" Then, the chieftain
presented
that tract of land 36 to St.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v5
Vita ex antiquo MS.
Ilibernico, cap.
iv.
, nuui.
45, p.
386.
;
s gee z(J/i/. , tomus iv. , p. 46.
' See ? '^/V/. , tomus ii. , p. 193.
' The Life states, ''ipse enim magnam
3 Archhisliop Ussher thus writes : "Idem
qiioque author expulsionem . S. Caiiliag'e
monasterio Ratheniensi postea enairans ;
Perrexit, inquit, Sanctus in viam cum disci-
pulis suis, qui erant numero dccclxvii. et
cosequalis numerus in civitate Raythen in
sepuichris mansit : et phues in aliis locis per
Hiberniam tie discipulis S. Mochuda, vivi
et defuncti fuerunt. Et qui secuti sunt
sanctum senem Carthngum de civitate Ray-
then, pleni gratia Dei erant : et plures ex
eis postea Sancti Epibcopi et Abbates facti,
loca Domino sedificaverunt. Ab alia Vita
ejusdem scriptore, exceptis parvulis et ser-
vientib'js, sanctorum monachorum numerus
DCCCXLVii. fuisse proditur, labore manuum
suarum victum sibi ac pnuperibus acquiren-
tium. Alius, iisdem exceptis. dcccxliv.
tantum numeral," &c. —"Hritannicarum,
Ecclesiarum Antiquitates," cap. xvii. p. bishop Llssher, "ISarrindeus mnnasterii 472. Druim-cuillin Abbas claruit. "—" Britanni-
* According to the Bodleian copy of the carum Ecclesiarum Antiquitates," Index Annals of Inisfallen. See Rev. Dr. Chronologicus, p. 534.
O'Connor's "Rerum Hibernicarum Scrip- '3 This was most likely the saint of that
tores," tomiis ii. p. 13. ,
turbam leprosorum in sua civitate in cella deorsum cum magna dignitate habeliat, et quemdain corporis valetuo dimisit. "
^ In praise of St. Carthage of L,ismore, the reader may peruse some pleasing verses, composed for a popular air, in Rev. Anthony Cogan's " Diocese of Meath, Ancient and Modern," vol. iii. , chap. Ixxv. , pp. 622 to 624. They were written by the Very Rev. Dr. Barry, formerly Vice-President of the College of All Hallows, Dublin,
' There, likewise, he provided a place for them, in which they continued under care of their kind patron.
" See Vita ex antiquo MS. Hibernico, cap. iv. , num. 45.
" Situated in the south-western part of the present King's County, and it is now called Drumcullin.
" About the year 590, according to Arch-
2 68 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 14.
Thence, they came toSaigir,'^ St. Kieran'scity. 's Next, they journeyed towards Roscrea,thecityofSt. Cronan. '^ Heretheyspentanight,withoutreceiving the hospitalities of St. Cronan, although invited. The Abbot Cronan himself hadpreparedasupper,forSt,Carthage. But,oursaintwasunwillingtogoto him, saying : "I will not go to the man, who hath shunned strangers, and who hath built his cell in a desert. " Hearing these words, Cronan came meekly to St. Carthage, and, by advice of this latter holy man, he left that retired place. '7 Then, both saints went into the city of Roscrea. '^ Afterwards, St. Mochuda came through Hesse '9 territory, on to Cashel, the royal city of Munster. On the following day, with noble courtesy, Failbhe, King of Cashel,
''°
visited Carthage, and offered him a site, whereon to construct a monastery. The saint replied to this generous ofifer : " It is not permitted us, by the Lord, to remain here ; but, we will go to the place, pointed out to us, by holy men. " Then, a messenger came from the Leinster King to Failbhe, asking his assistance ; for, the northern people were engaged, at that time, in wasting the south-eastern province. ^' Some accident had occurred to Failbhe's eye- sight, about this juncture; but, when St. Carthage had bestowed his blessing, the king's power of vision was restored. He then set out, to assist the King of Leinster. ^'' Meanwhile, Mochuda continued his journey, to the people of Muscraigh Hithirf3 and JEdan, a chief over that people, received him with kindness. He even presented to St. Carthage a village, named Hysseall. ^* The servant of God, blessed this chief and his posterity. Passing the plain of Fenryn,'s he came to Ardbrenaind,^^ on the River Suir. Here, he entered the Nan Desii territory, and he was met by Melostrich,^7 the chief, and by anothernoble,namedSuibhne, Thesewerethenengaged,inbittercontest, regarding some land. Our saint, however, contrived to reconcile them ; when, the chief presented this land to St. Mochudda, There a cell was built, and in course of time, a city arose, at a place called Airdfinayn,'^ A large tract
of land around it, afterwards became a parish, dedicated to St. Mochudcla. ^9 Still directing his course southwards, St. Mochuda came within view of the Blackwater River ; where, according to local tradition, a hill or eminence is shown, and on it the holy man rested,3° while he looked down on that charm- ing site, destined for his future habitation. In the meantime, a daughter to
^* This is the reading, in the Life of St. Carthage. Probably,Athasselismeant.
^5 This is the reading, in St. Carthach's '5 The Life of this saint will be found at Life; but, it is evidently incorrect. The
name, whose festival occurs, on the 2lst of May.
'* Also called Seir-Kieran.
the 5th of March—the date for his festi- val—in the Third Volume of this work, Art. i.
'* See his Life, at the 2Sth of April—the day for his feast —in the Fourth Volume of this work, Art. i.
'^ Probably Monahincha.
'* Allusions are made to it, in the Life of St. Cronan, at the 28th of April.
true reading should be Magh Femhain, the plain near Cashel.
^^ Rightly spelled, it should probably be Ardfinnin.
"' Tlius written, in St. Carthach's Life,
'* Dr. Lanigan remarks, thit our saint only built a cell or temporary habitation at Ardfinan, and not a regular monastery. He adds, in a note, " The monastery, properly
'' So written, in the Life of St. Car- so called, of Ardfinan, was founded by St.
thach.
^° See Rev. S. Baring-Gould's " Lives of
the Saints," vol. v. . May xiv. , p. 198.
=' In the "Chronicum Scotorum,"at A. n. 628, is noticed the devastation of I. aighen by Donihnall. See William M. Ilennessy's
edition, pp. 80, 81.
"See Vita ex antiquo MS. Ilibernico,
Finian, surnamed the lef>er, who lived late in the seventh century. "—" Ecclesiastical His- tory of Ireland, "vol. ii. , chap, xiv. , sect, xiv. , pp. 352, 353, and n. 194, p. 354.
*' See Vila ex antiquo MS. Hibcrnico, num. 47.
3» This information was communicated to the writer by Rev. David B. Mulcahy, in a letter, dated Portgleiionc, iSth Decmibcr, 1875. Some associated legends had i)een forgotten by the writer, but having reference
cap. iv. , num. 46.
'^ So it is written, in St. Carthach's Life
but, Muscraighc Thire is meant.
;
to St. Carthage's approach.
3' The Latin term for these birds is
" Cothurnices," in the original Life.
3° According to the Life of St. Carthage, it would seem as if the name Lismore, or rather Lios-more, which signifies great fort or habitation, &c. , had been given to that place, before Carthagh's death. See cap. iv. ,
num. 47.
33 So it is written in the Life of St. Carthach.
Maghsciath, i. e. , " the field of the shield. " 37 See Smith's "Ancient and Present State of County and City of Waterford,"
chap, i. , pp. 6, 7.
^s We read in the Life of St. Carthage
" Dux Meloctrig Nandesi, filius Cobh- thaichillamregionem, in qua nunc est ci vitas S. Mochudre Liassmor, coram multis testi- bus obtulit S. Carthago. "—" Acta Sanc- torum," tomu's iii. , Maii xiv. De S. Carthaco seu Mochudda, &c. Alia Vita ex antiquo MS. Hibernico, cap. iv. , num. 47, p. 387.
—:
May 14. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 269
Failbhe, King of Cashel,and who was wife to the chief Maelochtrich, or Melos- trich, son of Cabhtaygh, had a vision. In it, she saw many quails,3' Ayiiig through the air, beyond Magh Femyn. One of these led the way, being larger than the rest. At last, he alighted on the bosom of the chief, Meloctrig. Awaking from sleep, the lady told her husband what she had seen. The chief replied : " Thou hast seen a good vision, O woman, and it shall soon be fulfilled. This is its interpretation : the birds flying are St. Mochuda and his monks in heavenly conversation. But, he is more excellent and greater than the rest ; his repose also is in my bosom. He shall have his place of resur- rection, in our land, while great graces shall be derived to us and to our country. " St. Mochudda then went to Meloctrig, and asked him for a piece of land, on which to found a church. The cl ief replied : " This great place —alluding to the name Lismore^^—cannot be within narrow bounds. " Mochuda said : " God, who hath sent us to thee, will show thee a suitable spot to offer us. " Then, said the chief, " I have a country, on another part of Chuah 33 mountain—on the banks of Nemhe 3+ River—and abounding with wood and containing abundance of fish. 3s But, I fear it is too narrow. " Mochudda replied : " It shall not be narrow, but spacious ; because that land this long time has been designed for us, by the Lord. Within it shall be the place of my resurrection.
" Then, the chieftain presented that tract of land 36 to St. Carthage. On this, the cathedral 37 and city of Lismore were afterwards built. s^ Many witnesses 39 were present, at the time; and, Car- thage blessed that chief, his wife, and children, and his people. -*"
His arrival at Lismore has been placed in 630, by Archbishop Ussher,''^ and it was during the year of his expulsion from Rathen. It is said, that he had been driven from this locality, in the time of Easter. His baitings here and there, make it appear probable, in the opinion of Rev. Dr. Lanigan, that his arrival in Lismore was somewhat later. ^^ Having been greatly honoured by the chief, Mochudda received permission from him to set out
Now, itisknownasSliabhGua,AngliceSlieve
Gua, in the parish of Sheskinan, barony of
Desies-without-Drum, and county of Water-
ford. The more elevated part is now called
Cnoc Maeldomhnaigh ; but, the whole range
was originally called Sliabh Cua. See Dr. nesses were probably subscribers to the
O'Donovan's " Annals of the Four Mas- ters," vol. i. , n. (1), p. 48.
3* Among the Irish-speaking people, this Nemhe, or Blackwater River, is now called Ow-more, "the big River. "
35 These are still its characteristics. This river, the "Irish Moselle," is bordered by a great number of beautiful country places. William F. Wakeman's " Tourists' Guide to Ireland," Dublin to Cork, p. 341.
3* By "regionem," we are not to under- stand a large tract of country ; for, it is spoken of in the Life of our saint, as not much more than a field, formerly called
charter,
'° See Vita ex antiquo MS. Hibernico, cap.
iv. , num. 47, and Vita ex duplici MS. Le- gendario, num. 12.
' See " Britannicarum Ecclesiarum Anti- quitates," Index Chronologicus, A. D. Dcxxx. , p. 537.
"t^ This learned historian remarks : " Car- thagh could not, in this hypothesis, have completed this establishment and fixed it on a permanent footing before his death ; nor could he have, as it is stated that he did, lived retired for 18 months aft—er everything had been properly arranged. " "Ecclesias-
39 This appears, as having reference to_ a Deed, executed by the chief, and the wit-
270 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 14.
beyond the mountain Chuah. In the plain of Cehnemin,43 he came to a cell, calledCeallchochayr. ''^ TheAbbot,whowasoverthishouse,St. MochuaMian- nanus, prepared a supper for St. Mochudda and for his companions, according to the humble means, at his disposal. Only one moderate-sized vessel, filled with beer, had been provided for their entertainment; although, St. Carthage and his companions remained there, for three days and three nights. How- ever, St. Mochua Miannain and his servants drew forth goblets, filled with liquor, from that vessel, which still remained full. Even the liquor seemed tohaveincreased,asthemeasureofoildid,aftertheblessingofElias-^'s Then, one of St. Mochudda's disciples said, with a loud voice, in the presence of all, " If we are to remain here, until this provision fail us, we shall continue a long time. For this entertainment, with God's blessing, shall not be lessened, but it shall increase each day. " Hearing this, St. Mochudda replied : " You say what is true, brother, it is time for us to depart. " He then ordered all his com- panions, to proceed on their journey. Meantime, St. Mochua Miannain had presentedhimselfwithhisplace,toGodandtoSt. Mochudda. WhenCar- thage left, the vessel of beer began to sink even to the very dregs. '*^
After this, St. Carthage came through the plain of Chua, to Nemphe river, and to a place, called in the Irish language, Atlimedhoin. ''? This denomina- tionmeans,"theford"or*'shallowoftheriverbed. " Overthisford,only a few persons, who had confidence in their good swimming, would dare to pass. During the heats of summer, solely, and when the ocean tide was out, couldapassagebethereeffected. Forthetideoccasionallyswelledtheriver, to its very banks ; and, this tidal water extended five miles above Lismore. *^ At the time St. Carthage came to this place, a great fall of rain had flooded the river, while the tide, flowing inwards, had raised tlie surface, beyond its usualhighwatermark. St. Carthngeasked,ifanyboatcouldbehad,atihat place, and he was answered in the negative. Then, full of faith in God's pro- tection, tlie saint approached the river banks, where he commanded flood and tide to cease, for a time, in the name of Christ. '^ Having made a sign of the cross, a passage was traced through the river's bed, while the sand on the bottom appeared quite dry. Even its waters stood on the right and left, like a wall at either side. Then, the saint ordered his monks to advance through this passage, which mandate they obeyed with entire confidence. A great numberpassedoveronfoot,andothersin chariots,throughthepassagethus opened; as Joshua and his people formerly did, through the Jordan. 5° Every moment, the sea-waves antl torrent became higher, on either side. Carthage passed over last of all ; and, when he had reached the opposite side, he
blessed that place, ordering the waters to return into their usual channel. Thenmeeting,therushingwavescausedagreatnoise. Thisplacewasafter- wards called, in the Irish language, by a name, which signifies, the " place
tical History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, xiv. , sect. xiv. , n. 196, p. 355.
*3 Thus written in St. Carthach's Life.
<*In a letter from Rev. D. B. Mulcahy, and headed Portglenone, i8th December, 1875, he informs me, that this name appears to be misspelled. It is now called Killchlu- thair (Kill chloohir), and it is four miles east ol" Cappoquin, in the county of Water- ford.
*5 See III. Kings, xvii. , 16.
^' See Vita ex antique MS. Ilibernico, cap. iv. , num. 48.
*' It is Latinized, '• Vadum Alvei. "
*^ This description proves the writer of our saint's life to have been quite conversant with the locality; as he was able particularly to state, how far the se. i-water, at the full, ascended the Bhickwater River,
" The Rev. David B. Mulcahy had been told by the Rev. Father Power, P. P. , of Toor. nneena, that there was a place opposite AfTanc, on tlie right bank of the Blackwater, still knownbythenameofBothernanaoim,
"the saints' road," commemorating the miracle wrought by St. Carthach, when he divided the Blackwater.
so See Josue iii. , 16.
s' See Vita ex antique MS. Hibernico, cap. iv. , num. 49.
5' See Vita ex duplici MS. Legendario, num. 12.
53 In Latin rendered "atrium magnum. "
5^ The author of St. Carthac's Life then adds : " Egregia jam et sancta civitas Liass- mor, cujus dimidium est asylum, in quo nulla mulier audet intrare : sed plenum est cellis et monasteriis sanctorum, et multitudo viro- rum sanctorum semper ibi manet. Viri enim religiosi ex omni Hibernise parte ; et non solum, sed ex Anglia et Britania con- fluunt ad eam, volentes ibi migrare ad Chris- turn," &c. Cap. iv. , num. 50.
55 This means, that she chose him, as her
ford," cap. iii. , p. 27.
'° See Les Petits Bollandistes' "Vies des
Saints," tome v. , xiv= jourde Mai, p. 519. *' Allusion to its history will be found, at the loth of April, in the Fourth Volume of this work, at Art. v. , treating on St. Mal- chus, or Malachus, Bishop of Lismore, in the
eleventh and twelfth centuries,
^- Ptolemy notices its river, which he calls
Daurona ; and Necham has allusion to it as Avenmore, of which he says
" Urbem Lismor, pertransit flumen Avenmore,
Ardmor cernit ubi concitus aquor adit,
The distich is thus translated :—
<<t>t-. . . i. a 1. 1 By Lismore town, the Avonmore doth
spiritual guardian or director.
5* Lis, in the Irish language, signifies "a
fort. " and Mor, "great. "
57 The Rev. Dr. Lanisran supposes, this
_
_
to have been the hill, neai Lismore, on which
there might have been a Dun or fort in
olden times. See " Ecclesiastical History of —Charles Smith's "Ancient and Present
Ireland," vol. ii. , cap. xiv. , sect. 14, n. 195,
PP- 354. 355-
58 See "General History of Ireland,"
Book ii. , p. 397, Duffy's edition.
59 See Charles Smith's " Ancient and Pre-
sent State of the County and City of Water-
. ? ^J , •. .
^"^^ Ardmore sees it to the ocean
'
State of the County and City of Waterford," f^^aP- "i-' P- 27-
*3 His feast occurs, at the 26th of Sep- tember.
^•t See Vita ex antique MS. Hibernico, cap, iv. , num. 50.
&
—
May 14. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
of benediction. "51 in one of our saint's Lives, it is said, that this miracle was obtained, through the prayers of St. Carthage, together with those of a St. Cohiian and a St. Mohia. s^ With his monks, our saint came to a small plain, named, as stated, in the Irish language, Maghsgiats—but more correctly should it have been written Maghsciath—and meaning in English, "plain of the buck- ler. " ThenCarthagewasonhisway,towardsaplacegrantedhim,bythechief- tain of Nan Desii. There they encamped. Having blessed this spot, the holy Pontiff, with his companions, marked out a site, on which they intended to build. But, a certain pious woman, named Cornell, who had a cell in that place, asked them, what they designed doing? Mochudda answered : "By the will of God, we prepare a moderate house, to contain our effects. " The virgin replied : " It shall not be small but large. " St. Mochudda returned for answer : " What thou sayest is true, O maid of Christ, because from its name, the place shall always be called Lismore,s3 in Irish. 54 Then the virgin presented herself as a client, with her cell, to St. Mochudda. ss
TheoldnameLismores^ wasDunsginne,57accordingtotheRev. Jeoffrey Keating ;s8 although it is said to have been called, even at a more remote time, Magh Sgiath, " the field of the shield. " However, it has been conjectured, that the present name of this place has been taken from a Danish fortification, known by the name of the Round Hill, standing a little to the east of the town,59 while Dr. Charles Smith, in reference to the former name Dunsginne, remarks, that Dun signifies a fort, situated on an eminence, and Sgein, a flight, which seems to allude to the flight of St. Carthage to this place. He has been
regarded as its first bishop,^° and especially as its chief Patron. The present town of Lismore—formerly a city of considerable note ^'—is situated on the south side of the noble River Blackwater. ^^ As St. Colman Elo ^3 had pre- dicted, the cemetery of St. Mochudda, in Lismore city, designated by the Angels, was that, in which our saint was buried. The author of his Life remarks, that God alone only knew the number of saints buried there after him, and down to the time, at which he wrote. ^* From the settlement of St. Car-
. .
. 1
271
272 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
;
s gee z(J/i/. , tomus iv. , p. 46.
' See ? '^/V/. , tomus ii. , p. 193.
' The Life states, ''ipse enim magnam
3 Archhisliop Ussher thus writes : "Idem
qiioque author expulsionem . S. Caiiliag'e
monasterio Ratheniensi postea enairans ;
Perrexit, inquit, Sanctus in viam cum disci-
pulis suis, qui erant numero dccclxvii. et
cosequalis numerus in civitate Raythen in
sepuichris mansit : et phues in aliis locis per
Hiberniam tie discipulis S. Mochuda, vivi
et defuncti fuerunt. Et qui secuti sunt
sanctum senem Carthngum de civitate Ray-
then, pleni gratia Dei erant : et plures ex
eis postea Sancti Epibcopi et Abbates facti,
loca Domino sedificaverunt. Ab alia Vita
ejusdem scriptore, exceptis parvulis et ser-
vientib'js, sanctorum monachorum numerus
DCCCXLVii. fuisse proditur, labore manuum
suarum victum sibi ac pnuperibus acquiren-
tium. Alius, iisdem exceptis. dcccxliv.
tantum numeral," &c. —"Hritannicarum,
Ecclesiarum Antiquitates," cap. xvii. p. bishop Llssher, "ISarrindeus mnnasterii 472. Druim-cuillin Abbas claruit. "—" Britanni-
* According to the Bodleian copy of the carum Ecclesiarum Antiquitates," Index Annals of Inisfallen. See Rev. Dr. Chronologicus, p. 534.
O'Connor's "Rerum Hibernicarum Scrip- '3 This was most likely the saint of that
tores," tomiis ii. p. 13. ,
turbam leprosorum in sua civitate in cella deorsum cum magna dignitate habeliat, et quemdain corporis valetuo dimisit. "
^ In praise of St. Carthage of L,ismore, the reader may peruse some pleasing verses, composed for a popular air, in Rev. Anthony Cogan's " Diocese of Meath, Ancient and Modern," vol. iii. , chap. Ixxv. , pp. 622 to 624. They were written by the Very Rev. Dr. Barry, formerly Vice-President of the College of All Hallows, Dublin,
' There, likewise, he provided a place for them, in which they continued under care of their kind patron.
" See Vita ex antiquo MS. Hibernico, cap. iv. , num. 45.
" Situated in the south-western part of the present King's County, and it is now called Drumcullin.
" About the year 590, according to Arch-
2 68 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 14.
Thence, they came toSaigir,'^ St. Kieran'scity. 's Next, they journeyed towards Roscrea,thecityofSt. Cronan. '^ Heretheyspentanight,withoutreceiving the hospitalities of St. Cronan, although invited. The Abbot Cronan himself hadpreparedasupper,forSt,Carthage. But,oursaintwasunwillingtogoto him, saying : "I will not go to the man, who hath shunned strangers, and who hath built his cell in a desert. " Hearing these words, Cronan came meekly to St. Carthage, and, by advice of this latter holy man, he left that retired place. '7 Then, both saints went into the city of Roscrea. '^ Afterwards, St. Mochuda came through Hesse '9 territory, on to Cashel, the royal city of Munster. On the following day, with noble courtesy, Failbhe, King of Cashel,
''°
visited Carthage, and offered him a site, whereon to construct a monastery. The saint replied to this generous ofifer : " It is not permitted us, by the Lord, to remain here ; but, we will go to the place, pointed out to us, by holy men. " Then, a messenger came from the Leinster King to Failbhe, asking his assistance ; for, the northern people were engaged, at that time, in wasting the south-eastern province. ^' Some accident had occurred to Failbhe's eye- sight, about this juncture; but, when St. Carthage had bestowed his blessing, the king's power of vision was restored. He then set out, to assist the King of Leinster. ^'' Meanwhile, Mochuda continued his journey, to the people of Muscraigh Hithirf3 and JEdan, a chief over that people, received him with kindness. He even presented to St. Carthage a village, named Hysseall. ^* The servant of God, blessed this chief and his posterity. Passing the plain of Fenryn,'s he came to Ardbrenaind,^^ on the River Suir. Here, he entered the Nan Desii territory, and he was met by Melostrich,^7 the chief, and by anothernoble,namedSuibhne, Thesewerethenengaged,inbittercontest, regarding some land. Our saint, however, contrived to reconcile them ; when, the chief presented this land to St. Mochudda, There a cell was built, and in course of time, a city arose, at a place called Airdfinayn,'^ A large tract
of land around it, afterwards became a parish, dedicated to St. Mochudcla. ^9 Still directing his course southwards, St. Mochuda came within view of the Blackwater River ; where, according to local tradition, a hill or eminence is shown, and on it the holy man rested,3° while he looked down on that charm- ing site, destined for his future habitation. In the meantime, a daughter to
^* This is the reading, in the Life of St. Carthage. Probably,Athasselismeant.
^5 This is the reading, in St. Carthach's '5 The Life of this saint will be found at Life; but, it is evidently incorrect. The
name, whose festival occurs, on the 2lst of May.
'* Also called Seir-Kieran.
the 5th of March—the date for his festi- val—in the Third Volume of this work, Art. i.
'* See his Life, at the 2Sth of April—the day for his feast —in the Fourth Volume of this work, Art. i.
'^ Probably Monahincha.
'* Allusions are made to it, in the Life of St. Cronan, at the 28th of April.
true reading should be Magh Femhain, the plain near Cashel.
^^ Rightly spelled, it should probably be Ardfinnin.
"' Tlius written, in St. Carthach's Life,
'* Dr. Lanigan remarks, thit our saint only built a cell or temporary habitation at Ardfinan, and not a regular monastery. He adds, in a note, " The monastery, properly
'' So written, in the Life of St. Car- so called, of Ardfinan, was founded by St.
thach.
^° See Rev. S. Baring-Gould's " Lives of
the Saints," vol. v. . May xiv. , p. 198.
=' In the "Chronicum Scotorum,"at A. n. 628, is noticed the devastation of I. aighen by Donihnall. See William M. Ilennessy's
edition, pp. 80, 81.
"See Vita ex antiquo MS. Ilibernico,
Finian, surnamed the lef>er, who lived late in the seventh century. "—" Ecclesiastical His- tory of Ireland, "vol. ii. , chap, xiv. , sect, xiv. , pp. 352, 353, and n. 194, p. 354.
*' See Vila ex antiquo MS. Hibcrnico, num. 47.
3» This information was communicated to the writer by Rev. David B. Mulcahy, in a letter, dated Portgleiionc, iSth Decmibcr, 1875. Some associated legends had i)een forgotten by the writer, but having reference
cap. iv. , num. 46.
'^ So it is written, in St. Carthach's Life
but, Muscraighc Thire is meant.
;
to St. Carthage's approach.
3' The Latin term for these birds is
" Cothurnices," in the original Life.
3° According to the Life of St. Carthage, it would seem as if the name Lismore, or rather Lios-more, which signifies great fort or habitation, &c. , had been given to that place, before Carthagh's death. See cap. iv. ,
num. 47.
33 So it is written in the Life of St. Carthach.
Maghsciath, i. e. , " the field of the shield. " 37 See Smith's "Ancient and Present State of County and City of Waterford,"
chap, i. , pp. 6, 7.
^s We read in the Life of St. Carthage
" Dux Meloctrig Nandesi, filius Cobh- thaichillamregionem, in qua nunc est ci vitas S. Mochudre Liassmor, coram multis testi- bus obtulit S. Carthago. "—" Acta Sanc- torum," tomu's iii. , Maii xiv. De S. Carthaco seu Mochudda, &c. Alia Vita ex antiquo MS. Hibernico, cap. iv. , num. 47, p. 387.
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May 14. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 269
Failbhe, King of Cashel,and who was wife to the chief Maelochtrich, or Melos- trich, son of Cabhtaygh, had a vision. In it, she saw many quails,3' Ayiiig through the air, beyond Magh Femyn. One of these led the way, being larger than the rest. At last, he alighted on the bosom of the chief, Meloctrig. Awaking from sleep, the lady told her husband what she had seen. The chief replied : " Thou hast seen a good vision, O woman, and it shall soon be fulfilled. This is its interpretation : the birds flying are St. Mochuda and his monks in heavenly conversation. But, he is more excellent and greater than the rest ; his repose also is in my bosom. He shall have his place of resur- rection, in our land, while great graces shall be derived to us and to our country. " St. Mochudda then went to Meloctrig, and asked him for a piece of land, on which to found a church. The cl ief replied : " This great place —alluding to the name Lismore^^—cannot be within narrow bounds. " Mochuda said : " God, who hath sent us to thee, will show thee a suitable spot to offer us. " Then, said the chief, " I have a country, on another part of Chuah 33 mountain—on the banks of Nemhe 3+ River—and abounding with wood and containing abundance of fish. 3s But, I fear it is too narrow. " Mochudda replied : " It shall not be narrow, but spacious ; because that land this long time has been designed for us, by the Lord. Within it shall be the place of my resurrection.
" Then, the chieftain presented that tract of land 36 to St. Carthage. On this, the cathedral 37 and city of Lismore were afterwards built. s^ Many witnesses 39 were present, at the time; and, Car- thage blessed that chief, his wife, and children, and his people. -*"
His arrival at Lismore has been placed in 630, by Archbishop Ussher,''^ and it was during the year of his expulsion from Rathen. It is said, that he had been driven from this locality, in the time of Easter. His baitings here and there, make it appear probable, in the opinion of Rev. Dr. Lanigan, that his arrival in Lismore was somewhat later. ^^ Having been greatly honoured by the chief, Mochudda received permission from him to set out
Now, itisknownasSliabhGua,AngliceSlieve
Gua, in the parish of Sheskinan, barony of
Desies-without-Drum, and county of Water-
ford. The more elevated part is now called
Cnoc Maeldomhnaigh ; but, the whole range
was originally called Sliabh Cua. See Dr. nesses were probably subscribers to the
O'Donovan's " Annals of the Four Mas- ters," vol. i. , n. (1), p. 48.
3* Among the Irish-speaking people, this Nemhe, or Blackwater River, is now called Ow-more, "the big River. "
35 These are still its characteristics. This river, the "Irish Moselle," is bordered by a great number of beautiful country places. William F. Wakeman's " Tourists' Guide to Ireland," Dublin to Cork, p. 341.
3* By "regionem," we are not to under- stand a large tract of country ; for, it is spoken of in the Life of our saint, as not much more than a field, formerly called
charter,
'° See Vita ex antiquo MS. Hibernico, cap.
iv. , num. 47, and Vita ex duplici MS. Le- gendario, num. 12.
' See " Britannicarum Ecclesiarum Anti- quitates," Index Chronologicus, A. D. Dcxxx. , p. 537.
"t^ This learned historian remarks : " Car- thagh could not, in this hypothesis, have completed this establishment and fixed it on a permanent footing before his death ; nor could he have, as it is stated that he did, lived retired for 18 months aft—er everything had been properly arranged. " "Ecclesias-
39 This appears, as having reference to_ a Deed, executed by the chief, and the wit-
270 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 14.
beyond the mountain Chuah. In the plain of Cehnemin,43 he came to a cell, calledCeallchochayr. ''^ TheAbbot,whowasoverthishouse,St. MochuaMian- nanus, prepared a supper for St. Mochudda and for his companions, according to the humble means, at his disposal. Only one moderate-sized vessel, filled with beer, had been provided for their entertainment; although, St. Carthage and his companions remained there, for three days and three nights. How- ever, St. Mochua Miannain and his servants drew forth goblets, filled with liquor, from that vessel, which still remained full. Even the liquor seemed tohaveincreased,asthemeasureofoildid,aftertheblessingofElias-^'s Then, one of St. Mochudda's disciples said, with a loud voice, in the presence of all, " If we are to remain here, until this provision fail us, we shall continue a long time. For this entertainment, with God's blessing, shall not be lessened, but it shall increase each day. " Hearing this, St. Mochudda replied : " You say what is true, brother, it is time for us to depart. " He then ordered all his com- panions, to proceed on their journey. Meantime, St. Mochua Miannain had presentedhimselfwithhisplace,toGodandtoSt. Mochudda. WhenCar- thage left, the vessel of beer began to sink even to the very dregs. '*^
After this, St. Carthage came through the plain of Chua, to Nemphe river, and to a place, called in the Irish language, Atlimedhoin. ''? This denomina- tionmeans,"theford"or*'shallowoftheriverbed. " Overthisford,only a few persons, who had confidence in their good swimming, would dare to pass. During the heats of summer, solely, and when the ocean tide was out, couldapassagebethereeffected. Forthetideoccasionallyswelledtheriver, to its very banks ; and, this tidal water extended five miles above Lismore. *^ At the time St. Carthage came to this place, a great fall of rain had flooded the river, while the tide, flowing inwards, had raised tlie surface, beyond its usualhighwatermark. St. Carthngeasked,ifanyboatcouldbehad,atihat place, and he was answered in the negative. Then, full of faith in God's pro- tection, tlie saint approached the river banks, where he commanded flood and tide to cease, for a time, in the name of Christ. '^ Having made a sign of the cross, a passage was traced through the river's bed, while the sand on the bottom appeared quite dry. Even its waters stood on the right and left, like a wall at either side. Then, the saint ordered his monks to advance through this passage, which mandate they obeyed with entire confidence. A great numberpassedoveronfoot,andothersin chariots,throughthepassagethus opened; as Joshua and his people formerly did, through the Jordan. 5° Every moment, the sea-waves antl torrent became higher, on either side. Carthage passed over last of all ; and, when he had reached the opposite side, he
blessed that place, ordering the waters to return into their usual channel. Thenmeeting,therushingwavescausedagreatnoise. Thisplacewasafter- wards called, in the Irish language, by a name, which signifies, the " place
tical History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, xiv. , sect. xiv. , n. 196, p. 355.
*3 Thus written in St. Carthach's Life.
<*In a letter from Rev. D. B. Mulcahy, and headed Portglenone, i8th December, 1875, he informs me, that this name appears to be misspelled. It is now called Killchlu- thair (Kill chloohir), and it is four miles east ol" Cappoquin, in the county of Water- ford.
*5 See III. Kings, xvii. , 16.
^' See Vita ex antique MS. Ilibernico, cap. iv. , num. 48.
*' It is Latinized, '• Vadum Alvei. "
*^ This description proves the writer of our saint's life to have been quite conversant with the locality; as he was able particularly to state, how far the se. i-water, at the full, ascended the Bhickwater River,
" The Rev. David B. Mulcahy had been told by the Rev. Father Power, P. P. , of Toor. nneena, that there was a place opposite AfTanc, on tlie right bank of the Blackwater, still knownbythenameofBothernanaoim,
"the saints' road," commemorating the miracle wrought by St. Carthach, when he divided the Blackwater.
so See Josue iii. , 16.
s' See Vita ex antique MS. Hibernico, cap. iv. , num. 49.
5' See Vita ex duplici MS. Legendario, num. 12.
53 In Latin rendered "atrium magnum. "
5^ The author of St. Carthac's Life then adds : " Egregia jam et sancta civitas Liass- mor, cujus dimidium est asylum, in quo nulla mulier audet intrare : sed plenum est cellis et monasteriis sanctorum, et multitudo viro- rum sanctorum semper ibi manet. Viri enim religiosi ex omni Hibernise parte ; et non solum, sed ex Anglia et Britania con- fluunt ad eam, volentes ibi migrare ad Chris- turn," &c. Cap. iv. , num. 50.
55 This means, that she chose him, as her
ford," cap. iii. , p. 27.
'° See Les Petits Bollandistes' "Vies des
Saints," tome v. , xiv= jourde Mai, p. 519. *' Allusion to its history will be found, at the loth of April, in the Fourth Volume of this work, at Art. v. , treating on St. Mal- chus, or Malachus, Bishop of Lismore, in the
eleventh and twelfth centuries,
^- Ptolemy notices its river, which he calls
Daurona ; and Necham has allusion to it as Avenmore, of which he says
" Urbem Lismor, pertransit flumen Avenmore,
Ardmor cernit ubi concitus aquor adit,
The distich is thus translated :—
<<t>t-. . . i. a 1. 1 By Lismore town, the Avonmore doth
spiritual guardian or director.
5* Lis, in the Irish language, signifies "a
fort. " and Mor, "great. "
57 The Rev. Dr. Lanisran supposes, this
_
_
to have been the hill, neai Lismore, on which
there might have been a Dun or fort in
olden times. See " Ecclesiastical History of —Charles Smith's "Ancient and Present
Ireland," vol. ii. , cap. xiv. , sect. 14, n. 195,
PP- 354. 355-
58 See "General History of Ireland,"
Book ii. , p. 397, Duffy's edition.
59 See Charles Smith's " Ancient and Pre-
sent State of the County and City of Water-
. ? ^J , •. .
^"^^ Ardmore sees it to the ocean
'
State of the County and City of Waterford," f^^aP- "i-' P- 27-
*3 His feast occurs, at the 26th of Sep- tember.
^•t See Vita ex antique MS. Hibernico, cap, iv. , num. 50.
&
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May 14. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
of benediction. "51 in one of our saint's Lives, it is said, that this miracle was obtained, through the prayers of St. Carthage, together with those of a St. Cohiian and a St. Mohia. s^ With his monks, our saint came to a small plain, named, as stated, in the Irish language, Maghsgiats—but more correctly should it have been written Maghsciath—and meaning in English, "plain of the buck- ler. " ThenCarthagewasonhisway,towardsaplacegrantedhim,bythechief- tain of Nan Desii. There they encamped. Having blessed this spot, the holy Pontiff, with his companions, marked out a site, on which they intended to build. But, a certain pious woman, named Cornell, who had a cell in that place, asked them, what they designed doing? Mochudda answered : "By the will of God, we prepare a moderate house, to contain our effects. " The virgin replied : " It shall not be small but large. " St. Mochudda returned for answer : " What thou sayest is true, O maid of Christ, because from its name, the place shall always be called Lismore,s3 in Irish. 54 Then the virgin presented herself as a client, with her cell, to St. Mochudda. ss
TheoldnameLismores^ wasDunsginne,57accordingtotheRev. Jeoffrey Keating ;s8 although it is said to have been called, even at a more remote time, Magh Sgiath, " the field of the shield. " However, it has been conjectured, that the present name of this place has been taken from a Danish fortification, known by the name of the Round Hill, standing a little to the east of the town,59 while Dr. Charles Smith, in reference to the former name Dunsginne, remarks, that Dun signifies a fort, situated on an eminence, and Sgein, a flight, which seems to allude to the flight of St. Carthage to this place. He has been
regarded as its first bishop,^° and especially as its chief Patron. The present town of Lismore—formerly a city of considerable note ^'—is situated on the south side of the noble River Blackwater. ^^ As St. Colman Elo ^3 had pre- dicted, the cemetery of St. Mochudda, in Lismore city, designated by the Angels, was that, in which our saint was buried. The author of his Life remarks, that God alone only knew the number of saints buried there after him, and down to the time, at which he wrote. ^* From the settlement of St. Car-
. .
. 1
271
272 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
