MACCARTHEN AND HIS
FESTIVALS—MEMORIALS
OF THE SAINT—HIS NEW CATHEDRAL—LIST OF THE EARLY BISHOPS OF CLOGHER—CONCLUSION.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v8
In like manner, our Irish Apostle erected an inde- pendent See at Louth, anciently called Lughmagh, " the plain of Lugh.
" He was probably some local chieftain.
This See appears to have had its own bishop, at least down to a.
d.
io44.
to Soon afterwards, Louth merged into the See of Clogher.
When it had thus gathered under its wings both the Sees already mentioned, the bounds of Clogher diocese on the east and west reached from one ocean to the other, from where the Saimer River flows into the sea near Bundoran to Clogher Head and the mouth of the Boyne, taking in the celebrated Abbey of Mellifont.
About the twelfth century, Clogher became divested of Louth ; and, in the thirteenth century, the See of Ard- straw was annexed to Derry.
Yet, even after losing these wings, the extent of Clogher diocese was very great, and it included powerful tribes of the
11
territory, Tyrone.
then has been attributed the erection of a monastery in Clogher ; this
opinion, however, is grounded more upon supposition than on any positive certainty.
About this time, Eochod, son toCrimthan, had been the ruler of Orgiell^
of was situated. 1 * It is said to be known on Ulster, Clogher
Colla Dacrioch extraction.
churches, monasteries and other religious houses in Ireland. The descendants of Niali of the Nine Hostages, who from him were called the O'Neills, after- wards added it to their own known as 12 To St. Maccar-
in which
—stood on the undoubtedly
earthwork or Dun
supposed
as
Regia.
The ancient — of the of " dwelling place kings Ergal"
lofty
daigh, i. e. , "the district of the hundred ""
following extract : "To the east of Rath- more, in the hollow ground fronting the
Palace, are to be seen two adjoining springs
of limpid water, tastefully surrounded by a
brick-work enclosure. They still are called to
this " The and were so called day Sisters,"
on account of a convent which stood on the
— towards the south of these sloping ridge
forts," or hillocks. "
It also possessed many among the foremost
region Ptolemy's map
to be the ancient Rathmore 1S within the modern demesne or grounds of the Protestant
10
Then Mael Mocta of Louth died, ac-
cording to Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 844, 845.
" Such as the Mac Mac Kennas, &c.
Mahons, Maguires,
12
See the letter of Mr.
dated
Cootehill, May 27th, 1835, in "Letters
containing Information relative to the Anti
quities of the County of Armagh and
Monaghan, collected during the Progress
of the Ordnance Survey in 1835," p. 131 B.
of hill is called the yet
13
See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
O'Donovan,
nise," xxiv. Martii, n. 10, p. 739.
14 The most ancient form of the name hopeless of exploration than the ruined cities
"Clogher," as given by Adamnan, is Clochur Filiorum Daimeni. Eochaidh was sixth in descent from Colla da Crioch. See Rev. Dr. Reeves' Adamnan's "Life of St. Colum- ba," lib. ii. , cap. v. , and n. (c), pp. m, 112.
15 Under the *' the signature Sacerdos,"
Very Rev. Daniel O'Connor, P. P. , of Emy- vale, has contributed a learned article to
"The People's Advocate," Monaghan. It appeared in the number for Saturday, Feb- ruary 24th, 1877. From it we take the
of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Something
has been already done towards casting light on the ancient history of this remarkable loca-
very
springs which ridge
"Nun's Hill. " This hill would seem tocor-
respond with the ancient name Drumdnbhan, on which stood a celebrated convent. The visitor to these historic spots must feel, in traversing this sacred ground, that here in- deed is a "City of the dead ;" a locality more
lity in papers contributed to the
"
Northern
Star," in 1870, entitled
I have seen the MS. of a
carefully prepared "Lecture on the Life and Times of St. MacCartin," from the pen of the learned and respected parish priest of Clogher, the Rev. Philip Connolly, and it is a pity that this MS. should remain unpub-
" Clogher-na-righ. "
erudite and
216
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[August 15.
of
bishop Clogher.
16 There is scarcely a doubt, but it was the Rath-mor or 18
great fortress of Magh-Leamhna, ? built by Queen BaineV during the Pagan
period of Clogher. It is called by the Four Masters Rath-trwr, at Clogher.
J
Tins Queen Baine* was buried on a hill 9 about two miles north of Clogher,
and on the summit of which there is a -sepulchral enclosure, or cromlech. Her name is identified with this hill, which is called Knockmany. 20 The earthwork or fortress in Clogher is surrounded by a —deep fosse, and there yet appear in the vicinity of it traces of water-courses an ancient method of fortifying princely residences in . Ireland. This hill is now called " Castle Hill. "31 Fromthebeautifulandcommandinghill ofKnockmany,"maybe had charming views of Clogher and an extensive part of the ancient kingdom
of Ergal. — St. Cinnia a3
otherwise called Ricinne from her royal descent
—
was the
lished, as it clearly sets forth the leading their illustious dead. "—Vol. iv. , Fourth
facts regarding the religious foundations at
Series, p. 96.
Clogher—the cradle of Christianity in this extensive diocese. "
20
The Rev. Mr. O'Connor was the first to
16
The present residence of Ellison Mac-
identify this place with Cnoc Baine, in the newspaper article already alluded to : "It
requires very little knowledge of Irish ety- mology to perceive the close resemblance
between the original name Cnoc-baine, and the modernized form of it, Knockmany. Nor will it excite surprise to be told that as they are one and the same name, so they designate
cartney, Esq. , M. P.
1 It was otherwise called Clossach, in the
County of Tyrone and Diocese of Clogher. It is shown on an old Map of Ulster,
preserved in the State Papers Office, Lon-
"
Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 46, 47, and one and the same place. The locale of this
don. See Dr. O'Donovan's n. (o).
18
Annals of the
hill, as given by the Four Masters, was in Magh Leamna (pronounced Moy Leney).
The name of Queen Baine is also preserved in the townland denomination of Mullagh- beney, a hill convenient to Knockmany. See Roderick O'Flaherty's Ogygia," The late William Carleton, who was a na- tive of this neighbourhood, has connected these hills, and in fact, all the notable parts of this locality, with his undying stories. Even the Witch "Anyia," of whom he writes in his " Legend of Knockmany," when divested of the exaggeration of the folk-lore of the neighbourhood, is no other than the historical Queen Baine. At the foot of Mullaghbeney lies the townland of Killaney, so called, probably, after St. En- dens, brother of St. Fanchea. * * * There we find it stated that St. Fanchea was founder and superioress of a convent of reli- gious at Rossory, near Enniskillen, and that Rathmor, near Clogher, was her birth- in the domain of Irish topography and place. Her natale is commemorated on the
SheissaidtohavebeenthedaughterofSeal, and she was mother of Feidhlimidh Reach- tmhar, or the Law-giver, Monarch of Ireland from A. D. in to A. D. 119. Her father Seal
Balbhis saidtohavebeenKingofFinland. "
pars iii. , cap. lvi. , p. 303.
'» In Irish, it is written Cnoc mb<vme. In
the "Journal of the Royal and Historical and Archaeological Association of Ireland,"
for the year 1876, there is an interesting Paper, by William F. Wakeman, on "The Megalithic Sepulchral Chamber of Knock-
many, County Tyrone, with some Remarks on Dolmens in Fermanagh and its borders. '' So far as the description of the monument goes, nothing could be better told. The en- gravings also, of this Sepulchral Chamber and of two of its Sculptured stones, appear to be artistic and of great interest and im- portance. The great Dr. O'Donovan, who
archaeology had certainly no superior, failed
to identify Cnoc-baine, which occurs in the
•'Annals of the Four Masters," under the
year 1 1 1 of the Christian Era. He says, that
the name of Cnoc-baine, a hill in Clossach,
is now obsolete. See vol. i. , n. (g), p. 102. Maighen. Had Mr. Wakeman learned the
of that celebrated monument before his article was written, the account could have been rendered more complete. In the article already referred to, writing of this hill, he
"
such a site in the times of cam building and cremation could hardly fail to have been chosen by a primitive people as a fitting spot whereon to deposit the ashes of
22 Celebrated in verses elegant
by the late
justly says,
34 St. Cetemana was the first Irish
who received the veil, and from the hands of St. Patrickhimself. Shewasplacedbyhim over the nunnery of Drumdubhain, near
history
1st of January. "
11
Castle Hill or Rathmor, at Clogher, singularly resembles the ancient ruins in the
plain of Donagh Moyne, called Maighen or Mannan Castle, the ancient Domnach
William Carleton.
23 See an account of her, in the Second
V—olume of this work, at the 1st of February
the date for her Art. iii. feast,
virgin
August 15. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 217
daughter of Echodius, the dynast of that territory. She was placed there by 2
St. Patrick, and left under the care of St. Cetemaria. * Echodius himself was unwilling to become a Christian, but he was induced by the Irish Apostle to permit his daughter to take the veil and to consecrate her virginity to God. The descendants of Eochod were called in later times Clann- Daimhin, represented so late as the fourteenth century by the family of Dwyer. The famous Glen of Altadaven, about four miles to the south-east of Clogher, still retains the name of that once powerful clan. The Glen of Altadaven is partly celebrated for the romantic wildness and beauty of its scenery, and it adjoins Lough Mor, the source of the Abhain Mor or Blackwater.
On one occasion, according to St. Maccarthan's fragmentary Life, Eochod ordered a beast, which had been useful in carrying necessaries for the monas- tery,tobedrivenfromapastureandtiedtoastone. Sufferingfromhunger, this poor animal commenced a piteous lowing, which, when a Magus in the
prince's confidence had heard, he said to Eochod " Know, that thou hast
:
incurred a great loss, because thou hast ordered the bishop's ox to be tied. For, wheresoever this animal's lowing was heard, that land shall be in the bishop's possession. " This prophecy is said to have been afterwards fulfilled ; but, fearing its verification, Eochod then sent his youthful son, Corpre, with orders to expel God's servant from his possession. However, his queen forbade her boy to convey this message to the saint, lest his malediction should follow, rather than a benediction, she hoped to procure for her son. Nevertheless, the father urged Corpre to execute his commands. The son went through obedience, although with unwillingness, which was manifested by a flood of tears. The queen was greatly moved, on witnessing these signs of reluctance, and she gave an apple to the child on his departure. When the boy came to the middle of a highway, he lost that apple, and he vainly searched for it a long time. The disturbance of his mind at length induced him to fall into a profound sleep. A great number of persons on foot and on horseback passed by, without seeing or injuring him, and without even disturbing his repose. Wondering what delayed his son so long, Eochod sent messengers after him. They returned without being able to find him. This failure plunged the king and his entire court into the greatest sorrow. Their grief was only dispelled on the following day, by the return of his boy, who, after awaking from sleep, immediately found the apple he had before vainly sought. Being questioned about the
cause of his delay, he related what had occurred during his absence, declar-
ing that during his sleep, he believed himself to have been covered by the
bishop's mantle, whilst a fragrant odour was diffused around the place of his
repose.
2 *
Nevertheless, supposing
that
magic
arts had been to effect employed
this miracle, Eochod again sent one of his people to extinguish the fire in our
saint's monastery, and to expel him from Orgiell territory. However, as this
messenge* was about to execute the dynast's order, he felt his hands unable to move. Thus finding chastisements of Heaven visited on him, falling on his knees before the servant of God, Eochod humbly implored forgiveness. This being freely granted, his punishment was remitted, and he returned, relating all that had occurred. Still unchanged in purpose, the dynast resolved in person to execute his intentions. With drawn sword, he was about to deal a fatal stroke against our saint, when he became rigid as a marble statue, beifig unable to move hand or foot, whilst at the same time he was deprived of the use of speech. His queen followed her husband, to
"
Acta Sanctorum Hiber- called the Nun's Hill. Near it are two niae," xxiv. Martii. De S. Macaerthenni enclosed wells or springs, called "the Epis. Clochorensi. Ex variis, cap. viii. , pp.
Sisters. "
Clogher— probably that place in the demesne 25 See Colgan's
738, 739.
2i8 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[August i$
defeat, if possible, such murderous intentions. Seeing him thus visibly punished for his impious attempt, she gave away to tears, and prayed our
saint to restore him. The saintly bishop, moved by her passionate request, sprinkled the husband with holy water, and immediately Eochod recovered his former faculties. When understanding had resumed the place of passion in the king's mind, he fell prostrate on the earth before the man of God, and
promised faithfully to perform whatever might be required. Afterwards, he bestowed lands on Maccarthen, for the use of his newly-founded monas-
6 tery. '
One day, whilst our saint had been engaged in the study of Sacred Scrip-
ture, the shades of night began to approach. But, the Almighty, who had regard for his servant's pious wishes, and for a regret he would have felt in
being obliged to desist from study, diffused a light, powerful as that of the noon-day sun, around the monastery, and this continued during the whole night. We are told, that on one occasion, St. Maccarthen commenced a sermon at day-break, and continued it during a whole night, until morning again dawned. *? Although he excelled as a preacher of God's word, yet it is difficult to believe, that such extraordinary physical and mental exertion could naturally be endured, without some periods of interruption.
In the exercise of merciful works and of hospitality, our saint was ever en- gaged. Atonetime,somestrangeguestscametovisithim,whenhisstores of provision had been exhausted. Our saint besought the Lord, who provides for the meanest wants even of the brute creation, to extend his compassion on this occasion, for the relief of his servants' necessities. His prayers were heard, and relief was miraculously afforded. We are told, in his Acts, that corn had been rained down from Heaven on his monastery, during a whole night, whilst a most clear fountain sprung up in a place heretofore devoid of water. The bread produced from this grain tasted sweet as honey, and the water even had a vinous taste. All who were cognizant of that miracle admired those wonders God is pleased to work through his saints ; and, after the Israelite manner, the guests fed upon this miraculous manna, and
38
drank of the desert water.
CHAPTER III.
ST. MACCARTHEN's SPIRIT OF PROPHECY—HE HEALS A DEMONIAC—HE IS STATED TO HAVE BEEN ABBOT OVER DAIRINIS—DEATH OF ST.
MACCARTHEN AND HIS FESTIVALS—MEMORIALS OF THE SAINT—HIS NEW CATHEDRAL—LIST OF THE EARLY BISHOPS OF CLOGHER—CONCLUSION.
BESIDES the many other graces St. Maccarthenn had received from the
Almighty, the spirit of prophecy was also granted to him in a special degree. A certain penurious and hard-hearted man—once had been asked by the
—bishop, for permission to graze an ox which he kept for monastic holy
uses on a farm belonging to the avaricious proprietor. But, when he refused this trifling request, St. Maccarthen declared in a spirit of prophecy, that
26 a8 See ibid. , cap. ix. , p. 739.
See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber- 27 Seethe Bollandists' "Acta Sanctorum," niae," xxiv. Martii. De S. Macaerthenni tomus iii. , xxiv. Martii. De S. Maccar- Epis. Clochorensi. Ex variis, cap. xii. ,
thenno, Ep. et Con. Clochorae in Hibernia,
p. 739.
Chapter iii. — ' See " Acta Colgan's
Acta sect. Mutila,
4, p. 209.
August 15. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 219
nine warriors would behead him, and that he should be ignorant of the time when, and the place whence, these men would come. He also declared, that because of his refusal to provide for that animal, the man's farm should also
become the property of his monastery. These predictions were exactly fulfilled ; for some time afterwards, nine men beheaded that avaricious person,
and brought his head, wrapped up in a covering, to a place some short dis- tance removed from the scene of his execution. Here, they ignominiously cast it aside, and immediately departed. The author of our saint's mutilated Acts declares, that by these and like miracles, the servant of Christ during his lifetime illuminated the world, like its bright luminary, the sun ; and that, when about to leave this earth, he wrought many miracles. 1 A few of these he promised to relate; but, the reader's curiosity must rest satisfied with a narration of the following miracle, which is all that has escaped the wreck of time, in a published form.
An inhabitant of Clogher diocese had a wife, possessed by an evil spirit.
Having imprisoned her in a certain part of Clogher city, he cohabited with
another woman. At the end of a year, he released the demoniac from prison,
andbroughthertohisownhouse,wherehekeptherbound. Theunhappy
woman, whilst in this state, saw a man of reverend appearance approach her,
and surrounded with a preternatural brightness. Struck with admiration, she
:
cried out " Who, sir, art thou ? or what dost thou seek ? "
He answered
:
11 I am
morrow shalt thou be liberated and restored. " This promise was exactly fulfilled ; for, at dawn on the following day, the afflicted woman received health of mind and body, to the great astonishment of all her acquaintances. Being released from her bondage, she lived afterwards with her husband, and in the same house. 3 Lands were bestowed on St. Maccarthen, likewise, for the use ofhis newly-founded monastery.
We are told, that our saint had been called Ferdachrich,3 from the cir- cumstance of his living at two different places, and of having administered in succession the affairs of two churches, namely those of Darinis and of Clogher. 4 In confirmation of this assertion, Colgan cites Marianus, and his scholiast, at
Bishop Maccarthen,
who come to free thee from
thy infirmity
;
to-
the15thofAugust. * Accordingtotheseauthorities,oursaintwasAbbotof 6
Darinis. This, however, is incorrect, and founded upon some erroneous
tradition. He was Abbot of Dairinis at first, as understood by the O'Clerys,
from two Irish quatrains. ? Of these, an English translation has been
furnished.
8
However, it has been denied by Rev. Dr. Lanigan, that Mac-
Sanctorum Hibernise," xxiv. Martii. De
Epis. ,cap. i. , p. 737, andnn. 2, 3, 4, 5, p. 739,
6 See Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- nise," xxiv. Martii. Appendix ad Acta S.
S. Macaerthanno
Epis. , cap. xiii. , p.
s See n.
ibid. , 5, p. 739.
739- 2
.
This account ends the fragment of our
saint's Life, as published by Colgan. See Macaerthenni Epis. , cap. i. , p. 740.
ibid. , cap. xiv. , p. 739.
3 A note referring to this St. Aedh, bishop
of Clogher, written partly in Irish and partly in Latin, is found in the Table postfixed to
the Donegal Martyrology. It is thus trans- lated into English by Dr. Todd. [" i. e. , Fir-
da-chrioch and Maccarthinn; at the present day he is commonly called Bishop Caoir- thinninClochar; thesamewhoiscommonly called, from the last name, Maccartinus. "] See ibid. , pp. 356, 357. Again he is iden- tified with Aodh, pp. 438, 439.
4 See Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- nise," xxiv. Martii. De S. Macaerthenno
7 See « ' of edited Martyrology Donegal,"
by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 218, 219.
8
Thus :—
" Aedh was his name in reality,
"
Grandson of Aithmet, good was his deed,
True brother, after victory with fame,
ToMaelruain,ourteacher.
Fer-da-chrioch was his name at first I will tell you his history ;
His name at Clochar was sweet, After that, Bishop Mac Cairthinn. "
220 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[August 15.
earthen was called Ferdachrioch ; such a term, in his opinion, better suiting the circumstances of St. Tigernach, his successor, who was Bishop of Clones and of Clogher. 9 Neither was St. Maccarthen abbot of Dairinis in Wexford.
IO
The mistake has been ascribed
Neither did he govern Damliinis, or Devenish, in Lough Erne, since it was not founded for many years after his time, and St. Laisre alias Molasse " is known to have been its founder. The Calendar of Cashel seems to distin-
"
O'Connor states in the letter already quoted,
*? See " Acta Sanctorum 1 liber- Colgan's
9 See
vol. i. ,
10
" llis feast occurs, at the I2th of Sep- t ember.
12 " S. IVrdachrichus, Episcopus de
Colchar, post Episcopum Maccarthenium. "
—Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Ilibernuu. "
xxiv. Martii. Appendix ad Acta S. exxiii. , exxiv.
Macaerthenni Epis. Clochorensi,cap. 1,
p. 740.
1 Ussher says, treating of St. Maccarthen,
"quern ante Moctheum ix. videlicet Kalen-
das — Domini nvi. , obiisse legi- Aprilisanno
Ecclesiastical History of Ireland,"
ix. j sect, ii. , n. 15, p. 436.
chap,
By Rev. Dr. Lanigan.
nite," xxiv. Martii. Appendix ad Acta S. Macaerthenni, Epis. Clochorensi, cap. i. , p. 740.
to the scholiast of Marianus O'Gorman.
the Ferdacroich and Maccarthen. 12 We do not know the guish names,
age our saint had attained at the time of his death. Still, from the principal circum-
stance mentioned in his Life, we learn, that he was well advanced in years, before his appointment to Clogher See, he being old when St. Patrick was aged and infirm. Might he not have attained an extreme old age, likewise, and have not been too young to assume a bishopric, when St. Patrick had visited Inish-owen ? It is generally stated, that St. Maccarthen departed this life, in the year 506,^ being then advanced in years, when he was succeeded
St. 1 * who died a. d. by Tighernach,
550,
So far as can be ascertained, the grave of St. Maccarthin, according to the
uniform tradition of the place, was just adjoining the spot, where a large white- thorn bush stood some years ago in the burial-ground to the north of the present Protestant church, and convenient to the graveyard wall of en- closure. 16 For a long time, the peasants were in the habit of taking with them some of the earth from the grave of St. Maccarthin, and this goes to
strengthen that tradition regarding the locality of the holy bishop's grave. His festival is celebrated at Clogher, on the 24th of March, which is
thought by
some writers, to have been the
of his death. 1 ?
day
to the Martyrology of Salisbury, and the testimony of Ussher, cited in a fore-
goingnote,oursaint'sNatalisisassignedtothatdate. Thisalsoagreeswith the account in St. Maccarthen's Acts, according to the last-named autho- rity. He is venerated as the patron saint of Clogher diocese ; and, a Double OfficeoftheFirst-Classis recitedbytheclergyofthatdiocese,onthe24th of March.
Another festival in honour of this saint, was kept on the 15th of August,
In the " Fei—lire " of St.
at the 15th of August, is commemorated Fer-dd-chrich rendered "man of the two districts. " The commentator adds, that he was abbot of Dairinis, while the designation Fer da chrich is interpreted "a champion" or" enthroned. " 1 ?
The of 20 of Marianus O'Gorman, of and of
to several Irish
according Martyrologies.
18
Martyrologies Tallagh,
Mnguire,
Martyrology, ——
September August 15 Firdacrioch et S. Sarani tt filia- 14 See his Acts, in the Fourth Volume of rum Carpre. " See Rev. Dr. Kelly's
"
Calendar of Irish Saints," pp. xix. , xxxii. 'S See ibid. , at the 5th of Apiil, Art. iii. In the Book of Leinster copy of this Martyr- 16 It is nearly opposite to the residence of ology, I find at the former date epp mac Mr. James McAleer, as Rev. Daniel CapchuTo, and at the latter day only the
mus. "
**
Hriannicarum Ecclesiarum Ami-
quitates," cap. xvii. , p. 445.
this work, at the 4th of April, Art. i.
on the Nones of 's April.
"See " Transactions of the Royal Irish
Academy," Jrish Manuscript Series, vol. i. ,
On the Calendar of
part i.
11
territory, Tyrone.
then has been attributed the erection of a monastery in Clogher ; this
opinion, however, is grounded more upon supposition than on any positive certainty.
About this time, Eochod, son toCrimthan, had been the ruler of Orgiell^
of was situated. 1 * It is said to be known on Ulster, Clogher
Colla Dacrioch extraction.
churches, monasteries and other religious houses in Ireland. The descendants of Niali of the Nine Hostages, who from him were called the O'Neills, after- wards added it to their own known as 12 To St. Maccar-
in which
—stood on the undoubtedly
earthwork or Dun
supposed
as
Regia.
The ancient — of the of " dwelling place kings Ergal"
lofty
daigh, i. e. , "the district of the hundred ""
following extract : "To the east of Rath- more, in the hollow ground fronting the
Palace, are to be seen two adjoining springs
of limpid water, tastefully surrounded by a
brick-work enclosure. They still are called to
this " The and were so called day Sisters,"
on account of a convent which stood on the
— towards the south of these sloping ridge
forts," or hillocks. "
It also possessed many among the foremost
region Ptolemy's map
to be the ancient Rathmore 1S within the modern demesne or grounds of the Protestant
10
Then Mael Mocta of Louth died, ac-
cording to Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 844, 845.
" Such as the Mac Mac Kennas, &c.
Mahons, Maguires,
12
See the letter of Mr.
dated
Cootehill, May 27th, 1835, in "Letters
containing Information relative to the Anti
quities of the County of Armagh and
Monaghan, collected during the Progress
of the Ordnance Survey in 1835," p. 131 B.
of hill is called the yet
13
See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
O'Donovan,
nise," xxiv. Martii, n. 10, p. 739.
14 The most ancient form of the name hopeless of exploration than the ruined cities
"Clogher," as given by Adamnan, is Clochur Filiorum Daimeni. Eochaidh was sixth in descent from Colla da Crioch. See Rev. Dr. Reeves' Adamnan's "Life of St. Colum- ba," lib. ii. , cap. v. , and n. (c), pp. m, 112.
15 Under the *' the signature Sacerdos,"
Very Rev. Daniel O'Connor, P. P. , of Emy- vale, has contributed a learned article to
"The People's Advocate," Monaghan. It appeared in the number for Saturday, Feb- ruary 24th, 1877. From it we take the
of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Something
has been already done towards casting light on the ancient history of this remarkable loca-
very
springs which ridge
"Nun's Hill. " This hill would seem tocor-
respond with the ancient name Drumdnbhan, on which stood a celebrated convent. The visitor to these historic spots must feel, in traversing this sacred ground, that here in- deed is a "City of the dead ;" a locality more
lity in papers contributed to the
"
Northern
Star," in 1870, entitled
I have seen the MS. of a
carefully prepared "Lecture on the Life and Times of St. MacCartin," from the pen of the learned and respected parish priest of Clogher, the Rev. Philip Connolly, and it is a pity that this MS. should remain unpub-
" Clogher-na-righ. "
erudite and
216
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[August 15.
of
bishop Clogher.
16 There is scarcely a doubt, but it was the Rath-mor or 18
great fortress of Magh-Leamhna, ? built by Queen BaineV during the Pagan
period of Clogher. It is called by the Four Masters Rath-trwr, at Clogher.
J
Tins Queen Baine* was buried on a hill 9 about two miles north of Clogher,
and on the summit of which there is a -sepulchral enclosure, or cromlech. Her name is identified with this hill, which is called Knockmany. 20 The earthwork or fortress in Clogher is surrounded by a —deep fosse, and there yet appear in the vicinity of it traces of water-courses an ancient method of fortifying princely residences in . Ireland. This hill is now called " Castle Hill. "31 Fromthebeautifulandcommandinghill ofKnockmany,"maybe had charming views of Clogher and an extensive part of the ancient kingdom
of Ergal. — St. Cinnia a3
otherwise called Ricinne from her royal descent
—
was the
lished, as it clearly sets forth the leading their illustious dead. "—Vol. iv. , Fourth
facts regarding the religious foundations at
Series, p. 96.
Clogher—the cradle of Christianity in this extensive diocese. "
20
The Rev. Mr. O'Connor was the first to
16
The present residence of Ellison Mac-
identify this place with Cnoc Baine, in the newspaper article already alluded to : "It
requires very little knowledge of Irish ety- mology to perceive the close resemblance
between the original name Cnoc-baine, and the modernized form of it, Knockmany. Nor will it excite surprise to be told that as they are one and the same name, so they designate
cartney, Esq. , M. P.
1 It was otherwise called Clossach, in the
County of Tyrone and Diocese of Clogher. It is shown on an old Map of Ulster,
preserved in the State Papers Office, Lon-
"
Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 46, 47, and one and the same place. The locale of this
don. See Dr. O'Donovan's n. (o).
18
Annals of the
hill, as given by the Four Masters, was in Magh Leamna (pronounced Moy Leney).
The name of Queen Baine is also preserved in the townland denomination of Mullagh- beney, a hill convenient to Knockmany. See Roderick O'Flaherty's Ogygia," The late William Carleton, who was a na- tive of this neighbourhood, has connected these hills, and in fact, all the notable parts of this locality, with his undying stories. Even the Witch "Anyia," of whom he writes in his " Legend of Knockmany," when divested of the exaggeration of the folk-lore of the neighbourhood, is no other than the historical Queen Baine. At the foot of Mullaghbeney lies the townland of Killaney, so called, probably, after St. En- dens, brother of St. Fanchea. * * * There we find it stated that St. Fanchea was founder and superioress of a convent of reli- gious at Rossory, near Enniskillen, and that Rathmor, near Clogher, was her birth- in the domain of Irish topography and place. Her natale is commemorated on the
SheissaidtohavebeenthedaughterofSeal, and she was mother of Feidhlimidh Reach- tmhar, or the Law-giver, Monarch of Ireland from A. D. in to A. D. 119. Her father Seal
Balbhis saidtohavebeenKingofFinland. "
pars iii. , cap. lvi. , p. 303.
'» In Irish, it is written Cnoc mb<vme. In
the "Journal of the Royal and Historical and Archaeological Association of Ireland,"
for the year 1876, there is an interesting Paper, by William F. Wakeman, on "The Megalithic Sepulchral Chamber of Knock-
many, County Tyrone, with some Remarks on Dolmens in Fermanagh and its borders. '' So far as the description of the monument goes, nothing could be better told. The en- gravings also, of this Sepulchral Chamber and of two of its Sculptured stones, appear to be artistic and of great interest and im- portance. The great Dr. O'Donovan, who
archaeology had certainly no superior, failed
to identify Cnoc-baine, which occurs in the
•'Annals of the Four Masters," under the
year 1 1 1 of the Christian Era. He says, that
the name of Cnoc-baine, a hill in Clossach,
is now obsolete. See vol. i. , n. (g), p. 102. Maighen. Had Mr. Wakeman learned the
of that celebrated monument before his article was written, the account could have been rendered more complete. In the article already referred to, writing of this hill, he
"
such a site in the times of cam building and cremation could hardly fail to have been chosen by a primitive people as a fitting spot whereon to deposit the ashes of
22 Celebrated in verses elegant
by the late
justly says,
34 St. Cetemana was the first Irish
who received the veil, and from the hands of St. Patrickhimself. Shewasplacedbyhim over the nunnery of Drumdubhain, near
history
1st of January. "
11
Castle Hill or Rathmor, at Clogher, singularly resembles the ancient ruins in the
plain of Donagh Moyne, called Maighen or Mannan Castle, the ancient Domnach
William Carleton.
23 See an account of her, in the Second
V—olume of this work, at the 1st of February
the date for her Art. iii. feast,
virgin
August 15. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 217
daughter of Echodius, the dynast of that territory. She was placed there by 2
St. Patrick, and left under the care of St. Cetemaria. * Echodius himself was unwilling to become a Christian, but he was induced by the Irish Apostle to permit his daughter to take the veil and to consecrate her virginity to God. The descendants of Eochod were called in later times Clann- Daimhin, represented so late as the fourteenth century by the family of Dwyer. The famous Glen of Altadaven, about four miles to the south-east of Clogher, still retains the name of that once powerful clan. The Glen of Altadaven is partly celebrated for the romantic wildness and beauty of its scenery, and it adjoins Lough Mor, the source of the Abhain Mor or Blackwater.
On one occasion, according to St. Maccarthan's fragmentary Life, Eochod ordered a beast, which had been useful in carrying necessaries for the monas- tery,tobedrivenfromapastureandtiedtoastone. Sufferingfromhunger, this poor animal commenced a piteous lowing, which, when a Magus in the
prince's confidence had heard, he said to Eochod " Know, that thou hast
:
incurred a great loss, because thou hast ordered the bishop's ox to be tied. For, wheresoever this animal's lowing was heard, that land shall be in the bishop's possession. " This prophecy is said to have been afterwards fulfilled ; but, fearing its verification, Eochod then sent his youthful son, Corpre, with orders to expel God's servant from his possession. However, his queen forbade her boy to convey this message to the saint, lest his malediction should follow, rather than a benediction, she hoped to procure for her son. Nevertheless, the father urged Corpre to execute his commands. The son went through obedience, although with unwillingness, which was manifested by a flood of tears. The queen was greatly moved, on witnessing these signs of reluctance, and she gave an apple to the child on his departure. When the boy came to the middle of a highway, he lost that apple, and he vainly searched for it a long time. The disturbance of his mind at length induced him to fall into a profound sleep. A great number of persons on foot and on horseback passed by, without seeing or injuring him, and without even disturbing his repose. Wondering what delayed his son so long, Eochod sent messengers after him. They returned without being able to find him. This failure plunged the king and his entire court into the greatest sorrow. Their grief was only dispelled on the following day, by the return of his boy, who, after awaking from sleep, immediately found the apple he had before vainly sought. Being questioned about the
cause of his delay, he related what had occurred during his absence, declar-
ing that during his sleep, he believed himself to have been covered by the
bishop's mantle, whilst a fragrant odour was diffused around the place of his
repose.
2 *
Nevertheless, supposing
that
magic
arts had been to effect employed
this miracle, Eochod again sent one of his people to extinguish the fire in our
saint's monastery, and to expel him from Orgiell territory. However, as this
messenge* was about to execute the dynast's order, he felt his hands unable to move. Thus finding chastisements of Heaven visited on him, falling on his knees before the servant of God, Eochod humbly implored forgiveness. This being freely granted, his punishment was remitted, and he returned, relating all that had occurred. Still unchanged in purpose, the dynast resolved in person to execute his intentions. With drawn sword, he was about to deal a fatal stroke against our saint, when he became rigid as a marble statue, beifig unable to move hand or foot, whilst at the same time he was deprived of the use of speech. His queen followed her husband, to
"
Acta Sanctorum Hiber- called the Nun's Hill. Near it are two niae," xxiv. Martii. De S. Macaerthenni enclosed wells or springs, called "the Epis. Clochorensi. Ex variis, cap. viii. , pp.
Sisters. "
Clogher— probably that place in the demesne 25 See Colgan's
738, 739.
2i8 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[August i$
defeat, if possible, such murderous intentions. Seeing him thus visibly punished for his impious attempt, she gave away to tears, and prayed our
saint to restore him. The saintly bishop, moved by her passionate request, sprinkled the husband with holy water, and immediately Eochod recovered his former faculties. When understanding had resumed the place of passion in the king's mind, he fell prostrate on the earth before the man of God, and
promised faithfully to perform whatever might be required. Afterwards, he bestowed lands on Maccarthen, for the use of his newly-founded monas-
6 tery. '
One day, whilst our saint had been engaged in the study of Sacred Scrip-
ture, the shades of night began to approach. But, the Almighty, who had regard for his servant's pious wishes, and for a regret he would have felt in
being obliged to desist from study, diffused a light, powerful as that of the noon-day sun, around the monastery, and this continued during the whole night. We are told, that on one occasion, St. Maccarthen commenced a sermon at day-break, and continued it during a whole night, until morning again dawned. *? Although he excelled as a preacher of God's word, yet it is difficult to believe, that such extraordinary physical and mental exertion could naturally be endured, without some periods of interruption.
In the exercise of merciful works and of hospitality, our saint was ever en- gaged. Atonetime,somestrangeguestscametovisithim,whenhisstores of provision had been exhausted. Our saint besought the Lord, who provides for the meanest wants even of the brute creation, to extend his compassion on this occasion, for the relief of his servants' necessities. His prayers were heard, and relief was miraculously afforded. We are told, in his Acts, that corn had been rained down from Heaven on his monastery, during a whole night, whilst a most clear fountain sprung up in a place heretofore devoid of water. The bread produced from this grain tasted sweet as honey, and the water even had a vinous taste. All who were cognizant of that miracle admired those wonders God is pleased to work through his saints ; and, after the Israelite manner, the guests fed upon this miraculous manna, and
38
drank of the desert water.
CHAPTER III.
ST. MACCARTHEN's SPIRIT OF PROPHECY—HE HEALS A DEMONIAC—HE IS STATED TO HAVE BEEN ABBOT OVER DAIRINIS—DEATH OF ST.
MACCARTHEN AND HIS FESTIVALS—MEMORIALS OF THE SAINT—HIS NEW CATHEDRAL—LIST OF THE EARLY BISHOPS OF CLOGHER—CONCLUSION.
BESIDES the many other graces St. Maccarthenn had received from the
Almighty, the spirit of prophecy was also granted to him in a special degree. A certain penurious and hard-hearted man—once had been asked by the
—bishop, for permission to graze an ox which he kept for monastic holy
uses on a farm belonging to the avaricious proprietor. But, when he refused this trifling request, St. Maccarthen declared in a spirit of prophecy, that
26 a8 See ibid. , cap. ix. , p. 739.
See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber- 27 Seethe Bollandists' "Acta Sanctorum," niae," xxiv. Martii. De S. Macaerthenni tomus iii. , xxiv. Martii. De S. Maccar- Epis. Clochorensi. Ex variis, cap. xii. ,
thenno, Ep. et Con. Clochorae in Hibernia,
p. 739.
Chapter iii. — ' See " Acta Colgan's
Acta sect. Mutila,
4, p. 209.
August 15. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 219
nine warriors would behead him, and that he should be ignorant of the time when, and the place whence, these men would come. He also declared, that because of his refusal to provide for that animal, the man's farm should also
become the property of his monastery. These predictions were exactly fulfilled ; for some time afterwards, nine men beheaded that avaricious person,
and brought his head, wrapped up in a covering, to a place some short dis- tance removed from the scene of his execution. Here, they ignominiously cast it aside, and immediately departed. The author of our saint's mutilated Acts declares, that by these and like miracles, the servant of Christ during his lifetime illuminated the world, like its bright luminary, the sun ; and that, when about to leave this earth, he wrought many miracles. 1 A few of these he promised to relate; but, the reader's curiosity must rest satisfied with a narration of the following miracle, which is all that has escaped the wreck of time, in a published form.
An inhabitant of Clogher diocese had a wife, possessed by an evil spirit.
Having imprisoned her in a certain part of Clogher city, he cohabited with
another woman. At the end of a year, he released the demoniac from prison,
andbroughthertohisownhouse,wherehekeptherbound. Theunhappy
woman, whilst in this state, saw a man of reverend appearance approach her,
and surrounded with a preternatural brightness. Struck with admiration, she
:
cried out " Who, sir, art thou ? or what dost thou seek ? "
He answered
:
11 I am
morrow shalt thou be liberated and restored. " This promise was exactly fulfilled ; for, at dawn on the following day, the afflicted woman received health of mind and body, to the great astonishment of all her acquaintances. Being released from her bondage, she lived afterwards with her husband, and in the same house. 3 Lands were bestowed on St. Maccarthen, likewise, for the use ofhis newly-founded monastery.
We are told, that our saint had been called Ferdachrich,3 from the cir- cumstance of his living at two different places, and of having administered in succession the affairs of two churches, namely those of Darinis and of Clogher. 4 In confirmation of this assertion, Colgan cites Marianus, and his scholiast, at
Bishop Maccarthen,
who come to free thee from
thy infirmity
;
to-
the15thofAugust. * Accordingtotheseauthorities,oursaintwasAbbotof 6
Darinis. This, however, is incorrect, and founded upon some erroneous
tradition. He was Abbot of Dairinis at first, as understood by the O'Clerys,
from two Irish quatrains. ? Of these, an English translation has been
furnished.
8
However, it has been denied by Rev. Dr. Lanigan, that Mac-
Sanctorum Hibernise," xxiv. Martii. De
Epis. ,cap. i. , p. 737, andnn. 2, 3, 4, 5, p. 739,
6 See Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- nise," xxiv. Martii. Appendix ad Acta S.
S. Macaerthanno
Epis. , cap. xiii. , p.
s See n.
ibid. , 5, p. 739.
739- 2
.
This account ends the fragment of our
saint's Life, as published by Colgan. See Macaerthenni Epis. , cap. i. , p. 740.
ibid. , cap. xiv. , p. 739.
3 A note referring to this St. Aedh, bishop
of Clogher, written partly in Irish and partly in Latin, is found in the Table postfixed to
the Donegal Martyrology. It is thus trans- lated into English by Dr. Todd. [" i. e. , Fir-
da-chrioch and Maccarthinn; at the present day he is commonly called Bishop Caoir- thinninClochar; thesamewhoiscommonly called, from the last name, Maccartinus. "] See ibid. , pp. 356, 357. Again he is iden- tified with Aodh, pp. 438, 439.
4 See Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- nise," xxiv. Martii. De S. Macaerthenno
7 See « ' of edited Martyrology Donegal,"
by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 218, 219.
8
Thus :—
" Aedh was his name in reality,
"
Grandson of Aithmet, good was his deed,
True brother, after victory with fame,
ToMaelruain,ourteacher.
Fer-da-chrioch was his name at first I will tell you his history ;
His name at Clochar was sweet, After that, Bishop Mac Cairthinn. "
220 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[August 15.
earthen was called Ferdachrioch ; such a term, in his opinion, better suiting the circumstances of St. Tigernach, his successor, who was Bishop of Clones and of Clogher. 9 Neither was St. Maccarthen abbot of Dairinis in Wexford.
IO
The mistake has been ascribed
Neither did he govern Damliinis, or Devenish, in Lough Erne, since it was not founded for many years after his time, and St. Laisre alias Molasse " is known to have been its founder. The Calendar of Cashel seems to distin-
"
O'Connor states in the letter already quoted,
*? See " Acta Sanctorum 1 liber- Colgan's
9 See
vol. i. ,
10
" llis feast occurs, at the I2th of Sep- t ember.
12 " S. IVrdachrichus, Episcopus de
Colchar, post Episcopum Maccarthenium. "
—Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Ilibernuu. "
xxiv. Martii. Appendix ad Acta S. exxiii. , exxiv.
Macaerthenni Epis. Clochorensi,cap. 1,
p. 740.
1 Ussher says, treating of St. Maccarthen,
"quern ante Moctheum ix. videlicet Kalen-
das — Domini nvi. , obiisse legi- Aprilisanno
Ecclesiastical History of Ireland,"
ix. j sect, ii. , n. 15, p. 436.
chap,
By Rev. Dr. Lanigan.
nite," xxiv. Martii. Appendix ad Acta S. Macaerthenni, Epis. Clochorensi, cap. i. , p. 740.
to the scholiast of Marianus O'Gorman.
the Ferdacroich and Maccarthen. 12 We do not know the guish names,
age our saint had attained at the time of his death. Still, from the principal circum-
stance mentioned in his Life, we learn, that he was well advanced in years, before his appointment to Clogher See, he being old when St. Patrick was aged and infirm. Might he not have attained an extreme old age, likewise, and have not been too young to assume a bishopric, when St. Patrick had visited Inish-owen ? It is generally stated, that St. Maccarthen departed this life, in the year 506,^ being then advanced in years, when he was succeeded
St. 1 * who died a. d. by Tighernach,
550,
So far as can be ascertained, the grave of St. Maccarthin, according to the
uniform tradition of the place, was just adjoining the spot, where a large white- thorn bush stood some years ago in the burial-ground to the north of the present Protestant church, and convenient to the graveyard wall of en- closure. 16 For a long time, the peasants were in the habit of taking with them some of the earth from the grave of St. Maccarthin, and this goes to
strengthen that tradition regarding the locality of the holy bishop's grave. His festival is celebrated at Clogher, on the 24th of March, which is
thought by
some writers, to have been the
of his death. 1 ?
day
to the Martyrology of Salisbury, and the testimony of Ussher, cited in a fore-
goingnote,oursaint'sNatalisisassignedtothatdate. Thisalsoagreeswith the account in St. Maccarthen's Acts, according to the last-named autho- rity. He is venerated as the patron saint of Clogher diocese ; and, a Double OfficeoftheFirst-Classis recitedbytheclergyofthatdiocese,onthe24th of March.
Another festival in honour of this saint, was kept on the 15th of August,
In the " Fei—lire " of St.
at the 15th of August, is commemorated Fer-dd-chrich rendered "man of the two districts. " The commentator adds, that he was abbot of Dairinis, while the designation Fer da chrich is interpreted "a champion" or" enthroned. " 1 ?
The of 20 of Marianus O'Gorman, of and of
to several Irish
according Martyrologies.
18
Martyrologies Tallagh,
Mnguire,
Martyrology, ——
September August 15 Firdacrioch et S. Sarani tt filia- 14 See his Acts, in the Fourth Volume of rum Carpre. " See Rev. Dr. Kelly's
"
Calendar of Irish Saints," pp. xix. , xxxii. 'S See ibid. , at the 5th of Apiil, Art. iii. In the Book of Leinster copy of this Martyr- 16 It is nearly opposite to the residence of ology, I find at the former date epp mac Mr. James McAleer, as Rev. Daniel CapchuTo, and at the latter day only the
mus. "
**
Hriannicarum Ecclesiarum Ami-
quitates," cap. xvii. , p. 445.
this work, at the 4th of April, Art. i.
on the Nones of 's April.
"See " Transactions of the Royal Irish
Academy," Jrish Manuscript Series, vol. i. ,
On the Calendar of
part i.
