No More Learning

** See Dr- O'Donovan's edition, vol. i. ,
pp. 314, 315, and n. (p). Ibid.
« Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xxv. Chapter n. — 1 See John D'Alton's arti-
See an account of him, at that date, in the First Volume of this work, Art. i.
June i. ]
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
that from at least twelve to fourteen years, the latter holy personage had been superior over the large community, which had been there congregated, during the period of his rule. About the beginning of the eighth century, likewise,
1 We think some confusion must have arisen, however, when we find the account of Cronan, a
the schools of Lismore were in the zenith of their
man of noble birth, and presumably this saint, whose rule is placed at A. D.
and who is said to have died, on the of a. d. 2 It is 9th February, 717.
702,
said, too, that the name Cronan is probably a misprint ; as in those Calendars
which Colgan used, he is called Mochuaroc, alias Cuaran the Wise, of Deisi Mumhan. 3
The exact observance of religious discipline, with the personal character and virtues of our saint, gave earnest of a spirit, which survived his time, as it had been transmitted to holy and learned men who flourished there, when the pious Cronan had been called away to receive his eternal reward. The Irish Annals of the Four Masters assign his death, to the istday of June, a. d. 716 ; but, the Annals of Ulster record his decease, under the following year. * The death of Cronan n-Hecain, Abbot of Lismore, is entered at a. d. 718, in the Annals of Tighemach. 5 Strange to state, that the Bodleian copy of the Annals of Inisfallen 6 record the departure of Colmain hua Liatain, Abbot of Lismoir, at this very same year, 718, as if there had been some confounding of St. Cronan h-Hecain with him; while, in the Dublin copy of these Annals, a similar entry is altogether omitted.
After our saint's happy departure, monastic life seems to have held a dis-
tinguishedfeatureofsocietyinLismore,asourAnnalssufficientlyreveal. In- deed, in may well be set down, as one foremost among Ireland's holy cities. Half of it was an asylum, into which no woman dared to enter ; but, it was full of churches and monasteries, while religious and monks in great numbers abode there. Pious men flocked to it from all parts of Ireland, while even from England and Britain they came, being desirous to remove thence to Christ. ?
8
Besides the cathedral of Lismore, there were at least twenty other churehes
in this place ;° and, during mediaeval times, the city was regarded as one of great importance. The former cathedral, on high ground over the River Blackwater, is now the Protestant church, and it is shaped like a cross, the grand entrance looking towards the south. There is reason to think, it
escaped the destructive fires and plunderings, which the city experienced, after
thetimeofSt. Carthagh. ItwasoriginallyconstructedintheIrishRoman-
esque style ; the windows being narrow, and terminated with circular arches.
Each was surmounted with a small window, in shape like a circle. These
round windows were also over the entrance, and at the extremities of the
transepts.
10
However, in the beginning of the present century, measures
8
cle in the "Irish Penny Magazine," vol. i. , Founded, it is said, by St. Carthagh, who
No. 11, p. 82. became its first bshop. See Archdeacon 2""
See Archdeacon Henry Cotton's Fasti Ecclesiae Hiberncse," part i. Diocese of WaieilordandLismore,'p. 39.
3 See "Journal of the Kilkenny and South- East of Ireland Archaeological Society," vol. i. , part ii. , New Series, p. 289.
"
Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 314, 315, and n.
(p), ibid.
s See Rev. Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum Hiber-
nicarum Scriptores," tomus ii. , p. 229.
6
Cot on's Fasti EccLsise Hibemicse,"part i. Dioceses of Waterford and Lismore, p. 39.
9 i'heAnnalsofInisfallenaresaidtorelate,
that the city, with all its churches had been
burned down. a. d. 1207. See Dr. Charles
Smith's "Ancient and Present State of the
County and City of Waterford," chap, iii. ,
n. 13, p. 29. However, the Inisfallen An-
rials, as published by Rev. Dr. Charles
O'Conor, do not come down to that date,
IO
See Rev. R. H. Ryland's "History, Topography and Antiquities of the County
4 See Dr. O'Donovan's
See ibid. , p. 19.
7 See Harris' Ware, vol. i. , "Bishops of and City of Waterford," sect. ii. ,p. 338.
Lismore," pp. 547, 548. "See J. R. O'Flanagan's "Blackwai. er;in
reputation.
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[June i.
were taken, to make alterations and repairs, which have resulted in a most in- congruous admixture of Gothic style with the more ancient features. A
square tower, surmounted by a light and taper spire, was added. 11 The cathedral choir seems to be very ancient ; but, the nave appears to have been built long subsequent to it, and to be of no very remote antiquity. Its south and east walls were supported by buttresses. 12
The Diocese of Lismore was divided into four Rural Deaneries, viz. , Ardmore, Kilbarmeadan, Kilshellan, and Ardfinnan. The chapter consisted of the Dean, who had some peculiar privileges, a Chantor, a
Chancellor, a Treasurer, an Archdeacon, and eleven Prebendaries. There were also five Vicars-Choral, attached to that church. '3 About a. d.
i 130, Muretus, King of Munster, repaired the cathedral. The institu- tion and endowment of vicars-choral had been made by Griffin Christopher, bishop of Lismore, about the year 123c 1 * Thomas le Reve was advanced
to this See in 1358; and, during his government, the two bishoprics of Lismore and Waterford were united a. d. 1363, by Pope Urban V. 's
A castle at Lismore was first 16 in the erected, by King John,
year i\Z^
Four years afterwards, it was taken by surprise and broken down by the Irish;
while on this occasion, its commander Robert Barry and its garrison were put
to the sword. 18 Afterwards, however, it was rebuilt. For some hundreds
of years, as we are told, the Bishop of the Diocese held his state, at Lismore
Castle. 1 ^ From being built on a very elevated situation on the verge of a
hill, rising steep over the Blackwater River, it is one of the most imposing
residences in Ireland. 20 It continued to be the Bishop's home, until the time
of Meyler Magrath, who, with consent of the Dean and Chapter, transferred it
toSirWalter 21 ThemanorofLismorewasaddedasa 22 Raleigh. possession.
In after time, it passed into the hands of Sir Walter Raleigh, and from him it went to the Earl of Cork. The castle was besieged in 1642, by Richard Bealing and the Confederates; but, in 1645, ft was burned by Lord Castle- haven. In consequence of the marriage of its heiress Lady Charlotte Boyle
with the Duke of in it fell into the Cavendish Devonshire, 1748,
Several portions of this medicsval castle are yet to be seen standing ;
23 family.
and their
baronial grandeur, even in decay, adds a dignity and picturesqueness to the more modern magnificent mansion. 2* This latter was erected by the Duke
of Devonshire, in 1814, and in it are preserved some ancient and interesting 2
records and manuscripts, as also valuable objects of antiquity. * Among the manuscripts in Lismore Castle are the ancient Book of Lismore, and also, the
Munster," p. 54.
monument is to be seen.
13
Dimock, M. A. , vol. v. , p. 386.
12 With the
l8 See the "Dublin vol. i. , No. 43, p. 337.
of a tomb
over one Magrath, who was buried here in 1548—some have it 1557—no very ancient
Penny Journal,"
exception
placed
See Harris' Ware, vol. i. ,
20 The is referred to reader
Lismore," p. 547.
14 See Charles Smith's "Ancient and Pre-
sent State of the County and City of Water- ford,'' chap, iii. , n. 8, and p. 28.
15 See Harris' Ware, vol. i. , "Bishops of
Waterford," pp. 533, 534, and "Bishops of Lismore," p. 554.
Ryland's "History, Topography and Antiquities of the County and City of Waterford," sect, i. , Historical
Sketch, p. 15.
17 Such is the statement of Giraldus Cam-
brensis, in cap. xxxv.
Lady Morgan's novel "Florence MacCarthy," for special
16 See Rev. R. H.
reference to this place.
2I "
See J. R. O'Flanagan's Blackwater in
Munster," p. 48.
" See Rev. R. H. Ryland's "History,
Topography and Antiquiiies of the County ami City of Waterford," sect. ii. ,p. 338.
23 See William F. Wakeman's "Tourists' Guide to Ireland," Dublin to Cork, pp. 341, 342.
24 The illustration, drawn accompanying
on the wood from a photograph, by William F. Wakeman, has been engraved by Mrs. Millard.
" "
Expugnatio Hibernica," lib. ii. , Opera," edited by James F.
" of Bishops
,9 See William F. Wakeman's "Tourists' Guide to Ireland," Dublin to Cork, p. 342.
June i. ]
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
Diary of Sir Richard Boyle, afterwards Earl of Cork, in which he kept a regularjournalofalmosteveryoccurrence,withwhichhewasconcerned. 26 In a tower of Lismore Castle was discovered, a. d. 1814, the beautiful pastoral staff of Bishop Mac Mic CEducan or M'Gettigan 2 ? and this is now shown, in
; thehallofthemodernmansion. Duringtheseventeenthcentury,theruins
of several ecclesiastical buildings only presented heaps of rubbish ; although, many persons, then living, had a remembrance of better remains. It is evident, that the more recent improvements in Lismore have completely
Lismore Castle, County of Waterford.
altered the plan of this ancient town, and have effaced almost completely its
former sites. The of 28 the name of religious Martyrology Donegal registers
Crondn, Abbot of Lismor Mochuda, at the 1st of June. However, in the great Collection of Saints, by the Bollandists, at this day, we find no mention of St. Cronan made.
The heart as the hand of the holy and diligent prelate, and the blessings of the Lord are joined together, before his career on earth has closed, to make us rich in the treasures of body or mind, of time or eternity, while our trials continue,andweareimitatorsofhisnobleexample. Thoughlikethedistant stars, their effulgence of light may not range to our vision, not lesser are they luminous within their sphere, than those planets which revolve nearerto our posi- tion. LetusliftupourhandsandourheartstothesaintsinHeaven,who,although little distinguished in chronicle, we may rest assured had a very important
25 See the " Irish Penny Magazine," vol. i. , No. 11, p. 83.
26 See Rev. R. H. " Ryland's History,
Topography and Antiquities of the City and County of Waterford," sect, ii. , p. 338. . This
Diary has been lately published.
2
? See Archdeacon Henry Cotton's "Fasti Ecclesise Hibernicse," vol. v. , p. 24.
28 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 142, 143.
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June i.
part, in the preservation of the virtues and faith among our people, where they werecalledupontominister. Thepresentholymanlived,atagloriousperiod in the history of our Irish Church.
Article II. —St. Ronan, or Renan, Bishop in Ireland, and a
Solitary in Lesser Britain. [Fifth and Sixth Centuries. '] This holy
man, who lived in the early times of Christianity in these Islands, has acquired
considerable renown in the north-western part of France. The name Ronan,
which he bears in ancient documents, is one very familiar to the students of
Irish history ; but, it is also written Renan. He is noted, in the Breviary of
Corisopitan, now commonly called Kempercorentin, and its text contains the
chief particulars of his Life, which tradition has given to us. Albert le
Grand, among the saints of Armoric Britain, has a Life of this St. Ronan. In
the title, he is simply styled an anchorite ; but, in the body of the tract, he is
called The Bollandists, too, have his Acts at this 1 are priest. day. They
taken from the Breviary of Corisopitan, and they are given in four paragraphs,
4
while there is a previous commentary, in four paragraphs, with annotations. Among the saints of Brittany, Lobineau has some notices of him j3 as also, inhisHistoryofthatProvince. * ThereisaLifeofthisholysolitary,inthe Petits Bollandistes,s at the ist day of June ; it is also given by Rev. S. Baring- Gould. 6 Wehavealreadyalludedtothisholyman,intheLifeofSt. Finan,? Bishop of Lindisfarne, and Apostle in Northumbria, at the 9th day of January, as likewise—if he be not a different Ronan—in a special article, at the 6th of
8 This is said to have been that a Scot to whom February. Ronan, by birth,
Venerable Bede alludes. However, such a statement is more than doubtful ; nor is it credited, by Father Hennschen, who states, that the Ronan men- tioned by Venerable Bede must have lived, at least a century later than the present saint. 10 The parents of this holy man are said to have been persons of the middle class. At first pagans, they became Christians in Ireland," where they were moved to the profession of Faith, owing to the preaching of St. Patrick. 12 When their son was born has not transpired ; but, possibly the date for this event may be referred to the latter part of the fifth century.
He was a native of Ireland, 13 according to the writers of his Acts. It is said, that Ronan was educated, in profane science, at first ;'« but, that his mind was prepared by Divine grace for the reception of truth, when he had discovered theerrorandfollyofpaganism. Hewasachildofnaturallygooddisposi- tions; and,whateverscienceheacquiredwasdiligentlystoredinhismind, while he learned soon to obey all the Divine precepts. Then, after he had
Article ii. — ' See the Bollandists'
lib.
See the Bollandists'
" Acta Sanctorum," tomus Armorica, pp. 83, 84.
2
Edited by Father Godefrid Henschenn. 3 See " Les Vies des Saints de Bretagne,"
tome i. , June i. , pp. 15410161.
4 See "Histoire de Bretagne," tome i. ,
liv. ii. , num. clxxx. , p. 73.
s See "Les Vies des Saints," tome
vi. ,
Premier Jour de Juin, pp. 366 to 368. 6"
7 See the First Volume of this work, Art. ii.
8
lorum," I0
iii. , cap. xxv. , p. 233.
"Acta
De S.
i.
Ronano Episcopo, Eremita in Britannia tomus i. , Junii i. De S. Ronano Episcopo,
See Lives of the Saints," vol. vi. , June 1st, pp. 4, 5.
the true faith.
TM See " Les Petits
ier Juin, p. 366.
Bollandistes,
" tome
vi. ,
Seethe Second Volume of this work,
i. , Junii
Sanctorum,"
Art. ix.
»" pp.
In Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Ang- 45.
Eremita in Britannia Armorica, Commenta- rius Praevius, num. 4, p. 83.
" Albert le Grand states, that Ronan passed over to Great Britain, where he was instructed and baptized; but, the Bollan- dist editor of his Acts states, that the Anglo- Saxons were
idolators, during the fifth and sixth centuries, while the Irish had embraced
« See
niae," ix. Januarii.
Lindisfarnensi, cap. iv. , and n. 6, 44,
Colgan's
" Acta Sanctorum Hiber- De S. Finano Episcopo
June i. ]
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
received Minor Orders, he was gradually raised to the dignity of Subdeacon, Deacon, and Priest. Finally, he obtained the episcopal grade, 15 through the
distinguished merits which were recognised in him. His ministry became fruitful in every good work, and he was found to be just in the sight of God. The holy spirit ever guided his course. That his parents were persons of some distinction may be inferred from a circumstance related, that our saint was held in much honour in Ireland, although his humility discarded all display. Desir- ous to lead a life of greater perfection, Ronan left his native country; for, he believed, that as a true follower of Christ, he should enjoy a greater reward by renouncing home, kindred and friends, after the words and spirit of the Gospel, so as to deny himself and to take up his cross, thus imitating his Divine Master. He desired to cross the ocean, and to seek the territory of
Britain. 16 He
sought
the shores of Aremorica, and went to the country of
ofwhichiscalledSaintPoldeLeon,afterits
He settled in Basse or Lower Bre- Bretagne,
1 ? and century. Day night
Leon,
episcopal city St. Pol or Paul. 18
first
1? thechief
Bishop
he devoted to God's service ; and, through his prayers, numbers who were blind received the gift of vision; the sick were healed; and persons who were possessed obtained freedom from their affliction, so that the fame of Ronan soon spread abroad. The place where he lived was called by the Bretons Loc-Renan-Ar-Fang, and it is in the present town of Saint Renan-en-Leon. There, probably he might have remained, for the rest of his days ; but, for the miracles he wrought, and which brought a great number of people to his cell. He desired to have more time for prayer and a greater seclusion. He resolved, therefore, on seeking some other situation, and accordingly, accom- panied by an Angel of the Lord, he passed over the gulf of Brest, and arrived at the forest of Coat-Neven,20 in the country of Cornouailles. There, he found a very holy man, and when Ronan came to his house, the pilgrim was joyfully received, and pressed to remain with him for some time. His host when Ronan " I am a Scot
purpose,
tagne,
where he
it is
lived, thought,
in the sixth
asked about his and his country
replied :
by birth, belonging to a land beyond the sea, wanting all things which I had freely from my father, and for the love of H;m who willingly left worldly goods for our sake ; I sought exile of my own accord ; I relinquished worldly things, trusting to receive greater favours from Him, on the Day of Judgment. " Only a few days passed, until Ronan began the erection of his cell 21 and
when it had been completed, there he devoted himself assiduously to prayer and fasting. At this time Grallon,22 King of the Britons, ruled over that country. Soon an account was circulated about Ronan, his country, and the
14AccordingtoAlbertleGrand.
15 Such is the statement of Albert le Grand.
16 Whether he went first to Greater or
Lesser Britain is not specified, in the Bre-
viary of Corisopitan.
** See Lobineau's" Histoire de Bretagne,"
tome i. , liv. ii. , num. clxxx. , p. 73. 18
the12thofDecember. See"ActaSanc- torum," tomus i. . Juniii. De S. Ronano Episcopo, Eremita in Britannia Armorica, Commentarius Prsevius, num. I, p. 83.
2I The Acts of St. Ronan state, that it was
built near the Nem;3ean wood, which was
formerly of great extent, and which was a
great covert for wild animals. It is called His feast is held, on the 12th of the Koat Nevet, rendered Foret Sacree, in
March.
19 The Rev. Dr. Lanigan says, he retired
. to Britanny, about the latter end of the fifth
century. See "Ecclesiastical History of
the Legende de Saint Ronan, given by Le Vicomte Hersart de la Villemarque, in his " Barzaz Breiz,'' pp. 477, to 482.
" This appears to have been Grallon, Comte de Cornouaille, founder of the Abbey
Ireland," vol. i. , chap, ix. , sect, xii. , p. 492.
30 It was otherwise known as Nemea of Landevenec, and of the See of Quimper,
Sylva—called Neve by Albert le Grand— mentioned by Lobineau, in his "
Histoire and it was about three leagues from Kemper- de Bretagne," tome i. , liv. i. , sect. , xxviii. ,
corentin, so called from its first bishop and p. 9.
patron St. Corentin, whose feast is kept c. i 93 See the Bollandists' " Acta Sanctonim,
;
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[June i.
purpose he had in leaving it. This holy man was remarkable for his austere manner of living ; and, Grallon desired to visit him, and to receive his bene- diction. The multitude followed this example afforded by their king. Ronan preached the word of God to all who flocked thither, and great was the con- solation he afforded. 23 One day, while Ronan stood at the door of his cell, he saw a wolf bearing away in his mouth a sheep from some adjoining farm, andhasteningtothewood. TrustingintheAlmighty,heshouted,andthe wolf dropped its prey. Nor was the like incident a singular one, for often he saved the flocks of his neighbours, in the same manner. 2* At one time, he was so oppressed with hunger and fatigue, that he was obliged to seek a meansoflivingfromagoodpeasant,whohospitablyentertainedhim. So touched was his host, with the purity of Ronan's motives, that he asked per- mission some times to visit the saint. However, Keban, or Queban, the wife of thispeasant,25 wasapassionateandanenviouswoman,whogavewaytoher irritability of temper, when she found her husband staying too long at the hermitage. Keban complained, that he had neglected her, and had become idle ; while her complaints were especially directed against Ronan, who bore these reproaches in silence, and with admirable patience. This only increased her fury, and she furthermore circulated calumnies against him, among her neighbours who were over-credulous. She pretended, that Ronan was a magician, who was desirous of initiating her husband to the mysteries of some diabolic arts. Although her false statements were credited, by some ignorant persons ; yet, those who were more reasonable continued to honour Ronan, and this served to counteract her malicious designs. But, she conceived a still more wicked project, to effect her revenge. She had a little daughter, only between four and five years, and her she concealed in a closet. Then, she circulated a report, that Ronan, through his magic arts, was able to trans- form himself into a wild beast, whenever he so willed, while in such a guise, he was the wolf, which destroyed so many animals, in that part of the country. She averred, moreover, that hating herself more than any of the other inhabi- tants there, that abominable man had devoured her only daughter. These charges created a popular excitement, and accompanied by many other women, Keban immediately went to the saint's hermitage, and with horrible cries demanded her child. Still deceiving her followers, that wicked woman induced them to accompany her to Quimper, where King Grallon lived. There, shedding tears in abundance, and with violent contortions, she cast herself at the king's feet, demanding justice to be executed against Ronan, who had devoured her daughter, and who had made her husband a sorcerer. So like were her actions to the impulses of nature, that Grallon, and the greater part of his nobles, were deceived. Seduced by her words, and horrified at the enormity of the imputed crime, the king sent a messenger to arrest Ronan. When he came before Grallon,26 the latter, in a towering passion, and giving way to his natural impetuosity of disposition, would not allow Ronantheslightestopportunity,tosayawordinhisowndefence. "Ihave two furious bull-dogs," shouted the king," and they shall soon prove, if this man be innocent ; let them be hounded on against him, and we shall test the sanctity of his life, if he be not guilty. " Accordingly, the dogs were loosed against Ronan, who instantly raised his hand, making a sign of the cross.