76 The
Manuscript
Collection of the Royal Irish Academy includes a poem, attributed to Cormac Mac Cullenan, King and Arch- bishop of Cashel and Thomond, on his
Chapter
to a.
Chapter
to a.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v9
xxvi.
, p.
205.
51 See Archdall s ** Monasticon Hiberni-
cum," County of Tipperary, pp. 639 to 677. s2 So called from their common eponymous Eoghan or Eugene Mor, who flourished as supreme King of Munster, in the earlier part
of the second century of the Chr—istian era.
Huachtar-lamhann dictum ad Dunandreas, et Borealem partem de Knockgrafann in
He
the first name he bore. It is strange, that
tores," tomus iv. Annales Ultonienses,
is also called Nuadhat
Mogh probably
p.
242.
61 The Annals of Ulster refer this occur-
which is said to
Thomas Moore should
style
him " the
heroic — ofthe of Mogh-Nuad, King province
rence to the
Leinster. " "History of Ireland," vol. i. , chap, vii. , p. 129.
of the
Annals
11
Corcus Olilli Flannbeg ex Lugadio filio
554. 555. and note ( c >-
62 See Thomas D'Arcy McGee's " Popu-
lar History of Ireland," vol. i. , book ii. ,
chap, iii. , p. 76.
63 Dr. Lanigan follows the Annals of
53 Roderick O'Flaherty thus writes
:
vol. van's edition of the latter work, i. ,
pp.
nepos rex Momoniae et regum Momoniae
stirps primus Casiliae regiam fixit in jam
Tiperarise comitatu, Corca-eathrac dicitur
regio, in qua sita est, quam Amergini filii Milesii posteri olim tenebant a Tipraid-
Innisfallen, as authority for the foregoing farmnn juxta Monasterium S. Crucis and subsequent accounts. See Dr.
longum protensam. " cap. lxxxi. , p. 382.
Ogygia," pars iii. ,
"
—
"
s4 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga. Appendix III. ad Septima Vita S. Patricii, pp. 200, 201.
»5See his Life, at the 17th of March, in the Third Volume of this work, Art. i.
56 See his Life, at the 24th of July, in the Seventh Volume of this work, Art. i.
57 See his Life, at the 12th of September, in
the present volume, Art. i.
s8 He was killed in the battle of Cill
Osnaigh in Magh Fea. See William M. "
Hennessy's Chronicum Scotorum," pp.
30, 3««
s' See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 556, 557. ^The Annals of Ulster, at the year 901,
"
state, that Finguine, King of Cashel—,
a sociis suis occisus est per dolum. " Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum Hibernicarum Scrip*
year 900, correspond with a. d, 896
"
— of the Four Masters. " See Dr. O'Dono-
September 14. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 335
64—also called Kinngeagan6s who is said to have been son to Gorman, King of
nominated
the — It is
by prevailing party. related,
that
Fionngaine 66
Cashel, was killed in 902, during the contest among his own people.
6
In the year 903, it has been stated, ? that Cormac then became King
without opposition. While admitting the Annals of the Four Masters have
earlier dates for these transactions ; Dr. Lanigan is yet of opinion, that their
authority has not equal weight, especially with regard to the affairs of
Munster.
68
But, there is no valid reason for supposing, after his being called
to the throne of Cashel, that Cormac Mac Cullenan had been engaged in any
contest, necessary to secure its peaceable possession. Others think, that
some time had elapsed, before Cormac was peaceably seated on the throne of
Cashel. While there and officiating in his episcopal capacity, it is likely the very ancient Cathedral occupied a site beneath the Rock, which was then
6
crowned solely by the royal residence. ? Of that primitive church no traces
now seem to have remained.
During the earlier years of King Cormac's reign, the Kingdom of Ireland
enjoyed a degree of comparative repose, after previous calamities owing to intestine wars and foreign invasions. Contests and animosities between the native Princes became less frequent, and the people of Ireland were in con- sequence more united. Fearing the effects of such reconciliation, the Danes seemed unwilling to engage in hostilities, although their savage dispositions anddesiresforplunderwerenotaltogetherappeased. Apprehendingthat the union of natives and chiefs would be directed towards their own expulsion from this island ; many of them embarked on board their vessels and voluntarily retired from a land, which seemed no longer destined to become their prey. ? ° Those sacrilegious Danes, who had plundered and destroyed Churches and Monasteries, being now expelled, such ruins were again restored. Moreover, many sacred edifices were newly built, to satisfy the religious requirements of clergy and people. Schools and academies were erected and endowed, for the education of youth, in arts and sciences, so
that to revive with the learning began
and 1 We prosperity. ?
of
are told, that the lands were again manured and cultivated, that the earth
produced most abundant crops, while the fields were covered with numerous herds and flocks.
Some time after Cormac had been proclaimed King of South Munster, he went on a visit to Lorcan, King of Thomond. ? 2 The throne of Cashel had
O'Conor's " Rerum Hibernicarum Scrip- tores," tomus ii. Annales Inisfalenses, Dublin copy, p. 37.
64 It has been stated by Colgan, that he was the son of Kenngegan, called King of Cashel, in the Tripartite Life of St. Patrick. This, however, is an error on the part of Colgan. See ''Trias Thaumaturga," Sep- tima Vita S. Patricii, pars iii. , cap. xxx. , p.
156, and n. 57, p. 186.
65 Not suspecting the identity, Colgan
wonders why he cannot be found enume- rated among the Kings of Cashel. This has also puzzled the Rev. Dr. Lanigan. See " Ecclesiastical of vol. iii. ,
Kinngeagan and Fionngaine were names indifferently applied to one and the same person.
66 By the Annals of Innisfallen, Dublin
copy. .
6? In the Annals of Innisfallen, Dublin
copy.
See "Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. iii. , chap, xxii. , sect, v. , n. 43, p. 352.
69 According to Rev. Dr. Ledwich, a Mandra was on the rock and within a wall
surrounding the summit. See "Antiquities
of Ireland," p. 149. However, this existed
only in the pseudo-antiquary\ imagination.
? ° See " His- John O'Mahony's Keating's
History Ireland,"
chap. xxii. , sect, v. , n. 42, p. 352. In this
tory of Ireland, chap, vii. , pp. 519, 520.
connection,
it must be remarked, that Dr.
7X See Ferdinando Warner's " of History
Lanigan was deceived by the false statement
Ireland, vol. i. , book ix. , p. 363.
? 2 "
—it is to be supposed inadvertently—given
by Colgan ; and, it may be found from the . "Annals of the Four Masters," that
See Dr. Sylvester O'Halloran's Gene- ral History of Ireland," vol. iiM book x. , chap, v. , p. 184.
progress
peace
*8
33* LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [September14.
then begun to assume the portentous aspect of a growing power in the southern province ; and its demands of tribute were extended even beyond such a limit. 73 On the occasion of Cormac's visit to Lorcan, the prince- bishop, with his retinue, was magnificently entertained. Cormac returned to Cashel, with hostages, taken from eleven out of the twelve districts? * of which Thomond was then composed. 75 On leaving, he is said to have indited a poem in praise of Lorcan. 76 For the seven years, that Cormac Mac Cullenan ruled over the province of Southern Munster,77 he was universally respected and admired by friends and enemies. He attained the character of being a learned and an accomplished scholar, a devout ecclesiastic, and a just, politic
prince. virtues.
78
His enemies feared his prowess ; while his subjects revered his many
CHAPTER II.
THE INVASION OF THOMOND BY FLANN SIONNA, MONARCH OF IRELAND—HIS DEFEAT— CORMAC SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN AUTHOR OF THE PSALTER OF CASHEL—COMPOSI- TIONS ATTRIBUTED TO ST. CORMAC MAC CU1LLENAN—CORMAC'S CHAPEL ON THE
VISIT OF KING LORCAN TO CORMAC—THE SANAS CHORMAIC— CORMAC'S CELEBRATION OF EASTER AT CASHEL—HOSTILITIES BETWEEN THE PEOPLE OF MUNSTER AND THOSE OF LEINSTER.
The peace oT Ireland did not continue for any long period, until it was again disturbed by civil commotions. The chief monarch of Ireland, Flann Sionna, had unjustly and insolently invaded the territories of Thomond, over
1
In his expedition he was joined by Cerbhall, son of Muiregan, King over the Leinster province. At first, success attended their arms ; for, they ravaged the whole of Mumhan from Gabhran to Luimnech. Nevertheless, these insults and injuries were not destined
2 After a
Abbot of Iniscathy, united with Lorcan, a. d. 906 ; and marching to Magh Lena, they gave battle to the monarch Flann, who was defeated. The latter
ROCK OF CASHEL—
which territory King Lorcan ruled.
which
for three whole days without intermission, the forces of Flann were almost entirely cut to pieces. This monarch, with the remainder of his shattered army, was obliged, covered with confusion and disgrace, to retreat. By way of reprisal, Lorcan equipped a fleet of sloops and small vessels on the Shannon, and with these he afterwards made many incursions into the Meath and Connaught territories, on either side of the river. The forces of Cormac Mac Cuillenan, together with those of Flaithbhertach or Flaherty, the warlike
to
pass unpunished.
desperate engagement,
lasted,
it is
said,
"See Wills' " Lives of Illustrious and
Distinguished Irishmen," vol. i. , part i. , second period, p. 186.
74" There were twelve Cantreds in the
division belonging to thecrown of Thomond,
departure from Lorcan's house. It is in ten stanzas, pp. 1, 2.
77 According to Selbach the Elder, in his
" that Cashel should be without Elegy, Pity
Corbmac. "
78 See Dr. Sylvester O'llalloran's
" General History of Ireland," vol. ii. ,
book x. , chap, —v. , pp. 181, 182.
and their territories extended to the
walls of Cashel. "—Ferdinando Warner's
"
History of Ireland," vol. i. , book ix. , P- 365.
75 See Dr. Sylvester O'llalloran s "General History of Ireland," vol. ii. , book x. , chap, v. , p. 184.
76 The Manuscript Collection of the Royal Irish Academy includes a poem, attributed to Cormac Mac Cullenan, King and Arch- bishop of Cashel and Thomond, on his
Chapter
to a. d. 905, in the " Chronicum Scotorum," his confederate is said to have been Cerb- hall, son of Muiregen. See William M. Ilennessy's edition, pp. 180, 181.
2 See Wills' " Lives of Illustrious and Dis- tinguished Irishmen," vol. i. , part i. , second period, p. 186.
'
ii. In this invasion,
assigned
September 14. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 337
was compelled to give hostages, in token of submission j while following up their victory, Cormac and Flaithbhertach destroyed the islands on Lough Ree from their fleet, which obliged the men of Connaught, as well as the Ui Neill, to submit, and also give hostages to insure their future peaceable behaviour. 3
Cormac Mac Cullinan is generally supposed to have been author of the
treated
chiefly concerning the history and Antiquities of Ireland. It is thought, also, that this work was called Psalter because it was principally written in verse. * However, Edward O'Reilly tells us, it contained a collection of Irish records, both in prose and verse. 5 It included many original pieces, written by
Cormac ; but, it does not appear, nevertheless, to have been exclusively his composition. Keating had a copy of it, which he often quotes, and he alludes toitmorethanonce,inthePreface,asaworktobeseeninhisdays. Also, Colgan states it was preserved in his time. 6 Sir James Ware makes mention of it,7 as extant when he wrote, and that it was held in great esteem. He says, that he had some collections from it, in an old parchment codex,
8
celebrated work, known as the Psalter of Cashel, and 1 which
This volume has been considered one of high authority on matters of Irish History, and it seems yet to be extant. * It is said to have been originally transcribed from the Psalter of Tara, and from other ancient documents. We are told, that there is a part of it in an old Manuscript of the Bodleian Library at Oxford. 10 Some writers pretend that Cormac was not the author of it, and that it was compiled after his times. In fact,therearesomecircumstancesmentionedastakenfromit, whichbelong to a later period ; for instance, the latest part of the Catalogue of the Arch- bishops of Armagh,11 which comes down to the latter end of the eleventh
intituled Psalter-narran.
12 In his
enumerates the Saltair Chaisil, among Manuscripts then to be found in
century.
work,
which was at 3 published Oxford,' Lhuyd
3 See William M. Hennessy's " Chroni- Archbishop. The original Psalter of Cashel
cum Scotorum," pp. 180, 181. was long supposed to be lost, but it is now 4 Dr. Lanigan, however, tells us, his said to be deposited in the British Museum. "
"
deceased worthy friend, General Vallancey,
informed him, that this was a mistake, as
the original title of the work was Saltair,
which, he said, signified a chronicle, and
that he states the same in his Prospectus of
a Dictionary of the Ancient Irish, at Taireac.
See " Ecclesiastical History of Ireland,"
vol. iii. , chap, xxii. , sect, vi. , n. 58, p. 356.
However, though he would wish to agree
with Valiancy in everything, says Dr. hundred years before his time, as appeared
O'Donovan, yet Dr. Lanigan was too pro-
found a scholar to be led
veneration for the memory of his departed friend, and too honest to pass any opinion without some authority. Also, he had the
courage to add : Yet Saltair signifies also Psalter, and the Psaltair or Saltair-na-rann,
5 "This book was extant in Limerick, in
Irish Historical Library," chap, ii. , p. II. See Dr. O'Conor's Rerum Hiberni-
carum Scriptores," tomus i. Epistola Nun-
lxiii. to lxv. cupatoria, pp. xi. , lv. , Also,
Prolegomina, pp. clxv. to clxviii.
"See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga. "
" Such additions have been made with regardtonumbersofancienthistoricalworks, especially during the middle ages, and
was not a chronicle. "
g-Ceart or Book of Rights. ''' Introduction, n. c, p. v.
astray by
his
"
" I0 "
—See " Leabhar na
the year 1712, as appears by a large folio
MS. in the Irish language preserved in the
library of Cashel, written in Limerick in
that year, and partly transcribed from the
original Psalter of Cashel. The writer of many remain without distinctive date or this account was indulged with a perusal of names of the writers,
the Cashel MS. by his Grace the present 13 In 1707.
Chronological Account of nearly Four
Hundred Irish Writers," vol. i. , parti. , pp.
60, 61. 6"
See Acta Sanctorum Hibernioe,"
Januarii i. De S. Fanchea Virgine, sect,
ix. , p. 5.
7 See " De Hibernia et Antiquitatibus
ejus," cap xxi. , p. 92,
8
from the antique form of its letters,
9 in his " Britan- Lhuyd, Archaeologia
nica," mentions it, in his catalogue of Irish Manuscripts. Also, see Bishop Nicholson's
This had been written, he stated, three
Septima Appendix ad Acta S. Patricii, Pars Secunda, p. 292.
V
338 LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [September14.
Ireland, as he had been informed in a letter lately received from that
country ; although no reference was made therein, to places where it, and other Manuscripts, were to be found. x* Moreover, in the enumeration of
Manuscripts contained in the Bodleian Library, as referring to Ireland, that writer also mentions, an old Manuscript on Parchment, consisting of 292 pages,
in a large folio, 15 comprising, among other matters, a copy of part of the Saltar Cassail. This had been transcribed in 1453 by Seaan or John Buidhe
O'Cleirigh, and others, at Rath an Photaire, 16 for Edmond, the head of a Sept of the Butler family, who assumed the Irish Chieftain name of Mac
This Manuscript remained in the possession of Mac Richard till
Richard,
the
by Thomas, Earl of Desmond, to whom he was obliged to give up this very copy of the Psalter of Cashel—then more perfect than it is at present—and also another Manuscript called Leabhar na Carraige, i. e. , the Book of Carrick
1462, when he was defeated in a battle at Baile an Phoill, 1 ? fought
year
was examined
published an account of its contents, with observations on its age and
and
went over it with the most anxious care, to see how much of the Psalter it
might preserve ; and he has come to the conclusion, that it contains a very considerable fragment of that work. 20 When perfect, this Manuscript must
[on Suir].
18 This
Manuscript
by
the Rev. Dr. who Todd,
history.
1 ^ In the
year 1844,
again
in the Dr. O'Donovan year 1846,
have been 21 In a work since very large.
Dr. O'Donovan deems it necessary to notice such parts of it as he thinks were transcribed from the Psalter of Cashel. 22 He did not intend to give the reader an idea
14 "
SeeLhuyd's ArchaeologiaBritannica,"
19In of the the "Proceedings
Irish Academy," vol. ii. , p. 336.
P- 436.
20 This
is marked among the classed Laud.
'5
It
Manuscripts
Manuscript
16 Now called in Irish fUc a' phocAin, and Anglice Pottlerath, a townland in which are some ruins of a castle, situate in the parish of Kilnamanagh, barony of Cranagh, and County of Kilkenny.
'7 Now Anglicised Piltown, in the barony of Iverk, and County of Kilkenny.
18 This appears from a memorandum in the margin of folio no, p. b. , of which the following is a literal translation : "This was the Psalter of Mac Richard Butler, until the defeat at Baile an Phoill was given to the Earl of Ormond, and to Mac Richard by the Earl of Desmond (Thomas), when this book and the Book of Carrick were obtained in the redemption of Mac Richard ; and it was this Mac Richard that had these
hooks transcribed for his own use, and they remained in his possession, until Thomas,
Earl of Desmond, wrested them from him. " This memorandum was written in the
while it was in the
of Thomas, Earl of Desmond, whose name
Manuscript
possession
" Thomas of Desmond," appears in English,
in his own handwriting, on folio 92, a. For
a very curious account of this battle fought
between the Butlers and the young Karl of
Ormond, see the Annals of Duohaltoch This is immediately followed by a poem
Mac " Firbisse," pub- Firbisigh, Dudley
headed Fingin cecinit 00 ChopmAc inAC CuilenAn, Finghin sang for Cormac Mac
; Cuileannain, and beginning •
" ' Da m<v6 tnip da ni ne'il. '
lished in the " Miscellany of the Irish
Archaeological Society," p. 247, and the editor's notes at pp. 295, 296.
only
Royal
as it now stands con- sists of 146 folios, or 292 pages, and paged consecutively in modern figures, though it is evidently defective by many folios, in
different places.
-'
It appears, from various notices of the scribes, that it contained a transcript of all that could then be read of Saltair Chaisil ; Leabhair an Phreabain Chunga, i. e. . the Book of the " Shred " of Cong; the Book of Rathain, now Rahen, near Tullamore, King's County ; and the Leabhar Buidhe Fearna, i. e. the Yellow Book of Ferns.
"Thesearehiswords "Thefirstnotice :
of the Saltair Chaisil occurs, at fol. 42, b. .
where the limits of Ur Mhumha, or Ormond,
are given.
"At fol. 58, b. | the scribe writes that he
had then transcribed all that he found
together (consecutive or without chasms) in the Psalter of Cashel (a SaIcai]\ Ch*ifil*), and much from Leabhar Rathain, and Leabhar an Phreabain.
" At fol. 59, a. a commences the Fclire ,
Aenghuis or Festilogium ofAenghus Ceile De, which is accompanied, as usual, by an interlined gloss. This, which is in very good preservation, ends on fol. 72. It was evidently copied from the Saltair Chaisil.
published,
September 14. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 339
of the general contents of the Manuscript, for that should occupy many pages ; but, simply to show how much of that Psalter is preserved, as it had been copied for Edmond Mac Richard Butler, in 1453. At fol. 14, a. a. , line 29 of this Codex, the transcriber states, that there ends the part copied from the
" Fol. 93, b. b. An account of the cause of the expulsion of certain families from the • North of Ireland, and their settlement in the
" ' Were I a
King, manifestly. '
" Fol. 73, a. a. A poem on the genealogy
of the Kings of Munster, beginning :
"' CamcinetnaccuCrvimchuirrorr\eirh? ' "' WhowerethefivesonsofCrimhtham
Sreimh ? '
" This is undoubtedly copied from the Saltair Chaisil.
" Fol. 73, a. , line 16, begins a poem on the descendants of Oilioll Olum, King of Munster.
" 'CbArm 4ilella Obuim uiU,. '
chasm.
South,
quibus nenses.
beginning
inLatinthus ' Decausis :
" ' The sons of the
"Fol. 94, b. b. , line 17. A historical tale relating to Mac Con, monarch of Ireland, and Oilion Olum, King of Munster.
" Fol. 96, a. a. An account of the Battle
of Magh Mucruimhe, fought near Athenry, County Galway, between the ex-monarch Mac Con, and Art, monarch of Ireland, in the third century.
Aileall Olum. '
" Between the folios now consecutively marked 74 and 75 there is an evident
great
" Fol. 75, a. a. , line 16, begins the genea- logy of the race of Eireamhon (Heremon), undoubtedly copied from the Saltair. Chaisil. ' Hibernia insola, inter duos filios
stories, in very ancient language, relating to Crimhthann Mor Mac Fidhaigh, monarch of Ireland, and other Munster King^ of the
race of Eibhear.
"
princi- palis Militis, id est Herimon et Eber, in duas partes divisa est . ' This article is also
expul-
to be found totidem verbis, in the Books of
" Fol. 106, b. , col. 3. A
account of the race of Ir, seventh son of Mileadh or Milesius. This is very copious and the language very ancient, as is mani- fest from its grammatical terminations and obsolete idioms.
" Fol. in, b. a. A list of the Milesian or Scotic Kings of Ireland, from Eireamhon (Heremon) down to Brian Borumha. This affords strong evidence that the Saltair Chaisil was enlarged or continued by that monarch.
" Fol. 115, a. , cols. 2, 3. A list of the Bishops of Ard Macha (Armagh)* synchronized with the Kings of Caiseal.
Leacan and Baile an Mhuta
(Ballymote),
genealogical
in which it is distinctly stated that it. was
transcribed from the Saltair Chaisil.
"
At fol. 78 there is a chasm of many
folios, though the modern pagination runs
consecutively.
u Fol. 79, a. A part of Cormac's Glos-
sary beginning with the word 1mbur
for\ornoi. The remainder is perfect, but two folios are misplaced. On the folio marked 81 is a short account of the seats of tie Kings of Caiseal. The Glossary ends on fol.
51 See Archdall s ** Monasticon Hiberni-
cum," County of Tipperary, pp. 639 to 677. s2 So called from their common eponymous Eoghan or Eugene Mor, who flourished as supreme King of Munster, in the earlier part
of the second century of the Chr—istian era.
Huachtar-lamhann dictum ad Dunandreas, et Borealem partem de Knockgrafann in
He
the first name he bore. It is strange, that
tores," tomus iv. Annales Ultonienses,
is also called Nuadhat
Mogh probably
p.
242.
61 The Annals of Ulster refer this occur-
which is said to
Thomas Moore should
style
him " the
heroic — ofthe of Mogh-Nuad, King province
rence to the
Leinster. " "History of Ireland," vol. i. , chap, vii. , p. 129.
of the
Annals
11
Corcus Olilli Flannbeg ex Lugadio filio
554. 555. and note ( c >-
62 See Thomas D'Arcy McGee's " Popu-
lar History of Ireland," vol. i. , book ii. ,
chap, iii. , p. 76.
63 Dr. Lanigan follows the Annals of
53 Roderick O'Flaherty thus writes
:
vol. van's edition of the latter work, i. ,
pp.
nepos rex Momoniae et regum Momoniae
stirps primus Casiliae regiam fixit in jam
Tiperarise comitatu, Corca-eathrac dicitur
regio, in qua sita est, quam Amergini filii Milesii posteri olim tenebant a Tipraid-
Innisfallen, as authority for the foregoing farmnn juxta Monasterium S. Crucis and subsequent accounts. See Dr.
longum protensam. " cap. lxxxi. , p. 382.
Ogygia," pars iii. ,
"
—
"
s4 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga. Appendix III. ad Septima Vita S. Patricii, pp. 200, 201.
»5See his Life, at the 17th of March, in the Third Volume of this work, Art. i.
56 See his Life, at the 24th of July, in the Seventh Volume of this work, Art. i.
57 See his Life, at the 12th of September, in
the present volume, Art. i.
s8 He was killed in the battle of Cill
Osnaigh in Magh Fea. See William M. "
Hennessy's Chronicum Scotorum," pp.
30, 3««
s' See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 556, 557. ^The Annals of Ulster, at the year 901,
"
state, that Finguine, King of Cashel—,
a sociis suis occisus est per dolum. " Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum Hibernicarum Scrip*
year 900, correspond with a. d, 896
"
— of the Four Masters. " See Dr. O'Dono-
September 14. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 335
64—also called Kinngeagan6s who is said to have been son to Gorman, King of
nominated
the — It is
by prevailing party. related,
that
Fionngaine 66
Cashel, was killed in 902, during the contest among his own people.
6
In the year 903, it has been stated, ? that Cormac then became King
without opposition. While admitting the Annals of the Four Masters have
earlier dates for these transactions ; Dr. Lanigan is yet of opinion, that their
authority has not equal weight, especially with regard to the affairs of
Munster.
68
But, there is no valid reason for supposing, after his being called
to the throne of Cashel, that Cormac Mac Cullenan had been engaged in any
contest, necessary to secure its peaceable possession. Others think, that
some time had elapsed, before Cormac was peaceably seated on the throne of
Cashel. While there and officiating in his episcopal capacity, it is likely the very ancient Cathedral occupied a site beneath the Rock, which was then
6
crowned solely by the royal residence. ? Of that primitive church no traces
now seem to have remained.
During the earlier years of King Cormac's reign, the Kingdom of Ireland
enjoyed a degree of comparative repose, after previous calamities owing to intestine wars and foreign invasions. Contests and animosities between the native Princes became less frequent, and the people of Ireland were in con- sequence more united. Fearing the effects of such reconciliation, the Danes seemed unwilling to engage in hostilities, although their savage dispositions anddesiresforplunderwerenotaltogetherappeased. Apprehendingthat the union of natives and chiefs would be directed towards their own expulsion from this island ; many of them embarked on board their vessels and voluntarily retired from a land, which seemed no longer destined to become their prey. ? ° Those sacrilegious Danes, who had plundered and destroyed Churches and Monasteries, being now expelled, such ruins were again restored. Moreover, many sacred edifices were newly built, to satisfy the religious requirements of clergy and people. Schools and academies were erected and endowed, for the education of youth, in arts and sciences, so
that to revive with the learning began
and 1 We prosperity. ?
of
are told, that the lands were again manured and cultivated, that the earth
produced most abundant crops, while the fields were covered with numerous herds and flocks.
Some time after Cormac had been proclaimed King of South Munster, he went on a visit to Lorcan, King of Thomond. ? 2 The throne of Cashel had
O'Conor's " Rerum Hibernicarum Scrip- tores," tomus ii. Annales Inisfalenses, Dublin copy, p. 37.
64 It has been stated by Colgan, that he was the son of Kenngegan, called King of Cashel, in the Tripartite Life of St. Patrick. This, however, is an error on the part of Colgan. See ''Trias Thaumaturga," Sep- tima Vita S. Patricii, pars iii. , cap. xxx. , p.
156, and n. 57, p. 186.
65 Not suspecting the identity, Colgan
wonders why he cannot be found enume- rated among the Kings of Cashel. This has also puzzled the Rev. Dr. Lanigan. See " Ecclesiastical of vol. iii. ,
Kinngeagan and Fionngaine were names indifferently applied to one and the same person.
66 By the Annals of Innisfallen, Dublin
copy. .
6? In the Annals of Innisfallen, Dublin
copy.
See "Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. iii. , chap, xxii. , sect, v. , n. 43, p. 352.
69 According to Rev. Dr. Ledwich, a Mandra was on the rock and within a wall
surrounding the summit. See "Antiquities
of Ireland," p. 149. However, this existed
only in the pseudo-antiquary\ imagination.
? ° See " His- John O'Mahony's Keating's
History Ireland,"
chap. xxii. , sect, v. , n. 42, p. 352. In this
tory of Ireland, chap, vii. , pp. 519, 520.
connection,
it must be remarked, that Dr.
7X See Ferdinando Warner's " of History
Lanigan was deceived by the false statement
Ireland, vol. i. , book ix. , p. 363.
? 2 "
—it is to be supposed inadvertently—given
by Colgan ; and, it may be found from the . "Annals of the Four Masters," that
See Dr. Sylvester O'Halloran's Gene- ral History of Ireland," vol. iiM book x. , chap, v. , p. 184.
progress
peace
*8
33* LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [September14.
then begun to assume the portentous aspect of a growing power in the southern province ; and its demands of tribute were extended even beyond such a limit. 73 On the occasion of Cormac's visit to Lorcan, the prince- bishop, with his retinue, was magnificently entertained. Cormac returned to Cashel, with hostages, taken from eleven out of the twelve districts? * of which Thomond was then composed. 75 On leaving, he is said to have indited a poem in praise of Lorcan. 76 For the seven years, that Cormac Mac Cullenan ruled over the province of Southern Munster,77 he was universally respected and admired by friends and enemies. He attained the character of being a learned and an accomplished scholar, a devout ecclesiastic, and a just, politic
prince. virtues.
78
His enemies feared his prowess ; while his subjects revered his many
CHAPTER II.
THE INVASION OF THOMOND BY FLANN SIONNA, MONARCH OF IRELAND—HIS DEFEAT— CORMAC SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN AUTHOR OF THE PSALTER OF CASHEL—COMPOSI- TIONS ATTRIBUTED TO ST. CORMAC MAC CU1LLENAN—CORMAC'S CHAPEL ON THE
VISIT OF KING LORCAN TO CORMAC—THE SANAS CHORMAIC— CORMAC'S CELEBRATION OF EASTER AT CASHEL—HOSTILITIES BETWEEN THE PEOPLE OF MUNSTER AND THOSE OF LEINSTER.
The peace oT Ireland did not continue for any long period, until it was again disturbed by civil commotions. The chief monarch of Ireland, Flann Sionna, had unjustly and insolently invaded the territories of Thomond, over
1
In his expedition he was joined by Cerbhall, son of Muiregan, King over the Leinster province. At first, success attended their arms ; for, they ravaged the whole of Mumhan from Gabhran to Luimnech. Nevertheless, these insults and injuries were not destined
2 After a
Abbot of Iniscathy, united with Lorcan, a. d. 906 ; and marching to Magh Lena, they gave battle to the monarch Flann, who was defeated. The latter
ROCK OF CASHEL—
which territory King Lorcan ruled.
which
for three whole days without intermission, the forces of Flann were almost entirely cut to pieces. This monarch, with the remainder of his shattered army, was obliged, covered with confusion and disgrace, to retreat. By way of reprisal, Lorcan equipped a fleet of sloops and small vessels on the Shannon, and with these he afterwards made many incursions into the Meath and Connaught territories, on either side of the river. The forces of Cormac Mac Cuillenan, together with those of Flaithbhertach or Flaherty, the warlike
to
pass unpunished.
desperate engagement,
lasted,
it is
said,
"See Wills' " Lives of Illustrious and
Distinguished Irishmen," vol. i. , part i. , second period, p. 186.
74" There were twelve Cantreds in the
division belonging to thecrown of Thomond,
departure from Lorcan's house. It is in ten stanzas, pp. 1, 2.
77 According to Selbach the Elder, in his
" that Cashel should be without Elegy, Pity
Corbmac. "
78 See Dr. Sylvester O'llalloran's
" General History of Ireland," vol. ii. ,
book x. , chap, —v. , pp. 181, 182.
and their territories extended to the
walls of Cashel. "—Ferdinando Warner's
"
History of Ireland," vol. i. , book ix. , P- 365.
75 See Dr. Sylvester O'llalloran s "General History of Ireland," vol. ii. , book x. , chap, v. , p. 184.
76 The Manuscript Collection of the Royal Irish Academy includes a poem, attributed to Cormac Mac Cullenan, King and Arch- bishop of Cashel and Thomond, on his
Chapter
to a. d. 905, in the " Chronicum Scotorum," his confederate is said to have been Cerb- hall, son of Muiregen. See William M. Ilennessy's edition, pp. 180, 181.
2 See Wills' " Lives of Illustrious and Dis- tinguished Irishmen," vol. i. , part i. , second period, p. 186.
'
ii. In this invasion,
assigned
September 14. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 337
was compelled to give hostages, in token of submission j while following up their victory, Cormac and Flaithbhertach destroyed the islands on Lough Ree from their fleet, which obliged the men of Connaught, as well as the Ui Neill, to submit, and also give hostages to insure their future peaceable behaviour. 3
Cormac Mac Cullinan is generally supposed to have been author of the
treated
chiefly concerning the history and Antiquities of Ireland. It is thought, also, that this work was called Psalter because it was principally written in verse. * However, Edward O'Reilly tells us, it contained a collection of Irish records, both in prose and verse. 5 It included many original pieces, written by
Cormac ; but, it does not appear, nevertheless, to have been exclusively his composition. Keating had a copy of it, which he often quotes, and he alludes toitmorethanonce,inthePreface,asaworktobeseeninhisdays. Also, Colgan states it was preserved in his time. 6 Sir James Ware makes mention of it,7 as extant when he wrote, and that it was held in great esteem. He says, that he had some collections from it, in an old parchment codex,
8
celebrated work, known as the Psalter of Cashel, and 1 which
This volume has been considered one of high authority on matters of Irish History, and it seems yet to be extant. * It is said to have been originally transcribed from the Psalter of Tara, and from other ancient documents. We are told, that there is a part of it in an old Manuscript of the Bodleian Library at Oxford. 10 Some writers pretend that Cormac was not the author of it, and that it was compiled after his times. In fact,therearesomecircumstancesmentionedastakenfromit, whichbelong to a later period ; for instance, the latest part of the Catalogue of the Arch- bishops of Armagh,11 which comes down to the latter end of the eleventh
intituled Psalter-narran.
12 In his
enumerates the Saltair Chaisil, among Manuscripts then to be found in
century.
work,
which was at 3 published Oxford,' Lhuyd
3 See William M. Hennessy's " Chroni- Archbishop. The original Psalter of Cashel
cum Scotorum," pp. 180, 181. was long supposed to be lost, but it is now 4 Dr. Lanigan, however, tells us, his said to be deposited in the British Museum. "
"
deceased worthy friend, General Vallancey,
informed him, that this was a mistake, as
the original title of the work was Saltair,
which, he said, signified a chronicle, and
that he states the same in his Prospectus of
a Dictionary of the Ancient Irish, at Taireac.
See " Ecclesiastical History of Ireland,"
vol. iii. , chap, xxii. , sect, vi. , n. 58, p. 356.
However, though he would wish to agree
with Valiancy in everything, says Dr. hundred years before his time, as appeared
O'Donovan, yet Dr. Lanigan was too pro-
found a scholar to be led
veneration for the memory of his departed friend, and too honest to pass any opinion without some authority. Also, he had the
courage to add : Yet Saltair signifies also Psalter, and the Psaltair or Saltair-na-rann,
5 "This book was extant in Limerick, in
Irish Historical Library," chap, ii. , p. II. See Dr. O'Conor's Rerum Hiberni-
carum Scriptores," tomus i. Epistola Nun-
lxiii. to lxv. cupatoria, pp. xi. , lv. , Also,
Prolegomina, pp. clxv. to clxviii.
"See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga. "
" Such additions have been made with regardtonumbersofancienthistoricalworks, especially during the middle ages, and
was not a chronicle. "
g-Ceart or Book of Rights. ''' Introduction, n. c, p. v.
astray by
his
"
" I0 "
—See " Leabhar na
the year 1712, as appears by a large folio
MS. in the Irish language preserved in the
library of Cashel, written in Limerick in
that year, and partly transcribed from the
original Psalter of Cashel. The writer of many remain without distinctive date or this account was indulged with a perusal of names of the writers,
the Cashel MS. by his Grace the present 13 In 1707.
Chronological Account of nearly Four
Hundred Irish Writers," vol. i. , parti. , pp.
60, 61. 6"
See Acta Sanctorum Hibernioe,"
Januarii i. De S. Fanchea Virgine, sect,
ix. , p. 5.
7 See " De Hibernia et Antiquitatibus
ejus," cap xxi. , p. 92,
8
from the antique form of its letters,
9 in his " Britan- Lhuyd, Archaeologia
nica," mentions it, in his catalogue of Irish Manuscripts. Also, see Bishop Nicholson's
This had been written, he stated, three
Septima Appendix ad Acta S. Patricii, Pars Secunda, p. 292.
V
338 LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [September14.
Ireland, as he had been informed in a letter lately received from that
country ; although no reference was made therein, to places where it, and other Manuscripts, were to be found. x* Moreover, in the enumeration of
Manuscripts contained in the Bodleian Library, as referring to Ireland, that writer also mentions, an old Manuscript on Parchment, consisting of 292 pages,
in a large folio, 15 comprising, among other matters, a copy of part of the Saltar Cassail. This had been transcribed in 1453 by Seaan or John Buidhe
O'Cleirigh, and others, at Rath an Photaire, 16 for Edmond, the head of a Sept of the Butler family, who assumed the Irish Chieftain name of Mac
This Manuscript remained in the possession of Mac Richard till
Richard,
the
by Thomas, Earl of Desmond, to whom he was obliged to give up this very copy of the Psalter of Cashel—then more perfect than it is at present—and also another Manuscript called Leabhar na Carraige, i. e. , the Book of Carrick
1462, when he was defeated in a battle at Baile an Phoill, 1 ? fought
year
was examined
published an account of its contents, with observations on its age and
and
went over it with the most anxious care, to see how much of the Psalter it
might preserve ; and he has come to the conclusion, that it contains a very considerable fragment of that work. 20 When perfect, this Manuscript must
[on Suir].
18 This
Manuscript
by
the Rev. Dr. who Todd,
history.
1 ^ In the
year 1844,
again
in the Dr. O'Donovan year 1846,
have been 21 In a work since very large.
Dr. O'Donovan deems it necessary to notice such parts of it as he thinks were transcribed from the Psalter of Cashel. 22 He did not intend to give the reader an idea
14 "
SeeLhuyd's ArchaeologiaBritannica,"
19In of the the "Proceedings
Irish Academy," vol. ii. , p. 336.
P- 436.
20 This
is marked among the classed Laud.
'5
It
Manuscripts
Manuscript
16 Now called in Irish fUc a' phocAin, and Anglice Pottlerath, a townland in which are some ruins of a castle, situate in the parish of Kilnamanagh, barony of Cranagh, and County of Kilkenny.
'7 Now Anglicised Piltown, in the barony of Iverk, and County of Kilkenny.
18 This appears from a memorandum in the margin of folio no, p. b. , of which the following is a literal translation : "This was the Psalter of Mac Richard Butler, until the defeat at Baile an Phoill was given to the Earl of Ormond, and to Mac Richard by the Earl of Desmond (Thomas), when this book and the Book of Carrick were obtained in the redemption of Mac Richard ; and it was this Mac Richard that had these
hooks transcribed for his own use, and they remained in his possession, until Thomas,
Earl of Desmond, wrested them from him. " This memorandum was written in the
while it was in the
of Thomas, Earl of Desmond, whose name
Manuscript
possession
" Thomas of Desmond," appears in English,
in his own handwriting, on folio 92, a. For
a very curious account of this battle fought
between the Butlers and the young Karl of
Ormond, see the Annals of Duohaltoch This is immediately followed by a poem
Mac " Firbisse," pub- Firbisigh, Dudley
headed Fingin cecinit 00 ChopmAc inAC CuilenAn, Finghin sang for Cormac Mac
; Cuileannain, and beginning •
" ' Da m<v6 tnip da ni ne'il. '
lished in the " Miscellany of the Irish
Archaeological Society," p. 247, and the editor's notes at pp. 295, 296.
only
Royal
as it now stands con- sists of 146 folios, or 292 pages, and paged consecutively in modern figures, though it is evidently defective by many folios, in
different places.
-'
It appears, from various notices of the scribes, that it contained a transcript of all that could then be read of Saltair Chaisil ; Leabhair an Phreabain Chunga, i. e. . the Book of the " Shred " of Cong; the Book of Rathain, now Rahen, near Tullamore, King's County ; and the Leabhar Buidhe Fearna, i. e. the Yellow Book of Ferns.
"Thesearehiswords "Thefirstnotice :
of the Saltair Chaisil occurs, at fol. 42, b. .
where the limits of Ur Mhumha, or Ormond,
are given.
"At fol. 58, b. | the scribe writes that he
had then transcribed all that he found
together (consecutive or without chasms) in the Psalter of Cashel (a SaIcai]\ Ch*ifil*), and much from Leabhar Rathain, and Leabhar an Phreabain.
" At fol. 59, a. a commences the Fclire ,
Aenghuis or Festilogium ofAenghus Ceile De, which is accompanied, as usual, by an interlined gloss. This, which is in very good preservation, ends on fol. 72. It was evidently copied from the Saltair Chaisil.
published,
September 14. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 339
of the general contents of the Manuscript, for that should occupy many pages ; but, simply to show how much of that Psalter is preserved, as it had been copied for Edmond Mac Richard Butler, in 1453. At fol. 14, a. a. , line 29 of this Codex, the transcriber states, that there ends the part copied from the
" Fol. 93, b. b. An account of the cause of the expulsion of certain families from the • North of Ireland, and their settlement in the
" ' Were I a
King, manifestly. '
" Fol. 73, a. a. A poem on the genealogy
of the Kings of Munster, beginning :
"' CamcinetnaccuCrvimchuirrorr\eirh? ' "' WhowerethefivesonsofCrimhtham
Sreimh ? '
" This is undoubtedly copied from the Saltair Chaisil.
" Fol. 73, a. , line 16, begins a poem on the descendants of Oilioll Olum, King of Munster.
" 'CbArm 4ilella Obuim uiU,. '
chasm.
South,
quibus nenses.
beginning
inLatinthus ' Decausis :
" ' The sons of the
"Fol. 94, b. b. , line 17. A historical tale relating to Mac Con, monarch of Ireland, and Oilion Olum, King of Munster.
" Fol. 96, a. a. An account of the Battle
of Magh Mucruimhe, fought near Athenry, County Galway, between the ex-monarch Mac Con, and Art, monarch of Ireland, in the third century.
Aileall Olum. '
" Between the folios now consecutively marked 74 and 75 there is an evident
great
" Fol. 75, a. a. , line 16, begins the genea- logy of the race of Eireamhon (Heremon), undoubtedly copied from the Saltair. Chaisil. ' Hibernia insola, inter duos filios
stories, in very ancient language, relating to Crimhthann Mor Mac Fidhaigh, monarch of Ireland, and other Munster King^ of the
race of Eibhear.
"
princi- palis Militis, id est Herimon et Eber, in duas partes divisa est . ' This article is also
expul-
to be found totidem verbis, in the Books of
" Fol. 106, b. , col. 3. A
account of the race of Ir, seventh son of Mileadh or Milesius. This is very copious and the language very ancient, as is mani- fest from its grammatical terminations and obsolete idioms.
" Fol. in, b. a. A list of the Milesian or Scotic Kings of Ireland, from Eireamhon (Heremon) down to Brian Borumha. This affords strong evidence that the Saltair Chaisil was enlarged or continued by that monarch.
" Fol. 115, a. , cols. 2, 3. A list of the Bishops of Ard Macha (Armagh)* synchronized with the Kings of Caiseal.
Leacan and Baile an Mhuta
(Ballymote),
genealogical
in which it is distinctly stated that it. was
transcribed from the Saltair Chaisil.
"
At fol. 78 there is a chasm of many
folios, though the modern pagination runs
consecutively.
u Fol. 79, a. A part of Cormac's Glos-
sary beginning with the word 1mbur
for\ornoi. The remainder is perfect, but two folios are misplaced. On the folio marked 81 is a short account of the seats of tie Kings of Caiseal. The Glossary ends on fol.
