Declan also foretold the day of his own death to some
venerable
men.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v7
"
"
Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the
County of Tipperary," sheet 88.
70 This place has been rendered into Latin
"
11 *
Acervus Sancti Declani," by the old writer
of the>e Acts. In English, this should mean,
the Mound or Cairn of St. Declan. "
7
The author of our saint's Acts —
He
his chanties, towards the little ones and poor of Christ.
7" See Exodus, xv. , 10.
71
is
said to have been remarkable for
that inhistime,theScots bywhomheunder-
—when
approach of danger, were accustomed to
stands the Irish
l ,ray> "The left hand of Ultan be against
seeing
says,
or the hearing
July 24. ] LIVES OE THE IRISH SAINTS. 345
several ecclesiastics. It has been generally asserted and believed, that St. Declan became the bishop of his own people, the Desii, whom he first brought toaknowledgeofDivinetruth. But,theperiodwhenhelabouredthereisnot so clearly ascertained. Whatever amount of uncertainty regards the state- St. Declan has been classed the of St. Patrick. 1 How-
among disciples
ment,
ever, this does not appear, from any of the ancient Lives of the great Irish
Apostle; and, although, during his sojourn upon earth, the reputation of our saint was very great, it has been supposed, that the omission of such an eminent person's name, had he really been one of St. Patrick's disciples,
should have been a strange circumstance.
2
The author of St. Declan's Life,
however, brings both distinguished personages into close relations of amity and intercourse.
The most holy Patrick, Archbishop of the Irish, sent one of his disciples, charged with a commission to venerable Declan. But, on coming to the southern part of the Decies' country, that disciple was drowned in a certain river,calledLuch. Hearingofhisdeath,BishopDeclanwasmuchafflicted.
:
He said M Truly do I grieve in spirit, that the most holy man's messenger,
who was sent to me, has been taken off by a sudden death, and in my part of the country. Nor can he bear back my communication to his illustrious master. Wherefore, you shall immediately place me in a chariot, that I may assist at his obsequies, and that our holy father, and his master St. Patrick, may hear of my regard for him. " "That river, in which the messenger had been drowned, was only two miles distant from St. Declan's city. The
drowned man had already been placed in a coffin, that his corpse might be interred in St. Declan's cemetery. But, with his attendants, having met those who bore the dead body, Declan ordered them to place it on the ground. This order was obeyed, for they supposed the holy bishop was about to sing an office for the dead over him, and on that spot. 3 Approaching the coffin, and lifting the shroud from the dead man's face, Declan beheld it swollen and discoloured, as usually happens in the case of drowned persons. He shed tears, and he then prayed mentally for some time, the crowd around not hearing what had been said. He afterwards spoke these words in presence
" In the name of the Most Holy Trinity, and undivided unity of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, whose sweet and light yoke I bear, arise before us,forChristhathgrantedthylife tome. " Atthosewordsofthevenerable Bishop, St. Patrick's disciple arose from the coffin. He then blessed our saint and all those that stood around him. Bishop Declan then raised and tenderly embraced him, while our saint's disciples followed their master's example. At the time this accident which caused his death occurred,
that messenger complained of a weakly constitution, like to a man recovering from some infirmity; but, after his restoration to life, he became healthy and robust. He returned with St. Declan to his city, and remained with him some days, with manifestations of truest love. Great joy was felt in Ardmore, as a consequence of this miracle ; so that the name Christ and St. Declan's
it. " By pronouncing such words, we are who adds, that we may conclude, St.
of all
:
informed, the power of God was frequently manifested.
? s See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. , Julii xxiv. De S. Declano Episcopo Ardmoriae in Hibernia, cap. ix. , sects. 71, 72, pp. 606, 607.
Declan became distinguished during some part of the sixth century, calculating from the times of his disciples and friends, of whom some records remain. See " Eccle-
siastical History of Ireland," vol. i. , chap, i. , sect, xii. , pp. 26, 27.
3 The Life has it: " Putabant omnes, quod sanctus Episcopus vellet officium mor- tuorum inibi cantare pro illo. "
Chapter iv. "
—
T
See "Trias Colgan's
Thaumaturga,
S. Patricii, cap. xxiii. , p. 269.
4 See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. , Julii
Quinta Appendix ad Acta
3 Such is the opinion of Rev. Dr. Lanigan,
346 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [July 24.
holiness were glorified far and wide, through that section of country. This disciple of St. Patrick had been called Ballinus. Full ofjoy, lie left St.
Declan at last, and returned to his holy master, St. Patrick, relating to many persons what had occurred to him. The glorious Archbishop Patrick, on hearing these renowned and great testimonies concerning St. Declaims sanctity, did not foil to divulge his merits. Afterwards, St. Patrick extolled
his merits and praises in person to the holy bishop/ — It is said, that St. Declan had consecrated a Levitiana
most probably his oratory—by an angelic admonition, and this was intended for his own use.
There great signs and miracles were constantly wrought, through his intercession, and through the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom be
honour, glory and power, with God the Father, in the Unity of the Holy Ghost, for ever and ever. s The oratory of St. Declan—as it has been called
tianity into our Isle, about the fifth century. Some have considered it is that very place of worship, where St. Declan ministered during his lifetime, and where his remains were deposited, when he rested from his labours. The ancient church, at Ardmore, now in ruins, was afterwards made into a chancel. Until the recent erection of the present edifice, a part of this was used as the former parish church ; it was a fine building, richly decorated with sculpture, and still it displays traces of perished magnificence. X Many miracles were ascribed both before and after his death to St. Declan, while he is yet held in
8
great veneration by. people, inhabiting the barony of Decies within Dmm. s
—is a little Daimh-liag?
which bears traces of a
carries us back—at least in recollection—to the early introduction of Chris-
xxiv. Acta S. Declani, cap. ix. , sects. 73,
The earth taken from it, and which is often put into it, that it may be consecrated by lying there, is reverenced by the peasants. It is also considered efficacious, in protect- ing persons from any disease. See Rev.
74, 75. P- 6o7-
s This form, contained in St. Dedans
Acts, gives an idea that they had been com- posed as a monastic Lecture. See ibid. .
6 This building is of small dimensions
being 13 feet 4 inches, by 8 feet 9 inches, in
the clear. The two side walls extend, about
2 feet 6 inches, beyond the gable, and form
in this manner a set of four square buttresses
to the building. The original entrance was
at the west end ; but, it is now rendered use-
less owing to an accumulation of soil, on the
outside, and reaching to the very lintel. It is
5 feet 6 inches in height, and its lintel is
formed by a single stone, mote than 6 feet in
length. The doorway tapers in width, from
2 feet, at the lintel, to 2 feet 5 inches at the
base. The east window has a semi-circular
head, formed from one stone, and it displays
the same tapering construction with the door.
There were windows, also, in the norlh and Ce,\nir\A6, now called the barony of
' Deece,' in the county of Meath ; but were expelled thence by their relative Cormac, the grandson of Conn of the Hundred Battles, about the year 254, when they settled in the county of Waterford. (Book of Rights, p. 184, n. ). The Decies are now divided into two baronies, namely, Decies within Drum, and Decies without Drum, by a high ridge, called in Irish Dnom ptlgfn, i. r. , the Back or Ridge of St. Finghin (who according to Ware (see Bishops) was Bishop of i -ismore,
south walls. The south window is now built up ; for, the only entrance to the building is through the north window, which has been opened downwards for this purpose. The roof is modern. It was erected in 161 7, for the
of the oratory, by I >i . Thomas Milles, the Protestant Bishop of Waterford and Lismore. The interior of
preservation
. . e^,
,
,
;
Samuel " New Handbook of Hayman's
this little oratory presents no feature of in-
terest, savethat a' large open excavation in the
south-east angle is shown, as St. Declan's
grave. The walls of this vault are built of A. D. 1 179), which extends from Helvick masonry, and the descent is by a few steps. Head, on the coast of Dungarvan to Tallow,
very
remote
antiquity. It
Youghal," p. x.
7 See Lewis' "Topographical Dictionary
of Ireland," vol. i. Article, Ardmore.
8
stance, that Declan is yet a favourite baptis-
This is especially shown, by the circum-
mal name among the people, living in and near Ardmore.
9 " The Decies, comprise the tract of country which extends from the River Suir to the sea, and from Lismore to Credan Head,andtakesits namefromapowerful clan called the "Oeife, who claim descent from Fiacha Suighdhe, the elder brother of Conn of the Hundred Battles, and were ori- ginally located in the territory of "Oeife
July 24. ] LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. 347
After relating the foregoing wonderful occurrences, the author of our saint's Acts states, that he should end his narrative respecting the supernatural wonders recorded about St. Declan j although he was obliged to omit many of these, which must be imagined by the reader, owing to the few miracles that had been written. The biographer says, also, that he must pass over in silence accounts regarding the many blind persons restored to the use of sight by our saint; as likewise the many lepers he cleansed, the numbers of lame and mutilated persons he cured, the various deaf people he caused to hear, besides a variety of diseases, in different places, that he healed. During this time, likewise, the holy Pontiff was engaged in spreading the Gospel seed among the pagans. He says, that whilst the number of these traditionary miracles should weary him were they fully written, the readers and hearers of such won- ders must also be affected with weariness, on account of their Great multitude. 10
Church on the Cliff, Ardmore, County of Waterforcl.
Like many of our early. saints, the holy Declan wished to live as a recluse, so that he might retire to his cell occasionally, to be less disturbed by merely humanand business engagements. He had built that small butcelebrated cell," in a place now known as St. Declan's Desert. The western gable only stands, atpresent,withportionofasouthsidewall. 12 Itissituatedontheedgeofa
the most southern extremity of the county. " See O'Kearney's Translation of the Battle of Gabhra, n. 3, p. 135. Vol. i. , "Transac- tions of the Ossianic Society," Dublin, 1854, 8vo.
10 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. ,
Julii xxiv. Acta S. Declani, cap. ix. , sect.
76, p. 607.
11 This is the old ruin, to which Smith
alludes, in his " Ancient and Present State of the County and City of Waterford," chap, iii. , p. 47.
13
The accompanying illustration is from a sketch made many years since by John Win- dale, Esq. , of Cork, and at a time when the wall> were more perfect than they are at pre- sent. The original is now preserved among that gentleman's Manuscript Collections in the Royal Irish Academy. From this a copy has been made by William F. Wakeman, who transferred it to the wood, engraved by
Mrs. Millard.
«3 Meaning the Well of Declan. " It is
"
at the west side of the ruined oratory, and
348 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [July 24.
cliff, and its site was in a contracted and remote spot, between a hill and the
sea—Just over the shore of this latter element. This recess lay a short mile
from the city of Ardmore, at a time when the author of our saint's Ac—ts
;
wrote at that a clear rivulet—now called Tubber ' 3
and,
flowed by it down the hill towards the ocean, while beautiful trees also surrounded this sacred haunt. Now that spot is completely denuded of sylvan adornment, and only is the oratory M sheltered by the cliff which rises over it on the western side. After the manner of a solitary, St. Declan wished to commune with God in watching, in fasting, and in prayer; but, he could scarcely seclude himself even there, even for a short time, owing to the multitude of disciples and pilgrims, with the faithful and poor of Christ, who followed him. Our saint was bountiful, pious and clement in disposition. The author of his Life we have it from his old j s that for
period,
Deglaune
observes, disciples,
these very qualities, a great crowd constantly attended him. 16 But, he very much loved this little cell, in which, even for a brief period, he might spend
some moments in heavenly contemplation. However, certain religious men
were with him in this same constantly
place.
situations more romantically chosen for a place of worship, than that of Team-
pull Diseart, or " the church of the desert," lying southward at Ardmore. A
steep precipitous cliff overhangs the ocean, where its beetling place of eleva- tion is shown. Just on the verge of a truly frightful chasm stand the grey weather-bleached ruins of an old church. 18 It is very unlikely, however, that the present ruins there had any connexion with the patron's early period.
Not
St. Declan, but even St. had a — of his
only Patrick, foreknowledge coming
— Declan called to him a
death. Then, holy bishop
said to have been son to who was his beloved disciple, and whose monastery stood near the strait of Imleagh, opposite the men of Gabran's district, 30 in the eastern part of the Decies' territory. He desired to receive the body and blood of Jesus Christ from this holy bishop at the hour of departure.
Declan also foretold the day of his own death to some venerable men. He desired to be brought into
2»
filled in spirit with faith, hope, and charity. Having collected the clergy and
Liach
his 21 that there he city,
to when he knew that his last Christ,
might depart
hours on earth were approaching. However weak in body he felt, yet was he
it is at present greatly resorted to by pil- grims.
14 It seems doubtful if this be the Mona-
chan or Dormitory of St. Declan, alluded to
by John Windale, in his "Descriptive Notices of the City of Cork and its Vicinity,"
p. 183. Cork, 1840, 8vo. Most probably, however, it was the oratory near the former
cathedral, where popular tradition yet points out his grave.
15 Hence, Sir James Ware thinks, that this ancient biographer lived not very long after St. Declan's time. See " De Scriptoribus
Ilibernise," lib. i. , cap. xiii. , p. 90.
16 From these expressions, inferences have been incorrectly drawn, that the writer of St. Declan's Life must have lived soon after liis time; however, the meaning seems to be, that his information had been derived from older documents, or from oral traditions,
supposed to contain such early accounts.
17 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. , Julii xxiv. Acta S. Declani, cap. ix. , sect.
77, p. 607.
,8
Its ecclesiastical details are said to indi- cate the thirteenth century. The founder may have been Moel-Ettrim O'Duibhe- Rathra, Bishop of Ardmore, who died a. d. 1 203, after having erected a church in this place.
19 The Bollandist editor states, that
although he diligently investigated the matter, he could discover nothing tangible regarding this holy Bishop or his monastery, See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. , Julii xxiv. Acta S. Declani, cap. ix. , n. (a), p. 608.
20 The Acts of our saint read, that this
monastery was placed "contra regionem virorum Gabencides, in otiente Desiorum," &c. In the margin we find another reading and noted, " al. Gabran. " This had been extracted from the St. Isidore College MS. This place is undoubtedly identical with the
present Dungarvan, north-easterly from A nl- more, and at the head of an ocean-inlet.
1 ? There could be few very
July 24. ] LIVES 01 THE IRISH SAINTS 349
people, he preached the Divine precepts, and he warned them to cultivate peace and charity among themselves after his death. He told them to obey his successors, and he advised his successors to walk with charity in his foot- steps. He said, if in these particulars, they should follow his advice, the power of God must always faithfully preserve their city. On hearing such admonitions, and knowing that their holy bishop wished for his Heavenly departure, the clergy and people burst into loud lamentations. But, their pious patron consoled them, as best he could, and then was he conducted towards his own cell, having deeply impressed the inhabitants of Ardmore
ture. " Then the aforesaid holy Bishop Liach 3 came, and the venerable Bishop and preacher Declan received the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, while surrounded by his holy disciples, who were pro- foundly penetrated with sorrow, in anticipation of his approaching end. The holy senior and patron Declan then bestowed his benediction on them, by giving them the kiss of peace. Most holily and happily, having attained a venerable old age, he departed to God. In the midst of angelic choirs was he
3 his demise may be assigned to some part of the sixth century. *
After vigils spent over the holy remains, and offering the solemn rites of Mass, a number of pious men and the people of the Desies were convened, to hear
their distinguished saint's panegyric pronounced. Many wonders and prodigies occurred during the interval extending from this saint's departure to the time of his burial. Our saint's precious remains were interred, with all becoming honour,inhisowncityofArdmore. TheyweredepositedwithintheLevi-
26 as it is called in Declan's Life. A excavation, in the south- large open
with profound grief, owing to the prospect of his approaching earthly depar- 2
enthroned,
August
Calends, or on the of 2* The 24th July.
on the ix. of the
24th of July was probably the day of St. Declan's death, as it was his chief festival,buttheyearisnotknown. Itisprettysafe,however,toassert,that
tiana,
east angle, is still shown as St. Declan's grave, within a vault-like building in
the
in that
27 building,
His remains are believed to have been interred traditionally
21
8fi
The Bollandist editor of our saint's Acts says, by this word the author perhaps wished to understand a chapel, in which the saint desired to be interred, although he ac- knowledges, that in no other place has he been able to find the word Levitiana occur- ring. He suggests the query, if the saint's habit or garment might have been signified, and in which he had been buried. He re- marks, also, that by Levitionarium or Leviton, in Greek, Xeprjruv or Xeviruv, was meant a short linen tunic without sleeves, The monks of Egypt were accustomed to wear to the time of their death the Levition- arium, as a sacred' habit, in which they were alsoburied. ThisDuCangeproves,inhis " Glossarium Mediae et Infimse Graecitatis. "
"
Porro ex his refellendum videtur, quod in Comm. praev. de loco mortis ejus ex Martyrologio Dungal- lensi interpolato recitavimus. "—"ActaSanc- torum," tomus v. , xxiv. Julii. Acta S. De-
cemetery.
known as his
28 and the which covered his Dormitory ; clay,
For many interesting local particulars on the South Coast. A Handbook to the
•
concerningthisplace, the reader is referred to
a small work, entitled, "Antiquarian Rambles
Holy Citie of Ardmore,' County of Water- ford, being rough sketches of its Antiqui- ties, Legends, and Scenery," by F. Ochille.
22 See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. , Julii xxiv. Acta S. Declani, cap. ix. , sect. 78, p. 607. 23 In this instance, our saint's Acts call
him, "anatistes Liach ;" although in a pre- vious passage, this same person is called "sanctus antistes, filius Liach. "
24 See "Trias Colgan's
Thaumaturga," Quinta Appendix ad Acta S. Patricii, cap.
xxiii. , p. 269.
25 Ledwich incorrectly states, that the
Annals of Ulster and Innisfallen, as cited by
Ware, place the death of St. Declan later
""
than that of Ailbe in 527. " See Anti-
quities of Ireland," cap. vi,, p. 57. To this remark Dr. Lanigan replies : "Now, in these Annals the name of Declan is not mentioned,
The Bollandist editor adds :
nor does Ware cite them to that — as purpose,
27 See the Rev. Samuel Handbook of Youghal," &c, p.
he refers only to Declan's Life. "
" Eccle- i. , cap. i. ,
Hayman's x.
siastical
sect, xii. , n. 96, pp. 27, 28.
History
of Ireland," vol.
2» "To the south-east of the church is a small, low, and plain building, called the
clani, cap. ix. , n. (b), p. 608.
" New
350 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [July 24. body, has been removed in small quantities, from time to time, by the country
29 In the ruined of the old church at Ardmore were to be seen
3° representing scriptural subjects.
All native writers seem agreed, that the 24th of June was the day for St. Declan's festival, as of his death ; while this statement accords, also with his Acts,3* and with popular tradition. In the rt Feilire "i2 of St ^Engus, a special eulogy is pronounced on St. Declan, whose feast is set down at this date. The Martyrology of Tallagh,33 at the 24th of July, enters a festival in honour of Declan of Airde Moir. In his Catalogus Praecipuorum Sanctorum Hiberniae, which was first edited at Douay, in 1 6 1 5, and which was afterwards revised and extended at Liege, in 16 19, Father Henry Fitzsimons assigns this as the day for our saint's festival. In the anonymous Calendar of our national saints, given by O'Sullevan Beare,34 we find Declarus —an evident mistake for Declanus—at the same date. The Martyrology ofDonegal,35 atthissameday,recordshimatgreaterlength,asDecclan,ofArd
Several most interesting remains of antiquity are yet visible at Ard- more. 39 Among these the cathedral, which consists of a nave and choir, was erected at different periods. In the lower part of the north wall of the choir, there is ancient masonry and of cyclopean character. The stones are not laid in courses, but they are fitted according to the natural forms around
gable — an arched window, and underneath it twelve figures
people.
in as many different com- partments—which appear designed to designate the Twelve Apostles. Under- neath those figures were two arched compartments, containing sculptures,
son of 6 and Confessor. He to the Maicuiadh,3 Bishop belonged
son to
race of Eochaidh Finn Fuathairt, from whom Brighit descended, and Deitsin was the name of his mother. Again, in the Circle of the Seasons,37 this saint is incorrectly entered as Dulan. In the Scottish Kalendars, St. Declan's feast is entered at this date. Thus it is found, in the Calendar of Drummond. 38
mor,
Ere,
each and other,
placed
at rand1 rm. This
of the is referable building
portion
to a very high antiquity, and perhaps it goes back to the age of Declan's
immediate successors in the sixth or seventh century. The nave is in the
Hiberno-Romanesque style of the eleventh century. It was probably built when Christianity had extended throughout that district, and for the purpose
Dormitory of St. Declan, and held in great veneration by the inhabitants of the neigh- bourhood ; it was repaired and roof—ed about a century since by Bishop Willis. " Lewis' "Topographical Dictionary of Ireland," vol. i. Article, Ardmore.
2
'See Rev. R. II. Ryland's "History, Topography and Antiquities of the City and County of Waterford," p. 326. An excel- lent idea, regarding the relative situations and appearance of the Round Tower, Dor- mitory and Church, may be formed, from engravings contained in the latter work, at
PP- 327, 329 and 33°-
30 These are very curiously and accurately
Acts of our Irish Saints, through the months
posterior to March.
Ja In the "Leabhar Bteac" copy belong-
to Irish
ing the Royal Academy. See
"Transactions of the Royal Irish Academy," vol. i. , part i. , Irish Manuscript Series. On the Calendar of Oengus. By Whitley Stokes, LL. D. , p. cxii.
" Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xxx.
34 See "Historise Catholics IberniceCom-
pendium," tomus i. , lib. iv. , cap. xi„ p. 50. 35 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
200, 201.
36 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga,"
Appendix Quarta ad Acta S. Brigidae, cap. 3, p. 613.
J7 See 206. p.
3* " 24 ix. Kal. A—pud Hiberniam Sancti Confessoris Declaim" Bishop Forbes' "Ka- lendars of Scottish Saints," p. 19.
39 For a description with illustrations of
graved. See the plate, ibid. , p. 330.
31 In his " Trias
Volume of the Acts of the Irish Saints, 613, and elsewhere, John Colgan refers to the Irish Martyrologies, in proof of a like statement; although he only cites the text
of Sanctilogium Genealogicum, reserving other authorities to the 24th ofJuly, to which day he refers his readers. But, it is unnecessary to state, that he lived not to complete his great design of publishing the
Thaumaturga
" or Second
p.
Ardmore, the reader is referred to that very "
beautifulwork,J. R. O'Flanagan's Histo- rical and Picturesque Guide to the River
Blackwater in Munster," pp. 27 to 30.
4o About 6 feet from the ground are two
July 24. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 35i
of affording additional accommodation to the worshippers. The more ancient building to which it was added was then converted into a choir. The ruined west gable presents a series of sculptured niches of elaborate design and
1
execution. * Huge and unsightly buttresses* have been built to the north
2 and at the east end of the cathedral.
"
Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the
County of Tipperary," sheet 88.
70 This place has been rendered into Latin
"
11 *
Acervus Sancti Declani," by the old writer
of the>e Acts. In English, this should mean,
the Mound or Cairn of St. Declan. "
7
The author of our saint's Acts —
He
his chanties, towards the little ones and poor of Christ.
7" See Exodus, xv. , 10.
71
is
said to have been remarkable for
that inhistime,theScots bywhomheunder-
—when
approach of danger, were accustomed to
stands the Irish
l ,ray> "The left hand of Ultan be against
seeing
says,
or the hearing
July 24. ] LIVES OE THE IRISH SAINTS. 345
several ecclesiastics. It has been generally asserted and believed, that St. Declan became the bishop of his own people, the Desii, whom he first brought toaknowledgeofDivinetruth. But,theperiodwhenhelabouredthereisnot so clearly ascertained. Whatever amount of uncertainty regards the state- St. Declan has been classed the of St. Patrick. 1 How-
among disciples
ment,
ever, this does not appear, from any of the ancient Lives of the great Irish
Apostle; and, although, during his sojourn upon earth, the reputation of our saint was very great, it has been supposed, that the omission of such an eminent person's name, had he really been one of St. Patrick's disciples,
should have been a strange circumstance.
2
The author of St. Declan's Life,
however, brings both distinguished personages into close relations of amity and intercourse.
The most holy Patrick, Archbishop of the Irish, sent one of his disciples, charged with a commission to venerable Declan. But, on coming to the southern part of the Decies' country, that disciple was drowned in a certain river,calledLuch. Hearingofhisdeath,BishopDeclanwasmuchafflicted.
:
He said M Truly do I grieve in spirit, that the most holy man's messenger,
who was sent to me, has been taken off by a sudden death, and in my part of the country. Nor can he bear back my communication to his illustrious master. Wherefore, you shall immediately place me in a chariot, that I may assist at his obsequies, and that our holy father, and his master St. Patrick, may hear of my regard for him. " "That river, in which the messenger had been drowned, was only two miles distant from St. Declan's city. The
drowned man had already been placed in a coffin, that his corpse might be interred in St. Declan's cemetery. But, with his attendants, having met those who bore the dead body, Declan ordered them to place it on the ground. This order was obeyed, for they supposed the holy bishop was about to sing an office for the dead over him, and on that spot. 3 Approaching the coffin, and lifting the shroud from the dead man's face, Declan beheld it swollen and discoloured, as usually happens in the case of drowned persons. He shed tears, and he then prayed mentally for some time, the crowd around not hearing what had been said. He afterwards spoke these words in presence
" In the name of the Most Holy Trinity, and undivided unity of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, whose sweet and light yoke I bear, arise before us,forChristhathgrantedthylife tome. " Atthosewordsofthevenerable Bishop, St. Patrick's disciple arose from the coffin. He then blessed our saint and all those that stood around him. Bishop Declan then raised and tenderly embraced him, while our saint's disciples followed their master's example. At the time this accident which caused his death occurred,
that messenger complained of a weakly constitution, like to a man recovering from some infirmity; but, after his restoration to life, he became healthy and robust. He returned with St. Declan to his city, and remained with him some days, with manifestations of truest love. Great joy was felt in Ardmore, as a consequence of this miracle ; so that the name Christ and St. Declan's
it. " By pronouncing such words, we are who adds, that we may conclude, St.
of all
:
informed, the power of God was frequently manifested.
? s See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. , Julii xxiv. De S. Declano Episcopo Ardmoriae in Hibernia, cap. ix. , sects. 71, 72, pp. 606, 607.
Declan became distinguished during some part of the sixth century, calculating from the times of his disciples and friends, of whom some records remain. See " Eccle-
siastical History of Ireland," vol. i. , chap, i. , sect, xii. , pp. 26, 27.
3 The Life has it: " Putabant omnes, quod sanctus Episcopus vellet officium mor- tuorum inibi cantare pro illo. "
Chapter iv. "
—
T
See "Trias Colgan's
Thaumaturga,
S. Patricii, cap. xxiii. , p. 269.
4 See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. , Julii
Quinta Appendix ad Acta
3 Such is the opinion of Rev. Dr. Lanigan,
346 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [July 24.
holiness were glorified far and wide, through that section of country. This disciple of St. Patrick had been called Ballinus. Full ofjoy, lie left St.
Declan at last, and returned to his holy master, St. Patrick, relating to many persons what had occurred to him. The glorious Archbishop Patrick, on hearing these renowned and great testimonies concerning St. Declaims sanctity, did not foil to divulge his merits. Afterwards, St. Patrick extolled
his merits and praises in person to the holy bishop/ — It is said, that St. Declan had consecrated a Levitiana
most probably his oratory—by an angelic admonition, and this was intended for his own use.
There great signs and miracles were constantly wrought, through his intercession, and through the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom be
honour, glory and power, with God the Father, in the Unity of the Holy Ghost, for ever and ever. s The oratory of St. Declan—as it has been called
tianity into our Isle, about the fifth century. Some have considered it is that very place of worship, where St. Declan ministered during his lifetime, and where his remains were deposited, when he rested from his labours. The ancient church, at Ardmore, now in ruins, was afterwards made into a chancel. Until the recent erection of the present edifice, a part of this was used as the former parish church ; it was a fine building, richly decorated with sculpture, and still it displays traces of perished magnificence. X Many miracles were ascribed both before and after his death to St. Declan, while he is yet held in
8
great veneration by. people, inhabiting the barony of Decies within Dmm. s
—is a little Daimh-liag?
which bears traces of a
carries us back—at least in recollection—to the early introduction of Chris-
xxiv. Acta S. Declani, cap. ix. , sects. 73,
The earth taken from it, and which is often put into it, that it may be consecrated by lying there, is reverenced by the peasants. It is also considered efficacious, in protect- ing persons from any disease. See Rev.
74, 75. P- 6o7-
s This form, contained in St. Dedans
Acts, gives an idea that they had been com- posed as a monastic Lecture. See ibid. .
6 This building is of small dimensions
being 13 feet 4 inches, by 8 feet 9 inches, in
the clear. The two side walls extend, about
2 feet 6 inches, beyond the gable, and form
in this manner a set of four square buttresses
to the building. The original entrance was
at the west end ; but, it is now rendered use-
less owing to an accumulation of soil, on the
outside, and reaching to the very lintel. It is
5 feet 6 inches in height, and its lintel is
formed by a single stone, mote than 6 feet in
length. The doorway tapers in width, from
2 feet, at the lintel, to 2 feet 5 inches at the
base. The east window has a semi-circular
head, formed from one stone, and it displays
the same tapering construction with the door.
There were windows, also, in the norlh and Ce,\nir\A6, now called the barony of
' Deece,' in the county of Meath ; but were expelled thence by their relative Cormac, the grandson of Conn of the Hundred Battles, about the year 254, when they settled in the county of Waterford. (Book of Rights, p. 184, n. ). The Decies are now divided into two baronies, namely, Decies within Drum, and Decies without Drum, by a high ridge, called in Irish Dnom ptlgfn, i. r. , the Back or Ridge of St. Finghin (who according to Ware (see Bishops) was Bishop of i -ismore,
south walls. The south window is now built up ; for, the only entrance to the building is through the north window, which has been opened downwards for this purpose. The roof is modern. It was erected in 161 7, for the
of the oratory, by I >i . Thomas Milles, the Protestant Bishop of Waterford and Lismore. The interior of
preservation
. . e^,
,
,
;
Samuel " New Handbook of Hayman's
this little oratory presents no feature of in-
terest, savethat a' large open excavation in the
south-east angle is shown, as St. Declan's
grave. The walls of this vault are built of A. D. 1 179), which extends from Helvick masonry, and the descent is by a few steps. Head, on the coast of Dungarvan to Tallow,
very
remote
antiquity. It
Youghal," p. x.
7 See Lewis' "Topographical Dictionary
of Ireland," vol. i. Article, Ardmore.
8
stance, that Declan is yet a favourite baptis-
This is especially shown, by the circum-
mal name among the people, living in and near Ardmore.
9 " The Decies, comprise the tract of country which extends from the River Suir to the sea, and from Lismore to Credan Head,andtakesits namefromapowerful clan called the "Oeife, who claim descent from Fiacha Suighdhe, the elder brother of Conn of the Hundred Battles, and were ori- ginally located in the territory of "Oeife
July 24. ] LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. 347
After relating the foregoing wonderful occurrences, the author of our saint's Acts states, that he should end his narrative respecting the supernatural wonders recorded about St. Declan j although he was obliged to omit many of these, which must be imagined by the reader, owing to the few miracles that had been written. The biographer says, also, that he must pass over in silence accounts regarding the many blind persons restored to the use of sight by our saint; as likewise the many lepers he cleansed, the numbers of lame and mutilated persons he cured, the various deaf people he caused to hear, besides a variety of diseases, in different places, that he healed. During this time, likewise, the holy Pontiff was engaged in spreading the Gospel seed among the pagans. He says, that whilst the number of these traditionary miracles should weary him were they fully written, the readers and hearers of such won- ders must also be affected with weariness, on account of their Great multitude. 10
Church on the Cliff, Ardmore, County of Waterforcl.
Like many of our early. saints, the holy Declan wished to live as a recluse, so that he might retire to his cell occasionally, to be less disturbed by merely humanand business engagements. He had built that small butcelebrated cell," in a place now known as St. Declan's Desert. The western gable only stands, atpresent,withportionofasouthsidewall. 12 Itissituatedontheedgeofa
the most southern extremity of the county. " See O'Kearney's Translation of the Battle of Gabhra, n. 3, p. 135. Vol. i. , "Transac- tions of the Ossianic Society," Dublin, 1854, 8vo.
10 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. ,
Julii xxiv. Acta S. Declani, cap. ix. , sect.
76, p. 607.
11 This is the old ruin, to which Smith
alludes, in his " Ancient and Present State of the County and City of Waterford," chap, iii. , p. 47.
13
The accompanying illustration is from a sketch made many years since by John Win- dale, Esq. , of Cork, and at a time when the wall> were more perfect than they are at pre- sent. The original is now preserved among that gentleman's Manuscript Collections in the Royal Irish Academy. From this a copy has been made by William F. Wakeman, who transferred it to the wood, engraved by
Mrs. Millard.
«3 Meaning the Well of Declan. " It is
"
at the west side of the ruined oratory, and
348 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [July 24.
cliff, and its site was in a contracted and remote spot, between a hill and the
sea—Just over the shore of this latter element. This recess lay a short mile
from the city of Ardmore, at a time when the author of our saint's Ac—ts
;
wrote at that a clear rivulet—now called Tubber ' 3
and,
flowed by it down the hill towards the ocean, while beautiful trees also surrounded this sacred haunt. Now that spot is completely denuded of sylvan adornment, and only is the oratory M sheltered by the cliff which rises over it on the western side. After the manner of a solitary, St. Declan wished to commune with God in watching, in fasting, and in prayer; but, he could scarcely seclude himself even there, even for a short time, owing to the multitude of disciples and pilgrims, with the faithful and poor of Christ, who followed him. Our saint was bountiful, pious and clement in disposition. The author of his Life we have it from his old j s that for
period,
Deglaune
observes, disciples,
these very qualities, a great crowd constantly attended him. 16 But, he very much loved this little cell, in which, even for a brief period, he might spend
some moments in heavenly contemplation. However, certain religious men
were with him in this same constantly
place.
situations more romantically chosen for a place of worship, than that of Team-
pull Diseart, or " the church of the desert," lying southward at Ardmore. A
steep precipitous cliff overhangs the ocean, where its beetling place of eleva- tion is shown. Just on the verge of a truly frightful chasm stand the grey weather-bleached ruins of an old church. 18 It is very unlikely, however, that the present ruins there had any connexion with the patron's early period.
Not
St. Declan, but even St. had a — of his
only Patrick, foreknowledge coming
— Declan called to him a
death. Then, holy bishop
said to have been son to who was his beloved disciple, and whose monastery stood near the strait of Imleagh, opposite the men of Gabran's district, 30 in the eastern part of the Decies' territory. He desired to receive the body and blood of Jesus Christ from this holy bishop at the hour of departure.
Declan also foretold the day of his own death to some venerable men. He desired to be brought into
2»
filled in spirit with faith, hope, and charity. Having collected the clergy and
Liach
his 21 that there he city,
to when he knew that his last Christ,
might depart
hours on earth were approaching. However weak in body he felt, yet was he
it is at present greatly resorted to by pil- grims.
14 It seems doubtful if this be the Mona-
chan or Dormitory of St. Declan, alluded to
by John Windale, in his "Descriptive Notices of the City of Cork and its Vicinity,"
p. 183. Cork, 1840, 8vo. Most probably, however, it was the oratory near the former
cathedral, where popular tradition yet points out his grave.
15 Hence, Sir James Ware thinks, that this ancient biographer lived not very long after St. Declan's time. See " De Scriptoribus
Ilibernise," lib. i. , cap. xiii. , p. 90.
16 From these expressions, inferences have been incorrectly drawn, that the writer of St. Declan's Life must have lived soon after liis time; however, the meaning seems to be, that his information had been derived from older documents, or from oral traditions,
supposed to contain such early accounts.
17 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. , Julii xxiv. Acta S. Declani, cap. ix. , sect.
77, p. 607.
,8
Its ecclesiastical details are said to indi- cate the thirteenth century. The founder may have been Moel-Ettrim O'Duibhe- Rathra, Bishop of Ardmore, who died a. d. 1 203, after having erected a church in this place.
19 The Bollandist editor states, that
although he diligently investigated the matter, he could discover nothing tangible regarding this holy Bishop or his monastery, See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. , Julii xxiv. Acta S. Declani, cap. ix. , n. (a), p. 608.
20 The Acts of our saint read, that this
monastery was placed "contra regionem virorum Gabencides, in otiente Desiorum," &c. In the margin we find another reading and noted, " al. Gabran. " This had been extracted from the St. Isidore College MS. This place is undoubtedly identical with the
present Dungarvan, north-easterly from A nl- more, and at the head of an ocean-inlet.
1 ? There could be few very
July 24. ] LIVES 01 THE IRISH SAINTS 349
people, he preached the Divine precepts, and he warned them to cultivate peace and charity among themselves after his death. He told them to obey his successors, and he advised his successors to walk with charity in his foot- steps. He said, if in these particulars, they should follow his advice, the power of God must always faithfully preserve their city. On hearing such admonitions, and knowing that their holy bishop wished for his Heavenly departure, the clergy and people burst into loud lamentations. But, their pious patron consoled them, as best he could, and then was he conducted towards his own cell, having deeply impressed the inhabitants of Ardmore
ture. " Then the aforesaid holy Bishop Liach 3 came, and the venerable Bishop and preacher Declan received the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, while surrounded by his holy disciples, who were pro- foundly penetrated with sorrow, in anticipation of his approaching end. The holy senior and patron Declan then bestowed his benediction on them, by giving them the kiss of peace. Most holily and happily, having attained a venerable old age, he departed to God. In the midst of angelic choirs was he
3 his demise may be assigned to some part of the sixth century. *
After vigils spent over the holy remains, and offering the solemn rites of Mass, a number of pious men and the people of the Desies were convened, to hear
their distinguished saint's panegyric pronounced. Many wonders and prodigies occurred during the interval extending from this saint's departure to the time of his burial. Our saint's precious remains were interred, with all becoming honour,inhisowncityofArdmore. TheyweredepositedwithintheLevi-
26 as it is called in Declan's Life. A excavation, in the south- large open
with profound grief, owing to the prospect of his approaching earthly depar- 2
enthroned,
August
Calends, or on the of 2* The 24th July.
on the ix. of the
24th of July was probably the day of St. Declan's death, as it was his chief festival,buttheyearisnotknown. Itisprettysafe,however,toassert,that
tiana,
east angle, is still shown as St. Declan's grave, within a vault-like building in
the
in that
27 building,
His remains are believed to have been interred traditionally
21
8fi
The Bollandist editor of our saint's Acts says, by this word the author perhaps wished to understand a chapel, in which the saint desired to be interred, although he ac- knowledges, that in no other place has he been able to find the word Levitiana occur- ring. He suggests the query, if the saint's habit or garment might have been signified, and in which he had been buried. He re- marks, also, that by Levitionarium or Leviton, in Greek, Xeprjruv or Xeviruv, was meant a short linen tunic without sleeves, The monks of Egypt were accustomed to wear to the time of their death the Levition- arium, as a sacred' habit, in which they were alsoburied. ThisDuCangeproves,inhis " Glossarium Mediae et Infimse Graecitatis. "
"
Porro ex his refellendum videtur, quod in Comm. praev. de loco mortis ejus ex Martyrologio Dungal- lensi interpolato recitavimus. "—"ActaSanc- torum," tomus v. , xxiv. Julii. Acta S. De-
cemetery.
known as his
28 and the which covered his Dormitory ; clay,
For many interesting local particulars on the South Coast. A Handbook to the
•
concerningthisplace, the reader is referred to
a small work, entitled, "Antiquarian Rambles
Holy Citie of Ardmore,' County of Water- ford, being rough sketches of its Antiqui- ties, Legends, and Scenery," by F. Ochille.
22 See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. , Julii xxiv. Acta S. Declani, cap. ix. , sect. 78, p. 607. 23 In this instance, our saint's Acts call
him, "anatistes Liach ;" although in a pre- vious passage, this same person is called "sanctus antistes, filius Liach. "
24 See "Trias Colgan's
Thaumaturga," Quinta Appendix ad Acta S. Patricii, cap.
xxiii. , p. 269.
25 Ledwich incorrectly states, that the
Annals of Ulster and Innisfallen, as cited by
Ware, place the death of St. Declan later
""
than that of Ailbe in 527. " See Anti-
quities of Ireland," cap. vi,, p. 57. To this remark Dr. Lanigan replies : "Now, in these Annals the name of Declan is not mentioned,
The Bollandist editor adds :
nor does Ware cite them to that — as purpose,
27 See the Rev. Samuel Handbook of Youghal," &c, p.
he refers only to Declan's Life. "
" Eccle- i. , cap. i. ,
Hayman's x.
siastical
sect, xii. , n. 96, pp. 27, 28.
History
of Ireland," vol.
2» "To the south-east of the church is a small, low, and plain building, called the
clani, cap. ix. , n. (b), p. 608.
" New
350 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [July 24. body, has been removed in small quantities, from time to time, by the country
29 In the ruined of the old church at Ardmore were to be seen
3° representing scriptural subjects.
All native writers seem agreed, that the 24th of June was the day for St. Declan's festival, as of his death ; while this statement accords, also with his Acts,3* and with popular tradition. In the rt Feilire "i2 of St ^Engus, a special eulogy is pronounced on St. Declan, whose feast is set down at this date. The Martyrology of Tallagh,33 at the 24th of July, enters a festival in honour of Declan of Airde Moir. In his Catalogus Praecipuorum Sanctorum Hiberniae, which was first edited at Douay, in 1 6 1 5, and which was afterwards revised and extended at Liege, in 16 19, Father Henry Fitzsimons assigns this as the day for our saint's festival. In the anonymous Calendar of our national saints, given by O'Sullevan Beare,34 we find Declarus —an evident mistake for Declanus—at the same date. The Martyrology ofDonegal,35 atthissameday,recordshimatgreaterlength,asDecclan,ofArd
Several most interesting remains of antiquity are yet visible at Ard- more. 39 Among these the cathedral, which consists of a nave and choir, was erected at different periods. In the lower part of the north wall of the choir, there is ancient masonry and of cyclopean character. The stones are not laid in courses, but they are fitted according to the natural forms around
gable — an arched window, and underneath it twelve figures
people.
in as many different com- partments—which appear designed to designate the Twelve Apostles. Under- neath those figures were two arched compartments, containing sculptures,
son of 6 and Confessor. He to the Maicuiadh,3 Bishop belonged
son to
race of Eochaidh Finn Fuathairt, from whom Brighit descended, and Deitsin was the name of his mother. Again, in the Circle of the Seasons,37 this saint is incorrectly entered as Dulan. In the Scottish Kalendars, St. Declan's feast is entered at this date. Thus it is found, in the Calendar of Drummond. 38
mor,
Ere,
each and other,
placed
at rand1 rm. This
of the is referable building
portion
to a very high antiquity, and perhaps it goes back to the age of Declan's
immediate successors in the sixth or seventh century. The nave is in the
Hiberno-Romanesque style of the eleventh century. It was probably built when Christianity had extended throughout that district, and for the purpose
Dormitory of St. Declan, and held in great veneration by the inhabitants of the neigh- bourhood ; it was repaired and roof—ed about a century since by Bishop Willis. " Lewis' "Topographical Dictionary of Ireland," vol. i. Article, Ardmore.
2
'See Rev. R. II. Ryland's "History, Topography and Antiquities of the City and County of Waterford," p. 326. An excel- lent idea, regarding the relative situations and appearance of the Round Tower, Dor- mitory and Church, may be formed, from engravings contained in the latter work, at
PP- 327, 329 and 33°-
30 These are very curiously and accurately
Acts of our Irish Saints, through the months
posterior to March.
Ja In the "Leabhar Bteac" copy belong-
to Irish
ing the Royal Academy. See
"Transactions of the Royal Irish Academy," vol. i. , part i. , Irish Manuscript Series. On the Calendar of Oengus. By Whitley Stokes, LL. D. , p. cxii.
" Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xxx.
34 See "Historise Catholics IberniceCom-
pendium," tomus i. , lib. iv. , cap. xi„ p. 50. 35 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
200, 201.
36 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga,"
Appendix Quarta ad Acta S. Brigidae, cap. 3, p. 613.
J7 See 206. p.
3* " 24 ix. Kal. A—pud Hiberniam Sancti Confessoris Declaim" Bishop Forbes' "Ka- lendars of Scottish Saints," p. 19.
39 For a description with illustrations of
graved. See the plate, ibid. , p. 330.
31 In his " Trias
Volume of the Acts of the Irish Saints, 613, and elsewhere, John Colgan refers to the Irish Martyrologies, in proof of a like statement; although he only cites the text
of Sanctilogium Genealogicum, reserving other authorities to the 24th ofJuly, to which day he refers his readers. But, it is unnecessary to state, that he lived not to complete his great design of publishing the
Thaumaturga
" or Second
p.
Ardmore, the reader is referred to that very "
beautifulwork,J. R. O'Flanagan's Histo- rical and Picturesque Guide to the River
Blackwater in Munster," pp. 27 to 30.
4o About 6 feet from the ground are two
July 24. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 35i
of affording additional accommodation to the worshippers. The more ancient building to which it was added was then converted into a choir. The ruined west gable presents a series of sculptured niches of elaborate design and
1
execution. * Huge and unsightly buttresses* have been built to the north
2 and at the east end of the cathedral.
