, according to the
Genealogies
of the Irish Saints.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v3
It is cele- brated, both in the ecclesiastical and military annals of Ireland.
It had four
gateway towers of lofty and imposing character ; it can now boast only Blosom's-gate. =3 TheDominicanAbbey,onthebanksoftheLubachRiver, is a ruin, still presenting a fine effect. The choir is unrivalled for symmetry and elegance of design. ^* The Abbey of Kilmallock stands, on the east side of the town, and outside of its walls. 's In addition to this, the visitor to Kilmallock will be attracted to the old mediseval church of the Apostles, St,
** When first I saw Kilmallock's walls, 'Twas in the stillness of moonlight ;
And lofty towers and stately halls Frowned darkly then enwrapped in
night,
Just touched with tinsel, streaks and
site of an ancient hospital for lepers is still called the Spidalfield.
gleams,
Mysterious, as a town of dreams.
"
the following are the principal : A beautiful
chapel, extending to the east of the tower,
and measuring 66 feet, 6 inches, in length,
on the inside, and 24 feet, in breadth. It
is lighted, by six Gothic windows, placed on
the south wall, and measuring about 12 feet,
in height, and 5 feet, in width, and by a
very magnificent one, placed on the east
gable, and measuring about 20 feet in
height, and 16 feet in width, on the outside,
'° See her " Rambles in the South of Ire-
land, during the year 1838," vol. ii. , chap,
xii. , pp. 236 to 305.
^' Among the 46 sketches of Ordnance
Survey Antiquities, referring to the county of Limerick, are the following respecting Kilmallock : I. The parish church at Kil- mallock, with its Round Tower. 2. South Gate of Kilmallock. 3. The chancel of the Abbey of Kilmallock. The foregoing are pen and ink sketches, I believe by the
artist, W. F. Wakeman, although his signa- ture is only affixed to the latter. They are drawn on letter paper, in his usual correct style ; but, they are not highly finished, although sufficiently so for the purposes of a tasteful and corre—ct engraver. The follow-
ing are in pencil some of them
shading—and on thick drawing paper,
about 16 by 12 inches : I. The Abbey of 2 feet, 9 inches, to 3 feet, 10 inches. The Kilmallock, from the west. 2. The gate at south wall is 2 feet, 9 inches ; but, the Kilmallock, on the Cork road. 3. Abbey north wall and west gable are 3 feet, 10 of Kilmallock. 4. The parish church of inches, in thickness. The western chapel Kilmallock. 5. Round Tower of Kilmal-
lock. 6. Kilmallock Abbey. Although
some of these drawings refer to the same
object, all are different views, and as the
signature of Mr. Wakeman and his initials
are affixed to some of them, and as all are
very much in his style, I infer, that he must
have been the artist, who designed all of
them. They are only, however, outline
drawings.
^'^ See Ferrar's "History of Limerick," part iii. , chap, iii. , p. 187.
"3 See an article, by Miss Braddon, on the east wall, and a very large one, on
"Ireland for Tourists," in "Belgravia,"
August, 1874.
"< It contains the dilapidated tomb of the
last of the White Knights. There are also the i-uins of the abbot's private residence, which after the Reformation was occupied, by the civic powers, and so late as 1604, it was inhabited by the White Knight. The
the south gable, which is divided into five compartments. There is another small
window, on the same gable, near the S. W. comer. The western side of the tower was
destroyed, according to tradition, by the great warrior Cromwell. * * * * •
The refectory, or as the people call it "dwelling-house," of this abbey, consists of
with colour
chapels are about 28 feet,
^s It consists of several
divisions,
of which
******
from which the tower springs are unusually narrow ; they are 7 feet, 6 inches, in width, and 24 feet, in height. Another chapel ex- tends to the west of the tower, and it measures 87 feet, in length, and 24 feet, in breadth. Its south wall is destroyed, but its north wall is perfect, and it contains three windows, and two pointed doorways. Its west gable is in good preservation, and it contains one pointed doorway, and over it, there is a large Gothic window. The side walls of these
in height, and they vary in thickness, from
and divided into five compartments, pointed
at top.
The arches
may be called the Nave, and the eastern the Choir, of the Abbey church, but the choir arch is a miserable one. North from the tower extends another long house, measur-
ing 90 feet, in length, and 17 feet, 4 inches, in breadth, and lighted by 1 1 windows, of various forms and sizes. To the south of the tower, there is another chapel, or tran- sept, on the north side of which there are two large pointed arches. It measures 38 feel, in length, and 36, in breadth, and it is lighted by three windows, two of which are
95^ LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 26.
Peter and St. Paul. ^^ The chancel or eastern portion is now used, as the Protestant chur—ch of Kilmallock. This portion is 49>^ feet long, by 25^^ feet, in breadth the walls being 3 feet, in thickness. The western portion, or nave, is 80 feet long, by 65 feet, in breadth : it contains 14 windows, which are all in the pointed style. There are on each side four lofty pointed
arches, springing from large square pillars, dividing the centre from the side
'•^Uiemtm.
Kilmallock Church and Round Tower.
aisles. There were also arches, springing from these pillars, in a lateral direction, and terminated by the walls, on each side ; but, they are now destroyed. The tower is situated, at the north-west corner. It is round, and its style seems a modification of the ancient Irish clogits, but intermediate between it and the Norman tower of subsequent ages. ^^ Some writers ascribe the erection of a monastery, in this town, to our saint, without sufficient authority. *^ He is said, likewise, to have discharged the offices of bishop
a large kitchen, arched overhead, and over it is a large dining-room. The kitchen is
56 feet, in length, and 19, in breadth, and the height to the top of the vault is about 16 feet. It had two apartments off it, one at the east, and the other, off the south, side. This kitchen has two large fire-places, and it is lighted by five windows, of which four are on the north wall, and one is on the west gable. It was entered, by four pointed doorways ; one on the west gable, two on the south wall, and one at the east end, which is now just destroyed. The dining- room over this kitchen is a very spacious one, being 67 feet, 6 inches, in length, and 32 feet, in breadth. It is lighted, by seven quad- rangular windows, of which four are on the north wall, and three are on the east gable ; but, its south wall, which probably con-
tained several windows, is destroyed. See
vey Office," vol. i. , pp. 365 to 368. Mr. O'Donovan's Letter, dated August 12th, 1840.
** The accompanying illustration, drawn on the spot by William F. Wakeman, and transferred by him to the wood, was en- graved by George A. Hanlon.
*7 There is a small building, at the S. E. corner, formed by the south wall projecting \<)% feet ; the breadth of this building, from E. to W. , is 24 feet. It is separated, from the main body of the church, by a pointed arch. The walls of this church,
which are parapeted, including the parapet,
"
County Limerick Letters, Ordnance bur-
Thus, Archdall's Monasticon Hiber- nicum," p. 424. Harris' Ware, vol.
" Limerick Letters of the Ordnance Survey Office," formerly in the Phoenix Park, vol.
are about 40 feet in height. See
County
i. , pp. 368, 369. Mr. O'Donovan's Letter,
dated August 12th, 1840. °^ "
March 26. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 957
andofabbot. But,thesewriterswouldappeartohavefallenintoanerror,in saying, that the old monastery of our saint had been converted into the Protestant church,^? or that it was even situated on its site. 3° It is possible, that as Kilmallock had become a more r—emarkable place than Cathuir-mac- —Conchaigh,orthechurchofKill-Odhrain wherelikewisehewasvenerated
the former town might have been a bishopric, or abbey, over which Mo- chellocpresided. 3' Kill-odhrainwasperhapsonlyanothernameforCathuir- mac-Conchaigh, and this the Calendar of Cashel indicates. —Having attained a very old age, our saint died, at a—place called Letha 32 thought to have beenFiodh-Lethan,33nearLismore onthe26thofMarch,thedayforhis festival, after a. d. 639, and before a. d. 656, during the joint reigns of Connall and Kellach. 34 Letha was a name, given by our historians to Latium, or Italy ; and, there are writers, according to Maguire, who say, that our saint died, in Rome. Others again tell us, that he departed at Killdachelloc, in Hy Cairpre, of Munster. 35 The festival of this holy man, with that of the two Sinchells, is found in the Festilogy of St. yEngus,36 at the 26th of March. The name Mochelloc, son of Tulodrain, of Calthir mic Conaich, is inserted, in the Martyrology of Tallagh,37 at the 26th of March. The Calendar of Cashel,32 Marianus 0'Gorman,39 and Cathal Maguire,4° mark his festival, at
"Antiquities of Ireland," chap, xxxviii. , p. 266, and the local historians, Fitzgerald and M'Gregor, who say: "An Abbey was founded in this town, by St. MochoUog, who died, between the years 639 and 656 ; this is now th—e parish church, and is kept in
" and good repair. " History, Topography,
Antiquities of the County and City of Lime- rick, vol. i. , p. 340.
of Limerick,"
3° This Mr. O'Donovan shows, in this
" The foundation of the old church, to which, according to tra- dition, the name Cill Mocheallog was origi- nally given still remains ; it is situated on the south side of a hill on rising ground, about a quarter of a mile N. W. of the town of Killmallock. There are only about two feet in height of the walls of this old church now remaining, and they are nearly covered with earth and grass. The length of St. Mocheallog's church is 22^ feet, its breadth 12 feet 3 inches, and the thickness of its walls 3 feet. The few stones of the founda- tion which can now be seen are large ; and no lime-mortar can be seen between them. There is a small graveyard attached to this
ruin, but it is scarcely ever used at present Veiy considerable remains of the town wall of Kilmallock are still visible. One of the gates with its tower is in good preservation ; and a square tower or castle stands in good
finds this saint honoured, with the title of
bishop, he suspects, it is only on weak
: authority ; and, he adds in a note ' ' Mo-
chelloc is not called bishop in any of the
Irish Calendars quoted by Colgan. " See, "Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol.
sect, andn. iii. , chap, xvii. , vi. , p. 29, 77,
p. 30.
3^ According to St. ^Engus, the Culdee.
Festilogium" of Saint ^Enguss, Maguire states, that Letha was the name of a wood, in the Munster Decies, in which the ancient city of Cathair-mac-Conchaidh was formerly
situated.
3* These were sons to King Maelcob.
"
35 See Colgan's
nise," xxvi. Martii, nn. 10, 11, p. 749.
3* The following extract, and its transla- tion, have—been furnished, by Professor
="9 See Ferrar's "
33 In his comments on the "
History part iii. , chap, iii. , p. 187.
following statement
:
near the west end of the town. Many ancient houses are yet to be seen in this old town, of which the artists should
preservation,
38 There is read: "S. Mochellocus de make careful sketches, before th—e hand of Kill-Odhrain, de Cathuir mac Conchuid. "
improvement disfigures them all. " County Limerick Letters, Ordnance Survey Office," vol. i. , pp. 369, 370. Mr. O'Donovan's
Letter, dated August 12th, 1840.
3' Dr. Lanigan remarks, that although he
He says
*° His accQunt seems to be accompanied with doubts, regarding this saint's identity and place.
" 39 "
:
Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
O'Looney
A. 1111. kt. hillecliA 'Oo^oclnvACA^
tnochelboc tAchib lA^A
" In Letha — they perished
Mochelloc after many days, The feast of two ever-living Sin-
chells,
Of vast Cill Achad. "
37 Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xix.
•oA
Ciile Ai'obl-e acVii'd.
•peiL
finchell fuchAin
S. Kellenus filius Tuladh- rani in regione," &c.
:
958 LIVES OP THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 26. this same date. "*^ In the O'CIery's Martyrology <' is found, at this —date, as
26th of March, in the anonymous list, published by O'SuUivan Beare/3 However, these names only characterize but one and the same person 3 the denomination being somewhat varied by different writers/* The Kalendar of Drummond, at the vii. of the April Kalends, or 26th of March, comme- morates : In Hibernia, the Holy Confessors, Mochelloc and Sinchele, who, on this day, went to Christ/s
Article II. —St. Sincheall, Abbot of Cill-achaidhdromfota, now KiLLEAGH, King's County. \_Ftfth and Sixth Centuries. ] It was thought, in the seventeenth century, that the Life of this saint existed, in Ireland ; and, from allusions made, it is even supposed, that the author of the Martyr-
ologium Salisburiense,^ and John of Kerkersteed,^ had perused it, as they state, that many of his miracles were on record. Colgan has drawn, from various sources, the Acts of a holy man,3 who is called Senchellus Senior,* by some writers, to distinguish him from a Senchellus Junior, a relative, who livedatthesameplace,asamonk,orabbot,orwhodiedthere. Theformer flourished, towards the close of the fifth century, in Lagenia. When referring to St. Sinchellus, Ab. de Kill-achadh, at this day, the Bollandists s desire to re- serve further notices, for the 25th of June. He was the son of Cennfhionnan, or Kennfinnan, and ninth in descent, from Cathaeir Mor, according to the accountsofsome. Welearn,thatKennfinnanwassontoImchad,sonof Cruac, son to Dulgeus, son of Imchad, son to Brelac, son of Lugad, son to Laurar, son of Corbmac, son to Cucorb, son of Mogcorb, &c.
, according to the Genealogies of the Irish Saints. ^ This was a renowned Leinster family line. Now, Senchell Junior 7 had for his father, Corcran, son of Ere, son to the already-mentioned Cruac, as our Genealogists relate. ^ As we have seen, in the previous article, some authorities will have the festival of both holy men, at this date. Thus, the published Martyrology of Donegal 9 mentions
an entry, and within brackets
Aonghuis. ] The Carthusian Martyrology distinguislies a Mottelog, Abbot and Confessor, from this saint, who is named Mokellock, Bishop and Con- fessor. Thereishardlyadoubt,butthisistheMotalogus,mentionedatthe
on this and within brackets day, :
" Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
'° We are
*' See
niae," xxvi. Martii, nn. 10, 11, p. 749.
nain. See "Statistical
Colgan's
Survey ELing's County," Introduction, p. 13.
*' Edited by Rev. Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 86, 87.
"
March. See Historiae Catholicse Ibernias
Compendium," tomus i. , lib. iv. , cap. xi. ,
*3 In
on authority of the Carthusian Martyrology, St. Motalogus, Abbot, occurs at the 25th of
Henry
Fitzsimon's
Catalogue,
and
and
** See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
niae," xxvi. Martii, p. 749, nn. lo, 11.
Chapter xx.
^ His feast is generally referred to the 2Sth
of June,
** See ibid.
' Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
86, 87.
'° In note. Dr. Todd here says, "The
p. 50,
cap. xii. , p. 56.
« See Bishop Forbes' Scottish Saints," pp. 8. 9.
"Kalendars of
Article ii. —'
Published,
at
London,
clause within brackets is in the more recent hand. But the ' Dasincheall ' of the F. Aong. is evidently the same as the Sincheall above mentioned Da for Mo. Neverthe*
A. D. 1526.
" In a work, " De Sanctis Praesulibus
llibemiae. "
3 See, "Acta Sanctorum Hibemiae,"
xxvi. Martii. De S. Senchello Abbate et Episc. de Kill-Achuidh, pp. 747, 748.
;
less, a gloss in the Brussels MS. of the F.
*
of Ulster, calls him St. Sincell Mac Gene-
Sir Charles Coote, quoting the Annals
:
[Mocheallog,
who died in Letavia. Felire
informed,"
of the
s See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , Martii xxvi. Among the pretermitted
— that Witford saints, p. 607. They remark,
[Da-Sincheall. ]
calls him Finchellus
*
a
typographical
error.
Aong. says, 'Oa noerfi cognoniinef, 'two saints of the same name,' as if Dasincheall
'
meant
of 'old Sincheall,' in the text, seems to hint that there was another. "
two Sinchealls ;' and the mention
March 26. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 959
that at Cill-achaidh dromo-fota, in Ui Failghe, Sinchell Junior was a priest, and Sinchell Senior, a bishop. Again, we learn, that there were twelve
bishops, and twelve pilgrims, with many other companions, in Cill Achaidh Droma Fota, according to Duald Mac Firbis' account. " Several of these
holy persons are named, in an ancient Litany, attributed to St. ^Engus the
Culdee. '3 Now,thisplaceisidenticalwiththepresentKilleigh,'<avillage,
intheparishandbaronyofGeshill,intheKing'sCounty. ASt. Senell*sof
Kill da reis, a campanarius of St. Patrick, is supposed^^ to have been identical
with the St. Sinchell, venerated on the 26th of March. Perhaps, his cell was
"
Carcuir Sinell, or
conjectureofColgan. *^ BeforetheElderSinchellsettledatKilleigh,how- ever, as we are told, St. Ailbeus,'? an Abbot, had abandoned in his favour the church of Cluain-Damh,^° on the banks of the River Liffey, in the provinceofLagenia. Atthistime,oursaintwassearchingforaplace,in order to fix his habitation. We find him classed, among the disciples of St. Patrick. *^ How long he remained at Cluain-Damh, we have no means for ascertaining ; but, he is said, afterwards, to have opened a great rehgious establishment,andaschool,atKilleigh. Onehundredandfiftyholymonks are stated to have been there, under the two Sinchells ; besides the twelve Bishops and Pilgrims or strangers, who were interred, in the ancient ceme- tery of the place. ^^ This was the emporium of piety and science, in the time of the Elder Sinchell, whose Rule of Life for his Religious, full of wisdom, andofgoodandasceticdecrees,wasextant,toColgan'sknowledge. Our forefathers in the Faith had an unbounded veneration for this holy man. ^3 According to Maguire's and Duald Mac Firbis' account, 330 years was his
age,andothershaveadoptedit, ashavingbeentheveryextraordinaryspan of his life. However, Colgan thinks this statement was owing to the wrong insertion of numerals, and that his age should be reduced to 130 years. St. Sincheall died a. d. 548, according to Duald Mac Firbis, the Annals of the
i. , pp. 92, 93.
'3 It states the names of the Bishops of
Cill Achidh, viz. : three Budocis, three Conocis, Morgini, six Vcdgonis, six Beua-
nis, six Bibis, nine Glonalis, nine Ercocinis, nine Grucimnis, twelve Uennocis, twelve Contumanis, twelve Onocis, Senchilli, Brita- nus, from Britain, Cerrui, from Armenia. See the "Irish Ecclesiastical Record," vol. iii. , May, 1867, pp. 392, 393. The names are given differently, by Colgan, in some cases.
' It is shown, on the " Ordnance Survey
Townland Maps for the King's County," Sheet 25.
=^°
Colgan thus interprets it, Boum. "
"de Prato
"
'5 See "Trias Thaumaturga. " Septima Vita S. Patricii, pars, iii. , cap. xcviii. , p. 167.
:
The men of heaven, the men of earth, A surrounding host,
Thought that the day of judgment Was the death of Sincheall,
There came not, there will not come from Adam,
One more austere, more strict in
piety ;
There came not, there will not come
all say it,
Another saint more welcome to the
men of heaven. "
" By Colgan.
'7 Now Lough Melvin, between the
counties of Leitrim and Fermanagh.
» See ibid. , n. 120, p. 188.
'9 He would seem to have been identical
with St. Ailbe, Bishop of Emly, venerated
the retreat of Sinell," in Lough Melge,'? according to the
Four Masters^* and of Ulster,=5 while the as the year of his death.
Chronicon Scotorum" has 551,
" By Duald Mac Firbis.
'' See " of the Proceedings
at the I2th of September, although in Col- gan's work an evident error, of December^ is introduced.
Irish Academy," Irish MSS. Series, vol. i. , part
"
On the 26th of March, we find set down in the
Royal
'''
See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga.
Quinta Appendix ad Acta S. Patricii, cap.
xxiii. , p. 269.
*-
Several interesting objects of antiquity "
are to be seen there. See
Parliamentary '^ Of him—, this character was given, after
Gazetteer of Ireland," vol. ii. , p. 469.
his death
"
"
960 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 26
Festilogy of St. ^ngus, and in the Martyrology of Tallagh,^^^ the name of Sinchell, Abbot of Chilli Achaidh. Marianus O'Gorman^? and Maguire
hospitably numbers of people.
Article III. —St. Garbhan, of Dungarvan, County of Waterford, OR of Aghold, County of Wicklow. {Supposed to belong to the Sixth or Seventh Century^ The festival of this saint is celebrated, on the 26th of March, according to our Irish Martyrologies ; and, on this day, his Acts are given, by Father John Colgan. ^ The BoUandists observe, in their brief com- memoration, that Garbanus Abbas de Achadh-abhall is in the Martyrology of Marianus O'Gorman, while Finianus de Achaidh-Garbhain, is in the Martyr- ology of Tallagh, while both seem to be regarded as identical, by Colgan. ' St. Garvan, or Garbban, was born in the sixth century, according to received accounts. These, however, are ver)' obscure ; for, the Garban of Achadh- abhall has been confounded, with the Finian of Achaidh-Garbhain. The present holy man is thought to have received his religious training, from St. Finbarr,3 in the monastery of Loch-Eire. This is the supposed site of the present Cork city, according to some writers ; while others state, it was iden- tical with Gougane Barra. Here, Garbhan is said to have become distinguished,
for piety and learning. About the beginning of the seventh century, when he had attained celebrity, St. Ga—rvan was placed over a church, then called
AchadhG—
of ^^ on this the Martyrology Donegal registers, day,
have like entries. The festivalofSincheall,Abbot,ofCill-Achaidh-dromfota. And,underthesame heading, Duald Mac Firbis enters the Elder Sinchell. On his feast day, the liberal Margaret Calwagh O'Connor Faly's wife, who died a. d. 145 i, was accustomed to give great largesses at Killaichyj'^a and to entertain most
arbhain. for the most as an Antiquaries part following Colgan
authority have conjectured, that it occupies the present site of Dungarvan,* a seaport town, in the county of Waterford. s He ruled over a monastery,
established at some place, similarly called ; for, the Martyrology of Donegal styles him. Abbot of Achadh Garbhain. Harris ^ and Archdall ^ follow the
foregoing conjecture,^ which they assume to be an absolute statement; whilethelatterwriterhasit, thatGarbhan,adiscipleofBarr,foundedan
** See Dr. O'Donovan's Edition, vol. of and the reader is re- i. , 25th September,
pp. 186,187,andnn. (w,x. ) Ibid.
''S See Sir Charles Coote's "Statistical
Survey of the King's County," Introduc- lion, pp. 13, 14.
'^
ferredtohisLife,writtenforthatday.
< It is shown, on the " Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the County of Water-
ford," Sheet 31.
^ <«
Dungarvan is a good fishing town, on a small harbour, and enjoys a considerable share of the coasting trade. It is supplied with fresh water from the River Phinix,\>y
—an acqueduct of about six miles in length. " *'
° See Harris' Ware, vol.
' See " Monasticon Hibemicum, p. 188. ^ On this Rev. Dr. re-
The Franciscan copy has Sinchelli Ab Cilli
Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xix.
^chiT).
*' He states : "Senchillus senior, Abbas
de Kill-achadh. "
"' Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
86, 87.
^9 A curious account of this celebration is
on record. See Dudley Mac Firbis' *' Annals of Ireland from a. d. 1443 to 1468. "
of the Irish
"Miscellany Archielogical
vol.
gateway towers of lofty and imposing character ; it can now boast only Blosom's-gate. =3 TheDominicanAbbey,onthebanksoftheLubachRiver, is a ruin, still presenting a fine effect. The choir is unrivalled for symmetry and elegance of design. ^* The Abbey of Kilmallock stands, on the east side of the town, and outside of its walls. 's In addition to this, the visitor to Kilmallock will be attracted to the old mediseval church of the Apostles, St,
** When first I saw Kilmallock's walls, 'Twas in the stillness of moonlight ;
And lofty towers and stately halls Frowned darkly then enwrapped in
night,
Just touched with tinsel, streaks and
site of an ancient hospital for lepers is still called the Spidalfield.
gleams,
Mysterious, as a town of dreams.
"
the following are the principal : A beautiful
chapel, extending to the east of the tower,
and measuring 66 feet, 6 inches, in length,
on the inside, and 24 feet, in breadth. It
is lighted, by six Gothic windows, placed on
the south wall, and measuring about 12 feet,
in height, and 5 feet, in width, and by a
very magnificent one, placed on the east
gable, and measuring about 20 feet in
height, and 16 feet in width, on the outside,
'° See her " Rambles in the South of Ire-
land, during the year 1838," vol. ii. , chap,
xii. , pp. 236 to 305.
^' Among the 46 sketches of Ordnance
Survey Antiquities, referring to the county of Limerick, are the following respecting Kilmallock : I. The parish church at Kil- mallock, with its Round Tower. 2. South Gate of Kilmallock. 3. The chancel of the Abbey of Kilmallock. The foregoing are pen and ink sketches, I believe by the
artist, W. F. Wakeman, although his signa- ture is only affixed to the latter. They are drawn on letter paper, in his usual correct style ; but, they are not highly finished, although sufficiently so for the purposes of a tasteful and corre—ct engraver. The follow-
ing are in pencil some of them
shading—and on thick drawing paper,
about 16 by 12 inches : I. The Abbey of 2 feet, 9 inches, to 3 feet, 10 inches. The Kilmallock, from the west. 2. The gate at south wall is 2 feet, 9 inches ; but, the Kilmallock, on the Cork road. 3. Abbey north wall and west gable are 3 feet, 10 of Kilmallock. 4. The parish church of inches, in thickness. The western chapel Kilmallock. 5. Round Tower of Kilmal-
lock. 6. Kilmallock Abbey. Although
some of these drawings refer to the same
object, all are different views, and as the
signature of Mr. Wakeman and his initials
are affixed to some of them, and as all are
very much in his style, I infer, that he must
have been the artist, who designed all of
them. They are only, however, outline
drawings.
^'^ See Ferrar's "History of Limerick," part iii. , chap, iii. , p. 187.
"3 See an article, by Miss Braddon, on the east wall, and a very large one, on
"Ireland for Tourists," in "Belgravia,"
August, 1874.
"< It contains the dilapidated tomb of the
last of the White Knights. There are also the i-uins of the abbot's private residence, which after the Reformation was occupied, by the civic powers, and so late as 1604, it was inhabited by the White Knight. The
the south gable, which is divided into five compartments. There is another small
window, on the same gable, near the S. W. comer. The western side of the tower was
destroyed, according to tradition, by the great warrior Cromwell. * * * * •
The refectory, or as the people call it "dwelling-house," of this abbey, consists of
with colour
chapels are about 28 feet,
^s It consists of several
divisions,
of which
******
from which the tower springs are unusually narrow ; they are 7 feet, 6 inches, in width, and 24 feet, in height. Another chapel ex- tends to the west of the tower, and it measures 87 feet, in length, and 24 feet, in breadth. Its south wall is destroyed, but its north wall is perfect, and it contains three windows, and two pointed doorways. Its west gable is in good preservation, and it contains one pointed doorway, and over it, there is a large Gothic window. The side walls of these
in height, and they vary in thickness, from
and divided into five compartments, pointed
at top.
The arches
may be called the Nave, and the eastern the Choir, of the Abbey church, but the choir arch is a miserable one. North from the tower extends another long house, measur-
ing 90 feet, in length, and 17 feet, 4 inches, in breadth, and lighted by 1 1 windows, of various forms and sizes. To the south of the tower, there is another chapel, or tran- sept, on the north side of which there are two large pointed arches. It measures 38 feel, in length, and 36, in breadth, and it is lighted by three windows, two of which are
95^ LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 26.
Peter and St. Paul. ^^ The chancel or eastern portion is now used, as the Protestant chur—ch of Kilmallock. This portion is 49>^ feet long, by 25^^ feet, in breadth the walls being 3 feet, in thickness. The western portion, or nave, is 80 feet long, by 65 feet, in breadth : it contains 14 windows, which are all in the pointed style. There are on each side four lofty pointed
arches, springing from large square pillars, dividing the centre from the side
'•^Uiemtm.
Kilmallock Church and Round Tower.
aisles. There were also arches, springing from these pillars, in a lateral direction, and terminated by the walls, on each side ; but, they are now destroyed. The tower is situated, at the north-west corner. It is round, and its style seems a modification of the ancient Irish clogits, but intermediate between it and the Norman tower of subsequent ages. ^^ Some writers ascribe the erection of a monastery, in this town, to our saint, without sufficient authority. *^ He is said, likewise, to have discharged the offices of bishop
a large kitchen, arched overhead, and over it is a large dining-room. The kitchen is
56 feet, in length, and 19, in breadth, and the height to the top of the vault is about 16 feet. It had two apartments off it, one at the east, and the other, off the south, side. This kitchen has two large fire-places, and it is lighted by five windows, of which four are on the north wall, and one is on the west gable. It was entered, by four pointed doorways ; one on the west gable, two on the south wall, and one at the east end, which is now just destroyed. The dining- room over this kitchen is a very spacious one, being 67 feet, 6 inches, in length, and 32 feet, in breadth. It is lighted, by seven quad- rangular windows, of which four are on the north wall, and three are on the east gable ; but, its south wall, which probably con-
tained several windows, is destroyed. See
vey Office," vol. i. , pp. 365 to 368. Mr. O'Donovan's Letter, dated August 12th, 1840.
** The accompanying illustration, drawn on the spot by William F. Wakeman, and transferred by him to the wood, was en- graved by George A. Hanlon.
*7 There is a small building, at the S. E. corner, formed by the south wall projecting \<)% feet ; the breadth of this building, from E. to W. , is 24 feet. It is separated, from the main body of the church, by a pointed arch. The walls of this church,
which are parapeted, including the parapet,
"
County Limerick Letters, Ordnance bur-
Thus, Archdall's Monasticon Hiber- nicum," p. 424. Harris' Ware, vol.
" Limerick Letters of the Ordnance Survey Office," formerly in the Phoenix Park, vol.
are about 40 feet in height. See
County
i. , pp. 368, 369. Mr. O'Donovan's Letter,
dated August 12th, 1840. °^ "
March 26. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 957
andofabbot. But,thesewriterswouldappeartohavefallenintoanerror,in saying, that the old monastery of our saint had been converted into the Protestant church,^? or that it was even situated on its site. 3° It is possible, that as Kilmallock had become a more r—emarkable place than Cathuir-mac- —Conchaigh,orthechurchofKill-Odhrain wherelikewisehewasvenerated
the former town might have been a bishopric, or abbey, over which Mo- chellocpresided. 3' Kill-odhrainwasperhapsonlyanothernameforCathuir- mac-Conchaigh, and this the Calendar of Cashel indicates. —Having attained a very old age, our saint died, at a—place called Letha 32 thought to have beenFiodh-Lethan,33nearLismore onthe26thofMarch,thedayforhis festival, after a. d. 639, and before a. d. 656, during the joint reigns of Connall and Kellach. 34 Letha was a name, given by our historians to Latium, or Italy ; and, there are writers, according to Maguire, who say, that our saint died, in Rome. Others again tell us, that he departed at Killdachelloc, in Hy Cairpre, of Munster. 35 The festival of this holy man, with that of the two Sinchells, is found in the Festilogy of St. yEngus,36 at the 26th of March. The name Mochelloc, son of Tulodrain, of Calthir mic Conaich, is inserted, in the Martyrology of Tallagh,37 at the 26th of March. The Calendar of Cashel,32 Marianus 0'Gorman,39 and Cathal Maguire,4° mark his festival, at
"Antiquities of Ireland," chap, xxxviii. , p. 266, and the local historians, Fitzgerald and M'Gregor, who say: "An Abbey was founded in this town, by St. MochoUog, who died, between the years 639 and 656 ; this is now th—e parish church, and is kept in
" and good repair. " History, Topography,
Antiquities of the County and City of Lime- rick, vol. i. , p. 340.
of Limerick,"
3° This Mr. O'Donovan shows, in this
" The foundation of the old church, to which, according to tra- dition, the name Cill Mocheallog was origi- nally given still remains ; it is situated on the south side of a hill on rising ground, about a quarter of a mile N. W. of the town of Killmallock. There are only about two feet in height of the walls of this old church now remaining, and they are nearly covered with earth and grass. The length of St. Mocheallog's church is 22^ feet, its breadth 12 feet 3 inches, and the thickness of its walls 3 feet. The few stones of the founda- tion which can now be seen are large ; and no lime-mortar can be seen between them. There is a small graveyard attached to this
ruin, but it is scarcely ever used at present Veiy considerable remains of the town wall of Kilmallock are still visible. One of the gates with its tower is in good preservation ; and a square tower or castle stands in good
finds this saint honoured, with the title of
bishop, he suspects, it is only on weak
: authority ; and, he adds in a note ' ' Mo-
chelloc is not called bishop in any of the
Irish Calendars quoted by Colgan. " See, "Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol.
sect, andn. iii. , chap, xvii. , vi. , p. 29, 77,
p. 30.
3^ According to St. ^Engus, the Culdee.
Festilogium" of Saint ^Enguss, Maguire states, that Letha was the name of a wood, in the Munster Decies, in which the ancient city of Cathair-mac-Conchaidh was formerly
situated.
3* These were sons to King Maelcob.
"
35 See Colgan's
nise," xxvi. Martii, nn. 10, 11, p. 749.
3* The following extract, and its transla- tion, have—been furnished, by Professor
="9 See Ferrar's "
33 In his comments on the "
History part iii. , chap, iii. , p. 187.
following statement
:
near the west end of the town. Many ancient houses are yet to be seen in this old town, of which the artists should
preservation,
38 There is read: "S. Mochellocus de make careful sketches, before th—e hand of Kill-Odhrain, de Cathuir mac Conchuid. "
improvement disfigures them all. " County Limerick Letters, Ordnance Survey Office," vol. i. , pp. 369, 370. Mr. O'Donovan's
Letter, dated August 12th, 1840.
3' Dr. Lanigan remarks, that although he
He says
*° His accQunt seems to be accompanied with doubts, regarding this saint's identity and place.
" 39 "
:
Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
O'Looney
A. 1111. kt. hillecliA 'Oo^oclnvACA^
tnochelboc tAchib lA^A
" In Letha — they perished
Mochelloc after many days, The feast of two ever-living Sin-
chells,
Of vast Cill Achad. "
37 Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xix.
•oA
Ciile Ai'obl-e acVii'd.
•peiL
finchell fuchAin
S. Kellenus filius Tuladh- rani in regione," &c.
:
958 LIVES OP THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 26. this same date. "*^ In the O'CIery's Martyrology <' is found, at this —date, as
26th of March, in the anonymous list, published by O'SuUivan Beare/3 However, these names only characterize but one and the same person 3 the denomination being somewhat varied by different writers/* The Kalendar of Drummond, at the vii. of the April Kalends, or 26th of March, comme- morates : In Hibernia, the Holy Confessors, Mochelloc and Sinchele, who, on this day, went to Christ/s
Article II. —St. Sincheall, Abbot of Cill-achaidhdromfota, now KiLLEAGH, King's County. \_Ftfth and Sixth Centuries. ] It was thought, in the seventeenth century, that the Life of this saint existed, in Ireland ; and, from allusions made, it is even supposed, that the author of the Martyr-
ologium Salisburiense,^ and John of Kerkersteed,^ had perused it, as they state, that many of his miracles were on record. Colgan has drawn, from various sources, the Acts of a holy man,3 who is called Senchellus Senior,* by some writers, to distinguish him from a Senchellus Junior, a relative, who livedatthesameplace,asamonk,orabbot,orwhodiedthere. Theformer flourished, towards the close of the fifth century, in Lagenia. When referring to St. Sinchellus, Ab. de Kill-achadh, at this day, the Bollandists s desire to re- serve further notices, for the 25th of June. He was the son of Cennfhionnan, or Kennfinnan, and ninth in descent, from Cathaeir Mor, according to the accountsofsome. Welearn,thatKennfinnanwassontoImchad,sonof Cruac, son to Dulgeus, son of Imchad, son to Brelac, son of Lugad, son to Laurar, son of Corbmac, son to Cucorb, son of Mogcorb, &c.
, according to the Genealogies of the Irish Saints. ^ This was a renowned Leinster family line. Now, Senchell Junior 7 had for his father, Corcran, son of Ere, son to the already-mentioned Cruac, as our Genealogists relate. ^ As we have seen, in the previous article, some authorities will have the festival of both holy men, at this date. Thus, the published Martyrology of Donegal 9 mentions
an entry, and within brackets
Aonghuis. ] The Carthusian Martyrology distinguislies a Mottelog, Abbot and Confessor, from this saint, who is named Mokellock, Bishop and Con- fessor. Thereishardlyadoubt,butthisistheMotalogus,mentionedatthe
on this and within brackets day, :
" Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
'° We are
*' See
niae," xxvi. Martii, nn. 10, 11, p. 749.
nain. See "Statistical
Colgan's
Survey ELing's County," Introduction, p. 13.
*' Edited by Rev. Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 86, 87.
"
March. See Historiae Catholicse Ibernias
Compendium," tomus i. , lib. iv. , cap. xi. ,
*3 In
on authority of the Carthusian Martyrology, St. Motalogus, Abbot, occurs at the 25th of
Henry
Fitzsimon's
Catalogue,
and
and
** See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
niae," xxvi. Martii, p. 749, nn. lo, 11.
Chapter xx.
^ His feast is generally referred to the 2Sth
of June,
** See ibid.
' Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
86, 87.
'° In note. Dr. Todd here says, "The
p. 50,
cap. xii. , p. 56.
« See Bishop Forbes' Scottish Saints," pp. 8. 9.
"Kalendars of
Article ii. —'
Published,
at
London,
clause within brackets is in the more recent hand. But the ' Dasincheall ' of the F. Aong. is evidently the same as the Sincheall above mentioned Da for Mo. Neverthe*
A. D. 1526.
" In a work, " De Sanctis Praesulibus
llibemiae. "
3 See, "Acta Sanctorum Hibemiae,"
xxvi. Martii. De S. Senchello Abbate et Episc. de Kill-Achuidh, pp. 747, 748.
;
less, a gloss in the Brussels MS. of the F.
*
of Ulster, calls him St. Sincell Mac Gene-
Sir Charles Coote, quoting the Annals
:
[Mocheallog,
who died in Letavia. Felire
informed,"
of the
s See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , Martii xxvi. Among the pretermitted
— that Witford saints, p. 607. They remark,
[Da-Sincheall. ]
calls him Finchellus
*
a
typographical
error.
Aong. says, 'Oa noerfi cognoniinef, 'two saints of the same name,' as if Dasincheall
'
meant
of 'old Sincheall,' in the text, seems to hint that there was another. "
two Sinchealls ;' and the mention
March 26. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 959
that at Cill-achaidh dromo-fota, in Ui Failghe, Sinchell Junior was a priest, and Sinchell Senior, a bishop. Again, we learn, that there were twelve
bishops, and twelve pilgrims, with many other companions, in Cill Achaidh Droma Fota, according to Duald Mac Firbis' account. " Several of these
holy persons are named, in an ancient Litany, attributed to St. ^Engus the
Culdee. '3 Now,thisplaceisidenticalwiththepresentKilleigh,'<avillage,
intheparishandbaronyofGeshill,intheKing'sCounty. ASt. Senell*sof
Kill da reis, a campanarius of St. Patrick, is supposed^^ to have been identical
with the St. Sinchell, venerated on the 26th of March. Perhaps, his cell was
"
Carcuir Sinell, or
conjectureofColgan. *^ BeforetheElderSinchellsettledatKilleigh,how- ever, as we are told, St. Ailbeus,'? an Abbot, had abandoned in his favour the church of Cluain-Damh,^° on the banks of the River Liffey, in the provinceofLagenia. Atthistime,oursaintwassearchingforaplace,in order to fix his habitation. We find him classed, among the disciples of St. Patrick. *^ How long he remained at Cluain-Damh, we have no means for ascertaining ; but, he is said, afterwards, to have opened a great rehgious establishment,andaschool,atKilleigh. Onehundredandfiftyholymonks are stated to have been there, under the two Sinchells ; besides the twelve Bishops and Pilgrims or strangers, who were interred, in the ancient ceme- tery of the place. ^^ This was the emporium of piety and science, in the time of the Elder Sinchell, whose Rule of Life for his Religious, full of wisdom, andofgoodandasceticdecrees,wasextant,toColgan'sknowledge. Our forefathers in the Faith had an unbounded veneration for this holy man. ^3 According to Maguire's and Duald Mac Firbis' account, 330 years was his
age,andothershaveadoptedit, ashavingbeentheveryextraordinaryspan of his life. However, Colgan thinks this statement was owing to the wrong insertion of numerals, and that his age should be reduced to 130 years. St. Sincheall died a. d. 548, according to Duald Mac Firbis, the Annals of the
i. , pp. 92, 93.
'3 It states the names of the Bishops of
Cill Achidh, viz. : three Budocis, three Conocis, Morgini, six Vcdgonis, six Beua-
nis, six Bibis, nine Glonalis, nine Ercocinis, nine Grucimnis, twelve Uennocis, twelve Contumanis, twelve Onocis, Senchilli, Brita- nus, from Britain, Cerrui, from Armenia. See the "Irish Ecclesiastical Record," vol. iii. , May, 1867, pp. 392, 393. The names are given differently, by Colgan, in some cases.
' It is shown, on the " Ordnance Survey
Townland Maps for the King's County," Sheet 25.
=^°
Colgan thus interprets it, Boum. "
"de Prato
"
'5 See "Trias Thaumaturga. " Septima Vita S. Patricii, pars, iii. , cap. xcviii. , p. 167.
:
The men of heaven, the men of earth, A surrounding host,
Thought that the day of judgment Was the death of Sincheall,
There came not, there will not come from Adam,
One more austere, more strict in
piety ;
There came not, there will not come
all say it,
Another saint more welcome to the
men of heaven. "
" By Colgan.
'7 Now Lough Melvin, between the
counties of Leitrim and Fermanagh.
» See ibid. , n. 120, p. 188.
'9 He would seem to have been identical
with St. Ailbe, Bishop of Emly, venerated
the retreat of Sinell," in Lough Melge,'? according to the
Four Masters^* and of Ulster,=5 while the as the year of his death.
Chronicon Scotorum" has 551,
" By Duald Mac Firbis.
'' See " of the Proceedings
at the I2th of September, although in Col- gan's work an evident error, of December^ is introduced.
Irish Academy," Irish MSS. Series, vol. i. , part
"
On the 26th of March, we find set down in the
Royal
'''
See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga.
Quinta Appendix ad Acta S. Patricii, cap.
xxiii. , p. 269.
*-
Several interesting objects of antiquity "
are to be seen there. See
Parliamentary '^ Of him—, this character was given, after
Gazetteer of Ireland," vol. ii. , p. 469.
his death
"
"
960 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 26
Festilogy of St. ^ngus, and in the Martyrology of Tallagh,^^^ the name of Sinchell, Abbot of Chilli Achaidh. Marianus O'Gorman^? and Maguire
hospitably numbers of people.
Article III. —St. Garbhan, of Dungarvan, County of Waterford, OR of Aghold, County of Wicklow. {Supposed to belong to the Sixth or Seventh Century^ The festival of this saint is celebrated, on the 26th of March, according to our Irish Martyrologies ; and, on this day, his Acts are given, by Father John Colgan. ^ The BoUandists observe, in their brief com- memoration, that Garbanus Abbas de Achadh-abhall is in the Martyrology of Marianus O'Gorman, while Finianus de Achaidh-Garbhain, is in the Martyr- ology of Tallagh, while both seem to be regarded as identical, by Colgan. ' St. Garvan, or Garbban, was born in the sixth century, according to received accounts. These, however, are ver)' obscure ; for, the Garban of Achadh- abhall has been confounded, with the Finian of Achaidh-Garbhain. The present holy man is thought to have received his religious training, from St. Finbarr,3 in the monastery of Loch-Eire. This is the supposed site of the present Cork city, according to some writers ; while others state, it was iden- tical with Gougane Barra. Here, Garbhan is said to have become distinguished,
for piety and learning. About the beginning of the seventh century, when he had attained celebrity, St. Ga—rvan was placed over a church, then called
AchadhG—
of ^^ on this the Martyrology Donegal registers, day,
have like entries. The festivalofSincheall,Abbot,ofCill-Achaidh-dromfota. And,underthesame heading, Duald Mac Firbis enters the Elder Sinchell. On his feast day, the liberal Margaret Calwagh O'Connor Faly's wife, who died a. d. 145 i, was accustomed to give great largesses at Killaichyj'^a and to entertain most
arbhain. for the most as an Antiquaries part following Colgan
authority have conjectured, that it occupies the present site of Dungarvan,* a seaport town, in the county of Waterford. s He ruled over a monastery,
established at some place, similarly called ; for, the Martyrology of Donegal styles him. Abbot of Achadh Garbhain. Harris ^ and Archdall ^ follow the
foregoing conjecture,^ which they assume to be an absolute statement; whilethelatterwriterhasit, thatGarbhan,adiscipleofBarr,foundedan
** See Dr. O'Donovan's Edition, vol. of and the reader is re- i. , 25th September,
pp. 186,187,andnn. (w,x. ) Ibid.
''S See Sir Charles Coote's "Statistical
Survey of the King's County," Introduc- lion, pp. 13, 14.
'^
ferredtohisLife,writtenforthatday.
< It is shown, on the " Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the County of Water-
ford," Sheet 31.
^ <«
Dungarvan is a good fishing town, on a small harbour, and enjoys a considerable share of the coasting trade. It is supplied with fresh water from the River Phinix,\>y
—an acqueduct of about six miles in length. " *'
° See Harris' Ware, vol.
' See " Monasticon Hibemicum, p. 188. ^ On this Rev. Dr. re-
The Franciscan copy has Sinchelli Ab Cilli
Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xix.
^chiT).
*' He states : "Senchillus senior, Abbas
de Kill-achadh. "
"' Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
86, 87.
^9 A curious account of this celebration is
on record. See Dudley Mac Firbis' *' Annals of Ireland from a. d. 1443 to 1468. "
of the Irish
"Miscellany Archielogical
vol.
