Patrick, his foot was badly
lacerated
by a piece of iron.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v7
, p.
280, and n.
60, p.
281.
7 S^e Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Septima Vita S. Patricii, lib. iii. , cap. xxix. , p. 155.
13 It is said, that the stone was called
Leac Coithurgi; Leac meaning "stone," while Coithurgi, or Cothrige, was one of the namesofSt. Patrick. Seeibid. TertiaVita S. Patricii, cap. lx. , p. 26.
7t This stone was to be seen on the ascent
to the cathedral, situated on the famous Rock "
/Engus or /Eneus, son of Nadfruich, at "
Cashel. See Britannicarum Ecclesiarum
Antiquitates," cap. xvii. , p. 420, and p. 519. 69 Other particulars of this visit may be found in the Third Volume of this work, at
the 17th day of March, Art. i. Life of St. of Cashel. See Seward's Topognphia
Patrick, chap. xix.
70 Dr. Charles Smith comprises within it the
whole barony of Middle-third, and conse-
the of Cashel. See "Ancient and quently city
Present Stale of the County and City of
Ilibernica," at Cashel.
75 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga,"
Waterford," chap, i. , p. 4. Walter Harris
makes it the flat extensive country about Book of Armagh. " St. Patrick, Apostle
the Irish is said Apostle
This prince honourably conducted
and the 6 Under- people. 7
Cashel. See Harris' Ware, vol. i. , "Arch-
bishops of Armagh," p. 20. '
7 In his "Ecclesiastical History of Ire-
land," the Rev. Dr. Lanigan thinks, that the visit of St. Patrick to Cashel took place,
most probably, about the beginning of a. d.
Sexta Vita S. Patricii, cap. lxxiv. , p. 82. ? 6 However, the Rev. Dr. Todd remarks
:
" No mention of Cashel, or of Patrick's
journey to Munster—, is to be found in the
"
33© LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [July 24.
of the great Irish Hierarch. Seeing that the magnates of Ireland acknow- ledged the great Apostle Patrick, as their master, Albeus came to the latter saint, in Cashel city. In presence of King yEngus, he received St. Patrick as a spiritual superior, and with all due submission ; although, at first, Albeus felt disposed to question his superiority of jurisdiction. It is stated, that Albeus had been regarded as their legitimate superior, by Saints Kiaran, I bar and Declan, before St. Patrick's arrival. Wherefore, in order to pro- cure the obedience of his fellow bishops, Albeus first presented himself to
the great Irish Apostle, and with a proffer of his willing subjection in all spiritual matters. But, Ibar appears to have been more obstinate in his resist- ance to St. Patrick's spiritual authority. It is related, that Ibar had con- ceived a strong prejudice against the Patron of Ireland, because of his foreign birth ; for, although brought up in Ireland, when a captive during his youth, St. Patrick was born among the Britons. Wherefore, at firs! , Ibar and Patrick weremuchopposedtoeachother; but,afterwards,itissaid,owingtoan-elic admonition, peace, concord, and fraternity, were established between them. St. Declan did not wish to put himself in opposition to St. Patrick, because he had heretofore established a friendship with the latter in Italy. Although St. Patrick had been elevated to the Apostolic dignity, 7 ? Declan did not sup- pose, however, that he should become subject to Patrick's jurisdiction, as a necessary consequence of such elevation. But, Declan was admonished by an angel, that he should submit to St. Patrick. 'J 'he heavenly' messenger
:
addressed him in these words " Go immediately to St. Patrick, and enjoin
him not to curse thy people and territory; for, he is fasting this night, against the chieftain of thy nation, in a place called Hynneon. This was in the midst of Femhyn plain, in the northern part of the Desii territory. If he
denounce thy nation, it shall be under ban for ever. ?
8
Immediately on hear-
ing these words of the angel, St. Declan hastened to the place indicated. On
that same night, he passed over the River Suir, proceeding through the moun-
tain Gua, otherwise called Sliabhgua. '° On the next morning, he came to St.
Patrick, who, with his disciples, honourably received our saint on his approach. Then, St. Declan humbled himself in the presence of St. Patrick. He besought that great Apostle, to avert malediction from the Nan-Desii people
and their territory. He promised, at the same time, to be spiritually subject
of Ireland," chap, iii. , p. 468.
7 ? " Id est, episcopatum et missionem ab
ipso Pontifice Romano susceperat. " See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. , Julii xxiv. De S. Declano Episcopo Ardmorue in Hibernia, cap. v. , n. (c), p. 602.
78 The Rev. Dr. Lanigan denies, that there is any reliance to be placed on the account, regarding a synod convened at Cashel, or the meeting of St. Patrick, Adbe, Declan, &c, because there is no mention of it in nny of the Irish Apostle's Lives. He says, that
"
Desii, because thou hast interested thyself for them. "
to St. Patrick. The latter said to him :
I will even bless the people of Nan- 80
it
period,
the
ous valle—y of the blackwater to the south and the west and an extensive sweep of coast and ocean —from the south-east round to south
was atalate patched up
andat a
frontiers of the present counties of Tipperary and Waterford, north of the River Black- water. Knockmeledown proper 2,690 feet above the level of the sea is the highest in the group, and the various summits have dis- tinctive names. The range runs from east to west, and it joins the Kilwortli Mountains, in the county of Cork. The summit of Knockmeledown proper "commands a pano- ramie view of great extent and surpassing brilliance —the golden valley of the Suir on the north and . east —the rich an—d romantic Rock of Cashel in the north-east
time, when some bishops claimed an anti-
quity and a jurisdiction for their Sees, to
which they were not originally entitled. See
"
Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. i. ,
by west. " "Parliamentary Gazetteer of Ireland," vol. ii. , p. 579.
*° See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. , Julii xxiv. De S. Declano Episcopo Aid-
chap, vi. , sect. vii. . pp. 283, 284.
74 At present known as the Knockmele-
down Mountains, \ romantic range, on the
gorge-
LIVES OE THE IRISH SAINTS.
Then, St. Declan went to the Decies chieftain, named Lebanus, who was
81
July 24]
T
33
not far from the called place
he felt
believe in St. Patrick's doctrine, at first, and had badly treated the saint, that chief was earnestly urged by St. Declan, to meet the great Irish Apostle, that thus he might become a believer and receive baptism. The chieftain, to remain in his state of 82 no means would consent
Heevenfelt
Lebanus yielding to Satan's devices, and fearing on his account that the Nan
Desii people might incur St. Patrick's denunciations, St. Declan turned towards
an assembled multitude. He then said " now from this : Separate yourselves
abandoned man, that you may not be denounced, because of his incredulity; as I have blessed you in the saving waters of baptism, come all of you, that St. Patrick may bless you with me ; for, he has been sent to you from the Almighty, and he has been selected as chief Patron over all Ireland. But I, as well as your chieftain, ought to be a leader of your nation, on account of my family descent. " At these words, the whole Nan-Desii people, with the exception of their chieftain and some of his immediate retainers, followed St.
"
desiring toSt. Declan's
persuasions.
angry
withbothsaints. 8^ On
seeing
holy Bishops :
" Who now is our chieftain ? " St. Declan answered them
mofise in Hibernia, cap. v. , sect. 42, p. 601. 81 An accomplished Irish scholar and an- tiquary, William M. Hennessy, has informed me, this place is identical with the present Mullagnony, about two miles north- west-
wardly from Clonmel.
propter fratres et cognatos Sancti Declani
quod pauci essent apud eum. "
s+ That is to say, one belonging to the
family and kindred of St. Declan.
85 In recounting these particulars, the Acts
"
(unde successores ejus magnum servitium habent), et locum non
longe a flumine Suir in eodem campo. "
8b wells in Ireland had been de- Manyholy
dicated to St. Patrick. Itisprobable, thename
82
credulitate ;" for which latter word " incre-
The Acts state, "qui in sua permansit
dulitate"is more Colgan.
83
correctly substituted, by
The Acts of our saint have it :
" that of the still continues, in
ipse part nullo modo, nullaque ratione consensit, et
Sanctis Dei iratus dixit; nisi dimitteret
Hynneon.
incredulity, by
unwilling to
Declan. ThislatterthensaidtoSt. Patrick:
left their incredulous leader, and have come with me, O Father, as their chief- tain to thee ; they wish to become subject to thee, and always to honour thee. As they have received baptism from myself, they ask thy benediction. " Then, St. Patrick and his disciples invoked a fervent blessing, not alone on the people, but even on the woods, lands, and waters, belonging to the Nan- Desii territory. The chief men and magnates of the Nan Desii then said to the
" I am at present your leader, and St. Patrick will bless whomsoever I shall appoint, to rule over you; and that man shall be your chieftain. " Then, St. Declan selected a certain young man, who is called Ferdinand, otherwise Fearghal, son to Cormac, and of the Desies royal race. 8* This young man was placed in the midst of the people as their leader, and the choice was approved by his newly constituted subjects, while he received a blessing from Saints Patrick and Declan. That chieftain was also approved of by other bishops. After bestowing his blessing on their elected chief, St. Patrick said: " This young man, whose features are beautiful, is also brave in war We shall abound in his kingdom, and the Desii chiefs shall inherit these advan- tages for ever. " This prophecy was afterwards literally fulfilled. Then, St. Declan and the chieftain Ferdinand or Fearghal, with the Decies people,
gave large tracts of land to St. Patrick, near the place where such incidents occurred, in the plain of Femhyn. 8 s A clear fountain of water was at the place, and this was called St. Patrick's Well,86 at the time when our saint's Acts were written. St. Patrick is said to have loved this place with unusual affection. Afterwards, returning thanks for the favours then received, the
Although
of our saint subjoin,
Behold, the Nan-Desii have
:
country, and its identification may be even possible.
8; See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. ,
332 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [July 24.
Irish Apostle retired with St. Declan accompanying him from the Decies
territory. They proceeded towards the city of Cashel, where King ^Engus 8
then dwelt. ?
The author of our saint's Acts relates a miracle, which happened at this
88
Whilst St. Declan was unguardedly and hastily advancing between his people and St.
Patrick, his foot was badly lacerated by a piece of iron. Blood flowed profusely, and our saint felt unable to walk
perfectly, owing to his lameness. We are told, that the holy Bishops Albeus, the dear friend and companion of St. Declan, as also, a wise and holy man Seachnall,8^ a disciple of St. Patrick, felt troubled on account of that misfor- tune. Both expressed their sorrow for its occurence to the Irish Apostle. Very naturally, on hearing about the accident, this latter saint grieved much
meeting already alluded to.
and said
:
" O Lord, heal the foot of thy faithful servant, who hath laboured
greatly for thee, with those talents thou hast bestowed on him. " Beholding
the foot of St. Declan, St. Patrick then signed it with the mark of salvation.
Looking towards heaven, he prayed ; when immediately, the blood ceased to
flow, and the gaping wound began to contract. Then, the skin having closed,
only a slight mark afterwards appeared. Arising without difficulty, St. Declan
found his foot healed, and the saints of God gave thanks for the favour bestowed on him. By their acclamations, the multitude extolled those wonders wrought by God, on behalf of his true servant. ^ Such grateful manifestations, so frequently mentioned in the Acts of our Irish Saints when miracles took place, seem to have been adopted from a pious Christian usage, prevailing among believers in the earlier ages of the Church. 9' Saints Patrick, Albeus, Declan, with many other holy disciples, remained in the city of Cashel, with King /Kngus. While there, it is said, they promulgated many salutary laws, referring to ecclesiastical jurisdiction, to Christian morals, and to the further propaga- tion of Divine Faith. With the approval of King ^Engus and of all his people, the Irish Apostle decreed, that the archbishopric of Minister should have
2
itschiefseatinSt. Albeus'city. ^ TheyalsomarkedoutboundsforSt. Declan's
jurisdiction. This was commensurate with the Desies' territories. 93 The
Julii xxiv. De S. Declano Episcopo Aid-
moriae in Hibernia, cap. v. , sect. 43, 44, 45,
pp. 601, 602.
88 "
cione, modo dignitati ccepimus narrare ves- trse. "
8 > The author of our saint's Acts says of Seachnall, it is reported, that he was the first Bishop, who was interred in Ireland. His name is Latinized Secundums, likewise, and his festival occurs, at the 27th of November.
9° See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. , Julii xxiv. De S. Declano Episcopo Ard- "moriae in Hibernia, cap. vi. , sect. 46, p. 602.
9M Thus, we read about certain miracles,
Omnia," S. Augustini, tomus vii. De Civitate Dei, lib. , xxii. , cap. viii. , sect. 22. Benedic- tine edition, Parisiis, i836,etseq, small folio,
double columns. On the
Tuesday, Palladia, the sister of Paul, was miraculously healed, in like manner, and while St. Augustine was engaged preaching, his sermon was interrupted by the acclama-
The writer observes
culum, quod factum est in supradicta con-
Easter
Thanks
:
following
Quoddam mira-
wrought through the relics of St. Stephen,
the first Martyr, at Hippo, AD. 425. in the
time of St. Augustine. This illustrious mensium Vita:," p, I. Dublinii, 1626, Doctor relates, that on Easter Sun Jay morn-
ing, one, named Paul, praying before the
place where these relics had been deposited,
recovered his health and strength, before the
public view, and in a most miraculous way. now comprised in Munster. "—
The chureli then echoed widi acclamations,
the congregation crying out, " Thanks be to
(Jod : praised be the Lord ! " See
seem to be spoken of as distinct from each other, although the country of the Desii is Rev. Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical History of Ire- land, vol. i. , chap, vi. , sect, vii. , n. 69,
p. 2S6.
"
Opera
tions of the multitude exclaming, bj to God I"
"
»* Now known as Emly, formerly a city,
but now dwindled into a small village ; yet,
it seems to have been the earliest metropo-
litan See of Munster, until it merged into
Cashel, where a new cathedral had been
built, by Cormac Mac Cuillinan, King and
"
Bishop of Cashel. See Sir James Ware's
Archiepiscoporum Cas'-elien ium et Tua-
sin. fol.
9i " The people of Munster and the Desii
July 24. ] LIVES OF THE lttlSH SAINTS. 333
people he had therein converted to the Divine Faith were placed under his own spiritual rule. ^ While in other parts of Ireland, its people became subject to St. Patrick,95 the Decies people, under God, acknowledged the protection of
6
Wherefore, St. Patrick, all Ireland's Hierarch and Patron, is said to have pronounced a distich in the Irish language, and which as an oracular verse was to obtain the force of law j nor would the spiritual families of St. Albeus and of St. Declan undertake to render it by any Latin metrical translation . w The author of our saint's Acts also expresses his intention of giving it in the native idiom, as it had been composed and delivered by St. Patrick, and for the purpose of stamping it with greater authenticity and authority. Notwithstanding, these verses are thus incorrectly
their holy Patron, St. Declan. s
in the Irish 8 and in the Roman characters —
ss Treating about the people of the Decks,
language^
:
" Ailbhe umhal Padruigh Muomhan mo guchruth :
Declan Padruig na n Desi, na Desi ag Declan go bruth. "99
In these verses it was prophesied, that Albeus should be the second Patrick and Patron over Munster, and that Declan should be a second Patrick and Patron over the Desies, while the territory of that people should remain his diocese to the end of the world. Afterwards, the holy bishops bestowed their blessing on King yEngus, and proceeded to the sphere of their respective labours, in order to spread die Gospel throughout Ireland. On their depar-
100 The
Bat, in the copy of the Isidore Manuscript,
obtained at Rome, the word "Leometrice"
was wanting. The reading being rendered
printed,
received from them a kiss of
and the young Desies chief Feargall, or Ferdinand, having assembled at the place called Hynneon, the army and entire population of the Desies being in attendance, Christianity was proclaimed, and its laws were incorporated
ture,
-1
king
the
See '"Acta Sanctorum," tenuis v. ,
peace.
holy bishop Declan,
Juliixxiv. De S. Declano Episcopo Ard- m >r'ae in H. bernia, cap. vi. , sect. 47, p. 62.
conformable to this copy, and to Colgan's ""
the Acts of our saint state, ut ipsi in writing, in Trias Thaumaturga,'' Appen-
parochia episcopates ejus essent, quse est iii. , sect, xiv. , p. 201 ; it is to be suspected,
"
magna and clara.
96 In the Life of St. Declan, cap. 30, it is
stated, that the people of Desies showed the
same obedience to their patron, St. Declan,
that was exhibited towards St. Patrick, by
the Irish people in other places. Quoting
this passage, Rev. Dr. Lanigan says, that
the drift of this passage was to insinuate,
that Declan's See of Ardmore had been
exempt from the jurisdiction of Armagh. See
"
that the word Leometrice had been intro- duced by an inexact scribe.
98 The Irish distich in the text is thus en-
tered, in Smith's "Ancient and Present
State of the County a—nd City of Waterford,"
Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. i. > chap, vi. , sect, vii. , n. 70, p. 286. I must confess myself at fault, in failing to derive that conclusion drawn by Dr. Lanigan from this
passage.
97 The Bollandist editor observes, that in
the Manuscript copy of our saint's Acts, in his possession, he found it distinctly stated,
"
trice in Latinum verti. " From this word
"
Leometrice," Papebroch, in treating the
nonluerunt pro se vel . . . Leomc-
Acts of St. Patrick, assumed as an
that the author of our saint's Acts did not write before the twelfth century ; for, it was during the reigns of Lewis VII. , or of Philip Augustus, Kings of France, that the poet Leo flourished. From him, according to the opinion of the best informed writers, the Leonine metre derived its origin and name,
100 This monastic is often practice
to in the Acts of our Irish Saints.
101
argument,
alluded
chap, i. , as follows
" Ailbe umal Padruig Mumhan, mo gach rath :
Declan Padruig Nan-Desii, ag De- clan go brath. "
Ussher gives these lines, also, in the Gaelic characters, with some slight difference. See " Britannicarum Ecclesiarum Antiquitates," cap. xvii. , p. 450.
99 The Bollandist editor observes, in an annotatation, on this verse ; that it vras wanting in the copy which he used, but that Father Harold supplied it from the Manu- script copy of St. Isidore in Rome, and just as it had been printed.
:
This statement serves to illustrate the character of Irish popular assemblies under the old clan system, when the people as well
as their chiefs were summoned together, in
order to frame and ratify laws in a public convention.
334
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [July 24.
with the territorial jurisprudence.
102
Julii xxiv. De S. Declano Fpiscopo Aid-
See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. ,
us of the Buidhe Chonnuil, or the Yellow Hague, which occurred in Ireland,A. D. 664, as related in Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 274 to 277. This is also alluded in the First Volume of
moriae in Hibernia, cap. vi. , sects. 47, 48,
49, p. 602. — Chapter III.
This
is de- scribed as "the yellow jaundice," in Dr.
Meredith Hanmer's
p- 7°-
Molagga or Laicin, chap. iii.
3 Rendered into the Latin words Atrium
(Usfidum, "the Hall of Spears
3
The description of this plague reminds
"
pestilence Chronicle of Ireland,"
to,
this work, at January 20th, in the Life of St.
:
101
The former chieftain Lebanus was deposed, as an opposer of Christianity, and with unanimous acclaim of all that people. His political influence became extinct, and he appears to have retired into private life. Thus was accomplished, what had been written theenemiesofGod "Periitmemoriaeorumcumsonitu. " Then
regarding
was it decreed, by St. Declan, by the chieftain Feargall, and by the Decies nobles, that the local chiefs should henceforth be inaugurated in that place, called Hynneon, in which Feargall had been at first elected to the chieftainry, and installed by the saints. The author of our saint's Acts tells us, that those who lived prior to his time related, how the chiefs of the Decies, even in the
102
A PESTILENCE BREAKS OUT IN MUNSTER—ST. DECLAIMS MIRACLE AT CASIIF. L—-HE FOUNDS MONASTIC ESTABLISHMENTS AT TEACH-DERCAN AND AT TARA—HE RETURNS THROUGH OSSORY TO THE SOUTHERN DECIES—HIS MIRACULOUS POWERS—FOUNDA- TIONS AT AND SUBSEQUENT CONDITION OF ARDMORE—ST. DECLAN IS VISITED BY ST. AILBHE—ST. DECLAN MIRACULOUSLY EXTINGUISHES A FIRE—A FLEET OF PAGAN PIRATES DESTROYED.
About this time, a dreadful pestilence ravaged Minister. It proved more
fatal, we are told, in the city of Cashel, than in other places. This plague 1
produced a yellow, colour over the people it attacked, and afterwards it caused their death. 2 At this period, seven nobles, who were detained as hostages by King ^Engus, happened to be confined in a certain castle. Their dungeon was situated in the western quarter of Cashel city, and it had been called in Irish Magh na nearglann. 3 One night, these seven hostages were carried off by the plague ; and, when the king heard of their death, he was very much grieved, for they were the sons of powerful nobles, who resided in remote extremities of his kingdom. He feared, therefore, lest unjust suspicions might fall upon him, because of their sudden death. Wherefore, he desired his people to conceal their knowledge concerning this matter. On the day following their demise, holy Bishop Declan came towards the city of Cashel, and he intended to have a conference with King ^ngus. The latter was rejoiced to hear of our saint's approach. Calling
Declan before him, in the presence of his friends, ^Engus said : "We entreat you, O holy bishop and servant of the living God, as we have believed in the name of Christ through your preaching, that you would raise from the dead our seven hostages, who were deprived of life during the past night ; for, we fear,thatascandalshallcomeonourkingdom. Theirparentsmaysay,per- haps, that their sons were destroyed through our instrumentality, and this indeed should prove a great disgrace to us. " The holy Pontiff Declan said :
days of paganism, had been inaugurated, also, in this very same place.
CHAPTER III.
July 24. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 335
" O ray dear king, to raise the dead to life exceeds the infirmity of our nature, for such a miracle appertains only to Divine power; but, as you have bene- fited us, in the name of Christ, we shall visit their dead bodies, and pray for them to God, that he may accomplish whatever may be in accordance with his holy will. " Then, accompanied by some select disciples, and full of faith, St. Declan went to where the dead bodies lay. The king's servants preceded them. Thebodiesofthesedeceasednoblespresentedagreenandyellow colour/ The king also followed the bishop, who stood before the dead bodies. On entering the place where these corpses lay, St. Declan sprinkled them with
holy water, and he prayed fervently, but briefly, before those who were pre-
" O Lord Jesus Christ, only begotten Son of the living God,
sent. He said
for the glory of thy name, we pray thee, raise these dead men to life, that they may become neophytes and be confirmed in the faith, through our ministry. " Afterwards, the holy bishop knew in spirit, that their lives had been granted again to the dead men by our Lord. While beginning to move
:
:
he said to them " In the name of Jesus Christ, the Saviour of
their
mankind, arise to us, and give thanks and praise to God. " At these words, they immediately seemed to awake from the dead. They saluted all who were present.
7 S^e Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Septima Vita S. Patricii, lib. iii. , cap. xxix. , p. 155.
13 It is said, that the stone was called
Leac Coithurgi; Leac meaning "stone," while Coithurgi, or Cothrige, was one of the namesofSt. Patrick. Seeibid. TertiaVita S. Patricii, cap. lx. , p. 26.
7t This stone was to be seen on the ascent
to the cathedral, situated on the famous Rock "
/Engus or /Eneus, son of Nadfruich, at "
Cashel. See Britannicarum Ecclesiarum
Antiquitates," cap. xvii. , p. 420, and p. 519. 69 Other particulars of this visit may be found in the Third Volume of this work, at
the 17th day of March, Art. i. Life of St. of Cashel. See Seward's Topognphia
Patrick, chap. xix.
70 Dr. Charles Smith comprises within it the
whole barony of Middle-third, and conse-
the of Cashel. See "Ancient and quently city
Present Stale of the County and City of
Ilibernica," at Cashel.
75 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga,"
Waterford," chap, i. , p. 4. Walter Harris
makes it the flat extensive country about Book of Armagh. " St. Patrick, Apostle
the Irish is said Apostle
This prince honourably conducted
and the 6 Under- people. 7
Cashel. See Harris' Ware, vol. i. , "Arch-
bishops of Armagh," p. 20. '
7 In his "Ecclesiastical History of Ire-
land," the Rev. Dr. Lanigan thinks, that the visit of St. Patrick to Cashel took place,
most probably, about the beginning of a. d.
Sexta Vita S. Patricii, cap. lxxiv. , p. 82. ? 6 However, the Rev. Dr. Todd remarks
:
" No mention of Cashel, or of Patrick's
journey to Munster—, is to be found in the
"
33© LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [July 24.
of the great Irish Hierarch. Seeing that the magnates of Ireland acknow- ledged the great Apostle Patrick, as their master, Albeus came to the latter saint, in Cashel city. In presence of King yEngus, he received St. Patrick as a spiritual superior, and with all due submission ; although, at first, Albeus felt disposed to question his superiority of jurisdiction. It is stated, that Albeus had been regarded as their legitimate superior, by Saints Kiaran, I bar and Declan, before St. Patrick's arrival. Wherefore, in order to pro- cure the obedience of his fellow bishops, Albeus first presented himself to
the great Irish Apostle, and with a proffer of his willing subjection in all spiritual matters. But, Ibar appears to have been more obstinate in his resist- ance to St. Patrick's spiritual authority. It is related, that Ibar had con- ceived a strong prejudice against the Patron of Ireland, because of his foreign birth ; for, although brought up in Ireland, when a captive during his youth, St. Patrick was born among the Britons. Wherefore, at firs! , Ibar and Patrick weremuchopposedtoeachother; but,afterwards,itissaid,owingtoan-elic admonition, peace, concord, and fraternity, were established between them. St. Declan did not wish to put himself in opposition to St. Patrick, because he had heretofore established a friendship with the latter in Italy. Although St. Patrick had been elevated to the Apostolic dignity, 7 ? Declan did not sup- pose, however, that he should become subject to Patrick's jurisdiction, as a necessary consequence of such elevation. But, Declan was admonished by an angel, that he should submit to St. Patrick. 'J 'he heavenly' messenger
:
addressed him in these words " Go immediately to St. Patrick, and enjoin
him not to curse thy people and territory; for, he is fasting this night, against the chieftain of thy nation, in a place called Hynneon. This was in the midst of Femhyn plain, in the northern part of the Desii territory. If he
denounce thy nation, it shall be under ban for ever. ?
8
Immediately on hear-
ing these words of the angel, St. Declan hastened to the place indicated. On
that same night, he passed over the River Suir, proceeding through the moun-
tain Gua, otherwise called Sliabhgua. '° On the next morning, he came to St.
Patrick, who, with his disciples, honourably received our saint on his approach. Then, St. Declan humbled himself in the presence of St. Patrick. He besought that great Apostle, to avert malediction from the Nan-Desii people
and their territory. He promised, at the same time, to be spiritually subject
of Ireland," chap, iii. , p. 468.
7 ? " Id est, episcopatum et missionem ab
ipso Pontifice Romano susceperat. " See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. , Julii xxiv. De S. Declano Episcopo Ardmorue in Hibernia, cap. v. , n. (c), p. 602.
78 The Rev. Dr. Lanigan denies, that there is any reliance to be placed on the account, regarding a synod convened at Cashel, or the meeting of St. Patrick, Adbe, Declan, &c, because there is no mention of it in nny of the Irish Apostle's Lives. He says, that
"
Desii, because thou hast interested thyself for them. "
to St. Patrick. The latter said to him :
I will even bless the people of Nan- 80
it
period,
the
ous valle—y of the blackwater to the south and the west and an extensive sweep of coast and ocean —from the south-east round to south
was atalate patched up
andat a
frontiers of the present counties of Tipperary and Waterford, north of the River Black- water. Knockmeledown proper 2,690 feet above the level of the sea is the highest in the group, and the various summits have dis- tinctive names. The range runs from east to west, and it joins the Kilwortli Mountains, in the county of Cork. The summit of Knockmeledown proper "commands a pano- ramie view of great extent and surpassing brilliance —the golden valley of the Suir on the north and . east —the rich an—d romantic Rock of Cashel in the north-east
time, when some bishops claimed an anti-
quity and a jurisdiction for their Sees, to
which they were not originally entitled. See
"
Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. i. ,
by west. " "Parliamentary Gazetteer of Ireland," vol. ii. , p. 579.
*° See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. , Julii xxiv. De S. Declano Episcopo Aid-
chap, vi. , sect. vii. . pp. 283, 284.
74 At present known as the Knockmele-
down Mountains, \ romantic range, on the
gorge-
LIVES OE THE IRISH SAINTS.
Then, St. Declan went to the Decies chieftain, named Lebanus, who was
81
July 24]
T
33
not far from the called place
he felt
believe in St. Patrick's doctrine, at first, and had badly treated the saint, that chief was earnestly urged by St. Declan, to meet the great Irish Apostle, that thus he might become a believer and receive baptism. The chieftain, to remain in his state of 82 no means would consent
Heevenfelt
Lebanus yielding to Satan's devices, and fearing on his account that the Nan
Desii people might incur St. Patrick's denunciations, St. Declan turned towards
an assembled multitude. He then said " now from this : Separate yourselves
abandoned man, that you may not be denounced, because of his incredulity; as I have blessed you in the saving waters of baptism, come all of you, that St. Patrick may bless you with me ; for, he has been sent to you from the Almighty, and he has been selected as chief Patron over all Ireland. But I, as well as your chieftain, ought to be a leader of your nation, on account of my family descent. " At these words, the whole Nan-Desii people, with the exception of their chieftain and some of his immediate retainers, followed St.
"
desiring toSt. Declan's
persuasions.
angry
withbothsaints. 8^ On
seeing
holy Bishops :
" Who now is our chieftain ? " St. Declan answered them
mofise in Hibernia, cap. v. , sect. 42, p. 601. 81 An accomplished Irish scholar and an- tiquary, William M. Hennessy, has informed me, this place is identical with the present Mullagnony, about two miles north- west-
wardly from Clonmel.
propter fratres et cognatos Sancti Declani
quod pauci essent apud eum. "
s+ That is to say, one belonging to the
family and kindred of St. Declan.
85 In recounting these particulars, the Acts
"
(unde successores ejus magnum servitium habent), et locum non
longe a flumine Suir in eodem campo. "
8b wells in Ireland had been de- Manyholy
dicated to St. Patrick. Itisprobable, thename
82
credulitate ;" for which latter word " incre-
The Acts state, "qui in sua permansit
dulitate"is more Colgan.
83
correctly substituted, by
The Acts of our saint have it :
" that of the still continues, in
ipse part nullo modo, nullaque ratione consensit, et
Sanctis Dei iratus dixit; nisi dimitteret
Hynneon.
incredulity, by
unwilling to
Declan. ThislatterthensaidtoSt. Patrick:
left their incredulous leader, and have come with me, O Father, as their chief- tain to thee ; they wish to become subject to thee, and always to honour thee. As they have received baptism from myself, they ask thy benediction. " Then, St. Patrick and his disciples invoked a fervent blessing, not alone on the people, but even on the woods, lands, and waters, belonging to the Nan- Desii territory. The chief men and magnates of the Nan Desii then said to the
" I am at present your leader, and St. Patrick will bless whomsoever I shall appoint, to rule over you; and that man shall be your chieftain. " Then, St. Declan selected a certain young man, who is called Ferdinand, otherwise Fearghal, son to Cormac, and of the Desies royal race. 8* This young man was placed in the midst of the people as their leader, and the choice was approved by his newly constituted subjects, while he received a blessing from Saints Patrick and Declan. That chieftain was also approved of by other bishops. After bestowing his blessing on their elected chief, St. Patrick said: " This young man, whose features are beautiful, is also brave in war We shall abound in his kingdom, and the Desii chiefs shall inherit these advan- tages for ever. " This prophecy was afterwards literally fulfilled. Then, St. Declan and the chieftain Ferdinand or Fearghal, with the Decies people,
gave large tracts of land to St. Patrick, near the place where such incidents occurred, in the plain of Femhyn. 8 s A clear fountain of water was at the place, and this was called St. Patrick's Well,86 at the time when our saint's Acts were written. St. Patrick is said to have loved this place with unusual affection. Afterwards, returning thanks for the favours then received, the
Although
of our saint subjoin,
Behold, the Nan-Desii have
:
country, and its identification may be even possible.
8; See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. ,
332 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [July 24.
Irish Apostle retired with St. Declan accompanying him from the Decies
territory. They proceeded towards the city of Cashel, where King ^Engus 8
then dwelt. ?
The author of our saint's Acts relates a miracle, which happened at this
88
Whilst St. Declan was unguardedly and hastily advancing between his people and St.
Patrick, his foot was badly lacerated by a piece of iron. Blood flowed profusely, and our saint felt unable to walk
perfectly, owing to his lameness. We are told, that the holy Bishops Albeus, the dear friend and companion of St. Declan, as also, a wise and holy man Seachnall,8^ a disciple of St. Patrick, felt troubled on account of that misfor- tune. Both expressed their sorrow for its occurence to the Irish Apostle. Very naturally, on hearing about the accident, this latter saint grieved much
meeting already alluded to.
and said
:
" O Lord, heal the foot of thy faithful servant, who hath laboured
greatly for thee, with those talents thou hast bestowed on him. " Beholding
the foot of St. Declan, St. Patrick then signed it with the mark of salvation.
Looking towards heaven, he prayed ; when immediately, the blood ceased to
flow, and the gaping wound began to contract. Then, the skin having closed,
only a slight mark afterwards appeared. Arising without difficulty, St. Declan
found his foot healed, and the saints of God gave thanks for the favour bestowed on him. By their acclamations, the multitude extolled those wonders wrought by God, on behalf of his true servant. ^ Such grateful manifestations, so frequently mentioned in the Acts of our Irish Saints when miracles took place, seem to have been adopted from a pious Christian usage, prevailing among believers in the earlier ages of the Church. 9' Saints Patrick, Albeus, Declan, with many other holy disciples, remained in the city of Cashel, with King /Kngus. While there, it is said, they promulgated many salutary laws, referring to ecclesiastical jurisdiction, to Christian morals, and to the further propaga- tion of Divine Faith. With the approval of King ^Engus and of all his people, the Irish Apostle decreed, that the archbishopric of Minister should have
2
itschiefseatinSt. Albeus'city. ^ TheyalsomarkedoutboundsforSt. Declan's
jurisdiction. This was commensurate with the Desies' territories. 93 The
Julii xxiv. De S. Declano Episcopo Aid-
moriae in Hibernia, cap. v. , sect. 43, 44, 45,
pp. 601, 602.
88 "
cione, modo dignitati ccepimus narrare ves- trse. "
8 > The author of our saint's Acts says of Seachnall, it is reported, that he was the first Bishop, who was interred in Ireland. His name is Latinized Secundums, likewise, and his festival occurs, at the 27th of November.
9° See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. , Julii xxiv. De S. Declano Episcopo Ard- "moriae in Hibernia, cap. vi. , sect. 46, p. 602.
9M Thus, we read about certain miracles,
Omnia," S. Augustini, tomus vii. De Civitate Dei, lib. , xxii. , cap. viii. , sect. 22. Benedic- tine edition, Parisiis, i836,etseq, small folio,
double columns. On the
Tuesday, Palladia, the sister of Paul, was miraculously healed, in like manner, and while St. Augustine was engaged preaching, his sermon was interrupted by the acclama-
The writer observes
culum, quod factum est in supradicta con-
Easter
Thanks
:
following
Quoddam mira-
wrought through the relics of St. Stephen,
the first Martyr, at Hippo, AD. 425. in the
time of St. Augustine. This illustrious mensium Vita:," p, I. Dublinii, 1626, Doctor relates, that on Easter Sun Jay morn-
ing, one, named Paul, praying before the
place where these relics had been deposited,
recovered his health and strength, before the
public view, and in a most miraculous way. now comprised in Munster. "—
The chureli then echoed widi acclamations,
the congregation crying out, " Thanks be to
(Jod : praised be the Lord ! " See
seem to be spoken of as distinct from each other, although the country of the Desii is Rev. Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical History of Ire- land, vol. i. , chap, vi. , sect, vii. , n. 69,
p. 2S6.
"
Opera
tions of the multitude exclaming, bj to God I"
"
»* Now known as Emly, formerly a city,
but now dwindled into a small village ; yet,
it seems to have been the earliest metropo-
litan See of Munster, until it merged into
Cashel, where a new cathedral had been
built, by Cormac Mac Cuillinan, King and
"
Bishop of Cashel. See Sir James Ware's
Archiepiscoporum Cas'-elien ium et Tua-
sin. fol.
9i " The people of Munster and the Desii
July 24. ] LIVES OF THE lttlSH SAINTS. 333
people he had therein converted to the Divine Faith were placed under his own spiritual rule. ^ While in other parts of Ireland, its people became subject to St. Patrick,95 the Decies people, under God, acknowledged the protection of
6
Wherefore, St. Patrick, all Ireland's Hierarch and Patron, is said to have pronounced a distich in the Irish language, and which as an oracular verse was to obtain the force of law j nor would the spiritual families of St. Albeus and of St. Declan undertake to render it by any Latin metrical translation . w The author of our saint's Acts also expresses his intention of giving it in the native idiom, as it had been composed and delivered by St. Patrick, and for the purpose of stamping it with greater authenticity and authority. Notwithstanding, these verses are thus incorrectly
their holy Patron, St. Declan. s
in the Irish 8 and in the Roman characters —
ss Treating about the people of the Decks,
language^
:
" Ailbhe umhal Padruigh Muomhan mo guchruth :
Declan Padruig na n Desi, na Desi ag Declan go bruth. "99
In these verses it was prophesied, that Albeus should be the second Patrick and Patron over Munster, and that Declan should be a second Patrick and Patron over the Desies, while the territory of that people should remain his diocese to the end of the world. Afterwards, the holy bishops bestowed their blessing on King yEngus, and proceeded to the sphere of their respective labours, in order to spread die Gospel throughout Ireland. On their depar-
100 The
Bat, in the copy of the Isidore Manuscript,
obtained at Rome, the word "Leometrice"
was wanting. The reading being rendered
printed,
received from them a kiss of
and the young Desies chief Feargall, or Ferdinand, having assembled at the place called Hynneon, the army and entire population of the Desies being in attendance, Christianity was proclaimed, and its laws were incorporated
ture,
-1
king
the
See '"Acta Sanctorum," tenuis v. ,
peace.
holy bishop Declan,
Juliixxiv. De S. Declano Episcopo Ard- m >r'ae in H. bernia, cap. vi. , sect. 47, p. 62.
conformable to this copy, and to Colgan's ""
the Acts of our saint state, ut ipsi in writing, in Trias Thaumaturga,'' Appen-
parochia episcopates ejus essent, quse est iii. , sect, xiv. , p. 201 ; it is to be suspected,
"
magna and clara.
96 In the Life of St. Declan, cap. 30, it is
stated, that the people of Desies showed the
same obedience to their patron, St. Declan,
that was exhibited towards St. Patrick, by
the Irish people in other places. Quoting
this passage, Rev. Dr. Lanigan says, that
the drift of this passage was to insinuate,
that Declan's See of Ardmore had been
exempt from the jurisdiction of Armagh. See
"
that the word Leometrice had been intro- duced by an inexact scribe.
98 The Irish distich in the text is thus en-
tered, in Smith's "Ancient and Present
State of the County a—nd City of Waterford,"
Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. i. > chap, vi. , sect, vii. , n. 70, p. 286. I must confess myself at fault, in failing to derive that conclusion drawn by Dr. Lanigan from this
passage.
97 The Bollandist editor observes, that in
the Manuscript copy of our saint's Acts, in his possession, he found it distinctly stated,
"
trice in Latinum verti. " From this word
"
Leometrice," Papebroch, in treating the
nonluerunt pro se vel . . . Leomc-
Acts of St. Patrick, assumed as an
that the author of our saint's Acts did not write before the twelfth century ; for, it was during the reigns of Lewis VII. , or of Philip Augustus, Kings of France, that the poet Leo flourished. From him, according to the opinion of the best informed writers, the Leonine metre derived its origin and name,
100 This monastic is often practice
to in the Acts of our Irish Saints.
101
argument,
alluded
chap, i. , as follows
" Ailbe umal Padruig Mumhan, mo gach rath :
Declan Padruig Nan-Desii, ag De- clan go brath. "
Ussher gives these lines, also, in the Gaelic characters, with some slight difference. See " Britannicarum Ecclesiarum Antiquitates," cap. xvii. , p. 450.
99 The Bollandist editor observes, in an annotatation, on this verse ; that it vras wanting in the copy which he used, but that Father Harold supplied it from the Manu- script copy of St. Isidore in Rome, and just as it had been printed.
:
This statement serves to illustrate the character of Irish popular assemblies under the old clan system, when the people as well
as their chiefs were summoned together, in
order to frame and ratify laws in a public convention.
334
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [July 24.
with the territorial jurisprudence.
102
Julii xxiv. De S. Declano Fpiscopo Aid-
See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. ,
us of the Buidhe Chonnuil, or the Yellow Hague, which occurred in Ireland,A. D. 664, as related in Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 274 to 277. This is also alluded in the First Volume of
moriae in Hibernia, cap. vi. , sects. 47, 48,
49, p. 602. — Chapter III.
This
is de- scribed as "the yellow jaundice," in Dr.
Meredith Hanmer's
p- 7°-
Molagga or Laicin, chap. iii.
3 Rendered into the Latin words Atrium
(Usfidum, "the Hall of Spears
3
The description of this plague reminds
"
pestilence Chronicle of Ireland,"
to,
this work, at January 20th, in the Life of St.
:
101
The former chieftain Lebanus was deposed, as an opposer of Christianity, and with unanimous acclaim of all that people. His political influence became extinct, and he appears to have retired into private life. Thus was accomplished, what had been written theenemiesofGod "Periitmemoriaeorumcumsonitu. " Then
regarding
was it decreed, by St. Declan, by the chieftain Feargall, and by the Decies nobles, that the local chiefs should henceforth be inaugurated in that place, called Hynneon, in which Feargall had been at first elected to the chieftainry, and installed by the saints. The author of our saint's Acts tells us, that those who lived prior to his time related, how the chiefs of the Decies, even in the
102
A PESTILENCE BREAKS OUT IN MUNSTER—ST. DECLAIMS MIRACLE AT CASIIF. L—-HE FOUNDS MONASTIC ESTABLISHMENTS AT TEACH-DERCAN AND AT TARA—HE RETURNS THROUGH OSSORY TO THE SOUTHERN DECIES—HIS MIRACULOUS POWERS—FOUNDA- TIONS AT AND SUBSEQUENT CONDITION OF ARDMORE—ST. DECLAN IS VISITED BY ST. AILBHE—ST. DECLAN MIRACULOUSLY EXTINGUISHES A FIRE—A FLEET OF PAGAN PIRATES DESTROYED.
About this time, a dreadful pestilence ravaged Minister. It proved more
fatal, we are told, in the city of Cashel, than in other places. This plague 1
produced a yellow, colour over the people it attacked, and afterwards it caused their death. 2 At this period, seven nobles, who were detained as hostages by King ^Engus, happened to be confined in a certain castle. Their dungeon was situated in the western quarter of Cashel city, and it had been called in Irish Magh na nearglann. 3 One night, these seven hostages were carried off by the plague ; and, when the king heard of their death, he was very much grieved, for they were the sons of powerful nobles, who resided in remote extremities of his kingdom. He feared, therefore, lest unjust suspicions might fall upon him, because of their sudden death. Wherefore, he desired his people to conceal their knowledge concerning this matter. On the day following their demise, holy Bishop Declan came towards the city of Cashel, and he intended to have a conference with King ^ngus. The latter was rejoiced to hear of our saint's approach. Calling
Declan before him, in the presence of his friends, ^Engus said : "We entreat you, O holy bishop and servant of the living God, as we have believed in the name of Christ through your preaching, that you would raise from the dead our seven hostages, who were deprived of life during the past night ; for, we fear,thatascandalshallcomeonourkingdom. Theirparentsmaysay,per- haps, that their sons were destroyed through our instrumentality, and this indeed should prove a great disgrace to us. " The holy Pontiff Declan said :
days of paganism, had been inaugurated, also, in this very same place.
CHAPTER III.
July 24. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 335
" O ray dear king, to raise the dead to life exceeds the infirmity of our nature, for such a miracle appertains only to Divine power; but, as you have bene- fited us, in the name of Christ, we shall visit their dead bodies, and pray for them to God, that he may accomplish whatever may be in accordance with his holy will. " Then, accompanied by some select disciples, and full of faith, St. Declan went to where the dead bodies lay. The king's servants preceded them. Thebodiesofthesedeceasednoblespresentedagreenandyellow colour/ The king also followed the bishop, who stood before the dead bodies. On entering the place where these corpses lay, St. Declan sprinkled them with
holy water, and he prayed fervently, but briefly, before those who were pre-
" O Lord Jesus Christ, only begotten Son of the living God,
sent. He said
for the glory of thy name, we pray thee, raise these dead men to life, that they may become neophytes and be confirmed in the faith, through our ministry. " Afterwards, the holy bishop knew in spirit, that their lives had been granted again to the dead men by our Lord. While beginning to move
:
:
he said to them " In the name of Jesus Christ, the Saviour of
their
mankind, arise to us, and give thanks and praise to God. " At these words, they immediately seemed to awake from the dead. They saluted all who were present.
