The shrine is of silver, but
comparatively
of modern date.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v3
1806, it having been fixed, by ecclesiastical ordinance, on the Wednesday of the week known as Quasimodo.
323
Throughout the kingdom and city of Murcia, in Spain, the 1 7th of March waskept,withanextraordinarypompandsolemnity,3^4and,St. Patrick'sfestival was celebrated with an Octave, although it came in Lent ; because, on his
day, and, doubtless, through his most powerful intercession, the Moors were driven out of Murcia. s^s In 1854, the Archbishops and Bishops of Ireland
besought his Holiness, Pope Pius IX. , that the Feast of St. Patrick, from being observed as a Semi-Double, throughout the universal Church, should thenceforward be held as a Double. This petition was affirmatively re- ceived, and a Decree to that effect was issued, on the 12th of May, 1859. 326
There is a Manuscript,3^7 in the University Library, at Cambridge, which formerly belonged to Rev. James Henthorn Todd, and it contains a Latin
from a " ad usum Ec- Proparium
Hymn
on St. Patrick. 323 It was
copied,
clesise Cathedralis Sancti Patricii, Dublin. " It occurs, at the end of the
""
Commune," the Leta lux est hodierna" being that, in the ordinary place.
mum Dominum Urbauum viii. qui nunc ac Rmi. Patres Sacr. Consilii Christiano
feliciter sedet, ut in nova recognitione Bre-
viarii ab ipso przescripta, cui me dignanter
jussit interesse, hie honor Patritio aecederet,
ut qui pro Romana Ecclesia egregie et cum
laude decertarit, Romanis tabulis tot titulis
illustrem juberet adscribi. Placuit suze
Sanctitati summa in me benignitate, et in
gentem Hibernicam benevolentia ita conce- Episcopi Confessoris die XVII. Martii
amodo recolatur in universa Ecclesia ritu duplici minori, prsesensque a Sacra Rituum
Congregatione edi Decretum, ac promulgari mandavit. Contrariis non obstantibus qui- buscumque. DieXII. MailMDCCCLIX.
C. Episc. Albanen. Card. Patrizi, S. R. C,, Fraf.
H. Capalti, S. R. C, Secretarius.
Concordat cum originali.
sa Fete l6 Avril 1806, dans I'Eglise du -J- Paulus Cullen, Archiep. Dublin.
dere, et pecuUari chirographo decerncre, ut in sacris Ecclesiae dypticis reponeretur. Id itaque debet Hibernia Sodalitio Minoruui, ut prse omnibus Ordinibus Hibernorum cele-
brarit Apostolum ; atque profecto vicissim ilia peculiaria huic Institute frequenter amoris indicia, et summam benevolentiam. "
3=3 gee "
College Irlandais, etc. , a Paris. " Par M.
Siret, Vicaire de Saint Mery. A Paris,
1806,8vo. Thiswaspreached,inpresence
of S. E. Monseigneur le Cardinal Archeve-
que de Paris, du Belloy, and a numerous
auditory. The sermou is dedicated to Na-
poleon the Great, Emperor of the French,
and King of Italy. It consists of fifty-two
pages, including appended historical notes.
3"'»
According to Convseus.
3=5 See the English translation, by W. P. ,
Panegyrique
Apolre de I'lrlande, prononce, le Jour de
Esq. , of Father Ribadeneira's Saints," &c. , part i. , p. 160.
"
Lives of
3=7 It is classed Add. 710. — 3=^ The following is a copy :
DE SANCTO PATRICIO. SEQUENTIA.
Letabundus decantet
Hybernicorum Cetus eya.
Totus mundus coUaudet Regem celorum
Mente
Qui salutis nuncium
Hybernis patricium Destinauit.
Docet evangelium Errores gentilium
Confutavit.
Canamus miraculis Plenum a cunabulis Christi uatem,
Aquam in mel transtulit Quo nutrici contulit
Sanitatem,
3** The following is the text of that Decree :—
DECRETUM URBIS ET ORBIS.
Quum Archiepiscopi atque Episcopi omnes Hibernias Anno MDCCCLIV. Dub- lin! congregati a Sanctissimo Domino Nostro Pig Papa IX. humillime postulaverint ut Festum Sancti Patritii Episcopi, Confessoris, atque Hibernia; Patroni, quod in Breviario Romano ritu semiduplici notatur die XVII. Martii, ad ritum duplicem pro universa Ec- clesia CatboUca elevare dignaretur ; Emi.
de St. Patrice,
Nomini Propagando in generalibus Comitiis eodem Anno habitis die XXI. Julii censue-
runt supplicandum Sanctissimo pro gratia. Hanc vero Sacri Consilii sententiam
quum, instante nuper novis percibus Archi- episcopo Dublinensi, Sanctitas sua benigne exceperit jussit ut Festum Sancti Patritii
pia.
$26 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
As is intimated, by the first word, its music corresponds with the famous
"
Lsetabundus ofSt. Bernard. 3='9
Everything, connected with the memory of St. Patrick, must possess great interest, and, especially, for Irish Catholics. Therefore, we have deemed it right, to make some brief notes, regarding those authenticated relics of our Apostle, some of which have disappeared, while some still exist.
Among the remains of St. Patrick, yet preserved, there are fragments of the Codex,33o ^jt^ its richly chased and elaborate cumdach,33i or silver shrine for a book, it being known as the Domhnach Airgid. The Codex contains, perhaps, the oldest copy of the Gospels, to be found in the world. It is traditionally believed, to have been the private book of devotion, used by St. Patrick himself, and to have been given by him to St. Carthainn, when he consecrated the latter saint. Bishop of Clogher. 332 That Manuscript is thought to be of the fifth century ; but, it is unfortunately so injured, by age and damp, as to make inspection of its contents impossible, the leaves being all discoloured and stuck together. Others state, however, that the Book of the Scriptures, containing the New Testament, transcribed by St. Patrick himself, and long preserved in his Metropolitan Church of Armagh, has perished. Fortunately, however, the beautiful copy of that sacred volume,
k—nown as the Canoin or " the — of Patrick," made in Phadraig, Scripture 807,
•'
has survived all the accidents
of time, and, it is now deposited, in the library of Trinity College, Dublin. As one of the peculiarities, characterising this venerable volume, we may state, that instead of terminating with the Apocalypse, it closes with the Acts of the Apostles. 333 For a detailed history of the vicissitudes of this most
after St. Patrick's
three centuries decease,
Glacierum fragmina
Per eius spiramina Mox flammescunt.
In ventre latrunculi Balat hircus populi Obstupescunt.
Moysivestigia Secutus incendia
Extinguit carnalia. Et di soluit.
Scandit supercilium Montis et ieiunium
Sic quadragenarium Deo soluit.
Virosa noxia
Prece reptilia
Sua fugat ab hibernia.
Huius ergo pia Ducant sufifragia
Ad sempiterna nos gaudia.
in the first part of the Fac-similes of tongue is called Ardmacha. Thus I have National Manuscripts of Ireland," photozin- found it stated, in the records of the Scots. cographed by Major-General Sir H. James, This is my writing, namely, Calvus Perennis
R. E. , Director of the Ordnance Survey, and (Mulsoohan), in the presence of Brien, edited by John T. Gilbert, Esq. Sovereign of the Scots ; and what I have 3J' For a particular account of the various written, he decreed for all the kings of
For the foregoing information,
and for
one of the—
Reeves, most eminent of our
3'9
a transcript of the Hymn, the writer is in- debted to Henry Bradshaw, Esq. , of the University Library, Cambridge, in a com- munication, dated August 13th, 1874.
Irish archoeologists
" :
when
33° Specimens of it may be almost realized, '*
cumdachs or Irish Book-shrines, the reader is referred to Miss Margaret Stokes' valuable work, " Christian Inscriptions in the Irish Language," vol. ii„ pp. 158, 159.
33= It was once the property of the monas-
tery at Clones ; the maer, or keeper, during the middle ages, was Mac-Moyre, rendered
Keeperson; itpassedawayfromthatfamily, within the last two hundred years, and, in
recent times, it was purchased for £Tpo, from a private gentleman, by Lord Ross- more, who presented it to the Royal Irish Academy, where it remains at present.
333 Neither should we omit mentioning,
that in one of its folios occurs an entry, in
the handwriting of the confessor of King
Brian Bom. Visiting Armagh, in 1004, this monarch ratified all the privileges of
the Primatial See, after presenting a gold ring of twenty ounces, as an offering, at the grand altar of Armagh Cathedral. The following is a translation of that entry, for which we are indebted to the Very Rev. Dr.
St.
going to Heaven, ordained that the entire
produce of his labour, as well as of baptism and decisions, as of alms, was to be delivered to the apostolic city, which in the Scotic
[March 17.
Patrick,
March 17. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 827
venerable volume, our readers must consult the " Memoir of the Book of Armagh," which has been published, by the learned Dean Reeves. 334
In Miss Cusack's work,333 we have a beautiful illustration, which pictures to the view, a venerable relic of Irish art. This is known, as the Shrine of St. Patrick's Hand. It is now in custody of the Most Rev. Dr. Dorian, Bishop of Down and Connor ; but, a most faithful representation of it, and an elaborately-finished one, may be seen, in the valuable book already quoted. That reliquary is made of massive silver, and it represents the hand and arm of a bishop, in the act of blessing. It measures over one foot, three and a-half inches, in length. Within it is contained, as has been believed for ages, the arm and hand of the saint. These were enshrined, in the twelfth century, by order of Cardinal Vivian, when he caused the bodies of Saints Patrick, Brigid, and Columkille, to be translated, into the interior of Down Cathedral. It would appear, that this reliquary was carried off by Edward Bruce, when he invaded the north of Ireland, and that it was given, after his defeat at Dundalk, a. d. 1318, to the head of the house of Maginnis, of Castlewellan. In the possession of his successors it remained, until late in the last century, when it passed into the Russell family. Afterwards, it went to the family of the M'Henrys, from whom it was obtained for the late Bishop of Down and Connor, the Most Rev. Dr. Denvir. 336 The Clog-Phadruig, or Bell of St. Patrick, with its beautiful metallic-chased cover,337 is an object of great interest to the antiquary ;338 and, it is now preserved, in the Museum of the RoyalIrishAcademy,Dublin. 339 Witheveryappearanceoftruth,thisisthe identical relic of the Irish Apostle, to which allusion is made in Irish Annals and Records, as the Clog-an-udhacta, or the Bell of St. Patrick's Will. 34° So it is said to have been called, because it had been reserved for his own special use, and because it had been bequeathed, by him, to the church of Armagh. However, it was deposited, according to some accounts, in the tomb, at Saul, for a period of sixty or seventy years, after his death, when it was recovered by St. Columkille, and restored to the church of Armagh. 341 A poem, ascribed to him, is addressed to this bell. 342 jj^ early times, the relic was religiously preserved, and, owing to the jealous care of its hereditary keepers, variedly called the MulhoUands, O'Maelcallains, O'Mulhallanns,
Maceria (Cashel). " King Brian was killed 339 Five beautifully-executed cromo-litho-
at Clontarf, in 1014, and his confessor's graphic drawings of this Irish bell, by
death is recorded by the Four Masters, in jNIarcus Ward and Co Belfast, appeared in
1031, thus, Mulsoohan, confessor or 1850, and represent four sides of the shrine. —" — ,
An Introduction, Deau Reeves, is pre- by
335 See the " Life of St. Patrick, Apostle an Edachta, commonly known as St.
• soul-friend ' of Brian, son of
"
Cinnedy,
de-
this life. " 334 See Brennan's
fixed.
340 xhe fullest account or this precious
parted
Ecclesiastical Histoiy
of Ireland. " Edited by Rev. C. P. Meehan, relic is that given by the Ven. Dean of M. R. I. A. The foregoing account has been Armagh, Dr. William Reeves, in "A His- written by the editor. torical and Descriptive Memoir of the Clog
of Ireland," at page 408.
"
Ecclesiastical History of Ireland. " Edited by Rev. C. P. Meehan. The foregoing notice is from the learned
editor's pen.
337 Dean Reeves refers the date of its
workmanship to the period between 1091 to 1 105, as may be historically inferred from the Irish inscription on it,
Patrick's Bell, or the Bell of Armagh. " In- troduction, p. iv. , and pp. I to 30. Dublin, 1877, 4to.
341 The medieval compiler of the Annals of Ulster professes to draw this tradition, from the Book of Cuana, which was an ancient one, in his time.
342 The original Irish, with an English translation, will be found in Dean Reeves' Memoir already mentioned, and which was read November 9th, 1863, before the Royal
336 See Brennan's
338 There is an account of this remarkable
bell, in Rev. William Reeves' " Ecclesiasti-
cal Antiquities of Down, Connor and Dro- Irish Academy. It is printed in "Trans- more," Appendix K. K. , pp. 369 to 375, actions of the Royal Irish Academy," Polite with illustrative notes, Literature and Antiquities, vol. xxvii.
828 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[March 17.
O'Mulchallynds, or Omolkallan, and O'Mellan, or Omellan,343 St. Patrick's Bell has escaped all the accidents of time, and that barbarous fanaticism,
which dealt so ruthlessly, with everything venerated, by our Catholic fore- fathers. In consideration of their high office, during the ages of faith, its custodians had allotted to them many townlands for their maintenance, to- gether with many special immunities. 344 Regarding the authenticity and identity of this valuable relic, there cannot be the faintest doubt, established, as both have been, by the clearest historical evidence. The case, in which the bell is enshrined, exhibits the most elaborate workmanship, and it bears an inscription, begging a prayer for Donnal O'Lachlin. By him the shrine was made, in the eleventh or twelfth century. When dying, the last repre- sentative of the Mulhollands—named Henry—bequeathed it to a gentleman of Belfast, Adam M'Clean,343 after whose death in 1849, it passed into the possession of the reverend and learned Dr. Todd, S. F. T. C. D. 346 in 1871, the Royal Irish Academy purchased it from his executor, with the case, for a sum of ;^5oo. Another reliquary, enshrining the maxillary bone of St. Patrick, has been long and religiously preserved, by a family named CuUin, residing in the parish of Derriagliy, county of Antrim.
The shrine is of silver, but comparatively of modern date. The bone is in a perfect state, though having only one double tooth ; it formerly had five, tliree of which were taken away, by members of the family, when going to America ; while, the fourth tooth was deposited, under the altar-stone of the Catholic church of Derriaghy, by the parish priest, when the said church was rebuilt, in 1797.
We may find, in many legends of the Irish saints, that their pastoral
——
staves or " baculs," as they came to be termed were believed to have had
important agencies, in miracles attributed to their efficacy. Thus, in the twelfth century, the possessor of St. Patrick's staff—called '• baculum Jesu"—
at Armagh was enabled, for a time, to maintain himself as primate, in opposi- tion to the rightful bishop. This was in consequence of a reverence enter- tained for the staff, and for other relics of our great saint, by the Irish tribes ; so that, whomsoever they found to be in possession of them, the foolish and senseless people among them were wont to receive as their bishop. 3^7 This staff, or crozier, as already stated, was impiously destroyed by Browne, the apostate Archbishop of Dublin. In the reign of Henry VIII. , he burnt this relic, after having first stripped it of all the precious stones, with which the staffwasrichlyornamented. InBallyboghill,348countyofDublin,thestaff or crozier of St. Patrick349 was long devoutly exhibited, in that old church, the ruins of which are there to be seen. These ruins measure eighteen yardsbysix; thewindowsanddoorsexhibitgroinedarches; whilethebelfry
343 The O'Mulhallanns and O'Mellans were distinct famihes, as can be proved from our Annals.
344 Distinct reference to St. Patrick's bell is made, in the Registry of Primate Milo
*'
written by the editor.
347 Such is the account
given, by
St.
Ke- gistrum," about the year 1441, as also in
Bernard, in his Life of St. Malachy. The
Bachall-Iosa was kept by the plebilis proge-
nies, or by the Clann-Sionaich, from whom a long succession of the Coarbs was derived, See Rev. Dr. WiUiam Reeves' " Historical and Descriptive Memoir of the Clog an Edachta, commonly known as St. Patrick's Bell, or the Bell of Armagh," p. 2.
348 Anglicised, "the town of the staff. " Thisseemsan evidence, for the high antiquity of the tradition. The church was probably dedicated to St. Patrick.
Sweetman, 1365, in Primate Prene's
subsequent Registers.
345 This bell was in his possession in 1819,
and James Stuart, in his " Historical Me- moirsof the City of Armagh," devotes four pages, intituled "Curious Relic of Ami- quity," to the subject, immediately after his preface to the work in question.
34* See Brennan's " Ecclesiastical History
of Ireland. " Edited by Rev. C. P. Meehan, taken upon the Holy Mass-Book, and the MiR. l. A. The foregoing account has been great relic of Ireland, called 'baculum
349 Sq recently as 1529, examinations were "
March 17. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
829
was triple-arched, like so many others, in the country of Fingal. 350 Another very remarkable reliquary of the Irish Apostle is the Fiacal Phadraig, or the Shrine of St. Patrick's Tooth, with which is connected some curious historical and traditional particulars. 35^ In later life, as it is related, St. Patrick began to lose his teeth ; and some of these were preserved, by his friends and disciples, whenever they fell from his mouth. 352 During the Irish Apostle's visitation to northern Connaught, he proceeded along the coasts of Sligo and
the River at he raised a cross — Mayo. Crossing Moy, Bartragh, there, and,
afterwards, he erected the church of Cassel-Irra,3S3 in Hy-Fiachrach
probably, in the present parish of Killaspugbrone. While there sojourning, Bishops Bronius and Macrinee came to him, when he wrote out the alphabet
forthem; and,then,hegaveatoothfromhismouthtoBishopBronius,because he was dear to Patrick. 354 This was afterwards placed in a shrine, and reli-
giously preserved ;355 but, it was subsequently devoted to undesirable purposes,
having fallen into the hands of a vagrant, named Reilly. He is said to have
been a native of Sligo, and he made a living by going about this part of the
country,
it,
performing
with
"
cures man and beast. " The tradition was upon
rife, that the shrine once belonged to the Canons of Cong. 356 ^he last of
these Augustinians, Father Prendergast, got possession of it, about 1830,
and, afterwards, he lent it to a Mrs. Blake, who preserved it at Blake Hill, near Cong. Thence, it was removed to Menlough, on the occasion of a serious illness occurring to one of the family, who afterwards presented it to Dr. WilliamStokesofDublin. TheFiacalPadraig,orShrineofSt. Patrick's Tooth, is at present preserved, in the Museum of the Royal Irish Academy, it having been deposited there, by Dr. Stokes. The ornamental work is in brass, and it is of the fourteenth century. The case is shaped like a mitre, and covered with saints' figures, a crucifix is represented, with precious stones and interlacings. 357 We are told, that St. Patrick ordered seven persons of
Christi,' in presence of the king's Deputy, the Chancellor, Treasurer, and Justice. "— "State Papers," part iii. , p. 146.
35° See John D'Alton's "History of the County of Dublin," p. 506.
possessions all around the district near
Cong.
356 According to a tradition, in the parish,
this shrine came from the county of Sligo, where there are still some recollections, re« lating to St. Patrick's tooth,
357 It is I J inch thick at bottom, and it fines off to a thin metal plate, at the narrow top, in continuation of the highly-decorated rim, which originally surrounded it, but which, like other portions of the brass, silver, and
35' See Miss Stokes'
"
Christian Inscrip-
tions in the Irish Language," vol. ii. , pp.
130 to 132.
352 These teeth are said to have given
names to churches, commemorative of the
circumstance, as in that of Kilfeacle, or
"the church of the tooth," near the town of
Tipperary. Another was Clonfeacle, not bears the marks of tinkers' hands," in the
far distant from Armagh.
333 In its court was the stone, upon which
St. Patrick's tooth fell. An account of the
rude mode of soldering. On the chief or front side, there is a crucifixion, in metal work,
with two figures, on each side ; and, below
shrine, now known as the Fiacal Phadraig,
it, there is an arcade of trefoil arches. Be-
"——
will be found in Dr. William Stokes' Life neath, there is a row of four there were
and Labours in Art and Archaeology of five originally raised gilt figures, holding
George Petrie, LL. D. ,and M. R. I. A. , &c. ," p. 288.
books, shrines, and croziers ; and, from an inscription underneath, we learn, that they
"
33* See the Annotations of Tirechan, in
the Book of Armagh, and Dr. O'Donovan's
notes to the " Annals of the Four Masters,"
under a. d. 511. In this year, "Saint is inserted, relique
Bronn, Bishop of Cuil-Irra, in Connaught,
Benon, Brigida, Patric, Columqille, Brendan. " Between these and —the silver plate—to which they are attached either as a or for artistic purposes, a portion of fine linen. On the front, there is an imperfect inscripti—on, the upper line of which is in embossed the lower is in the raised character of the twelfth or fourteenth " Thomas de Brami-
died. " See, also, the "
Genealogies,
Tribes,
and Customs of Hy-Fiachrach," published
by the Irish Archjeological Society.
this shrine remained in the
335
hands of the i3ermingliams, who had large
century :
ehem : Dns: d<Atheti—vufecit oriiaripisca
Probably,
gilt materials, has been much injured. It "
represented Saints
830 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 17.
his people, in his Hfetime, to guard the men of Ireland, to wit : a man at
Cruachan Aigle, or Croiigh Patrick, a man at BennGulbain, or Binbulbin, in the county of Sligo, a man in Sliabh Bethad, or Slieve Beagh, a man in Sliabh Cua, of Slieve Gua, in the county of Waterford, the married pair at Cluain Iraird, or Clonard, and Domangort, of Sliabh Slangai, or Slieve Donard. 358 This account, however, seems to —bear no very ancient stamp. The custom is almost universal in Ireland, and even in more distant countries among Irish residents—to wear the shamrock, on St. Patrick's Day while, both men and women display it on their head-gear, or before their breasts. 359 The girls are accustomed, moreover, to wear Patrick's Crosses, which are gay pieces of coloured silk, tastefully arranged transversly, on a
white disk of satin, or, sometimes, on white paper. These are worn on the
shoulder, or on the breast ; and, as badges, they look very prett)% The high festival of St. Patrick usually brings with it a certain amount of family and
publicfestivity; but,itweremuchtobedesired,thatitshouldbemoresoberly andreligiouslyobserved. Inthislatterrespect,however,aconsiderableim-
provement has taken place of late years. A curious tradition, regarding the weather—and yet not very intelligible—prevails in the south of Ireland, in reference to the season after St. Patrick's Day. 3^ It may be remarked, that in the midland counties of Leinster, where eels abound in the bogs and rivers,
it was customary to prepare eel-paties or small eel-pies, as a treat for children, on the saint's festival. These pastries were sold, also, in the bakers' and
confectioners' shops, and were largely dealt in, especially by the younger members of the community. 3^^ With the foregoing details, however, we do not pretend to have exhausted the folk-lore of Ireland, in reference to her venerable Patron.
It may be true, that the biographer has dwelt with too fond a prolixity,
over the life-records and traditions, relating to St. Patrick ; yet, it seems
difficulttoabbreviate,whensotemptingasubjectengagesattention. Inthe wordsofanancientwriterofhisActs,wemustnowhastentoaclose. 3^2 Ajust man, indeed, was this man, writes the chronicler, with purity of nature like the patriarchs ; a true pilgrim, like Abraham ; gentle and forgiving of heart, like Moses ; a praiseworthy psalmist, like David ; an emulator of wisdom, like Solomon; achosenvesselforproclaimingtruth,liketheApostlePaul. Aman full of grace and of the knowledge of the Holy Ghost he was, like the beloved
John. A fair flower-garden he appeared to children of grace ; a fruitful
patteJ'^ This Thomas de Beimiiigham was will ere long be published. See Sir William probably Lord of Athenry, in the thirteenth R. Wilde's "Lough Corrib ; its Shores
or fourteenth century; but, certainly the
original shrine is older than his time. On
the back or reverse side, there is a raised,
but unfigured, cross, on each side of which Irish Homilies, on the Lives of Saints are a series of figures—two raised, and two
on the silver Two of these plate.
Patrick, Brigit and Columba," pp. 38, 39. ^59 ii^ distant countries, where the real shamrocks cannot be found, artificial ones
are made and worn, by the Irish — emigrants,
engraved,
are ecclesiastics, holding croziers ; is that of a a
and one
female,holding harp,
well worthy of inspection ; for, it is probably one of the oldest representations of that in-
^so Thus it runs in the Irish language
:
which is
strument, which we now possess. The
shrine is also highly decorated, with ^6111 o Ia f"AmAC,' a^ pA-o^Miig. " Thus
crystals, stones, and amber, placed in col- Englished :
Every second day will be
lated studs, like those in the shrine of St. good (fine) from St. Erigid's Day to St.
Monchan, Leigh. Upon
also several pieces of gold and silver filigree day will be fine,' said St. Patrick. "
work, similar to those around the central ^si Wg have a vivid recollection of this crystal in the Cross of Cong. It is to be custom prevailing, in our earlier days, hoped, that accurate illustrations of this 362 gee Miss Cusack's "Life of St. Patrick, relique, so interesting for its artistic details, Apostle of Ireland," p. 499.
and Islands, with Notices of Lough Mask," chap. vii.
"
358 gee Whitley Stokes' "Three Middle-
5<\c uile La 50 niAic. o La te bp'JTje 5-0 Ia le pA'0]\ui5. • -Aguf 50 mo Ia h-
at it, there are Patrick's Day. * And every day from my
;
March 17. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS
vine-branch, he is called, as also a sparkling fire, with force of warmth and heat to the sons of life, for instituting and illustrating charity. A lion, he is
said to have been, in strength and power ; a dove in gentleness and humility. A serpent in wisdom, the old Irish writer declares him to have been, and
wise, in knowing how to do good. Gentle, humble, and merciful he was, towards the sons of life ; dark and ungentle he proved, towards sons of death, as also a servant of labour, and in the service of Christ. A king he was, in dignity and power, for binding and loosing, for liberating and convicting,
We have now followed the career of this ex- traordinary man, from youth to manhood, and from manhood to old age. Having traversed the length and breadth of the land, every province was illuminated by his presence ; almost every Irish region and district had been sanctified by his footsteps ; countless families were redeemed from the slavery of Satan, idolatry, and sin ; souls were rescued from the peril of eternal condemnation. In a word, almost the whole Irish people became Christianized,andplacedunderthebenigninfluenceofGospeltruth. Inthe conversion of this nation, we cannot but admire the omnipotence of God, and
the power of His Divine graces. To St. Patrick, as an humble instrument of the Almighty, this glorious conversion was mainly due 3 while God alone has
power for softening the most hardened hearts, and for reclaiming the most abandonedsinners. NoothernationeverbeforeorsincereceivedtheGospel,
with such alacrity and joy as Ireland did ; kings, princes, chiefs, and people, vyed with each other, in spreading this new light of Faith, by erecting churches and cells, and by devoting themselves to the practice of a religion, pure and undefiled. It may be added, also, as their crowning glory, that no other people have, since it had been received universally, so firmly adhered to the Gospel, and with such unrivalled fidelity. Successive phases of seduc- tion, cruelties, spoliation, banishment and death, could not eradicate from true Irish and Catholic minds those doctrines taught, and those morals in- culcated, by their glorious Apostle. His work was well and nobly done, in his day ; and, to the end of time, our people shall not fail to venerate his memory, and to implore his constant intercession.
Article II. —St. Began, Eremite. [^Seventh Century. '] St. Becan
flourished, it has been thought, about the year of grace, 630. ' Some account of him will be found, in the Bollandists' collection,^ and in Bishop Forbes* work. 3 According to Colgan, this saint was son to Ernan, and he sprung from the noble race of Conall Gulban. -t He was kinsman to St. Columkille, and he is said to have been a brother to St. Cumineus Albus, or the White,5 who presided over the monastery of Hy, in Scotland, from a. d. 657 to 696. The latter statement, however, is rather doubtful. He was related to several Abbots, who ruled over lona, if we follow Colgan's statement. He became
Article ii. —' This infere—nce is drawn 277. "
referred to •* Hoc exdictis de S. Cumeano colligitur
ejus fratread 24. Feb. & Sanctilogio Genea-
gan's "Acta Sanctorum Hibernias," xvii. Martii. Vita S. Becani, n. 2, p. 630.
for killing and giving life.
from St. Cummian's
St. Cummineus Albus, Abbot of lona, as
Colgan's
mian was author of the celebrated Paschal
Epistle.
' See " Acta Sanctorum," torn, ii. , Martii
logico cap.
Genealogia per isV«a«? <;« utriusque patrem,
Epistle
"ActaSanctorum
i. ubi &SanctiCuminei ipsius
theauthor,in
Hiberniaj," xvii. Martii.
n. i. , p. 630. The festival of St. Cummin Fiachnam avum Feradachum, Ninnedium, the Fair, is kept, on the 24th of February ; & Fergussium, refertur ad Conallum G—ulba- but, there, it is shown, that some other Cum- nium, ejusdem Fergussii patrem. " Col-
Vita S. Becani,
^ See
xvii. Among the pretermitted saints, p. Quarta Appendix ad Acta S. Columbae,
506. cap.
Throughout the kingdom and city of Murcia, in Spain, the 1 7th of March waskept,withanextraordinarypompandsolemnity,3^4and,St. Patrick'sfestival was celebrated with an Octave, although it came in Lent ; because, on his
day, and, doubtless, through his most powerful intercession, the Moors were driven out of Murcia. s^s In 1854, the Archbishops and Bishops of Ireland
besought his Holiness, Pope Pius IX. , that the Feast of St. Patrick, from being observed as a Semi-Double, throughout the universal Church, should thenceforward be held as a Double. This petition was affirmatively re- ceived, and a Decree to that effect was issued, on the 12th of May, 1859. 326
There is a Manuscript,3^7 in the University Library, at Cambridge, which formerly belonged to Rev. James Henthorn Todd, and it contains a Latin
from a " ad usum Ec- Proparium
Hymn
on St. Patrick. 323 It was
copied,
clesise Cathedralis Sancti Patricii, Dublin. " It occurs, at the end of the
""
Commune," the Leta lux est hodierna" being that, in the ordinary place.
mum Dominum Urbauum viii. qui nunc ac Rmi. Patres Sacr. Consilii Christiano
feliciter sedet, ut in nova recognitione Bre-
viarii ab ipso przescripta, cui me dignanter
jussit interesse, hie honor Patritio aecederet,
ut qui pro Romana Ecclesia egregie et cum
laude decertarit, Romanis tabulis tot titulis
illustrem juberet adscribi. Placuit suze
Sanctitati summa in me benignitate, et in
gentem Hibernicam benevolentia ita conce- Episcopi Confessoris die XVII. Martii
amodo recolatur in universa Ecclesia ritu duplici minori, prsesensque a Sacra Rituum
Congregatione edi Decretum, ac promulgari mandavit. Contrariis non obstantibus qui- buscumque. DieXII. MailMDCCCLIX.
C. Episc. Albanen. Card. Patrizi, S. R. C,, Fraf.
H. Capalti, S. R. C, Secretarius.
Concordat cum originali.
sa Fete l6 Avril 1806, dans I'Eglise du -J- Paulus Cullen, Archiep. Dublin.
dere, et pecuUari chirographo decerncre, ut in sacris Ecclesiae dypticis reponeretur. Id itaque debet Hibernia Sodalitio Minoruui, ut prse omnibus Ordinibus Hibernorum cele-
brarit Apostolum ; atque profecto vicissim ilia peculiaria huic Institute frequenter amoris indicia, et summam benevolentiam. "
3=3 gee "
College Irlandais, etc. , a Paris. " Par M.
Siret, Vicaire de Saint Mery. A Paris,
1806,8vo. Thiswaspreached,inpresence
of S. E. Monseigneur le Cardinal Archeve-
que de Paris, du Belloy, and a numerous
auditory. The sermou is dedicated to Na-
poleon the Great, Emperor of the French,
and King of Italy. It consists of fifty-two
pages, including appended historical notes.
3"'»
According to Convseus.
3=5 See the English translation, by W. P. ,
Panegyrique
Apolre de I'lrlande, prononce, le Jour de
Esq. , of Father Ribadeneira's Saints," &c. , part i. , p. 160.
"
Lives of
3=7 It is classed Add. 710. — 3=^ The following is a copy :
DE SANCTO PATRICIO. SEQUENTIA.
Letabundus decantet
Hybernicorum Cetus eya.
Totus mundus coUaudet Regem celorum
Mente
Qui salutis nuncium
Hybernis patricium Destinauit.
Docet evangelium Errores gentilium
Confutavit.
Canamus miraculis Plenum a cunabulis Christi uatem,
Aquam in mel transtulit Quo nutrici contulit
Sanitatem,
3** The following is the text of that Decree :—
DECRETUM URBIS ET ORBIS.
Quum Archiepiscopi atque Episcopi omnes Hibernias Anno MDCCCLIV. Dub- lin! congregati a Sanctissimo Domino Nostro Pig Papa IX. humillime postulaverint ut Festum Sancti Patritii Episcopi, Confessoris, atque Hibernia; Patroni, quod in Breviario Romano ritu semiduplici notatur die XVII. Martii, ad ritum duplicem pro universa Ec- clesia CatboUca elevare dignaretur ; Emi.
de St. Patrice,
Nomini Propagando in generalibus Comitiis eodem Anno habitis die XXI. Julii censue-
runt supplicandum Sanctissimo pro gratia. Hanc vero Sacri Consilii sententiam
quum, instante nuper novis percibus Archi- episcopo Dublinensi, Sanctitas sua benigne exceperit jussit ut Festum Sancti Patritii
pia.
$26 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
As is intimated, by the first word, its music corresponds with the famous
"
Lsetabundus ofSt. Bernard. 3='9
Everything, connected with the memory of St. Patrick, must possess great interest, and, especially, for Irish Catholics. Therefore, we have deemed it right, to make some brief notes, regarding those authenticated relics of our Apostle, some of which have disappeared, while some still exist.
Among the remains of St. Patrick, yet preserved, there are fragments of the Codex,33o ^jt^ its richly chased and elaborate cumdach,33i or silver shrine for a book, it being known as the Domhnach Airgid. The Codex contains, perhaps, the oldest copy of the Gospels, to be found in the world. It is traditionally believed, to have been the private book of devotion, used by St. Patrick himself, and to have been given by him to St. Carthainn, when he consecrated the latter saint. Bishop of Clogher. 332 That Manuscript is thought to be of the fifth century ; but, it is unfortunately so injured, by age and damp, as to make inspection of its contents impossible, the leaves being all discoloured and stuck together. Others state, however, that the Book of the Scriptures, containing the New Testament, transcribed by St. Patrick himself, and long preserved in his Metropolitan Church of Armagh, has perished. Fortunately, however, the beautiful copy of that sacred volume,
k—nown as the Canoin or " the — of Patrick," made in Phadraig, Scripture 807,
•'
has survived all the accidents
of time, and, it is now deposited, in the library of Trinity College, Dublin. As one of the peculiarities, characterising this venerable volume, we may state, that instead of terminating with the Apocalypse, it closes with the Acts of the Apostles. 333 For a detailed history of the vicissitudes of this most
after St. Patrick's
three centuries decease,
Glacierum fragmina
Per eius spiramina Mox flammescunt.
In ventre latrunculi Balat hircus populi Obstupescunt.
Moysivestigia Secutus incendia
Extinguit carnalia. Et di soluit.
Scandit supercilium Montis et ieiunium
Sic quadragenarium Deo soluit.
Virosa noxia
Prece reptilia
Sua fugat ab hibernia.
Huius ergo pia Ducant sufifragia
Ad sempiterna nos gaudia.
in the first part of the Fac-similes of tongue is called Ardmacha. Thus I have National Manuscripts of Ireland," photozin- found it stated, in the records of the Scots. cographed by Major-General Sir H. James, This is my writing, namely, Calvus Perennis
R. E. , Director of the Ordnance Survey, and (Mulsoohan), in the presence of Brien, edited by John T. Gilbert, Esq. Sovereign of the Scots ; and what I have 3J' For a particular account of the various written, he decreed for all the kings of
For the foregoing information,
and for
one of the—
Reeves, most eminent of our
3'9
a transcript of the Hymn, the writer is in- debted to Henry Bradshaw, Esq. , of the University Library, Cambridge, in a com- munication, dated August 13th, 1874.
Irish archoeologists
" :
when
33° Specimens of it may be almost realized, '*
cumdachs or Irish Book-shrines, the reader is referred to Miss Margaret Stokes' valuable work, " Christian Inscriptions in the Irish Language," vol. ii„ pp. 158, 159.
33= It was once the property of the monas-
tery at Clones ; the maer, or keeper, during the middle ages, was Mac-Moyre, rendered
Keeperson; itpassedawayfromthatfamily, within the last two hundred years, and, in
recent times, it was purchased for £Tpo, from a private gentleman, by Lord Ross- more, who presented it to the Royal Irish Academy, where it remains at present.
333 Neither should we omit mentioning,
that in one of its folios occurs an entry, in
the handwriting of the confessor of King
Brian Bom. Visiting Armagh, in 1004, this monarch ratified all the privileges of
the Primatial See, after presenting a gold ring of twenty ounces, as an offering, at the grand altar of Armagh Cathedral. The following is a translation of that entry, for which we are indebted to the Very Rev. Dr.
St.
going to Heaven, ordained that the entire
produce of his labour, as well as of baptism and decisions, as of alms, was to be delivered to the apostolic city, which in the Scotic
[March 17.
Patrick,
March 17. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 827
venerable volume, our readers must consult the " Memoir of the Book of Armagh," which has been published, by the learned Dean Reeves. 334
In Miss Cusack's work,333 we have a beautiful illustration, which pictures to the view, a venerable relic of Irish art. This is known, as the Shrine of St. Patrick's Hand. It is now in custody of the Most Rev. Dr. Dorian, Bishop of Down and Connor ; but, a most faithful representation of it, and an elaborately-finished one, may be seen, in the valuable book already quoted. That reliquary is made of massive silver, and it represents the hand and arm of a bishop, in the act of blessing. It measures over one foot, three and a-half inches, in length. Within it is contained, as has been believed for ages, the arm and hand of the saint. These were enshrined, in the twelfth century, by order of Cardinal Vivian, when he caused the bodies of Saints Patrick, Brigid, and Columkille, to be translated, into the interior of Down Cathedral. It would appear, that this reliquary was carried off by Edward Bruce, when he invaded the north of Ireland, and that it was given, after his defeat at Dundalk, a. d. 1318, to the head of the house of Maginnis, of Castlewellan. In the possession of his successors it remained, until late in the last century, when it passed into the Russell family. Afterwards, it went to the family of the M'Henrys, from whom it was obtained for the late Bishop of Down and Connor, the Most Rev. Dr. Denvir. 336 The Clog-Phadruig, or Bell of St. Patrick, with its beautiful metallic-chased cover,337 is an object of great interest to the antiquary ;338 and, it is now preserved, in the Museum of the RoyalIrishAcademy,Dublin. 339 Witheveryappearanceoftruth,thisisthe identical relic of the Irish Apostle, to which allusion is made in Irish Annals and Records, as the Clog-an-udhacta, or the Bell of St. Patrick's Will. 34° So it is said to have been called, because it had been reserved for his own special use, and because it had been bequeathed, by him, to the church of Armagh. However, it was deposited, according to some accounts, in the tomb, at Saul, for a period of sixty or seventy years, after his death, when it was recovered by St. Columkille, and restored to the church of Armagh. 341 A poem, ascribed to him, is addressed to this bell. 342 jj^ early times, the relic was religiously preserved, and, owing to the jealous care of its hereditary keepers, variedly called the MulhoUands, O'Maelcallains, O'Mulhallanns,
Maceria (Cashel). " King Brian was killed 339 Five beautifully-executed cromo-litho-
at Clontarf, in 1014, and his confessor's graphic drawings of this Irish bell, by
death is recorded by the Four Masters, in jNIarcus Ward and Co Belfast, appeared in
1031, thus, Mulsoohan, confessor or 1850, and represent four sides of the shrine. —" — ,
An Introduction, Deau Reeves, is pre- by
335 See the " Life of St. Patrick, Apostle an Edachta, commonly known as St.
• soul-friend ' of Brian, son of
"
Cinnedy,
de-
this life. " 334 See Brennan's
fixed.
340 xhe fullest account or this precious
parted
Ecclesiastical Histoiy
of Ireland. " Edited by Rev. C. P. Meehan, relic is that given by the Ven. Dean of M. R. I. A. The foregoing account has been Armagh, Dr. William Reeves, in "A His- written by the editor. torical and Descriptive Memoir of the Clog
of Ireland," at page 408.
"
Ecclesiastical History of Ireland. " Edited by Rev. C. P. Meehan. The foregoing notice is from the learned
editor's pen.
337 Dean Reeves refers the date of its
workmanship to the period between 1091 to 1 105, as may be historically inferred from the Irish inscription on it,
Patrick's Bell, or the Bell of Armagh. " In- troduction, p. iv. , and pp. I to 30. Dublin, 1877, 4to.
341 The medieval compiler of the Annals of Ulster professes to draw this tradition, from the Book of Cuana, which was an ancient one, in his time.
342 The original Irish, with an English translation, will be found in Dean Reeves' Memoir already mentioned, and which was read November 9th, 1863, before the Royal
336 See Brennan's
338 There is an account of this remarkable
bell, in Rev. William Reeves' " Ecclesiasti-
cal Antiquities of Down, Connor and Dro- Irish Academy. It is printed in "Trans- more," Appendix K. K. , pp. 369 to 375, actions of the Royal Irish Academy," Polite with illustrative notes, Literature and Antiquities, vol. xxvii.
828 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[March 17.
O'Mulchallynds, or Omolkallan, and O'Mellan, or Omellan,343 St. Patrick's Bell has escaped all the accidents of time, and that barbarous fanaticism,
which dealt so ruthlessly, with everything venerated, by our Catholic fore- fathers. In consideration of their high office, during the ages of faith, its custodians had allotted to them many townlands for their maintenance, to- gether with many special immunities. 344 Regarding the authenticity and identity of this valuable relic, there cannot be the faintest doubt, established, as both have been, by the clearest historical evidence. The case, in which the bell is enshrined, exhibits the most elaborate workmanship, and it bears an inscription, begging a prayer for Donnal O'Lachlin. By him the shrine was made, in the eleventh or twelfth century. When dying, the last repre- sentative of the Mulhollands—named Henry—bequeathed it to a gentleman of Belfast, Adam M'Clean,343 after whose death in 1849, it passed into the possession of the reverend and learned Dr. Todd, S. F. T. C. D. 346 in 1871, the Royal Irish Academy purchased it from his executor, with the case, for a sum of ;^5oo. Another reliquary, enshrining the maxillary bone of St. Patrick, has been long and religiously preserved, by a family named CuUin, residing in the parish of Derriagliy, county of Antrim.
The shrine is of silver, but comparatively of modern date. The bone is in a perfect state, though having only one double tooth ; it formerly had five, tliree of which were taken away, by members of the family, when going to America ; while, the fourth tooth was deposited, under the altar-stone of the Catholic church of Derriaghy, by the parish priest, when the said church was rebuilt, in 1797.
We may find, in many legends of the Irish saints, that their pastoral
——
staves or " baculs," as they came to be termed were believed to have had
important agencies, in miracles attributed to their efficacy. Thus, in the twelfth century, the possessor of St. Patrick's staff—called '• baculum Jesu"—
at Armagh was enabled, for a time, to maintain himself as primate, in opposi- tion to the rightful bishop. This was in consequence of a reverence enter- tained for the staff, and for other relics of our great saint, by the Irish tribes ; so that, whomsoever they found to be in possession of them, the foolish and senseless people among them were wont to receive as their bishop. 3^7 This staff, or crozier, as already stated, was impiously destroyed by Browne, the apostate Archbishop of Dublin. In the reign of Henry VIII. , he burnt this relic, after having first stripped it of all the precious stones, with which the staffwasrichlyornamented. InBallyboghill,348countyofDublin,thestaff or crozier of St. Patrick349 was long devoutly exhibited, in that old church, the ruins of which are there to be seen. These ruins measure eighteen yardsbysix; thewindowsanddoorsexhibitgroinedarches; whilethebelfry
343 The O'Mulhallanns and O'Mellans were distinct famihes, as can be proved from our Annals.
344 Distinct reference to St. Patrick's bell is made, in the Registry of Primate Milo
*'
written by the editor.
347 Such is the account
given, by
St.
Ke- gistrum," about the year 1441, as also in
Bernard, in his Life of St. Malachy. The
Bachall-Iosa was kept by the plebilis proge-
nies, or by the Clann-Sionaich, from whom a long succession of the Coarbs was derived, See Rev. Dr. WiUiam Reeves' " Historical and Descriptive Memoir of the Clog an Edachta, commonly known as St. Patrick's Bell, or the Bell of Armagh," p. 2.
348 Anglicised, "the town of the staff. " Thisseemsan evidence, for the high antiquity of the tradition. The church was probably dedicated to St. Patrick.
Sweetman, 1365, in Primate Prene's
subsequent Registers.
345 This bell was in his possession in 1819,
and James Stuart, in his " Historical Me- moirsof the City of Armagh," devotes four pages, intituled "Curious Relic of Ami- quity," to the subject, immediately after his preface to the work in question.
34* See Brennan's " Ecclesiastical History
of Ireland. " Edited by Rev. C. P. Meehan, taken upon the Holy Mass-Book, and the MiR. l. A. The foregoing account has been great relic of Ireland, called 'baculum
349 Sq recently as 1529, examinations were "
March 17. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
829
was triple-arched, like so many others, in the country of Fingal. 350 Another very remarkable reliquary of the Irish Apostle is the Fiacal Phadraig, or the Shrine of St. Patrick's Tooth, with which is connected some curious historical and traditional particulars. 35^ In later life, as it is related, St. Patrick began to lose his teeth ; and some of these were preserved, by his friends and disciples, whenever they fell from his mouth. 352 During the Irish Apostle's visitation to northern Connaught, he proceeded along the coasts of Sligo and
the River at he raised a cross — Mayo. Crossing Moy, Bartragh, there, and,
afterwards, he erected the church of Cassel-Irra,3S3 in Hy-Fiachrach
probably, in the present parish of Killaspugbrone. While there sojourning, Bishops Bronius and Macrinee came to him, when he wrote out the alphabet
forthem; and,then,hegaveatoothfromhismouthtoBishopBronius,because he was dear to Patrick. 354 This was afterwards placed in a shrine, and reli-
giously preserved ;355 but, it was subsequently devoted to undesirable purposes,
having fallen into the hands of a vagrant, named Reilly. He is said to have
been a native of Sligo, and he made a living by going about this part of the
country,
it,
performing
with
"
cures man and beast. " The tradition was upon
rife, that the shrine once belonged to the Canons of Cong. 356 ^he last of
these Augustinians, Father Prendergast, got possession of it, about 1830,
and, afterwards, he lent it to a Mrs. Blake, who preserved it at Blake Hill, near Cong. Thence, it was removed to Menlough, on the occasion of a serious illness occurring to one of the family, who afterwards presented it to Dr. WilliamStokesofDublin. TheFiacalPadraig,orShrineofSt. Patrick's Tooth, is at present preserved, in the Museum of the Royal Irish Academy, it having been deposited there, by Dr. Stokes. The ornamental work is in brass, and it is of the fourteenth century. The case is shaped like a mitre, and covered with saints' figures, a crucifix is represented, with precious stones and interlacings. 357 We are told, that St. Patrick ordered seven persons of
Christi,' in presence of the king's Deputy, the Chancellor, Treasurer, and Justice. "— "State Papers," part iii. , p. 146.
35° See John D'Alton's "History of the County of Dublin," p. 506.
possessions all around the district near
Cong.
356 According to a tradition, in the parish,
this shrine came from the county of Sligo, where there are still some recollections, re« lating to St. Patrick's tooth,
357 It is I J inch thick at bottom, and it fines off to a thin metal plate, at the narrow top, in continuation of the highly-decorated rim, which originally surrounded it, but which, like other portions of the brass, silver, and
35' See Miss Stokes'
"
Christian Inscrip-
tions in the Irish Language," vol. ii. , pp.
130 to 132.
352 These teeth are said to have given
names to churches, commemorative of the
circumstance, as in that of Kilfeacle, or
"the church of the tooth," near the town of
Tipperary. Another was Clonfeacle, not bears the marks of tinkers' hands," in the
far distant from Armagh.
333 In its court was the stone, upon which
St. Patrick's tooth fell. An account of the
rude mode of soldering. On the chief or front side, there is a crucifixion, in metal work,
with two figures, on each side ; and, below
shrine, now known as the Fiacal Phadraig,
it, there is an arcade of trefoil arches. Be-
"——
will be found in Dr. William Stokes' Life neath, there is a row of four there were
and Labours in Art and Archaeology of five originally raised gilt figures, holding
George Petrie, LL. D. ,and M. R. I. A. , &c. ," p. 288.
books, shrines, and croziers ; and, from an inscription underneath, we learn, that they
"
33* See the Annotations of Tirechan, in
the Book of Armagh, and Dr. O'Donovan's
notes to the " Annals of the Four Masters,"
under a. d. 511. In this year, "Saint is inserted, relique
Bronn, Bishop of Cuil-Irra, in Connaught,
Benon, Brigida, Patric, Columqille, Brendan. " Between these and —the silver plate—to which they are attached either as a or for artistic purposes, a portion of fine linen. On the front, there is an imperfect inscripti—on, the upper line of which is in embossed the lower is in the raised character of the twelfth or fourteenth " Thomas de Brami-
died. " See, also, the "
Genealogies,
Tribes,
and Customs of Hy-Fiachrach," published
by the Irish Archjeological Society.
this shrine remained in the
335
hands of the i3ermingliams, who had large
century :
ehem : Dns: d<Atheti—vufecit oriiaripisca
Probably,
gilt materials, has been much injured. It "
represented Saints
830 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 17.
his people, in his Hfetime, to guard the men of Ireland, to wit : a man at
Cruachan Aigle, or Croiigh Patrick, a man at BennGulbain, or Binbulbin, in the county of Sligo, a man in Sliabh Bethad, or Slieve Beagh, a man in Sliabh Cua, of Slieve Gua, in the county of Waterford, the married pair at Cluain Iraird, or Clonard, and Domangort, of Sliabh Slangai, or Slieve Donard. 358 This account, however, seems to —bear no very ancient stamp. The custom is almost universal in Ireland, and even in more distant countries among Irish residents—to wear the shamrock, on St. Patrick's Day while, both men and women display it on their head-gear, or before their breasts. 359 The girls are accustomed, moreover, to wear Patrick's Crosses, which are gay pieces of coloured silk, tastefully arranged transversly, on a
white disk of satin, or, sometimes, on white paper. These are worn on the
shoulder, or on the breast ; and, as badges, they look very prett)% The high festival of St. Patrick usually brings with it a certain amount of family and
publicfestivity; but,itweremuchtobedesired,thatitshouldbemoresoberly andreligiouslyobserved. Inthislatterrespect,however,aconsiderableim-
provement has taken place of late years. A curious tradition, regarding the weather—and yet not very intelligible—prevails in the south of Ireland, in reference to the season after St. Patrick's Day. 3^ It may be remarked, that in the midland counties of Leinster, where eels abound in the bogs and rivers,
it was customary to prepare eel-paties or small eel-pies, as a treat for children, on the saint's festival. These pastries were sold, also, in the bakers' and
confectioners' shops, and were largely dealt in, especially by the younger members of the community. 3^^ With the foregoing details, however, we do not pretend to have exhausted the folk-lore of Ireland, in reference to her venerable Patron.
It may be true, that the biographer has dwelt with too fond a prolixity,
over the life-records and traditions, relating to St. Patrick ; yet, it seems
difficulttoabbreviate,whensotemptingasubjectengagesattention. Inthe wordsofanancientwriterofhisActs,wemustnowhastentoaclose. 3^2 Ajust man, indeed, was this man, writes the chronicler, with purity of nature like the patriarchs ; a true pilgrim, like Abraham ; gentle and forgiving of heart, like Moses ; a praiseworthy psalmist, like David ; an emulator of wisdom, like Solomon; achosenvesselforproclaimingtruth,liketheApostlePaul. Aman full of grace and of the knowledge of the Holy Ghost he was, like the beloved
John. A fair flower-garden he appeared to children of grace ; a fruitful
patteJ'^ This Thomas de Beimiiigham was will ere long be published. See Sir William probably Lord of Athenry, in the thirteenth R. Wilde's "Lough Corrib ; its Shores
or fourteenth century; but, certainly the
original shrine is older than his time. On
the back or reverse side, there is a raised,
but unfigured, cross, on each side of which Irish Homilies, on the Lives of Saints are a series of figures—two raised, and two
on the silver Two of these plate.
Patrick, Brigit and Columba," pp. 38, 39. ^59 ii^ distant countries, where the real shamrocks cannot be found, artificial ones
are made and worn, by the Irish — emigrants,
engraved,
are ecclesiastics, holding croziers ; is that of a a
and one
female,holding harp,
well worthy of inspection ; for, it is probably one of the oldest representations of that in-
^so Thus it runs in the Irish language
:
which is
strument, which we now possess. The
shrine is also highly decorated, with ^6111 o Ia f"AmAC,' a^ pA-o^Miig. " Thus
crystals, stones, and amber, placed in col- Englished :
Every second day will be
lated studs, like those in the shrine of St. good (fine) from St. Erigid's Day to St.
Monchan, Leigh. Upon
also several pieces of gold and silver filigree day will be fine,' said St. Patrick. "
work, similar to those around the central ^si Wg have a vivid recollection of this crystal in the Cross of Cong. It is to be custom prevailing, in our earlier days, hoped, that accurate illustrations of this 362 gee Miss Cusack's "Life of St. Patrick, relique, so interesting for its artistic details, Apostle of Ireland," p. 499.
and Islands, with Notices of Lough Mask," chap. vii.
"
358 gee Whitley Stokes' "Three Middle-
5<\c uile La 50 niAic. o La te bp'JTje 5-0 Ia le pA'0]\ui5. • -Aguf 50 mo Ia h-
at it, there are Patrick's Day. * And every day from my
;
March 17. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS
vine-branch, he is called, as also a sparkling fire, with force of warmth and heat to the sons of life, for instituting and illustrating charity. A lion, he is
said to have been, in strength and power ; a dove in gentleness and humility. A serpent in wisdom, the old Irish writer declares him to have been, and
wise, in knowing how to do good. Gentle, humble, and merciful he was, towards the sons of life ; dark and ungentle he proved, towards sons of death, as also a servant of labour, and in the service of Christ. A king he was, in dignity and power, for binding and loosing, for liberating and convicting,
We have now followed the career of this ex- traordinary man, from youth to manhood, and from manhood to old age. Having traversed the length and breadth of the land, every province was illuminated by his presence ; almost every Irish region and district had been sanctified by his footsteps ; countless families were redeemed from the slavery of Satan, idolatry, and sin ; souls were rescued from the peril of eternal condemnation. In a word, almost the whole Irish people became Christianized,andplacedunderthebenigninfluenceofGospeltruth. Inthe conversion of this nation, we cannot but admire the omnipotence of God, and
the power of His Divine graces. To St. Patrick, as an humble instrument of the Almighty, this glorious conversion was mainly due 3 while God alone has
power for softening the most hardened hearts, and for reclaiming the most abandonedsinners. NoothernationeverbeforeorsincereceivedtheGospel,
with such alacrity and joy as Ireland did ; kings, princes, chiefs, and people, vyed with each other, in spreading this new light of Faith, by erecting churches and cells, and by devoting themselves to the practice of a religion, pure and undefiled. It may be added, also, as their crowning glory, that no other people have, since it had been received universally, so firmly adhered to the Gospel, and with such unrivalled fidelity. Successive phases of seduc- tion, cruelties, spoliation, banishment and death, could not eradicate from true Irish and Catholic minds those doctrines taught, and those morals in- culcated, by their glorious Apostle. His work was well and nobly done, in his day ; and, to the end of time, our people shall not fail to venerate his memory, and to implore his constant intercession.
Article II. —St. Began, Eremite. [^Seventh Century. '] St. Becan
flourished, it has been thought, about the year of grace, 630. ' Some account of him will be found, in the Bollandists' collection,^ and in Bishop Forbes* work. 3 According to Colgan, this saint was son to Ernan, and he sprung from the noble race of Conall Gulban. -t He was kinsman to St. Columkille, and he is said to have been a brother to St. Cumineus Albus, or the White,5 who presided over the monastery of Hy, in Scotland, from a. d. 657 to 696. The latter statement, however, is rather doubtful. He was related to several Abbots, who ruled over lona, if we follow Colgan's statement. He became
Article ii. —' This infere—nce is drawn 277. "
referred to •* Hoc exdictis de S. Cumeano colligitur
ejus fratread 24. Feb. & Sanctilogio Genea-
gan's "Acta Sanctorum Hibernias," xvii. Martii. Vita S. Becani, n. 2, p. 630.
for killing and giving life.
from St. Cummian's
St. Cummineus Albus, Abbot of lona, as
Colgan's
mian was author of the celebrated Paschal
Epistle.
' See " Acta Sanctorum," torn, ii. , Martii
logico cap.
Genealogia per isV«a«? <;« utriusque patrem,
Epistle
"ActaSanctorum
i. ubi &SanctiCuminei ipsius
theauthor,in
Hiberniaj," xvii. Martii.
n. i. , p. 630. The festival of St. Cummin Fiachnam avum Feradachum, Ninnedium, the Fair, is kept, on the 24th of February ; & Fergussium, refertur ad Conallum G—ulba- but, there, it is shown, that some other Cum- nium, ejusdem Fergussii patrem. " Col-
Vita S. Becani,
^ See
xvii. Among the pretermitted saints, p. Quarta Appendix ad Acta S. Columbae,
506. cap.
