From the simple entry of his name, at this date, we do not feel
warranted
in connecting the present Fintan with this locality ; neither is it established, on any fair grounds, that any other so called had been venerated at Howth.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v9
Atillesubridens, ait ; Ego sum ille frater tuus, qui te sanam feci : sed ista nostra conjunctio facta est Dei misericordia, ut postquam dispersi surnui per cantivitatem simul iterum convenissemus.
Post haec itaque Deo gratias agentes, imii pal.
un deseruini petunt, ibidem Deum orantes.
"—Colgan's 'Trias Thaumaturga," Secunda Vita S.
Patricii, cap.
xvi.
, xvii.
, p.
12.
The same account is given ill Quarta Vita S.
Patricii, cap.
xx.
, p.
37, as also in Septima Vila S.
Patricii, pars, i.
, cap.
xxi.
, p.
120.
34
They are written in the following order : viz. Lupait, Agris, Liamain, Darerca, and Cinnenam.
35 See Archbishop Ussher's Britanni- caruin Ecclesiarum Antiquitate. N," cap. xvii. , p. 429.
36 See his Acts in the Second Volume of this work, at his feast day, February 6th, Art. i. 37 According to Jocelyn. See Colgan's
Sexta Vita S. Patricii, cap. cii. , p. 89.
30 See Colgan's
that state.
September 27. ] LIVES 0I< THE IRISH SAINTS.
whether any truth could be in the rumours spread abroad, which however the Irish Apostle did not credit. A miracle wrought in their favour satisfied himregardingtheinnocenceofhissisterandhernephew. Nevertheless,he deemed it advisable, that both should live in
k< Men should dwell apart from women, lest occasion of scandal arise for the weak, and least our 1 ,ord's name be injured through us, which God avert. "& Where- upon he ordered that Mel should live at Ardagh, and Lupita at Druimheo, to
the east of a mountain called Brileith, which separated both places. 39
Lupait founded a monastery for religious women on the eastern side of Armagh,"butatwhatperiodisnotstated. Itseemsprobable,theselectionof
such a site was owing to a desire she naturally entertained, that it might have the advantage of St. Patrick's supervision and direction. From him also, it is said she received the veil. 41 There was a church, called Temple na fearta, 42 near the city of Armagh, and, according to Harris4 3 a nunnery was there founded by St. Patrick,44 in the fifth century. It is said, St. Patrick employed his sister Lupita in weaving or embroidering vestments and in arranging linens, for altar 4* In this work she was assisted
by
purposes.
In Ussher's Tripartite version, 4 ? it is said, that St. Lupita was buried at the
eastern side of the city of Armagh. By some writers, the place has been called Temple na Fearta. Others place her remains at Armagh. But, as the former place is very near the latter, this difference of statement can be easily recon- ciled. ThefollowingcuriousaccountisgivenbyWard,thataboutthemiddle of the seventeenth century, the body of St. Lupita was found in an upright position, and between two crosses, one before and the other behind,"4* while these remains were buried under the ruins of the old chu—rch of Temple
49 Herfestivalwasheld,o—
38 See
Hibernise," Februarii vi. De S. Mele Epis- copo Ardachadensi, cap. ix. , p. 261.
39 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga,"
Septima p. 133.
Vita S.
quitates," cap. xvii, p. 429. 4* See " Sancti Rumoldi
Colgan's
Patricii, part ii. , cap. xxix. ,
Martyris Inclyti," &c. Dissertatio Historica de Patria S.
40 See Ussher's " Britannicarum Eccle-
siarum Antiquitates," cap. xvii. , p. 429. 49 See Archdall's Monasiicon Hiberni-
"
44 See Arch-dall at Temple-fartagh, in Monasticon Hibernicum," p. 32.
45 See " Trias Colgan's
suum S. Patricium ad convertendam Hirlan-
diam properantem secuta, ita vixit, ut
41 " See Colgan's
Trias Thaumaturga. " cum," p. 32.
ad Acta S.
4- RenderedChurchoftheMiracles.
QuintaAppendix xxiii. , p. 269.
23 SurveyTownlandMapsfortheCountyFer-
43 See Harris' Ware, vol.
tiesofIreland,"
"
Sheet "
ii. , chap, xxxviii. , p. 269.
:
fratrem
Thaumaturga. " Secunda Vita S. Patricii, n. 2, p. 16.
"
Bishop Kalendars of Scottish Saints," p. 212.
Antiqui-
managh," 5' Thus
15.
Lupitse virginis, quae
52 He writes: " S. Lupita, virgo Scota, sister of Patrick, and Ere, daughter of Divi Patricii Scoti, apostoli Hibernise soror
uterina. fratrem suum ad evangelicum opus
proficiscentem secuta, magnorunv laborum
particeps evasit, et in divorum album relata
ab colitur. " — Thomas utraque gente
Dempster's
46 "The three embroideres^es, Lupait,
Daire, and Cruimthiris, made with their own pure hands the vestments and altar linens used during the Holy Sacrifice in the churches of Erin. "—Most Rev. Dr.
" Insula Sanctorum etDoctorum; or Ireland's Ancient
Healy's
"
separate houses, saying :
nthe ot not 27th September although
Fartagh.
set down in the O'Clery's Calendar at Innis-Lothair. This place is said to be identical with Inish-Lirroo, or Inish Lougher,s° on Lough Erne. It lies within the parish of Devenish, in the barony of Magheraboy, and in the County of Fermanagh. At the 27th of September, the feast of Lupita, a virgin, is recorded in Thomas " 1 in his
Dempster's Menologium Scoticum,"* although
2
allusion to her in another work,s while stating that she flourished in 592, he
" Acta Sanctorum Schools and Scholars," 66, chap, iii. , p.
Rumoldi, sect. 10, num. 9, p. 184. "
5° It contains acres, Patricii, cap. 36
roods and
other 6 holy virgins/
Dublin, 1890, 8vo.
47 See " Britannicarum Ecclesiarum Ami-
3
perches ; while it is shown on the Ordnance
sanctissimis adnumeretur. "— Forbes'
Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis
•'
614 LIVESOETHEIRISHSAIATS. [September27.
says the day for her cultus is unceitain. 53 We are informed by Ferrarius,54
that the holy Virgin, Lupita, was venerated in Ireland, on the 27th of September. Arturus ss and Castellans6 enter, at this date, the celebration of
Lupita's feast.
The strength cf high purpose and stern resolve is combined with the most
attractiveself-denialandretirementinthelifeofatruereligious. Thesevere
discipline and austerity of regular rule become a reproach to the weak ones of this world, who love its comforts, conveniences and luxuries. The fashions and frivolities of every age are rightly set down as folly, while the service of God chiefly occupies the time and thoughts of those holy women, who trust in Him alone as their Preserver and Guide, in the quiet seclusion of their cloisters. Thence, too, they soon pass away to everlasting rewards and final
rest.
ArticleII. —St. Fionntain,orFintan. Nothingparticularappears to be known regarding this St. Fionntain, whose name occurs, in the Irish Calendars at this date. 1 The entry of Fintan's feast at the present day is
2
Among the many holy men having the same name, and without any other designa- tion, it seems difficult to know when and where he lived. On the peninsula of Howth, in the vicinity of Dublin, and at a considerable elevation on the Hill,
noticed, in a line of Marianus O'Gorman's Irish metrical Festilogy,
3* be seen the small church or of a St. Fintan. It is —
to havebe—enformedoutofthe"survivals"ofatleasttwochurches itmaybe of more one of which was of much greater dimensions than the present church, and the other was about the same size as the structure now extant.
may oratory supposed
The " St. Fintan's" present
on the site of that oratory. An examination of the foundations shows, that they are laid at two levels. Evidence for such conclusions are seemingly afforded, by the pecu- liar stone dressings of the apertures, such as found in the door, small windows, and interior recesses. There is a gable over the western door, now covered with ivy, but having an ope for a bell in its upper part ; while between it and the door-way, there is a recessed circular window. The whole of the interior had been plastered with mortar, and the exterior was dashed ; but, both the mortar and the dashing have fallen off, leaving only an indication
Scetorum," tomus ii. , lib. xi. , num. 800, p.
433.
53 "Dies cultus incertus. "
it now stands, measures internally 16 feet 6 inches in length on the north side, and
54 See "
of the west end is 8 feet 1 inch, and it
narrows at the eastern end to 7 feet 7 inches.
This contraction is remarkable. Moreover,
Catalogus 55 In his Gynaeceum.
56 In his Gene—ral Martyrology. '
Colgan's
Ak th
i. i:. 11.
See
" Acta Sane-
it is what is called internally, by
builders
—
Generalis Sanctorum. "
16 feet 8 inches on the south.
The
breadth
torum Hiberniaj," xvii Februarii. Appendix
au Vitani S. Fintani, cap. i. , p. 355.
2
translated as follows by Dr. Whitley Stoke—s:
'
ofl the square,' its diagonals being of dif-
Thus : pnean jrem jrru pogLA. It is " Fintan himself against plundering*"
ferent lengths, one measuring 18 feet
7 inches, and the other 17 feet 1 1 inches,
It, however, recovers the rectangular shape
externally to_a great extent. The external
measurements are, on the south side, 21 feet
"
satisfactory description of this building, with illustra-
is that Mr. Robert
tions, given by Cochrane,
in his interesting paper, "Notes on the Ecclesiastical Antiquities in the Parish of Howth, County of Dublin. " Its dimensions are thus set forth
:
Feihre Hui Gormain," pp. 184, 185.
3 The fullest and most
detailed
6 and on the north 21 feet inches,
Ibid. .
" St. Fintan's church, as
appears
to stand
partly
early
inches, 4 Similarly the eastern end measures 12 feet
— and the western 12 feet
9 inches, 8£
inches. " of Anti- quaries of Ireland," vol. iii. , fifth series, part
iv. , 1893, p. 386.
4 By Robert Cochrane F. S. A. , M. R. I. A.
"Journal
ofthe
Royal Society
September 27. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 6iS
that the walls had been thus treated. 5 At the western end are traces showing, that the ends of beams resting on the side walls supported a loft, while light was afforded only from the circular window already mentioned. A short distance from the church is the holy well of St. Fintan, but any tradition of the day when pilgrims resorted to it has not been preserved in the locality to give a possible clue, which might serve for the patron's identi- fication. 6 An ancient cemetery surrounds the oratory, and there are still to be seen several tombs and graves. ? The scenery around St. Fintan's Oratory
St. Fintan's Church, Howth.
8 hasbeendescribedandadmirablyversifiedinalocallegend, whichintro-
duces Aideen as the heroine, and records her rest under a remarkable Cromlech, in the adjoining beautiful demesne of Lord Howth.
From the simple entry of his name, at this date, we do not feel warranted in connecting the present Fintan with this locality ; neither is it established, on any fair grounds, that any other so called had been venerated at Howth. We find
s The accompanying illustration, present- ing a north-west view of St. Fintan's church,
Howth, and drawn by J. M. Kavanagh, R. H. A. , in 1893, has been reproduced on the wood and engraved by Gregor Grey.
'Among those interred here may be men-
tioned the late distinguished physician and literateur, Dr. William Stokes, of Dublin, belonging to a family eminent for talent and the cultivation of Irish national literature.
6 However, the Very Rev. James Henthorn The flag-stone under which he rests has
Todd supposes that the patron was St.
Fintan Find of Drum Ingaid—now Dromin,
in the County of Meath—and whose feast
occurs on the ioth of October. See " The
Book of Obits and Martyrology of the
Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity, com-
monly called Christ Church, Dublin," "Cromlech on Howth," has received addi-
edited by John Clarke Crosthwaite, A,M. , and James Henthorn Todd, D. D. , p xliv. ,
tional interest from the drawings of Miss Margaret Stokes, with exquisite coloured illustrations in lithography. It was published
n.
(k. )
been designed by his accomplished daughter,
Miss Margaret Stokes, and the tracery on it
is a of ancient truly elegant reproduction
Irish monumental art.
8 A harmonious and pathetic poem of the
late Sir Samuel Ferguson, and intituled the
6i6 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[September 27.
Fionntain merely set down in the Martyrology of Donegal,' at the 27th of September, and the same notice is in the Irish Calendar, belonging to the
10
Article III. —St. Columm ok Columban. —In the published 1
Martyrology of Tallagh, a festival is registered at the 27th of September, in honor of Columban. 2 The word w elevatio," which is associated here with his name, seems referable to his being raised to Heaven on this day. It may mean, however, a translation of the saint's relics. As noticed in the metrical Martyrology of Marianus 0'Gorman,3 this " fair Coluimm4" seems to have beenregardedasthesuperiorofmonks. Noreferencetohisplaceorperiod hasbeendiscovered. Atthissamedate,theMartyrologyofDonegalcontains the simple entry of Columm ; but in the table subjoined to this work, he is
6
further distinguished as Columm Ban, (the white).
Article IV. —St. Suibni, or Suibhne. —The published Martyrology ot
1 that veneration was Tallagh records,
Ordnance Survey Records.
paid
ber. Si is postfixed to the mention of his name in this Calendar. 2 At this
day, likewise, Marianus O'Gorman has a commemoration of Suibne. 3
Colgan4 seems desirous of identifying this holy man with St. Subneus Ui
Fionnachta, bishop of Kildare, who died a. d. 878. 5 However, in the year
"6
876, the Chronicum Scotorum" records the plundering of Cill-dara by
Gentiles,'whenfourteenscoremenweretakenoutofit, togetherwiththe vice-Abbott, Suibhne, (son) of Dubhdabhairenn. We can hardly doubt but that he must be identified with the former ; but whether he survived that capture two years, or that there be a difference in the chronology of the annalists,cannotbedetermined. Thepresentsaint'snameissimplyrecorded,
in the Martyrology of Donegal.
8
in London, 1861, in folio size. We shall only introduce the following stanza, in allu- sion to Aideen —
:
" Here, far from camp and chase removed, Apart in nature's quiet room,
The music that alive she loved Shall cheer her in the tomb.
The humming of the noon-tide bees, The lark's loud carol all day long,
And borne on evening's salted breeze The clanking sea-bird's song. "
9 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
260, 261.
10 See " Common Place Book F," p. 82.
" Felire Hui Gormain," pp. 184, 185.
" We
Article in. — ' Edited
5 See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 526, 527. The
Rev. Dr. a"
p. XXXV.
In the Book of Leinster copy we read
Annales Ultonienses," have at A. n. 880— Suibne Episcopus Cilledaro quievit. "
Colurnbani eliuAoo.
3 There he is thus recorded
:
"
:
Hibernicarum
Cotuitn ban pin rarvcheno ftoba blAchcenn buione.
Thus rendered by Dr. Whitley Stokes : " Fair Coluimm (Columban ? ) a very strict sage, who was the smooth chief of a troop. "
6 See William M. Hennessy's edition, pp. 170, 171.
1 A usual designation for the Da-ies or Northmen given in the Irish records.
8 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 260, 261.
by
Kelly
—
Dr. O Conor's
"
Rerum
to Suibhne, at the of
27th Septem-
4 The editor adds a note here
:
should read Columban. " Ibid. , probably —
n. (f).
5 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
360, 361.
6
See ibid. , —
pp. 380, 381.
Article iv. 'Edited by Rev. Dr.
Kelly, p. xxxv.
"In the Book of Leinster copy we find
Suibtn rci.
3 See Dr. Whitley Stokes' " Feilite Hui
Gormain," pp. 184, 185.
4 See " Trias Thaumaturga. " Quinta
Appendix ad Acta S. Brigidae, cap. ii. , p. 629.
Scriptores," tomus iv. , p. 235.
September 27. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 617
Article V. —St. Finnen or Finnian, Bishop. We find simply the name Finnian, without further designation, entered in the published Martyr-
1 atthe of Asimilar isintheBook 27th September. entry
this same date, the Martyrology of Donegal,? records Finnen, Bishop. I think, adds the calendarist, this was the Bishop Finnen, whom Senan left in Inis Cunla,* in Crich Ua Sedna, in Munster. We do not find any other Finnen, without being characterised, except this one. *
Article VI. —St. Finnanie Mac Coppain. At this date, a festival is
1
recorded in the published Martyrology of Tallagh, to honour Finnanie
of
ology Tallagh,
of Leinster
tion at this same date. 3 Colgan thinks it is referable either to St. Finian,4 Bishop of Clonard, or to St. Finian,* Bishop of Maghbile, in Ulster. * At
Mac Coppain.
We also meet with a somewhat different entry in the Book
copy,
2 Marianus O'Gorman has the feast of St. Finian's Eleva-
or "
Article VII. —Festival for the Translation or St. Gibrian's
Relics, The feast of the Translation ot St. Gibrian's relics is set down, by
Saussay and Ferrarius, at the 16th of April ; but, at the 27th of September, it is in an ancient copy of Usuard's Martyrology, and in the Florarius Sanc-
2 The
of "Mac
ofLeinster
harmonious son," by Marianus O'Gorman, occurs at the 27th of September. 3 This St. Finnan appears to have been a distinct person from a saint of the name,alreadydescribedasabishop. AtaholywellintheparishofSkreen, County of Wexford, a patron was formerly held on the 27th of September. * The local saint seems unknown to the people.
1
At the 8th of May, which is the date assigned for his chief festival,
copy.
entry
Coppain
co
cuibdi,"
Coppan's
torum.
we have inserted the particulars of his life so for as they are known. 2
Article VIII. —St. Ernin Ua Briuin. The Almighty descends from His supernal delights and glory, to accommodate himself to the weakness
1
Article v. — Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly,
p. xxxv. 2
at the 8th of March, in the Third Volume of this work, Art. i,
9 The Life of St. Senan, chapter 24, is
Thus, pniAtn.
3 Thus is it recorded in his " Felire":— quoted, as authority for the foregoing state-
. ^
Cocbait, pirnum eprcuip
"
ments. See Colgan's Acta Sanctorum
Hiberni*," Manii viii. Secunda Vita S.
,_ -i
cnerWc ,c chtmnne.
Senani> c;p> xxvij> p These lines are thus translated by Dr. n. 21, p. 540, (recte) 536.
Stokes: "Let the Elevation of Articlevi. —1 Edited Rev. Dr. Whitley by
Bishop Finnian the soft-skinned be in thy me- p. xxxv.
It,
mory. "—"Feilire Hui Gormain," pp. 184, 185.
4
See notices of him at the 23rd ot February, in the Second Volume of this work, Art. ix. , and his Life, given more in detail, at the 12th of December, in the Twelfth Volume, Art. i.
5 See his Acts, at the 10th of September,
2
in the present volume, Art. i. 6"
Thus pncAine in Copam.
3 See Dr. Whitley Stokes' " Feilire Hui
Gormain," pp. 184, 185.
4 See " Letters containing Information re-
lative to the Antiquities of the County of Wexford collected during the Progress of the Ordnance Survey," vol. i.
—
Article VII. 'See the Bollandists'
"Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , Maii viii. De S. Gibriano Presbytero, num. 2. , p. 300. Also, in "Acta Sanctorum," tomus vii. , Septembris xxvii. Among the pretermitted saints, p, 375.
See Acta Sanctorum Hibernise," xxiii. Februarii. Appendix ad Acta S. Finniani, cap. i. , p. 402.
7 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 260, 261.
34
They are written in the following order : viz. Lupait, Agris, Liamain, Darerca, and Cinnenam.
35 See Archbishop Ussher's Britanni- caruin Ecclesiarum Antiquitate. N," cap. xvii. , p. 429.
36 See his Acts in the Second Volume of this work, at his feast day, February 6th, Art. i. 37 According to Jocelyn. See Colgan's
Sexta Vita S. Patricii, cap. cii. , p. 89.
30 See Colgan's
that state.
September 27. ] LIVES 0I< THE IRISH SAINTS.
whether any truth could be in the rumours spread abroad, which however the Irish Apostle did not credit. A miracle wrought in their favour satisfied himregardingtheinnocenceofhissisterandhernephew. Nevertheless,he deemed it advisable, that both should live in
k< Men should dwell apart from women, lest occasion of scandal arise for the weak, and least our 1 ,ord's name be injured through us, which God avert. "& Where- upon he ordered that Mel should live at Ardagh, and Lupita at Druimheo, to
the east of a mountain called Brileith, which separated both places. 39
Lupait founded a monastery for religious women on the eastern side of Armagh,"butatwhatperiodisnotstated. Itseemsprobable,theselectionof
such a site was owing to a desire she naturally entertained, that it might have the advantage of St. Patrick's supervision and direction. From him also, it is said she received the veil. 41 There was a church, called Temple na fearta, 42 near the city of Armagh, and, according to Harris4 3 a nunnery was there founded by St. Patrick,44 in the fifth century. It is said, St. Patrick employed his sister Lupita in weaving or embroidering vestments and in arranging linens, for altar 4* In this work she was assisted
by
purposes.
In Ussher's Tripartite version, 4 ? it is said, that St. Lupita was buried at the
eastern side of the city of Armagh. By some writers, the place has been called Temple na Fearta. Others place her remains at Armagh. But, as the former place is very near the latter, this difference of statement can be easily recon- ciled. ThefollowingcuriousaccountisgivenbyWard,thataboutthemiddle of the seventeenth century, the body of St. Lupita was found in an upright position, and between two crosses, one before and the other behind,"4* while these remains were buried under the ruins of the old chu—rch of Temple
49 Herfestivalwasheld,o—
38 See
Hibernise," Februarii vi. De S. Mele Epis- copo Ardachadensi, cap. ix. , p. 261.
39 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga,"
Septima p. 133.
Vita S.
quitates," cap. xvii, p. 429. 4* See " Sancti Rumoldi
Colgan's
Patricii, part ii. , cap. xxix. ,
Martyris Inclyti," &c. Dissertatio Historica de Patria S.
40 See Ussher's " Britannicarum Eccle-
siarum Antiquitates," cap. xvii. , p. 429. 49 See Archdall's Monasiicon Hiberni-
"
44 See Arch-dall at Temple-fartagh, in Monasticon Hibernicum," p. 32.
45 See " Trias Colgan's
suum S. Patricium ad convertendam Hirlan-
diam properantem secuta, ita vixit, ut
41 " See Colgan's
Trias Thaumaturga. " cum," p. 32.
ad Acta S.
4- RenderedChurchoftheMiracles.
QuintaAppendix xxiii. , p. 269.
23 SurveyTownlandMapsfortheCountyFer-
43 See Harris' Ware, vol.
tiesofIreland,"
"
Sheet "
ii. , chap, xxxviii. , p. 269.
:
fratrem
Thaumaturga. " Secunda Vita S. Patricii, n. 2, p. 16.
"
Bishop Kalendars of Scottish Saints," p. 212.
Antiqui-
managh," 5' Thus
15.
Lupitse virginis, quae
52 He writes: " S. Lupita, virgo Scota, sister of Patrick, and Ere, daughter of Divi Patricii Scoti, apostoli Hibernise soror
uterina. fratrem suum ad evangelicum opus
proficiscentem secuta, magnorunv laborum
particeps evasit, et in divorum album relata
ab colitur. " — Thomas utraque gente
Dempster's
46 "The three embroideres^es, Lupait,
Daire, and Cruimthiris, made with their own pure hands the vestments and altar linens used during the Holy Sacrifice in the churches of Erin. "—Most Rev. Dr.
" Insula Sanctorum etDoctorum; or Ireland's Ancient
Healy's
"
separate houses, saying :
nthe ot not 27th September although
Fartagh.
set down in the O'Clery's Calendar at Innis-Lothair. This place is said to be identical with Inish-Lirroo, or Inish Lougher,s° on Lough Erne. It lies within the parish of Devenish, in the barony of Magheraboy, and in the County of Fermanagh. At the 27th of September, the feast of Lupita, a virgin, is recorded in Thomas " 1 in his
Dempster's Menologium Scoticum,"* although
2
allusion to her in another work,s while stating that she flourished in 592, he
" Acta Sanctorum Schools and Scholars," 66, chap, iii. , p.
Rumoldi, sect. 10, num. 9, p. 184. "
5° It contains acres, Patricii, cap. 36
roods and
other 6 holy virgins/
Dublin, 1890, 8vo.
47 See " Britannicarum Ecclesiarum Ami-
3
perches ; while it is shown on the Ordnance
sanctissimis adnumeretur. "— Forbes'
Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis
•'
614 LIVESOETHEIRISHSAIATS. [September27.
says the day for her cultus is unceitain. 53 We are informed by Ferrarius,54
that the holy Virgin, Lupita, was venerated in Ireland, on the 27th of September. Arturus ss and Castellans6 enter, at this date, the celebration of
Lupita's feast.
The strength cf high purpose and stern resolve is combined with the most
attractiveself-denialandretirementinthelifeofatruereligious. Thesevere
discipline and austerity of regular rule become a reproach to the weak ones of this world, who love its comforts, conveniences and luxuries. The fashions and frivolities of every age are rightly set down as folly, while the service of God chiefly occupies the time and thoughts of those holy women, who trust in Him alone as their Preserver and Guide, in the quiet seclusion of their cloisters. Thence, too, they soon pass away to everlasting rewards and final
rest.
ArticleII. —St. Fionntain,orFintan. Nothingparticularappears to be known regarding this St. Fionntain, whose name occurs, in the Irish Calendars at this date. 1 The entry of Fintan's feast at the present day is
2
Among the many holy men having the same name, and without any other designa- tion, it seems difficult to know when and where he lived. On the peninsula of Howth, in the vicinity of Dublin, and at a considerable elevation on the Hill,
noticed, in a line of Marianus O'Gorman's Irish metrical Festilogy,
3* be seen the small church or of a St. Fintan. It is —
to havebe—enformedoutofthe"survivals"ofatleasttwochurches itmaybe of more one of which was of much greater dimensions than the present church, and the other was about the same size as the structure now extant.
may oratory supposed
The " St. Fintan's" present
on the site of that oratory. An examination of the foundations shows, that they are laid at two levels. Evidence for such conclusions are seemingly afforded, by the pecu- liar stone dressings of the apertures, such as found in the door, small windows, and interior recesses. There is a gable over the western door, now covered with ivy, but having an ope for a bell in its upper part ; while between it and the door-way, there is a recessed circular window. The whole of the interior had been plastered with mortar, and the exterior was dashed ; but, both the mortar and the dashing have fallen off, leaving only an indication
Scetorum," tomus ii. , lib. xi. , num. 800, p.
433.
53 "Dies cultus incertus. "
it now stands, measures internally 16 feet 6 inches in length on the north side, and
54 See "
of the west end is 8 feet 1 inch, and it
narrows at the eastern end to 7 feet 7 inches.
This contraction is remarkable. Moreover,
Catalogus 55 In his Gynaeceum.
56 In his Gene—ral Martyrology. '
Colgan's
Ak th
i. i:. 11.
See
" Acta Sane-
it is what is called internally, by
builders
—
Generalis Sanctorum. "
16 feet 8 inches on the south.
The
breadth
torum Hiberniaj," xvii Februarii. Appendix
au Vitani S. Fintani, cap. i. , p. 355.
2
translated as follows by Dr. Whitley Stoke—s:
'
ofl the square,' its diagonals being of dif-
Thus : pnean jrem jrru pogLA. It is " Fintan himself against plundering*"
ferent lengths, one measuring 18 feet
7 inches, and the other 17 feet 1 1 inches,
It, however, recovers the rectangular shape
externally to_a great extent. The external
measurements are, on the south side, 21 feet
"
satisfactory description of this building, with illustra-
is that Mr. Robert
tions, given by Cochrane,
in his interesting paper, "Notes on the Ecclesiastical Antiquities in the Parish of Howth, County of Dublin. " Its dimensions are thus set forth
:
Feihre Hui Gormain," pp. 184, 185.
3 The fullest and most
detailed
6 and on the north 21 feet inches,
Ibid. .
" St. Fintan's church, as
appears
to stand
partly
early
inches, 4 Similarly the eastern end measures 12 feet
— and the western 12 feet
9 inches, 8£
inches. " of Anti- quaries of Ireland," vol. iii. , fifth series, part
iv. , 1893, p. 386.
4 By Robert Cochrane F. S. A. , M. R. I. A.
"Journal
ofthe
Royal Society
September 27. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 6iS
that the walls had been thus treated. 5 At the western end are traces showing, that the ends of beams resting on the side walls supported a loft, while light was afforded only from the circular window already mentioned. A short distance from the church is the holy well of St. Fintan, but any tradition of the day when pilgrims resorted to it has not been preserved in the locality to give a possible clue, which might serve for the patron's identi- fication. 6 An ancient cemetery surrounds the oratory, and there are still to be seen several tombs and graves. ? The scenery around St. Fintan's Oratory
St. Fintan's Church, Howth.
8 hasbeendescribedandadmirablyversifiedinalocallegend, whichintro-
duces Aideen as the heroine, and records her rest under a remarkable Cromlech, in the adjoining beautiful demesne of Lord Howth.
From the simple entry of his name, at this date, we do not feel warranted in connecting the present Fintan with this locality ; neither is it established, on any fair grounds, that any other so called had been venerated at Howth. We find
s The accompanying illustration, present- ing a north-west view of St. Fintan's church,
Howth, and drawn by J. M. Kavanagh, R. H. A. , in 1893, has been reproduced on the wood and engraved by Gregor Grey.
'Among those interred here may be men-
tioned the late distinguished physician and literateur, Dr. William Stokes, of Dublin, belonging to a family eminent for talent and the cultivation of Irish national literature.
6 However, the Very Rev. James Henthorn The flag-stone under which he rests has
Todd supposes that the patron was St.
Fintan Find of Drum Ingaid—now Dromin,
in the County of Meath—and whose feast
occurs on the ioth of October. See " The
Book of Obits and Martyrology of the
Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity, com-
monly called Christ Church, Dublin," "Cromlech on Howth," has received addi-
edited by John Clarke Crosthwaite, A,M. , and James Henthorn Todd, D. D. , p xliv. ,
tional interest from the drawings of Miss Margaret Stokes, with exquisite coloured illustrations in lithography. It was published
n.
(k. )
been designed by his accomplished daughter,
Miss Margaret Stokes, and the tracery on it
is a of ancient truly elegant reproduction
Irish monumental art.
8 A harmonious and pathetic poem of the
late Sir Samuel Ferguson, and intituled the
6i6 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[September 27.
Fionntain merely set down in the Martyrology of Donegal,' at the 27th of September, and the same notice is in the Irish Calendar, belonging to the
10
Article III. —St. Columm ok Columban. —In the published 1
Martyrology of Tallagh, a festival is registered at the 27th of September, in honor of Columban. 2 The word w elevatio," which is associated here with his name, seems referable to his being raised to Heaven on this day. It may mean, however, a translation of the saint's relics. As noticed in the metrical Martyrology of Marianus 0'Gorman,3 this " fair Coluimm4" seems to have beenregardedasthesuperiorofmonks. Noreferencetohisplaceorperiod hasbeendiscovered. Atthissamedate,theMartyrologyofDonegalcontains the simple entry of Columm ; but in the table subjoined to this work, he is
6
further distinguished as Columm Ban, (the white).
Article IV. —St. Suibni, or Suibhne. —The published Martyrology ot
1 that veneration was Tallagh records,
Ordnance Survey Records.
paid
ber. Si is postfixed to the mention of his name in this Calendar. 2 At this
day, likewise, Marianus O'Gorman has a commemoration of Suibne. 3
Colgan4 seems desirous of identifying this holy man with St. Subneus Ui
Fionnachta, bishop of Kildare, who died a. d. 878. 5 However, in the year
"6
876, the Chronicum Scotorum" records the plundering of Cill-dara by
Gentiles,'whenfourteenscoremenweretakenoutofit, togetherwiththe vice-Abbott, Suibhne, (son) of Dubhdabhairenn. We can hardly doubt but that he must be identified with the former ; but whether he survived that capture two years, or that there be a difference in the chronology of the annalists,cannotbedetermined. Thepresentsaint'snameissimplyrecorded,
in the Martyrology of Donegal.
8
in London, 1861, in folio size. We shall only introduce the following stanza, in allu- sion to Aideen —
:
" Here, far from camp and chase removed, Apart in nature's quiet room,
The music that alive she loved Shall cheer her in the tomb.
The humming of the noon-tide bees, The lark's loud carol all day long,
And borne on evening's salted breeze The clanking sea-bird's song. "
9 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
260, 261.
10 See " Common Place Book F," p. 82.
" Felire Hui Gormain," pp. 184, 185.
" We
Article in. — ' Edited
5 See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 526, 527. The
Rev. Dr. a"
p. XXXV.
In the Book of Leinster copy we read
Annales Ultonienses," have at A. n. 880— Suibne Episcopus Cilledaro quievit. "
Colurnbani eliuAoo.
3 There he is thus recorded
:
"
:
Hibernicarum
Cotuitn ban pin rarvcheno ftoba blAchcenn buione.
Thus rendered by Dr. Whitley Stokes : " Fair Coluimm (Columban ? ) a very strict sage, who was the smooth chief of a troop. "
6 See William M. Hennessy's edition, pp. 170, 171.
1 A usual designation for the Da-ies or Northmen given in the Irish records.
8 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 260, 261.
by
Kelly
—
Dr. O Conor's
"
Rerum
to Suibhne, at the of
27th Septem-
4 The editor adds a note here
:
should read Columban. " Ibid. , probably —
n. (f).
5 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
360, 361.
6
See ibid. , —
pp. 380, 381.
Article iv. 'Edited by Rev. Dr.
Kelly, p. xxxv.
"In the Book of Leinster copy we find
Suibtn rci.
3 See Dr. Whitley Stokes' " Feilite Hui
Gormain," pp. 184, 185.
4 See " Trias Thaumaturga. " Quinta
Appendix ad Acta S. Brigidae, cap. ii. , p. 629.
Scriptores," tomus iv. , p. 235.
September 27. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 617
Article V. —St. Finnen or Finnian, Bishop. We find simply the name Finnian, without further designation, entered in the published Martyr-
1 atthe of Asimilar isintheBook 27th September. entry
this same date, the Martyrology of Donegal,? records Finnen, Bishop. I think, adds the calendarist, this was the Bishop Finnen, whom Senan left in Inis Cunla,* in Crich Ua Sedna, in Munster. We do not find any other Finnen, without being characterised, except this one. *
Article VI. —St. Finnanie Mac Coppain. At this date, a festival is
1
recorded in the published Martyrology of Tallagh, to honour Finnanie
of
ology Tallagh,
of Leinster
tion at this same date. 3 Colgan thinks it is referable either to St. Finian,4 Bishop of Clonard, or to St. Finian,* Bishop of Maghbile, in Ulster. * At
Mac Coppain.
We also meet with a somewhat different entry in the Book
copy,
2 Marianus O'Gorman has the feast of St. Finian's Eleva-
or "
Article VII. —Festival for the Translation or St. Gibrian's
Relics, The feast of the Translation ot St. Gibrian's relics is set down, by
Saussay and Ferrarius, at the 16th of April ; but, at the 27th of September, it is in an ancient copy of Usuard's Martyrology, and in the Florarius Sanc-
2 The
of "Mac
ofLeinster
harmonious son," by Marianus O'Gorman, occurs at the 27th of September. 3 This St. Finnan appears to have been a distinct person from a saint of the name,alreadydescribedasabishop. AtaholywellintheparishofSkreen, County of Wexford, a patron was formerly held on the 27th of September. * The local saint seems unknown to the people.
1
At the 8th of May, which is the date assigned for his chief festival,
copy.
entry
Coppain
co
cuibdi,"
Coppan's
torum.
we have inserted the particulars of his life so for as they are known. 2
Article VIII. —St. Ernin Ua Briuin. The Almighty descends from His supernal delights and glory, to accommodate himself to the weakness
1
Article v. — Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly,
p. xxxv. 2
at the 8th of March, in the Third Volume of this work, Art. i,
9 The Life of St. Senan, chapter 24, is
Thus, pniAtn.
3 Thus is it recorded in his " Felire":— quoted, as authority for the foregoing state-
. ^
Cocbait, pirnum eprcuip
"
ments. See Colgan's Acta Sanctorum
Hiberni*," Manii viii. Secunda Vita S.
,_ -i
cnerWc ,c chtmnne.
Senani> c;p> xxvij> p These lines are thus translated by Dr. n. 21, p. 540, (recte) 536.
Stokes: "Let the Elevation of Articlevi. —1 Edited Rev. Dr. Whitley by
Bishop Finnian the soft-skinned be in thy me- p. xxxv.
It,
mory. "—"Feilire Hui Gormain," pp. 184, 185.
4
See notices of him at the 23rd ot February, in the Second Volume of this work, Art. ix. , and his Life, given more in detail, at the 12th of December, in the Twelfth Volume, Art. i.
5 See his Acts, at the 10th of September,
2
in the present volume, Art. i. 6"
Thus pncAine in Copam.
3 See Dr. Whitley Stokes' " Feilire Hui
Gormain," pp. 184, 185.
4 See " Letters containing Information re-
lative to the Antiquities of the County of Wexford collected during the Progress of the Ordnance Survey," vol. i.
—
Article VII. 'See the Bollandists'
"Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , Maii viii. De S. Gibriano Presbytero, num. 2. , p. 300. Also, in "Acta Sanctorum," tomus vii. , Septembris xxvii. Among the pretermitted saints, p, 375.
See Acta Sanctorum Hibernise," xxiii. Februarii. Appendix ad Acta S. Finniani, cap. i. , p. 402.
7 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 260, 261.
