Patrick had turned back from Luachra, of Kerry ; and, it may have been the dis-
adjoining Kerry, when going into Desmond, if Kerry, generally speaking, were that same territory.
adjoining Kerry, when going into Desmond, if Kerry, generally speaking, were that same territory.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v3
See the south and south-west, by the River
vol. i. , n. (m), p. 45. Also, pp. 52, 53, and n. (k). This, however, cannot be the terri- tory, mentioned in the text.
*°5 According to the Irish Tripartite Life, which adds, that it was then, at the time of writing, so called.
'°* As rendered, in the Latin TripartiteLife.
'°7 The Irish Tripartite Life adds, to the south-east of it.
Shannon ; and, on the west, by Glenomra,
"
Topo- gi-aphical Poems of John O'Dubhagain and Giolla na Naomh O'Huidhrin," p. Ixxxii. ,
n- 737-
"'t Now said to be Singland, a townland
in St. Patrick's parish, about one mile south-east from the city of Limerick. See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the Four
"^ The monastery here was founded by Masters," vol. ii. , n. (y), p. 935. This St. Colum, son of Ninnidh. He descended event of the chief's baptism did not take from the race of King Cathaoir Mor. He place, in 434, as the local historian Ferrer died on the 13th December, A. D, 548, and states ; but, at least, twelve years later. on that day, his festival was kept,
^°' So is he called, in the Irish Tripartite Life.
*'° Thus is he named, in the Latin Tripar- tite. In the n. 76, affixed, we find the
''
words
added, as if they had been omitted, through some mistake, from the printed copy of the Tripartite. This Carthen Fionn, also called Carthen more, or the great, was regarded as thechieftainofNorthMunster. Bookof Lecain foh 219 a. He is placed, at the head of the illustrious family of the O'Briens, in Thomond, in Keating's pedigi-ees. This prince is said to have been the immediate ancestor of Earl Inchiquin and of Sir Lucius O'Brien, who lived towards the close of the
"
last century. See Comerford's History
of Ireland," p. 229.
'" This name is given him, in the Irish
Tripartite Life.
"* Such is his name, in the Latin version. "3 Dr. O'Donovan states, that Magh-Ua-
Toudhealbhaigh was a plain, near the Shannon, in the parish of Killaloe, in the
''
Annals of the Four Masters," vol. iii. , n. (y), p. 94. Elsewhere, he defines the territory of this
Theodoricianae familire progenitor"
part iv. , p. 439.
"S The Irish Tripartite Life here adds a
parenthesis, that a different angel went to converse with him that day, and not Victor. This seems to be a play upon the words, Sain-aingel, "particular angel. " Singland was regarded as the seat of O'Comhneen, or
"
History of Lime- rick," part iii. , chap, iii. , p. 184.
''*Soishecalled,intheIrishTripartite Life.
"7 Or "Eochy of the Red Spot. " He was the eldest son of Cairthenn Finn.
"^ So is it called, in the Irish Tripartite Life ; but, in the Latin version, it is called Fintine. This spot has not been identified. It may be Knockpatrick, or St. Patrick's Hill, near Limerick, which aflTords a beauti- ful, bold, and extensive prospect, over the Shannon, the surrounding country, and the ocean. The scene is diversified with every feature required, to form a charming land- scape. Ard- Patrick, or the Height of Patrick, is a beautiful green hill, at the Limerick side of the Houras. It rises near the River Shannon. By a native poet, a chieftain is represented as riding where—
east of the county of Clare. See
the territoiy of O'Kennedy. See
See, likewise, Vallancey's "Collectanea,"
O'Coneen. See Ferrar's
^Iarch 17. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 707
west of Luimnech. "° The bays and islands of the River Shannon were be- neath him, when he gave a blessing to the men and district of North Munster. Its people had come, with a profusion of gifts, to meet the holy Patrick. He also blessed the islands, and he prophesied, regarding the saints that should appear in them ; he announced their names, and the time in which they should come. " That green island in the west," said Patrick, " near the mouth of the sea, the lamp of the people of God shall shine in it. Heshallbetheheadofcounseltothisdistrict. " HealludedtoSt. Senan"^ of Inis-Cathaigh,"2 who was to flourish six score of years after that time. He did not go across Luachair"3 or Kerry, into Western Munster ; but, he
prophesied, that the renowned Brenainn, or Brendan,"^ called the Navigator, of the Ua-Alta family, who was to be the bright particular star of that region, should be born one hundred and twenty years later,"S and like all the great
Apostle's other predictions, as we are told, this was truly fulfilled. "^
CHAPTER XX.
ST. PATRICK PROCEEDS TOWARDS SOUTHERN MUNSTER—HIS MISSION AMONG THE DESII —HE VISITS MUSCRAIGE-TIIIRE—RESULTS OF HIS LABOURS IN MUNSTER—HE BLESSES AND TAKES LEAVE OF THE PEOPLE.
Our next account of the illustrious Apostle represents him, as returning to- wards Desmond, or South Munster. ^ From surviving traditions, it seems pro-
"The blest Hill of Patrick
with its tall Guebre tower on his way. "
Nearly half a century ago, this round tower
fell, still leaving traces of its remains, near a i-ange of mountain, which divides the
an ancient church, on the summit of Ard- Patrick. The time of these foundations is at present unknown ; but, they certainly
" Battle of
See R. D. Ballads, Romances and Songs," Sir Domnall, stanza v,, p. 109, and note,
ibid.
"9 According to the Irish Tripartite Life ;
but, according to the Latin, we only read,
date back to a remote ''
period.
Eugene O'Curry's p. 24,
Magh-Lena,"
Joyce's
Domnach-mor. " The parish of Donaghmore, in the barony of
"* See " Trias Colgan's
that it was
"juxta
Thaumaturga. " Tertia Vita S. Patricii, cap. Ix. , Ixi. , Ixii. , p. 26, nn. 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, p. 32. Sexta Vita S. Patricii, cap. Ixxiv. , Ixxv. , Ixxxiii. , Ixxxv. , Ixxxvii. , xcix. , pp. 91, 92. Septima Vita S. Patricii, pars, iii. , cap. xxix. , xxx. , xxxi. , xxxii. , xxxiii,, xxxiv. , xxxv. , xxxvi. , xxxvii. , xxxviii. , xxxix. , xl. , xli. , xlii. , xliii. , xliv. , xlv. , xlvi. , xlvii. , pp. 155 to 158, and nn. 55 to 79, pp. 186, 187. Also Miss Cusack's "Life of St. Patrick, Apostle of Ireland," pp. 466 to 472, with correspond-
"
Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the County of Limerick," Sheet 13. It is erroneously stated, that in the year of our Lord, 433, St. Patrick—according to a local historian— crossed the Shannon, at Lumneach, or Limerick. He was then on his way to Con- naught, it is said. At St. Patrick's well, in the southern suburbs of Limerick, a large rock is shown, which served for his bed. In the year mentioned, he is said, also, to have founded a famous monastery, at Alungret.
Clanwilliam, is defined, on the
See,
Ferrar's "
History
of
Limerick," part
serious where he that Desmoun blunder, says,
i. , chap, i. , p. 4, and chap, iv. , p. 427.
The ancient name, for the present city
of Limerick.
"' He was the son of Gergenn, son ot
Dubhthach. His feast occurs, at the 8th of March.
slopes green
or Desmond is West Munster, and nowKerry. "° "
'^^ Now in the River Scattery Island,
Shannon.
"3 This word is said to mean, "a rushy
county of Limerick from that of Kerry, and which extends into Cork County. For a full description, the reader is referred to
district. " Probably it is now Slieve-Logher,
"t His festival occurs, at the l6th of May.
"S This, however, does not tally with re- ceived chronology, and Colgan suspects an error of some scribe, in placing cxx. for xxx.
ing note* — Chapter xx.
' Harris has committed a
See Harris' Ware, vol. ii. , Antiquities of Ireland," chap. vii. ,secti. , pp. 49, 51. Kerry,
or, at least, the greatest part of it, was not included in the ancient Desmond. It belonged to lar-Muin, or West Munstei. Some parts
7o8 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 17.
bable, he made a fl(<? /c? z<fr, through the western part of the present county of Lime- rick,andnowknownasthebaroniesofLowerandUpperConnello. ^ Amoun- tain, anciently called Luachra,3 arose near St. Ita's * nunnery, and the name may probably afford a clue to the direction of his journey. However, it must be observed, that in a very disconnected and general manner, the transactions of St. Patrick, in South Munster, are related. Hence, it is no easy matter to arrange them, in any intelligible sequence.
While St. Patrick was in the southern part of the Desii, he had laid out the
linesforbuildingachurch,andonahill,calledArd-Patrick. s Thefoundations
long afterwards were to be seen, as also a rock, called, in Latin, Lapis
Patricii. The chief or dynast of the place is named Derbhallus, the son of
Aidus, in the Tripartite. This chief was a scoffer and sceptic, who wished
to put the holy missionary's powers at fault. According to jocelyn, this noble man of Munster—and by him named Cearbballus—would not permit
St. Patrick to build a church, within his territories. Not far from the noble-
man's house, there was a fair and spacious lake, called Loch Longa,^ very
pleasant to behold ; but, owing to the interposition of a great mountain, called Kennsebhrad,7 his house was deprived of that grateful prospect. The saint urged this noble man, very much, to give him leave to build a church.
The chief " If answered,
you
remove this
great mountain,
that
deprives my
house of the pleasant prospect over that broad and spacious lake, lying in
Fera-Maighe-Feine,^ on the further side, I will then yield to your request for
building a church. " The saint offered up to God his prayers, and the earth,
it is related, swallowed down the mountain. Notwithstanding, the perfidious manwouldnotstandtohisformerpromise. Wherefore,thesaintprayedto God, a second time, when the mountain forthwith swelled up, to its former
height and greatness. St. Patrick predicted, moreover, that no magnate or bishop should issue from his family, and that himself even must soon loose
his hold, upon the land, by being called away from life. 9 Belach Legtha, or " the melted pass," is the name for a very remarkable depression on the
to the east of modem Kerry might have been comprised in Desmond, such as these
patrick. From what follows in the Tripar- tite Life, it is plain, that the Luachra to which it alludes, lay more to the west. It was not far from the borders of the county
adjoining the county of Cork, which was
the real Desmond. It could not be said, that
St.
Patrick had turned back from Luachra, of Kerry ; and, it may have been the dis-
adjoining Kerry, when going into Desmond, if Kerry, generally speaking, were that same territory. See Rev. Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical of vol.
trict alluded to, by Dr. O'Brien, which was distinguished by the epithet, Muscrith, be- cause it was a pleasant countiy.
^ The feast of this woman is on holy kept,
the 15th of January, at Killeely.
5 Now a and parish
History Ireland," i. , chap, vi. , sect, viii. , n. 86, pp. 292, 293.
^ A moat,
seven acres, is situated near Cluincach church, in the barony of
in the
of Coshlea, where there is a round tower, in
containing
church,
barony
diocese and of Limerick See Ferrar's " county County.
Upper Connello,
Limerick. According to a popular legend,
an enormous serpent encircled this moat,
and his head reached to his tail, at a time
when St. Patrick arrived there. The Hennessy's translation of the Irish Tripar-
— is said to have rested his hand on a tite Life. It is said to be one of the Apostle Bally-
stone wher—e " rounds " are still made by bowra mountains, in Cork County.
the people and thence he cast a Missal, which struck and killed the serpent. The foregoing information was communicated to the writer, in a letter from Mr. D. A. O'Leary, Kilbolane Cottage, Charleville, lOth of November, 1877.
3 Rev. Dr. O'Brien in his "Irish Dic- tionary," at the word Muscrith, has Mus- crith Luachra, the land, he says, lying between Kilmallock, Kilfinane, and Ard-
The ancient name for the present barony
History of Limerick," chap, v. , pp. 433, 434.
*
7 Called Cenn-Abhrat, in William M.
It has not been identified.
*
of Fermoy, in the county of Cork. It was
formerly the territory of the O'Dugans.
After the English invasion, it was granted to the Flemings, from whom it passed by
marriage to the Roches. Wherefore, it was called Crioch Roisteach, or Roche's country. See John O'Donovan's " Leabhar na g-
Ceart, or Book of Rights," n. (g), p. 78, and n. (s), p. 82.
March 17. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 709
mountain's side, and this stood as a traditional memorial of the miracle, in olden times. The territory of Deis-Beag is said by Dr, 0'Donovan^° to have been around the hill of Knockany, and it contained Brugh-na-Deise, now the town of Brufif," in the barony of Coshma, and county of Limerick. "
St. Patrick is said to have visited the Decies country, after a laborious
mission, which greatly taxed his strength. Here, he was protected, by the chieftain of the territory, called Fergar,'3 the son of Ross, and by all his nobles. A great convention was there summoned ; but, while St. Patrick attended, at the hour appointed, the dynast and his following delayed for many hours. ^^ While there, our saint also regulated and organized the local ecclesiastical concerns. 's Weare informed, that Patrick's Well was there, and also the church of Mac Clairidh, one of the Apostle's people. '^ The holy man always desired, that the inhabitants of the country should be kind and hospitable towards strangers ; yet, the fishermen, who lived there, gave hispeoplearefusal,althoughthoseweresuccessful,intakingmanyfish. The case, which contained our saint's books, fell into a river, through the in- cautiousness of one who carried it. According to tradition, St, Patrick then left a bann, upon the streams of that place ; and, he said, that they should not be fruitful, and that there should never be any mills upon them, except- ing the mills of strangers, notwithstanding a great number, which had existed there,tothatverytime. Afterwards,whilehewasneartheSuir'sbanks,""? hewas very kindly received, by the inhabitants, who were living there. In conse- quence of such courteous demeanour, and liberality, he blessed the River Suir,andthecountryaroundit. I'henceforward,itwasfruitfulinfish,except
at places, where those streams^^ of the Desii flowed into it.
The holy man went northwards, into the country, at that time called
Muscraige-Thire. ^5 There,hedesiredtoextirpatethebriersofidolatry,and to sow, instead, the pure wheat of evangelical doctrine. While in this part of the country, God was pleased to crown his mission with great success ; and, instructing many of the people, in the saving doctrines of Grace, he after-
wards regenerated them, through the laver of Baptism. Here, he converted two brothers, called Munech,^° or Muinnech,^' and Meachair. ^^ These be-
5 See Sexta Vita S. Patiicii, cap. cxxix. , PP> 93) 94- Septima Vita S. Patricii, pars. iii. , cap. xlviii. , p. 158.
'"See "Annals of tlie Four Masters,"
vol. v. , n. (d), pp. 1580, 1 58 1.
" The parish of this name is described, on
*'
the Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for
32, 40.
" See Miss W. F. Cusack's " Life of St.
Patrick, Apostle of Ireland," pp. 472, 473, and nn. ibid.
'3 He is thus called, in the Latin Tripar-
^2 See Vita Tripartita S. Patricii, lib. iii. , cap. xlviii. , xlix. , p. 158. Not a word is mentioned about Declan, by the writer, wliile bringing St. Patrick tlirough the
Decies territory, as Dr. Lanigan remarks ; but, he mistook the exact location of those Desii.
'^ This account is to be in the only found,
Irish Tripartite Life. It further states, that assemblies were not held, by the Desii except at night ; because Patrick left a stern sentence upon them, it being towards night, when they went to meet him.
'7 Probably, in the present county of Tipperary.
tlie of Sheets County Limerick,"
31, 32, 39, 40. The town itself is noted, ou Sheet 32. Thetownlandismarked,onSheets31,
tite Life I'endered Fergair.
version,
"glaise,"
;
in the Irish
his name is
'** The Irish Life has Tripartite
'* According to the Irish Tripartite Life, when Fergair came, Patrick said to him,
in the original Manuscript.
'9 The ancient name of that district, now
comprisec^within the baronies of Upper and
after his arrival, "Plow slowly you have answered. " True, indeed," replied Patrick,
delayed us," responded the king. "Your
meetings shall be showery for ever," then said Patrick.
of Lower Ormond, in the northern part of come! " "The country is rough," he the county of Tipperary. It contained the
" there shall be no but,
ancient churches of Cill-Cheire, now Kil-
near the town ot Nenagh, and of What delayed you to-day? " "The rain Leathracha, now Latteragh, about eight
king
from
you.
keary,
miles southwards from the same town,
'° According to the Latin Tripartite.
="
According to the Latin Tripartite.
710 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 17.
longed to a very influential family. Tliey were sons to Forad,^^ the son of Conla. Especially was Munech remarkable, for his ready obedience to the call of God, when he was baptized by St. Patrick, together with his son. The Apostle gave his blessing, to the latter, and he predicted, that not alone should renowned chiefs and holy bishops descend from him, but even the principal rulers of the land. Meachair did not so readily come to the fold, and Patrick declared, that rivals and disobedient nobles should arise in his line. The eldest brother of their family, called Furech,'-* or Furic,=^s how- ever,remainedobstinateinhisinfidelity; for,hewasamanofhardheart, and of irascible temper. ^^ So he continued, to the end of his life. '? To this period of his career, and, most probably, while St. Patrick was on his journey,
^^ He is called Meachaiius, in the Latin Tripartite Life, and Mechar in the Irish version. This name greatly resembles Meaghar, or Maher, yet a veiy prevailing one, in this part of Tipperary.
"
That his successorship is not found In Cashel of the Kings.
=^3 Also called Forat, in the Irish Tripar-
tite Life. In Miss Cusack's Irish Tripartite
Life of St. Patrick, the translator introduces
the following version, from an original Irish
poem:— —
" Muinnech the Great believes In Patrick, before all ;
Saergus the Young, also
• * * « »
Violated the cain he had adopted For the vehement Dungalach.
"
"
Mechair believed
For he was a true, just man.
Patrick gave him a lasting blessing The companionship of a king.
—
That there might be over his country Chieftains of his race for ever.
Fuirec, the furious man,
Opposed, though he was hoary and
old;
His ultimate fate, after this world.
Is not to be deplored.
*' When Cothraige imposed
A tribute [cain) upon noble Eri,
On the host of this island
He conferred a lasting blessing.
"
''
''
"
Choice was this blessing,
Which he conferred seven-fold
On each one who would observe His plain rule, his law.
Whoever would disobey
The noble, just rule, Should not see him, he said,
In the region of the saints.
Patrick's cain in great Munster,
Was imposed on each family, Until Dungalach violated it,
[Who was] of the race of Failbhe Flann.
Dungalach, son of P'aelghus, Grandson of just Nadfraech,
Was the first who transgressed, Patrick's cain from the beginning.
" It is related in histories. All ages know it.
There is not of his progeny (Though he won battles)
A noble bishop, or herenagh, A prince, or a sage.
"
" It is seen that illustrious men
Are not of his wondrous family ;
If there are now, they will not
Be found till Judgment comes. "
°* According to the Latin Tripartite.
=5 According to the Irish Tripartite.
=* The Latin Tripartite Life states, after-
wards, that Munech was destined for the
kingdom, by St. Patrick, who also called to himself the twelve sons of Munech, as they
are thus named, viz. : Muscan, Keallachan, Imchadh, Dubthach, Gartne, Lamnith,
Trian, Carthach, Niell, Nandith, Macnesse and Conenn. With the exception of Mus-
can, these sons came slowly to the Apostle ; wherefore Muscan was destined by him for the kingdom, before all his brothers, and when the Latin Tripartite Life was written, the principality seems to have belonged to his race. Conenn excused himself, because he was obliged to set out a hedge. Then Patrick said, that his posterity should always want houses and fields to be com- pletely surrounded with walls or hedges, and should they dig the earth, and then set out a hedge, it must soon fail, while if they placed islands in prominent sites, those erections should not be firm. Keallacha—n said, that on account of dues owing wliLlbcr by another to him, or by hi—m to another, the Tripartite writer knew not he had been obliged to arrive late. Patrick said to him, that wherever in Munster his amnesty should be violated, and that Keal- lachan should be the transgressor, even though others were free for any reason,
March 17. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 711
through the province of Munster,^^ the Cistercian monk, Jocelyn, ascribes the subjoined incident. At that time, when this Angel of Peace, as we are told,
passed through the country of Ciarraghe,^? he saw two brothers, respectively named Bibradius, and Locradius, engaged in an angry debate, about the partition of their dead father's inheritance. So much did they wrangle, that from high words, they came to blows, and dealt out strokes, with their iron weapons. Fearing lest so heinous a sin as fratricide should be committed,
in his presence, with his holy prayers, the Apostolic man so paralyzed their hands and arms, that these remained stiff and inflexible, while raised in the air
Upon seeing this stupendous miracle, the two brothers referred their cause tothesaint'sarbitration. BlessedPatrickthen,notonlyrenewedbetweenthem
aleagueofbrotherlylove; but,healsorestoredtothem,theperfectuseof theirarmsandhands. Theplace,wherethismiraclehappenedtothosetwo
brothers, was bestowed upon the saint, to accomplish the building of a church. 3°
Seven years St. Patrick is said to have spent in Munster. 3^ There,
he founded cells and churches, while he ordained bishops, rectors, and
ecclesiastics, in every grade. He also healed all sick persons, and he resuscitated the dead. Now, he was about to leave, with increased ardour for the fair plains of Leinster. When going away from Munster, the princes and nobles of the province assembled, it is thought at Cashel ; and, in testimony of the services he had rendered, those chiefs charged themselves with an annual tribute for the great Irish Apostle, and for his successors, in the See of Armagh. This tax, called by the Irish, Cain Fhadruigh, was regularly paid, for some ages. ^^ The veneration, in which they held him, caused a great stone, on Avhich he used to celebrate the Divine Mysteries, and other rehgious ceremonies, to be preserved, with respect. It was
never should he or his tribe escape the con-
the son of Fergus, King over Ulster, and o Meadhbh, Queen over Connaught, is sai^ to have been ancestor to all the Ciarraighe.
"
xliii. , xlvi. Also Dr. c3'Donovan's
demnation of death, or as an alternative,
seven female servants should be given in atonement for the offence. Carthach said,
that he would have believed, if only they
should await his foster-father, as it was de-
sirable to know, whether or not his appro-
bation might be obtained. Patrick declared
that those of his race, prudent and ingenious
in their worldly-wise conceits, should be p. 82. aliens in this principality. The Irish Apostle's pronouncements, in each case, wereliterallyfulfilled. Intheforegoingac-
comit, some words of the original Latin are obsolete, or obscure, and for want of more accurate information, regarding customs long since disused, the application of terms may be misplaced ; we think, however, the rendering is substantially exact, and the meaning attached, closely in accordance with the terminology.
554, pp. Ixxi. , Ixxii. , nn. 627, 628.
^° See Sexta Vita S. Patricii, cap. Ixxvi. ,
^i The learned calculate, as we are told,
in the Irish Tripartite Life, he made an
offering, on every seventh ridge, that he traversed, while in Munster.
^^ in the time of Dungalac, the son of Foelgass, of the race of Failbe Flann, this tribute fell into disuse, or it was refused, through the fault of Soergass Hua Maol- Cobthaigh. For such neglect, Dungalac himself, through his posterity, was supposed to incur Divine judgments, as none of his race held the of or was
=^7 See the Latin
Tripartite
Life of St. Colgan's
principality Cashel,
Patrick, lib. iii. , cap. li. , Iii.
extant, when the Latin Tripartite Life had
been written. It adds, " vel futurus credi-
tur ex iis vel Doctor Episcopus, Dominus,
oriundus. *f Colgan endeavours in nn. 80, 81, to show that, if very gross ignorance of Irish history be not in question, a part of
'* Trias Thaumaturga," p. 159.
vol. i. , n. (m), p. 45. Also, pp. 52, 53, and n. (k). This, however, cannot be the terri- tory, mentioned in the text.
*°5 According to the Irish Tripartite Life, which adds, that it was then, at the time of writing, so called.
'°* As rendered, in the Latin TripartiteLife.
'°7 The Irish Tripartite Life adds, to the south-east of it.
Shannon ; and, on the west, by Glenomra,
"
Topo- gi-aphical Poems of John O'Dubhagain and Giolla na Naomh O'Huidhrin," p. Ixxxii. ,
n- 737-
"'t Now said to be Singland, a townland
in St. Patrick's parish, about one mile south-east from the city of Limerick. See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the Four
"^ The monastery here was founded by Masters," vol. ii. , n. (y), p. 935. This St. Colum, son of Ninnidh. He descended event of the chief's baptism did not take from the race of King Cathaoir Mor. He place, in 434, as the local historian Ferrer died on the 13th December, A. D, 548, and states ; but, at least, twelve years later. on that day, his festival was kept,
^°' So is he called, in the Irish Tripartite Life.
*'° Thus is he named, in the Latin Tripar- tite. In the n. 76, affixed, we find the
''
words
added, as if they had been omitted, through some mistake, from the printed copy of the Tripartite. This Carthen Fionn, also called Carthen more, or the great, was regarded as thechieftainofNorthMunster. Bookof Lecain foh 219 a. He is placed, at the head of the illustrious family of the O'Briens, in Thomond, in Keating's pedigi-ees. This prince is said to have been the immediate ancestor of Earl Inchiquin and of Sir Lucius O'Brien, who lived towards the close of the
"
last century. See Comerford's History
of Ireland," p. 229.
'" This name is given him, in the Irish
Tripartite Life.
"* Such is his name, in the Latin version. "3 Dr. O'Donovan states, that Magh-Ua-
Toudhealbhaigh was a plain, near the Shannon, in the parish of Killaloe, in the
''
Annals of the Four Masters," vol. iii. , n. (y), p. 94. Elsewhere, he defines the territory of this
Theodoricianae familire progenitor"
part iv. , p. 439.
"S The Irish Tripartite Life here adds a
parenthesis, that a different angel went to converse with him that day, and not Victor. This seems to be a play upon the words, Sain-aingel, "particular angel. " Singland was regarded as the seat of O'Comhneen, or
"
History of Lime- rick," part iii. , chap, iii. , p. 184.
''*Soishecalled,intheIrishTripartite Life.
"7 Or "Eochy of the Red Spot. " He was the eldest son of Cairthenn Finn.
"^ So is it called, in the Irish Tripartite Life ; but, in the Latin version, it is called Fintine. This spot has not been identified. It may be Knockpatrick, or St. Patrick's Hill, near Limerick, which aflTords a beauti- ful, bold, and extensive prospect, over the Shannon, the surrounding country, and the ocean. The scene is diversified with every feature required, to form a charming land- scape. Ard- Patrick, or the Height of Patrick, is a beautiful green hill, at the Limerick side of the Houras. It rises near the River Shannon. By a native poet, a chieftain is represented as riding where—
east of the county of Clare. See
the territoiy of O'Kennedy. See
See, likewise, Vallancey's "Collectanea,"
O'Coneen. See Ferrar's
^Iarch 17. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 707
west of Luimnech. "° The bays and islands of the River Shannon were be- neath him, when he gave a blessing to the men and district of North Munster. Its people had come, with a profusion of gifts, to meet the holy Patrick. He also blessed the islands, and he prophesied, regarding the saints that should appear in them ; he announced their names, and the time in which they should come. " That green island in the west," said Patrick, " near the mouth of the sea, the lamp of the people of God shall shine in it. Heshallbetheheadofcounseltothisdistrict. " HealludedtoSt. Senan"^ of Inis-Cathaigh,"2 who was to flourish six score of years after that time. He did not go across Luachair"3 or Kerry, into Western Munster ; but, he
prophesied, that the renowned Brenainn, or Brendan,"^ called the Navigator, of the Ua-Alta family, who was to be the bright particular star of that region, should be born one hundred and twenty years later,"S and like all the great
Apostle's other predictions, as we are told, this was truly fulfilled. "^
CHAPTER XX.
ST. PATRICK PROCEEDS TOWARDS SOUTHERN MUNSTER—HIS MISSION AMONG THE DESII —HE VISITS MUSCRAIGE-TIIIRE—RESULTS OF HIS LABOURS IN MUNSTER—HE BLESSES AND TAKES LEAVE OF THE PEOPLE.
Our next account of the illustrious Apostle represents him, as returning to- wards Desmond, or South Munster. ^ From surviving traditions, it seems pro-
"The blest Hill of Patrick
with its tall Guebre tower on his way. "
Nearly half a century ago, this round tower
fell, still leaving traces of its remains, near a i-ange of mountain, which divides the
an ancient church, on the summit of Ard- Patrick. The time of these foundations is at present unknown ; but, they certainly
" Battle of
See R. D. Ballads, Romances and Songs," Sir Domnall, stanza v,, p. 109, and note,
ibid.
"9 According to the Irish Tripartite Life ;
but, according to the Latin, we only read,
date back to a remote ''
period.
Eugene O'Curry's p. 24,
Magh-Lena,"
Joyce's
Domnach-mor. " The parish of Donaghmore, in the barony of
"* See " Trias Colgan's
that it was
"juxta
Thaumaturga. " Tertia Vita S. Patricii, cap. Ix. , Ixi. , Ixii. , p. 26, nn. 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, p. 32. Sexta Vita S. Patricii, cap. Ixxiv. , Ixxv. , Ixxxiii. , Ixxxv. , Ixxxvii. , xcix. , pp. 91, 92. Septima Vita S. Patricii, pars, iii. , cap. xxix. , xxx. , xxxi. , xxxii. , xxxiii,, xxxiv. , xxxv. , xxxvi. , xxxvii. , xxxviii. , xxxix. , xl. , xli. , xlii. , xliii. , xliv. , xlv. , xlvi. , xlvii. , pp. 155 to 158, and nn. 55 to 79, pp. 186, 187. Also Miss Cusack's "Life of St. Patrick, Apostle of Ireland," pp. 466 to 472, with correspond-
"
Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the County of Limerick," Sheet 13. It is erroneously stated, that in the year of our Lord, 433, St. Patrick—according to a local historian— crossed the Shannon, at Lumneach, or Limerick. He was then on his way to Con- naught, it is said. At St. Patrick's well, in the southern suburbs of Limerick, a large rock is shown, which served for his bed. In the year mentioned, he is said, also, to have founded a famous monastery, at Alungret.
Clanwilliam, is defined, on the
See,
Ferrar's "
History
of
Limerick," part
serious where he that Desmoun blunder, says,
i. , chap, i. , p. 4, and chap, iv. , p. 427.
The ancient name, for the present city
of Limerick.
"' He was the son of Gergenn, son ot
Dubhthach. His feast occurs, at the 8th of March.
slopes green
or Desmond is West Munster, and nowKerry. "° "
'^^ Now in the River Scattery Island,
Shannon.
"3 This word is said to mean, "a rushy
county of Limerick from that of Kerry, and which extends into Cork County. For a full description, the reader is referred to
district. " Probably it is now Slieve-Logher,
"t His festival occurs, at the l6th of May.
"S This, however, does not tally with re- ceived chronology, and Colgan suspects an error of some scribe, in placing cxx. for xxx.
ing note* — Chapter xx.
' Harris has committed a
See Harris' Ware, vol. ii. , Antiquities of Ireland," chap. vii. ,secti. , pp. 49, 51. Kerry,
or, at least, the greatest part of it, was not included in the ancient Desmond. It belonged to lar-Muin, or West Munstei. Some parts
7o8 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 17.
bable, he made a fl(<? /c? z<fr, through the western part of the present county of Lime- rick,andnowknownasthebaroniesofLowerandUpperConnello. ^ Amoun- tain, anciently called Luachra,3 arose near St. Ita's * nunnery, and the name may probably afford a clue to the direction of his journey. However, it must be observed, that in a very disconnected and general manner, the transactions of St. Patrick, in South Munster, are related. Hence, it is no easy matter to arrange them, in any intelligible sequence.
While St. Patrick was in the southern part of the Desii, he had laid out the
linesforbuildingachurch,andonahill,calledArd-Patrick. s Thefoundations
long afterwards were to be seen, as also a rock, called, in Latin, Lapis
Patricii. The chief or dynast of the place is named Derbhallus, the son of
Aidus, in the Tripartite. This chief was a scoffer and sceptic, who wished
to put the holy missionary's powers at fault. According to jocelyn, this noble man of Munster—and by him named Cearbballus—would not permit
St. Patrick to build a church, within his territories. Not far from the noble-
man's house, there was a fair and spacious lake, called Loch Longa,^ very
pleasant to behold ; but, owing to the interposition of a great mountain, called Kennsebhrad,7 his house was deprived of that grateful prospect. The saint urged this noble man, very much, to give him leave to build a church.
The chief " If answered,
you
remove this
great mountain,
that
deprives my
house of the pleasant prospect over that broad and spacious lake, lying in
Fera-Maighe-Feine,^ on the further side, I will then yield to your request for
building a church. " The saint offered up to God his prayers, and the earth,
it is related, swallowed down the mountain. Notwithstanding, the perfidious manwouldnotstandtohisformerpromise. Wherefore,thesaintprayedto God, a second time, when the mountain forthwith swelled up, to its former
height and greatness. St. Patrick predicted, moreover, that no magnate or bishop should issue from his family, and that himself even must soon loose
his hold, upon the land, by being called away from life. 9 Belach Legtha, or " the melted pass," is the name for a very remarkable depression on the
to the east of modem Kerry might have been comprised in Desmond, such as these
patrick. From what follows in the Tripar- tite Life, it is plain, that the Luachra to which it alludes, lay more to the west. It was not far from the borders of the county
adjoining the county of Cork, which was
the real Desmond. It could not be said, that
St.
Patrick had turned back from Luachra, of Kerry ; and, it may have been the dis-
adjoining Kerry, when going into Desmond, if Kerry, generally speaking, were that same territory. See Rev. Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical of vol.
trict alluded to, by Dr. O'Brien, which was distinguished by the epithet, Muscrith, be- cause it was a pleasant countiy.
^ The feast of this woman is on holy kept,
the 15th of January, at Killeely.
5 Now a and parish
History Ireland," i. , chap, vi. , sect, viii. , n. 86, pp. 292, 293.
^ A moat,
seven acres, is situated near Cluincach church, in the barony of
in the
of Coshlea, where there is a round tower, in
containing
church,
barony
diocese and of Limerick See Ferrar's " county County.
Upper Connello,
Limerick. According to a popular legend,
an enormous serpent encircled this moat,
and his head reached to his tail, at a time
when St. Patrick arrived there. The Hennessy's translation of the Irish Tripar-
— is said to have rested his hand on a tite Life. It is said to be one of the Apostle Bally-
stone wher—e " rounds " are still made by bowra mountains, in Cork County.
the people and thence he cast a Missal, which struck and killed the serpent. The foregoing information was communicated to the writer, in a letter from Mr. D. A. O'Leary, Kilbolane Cottage, Charleville, lOth of November, 1877.
3 Rev. Dr. O'Brien in his "Irish Dic- tionary," at the word Muscrith, has Mus- crith Luachra, the land, he says, lying between Kilmallock, Kilfinane, and Ard-
The ancient name for the present barony
History of Limerick," chap, v. , pp. 433, 434.
*
7 Called Cenn-Abhrat, in William M.
It has not been identified.
*
of Fermoy, in the county of Cork. It was
formerly the territory of the O'Dugans.
After the English invasion, it was granted to the Flemings, from whom it passed by
marriage to the Roches. Wherefore, it was called Crioch Roisteach, or Roche's country. See John O'Donovan's " Leabhar na g-
Ceart, or Book of Rights," n. (g), p. 78, and n. (s), p. 82.
March 17. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 709
mountain's side, and this stood as a traditional memorial of the miracle, in olden times. The territory of Deis-Beag is said by Dr, 0'Donovan^° to have been around the hill of Knockany, and it contained Brugh-na-Deise, now the town of Brufif," in the barony of Coshma, and county of Limerick. "
St. Patrick is said to have visited the Decies country, after a laborious
mission, which greatly taxed his strength. Here, he was protected, by the chieftain of the territory, called Fergar,'3 the son of Ross, and by all his nobles. A great convention was there summoned ; but, while St. Patrick attended, at the hour appointed, the dynast and his following delayed for many hours. ^^ While there, our saint also regulated and organized the local ecclesiastical concerns. 's Weare informed, that Patrick's Well was there, and also the church of Mac Clairidh, one of the Apostle's people. '^ The holy man always desired, that the inhabitants of the country should be kind and hospitable towards strangers ; yet, the fishermen, who lived there, gave hispeoplearefusal,althoughthoseweresuccessful,intakingmanyfish. The case, which contained our saint's books, fell into a river, through the in- cautiousness of one who carried it. According to tradition, St, Patrick then left a bann, upon the streams of that place ; and, he said, that they should not be fruitful, and that there should never be any mills upon them, except- ing the mills of strangers, notwithstanding a great number, which had existed there,tothatverytime. Afterwards,whilehewasneartheSuir'sbanks,""? hewas very kindly received, by the inhabitants, who were living there. In conse- quence of such courteous demeanour, and liberality, he blessed the River Suir,andthecountryaroundit. I'henceforward,itwasfruitfulinfish,except
at places, where those streams^^ of the Desii flowed into it.
The holy man went northwards, into the country, at that time called
Muscraige-Thire. ^5 There,hedesiredtoextirpatethebriersofidolatry,and to sow, instead, the pure wheat of evangelical doctrine. While in this part of the country, God was pleased to crown his mission with great success ; and, instructing many of the people, in the saving doctrines of Grace, he after-
wards regenerated them, through the laver of Baptism. Here, he converted two brothers, called Munech,^° or Muinnech,^' and Meachair. ^^ These be-
5 See Sexta Vita S. Patiicii, cap. cxxix. , PP> 93) 94- Septima Vita S. Patricii, pars. iii. , cap. xlviii. , p. 158.
'"See "Annals of tlie Four Masters,"
vol. v. , n. (d), pp. 1580, 1 58 1.
" The parish of this name is described, on
*'
the Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for
32, 40.
" See Miss W. F. Cusack's " Life of St.
Patrick, Apostle of Ireland," pp. 472, 473, and nn. ibid.
'3 He is thus called, in the Latin Tripar-
^2 See Vita Tripartita S. Patricii, lib. iii. , cap. xlviii. , xlix. , p. 158. Not a word is mentioned about Declan, by the writer, wliile bringing St. Patrick tlirough the
Decies territory, as Dr. Lanigan remarks ; but, he mistook the exact location of those Desii.
'^ This account is to be in the only found,
Irish Tripartite Life. It further states, that assemblies were not held, by the Desii except at night ; because Patrick left a stern sentence upon them, it being towards night, when they went to meet him.
'7 Probably, in the present county of Tipperary.
tlie of Sheets County Limerick,"
31, 32, 39, 40. The town itself is noted, ou Sheet 32. Thetownlandismarked,onSheets31,
tite Life I'endered Fergair.
version,
"glaise,"
;
in the Irish
his name is
'** The Irish Life has Tripartite
'* According to the Irish Tripartite Life, when Fergair came, Patrick said to him,
in the original Manuscript.
'9 The ancient name of that district, now
comprisec^within the baronies of Upper and
after his arrival, "Plow slowly you have answered. " True, indeed," replied Patrick,
delayed us," responded the king. "Your
meetings shall be showery for ever," then said Patrick.
of Lower Ormond, in the northern part of come! " "The country is rough," he the county of Tipperary. It contained the
" there shall be no but,
ancient churches of Cill-Cheire, now Kil-
near the town ot Nenagh, and of What delayed you to-day? " "The rain Leathracha, now Latteragh, about eight
king
from
you.
keary,
miles southwards from the same town,
'° According to the Latin Tripartite.
="
According to the Latin Tripartite.
710 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 17.
longed to a very influential family. Tliey were sons to Forad,^^ the son of Conla. Especially was Munech remarkable, for his ready obedience to the call of God, when he was baptized by St. Patrick, together with his son. The Apostle gave his blessing, to the latter, and he predicted, that not alone should renowned chiefs and holy bishops descend from him, but even the principal rulers of the land. Meachair did not so readily come to the fold, and Patrick declared, that rivals and disobedient nobles should arise in his line. The eldest brother of their family, called Furech,'-* or Furic,=^s how- ever,remainedobstinateinhisinfidelity; for,hewasamanofhardheart, and of irascible temper. ^^ So he continued, to the end of his life. '? To this period of his career, and, most probably, while St. Patrick was on his journey,
^^ He is called Meachaiius, in the Latin Tripartite Life, and Mechar in the Irish version. This name greatly resembles Meaghar, or Maher, yet a veiy prevailing one, in this part of Tipperary.
"
That his successorship is not found In Cashel of the Kings.
=^3 Also called Forat, in the Irish Tripar-
tite Life. In Miss Cusack's Irish Tripartite
Life of St. Patrick, the translator introduces
the following version, from an original Irish
poem:— —
" Muinnech the Great believes In Patrick, before all ;
Saergus the Young, also
• * * « »
Violated the cain he had adopted For the vehement Dungalach.
"
"
Mechair believed
For he was a true, just man.
Patrick gave him a lasting blessing The companionship of a king.
—
That there might be over his country Chieftains of his race for ever.
Fuirec, the furious man,
Opposed, though he was hoary and
old;
His ultimate fate, after this world.
Is not to be deplored.
*' When Cothraige imposed
A tribute [cain) upon noble Eri,
On the host of this island
He conferred a lasting blessing.
"
''
''
"
Choice was this blessing,
Which he conferred seven-fold
On each one who would observe His plain rule, his law.
Whoever would disobey
The noble, just rule, Should not see him, he said,
In the region of the saints.
Patrick's cain in great Munster,
Was imposed on each family, Until Dungalach violated it,
[Who was] of the race of Failbhe Flann.
Dungalach, son of P'aelghus, Grandson of just Nadfraech,
Was the first who transgressed, Patrick's cain from the beginning.
" It is related in histories. All ages know it.
There is not of his progeny (Though he won battles)
A noble bishop, or herenagh, A prince, or a sage.
"
" It is seen that illustrious men
Are not of his wondrous family ;
If there are now, they will not
Be found till Judgment comes. "
°* According to the Latin Tripartite.
=5 According to the Irish Tripartite.
=* The Latin Tripartite Life states, after-
wards, that Munech was destined for the
kingdom, by St. Patrick, who also called to himself the twelve sons of Munech, as they
are thus named, viz. : Muscan, Keallachan, Imchadh, Dubthach, Gartne, Lamnith,
Trian, Carthach, Niell, Nandith, Macnesse and Conenn. With the exception of Mus-
can, these sons came slowly to the Apostle ; wherefore Muscan was destined by him for the kingdom, before all his brothers, and when the Latin Tripartite Life was written, the principality seems to have belonged to his race. Conenn excused himself, because he was obliged to set out a hedge. Then Patrick said, that his posterity should always want houses and fields to be com- pletely surrounded with walls or hedges, and should they dig the earth, and then set out a hedge, it must soon fail, while if they placed islands in prominent sites, those erections should not be firm. Keallacha—n said, that on account of dues owing wliLlbcr by another to him, or by hi—m to another, the Tripartite writer knew not he had been obliged to arrive late. Patrick said to him, that wherever in Munster his amnesty should be violated, and that Keal- lachan should be the transgressor, even though others were free for any reason,
March 17. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 711
through the province of Munster,^^ the Cistercian monk, Jocelyn, ascribes the subjoined incident. At that time, when this Angel of Peace, as we are told,
passed through the country of Ciarraghe,^? he saw two brothers, respectively named Bibradius, and Locradius, engaged in an angry debate, about the partition of their dead father's inheritance. So much did they wrangle, that from high words, they came to blows, and dealt out strokes, with their iron weapons. Fearing lest so heinous a sin as fratricide should be committed,
in his presence, with his holy prayers, the Apostolic man so paralyzed their hands and arms, that these remained stiff and inflexible, while raised in the air
Upon seeing this stupendous miracle, the two brothers referred their cause tothesaint'sarbitration. BlessedPatrickthen,notonlyrenewedbetweenthem
aleagueofbrotherlylove; but,healsorestoredtothem,theperfectuseof theirarmsandhands. Theplace,wherethismiraclehappenedtothosetwo
brothers, was bestowed upon the saint, to accomplish the building of a church. 3°
Seven years St. Patrick is said to have spent in Munster. 3^ There,
he founded cells and churches, while he ordained bishops, rectors, and
ecclesiastics, in every grade. He also healed all sick persons, and he resuscitated the dead. Now, he was about to leave, with increased ardour for the fair plains of Leinster. When going away from Munster, the princes and nobles of the province assembled, it is thought at Cashel ; and, in testimony of the services he had rendered, those chiefs charged themselves with an annual tribute for the great Irish Apostle, and for his successors, in the See of Armagh. This tax, called by the Irish, Cain Fhadruigh, was regularly paid, for some ages. ^^ The veneration, in which they held him, caused a great stone, on Avhich he used to celebrate the Divine Mysteries, and other rehgious ceremonies, to be preserved, with respect. It was
never should he or his tribe escape the con-
the son of Fergus, King over Ulster, and o Meadhbh, Queen over Connaught, is sai^ to have been ancestor to all the Ciarraighe.
"
xliii. , xlvi. Also Dr. c3'Donovan's
demnation of death, or as an alternative,
seven female servants should be given in atonement for the offence. Carthach said,
that he would have believed, if only they
should await his foster-father, as it was de-
sirable to know, whether or not his appro-
bation might be obtained. Patrick declared
that those of his race, prudent and ingenious
in their worldly-wise conceits, should be p. 82. aliens in this principality. The Irish Apostle's pronouncements, in each case, wereliterallyfulfilled. Intheforegoingac-
comit, some words of the original Latin are obsolete, or obscure, and for want of more accurate information, regarding customs long since disused, the application of terms may be misplaced ; we think, however, the rendering is substantially exact, and the meaning attached, closely in accordance with the terminology.
554, pp. Ixxi. , Ixxii. , nn. 627, 628.
^° See Sexta Vita S. Patricii, cap. Ixxvi. ,
^i The learned calculate, as we are told,
in the Irish Tripartite Life, he made an
offering, on every seventh ridge, that he traversed, while in Munster.
^^ in the time of Dungalac, the son of Foelgass, of the race of Failbe Flann, this tribute fell into disuse, or it was refused, through the fault of Soergass Hua Maol- Cobthaigh. For such neglect, Dungalac himself, through his posterity, was supposed to incur Divine judgments, as none of his race held the of or was
=^7 See the Latin
Tripartite
Life of St. Colgan's
principality Cashel,
Patrick, lib. iii. , cap. li. , Iii.
extant, when the Latin Tripartite Life had
been written. It adds, " vel futurus credi-
tur ex iis vel Doctor Episcopus, Dominus,
oriundus. *f Colgan endeavours in nn. 80, 81, to show that, if very gross ignorance of Irish history be not in question, a part of
'* Trias Thaumaturga," p. 159.
