Advancing in years,
Forannan
afforded edification to all his com-
panions and acquaintances, by exhibiting all those virtues and acquirements,
that could distinguish one who was yet a youth.
panions and acquaintances, by exhibiting all those virtues and acquirements,
that could distinguish one who was yet a youth.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v4
274.
" Memorials of Angus and Mearns,"
'
See (^(/. , p. 339.
' In the Cortachy Charters, it is stated, that one Michael David, the tenant and
hereditary possessor of this Bell, surrendered it to John Ogilvy, of Lentretliyn, knight, on
the 5th of June, 1447. The same Sir John afterwards bestowed the said Bell, with its
pertinents, on his spouse, L:\dy Margaret Ogilvy, Countess of Moray, for her lifetime
use. See "Miscellany of the Spalding Club," vol. iv. , p. 118.
"See Bishop Forbes' "Kalendars of
Scottish Saints," —p. 399. '
St. Germanus, of Auxerre. See
"
Forbes' Kalendars of Scottish Saints,
p. 291. Others say, he was the disciple of St. Germanus, of Paris.
' Le Wod, Praemonstratensi, as an abbey and hospital, is said to have been founded in
1 141, according to the Harleian Manuscript, 2363, fol. 61. Walter was abbot in 1372. See Mackenzie E. C. Walcott's " Scoti Monasticon," Supplementary Notes, p. 407.
* See George Chalmers "Caledonia," 4c. , vol. iii. , chap, ii. , sect, viii. , p. 149.
5 In Keith's "Ca'endar of Scottish
Saints," the feast of this St. Congal has
been placed, at the 1 2th of May. However, anoiher account has it, that on the site of a
hermit's cell at HaliHode, Dercongal, Lord
of Kirconnel, or Devorgilla, wife of John Baliol, founded a cell to Soul's Seat, See
Article xvi. He was a disciple of
Bishop
'
552 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 30.
Cbutietl) ©ap of Slpnl,
ARTICLE I. —ST. FORANNAN, BISHOP, AND ABBOT OF WASOR, OR WAULSOR, BELGIUM.
[TENTH CENTURY. ]
CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTION—VARIOUS ACTS OF ST. FORANNAN—HIS PARENTAGE, BIRTH AND EARLY EDUCATION—HIS HAFPY DISPOSITIONS AND CALL 10 THE MINISTRY—HE IS SAID TO HAVE RULED OVKR DONAGHMORE, AND EVEN TO HAVE BEEN PRIMATE AT ARMAGH—FORANNAN RESOLVES TO LEAVE IRELAND—HE EMBARKS WITH TWELVE COMPANIONS.
content with the reign of science and reh'gion, which prevailed in
NOT tiie
Ireland, enterprising
and adventurous
them to undertake literary and intellectual voyages—-inspired by faith and the
interests ot souls—to the continent, where the whole Latin Church received a fresh infusion in the domain of poesy and imagination, so much in accord
with their indigenous and euphonious language. With religion, they spread civilization and the reign of virtue. Their scientific and literary crusade
brought all branches of human and sacred learning to countries far away; while the Kcottish richness of thought and expression laid the foundations of religion and of knowledge broadcast over many countries. ' Hence, their memory yet survives, in those countries where they laboured.
In our ancient annals and hagiologies, we find several eminent ecclesiastics bearing the name Farannan or Forannan. The Life of this present holy man— the earliest known being based on tradition, and probably on some earlier record''—was composed, by Robert, a monk of Waulsor, in 1030. In the Prologue to this work, he declares, that his materials were derived from the relation of a man greatly advanced in years, but who had an excellent recollec-
"
tion of those wonderful and miraculous "gests of Forannan, which were
placed on record, lest they might otherwise perish. Likewise, it is mentioned, that at the request of his religious chapter, the writer diffidently undertook the task of compilation. Particulars for the Life of this saint are extracted, also, from the " Chronicon Valciodorense," which its author declares to have
been composed from oral tradition, and from the archives, which were pre-
served in that celebrated — that chronicle is monastery. However, truly
to ab—ound with errors ;• while the writer
said ' invoking the intercession of Holy Mary dcclares,5 that his intention was to collect into one Tract various
Chapter i. —Article i. —' See Urbaia
Irish Abbots, at Waulsor.
Sinardet's "
des LUtdratures
^ in his " By D'Aihery,
Synchronisme
depuis leur Origine jusqu'a nos Jours con-
siderees dans leurs Rapports avec Ics Croy-
ance-, les Moeuis, les Institutions Sociales. "
Spicilegium," tomu^ vii. , wlieie tliis document is printed,
Cinquieme Epoque, sect, xii. , pp. 284, chronicle ; but, in his Prjefacio to the
2B5. volume mentioned already, l^'Achery re-
"
callan and of St. Cadroe, both of whom were ^ jn his Prologue to the chronicle.
It accords, with the history of St. Mac- futes their opinions. See p. 17.
spirit
of her sons caused
* Molanus and Mirseus thought, that the aforesaid Robert was the author of this
April 30. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 553
scattered materials for the information of posterity,* and to make known the various privileges and benefactions conferred upon Walsor. Mabillon has several notices regarding this place,' which is so closely connected with the spiritual ministrations of our saint. ' The Belgium writers, iMolanus' and Miraeus,'° justly claim him, as one of the illustrious and holy men, belong- ing to their country; while the Benedictines" assign him to their order. Ferrarius has an account of this holy man," as also Constantine Ghinius. '^ In like manner, to give a biographical Memoir'^ was the intention of Colgan,'5 who, did not live, however, to publish Forannan's Life. The BoUandists have inserted his Acts, in their great collection. '* These comprise his Life, by Robert, the Waulsor monk,'' with some preliminary remarks. Afterwards follow other notices, in reference to our saint,'* and these are taken from the old chronicle of Walsor. Father Daniel Papebroke is the editor. Forannan is noticed, likewise,'' in Thomas Dempster's work, and—after his manner—
Forannan is very presumptuously appropriated, as a Scotsman. '" Adrien Baillet"hasaLifeofthisholyman. BishopChallenor"andtheRev. Dr. Lanigan'J have a few notices respecting this saint, whose festival is marked at the 30th of April. The Petits BoUandistes ' only note the feast of St. Forannan, at this date, and the Rev. S. Baring-Gould '5 has some remarks on the same celebrated Abbot of Waulsor.
The O'Clerys—or an addition to their work »*—will have this saint to be the son of Ronan, adding, and, it seems, that he was of the race of Art Corb, son
'Father Daniel Papebroke considers, that '5 See "Catalogus Actuum Sanctorum the chronxle had been interpolated ; and quae MS. habentur ordine Mensium et Die- especially by some continuaioi, who flour- rum. "
ished . -. bout the year 1250. Instances of "* See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , Ap- fictitious eirors or doubtful statements are rilis xxx. De Sancio Forannano, Abbale afterwaids given. See the Boli^mdists'
"Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , Aprilis xxx.
De Sancto Forannano, Alibate Walsiodori,
in Belgio, Ordlnis S. Benedict! , Alia Acta,
ex pervetusto Clironico Walsiodoreusi MS. ,
sect. 4, p. 815.
'See "Annales Ordinis S. Benedicli,"
tomus iii. , lib. xliv. , sect. Ixvii. , p. 472,
"
These are in three chapters, comprising, with a Prulogue, twenty-five paragraphs, illustrated witii notes.
'» See "Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Scotorum," tomus i. , lib. vi. , num. 523, pp. 287, 288.
" After alleging, that the Irish had no Archbishops in Forannan's time, nor for
sect, xcix. , 500.
•
p. 485,
lib. xlv. , sect,
xxii. , p.
See ibid. , lib. xlvii. , sect, xl. , p. 599 ; and tomus iv. , lib. xlix. , sect, xv. , p. 9.
'In the " Natalcs Sanctorum Belgii," for
the month of April, we have short notices of tliree hundred years later, he adds—
St. Forannan, at the 30th of April, in one
hardly possible in good fiith :
"
paragraph, pp. 80, 81. '° "
See Fasti Belgici et Burgundici," pp.
213 to 215. Also Indiculus Sanctorum also, Menologiiim Scoticuni," in Bishop
Belgii," p. XXV. Forbes'
Kalendars of Scottish Saints,
" TheseventhVolume, "ActaSanctorum Ordinis S. Benedicti," contains a Lifeol St. Forannan, Abl»ot, with previous O- serva- tions, in three parai^raphs. That Life it^elf, with a prologue, is given in twcnty-tliree paragraphs. A fra-ment from the Chronicle of Walciodoms i-. publi-hed in twenty-five paragraphs. Seepp. 586to603.
p. 197,
" At the 30th of April, we find entered in
'• '
his Les Vies des Saints, a Life of St.
Forannan, Bishop of . Armagh, in Ireland, and Abbot of VVasor, tome i. , pp. 398, 399.
" See Britannia Sancta," part i. , pp. 272,
273-
'' See"EcclesiasticalHistoryofIreland,
vol. iii. , chap, xxiii. , sect, iv. , and notes, pp.
404, 405.
'* See " Les Vies des Saints," tome v. ,
XXX' Jour d'Avril, p. 86.
'5 See " Lives of the Saints," vol. iv. ,
April 30, pp. 376, 377.
"*
" See '"Catalogus Generalis Sanctorum," Aprilis XXX. , p. 173.
'' See "De Natalibus Sanctorum Canoni- corum," p. xxiix.
'* See Colgan's "Acta . Sanctorum Hiber- nise," xxi. Januarii. De B. Malcallanno Ab- bate, n. I, p. 153.
By a more recent hand.
Walsiodori, in Belgio, Ord. S. Benedicti, pp. 807 to 822.
' A Prologue precedes this Life, given in three chapters, and in twenty-three para- graphs, illustrated with notes.
it is Miror quid hie Hirlandus memlicet, cumomnesex tabu-
"
lis Valvidorensibus Scotum as=erant. " See ""
SS4 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 30.
to Fiacha Suighdhe. '' The present St. Farannan is thought to have been the son of Ronan, son to Fiach, son of Fin tan, son to IMaclasrius, son of Cannech, son
ofErchon, son to Niebron, son of Bronfinn, son to Eugene, son of Artcorb,son of Fiacha Suighdhe, the founder of the Decies family. '* This might well agree, with what has been stated by Robert, the monk of Walsor, that our saint descended from a noble Scottish ancestry. =9 According to tlie most reason- able supposition, about the earlier part of the tenth century, Forannan was borninIreland. Fromhisinfancy,mosthappydispositionsseemedtogrow; for, relying on God, he prepared to sacrifice the advantages of birth and rank, to secure His love. Forannan's parents took care excellently to provide, at an early age, for the religious and secular education of their son. He profited so
well, through the advantages afforded, that the boy soon became distinguished for his progress in study, giving indications of future eminence in merit, as in learning.
Advancing in years, Forannan afforded edification to all his com-
panions and acquaintances, by exhibiting all those virtues and acquirements,
that could distinguish one who was yet a youth. In loving God, with his
whole heart, he learned to give this precept and observance practical effect,
by loving his neighbour, only in a secondary degree. Deeply grounded in
humility, he desjnsed the advantages of birth and fortune. Cultivating a love of angelic purity, he was accustomed to withstand the assaults of irregu-
lar temptation and impure suggestions. He was always ready to forgive and to forget injuries, in imitation of his Divine Master. But, his charity towards the poor and orphans, whom he considered always as the special favourites of Heaven, seemed to know no bounds ; and, he looked upon himself, as the self-constituted steward of Christ, in relieving their necessities. The bent of his genius was directed to the acquisition of sacred learning, and chiefly with the view of devoting himself to the instruction of others, in the principles of religion. Aspiring to the ecclesiastical state, it would seem, that he received holy orders, in due course. Having prepared himself, by a diligent study of the Holy Scriptures, and by reading the works of various holy Fathers, his labours in the ministry were great, and productive of much fruit. After faithfully discharging all his sacerdotal duties—but wheth—er as a secular or as a regular priest we are not informed in his Life it has been stated, that he afterwards was appointed Bishop, and his charge was at a place called Domnachmor. 3°
There were many churches in Ireland bearing such a name, in his time ; and, even yet, that topographical denomination is spread in various parts of Ireland. His locality—according to a supposition advanced—lay within the district of iMagh-Feimhin,3' or the Plain of Femhin. That parish of Dom- nach-mor, or Donaghmore,3^ with which Bishop Farannan was connected, is said to have been situated, in the baronies of Offa and Iffa, and Middle- third, county of Tipperary. This is now a parish church, belonging to the diocese of Lismore ;33 and, it is thought, also, to have been the church of that
"J See Rev. Dr. Todd's and Reeves' History of Ireland," vol. iii. , cap. xxiii. ,
sect, iv. , p. 404.
3' It was a very ancient territorial deno-
mination, as it is mentioned in the "Annals
of the Four Masters," at A. M. 3506 ; also, at
A. D. 571and759.
3^ It is shown, on the " Ordnance Survey
"
and n. 4. Jhid.
Martyrology of Donegal," pp. II4, 115,
" Acta Sanctorum Hiber- nise," XV. Januarii. Appendix ad Acta S. Itse,
cap. ii. , p. 73.
"' See the BoHandists' " Acta Sanctorum,"
"^ See
Colgan's
tomus iii , Aprilis xxx. De S. Forannano, Townland Maps for the County of Tip-
Abbate Walsiodori, in Belgio, Ord. S. Bene- dicti. Vita S. Forannani, cap. i. , num. 2,
peraiy,'' sheets 70, 77. The townland pro-
per is on the latter sheet,
p.
808.
5° See Rev. Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical
33 See Archdall's cum," p. 654.
"
Monasticon Hiberni-
April 30. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 555
monastery, over which St. Farannan presided. 3< Such a conclusion, however, does not appear to be very well established. At present, in the place men- tioned, certain remains of an ecclesiastical character merit the study of an antiquar}'. The old cluirch of Donoughmore consists of a nave 35 and chancel, s"" wliich for many years have been in ruins. That it was a church 37 of some importance may be judged from the care bestowed on its erection, some of its details being of a highly ornate character. The chancel arch is mutilated. It had three orders of arches, springing from an equal number of
jamb-shalts on each side ; the arcli members were enriched with carving, and
also the capitals of the pier-shafts. The design of the western doornay was very beautiful, and the ornamentation was chaste, ornate, and effectives* 'I'here are no less than six distinct views of the ancient church of Donagh- more in Moy Femhin, among the Tipperary sketches 39 for illustrating the IrishOrdnanceSurveyRecords. ''" Theseembracecapitalsofthechoirarch, window of choir, interior of doorway, a window, and the doorway. From one
Old Church of Donaghmore Magh Femhin, County of Tipperary.
of these,*' we have introduced an illustration,*' which gives a very good idea of the church. This structure we do not tiiink to have been built, in the time of our saint. There is also a very beautiful woodcut illustration •s of what is called St. Farannan's church doorway, at Donoughmore, and which was drawn by George
w See " The Irish Builder " of June ISth,
1872.
« The nave is 39 feet 6 inches long, and
23 feet broad, and it islighltd by one win- dow, at the north side, and by two, at the south.
'" This oil! church is situated about four and-a-half miles from Clonmel, on the '1 hurles road.
3«See "The Irish Builder" of June 15th,
1872.
3' See vol. ii.
" Drawn by George V. Du Noyer.
" It has been traced on the wood, by
*
8 feet 6 inches broad, and it is lighted by a small •. emi-circular-headed window, in the
east gable.
*'' Now
The chancel
is 12 feet 8 inches
and
in the Library of tlic Koyal Irish Academy.
long,
preserved,
SS6 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 30.
Petrie, LL. D. This is introduced with the characteristic mouldings and carvings, as a specimen of tiie Irish Romanesque, in tlint iiivakinble work, so
learnedly and artistically edited, by Miss Margaret Stokes. •» However, it must be observed, that in our saint's old Life, his church of Domnachmor'*' is called the Metropolis of all Ireland/*
Mostprobably, from theforegoing designation and description has been de- rived a notion, that St. Foran nan was ruler in the primatial See of Armagh. '*?
There, it is intimated, that he had built, restored, or founded a clmrcli dedicated
to the Blessed Virgin Mary, from his own funds ;<* and, we are told, that with
great popular acclaim, he was transferred from it, to a position of still greater
dignity. Yet, are we unable to find him among the Prelates of Armagh,'*? in the
history of its See. Therefore do we think, that some misconception and
erroneous statements have crept into his Life, by the monk Robert, and that
these have been perpetuated, in a conjectural manner, by our later-day his-
torians. The addition to the O'Clerys states, 5° that Forannan of Domhnach-
mor-MaigheFeimhin,andofWalsor. s'wasprimateofArd-Macha. When
giving his Life, as had been intended by Colgan, at the 30th of April, 5» the
latter, calling him an Archbishoji. sa had promised to jjrove his statement, in the notes which were to be added. ' However, the tradition was propagated in
Belgium, probably because he had been called " Scotorum Episcopus ;"5S
while, Papebroke suggests, that such a rumour might have prevailed, if Forannan had been consecrated Bisliop in Armagh, by his Metropolitan,
although he had been assigned possibly to some other See. '* That dignity of the episcopate he rather dreaded than aspired to, and it appears from the recorded fact, that he enjoyed it, only for a short period. Then he volun- tarily resigned such a distinction. After first iniportuuing Heaven to direct his future course of life, Forannan was admonished by an angel, and in a vision, to quit his natal soil, and to seek in far distant lands a location, which was known as the Beautiful Valley.
In compliance with what he deemed the call of Heaven, with twelve devoted companions, he resolved to set out from Ireland, for the scenes of his future labour. He wished to leave the result of his journey altogether under the direction of Divine Providence. Having gone to the sea-shore, according to a popular legend, as the voyagers could not procure a boat, they
William F. Wakeman, and it is engraved, by Mrs. Millard.
•" It was engraved by Swain.
*'' See " Notes on Irish Architecture," by
Edwin, Third Earl of Dunraven, vol. ii. ,
p. ]gc
« It would appear, that the Belgian writer
<' It may have had a previous existence ; and, perhaps, it had been burned, by the Northmen, during some of those assaults to
which Armagh had been exposed, as already stated, in the Life of the Blessed Bryan Boroimha, ai the 23rd of this month.
^i The recent writer states, that iiiconectly
this ]il:ice was in France,
^^ See "Acta Sanctorum Hibernix," xxi.
Januarii. De B. Malcalianno Abbate, n. I, p- 173-
=' In the Life of Blessed Malcallan, Abbot, ^t the 21st of Januarj'. . See Hid. , p. 172.
s* Dempster has placed For. iniian as one
"
rum" tomus iii. , Aprilis xxx. Vita S. Drs. Todd's ami Reevts'edition, pp. 114, 115.
of our saint's Life, had written Dominocinor, as Papebroke states. See "Acta Sancto-
Catalogus Ardniachanorum Primatum. "
n. (b), 810. p.
Fornnnani, cap. i. ,
<* The words are: "In tiviiate, quK
eorum barbaiica sermocinatione Domnach- mor nuncupatur, quae est metropolis totius
HiberniK," &c. By Papebroke, this is ren- dered, " ecclesia major," meaning "the large church. "
*^ There are various interesting views of modem Armagh in a work, which has ren- dered the scenic beauties of Ireland familiar to the literary world. See Mr. and Mr. s.
Hall's " Ireland : its Scenery, Character," '
he, vol. ii. , pp. 4S4 to 459.
having the degree of being the greatest of "
<' His name is missing from Colgan's li«t,
5° "
See Manyrology of Donegnl," Rev.
theScottishprelatesinScotia. See Meno-
logium Scoticum," at 30th April, in Bishop Forbes' " Kalendars of Scottish Saints,"
p. 197-
April 30. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 557
made a large wooden cross, or probably they built a raft laid on beams,
whichweredisposedcross-wise. =7 Thistlieycastintothesea,andonitthey
then stood. Waking a sign of the cross, St. Forannan took iiis place in the
middle, assigning three of his feliow-voyagers to stand on each one of the four
extremities. He then sang with a loud and clear voice this versicle from the
"
Psalms of David :
In blind obedience to tiie admonition of St. Forannan, his companions trusted implicitly in the protection of Heaven to guide their course ; nor were they deceived, as the Almighty safely brought them to land. ^'
CHAPTER II.
ST. FORANNA. N A. ND HIS TWELVE COMPANIONS PROCEED TO BELGIUM —DESCRIPTION OF WASOR AND HISTORY OF THE RELIGIOUS FOUNDATIONS BY COUNT EILBERT— ST. FORANNAN IS—HOSPITABLY RECEIVED BV HIM, AND PRKSENTED TO THE EMPEROR OTHO I. HE IS APPOINTED ABBOT OF WASOR.
The holy pilgrim and his companions directed their course to the present country,knownasBelgium. TheysoonarrivedattheRiverMeuse,'where they were destined to find that beautiful valley, which had been revealed in Forannan's vision. " Before the commencement of the tenth century, a cele- brated Abbey had been established on its banks, and at a place, known as Wasor ;3 wliile over it, two or three countrymen of Forannan had ruled, before the period of his arrival, namely St. Maccallan,* and St. Cadroe,' perhaps,
and Charlemont,'° two towns, which were not built, at the time of its founda- tion.
It has been thought, that Forannan originated the monastery there. How- ever, no just grounds have been produced, to establish such a conclusion.
5' Sec Rev. S.
the Saints," vol. iv. , April 30, p. 377.
s'See Psalms Ixxvi. , 20.
Thy way is in the sea, and thy paths in many waters. "5^
It was
of Liege ;7 it is however in that of Namur' and between Dinant'
St.
also, Fingen. *
as often — stated in the diocese situated, incorrectly
« This is found, in a Bull of Pope Bene-
diet VII. , and it is contained, likewise, in
a Chartulary of \Vn>or.
'•
Acta Sanciorum," tomus iii. , Ap- rilis XXX. Vita S. Forannani, cap. , i. , n. (d), p. 810.
of January. Mabillon calls him the first AbbotoverWasor. Heresgiiedthisposi- tion, however, in favour of his prefect or prior, St. Cadroe, who died, a. d. 975.
' See his Life, at the 6th of M. irch. After his death, Miecallan again succeeded, but he did not lon^ survive, as 978 is the year assigned for his death, by Floduard.
' Sec his Liie, written at the 5th of Feb-
ruary.
" Memorials of Angus and Mearns,"
'
See (^(/. , p. 339.
' In the Cortachy Charters, it is stated, that one Michael David, the tenant and
hereditary possessor of this Bell, surrendered it to John Ogilvy, of Lentretliyn, knight, on
the 5th of June, 1447. The same Sir John afterwards bestowed the said Bell, with its
pertinents, on his spouse, L:\dy Margaret Ogilvy, Countess of Moray, for her lifetime
use. See "Miscellany of the Spalding Club," vol. iv. , p. 118.
"See Bishop Forbes' "Kalendars of
Scottish Saints," —p. 399. '
St. Germanus, of Auxerre. See
"
Forbes' Kalendars of Scottish Saints,
p. 291. Others say, he was the disciple of St. Germanus, of Paris.
' Le Wod, Praemonstratensi, as an abbey and hospital, is said to have been founded in
1 141, according to the Harleian Manuscript, 2363, fol. 61. Walter was abbot in 1372. See Mackenzie E. C. Walcott's " Scoti Monasticon," Supplementary Notes, p. 407.
* See George Chalmers "Caledonia," 4c. , vol. iii. , chap, ii. , sect, viii. , p. 149.
5 In Keith's "Ca'endar of Scottish
Saints," the feast of this St. Congal has
been placed, at the 1 2th of May. However, anoiher account has it, that on the site of a
hermit's cell at HaliHode, Dercongal, Lord
of Kirconnel, or Devorgilla, wife of John Baliol, founded a cell to Soul's Seat, See
Article xvi. He was a disciple of
Bishop
'
552 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 30.
Cbutietl) ©ap of Slpnl,
ARTICLE I. —ST. FORANNAN, BISHOP, AND ABBOT OF WASOR, OR WAULSOR, BELGIUM.
[TENTH CENTURY. ]
CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTION—VARIOUS ACTS OF ST. FORANNAN—HIS PARENTAGE, BIRTH AND EARLY EDUCATION—HIS HAFPY DISPOSITIONS AND CALL 10 THE MINISTRY—HE IS SAID TO HAVE RULED OVKR DONAGHMORE, AND EVEN TO HAVE BEEN PRIMATE AT ARMAGH—FORANNAN RESOLVES TO LEAVE IRELAND—HE EMBARKS WITH TWELVE COMPANIONS.
content with the reign of science and reh'gion, which prevailed in
NOT tiie
Ireland, enterprising
and adventurous
them to undertake literary and intellectual voyages—-inspired by faith and the
interests ot souls—to the continent, where the whole Latin Church received a fresh infusion in the domain of poesy and imagination, so much in accord
with their indigenous and euphonious language. With religion, they spread civilization and the reign of virtue. Their scientific and literary crusade
brought all branches of human and sacred learning to countries far away; while the Kcottish richness of thought and expression laid the foundations of religion and of knowledge broadcast over many countries. ' Hence, their memory yet survives, in those countries where they laboured.
In our ancient annals and hagiologies, we find several eminent ecclesiastics bearing the name Farannan or Forannan. The Life of this present holy man— the earliest known being based on tradition, and probably on some earlier record''—was composed, by Robert, a monk of Waulsor, in 1030. In the Prologue to this work, he declares, that his materials were derived from the relation of a man greatly advanced in years, but who had an excellent recollec-
"
tion of those wonderful and miraculous "gests of Forannan, which were
placed on record, lest they might otherwise perish. Likewise, it is mentioned, that at the request of his religious chapter, the writer diffidently undertook the task of compilation. Particulars for the Life of this saint are extracted, also, from the " Chronicon Valciodorense," which its author declares to have
been composed from oral tradition, and from the archives, which were pre-
served in that celebrated — that chronicle is monastery. However, truly
to ab—ound with errors ;• while the writer
said ' invoking the intercession of Holy Mary dcclares,5 that his intention was to collect into one Tract various
Chapter i. —Article i. —' See Urbaia
Irish Abbots, at Waulsor.
Sinardet's "
des LUtdratures
^ in his " By D'Aihery,
Synchronisme
depuis leur Origine jusqu'a nos Jours con-
siderees dans leurs Rapports avec Ics Croy-
ance-, les Moeuis, les Institutions Sociales. "
Spicilegium," tomu^ vii. , wlieie tliis document is printed,
Cinquieme Epoque, sect, xii. , pp. 284, chronicle ; but, in his Prjefacio to the
2B5. volume mentioned already, l^'Achery re-
"
callan and of St. Cadroe, both of whom were ^ jn his Prologue to the chronicle.
It accords, with the history of St. Mac- futes their opinions. See p. 17.
spirit
of her sons caused
* Molanus and Mirseus thought, that the aforesaid Robert was the author of this
April 30. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 553
scattered materials for the information of posterity,* and to make known the various privileges and benefactions conferred upon Walsor. Mabillon has several notices regarding this place,' which is so closely connected with the spiritual ministrations of our saint. ' The Belgium writers, iMolanus' and Miraeus,'° justly claim him, as one of the illustrious and holy men, belong- ing to their country; while the Benedictines" assign him to their order. Ferrarius has an account of this holy man," as also Constantine Ghinius. '^ In like manner, to give a biographical Memoir'^ was the intention of Colgan,'5 who, did not live, however, to publish Forannan's Life. The BoUandists have inserted his Acts, in their great collection. '* These comprise his Life, by Robert, the Waulsor monk,'' with some preliminary remarks. Afterwards follow other notices, in reference to our saint,'* and these are taken from the old chronicle of Walsor. Father Daniel Papebroke is the editor. Forannan is noticed, likewise,'' in Thomas Dempster's work, and—after his manner—
Forannan is very presumptuously appropriated, as a Scotsman. '" Adrien Baillet"hasaLifeofthisholyman. BishopChallenor"andtheRev. Dr. Lanigan'J have a few notices respecting this saint, whose festival is marked at the 30th of April. The Petits BoUandistes ' only note the feast of St. Forannan, at this date, and the Rev. S. Baring-Gould '5 has some remarks on the same celebrated Abbot of Waulsor.
The O'Clerys—or an addition to their work »*—will have this saint to be the son of Ronan, adding, and, it seems, that he was of the race of Art Corb, son
'Father Daniel Papebroke considers, that '5 See "Catalogus Actuum Sanctorum the chronxle had been interpolated ; and quae MS. habentur ordine Mensium et Die- especially by some continuaioi, who flour- rum. "
ished . -. bout the year 1250. Instances of "* See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , Ap- fictitious eirors or doubtful statements are rilis xxx. De Sancio Forannano, Abbale afterwaids given. See the Boli^mdists'
"Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , Aprilis xxx.
De Sancto Forannano, Alibate Walsiodori,
in Belgio, Ordlnis S. Benedict! , Alia Acta,
ex pervetusto Clironico Walsiodoreusi MS. ,
sect. 4, p. 815.
'See "Annales Ordinis S. Benedicli,"
tomus iii. , lib. xliv. , sect. Ixvii. , p. 472,
"
These are in three chapters, comprising, with a Prulogue, twenty-five paragraphs, illustrated witii notes.
'» See "Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Scotorum," tomus i. , lib. vi. , num. 523, pp. 287, 288.
" After alleging, that the Irish had no Archbishops in Forannan's time, nor for
sect, xcix. , 500.
•
p. 485,
lib. xlv. , sect,
xxii. , p.
See ibid. , lib. xlvii. , sect, xl. , p. 599 ; and tomus iv. , lib. xlix. , sect, xv. , p. 9.
'In the " Natalcs Sanctorum Belgii," for
the month of April, we have short notices of tliree hundred years later, he adds—
St. Forannan, at the 30th of April, in one
hardly possible in good fiith :
"
paragraph, pp. 80, 81. '° "
See Fasti Belgici et Burgundici," pp.
213 to 215. Also Indiculus Sanctorum also, Menologiiim Scoticuni," in Bishop
Belgii," p. XXV. Forbes'
Kalendars of Scottish Saints,
" TheseventhVolume, "ActaSanctorum Ordinis S. Benedicti," contains a Lifeol St. Forannan, Abl»ot, with previous O- serva- tions, in three parai^raphs. That Life it^elf, with a prologue, is given in twcnty-tliree paragraphs. A fra-ment from the Chronicle of Walciodoms i-. publi-hed in twenty-five paragraphs. Seepp. 586to603.
p. 197,
" At the 30th of April, we find entered in
'• '
his Les Vies des Saints, a Life of St.
Forannan, Bishop of . Armagh, in Ireland, and Abbot of VVasor, tome i. , pp. 398, 399.
" See Britannia Sancta," part i. , pp. 272,
273-
'' See"EcclesiasticalHistoryofIreland,
vol. iii. , chap, xxiii. , sect, iv. , and notes, pp.
404, 405.
'* See " Les Vies des Saints," tome v. ,
XXX' Jour d'Avril, p. 86.
'5 See " Lives of the Saints," vol. iv. ,
April 30, pp. 376, 377.
"*
" See '"Catalogus Generalis Sanctorum," Aprilis XXX. , p. 173.
'' See "De Natalibus Sanctorum Canoni- corum," p. xxiix.
'* See Colgan's "Acta . Sanctorum Hiber- nise," xxi. Januarii. De B. Malcallanno Ab- bate, n. I, p. 153.
By a more recent hand.
Walsiodori, in Belgio, Ord. S. Benedicti, pp. 807 to 822.
' A Prologue precedes this Life, given in three chapters, and in twenty-three para- graphs, illustrated with notes.
it is Miror quid hie Hirlandus memlicet, cumomnesex tabu-
"
lis Valvidorensibus Scotum as=erant. " See ""
SS4 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 30.
to Fiacha Suighdhe. '' The present St. Farannan is thought to have been the son of Ronan, son to Fiach, son of Fin tan, son to IMaclasrius, son of Cannech, son
ofErchon, son to Niebron, son of Bronfinn, son to Eugene, son of Artcorb,son of Fiacha Suighdhe, the founder of the Decies family. '* This might well agree, with what has been stated by Robert, the monk of Walsor, that our saint descended from a noble Scottish ancestry. =9 According to tlie most reason- able supposition, about the earlier part of the tenth century, Forannan was borninIreland. Fromhisinfancy,mosthappydispositionsseemedtogrow; for, relying on God, he prepared to sacrifice the advantages of birth and rank, to secure His love. Forannan's parents took care excellently to provide, at an early age, for the religious and secular education of their son. He profited so
well, through the advantages afforded, that the boy soon became distinguished for his progress in study, giving indications of future eminence in merit, as in learning.
Advancing in years, Forannan afforded edification to all his com-
panions and acquaintances, by exhibiting all those virtues and acquirements,
that could distinguish one who was yet a youth. In loving God, with his
whole heart, he learned to give this precept and observance practical effect,
by loving his neighbour, only in a secondary degree. Deeply grounded in
humility, he desjnsed the advantages of birth and fortune. Cultivating a love of angelic purity, he was accustomed to withstand the assaults of irregu-
lar temptation and impure suggestions. He was always ready to forgive and to forget injuries, in imitation of his Divine Master. But, his charity towards the poor and orphans, whom he considered always as the special favourites of Heaven, seemed to know no bounds ; and, he looked upon himself, as the self-constituted steward of Christ, in relieving their necessities. The bent of his genius was directed to the acquisition of sacred learning, and chiefly with the view of devoting himself to the instruction of others, in the principles of religion. Aspiring to the ecclesiastical state, it would seem, that he received holy orders, in due course. Having prepared himself, by a diligent study of the Holy Scriptures, and by reading the works of various holy Fathers, his labours in the ministry were great, and productive of much fruit. After faithfully discharging all his sacerdotal duties—but wheth—er as a secular or as a regular priest we are not informed in his Life it has been stated, that he afterwards was appointed Bishop, and his charge was at a place called Domnachmor. 3°
There were many churches in Ireland bearing such a name, in his time ; and, even yet, that topographical denomination is spread in various parts of Ireland. His locality—according to a supposition advanced—lay within the district of iMagh-Feimhin,3' or the Plain of Femhin. That parish of Dom- nach-mor, or Donaghmore,3^ with which Bishop Farannan was connected, is said to have been situated, in the baronies of Offa and Iffa, and Middle- third, county of Tipperary. This is now a parish church, belonging to the diocese of Lismore ;33 and, it is thought, also, to have been the church of that
"J See Rev. Dr. Todd's and Reeves' History of Ireland," vol. iii. , cap. xxiii. ,
sect, iv. , p. 404.
3' It was a very ancient territorial deno-
mination, as it is mentioned in the "Annals
of the Four Masters," at A. M. 3506 ; also, at
A. D. 571and759.
3^ It is shown, on the " Ordnance Survey
"
and n. 4. Jhid.
Martyrology of Donegal," pp. II4, 115,
" Acta Sanctorum Hiber- nise," XV. Januarii. Appendix ad Acta S. Itse,
cap. ii. , p. 73.
"' See the BoHandists' " Acta Sanctorum,"
"^ See
Colgan's
tomus iii , Aprilis xxx. De S. Forannano, Townland Maps for the County of Tip-
Abbate Walsiodori, in Belgio, Ord. S. Bene- dicti. Vita S. Forannani, cap. i. , num. 2,
peraiy,'' sheets 70, 77. The townland pro-
per is on the latter sheet,
p.
808.
5° See Rev. Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical
33 See Archdall's cum," p. 654.
"
Monasticon Hiberni-
April 30. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 555
monastery, over which St. Farannan presided. 3< Such a conclusion, however, does not appear to be very well established. At present, in the place men- tioned, certain remains of an ecclesiastical character merit the study of an antiquar}'. The old cluirch of Donoughmore consists of a nave 35 and chancel, s"" wliich for many years have been in ruins. That it was a church 37 of some importance may be judged from the care bestowed on its erection, some of its details being of a highly ornate character. The chancel arch is mutilated. It had three orders of arches, springing from an equal number of
jamb-shalts on each side ; the arcli members were enriched with carving, and
also the capitals of the pier-shafts. The design of the western doornay was very beautiful, and the ornamentation was chaste, ornate, and effectives* 'I'here are no less than six distinct views of the ancient church of Donagh- more in Moy Femhin, among the Tipperary sketches 39 for illustrating the IrishOrdnanceSurveyRecords. ''" Theseembracecapitalsofthechoirarch, window of choir, interior of doorway, a window, and the doorway. From one
Old Church of Donaghmore Magh Femhin, County of Tipperary.
of these,*' we have introduced an illustration,*' which gives a very good idea of the church. This structure we do not tiiink to have been built, in the time of our saint. There is also a very beautiful woodcut illustration •s of what is called St. Farannan's church doorway, at Donoughmore, and which was drawn by George
w See " The Irish Builder " of June ISth,
1872.
« The nave is 39 feet 6 inches long, and
23 feet broad, and it islighltd by one win- dow, at the north side, and by two, at the south.
'" This oil! church is situated about four and-a-half miles from Clonmel, on the '1 hurles road.
3«See "The Irish Builder" of June 15th,
1872.
3' See vol. ii.
" Drawn by George V. Du Noyer.
" It has been traced on the wood, by
*
8 feet 6 inches broad, and it is lighted by a small •. emi-circular-headed window, in the
east gable.
*'' Now
The chancel
is 12 feet 8 inches
and
in the Library of tlic Koyal Irish Academy.
long,
preserved,
SS6 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 30.
Petrie, LL. D. This is introduced with the characteristic mouldings and carvings, as a specimen of tiie Irish Romanesque, in tlint iiivakinble work, so
learnedly and artistically edited, by Miss Margaret Stokes. •» However, it must be observed, that in our saint's old Life, his church of Domnachmor'*' is called the Metropolis of all Ireland/*
Mostprobably, from theforegoing designation and description has been de- rived a notion, that St. Foran nan was ruler in the primatial See of Armagh. '*?
There, it is intimated, that he had built, restored, or founded a clmrcli dedicated
to the Blessed Virgin Mary, from his own funds ;<* and, we are told, that with
great popular acclaim, he was transferred from it, to a position of still greater
dignity. Yet, are we unable to find him among the Prelates of Armagh,'*? in the
history of its See. Therefore do we think, that some misconception and
erroneous statements have crept into his Life, by the monk Robert, and that
these have been perpetuated, in a conjectural manner, by our later-day his-
torians. The addition to the O'Clerys states, 5° that Forannan of Domhnach-
mor-MaigheFeimhin,andofWalsor. s'wasprimateofArd-Macha. When
giving his Life, as had been intended by Colgan, at the 30th of April, 5» the
latter, calling him an Archbishoji. sa had promised to jjrove his statement, in the notes which were to be added. ' However, the tradition was propagated in
Belgium, probably because he had been called " Scotorum Episcopus ;"5S
while, Papebroke suggests, that such a rumour might have prevailed, if Forannan had been consecrated Bisliop in Armagh, by his Metropolitan,
although he had been assigned possibly to some other See. '* That dignity of the episcopate he rather dreaded than aspired to, and it appears from the recorded fact, that he enjoyed it, only for a short period. Then he volun- tarily resigned such a distinction. After first iniportuuing Heaven to direct his future course of life, Forannan was admonished by an angel, and in a vision, to quit his natal soil, and to seek in far distant lands a location, which was known as the Beautiful Valley.
In compliance with what he deemed the call of Heaven, with twelve devoted companions, he resolved to set out from Ireland, for the scenes of his future labour. He wished to leave the result of his journey altogether under the direction of Divine Providence. Having gone to the sea-shore, according to a popular legend, as the voyagers could not procure a boat, they
William F. Wakeman, and it is engraved, by Mrs. Millard.
•" It was engraved by Swain.
*'' See " Notes on Irish Architecture," by
Edwin, Third Earl of Dunraven, vol. ii. ,
p. ]gc
« It would appear, that the Belgian writer
<' It may have had a previous existence ; and, perhaps, it had been burned, by the Northmen, during some of those assaults to
which Armagh had been exposed, as already stated, in the Life of the Blessed Bryan Boroimha, ai the 23rd of this month.
^i The recent writer states, that iiiconectly
this ]il:ice was in France,
^^ See "Acta Sanctorum Hibernix," xxi.
Januarii. De B. Malcalianno Abbate, n. I, p- 173-
=' In the Life of Blessed Malcallan, Abbot, ^t the 21st of Januarj'. . See Hid. , p. 172.
s* Dempster has placed For. iniian as one
"
rum" tomus iii. , Aprilis xxx. Vita S. Drs. Todd's ami Reevts'edition, pp. 114, 115.
of our saint's Life, had written Dominocinor, as Papebroke states. See "Acta Sancto-
Catalogus Ardniachanorum Primatum. "
n. (b), 810. p.
Fornnnani, cap. i. ,
<* The words are: "In tiviiate, quK
eorum barbaiica sermocinatione Domnach- mor nuncupatur, quae est metropolis totius
HiberniK," &c. By Papebroke, this is ren- dered, " ecclesia major," meaning "the large church. "
*^ There are various interesting views of modem Armagh in a work, which has ren- dered the scenic beauties of Ireland familiar to the literary world. See Mr. and Mr. s.
Hall's " Ireland : its Scenery, Character," '
he, vol. ii. , pp. 4S4 to 459.
having the degree of being the greatest of "
<' His name is missing from Colgan's li«t,
5° "
See Manyrology of Donegnl," Rev.
theScottishprelatesinScotia. See Meno-
logium Scoticum," at 30th April, in Bishop Forbes' " Kalendars of Scottish Saints,"
p. 197-
April 30. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 557
made a large wooden cross, or probably they built a raft laid on beams,
whichweredisposedcross-wise. =7 Thistlieycastintothesea,andonitthey
then stood. Waking a sign of the cross, St. Forannan took iiis place in the
middle, assigning three of his feliow-voyagers to stand on each one of the four
extremities. He then sang with a loud and clear voice this versicle from the
"
Psalms of David :
In blind obedience to tiie admonition of St. Forannan, his companions trusted implicitly in the protection of Heaven to guide their course ; nor were they deceived, as the Almighty safely brought them to land. ^'
CHAPTER II.
ST. FORANNA. N A. ND HIS TWELVE COMPANIONS PROCEED TO BELGIUM —DESCRIPTION OF WASOR AND HISTORY OF THE RELIGIOUS FOUNDATIONS BY COUNT EILBERT— ST. FORANNAN IS—HOSPITABLY RECEIVED BV HIM, AND PRKSENTED TO THE EMPEROR OTHO I. HE IS APPOINTED ABBOT OF WASOR.
The holy pilgrim and his companions directed their course to the present country,knownasBelgium. TheysoonarrivedattheRiverMeuse,'where they were destined to find that beautiful valley, which had been revealed in Forannan's vision. " Before the commencement of the tenth century, a cele- brated Abbey had been established on its banks, and at a place, known as Wasor ;3 wliile over it, two or three countrymen of Forannan had ruled, before the period of his arrival, namely St. Maccallan,* and St. Cadroe,' perhaps,
and Charlemont,'° two towns, which were not built, at the time of its founda- tion.
It has been thought, that Forannan originated the monastery there. How- ever, no just grounds have been produced, to establish such a conclusion.
5' Sec Rev. S.
the Saints," vol. iv. , April 30, p. 377.
s'See Psalms Ixxvi. , 20.
Thy way is in the sea, and thy paths in many waters. "5^
It was
of Liege ;7 it is however in that of Namur' and between Dinant'
St.
also, Fingen. *
as often — stated in the diocese situated, incorrectly
« This is found, in a Bull of Pope Bene-
diet VII. , and it is contained, likewise, in
a Chartulary of \Vn>or.
'•
Acta Sanciorum," tomus iii. , Ap- rilis XXX. Vita S. Forannani, cap. , i. , n. (d), p. 810.
of January. Mabillon calls him the first AbbotoverWasor. Heresgiiedthisposi- tion, however, in favour of his prefect or prior, St. Cadroe, who died, a. d. 975.
' See his Life, at the 6th of M. irch. After his death, Miecallan again succeeded, but he did not lon^ survive, as 978 is the year assigned for his death, by Floduard.
' Sec his Liie, written at the 5th of Feb-
ruary.
