely responsible for their several accounts or opinions. Such authorities possess a greater or lesser degree of weight, in proportion to their enlightenment, their opportunities for acquiring correct information, and their peculiar character for discrimination or vera- city. It cannot be denied, that many early writers of our saints' acts were unequal to that delicate task they had undertaken, or they were not sufficiently impressed with the importance of rendering their labours in a style or form, more conducive to contemporaneous or future instruction and edification. It will be no justification for their errors of judgment or omissions to plead like defects, admitted on the part of their insular neighbours, and writers inhabiting the Continent. But, it must be known, that the far greater part of our early saints' biographies had been composed by ecclesiastics or cloistered monks. These were usually engaged in particular occupations and states of life, that precluded laborious investigation and literary aid, which might serve to counterbalance disadvantagesofpositionoropportunity. Besides,theychieflyflourishedata period, when the most perfect models of hagiographical writing had not been
presented for their study and imitation. To the Continental writers of those " middle ages," which begin to date from a period, when Ireland beheld the
last living representatives of names on her calendar, we may attribute almost the first creditable efforts in this most instructive and interesting
species of composition. And, it must be observed, likewise, that the illus- trious St. Bernard has been ranked among the foremost European men of
genius, in supplying a biographical model for succeeding writers, the motives and the occasion having been furnished by one of oiu: greatest saints con- nected with the Irish Church.
The lives of m. any holy persons here noticed have been wTitten at periods
long subsequent to the English invasion; but, their biographers laboured under a disadvantage, in having descended too far the stream of time, and, as a con- sequence, being so obliged to make use of very insufficient materials. Thus, it must have happened, that even competent writers should have been compelled to present their readers with narrative and literary efforts, by no means satisfactory to themselves. Individual biographers might have endea- voured, but in vain, to discriminate between' anecdotal truth and fiction, to re- concile apparent contradictions and anachronisms, to supply omissions, and prune redundancies of previous authorities, while seeking to evolve from all available materials, personal motives for actions, the causes or results, and the sequence of incidents. Above all, they must have found it difficult to appreciate the physical characteristics and intellectual qualifications of illustrious indi- viduals, whose merits and fame survive the wreck of past time, yet whose
clxxvi INTRODUC7I0N.
distinguishing peculiarities are not always presented, especially under those indistinct and sombre lights, that glimmer through doubtful records of their former actions.
It would be quite impossible to enumerate in this preface, the names of
various persons, who have rendered the writer much valuable assistance,
while engaged in compiling his present work. But, in many cases through- out these pages, grateful reference is made to them. Such particular acknowledgments are especially due to individuals named, for their inesti- mableaidandservices. Intoomanycases,however,itmaynotbepossible to record the generously afforded particular assistance and encouragement of very many among the author's kind and talented friends. To the clergy and laity of Ireland, who sustained his efforts, grateful thanks are specially due ; and a ready response, from more distant parts of the world, manifests
both a Catholic and a patriotic spirit, on the part of generous patrons. While fully sensible respecting the advantages of ornate style, as adopted in several beautifully written lives of various saints, that have lately appeared,
in the English language ; yet, such graces of composition were considered of secondary importance to the much greater issue and more laborious effort of endeavouring to reconcile conflicting dates and accounts with historic pro- babilities, to analyse and discriminate the statements of previous writers, and to place on record various memorials, relating to our national Saints. Should even partial success reward such attempts, no inconsiderable amount of service shall have been rendered, towards the illustration of Irish ecclesi- astical history and hagiology ; and, hereafter we have just reason to expect, that writers, combining great literary qualifications and genius with profound learning and research, will produce for the delight and admiration of future generations, those vivid and truthful pictures of the past, which may not sacrifice the outline and colouring of facts, to the proprieties of style and to the ornaments of language.
While many of our Encyclopaedic collections on saintly biography, and numberless particular lives of saints have been consulted, few really impor- tant ecclesiastical or civil histories have been overlooked, as several were accessible to the writer, and were found servicable for investigating special topics connected with this work. The very best general and local Irish and
British histories were attentively studied and compared, to procure reliable
information, confirmatory or contradictory evidence, and exact reference. The most esteemed archaic works of eminent authors, belonging to
different European nations, have been pressed into requisition, when they helped to elucidate the acts of Irish saints, engaged on foreign missions.
Yet, to the further disinterment and publication of our old manuscript records, in Irish and Latin, must we chiefly look for accurate information regardingourpastHagiography. Thelocalnomenclatureandmonuments of our island serve occasionally to evolve doubtful or undiscovered tradi- tions.
Exact comparative analysis and close scrutiny, drawn from all avail- able sources, have led to many valuable and scarcely hoped-for discoveries.
INTRODUCTION,
clxxvii
Much of what is now regarded as occult, especially in our sacred antiquities, is likely to become manifest hereafter, when the process of investigation shall be better understood and further prosecuted.
The introduction of short religious or moral reflections, as prefatory or subsequent to some of our sacred biographies, is intended to prepare the reader for a more devotional and useful study. Such considerations may assist occasionally to relieve the attention, from dwelling merely on critical, descriptive, or historical details.
In succeeding pages, the author has endeavoured to avoid all unneces-
sary repetitions of facts once stated ; but reiterated allusions could not well
be dispensed with in all cases. It was found expedient to synchronize various saints with known persons and eras, and to elucidate their acts by briefreferencestoco-relativeevents,elsewherenoted. Withoutsuchpartial and occasional allusions, the individuality of certain holy men and women might remain less distinguished, while several biographies must be left more obscure, as a vast number of homonymous persons are introduced at different days, and diverse acts could only be rendered intelligible by renewed or de- tailedreferences. Withacertaindegreeofcompleteness,theauthordesired compression ; for, the materials presented to him were simply inexhaustible, and his plan required a digest of these most available. The longest and most laborious life could not suffice to compile and finish the Irish saints'
biographies in a manner fully to satisfy scholarly and historic requirements ; but, failing the hope to attain absolute perfection, mortals must be content
to achieve what is practicable. In previous pages, the writer has endea-
voured to indicate many different sources, whence further information may
be drawn by future investigators ; since, he fondly trusts, that in the deep mines of Irish Hagiology, he has only helped to open lodes, which will serve to reward the industry of other explorers, and to draw therefrom some por- tions of the precious ore, to be fashioned into proper shape and ornament by literary men of great genius and learning. Although defects of plan and treatment must be discovered in after time, when carefully surveying the firstimperfectattemptsofexplorationandresource; yet,pioneershaveto contend against wearisome and rugged obstacles in clearing the wilderness, before culture and civilization can conveniently rear trophies to art and science. These grow by slow degrees, and only with the progress of ma- tured skill, and through such aids as are derived from earlier rude efforts.
Dublin, Church of SS. Michael and John, Feast Of St. ColumkilU, 1875.
CONTENTS.
Page INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . iii
Section I. —Irish Hagiologists of the Fifth, Sixth and Seventh Cen- turies . . . . . . . . . . . . vi
SectionII. —Irish Hagiologists of the Eighth, Ninth, Tenth, and Eleventh Centuries . . . . . . . . . Section III. —Irish Hagiologists of the Twelfth, Thirteenth, Four-
xH . . . xxxi
xxxv
turies . . . . . . . . . . . . Ixi Section VI. —The Chief Foreign Ecclesiastical and other Writers, whose Works serve directly or incidentally to eluci-
date Irish Hagiology. . . . . . . . . . Ixix Section VII. —Materials for Irish Saints' I^ives in Irish Libraries . . . c Section VIIL—Materials for Irish Saints' Lives in British and Foreign
Libraries . . . . . . . . . . . cxxvii Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . clviii
SMt 2Bap ot Samiarp*
Article I. —St. Fanchea, Virgin, Abbess of Ross Oirther, or Rossory, County of Fermanagh, and of Killany, County of
teenth, Fifteenth, and Sixteenth Centuries Section IV. —Irish Hagiologists of the Seventeenth Century
. . Section V. —Irish Hagiologists of the Eighteenth and Nineteeth Cen-
Louth. \Fifth and Sixth Centuries.
Chap. I. —Introduction—Sources for St. Fanchea's Biography—
'\
Her Parentage and Race—Her Birth—Her holy
Dispositions—She embraces a religious Life
Chap. II. —Situation and Description of Rossory—St. Fanchea effects the Conversion of her Brother, St. Endeus— The Death of a Noble Lady induces his Retirement
from the World . . .
Chap. III. —St. Fanchea's Prayers confirm the Resolves of her
Brother—A Miracle wrought through her—St. Endeus fences her Nunnery—He afterwards re- tires to Kill-aine—St. Fanchea once more deter- mines his Vocation
Chap. IV. —Adopting St. Fanchea's Advice, Endeus first goes to Wales, and afterwards he visits Rome—He erects a Monastery—St. Fanchea learns the Place of his Retreat from some Roman Pilgrims—With some of her Religious, she resolves to pay him a Visit—They
sail over to Britain
Chap. V. —St. Endeus has a preternatural Knowledge of St.
Fanchea's Approach—Their Interview—Receiving
her Brother's Benediction, the Holy Virgin returns to Ireland—Her Death—Contention among the People of Meath and Leinster for the Possession of her Remains—Supposed Burial at Kill-aine—Con- clusion
Article II. —St. Beoc, Beog, Mobheoc, Beanus, Dabeoc, or Dabheoc, Abbot at Lough Derg, Templecarn Parish, County of
Donegal. \FifthorSi—xthCentury. ^
Chap. I. — Introduction Parentage and Birth of this Saint
in
Article III.
St. Ossene, or Oissein, son to Ceallach, of Clonmore, County of
—
. . . Dabheog—Conclusion . . . 14
CONTENTS.
Wales—His Family and Relationship—Period when
Page
he flourished . . . . . . . . . il
Chap. II. —Arrival of St Beoc, or Dabeoc, in Ireland—Situation
and Description of Lough Derg—Austerities and
Prophecy of St. Dabeoc—His Death—Tearmon
. . . 16
[FtyiA or
. . . 18
— Century] . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Article VI. St. Eochaid, of Uisneach, or Usneagh, County of Westmeath . . . 19 Article VII. —St. Seethe, or Sciath, Virgin and Patroness of Feart-Sceithe, now
—Ardskeagh, County Cork . . . . . . . . . 20 ArticleVIII.
