S9 It is
referred
to, by Rev.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v6
*1 The
were in
named is thought to have been identical with the rushy land of the River
Burren, in the county of Carlow. 4
*
Cleric," says he, "just as if thou shouldst go
into a vat of honey, and bathe therein with
thy raiment, the odour of it would be on thee
unless thou shouldst wash thy raiment. "
" Wherefore is this thy desire ? " asks Moi-
ling. "It is," says he, "though thou givest
nought of thy blessing to me, its prosperity
and its goodness should be on me exter-
nally. " "Thou shalt not have it," says
"
Moiling,
"Well, then," says he, "give me the full of a curse. " "Wherefore wishest thou this? " says Moiling. " Not hard to say, O Cleric,"
He is a precious stone with good- ness,
Whoso doth the will of God's Son of heaven.
He is a blind nut, wherein is no pro- fit,
He is a stinking rottenness, he is a withered tree,
He is a wild apple branch without
blossom,
Everyone who doth not the will of
the King.
If he does the will of God's Son of
heaven,
He is a brilliant sun ound which
is summer,
He is the image of God in heaven,
He is a vessel glassy pure.
He is a racehoise over a smooth
plain.
That man who strives for the King-
dom of great God,
He is a chariot that is seen under
a King,
Which wins a prize from bridles
of gold. Heisasonthatwarmsholyheaven,
The man for whom the Great is thankful,
He is a temple prosperous, noble, He is a holy shrine which gold ac-
companies.
He is an altar whereon wine is shed,
Round which is chanted a multi-
tude of choruses,
He is a cleansed chalice with
liquor,
He is white fituiruine, he is gold. "
• For this reason, he was called Moling Luachra.
42
" See Rev. John Francis Shearman's
Loca Patriciana," No. vi. , p. 93.
43 See " Transactions of the Royal Irish
Academy," Irish Manuscript Series, vol. i. , part i. , edited by Whitley Stokes, LL. D. Notes at June 17, p. ciii.
44 It would seem, from what is here said, that this ring (cirme), was not a mere finger ring, but one of the great golden rings, now
for thou hast not deserved it. "
" the mouth whereon would come
says he,
the curse on me, its hurt and its poison shall
"" be on thy lips. " Go," says Moiling, no blessing deservest thou. " "Better forme How shall I attain
that I should earn it.
it ? " " Service unto God," says Moiling.
is me," says he, I bear not this. " "Woe "
" A little even of reading," replied Moiling. " No more thy reading, and this helps me
not. " " Fasting then," says Moiling. "I am fasting from the world's beginning. Not the belter am I. " " Prostration to make,"
" forbackwardsaremyknees. " "Goforth,"
quoth Moiling.
I cannot bend forward, " I cannot teach nor save
says Moiling. thee. "
Then said the Devil—
" He is pure gold, he is a heaven round the sun,
He is a vessel of silver full of wine, He is an angel, he is wisdom of
saints,
Every one who doth the will of the
King.
He is a bird round which a trap
shuts,
He is a leaky bark in dangerous
peril.
He is an empty vessel, he is a
withered tree,
Whoso doth not the will of the
King above.
He is a sweet branch, with its blos-
som,
He is a vessel which is full of
honey,
King
spectres
place
Another accounts has the locality as
Luachra, in the county of Kerry. Another version of the story relates, how a certain woman looking on cried out: "Well has the scholar leaped
(mo-ling) the rushes (luachair). " Hence, his previous name of Dairchell was changed into that of Moling Luachair. 43
One night, according to his usual practice, Moling sent his fishermen to catch some fish. They captured a large salmon in their nets, and
a of 4* was found in its split open, ring gold
when it was
divided the gold into three parts ; one-third he gave to the poor; one-third to cover reliquaries; while, the other third, he bestowed on labour and on bountiful
pursuit
belly. Moling
June 17. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
7i3
works. « In an old Irish Manuscript, it is related, too, that the devil paid a visit to St. Moling, in his church at St. Mullins. Finding, however, that he could take no advantage of the holy man, the fiend broke out into a poetic com- parison, between those who do the will of God and those who neglect it. 46 Our Lord Jesus Christ is related to have appeared to him, on a certain occasion, and under the guise of a leper. 47 This holy man is said also to have been with the
"
Baile Mholing," or "Ecstasy
327-
5< Edward O'Reilly had some prophecies
ascribed to him; he states, however, "if they were written by him, their language has
— modernized some later
been much by writers,"
called the
of Moling," which consists of forty-seven
of 8 and to have
prophecy/ expressed his predic-
gifted
tions regarding the future in metrical style. He wrote in the Scotic or Irish language. A Poem on Clonmore Maedoc has been attributed to him. 49 Another, on the Borumha Tribute, he is said to have written. To him is attributed, also, an Irish Poem, respecting the kingdom of the Lagenians and respecting the kingdom of all Ireland, naming the kings, and how they should reign, and in what manner they should depart from this world, whether by the sword or by death ; while he described many wars and their localities, the conquerors and the conquered in them, until the end of the world. In no manner were these prophecies falsified during the lapse of time. 50 It is also stated, that he wrote some prophecies in Irish 51 and that he had been
spirit
regarded52 asoneofthefourgreatIrishprophets. S3 Heissaidtohavefore-
told 54 the coming of King Henry II. , and of the Anglo-Normans into Ire- land. 55 ApoemonSt. John'sFestivalandoneontheFieryBoltarestatedto have been his compositions. Again, an old Irish metrical composition has been attributed to him, in which he praises St. Onchuo,56 whose remains, with those of St. Finian the Leper,5? rest at Clonmore-Maedhog. More poems have
called torques or fibulae, of which there are such magnificent specimens in the Museum of the Royal Irish Academy.
*s In a note at Labours and Works, Dr.
Todd here inserts, bubj\4 &cay oibj\e, " labores et opera. "
46 There are eight quatrains extant, on this subject, and they serve fully to illustrate the style and matter of our legendary com-
positions.
4? An account of this circumstance will be
found, in a Manuscript of Michael O'Clery. This is preserved, in the Burgundian Library at Bruxelles. See Catalogue, class, vol. iv. , Nos. 2,324 to 2,340, at fol. 67.
48 In a Manuscript, classed H. 2. 16, be-
longing to Trinity College Library, Dublin, there is a prophecy attributed to St.
Moling.
« This is alluded to by Father John
Colgan.
50 Among the poems ascribed to St. Mo-
ling, there is one of a prophetic character
Ancient Irish History," Lect. xx. , p. 420, and Appendix, No. cxi. v. , pp. 628,-629.
5' However, Professor O'Curry never saw
more than one poem of his, the Baile Mo-
ling, or Ecstasy of Moling, of a prophetic character. See " Lectures on the Manu- script Materials of Ancient Irish History," Lect. xx. , p. 420.
52 SeeGiraldiCambrensis"Opera,"vol. v. , Expugnatio Hibeinica, lib. ii. , cap. xxxiv. , pp. 384, 385. Edition of James F. Dimock, M. A.
of the Iberno-Celtic So- ciety for 1820," vol. i. , part i. , Chronologi- lines, on the succession of the Kings of cal Account of nearly Four Hundred
Leinster, and beginning, as rendered into Writers, p. xlix.
English, by Professor Eugene O'Curry :— ss See Giraldi Cambrensis "Opera,"
stanzas or one hundred and eighty-eight
"
—"
— vol. v. Expugnatio Hibernica, lib. i. , cap. xvi. , p. 254, cap. xxx. , p. 276, cap. xxxiii. ,
I say unto ye, O men of Leinster And not—for the sake of rich re-
wards
Guard well your own territories,
An attack will come upon you from
afar. "
Lectures on the Manuscript Materials of
p. 279. Edition of James F. Dimock, M. A. 5* See his Life, in the Second Volume of
this work, at February 8th, Art. i.
57 See his Life in the Third Volume of
this work, at March 16th, Art. i.
s8 See Professor " Lee Eugene O'Curry's
;
s 3 The other three were, St. Patrick, St. Colum-kille, and St. Braccan, or Berchan. The latter was the Bishop and Prophet of God, of Clonsast in Eli-Failghe, and whose feast occurs on the 4th of December, in the "
Martyrology of Donegal," edited by Rev. Drs. Todd and Reeves. See pp. 326,
"Transactions
7i4 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 17.
been ascribed to him, than to any of our early saints. 58 He is said to have
been the writer of other works, such as the Yellow Book of St. Moling, which
was extant in the year 1630. 59 It is now supposed to be lost. Colgan
60
informs 11s,
intercession,61 and invoked his aid as a tutelary saint.
that St. Moling in his writings often prayed for St. Comgan's He also prayed to St.
62 of Athfoda, now
Bishop Ahade, county
A peculiarity of St. Molyng's humane disposition was his kindness towards irrational animals. At one time, weary and wandering, thirty
hounds came to him. The holy prelate desired, that a place should
be prepared for their reception and feeding. Thirty loaves with butter he ordered to be distributed among them. Meantime, while these pre- parations were making, fifteen of the number strayed away to find an exit from that place. When the attendants were ready to lay their food before the hounds, they informed St. Molyng, that one half of them was
or
festival was formerly observed there. 63
of and whose Carlow,
Id,
Idus,
found to be
missing.
" Give the whole of what have to those you prepared
" and those other hounds shall soon return. "
said the
When the thirty buttered loaves had been laid before the fifteen hounds,
remaining,"
saint,
every one of these took one loaf each and eat it.
they neither touched nor ate. The missing hounds coming, in like manner, every one of them took a loaf and eat it. After this refreshment of their
strength, they came out where the man of God stood. They expressed joy before him, after the manner of dogs, as if thanking him for their repast, with theirearsandtailsinmotion. Afterwards,theholymangavethemleaveto go. Then running, they leaped forth and went rejoicing on their way. Seeing and hearing of so great a manifestation of the brute animals, in presence of St. Molyng, all persons magnified the grace of Christ which was found in him.
On a certain day, as the holy bishop Molyng was reading, and sitting in a certain place with his Master, that bird, which is called the magician or diviner 6* of birds, came to him. It is regarded as the smallest bird. 65 It had a fly alive, and screeching in its bill. While that little bird, in the sight of the man of God, was engaged devouring the fly, a cat seized the little bird itself, and instantly killed it, and began greedily to eat it. Seeing this, Molyng was moved by the fate of that creature, and he commanded the cat to throw back the little bird out of his jaws. Instantly, hearing the voice of the saint, that cat cast forth with fear and trembling, from his throat, on the ground, the diviner bird. It was dead and half eaten. Making the sign of the cross on the dead creature, the bird rose up alive and sound, although before made bloody with
tures on the Manuscript Materials of Ancient Irish History," Lect. xx. , p. 420, and pp.
427, 428. It appears now to be the opinion of some among our modern antiquarians, that there were two Maidocs, Bishops of
"
Chronicon Scoto- rum," died a. d. 656, on January 31st. See Rev. John Francis Shearman's "Loca Patri-
ciana," part ix. , pp. 220 to 222.
S9 It is referred to, by Rev. Dr. Jeoffry
Keating.
^ See " Acta Sanctorum Hiberniae," Feb-
ruarii xxvii. De S. Comgano Abbate, pp. 417, 418, and n. II.
6l heofGleanUissenorKilles- Namely,
hin.
6a Sirinus thus speaks: "He is often in-
voked in a distinguished manner by St. Moling, in this holy man's metrical prayer for the relapsing sinner, which prayer translated into Latin is subjoined to our Acts of St. Moling, 17th June. "
*3 On the 14th of July.
6*Itissaidtohavebeensocalled,because it gave divination to some persons.
°s Probably a wren is meant, and there are
yet many Irish superstitions in reference to it. * The Rev. S. Baring Gould, who relates
Ferns; thefirst, MaidocUa
of the Leinstermen, appointed thereto, chiefly through the powerful influence of King Brandubh, after the battle of Dunbolg. There is much confounding of these saints' Acts, but it is recorded, that this Maidocdied April nth, A. D. 624. The second is called Maidoc of Drumlaine, and "of the Conna- cians," who is supposed to have succeeded hisnamesake,aboutthislatteryear,and
who, according to the
Dunlaing,
The other fifteen loaves
June 17. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
715
its own blood. Then, the saint commanded him to cast out that fly, it had
swallowed, in his presence. Instantly, the little bird cast the fly from its stomach. The latter arose and flew about humming. The bird also flew
66
and
went out and told the brethren, that he had seen the resurrection of the dead, from out the close sepulchres. Knowing what had happened, the brethren gave glory to Christ. According to a legend in his Life, certain nuns had their cells near the habitation of St. Molyng, and there they kept hens. In honour of their Creator, the blessed Molyng was accustomed to feed wild anddomesticanimals. Theformertookfoodoutofhishand. Ahenwhich belonged to the monks had been stolen and eaten by a fox, and they made complaint to their superior. He reproved the fox for this treachery. Respect- ing the senior's reproof, and cunning according to his nature, the fox went to the hen-roosts of the nuns, snatched a hen from the number, and brought
" You have offered
away chirping
rejoicing.
Seeing this,
the attendant of St.
Molyng
her alive to the saint. He smiled and said
theft. Carry back this hen to her owners, and give her over safe to them, and afterwards try to live like the other animals. " Hearing this, the fox obeyed, and taking the hen again between his teeth, he deposited her safely inthecellofherowners. Theywhowitnessedsuchamiracleperformedin both places blessed God, rejoicing on that' occasion. Another fox carried off a book from the brethren, on some occasion, and hid it outside in one of his own dens, wishing to eat it very soon afterwards. Returning to the monastery, he was found taking it away and eating a honeycomb. Then, the brethren apprehending him, brought him to St. Molyng, and accused him of taking the book. And the holy senior ordered his brethren to let him off free.
: Whenhewasdismissed,thesaintsaidtohim "Othouwilyandslyfox,go
and bring back to me very soon that book entire. " At this saying, the animal went out, and brought back speedily from his own den, that same book quite dry and whole. He then laid it before the holy prelate. Afterwards he lay on the ground before the man of God, as if asking for his pardon. The saint
saidtohim "Riseupyouwretchedcreature,fearnothing,butneveragain
:
remove any book. " The fox rejoicing then rose up, and wonderfully fulfilled the saint's mandate. Afterwards he did not touch books, and if anyone in sport showed him a book, he turned as if to fly away from its sight.
Two men, affected with excessive pain of the emblena,6? and in the whole body, caused by great dropsical swelling, were brought to St. Molyng, that in the name of Christ, he might cure them. At that time, the holy senior Molyng was out in the open air, and digging the earth in a held along with the brethren.
Seeing
clayofthisearth,Ihavejustnowdug. " Unwillingtotasteit, oneofthem reproved the holy man, saying that for no good end could he bid men to eat earth. The other man, however, humbly chewed it, and he was healed from his infirmity. He arose strengthened, and he gave thanks to God. Then, he walked home to his own people. Unwilling to return, the proud man died and was there buried. In both, the words of the Sacred Scriptures
"
were fulfilled. In the case of the humble man, those words,
made thee whole," and in the case of the proud man, " He who exalteth himself shall be humbled," were verified. 68 On account of this miracle, many were confirmed in Christ.
"
the foregoing legend, alludes to the Life of santry. "— Lives of the Saints," vol. vi. ,
St. Moling, and justly remarks, that it "is June 17th, p. 249.
: theiraffliction,thevenerablemansaidtothem "Chewsomeofthe
closed with many grossly absurd stories which havearisen fromthelove of humour and of the marvellous combined in the Irish pea-
6? Meaning the belly.
6S See Mr. Patrick O Leary s Ancient
Life of St. Molyng, pp. 21 to 25.
:
rapine
for
Thy faith hath
7 1 6 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June i 7.
CHAPTER IV.
ST. MOLING IS SAID TO HAVE RESIGNED THE SEE OF FERNS—HE HEALS VARIOUS PERSONS—VISITS OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST TO HIM—CLOSE OF ST. MOLING'S LIFE—HIS DEPARTURE—FESTIVALS AND COMMEMORATIONS—MEMORIALS AND RELICS—CELEBRITY OF ST. MULLINS—CONCLUSION.
According to some accounts, St. Moling resigned the See of Ferns, and chose to serve his Maker in a private life, which he is said to have spent in strict seclusion. Several legends—and nearly all partaking of a marvellous
1
Among the many miracles recorded, it is stated, that a boy of royal descent
was bound in strong iron chains, and thus brought to the holy senior Molyng,
on a certain 3 That child was affected with madness, and thus day. only
couldhisfriendsrestrainhim,forhehadbrokenallotherbonds. Owingto weakness, Molyng had bathed in warm water. He said to those who had come: " Place that youth after me, and in that water. " This order was complied with, but the youth died on that instant. When his body had been removed from the bath, his friends felt very sorrowful. Then, they said to St. Molyng : "Until now, we had hoped, that the mercy of God should relieve him; but, we have no longer any hope of his restoration. " The holy senior grieved for his
:
death,andsaidtothem "Donotweep,but,besilent,andplacehisbodyon
the ground. " Then, the holy pontiff talked with them, endeavouring to console them a little. Afterwards, according to his custom, he poured forth prayers to Christ, and he made the sign of the cross of Christ on that youth's cold
body. When the sign of the cross had been made, the youth instantly recovered life, while the holy senior bade him to arise sound. His friends,
seeing him alive and sane, rejoiced greatly, and returned along with him to his own place, telling with gratified feelings all persons what had happened to him. Hearing of or seeing this miracle, with great sympathy, all were confirmed strongly in the faith of Christ. 3
When the most blessed Pontiff Molyng was in his own city of Fearna, a
multitude of foxes collected in the woods, and afterwards they came straight-
way to that place. Then, they passed through the city, so far as the dwelling oftheholyPontiffMolyng. And,inamannermostwonderful,neitherdog nor man did hurt to those by pursuing them, either on their going to the pious senior, or on their return from him. The holy and venerable Molyng
" Unknown
:
however, he said to them " After a short time, I will leave this city, and return
to my own place. "4
The servant of Christ now asked to take farewell of Fearna, and he
character—are related about our
saint.
their arrival to his
guestsshallsooncometous,thatnevertill thisdaycameamongmen,nor shalltheydwellalongtime,amongthem. " Hisdisciplesknewnotwhat guestshespokeof,untilthefoxescame. Meantime,themanofGodwent out into the woods to meet them. On seeing him, these animals expressed signs of gladness, and then they came to lie down at his feet. The saint receivedthemmeekly. Onthatnighttheyremained,andtheywerewellre- freshed. All wondered at their respect for the holy prelate. On the morrow,
predicted
disciples, prophetically saying :
Chapter iv. —* See one of those, ac- countingforthebuildingofhischurchatSt. Mullins, by the Gobban Saer, in Frofessor Eugene O'Curry's " Lectures on the Man- ners and Customs of the Ancient Irish," vol. iii. , Lect. xx. ( pp. 34 to 36. Edited by
VV. K. Sullivan, Ph. D. , &c.
2 SeetheMarquisofBute's"ActaSanc-
torum Hiberniae," ActaSancti Moling, num.
8, cols. 822, 823. 3"
See Mr. Patrick O'Leary's Ancient Life of St. Molyng," p. 26.
June 17. ]
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
717
requested the prayers of its clergy and people. In turn, he bestowed his blessing, and he gave them holy admonitions. He had then a presentiment, that his career on earth was nearly run. Afterwards, he departed for his own monastery, Teach-mullin. The oldest of the foxes already mentioned then appeared to be sad. They all received the saint's blessing, however, and returned to their dens. Certain wise men who were present dwelt on his words to those animals, and they considered, that the holy Prelate intimated through them the shortness of his own life in this world. Both men and animals felt sorrowful, as if they understood such an
to have been made. 5 A certain
dael,
eventothebrain,withexceedinggreatpaintohim. Asaconsequence,his friends brought him to the holy man Molyng, and then asked him to deliver an opinion about that man's condition. Seeing his anguish, the servant of Christ
very poisonous animal, which
6 and the Latins a
a man was sleeping out in the open air, and it began to bore into his head,
interpretation the Irish call a
Scorpio?
entered into his
ear, while
laid his own hand the man's against
ear,
and commanded the little
8 animal, in
thenameofChrist,tocomeforthfromtheinnermostpartofhishead. Forsome
of his friends contended, that the animal had penetrated so far as his brain,
while others of them supposed, that it had not done so. At the saint's bid-
ding, however, the poisonous animal immediately came forth, settled upon the
saint'shand,anditfellbloodyandswollenupontheground. Thatman,be-
smeared with blood and weak from its loss, was in great pain, and he complained
about it in the Prelate's presence. Thereupon, the holy bishop, praying and
breathing upon his ear, blessed it with a sign of the cross. Forthwith, the
running from that man's ear was stopped, and no longer complaining about
the internal affection of his head, the patient was cured from that dangerous
malady. Thereupon rejoicing, along with his friends, the restored person
returned to his own home, praising Christ and his Saint.
In the Legend of his Life, it is stated, that our Lord Jesus Christ, the
Son of the living God, came to Molyng, in the form of a very beautiful boy, and desiring to console his holy servant. It is related, furthermore, that He rested for some time upon this holy man's bosom, and gave him advice, re- garding those many labours the Prelate was undergoing for Him.
The holy abbot Oiblan, a devout man and one who greatly loved God,
was a faithful friend also of St. Molyng, who loved him much. On his own part,
wishing to prove this mystery, Oiblan came to see it in person. He earnestly besought our saint, that he might witness for himself, Christ resting on his bosom. At this time, the holy old man was working in the field, along with his brethren, and he was engaged digging the earth. The bishop then said to
"
him, that St. Thomas did not believe the other saints, saying
let us see the body of the Lord," until he saw for himself, our Lord's side so far as it was pierced, and the place in the limbs of Christ, wherein the nails had been "You,inyourturn,actlikeuntohim,youbelieve not when you are told, that the Son of God took up his abode for some time,
driven. 10 Thensaid
Molyng,
* See the Bollandists' "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , Junii xvii. De S. Molingo sive Dayrgello Episcopo Fernensi in Hibernia,
"
Cauda semper in ictu est," "Historia Natu-
ralis," lib. xi. , cap. 30.
I0
p,4 ""
.
s See Mr. Patrick O'Leary's "Ancient Life of St. Molyng," pp. 26. 27.
6 According to Edward O'Reilly, the •oaoiI means "leech. " See " Irish English
Dictionary," sub voce.
7 Or scorpion, an animal which is said to
strike with its tail, in which there are seven
n. 1, p. 194. " 9 See Mr. Patrick OLearys
Life of St. Molyng," pp. 28, 29.
Ancient
joints. According to Pliny :
scorpionis
8 The words -oopc n&el, pronounced Dhorrig-a-Dael, signifies dark or "black leech. " This is said to be an insect of the cockchafer tribe. See Rev. John Francis Shearman's "Loca Patriciana," No. ix. ,
718 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 17.
within my bosom, unless you shall see it yourself, with your own eyes. Lest you might be scandalized in me, behold my garments are dirty and wet through
and through with the moist earth; give me thy clean cassula, or cassock, and hold
itupforawhile. Then,thoushaltbeholdtheSonofGodwithinmybosom. "
At the same time, St. Oiblan readily handed his cassock to the renowned
bishop, and after a short time, the real Christ, the Son of the living God,
appeared in a corporeal state, and took his abode within the bosom of the
venerable man Molyng. Immediately, a very great flood of light appeared, in and about Christ. It proved to be so great, that St. Oiblan was not able
to withstand its radiance.
were in
named is thought to have been identical with the rushy land of the River
Burren, in the county of Carlow. 4
*
Cleric," says he, "just as if thou shouldst go
into a vat of honey, and bathe therein with
thy raiment, the odour of it would be on thee
unless thou shouldst wash thy raiment. "
" Wherefore is this thy desire ? " asks Moi-
ling. "It is," says he, "though thou givest
nought of thy blessing to me, its prosperity
and its goodness should be on me exter-
nally. " "Thou shalt not have it," says
"
Moiling,
"Well, then," says he, "give me the full of a curse. " "Wherefore wishest thou this? " says Moiling. " Not hard to say, O Cleric,"
He is a precious stone with good- ness,
Whoso doth the will of God's Son of heaven.
He is a blind nut, wherein is no pro- fit,
He is a stinking rottenness, he is a withered tree,
He is a wild apple branch without
blossom,
Everyone who doth not the will of
the King.
If he does the will of God's Son of
heaven,
He is a brilliant sun ound which
is summer,
He is the image of God in heaven,
He is a vessel glassy pure.
He is a racehoise over a smooth
plain.
That man who strives for the King-
dom of great God,
He is a chariot that is seen under
a King,
Which wins a prize from bridles
of gold. Heisasonthatwarmsholyheaven,
The man for whom the Great is thankful,
He is a temple prosperous, noble, He is a holy shrine which gold ac-
companies.
He is an altar whereon wine is shed,
Round which is chanted a multi-
tude of choruses,
He is a cleansed chalice with
liquor,
He is white fituiruine, he is gold. "
• For this reason, he was called Moling Luachra.
42
" See Rev. John Francis Shearman's
Loca Patriciana," No. vi. , p. 93.
43 See " Transactions of the Royal Irish
Academy," Irish Manuscript Series, vol. i. , part i. , edited by Whitley Stokes, LL. D. Notes at June 17, p. ciii.
44 It would seem, from what is here said, that this ring (cirme), was not a mere finger ring, but one of the great golden rings, now
for thou hast not deserved it. "
" the mouth whereon would come
says he,
the curse on me, its hurt and its poison shall
"" be on thy lips. " Go," says Moiling, no blessing deservest thou. " "Better forme How shall I attain
that I should earn it.
it ? " " Service unto God," says Moiling.
is me," says he, I bear not this. " "Woe "
" A little even of reading," replied Moiling. " No more thy reading, and this helps me
not. " " Fasting then," says Moiling. "I am fasting from the world's beginning. Not the belter am I. " " Prostration to make,"
" forbackwardsaremyknees. " "Goforth,"
quoth Moiling.
I cannot bend forward, " I cannot teach nor save
says Moiling. thee. "
Then said the Devil—
" He is pure gold, he is a heaven round the sun,
He is a vessel of silver full of wine, He is an angel, he is wisdom of
saints,
Every one who doth the will of the
King.
He is a bird round which a trap
shuts,
He is a leaky bark in dangerous
peril.
He is an empty vessel, he is a
withered tree,
Whoso doth not the will of the
King above.
He is a sweet branch, with its blos-
som,
He is a vessel which is full of
honey,
King
spectres
place
Another accounts has the locality as
Luachra, in the county of Kerry. Another version of the story relates, how a certain woman looking on cried out: "Well has the scholar leaped
(mo-ling) the rushes (luachair). " Hence, his previous name of Dairchell was changed into that of Moling Luachair. 43
One night, according to his usual practice, Moling sent his fishermen to catch some fish. They captured a large salmon in their nets, and
a of 4* was found in its split open, ring gold
when it was
divided the gold into three parts ; one-third he gave to the poor; one-third to cover reliquaries; while, the other third, he bestowed on labour and on bountiful
pursuit
belly. Moling
June 17. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
7i3
works. « In an old Irish Manuscript, it is related, too, that the devil paid a visit to St. Moling, in his church at St. Mullins. Finding, however, that he could take no advantage of the holy man, the fiend broke out into a poetic com- parison, between those who do the will of God and those who neglect it. 46 Our Lord Jesus Christ is related to have appeared to him, on a certain occasion, and under the guise of a leper. 47 This holy man is said also to have been with the
"
Baile Mholing," or "Ecstasy
327-
5< Edward O'Reilly had some prophecies
ascribed to him; he states, however, "if they were written by him, their language has
— modernized some later
been much by writers,"
called the
of Moling," which consists of forty-seven
of 8 and to have
prophecy/ expressed his predic-
gifted
tions regarding the future in metrical style. He wrote in the Scotic or Irish language. A Poem on Clonmore Maedoc has been attributed to him. 49 Another, on the Borumha Tribute, he is said to have written. To him is attributed, also, an Irish Poem, respecting the kingdom of the Lagenians and respecting the kingdom of all Ireland, naming the kings, and how they should reign, and in what manner they should depart from this world, whether by the sword or by death ; while he described many wars and their localities, the conquerors and the conquered in them, until the end of the world. In no manner were these prophecies falsified during the lapse of time. 50 It is also stated, that he wrote some prophecies in Irish 51 and that he had been
spirit
regarded52 asoneofthefourgreatIrishprophets. S3 Heissaidtohavefore-
told 54 the coming of King Henry II. , and of the Anglo-Normans into Ire- land. 55 ApoemonSt. John'sFestivalandoneontheFieryBoltarestatedto have been his compositions. Again, an old Irish metrical composition has been attributed to him, in which he praises St. Onchuo,56 whose remains, with those of St. Finian the Leper,5? rest at Clonmore-Maedhog. More poems have
called torques or fibulae, of which there are such magnificent specimens in the Museum of the Royal Irish Academy.
*s In a note at Labours and Works, Dr.
Todd here inserts, bubj\4 &cay oibj\e, " labores et opera. "
46 There are eight quatrains extant, on this subject, and they serve fully to illustrate the style and matter of our legendary com-
positions.
4? An account of this circumstance will be
found, in a Manuscript of Michael O'Clery. This is preserved, in the Burgundian Library at Bruxelles. See Catalogue, class, vol. iv. , Nos. 2,324 to 2,340, at fol. 67.
48 In a Manuscript, classed H. 2. 16, be-
longing to Trinity College Library, Dublin, there is a prophecy attributed to St.
Moling.
« This is alluded to by Father John
Colgan.
50 Among the poems ascribed to St. Mo-
ling, there is one of a prophetic character
Ancient Irish History," Lect. xx. , p. 420, and Appendix, No. cxi. v. , pp. 628,-629.
5' However, Professor O'Curry never saw
more than one poem of his, the Baile Mo-
ling, or Ecstasy of Moling, of a prophetic character. See " Lectures on the Manu- script Materials of Ancient Irish History," Lect. xx. , p. 420.
52 SeeGiraldiCambrensis"Opera,"vol. v. , Expugnatio Hibeinica, lib. ii. , cap. xxxiv. , pp. 384, 385. Edition of James F. Dimock, M. A.
of the Iberno-Celtic So- ciety for 1820," vol. i. , part i. , Chronologi- lines, on the succession of the Kings of cal Account of nearly Four Hundred
Leinster, and beginning, as rendered into Writers, p. xlix.
English, by Professor Eugene O'Curry :— ss See Giraldi Cambrensis "Opera,"
stanzas or one hundred and eighty-eight
"
—"
— vol. v. Expugnatio Hibernica, lib. i. , cap. xvi. , p. 254, cap. xxx. , p. 276, cap. xxxiii. ,
I say unto ye, O men of Leinster And not—for the sake of rich re-
wards
Guard well your own territories,
An attack will come upon you from
afar. "
Lectures on the Manuscript Materials of
p. 279. Edition of James F. Dimock, M. A. 5* See his Life, in the Second Volume of
this work, at February 8th, Art. i.
57 See his Life in the Third Volume of
this work, at March 16th, Art. i.
s8 See Professor " Lee Eugene O'Curry's
;
s 3 The other three were, St. Patrick, St. Colum-kille, and St. Braccan, or Berchan. The latter was the Bishop and Prophet of God, of Clonsast in Eli-Failghe, and whose feast occurs on the 4th of December, in the "
Martyrology of Donegal," edited by Rev. Drs. Todd and Reeves. See pp. 326,
"Transactions
7i4 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 17.
been ascribed to him, than to any of our early saints. 58 He is said to have
been the writer of other works, such as the Yellow Book of St. Moling, which
was extant in the year 1630. 59 It is now supposed to be lost. Colgan
60
informs 11s,
intercession,61 and invoked his aid as a tutelary saint.
that St. Moling in his writings often prayed for St. Comgan's He also prayed to St.
62 of Athfoda, now
Bishop Ahade, county
A peculiarity of St. Molyng's humane disposition was his kindness towards irrational animals. At one time, weary and wandering, thirty
hounds came to him. The holy prelate desired, that a place should
be prepared for their reception and feeding. Thirty loaves with butter he ordered to be distributed among them. Meantime, while these pre- parations were making, fifteen of the number strayed away to find an exit from that place. When the attendants were ready to lay their food before the hounds, they informed St. Molyng, that one half of them was
or
festival was formerly observed there. 63
of and whose Carlow,
Id,
Idus,
found to be
missing.
" Give the whole of what have to those you prepared
" and those other hounds shall soon return. "
said the
When the thirty buttered loaves had been laid before the fifteen hounds,
remaining,"
saint,
every one of these took one loaf each and eat it.
they neither touched nor ate. The missing hounds coming, in like manner, every one of them took a loaf and eat it. After this refreshment of their
strength, they came out where the man of God stood. They expressed joy before him, after the manner of dogs, as if thanking him for their repast, with theirearsandtailsinmotion. Afterwards,theholymangavethemleaveto go. Then running, they leaped forth and went rejoicing on their way. Seeing and hearing of so great a manifestation of the brute animals, in presence of St. Molyng, all persons magnified the grace of Christ which was found in him.
On a certain day, as the holy bishop Molyng was reading, and sitting in a certain place with his Master, that bird, which is called the magician or diviner 6* of birds, came to him. It is regarded as the smallest bird. 65 It had a fly alive, and screeching in its bill. While that little bird, in the sight of the man of God, was engaged devouring the fly, a cat seized the little bird itself, and instantly killed it, and began greedily to eat it. Seeing this, Molyng was moved by the fate of that creature, and he commanded the cat to throw back the little bird out of his jaws. Instantly, hearing the voice of the saint, that cat cast forth with fear and trembling, from his throat, on the ground, the diviner bird. It was dead and half eaten. Making the sign of the cross on the dead creature, the bird rose up alive and sound, although before made bloody with
tures on the Manuscript Materials of Ancient Irish History," Lect. xx. , p. 420, and pp.
427, 428. It appears now to be the opinion of some among our modern antiquarians, that there were two Maidocs, Bishops of
"
Chronicon Scoto- rum," died a. d. 656, on January 31st. See Rev. John Francis Shearman's "Loca Patri-
ciana," part ix. , pp. 220 to 222.
S9 It is referred to, by Rev. Dr. Jeoffry
Keating.
^ See " Acta Sanctorum Hiberniae," Feb-
ruarii xxvii. De S. Comgano Abbate, pp. 417, 418, and n. II.
6l heofGleanUissenorKilles- Namely,
hin.
6a Sirinus thus speaks: "He is often in-
voked in a distinguished manner by St. Moling, in this holy man's metrical prayer for the relapsing sinner, which prayer translated into Latin is subjoined to our Acts of St. Moling, 17th June. "
*3 On the 14th of July.
6*Itissaidtohavebeensocalled,because it gave divination to some persons.
°s Probably a wren is meant, and there are
yet many Irish superstitions in reference to it. * The Rev. S. Baring Gould, who relates
Ferns; thefirst, MaidocUa
of the Leinstermen, appointed thereto, chiefly through the powerful influence of King Brandubh, after the battle of Dunbolg. There is much confounding of these saints' Acts, but it is recorded, that this Maidocdied April nth, A. D. 624. The second is called Maidoc of Drumlaine, and "of the Conna- cians," who is supposed to have succeeded hisnamesake,aboutthislatteryear,and
who, according to the
Dunlaing,
The other fifteen loaves
June 17. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
715
its own blood. Then, the saint commanded him to cast out that fly, it had
swallowed, in his presence. Instantly, the little bird cast the fly from its stomach. The latter arose and flew about humming. The bird also flew
66
and
went out and told the brethren, that he had seen the resurrection of the dead, from out the close sepulchres. Knowing what had happened, the brethren gave glory to Christ. According to a legend in his Life, certain nuns had their cells near the habitation of St. Molyng, and there they kept hens. In honour of their Creator, the blessed Molyng was accustomed to feed wild anddomesticanimals. Theformertookfoodoutofhishand. Ahenwhich belonged to the monks had been stolen and eaten by a fox, and they made complaint to their superior. He reproved the fox for this treachery. Respect- ing the senior's reproof, and cunning according to his nature, the fox went to the hen-roosts of the nuns, snatched a hen from the number, and brought
" You have offered
away chirping
rejoicing.
Seeing this,
the attendant of St.
Molyng
her alive to the saint. He smiled and said
theft. Carry back this hen to her owners, and give her over safe to them, and afterwards try to live like the other animals. " Hearing this, the fox obeyed, and taking the hen again between his teeth, he deposited her safely inthecellofherowners. Theywhowitnessedsuchamiracleperformedin both places blessed God, rejoicing on that' occasion. Another fox carried off a book from the brethren, on some occasion, and hid it outside in one of his own dens, wishing to eat it very soon afterwards. Returning to the monastery, he was found taking it away and eating a honeycomb. Then, the brethren apprehending him, brought him to St. Molyng, and accused him of taking the book. And the holy senior ordered his brethren to let him off free.
: Whenhewasdismissed,thesaintsaidtohim "Othouwilyandslyfox,go
and bring back to me very soon that book entire. " At this saying, the animal went out, and brought back speedily from his own den, that same book quite dry and whole. He then laid it before the holy prelate. Afterwards he lay on the ground before the man of God, as if asking for his pardon. The saint
saidtohim "Riseupyouwretchedcreature,fearnothing,butneveragain
:
remove any book. " The fox rejoicing then rose up, and wonderfully fulfilled the saint's mandate. Afterwards he did not touch books, and if anyone in sport showed him a book, he turned as if to fly away from its sight.
Two men, affected with excessive pain of the emblena,6? and in the whole body, caused by great dropsical swelling, were brought to St. Molyng, that in the name of Christ, he might cure them. At that time, the holy senior Molyng was out in the open air, and digging the earth in a held along with the brethren.
Seeing
clayofthisearth,Ihavejustnowdug. " Unwillingtotasteit, oneofthem reproved the holy man, saying that for no good end could he bid men to eat earth. The other man, however, humbly chewed it, and he was healed from his infirmity. He arose strengthened, and he gave thanks to God. Then, he walked home to his own people. Unwilling to return, the proud man died and was there buried. In both, the words of the Sacred Scriptures
"
were fulfilled. In the case of the humble man, those words,
made thee whole," and in the case of the proud man, " He who exalteth himself shall be humbled," were verified. 68 On account of this miracle, many were confirmed in Christ.
"
the foregoing legend, alludes to the Life of santry. "— Lives of the Saints," vol. vi. ,
St. Moling, and justly remarks, that it "is June 17th, p. 249.
: theiraffliction,thevenerablemansaidtothem "Chewsomeofthe
closed with many grossly absurd stories which havearisen fromthelove of humour and of the marvellous combined in the Irish pea-
6? Meaning the belly.
6S See Mr. Patrick O Leary s Ancient
Life of St. Molyng, pp. 21 to 25.
:
rapine
for
Thy faith hath
7 1 6 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June i 7.
CHAPTER IV.
ST. MOLING IS SAID TO HAVE RESIGNED THE SEE OF FERNS—HE HEALS VARIOUS PERSONS—VISITS OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST TO HIM—CLOSE OF ST. MOLING'S LIFE—HIS DEPARTURE—FESTIVALS AND COMMEMORATIONS—MEMORIALS AND RELICS—CELEBRITY OF ST. MULLINS—CONCLUSION.
According to some accounts, St. Moling resigned the See of Ferns, and chose to serve his Maker in a private life, which he is said to have spent in strict seclusion. Several legends—and nearly all partaking of a marvellous
1
Among the many miracles recorded, it is stated, that a boy of royal descent
was bound in strong iron chains, and thus brought to the holy senior Molyng,
on a certain 3 That child was affected with madness, and thus day. only
couldhisfriendsrestrainhim,forhehadbrokenallotherbonds. Owingto weakness, Molyng had bathed in warm water. He said to those who had come: " Place that youth after me, and in that water. " This order was complied with, but the youth died on that instant. When his body had been removed from the bath, his friends felt very sorrowful. Then, they said to St. Molyng : "Until now, we had hoped, that the mercy of God should relieve him; but, we have no longer any hope of his restoration. " The holy senior grieved for his
:
death,andsaidtothem "Donotweep,but,besilent,andplacehisbodyon
the ground. " Then, the holy pontiff talked with them, endeavouring to console them a little. Afterwards, according to his custom, he poured forth prayers to Christ, and he made the sign of the cross of Christ on that youth's cold
body. When the sign of the cross had been made, the youth instantly recovered life, while the holy senior bade him to arise sound. His friends,
seeing him alive and sane, rejoiced greatly, and returned along with him to his own place, telling with gratified feelings all persons what had happened to him. Hearing of or seeing this miracle, with great sympathy, all were confirmed strongly in the faith of Christ. 3
When the most blessed Pontiff Molyng was in his own city of Fearna, a
multitude of foxes collected in the woods, and afterwards they came straight-
way to that place. Then, they passed through the city, so far as the dwelling oftheholyPontiffMolyng. And,inamannermostwonderful,neitherdog nor man did hurt to those by pursuing them, either on their going to the pious senior, or on their return from him. The holy and venerable Molyng
" Unknown
:
however, he said to them " After a short time, I will leave this city, and return
to my own place. "4
The servant of Christ now asked to take farewell of Fearna, and he
character—are related about our
saint.
their arrival to his
guestsshallsooncometous,thatnevertill thisdaycameamongmen,nor shalltheydwellalongtime,amongthem. " Hisdisciplesknewnotwhat guestshespokeof,untilthefoxescame. Meantime,themanofGodwent out into the woods to meet them. On seeing him, these animals expressed signs of gladness, and then they came to lie down at his feet. The saint receivedthemmeekly. Onthatnighttheyremained,andtheywerewellre- freshed. All wondered at their respect for the holy prelate. On the morrow,
predicted
disciples, prophetically saying :
Chapter iv. —* See one of those, ac- countingforthebuildingofhischurchatSt. Mullins, by the Gobban Saer, in Frofessor Eugene O'Curry's " Lectures on the Man- ners and Customs of the Ancient Irish," vol. iii. , Lect. xx. ( pp. 34 to 36. Edited by
VV. K. Sullivan, Ph. D. , &c.
2 SeetheMarquisofBute's"ActaSanc-
torum Hiberniae," ActaSancti Moling, num.
8, cols. 822, 823. 3"
See Mr. Patrick O'Leary's Ancient Life of St. Molyng," p. 26.
June 17. ]
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
717
requested the prayers of its clergy and people. In turn, he bestowed his blessing, and he gave them holy admonitions. He had then a presentiment, that his career on earth was nearly run. Afterwards, he departed for his own monastery, Teach-mullin. The oldest of the foxes already mentioned then appeared to be sad. They all received the saint's blessing, however, and returned to their dens. Certain wise men who were present dwelt on his words to those animals, and they considered, that the holy Prelate intimated through them the shortness of his own life in this world. Both men and animals felt sorrowful, as if they understood such an
to have been made. 5 A certain
dael,
eventothebrain,withexceedinggreatpaintohim. Asaconsequence,his friends brought him to the holy man Molyng, and then asked him to deliver an opinion about that man's condition. Seeing his anguish, the servant of Christ
very poisonous animal, which
6 and the Latins a
a man was sleeping out in the open air, and it began to bore into his head,
interpretation the Irish call a
Scorpio?
entered into his
ear, while
laid his own hand the man's against
ear,
and commanded the little
8 animal, in
thenameofChrist,tocomeforthfromtheinnermostpartofhishead. Forsome
of his friends contended, that the animal had penetrated so far as his brain,
while others of them supposed, that it had not done so. At the saint's bid-
ding, however, the poisonous animal immediately came forth, settled upon the
saint'shand,anditfellbloodyandswollenupontheground. Thatman,be-
smeared with blood and weak from its loss, was in great pain, and he complained
about it in the Prelate's presence. Thereupon, the holy bishop, praying and
breathing upon his ear, blessed it with a sign of the cross. Forthwith, the
running from that man's ear was stopped, and no longer complaining about
the internal affection of his head, the patient was cured from that dangerous
malady. Thereupon rejoicing, along with his friends, the restored person
returned to his own home, praising Christ and his Saint.
In the Legend of his Life, it is stated, that our Lord Jesus Christ, the
Son of the living God, came to Molyng, in the form of a very beautiful boy, and desiring to console his holy servant. It is related, furthermore, that He rested for some time upon this holy man's bosom, and gave him advice, re- garding those many labours the Prelate was undergoing for Him.
The holy abbot Oiblan, a devout man and one who greatly loved God,
was a faithful friend also of St. Molyng, who loved him much. On his own part,
wishing to prove this mystery, Oiblan came to see it in person. He earnestly besought our saint, that he might witness for himself, Christ resting on his bosom. At this time, the holy old man was working in the field, along with his brethren, and he was engaged digging the earth. The bishop then said to
"
him, that St. Thomas did not believe the other saints, saying
let us see the body of the Lord," until he saw for himself, our Lord's side so far as it was pierced, and the place in the limbs of Christ, wherein the nails had been "You,inyourturn,actlikeuntohim,youbelieve not when you are told, that the Son of God took up his abode for some time,
driven. 10 Thensaid
Molyng,
* See the Bollandists' "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , Junii xvii. De S. Molingo sive Dayrgello Episcopo Fernensi in Hibernia,
"
Cauda semper in ictu est," "Historia Natu-
ralis," lib. xi. , cap. 30.
I0
p,4 ""
.
s See Mr. Patrick O'Leary's "Ancient Life of St. Molyng," pp. 26. 27.
6 According to Edward O'Reilly, the •oaoiI means "leech. " See " Irish English
Dictionary," sub voce.
7 Or scorpion, an animal which is said to
strike with its tail, in which there are seven
n. 1, p. 194. " 9 See Mr. Patrick OLearys
Life of St. Molyng," pp. 28, 29.
Ancient
joints. According to Pliny :
scorpionis
8 The words -oopc n&el, pronounced Dhorrig-a-Dael, signifies dark or "black leech. " This is said to be an insect of the cockchafer tribe. See Rev. John Francis Shearman's "Loca Patriciana," No. ix. ,
718 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 17.
within my bosom, unless you shall see it yourself, with your own eyes. Lest you might be scandalized in me, behold my garments are dirty and wet through
and through with the moist earth; give me thy clean cassula, or cassock, and hold
itupforawhile. Then,thoushaltbeholdtheSonofGodwithinmybosom. "
At the same time, St. Oiblan readily handed his cassock to the renowned
bishop, and after a short time, the real Christ, the Son of the living God,
appeared in a corporeal state, and took his abode within the bosom of the
venerable man Molyng. Immediately, a very great flood of light appeared, in and about Christ. It proved to be so great, that St. Oiblan was not able
to withstand its radiance.
