volume
mentioned
already, l^'Achery re-
"
callan and of St.
"
callan and of St.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v4
Dr.
Kelly, p.
xxii.
.
1 14, 1 15. —' Article XI.
See
"
Opera," tomus vii.
"'
See Rev. Dr. Reeves' Adamnan's "Life
of St. Culumba," Additional Notes K, p.
308.
'Dr. Reeves in a note states, that the
name Aego occurs in the Dontgal calendar at January I2th and at April lOth.
550
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[April 29.
" Menologiiim
Scotorum " of Thomas
date, for Marianus Scotus, the illustrious historian, who lived at Fulda. According to the same author, he corrected the paschal cycle of Uenis liie Small, a Roman Abbot, and his remains were brought to the Royal Cross, in Scotland. Besides his celebrated Chronicle, other works have been ascribed to him. 3 But, as Brower and other writers of Fulda mention nothing about the veneration of Marianus as a saint, at that place; the Bollandists* just notice Dempster's remarks, at this date, requirmg more certain intelligence regarding Marianus and his reputed festival. He died a. d. 1083, according to Cardinal Bellarmine. 5
Article XII. —St. Failbhe, of the Island. The name of Failbhe-
n-Inis is entered in the] published Martyrology of Tallagh,' at the 29th of April. ' However, the BoUandists, referring to the same authority at this date, enter only Failbeus. 3 On the 29th day of April, the Martyrology of Donegal registers simply Failbhe, as having been venerated. Some Irish insular situation must probably have been the place chosen for his retirement.
ArticleXIII. —St. Donnan,Priest. ThenameDonnanSac,acontraction
for Sacerdos, appears in the published Martyrology of Tallagh," at this date. ' Again, he is entered, by the BoUandists, 3 who quote the same record, for this day, as Donanus Sacerdos. In the Martyrology of Donegal • he is set down as Donnan, Priest.
Article XIV. —Martyrdom of St. German. The Feilire of St. . /Engus commemorates the Martyrdom of German, a Priest, at the 29th of April. ' He was probably one of those, who, with Prosdocus, the Deacon, and Valentinus, suffered martyrdom at Alexandria ;' but, about their names and places some differences are found, in ancient calendars. At the same
"De Scriptoribus Ecclesiasticis," p. 350. Kelly, p. xxii.
'At the 29th of April, he writes:— 'In the Franciscan copy, we read,
"Fuldae Mariani monachi et historici Claris-
simi, qui Dionysii Exigui Abbatis Romani
cyclum paschalem correxit, et reliquice in
Scotiam ad Crucem Regalem delatae. B. "— p. 611.
Forbes' "Kalendars of Scottish * Edited Bisliop by
Drs. Todd and Reeves,
pp.
Saints," p. 197. 112, 113.
— ""—
3 See Bale and Nicholas Harpsfeld in Historia Ecclesiastica Anglicana.
See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , Aprilis xxix. Among the pretermitted saints,
Article xiv. the Leabhar Breac
'
p. 611.
5 See "Opera," tomus vii.
bus Ecclesiasticis—," p. 350. '
"
De Scriptori-
Dr.
Article xii. Edited by Rev.
Kelly, p. xxii.
" In the Franciscan copy, we find, ITAilbe
in 1titf.
3 See "Acta S. anctorum," tomus iii. ,
Aprilis xxix. Among the pretermitted sainis, p. 611.
* Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
Thus translated by Dr. Whitley Stokes
:
112, 113. — Article xiii.
'
Edited by Rev. Dr.
Dempster,'
a feast is
entered,
at this
'OonnAni \&. c.
3 See " Acta Sanctorum," tonius iii. , Ap-
rilis xxix. Amongthe pretermitted saints,
This is the stanza in
TllAj\cp4 5sr"i*iri ciM)irtichii\ Ci\i)T batno^v AciachpA Coniiigeii cahi UAicne foposnlich id pAchnA.
— "PriestGerman's martyrdom, for Christ great was his afHiclion. Conningen, a fair pillar,
on one festival with Fiachna.
'See the BoUandists' "Acta Sancto-
rum," tomus iii. , Aprilis xxix. De SS. Ger- mano Presbytero, Prosdoco, et Valentino, Martyribus AlexandriiE. et forsan alibi,
p. 615,
:
April 29. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 551
date, in Nicomedia, among other Martyrs, there is one named German ; and,
for authority, the old Martyrology attributed to St. Jerome is quoted. ^ Little now seems to be known, about the Martyr in question.
Article XV. —St. Middanus, Abbot of Holywood, Scotland. Among the Scottish entries of David Camerarius,' at the 29th of April, there is a festival of this saint. We are told, that a bishop, styled Medanach in the
Dunkeld Litany, may probably be a disguised name for Modan, or Mosedhan. This seems to resemble an Irish form, although of the saint himself no other tradition remains, except that of places having been called after him in Scot- land. ' Now, it appears, that a cell and a hermit were at Holywood,^ in Dun- fries-shire,duringaveryearlyage;< but,itisinferred,asHolywoodformerly acquired the name Dercongal, or Dair-Congal, in the British and Scoto-Irish languages, that its patron must have borne the latter title. ' Still, nothing prevents us from fairly supposing, that the present Middan may have been connected with Holywood, and that he may have been Irish by birth, as most unquestionably, he must have been, by descent. It is thought,^ this must have been the St. Medan, of whom we find a trace on the Braes of Angus, at Airlie, and regarding whose memory there are local springs, named Maidie's well, near Ecclesmaldie,' in the Mearns, as also, a fine spring and a knoll, close to the ch\irch of Airlie. These are now known, by tiie name of St. Madden. * St. Maidie's bell was held in great veneration, for a long period,' at Airlie, but within the present century, it was sold as a bit of old iron. '°
Article XVI. —Feast of St. Brieitc, First Bishop and Patron OF the Diocese of Brieux, France. \^Fifth or Sixth Centuryi\ The Breviary of Laon Diocese, and which is cited by Albertus le Grand, places the festival of St. Brioc, or Brieuc, at the 29th of April. " The Acts of this saint will be found written, at the ist of May.
iSteUnd. DeSS. Pradentio, Martiale, Mackenzie E. CWalcott's "Scoti-Monas-
Sabbatio, Codomano, Basilio, Germano, ticon," p. 333.
Filocasto, Budentio, Urbano, et Pagata,
'"
See Bishop Forbes' Kalendars of
' Scottish Saints, p. 399.
' Now Inglismaldie. '"
Martynbus Nicomediae in Bith)mia. Article xv. —'He thus writes: "29 Die. SanclusMiddanusAhbasmonasterii Sacrum Hoscum dicti ordinis Sancti Dene- — Bishop Forbes' "Kalendars of Scottish
Saints," pp. 237, 399.
See ProceedingsoftheSocietyofAn- tiquaries of Scotland," vol. v. , p. 355. Also
dicti in Niddisdalia Scotise
provincii. "
Jervise p. 274.
" Memorials of Angus and Mearns,"
'
See (^(/. , p. 339.
' In the Cortachy Charters, it is stated, that one Michael David, the tenant and
hereditary possessor of this Bell, surrendered it to John Ogilvy, of Lentretliyn, knight, on
the 5th of June, 1447. The same Sir John afterwards bestowed the said Bell, with its
pertinents, on his spouse, L:\dy Margaret Ogilvy, Countess of Moray, for her lifetime
use. See "Miscellany of the Spalding Club," vol. iv. , p. 118.
"See Bishop Forbes' "Kalendars of
Scottish Saints," —p. 399. '
St. Germanus, of Auxerre. See
"
Forbes' Kalendars of Scottish Saints,
p. 291. Others say, he was the disciple of St. Germanus, of Paris.
' Le Wod, Praemonstratensi, as an abbey and hospital, is said to have been founded in
1 141, according to the Harleian Manuscript, 2363, fol. 61. Walter was abbot in 1372. See Mackenzie E. C. Walcott's " Scoti Monasticon," Supplementary Notes, p. 407.
* See George Chalmers "Caledonia," 4c. , vol. iii. , chap, ii. , sect, viii. , p. 149.
5 In Keith's "Ca'endar of Scottish
Saints," the feast of this St. Congal has
been placed, at the 1 2th of May. However, anoiher account has it, that on the site of a
hermit's cell at HaliHode, Dercongal, Lord
of Kirconnel, or Devorgilla, wife of John Baliol, founded a cell to Soul's Seat, See
Article xvi. He was a disciple of
Bishop
'
552 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 30.
Cbutietl) ©ap of Slpnl,
ARTICLE I. —ST. FORANNAN, BISHOP, AND ABBOT OF WASOR, OR WAULSOR, BELGIUM.
[TENTH CENTURY. ]
CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTION—VARIOUS ACTS OF ST. FORANNAN—HIS PARENTAGE, BIRTH AND EARLY EDUCATION—HIS HAFPY DISPOSITIONS AND CALL 10 THE MINISTRY—HE IS SAID TO HAVE RULED OVKR DONAGHMORE, AND EVEN TO HAVE BEEN PRIMATE AT ARMAGH—FORANNAN RESOLVES TO LEAVE IRELAND—HE EMBARKS WITH TWELVE COMPANIONS.
content with the reign of science and reh'gion, which prevailed in
NOT tiie
Ireland, enterprising
and adventurous
them to undertake literary and intellectual voyages—-inspired by faith and the
interests ot souls—to the continent, where the whole Latin Church received a fresh infusion in the domain of poesy and imagination, so much in accord
with their indigenous and euphonious language. With religion, they spread civilization and the reign of virtue. Their scientific and literary crusade
brought all branches of human and sacred learning to countries far away; while the Kcottish richness of thought and expression laid the foundations of religion and of knowledge broadcast over many countries. ' Hence, their memory yet survives, in those countries where they laboured.
In our ancient annals and hagiologies, we find several eminent ecclesiastics bearing the name Farannan or Forannan. The Life of this present holy man— the earliest known being based on tradition, and probably on some earlier record''—was composed, by Robert, a monk of Waulsor, in 1030. In the Prologue to this work, he declares, that his materials were derived from the relation of a man greatly advanced in years, but who had an excellent recollec-
"
tion of those wonderful and miraculous "gests of Forannan, which were
placed on record, lest they might otherwise perish. Likewise, it is mentioned, that at the request of his religious chapter, the writer diffidently undertook the task of compilation. Particulars for the Life of this saint are extracted, also, from the " Chronicon Valciodorense," which its author declares to have
been composed from oral tradition, and from the archives, which were pre-
served in that celebrated — that chronicle is monastery. However, truly
to ab—ound with errors ;• while the writer
said ' invoking the intercession of Holy Mary dcclares,5 that his intention was to collect into one Tract various
Chapter i. —Article i. —' See Urbaia
Irish Abbots, at Waulsor.
Sinardet's "
des LUtdratures
^ in his " By D'Aihery,
Synchronisme
depuis leur Origine jusqu'a nos Jours con-
siderees dans leurs Rapports avec Ics Croy-
ance-, les Moeuis, les Institutions Sociales. "
Spicilegium," tomu^ vii. , wlieie tliis document is printed,
Cinquieme Epoque, sect, xii. , pp. 284, chronicle ; but, in his Prjefacio to the
2B5.
volume mentioned already, l^'Achery re-
"
callan and of St. Cadroe, both of whom were ^ jn his Prologue to the chronicle.
It accords, with the history of St. Mac- futes their opinions. See p. 17.
spirit
of her sons caused
* Molanus and Mirseus thought, that the aforesaid Robert was the author of this
April 30. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 553
scattered materials for the information of posterity,* and to make known the various privileges and benefactions conferred upon Walsor. Mabillon has several notices regarding this place,' which is so closely connected with the spiritual ministrations of our saint. ' The Belgium writers, iMolanus' and Miraeus,'° justly claim him, as one of the illustrious and holy men, belong- ing to their country; while the Benedictines" assign him to their order. Ferrarius has an account of this holy man," as also Constantine Ghinius. '^ In like manner, to give a biographical Memoir'^ was the intention of Colgan,'5 who, did not live, however, to publish Forannan's Life. The BoUandists have inserted his Acts, in their great collection. '* These comprise his Life, by Robert, the Waulsor monk,'' with some preliminary remarks. Afterwards follow other notices, in reference to our saint,'* and these are taken from the old chronicle of Walsor. Father Daniel Papebroke is the editor. Forannan is noticed, likewise,'' in Thomas Dempster's work, and—after his manner—
Forannan is very presumptuously appropriated, as a Scotsman. '" Adrien Baillet"hasaLifeofthisholyman. BishopChallenor"andtheRev. Dr. Lanigan'J have a few notices respecting this saint, whose festival is marked at the 30th of April. The Petits BoUandistes ' only note the feast of St. Forannan, at this date, and the Rev. S. Baring-Gould '5 has some remarks on the same celebrated Abbot of Waulsor.
The O'Clerys—or an addition to their work »*—will have this saint to be the son of Ronan, adding, and, it seems, that he was of the race of Art Corb, son
'Father Daniel Papebroke considers, that '5 See "Catalogus Actuum Sanctorum the chronxle had been interpolated ; and quae MS. habentur ordine Mensium et Die- especially by some continuaioi, who flour- rum. "
ished . -. bout the year 1250. Instances of "* See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , Ap- fictitious eirors or doubtful statements are rilis xxx. De Sancio Forannano, Abbale afterwaids given. See the Boli^mdists'
"Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , Aprilis xxx.
De Sancto Forannano, Alibate Walsiodori,
in Belgio, Ordlnis S. Benedict! , Alia Acta,
ex pervetusto Clironico Walsiodoreusi MS. ,
sect. 4, p. 815.
'See "Annales Ordinis S. Benedicli,"
tomus iii. , lib. xliv. , sect. Ixvii. , p. 472,
"
These are in three chapters, comprising, with a Prulogue, twenty-five paragraphs, illustrated witii notes.
'» See "Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Scotorum," tomus i. , lib. vi. , num. 523, pp. 287, 288.
" After alleging, that the Irish had no Archbishops in Forannan's time, nor for
sect, xcix. , 500.
•
p. 485,
lib. xlv. , sect,
xxii. , p.
See ibid. , lib. xlvii. , sect, xl. , p. 599 ; and tomus iv. , lib. xlix. , sect, xv. , p. 9.
'In the " Natalcs Sanctorum Belgii," for
the month of April, we have short notices of tliree hundred years later, he adds—
St. Forannan, at the 30th of April, in one
hardly possible in good fiith :
"
paragraph, pp. 80, 81. '° "
See Fasti Belgici et Burgundici," pp.
213 to 215. Also Indiculus Sanctorum also, Menologiiim Scoticuni," in Bishop
Belgii," p. XXV. Forbes'
Kalendars of Scottish Saints,
" TheseventhVolume, "ActaSanctorum Ordinis S. Benedicti," contains a Lifeol St. Forannan, Abl»ot, with previous O- serva- tions, in three parai^raphs. That Life it^elf, with a prologue, is given in twcnty-tliree paragraphs. A fra-ment from the Chronicle of Walciodoms i-. publi-hed in twenty-five paragraphs. Seepp. 586to603.
p. 197,
" At the 30th of April, we find entered in
'• '
his Les Vies des Saints, a Life of St.
Forannan, Bishop of . Armagh, in Ireland, and Abbot of VVasor, tome i. , pp. 398, 399.
" See Britannia Sancta," part i. , pp. 272,
273-
'' See"EcclesiasticalHistoryofIreland,
vol. iii. , chap, xxiii. , sect, iv. , and notes, pp.
404, 405.
'* See " Les Vies des Saints," tome v. ,
XXX' Jour d'Avril, p. 86.
'5 See " Lives of the Saints," vol. iv. ,
April 30, pp. 376, 377.
"*
" See '"Catalogus Generalis Sanctorum," Aprilis XXX. , p. 173.
'' See "De Natalibus Sanctorum Canoni- corum," p. xxiix.
'* See Colgan's "Acta . Sanctorum Hiber- nise," xxi. Januarii. De B. Malcallanno Ab- bate, n. I, p. 153.
By a more recent hand.
Walsiodori, in Belgio, Ord. S. Benedicti, pp. 807 to 822.
' A Prologue precedes this Life, given in three chapters, and in twenty-three para- graphs, illustrated with notes.
it is Miror quid hie Hirlandus memlicet, cumomnesex tabu-
"
lis Valvidorensibus Scotum as=erant. " See ""
SS4 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 30.
to Fiacha Suighdhe. '' The present St. Farannan is thought to have been the son of Ronan, son to Fiach, son of Fin tan, son to IMaclasrius, son of Cannech, son
ofErchon, son to Niebron, son of Bronfinn, son to Eugene, son of Artcorb,son of Fiacha Suighdhe, the founder of the Decies family. '* This might well agree, with what has been stated by Robert, the monk of Walsor, that our saint descended from a noble Scottish ancestry. =9 According to tlie most reason- able supposition, about the earlier part of the tenth century, Forannan was borninIreland. Fromhisinfancy,mosthappydispositionsseemedtogrow; for, relying on God, he prepared to sacrifice the advantages of birth and rank, to secure His love. Forannan's parents took care excellently to provide, at an early age, for the religious and secular education of their son. He profited so
well, through the advantages afforded, that the boy soon became distinguished for his progress in study, giving indications of future eminence in merit, as in learning. Advancing in years, Forannan afforded edification to all his com-
panions and acquaintances, by exhibiting all those virtues and acquirements,
that could distinguish one who was yet a youth. In loving God, with his
whole heart, he learned to give this precept and observance practical effect,
by loving his neighbour, only in a secondary degree. Deeply grounded in
humility, he desjnsed the advantages of birth and fortune. Cultivating a love of angelic purity, he was accustomed to withstand the assaults of irregu-
lar temptation and impure suggestions. He was always ready to forgive and to forget injuries, in imitation of his Divine Master. But, his charity towards the poor and orphans, whom he considered always as the special favourites of Heaven, seemed to know no bounds ; and, he looked upon himself, as the self-constituted steward of Christ, in relieving their necessities. The bent of his genius was directed to the acquisition of sacred learning, and chiefly with the view of devoting himself to the instruction of others, in the principles of religion. Aspiring to the ecclesiastical state, it would seem, that he received holy orders, in due course. Having prepared himself, by a diligent study of the Holy Scriptures, and by reading the works of various holy Fathers, his labours in the ministry were great, and productive of much fruit. After faithfully discharging all his sacerdotal duties—but wheth—er as a secular or as a regular priest we are not informed in his Life it has been stated, that he afterwards was appointed Bishop, and his charge was at a place called Domnachmor. 3°
There were many churches in Ireland bearing such a name, in his time ; and, even yet, that topographical denomination is spread in various parts of Ireland. His locality—according to a supposition advanced—lay within the district of iMagh-Feimhin,3' or the Plain of Femhin. That parish of Dom- nach-mor, or Donaghmore,3^ with which Bishop Farannan was connected, is said to have been situated, in the baronies of Offa and Iffa, and Middle- third, county of Tipperary. This is now a parish church, belonging to the diocese of Lismore ;33 and, it is thought, also, to have been the church of that
"J See Rev. Dr. Todd's and Reeves' History of Ireland," vol. iii. , cap. xxiii. ,
sect, iv. , p. 404.
3' It was a very ancient territorial deno-
mination, as it is mentioned in the "Annals
of the Four Masters," at A. M. 3506 ; also, at
A. D. 571and759.
3^ It is shown, on the " Ordnance Survey
"
and n. 4. Jhid.
Martyrology of Donegal," pp. II4, 115,
" Acta Sanctorum Hiber- nise," XV. Januarii. Appendix ad Acta S. Itse,
cap. ii. , p. 73.
"' See the BoHandists' " Acta Sanctorum,"
"^ See
Colgan's
tomus iii , Aprilis xxx. De S. Forannano, Townland Maps for the County of Tip-
Abbate Walsiodori, in Belgio, Ord. S. Bene- dicti. Vita S. Forannani, cap. i. , num. 2,
peraiy,'' sheets 70, 77. The townland pro-
per is on the latter sheet,
p.
808.
5° See Rev. Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical
33 See Archdall's cum," p. 654.
"
Monasticon Hiberni-
April 30. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 555
monastery, over which St. Farannan presided. 3< Such a conclusion, however, does not appear to be very well established. At present, in the place men- tioned, certain remains of an ecclesiastical character merit the study of an antiquar}'. The old cluirch of Donoughmore consists of a nave 35 and chancel, s"" wliich for many years have been in ruins. That it was a church 37 of some importance may be judged from the care bestowed on its erection, some of its details being of a highly ornate character.
1 14, 1 15. —' Article XI.
See
"
Opera," tomus vii.
"'
See Rev. Dr. Reeves' Adamnan's "Life
of St. Culumba," Additional Notes K, p.
308.
'Dr. Reeves in a note states, that the
name Aego occurs in the Dontgal calendar at January I2th and at April lOth.
550
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[April 29.
" Menologiiim
Scotorum " of Thomas
date, for Marianus Scotus, the illustrious historian, who lived at Fulda. According to the same author, he corrected the paschal cycle of Uenis liie Small, a Roman Abbot, and his remains were brought to the Royal Cross, in Scotland. Besides his celebrated Chronicle, other works have been ascribed to him. 3 But, as Brower and other writers of Fulda mention nothing about the veneration of Marianus as a saint, at that place; the Bollandists* just notice Dempster's remarks, at this date, requirmg more certain intelligence regarding Marianus and his reputed festival. He died a. d. 1083, according to Cardinal Bellarmine. 5
Article XII. —St. Failbhe, of the Island. The name of Failbhe-
n-Inis is entered in the] published Martyrology of Tallagh,' at the 29th of April. ' However, the BoUandists, referring to the same authority at this date, enter only Failbeus. 3 On the 29th day of April, the Martyrology of Donegal registers simply Failbhe, as having been venerated. Some Irish insular situation must probably have been the place chosen for his retirement.
ArticleXIII. —St. Donnan,Priest. ThenameDonnanSac,acontraction
for Sacerdos, appears in the published Martyrology of Tallagh," at this date. ' Again, he is entered, by the BoUandists, 3 who quote the same record, for this day, as Donanus Sacerdos. In the Martyrology of Donegal • he is set down as Donnan, Priest.
Article XIV. —Martyrdom of St. German. The Feilire of St. . /Engus commemorates the Martyrdom of German, a Priest, at the 29th of April. ' He was probably one of those, who, with Prosdocus, the Deacon, and Valentinus, suffered martyrdom at Alexandria ;' but, about their names and places some differences are found, in ancient calendars. At the same
"De Scriptoribus Ecclesiasticis," p. 350. Kelly, p. xxii.
'At the 29th of April, he writes:— 'In the Franciscan copy, we read,
"Fuldae Mariani monachi et historici Claris-
simi, qui Dionysii Exigui Abbatis Romani
cyclum paschalem correxit, et reliquice in
Scotiam ad Crucem Regalem delatae. B. "— p. 611.
Forbes' "Kalendars of Scottish * Edited Bisliop by
Drs. Todd and Reeves,
pp.
Saints," p. 197. 112, 113.
— ""—
3 See Bale and Nicholas Harpsfeld in Historia Ecclesiastica Anglicana.
See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , Aprilis xxix. Among the pretermitted saints,
Article xiv. the Leabhar Breac
'
p. 611.
5 See "Opera," tomus vii.
bus Ecclesiasticis—," p. 350. '
"
De Scriptori-
Dr.
Article xii. Edited by Rev.
Kelly, p. xxii.
" In the Franciscan copy, we find, ITAilbe
in 1titf.
3 See "Acta S. anctorum," tomus iii. ,
Aprilis xxix. Among the pretermitted sainis, p. 611.
* Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
Thus translated by Dr. Whitley Stokes
:
112, 113. — Article xiii.
'
Edited by Rev. Dr.
Dempster,'
a feast is
entered,
at this
'OonnAni \&. c.
3 See " Acta Sanctorum," tonius iii. , Ap-
rilis xxix. Amongthe pretermitted saints,
This is the stanza in
TllAj\cp4 5sr"i*iri ciM)irtichii\ Ci\i)T batno^v AciachpA Coniiigeii cahi UAicne foposnlich id pAchnA.
— "PriestGerman's martyrdom, for Christ great was his afHiclion. Conningen, a fair pillar,
on one festival with Fiachna.
'See the BoUandists' "Acta Sancto-
rum," tomus iii. , Aprilis xxix. De SS. Ger- mano Presbytero, Prosdoco, et Valentino, Martyribus AlexandriiE. et forsan alibi,
p. 615,
:
April 29. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 551
date, in Nicomedia, among other Martyrs, there is one named German ; and,
for authority, the old Martyrology attributed to St. Jerome is quoted. ^ Little now seems to be known, about the Martyr in question.
Article XV. —St. Middanus, Abbot of Holywood, Scotland. Among the Scottish entries of David Camerarius,' at the 29th of April, there is a festival of this saint. We are told, that a bishop, styled Medanach in the
Dunkeld Litany, may probably be a disguised name for Modan, or Mosedhan. This seems to resemble an Irish form, although of the saint himself no other tradition remains, except that of places having been called after him in Scot- land. ' Now, it appears, that a cell and a hermit were at Holywood,^ in Dun- fries-shire,duringaveryearlyage;< but,itisinferred,asHolywoodformerly acquired the name Dercongal, or Dair-Congal, in the British and Scoto-Irish languages, that its patron must have borne the latter title. ' Still, nothing prevents us from fairly supposing, that the present Middan may have been connected with Holywood, and that he may have been Irish by birth, as most unquestionably, he must have been, by descent. It is thought,^ this must have been the St. Medan, of whom we find a trace on the Braes of Angus, at Airlie, and regarding whose memory there are local springs, named Maidie's well, near Ecclesmaldie,' in the Mearns, as also, a fine spring and a knoll, close to the ch\irch of Airlie. These are now known, by tiie name of St. Madden. * St. Maidie's bell was held in great veneration, for a long period,' at Airlie, but within the present century, it was sold as a bit of old iron. '°
Article XVI. —Feast of St. Brieitc, First Bishop and Patron OF the Diocese of Brieux, France. \^Fifth or Sixth Centuryi\ The Breviary of Laon Diocese, and which is cited by Albertus le Grand, places the festival of St. Brioc, or Brieuc, at the 29th of April. " The Acts of this saint will be found written, at the ist of May.
iSteUnd. DeSS. Pradentio, Martiale, Mackenzie E. CWalcott's "Scoti-Monas-
Sabbatio, Codomano, Basilio, Germano, ticon," p. 333.
Filocasto, Budentio, Urbano, et Pagata,
'"
See Bishop Forbes' Kalendars of
' Scottish Saints, p. 399.
' Now Inglismaldie. '"
Martynbus Nicomediae in Bith)mia. Article xv. —'He thus writes: "29 Die. SanclusMiddanusAhbasmonasterii Sacrum Hoscum dicti ordinis Sancti Dene- — Bishop Forbes' "Kalendars of Scottish
Saints," pp. 237, 399.
See ProceedingsoftheSocietyofAn- tiquaries of Scotland," vol. v. , p. 355. Also
dicti in Niddisdalia Scotise
provincii. "
Jervise p. 274.
" Memorials of Angus and Mearns,"
'
See (^(/. , p. 339.
' In the Cortachy Charters, it is stated, that one Michael David, the tenant and
hereditary possessor of this Bell, surrendered it to John Ogilvy, of Lentretliyn, knight, on
the 5th of June, 1447. The same Sir John afterwards bestowed the said Bell, with its
pertinents, on his spouse, L:\dy Margaret Ogilvy, Countess of Moray, for her lifetime
use. See "Miscellany of the Spalding Club," vol. iv. , p. 118.
"See Bishop Forbes' "Kalendars of
Scottish Saints," —p. 399. '
St. Germanus, of Auxerre. See
"
Forbes' Kalendars of Scottish Saints,
p. 291. Others say, he was the disciple of St. Germanus, of Paris.
' Le Wod, Praemonstratensi, as an abbey and hospital, is said to have been founded in
1 141, according to the Harleian Manuscript, 2363, fol. 61. Walter was abbot in 1372. See Mackenzie E. C. Walcott's " Scoti Monasticon," Supplementary Notes, p. 407.
* See George Chalmers "Caledonia," 4c. , vol. iii. , chap, ii. , sect, viii. , p. 149.
5 In Keith's "Ca'endar of Scottish
Saints," the feast of this St. Congal has
been placed, at the 1 2th of May. However, anoiher account has it, that on the site of a
hermit's cell at HaliHode, Dercongal, Lord
of Kirconnel, or Devorgilla, wife of John Baliol, founded a cell to Soul's Seat, See
Article xvi. He was a disciple of
Bishop
'
552 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 30.
Cbutietl) ©ap of Slpnl,
ARTICLE I. —ST. FORANNAN, BISHOP, AND ABBOT OF WASOR, OR WAULSOR, BELGIUM.
[TENTH CENTURY. ]
CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTION—VARIOUS ACTS OF ST. FORANNAN—HIS PARENTAGE, BIRTH AND EARLY EDUCATION—HIS HAFPY DISPOSITIONS AND CALL 10 THE MINISTRY—HE IS SAID TO HAVE RULED OVKR DONAGHMORE, AND EVEN TO HAVE BEEN PRIMATE AT ARMAGH—FORANNAN RESOLVES TO LEAVE IRELAND—HE EMBARKS WITH TWELVE COMPANIONS.
content with the reign of science and reh'gion, which prevailed in
NOT tiie
Ireland, enterprising
and adventurous
them to undertake literary and intellectual voyages—-inspired by faith and the
interests ot souls—to the continent, where the whole Latin Church received a fresh infusion in the domain of poesy and imagination, so much in accord
with their indigenous and euphonious language. With religion, they spread civilization and the reign of virtue. Their scientific and literary crusade
brought all branches of human and sacred learning to countries far away; while the Kcottish richness of thought and expression laid the foundations of religion and of knowledge broadcast over many countries. ' Hence, their memory yet survives, in those countries where they laboured.
In our ancient annals and hagiologies, we find several eminent ecclesiastics bearing the name Farannan or Forannan. The Life of this present holy man— the earliest known being based on tradition, and probably on some earlier record''—was composed, by Robert, a monk of Waulsor, in 1030. In the Prologue to this work, he declares, that his materials were derived from the relation of a man greatly advanced in years, but who had an excellent recollec-
"
tion of those wonderful and miraculous "gests of Forannan, which were
placed on record, lest they might otherwise perish. Likewise, it is mentioned, that at the request of his religious chapter, the writer diffidently undertook the task of compilation. Particulars for the Life of this saint are extracted, also, from the " Chronicon Valciodorense," which its author declares to have
been composed from oral tradition, and from the archives, which were pre-
served in that celebrated — that chronicle is monastery. However, truly
to ab—ound with errors ;• while the writer
said ' invoking the intercession of Holy Mary dcclares,5 that his intention was to collect into one Tract various
Chapter i. —Article i. —' See Urbaia
Irish Abbots, at Waulsor.
Sinardet's "
des LUtdratures
^ in his " By D'Aihery,
Synchronisme
depuis leur Origine jusqu'a nos Jours con-
siderees dans leurs Rapports avec Ics Croy-
ance-, les Moeuis, les Institutions Sociales. "
Spicilegium," tomu^ vii. , wlieie tliis document is printed,
Cinquieme Epoque, sect, xii. , pp. 284, chronicle ; but, in his Prjefacio to the
2B5.
volume mentioned already, l^'Achery re-
"
callan and of St. Cadroe, both of whom were ^ jn his Prologue to the chronicle.
It accords, with the history of St. Mac- futes their opinions. See p. 17.
spirit
of her sons caused
* Molanus and Mirseus thought, that the aforesaid Robert was the author of this
April 30. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 553
scattered materials for the information of posterity,* and to make known the various privileges and benefactions conferred upon Walsor. Mabillon has several notices regarding this place,' which is so closely connected with the spiritual ministrations of our saint. ' The Belgium writers, iMolanus' and Miraeus,'° justly claim him, as one of the illustrious and holy men, belong- ing to their country; while the Benedictines" assign him to their order. Ferrarius has an account of this holy man," as also Constantine Ghinius. '^ In like manner, to give a biographical Memoir'^ was the intention of Colgan,'5 who, did not live, however, to publish Forannan's Life. The BoUandists have inserted his Acts, in their great collection. '* These comprise his Life, by Robert, the Waulsor monk,'' with some preliminary remarks. Afterwards follow other notices, in reference to our saint,'* and these are taken from the old chronicle of Walsor. Father Daniel Papebroke is the editor. Forannan is noticed, likewise,'' in Thomas Dempster's work, and—after his manner—
Forannan is very presumptuously appropriated, as a Scotsman. '" Adrien Baillet"hasaLifeofthisholyman. BishopChallenor"andtheRev. Dr. Lanigan'J have a few notices respecting this saint, whose festival is marked at the 30th of April. The Petits BoUandistes ' only note the feast of St. Forannan, at this date, and the Rev. S. Baring-Gould '5 has some remarks on the same celebrated Abbot of Waulsor.
The O'Clerys—or an addition to their work »*—will have this saint to be the son of Ronan, adding, and, it seems, that he was of the race of Art Corb, son
'Father Daniel Papebroke considers, that '5 See "Catalogus Actuum Sanctorum the chronxle had been interpolated ; and quae MS. habentur ordine Mensium et Die- especially by some continuaioi, who flour- rum. "
ished . -. bout the year 1250. Instances of "* See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , Ap- fictitious eirors or doubtful statements are rilis xxx. De Sancio Forannano, Abbale afterwaids given. See the Boli^mdists'
"Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , Aprilis xxx.
De Sancto Forannano, Alibate Walsiodori,
in Belgio, Ordlnis S. Benedict! , Alia Acta,
ex pervetusto Clironico Walsiodoreusi MS. ,
sect. 4, p. 815.
'See "Annales Ordinis S. Benedicli,"
tomus iii. , lib. xliv. , sect. Ixvii. , p. 472,
"
These are in three chapters, comprising, with a Prulogue, twenty-five paragraphs, illustrated witii notes.
'» See "Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Scotorum," tomus i. , lib. vi. , num. 523, pp. 287, 288.
" After alleging, that the Irish had no Archbishops in Forannan's time, nor for
sect, xcix. , 500.
•
p. 485,
lib. xlv. , sect,
xxii. , p.
See ibid. , lib. xlvii. , sect, xl. , p. 599 ; and tomus iv. , lib. xlix. , sect, xv. , p. 9.
'In the " Natalcs Sanctorum Belgii," for
the month of April, we have short notices of tliree hundred years later, he adds—
St. Forannan, at the 30th of April, in one
hardly possible in good fiith :
"
paragraph, pp. 80, 81. '° "
See Fasti Belgici et Burgundici," pp.
213 to 215. Also Indiculus Sanctorum also, Menologiiim Scoticuni," in Bishop
Belgii," p. XXV. Forbes'
Kalendars of Scottish Saints,
" TheseventhVolume, "ActaSanctorum Ordinis S. Benedicti," contains a Lifeol St. Forannan, Abl»ot, with previous O- serva- tions, in three parai^raphs. That Life it^elf, with a prologue, is given in twcnty-tliree paragraphs. A fra-ment from the Chronicle of Walciodoms i-. publi-hed in twenty-five paragraphs. Seepp. 586to603.
p. 197,
" At the 30th of April, we find entered in
'• '
his Les Vies des Saints, a Life of St.
Forannan, Bishop of . Armagh, in Ireland, and Abbot of VVasor, tome i. , pp. 398, 399.
" See Britannia Sancta," part i. , pp. 272,
273-
'' See"EcclesiasticalHistoryofIreland,
vol. iii. , chap, xxiii. , sect, iv. , and notes, pp.
404, 405.
'* See " Les Vies des Saints," tome v. ,
XXX' Jour d'Avril, p. 86.
'5 See " Lives of the Saints," vol. iv. ,
April 30, pp. 376, 377.
"*
" See '"Catalogus Generalis Sanctorum," Aprilis XXX. , p. 173.
'' See "De Natalibus Sanctorum Canoni- corum," p. xxiix.
'* See Colgan's "Acta . Sanctorum Hiber- nise," xxi. Januarii. De B. Malcallanno Ab- bate, n. I, p. 153.
By a more recent hand.
Walsiodori, in Belgio, Ord. S. Benedicti, pp. 807 to 822.
' A Prologue precedes this Life, given in three chapters, and in twenty-three para- graphs, illustrated with notes.
it is Miror quid hie Hirlandus memlicet, cumomnesex tabu-
"
lis Valvidorensibus Scotum as=erant. " See ""
SS4 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 30.
to Fiacha Suighdhe. '' The present St. Farannan is thought to have been the son of Ronan, son to Fiach, son of Fin tan, son to IMaclasrius, son of Cannech, son
ofErchon, son to Niebron, son of Bronfinn, son to Eugene, son of Artcorb,son of Fiacha Suighdhe, the founder of the Decies family. '* This might well agree, with what has been stated by Robert, the monk of Walsor, that our saint descended from a noble Scottish ancestry. =9 According to tlie most reason- able supposition, about the earlier part of the tenth century, Forannan was borninIreland. Fromhisinfancy,mosthappydispositionsseemedtogrow; for, relying on God, he prepared to sacrifice the advantages of birth and rank, to secure His love. Forannan's parents took care excellently to provide, at an early age, for the religious and secular education of their son. He profited so
well, through the advantages afforded, that the boy soon became distinguished for his progress in study, giving indications of future eminence in merit, as in learning. Advancing in years, Forannan afforded edification to all his com-
panions and acquaintances, by exhibiting all those virtues and acquirements,
that could distinguish one who was yet a youth. In loving God, with his
whole heart, he learned to give this precept and observance practical effect,
by loving his neighbour, only in a secondary degree. Deeply grounded in
humility, he desjnsed the advantages of birth and fortune. Cultivating a love of angelic purity, he was accustomed to withstand the assaults of irregu-
lar temptation and impure suggestions. He was always ready to forgive and to forget injuries, in imitation of his Divine Master. But, his charity towards the poor and orphans, whom he considered always as the special favourites of Heaven, seemed to know no bounds ; and, he looked upon himself, as the self-constituted steward of Christ, in relieving their necessities. The bent of his genius was directed to the acquisition of sacred learning, and chiefly with the view of devoting himself to the instruction of others, in the principles of religion. Aspiring to the ecclesiastical state, it would seem, that he received holy orders, in due course. Having prepared himself, by a diligent study of the Holy Scriptures, and by reading the works of various holy Fathers, his labours in the ministry were great, and productive of much fruit. After faithfully discharging all his sacerdotal duties—but wheth—er as a secular or as a regular priest we are not informed in his Life it has been stated, that he afterwards was appointed Bishop, and his charge was at a place called Domnachmor. 3°
There were many churches in Ireland bearing such a name, in his time ; and, even yet, that topographical denomination is spread in various parts of Ireland. His locality—according to a supposition advanced—lay within the district of iMagh-Feimhin,3' or the Plain of Femhin. That parish of Dom- nach-mor, or Donaghmore,3^ with which Bishop Farannan was connected, is said to have been situated, in the baronies of Offa and Iffa, and Middle- third, county of Tipperary. This is now a parish church, belonging to the diocese of Lismore ;33 and, it is thought, also, to have been the church of that
"J See Rev. Dr. Todd's and Reeves' History of Ireland," vol. iii. , cap. xxiii. ,
sect, iv. , p. 404.
3' It was a very ancient territorial deno-
mination, as it is mentioned in the "Annals
of the Four Masters," at A. M. 3506 ; also, at
A. D. 571and759.
3^ It is shown, on the " Ordnance Survey
"
and n. 4. Jhid.
Martyrology of Donegal," pp. II4, 115,
" Acta Sanctorum Hiber- nise," XV. Januarii. Appendix ad Acta S. Itse,
cap. ii. , p. 73.
"' See the BoHandists' " Acta Sanctorum,"
"^ See
Colgan's
tomus iii , Aprilis xxx. De S. Forannano, Townland Maps for the County of Tip-
Abbate Walsiodori, in Belgio, Ord. S. Bene- dicti. Vita S. Forannani, cap. i. , num. 2,
peraiy,'' sheets 70, 77. The townland pro-
per is on the latter sheet,
p.
808.
5° See Rev. Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical
33 See Archdall's cum," p. 654.
"
Monasticon Hiberni-
April 30. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 555
monastery, over which St. Farannan presided. 3< Such a conclusion, however, does not appear to be very well established. At present, in the place men- tioned, certain remains of an ecclesiastical character merit the study of an antiquar}'. The old cluirch of Donoughmore consists of a nave 35 and chancel, s"" wliich for many years have been in ruins. That it was a church 37 of some importance may be judged from the care bestowed on its erection, some of its details being of a highly ornate character.
