All of the
foregoing
townlands are now included within Great Connell parish.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v5
In a note,
postfixed to this passage, Colgan writes :
" In MS. Amandi et in libris editis legitur,
Conleach : sed rectius Conlaidii, ut in MS. applied to his vestments. These terms have S. Huberti, in Annalibus nostris ad an. 519, reference to changes of colour, necessary for qua obiit, et aliis Codicibus Hibernicis legi- various festivals.
tur : vel Conlaedh ut in Mariano et . ^Engus-
———
May 3. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 77
The pious Conlaeth has been represented, as officiating in the double
with Ibar and Ere, and perhaps Maccalleus—all friends of St, Brigid were then living. It is supposed, also, that St. Bronus, of Cassel-Irra, mentioned in some of her Lives, and who seems to have paid her a visit while she was in Connaught, might have come to Leinster, at this time. As he is said to have owed the exculpation of his character, from a charge brought against him in the presence of many bishops, and before a great assembly, to the kind interposition and miraculous powers of St. Brigid ; no doubt, he would have wished to manifest his attention and gratitude towards her, if time and opportunity allowed him to assist at this consecration of St. Conlaeth. 5° In the Acts of St. Brigid, it is related, that certain poor persons came to the holy Abbess asking for alms, at a tune when she had nothing to bestow, except vestments, used by St. Conlaeth, for celebration of the holy sacrifice of Mass. 5' These vestments, which were in her custody, she gave them ; and, when the holy bishop approached to offer up the sacrifice of propi- tiation at the usual time, he declared it would not be practicable to consecrate the body and blood of Christ without his vestments, which were missing. s^ St. Brigid prayed to God with great fervour. The Almighty was pleased to reward her charity, by the performance of a wonderful miracle. As a special gift of heaven, vestments, exactly resembling those given away, appeared im- mediately, and these the bishop assumed. All, who were cognizant of the circumstance, gave thanks to God. S3 We are told, in the two first Lives of St. Brigid, that those vestments were of various colours, and that they had been procured from Italy. 54 They were generally worn by St. Conlaeth, on Sundays and on festivals of the Apostles. ss It is also said, that those vest-
de quo supra inPrologo. "—" Trias Thau- maturga. " Vita Secunda S. Brigidse, n. 14, p. 526.
5= This incident is also related in the First Life of St. Brigid, as published by Bollan- dus. See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. Vita Prima S. Brigidce, cap. xvi. , n. 104, p. 133. It is more circumstantially inserted, in the Second Life of this holy virgin. Ibid. , Vita Secunda S. Brigidre, cap. iv. , n. 31 p. 139. And again, it is mentioned in her Fourth Life. Ibid. , Vita QuartaS. Brigidae, cap. x. , n. 68, p, 170.
s^ggg Colgan's " Trias Thaumaturga. " Vita Quarta S. Brigidse, lib. ii. , cap. Ixxx. , p. 561. And Vita Tertia S. Brigidas, cap. cxiv. , p. 543, ibid.
54 Conlaeth is called " summus populo- rum Pontifex," in the Second Life of St. Brigid, cap. xxix. , p. 522.
55 The words, " mutatoriis vestibus," are
——
78 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 3
ments used—after the former ones had been bestowed on the poor—were broughttoBishopConlaeth,inatwo-wheeledchariot. s^ Suchaccountsasthe foregoing, taken from the acts of our ancient saints, frequently serve to illustrate former social usages and habits of life, at least during and before the period when the biographer wrote. From his allusion to the chariot having two wheels, perhaps, without any strained inference, we might assert, such a description implies, that chariots having more than two wheels were then known, although they may not have been ordinarily used. Indeed, it may be regarded as probable, our kings and superior chiefs travelled on state occa- sions, in highly ornate vehicles, with four wheels ; although the harness and
appointments greatly differed from the materials and workmanship exhibited, at the present day.
CHAPTER II.
THE FAMILY T'EDIGREKS OF ST. BRIGID AND OF ST. CONLAETH—ARTISAN PROFICIENCY OF THIS HOLY MAN—OLD CONNELL SUPPOSED TO BE HIS USUAL PLACE FOR RESIDENCE—INQUIRY REGARDING THE NATURE OF ECCLESIASTICAL SOCIETY AT KILUARE DURING THE TIME OF ST. BRIGID AND OF ST. CONLETH DESCRIPTION OF AN ANCIENT CHURCH AT KILDARE —SUPERNATURAL INCIDENT— ADORNMENT OF ANCIENT SHRINES.
It has been stated by our genealogists, that a remote family affinity existed between St. Brigid and St. Conleth : for writers on Irish pedigrees trace both of them, from a common ancestor, called Ugaine Mdr, whose name has been Latinized,HugoniusMagnus. HewasKingofIreland,froma. m. 3619to 3649. ' It must be acknowledged, however, that some serious chronological and genealogical difficulties seem to interpose, in connecting St. Brigid ^ as a collateral relation and contemporary of St. Conleth. We find this latter saint the twenty-fifth in descent from Ugaine Mor, if indeed—according to Irish Manuscripts quoted—he be not even the thirty-sixth in a line-genera-
tion ; while, St. Brigid's branch of pedigree was the thirty-first, according to O'Flaherty's reduction, or the thirty-filth, according to Colgan,3 from the same common ancestor. This uncertainity of calculation is set forth by our writers, who have specially dealt with the intricacies of old Irish pedigrees. '*
It has been very satisfactorily shown, that the goldsmith's and lapidary's art had been brought to great perfection, at a very early period, in Ireland. ^ Indua, St. Conleth, had probably been a worker in metals before his religious
5* Speaking of St. Brigid, the First Life says ;
Quot patravit miracula
Non est qui plene possit referre : Benedixit paramenia sacra Conlaido QuK ex Italia attulit.
Quando erant ei necessaria
Ejus filius ate earn fecit rem perfaus-
tam
Attulit ilia paramenia varicolari
QuK posuit in curru duarum rotarum.
—Ibid. , Vita Prima S. Brigidse, sect. 40, 41,
^ From the scholiast on the Feihre of St.
/Engus, the late learned Irisli scholar, O'Beirne Crowe, A. B. , has furnished tlie following translation of his pedigree : " That is Candla, son of Cormac, son of Aengus, son of Echa, son of Setne, son of Fotha, son of Echa Lam-Derg, son of Mesincorb. "
^ See her family descent in "Trias Thau- maturga. " Appendix Quarta ad Acta S. Brigitix," cap. 2, p. 613.
^ See Very Rev. James Henthorn Todd's " Life of St. Patrick, Apostle of Ireland. " Appendix A. , Tables iv. , v. , pp. 252, 253.
= At the earliest period, St. Patrick is said to have had no less than three artis's, belong- ing to his household, besides embroiderers and smiths. See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals
p. 517. — Chapter II.
' See O'Flaherty's " Ogy- gia," pars, iii. , cap. xxxviii. , pp. 260, 261.
J.
May 3. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
79
retirement, for he was distinguished as St. Brigid's " chief artificer,"^ accord- ing to a gloss on the FeiHre-^ngus. The word Indua denotes an artist in gold, silver, and other metals. In Irish ecclesiastical records, another famous artist,namedConln,isalsomentioned. 7 Butheisnottobeconfoundedwith St. Conleth of Kildare. We may probably infer, that the latter lashioned many useful and ornamental objects for ecclesiastical purposes. Among these, chalices of gold, or silver, church vessels, and shrines for holy relics, may probably be included. In fictile as in pictorial art, a high degree of ex- cellence our early Christian artists must have attained; not alone from acquaintance with works of art on the Continent, but even from actual recorded accounts and surviving specimens of iheir proficiency reached at home. *^ Ancient Irish ecclesiastics of the highest rank considered it a suitable occu- pation, to work as artificers in the manufacture of reliquaries, shrines, pastoral staffs or croziers, bells, covers for sacred books, and other ornaments, suit- able for churches and for their minsters. Several beautiful specimens of art are
still preserved, and many of these are the works of ecclesiastics, belonging to centuries preceding the English invasion of Ireland. Many other speci- mens appear to have been destroyed, and melted down by the Danes, who re- morselesslyplunderedchurchesandmonasteriesoftheirvaluables. 9 Especially, they seized altar ornaments and vessels, formed from the precious metals. '°
It is likely, St. Conlaeth's chief place of residence was at Old Con- nellj" and thence, his reputation for sanctity became so widely diffused, that he had not only the approbation of St. Brigid, but even the petitions of the people, concurring in his election to the episcopal dignity. '^ Were we to admit his relationship with the holy abbess, it seems probable enough, he
was known to her from early youth. His near residence also warrants the assumption, that he had visited Brigid, long before the incidental relation to be met with in her Acts had originated. Still there are vestiges of a very remote period, near the spot he had selected for a home, which formerly had been called Condail of the Kings. '3
of the Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 134 to 141, and nn. , ibid.
Great Connell, on which are some interest- ing ruins of the monastery—which had been founded by Lord Meyler Fitz Henry, who died a. d. 1220, and who was there buried,
* In a table, subjoined to the " Martyr-
ology of Donegal," he is termed, "brazier
of Jirigid, first bishop of Cilldara, and See Jacobi Grace, Kilkenniensis, " Annales archbishop also. " See, also, /^/if. , pp. 388, 389. Hibernice," pp. 28, 29. Edition by Rev.
7 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Richard Butler, M. R. I. A.
Prince O'Donnell, in the Vita Quinta S. Columbre, hb. i. , cap. xcix. , p. 405.
'- This the Italian " Breviarium Gienen-
See Colgan's " Trias Thaumaturga," Appendix on the mechanical and liberal arts, as prac- Prima ad Acta S. Brigidas, p. 601.
^ The Rev. Dr. C. O'Conor's dissertations
tised in Ireland, are not the least interesting, among the valuable comments annexed to his edited works. See " Rerum Hibernica- rum Scriptores,"voliv. Annales Ultonienses, Annotationes, ad ssec. viii. , i^p. 134 to 172.
9 Here there is a mine of information to be developed, and worthy the most accom- plished antiquary's serious and fuller inves- ligation.
'° See Dr. Todd's "Life of St. Patrick, Apostle of Ireland. " Introductory Disserta- tion, p. 26.
All of the foregoing townlands are now included within Great Connell parish. Several years ago, while Mr. Flood, ofNewhall, and Mr. Duggan, of Ladytown, were engaged in walling in the cemetery at their own ex- pense, several fragments of sculptured figures were exhumed, and piously re-erected. After- wards, brick and stone were taken from it, while Colonel Gray was engaged in building Conall-More Lodge. These exhibited here and there specimens of tesselated tihng, almost unknown in modern architecture. See The Leinster Independatt, of Satur-
" On the right bank of the Liffey are
these various townlands: first, that of Old day, February 24th, 1872.
Connell, on which was the site of the oldest church, near Old Connell house; secondly, Little Connell, in which nothing of antiqua- rian interest can be met with ; and thirdly,
'3 xhus identified, at n. (k), by Dr.
O'Donovan, in the "Three Fragments of Annals," p. 44.
Not far removed from the site of Old
sis" states, in its Second Lection.
—
8o LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 3.
Connell burial ground, an ancient artificial mound, and rising to considerable altitude, may yet be seen ; some large trees grow on its sides and summit. ''* It is rather remarkable, that many similar elevations may still be found, near the site of our most ancient religious establishments ; nor are instances want- ing, in that extent of country, not far removed from theplace. 's However, it seems possible enough, that many, if not most, of those ancient tumuli are pre-Christian.
In the time, and with the approval of St. Brigid herself, as Colgan supposes, there v. 'ere tlnee distinct ecclesiastical jurisdictions estab- lished within the city of Kildare—viz. , those of Bishop, of Abbot, and of
Moat at Old Connell, County of Kiklaie.
Abbess. Hethinks,thatthiscanbeproved,fromanarchitecturaldescrip- tion,'^ regarding the church of Kildare, pointing out its divisions, and the uses for which each compartment had been destined. It would seem, that while there was but one monastery tliere, monks and nuns lived in it, although effectually separated by a wall or an enclosure, as well in the church, as in the house. '7 To the former, it is noticed, that thebisliop, with liisbaud of regu- lars, entered from the east, and through a door at tiie right. The abbess, with her nuns, approached by another door, at the left side of the cathedral. '^
' The accompanying representation was formed a much wider line of separation. sketched on the spot, by the writer, in See Dr. Lanigan's " Ecclesiastical History August, 1883. It has been transferred to of Ireland," vol. i. , chap, xvi. , n. 141, the wood, by William F. Wakeman, and it p. 414.
was engraved, by Mrs. Millard. '* Colgan add : " Pr? eterea quia utrumque '5 It is sufficient to mention Clonenagh, sexum ordinis S. Brigidse, seu Biigittse,
and At^haboe.
'" Wiiich is given by Cogitosus.
'' Colgan imagined that both habitations
were separated merely by a wall ; but the church—and a very large one it was
Suecic in codem Cxnobio commorari vide- mus : non est enim vero absimile hanc sanc- tam feminam ordinem suum instituisse ad imitationem S. Brigida; noslnr, cujus et no- men prsetulit et virtutes in multis aliis imi-
May 3 ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
It has been remarked,'? that a question may be raised—if the abbot witli liis monks Avere subject to the Abbess of Kildare, from the time of St. Brigid's death, and for many subsequent years ? The affirmative, Colgan deems pro- bable, because St. Conlaeth, whom he supposes first superior over a com- munity of monks at Kildare, ^° had been subject to St. Brigid, the first abbess
; and because, in the order of St. Brigid of Sweden, which he imagines to have been framed on the rules of St. Brigid of Kildare's religious institute, the abbess had jurisdiction over the abbot, governing communities of men. Col- gan adduces various reasons, to establish his supposition, that the Bishop of Kildare united episcopal and abbatial functions in his own person, during the primitive times of that See. He says, first, from Cogitosus and from other writers of St. Brigid's Acts, it can be shown, that St. Conlaeth, first Arch- bishop of Kildare, presided over a community of monks ; secondly, there seem to have been both bishops and abbots of Kildare, within the same city
and monastery ; and, thirdly, he states, our ancient writers call the bishops of the place abbots. These reasons, however, he submits under doubt. In pursuance of this train of argument, he remarks, that the Abbot of Armagh, or in other words, the Archbishop of that See, is placed foremost among all persons,^' whether ecclesiastical or secular, who were exempt from royal exac- tions, contributions, and other burthens, according to the constitutions of the kingdom of Ireland. If he were only simply an abbot, there would be no reason, argues Colgan, why he should have precedence over many kings, all the bishops and abbots of the kingdom, and, in fine, over the Archbishop of Armagh himself. ^^
Although it is said, that a body of inferior clergy or of regular canons served the church, and under direction of St. Conlaeth -p there is no just reason for supposing, that this bishop presided over a com- munity of monks at Kildare. Nor is there any allusion to a monastic estab- lishmentbeingatKildare,untillongafterthetimeofSt. BrigidandofSt. Conlaeth, when St. Aidus, or Aid Dubh,^4 officiated in the double capacity of Bishop and of Abbot. ^s Besides, it has been observed, that no monks are mentioned, as having been there governed by St. Conlaeth. Nor is he called abbot,=^ nor by any title except one, and that strictly referring to his episcopal dignity. There is still less reason for admitting the strange assertion of Col- gan, that Bishop Conlaeth was subject to St. Brigid. Whence, he would con- clude, moreover, that abbesses, after her time, and for a long period, had been invested with jurisdiction over the abbots, or what should amount to nearly
tata est. "—"Trias Thaumaturga," Appen- dix Quinta ad Acta S. Brigid^, cap. i. , p. 627.
Acts, that Conlaeth presided over monks whenBishopofKildare. See"TriasThau- maturga," Quinta Appendix ad Acta S. Brigidse, cap. i. , p. 627. But, he refers to
'9 By Colgan.
^° Perhaps, however, this community had no particular passage, for proof of such
been established at Old Connell.
^' Even before the kings of Meath and of
Dr. O' Donovan's " Annals of the Four Mas- With regard to those assertions of ters," vol. i. , pp. 256, 257.
Munster. ^'^
Colgan, it inay be asked, if the archiepisco- pal and abbatial dignities had not been united in the same person, in some instances referred to, or if the Abbot of Armagh did not enjoy some special privilege in those cases cited ? In any event, his arguments are quite inconclusive to establish an inference, that Conlaeth was both bishop and abbot, while at Kildare.
^^ Colgan says, it appears from Cogi- tosus and from other writers of St. Brigid's
=^5 Thecollegecalledofmonks,overwhich Aidus presided, was in reality the chapter of the catliedral, as plainly appears from Cogito- sus, who, describing the church, tells us, that the bishop used to enter the sane- tuary by a door, in the right side of the church, together with the collegiate body and clerical assistants. See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Secunda Vita S. Brigidce, cap. xxxv. , pp. 523, 524.
^^ Notwithstanding, this term is frequently F
statements.
'^'- His death is recorded, at a. d. 638. See
82 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 3.
the same thing, over the bishops of Kildare. ^7 There is no just foundation for such a statement ; while, it is certain, that the bisliops of Kildare differed not—so far as independent jurisdiction was concerned—from other Irish pre- lates. It may be admitted, perhaps, that its church expenses had been defrayed from the monastic funds, while its furniture and ornaments were probably derived from the same source, in the time of St. Brigid. ^^ It is pro- bable, also, her successors claimed a right to the church at Kildare, in virtue of that original foundation, by the first abbess of the place ; but, while abbesses presided over their peculiar institute, bishops certainly governed the diocese. As a matter of mutual agreement and convenience, the church or cathedral might have remained under the joint management of both parties. '9
St. Brigid appears to have founded that beautiful church at Kildare, and which served the uses of her community, as also for die faithful at large. It existed to the time of Cogitosu? , who flourished before the ninth century,5° and who gives a faithful description, regarding its architectural peculiarities in his day. We are informed, that it covered a considerable area, and that it was high in proportion. This church was decorated with paintings on wood, of which material it appears to have been altogether built, in the opinion of of many,3' while others maintain, it was a stone-built church. It contained three oratories or chapels, divided by wooden compartments, however, under the large roof. This covered the whole. One of its walls was deco- rated and painted with various images, besides being covered with tapestry and along the breadth, in the eastern side of the church, it extended from one partition wall to the other. There were two doors, at either extremity of this wall. Through that door on the right hand side, the bishop,3^ with his canons, and those who assisted at ecclesiastical rites, entered the sanctuary, when approaching to offer the Dominical sacrifice 33 on the altar; while the abbess, with her nuns and postulants, entered through a door towards the left, whenever they prepared, to receive the Body and Blood of our Lord and Saviour. 34 Another wall divided the ground floor of the church into two equal parts, and it extended from the eastern 35 side to
employed in Irish histoiy, wherever bishops had monasteries annexed to their cathe- drals.
'^ In alluding to " this whimsical and truly uncanonical position " of Colgan, Rev. Dr. Lanigan, in continuation, remarks : "Colgan took it into his head that as there was an affinity between the names Brigid and Birget, their monastic institutions were likewise formed on a similar plan. What has a like- ness of names to do in this matter ? Besides, in the institution of St. Brigitta there was no such thing as jurisdiction over bishops. Colgan ought to have reflected, that this Swedish princess, most probably, knew little or nothing concerning the system of St. Brigid ; for at the time of her forming her establishment — viz. , not long before A. D. 1370, the nunnery of Kildare was in a state of great insignificance. Archdall has given to his readers in a positive manner what Colgan had proposed as a matter of doubt, and tells them that the abbots of Kildare were for several years subject to the abbess. " —" Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. i. , chap, viii. , sect, xi. , n. 142, pp. 414,
415;
*' These conjectures may receive confirma-
tion, from an anecdote already related, when St. Brigid, assuming the ownership of some sacerdotal vestments, undertook their distri- bution in favour of the poor, having no other alms to offer.
''See ibid. , nn. I43, I44, 145, pp. 411, 415-
3° We are even told, Cogitosus is supposed to have written his Life of St. Brigid before A. D. 594. See Wills' " Lives of Illustrious and Distinguished Irishmen," vol. i. , part I, First Period, p. 103.
3' In his usual pleasing style, the late venerable Archbishop of Calcutta has furnished us with a description of this church, from passages in Cogitosus ; while he seems inclined to believe, that the church itself hadbeenentirelyconstructedofwood. See Carew's "Ecclesiastical History of Ire- land," chap, vi. , pp. 233, 234.
3- The words of Cogitosus are, that the bishop entered " eum sua regular! schola, et his qui sacris sunt deputaii ministerii^. "
33 Tile words are "sacra ct Dominica immolare sacrificia. "
3« The words are " ut convivio corporis et sanguinis fruantur Jesu Chrisli. "
35 RicU " western. "
;
May 3. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 83
the opposite wall, lying across the breadth. There was one door, highly ornamented, on the riglit hand side of this church. Through it, the priests and maleportionofthecongregationentered; whileanotherwasonthelefthand side, through which the religious of the nunnery and the female contingent of the congregation passed. 3° There were many windows in the walls, to admit light within the church. Various divisions of the faithful, according to rank, station, and sex, afforded to all an opportunity for assisting at the Divine mysteries and various ceremonies carried out in the church, accord- ing to an established order, and the requireiiients of ecclesiastical discipline. 37
A miracle, which occurred in repairing this church, and which, Cogitosus thinksshouldnotbepassedoverinsilence,hasbeenplacedonrecord. 3^ When the old door of the left side passage, through which St. Brigid used to enter the church, had been altered, repaired, and placed on its former hinges, by artisans, it could not exactly cover the opening as required. A fourth part of this space appeared exposed, without anything left to fill it ; and, if a fourth more were added and joined to the height of ^he gate, then it might fill up
the entire altitude of this reconstructed and lo^ty passage. The workmen held a consultation, about making another new and larger door to fill up this entrance, or to prepare a panel for an addition to the old door, so as to make it the required size. A principal artisan among the Irish then spoke : " On this night, we should fervently implore the Lord, before St. Brigid, that before morning she may counsel us what course we ought to pursue, in refer- encetothismatter," Afterthesewords,hepassedawholenightinprayer, beside St. Brigid's tomb. On the morning he arose. He then found, on forcing and settling the old door on its hinge, the whole passage was filled, so that a single chink was not left uncovered, nor in its height was any, even the least, excess discovered. Thus, it happened, as the whole aperture was filled, that St. Brigid—as was generally believed—had miraculously extended that door in height. Nor did any part appear open, except when the door was moved on entering her church. This miracle, accomplished by Divine omnipotence, was evidently manifested to the eyes of all, who looked upon the door and the passage. 39
It is but fair to state, moreover, that not only the antiquity of St. Brigid's Acts, by Cogitosus, has been doubted by some writers, but even their authenticity has been denied by others, in consequence, chiefly—if not altogether—of details given in the preceding description, regarding the church atKildare. t° Averypresumptuousandanexceedinglyincompetentwriter*' on our country's antiquities asserts, that what evinces the work of Cogitosus to be suppositious, is his description, concerning the monuments of St. Bridget and of St. Conlaeth, on the right and left sides of the altar, at Kildare. They were not only highly finished with gold and silver ornaments, with gems and
3* Thus, the great aisle of it outside the 39 The foregoing description in the text sanctuary was divided by a partition separa- substantially agrees with the thirty-fifth ting the males from the females, and chapter of Cogitosus, the Latin of which,
each division had a door peculiar to itself. From what has been now observed, we see that the nuns had not a separate church for themselves, although their habitation ad- joined it on one side, while that of the bis- hop and chapter seems to have been close to it on the other. See Rev. Dr. Lanigan's " Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. i. , chap, xvi. , n. 141, p. 414.
37 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Secunda Vita S. Brigidas, cap.
postfixed to this passage, Colgan writes :
" In MS. Amandi et in libris editis legitur,
Conleach : sed rectius Conlaidii, ut in MS. applied to his vestments. These terms have S. Huberti, in Annalibus nostris ad an. 519, reference to changes of colour, necessary for qua obiit, et aliis Codicibus Hibernicis legi- various festivals.
tur : vel Conlaedh ut in Mariano et . ^Engus-
———
May 3. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 77
The pious Conlaeth has been represented, as officiating in the double
with Ibar and Ere, and perhaps Maccalleus—all friends of St, Brigid were then living. It is supposed, also, that St. Bronus, of Cassel-Irra, mentioned in some of her Lives, and who seems to have paid her a visit while she was in Connaught, might have come to Leinster, at this time. As he is said to have owed the exculpation of his character, from a charge brought against him in the presence of many bishops, and before a great assembly, to the kind interposition and miraculous powers of St. Brigid ; no doubt, he would have wished to manifest his attention and gratitude towards her, if time and opportunity allowed him to assist at this consecration of St. Conlaeth. 5° In the Acts of St. Brigid, it is related, that certain poor persons came to the holy Abbess asking for alms, at a tune when she had nothing to bestow, except vestments, used by St. Conlaeth, for celebration of the holy sacrifice of Mass. 5' These vestments, which were in her custody, she gave them ; and, when the holy bishop approached to offer up the sacrifice of propi- tiation at the usual time, he declared it would not be practicable to consecrate the body and blood of Christ without his vestments, which were missing. s^ St. Brigid prayed to God with great fervour. The Almighty was pleased to reward her charity, by the performance of a wonderful miracle. As a special gift of heaven, vestments, exactly resembling those given away, appeared im- mediately, and these the bishop assumed. All, who were cognizant of the circumstance, gave thanks to God. S3 We are told, in the two first Lives of St. Brigid, that those vestments were of various colours, and that they had been procured from Italy. 54 They were generally worn by St. Conlaeth, on Sundays and on festivals of the Apostles. ss It is also said, that those vest-
de quo supra inPrologo. "—" Trias Thau- maturga. " Vita Secunda S. Brigidse, n. 14, p. 526.
5= This incident is also related in the First Life of St. Brigid, as published by Bollan- dus. See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. Vita Prima S. Brigidce, cap. xvi. , n. 104, p. 133. It is more circumstantially inserted, in the Second Life of this holy virgin. Ibid. , Vita Secunda S. Brigidre, cap. iv. , n. 31 p. 139. And again, it is mentioned in her Fourth Life. Ibid. , Vita QuartaS. Brigidae, cap. x. , n. 68, p, 170.
s^ggg Colgan's " Trias Thaumaturga. " Vita Quarta S. Brigidse, lib. ii. , cap. Ixxx. , p. 561. And Vita Tertia S. Brigidas, cap. cxiv. , p. 543, ibid.
54 Conlaeth is called " summus populo- rum Pontifex," in the Second Life of St. Brigid, cap. xxix. , p. 522.
55 The words, " mutatoriis vestibus," are
——
78 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 3
ments used—after the former ones had been bestowed on the poor—were broughttoBishopConlaeth,inatwo-wheeledchariot. s^ Suchaccountsasthe foregoing, taken from the acts of our ancient saints, frequently serve to illustrate former social usages and habits of life, at least during and before the period when the biographer wrote. From his allusion to the chariot having two wheels, perhaps, without any strained inference, we might assert, such a description implies, that chariots having more than two wheels were then known, although they may not have been ordinarily used. Indeed, it may be regarded as probable, our kings and superior chiefs travelled on state occa- sions, in highly ornate vehicles, with four wheels ; although the harness and
appointments greatly differed from the materials and workmanship exhibited, at the present day.
CHAPTER II.
THE FAMILY T'EDIGREKS OF ST. BRIGID AND OF ST. CONLAETH—ARTISAN PROFICIENCY OF THIS HOLY MAN—OLD CONNELL SUPPOSED TO BE HIS USUAL PLACE FOR RESIDENCE—INQUIRY REGARDING THE NATURE OF ECCLESIASTICAL SOCIETY AT KILUARE DURING THE TIME OF ST. BRIGID AND OF ST. CONLETH DESCRIPTION OF AN ANCIENT CHURCH AT KILDARE —SUPERNATURAL INCIDENT— ADORNMENT OF ANCIENT SHRINES.
It has been stated by our genealogists, that a remote family affinity existed between St. Brigid and St. Conleth : for writers on Irish pedigrees trace both of them, from a common ancestor, called Ugaine Mdr, whose name has been Latinized,HugoniusMagnus. HewasKingofIreland,froma. m. 3619to 3649. ' It must be acknowledged, however, that some serious chronological and genealogical difficulties seem to interpose, in connecting St. Brigid ^ as a collateral relation and contemporary of St. Conleth. We find this latter saint the twenty-fifth in descent from Ugaine Mor, if indeed—according to Irish Manuscripts quoted—he be not even the thirty-sixth in a line-genera-
tion ; while, St. Brigid's branch of pedigree was the thirty-first, according to O'Flaherty's reduction, or the thirty-filth, according to Colgan,3 from the same common ancestor. This uncertainity of calculation is set forth by our writers, who have specially dealt with the intricacies of old Irish pedigrees. '*
It has been very satisfactorily shown, that the goldsmith's and lapidary's art had been brought to great perfection, at a very early period, in Ireland. ^ Indua, St. Conleth, had probably been a worker in metals before his religious
5* Speaking of St. Brigid, the First Life says ;
Quot patravit miracula
Non est qui plene possit referre : Benedixit paramenia sacra Conlaido QuK ex Italia attulit.
Quando erant ei necessaria
Ejus filius ate earn fecit rem perfaus-
tam
Attulit ilia paramenia varicolari
QuK posuit in curru duarum rotarum.
—Ibid. , Vita Prima S. Brigidse, sect. 40, 41,
^ From the scholiast on the Feihre of St.
/Engus, the late learned Irisli scholar, O'Beirne Crowe, A. B. , has furnished tlie following translation of his pedigree : " That is Candla, son of Cormac, son of Aengus, son of Echa, son of Setne, son of Fotha, son of Echa Lam-Derg, son of Mesincorb. "
^ See her family descent in "Trias Thau- maturga. " Appendix Quarta ad Acta S. Brigitix," cap. 2, p. 613.
^ See Very Rev. James Henthorn Todd's " Life of St. Patrick, Apostle of Ireland. " Appendix A. , Tables iv. , v. , pp. 252, 253.
= At the earliest period, St. Patrick is said to have had no less than three artis's, belong- ing to his household, besides embroiderers and smiths. See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals
p. 517. — Chapter II.
' See O'Flaherty's " Ogy- gia," pars, iii. , cap. xxxviii. , pp. 260, 261.
J.
May 3. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
79
retirement, for he was distinguished as St. Brigid's " chief artificer,"^ accord- ing to a gloss on the FeiHre-^ngus. The word Indua denotes an artist in gold, silver, and other metals. In Irish ecclesiastical records, another famous artist,namedConln,isalsomentioned. 7 Butheisnottobeconfoundedwith St. Conleth of Kildare. We may probably infer, that the latter lashioned many useful and ornamental objects for ecclesiastical purposes. Among these, chalices of gold, or silver, church vessels, and shrines for holy relics, may probably be included. In fictile as in pictorial art, a high degree of ex- cellence our early Christian artists must have attained; not alone from acquaintance with works of art on the Continent, but even from actual recorded accounts and surviving specimens of iheir proficiency reached at home. *^ Ancient Irish ecclesiastics of the highest rank considered it a suitable occu- pation, to work as artificers in the manufacture of reliquaries, shrines, pastoral staffs or croziers, bells, covers for sacred books, and other ornaments, suit- able for churches and for their minsters. Several beautiful specimens of art are
still preserved, and many of these are the works of ecclesiastics, belonging to centuries preceding the English invasion of Ireland. Many other speci- mens appear to have been destroyed, and melted down by the Danes, who re- morselesslyplunderedchurchesandmonasteriesoftheirvaluables. 9 Especially, they seized altar ornaments and vessels, formed from the precious metals. '°
It is likely, St. Conlaeth's chief place of residence was at Old Con- nellj" and thence, his reputation for sanctity became so widely diffused, that he had not only the approbation of St. Brigid, but even the petitions of the people, concurring in his election to the episcopal dignity. '^ Were we to admit his relationship with the holy abbess, it seems probable enough, he
was known to her from early youth. His near residence also warrants the assumption, that he had visited Brigid, long before the incidental relation to be met with in her Acts had originated. Still there are vestiges of a very remote period, near the spot he had selected for a home, which formerly had been called Condail of the Kings. '3
of the Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 134 to 141, and nn. , ibid.
Great Connell, on which are some interest- ing ruins of the monastery—which had been founded by Lord Meyler Fitz Henry, who died a. d. 1220, and who was there buried,
* In a table, subjoined to the " Martyr-
ology of Donegal," he is termed, "brazier
of Jirigid, first bishop of Cilldara, and See Jacobi Grace, Kilkenniensis, " Annales archbishop also. " See, also, /^/if. , pp. 388, 389. Hibernice," pp. 28, 29. Edition by Rev.
7 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Richard Butler, M. R. I. A.
Prince O'Donnell, in the Vita Quinta S. Columbre, hb. i. , cap. xcix. , p. 405.
'- This the Italian " Breviarium Gienen-
See Colgan's " Trias Thaumaturga," Appendix on the mechanical and liberal arts, as prac- Prima ad Acta S. Brigidas, p. 601.
^ The Rev. Dr. C. O'Conor's dissertations
tised in Ireland, are not the least interesting, among the valuable comments annexed to his edited works. See " Rerum Hibernica- rum Scriptores,"voliv. Annales Ultonienses, Annotationes, ad ssec. viii. , i^p. 134 to 172.
9 Here there is a mine of information to be developed, and worthy the most accom- plished antiquary's serious and fuller inves- ligation.
'° See Dr. Todd's "Life of St. Patrick, Apostle of Ireland. " Introductory Disserta- tion, p. 26.
All of the foregoing townlands are now included within Great Connell parish. Several years ago, while Mr. Flood, ofNewhall, and Mr. Duggan, of Ladytown, were engaged in walling in the cemetery at their own ex- pense, several fragments of sculptured figures were exhumed, and piously re-erected. After- wards, brick and stone were taken from it, while Colonel Gray was engaged in building Conall-More Lodge. These exhibited here and there specimens of tesselated tihng, almost unknown in modern architecture. See The Leinster Independatt, of Satur-
" On the right bank of the Liffey are
these various townlands: first, that of Old day, February 24th, 1872.
Connell, on which was the site of the oldest church, near Old Connell house; secondly, Little Connell, in which nothing of antiqua- rian interest can be met with ; and thirdly,
'3 xhus identified, at n. (k), by Dr.
O'Donovan, in the "Three Fragments of Annals," p. 44.
Not far removed from the site of Old
sis" states, in its Second Lection.
—
8o LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 3.
Connell burial ground, an ancient artificial mound, and rising to considerable altitude, may yet be seen ; some large trees grow on its sides and summit. ''* It is rather remarkable, that many similar elevations may still be found, near the site of our most ancient religious establishments ; nor are instances want- ing, in that extent of country, not far removed from theplace. 's However, it seems possible enough, that many, if not most, of those ancient tumuli are pre-Christian.
In the time, and with the approval of St. Brigid herself, as Colgan supposes, there v. 'ere tlnee distinct ecclesiastical jurisdictions estab- lished within the city of Kildare—viz. , those of Bishop, of Abbot, and of
Moat at Old Connell, County of Kiklaie.
Abbess. Hethinks,thatthiscanbeproved,fromanarchitecturaldescrip- tion,'^ regarding the church of Kildare, pointing out its divisions, and the uses for which each compartment had been destined. It would seem, that while there was but one monastery tliere, monks and nuns lived in it, although effectually separated by a wall or an enclosure, as well in the church, as in the house. '7 To the former, it is noticed, that thebisliop, with liisbaud of regu- lars, entered from the east, and through a door at tiie right. The abbess, with her nuns, approached by another door, at the left side of the cathedral. '^
' The accompanying representation was formed a much wider line of separation. sketched on the spot, by the writer, in See Dr. Lanigan's " Ecclesiastical History August, 1883. It has been transferred to of Ireland," vol. i. , chap, xvi. , n. 141, the wood, by William F. Wakeman, and it p. 414.
was engraved, by Mrs. Millard. '* Colgan add : " Pr? eterea quia utrumque '5 It is sufficient to mention Clonenagh, sexum ordinis S. Brigidse, seu Biigittse,
and At^haboe.
'" Wiiich is given by Cogitosus.
'' Colgan imagined that both habitations
were separated merely by a wall ; but the church—and a very large one it was
Suecic in codem Cxnobio commorari vide- mus : non est enim vero absimile hanc sanc- tam feminam ordinem suum instituisse ad imitationem S. Brigida; noslnr, cujus et no- men prsetulit et virtutes in multis aliis imi-
May 3 ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
It has been remarked,'? that a question may be raised—if the abbot witli liis monks Avere subject to the Abbess of Kildare, from the time of St. Brigid's death, and for many subsequent years ? The affirmative, Colgan deems pro- bable, because St. Conlaeth, whom he supposes first superior over a com- munity of monks at Kildare, ^° had been subject to St. Brigid, the first abbess
; and because, in the order of St. Brigid of Sweden, which he imagines to have been framed on the rules of St. Brigid of Kildare's religious institute, the abbess had jurisdiction over the abbot, governing communities of men. Col- gan adduces various reasons, to establish his supposition, that the Bishop of Kildare united episcopal and abbatial functions in his own person, during the primitive times of that See. He says, first, from Cogitosus and from other writers of St. Brigid's Acts, it can be shown, that St. Conlaeth, first Arch- bishop of Kildare, presided over a community of monks ; secondly, there seem to have been both bishops and abbots of Kildare, within the same city
and monastery ; and, thirdly, he states, our ancient writers call the bishops of the place abbots. These reasons, however, he submits under doubt. In pursuance of this train of argument, he remarks, that the Abbot of Armagh, or in other words, the Archbishop of that See, is placed foremost among all persons,^' whether ecclesiastical or secular, who were exempt from royal exac- tions, contributions, and other burthens, according to the constitutions of the kingdom of Ireland. If he were only simply an abbot, there would be no reason, argues Colgan, why he should have precedence over many kings, all the bishops and abbots of the kingdom, and, in fine, over the Archbishop of Armagh himself. ^^
Although it is said, that a body of inferior clergy or of regular canons served the church, and under direction of St. Conlaeth -p there is no just reason for supposing, that this bishop presided over a com- munity of monks at Kildare. Nor is there any allusion to a monastic estab- lishmentbeingatKildare,untillongafterthetimeofSt. BrigidandofSt. Conlaeth, when St. Aidus, or Aid Dubh,^4 officiated in the double capacity of Bishop and of Abbot. ^s Besides, it has been observed, that no monks are mentioned, as having been there governed by St. Conlaeth. Nor is he called abbot,=^ nor by any title except one, and that strictly referring to his episcopal dignity. There is still less reason for admitting the strange assertion of Col- gan, that Bishop Conlaeth was subject to St. Brigid. Whence, he would con- clude, moreover, that abbesses, after her time, and for a long period, had been invested with jurisdiction over the abbots, or what should amount to nearly
tata est. "—"Trias Thaumaturga," Appen- dix Quinta ad Acta S. Brigid^, cap. i. , p. 627.
Acts, that Conlaeth presided over monks whenBishopofKildare. See"TriasThau- maturga," Quinta Appendix ad Acta S. Brigidse, cap. i. , p. 627. But, he refers to
'9 By Colgan.
^° Perhaps, however, this community had no particular passage, for proof of such
been established at Old Connell.
^' Even before the kings of Meath and of
Dr. O' Donovan's " Annals of the Four Mas- With regard to those assertions of ters," vol. i. , pp. 256, 257.
Munster. ^'^
Colgan, it inay be asked, if the archiepisco- pal and abbatial dignities had not been united in the same person, in some instances referred to, or if the Abbot of Armagh did not enjoy some special privilege in those cases cited ? In any event, his arguments are quite inconclusive to establish an inference, that Conlaeth was both bishop and abbot, while at Kildare.
^^ Colgan says, it appears from Cogi- tosus and from other writers of St. Brigid's
=^5 Thecollegecalledofmonks,overwhich Aidus presided, was in reality the chapter of the catliedral, as plainly appears from Cogito- sus, who, describing the church, tells us, that the bishop used to enter the sane- tuary by a door, in the right side of the church, together with the collegiate body and clerical assistants. See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Secunda Vita S. Brigidce, cap. xxxv. , pp. 523, 524.
^^ Notwithstanding, this term is frequently F
statements.
'^'- His death is recorded, at a. d. 638. See
82 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 3.
the same thing, over the bishops of Kildare. ^7 There is no just foundation for such a statement ; while, it is certain, that the bisliops of Kildare differed not—so far as independent jurisdiction was concerned—from other Irish pre- lates. It may be admitted, perhaps, that its church expenses had been defrayed from the monastic funds, while its furniture and ornaments were probably derived from the same source, in the time of St. Brigid. ^^ It is pro- bable, also, her successors claimed a right to the church at Kildare, in virtue of that original foundation, by the first abbess of the place ; but, while abbesses presided over their peculiar institute, bishops certainly governed the diocese. As a matter of mutual agreement and convenience, the church or cathedral might have remained under the joint management of both parties. '9
St. Brigid appears to have founded that beautiful church at Kildare, and which served the uses of her community, as also for die faithful at large. It existed to the time of Cogitosu? , who flourished before the ninth century,5° and who gives a faithful description, regarding its architectural peculiarities in his day. We are informed, that it covered a considerable area, and that it was high in proportion. This church was decorated with paintings on wood, of which material it appears to have been altogether built, in the opinion of of many,3' while others maintain, it was a stone-built church. It contained three oratories or chapels, divided by wooden compartments, however, under the large roof. This covered the whole. One of its walls was deco- rated and painted with various images, besides being covered with tapestry and along the breadth, in the eastern side of the church, it extended from one partition wall to the other. There were two doors, at either extremity of this wall. Through that door on the right hand side, the bishop,3^ with his canons, and those who assisted at ecclesiastical rites, entered the sanctuary, when approaching to offer the Dominical sacrifice 33 on the altar; while the abbess, with her nuns and postulants, entered through a door towards the left, whenever they prepared, to receive the Body and Blood of our Lord and Saviour. 34 Another wall divided the ground floor of the church into two equal parts, and it extended from the eastern 35 side to
employed in Irish histoiy, wherever bishops had monasteries annexed to their cathe- drals.
'^ In alluding to " this whimsical and truly uncanonical position " of Colgan, Rev. Dr. Lanigan, in continuation, remarks : "Colgan took it into his head that as there was an affinity between the names Brigid and Birget, their monastic institutions were likewise formed on a similar plan. What has a like- ness of names to do in this matter ? Besides, in the institution of St. Brigitta there was no such thing as jurisdiction over bishops. Colgan ought to have reflected, that this Swedish princess, most probably, knew little or nothing concerning the system of St. Brigid ; for at the time of her forming her establishment — viz. , not long before A. D. 1370, the nunnery of Kildare was in a state of great insignificance. Archdall has given to his readers in a positive manner what Colgan had proposed as a matter of doubt, and tells them that the abbots of Kildare were for several years subject to the abbess. " —" Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. i. , chap, viii. , sect, xi. , n. 142, pp. 414,
415;
*' These conjectures may receive confirma-
tion, from an anecdote already related, when St. Brigid, assuming the ownership of some sacerdotal vestments, undertook their distri- bution in favour of the poor, having no other alms to offer.
''See ibid. , nn. I43, I44, 145, pp. 411, 415-
3° We are even told, Cogitosus is supposed to have written his Life of St. Brigid before A. D. 594. See Wills' " Lives of Illustrious and Distinguished Irishmen," vol. i. , part I, First Period, p. 103.
3' In his usual pleasing style, the late venerable Archbishop of Calcutta has furnished us with a description of this church, from passages in Cogitosus ; while he seems inclined to believe, that the church itself hadbeenentirelyconstructedofwood. See Carew's "Ecclesiastical History of Ire- land," chap, vi. , pp. 233, 234.
3- The words of Cogitosus are, that the bishop entered " eum sua regular! schola, et his qui sacris sunt deputaii ministerii^. "
33 Tile words are "sacra ct Dominica immolare sacrificia. "
3« The words are " ut convivio corporis et sanguinis fruantur Jesu Chrisli. "
35 RicU " western. "
;
May 3. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 83
the opposite wall, lying across the breadth. There was one door, highly ornamented, on the riglit hand side of this church. Through it, the priests and maleportionofthecongregationentered; whileanotherwasonthelefthand side, through which the religious of the nunnery and the female contingent of the congregation passed. 3° There were many windows in the walls, to admit light within the church. Various divisions of the faithful, according to rank, station, and sex, afforded to all an opportunity for assisting at the Divine mysteries and various ceremonies carried out in the church, accord- ing to an established order, and the requireiiients of ecclesiastical discipline. 37
A miracle, which occurred in repairing this church, and which, Cogitosus thinksshouldnotbepassedoverinsilence,hasbeenplacedonrecord. 3^ When the old door of the left side passage, through which St. Brigid used to enter the church, had been altered, repaired, and placed on its former hinges, by artisans, it could not exactly cover the opening as required. A fourth part of this space appeared exposed, without anything left to fill it ; and, if a fourth more were added and joined to the height of ^he gate, then it might fill up
the entire altitude of this reconstructed and lo^ty passage. The workmen held a consultation, about making another new and larger door to fill up this entrance, or to prepare a panel for an addition to the old door, so as to make it the required size. A principal artisan among the Irish then spoke : " On this night, we should fervently implore the Lord, before St. Brigid, that before morning she may counsel us what course we ought to pursue, in refer- encetothismatter," Afterthesewords,hepassedawholenightinprayer, beside St. Brigid's tomb. On the morning he arose. He then found, on forcing and settling the old door on its hinge, the whole passage was filled, so that a single chink was not left uncovered, nor in its height was any, even the least, excess discovered. Thus, it happened, as the whole aperture was filled, that St. Brigid—as was generally believed—had miraculously extended that door in height. Nor did any part appear open, except when the door was moved on entering her church. This miracle, accomplished by Divine omnipotence, was evidently manifested to the eyes of all, who looked upon the door and the passage. 39
It is but fair to state, moreover, that not only the antiquity of St. Brigid's Acts, by Cogitosus, has been doubted by some writers, but even their authenticity has been denied by others, in consequence, chiefly—if not altogether—of details given in the preceding description, regarding the church atKildare. t° Averypresumptuousandanexceedinglyincompetentwriter*' on our country's antiquities asserts, that what evinces the work of Cogitosus to be suppositious, is his description, concerning the monuments of St. Bridget and of St. Conlaeth, on the right and left sides of the altar, at Kildare. They were not only highly finished with gold and silver ornaments, with gems and
3* Thus, the great aisle of it outside the 39 The foregoing description in the text sanctuary was divided by a partition separa- substantially agrees with the thirty-fifth ting the males from the females, and chapter of Cogitosus, the Latin of which,
each division had a door peculiar to itself. From what has been now observed, we see that the nuns had not a separate church for themselves, although their habitation ad- joined it on one side, while that of the bis- hop and chapter seems to have been close to it on the other. See Rev. Dr. Lanigan's " Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. i. , chap, xvi. , n. 141, p. 414.
37 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Secunda Vita S. Brigidas, cap.
