While walking alone, and through a desert place, his monks having
preceded
him on the way, St.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v6
The pious senior went outside the kitchen.
Kevin then closed it, and ordered the attendants to collect all the bones, and to fill with water all those vessels,
which before had contained beer. Afterwards, he desired the cooks to retire,
and then he prayed with great fervour. Immediately, through favour of Heaven, the water is stated to have become wine, while the bones were coveredwithanabundanceofexcellentfleshmeat. Then,callingthechief cook, our saint showed him the miracle, that had taken place. Instantly, the cook hastened with an account of this event, to his pious superiors in the monastery. TheseseniorsglorifiedGod,whoseAlmightypowerwasmani- fested in this miracle, and then they blessed their holy disciple, who had been made an instrument, for procuring such a great abundance of excellent food and drink. Three days in succession, there was a sufficiency for all reapers, pilgrims, and brothers, who remained in the place.
We are told, among the many legends in his Acts, that at another time, our saint went to visit a holy hermit, named Beoan,9 with whom he remained for some days. This hermit had only a single cow. His ser- vant being engaged one day in the performance of other duties, Beoan re-
quested Kevin to look after this beast, lest an accident might happen her. On going out, Kevin saw, that the cow was about to bring forth a calf. He
9
Although Colgan mentions three or four Beoans, yet, it is not possible clearly to iden- tify any of them with the hermit here named. In the Irish Calendars, a St. Boean, Bishop
of Fiodh-cuilinn, is mentioned, at the 8th of August, a St. Beoan, Bishop of Tamlacht, at the 26th of October, and a St. Beoan, bishop, at the 3rd of December.
June 3. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 41
prepared to drive both animals towards the hermitage. Suddenly, a she-wolf, altogetheremaciatedwithhunger,appearedanddevouredtheyoungcalf. Its dam sent forth a plaintive lowing, while being driven towards her master's home, and on account of what had happened to her offspring. Having had an intimation, regarding what occurred, Beoan asked the visitor, why he per- mitted such an accident and loss, which seemed even to overwhelm the poor cow with grief. He then ordered Kevin, in the name of God, to afford some solace to this animal. On hearing these words of reproach, his guest went into a neighbouring wood, and there, through the power of God, he called the wolf towards him. This wild animal obeyed his call, when Kevin directed her, to seek that cow, whose calf had been devoured, and to supply the loss of her offspring, at the time of daily milking. Wonderful to relate, adds the legend, immediately after such an admonition, this wolf ran towards the cell, and stood before the cow. On seeing this action, it is told, that the cow loved herasamotherwouldanonlychild. Afterwards,atordinarymilkinghours, thiswolfcamefromthewoods. Thecow,also,whilegivingmilk,lickedher, with an appearance of affectionate regard. The hermit, Beoan, recognising this as a great miracle, gave thanks to God, and his blessing to St. Kevin.
Having received his blessing, and obtained St. Beoan's leave, blessed Kevin
10 who ruled over a of monastery
the robber advanced towards some sacred 12 to swear he was words, relics,
innocent of that theft. When he had done so, a miracle is said to have revealed the fact of his perjury. ^ All who were present cried out for the thief's death, with the exception of God's servants, who liberated him. St.
Kevin then said " O foolish man, abandon this world, and save thy soul
:
from criminal leprosy. " This just counsel he obeyed, and he brought forth
1 fruits worthy of penance, during his after life. *
Another legend of our saint is thus related. One day, Lugid sent Kevin to a certain part of the country. Whilst on his way thither, our saint found the dead bodies of two females, *s who had been beheaded. On beholding this distressing and revolting spectacle, Kevin stood for some time, on the
went to visit
Bishop Lugid,
and
religious brethren,
10
Baert remarks, that he could find no
x. , sect, x. , n. 152^. 48. —
very holy
exemplary
pious Bishop
saint, named Lugid or Lugidius, in Colgan but, he finds many named Lugaid, Lugbee and Lugneo. He confesses himself at a loss to discover, if any of them could be identified
See "Acta Sane- Vita S. Coem-
11 The Rev. Dr. Lanigan observes, that supposing St. Coemgen to have been born
in a. d. 498, he knew of no Bishop Lugidus, by whom he could have been ordained, when
arrived at a proper age for priesthood, ex- cept Lugadius, and this person is thought to be the same as Lugidus, Bishop of Connor. "But how account," he asks, "for Coem-
gen's going so far from his own country as the diocese of Connor? There might have
been a Leinster bishop, Lugidus, in the days of Coemgen's youth ; and that nam—e was formerly very common in Ireland. " "Ec-
I2 "
Accessit ad
sacra ut
signa juraret. "
with the
torum," tomus i. , Junii iii. geni, cap. ii. , n. (d), p. 315.
"Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Junii iii. Vita
S. Coemgeni, cap. ii. , n. II, p. 314.
I3 A miracle somewhat similar to the fore-
is related in " Trias Thauma- going Colgan's
turga. " See Sexta Vita S. Patricii,or Jocelyn's Life of St. Patrick, cap. cxlviii. , p. 97.
u The foregoing accounts are taken from
"
St. Kevin's Life in the
tomus i. , Junii iii. Vita S. Coemgeni, cap. ii. , num. 9, 10, 11, p. 314
15 These are said to have belonged to the
family of Dallayn. The word Dal means
"tribe," or "progeny. " See Dr. John O'Donovan's Introduction to "Topographi- cal Poems of John O'Dubhagain and Giolla na Naomh O'Huidhrin," p. 6. The re- mainder of the compound word is not easily recognisable, among the tribe-names of Ire- land,
l6 In the "Acta Breviora," it is stated,
present Lugid.
clesiastical of History
Ireland," vol. ii. , chap.
manner. This
" re- willingly
aftera
ceived our saint into his community. One day, as we are told, a robber had stolen an animal belonging to the flock of St. Lugid's monastery, and after- wards he denied this theft. Not taking into account St. Kevin's admonitory
;
Acta Sanctorum,"
42 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 3.
spot, lest their dead bodies might become the prey of birds or dogs. He
offered up prayers to God, at the same time. Soon afterwards, the perpetrators of this wicked action came there, in a disturbed state of mind, and having in their possession the heads of those, who had been slain. 16 On seeing them, Kevin upbraided those ruffians, with the murder already committed. The assassins acknowledged the commission of that foul and cruel deed. averred, it was done through hatred, and to be revenged of their parents, who had persecuted themselves. Our saint asked those mangled remains from the murderers. The heads being then deposited on the ground, Kevin joined them to their bodies. He next engaged in prayer, for some time, when in the presence of all, the females arose perfectly restored. These women gave thankstoGod. Theirmurderers,seeingthegreatmiraclewhichhadtaken place, suppliantly asked pardon for that crime. The murderers expressed joy, likewise, at the fortunate issue of this event, and then promised they wouldneverbeguiltyofanylikeaction. Returningtotheirpeople,therestored maidens gave an account of what had occurred. Owing to this wonderful
1 miracle, St. Kevin's renown was spread throughout that whole region. ?
In his youth, Bishop Lugid had resolved on leaving Ireland, to become a pil- grim,insomeforeignland. Then,theAngeloftheLordcametohimandsaid:
" Do not leave Ireland, for through the providence of God, you shall ordain many saints in it. " Acting on this admonition, Lugid remained in his native country. The holy Kevin was one among those saints, he afterwards ordained. When our saint had become a Priest, Lugid sent him with other disciples, whom he had ordained, that he might build a cell in God's honour, and in any place he might be able to find. On coming to a spot, called Cluainduach, the blessed Kevin built a cell, in which he remained for some time. While some writers assert, that this place was identical with Glenda- lough, and its more ancient d—enomination l8 others will have it a distinct
This latter — opinion
with its name and peculiar
—
already described and it may have been the ancient name for that place, with which St. Kevin's name has been associated in tradition. At Cluain-
be — it was not distinct from allowable, perhaps Luggala
20
which has been
duach, it is said, he collected together many servants of Christ. 21
While our saint remained at this place, where in seclusion he
practised great austerities, a poor fugitive ran towards his ceil door, pur- sued by twelve men, who were his enemies. These had resolved on taking
away his life. The door being closed, the runaway could not enter ; but. he fell on the ground, before it. Arriving at the spot, in search of their intended victim, his enemies could see nothing, but what appeared to be a log of wood, lying stretched on the earth. They wondered very much thereat, for they
that by a divine revelation, St. Kevin knew, that the heads of those murdered females were hidden in the hollow of a tree.
17 See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. ,
Juniiiii. Vita S. Coemgeni, cap. ii. , num. 12,
"they come bubbling or trickling among rocks and huge roots, now and then concealed both from sight and hearing ; but anon forcing their way through tangled under- wood, and forming, when their journey is nearly over,—most deliciously clear and cool
p. 314.
18 Hanmer, who possessed, or who had fountains. " Mr. and Mrs. Hall's "Ireland
:
access to, a Manuscript Life of St. Coemgen,
its Scenery, Character," &c, vol. ii. , p. 208. There, too, may be seen an exquisite engrav- ing of Luggela, from the pencil of Mr. Creswick.
2I See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , 20 Several miniature cascades proceed Junii iii. Vita S. Coemgeni, cap. ii. , num.
fromtheupperprecipicestoformtheLough: 13, p. 314.
is of this opinion. See
"
Chronicle of Ire-
land," p. 126.
19 See Harris' Ware, vol. iii. ,
"
Writers of Ireland," Book i. , chap, iii. , p. 21.
;
in
seems to establish it as the correct conclusion.
conjunction
Its position, however, has not been ascertained. However, if a conjecture
locality. ^
the context of this narrative
They
June 3. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 43
had not seen St. Kevin's door open, or the man escape from that place. Enquiring from one another, what could have become of the fugitive, or what they should next do, some among them sat down upon what appeared to be only a piece of timber. Meantime, being within his oratory, and engaged at prayer, Kevin had a revelation, regarding the occurrence outside his cell.
:
Going forth, at last, he called a certain brother, and said to him " My son,
bringthosemen,whoaresittingbeforethedoor,tome. " Whentheywere
:
in his presence, the blessed anchorite said " O wretches, why have you
wished to kill a man, before the door of Coemgen's cell? " On hearing this name pronounced, and knowing from his saintly countenance and words, that he who addressed them could have been no other than blessed Kevin him- self, the marauders fell prostrate upon earth, humbly asking his pardon.
:
Then, a servant of St. Kevin said to them " O fools, go, and see the man
you seek, and on whom you sit ; he appearing to you as wood, through the power of God, and through the merits of our Abbot. " Those marauders afterwards saw a man there sitting, and he related to them what had occurred. Then, presenting themselves to God and to St. Kevin, they all became monks, and lived under our saint. With him they remained, leading pious and reli-
22
A workman, belonging to St. Kevin's family, being one day engaged braying a stone in a mortar; a particle from this stone suddenly struck the man's eye. This accident deprived him of sight. The circumstance so occurring was revealed to St. Kevin, who had been engaged at this time, pray- ing within his oratory. On coming forth, and seeing the blind man's unhappy state, with the brethren lamenting around him, the holy anchorite placed his hand on the workman's eye and prayed for him. Kevin also signed the wound, in the name of Christ. Immediately, and in presence of all, that man rv< overed the use of sight. He was freed from pain and blood, like- wise, as if he had never been struck. He and the other brethren gave thanks to God, glorifying their holy patron, at the same time.
After* these and many like miracles, blessed Kevin left his cell at
2 Cluainduach, having placed some venerable men in charge of it. 3 Then,
taking some monks with him, our saint directed his footsteps towards his own
country.
While walking alone, and through a desert place, his monks having preceded him on the way, St. Coemgen saw a man's dead body lying near the roadside. Not being able to bury the corpse without assistance, our saintprayedtoGod,thatthedeceasedmightberestoredtolife. Thedeadman arose, and blessed the saint, giving thanks to the Almighty. Then accom- panying holy Kevin, the man told him, that he had been suddenly suffocated and overtaken by death, on that very spot, where he had been found. Coming up with the rest of St. Kevin's brethren, these made enquiries regarding that stranger, who declared, he had been raised to life, by their venerable
gious lives to the period of their respective deaths.
" See W. , num. 14, pp. 314, 315.
23 See Rev. Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical
Anglo-Saxons ! O mighty antiquary ! on this stupid statement it is sufficient to ob-
serve, that Glendalough is, both as a com- pound word and in its parts, downright
Irish, consisting of Glen, valley, da, two, and lough lake. The Doctor need not have
gone further than Johnson's Dictionary to learn that glen and lough are originally Irish words, which as well as very many others,
or rather Glendalough, seems to be an have crept into the English language. The
History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, x. , sect. x. , p. 44.
24 See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Junii iii. Vita S. Coemgeni, cap. ii. , num. 15, 16, p. 315-
* 5 " Ledwich, to make a display of his learning, says (Ant. p. 33), that Glendalogh
Anglo-Saxon compound, and that the name
was derived from the first Firbolgian pos-
sessorsofthe valley, viz. , the Tuathals or
O'Tooles. So then these Firbolgians were Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, x. , sect, x. , n. 154,
place has very appropriately been so call—ed from there being two lakes in the valley. "
Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical History of
44 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 3.
superior. Hearing such a surprising account, the disciples gave praise to
Christ,theSaviourofmen. Thestrangersoonbecameamonk,andhelived
under St. Kevin, with whom he remained to the day of his death, in a state
2 of holy obedience. *
Thence, pursuing his course, and having come towards his own part of the country, St. Kevin began to inhabit those solitudes of Wicklow, now known as
2 ^ There, in he had led an eremi- youth,
the and Lakes of Valley
Glendalough.
tical life, until he had been discovered in this place of his retreat, and in the
manneralreadymentioned. Fromthebeginning,oursainthaddearlylovedthis place. The old writer of his Acts states, that in the lower part of this valley, and where two clear rivers flow together, he began to found a great monas- tery. We may well suppose, these streams must be that one of Glenealo, as now called, which rolls down from the bleak and precipitous mountain, at the head of the Upper Lough, which supplies its deep basin, and afterwards escapes from its outlet, again forming a river, until it enters the Lower Lough, from which it again issues, and a little below, it is joined by theGlen- dasan rivulet. 26 The ancient pass running upwards towards the head of this latter glen is called St. Kevin's Road ; while huge Camaderry Mountain rises between both streams, and terminates at their junction. Within the—se
- rivulet boundaries, and immediately near their blending into one course—
thence taking the name ofGlendasan River until it falls into the Avonmore the ancient city of Glendalough was chiefly situated, as the numerous ruins still there sufficiently indicate. However, other opinion prevails, that where
the stream of Lugduff, below Poulanass Waterfall, joins the Upper Lake, and within the woods, must have been the site originally selected by St. Kevin for his religious house. This monastic institute has been identified with what is now called Reafert Church, which the learned Dr. Petrie calls St. Kevin's earlier church, near the upper Lake. 2 ? Even at the present day, its ruins are buried in an almost perfect solitude. 28 After descending the valley, a very shortdistancefromSt. Kevin'sBed,andstillbelowit, butonasteepledge of rock, under Lugduff there is a circular wall, 12 feet in diameter, and two feet or more in thickness. A cross in the centre, and a few trees cluster
about the place picturesquely. This seems to have been a place for holding stations. A little distance below it in the valley, and on the same side of the
lake,
"
tend from the inner to the outer face. A massive lintel covers the doorway. Some completed chiselling on its left side seems to indicatean intention of adding an architrave, like that seen in the Lady's Church, at Glen- dalough. See ibid. , p. 174.
2? The finest and most characteristic en- graving, by George Hanlon, we have seen, and representing the doorway of Refeart
church at Glendalough, is that designed by William F. Wakeman, in the " Irish Literary Gazette," vol. ii. There is an arti- cle descriptive of the antiquities of Glenda- lough appended, and written in the graceful style of that accomplished artist. See pp. 299, 300.
30 The Rev. Dr. Lanigan, however, sus-
27 See
Round Towers of Ireland," part ii. , sect, iii. , subs, i. , p. 173.
28 There may be seen, likewise, a beauti-
ful woodcut, representing the doorway, which is formed of chiselled granite blocks. This doorway is six feet in height, two feet six inches in width at top, and two feet and nineinchesatthebottom. Thewallisthree feet ia thickness, and most of its stones ex-
Ecclesiastical Architecture and
2^ inamostsecluded Numbersofoldbroken position.
is Reafert
stone crosses lie scattered about this church, which had been surrounded by a graveyard, now embosomed in fine shady trees. The date, for the erection ofamonasteryatGlendalough,isnotrecorded; but,anopinionisentertained, that it must have been founded, before a. d. 549, supposing our saint to have been abbot there, when he went to pay a visit to St. Kieran,3° at Clonmacnois,
church,
pp. 48, 49.
26 An inspection of the " Ordnance Sur-
vey Townland Maps for the County of Wicklow," sheet 23, will bring the whole of this locality, as also the site and ruins of Glendalough, most intelligibly under the eye of the
inspector.
June 3. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
45
and where he did not arrive until three days after the Abbot's death. 3 event is held to have occurred, a. d. 549. 32
1
This
At one time, as we find the circumstance related, St. Kevin went on a visit to that St. Kieran, who dwelt in Clonmacnoise city, on the banks of the River Shannon, and towards the western confines of Meath province, opposite the territoryofConnaught. But,threedaysbeforeSt. Kevin'sarrival,theAbbot of Clonmacnoise had departed this life. The exact date for his death, there- fore, must determine the year of St. Kevin's visit to Clonmacnoise. The body was then placed upon a bier, within a certain church, until Kevin and other men should be present to assist at the interment. Our saint arrived at a late hour in Clonmacnoise monastery, and he entered the church, where the dead Abbot's body lay. He commanded all the brethren to go outside, as lie wished to be left alone with the sacred relics. Doing as they had been com- manded, our saint closed the church doors, and remained himself within it, until the following day. But, some of the brethren remained watching with- out the door. While St. Kevin prayed, St. Kieran's beatified spirit is said to have returned to his body, and a holy conversation afterwards passed between both saints. Their words were distinctly heard, by the brethren without ; and, Kieran asked our saint, that as a sign of lasting friendship, both should change their garments. This was accordingly done. The doors beingopenedonthefollowingday,themonksfoundSt. Kevinclothedwith St. Kieran's garments. The latter holy person, in like manner, was covered withthegarmentsofoursaint. Kieran'sbody,moreover,seemedfullofvital heat, and his face appeared ruddy in colour. Then, St. Kevin declared, that the deceased Abbot had established a fraternity and union with himself, and that this extended to the monks of Clonmacnoise and to these of Glenda- lough. The body of St. Kieran being buried, with great honour, St. Kevin returned towards his own city. 33
Many pious men with religious vocations flocked to him, from all parts of the
surrounding country, and became monks at this place, being under our saint's
spiritualguardianship. 34 Variouscellsandmonasterieswerefounded,afterwards, in the Leinster province; while, a great number of monks lived at different sta-
tions, all being subject totheRule of St. Kevin. Themonastery of Glendalough, and other monasteries, subject to him, were assigned to the care of approved and saintly men. He appointed their several duties for each of his religious.
Having provided for the spiritual wants and welfare of others, the holy Abbot—who had always loved perfect retirement and contemplation— resolved to indulge his desire for solitude and prayer. He then went alone, into an upper part of the valley, about a mile distant from his monastery. Here, he erected a small hermitage for himself, in a narrow place, between the lake and the mountain above it, where there were thick shady trees and clear rivulets. He ordered his monks, to send him no kind of food, and that none should approach him, except on urgent business. While thus alone, in the upper part of Glendalough valley, and in different places between the moun- tain and the lake, he led an eremitical life, for four years. These he passed, in continual fasting and vigil, without fire, and without even a roof to cover him. It was not known, whether he lived on roots, found in the earth, or on the fruits of trees, or on food miraculously sent him from Heaven ; for, he would
pects, that our saint was not an abbot at the time of this event. See "Ecclesiastical
nicarum Scriptores," tomus ii. , Tigernachi Annales, p. 138.
of vol.
History Ireland," ii. , chap,
x. , sect.
33 See " Acta " tomus Sanctorum,
x. , p. 44, and n. 155, p. 49. Ibid.
31 His feast is commemorated, at the 9th
of September.
3' See Rev. Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum Hiber-
i. , Junii iii. Vita S. Coemgeni, cap. iv. , num. 30,
p. 318.
34 See ArchdalFs " Monasticon Hiberni-
cum," p. 766.
46 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [JUNE 3.
not disclose the secret manner of his life to any person. His monks built a renowned cell, however, in that desert place, where St. Kevin dwelt, between the upper mountain and the lake on its southern side. 35 In the Scottish or Irish language, this place was called Disert-Caughin, which is rendered in Latin, " Eremus Coemgeni. "36 This cell, which was tenanted by St. Kevin, must have been the present almost shapeless mass of ruins, some short distance above St. Kevin's Bed, and on the very margin of the lake. Towering and
"
The walls of a cell there measure 21 feet, by 17 feet interiorly ; while, they
precipitous black rocks, rise perpendicularly over this
Teampulna Scellig. "
Ruins of St. Kevin's First Cell Glendalough.
are over two feet, in thickness. Outside of this quadrangular cell, a circularly built wall may be seen. Through it, there is a very narrow passage faced
with stone, and having steps descending towards the cell. 37 Here, it is very likely, St. Kevin spent his most lonely hours. Perhaps, some of the stones
yet remaining were placed there, by the saint's own hand. Here, however, there could not have been space, for the erection of any considerable monas- tery, 38 so that it must have been merely a hermitage.
As illustrating the gentleness of his disposition, it is said, that the beasts, on the mountains and in the woods, laying aside their natural ferocit) accompanied St. Kevin. In a domesticated state, they tamely drank water
35 Here, at the time the biographer of St. Kevin wrote, a famous monastery stood, and in which religious men always lived.
36 It may be translated, " Kevin's soli-
tude," or "desert," in English.
37 In company with the Rev. Richard
Galvan, P. P. , Rathdrum, and the Rev. James Gafifney, M. R. I. A.
which before had contained beer. Afterwards, he desired the cooks to retire,
and then he prayed with great fervour. Immediately, through favour of Heaven, the water is stated to have become wine, while the bones were coveredwithanabundanceofexcellentfleshmeat. Then,callingthechief cook, our saint showed him the miracle, that had taken place. Instantly, the cook hastened with an account of this event, to his pious superiors in the monastery. TheseseniorsglorifiedGod,whoseAlmightypowerwasmani- fested in this miracle, and then they blessed their holy disciple, who had been made an instrument, for procuring such a great abundance of excellent food and drink. Three days in succession, there was a sufficiency for all reapers, pilgrims, and brothers, who remained in the place.
We are told, among the many legends in his Acts, that at another time, our saint went to visit a holy hermit, named Beoan,9 with whom he remained for some days. This hermit had only a single cow. His ser- vant being engaged one day in the performance of other duties, Beoan re-
quested Kevin to look after this beast, lest an accident might happen her. On going out, Kevin saw, that the cow was about to bring forth a calf. He
9
Although Colgan mentions three or four Beoans, yet, it is not possible clearly to iden- tify any of them with the hermit here named. In the Irish Calendars, a St. Boean, Bishop
of Fiodh-cuilinn, is mentioned, at the 8th of August, a St. Beoan, Bishop of Tamlacht, at the 26th of October, and a St. Beoan, bishop, at the 3rd of December.
June 3. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 41
prepared to drive both animals towards the hermitage. Suddenly, a she-wolf, altogetheremaciatedwithhunger,appearedanddevouredtheyoungcalf. Its dam sent forth a plaintive lowing, while being driven towards her master's home, and on account of what had happened to her offspring. Having had an intimation, regarding what occurred, Beoan asked the visitor, why he per- mitted such an accident and loss, which seemed even to overwhelm the poor cow with grief. He then ordered Kevin, in the name of God, to afford some solace to this animal. On hearing these words of reproach, his guest went into a neighbouring wood, and there, through the power of God, he called the wolf towards him. This wild animal obeyed his call, when Kevin directed her, to seek that cow, whose calf had been devoured, and to supply the loss of her offspring, at the time of daily milking. Wonderful to relate, adds the legend, immediately after such an admonition, this wolf ran towards the cell, and stood before the cow. On seeing this action, it is told, that the cow loved herasamotherwouldanonlychild. Afterwards,atordinarymilkinghours, thiswolfcamefromthewoods. Thecow,also,whilegivingmilk,lickedher, with an appearance of affectionate regard. The hermit, Beoan, recognising this as a great miracle, gave thanks to God, and his blessing to St. Kevin.
Having received his blessing, and obtained St. Beoan's leave, blessed Kevin
10 who ruled over a of monastery
the robber advanced towards some sacred 12 to swear he was words, relics,
innocent of that theft. When he had done so, a miracle is said to have revealed the fact of his perjury. ^ All who were present cried out for the thief's death, with the exception of God's servants, who liberated him. St.
Kevin then said " O foolish man, abandon this world, and save thy soul
:
from criminal leprosy. " This just counsel he obeyed, and he brought forth
1 fruits worthy of penance, during his after life. *
Another legend of our saint is thus related. One day, Lugid sent Kevin to a certain part of the country. Whilst on his way thither, our saint found the dead bodies of two females, *s who had been beheaded. On beholding this distressing and revolting spectacle, Kevin stood for some time, on the
went to visit
Bishop Lugid,
and
religious brethren,
10
Baert remarks, that he could find no
x. , sect, x. , n. 152^. 48. —
very holy
exemplary
pious Bishop
saint, named Lugid or Lugidius, in Colgan but, he finds many named Lugaid, Lugbee and Lugneo. He confesses himself at a loss to discover, if any of them could be identified
See "Acta Sane- Vita S. Coem-
11 The Rev. Dr. Lanigan observes, that supposing St. Coemgen to have been born
in a. d. 498, he knew of no Bishop Lugidus, by whom he could have been ordained, when
arrived at a proper age for priesthood, ex- cept Lugadius, and this person is thought to be the same as Lugidus, Bishop of Connor. "But how account," he asks, "for Coem-
gen's going so far from his own country as the diocese of Connor? There might have
been a Leinster bishop, Lugidus, in the days of Coemgen's youth ; and that nam—e was formerly very common in Ireland. " "Ec-
I2 "
Accessit ad
sacra ut
signa juraret. "
with the
torum," tomus i. , Junii iii. geni, cap. ii. , n. (d), p. 315.
"Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Junii iii. Vita
S. Coemgeni, cap. ii. , n. II, p. 314.
I3 A miracle somewhat similar to the fore-
is related in " Trias Thauma- going Colgan's
turga. " See Sexta Vita S. Patricii,or Jocelyn's Life of St. Patrick, cap. cxlviii. , p. 97.
u The foregoing accounts are taken from
"
St. Kevin's Life in the
tomus i. , Junii iii. Vita S. Coemgeni, cap. ii. , num. 9, 10, 11, p. 314
15 These are said to have belonged to the
family of Dallayn. The word Dal means
"tribe," or "progeny. " See Dr. John O'Donovan's Introduction to "Topographi- cal Poems of John O'Dubhagain and Giolla na Naomh O'Huidhrin," p. 6. The re- mainder of the compound word is not easily recognisable, among the tribe-names of Ire- land,
l6 In the "Acta Breviora," it is stated,
present Lugid.
clesiastical of History
Ireland," vol. ii. , chap.
manner. This
" re- willingly
aftera
ceived our saint into his community. One day, as we are told, a robber had stolen an animal belonging to the flock of St. Lugid's monastery, and after- wards he denied this theft. Not taking into account St. Kevin's admonitory
;
Acta Sanctorum,"
42 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 3.
spot, lest their dead bodies might become the prey of birds or dogs. He
offered up prayers to God, at the same time. Soon afterwards, the perpetrators of this wicked action came there, in a disturbed state of mind, and having in their possession the heads of those, who had been slain. 16 On seeing them, Kevin upbraided those ruffians, with the murder already committed. The assassins acknowledged the commission of that foul and cruel deed. averred, it was done through hatred, and to be revenged of their parents, who had persecuted themselves. Our saint asked those mangled remains from the murderers. The heads being then deposited on the ground, Kevin joined them to their bodies. He next engaged in prayer, for some time, when in the presence of all, the females arose perfectly restored. These women gave thankstoGod. Theirmurderers,seeingthegreatmiraclewhichhadtaken place, suppliantly asked pardon for that crime. The murderers expressed joy, likewise, at the fortunate issue of this event, and then promised they wouldneverbeguiltyofanylikeaction. Returningtotheirpeople,therestored maidens gave an account of what had occurred. Owing to this wonderful
1 miracle, St. Kevin's renown was spread throughout that whole region. ?
In his youth, Bishop Lugid had resolved on leaving Ireland, to become a pil- grim,insomeforeignland. Then,theAngeloftheLordcametohimandsaid:
" Do not leave Ireland, for through the providence of God, you shall ordain many saints in it. " Acting on this admonition, Lugid remained in his native country. The holy Kevin was one among those saints, he afterwards ordained. When our saint had become a Priest, Lugid sent him with other disciples, whom he had ordained, that he might build a cell in God's honour, and in any place he might be able to find. On coming to a spot, called Cluainduach, the blessed Kevin built a cell, in which he remained for some time. While some writers assert, that this place was identical with Glenda- lough, and its more ancient d—enomination l8 others will have it a distinct
This latter — opinion
with its name and peculiar
—
already described and it may have been the ancient name for that place, with which St. Kevin's name has been associated in tradition. At Cluain-
be — it was not distinct from allowable, perhaps Luggala
20
which has been
duach, it is said, he collected together many servants of Christ. 21
While our saint remained at this place, where in seclusion he
practised great austerities, a poor fugitive ran towards his ceil door, pur- sued by twelve men, who were his enemies. These had resolved on taking
away his life. The door being closed, the runaway could not enter ; but. he fell on the ground, before it. Arriving at the spot, in search of their intended victim, his enemies could see nothing, but what appeared to be a log of wood, lying stretched on the earth. They wondered very much thereat, for they
that by a divine revelation, St. Kevin knew, that the heads of those murdered females were hidden in the hollow of a tree.
17 See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. ,
Juniiiii. Vita S. Coemgeni, cap. ii. , num. 12,
"they come bubbling or trickling among rocks and huge roots, now and then concealed both from sight and hearing ; but anon forcing their way through tangled under- wood, and forming, when their journey is nearly over,—most deliciously clear and cool
p. 314.
18 Hanmer, who possessed, or who had fountains. " Mr. and Mrs. Hall's "Ireland
:
access to, a Manuscript Life of St. Coemgen,
its Scenery, Character," &c, vol. ii. , p. 208. There, too, may be seen an exquisite engrav- ing of Luggela, from the pencil of Mr. Creswick.
2I See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , 20 Several miniature cascades proceed Junii iii. Vita S. Coemgeni, cap. ii. , num.
fromtheupperprecipicestoformtheLough: 13, p. 314.
is of this opinion. See
"
Chronicle of Ire-
land," p. 126.
19 See Harris' Ware, vol. iii. ,
"
Writers of Ireland," Book i. , chap, iii. , p. 21.
;
in
seems to establish it as the correct conclusion.
conjunction
Its position, however, has not been ascertained. However, if a conjecture
locality. ^
the context of this narrative
They
June 3. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 43
had not seen St. Kevin's door open, or the man escape from that place. Enquiring from one another, what could have become of the fugitive, or what they should next do, some among them sat down upon what appeared to be only a piece of timber. Meantime, being within his oratory, and engaged at prayer, Kevin had a revelation, regarding the occurrence outside his cell.
:
Going forth, at last, he called a certain brother, and said to him " My son,
bringthosemen,whoaresittingbeforethedoor,tome. " Whentheywere
:
in his presence, the blessed anchorite said " O wretches, why have you
wished to kill a man, before the door of Coemgen's cell? " On hearing this name pronounced, and knowing from his saintly countenance and words, that he who addressed them could have been no other than blessed Kevin him- self, the marauders fell prostrate upon earth, humbly asking his pardon.
:
Then, a servant of St. Kevin said to them " O fools, go, and see the man
you seek, and on whom you sit ; he appearing to you as wood, through the power of God, and through the merits of our Abbot. " Those marauders afterwards saw a man there sitting, and he related to them what had occurred. Then, presenting themselves to God and to St. Kevin, they all became monks, and lived under our saint. With him they remained, leading pious and reli-
22
A workman, belonging to St. Kevin's family, being one day engaged braying a stone in a mortar; a particle from this stone suddenly struck the man's eye. This accident deprived him of sight. The circumstance so occurring was revealed to St. Kevin, who had been engaged at this time, pray- ing within his oratory. On coming forth, and seeing the blind man's unhappy state, with the brethren lamenting around him, the holy anchorite placed his hand on the workman's eye and prayed for him. Kevin also signed the wound, in the name of Christ. Immediately, and in presence of all, that man rv< overed the use of sight. He was freed from pain and blood, like- wise, as if he had never been struck. He and the other brethren gave thanks to God, glorifying their holy patron, at the same time.
After* these and many like miracles, blessed Kevin left his cell at
2 Cluainduach, having placed some venerable men in charge of it. 3 Then,
taking some monks with him, our saint directed his footsteps towards his own
country.
While walking alone, and through a desert place, his monks having preceded him on the way, St. Coemgen saw a man's dead body lying near the roadside. Not being able to bury the corpse without assistance, our saintprayedtoGod,thatthedeceasedmightberestoredtolife. Thedeadman arose, and blessed the saint, giving thanks to the Almighty. Then accom- panying holy Kevin, the man told him, that he had been suddenly suffocated and overtaken by death, on that very spot, where he had been found. Coming up with the rest of St. Kevin's brethren, these made enquiries regarding that stranger, who declared, he had been raised to life, by their venerable
gious lives to the period of their respective deaths.
" See W. , num. 14, pp. 314, 315.
23 See Rev. Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical
Anglo-Saxons ! O mighty antiquary ! on this stupid statement it is sufficient to ob-
serve, that Glendalough is, both as a com- pound word and in its parts, downright
Irish, consisting of Glen, valley, da, two, and lough lake. The Doctor need not have
gone further than Johnson's Dictionary to learn that glen and lough are originally Irish words, which as well as very many others,
or rather Glendalough, seems to be an have crept into the English language. The
History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, x. , sect. x. , p. 44.
24 See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Junii iii. Vita S. Coemgeni, cap. ii. , num. 15, 16, p. 315-
* 5 " Ledwich, to make a display of his learning, says (Ant. p. 33), that Glendalogh
Anglo-Saxon compound, and that the name
was derived from the first Firbolgian pos-
sessorsofthe valley, viz. , the Tuathals or
O'Tooles. So then these Firbolgians were Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, x. , sect, x. , n. 154,
place has very appropriately been so call—ed from there being two lakes in the valley. "
Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical History of
44 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 3.
superior. Hearing such a surprising account, the disciples gave praise to
Christ,theSaviourofmen. Thestrangersoonbecameamonk,andhelived
under St. Kevin, with whom he remained to the day of his death, in a state
2 of holy obedience. *
Thence, pursuing his course, and having come towards his own part of the country, St. Kevin began to inhabit those solitudes of Wicklow, now known as
2 ^ There, in he had led an eremi- youth,
the and Lakes of Valley
Glendalough.
tical life, until he had been discovered in this place of his retreat, and in the
manneralreadymentioned. Fromthebeginning,oursainthaddearlylovedthis place. The old writer of his Acts states, that in the lower part of this valley, and where two clear rivers flow together, he began to found a great monas- tery. We may well suppose, these streams must be that one of Glenealo, as now called, which rolls down from the bleak and precipitous mountain, at the head of the Upper Lough, which supplies its deep basin, and afterwards escapes from its outlet, again forming a river, until it enters the Lower Lough, from which it again issues, and a little below, it is joined by theGlen- dasan rivulet. 26 The ancient pass running upwards towards the head of this latter glen is called St. Kevin's Road ; while huge Camaderry Mountain rises between both streams, and terminates at their junction. Within the—se
- rivulet boundaries, and immediately near their blending into one course—
thence taking the name ofGlendasan River until it falls into the Avonmore the ancient city of Glendalough was chiefly situated, as the numerous ruins still there sufficiently indicate. However, other opinion prevails, that where
the stream of Lugduff, below Poulanass Waterfall, joins the Upper Lake, and within the woods, must have been the site originally selected by St. Kevin for his religious house. This monastic institute has been identified with what is now called Reafert Church, which the learned Dr. Petrie calls St. Kevin's earlier church, near the upper Lake. 2 ? Even at the present day, its ruins are buried in an almost perfect solitude. 28 After descending the valley, a very shortdistancefromSt. Kevin'sBed,andstillbelowit, butonasteepledge of rock, under Lugduff there is a circular wall, 12 feet in diameter, and two feet or more in thickness. A cross in the centre, and a few trees cluster
about the place picturesquely. This seems to have been a place for holding stations. A little distance below it in the valley, and on the same side of the
lake,
"
tend from the inner to the outer face. A massive lintel covers the doorway. Some completed chiselling on its left side seems to indicatean intention of adding an architrave, like that seen in the Lady's Church, at Glen- dalough. See ibid. , p. 174.
2? The finest and most characteristic en- graving, by George Hanlon, we have seen, and representing the doorway of Refeart
church at Glendalough, is that designed by William F. Wakeman, in the " Irish Literary Gazette," vol. ii. There is an arti- cle descriptive of the antiquities of Glenda- lough appended, and written in the graceful style of that accomplished artist. See pp. 299, 300.
30 The Rev. Dr. Lanigan, however, sus-
27 See
Round Towers of Ireland," part ii. , sect, iii. , subs, i. , p. 173.
28 There may be seen, likewise, a beauti-
ful woodcut, representing the doorway, which is formed of chiselled granite blocks. This doorway is six feet in height, two feet six inches in width at top, and two feet and nineinchesatthebottom. Thewallisthree feet ia thickness, and most of its stones ex-
Ecclesiastical Architecture and
2^ inamostsecluded Numbersofoldbroken position.
is Reafert
stone crosses lie scattered about this church, which had been surrounded by a graveyard, now embosomed in fine shady trees. The date, for the erection ofamonasteryatGlendalough,isnotrecorded; but,anopinionisentertained, that it must have been founded, before a. d. 549, supposing our saint to have been abbot there, when he went to pay a visit to St. Kieran,3° at Clonmacnois,
church,
pp. 48, 49.
26 An inspection of the " Ordnance Sur-
vey Townland Maps for the County of Wicklow," sheet 23, will bring the whole of this locality, as also the site and ruins of Glendalough, most intelligibly under the eye of the
inspector.
June 3. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
45
and where he did not arrive until three days after the Abbot's death. 3 event is held to have occurred, a. d. 549. 32
1
This
At one time, as we find the circumstance related, St. Kevin went on a visit to that St. Kieran, who dwelt in Clonmacnoise city, on the banks of the River Shannon, and towards the western confines of Meath province, opposite the territoryofConnaught. But,threedaysbeforeSt. Kevin'sarrival,theAbbot of Clonmacnoise had departed this life. The exact date for his death, there- fore, must determine the year of St. Kevin's visit to Clonmacnoise. The body was then placed upon a bier, within a certain church, until Kevin and other men should be present to assist at the interment. Our saint arrived at a late hour in Clonmacnoise monastery, and he entered the church, where the dead Abbot's body lay. He commanded all the brethren to go outside, as lie wished to be left alone with the sacred relics. Doing as they had been com- manded, our saint closed the church doors, and remained himself within it, until the following day. But, some of the brethren remained watching with- out the door. While St. Kevin prayed, St. Kieran's beatified spirit is said to have returned to his body, and a holy conversation afterwards passed between both saints. Their words were distinctly heard, by the brethren without ; and, Kieran asked our saint, that as a sign of lasting friendship, both should change their garments. This was accordingly done. The doors beingopenedonthefollowingday,themonksfoundSt. Kevinclothedwith St. Kieran's garments. The latter holy person, in like manner, was covered withthegarmentsofoursaint. Kieran'sbody,moreover,seemedfullofvital heat, and his face appeared ruddy in colour. Then, St. Kevin declared, that the deceased Abbot had established a fraternity and union with himself, and that this extended to the monks of Clonmacnoise and to these of Glenda- lough. The body of St. Kieran being buried, with great honour, St. Kevin returned towards his own city. 33
Many pious men with religious vocations flocked to him, from all parts of the
surrounding country, and became monks at this place, being under our saint's
spiritualguardianship. 34 Variouscellsandmonasterieswerefounded,afterwards, in the Leinster province; while, a great number of monks lived at different sta-
tions, all being subject totheRule of St. Kevin. Themonastery of Glendalough, and other monasteries, subject to him, were assigned to the care of approved and saintly men. He appointed their several duties for each of his religious.
Having provided for the spiritual wants and welfare of others, the holy Abbot—who had always loved perfect retirement and contemplation— resolved to indulge his desire for solitude and prayer. He then went alone, into an upper part of the valley, about a mile distant from his monastery. Here, he erected a small hermitage for himself, in a narrow place, between the lake and the mountain above it, where there were thick shady trees and clear rivulets. He ordered his monks, to send him no kind of food, and that none should approach him, except on urgent business. While thus alone, in the upper part of Glendalough valley, and in different places between the moun- tain and the lake, he led an eremitical life, for four years. These he passed, in continual fasting and vigil, without fire, and without even a roof to cover him. It was not known, whether he lived on roots, found in the earth, or on the fruits of trees, or on food miraculously sent him from Heaven ; for, he would
pects, that our saint was not an abbot at the time of this event. See "Ecclesiastical
nicarum Scriptores," tomus ii. , Tigernachi Annales, p. 138.
of vol.
History Ireland," ii. , chap,
x. , sect.
33 See " Acta " tomus Sanctorum,
x. , p. 44, and n. 155, p. 49. Ibid.
31 His feast is commemorated, at the 9th
of September.
3' See Rev. Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum Hiber-
i. , Junii iii. Vita S. Coemgeni, cap. iv. , num. 30,
p. 318.
34 See ArchdalFs " Monasticon Hiberni-
cum," p. 766.
46 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [JUNE 3.
not disclose the secret manner of his life to any person. His monks built a renowned cell, however, in that desert place, where St. Kevin dwelt, between the upper mountain and the lake on its southern side. 35 In the Scottish or Irish language, this place was called Disert-Caughin, which is rendered in Latin, " Eremus Coemgeni. "36 This cell, which was tenanted by St. Kevin, must have been the present almost shapeless mass of ruins, some short distance above St. Kevin's Bed, and on the very margin of the lake. Towering and
"
The walls of a cell there measure 21 feet, by 17 feet interiorly ; while, they
precipitous black rocks, rise perpendicularly over this
Teampulna Scellig. "
Ruins of St. Kevin's First Cell Glendalough.
are over two feet, in thickness. Outside of this quadrangular cell, a circularly built wall may be seen. Through it, there is a very narrow passage faced
with stone, and having steps descending towards the cell. 37 Here, it is very likely, St. Kevin spent his most lonely hours. Perhaps, some of the stones
yet remaining were placed there, by the saint's own hand. Here, however, there could not have been space, for the erection of any considerable monas- tery, 38 so that it must have been merely a hermitage.
As illustrating the gentleness of his disposition, it is said, that the beasts, on the mountains and in the woods, laying aside their natural ferocit) accompanied St. Kevin. In a domesticated state, they tamely drank water
35 Here, at the time the biographer of St. Kevin wrote, a famous monastery stood, and in which religious men always lived.
36 It may be translated, " Kevin's soli-
tude," or "desert," in English.
37 In company with the Rev. Richard
Galvan, P. P. , Rathdrum, and the Rev. James Gafifney, M. R. I. A.
