The
Franciscan
copy has 'PuIa]\caic niAc bjMC.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v3
Drs.
Todd and Reeves, at these respective dates.
'3 See his observations, in "Acta Sane- torum Hibernise," Martii xxviii. De S. Cassano Episcopo et Abbate, cap. v. , pp. 780, 781.
St. Finian of Clonard, as mentioned in the Acts of the latter. If he were the son of Moenach, he may have been the Cassidus, or Casidanus, noticed, in the Acts of St. Senan of Iniscathy, according to Colgan. See ibid. , cap. v. , vi. , vii. , viii.
'5 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. ,
Martii xxviii. the
Among pretermitted
saints, pp. 709, 710.
""
Edited by Rev, Dr. Kelly, p. xx. In the Franciscan copy, I find C^jn^An Im- 'ouaiL
'^ The only place, corresponding with that name in Ireland, and now known, is '^ One of these is St. Cassan, son of Imdel, a townland in the parish of Dium-
Etract, son to Liberius, son of King Laoi-
ghaire, acconling to the Sanctilogic Genea- logy, chap, iii. , and a scrioe in Lusk
Monastery. His death is recorded, in our
ballyroney, in the lower part of Upper Iveagh barony and county ol Down. It is noted, on the " Ordnance Survey Townland
Maps for the County of Down," Sheet 41.
A second from '*> Edited Drs, Todd and Reeves, sprung by
at a. d.
Eochod, son of Mured, as the same Genea- 88, 89,
Annals,
695.
pp.
Article IV. — ' Edited by Rev. Dr.
Kelly, p. xix. In the Franciscan copy is
written, SiILji? .
^
See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , Martii xxviii. Among the pretermitted saints, p. 709.
Article v. —« The extract, following
logy states, chap. xxii. A third, the son of Moenach, with seven holy brothers, were descended from Lugad, surnamed Mac-Con, King of Ireland. ^tcibid. Last chapter.
Colgan conjectures, that the present saint
was not one of the two foregoing ; but, that
he have been the son of Nemen, or may
March 28. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 991
according to the Feilire of St. ^ngus,^ the Festival of St. Mary Magdalene
was kept, on the 28th of March. The Bollandists = also remark, that her
feast is set down, in the Martyrologies of Tallagh, and of Treves, in Germany ; but, they refer her chief commemoration, to the 22nd day of July.
Article VI. —Reputed Feast of St. Fulartach, Bishop of Clonard. \Eighth Century. '\ Under the head of Disert Fulartaigh,* Duald Mac Firbis enters, Fulartach, son of Brec, Bishop of Clonard, in Meath, and from Disert Fulartaigh, in Offaly. ^ His death is referred to a. d. 778,andMarchthe28thisadded. Wethink,however,hiscommemoration is more in place, on the day succeeding.
Article VII. —St. Kortillus, or Kortyla, Bishop of Verden, and Martyr. In the Catalogue of our Irish Saints, furnished by Henry Fitz- simon,' the name of St. Kortillus, Bishop and Martyr, occurs, at the 28th of March. He cites the English Martyrology,^ as authority for his statement, as does Ferrarius, likewise ; yet, the Bollandists,3 who passingly allude to him, at this date, remark, that he was regarded as a Scot, and the sixth
bishop of Verden, in succession, while little more could be said regarding him, save that his festival was referable to the 30th of April. He is generally classed among our Irish saints, the term Scotus not invalidating his claim to be so reckoned. At the 28th of March, as a Scottish saint, Dempster enters Kortila, Bishop at Verda, the sixth who possessed the See.
Article VIII. —Reputed Festival of St. Chronanus. In the anony- mous list of our national saints, as published by O'Sullevan Beare,' at the 28th of March, we find the name of St. Chronanus. I suspect, however, that it is a mistake for St. Cronan,=^ Abbot of Roscrea, who is venerated on the 28th of April.
Article IX. —Reputed Festival of St. Guthbertus. In the anony- mous list of national saints, published by O'Sullevan Beare,' we find the entry of Guthbertus, at the 27th of March. This appears intended for St. Cudibert,whoseLifewillbefoundatthe20thofMarch; northeredowe find any corresponding date, for such a commemoration, as has been entered for him, at the present day.
from the Leabhar Breac with its ' copy, Eng-
According
to William M.
Hennessy,
lish — was furnished translation, by
O'Looney :
C. «, kl. Oon|\05i\A t'oiifriA'oeA Sech •piAnriA ]\on|'enA
Professor the
is now known as
in the Kildare.
'
"
niA^MA ^onmojAA
lr> mo|\ mAg-OAleriA.
May she invite us, may she save us
3 See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , Martii xxviii. Among the pretermitted saints, p. 710.
From she pains may
us
* See "
Scoticum. " Kalendars of Scottish Saints," p.
May Mary magnify us The great Magdalena.
Forbes'
See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , Martii xxviii. Among the pretermitted
saints, p. 711. — Article VI.
'
See his Life, at the proper day. Article ix. 'See "Historise Catlio'- licae Ibernias Compendium," tomus i„ lib.
iv. , cap. xi. , p. 50,
See Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy," Irish MSS. Series,
vol. i. , part i. , pp. io6, 107,
protect
;
"
Menologium
Bishop
"
" "—
place
Dysert,
of — and barony Carbury, county
of
"
Article vii. See Catalogus Aliquo-
rum Sanctorum Iberniae. "
194.
Article viii.
—' iv. , cap. xi. , p. 50.
'
"
tillus (? ) is noticed at the 28th of April.
Mart. Angl. Another Saint Kor-
"
licse Iberniae Compendium," tomus i. , lib.
See
Historiae Catho-
992 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 29.
CtDentp-nintft JBai? of ilarrft*
ARTICLE L—ST. FULARTACH, OR FULARTUS, BISHOP OF CLONARD. [EIGHTH CENTURY. ^
SOME
account of this holy bishop is to be found, in Colgan,* with a very succinct in the Bollandists. =^ From the we learn, that
notice, former,
St. Fulartach, or Fulartus,3 as he is sometimes called, was son to Brec, or Brecus, and he was descended from an illustrious family, in Ulster, as may be collected from the names of his progenitors. Thus, Brec was son to Scandal, son of Boedan, son to Eochod, son of Cella, son to Coelbad, son of Crunn Badhra,4 according to the Genealogies of the Irish Saints. s It is probable, he was born in the province of Ulster ; but, in what year has not transpired. He built an oratory, in Hy-Falgia territory, and, at a place, which derives its name from the founder, having been called Disert Fular- tach. Here, it is said, he lived an eremitical life, for a time. Nearly all our ancient records state, that from this place, he was translated to the See of Clonard. This he governed, with distinguished merit and virtue. However, the Rev. Dr. Lanigan appears to think, that St. Fulartach, of Disert Fular- tach, may have been a different person from the bishop, as some writers have made a distinction between them. ^ Accordingly, the Annals of the Four Masters specify, that Fulartach, son to Breac, an anchorite, died in the year 755 j^ while, Fulartach, Bishop of Clonard, departed a. d. 774. ** However,
it is remarked, by Colgan, that the Annals of the Four Masters do not state
expressly, the former died in 755, as they do, regarding other persons named withhim; hence,theymayhaveonlyintendedtoindicate,thatheflourished
in such year, and that, subsequently, he became Bishop of Clonard, after
obtaining which dignity, he died in 744,^ a date assigned by our Annalists for the death of the prelate of this See. '° There are two festivals, in honour of St. Fulartach : one of these was celebrated, on the 29th day of March. Furlartach mac Bricc is the only entry concerning him, as found in the Martyrology of Tallagh," at this date. Cathal Maguire and Marianus O'Gormanhavealikeentry; thelatterwiththeremark,thathewasBishop
Article i. —' See " Acta Sanctoram
Hibernise," xxix. Martii. De S. Fulartacho
the terms (oecc), and (died), are thus sup- plied, within brackets, being wanting in the original Irish page, and, of course, in the literal English translation, as applied to Fulartach, the Anchorite.
^Atthe weread "
year 755, : Fulartach,
3 By Irish writers, this saint is called son of Breac, an anchorite, [died. ]" And at
sive Fularto Eremita, pp. 787, 788. *"
See Acta Sanctoi-um," tomus iii. , Martii xxix. Among the pretermitted saints, p. 766.
Fulartach. In Latin, he is called
"
the
Cluain-Iraird [Clonard], died. " Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 358, 359, and 378, 379.
* See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber*
nise," xxix. Martii. Vita S. Fulartachi, p.
"J^J. '"
See Rev. Anthony Cogan's
siastical History of the Diocese of Meath,
or Felaertus. The same may be observed of
a homonymous saint, whose Acts will be
found, at the 21st of December.
Hence, it would appear, that our saint
belonged to the same race as St. Fergussius, Bishop of Downpatrick, —whose Acts are found on the following day 30th of March.
s Chapter xxiii.
'
See "Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. iii. , chap, xix. , sect, xvi. , p. 202.
" Eccle-
"
7 In Dr. O'Donovan's edition of the Annals of the Four Masters," at a. d. 755,
" Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xx.
The Franciscan copy has 'PuIa]\caic niAc bjMC.
Fulartus,
year 774:
— of Fulartach, Bishop
Ancient and Modern," vol. i. , chap, ii. , pp. 15, 21.
March 29. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
993
of Clonard," while the commentator adds a more eulogistic notice. *3 This day, we find, set down in the Martyrology of Donegal,'-* the name of Fular-
tach, son of Brec, Bishop of Cluain-Eraird, and of Disert Fulartaich, in Ui Failghe. The Calendarist adds, there is found a Fulartach, son of Brec, and descended from the race of Irial, son of Conall Cearnach, according to the Naoirahsenchus. In the table appended to the Donegal Martyrology, a commentator adds, in a marginal note, this saint had another festival, at the 2ist of December. 'S To that date, the reader is likewise referred . However, there were two distinct saints, bearing the same name ; both of whom are treated of, by Colgan, on this particular day. This writer is of opinion, that the memory of each saint belongs to a different day ; but, he is unable to assign for either individual the date of his own peculiar festival.
Article II. —St. Ferghas, son of Enda, of Inis-Caoin, Lough Erne. Ferghas, son of Enda, of Inis-Caoin—now Iniskeen—in Loch
Eirne, is set down, in the Martyrology of Donegal,^ as having a festival, at this date. The place, with which he was formerly connected, was on an island of moderate dimensions, and this was situated a few miles from the town of Enniskillen, on the beautiful Lough Erne. That glorious sheet of water, including the River Erne, of rare beauty and magnificence," has a wide and winding extent of sliore, in the counties of Cavan, Fermanagh and Donegal. From various surrounding hills and mountains, its panoramic splendours are exhibited to the gaze, and in every possible novelty of colour and grouping. Over two hundred islands break the water surfaces. The Erne flows in a north-west course, almost centrally through the county of Fermanagh. It is supplied with many tributary streams, along the forty miles of its tortuous channel ; being divided into the upper and lower lake. About midway on an island in the Erne, the elegantly-built and thriving town of Enniskillen 3 stands, two handsome bridges, having five arches each, connecting this borough with tlie mainland. The romantic scen,ery both above and below this town is unrivalled. The upper lake has numerous in- dentations along its margin, on either side, and so thickly are its islands grouped, that at first sight it would seem a matter of extreme difficulty for a pilot, to find the proper channel. Its course gives the tourist a general idea of an inundated country. The islands are usually very fertile and verdant, whilemanyarerichlywooded. Projectingheadlandsontheriverbanksare often covered with fine timber, rising with stately trunks and branching tops,
Article ir. —' Edited by Drs. Todd and
Reeves, pp. 88, 89.
' to the scenic beauties of the Alluding
Eme, William Allingham pourtrays some of Cluain eraird ; et de Disert Fulartaich in its features, in the ballad, known as "The
*="Episcopus de Cluain-eraird. " See
the BoUandist entry.
'3 Thus we read
:
"
S. Fulartachus auro
appretiundus, filius Breci, Episcopus de
Hi falgio. " See Colgan's note 6, p. 788. '» Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
Emigrant's Adieu to Ballyshannon. " De- scribing the local objects, he adds—
, ,.
"far upon the southern line, to
guard it like a wall,
The Leitrim mountains, clothed in blue,
gaze calmly over all, Andwatchtheshipsail—upanddoAvn,the*
red flag at her stern
Adieu to these, adieu to all the winding
banks of Eme ! "
3 The accompanying illustration is from a sketch, drawn on the wood, by William F.
88, 89. " '5 See ibid. , pp. 422, 423.
Ita citata
Martyrologia ad eundem diem :
singula notanter appellant Furlartachum Breci filium ; sed non ambigo S. Fularta- chumsiveFulartumEpiscopumDomnacen- sem in Connacia, et S. Patricii discipulum alterutro die coli ; cum fuerit celebrate sanctitatis : et nullo alio die videam ej—us Natalem a Martyrologiis observatum. " Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hibernioe," xxix. Martii, n. 7, p. 788.
Vol. III. —No. 16.
3 R
ad quern
:
994 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 29.
from the low and often marshy grounds. Herons and aquatic fowl breed along the rush-lined shores. Nothing can exceed the variety of landscape features here introduced. SwelHng hills and more distant mountains fre- quently give a grand, and, an undulating, outHne, to the prospect. The lower lake has a greater expansion of water, unimpeded by islands ; although the latter are found to be not less numerous, while descending its stream. 't When St.
Enniskillen, from the East Bridge.
Ferghas lived in Iniscaoin cannot be discovered ; but, in the table, which is
added to the Martyrology of Donegal, s its compiler remarks, there is a parish church of St. Fergus of Iniscaoin, without cure of souls, because its rectory was secular or impropriate. The Bollandists barely allude to this holy man, as Fergussius, son of Ennius, of Inis-Caoin, in Lough Erne, and quote the Martyrology of Tallagh, as their authority f yet, neither in the published work, nor in the Franciscan copy of that record, do I find any corresponding entry.
Article III. —Saints Eithene, Ethne, or Ethnea, and Sodhealbh, SODELBIA, OR SODELVIA, ViRGINS, OF TeCH-INGEN-BaITHE, NEAR SwORDS, County of Dublin. [^Sixth Century. '] These holy virgins lived about, or after, the middle of the sixth century. Colgan writes concerning them, at the present day,' The Bollandists ^ notice their feast, likewise, at this date, while they remark, that the 2nd, and also the 15th, of January, were assigned fortheircommemoration. However,thosewriterspreferredwaiting,forthe
Wakeman, who resides there, and the en- graving is by Mrs. Millard. This represents the site of the Catholic church, the convent building and grounds, as also the Protestant church, with its tower and spire.
* See "Legend Lays of Ireland," by Lageniensis, No. xii. A Legend of Lough Erne, note i, p. 82.
' See Hid. , pp. 414, 415. ^"
See Acta Sanctorum," tomus ill. , Martii xxix. Among the pretermitted saints, p. 766. —
Article III. 'See, "Acta Sanctorum Hibemias," xxix. Martii. De SS. Virgini- bus Ethena et Sodelbia sive Sodelvia, pp.
785, 786.
MARCH 29. 1 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
995
possible recovery of their Acts, or for better proofs of their celebration being found. Whethersuchrecordshadperished,inthelapseoftime,orwhether they have not yet been published, is a matter undetermined. We find it stated, by Colgan, that Cathald Maguire, about a. d. 1490, seems to have read their Acts, and this is inferred, from some quotations made, regarding our pious virgins. They are usually called the daughters of Baithe ; but, as this term, in the Irish language, has an equivocal signification, it is supposed
to be only a metaphorical designation, personal to themselves, and meaning, ""
daughters of fervent," or ardent love. " 3 This may have been applied to them, because they exhibited, in all their exterior actions, that internal flame of Divine ardour, which caused them to have their souls constantly filled with love for their true Spouse, our Lord Jesus Christ. However, it is possible, that the present holy women may have been the Saints Ethnea and Sodelbia, of Kill-NaiSj-^ the daughters of Corbre, the son of Corbmac, son to Ailild, son of Dunlong, son to Endeus Niadh, as laid down, in the Genea- logies of the Saints of Ireland. s With the present pious women, their sister St. Cumania is named. According to our Annals, their great-grandfather Ailild, or Oilill, died, a. d. 526 f their grandfather Corbmac departed this life, in the year 535 ;? while the death of their father is referred to a. d. 546. ^ If such a conjecture be well founded, all of the foregoing virgins were venerated, intheplainoftheRiverLiffey. This —havebeenthecase,notwith—stand-
ing the connexion of those two sisters probably subsequent
may
with anotherplace,andcircumstancesappeartofavourasimilarview. Ethna,or Ethnea,wasawell-knownancientname,amongIrishfemales; while,Soidh- elbh is Latinized Pulcheria, or "beautiful. " They are thought to have
flourished, in the sixth century, and to have lived, within the bounds of
Lagenia, now the province of Leinster. It must be remarked, however, that the ancient writer 'bf St. Maidoc's Acts 9 seems to make both those holy
sisters, not the daughters, but the nieces, of Corbre, and by him, they are styled the daughters of Aidus. '° By him, too, we find a very remarkable miracle related, and this is attributed, by Colgan, to the united merits and virtues of St. Maedoc, Bishop of Ferns, together with those of the holy virgins, who are here commemorated. These holy women lived at Surd," now known as Swords, in the parish so called, and in the present county of Dublin. The history of this place has been given, by Colgan. ^^ In the commentaries added, by Cathald Maguire, to a copy of the " Feilire" of St. ^ngus, it is stated, that Christ our Lord appeared, in the shape of a beauti- ful infant, to recline on the breast of those chaste spouses. '3 This seems rather confirmatory of Colgan's hypothesis, regarding their patronymic. When, or how long they lived, at the place indicated, does not appear, from
'See "Acta Martii xxix.
saints, pp. 766, 767.
tomus pretermitted
» See his
at the 21st of
Sanctorum,"
iii. ,
Life, Colgan's
January.
" Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
Among
the
'° See
nias," Januarii xxxi. Vita S. Maidoci, cap. xxxiv. , p. 212, and n, 32, p. 218.
3 Colgan tel'. s us, that Baithe, Buithe, or ""
Buidhe, signifies fervent love," and joined with Ingena, the terms might be Latinized, •'filiffi ferventis seu ardentis dilectionis. "
This place does not seem to have been identified } but, it may not be improbable to suppose, it was identical with the modern town of Naas, in the county of Kildare.
See the Manuscript Volume of Extracts for the County of Dublin, formerly belong- ing to the Lish Ordnance Survey, p. 130, where a notice of their festival occurs,
"See "Trias Thaumaturga. " Quinta
Appendix ad Acta S. Columba, cap. vii. ,
p. 509.
»3 The legend is thus related, in the
Leabhar Breac " Christus uenit in copy:
forma infantis esse in sinu earum et oscula-
bantur eum, et baptizauit eas, etsi Apostoli praedicauerunt illis tamen plus abipso acce-
5 Chapter xx.
'See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 174, 175.
1 See ibid. , pp. 1 78, 1 79. See ibid. ^ pp. 184, 185.
of the
a one
996 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 29.
any known source. There is an elegant drawing of Swords church, county of Dublin, by Mr. Gandon, Junr. , a. d. 1791, and it was engraved for Grose's
Antiquities of Ireland. ^+ A history and description follows it. But, another alternative has been offered, by a commentator, on the "Feilire" of St. ^ngus, that their place may have been rather in Uib Failge, also known as Offaly. 'S However this may be the case, it must be inferred, that Saints Ethnea and Sodelbia were daughters of the same father and mother ; united in their pursuits, desires, and mode of life ; but, whether they departed together, on the 29th of March, may be questioned. As we have already seen, the daughters of Baith, or Bath, were venerated, on the 2nd of January. ^^ Again,atthe15thofthesamemonth,thereisafestival,forthe daughters of Cairbre, entered in our Martyrologies. '7 No fewer than six different Irish Martyrologies record the feast of these holy virgins, in the church of Tegh-Ingen-Baithe, at this day. Thus, the "Feiiire" of St. . ^ngus commemorates " the festival of Baith's daughters, the passion of a
^^
host with
29th of March, we find them entered as Ingen, or the Daughters of Baite ; their names are set down as Ethne and Sodelbia, while it is remarked, that they were constant worshippers of Christ. In the Calendar of Cashel, we find,also,adistinctivecommemoration. ^" MarianusO'Gorman,^'andCathal Maguire, likewise, have their respective notices of them. We find the names, Eithne and Sodhealbh, recorded in the Martyrology of Donegal," on this day. They were the two daughters of Bait. The Calendarist remarks, that
they lived, by the side of Sord Colum Cille. At the 29th of March, or 4th of the April Kalends, the Kalendar of Drummond^'s informs us, that in Hibernia, the Holy Virgins, the daughters of Baite went to Christ.
Article IV. —St. Lasar, Lassar, or Lassera, Virgin. {Sixth Century. '] A very brief allusion to St. Lassara occurs, in the Bollandists'
Collection,^atthe29thofMarch. Enteringmoreintoparticulars,Colgan notices her festival, at the same date f and, he undertakes, also, to solve her genealogy. She is said to have been of royal origin; her father being Fearguss, son of Fethlemid, son to King Laoighaire, son to Niall of the NineHostages. 3 ShewasniecetoSt. Fortchern,*whobecameoneofSt. Patrick's earliest converts, in Ireland. s It is thought, that her earliest lessons
great
modesty. "
Again,
in the
Martyrology
of at the Tallagh,'9
perunt fidem quam ab illis. " See "Trans- actions of the Royal Irish Academy.
'3 See his observations, in "Acta Sane- torum Hibernise," Martii xxviii. De S. Cassano Episcopo et Abbate, cap. v. , pp. 780, 781.
St. Finian of Clonard, as mentioned in the Acts of the latter. If he were the son of Moenach, he may have been the Cassidus, or Casidanus, noticed, in the Acts of St. Senan of Iniscathy, according to Colgan. See ibid. , cap. v. , vi. , vii. , viii.
'5 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. ,
Martii xxviii. the
Among pretermitted
saints, pp. 709, 710.
""
Edited by Rev, Dr. Kelly, p. xx. In the Franciscan copy, I find C^jn^An Im- 'ouaiL
'^ The only place, corresponding with that name in Ireland, and now known, is '^ One of these is St. Cassan, son of Imdel, a townland in the parish of Dium-
Etract, son to Liberius, son of King Laoi-
ghaire, acconling to the Sanctilogic Genea- logy, chap, iii. , and a scrioe in Lusk
Monastery. His death is recorded, in our
ballyroney, in the lower part of Upper Iveagh barony and county ol Down. It is noted, on the " Ordnance Survey Townland
Maps for the County of Down," Sheet 41.
A second from '*> Edited Drs, Todd and Reeves, sprung by
at a. d.
Eochod, son of Mured, as the same Genea- 88, 89,
Annals,
695.
pp.
Article IV. — ' Edited by Rev. Dr.
Kelly, p. xix. In the Franciscan copy is
written, SiILji? .
^
See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , Martii xxviii. Among the pretermitted saints, p. 709.
Article v. —« The extract, following
logy states, chap. xxii. A third, the son of Moenach, with seven holy brothers, were descended from Lugad, surnamed Mac-Con, King of Ireland. ^tcibid. Last chapter.
Colgan conjectures, that the present saint
was not one of the two foregoing ; but, that
he have been the son of Nemen, or may
March 28. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 991
according to the Feilire of St. ^ngus,^ the Festival of St. Mary Magdalene
was kept, on the 28th of March. The Bollandists = also remark, that her
feast is set down, in the Martyrologies of Tallagh, and of Treves, in Germany ; but, they refer her chief commemoration, to the 22nd day of July.
Article VI. —Reputed Feast of St. Fulartach, Bishop of Clonard. \Eighth Century. '\ Under the head of Disert Fulartaigh,* Duald Mac Firbis enters, Fulartach, son of Brec, Bishop of Clonard, in Meath, and from Disert Fulartaigh, in Offaly. ^ His death is referred to a. d. 778,andMarchthe28thisadded. Wethink,however,hiscommemoration is more in place, on the day succeeding.
Article VII. —St. Kortillus, or Kortyla, Bishop of Verden, and Martyr. In the Catalogue of our Irish Saints, furnished by Henry Fitz- simon,' the name of St. Kortillus, Bishop and Martyr, occurs, at the 28th of March. He cites the English Martyrology,^ as authority for his statement, as does Ferrarius, likewise ; yet, the Bollandists,3 who passingly allude to him, at this date, remark, that he was regarded as a Scot, and the sixth
bishop of Verden, in succession, while little more could be said regarding him, save that his festival was referable to the 30th of April. He is generally classed among our Irish saints, the term Scotus not invalidating his claim to be so reckoned. At the 28th of March, as a Scottish saint, Dempster enters Kortila, Bishop at Verda, the sixth who possessed the See.
Article VIII. —Reputed Festival of St. Chronanus. In the anony- mous list of our national saints, as published by O'Sullevan Beare,' at the 28th of March, we find the name of St. Chronanus. I suspect, however, that it is a mistake for St. Cronan,=^ Abbot of Roscrea, who is venerated on the 28th of April.
Article IX. —Reputed Festival of St. Guthbertus. In the anony- mous list of national saints, published by O'Sullevan Beare,' we find the entry of Guthbertus, at the 27th of March. This appears intended for St. Cudibert,whoseLifewillbefoundatthe20thofMarch; northeredowe find any corresponding date, for such a commemoration, as has been entered for him, at the present day.
from the Leabhar Breac with its ' copy, Eng-
According
to William M.
Hennessy,
lish — was furnished translation, by
O'Looney :
C. «, kl. Oon|\05i\A t'oiifriA'oeA Sech •piAnriA ]\on|'enA
Professor the
is now known as
in the Kildare.
'
"
niA^MA ^onmojAA
lr> mo|\ mAg-OAleriA.
May she invite us, may she save us
3 See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , Martii xxviii. Among the pretermitted saints, p. 710.
From she pains may
us
* See "
Scoticum. " Kalendars of Scottish Saints," p.
May Mary magnify us The great Magdalena.
Forbes'
See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , Martii xxviii. Among the pretermitted
saints, p. 711. — Article VI.
'
See his Life, at the proper day. Article ix. 'See "Historise Catlio'- licae Ibernias Compendium," tomus i„ lib.
iv. , cap. xi. , p. 50,
See Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy," Irish MSS. Series,
vol. i. , part i. , pp. io6, 107,
protect
;
"
Menologium
Bishop
"
" "—
place
Dysert,
of — and barony Carbury, county
of
"
Article vii. See Catalogus Aliquo-
rum Sanctorum Iberniae. "
194.
Article viii.
—' iv. , cap. xi. , p. 50.
'
"
tillus (? ) is noticed at the 28th of April.
Mart. Angl. Another Saint Kor-
"
licse Iberniae Compendium," tomus i. , lib.
See
Historiae Catho-
992 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 29.
CtDentp-nintft JBai? of ilarrft*
ARTICLE L—ST. FULARTACH, OR FULARTUS, BISHOP OF CLONARD. [EIGHTH CENTURY. ^
SOME
account of this holy bishop is to be found, in Colgan,* with a very succinct in the Bollandists. =^ From the we learn, that
notice, former,
St. Fulartach, or Fulartus,3 as he is sometimes called, was son to Brec, or Brecus, and he was descended from an illustrious family, in Ulster, as may be collected from the names of his progenitors. Thus, Brec was son to Scandal, son of Boedan, son to Eochod, son of Cella, son to Coelbad, son of Crunn Badhra,4 according to the Genealogies of the Irish Saints. s It is probable, he was born in the province of Ulster ; but, in what year has not transpired. He built an oratory, in Hy-Falgia territory, and, at a place, which derives its name from the founder, having been called Disert Fular- tach. Here, it is said, he lived an eremitical life, for a time. Nearly all our ancient records state, that from this place, he was translated to the See of Clonard. This he governed, with distinguished merit and virtue. However, the Rev. Dr. Lanigan appears to think, that St. Fulartach, of Disert Fular- tach, may have been a different person from the bishop, as some writers have made a distinction between them. ^ Accordingly, the Annals of the Four Masters specify, that Fulartach, son to Breac, an anchorite, died in the year 755 j^ while, Fulartach, Bishop of Clonard, departed a. d. 774. ** However,
it is remarked, by Colgan, that the Annals of the Four Masters do not state
expressly, the former died in 755, as they do, regarding other persons named withhim; hence,theymayhaveonlyintendedtoindicate,thatheflourished
in such year, and that, subsequently, he became Bishop of Clonard, after
obtaining which dignity, he died in 744,^ a date assigned by our Annalists for the death of the prelate of this See. '° There are two festivals, in honour of St. Fulartach : one of these was celebrated, on the 29th day of March. Furlartach mac Bricc is the only entry concerning him, as found in the Martyrology of Tallagh," at this date. Cathal Maguire and Marianus O'Gormanhavealikeentry; thelatterwiththeremark,thathewasBishop
Article i. —' See " Acta Sanctoram
Hibernise," xxix. Martii. De S. Fulartacho
the terms (oecc), and (died), are thus sup- plied, within brackets, being wanting in the original Irish page, and, of course, in the literal English translation, as applied to Fulartach, the Anchorite.
^Atthe weread "
year 755, : Fulartach,
3 By Irish writers, this saint is called son of Breac, an anchorite, [died. ]" And at
sive Fularto Eremita, pp. 787, 788. *"
See Acta Sanctoi-um," tomus iii. , Martii xxix. Among the pretermitted saints, p. 766.
Fulartach. In Latin, he is called
"
the
Cluain-Iraird [Clonard], died. " Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 358, 359, and 378, 379.
* See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber*
nise," xxix. Martii. Vita S. Fulartachi, p.
"J^J. '"
See Rev. Anthony Cogan's
siastical History of the Diocese of Meath,
or Felaertus. The same may be observed of
a homonymous saint, whose Acts will be
found, at the 21st of December.
Hence, it would appear, that our saint
belonged to the same race as St. Fergussius, Bishop of Downpatrick, —whose Acts are found on the following day 30th of March.
s Chapter xxiii.
'
See "Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. iii. , chap, xix. , sect, xvi. , p. 202.
" Eccle-
"
7 In Dr. O'Donovan's edition of the Annals of the Four Masters," at a. d. 755,
" Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xx.
The Franciscan copy has 'PuIa]\caic niAc bjMC.
Fulartus,
year 774:
— of Fulartach, Bishop
Ancient and Modern," vol. i. , chap, ii. , pp. 15, 21.
March 29. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
993
of Clonard," while the commentator adds a more eulogistic notice. *3 This day, we find, set down in the Martyrology of Donegal,'-* the name of Fular-
tach, son of Brec, Bishop of Cluain-Eraird, and of Disert Fulartaich, in Ui Failghe. The Calendarist adds, there is found a Fulartach, son of Brec, and descended from the race of Irial, son of Conall Cearnach, according to the Naoirahsenchus. In the table appended to the Donegal Martyrology, a commentator adds, in a marginal note, this saint had another festival, at the 2ist of December. 'S To that date, the reader is likewise referred . However, there were two distinct saints, bearing the same name ; both of whom are treated of, by Colgan, on this particular day. This writer is of opinion, that the memory of each saint belongs to a different day ; but, he is unable to assign for either individual the date of his own peculiar festival.
Article II. —St. Ferghas, son of Enda, of Inis-Caoin, Lough Erne. Ferghas, son of Enda, of Inis-Caoin—now Iniskeen—in Loch
Eirne, is set down, in the Martyrology of Donegal,^ as having a festival, at this date. The place, with which he was formerly connected, was on an island of moderate dimensions, and this was situated a few miles from the town of Enniskillen, on the beautiful Lough Erne. That glorious sheet of water, including the River Erne, of rare beauty and magnificence," has a wide and winding extent of sliore, in the counties of Cavan, Fermanagh and Donegal. From various surrounding hills and mountains, its panoramic splendours are exhibited to the gaze, and in every possible novelty of colour and grouping. Over two hundred islands break the water surfaces. The Erne flows in a north-west course, almost centrally through the county of Fermanagh. It is supplied with many tributary streams, along the forty miles of its tortuous channel ; being divided into the upper and lower lake. About midway on an island in the Erne, the elegantly-built and thriving town of Enniskillen 3 stands, two handsome bridges, having five arches each, connecting this borough with tlie mainland. The romantic scen,ery both above and below this town is unrivalled. The upper lake has numerous in- dentations along its margin, on either side, and so thickly are its islands grouped, that at first sight it would seem a matter of extreme difficulty for a pilot, to find the proper channel. Its course gives the tourist a general idea of an inundated country. The islands are usually very fertile and verdant, whilemanyarerichlywooded. Projectingheadlandsontheriverbanksare often covered with fine timber, rising with stately trunks and branching tops,
Article ir. —' Edited by Drs. Todd and
Reeves, pp. 88, 89.
' to the scenic beauties of the Alluding
Eme, William Allingham pourtrays some of Cluain eraird ; et de Disert Fulartaich in its features, in the ballad, known as "The
*="Episcopus de Cluain-eraird. " See
the BoUandist entry.
'3 Thus we read
:
"
S. Fulartachus auro
appretiundus, filius Breci, Episcopus de
Hi falgio. " See Colgan's note 6, p. 788. '» Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
Emigrant's Adieu to Ballyshannon. " De- scribing the local objects, he adds—
, ,.
"far upon the southern line, to
guard it like a wall,
The Leitrim mountains, clothed in blue,
gaze calmly over all, Andwatchtheshipsail—upanddoAvn,the*
red flag at her stern
Adieu to these, adieu to all the winding
banks of Eme ! "
3 The accompanying illustration is from a sketch, drawn on the wood, by William F.
88, 89. " '5 See ibid. , pp. 422, 423.
Ita citata
Martyrologia ad eundem diem :
singula notanter appellant Furlartachum Breci filium ; sed non ambigo S. Fularta- chumsiveFulartumEpiscopumDomnacen- sem in Connacia, et S. Patricii discipulum alterutro die coli ; cum fuerit celebrate sanctitatis : et nullo alio die videam ej—us Natalem a Martyrologiis observatum. " Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hibernioe," xxix. Martii, n. 7, p. 788.
Vol. III. —No. 16.
3 R
ad quern
:
994 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 29.
from the low and often marshy grounds. Herons and aquatic fowl breed along the rush-lined shores. Nothing can exceed the variety of landscape features here introduced. SwelHng hills and more distant mountains fre- quently give a grand, and, an undulating, outHne, to the prospect. The lower lake has a greater expansion of water, unimpeded by islands ; although the latter are found to be not less numerous, while descending its stream. 't When St.
Enniskillen, from the East Bridge.
Ferghas lived in Iniscaoin cannot be discovered ; but, in the table, which is
added to the Martyrology of Donegal, s its compiler remarks, there is a parish church of St. Fergus of Iniscaoin, without cure of souls, because its rectory was secular or impropriate. The Bollandists barely allude to this holy man, as Fergussius, son of Ennius, of Inis-Caoin, in Lough Erne, and quote the Martyrology of Tallagh, as their authority f yet, neither in the published work, nor in the Franciscan copy of that record, do I find any corresponding entry.
Article III. —Saints Eithene, Ethne, or Ethnea, and Sodhealbh, SODELBIA, OR SODELVIA, ViRGINS, OF TeCH-INGEN-BaITHE, NEAR SwORDS, County of Dublin. [^Sixth Century. '] These holy virgins lived about, or after, the middle of the sixth century. Colgan writes concerning them, at the present day,' The Bollandists ^ notice their feast, likewise, at this date, while they remark, that the 2nd, and also the 15th, of January, were assigned fortheircommemoration. However,thosewriterspreferredwaiting,forthe
Wakeman, who resides there, and the en- graving is by Mrs. Millard. This represents the site of the Catholic church, the convent building and grounds, as also the Protestant church, with its tower and spire.
* See "Legend Lays of Ireland," by Lageniensis, No. xii. A Legend of Lough Erne, note i, p. 82.
' See Hid. , pp. 414, 415. ^"
See Acta Sanctorum," tomus ill. , Martii xxix. Among the pretermitted saints, p. 766. —
Article III. 'See, "Acta Sanctorum Hibemias," xxix. Martii. De SS. Virgini- bus Ethena et Sodelbia sive Sodelvia, pp.
785, 786.
MARCH 29. 1 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
995
possible recovery of their Acts, or for better proofs of their celebration being found. Whethersuchrecordshadperished,inthelapseoftime,orwhether they have not yet been published, is a matter undetermined. We find it stated, by Colgan, that Cathald Maguire, about a. d. 1490, seems to have read their Acts, and this is inferred, from some quotations made, regarding our pious virgins. They are usually called the daughters of Baithe ; but, as this term, in the Irish language, has an equivocal signification, it is supposed
to be only a metaphorical designation, personal to themselves, and meaning, ""
daughters of fervent," or ardent love. " 3 This may have been applied to them, because they exhibited, in all their exterior actions, that internal flame of Divine ardour, which caused them to have their souls constantly filled with love for their true Spouse, our Lord Jesus Christ. However, it is possible, that the present holy women may have been the Saints Ethnea and Sodelbia, of Kill-NaiSj-^ the daughters of Corbre, the son of Corbmac, son to Ailild, son of Dunlong, son to Endeus Niadh, as laid down, in the Genea- logies of the Saints of Ireland. s With the present pious women, their sister St. Cumania is named. According to our Annals, their great-grandfather Ailild, or Oilill, died, a. d. 526 f their grandfather Corbmac departed this life, in the year 535 ;? while the death of their father is referred to a. d. 546. ^ If such a conjecture be well founded, all of the foregoing virgins were venerated, intheplainoftheRiverLiffey. This —havebeenthecase,notwith—stand-
ing the connexion of those two sisters probably subsequent
may
with anotherplace,andcircumstancesappeartofavourasimilarview. Ethna,or Ethnea,wasawell-knownancientname,amongIrishfemales; while,Soidh- elbh is Latinized Pulcheria, or "beautiful. " They are thought to have
flourished, in the sixth century, and to have lived, within the bounds of
Lagenia, now the province of Leinster. It must be remarked, however, that the ancient writer 'bf St. Maidoc's Acts 9 seems to make both those holy
sisters, not the daughters, but the nieces, of Corbre, and by him, they are styled the daughters of Aidus. '° By him, too, we find a very remarkable miracle related, and this is attributed, by Colgan, to the united merits and virtues of St. Maedoc, Bishop of Ferns, together with those of the holy virgins, who are here commemorated. These holy women lived at Surd," now known as Swords, in the parish so called, and in the present county of Dublin. The history of this place has been given, by Colgan. ^^ In the commentaries added, by Cathald Maguire, to a copy of the " Feilire" of St. ^ngus, it is stated, that Christ our Lord appeared, in the shape of a beauti- ful infant, to recline on the breast of those chaste spouses. '3 This seems rather confirmatory of Colgan's hypothesis, regarding their patronymic. When, or how long they lived, at the place indicated, does not appear, from
'See "Acta Martii xxix.
saints, pp. 766, 767.
tomus pretermitted
» See his
at the 21st of
Sanctorum,"
iii. ,
Life, Colgan's
January.
" Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
Among
the
'° See
nias," Januarii xxxi. Vita S. Maidoci, cap. xxxiv. , p. 212, and n, 32, p. 218.
3 Colgan tel'. s us, that Baithe, Buithe, or ""
Buidhe, signifies fervent love," and joined with Ingena, the terms might be Latinized, •'filiffi ferventis seu ardentis dilectionis. "
This place does not seem to have been identified } but, it may not be improbable to suppose, it was identical with the modern town of Naas, in the county of Kildare.
See the Manuscript Volume of Extracts for the County of Dublin, formerly belong- ing to the Lish Ordnance Survey, p. 130, where a notice of their festival occurs,
"See "Trias Thaumaturga. " Quinta
Appendix ad Acta S. Columba, cap. vii. ,
p. 509.
»3 The legend is thus related, in the
Leabhar Breac " Christus uenit in copy:
forma infantis esse in sinu earum et oscula-
bantur eum, et baptizauit eas, etsi Apostoli praedicauerunt illis tamen plus abipso acce-
5 Chapter xx.
'See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 174, 175.
1 See ibid. , pp. 1 78, 1 79. See ibid. ^ pp. 184, 185.
of the
a one
996 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 29.
any known source. There is an elegant drawing of Swords church, county of Dublin, by Mr. Gandon, Junr. , a. d. 1791, and it was engraved for Grose's
Antiquities of Ireland. ^+ A history and description follows it. But, another alternative has been offered, by a commentator, on the "Feilire" of St. ^ngus, that their place may have been rather in Uib Failge, also known as Offaly. 'S However this may be the case, it must be inferred, that Saints Ethnea and Sodelbia were daughters of the same father and mother ; united in their pursuits, desires, and mode of life ; but, whether they departed together, on the 29th of March, may be questioned. As we have already seen, the daughters of Baith, or Bath, were venerated, on the 2nd of January. ^^ Again,atthe15thofthesamemonth,thereisafestival,forthe daughters of Cairbre, entered in our Martyrologies. '7 No fewer than six different Irish Martyrologies record the feast of these holy virgins, in the church of Tegh-Ingen-Baithe, at this day. Thus, the "Feiiire" of St. . ^ngus commemorates " the festival of Baith's daughters, the passion of a
^^
host with
29th of March, we find them entered as Ingen, or the Daughters of Baite ; their names are set down as Ethne and Sodelbia, while it is remarked, that they were constant worshippers of Christ. In the Calendar of Cashel, we find,also,adistinctivecommemoration. ^" MarianusO'Gorman,^'andCathal Maguire, likewise, have their respective notices of them. We find the names, Eithne and Sodhealbh, recorded in the Martyrology of Donegal," on this day. They were the two daughters of Bait. The Calendarist remarks, that
they lived, by the side of Sord Colum Cille. At the 29th of March, or 4th of the April Kalends, the Kalendar of Drummond^'s informs us, that in Hibernia, the Holy Virgins, the daughters of Baite went to Christ.
Article IV. —St. Lasar, Lassar, or Lassera, Virgin. {Sixth Century. '] A very brief allusion to St. Lassara occurs, in the Bollandists'
Collection,^atthe29thofMarch. Enteringmoreintoparticulars,Colgan notices her festival, at the same date f and, he undertakes, also, to solve her genealogy. She is said to have been of royal origin; her father being Fearguss, son of Fethlemid, son to King Laoighaire, son to Niall of the NineHostages. 3 ShewasniecetoSt. Fortchern,*whobecameoneofSt. Patrick's earliest converts, in Ireland. s It is thought, that her earliest lessons
great
modesty. "
Again,
in the
Martyrology
of at the Tallagh,'9
perunt fidem quam ab illis. " See "Trans- actions of the Royal Irish Academy.
