Ruadanus ad- ventum magistri cum suis vocavit ministrum atque ut
prandium
hospitibus praspararet eidem imperavit.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v4
The Angel of the Lord came to our saint,
and told him, that Kualain's wife should be restored through him, as the phy-
sicians knew not the nature of her complaint. '* Our saint appeared to the
Queen, in a nocturnal vision, and he was surrounded with great light. Then,
"
; for, I shall send to you a youth, clothed in a particular habit, on an appointed day. He shall heal you from this infirmity. Leave, therefore, those physicians, who cannot heal you. " Saying these words, our saint disappeared. On another day, St.
he said to her,
Fear not, you must be restored to health
'This may serve to throw some light on the purposes, for which so many Irish earth- caves were constructed.
'See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , Ap- rilis XV. Vita S. Rodani, cap. i. , sect. 3, p.
383. ^
Probably Daria, or Dora, an Irish femi- nine name.
' This country was called Tir-olella. The place Senchue, or Senchua, as also the ter- ritory, in which it was situated, lay beyond the Shannon, in relation to the ancient ter- ritories of Meath. See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga. " Vita Tripartita S. Patricii, lib. ii. , cap. xxxv. , p. 134.
'° The Latin word in the text, for this ren- dering, is "a bocceto," which Papebroke derives from two Greek words. See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , Aprilis xv. , n. (l),
cap. i. , p. 384.
" See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , Ap-
rilis xv. Vita S. Kodani, cap. i. , sect. 4, p.
383.
"In Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga,"
Vita Tripartita S. Patricii, lib. iii. , n. 63,
a midland territory of Munster, near to Limerick, and
eastwards from it. "3Thewordsinthetextare, "infinibus
Legensium. " To these words, Papebroke has appended this comment : "An Lagenien- slum, Ita arbitramur. " See "Acta Sancto- ram," tomus ii. , Aprilis xv. De S. Rodano, &c. , cap. i. , sect. S, p. 383, and n. (n), p. 384.
"The text adds: " habet enim in uteto cruentum partum. "
Aracliach is said to have been
April 15. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. iSS
Ruadan called the young man, whose hands he had blessed, and he then said : « Go to Kualain's Queen, and heal her. " Taking his brazen vessel, wliich was filled with water, Ruadan blessed it. Following certain instructions, this young man departed, and he executed the orders of our saint. 's Soon the Queen's health was restored. According to the desire of our saint, this young physician would receive no other fee for his services, except linen, belonging to Kin'' Kualain. For a length of time, and to commemorate such a mira- cle, this linen was suspended over the altar, at Lothra. '*
We are told, that on another occasion, a ship belonging to Brandan was submerged in the depths of a sea, called Livemnech,"' whilst a son of the King of Britain '* chanced to be sleeping, in the prow of his vessel. Where-
He even
The number of St. Ruadan's religious is said to have been thrice fifty men. " BythebountyofGod,thesewerefurnishedwithamiraculouskind of food, procured for them, without further labour on their part, but such as proceeded from their prayers and fastings. '3 In the place where they dwelt grew a linden tree,'* which distilled a certain luscious sap,'' into a vessel,
5 The text has it :
"
ter viri. "
adds, way of by
'' said to his own " Go to Rodan for to him hath people : :
upon, Brandan
the Lord granted the elevation of our ship, from the deep, and the resuscita- tion of the King's son, who has been drowned in it. " The messengers went to St. Rodan. He then proceeded with them, and he prayed at the place,-" where that vessel had been lost Immediately, the ship arose from the deep,
and bearing the king's son, who was alive and safe within it.
appeared as if he were sleeping. The prince then said, that during the time he was beneath the water, St. Rodan had placed a hood around his head, so as to save him from suffocation. "
dedit
ilUque bibens 5tatim genuit cruentum pat-
tum et mortuum, quem in utero habebat. " " See "Acta Saiictonim," tomus ii. , Ap- rilU XT. Viu S. Rodani, cap. i. , sect. 5, 6,
P- 383-
"' Papebroke obsenres, in a note, that pro-
faabljr we should read Lumnech ; and, that below this city, the Shannon opens into a great estuary. It \% now known as Limerick, aciiy formerly of great importance, as it is at the present time. See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , ApriiisxT. , n. (o), p. 384.
'•
in a note, the circum- stancehererelatedneednotseemsurprising; for, at that time, Ireland was the school of religion and of letters, not only for the neighbouring Britons, but even for more re-
mote nations. See iMd. , n. (r).
« On this passage, Papebroch remarks, that St. Brandan, who was far removed from the place, must be supposed to have known of it, through some iaspiration, as Clonfert, he thoujjht, was a journey of four or even more days, from that estuary alluded to ; while, the habitation uf St. Rodan was much nearer, and therefore, St. Brendan preferred sending his disciples to Lorrha. See Hid. , n.
(q).
"» Probably, Lough Derg, on the Shannon, and not far distant from Ix>rrha, is meant.
Papebroch
Papebroke says,
furnish us with the following legend:
one time, there were four score Friars, four
"See" Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , Ap- 385-
rilis XV. Vita S.
P- 383-
sect.
"5 We ask, if this were a 7, may
Rodani, cap. L,
maple-tree, like to that, from which sugar-sap is known todistil,intheAmericanwoods? Itmaybe,
"Thewordsinthetext "
are, quinqua-
potum Reginae
:
ginta
comment: " Id est centum quinquaginta :
nisi quio putat pro ter legendum ires ; qui
sane esset exigiius numerus, respectu mul- tituilinis discipulurum aliis Sanctis passim adhxrentium. —"Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , Aprilis xv. Vita S. Rodani, cap. ii. , n. (a), p. 385. In a letter received from Mi». Anne Russell, a lady residing in the Catholic parishes of Lorha and Durrow, and which is dated Lackeen, May 6th, 1854, the writer is informed, that the traditions of this place
— scoregreyhorses,andfourscorenuns all
Marys—in those Abbeys and
Monasteries. " Allusion is made to the ruins yet existing at
Lorrah.
by praising the Lord of the elements.
» " " in the This tree is called arbor Tilia,
Life of St. Finiiian, published by Colgan, at
the 23rd of February. Papebroke observes, that he would wish nothing of a more incre- dible character were tobe found, in the Lives
"
Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , Aprilis xv. , cap. ii. , n. (b), p,
»3 the This, too, is stated by
O'Clerys There were one hundred and fifty persons in this congr^ation, and they used to obtain sufficiency always, without human labour to sustain them, by continually praying to and
of Irish §aints. See
"
At
:
iS6
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[April 15.
placed beneath it. With this miraculous liquor, the monks and the guests of the monastery were regaled, and it had the taste of wine. Each of those, who
partook of it, tilled a cup with the liquor. They fed upon herbs, also, and they lived in a very simple manner. ^* But, the chief saints of Ireland, it is
related, felt jealous regarding such miracles. They murmured against Ruadan,
because their monks and alumni left them, and went to him.
with these complaints, they visited St. Finnian, Bishop of Clonard. He accompanied them to Ruadan, to entreat his abandonment of this idle style of living, lest he should furnish occasion for envy and murmuring to other saints. When St. Finnian entered the city of Ruadan, and when he
saw the tree already mentioned, elevating his hand, he blessed it.
Imme-
diately the sap ceased to flow, so that, on the night succeeding, the liquor sufficed only for sustenance of the monastic family, and not for its guests. '''
Thereupon, the cook, with the guests, preferred a complaint to St. Ruadan.
"
The latter said,
Pour out spring water for our guests, and it shall be changed
intowineforthem. " Whenthecookwenttodrawwaterfromthefountain,
suddenly a fish of wonderful size issued through the rocky bottom of the well.
At that time, when the Acts of our saint were written, we are informed, that
the imprint or shape of this water-occupant might be seen, in the place indi-
cated. This fish was set before the guests, and also the water, which had beenturnedintowine. Theyfeltinebriated,bythislatterbeverage,andfell
into a sleep. Then, the Irish saints besought Ruadan, that he would place his monks on the same standing, with tlieir own religious brethren. He hum- bly complied with their desires. St. Finnian then said to Ruadan, and to his monks, " Do you plough and reap your fields. These shall produce fruitful crops forever, without further culture or manure. " Afterwards, St. Finnian
blessed
St^
Ruadan, his house and lands, and then retired in ^^ It is peace.
that our Irish soil and climate have under- gone changes, in a long lapse of ages, to ac- count for such a vegetable product.
°' The words in the text are "oleraque similiter comedebant. " These words seem to me as implying, that the herbs were pro- vided, also, through a miracle,
deraret, verteretur. De hoc liquore plenum vas in hora pra:dicta inveniebatiir, de quo omnes fratres sufficientur in I'randio pasce- bantur. Ab hoia vero nona usque ad horam occasus solis vasis dimidietas de
li- quore inveniebatur, de quo hospites satie- bantur. Audita vero hujus miraculi fama, ''^ In a note, at this passage, Papebroch multi sanctorum venerunt ad S. Finnianum,
:
" Eam scilicet portionem, quae ab
rogantes ut cum eis ad cellam S. Ruadani
observes
hora 9 usque ad solis occasum fluens (quera-
admocium in Vita praedicta dicitur) medieta-
tem implebat suppositi vasis, ad usuni hospi-
tum ante nocteni supervenientium. "—"Acta descendens pervennit cum eis usque ad
Sanctorum," tomus ii. , Aprilis xv. Vita S. Rodani, cap. ii. , n. (c), p. 385.
'* See " Acta Sanctorum," lomusii. , Ap- rilis XV. Vita S. Ruadani, cap. ii. , sect. 8, 9, p. 384. The n. irrative, already yiven from the Bollandists, is somewhat differently lie- scribed, in the Life of St. Finnian, as pub- lished by Colgan, at the 23rd of February.
" Postquam vero discipuli S. Finniani prajter Senachum ad loca eis a Spiritu snncto reve- lata transissent, S. Ruadanus locum suae re- surrectionis apud Lothra elegit, atque in- habitavit. Huic enim Ruadano dedit Dens
gratiam specialem, ut arbor qua:dam tylia nomine quae in cella sua erat, ab hora occa-
sus solis usque ad horam nonam alterius diei,
stillabat liquorem, qui saporem quemdam ad fontem et imple ibi usque ad summum. privatum habebat, sicut de manna legitur, Quod cum fecisset, impleus scilicet hydriam quod in omnem saporem, quern homo desi- illam aqua, statim liquor ille mutatur in sa-
sui discipuli dignaretur venire, atque, ut communem vitam cum aliis haberet exhorta- retur persuasionibus eorum S. Finianus cen-
locum ubi Ruadanus Deo serviebat. Appro- pinquantes vero ad portam vdlas de Lothra
aiunt discipuli ad magistrum. Proecede nos homo Dei ad arborem quae dat liquorem mi- rabilam et signa eam in virtute Crucis Christi. Acquiescens magister discipulorum rogatui accessit ad arborem, et consignavit eam si<:no Crucis ; et post nonam horam cessavit effliiere. Audiens vero S.
Ruadanus ad- ventum magistri cum suis vocavit ministrum atque ut prandium hospitibus praspararet eidem imperavit. Pergens vero minister ad arborem, invenit vas, quod sub arbore erat, penitus vacuum, rediens vero ad Ruadanum minister, quod viderat, nunciavit. Respon-
dens vero homo Dei ait ei ; Porta vas, fili,
Wherefore,
praslato
April 15. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 157
probable, that this narrative had its origin in the fact, that the Rule, which St. Ruadan established for himself and for his community, was very austere; and, because his monks took very little concern, regarding their means ot subsistence, as they gave themselves wholly to Divine contemplation, relying on the goodness of Providence, for the supply of their temporal wants. ^9 So that, he who fed the birds of the air, and arrayed the lilies of the field, and who told his disciples, to take no heed of what they should eat or drink, or wherewith they should be clothed ; he provided, in like manner, for the necessities of this holy community, who first sought the kingdom of God and
and his justice.
CHAPTER III
THEACCESSIONOFKINODIARMAIDI. TOTHEIRISHTHRO. VE—AEDHGUAIREKILLS HIS HERALD, AND SKEKS REFUGE WITH SAINTS SENACH AND RUADHAN—KING DIARMAID VISITS THE LATTER TO DEMAND THE SURRENDtR OF AEDH GUAIRE— THIS CHIEFTAIN IS BROUGHT A PRISONER TO TARA—ST. RUADHAN AND HIS^CLERICS PKOCEED THERE TO OBTAIN HIS RELEASE.
After the death of Tuathal Maelgarbh, Monarch of Ireland, who was slain
porem liquoris, qui de arbore stillabat. In- super et piscem magnitudinis mir% in fonts
nos ad grunnam vicinam, haec eadem potent faceie, sicut fecit in arbore» vel in aqvia. Igi- tur S. Finnianus et omnes qui cum tio erant, rogaverunt unanimiter S. Kuad. mum ut similem cum aliis vivendi modum h. iberat.
Discipulus vero monitis paternis atque disci- pulorum ol)temperans, hactenus commune tenuit vivendi modum. Magister vero con- delectans humiiitati sancti discipuli, gratula- bundus ait ; agii tui ubei tate pleni jint atque fructus uberrimos habeant, et fimo ad
place, that the linden tree, the sap of which is njtfurally bitter, should have distilled a
recepit, atque ad virum Dei pottat : Et jus-
sit miniitro, ut hxc dona coram S. Finniano
apponeret. Videns vero S. tiiinianus quse
gesta sunt : consignavit liquorem, et in na-
turam aqux mutatur : Et ait homo Dei ; cur
hie liquor falsi nominis datus est mihi ? Et performance of miracles, at one time in videntes discipuli sancti Kinnlani ea. quae favour of this, at another time in favour of a gesta ! >unt ; dicerunt ad suum magistrum, different saint, each having contrary inten- Veni ante nos ad fontem et consigna ilium tions. But, these objections can Ijear no sicut fccisti in arbore. Et re<^poiulens eis weight with a pious believer. Yet, as God Finnianus ait ; Fratres mei, nolite contris- sustained . '-t. ^gidius with the milk of a tare hunc sanctum viram, quia si exierit ante
, impinguendum non egeant, usque in scm- miracles, through his ineffable bounty, by
intuition of his servants' merits, should not also deign to feed with whatever kind of ali- ment he pleased, St. Ruadan and his holy disciples ? These, despising every human
Hibernise," xxiii. Februari. Vita ti. Fin- care and prevision, wholly committed them-
pitemum : Et si quis de industria fimum aut stercora adduxerit super hanc partem agri, haecparsnon generabit nisi olera t. intum, et
—"
paucas spicas. " Colgan's Acta Sanctorum
niani, cap. xxiv. , pp. 395, 396.
">
Colgan has a note, at the Life of St. Finnian, in which, after a relation given in the text, regarding the foregoing miraculous occurrences, he says, there are two incidents worthy of observation respecting that ac- count, even although a rigid censor, or an unbeliever, miglit consider these matters undeserving serious attention. In the first
selves to the protection of Divine Providence. Nor, are those miracles supposed to have been wrought without necessity, as the fol- lowing con iderations should suffice to show. Through the indulgent grace of our Saviour, the Lord might have desired to give his approbation, by means of miracles, to that extraordinary abstraction of mind from all ter- rene things, and to that perfect confidence
strange liquor of an agreeable and sweet kintl. In ihe second place, it m ght be con-
sidered, th. it God's great and incredible in- dulgence rather indicated ostentation than necessity or utility, by contribdting to the
deer, St. Albeuswith the milk of a wolf, St. Macharius with tlie milk of a buffalo ; as the same God fed St. Patrick during six weeks, St. Eroncs during three entire months, St. Conon during thirty years for whole weeks, St. Simon the Stylite during 28 years for entire Lents, without their partaking of food or drink ; as he converted the rocks into fountains of water, the waters themselves into wine, and the very stones into bread for these saints ; is it to be doubted, that the Almighty, who wrought these and greater
iS8 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[April 15.
atGreallach-Eillte,'intheyearofChrist544;= Diarmaid,3sontoFearghus Ceirrblieoil, who had been in exile, claimed his right to succeed him, on the throne/ King Diarmaid, or Dermod I. , established peace throughout all Ireland. About that period, the prefect s of King Dermot, and his herald,* whose name is said to have been Bacc-Lomm,? or Mac-Lomm, went towards the territory of Connaught,^ and into the country of the Mani race. 9 But, instigated by the Devil, that herald entered into a fortress, belonging to a chief named Odo Guori,'° and having a spear placed across his mouth, so that thusthecastlegatesmightbeopenedforhim. " Then,Odo-Guori,destroy, ing his castle, afterwards killed the herald. Through fear of King Dermod, Odo fled to Bishop Senach, in the territory of Muscraige," where he appears to have lived. We are informed, that the mother of Odo-Guori, and the mother of Bishop Senach,'3 were two sisters. But, Bishop Senach brought Odo to St. Ruadan for protection ; for, it so happened, that the two sisters of Ruadan, named Kyell and Ruadanis, had fostered Senach himself. After- wards, it seems, that Odo-Guori, liad been brought into Britain, by St. Rua- dain. Yet, Dermod sent a message into Britain, which prevented Odo from dwelling there, and he was again sent back to St. Ruadan. Then, he dwelt at a place, called Poll-Ruodan,'* in Ireland. It would appear, that the fugi-
in God's Providence, which distinguished St.
Ruadan and his disciples, and to tliat discre-
tion and prudence of St. Rnnian and of his
companions, who desired to cliange St.
Ruadan and his monks from their singular
mode of living, to tlie common manner of oeigionac ma CeatfipAc, or The Last life, practised by other saints. See ibid. , n. Monarch of Tara, the present episode is in- 28, p. 399. geniously introduced, and our St. Ruadhan
Chapter hi. —' It is 'rendered, " The is one of the leading characters. See espe- miry place of the Does. " According to the cially Part iv. , chap, ii. , iii. , iv. , pp. 20410
Book of Lecan, it was at the foot of Sliabh- Gamh. Another opinion has it, as Greallach- Daphill, on the River Liffey, and in the County of Kildare.
°
Such is the Chronology of Tighenach, and, it is the correct date, according to Dr. O'Donovan ; although, the Annals of the Four Masters, place it, at a. d. 538, the An- nals of Ulster, at A. D. 543, while the Annals of Clonmacnoise have it so late as A. D. 547, and the Codex at a. d. See
287.
' This ancient territory was known as Hy
Many, and it was commonly called O'Kelly's country. An account of this ancient territory,
including parts ofGalway and of Roscommon counties, has been published from the Book
of Lecin, by the Irish Archaelogical Society. See O'Donovan's " Tribes and Customs of
Hy-Many. " An ancient Map of it is pre- fixed, to this work.
Clarendon, 548. "
generally named -deo JUAipe, or
Dr. O'Donovan's AnnalsoftheFourMas- ters," vol. i. , pp. 180 to 182, and n. (z).
"
This passage is rather obscurely ex- pressed, in Latin ; but, from the context, it should appear, this action of the herald was one of bravado, and construed into an insult, or defiance, by Odo-Guori.
"This was probably the most northern division, bearing the name, and that one, in which Lorrha was situated.
'3 The IJoUandist editor remarks, that among many bishops, bearing the name of Senach, and whom Colgan enumerates, in his anno- tations to the Tripartite Life of St. Patrick, Lib. ii. , n. 118, there is not one of them, about these times, who can be supposed to have flourished in Muskerry, or in any part ofMunster. See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus
3TheActsof St. Ruadhancall him " filius Kerbuil," and Mac Kerval is also applied to distinguisli him from another King Diar- maid, the second, bearing this name, and who was the son of Sane.
*
According to a Catalogue of the Trish Kings, published by Ussher, he reigned, from A. D. 544 tO' 565; although the Four Mas- ters make his rule last, from A. u. 539 to 558.
It is generally stated, that he was twenty years in the sovereignty of Ireland.
S"Praefectus Regis Dermitii," is in the Life.
'"
Et praeco ejus nomine Bacc-Lomm," &c. See ibid.
' The Holland ist editor
says,
in a
note,
that
n.
" This place, rendered into English Ruad-
han's Pit, has not been identified, but, pro- bably, it was in or near Lorrha.
the name is thus written in the Manuscript
used by him, although he thinks, considering
the Irish mode of writing names, it should be
written Mac-lomm. See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus 'ii. , XV. Aprilis. Vita S. Rodani, cap. ii. , n. (e), p. 385.
'In a historical romance, lately pub- lished, by Eblana, and intituled A\m ni§
'° More
Hugh Guaire, in Irish tradition.
ii. , Aprilis XV. , cap. ii. ,
(g), p. 385.
'
Ruadan had spoken to him. Again, he re-entered the cell, where he saw a light in the hand of a servant, who was in the act of visiting Odo. '? Then,
King Dermod sent a man, named Donnan, that he might dig the earth, to discoverOdo. Andwhenthatmanraisedhishandwiththespade,imme- diatelyhishandbecamewitheredandimmovable. Boththisman,andhe, whohadbeendeprivedofsight,remainedwithRuadan. Afterwards,they were reverenced as saints, belonging to PoU-Ruodan monastery. Thither, we are told, Dermod himself came to uke Odo from the earth ; but, St. Rua- dan sounded his bell. Thereupon, Odo was brought forth, and the king conducted his captive to the city of Temrach, or Temoria. '* At the same time, St. Ruadan, with his people, set out with the king, that the life of his prisoner might be saved. When St. Ruadan approached Temoria city, hav- ing rung the bells, he sang psalms with his people. But, on the first night, the king was found obdurate, and he would not listen to any prayer for mercy. However, on that same night, and during the same hour, twelve sons, be- longing to the princes '9 of Temrach, died, so that great mourning filled the regal halls. Then, twelve different princes said to Diermit, "This holy cleric hath killed our sons. " On the following day, their fosterers went to St. Rua- dan. With tears and lamentations, they entreated of him, that the chieftains' sons might be restored to life. Whereupon, St. Ruadan offered his prayers, and immediately the boys were resuscitated. Another night,
King Dermod saw in a dream, a large tree extending towards Heaven, and thrice fifty men, with axes, were cutting at its trunk. A great sound, as of a tree falling, awoke the terrified king from his dream ; and immediately, the notes of the choir, singing psalms in concert, filled his ears. '°
After the foregoing narrative, we' have the following account, so incredible in many of its circumstances, that it may fairly be treated as an idle legend. We are told, that the king went forth to St. Ruadan, to whom he spoke as
April 15. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 159
live had been kept concealed, underground, at this place. On hearing of it, KingDermodcametoSt. Ruadan,thendwellinginPoll-Ruadanj's and,the monarch sent his charioteer into the cell, that Odo should be brought out to him, at die door. But, when his charioteer entered the cell, immediately he became blind. Then, the king himself entered that cell, and he asked St. Ruadan regarding the place of Odo's concealment. Knowing that Ruadan would not tell a falsehood, Dermod received from our saint this answer, as
inLatin "Nescioiliumnisisubsedesuaconstet. "'«Theking,going :
given
out from the cell, and when far from its doors, recollected those words, which
'5 The Eighth Volume of the O'Longan
Manuscripts, preserved in the Royal Irish Academy, contains some pieces, on the Con- test between . St. Ruadhan of Lothra and Dermod, the Monarch of Erinn. See pp.
105 to III.
"The Rev. S. Baring-Gould renders it:
"Unless he is under your chair, I cannot
Sanctorum," tomus ii. , Aprilis xv. Vita S-
Ruadani, n. (h), p. 385.
"' Better known as Tara. It was the seat
of the Meath Kings, who by excellence were called Kings of Ireland, until after the death of Diermit. Meath was formed into a
tell. " See
"
Lives of the Saints," vol. iv. ,
A. Cogan's.
and told him, that Kualain's wife should be restored through him, as the phy-
sicians knew not the nature of her complaint. '* Our saint appeared to the
Queen, in a nocturnal vision, and he was surrounded with great light. Then,
"
; for, I shall send to you a youth, clothed in a particular habit, on an appointed day. He shall heal you from this infirmity. Leave, therefore, those physicians, who cannot heal you. " Saying these words, our saint disappeared. On another day, St.
he said to her,
Fear not, you must be restored to health
'This may serve to throw some light on the purposes, for which so many Irish earth- caves were constructed.
'See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , Ap- rilis XV. Vita S. Rodani, cap. i. , sect. 3, p.
383. ^
Probably Daria, or Dora, an Irish femi- nine name.
' This country was called Tir-olella. The place Senchue, or Senchua, as also the ter- ritory, in which it was situated, lay beyond the Shannon, in relation to the ancient ter- ritories of Meath. See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga. " Vita Tripartita S. Patricii, lib. ii. , cap. xxxv. , p. 134.
'° The Latin word in the text, for this ren- dering, is "a bocceto," which Papebroke derives from two Greek words. See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , Aprilis xv. , n. (l),
cap. i. , p. 384.
" See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , Ap-
rilis xv. Vita S. Kodani, cap. i. , sect. 4, p.
383.
"In Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga,"
Vita Tripartita S. Patricii, lib. iii. , n. 63,
a midland territory of Munster, near to Limerick, and
eastwards from it. "3Thewordsinthetextare, "infinibus
Legensium. " To these words, Papebroke has appended this comment : "An Lagenien- slum, Ita arbitramur. " See "Acta Sancto- ram," tomus ii. , Aprilis xv. De S. Rodano, &c. , cap. i. , sect. S, p. 383, and n. (n), p. 384.
"The text adds: " habet enim in uteto cruentum partum. "
Aracliach is said to have been
April 15. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. iSS
Ruadan called the young man, whose hands he had blessed, and he then said : « Go to Kualain's Queen, and heal her. " Taking his brazen vessel, wliich was filled with water, Ruadan blessed it. Following certain instructions, this young man departed, and he executed the orders of our saint. 's Soon the Queen's health was restored. According to the desire of our saint, this young physician would receive no other fee for his services, except linen, belonging to Kin'' Kualain. For a length of time, and to commemorate such a mira- cle, this linen was suspended over the altar, at Lothra. '*
We are told, that on another occasion, a ship belonging to Brandan was submerged in the depths of a sea, called Livemnech,"' whilst a son of the King of Britain '* chanced to be sleeping, in the prow of his vessel. Where-
He even
The number of St. Ruadan's religious is said to have been thrice fifty men. " BythebountyofGod,thesewerefurnishedwithamiraculouskind of food, procured for them, without further labour on their part, but such as proceeded from their prayers and fastings. '3 In the place where they dwelt grew a linden tree,'* which distilled a certain luscious sap,'' into a vessel,
5 The text has it :
"
ter viri. "
adds, way of by
'' said to his own " Go to Rodan for to him hath people : :
upon, Brandan
the Lord granted the elevation of our ship, from the deep, and the resuscita- tion of the King's son, who has been drowned in it. " The messengers went to St. Rodan. He then proceeded with them, and he prayed at the place,-" where that vessel had been lost Immediately, the ship arose from the deep,
and bearing the king's son, who was alive and safe within it.
appeared as if he were sleeping. The prince then said, that during the time he was beneath the water, St. Rodan had placed a hood around his head, so as to save him from suffocation. "
dedit
ilUque bibens 5tatim genuit cruentum pat-
tum et mortuum, quem in utero habebat. " " See "Acta Saiictonim," tomus ii. , Ap- rilU XT. Viu S. Rodani, cap. i. , sect. 5, 6,
P- 383-
"' Papebroke obsenres, in a note, that pro-
faabljr we should read Lumnech ; and, that below this city, the Shannon opens into a great estuary. It \% now known as Limerick, aciiy formerly of great importance, as it is at the present time. See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , ApriiisxT. , n. (o), p. 384.
'•
in a note, the circum- stancehererelatedneednotseemsurprising; for, at that time, Ireland was the school of religion and of letters, not only for the neighbouring Britons, but even for more re-
mote nations. See iMd. , n. (r).
« On this passage, Papebroch remarks, that St. Brandan, who was far removed from the place, must be supposed to have known of it, through some iaspiration, as Clonfert, he thoujjht, was a journey of four or even more days, from that estuary alluded to ; while, the habitation uf St. Rodan was much nearer, and therefore, St. Brendan preferred sending his disciples to Lorrha. See Hid. , n.
(q).
"» Probably, Lough Derg, on the Shannon, and not far distant from Ix>rrha, is meant.
Papebroch
Papebroke says,
furnish us with the following legend:
one time, there were four score Friars, four
"See" Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , Ap- 385-
rilis XV. Vita S.
P- 383-
sect.
"5 We ask, if this were a 7, may
Rodani, cap. L,
maple-tree, like to that, from which sugar-sap is known todistil,intheAmericanwoods? Itmaybe,
"Thewordsinthetext "
are, quinqua-
potum Reginae
:
ginta
comment: " Id est centum quinquaginta :
nisi quio putat pro ter legendum ires ; qui
sane esset exigiius numerus, respectu mul- tituilinis discipulurum aliis Sanctis passim adhxrentium. —"Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , Aprilis xv. Vita S. Rodani, cap. ii. , n. (a), p. 385. In a letter received from Mi». Anne Russell, a lady residing in the Catholic parishes of Lorha and Durrow, and which is dated Lackeen, May 6th, 1854, the writer is informed, that the traditions of this place
— scoregreyhorses,andfourscorenuns all
Marys—in those Abbeys and
Monasteries. " Allusion is made to the ruins yet existing at
Lorrah.
by praising the Lord of the elements.
» " " in the This tree is called arbor Tilia,
Life of St. Finiiian, published by Colgan, at
the 23rd of February. Papebroke observes, that he would wish nothing of a more incre- dible character were tobe found, in the Lives
"
Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , Aprilis xv. , cap. ii. , n. (b), p,
»3 the This, too, is stated by
O'Clerys There were one hundred and fifty persons in this congr^ation, and they used to obtain sufficiency always, without human labour to sustain them, by continually praying to and
of Irish §aints. See
"
At
:
iS6
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[April 15.
placed beneath it. With this miraculous liquor, the monks and the guests of the monastery were regaled, and it had the taste of wine. Each of those, who
partook of it, tilled a cup with the liquor. They fed upon herbs, also, and they lived in a very simple manner. ^* But, the chief saints of Ireland, it is
related, felt jealous regarding such miracles. They murmured against Ruadan,
because their monks and alumni left them, and went to him.
with these complaints, they visited St. Finnian, Bishop of Clonard. He accompanied them to Ruadan, to entreat his abandonment of this idle style of living, lest he should furnish occasion for envy and murmuring to other saints. When St. Finnian entered the city of Ruadan, and when he
saw the tree already mentioned, elevating his hand, he blessed it.
Imme-
diately the sap ceased to flow, so that, on the night succeeding, the liquor sufficed only for sustenance of the monastic family, and not for its guests. '''
Thereupon, the cook, with the guests, preferred a complaint to St. Ruadan.
"
The latter said,
Pour out spring water for our guests, and it shall be changed
intowineforthem. " Whenthecookwenttodrawwaterfromthefountain,
suddenly a fish of wonderful size issued through the rocky bottom of the well.
At that time, when the Acts of our saint were written, we are informed, that
the imprint or shape of this water-occupant might be seen, in the place indi-
cated. This fish was set before the guests, and also the water, which had beenturnedintowine. Theyfeltinebriated,bythislatterbeverage,andfell
into a sleep. Then, the Irish saints besought Ruadan, that he would place his monks on the same standing, with tlieir own religious brethren. He hum- bly complied with their desires. St. Finnian then said to Ruadan, and to his monks, " Do you plough and reap your fields. These shall produce fruitful crops forever, without further culture or manure. " Afterwards, St. Finnian
blessed
St^
Ruadan, his house and lands, and then retired in ^^ It is peace.
that our Irish soil and climate have under- gone changes, in a long lapse of ages, to ac- count for such a vegetable product.
°' The words in the text are "oleraque similiter comedebant. " These words seem to me as implying, that the herbs were pro- vided, also, through a miracle,
deraret, verteretur. De hoc liquore plenum vas in hora pra:dicta inveniebatiir, de quo omnes fratres sufficientur in I'randio pasce- bantur. Ab hoia vero nona usque ad horam occasus solis vasis dimidietas de
li- quore inveniebatur, de quo hospites satie- bantur. Audita vero hujus miraculi fama, ''^ In a note, at this passage, Papebroch multi sanctorum venerunt ad S. Finnianum,
:
" Eam scilicet portionem, quae ab
rogantes ut cum eis ad cellam S. Ruadani
observes
hora 9 usque ad solis occasum fluens (quera-
admocium in Vita praedicta dicitur) medieta-
tem implebat suppositi vasis, ad usuni hospi-
tum ante nocteni supervenientium. "—"Acta descendens pervennit cum eis usque ad
Sanctorum," tomus ii. , Aprilis xv. Vita S. Rodani, cap. ii. , n. (c), p. 385.
'* See " Acta Sanctorum," lomusii. , Ap- rilis XV. Vita S. Ruadani, cap. ii. , sect. 8, 9, p. 384. The n. irrative, already yiven from the Bollandists, is somewhat differently lie- scribed, in the Life of St. Finnian, as pub- lished by Colgan, at the 23rd of February.
" Postquam vero discipuli S. Finniani prajter Senachum ad loca eis a Spiritu snncto reve- lata transissent, S. Ruadanus locum suae re- surrectionis apud Lothra elegit, atque in- habitavit. Huic enim Ruadano dedit Dens
gratiam specialem, ut arbor qua:dam tylia nomine quae in cella sua erat, ab hora occa-
sus solis usque ad horam nonam alterius diei,
stillabat liquorem, qui saporem quemdam ad fontem et imple ibi usque ad summum. privatum habebat, sicut de manna legitur, Quod cum fecisset, impleus scilicet hydriam quod in omnem saporem, quern homo desi- illam aqua, statim liquor ille mutatur in sa-
sui discipuli dignaretur venire, atque, ut communem vitam cum aliis haberet exhorta- retur persuasionibus eorum S. Finianus cen-
locum ubi Ruadanus Deo serviebat. Appro- pinquantes vero ad portam vdlas de Lothra
aiunt discipuli ad magistrum. Proecede nos homo Dei ad arborem quae dat liquorem mi- rabilam et signa eam in virtute Crucis Christi. Acquiescens magister discipulorum rogatui accessit ad arborem, et consignavit eam si<:no Crucis ; et post nonam horam cessavit effliiere. Audiens vero S.
Ruadanus ad- ventum magistri cum suis vocavit ministrum atque ut prandium hospitibus praspararet eidem imperavit. Pergens vero minister ad arborem, invenit vas, quod sub arbore erat, penitus vacuum, rediens vero ad Ruadanum minister, quod viderat, nunciavit. Respon-
dens vero homo Dei ait ei ; Porta vas, fili,
Wherefore,
praslato
April 15. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 157
probable, that this narrative had its origin in the fact, that the Rule, which St. Ruadan established for himself and for his community, was very austere; and, because his monks took very little concern, regarding their means ot subsistence, as they gave themselves wholly to Divine contemplation, relying on the goodness of Providence, for the supply of their temporal wants. ^9 So that, he who fed the birds of the air, and arrayed the lilies of the field, and who told his disciples, to take no heed of what they should eat or drink, or wherewith they should be clothed ; he provided, in like manner, for the necessities of this holy community, who first sought the kingdom of God and
and his justice.
CHAPTER III
THEACCESSIONOFKINODIARMAIDI. TOTHEIRISHTHRO. VE—AEDHGUAIREKILLS HIS HERALD, AND SKEKS REFUGE WITH SAINTS SENACH AND RUADHAN—KING DIARMAID VISITS THE LATTER TO DEMAND THE SURRENDtR OF AEDH GUAIRE— THIS CHIEFTAIN IS BROUGHT A PRISONER TO TARA—ST. RUADHAN AND HIS^CLERICS PKOCEED THERE TO OBTAIN HIS RELEASE.
After the death of Tuathal Maelgarbh, Monarch of Ireland, who was slain
porem liquoris, qui de arbore stillabat. In- super et piscem magnitudinis mir% in fonts
nos ad grunnam vicinam, haec eadem potent faceie, sicut fecit in arbore» vel in aqvia. Igi- tur S. Finnianus et omnes qui cum tio erant, rogaverunt unanimiter S. Kuad. mum ut similem cum aliis vivendi modum h. iberat.
Discipulus vero monitis paternis atque disci- pulorum ol)temperans, hactenus commune tenuit vivendi modum. Magister vero con- delectans humiiitati sancti discipuli, gratula- bundus ait ; agii tui ubei tate pleni jint atque fructus uberrimos habeant, et fimo ad
place, that the linden tree, the sap of which is njtfurally bitter, should have distilled a
recepit, atque ad virum Dei pottat : Et jus-
sit miniitro, ut hxc dona coram S. Finniano
apponeret. Videns vero S. tiiinianus quse
gesta sunt : consignavit liquorem, et in na-
turam aqux mutatur : Et ait homo Dei ; cur
hie liquor falsi nominis datus est mihi ? Et performance of miracles, at one time in videntes discipuli sancti Kinnlani ea. quae favour of this, at another time in favour of a gesta ! >unt ; dicerunt ad suum magistrum, different saint, each having contrary inten- Veni ante nos ad fontem et consigna ilium tions. But, these objections can Ijear no sicut fccisti in arbore. Et re<^poiulens eis weight with a pious believer. Yet, as God Finnianus ait ; Fratres mei, nolite contris- sustained . '-t. ^gidius with the milk of a tare hunc sanctum viram, quia si exierit ante
, impinguendum non egeant, usque in scm- miracles, through his ineffable bounty, by
intuition of his servants' merits, should not also deign to feed with whatever kind of ali- ment he pleased, St. Ruadan and his holy disciples ? These, despising every human
Hibernise," xxiii. Februari. Vita ti. Fin- care and prevision, wholly committed them-
pitemum : Et si quis de industria fimum aut stercora adduxerit super hanc partem agri, haecparsnon generabit nisi olera t. intum, et
—"
paucas spicas. " Colgan's Acta Sanctorum
niani, cap. xxiv. , pp. 395, 396.
">
Colgan has a note, at the Life of St. Finnian, in which, after a relation given in the text, regarding the foregoing miraculous occurrences, he says, there are two incidents worthy of observation respecting that ac- count, even although a rigid censor, or an unbeliever, miglit consider these matters undeserving serious attention. In the first
selves to the protection of Divine Providence. Nor, are those miracles supposed to have been wrought without necessity, as the fol- lowing con iderations should suffice to show. Through the indulgent grace of our Saviour, the Lord might have desired to give his approbation, by means of miracles, to that extraordinary abstraction of mind from all ter- rene things, and to that perfect confidence
strange liquor of an agreeable and sweet kintl. In ihe second place, it m ght be con-
sidered, th. it God's great and incredible in- dulgence rather indicated ostentation than necessity or utility, by contribdting to the
deer, St. Albeuswith the milk of a wolf, St. Macharius with tlie milk of a buffalo ; as the same God fed St. Patrick during six weeks, St. Eroncs during three entire months, St. Conon during thirty years for whole weeks, St. Simon the Stylite during 28 years for entire Lents, without their partaking of food or drink ; as he converted the rocks into fountains of water, the waters themselves into wine, and the very stones into bread for these saints ; is it to be doubted, that the Almighty, who wrought these and greater
iS8 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[April 15.
atGreallach-Eillte,'intheyearofChrist544;= Diarmaid,3sontoFearghus Ceirrblieoil, who had been in exile, claimed his right to succeed him, on the throne/ King Diarmaid, or Dermod I. , established peace throughout all Ireland. About that period, the prefect s of King Dermot, and his herald,* whose name is said to have been Bacc-Lomm,? or Mac-Lomm, went towards the territory of Connaught,^ and into the country of the Mani race. 9 But, instigated by the Devil, that herald entered into a fortress, belonging to a chief named Odo Guori,'° and having a spear placed across his mouth, so that thusthecastlegatesmightbeopenedforhim. " Then,Odo-Guori,destroy, ing his castle, afterwards killed the herald. Through fear of King Dermod, Odo fled to Bishop Senach, in the territory of Muscraige," where he appears to have lived. We are informed, that the mother of Odo-Guori, and the mother of Bishop Senach,'3 were two sisters. But, Bishop Senach brought Odo to St. Ruadan for protection ; for, it so happened, that the two sisters of Ruadan, named Kyell and Ruadanis, had fostered Senach himself. After- wards, it seems, that Odo-Guori, liad been brought into Britain, by St. Rua- dain. Yet, Dermod sent a message into Britain, which prevented Odo from dwelling there, and he was again sent back to St. Ruadan. Then, he dwelt at a place, called Poll-Ruodan,'* in Ireland. It would appear, that the fugi-
in God's Providence, which distinguished St.
Ruadan and his disciples, and to tliat discre-
tion and prudence of St. Rnnian and of his
companions, who desired to cliange St.
Ruadan and his monks from their singular
mode of living, to tlie common manner of oeigionac ma CeatfipAc, or The Last life, practised by other saints. See ibid. , n. Monarch of Tara, the present episode is in- 28, p. 399. geniously introduced, and our St. Ruadhan
Chapter hi. —' It is 'rendered, " The is one of the leading characters. See espe- miry place of the Does. " According to the cially Part iv. , chap, ii. , iii. , iv. , pp. 20410
Book of Lecan, it was at the foot of Sliabh- Gamh. Another opinion has it, as Greallach- Daphill, on the River Liffey, and in the County of Kildare.
°
Such is the Chronology of Tighenach, and, it is the correct date, according to Dr. O'Donovan ; although, the Annals of the Four Masters, place it, at a. d. 538, the An- nals of Ulster, at A. D. 543, while the Annals of Clonmacnoise have it so late as A. D. 547, and the Codex at a. d. See
287.
' This ancient territory was known as Hy
Many, and it was commonly called O'Kelly's country. An account of this ancient territory,
including parts ofGalway and of Roscommon counties, has been published from the Book
of Lecin, by the Irish Archaelogical Society. See O'Donovan's " Tribes and Customs of
Hy-Many. " An ancient Map of it is pre- fixed, to this work.
Clarendon, 548. "
generally named -deo JUAipe, or
Dr. O'Donovan's AnnalsoftheFourMas- ters," vol. i. , pp. 180 to 182, and n. (z).
"
This passage is rather obscurely ex- pressed, in Latin ; but, from the context, it should appear, this action of the herald was one of bravado, and construed into an insult, or defiance, by Odo-Guori.
"This was probably the most northern division, bearing the name, and that one, in which Lorrha was situated.
'3 The IJoUandist editor remarks, that among many bishops, bearing the name of Senach, and whom Colgan enumerates, in his anno- tations to the Tripartite Life of St. Patrick, Lib. ii. , n. 118, there is not one of them, about these times, who can be supposed to have flourished in Muskerry, or in any part ofMunster. See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus
3TheActsof St. Ruadhancall him " filius Kerbuil," and Mac Kerval is also applied to distinguisli him from another King Diar- maid, the second, bearing this name, and who was the son of Sane.
*
According to a Catalogue of the Trish Kings, published by Ussher, he reigned, from A. D. 544 tO' 565; although the Four Mas- ters make his rule last, from A. u. 539 to 558.
It is generally stated, that he was twenty years in the sovereignty of Ireland.
S"Praefectus Regis Dermitii," is in the Life.
'"
Et praeco ejus nomine Bacc-Lomm," &c. See ibid.
' The Holland ist editor
says,
in a
note,
that
n.
" This place, rendered into English Ruad-
han's Pit, has not been identified, but, pro- bably, it was in or near Lorrha.
the name is thus written in the Manuscript
used by him, although he thinks, considering
the Irish mode of writing names, it should be
written Mac-lomm. See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus 'ii. , XV. Aprilis. Vita S. Rodani, cap. ii. , n. (e), p. 385.
'In a historical romance, lately pub- lished, by Eblana, and intituled A\m ni§
'° More
Hugh Guaire, in Irish tradition.
ii. , Aprilis XV. , cap. ii. ,
(g), p. 385.
'
Ruadan had spoken to him. Again, he re-entered the cell, where he saw a light in the hand of a servant, who was in the act of visiting Odo. '? Then,
King Dermod sent a man, named Donnan, that he might dig the earth, to discoverOdo. Andwhenthatmanraisedhishandwiththespade,imme- diatelyhishandbecamewitheredandimmovable. Boththisman,andhe, whohadbeendeprivedofsight,remainedwithRuadan. Afterwards,they were reverenced as saints, belonging to PoU-Ruodan monastery. Thither, we are told, Dermod himself came to uke Odo from the earth ; but, St. Rua- dan sounded his bell. Thereupon, Odo was brought forth, and the king conducted his captive to the city of Temrach, or Temoria. '* At the same time, St. Ruadan, with his people, set out with the king, that the life of his prisoner might be saved. When St. Ruadan approached Temoria city, hav- ing rung the bells, he sang psalms with his people. But, on the first night, the king was found obdurate, and he would not listen to any prayer for mercy. However, on that same night, and during the same hour, twelve sons, be- longing to the princes '9 of Temrach, died, so that great mourning filled the regal halls. Then, twelve different princes said to Diermit, "This holy cleric hath killed our sons. " On the following day, their fosterers went to St. Rua- dan. With tears and lamentations, they entreated of him, that the chieftains' sons might be restored to life. Whereupon, St. Ruadan offered his prayers, and immediately the boys were resuscitated. Another night,
King Dermod saw in a dream, a large tree extending towards Heaven, and thrice fifty men, with axes, were cutting at its trunk. A great sound, as of a tree falling, awoke the terrified king from his dream ; and immediately, the notes of the choir, singing psalms in concert, filled his ears. '°
After the foregoing narrative, we' have the following account, so incredible in many of its circumstances, that it may fairly be treated as an idle legend. We are told, that the king went forth to St. Ruadan, to whom he spoke as
April 15. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 159
live had been kept concealed, underground, at this place. On hearing of it, KingDermodcametoSt. Ruadan,thendwellinginPoll-Ruadanj's and,the monarch sent his charioteer into the cell, that Odo should be brought out to him, at die door. But, when his charioteer entered the cell, immediately he became blind. Then, the king himself entered that cell, and he asked St. Ruadan regarding the place of Odo's concealment. Knowing that Ruadan would not tell a falsehood, Dermod received from our saint this answer, as
inLatin "Nescioiliumnisisubsedesuaconstet. "'«Theking,going :
given
out from the cell, and when far from its doors, recollected those words, which
'5 The Eighth Volume of the O'Longan
Manuscripts, preserved in the Royal Irish Academy, contains some pieces, on the Con- test between . St. Ruadhan of Lothra and Dermod, the Monarch of Erinn. See pp.
105 to III.
"The Rev. S. Baring-Gould renders it:
"Unless he is under your chair, I cannot
Sanctorum," tomus ii. , Aprilis xv. Vita S-
Ruadani, n. (h), p. 385.
"' Better known as Tara. It was the seat
of the Meath Kings, who by excellence were called Kings of Ireland, until after the death of Diermit. Meath was formed into a
tell. " See
"
Lives of the Saints," vol. iv. ,
A. Cogan's.
