Attracta's death, although few Irish saints have left after them such vivid
traditions
and so many lasting memo- rials.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v8
Attracta's presence, whilst engaged in those sacred offices.
But, when all the ministers were vested, for offering up of the Holy Sacrifice of Mass, it was discovered, whilst the chalice was being placed on the Altar, a patena belonging to it was accidentally lost or misplaced.
St.
Patrick was about to remove his vestments, when St.
Attracta approached, telling him, that as he had commenced a holy celebration, he should not desist therefrom, since the Lord would be able to supply what was wanting.
Hereupon, St.
Patrick and his assistants, having commenced
the Confession or Confiteor^1 our who was holy virgin,
felt
rest upon her shoulders. On removing it with her hands, she found a patena, markedwiththeimpressofacross. Thisshepresentedonbendedkneesto St. Patrick, who proceeded with the ceremonies of Mass, and the consecration of some candidates for Holy Orders. After these rites were concluded, St. Patrick said to our saint: " It is manifest, that the Lord God hath granted this happy event to your prayers, and to me it is evident, that the image, which this day has been found marked on the patena, must be preserved, because it is a gift granted thee from on high. This holy cross shall receive its name from thee, and the Irish shall ever hold it in veneration, as you have excelled so many others in sanctity, and in the performance of miracles. And, at present, we bless and consecrate it in honour of the God, who hath sent it
to us, and whose name be for ever glorified. "32
Some time after this occurrence, the Chiefs of Lugna district having col-
lected a number of fighting men approached a place, where the king of Connaught held some of their people as hostages. These they released by force. Afterwards, they ravaged that part of the king's dominions. Hereupon, the Connaught hosts were armed by chiefs, who pursued the people of Lugna to Techet. 33 There the fugitives were cooped up on all sides, so that no means for escape were afforded them. The deep waters of that beautiful lake lay before, and the infuriated enemy encircled them on their flanks and rear. Even then, the wars of Pagan kings and chiefs were continued by those who flourished, at the dawning of the Christian era. 34 The chief of Lugna,
29 This was in a place known as Glena- hujus feritate devastata est, et incolre adeo voagh, but no trace of the church now terrore perculsi sunt ut a terribili ejusaspectu
exists there, or in the traditions of the people; hut, probably it formerly stood near St.
Attracta's Well, yet frequented by numbers
on the nth of August, the day for her feast.
Even the day before and the day after it,
many engage there in practices of devotion.
ad montes et cavernas confugerent. Attrac- tarn tandem supplices rogarunt ut in tanta afilictione opem sibi et auxilium ferre digna- retur. Respondit inclyta Virgo : potens est Deus, qui mundum ex nihilo creavit et ho- minem de limo terra: ad suam imaginem plasmavit, etiam regionem istam de tanta
u
rishioners, even now, that emigrants from peste omnino liberare. Tunc genua flectens
So dear is this saint's day to the pa-
omni fiducia Deum precabatur : Antequam vero suis precibus linem apposuit, jam exau-
O'Rorke's " of Town and History Sligo :
County," vol. ii. , chap, xxiv. , p. 152. Lectio VI.
a Sancta
quae
Attracta mira patrata narrantur, insigne im- primis miraculum est quo territorium Lugniae in provincia Connaciae ab horrendo monstro liberavit. Tota siquidem ilia regio bellux
Kilmacteige, not unfrequently, send remit-
tances from America to young folks at home,
to make — for them on the things pleasant
ditse sunt
Patron's Day. " Ven. Archdeacon T. rugitus emittens et torvo collo in ipsam
30 " Inter innumera vero,
3 'See " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- Colgan's
nix," Februarii ix. Vita S. Attracts, cap. ix. , x. , p. 279.
» Now Lough Gara.
3* The small 4to paper Manuscript, in the
present,
something
et sceva bellua Sanctam irruens divina virtute inteiiit. "
3I
St. Attracta's Life.
apud Dominum,
According to the anonymous author of
August i i. l LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 161
being near St. Attracta's nunnery, turned towards it, and having had an interview with the holy virgin, he exposed to her the forlorn condition of his troops. Immediately she went forth, and having passed through the be-
: leagueredarmy'sranks,sheencouragedtheminthesewords "Benotafraid,
but rather do as I advise you ; trust only in that God who is the Creator of all things, who is able to deliver you from every danger, and whose servant,
also,Iam. " Hereupon,thetroopsbeingmuchencouraged,sheproceeded: »• Follow me, and let none of you look back ; but, advance after me in a
forward direction. " Subsequently, she approached the shore, and fell upon her knees, with her eyes directed towards heaven. She prayed to God, that Pie would deign to conduct those trusting in Him, through a like watery passage, as the Israelites had safely journeyed, amid the waters of the Red Sea, thus escaping from their pursuers, through the Almighty's power and goodness.
Immediately, the waters divided, and a passage was made to the opposite
shore, through which all the people of Lugna marched, taking over even their
hostages and spoils. There was only one exception. A man had been drowned, and he was servant to a certain musician. But, the master of this
servant entreated from the virgin a restoration to life of this drowned man, and he told her, at the same time, he would exercise his bardic skill to her discredit, in case her efforts were not successful. The virgin said, that not only would she procure the restoration of his servant, but, that the master himself should be admired by all, on account of his melodious strains. The bardic attendant was accordingly restored to life ; yet, whether this servant is to be confounded with a St. Foelan,35 who was restored to life, at the same time, from a death by drowning, can hardly be ascertained, on account of the confused narrative and desultory style in which the anonymous author couches our saint's Life. However, we are told, that having prayed for that drowned man, an angel of the Lord appeared to the holy virgin, and he said to her : " The Almighty hath delayed, but thou hast obtained thy request. Go to a place near thy own habitation, where St. Foelan,36 the man of God, lies drowned ; and, in God's name, arouse him from his sleep, that yet he may be vivified by the Divine Spirit, as he is a brave athlete of Christ. ''^? Accord- ing to the Angel's admonition, Attracta proceeded to the place indicated, where she found him lying asleep. *8 Three stones were laid in a peculiar manneroverhishandsandmouth. Afterthevirginplacedherhandonhim, he appeared to awake as if from an ecstacy, and thus he was miraculously
restored to life. 3*
Royal Irish Academy, marked 33-4, contains a copy of the Leabhar Gabhala, or Book of Conquests, with several historic and poetic references to the Christian period and heroes of Irish history.
35 There were many saints named Foelan or Foillan in our Martyrologies ; but, it is no easy matter to determine which of them he was. Colgan says, that the period seems to indicate St. Foilan, son of /Engus, who flourished about this time, and who was
venerated at Kill-foelan, in Leinster, and at Rathercann in Albania, on the 20th of June,
according to Marianus, the Martyrology of Tamlacht and the continuator of Angus.
36 In the Calendars and Martyrologies, other Foelans or Foillans are found, at the 9th of January, 31st March, 5th of May, 6th and 23rd June, 24th of August, 30th and
31st of September, 9th and 31st of November, See " Acta Sanctorum Hibernise," Februarii ix. , n. 16, p. 282.
37 Perhaps on account of these great labours undergone by him in the conversion of Albania, or British Scotland, he is called " fortis Dei athleta. "
38 Allusion is made to this narrative,in the Sixth Volume of this work, at the 20th of June, where there are notices of St. Faolan of Rath Erann, in Scotland, and of Cill Fhaelain, in Leix, Queen's County, Art. ii.
39 The narrative thus concludes :— " Ac eumdem in eo comitatu diu tenuit. Similiter famulumtympanistaesibivivumrestituit; at sic omnes Lugnenses non sunt bene Regi Connachtise respectuales. "—"Acta Sanc- torum Hiberniae," Februarii ix. Vita S; Attracta? , cap. xi. , xii. , pp. 279, 280.
162 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [August ii,
CHAPTER III.
MIRACLES OF ST. ATTRACTA—KING KEANNFAELID AND ST. ATTRACTA—-KING HUALGARG WAGESWARAGAINSTTHEMENOFLUGNA—DEATHOFST. ATTRACTA—HERFESTI- VALS AND COMMEMORATIONS—THE WELL OF ST. ATTRACTA—PLACES NAMED AFTER THIS HOLY VIRGIN—CONCLUSION.
Next follows, in the old Life of St. Attracta, a relation of several miracles, alleged to have been wrought by the saint. However, this constant recourse to such narratives, as has been well observed, deprives her Acts of muchhistoricvalue. 1 Attheinstanceofa atthat is said to
king, who, time,
have ruled over Connaught, and who was named Keannfaelaid,3 one of these miracles is recorded. Our Irish national hagiologist forms an opinion, that he must have been a petty dynast, who was set over some part of the province, as the King of Connaught bearing this name, and called son ofColgan, did not flourish until about a. d. 670. At this latter date, we cannot suppose St. Attracta to have been living, if we allow her to have been a contemporary with St. Patrick, who is said to have died in the year 493. 3 In this miracle, Nathy's name is also mentioned ; and if, as Colgan conjectures, St. Nathy of Achonry be meant/ we will find renewed difficulty, in reconciling the nar-
rative, with other portions of our saint's Acts. The better way to get rid of
these difficulties would be, to treat such portion of Attracta's Life with dis-
trust and disregard ; as being not only a jumbling of inconsistencies, in any
historical point of view, but as containing many particulars, which evidently savour of fable.
According to the Legend of her Life, a certain King Keannfaelid5 was importuned by subordinate chiefs to erect a magnificent castle, which should excel in beauty ofappearance and arrangement all other structures in that part of the kingdom. Wherefore, in compliance with their request, this prince issued an edict, that all persons, within his dominions, whether enjoying ecclesiastical immunities, or possessed of civil rights, or even those ranked in servile condition, should lend assistance in constructing that building, which was necessary as a suitable residence for the King. That royal edict was proclaimed throughout different parts of Connaught. St. Attracta was made acquainted by letter with its purport. The messenger who brought such intelligence said, that the King would expect her co-opera- tion, in common with that of other saints within his kingdom, to supply what was necessary for the erection of his building. On receiving this message, Attracta immediately proceeded to the King, and represented her immunity from such an exaction. At the same time, however, she offered an equivalent, in procuring for him by miracle various treasures from distant lands. Her
Chapter hi. —1 See the
Ven. Archdeacon T. O'Rorke's "
Rev. and
of
s in our Irish Annals, at the 649, is year
Sligo : Town and County," vol. ii. , chap.
xxxiv. , p. 374.
2
There was a monarch of Ireland, known as Ceannfaeladh, the son of lilathmac, who began his reign in 670, and after three years, he was slain by Finnachta Fleadhnch, a. d. 673, in a battle at Aircealtair in Tigh-Ua Maine. See Dr. O'Donovnn's "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 280 to 283.
8 See Colgan 's " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- nise," Februarii ix. , n. 17, p. 282.
4 This holy disciple of St. Patrick must have flourished in the fifth century, accord- ing to received opinion.
Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 264, 265. Afterwards, he appears to have become King of Connaught, and he was slain in 680, by Ulcha-dearg [Redbeard] Ua Cailidhe, [one] of the Conmaicne Cuile. See ibid. , pp. 286 to 289. He seems most likely to have been the person alluded to, by the writer of St. Attracta's Life ; but, he must have flourished after her period, if we admit her to have been the contemporary of
Very
History
commemorated a Ceannfaeladh, son of Colgan and Maenach, son ofBaeithin, chief of Ui-Briuin. He gained the battle of Air- ther-Scola, over Marcan, son of Toimen, chief of Ui-Maine. See Dr. O'Donovan's "
August ii. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 163
offer was rejected, by this haughty and indignant potentate. Whereupon, in great mental disquietude, the virgin proceeded to a neighbouring wood, accompanied by St. Nathy and a few servant men, with their horses; so that the quantity of wood demanded as her quota might be felled. The virgin ordered her servant to load their horses with wood. When they were brought, at the saint's command, one of the servants, moved by the wretched condition of his horse, cried out : "As our animals are too weak to bear their burdens, if you desire it, those deer within sight, that are rubbing themselves
against trees, would bear timber to the haughty king. " Wherefore, the saint fell upon her knees, and prayed that her servant's suggestion might be carried out ; when, on the instant, these wild deer came in a tractable and quiet manner to Christ's servant, receiving their burden, and bearing their respec- tive loads with docility along the road. It is said, that cords which fastened their wood were broken on the way, nor was it possible to procure others to secure their burdens. Having reproached her servants for their negligence, our saint drew out some of her own hair, and although these hairs appeared of a very fine description, they are said to have furnished a medium for
securing the loads, until deposited at the very place required by the king. We are next told, that when this dynast beheld the manner in which those piles ofwood were drawn, he felt inflamed with anger, which appeared in his features. Wishing to manifest his contempt and dislike for the holy virgin, he endeavoured to excite all the town dogs to worry the deer and tear them to pieces. On the contrary, Attracta prayed that the horses belonging to the king's and queen's residence, being seized with madness, should kill those dogs. All instrumental in urging on the latter animals were instantly put to death, having been trodden down by the horses, or torn to pieces by the dogs. But, the deer safely returned to their forest, having first, in a suppliant manner, licked the hem of our saint's garment. The dogs are said to have been changed into stones. These were pointed out, at a time when this legendwaswritten. Itwasthenbelieved,thattheseobjectsshouldsoremain totheDayofJudgment. St. Attracta,fullofgriefandindignation,thensaid
:
to the King " Because you have despised the Church, and myself, the
servant of that God, by whom you were created, you shall be reduced to a state of servitude, and you shall be exiled from the province of Connaught ; strangers will seize on your substance, and you shall have none to assist you ; but, the devil shall be on your right hand, and another man shall receive
your kingdom. Your heirs shall fail, moreover, in having possessions on
6
this earth. "
Towards the conclusion of our saint's acephalous Acts, we are told, that a
certain king named Hualgarg,? and descended from the renowned family of
8 not satisfied with St. Patrick.
being acknowledged
the ruler over his own
BrerTny,
paternal
6
This narrative, which Colgan justly de- "'
Vita S. Attracts, cap. xiii. , xiv. , pp. 280, 281.
» ThisHualgarg'snamecouldnotbefound inanyofthedifferentcataloguesofConnaught kings in Colgan's possession, although he is said to have ruled over all that province, Lugnia alone excepted. This district was formerly the patrimonial inheritance of the O'Haras, and its position is shown on the Map prefixed to " The Genealogies, Tribes and Customs of Hy-Fiachrach, commonly called O'Dowda's Country," e—dited by John
signates insula narratio, on the margin,
"
cro te Dei famula quatenus digneris ana-
thus proceeds :
Quo audito ait Rex ; obse-
themati finem ponere. Hac conditione,
inquiens, hoc anno et quandocumque de
sanguine tuo venerit, qui pro poenitentia
dederit eleemosynam hanc in honore meo
mihi ant vices meas in terris gerenti, scilicet
septem plenitudinescyphi potus mei desuper
auratas, ac septrm plenitudines caemeterii
mei yaccarum. His itaque decretis tota
munitio Regis fuu line desuper ejecto com- O'Donovan. See also p. 493.
busta est pariter et destructa. "—Colgan's 8 This ancient territory comprised the pre-
"
Acta Sanctorum Hiberniae," Februarii ix.
Ibid.
164 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [August ii.
territory, brought all the people of Connaught under his sway, excepting those of Lugnia, who were remarkable for their resolute character. The latter waged war against that prince, but we do not learn with what exact result, as the sentence which terminates St. Attracta's unfinished biography is so obscurely worded or incomplete, that no precise meaning can be derived from its con- struction or literal translations
This holy virgin was called to the joys of Heaven, after the performance of numerous miracles and the exercise of many virtues. We are ignorant regarding the year or even the day of St.
Attracta's death, although few Irish saints have left after them such vivid traditions and so many lasting memo- rials. To this very day, her life and miracles form much of the folk-lore among the people of Coolavin. 10 According to most probable accounts, she flourished in the fifth century, and about the year 470. " In the foreign calendars, her name is written Tarachta or Tarahata. No saint so named is mentioned in any Irish document, and hence Colgan justly inferred, that she wasnootherthanSt. Athracta. " OneofthevirginsveiledbySt. Patrickat Cregi was St. Attracta, who is thus noted,13 but without her feast being
assigned, in Father Henry Fitzsimon's " List of Irish Saints. " 1 * Her name 1
is written Etrachta, Virgo, in the published Martyrology of Tallaght, * as also in that copy of it found in the Book of Leinster. ' 6 The Martyrologies of Tallagh, of Marianus O'Gorman, of Maguire and of Donegal record her festi- val at the nth of 1 ? She is mentioned, in the of
August. Martyrology Donegal, atthissamedate,asAthracht,Virgin,daughterofTighernach,of
of St. Athracta,
at which the people of that neighbourhood were accustomed
18
Cill Saile, in Crich Conaill. ^
She was venerated after her death, as patroness of the church of Kill-
Athracta or 2 in the townland so named, the modern church Killaraght, °and,
is built on the site of an old church, none of which now remains, but burials are still continued in the church-yard. In the same townland was the well
21
to perform stations, on the nth of August, which seems to have been tradi-
tionallyandlocallyregardedastheholyvirgin'schieffestival. Itwassituated
on the south side of Killaraght townland,22 on the road from Boyle to Frenchpark, and very near the boundary between Killaraght and Kilnaman-
sent counties of Leitrim and Cavan.
l6
There noted ecr\Accae
" Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
\\\\\.
f See "Acta Sanctorum Hiber- Colgan's,
niae," Februarii ix. , n. 21, p. 282.
l8 Edited by Drs. Todd arid Reeves, pp.
216, 217.
'»A note by O'Donovan at Crich Conaille
states, "Probably Conaille Muirtheimne. "
20 The Patron there was on the nth Day
of August, which was called by the people
St. Araght's (<Xr;rvACc) day, when visited by from St. Patrick, who was then engaged Mr. Patrick O'Keeffe, in 1 836, to dis-
"
preaching the Faith in Ireland. See Acta charge duties in connection with the Irish
9 See
Colgan's
niae," Februariii ix. Vita S. Attractse, cap.
xv. , p. 281, and n. 19, p. 182.
10 "
See Ven. Archdeacon O'Rorke's His-
tory of Sligo : Town and County," vol. ii. , chap, xxxiv. , p. 367.
11 refers for Colgan
proof
to the beginning of her published Acts,
where it is related, that she received the veil
Sanctorum Hiberaiee/' Februarii ix. Vita S. Attr—acts, cap. xv. , p. 281, and n. 20, p. 282. Ibid
" The Bollandists do not controvert his opinion.
*3joceline'sLife of St. Patrick is quoted for this statement.
14 See Catalogus aliquorum Sanctorum
Ordnance Survey. See "Letters contain- ing Information relative to the Antiquities of the County of Sligo, collected during the progress of the Ordnance Survey in 1836. Vol. i. , Letter dated Boyle, September 23rd, 1836, p. 233.
" Catholicae Iberniae compendium," tomus
* The accompanying illustration was drawn on the spot by William F. Wake- man, and afterwards transferred by him to the wood, engraved by Mrs. Millard,
Iberniae, in O'Sullevan Beare's
llistorine
i. , lib. iv. , cap. xii. , p. 53.
•' Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xxxi.
On the Name Book of the Irish
of this statement
"
Ordnance Survey, the well is designated
August ii. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
165
agh parishes. Her memory is perpetuated by other ecclesiastical founda- tionsinthedioceseofAchonry. WithinafewpacesoftheruinsofBenada
23
of
convent, with its neat chapel and over its roof. That convent, built and endowed by private generosity, is
occupied by nuns of the Order of
of the convent is the chapel of Tourlesheane, dedicated to St. Attracta, the patroness of the Diocese of Achonry, The chief surviving popular tradition about this saint is, that she commenced making a passage across Lough
Abbey,
there is a
County
commodious schoolroom, having the sign of man's redemption conspicuous
Sligo,
Charity.
2 * At a short distance to the west
Holy Well of St. Attracta.
Gara, at Eanach mic an Aroo,25 now Anagh townland, and which she con- tinued to the distance of about three-quarters ofa mile, towards the County Roscommon. Some state, it comes from Kilfree parish. Then follows an idle legend, accounting for the stoppage of that work. The residents in its
It
neighbourhood state, that the causeway is yet passable, so far as it goes. resemblesaneel-weirinappearanee. However,thepeoplegenerallybelieve it to be a work of nature. Attracta next went to the Faelins, in Kilcoleman
36 at the Lower
onlyextendedtothedistanceofaquarterofamile. Thereshewasagaininter- rupted, by the same cause as before. She then relinquished the undertaking for ever. This latter piece of work is likewise still visible. In our annals, also,
in Irish characters Coba^ -Acrvacc.
23 This house was founded for Augustinian Monks, in 1423. See Archdall's " Mon-
asticon Hibernicum," p. 628.
2* Attached to it is said to be that land, of
which the Augustinian Friars were formerly dispossessed.
ss In Irish characters Gauac tine An Ajvoo.
parish,
Lake,
and there commenced the same which she work,
'6
This is situated partly in the barony of
Survey Townland Maps for the County of Roscommon," sheets 8, 14; and partly in the barony of Coolavin, containing 5,511a. , 2r. ip. , and this is shown on the " Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the County of
Costello, containing 10,953a. 2r. 8p. , and
Sligo, "sheets 44, 45, 46, 47- 2? The death of Benedict
this is shown on the " Ordnance
Survey
O'Mochain,
Townland Maps for the County of Mayo," sheets 63, 64, 74, 83 ; partly in the barony of Frenchpark, containing 1,628a. ir. I2p. ,
"
and this is marked on the Ordnance
_
166 LIVES OF 7HE IRISH SAINTS. [August ii.
we have allusion to this place, under its ancient denomination, even to the
2 ? The place of this holy virgin retained the name Kill Athracta, in Colgan's day, and it was situated in Achonry Diocese. More- over, there was a chapel, bearing her name, in the parish of Bal and Diocese of Tuam. A commentary, appended to Marianus, at the nth of August, states, that the Natalis of this virgin had been celebrated, in the church of Kill-Saile, in the region of Crichchonuill. 28 The parishes of Killaraght and Kilcolman adjoin each other, but both are divided by the waters of Lough Gara. They are situated in the Barony of Coolavin, and on the most southern
fourteenth
of
extremity Sligo county.
century.
2^ There is an island in the—north
of
part Lough
—notherinthesouthpartofthesamelough bothwithinKilcol- Gara, and a
man parish which are respectively called Clochan Athrachta or Araght. The patron day of the parish of Kilcolman is the same as that of Killaraght, z. <r. ,
the nth of August, the patron day—the people state—of Tober Araght, a holy well in the south end of Clogher townland, and on the north side of the
road from Gurteen to Ballaghadereen. 3° Besides the foregoing, there is a
1
There is a Toberaraght, in the parish of Kilturra;32 a Toberaraght, near Tobcicurnys i n the parish of Achonry ; a Toberaraght, in the parish of Drumrat ; and a Toberaraght, in
the parish of Kilbeagh. 3* Moreover, females in that part of Ireland are accustomed to receive and revere the Christian name of Attracta or Atty. These are memorials which must transmit her memory to future times, as they have preserved it undimmed to the present date. 35
On this day, the feast of St. Attracta is celebrated as a Double of the Minor Rite, in the Diocese of Achonry, by permission of his late Holiness Pius IX. , granted on the 28th of July, 1864, at the request of the former Bishop of the diocese then living. She is the special patroness of Killaraght parish, in the County of Sligo ; and, it was then agreed, that when a church should have been erected to her honour, in that town, on regular application to the Holy See, her festival might be raised to the dignity of a greater Rite. An Office of Nine Lessons, with the Second Nocturn Proper, and a Mass, taken from the Common of Virgins, with a proper Prayer, were then allowed fortheDioceseofAchonry. AsaDoubleFestival,thiscommemorationof St. Attracta has been extended, on this day, the nth of August, to the whole Church of Ireland. We learn, from the continuator of Usuard, who places her festival at this date, that St. Arata, virgin and nun, was invoked for the
liberation of captives, and for the staying from men of pestilence. . 3 6 The cross
Archdeacon of Cill-Athracta, is recorded at vey Townland Maps for the County of Mayo," A. D. 1361. See "Annals of Loch Ce. " sheets 51, 52 ; and partly in the barony of Edited by \V. M. Ilennessy, vol. ii. , pp. Corran, and this is shown on the " Ordnance
Killaraght, in the parish of Kilmacteige. 3
22, 23.
38
See "Acta Sanctorum Hiberniae," Februarii ix. n. 7, p. 281.
"A part of Kilcolman parish forms the
most eastern extremity of Mayo County. Killaraght lies to the east of Kilcolman.
30 See " Letters containing Information
collected duringthe Progress of the Ordnance
Survey for the County of Sligo, in 1836. "
Vol. i. , p. 233 to 236, Patrick O'Keefe's sheets 51, 52, 62, 63, 64, 72, 73, 74.
Letter, dated Boyle, September 23rd, 1836. 31 In the barony of Leyny, and it is shown on the "Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the County of Sligo," sheets 23, 24, 30,
3i» 36. 37. 42.
3a This parish, partly in the barony of Costello, is marked on the " Ordnance Sur-
35 See Ven. Archdeacon T. O'Rorke's
"History of Siigo : Town and County,"
vol. ii. , chap, xxxiv. , p. 367.
termitted saints, p. 606.
37 One of these named Domhnall O'Mo-
Survey Townland Maps for the county of Sligo," sheets 38, 39.
33 This town and townland, in the barony of Leyny, are marked on the " Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the county of
Sligo," sheet 38.
34 This is in the barony of Costello, and
it is described on the "Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the County of Mayo,"
3<5 " In the Bollandists'
Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. Augusti xi. Among the pre-
August ii. ] LIVES OE THE IRISH SAINTS. 167
of St. Athracta had long been preserved in her place, and the 0'Mochains37 or Moghans were the hereditary keepers of that relic. But, it is not known
8
to be in existence, at the present time. 3
The many virtues of this holy woman shone with increased lustre, and
she became more generally known, as she passed through her happy life. Deeper knowledge of her most firm and beautiful character was ever followed by deeper reverence and affection. All who visited her were charmed with her gracious demeanour, her gentleness, and affability. To the poor and forlorn she was the tender compassionate friend and mother, ever ready to listen to their sorrows, to advise them in their difficulties, and to relieve them in their wants. By her instruction and example she guided many others on the road to eternal happiness.
Article II. —St. Aireran or Ereran, the Wise,of Tigh Ereran, or Tyfarnham, in West Meath, and of Tallagh, County of Dublin. A holy and child-like simplicity of manner and feeling, combined with solid common sense and virtuous dispositions, are qualifications requisite to form the perfect religious. A seeming contrariety in his character constitutes the greatest charm, and in our early Christian society many venerable persons were so distinguished. We cannot doubt, from the epithet bestowed on the present distinguished ecclesiastic, but that with great sanctity he united great
judgment and ability, natural and acquired. He thought of the Lord in
goodness,
and
sought
Him in
simplicity
of heart. 1 at the 10th of Already,
February, some account of Airennan or Airendan, Bishop of Tallagh, in the 2
CountyofDublin,maybefound, butwhetherhebethesameastheholyand Wise man, venerated on this day, is rather questionable. The first noticed is titled a Bishop, while the present saint only obtains the designation of Abbot. In the " Feilire " of St. ^Engus,3 at the nth of August, there is a commemoration of St. Aireran. It is stated, likewise, that for wisdom he was famous. An Irish comment is affixed, however, in which the scholiast expresses doubt, as tohisparticularplace/ Atthissamedate,afestivaloccursintheMartyro- logies of Tallagh,s to honour Aireran, denominated The Wise. He is said, also, to have been Abbot of Tamlachtan,6 for Maeileruain. The Bollandists 7 have a passing allusion to Aileranus or Eleranus the Wise, at this date ; but, they regret not being able to find much matter for the elucidation of his Acts.
Again we are told, that he was Abbot of Tamlacht, next after Maelruain, in 8
the Martyrology of Donegal, while that of Tallagh seems to intimate, that he
chain was Abbot of Boyle, and he died in
Heis
"Beseech Aireran of the wisdom whose
"headofthe
fameis not
the
wisdom, knowledge and instruction of Tiburtius the strenuous and prudent.
the Confession or Confiteor^1 our who was holy virgin,
felt
rest upon her shoulders. On removing it with her hands, she found a patena, markedwiththeimpressofacross. Thisshepresentedonbendedkneesto St. Patrick, who proceeded with the ceremonies of Mass, and the consecration of some candidates for Holy Orders. After these rites were concluded, St. Patrick said to our saint: " It is manifest, that the Lord God hath granted this happy event to your prayers, and to me it is evident, that the image, which this day has been found marked on the patena, must be preserved, because it is a gift granted thee from on high. This holy cross shall receive its name from thee, and the Irish shall ever hold it in veneration, as you have excelled so many others in sanctity, and in the performance of miracles. And, at present, we bless and consecrate it in honour of the God, who hath sent it
to us, and whose name be for ever glorified. "32
Some time after this occurrence, the Chiefs of Lugna district having col-
lected a number of fighting men approached a place, where the king of Connaught held some of their people as hostages. These they released by force. Afterwards, they ravaged that part of the king's dominions. Hereupon, the Connaught hosts were armed by chiefs, who pursued the people of Lugna to Techet. 33 There the fugitives were cooped up on all sides, so that no means for escape were afforded them. The deep waters of that beautiful lake lay before, and the infuriated enemy encircled them on their flanks and rear. Even then, the wars of Pagan kings and chiefs were continued by those who flourished, at the dawning of the Christian era. 34 The chief of Lugna,
29 This was in a place known as Glena- hujus feritate devastata est, et incolre adeo voagh, but no trace of the church now terrore perculsi sunt ut a terribili ejusaspectu
exists there, or in the traditions of the people; hut, probably it formerly stood near St.
Attracta's Well, yet frequented by numbers
on the nth of August, the day for her feast.
Even the day before and the day after it,
many engage there in practices of devotion.
ad montes et cavernas confugerent. Attrac- tarn tandem supplices rogarunt ut in tanta afilictione opem sibi et auxilium ferre digna- retur. Respondit inclyta Virgo : potens est Deus, qui mundum ex nihilo creavit et ho- minem de limo terra: ad suam imaginem plasmavit, etiam regionem istam de tanta
u
rishioners, even now, that emigrants from peste omnino liberare. Tunc genua flectens
So dear is this saint's day to the pa-
omni fiducia Deum precabatur : Antequam vero suis precibus linem apposuit, jam exau-
O'Rorke's " of Town and History Sligo :
County," vol. ii. , chap, xxiv. , p. 152. Lectio VI.
a Sancta
quae
Attracta mira patrata narrantur, insigne im- primis miraculum est quo territorium Lugniae in provincia Connaciae ab horrendo monstro liberavit. Tota siquidem ilia regio bellux
Kilmacteige, not unfrequently, send remit-
tances from America to young folks at home,
to make — for them on the things pleasant
ditse sunt
Patron's Day. " Ven. Archdeacon T. rugitus emittens et torvo collo in ipsam
30 " Inter innumera vero,
3 'See " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- Colgan's
nix," Februarii ix. Vita S. Attracts, cap. ix. , x. , p. 279.
» Now Lough Gara.
3* The small 4to paper Manuscript, in the
present,
something
et sceva bellua Sanctam irruens divina virtute inteiiit. "
3I
St. Attracta's Life.
apud Dominum,
According to the anonymous author of
August i i. l LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 161
being near St. Attracta's nunnery, turned towards it, and having had an interview with the holy virgin, he exposed to her the forlorn condition of his troops. Immediately she went forth, and having passed through the be-
: leagueredarmy'sranks,sheencouragedtheminthesewords "Benotafraid,
but rather do as I advise you ; trust only in that God who is the Creator of all things, who is able to deliver you from every danger, and whose servant,
also,Iam. " Hereupon,thetroopsbeingmuchencouraged,sheproceeded: »• Follow me, and let none of you look back ; but, advance after me in a
forward direction. " Subsequently, she approached the shore, and fell upon her knees, with her eyes directed towards heaven. She prayed to God, that Pie would deign to conduct those trusting in Him, through a like watery passage, as the Israelites had safely journeyed, amid the waters of the Red Sea, thus escaping from their pursuers, through the Almighty's power and goodness.
Immediately, the waters divided, and a passage was made to the opposite
shore, through which all the people of Lugna marched, taking over even their
hostages and spoils. There was only one exception. A man had been drowned, and he was servant to a certain musician. But, the master of this
servant entreated from the virgin a restoration to life of this drowned man, and he told her, at the same time, he would exercise his bardic skill to her discredit, in case her efforts were not successful. The virgin said, that not only would she procure the restoration of his servant, but, that the master himself should be admired by all, on account of his melodious strains. The bardic attendant was accordingly restored to life ; yet, whether this servant is to be confounded with a St. Foelan,35 who was restored to life, at the same time, from a death by drowning, can hardly be ascertained, on account of the confused narrative and desultory style in which the anonymous author couches our saint's Life. However, we are told, that having prayed for that drowned man, an angel of the Lord appeared to the holy virgin, and he said to her : " The Almighty hath delayed, but thou hast obtained thy request. Go to a place near thy own habitation, where St. Foelan,36 the man of God, lies drowned ; and, in God's name, arouse him from his sleep, that yet he may be vivified by the Divine Spirit, as he is a brave athlete of Christ. ''^? Accord- ing to the Angel's admonition, Attracta proceeded to the place indicated, where she found him lying asleep. *8 Three stones were laid in a peculiar manneroverhishandsandmouth. Afterthevirginplacedherhandonhim, he appeared to awake as if from an ecstacy, and thus he was miraculously
restored to life. 3*
Royal Irish Academy, marked 33-4, contains a copy of the Leabhar Gabhala, or Book of Conquests, with several historic and poetic references to the Christian period and heroes of Irish history.
35 There were many saints named Foelan or Foillan in our Martyrologies ; but, it is no easy matter to determine which of them he was. Colgan says, that the period seems to indicate St. Foilan, son of /Engus, who flourished about this time, and who was
venerated at Kill-foelan, in Leinster, and at Rathercann in Albania, on the 20th of June,
according to Marianus, the Martyrology of Tamlacht and the continuator of Angus.
36 In the Calendars and Martyrologies, other Foelans or Foillans are found, at the 9th of January, 31st March, 5th of May, 6th and 23rd June, 24th of August, 30th and
31st of September, 9th and 31st of November, See " Acta Sanctorum Hibernise," Februarii ix. , n. 16, p. 282.
37 Perhaps on account of these great labours undergone by him in the conversion of Albania, or British Scotland, he is called " fortis Dei athleta. "
38 Allusion is made to this narrative,in the Sixth Volume of this work, at the 20th of June, where there are notices of St. Faolan of Rath Erann, in Scotland, and of Cill Fhaelain, in Leix, Queen's County, Art. ii.
39 The narrative thus concludes :— " Ac eumdem in eo comitatu diu tenuit. Similiter famulumtympanistaesibivivumrestituit; at sic omnes Lugnenses non sunt bene Regi Connachtise respectuales. "—"Acta Sanc- torum Hiberniae," Februarii ix. Vita S; Attracta? , cap. xi. , xii. , pp. 279, 280.
162 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [August ii,
CHAPTER III.
MIRACLES OF ST. ATTRACTA—KING KEANNFAELID AND ST. ATTRACTA—-KING HUALGARG WAGESWARAGAINSTTHEMENOFLUGNA—DEATHOFST. ATTRACTA—HERFESTI- VALS AND COMMEMORATIONS—THE WELL OF ST. ATTRACTA—PLACES NAMED AFTER THIS HOLY VIRGIN—CONCLUSION.
Next follows, in the old Life of St. Attracta, a relation of several miracles, alleged to have been wrought by the saint. However, this constant recourse to such narratives, as has been well observed, deprives her Acts of muchhistoricvalue. 1 Attheinstanceofa atthat is said to
king, who, time,
have ruled over Connaught, and who was named Keannfaelaid,3 one of these miracles is recorded. Our Irish national hagiologist forms an opinion, that he must have been a petty dynast, who was set over some part of the province, as the King of Connaught bearing this name, and called son ofColgan, did not flourish until about a. d. 670. At this latter date, we cannot suppose St. Attracta to have been living, if we allow her to have been a contemporary with St. Patrick, who is said to have died in the year 493. 3 In this miracle, Nathy's name is also mentioned ; and if, as Colgan conjectures, St. Nathy of Achonry be meant/ we will find renewed difficulty, in reconciling the nar-
rative, with other portions of our saint's Acts. The better way to get rid of
these difficulties would be, to treat such portion of Attracta's Life with dis-
trust and disregard ; as being not only a jumbling of inconsistencies, in any
historical point of view, but as containing many particulars, which evidently savour of fable.
According to the Legend of her Life, a certain King Keannfaelid5 was importuned by subordinate chiefs to erect a magnificent castle, which should excel in beauty ofappearance and arrangement all other structures in that part of the kingdom. Wherefore, in compliance with their request, this prince issued an edict, that all persons, within his dominions, whether enjoying ecclesiastical immunities, or possessed of civil rights, or even those ranked in servile condition, should lend assistance in constructing that building, which was necessary as a suitable residence for the King. That royal edict was proclaimed throughout different parts of Connaught. St. Attracta was made acquainted by letter with its purport. The messenger who brought such intelligence said, that the King would expect her co-opera- tion, in common with that of other saints within his kingdom, to supply what was necessary for the erection of his building. On receiving this message, Attracta immediately proceeded to the King, and represented her immunity from such an exaction. At the same time, however, she offered an equivalent, in procuring for him by miracle various treasures from distant lands. Her
Chapter hi. —1 See the
Ven. Archdeacon T. O'Rorke's "
Rev. and
of
s in our Irish Annals, at the 649, is year
Sligo : Town and County," vol. ii. , chap.
xxxiv. , p. 374.
2
There was a monarch of Ireland, known as Ceannfaeladh, the son of lilathmac, who began his reign in 670, and after three years, he was slain by Finnachta Fleadhnch, a. d. 673, in a battle at Aircealtair in Tigh-Ua Maine. See Dr. O'Donovnn's "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 280 to 283.
8 See Colgan 's " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- nise," Februarii ix. , n. 17, p. 282.
4 This holy disciple of St. Patrick must have flourished in the fifth century, accord- ing to received opinion.
Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 264, 265. Afterwards, he appears to have become King of Connaught, and he was slain in 680, by Ulcha-dearg [Redbeard] Ua Cailidhe, [one] of the Conmaicne Cuile. See ibid. , pp. 286 to 289. He seems most likely to have been the person alluded to, by the writer of St. Attracta's Life ; but, he must have flourished after her period, if we admit her to have been the contemporary of
Very
History
commemorated a Ceannfaeladh, son of Colgan and Maenach, son ofBaeithin, chief of Ui-Briuin. He gained the battle of Air- ther-Scola, over Marcan, son of Toimen, chief of Ui-Maine. See Dr. O'Donovan's "
August ii. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 163
offer was rejected, by this haughty and indignant potentate. Whereupon, in great mental disquietude, the virgin proceeded to a neighbouring wood, accompanied by St. Nathy and a few servant men, with their horses; so that the quantity of wood demanded as her quota might be felled. The virgin ordered her servant to load their horses with wood. When they were brought, at the saint's command, one of the servants, moved by the wretched condition of his horse, cried out : "As our animals are too weak to bear their burdens, if you desire it, those deer within sight, that are rubbing themselves
against trees, would bear timber to the haughty king. " Wherefore, the saint fell upon her knees, and prayed that her servant's suggestion might be carried out ; when, on the instant, these wild deer came in a tractable and quiet manner to Christ's servant, receiving their burden, and bearing their respec- tive loads with docility along the road. It is said, that cords which fastened their wood were broken on the way, nor was it possible to procure others to secure their burdens. Having reproached her servants for their negligence, our saint drew out some of her own hair, and although these hairs appeared of a very fine description, they are said to have furnished a medium for
securing the loads, until deposited at the very place required by the king. We are next told, that when this dynast beheld the manner in which those piles ofwood were drawn, he felt inflamed with anger, which appeared in his features. Wishing to manifest his contempt and dislike for the holy virgin, he endeavoured to excite all the town dogs to worry the deer and tear them to pieces. On the contrary, Attracta prayed that the horses belonging to the king's and queen's residence, being seized with madness, should kill those dogs. All instrumental in urging on the latter animals were instantly put to death, having been trodden down by the horses, or torn to pieces by the dogs. But, the deer safely returned to their forest, having first, in a suppliant manner, licked the hem of our saint's garment. The dogs are said to have been changed into stones. These were pointed out, at a time when this legendwaswritten. Itwasthenbelieved,thattheseobjectsshouldsoremain totheDayofJudgment. St. Attracta,fullofgriefandindignation,thensaid
:
to the King " Because you have despised the Church, and myself, the
servant of that God, by whom you were created, you shall be reduced to a state of servitude, and you shall be exiled from the province of Connaught ; strangers will seize on your substance, and you shall have none to assist you ; but, the devil shall be on your right hand, and another man shall receive
your kingdom. Your heirs shall fail, moreover, in having possessions on
6
this earth. "
Towards the conclusion of our saint's acephalous Acts, we are told, that a
certain king named Hualgarg,? and descended from the renowned family of
8 not satisfied with St. Patrick.
being acknowledged
the ruler over his own
BrerTny,
paternal
6
This narrative, which Colgan justly de- "'
Vita S. Attracts, cap. xiii. , xiv. , pp. 280, 281.
» ThisHualgarg'snamecouldnotbefound inanyofthedifferentcataloguesofConnaught kings in Colgan's possession, although he is said to have ruled over all that province, Lugnia alone excepted. This district was formerly the patrimonial inheritance of the O'Haras, and its position is shown on the Map prefixed to " The Genealogies, Tribes and Customs of Hy-Fiachrach, commonly called O'Dowda's Country," e—dited by John
signates insula narratio, on the margin,
"
cro te Dei famula quatenus digneris ana-
thus proceeds :
Quo audito ait Rex ; obse-
themati finem ponere. Hac conditione,
inquiens, hoc anno et quandocumque de
sanguine tuo venerit, qui pro poenitentia
dederit eleemosynam hanc in honore meo
mihi ant vices meas in terris gerenti, scilicet
septem plenitudinescyphi potus mei desuper
auratas, ac septrm plenitudines caemeterii
mei yaccarum. His itaque decretis tota
munitio Regis fuu line desuper ejecto com- O'Donovan. See also p. 493.
busta est pariter et destructa. "—Colgan's 8 This ancient territory comprised the pre-
"
Acta Sanctorum Hiberniae," Februarii ix.
Ibid.
164 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [August ii.
territory, brought all the people of Connaught under his sway, excepting those of Lugnia, who were remarkable for their resolute character. The latter waged war against that prince, but we do not learn with what exact result, as the sentence which terminates St. Attracta's unfinished biography is so obscurely worded or incomplete, that no precise meaning can be derived from its con- struction or literal translations
This holy virgin was called to the joys of Heaven, after the performance of numerous miracles and the exercise of many virtues. We are ignorant regarding the year or even the day of St.
Attracta's death, although few Irish saints have left after them such vivid traditions and so many lasting memo- rials. To this very day, her life and miracles form much of the folk-lore among the people of Coolavin. 10 According to most probable accounts, she flourished in the fifth century, and about the year 470. " In the foreign calendars, her name is written Tarachta or Tarahata. No saint so named is mentioned in any Irish document, and hence Colgan justly inferred, that she wasnootherthanSt. Athracta. " OneofthevirginsveiledbySt. Patrickat Cregi was St. Attracta, who is thus noted,13 but without her feast being
assigned, in Father Henry Fitzsimon's " List of Irish Saints. " 1 * Her name 1
is written Etrachta, Virgo, in the published Martyrology of Tallaght, * as also in that copy of it found in the Book of Leinster. ' 6 The Martyrologies of Tallagh, of Marianus O'Gorman, of Maguire and of Donegal record her festi- val at the nth of 1 ? She is mentioned, in the of
August. Martyrology Donegal, atthissamedate,asAthracht,Virgin,daughterofTighernach,of
of St. Athracta,
at which the people of that neighbourhood were accustomed
18
Cill Saile, in Crich Conaill. ^
She was venerated after her death, as patroness of the church of Kill-
Athracta or 2 in the townland so named, the modern church Killaraght, °and,
is built on the site of an old church, none of which now remains, but burials are still continued in the church-yard. In the same townland was the well
21
to perform stations, on the nth of August, which seems to have been tradi-
tionallyandlocallyregardedastheholyvirgin'schieffestival. Itwassituated
on the south side of Killaraght townland,22 on the road from Boyle to Frenchpark, and very near the boundary between Killaraght and Kilnaman-
sent counties of Leitrim and Cavan.
l6
There noted ecr\Accae
" Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
\\\\\.
f See "Acta Sanctorum Hiber- Colgan's,
niae," Februarii ix. , n. 21, p. 282.
l8 Edited by Drs. Todd arid Reeves, pp.
216, 217.
'»A note by O'Donovan at Crich Conaille
states, "Probably Conaille Muirtheimne. "
20 The Patron there was on the nth Day
of August, which was called by the people
St. Araght's (<Xr;rvACc) day, when visited by from St. Patrick, who was then engaged Mr. Patrick O'Keeffe, in 1 836, to dis-
"
preaching the Faith in Ireland. See Acta charge duties in connection with the Irish
9 See
Colgan's
niae," Februariii ix. Vita S. Attractse, cap.
xv. , p. 281, and n. 19, p. 182.
10 "
See Ven. Archdeacon O'Rorke's His-
tory of Sligo : Town and County," vol. ii. , chap, xxxiv. , p. 367.
11 refers for Colgan
proof
to the beginning of her published Acts,
where it is related, that she received the veil
Sanctorum Hiberaiee/' Februarii ix. Vita S. Attr—acts, cap. xv. , p. 281, and n. 20, p. 282. Ibid
" The Bollandists do not controvert his opinion.
*3joceline'sLife of St. Patrick is quoted for this statement.
14 See Catalogus aliquorum Sanctorum
Ordnance Survey. See "Letters contain- ing Information relative to the Antiquities of the County of Sligo, collected during the progress of the Ordnance Survey in 1836. Vol. i. , Letter dated Boyle, September 23rd, 1836, p. 233.
" Catholicae Iberniae compendium," tomus
* The accompanying illustration was drawn on the spot by William F. Wake- man, and afterwards transferred by him to the wood, engraved by Mrs. Millard,
Iberniae, in O'Sullevan Beare's
llistorine
i. , lib. iv. , cap. xii. , p. 53.
•' Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xxxi.
On the Name Book of the Irish
of this statement
"
Ordnance Survey, the well is designated
August ii. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
165
agh parishes. Her memory is perpetuated by other ecclesiastical founda- tionsinthedioceseofAchonry. WithinafewpacesoftheruinsofBenada
23
of
convent, with its neat chapel and over its roof. That convent, built and endowed by private generosity, is
occupied by nuns of the Order of
of the convent is the chapel of Tourlesheane, dedicated to St. Attracta, the patroness of the Diocese of Achonry, The chief surviving popular tradition about this saint is, that she commenced making a passage across Lough
Abbey,
there is a
County
commodious schoolroom, having the sign of man's redemption conspicuous
Sligo,
Charity.
2 * At a short distance to the west
Holy Well of St. Attracta.
Gara, at Eanach mic an Aroo,25 now Anagh townland, and which she con- tinued to the distance of about three-quarters ofa mile, towards the County Roscommon. Some state, it comes from Kilfree parish. Then follows an idle legend, accounting for the stoppage of that work. The residents in its
It
neighbourhood state, that the causeway is yet passable, so far as it goes. resemblesaneel-weirinappearanee. However,thepeoplegenerallybelieve it to be a work of nature. Attracta next went to the Faelins, in Kilcoleman
36 at the Lower
onlyextendedtothedistanceofaquarterofamile. Thereshewasagaininter- rupted, by the same cause as before. She then relinquished the undertaking for ever. This latter piece of work is likewise still visible. In our annals, also,
in Irish characters Coba^ -Acrvacc.
23 This house was founded for Augustinian Monks, in 1423. See Archdall's " Mon-
asticon Hibernicum," p. 628.
2* Attached to it is said to be that land, of
which the Augustinian Friars were formerly dispossessed.
ss In Irish characters Gauac tine An Ajvoo.
parish,
Lake,
and there commenced the same which she work,
'6
This is situated partly in the barony of
Survey Townland Maps for the County of Roscommon," sheets 8, 14; and partly in the barony of Coolavin, containing 5,511a. , 2r. ip. , and this is shown on the " Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the County of
Costello, containing 10,953a. 2r. 8p. , and
Sligo, "sheets 44, 45, 46, 47- 2? The death of Benedict
this is shown on the " Ordnance
Survey
O'Mochain,
Townland Maps for the County of Mayo," sheets 63, 64, 74, 83 ; partly in the barony of Frenchpark, containing 1,628a. ir. I2p. ,
"
and this is marked on the Ordnance
_
166 LIVES OF 7HE IRISH SAINTS. [August ii.
we have allusion to this place, under its ancient denomination, even to the
2 ? The place of this holy virgin retained the name Kill Athracta, in Colgan's day, and it was situated in Achonry Diocese. More- over, there was a chapel, bearing her name, in the parish of Bal and Diocese of Tuam. A commentary, appended to Marianus, at the nth of August, states, that the Natalis of this virgin had been celebrated, in the church of Kill-Saile, in the region of Crichchonuill. 28 The parishes of Killaraght and Kilcolman adjoin each other, but both are divided by the waters of Lough Gara. They are situated in the Barony of Coolavin, and on the most southern
fourteenth
of
extremity Sligo county.
century.
2^ There is an island in the—north
of
part Lough
—notherinthesouthpartofthesamelough bothwithinKilcol- Gara, and a
man parish which are respectively called Clochan Athrachta or Araght. The patron day of the parish of Kilcolman is the same as that of Killaraght, z. <r. ,
the nth of August, the patron day—the people state—of Tober Araght, a holy well in the south end of Clogher townland, and on the north side of the
road from Gurteen to Ballaghadereen. 3° Besides the foregoing, there is a
1
There is a Toberaraght, in the parish of Kilturra;32 a Toberaraght, near Tobcicurnys i n the parish of Achonry ; a Toberaraght, in the parish of Drumrat ; and a Toberaraght, in
the parish of Kilbeagh. 3* Moreover, females in that part of Ireland are accustomed to receive and revere the Christian name of Attracta or Atty. These are memorials which must transmit her memory to future times, as they have preserved it undimmed to the present date. 35
On this day, the feast of St. Attracta is celebrated as a Double of the Minor Rite, in the Diocese of Achonry, by permission of his late Holiness Pius IX. , granted on the 28th of July, 1864, at the request of the former Bishop of the diocese then living. She is the special patroness of Killaraght parish, in the County of Sligo ; and, it was then agreed, that when a church should have been erected to her honour, in that town, on regular application to the Holy See, her festival might be raised to the dignity of a greater Rite. An Office of Nine Lessons, with the Second Nocturn Proper, and a Mass, taken from the Common of Virgins, with a proper Prayer, were then allowed fortheDioceseofAchonry. AsaDoubleFestival,thiscommemorationof St. Attracta has been extended, on this day, the nth of August, to the whole Church of Ireland. We learn, from the continuator of Usuard, who places her festival at this date, that St. Arata, virgin and nun, was invoked for the
liberation of captives, and for the staying from men of pestilence. . 3 6 The cross
Archdeacon of Cill-Athracta, is recorded at vey Townland Maps for the County of Mayo," A. D. 1361. See "Annals of Loch Ce. " sheets 51, 52 ; and partly in the barony of Edited by \V. M. Ilennessy, vol. ii. , pp. Corran, and this is shown on the " Ordnance
Killaraght, in the parish of Kilmacteige. 3
22, 23.
38
See "Acta Sanctorum Hiberniae," Februarii ix. n. 7, p. 281.
"A part of Kilcolman parish forms the
most eastern extremity of Mayo County. Killaraght lies to the east of Kilcolman.
30 See " Letters containing Information
collected duringthe Progress of the Ordnance
Survey for the County of Sligo, in 1836. "
Vol. i. , p. 233 to 236, Patrick O'Keefe's sheets 51, 52, 62, 63, 64, 72, 73, 74.
Letter, dated Boyle, September 23rd, 1836. 31 In the barony of Leyny, and it is shown on the "Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the County of Sligo," sheets 23, 24, 30,
3i» 36. 37. 42.
3a This parish, partly in the barony of Costello, is marked on the " Ordnance Sur-
35 See Ven. Archdeacon T. O'Rorke's
"History of Siigo : Town and County,"
vol. ii. , chap, xxxiv. , p. 367.
termitted saints, p. 606.
37 One of these named Domhnall O'Mo-
Survey Townland Maps for the county of Sligo," sheets 38, 39.
33 This town and townland, in the barony of Leyny, are marked on the " Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the county of
Sligo," sheet 38.
34 This is in the barony of Costello, and
it is described on the "Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the County of Mayo,"
3<5 " In the Bollandists'
Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. Augusti xi. Among the pre-
August ii. ] LIVES OE THE IRISH SAINTS. 167
of St. Athracta had long been preserved in her place, and the 0'Mochains37 or Moghans were the hereditary keepers of that relic. But, it is not known
8
to be in existence, at the present time. 3
The many virtues of this holy woman shone with increased lustre, and
she became more generally known, as she passed through her happy life. Deeper knowledge of her most firm and beautiful character was ever followed by deeper reverence and affection. All who visited her were charmed with her gracious demeanour, her gentleness, and affability. To the poor and forlorn she was the tender compassionate friend and mother, ever ready to listen to their sorrows, to advise them in their difficulties, and to relieve them in their wants. By her instruction and example she guided many others on the road to eternal happiness.
Article II. —St. Aireran or Ereran, the Wise,of Tigh Ereran, or Tyfarnham, in West Meath, and of Tallagh, County of Dublin. A holy and child-like simplicity of manner and feeling, combined with solid common sense and virtuous dispositions, are qualifications requisite to form the perfect religious. A seeming contrariety in his character constitutes the greatest charm, and in our early Christian society many venerable persons were so distinguished. We cannot doubt, from the epithet bestowed on the present distinguished ecclesiastic, but that with great sanctity he united great
judgment and ability, natural and acquired. He thought of the Lord in
goodness,
and
sought
Him in
simplicity
of heart. 1 at the 10th of Already,
February, some account of Airennan or Airendan, Bishop of Tallagh, in the 2
CountyofDublin,maybefound, butwhetherhebethesameastheholyand Wise man, venerated on this day, is rather questionable. The first noticed is titled a Bishop, while the present saint only obtains the designation of Abbot. In the " Feilire " of St. ^Engus,3 at the nth of August, there is a commemoration of St. Aireran. It is stated, likewise, that for wisdom he was famous. An Irish comment is affixed, however, in which the scholiast expresses doubt, as tohisparticularplace/ Atthissamedate,afestivaloccursintheMartyro- logies of Tallagh,s to honour Aireran, denominated The Wise. He is said, also, to have been Abbot of Tamlachtan,6 for Maeileruain. The Bollandists 7 have a passing allusion to Aileranus or Eleranus the Wise, at this date ; but, they regret not being able to find much matter for the elucidation of his Acts.
Again we are told, that he was Abbot of Tamlacht, next after Maelruain, in 8
the Martyrology of Donegal, while that of Tallagh seems to intimate, that he
chain was Abbot of Boyle, and he died in
Heis
"Beseech Aireran of the wisdom whose
"headofthe
fameis not
the
wisdom, knowledge and instruction of Tiburtius the strenuous and prudent.
