Patrick had
commanded him to wait expecting his owii
return, according to Jocelyn,
* In the other Lives of our Apostle, there
is no mention of Loman, or concerning his
liaving been placed at Trim.
commanded him to wait expecting his owii
return, according to Jocelyn,
* In the other Lives of our Apostle, there
is no mention of Loman, or concerning his
liaving been placed at Trim.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v3
xlii.
, pp.
14,
Septima
^ See, on the present subject, that very curious, but romantic and fabulous tract, knownasSiabur-CharpatConCuilaind,or " The Demoniac Chariot of Cu Chulaind," from the Lebor na h-Uidre, translated and edited by J. O'Beirne Crowe, A. B. , for
"The Journal of the Royal Historical and
"
his
vol.
! . , part ii. Fourth Series. January, 1871, the city, and to feign death, before St.
pp. 371 to 448. Patrick should arrive at the place. He was ^7 See the Second Life, cap. xli. , p. 16 ; commanded not to arise, even if the holy the Fourth Life, cap. xlix. , p. 41 ; the Fifth man called on him so to act. To this course Life, lib. i. , cap. xlvi. , p. 51 ; the Seventh Erramaelus assented, but, as it fell out, to Life, lib. i. , cap. Ixvii. , p. 128. However, his own destruction. To test St. Patrick's the sincerity of this conversion has been supernatural knowledge, the king brought questioned, since Loeghaire is reported as him that way. However, our saint, having
" It is better for me to had a Divine admonition of the scheme, believe than to die. " The Tripartite Life cried out: "O Erramaelus, whether truly
having exclaimed
:
tells us, his father Niall had enjoined on him, never to embrace the Faith of Christ, and that he should always adhere to the gods of his ancestors. See lib. ii. , cap. viii. , p. 130-
or falsely you have been wounded, no heal- ing shall you receive ; whether truly or falsely you have been wounded, from this place you shall not rise. " And this prophecy was fulfilled, for Erramaelus, who feigned
death, was found in reality to have passed away from life. See lib. i. , cap. Ixviii. , p. 128.
^'
novel doctrine of forgiving injuries, accord-
By a test, the king tried our saint's
xxxviii. , xxxix. , xl. , xli. , pp. 15, 16; *'
Vita S.
xliv. , xlv. , xlvi. , xlvii. , xlviii. , xlix. , pp. 40,
41 ; "
Quinta Vita S. Patricii," lib. i. , cap. Sexta Vita S. Patricii," cap. xlvi. , xlvii. ,
xlviii. , xlix. , pp. 75, 76. Also,
Vita S. Patricii," lib. i. , cap. Ixi. , Ixii. , Ixiii. , Ixiv. , Ixv. , Ixvi. , Ixvii. , Ixviii. , pp. 126 to 128. Also the Irish Tripartite, in MissCusack's"LifeofSt. Patrick,"pp. 387 to 391. A story is told, in the Latin Tripartite—it is not in the Irish version— that Leogaire ordered one of his servants, called Erramaelus, to smear his face with blood, to cast himself on the public street of
Leabhar na
March 17. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 565
Angusa, should reign after him. This latter reservation Avas in consequence ofthemother'spiety; because,onbendedknees,shehadaskedtheholy man a favour, on behalf of her yet unborn offspring. Patrick then said, that no malediction should be pronounced against Lughaidh, until his own evil deeds should cause him to incur a signal punishment. 9^
Tradition alone seems to affirm the popular opinion, long entertained in
Ireland, that St. Patrick preached a remarkable and an eloquent open-air sermon, regarding the Most Holy Trinity, when he stood on the Hill of Tara. There, he had before him the provincial kings, the dynasts, the chiefs and re- presentatives from various parts of the kingdom. This circumstance was provi- dentially arranged, as all appear to have separated for their respective districts, filled with wonder and admiration, at what they had seen and heard. It is said, that finding it difficult to make some of the people present under- stand the mystery of the Most Holy Trinity, one God in three Divine Persons, St. Patrick plucked from the green sod, beneath his feet, a branch of the shamrock,92 and that he endeavoured to illustrate his doctrine, by showing them, how three leaves were so intimately interwoven on the single stem. 93 Hence, this small but universally-spread plant, in our island, has been assumed as Erinn's national emblem ; and, it is thus connected with our saint's great preaching of Gospel truths, at an early stage of his mission.
CHAPTEE. X.
RELIGIOUS TOLERATION ACCORDED TO ST, PATRICK—ST. LOMAN OR LUMMAN—ST. PATRICK VISITS TAILTEAN—HIS RECEPTION BY KING LAOIGHAIRE'S BROTHERS, CAIRBRE AND CONNELL—ST. PATRICK'S SOLEMN BAPTISM—HIS REPUTED FOUNDA- TIONS IN MEATH—HIS MISSION IN WESTMEATH—USNEACH HILL—HE VISITS LONG- FORD—HE RESOLVES TO SET OUT FOR CONNAUGHT—HIS PASSAGE THROUGH LEITRIM—DESTRUCTION-OF THE IDOL CROM-CRUACH, AT MAGH SLEACHT.
This singularly successful opening of his apostolate, at Tara, was the prelude to further triumphs. '' After this great event, St. Patrick went over all the country,
9' It is said, that after he assumed the sovereignty, and towards its close, he went to a place, where there was a church. There he said : "Is not that the church of the cleric, who said that there should be neither
5= Its botanic name is the "
''
trefolium
nor from
king roydamhna Laeg-
"The — No. Wood-Sorrel," xii. ,
wehavethe
"
heaven killed him on the
haire ?
After this, darts of lightning from
following lines
"Its triple leaves, heart-shaped, and
and thence- forth the place was called Achadh-farcha, or
"the field of
Dr. O'Donovan
Recalling Erin's early days to view, *******
Preaching to Pagans Christianity,
Then, honoured wood-sorrel, the saint
chose thee,
A lovely symbol of the Trinity. "
—" in Hundred and Darrynane Eighteen
Thirty-two, and—other Poems," p. 139.
'
lightning. "
was unable to identify the locality, although
the Life of St. Patrick, in the "Leabhar Breac," states, that it was in the territory of Ui-Cremhthainne. In Miss Cusack's Irish
Tripartite Life, n. i, p. 391, the place is
identified, as Aghafacarnane, according to
the Down Survey, in the old district or
parish of Ballialticknaffe, now in the parish
of Enniskeen, baronies of Lower Slane and
emerald
green,
Kells. This parish, too, is partly in Cavan
Chapter x.
and, it is defined, on the "Ordnance Sur-
vey Townland Maps for the County of
"
Cavan," Sheets 28, 29, 34, 35, as also on the
spot,
;
relate,
Quinta Vita S. Patricii," Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the lib. i. , cap. xlvii. , p. 51. The Tripartite County of Meath," Sheets 2, 3, 5, 6. goes even further, and it mentions an agree-
ripens, according to Keogh, Threllceld and other botanists. See "Dublin Penny
Journal," vol. i. , No. 2, p. lo.
^3 i^ Mrs. Ellen Fitz-Simon's sonnet,
:
Probus and others
that after his interview with Leogaire, the energetic missionary preached freely through
"
the country. See
566 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 17.
preaching the Gospel, in a public manner. Our Lord worked withal, and dai^y confirmed his doctrine, with sundry miracles. ^ He went boldly forward, 3 to seek the kings and chiefs, in their respective territories ; for, he knew that their conversion must have an encouraging effect on their subject clansmen, and that it could hardly fail to secure a great accession to the fold. Every- where, from that time forward, he seems to have obtained a remarkable degree of toleration, in the working out of his ministry,*
With great caution and doubt must we receive some of the popular traditions, relating to St. Patrick's acts, as given by the biographers. While
the soldier of Christ was absent at Tara, it is said,
his — Loman,5 disciple,^ having
waited more than forty days7 in his vessel, at the mouth of the River Boyne
—during which time, he suffered many hardships from barbarians and unbelievers, then Luman set sail for, and landed at Athtrym, now Trim. In this town, he is said to have been the first bishop. ^ To make this voyage still more marvellous, Jocelyn? subjoins, that, sails being hoisted, Luman's vessel went upwards, without the assistance of oars,^° notwithstanding furious blasts of wind,cominginthatdirection,oppositetoitscourse. " But,Ussherhasre- marked," about the channel of the Boyne being so unfit for navigation, that it must have been impossible for a boat, to proceed so far as Trim, even were both the current and the winds favourable. At this town, Loman converted to the faith of Christ, first, Forkernus, the son of a certain great man, who there
ment, entered into between St. Patrick and distinct yet an imperfect biography, and that it "
the monarch. See Septima Vita S. Pa- received additions from scribes. The Second tricii," lib. ii. , cap. viii. , p. 130. According and Third Books, I believe to have been
to this, the saint pledged himself, not to eject Leogaire from his kingdom, while the king promised, not to make any other attempt upon Patrick's life.
*
only continuations of the First, and com-
piled, probably, by several different persons, at a much more recent period. These have
added little, that is historically aiuthentic ; So state the Fourth Life, cap. i. , pp. and, for the most part, their narratives 41, 42 ; the Fifth Life, lib. i. , cap. xlvii. , savour merely of popular and romantic
p. 51 ; the Sixth Life, cap. xlix. , p. 76. legends,
See, also, Preefacio to the Tripartite Life, 5 His feast occurs on the 17th of Feb- lib. ii. , pp. 128, 129. ruary, as also on the nth of October. See
3 Tara and the adjacent districts must " Circle of the Seasons," p. 48.
'
naturally have been then considered, as Some accounts have it, that he was
chiefly important to opening this mission. nephew to our great Apostle. His leputed For, whatever becomes prevalent in a metro- relatives, in Ireland, have been already
polis is thereby more speedily and easily diffused, through the more distant districts
of any country.
< Probus and Jocelyn seem to observe
little chronological order, in relating St. Patrick's miracles and actions. The order
and arrangement of St. P. itrick's journeys and excursions, as laid down in the Tripar- tite Life, are much more natural and con- sistent. It is difficult, however, to connect incidents related, with the time and course of St. Patrick's various travels in the west.
alluded to.
? St. Lumanus added forty days more to
those forty days, which St.
Patrick had
commanded him to wait expecting his owii
return, according to Jocelyn,
* In the other Lives of our Apostle, there
is no mention of Loman, or concerning his
liaving been placed at Trim. Yet, Jocelyn makeshimabishop. Theantiquityofthat church, however, is known to have been
very great.
9 See " Sexta Vita S. Patricii," cap. Ii. ,
Treating of adventures, that might have p. 76-
'"
occurred in such places, as the writer states The Latin Tripartite only says, that St.
our saint to have visited, the Tripartite Life Loman directed his course against the frequently inserts transactions, and the current ; while, the Irish Tripartite states,
names of persons, belonging to a much later period. However, it observes a rational
and regular system, with regard to St. Patrick's movements, from one place to another. The First Book, after relating his mission at Tara, breaks off abruptly, by announcing his happy death. I am inclined to believe, this First Book was originally a
that he rowed his vessel to Trim.
" As quoted by Ussher, Tirechan has a
part of this story, set down in the Tripartite. However, instead of calling Loman a nephew of St. Patrick, Tirechan makes him
only a disciple.
" See " Primordia," cap. xvii. , p. S53. '3 He is said to have been Fedhlimid, the
March 17. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 567
ruled. ^3 Afterwards, the saint baptized his mother,^'* a Briton by nation ; and, lastly, his father, Fethleminus,'5 or Fedhlimid. In a fountain, which by prayer Loman produced out of the earth, even before their eyes, did he
baptize them, and many others. These things being done, the holy prelate, in the twenty-fifth year before the foundation of Armagh, there built a
church. '^ He resigned its government, to his disciple, named Forkern, or Fortchern,'7 when about to leave this world. After presiding over it for three days, Fortchern is said to have committed it to the charge of a Briton, who is named Cathalad or Cathlad. "^^ Fortchern would not sell the rights of the church, nor his parental heritage. It is said, the revenues of Trim, '9 by the consent of princes, were transferred to St. Patrick, and to his successors, and that they were given perpetually to the church of Armagh. ^° However, there can hardly be a doubt, that Loman lived at a much later period, than the time of St. Patrick,^' and that some writers have incorrectly made him the disciple of our great Irish Apostle.
Immediately after the occurrences at Tara, St. Patrick visited Tailten,^^ or
Teltown,^3 where grand public games were an institution, and which, from time immemorial, had been annually celebrated, in or near that old settlement. His arrival there was on Easter Monday, if we credit the account left lis, in the Tripartite Life. ^4 We are informed, that Tailtean, or Teltown,^5 had its origin from Tailte, the foster-mother of Lugh Lamhfhada, King of Ireland, who established a fair, at the place so named, in commemoration of her. This fair was held annually, upon the first of August, so that v/hen St. Patrick
arrived there, no extraordinary assemblage seems to have greeted him. Shows and rude theatrical exhibitions, marriage ceremonials and engage-
ments, sports and pastimes, were the order of proceedings, at the ancient fair of Teltown. Thither repaired the princes and chieftains of the land, to wit-
ness and to join in various manly exercises, such as boxing, wrestling, run-
son of Laeghaire Mac Neill, who had a a^w;? , at this place.
She is called Scotha, a daughter to the King of Britain.
different from that bishop so named, and classed, by Ussher, in the third order of Iiish
"
'''
'5 He is said to have been the local
Saints. See
Ecclesiastical History of Ire-
prietor of Trim.
'* Tirechan says, it was founded twenty-
two years beiore that of Armagh. Its foundation, notwithstanding, could not have
pro-
land, "vol. i. , chap, v. , sect, iv. , n. 35, p. 222. ^'^ It is also called Taltenam or Tailte.
See Miss Cusack's "Life of St. Patrick,*
p. 396, and n. 9.
'^ its situation, on the northern bank of
the River Blackwater, is about midday be- been prior to A. D. 433. This is thought tween Kells and Navan. Here, loo, are
most generally to have been the year, when St. Patrick first preached in Meath.
^^ His feast occurs on the 17th of Feb- ruary, and on the nth of October. Colgan considers him. to have been the grandson of
large and curious forts. A very interesting description of the place, its history, its
ancient games, legends and customs, will be found in Sir William R. Wilde's "Beauties of the Boyne, and its Tributary, the Black- water," chap, vi. , pp. 149 to 154.
** It "Prima autem feria venit Pa- has,
King Laoighaire.
n.
See
no.
"
Sexta Vita S.
Patricii,"
'^ "
55, p.
Colgan cannot find his name, in any ot tricius ad Talteniam. See "Septima Vita
the Irish Calendars. See ibid. , n. 59, pp. S. Patricii," lib. ii. , cap. iv. , p. 129. That
no. III. Yet, it is not necessary, in all cases where names occur in our saint's Acts, to find them recorded in the Martyrologies.
this was Easter Monday seems clear from a
passage, in which, after an account is given, regarding the saint's transactions with
•9 See Rev. Richard Butler's "Some Carbre and Conall, it runs thus : Notices of the Church of St. Patrick, Trim,
collected from various Authorities," pp. 4,
5, and notes. Trim, 1837, i2mo.
^° Compare the foregoing with the account as given in " Septima Vita S. Patricii," lib. i. , cap. Iv. , p. 125, and lib. ii. , cap. i. , ii. ,
iii. , p. 129.
*'
Rev. Dr. Lanigan thinks, Loman is not
"
Paschae quoque clausula finita, prima feria exiit ad vadem duarum furcai-um. " See cap. vi. , p. 130. These two passages seem to be quo- tations, from some old Latin work. There- fore, they appear entitled to some degree of
credit,
*s This is now the head of a parish, in the
barony of Upper Kells, and it is figured on
568 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 17.
ning, jumping, fencing, with other military movements. Like the Olympic games of ancient Greece, those were held for the purpose of promoting bodily health, mental accomplishments, and public or national amusements. Horse
and chariot races were prominent, among those popular enjoyments. King
Leogarius had two brothers ; and, the eldest of these, named Cairbre,^^ was
likehimselfinwickednessandinfidelity. Theotherandyoungerbrother,who
was called Conall,^7 took no more of his brother's nature, than the fish par-
takeofthesaltsea,northantherosebudofitscompanionthorn. Thechild
of perdition, Cairbre, lived at Tailtin, and St. Patrick went there, hoping to
convert him. But, Cairbre would not listen to the saint's doctrine. He even
threatened death, and he whipped the servants of the holy Apostle, in the
middle of an adjoining stream, which is called the Sele. ^^ The holy man,
perceiving him to be obstinate in this infidelity, said to him, by way of
prophecy "Inregard,thatthouhastcastoffthesweetyokeofChrist,none :
of thy posterity shall enjoy thy kingdom, but it shall be transferred to thy younger brother, Conall. " This prediction afterwards fell out to be most true.
:
To confirm more his prophecy, St. Patrick added these words " And this
shall be to thee a sign, that the Lord will fulfil the word, which he has spoken through my mouth ; the river near thy mansion, where thou hast so cruelly oppressed my servants, and which with the abundance of its fish is wont to feed thee and thine household, from henceforward, even for ever, shall pro- duce no fishes. " The word of this man of God prevailed ; for, all Cairbre's posterity became subject to the posterity of his brother Conall, and they cametothethroneofhiskingdom; while,thatriver,whichwascalledSele, even to the time of Jocelyn, in the twelfth century, bore no fishes. =^9
Saint Patrick left the children of darkness, and he repaired to where
Conall lived, at the place, now known as Donough-Patrick. 3° This prince receivedthesaint,withgreatjoyandexultation. Openinghisearsandheart to the doctrine of life, he was incorporated with Christ, by the laver of re- generation. 3* Conall, this child of grace, is said to have bestowed his court, with all the adjoining territory,3^ upon the saint, whom he besought most earnestly, that for better enlarging the Christian Religion, he should build a
cityforhimself,andforhisholycompany,inthatplace. 33 Thenitwas,that Conall measured a church for God and Patrick, sixty feet in extent, and
Patrick said
:
" Whosoever of your race diminishes this church shall not have
a long reign, and he shall not be prosperous. " Conall stated, also, that he should seek out an adjoining spot, to build a suitable house for himself. The
saint accepted this proposal, and congratulating much the charity of Conall, he yielded to that loving request, and built the city, which was afterwards
called Domnach that " Saint Patrick's adds
the River Boyne, in Meath.
='9 See the foregoing account, in
"
Sexta
Phadruig,34 is,
City,"35
the " Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the County of Meath," Sheets ii, 17. The townland proper is on Sheet 17.
'* He is called the son of Neill, viz. , Niall of the Nine Hostages.
*7 This was Conall Crimthan.
=^ Now the River Blackwater, which joins
Jocelyn.
land Maps for the County of Meath," Sheets 17, 18, 24, 25. The townland itself is on Sheets 17, 18.
31 The Irish Tripartite adds, that Patrick confirmed his royal seat for ever.
32 Xhe Fourth Life, however, only re- presents it, as a spot of ground. See cap. lii. , p. 42.
33 The Irish Tripartite Life tells us, that Patrick said to him : "Thy brother's seed shallservethyseedforever; andstriveto exercise charity towards my successors after me, and the sons of thy sons, that they may be perpetual subjects to my sons of faith. "
Vita S. Patricii," cap. liii. , pp. 76, 77.
30 Donagh- Patrick still retains the name. It is a parish, about four miles east of Kells, and lyuig on the banks of the River Black-
water, partly in the barony of Upper Kells, and partly in that of Lower Navan. It is
34 Colgan refers to a Domnach mor described, on the " Ordnance Survey Town- muighe siuil, or Donagh-Patrick, in the
March 17. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 569
Not far off, the saint appointed a place, marking it with his staff, to build there a new palace for Conall, as this prince himself desired. In the twelfth century, this spot was denominated, Rathyrtair, or Rathairthir. s^ Then giving his
:
benediction by way of prophecy, the saint said " Happy and fortunate shall
his palace be, and many shall live happily in it ; God's blessing shall bless thee, and it will establish thy throne ; he shall enlarge thy dominion ; while, thy brethren's offspring shall serve thy posterity for ever. Only the blood of one man shall be shed in it. " 37 The saint's prediction was fulfilled, in due course of time y^ and, the saint, being prepared for his journey to a more distant part of the country, blessed Conallus. As a memorial of himself, he
left in the afore-mentioned
his altar-stone. 4° The Irish Life Tripartite
—from Domhnach Patrick, east- going away
states,
ward
city,39 that when St. Patrick was
and on his to for had formed a friend- Tara, way Laeghaire they
—s to
ship he blessed Conall, the son of Niall, and then threw his iec or flagstone —more correctly, altar-stone—behind him, eastwards into the hill. ^^
diocese of Tuam. See " Acta Sanctorum Hibernise," xxix. Martii. Vita S. Fularti, n. 2, p. 788. Archdall quotes this reference,
son of Fidgal, in the time of Dunchadh, or Donat, King of Ireland, with his host, con-
tended against his opposing foes, in this very plain. Yet, none fell in the battle, nor were
any grievously wounded. Colgan thinks, this affair happened, in the earlier part of the
tenth century. See idid. , n. 19.
3^ See idid. , cap. liv. , p. 77.
39 In Colgan's time, this place, not far
and absurdly refers the place to Donagh- "
Patrick, in Meath. See Monasticon Hi-
bernicum," p. 529, and n. (u).
Ibid.
35 See Rev, A. Cogan's Diocese of Meath, Ancient and Modern," vol. i. , for
near the road, and on the left side, as the church is approached. See " Beauties of the Boyne, and its Tributary, the Blackwater," chap, vi.
Septima
^ See, on the present subject, that very curious, but romantic and fabulous tract, knownasSiabur-CharpatConCuilaind,or " The Demoniac Chariot of Cu Chulaind," from the Lebor na h-Uidre, translated and edited by J. O'Beirne Crowe, A. B. , for
"The Journal of the Royal Historical and
"
his
vol.
! . , part ii. Fourth Series. January, 1871, the city, and to feign death, before St.
pp. 371 to 448. Patrick should arrive at the place. He was ^7 See the Second Life, cap. xli. , p. 16 ; commanded not to arise, even if the holy the Fourth Life, cap. xlix. , p. 41 ; the Fifth man called on him so to act. To this course Life, lib. i. , cap. xlvi. , p. 51 ; the Seventh Erramaelus assented, but, as it fell out, to Life, lib. i. , cap. Ixvii. , p. 128. However, his own destruction. To test St. Patrick's the sincerity of this conversion has been supernatural knowledge, the king brought questioned, since Loeghaire is reported as him that way. However, our saint, having
" It is better for me to had a Divine admonition of the scheme, believe than to die. " The Tripartite Life cried out: "O Erramaelus, whether truly
having exclaimed
:
tells us, his father Niall had enjoined on him, never to embrace the Faith of Christ, and that he should always adhere to the gods of his ancestors. See lib. ii. , cap. viii. , p. 130-
or falsely you have been wounded, no heal- ing shall you receive ; whether truly or falsely you have been wounded, from this place you shall not rise. " And this prophecy was fulfilled, for Erramaelus, who feigned
death, was found in reality to have passed away from life. See lib. i. , cap. Ixviii. , p. 128.
^'
novel doctrine of forgiving injuries, accord-
By a test, the king tried our saint's
xxxviii. , xxxix. , xl. , xli. , pp. 15, 16; *'
Vita S.
xliv. , xlv. , xlvi. , xlvii. , xlviii. , xlix. , pp. 40,
41 ; "
Quinta Vita S. Patricii," lib. i. , cap. Sexta Vita S. Patricii," cap. xlvi. , xlvii. ,
xlviii. , xlix. , pp. 75, 76. Also,
Vita S. Patricii," lib. i. , cap. Ixi. , Ixii. , Ixiii. , Ixiv. , Ixv. , Ixvi. , Ixvii. , Ixviii. , pp. 126 to 128. Also the Irish Tripartite, in MissCusack's"LifeofSt. Patrick,"pp. 387 to 391. A story is told, in the Latin Tripartite—it is not in the Irish version— that Leogaire ordered one of his servants, called Erramaelus, to smear his face with blood, to cast himself on the public street of
Leabhar na
March 17. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 565
Angusa, should reign after him. This latter reservation Avas in consequence ofthemother'spiety; because,onbendedknees,shehadaskedtheholy man a favour, on behalf of her yet unborn offspring. Patrick then said, that no malediction should be pronounced against Lughaidh, until his own evil deeds should cause him to incur a signal punishment. 9^
Tradition alone seems to affirm the popular opinion, long entertained in
Ireland, that St. Patrick preached a remarkable and an eloquent open-air sermon, regarding the Most Holy Trinity, when he stood on the Hill of Tara. There, he had before him the provincial kings, the dynasts, the chiefs and re- presentatives from various parts of the kingdom. This circumstance was provi- dentially arranged, as all appear to have separated for their respective districts, filled with wonder and admiration, at what they had seen and heard. It is said, that finding it difficult to make some of the people present under- stand the mystery of the Most Holy Trinity, one God in three Divine Persons, St. Patrick plucked from the green sod, beneath his feet, a branch of the shamrock,92 and that he endeavoured to illustrate his doctrine, by showing them, how three leaves were so intimately interwoven on the single stem. 93 Hence, this small but universally-spread plant, in our island, has been assumed as Erinn's national emblem ; and, it is thus connected with our saint's great preaching of Gospel truths, at an early stage of his mission.
CHAPTEE. X.
RELIGIOUS TOLERATION ACCORDED TO ST, PATRICK—ST. LOMAN OR LUMMAN—ST. PATRICK VISITS TAILTEAN—HIS RECEPTION BY KING LAOIGHAIRE'S BROTHERS, CAIRBRE AND CONNELL—ST. PATRICK'S SOLEMN BAPTISM—HIS REPUTED FOUNDA- TIONS IN MEATH—HIS MISSION IN WESTMEATH—USNEACH HILL—HE VISITS LONG- FORD—HE RESOLVES TO SET OUT FOR CONNAUGHT—HIS PASSAGE THROUGH LEITRIM—DESTRUCTION-OF THE IDOL CROM-CRUACH, AT MAGH SLEACHT.
This singularly successful opening of his apostolate, at Tara, was the prelude to further triumphs. '' After this great event, St. Patrick went over all the country,
9' It is said, that after he assumed the sovereignty, and towards its close, he went to a place, where there was a church. There he said : "Is not that the church of the cleric, who said that there should be neither
5= Its botanic name is the "
''
trefolium
nor from
king roydamhna Laeg-
"The — No. Wood-Sorrel," xii. ,
wehavethe
"
heaven killed him on the
haire ?
After this, darts of lightning from
following lines
"Its triple leaves, heart-shaped, and
and thence- forth the place was called Achadh-farcha, or
"the field of
Dr. O'Donovan
Recalling Erin's early days to view, *******
Preaching to Pagans Christianity,
Then, honoured wood-sorrel, the saint
chose thee,
A lovely symbol of the Trinity. "
—" in Hundred and Darrynane Eighteen
Thirty-two, and—other Poems," p. 139.
'
lightning. "
was unable to identify the locality, although
the Life of St. Patrick, in the "Leabhar Breac," states, that it was in the territory of Ui-Cremhthainne. In Miss Cusack's Irish
Tripartite Life, n. i, p. 391, the place is
identified, as Aghafacarnane, according to
the Down Survey, in the old district or
parish of Ballialticknaffe, now in the parish
of Enniskeen, baronies of Lower Slane and
emerald
green,
Kells. This parish, too, is partly in Cavan
Chapter x.
and, it is defined, on the "Ordnance Sur-
vey Townland Maps for the County of
"
Cavan," Sheets 28, 29, 34, 35, as also on the
spot,
;
relate,
Quinta Vita S. Patricii," Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the lib. i. , cap. xlvii. , p. 51. The Tripartite County of Meath," Sheets 2, 3, 5, 6. goes even further, and it mentions an agree-
ripens, according to Keogh, Threllceld and other botanists. See "Dublin Penny
Journal," vol. i. , No. 2, p. lo.
^3 i^ Mrs. Ellen Fitz-Simon's sonnet,
:
Probus and others
that after his interview with Leogaire, the energetic missionary preached freely through
"
the country. See
566 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 17.
preaching the Gospel, in a public manner. Our Lord worked withal, and dai^y confirmed his doctrine, with sundry miracles. ^ He went boldly forward, 3 to seek the kings and chiefs, in their respective territories ; for, he knew that their conversion must have an encouraging effect on their subject clansmen, and that it could hardly fail to secure a great accession to the fold. Every- where, from that time forward, he seems to have obtained a remarkable degree of toleration, in the working out of his ministry,*
With great caution and doubt must we receive some of the popular traditions, relating to St. Patrick's acts, as given by the biographers. While
the soldier of Christ was absent at Tara, it is said,
his — Loman,5 disciple,^ having
waited more than forty days7 in his vessel, at the mouth of the River Boyne
—during which time, he suffered many hardships from barbarians and unbelievers, then Luman set sail for, and landed at Athtrym, now Trim. In this town, he is said to have been the first bishop. ^ To make this voyage still more marvellous, Jocelyn? subjoins, that, sails being hoisted, Luman's vessel went upwards, without the assistance of oars,^° notwithstanding furious blasts of wind,cominginthatdirection,oppositetoitscourse. " But,Ussherhasre- marked," about the channel of the Boyne being so unfit for navigation, that it must have been impossible for a boat, to proceed so far as Trim, even were both the current and the winds favourable. At this town, Loman converted to the faith of Christ, first, Forkernus, the son of a certain great man, who there
ment, entered into between St. Patrick and distinct yet an imperfect biography, and that it "
the monarch. See Septima Vita S. Pa- received additions from scribes. The Second tricii," lib. ii. , cap. viii. , p. 130. According and Third Books, I believe to have been
to this, the saint pledged himself, not to eject Leogaire from his kingdom, while the king promised, not to make any other attempt upon Patrick's life.
*
only continuations of the First, and com-
piled, probably, by several different persons, at a much more recent period. These have
added little, that is historically aiuthentic ; So state the Fourth Life, cap. i. , pp. and, for the most part, their narratives 41, 42 ; the Fifth Life, lib. i. , cap. xlvii. , savour merely of popular and romantic
p. 51 ; the Sixth Life, cap. xlix. , p. 76. legends,
See, also, Preefacio to the Tripartite Life, 5 His feast occurs on the 17th of Feb- lib. ii. , pp. 128, 129. ruary, as also on the nth of October. See
3 Tara and the adjacent districts must " Circle of the Seasons," p. 48.
'
naturally have been then considered, as Some accounts have it, that he was
chiefly important to opening this mission. nephew to our great Apostle. His leputed For, whatever becomes prevalent in a metro- relatives, in Ireland, have been already
polis is thereby more speedily and easily diffused, through the more distant districts
of any country.
< Probus and Jocelyn seem to observe
little chronological order, in relating St. Patrick's miracles and actions. The order
and arrangement of St. P. itrick's journeys and excursions, as laid down in the Tripar- tite Life, are much more natural and con- sistent. It is difficult, however, to connect incidents related, with the time and course of St. Patrick's various travels in the west.
alluded to.
? St. Lumanus added forty days more to
those forty days, which St.
Patrick had
commanded him to wait expecting his owii
return, according to Jocelyn,
* In the other Lives of our Apostle, there
is no mention of Loman, or concerning his
liaving been placed at Trim. Yet, Jocelyn makeshimabishop. Theantiquityofthat church, however, is known to have been
very great.
9 See " Sexta Vita S. Patricii," cap. Ii. ,
Treating of adventures, that might have p. 76-
'"
occurred in such places, as the writer states The Latin Tripartite only says, that St.
our saint to have visited, the Tripartite Life Loman directed his course against the frequently inserts transactions, and the current ; while, the Irish Tripartite states,
names of persons, belonging to a much later period. However, it observes a rational
and regular system, with regard to St. Patrick's movements, from one place to another. The First Book, after relating his mission at Tara, breaks off abruptly, by announcing his happy death. I am inclined to believe, this First Book was originally a
that he rowed his vessel to Trim.
" As quoted by Ussher, Tirechan has a
part of this story, set down in the Tripartite. However, instead of calling Loman a nephew of St. Patrick, Tirechan makes him
only a disciple.
" See " Primordia," cap. xvii. , p. S53. '3 He is said to have been Fedhlimid, the
March 17. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 567
ruled. ^3 Afterwards, the saint baptized his mother,^'* a Briton by nation ; and, lastly, his father, Fethleminus,'5 or Fedhlimid. In a fountain, which by prayer Loman produced out of the earth, even before their eyes, did he
baptize them, and many others. These things being done, the holy prelate, in the twenty-fifth year before the foundation of Armagh, there built a
church. '^ He resigned its government, to his disciple, named Forkern, or Fortchern,'7 when about to leave this world. After presiding over it for three days, Fortchern is said to have committed it to the charge of a Briton, who is named Cathalad or Cathlad. "^^ Fortchern would not sell the rights of the church, nor his parental heritage. It is said, the revenues of Trim, '9 by the consent of princes, were transferred to St. Patrick, and to his successors, and that they were given perpetually to the church of Armagh. ^° However, there can hardly be a doubt, that Loman lived at a much later period, than the time of St. Patrick,^' and that some writers have incorrectly made him the disciple of our great Irish Apostle.
Immediately after the occurrences at Tara, St. Patrick visited Tailten,^^ or
Teltown,^3 where grand public games were an institution, and which, from time immemorial, had been annually celebrated, in or near that old settlement. His arrival there was on Easter Monday, if we credit the account left lis, in the Tripartite Life. ^4 We are informed, that Tailtean, or Teltown,^5 had its origin from Tailte, the foster-mother of Lugh Lamhfhada, King of Ireland, who established a fair, at the place so named, in commemoration of her. This fair was held annually, upon the first of August, so that v/hen St. Patrick
arrived there, no extraordinary assemblage seems to have greeted him. Shows and rude theatrical exhibitions, marriage ceremonials and engage-
ments, sports and pastimes, were the order of proceedings, at the ancient fair of Teltown. Thither repaired the princes and chieftains of the land, to wit-
ness and to join in various manly exercises, such as boxing, wrestling, run-
son of Laeghaire Mac Neill, who had a a^w;? , at this place.
She is called Scotha, a daughter to the King of Britain.
different from that bishop so named, and classed, by Ussher, in the third order of Iiish
"
'''
'5 He is said to have been the local
Saints. See
Ecclesiastical History of Ire-
prietor of Trim.
'* Tirechan says, it was founded twenty-
two years beiore that of Armagh. Its foundation, notwithstanding, could not have
pro-
land, "vol. i. , chap, v. , sect, iv. , n. 35, p. 222. ^'^ It is also called Taltenam or Tailte.
See Miss Cusack's "Life of St. Patrick,*
p. 396, and n. 9.
'^ its situation, on the northern bank of
the River Blackwater, is about midday be- been prior to A. D. 433. This is thought tween Kells and Navan. Here, loo, are
most generally to have been the year, when St. Patrick first preached in Meath.
^^ His feast occurs on the 17th of Feb- ruary, and on the nth of October. Colgan considers him. to have been the grandson of
large and curious forts. A very interesting description of the place, its history, its
ancient games, legends and customs, will be found in Sir William R. Wilde's "Beauties of the Boyne, and its Tributary, the Black- water," chap, vi. , pp. 149 to 154.
** It "Prima autem feria venit Pa- has,
King Laoighaire.
n.
See
no.
"
Sexta Vita S.
Patricii,"
'^ "
55, p.
Colgan cannot find his name, in any ot tricius ad Talteniam. See "Septima Vita
the Irish Calendars. See ibid. , n. 59, pp. S. Patricii," lib. ii. , cap. iv. , p. 129. That
no. III. Yet, it is not necessary, in all cases where names occur in our saint's Acts, to find them recorded in the Martyrologies.
this was Easter Monday seems clear from a
passage, in which, after an account is given, regarding the saint's transactions with
•9 See Rev. Richard Butler's "Some Carbre and Conall, it runs thus : Notices of the Church of St. Patrick, Trim,
collected from various Authorities," pp. 4,
5, and notes. Trim, 1837, i2mo.
^° Compare the foregoing with the account as given in " Septima Vita S. Patricii," lib. i. , cap. Iv. , p. 125, and lib. ii. , cap. i. , ii. ,
iii. , p. 129.
*'
Rev. Dr. Lanigan thinks, Loman is not
"
Paschae quoque clausula finita, prima feria exiit ad vadem duarum furcai-um. " See cap. vi. , p. 130. These two passages seem to be quo- tations, from some old Latin work. There- fore, they appear entitled to some degree of
credit,
*s This is now the head of a parish, in the
barony of Upper Kells, and it is figured on
568 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 17.
ning, jumping, fencing, with other military movements. Like the Olympic games of ancient Greece, those were held for the purpose of promoting bodily health, mental accomplishments, and public or national amusements. Horse
and chariot races were prominent, among those popular enjoyments. King
Leogarius had two brothers ; and, the eldest of these, named Cairbre,^^ was
likehimselfinwickednessandinfidelity. Theotherandyoungerbrother,who
was called Conall,^7 took no more of his brother's nature, than the fish par-
takeofthesaltsea,northantherosebudofitscompanionthorn. Thechild
of perdition, Cairbre, lived at Tailtin, and St. Patrick went there, hoping to
convert him. But, Cairbre would not listen to the saint's doctrine. He even
threatened death, and he whipped the servants of the holy Apostle, in the
middle of an adjoining stream, which is called the Sele. ^^ The holy man,
perceiving him to be obstinate in this infidelity, said to him, by way of
prophecy "Inregard,thatthouhastcastoffthesweetyokeofChrist,none :
of thy posterity shall enjoy thy kingdom, but it shall be transferred to thy younger brother, Conall. " This prediction afterwards fell out to be most true.
:
To confirm more his prophecy, St. Patrick added these words " And this
shall be to thee a sign, that the Lord will fulfil the word, which he has spoken through my mouth ; the river near thy mansion, where thou hast so cruelly oppressed my servants, and which with the abundance of its fish is wont to feed thee and thine household, from henceforward, even for ever, shall pro- duce no fishes. " The word of this man of God prevailed ; for, all Cairbre's posterity became subject to the posterity of his brother Conall, and they cametothethroneofhiskingdom; while,thatriver,whichwascalledSele, even to the time of Jocelyn, in the twelfth century, bore no fishes. =^9
Saint Patrick left the children of darkness, and he repaired to where
Conall lived, at the place, now known as Donough-Patrick. 3° This prince receivedthesaint,withgreatjoyandexultation. Openinghisearsandheart to the doctrine of life, he was incorporated with Christ, by the laver of re- generation. 3* Conall, this child of grace, is said to have bestowed his court, with all the adjoining territory,3^ upon the saint, whom he besought most earnestly, that for better enlarging the Christian Religion, he should build a
cityforhimself,andforhisholycompany,inthatplace. 33 Thenitwas,that Conall measured a church for God and Patrick, sixty feet in extent, and
Patrick said
:
" Whosoever of your race diminishes this church shall not have
a long reign, and he shall not be prosperous. " Conall stated, also, that he should seek out an adjoining spot, to build a suitable house for himself. The
saint accepted this proposal, and congratulating much the charity of Conall, he yielded to that loving request, and built the city, which was afterwards
called Domnach that " Saint Patrick's adds
the River Boyne, in Meath.
='9 See the foregoing account, in
"
Sexta
Phadruig,34 is,
City,"35
the " Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the County of Meath," Sheets ii, 17. The townland proper is on Sheet 17.
'* He is called the son of Neill, viz. , Niall of the Nine Hostages.
*7 This was Conall Crimthan.
=^ Now the River Blackwater, which joins
Jocelyn.
land Maps for the County of Meath," Sheets 17, 18, 24, 25. The townland itself is on Sheets 17, 18.
31 The Irish Tripartite adds, that Patrick confirmed his royal seat for ever.
32 Xhe Fourth Life, however, only re- presents it, as a spot of ground. See cap. lii. , p. 42.
33 The Irish Tripartite Life tells us, that Patrick said to him : "Thy brother's seed shallservethyseedforever; andstriveto exercise charity towards my successors after me, and the sons of thy sons, that they may be perpetual subjects to my sons of faith. "
Vita S. Patricii," cap. liii. , pp. 76, 77.
30 Donagh- Patrick still retains the name. It is a parish, about four miles east of Kells, and lyuig on the banks of the River Black-
water, partly in the barony of Upper Kells, and partly in that of Lower Navan. It is
34 Colgan refers to a Domnach mor described, on the " Ordnance Survey Town- muighe siuil, or Donagh-Patrick, in the
March 17. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 569
Not far off, the saint appointed a place, marking it with his staff, to build there a new palace for Conall, as this prince himself desired. In the twelfth century, this spot was denominated, Rathyrtair, or Rathairthir. s^ Then giving his
:
benediction by way of prophecy, the saint said " Happy and fortunate shall
his palace be, and many shall live happily in it ; God's blessing shall bless thee, and it will establish thy throne ; he shall enlarge thy dominion ; while, thy brethren's offspring shall serve thy posterity for ever. Only the blood of one man shall be shed in it. " 37 The saint's prediction was fulfilled, in due course of time y^ and, the saint, being prepared for his journey to a more distant part of the country, blessed Conallus. As a memorial of himself, he
left in the afore-mentioned
his altar-stone. 4° The Irish Life Tripartite
—from Domhnach Patrick, east- going away
states,
ward
city,39 that when St. Patrick was
and on his to for had formed a friend- Tara, way Laeghaire they
—s to
ship he blessed Conall, the son of Niall, and then threw his iec or flagstone —more correctly, altar-stone—behind him, eastwards into the hill. ^^
diocese of Tuam. See " Acta Sanctorum Hibernise," xxix. Martii. Vita S. Fularti, n. 2, p. 788. Archdall quotes this reference,
son of Fidgal, in the time of Dunchadh, or Donat, King of Ireland, with his host, con-
tended against his opposing foes, in this very plain. Yet, none fell in the battle, nor were
any grievously wounded. Colgan thinks, this affair happened, in the earlier part of the
tenth century. See idid. , n. 19.
3^ See idid. , cap. liv. , p. 77.
39 In Colgan's time, this place, not far
and absurdly refers the place to Donagh- "
Patrick, in Meath. See Monasticon Hi-
bernicum," p. 529, and n. (u).
Ibid.
35 See Rev, A. Cogan's Diocese of Meath, Ancient and Modern," vol. i. , for
near the road, and on the left side, as the church is approached. See " Beauties of the Boyne, and its Tributary, the Blackwater," chap, vi.
