" In a description, given by John O'Dono- van, an interesting account of this parish will be found, in " Letters containing Infor- mation
relative
to the Antiquities of the
County of Tipperary, collected during the
Geoffrey Keating's Ireland," book i.
County of Tipperary, collected during the
Geoffrey Keating's Ireland," book i.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v3
113.
Colgan's
Trias Thaumaturga," Septima Vita S. Patricii, pars, ii. , cap. ix. , p. 130. Now, Mr. Hogan contends, that under any of the preceding forms, the River Nore, anciently called, Eoir. Eoire, Eoir, Heoir and Feoir, must be understood. See "St. Ciaran, Patron of Ossory," part ii. , chap, ix. , pp. 98, 99.
The Tripartite Life of St. Patrick has the
injunction, that St. Ciaran should build his
monastery near the River Huar. See Col-
"
'S To our mind, this seems to indicate the
site of Saighir Ciaran, and nearly all writers
on the subject agree in giving the prophecy
such
interpretation.
March 5. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 125
he went first to his native place ; and, in point of fact, an ancient tradition prevails, that the Corca Laidhe first ot all other people were believers in Ire- land. Most hkely, St. Ciaran first landed there, and if so, he undoubtedly began, at once, to open his mission. There, too, it is stated, that the chief
or the inhabitants first granted him the site, on which afterwards stood the "
church known as Cill-Chiarain, or St. Ciaran's church," near Fintract-
Clere,'7 now Traigh-Chiarain, on Cape Clear Island. Here, too, it seems probable, his mother's first cousin, Eiderscel,'^ on her father's side, became a
convert, and in consequence, as a reward for his faith, Ciaran predicted for his progeny, reign and chieftainship over their race, while he left to the king of Corca-Laidhe the eniclann of a provincial king. '9 The ruined church of
Temple or Kill-Chiaran, stands, on the north-west point of Cape Clear
Templekieran. One John Gauley,''' in 1845, carefully examined about this old ruin, and he could find no trace of any other old parish church. There was a stone, of which he presented a handsome pen and ink sketch. It was
"
called, Gallaun-Kieran, which signifies,
was of a circular form, tapering towards the top, and it stood on the sea- shore. It measured lour feet nine inches in height, by six feet in circum-
called
Clear stated, that there never was an old parish church on the island, except
Island,
over the
cove,
Traigh-Chiarain.
Cape
ference ^ nearthe f while,
sunkinthe andsaidto stone,
thereisa
have been cut, by St. Kieran's own hands. There was formerly a cross on
the western side, and on its top. These could hardly be traced in 1845,
being much defaced through the effects of time. =^3 Whether or not, St.
Ciaran remained long among the Corca Laidhe can hardly be known ; but,
Mr. Hogan seems to bring him directly to the Nore, after he landed in Ire-
land, and to the present site of Kilkenny City. ^* To those who have visited
top,
cross,
the lovely valley of ihe Nore, and the territory lying between the Suir and the
Barrow—the accredited scene ot Ciaran's apostolic labours—the topography
of that territory is graphically sketched and historically illustrated by the author, and it forms one of the most attractive features ot his work. ^s In the
ancient territory of Ossory, it is supposed, the missionary met his own people,
and planted his cross, in view of the Ard-Righ's mansion, which occupied the site of the present magnificent casde in Kilkenny. ^^ Here he collected a
" See tlie First Life, as published by Col-
gan, chap. v.
'7 In English "the fair," or "white
strand of Cape Clear Island. "
'*
in Comillane townland, in Clear Island, there is a remarkable group of Gallauns, two of which are standing, and one is lying, on the ground, a fence crossing it. There is a hole, about eight inches in diameter, on the top, getting narrow, as it goes inward,
Not from him, but from his twelfth
descendant, Eiderscel. son ot Finn, the Ui-
Eidersceol, or O'Driscolls took their here- perforated through one of them. It has ditary surnames.
'' See 5eitieAiA6 Co]\CA t. Ai'oe, in " Mis- cellany of the Celtic Society," and nn. (c. f. g), pp. 20 to 23.
""^ See Charles Smith's " Natural and Civil History of the County of Cork," book ii. , chap. iv.
*' To certain queries, addressed to this locality, by Lieutenant Leach, R. E. , we have
the substance of what is related
" We must suppose, at the base.
'3 Being questioned, if St. Cieran's cross were one separate from the Gallaunkieran, Mr. Gauley replies, that " there is no other objest in the island with a cross cut on it save this. " The same writer tells us. that
evidently been made by art, at a remote period. The inhabitants call these stones Gallauns, but nothing more could be learned regardmg them. A handsome pen and ink sketch of them accompanies this account. There are burial grounds, in Clear Island, called Keels, by the inhabitants. Those burial places can hardly be distinguished from surrounding fields. See, pp. 440 to
here, turned by John Gauley, in the May of 1845.
445,
the Royal Irish Academy.
as re-
of the •' Cork Memorandums," now in
^° The inhabitants of
St. Kieran's standing-sione. " It
=* It is marked on the " Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the County of Kil- kenny," Sheet 19.
"^ See " St. Ciaran, Patron of Ossory,"
part ii. , chap, i. , ii. , iii. , iv. , pp. 42 to 65. '° For a charming engraved illustration,
126 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 5.
band of disciples,, established his first Irish monastery, chaimted his psalms, practised the rule of Lerins, confronted the Druids and their pagan followers, and succeeded in establishing the nucleus of a religious community. Here,
was erected one of the earliest Christian churches, in Ireland. His well
too,
isalsoknown,anditindicatedthesiteofhisoldchurch therepresentative
of which stood to the end of the last century—inside of the present public market, as you enter it from King-street, on the west bank of the River Nora. St. Ciaran's well is still flowing, outside of the market wall, in the adjoining yard,andtothesouth. Here,itissaid,heestablishedaseminary,andfrom the alumni of this primitive school issued eloquent preachers and distin- guished bishops, the first evangelizers of Ossory. ^? For such a conclusion, however, no sufficient evidence is adduced. The saints of his family and school are renowned, notwithstanding, in our Calendars and History. ^^
Mr. Hogan disposes of all that Dr. Todd had urged against the Roman
mission of Saint Patrick,'9 and, he maintains, that Ciaran had a pre-Patrician mission. This latter conclusion seems the most difficult to establish, beyond question ,^° however, traditional and recorded statements have very generally prevailed, in leading to such an inference. The oldest and most intelligent inhabitants of Northern Ossory, as the result of enquiries elicited, appear to hold, and with remarkable unanimity, an old tradition, affirming the pre-Patri- cian mission of St, Kieran. In fact, as we are told, they would not be at all
pleased to have any doubts cast on its authenticity. 3'
CHAPTER III.
FORMER EXTENT OF OSSORY—ACCOUNT OF ST. KIERAN's FIRST MISSION THERE—ST. KIERAN's holy well in TUBBRID—HIS FOUNDATION OF SAIGIR, AND ITS POSITION —HIS MIRACLES.
The name and fame of the founder, ^ngus Osraidhe, gave an early prestige to this ancient territory. He was a renowned warrior. Originally, Ossory included the district of Magh Feimhin, which he had subdued ; and then, it is stated, that from the River Suir to the Barrow, and from the mountains of Slieve Bloom to the meeting of the three waters, in the harbour of Waterford, its boundaries extended. ' But, during the reign of Cormac Mac Art,'' the Desii drove the conqueror from Magh Feimhin, and at Bailie Urluidhe, as
and a letter-press description, the reader is St. Evan. " \. \q then refers to the " Lectures "
referred to W. B. Bartlett's Scenery and on the Manuscript Materials of Ancient
Antiquitiesof Ireland, "vol. i. , pp. 151 to 153. '^^ See John Hogan's "St. Ciaran, Patron
of Ossory," part ii. , chap, ix. , pp. 99, 100.
Irish History,'' and we presume to lect. xvi. , where Mr. O'Curry treats on this sub- ject ; but, where he shows—that if, as Col- gan supposes, St. Eimhin were the author^— interpolations afterwards crept into the tract, as published.
3' See an interesting Paper, read before the Ossory Archaeological Society, and in- tituled, "Vindication of the Claim of St.
^'^ See ibid. , chap. x. , pp. 101 to 114. "
"9 See St. Patrick, Apostle of Ireland," chap. i.
3° Mr. Plogan, in the Review, writes "The earliest known reference to the 'pre-
'
mission of Ciaran is that found in
Patrician ''"
end of the sixth
was compiled probably as early as A. D. 580. Dr. Lanigan, generally over-sceptical, ob- jects to so early a date ; but the late
Wednesday, 31st, 1877.
century,
:
the Tripartite Life of St. Patrick. This Kieran, of Saigher, to the title of Primo-
venerable memoir ot our Apostle is attri- buted to St. Evan, who died towards the
Professor who had
O'Curry, Lanigan'sobjec-
tions on the point before him, unhesitatingly ''
assigns the authorship of the Tripartite to
genitus Sanctorum Hibernia;. " By the Rev. N. Murphy. Published in the Kilkenny yoiinial, of — October
so that the memoir
—
Chapter hi.
" Leabhar na g-Ceart, or Book of Rights," n. (a), pp. 17, 18.
^ He from A. D. reigned
227,
to A. D.
266,
'See Dr. O'Donovan's
according to the Chronology of the Four Masters.
March 5. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 127
also at Mulloch Aindeonach, he seems to have suffered signal defeats. 3 Gradually, the Ossorians were driven eastwards and northwards ; but, the traditions and records of this period are very obscure, and rather difficult to be reconciled. It is thought, by Mr. Hogan, that when St. Ciaran first began his missionary career in Ossory, its boundaries extended into the county of Tipperary ; and, if so, perhaps, this will afford some clue to the memorials of religion, connected with his name in this part of the country. There is suffi- cient evidence to show, in the opinion of a distinguished authority, that since the introduction of Christianity, the limits of its territory, never extended be- yond the present diocese of Ossory. s
We find it incorrectly stated, that Tubbrid,^ in the county of Tipperary, and the parish to which Dr. Jeoffry Keating had been so long attached, contains a holy well, dedicated to St. Kieran Clearagh,? one of the four bishops, said to have came from Rome to Ireland, before the illustrious St. Patrick's advent. This holy well springs out of a rock, in perpetual abundance ; and, it flows from a hill, on which the Irish historian used to walk, during the days of his
pastoral care. It is popularly said, from it, Dr. Keating^ often viewed the charming scenery of mountain and valley, while therefrom, he was enabled to catch a distant glimpse of persecutors approaching, and so was he enabled to fly for concealment to the woods of Rehill. 9 The old cemetery and chapel of Tubbrid are of special interest to the Irish tourist, as within both repose
Dr. Keating's remains, with a slab inscription, commemorating the circum- stance, over the front entrance of the sacellum. ^° Tubbrid chapel is only 27 feet 4 inches in length, by 18 feet 7 inches in breadth, on the inside :" the side walls are 3 feet in thickness, and, in 1840, about 8 feet in height. The
" a well
guishing epithet, which has long been forgotten. "
name, Tubbrid, signifies
it had some distin-
3SeeDr.
;"
" of History
originally
Not many miles removed
contains a of Dr. Keat« copy
£nglish, by
^ This townland extends through the
parishes of Tubbrid and Shanrahan, and it is marked on the " Ordnance Survey Town-
land Maps for the County of Tipperary," Sheets 80, 81, 86, 87.
'° On a over the and about Tablet, door,
l foot 7)^ inches in width, by 2 feet 3 inches in height, there is an inscription, commemo-
rating P. Eugenius Uuhy and D. Doct. Galf. Keating, founders of this chapel, with the date 1644. An elegant pen and ink drawing of the Tablet is given, in the Tip- perary Letters," O. S. , vol. i. , and this was taken in 1840.
" The accompanying engraving of Tub- brid chapel is by George A. Hanlon, and copied, by the writer, from George V. Du Noyer's sketch. No. 189, of "Tipperary Sketches," vol. iv. , for the Irish Ordnance Survey, and now preserved in the Royal Irish Academy. William F. Wakeman drew it on the wood.
" In a description, given by John O'Dono- van, an interesting account of this parish will be found, in " Letters containing Infor- mation relative to the Antiquities of the
County of Tipperary, collected during the
Geoffrey Keating's Ireland," book i. , pp. 275, 276.
the R. I.
"
* See " St. Ciaran, Patron of Ossory," part ii. , chap, xi. , pp. 115 to 123, where an attempt is made to explain this subject.
O'Dubhagain and Gilla na Noamh O'Huidh-
rin," edited by J ohn O'Donovan, LL. D. , p.
Iviii. , n. 482.
ing's
by Andrew MacCurtin, A. D. 1703. Several editions of this popular History have issued from the press, and iheoriginal Irish has been translated into different editors.
s See the " Poems of Topographical John
*
In the barony of Iffa and OfTa West, it is "
described, on the Ordnance Survey Town-
land for the of
Maps County Tipperary,"
Sheets 74, 80, 81, 82, 87, 88. The town- land proper is to be found on Sheets 81, 87.
1 Kiaran Clearagh has been rendered, by Maurice Lenihan, Esq. , "Kiaran of the County Clare. " I should rather think, as
" referring to this saint, it must be Kiaran
of Clear Island," or of " Cape Clear. " Yet,
the real Patron, Ciaran, was venerated, on
the loth of November.
*
The "History of Ireland," by Dr. Jeoffrey Keating, contains much information relative to Irish saints, and various Irish copies of it in MSS. are yet found. Among these, in the Royal Irish Academy's collec- tion, may be noticed, Messrs. Hodges and
Smith's folio paper MSS. Nos. 48, 49, 50, 62, 63, 122, 123, 173, 174, are different
copiesofKeating's"Historyof Ireland. " Be- sides these, there is a small 4to paper MS.
jNo. 94), containing an imperfect copy of it. Again, the 410 paper MS. , No. 124, in
evidently
A. ,
History of Ireland," written in Irish,
128 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS:
[March 5.
are the ruins of Shanrahan'3 church—also celebrated as containing within the adjacent burial grounds the grave of the iniquitously executed Father
NicholasSheehy/^theformerparish-priest. 's Thesquarebelfryofafifteenth century church yet stands, and it is built of red sandstone. About it are said to be the ruins of a much more ancient church and abbey, the founder of which is believed, by some, to have been St. Kieran Cleragh, but rather is he to be regarded as a Ciaran, whose feast occurs on the loth of November. The chancel arch remains, and inside is a venerable yew-tree of rich foliage, with masses of clustering ivy around the ruins/^
Tubbrid Old Chapel, County of Tipperary.
According to the legend of his Life, after our St. Kieran arrived in Ireland, the Lord directed his course to the fountain of Fuaran. '7 Now, this is generally thought to have been identical with a stream,*^ which passes near the present Seirkyran'9 or St. Kieran, which was formerly known as Saighir,^'" and some-
Progress of the (. Ordnance Survey in 1840," vol. i. , pp. 40to44-
'3
Shanralian signifies
fort," according to John O'Donovan, who describes this parish and its antiquities. See ibid. , pp. 44 to 46. The extent of this large parish, in the barony of Iffa and Offa West,
be seen on the ' ' Ordnance
may Survey
dicator of April 25th, 1871, written by Maurice Lenihan, Esq. , M. R. I. A.
'7 Its is thus "Huaran meaning stated :
enim sive Fueran sonat quod fons vivus sive viva vel frigida aqua e terra scaturiens. " In St. Kieran's First Life, this fountain is called Fueran; in St. Patrick's Tripartite Life, it is called Huar. See " Acta
"
Sanctorum Hiberniae, cap. v. , vi. , p. 458,
"the little old
Townland Maps for the County of Tippe-
rary," Sheets 74. 80, 81, 86, 87, 89, 90. and Trias Thaumaturga," pars, ii. , cap.
The townland proper is shown on Sheets
87, 90.
'< The complete account of this infamous
proceeding will be found, in the admirable work of Dr. Richard R. Madden, "The United Irishmen, their Lives and Times," First Series. Second edition, chap, ii. , pp. 21 to 89.
'5 The inscription on a slab over the grave dare only state "He died March iSTH, 1766, Aged 38 years. "
'* The foregoing particulars have been ex- tracted from an inleresiing contribution to
"
ix. , p. 130.
The Liineiick Reporter and Tipperary VtH'
King's County," Sheets 35. 36, 38, 39, 43.
The village and surrounding antiquities are defined on Sheet 39. Ibid.
'° In the gloss on the Festilogium of vEngus, (5 th of March), the name is written
Sai$ua|\, and explained as nomen Jontis^
'*
It has no name, however, on the Ord* nance Survey Maps, but it joins the Little Brosna River, near Killyon, and its source is traceable, from the western slope of the Slieve Bloom Mountains.
"
'9 Its parochial bounds are marked on the
Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the
Colgan's
March 5. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. T29
times called, from its founder, Saighir-Chiarain. It is a small village, at present, situated in the barony of Ballybritt, King's County, not far from the north-western extremity of the Slieve Bloom mountains. '^ It gives name to
a parish, which, although insulated by the diocese of Killaloe, is under the jurisdiction of the Ossorian bishops ; thus, affording an extremely interesting
landmark, indicating the sway borne in ancient times by the kings of Ossory, over the territory of Eile O'Carroll. In the first Life of Kieran,^^ the geo-
graphical position of Saighir^3 is most accurately marked : it is described as lying within the district of Eile, in the very centre of Ireland, on the confines of its ancient northern and southern divisions, Leath-Chuinn and Leath- Mogha,intheregionofMunster. ^^ AlloverIreland,atthistime,paganism was prevalent ; indeed, we can trace the existence of the pagan priesthood there, at a much later period.
Bell Hill, opposite the present church of Seir Kieran, to the north, is said
to have been the hill on which St. Kieran's bell miraculously rang, thus
pointing out to him where the fountain was to be found, at which St. Patrick
told him to erect his church. ^s It appears to be that stream, which takes its
rise on the western slope of the Slieve Bloom mountains, and which flows
into the Little Brosna River, before it arrives at Birr. ^^ It is said, St. Ciaran's
bell rang, according to the prediction of St. Patrick, when he arrived at that
fountain. According to St. Kieran's First Life, that bell obtained the desig-
nation of Bardan Kieran,^? or as Colgan suggests an emendation, Bodhran,
which " the mute. " ^^ It was afterwards held in signifies,
great honour,^9
"the name of a well," and there can be and, "it is not very differen—t from the one ""
little doubt that such was the true and preserved by oral tradition. Letters con- ancient orthography, SA15 being the proper taining Information relative to the Antiqui- name, and iia]\, in Latin, gelidus, "cool," ties of the King's County, collected during
the descriptive epithet. The " Leabliar Breac" contains that injunction, given by Patrick to Kieran, when on his way to Rome. The Apostle of Ireland met the latter returning home to his native country.
the Progress of the Ordnance Survey in 1837-8," vol. ii. , pp. 98, 99. Mr. O'Dono-
van's Letter, dated Birr, February 3i-d, 1838. Mr. O'Donovanafterwardsgivesthe
account, as found in the pages of Colgan.
wholesome and unsightly edifice.
^* The parish of Birr, in the barony of "
The runs as follows English
" the Saig,
Rev. PP. of J. Purcell,
cold (refreshing) Erect a city on its brink. At the end of thirty revolving years, There
"
shall I and thou meet.
" These were called in Irish, Sliabh
Bladhma.
*^ This peculiarity of description furnishes
:
Seirkyran, having secured for this parish the historic ground of Bell-hill, hopes to be able to erect on its summit a church, more worthy of the founder of the diocese, than the present un-
Ballybritt, is defined on the Ordnance =^3 John O'Donovan thinks Saiji^x means Survey Townland Maps for the King's
a strong proof of its antiquity.
"
SAI5 UA^ CiiiiroAig cACAii\ |:oi\Ab]ui.
There is a bush on the top of this hill,
" thefountain:" ifnot appi-oach
Sheets The town itself 35, 36, 38.
SA15 tiA)\,
SAige (Suroe) uai^a,
tain. " See " Letters containing Information relative to the Antiquities of the King's
County,"
'5 Thus do we find it recorded — :
History of the Town of Birr," &c. , chap, x,, p. 168.
*7 This bell is said by some, to have been
made for St. Germanus, the bishop, and master of St. Patrick.
" the seat of the foun-
is marked on Sheet A well con- 35. writer,
County, collected during the Progress of the Ordnance Survey in 1837-8," vol. ii. , p. loi. ** Thus run words in the First Life : " Vade ad Hiberniam ante me, et adi fon- tem in medio Hibernise in confinio Austra-
lium et Aquilonalium Hiberuiensium, qui Yocatur Fuaran," &c.
versant with the locality, tells us, that "a small stream, even yet called Fuaran, still purls away on the east side of the ruins at Seir
which is believed to have
the time of St. Kieran. The legend about the bell is told by the author of the Life of St. Kieran, as published by Colgan, thus ;
vegetated
since
—Thomas Lalor Cooke's
'' Kyran. " Early
^^
until it sounded on the spot destined for St.
Kieran's foundation. The destiny of Sai-
gher, and the meeting of St. Patrick and St.
Kieran, are well told, in the following beau-
tifiil " have verses,by Enigenensis. " They
been transmitted to the writer, and included,
in the published tract " The Feast of St. Kieran at Saigher. " Panegyric sermon by
Because as suggested, it continued so,
:
I30 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 5.
throughout the city and province of Kieran. 3° Even to the present day, tradition preserves a recollection of these circumstances, as connected with our saint. The place which Kieran had chosen for his dwelling was un- tenanted, save by wild beasts. From his disciples, we are told, he removed intoadesert,thicklycoveredwithwoods. Here,havingconstructedarude and humble habitation, the walls being of wicker-work, and the roof of dried grass,3^ Kiaran lived the life of a hermit, until such time as he could under- take the erection of a monastery. 3^ In this place, a city afterwards grew up, which went by the name of Saigir. 33
Deterred by the many difficulties which beset the advocacy of an earlier
date. Dr. Lanigan has fixed on the latter end of the fifth century, as the more
probable era for the foundation of Saigir. 34 But, thus, totally to reject all testimony, in favour of the earlier epoch, does not seem to be in accordance with the rules of sound criticism, much as it may tend to smooth the path of the historian. 35
Rev. N. Murphy, C. C. The composition in
"
St. Kiaran's Bell," and it is well worth insertion here, as a pleasing
Irish poetic tradition.
A hawthorn stands on yonder hill, Bare, desolate, and lone—
A token frail, but faithful still, Of centuries long flown.
The startled ear, at even-time, When weird-winds wander free,
May hear the ghostly Mass-bell chime Beneath that hoary tree.
And still, aroimd the peasant's hearth, The legend strange is told,
How, never touched by hands of earth. Rang out that Bell of old.
They tell how sainted Patrick's hand OnKTieran'sheadwaslaid,
While thus he spoke in a stem command
Like seraph-songs the sainted hear, Rang out the unseen Bell !
question is called
"
Ne're shall thy step be stayed,
3'
Antiquities of the Cathedral Church of St. Canice, Kilkenny. " By the Rev. James Graves, A. B. , and John G. A. Prim, sect, i. , chap, i. , pp. 2 to 5.
" Till sweet as song by seraphs sung, Which saints alone may hear,
A chime by hands unseen be rung. To charm thy mortal ear.
"There churches seven thou shalt build ;
3* " Archdall (at Seirkeran), after saying that Kieran founded this abbey in 402, adds, that the monastery was founded in succeed- ing ages. For this nonse—nse he refers to
But
Theirtrampleddust andseefulfill'd.
shall— ages yet see.
For age this prophecy.
" When strewn the Temples thou shalt raise,
A tree, sown by thy hand,
Shall live and preach to distant days,
God's blessings on the land. "
He wandered
That ancient pilgrim Saint
3< See Todd's "Church of St.
and wand—ered forth, far,
Patrick,"
Nor flood nor foe his path could bar, Till way-worn here and faint.
P- IS-
3= See "The Histoiy, Architecture and
Antiquities of the Cathedral Church of St. Canice, Kilkenny. " By Rev. James Graves,
He paused—when, hark
With joy no tongue can tell,
his
and G. A. A.
Trias Thaumaturga," Septima Vita S. Patricii, pars, ii. , cap. ix. , p. 130. Now, Mr. Hogan contends, that under any of the preceding forms, the River Nore, anciently called, Eoir. Eoire, Eoir, Heoir and Feoir, must be understood. See "St. Ciaran, Patron of Ossory," part ii. , chap, ix. , pp. 98, 99.
The Tripartite Life of St. Patrick has the
injunction, that St. Ciaran should build his
monastery near the River Huar. See Col-
"
'S To our mind, this seems to indicate the
site of Saighir Ciaran, and nearly all writers
on the subject agree in giving the prophecy
such
interpretation.
March 5. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 125
he went first to his native place ; and, in point of fact, an ancient tradition prevails, that the Corca Laidhe first ot all other people were believers in Ire- land. Most hkely, St. Ciaran first landed there, and if so, he undoubtedly began, at once, to open his mission. There, too, it is stated, that the chief
or the inhabitants first granted him the site, on which afterwards stood the "
church known as Cill-Chiarain, or St. Ciaran's church," near Fintract-
Clere,'7 now Traigh-Chiarain, on Cape Clear Island. Here, too, it seems probable, his mother's first cousin, Eiderscel,'^ on her father's side, became a
convert, and in consequence, as a reward for his faith, Ciaran predicted for his progeny, reign and chieftainship over their race, while he left to the king of Corca-Laidhe the eniclann of a provincial king. '9 The ruined church of
Temple or Kill-Chiaran, stands, on the north-west point of Cape Clear
Templekieran. One John Gauley,''' in 1845, carefully examined about this old ruin, and he could find no trace of any other old parish church. There was a stone, of which he presented a handsome pen and ink sketch. It was
"
called, Gallaun-Kieran, which signifies,
was of a circular form, tapering towards the top, and it stood on the sea- shore. It measured lour feet nine inches in height, by six feet in circum-
called
Clear stated, that there never was an old parish church on the island, except
Island,
over the
cove,
Traigh-Chiarain.
Cape
ference ^ nearthe f while,
sunkinthe andsaidto stone,
thereisa
have been cut, by St. Kieran's own hands. There was formerly a cross on
the western side, and on its top. These could hardly be traced in 1845,
being much defaced through the effects of time. =^3 Whether or not, St.
Ciaran remained long among the Corca Laidhe can hardly be known ; but,
Mr. Hogan seems to bring him directly to the Nore, after he landed in Ire-
land, and to the present site of Kilkenny City. ^* To those who have visited
top,
cross,
the lovely valley of ihe Nore, and the territory lying between the Suir and the
Barrow—the accredited scene ot Ciaran's apostolic labours—the topography
of that territory is graphically sketched and historically illustrated by the author, and it forms one of the most attractive features ot his work. ^s In the
ancient territory of Ossory, it is supposed, the missionary met his own people,
and planted his cross, in view of the Ard-Righ's mansion, which occupied the site of the present magnificent casde in Kilkenny. ^^ Here he collected a
" See tlie First Life, as published by Col-
gan, chap. v.
'7 In English "the fair," or "white
strand of Cape Clear Island. "
'*
in Comillane townland, in Clear Island, there is a remarkable group of Gallauns, two of which are standing, and one is lying, on the ground, a fence crossing it. There is a hole, about eight inches in diameter, on the top, getting narrow, as it goes inward,
Not from him, but from his twelfth
descendant, Eiderscel. son ot Finn, the Ui-
Eidersceol, or O'Driscolls took their here- perforated through one of them. It has ditary surnames.
'' See 5eitieAiA6 Co]\CA t. Ai'oe, in " Mis- cellany of the Celtic Society," and nn. (c. f. g), pp. 20 to 23.
""^ See Charles Smith's " Natural and Civil History of the County of Cork," book ii. , chap. iv.
*' To certain queries, addressed to this locality, by Lieutenant Leach, R. E. , we have
the substance of what is related
" We must suppose, at the base.
'3 Being questioned, if St. Cieran's cross were one separate from the Gallaunkieran, Mr. Gauley replies, that " there is no other objest in the island with a cross cut on it save this. " The same writer tells us. that
evidently been made by art, at a remote period. The inhabitants call these stones Gallauns, but nothing more could be learned regardmg them. A handsome pen and ink sketch of them accompanies this account. There are burial grounds, in Clear Island, called Keels, by the inhabitants. Those burial places can hardly be distinguished from surrounding fields. See, pp. 440 to
here, turned by John Gauley, in the May of 1845.
445,
the Royal Irish Academy.
as re-
of the •' Cork Memorandums," now in
^° The inhabitants of
St. Kieran's standing-sione. " It
=* It is marked on the " Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the County of Kil- kenny," Sheet 19.
"^ See " St. Ciaran, Patron of Ossory,"
part ii. , chap, i. , ii. , iii. , iv. , pp. 42 to 65. '° For a charming engraved illustration,
126 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 5.
band of disciples,, established his first Irish monastery, chaimted his psalms, practised the rule of Lerins, confronted the Druids and their pagan followers, and succeeded in establishing the nucleus of a religious community. Here,
was erected one of the earliest Christian churches, in Ireland. His well
too,
isalsoknown,anditindicatedthesiteofhisoldchurch therepresentative
of which stood to the end of the last century—inside of the present public market, as you enter it from King-street, on the west bank of the River Nora. St. Ciaran's well is still flowing, outside of the market wall, in the adjoining yard,andtothesouth. Here,itissaid,heestablishedaseminary,andfrom the alumni of this primitive school issued eloquent preachers and distin- guished bishops, the first evangelizers of Ossory. ^? For such a conclusion, however, no sufficient evidence is adduced. The saints of his family and school are renowned, notwithstanding, in our Calendars and History. ^^
Mr. Hogan disposes of all that Dr. Todd had urged against the Roman
mission of Saint Patrick,'9 and, he maintains, that Ciaran had a pre-Patrician mission. This latter conclusion seems the most difficult to establish, beyond question ,^° however, traditional and recorded statements have very generally prevailed, in leading to such an inference. The oldest and most intelligent inhabitants of Northern Ossory, as the result of enquiries elicited, appear to hold, and with remarkable unanimity, an old tradition, affirming the pre-Patri- cian mission of St, Kieran. In fact, as we are told, they would not be at all
pleased to have any doubts cast on its authenticity. 3'
CHAPTER III.
FORMER EXTENT OF OSSORY—ACCOUNT OF ST. KIERAN's FIRST MISSION THERE—ST. KIERAN's holy well in TUBBRID—HIS FOUNDATION OF SAIGIR, AND ITS POSITION —HIS MIRACLES.
The name and fame of the founder, ^ngus Osraidhe, gave an early prestige to this ancient territory. He was a renowned warrior. Originally, Ossory included the district of Magh Feimhin, which he had subdued ; and then, it is stated, that from the River Suir to the Barrow, and from the mountains of Slieve Bloom to the meeting of the three waters, in the harbour of Waterford, its boundaries extended. ' But, during the reign of Cormac Mac Art,'' the Desii drove the conqueror from Magh Feimhin, and at Bailie Urluidhe, as
and a letter-press description, the reader is St. Evan. " \. \q then refers to the " Lectures "
referred to W. B. Bartlett's Scenery and on the Manuscript Materials of Ancient
Antiquitiesof Ireland, "vol. i. , pp. 151 to 153. '^^ See John Hogan's "St. Ciaran, Patron
of Ossory," part ii. , chap, ix. , pp. 99, 100.
Irish History,'' and we presume to lect. xvi. , where Mr. O'Curry treats on this sub- ject ; but, where he shows—that if, as Col- gan supposes, St. Eimhin were the author^— interpolations afterwards crept into the tract, as published.
3' See an interesting Paper, read before the Ossory Archaeological Society, and in- tituled, "Vindication of the Claim of St.
^'^ See ibid. , chap. x. , pp. 101 to 114. "
"9 See St. Patrick, Apostle of Ireland," chap. i.
3° Mr. Plogan, in the Review, writes "The earliest known reference to the 'pre-
'
mission of Ciaran is that found in
Patrician ''"
end of the sixth
was compiled probably as early as A. D. 580. Dr. Lanigan, generally over-sceptical, ob- jects to so early a date ; but the late
Wednesday, 31st, 1877.
century,
:
the Tripartite Life of St. Patrick. This Kieran, of Saigher, to the title of Primo-
venerable memoir ot our Apostle is attri- buted to St. Evan, who died towards the
Professor who had
O'Curry, Lanigan'sobjec-
tions on the point before him, unhesitatingly ''
assigns the authorship of the Tripartite to
genitus Sanctorum Hibernia;. " By the Rev. N. Murphy. Published in the Kilkenny yoiinial, of — October
so that the memoir
—
Chapter hi.
" Leabhar na g-Ceart, or Book of Rights," n. (a), pp. 17, 18.
^ He from A. D. reigned
227,
to A. D.
266,
'See Dr. O'Donovan's
according to the Chronology of the Four Masters.
March 5. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 127
also at Mulloch Aindeonach, he seems to have suffered signal defeats. 3 Gradually, the Ossorians were driven eastwards and northwards ; but, the traditions and records of this period are very obscure, and rather difficult to be reconciled. It is thought, by Mr. Hogan, that when St. Ciaran first began his missionary career in Ossory, its boundaries extended into the county of Tipperary ; and, if so, perhaps, this will afford some clue to the memorials of religion, connected with his name in this part of the country. There is suffi- cient evidence to show, in the opinion of a distinguished authority, that since the introduction of Christianity, the limits of its territory, never extended be- yond the present diocese of Ossory. s
We find it incorrectly stated, that Tubbrid,^ in the county of Tipperary, and the parish to which Dr. Jeoffry Keating had been so long attached, contains a holy well, dedicated to St. Kieran Clearagh,? one of the four bishops, said to have came from Rome to Ireland, before the illustrious St. Patrick's advent. This holy well springs out of a rock, in perpetual abundance ; and, it flows from a hill, on which the Irish historian used to walk, during the days of his
pastoral care. It is popularly said, from it, Dr. Keating^ often viewed the charming scenery of mountain and valley, while therefrom, he was enabled to catch a distant glimpse of persecutors approaching, and so was he enabled to fly for concealment to the woods of Rehill. 9 The old cemetery and chapel of Tubbrid are of special interest to the Irish tourist, as within both repose
Dr. Keating's remains, with a slab inscription, commemorating the circum- stance, over the front entrance of the sacellum. ^° Tubbrid chapel is only 27 feet 4 inches in length, by 18 feet 7 inches in breadth, on the inside :" the side walls are 3 feet in thickness, and, in 1840, about 8 feet in height. The
" a well
guishing epithet, which has long been forgotten. "
name, Tubbrid, signifies
it had some distin-
3SeeDr.
;"
" of History
originally
Not many miles removed
contains a of Dr. Keat« copy
£nglish, by
^ This townland extends through the
parishes of Tubbrid and Shanrahan, and it is marked on the " Ordnance Survey Town-
land Maps for the County of Tipperary," Sheets 80, 81, 86, 87.
'° On a over the and about Tablet, door,
l foot 7)^ inches in width, by 2 feet 3 inches in height, there is an inscription, commemo-
rating P. Eugenius Uuhy and D. Doct. Galf. Keating, founders of this chapel, with the date 1644. An elegant pen and ink drawing of the Tablet is given, in the Tip- perary Letters," O. S. , vol. i. , and this was taken in 1840.
" The accompanying engraving of Tub- brid chapel is by George A. Hanlon, and copied, by the writer, from George V. Du Noyer's sketch. No. 189, of "Tipperary Sketches," vol. iv. , for the Irish Ordnance Survey, and now preserved in the Royal Irish Academy. William F. Wakeman drew it on the wood.
" In a description, given by John O'Dono- van, an interesting account of this parish will be found, in " Letters containing Infor- mation relative to the Antiquities of the
County of Tipperary, collected during the
Geoffrey Keating's Ireland," book i. , pp. 275, 276.
the R. I.
"
* See " St. Ciaran, Patron of Ossory," part ii. , chap, xi. , pp. 115 to 123, where an attempt is made to explain this subject.
O'Dubhagain and Gilla na Noamh O'Huidh-
rin," edited by J ohn O'Donovan, LL. D. , p.
Iviii. , n. 482.
ing's
by Andrew MacCurtin, A. D. 1703. Several editions of this popular History have issued from the press, and iheoriginal Irish has been translated into different editors.
s See the " Poems of Topographical John
*
In the barony of Iffa and OfTa West, it is "
described, on the Ordnance Survey Town-
land for the of
Maps County Tipperary,"
Sheets 74, 80, 81, 82, 87, 88. The town- land proper is to be found on Sheets 81, 87.
1 Kiaran Clearagh has been rendered, by Maurice Lenihan, Esq. , "Kiaran of the County Clare. " I should rather think, as
" referring to this saint, it must be Kiaran
of Clear Island," or of " Cape Clear. " Yet,
the real Patron, Ciaran, was venerated, on
the loth of November.
*
The "History of Ireland," by Dr. Jeoffrey Keating, contains much information relative to Irish saints, and various Irish copies of it in MSS. are yet found. Among these, in the Royal Irish Academy's collec- tion, may be noticed, Messrs. Hodges and
Smith's folio paper MSS. Nos. 48, 49, 50, 62, 63, 122, 123, 173, 174, are different
copiesofKeating's"Historyof Ireland. " Be- sides these, there is a small 4to paper MS.
jNo. 94), containing an imperfect copy of it. Again, the 410 paper MS. , No. 124, in
evidently
A. ,
History of Ireland," written in Irish,
128 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS:
[March 5.
are the ruins of Shanrahan'3 church—also celebrated as containing within the adjacent burial grounds the grave of the iniquitously executed Father
NicholasSheehy/^theformerparish-priest. 's Thesquarebelfryofafifteenth century church yet stands, and it is built of red sandstone. About it are said to be the ruins of a much more ancient church and abbey, the founder of which is believed, by some, to have been St. Kieran Cleragh, but rather is he to be regarded as a Ciaran, whose feast occurs on the loth of November. The chancel arch remains, and inside is a venerable yew-tree of rich foliage, with masses of clustering ivy around the ruins/^
Tubbrid Old Chapel, County of Tipperary.
According to the legend of his Life, after our St. Kieran arrived in Ireland, the Lord directed his course to the fountain of Fuaran. '7 Now, this is generally thought to have been identical with a stream,*^ which passes near the present Seirkyran'9 or St. Kieran, which was formerly known as Saighir,^'" and some-
Progress of the (. Ordnance Survey in 1840," vol. i. , pp. 40to44-
'3
Shanralian signifies
fort," according to John O'Donovan, who describes this parish and its antiquities. See ibid. , pp. 44 to 46. The extent of this large parish, in the barony of Iffa and Offa West,
be seen on the ' ' Ordnance
may Survey
dicator of April 25th, 1871, written by Maurice Lenihan, Esq. , M. R. I. A.
'7 Its is thus "Huaran meaning stated :
enim sive Fueran sonat quod fons vivus sive viva vel frigida aqua e terra scaturiens. " In St. Kieran's First Life, this fountain is called Fueran; in St. Patrick's Tripartite Life, it is called Huar. See " Acta
"
Sanctorum Hiberniae, cap. v. , vi. , p. 458,
"the little old
Townland Maps for the County of Tippe-
rary," Sheets 74. 80, 81, 86, 87, 89, 90. and Trias Thaumaturga," pars, ii. , cap.
The townland proper is shown on Sheets
87, 90.
'< The complete account of this infamous
proceeding will be found, in the admirable work of Dr. Richard R. Madden, "The United Irishmen, their Lives and Times," First Series. Second edition, chap, ii. , pp. 21 to 89.
'5 The inscription on a slab over the grave dare only state "He died March iSTH, 1766, Aged 38 years. "
'* The foregoing particulars have been ex- tracted from an inleresiing contribution to
"
ix. , p. 130.
The Liineiick Reporter and Tipperary VtH'
King's County," Sheets 35. 36, 38, 39, 43.
The village and surrounding antiquities are defined on Sheet 39. Ibid.
'° In the gloss on the Festilogium of vEngus, (5 th of March), the name is written
Sai$ua|\, and explained as nomen Jontis^
'*
It has no name, however, on the Ord* nance Survey Maps, but it joins the Little Brosna River, near Killyon, and its source is traceable, from the western slope of the Slieve Bloom Mountains.
"
'9 Its parochial bounds are marked on the
Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the
Colgan's
March 5. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. T29
times called, from its founder, Saighir-Chiarain. It is a small village, at present, situated in the barony of Ballybritt, King's County, not far from the north-western extremity of the Slieve Bloom mountains. '^ It gives name to
a parish, which, although insulated by the diocese of Killaloe, is under the jurisdiction of the Ossorian bishops ; thus, affording an extremely interesting
landmark, indicating the sway borne in ancient times by the kings of Ossory, over the territory of Eile O'Carroll. In the first Life of Kieran,^^ the geo-
graphical position of Saighir^3 is most accurately marked : it is described as lying within the district of Eile, in the very centre of Ireland, on the confines of its ancient northern and southern divisions, Leath-Chuinn and Leath- Mogha,intheregionofMunster. ^^ AlloverIreland,atthistime,paganism was prevalent ; indeed, we can trace the existence of the pagan priesthood there, at a much later period.
Bell Hill, opposite the present church of Seir Kieran, to the north, is said
to have been the hill on which St. Kieran's bell miraculously rang, thus
pointing out to him where the fountain was to be found, at which St. Patrick
told him to erect his church. ^s It appears to be that stream, which takes its
rise on the western slope of the Slieve Bloom mountains, and which flows
into the Little Brosna River, before it arrives at Birr. ^^ It is said, St. Ciaran's
bell rang, according to the prediction of St. Patrick, when he arrived at that
fountain. According to St. Kieran's First Life, that bell obtained the desig-
nation of Bardan Kieran,^? or as Colgan suggests an emendation, Bodhran,
which " the mute. " ^^ It was afterwards held in signifies,
great honour,^9
"the name of a well," and there can be and, "it is not very differen—t from the one ""
little doubt that such was the true and preserved by oral tradition. Letters con- ancient orthography, SA15 being the proper taining Information relative to the Antiqui- name, and iia]\, in Latin, gelidus, "cool," ties of the King's County, collected during
the descriptive epithet. The " Leabliar Breac" contains that injunction, given by Patrick to Kieran, when on his way to Rome. The Apostle of Ireland met the latter returning home to his native country.
the Progress of the Ordnance Survey in 1837-8," vol. ii. , pp. 98, 99. Mr. O'Dono-
van's Letter, dated Birr, February 3i-d, 1838. Mr. O'Donovanafterwardsgivesthe
account, as found in the pages of Colgan.
wholesome and unsightly edifice.
^* The parish of Birr, in the barony of "
The runs as follows English
" the Saig,
Rev. PP. of J. Purcell,
cold (refreshing) Erect a city on its brink. At the end of thirty revolving years, There
"
shall I and thou meet.
" These were called in Irish, Sliabh
Bladhma.
*^ This peculiarity of description furnishes
:
Seirkyran, having secured for this parish the historic ground of Bell-hill, hopes to be able to erect on its summit a church, more worthy of the founder of the diocese, than the present un-
Ballybritt, is defined on the Ordnance =^3 John O'Donovan thinks Saiji^x means Survey Townland Maps for the King's
a strong proof of its antiquity.
"
SAI5 UA^ CiiiiroAig cACAii\ |:oi\Ab]ui.
There is a bush on the top of this hill,
" thefountain:" ifnot appi-oach
Sheets The town itself 35, 36, 38.
SA15 tiA)\,
SAige (Suroe) uai^a,
tain. " See " Letters containing Information relative to the Antiquities of the King's
County,"
'5 Thus do we find it recorded — :
History of the Town of Birr," &c. , chap, x,, p. 168.
*7 This bell is said by some, to have been
made for St. Germanus, the bishop, and master of St. Patrick.
" the seat of the foun-
is marked on Sheet A well con- 35. writer,
County, collected during the Progress of the Ordnance Survey in 1837-8," vol. ii. , p. loi. ** Thus run words in the First Life : " Vade ad Hiberniam ante me, et adi fon- tem in medio Hibernise in confinio Austra-
lium et Aquilonalium Hiberuiensium, qui Yocatur Fuaran," &c.
versant with the locality, tells us, that "a small stream, even yet called Fuaran, still purls away on the east side of the ruins at Seir
which is believed to have
the time of St. Kieran. The legend about the bell is told by the author of the Life of St. Kieran, as published by Colgan, thus ;
vegetated
since
—Thomas Lalor Cooke's
'' Kyran. " Early
^^
until it sounded on the spot destined for St.
Kieran's foundation. The destiny of Sai-
gher, and the meeting of St. Patrick and St.
Kieran, are well told, in the following beau-
tifiil " have verses,by Enigenensis. " They
been transmitted to the writer, and included,
in the published tract " The Feast of St. Kieran at Saigher. " Panegyric sermon by
Because as suggested, it continued so,
:
I30 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 5.
throughout the city and province of Kieran. 3° Even to the present day, tradition preserves a recollection of these circumstances, as connected with our saint. The place which Kieran had chosen for his dwelling was un- tenanted, save by wild beasts. From his disciples, we are told, he removed intoadesert,thicklycoveredwithwoods. Here,havingconstructedarude and humble habitation, the walls being of wicker-work, and the roof of dried grass,3^ Kiaran lived the life of a hermit, until such time as he could under- take the erection of a monastery. 3^ In this place, a city afterwards grew up, which went by the name of Saigir. 33
Deterred by the many difficulties which beset the advocacy of an earlier
date. Dr. Lanigan has fixed on the latter end of the fifth century, as the more
probable era for the foundation of Saigir. 34 But, thus, totally to reject all testimony, in favour of the earlier epoch, does not seem to be in accordance with the rules of sound criticism, much as it may tend to smooth the path of the historian. 35
Rev. N. Murphy, C. C. The composition in
"
St. Kiaran's Bell," and it is well worth insertion here, as a pleasing
Irish poetic tradition.
A hawthorn stands on yonder hill, Bare, desolate, and lone—
A token frail, but faithful still, Of centuries long flown.
The startled ear, at even-time, When weird-winds wander free,
May hear the ghostly Mass-bell chime Beneath that hoary tree.
And still, aroimd the peasant's hearth, The legend strange is told,
How, never touched by hands of earth. Rang out that Bell of old.
They tell how sainted Patrick's hand OnKTieran'sheadwaslaid,
While thus he spoke in a stem command
Like seraph-songs the sainted hear, Rang out the unseen Bell !
question is called
"
Ne're shall thy step be stayed,
3'
Antiquities of the Cathedral Church of St. Canice, Kilkenny. " By the Rev. James Graves, A. B. , and John G. A. Prim, sect, i. , chap, i. , pp. 2 to 5.
" Till sweet as song by seraphs sung, Which saints alone may hear,
A chime by hands unseen be rung. To charm thy mortal ear.
"There churches seven thou shalt build ;
3* " Archdall (at Seirkeran), after saying that Kieran founded this abbey in 402, adds, that the monastery was founded in succeed- ing ages. For this nonse—nse he refers to
But
Theirtrampleddust andseefulfill'd.
shall— ages yet see.
For age this prophecy.
" When strewn the Temples thou shalt raise,
A tree, sown by thy hand,
Shall live and preach to distant days,
God's blessings on the land. "
He wandered
That ancient pilgrim Saint
3< See Todd's "Church of St.
and wand—ered forth, far,
Patrick,"
Nor flood nor foe his path could bar, Till way-worn here and faint.
P- IS-
3= See "The Histoiy, Architecture and
Antiquities of the Cathedral Church of St. Canice, Kilkenny. " By Rev. James Graves,
He paused—when, hark
With joy no tongue can tell,
his
and G. A. A.
