No More Learning

Nearly all ancient writers—especially those of highest authority—agree, that missionary zeal was the chief motive for St. Columba's expedition, to spread the Faith in Scotland. Thus, Adamnan,3 Venerable Bede,4 and the various writers of Acts, relating to other Irish saints,* concur. The most
of modern writers also
mediator to obtain it wherever broils seemed imminent, Columba's best efforts were exerted to promote harmony and concord, both in his own and in his adopted country. To carry out his project, and to accomplish the great en-
judicious
resolved on, his zeal had — to contend terprise manydisadvantages
St. Columba's removal to S—
8
7 with; yet,
be called a
cotland
though
it could
hardly
agree,
changeofcountryinhisday hasproved,nevertheless,afruitfulsubjectfor
strange legendary speculation. 9 A story frequently repeated, regarding the
cause for his exile, may be regarded as a mere fable, inconsistent in itself, and destitute of historical evidence. 10 The occasion assigned for his leaving Ireland is largely mingled with fictitious circumstances. An improbable romance is relative to this
11 and it abounds in
unbecoming the conduct of holy men, and even the gravity of common his- tory. Moreover, it has served to obscure Columba's real character and
told,
subject,
statements, quite
6 that as a lover of and as a peace
12 We well that this narrative was the invention of may suspect,
dispositions.
later bards and romancists ; for, it is not to be found in the Acts of our saint, and which were earliest written. In an abridged shape, it has been intro- duced to our notice, by Archbishop Ussher,^ who acknowledges, however, that it is not in the edited Life by Adamnan, although he met with it in a Manuscript Life of St. Columba, 1 * by an anonymous writer. 1 * In our own times, Dr. John O'Donovan l6 has lent this story the weight of his authority, but without any valid argument to sustain his opinion. Likewise, the Rev. Dr. Reeves,17 and following him Le Comte de Montalembert,18 have attributed
History of Ireland," chap, vi. , pp. 187, 188.
pro Christo peregrinari volens enavigavit. "
Prefatio Secunda.
* He states " Venit de Hibernia
: presby-
ter et Abbas, hahitu et vita monachi, insig- nis nominis, nomine Columba, Britan- niam,praedicaturusverbumDe—iprovinciis septentrionalium Pictorum,&c. " "Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Anglorum," lib. iii. , cap. iv. , p. 16S, Ed. Camabrigiae, 1644.
s This is especially stated, in Vita S. FarannaniConfessoris, translated in Colgan's work from an Irish tract, ascribed by him to after a. d. 1200. There we read how St. Columba "zelo animarum flagrantem, ex Hibernia nativa suo solo, in Albionem trans- fretasse, ut incrcdulae Pictorum genti salu- tare Christi Evangelium prsedicaret, et erra- b—undam ad ejusdem aggregaret ouile," &c.
"Acta Sanctorum Hibernise," xv. Feb-
Quinta Vita S. Columbae, lib. ii. , cap. i. to
3"
He writes —
ruarii, cap. iii. , p. 336,
and n.
land," vol. i. , chap, xii. , pp. 243, 244.
" The P'ifth Life of St. Columba, written
byPrinceO'Donnell,hasalengthenedac- count of this spurious narrative. See
Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," lib. ii. , cap. i. to viii. , pp. 408 to 410.
I2 These are pleasingly set forth in Dalian Forgaill's "Amra Choluim Chilli," edited by O'Beirne Crowe, with the original Irish and an English literal Translation. Dublin, 1871, 8vo.
I3 See " Britannicarum Ecclesiarum Anti-
quitates," cap. xv. , p. 563.
I4 See ibid. , cap. xvii. , pp. 467 to 469.
I5 This was obtained, by Ussher, from
Father Stephen White,
l5 See '"Annals of the Four Masters,"
:
x. , pp. 408 9
410. "
De Scotia Britanniam
to See Ussher's
1, p. 338. See Right Rev. Patrick F. Moran's
6 ""
IrishSaintsinGreat
vol. i. , pp. 192 to 195, nn. (r, s). I7SeeAdamnan's LifeofSt. Columba,"
lib. i. , cap. 7, n. (a), p. 31.
l8 See " Les Moines d'Occident," tome iii. ,
liv. xi. , pp. 124 to 141.
»9 See " Annals of Clonmacnoise," at
Britain," chap, iii. ,
PP- 58, 59-
7 Rev. Robert King's "Primer of the
Church History of Ireland," vol. i. , chap.
ix. , pp. 78, 79.
8
See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga,"
A. D. 569.
rum Antiquitates,
"
cap. xv. , pp. 359 to 373.
Britannicarum
Ecclesia-
I0 See Thomas Moore's " of Ire- History
z
354 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 9.
to St. Columba a combination directed against King Deirmait, and which culminated in war. This is quite inconsistent with the fact, that allegiance was due by our saint to the King of all Ireland, and who was worthy, moreover, of special honour. Besides, we have the account of Columba feeling greatly indignant, because Aedh, the murderer of King Deirmait, had been advanced to ecclesiastical orders, after the perpetration of such a crime. *9 Nay more, instead of promoting discord on the occasion alluded to, the great Christian hero laboured hard, but in vain, to effect peace between King Diermaid and his relatives. Finding his remonstrances to be disregarded by the latter, he even conceived a disgust at their conduct, and to mark his disapprobation, he resolved to leave them, and to quit his native country, with the purpose of never again returning to it. 20 This, of course, was only a secondary motive.
Notwithstanding its absurdities, as we have included many other undoubted legends in this biography, we shall proceed to relate the story. It is stated, that Columba happened to be on a visit with St. Finnian,21 Abbot of Magh- bile, at a place called Druimfionn,22 said to be identical with Dromin,23 in the present county of Louth. As the story runs, Columba then borrowed
from him a Manuscript, containing the Gospels of Holy Scripture. These he immediately set about transcribing, while Finnian's consent had not been previously obtained. 2* He laboured at this work, day and night, and in secret, so as to avoid the observation of others, who were living in that monas- tery. It is even stated, that five different jets of light proceeded from the four fingers and thumb of Columba's right hand, while he prosecuted the work of transcription each night. He had nearly finished this celebrated copy —still it is thought in part preserved—when sending a messenger for the original, and apprized of the proceeding, Finian was highly displeased at Columba'sconduct. 25 Hismessengersurprisedthelatter,bylookingthrough a crevice into the church where Columba was at work ; but, astonished at
20 Thus is the matter stated, about St.
Columba, in the Irish Life of St. Farannan,
translated into Latin: "Ad transmarinam
magh. See Colgan's "Trias Thaumatur- ga," Quinta Vita S. Columbse, lib. ii. , cap. i. , p. 408, and n. I, p. 451.
23 Now a
ter summam animarum sitim alia causa and marked off, on the " Ordnance Survey
hanc sibi indicendam, peregrinationem
in the of barony Ardee,
prse-
Apostolicum instigabat virum, mutuis quippe et altae radicis discordiis et simul ta- libus intestinis, dissidebant ipsius ex carne propinqui rerum in Hibernia tunc potientes, quos ubi pacis amator multis modis in pris- tinam concordiam reducere frustra fuerat conatus ; sua eos absentia in pertinacise poenam, et perpetuo exilio castigare voluit. Ex Hibernia igitur peregre profectus est,
earn ex—animo decernens nunquam reuisen- "
parish,
Townland Maps for the County of Louth,"
sheets 17, 18. The town of Dromin is shown
on the latter sheet. In'noticing this place,
Archdall incorrectly places the feast of its
bishop or abbot, St. Finian, Findian, or
Fridian, at the 10th of of October. See
ing a quarrel about the transcribed book, dam. " Colgan's Acta Sanctorum Hiber- which appears to have been made the
nise," xv. Februarii, cap. iii. , p. 336.
21 It is said he died, September 10th, which is his festival. His obit is thus re-
ground-work for a battle fought at Cul- Dremhe. As to any dispute between St. Columba and St. Finninn, it seems evident
"
corded
Fenniani episcopi Nepotis Fiatach. "
" Rerum Hibernicarum Scriptores," tomus ii. There O'Connor corruptly for Finniani reads Mani. See p. 154. Also, in "Annales
"
Ultonienses," at A. D. 578 : episcopi,true[filii]NepotisFiatach. " Ibid. , tomus iv. The Rev. Dr. O'Conor's text
unmeaningly gives Umaniain, as the saint's
name.
22
Said to have been in the Diocese of Ar-
at A. D.
by Tigernach 579 :
— from
Quies Adamnan,
that such did not
Quies Vi—nniani
2=
there is a story told of the same St. Finnian refusing to lend him a copy of the Gospels, See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiberniae," cap. v. , p. 11. Aho, Appendix ad Act
"
Monasticon Hibernicum," p. 460.
** No one of common sense, the Rev. Dr.
Lanigan thinks, will admit this fable, regard-
for These two saints retained their mutual friendship and esteem to the last. See " Ecclesiastical History of Ireland,'' vol. ii. , chap, xi. , sect.
xii. , p. 148.
he is wholly silent regarding it.
IntheLifeofSt. FintanofDunbleisch,
occur,
June 9. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 355
what he had seen, he daredjnot disturb the writer, who, however, was con- scious of this noctural intrusion. A domesticated crane is then said to have
plucked out the eye of that prying messenger, and to have left it hanging on his cheek, while he returned to relate the wonderful portent witnessed, and tocomplainaboutthelossofhissight. St. Finianmadeasignofthecrossover the messenger's eye, and his sight was immediately restored. This matter greatlyoffendedSt. Finian,andhewasincensedagainstColumba. Heeven told our saint, that he ought not to have transcribed a book, which was not
his property, especially without first obtaining permission from the owner. Then, he insisted on getting that transcribed copy from Columba, maintain-
of Diermit, then King over all Ireland. This proposal is said to have been
accepted, and accordingly, both disputants appeared before the monarch at Temoria. St.
Finian opened the case, by stating, that they had mutually agreed to chose him as judge between them. He then stated, that Columba had clandestinely and therefore unfairly copied his book, while he contended a copy thus obtained should not belong to the transcriber. When it was
Columba's turn to reply, he acknowledged, that he had taken advantage of the loan, in order to produce a copy from the original Codex, by his own labour, industry, and vigils, while in no manner had he injured Finnian's book. 2? Moreover,hehadonlywrittenitoutforhisownspecialuse,andthat it might be instrumental in advancing the glory of God among men. He con- tended, that as Finnian suffered no loss, and as he could not justly prevent
the spiritual advantage of others, so he Columba was not guilty of any injury towards him, and therefore, he was not obliged in any manner to restitution. The monarch patiently heard the arguments advanced by either litigant, and afterwards with deliberation, he proceeded to pass judgment. The sentence pronounced by the king was adverse to St. Columba,28 and it exceedingly irri- tatedhim. 29 Thelegend-mongerscontinuetostate,thatdisturbedbythissen- tence, thought to have been unjust, St. Columba declared to the king, in the presence of all the bystanders, that his part in the transaction should not pass unavenged. 3° He is said to have left the king's presence in a high state of
because it was the
Columba replied, that he would leave this matter in dispute, to the arbitration
ing
that he had a
right
to
it,
offspring
to which allusion has been made, and supposed to have been written by St. Columba, is represented by speci-
excitements1 That famous
Manuscript,
S. Fridiani, xviii. Martii, cap. iii. , pp. 643, 644.
stance of this account, in his
"
General His-
36
The age and authorship of this anecdote
tory of Ireland," Part ii. , p. 376. Duffy's edition,
3° "
See Rev. Dr. Lanigan's Ecclesiatical
History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, xi. , sect. ix. . p. 145.
3I Archbishop Ussher, who received a Manuscript Life of St Columba from Father
Stephen White, supplies from it the follow- ing account. Speaking of Columba's part-
strongly reminds us of the casuistry of the
moral theologians of the Middle Ages.
S7 Such is the gist of his argument as given by O'Donnell : "liber in nullo factus sit ea
excriptione deterior . . . proinde nee me Finneno injuriam, nee restitutioni ob-
noxium, nee culpae cujusquam in hac parte reum agnosco; ut qui sine cujusquam damno, multorum consului spiritali commodo, quod nemo debuit, ant juste potuit impedire. "
28 The decision was " Le following given :
gach boin a boinin, agus le gach leabhar a
leabhran," which may be interpreted in
" To cow her calf, English, every belongeth
and to every book its copy. " See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Quinta Vita S. Columbae, lib. ii. , cap. i. , p. 408, 409.
"9 From the Black Book of Molaga, the Rev. Dr. Geoffry Keating has given the sub-
ing words, the writer adds :
"
Cumque hsec
of his 26 manuscript.
diceret, equum ascendens flagello percussit ;
et statim sanguis in copia emanavit. Quod
videns senatus astantium, valde miratus tan-
quam de re insolita, Regi dixerunt, ut volun-
tatem Sancti compleret, ac per omnia ei
obediret ne —regnum ejus a Domino Deo
;
dissiparetur. "Britannicarum Ecclesia-
rum Antiquitates," cap. xvii. , p. 468.
3* Edited by John T. Gilbert. See Part i. ,
No. iv.
33 For 1300 years, the book has been pre-
"
356 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 9.
menintheseriesof"Fac-similesofNationalManuscriptsofIreland. "32 This is the celebrated Cathach,33 or " Book of Battle," and it is a copy of the Psalms. For many ages and through many national troubles and disturb- ances, that precious relic has been preserved with such sacred care, that it is yet in a wonderfully perfect condition. This is owing mainly to the fact, that it had been kept under a highly-interesting and curiously-wrought metallic cover, for the long lapse of ages, since the time of St. Columba, although sub- jected to various vicissitudes of exposure and danger in battles, and owing to
amily misfortunes.
Greatly distinguished as a sternly just legislator, King Dermod often *
Dermod's laws, however, some acts of cruelty are recorded.
Breasal was to it is because of their infraction put death, said,
assembled the states of his realm at Tara. 34
Here, many useful laws were enacted, by him, some were amended, and others revoked. The subject of revising national history was not neglected. 35 In the execution of King
may well regard this account, as being in the highest degree improbable. In those times lived a king, who ruled over Connaught, and who was called Eochaid Tirmcharna. He had a son called Aidus or Aedh. 3? It would seem, that Dermod entertained some distrust, regarding the fealty of that provincial king. He had a son, called Curnan, 38 and from the name of his father, he is also denominated Curnan Mac Hugh. According to the cus- tom of those times, he was detained as a hostage, by the Monarch of Ireland, at Tara; while St. Columba and other influential persons became bail for his safe keeping. Curnan is said to have killed a noble, at the Tara assembly. 3° Whether this had been a deliberate murder, or as seems more probable, the result of some sudden gust of passion, has not been ascertained. As related by O'Donnell, the son of King Dermod's steward and Curnan had been playing at ball, on the public green in the city, when a dispute arose between them. Curnanstruckthatyouthonthehead,andhewaskilledonthespot. Then Curnan sought shelter and protection from St. Columba, as also from Fergus and Domhnall, sons of Murtagh Mac Earc. However, Dermod had him arrested and put to death. 40 It has been stated, that Curnan was even dragged from the bosom of Columba, to whom he clung, with a hope that his pardon might be procured. Other accounts state it, that he had been mur- dered in the presence of St. Columkille, while this crime was regarded in the double character of sacrilege and cruelty. 41 The event happened, it is said, in the year 560. 42 If this occurrence took place, as has been stated, the mur- der of Curnan was, indeed, an unwarrantable violation of justice and
served as an heirloom, by the O'Donnells, Briuin, A. D. 574, according to Dr. O'Dono-
having been handed down to them from St. yan's "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. ,
Columba himself, who belonged to that pp. 208, 209.
clan.
34 For an account of the origin of the Feis
38 Accordingto the Rev. Dr. Jeoffry Keating, he was educated under the care and protection of Collum Cill. See " Gene-
Teamhrach, and its forms of precedure, the
reader may consult Charles A. Read's rsfl History of Ireland," Part ii. , p. 356.
"
Cabinet of Irish Literature," &c, vol. i. , pp. 4> 5-
35 See Dr. Sylvester O'Halloran's " Gene- ral History of Ireland," vol. ii. , Book viii. , chap, i v. , p. 69.
History
37 He ruled over Connaught for many A. D. 562.
years, and at length he was slain by the TJi " See an account of these transactions in
36 See the story, as related in John "
40 According to Dr. O'Donovan's "An- nals of the Four Masters," this occurred a. d. of Ireland," Book ii. , Part i. , chap, i. , pp. 554. See vol. i. , pp. 19010193, and nn. (q, 451,452. r). The Annals of Clonmacnoise have it at
O'Mahony's edition of Keating's
Duffy's edition. —
39 Such is the account quoted from the
Jobhuir (? Leabhar) Chiaran—in Rev. Dr. Jeoffry Keating's "General History of Ireland," Part ii. , p. 375. Duffy's edition.
His own son
6 we y> however,
June 9. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 357
humanity ;*3 for, it seems he had been placed under the protection of St. Co- lumba, and this was supposed to have been a guarantee for the preservation of hislife. ->4 Upbraidingtheking,onaccountofthismercilessaction,Columba told him, that he would make a complaint to those powerful princes, who were his relatives, to avenge his cruelty, and that injustice, which he had re- ceived from the monarch. ^ These united circumstances are said to have aroused the ire of our saint. Accordingly, Columba secretly set out forhis own country, for he learned, that Dermod had commanded, that not one of the men of Ireland should join him, or convey him out of the palace. It is re- lated, that he escaped some snares, which had been laid for him by King Diermit, who desired to arrest him. However, the holy man contrived to
effect an escape, and he then proceeded to Monasterboice, where he passed one night. He afterwards made his journey onward, over a solitary part ofSliabh Breagh, and during his course, he is said to have composed a Poem,*6 which expresses great confidence in the Divine protection. 4? It con-
Columba arrived in Ulster. 4^ safely
tains seventeen 8 At quatrains/
last,
It is said, that St. Columba went among his relatives in Tyrconnell, and
induced them to join him; while he desired to form an alliance with Aidus,
the King of Connaught, so that a confederacy might be formed, to cope successfully against those forces, that Dermod might be able to bring into the field. The son of Setna, Anmireus, a brave prince, was then chieftain over Cinel-Connell. The two brothers Fergus and Domnald,50 were heads of Cinel-Eoguin, or Tyrone. They are stated to have heard St. Columba's account of his wrongs, and of King Dermod's cruelty. They were soon resolved on
avenging, what they deemed to be an injury and an outrage. Ninnid, son of
1
Duach, united with them. s
second their enterprise. 52
They succeeded, likewise, in bringing Aidus to Ainmire, the son of Sedna,53 and St. Columba's
first cousin, look up arms, and he was already distinguished as a successful
warrior. 54 The men of Connaught came to Columba's aid, on this occasion, chiefly in revenge for the death of Curnan Mac Hugh, son of their king. A
large hosting was speedily raised, and having united their forces, the monarch of Ireland was challenged to contend with them in battle. On his side, it is stated, that he was resolved entirely to subjugate the Northern Hy Niall, and
Major Wood-Martin's "History of Sligo," the Fourteenth Century, belonging to Trinity &c, Book ii. , chap, ii. , pp. 136 to 139. College Library, Dublin, and classed H 2. 42 According to the "Annals of Tigernach. " 16, at p. 320. This Poem is undoubtedly
See Rev. Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum Hiberni-
carum Scriptores," tomus ii. , p. 141.
4j In the " Chronicum Scotorum," edited by William M. H. nncssy, at a. d. 576, we
find the entry: "Minder of Aenh, son of Eochaidh Timcharna, King of Coanacht, by the Ui Bruin. "•—See pp. 60, 61.
44 See Dr. O'Donov. in's "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 19010196, and nn. (q, r, s, t, u, w, x).
45 See Rev. Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, xi. , sect.
xi. p. 145.