Finding this youth
a person of elegant exterior, and endued with such qualities of courage and eloquence,thekingconceivedgreataffectionforhim.
a person of elegant exterior, and endued with such qualities of courage and eloquence,thekingconceivedgreataffectionforhim.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v1
Thirdly, the old book of Lecan, then in Connaught,^?
delivered a similar statement regarding St.
Fursey's origin.
^^ Fourthly, Dr.
Geoffrey Keating is of accord with the foregoing authorities.
^?
And lastly, certain differences in Fursey's Dalaradian and Munster genealogy, as already shown, leave scarcely a doubt of their having been similarly named, yet distinct individuals.
Although the same name applies to the father of one and to the grandfather ot another, as likewise to the grandfather of one Fursey and to the great grand- father of another, it is evident, from diverse names, in united orders or posi- tion, and varying origin, that those genealogies must be held as applying to different persons.
Although, for instance, two or three names, such as Finn- loga, Lochanus, and Loga, agree in both lives, yet they do not occur in a like order and relation.
?
" Perhaps it is o\vning to this very circumstance of similar names, occurring in their respective genealogies, that \vhat is some- times asserted of one, is also attributed to the other.
Thus, it may have happened, that the mother of the Ulster or Dalaradian Fursey had been called Gelgesia, daughter to the King of Connaught.
7'
the great grandfather to Fursey, by the son to Laga Laga, son of Eugene Taiglech, Cashel Calendar, already mentioned. The wlio is also called Madhnuadhat, chap,
father of our saint, as Colgan remarks, does not derive his title Locinus de Dalaradia,
from any particular family, but from that territory of Ulster, so named. Thus, he is not to be considered as coming from Fiach Aradius's race, from whom the family and territory in Ulster were known by the term Dalaradia ; but, according to authorities
xxxvii.
*' Now preserved in the library of the
Royal Irish Academy.
^ It states, that St. Fursey, the son of
Fintan, belonged to the family of Loga Laga, who was the son of Eugene Taighlech, and the brother of Ailill or Oilioll Olum, chap. i. , num. i.
^This writer tells us, that St. Fursey, who was descended from the posterity of of Dalaradia. Although Colgan considers I^erghaidh Laga, brother to Oilioll Olum,
already quoted, St. Fursey was of Mai- crosius's race, who dwelt in the same country
the authorities for our saint's Ulster descent
as sufficiently grave and respectable ; yet, there were others of no less weight and con-
sideration, referring St. Fursey's origin to Munster, and from those he does not appear
desirous of dissenting in opinion. Colgan adds, that until the truth of this matter could further be evolved from the shadows hung around it by' antiquity, he thought it necessary to admit, there must have been two saints named Fursey, one of whom belonged to Ultonia, and the other to Momonia, while I heir acts, genealogies and districts may have been confused by some writers.
**
This relates, that St. Fursaeus was the son of Fintan, son to Finnlog, son of Luochan,
died during the sovereignty of Conall Claon, and of his brother Ceallach, who began to reign about the middle of the seventh cen- tury. See Desmod O'Connor's "Keating's History of Ireland," part ii. , p. 402.
^° Thus the father of one Fursey, and grandfather of the other, will be found bear- ing the name Finnloga. In like manner, Lochan is said to have been great grandfather to the Ulster and Munster Fursey ; but, in one instance he is called " Lochanus filius
Kierii" (Procrii? ), and in the other anus filius Logae. "
"
Loch-
'' The Ulster Fursey's mother was quite a different person. This Fursey, belonging to the family of Loga Leathan-glais or of Mai-
January i6. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 231
But she was most certainly mother to the Munster Fursey, Abbot of Perrone,
as nearly all authors relate, when expressing the names of his parents. Another difficulty presents itself in the fact, that it is stated a feast of St. Fursey occurred on the i6th of January, in the Ulster territory of Maghmur- themne. Thisday,althoughnotthenatalisofSt. FurseyofPerrone,never- theless was one of his most noted festivals. Its celebration in Ulster might be the cause of having his family assigned to that province, he being con- founded with some native saint Fursey. But the principal argument favour- ing the distinction of both individuals will be found, not only in the account that their respective fathers, mothers, and brothers were different, but that they flourished at different periods. While in a previous note, the name and genealogy of the Ulster Fursey's mother and her children have been given, it will be found, that the Momonian, or Perronean Fursey's mother is differently stated to have been Gelgesia, daughter to ^dhfinn, Prince of Hy- Brian, and of the Conacian race of kings. In like manner, the brothers of this latter Fursey are named St. Foillan and St. Ultan, according to all autho- rities. ? ^ The Ulster Fursey, moreover, must have flourished in the fifth, or about the commencement of the sixth century, as his brothers, St. Mochay and St. Macerius were disciples of St. Patrick -p while all authorities agree, that St. FurseyofMunster,orofPerrone,livedintheseventhcentury. Colganalso says he held in possession a metrical fragment of very great antiquity, and deserving of credit, in which it was related that St. Fursey of Perrone had Gelgesia for his mother. 74 We find entered on this day, in the Martyrology of Donegal,7s Fursa, abbot. He—descended from the Conaille Muirtheimhne,
as in this quatrain we are told
:
" The father of Fursa, a pure true saying.
Was Lochin of Dal-Araidhe.
The mother of this son
Was Gelgeis, daughter of the King of Connacht. "
This means that she was daughter to Guaire Aidhne, or Gelghis, daughter of Aedh Finn, according to another book, called the Martyrology of Tam-
crocius, had for his mother Bronachia, feast of St. Macerius or Mac Earca is placed
daughter to Milcho, a chieftain of Dalaradia, in Ulster, to whom St. Patrick had been a
slave in his youth. According to St. ^ngus the Culdee, he was brother to various saints,
by Rev. Dr. Reeves at the 6th of July. See
" Ecclesiastical Antiquities of Down, Connor
and Dromore," p. 379.
? * In connection with such statement,
as we find in
that Brona-
" aliam adhuc Additque
Colgan's quotation,
cia, the daughter of Milchon, with whom St.
Colgan subjoins:
horum fratrem, nempe S. Manchenum Liathensem, et omnes dixit esse de stirpe Loghse haerois ad quem nempe supra re- tulimus genealogiam S. Furssei. " As I understand the foregoing passage, the St. Manchan of Leith here spoken of, is made according to the fragment in question, brother to vSaints Fursey, Foillan and Ultan; and while here he is said to have been of Laga's race, he is also called elsewhere son
Patrick had served as a slave, was the mother
of St. Mochay of Nendrum, in Loch Cuan ;
ef St. Colman Cameraren, near the moun-
tain of Usnech ; of St. Columban Merlinn,
of Doire Chaochain in Dalriada ; of St.
Macredius, Bishop of Domnach Mor maig
Cobha; of St. Dimna or Danate, of Mount
Betha ; and of St. Fursey, the Devout, is
added,ofPerrone. ButColganthinksthese
latter words had been inserted by some of Doga, by Colgan. See "Acta Sane-
ignorant amanuensis, as the same authority states (num. 23), that the mother to St.
Fursey of Perrone was Gelgesia.
7^ For these statements, Colgan refers
torum Hibernise," xiv. Februarii. Vita S.
Manchani, n. 6, p. 333. This may be noted in his acts, afterwards occurring at the 24th of Januaiy. See, also, in connection with
principally to vEngus the Culdee's work, on both Furseys mentioned in the text, Dr.
" The Mothers of the Irish Saints. " Lanigan's observations in his " Ecclesiastical
73 Colgan quotes lib. i. and ii. of St. History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, xvi. , § Patrick's Irish Life for a confirmation of vii. , n. 54, pp. 450, 451.
this statement. The Life of St. Mochay 75 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. will be found at the 23rd of June. The 18, 19.
iS2 LtVES OF THE IRISH SAlNTS. [January i6.
lacht. ? *^ It is therefore likely that this Fursa belonged to the race or house of Fiacha Araidhe, from whom are descended the Dal-Araidhe. These were of the race of Iriel, son of Conall Cearnach. According to the Sacred Genealogies,77 he is not sprung from the race of Fiacha, but rather from the race of Maelcroich, son to Rudhraighe.
Whilst entering upon the subject of this saint's acts, it will be necessary
to premise, that the Latin life, published by Colgan, at the i6th of January, has been mainly followed in our text, and referred to in the notes ; but, at
the same time, its agreement or disagreement with the supposed original used by Bede, and published by the Bollandists, together with the more recent life byDesmay,willbeshowninvariouscommentsappended. Intheprologue to the first book of this life, we learn, or rather infer, that it had been under- taken at the request of some religious superior, to whose virtues and dignity obedience was due by the writer. This author considers himself unsuited for
the toil of penetrating into a tangled wood, or for exploring its recesses, when he reflected interiorly on his ovm literary deficiency. Indulging in a meta-
phorical compliment of nearly similar character, the obedient scribe gives us
to understand that he had been requested to ^vrite in simpler style the holy
confessor's life and miracles out of records drawn from various places, and
collected by his patron's zeal and industry. He intimates that a collection of
various records and their embodiment into a simple biographical treatise would
be required, and that during such process he should be obliged to correct with
critical accuracy several errors of previous scribes, restoring apparent philo-
logical dissonance of divers languages, while preserving the -wTitefs meaning. ? ^
Although conscious of a labour disproportioned to his ability being imposed,
the author assumes his task, trusting that Divine grace might supply his
intellectual deficiencies, and that the Holy Spirit would inspire him to celebrate
the Almighty's praises. With the assistance of his patron's prayers, he also trusted in the merits and intercession of the holy subject selected for his
biography. 79 The copy of St. Furse/s Life, published by Colgan, at the i6th of January, was taken from a vellum manuscript belonging to a Cistercian monastery^" in France. This monastery was situated within the diocese of the Rheims. Two other manuscripts, similar in style and tenor, were used for purpose of collation, one of them having been obtained from a collection in the Cistercian monastery (Longipontentis), diocese of Soissons, and the other having been published by Belfortius. ^' From a collation of those several MSS. , it would be readily observable how frequently copyists and scribes were apt to vitiate unauthorizedly ancient records, even if this were not a matter otherwise well knowTi to antiquarian philologists.
The writer of those acts in question was not that early author of our saint's biography, who flourished befoje Bede's time, as this latter states, and
"
Tamlacht. "This is not found in the '* Colgan remarks, that the author of St.
Brussels copy of the Mart. Taml. , the only Fursey's Acts, seems to intimate that he
"
one now known. Yet the Franciscan copy saw the original and ancient life of this
'^Ina note Dr, Todd says at this word Scantilog Geneal.
is now known to exist.
? 7 In a note Dr. Todd says at this word
"Genealogies:" "This is the book frequently quoted by Colgan, under the title of Sancti-
logium Genealogicum. Copies of it are ex- tant in the Book of Lecan, Book of Leinster, and other MSS. A more recent hand has written at the end of this paragraph, *Duo sunt Furssei in Hagiogenesi ;' meaning by ffagivgenesis, what Colgan has termed the
saint, mentioned by Bede, and to which allusion has been already made ; and that there were some Irish and Saxon proper names, at least, not written in a like manner by the various writers, which it was found were not sufficiently corrected by him, who had undertaken this task of revision,
? ' See Prologus in lib. 1. , p. 75' ^°
Cygniacensis.
^'Tomusii. , p. 6o8, in his supplement.
January i6. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS, i^i,
shortly after the death of Fursey himself. ^^ This is sufficiently evident from
a prologue to the second book, in which the author states that his work was
compiled ^rom four manuscripts, one of which was very much damaged owing to age, and the carelessness of a scribe.
In commenting on this preface, Colgan observes in his notes thereto, that from the former prologue, in which the writer says he derived his account of
St! Furse/s death, translation, and miracles, from four different MSS. , it might reasonably be inferred that one of these manuscripts had belonged to Perrone monastery, where most of the events therein narrated took place. A second
manuscript had been obtained from Lagny, a third from Cnobersburg, in Eng- land, a fourth being received from Ireland, where those actions narrated in the first book had for the most part occurred. ^3
That the compiler lived long after the time of the Venerable Bede is further apparent from his prologue to the third book. This latter consisted only of matter drawn from Bede's History, where he treats of St. Fursey. Likewise, the writer remarks, that Ireland was a country distinct from Scotia or Scotland. ^-* He says that a British province bore the name of Normandy in his time. Now, although the Normans, about the year 906, occupied that part of British Armonica, known to the ancients as Newstria, and at present called Normandy, and even although the Scots had long before in- habited the north part of Britain, which is now denominated Scotland ; it is certain, that the names of Normandy and Scotland had not been applied to these respective countries, by any writer who flourished before the commence- ment, or perhaps rather before the close, of the eleventh century. Except some errors in noting Irish names and places, it is thought by Colgan that the narrative must have been drawn from that ancient life to which Bede refers. This he endeavours to prove by alleging three reasons. First, he appears to give in detail, what Bede wholly omits or greatly abbreviates, viz. : the celebrated vision of Fursey, with full descriptive particulars. Secondly, it has been remarked, that in this life we have no account of St. Fursey's miracles after his translation, which took place the year succeeding his death. Thirdly, and more especially, because the writer, in the twenty- first chapter of the first book seems a mere copyist of words used by the oldauthorofSt. Fursey'sActs. Notevendoeshespeakinthethirdperson, as it would seem he ought, when treating about a transaction occurring some centuries before his time. ^s
CHAPTER XL
SOME PARTICULARS RELATING TO ST. FURSEY's ANCESTRY—HE IS SAID TO HAVE BEEN BORN ON THE ISLAND OF INISQUIN—IT IS STATED HE WAS THERE BAPTIZED AND EDUCATED BY ST. BRENDAN OF CLONFERT—ST. FURSEY'S GREAT VIRTUES— HE FOUNDS A MONASTERY AT RATHMAT OR KILFURSA—A MIRACLE WROUGHT THROUGH HIS MERITS.
The acts of our saint inform us, that at a time when Finloga ruled over the kingdom of Munster, in the island of Hibemia, which adjoins Scotia^
** •' Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis An-
glorum," lib. iii. , cap. xix,
83 The vision alluded to and related by
Bede took place in England.
*s Of these Acts Colgan says : he only
restored the Irish words to their correct
forms, and changed nothing in other respects. See "Acta Sanctorum Hibemia? ," xvi.
^•* In the first chapter of his First Book, Januarii. —Vita S. Fursaei, n. i,, p. 88. '
and again in the first chapter of the Second Chap, it This countrylyingto the north Book. of England, designated more explicitly Scotia
234 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January i6.
the modem Scotland,^ the sceptre of Magmurtemmie,3 was Hkewise held by King Brendan, who was one of three brotherSj-^ the other twos being respec-
*'
tively called by the names of Feradhach and Aedfind, or
The latter, who was a younger brother to Brendan,^ is said to have been Prince of Hy-Briun or Breifne, in Connaught, and to have been ancestor of the O'Rourkes and O'Reillys. 7 This appears from the tract of St. ^ngus,^ and from the genealogies of the aforesaid families, as set down in the old Book of Lecain. 9 Fintan, the son of Finlog, was remarkable even in boyhood for many excellent qualities. When he became a young man, this prince left his native district, and repaired to Brendan, under whom he wished to serve as a warrior. Brendan graciously received him.
Finding this youth
a person of elegant exterior, and endued with such qualities of courage and eloquence,thekingconceivedgreataffectionforhim. Fintanwasconsidered only second to the dynast within his dominions. ^° These circumstances are somewhat differently related in the acts of our saint, as published by JamesDesmay. Wearetheretold,thatFintan,distinguishedashewasfor personal attractions and regular morals, while he was a subject for admiration in his youth, gave indications of future fame, when as a man he assumed his positionamongmen. Manyandrespectableopinionswereadvancedregard- inghisfutureeminence. Wearealsotoldthatthemotiveshehadinview when he had attained his twenty-fifth year, were to visit other princes and districts in Ireland, that he might thus obtain a personal knowledge of local customs, and the readiest, most useful, and best methods for administering the laws of a state. This very earnest desire obtained the consent of his father, Finloga. Fintan, it is said, was first sent to Brandubh," King of
Britannica, and called Albion or Albania this latter statement. First, the difference
by ancient writers, is separated from Ireland or Hibernia by the ocean.
*
In Colgan's time the distance between Ireland and Scotland was computed by a navigation of four or five hours' sail—of course at the points most conterminous. A reason is assigned by Colgan for supposing the author of our saint's acts flourished after the beginning of the eleventh century. Our national hagiologist remarks, that he had already sufficiently proved Albania was not called Scotia by any known author before this period.
3 Colgan says it was that part of South Ulster, which in after time had been deno- minated Machaire Orgiall, or the county of Louth, a fact well known to those skilled in Irish antiquities.
* Finloga must not be considered as one of these three brothers, their names being Brendinus or Branduohius, Aedhfind, and
Feradhach, as appears from the first and twelfth chapters in the first book relating our saint's acts.
5 These were sons to Fearghaeus, son to
Fergus, chief of Hy-Briuin in Connaught.
* He who is called in this particular in-
stance, Brendinus, Kingof Maghmurtheimne, is named Brandubh, King of Leinster, by
of the names Brendan and Brandubh. Se- condly, the distinction of their kingdoms, Brandubh, or Branduuius, being designated
King of Maghmurlhenia. Thirdly, the father of Feredach and . (Edh-finn, was Fearghaeus ; while the father of Brandubh was Eocha-
"
dius, according to the
ster Kings," and other authorities.
"
7 See Lanigan's Ecclesiastical History
of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, xvi. , sec. vii. , and n. 55, pp. 449, 451. We are told the name of this prince has been variously written by different authors. In the rythmical life of St. Foillan, he is called Aigiulphus. In a prose life of St. Foillan, he is designated Adselphius ; and in the Sygniacensian MS. published by Colgan, at the i6th of January, he is in all instances called Aedfind. In all Irish MSS. , however, the name reads Aedhfind or Aidhfinn, and the latter forms of this name are preferable for adoption, as being in all likelihood most conformable to the national formation of Irish proper names.
^ " On the Mothers of Irish Saints. " Num. 23.
9 See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber- nise," xvi. Januarii. Vita S. Furssei, n. 9, p. 89.
'° See "Acta Sanctorum Hiber- Colgan's
niae," xvi. Januarii. Vita S. Fursasi. , lib. i. , by Colgan, at the 9th of February, cap. i. , p. 75.
chap, i; Colgan remarks, that there are " In other acts of St. Fursey, he is called three arguments, which may be opposed to Brendin, King of Magh-Murthemne.
in his Life of St.
as may be seen in that version published
James Desmay,
Fursey,
King of Leinster
;
while Brendinus is called
Hugh the White. "
Catalogue of Lein-
January i6. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 235
Leinster, by whom he was honourably received, and widi every demonstration of affectionate regard. It is stated, that Fintan conducted himself in such a manner, as to acquire the friendship and love of this king, and of all his chief- tains. He'afterwards repaired to uiiidphindus," who is called the brother of KingBrandubh. This^dphindequalled,ifhedidnotsurpass,hisbrother in kindness and hospitality. At his court, Fintan acquired the esteem and
affection of all its frequenters. The young man displayed qualities of mind and person, that rendered him an object of admiration and endearment to those with whom he became acquainted. He was enabled to embrace and retain a wide circle of personal friends, because he was respectful towards all. Among the gloomy and sorrowful he was taciturn, and among the gay he was lively ; when with the old he was grave, and with the young he was sportive ; thus, towards every class he conducted himself with judgment, and a due sense of what ought to have been his proper line of conduct. '3 In the older acts of our saint the account runs, that having remained some time with Brendan, Fintan betook himself to Aedfind, the younger brother of Brendan. Aedfind lived a considerable distance from where his brother resided. Fintan received equal marks of kindness at the hands of this younger brother. Those attentions were doubtless deserved on account of his amiable personal
''^ qualities.
The date of our saint's birth, or even its exact place, cannot be ascertained
with accuracy. Saint Fursey and his brothers, Ultanus and FuUanus or Foil-
""
lanus, are unwarrantably said to have been base sonnes of a king of
Leinster, according to Hamner. 's This petty king, it is stated, by name Fintan, ruled over a territory named Fyltant, and afterwards raised himself to thethroneofMunster. ^^ Theromanceofhismarriageisrelatedintheacts of our saint. For the present, we must pass it over, and merely remark, that Gelgeis, daughter to Aedfind, was a lady remarkable for her extraordinary beauty and accomplishments. '7 For the purpose of recreation she walked to a spot where some exhibition—most probably a sportive or military game— took place. Here her attention was directed to Fintan. It is stated, that a marriage took place while Fintan was at this court of Adh-fin, but without his consent being obtained, and that the married parties, having incurred the king's displeasure, were driven out of his dominions. This may account for the rumour of our saint's illegitimacy. The account of Aedhfinn's wrath
against his daughter, as Dr. Lanigan observes, is evidently of a poetical and theatrical kind. She was to be burned to death; but she escaped this punish- ment in a wonderful manner. Then she fled with her husband to St, Brendan, and after some years she was taken again into favour by her father. This story was invented to make it appear that Fursey was baptized, educated, &c. , by St. Brendan, and that, because he studied in Inisquin, he had also been born there. '^ If we are to attach credit to the preceding account, St.
" This name has been printed Aelfind, parents ; Fintan, his father, being the son but in Irish documents he is more properly of Finloge, King of South Munster ; and
called Aedhfind, Prince of Hy-Briuin.
his mother the daughter of Adh-fin or Hugh
the White, Prince of in Con- Hy-Bryun
naught. He was baptized and educated by his uncle, St. Brendan, Abbot of Clonfert, and early embraced a religious life. " See Wills' "Lives of Illustrious and Distin-
guished Irishmen," vol. i. , part i. , p. 139. '7 The name of this saint's mother was
Gelgesia, according to Harris' Ware, vol, iii. ; "Writers of Ireland," Book i. , p. 34.
'^
See "Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, xvi. , J vii. , n, 62, pp, 453,454.
'3 See
Colgan's
" Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
nise," ix. Februarii. Desmay's Life of St.
Fursey, chap, i. , pp. 282, 283.
'* Fintan, we are told, was a person of fine natural disposition, of industrious habits, and versed in militaiy tactics. See Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum Hibernise," xvi. Januarii. Vita S. Furssei, lib. i,, cap. ii. , p. 75.
'5 See " Chronicle of Ireland," p. 152.
'*
l6th. "Fursey was of royal blood by both
Baillet's "Vies des Saints," at Jan.
236 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 16.
Fursey must have been bom before a. d. 577. ^9 This, or 576, was the year of SL Brendan's death. ^° But Furse/s birth as related, and as having occurred
at Erbsen, is not considered trustAvorthy. ^' And it is even supposed, that he
couldnothavecomeintotheAvorlduntilaftertheyearlastmentioned. The
province in which he was born is still doubtful ; however. Dr. Lanigan is
willingtoallowtheeventmayhavetakenplaceamongtheHy-Briun. " It
seems most likely, he was bom in some part of the province of Connaught.
Miracles at this time manifested the future greatness of the saint. Although
his acts tell us, that Fursey was bom, baptized,^3 and reared in the island,
and that, when he had attained a proper age, he was taken into the monastery
by St. Brendan, with whom he remained until he had built a house for himself;
yet, for various weighty reasons, this part of the narrative seems quite irre-
concilable with Saint Brendan's history. Independently of other considera-
tions, it is sufficient to show that the whole romance deserves very little
credit. ^4 Fursey applied himself to study with great perseverance. Filled
with the Divine Spirit, the boy proved to be a most diligent student. He
was found to be very amiable towards all with whom he came in contact.
Whatever he acquired, from the teaching of his sage tutors, was deeply trea-
sured in a mind of great natural powers. It likewise rested in the safe keep-
ing of a pious soul. And lest his talents might be unprofitably hidden, or
lest he might render himself useless or disobedient to the wishes of his
superiors, he endeavoured to spread a saving knowledge of the GospePs by
constant preaching, so far as his youthful zeal permitted. Fursey illustrated
his sermons by the example of good works, everywhere labouring to extirpate those weeds which might overrun the harvest of Christ. Almost beyond
human powers, he gave food to the hungry, drink to the thirsty, clothing to the naked, medicine to the sick, a home to the wanderer, joy to the sorrow- ful, refuge to the desolate, and aid to the destitute. He afforded consolation
to the truly penitent, strength to the weak, protection to the persecuted, and assistance to the needy. That his good works might be recapitulated, in a brief manner, becoming a faithful imitator of the Apostle, he was all things to all men that he might gain all to Christ.
With the advice of St. Brendan and of his monks, St. Fursey retired to a place which was near Lough Esbran, or Orbsen. ^^ There he built a
and n.
Ussher places his departure at A. D. 577.
"
208, 209. ^'
'9 See ibid. , §
vii. , p. 449,
60, pp.
and that some afterwards, through
452, 453- *°
depraved dialect, it passed into Fursa, a form of this
See Index Chronologicus,
Ecclesiarum Antiquitates," p. 532. In Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters," it is recorded at A. D. 576. See vol. i. , pp.
holy man's name.
*• See Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical His-
tory of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, xvi. , § vii. , p. 449.
Britannicarum
"s Throughout his life of our saint, Desmay has drawn on his imagination for statements, Dr. Lanigan shows other putative in- not apparently contained in the original
"
consistencies in this narrative. . See Ec- source, from which his narrative had been
clesiastical History of Ireland," vol. ii. ,
chap, xvi. , § vii. , p. 449, and n. 60, pp. 452,
453- *^
These people belonged to the family of St. Fursey's mother.
taken. Thus he tells us, that St. Brendan, like another Zacharias, predicted many and
great things regarding St. Fursey after his birth ; such as that he should be a burning and shining light in the Church ; that he should gain manysouls toChribt byhispreach-
*3 It has been said, that the name Fursey,
in the Irish or Scottish language means ing and example, and that he should open "virtue. " Colgan, however, remarks that he public schools in this world, where the could not discover such interpretation, unless love of God, and his neighbour might be through some corruption of the term. He taught.
conjectures that the etymology of the word
might have been Fearta, which has the
presented bythe present old church of Killfursa or Killursa, two mileseast of Lough Corrib. It
meaning of
"
virtues," in the Irish language ;
^Theplaceinquestion is supposed to be re-
January T 6.
the great grandfather to Fursey, by the son to Laga Laga, son of Eugene Taiglech, Cashel Calendar, already mentioned. The wlio is also called Madhnuadhat, chap,
father of our saint, as Colgan remarks, does not derive his title Locinus de Dalaradia,
from any particular family, but from that territory of Ulster, so named. Thus, he is not to be considered as coming from Fiach Aradius's race, from whom the family and territory in Ulster were known by the term Dalaradia ; but, according to authorities
xxxvii.
*' Now preserved in the library of the
Royal Irish Academy.
^ It states, that St. Fursey, the son of
Fintan, belonged to the family of Loga Laga, who was the son of Eugene Taighlech, and the brother of Ailill or Oilioll Olum, chap. i. , num. i.
^This writer tells us, that St. Fursey, who was descended from the posterity of of Dalaradia. Although Colgan considers I^erghaidh Laga, brother to Oilioll Olum,
already quoted, St. Fursey was of Mai- crosius's race, who dwelt in the same country
the authorities for our saint's Ulster descent
as sufficiently grave and respectable ; yet, there were others of no less weight and con-
sideration, referring St. Fursey's origin to Munster, and from those he does not appear
desirous of dissenting in opinion. Colgan adds, that until the truth of this matter could further be evolved from the shadows hung around it by' antiquity, he thought it necessary to admit, there must have been two saints named Fursey, one of whom belonged to Ultonia, and the other to Momonia, while I heir acts, genealogies and districts may have been confused by some writers.
**
This relates, that St. Fursaeus was the son of Fintan, son to Finnlog, son of Luochan,
died during the sovereignty of Conall Claon, and of his brother Ceallach, who began to reign about the middle of the seventh cen- tury. See Desmod O'Connor's "Keating's History of Ireland," part ii. , p. 402.
^° Thus the father of one Fursey, and grandfather of the other, will be found bear- ing the name Finnloga. In like manner, Lochan is said to have been great grandfather to the Ulster and Munster Fursey ; but, in one instance he is called " Lochanus filius
Kierii" (Procrii? ), and in the other anus filius Logae. "
"
Loch-
'' The Ulster Fursey's mother was quite a different person. This Fursey, belonging to the family of Loga Leathan-glais or of Mai-
January i6. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 231
But she was most certainly mother to the Munster Fursey, Abbot of Perrone,
as nearly all authors relate, when expressing the names of his parents. Another difficulty presents itself in the fact, that it is stated a feast of St. Fursey occurred on the i6th of January, in the Ulster territory of Maghmur- themne. Thisday,althoughnotthenatalisofSt. FurseyofPerrone,never- theless was one of his most noted festivals. Its celebration in Ulster might be the cause of having his family assigned to that province, he being con- founded with some native saint Fursey. But the principal argument favour- ing the distinction of both individuals will be found, not only in the account that their respective fathers, mothers, and brothers were different, but that they flourished at different periods. While in a previous note, the name and genealogy of the Ulster Fursey's mother and her children have been given, it will be found, that the Momonian, or Perronean Fursey's mother is differently stated to have been Gelgesia, daughter to ^dhfinn, Prince of Hy- Brian, and of the Conacian race of kings. In like manner, the brothers of this latter Fursey are named St. Foillan and St. Ultan, according to all autho- rities. ? ^ The Ulster Fursey, moreover, must have flourished in the fifth, or about the commencement of the sixth century, as his brothers, St. Mochay and St. Macerius were disciples of St. Patrick -p while all authorities agree, that St. FurseyofMunster,orofPerrone,livedintheseventhcentury. Colganalso says he held in possession a metrical fragment of very great antiquity, and deserving of credit, in which it was related that St. Fursey of Perrone had Gelgesia for his mother. 74 We find entered on this day, in the Martyrology of Donegal,7s Fursa, abbot. He—descended from the Conaille Muirtheimhne,
as in this quatrain we are told
:
" The father of Fursa, a pure true saying.
Was Lochin of Dal-Araidhe.
The mother of this son
Was Gelgeis, daughter of the King of Connacht. "
This means that she was daughter to Guaire Aidhne, or Gelghis, daughter of Aedh Finn, according to another book, called the Martyrology of Tam-
crocius, had for his mother Bronachia, feast of St. Macerius or Mac Earca is placed
daughter to Milcho, a chieftain of Dalaradia, in Ulster, to whom St. Patrick had been a
slave in his youth. According to St. ^ngus the Culdee, he was brother to various saints,
by Rev. Dr. Reeves at the 6th of July. See
" Ecclesiastical Antiquities of Down, Connor
and Dromore," p. 379.
? * In connection with such statement,
as we find in
that Brona-
" aliam adhuc Additque
Colgan's quotation,
cia, the daughter of Milchon, with whom St.
Colgan subjoins:
horum fratrem, nempe S. Manchenum Liathensem, et omnes dixit esse de stirpe Loghse haerois ad quem nempe supra re- tulimus genealogiam S. Furssei. " As I understand the foregoing passage, the St. Manchan of Leith here spoken of, is made according to the fragment in question, brother to vSaints Fursey, Foillan and Ultan; and while here he is said to have been of Laga's race, he is also called elsewhere son
Patrick had served as a slave, was the mother
of St. Mochay of Nendrum, in Loch Cuan ;
ef St. Colman Cameraren, near the moun-
tain of Usnech ; of St. Columban Merlinn,
of Doire Chaochain in Dalriada ; of St.
Macredius, Bishop of Domnach Mor maig
Cobha; of St. Dimna or Danate, of Mount
Betha ; and of St. Fursey, the Devout, is
added,ofPerrone. ButColganthinksthese
latter words had been inserted by some of Doga, by Colgan. See "Acta Sane-
ignorant amanuensis, as the same authority states (num. 23), that the mother to St.
Fursey of Perrone was Gelgesia.
7^ For these statements, Colgan refers
torum Hibernise," xiv. Februarii. Vita S.
Manchani, n. 6, p. 333. This may be noted in his acts, afterwards occurring at the 24th of Januaiy. See, also, in connection with
principally to vEngus the Culdee's work, on both Furseys mentioned in the text, Dr.
" The Mothers of the Irish Saints. " Lanigan's observations in his " Ecclesiastical
73 Colgan quotes lib. i. and ii. of St. History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, xvi. , § Patrick's Irish Life for a confirmation of vii. , n. 54, pp. 450, 451.
this statement. The Life of St. Mochay 75 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. will be found at the 23rd of June. The 18, 19.
iS2 LtVES OF THE IRISH SAlNTS. [January i6.
lacht. ? *^ It is therefore likely that this Fursa belonged to the race or house of Fiacha Araidhe, from whom are descended the Dal-Araidhe. These were of the race of Iriel, son of Conall Cearnach. According to the Sacred Genealogies,77 he is not sprung from the race of Fiacha, but rather from the race of Maelcroich, son to Rudhraighe.
Whilst entering upon the subject of this saint's acts, it will be necessary
to premise, that the Latin life, published by Colgan, at the i6th of January, has been mainly followed in our text, and referred to in the notes ; but, at
the same time, its agreement or disagreement with the supposed original used by Bede, and published by the Bollandists, together with the more recent life byDesmay,willbeshowninvariouscommentsappended. Intheprologue to the first book of this life, we learn, or rather infer, that it had been under- taken at the request of some religious superior, to whose virtues and dignity obedience was due by the writer. This author considers himself unsuited for
the toil of penetrating into a tangled wood, or for exploring its recesses, when he reflected interiorly on his ovm literary deficiency. Indulging in a meta-
phorical compliment of nearly similar character, the obedient scribe gives us
to understand that he had been requested to ^vrite in simpler style the holy
confessor's life and miracles out of records drawn from various places, and
collected by his patron's zeal and industry. He intimates that a collection of
various records and their embodiment into a simple biographical treatise would
be required, and that during such process he should be obliged to correct with
critical accuracy several errors of previous scribes, restoring apparent philo-
logical dissonance of divers languages, while preserving the -wTitefs meaning. ? ^
Although conscious of a labour disproportioned to his ability being imposed,
the author assumes his task, trusting that Divine grace might supply his
intellectual deficiencies, and that the Holy Spirit would inspire him to celebrate
the Almighty's praises. With the assistance of his patron's prayers, he also trusted in the merits and intercession of the holy subject selected for his
biography. 79 The copy of St. Furse/s Life, published by Colgan, at the i6th of January, was taken from a vellum manuscript belonging to a Cistercian monastery^" in France. This monastery was situated within the diocese of the Rheims. Two other manuscripts, similar in style and tenor, were used for purpose of collation, one of them having been obtained from a collection in the Cistercian monastery (Longipontentis), diocese of Soissons, and the other having been published by Belfortius. ^' From a collation of those several MSS. , it would be readily observable how frequently copyists and scribes were apt to vitiate unauthorizedly ancient records, even if this were not a matter otherwise well knowTi to antiquarian philologists.
The writer of those acts in question was not that early author of our saint's biography, who flourished befoje Bede's time, as this latter states, and
"
Tamlacht. "This is not found in the '* Colgan remarks, that the author of St.
Brussels copy of the Mart. Taml. , the only Fursey's Acts, seems to intimate that he
"
one now known. Yet the Franciscan copy saw the original and ancient life of this
'^Ina note Dr, Todd says at this word Scantilog Geneal.
is now known to exist.
? 7 In a note Dr. Todd says at this word
"Genealogies:" "This is the book frequently quoted by Colgan, under the title of Sancti-
logium Genealogicum. Copies of it are ex- tant in the Book of Lecan, Book of Leinster, and other MSS. A more recent hand has written at the end of this paragraph, *Duo sunt Furssei in Hagiogenesi ;' meaning by ffagivgenesis, what Colgan has termed the
saint, mentioned by Bede, and to which allusion has been already made ; and that there were some Irish and Saxon proper names, at least, not written in a like manner by the various writers, which it was found were not sufficiently corrected by him, who had undertaken this task of revision,
? ' See Prologus in lib. 1. , p. 75' ^°
Cygniacensis.
^'Tomusii. , p. 6o8, in his supplement.
January i6. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS, i^i,
shortly after the death of Fursey himself. ^^ This is sufficiently evident from
a prologue to the second book, in which the author states that his work was
compiled ^rom four manuscripts, one of which was very much damaged owing to age, and the carelessness of a scribe.
In commenting on this preface, Colgan observes in his notes thereto, that from the former prologue, in which the writer says he derived his account of
St! Furse/s death, translation, and miracles, from four different MSS. , it might reasonably be inferred that one of these manuscripts had belonged to Perrone monastery, where most of the events therein narrated took place. A second
manuscript had been obtained from Lagny, a third from Cnobersburg, in Eng- land, a fourth being received from Ireland, where those actions narrated in the first book had for the most part occurred. ^3
That the compiler lived long after the time of the Venerable Bede is further apparent from his prologue to the third book. This latter consisted only of matter drawn from Bede's History, where he treats of St. Fursey. Likewise, the writer remarks, that Ireland was a country distinct from Scotia or Scotland. ^-* He says that a British province bore the name of Normandy in his time. Now, although the Normans, about the year 906, occupied that part of British Armonica, known to the ancients as Newstria, and at present called Normandy, and even although the Scots had long before in- habited the north part of Britain, which is now denominated Scotland ; it is certain, that the names of Normandy and Scotland had not been applied to these respective countries, by any writer who flourished before the commence- ment, or perhaps rather before the close, of the eleventh century. Except some errors in noting Irish names and places, it is thought by Colgan that the narrative must have been drawn from that ancient life to which Bede refers. This he endeavours to prove by alleging three reasons. First, he appears to give in detail, what Bede wholly omits or greatly abbreviates, viz. : the celebrated vision of Fursey, with full descriptive particulars. Secondly, it has been remarked, that in this life we have no account of St. Fursey's miracles after his translation, which took place the year succeeding his death. Thirdly, and more especially, because the writer, in the twenty- first chapter of the first book seems a mere copyist of words used by the oldauthorofSt. Fursey'sActs. Notevendoeshespeakinthethirdperson, as it would seem he ought, when treating about a transaction occurring some centuries before his time. ^s
CHAPTER XL
SOME PARTICULARS RELATING TO ST. FURSEY's ANCESTRY—HE IS SAID TO HAVE BEEN BORN ON THE ISLAND OF INISQUIN—IT IS STATED HE WAS THERE BAPTIZED AND EDUCATED BY ST. BRENDAN OF CLONFERT—ST. FURSEY'S GREAT VIRTUES— HE FOUNDS A MONASTERY AT RATHMAT OR KILFURSA—A MIRACLE WROUGHT THROUGH HIS MERITS.
The acts of our saint inform us, that at a time when Finloga ruled over the kingdom of Munster, in the island of Hibemia, which adjoins Scotia^
** •' Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis An-
glorum," lib. iii. , cap. xix,
83 The vision alluded to and related by
Bede took place in England.
*s Of these Acts Colgan says : he only
restored the Irish words to their correct
forms, and changed nothing in other respects. See "Acta Sanctorum Hibemia? ," xvi.
^•* In the first chapter of his First Book, Januarii. —Vita S. Fursaei, n. i,, p. 88. '
and again in the first chapter of the Second Chap, it This countrylyingto the north Book. of England, designated more explicitly Scotia
234 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January i6.
the modem Scotland,^ the sceptre of Magmurtemmie,3 was Hkewise held by King Brendan, who was one of three brotherSj-^ the other twos being respec-
*'
tively called by the names of Feradhach and Aedfind, or
The latter, who was a younger brother to Brendan,^ is said to have been Prince of Hy-Briun or Breifne, in Connaught, and to have been ancestor of the O'Rourkes and O'Reillys. 7 This appears from the tract of St. ^ngus,^ and from the genealogies of the aforesaid families, as set down in the old Book of Lecain. 9 Fintan, the son of Finlog, was remarkable even in boyhood for many excellent qualities. When he became a young man, this prince left his native district, and repaired to Brendan, under whom he wished to serve as a warrior. Brendan graciously received him.
Finding this youth
a person of elegant exterior, and endued with such qualities of courage and eloquence,thekingconceivedgreataffectionforhim. Fintanwasconsidered only second to the dynast within his dominions. ^° These circumstances are somewhat differently related in the acts of our saint, as published by JamesDesmay. Wearetheretold,thatFintan,distinguishedashewasfor personal attractions and regular morals, while he was a subject for admiration in his youth, gave indications of future fame, when as a man he assumed his positionamongmen. Manyandrespectableopinionswereadvancedregard- inghisfutureeminence. Wearealsotoldthatthemotiveshehadinview when he had attained his twenty-fifth year, were to visit other princes and districts in Ireland, that he might thus obtain a personal knowledge of local customs, and the readiest, most useful, and best methods for administering the laws of a state. This very earnest desire obtained the consent of his father, Finloga. Fintan, it is said, was first sent to Brandubh," King of
Britannica, and called Albion or Albania this latter statement. First, the difference
by ancient writers, is separated from Ireland or Hibernia by the ocean.
*
In Colgan's time the distance between Ireland and Scotland was computed by a navigation of four or five hours' sail—of course at the points most conterminous. A reason is assigned by Colgan for supposing the author of our saint's acts flourished after the beginning of the eleventh century. Our national hagiologist remarks, that he had already sufficiently proved Albania was not called Scotia by any known author before this period.
3 Colgan says it was that part of South Ulster, which in after time had been deno- minated Machaire Orgiall, or the county of Louth, a fact well known to those skilled in Irish antiquities.
* Finloga must not be considered as one of these three brothers, their names being Brendinus or Branduohius, Aedhfind, and
Feradhach, as appears from the first and twelfth chapters in the first book relating our saint's acts.
5 These were sons to Fearghaeus, son to
Fergus, chief of Hy-Briuin in Connaught.
* He who is called in this particular in-
stance, Brendinus, Kingof Maghmurtheimne, is named Brandubh, King of Leinster, by
of the names Brendan and Brandubh. Se- condly, the distinction of their kingdoms, Brandubh, or Branduuius, being designated
King of Maghmurlhenia. Thirdly, the father of Feredach and . (Edh-finn, was Fearghaeus ; while the father of Brandubh was Eocha-
"
dius, according to the
ster Kings," and other authorities.
"
7 See Lanigan's Ecclesiastical History
of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, xvi. , sec. vii. , and n. 55, pp. 449, 451. We are told the name of this prince has been variously written by different authors. In the rythmical life of St. Foillan, he is called Aigiulphus. In a prose life of St. Foillan, he is designated Adselphius ; and in the Sygniacensian MS. published by Colgan, at the i6th of January, he is in all instances called Aedfind. In all Irish MSS. , however, the name reads Aedhfind or Aidhfinn, and the latter forms of this name are preferable for adoption, as being in all likelihood most conformable to the national formation of Irish proper names.
^ " On the Mothers of Irish Saints. " Num. 23.
9 See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber- nise," xvi. Januarii. Vita S. Furssei, n. 9, p. 89.
'° See "Acta Sanctorum Hiber- Colgan's
niae," xvi. Januarii. Vita S. Fursasi. , lib. i. , by Colgan, at the 9th of February, cap. i. , p. 75.
chap, i; Colgan remarks, that there are " In other acts of St. Fursey, he is called three arguments, which may be opposed to Brendin, King of Magh-Murthemne.
in his Life of St.
as may be seen in that version published
James Desmay,
Fursey,
King of Leinster
;
while Brendinus is called
Hugh the White. "
Catalogue of Lein-
January i6. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 235
Leinster, by whom he was honourably received, and widi every demonstration of affectionate regard. It is stated, that Fintan conducted himself in such a manner, as to acquire the friendship and love of this king, and of all his chief- tains. He'afterwards repaired to uiiidphindus," who is called the brother of KingBrandubh. This^dphindequalled,ifhedidnotsurpass,hisbrother in kindness and hospitality. At his court, Fintan acquired the esteem and
affection of all its frequenters. The young man displayed qualities of mind and person, that rendered him an object of admiration and endearment to those with whom he became acquainted. He was enabled to embrace and retain a wide circle of personal friends, because he was respectful towards all. Among the gloomy and sorrowful he was taciturn, and among the gay he was lively ; when with the old he was grave, and with the young he was sportive ; thus, towards every class he conducted himself with judgment, and a due sense of what ought to have been his proper line of conduct. '3 In the older acts of our saint the account runs, that having remained some time with Brendan, Fintan betook himself to Aedfind, the younger brother of Brendan. Aedfind lived a considerable distance from where his brother resided. Fintan received equal marks of kindness at the hands of this younger brother. Those attentions were doubtless deserved on account of his amiable personal
''^ qualities.
The date of our saint's birth, or even its exact place, cannot be ascertained
with accuracy. Saint Fursey and his brothers, Ultanus and FuUanus or Foil-
""
lanus, are unwarrantably said to have been base sonnes of a king of
Leinster, according to Hamner. 's This petty king, it is stated, by name Fintan, ruled over a territory named Fyltant, and afterwards raised himself to thethroneofMunster. ^^ Theromanceofhismarriageisrelatedintheacts of our saint. For the present, we must pass it over, and merely remark, that Gelgeis, daughter to Aedfind, was a lady remarkable for her extraordinary beauty and accomplishments. '7 For the purpose of recreation she walked to a spot where some exhibition—most probably a sportive or military game— took place. Here her attention was directed to Fintan. It is stated, that a marriage took place while Fintan was at this court of Adh-fin, but without his consent being obtained, and that the married parties, having incurred the king's displeasure, were driven out of his dominions. This may account for the rumour of our saint's illegitimacy. The account of Aedhfinn's wrath
against his daughter, as Dr. Lanigan observes, is evidently of a poetical and theatrical kind. She was to be burned to death; but she escaped this punish- ment in a wonderful manner. Then she fled with her husband to St, Brendan, and after some years she was taken again into favour by her father. This story was invented to make it appear that Fursey was baptized, educated, &c. , by St. Brendan, and that, because he studied in Inisquin, he had also been born there. '^ If we are to attach credit to the preceding account, St.
" This name has been printed Aelfind, parents ; Fintan, his father, being the son but in Irish documents he is more properly of Finloge, King of South Munster ; and
called Aedhfind, Prince of Hy-Briuin.
his mother the daughter of Adh-fin or Hugh
the White, Prince of in Con- Hy-Bryun
naught. He was baptized and educated by his uncle, St. Brendan, Abbot of Clonfert, and early embraced a religious life. " See Wills' "Lives of Illustrious and Distin-
guished Irishmen," vol. i. , part i. , p. 139. '7 The name of this saint's mother was
Gelgesia, according to Harris' Ware, vol, iii. ; "Writers of Ireland," Book i. , p. 34.
'^
See "Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, xvi. , J vii. , n, 62, pp, 453,454.
'3 See
Colgan's
" Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
nise," ix. Februarii. Desmay's Life of St.
Fursey, chap, i. , pp. 282, 283.
'* Fintan, we are told, was a person of fine natural disposition, of industrious habits, and versed in militaiy tactics. See Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum Hibernise," xvi. Januarii. Vita S. Furssei, lib. i,, cap. ii. , p. 75.
'5 See " Chronicle of Ireland," p. 152.
'*
l6th. "Fursey was of royal blood by both
Baillet's "Vies des Saints," at Jan.
236 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 16.
Fursey must have been bom before a. d. 577. ^9 This, or 576, was the year of SL Brendan's death. ^° But Furse/s birth as related, and as having occurred
at Erbsen, is not considered trustAvorthy. ^' And it is even supposed, that he
couldnothavecomeintotheAvorlduntilaftertheyearlastmentioned. The
province in which he was born is still doubtful ; however. Dr. Lanigan is
willingtoallowtheeventmayhavetakenplaceamongtheHy-Briun. " It
seems most likely, he was bom in some part of the province of Connaught.
Miracles at this time manifested the future greatness of the saint. Although
his acts tell us, that Fursey was bom, baptized,^3 and reared in the island,
and that, when he had attained a proper age, he was taken into the monastery
by St. Brendan, with whom he remained until he had built a house for himself;
yet, for various weighty reasons, this part of the narrative seems quite irre-
concilable with Saint Brendan's history. Independently of other considera-
tions, it is sufficient to show that the whole romance deserves very little
credit. ^4 Fursey applied himself to study with great perseverance. Filled
with the Divine Spirit, the boy proved to be a most diligent student. He
was found to be very amiable towards all with whom he came in contact.
Whatever he acquired, from the teaching of his sage tutors, was deeply trea-
sured in a mind of great natural powers. It likewise rested in the safe keep-
ing of a pious soul. And lest his talents might be unprofitably hidden, or
lest he might render himself useless or disobedient to the wishes of his
superiors, he endeavoured to spread a saving knowledge of the GospePs by
constant preaching, so far as his youthful zeal permitted. Fursey illustrated
his sermons by the example of good works, everywhere labouring to extirpate those weeds which might overrun the harvest of Christ. Almost beyond
human powers, he gave food to the hungry, drink to the thirsty, clothing to the naked, medicine to the sick, a home to the wanderer, joy to the sorrow- ful, refuge to the desolate, and aid to the destitute. He afforded consolation
to the truly penitent, strength to the weak, protection to the persecuted, and assistance to the needy. That his good works might be recapitulated, in a brief manner, becoming a faithful imitator of the Apostle, he was all things to all men that he might gain all to Christ.
With the advice of St. Brendan and of his monks, St. Fursey retired to a place which was near Lough Esbran, or Orbsen. ^^ There he built a
and n.
Ussher places his departure at A. D. 577.
"
208, 209. ^'
'9 See ibid. , §
vii. , p. 449,
60, pp.
and that some afterwards, through
452, 453- *°
depraved dialect, it passed into Fursa, a form of this
See Index Chronologicus,
Ecclesiarum Antiquitates," p. 532. In Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters," it is recorded at A. D. 576. See vol. i. , pp.
holy man's name.
*• See Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical His-
tory of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, xvi. , § vii. , p. 449.
Britannicarum
"s Throughout his life of our saint, Desmay has drawn on his imagination for statements, Dr. Lanigan shows other putative in- not apparently contained in the original
"
consistencies in this narrative. . See Ec- source, from which his narrative had been
clesiastical History of Ireland," vol. ii. ,
chap, xvi. , § vii. , p. 449, and n. 60, pp. 452,
453- *^
These people belonged to the family of St. Fursey's mother.
taken. Thus he tells us, that St. Brendan, like another Zacharias, predicted many and
great things regarding St. Fursey after his birth ; such as that he should be a burning and shining light in the Church ; that he should gain manysouls toChribt byhispreach-
*3 It has been said, that the name Fursey,
in the Irish or Scottish language means ing and example, and that he should open "virtue. " Colgan, however, remarks that he public schools in this world, where the could not discover such interpretation, unless love of God, and his neighbour might be through some corruption of the term. He taught.
conjectures that the etymology of the word
might have been Fearta, which has the
presented bythe present old church of Killfursa or Killursa, two mileseast of Lough Corrib. It
meaning of
"
virtues," in the Irish language ;
^Theplaceinquestion is supposed to be re-
January T 6.
