— ' See " Lives of the
Fathers, Martyrs and other principal Saints," vol.
Fathers, Martyrs and other principal Saints," vol.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v3
s His memory is revered, on the 8th day of March, as we find, in the simple entry, Ailgniad, which appears in the MartyrologyofTallagh.
^ Again,MarianusO'Gorman,andtheMartyrology ofDonegal?
mention,thatElgniad,Saint,wasveneratedonthisday.
Itwas probably that of his decease ; and, the year of his departure was 776, accord- ing to our chief Annalists, the Four Masters, or 781, according to a correc-
tion of Dr. O'Donovan. ^ Cultivating modesty and retirement, his life passed
over ; and, it has left us no memorials of any great consequence. Yet, like
the fabled giant of old, often as he pressed the ground, Antaeus received new
strength from his mother earth ;9 thus, may we suppose, saints receive in-
crease of spiritual vigour, from their lowliness, nor can they be crushed to
death, by their enemy, so long as they are grounded in humility, and become not unduly elevated by pride or ambition.
bishop noted, in the
Fathers, Martyrs and other principal Saints," vol. iii. , Marchviii.
"^ "
See Bishop Forbes' Kalendars of
Scottish Saints," pp. 7, 38, 97, 113, 146, I94> 235.
—
were lai—d beneath it men of all the nations
of Eri. " O'Connor's " Chronicles of Eri,"
vol. ii. , chap, xxiv. , note (a), p. 337.
s <' We have accounts of there being, within the limits of Meath alone, no less—a
*7
number than seven
See p. 68. Article iv.
viz. Clonard, Duleek, Kells, Trim, Ardbraccan,
cept Kells and Duleek) were, in the year 1152, united by virtue of a Bull from Pope
Eugenius III. , and sent by Car—dinal Paparo, who held his Synod in Kells. " Thompson's " Statistical Survey of the County of Meath. " Introduction, pp. ix. , x.
* Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xvii.
7 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 70, 71.
* " The Age of Christ 776 [recte 781]. The eleventh year of Donnchadh. Ailgniadh, BishopofArd-Breacain[Ardbraccan]; &c. , died. '—Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 380, 381.
» " Hoc quoque tam vastas cumulavit munere vires
Terra sui fetus, quod, cum tetigere
parentem,
Jam defecta vigent renovato robore
'See "Acta Sanctorum
Hibernise," viii. Martii. De S. Algniedo Diinshaughlin, and Slane ; all of which (ex-
Episcopo Ardbrecanensi, p. 568. '"
See ActaSanctorum,"tomusi. , Martii viii. Among the pretermitted saints, p. 749.
3 See an interesting account. No. iv. Parish of Ardbraccan, in the diocese and county of
Meath, by the Rev. Richard Moore, Rector,
and the Rev. Thomas Toomy, Curate, with
a Map of the Parish from the Down Survey,
in William Shaw Mason's " Statistical Ac-
count, or Parochial Survey of Ireland," vol.
i. , pp. , 84 to 105. The parish is situated, in
the barony of Lower Navan, and it is shown
"
Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the County of Meath," Sheets 24, 25, 30,31. The townland proper is on Sheets 24, 25.
* The derivation of this name, Ardbrac-
can, according to an eccentric writer, is as
on the
:
:
'—"
' ' The place is this day called Ard-
follows
braccan
heap of the party-coloured,' because, there
the
meaning
of the word is the
membra. " lib. iv. , 11. 598-600.
Lucanus, Pharsalia,"
bishopiics,
:
362 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 8.
Article V,—Festival of a reputed St. Ducatus, or Duchatus,
Bishop. In the anonymous Catalogue of Irish Saints, as published by O'SuUevan Beare, at the 8th of March, we find Ducatus entered. ' On the
authority of Floratius, Henry Fitzsimons has placed Duchatus, Bishop, at the same date. ^ This is probably the Scottish Bishop of Ross, who went to Ire- land, that he might receive instruction in learning and piety. 3
Article VI. —St. Ciaran, of Foighde. The name, Ciaran, without
any further designation, occurs in the Martyrology of Tallagh,' at the 8th of March. Colgan appears to think, that the present holy man may be iden- tified with Kieranus Moel, who was visited by St. Berach," Abbot, as related in the supplementary Life of die latter saint. 3 We find, in the Martyrology of Donegal,* also, that Ciaran, and he is said to have been of Foighde, was venerated, on this day. The BoUandists simply notice him. s
Article VII. —St. Neman, or Noeman, of Dairinis, probably, in the County of Wexford. \Supposed to be in the Seventh Century. ^ The name Neman, in Latin rendered Coelestinus, or Noemhan, rendered also
Saiictiviis, was most appropriately given to this pious servant of God. The BoUandists' have their doubts concerning some conjectures, about his iden- tity, which have been ventured upon by Colgan. The latter maintains, that this saint flourished, in the southern parts of Leinster, and about the middle of the seventh century. Some of his presumed Acts are noticed, at the 8th of March ; yet, little of a reliable character seems to have been gleaned, re- garding him. ^ It is thought, he had been that companion, mentioned in the Life of St. Fechins of Fore. Elsewhere, Colgan assigns his feast, to the 13th of September, a contradiction not unfrequent in his works. The name of Nemain of Duir inse is inserted in the Martyrology of Tallagh,* at the 8th of March. Archdall says, that Dairinis, here meant, was an island near the town of Wexford, where a monastery had been erected, probably by this saint. Here, we are informed, he was abbot. s According to the BoUandists, Marianus O'Gorman, or his Scholiast, notices this saint as of Dasinisensis, Episcopus ; according to Colgan, as Nemanus Darinisensis Episcopus. Maguire has a notice of him, at the 8th of March. Besides, the festival of Neman, Bishop of Dairinis, Avas celebrated on this day, according to the
Martyrology of Donegal. ^
Article VIII. —Feast of St.
Italy. \Seventh Century. '] The Acts of this illustrious bishop taken from
Article v. —' See " Histoiise Catholicse Ibernice Compendium," tomus i. , lib. iv. , cap. xi. , p. 49.
Sanctorum
Brandub, in the " Leabhar Breac," page 23, col. 2, line 2 ; but, his identity I have not discovered.
' See "
* Edited
by
Drs. Todd and
Catalogus Aliquorum Ibernios. " Ibid. , cap. xii. , p. 53.
Reeves, pp.
Bishop of— Cathaldus, Tarentum,
70, 71.
s gee Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Martii
viii. Among the pretermitted saints, p. Article vi. Edited by Rev. Dr. 749. —
3 See Bishop Challoner's "Britannia
"
Sancta," part i. ,—p. 163. '
Kelly, p. xviii.
"
See his Life, at the 15th of February.
3 See "Acta Sanctorum Hiberniie," xv. Februarii. Supplementum Vita; S. Berachi, ex Codice MS. Hibernico Ecclesias ejusdem sancti, cap. viii. , and n. 8, pp. 345, 348.
There is a Genealogy of Ciaran, son of
Article vii. 'See "Acta Sancto-
rum," tomus i. , Martii viii. Among the
pretermitted saints, p. 748. *"
See Acta Sanctorum Hibernise," viii.
Martii. De S. Nemano Episcopo Darini-
sensi, p. 568.
3 See his Life, at the 20th of January.
March 8. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 263
various sources—arc very fully inserted, by Colgan,' with interpretative notes, and an Appendix, at the 8th of March. Some authorities assign the NataHs
of St. Cathaldus, to this day. " Among these may be enumerated, certain Tablets found at Tarentum, an Office of this saint, printed at Rome, A. D.
1607, Philip Ferrarius,3 a Florarius Manuscript, Colgan* and Dempster. Some suppose this to be the date for his canonization. s The weight of testi-
mony, however, is opposed to such opinion, as that it had been the day of his departure, which may be seen, by referring to the Life of this saint. It will be found, at the loth of May.
Article IX. —St, Psalmod or Saumay, Anchoret, at Limosin,
France. \Sixth Century^ At the 8th of March, in Rev. Alban Butler's
work,' as also in the Circle of the Seasons,^ we find mentioned, St. Psalmod, orSaumay. HewasborninIreland,andhelivedasananchoretatLimou- sin, after having emigrated to France. He flourished in the sixth century. This holy man had a great repute for sanctity and miracles. He died about 589,3 but we are not able to find any particulars recorded at length, to satisfy a laudable curiosity regarding his actions.
Article X. —St. Libran. Colgan has strung together some inconclusive and merely conjectural remarks, when placing his name, under this same date. * According to his opinion, Libran might be identical with a certain Libra- rius—mentioned in the Acts of St. Sampson^—the name Librarius being sub- stituted for Libranus, through mistake of a scribe. This emendation has not the authority of the BoUandists to lend it a sanction. 3 Libraine S. is the
simple record, in the Martyrology of Tallagh,* at the 8th of March. Possibly, the letter S. may serve to designate him, as Sacerdos, or Priest. Besides, we find an entry of Libran, but without time, place or parents specified, in the Martyrologies of Marianus O'Gorman and of Maguire, for the 8th of March. There was a festival, dedicated to Liobran, on this day, as we find recorded, likewise, in the Martyrology of Donegal. s His Acts, if such existed, have not been preserved, to solve questions, connected with this saint.
ArticleXL—St. Conallus,Bishop,andConfessor. Ontheautho- rity of the Carthusian Martyrology, Henry Fitzsimons sets down St. Conallus, Bishop, at the 8th day of March, in his list. ^ At the same date, the name Conellus simply occurs, in the anonymous Catalogue of Irish Saints, as pub-
• Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xviii.
Article ix.
— ' See " Lives of the
Fathers, Martyrs and other principal Saints," vol. iii. , March viii.
See, p. 68.
5 See Arclidall's
"
Monasticon Hibemi-
cum," p. 735. ''
Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
3 Article viii. —' See "Acta Sancto- Evreux. "
70, 71.
According to the "Martyrology of
rum Hiberniae," viii. Martii. Vita S. Ca-
taldi Episcopi et Confessoris, pp. 544 to
Article x. —'See "Acta Sanctorum Ilibernise," viii. Martii. De S. Librano, pp. 567, 568.
562. '"
See the anonymous Catalogue of Irish See his Acts, at the 28th of July.
Saints, published by O'SulIevan Beare, in 3 See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Martii "
his Historise Catholicse Iberniae Compen- viii. Among the pretermitted saints, p.
dium," tomus i. , lib. iv. , cap. xi. , p. 49.
3 In "Catalogus Generalis Sanctorum. "
* He thinks, it may be the feast, either of
his death, or of his burial.
5 See the BoUandists' " Acta Sanctorum,"
tomus i. , Martii viii. Among the preter- mitted saints, p. 749.
749.
^ Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xvii.
^ Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
70, 71. — Article xi.
'"Catalogus Aliquorum
"
See" Histori;ie Catholicae Iberaiae Com-
Sanctorum Iljernije. ^
lished by O'SuUevan Beare. ^ None of our Irish Calendars notice him, at this date, as Colgan^ has taken care to observe ; although, indeed, from his own showing, Conallus is noted among other Irish Saints.
Articl"e XII. —St, Cronan, of Airdne. On the authority of our Martyrologies, Colgan' and the Bollandists^ have notices of this holy man, at the present date. The name of Cronan, Airdni, is entered in the Martyr-
ology of Tallagh,3 at the 8th of March. Colgan supposes his place, as Latinized, Ardnensis, to be identical with Ara7iiensis, an island off the west coast of Connaught and Munster. But, the word Airdne is found in com- position with the names of various places, in Ireland, Hence, it would not
be easy to identify this saint's place. The Martyrologies of ! Marianus O'Gorman, of Maguire, of the Carthusians, and of Donegal/ register Cronan, of Airdne, as having veneration paid him, at this date. It may be asked, if
the denomination, Airdne, can be identical with Urney, or Urny, meaning
*'
an oratory," There is a parish so called in the barony of Raphoe,^ and in the baronies of Omagh West and of Strabane Lower,^ Besides the parish, in the county of Cavan, to which allusion has been made at the nth of Feb- ruary,? there is a townland, so called, in the parish of Kihr. ore, and barony of Clanmahon, in the same county. ^ Again, there is an Urney, in the parish of Ballykean, barony of Upper Philipstown, and King's County,^ Here, there
^° The
thusian Martyrology, and copied from it, by Henry Fitzsimons, in his list of Irish Saints. It is likely, too, that Floratius, through mistake, assigned his feast to the 8th of April. "
Article XIII. —St. Conan, or Connanus, Bishop, of Eas-Ruaidh, ORAssaroe,CountyofDonegal. \SixthCentury^ Pureandferventas were their souls, God's saints never allowed a day to pass, without performing some penitential acts, and in having contrition for sin. Colgan has some
it was the site of some ancient
Carthusian Martyrology styles this Cronan a bishop, and a confessor ; while, our native Calendars do not notice his dignity, nor the time when he flourished. Assuming he had identified this saint with Aran Island, Colgan rather considers him, to have been an abbot there, and not a bishop. In the anonymous Catalogue of our national Saints, as published by O'Sullevan Beare, we find a St. Cronanus simply entered. AVe can hardly doubt, but this is the St. Cornanus—incorrectly spelled, however,—as found in the Car-
is a and graveyard,
probably,
oratory.
pendium," tomus i. , lib. iv. , cap. xi. , p. 49, and cap. xii. , p. 53.
'See "Acta Sanctorum Hibemise,"
Martiiviii. DeS. Cronano et
Epis. Confes. ,
The townland proper and glebe are on Sheets 4, 9, in Lower Strabane.
? At our account of St. Cognat, Virgin.
p. 564. — Article xil
for the of
Survey "
'
See "Acta Sanctorum Hibernise," Martii viii. De S. Cronano
Sheets 25, 31.
Epis. et Confess. , p. 564.
'See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. .
Martii viii. Among the pretermitted saints,
p. 749.
3 Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xvii.
* Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
» It is noted, on the " Ordnance Survey
Townland Maps for the King's County," Sheet 26.
'°
It lies within the Mountmellick Poor Law Union, and in reference to it we find it proposed and seconded by the guardians, at a meeting of the board, "That James Cassidy be given charge of the Urney Grave- yard, and that he be paid four shillings per
70, 71. " 5 This portion of it is shown on the
Ord-
nance
Townland Survey Maps
for the for
year taking
with the — it, positive
County of Donegal," Sheets 79, 88.
' This portion is shown on the " Ordnance
Survey Townland Maps for the County of
care of
instruction not to allow it to be grazed. "
Tyrone,"
Sheets
4, 5, 9, 10, 15, 16, 23, 24.
Leinster Independent, of December l8th,
1875.
" See O'Sullevan Beare's " Historige
^ It is
Townland
on the " Ordnance
lj. ^Hi^s'l'::^.
[. vlAivCH
8.
marked,
Maps County Cavan,
Mar^h 8. ] LUES OF THE IRISH SAJATS. 265
notices of this holy recluse, and bishop, on this day,^ as also the Bollandists. "
to the "
this St. who was the Conan,
Sanctilogium Genealogicum,"
son of Tighemach, son to Ferguss, son to ^Engus, son of Conall Gulban, had
three other holy brothers,^ named respectively Beg-bile,^ Colmans and Cuan. ^ Thus, was he very closely related to the illustrious St. Colurnkille. ? The first name of our saint was Conna, and being loved by his parents, as by God, for boyish amiability, when he grew in years and virtues, his mother called him Conna Dil, or " Conna the beloved. " ^ This name continued for some time ; until, at last, it passed into Conan or Connanus. He was born in the sixth century, and he flourished towards its close. When mature in age, Conan collected around him a community of monks, and over these he gently ruled, at a place known as Cnodain, near Eas-Ruaidh, and on the northern bank of thefish-aboundingRiverErne. 9 Thisoffice,hedischargedinamostlaud- able manner, and he was afterwards appointed bishop. ^° Below the celebrated cataract of Ballyshannon stands Abbey Assaroe, now in ruins, and within a well-tenanted graveyard. Whether it was here or elsewhere, Conan exercised the episcopal function, does not appear. '^ An entry is found in the Martyr- ology of Tallagh," at the 8th of March, under the form, Conanla Easa
According
Ruaidh. '3 In his " St. Festilogy,"
Conan
a
calls
athlete of Christ. Marianus O'Gorman notes him, as Conan Dil of Eas-
Catholicse Iberniae Compendium," tomus i. .
Dales and hills untaught to rise
lib. iv,,
Article xiii. See
xii. ,
cap. p. 53.
Pointing
—
xi. , —49, and
to the nether skies. "
cap. p.
"
Hibernise," viii. Martii. De S. Conano sive
'
Acta Sanctorum
Connano Epis. , p. 563. *"
See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Martiiviii. Among the pretermitted saints,
"Trias " Thaumaturga.
So states the Carthusian Martyrulogy. "Such a statement is not in the early
Irish Calendars.
" Edited Rev. Dr. xviii. by Kelly, p.
p. 749. 3 See
Colgan's
Quarta Appendix ad Acta S. Columbas, cap. iii. , p. 480, and cap. x. , p. 489.
'^ According to Colgan, however, the "
His feast occurs, on the I2th of October. 5 He is venerated, on the 13th of January.
entry is Conanus apud Eas-Ruaidh. " Mart. Taml.
*
His festival is on the 2nd of March.
'* In his " Catalogus Generalis Sancto- rum," at the 8th of March, Ferrarius notes : " Eodem die SS. Conani et Cronan
7 See his at the of
Life, 9th June.
Episcopi
Monachi de quibus Hector Boetius in Hyst.
*
this statement.
Cathal Maguire is the chief authority for
9 Here, but more especially near the charming lough, the tourists will realize the foUowing poetic conception, when
Scot. "
's Jt states
:
" In Hibernia Conani, Cro-
"
All the charms of amber Erne,
Representing to the sight Various objects of delight ; Fields, and flocks on mossy beds, Forests with inverted heads
;
nani, et Conalli, Episcoporum et Confesso- rum. "
'° Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
curious to discern,
70, 71. '' See
" Historic Catholicse Iberniae
^ngus
him,
Dil,
glorious
Ruaidh ; Maguire has, Conanus Dil near Eas-ruaidh, or at Eas-mac-neirc in Connaught, he lies, and it was his mother, who called him and added the cognomen, Conna Dil, i. e. , Conna very dear to me ; Philip Ferrarius^'^ and the Carthusian Martyrology,^5 also recorded him, at this date. On this day, and at the aforesaid place, is entered, in the Martyrology of Donegal,^^ as havingafestivalcelebratedinhishonour,CondnofEas-Ruaidh. Thisisthe present cataract on the River Erne, and in the county of Donegal. This is, probably, the Conanus, entered in the anonymous list of Irish Saints, publishedbyO'SuUevanBeare. InHenryFitzsimons'Catalogue,heappears so named, likewise, and he is there styled a bishop,'? on the authority of Bsetius'^ and Floratius.
tion of Dr. O'Donovan. ^ Cultivating modesty and retirement, his life passed
over ; and, it has left us no memorials of any great consequence. Yet, like
the fabled giant of old, often as he pressed the ground, Antaeus received new
strength from his mother earth ;9 thus, may we suppose, saints receive in-
crease of spiritual vigour, from their lowliness, nor can they be crushed to
death, by their enemy, so long as they are grounded in humility, and become not unduly elevated by pride or ambition.
bishop noted, in the
Fathers, Martyrs and other principal Saints," vol. iii. , Marchviii.
"^ "
See Bishop Forbes' Kalendars of
Scottish Saints," pp. 7, 38, 97, 113, 146, I94> 235.
—
were lai—d beneath it men of all the nations
of Eri. " O'Connor's " Chronicles of Eri,"
vol. ii. , chap, xxiv. , note (a), p. 337.
s <' We have accounts of there being, within the limits of Meath alone, no less—a
*7
number than seven
See p. 68. Article iv.
viz. Clonard, Duleek, Kells, Trim, Ardbraccan,
cept Kells and Duleek) were, in the year 1152, united by virtue of a Bull from Pope
Eugenius III. , and sent by Car—dinal Paparo, who held his Synod in Kells. " Thompson's " Statistical Survey of the County of Meath. " Introduction, pp. ix. , x.
* Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xvii.
7 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 70, 71.
* " The Age of Christ 776 [recte 781]. The eleventh year of Donnchadh. Ailgniadh, BishopofArd-Breacain[Ardbraccan]; &c. , died. '—Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 380, 381.
» " Hoc quoque tam vastas cumulavit munere vires
Terra sui fetus, quod, cum tetigere
parentem,
Jam defecta vigent renovato robore
'See "Acta Sanctorum
Hibernise," viii. Martii. De S. Algniedo Diinshaughlin, and Slane ; all of which (ex-
Episcopo Ardbrecanensi, p. 568. '"
See ActaSanctorum,"tomusi. , Martii viii. Among the pretermitted saints, p. 749.
3 See an interesting account. No. iv. Parish of Ardbraccan, in the diocese and county of
Meath, by the Rev. Richard Moore, Rector,
and the Rev. Thomas Toomy, Curate, with
a Map of the Parish from the Down Survey,
in William Shaw Mason's " Statistical Ac-
count, or Parochial Survey of Ireland," vol.
i. , pp. , 84 to 105. The parish is situated, in
the barony of Lower Navan, and it is shown
"
Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the County of Meath," Sheets 24, 25, 30,31. The townland proper is on Sheets 24, 25.
* The derivation of this name, Ardbrac-
can, according to an eccentric writer, is as
on the
:
:
'—"
' ' The place is this day called Ard-
follows
braccan
heap of the party-coloured,' because, there
the
meaning
of the word is the
membra. " lib. iv. , 11. 598-600.
Lucanus, Pharsalia,"
bishopiics,
:
362 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 8.
Article V,—Festival of a reputed St. Ducatus, or Duchatus,
Bishop. In the anonymous Catalogue of Irish Saints, as published by O'SuUevan Beare, at the 8th of March, we find Ducatus entered. ' On the
authority of Floratius, Henry Fitzsimons has placed Duchatus, Bishop, at the same date. ^ This is probably the Scottish Bishop of Ross, who went to Ire- land, that he might receive instruction in learning and piety. 3
Article VI. —St. Ciaran, of Foighde. The name, Ciaran, without
any further designation, occurs in the Martyrology of Tallagh,' at the 8th of March. Colgan appears to think, that the present holy man may be iden- tified with Kieranus Moel, who was visited by St. Berach," Abbot, as related in the supplementary Life of die latter saint. 3 We find, in the Martyrology of Donegal,* also, that Ciaran, and he is said to have been of Foighde, was venerated, on this day. The BoUandists simply notice him. s
Article VII. —St. Neman, or Noeman, of Dairinis, probably, in the County of Wexford. \Supposed to be in the Seventh Century. ^ The name Neman, in Latin rendered Coelestinus, or Noemhan, rendered also
Saiictiviis, was most appropriately given to this pious servant of God. The BoUandists' have their doubts concerning some conjectures, about his iden- tity, which have been ventured upon by Colgan. The latter maintains, that this saint flourished, in the southern parts of Leinster, and about the middle of the seventh century. Some of his presumed Acts are noticed, at the 8th of March ; yet, little of a reliable character seems to have been gleaned, re- garding him. ^ It is thought, he had been that companion, mentioned in the Life of St. Fechins of Fore. Elsewhere, Colgan assigns his feast, to the 13th of September, a contradiction not unfrequent in his works. The name of Nemain of Duir inse is inserted in the Martyrology of Tallagh,* at the 8th of March. Archdall says, that Dairinis, here meant, was an island near the town of Wexford, where a monastery had been erected, probably by this saint. Here, we are informed, he was abbot. s According to the BoUandists, Marianus O'Gorman, or his Scholiast, notices this saint as of Dasinisensis, Episcopus ; according to Colgan, as Nemanus Darinisensis Episcopus. Maguire has a notice of him, at the 8th of March. Besides, the festival of Neman, Bishop of Dairinis, Avas celebrated on this day, according to the
Martyrology of Donegal. ^
Article VIII. —Feast of St.
Italy. \Seventh Century. '] The Acts of this illustrious bishop taken from
Article v. —' See " Histoiise Catholicse Ibernice Compendium," tomus i. , lib. iv. , cap. xi. , p. 49.
Sanctorum
Brandub, in the " Leabhar Breac," page 23, col. 2, line 2 ; but, his identity I have not discovered.
' See "
* Edited
by
Drs. Todd and
Catalogus Aliquorum Ibernios. " Ibid. , cap. xii. , p. 53.
Reeves, pp.
Bishop of— Cathaldus, Tarentum,
70, 71.
s gee Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Martii
viii. Among the pretermitted saints, p. Article vi. Edited by Rev. Dr. 749. —
3 See Bishop Challoner's "Britannia
"
Sancta," part i. ,—p. 163. '
Kelly, p. xviii.
"
See his Life, at the 15th of February.
3 See "Acta Sanctorum Hiberniie," xv. Februarii. Supplementum Vita; S. Berachi, ex Codice MS. Hibernico Ecclesias ejusdem sancti, cap. viii. , and n. 8, pp. 345, 348.
There is a Genealogy of Ciaran, son of
Article vii. 'See "Acta Sancto-
rum," tomus i. , Martii viii. Among the
pretermitted saints, p. 748. *"
See Acta Sanctorum Hibernise," viii.
Martii. De S. Nemano Episcopo Darini-
sensi, p. 568.
3 See his Life, at the 20th of January.
March 8. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 263
various sources—arc very fully inserted, by Colgan,' with interpretative notes, and an Appendix, at the 8th of March. Some authorities assign the NataHs
of St. Cathaldus, to this day. " Among these may be enumerated, certain Tablets found at Tarentum, an Office of this saint, printed at Rome, A. D.
1607, Philip Ferrarius,3 a Florarius Manuscript, Colgan* and Dempster. Some suppose this to be the date for his canonization. s The weight of testi-
mony, however, is opposed to such opinion, as that it had been the day of his departure, which may be seen, by referring to the Life of this saint. It will be found, at the loth of May.
Article IX. —St, Psalmod or Saumay, Anchoret, at Limosin,
France. \Sixth Century^ At the 8th of March, in Rev. Alban Butler's
work,' as also in the Circle of the Seasons,^ we find mentioned, St. Psalmod, orSaumay. HewasborninIreland,andhelivedasananchoretatLimou- sin, after having emigrated to France. He flourished in the sixth century. This holy man had a great repute for sanctity and miracles. He died about 589,3 but we are not able to find any particulars recorded at length, to satisfy a laudable curiosity regarding his actions.
Article X. —St. Libran. Colgan has strung together some inconclusive and merely conjectural remarks, when placing his name, under this same date. * According to his opinion, Libran might be identical with a certain Libra- rius—mentioned in the Acts of St. Sampson^—the name Librarius being sub- stituted for Libranus, through mistake of a scribe. This emendation has not the authority of the BoUandists to lend it a sanction. 3 Libraine S. is the
simple record, in the Martyrology of Tallagh,* at the 8th of March. Possibly, the letter S. may serve to designate him, as Sacerdos, or Priest. Besides, we find an entry of Libran, but without time, place or parents specified, in the Martyrologies of Marianus O'Gorman and of Maguire, for the 8th of March. There was a festival, dedicated to Liobran, on this day, as we find recorded, likewise, in the Martyrology of Donegal. s His Acts, if such existed, have not been preserved, to solve questions, connected with this saint.
ArticleXL—St. Conallus,Bishop,andConfessor. Ontheautho- rity of the Carthusian Martyrology, Henry Fitzsimons sets down St. Conallus, Bishop, at the 8th day of March, in his list. ^ At the same date, the name Conellus simply occurs, in the anonymous Catalogue of Irish Saints, as pub-
• Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xviii.
Article ix.
— ' See " Lives of the
Fathers, Martyrs and other principal Saints," vol. iii. , March viii.
See, p. 68.
5 See Arclidall's
"
Monasticon Hibemi-
cum," p. 735. ''
Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
3 Article viii. —' See "Acta Sancto- Evreux. "
70, 71.
According to the "Martyrology of
rum Hiberniae," viii. Martii. Vita S. Ca-
taldi Episcopi et Confessoris, pp. 544 to
Article x. —'See "Acta Sanctorum Ilibernise," viii. Martii. De S. Librano, pp. 567, 568.
562. '"
See the anonymous Catalogue of Irish See his Acts, at the 28th of July.
Saints, published by O'SulIevan Beare, in 3 See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Martii "
his Historise Catholicse Iberniae Compen- viii. Among the pretermitted saints, p.
dium," tomus i. , lib. iv. , cap. xi. , p. 49.
3 In "Catalogus Generalis Sanctorum. "
* He thinks, it may be the feast, either of
his death, or of his burial.
5 See the BoUandists' " Acta Sanctorum,"
tomus i. , Martii viii. Among the preter- mitted saints, p. 749.
749.
^ Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xvii.
^ Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
70, 71. — Article xi.
'"Catalogus Aliquorum
"
See" Histori;ie Catholicae Iberaiae Com-
Sanctorum Iljernije. ^
lished by O'SuUevan Beare. ^ None of our Irish Calendars notice him, at this date, as Colgan^ has taken care to observe ; although, indeed, from his own showing, Conallus is noted among other Irish Saints.
Articl"e XII. —St, Cronan, of Airdne. On the authority of our Martyrologies, Colgan' and the Bollandists^ have notices of this holy man, at the present date. The name of Cronan, Airdni, is entered in the Martyr-
ology of Tallagh,3 at the 8th of March. Colgan supposes his place, as Latinized, Ardnensis, to be identical with Ara7iiensis, an island off the west coast of Connaught and Munster. But, the word Airdne is found in com- position with the names of various places, in Ireland, Hence, it would not
be easy to identify this saint's place. The Martyrologies of ! Marianus O'Gorman, of Maguire, of the Carthusians, and of Donegal/ register Cronan, of Airdne, as having veneration paid him, at this date. It may be asked, if
the denomination, Airdne, can be identical with Urney, or Urny, meaning
*'
an oratory," There is a parish so called in the barony of Raphoe,^ and in the baronies of Omagh West and of Strabane Lower,^ Besides the parish, in the county of Cavan, to which allusion has been made at the nth of Feb- ruary,? there is a townland, so called, in the parish of Kihr. ore, and barony of Clanmahon, in the same county. ^ Again, there is an Urney, in the parish of Ballykean, barony of Upper Philipstown, and King's County,^ Here, there
^° The
thusian Martyrology, and copied from it, by Henry Fitzsimons, in his list of Irish Saints. It is likely, too, that Floratius, through mistake, assigned his feast to the 8th of April. "
Article XIII. —St. Conan, or Connanus, Bishop, of Eas-Ruaidh, ORAssaroe,CountyofDonegal. \SixthCentury^ Pureandferventas were their souls, God's saints never allowed a day to pass, without performing some penitential acts, and in having contrition for sin. Colgan has some
it was the site of some ancient
Carthusian Martyrology styles this Cronan a bishop, and a confessor ; while, our native Calendars do not notice his dignity, nor the time when he flourished. Assuming he had identified this saint with Aran Island, Colgan rather considers him, to have been an abbot there, and not a bishop. In the anonymous Catalogue of our national Saints, as published by O'Sullevan Beare, we find a St. Cronanus simply entered. AVe can hardly doubt, but this is the St. Cornanus—incorrectly spelled, however,—as found in the Car-
is a and graveyard,
probably,
oratory.
pendium," tomus i. , lib. iv. , cap. xi. , p. 49, and cap. xii. , p. 53.
'See "Acta Sanctorum Hibemise,"
Martiiviii. DeS. Cronano et
Epis. Confes. ,
The townland proper and glebe are on Sheets 4, 9, in Lower Strabane.
? At our account of St. Cognat, Virgin.
p. 564. — Article xil
for the of
Survey "
'
See "Acta Sanctorum Hibernise," Martii viii. De S. Cronano
Sheets 25, 31.
Epis. et Confess. , p. 564.
'See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. .
Martii viii. Among the pretermitted saints,
p. 749.
3 Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xvii.
* Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
» It is noted, on the " Ordnance Survey
Townland Maps for the King's County," Sheet 26.
'°
It lies within the Mountmellick Poor Law Union, and in reference to it we find it proposed and seconded by the guardians, at a meeting of the board, "That James Cassidy be given charge of the Urney Grave- yard, and that he be paid four shillings per
70, 71. " 5 This portion of it is shown on the
Ord-
nance
Townland Survey Maps
for the for
year taking
with the — it, positive
County of Donegal," Sheets 79, 88.
' This portion is shown on the " Ordnance
Survey Townland Maps for the County of
care of
instruction not to allow it to be grazed. "
Tyrone,"
Sheets
4, 5, 9, 10, 15, 16, 23, 24.
Leinster Independent, of December l8th,
1875.
" See O'Sullevan Beare's " Historige
^ It is
Townland
on the " Ordnance
lj. ^Hi^s'l'::^.
[. vlAivCH
8.
marked,
Maps County Cavan,
Mar^h 8. ] LUES OF THE IRISH SAJATS. 265
notices of this holy recluse, and bishop, on this day,^ as also the Bollandists. "
to the "
this St. who was the Conan,
Sanctilogium Genealogicum,"
son of Tighemach, son to Ferguss, son to ^Engus, son of Conall Gulban, had
three other holy brothers,^ named respectively Beg-bile,^ Colmans and Cuan. ^ Thus, was he very closely related to the illustrious St. Colurnkille. ? The first name of our saint was Conna, and being loved by his parents, as by God, for boyish amiability, when he grew in years and virtues, his mother called him Conna Dil, or " Conna the beloved. " ^ This name continued for some time ; until, at last, it passed into Conan or Connanus. He was born in the sixth century, and he flourished towards its close. When mature in age, Conan collected around him a community of monks, and over these he gently ruled, at a place known as Cnodain, near Eas-Ruaidh, and on the northern bank of thefish-aboundingRiverErne. 9 Thisoffice,hedischargedinamostlaud- able manner, and he was afterwards appointed bishop. ^° Below the celebrated cataract of Ballyshannon stands Abbey Assaroe, now in ruins, and within a well-tenanted graveyard. Whether it was here or elsewhere, Conan exercised the episcopal function, does not appear. '^ An entry is found in the Martyr- ology of Tallagh," at the 8th of March, under the form, Conanla Easa
According
Ruaidh. '3 In his " St. Festilogy,"
Conan
a
calls
athlete of Christ. Marianus O'Gorman notes him, as Conan Dil of Eas-
Catholicse Iberniae Compendium," tomus i. .
Dales and hills untaught to rise
lib. iv,,
Article xiii. See
xii. ,
cap. p. 53.
Pointing
—
xi. , —49, and
to the nether skies. "
cap. p.
"
Hibernise," viii. Martii. De S. Conano sive
'
Acta Sanctorum
Connano Epis. , p. 563. *"
See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Martiiviii. Among the pretermitted saints,
"Trias " Thaumaturga.
So states the Carthusian Martyrulogy. "Such a statement is not in the early
Irish Calendars.
" Edited Rev. Dr. xviii. by Kelly, p.
p. 749. 3 See
Colgan's
Quarta Appendix ad Acta S. Columbas, cap. iii. , p. 480, and cap. x. , p. 489.
'^ According to Colgan, however, the "
His feast occurs, on the I2th of October. 5 He is venerated, on the 13th of January.
entry is Conanus apud Eas-Ruaidh. " Mart. Taml.
*
His festival is on the 2nd of March.
'* In his " Catalogus Generalis Sancto- rum," at the 8th of March, Ferrarius notes : " Eodem die SS. Conani et Cronan
7 See his at the of
Life, 9th June.
Episcopi
Monachi de quibus Hector Boetius in Hyst.
*
this statement.
Cathal Maguire is the chief authority for
9 Here, but more especially near the charming lough, the tourists will realize the foUowing poetic conception, when
Scot. "
's Jt states
:
" In Hibernia Conani, Cro-
"
All the charms of amber Erne,
Representing to the sight Various objects of delight ; Fields, and flocks on mossy beds, Forests with inverted heads
;
nani, et Conalli, Episcoporum et Confesso- rum. "
'° Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
curious to discern,
70, 71. '' See
" Historic Catholicse Iberniae
^ngus
him,
Dil,
glorious
Ruaidh ; Maguire has, Conanus Dil near Eas-ruaidh, or at Eas-mac-neirc in Connaught, he lies, and it was his mother, who called him and added the cognomen, Conna Dil, i. e. , Conna very dear to me ; Philip Ferrarius^'^ and the Carthusian Martyrology,^5 also recorded him, at this date. On this day, and at the aforesaid place, is entered, in the Martyrology of Donegal,^^ as havingafestivalcelebratedinhishonour,CondnofEas-Ruaidh. Thisisthe present cataract on the River Erne, and in the county of Donegal. This is, probably, the Conanus, entered in the anonymous list of Irish Saints, publishedbyO'SuUevanBeare. InHenryFitzsimons'Catalogue,heappears so named, likewise, and he is there styled a bishop,'? on the authority of Bsetius'^ and Floratius.
