4 " Ubi est lacus in angustiori suo fine, inter
eacumina
montium altissimorum ; sed lacus ad radices eorum a monte usque ad
gazine," for August, 1871, vol.
gazine," for August, 1871, vol.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v6
48.
between the principal circumstances, related 2
** The history of Enna, Eanna, or ^Eneas, is not known further, from any available
"
Vita S. Coemgeni, cap. i. , n. (g),
source. See
Junii iii.
p. 313.
7° Even the site is shown, where a ruined —
Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. ,
1"
7 According to Ussher's Index Chronolo- in the prose Life of St. Kevin, and in the
"
gicus, in
quitates," p. 525. Baert tells us, the histo- riun of the British Churches had this account
''
from the
73 A reader of the
Britannicarum Ecclesiarum Anti-
poetical legend. Nevertheless, the account furnished in the text, is the only narrative found in St. Kevin's published Acts, that would account for the origin of a popular tradition, connected with "St. Kevin's
Bed," over the lake of Glendalough.
75 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. ,
Acta Breviora. "
will perhaps call to mind, that local legend re- garding St. Kevin, which Moore has wedded
foregoing passage
to immortal — and which commences verse,
with these lines
iii. Vita S.
Junii Coemgeni, cap. i. ,
p. 312.
num.
5,
:
36
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 3.
There is a local tradition, that when St. Kevin resolved on retir- ing from the world, to commence his religious course of life, he selected for such a purpose, that retired and deep valley, now known as Lug-
6 Whether this was the place of his noviceship or not is unknown, gela. ?
but it seems to be sufficiently probable. ? ? It must be observed, accord-
ing to the peasantry living near the district of Lough Tay, county of 8
Wicklow, St. Kevin is said to have founded a monastery,? in the upper part of this romantic valley, before he retired to Glendalough. The site of this cell or monastery is yet pointed out, on a delightful spot, adjoining the
^wosgS\K^
Ruins at Luggela, County of Wicklow.
watersofLoughTay,wheretheAnnamoeRiverentersit, andonthatbeau-
tiful lawn, extending in front of Luggala Lodge. Hardly a vestige of the old building now remains. 7^ A shapeless pile of stones, just rising over the
76 There are some beautiful illustrations of Luggelaw and its adjoining Lough Dan in
"
: its Character," &c, vol. ii. , pp. 207 to 211. These pictures, however, only convey a very
partial glimpse of many lovely scenes, in connection with those romantic spots.
" The pure-minded Gerald Griffin has
"
And virgin saints and holy men The Vesper song were singing,
Poetical and Dramatic Works," p. l,et From the construction of this narrative, and from his beautiful tale, "The Rivals," Gerald Griffin would seem to have learned in Luggelaw the legend there current, and as related to the present writer on the spot,
in June, 1855.
78
to the
leen—as the maiden of story is called—first
made advances to St. Kevin, when he had resolved to establish his hermitage, in this romantic valley. But, it is said, he then stole away to Glendalough, in order to hide
Mr. and Mrs. Hall's,
Ireland
And downthe sweetly
The Fate of Cathleen," founded on the well- known Wicklow legend, and referring to St. Kevin. It contai—ns 56 stanzas, commencing
written a metrical romance, entitled,
with these lines
:
" In Luggelaw's deep-wooded vale The summer eve was dying ;
On lake and cliff, and rock and dale A lulling calm was lying ;
According
popular story,
Kath-
Scenery,
rocky glen The Vesper bell was ringing. "
—"
seq.
June 3. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 37 earth, and grass-covered mounds, mark the site of a former religious edifice,
which this exact undoubtedly occupied
8° The
people
of
Luggela neigh-
spot.
bourhoodsupposedit aprofanation,todestroyanyofthosebranches,thatgrew
within the ruins of St. Kevin's deserted hermitage, and that some evil must
be sure to await such offender. 81 The local traditions 82 leave a any hardly
doubt on the enquiring mind, that at one period of his life, St. Kevin hal- lowed this lone dell with his presence and prayers. 83 The scenery around possesses features of the most magnificent and romantic character. Even in a district of country, unrivalled for the grandeur and loveliness of its varied landscapes, no more appropriate or fascinating spot could be selected, for the quiet hermitage of an ascetic or a contemplative. One day, our saint was told to go into a wood near the cell, and in company with a namesake, known as Coemgen, the senior. This latter told our saint, to bring fire into the wood, for some purpose required by the brethren. His orders, however, were forgotten and neglected. When they had come to that place, where he wished it to be kindled, the senior Coemgen 8 * asked, where was the fire. Then, St. Coemgen junior declared he had forgotten the mandate. The
seniorcriedout " run : Brother,
and St. Kevinasked,inwhatmannerheshouldbearit, whenhisseniorrather
himself from her visits. Discovering his re- treat once more, that tragic incident—so beautifully versified by Moore in his Irish Melodies—afterward is stated to have oc- curred.
79 In May, 1886, the accompanying illus- tration was drawn on the spot, by William F. Wakeman, who afterwards transferred it to the wood, engraved by Mrs. Millard.
80
the effect. The romancist or archaeologist would have no reason to fell displeased, if Mr. Latouche's statements had the result of preserving from desecration any vestige of these time-hallowed ruins or their sylvan accessories. It is very probable, that many legends, connected with this place and with the valley of Glendalough, are merely mo- dern inventions of the guides, who, by these stories, endeavour to cater for the amuse-
quickly
forthe
itwith
you. "
bring
hastily answered :
placed a burning torch, as we are told, with some live coals, in his bosom,
"
In your bosom. " Then, going to the kitchen, Kevin thus literally observing the senior's mandate. Coming towards him, the young
novice threw this on the fire,
of his 8s Not superior.
in the
alone his flesh, but even his garments, seemed to suffer no injury. When the
ground,
presence
At a time, it was first visited by the
writer, in June, 1855, several large and ment of strangers and tourists, delighting in spreading trees, with tangled thickets of this species of lore.
hawthorn, surrounded the place, and these
added greatly to the lonely, secluded posi-
tion of the ruins. During a visit made in
May, 1886, the thorns had been cleared
away, and only the fine trees growing tertain a belief, that St. Kevin only com- around it were to be seen.
81
mer of 1855, by a local guide, that the re-
menced the building of a monastery at this place, when his retreat was discovered by Kathleen of the legend.
It was stated to the writer, in the sum-
84 In the Salmancan Manuscript, this Latouche, using an axe to clear away some senior is called Braitdiucus, and nothing
spected proprietor of Luggela Lodge, Mr.
of the brambles, had personal experience, regarding the truth of this legend. A thorn
more is found regarding him, in any accessi- ble accounts. In the " Acta Breviora," this miracle is said to have occurred, when our saint was under the tuition of St. Petrocus. See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Junii iii. , Vita S. Coemgeni, cap. i. , n. (h), p. 313.
85 It is probably, in this sense, his name of Coemgen Senior is to be understood.
86 the correct reading may be Perhaps,
Petrocus, born in Cambria, and who was one of St. Kevin's preceptors. See Bishop Tanner's " Bibliotheca Britannico-Hiber- nica," &c, p. 594.
87 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. ,
on rebounding nearly deprived him of sight. He was said to be a firm believer, in the certainty of retribution attending Vandalic acts of this nature, nor would he allow any person afterwards to meddle with that thicket. A probability is, the gentleman in question amused himself at the
expense his tenantry's and dependants' credulity, by giving circulation to the circumstance, which may well have happened, without at all trenching on the supernatural, or even on the marvellous, whatever might have been
of
fire,
*2
to the influx of fashionable tourists, towards this magic region.
These date back to a period, long prior
83 The pesaantry of the neighbourhood en-
38 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 3.
: seniorCoemgen86witnessedthismiracle,hecriedout "Oholyyouth,Isee
that thou are full of the Holy Ghost, and that thou oughtest to rule over our
saint " It must be an absurd supposi- replied :
The
tion, that reverend old men should serve under the rule of a foolish young
community. "
youthful
man tell this occurrence to no The senior said ; but, person. "
:
" Now, it
is more proper, that thou be set over others, than that thou shouldst be
under a superior. Truly, a day must come, when all of us and our place shall be subject to thee. " The senior then related such a miraculous occur- rence to Kevin's superiors, and to all the brethren. This, however, dis- pleased our saint, and it gave him much inquietude. His resolution was soonformed. Asalonewanderer,hetookhisdeparturefromamongthem.
adesert 8? toseekamorecon- country,
Hethen far journeyed
and
venient retreat for practices of austerity and contemplation.
through
off,
MIGRATION OF ST. KEVIN TO GLENDALOUGH, WHERE HE LEADS THE LIFE OF A HERMIT —DISCOVERED THERE, AND BROUGHT TO THE MONASTERY OF SAINTS EOGAIN, LOCHAN AND ENNA—MIRACLES—HE VISITS THE HERMIT BEOAN AND BISHOP LUGID—HE ENTERS THE MONASTERY OF THIS LATTER PRELATE, BY WHOM HE WAS ORDAINED —HE AFTERWARDS LIVES IN A CELL AT CLUAINDUACH—HE NEXT PROCEEDS WITH SOME MONKS TO GLENDALOUGH, WHERE HE FOUNDS A MONASTERY—ITS PROBABLE SITE—HE ESTABLISHES OTHER SUBJECT COMMUNITIES—HIS CELL AT DISERT CAUGHIN OR TEAMPUL NA SCELLIG—TEMPTED BY THE DEMON TO LEAVE HIS PLACE, BUT DISSUADED FROM FOLLOWING THAT COURSE BY THE MONKS OF ST. COMGALL.
During his wanderings, through the rugged and desert regions met with, in the county of Wicklow, St. Kevin one day entered that singularly romantic valley, lying embosomed in the midst of lofty and precipitous mountains. Within this secluded valley were two distinct lakes, which are connected by astreamrunningfromtheUpperintotheLowerLough. Thesereflectthe dark shadows of overhanging mountains, even when a noontide sun pours its rays over the waters. But, at morning's dawn and evening's close, no gleam of sunshine spreads its cheering effulgence over their surface, on account of the natural barriers, within which those waters are pent. The scene likewise
CHAPTER II.
from that of the rocks and mountains. 1 The whole over-topping
changes,
valley of Glendalough is fully three miles in length, with an average width of about one quarter of a mile. The near mountains bounding it are Brockagh
and Coomaderry, on the north, with Derrybawn and LugdufT, on the south side. Towards the west, Coomaderry and Lugduff mountains join, the latter
forming steep precipices over the Upper Lake. The whole valley has that appearance of monastic retirement and religious awe, which have peculiarly
2
fitted it, as a retreat for holiness and learning, from the earliest Christian ages. Junii iii. Vita S. Coemgeni, cap. i. , n. 6, the ancient city of St. Kevin. "—Vol. iii. ,
pp. 312,313. — No. 17, p. 243.
Chapter
contributed by William F. Wakeman, and
*2
"The Ilis- tory and Antiquities of Glendalough," by headed, " A Day at Glendalough," as pub- Joseph Nclan, F. R. G. S. I. , cap. i. , p. 9.
11. In an
interesting article,
See an little interesting
book,
iished in Duffy's "Hibernian Magazine,"
this writer remarks, " we find ourselves, as
it were, shut out from the rest of the world,
by huge gloomy mountains, the sides of cuts,
which, in many places, actually overhang 3 See Mr. and Mrs. Hall's "Ireland: its
There is a good compendium of narrative and
of architectural description, regarding this remarkable place, in it, with a few wood-
June 3. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 39
In some parts, the surrounding mountains are bare of verdure to the very
summit, or covered with huge projecting masses of rock, among which descending rivulets foam and revel ; in other places, they are crowned with sable peat sods or brown heather. This valley is said to have been anciently called (xleand De, in the Irish language, and at a subsequent period, it was
denominatedGleanndaloch. Thislatter " compound word^ signifies,
of the two Lakes. "3
valley
Admiring its scenery, St. Kevin penetrated the depths of this lonely place. He proceeded towards the upper part, where the lake is buried within over- topping mountains, and where it extends from one side to the other, with
found that wild spot a perfect solitude ; yet, he left it, in after time, peopled with a pious colony of monks, and numerous inhabitants, the nucleus of a
5 Near the
saint dwelt for some time, in the hollow of a tree, and here he led a most
a accessible to human hardly margin
4 In the
the hoary ruins now to be seen there had not any material existence, and he
flourishing
religious city.
upper lough,
it would our appear,
austere life.
footstep.
youth
of St.
Kevin,
and
He seldom went forth, from his confined place of habitation,
except for the purpose of collecting a few wild herbs. These he chiefly
lived upon, and he only used a little water for drink. 6 While here, it is
stated, that he wrote several learned works, and particularly a Life of St.
Patrick $ but, if so, these treatises are most probably assignable to a later
period of his career. While in this retreat, the shepherd of a certain man, who
was named By, had been accustomed to bring his herd to pasture on particu-
lar days, and within that valley, where St. Kevin lived as a hermit. The
Almighty, as if to disclose his servant's seclusion, and to draw him from that
place of retirement, caused a cow, belonging to liy's herd, to wander each
day towards that hollow tree, in which our saint dwelt. This animal would
frequentlylickSt. Kevin'sgarments. Atthecloseofeachday,sheheard
the lowing of other cattle, returning from their pasturage, and from the dark
deep waters of the lake, with the loud shouts of herdsmen reverberating
through the mountains and valleys, while conducting their herds homeward;
then, this animal speedily rejoined the herd, and she proceeded with her
hornedcompanions. Sheappearedtobesatisfiedwithverymeagrefare. Thus, it happened daily, when the herd had been driven into the valley, that
animal separated herself from the rest. She sought our saint, to lick his gar- ments with her tongue. It was found, however, that she gave an almost incre- diblequantityofmilk. Wonderingatsuchacircumstance,themilkerstoldtheir master, who enquired from his shepherd, what had occurred to account for thiscow'ssuperioryieldofmilk. Theherdsmansaidhecouldnotassignany sufficient reason. He was desired by his master to observe her closely, on the following day, so that the matter might be more fully investigated. The herdsman accordingly committed the charge of his herd to younger boys. He then followed that particular animal wherever she went. It was soon dis- covered, that she took her usual course towards the hollow tree, where St.
Scenery, Character," &c, vol. ii. , p. 214.
4 " Ubi est lacus in angustiori suo fine, inter eacumina montium altissimorum ; sed lacus ad radices eorum a monte usque ad
gazine," for August, 1871, vol. lxxviii. , No. cccclxiv. , pp. 231 to 240. It is, however, considerably spiced by false assumptions, and anti-Catholic prejudice,
—"Acta
Vita S. Coemgeni, cap.
3 A
annalistic account of this remarkable place will be found in an article entitled, '"The
History and Antiquities of Glendaloch," to be met with in the " Dublin University Ma-
6 See "Acta tomus Sanctorum,"
montem constat. " tomus i. , Junii iii.
n.
ii. , 7, p. 313.
Sanctorum,"
i. , Junii iii. Vita S. Coemgeni, cap. ii. , num. 7,
very interesting topographical
and
p. 313.
7 See Archdall's "Monasticon Hiberni-
cum," p. 765.
8 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. ,
Junii iii. Vita S. Coemgeni, cap. ii,, n. 8, pp. 313, 314.
4o LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 3.
Kevin lived. There, the herdsman observed her licking our saint's garments. Much surprised at this circumstance, he began to drive her way; while, at
the same time, he reproved our saint, and in a clownish manner. Holy Kevin felt greatly displeased at this rencontre, as he feared the rustic should dis- close the place of his retreat. The herdsman drove his cattle homewards, and on coming to their stalls, the cows and calves are said to have become maddened to such a degree, that not knowing each other, the dams seemed about to kill their own calves. On seeing this, the herdsman felt alarmed, and told his master, what he had witnessed in the valley. Owing to special ordersfromhisemployer,theservantreturnedtoSt. Kevin. Fallingonhis knees, this menial besought pardon from God's holy servant. The saint adjured him, not to discover his place of retreat; for, he did not know, that the rustic had already disclosed such a secret. Having obtained the saint's forgiveness, the herd then received water, that had been blessed by St. Kevin. With this, the cows and calves were sprinkled. Then, they became gentle, as they were before, and, immediately, St. Kevin'—s fame was divulged abroad. His former teachers, Eogoin, Lochan, and E—nna hearing that their pupil was to befoundintherecessesofGlendalough broughthimthencetotheirmonas- tery, although this was done, contrary to his own inclinations. 8
One day in autumn, our saint's superiors collected many reapers for their harvest. An abundance of flesh meat and beer had been prepared for these labourers. Havingbeenappointedtoservehisturnforthisday,inthekitchen, a great crowd of pilgrims arrived, and these asked Kevin for food, in the name of Christ. Full of compassion, he entreated the cooks to bestow on these strangers the reapers' food, which had been prepared. St. Eogoin sent to the workmen saying, that they should come to dinner. But, St. Lochan, hearing what had occurred, went to the kitchen. He addressed these words to Kevin : "Ogoodyouth,whathastthoudonewithoutourorders? Therearemany reapers, and they justly deserve a good dinner, for they have wrought a good day's work; and, we would have given other food to the pilgrims. " On hearing this reproach, falling on his knees, the holy youth besought pardon. The pious senior went outside the kitchen. Kevin then closed it, and ordered the attendants to collect all the bones, and to fill with water all those vessels,
which before had contained beer. Afterwards, he desired the cooks to retire,
and then he prayed with great fervour. Immediately, through favour of Heaven, the water is stated to have become wine, while the bones were coveredwithanabundanceofexcellentfleshmeat. Then,callingthechief cook, our saint showed him the miracle, that had taken place. Instantly, the cook hastened with an account of this event, to his pious superiors in the monastery. TheseseniorsglorifiedGod,whoseAlmightypowerwasmani- fested in this miracle, and then they blessed their holy disciple, who had been made an instrument, for procuring such a great abundance of excellent food and drink. Three days in succession, there was a sufficiency for all reapers, pilgrims, and brothers, who remained in the place.
We are told, among the many legends in his Acts, that at another time, our saint went to visit a holy hermit, named Beoan,9 with whom he remained for some days. This hermit had only a single cow. His ser- vant being engaged one day in the performance of other duties, Beoan re-
quested Kevin to look after this beast, lest an accident might happen her. On going out, Kevin saw, that the cow was about to bring forth a calf. He
9
Although Colgan mentions three or four Beoans, yet, it is not possible clearly to iden- tify any of them with the hermit here named. In the Irish Calendars, a St. Boean, Bishop
of Fiodh-cuilinn, is mentioned, at the 8th of August, a St. Beoan, Bishop of Tamlacht, at the 26th of October, and a St. Beoan, bishop, at the 3rd of December.
June 3. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 41
prepared to drive both animals towards the hermitage. Suddenly, a she-wolf, altogetheremaciatedwithhunger,appearedanddevouredtheyoungcalf. Its dam sent forth a plaintive lowing, while being driven towards her master's home, and on account of what had happened to her offspring. Having had an intimation, regarding what occurred, Beoan asked the visitor, why he per- mitted such an accident and loss, which seemed even to overwhelm the poor cow with grief. He then ordered Kevin, in the name of God, to afford some solace to this animal. On hearing these words of reproach, his guest went into a neighbouring wood, and there, through the power of God, he called the wolf towards him. This wild animal obeyed his call, when Kevin directed her, to seek that cow, whose calf had been devoured, and to supply the loss of her offspring, at the time of daily milking. Wonderful to relate, adds the legend, immediately after such an admonition, this wolf ran towards the cell, and stood before the cow. On seeing this action, it is told, that the cow loved herasamotherwouldanonlychild. Afterwards,atordinarymilkinghours, thiswolfcamefromthewoods. Thecow,also,whilegivingmilk,lickedher, with an appearance of affectionate regard. The hermit, Beoan, recognising this as a great miracle, gave thanks to God, and his blessing to St. Kevin.
Having received his blessing, and obtained St. Beoan's leave, blessed Kevin
10 who ruled over a of monastery
the robber advanced towards some sacred 12 to swear he was words, relics,
innocent of that theft. When he had done so, a miracle is said to have revealed the fact of his perjury. ^ All who were present cried out for the thief's death, with the exception of God's servants, who liberated him. St.
Kevin then said " O foolish man, abandon this world, and save thy soul
:
from criminal leprosy. " This just counsel he obeyed, and he brought forth
1 fruits worthy of penance, during his after life. *
Another legend of our saint is thus related. One day, Lugid sent Kevin to a certain part of the country. Whilst on his way thither, our saint found the dead bodies of two females, *s who had been beheaded. On beholding this distressing and revolting spectacle, Kevin stood for some time, on the
went to visit
Bishop Lugid,
and
religious brethren,
10
Baert remarks, that he could find no
x. , sect, x. , n. 152^. 48. —
very holy
exemplary
pious Bishop
saint, named Lugid or Lugidius, in Colgan but, he finds many named Lugaid, Lugbee and Lugneo. He confesses himself at a loss to discover, if any of them could be identified
See "Acta Sane- Vita S. Coem-
11 The Rev. Dr. Lanigan observes, that supposing St. Coemgen to have been born
in a. d. 498, he knew of no Bishop Lugidus, by whom he could have been ordained, when
arrived at a proper age for priesthood, ex- cept Lugadius, and this person is thought to be the same as Lugidus, Bishop of Connor. "But how account," he asks, "for Coem-
gen's going so far from his own country as the diocese of Connor? There might have
been a Leinster bishop, Lugidus, in the days of Coemgen's youth ; and that nam—e was formerly very common in Ireland. " "Ec-
I2 "
Accessit ad
sacra ut
signa juraret. "
with the
torum," tomus i. , Junii iii. geni, cap. ii. , n. (d), p. 315.
"Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Junii iii. Vita
S. Coemgeni, cap. ii. , n. II, p. 314.
I3 A miracle somewhat similar to the fore-
is related in " Trias Thauma- going Colgan's
turga. " See Sexta Vita S. Patricii,or Jocelyn's Life of St. Patrick, cap. cxlviii. , p. 97.
u The foregoing accounts are taken from
"
St. Kevin's Life in the
tomus i. , Junii iii. Vita S. Coemgeni, cap. ii. , num. 9, 10, 11, p. 314
15 These are said to have belonged to the
family of Dallayn. The word Dal means
"tribe," or "progeny. " See Dr. John O'Donovan's Introduction to "Topographi- cal Poems of John O'Dubhagain and Giolla na Naomh O'Huidhrin," p. 6. The re- mainder of the compound word is not easily recognisable, among the tribe-names of Ire- land,
l6 In the "Acta Breviora," it is stated,
present Lugid.
clesiastical of History
Ireland," vol. ii. , chap.
manner. This
" re- willingly
aftera
ceived our saint into his community. One day, as we are told, a robber had stolen an animal belonging to the flock of St. Lugid's monastery, and after- wards he denied this theft. Not taking into account St. Kevin's admonitory
;
Acta Sanctorum,"
42 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 3.
spot, lest their dead bodies might become the prey of birds or dogs. He
offered up prayers to God, at the same time. Soon afterwards, the perpetrators of this wicked action came there, in a disturbed state of mind, and having in their possession the heads of those, who had been slain. 16 On seeing them, Kevin upbraided those ruffians, with the murder already committed. The assassins acknowledged the commission of that foul and cruel deed. averred, it was done through hatred, and to be revenged of their parents, who had persecuted themselves. Our saint asked those mangled remains from the murderers. The heads being then deposited on the ground, Kevin joined them to their bodies. He next engaged in prayer, for some time, when in the presence of all, the females arose perfectly restored. These women gave thankstoGod. Theirmurderers,seeingthegreatmiraclewhichhadtaken place, suppliantly asked pardon for that crime. The murderers expressed joy, likewise, at the fortunate issue of this event, and then promised they wouldneverbeguiltyofanylikeaction. Returningtotheirpeople,therestored maidens gave an account of what had occurred. Owing to this wonderful
1 miracle, St. Kevin's renown was spread throughout that whole region. ?
In his youth, Bishop Lugid had resolved on leaving Ireland, to become a pil- grim,insomeforeignland. Then,theAngeloftheLordcametohimandsaid:
" Do not leave Ireland, for through the providence of God, you shall ordain many saints in it. " Acting on this admonition, Lugid remained in his native country. The holy Kevin was one among those saints, he afterwards ordained. When our saint had become a Priest, Lugid sent him with other disciples, whom he had ordained, that he might build a cell in God's honour, and in any place he might be able to find. On coming to a spot, called Cluainduach, the blessed Kevin built a cell, in which he remained for some time. While some writers assert, that this place was identical with Glenda- lough, and its more ancient d—enomination l8 others will have it a distinct
This latter — opinion
with its name and peculiar
—
already described and it may have been the ancient name for that place, with which St. Kevin's name has been associated in tradition. At Cluain-
be — it was not distinct from allowable, perhaps Luggala
20
which has been
duach, it is said, he collected together many servants of Christ. 21
While our saint remained at this place, where in seclusion he
practised great austerities, a poor fugitive ran towards his ceil door, pur- sued by twelve men, who were his enemies. These had resolved on taking
away his life. The door being closed, the runaway could not enter ; but. he fell on the ground, before it. Arriving at the spot, in search of their intended victim, his enemies could see nothing, but what appeared to be a log of wood, lying stretched on the earth. They wondered very much thereat, for they
that by a divine revelation, St. Kevin knew, that the heads of those murdered females were hidden in the hollow of a tree.
17 See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. ,
Juniiiii. Vita S. Coemgeni, cap.
** The history of Enna, Eanna, or ^Eneas, is not known further, from any available
"
Vita S. Coemgeni, cap. i. , n. (g),
source. See
Junii iii.
p. 313.
7° Even the site is shown, where a ruined —
Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. ,
1"
7 According to Ussher's Index Chronolo- in the prose Life of St. Kevin, and in the
"
gicus, in
quitates," p. 525. Baert tells us, the histo- riun of the British Churches had this account
''
from the
73 A reader of the
Britannicarum Ecclesiarum Anti-
poetical legend. Nevertheless, the account furnished in the text, is the only narrative found in St. Kevin's published Acts, that would account for the origin of a popular tradition, connected with "St. Kevin's
Bed," over the lake of Glendalough.
75 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. ,
Acta Breviora. "
will perhaps call to mind, that local legend re- garding St. Kevin, which Moore has wedded
foregoing passage
to immortal — and which commences verse,
with these lines
iii. Vita S.
Junii Coemgeni, cap. i. ,
p. 312.
num.
5,
:
36
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 3.
There is a local tradition, that when St. Kevin resolved on retir- ing from the world, to commence his religious course of life, he selected for such a purpose, that retired and deep valley, now known as Lug-
6 Whether this was the place of his noviceship or not is unknown, gela. ?
but it seems to be sufficiently probable. ? ? It must be observed, accord-
ing to the peasantry living near the district of Lough Tay, county of 8
Wicklow, St. Kevin is said to have founded a monastery,? in the upper part of this romantic valley, before he retired to Glendalough. The site of this cell or monastery is yet pointed out, on a delightful spot, adjoining the
^wosgS\K^
Ruins at Luggela, County of Wicklow.
watersofLoughTay,wheretheAnnamoeRiverentersit, andonthatbeau-
tiful lawn, extending in front of Luggala Lodge. Hardly a vestige of the old building now remains. 7^ A shapeless pile of stones, just rising over the
76 There are some beautiful illustrations of Luggelaw and its adjoining Lough Dan in
"
: its Character," &c, vol. ii. , pp. 207 to 211. These pictures, however, only convey a very
partial glimpse of many lovely scenes, in connection with those romantic spots.
" The pure-minded Gerald Griffin has
"
And virgin saints and holy men The Vesper song were singing,
Poetical and Dramatic Works," p. l,et From the construction of this narrative, and from his beautiful tale, "The Rivals," Gerald Griffin would seem to have learned in Luggelaw the legend there current, and as related to the present writer on the spot,
in June, 1855.
78
to the
leen—as the maiden of story is called—first
made advances to St. Kevin, when he had resolved to establish his hermitage, in this romantic valley. But, it is said, he then stole away to Glendalough, in order to hide
Mr. and Mrs. Hall's,
Ireland
And downthe sweetly
The Fate of Cathleen," founded on the well- known Wicklow legend, and referring to St. Kevin. It contai—ns 56 stanzas, commencing
written a metrical romance, entitled,
with these lines
:
" In Luggelaw's deep-wooded vale The summer eve was dying ;
On lake and cliff, and rock and dale A lulling calm was lying ;
According
popular story,
Kath-
Scenery,
rocky glen The Vesper bell was ringing. "
—"
seq.
June 3. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 37 earth, and grass-covered mounds, mark the site of a former religious edifice,
which this exact undoubtedly occupied
8° The
people
of
Luggela neigh-
spot.
bourhoodsupposedit aprofanation,todestroyanyofthosebranches,thatgrew
within the ruins of St. Kevin's deserted hermitage, and that some evil must
be sure to await such offender. 81 The local traditions 82 leave a any hardly
doubt on the enquiring mind, that at one period of his life, St. Kevin hal- lowed this lone dell with his presence and prayers. 83 The scenery around possesses features of the most magnificent and romantic character. Even in a district of country, unrivalled for the grandeur and loveliness of its varied landscapes, no more appropriate or fascinating spot could be selected, for the quiet hermitage of an ascetic or a contemplative. One day, our saint was told to go into a wood near the cell, and in company with a namesake, known as Coemgen, the senior. This latter told our saint, to bring fire into the wood, for some purpose required by the brethren. His orders, however, were forgotten and neglected. When they had come to that place, where he wished it to be kindled, the senior Coemgen 8 * asked, where was the fire. Then, St. Coemgen junior declared he had forgotten the mandate. The
seniorcriedout " run : Brother,
and St. Kevinasked,inwhatmannerheshouldbearit, whenhisseniorrather
himself from her visits. Discovering his re- treat once more, that tragic incident—so beautifully versified by Moore in his Irish Melodies—afterward is stated to have oc- curred.
79 In May, 1886, the accompanying illus- tration was drawn on the spot, by William F. Wakeman, who afterwards transferred it to the wood, engraved by Mrs. Millard.
80
the effect. The romancist or archaeologist would have no reason to fell displeased, if Mr. Latouche's statements had the result of preserving from desecration any vestige of these time-hallowed ruins or their sylvan accessories. It is very probable, that many legends, connected with this place and with the valley of Glendalough, are merely mo- dern inventions of the guides, who, by these stories, endeavour to cater for the amuse-
quickly
forthe
itwith
you. "
bring
hastily answered :
placed a burning torch, as we are told, with some live coals, in his bosom,
"
In your bosom. " Then, going to the kitchen, Kevin thus literally observing the senior's mandate. Coming towards him, the young
novice threw this on the fire,
of his 8s Not superior.
in the
alone his flesh, but even his garments, seemed to suffer no injury. When the
ground,
presence
At a time, it was first visited by the
writer, in June, 1855, several large and ment of strangers and tourists, delighting in spreading trees, with tangled thickets of this species of lore.
hawthorn, surrounded the place, and these
added greatly to the lonely, secluded posi-
tion of the ruins. During a visit made in
May, 1886, the thorns had been cleared
away, and only the fine trees growing tertain a belief, that St. Kevin only com- around it were to be seen.
81
mer of 1855, by a local guide, that the re-
menced the building of a monastery at this place, when his retreat was discovered by Kathleen of the legend.
It was stated to the writer, in the sum-
84 In the Salmancan Manuscript, this Latouche, using an axe to clear away some senior is called Braitdiucus, and nothing
spected proprietor of Luggela Lodge, Mr.
of the brambles, had personal experience, regarding the truth of this legend. A thorn
more is found regarding him, in any accessi- ble accounts. In the " Acta Breviora," this miracle is said to have occurred, when our saint was under the tuition of St. Petrocus. See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Junii iii. , Vita S. Coemgeni, cap. i. , n. (h), p. 313.
85 It is probably, in this sense, his name of Coemgen Senior is to be understood.
86 the correct reading may be Perhaps,
Petrocus, born in Cambria, and who was one of St. Kevin's preceptors. See Bishop Tanner's " Bibliotheca Britannico-Hiber- nica," &c, p. 594.
87 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. ,
on rebounding nearly deprived him of sight. He was said to be a firm believer, in the certainty of retribution attending Vandalic acts of this nature, nor would he allow any person afterwards to meddle with that thicket. A probability is, the gentleman in question amused himself at the
expense his tenantry's and dependants' credulity, by giving circulation to the circumstance, which may well have happened, without at all trenching on the supernatural, or even on the marvellous, whatever might have been
of
fire,
*2
to the influx of fashionable tourists, towards this magic region.
These date back to a period, long prior
83 The pesaantry of the neighbourhood en-
38 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 3.
: seniorCoemgen86witnessedthismiracle,hecriedout "Oholyyouth,Isee
that thou are full of the Holy Ghost, and that thou oughtest to rule over our
saint " It must be an absurd supposi- replied :
The
tion, that reverend old men should serve under the rule of a foolish young
community. "
youthful
man tell this occurrence to no The senior said ; but, person. "
:
" Now, it
is more proper, that thou be set over others, than that thou shouldst be
under a superior. Truly, a day must come, when all of us and our place shall be subject to thee. " The senior then related such a miraculous occur- rence to Kevin's superiors, and to all the brethren. This, however, dis- pleased our saint, and it gave him much inquietude. His resolution was soonformed. Asalonewanderer,hetookhisdeparturefromamongthem.
adesert 8? toseekamorecon- country,
Hethen far journeyed
and
venient retreat for practices of austerity and contemplation.
through
off,
MIGRATION OF ST. KEVIN TO GLENDALOUGH, WHERE HE LEADS THE LIFE OF A HERMIT —DISCOVERED THERE, AND BROUGHT TO THE MONASTERY OF SAINTS EOGAIN, LOCHAN AND ENNA—MIRACLES—HE VISITS THE HERMIT BEOAN AND BISHOP LUGID—HE ENTERS THE MONASTERY OF THIS LATTER PRELATE, BY WHOM HE WAS ORDAINED —HE AFTERWARDS LIVES IN A CELL AT CLUAINDUACH—HE NEXT PROCEEDS WITH SOME MONKS TO GLENDALOUGH, WHERE HE FOUNDS A MONASTERY—ITS PROBABLE SITE—HE ESTABLISHES OTHER SUBJECT COMMUNITIES—HIS CELL AT DISERT CAUGHIN OR TEAMPUL NA SCELLIG—TEMPTED BY THE DEMON TO LEAVE HIS PLACE, BUT DISSUADED FROM FOLLOWING THAT COURSE BY THE MONKS OF ST. COMGALL.
During his wanderings, through the rugged and desert regions met with, in the county of Wicklow, St. Kevin one day entered that singularly romantic valley, lying embosomed in the midst of lofty and precipitous mountains. Within this secluded valley were two distinct lakes, which are connected by astreamrunningfromtheUpperintotheLowerLough. Thesereflectthe dark shadows of overhanging mountains, even when a noontide sun pours its rays over the waters. But, at morning's dawn and evening's close, no gleam of sunshine spreads its cheering effulgence over their surface, on account of the natural barriers, within which those waters are pent. The scene likewise
CHAPTER II.
from that of the rocks and mountains. 1 The whole over-topping
changes,
valley of Glendalough is fully three miles in length, with an average width of about one quarter of a mile. The near mountains bounding it are Brockagh
and Coomaderry, on the north, with Derrybawn and LugdufT, on the south side. Towards the west, Coomaderry and Lugduff mountains join, the latter
forming steep precipices over the Upper Lake. The whole valley has that appearance of monastic retirement and religious awe, which have peculiarly
2
fitted it, as a retreat for holiness and learning, from the earliest Christian ages. Junii iii. Vita S. Coemgeni, cap. i. , n. 6, the ancient city of St. Kevin. "—Vol. iii. ,
pp. 312,313. — No. 17, p. 243.
Chapter
contributed by William F. Wakeman, and
*2
"The Ilis- tory and Antiquities of Glendalough," by headed, " A Day at Glendalough," as pub- Joseph Nclan, F. R. G. S. I. , cap. i. , p. 9.
11. In an
interesting article,
See an little interesting
book,
iished in Duffy's "Hibernian Magazine,"
this writer remarks, " we find ourselves, as
it were, shut out from the rest of the world,
by huge gloomy mountains, the sides of cuts,
which, in many places, actually overhang 3 See Mr. and Mrs. Hall's "Ireland: its
There is a good compendium of narrative and
of architectural description, regarding this remarkable place, in it, with a few wood-
June 3. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 39
In some parts, the surrounding mountains are bare of verdure to the very
summit, or covered with huge projecting masses of rock, among which descending rivulets foam and revel ; in other places, they are crowned with sable peat sods or brown heather. This valley is said to have been anciently called (xleand De, in the Irish language, and at a subsequent period, it was
denominatedGleanndaloch. Thislatter " compound word^ signifies,
of the two Lakes. "3
valley
Admiring its scenery, St. Kevin penetrated the depths of this lonely place. He proceeded towards the upper part, where the lake is buried within over- topping mountains, and where it extends from one side to the other, with
found that wild spot a perfect solitude ; yet, he left it, in after time, peopled with a pious colony of monks, and numerous inhabitants, the nucleus of a
5 Near the
saint dwelt for some time, in the hollow of a tree, and here he led a most
a accessible to human hardly margin
4 In the
the hoary ruins now to be seen there had not any material existence, and he
flourishing
religious city.
upper lough,
it would our appear,
austere life.
footstep.
youth
of St.
Kevin,
and
He seldom went forth, from his confined place of habitation,
except for the purpose of collecting a few wild herbs. These he chiefly
lived upon, and he only used a little water for drink. 6 While here, it is
stated, that he wrote several learned works, and particularly a Life of St.
Patrick $ but, if so, these treatises are most probably assignable to a later
period of his career. While in this retreat, the shepherd of a certain man, who
was named By, had been accustomed to bring his herd to pasture on particu-
lar days, and within that valley, where St. Kevin lived as a hermit. The
Almighty, as if to disclose his servant's seclusion, and to draw him from that
place of retirement, caused a cow, belonging to liy's herd, to wander each
day towards that hollow tree, in which our saint dwelt. This animal would
frequentlylickSt. Kevin'sgarments. Atthecloseofeachday,sheheard
the lowing of other cattle, returning from their pasturage, and from the dark
deep waters of the lake, with the loud shouts of herdsmen reverberating
through the mountains and valleys, while conducting their herds homeward;
then, this animal speedily rejoined the herd, and she proceeded with her
hornedcompanions. Sheappearedtobesatisfiedwithverymeagrefare. Thus, it happened daily, when the herd had been driven into the valley, that
animal separated herself from the rest. She sought our saint, to lick his gar- ments with her tongue. It was found, however, that she gave an almost incre- diblequantityofmilk. Wonderingatsuchacircumstance,themilkerstoldtheir master, who enquired from his shepherd, what had occurred to account for thiscow'ssuperioryieldofmilk. Theherdsmansaidhecouldnotassignany sufficient reason. He was desired by his master to observe her closely, on the following day, so that the matter might be more fully investigated. The herdsman accordingly committed the charge of his herd to younger boys. He then followed that particular animal wherever she went. It was soon dis- covered, that she took her usual course towards the hollow tree, where St.
Scenery, Character," &c, vol. ii. , p. 214.
4 " Ubi est lacus in angustiori suo fine, inter eacumina montium altissimorum ; sed lacus ad radices eorum a monte usque ad
gazine," for August, 1871, vol. lxxviii. , No. cccclxiv. , pp. 231 to 240. It is, however, considerably spiced by false assumptions, and anti-Catholic prejudice,
—"Acta
Vita S. Coemgeni, cap.
3 A
annalistic account of this remarkable place will be found in an article entitled, '"The
History and Antiquities of Glendaloch," to be met with in the " Dublin University Ma-
6 See "Acta tomus Sanctorum,"
montem constat. " tomus i. , Junii iii.
n.
ii. , 7, p. 313.
Sanctorum,"
i. , Junii iii. Vita S. Coemgeni, cap. ii. , num. 7,
very interesting topographical
and
p. 313.
7 See Archdall's "Monasticon Hiberni-
cum," p. 765.
8 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. ,
Junii iii. Vita S. Coemgeni, cap. ii,, n. 8, pp. 313, 314.
4o LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 3.
Kevin lived. There, the herdsman observed her licking our saint's garments. Much surprised at this circumstance, he began to drive her way; while, at
the same time, he reproved our saint, and in a clownish manner. Holy Kevin felt greatly displeased at this rencontre, as he feared the rustic should dis- close the place of his retreat. The herdsman drove his cattle homewards, and on coming to their stalls, the cows and calves are said to have become maddened to such a degree, that not knowing each other, the dams seemed about to kill their own calves. On seeing this, the herdsman felt alarmed, and told his master, what he had witnessed in the valley. Owing to special ordersfromhisemployer,theservantreturnedtoSt. Kevin. Fallingonhis knees, this menial besought pardon from God's holy servant. The saint adjured him, not to discover his place of retreat; for, he did not know, that the rustic had already disclosed such a secret. Having obtained the saint's forgiveness, the herd then received water, that had been blessed by St. Kevin. With this, the cows and calves were sprinkled. Then, they became gentle, as they were before, and, immediately, St. Kevin'—s fame was divulged abroad. His former teachers, Eogoin, Lochan, and E—nna hearing that their pupil was to befoundintherecessesofGlendalough broughthimthencetotheirmonas- tery, although this was done, contrary to his own inclinations. 8
One day in autumn, our saint's superiors collected many reapers for their harvest. An abundance of flesh meat and beer had been prepared for these labourers. Havingbeenappointedtoservehisturnforthisday,inthekitchen, a great crowd of pilgrims arrived, and these asked Kevin for food, in the name of Christ. Full of compassion, he entreated the cooks to bestow on these strangers the reapers' food, which had been prepared. St. Eogoin sent to the workmen saying, that they should come to dinner. But, St. Lochan, hearing what had occurred, went to the kitchen. He addressed these words to Kevin : "Ogoodyouth,whathastthoudonewithoutourorders? Therearemany reapers, and they justly deserve a good dinner, for they have wrought a good day's work; and, we would have given other food to the pilgrims. " On hearing this reproach, falling on his knees, the holy youth besought pardon. The pious senior went outside the kitchen. Kevin then closed it, and ordered the attendants to collect all the bones, and to fill with water all those vessels,
which before had contained beer. Afterwards, he desired the cooks to retire,
and then he prayed with great fervour. Immediately, through favour of Heaven, the water is stated to have become wine, while the bones were coveredwithanabundanceofexcellentfleshmeat. Then,callingthechief cook, our saint showed him the miracle, that had taken place. Instantly, the cook hastened with an account of this event, to his pious superiors in the monastery. TheseseniorsglorifiedGod,whoseAlmightypowerwasmani- fested in this miracle, and then they blessed their holy disciple, who had been made an instrument, for procuring such a great abundance of excellent food and drink. Three days in succession, there was a sufficiency for all reapers, pilgrims, and brothers, who remained in the place.
We are told, among the many legends in his Acts, that at another time, our saint went to visit a holy hermit, named Beoan,9 with whom he remained for some days. This hermit had only a single cow. His ser- vant being engaged one day in the performance of other duties, Beoan re-
quested Kevin to look after this beast, lest an accident might happen her. On going out, Kevin saw, that the cow was about to bring forth a calf. He
9
Although Colgan mentions three or four Beoans, yet, it is not possible clearly to iden- tify any of them with the hermit here named. In the Irish Calendars, a St. Boean, Bishop
of Fiodh-cuilinn, is mentioned, at the 8th of August, a St. Beoan, Bishop of Tamlacht, at the 26th of October, and a St. Beoan, bishop, at the 3rd of December.
June 3. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 41
prepared to drive both animals towards the hermitage. Suddenly, a she-wolf, altogetheremaciatedwithhunger,appearedanddevouredtheyoungcalf. Its dam sent forth a plaintive lowing, while being driven towards her master's home, and on account of what had happened to her offspring. Having had an intimation, regarding what occurred, Beoan asked the visitor, why he per- mitted such an accident and loss, which seemed even to overwhelm the poor cow with grief. He then ordered Kevin, in the name of God, to afford some solace to this animal. On hearing these words of reproach, his guest went into a neighbouring wood, and there, through the power of God, he called the wolf towards him. This wild animal obeyed his call, when Kevin directed her, to seek that cow, whose calf had been devoured, and to supply the loss of her offspring, at the time of daily milking. Wonderful to relate, adds the legend, immediately after such an admonition, this wolf ran towards the cell, and stood before the cow. On seeing this action, it is told, that the cow loved herasamotherwouldanonlychild. Afterwards,atordinarymilkinghours, thiswolfcamefromthewoods. Thecow,also,whilegivingmilk,lickedher, with an appearance of affectionate regard. The hermit, Beoan, recognising this as a great miracle, gave thanks to God, and his blessing to St. Kevin.
Having received his blessing, and obtained St. Beoan's leave, blessed Kevin
10 who ruled over a of monastery
the robber advanced towards some sacred 12 to swear he was words, relics,
innocent of that theft. When he had done so, a miracle is said to have revealed the fact of his perjury. ^ All who were present cried out for the thief's death, with the exception of God's servants, who liberated him. St.
Kevin then said " O foolish man, abandon this world, and save thy soul
:
from criminal leprosy. " This just counsel he obeyed, and he brought forth
1 fruits worthy of penance, during his after life. *
Another legend of our saint is thus related. One day, Lugid sent Kevin to a certain part of the country. Whilst on his way thither, our saint found the dead bodies of two females, *s who had been beheaded. On beholding this distressing and revolting spectacle, Kevin stood for some time, on the
went to visit
Bishop Lugid,
and
religious brethren,
10
Baert remarks, that he could find no
x. , sect, x. , n. 152^. 48. —
very holy
exemplary
pious Bishop
saint, named Lugid or Lugidius, in Colgan but, he finds many named Lugaid, Lugbee and Lugneo. He confesses himself at a loss to discover, if any of them could be identified
See "Acta Sane- Vita S. Coem-
11 The Rev. Dr. Lanigan observes, that supposing St. Coemgen to have been born
in a. d. 498, he knew of no Bishop Lugidus, by whom he could have been ordained, when
arrived at a proper age for priesthood, ex- cept Lugadius, and this person is thought to be the same as Lugidus, Bishop of Connor. "But how account," he asks, "for Coem-
gen's going so far from his own country as the diocese of Connor? There might have
been a Leinster bishop, Lugidus, in the days of Coemgen's youth ; and that nam—e was formerly very common in Ireland. " "Ec-
I2 "
Accessit ad
sacra ut
signa juraret. "
with the
torum," tomus i. , Junii iii. geni, cap. ii. , n. (d), p. 315.
"Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Junii iii. Vita
S. Coemgeni, cap. ii. , n. II, p. 314.
I3 A miracle somewhat similar to the fore-
is related in " Trias Thauma- going Colgan's
turga. " See Sexta Vita S. Patricii,or Jocelyn's Life of St. Patrick, cap. cxlviii. , p. 97.
u The foregoing accounts are taken from
"
St. Kevin's Life in the
tomus i. , Junii iii. Vita S. Coemgeni, cap. ii. , num. 9, 10, 11, p. 314
15 These are said to have belonged to the
family of Dallayn. The word Dal means
"tribe," or "progeny. " See Dr. John O'Donovan's Introduction to "Topographi- cal Poems of John O'Dubhagain and Giolla na Naomh O'Huidhrin," p. 6. The re- mainder of the compound word is not easily recognisable, among the tribe-names of Ire- land,
l6 In the "Acta Breviora," it is stated,
present Lugid.
clesiastical of History
Ireland," vol. ii. , chap.
manner. This
" re- willingly
aftera
ceived our saint into his community. One day, as we are told, a robber had stolen an animal belonging to the flock of St. Lugid's monastery, and after- wards he denied this theft. Not taking into account St. Kevin's admonitory
;
Acta Sanctorum,"
42 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 3.
spot, lest their dead bodies might become the prey of birds or dogs. He
offered up prayers to God, at the same time. Soon afterwards, the perpetrators of this wicked action came there, in a disturbed state of mind, and having in their possession the heads of those, who had been slain. 16 On seeing them, Kevin upbraided those ruffians, with the murder already committed. The assassins acknowledged the commission of that foul and cruel deed. averred, it was done through hatred, and to be revenged of their parents, who had persecuted themselves. Our saint asked those mangled remains from the murderers. The heads being then deposited on the ground, Kevin joined them to their bodies. He next engaged in prayer, for some time, when in the presence of all, the females arose perfectly restored. These women gave thankstoGod. Theirmurderers,seeingthegreatmiraclewhichhadtaken place, suppliantly asked pardon for that crime. The murderers expressed joy, likewise, at the fortunate issue of this event, and then promised they wouldneverbeguiltyofanylikeaction. Returningtotheirpeople,therestored maidens gave an account of what had occurred. Owing to this wonderful
1 miracle, St. Kevin's renown was spread throughout that whole region. ?
In his youth, Bishop Lugid had resolved on leaving Ireland, to become a pil- grim,insomeforeignland. Then,theAngeloftheLordcametohimandsaid:
" Do not leave Ireland, for through the providence of God, you shall ordain many saints in it. " Acting on this admonition, Lugid remained in his native country. The holy Kevin was one among those saints, he afterwards ordained. When our saint had become a Priest, Lugid sent him with other disciples, whom he had ordained, that he might build a cell in God's honour, and in any place he might be able to find. On coming to a spot, called Cluainduach, the blessed Kevin built a cell, in which he remained for some time. While some writers assert, that this place was identical with Glenda- lough, and its more ancient d—enomination l8 others will have it a distinct
This latter — opinion
with its name and peculiar
—
already described and it may have been the ancient name for that place, with which St. Kevin's name has been associated in tradition. At Cluain-
be — it was not distinct from allowable, perhaps Luggala
20
which has been
duach, it is said, he collected together many servants of Christ. 21
While our saint remained at this place, where in seclusion he
practised great austerities, a poor fugitive ran towards his ceil door, pur- sued by twelve men, who were his enemies. These had resolved on taking
away his life. The door being closed, the runaway could not enter ; but. he fell on the ground, before it. Arriving at the spot, in search of their intended victim, his enemies could see nothing, but what appeared to be a log of wood, lying stretched on the earth. They wondered very much thereat, for they
that by a divine revelation, St. Kevin knew, that the heads of those murdered females were hidden in the hollow of a tree.
17 See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. ,
Juniiiii. Vita S. Coemgeni, cap.
