" See James Frazer's " Hand Book for
Travellers
in Ireland," route No.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v8
570, 571.
68
See an account of St. Baoithin, of En- nisboyne, Co. Wicklow, in the Fifth Volume
of this work, at the 22nd of
Twelve generations of his lineal descend- ants are thus named, by Duald MacFirbis :
" Cathal " of
"
Culochair, son of Madudan, son of Ragh- allach,sonof Flann, son of Dubhdraithreach, son of Madudan, son of Cathal, son of Ceallach, son of Edersgel, son of Ceallach Cualann. "
9 By Colgan, in his
Art. ii.
7 See Rev. John Francis Shearman's
"Loca Patrici—ana," No. hi. , p. 31. Article I. Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly,
xxxii.
2
Thus : CoincViAnT) o CriAelchA-o.
3 See the Fourth Volume of this work, at
that date, Art. vii.
4 See
Colgan's
nise," vii. Januarii. De S. Kentigerna Vidua, n. 8, p. 22.
5 The Annals of Clonmacnoise have the
death of Ceallagh Cwallan, King of Leinster, at a. d. 712. The Four Masters enter the
"
Vita S.
May,
Ui-Ceallaigh Cualann],
" Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
xvi.
Acta Sanctorum Abbani,
parish
Dunganstown,
of Leinster, who died from a. d. s to 6 She was a sister to 712 714.
King
St. Keantigerna,7 who is venerated at the 7th of January. Her father was ancestor of a tribe, ealled the Ui-Ceallaigh Cualann, seated in the northern
8
part of the present County of Wicklow.
daughter of Kellach had been identical with St. Conchenna, Virgin, who is said » to have been venerated at Ceall Achaidh Conchinn, or Coincheann. 10
s The feast of this saint is placed at the death of Ceallach Cualann, son of Gerrtide, 14th of August, by Dempster, and by King of Leinster, at A. D. 713. See Dr.
Ferrarius, at the 15th. By Colgan his feast has been given for the loth of March, at which date some account of him may be found, in the "Acta Sanctorum Hibernise," De S. Syvestro S. Paladii Socio et Hiber-
O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 312, 313, and nn. (f, h,) ibid.
6
The Annals of Ulster have his death at
It may be suspected, that this holy
a. d. 714.
i See a notice of her in the First Volume
of this work, at that date, Art. ii.
[chief
son of Amhalgaidh, son of Tuathal, son of
Hibernise,"
I0 The place is thought to have derived its
Martii,
cap. xx. , p. 615, and n. 17, p. 622.
name from this who was virgin,
venerated, says Colgan, on the 28th of April.
" Before the Anglo-Norman Invasion,
296 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [August 20.
It was situated in the territory of Corcaduibhne,11 now the barony of Cor-
12
caguiney, intheextremewesternpartoftheCountyofKerry. Thisplace
has been incorrectly identified by Archdall *3 with Killeagh, a small village,
1
on the west side of Youghal Bay, in the County of Cork. * Yet, this state-
ment is directly contradicted and rectified in another part of the same work. 1 * The author does not even appear to have noticed his counter-statements. The denomination now " the
Cill-achaidh, Anglicised Killahy, signifies Church of the Field," 16 and in Irish local names it has been generally
softened down to Killeigh. As we are particularly informed, the present Killeagh lay within the region of Corcaduibhne, in the western part of Munster. However,wefailtofindsuchalocalityinthepresentCorcaguiney barony, County of Kerry. St. Abban x 7 founded this place originally for ecclesiastics, as we are informed in his acts, and for those persons he left there; while he prophesied, that in course of time, their habitation should be called after a St. Finian,18 not then born. This prophecy was afterwards fulfilled. Therefore, in the denomination Kilfinian, we may probably find that of Ceall Achaid Conchenn merged. In the barony of Trughanacmy and parish of Kiltallagh, there is a Killegh,^ as also in the barony of Magunihy, and parish
of Molahiffe, we find a townland so named. 20 As these places are all in the
County of Kerry, and immediately adjoining the barony of Corcaguiney, towards the east, perhaps we may conjecture the former territory of Corca Duibhne to have been anciently more extensive than has been generally represented. The present holy woman's death is referred by the Annals of the Four Masters to a. d. 21 In the of 22 it is
738. Martyrology Donegal, mentioned, that Coinchenn, of Cael-achadh, had a festival, at the 20th ot August. This saint seems to have been venerated, also, on the 28th of
2
April ; and, as Archdall states, 3 but without sufficient authority, at Cor-
caguiney, in the County of Kerry.
Article II. —St. Lasar, or Lassar, Virgin, of Cill Arcalgach, near Lough Lene, County of Westmeath. There are many models of saintliness in humble and obscure life, which prove that wonderful and almost exhaustless charity may be distributed from the scantiest stores. Not only over persons of the humbler class, but over many in a superior social position, most beneficent influences are exercised by God's servants. Troubled
this territory was held by the Ui Failbhe or O'Falvys. Afterwards, the MacCarthys and
13 See "The Annals of Ireland," &c, with Annotations by Philip MacDermot, Esq. , M. D , and Owen Connellan, Esq. , note at p. 178.
concerning a nunnery at this place, in M. de la Boullaye le Gouz's "Tour in Ireland,
13 See "Monasticon
20
See ibid. , sheet 48.
2I See Dr. O'Donovan's
pp. 340, 341.
22
the Irish became more
chap, vi. , p. 33, and n. 70, ibid.
I5 See "Monasticon Hibernicum," p. 303. l6 See Dr. Patrick W. "
O'Sullivans
powerful there, as also the Anglo-Norman families of the Fitzgeralds, Ferriters, Husseys, Trants, and others, who settled there, and who were supported against the O'Falvys, by the Earl of Desmond. See Dr. O'Donovan's leabriArx 11A 5-CeApc or Book of Rights, n. (e,) pp. 47, 48.
among
Joyce's Origin and History of Irish Names of Places,"
Hibernicum," p. 73. 14 Some curious particulars are related
edition,
vol. i.
a. d. Edited 1644. "
by
T. Crofton
Croker,
Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 224, 225.
23 See "Monasticon
part iii. , chap, ii. , p. 304.
'7 See Acts of this saint, at the 27th of
October.
,8
Colgan supposes him to have been St. Finan of Kinnetich, whose feast occurs on the 7th of April.
I9 Described on the "Ordnance Survey
Townland Maps for the County of Kerry," sheet 47.
Hibernicum," p. 303.
August 20. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 297
1
spirits are calmed and afflicted souls are comforted by the lowliest. Especially such must be the case, when pious women renounce the deceitful
ways of this world, to lead lives wholly devoted to religion, and resolving in retirement to secure their own salvation and the happiness of others. A
festival in honour of Lasar, of Chill Arealgaich, is registered in the published 2
Martyrology of Tallagh, at the 20th of August. Again, at the 13th of the September Kalends, that copy in the Book of Leinster spells the entry in a manner somewhat different. 3 At this same date, the Martyrology of Donegal *
mentions Lassar, Virgin, of Cill Arcalgach,s on the brink of Loch Lebenn, in Meath. Her place of res—idence must be sought for within or on the banks ofthepresentLoughLeane knowninourancientannalsasLochLephinn or Loch Leibhinn. It is now called Lough Lene, about two miles and three quarters of a mile in length, by one mile in width j and for its extent, it is one of the loveliest of the numerous lakes in Westmeath. It contains two wooded islets ; and, on one of these, it is said a monastery formerly existed. 6 In the Acts of St. Finian,? the holy Bishop of Clonard,8 allusion is made to a certain Lassara, a virgin, who was remarkable for the many miracles she wrought, and who built a church at a place called Daire mac Aidmecain. 9 There seems to be a great distinction in orthography, however, between Cill Arcalgach and Daire mac Aidmecain. Colgan is of opinion, that the virgin of this latter place was descended from the race of Laeghaire, the son of Niall. Lough Leane lies about one mile south of Fore Village, in the baronyofDemifore,andinthenorthernpartofWestmeathCounty. Onan island of this lake lived Diarmaid, King of Meath, in the time of St. Fechin, who died a. d. 664. According to local tradition, the tyrant Turgesius had a residence on this same island. 10 On the summit of an adjoining hill, a con- spicuous mound is still shown as Turgesius' Fort, by the country people. " The Irish Calendar now preserved in the Royal Irish Academy « has a notice of this person,^ as Lasar, Virgin of Cill Arcalgach, on the border of LochaLeibhean. Wecannotattemptfurthertoidentifyher,nortoknow the period in which she lived.
Article ii. —" For a
pugnant example
p. 554.
? This saint has a double festival : one at
the 23rd of February, where some notices of him may be found, in the Second Volume of this work ; the other and chief feast is held on the 12th of December, when his life is given.
nise," xxiii. Februarii, Vita S. Finiani seu Finneni, Abbatis de Cluain-eraird, cap. xxii. , p. 395.
date, the same editor states, that Ardghal is a territory in East Meath, although its exact position has not been determined. See
in modern times, the pious reader may
peruse that edifying Life of Marie-Eustelle
Harpin, the seamstress of St. Pallais, called
the Angel of the Eucharist, London, 1872,
second edition.
3
Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xxxii.
3 Thus : o Cill lAfr'Atx
8 See 's " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- Colgan
-ArxchAigAch.
4 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
224, 225.
5 In Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the
Four Masters," we read at a. d. 742, that
Dunlaing, son of Dunchu, and chief of the
Cinel-Ardghail, died. The learned editor
couldnotdeterminethe situation of that tribe.
See vol. i. , pp. 344 345, and n. (n. ) ibid. In Calendars. See ibid. , nn. 26, 27, p. 399. another work, which appeared at an earlier
Four Masters, vol. i. , n. (r), pp. 501, 502.
" See James Frazer's " Hand Book for Travellers in Ireland," route No. 127, p. 554. " In that copy, taken for the Irish Ord- Rights, n. (d. ) p. 179. It may be asked, if nance Survey. Common-place Book F,
LeAbViAt\ nA 5-CeArvC, or the Book of
the territory ot Ardghal might not rather be
found in Westmeath, and have some con-
nexion with the Church of Arcalgach ?
p. 72.
,3 It is similar to that in the Martyrology
of Donegal, but there her family descent is
6
See James Frazer's "Hand Book for
Travellers in route No. Ireland,"
127,
not given.
Article ill. —l See notices of him
at that
' Colgan was unable to identify this place; nor could he find the particular Feast-day of the St. Lassara, to whom it belonged. There are many bearing such a name in our Irish
I0 See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the
298 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [August 20.
Article III. —St. Mothrianoc, or Motren6g, Abbot of Ruscaigh, or Rusgach. No amount of mere mechanical labour can give the true artist's perfect finish to his work of art, and no effort of natural power can infuse the glow of charity essential for a fervent master in spiritual matters. The present holy personage was one, who guided others in the ways of a religious life ; nor can we have any doubt, that he was distinguished as a leader in the degrees of perfection. The present saint seems to have had a
1
double festival ; for, he is commemorated, likewise, at the 2nd of February, as St. Mothrianoc, son of ^Engus, of Rusgach. However, his race and descent do not appear to have been more remotely revealed. Nor do we know the age in which he lived. Veneration was given, at the 20th of August, to Mothrianoc of Ruscaigh, as we find recorded in the Martyrology
Kilroosk old Church, County of Leitrim.
of Tallagh. " In that copy, contained in the Book of Leinster, a like entry istobefound,atthe13thoftheSeptemberKalends. 3 TheMartyrologyof
Donegal,* at the same date, registers the name, as Motrenog, son of Aenghus, Abbot of Rusgach. Where his religious establishment existed admits of much doubt. In the parish of Tarmonbarry, and in the barony of North Ballintobber, County of Roscommon, is the rather modern small village of Roosky;5 but,inpartitextendstotheCountyofLeitrimside,ontheRiver Shannon,6inthebaronyofMohill7 Thisdenominationappearstoresemble closelythatoftheancientRuscaighorRusgach. AtRooskyarerapidson
date, in the Second Volume of this work, Art. vii.
3 Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xxxii.
3 Thus : mochruAnoc tlurcAij.
4 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
224, 225.
5 This western division of the townland so
sheets 18, 24.
named contains 209a. 2;\ 6/. , and it is
shown on the " Ordnance Survey Townland
Maps for the County of Roscommon," land," No. 95, Dublin to Sligo, p. 437.
6
119a. , and it is shown on the "Ordnance
This portion of the townland contains
Survey Townland Maps for the County of Leitrim," sheets 32, 33.
7 There is a substantial limestone
and swivel, connected with the Shannon Im- provements, across the river. See James Frazer's " Hand Rook for Travellers in Ire-
bridge
August 20. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 299
the River Shannon. 8 on a beautiful Again,
near the town of Manorhamilton, in the northern part of the County of Leitrim, there is an ancient cemetery still much used for interments, and a few fragments remaining of an old church called Killroosk within it. That old building had been constructed solidly, with finely dressed and large limestones. 9 The situation
is a solitary one, and it opens upon a district of country presenting some of the most romantic scenery in Ireland. A small stream murmurs in the
valley below, while down the towering cliffs, rising over Lough Glenade, tumble cascades from almost perpendicular rocks. Thence onward towards Manorhamilton flows the Bonnet River, in a southern course, and by Dromahaire, into the head waters of Lough Gill. Except what has been stated already at his other festival, occurring on the 2nd of February, little more can be added to our notice of this holy Abbot.
Article IV. —St. Hadouin, Chadoin, Audouin, or Hardouin,
Bishop of Mans, France. [Seventh Century. '] The present holy man is called Chadoin or Hardouin, Haduindus, Chadoenus, Caduindus and Har-
1 who
at the 20th of August; although he has given a previous but a brief notice
of this saint, at the 20th of January. 3 Hadouin, Chadouin, Audoin, Cha-
danus, and Caduindus are other forms of his name. He is also called
Audouin. At the 20th of August, the Petits Bollandistes 4 have notices of
St. Hadouin, Bishop of Mans, and these are drawn chiefly from Dom PiolhVs
"
Histoire de l'Eglise du Mans. " His feast had been noted by the Bol- landists, for the 20th of January. There, however, it had been omitted,5 although attention was afterwards called to the circumstance in a sup- plementary notice. 6 He is said to have been a noble ; and according to some writers, he was a Gaulish-Frank by birth. He is said, by some writers, tohavegonefromIrelandtoFrance. ThepeoplecalledCenomanibelonged to Gallia Celtica, and they were so called from their chief city Cenomanum, now known as Le Mans, in the former Province of Maine, and now in the Department of Sarthe. The town is about 53 miles N. N. W. from Tours. Under the Romans, it was a place of considerable importance, and in the era of Charlemagne, it was one of the largest and richest towns in the
8
Empire. ? It is still a great centre for railway communication, possessing
many branches of manufacture, with a large and growing population. The
Bishopric of Mans was frequently governed by an Irish prelate, and Bishop Hadouin or Chadoin was the twelfth in succession. 9 After the death of St.
duinus, Hadwinus,
and
2
Clodoenus, by Baillet,
places
his chief
festival,
8
See "Parliamentary Gazetteer of Ire- land," vol, iii. , pp. 155, 156.
9 In June, 1879, the writer sketched this old church of Kilroosk on the spot. The sketch was afterwards drawn by William F. Wakeman on the wood, engraved by Mrs. Millard.
s See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. Ap-
pendix, p. 1 140.
6 In the new edition of the Bollandists,
published by Victor Palm£, Paris, we read, in the Appendix to tomus ii. : "Ad xx Ja- nuarii. Pag. 615, col. 2. post S. Fechinum adde [S. Hadoindus, Episcopus Cenoman-
Articleiv. —1 SeeAdrianBaillet's"Vies ensisin See Afterwards Gallia. "] p. 761.
des Saints," tome ii. , pp. 326, 327. See we find: "S. Haduindi, Episcopi Ceno-
edition of 1739, Paris, 4to.
2
See edition of 1701, Paris, 8vo, tome viii. , at pp. 649 to 652.
mannensis, Vita alia est ea, quae laudatur ut
melior supra in prsesenti tomo pag. 402, num. 4. " See p. 780.
given :
4 See " Les Vies des xx« Jour d'Aout, pp. 93, 94.
p.
" Renvoi. * Saint Had-
3 Thus
ouindou SaintCHADoiN, Lat. HADWiNDUS ev#que du Mans. Voyez an xx jour d'Aout. See ibid. , tome i. , xx Janvier, p. 495.
"> See "Gazetteer of the World," vol. ix. ,
105.
8 See it noted on Black's "General Atlas
Saints,"
tome
x. ,
of the World," sheet 14.
9 See Adrien Baillet's "Vies des
tome ii. , p. 326.
Saints,"
elevation,
300
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [August 20
10
Bertrand, intheyear623,thevirtuesandtalentsofHadouin,unitedtohis
distinction of family, caused him to be chosen as Bishop over the church of Mans. " With one single exception, all his predecessors in that see are honoured as saints by the Church. Soon after Hadouin's consecration, he seems to have made the
of or 12 a acquaintance Lonegisilus Leonogisilus,
holy German exile, who had left his noble and wealthy parents. These
desired to have him continue a pagan. However, he resolved on embracing
the Christian Religion, and having sought the companionship of Christians,
he was instructed in letters by them, and baptised. Afterwards, he greatly desired to build a cell or monastery for himself; and going to Mans, he was
most graciously received by Hadoind, to whom he opened his mind, and subsequently he visited Buxiacum. ^ There, the clergy and people desired
him to remain, and they were willing to aid him in erecting a monastery. When he sought Hadoind to obtain his permission, the holy bishop greatly
approved
that
project,
and
giving
thanks to God ordained him a '< priest.
Hadoind also bestowed the canonical village of Buxiacum, with its lands and
appurtenances, to Lonegisilus, with the condition, that these were to be subject
to the mother church of Mans, as also the monastery, with all its possession, which might accrue in future times. To this condition Lonegesilus agreed, and a deed was prepared,^ to prove the fact ; while it was attested by a notary of King Clotaire, and who is named Count Buccellinus. 16 His elec- tion was confirmed by Clotaire II. *? . , nor was the See long vacant, it is thought, before Hadouin took possession. About eighteen or twenty months
after his consecration, the First Council of Mans was a. d. ,8 held, 625. .
At that he assisted ; and in it were framed twenty-five disciplinary canons or rules. Among the many holy prelates assembled at that . council were St. Sulpicius of Bourges, St. Arnoul, of Metz, St. Modoald of Treves, and St. Cunibert of Cologne. ^ When he became bishop, Hardouin laboured energetically to promote religion throughout his diocese. He founded several monasteries, and he took care to have their inmates live in the strict observance of rule. He was chiefly instrumental in establishing the monastery of Boisseliere, of which St. Longils became the first Abbot. Well knowing that study and science should distinguish the clergy, Hadouin was specially desirous of preserving for his diocese the memory of those great exemplars of virtue, who flourished in the Church of Mans before his time. He caused one of his diocesan clergy to write the Acts of St. Domnole for
10 This holy Bishop ruled for a long time
over the See of Mans. He died in extreme
old age, June 30th, in the year 623. He is
honoured, likewise, on the 6th of June, and
on the 3rd of July.
" See "Histoire Literaire de France,"
tome iii. , vii. siecle, p. 548.
12
This holy Abbot of Boisseliere is vene- rated on the 2nd of April. He is also called St. Longis. He attained a great age, and died about the year 653.
13 Also called Buxiacus or Buxidus (Bois-
selicre), in Le Sonnois, at Mans, and where a parish church had been dedicated to St.
Lonegisilus.
14 These
deed of Lonegisilus, executed A. D. 625, and about it, in his work, Chonicle, lib. ii. , to be found in the "Vetera Analecta," cap. v.
particulars
are known from the
prelates present,
and all we really know
I9 Literaire de edited by Father John Mabillon, tomus iii. , See "Histoire
France," p. 151. tome iii. , vii. siecle, pp. 532 to 534.
j s This document thus ends: "Actum
Sagonna (Sogne) mallo publico. Data viii. Kalendas Decembris, anno xlii. (sic legen- dum videtur, non lii. ) regnante Chlothario rege.
See an account of St. Baoithin, of En- nisboyne, Co. Wicklow, in the Fifth Volume
of this work, at the 22nd of
Twelve generations of his lineal descend- ants are thus named, by Duald MacFirbis :
" Cathal " of
"
Culochair, son of Madudan, son of Ragh- allach,sonof Flann, son of Dubhdraithreach, son of Madudan, son of Cathal, son of Ceallach, son of Edersgel, son of Ceallach Cualann. "
9 By Colgan, in his
Art. ii.
7 See Rev. John Francis Shearman's
"Loca Patrici—ana," No. hi. , p. 31. Article I. Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly,
xxxii.
2
Thus : CoincViAnT) o CriAelchA-o.
3 See the Fourth Volume of this work, at
that date, Art. vii.
4 See
Colgan's
nise," vii. Januarii. De S. Kentigerna Vidua, n. 8, p. 22.
5 The Annals of Clonmacnoise have the
death of Ceallagh Cwallan, King of Leinster, at a. d. 712. The Four Masters enter the
"
Vita S.
May,
Ui-Ceallaigh Cualann],
" Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
xvi.
Acta Sanctorum Abbani,
parish
Dunganstown,
of Leinster, who died from a. d. s to 6 She was a sister to 712 714.
King
St. Keantigerna,7 who is venerated at the 7th of January. Her father was ancestor of a tribe, ealled the Ui-Ceallaigh Cualann, seated in the northern
8
part of the present County of Wicklow.
daughter of Kellach had been identical with St. Conchenna, Virgin, who is said » to have been venerated at Ceall Achaidh Conchinn, or Coincheann. 10
s The feast of this saint is placed at the death of Ceallach Cualann, son of Gerrtide, 14th of August, by Dempster, and by King of Leinster, at A. D. 713. See Dr.
Ferrarius, at the 15th. By Colgan his feast has been given for the loth of March, at which date some account of him may be found, in the "Acta Sanctorum Hibernise," De S. Syvestro S. Paladii Socio et Hiber-
O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 312, 313, and nn. (f, h,) ibid.
6
The Annals of Ulster have his death at
It may be suspected, that this holy
a. d. 714.
i See a notice of her in the First Volume
of this work, at that date, Art. ii.
[chief
son of Amhalgaidh, son of Tuathal, son of
Hibernise,"
I0 The place is thought to have derived its
Martii,
cap. xx. , p. 615, and n. 17, p. 622.
name from this who was virgin,
venerated, says Colgan, on the 28th of April.
" Before the Anglo-Norman Invasion,
296 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [August 20.
It was situated in the territory of Corcaduibhne,11 now the barony of Cor-
12
caguiney, intheextremewesternpartoftheCountyofKerry. Thisplace
has been incorrectly identified by Archdall *3 with Killeagh, a small village,
1
on the west side of Youghal Bay, in the County of Cork. * Yet, this state-
ment is directly contradicted and rectified in another part of the same work. 1 * The author does not even appear to have noticed his counter-statements. The denomination now " the
Cill-achaidh, Anglicised Killahy, signifies Church of the Field," 16 and in Irish local names it has been generally
softened down to Killeigh. As we are particularly informed, the present Killeagh lay within the region of Corcaduibhne, in the western part of Munster. However,wefailtofindsuchalocalityinthepresentCorcaguiney barony, County of Kerry. St. Abban x 7 founded this place originally for ecclesiastics, as we are informed in his acts, and for those persons he left there; while he prophesied, that in course of time, their habitation should be called after a St. Finian,18 not then born. This prophecy was afterwards fulfilled. Therefore, in the denomination Kilfinian, we may probably find that of Ceall Achaid Conchenn merged. In the barony of Trughanacmy and parish of Kiltallagh, there is a Killegh,^ as also in the barony of Magunihy, and parish
of Molahiffe, we find a townland so named. 20 As these places are all in the
County of Kerry, and immediately adjoining the barony of Corcaguiney, towards the east, perhaps we may conjecture the former territory of Corca Duibhne to have been anciently more extensive than has been generally represented. The present holy woman's death is referred by the Annals of the Four Masters to a. d. 21 In the of 22 it is
738. Martyrology Donegal, mentioned, that Coinchenn, of Cael-achadh, had a festival, at the 20th ot August. This saint seems to have been venerated, also, on the 28th of
2
April ; and, as Archdall states, 3 but without sufficient authority, at Cor-
caguiney, in the County of Kerry.
Article II. —St. Lasar, or Lassar, Virgin, of Cill Arcalgach, near Lough Lene, County of Westmeath. There are many models of saintliness in humble and obscure life, which prove that wonderful and almost exhaustless charity may be distributed from the scantiest stores. Not only over persons of the humbler class, but over many in a superior social position, most beneficent influences are exercised by God's servants. Troubled
this territory was held by the Ui Failbhe or O'Falvys. Afterwards, the MacCarthys and
13 See "The Annals of Ireland," &c, with Annotations by Philip MacDermot, Esq. , M. D , and Owen Connellan, Esq. , note at p. 178.
concerning a nunnery at this place, in M. de la Boullaye le Gouz's "Tour in Ireland,
13 See "Monasticon
20
See ibid. , sheet 48.
2I See Dr. O'Donovan's
pp. 340, 341.
22
the Irish became more
chap, vi. , p. 33, and n. 70, ibid.
I5 See "Monasticon Hibernicum," p. 303. l6 See Dr. Patrick W. "
O'Sullivans
powerful there, as also the Anglo-Norman families of the Fitzgeralds, Ferriters, Husseys, Trants, and others, who settled there, and who were supported against the O'Falvys, by the Earl of Desmond. See Dr. O'Donovan's leabriArx 11A 5-CeApc or Book of Rights, n. (e,) pp. 47, 48.
among
Joyce's Origin and History of Irish Names of Places,"
Hibernicum," p. 73. 14 Some curious particulars are related
edition,
vol. i.
a. d. Edited 1644. "
by
T. Crofton
Croker,
Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 224, 225.
23 See "Monasticon
part iii. , chap, ii. , p. 304.
'7 See Acts of this saint, at the 27th of
October.
,8
Colgan supposes him to have been St. Finan of Kinnetich, whose feast occurs on the 7th of April.
I9 Described on the "Ordnance Survey
Townland Maps for the County of Kerry," sheet 47.
Hibernicum," p. 303.
August 20. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 297
1
spirits are calmed and afflicted souls are comforted by the lowliest. Especially such must be the case, when pious women renounce the deceitful
ways of this world, to lead lives wholly devoted to religion, and resolving in retirement to secure their own salvation and the happiness of others. A
festival in honour of Lasar, of Chill Arealgaich, is registered in the published 2
Martyrology of Tallagh, at the 20th of August. Again, at the 13th of the September Kalends, that copy in the Book of Leinster spells the entry in a manner somewhat different. 3 At this same date, the Martyrology of Donegal *
mentions Lassar, Virgin, of Cill Arcalgach,s on the brink of Loch Lebenn, in Meath. Her place of res—idence must be sought for within or on the banks ofthepresentLoughLeane knowninourancientannalsasLochLephinn or Loch Leibhinn. It is now called Lough Lene, about two miles and three quarters of a mile in length, by one mile in width j and for its extent, it is one of the loveliest of the numerous lakes in Westmeath. It contains two wooded islets ; and, on one of these, it is said a monastery formerly existed. 6 In the Acts of St. Finian,? the holy Bishop of Clonard,8 allusion is made to a certain Lassara, a virgin, who was remarkable for the many miracles she wrought, and who built a church at a place called Daire mac Aidmecain. 9 There seems to be a great distinction in orthography, however, between Cill Arcalgach and Daire mac Aidmecain. Colgan is of opinion, that the virgin of this latter place was descended from the race of Laeghaire, the son of Niall. Lough Leane lies about one mile south of Fore Village, in the baronyofDemifore,andinthenorthernpartofWestmeathCounty. Onan island of this lake lived Diarmaid, King of Meath, in the time of St. Fechin, who died a. d. 664. According to local tradition, the tyrant Turgesius had a residence on this same island. 10 On the summit of an adjoining hill, a con- spicuous mound is still shown as Turgesius' Fort, by the country people. " The Irish Calendar now preserved in the Royal Irish Academy « has a notice of this person,^ as Lasar, Virgin of Cill Arcalgach, on the border of LochaLeibhean. Wecannotattemptfurthertoidentifyher,nortoknow the period in which she lived.
Article ii. —" For a
pugnant example
p. 554.
? This saint has a double festival : one at
the 23rd of February, where some notices of him may be found, in the Second Volume of this work ; the other and chief feast is held on the 12th of December, when his life is given.
nise," xxiii. Februarii, Vita S. Finiani seu Finneni, Abbatis de Cluain-eraird, cap. xxii. , p. 395.
date, the same editor states, that Ardghal is a territory in East Meath, although its exact position has not been determined. See
in modern times, the pious reader may
peruse that edifying Life of Marie-Eustelle
Harpin, the seamstress of St. Pallais, called
the Angel of the Eucharist, London, 1872,
second edition.
3
Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xxxii.
3 Thus : o Cill lAfr'Atx
8 See 's " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- Colgan
-ArxchAigAch.
4 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
224, 225.
5 In Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the
Four Masters," we read at a. d. 742, that
Dunlaing, son of Dunchu, and chief of the
Cinel-Ardghail, died. The learned editor
couldnotdeterminethe situation of that tribe.
See vol. i. , pp. 344 345, and n. (n. ) ibid. In Calendars. See ibid. , nn. 26, 27, p. 399. another work, which appeared at an earlier
Four Masters, vol. i. , n. (r), pp. 501, 502.
" See James Frazer's " Hand Book for Travellers in Ireland," route No. 127, p. 554. " In that copy, taken for the Irish Ord- Rights, n. (d. ) p. 179. It may be asked, if nance Survey. Common-place Book F,
LeAbViAt\ nA 5-CeArvC, or the Book of
the territory ot Ardghal might not rather be
found in Westmeath, and have some con-
nexion with the Church of Arcalgach ?
p. 72.
,3 It is similar to that in the Martyrology
of Donegal, but there her family descent is
6
See James Frazer's "Hand Book for
Travellers in route No. Ireland,"
127,
not given.
Article ill. —l See notices of him
at that
' Colgan was unable to identify this place; nor could he find the particular Feast-day of the St. Lassara, to whom it belonged. There are many bearing such a name in our Irish
I0 See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the
298 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [August 20.
Article III. —St. Mothrianoc, or Motren6g, Abbot of Ruscaigh, or Rusgach. No amount of mere mechanical labour can give the true artist's perfect finish to his work of art, and no effort of natural power can infuse the glow of charity essential for a fervent master in spiritual matters. The present holy personage was one, who guided others in the ways of a religious life ; nor can we have any doubt, that he was distinguished as a leader in the degrees of perfection. The present saint seems to have had a
1
double festival ; for, he is commemorated, likewise, at the 2nd of February, as St. Mothrianoc, son of ^Engus, of Rusgach. However, his race and descent do not appear to have been more remotely revealed. Nor do we know the age in which he lived. Veneration was given, at the 20th of August, to Mothrianoc of Ruscaigh, as we find recorded in the Martyrology
Kilroosk old Church, County of Leitrim.
of Tallagh. " In that copy, contained in the Book of Leinster, a like entry istobefound,atthe13thoftheSeptemberKalends. 3 TheMartyrologyof
Donegal,* at the same date, registers the name, as Motrenog, son of Aenghus, Abbot of Rusgach. Where his religious establishment existed admits of much doubt. In the parish of Tarmonbarry, and in the barony of North Ballintobber, County of Roscommon, is the rather modern small village of Roosky;5 but,inpartitextendstotheCountyofLeitrimside,ontheRiver Shannon,6inthebaronyofMohill7 Thisdenominationappearstoresemble closelythatoftheancientRuscaighorRusgach. AtRooskyarerapidson
date, in the Second Volume of this work, Art. vii.
3 Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xxxii.
3 Thus : mochruAnoc tlurcAij.
4 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
224, 225.
5 This western division of the townland so
sheets 18, 24.
named contains 209a. 2;\ 6/. , and it is
shown on the " Ordnance Survey Townland
Maps for the County of Roscommon," land," No. 95, Dublin to Sligo, p. 437.
6
119a. , and it is shown on the "Ordnance
This portion of the townland contains
Survey Townland Maps for the County of Leitrim," sheets 32, 33.
7 There is a substantial limestone
and swivel, connected with the Shannon Im- provements, across the river. See James Frazer's " Hand Rook for Travellers in Ire-
bridge
August 20. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 299
the River Shannon. 8 on a beautiful Again,
near the town of Manorhamilton, in the northern part of the County of Leitrim, there is an ancient cemetery still much used for interments, and a few fragments remaining of an old church called Killroosk within it. That old building had been constructed solidly, with finely dressed and large limestones. 9 The situation
is a solitary one, and it opens upon a district of country presenting some of the most romantic scenery in Ireland. A small stream murmurs in the
valley below, while down the towering cliffs, rising over Lough Glenade, tumble cascades from almost perpendicular rocks. Thence onward towards Manorhamilton flows the Bonnet River, in a southern course, and by Dromahaire, into the head waters of Lough Gill. Except what has been stated already at his other festival, occurring on the 2nd of February, little more can be added to our notice of this holy Abbot.
Article IV. —St. Hadouin, Chadoin, Audouin, or Hardouin,
Bishop of Mans, France. [Seventh Century. '] The present holy man is called Chadoin or Hardouin, Haduindus, Chadoenus, Caduindus and Har-
1 who
at the 20th of August; although he has given a previous but a brief notice
of this saint, at the 20th of January. 3 Hadouin, Chadouin, Audoin, Cha-
danus, and Caduindus are other forms of his name. He is also called
Audouin. At the 20th of August, the Petits Bollandistes 4 have notices of
St. Hadouin, Bishop of Mans, and these are drawn chiefly from Dom PiolhVs
"
Histoire de l'Eglise du Mans. " His feast had been noted by the Bol- landists, for the 20th of January. There, however, it had been omitted,5 although attention was afterwards called to the circumstance in a sup- plementary notice. 6 He is said to have been a noble ; and according to some writers, he was a Gaulish-Frank by birth. He is said, by some writers, tohavegonefromIrelandtoFrance. ThepeoplecalledCenomanibelonged to Gallia Celtica, and they were so called from their chief city Cenomanum, now known as Le Mans, in the former Province of Maine, and now in the Department of Sarthe. The town is about 53 miles N. N. W. from Tours. Under the Romans, it was a place of considerable importance, and in the era of Charlemagne, it was one of the largest and richest towns in the
8
Empire. ? It is still a great centre for railway communication, possessing
many branches of manufacture, with a large and growing population. The
Bishopric of Mans was frequently governed by an Irish prelate, and Bishop Hadouin or Chadoin was the twelfth in succession. 9 After the death of St.
duinus, Hadwinus,
and
2
Clodoenus, by Baillet,
places
his chief
festival,
8
See "Parliamentary Gazetteer of Ire- land," vol, iii. , pp. 155, 156.
9 In June, 1879, the writer sketched this old church of Kilroosk on the spot. The sketch was afterwards drawn by William F. Wakeman on the wood, engraved by Mrs. Millard.
s See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. Ap-
pendix, p. 1 140.
6 In the new edition of the Bollandists,
published by Victor Palm£, Paris, we read, in the Appendix to tomus ii. : "Ad xx Ja- nuarii. Pag. 615, col. 2. post S. Fechinum adde [S. Hadoindus, Episcopus Cenoman-
Articleiv. —1 SeeAdrianBaillet's"Vies ensisin See Afterwards Gallia. "] p. 761.
des Saints," tome ii. , pp. 326, 327. See we find: "S. Haduindi, Episcopi Ceno-
edition of 1739, Paris, 4to.
2
See edition of 1701, Paris, 8vo, tome viii. , at pp. 649 to 652.
mannensis, Vita alia est ea, quae laudatur ut
melior supra in prsesenti tomo pag. 402, num. 4. " See p. 780.
given :
4 See " Les Vies des xx« Jour d'Aout, pp. 93, 94.
p.
" Renvoi. * Saint Had-
3 Thus
ouindou SaintCHADoiN, Lat. HADWiNDUS ev#que du Mans. Voyez an xx jour d'Aout. See ibid. , tome i. , xx Janvier, p. 495.
"> See "Gazetteer of the World," vol. ix. ,
105.
8 See it noted on Black's "General Atlas
Saints,"
tome
x. ,
of the World," sheet 14.
9 See Adrien Baillet's "Vies des
tome ii. , p. 326.
Saints,"
elevation,
300
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [August 20
10
Bertrand, intheyear623,thevirtuesandtalentsofHadouin,unitedtohis
distinction of family, caused him to be chosen as Bishop over the church of Mans. " With one single exception, all his predecessors in that see are honoured as saints by the Church. Soon after Hadouin's consecration, he seems to have made the
of or 12 a acquaintance Lonegisilus Leonogisilus,
holy German exile, who had left his noble and wealthy parents. These
desired to have him continue a pagan. However, he resolved on embracing
the Christian Religion, and having sought the companionship of Christians,
he was instructed in letters by them, and baptised. Afterwards, he greatly desired to build a cell or monastery for himself; and going to Mans, he was
most graciously received by Hadoind, to whom he opened his mind, and subsequently he visited Buxiacum. ^ There, the clergy and people desired
him to remain, and they were willing to aid him in erecting a monastery. When he sought Hadoind to obtain his permission, the holy bishop greatly
approved
that
project,
and
giving
thanks to God ordained him a '< priest.
Hadoind also bestowed the canonical village of Buxiacum, with its lands and
appurtenances, to Lonegisilus, with the condition, that these were to be subject
to the mother church of Mans, as also the monastery, with all its possession, which might accrue in future times. To this condition Lonegesilus agreed, and a deed was prepared,^ to prove the fact ; while it was attested by a notary of King Clotaire, and who is named Count Buccellinus. 16 His elec- tion was confirmed by Clotaire II. *? . , nor was the See long vacant, it is thought, before Hadouin took possession. About eighteen or twenty months
after his consecration, the First Council of Mans was a. d. ,8 held, 625. .
At that he assisted ; and in it were framed twenty-five disciplinary canons or rules. Among the many holy prelates assembled at that . council were St. Sulpicius of Bourges, St. Arnoul, of Metz, St. Modoald of Treves, and St. Cunibert of Cologne. ^ When he became bishop, Hardouin laboured energetically to promote religion throughout his diocese. He founded several monasteries, and he took care to have their inmates live in the strict observance of rule. He was chiefly instrumental in establishing the monastery of Boisseliere, of which St. Longils became the first Abbot. Well knowing that study and science should distinguish the clergy, Hadouin was specially desirous of preserving for his diocese the memory of those great exemplars of virtue, who flourished in the Church of Mans before his time. He caused one of his diocesan clergy to write the Acts of St. Domnole for
10 This holy Bishop ruled for a long time
over the See of Mans. He died in extreme
old age, June 30th, in the year 623. He is
honoured, likewise, on the 6th of June, and
on the 3rd of July.
" See "Histoire Literaire de France,"
tome iii. , vii. siecle, p. 548.
12
This holy Abbot of Boisseliere is vene- rated on the 2nd of April. He is also called St. Longis. He attained a great age, and died about the year 653.
13 Also called Buxiacus or Buxidus (Bois-
selicre), in Le Sonnois, at Mans, and where a parish church had been dedicated to St.
Lonegisilus.
14 These
deed of Lonegisilus, executed A. D. 625, and about it, in his work, Chonicle, lib. ii. , to be found in the "Vetera Analecta," cap. v.
particulars
are known from the
prelates present,
and all we really know
I9 Literaire de edited by Father John Mabillon, tomus iii. , See "Histoire
France," p. 151. tome iii. , vii. siecle, pp. 532 to 534.
j s This document thus ends: "Actum
Sagonna (Sogne) mallo publico. Data viii. Kalendas Decembris, anno xlii. (sic legen- dum videtur, non lii. ) regnante Chlothario rege.
