This, too, agrees with the
statement
of Colgan.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v9
3 Veneration was given, at the 16th of September, as we find set down in the Martyrology of Donegal,3 to Criotan Certronnach, Cellarer of Comhgall, of Bennchor.
Eithne, daughter to Saran, son of Colgan, and sister to Ronan, was the mother of this Criotan Certronnach, who was so called because he used to divide fairly.
* The present Saint is entered in our Calendars without such a distinction ;5 and, therefore, we may doubt, if he filled any higher office than that of Cellarer in the Monastery.
The Annals of Ulster6 and of the Four Masters placed
250,251.
Article iv. —l Thus : Cnicain.
2 A commentator calls him Criotan Cer-
tronnach Celloir Comhgaill Bennchair, which
has been translated by the editor, " Critan,
7 See Dr. O'Donovan's
Annals of the
the — of Benchor's xxxiv.
Justly-dividing, Comgall
cellarer. " Dr. Whitley Stokes' Felire Hui Gormain," pp. 178, 179.
3 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
250, 251.
4 In a note Dr. Reeves says, at the fore-
going words, "From ce^c, 'right,' 'just,'
and |\omn, or r\Ann, 'a division. '
s See Rev. William Reeves' " Ecclesiasti-
of Down Connor and Dro-
Article vi. — Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 250, 251.
cal
more, Appendix LL. , p. 380. "
2 See "Trias
pendix ad Acta S. Columbse, cap. x. , p.
Antiquities
Thaumaturga," QuartaAp-
668. 7 The Annals of Clonmacnoise enter his
his death under the
decease previously to this date, and on the same year, a. d, 665, with
year
Mochwa, or Mochuo, son of Ust, who is also called Abbot of Bangor.
8
Article V. —St. Anfadan. The of published Martyrology
1
registers, at the 16th of September, the name of Anfadan, as having a
festival attaching ; and nearly the same entry is to be found, in the Book of
Leinster 3 With and at the same date, his copy. commendation^ also,
festivalisenteredinMarianusO'Gorman'sMartyrology. Hisnameoccurs, likewise, in the Martyrology of Donegal. *
Article VI. —Reputed Feast of a St. Colan. The eniry of this name, Colan, at this day, is not to be found in the Book of Leinster copy of the Martyrology of Tallagh ; neither is it in the edition published by the Rev. Dr. Kelly. Marianus O'Gorman, in his Martyrology, enters a saint
called Colman, at the present day. The name, Colan, without further 1
designation, occurs in the Martyrology of Donegal at the 16th of September. But, Colgan seems to intimate, that he was a disciple mentioned by St. Columkille in one of his smaller tracts. He is thought to have been a monk at Durrow, in the ancient of 3 and now in the
26 See Dr. Whitley Stokes' " Felire Hui Gormain," pp. 178, 179.
King's
6 See Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum Hibernica- rum Scriptores," tomus iv. , Annales Ulto- nienses.
2
7 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
territory Meath,
p. *' 2
"
Four Masters," vol. ii„ pp. 280, 281, and
n.
(m),
ibid.
8
Article v. — Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly,
See ibid. , n. (m). l
:
Thus ^npooAn.
3 He is styled Anfadan chaste, complete. See Dr. Whitley Stokes' " Felire Hui Gor-
main," pp. 178, 179.
4 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
250,251. "x
Tallagh
416 LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [September16.
County. However, the O'Clerys, who seem to have taken the entry from Marianus, probably set down Colan for the true name, Colman.
Article VII. —St. Senan. We find entered in the Martyrology of
1
Tallagh, the name of Senan, as having been venerated, at the 16th of
September. In the Martyrology of Marianus O'Gorman, at this same date,
name, Senan. 2 his festival is entered in the Likewise,
we find the
Martyrology of Donegal. 3
simple
Article VIII. —St. Saran. In the Book of Leinster copy of the
of wefindthenameof Martyrology Tallagh,
Saran,
the edition published by Rev. Dr. Kelly. Marianus O'Gorman calls the
present Saint Saran the amiable, in his Martyrology at the 16th of Sep- 3
tember. Colgan does not forget to note a saint bearing this name, as
recorded at the present date in the pages of our Irish Calendars. * The
simple entry, Saran, appears in the Martyrology of Donegal,* at the 16th of September. Nothing more occurs in the copy of this Calendar, included with the—Irish Ordnance Survey Records,* at the XVI. of the October
Kalends thecorrespondingday.
Article IX. —St. Caemhan or Coeman. At the 16th of September,
1
the published Martyrology of Tallagh registers a festival in honour of
Caemhan or Coeman. Also, Marianus O'Gorman, in his Martyrology, at
2
this date, has Coeman. In the Martyrology of Donegal,? his feast is
entered, on the same day.
Article X. —St. Colman. Veneration was given to Colman, at the
16thof aswereadin the September,
of
1
Tallagh. Martyrology of Marianus O'Gorman, on this day is entered Colman, while a commentator
states in a gloss da Lonain, which is rendered " descendant of Londn. "3 Also, in the Martyrology of Donegal* his feast is noted at this date.
Article XI. —St. Cathbhadh, or Cathbad. According to the
of 1 a festival in honour of Cathbad, or Tallagh
The same is to be found in the Leinster entry
copy.
3 In the
published Martyrology
Cathbhadh, was celebrated, at the 16th of September. At this day, likewise,
488. Also, Quinta Appendix, cap, iv. , sect, »•> p. 507-
Article vii. -« Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xxxiv. In the Book of Leinster
we also read SenAin
See Dr. Whitley Stokes' "*ehre Hui
5 See Common Place Book, F. , p. 78.
1
Article ix. — Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly,
copy
Gormain, pi78.
a. u See D whiU Stokes
Fdire Hui
3 Edited 2^0 251.
Drs. Todd and •
3 Edited Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. by
Whitley Stokes' p. 178.
, „. 1.
3 See Dr. Whitley Stokes' "Felire Hui
by
Reeves, pp. 2;o 2;i
"
2 Thus ColmAn. Felire Hui Gormain," :
3 See "Acta Sanctorum Hibernire," xvii. Februarii. Dealiis diverts Sanctis Athtrumije quiescentibus, p. 367.
*EditedbyDrs. ToddandReeves,pp. 250, 251.
Gormain," pp. 178, 179
4 Edited Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. by
221' 5°» S
Articlexi—' EditedbyRev. Dr. Kelly, p. xxxiv.
:
published Martyrology
1 atthis butnotin date,
xxxiv. In the Book of Leinster copy is coemAn'
p.
Gormain «
Article x. —« Edited Sar^m. by
Rev. Dr.
Article viil— Thus
3 Thus: "In Saran co sogradh. "—Dr. p. xxxiv.
Kelly,
p. ljS.
September 16. J LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 417
the Book of Leinster copy has Cathboth,2 Also has Marianus O'Gorman in his Martyrology, for the 16th of September, the entry of Cathbad. 3 At the same date, his feast is set down in the Martyrology of Donegal/
Article XII. —St. Airen, The simple entry, Airen, is found in the 1
published Martyrology of Tallagh, at the 16th of September. In the Book of Leinster copy, also, at this day, we read Airen. 2
Article XIII. —St. Auxilius. Of the Seraphic St. Bonaventure, it has been stated, that he had a natural predisposition to virtue. This cannot always be truly said of persons, who come from an immediate line of Pagan ancestors, as in the present instance. A festival in honour of Auxilius is
1
recorded in the Martyrology of Tallagh, at the 16th of September. This
appears to be intended for the Patron Saint of Killossy, in the County of Kildare, and whose acts will be found more appropriately at the 27th of this month. IntheMartyrologyofMarianusO'Gorman,atthissameda—te,heis
eulogised as Auxilius, a gracious leader Killossy, usually calledKillasheebythecountrypeople nopartoftheantientchurchnow remains. AdisusedProtestantchurchprobablymarksthesitewithinanantient graveyard. A square tower, surmounted by a round formation, but of a stunted character and of curious construction, may be seen in connection with that building. Asifanomissionatitsproperplacehadoccurred,wefindinthe Table appended to the M Martyrology of Donegal,"3 a notice of this festival set down in Marianus O'Gorman's Martyrology, and left out by Usuard. In the ninth century, a monastery existed at Killossy, as we find the death of two Abbots recorded : one called Maeldobharchon died a,d. 827,* and the other is called Laoingseach, who departed this life in 870. 5
Article XIV. —Death of St. Cormac Mac Cullinan, King and Bishop of Cashel. According to some statements, the battle of Beallach
1
Moon was fought on the 16th of September. In it, as we have already seen, St. Cormac Mac Cullinan, King and Bishop of Cashel, lost his life. The
2
ArticleXV. —ReputedFeastofSt. Miodu,SonofMael. Inthe
1
table to the Martyrology of Donegal, a St. Miodu, son of Mael, is entered at
2
the 1 6th of September.
This, too, agrees with the statement of Colgan. However, Dr. Reeves asserts in a note, that the festival entry is a mistake
Cambrian Annals assign his death to a. d. 907.
for the 16th of November.
2 Thus: CAchbocVi.
3 See Dr. Whitley Stokes' " Felire Hid
Gormain," p. 178.
'Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
3 Edited by Rev. Drs. Todd and Reeves,
pp. 360, 361.
4 See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 442,443.
month, in the present volume, Art. i.
2 See " Annales Cambrise," edited by the
Rev. John Williams ab Ithel, M. A. , p. 16. Article xv. —- 1 Edited by Rev. Drs. Todtl
andReeves. Seepp. 446,447.
"See " Acta Sanctorum Hiberniae," xiii.
Martji. Vita S, Dagani, nn. II, 12, 13, p. 586. ID
250, 251.
Article xii. —'Edited
by
Rev. Dr.
Kelly,
pp. 516, 517.
Article xiv. —x At the 14th day of this
p. xxxiv. 2 Thus
:
-<My\eni. — " Edited by Rev. Dr. Article xiii.
Kelly, p. xxxiv. In the Book of Leinster copyweread-Auociln.
'See Dr. Whitley Stokes' " Felire Hui Gormain," pp. 178, 179,
2
—. At near Naas
5 See ibid. ,
4i8 LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [September16.
Article XVI. —Festival of St. Euphemia, Virgin and Martyr. In the early Irish Church, the feast of St. Euphemia, a glorious virgin and martyr, who suffered for the faith at Chalcedon, in Bithynia, was commemo-
rated. This the persecution of the happened during
1
Emperor Diocletian, when with many other Christians she was arrested, and brought before the
Proconsul Priscus. Her Acts are given in Greek by the Bollandists,2 at the 1 6th of September, and these Acts are accompanied with a Latin Translation^
in parallel columns, preceded by a Commentary. -* They are followed by a
tract, intituled Exposito Tabulee pictce de Martyrio Sanctcc cujusdam Euphemia,*
and an 6 another which is to have reference Appendix, giving piece, supposed
to this holy virgin and martyr. At the 16th of September, the Irish Martyr- ologist, Marianus O'Gorman, commends himself to the intercession of St. Eufemia. 7
Article XVII. —Festival of Saints Lucia and Geminianus, Martyrs. These holy Martyrs—venerated in the early Irish Church—are thought to have been condemned to death, in the beginning of the fourth century. Lucia is said to have been a Christian and Roman widow, and Geminianus a converted pagan. They suffered under the Emperor Diocletian, who
issued his edicts for the tenth general persecution in the year 303.
*
Their
names are noted at this date in the ancient Greek and Latin — Martyrologies,
and they are recorded in nearly all the more modern ones. Their Acts2
far as known—have been inserted in the Bollandists' " Acta Sanctorum,'^ by Father Urban Sticker, S. J. , in a Sylloge Historico-Critica. 4 In the Martyr- ology of Marianus O'Gorman, at the 16th of September, Saints Lucia and Geminian are venerated. 5 The anniversary feast of the Martyrs served at once to commemorate their glory, and to unite them more closely to those they have left behind on earth. 6
Article xvi. —' He to a. d. began reign
284, and retired from the government on the 1st of May, A. D. 305, at Niomedia. He
so
Gallaecia. Cultus forsan est Euphemia, qme
eadem cum Chalcedonensi. "
7 See Dr. Whitley Stokes' " Felire Ilui
(iied in the ninth
a. d. 313. See Philip Smith's "Ancient Article xvii. 'See the Christian History from the Earliest Records to the Brothers' "Historical Class-Book. " Out- Fall of the Western Empire," vol. iii. ,
book ix. , chap, xliii. , pp. 647 to 668.
year
2 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. ,
Septembris xvi. De S. Euphemia Virg. et Mart. Chalcedone in Bithynia, pp. 252 to 286.
3Theeditoris FatherJohnStilting,S. J.
The Acts are comprised in two chapters and
seventeen paragraphs, with accompanying notes.
lines of Ancient History, p. 215.
4
In five sections and sixty-eight para-
graphs.
5 It is in four paragraphs, and ascribed to
''auctore Asterio episcopo Amasceno" in
Ruinart's edition of the "Acta Sincera. "
Explanatory notes accompanying it.
"
It is in seven paragraphs, and headed period i. , epoch i. , part 2, chap. 5, sect. De S. Euphemia V. M. culta Aurise in 94, p. 316.
6
after his abdication,
Gormain," — pp. 178, 179.
2
These are allowed to be apocryphal.
3 See tomus v. , Septembris xvi. , pp. 286 to 292.
*
paragraphs. 5Thus:
" Eufemia lemrr, Lucia, Geminian daig degmein. "
Thus translated by the editor: "Euphemia be forme, Lucia, Geminianus keen (? ), a good intellect. "— Dr. Whitley Stokes' " Felire Hui Gormain," pp. 178, 179.
6
See Rev. John Alzog's "Manual of Universal Church History," edition of Rev. F. J. Pabisch and Rev. Thomas Byrne, vol. i . ,
It consists of two sections and thirty-one
September 17. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 419
£>ebenteentlj Dap of September.
ARTICLE I. -ST. GRELLAN, PATRON OF HY-MAINE, COUNTIES OF GALWAY AND ROSCOMMON.
[FIFTH OR SIX7II CENTURIES. ] CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTION — HY-MAINE, ITS BOUNDARIES AND ORIGINAL INHABITANTS — THE FIRBOLGS—MAINE MOR SUCCEEDS AND GIVES NAME TO THE TERRITORY—AFTER- WARDS OCCUPIED BY THE o'KELLYS — AUTHORITIES FOR THE ACTS OF ST. GRELLAN—HIS DESCENT AND BIRTH—SAID TO HAVE BEEN A DISCIPLE OF ST. PATRICK—A GREAT MIRACLE WROUGHT BY ST. GRELLAN AT ACHADH FIONN- ABRACH.
OFthis holy man Lives have been written ; while one of them is to be
1
found in a Manuscript of the Royal Irish Academy, and another
among the Irish Manuscripts, in the Royal Library of Bruxelles. Extracts
3
to him are
and in a much fuller form by Dr. John O'Donovan, as taken from the Book
containing biographical
memoranda
relating
given by Colgan,
of Lecan. 3
Biography. * November ;
There is also a notice of him, in the
"
Dictionary of Christian
Colgan promised to present his Life in full, at the 10th of but he did not live to fulfil such promise.
Besides the universal reverence and love, with which Ireland regards the
memory of her great Apostle, St. Patrick, most of our provincial districts and their families of distinction have patron saints, for whom a special venerationisentertained. Amongthelatter,St. Grellan'snameisconnected with his favoured locality. The extensive territory of Hy-Many is fairly defined,5 by describing the northern line as running from Ballymoe, County of Galway, to Lanesborough, at the head of Lough Ree, on the River Shannon, and in the County of Roscommon. It extended nearly due east and west, taking in all the southern part of this last-named county. The eastern boundary ran along the River Shannon's course, from Lanesborough toScariff,inClareCounty,andwestofLoughDerg. Thence,thesouthern and western boundaries proceeded by Feacle, on Lough Graney, County of Clare, and passed some distance west of Loughrea to Athenry ; thence, they continuedthroughKillererinparish,nearTuam,andontoBallymoe. Allof
Article 1. —Chapter 1. —' See "Pro- ceedings of the Royal Irish Academy," vol. iii„ p. 485, and vol. vii. , pp. 372 to 375.
2 See "Acta Sanctorum Hibernise," xv.
Februarii. Vita S. Farannani Confessoris,
cap. vii. , n. 30, pp. 337 and 339; also xxiii.
Februarii. Vita S. Finniani seu Finneni,
cap. xxviii. , and n. 33, p. 396 and 399.
of Hy-Many," pp. 8 to j8, Dublin, 1843, 4to.
4 Edited by William Smith, D. C. L ,
LL. D.
250,251.
Article iv. —l Thus : Cnicain.
2 A commentator calls him Criotan Cer-
tronnach Celloir Comhgaill Bennchair, which
has been translated by the editor, " Critan,
7 See Dr. O'Donovan's
Annals of the
the — of Benchor's xxxiv.
Justly-dividing, Comgall
cellarer. " Dr. Whitley Stokes' Felire Hui Gormain," pp. 178, 179.
3 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
250, 251.
4 In a note Dr. Reeves says, at the fore-
going words, "From ce^c, 'right,' 'just,'
and |\omn, or r\Ann, 'a division. '
s See Rev. William Reeves' " Ecclesiasti-
of Down Connor and Dro-
Article vi. — Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 250, 251.
cal
more, Appendix LL. , p. 380. "
2 See "Trias
pendix ad Acta S. Columbse, cap. x. , p.
Antiquities
Thaumaturga," QuartaAp-
668. 7 The Annals of Clonmacnoise enter his
his death under the
decease previously to this date, and on the same year, a. d, 665, with
year
Mochwa, or Mochuo, son of Ust, who is also called Abbot of Bangor.
8
Article V. —St. Anfadan. The of published Martyrology
1
registers, at the 16th of September, the name of Anfadan, as having a
festival attaching ; and nearly the same entry is to be found, in the Book of
Leinster 3 With and at the same date, his copy. commendation^ also,
festivalisenteredinMarianusO'Gorman'sMartyrology. Hisnameoccurs, likewise, in the Martyrology of Donegal. *
Article VI. —Reputed Feast of a St. Colan. The eniry of this name, Colan, at this day, is not to be found in the Book of Leinster copy of the Martyrology of Tallagh ; neither is it in the edition published by the Rev. Dr. Kelly. Marianus O'Gorman, in his Martyrology, enters a saint
called Colman, at the present day. The name, Colan, without further 1
designation, occurs in the Martyrology of Donegal at the 16th of September. But, Colgan seems to intimate, that he was a disciple mentioned by St. Columkille in one of his smaller tracts. He is thought to have been a monk at Durrow, in the ancient of 3 and now in the
26 See Dr. Whitley Stokes' " Felire Hui Gormain," pp. 178, 179.
King's
6 See Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum Hibernica- rum Scriptores," tomus iv. , Annales Ulto- nienses.
2
7 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
territory Meath,
p. *' 2
"
Four Masters," vol. ii„ pp. 280, 281, and
n.
(m),
ibid.
8
Article v. — Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly,
See ibid. , n. (m). l
:
Thus ^npooAn.
3 He is styled Anfadan chaste, complete. See Dr. Whitley Stokes' " Felire Hui Gor-
main," pp. 178, 179.
4 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
250,251. "x
Tallagh
416 LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [September16.
County. However, the O'Clerys, who seem to have taken the entry from Marianus, probably set down Colan for the true name, Colman.
Article VII. —St. Senan. We find entered in the Martyrology of
1
Tallagh, the name of Senan, as having been venerated, at the 16th of
September. In the Martyrology of Marianus O'Gorman, at this same date,
name, Senan. 2 his festival is entered in the Likewise,
we find the
Martyrology of Donegal. 3
simple
Article VIII. —St. Saran. In the Book of Leinster copy of the
of wefindthenameof Martyrology Tallagh,
Saran,
the edition published by Rev. Dr. Kelly. Marianus O'Gorman calls the
present Saint Saran the amiable, in his Martyrology at the 16th of Sep- 3
tember. Colgan does not forget to note a saint bearing this name, as
recorded at the present date in the pages of our Irish Calendars. * The
simple entry, Saran, appears in the Martyrology of Donegal,* at the 16th of September. Nothing more occurs in the copy of this Calendar, included with the—Irish Ordnance Survey Records,* at the XVI. of the October
Kalends thecorrespondingday.
Article IX. —St. Caemhan or Coeman. At the 16th of September,
1
the published Martyrology of Tallagh registers a festival in honour of
Caemhan or Coeman. Also, Marianus O'Gorman, in his Martyrology, at
2
this date, has Coeman. In the Martyrology of Donegal,? his feast is
entered, on the same day.
Article X. —St. Colman. Veneration was given to Colman, at the
16thof aswereadin the September,
of
1
Tallagh. Martyrology of Marianus O'Gorman, on this day is entered Colman, while a commentator
states in a gloss da Lonain, which is rendered " descendant of Londn. "3 Also, in the Martyrology of Donegal* his feast is noted at this date.
Article XI. —St. Cathbhadh, or Cathbad. According to the
of 1 a festival in honour of Cathbad, or Tallagh
The same is to be found in the Leinster entry
copy.
3 In the
published Martyrology
Cathbhadh, was celebrated, at the 16th of September. At this day, likewise,
488. Also, Quinta Appendix, cap, iv. , sect, »•> p. 507-
Article vii. -« Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xxxiv. In the Book of Leinster
we also read SenAin
See Dr. Whitley Stokes' "*ehre Hui
5 See Common Place Book, F. , p. 78.
1
Article ix. — Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly,
copy
Gormain, pi78.
a. u See D whiU Stokes
Fdire Hui
3 Edited 2^0 251.
Drs. Todd and •
3 Edited Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. by
Whitley Stokes' p. 178.
, „. 1.
3 See Dr. Whitley Stokes' "Felire Hui
by
Reeves, pp. 2;o 2;i
"
2 Thus ColmAn. Felire Hui Gormain," :
3 See "Acta Sanctorum Hibernire," xvii. Februarii. Dealiis diverts Sanctis Athtrumije quiescentibus, p. 367.
*EditedbyDrs. ToddandReeves,pp. 250, 251.
Gormain," pp. 178, 179
4 Edited Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. by
221' 5°» S
Articlexi—' EditedbyRev. Dr. Kelly, p. xxxiv.
:
published Martyrology
1 atthis butnotin date,
xxxiv. In the Book of Leinster copy is coemAn'
p.
Gormain «
Article x. —« Edited Sar^m. by
Rev. Dr.
Article viil— Thus
3 Thus: "In Saran co sogradh. "—Dr. p. xxxiv.
Kelly,
p. ljS.
September 16. J LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 417
the Book of Leinster copy has Cathboth,2 Also has Marianus O'Gorman in his Martyrology, for the 16th of September, the entry of Cathbad. 3 At the same date, his feast is set down in the Martyrology of Donegal/
Article XII. —St. Airen, The simple entry, Airen, is found in the 1
published Martyrology of Tallagh, at the 16th of September. In the Book of Leinster copy, also, at this day, we read Airen. 2
Article XIII. —St. Auxilius. Of the Seraphic St. Bonaventure, it has been stated, that he had a natural predisposition to virtue. This cannot always be truly said of persons, who come from an immediate line of Pagan ancestors, as in the present instance. A festival in honour of Auxilius is
1
recorded in the Martyrology of Tallagh, at the 16th of September. This
appears to be intended for the Patron Saint of Killossy, in the County of Kildare, and whose acts will be found more appropriately at the 27th of this month. IntheMartyrologyofMarianusO'Gorman,atthissameda—te,heis
eulogised as Auxilius, a gracious leader Killossy, usually calledKillasheebythecountrypeople nopartoftheantientchurchnow remains. AdisusedProtestantchurchprobablymarksthesitewithinanantient graveyard. A square tower, surmounted by a round formation, but of a stunted character and of curious construction, may be seen in connection with that building. Asifanomissionatitsproperplacehadoccurred,wefindinthe Table appended to the M Martyrology of Donegal,"3 a notice of this festival set down in Marianus O'Gorman's Martyrology, and left out by Usuard. In the ninth century, a monastery existed at Killossy, as we find the death of two Abbots recorded : one called Maeldobharchon died a,d. 827,* and the other is called Laoingseach, who departed this life in 870. 5
Article XIV. —Death of St. Cormac Mac Cullinan, King and Bishop of Cashel. According to some statements, the battle of Beallach
1
Moon was fought on the 16th of September. In it, as we have already seen, St. Cormac Mac Cullinan, King and Bishop of Cashel, lost his life. The
2
ArticleXV. —ReputedFeastofSt. Miodu,SonofMael. Inthe
1
table to the Martyrology of Donegal, a St. Miodu, son of Mael, is entered at
2
the 1 6th of September.
This, too, agrees with the statement of Colgan. However, Dr. Reeves asserts in a note, that the festival entry is a mistake
Cambrian Annals assign his death to a. d. 907.
for the 16th of November.
2 Thus: CAchbocVi.
3 See Dr. Whitley Stokes' " Felire Hid
Gormain," p. 178.
'Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
3 Edited by Rev. Drs. Todd and Reeves,
pp. 360, 361.
4 See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 442,443.
month, in the present volume, Art. i.
2 See " Annales Cambrise," edited by the
Rev. John Williams ab Ithel, M. A. , p. 16. Article xv. —- 1 Edited by Rev. Drs. Todtl
andReeves. Seepp. 446,447.
"See " Acta Sanctorum Hiberniae," xiii.
Martji. Vita S, Dagani, nn. II, 12, 13, p. 586. ID
250, 251.
Article xii. —'Edited
by
Rev. Dr.
Kelly,
pp. 516, 517.
Article xiv. —x At the 14th day of this
p. xxxiv. 2 Thus
:
-<My\eni. — " Edited by Rev. Dr. Article xiii.
Kelly, p. xxxiv. In the Book of Leinster copyweread-Auociln.
'See Dr. Whitley Stokes' " Felire Hui Gormain," pp. 178, 179,
2
—. At near Naas
5 See ibid. ,
4i8 LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [September16.
Article XVI. —Festival of St. Euphemia, Virgin and Martyr. In the early Irish Church, the feast of St. Euphemia, a glorious virgin and martyr, who suffered for the faith at Chalcedon, in Bithynia, was commemo-
rated. This the persecution of the happened during
1
Emperor Diocletian, when with many other Christians she was arrested, and brought before the
Proconsul Priscus. Her Acts are given in Greek by the Bollandists,2 at the 1 6th of September, and these Acts are accompanied with a Latin Translation^
in parallel columns, preceded by a Commentary. -* They are followed by a
tract, intituled Exposito Tabulee pictce de Martyrio Sanctcc cujusdam Euphemia,*
and an 6 another which is to have reference Appendix, giving piece, supposed
to this holy virgin and martyr. At the 16th of September, the Irish Martyr- ologist, Marianus O'Gorman, commends himself to the intercession of St. Eufemia. 7
Article XVII. —Festival of Saints Lucia and Geminianus, Martyrs. These holy Martyrs—venerated in the early Irish Church—are thought to have been condemned to death, in the beginning of the fourth century. Lucia is said to have been a Christian and Roman widow, and Geminianus a converted pagan. They suffered under the Emperor Diocletian, who
issued his edicts for the tenth general persecution in the year 303.
*
Their
names are noted at this date in the ancient Greek and Latin — Martyrologies,
and they are recorded in nearly all the more modern ones. Their Acts2
far as known—have been inserted in the Bollandists' " Acta Sanctorum,'^ by Father Urban Sticker, S. J. , in a Sylloge Historico-Critica. 4 In the Martyr- ology of Marianus O'Gorman, at the 16th of September, Saints Lucia and Geminian are venerated. 5 The anniversary feast of the Martyrs served at once to commemorate their glory, and to unite them more closely to those they have left behind on earth. 6
Article xvi. —' He to a. d. began reign
284, and retired from the government on the 1st of May, A. D. 305, at Niomedia. He
so
Gallaecia. Cultus forsan est Euphemia, qme
eadem cum Chalcedonensi. "
7 See Dr. Whitley Stokes' " Felire Ilui
(iied in the ninth
a. d. 313. See Philip Smith's "Ancient Article xvii. 'See the Christian History from the Earliest Records to the Brothers' "Historical Class-Book. " Out- Fall of the Western Empire," vol. iii. ,
book ix. , chap, xliii. , pp. 647 to 668.
year
2 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. ,
Septembris xvi. De S. Euphemia Virg. et Mart. Chalcedone in Bithynia, pp. 252 to 286.
3Theeditoris FatherJohnStilting,S. J.
The Acts are comprised in two chapters and
seventeen paragraphs, with accompanying notes.
lines of Ancient History, p. 215.
4
In five sections and sixty-eight para-
graphs.
5 It is in four paragraphs, and ascribed to
''auctore Asterio episcopo Amasceno" in
Ruinart's edition of the "Acta Sincera. "
Explanatory notes accompanying it.
"
It is in seven paragraphs, and headed period i. , epoch i. , part 2, chap. 5, sect. De S. Euphemia V. M. culta Aurise in 94, p. 316.
6
after his abdication,
Gormain," — pp. 178, 179.
2
These are allowed to be apocryphal.
3 See tomus v. , Septembris xvi. , pp. 286 to 292.
*
paragraphs. 5Thus:
" Eufemia lemrr, Lucia, Geminian daig degmein. "
Thus translated by the editor: "Euphemia be forme, Lucia, Geminianus keen (? ), a good intellect. "— Dr. Whitley Stokes' " Felire Hui Gormain," pp. 178, 179.
6
See Rev. John Alzog's "Manual of Universal Church History," edition of Rev. F. J. Pabisch and Rev. Thomas Byrne, vol. i . ,
It consists of two sections and thirty-one
September 17. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 419
£>ebenteentlj Dap of September.
ARTICLE I. -ST. GRELLAN, PATRON OF HY-MAINE, COUNTIES OF GALWAY AND ROSCOMMON.
[FIFTH OR SIX7II CENTURIES. ] CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTION — HY-MAINE, ITS BOUNDARIES AND ORIGINAL INHABITANTS — THE FIRBOLGS—MAINE MOR SUCCEEDS AND GIVES NAME TO THE TERRITORY—AFTER- WARDS OCCUPIED BY THE o'KELLYS — AUTHORITIES FOR THE ACTS OF ST. GRELLAN—HIS DESCENT AND BIRTH—SAID TO HAVE BEEN A DISCIPLE OF ST. PATRICK—A GREAT MIRACLE WROUGHT BY ST. GRELLAN AT ACHADH FIONN- ABRACH.
OFthis holy man Lives have been written ; while one of them is to be
1
found in a Manuscript of the Royal Irish Academy, and another
among the Irish Manuscripts, in the Royal Library of Bruxelles. Extracts
3
to him are
and in a much fuller form by Dr. John O'Donovan, as taken from the Book
containing biographical
memoranda
relating
given by Colgan,
of Lecan. 3
Biography. * November ;
There is also a notice of him, in the
"
Dictionary of Christian
Colgan promised to present his Life in full, at the 10th of but he did not live to fulfil such promise.
Besides the universal reverence and love, with which Ireland regards the
memory of her great Apostle, St. Patrick, most of our provincial districts and their families of distinction have patron saints, for whom a special venerationisentertained. Amongthelatter,St. Grellan'snameisconnected with his favoured locality. The extensive territory of Hy-Many is fairly defined,5 by describing the northern line as running from Ballymoe, County of Galway, to Lanesborough, at the head of Lough Ree, on the River Shannon, and in the County of Roscommon. It extended nearly due east and west, taking in all the southern part of this last-named county. The eastern boundary ran along the River Shannon's course, from Lanesborough toScariff,inClareCounty,andwestofLoughDerg. Thence,thesouthern and western boundaries proceeded by Feacle, on Lough Graney, County of Clare, and passed some distance west of Loughrea to Athenry ; thence, they continuedthroughKillererinparish,nearTuam,andontoBallymoe. Allof
Article 1. —Chapter 1. —' See "Pro- ceedings of the Royal Irish Academy," vol. iii„ p. 485, and vol. vii. , pp. 372 to 375.
2 See "Acta Sanctorum Hibernise," xv.
Februarii. Vita S. Farannani Confessoris,
cap. vii. , n. 30, pp. 337 and 339; also xxiii.
Februarii. Vita S. Finniani seu Finneni,
cap. xxviii. , and n. 33, p. 396 and 399.
of Hy-Many," pp. 8 to j8, Dublin, 1843, 4to.
4 Edited by William Smith, D. C. L ,
LL. D.
