\_Seiienth
and Eighth Centurtes.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v3
Murro,33 he saw it stated, that this saint subdued wild beasts, and raised a person to life, who had been dead for three days.
34 It seems probable enough, this St.
Murro was identical with St.
Mura of Fahan ; at least, we can find no other name, in our Irish Calendars, more closely corresponding.
Calculating from the names of his kinsmen, who are equidistant from a common ancestor, and making an average for his age, the Rev.
Dr.
Reeves arrives at a.
d.
635, for St.
Mura's obit, or allowing for his being an ecclesiastic, it is thought, that tenmaybesetdowninaddition.
Hence,a.
d.
645shouldbeanapproxima- tion, for the date of his death.
ss This very celebrated abbot departed some time before a.
d.
658,3^ according to a conjecture of Dr.
Tanigan, as Kellach, successor to our saint, died during that year.
3?
His memory was venerated, on the 1 2th of March, in Fathan church, and in the territory of Inishowen.
Marianus O'Gorman calls him the great Murus of Fathen, and Maguire notes
him 38 while on this day, we find registered, in the Martyrology of Donegal,39
;
Mura, of Fathain, in Inis Eoghain. His church had once been richly
endowed with lands and possessions. However, through lapse of time and owing to neglect, this noble Fathan monastery became ruinous, and, at length, it was converted into a parish church. During the seventeenth century, the day of his festival was observed, in that part of the country, with which he was connected. It is to be regretted, that ho trace of his once
collection of Mr. John Bell, Dungannon. See article on "The Bell of St. Mura," communicated by John M'Clelland, Jun. of Dungannon, to the "Ulster Journal of Archaeology," vol. i. , p. 274.
''s It was lately in possession of John M'Clelland. Jun. , of Dungannon, and it
probably remains with him, having been purchased from the former holder, to the great discontent of the Fahan people.
3° There are two lithographic illustrations
of this Bell of St. Mura of Fahan, together
with two interesting and appropriate com- munications, one from the Rev. William Reeves, and the other from John M'Clel- land, Jun. , Dungannon, in the "Ulster Journal of Archaeology," vol. i. , pp. 271 to 275.
3' See "Irish Researches," vol. vi. , pp. 861 to 865, in the Royal Irish Academy. No. 51.
3^ See "Ulster Journal of Archeology," vol. i. Mr. John M'Clelland's communica-
tion, p. 275.
33 In the margin, the following comment
has been attached to this proper name by
the commentator : "rneAcui|\ . 1. tnAchA|\e, seu Meacharius. " I cannot find such a
name, or even one very similar, in our Martyrologies, except as the father of two saints, viz. , Diarmaid, son of Meachair, at the i6th of January, and again, the daughter of Meachar, at the 6th of September,
^4 gge, ibid. , p. xlvi.
^5 gee the " Ulster Journal of Archae-
ology," vol. i. Saint Mura, by the Rev.
William Reeves, D. D. , p. 271.
3* £)i-_ Lanigan is in the habit of advanc-
ing the Chronology of the Four Masters, by one year. Their date is A. D. 657.
3? See Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical His- toryofIreland,"vol. iii. , chap,xvii. ,sect. viii. , p. 37.
38 gge Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
nige," xii. Martii, n. 10, p. 587.
39 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
74, 75.
•° ** Inishowen : its His- Maghtochair's
332 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 12.
faiftous abbey now exists, in the parish of Fahan ; but, his grave is yet pointed out, and a holy well is dedicated to him. These revered objects are
muchfrequentedbypeoplelivingintheneighbourhood/" Wearetoldby Colgan, that he saw a fragment of this Saint's Office, containing a relation of his virtues ; but, he does not state—probably he could not learn—if it escaped the ravages of sacrilegious hands.
Article II. —St. Kennanack, or Ceannannach, of Inis Meadhoin, OR Middle Island, of Aran, and Patron of Ballynakill Parish, County of Galway. Very little appears to be known about St. Kennanach —called in the Irish language Ceannfhionnac—except the popular tradition, that he was son to a King of Leinster. ^ Who his father had been, is not stated, nor when he reigned. Yet, it is believed, that St. Ceannannach was one of the earliest among Christian preachers, in the extreme west of Ireland. He must have lived for some time in the curious oratory, which is still so perfect, on Inis Meadhoin, or the Middle Island, of Aran. After him, it is
TeropuU Ceannanach, on Inis Meadhoin, or the Middle Island, of Aran.
calledTempullCeannanach. ^ BythehavenofDowrassstandstheparish church of Ballynakill parish,^ off the western coast, and in the county of
Galway. Its patron, St. Kennanack, was venerated, on the 12th of March. It is thought, he was identical with the St. Kennanack, who was celebrated in the Middle Island of Aran,5 and whose ancient oratory, on the south
tory, Traditions and Antiquities," chap. 3 This denomination is not noted on the viii. , p. 55. — Ordnance Survey Maps.
'* Article ii. See Dr. Petrie's "Eccle-
This very extensive cure, vs^ith its islands,
siastical Architecture and Round Towers of
Ireland," part ii. , sect, iii. , subsect. I, p.
189.
"
Dr. Petrie's work contains an engraving of this very curious old oratory, as it stood, over thirty years ago.
is in the barony of Ballynahinch. It is des- cribed on the " Ordnance Survey Townland
Maps for the County of Galv/ay," Sheets 9, 10, II, 22, 23, 24, 37.
s See Roderic O'Flaherty's "Chorogra- phical Description of West or H-Iar Con-
March 12. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 2>^^
shore, is so picturesque an object, standing just over the verge of the Atlantic waves. Measured on the outside, the walls—about three feet in thickness—
are 16 feet 7 inches, in length, by 12 feet 6 inches, in width. ^ A square- headed old doorway is in the west end, and a large elder tree, with other
shrubs, grows within the ruin, so as effectively to preclude an easy entrance. A stunted growth of ivy forms on the walls, which are of fine island lime- stone, and built with dressed blocks of Cyclopean size. Numbers of flag tombstones, with modern inscriptions, are in the graveyard around it. 7 A curious old window of very small dimensions is in the east gable. ^ Accord- ing to local tradition, as recorded by Hardiman, the original name of St. Kennanach 9 was Gregory ; while, under the latter appellation, on the remote islands, and along the western and south-western coasts of Ireland, some person, greatly celebrated for his holiness, was held in popular veneration.
St. the '° Pope Gregory Great,
of the " as golden Mouth,"
Roderick O'Flaherty tells us, that his memory was kept, on the great Island of Aran ; however, his editor, James Hardiman, observes, that there is no authority for any direct or imme- diate connexion between him and the Aran Islands. Tradition asserts, in- deed, that the ship-road, between Aranmore and Inis Meadhoin, was called,
Some have
thought
him to be identical with
who was
the
"
called
probably suggestive of his great eloquence.
Gregory'sSound,
Gregory
of the
golden
Mouth Hardiman ;" while,
M. R. I.
" It is in his cele- remarkable, Cummian,
brated Epistle, referring to the Paschal con- troversy, acknowledges this as his received
*
A. , pp. 118, 119.
The accompanying illustration, drawn
formerly
by
Irish,
Gregory
after "
maintains, that the latter was identical with St. Ceannannach. ^^ Tradition has it, that by ord-er of a pagan tyrant, who ruled on the north-west coast of Galway, St Ceannannach was seized, and beheaded, near the eastern extremity of the present village of Cleggan. 's There, a heap of stones is pointed out, as a monument, said to have been erected on the spot, where he suffered. Two miles north of Cleggan, at the foot of Cartron hill ^^ are the ruins of Ballynakill's ancient parish church,'^ which had been dedicated to St. Cean- nanach. His well, enclosed by a circular wall, is situated about a furlong east of the church. '^ It is thought to be not improbable,'^ that he is the same
naught," edited by James Hardiman, that of St. Kennanack.
on the spot by the writer, in June, 1877, has
been transferred to the wood, by William title,
F. Wakeman, and it was engraved by Mrs. Millard.
"
Veterum Epistolarum Hiber-
7 Not far
away
is shown the site of an old
"See Roderic "Choro- O'Flaherty's
graphical Description of West or H-Iar
graveyard, now covered over with fine white
sea-sand. A storm once washed away Connaught, written A. D. 1684," edited by
sands and loose stones, showing inscribed
tombs, buried in the subsoil. The clearing
away of the sandbank might probably show
the remains of an old church, and perhaps
James Hardiman, M. R. I. A. , p. 80 and n. (c. )
'3 xhig jmd the townland, so called, are in the parish of Ballynakill, and barony of
reveal several old Irish inscriptions and Ballynahinch. See "Ordnance Survey
sculptures.
^
Mr. Hardiman states, that this oratory is considered to be the most ancient and perfect of all the ecclesiastical remains in the Aran Islands. It is named, in Arch- bishop O'Keely's list of the Aran churches, which he furnished to Colgan ; while there, it is said to have been dedicated to St. Ceannannach, and to be subject to the parish of St. Endeus.
' In Irish, written, CeAnni-ioriAd.
'°
Townland Maps for the County of Galway," Sheets 9, 22.
'* See ibid.
'S The east gable is of great antiquity j
but, there is a modem chapel, at the west
end, built by Edmond Laidir or "the
"
O'Flaherty, who is interred in it. On this chapel is inscribed A. D. 1709.
'^ See Roderic O'Flaherty's "Chore- graphical Description of West or H-Iat Connaught, written A. D. 1684," edited by
It is remarkable, likewise, that his James Hardiman, M. R. I. A. , n. (z), ppi feast falls on the present day, to which 118, 119.
O'Flaherty, in the work quoted, assigns •? See Dr. Petrie's " Ecclesiastical Archi*
"
See Ussher's
strong
oris aurei," even at that early period.
nicarum Sylloge. " Epist. xi. , p. 31.
334 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 12.
as St. Ceanannan, whose festival is marked, in the Irish Calendars, at the 26th of March.
Article III. —Reputed Festival of St. Garalt, of Maigh Eo, now Mayo, with his Companions.
\_Seiienth and Eighth Centurtes. ~\ It seems to us, the name of St. Garalt, or Gerald, of Mayo, has been misplaced, in the present instanc—e ; especially, as it has been omitted—in the work subse- quently quoted on the following day, when such an entry should receive insertion. A festival is recorded, in the Martyrology of Tallagh,' at the 12th of March, in honour of Garalt Maghi Eo, cum suts. ' The BoUandists notice this entry, likewise, but they prefer relegating St. Gerald's Acts to the day succeeding. 3 Thisfeast,however,mighthavebeeniregarded,asavigilto the principal one, omitted in the Tallagh Martyrology.
Article IV. —Reputed Festival of a St. Mochua, Ailiun, or
AiLUiN. ThisisanadditionalinsertionoftheTallaghMartyrology^regard-
ingasaint'sname,notfoundelsewhere,yetreferabletothepresentday. In the Franciscan copy, there is an entry, Mochua Ailuin. ^ It may be question- able, however, if this entry be not intended to account for the saint, who follows next in order.
Article V. —Festival of St. Culan, or Dachuailen, Bishop, son of
Guaire. \_PossiblyintheSeventhCentury? ^ TheMartyrologiesofMarianus O'Gorman and Maguire place the feast of St. Dacualenus or St. Culanus, at the12thofMarch. Noticesregardingthissaintoccur,atthei8thofFeb- ruary, in Colgan ;' and, at the same date, we have given fuller detail about him. ^ The BoUandists briefly insert the name, Dochualenus, on the authority of Marianus O'Gorman, at March the 12th. s The Martyrology of Donegal* mentions, that on this day was venerated, Dachuailen, son of Guaire. He sprung from the race of Eoghan, son to Niail.
Article VI. —Festival of Pope St. Gregory the Great, Confessor AND Doctor. \Sixth and Seventh Centuries^ This illustrious Sovereign Pontiff and learned Doctor of the universal Church deserves the highest veneration, on account of his distinguished holiness, and great actions. At
the 1 2th of March, the festival of St. Gregory was celebrated, in Ireland, ""
according to our ancient Calendars. In the Feilire of St. . ^ngus, it is thus set down. ^ As already mentioned, in our notices of St. Kennanack, at
tecture and Round Towers of Ireland," part ii. , sect, iii. , subsect. i, p. 189.
Article hi. —' Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xviii.
Hibernise," xviii. Februarii. De S. Culano, a/w:j Dacualeno, pp. 368, 369.
= See our " Lives of the Irish Saints,"
vol. ii. Eighteenth Day of February, Art. ii. 3 See "Acta Sanctorum," xii. Martii.
Among the pretermitted saints, p. 103.
» Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
74, 75.
Article vi. —' The following stanza, ex-
*
At this date, the entries in the Francis-
can copy of the Tallagh Martyrology re- sume, with 23 notices of foreign saints and festivals. Then follows, at iiii. Idus, 5At\ALc mAiji eo cum ^\'^.
3 See "Acta tomus Sanctorum," ii. ,
tracted from the " Leabhar Breac "
copy,
Martii xii.
Among
the
pretermitted saints,
with its — fur- English translation, has been
P> 104.
Article iv. —' See Rev. Dr.
Edition, p. xviii.
nished by Professor O'Looney
:
"
chuA <MU;in. — Article v.
In the original language, it reads, mo-
'
See "Acta Sanctorum
Keliy's
^. im. it),
tie i\ichcAin A ireixAint)
a-^ C]mi-c cpochAif coIahto In coi\5An . c. mbuA'OA
S^M501t^ T\uAinA polAinti.
March 12. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 335
this day, the holy Pontiff, Pope Gregory of the Golden Mouth, was greatly revered, by our ancestors in the Faith. The Bollandists^ record his Acts,3
at great length ; but, the generality of English readers will find them re- corded, in their own language, by the Rev. Alban Butler. * Underthe head of Rome, Duald Mac Firbis enters, Gregory of Rome, March i2th. s
Article VII. —St. Melcoirgeas, or Maelcorghais. The Martyrology
of Tallagh' records S. Melcoirgeas, or Melecorgais,^ at the 12th of March. The Bollandists quote as well Marianus O'Gorman ; and, at this date, they
name the present saint Moelcorgusius. 3 The Martyrology of Donegal'^
registers on this day, as having veneration paid him, a saint, called Maelcor-
ghais. No place is particularized, in connexion with the entry of this saint's name.
Article VIII. —St. Cillin, or Killian, of Lilcach. An entry is found in the Martyrology of Tallagh,^ at the 12th of March, regarding a St. Cillen, of Lilchaig. ^ Besides this, although Colgan notes St. Killianus of Lilcaich, at the 14th of February,3 with many other saints of the name, he omits all notice of him, at the present date, as the Bollandists observe. •* Cillin, of Lilcach, occurs, in the Martyrology of Donegal,s at this day. The place of this saint cannot be readily identified. ^
Article IX. —Festival of St. Dagan, Bishop of Achadh-Dagan, or
Ennereilly, County of VVicklow. \Sixih and Seventh Centuries^ We
find Dagan, Bishop, set down in the Martyrologies of Tallagh' and of Donegal,^ as having a festival on this day. This however does not seem to
'" See
Cibteni tibchAi^.
3 See " Acta Sanctorum Hibemias," xiv,
Februarii. De S. Killiani Martyris et Soci orum ejus Translatione, n. 3, p. 331.
* See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. Martii xii. Among the pretermitted saints
Martii xii.
Before arriving in his country, For Christ he mortified his
Martii xii, Among the pretermitted saints-
body,
The slaughter [er] of an 74, 75.
hundred victories
Gregory of Rome, the intrepid.
Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , De S. Gregorio Magno, Pontif. Romano et Eccles. Doctore, pp. 121 to 211.
Article viii. —' Edited by Rev. Dr Kelly, p. xviii.
3 These are preceded by a previous com-
mentary, in eight sections, containing 40 paragraphs. This is followed by an anony-
mous but synchronous Life, taken from p. 103.
ancient Codices, in 5 chapters, comprising
28 paragraphs ; a Life by the Deacon John,
having a prologue, and in Four Books, con-
taining altogether 42 chapters, in 274 para-
graphs. An epilogue, in Latin verses, identical with Bective, in the county of concludes the latter Life. Several notes are
added by the Bollandists, by way of eluci- dation.
* See "Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs and
other principal Saints," vol. iii. , March xii. "
s See Proceedings of the Royal Irish Lieltrede, and in Latin, De Beatitudine.
Academy," Irish MSS. Series, vol. i. , part i. , pp. 124, 125.
However, Lieltrede seems to differ from
Lilcach. — Article ix. '
Article vii. —' Edited Kelly, p. xviii.
Rev. Dr.
Edited
Kelly, p. xviii. In the Franciscan copy,
"^
In the Franciscan copy, we find, Sci
TneLeco'vjAii'.
3 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. .
the entry stands, 'OAgAri epi.
-
Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 74, 75-
by
by Rev. Dr.
p.
10^.
" Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp
^
In the Franciscan copy, it reads
s Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp 74, 75-
* We find, however, a MS. note of Mr. Hennessy, suggesting a query, if it could be
Meath. We are then referred to a notice, in Grace's " Annales Hibemise," edited by Rev. Richard Butler, M. R. I. A. , note (i) at p. 20, A. D 1 195. We there read, that Bec- tive, in the Irish language, had been called
336 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 12
have been his principal feast. Under the head of Inver Dagile,3 Duald Mac Firbis enters, Dagdan, Bishop, at March 12th. The place is identical with Ennereilly. '« AccordingtoourIrishCalendars,onthisday,thereisafestival,
commemorating St. Dagan, Bishop over Achadh Dagan, His Acts, which are given at this date by Colgan,5 will be found, deferred to the 13th of Sep- tember. The Bollandists^ allude to his festival, at the 12th day of March, This is thought to have been the anniversary for some translation of the saint's reUcs.
Article X. —Festival of the Blessed Bryan Boroimhe, King of Ireland and Martyr. \^Tenth and Eleventh Centuries. '] The Bollandists remark,' at this date, that the English Martyrology inscribes a festival to
His Life will death. Col- typographical
Article XI. —Festival of St. Kessog, Mackessog, or Mackessagus, BishopandConfessor,PatronofLennox,Scotland. [^SixthCentury. ] The Martyrology of Usuard, enlarged by Hermann Greuen, gives the feast of Kessogus, Bishop, in Scotia, at this date, as the Bollandists observe. ' We have already inserted his Acts, at the loth of March.
Article XII. —St. Coman, Commanus, or Corman, Presbyter of
loNA, Scotland. [Si'xtA and Seventh Centuries. '] With regard to this holy man, Colgan' thinks, that a Corman may be identical with a St. Coman,^ a
Presbyter, who was a nephew,3 on the sister's side, of St. Virgnoius or Fergna,* Abbot of Hy,5 and whose feast has been assigned to the i2tlf or to the18thofMarch. St. CormanissaidtohavebeenthefirstIrishorScotch preacher of the Gospel, among the Northumbrians.
him 38 while on this day, we find registered, in the Martyrology of Donegal,39
;
Mura, of Fathain, in Inis Eoghain. His church had once been richly
endowed with lands and possessions. However, through lapse of time and owing to neglect, this noble Fathan monastery became ruinous, and, at length, it was converted into a parish church. During the seventeenth century, the day of his festival was observed, in that part of the country, with which he was connected. It is to be regretted, that ho trace of his once
collection of Mr. John Bell, Dungannon. See article on "The Bell of St. Mura," communicated by John M'Clelland, Jun. of Dungannon, to the "Ulster Journal of Archaeology," vol. i. , p. 274.
''s It was lately in possession of John M'Clelland. Jun. , of Dungannon, and it
probably remains with him, having been purchased from the former holder, to the great discontent of the Fahan people.
3° There are two lithographic illustrations
of this Bell of St. Mura of Fahan, together
with two interesting and appropriate com- munications, one from the Rev. William Reeves, and the other from John M'Clel- land, Jun. , Dungannon, in the "Ulster Journal of Archaeology," vol. i. , pp. 271 to 275.
3' See "Irish Researches," vol. vi. , pp. 861 to 865, in the Royal Irish Academy. No. 51.
3^ See "Ulster Journal of Archeology," vol. i. Mr. John M'Clelland's communica-
tion, p. 275.
33 In the margin, the following comment
has been attached to this proper name by
the commentator : "rneAcui|\ . 1. tnAchA|\e, seu Meacharius. " I cannot find such a
name, or even one very similar, in our Martyrologies, except as the father of two saints, viz. , Diarmaid, son of Meachair, at the i6th of January, and again, the daughter of Meachar, at the 6th of September,
^4 gge, ibid. , p. xlvi.
^5 gee the " Ulster Journal of Archae-
ology," vol. i. Saint Mura, by the Rev.
William Reeves, D. D. , p. 271.
3* £)i-_ Lanigan is in the habit of advanc-
ing the Chronology of the Four Masters, by one year. Their date is A. D. 657.
3? See Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical His- toryofIreland,"vol. iii. , chap,xvii. ,sect. viii. , p. 37.
38 gge Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
nige," xii. Martii, n. 10, p. 587.
39 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
74, 75.
•° ** Inishowen : its His- Maghtochair's
332 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 12.
faiftous abbey now exists, in the parish of Fahan ; but, his grave is yet pointed out, and a holy well is dedicated to him. These revered objects are
muchfrequentedbypeoplelivingintheneighbourhood/" Wearetoldby Colgan, that he saw a fragment of this Saint's Office, containing a relation of his virtues ; but, he does not state—probably he could not learn—if it escaped the ravages of sacrilegious hands.
Article II. —St. Kennanack, or Ceannannach, of Inis Meadhoin, OR Middle Island, of Aran, and Patron of Ballynakill Parish, County of Galway. Very little appears to be known about St. Kennanach —called in the Irish language Ceannfhionnac—except the popular tradition, that he was son to a King of Leinster. ^ Who his father had been, is not stated, nor when he reigned. Yet, it is believed, that St. Ceannannach was one of the earliest among Christian preachers, in the extreme west of Ireland. He must have lived for some time in the curious oratory, which is still so perfect, on Inis Meadhoin, or the Middle Island, of Aran. After him, it is
TeropuU Ceannanach, on Inis Meadhoin, or the Middle Island, of Aran.
calledTempullCeannanach. ^ BythehavenofDowrassstandstheparish church of Ballynakill parish,^ off the western coast, and in the county of
Galway. Its patron, St. Kennanack, was venerated, on the 12th of March. It is thought, he was identical with the St. Kennanack, who was celebrated in the Middle Island of Aran,5 and whose ancient oratory, on the south
tory, Traditions and Antiquities," chap. 3 This denomination is not noted on the viii. , p. 55. — Ordnance Survey Maps.
'* Article ii. See Dr. Petrie's "Eccle-
This very extensive cure, vs^ith its islands,
siastical Architecture and Round Towers of
Ireland," part ii. , sect, iii. , subsect. I, p.
189.
"
Dr. Petrie's work contains an engraving of this very curious old oratory, as it stood, over thirty years ago.
is in the barony of Ballynahinch. It is des- cribed on the " Ordnance Survey Townland
Maps for the County of Galv/ay," Sheets 9, 10, II, 22, 23, 24, 37.
s See Roderic O'Flaherty's "Chorogra- phical Description of West or H-Iar Con-
March 12. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 2>^^
shore, is so picturesque an object, standing just over the verge of the Atlantic waves. Measured on the outside, the walls—about three feet in thickness—
are 16 feet 7 inches, in length, by 12 feet 6 inches, in width. ^ A square- headed old doorway is in the west end, and a large elder tree, with other
shrubs, grows within the ruin, so as effectively to preclude an easy entrance. A stunted growth of ivy forms on the walls, which are of fine island lime- stone, and built with dressed blocks of Cyclopean size. Numbers of flag tombstones, with modern inscriptions, are in the graveyard around it. 7 A curious old window of very small dimensions is in the east gable. ^ Accord- ing to local tradition, as recorded by Hardiman, the original name of St. Kennanach 9 was Gregory ; while, under the latter appellation, on the remote islands, and along the western and south-western coasts of Ireland, some person, greatly celebrated for his holiness, was held in popular veneration.
St. the '° Pope Gregory Great,
of the " as golden Mouth,"
Roderick O'Flaherty tells us, that his memory was kept, on the great Island of Aran ; however, his editor, James Hardiman, observes, that there is no authority for any direct or imme- diate connexion between him and the Aran Islands. Tradition asserts, in- deed, that the ship-road, between Aranmore and Inis Meadhoin, was called,
Some have
thought
him to be identical with
who was
the
"
called
probably suggestive of his great eloquence.
Gregory'sSound,
Gregory
of the
golden
Mouth Hardiman ;" while,
M. R. I.
" It is in his cele- remarkable, Cummian,
brated Epistle, referring to the Paschal con- troversy, acknowledges this as his received
*
A. , pp. 118, 119.
The accompanying illustration, drawn
formerly
by
Irish,
Gregory
after "
maintains, that the latter was identical with St. Ceannannach. ^^ Tradition has it, that by ord-er of a pagan tyrant, who ruled on the north-west coast of Galway, St Ceannannach was seized, and beheaded, near the eastern extremity of the present village of Cleggan. 's There, a heap of stones is pointed out, as a monument, said to have been erected on the spot, where he suffered. Two miles north of Cleggan, at the foot of Cartron hill ^^ are the ruins of Ballynakill's ancient parish church,'^ which had been dedicated to St. Cean- nanach. His well, enclosed by a circular wall, is situated about a furlong east of the church. '^ It is thought to be not improbable,'^ that he is the same
naught," edited by James Hardiman, that of St. Kennanack.
on the spot by the writer, in June, 1877, has
been transferred to the wood, by William title,
F. Wakeman, and it was engraved by Mrs. Millard.
"
Veterum Epistolarum Hiber-
7 Not far
away
is shown the site of an old
"See Roderic "Choro- O'Flaherty's
graphical Description of West or H-Iar
graveyard, now covered over with fine white
sea-sand. A storm once washed away Connaught, written A. D. 1684," edited by
sands and loose stones, showing inscribed
tombs, buried in the subsoil. The clearing
away of the sandbank might probably show
the remains of an old church, and perhaps
James Hardiman, M. R. I. A. , p. 80 and n. (c. )
'3 xhig jmd the townland, so called, are in the parish of Ballynakill, and barony of
reveal several old Irish inscriptions and Ballynahinch. See "Ordnance Survey
sculptures.
^
Mr. Hardiman states, that this oratory is considered to be the most ancient and perfect of all the ecclesiastical remains in the Aran Islands. It is named, in Arch- bishop O'Keely's list of the Aran churches, which he furnished to Colgan ; while there, it is said to have been dedicated to St. Ceannannach, and to be subject to the parish of St. Endeus.
' In Irish, written, CeAnni-ioriAd.
'°
Townland Maps for the County of Galway," Sheets 9, 22.
'* See ibid.
'S The east gable is of great antiquity j
but, there is a modem chapel, at the west
end, built by Edmond Laidir or "the
"
O'Flaherty, who is interred in it. On this chapel is inscribed A. D. 1709.
'^ See Roderic O'Flaherty's "Chore- graphical Description of West or H-Iat Connaught, written A. D. 1684," edited by
It is remarkable, likewise, that his James Hardiman, M. R. I. A. , n. (z), ppi feast falls on the present day, to which 118, 119.
O'Flaherty, in the work quoted, assigns •? See Dr. Petrie's " Ecclesiastical Archi*
"
See Ussher's
strong
oris aurei," even at that early period.
nicarum Sylloge. " Epist. xi. , p. 31.
334 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 12.
as St. Ceanannan, whose festival is marked, in the Irish Calendars, at the 26th of March.
Article III. —Reputed Festival of St. Garalt, of Maigh Eo, now Mayo, with his Companions.
\_Seiienth and Eighth Centurtes. ~\ It seems to us, the name of St. Garalt, or Gerald, of Mayo, has been misplaced, in the present instanc—e ; especially, as it has been omitted—in the work subse- quently quoted on the following day, when such an entry should receive insertion. A festival is recorded, in the Martyrology of Tallagh,' at the 12th of March, in honour of Garalt Maghi Eo, cum suts. ' The BoUandists notice this entry, likewise, but they prefer relegating St. Gerald's Acts to the day succeeding. 3 Thisfeast,however,mighthavebeeniregarded,asavigilto the principal one, omitted in the Tallagh Martyrology.
Article IV. —Reputed Festival of a St. Mochua, Ailiun, or
AiLUiN. ThisisanadditionalinsertionoftheTallaghMartyrology^regard-
ingasaint'sname,notfoundelsewhere,yetreferabletothepresentday. In the Franciscan copy, there is an entry, Mochua Ailuin. ^ It may be question- able, however, if this entry be not intended to account for the saint, who follows next in order.
Article V. —Festival of St. Culan, or Dachuailen, Bishop, son of
Guaire. \_PossiblyintheSeventhCentury? ^ TheMartyrologiesofMarianus O'Gorman and Maguire place the feast of St. Dacualenus or St. Culanus, at the12thofMarch. Noticesregardingthissaintoccur,atthei8thofFeb- ruary, in Colgan ;' and, at the same date, we have given fuller detail about him. ^ The BoUandists briefly insert the name, Dochualenus, on the authority of Marianus O'Gorman, at March the 12th. s The Martyrology of Donegal* mentions, that on this day was venerated, Dachuailen, son of Guaire. He sprung from the race of Eoghan, son to Niail.
Article VI. —Festival of Pope St. Gregory the Great, Confessor AND Doctor. \Sixth and Seventh Centuries^ This illustrious Sovereign Pontiff and learned Doctor of the universal Church deserves the highest veneration, on account of his distinguished holiness, and great actions. At
the 1 2th of March, the festival of St. Gregory was celebrated, in Ireland, ""
according to our ancient Calendars. In the Feilire of St. . ^ngus, it is thus set down. ^ As already mentioned, in our notices of St. Kennanack, at
tecture and Round Towers of Ireland," part ii. , sect, iii. , subsect. i, p. 189.
Article hi. —' Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xviii.
Hibernise," xviii. Februarii. De S. Culano, a/w:j Dacualeno, pp. 368, 369.
= See our " Lives of the Irish Saints,"
vol. ii. Eighteenth Day of February, Art. ii. 3 See "Acta Sanctorum," xii. Martii.
Among the pretermitted saints, p. 103.
» Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
74, 75.
Article vi. —' The following stanza, ex-
*
At this date, the entries in the Francis-
can copy of the Tallagh Martyrology re- sume, with 23 notices of foreign saints and festivals. Then follows, at iiii. Idus, 5At\ALc mAiji eo cum ^\'^.
3 See "Acta tomus Sanctorum," ii. ,
tracted from the " Leabhar Breac "
copy,
Martii xii.
Among
the
pretermitted saints,
with its — fur- English translation, has been
P> 104.
Article iv. —' See Rev. Dr.
Edition, p. xviii.
nished by Professor O'Looney
:
"
chuA <MU;in. — Article v.
In the original language, it reads, mo-
'
See "Acta Sanctorum
Keliy's
^. im. it),
tie i\ichcAin A ireixAint)
a-^ C]mi-c cpochAif coIahto In coi\5An . c. mbuA'OA
S^M501t^ T\uAinA polAinti.
March 12. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 335
this day, the holy Pontiff, Pope Gregory of the Golden Mouth, was greatly revered, by our ancestors in the Faith. The Bollandists^ record his Acts,3
at great length ; but, the generality of English readers will find them re- corded, in their own language, by the Rev. Alban Butler. * Underthe head of Rome, Duald Mac Firbis enters, Gregory of Rome, March i2th. s
Article VII. —St. Melcoirgeas, or Maelcorghais. The Martyrology
of Tallagh' records S. Melcoirgeas, or Melecorgais,^ at the 12th of March. The Bollandists quote as well Marianus O'Gorman ; and, at this date, they
name the present saint Moelcorgusius. 3 The Martyrology of Donegal'^
registers on this day, as having veneration paid him, a saint, called Maelcor-
ghais. No place is particularized, in connexion with the entry of this saint's name.
Article VIII. —St. Cillin, or Killian, of Lilcach. An entry is found in the Martyrology of Tallagh,^ at the 12th of March, regarding a St. Cillen, of Lilchaig. ^ Besides this, although Colgan notes St. Killianus of Lilcaich, at the 14th of February,3 with many other saints of the name, he omits all notice of him, at the present date, as the Bollandists observe. •* Cillin, of Lilcach, occurs, in the Martyrology of Donegal,s at this day. The place of this saint cannot be readily identified. ^
Article IX. —Festival of St. Dagan, Bishop of Achadh-Dagan, or
Ennereilly, County of VVicklow. \Sixih and Seventh Centuries^ We
find Dagan, Bishop, set down in the Martyrologies of Tallagh' and of Donegal,^ as having a festival on this day. This however does not seem to
'" See
Cibteni tibchAi^.
3 See " Acta Sanctorum Hibemias," xiv,
Februarii. De S. Killiani Martyris et Soci orum ejus Translatione, n. 3, p. 331.
* See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. Martii xii. Among the pretermitted saints
Martii xii.
Before arriving in his country, For Christ he mortified his
Martii xii, Among the pretermitted saints-
body,
The slaughter [er] of an 74, 75.
hundred victories
Gregory of Rome, the intrepid.
Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , De S. Gregorio Magno, Pontif. Romano et Eccles. Doctore, pp. 121 to 211.
Article viii. —' Edited by Rev. Dr Kelly, p. xviii.
3 These are preceded by a previous com-
mentary, in eight sections, containing 40 paragraphs. This is followed by an anony-
mous but synchronous Life, taken from p. 103.
ancient Codices, in 5 chapters, comprising
28 paragraphs ; a Life by the Deacon John,
having a prologue, and in Four Books, con-
taining altogether 42 chapters, in 274 para-
graphs. An epilogue, in Latin verses, identical with Bective, in the county of concludes the latter Life. Several notes are
added by the Bollandists, by way of eluci- dation.
* See "Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs and
other principal Saints," vol. iii. , March xii. "
s See Proceedings of the Royal Irish Lieltrede, and in Latin, De Beatitudine.
Academy," Irish MSS. Series, vol. i. , part i. , pp. 124, 125.
However, Lieltrede seems to differ from
Lilcach. — Article ix. '
Article vii. —' Edited Kelly, p. xviii.
Rev. Dr.
Edited
Kelly, p. xviii. In the Franciscan copy,
"^
In the Franciscan copy, we find, Sci
TneLeco'vjAii'.
3 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. .
the entry stands, 'OAgAri epi.
-
Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 74, 75-
by
by Rev. Dr.
p.
10^.
" Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp
^
In the Franciscan copy, it reads
s Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp 74, 75-
* We find, however, a MS. note of Mr. Hennessy, suggesting a query, if it could be
Meath. We are then referred to a notice, in Grace's " Annales Hibemise," edited by Rev. Richard Butler, M. R. I. A. , note (i) at p. 20, A. D 1 195. We there read, that Bec- tive, in the Irish language, had been called
336 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 12
have been his principal feast. Under the head of Inver Dagile,3 Duald Mac Firbis enters, Dagdan, Bishop, at March 12th. The place is identical with Ennereilly. '« AccordingtoourIrishCalendars,onthisday,thereisafestival,
commemorating St. Dagan, Bishop over Achadh Dagan, His Acts, which are given at this date by Colgan,5 will be found, deferred to the 13th of Sep- tember. The Bollandists^ allude to his festival, at the 12th day of March, This is thought to have been the anniversary for some translation of the saint's reUcs.
Article X. —Festival of the Blessed Bryan Boroimhe, King of Ireland and Martyr. \^Tenth and Eleventh Centuries. '] The Bollandists remark,' at this date, that the English Martyrology inscribes a festival to
His Life will death. Col- typographical
Article XI. —Festival of St. Kessog, Mackessog, or Mackessagus, BishopandConfessor,PatronofLennox,Scotland. [^SixthCentury. ] The Martyrology of Usuard, enlarged by Hermann Greuen, gives the feast of Kessogus, Bishop, in Scotia, at this date, as the Bollandists observe. ' We have already inserted his Acts, at the loth of March.
Article XII. —St. Coman, Commanus, or Corman, Presbyter of
loNA, Scotland. [Si'xtA and Seventh Centuries. '] With regard to this holy man, Colgan' thinks, that a Corman may be identical with a St. Coman,^ a
Presbyter, who was a nephew,3 on the sister's side, of St. Virgnoius or Fergna,* Abbot of Hy,5 and whose feast has been assigned to the i2tlf or to the18thofMarch. St. CormanissaidtohavebeenthefirstIrishorScotch preacher of the Gospel, among the Northumbrians.
