The greater part of the year 11 43 was occupied, by the primate, in
effecting
a great work of peace and charity, and in composing differences between two rival opponents.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v3
" Duringhisyouth,headdictedhimselftousefulstudies,whilepiety
and contempt for worldly advantages actuated his conduct. On growing up, this admirable servant of Christ embraced a monastic state. He became a
Canon, or rather—as we are told—an Erenach,*^ in the Columban Abbey of
—* ^" Article I. —Chapter l See, "Acta See
Sanctorum Hibernise," xxvii. Martii. De i. , p. 26.
Church History of Ireland," chap.
S. Gelasio, Abbate Primum Derensi, et
postea Archiepiscopo Ardmachano. Ex Apostle of Ireland," chap, x. , p. 549.
variis, pp. 772 to 779.
-See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. ,
Martii xxvii. the
Among pretermitted
and by other writers.
3 " " "a
saints, p. 686.
See vol. i. , Archbishops ot Armagh,"
In Irish Leigkin signifies
scholar,"
'
"
» See Miss Cusack's Life of St. Patrick,
a physician. "
'^ See " Memoir of the City and North-
Western Liberties of Londonderry," part 5 See Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," ii. , sect. 2, p. 29.
pp. 57 to 61.
< See " Rerum Hibernicarum
Scriptores,'
tomus i. , pars, ii. , Prolegomena, p. 144, "
vol. iv. ,
7, 8, 9, 10, pp. 102 to 105.
chap,
'' See"Memoir
5, 6,
of the 102 to 110.
Primacy
of
Scrip-
History
xxvii. , sect, i. , and nn.
"• See Rev. Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical
History of Ireland," vol, iv. , chap, xxvii. ,
^ See " The Life of St.
of Ireland," chap, x. , pp. 549, 550.
tores," tomus|i. ,pars. ii. , Prolegomena, p. 144.
'* Dr. considers this title, as Lanigan
equivalent to Archdeacon.
Introductory
Early
tothe Armagh," pp.
sect,i. , 102. p.
'5 See "Rerum Hibernicarum
Patrick, Apostle
We are —
informed, likewise,
"See Harris' Ware, vol. i. , "Arch*
bishops of Armagh," p. 57.
" So is he called, Marianus O'Gorman, by
and Liagh,
"
966 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 27.
Derry. *7 In the thirty-third year of his age, a. d. 1120, according to Colgan,^^ he was elected abbot over this religious community. However, according to Dr. Lanigan, his appointment, as abbot over Derry, was not prior to 11 21. '9 He governed it, for sixteen years ; and, about the time of his accession, the Irish Annals''" record the death of Domhnall, son of Ardghar Mac Loch- lainn, King of Ireland, at Doire-Choluim-Chille. He was a pious and munificent monarch. During the year 1824, Ardgar, the son of Aedh,
Prince of Aileach, had rashly violated the right of sanctuary, which the monastery of Derry enjoyed, on account of St. Columba, its first founder. A tumult was raised in consequence, and that prince was killed in the streets ot Derry. Thiswasdeemedtohavebeenadeservedpunishment,inflictedon him, because of his impiety. ^' We read, that Finn Ua Conaingen, who was Erenach of Derry, for a time, departed this life, a. d. 1124, and what seems yet more singular, Bebhin," a female Erenach of the place, died on the 23rd of December, a. d. 1134. ^3 During the last years of his government over that Abbey, Gelasius had the misfortune, on the 30th of March, a. d. 1135,^* to see the whole city of Derry, with its churches, reduced to ashes. ^s Such misfortunes are of frequent recurrence, in that age ; for, Irish cities and towns—perhaps also churches and religious establishments—were very generally constructed of perishable materials, viz. : wood, wattles, and thatch. '^ The holy abbot felt the deepest affliction, because he had not the power to repair that loss, before he was advanced to a still higher office. '7
He was consecrated Archbishop of Armagh, in the year 1137,^^ when the
great St. Malachy O'Morgair^'s had resigned this distinguished position. ^" This year, too, our Annals relate a change of abbots at Ard-Macha, viz. : the Airchinneach of Doire Choluim Cille taking the place of Niall, son of Aedh. 3' The newly-appointed Archbishop, in a. d. 1138, undertook the whole prima- tial Circuit of Munster, as his duty of Visitation. During this progress, Gelasius reformed whatever abuses he found prevailing. ^' It would seem,
'' If we are to credit Harris, "it is certain
the Abbey of Derry owed its filiation to the
House of St. Peter and St. Paul of Armagh,
which — wasofthe
past question Augustin
Congregation. " Harris' Ware, vol. i. , "Archbishops of Armagh," p. 57. But,
the Rev. Dr. Lanigan very clearly shows, how mistaken both Ware and Harris had
"
been, in their statements. See
tical History of Ireland," vol. iv. , chap. xxvii. , sect, i. , n. 7, pp. 104, 105. In like
and without
Benedictines have claimed both this holy into the History of Scotland," vol. ii. , p.
man, and the Abbey of Derry, as belonging 141.
to their Order. '^ See Colgan's
manner,
just warrant,
the
had been built of wattles. See "
Enquiry
Ecclesias-
sect, i. , p. 19.
'S This burning has been assigned to
March 30th, A. D. 1135, ^" Dr. O'Doiiovan's
"Annals of the Four Masters," vol. ii. , pp.
1048,1049.
Acta Sanctorum Hiber- '^ See "Acta Sanctorum Hibemiae," niae," Martii xxvii. De S. Gelasio, cap. vi. ,
Martii xxvii. De S. Gelasio, cap. iii. , and p. 773. "^
n. 8, pp. 773, 779. Colgan endeavours to show, that Gela- '9 See "Ecclesiastical History of Ire- sius was elevated to this dignity, in 1136, land," vol. iv. , chap, xxvii. , sect, i. , n. 8, but he fails to prove it, as Dr. Lanigan
p. 105.
^ In Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the
Four Masters," this event is set down, under A. D. 1 121. See vol. ii. , pp. 1012, 1013.
properly states, in his
" See
niae," Martii xxvii.
p. 773'
"Acta Sanctorum Hiber- De S. Gelasio, cap. v. ,
3o gee Father White's " Stephen
Colgan's
Apologia
""
»3 "
See Dr. O'Doaovan's Annals of the
pro Hibernia," cap. iv. , p. 33.
^' See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. ii. , pp. 1054 to 1057.
She was daughter of Mac Conchaille.
Four Masters," vol. ii. , pp. 1022, 1023, and 1046, 1047.
-* See " Memoir of the City and North-
WesternLibertiesof
Londonderry,"partii. ,
=*
that even Celtic churches, as well as houses,
It has been asserted, by Pinkerton,
"
"
Ecclesiastical His- tory of Ireland," vol. iv. , chap, xxvii. , sect.
i. , n. 5, p. 103.
^ See his Life, at the 3rd of November.
MARCH 27. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 967
that he had an assistant, while absent on that tour; for, on the 29th of January, 1139, we learn, that Maelbrighde Ua Brolchain, or Mael-Bridgid-
O'Brolcain, died. 33 He is said to have been a Suffragan to our prelate ; and, somewriterscallhimBishopofArmagh. Hewasamanofgreatvirtueand distinction.
The following year, Gelasius visited, for the first time, and as the successor of St, Patrick, the province of Connaught. He was received there, as primate, for the churches were adjusted to his jurisdiction. With great reverence and courtesy, tribute was decreed to him, by King Toirdhealbhach Ua Conchobhair, or Tordelvac O'Conor, and by the chiefs, or nobles. He bestowed a blessing on them, and after arranging all ecclesiastical affairs and rights, thence he returned to Armagh, bearing witli him many valuable presents.
The greater part of the year 11 43 was occupied, by the primate, in effecting a great work of peace and charity, and in composing differences between two rival opponents. A war had broken out, between the recognised Monarch of Ireland, Tordelvac, and Murchadh Ua Macleachlainn, or Murrough O'Melaghlin, King of Meath. The latter had been under the protection of the relics and guarantees of Ireland. Gelasius aided, in pro-
curing his liberty. The Monarch O'Conor, pretending to levy a host for the invasion of Munster, advanced his Conacian forces against Ua Macleachlainn. He was thus surprised, and made a prisoner, while the hostages of Meath were brought with him to Dunmore, by King Tordelvac. Filled with zeal, to promote the glory of God and the interests of the Church, Gelasius strenuously set about rebuilding the Cathedral, on a grand scale, at Armagh, with other religious houses adjoining. As these were to be erected in stone, soagreatquantityoflimemustbeusedforcement. Toaccomplishthat end, he is said to have erected, in 1145, a limekiln of unusual dimensions. This work extended sixty feet, on each of its parts, in dimension. 3* Three years, afterwards, this prelate and the illustrious St. Malachy O'Morgair, as the Pope's Legate, held a Synod in the church of Holm-Patrick, near Skerries, in the present county ot DubHn. We are informed, that fifteen bishops, two hundred priests, and many more of the clergy, assisted at its sessions. The subject of their conference related to matters of reformation. The Pall was an object desired by the clergy, and they unanimously agreed, to send Malachy as their spokesman to the Pope, in order to represent their wishes. This glorious Confessor died the same year, while on his journey to Rome, at Clairvaux, in France. 35 Archbishop Gelasius was earnestly en- gaged, during the remainder of that year, in restoring and establishing a firm peace, among his neighbours. To accomplish that end, Maurice O'Lochlain, Prince of Tyrone, and all the petty princes and nobles of Tyrone, of Orgiell,36andofUlidia,37appearedatArmagh,onhissummons. There,he heard and settled their respective claims and complaints. It was agreed, thatalltherestshouldobey,andgivehostagestoMauriceO'Lochlain. On the 24th of November, 11 50, a great calamity happened at Armagh. The third and greatest quarter of Armagh, which was called the Trian-Mor, took fire, and the inhabitants were left homeless ; as the most part of it was
3' See Harris' Ware, vol. i. , "Arch- the Church History of Ireland," vol. ii. ,
bishops of Armagh," p. 57.
S3 See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. ii. , pp. 1062, 1063.
" Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
nice,"
jtiv. , p. 775.
book iv. , chap, iv. , pp. 479, 480.
^e Orgiel, called also Oriel, and Uriel, ex-
tended from Fermanagh, to the counties of
Louth, and Armagh, Monaghan
3-» See
Colgan's Martii xxvii.
the counties of
De S.
3SScc Rev. Robert King's "Primer of
3? Ulidia
Down and of Antrim, before the English Invasion.
Gelasio, cap.
comprehended
968 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 27.
burned, to the very ground. This was enough, not only to excite the sympathies of the primate, but to call forth his strenuous exertions, for the repairs of his city, and to alleviate the sore wants of his flock. Therefore, he made a visitation, through all his diocese of Armagh, in order to obtain sub- sidies from well-disposed persons. His appeal was eminently successful. Every nobleman and distinguished inhabitant of each village contributed an ox, while the prince of the coimtry gave twenty, as his quota to repair that loss.
CHAPTER II.
THE SYNODS OF KELLS, OF MELLIFONT, AND OF BRIGH-MAC-TAIDGHE—GELASIUS CONSE. CRATES ST. LAURENCE O'TOOLE-i-SYNOD AT CLANE—CONVENTION AT ATHBOY— CLOSE OF HIS CAREER—DEATH, COMMEMORATION AND CHARACTER.
While Gelasius was Archbishop of Armagh, in 1151, Pope Eugene III. ' had sent John Paparo, or Joannes Papiron, bearing as his title, Cardinal Priest of St. Laurence in Damaso, and as Papal Legate, into Ireland. He remained
a week,' as guest, in the house of the Archbishop of Armagh. s In 1152,4 the great National Synod of Kells,5 in Meath, was convened. Some writers
assign to Mel,^ or ]\Iellifont, and others to Drogheda,? the site for holding thisCouncil. Thedecreesbywhichsimonyandusuryhadbeencondemned in it passed unanimously, but when the Cardinal set forth his favourite yet
strange system of tithes, the proposition was instantly rejected ; nor do we
a that it had met with the of a — ecclesiastic find, says writer, approval single
in this National
Synod. ^
The ancient Book of Cluain—
-Ednach as
quoted by
other writers '°
was opened, in 1157;" but, this account is supposed to have been taken
9 and
from a faulty entering, and not warranted by the original copy of the Book
the Rev.
Jeoffry Keating
by
states,
that this
Synod
Chapter ii. —' His pontificate began in
1 145, and he died on the 8th of July, A. D.
1 See Rev. John " Manual of 153. Alrog's
Church History. Translated by Rev. F. J. Pabisch and Rev. Thomas S. Byrne, vol. ii. , Period 2, Epoch 2, part i. , chap, i. , sect. 218, pp. 387, 392.
are authorities, for the date given in the text.
s Also called Kenlis, or Kenanuse.
•
It has been conjectured, that some writer had fallen into the mistaJce of making Kell into Mell.
" Primer of the Church History of Ireland," vol. ii. , book
' See Rev. Robert
King's
Mellifont went by this name, Harris, says
because it stood near Drogheda.
^SeeRev. M. Brenan's"Ecclesiastical J.
History of Ireland," Twelfth Century, chap. i. , p. 230.
» See Dermod O'Connor's Keating's
iv,, chap, v. , p. 483.
3 He also imparted his blessing. See
Dr. O'Donovans "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. ii. , pp. 1094, 1095.
* Some 'writers incorrectly have it, in "History of Ireland," part ii. , p. 517.
1 151, such as Ussher, in his Index Chrono-
Duffy's edition.
*°See "ActaSanctorumHiber- Colgan's
logicus,
A. M. MCLi. See"Britannicariim
Ecclesiarum Antiquitates," p. 546. Colgan nise," Martii xxvii. De S. Gelasio, cap. "
also gives it, as the date, according to the xix. , p. 776. Also, MacCurtin's Brief Dis-
*'
Annals of the Four Masters," which he used ; but in Dr. O'Donovan's edition, it is setdown,underA. D. II52. ItwasaBissxe- tile year, in which, according to Keating, it was held; the next to it should be I156, and the year certainly could not have been
1 157. The Annals of Mary's Abbey, near Dublin, those of Multifeman, the Book of the Clergy of Cluain-Ednach, and certain manuscript Annals, in the custody of Karris,
course in Vindication of the Antiquity of Ireland," p. 27S.
"Wemaysuppose,saysHarris,although the Synod opened in 1 1 52, at Kells ; yet thatit continued by adjournment, at different places, until 1 157. Thus, the Council of Trent continued about eighteen years, and
during that time, it was . idjoumed to Bo- logna, and back again to Trent. If this lie
so, Cardinal Paparo did not preside in it,
'
"AdmonasteriumPontanense. " Possibly,
March 27. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 969
ofClonenagh. *- Indeed,therearesufficientgrounds,towarrantsuchacon- clusion ; while the facts and statements made, in reference to it, draw our inferences to the year 11 52, The recorded deaths of certain individuals, '3 assisting thereat, are confirmatory of such a date, as we find from the Annals. To this celebrated Synod, its decrees, and transactions, allusion has been already made. ''* To the Archbishoprics of Armagh and of Cashel were now added those of Dublin and of Tuam,^s with a re-distribution of the suffragan Sees. ^^ This was a very numerously attended Council ; twenty-two bishops and five bishops elect '^^ having been assembled, with about three hundred ecclesiastics. This prelate, Gelasius, is called the first Archbishop of Armagh,^^ because he was the first, who used the pall ; although others before him were called Archbishops and Primates, out of reverence for St. Patrick, the Apostle of Ireland. ^9 That very same year, in which the Synod of Kells was held, our primate was wounded by O'Carroll, King of Ergall. '° Owing to this crime, O'Carroll was deposed, by Melaghlin, King of Meath.
The present saint was indefatigable for thirty-eight years, while he con- tinuedtoruleovertheSeeofArmagh. HeheldanotherSynod,in1157,as it has been stated, in the Abbey of Mellifont. This, Harris takes to be only
an adjournment of that held in 1152. In the Synod convened at Mellifont, Christian O'Conarchy, Bishop of Lismore, and the Pope's Legate, presided. Seventeen bishops, besides the Legate and Primate, assisted. It was
honoured, likewise, with the presence of Murtogh O'Loghlin, King of Ire- land, O'Eochaid, King of Ulidia, Tiernan O'Rourke, Prince of Brefiny, and O'Carroll, Prince of Ergall, or Oriel. The chief matter of consequence, transacted in this Synod, was the public excommunication of Dunchad
O'Melaghlin, King of Meath, by the bishops and clergy, and his formal
deposition, by the princes, assembled. To occupy his principality and
exercise jurisdiction in Meath, his brother Dermod was substituted. What
hisexactoffencewas,wearenotspecificallyinformed; but,intheanony-
mous it is " that the cursed Atheist was Annals, quoted by Harris, said,
excommunicated from the Church, for dishonouring the Coviarb {i. e. Primate)
Jesus's Staff, and all the clergy. " With great solemnity, the prelates and ecclesiastics consecrated that church, belonging to the Abbey of Mellifont.
The kings and princes present made great oblations, to aid in its construction and foundation. '^
all that time ; for, we are told by the Book.
of Cluain-Ednach, before quoted, that on
the 24th of March, the same year, and
immediately after the finishing of the
Council, he began his journey homewards
to Rome. See Harris' Ware, vol. i. ,
"" A number of suffragan bishops was made subject and allotted to each Arch-
bishop.
'' In Sir James Ware's work, " De Hi-
bernia et Antiquitatibus ejus," the names of the Archbishops, and Bishops, who assisted
at the said Synod, as also, the designation of their respective Sees are set down. See
cap. xvii. , pp. 73 to 78.
'*
According to the Annals of St. Mary's Abbey and those at the end of Camden,
'^ From the beginning, his See was held,
in the greatest honour, not only by the
Irish bishops and priests, but by kings and
princes,
"
Archbishops of Armagh," p. 59.
" Harris believes, that the translator of
Keating erred, because in an English trans- lation of that writer, and kept in manuscript in Archbishop Marsh's library, Dublin, the date is I152, as it ought to be.
'3 Thus, among them, Dungall O'Cellaic, Bishop of Leighlin, died, in 1152, five years before the term allotted, by Keating, for the celebration of this Synod.
'* See our " Lives of the Irish Saints," vol. ii. , Fourth Day of February. Art. v. Reputed Festival of St. Gille, or Gillibert.
'5 The Cardinal brought with him four Palls for these Archbishops, which he dis- tributed.
'°
The Annals, which are my authority
for this, says Harris, do not inform us how,
or on what occasion, it happened.
"'
King Murtagh gave 140 oxen, or coys, 60 ounces of gold, and a townland, near
Drogheda, called Finnabhuair Naningean. O'Carroll gave 60 ounces of gold; and
970 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 27.
The year following, this indefatigable and venerable old pastor held another Synod, at Brigh-Thaigh, or Brigh-Mac-Taidghe, in Meath. ^^ Twenty- five bishops, with Christian O'Conarchy, Bishop of Lismore, the Pope's Legate, assisted at it. None of the Connaught bishops were present, at this Synod, on account of the following occurrence, related in our Annals. While on their way to this Convocation, having left Clonmacnoise, the very next morning they were set upon and plundered, at Cuirr Cluana,=3 while two lay- men of their company were murdered, by a party of soldiers, belonging to Dermod O'Melaghlin, King of Meath. "-* Either this accident, or their being busied in their own country, at a Synod, held by them, during this year, in Roscommon, prevented their appearance. Besides some reformatory decrees, relating to discipline and manners, by common consent, the clergy of this Synod erected the Abbey church of Derry into a Cathedral. They appointed Flathbert O'Brolcan, Abbot of Derry, as its bishop, and they constituted him supreme moderator, over all the Abbeys of Ireland. About the year 11 60,
a Charter was granted, for the foundation of a Cistercian Abbey, at Newry, by Maurice McLoughlin, King of all Ireland ; and, foremost among the witnesses and sureties is set down, as subscribing to it, GioUa Mac Liag, ArchbishopofArmagh,holdingtheStaffofJesusinhishand. 's intheyear 1 162, Gelasius consecrated St. Lawrence O'Toole,'^ Archbishop of Dublin, as the first Bishop or Archbishop of that See, that ever was consecrated in Ireland. Before this time, the prelates of Dublin, as also those of Waterford and of Limerick, received consecration, from the Archbishop of Canterbury. They also paid canonical obedience to him.
In the year 1162, or 1163, Gelasius convened a Synod of twenty-si. x bishops at Cleonad, or Clane, in the diocese of Kildare. A decree was pro-
mulged, during their Session, that for the time to come, no person should be admitted as a public reader, or lecturer,^7 in divinity, but such as had been educated as students, in the University of Armagh ; or, as the anonymous Annals, quoted by Harris, state, such as had been fostered, or else adopted, by Armagh. According to these words, there was room left for incorporation or admission ad ciindem, from other Universities. "^ Again, under this year, it is stated, that the visitation of Cinel-Eoghain was made by the successor of Patrick, Gillamacliag, son of Ruidhri, the like of which had not previously occurred. ^9
The greatest part of a.
and contempt for worldly advantages actuated his conduct. On growing up, this admirable servant of Christ embraced a monastic state. He became a
Canon, or rather—as we are told—an Erenach,*^ in the Columban Abbey of
—* ^" Article I. —Chapter l See, "Acta See
Sanctorum Hibernise," xxvii. Martii. De i. , p. 26.
Church History of Ireland," chap.
S. Gelasio, Abbate Primum Derensi, et
postea Archiepiscopo Ardmachano. Ex Apostle of Ireland," chap, x. , p. 549.
variis, pp. 772 to 779.
-See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. ,
Martii xxvii. the
Among pretermitted
and by other writers.
3 " " "a
saints, p. 686.
See vol. i. , Archbishops ot Armagh,"
In Irish Leigkin signifies
scholar,"
'
"
» See Miss Cusack's Life of St. Patrick,
a physician. "
'^ See " Memoir of the City and North-
Western Liberties of Londonderry," part 5 See Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," ii. , sect. 2, p. 29.
pp. 57 to 61.
< See " Rerum Hibernicarum
Scriptores,'
tomus i. , pars, ii. , Prolegomena, p. 144, "
vol. iv. ,
7, 8, 9, 10, pp. 102 to 105.
chap,
'' See"Memoir
5, 6,
of the 102 to 110.
Primacy
of
Scrip-
History
xxvii. , sect, i. , and nn.
"• See Rev. Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical
History of Ireland," vol, iv. , chap, xxvii. ,
^ See " The Life of St.
of Ireland," chap, x. , pp. 549, 550.
tores," tomus|i. ,pars. ii. , Prolegomena, p. 144.
'* Dr. considers this title, as Lanigan
equivalent to Archdeacon.
Introductory
Early
tothe Armagh," pp.
sect,i. , 102. p.
'5 See "Rerum Hibernicarum
Patrick, Apostle
We are —
informed, likewise,
"See Harris' Ware, vol. i. , "Arch*
bishops of Armagh," p. 57.
" So is he called, Marianus O'Gorman, by
and Liagh,
"
966 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 27.
Derry. *7 In the thirty-third year of his age, a. d. 1120, according to Colgan,^^ he was elected abbot over this religious community. However, according to Dr. Lanigan, his appointment, as abbot over Derry, was not prior to 11 21. '9 He governed it, for sixteen years ; and, about the time of his accession, the Irish Annals''" record the death of Domhnall, son of Ardghar Mac Loch- lainn, King of Ireland, at Doire-Choluim-Chille. He was a pious and munificent monarch. During the year 1824, Ardgar, the son of Aedh,
Prince of Aileach, had rashly violated the right of sanctuary, which the monastery of Derry enjoyed, on account of St. Columba, its first founder. A tumult was raised in consequence, and that prince was killed in the streets ot Derry. Thiswasdeemedtohavebeenadeservedpunishment,inflictedon him, because of his impiety. ^' We read, that Finn Ua Conaingen, who was Erenach of Derry, for a time, departed this life, a. d. 1124, and what seems yet more singular, Bebhin," a female Erenach of the place, died on the 23rd of December, a. d. 1134. ^3 During the last years of his government over that Abbey, Gelasius had the misfortune, on the 30th of March, a. d. 1135,^* to see the whole city of Derry, with its churches, reduced to ashes. ^s Such misfortunes are of frequent recurrence, in that age ; for, Irish cities and towns—perhaps also churches and religious establishments—were very generally constructed of perishable materials, viz. : wood, wattles, and thatch. '^ The holy abbot felt the deepest affliction, because he had not the power to repair that loss, before he was advanced to a still higher office. '7
He was consecrated Archbishop of Armagh, in the year 1137,^^ when the
great St. Malachy O'Morgair^'s had resigned this distinguished position. ^" This year, too, our Annals relate a change of abbots at Ard-Macha, viz. : the Airchinneach of Doire Choluim Cille taking the place of Niall, son of Aedh. 3' The newly-appointed Archbishop, in a. d. 1138, undertook the whole prima- tial Circuit of Munster, as his duty of Visitation. During this progress, Gelasius reformed whatever abuses he found prevailing. ^' It would seem,
'' If we are to credit Harris, "it is certain
the Abbey of Derry owed its filiation to the
House of St. Peter and St. Paul of Armagh,
which — wasofthe
past question Augustin
Congregation. " Harris' Ware, vol. i. , "Archbishops of Armagh," p. 57. But,
the Rev. Dr. Lanigan very clearly shows, how mistaken both Ware and Harris had
"
been, in their statements. See
tical History of Ireland," vol. iv. , chap. xxvii. , sect, i. , n. 7, pp. 104, 105. In like
and without
Benedictines have claimed both this holy into the History of Scotland," vol. ii. , p.
man, and the Abbey of Derry, as belonging 141.
to their Order. '^ See Colgan's
manner,
just warrant,
the
had been built of wattles. See "
Enquiry
Ecclesias-
sect, i. , p. 19.
'S This burning has been assigned to
March 30th, A. D. 1135, ^" Dr. O'Doiiovan's
"Annals of the Four Masters," vol. ii. , pp.
1048,1049.
Acta Sanctorum Hiber- '^ See "Acta Sanctorum Hibemiae," niae," Martii xxvii. De S. Gelasio, cap. vi. ,
Martii xxvii. De S. Gelasio, cap. iii. , and p. 773. "^
n. 8, pp. 773, 779. Colgan endeavours to show, that Gela- '9 See "Ecclesiastical History of Ire- sius was elevated to this dignity, in 1136, land," vol. iv. , chap, xxvii. , sect, i. , n. 8, but he fails to prove it, as Dr. Lanigan
p. 105.
^ In Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the
Four Masters," this event is set down, under A. D. 1 121. See vol. ii. , pp. 1012, 1013.
properly states, in his
" See
niae," Martii xxvii.
p. 773'
"Acta Sanctorum Hiber- De S. Gelasio, cap. v. ,
3o gee Father White's " Stephen
Colgan's
Apologia
""
»3 "
See Dr. O'Doaovan's Annals of the
pro Hibernia," cap. iv. , p. 33.
^' See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. ii. , pp. 1054 to 1057.
She was daughter of Mac Conchaille.
Four Masters," vol. ii. , pp. 1022, 1023, and 1046, 1047.
-* See " Memoir of the City and North-
WesternLibertiesof
Londonderry,"partii. ,
=*
that even Celtic churches, as well as houses,
It has been asserted, by Pinkerton,
"
"
Ecclesiastical His- tory of Ireland," vol. iv. , chap, xxvii. , sect.
i. , n. 5, p. 103.
^ See his Life, at the 3rd of November.
MARCH 27. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 967
that he had an assistant, while absent on that tour; for, on the 29th of January, 1139, we learn, that Maelbrighde Ua Brolchain, or Mael-Bridgid-
O'Brolcain, died. 33 He is said to have been a Suffragan to our prelate ; and, somewriterscallhimBishopofArmagh. Hewasamanofgreatvirtueand distinction.
The following year, Gelasius visited, for the first time, and as the successor of St, Patrick, the province of Connaught. He was received there, as primate, for the churches were adjusted to his jurisdiction. With great reverence and courtesy, tribute was decreed to him, by King Toirdhealbhach Ua Conchobhair, or Tordelvac O'Conor, and by the chiefs, or nobles. He bestowed a blessing on them, and after arranging all ecclesiastical affairs and rights, thence he returned to Armagh, bearing witli him many valuable presents.
The greater part of the year 11 43 was occupied, by the primate, in effecting a great work of peace and charity, and in composing differences between two rival opponents. A war had broken out, between the recognised Monarch of Ireland, Tordelvac, and Murchadh Ua Macleachlainn, or Murrough O'Melaghlin, King of Meath. The latter had been under the protection of the relics and guarantees of Ireland. Gelasius aided, in pro-
curing his liberty. The Monarch O'Conor, pretending to levy a host for the invasion of Munster, advanced his Conacian forces against Ua Macleachlainn. He was thus surprised, and made a prisoner, while the hostages of Meath were brought with him to Dunmore, by King Tordelvac. Filled with zeal, to promote the glory of God and the interests of the Church, Gelasius strenuously set about rebuilding the Cathedral, on a grand scale, at Armagh, with other religious houses adjoining. As these were to be erected in stone, soagreatquantityoflimemustbeusedforcement. Toaccomplishthat end, he is said to have erected, in 1145, a limekiln of unusual dimensions. This work extended sixty feet, on each of its parts, in dimension. 3* Three years, afterwards, this prelate and the illustrious St. Malachy O'Morgair, as the Pope's Legate, held a Synod in the church of Holm-Patrick, near Skerries, in the present county ot DubHn. We are informed, that fifteen bishops, two hundred priests, and many more of the clergy, assisted at its sessions. The subject of their conference related to matters of reformation. The Pall was an object desired by the clergy, and they unanimously agreed, to send Malachy as their spokesman to the Pope, in order to represent their wishes. This glorious Confessor died the same year, while on his journey to Rome, at Clairvaux, in France. 35 Archbishop Gelasius was earnestly en- gaged, during the remainder of that year, in restoring and establishing a firm peace, among his neighbours. To accomplish that end, Maurice O'Lochlain, Prince of Tyrone, and all the petty princes and nobles of Tyrone, of Orgiell,36andofUlidia,37appearedatArmagh,onhissummons. There,he heard and settled their respective claims and complaints. It was agreed, thatalltherestshouldobey,andgivehostagestoMauriceO'Lochlain. On the 24th of November, 11 50, a great calamity happened at Armagh. The third and greatest quarter of Armagh, which was called the Trian-Mor, took fire, and the inhabitants were left homeless ; as the most part of it was
3' See Harris' Ware, vol. i. , "Arch- the Church History of Ireland," vol. ii. ,
bishops of Armagh," p. 57.
S3 See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. ii. , pp. 1062, 1063.
" Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
nice,"
jtiv. , p. 775.
book iv. , chap, iv. , pp. 479, 480.
^e Orgiel, called also Oriel, and Uriel, ex-
tended from Fermanagh, to the counties of
Louth, and Armagh, Monaghan
3-» See
Colgan's Martii xxvii.
the counties of
De S.
3SScc Rev. Robert King's "Primer of
3? Ulidia
Down and of Antrim, before the English Invasion.
Gelasio, cap.
comprehended
968 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 27.
burned, to the very ground. This was enough, not only to excite the sympathies of the primate, but to call forth his strenuous exertions, for the repairs of his city, and to alleviate the sore wants of his flock. Therefore, he made a visitation, through all his diocese of Armagh, in order to obtain sub- sidies from well-disposed persons. His appeal was eminently successful. Every nobleman and distinguished inhabitant of each village contributed an ox, while the prince of the coimtry gave twenty, as his quota to repair that loss.
CHAPTER II.
THE SYNODS OF KELLS, OF MELLIFONT, AND OF BRIGH-MAC-TAIDGHE—GELASIUS CONSE. CRATES ST. LAURENCE O'TOOLE-i-SYNOD AT CLANE—CONVENTION AT ATHBOY— CLOSE OF HIS CAREER—DEATH, COMMEMORATION AND CHARACTER.
While Gelasius was Archbishop of Armagh, in 1151, Pope Eugene III. ' had sent John Paparo, or Joannes Papiron, bearing as his title, Cardinal Priest of St. Laurence in Damaso, and as Papal Legate, into Ireland. He remained
a week,' as guest, in the house of the Archbishop of Armagh. s In 1152,4 the great National Synod of Kells,5 in Meath, was convened. Some writers
assign to Mel,^ or ]\Iellifont, and others to Drogheda,? the site for holding thisCouncil. Thedecreesbywhichsimonyandusuryhadbeencondemned in it passed unanimously, but when the Cardinal set forth his favourite yet
strange system of tithes, the proposition was instantly rejected ; nor do we
a that it had met with the of a — ecclesiastic find, says writer, approval single
in this National
Synod. ^
The ancient Book of Cluain—
-Ednach as
quoted by
other writers '°
was opened, in 1157;" but, this account is supposed to have been taken
9 and
from a faulty entering, and not warranted by the original copy of the Book
the Rev.
Jeoffry Keating
by
states,
that this
Synod
Chapter ii. —' His pontificate began in
1 145, and he died on the 8th of July, A. D.
1 See Rev. John " Manual of 153. Alrog's
Church History. Translated by Rev. F. J. Pabisch and Rev. Thomas S. Byrne, vol. ii. , Period 2, Epoch 2, part i. , chap, i. , sect. 218, pp. 387, 392.
are authorities, for the date given in the text.
s Also called Kenlis, or Kenanuse.
•
It has been conjectured, that some writer had fallen into the mistaJce of making Kell into Mell.
" Primer of the Church History of Ireland," vol. ii. , book
' See Rev. Robert
King's
Mellifont went by this name, Harris, says
because it stood near Drogheda.
^SeeRev. M. Brenan's"Ecclesiastical J.
History of Ireland," Twelfth Century, chap. i. , p. 230.
» See Dermod O'Connor's Keating's
iv,, chap, v. , p. 483.
3 He also imparted his blessing. See
Dr. O'Donovans "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. ii. , pp. 1094, 1095.
* Some 'writers incorrectly have it, in "History of Ireland," part ii. , p. 517.
1 151, such as Ussher, in his Index Chrono-
Duffy's edition.
*°See "ActaSanctorumHiber- Colgan's
logicus,
A. M. MCLi. See"Britannicariim
Ecclesiarum Antiquitates," p. 546. Colgan nise," Martii xxvii. De S. Gelasio, cap. "
also gives it, as the date, according to the xix. , p. 776. Also, MacCurtin's Brief Dis-
*'
Annals of the Four Masters," which he used ; but in Dr. O'Donovan's edition, it is setdown,underA. D. II52. ItwasaBissxe- tile year, in which, according to Keating, it was held; the next to it should be I156, and the year certainly could not have been
1 157. The Annals of Mary's Abbey, near Dublin, those of Multifeman, the Book of the Clergy of Cluain-Ednach, and certain manuscript Annals, in the custody of Karris,
course in Vindication of the Antiquity of Ireland," p. 27S.
"Wemaysuppose,saysHarris,although the Synod opened in 1 1 52, at Kells ; yet thatit continued by adjournment, at different places, until 1 157. Thus, the Council of Trent continued about eighteen years, and
during that time, it was . idjoumed to Bo- logna, and back again to Trent. If this lie
so, Cardinal Paparo did not preside in it,
'
"AdmonasteriumPontanense. " Possibly,
March 27. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 969
ofClonenagh. *- Indeed,therearesufficientgrounds,towarrantsuchacon- clusion ; while the facts and statements made, in reference to it, draw our inferences to the year 11 52, The recorded deaths of certain individuals, '3 assisting thereat, are confirmatory of such a date, as we find from the Annals. To this celebrated Synod, its decrees, and transactions, allusion has been already made. ''* To the Archbishoprics of Armagh and of Cashel were now added those of Dublin and of Tuam,^s with a re-distribution of the suffragan Sees. ^^ This was a very numerously attended Council ; twenty-two bishops and five bishops elect '^^ having been assembled, with about three hundred ecclesiastics. This prelate, Gelasius, is called the first Archbishop of Armagh,^^ because he was the first, who used the pall ; although others before him were called Archbishops and Primates, out of reverence for St. Patrick, the Apostle of Ireland. ^9 That very same year, in which the Synod of Kells was held, our primate was wounded by O'Carroll, King of Ergall. '° Owing to this crime, O'Carroll was deposed, by Melaghlin, King of Meath.
The present saint was indefatigable for thirty-eight years, while he con- tinuedtoruleovertheSeeofArmagh. HeheldanotherSynod,in1157,as it has been stated, in the Abbey of Mellifont. This, Harris takes to be only
an adjournment of that held in 1152. In the Synod convened at Mellifont, Christian O'Conarchy, Bishop of Lismore, and the Pope's Legate, presided. Seventeen bishops, besides the Legate and Primate, assisted. It was
honoured, likewise, with the presence of Murtogh O'Loghlin, King of Ire- land, O'Eochaid, King of Ulidia, Tiernan O'Rourke, Prince of Brefiny, and O'Carroll, Prince of Ergall, or Oriel. The chief matter of consequence, transacted in this Synod, was the public excommunication of Dunchad
O'Melaghlin, King of Meath, by the bishops and clergy, and his formal
deposition, by the princes, assembled. To occupy his principality and
exercise jurisdiction in Meath, his brother Dermod was substituted. What
hisexactoffencewas,wearenotspecificallyinformed; but,intheanony-
mous it is " that the cursed Atheist was Annals, quoted by Harris, said,
excommunicated from the Church, for dishonouring the Coviarb {i. e. Primate)
Jesus's Staff, and all the clergy. " With great solemnity, the prelates and ecclesiastics consecrated that church, belonging to the Abbey of Mellifont.
The kings and princes present made great oblations, to aid in its construction and foundation. '^
all that time ; for, we are told by the Book.
of Cluain-Ednach, before quoted, that on
the 24th of March, the same year, and
immediately after the finishing of the
Council, he began his journey homewards
to Rome. See Harris' Ware, vol. i. ,
"" A number of suffragan bishops was made subject and allotted to each Arch-
bishop.
'' In Sir James Ware's work, " De Hi-
bernia et Antiquitatibus ejus," the names of the Archbishops, and Bishops, who assisted
at the said Synod, as also, the designation of their respective Sees are set down. See
cap. xvii. , pp. 73 to 78.
'*
According to the Annals of St. Mary's Abbey and those at the end of Camden,
'^ From the beginning, his See was held,
in the greatest honour, not only by the
Irish bishops and priests, but by kings and
princes,
"
Archbishops of Armagh," p. 59.
" Harris believes, that the translator of
Keating erred, because in an English trans- lation of that writer, and kept in manuscript in Archbishop Marsh's library, Dublin, the date is I152, as it ought to be.
'3 Thus, among them, Dungall O'Cellaic, Bishop of Leighlin, died, in 1152, five years before the term allotted, by Keating, for the celebration of this Synod.
'* See our " Lives of the Irish Saints," vol. ii. , Fourth Day of February. Art. v. Reputed Festival of St. Gille, or Gillibert.
'5 The Cardinal brought with him four Palls for these Archbishops, which he dis- tributed.
'°
The Annals, which are my authority
for this, says Harris, do not inform us how,
or on what occasion, it happened.
"'
King Murtagh gave 140 oxen, or coys, 60 ounces of gold, and a townland, near
Drogheda, called Finnabhuair Naningean. O'Carroll gave 60 ounces of gold; and
970 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 27.
The year following, this indefatigable and venerable old pastor held another Synod, at Brigh-Thaigh, or Brigh-Mac-Taidghe, in Meath. ^^ Twenty- five bishops, with Christian O'Conarchy, Bishop of Lismore, the Pope's Legate, assisted at it. None of the Connaught bishops were present, at this Synod, on account of the following occurrence, related in our Annals. While on their way to this Convocation, having left Clonmacnoise, the very next morning they were set upon and plundered, at Cuirr Cluana,=3 while two lay- men of their company were murdered, by a party of soldiers, belonging to Dermod O'Melaghlin, King of Meath. "-* Either this accident, or their being busied in their own country, at a Synod, held by them, during this year, in Roscommon, prevented their appearance. Besides some reformatory decrees, relating to discipline and manners, by common consent, the clergy of this Synod erected the Abbey church of Derry into a Cathedral. They appointed Flathbert O'Brolcan, Abbot of Derry, as its bishop, and they constituted him supreme moderator, over all the Abbeys of Ireland. About the year 11 60,
a Charter was granted, for the foundation of a Cistercian Abbey, at Newry, by Maurice McLoughlin, King of all Ireland ; and, foremost among the witnesses and sureties is set down, as subscribing to it, GioUa Mac Liag, ArchbishopofArmagh,holdingtheStaffofJesusinhishand. 's intheyear 1 162, Gelasius consecrated St. Lawrence O'Toole,'^ Archbishop of Dublin, as the first Bishop or Archbishop of that See, that ever was consecrated in Ireland. Before this time, the prelates of Dublin, as also those of Waterford and of Limerick, received consecration, from the Archbishop of Canterbury. They also paid canonical obedience to him.
In the year 1162, or 1163, Gelasius convened a Synod of twenty-si. x bishops at Cleonad, or Clane, in the diocese of Kildare. A decree was pro-
mulged, during their Session, that for the time to come, no person should be admitted as a public reader, or lecturer,^7 in divinity, but such as had been educated as students, in the University of Armagh ; or, as the anonymous Annals, quoted by Harris, state, such as had been fostered, or else adopted, by Armagh. According to these words, there was room left for incorporation or admission ad ciindem, from other Universities. "^ Again, under this year, it is stated, that the visitation of Cinel-Eoghain was made by the successor of Patrick, Gillamacliag, son of Ruidhri, the like of which had not previously occurred. ^9
The greatest part of a.
