^ It seems
possible
enough, that the present pious servant of God had been an Irish-Scot.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v2
i.
, chap, vi.
, sect, iii.
, n.
21, p.
267.
'S See " Acta Sanctorum HibeniiDS," Feb- ruarii xx. Vita S. Olcani seu Bolcani, cap.
history in his
"
Ecclesiastical Antiquities of
Down, Connor and Dromore," Appezidix
F. F. , pp. 318 to 334. "^
^5 Olc enim Hibernice idem quod malum
velmiserum," is remarked, in St. Patrick's
" ii. , chap, cxxxvi. In Tripartite Life, Book
^^ _ "
See Dr. Lanigan's Ecclesiastical His-
tory of Ireland," vol. i,, chap, vii. , sect.
vi. , n. 56, p. 344. "
^7 See Colgan's Trias Thaumaturga,"
Quinta Appendix ad Acta S. Patricii, cap.
iv. , p. 375.
Irish-English Dictionary," Olc
tory of Ireland," vol. i. , chap, vii. , sect, vi. , p. 341-
-7 St. Patrick also predicted, that although
the youngest and least provided for among his brothers, his posterity should dominate ill the principality of Dalrieda. This pro-
phecy was accomplished, when Edan, son of Gabhran, ruled in Alba or Scotland.
O'Reiily's
is rendered "harm," "damage," "evil," stib. voce.
^
date, for some particulars regarding him.
^^ According to Tirechan's Life of St.
Patrick, quoted by Ussher.
celyn. See Colgan's
Sexta Vita S. Patricii, cap. Ixxxvi,, p. 85.
-'^
"
See Dr. Lanigan's Ecclesiastical His-
Trias Thaumaturga. "
646 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February 20.
chosen to preside over this new field of labour. It is thought, Ussher's date for Olcan's supposed episcopacy can hardly be reconciled with the year, assigned for the saint's birth. Although, St. Olcan was not a bishop, in St. Patrick's lifetime, in the opinion of Dr. Lanigan f^ yet, in all probability, he was one about the year 480. ^9 This is inferred from the statement, that Aengus Macnisse, the first bishop of Connor, 3° who died, at the latest, in 514, had been a scholar of his son. One of the most distinguished educational institutions, in the more northern parts of Ireland, seems to have been the school of St. Olcan, at Derkan. s"^ This is thought to have been the district, whichlayaboutArmoy. 32 Colganthinks,33thatDerconwasidenticalwith Connor, by a transposition of the syllables ; for Derechon, or more properly Dorechon, is rendered, by an ancient commentator, into Chonderib or Connor, where formerly there was an oak wood, which abounded with wild dogs and wolves. 34 Here, we are informed, that St. Olcan was raised to the episcopal rank. His See was in that part of the present county of Antrim anciently named Dalrieda, and it is now called by some Derkan or Derkon. 35
Byothersit is named,Rathmagia,orRathmuighe,orAirthirmuighe,36sub-
sequently known as Athermoy. 37 This is thought to have been the chief
town of not far from " Dunluce's castle-walls. '''35 These are Dalrieda,33 high
picturesquely perched on steep rocks,4° immediately over the northern sea. ^^ Colgan conjectures, that Derkan was the name of the district, in which the
town Rathmuighe was situated. ^^ Following Jocelin, Ussher calls it Derkan, and, he says, that the name still remains, in a part of the Routs (Dalrieda) called Clon-Derkan. 43 It is related, furthermore, that during the adminis- tration of our saint, one Saran,44 a wicked tyrant, overran the territory of
Dalrieda,45 and that he took many of its people captives. This chief had
=^
See "Ecclesiastical History of Ire-
waskeptupinearlyAnglo-Normanrecords; thus, the Computus of Twescard has Erther-
land," vol. i. , chap, viii. , sect, ix. , p. 403.
="9 Ussher seems to at A. D. 474. See his cus," at that year.
his
place promotion, moy
the of William Inquisition post-mark
30 The parish of Connor, in the barony of Lower Antrim, is defined on the " Ordnance
Survey Townland Maps for the County of Antrim," Sheets 37, 38, 43, 44. The town- land is on Sheets 38, 44, and the town itself on Sheet 38.
3- See Rev. William Reeves' " Ecclesias-
tical Antiquities of Down, Connor and Dro-
3' See Dr.
tory of Ireland," vol. i. , chap, viii. , sect. ix. , p. 403.
Lanigan's
more," Appendix T. , p. 244.
3J See " Acta Sanctorum
lliberniae,"
xx.
Februarii. Vita S. Olcani, sen Bolcani, n.
9> P- 377'
34 Sec Rev, William Reeves' " Ecclesias-
"
Index Chronologi-
;
de Burgo specifies the Avatermill of Ather- moy, and the lands of Erthermoy. "—Rev. William Reeves' " Ecclesiastical Antiquities of Down, Connor and Dromore," n. (t), p. 80. None of the foregoing denominations appear on the Ordnance Survey Maps,
^s j^ee Seward's "Topographical Die- tionary of Ireland," at Rathmuighe.
39 See Clarence " Poems. " James Mangan's
Lament for the Princes of Tyrone and Tyr- connell, p. 386. Mitchel's edition.
•o ^ y^j-y exquisite steel engraving of this
scene, with accompanying descriptive letter-
press, will be found in W. B. Bartlctt's
" and of vol. Scenery Antiquities Ireland,"
i. , pp. 48 to 53.
"*' The parish of Dunluce, in the
*' Ecclesiastical His-
barony of Lower Dunluce, is shown on the " Ord- tical Antiquities of Down, Connor and Dro- nance Survey Townland Maps for the
more," n. (f), p. 85.
35 This denomination seems to have disap-
peared from the Ordnance Survey Maps.
3^ See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga. "
"
County of Antrim, Sheets 2, 3, 6, 7, 1 1,
12. The townland proper is to be traced on Sheets 2, 6.
^^ See " Trias Thaumaturga. " Sexta Vita Septima Vita S. Patricii, lib. ii,, cap. S. Patricii, n. 143, p. 114.
cxxviii. , p. 146.
3' " The Four Masters, at the years II77
and 1247, make mention of this place, ac- cording to the original form of tlie name, as
Ai|\te]\ triAige ('eastern plain') in "OaI- ]\iAX)x\. Which mode of writing the name
« See Archbishop Ussher's "Works," vol. vi. " Britannicarum Ecclesiarum Antiqui-
tates," cap. xvii. , p. 518.
» He must have llourished towards the
close of the fifth century, yet we miss his name in our Annals.
February 20. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 647
even insulted and used violence towards the Irish Apostle, and had incurred
his malediction. He would seem to have been a Pagan, at the time. Olcan
methimwiththecaptives. Theselatterearnestlybesoughthisfriendlyoffices.
The Pagan asked Olcan to baptize him, although he seemed to want the
requisite dispositions ; and, to save the captives from a threatened massacre,
itissaid,Olcancompliedwithhisrequest. Thisreadycompliancedispleased St. Patrick when he heard of it, and he greatly reproved St. Olcan. The Irish
Apostle even declared, that for his so speedily baptizing an irreligious tyrant, without sufficient repentance, Olcan's church should be polluted by the shed- ding of human blood within it, that it should be shorn of its honours, and should be subjected three different times to destruction. This prophecy was consummated, when Scandal,'^^ King of Dalaradia, sacked it, and Cucua-
Armoy Round Tower and Church, County of Antrim.
ran47 again repeated such an outrage, while Eochaidh,^^ the son of Bressal, burned it. The foundation of Armoy church—the modern designation—is
placed by Archbishop Ussher at a. d. 474. '»9 The present parish church, which was built in 1820, stands upon the foundations of the old one, except
45 This territory was so called, because it
specially belonged to the posterity of Fiacli Araidhe, a King of Ulster, who reigned ten years in Eamania, and who flourished about A. D. 236. It lay to the south of Dalriada. On the east and west, the boundaries be- tween both territories were indistinct, while in the middle they were marked by the River Ravel, formerly considered the divi- ding line. A branch of this, formerly called the Dungonnell River, bounds the barony of Kilconway, in Dalriada, and the barony of Lower Antrim, in Dalaradia. Towards the close of the sixteenth century, this large territory had been included in two divisions,
Upper or South Clandeboy, and Lower or North Clandeboy. Their Tuoghs or Cine-
ments, sub-divisions, were very numerous, as may be seen by consulting the Rev. William Reeves' "Ecclesiastical Antiqui- ties of Down, Connor and Dromore," Ap- pendix GG, pp. 334 to 348. This territory
"
Descendants," and ^^vAi-oe, the name of its former potentate.
''^ He seems to have flourished, about the beginning of the seventh century, as his son Maolcaoich died A. D. 665.
47 He was King of Cruithne and Uladh, and he was slain a. d. 706.
4^ He was Lord of North Dalaradia, and he was slain by his own people A. D. 822.
49 See Index Chronologicus, a. d. ccccLXXiv. "Britannicarum Ecclesiarum
Antiquitates," pp. 522, 523.
is so called from "OaI,
648 LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [February20.
at the east end, where it is 23^ feet shorter. s° At the distance of 28 feet from the N. W. angle are the remains of a Round Tower, 35 feet high, and 47 ^^ feet in circumference. The doorway, which is six feet high, and on the south side, is semi-circular-headed, and the arch, which is ornamented with an architrave in good relief, is hollowed from the single stone which serves as thelintel. 5^ Thetimeofourholybishop'sdeathdoesnotappearinourAnnals, but he probably lived into the sixth century. In the Martyrology of Tallagh,5' he is set down as Olcan, Bishop, at the present date. His festival, in like manner, is noted by Marianus O'Gorman. The Martyrology of Donegal 53 this day alsoregistersBolcan,Bishop. InaCalendar,compiledbytheRev. William Reeves, he is furthermore described, as being bishop of Airther Muighe, now Armoy. 54 Oursaintseemstohavebeenespeciallydistinguished,byagood-
ness of heart, and by a great simplicity of character. ss
Article III. —Reputed Feast of St. Cogan, or Congan, Abbot.
\Prohably in the Sixth Century?
^ It seems possible enough, that the present pious servant of God had been an Irish-Scot. St. Cogan, Abbot, and vene- ratedonthisday,issaidtohavebeenabrotherofSt. Kentigern. ^ Atthe 7th day of January, according to Camerarius,^ he is commemorated in the Breviary of Aberdeen, and in the Life of St. Kentigern. 3 The Bollandists,4 who have a short notice of St. Congan, state, that this latter authority makes him descend from a royal race of Leinstcr in Ireland, and that his feast be- longs to the 13th of October.
Article IV. —St. Cronan. The name, Cronan, is the only mention
made of him in the Martyrologies of Tallagh,^ and of Marianus O'Gorman, atthe20thofFebruary. TherewasaSt. Cronan,thesonofyEngus,sonto Cormac, son of Senach, son to David, son of Fiachrach. ^ He belonged to the race of Hy-Fiachrach. His feast is thought to have been either on the 20th of February, or on the 19th of October. 3 Besides, in the Martyrology of Donegal,-* this day we find mentioned, a saint named Crondn, and the O'Clerys give the previous pedigree, without being certain, however, that it applies to the present saint. The Bollandists notice him, at the 20th of
February.
5
5° It measures 50 by 27 feet in breadth ; so that 73^ feet in length, and 27 feet in breadth may be regarded as the ancient dimensions.
"iKalendars of Scottish Saints," p. 235. Further notices of St. Kentigern will be found at the I3tli of January, and at the 13th of November.
^ He ** De Sacramento quotes Groppecus,
Altaris," p. 460, Gennadius, Gesnerus, Sim- lerus, Antonius Nebrissensis, with others, for his statements.
sione," lib. i. , pars, ii. , cap. iii. , § 2.
^ gee "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , Februarii xx. Among the pretermitted
s'
See the
Rev. William Reeves' "Eccle-
siastical Antiquities of Down, Connor and
Dromore," p. 80. Also Appendix T, pp.
243 to 245. The accompanying illustration
was drawn on the wood by WilUam F.
Wakeman, from a photograph, and it was ac novce Ecclesix, et Infidelium Conver-
engraved by Mrs. Millard. Internally, the Round Tower is about 9 or 10 feet below the
outside surface of the graveyard. 52EditedbyRev. Dr. Kelly,p. xvi.
53 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
54, 55. -
54 See "Ecclesiastical Antiquities of
Down, Connor and Dromore," Appendix LL, p. 376.
**
saints,p,170. — Article iv.
*
Rev. Dr.
55 See Colgan's nisc," XX. Februarii.
See Colgan's Colmani, cap. ii. , p. 248.
Acta Sanctorum Hiber- Vita S. Olcani, seu Bolcani, Episcopi et Confessoris, cap. vii. ,
.
• Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
p. 376, and n. 23, p. 378.
54, 55.
s See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. ,
^
Article hi. — See Bishop Forbes' Februarii xx. Among the pretermitted
**
3 See De Statu Hominis, veteris simul
Edited
Tlie Menologic Genealogy," cap. ix.
Kelly, p. xvi. *"
" nice," iii. Februarii.
3
Acta Sanctorum
by
Hiber-
Appendix ad Acta S.
February 20. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 649
ArticleV. —St. GaiusandThirtyCompanions,Martyrs. Inthe " Feilire " of St. ^ngus, at the 20th of February, we have the following
: entry,^ in reference to these heroic Martyrs of the early Cliristian Church —
^ccfAT) 111 celA|\ ;
1m rloclic feci oo^a^a,
Gaius,^ the bishop,
"Who was crucified, I conceal not, With the slaughter—a sad story— Of thirty praiseworthy champions.
Article VI. —Reputed Festival of Caius Ctelius Sedulius. St. Cselius Sedulius, a bishop who was so called owing to his love of God, has a festival assigned to him on this day by Camerarius. ^ Others place his day at the 13th of June. By Colgan, he is styled the Venerable, as the Bollan- dists take care to remark. ^ It is said, a festival in honour of the Venerable Caius Cajlius SeduHus was held, on the 20th of February. 3 Our notices of this celebrated man will be found, at the 12th of this month.
Article VII. —Reputed Festival of the Translation of St. Pan- taleon's Head, at Cologne. In the Scottish or Irish Monastery, at Cologne, was held on the 20th of February, a festival in honour of the translation thereto of the head of St. Pantaleon,^ which had been brought by Henricus de Vlmine, a soldier, according to Dempster. ^ Yet, the Bollandists notice some errors, in his statements, and referring to this reputed festival. 3
Article VIII. —St. Colga, or Colcho, Surnamed the Wise, Lector
OF Clonmacnoise, King's County. [Eighth Cmlury. ] Improvement in
religious life and training depends much on the frequent presence of holy
bishops and pastors, in the schools and religious institutes, under their im- mediate care. This ensures educational efficiency, and blesses the house of
education, even when the faith of pupils is in no way perilled. His frequent presence impresses, not alone on youth, but even on their parents, the im- portance of that business in which they are engaged. To this, the purity and innocence of children are mainly to be attributed, while such religious teach- ingandexampleexercisebeneficialinfluencesduringafterlife/ Atthe20th
of February, Colgan has illustrated such particulars as are known, regarding the present holy man. ^ These he has drawn from various sources. The
Bollandists have simply a brief notice, in which they state, that only in the
saints, p. 170. —
Article v. ^Furnished by Professor
O'Looney, with an English translation, from
sect. 2, p. 152.
^
See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , Februarii xx. Among the pretermitted saints, pp. 168, 169.
^ See zdid. —
Article vii. 27 th of July.
the
*'
Leabhar Breac" copy.
=^ This was probably St. Caius, Bishop at Rome, mentioned on this day by some
Martyrologists, and whose feast is referred, likewise, to the 22nd of April. See the Bollandists' " Acta Sanctomm," tomus iii. , Februarii xx. Among the pretermitted saints, p. 170. —
^
^ His feast occurs at the
See "De Statu Hominis,
192.
3 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , Feb.
ruarii xx. Among the pretermitted saints,
Article vi,
veteris simul ac novae Ecclesise, et Infide- Hum conversione," lib. i. , pars, ii. , cap. iii,,
p. 1 70. Article viii.
—
^ See*'EcclesiasticalMe-
= See " Menologium Scoticum. " Bishop Forbes' " Kalendars of Scottish Saints," p.
650 LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [February20.
Irishyatj// do they find him commemorated, as one of the saints. 3 In Irish, we are told, the name is written Coelchu ; and, by some writers, it is rendered
into Cogius, Colcius, ColcuSj-^ Colcanus, Colchoniis and Colganus. By Colgan, the denomination is thought to be derived from the Irish word, coel^
"thin,"
or "
slender,"
and
cu,
''a
grey-hound,"
or "a wolf. "5 ]\Iore
generally
CoelchuorColgchuisrenderedColguorColga. ^ Thisholymanwasborn,
as seems most probable, after the beginning of the eighth century. He
seems, from the family name given him, to have been of the Ui Eathach Mumhan race. 7 Yet, his pedigree has not been more exactly traced, than we find it briefly noted, in our Martyrologies and Annals, In an age of learning and piety, St. Colga was most distinguished among the holy men of Ireland. He was probably educated at Glonmacnoise. It was with him St. Paul the
Cross and Ruins at Glonmacnoise.
Apostle came to converse, according to the legend, in a human form, and to help him on in his road. St. Paul is said to have given him particular lights, and to have taken his satchel of books, at Moin tirean air,^ while, it was he that pleaded for this saint, to preside over the great school of Cluain-mac- nois. 9 It is doubtful, if amidst the ruins and ancient remains of this once celebrated place, any traces of that college can now be found. '° It is stated, likewise, that a great tlieological question was here in controversy, among the
dilations suitable for Priests on the Missions and Students in Diocesan Seminaries. " By a Catholic Clergyman. On the Visitation of the Schools, sect. 2, pp. 130, 131.
"See "Acta Sanctorum Hiberniae," xx. Februarii. De S. Colcho, sive Colga, Sapiente, pp. 378 to 380.
3 See "Acta Sanctorum, "tomusiii. , Feb- ruarii XX. Among the pretermitted saints, p. 169.
* Thus is he
5 A styled,
"cruelty. "
•" See "Acta Sanctorum Hibernije," xx.
Februarii, n. 2, p. 379.
7 This was the tribe name of the O'Ma-
honys and O'Donoghoes, in South Munster. See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. ii. , nn. (a, r), pp. 772, 775.
in Albinus' secondary meaning is sought for the
The accompanying illustration, from a photograph, taken by Frederick H, Mares, and drawn on the wood by William Y.
name in Colg, which signifies, "a sword," or metaphorically, "a fierce look," or
Wakeman, was engraved by Mrs. Millard.
Epistle.
"
^ This place does not seem to be identified. 9 See Rev. Drs. Todd's and Reeves
Martyrology of Donegal," pp. 54, 55. } '°
February 20. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 651
theologians ; and doctors of anotlier place held an opinion, differing from thatofoursaint. Again,St.
'S See " Acta Sanctorum HibeniiDS," Feb- ruarii xx. Vita S. Olcani seu Bolcani, cap.
history in his
"
Ecclesiastical Antiquities of
Down, Connor and Dromore," Appezidix
F. F. , pp. 318 to 334. "^
^5 Olc enim Hibernice idem quod malum
velmiserum," is remarked, in St. Patrick's
" ii. , chap, cxxxvi. In Tripartite Life, Book
^^ _ "
See Dr. Lanigan's Ecclesiastical His-
tory of Ireland," vol. i,, chap, vii. , sect.
vi. , n. 56, p. 344. "
^7 See Colgan's Trias Thaumaturga,"
Quinta Appendix ad Acta S. Patricii, cap.
iv. , p. 375.
Irish-English Dictionary," Olc
tory of Ireland," vol. i. , chap, vii. , sect, vi. , p. 341-
-7 St. Patrick also predicted, that although
the youngest and least provided for among his brothers, his posterity should dominate ill the principality of Dalrieda. This pro-
phecy was accomplished, when Edan, son of Gabhran, ruled in Alba or Scotland.
O'Reiily's
is rendered "harm," "damage," "evil," stib. voce.
^
date, for some particulars regarding him.
^^ According to Tirechan's Life of St.
Patrick, quoted by Ussher.
celyn. See Colgan's
Sexta Vita S. Patricii, cap. Ixxxvi,, p. 85.
-'^
"
See Dr. Lanigan's Ecclesiastical His-
Trias Thaumaturga. "
646 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February 20.
chosen to preside over this new field of labour. It is thought, Ussher's date for Olcan's supposed episcopacy can hardly be reconciled with the year, assigned for the saint's birth. Although, St. Olcan was not a bishop, in St. Patrick's lifetime, in the opinion of Dr. Lanigan f^ yet, in all probability, he was one about the year 480. ^9 This is inferred from the statement, that Aengus Macnisse, the first bishop of Connor, 3° who died, at the latest, in 514, had been a scholar of his son. One of the most distinguished educational institutions, in the more northern parts of Ireland, seems to have been the school of St. Olcan, at Derkan. s"^ This is thought to have been the district, whichlayaboutArmoy. 32 Colganthinks,33thatDerconwasidenticalwith Connor, by a transposition of the syllables ; for Derechon, or more properly Dorechon, is rendered, by an ancient commentator, into Chonderib or Connor, where formerly there was an oak wood, which abounded with wild dogs and wolves. 34 Here, we are informed, that St. Olcan was raised to the episcopal rank. His See was in that part of the present county of Antrim anciently named Dalrieda, and it is now called by some Derkan or Derkon. 35
Byothersit is named,Rathmagia,orRathmuighe,orAirthirmuighe,36sub-
sequently known as Athermoy. 37 This is thought to have been the chief
town of not far from " Dunluce's castle-walls. '''35 These are Dalrieda,33 high
picturesquely perched on steep rocks,4° immediately over the northern sea. ^^ Colgan conjectures, that Derkan was the name of the district, in which the
town Rathmuighe was situated. ^^ Following Jocelin, Ussher calls it Derkan, and, he says, that the name still remains, in a part of the Routs (Dalrieda) called Clon-Derkan. 43 It is related, furthermore, that during the adminis- tration of our saint, one Saran,44 a wicked tyrant, overran the territory of
Dalrieda,45 and that he took many of its people captives. This chief had
=^
See "Ecclesiastical History of Ire-
waskeptupinearlyAnglo-Normanrecords; thus, the Computus of Twescard has Erther-
land," vol. i. , chap, viii. , sect, ix. , p. 403.
="9 Ussher seems to at A. D. 474. See his cus," at that year.
his
place promotion, moy
the of William Inquisition post-mark
30 The parish of Connor, in the barony of Lower Antrim, is defined on the " Ordnance
Survey Townland Maps for the County of Antrim," Sheets 37, 38, 43, 44. The town- land is on Sheets 38, 44, and the town itself on Sheet 38.
3- See Rev. William Reeves' " Ecclesias-
tical Antiquities of Down, Connor and Dro-
3' See Dr.
tory of Ireland," vol. i. , chap, viii. , sect. ix. , p. 403.
Lanigan's
more," Appendix T. , p. 244.
3J See " Acta Sanctorum
lliberniae,"
xx.
Februarii. Vita S. Olcani, sen Bolcani, n.
9> P- 377'
34 Sec Rev, William Reeves' " Ecclesias-
"
Index Chronologi-
;
de Burgo specifies the Avatermill of Ather- moy, and the lands of Erthermoy. "—Rev. William Reeves' " Ecclesiastical Antiquities of Down, Connor and Dromore," n. (t), p. 80. None of the foregoing denominations appear on the Ordnance Survey Maps,
^s j^ee Seward's "Topographical Die- tionary of Ireland," at Rathmuighe.
39 See Clarence " Poems. " James Mangan's
Lament for the Princes of Tyrone and Tyr- connell, p. 386. Mitchel's edition.
•o ^ y^j-y exquisite steel engraving of this
scene, with accompanying descriptive letter-
press, will be found in W. B. Bartlctt's
" and of vol. Scenery Antiquities Ireland,"
i. , pp. 48 to 53.
"*' The parish of Dunluce, in the
*' Ecclesiastical His-
barony of Lower Dunluce, is shown on the " Ord- tical Antiquities of Down, Connor and Dro- nance Survey Townland Maps for the
more," n. (f), p. 85.
35 This denomination seems to have disap-
peared from the Ordnance Survey Maps.
3^ See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga. "
"
County of Antrim, Sheets 2, 3, 6, 7, 1 1,
12. The townland proper is to be traced on Sheets 2, 6.
^^ See " Trias Thaumaturga. " Sexta Vita Septima Vita S. Patricii, lib. ii,, cap. S. Patricii, n. 143, p. 114.
cxxviii. , p. 146.
3' " The Four Masters, at the years II77
and 1247, make mention of this place, ac- cording to the original form of tlie name, as
Ai|\te]\ triAige ('eastern plain') in "OaI- ]\iAX)x\. Which mode of writing the name
« See Archbishop Ussher's "Works," vol. vi. " Britannicarum Ecclesiarum Antiqui-
tates," cap. xvii. , p. 518.
» He must have llourished towards the
close of the fifth century, yet we miss his name in our Annals.
February 20. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 647
even insulted and used violence towards the Irish Apostle, and had incurred
his malediction. He would seem to have been a Pagan, at the time. Olcan
methimwiththecaptives. Theselatterearnestlybesoughthisfriendlyoffices.
The Pagan asked Olcan to baptize him, although he seemed to want the
requisite dispositions ; and, to save the captives from a threatened massacre,
itissaid,Olcancompliedwithhisrequest. Thisreadycompliancedispleased St. Patrick when he heard of it, and he greatly reproved St. Olcan. The Irish
Apostle even declared, that for his so speedily baptizing an irreligious tyrant, without sufficient repentance, Olcan's church should be polluted by the shed- ding of human blood within it, that it should be shorn of its honours, and should be subjected three different times to destruction. This prophecy was consummated, when Scandal,'^^ King of Dalaradia, sacked it, and Cucua-
Armoy Round Tower and Church, County of Antrim.
ran47 again repeated such an outrage, while Eochaidh,^^ the son of Bressal, burned it. The foundation of Armoy church—the modern designation—is
placed by Archbishop Ussher at a. d. 474. '»9 The present parish church, which was built in 1820, stands upon the foundations of the old one, except
45 This territory was so called, because it
specially belonged to the posterity of Fiacli Araidhe, a King of Ulster, who reigned ten years in Eamania, and who flourished about A. D. 236. It lay to the south of Dalriada. On the east and west, the boundaries be- tween both territories were indistinct, while in the middle they were marked by the River Ravel, formerly considered the divi- ding line. A branch of this, formerly called the Dungonnell River, bounds the barony of Kilconway, in Dalriada, and the barony of Lower Antrim, in Dalaradia. Towards the close of the sixteenth century, this large territory had been included in two divisions,
Upper or South Clandeboy, and Lower or North Clandeboy. Their Tuoghs or Cine-
ments, sub-divisions, were very numerous, as may be seen by consulting the Rev. William Reeves' "Ecclesiastical Antiqui- ties of Down, Connor and Dromore," Ap- pendix GG, pp. 334 to 348. This territory
"
Descendants," and ^^vAi-oe, the name of its former potentate.
''^ He seems to have flourished, about the beginning of the seventh century, as his son Maolcaoich died A. D. 665.
47 He was King of Cruithne and Uladh, and he was slain a. d. 706.
4^ He was Lord of North Dalaradia, and he was slain by his own people A. D. 822.
49 See Index Chronologicus, a. d. ccccLXXiv. "Britannicarum Ecclesiarum
Antiquitates," pp. 522, 523.
is so called from "OaI,
648 LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [February20.
at the east end, where it is 23^ feet shorter. s° At the distance of 28 feet from the N. W. angle are the remains of a Round Tower, 35 feet high, and 47 ^^ feet in circumference. The doorway, which is six feet high, and on the south side, is semi-circular-headed, and the arch, which is ornamented with an architrave in good relief, is hollowed from the single stone which serves as thelintel. 5^ Thetimeofourholybishop'sdeathdoesnotappearinourAnnals, but he probably lived into the sixth century. In the Martyrology of Tallagh,5' he is set down as Olcan, Bishop, at the present date. His festival, in like manner, is noted by Marianus O'Gorman. The Martyrology of Donegal 53 this day alsoregistersBolcan,Bishop. InaCalendar,compiledbytheRev. William Reeves, he is furthermore described, as being bishop of Airther Muighe, now Armoy. 54 Oursaintseemstohavebeenespeciallydistinguished,byagood-
ness of heart, and by a great simplicity of character. ss
Article III. —Reputed Feast of St. Cogan, or Congan, Abbot.
\Prohably in the Sixth Century?
^ It seems possible enough, that the present pious servant of God had been an Irish-Scot. St. Cogan, Abbot, and vene- ratedonthisday,issaidtohavebeenabrotherofSt. Kentigern. ^ Atthe 7th day of January, according to Camerarius,^ he is commemorated in the Breviary of Aberdeen, and in the Life of St. Kentigern. 3 The Bollandists,4 who have a short notice of St. Congan, state, that this latter authority makes him descend from a royal race of Leinstcr in Ireland, and that his feast be- longs to the 13th of October.
Article IV. —St. Cronan. The name, Cronan, is the only mention
made of him in the Martyrologies of Tallagh,^ and of Marianus O'Gorman, atthe20thofFebruary. TherewasaSt. Cronan,thesonofyEngus,sonto Cormac, son of Senach, son to David, son of Fiachrach. ^ He belonged to the race of Hy-Fiachrach. His feast is thought to have been either on the 20th of February, or on the 19th of October. 3 Besides, in the Martyrology of Donegal,-* this day we find mentioned, a saint named Crondn, and the O'Clerys give the previous pedigree, without being certain, however, that it applies to the present saint. The Bollandists notice him, at the 20th of
February.
5
5° It measures 50 by 27 feet in breadth ; so that 73^ feet in length, and 27 feet in breadth may be regarded as the ancient dimensions.
"iKalendars of Scottish Saints," p. 235. Further notices of St. Kentigern will be found at the I3tli of January, and at the 13th of November.
^ He ** De Sacramento quotes Groppecus,
Altaris," p. 460, Gennadius, Gesnerus, Sim- lerus, Antonius Nebrissensis, with others, for his statements.
sione," lib. i. , pars, ii. , cap. iii. , § 2.
^ gee "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , Februarii xx. Among the pretermitted
s'
See the
Rev. William Reeves' "Eccle-
siastical Antiquities of Down, Connor and
Dromore," p. 80. Also Appendix T, pp.
243 to 245. The accompanying illustration
was drawn on the wood by WilUam F.
Wakeman, from a photograph, and it was ac novce Ecclesix, et Infidelium Conver-
engraved by Mrs. Millard. Internally, the Round Tower is about 9 or 10 feet below the
outside surface of the graveyard. 52EditedbyRev. Dr. Kelly,p. xvi.
53 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
54, 55. -
54 See "Ecclesiastical Antiquities of
Down, Connor and Dromore," Appendix LL, p. 376.
**
saints,p,170. — Article iv.
*
Rev. Dr.
55 See Colgan's nisc," XX. Februarii.
See Colgan's Colmani, cap. ii. , p. 248.
Acta Sanctorum Hiber- Vita S. Olcani, seu Bolcani, Episcopi et Confessoris, cap. vii. ,
.
• Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
p. 376, and n. 23, p. 378.
54, 55.
s See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. ,
^
Article hi. — See Bishop Forbes' Februarii xx. Among the pretermitted
**
3 See De Statu Hominis, veteris simul
Edited
Tlie Menologic Genealogy," cap. ix.
Kelly, p. xvi. *"
" nice," iii. Februarii.
3
Acta Sanctorum
by
Hiber-
Appendix ad Acta S.
February 20. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 649
ArticleV. —St. GaiusandThirtyCompanions,Martyrs. Inthe " Feilire " of St. ^ngus, at the 20th of February, we have the following
: entry,^ in reference to these heroic Martyrs of the early Cliristian Church —
^ccfAT) 111 celA|\ ;
1m rloclic feci oo^a^a,
Gaius,^ the bishop,
"Who was crucified, I conceal not, With the slaughter—a sad story— Of thirty praiseworthy champions.
Article VI. —Reputed Festival of Caius Ctelius Sedulius. St. Cselius Sedulius, a bishop who was so called owing to his love of God, has a festival assigned to him on this day by Camerarius. ^ Others place his day at the 13th of June. By Colgan, he is styled the Venerable, as the Bollan- dists take care to remark. ^ It is said, a festival in honour of the Venerable Caius Cajlius SeduHus was held, on the 20th of February. 3 Our notices of this celebrated man will be found, at the 12th of this month.
Article VII. —Reputed Festival of the Translation of St. Pan- taleon's Head, at Cologne. In the Scottish or Irish Monastery, at Cologne, was held on the 20th of February, a festival in honour of the translation thereto of the head of St. Pantaleon,^ which had been brought by Henricus de Vlmine, a soldier, according to Dempster. ^ Yet, the Bollandists notice some errors, in his statements, and referring to this reputed festival. 3
Article VIII. —St. Colga, or Colcho, Surnamed the Wise, Lector
OF Clonmacnoise, King's County. [Eighth Cmlury. ] Improvement in
religious life and training depends much on the frequent presence of holy
bishops and pastors, in the schools and religious institutes, under their im- mediate care. This ensures educational efficiency, and blesses the house of
education, even when the faith of pupils is in no way perilled. His frequent presence impresses, not alone on youth, but even on their parents, the im- portance of that business in which they are engaged. To this, the purity and innocence of children are mainly to be attributed, while such religious teach- ingandexampleexercisebeneficialinfluencesduringafterlife/ Atthe20th
of February, Colgan has illustrated such particulars as are known, regarding the present holy man. ^ These he has drawn from various sources. The
Bollandists have simply a brief notice, in which they state, that only in the
saints, p. 170. —
Article v. ^Furnished by Professor
O'Looney, with an English translation, from
sect. 2, p. 152.
^
See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , Februarii xx. Among the pretermitted saints, pp. 168, 169.
^ See zdid. —
Article vii. 27 th of July.
the
*'
Leabhar Breac" copy.
=^ This was probably St. Caius, Bishop at Rome, mentioned on this day by some
Martyrologists, and whose feast is referred, likewise, to the 22nd of April. See the Bollandists' " Acta Sanctomm," tomus iii. , Februarii xx. Among the pretermitted saints, p. 170. —
^
^ His feast occurs at the
See "De Statu Hominis,
192.
3 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , Feb.
ruarii xx. Among the pretermitted saints,
Article vi,
veteris simul ac novae Ecclesise, et Infide- Hum conversione," lib. i. , pars, ii. , cap. iii,,
p. 1 70. Article viii.
—
^ See*'EcclesiasticalMe-
= See " Menologium Scoticum. " Bishop Forbes' " Kalendars of Scottish Saints," p.
650 LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [February20.
Irishyatj// do they find him commemorated, as one of the saints. 3 In Irish, we are told, the name is written Coelchu ; and, by some writers, it is rendered
into Cogius, Colcius, ColcuSj-^ Colcanus, Colchoniis and Colganus. By Colgan, the denomination is thought to be derived from the Irish word, coel^
"thin,"
or "
slender,"
and
cu,
''a
grey-hound,"
or "a wolf. "5 ]\Iore
generally
CoelchuorColgchuisrenderedColguorColga. ^ Thisholymanwasborn,
as seems most probable, after the beginning of the eighth century. He
seems, from the family name given him, to have been of the Ui Eathach Mumhan race. 7 Yet, his pedigree has not been more exactly traced, than we find it briefly noted, in our Martyrologies and Annals, In an age of learning and piety, St. Colga was most distinguished among the holy men of Ireland. He was probably educated at Glonmacnoise. It was with him St. Paul the
Cross and Ruins at Glonmacnoise.
Apostle came to converse, according to the legend, in a human form, and to help him on in his road. St. Paul is said to have given him particular lights, and to have taken his satchel of books, at Moin tirean air,^ while, it was he that pleaded for this saint, to preside over the great school of Cluain-mac- nois. 9 It is doubtful, if amidst the ruins and ancient remains of this once celebrated place, any traces of that college can now be found. '° It is stated, likewise, that a great tlieological question was here in controversy, among the
dilations suitable for Priests on the Missions and Students in Diocesan Seminaries. " By a Catholic Clergyman. On the Visitation of the Schools, sect. 2, pp. 130, 131.
"See "Acta Sanctorum Hiberniae," xx. Februarii. De S. Colcho, sive Colga, Sapiente, pp. 378 to 380.
3 See "Acta Sanctorum, "tomusiii. , Feb- ruarii XX. Among the pretermitted saints, p. 169.
* Thus is he
5 A styled,
"cruelty. "
•" See "Acta Sanctorum Hibernije," xx.
Februarii, n. 2, p. 379.
7 This was the tribe name of the O'Ma-
honys and O'Donoghoes, in South Munster. See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. ii. , nn. (a, r), pp. 772, 775.
in Albinus' secondary meaning is sought for the
The accompanying illustration, from a photograph, taken by Frederick H, Mares, and drawn on the wood by William Y.
name in Colg, which signifies, "a sword," or metaphorically, "a fierce look," or
Wakeman, was engraved by Mrs. Millard.
Epistle.
"
^ This place does not seem to be identified. 9 See Rev. Drs. Todd's and Reeves
Martyrology of Donegal," pp. 54, 55. } '°
February 20. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 651
theologians ; and doctors of anotlier place held an opinion, differing from thatofoursaint. Again,St.
