Some authors make this city
identical
with the Regia found on the Map of Ptolemy, the Geographer.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v1
^ Her descent is traced through the same
Dalcassian line.
p. 4.
" See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
niae," xiv. Februarii. Vita S. Mancheni, n.
6, p. 333.
'^ He is mentioned in "Vita S. Declani,"
cap. xix.
January 2. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 29
posedtohavebeenatLimerick/* Itseemsnotunlikelyhemayhavebeen consecrated for the work of the ministry, and he might have been the first to preside over that church.
It is barely possible, but hardly probable, that Mainchen, or Munchin, of Limerick, can be identified with the learned Mainchin, who presided over the Monastery of Rosnat, in Britain,''s and who was the master of so many renowned saints. Yet the circumstances of time, of station, and of erudition, would not render this an extravagant supposition. This holy man, with one hundred and fifty of his disciples, has been invoked in the Litany of St. ^ngus. '^ Yet it seems difficult to assign his exact festival, owing as well to the confused orthographies, Munchin, Manchen, Mainchein, and Manchan, not to speak of Mansen, Manicheus, and other varied Latinized forms with
which we meet, as also to the great number of saints thus called, but whose
festival days are not sufficiently distinguished by predicates, in our Martyro- logies. '7
Certain \vriters confound St. Munchin of Limerick with St. Manchan ot Menadrochid. ^^ Notalonearetheseplacesfarapart,buttheperiodswhen both holy men flourished seem to mark a wide difference. St. Manchan of
Menadrochid'9 died a. d. 648, according to the "Annals of the Four Masters. " "
The "Annals of Clonmacnoise record his demise at a. d. 649. Dr. O'Donovan regards this latter date even as antecedent to his dormition. =° The " Annals of Ulster " the death of Abbot of Menadro-
assign Maencha,
chit, to A. D. 651. This place is now known as Monadrehid, a townland
situated in the south-west end of Magh-Thuat plain, or parish of Offerailan.
It lies about one mile, north-east from Borris-in-Ossory, Queen's County. ^^' If St. Munchin of Limerick, flourished in the time of St. Patrick, we must then fairly conclude he cannot be confounded with St. Mainchein the Wise, or Manchene, Abbot of Menedrochaidh, who died a. d. 651,^^ or 652. ^3 How- ever, it is thought that St. Manchin of Limerick lived at least two centuries before that period assigned by our Martyrologies to St. Manchen, Abbot of Menedrochit. ^4
CHAPTER II.
ST. MUNCHIN AND ST. MOLUA REGARDED AS PATRON SAINTS OF THE THOMOND O'BRIENS—SAID TO HAVE BEEN ABBOT OVER MUNGRET—DESCRIPTIVE PARTICULARS OF THIS PLACE—SISTERS OF ST. MUNCHIN—ORIGIN OF THE CITY AND SEE OF LIMERICK—ST. MUNCHIN SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN ITS FIRST BISHOP.
St. Munchin thus belonged, as tradition holds, to the blood royal of North Munster. St. Molua and he were regarded as tutelary saints of the
'^
See "Harris' Ware," vol. i. ; Bishops of Limerick, p. 503.
'9 Colgan thinkshim to be identical with St.
Manchein the Sage, of Dysart Gallen, and whose festival follows on this same day.
^° See "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 262, 263, and n. (n. )
^' There are still some ruins here, which
monk.
were substituted it is thought for cognomens,
and thus they are probably sometimes read
as proper names of saints, and sometimes as
a characteristic of their profession. See nach. "
'* Trias Thaumaturga,"Sexta Vita S. Patricii, ** See Lenihan's " History of Limerick," n. 67, p. loi. chap, i. , p. 5.
""^
Ibid, n. 3. , p. 332.
'S He is specially noticed in the Acts of
St. David, of St. Tighernach, of St. Enda, and of St. Modwenna.
'* Num. 60.
'7 It has been remarked by Colgan that
the various forms of this name are derivable
from the Irish Manath, which means "a
"
These appellations in many cases
are described at St. Laisren's feast day, the
i6th of September.
^ According to the " Annals of Ulster. "
^3 According to the " Annals of Tigher-
30
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 2.
Thomond O'Briens. ^ St. Munchin, called the son of Sedna,^' is said to have been the first founder of Mungret Monastery, regarding which a curious legend has come down in popular tradition. Some maintain that the Priory of Mungret, within the Liberties of Limerick, was first founded by St, Patrick, in the fifth century. 3 Other writers state, that St. Nessan was the founder of this monastery, or at least its first abbot. Hence probably the place derived its name in ancient times ; for we are told it was formerly called the City of Deochain-assain. '^ Whether before or after his appoint- ment as Bishop of Limerick is not stated ; but, it has been thought, St. Munchin, in due course of time, succeeded St. Nessan as abbot over Mun-
gretorMuingharid. s Thishouseorcolonycontained1,500monks,^500of whom were devoted to preaching, 500 others were so classed and divided as to have a perpetual full choir day and night, while the remaining 500 were old men of exemplary piety, who devoted themselves to charitable and re-
works. 7 This statement seems to have been founded on a local tradition.
'
. ^~
ligious
January 2. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 31
Cashel, that Mungret had formerly within its walls six churches, and con-
tained, exclusive of scholars, 1,600 religious,? yet the ecclesiastical remains now left are very inconsiderable. There is an old church in the Irish style
14feetinheight; theyarebuiltwithgoodstones,cementedwithexcellent lime and sand mortar. The west gable is remarkably high and sharp at the point, while the east one is rendered obtuse after the storms of ages. As is usually the case in old Irish churches, the door-way opens in the west gable. It is 6 feet 8 inches in height, while it is 3 feet 7 inches wide at the bottom, and it diminishes to 3 feet 4 inches at the top. " A large breach in the south wall extends from the ground to the top of a round-headed window, which, excepting its top, has altogether disappeared. The east gable con- tains a rude round-headed window, placed at some height from the ground.
On the inside it measures about 5 feet 10 inches in height, and 2 feet 8 inches in width : on the outside it is about 3 feet 10 inches in height, and i foot 6 inches in width. '3 The north wall is in very good preservation, but feature- less : the south wall is a good deal injured, and besides the window already alluded to, it contained another, now reduced to a formless breach. '*
According to tradition, little Kilrush'5 is said to have been built by Rose,asisterofSt. Munchin. Again,theChurchofKilleely,inaparishof the same name, was dedicated to St. Lelia, also thought to have been a sister to St. Munchin. "^ It adjoins Mungret parish. When the death of St. Munchin happened has not been ascertained with any degree of correctness. We are carelessly told, indeed, that St. Munchin, the first Bishop of Limerick, died in the year 652. ^7 No authority whatever is cited for such a statement. It is not considered probable, by Dr. Lanigan, that the patron saint of Limerick, St. Munchin, or St. Manchin, had been a bishop over that see. '^ It has been remarked,'? likewise, that we can find nothing related respecting the successors of St. Munchin in the see of Limerick, before the times of those Pagan Ost- men who held Limerick by force of arms, as they did other cities. ^° We labour under like defects and disadvantages in reference to the early origin of many among our most celebrated towns and cities.
century.
5 See Gough's "Camden's Britannia," vol.
iii. , p. 519-
'° So states Dr. O'Donovan, who describes
this parish. See "Letters containing Infor- mation relative to the Antiquities of the county of Limerick, collected during the pro- gress of the Ordnance Survey in 1840," vol. i. , pp. 33, 34.
Among the Ordnance Survey Sketches pre- served in the R. I. A. , there is a pencil sketch of this abbey by William F. Wake- man, and taken in 1840.
'5 This ancient church is said to resemble,
in various particulars, that of Mungret. The residence of the Hon. Robert O'Brien, brother of Lord Inchiquin, adjoins it.
'^ Lenihan's its and "Limerick, History
"
See "Ecclesiastical History of Ireland, vol. ii. , chap, xi. , §iv. , n. 53, p. 63.
^9 In "Harris' Ware," vol. i. , Bishops of Limerick, p. 503.
^° "But in the tenth century they were converted to the Christian religion. How- ever I hardly find any bishop in this see be- fore Gille or Gillebert, who begins to govern it about the beginning of the twelfth century. " ^ccilnd.
"The
old church, by Mrs. Millard, Dublin, is after
accompanying engraving
of this
William F. Wakeman in 1840, and now preserved among the Irish Ord-
^7 See Ferrar's " of
History Limerick,
a
nance Survey Records, R. I. A.
drawing by
'^
It is built of Cyclopean masonry, and Dr. O'Donovan supplies a rough drawing of it.
'3 Dr. O'Donovan gives a sketch of this window.
'* An account of the more modem abbey church and some other ecclesiastical ruins in this parish follows the foregoing, with the "HistoryofMungret. " Seetiit'^. , pp. 35to57.
^° This is situated to the left of the road immediately
of the tenth
as you approach it from Limerick. On the inside this church measures 41 feet in length by 23 feet in breadth. Considering its age, the walls are in good preservation. ^' The side walls are 2 feet xo inches in thickness, and
Antiquities," chap, liv. , pp. 542, 543.
part i. , chap, i. , p. 4.
'^ "
32 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 2.
CHAPTER III.
ANTIQUITY OF THE SEE AND CATHEDRAL OF LIMERICK—THE OLD CHURCH OF ST, MUNCHIN CONVERTED INTO A PARISH CHURCH—ST. MUNCHIN'S CATHOLIC CHAPEL
CONCLUSION. ERECTED—FESTIVALS AND OFFICES OF ST. MUNCHIN—
An impenetrable mystery seems to shroud the history of the establishment of a see at Limerick, while the acts of its patron saint and first bishop are involved in a maze of obscurity. Various \vriters have endeavoured to solve the problem presented ; but they have been obliged to leave much for con- jecture, and this has only tended the more to perpetuate uncertainty.
Some authors make this city identical with the Regia found on the Map of Ptolemy, the Geographer. St. Munchin is thought to have been earliest bishop over Limerick,^ and he is traditionally said to have founded this see, and a cathe- dral there called after his name. ^
The first historian of this city, Ferrar, could not discover anything authen-
tic concerning it, until about the middle of the ninth century. 3 A still later
history of the county and city of Limerick has been written by Rev. T.
Fitzgerald and J. J. M'Gregor. These \\Titers have acknowledged the
obscurity in which the city of Limerick's original foundation is involved.
The same historians state, that a manuscript^ belonging to the friars of Multi-
farnam, designates Limerick as Rosse de hailleagh. s Although little be
known regarding Limerick before the Danes landed there, yet its having been
reputed the see of a bishop, so early as the seventh century, furnishes some
proofthatitwasaplaceofconsequenceataveryremoteperiod. ^ Butthere can hardly be any question that the Church of Limerick had a continued succes-
sion of bishops from a very early date. 7 To St. •Munchin the foundation of Limerick Cathedral has been generally assigned. ^ From about the middle of the sixth century. Limerick appears to have held rank among the cities of Ireland. 9 In the second life of St. Senan, one Denon, called Bishop of
'°
Limerick, is said to have attended the funeral of Iniscathy's first abbot. Yet, it has been asserted, that there was neither a city nor a bishop of Limerickatthisearlyperiod. " St. Munchin'sChurchinthiscityissaid,by onewriter,tohavebeenfoundedbySt. Minchinabouttheyear630. " Itis thought to have been rebuilt by the Danes after their conversion to Chris- tianity. St. Munchin's Church continued to be this city's cathedral until
Chap. hi. —' See Ferrar's " of History
thorities,
Limerick," part iii. , chap, ii. , p. 170, and writers. This was the Cathedral of Limerick
chap, iii. , p. i86. see until about the time of the English in-
^
See "Harris' Ware," vol. i. , Bishops of vasion, when St. Mary's Cathedral was Limerick, p. 503. founded by Donald O'Brien, King of Lime-
3 See Ferrar's "History of Limerick^" rick. The Ostmen are said to have restored
p. 3.
* This, however, would not seem to have
been the "Annales de Monte Femandi. "
5 The "Annales de Monte Fernandi," or
St. Munchin's Church. See Lenihan's "Limerick, its History and Antiquities," chap. liv. p. 542.
9 See Mr. and Mrs. Hall's "Ireland, Annals of Multifernam, edited by Dr. its Scenery, Character," &c. vol. i. , p.
Aquilla Smith, have been published by the
Limerick, under the foregoing name, as given in the text.
^
part iii. , chap, i. , pp. 149, 150.
7 See Lenihan's "Limerick, its History
^
325.
Irish
nals, I cannot discover any allusion to
Hibeniiae," viii. Martii. Vita S. Senani, cap. xliii. ,
Archaeological Society.
In these An-
'° "Acta Sanctorum Colgan's
p. 537 (recte) 533.
"
See Ferrar's "History of Limerick," tory of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap. xi. iv, 33,
p. 92.
"See Ferrar's "History of Limerick,"
part i. , chap, i. , p. 4. Yet, in another This continued tradition has been place, its erection is assigned to A. D. 651.
and Antiquities," chap, liv. , p. 544.
followed by Sir James Ware and his au- See ibid. , part iii. , chap, i. , p. 149.
as also our ancient and modem by
See Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical His-
January 2,] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 33
after the erection of St. Mar/s Church. ^3 Then it would appear to have been converted to a parish church, as the new building had been considered more convenient and appropriate for cathedral purposes. It is situated at the north end of the English to^vn. ^'^ Little is knowTi regarding its sub- sequent history until the year 1711, a time of great excitement in Limerick. Then the church was diverted from its original purposes. It received some additions and repairs under the superintendence of the Protestant Bishop Smyth. 'S This old church was a plain building, 86 feet in length by 23 in breadth. It was destitute of any interesting object, except a fine monument of black and white marble placed over the restorer's family vault. The church, converted to Protestant purposes, received further improvements through the familyexertionsofBishopSmyth. Hediedin1725,andwasinterredinSt. Munchin's Church. A gallery was erected, at the west end, in 1752. The rebuilding of this church was commenced by the Board of First Fruits, before
A. D. 1827.
The site of St. Munchin's Church, at the northern extremity of Limerick,
is extremely agreeable ; the churchyard is 630 feet in circumference, over- hangs the Shannon, and having the old to\vn wall for its northern boundary. A pleasant elevated terrace-walk extends along it, from which a view of Thomond Bridge, the river, and the county Clare may be obtained. The parish of St. Munchin's contained 2,250 acres of cultivated land, and upwards of 300 of mountain heath and bog, in a. d. 1827. Part of the parish was then situated in the King's Island, the remainder in the city's north Liberties and in the adjoining barony of Bunratty, county Clare. St. Munchin's was one of the prebends in the gift of the bishop. It was an entire rectory, partly within the city and partly within the county of the city, being united to the rectory of Kill Conygayn, and to the rectory and vicarage of Killon- chan. ^^ In the year 1 744, the Catholics of Limerick built a chapel near Thomond Bridge, on the North Strand. This plain building was dedicated to St. Munchin. '7 According to present arrangements, the parish of St. Munchin forms a cure of souls apart from the cathedral which has been lately built, in a style of great architectural beauty.
The festival of the patron, St. Munchin, is celebrated on this day as a double of the first class, in Limerick city and diocese. However, De Burgo's
*'
Officia Propria Sanctorum Hibernias" contains no proper office of this saint, nor indeed does any other ritualistic collection. The office and mass for his festival are taken from those common to a bishop and confessor, as found in the Roman breviary and missal. In the anonymous catalogue of Irish Saints published by O'Sullivan Beare,^^ this saint is set down as Munchinus, at the ist day of January. ^9 Nor can we doubt but he is commemorated in Henry Fitz-Simons' list, under the name Monuchinus, although the day of his feast is not entered. ^° However, the prevailing practice at Limerick celebrates the patron saint's festival on the 2nd day of January. This appears, likewise, to have been the usage from time immemorial. Another
'3 See ibid, note, p. 4. For a further ac-
count in reference to the parochial history of
this rectory, see CarUsle's "Topographical
Dictionary of Ireland," under the heading Limerick.
'+ See Lenihan's "Limerick, its History
Munchin. See "Fitzgerald and M'Gregor's History, Topography, and Antiquities of the County and City of Limerick," p. 4, 556 to 558, and Addenda.
'? See Ferrar's "History of Limerick " part iv. , chap, i. , p. 196.
and liv. Antiquities," chap.
'* See "Historiae Catholicae Ibemise pendium," Tomusi. , lib. iv. cap. xi. p . „
'' See "Harris' Ware," vol. i. , "Bigj^Qpg of Limerick," p. 503, where a similar gt^te- ment is to be found,
^° See ibid, cap. xii. , p. 56.
p. 149.
'5 See Lenihan's "Limerick, its History
Cqui.
and Antiquities," chap. liv. pp. 542, 543.
'*
This whole benefice was valued in the
King's books at £2 13s. 4d. There is a glebe house and garden in the parish of St.
Vol. I.
Tk
the " of Martyrology
Abb
ttlAincliine AneijAge
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 2.
34
feast has been assigned to a St, Mainchin, conjecturally supposed by O'Clery to have been identical with this holy Bishop of Limerick. It was held on the 29th of November. "
It is only in the Church of Christ true merit is recognised and worthily honoured. Theworldmaydisregardholymen,asourBlessedSaviourwas once discredited and rejected by his chosen people. In a worldly sense the saints never enjoyed ease or comfort ; and this truth must be admitted by all Christians,inwhateverdegreeorranktheyliveandmove. Yet,thepiousser- vants of God find it a great happiness to lay securely the foundation of a spiritual life, in discharging the highly responsible duties entrusted to them during life. Beyond that goal, good bishops and the pastors of the Church point out a true inheritance to their flocks, as Moses from Mount Nebo did the promised land to the children of Israel. Like that great leader and prophet, too, they may rest in the unknown graves,^=' but their memories shall live in the recol- lection of a grateful people, even though the traditions of their age and personal characteristics may have perished in those places, once sanctified by
their living presence.
ARTICLE II. —ST. SCHOTIN, OR SCUTHIN, PATRON OF TASCOFFIN PARISH, COUNTY KILKENNY.
CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTION—PARENTAGE OF ST. SCUTHIN—DATE OF BIRTH—EARLY PIETY— EDUCATED BY ST. DAVID, ARCHBISHOP OF MENEVIA—RETURNS TO IRELAND— ESTABLISHES A RELIGIOUS FOUNDATION AT TASCOFFIN—DESCRIPTION OF THIS LOCALITY.
In every Irish parish, the incessant missionary labours of some early founder
or patron saint have been strenuously, if not successfully, emulated by pastors and assistants, anxious to advance the spiritual and temporal welfare of their flocks. This is their true happiness, since it places them in true relations with their brethren and with God. It also serves to perpetuate the blessings brought upon that district by those who associated their fives and actions with the spot, where the works of light dispelled those of darkness. Colgan remarks that the acts of St. Schotin, if extant, had not come into his posses- sion. ^ From other sources he prepared some biographical notices. St. Schotin, otherwise Scutin, was son to Sedna,^ and he was a child of respectable parentage. Thissaintwasborn,perhaps,towardsthecloseofthefifthorabout the beginning of the sixth century. Deriving his descent from Fertlacta, son
*'
See Drs. Todd's and Reeves' edition of
t). 1111, n.
B.
Dalcassian line.
p. 4.
" See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
niae," xiv. Februarii. Vita S. Mancheni, n.
6, p. 333.
'^ He is mentioned in "Vita S. Declani,"
cap. xix.
January 2. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 29
posedtohavebeenatLimerick/* Itseemsnotunlikelyhemayhavebeen consecrated for the work of the ministry, and he might have been the first to preside over that church.
It is barely possible, but hardly probable, that Mainchen, or Munchin, of Limerick, can be identified with the learned Mainchin, who presided over the Monastery of Rosnat, in Britain,''s and who was the master of so many renowned saints. Yet the circumstances of time, of station, and of erudition, would not render this an extravagant supposition. This holy man, with one hundred and fifty of his disciples, has been invoked in the Litany of St. ^ngus. '^ Yet it seems difficult to assign his exact festival, owing as well to the confused orthographies, Munchin, Manchen, Mainchein, and Manchan, not to speak of Mansen, Manicheus, and other varied Latinized forms with
which we meet, as also to the great number of saints thus called, but whose
festival days are not sufficiently distinguished by predicates, in our Martyro- logies. '7
Certain \vriters confound St. Munchin of Limerick with St. Manchan ot Menadrochid. ^^ Notalonearetheseplacesfarapart,buttheperiodswhen both holy men flourished seem to mark a wide difference. St. Manchan of
Menadrochid'9 died a. d. 648, according to the "Annals of the Four Masters. " "
The "Annals of Clonmacnoise record his demise at a. d. 649. Dr. O'Donovan regards this latter date even as antecedent to his dormition. =° The " Annals of Ulster " the death of Abbot of Menadro-
assign Maencha,
chit, to A. D. 651. This place is now known as Monadrehid, a townland
situated in the south-west end of Magh-Thuat plain, or parish of Offerailan.
It lies about one mile, north-east from Borris-in-Ossory, Queen's County. ^^' If St. Munchin of Limerick, flourished in the time of St. Patrick, we must then fairly conclude he cannot be confounded with St. Mainchein the Wise, or Manchene, Abbot of Menedrochaidh, who died a. d. 651,^^ or 652. ^3 How- ever, it is thought that St. Manchin of Limerick lived at least two centuries before that period assigned by our Martyrologies to St. Manchen, Abbot of Menedrochit. ^4
CHAPTER II.
ST. MUNCHIN AND ST. MOLUA REGARDED AS PATRON SAINTS OF THE THOMOND O'BRIENS—SAID TO HAVE BEEN ABBOT OVER MUNGRET—DESCRIPTIVE PARTICULARS OF THIS PLACE—SISTERS OF ST. MUNCHIN—ORIGIN OF THE CITY AND SEE OF LIMERICK—ST. MUNCHIN SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN ITS FIRST BISHOP.
St. Munchin thus belonged, as tradition holds, to the blood royal of North Munster. St. Molua and he were regarded as tutelary saints of the
'^
See "Harris' Ware," vol. i. ; Bishops of Limerick, p. 503.
'9 Colgan thinkshim to be identical with St.
Manchein the Sage, of Dysart Gallen, and whose festival follows on this same day.
^° See "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 262, 263, and n. (n. )
^' There are still some ruins here, which
monk.
were substituted it is thought for cognomens,
and thus they are probably sometimes read
as proper names of saints, and sometimes as
a characteristic of their profession. See nach. "
'* Trias Thaumaturga,"Sexta Vita S. Patricii, ** See Lenihan's " History of Limerick," n. 67, p. loi. chap, i. , p. 5.
""^
Ibid, n. 3. , p. 332.
'S He is specially noticed in the Acts of
St. David, of St. Tighernach, of St. Enda, and of St. Modwenna.
'* Num. 60.
'7 It has been remarked by Colgan that
the various forms of this name are derivable
from the Irish Manath, which means "a
"
These appellations in many cases
are described at St. Laisren's feast day, the
i6th of September.
^ According to the " Annals of Ulster. "
^3 According to the " Annals of Tigher-
30
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 2.
Thomond O'Briens. ^ St. Munchin, called the son of Sedna,^' is said to have been the first founder of Mungret Monastery, regarding which a curious legend has come down in popular tradition. Some maintain that the Priory of Mungret, within the Liberties of Limerick, was first founded by St, Patrick, in the fifth century. 3 Other writers state, that St. Nessan was the founder of this monastery, or at least its first abbot. Hence probably the place derived its name in ancient times ; for we are told it was formerly called the City of Deochain-assain. '^ Whether before or after his appoint- ment as Bishop of Limerick is not stated ; but, it has been thought, St. Munchin, in due course of time, succeeded St. Nessan as abbot over Mun-
gretorMuingharid. s Thishouseorcolonycontained1,500monks,^500of whom were devoted to preaching, 500 others were so classed and divided as to have a perpetual full choir day and night, while the remaining 500 were old men of exemplary piety, who devoted themselves to charitable and re-
works. 7 This statement seems to have been founded on a local tradition.
'
. ^~
ligious
January 2. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 31
Cashel, that Mungret had formerly within its walls six churches, and con-
tained, exclusive of scholars, 1,600 religious,? yet the ecclesiastical remains now left are very inconsiderable. There is an old church in the Irish style
14feetinheight; theyarebuiltwithgoodstones,cementedwithexcellent lime and sand mortar. The west gable is remarkably high and sharp at the point, while the east one is rendered obtuse after the storms of ages. As is usually the case in old Irish churches, the door-way opens in the west gable. It is 6 feet 8 inches in height, while it is 3 feet 7 inches wide at the bottom, and it diminishes to 3 feet 4 inches at the top. " A large breach in the south wall extends from the ground to the top of a round-headed window, which, excepting its top, has altogether disappeared. The east gable con- tains a rude round-headed window, placed at some height from the ground.
On the inside it measures about 5 feet 10 inches in height, and 2 feet 8 inches in width : on the outside it is about 3 feet 10 inches in height, and i foot 6 inches in width. '3 The north wall is in very good preservation, but feature- less : the south wall is a good deal injured, and besides the window already alluded to, it contained another, now reduced to a formless breach. '*
According to tradition, little Kilrush'5 is said to have been built by Rose,asisterofSt. Munchin. Again,theChurchofKilleely,inaparishof the same name, was dedicated to St. Lelia, also thought to have been a sister to St. Munchin. "^ It adjoins Mungret parish. When the death of St. Munchin happened has not been ascertained with any degree of correctness. We are carelessly told, indeed, that St. Munchin, the first Bishop of Limerick, died in the year 652. ^7 No authority whatever is cited for such a statement. It is not considered probable, by Dr. Lanigan, that the patron saint of Limerick, St. Munchin, or St. Manchin, had been a bishop over that see. '^ It has been remarked,'? likewise, that we can find nothing related respecting the successors of St. Munchin in the see of Limerick, before the times of those Pagan Ost- men who held Limerick by force of arms, as they did other cities. ^° We labour under like defects and disadvantages in reference to the early origin of many among our most celebrated towns and cities.
century.
5 See Gough's "Camden's Britannia," vol.
iii. , p. 519-
'° So states Dr. O'Donovan, who describes
this parish. See "Letters containing Infor- mation relative to the Antiquities of the county of Limerick, collected during the pro- gress of the Ordnance Survey in 1840," vol. i. , pp. 33, 34.
Among the Ordnance Survey Sketches pre- served in the R. I. A. , there is a pencil sketch of this abbey by William F. Wake- man, and taken in 1840.
'5 This ancient church is said to resemble,
in various particulars, that of Mungret. The residence of the Hon. Robert O'Brien, brother of Lord Inchiquin, adjoins it.
'^ Lenihan's its and "Limerick, History
"
See "Ecclesiastical History of Ireland, vol. ii. , chap, xi. , §iv. , n. 53, p. 63.
^9 In "Harris' Ware," vol. i. , Bishops of Limerick, p. 503.
^° "But in the tenth century they were converted to the Christian religion. How- ever I hardly find any bishop in this see be- fore Gille or Gillebert, who begins to govern it about the beginning of the twelfth century. " ^ccilnd.
"The
old church, by Mrs. Millard, Dublin, is after
accompanying engraving
of this
William F. Wakeman in 1840, and now preserved among the Irish Ord-
^7 See Ferrar's " of
History Limerick,
a
nance Survey Records, R. I. A.
drawing by
'^
It is built of Cyclopean masonry, and Dr. O'Donovan supplies a rough drawing of it.
'3 Dr. O'Donovan gives a sketch of this window.
'* An account of the more modem abbey church and some other ecclesiastical ruins in this parish follows the foregoing, with the "HistoryofMungret. " Seetiit'^. , pp. 35to57.
^° This is situated to the left of the road immediately
of the tenth
as you approach it from Limerick. On the inside this church measures 41 feet in length by 23 feet in breadth. Considering its age, the walls are in good preservation. ^' The side walls are 2 feet xo inches in thickness, and
Antiquities," chap, liv. , pp. 542, 543.
part i. , chap, i. , p. 4.
'^ "
32 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 2.
CHAPTER III.
ANTIQUITY OF THE SEE AND CATHEDRAL OF LIMERICK—THE OLD CHURCH OF ST, MUNCHIN CONVERTED INTO A PARISH CHURCH—ST. MUNCHIN'S CATHOLIC CHAPEL
CONCLUSION. ERECTED—FESTIVALS AND OFFICES OF ST. MUNCHIN—
An impenetrable mystery seems to shroud the history of the establishment of a see at Limerick, while the acts of its patron saint and first bishop are involved in a maze of obscurity. Various \vriters have endeavoured to solve the problem presented ; but they have been obliged to leave much for con- jecture, and this has only tended the more to perpetuate uncertainty.
Some authors make this city identical with the Regia found on the Map of Ptolemy, the Geographer. St. Munchin is thought to have been earliest bishop over Limerick,^ and he is traditionally said to have founded this see, and a cathe- dral there called after his name. ^
The first historian of this city, Ferrar, could not discover anything authen-
tic concerning it, until about the middle of the ninth century. 3 A still later
history of the county and city of Limerick has been written by Rev. T.
Fitzgerald and J. J. M'Gregor. These \\Titers have acknowledged the
obscurity in which the city of Limerick's original foundation is involved.
The same historians state, that a manuscript^ belonging to the friars of Multi-
farnam, designates Limerick as Rosse de hailleagh. s Although little be
known regarding Limerick before the Danes landed there, yet its having been
reputed the see of a bishop, so early as the seventh century, furnishes some
proofthatitwasaplaceofconsequenceataveryremoteperiod. ^ Butthere can hardly be any question that the Church of Limerick had a continued succes-
sion of bishops from a very early date. 7 To St. •Munchin the foundation of Limerick Cathedral has been generally assigned. ^ From about the middle of the sixth century. Limerick appears to have held rank among the cities of Ireland. 9 In the second life of St. Senan, one Denon, called Bishop of
'°
Limerick, is said to have attended the funeral of Iniscathy's first abbot. Yet, it has been asserted, that there was neither a city nor a bishop of Limerickatthisearlyperiod. " St. Munchin'sChurchinthiscityissaid,by onewriter,tohavebeenfoundedbySt. Minchinabouttheyear630. " Itis thought to have been rebuilt by the Danes after their conversion to Chris- tianity. St. Munchin's Church continued to be this city's cathedral until
Chap. hi. —' See Ferrar's " of History
thorities,
Limerick," part iii. , chap, ii. , p. 170, and writers. This was the Cathedral of Limerick
chap, iii. , p. i86. see until about the time of the English in-
^
See "Harris' Ware," vol. i. , Bishops of vasion, when St. Mary's Cathedral was Limerick, p. 503. founded by Donald O'Brien, King of Lime-
3 See Ferrar's "History of Limerick^" rick. The Ostmen are said to have restored
p. 3.
* This, however, would not seem to have
been the "Annales de Monte Femandi. "
5 The "Annales de Monte Fernandi," or
St. Munchin's Church. See Lenihan's "Limerick, its History and Antiquities," chap. liv. p. 542.
9 See Mr. and Mrs. Hall's "Ireland, Annals of Multifernam, edited by Dr. its Scenery, Character," &c. vol. i. , p.
Aquilla Smith, have been published by the
Limerick, under the foregoing name, as given in the text.
^
part iii. , chap, i. , pp. 149, 150.
7 See Lenihan's "Limerick, its History
^
325.
Irish
nals, I cannot discover any allusion to
Hibeniiae," viii. Martii. Vita S. Senani, cap. xliii. ,
Archaeological Society.
In these An-
'° "Acta Sanctorum Colgan's
p. 537 (recte) 533.
"
See Ferrar's "History of Limerick," tory of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap. xi. iv, 33,
p. 92.
"See Ferrar's "History of Limerick,"
part i. , chap, i. , p. 4. Yet, in another This continued tradition has been place, its erection is assigned to A. D. 651.
and Antiquities," chap, liv. , p. 544.
followed by Sir James Ware and his au- See ibid. , part iii. , chap, i. , p. 149.
as also our ancient and modem by
See Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical His-
January 2,] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 33
after the erection of St. Mar/s Church. ^3 Then it would appear to have been converted to a parish church, as the new building had been considered more convenient and appropriate for cathedral purposes. It is situated at the north end of the English to^vn. ^'^ Little is knowTi regarding its sub- sequent history until the year 1711, a time of great excitement in Limerick. Then the church was diverted from its original purposes. It received some additions and repairs under the superintendence of the Protestant Bishop Smyth. 'S This old church was a plain building, 86 feet in length by 23 in breadth. It was destitute of any interesting object, except a fine monument of black and white marble placed over the restorer's family vault. The church, converted to Protestant purposes, received further improvements through the familyexertionsofBishopSmyth. Hediedin1725,andwasinterredinSt. Munchin's Church. A gallery was erected, at the west end, in 1752. The rebuilding of this church was commenced by the Board of First Fruits, before
A. D. 1827.
The site of St. Munchin's Church, at the northern extremity of Limerick,
is extremely agreeable ; the churchyard is 630 feet in circumference, over- hangs the Shannon, and having the old to\vn wall for its northern boundary. A pleasant elevated terrace-walk extends along it, from which a view of Thomond Bridge, the river, and the county Clare may be obtained. The parish of St. Munchin's contained 2,250 acres of cultivated land, and upwards of 300 of mountain heath and bog, in a. d. 1827. Part of the parish was then situated in the King's Island, the remainder in the city's north Liberties and in the adjoining barony of Bunratty, county Clare. St. Munchin's was one of the prebends in the gift of the bishop. It was an entire rectory, partly within the city and partly within the county of the city, being united to the rectory of Kill Conygayn, and to the rectory and vicarage of Killon- chan. ^^ In the year 1 744, the Catholics of Limerick built a chapel near Thomond Bridge, on the North Strand. This plain building was dedicated to St. Munchin. '7 According to present arrangements, the parish of St. Munchin forms a cure of souls apart from the cathedral which has been lately built, in a style of great architectural beauty.
The festival of the patron, St. Munchin, is celebrated on this day as a double of the first class, in Limerick city and diocese. However, De Burgo's
*'
Officia Propria Sanctorum Hibernias" contains no proper office of this saint, nor indeed does any other ritualistic collection. The office and mass for his festival are taken from those common to a bishop and confessor, as found in the Roman breviary and missal. In the anonymous catalogue of Irish Saints published by O'Sullivan Beare,^^ this saint is set down as Munchinus, at the ist day of January. ^9 Nor can we doubt but he is commemorated in Henry Fitz-Simons' list, under the name Monuchinus, although the day of his feast is not entered. ^° However, the prevailing practice at Limerick celebrates the patron saint's festival on the 2nd day of January. This appears, likewise, to have been the usage from time immemorial. Another
'3 See ibid, note, p. 4. For a further ac-
count in reference to the parochial history of
this rectory, see CarUsle's "Topographical
Dictionary of Ireland," under the heading Limerick.
'+ See Lenihan's "Limerick, its History
Munchin. See "Fitzgerald and M'Gregor's History, Topography, and Antiquities of the County and City of Limerick," p. 4, 556 to 558, and Addenda.
'? See Ferrar's "History of Limerick " part iv. , chap, i. , p. 196.
and liv. Antiquities," chap.
'* See "Historiae Catholicae Ibemise pendium," Tomusi. , lib. iv. cap. xi. p . „
'' See "Harris' Ware," vol. i. , "Bigj^Qpg of Limerick," p. 503, where a similar gt^te- ment is to be found,
^° See ibid, cap. xii. , p. 56.
p. 149.
'5 See Lenihan's "Limerick, its History
Cqui.
and Antiquities," chap. liv. pp. 542, 543.
'*
This whole benefice was valued in the
King's books at £2 13s. 4d. There is a glebe house and garden in the parish of St.
Vol. I.
Tk
the " of Martyrology
Abb
ttlAincliine AneijAge
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 2.
34
feast has been assigned to a St, Mainchin, conjecturally supposed by O'Clery to have been identical with this holy Bishop of Limerick. It was held on the 29th of November. "
It is only in the Church of Christ true merit is recognised and worthily honoured. Theworldmaydisregardholymen,asourBlessedSaviourwas once discredited and rejected by his chosen people. In a worldly sense the saints never enjoyed ease or comfort ; and this truth must be admitted by all Christians,inwhateverdegreeorranktheyliveandmove. Yet,thepiousser- vants of God find it a great happiness to lay securely the foundation of a spiritual life, in discharging the highly responsible duties entrusted to them during life. Beyond that goal, good bishops and the pastors of the Church point out a true inheritance to their flocks, as Moses from Mount Nebo did the promised land to the children of Israel. Like that great leader and prophet, too, they may rest in the unknown graves,^=' but their memories shall live in the recol- lection of a grateful people, even though the traditions of their age and personal characteristics may have perished in those places, once sanctified by
their living presence.
ARTICLE II. —ST. SCHOTIN, OR SCUTHIN, PATRON OF TASCOFFIN PARISH, COUNTY KILKENNY.
CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTION—PARENTAGE OF ST. SCUTHIN—DATE OF BIRTH—EARLY PIETY— EDUCATED BY ST. DAVID, ARCHBISHOP OF MENEVIA—RETURNS TO IRELAND— ESTABLISHES A RELIGIOUS FOUNDATION AT TASCOFFIN—DESCRIPTION OF THIS LOCALITY.
In every Irish parish, the incessant missionary labours of some early founder
or patron saint have been strenuously, if not successfully, emulated by pastors and assistants, anxious to advance the spiritual and temporal welfare of their flocks. This is their true happiness, since it places them in true relations with their brethren and with God. It also serves to perpetuate the blessings brought upon that district by those who associated their fives and actions with the spot, where the works of light dispelled those of darkness. Colgan remarks that the acts of St. Schotin, if extant, had not come into his posses- sion. ^ From other sources he prepared some biographical notices. St. Schotin, otherwise Scutin, was son to Sedna,^ and he was a child of respectable parentage. Thissaintwasborn,perhaps,towardsthecloseofthefifthorabout the beginning of the sixth century. Deriving his descent from Fertlacta, son
*'
See Drs. Todd's and Reeves' edition of
t). 1111, n.
B.
