652,
according
to the Annals of Tighernach, 3 and of
2
See ibid.
2
See ibid.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v8
Kelly, p.
xxxii.
7 In the copy of the Tallagh Martyrology contained in the Book of Leinster the read-
ing is ttlobArfi 111AC 'OeclAin inp mujvi- •OA15.
presented
ing, while two engravings represent external
views of the Cashel, as it appeared before the alterations recently made by the Board of Public Works. It appears the latter body —as in. so many other instances—has con- trived to transform the original structure in an attempted restoration.
I2
Several of the details have received illustration, and in a most ample manner.
8 It is described, on the " Ordnance Sur-
vey Townland Maps for the County of Toorybrenell, or the School-house, Trahaun-
Sligo," sheets 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8. Inishmurray is shown on sheet I.
9 See Lewis' " Topographical Dictionary of Ireland," vol. ii. , pp. 24, 25.
10 This appeared in " The Journal of the Royal Historical andArchaeological Associa-
a-chorres, or the Lent Trahaun, as also Teach-an-alais, or the Sweat-house.
M Two different engravings, and from
opposite points of view, are given of the exterior. Other details of the building have also received illustration,
II
The ground plan has been drawn, by
A festival occurs in the Martyr-
of a rude 11 triangle,
I3 There are engravings representing
i8o LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [August 12.
lighted by a single window in the opposite gable, at a considerable distance
from the ground. Mortar, composed of lime, was freely used throughout this building ; but, in the eastern end, there is an altar constructed of rude stones of various sizes and roughly laid together without any kind of cement.
the
effigy spot by
Interior of Teach Molaise on Ennismurry.
been supposed, that this was the Teampull Mor, or great church of the establishment. There is a legend on Inismurray, that St. Columkille and St. Molaise were partners in the erection of this church, but that owing to the difference in their respec- tive dispositions—the one being impetuous and enterprising, the other mild and retiring—they could not alwaysUhoroughly agree, and so Columbamade up his mind to leave the Island. This church measures twenty-five feet, six
•s The accompanying illustration shows been appropriated respectively to males and
the interior of Teach Molaise, with the altar females. See Lewis' "Topographical Dic-
and of St. Molaise. It was drawn on tionary of Ireland," vol. ii. , pp. 24, 25.
19 A well-known and an established usage,
dictated alike by religious propriety and sen- timent, as also reaching from remote times, yet prevails in all the Catholic churches and chapels throughout Ireland, where no family pews or seats have been provided : there is a marked separation of the sexes—the men
William F. Wakeman, and by him transferred to the wood, engraved by
Mrs. Millard.
16 The natives hold an opinion, that the
statue is the work of the Goban Saor, a
famous craftsman, who is thought to have flourished in the sixth century.
'? A drawing of this statue by Mr. standing and kneeling on the Epistle side
Wakeman has been engraved.
of the nave and transept, while the women
18 It has been observed, that cemeteries occupy the Gospel side.
20
connected with the ecclesiastical ruins have
The burial-ground for females is at
The effigy of an eccle- siastic carved in oak, and about four feet, eight inches, in height, at present occupies a position in an angle of Teach Molaise. 1 * The natives on the Island assert, that it is a statue of their patron Saint Molaise. It is rudely carved, and it seems to
have been a work exe- cuted about the com- mencement of the
16 The statue appears to have been subjected to some
rough usage, for, at present, the facial fea- tures and hands have
fifteenth
century.
disappeared.
It now
stands in the angle of
oratory. 3. pull-na-bFear, or the Church of the Men. 18 It is sometimes styled
the Monastery j and, it is also known as Team-
1
pull Molaise. ? It has
the 1? Team-
August 12. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 181
inches, in length, while it is twelve feet in breadth ; and like every other
Irish temple of its class and period, its plan is a plain quadrangle, with a square-headed doorway in the west gable and a window to the east. It is a remarkable fact, that in the extensive cemetery, which surrounds this
91
walls are two feet in thickness.
Women, is sometimes called Teampull Muire, or Church of Mary, by the islanders. It stands at a little distance to the north-west of the cashel. It measures twenty-eight feet in length, by thirteen in breadth. This building appears to have undergone different modifications since the period of its first erection. Interesting Leachta and other monuments are found in the immediate vicinity of this church. 22 6. Within or without the Caiseal are a number of Altars, most of them bearing very ancient and curiously-carved crosses of stone. 23 7. Two remarkable monuments of the class of Hole- stones, which were held in high veneration on account of certain supernatural powers they were supposed to possess, are to be found on the Island. Those are upright pillars and square in form, many examples of which are to be met with in various parts of Ireland. 8. Eight memorial Leacs, bearing inscriptions in Irish or Latin, are described, while their respective carvings are faithfully represented in several engravings. 9. Uninscribed monumental
stones are numerous, and their several carvings are represented, many of these being incised crosses on slabs, while some of them are very graceful in form. 10. Several Bullauns, or rude font-like objects ofstone, the precise useofwhichhasnotasyetbeenascertained; althoughitseemsmostlikely, they were holy-water fonts, as they are generally found in close proximity with our ruined churches, nor do they appear for the most part to be very ancient. Even still, many of those have been brought from their neglected position in the open grave-yards, and have been again set up for holy-water stoups, in several of our modern churches and chapels. 11. The Sacred Wells, with their coverings of stone, on Inismurray are chiefly Tober
Molaise or St. Molaise's Well, near the Cashel, and on the opposite side of the Island Tober-na-coragh, or the Well of Assistance, on the opposite side of the Island. 2* St. Molaise's Well is covered by a stone-roofed, bee-hive-
shaped, mortarless structure, measuring internally seven by six feet. The doorway is a truly Cyclopean work. It is six feet in height, three in breadth at the lintel, and four at the base. Five stones lead from this ope to the water,whichisneitherabundantnorpalatable. 12. TheLeachta,orStations,
is permitted to be interred. Church of the Men, no woman 20
4. Teampull- na-Teinidh or Church of the Fire. This structure is thought to be less ancient than the other ecclesiastical buildings remaining on the island, and not dating beyond the fourteenth century, while it may have been built at a period considerably later, yet probably it stands on the site of a still earlier structure. This building is oblong in form, measuring internally seventeen feet, four inches, in length, by eleven feet, four inches, in breadth, while the
Teampull-na-mbhanortheWomen'sChurch, situate some distance outside the Cashel. It
is universally believed by the islanders, that if a woman be buried in the men's ground
have prevailed on the Western Islands of Scotland.
" A drawing of the interior of this building, with other associated details, has been given
by Mr. Wakeman, with a minute descrip- tion ©f their several features,
" An illustration, drawn by Mr. Wake- man, is given with the text,
*3 and illustrations of these Descriptions
various objects, with much curious informa- tion regarding them, are furnished by Mr. Wakeman, in his learned contribution on
the Antiquities of Inismurray.
"* Descriptions and illustrations of both
wells have been furnished by Mr. Wake- man.
the must be removed corpse
the
by unseen hands to the women's cemetery, and vice versa. A similar arrangement for separate interments of both sexes seems to
during
night
5. Teampull-na-mBan or Church of the
1 82 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [August 12.
with their monuments, are very numerous on the Island, and they too have been well described. Numerous illustrations have also been furnished, and these bring the various objects very vividly before the mind of the reader, who desires to be fully conversant with the local scenes and antiquarian objects. There St. Molaisse is regarded as the patron. This saint appears to have been the son of Degill, and of Cumenia, sister to St. Columkille. 2 s This island lies out amid the stormy billows of the Atlantic Ocean,26 about four or five miles off the western coast, and two leagues N. N. E. from Bally- connell point. Here St. Columkille erected a religious establishment, in conjunction with St. Molaisse. To the latter was relinquished its govern- ment. Onthisislandmayyetbeseenremainsoftheiroldreligiousbuild- ings. These are of the rudest possible construction. In one of them, resem-
bling
a fort and built of
stones, there is shown a —of the tradi- rough figure
St. Molaisse. His or a mere alcove chapel oratory
—ional and venerated t
patron
is not capable of accommodating many persons. Its east end was covered
with very fine flags. The whole is surrounded with a wall enclosing about half an acre. There are several compartments excavated in the rock, which appear to have been intended as cells for solitary prayer. One of these cells is covered with a flag ; in size and form it resembles a mill-stone. Near it is a large flag-stone, supported on eight upright stones, about two feet high, and on which are placed several other stones, about which the people have some very curious traditions. After—the lapse of centuries, the pilgrim who visits this lonely island may yet find
" The peaceful mound, the mouldering cross,
And every stone whose rudely-sculptured form Hath braved the rage ofmany a winter's storm. "27
28
At this same date, the Martyrology of Donegal
Laisren, son of Deglan, of Inis Muireadhagh, in the north. 9 The Kalendar of Drummond also records his feast, at this day. 3° Here indeed, amid the wildest scenic solitudes, the adventurous tourist must be filled with thoughts,whichneithertonguecanexpressnorpenadequatelydescribe. A long lapse of centuries has affected great changes. No longer on lone Inish- murry does the monk pursue his round of daily duties ; his holy exercises are over ; the chaunted praises of God are no more heard in the deserted oratory. Lights have long been extinguished on the altar, and only a few islanders wander among the ruins, filled, however, with reverence towards the
memory of former monastic inhabitants.
Article IV. —St. Seighin, Abbot of Iona, and Founder of the Church on Rathlin Island, County of Antrim. The festival of the celebrated Segene, is commemorated on this day, in the " Feilire " of St. ^ngus. T The commentator observes, that he was Abbot of Hi of Colomb
25 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," 216,217.
Quarta Appendix ad Acta S. Columba? , cap. x. , p. 491.
2» In a note, Dr. O'Donovan says at these
:
words " the north, i. e. , the north of
Connacht. "
3° SeeBishopForbes'"KalendarsofScot-
26
See an interesting description of this
Island, with illustrations of antiquities
there remaining, in Major W. G. Wood- tish Saints": Pridie Idus. "In Ilibernia
"
Martin's History of Sligo, County and Natales Sanctorum Confessorum Lasriani
Town, from the earliest Ages to the close oftheReignofQueenElizabeth,"bookii. , chap, iv. , pp. 149 to 163. "
et Segnini," p. 12.
Articleiv. —• See"Transactionsofthe
Royal Irish Academy. " Irish Manuscript
2? See Mrs. Henry Tighe's Poems. " Series, vol. i. , part i. On the Calendar of
Lines written in the church-yard at Malvern. Oengus. By Whitley Stokes, LL. D. , p.
28
Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. exxiii.
registers Molaisse, i. e. , 2
August 12. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 183
Cille. 3 The Martyrology of Tallagh 3 mentions, that veneration was given at the 1 2th of August to Segene, Abbot, Iae. 4 The Bollandists 5 have a notice of Segenus or Segeneus, Abbot of Hy, at the 12th of August, while remarking, that Dempster and Camerarius noted it at the 7th of April ; but,
they express a doubt, regarding the propriety of numbering him in a Catalogue
He is called Segineus, son of Fiachrius, son to Feradac, son
to have built a church on Rachrainn, Ragharee or Rathlinn Island, a. d.
8 IO
630, 632,9 634, or 635," according to various statements. Dr. O'Conor,
however, considers him to be only the restorer of this church. This idea he
I2
of the Saints.
Ferguss,
Donegal
son of Conall Gulban. 6 A commentator on the
of
Martyrology makes Seghin the son of Fachtna j while the Irish Saints' Genealogies state, he was son of Fiachra, or of Ronan. Segeni, Abbot of la, is commemorated on the same day, in the Festilogium of the Psalter of Cashel. 7 He was nephew to Laisren, the third Abbot of Iona. He is said
appears to have entertained, because St. Columkille
is said to have been the original erector of Rachrann church. 3 But, it would appear from Prince O'Donnell's Life of St. Columkille, as also from various other authorities,
that the Island of Rachrainn, on which this holy man built the church,
1 belonged to the east of Bregia. *
It was, in fact, the ancient name of
off the coast of the
Dublin. 1 s Adamnan refers to
Lambay Island,
Segene as being the informant of Failbeus, his own immediate predecessor, forcertainparticularswhicharesetdownintheLifeofSt. Columba. The Venerable Bede mentions him as
x
County
presbyter
Fergna Brit, in the year 623 ;** and thus, he was the fifth abbot, in order of
time,whofollowedafterSt. Columba. Heceasedtorulethecommunityat Iona in 632. He was a zealous advocate for the old Irish Paschal observ- ance. He was addressed in 634 by Cummian, in an Epistle on the Paschal observance. 18 The clergy of Rome, in 640,^ wrote to him another epistle on that same
subject.
20 The death of this
present
saint took in the place
year 642, according to the Annals of Inisfallen, or a. d. 65 1," according to 22 2
Ussher; or a. d.
652, according to the Annals of Tighernach, 3 and of
2
See ibid. , p. cxxx.
3 Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xxxii.
4 The Book of Leinster copy has Severn
-Ab lAe.
5 See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , Au-
gusti xii. Among the pretermitted saints,
pp. 698, 699. 6"
*5 See the Quinta Vita or O'Donnell's
Vita S. Columbse, lib. i. , cap. lxv. , p. 400, ibid.
l6 See "Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis
See Colgan's Trias Thaumaturga," p. 373.
ad Acta S. cap. iii. , num. 39, p. 482.
J * See Ussher's vol. i v. "Veterum Works,
Epistolarum Hibernicarum Sylloge. " Epis- tola, xi. , p. 432.
I9 See the Life of St. Diman or Dima
Dubh, Bishop of Connor, at the 6th of January, in the First Volume of this work, Art. i.
20 See Venerable Bede's " Historia
Ecclesiastica Gentis Anglorum," lib. ii. ,
Quarta Appendix
Columbse,
? See ibid. , pp. 468, 469.
8 See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 250, 251.
9 According to the Annals of Clonmac-
noise.
10 As stated in the Annals of Tighernach
and of Ulster.
11 "
See Ussher's Britannicarum Ecclesia-
rum Antiquitates. " Index Chronologicus, at a. d. , dcxxxv.
cap. 19.
2I Ussh—er states, that Segenius died in the
aperiodof29years,ibid. , cap. xv. ,p. 367. 22 See also, Ussher's Index Chronologicus,
12
Sixth Volume of this work, Art. i.
year 651 "quinostrse
according to the Annals of Ulster.
—"
See his Life, at the 9th of June, in the
Bri- tannicarum Ecclesiarum Antiquitates," cap. xvii. , p. 502. Elsewhere, making this saint fourth Abbot of Iona, he is said to have ruled over the Abbey from A. D. 623 to 652,
13 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Quarta Vita or Adamnan's Vita S. Columbse,
lib. ii. , chap, xli. , p. 361.
14 This was formerly a district belonging to
ancient Meath.
and abbot. 16 He succeeded
Anglorum," lib. iii. , cap. 5.
I? SeeRev. Dr. Reeves'Adamnan's Life
"
of St. Columba. " Additional Notes (O),
terse dclii. est"—-
184
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[August 13.
Ulster. 2* He is in the of registered Martyrology Donegal,
date, as Seighin, son of Fochtua, Abbot of Ia-Coluim-Cille. recorded, at this day, in the Kalendar of Drummond. 26
2* at the same Also his feast is
Article V. —Feast of the Translation of St. Waldetrude's Relics. At the 9th of April, we have given the Life of this holy woman, 1 and there it is mentioned, that her Relics were translated on the 12th of August. It is supposed, by Colgan,* that such translation only meant the removal of a portion of her sacred remains, and the event is referred to a. d.
1250,byMirseus. Also,inmorethanonecopyofUsuard'sMartyrology,and in the Florarium Sanctorum, as likewise in Ferrarius, Wion and Menard, the
present festival is recorded, as the Bollandists 3 observe.
ArticleVI. —ReputedFeastofSt. Bertellinus. Itwouldseem, that Colgan had been doubtful, whether the Acts of this St. Bertellinus should be inserted at the 1 2th of August, or at the 9th of September. His rlame is at the latter day, in the List of Manuscripts Colgan had prepared for publication. At that later date, likewise, the reader may find further notices of him in this work.
Article VII. —Reputed Feast of St. Wibert or Wigbert. In the Lubeck- Cologne edition of Greven, and in other documents, a festival is
x
assigned to St. Wibert or Wigbert, as the Bollandists
but, his feast is more properly referred to the 13th of August.
Article VIII. —Commemoration of St. Ursula and of her Companions. According to Greven and other records of Cologne, the
x
Bollandists
entered at the 12th of August, the commemoration of St. Ursula
and of her Companions, who were Martyrs. However, they refer further treatment of their Acts to the 21st of October, the date for their chief festival.
CWrteentf) JBap of august*
ARTICLE I. —ST. IMAR O'AEDHACAN, ABBOT OF ARMAGH.
[ELEVENTH AND TWELFTH CENTURIES. ]
Alife, spent in the persistent practice ofgood works and mortification, is
the surest for its close.
guarantee happy Many worldly-minded
Christians, with all their efforts to reform, only choose in Magdalene's penitence the perfumes she poured on her Redeemer's feet. But, the
p. 538.
23 See Rev. William Reeves' Adamnan's
" Life of St. Columba," Appendix O, p. 375. 24 See Rev. William Reeves' " Ecclesias- tical Antiquities of Down, Connor and Dro- more," Appendix T, p. 249. Also Appen-
dix LL, p. 379. y
of this work, at that date, Art. i.
2 See " Acta Sanctorum Hibernise," iii.
Februarii. Translatio S. Waldetrudis Abba- tissre, p. 249.
3 See Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , Augusti
"Acta
25 Edited byDrs. Todd and Reeves, pp. tomus ii. , Augusti xii. Among the preter-
216, 217. t
26 See Bishop Forbes' ** Kalendars of
Scottish Saints,—p. 12.
'
Article v. See the Fourth Volume
mitted feasts, p. —699. *
notice, at this date ;
xii. Among the pretermitted feasts, p. 698.
• Article vii. — See
Article vm. See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , Augusti xii. Among the preter- mitted feasts, p. 699.
Sanctorum,"
August 13. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 185
greatest saints desire to encounter fearlessly the more austere ordeal of earnest, painful and meritorious works.
The chief and earliest notice of Imar O'Headacan is that contained in the
of St. Bernard. 1
The name of this man in Irish is written holy
writings
Imhar Ua h Aedhagain ;
He was born, most probably about or after the middle of the eleventh cen-
tury j and, it seems likely, from the family name, that his birth took place in the northern part of Ireland. However, we have no record to guide us in
determining the locality. There can scarcely be a doubt, that from an early age, he was a true servant of Christ, and that he began to manifest those special indications of a vocation, which taught him to resolve on leaving the pompsandvanitiesoftheworld. Hewasalsoremarkableforhisintellectual gifts ; and, at the period when he lived, opportunities for obtaining an excellent education were not wanting.
We are informed, that Imar O'Aedhacan or O'Hegan embraced a religious
life. This profession was probably made at Armagh ; and there, he seems to have practised those exercises of devotion, which made him a distinguished member of that community to which he belonged. He became Abbot over
and the
From the time of St. 6 the of the Irish Church had been Patrick, Primacy
vested in the See of Armagh ; and, this place had grown into such esteem, as a ^consequence, that tributes were paid to it, from the other dioceses and districts throughout Ireland. Thus, it was intended by the faithful to main- tain the dignity of the Prelates and religious establishments that had been there, during the lapse of centuries. Pilgrims were accustomed to flock thither, and to offer their prayers at the various shrines. In the local monas- teries, famous schools of learning had attracted scholars, even from distant countries.
The church at Armagh is said to have been originally constructed of willows, or wattles, like most of the primitive churches, before the use of stone and mortar was known. 7 This latter statement may well be questioned, so far as Ireland is concerned ; since proofs sufficient and material monuments remain to establish the fact, that some of the most primitive of our Christian churches had been built of stone, cemented with mortar. However, in dis- tricts where wood most abounded, it was found to be more desirable, in early times, to hew and to use it for the erection of ordinary houses, and even for the building of churches and monasteries. But, as ages succeeded, and as
and this has been Anglicised into Ivor O'Hegan. 2
of St. Peter and St. Paul—, at his — monastery Armagh. During incumbency,
the
St. Machabeo 3 or Gilda Machai-beo
great St. Malachy O'Morgair s became his disciples. In the Life of this latter celebrated prelate, as given by his friend, St. Bernard, founder and Abbot of Clairvaux, Imar O'Aedhacan is especially lauded for his extraordinary retire- ment, vigils and fasting, which were united with prayer, and the manifestation of great virtues. Through the advice of Imar, St. Malachy O'Morgair was persuaded to offer himself as a candidate for holy orders, which, through sincere humility, he had previously declined.
Article i. —* See "Opera Omnia," tomusii. Vita S. Malachiae, cap. xi.
2 See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. ii. , n.
7 In the copy of the Tallagh Martyrology contained in the Book of Leinster the read-
ing is ttlobArfi 111AC 'OeclAin inp mujvi- •OA15.
presented
ing, while two engravings represent external
views of the Cashel, as it appeared before the alterations recently made by the Board of Public Works. It appears the latter body —as in. so many other instances—has con- trived to transform the original structure in an attempted restoration.
I2
Several of the details have received illustration, and in a most ample manner.
8 It is described, on the " Ordnance Sur-
vey Townland Maps for the County of Toorybrenell, or the School-house, Trahaun-
Sligo," sheets 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8. Inishmurray is shown on sheet I.
9 See Lewis' " Topographical Dictionary of Ireland," vol. ii. , pp. 24, 25.
10 This appeared in " The Journal of the Royal Historical andArchaeological Associa-
a-chorres, or the Lent Trahaun, as also Teach-an-alais, or the Sweat-house.
M Two different engravings, and from
opposite points of view, are given of the exterior. Other details of the building have also received illustration,
II
The ground plan has been drawn, by
A festival occurs in the Martyr-
of a rude 11 triangle,
I3 There are engravings representing
i8o LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [August 12.
lighted by a single window in the opposite gable, at a considerable distance
from the ground. Mortar, composed of lime, was freely used throughout this building ; but, in the eastern end, there is an altar constructed of rude stones of various sizes and roughly laid together without any kind of cement.
the
effigy spot by
Interior of Teach Molaise on Ennismurry.
been supposed, that this was the Teampull Mor, or great church of the establishment. There is a legend on Inismurray, that St. Columkille and St. Molaise were partners in the erection of this church, but that owing to the difference in their respec- tive dispositions—the one being impetuous and enterprising, the other mild and retiring—they could not alwaysUhoroughly agree, and so Columbamade up his mind to leave the Island. This church measures twenty-five feet, six
•s The accompanying illustration shows been appropriated respectively to males and
the interior of Teach Molaise, with the altar females. See Lewis' "Topographical Dic-
and of St. Molaise. It was drawn on tionary of Ireland," vol. ii. , pp. 24, 25.
19 A well-known and an established usage,
dictated alike by religious propriety and sen- timent, as also reaching from remote times, yet prevails in all the Catholic churches and chapels throughout Ireland, where no family pews or seats have been provided : there is a marked separation of the sexes—the men
William F. Wakeman, and by him transferred to the wood, engraved by
Mrs. Millard.
16 The natives hold an opinion, that the
statue is the work of the Goban Saor, a
famous craftsman, who is thought to have flourished in the sixth century.
'? A drawing of this statue by Mr. standing and kneeling on the Epistle side
Wakeman has been engraved.
of the nave and transept, while the women
18 It has been observed, that cemeteries occupy the Gospel side.
20
connected with the ecclesiastical ruins have
The burial-ground for females is at
The effigy of an eccle- siastic carved in oak, and about four feet, eight inches, in height, at present occupies a position in an angle of Teach Molaise. 1 * The natives on the Island assert, that it is a statue of their patron Saint Molaise. It is rudely carved, and it seems to
have been a work exe- cuted about the com- mencement of the
16 The statue appears to have been subjected to some
rough usage, for, at present, the facial fea- tures and hands have
fifteenth
century.
disappeared.
It now
stands in the angle of
oratory. 3. pull-na-bFear, or the Church of the Men. 18 It is sometimes styled
the Monastery j and, it is also known as Team-
1
pull Molaise. ? It has
the 1? Team-
August 12. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 181
inches, in length, while it is twelve feet in breadth ; and like every other
Irish temple of its class and period, its plan is a plain quadrangle, with a square-headed doorway in the west gable and a window to the east. It is a remarkable fact, that in the extensive cemetery, which surrounds this
91
walls are two feet in thickness.
Women, is sometimes called Teampull Muire, or Church of Mary, by the islanders. It stands at a little distance to the north-west of the cashel. It measures twenty-eight feet in length, by thirteen in breadth. This building appears to have undergone different modifications since the period of its first erection. Interesting Leachta and other monuments are found in the immediate vicinity of this church. 22 6. Within or without the Caiseal are a number of Altars, most of them bearing very ancient and curiously-carved crosses of stone. 23 7. Two remarkable monuments of the class of Hole- stones, which were held in high veneration on account of certain supernatural powers they were supposed to possess, are to be found on the Island. Those are upright pillars and square in form, many examples of which are to be met with in various parts of Ireland. 8. Eight memorial Leacs, bearing inscriptions in Irish or Latin, are described, while their respective carvings are faithfully represented in several engravings. 9. Uninscribed monumental
stones are numerous, and their several carvings are represented, many of these being incised crosses on slabs, while some of them are very graceful in form. 10. Several Bullauns, or rude font-like objects ofstone, the precise useofwhichhasnotasyetbeenascertained; althoughitseemsmostlikely, they were holy-water fonts, as they are generally found in close proximity with our ruined churches, nor do they appear for the most part to be very ancient. Even still, many of those have been brought from their neglected position in the open grave-yards, and have been again set up for holy-water stoups, in several of our modern churches and chapels. 11. The Sacred Wells, with their coverings of stone, on Inismurray are chiefly Tober
Molaise or St. Molaise's Well, near the Cashel, and on the opposite side of the Island Tober-na-coragh, or the Well of Assistance, on the opposite side of the Island. 2* St. Molaise's Well is covered by a stone-roofed, bee-hive-
shaped, mortarless structure, measuring internally seven by six feet. The doorway is a truly Cyclopean work. It is six feet in height, three in breadth at the lintel, and four at the base. Five stones lead from this ope to the water,whichisneitherabundantnorpalatable. 12. TheLeachta,orStations,
is permitted to be interred. Church of the Men, no woman 20
4. Teampull- na-Teinidh or Church of the Fire. This structure is thought to be less ancient than the other ecclesiastical buildings remaining on the island, and not dating beyond the fourteenth century, while it may have been built at a period considerably later, yet probably it stands on the site of a still earlier structure. This building is oblong in form, measuring internally seventeen feet, four inches, in length, by eleven feet, four inches, in breadth, while the
Teampull-na-mbhanortheWomen'sChurch, situate some distance outside the Cashel. It
is universally believed by the islanders, that if a woman be buried in the men's ground
have prevailed on the Western Islands of Scotland.
" A drawing of the interior of this building, with other associated details, has been given
by Mr. Wakeman, with a minute descrip- tion ©f their several features,
" An illustration, drawn by Mr. Wake- man, is given with the text,
*3 and illustrations of these Descriptions
various objects, with much curious informa- tion regarding them, are furnished by Mr. Wakeman, in his learned contribution on
the Antiquities of Inismurray.
"* Descriptions and illustrations of both
wells have been furnished by Mr. Wake- man.
the must be removed corpse
the
by unseen hands to the women's cemetery, and vice versa. A similar arrangement for separate interments of both sexes seems to
during
night
5. Teampull-na-mBan or Church of the
1 82 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [August 12.
with their monuments, are very numerous on the Island, and they too have been well described. Numerous illustrations have also been furnished, and these bring the various objects very vividly before the mind of the reader, who desires to be fully conversant with the local scenes and antiquarian objects. There St. Molaisse is regarded as the patron. This saint appears to have been the son of Degill, and of Cumenia, sister to St. Columkille. 2 s This island lies out amid the stormy billows of the Atlantic Ocean,26 about four or five miles off the western coast, and two leagues N. N. E. from Bally- connell point. Here St. Columkille erected a religious establishment, in conjunction with St. Molaisse. To the latter was relinquished its govern- ment. Onthisislandmayyetbeseenremainsoftheiroldreligiousbuild- ings. These are of the rudest possible construction. In one of them, resem-
bling
a fort and built of
stones, there is shown a —of the tradi- rough figure
St. Molaisse. His or a mere alcove chapel oratory
—ional and venerated t
patron
is not capable of accommodating many persons. Its east end was covered
with very fine flags. The whole is surrounded with a wall enclosing about half an acre. There are several compartments excavated in the rock, which appear to have been intended as cells for solitary prayer. One of these cells is covered with a flag ; in size and form it resembles a mill-stone. Near it is a large flag-stone, supported on eight upright stones, about two feet high, and on which are placed several other stones, about which the people have some very curious traditions. After—the lapse of centuries, the pilgrim who visits this lonely island may yet find
" The peaceful mound, the mouldering cross,
And every stone whose rudely-sculptured form Hath braved the rage ofmany a winter's storm. "27
28
At this same date, the Martyrology of Donegal
Laisren, son of Deglan, of Inis Muireadhagh, in the north. 9 The Kalendar of Drummond also records his feast, at this day. 3° Here indeed, amid the wildest scenic solitudes, the adventurous tourist must be filled with thoughts,whichneithertonguecanexpressnorpenadequatelydescribe. A long lapse of centuries has affected great changes. No longer on lone Inish- murry does the monk pursue his round of daily duties ; his holy exercises are over ; the chaunted praises of God are no more heard in the deserted oratory. Lights have long been extinguished on the altar, and only a few islanders wander among the ruins, filled, however, with reverence towards the
memory of former monastic inhabitants.
Article IV. —St. Seighin, Abbot of Iona, and Founder of the Church on Rathlin Island, County of Antrim. The festival of the celebrated Segene, is commemorated on this day, in the " Feilire " of St. ^ngus. T The commentator observes, that he was Abbot of Hi of Colomb
25 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," 216,217.
Quarta Appendix ad Acta S. Columba? , cap. x. , p. 491.
2» In a note, Dr. O'Donovan says at these
:
words " the north, i. e. , the north of
Connacht. "
3° SeeBishopForbes'"KalendarsofScot-
26
See an interesting description of this
Island, with illustrations of antiquities
there remaining, in Major W. G. Wood- tish Saints": Pridie Idus. "In Ilibernia
"
Martin's History of Sligo, County and Natales Sanctorum Confessorum Lasriani
Town, from the earliest Ages to the close oftheReignofQueenElizabeth,"bookii. , chap, iv. , pp. 149 to 163. "
et Segnini," p. 12.
Articleiv. —• See"Transactionsofthe
Royal Irish Academy. " Irish Manuscript
2? See Mrs. Henry Tighe's Poems. " Series, vol. i. , part i. On the Calendar of
Lines written in the church-yard at Malvern. Oengus. By Whitley Stokes, LL. D. , p.
28
Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. exxiii.
registers Molaisse, i. e. , 2
August 12. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 183
Cille. 3 The Martyrology of Tallagh 3 mentions, that veneration was given at the 1 2th of August to Segene, Abbot, Iae. 4 The Bollandists 5 have a notice of Segenus or Segeneus, Abbot of Hy, at the 12th of August, while remarking, that Dempster and Camerarius noted it at the 7th of April ; but,
they express a doubt, regarding the propriety of numbering him in a Catalogue
He is called Segineus, son of Fiachrius, son to Feradac, son
to have built a church on Rachrainn, Ragharee or Rathlinn Island, a. d.
8 IO
630, 632,9 634, or 635," according to various statements. Dr. O'Conor,
however, considers him to be only the restorer of this church. This idea he
I2
of the Saints.
Ferguss,
Donegal
son of Conall Gulban. 6 A commentator on the
of
Martyrology makes Seghin the son of Fachtna j while the Irish Saints' Genealogies state, he was son of Fiachra, or of Ronan. Segeni, Abbot of la, is commemorated on the same day, in the Festilogium of the Psalter of Cashel. 7 He was nephew to Laisren, the third Abbot of Iona. He is said
appears to have entertained, because St. Columkille
is said to have been the original erector of Rachrann church. 3 But, it would appear from Prince O'Donnell's Life of St. Columkille, as also from various other authorities,
that the Island of Rachrainn, on which this holy man built the church,
1 belonged to the east of Bregia. *
It was, in fact, the ancient name of
off the coast of the
Dublin. 1 s Adamnan refers to
Lambay Island,
Segene as being the informant of Failbeus, his own immediate predecessor, forcertainparticularswhicharesetdownintheLifeofSt. Columba. The Venerable Bede mentions him as
x
County
presbyter
Fergna Brit, in the year 623 ;** and thus, he was the fifth abbot, in order of
time,whofollowedafterSt. Columba. Heceasedtorulethecommunityat Iona in 632. He was a zealous advocate for the old Irish Paschal observ- ance. He was addressed in 634 by Cummian, in an Epistle on the Paschal observance. 18 The clergy of Rome, in 640,^ wrote to him another epistle on that same
subject.
20 The death of this
present
saint took in the place
year 642, according to the Annals of Inisfallen, or a. d. 65 1," according to 22 2
Ussher; or a. d.
652, according to the Annals of Tighernach, 3 and of
2
See ibid. , p. cxxx.
3 Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xxxii.
4 The Book of Leinster copy has Severn
-Ab lAe.
5 See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , Au-
gusti xii. Among the pretermitted saints,
pp. 698, 699. 6"
*5 See the Quinta Vita or O'Donnell's
Vita S. Columbse, lib. i. , cap. lxv. , p. 400, ibid.
l6 See "Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis
See Colgan's Trias Thaumaturga," p. 373.
ad Acta S. cap. iii. , num. 39, p. 482.
J * See Ussher's vol. i v. "Veterum Works,
Epistolarum Hibernicarum Sylloge. " Epis- tola, xi. , p. 432.
I9 See the Life of St. Diman or Dima
Dubh, Bishop of Connor, at the 6th of January, in the First Volume of this work, Art. i.
20 See Venerable Bede's " Historia
Ecclesiastica Gentis Anglorum," lib. ii. ,
Quarta Appendix
Columbse,
? See ibid. , pp. 468, 469.
8 See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 250, 251.
9 According to the Annals of Clonmac-
noise.
10 As stated in the Annals of Tighernach
and of Ulster.
11 "
See Ussher's Britannicarum Ecclesia-
rum Antiquitates. " Index Chronologicus, at a. d. , dcxxxv.
cap. 19.
2I Ussh—er states, that Segenius died in the
aperiodof29years,ibid. , cap. xv. ,p. 367. 22 See also, Ussher's Index Chronologicus,
12
Sixth Volume of this work, Art. i.
year 651 "quinostrse
according to the Annals of Ulster.
—"
See his Life, at the 9th of June, in the
Bri- tannicarum Ecclesiarum Antiquitates," cap. xvii. , p. 502. Elsewhere, making this saint fourth Abbot of Iona, he is said to have ruled over the Abbey from A. D. 623 to 652,
13 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Quarta Vita or Adamnan's Vita S. Columbse,
lib. ii. , chap, xli. , p. 361.
14 This was formerly a district belonging to
ancient Meath.
and abbot. 16 He succeeded
Anglorum," lib. iii. , cap. 5.
I? SeeRev. Dr. Reeves'Adamnan's Life
"
of St. Columba. " Additional Notes (O),
terse dclii. est"—-
184
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[August 13.
Ulster. 2* He is in the of registered Martyrology Donegal,
date, as Seighin, son of Fochtua, Abbot of Ia-Coluim-Cille. recorded, at this day, in the Kalendar of Drummond. 26
2* at the same Also his feast is
Article V. —Feast of the Translation of St. Waldetrude's Relics. At the 9th of April, we have given the Life of this holy woman, 1 and there it is mentioned, that her Relics were translated on the 12th of August. It is supposed, by Colgan,* that such translation only meant the removal of a portion of her sacred remains, and the event is referred to a. d.
1250,byMirseus. Also,inmorethanonecopyofUsuard'sMartyrology,and in the Florarium Sanctorum, as likewise in Ferrarius, Wion and Menard, the
present festival is recorded, as the Bollandists 3 observe.
ArticleVI. —ReputedFeastofSt. Bertellinus. Itwouldseem, that Colgan had been doubtful, whether the Acts of this St. Bertellinus should be inserted at the 1 2th of August, or at the 9th of September. His rlame is at the latter day, in the List of Manuscripts Colgan had prepared for publication. At that later date, likewise, the reader may find further notices of him in this work.
Article VII. —Reputed Feast of St. Wibert or Wigbert. In the Lubeck- Cologne edition of Greven, and in other documents, a festival is
x
assigned to St. Wibert or Wigbert, as the Bollandists
but, his feast is more properly referred to the 13th of August.
Article VIII. —Commemoration of St. Ursula and of her Companions. According to Greven and other records of Cologne, the
x
Bollandists
entered at the 12th of August, the commemoration of St. Ursula
and of her Companions, who were Martyrs. However, they refer further treatment of their Acts to the 21st of October, the date for their chief festival.
CWrteentf) JBap of august*
ARTICLE I. —ST. IMAR O'AEDHACAN, ABBOT OF ARMAGH.
[ELEVENTH AND TWELFTH CENTURIES. ]
Alife, spent in the persistent practice ofgood works and mortification, is
the surest for its close.
guarantee happy Many worldly-minded
Christians, with all their efforts to reform, only choose in Magdalene's penitence the perfumes she poured on her Redeemer's feet. But, the
p. 538.
23 See Rev. William Reeves' Adamnan's
" Life of St. Columba," Appendix O, p. 375. 24 See Rev. William Reeves' " Ecclesias- tical Antiquities of Down, Connor and Dro- more," Appendix T, p. 249. Also Appen-
dix LL, p. 379. y
of this work, at that date, Art. i.
2 See " Acta Sanctorum Hibernise," iii.
Februarii. Translatio S. Waldetrudis Abba- tissre, p. 249.
3 See Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , Augusti
"Acta
25 Edited byDrs. Todd and Reeves, pp. tomus ii. , Augusti xii. Among the preter-
216, 217. t
26 See Bishop Forbes' ** Kalendars of
Scottish Saints,—p. 12.
'
Article v. See the Fourth Volume
mitted feasts, p. —699. *
notice, at this date ;
xii. Among the pretermitted feasts, p. 698.
• Article vii. — See
Article vm. See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , Augusti xii. Among the preter- mitted feasts, p. 699.
Sanctorum,"
August 13. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 185
greatest saints desire to encounter fearlessly the more austere ordeal of earnest, painful and meritorious works.
The chief and earliest notice of Imar O'Headacan is that contained in the
of St. Bernard. 1
The name of this man in Irish is written holy
writings
Imhar Ua h Aedhagain ;
He was born, most probably about or after the middle of the eleventh cen-
tury j and, it seems likely, from the family name, that his birth took place in the northern part of Ireland. However, we have no record to guide us in
determining the locality. There can scarcely be a doubt, that from an early age, he was a true servant of Christ, and that he began to manifest those special indications of a vocation, which taught him to resolve on leaving the pompsandvanitiesoftheworld. Hewasalsoremarkableforhisintellectual gifts ; and, at the period when he lived, opportunities for obtaining an excellent education were not wanting.
We are informed, that Imar O'Aedhacan or O'Hegan embraced a religious
life. This profession was probably made at Armagh ; and there, he seems to have practised those exercises of devotion, which made him a distinguished member of that community to which he belonged. He became Abbot over
and the
From the time of St. 6 the of the Irish Church had been Patrick, Primacy
vested in the See of Armagh ; and, this place had grown into such esteem, as a ^consequence, that tributes were paid to it, from the other dioceses and districts throughout Ireland. Thus, it was intended by the faithful to main- tain the dignity of the Prelates and religious establishments that had been there, during the lapse of centuries. Pilgrims were accustomed to flock thither, and to offer their prayers at the various shrines. In the local monas- teries, famous schools of learning had attracted scholars, even from distant countries.
The church at Armagh is said to have been originally constructed of willows, or wattles, like most of the primitive churches, before the use of stone and mortar was known. 7 This latter statement may well be questioned, so far as Ireland is concerned ; since proofs sufficient and material monuments remain to establish the fact, that some of the most primitive of our Christian churches had been built of stone, cemented with mortar. However, in dis- tricts where wood most abounded, it was found to be more desirable, in early times, to hew and to use it for the erection of ordinary houses, and even for the building of churches and monasteries. But, as ages succeeded, and as
and this has been Anglicised into Ivor O'Hegan. 2
of St. Peter and St. Paul—, at his — monastery Armagh. During incumbency,
the
St. Machabeo 3 or Gilda Machai-beo
great St. Malachy O'Morgair s became his disciples. In the Life of this latter celebrated prelate, as given by his friend, St. Bernard, founder and Abbot of Clairvaux, Imar O'Aedhacan is especially lauded for his extraordinary retire- ment, vigils and fasting, which were united with prayer, and the manifestation of great virtues. Through the advice of Imar, St. Malachy O'Morgair was persuaded to offer himself as a candidate for holy orders, which, through sincere humility, he had previously declined.
Article i. —* See "Opera Omnia," tomusii. Vita S. Malachiae, cap. xi.
2 See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. ii. , n.
