This
assertion
is capable of proof, from the circumstance of Dichuo, son to this Trichem,
having bestowed on St.
having bestowed on St.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v1
Conan gave name to the Island of Canna, ^9 or Cannay ; and it is possible, that he lived there for a time, although this cannot be stated with certainty, for want of proper materials to throw light on his acts.
Historical and religious interest, however, cannot be sufficiently gratified by meagre notices and unsafe conjectures.
Article III. —St. Cummein or Ctjimmine, Son of Dubh, of Drum- Druith. a festival in honour of Cuimmine mac Duibh, of Druim Druith,
of at the 12th of "= The Tallagh,' January.
is in the registered
Ivlartyrology
place to which he belonged has not been identified. The Martyrology of
Donegal3 likewise mentions, as having a festival on this day, Cumme'in, son ofDubh,ofDrum-Druith. ThereisaCuimin,sonofDimaDubh,belonging to the race of Fiachra, son to Eochaidh Muighmhedhoin. Finding a saint of this name interred at Bobbio, in the north of Italy, and not being able to
'° " See
Origines ParochialesScotire," vol. p. 534.
Scott's description of "
Canna's tower, that, steep and gray, Like falcon-nest o'erhangs the bay. Seek not the giddy crag to climb,
To view the turret scathed by time ;
;
Scotland, and Voyage to the Hebrides, To yonder turret gray.
ii. , part i.
" See a very excellent historical description
,
of it in the work already quoted, ibid. , pp. 338 to 340.
" Pennant, who visited it in July, 1772,
gives a very interesting account of Cannay,
its productions, customs, and religion. Then
it was inhabited by two hundred and twenty of the islanders, who souls all of
It is a task of doubt and fear
" Afterwards follows the sad romantic legend
came,
To aught but goat or mountain deer.
four " how with their chieftain families, tell,
whom, except
were Roman Catholics. See " A Tour in In ancient times a foreign dame,
MDCCLXXII. ," pp. 271 to 276.
'3 Coll. de Reb. Alb. , pp. 297, 298.
'* Munro's description of the Western
Isles," Circa a. d. 1640.
'5 The bishop held, however, a third
"Rental of the Bishoprick," Coll. de Reb.
Stern was her lord's suspicious mind, Who in so rude a jail confined
So soft and fair a thrall !
And oft when moon on ocean slept,
That lovely lady sale and wept Upon the castle wall. "
Alb. , pp. 3, 4. "Lord o—f the Isles," canto iv. , § viii.
'* '
Gregory, p. 239.
'7 "Acta Pari. Scot," vol. vii. , p. 403.
'^ See Thomas Pennant's "Tour in
Scotland and Voyage to the Hebrides,
MDCCLXXII. ," p. 274.
''The reader will recollect Sir Walter
Dr.
Art. III. Edited by Rev. Kellv,
p. xii.
= In the Franciscan copy we read CAimine
triAc 'Ouib o 'Oiuiini 'DiauicIi.
3 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
14, 15.
132 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 12.
discover with any certainty his having been different from the present holy man, Colgan has some memoranda regarding him inserted at the 12th of
The name of Cummine first occurs at this date in our Calendars ;
January.
and for no better reason is the Cummine or Cumian of Bobbio here
introduced. *
Article IV. —St. Sinell, Son of Tighernach. The Martyrology of
Donegal' mentions, on this day, Sineall, son of Tighernach, son of Alild, belonging to the race of Eoghan, son to Niall. Again, he is entered simply
A con-
appear that Sinell, the son of Tighernach, was altogether a distinct person.
Article V. —St. Loichein of Iveagh, County of Down. This saint appears to have been venerated in Uibh Eathach, within the barony of Iveagh, sometimes Anglicized Evagh, county of Down. ' To identify the
exact locality, however, or to assign the period, when this holy personage flourished, cannot be done with accuracy. We read in t. e Martyrology of Donegal^ to-day the simple name Loichein. This may be the Lochdn, it is added, of the family of Eochaidh, son to Muiredh, who is of the Heremonian race. In the Martyrology of Tallagh,^ he is simply called Loichen. The sept of Ui-Eathach Cobha* gave name to the baronies of Iveagh. s
Article VI. —St. Laighne or Laigne, Son of Garbain. In the Martyrology of Tallagh,' at the 12th of January,^ there is mention of a St Laigne, son of Garbain. Laighne, son of Garbhdn, is set down in the
Martyrology of Donegal3 on this day.
Article VII. —St. Fuillen or Foelan, Bishop. A festival in honour of Foelan, bishop, is recorded in the Martyrology of Tallagh' on the 12th
in the Martyrology of Tallagh^ on the 12th of January,3 as Sinell,
jectiure has been offered by Colgan, that the present holy man may be the same as Sinell or Senell, Senior, a disciple of St. Patrick. * An alternative guess, however, assigns his possible feast to the 12th of November. ^ But as the disciple of St. Patrick, to whom allusion is made, was the son of Findchath,^ and one of St. Patrick's earliest converts in Leinster, it must
* See " Acta Sanctoram Hiberniae," xii.
his note — 18. 35, p.
'
Art. v. See Rev. William Reeves'
Ecclesiastical Antiquities of Down, Con-
Januarii. Vita S. Cumiani, pp. 58, 59. '
Art. IV. — Edited by Drs. Todd and
"
Reeves, pp. 14, 15.
'Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xii.
3 In the Franciscan copy, at this day, we
have his name united with the saint imme-
diately succeeding, in this form, SinLli ocuf Loichem.
* See "Trias Thaumaturga," Quinta Ap- pendix ad Acta S. Patricii. , cap. xxiii. , p. 265.
nor, and Diomore. " Appendix H. H. pp.
348 to 352, and Calendar LL. p. 376, ibid.
5 The baronies of Upper and Lower 5 St. Sinell of Cleenish, Lough Erne, who Iveagh take in all the western portion, or
was venerated on the 12th ol November, could not have been St. Patrick's disciple.
By a typographical error, not infrequent, the month of September has been substi- luted for November.
" Secunda Vita S. Patricii,"
"
Septima Vita S. Pa- tricii," lib. i. , cap. xlii. , p. 123. Nor does Colgan sufficiently clear up this matter in
nearly one—-half of the County Down,
Art. vi. 'Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xii.
'See
3 Kdited
Drs. Todd and Reeves,
ibid. ,
cap. xxxv. ,p. 13, and
by 14, 15. —
Art. Vil. p. xii.
pp. Kelly,
*
Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
14, 15.
3 Edited by the Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xii.
* See " The Topographical F^oemsofJohn O'DubhagainandGiollanaNaomhO'Huidh- rin," p. xxvi. Dr. O' Donovan's note, 169.
^
of eight foreign saints, the first Irish name is that of tAigne mAC ^A^vb^i
In the Franciscan copy, after the entry
'Edited by Rev.
Dr.
January 13. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 183
of January. ' This holy man is not distinguished by the epithet, bishop, where we find simply Fuillin, as mentioned in the Martyrology of Donegal,3 on this day.
Article VIII. —St. Baoithin or Baithin, Son of Neamhnann, Abbot.
We find, in the Martyrology of Donegal,' Baoithin, son of Neamhnann, as having been venerated on this day. He is entered, in the Martyrology of Tallagh,' at the 12th of January,^ under the designation of Baithini, mac Nemainn, abbot.
C! )irteetttl) IBaji) cf Sanuajrp*
ARTICLE I. —ST. AILILD I. , ARCHBISHOP OF ARMAGH. [FIFTH AND SIXTH CENTURIES. ^
CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTION—DESCENT AND GENEALOGY OF ST. AILILD I. —HI3 HOLY BROTHERS AND THEIR PLACES.
vigilant pastor of souls, making a slight deduction for the time he
THE
must to rest and is never idle. He
is eitner engaged at prayer, or at study, or in active and elevated employments. The latter works are noted by many ; but God and the saints can only know how much he prays. His vocal prayers may often be required in the per- formance of the public Church liturgy, or ceremonials ; but his mental orisons, or his silent, contemplative lite, plead not less perfectly and power- fully the wants of himself and his flock. Yet, he enjoys more happiness
amid his cares and burdens, than do the sons of darkness in the Babel of
false pleasures and wickedness surrounding them. The good shepherd of souls endeavours to make atonement for the sins of his people.
At the 13th day of January, Colgan has drawn up some accounts regard- ing this holy prelate, from the Acts of St. Patrick, and from other sources, while he has added some comments of his own to solve difficulties which are presented. ' Before St. Patrick's arrival in Ireland, about a. d. 432, a chieftain named Trichem lived in an eastern part of Ulster.
This assertion is capable of proof, from the circumstance of Dichuo, son to this Trichem,
having bestowed on St. Patrick the site for Saul Monastery. Besides this,
it is known that Magbile, Killchlethe, Down, and Neddruni,^ where the sons of this Trichem had their possessions, are all situated in the eastern and maritime parts of Ulster. 3
*
necessarily give refreshment,
In the Franciscan copy this entry reads Art.
— —'
"Acta
^oel^tii fci.
3 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
14, 15,
Art. VIII.
—
'
Edited
Drs. Todd and
accounts of these several in Rev. Dr. places
Reeves' "Ecclesiastical Antiquities of Down, Connor, and Dromore. " Appendix A, pp. 123 to 179; Appendix N, pp. 217 to 219;
Appendix F, pp. 187 to 197.
Reeves, pp. 14, 15.
''Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xii.
3 In the Franciscan copy we find bAicViem
. 1 . moiC nem<in. The succeeding word in
small characters is
3 See
Colgan
s account, n. 2, 62. p.
illegible.
by
Chap.
See
S. Aielli sen Aiiidi, pp. 6i, t)2.
i.
Sanctorum HibernizE," xiii. Januarii. Vita
*
i.
The reader wiii hnd very interesting
Colgan's
1 84 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 13.
Trichem, or as the name is Latinized, Trichemius, was the descendant of a respectable ancestral pagan line ; but he was likewise the parent of childrennolessdistinguishedintheearlyhistoryofourIrishChurch. This chieftain is stated to have been a scion of the noble Dalfiatacian
from which race were derived many kings, not only of the Ultonian pro- vince,5 but even some who had been monarchs over Ireland. ^ St. Ailild was the son of Trichem, son to Fieg, son of Imchad, son to Breassal, son of Sinchad, son to Fiatach, surnamed Finn. 7 We find the holy archbishop, in after time, classed among the disciples of St. Patrick f and if he deserve such a distinction, it must have been at rather a late period of the Apostle's life, and while Ailild himself was very young.
It has been very positively asserted, that our saint was not Trichem's son,9 and Dr. Lanigan considers him to have been a different person from Ailill of Magbile, with whom, it is said, he was confounded. '° The only grounds on which the former opinion seems formed are, that Dichuo, the elder brother of Ailill, must have had a settled family, and have been at least forty years of age in the year 433, when he had been converted by St. Patrick. Hence, as argued, it could not have been probable he had a brother capable of assuming episcopal functions in the year 513. "
Although Trichem had not the happiness of embracing the Christian faith, yet, through God's holy providence, he was the father of a numerous and
saintly offspring. He became the parent of six sons, who were not only distinguished for being among the first fruits of St. Patrick's apostolic labours and preaching, owing to their reception of the baptismal and re- generating sacrament, but, moreover, they acquired a reputation for being enrolledamongtheearlysaintsofIreland'sChurch. Theyarethusnamed, according to the order of their respective births, viz. , Rius," or Rossius, Dichuo, Durthact, Eugenius, Niell, and Alill. '3 In the Life of St. Patrick we are told, that Dichuo was not alone the first of his family, but of his whole nation, who embraced the Christian faith, when our great Apostle's mission commenced. This example was afterwards followed by members of his household. '"^ The elder brother, Rossius, at first resisted the grace of con- version ; and he even sought to interpose every obstacle to the success of St. Patrick's mission. But his obstinacy and infidelity were finally overcome.
*The"
Is cited by Colgan, and it traces the gene- alogy of our saint to Fiatach, King of Ireland, who was the founder of the Dalfia-
tacian family.
5 Thirty-six Christian kings over Ultonia
"Joceline, in his Life of St. Patrick, chap, xxxiv. , calls this sonofTrichemby *Thie2 supreme monarchs of Ireland the name of Rus. See Colgan's "Trias
Menologic Genealogy," cap. xix. ,
the ofSt. Patrick. " See"Eccle* disciples
siastical History of Ireland," vol. i. , chap, ix. , § iii. , p. 440, and n. 37, pp. 441, 442.
" That such an opinion is not sustained by a sufficient amount of evidence will here- after be rendered apparent,
issued in this line, besides ten others in the
timesofpaganism.
sprung from this race.
7 The genealogy of our saint's five bro-
thers follows, as a matter of course, this same order. See Colgan's "Acta Sane- torum Hibemiffi," n. 3, p. 62.
^ See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Quinta Appendix ad»Acta S. Patricii, cap. xxiii. , p. 269.
Thaumaturga," p. 72.
'^ Thus these brothers are called in the
"
Menologic Genealogy," chap. xix. See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hibemise," xiii. Januarii. Vita S. Alelli, cap. i. , ii. , p. 61, and n. 5, p. 62,
'In Joceline's "Life of St. Patrick," chap, xxxii. , it is said regarding this Dichuo, "predicante Patricio, cum omni domo sua in Christum credens baptisatur. " From this account it cannot be pronounced,
adhering more closely to Colgan, makes with any degiee of certainty, that Dichuo Ailild one of the six so-called sons of was a married man, as Dr. Lanigan is Trichem, of whom Dichuo was said to be pleased to assume,
one, and in like manner reckons him among
9 Sir James Ware calls Ailill, the son of Trichem, a prince of East Ulster.
" This learned writer observes, " Harris,
family,*
January 13. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 185
Soon afterwards, having received the sacraments of the Church, he happily departed this life/s The four younger brothers to these converts, already
named, moved by the example of their seniors, and by miracles, manifested at the time of their conversion, were not left without those graces which enabled them to receive the light of Faith. They choose also that better part, by aspiring to the attainment of practices which render faith perfect. They were favoured from above with those Divine inspirations, -which induced them to exercise virtues becoming the saints of Christ. Our martyrologists state that, whilst Dichuo had been venerated at Saul, St. Durthact was honoured at Nendrum, St Eugenius and St. Niell at Kil-cleith, and St. Ailild, at Maghile. *^ This latter place is now known as Moville, situated in the
barony of Ards, county of Down. '7
CHAPTER IL
PECULIARITY OF ST. AILILD'S POSITION IN REFERENCE TO THE RECEPTION OF THE SACRAMENTS—MISREPRESENTATION AND ITS CORRECTION—ST. AILILD SAID TO HAVE BEEN ABBOT OF MAGHBILE, AND ARCHBISHOP OF ARMAGH—HIS DEATH AND COMMEMORATION—CONCLUSION.
St. Ailild, it has been remarked, is thought to have obtained the graces of all the sacraments. ' For, not only did he receive those graces which
are common to all Christians, but, moreover, Holy Orders and Matrimony, which are distinctive ones, usually constituting a line of demarcation existing between clergy and laity. It has even been stated, that after St. AiHld had been married, he became the father of Carbre. This latter in time was parent to the celebrated St. Finnian, Abbot of Magbile. ^
After his wife's death, most probably, Ailild abandoned all secular cares by devoting himself entirely to God's holy service. 3 When speaking about this saint, Harris remarks, that he was a married man at the time of his con- version. In order to account for a married man taking Holy Orders, this writer states, that Colgan tells us, he put away his wife first. * Now Harris
'S See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber- Hi. , n. 39, p. 442. It will be seen, there is
nise," xiii. Januarii. Vita S. Alelli, cap. no probable ground whatever for the latter
iii. , iv. , p. 61.
'*The several places noted were situated
statement. The fact of Archbishop Alild I. , being from Clanbrassil territory would not render it unlikely that at one period of his
within the county of Down, and in chapter
xix. of the " Menologic Genealogy," men- life he might have been the inmate of a
tion is made concerning the six brothers
already named. From such source we learn,
that these six brothers, whether about the
same time, or at different intervals, not
alone embraced the Christian faith, but that
their lives were spent in the places alluded
to, where they probably passed out of this
world in the full odour of sanctity. How- tioned, insomuch, as his being married ever, in his Life of St. Patrick, Joceline while a pagan, is possible ; still the proba- relates, that only three brothers, besides bilities may be, that he received Matrimony Dichuo and Rossius, received baptism from after he had become a Christian,
the Irish Apostle. See Colgan's "Acta ^The "Menologic Genealogy," chap.
Sanctorum Hibemise," xiii. Januarii, nn. 6, 7, p. 62.
'7 Dr. Lanigan states, that Abbot Alild, who resided there, must have been different
from Alild I. , Archbishop of Armagh, who was from Clanbrassil. See "Ecclesiastical
xix. , states that St. Finnian of Maghbile was the son of Carbre, son to Ailill, son of Trichem, son of Fieg, &c. , as already traced. See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hibemise," xiii. Januarii, n. 8, p. 62.
^ Set ibid:, cap. vi. , p. 62.
* Harris adds: "He should rather iri"
History
of Ireland," vol. i. , ix. , § chap,
monastery more distant than even that of
Moville, from his birth-place. It is not even certain that St. Alild I. was bom within that ancient territory, although it is known from positive testimony, he was de- scended from—the family of Clanbrassail.
'
Chap. ii. This statement may be ques-
i36 LIVES OF 7HE IRISH SAINTS.
[January 13.
has shamefully perverted the meaning of Colgan, in reference to this subject. The Irish hagiologist is misrepresented and made to say, that Ailill put away his wife before taking Holy Orders. Now Colgan's statement is, that thewifewasdead,beforehebecameaclergyman. ^ Harristhengoesonto show, that the Irish clergy were not bound to celibacy in those times ; but Dr. Lanigan takes him to task and roundly asserts, that in the whole history of the ancient Irish Church, there is no instance of any bishop having been
exempt from the law of celibacy. ^
In addition to what has been urged with so much force, it may be stated,
in reply to what Harris has advanced, when trying to support his false posi-
tion, that, as in the present instance, it is extremely probable some pries. s of the early Irish Church had been married previous to their ordination. Yet, in this case, either their wives died before they assumed orders, or they had consented to a voluntary separation from their husbands, so that these might enter upon a religious state. To persons thus circumstanced, the canon in question had reference ; and, as at the present time, we are able to furnish many instances for illustration, especially as regard married converts to the Catholic religion, so at a period when St. Patrick commenced his mission in Ireland, it might have been deemed expedient to recruit the clerical ranks from persons who had been previously married, and who felt disposed to comply with established ecclesiastical discipline, before their reception of the higher orders.
From the circumstance of this saint, as named in our Irish Menologies, having been venerated at Magbile, it has been assumed, by Colgan, that he might have been abbot over that place. This grave author, however, would not undertake to assert, whether from having been abbot there, St. Ailild had been assumed to Armagh's archiepiscopal see, or whether having ruled over this latter church, he laid down the honours and responsibiUties of pontifical
dignity, to seek repose in Magbile Monastery. ^
From all evidence adduced by Colgan, we might feel unable to arrive at
any other conclusion, than that Ailild resided tor some time in Maghbile
Monastery, as a simple monk. It is likely enough, that he received Holy Orders, and was afterwards promoted to Armagh see, without having previously or subsequently exercised tne function of an abbot. But so far as the chro-
nology ot his episcopacy is concerned, no abbey of Maghbile was in existence,
until after his death. ^ he was venerated there after been Perhaps having
genuously have owned, that celibacy was secrated," says Dr. Lanigan ; "fori know not at this time enjoined the clergy ; and that in times of confusion certain persons,
that the sixth canon of the synod held by St. Patrick, Auxilius, and Iserninus, a. u. 448,
not consecrated, had, in consequence of
having seized on the church property, got themo>elves called bishops.
Article III. —St. Cummein or Ctjimmine, Son of Dubh, of Drum- Druith. a festival in honour of Cuimmine mac Duibh, of Druim Druith,
of at the 12th of "= The Tallagh,' January.
is in the registered
Ivlartyrology
place to which he belonged has not been identified. The Martyrology of
Donegal3 likewise mentions, as having a festival on this day, Cumme'in, son ofDubh,ofDrum-Druith. ThereisaCuimin,sonofDimaDubh,belonging to the race of Fiachra, son to Eochaidh Muighmhedhoin. Finding a saint of this name interred at Bobbio, in the north of Italy, and not being able to
'° " See
Origines ParochialesScotire," vol. p. 534.
Scott's description of "
Canna's tower, that, steep and gray, Like falcon-nest o'erhangs the bay. Seek not the giddy crag to climb,
To view the turret scathed by time ;
;
Scotland, and Voyage to the Hebrides, To yonder turret gray.
ii. , part i.
" See a very excellent historical description
,
of it in the work already quoted, ibid. , pp. 338 to 340.
" Pennant, who visited it in July, 1772,
gives a very interesting account of Cannay,
its productions, customs, and religion. Then
it was inhabited by two hundred and twenty of the islanders, who souls all of
It is a task of doubt and fear
" Afterwards follows the sad romantic legend
came,
To aught but goat or mountain deer.
four " how with their chieftain families, tell,
whom, except
were Roman Catholics. See " A Tour in In ancient times a foreign dame,
MDCCLXXII. ," pp. 271 to 276.
'3 Coll. de Reb. Alb. , pp. 297, 298.
'* Munro's description of the Western
Isles," Circa a. d. 1640.
'5 The bishop held, however, a third
"Rental of the Bishoprick," Coll. de Reb.
Stern was her lord's suspicious mind, Who in so rude a jail confined
So soft and fair a thrall !
And oft when moon on ocean slept,
That lovely lady sale and wept Upon the castle wall. "
Alb. , pp. 3, 4. "Lord o—f the Isles," canto iv. , § viii.
'* '
Gregory, p. 239.
'7 "Acta Pari. Scot," vol. vii. , p. 403.
'^ See Thomas Pennant's "Tour in
Scotland and Voyage to the Hebrides,
MDCCLXXII. ," p. 274.
''The reader will recollect Sir Walter
Dr.
Art. III. Edited by Rev. Kellv,
p. xii.
= In the Franciscan copy we read CAimine
triAc 'Ouib o 'Oiuiini 'DiauicIi.
3 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
14, 15.
132 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 12.
discover with any certainty his having been different from the present holy man, Colgan has some memoranda regarding him inserted at the 12th of
The name of Cummine first occurs at this date in our Calendars ;
January.
and for no better reason is the Cummine or Cumian of Bobbio here
introduced. *
Article IV. —St. Sinell, Son of Tighernach. The Martyrology of
Donegal' mentions, on this day, Sineall, son of Tighernach, son of Alild, belonging to the race of Eoghan, son to Niall. Again, he is entered simply
A con-
appear that Sinell, the son of Tighernach, was altogether a distinct person.
Article V. —St. Loichein of Iveagh, County of Down. This saint appears to have been venerated in Uibh Eathach, within the barony of Iveagh, sometimes Anglicized Evagh, county of Down. ' To identify the
exact locality, however, or to assign the period, when this holy personage flourished, cannot be done with accuracy. We read in t. e Martyrology of Donegal^ to-day the simple name Loichein. This may be the Lochdn, it is added, of the family of Eochaidh, son to Muiredh, who is of the Heremonian race. In the Martyrology of Tallagh,^ he is simply called Loichen. The sept of Ui-Eathach Cobha* gave name to the baronies of Iveagh. s
Article VI. —St. Laighne or Laigne, Son of Garbain. In the Martyrology of Tallagh,' at the 12th of January,^ there is mention of a St Laigne, son of Garbain. Laighne, son of Garbhdn, is set down in the
Martyrology of Donegal3 on this day.
Article VII. —St. Fuillen or Foelan, Bishop. A festival in honour of Foelan, bishop, is recorded in the Martyrology of Tallagh' on the 12th
in the Martyrology of Tallagh^ on the 12th of January,3 as Sinell,
jectiure has been offered by Colgan, that the present holy man may be the same as Sinell or Senell, Senior, a disciple of St. Patrick. * An alternative guess, however, assigns his possible feast to the 12th of November. ^ But as the disciple of St. Patrick, to whom allusion is made, was the son of Findchath,^ and one of St. Patrick's earliest converts in Leinster, it must
* See " Acta Sanctoram Hiberniae," xii.
his note — 18. 35, p.
'
Art. v. See Rev. William Reeves'
Ecclesiastical Antiquities of Down, Con-
Januarii. Vita S. Cumiani, pp. 58, 59. '
Art. IV. — Edited by Drs. Todd and
"
Reeves, pp. 14, 15.
'Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xii.
3 In the Franciscan copy, at this day, we
have his name united with the saint imme-
diately succeeding, in this form, SinLli ocuf Loichem.
* See "Trias Thaumaturga," Quinta Ap- pendix ad Acta S. Patricii. , cap. xxiii. , p. 265.
nor, and Diomore. " Appendix H. H. pp.
348 to 352, and Calendar LL. p. 376, ibid.
5 The baronies of Upper and Lower 5 St. Sinell of Cleenish, Lough Erne, who Iveagh take in all the western portion, or
was venerated on the 12th ol November, could not have been St. Patrick's disciple.
By a typographical error, not infrequent, the month of September has been substi- luted for November.
" Secunda Vita S. Patricii,"
"
Septima Vita S. Pa- tricii," lib. i. , cap. xlii. , p. 123. Nor does Colgan sufficiently clear up this matter in
nearly one—-half of the County Down,
Art. vi. 'Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xii.
'See
3 Kdited
Drs. Todd and Reeves,
ibid. ,
cap. xxxv. ,p. 13, and
by 14, 15. —
Art. Vil. p. xii.
pp. Kelly,
*
Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
14, 15.
3 Edited by the Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xii.
* See " The Topographical F^oemsofJohn O'DubhagainandGiollanaNaomhO'Huidh- rin," p. xxvi. Dr. O' Donovan's note, 169.
^
of eight foreign saints, the first Irish name is that of tAigne mAC ^A^vb^i
In the Franciscan copy, after the entry
'Edited by Rev.
Dr.
January 13. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 183
of January. ' This holy man is not distinguished by the epithet, bishop, where we find simply Fuillin, as mentioned in the Martyrology of Donegal,3 on this day.
Article VIII. —St. Baoithin or Baithin, Son of Neamhnann, Abbot.
We find, in the Martyrology of Donegal,' Baoithin, son of Neamhnann, as having been venerated on this day. He is entered, in the Martyrology of Tallagh,' at the 12th of January,^ under the designation of Baithini, mac Nemainn, abbot.
C! )irteetttl) IBaji) cf Sanuajrp*
ARTICLE I. —ST. AILILD I. , ARCHBISHOP OF ARMAGH. [FIFTH AND SIXTH CENTURIES. ^
CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTION—DESCENT AND GENEALOGY OF ST. AILILD I. —HI3 HOLY BROTHERS AND THEIR PLACES.
vigilant pastor of souls, making a slight deduction for the time he
THE
must to rest and is never idle. He
is eitner engaged at prayer, or at study, or in active and elevated employments. The latter works are noted by many ; but God and the saints can only know how much he prays. His vocal prayers may often be required in the per- formance of the public Church liturgy, or ceremonials ; but his mental orisons, or his silent, contemplative lite, plead not less perfectly and power- fully the wants of himself and his flock. Yet, he enjoys more happiness
amid his cares and burdens, than do the sons of darkness in the Babel of
false pleasures and wickedness surrounding them. The good shepherd of souls endeavours to make atonement for the sins of his people.
At the 13th day of January, Colgan has drawn up some accounts regard- ing this holy prelate, from the Acts of St. Patrick, and from other sources, while he has added some comments of his own to solve difficulties which are presented. ' Before St. Patrick's arrival in Ireland, about a. d. 432, a chieftain named Trichem lived in an eastern part of Ulster.
This assertion is capable of proof, from the circumstance of Dichuo, son to this Trichem,
having bestowed on St. Patrick the site for Saul Monastery. Besides this,
it is known that Magbile, Killchlethe, Down, and Neddruni,^ where the sons of this Trichem had their possessions, are all situated in the eastern and maritime parts of Ulster. 3
*
necessarily give refreshment,
In the Franciscan copy this entry reads Art.
— —'
"Acta
^oel^tii fci.
3 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
14, 15,
Art. VIII.
—
'
Edited
Drs. Todd and
accounts of these several in Rev. Dr. places
Reeves' "Ecclesiastical Antiquities of Down, Connor, and Dromore. " Appendix A, pp. 123 to 179; Appendix N, pp. 217 to 219;
Appendix F, pp. 187 to 197.
Reeves, pp. 14, 15.
''Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xii.
3 In the Franciscan copy we find bAicViem
. 1 . moiC nem<in. The succeeding word in
small characters is
3 See
Colgan
s account, n. 2, 62. p.
illegible.
by
Chap.
See
S. Aielli sen Aiiidi, pp. 6i, t)2.
i.
Sanctorum HibernizE," xiii. Januarii. Vita
*
i.
The reader wiii hnd very interesting
Colgan's
1 84 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 13.
Trichem, or as the name is Latinized, Trichemius, was the descendant of a respectable ancestral pagan line ; but he was likewise the parent of childrennolessdistinguishedintheearlyhistoryofourIrishChurch. This chieftain is stated to have been a scion of the noble Dalfiatacian
from which race were derived many kings, not only of the Ultonian pro- vince,5 but even some who had been monarchs over Ireland. ^ St. Ailild was the son of Trichem, son to Fieg, son of Imchad, son to Breassal, son of Sinchad, son to Fiatach, surnamed Finn. 7 We find the holy archbishop, in after time, classed among the disciples of St. Patrick f and if he deserve such a distinction, it must have been at rather a late period of the Apostle's life, and while Ailild himself was very young.
It has been very positively asserted, that our saint was not Trichem's son,9 and Dr. Lanigan considers him to have been a different person from Ailill of Magbile, with whom, it is said, he was confounded. '° The only grounds on which the former opinion seems formed are, that Dichuo, the elder brother of Ailill, must have had a settled family, and have been at least forty years of age in the year 433, when he had been converted by St. Patrick. Hence, as argued, it could not have been probable he had a brother capable of assuming episcopal functions in the year 513. "
Although Trichem had not the happiness of embracing the Christian faith, yet, through God's holy providence, he was the father of a numerous and
saintly offspring. He became the parent of six sons, who were not only distinguished for being among the first fruits of St. Patrick's apostolic labours and preaching, owing to their reception of the baptismal and re- generating sacrament, but, moreover, they acquired a reputation for being enrolledamongtheearlysaintsofIreland'sChurch. Theyarethusnamed, according to the order of their respective births, viz. , Rius," or Rossius, Dichuo, Durthact, Eugenius, Niell, and Alill. '3 In the Life of St. Patrick we are told, that Dichuo was not alone the first of his family, but of his whole nation, who embraced the Christian faith, when our great Apostle's mission commenced. This example was afterwards followed by members of his household. '"^ The elder brother, Rossius, at first resisted the grace of con- version ; and he even sought to interpose every obstacle to the success of St. Patrick's mission. But his obstinacy and infidelity were finally overcome.
*The"
Is cited by Colgan, and it traces the gene- alogy of our saint to Fiatach, King of Ireland, who was the founder of the Dalfia-
tacian family.
5 Thirty-six Christian kings over Ultonia
"Joceline, in his Life of St. Patrick, chap, xxxiv. , calls this sonofTrichemby *Thie2 supreme monarchs of Ireland the name of Rus. See Colgan's "Trias
Menologic Genealogy," cap. xix. ,
the ofSt. Patrick. " See"Eccle* disciples
siastical History of Ireland," vol. i. , chap, ix. , § iii. , p. 440, and n. 37, pp. 441, 442.
" That such an opinion is not sustained by a sufficient amount of evidence will here- after be rendered apparent,
issued in this line, besides ten others in the
timesofpaganism.
sprung from this race.
7 The genealogy of our saint's five bro-
thers follows, as a matter of course, this same order. See Colgan's "Acta Sane- torum Hibemiffi," n. 3, p. 62.
^ See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Quinta Appendix ad»Acta S. Patricii, cap. xxiii. , p. 269.
Thaumaturga," p. 72.
'^ Thus these brothers are called in the
"
Menologic Genealogy," chap. xix. See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hibemise," xiii. Januarii. Vita S. Alelli, cap. i. , ii. , p. 61, and n. 5, p. 62,
'In Joceline's "Life of St. Patrick," chap, xxxii. , it is said regarding this Dichuo, "predicante Patricio, cum omni domo sua in Christum credens baptisatur. " From this account it cannot be pronounced,
adhering more closely to Colgan, makes with any degiee of certainty, that Dichuo Ailild one of the six so-called sons of was a married man, as Dr. Lanigan is Trichem, of whom Dichuo was said to be pleased to assume,
one, and in like manner reckons him among
9 Sir James Ware calls Ailill, the son of Trichem, a prince of East Ulster.
" This learned writer observes, " Harris,
family,*
January 13. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 185
Soon afterwards, having received the sacraments of the Church, he happily departed this life/s The four younger brothers to these converts, already
named, moved by the example of their seniors, and by miracles, manifested at the time of their conversion, were not left without those graces which enabled them to receive the light of Faith. They choose also that better part, by aspiring to the attainment of practices which render faith perfect. They were favoured from above with those Divine inspirations, -which induced them to exercise virtues becoming the saints of Christ. Our martyrologists state that, whilst Dichuo had been venerated at Saul, St. Durthact was honoured at Nendrum, St Eugenius and St. Niell at Kil-cleith, and St. Ailild, at Maghile. *^ This latter place is now known as Moville, situated in the
barony of Ards, county of Down. '7
CHAPTER IL
PECULIARITY OF ST. AILILD'S POSITION IN REFERENCE TO THE RECEPTION OF THE SACRAMENTS—MISREPRESENTATION AND ITS CORRECTION—ST. AILILD SAID TO HAVE BEEN ABBOT OF MAGHBILE, AND ARCHBISHOP OF ARMAGH—HIS DEATH AND COMMEMORATION—CONCLUSION.
St. Ailild, it has been remarked, is thought to have obtained the graces of all the sacraments. ' For, not only did he receive those graces which
are common to all Christians, but, moreover, Holy Orders and Matrimony, which are distinctive ones, usually constituting a line of demarcation existing between clergy and laity. It has even been stated, that after St. AiHld had been married, he became the father of Carbre. This latter in time was parent to the celebrated St. Finnian, Abbot of Magbile. ^
After his wife's death, most probably, Ailild abandoned all secular cares by devoting himself entirely to God's holy service. 3 When speaking about this saint, Harris remarks, that he was a married man at the time of his con- version. In order to account for a married man taking Holy Orders, this writer states, that Colgan tells us, he put away his wife first. * Now Harris
'S See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber- Hi. , n. 39, p. 442. It will be seen, there is
nise," xiii. Januarii. Vita S. Alelli, cap. no probable ground whatever for the latter
iii. , iv. , p. 61.
'*The several places noted were situated
statement. The fact of Archbishop Alild I. , being from Clanbrassil territory would not render it unlikely that at one period of his
within the county of Down, and in chapter
xix. of the " Menologic Genealogy," men- life he might have been the inmate of a
tion is made concerning the six brothers
already named. From such source we learn,
that these six brothers, whether about the
same time, or at different intervals, not
alone embraced the Christian faith, but that
their lives were spent in the places alluded
to, where they probably passed out of this
world in the full odour of sanctity. How- tioned, insomuch, as his being married ever, in his Life of St. Patrick, Joceline while a pagan, is possible ; still the proba- relates, that only three brothers, besides bilities may be, that he received Matrimony Dichuo and Rossius, received baptism from after he had become a Christian,
the Irish Apostle. See Colgan's "Acta ^The "Menologic Genealogy," chap.
Sanctorum Hibemise," xiii. Januarii, nn. 6, 7, p. 62.
'7 Dr. Lanigan states, that Abbot Alild, who resided there, must have been different
from Alild I. , Archbishop of Armagh, who was from Clanbrassil. See "Ecclesiastical
xix. , states that St. Finnian of Maghbile was the son of Carbre, son to Ailill, son of Trichem, son of Fieg, &c. , as already traced. See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hibemise," xiii. Januarii, n. 8, p. 62.
^ Set ibid:, cap. vi. , p. 62.
* Harris adds: "He should rather iri"
History
of Ireland," vol. i. , ix. , § chap,
monastery more distant than even that of
Moville, from his birth-place. It is not even certain that St. Alild I. was bom within that ancient territory, although it is known from positive testimony, he was de- scended from—the family of Clanbrassail.
'
Chap. ii. This statement may be ques-
i36 LIVES OF 7HE IRISH SAINTS.
[January 13.
has shamefully perverted the meaning of Colgan, in reference to this subject. The Irish hagiologist is misrepresented and made to say, that Ailill put away his wife before taking Holy Orders. Now Colgan's statement is, that thewifewasdead,beforehebecameaclergyman. ^ Harristhengoesonto show, that the Irish clergy were not bound to celibacy in those times ; but Dr. Lanigan takes him to task and roundly asserts, that in the whole history of the ancient Irish Church, there is no instance of any bishop having been
exempt from the law of celibacy. ^
In addition to what has been urged with so much force, it may be stated,
in reply to what Harris has advanced, when trying to support his false posi-
tion, that, as in the present instance, it is extremely probable some pries. s of the early Irish Church had been married previous to their ordination. Yet, in this case, either their wives died before they assumed orders, or they had consented to a voluntary separation from their husbands, so that these might enter upon a religious state. To persons thus circumstanced, the canon in question had reference ; and, as at the present time, we are able to furnish many instances for illustration, especially as regard married converts to the Catholic religion, so at a period when St. Patrick commenced his mission in Ireland, it might have been deemed expedient to recruit the clerical ranks from persons who had been previously married, and who felt disposed to comply with established ecclesiastical discipline, before their reception of the higher orders.
From the circumstance of this saint, as named in our Irish Menologies, having been venerated at Magbile, it has been assumed, by Colgan, that he might have been abbot over that place. This grave author, however, would not undertake to assert, whether from having been abbot there, St. Ailild had been assumed to Armagh's archiepiscopal see, or whether having ruled over this latter church, he laid down the honours and responsibiUties of pontifical
dignity, to seek repose in Magbile Monastery. ^
From all evidence adduced by Colgan, we might feel unable to arrive at
any other conclusion, than that Ailild resided tor some time in Maghbile
Monastery, as a simple monk. It is likely enough, that he received Holy Orders, and was afterwards promoted to Armagh see, without having previously or subsequently exercised tne function of an abbot. But so far as the chro-
nology ot his episcopacy is concerned, no abbey of Maghbile was in existence,
until after his death. ^ he was venerated there after been Perhaps having
genuously have owned, that celibacy was secrated," says Dr. Lanigan ; "fori know not at this time enjoined the clergy ; and that in times of confusion certain persons,
that the sixth canon of the synod held by St. Patrick, Auxilius, and Iserninus, a. u. 448,
not consecrated, had, in consequence of
having seized on the church property, got themo>elves called bishops.
