The disciple, in like manner, who 34 This latter saint is variously called is called Mochuma, in one Life ; by diminu- Nathcoeme, Mochoerae, and Mochuma, tion, has his name
Mochumin
in another,
Vol.
Vol.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v2
9
The father of our saint was named Gabhren,^° son to Corcran, son of Echach, son to Bressal, son of Denius, son to Conla, son of Arti or Artur Corb, son to Corbre Niadh, son of Cormac, son of ^nguss Meann, son of Echach, son of Echadh Finn. " The mother of our saint was named Findath," or Findathea. ^3 In his appendix to our saint's Life, Colgan conjectured, that she may have been sister to St. Lugedius, of Coolbannagher. ^+ St. Fintan descended from the race of Eochaidh Finnfuathairt ; and, from this stock, likewise, the great St. Brigid^s derived her origin. '^
According to the most probable conjecture, St. Fintan was born in Lagenia, or Leinster, during the sixth century. ^7 His nativity took place, after 520,'^ sometime between the years 525 and 530; for, St. Columkille,'^ who first saw the light, about a. d. 521, is spoken of as a young man, while Fintanwasyetaboy. ^° Whenaboutgivingbirthtotheinfantinherwomb, an angel appeared to Findath, and warned her to retire into a secret place, where she should be removed from all intercourse with men, until the time of her delivery. The angel promised, also, that her son should be holy and great, both in the sight of God and of man. She complied with this admo- nition, and spent seven days under the shade of a certain tree, whilst in the meantime she was miraculously sustained by food from Heaven. ^^ Her child was born, at the end of this time. According to the conjectures of a learned Irish ecclesiastical historian, this event happened, in the neighbour- hood of New Ross. "*^ Were we to follow local tradition, however, St. Fintan wasbornnearMaryborough,intheQueen'sCounty. ^3 Now,hisplaceof
"
ruarii xvii. , pp. i6 to 21. been St. Finneda venerated at the nth of
Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , Feb- if such were the case, whether she may have See "Britannia Sancta," part i. , pp. August, or the mother of a St. Mochua,
s See
^
120 to 124.
called Finnachta. See ibid. , n. 3, p. 353.
^ See "Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs,
and other Principal Saints," vol. ii. , Feb-
See Lives of the Saints," vol. ii. , Feb- ruary xvii. , pp. 324, 325.
'^ ^s ^^
gge Appendix, cap. ii. , p. 355, ibid, gee her Life, at the 1st of this month,
ruaryxvii. ^"
See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga. " Appendix Quarta ad Acta S. Brigidse, cap, 3, p. 613.
'7 See Bishop Challoner's "Britannia Sancta," part i. , p. 120.
^^ See Dr. " Ecclesiastical His- Lanigan's
tory of Ireland," vol. ii. , cap. xii. , sect, xi. , p. 227, and n. 162, p. 229.
'5, tjee his Life, at the 9th of June,
"
9 See
349.
*° See
been a mistake of the writer.
Kalendars of Scottish Saints," p.
" Acta Sanctorum Hiber- nise," xvii. Februarii. Vita S. Fintani, cap. i. , p. 349. The father is called Gau- renus, son of Corcran, by other genealogies, in appendix, cap. ii. , p. 355, and cap. v. , p. 356; but, the names of their ancestors are the same, as those given in our text. In the Manuscript Lives of St. Fintan, as found in the Codex Insulensis and in the Sala- mancan copy, his father's name is given as Crimthan. This Colgan supposes to have
2, p. 353.
Colgan's
to the "
ology of Irish Saints," chapter xv.
" This seems to have been derived from
the Irish words, Finn, which signifies "fair," or " white," and Z>a^/^, which means "colour. "
*3 Colgan seems in doubt, as to whether she had a festival in the Irish Church 3 and,
" According
Men- Wexford is Genealogic county,
Set ibid. , n.
De S. Fintano Presbytero, &c. , cap. i. ,
num. i. , p. 17.
^^
In one Life, which Colgan quotes, the place for St. Fintan's birth is called Cluain- mhic-Trein, i. e. , "Cluain of the sons of Trein. " As the ancient name of Ross, in
^°
ter of St. Fintan's Life,
^'
See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii.
Such is a statement in the second chap*
Ros-mhic-Trein, Dr. Lanigan thinks, it may be "justly inferred, that said Cluain and Ross lay in one and
=3 During a visit to Clonenagh, on the 29th of August, 1856, and in compauy with
—" Ecclesiastical
the same district. "
of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, xii. , sec. xi. , n. 161, p. 229.
History
576 LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [February17.
birth was Cluain, as given in St. Fintan's Acts ; but, Colgan appears doubt- ful, as to whether Cluain, was identical with Ross, or with Cluain-chain, a place near Clonenagh. Here, too, was the site of an ancient monastery. =** Afterwards, the same writer appears to consider, the ancient territory of Leix, as having been that, in which St. Fintan was born. ^s
Clonkeen^^ is situated in the united parishes of Clonenagh and of Clona-
gheen, in the barony of Maryborough West, Queen's County. The site of its ancient church may be reached, through an intricate old roadway, which debouches from the Dublin and Limerick great road, on the south side, betweenMaryboroughandMountrath. Acuriousandveryancienthollow way leads immediately to the spot, on the verge of a very extensive bog,
Site of Churchfield Cemetery, at Clonkeen, Queen's County.
Stretching to the south and east. Several fine and fertile arable, meadow, and pasture fields, lying low, however, surround it to the north and west. ^7
The place is designated Churchfield, which proves that a church formerly stood there, on the site of the present obliterated cemetery. Within the
memory of persons living, corpses were there interred ; but, of late years, the land has been occupied by a farmer, and the graveyard, having been opened for a sheep range, was deserted. ^'^ The headstones have been re- moved, and not even the trace of a grave now remains.
FolloAving the account in St. Fintan's Life, it appears to have been on
the eighth day succeeding his birth, that Findath's infant was brought to, and baptized by, a holy man, who dwelt at this place. The child was afterwards
instructed, by the same person, until he made great progress in virtue and learning. While yet a boy, Fintan told his instructor to prepare a banquet
residing in the neighbourhood, furnished This townland is defined on the Ord- information, to this effect. It also admir- nance Survey Townland Maps for the ably agrees, with the historic record. How- Queen's County. " Sheets 12, 17, iS.
ever, I have now quite forgotten that place, ^^ The accompanying illustration, after a as named to me by the countryman. sketch taken by the author, in July, 1873,
^* See " Acta Sanctorum HibemicC," was transferred to the wood by William F. xvii. Februarii, n. 4, p. 353. Wakeman, and engraved by Mrs. Millard.
an antiquarian friend, an intelligent peasant, ^s See ibid. . Appendix, cap. v. , p. 356. =* "
February 17. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS 577
for guests, who were about to visit them, and that St. Columkille with some
of his companions should arrive, on that very day. Being reproachfully asked, by the holy senior, how this could have been known to him, the boy answered, that it was revealed, by our Lord Jesus Christ. The event cor- responded with this prediction. While St. Columkille was on a journey this day, and passing near Cluain, he told his companion, they should turn a little from their course, to visit a holy senior, and a youth, who dwelt there. Columkille also foretold the future eminence of the boy, and desired his guardian to retract those harsh expressions, used towards Fintan, for his apparent presumption, in announcing the arrival of his present visitors. The aged instructor readily believed this prophecy ; for, the grace of God, mira- culously exhibited before his birth, fructified, during the childhood of Fintan. It gave promise of still greater increase, during the years of his maturity. And, while St. Columkille declared, that he had a Divine intuition regarding
those reproofs of the old man towards his youthful charge, he warned the former, to avoid such remarks for the future ; for, it was destined, that both himself, and his place of habitation, should be subject to St. Fintan's rule during succeeding ages. ^^ It is somewhat remarkable, that at present, the united parishes of Clonenagh and Clonagheen'9 do not appear to have dis- tinguishable boundaries, however they might at a former period. 3°
While yet a very young man, having received the blessing of the venerable
priest, with whom he spent his early days, St. Fintan set out for Tir-da-glasss^ Monastery, which had been built near the borders of the River Shannon, not far from the upper waters of Lough Dearg, in the North Riding of the present county of Tipperary. Here St. Columba,32 son to Crimthainn, had a famous school ; and, in company with other distinguished pupils, Fintan passed a novitiate, under the direction of their beloved superior. He dis- charged towards them parental offices, and protected them, with great care, while he imparted necessary secular and religious teaching. —
In company with two other disciples, n—amed Coemhanss and Mocumin,34 anotheraccounthasthreecompanions,35 oursaintearnestlydesiredtodis-
^^ See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber*
niae," Februarii xvii. Vita S. Fintani, cap.
i. , ii. , pp. 349, 350.
*9 For both, there used to be but the one
composition of tithes, and one return of po- *'
He is venerated, at the 1st of May.
33 Fintan Mac Echach is the third com- panion, as set down, in the " Book of the Island," chapter iii. And the same ac- count, regarding his disciples, is found in
pulation. See Lewis'
the thirteenth chapter of the Life of St. Dictionary of Ireland," vol. i. , pp. 346, Columba, Abbot of Tirdaglass. There is
levelled evenly with the surface of a large field. On the old Elizabethan Map of Leax
and Ophaly, this Clonkeyn is represented as a large church.
Topographical
358> 359- ^"^ apparent discrepancy between both Lives 3° Three irregularly-shaped sides of the of St. Fintan, in these particular passages ; burial-ground remain, at Clonkeen, and for, in one Life, he is called son to Gabhren, these are indicated by high ditches, crowned and his fellow student is named Mocumin, with hawthorns and some fine ash-trees. whilst in the other Life, our Saint is called The fourth ditch has been removed, and son to Echach, and his fellow-disciple is denominated Mochuma. But, there is no essential difference. For, that same Fintan, who in one Life is called son to Gabhren, on account of his immediate progenitor, in the other Life is designated as son to Echach,
3' This place is now known as Terryglass,
a parish in the barony of Lower Ormond.
It is defined on the "Ordnance Survey name. This was a custom among the Irish,
Townland Maps for the County of Tipper- who distinguished families by O or Hua, """
ary. " Sheets 3, 4, 6, 7, The townland i. e. , a grandson" or a descendant, and proper is to be found on Sheet 6. by Mac, ? >. , "son" or "descendant. " 32 See his Life, at the 13th of December. Thus, Echach or Eochaidh, as found in the
33 Of Annatrim, whose Life will be found nominative case, was grandfather to St. at the 3rd of November. Fintan.
The disciple, in like manner, who 34 This latter saint is variously called is called Mochuma, in one Life ; by diminu- Nathcoeme, Mochoerae, and Mochuma, tion, has his name Mochumin in another,
Vol. II. —No. io. 2 p
from his great grandfather, who bore that
578 LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [February17.
cover a place, where they should remain, in order more effectually to serve God. They selected a spot, on the borders of Leinster. However, they first asked, St. Columba's opinion, regarding their determination. Gifted with the spirit of prophecy, he told them that this place was destined for a St. Mobhius,36 not yet born. Whereupon, in company with St. Columba, theycametothesiteofClonenagh. Anextensivetractofbogcompletely insulates, on almost every side, that fertile and elevated oasis, on which an old ruined church, and several graveyards, are to be seen, at the present day. The country around Clonenagh, judging by the local denominations, com- pounded with Derry, must formerly have abounded in oak woods. An extensivebogliestothesouth,asalsotothenorthandeast; but,indeed, most of the land, surrounding the townland, appears to have been reclaimed from morasses, which once covered a very considerable surface.
The place is now known as " the Seven Churches of Clonenagh f because,
according to local tradition, there were seven churches here erected. The
ruinsonlyofoneyetremain. Thisbuildingdoesnotappear,however,to
have been a very ancient structure. The great Dublin and Limerick road,
leading from Maryborough to Mountrath,37 passes in a direct line, beside
ClonenaghChurch,anditssurroundingcemetery. Attheoppositesideofthe
road, leading from Maryborough to Mountrath, there is another graveyard. This is used exclusively as the burial ground of Catholics. It contains a
great number of graves, and it rises considerably above the road level, and adjoining fields. s^ There are no remains of any old buildings traceable at
as Columba, Columbanus and Colmanus accustomed to resort to it for the cure of
form but one and the same appellation.
various diseases, leaving humble votive
to mark their sense of the oiferings, sanitary
favours there received. Its Protestant
thus relieve his lands from a constant influx of those he deemed troublesome and super- stitious visitants. Such was an account re- ceived by the writer, on occasion of a visit to the spot, already alluded to, when he was shown a sycamore tree, on the side of the pubUc road and opposite the " well of St. Fintan. " Within two or three cavities in the tnmk of this tree, and at a considerable elevation from the ground, a small quantity of water was to be seen. It was stated, that this water was first discovered, when the outrage to Catholic feeling had been committed, in this successful effort to divert the holy well, from its original site. During the greatest heats of summer, or the coldest days of winter, this water is to be found un- diminished in quantity and unfrozen. Its production is regarded as miraculous, and as indicative of St. Fintan's displeasure, for what the peasantry are pleased to consider a desecration of his well. In consequence of prevailing traditions, that veneration en-
"
tertained even yet for
Fintan" has been more universally trans- ferred or extended to this tree in question. Its branches are constantly covered with scraps of ribbon, linen, &c. , as votive offer- ings. Its gnarled trunk and boughs exhibit marks of the footsteps of devout or curious
visitants, who are obliged to climb some distance, in order to procure water con-
See
" Acta Sanctorum Hibernian,"
Colgan's
xvii. Februarii, nn. 7, 8, pp. 353, 354.
3^ In the Life of St. Fintan, Mobliius is
called son to Cumalde ; but, Colgan is of spring from his field to the road-side, and
opinion, Culmade was the father's true name. He never read, as he states, about an Irish saint, whose father's name was Cumalde, Mobhiusshouldratherbecalled, son to Culmaide, or Colmaidhe, who had threeothersaintedsonsbesideshim. And, in the " Opuscula S. . ^ngussii," lib. 4, among the maternal genealogies of Irish Saints, n. 6, we read, "that Coeltigerna the daughter of Coemlog, and sister to St. Coemgen, was the mother of four sons, Colmaide, nempe Dagan de Inberdaoile, of Moboeus, of Molibba, and of Menoc of Glenn-faidhle. Wherefore, the Mobhius, here mentioned, is not Mobhius, son to Comgell, noted by Marianus and by others, at the 22nd of July, nor Mobhius, son to Beoan, venerated on the 12th of October.
He is rather that Mobhius or Mobaius of Cluain-fhionnabair, who is set down in the
Martyrologies of . ^ngus, of Marianus and of others, at the 13th of December. See
ibid. , n. 9, p. 354.
37 Midway between Clonenagh and Mount-
rath is a very remarkable and an extensive old fort, now known as Red Castle, situated on an eminence.
38 Near this graveyard, and on the road- side, may be seen the " well of St. Fintan," from which a stream of clear water flows. The " well of St. Fintan" does not at pre- sent occupy its original site. Persons were
the well of St.
landed proprietor contrived to divert the
February 17. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS 579
present,inthelast-describedgraveyard; norwerethereanyancientmonu- ments to be found39 at Clonenagh, with the exception of a small cross of stone,veryrudelyshaped. 4° Inthefirstdescribedgraveyard,theoldruins yet remaining had been roofed, and used as a Protestant church, for Clone nagh parish, almost within the memory of persons yet living. '^'^ Evidences
Ruined Church of Clonenagh.
of this fact are presented, in the shape of plastered walls, and ot modern
additions,tosomeoldermasonry. 42 Thecemetery,surroundingtheruins, is well fenced. 43
*'
tained in the higher cavity. Owing to a
peculiar formation of the tree, this ascent is
by no means difficult or dangerous. Those
cavities, in which the water lies, are really
curious, and by no means of artificial con-
struction. It need scarcely be observed,
that this water is not of a pure quality, al-
though perfectly clear. Hence it is not
drunk, but is only used for lotions. From
the person, who pointed out this interesting
object, the writer also learned, that accord-
ing to local tradition, those waters, contained
in the original "well of St. Fintan," on
being diverted from their first site, were in
great part transferred immediately to Cre-
mogue, about three miles distant. On their
way thither, wherever a drop of those waters
fell, a spring or pool was produced on the
instant. The origin of this deposit, in the
road-side tree, was thus accounted for ; and
reference was made to many other places,
where water existed, on a direct line, from
the "well of St. Fintan," at Clonenagh, to
a spring, denominated from him in like
manner, near the old church and graveyard
of Cremogue. Many of the peasantry, to et Bisson, Paris» The writer has endea-
the present day, when passing
St. Fintan," at Clonenagh, take off their hats, and make a sign of the cross on their forehead—the women also make a curtesy —customs which the writer had opportuni-
ties for witnessing.
39 When visited by the writer, August
29th, 1856.
4° This old cross did not occupy its former
position, having been placed at the head of a modern grave. During a later visit made
to Clonenagh, this object was no longer to be found.
41 Yet, on Taylor's and Skinner's
of the Roads of Ireland," surveyed 1777, the old building is represented, as a ruin, on Map 97.
42 The surrounding graveyard is the fa- vourite burial place of Protestants ; although, as may be supposed, the number of Catholics interred, even here, considerably preponde- rates.
43 The annexed illustration, from a sketch taken on the spot, by the author, in July, 1873, has been engraved by Messrs. Jacquet
the well of
**
Maps
58o LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS [February17. Peasants living in the neighbourhood of Clonenngh yet undertake to
"
point out the site of those
seven churches/' which they say had a former
existence. According to tradition, they were mostly grouped together, on those elevated ridges, where tl. e former city of Clonenagh had been built ; yet, two of them are said to- have been removed, at some distance. The sites of these latter are even indicated, by the country-people. After the twelfth century, Clonenagh seems to have disappeared from the rolls of our history. It is doubtful, if any of the existing stone buildings date back to St. Fintan's age, or even to a nearly less remote period, in consequence of Danish ravages, and the usual custom of building our first churches and monasteries with wood, which certainly once abounded there, and which furnishes, in all countries where it grows, the most ready material for pioneer structures.
This locality forms a beautiful elevation, and a succession of green swelling mounds,''^ which command an extensive prospect over the surround- ing country, and which surmount in position, the present town of Mount- rath,^s which is about one mile distant. Here, it is said, our saint and his companions remained, for an entire year. 46 g^^j-^ finding a great multitude of persons, with many of their friends, flocking thither, they left this place,''7 and directed their course, towards the Slieve Bloom mountains. These, which rise immediately near Clonenagh, stretch along, towards the south and west, in majestic proportions and with magnificent undulations.
They met a cowherd, named Sedna,'^^ who was mute from his birth, on the mountains of Slieve Bloom ; but, when St. Columba bestowed a blessing on him, Sedna recovered the use of speech. Being required, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to predict the several places destined for their sepul- ture ; he did so, without the least hesitation, and succeeding events corres- ponded with his prediction. 49 At that time, looking down from the moun- tain upon Clonenagh, St. Columba saw a multitude of angels, directing their course thither ; and, his disciples, observing an expression of sadness upon his features, on account of his having left that place, asked him the cause
*'
for his sorrow. The saint replied :
filled with the angels of God, and these angels do not cease to minister,
:
between it and Heaven. " He then added " One of us should return to
thatplace,andabidethereforthefuture. " Fintanhereuponsaid,"Ofather, whomsoever you may order to return, he will instantly obey. " Columba
ofyourresurrection. " Hereupon,havingreceivedthemandateofhismaster, as likewise his benediction, and that of his fellow-disciples, St. Fintan retraced his steps towards Clonenagh. 5°
voured to procureand produce in this volume, Columba mac Crimthainn it? first abbot,
a more than ordinary share of engravings for ^^ At Tirdaglas, Archdall has copied Clonenagh and its environs ; since, in con- Colgan's mistake ; and, at Clonenagh, in
" Do in replied : you go
on the Ordnance Survey Townland Maps
for the
'•^ There was no
Sheet
Queen's County. "
17. monastery Clonenagh,
ni3e,"xvii. Februarii. Vita S. Fintani,
at
before that founded by Fintan, as is evident
cap. 5° See the Bollandists' "Acta Sancto-
from his Acts. Yet, Colgan makes St.
Because, I see the place, we have left,
O
with you. For you, it has been divinely revealed, that it shall be the place
nexion with St. ^ngns the Culdee, they have relation with one of the most creditable schools of Irish hagiography.
4'» In no less than four distinct burial vrounds here, and all clustered closely to- ;ether, family interments have not yet
eased.
*5 Its position is shown in the united
parishes of Clonenagh and of Clonagheen '*
direct opposition to Colgan, he gives us ah absurd and a contrary opinion of his own ;
for, after stating that this monastery had been founded, by Fintan, he makes St. Columba succeed him there as abbot. See
peace,
holy youth,
to that and the Lord be spot,
"
Monaslicon Hibernicuni," ])p. 594, 676.
this is Setna, who was afterwards Bishop of Saigir, and whose Natalis was observed, on the loth of March.
See his Life, at that date,
"^ See " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- Colgan's
'•'^ In
Colgan's opinion,
iii,, iv. , p. 350,
February 17. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 5S1
Assuming the age of our saint—supposing him to have been born about
525—to have been twenty-three, at this period, Dr. Lanigan assigns erection of Clonenagh Monastery to the year 548, or shortly afterwards. Nor can the foundation of Clonenagh be placed much later than this year,
consistently with Comgalls* having been there, as a disciple of St. Fintan. The same writer is also of opinion, in opposition to Colgan,53 that no monastery had been erected here, previous to that built by our saint. 54 It may be remarked, however, that if St. Columba resided, at Clonenagh, with his disciples, for a year ; it is quite certain, he must have had some fixed habitation, in which himself and his companions lived, under monastic rule. The late Dr. John O'Donovan gives various local names, found about Clone- nagh, and compounded with Cluain, or Clon. ss
CHAPTER II.
CROMOGUE, or CREMOGUE—ST. FINTAN's strict rule at clonenagh—VARIOUS MIRACLES WROUGHT BY HIM WHILE THERE—HIS SPIRIT OF PROPHECY.
According to a local tradition,^ however, St. Fintan first inhabited Cromogue,
orCremogue,^aplaceaboutthreemilesdistantfromClonenagh. Thissaint
was obliged to leave the former, and to take up his residence, at the latter place.
It is said, that when his monks had brought the building materials to both of
those sites, the churches—of Cremogue and Clonenagh were severally built, in
the course of one night although at different intervals. At a very early age,
the writer recollects having had his attention attracted to an old causeway,
which debouched, near Clonenagh, on the main road between Maryborough
and Mountrath. This extended across a bog, in the direction of Cremogue,
and it appeared to h—ave been constructed, on the principle of our modern
macadamized roads many stones used, however, were of enormous size,
and such as are generally employed for building purposes. This causeway
"
was called
stantaneous, and of miraculous origin. The wild and romantic character of this legend impressed itself vividly on the writer's imagination, at that time. 3 The old road of St. Fintan has now in a great measure disappeared, and merged into a tolerably good bog-road of more recent construction. A bog- drain runs in a parallel direction. Between this drain and the modern road, that ancient causeway of St. Fintan may yet be traced. The writer was en- abled to travel near and even over the latter, during his short tour from Clone-
St. Fintan's road," and its construction is said to have been in-
rum," tomus ii. , Februarii xvii. De S. Fintano Presbytero, cap. i. , nam, 4, 5.
233, p. 74.
55 He states, that Cluain or Clon has
Also, Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber- niae," xvii. Februarii. Vita S. Fintani, cap. V-, P- 35°:
nothing whatever to do with a church, cell or hermitage—as many seem to think ; it is rather a topographical compound, cognate
5' See his " Ecclesiastical History of Ire- land," vol. ii. , chap, xii,, sect, xi. , p. 227, and n. 165, p. 230.
with the English word, " lawn," or "plain. " See "Letters containing Information re- lative to the Antiquities of the Queen's County, collected during the progress of the Ordnance Survey in 1838," vol. i. , p. 40.
5^ See his Life, at the loth of May.
53 He states, that St. Columba, son of
Crimthainn, was first abbot, at
Clonenagh,
Chapter ii. —^ As related to the writer, by a countryman, a resident at or near
Clonenagh.
^ Cremogue—as the people universally "
and afterwards the first abbot, at Tyrdaglas,
wherehedieda. d. 548. See"ActaSane- •
torumHiberniae,"xvii. Februarii, VitaS.
Fintani. Appendix, cap. iv. , p. 356.
54
Fintan, not Columba, was the real founder of this monastery, as is most clearly expressed in the fifth chapter of his Life. See Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, x.
The father of our saint was named Gabhren,^° son to Corcran, son of Echach, son to Bressal, son of Denius, son to Conla, son of Arti or Artur Corb, son to Corbre Niadh, son of Cormac, son of ^nguss Meann, son of Echach, son of Echadh Finn. " The mother of our saint was named Findath," or Findathea. ^3 In his appendix to our saint's Life, Colgan conjectured, that she may have been sister to St. Lugedius, of Coolbannagher. ^+ St. Fintan descended from the race of Eochaidh Finnfuathairt ; and, from this stock, likewise, the great St. Brigid^s derived her origin. '^
According to the most probable conjecture, St. Fintan was born in Lagenia, or Leinster, during the sixth century. ^7 His nativity took place, after 520,'^ sometime between the years 525 and 530; for, St. Columkille,'^ who first saw the light, about a. d. 521, is spoken of as a young man, while Fintanwasyetaboy. ^° Whenaboutgivingbirthtotheinfantinherwomb, an angel appeared to Findath, and warned her to retire into a secret place, where she should be removed from all intercourse with men, until the time of her delivery. The angel promised, also, that her son should be holy and great, both in the sight of God and of man. She complied with this admo- nition, and spent seven days under the shade of a certain tree, whilst in the meantime she was miraculously sustained by food from Heaven. ^^ Her child was born, at the end of this time. According to the conjectures of a learned Irish ecclesiastical historian, this event happened, in the neighbour- hood of New Ross. "*^ Were we to follow local tradition, however, St. Fintan wasbornnearMaryborough,intheQueen'sCounty. ^3 Now,hisplaceof
"
ruarii xvii. , pp. i6 to 21. been St. Finneda venerated at the nth of
Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , Feb- if such were the case, whether she may have See "Britannia Sancta," part i. , pp. August, or the mother of a St. Mochua,
s See
^
120 to 124.
called Finnachta. See ibid. , n. 3, p. 353.
^ See "Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs,
and other Principal Saints," vol. ii. , Feb-
See Lives of the Saints," vol. ii. , Feb- ruary xvii. , pp. 324, 325.
'^ ^s ^^
gge Appendix, cap. ii. , p. 355, ibid, gee her Life, at the 1st of this month,
ruaryxvii. ^"
See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga. " Appendix Quarta ad Acta S. Brigidse, cap, 3, p. 613.
'7 See Bishop Challoner's "Britannia Sancta," part i. , p. 120.
^^ See Dr. " Ecclesiastical His- Lanigan's
tory of Ireland," vol. ii. , cap. xii. , sect, xi. , p. 227, and n. 162, p. 229.
'5, tjee his Life, at the 9th of June,
"
9 See
349.
*° See
been a mistake of the writer.
Kalendars of Scottish Saints," p.
" Acta Sanctorum Hiber- nise," xvii. Februarii. Vita S. Fintani, cap. i. , p. 349. The father is called Gau- renus, son of Corcran, by other genealogies, in appendix, cap. ii. , p. 355, and cap. v. , p. 356; but, the names of their ancestors are the same, as those given in our text. In the Manuscript Lives of St. Fintan, as found in the Codex Insulensis and in the Sala- mancan copy, his father's name is given as Crimthan. This Colgan supposes to have
2, p. 353.
Colgan's
to the "
ology of Irish Saints," chapter xv.
" This seems to have been derived from
the Irish words, Finn, which signifies "fair," or " white," and Z>a^/^, which means "colour. "
*3 Colgan seems in doubt, as to whether she had a festival in the Irish Church 3 and,
" According
Men- Wexford is Genealogic county,
Set ibid. , n.
De S. Fintano Presbytero, &c. , cap. i. ,
num. i. , p. 17.
^^
In one Life, which Colgan quotes, the place for St. Fintan's birth is called Cluain- mhic-Trein, i. e. , "Cluain of the sons of Trein. " As the ancient name of Ross, in
^°
ter of St. Fintan's Life,
^'
See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii.
Such is a statement in the second chap*
Ros-mhic-Trein, Dr. Lanigan thinks, it may be "justly inferred, that said Cluain and Ross lay in one and
=3 During a visit to Clonenagh, on the 29th of August, 1856, and in compauy with
—" Ecclesiastical
the same district. "
of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, xii. , sec. xi. , n. 161, p. 229.
History
576 LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [February17.
birth was Cluain, as given in St. Fintan's Acts ; but, Colgan appears doubt- ful, as to whether Cluain, was identical with Ross, or with Cluain-chain, a place near Clonenagh. Here, too, was the site of an ancient monastery. =** Afterwards, the same writer appears to consider, the ancient territory of Leix, as having been that, in which St. Fintan was born. ^s
Clonkeen^^ is situated in the united parishes of Clonenagh and of Clona-
gheen, in the barony of Maryborough West, Queen's County. The site of its ancient church may be reached, through an intricate old roadway, which debouches from the Dublin and Limerick great road, on the south side, betweenMaryboroughandMountrath. Acuriousandveryancienthollow way leads immediately to the spot, on the verge of a very extensive bog,
Site of Churchfield Cemetery, at Clonkeen, Queen's County.
Stretching to the south and east. Several fine and fertile arable, meadow, and pasture fields, lying low, however, surround it to the north and west. ^7
The place is designated Churchfield, which proves that a church formerly stood there, on the site of the present obliterated cemetery. Within the
memory of persons living, corpses were there interred ; but, of late years, the land has been occupied by a farmer, and the graveyard, having been opened for a sheep range, was deserted. ^'^ The headstones have been re- moved, and not even the trace of a grave now remains.
FolloAving the account in St. Fintan's Life, it appears to have been on
the eighth day succeeding his birth, that Findath's infant was brought to, and baptized by, a holy man, who dwelt at this place. The child was afterwards
instructed, by the same person, until he made great progress in virtue and learning. While yet a boy, Fintan told his instructor to prepare a banquet
residing in the neighbourhood, furnished This townland is defined on the Ord- information, to this effect. It also admir- nance Survey Townland Maps for the ably agrees, with the historic record. How- Queen's County. " Sheets 12, 17, iS.
ever, I have now quite forgotten that place, ^^ The accompanying illustration, after a as named to me by the countryman. sketch taken by the author, in July, 1873,
^* See " Acta Sanctorum HibemicC," was transferred to the wood by William F. xvii. Februarii, n. 4, p. 353. Wakeman, and engraved by Mrs. Millard.
an antiquarian friend, an intelligent peasant, ^s See ibid. . Appendix, cap. v. , p. 356. =* "
February 17. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS 577
for guests, who were about to visit them, and that St. Columkille with some
of his companions should arrive, on that very day. Being reproachfully asked, by the holy senior, how this could have been known to him, the boy answered, that it was revealed, by our Lord Jesus Christ. The event cor- responded with this prediction. While St. Columkille was on a journey this day, and passing near Cluain, he told his companion, they should turn a little from their course, to visit a holy senior, and a youth, who dwelt there. Columkille also foretold the future eminence of the boy, and desired his guardian to retract those harsh expressions, used towards Fintan, for his apparent presumption, in announcing the arrival of his present visitors. The aged instructor readily believed this prophecy ; for, the grace of God, mira- culously exhibited before his birth, fructified, during the childhood of Fintan. It gave promise of still greater increase, during the years of his maturity. And, while St. Columkille declared, that he had a Divine intuition regarding
those reproofs of the old man towards his youthful charge, he warned the former, to avoid such remarks for the future ; for, it was destined, that both himself, and his place of habitation, should be subject to St. Fintan's rule during succeeding ages. ^^ It is somewhat remarkable, that at present, the united parishes of Clonenagh and Clonagheen'9 do not appear to have dis- tinguishable boundaries, however they might at a former period. 3°
While yet a very young man, having received the blessing of the venerable
priest, with whom he spent his early days, St. Fintan set out for Tir-da-glasss^ Monastery, which had been built near the borders of the River Shannon, not far from the upper waters of Lough Dearg, in the North Riding of the present county of Tipperary. Here St. Columba,32 son to Crimthainn, had a famous school ; and, in company with other distinguished pupils, Fintan passed a novitiate, under the direction of their beloved superior. He dis- charged towards them parental offices, and protected them, with great care, while he imparted necessary secular and religious teaching. —
In company with two other disciples, n—amed Coemhanss and Mocumin,34 anotheraccounthasthreecompanions,35 oursaintearnestlydesiredtodis-
^^ See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber*
niae," Februarii xvii. Vita S. Fintani, cap.
i. , ii. , pp. 349, 350.
*9 For both, there used to be but the one
composition of tithes, and one return of po- *'
He is venerated, at the 1st of May.
33 Fintan Mac Echach is the third com- panion, as set down, in the " Book of the Island," chapter iii. And the same ac- count, regarding his disciples, is found in
pulation. See Lewis'
the thirteenth chapter of the Life of St. Dictionary of Ireland," vol. i. , pp. 346, Columba, Abbot of Tirdaglass. There is
levelled evenly with the surface of a large field. On the old Elizabethan Map of Leax
and Ophaly, this Clonkeyn is represented as a large church.
Topographical
358> 359- ^"^ apparent discrepancy between both Lives 3° Three irregularly-shaped sides of the of St. Fintan, in these particular passages ; burial-ground remain, at Clonkeen, and for, in one Life, he is called son to Gabhren, these are indicated by high ditches, crowned and his fellow student is named Mocumin, with hawthorns and some fine ash-trees. whilst in the other Life, our Saint is called The fourth ditch has been removed, and son to Echach, and his fellow-disciple is denominated Mochuma. But, there is no essential difference. For, that same Fintan, who in one Life is called son to Gabhren, on account of his immediate progenitor, in the other Life is designated as son to Echach,
3' This place is now known as Terryglass,
a parish in the barony of Lower Ormond.
It is defined on the "Ordnance Survey name. This was a custom among the Irish,
Townland Maps for the County of Tipper- who distinguished families by O or Hua, """
ary. " Sheets 3, 4, 6, 7, The townland i. e. , a grandson" or a descendant, and proper is to be found on Sheet 6. by Mac, ? >. , "son" or "descendant. " 32 See his Life, at the 13th of December. Thus, Echach or Eochaidh, as found in the
33 Of Annatrim, whose Life will be found nominative case, was grandfather to St. at the 3rd of November. Fintan.
The disciple, in like manner, who 34 This latter saint is variously called is called Mochuma, in one Life ; by diminu- Nathcoeme, Mochoerae, and Mochuma, tion, has his name Mochumin in another,
Vol. II. —No. io. 2 p
from his great grandfather, who bore that
578 LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [February17.
cover a place, where they should remain, in order more effectually to serve God. They selected a spot, on the borders of Leinster. However, they first asked, St. Columba's opinion, regarding their determination. Gifted with the spirit of prophecy, he told them that this place was destined for a St. Mobhius,36 not yet born. Whereupon, in company with St. Columba, theycametothesiteofClonenagh. Anextensivetractofbogcompletely insulates, on almost every side, that fertile and elevated oasis, on which an old ruined church, and several graveyards, are to be seen, at the present day. The country around Clonenagh, judging by the local denominations, com- pounded with Derry, must formerly have abounded in oak woods. An extensivebogliestothesouth,asalsotothenorthandeast; but,indeed, most of the land, surrounding the townland, appears to have been reclaimed from morasses, which once covered a very considerable surface.
The place is now known as " the Seven Churches of Clonenagh f because,
according to local tradition, there were seven churches here erected. The
ruinsonlyofoneyetremain. Thisbuildingdoesnotappear,however,to
have been a very ancient structure. The great Dublin and Limerick road,
leading from Maryborough to Mountrath,37 passes in a direct line, beside
ClonenaghChurch,anditssurroundingcemetery. Attheoppositesideofthe
road, leading from Maryborough to Mountrath, there is another graveyard. This is used exclusively as the burial ground of Catholics. It contains a
great number of graves, and it rises considerably above the road level, and adjoining fields. s^ There are no remains of any old buildings traceable at
as Columba, Columbanus and Colmanus accustomed to resort to it for the cure of
form but one and the same appellation.
various diseases, leaving humble votive
to mark their sense of the oiferings, sanitary
favours there received. Its Protestant
thus relieve his lands from a constant influx of those he deemed troublesome and super- stitious visitants. Such was an account re- ceived by the writer, on occasion of a visit to the spot, already alluded to, when he was shown a sycamore tree, on the side of the pubUc road and opposite the " well of St. Fintan. " Within two or three cavities in the tnmk of this tree, and at a considerable elevation from the ground, a small quantity of water was to be seen. It was stated, that this water was first discovered, when the outrage to Catholic feeling had been committed, in this successful effort to divert the holy well, from its original site. During the greatest heats of summer, or the coldest days of winter, this water is to be found un- diminished in quantity and unfrozen. Its production is regarded as miraculous, and as indicative of St. Fintan's displeasure, for what the peasantry are pleased to consider a desecration of his well. In consequence of prevailing traditions, that veneration en-
"
tertained even yet for
Fintan" has been more universally trans- ferred or extended to this tree in question. Its branches are constantly covered with scraps of ribbon, linen, &c. , as votive offer- ings. Its gnarled trunk and boughs exhibit marks of the footsteps of devout or curious
visitants, who are obliged to climb some distance, in order to procure water con-
See
" Acta Sanctorum Hibernian,"
Colgan's
xvii. Februarii, nn. 7, 8, pp. 353, 354.
3^ In the Life of St. Fintan, Mobliius is
called son to Cumalde ; but, Colgan is of spring from his field to the road-side, and
opinion, Culmade was the father's true name. He never read, as he states, about an Irish saint, whose father's name was Cumalde, Mobhiusshouldratherbecalled, son to Culmaide, or Colmaidhe, who had threeothersaintedsonsbesideshim. And, in the " Opuscula S. . ^ngussii," lib. 4, among the maternal genealogies of Irish Saints, n. 6, we read, "that Coeltigerna the daughter of Coemlog, and sister to St. Coemgen, was the mother of four sons, Colmaide, nempe Dagan de Inberdaoile, of Moboeus, of Molibba, and of Menoc of Glenn-faidhle. Wherefore, the Mobhius, here mentioned, is not Mobhius, son to Comgell, noted by Marianus and by others, at the 22nd of July, nor Mobhius, son to Beoan, venerated on the 12th of October.
He is rather that Mobhius or Mobaius of Cluain-fhionnabair, who is set down in the
Martyrologies of . ^ngus, of Marianus and of others, at the 13th of December. See
ibid. , n. 9, p. 354.
37 Midway between Clonenagh and Mount-
rath is a very remarkable and an extensive old fort, now known as Red Castle, situated on an eminence.
38 Near this graveyard, and on the road- side, may be seen the " well of St. Fintan," from which a stream of clear water flows. The " well of St. Fintan" does not at pre- sent occupy its original site. Persons were
the well of St.
landed proprietor contrived to divert the
February 17. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS 579
present,inthelast-describedgraveyard; norwerethereanyancientmonu- ments to be found39 at Clonenagh, with the exception of a small cross of stone,veryrudelyshaped. 4° Inthefirstdescribedgraveyard,theoldruins yet remaining had been roofed, and used as a Protestant church, for Clone nagh parish, almost within the memory of persons yet living. '^'^ Evidences
Ruined Church of Clonenagh.
of this fact are presented, in the shape of plastered walls, and ot modern
additions,tosomeoldermasonry. 42 Thecemetery,surroundingtheruins, is well fenced. 43
*'
tained in the higher cavity. Owing to a
peculiar formation of the tree, this ascent is
by no means difficult or dangerous. Those
cavities, in which the water lies, are really
curious, and by no means of artificial con-
struction. It need scarcely be observed,
that this water is not of a pure quality, al-
though perfectly clear. Hence it is not
drunk, but is only used for lotions. From
the person, who pointed out this interesting
object, the writer also learned, that accord-
ing to local tradition, those waters, contained
in the original "well of St. Fintan," on
being diverted from their first site, were in
great part transferred immediately to Cre-
mogue, about three miles distant. On their
way thither, wherever a drop of those waters
fell, a spring or pool was produced on the
instant. The origin of this deposit, in the
road-side tree, was thus accounted for ; and
reference was made to many other places,
where water existed, on a direct line, from
the "well of St. Fintan," at Clonenagh, to
a spring, denominated from him in like
manner, near the old church and graveyard
of Cremogue. Many of the peasantry, to et Bisson, Paris» The writer has endea-
the present day, when passing
St. Fintan," at Clonenagh, take off their hats, and make a sign of the cross on their forehead—the women also make a curtesy —customs which the writer had opportuni-
ties for witnessing.
39 When visited by the writer, August
29th, 1856.
4° This old cross did not occupy its former
position, having been placed at the head of a modern grave. During a later visit made
to Clonenagh, this object was no longer to be found.
41 Yet, on Taylor's and Skinner's
of the Roads of Ireland," surveyed 1777, the old building is represented, as a ruin, on Map 97.
42 The surrounding graveyard is the fa- vourite burial place of Protestants ; although, as may be supposed, the number of Catholics interred, even here, considerably preponde- rates.
43 The annexed illustration, from a sketch taken on the spot, by the author, in July, 1873, has been engraved by Messrs. Jacquet
the well of
**
Maps
58o LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS [February17. Peasants living in the neighbourhood of Clonenngh yet undertake to
"
point out the site of those
seven churches/' which they say had a former
existence. According to tradition, they were mostly grouped together, on those elevated ridges, where tl. e former city of Clonenagh had been built ; yet, two of them are said to- have been removed, at some distance. The sites of these latter are even indicated, by the country-people. After the twelfth century, Clonenagh seems to have disappeared from the rolls of our history. It is doubtful, if any of the existing stone buildings date back to St. Fintan's age, or even to a nearly less remote period, in consequence of Danish ravages, and the usual custom of building our first churches and monasteries with wood, which certainly once abounded there, and which furnishes, in all countries where it grows, the most ready material for pioneer structures.
This locality forms a beautiful elevation, and a succession of green swelling mounds,''^ which command an extensive prospect over the surround- ing country, and which surmount in position, the present town of Mount- rath,^s which is about one mile distant. Here, it is said, our saint and his companions remained, for an entire year. 46 g^^j-^ finding a great multitude of persons, with many of their friends, flocking thither, they left this place,''7 and directed their course, towards the Slieve Bloom mountains. These, which rise immediately near Clonenagh, stretch along, towards the south and west, in majestic proportions and with magnificent undulations.
They met a cowherd, named Sedna,'^^ who was mute from his birth, on the mountains of Slieve Bloom ; but, when St. Columba bestowed a blessing on him, Sedna recovered the use of speech. Being required, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to predict the several places destined for their sepul- ture ; he did so, without the least hesitation, and succeeding events corres- ponded with his prediction. 49 At that time, looking down from the moun- tain upon Clonenagh, St. Columba saw a multitude of angels, directing their course thither ; and, his disciples, observing an expression of sadness upon his features, on account of his having left that place, asked him the cause
*'
for his sorrow. The saint replied :
filled with the angels of God, and these angels do not cease to minister,
:
between it and Heaven. " He then added " One of us should return to
thatplace,andabidethereforthefuture. " Fintanhereuponsaid,"Ofather, whomsoever you may order to return, he will instantly obey. " Columba
ofyourresurrection. " Hereupon,havingreceivedthemandateofhismaster, as likewise his benediction, and that of his fellow-disciples, St. Fintan retraced his steps towards Clonenagh. 5°
voured to procureand produce in this volume, Columba mac Crimthainn it? first abbot,
a more than ordinary share of engravings for ^^ At Tirdaglas, Archdall has copied Clonenagh and its environs ; since, in con- Colgan's mistake ; and, at Clonenagh, in
" Do in replied : you go
on the Ordnance Survey Townland Maps
for the
'•^ There was no
Sheet
Queen's County. "
17. monastery Clonenagh,
ni3e,"xvii. Februarii. Vita S. Fintani,
at
before that founded by Fintan, as is evident
cap. 5° See the Bollandists' "Acta Sancto-
from his Acts. Yet, Colgan makes St.
Because, I see the place, we have left,
O
with you. For you, it has been divinely revealed, that it shall be the place
nexion with St. ^ngns the Culdee, they have relation with one of the most creditable schools of Irish hagiography.
4'» In no less than four distinct burial vrounds here, and all clustered closely to- ;ether, family interments have not yet
eased.
*5 Its position is shown in the united
parishes of Clonenagh and of Clonagheen '*
direct opposition to Colgan, he gives us ah absurd and a contrary opinion of his own ;
for, after stating that this monastery had been founded, by Fintan, he makes St. Columba succeed him there as abbot. See
peace,
holy youth,
to that and the Lord be spot,
"
Monaslicon Hibernicuni," ])p. 594, 676.
this is Setna, who was afterwards Bishop of Saigir, and whose Natalis was observed, on the loth of March.
See his Life, at that date,
"^ See " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- Colgan's
'•'^ In
Colgan's opinion,
iii,, iv. , p. 350,
February 17. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 5S1
Assuming the age of our saint—supposing him to have been born about
525—to have been twenty-three, at this period, Dr. Lanigan assigns erection of Clonenagh Monastery to the year 548, or shortly afterwards. Nor can the foundation of Clonenagh be placed much later than this year,
consistently with Comgalls* having been there, as a disciple of St. Fintan. The same writer is also of opinion, in opposition to Colgan,53 that no monastery had been erected here, previous to that built by our saint. 54 It may be remarked, however, that if St. Columba resided, at Clonenagh, with his disciples, for a year ; it is quite certain, he must have had some fixed habitation, in which himself and his companions lived, under monastic rule. The late Dr. John O'Donovan gives various local names, found about Clone- nagh, and compounded with Cluain, or Clon. ss
CHAPTER II.
CROMOGUE, or CREMOGUE—ST. FINTAN's strict rule at clonenagh—VARIOUS MIRACLES WROUGHT BY HIM WHILE THERE—HIS SPIRIT OF PROPHECY.
According to a local tradition,^ however, St. Fintan first inhabited Cromogue,
orCremogue,^aplaceaboutthreemilesdistantfromClonenagh. Thissaint
was obliged to leave the former, and to take up his residence, at the latter place.
It is said, that when his monks had brought the building materials to both of
those sites, the churches—of Cremogue and Clonenagh were severally built, in
the course of one night although at different intervals. At a very early age,
the writer recollects having had his attention attracted to an old causeway,
which debouched, near Clonenagh, on the main road between Maryborough
and Mountrath. This extended across a bog, in the direction of Cremogue,
and it appeared to h—ave been constructed, on the principle of our modern
macadamized roads many stones used, however, were of enormous size,
and such as are generally employed for building purposes. This causeway
"
was called
stantaneous, and of miraculous origin. The wild and romantic character of this legend impressed itself vividly on the writer's imagination, at that time. 3 The old road of St. Fintan has now in a great measure disappeared, and merged into a tolerably good bog-road of more recent construction. A bog- drain runs in a parallel direction. Between this drain and the modern road, that ancient causeway of St. Fintan may yet be traced. The writer was en- abled to travel near and even over the latter, during his short tour from Clone-
St. Fintan's road," and its construction is said to have been in-
rum," tomus ii. , Februarii xvii. De S. Fintano Presbytero, cap. i. , nam, 4, 5.
233, p. 74.
55 He states, that Cluain or Clon has
Also, Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber- niae," xvii. Februarii. Vita S. Fintani, cap. V-, P- 35°:
nothing whatever to do with a church, cell or hermitage—as many seem to think ; it is rather a topographical compound, cognate
5' See his " Ecclesiastical History of Ire- land," vol. ii. , chap, xii,, sect, xi. , p. 227, and n. 165, p. 230.
with the English word, " lawn," or "plain. " See "Letters containing Information re- lative to the Antiquities of the Queen's County, collected during the progress of the Ordnance Survey in 1838," vol. i. , p. 40.
5^ See his Life, at the loth of May.
53 He states, that St. Columba, son of
Crimthainn, was first abbot, at
Clonenagh,
Chapter ii. —^ As related to the writer, by a countryman, a resident at or near
Clonenagh.
^ Cremogue—as the people universally "
and afterwards the first abbot, at Tyrdaglas,
wherehedieda. d. 548. See"ActaSane- •
torumHiberniae,"xvii. Februarii, VitaS.
Fintani. Appendix, cap. iv. , p. 356.
54
Fintan, not Columba, was the real founder of this monastery, as is most clearly expressed in the fifth chapter of his Life. See Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, x.
