But, their holy abbot
appeased
this tumultuous rising, by extending his hand towards the quarter, whence that fire proceeded, and by making a sign of the cross.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v2
4, among the maternal genealogies of Irish Saints, n.
6, we read, "that Coeltigerna the daughter of Coemlog, and sister to St.
Coemgen, was the mother of four sons, Colmaide, nempe Dagan de Inberdaoile, of Moboeus, of Molibba, and of Menoc of Glenn-faidhle.
Wherefore, the Mobhius, here mentioned, is not Mobhius, son to Comgell, noted by Marianus and by others, at the 22nd of July, nor Mobhius, son to Beoan, venerated on the 12th of October.
He is rather that Mobhius or Mobaius of Cluain-fhionnabair, who is set down in the
Martyrologies of . ^ngus, of Marianus and of others, at the 13th of December. See
ibid. , n. 9, p. 354.
37 Midway between Clonenagh and Mount-
rath is a very remarkable and an extensive old fort, now known as Red Castle, situated on an eminence.
38 Near this graveyard, and on the road- side, may be seen the " well of St. Fintan," from which a stream of clear water flows. The " well of St. Fintan" does not at pre- sent occupy its original site. Persons were
the well of St.
landed proprietor contrived to divert the
February 17. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS 579
present,inthelast-describedgraveyard; norwerethereanyancientmonu- ments to be found39 at Clonenagh, with the exception of a small cross of stone,veryrudelyshaped. 4° Inthefirstdescribedgraveyard,theoldruins yet remaining had been roofed, and used as a Protestant church, for Clone nagh parish, almost within the memory of persons yet living. '^'^ Evidences
Ruined Church of Clonenagh.
of this fact are presented, in the shape of plastered walls, and ot modern
additions,tosomeoldermasonry. 42 Thecemetery,surroundingtheruins, is well fenced. 43
*'
tained in the higher cavity. Owing to a
peculiar formation of the tree, this ascent is
by no means difficult or dangerous. Those
cavities, in which the water lies, are really
curious, and by no means of artificial con-
struction. It need scarcely be observed,
that this water is not of a pure quality, al-
though perfectly clear. Hence it is not
drunk, but is only used for lotions. From
the person, who pointed out this interesting
object, the writer also learned, that accord-
ing to local tradition, those waters, contained
in the original "well of St. Fintan," on
being diverted from their first site, were in
great part transferred immediately to Cre-
mogue, about three miles distant. On their
way thither, wherever a drop of those waters
fell, a spring or pool was produced on the
instant. The origin of this deposit, in the
road-side tree, was thus accounted for ; and
reference was made to many other places,
where water existed, on a direct line, from
the "well of St. Fintan," at Clonenagh, to
a spring, denominated from him in like
manner, near the old church and graveyard
of Cremogue. Many of the peasantry, to et Bisson, Paris» The writer has endea-
the present day, when passing
St. Fintan," at Clonenagh, take off their hats, and make a sign of the cross on their forehead—the women also make a curtesy —customs which the writer had opportuni-
ties for witnessing.
39 When visited by the writer, August
29th, 1856.
4° This old cross did not occupy its former
position, having been placed at the head of a modern grave. During a later visit made
to Clonenagh, this object was no longer to be found.
41 Yet, on Taylor's and Skinner's
of the Roads of Ireland," surveyed 1777, the old building is represented, as a ruin, on Map 97.
42 The surrounding graveyard is the fa- vourite burial place of Protestants ; although, as may be supposed, the number of Catholics interred, even here, considerably preponde- rates.
43 The annexed illustration, from a sketch taken on the spot, by the author, in July, 1873, has been engraved by Messrs. Jacquet
the well of
**
Maps
58o LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS [February17. Peasants living in the neighbourhood of Clonenngh yet undertake to
"
point out the site of those
seven churches/' which they say had a former
existence. According to tradition, they were mostly grouped together, on those elevated ridges, where tl. e former city of Clonenagh had been built ; yet, two of them are said to- have been removed, at some distance. The sites of these latter are even indicated, by the country-people. After the twelfth century, Clonenagh seems to have disappeared from the rolls of our history. It is doubtful, if any of the existing stone buildings date back to St. Fintan's age, or even to a nearly less remote period, in consequence of Danish ravages, and the usual custom of building our first churches and monasteries with wood, which certainly once abounded there, and which furnishes, in all countries where it grows, the most ready material for pioneer structures.
This locality forms a beautiful elevation, and a succession of green swelling mounds,''^ which command an extensive prospect over the surround- ing country, and which surmount in position, the present town of Mount- rath,^s which is about one mile distant. Here, it is said, our saint and his companions remained, for an entire year. 46 g^^j-^ finding a great multitude of persons, with many of their friends, flocking thither, they left this place,''7 and directed their course, towards the Slieve Bloom mountains. These, which rise immediately near Clonenagh, stretch along, towards the south and west, in majestic proportions and with magnificent undulations.
They met a cowherd, named Sedna,'^^ who was mute from his birth, on the mountains of Slieve Bloom ; but, when St. Columba bestowed a blessing on him, Sedna recovered the use of speech. Being required, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to predict the several places destined for their sepul- ture ; he did so, without the least hesitation, and succeeding events corres- ponded with his prediction. 49 At that time, looking down from the moun- tain upon Clonenagh, St. Columba saw a multitude of angels, directing their course thither ; and, his disciples, observing an expression of sadness upon his features, on account of his having left that place, asked him the cause
*'
for his sorrow. The saint replied :
filled with the angels of God, and these angels do not cease to minister,
:
between it and Heaven. " He then added " One of us should return to
thatplace,andabidethereforthefuture. " Fintanhereuponsaid,"Ofather, whomsoever you may order to return, he will instantly obey. " Columba
ofyourresurrection. " Hereupon,havingreceivedthemandateofhismaster, as likewise his benediction, and that of his fellow-disciples, St. Fintan retraced his steps towards Clonenagh. 5°
voured to procureand produce in this volume, Columba mac Crimthainn it? first abbot,
a more than ordinary share of engravings for ^^ At Tirdaglas, Archdall has copied Clonenagh and its environs ; since, in con- Colgan's mistake ; and, at Clonenagh, in
" Do in replied : you go
on the Ordnance Survey Townland Maps
for the
'•^ There was no
Sheet
Queen's County. "
17. monastery Clonenagh,
ni3e,"xvii. Februarii. Vita S. Fintani,
at
before that founded by Fintan, as is evident
cap. 5° See the Bollandists' "Acta Sancto-
from his Acts. Yet, Colgan makes St.
Because, I see the place, we have left,
O
with you. For you, it has been divinely revealed, that it shall be the place
nexion with St. ^ngns the Culdee, they have relation with one of the most creditable schools of Irish hagiography.
4'» In no less than four distinct burial vrounds here, and all clustered closely to- ;ether, family interments have not yet
eased.
*5 Its position is shown in the united
parishes of Clonenagh and of Clonagheen '*
direct opposition to Colgan, he gives us ah absurd and a contrary opinion of his own ;
for, after stating that this monastery had been founded, by Fintan, he makes St. Columba succeed him there as abbot. See
peace,
holy youth,
to that and the Lord be spot,
"
Monaslicon Hibernicuni," ])p. 594, 676.
this is Setna, who was afterwards Bishop of Saigir, and whose Natalis was observed, on the loth of March.
See his Life, at that date,
"^ See " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- Colgan's
'•'^ In
Colgan's opinion,
iii,, iv. , p. 350,
February 17. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 5S1
Assuming the age of our saint—supposing him to have been born about
525—to have been twenty-three, at this period, Dr. Lanigan assigns erection of Clonenagh Monastery to the year 548, or shortly afterwards. Nor can the foundation of Clonenagh be placed much later than this year,
consistently with Comgalls* having been there, as a disciple of St. Fintan. The same writer is also of opinion, in opposition to Colgan,53 that no monastery had been erected here, previous to that built by our saint. 54 It may be remarked, however, that if St. Columba resided, at Clonenagh, with his disciples, for a year ; it is quite certain, he must have had some fixed habitation, in which himself and his companions lived, under monastic rule. The late Dr. John O'Donovan gives various local names, found about Clone- nagh, and compounded with Cluain, or Clon. ss
CHAPTER II.
CROMOGUE, or CREMOGUE—ST. FINTAN's strict rule at clonenagh—VARIOUS MIRACLES WROUGHT BY HIM WHILE THERE—HIS SPIRIT OF PROPHECY.
According to a local tradition,^ however, St. Fintan first inhabited Cromogue,
orCremogue,^aplaceaboutthreemilesdistantfromClonenagh. Thissaint
was obliged to leave the former, and to take up his residence, at the latter place.
It is said, that when his monks had brought the building materials to both of
those sites, the churches—of Cremogue and Clonenagh were severally built, in
the course of one night although at different intervals. At a very early age,
the writer recollects having had his attention attracted to an old causeway,
which debouched, near Clonenagh, on the main road between Maryborough
and Mountrath. This extended across a bog, in the direction of Cremogue,
and it appeared to h—ave been constructed, on the principle of our modern
macadamized roads many stones used, however, were of enormous size,
and such as are generally employed for building purposes. This causeway
"
was called
stantaneous, and of miraculous origin. The wild and romantic character of this legend impressed itself vividly on the writer's imagination, at that time. 3 The old road of St. Fintan has now in a great measure disappeared, and merged into a tolerably good bog-road of more recent construction. A bog- drain runs in a parallel direction. Between this drain and the modern road, that ancient causeway of St. Fintan may yet be traced. The writer was en- abled to travel near and even over the latter, during his short tour from Clone-
St. Fintan's road," and its construction is said to have been in-
rum," tomus ii. , Februarii xvii. De S. Fintano Presbytero, cap. i. , nam, 4, 5.
233, p. 74.
55 He states, that Cluain or Clon has
Also, Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber- niae," xvii. Februarii. Vita S. Fintani, cap. V-, P- 35°:
nothing whatever to do with a church, cell or hermitage—as many seem to think ; it is rather a topographical compound, cognate
5' See his " Ecclesiastical History of Ire- land," vol. ii. , chap, xii,, sect, xi. , p. 227, and n. 165, p. 230.
with the English word, " lawn," or "plain. " See "Letters containing Information re- lative to the Antiquities of the Queen's County, collected during the progress of the Ordnance Survey in 1838," vol. i. , p. 40.
5^ See his Life, at the loth of May.
53 He states, that St. Columba, son of
Crimthainn, was first abbot, at
Clonenagh,
Chapter ii. —^ As related to the writer, by a countryman, a resident at or near
Clonenagh.
^ Cremogue—as the people universally "
and afterwards the first abbot, at Tyrdaglas,
wherehedieda. d. 548. See"ActaSane- •
torumHiberniae,"xvii. Februarii, VitaS.
Fintani. Appendix, cap. iv. , p. 356.
54
Fintan, not Columba, was the real founder of this monastery, as is most clearly expressed in the fifth chapter of his Life. See Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, x. , sect, xiii. , n.
pronounce it—seems to mean Mogue's
earth," or "territory. "
3 The subject will be found in
"
Legend Lays of Ireland," by Lageniensis, No. XXII. ,
pp. 131 to 136.
the
s^
582 LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [February17.
naghtoCremogue. Atthislatterplace,aruinedchurch,thebodyofwhich seems to be very ancient, had been dedicated to St. Fintan. Near it is the
"
holy well," where formerly religious observances prevailed, on the day of his festival. The water in " St. Fintan's well,'' ^ at Cremogue, is pure and very clear. The bottom of its spring contains a number of small white
pebbles, which are held in great request, by the neighbouring peasants. It is believed, that the retaining of these will be a preservative against death, byanykindofuntowardaccident; andhence,those,whoareaboutemigrat-
ing to distant countries, or engaging in any sort of dangerous enterprise, are anxious to secure possession of one of them, to be worn as an amulet on the
person. Even, it has been known, that perfect strangers to this part of the country have in some instances sent commissions, from the East and West
Indies, from America and Australia, to procure these pebbles of Cremogue, having heard of their imputed efficacy, from exiled natives belonging to this
place. A peasant of the neighbourhood remarked, in the writer's hearing, that some ash trees, which grew near Cremogue well, having been cut down, byafarmertowhomtheybelonged; thismanwasafterwardsreduced,within
patron's
Cromogue Old Church, Queen's County.
a very short period, to great indigence, and from a state of comparative affluence. This account, however, and many other particulars, regarded as miraculous by the country-people, may well be assigned to natural causes. Ihere is no tomb of great antiquity in the graveyard at Cremogue. It is evident, from present appearances, that the ancient churchs within it has undergonesomemodernrenovations; for,thebelfryattacheddoesnotappear
to be referable to a very remote date. ^
^
It is held in mucli veneration, by the country-people.
5 In
this old church, at This draw- Cremogue.
ing, transferred to the wood, by William F.
August, 1856, the writer sketched
Millard. ^
has
Perhaps, like the old church at Clone*
Wakeman,
been engraved by Mrs.
February 17. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 583
Following the narrative contained in his Acts, it was at Clonenagh7 St. Fintan began to collect around him a community of monks, who lived under a very strict rule. ^ After the manner of older eremites, they lived by manual labour, and tilled the ground with a spade or hoe. They abstained from all animal food, nor had they even a single cow, belonging to the monastery, fortheirruledidnotallowtheuseofmilkorbutter. Thisexcessiverigourof discipline and of living was considered almost insupportable to the brethren, bysomeholymen,whodweltinthedistricts,adjoiningClonenagh; where- fore, after some consultation, St. Canice9 and other servants of God came on
a visit to our saint. They besought him, for the sake of Divine charity, to relax, in some measure, his strict monastic observances. The night before their visit, an angel appeared to admonish Fintan, regarding their object ;
while, directing him at the same time, as to how he should act, in preparing for their arrival, with a view to conform himself to the Divine will. ^° St. Canice and those holy men accompanying him were received by Fintan,
with great benignity. At their request, he relaxed the rigour of his rule, in favour of those monks, who were subject to him. Yet, he still adhered to his own usual strict manner of living. After bestowing mutual prayers and benedictions on each other, the holy visitors took leave of their host, each one seeking the immediate sphere for his own pious labours. "
While St. Fintan and his monks had been taking their usual meal, it was suddenly discovered that the refectory roof was on fire. His brethren started up in confusion, supposing the whole monastic buildings should be consumed.
But, their holy abbot appeased this tumultuous rising, by extending his hand towards the quarter, whence that fire proceeded, and by making a sign of the cross. Immediately, the flames were extinguished, and wonderful to relate, the refectory was found to be uninjured by that fire. One day, while his monks were engaged at their agricultural operations, St. Fintan went forth into the field, to inspect their labours. On his approach, the brethren advancedtomeethim. Withplayfulgestures,holdingtheirbelovedsuperior by the hand, according to a custom then prevalent among labourers towards their masters, they besought our saint, that he would allow them a more luxurious refreshment than ordinary, on that day. Well pleased with their
" The Lord
visitors being unloaded, the brethren were sumptuously entertained, on that day. " Their holy superior returned thanks to the great Bestower of all
familiarity, and sharing this hilarity of his monks, Fintan said
is able, my dear brethren, to give what you ask from me. " But, although, on this day, as at other times, the cook had nothing to prepare for their meal, but some potherbs ; yet, that very hour, some men had come to their monastery, from the southern part of Leinster. These bore different kinds of meat, as a present for our saint. The chariots and waggons of those
nagh, Cremogue had been fitted up for
Protestant service, at a comparatively late
period.
7 We are told, by Colgan, that Cluain
""" has the meaning of a retired or a se-
^
It seems not unlikely, that this was borrowed from St. Columba of Tir-da-glass, ifnotthesame; since,wefind,thatAedh, Abbot of Clonenagh and of Tir-da-glass, was martyred by the Danes, on the 8th of July, A. D. 843. See Archdall's " Monasti-
eluded place;" while, eidhnean means
"ivy," and eidhneach signifies "ivied. " con Hibernicum," p. 592.
Even, at the present day, dark waving ivy
masses overhang the desolate ruined side
walls and gables of the church. The late
Dr. O'Donovan applies ei'oneAcli, "ivied," nise," xvii. Februarii. Vita S. Fintani, to the trees, which were formerly, he sup- cap. vii. , p. 350.
poses, growing on the CbuAin, or " mea- " See ibid. , cap. vi. , vii. , p. 350. Also "
dow," here. See his letter, in the Irish the Bollandists' Acta Sanctorum," tomus Ordnance Survey Records for the Queen's iii. , Februarii xvii. Vita S. Fintani, cap. County, R. I. A. , vol. i. , pp. 39 to 41, i. , and nn. 6, 7, pp, 17, 18.
9 See the Acts of St. Canice, at the Ilth of October.
'°
See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber*
:
584
LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [February17.
and for the sanctioned providential supply, apparently
One Lonan,^4 son to Cathen, at a certain time invited St. Fintan to a
banquet. Whilst all the guests were in a convivial mood, the abbot was
suddenly moved to tears. Being asked the cause for his sorrow, by the host,
"
'3 for this
approval
gifts,
of that dispensation allowed to his religious.
I do not weep, because I have partaken of your hospitality ;
Fintan replied :
but, had you witnessed, what I have now seen, you would say indeed, that I am not sorrowful, without some motive. A destructive war has been waged, on this day, in the southern part of Munster ; while I see the souls of many sinners, who were slain, drawn down to everlasting punishment, and for this I grieve. 's Scarcely a few souls among those who lived well have escaped, and who have been impelled to fight, yet only through necessity. That you may learn the truth of this, messengers shall come after seven days, who shall tellyouallthings,regardingthiswar. " Allthesemattershappened,asour saint predicted. On the same occasion, a certain aged rustic, who was herd to Lonan, came into the house, where those guests were seated. Beholding him, Fintan said to those around him "
that old man shall die in the woods, and his -corpse will not be found for seven days ; but, no beast or bird shall touch his body, with the exception of a hungry fox, which will devour a part of his ears and nose. " This prediction was verified, also, by the event. ^^ At another time, two men came to Clonenagh. One of these desired to remain there, as a monk, and the other as a guest, for ten days. When Fintan had seen both, he told his brethren apart, that the intended monk should only remain with them for ten days, and should then escape to the world, during the darkness of night ; while their guest as announced
would alter his resolution, and continue with them as a monk, to the end of
his days. '7 The prediction of our saint was fulfilled, in this instance, as . 'ii other cases.
One of Fintan's monks, named SinchelV^ had a father, who, with his fosterer,^9 lived a bad life, in the world. Sinchell asked permission from St. Fintan to visit them, that he might urge them to repentance. But, he laboured fruitlessly to persuade them, and then the monk returned to Fintan, with an announcement of his failure.
""
See Bishop Challenor's Britannia
Sancta," part i. , p. I2I.
r. eems to have been identical, in Colgan's opinion, with St. Lonan, mentioned in the 12th chapter of St. Finnian of Clonard's Life, and whose feast was kept on the 24th of October, according to our Martyrologists. See "Acta Sanctorum Hibernioe," xvii. Febniarii, n. 13, p. 354. For a notice of St. Lonan, there spoken of, the reader is referredtoSt. Finnian'sLife; but,hewill find that Colgan contradicts himself, in what he here asserts. That saint is Lonan, son to Senan, and whose feast is placed, at the
12th of November, according to our Ca- lendars.
's See Bishop Challoner's "Britannia
Sancta," part i. , pp. 121, 122.
'^ See " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- Colgan's
nise," xvii. Februarii. Vita S. Fintani,
cap. x. , xi. , p. 351.
'7 See Bishop Challenor's "Britannia
Sancta," part i. , p. 122.
'^ a the 20th of See noticeofthissaint,at
June, which is thought by Colgan probably to have been the day for his feast,
'9 This sort of alliance in Ireland was re garded as forming a kind of relationship.
'•^ " See Colgan's
Acta Sanctorum Hiber- niae," xvii. Februarii. Vita S. Fintani,
cap. ix,, pp. 350, 351.
'* The Martyrologies of Tallagh, of Ma-
rianus, of Maguire and of Donegal, mention several saints, having the name, Lonan. Thus, we find Lonan Fionn, at the 22nd of
January ; Lonan, son to Darius, at the 7th of February ; Lonan, at the 6th of June ; Lonan of Ard-Cruinn, at the nth of July ;
Lonan, son to Lonan, son to Lasre, at the 2nd or at the 20th of August ; Lonan, of
Cluain Tibrinne, at the 24th of October; Lonan, son to Talmuigh, at the 1st, and
Lonan of
vember. Colgan's enumeration of these saints, and of their festivals, is both imper- feet and inaccurate. The present Lonan must not be confounded with most of those,
as be may
Cill-Uailleach,
at the 12th of No-
to his
age. Nor, can he be considered the Lonan, who was a disciple of St. Patrick, and whose feast is celebrated, on the 12th of November, according to the foregoing authorities. He
seen, by referring
parent-
:
To-day,
The saint desired him to go back,
February 17. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 5^^
and to bring his friends with him. When they came, while St. Fintan and Sinchell sat in the middle, the father to this latter monk took his place on the left, and the fosterer on the right, side of our holy abbot. Finding them yet persevering in their evil ways, St. Fintan whispered his disciple, in a low voice, that as they were then placed—one on the right and the other on the
left hand—so should it be with them, on the day of judgment. The
saint declared, that Sinchell's father should die impenitent, and that his substance
must be divided between rulers and princes, who should care little about his
and divide his substance among the poor and God's servants thus, departing in peace, this latter should stand, at the right hand of Christ's judgment seat. =° Certain monks of Clonenagh, filled with an eagerness for travel, wished to leave their native country. Without obtaining permission from their abbot, however,
=^^
in the northern pro- vince,thatthencetheymightpassoverintoBritain. ^^ Sometimeafterwards, one of his brethren came to Fintan, telHng him, that he had heard, those absent monks were sojourning with their friends. St. Fintan declared, with a smile, that he had been misinformed ; for, on that day, those brethren, who had left for God's sake were on their way to a British port. One of his monks, whose brother had absconded, approaching the abbot, with tears,
besought in God's name to be allowed to leave Clonenagh Monastery, in
soul
; while,
the
his —should fosterer, seeing unhappy death, repent
they left his monastery, and went to that of Bangor,
This monk declared, that he felt inconsol-
feet, for he found no comfort while he was absent from us. " These various
predictions were fulfilled, in such a manner, that it was quite evident a pro- phetic spirit illuminated the soul of Fintan, so as to enable him to declare with great certainty all future events. ^3
On another occasion, St. Fintan and St. Canice were together in Clone-
naghMonastery. Onasudden,theyheardshoutsoftriumphraisedbysome
soldiers, who had obtained a victory over their enemies. St. Fintan said to
his " In this I hear the voice of an innocent lamb for, companion, clamour, ;
one among them, named Kieran,^^ son to Tulchan, shall become a monk in
order to accompany his brother.
Our saint
because your brother will return to this place to-day, and you shall wash his
able,
after his brother's
departure.
replied,
" Be consoled, son, my
=° The author of St. Fintan's Life adds
:
"Quodestinfutui'onon dubitamus, videntes praeterita completa secundum vaticinium viri
=3 See " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- Colgan's
nise," xvii. Februarii. Vita S. Fintani,
probable, in Colgan's opinion, that the pre- sent St. Kieran was a brother to one or both these saints, by the same father. St. ^ngus the Culdee, in his "Opuscula," lib. i. , cap. 2, enumerates the sons of Tulchan among many saints, who were brothers or
Colgan's
" Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
cap. xii. , xiii. , xiv. , xvi,, p. 351.
^^ Jn Adamnan's "Vita S- Columbas,"
Dei. "—
niae," xvii. Februarii. Vita S. Fintani, lib. iii. , cap, 23, mention is made of St. cap. xiii. , p. 351. And at n. 15, p. 354, Lugid, son to Tulchan, and of St. Fintan,
Colgan infers from this passage, that the
author of our saint's Life must have lived
at a time, when those things occurred ; as,
he says, that he had seen a part of the pro-
phecy of St. Fintan fulfilled : viz. , either
the father of Sinchell dying unhappy, or
the fosterer doing penance—although he
could not know what took place in the
other Hfe. The word "videntes," how- sons of the same parent. It is probable, ever, appears to have been used in this pas-
sage, to express "knowing," or " believ- ing ;" yet, I would not undertake to decide
postively, that Colgan's meaning is not more
correct. If so, a very remote antiquity must
be accorded to this Life.
^^
This must have occurred, after St. Comgall had there founded his monastery.
" Probably, St. Columkille had been re- sident there, at that time.
says Colgan, that the feast of this present St. Kieran had been celebrated on the 5th
son to Tulchan, at lib. i. , cap. 2. See Dr. Reeves' edition. It is not certain, but rather
of January, or on the 19th of May, as may be seen, by referring to the Martyrology of Tallagh, the Scholiast on St. ^ngus, and Marianus O'Gorman. \^2ngus in his "Book
of Homonymi," lib. i. , cap. 5» mentions a St. Kieran of Cluain-edhnach. Circum- stances of place and of time exclude saints bearing the same name, and venerated on
586 LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [February17.
this place, and after a life of perfection he shall die. " The soldiers brought away the heads of their enemies, as a trophy of victory, and deposited them
nearClonenaghMonastery,whentheyapproached. Takingtheseghastly remains,themonksburiedthemwithintheprecinctsoftheircemetery. One of the brothers asked Saints Fintan and Canice, what this availed those corpses, whose heads were buried there. He received for reply: "We believe and trust in the Lord, that owing to the merits and virtue of all the saints in this place, who shall be buried here, and who living, shall also pray for the souls of those who may be here buried, that these men shall not be condemnedonthedayofjudgment; for,themoredignifiedpartsoftheir bodies lie deposited with us, and therefore do we hope clemency for their souls. " Afterwards, Kieran, seeking admission to Clonenagh Monastery, was received ; and, as St. Fintan predicted, he happily departed this life. ^5 Meantime, subjects presented themselves, from different provinces in Ireland, to embrace the rules of St. Fintan.
He is rather that Mobhius or Mobaius of Cluain-fhionnabair, who is set down in the
Martyrologies of . ^ngus, of Marianus and of others, at the 13th of December. See
ibid. , n. 9, p. 354.
37 Midway between Clonenagh and Mount-
rath is a very remarkable and an extensive old fort, now known as Red Castle, situated on an eminence.
38 Near this graveyard, and on the road- side, may be seen the " well of St. Fintan," from which a stream of clear water flows. The " well of St. Fintan" does not at pre- sent occupy its original site. Persons were
the well of St.
landed proprietor contrived to divert the
February 17. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS 579
present,inthelast-describedgraveyard; norwerethereanyancientmonu- ments to be found39 at Clonenagh, with the exception of a small cross of stone,veryrudelyshaped. 4° Inthefirstdescribedgraveyard,theoldruins yet remaining had been roofed, and used as a Protestant church, for Clone nagh parish, almost within the memory of persons yet living. '^'^ Evidences
Ruined Church of Clonenagh.
of this fact are presented, in the shape of plastered walls, and ot modern
additions,tosomeoldermasonry. 42 Thecemetery,surroundingtheruins, is well fenced. 43
*'
tained in the higher cavity. Owing to a
peculiar formation of the tree, this ascent is
by no means difficult or dangerous. Those
cavities, in which the water lies, are really
curious, and by no means of artificial con-
struction. It need scarcely be observed,
that this water is not of a pure quality, al-
though perfectly clear. Hence it is not
drunk, but is only used for lotions. From
the person, who pointed out this interesting
object, the writer also learned, that accord-
ing to local tradition, those waters, contained
in the original "well of St. Fintan," on
being diverted from their first site, were in
great part transferred immediately to Cre-
mogue, about three miles distant. On their
way thither, wherever a drop of those waters
fell, a spring or pool was produced on the
instant. The origin of this deposit, in the
road-side tree, was thus accounted for ; and
reference was made to many other places,
where water existed, on a direct line, from
the "well of St. Fintan," at Clonenagh, to
a spring, denominated from him in like
manner, near the old church and graveyard
of Cremogue. Many of the peasantry, to et Bisson, Paris» The writer has endea-
the present day, when passing
St. Fintan," at Clonenagh, take off their hats, and make a sign of the cross on their forehead—the women also make a curtesy —customs which the writer had opportuni-
ties for witnessing.
39 When visited by the writer, August
29th, 1856.
4° This old cross did not occupy its former
position, having been placed at the head of a modern grave. During a later visit made
to Clonenagh, this object was no longer to be found.
41 Yet, on Taylor's and Skinner's
of the Roads of Ireland," surveyed 1777, the old building is represented, as a ruin, on Map 97.
42 The surrounding graveyard is the fa- vourite burial place of Protestants ; although, as may be supposed, the number of Catholics interred, even here, considerably preponde- rates.
43 The annexed illustration, from a sketch taken on the spot, by the author, in July, 1873, has been engraved by Messrs. Jacquet
the well of
**
Maps
58o LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS [February17. Peasants living in the neighbourhood of Clonenngh yet undertake to
"
point out the site of those
seven churches/' which they say had a former
existence. According to tradition, they were mostly grouped together, on those elevated ridges, where tl. e former city of Clonenagh had been built ; yet, two of them are said to- have been removed, at some distance. The sites of these latter are even indicated, by the country-people. After the twelfth century, Clonenagh seems to have disappeared from the rolls of our history. It is doubtful, if any of the existing stone buildings date back to St. Fintan's age, or even to a nearly less remote period, in consequence of Danish ravages, and the usual custom of building our first churches and monasteries with wood, which certainly once abounded there, and which furnishes, in all countries where it grows, the most ready material for pioneer structures.
This locality forms a beautiful elevation, and a succession of green swelling mounds,''^ which command an extensive prospect over the surround- ing country, and which surmount in position, the present town of Mount- rath,^s which is about one mile distant. Here, it is said, our saint and his companions remained, for an entire year. 46 g^^j-^ finding a great multitude of persons, with many of their friends, flocking thither, they left this place,''7 and directed their course, towards the Slieve Bloom mountains. These, which rise immediately near Clonenagh, stretch along, towards the south and west, in majestic proportions and with magnificent undulations.
They met a cowherd, named Sedna,'^^ who was mute from his birth, on the mountains of Slieve Bloom ; but, when St. Columba bestowed a blessing on him, Sedna recovered the use of speech. Being required, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to predict the several places destined for their sepul- ture ; he did so, without the least hesitation, and succeeding events corres- ponded with his prediction. 49 At that time, looking down from the moun- tain upon Clonenagh, St. Columba saw a multitude of angels, directing their course thither ; and, his disciples, observing an expression of sadness upon his features, on account of his having left that place, asked him the cause
*'
for his sorrow. The saint replied :
filled with the angels of God, and these angels do not cease to minister,
:
between it and Heaven. " He then added " One of us should return to
thatplace,andabidethereforthefuture. " Fintanhereuponsaid,"Ofather, whomsoever you may order to return, he will instantly obey. " Columba
ofyourresurrection. " Hereupon,havingreceivedthemandateofhismaster, as likewise his benediction, and that of his fellow-disciples, St. Fintan retraced his steps towards Clonenagh. 5°
voured to procureand produce in this volume, Columba mac Crimthainn it? first abbot,
a more than ordinary share of engravings for ^^ At Tirdaglas, Archdall has copied Clonenagh and its environs ; since, in con- Colgan's mistake ; and, at Clonenagh, in
" Do in replied : you go
on the Ordnance Survey Townland Maps
for the
'•^ There was no
Sheet
Queen's County. "
17. monastery Clonenagh,
ni3e,"xvii. Februarii. Vita S. Fintani,
at
before that founded by Fintan, as is evident
cap. 5° See the Bollandists' "Acta Sancto-
from his Acts. Yet, Colgan makes St.
Because, I see the place, we have left,
O
with you. For you, it has been divinely revealed, that it shall be the place
nexion with St. ^ngns the Culdee, they have relation with one of the most creditable schools of Irish hagiography.
4'» In no less than four distinct burial vrounds here, and all clustered closely to- ;ether, family interments have not yet
eased.
*5 Its position is shown in the united
parishes of Clonenagh and of Clonagheen '*
direct opposition to Colgan, he gives us ah absurd and a contrary opinion of his own ;
for, after stating that this monastery had been founded, by Fintan, he makes St. Columba succeed him there as abbot. See
peace,
holy youth,
to that and the Lord be spot,
"
Monaslicon Hibernicuni," ])p. 594, 676.
this is Setna, who was afterwards Bishop of Saigir, and whose Natalis was observed, on the loth of March.
See his Life, at that date,
"^ See " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- Colgan's
'•'^ In
Colgan's opinion,
iii,, iv. , p. 350,
February 17. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 5S1
Assuming the age of our saint—supposing him to have been born about
525—to have been twenty-three, at this period, Dr. Lanigan assigns erection of Clonenagh Monastery to the year 548, or shortly afterwards. Nor can the foundation of Clonenagh be placed much later than this year,
consistently with Comgalls* having been there, as a disciple of St. Fintan. The same writer is also of opinion, in opposition to Colgan,53 that no monastery had been erected here, previous to that built by our saint. 54 It may be remarked, however, that if St. Columba resided, at Clonenagh, with his disciples, for a year ; it is quite certain, he must have had some fixed habitation, in which himself and his companions lived, under monastic rule. The late Dr. John O'Donovan gives various local names, found about Clone- nagh, and compounded with Cluain, or Clon. ss
CHAPTER II.
CROMOGUE, or CREMOGUE—ST. FINTAN's strict rule at clonenagh—VARIOUS MIRACLES WROUGHT BY HIM WHILE THERE—HIS SPIRIT OF PROPHECY.
According to a local tradition,^ however, St. Fintan first inhabited Cromogue,
orCremogue,^aplaceaboutthreemilesdistantfromClonenagh. Thissaint
was obliged to leave the former, and to take up his residence, at the latter place.
It is said, that when his monks had brought the building materials to both of
those sites, the churches—of Cremogue and Clonenagh were severally built, in
the course of one night although at different intervals. At a very early age,
the writer recollects having had his attention attracted to an old causeway,
which debouched, near Clonenagh, on the main road between Maryborough
and Mountrath. This extended across a bog, in the direction of Cremogue,
and it appeared to h—ave been constructed, on the principle of our modern
macadamized roads many stones used, however, were of enormous size,
and such as are generally employed for building purposes. This causeway
"
was called
stantaneous, and of miraculous origin. The wild and romantic character of this legend impressed itself vividly on the writer's imagination, at that time. 3 The old road of St. Fintan has now in a great measure disappeared, and merged into a tolerably good bog-road of more recent construction. A bog- drain runs in a parallel direction. Between this drain and the modern road, that ancient causeway of St. Fintan may yet be traced. The writer was en- abled to travel near and even over the latter, during his short tour from Clone-
St. Fintan's road," and its construction is said to have been in-
rum," tomus ii. , Februarii xvii. De S. Fintano Presbytero, cap. i. , nam, 4, 5.
233, p. 74.
55 He states, that Cluain or Clon has
Also, Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber- niae," xvii. Februarii. Vita S. Fintani, cap. V-, P- 35°:
nothing whatever to do with a church, cell or hermitage—as many seem to think ; it is rather a topographical compound, cognate
5' See his " Ecclesiastical History of Ire- land," vol. ii. , chap, xii,, sect, xi. , p. 227, and n. 165, p. 230.
with the English word, " lawn," or "plain. " See "Letters containing Information re- lative to the Antiquities of the Queen's County, collected during the progress of the Ordnance Survey in 1838," vol. i. , p. 40.
5^ See his Life, at the loth of May.
53 He states, that St. Columba, son of
Crimthainn, was first abbot, at
Clonenagh,
Chapter ii. —^ As related to the writer, by a countryman, a resident at or near
Clonenagh.
^ Cremogue—as the people universally "
and afterwards the first abbot, at Tyrdaglas,
wherehedieda. d. 548. See"ActaSane- •
torumHiberniae,"xvii. Februarii, VitaS.
Fintani. Appendix, cap. iv. , p. 356.
54
Fintan, not Columba, was the real founder of this monastery, as is most clearly expressed in the fifth chapter of his Life. See Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, x. , sect, xiii. , n.
pronounce it—seems to mean Mogue's
earth," or "territory. "
3 The subject will be found in
"
Legend Lays of Ireland," by Lageniensis, No. XXII. ,
pp. 131 to 136.
the
s^
582 LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [February17.
naghtoCremogue. Atthislatterplace,aruinedchurch,thebodyofwhich seems to be very ancient, had been dedicated to St. Fintan. Near it is the
"
holy well," where formerly religious observances prevailed, on the day of his festival. The water in " St. Fintan's well,'' ^ at Cremogue, is pure and very clear. The bottom of its spring contains a number of small white
pebbles, which are held in great request, by the neighbouring peasants. It is believed, that the retaining of these will be a preservative against death, byanykindofuntowardaccident; andhence,those,whoareaboutemigrat-
ing to distant countries, or engaging in any sort of dangerous enterprise, are anxious to secure possession of one of them, to be worn as an amulet on the
person. Even, it has been known, that perfect strangers to this part of the country have in some instances sent commissions, from the East and West
Indies, from America and Australia, to procure these pebbles of Cremogue, having heard of their imputed efficacy, from exiled natives belonging to this
place. A peasant of the neighbourhood remarked, in the writer's hearing, that some ash trees, which grew near Cremogue well, having been cut down, byafarmertowhomtheybelonged; thismanwasafterwardsreduced,within
patron's
Cromogue Old Church, Queen's County.
a very short period, to great indigence, and from a state of comparative affluence. This account, however, and many other particulars, regarded as miraculous by the country-people, may well be assigned to natural causes. Ihere is no tomb of great antiquity in the graveyard at Cremogue. It is evident, from present appearances, that the ancient churchs within it has undergonesomemodernrenovations; for,thebelfryattacheddoesnotappear
to be referable to a very remote date. ^
^
It is held in mucli veneration, by the country-people.
5 In
this old church, at This draw- Cremogue.
ing, transferred to the wood, by William F.
August, 1856, the writer sketched
Millard. ^
has
Perhaps, like the old church at Clone*
Wakeman,
been engraved by Mrs.
February 17. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 583
Following the narrative contained in his Acts, it was at Clonenagh7 St. Fintan began to collect around him a community of monks, who lived under a very strict rule. ^ After the manner of older eremites, they lived by manual labour, and tilled the ground with a spade or hoe. They abstained from all animal food, nor had they even a single cow, belonging to the monastery, fortheirruledidnotallowtheuseofmilkorbutter. Thisexcessiverigourof discipline and of living was considered almost insupportable to the brethren, bysomeholymen,whodweltinthedistricts,adjoiningClonenagh; where- fore, after some consultation, St. Canice9 and other servants of God came on
a visit to our saint. They besought him, for the sake of Divine charity, to relax, in some measure, his strict monastic observances. The night before their visit, an angel appeared to admonish Fintan, regarding their object ;
while, directing him at the same time, as to how he should act, in preparing for their arrival, with a view to conform himself to the Divine will. ^° St. Canice and those holy men accompanying him were received by Fintan,
with great benignity. At their request, he relaxed the rigour of his rule, in favour of those monks, who were subject to him. Yet, he still adhered to his own usual strict manner of living. After bestowing mutual prayers and benedictions on each other, the holy visitors took leave of their host, each one seeking the immediate sphere for his own pious labours. "
While St. Fintan and his monks had been taking their usual meal, it was suddenly discovered that the refectory roof was on fire. His brethren started up in confusion, supposing the whole monastic buildings should be consumed.
But, their holy abbot appeased this tumultuous rising, by extending his hand towards the quarter, whence that fire proceeded, and by making a sign of the cross. Immediately, the flames were extinguished, and wonderful to relate, the refectory was found to be uninjured by that fire. One day, while his monks were engaged at their agricultural operations, St. Fintan went forth into the field, to inspect their labours. On his approach, the brethren advancedtomeethim. Withplayfulgestures,holdingtheirbelovedsuperior by the hand, according to a custom then prevalent among labourers towards their masters, they besought our saint, that he would allow them a more luxurious refreshment than ordinary, on that day. Well pleased with their
" The Lord
visitors being unloaded, the brethren were sumptuously entertained, on that day. " Their holy superior returned thanks to the great Bestower of all
familiarity, and sharing this hilarity of his monks, Fintan said
is able, my dear brethren, to give what you ask from me. " But, although, on this day, as at other times, the cook had nothing to prepare for their meal, but some potherbs ; yet, that very hour, some men had come to their monastery, from the southern part of Leinster. These bore different kinds of meat, as a present for our saint. The chariots and waggons of those
nagh, Cremogue had been fitted up for
Protestant service, at a comparatively late
period.
7 We are told, by Colgan, that Cluain
""" has the meaning of a retired or a se-
^
It seems not unlikely, that this was borrowed from St. Columba of Tir-da-glass, ifnotthesame; since,wefind,thatAedh, Abbot of Clonenagh and of Tir-da-glass, was martyred by the Danes, on the 8th of July, A. D. 843. See Archdall's " Monasti-
eluded place;" while, eidhnean means
"ivy," and eidhneach signifies "ivied. " con Hibernicum," p. 592.
Even, at the present day, dark waving ivy
masses overhang the desolate ruined side
walls and gables of the church. The late
Dr. O'Donovan applies ei'oneAcli, "ivied," nise," xvii. Februarii. Vita S. Fintani, to the trees, which were formerly, he sup- cap. vii. , p. 350.
poses, growing on the CbuAin, or " mea- " See ibid. , cap. vi. , vii. , p. 350. Also "
dow," here. See his letter, in the Irish the Bollandists' Acta Sanctorum," tomus Ordnance Survey Records for the Queen's iii. , Februarii xvii. Vita S. Fintani, cap. County, R. I. A. , vol. i. , pp. 39 to 41, i. , and nn. 6, 7, pp, 17, 18.
9 See the Acts of St. Canice, at the Ilth of October.
'°
See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber*
:
584
LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [February17.
and for the sanctioned providential supply, apparently
One Lonan,^4 son to Cathen, at a certain time invited St. Fintan to a
banquet. Whilst all the guests were in a convivial mood, the abbot was
suddenly moved to tears. Being asked the cause for his sorrow, by the host,
"
'3 for this
approval
gifts,
of that dispensation allowed to his religious.
I do not weep, because I have partaken of your hospitality ;
Fintan replied :
but, had you witnessed, what I have now seen, you would say indeed, that I am not sorrowful, without some motive. A destructive war has been waged, on this day, in the southern part of Munster ; while I see the souls of many sinners, who were slain, drawn down to everlasting punishment, and for this I grieve. 's Scarcely a few souls among those who lived well have escaped, and who have been impelled to fight, yet only through necessity. That you may learn the truth of this, messengers shall come after seven days, who shall tellyouallthings,regardingthiswar. " Allthesemattershappened,asour saint predicted. On the same occasion, a certain aged rustic, who was herd to Lonan, came into the house, where those guests were seated. Beholding him, Fintan said to those around him "
that old man shall die in the woods, and his -corpse will not be found for seven days ; but, no beast or bird shall touch his body, with the exception of a hungry fox, which will devour a part of his ears and nose. " This prediction was verified, also, by the event. ^^ At another time, two men came to Clonenagh. One of these desired to remain there, as a monk, and the other as a guest, for ten days. When Fintan had seen both, he told his brethren apart, that the intended monk should only remain with them for ten days, and should then escape to the world, during the darkness of night ; while their guest as announced
would alter his resolution, and continue with them as a monk, to the end of
his days. '7 The prediction of our saint was fulfilled, in this instance, as . 'ii other cases.
One of Fintan's monks, named SinchelV^ had a father, who, with his fosterer,^9 lived a bad life, in the world. Sinchell asked permission from St. Fintan to visit them, that he might urge them to repentance. But, he laboured fruitlessly to persuade them, and then the monk returned to Fintan, with an announcement of his failure.
""
See Bishop Challenor's Britannia
Sancta," part i. , p. I2I.
r. eems to have been identical, in Colgan's opinion, with St. Lonan, mentioned in the 12th chapter of St. Finnian of Clonard's Life, and whose feast was kept on the 24th of October, according to our Martyrologists. See "Acta Sanctorum Hibernioe," xvii. Febniarii, n. 13, p. 354. For a notice of St. Lonan, there spoken of, the reader is referredtoSt. Finnian'sLife; but,hewill find that Colgan contradicts himself, in what he here asserts. That saint is Lonan, son to Senan, and whose feast is placed, at the
12th of November, according to our Ca- lendars.
's See Bishop Challoner's "Britannia
Sancta," part i. , pp. 121, 122.
'^ See " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- Colgan's
nise," xvii. Februarii. Vita S. Fintani,
cap. x. , xi. , p. 351.
'7 See Bishop Challenor's "Britannia
Sancta," part i. , p. 122.
'^ a the 20th of See noticeofthissaint,at
June, which is thought by Colgan probably to have been the day for his feast,
'9 This sort of alliance in Ireland was re garded as forming a kind of relationship.
'•^ " See Colgan's
Acta Sanctorum Hiber- niae," xvii. Februarii. Vita S. Fintani,
cap. ix,, pp. 350, 351.
'* The Martyrologies of Tallagh, of Ma-
rianus, of Maguire and of Donegal, mention several saints, having the name, Lonan. Thus, we find Lonan Fionn, at the 22nd of
January ; Lonan, son to Darius, at the 7th of February ; Lonan, at the 6th of June ; Lonan of Ard-Cruinn, at the nth of July ;
Lonan, son to Lonan, son to Lasre, at the 2nd or at the 20th of August ; Lonan, of
Cluain Tibrinne, at the 24th of October; Lonan, son to Talmuigh, at the 1st, and
Lonan of
vember. Colgan's enumeration of these saints, and of their festivals, is both imper- feet and inaccurate. The present Lonan must not be confounded with most of those,
as be may
Cill-Uailleach,
at the 12th of No-
to his
age. Nor, can he be considered the Lonan, who was a disciple of St. Patrick, and whose feast is celebrated, on the 12th of November, according to the foregoing authorities. He
seen, by referring
parent-
:
To-day,
The saint desired him to go back,
February 17. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 5^^
and to bring his friends with him. When they came, while St. Fintan and Sinchell sat in the middle, the father to this latter monk took his place on the left, and the fosterer on the right, side of our holy abbot. Finding them yet persevering in their evil ways, St. Fintan whispered his disciple, in a low voice, that as they were then placed—one on the right and the other on the
left hand—so should it be with them, on the day of judgment. The
saint declared, that Sinchell's father should die impenitent, and that his substance
must be divided between rulers and princes, who should care little about his
and divide his substance among the poor and God's servants thus, departing in peace, this latter should stand, at the right hand of Christ's judgment seat. =° Certain monks of Clonenagh, filled with an eagerness for travel, wished to leave their native country. Without obtaining permission from their abbot, however,
=^^
in the northern pro- vince,thatthencetheymightpassoverintoBritain. ^^ Sometimeafterwards, one of his brethren came to Fintan, telHng him, that he had heard, those absent monks were sojourning with their friends. St. Fintan declared, with a smile, that he had been misinformed ; for, on that day, those brethren, who had left for God's sake were on their way to a British port. One of his monks, whose brother had absconded, approaching the abbot, with tears,
besought in God's name to be allowed to leave Clonenagh Monastery, in
soul
; while,
the
his —should fosterer, seeing unhappy death, repent
they left his monastery, and went to that of Bangor,
This monk declared, that he felt inconsol-
feet, for he found no comfort while he was absent from us. " These various
predictions were fulfilled, in such a manner, that it was quite evident a pro- phetic spirit illuminated the soul of Fintan, so as to enable him to declare with great certainty all future events. ^3
On another occasion, St. Fintan and St. Canice were together in Clone-
naghMonastery. Onasudden,theyheardshoutsoftriumphraisedbysome
soldiers, who had obtained a victory over their enemies. St. Fintan said to
his " In this I hear the voice of an innocent lamb for, companion, clamour, ;
one among them, named Kieran,^^ son to Tulchan, shall become a monk in
order to accompany his brother.
Our saint
because your brother will return to this place to-day, and you shall wash his
able,
after his brother's
departure.
replied,
" Be consoled, son, my
=° The author of St. Fintan's Life adds
:
"Quodestinfutui'onon dubitamus, videntes praeterita completa secundum vaticinium viri
=3 See " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- Colgan's
nise," xvii. Februarii. Vita S. Fintani,
probable, in Colgan's opinion, that the pre- sent St. Kieran was a brother to one or both these saints, by the same father. St. ^ngus the Culdee, in his "Opuscula," lib. i. , cap. 2, enumerates the sons of Tulchan among many saints, who were brothers or
Colgan's
" Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
cap. xii. , xiii. , xiv. , xvi,, p. 351.
^^ Jn Adamnan's "Vita S- Columbas,"
Dei. "—
niae," xvii. Februarii. Vita S. Fintani, lib. iii. , cap, 23, mention is made of St. cap. xiii. , p. 351. And at n. 15, p. 354, Lugid, son to Tulchan, and of St. Fintan,
Colgan infers from this passage, that the
author of our saint's Life must have lived
at a time, when those things occurred ; as,
he says, that he had seen a part of the pro-
phecy of St. Fintan fulfilled : viz. , either
the father of Sinchell dying unhappy, or
the fosterer doing penance—although he
could not know what took place in the
other Hfe. The word "videntes," how- sons of the same parent. It is probable, ever, appears to have been used in this pas-
sage, to express "knowing," or " believ- ing ;" yet, I would not undertake to decide
postively, that Colgan's meaning is not more
correct. If so, a very remote antiquity must
be accorded to this Life.
^^
This must have occurred, after St. Comgall had there founded his monastery.
" Probably, St. Columkille had been re- sident there, at that time.
says Colgan, that the feast of this present St. Kieran had been celebrated on the 5th
son to Tulchan, at lib. i. , cap. 2. See Dr. Reeves' edition. It is not certain, but rather
of January, or on the 19th of May, as may be seen, by referring to the Martyrology of Tallagh, the Scholiast on St. ^ngus, and Marianus O'Gorman. \^2ngus in his "Book
of Homonymi," lib. i. , cap. 5» mentions a St. Kieran of Cluain-edhnach. Circum- stances of place and of time exclude saints bearing the same name, and venerated on
586 LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [February17.
this place, and after a life of perfection he shall die. " The soldiers brought away the heads of their enemies, as a trophy of victory, and deposited them
nearClonenaghMonastery,whentheyapproached. Takingtheseghastly remains,themonksburiedthemwithintheprecinctsoftheircemetery. One of the brothers asked Saints Fintan and Canice, what this availed those corpses, whose heads were buried there. He received for reply: "We believe and trust in the Lord, that owing to the merits and virtue of all the saints in this place, who shall be buried here, and who living, shall also pray for the souls of those who may be here buried, that these men shall not be condemnedonthedayofjudgment; for,themoredignifiedpartsoftheir bodies lie deposited with us, and therefore do we hope clemency for their souls. " Afterwards, Kieran, seeking admission to Clonenagh Monastery, was received ; and, as St. Fintan predicted, he happily departed this life. ^5 Meantime, subjects presented themselves, from different provinces in Ireland, to embrace the rules of St. Fintan.
