But, in the silence of the midnight-hour, appeared a form, clothed in episcopal robes, and shining with
celestial
light.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v9
A miracle is recorded of Ninian,
on a with one of his brethren named 1 overtaken a journey Plebia,* being by
heavy shower while reading a Book of Psalms. No rain fell on them however, until a vain thought passed through the holy man's mind. Then the brother admonished him of that error, which was speedily corrected. The servant of God put away the vain thought, and at the very same moment the shower was stayed.
As in connexion with his monastic institute, Ninian had founded a school^many sons of nobles and others of the middle rank sent their sons to the blessed Pontiff to be trained in secular and sacred learning. By his example and precept, those scholars were taught to curb the vices incident to their years, and to live soberly, righteously and piously. A strict observer of discipline himself, the rod was used sometimes to correct the faults of his pupils. On a certain occasion, one of the boys deserved such
He divided the whole land into
parishes,
8
tokl,3 assigning
38 However, the Abbot of Ricval is not
caused them to runabout within the circle all that night. In the morning when Ninian appeared, he mercifully released them, and
accurate in this statement, since parochial
divisions were unknown in Scotland until
many centuries later. See Rev. John even brought their leader to life. Having Cunningham's "Church History of Scot-
land," vol. i. s chap, hi. , p. 52.
39 in that province lived the Novantes, and in allusion to its peninsular situation it was called the Chersonesus of the Novantes. See Cough's Camden's " Britannia," vol. iii. , p. 330.
40 The legend states, that his companions were seized with a certain madness, which
impressed on them the judgments of God to be inflicted on the rapacious, Ninian gave them his benediction and permitted them to depart. See " Ail red's M Vita S. Niniani," cap. v. , vii. , viii.
4 ' It is
his name arose the tradition, that the saint had a uterine brother denominated Plebeius.
probable,
from this introduction of
398 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [September 16.
correction, and knowing it should be inflicted, he fled from the place, taking with him the staff on which Ninian was accustomed to lean. With the usual
thoughtlessness of a school-boy, he sought for a ship, which might transport
him to Scotia. *
2
In that neighbourhood, and at that time, the vessels in the
port were framed with twigs, of small size, cup-shaped, and only capable of
holding three men sitting closely together. An ox-hide was drawn over the
frame-work, so as to render the craft impenetrable by water, and this slight construction left it exceedingly buoyant. ^ The lad stumbled on one of those boats near the shore, but insufficiently covered with leather. Into it he incautiously entered, and owing to some accidental movement, the vessel was carried out to sea. Then the water began to pour in, and the unhappy youth, confused and fearful of drowning, bitterly lamented his flight from St. Ninian. In a tone of anguish and confessing his fault to the staff, the boy prayed, that through the merits of its owner, he might be rescued from his perilous position. Then thrusting the staff into one of the holes, immediately the sea was excluded from entering the open boat. Soon an easterly wind sprung up, and this acting for a sail, the staff caught the wind, and gently impelled the vessel. As a helm, the staff also directed its course, and as an anchor stayed it. Meantime, people stood on the western shore, and saw a small vessel like a bird resting on the waters and moving towards them, yet impelled neither by sail nor oar. To their great surprise, the young man landed. Full of gratitude towards his deliverer, and of faith in his merits, he stuckthestaffofNinianintheearth,andprayedtheAlmightythatit might remain as a memorial of that miracle. Wonderful to relate, it sent forth roots and sap contrary to nature, covered itself with a new bark, producing
fresh branches and leaves, and finally grew into a considerable tree. More- over, from its root sprang up a limpid fountain, which sent forth a crystal
stream, winding in a lengthened course, and with a gentle murmur. Owing to the merits of the saint, the water was sweet to the taste, delightful to the eye, as also useful and health-giving to the sick.
CHAPTER III.
ST. NINIAN IS SAID TO HAVE SOUGHT A RETREAT IN IRELAND TOWARDS THE^LOSE OF HIS LIFE—THE PLACE WAS CALLED CL0NC0NRIE-1 OMAYNE, NOW CLONCURRY, IN THE COUNTY OF KILDARE—DEATH AND BURIAL OF ST. NINIAN—PILGRIMAGES TO HIS SHRINE AND MIRACLES THERE WROUGHT—RELIGIOUS MEMORIALS— CONCLUSION.
St. Ninian spent about thirty years from the return to his own part of the country, in forming and cultivating the Christians of these parts, as well by the example of his conduct as by his preaching and miracles. According to the Irish Life, he felt importuned by the frequent visits of his mother and relatives, having a desire to spend his days in strict seclusion. 1
Being perfect
42 At that period, the name applied to nos nostros ejusdem Niniani Vita ; in qua Ireland. ob importunam turn ^matre turn a consan-
^ Ailred remarks, that possibly, at that guineis frequentatam visionem, deserta time, vessels of immense size had been Candida Casa, ut sibi et suae quieti cum
constructed in like manner.
discipulis vacaret, Hiberniam petiisse atque
Chapter in. —• "Extat et Hiber- ibi apud
impetrato a rege loco apto et aoweno
in
September 16. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 399
every virtue and well advanced in years, he is said to have sought from an Irish king a suitable place for his—retreat and that of his disciples in Ireland. Here— as it seems to some writers we are to recognize him under the designation of Monenn or Maoineann. He selected in 2 for his
habitation, a place which has been styled Clonconrie-Tomayne,3 and Cloncrie-Tomayne. * It was situated in the Ui-Faelain territory,* which had been comprised within
theplainsofMagh-LaigheanandMagh-LirTe. Theremaybeseen,atthe present time, the ruins of an old mediaeval church ; about 62 feet in length
interiorly,by25inbreadth. Onegablealoneistolerablywellpreserved,andit was surmounted by a belfry, having two opes. A ruined doorway was in the
Cloncurry Old Church, County Kildare.
south-wall ; but the north-side wall is nearly gone. The old church is sur- rounded by a much-used burial-ground, in which, nevertheless, no very ancient'tomb is to be seen. 6 Aremarkable moat? or aboriginal earthwork
8 adjoins the cemetery, and on its summit rises a well-grown tree, which
presents a very picturesque object from all approaches, and for many miles
Cluayn-coner dicto ccenobium magnum con-
stituisse, ibidemque post multos in Hibernia
transactos annos obiisse traditur. ''
2
At the year 586, according to the Four Masters, a battle was gained by Bran Dubh, King of Leinster, over Eochaidh and the Ui-Neill, in this plain, and at the hill over Cluain-Conaire. The -drmalA Ul<voh refer this battle to a. u. 589. The hill in question seems to have been the present remarkable Moat, adjoining Monenn's former monas- tery.
3
It is thus designated by Mageoghegan. 4 So called in the Annals of Clonmacnoise,
at A. D. 835.
Annals of the
Magh-Ochtair,
"
s See Dr. O'Donovan's
Four Masters," vol. i. , n. (s), pp. 457, 458.
6 These observations in the text are from notes taken on the site, during a visit in July, 1873. On the same occasion, the writer took a sketch of the church ruins, as here presented, and drawn by Gregor Grey on the wood, afterwards engraved by him.
7 The conjunction of similar Moats with
numbers of old church sites in Ireland has
been frequently presented to the writer's view.
8 Said to have been planted there by a former parish priest.
4oo LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [September 16.
around it can be seen. Some fine elm, ash and hawthorn trees surround the church ruins. The former monastery foundations are shown in a pasture- field adjoining, and also the socket of an old Irish cross. The modern name of this place is Cloncurry,? now a parish in the baronies of Ikeathy and
county.
The old church ruins are near the
in the northern of Kildare 10 The Irish word
part means Conaire's Lawn or Meadow. 11
Oughterany,
road from Dublin to 13 Galway.
At the 16th of Marianus September,
high
enters in his Martyrology a festival for this Moenend ; while his commentator
makes Mo-nenn to be identical with Ninnianus, bishop of Candida Casa. 1 * We are informed, that in the Book of Armagh, there is a legend which goes far to prove the identity of one Manchan with that Ninius, whose Life is quoted by Archbishop Ussher, as having retired from Candida Casa to Cluain Conaire, now known as Cloncurry, in the County of Kildare. This
1
legend mentions a chariot sent by St. Patrick * to St. Fiaccxs as staying with
St. Manchan. '6 Another authority mentions Cill Monach. and this is said to have been another name for his church at Cluain Conaire. This identity of Manchan, the apostle of the sons of Amalgaidh, with Manchan of Clon-
and the latter with Ninius or Moninde, is 17 Yet, this very striking.
curry,
account is too vague to deserve any serious attention.
At length, St. Ninian was called by the Almighty to receive the reward of
his labours. ' 8 He died on the 16th of On this his September. day, memory
has ever since been celebrated in the Church. Some accounts have it, that he departed this life, on the ioth of September, a. d. 432. '°. This statement
has been made Pita. 20 by John
to most
he died at Withern, in Scotland. At the time, he is said to have attained the seven-
tieth year of his age.
21
In a pious paraphrase, Ailred relates the last
According
historians,
summons to bliss of the holy Ninian, perfect in life and full of years, yearn-
ing for the joys of Paradise, and leaving the people he had gained to Christ
lamenting their own great loss. Although not stated in terms, we are left to
22
infer—as general tradition has it—that he died at Withern, for he was
9 ",6" It is described on the Ordnance Sur-
vey Townland Maps for the County of Kildare," Sheets 4, 5, 9, 10. The Town- land proper is on Sheet 4.
10 See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , n. (n), p. 212.
" There is a gloss to the Feilire Aenguis, at the l6th of September, in which this place is called Cluain-Conaiie-Tomain.
" A description and history of Cloncurry by Patrick O'KeefTe may be seen in "Letters containing Information relative to the Anti- quiliesofthe County of Kildare, collected during the Progress of the Ordnance Survey in 1837," vol. i. , Letter dated Edenderry, October 30th, 1837.
!
See Goidilica,' p. 104.
'7 See Rev. John Francis Shearman's " Loca Patriciana," No. x. , p. 248, n. I, and p. 249, n. 1.
l8 By John of Fordun and others, it is stated, that he died in the time when Theo- dosius Junior was Emperor. See " Chro- nica Gentis Scotorum," lib. hi. , cap. ix. , p. 95, William Skene's edition.
^See William Nimmo's "History of
Stirlingshire," vol. i. , chap, xxi. , p. 376. 20See "Relationum Historicarum de
Rebus Anglicis," tomus i. Aetas Quinta, num. 33. De Niniano, p. 87.
13 Thus —runs the Irish comment, on x. , chap, i. , p. 23.
Moenend: " Cluana Claire i "The Rev. Mackenzie E. C. Walcott espcop
ttuaiscert Ua f Faelain, in marjg. man. rcc. writes
Mo-nenn ,i. id est Ninnianus episco/ms story of cathedral churches, with its frag-
Candidae Casae. " It is thus rendered into
English, "bLhop of Cluain Conairi, in the
northern part of Hui Faelain. My Nenn,
:
ment of an eastern arm, a solitary south-
west Norman doorway, and two canopied monumental recesses on the north side, one
i. e. Ninnian, bishop of Whithern. "—Dr. of which is attributed to the tomb of St.
Whitley Stokes' pp. 178, 179.
"
Felire Hui Gormain,"
Ninian, connecting it with the similar posi- tion of St. David's Shrine, and so, perhaps, with an old British traditionary custom, observed also in Wales. "—" Scoti-Monas- ticon," p. 228.
14
this work, at the 17th of March, Art. i.
'5 His feast occurs at the 12th October.
See his Life in the Third Volume of
"
2I
See Le Comte de Montalembert's Les Moines d' Occident," tome iii. , liv.
'• Wiiheme closes the melancholy
September 16. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 40:
buried in the Church of the Blessed Martin, which he had built from the
2 foundations, and his body was placed in a stone sarcophagus, near the altar. 3
While giving vent to sighs and tears, the clergy and people present at his obsequies sang those solemn and celestial. Hymns, which are so impressive and mournful in the Office for the Dead.
In after times, the faithful in large numbers resorted to his tomb, when innumerable miracles were wrought, in favour of the sick and infirm. Some of the most remarkable are related by Ailred. A poor deformed son had caused great grief to his parents, as his limbs were twisted awry. Knowing the power of the most Blessed Ninian, and full of faith, they brought their wretched offspring before the sacred relics. With floods of tears, and pouring forth prayers to the hour of vespers, they left their infirm child before the tomb, and returned to their home.
But, in the silence of the midnight-hour, appeared a form, clothed in episcopal robes, and shining with celestial light. It approached, and touched the head of the miserable creature, telling him to arise, to be restored, and to give thanks to God, his Saviour. On departure, as if awaking from a deep slumber, the boy by an easy motion found his limbs naturally placed, and having recovered their full use, he returned safe and sound to his home. Afterwards, he became wholly devoted to the Church and to ecclesiastical discipline. He received tonsure, was ordained a priest, and ended life in the service of his father. 2* A poor man, named Adefridus, had his body covered with an extraordinary scab, that spread over his skin and members, so that the courses of his veins and arteries were closed, and nothing but death seemed to await him. Full of faith, however, in the merits of St. Ninian, he approached the tomb in prayer and great compunction of heart. Nor did he cease these petitions, until the pity of the saint and the power of Christ were manifested. In a few days, he was restored to his former health. A girl, named Deisuit, was afflicted with pains in her eyes, that resulted in a total loss of sight. The skill of phy- sicians was tried in vain to restore it. Full of faith in the merits of St. Ninian, she asked to be led before his tomb, and praying there, darkness was taken away and light was restored. To the great joy of her parents, she returned home, and guided solely by her own eye-sight. Moreover, two lepers, who had pious trust in the saint's intercession, came to a fountain dedicated to him, and bathing in it, they returned quite healed to their friends. Althoughclosinghisbookwiththeforegoingincident,Ailredstates, that the miracles of St. Ninian did not cease to shine even to the time of writing his Life.
Under the head of Cluain-Conaire25 Tomain, Duald Mac Firbis enters
Maoinen, bishop in Cluain-Conaire Tomain, in the north of Faolin. 26 The 2
present saint is mentioned, also, in the Martyrology of Donegal, ? at the same date, as Maoineann, bishop of Cluain-Conaire, in the north of Ui Faelain. That Cluain-Conaire or Cloncurry is a place of great antiquity is established from the fact of its being mentioned in the annals of the Four Masters, at
23 However, "An old Irish account men- tions, that he spent his last years in Ireland, where he founded a church in Leinster called Cluain Conaire ; he was afterwards commemorated there under the name of Monenn
"
obsequiis vitam finivit. " The allusion here is probably to his father and patron, St. Ninian.
ss Now Cloncurry.
26 See " Proceedings of the Royal Irish
(Nenn being simply the Irish mo, or my, prefixed). "
i. ,
Encyclo- psedia Britannica," vol. xvii. , p. 513.
ioo, ioi,
i? Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
2< Ailred states it thus : "in ipsius patris
248, 249.
' —Ninian' with
Irish MSS. Series, vol. i. , Academy," part
pp.
Xc
402
LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [September16.
a. d. 28
586, 778,
An Abbot and Anchorite of this died place
29 and
a. d. 869. 31 Cluain-Conaire seems to have been plundered in 1171, during a
212, 213.
29 See ibid. , pp. 384, 385-
30 This year there was a great kingly
meeting at Cluain-Conaire-Tomain, be- 1 ween Niall Caille, monarch of Ireland, and Feidhlimidhf son of Crimthann. See ibid. , pp. 456 to 459.
v See ibid. , pp. 514, 515.
32 See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. ii. , pp. 1 186, 1187.
33 See " Parliamentary Gazetteer of Ire-
clarent miraculorum choruscatione vt non solum ilium ibidem visitantibus prodesse tantum ad sanitatem morborum quantum incolis tociusprouinciead temporalis comodi incrementum sed et de cecorum claudorum et languidorum curationibus legant Scoto- rum Anglorum Yberniencium Niniani deuoti cultores quantum illis in partibus
vol. i. ,
34 See Sir James Ware's "De Hibernia et
Antiquitatibus ejus, Disquisitiones," cap. xxvi. , p. 147.
43 Thus : "In Pichalandia Niniani
illius Apostoli et Candida; Casae episcopi, cujus vita tota miraculorum scena est, et sepulchrum Britannorum Hirlandorumque
land,"
p. 430,
gentis
nicum," p. 314.
36 See Bishop Forbes' " Kalendars of
Scottish Saints," p. 387. See, also, pp. 421 to 425 for St. Ninian.
—Bishop Forbes' Saints," p. 211.
837. 3°
37 Thus: "Et in Hibernia Natale Sanc-
et Sacerdotum Lasren copi et Confessoris. "
torum Confessorum — — Monein et Lasren. " Ibid. , p.
Epis- Martyrologium
38 Thus 39 —
fessoris. "
40 Thus : "S. Niniani
"Niniaui
Thus: "Niniani Episcopi
61.
et Con- deenand
:
Epi. "
Ibid, p. , 75.
48 See
Banff," p. 320. ibid. , p. 579.
lee. "
41 Thus: "Niniani Epi. Conf. ma -6 meo
tin -oe mry. "
—42 Thus: "Decimo Sexto Kl\ Octobris.
In Scocia Sancti Niniani et episcopi
confessoris sepultus apud cathedrale ceno-
Banff," vol. iii. , p. 389.
24. Ibid. , p.
138. ShiresofAber-
Epi.
d.
f. ix.
49 John Leslie,the historian, became parson of Oyne in 1559. Afterwards he was bishop of K oss. He lived from a. d. 1526 to a. d.
"
1596. See Francis H. Groome's Ordnance
Gazetteer of Scotland," vol. v. , pp. 146, 147.
50 See " of Aberdeen and Antiquities
Cornelius Mac Gelan, of Kildare, bishop
incursion. 32 In
and who had a great reputation for learning, died, and was buried in that church. 33 A Carmelite Friary, under the invocation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, was founded here a. d. 1347,34 by John Roche, and by licence from King Edward III. In 1405, however, the friary and village were burned by the Irish septs. In the 35th year of King Henry VIII. , this friary and its appurtenances were suppressed, on the 18th of January. 35 In Ireland, how- ever, we do not find any commemorations of Ninian, as so called, either here or elsewhere.
This saint was especially venerated in Scotland. 36 It is a noteworthy circumstance that while the Kalendar of Drummond altogether omits the name ofNinianatthe16thofSeptember,itenterstheIrishMonein. 37 Ninianis
8
in the Kalendarium de Culenros,3 the Kalendar de Nova Farina,39 the Kalen-
darium de Arbuthnott,40 the Kalendarium Breviarii Aberdonensis. 41 At the 1 6th of September, the Martyrology of Aberdeen commemorates St. Ninian. *2 Thomas Dempster, in his Menologium Scoticum, has notice of him, at the same date. 43 However, Camerarius44 and the Scottish Calendar^ place his festivalatthe18thofthismonth. IntheRomanMartyrologythefeastof
St. Ninian is set down at the 16th of September. 40
The fame of St. Ninian's or Ringan's name has been embalmed in the
many churches, chapels, parishes, and localities, that had been dedicated to him throughout Scotland. Special veneration was given to St. Ninian, at Andat, in Methlick, Aberdeenshire. 4? Also, at Pitmedden, in Oyne,48 a parish in Garioch district,40 and at Fetterneir. 5° At Aberdeen was St.
28 Dr. O'Donovan's edition, vol. i. , pp. bium Candidecase. Cuius reliquie tanta
predatory
1223,
35 See Archdall's "Monasticon Hiber- peregrinationibus frequentissimum. M. L. "
profuit e—t indies ad salutem prodesse non "
desinet. " Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland," vol. ii. , p. 268.
44
See ibid. , p. 240.
45 See ibid. , p. 255.
46 "
Thus —
"
Kalendars of Scottish
:
Romanum,"editio novissima, 47 See " Collections on the
In Scotia Sancti Niniani "
p.
September 16. I LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
403
Ninian'sChapelofCastleHill. 51 TherewasanAltarage52 ofSt. Ninianin St. Nicholas, Aberdeen. S3 One of the scanty remains of pre-Reformation religious art is a fresco on the wall of St. Congan's Church54 at Turriff,55 where a figure of St. Ninian has been displayed. 56 The Lands of St. Ninian are mentioned as having been in Kintyre,57 Argyleshire. In the Island of Sanda is a memorial of St. Ninian. 58 In the Island of Mull is Kilninian. 50
Previous to the Reformation, the Castle of Dundonald, in Ayrshire, had a
chapel, chapel
;
60 which
62 are now discoverable. In the
St. Ninian's Hospital, called Kilcaiss, in Ayrshire.
66
Ayr- Kildonan,65 Kilsanctniniane is in
'
s See Chalmers'
vol.
64 See Chalmers'
book ii. , chap, vii. , p. 315, n. (1).
"Caledonia," book ii. , chap, vii. , p. 315, n. (1).
i. ,
"Caledonia,'
vol.
the of St. Ninian 6x but no remains of that
Ardmillan. 6? Kincase68 or 60- in the Kingscase Hospital,
of was Ayr,
memory
preserved
shire, in the village of Colmonell,6* there is a Kil St.
on a with one of his brethren named 1 overtaken a journey Plebia,* being by
heavy shower while reading a Book of Psalms. No rain fell on them however, until a vain thought passed through the holy man's mind. Then the brother admonished him of that error, which was speedily corrected. The servant of God put away the vain thought, and at the very same moment the shower was stayed.
As in connexion with his monastic institute, Ninian had founded a school^many sons of nobles and others of the middle rank sent their sons to the blessed Pontiff to be trained in secular and sacred learning. By his example and precept, those scholars were taught to curb the vices incident to their years, and to live soberly, righteously and piously. A strict observer of discipline himself, the rod was used sometimes to correct the faults of his pupils. On a certain occasion, one of the boys deserved such
He divided the whole land into
parishes,
8
tokl,3 assigning
38 However, the Abbot of Ricval is not
caused them to runabout within the circle all that night. In the morning when Ninian appeared, he mercifully released them, and
accurate in this statement, since parochial
divisions were unknown in Scotland until
many centuries later. See Rev. John even brought their leader to life. Having Cunningham's "Church History of Scot-
land," vol. i. s chap, hi. , p. 52.
39 in that province lived the Novantes, and in allusion to its peninsular situation it was called the Chersonesus of the Novantes. See Cough's Camden's " Britannia," vol. iii. , p. 330.
40 The legend states, that his companions were seized with a certain madness, which
impressed on them the judgments of God to be inflicted on the rapacious, Ninian gave them his benediction and permitted them to depart. See " Ail red's M Vita S. Niniani," cap. v. , vii. , viii.
4 ' It is
his name arose the tradition, that the saint had a uterine brother denominated Plebeius.
probable,
from this introduction of
398 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [September 16.
correction, and knowing it should be inflicted, he fled from the place, taking with him the staff on which Ninian was accustomed to lean. With the usual
thoughtlessness of a school-boy, he sought for a ship, which might transport
him to Scotia. *
2
In that neighbourhood, and at that time, the vessels in the
port were framed with twigs, of small size, cup-shaped, and only capable of
holding three men sitting closely together. An ox-hide was drawn over the
frame-work, so as to render the craft impenetrable by water, and this slight construction left it exceedingly buoyant. ^ The lad stumbled on one of those boats near the shore, but insufficiently covered with leather. Into it he incautiously entered, and owing to some accidental movement, the vessel was carried out to sea. Then the water began to pour in, and the unhappy youth, confused and fearful of drowning, bitterly lamented his flight from St. Ninian. In a tone of anguish and confessing his fault to the staff, the boy prayed, that through the merits of its owner, he might be rescued from his perilous position. Then thrusting the staff into one of the holes, immediately the sea was excluded from entering the open boat. Soon an easterly wind sprung up, and this acting for a sail, the staff caught the wind, and gently impelled the vessel. As a helm, the staff also directed its course, and as an anchor stayed it. Meantime, people stood on the western shore, and saw a small vessel like a bird resting on the waters and moving towards them, yet impelled neither by sail nor oar. To their great surprise, the young man landed. Full of gratitude towards his deliverer, and of faith in his merits, he stuckthestaffofNinianintheearth,andprayedtheAlmightythatit might remain as a memorial of that miracle. Wonderful to relate, it sent forth roots and sap contrary to nature, covered itself with a new bark, producing
fresh branches and leaves, and finally grew into a considerable tree. More- over, from its root sprang up a limpid fountain, which sent forth a crystal
stream, winding in a lengthened course, and with a gentle murmur. Owing to the merits of the saint, the water was sweet to the taste, delightful to the eye, as also useful and health-giving to the sick.
CHAPTER III.
ST. NINIAN IS SAID TO HAVE SOUGHT A RETREAT IN IRELAND TOWARDS THE^LOSE OF HIS LIFE—THE PLACE WAS CALLED CL0NC0NRIE-1 OMAYNE, NOW CLONCURRY, IN THE COUNTY OF KILDARE—DEATH AND BURIAL OF ST. NINIAN—PILGRIMAGES TO HIS SHRINE AND MIRACLES THERE WROUGHT—RELIGIOUS MEMORIALS— CONCLUSION.
St. Ninian spent about thirty years from the return to his own part of the country, in forming and cultivating the Christians of these parts, as well by the example of his conduct as by his preaching and miracles. According to the Irish Life, he felt importuned by the frequent visits of his mother and relatives, having a desire to spend his days in strict seclusion. 1
Being perfect
42 At that period, the name applied to nos nostros ejusdem Niniani Vita ; in qua Ireland. ob importunam turn ^matre turn a consan-
^ Ailred remarks, that possibly, at that guineis frequentatam visionem, deserta time, vessels of immense size had been Candida Casa, ut sibi et suae quieti cum
constructed in like manner.
discipulis vacaret, Hiberniam petiisse atque
Chapter in. —• "Extat et Hiber- ibi apud
impetrato a rege loco apto et aoweno
in
September 16. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 399
every virtue and well advanced in years, he is said to have sought from an Irish king a suitable place for his—retreat and that of his disciples in Ireland. Here— as it seems to some writers we are to recognize him under the designation of Monenn or Maoineann. He selected in 2 for his
habitation, a place which has been styled Clonconrie-Tomayne,3 and Cloncrie-Tomayne. * It was situated in the Ui-Faelain territory,* which had been comprised within
theplainsofMagh-LaigheanandMagh-LirTe. Theremaybeseen,atthe present time, the ruins of an old mediaeval church ; about 62 feet in length
interiorly,by25inbreadth. Onegablealoneistolerablywellpreserved,andit was surmounted by a belfry, having two opes. A ruined doorway was in the
Cloncurry Old Church, County Kildare.
south-wall ; but the north-side wall is nearly gone. The old church is sur- rounded by a much-used burial-ground, in which, nevertheless, no very ancient'tomb is to be seen. 6 Aremarkable moat? or aboriginal earthwork
8 adjoins the cemetery, and on its summit rises a well-grown tree, which
presents a very picturesque object from all approaches, and for many miles
Cluayn-coner dicto ccenobium magnum con-
stituisse, ibidemque post multos in Hibernia
transactos annos obiisse traditur. ''
2
At the year 586, according to the Four Masters, a battle was gained by Bran Dubh, King of Leinster, over Eochaidh and the Ui-Neill, in this plain, and at the hill over Cluain-Conaire. The -drmalA Ul<voh refer this battle to a. u. 589. The hill in question seems to have been the present remarkable Moat, adjoining Monenn's former monas- tery.
3
It is thus designated by Mageoghegan. 4 So called in the Annals of Clonmacnoise,
at A. D. 835.
Annals of the
Magh-Ochtair,
"
s See Dr. O'Donovan's
Four Masters," vol. i. , n. (s), pp. 457, 458.
6 These observations in the text are from notes taken on the site, during a visit in July, 1873. On the same occasion, the writer took a sketch of the church ruins, as here presented, and drawn by Gregor Grey on the wood, afterwards engraved by him.
7 The conjunction of similar Moats with
numbers of old church sites in Ireland has
been frequently presented to the writer's view.
8 Said to have been planted there by a former parish priest.
4oo LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [September 16.
around it can be seen. Some fine elm, ash and hawthorn trees surround the church ruins. The former monastery foundations are shown in a pasture- field adjoining, and also the socket of an old Irish cross. The modern name of this place is Cloncurry,? now a parish in the baronies of Ikeathy and
county.
The old church ruins are near the
in the northern of Kildare 10 The Irish word
part means Conaire's Lawn or Meadow. 11
Oughterany,
road from Dublin to 13 Galway.
At the 16th of Marianus September,
high
enters in his Martyrology a festival for this Moenend ; while his commentator
makes Mo-nenn to be identical with Ninnianus, bishop of Candida Casa. 1 * We are informed, that in the Book of Armagh, there is a legend which goes far to prove the identity of one Manchan with that Ninius, whose Life is quoted by Archbishop Ussher, as having retired from Candida Casa to Cluain Conaire, now known as Cloncurry, in the County of Kildare. This
1
legend mentions a chariot sent by St. Patrick * to St. Fiaccxs as staying with
St. Manchan. '6 Another authority mentions Cill Monach. and this is said to have been another name for his church at Cluain Conaire. This identity of Manchan, the apostle of the sons of Amalgaidh, with Manchan of Clon-
and the latter with Ninius or Moninde, is 17 Yet, this very striking.
curry,
account is too vague to deserve any serious attention.
At length, St. Ninian was called by the Almighty to receive the reward of
his labours. ' 8 He died on the 16th of On this his September. day, memory
has ever since been celebrated in the Church. Some accounts have it, that he departed this life, on the ioth of September, a. d. 432. '°. This statement
has been made Pita. 20 by John
to most
he died at Withern, in Scotland. At the time, he is said to have attained the seven-
tieth year of his age.
21
In a pious paraphrase, Ailred relates the last
According
historians,
summons to bliss of the holy Ninian, perfect in life and full of years, yearn-
ing for the joys of Paradise, and leaving the people he had gained to Christ
lamenting their own great loss. Although not stated in terms, we are left to
22
infer—as general tradition has it—that he died at Withern, for he was
9 ",6" It is described on the Ordnance Sur-
vey Townland Maps for the County of Kildare," Sheets 4, 5, 9, 10. The Town- land proper is on Sheet 4.
10 See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , n. (n), p. 212.
" There is a gloss to the Feilire Aenguis, at the l6th of September, in which this place is called Cluain-Conaiie-Tomain.
" A description and history of Cloncurry by Patrick O'KeefTe may be seen in "Letters containing Information relative to the Anti- quiliesofthe County of Kildare, collected during the Progress of the Ordnance Survey in 1837," vol. i. , Letter dated Edenderry, October 30th, 1837.
!
See Goidilica,' p. 104.
'7 See Rev. John Francis Shearman's " Loca Patriciana," No. x. , p. 248, n. I, and p. 249, n. 1.
l8 By John of Fordun and others, it is stated, that he died in the time when Theo- dosius Junior was Emperor. See " Chro- nica Gentis Scotorum," lib. hi. , cap. ix. , p. 95, William Skene's edition.
^See William Nimmo's "History of
Stirlingshire," vol. i. , chap, xxi. , p. 376. 20See "Relationum Historicarum de
Rebus Anglicis," tomus i. Aetas Quinta, num. 33. De Niniano, p. 87.
13 Thus —runs the Irish comment, on x. , chap, i. , p. 23.
Moenend: " Cluana Claire i "The Rev. Mackenzie E. C. Walcott espcop
ttuaiscert Ua f Faelain, in marjg. man. rcc. writes
Mo-nenn ,i. id est Ninnianus episco/ms story of cathedral churches, with its frag-
Candidae Casae. " It is thus rendered into
English, "bLhop of Cluain Conairi, in the
northern part of Hui Faelain. My Nenn,
:
ment of an eastern arm, a solitary south-
west Norman doorway, and two canopied monumental recesses on the north side, one
i. e. Ninnian, bishop of Whithern. "—Dr. of which is attributed to the tomb of St.
Whitley Stokes' pp. 178, 179.
"
Felire Hui Gormain,"
Ninian, connecting it with the similar posi- tion of St. David's Shrine, and so, perhaps, with an old British traditionary custom, observed also in Wales. "—" Scoti-Monas- ticon," p. 228.
14
this work, at the 17th of March, Art. i.
'5 His feast occurs at the 12th October.
See his Life in the Third Volume of
"
2I
See Le Comte de Montalembert's Les Moines d' Occident," tome iii. , liv.
'• Wiiheme closes the melancholy
September 16. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 40:
buried in the Church of the Blessed Martin, which he had built from the
2 foundations, and his body was placed in a stone sarcophagus, near the altar. 3
While giving vent to sighs and tears, the clergy and people present at his obsequies sang those solemn and celestial. Hymns, which are so impressive and mournful in the Office for the Dead.
In after times, the faithful in large numbers resorted to his tomb, when innumerable miracles were wrought, in favour of the sick and infirm. Some of the most remarkable are related by Ailred. A poor deformed son had caused great grief to his parents, as his limbs were twisted awry. Knowing the power of the most Blessed Ninian, and full of faith, they brought their wretched offspring before the sacred relics. With floods of tears, and pouring forth prayers to the hour of vespers, they left their infirm child before the tomb, and returned to their home.
But, in the silence of the midnight-hour, appeared a form, clothed in episcopal robes, and shining with celestial light. It approached, and touched the head of the miserable creature, telling him to arise, to be restored, and to give thanks to God, his Saviour. On departure, as if awaking from a deep slumber, the boy by an easy motion found his limbs naturally placed, and having recovered their full use, he returned safe and sound to his home. Afterwards, he became wholly devoted to the Church and to ecclesiastical discipline. He received tonsure, was ordained a priest, and ended life in the service of his father. 2* A poor man, named Adefridus, had his body covered with an extraordinary scab, that spread over his skin and members, so that the courses of his veins and arteries were closed, and nothing but death seemed to await him. Full of faith, however, in the merits of St. Ninian, he approached the tomb in prayer and great compunction of heart. Nor did he cease these petitions, until the pity of the saint and the power of Christ were manifested. In a few days, he was restored to his former health. A girl, named Deisuit, was afflicted with pains in her eyes, that resulted in a total loss of sight. The skill of phy- sicians was tried in vain to restore it. Full of faith in the merits of St. Ninian, she asked to be led before his tomb, and praying there, darkness was taken away and light was restored. To the great joy of her parents, she returned home, and guided solely by her own eye-sight. Moreover, two lepers, who had pious trust in the saint's intercession, came to a fountain dedicated to him, and bathing in it, they returned quite healed to their friends. Althoughclosinghisbookwiththeforegoingincident,Ailredstates, that the miracles of St. Ninian did not cease to shine even to the time of writing his Life.
Under the head of Cluain-Conaire25 Tomain, Duald Mac Firbis enters
Maoinen, bishop in Cluain-Conaire Tomain, in the north of Faolin. 26 The 2
present saint is mentioned, also, in the Martyrology of Donegal, ? at the same date, as Maoineann, bishop of Cluain-Conaire, in the north of Ui Faelain. That Cluain-Conaire or Cloncurry is a place of great antiquity is established from the fact of its being mentioned in the annals of the Four Masters, at
23 However, "An old Irish account men- tions, that he spent his last years in Ireland, where he founded a church in Leinster called Cluain Conaire ; he was afterwards commemorated there under the name of Monenn
"
obsequiis vitam finivit. " The allusion here is probably to his father and patron, St. Ninian.
ss Now Cloncurry.
26 See " Proceedings of the Royal Irish
(Nenn being simply the Irish mo, or my, prefixed). "
i. ,
Encyclo- psedia Britannica," vol. xvii. , p. 513.
ioo, ioi,
i? Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
2< Ailred states it thus : "in ipsius patris
248, 249.
' —Ninian' with
Irish MSS. Series, vol. i. , Academy," part
pp.
Xc
402
LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [September16.
a. d. 28
586, 778,
An Abbot and Anchorite of this died place
29 and
a. d. 869. 31 Cluain-Conaire seems to have been plundered in 1171, during a
212, 213.
29 See ibid. , pp. 384, 385-
30 This year there was a great kingly
meeting at Cluain-Conaire-Tomain, be- 1 ween Niall Caille, monarch of Ireland, and Feidhlimidhf son of Crimthann. See ibid. , pp. 456 to 459.
v See ibid. , pp. 514, 515.
32 See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. ii. , pp. 1 186, 1187.
33 See " Parliamentary Gazetteer of Ire-
clarent miraculorum choruscatione vt non solum ilium ibidem visitantibus prodesse tantum ad sanitatem morborum quantum incolis tociusprouinciead temporalis comodi incrementum sed et de cecorum claudorum et languidorum curationibus legant Scoto- rum Anglorum Yberniencium Niniani deuoti cultores quantum illis in partibus
vol. i. ,
34 See Sir James Ware's "De Hibernia et
Antiquitatibus ejus, Disquisitiones," cap. xxvi. , p. 147.
43 Thus : "In Pichalandia Niniani
illius Apostoli et Candida; Casae episcopi, cujus vita tota miraculorum scena est, et sepulchrum Britannorum Hirlandorumque
land,"
p. 430,
gentis
nicum," p. 314.
36 See Bishop Forbes' " Kalendars of
Scottish Saints," p. 387. See, also, pp. 421 to 425 for St. Ninian.
—Bishop Forbes' Saints," p. 211.
837. 3°
37 Thus: "Et in Hibernia Natale Sanc-
et Sacerdotum Lasren copi et Confessoris. "
torum Confessorum — — Monein et Lasren. " Ibid. , p.
Epis- Martyrologium
38 Thus 39 —
fessoris. "
40 Thus : "S. Niniani
"Niniaui
Thus: "Niniani Episcopi
61.
et Con- deenand
:
Epi. "
Ibid, p. , 75.
48 See
Banff," p. 320. ibid. , p. 579.
lee. "
41 Thus: "Niniani Epi. Conf. ma -6 meo
tin -oe mry. "
—42 Thus: "Decimo Sexto Kl\ Octobris.
In Scocia Sancti Niniani et episcopi
confessoris sepultus apud cathedrale ceno-
Banff," vol. iii. , p. 389.
24. Ibid. , p.
138. ShiresofAber-
Epi.
d.
f. ix.
49 John Leslie,the historian, became parson of Oyne in 1559. Afterwards he was bishop of K oss. He lived from a. d. 1526 to a. d.
"
1596. See Francis H. Groome's Ordnance
Gazetteer of Scotland," vol. v. , pp. 146, 147.
50 See " of Aberdeen and Antiquities
Cornelius Mac Gelan, of Kildare, bishop
incursion. 32 In
and who had a great reputation for learning, died, and was buried in that church. 33 A Carmelite Friary, under the invocation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, was founded here a. d. 1347,34 by John Roche, and by licence from King Edward III. In 1405, however, the friary and village were burned by the Irish septs. In the 35th year of King Henry VIII. , this friary and its appurtenances were suppressed, on the 18th of January. 35 In Ireland, how- ever, we do not find any commemorations of Ninian, as so called, either here or elsewhere.
This saint was especially venerated in Scotland. 36 It is a noteworthy circumstance that while the Kalendar of Drummond altogether omits the name ofNinianatthe16thofSeptember,itenterstheIrishMonein. 37 Ninianis
8
in the Kalendarium de Culenros,3 the Kalendar de Nova Farina,39 the Kalen-
darium de Arbuthnott,40 the Kalendarium Breviarii Aberdonensis. 41 At the 1 6th of September, the Martyrology of Aberdeen commemorates St. Ninian. *2 Thomas Dempster, in his Menologium Scoticum, has notice of him, at the same date. 43 However, Camerarius44 and the Scottish Calendar^ place his festivalatthe18thofthismonth. IntheRomanMartyrologythefeastof
St. Ninian is set down at the 16th of September. 40
The fame of St. Ninian's or Ringan's name has been embalmed in the
many churches, chapels, parishes, and localities, that had been dedicated to him throughout Scotland. Special veneration was given to St. Ninian, at Andat, in Methlick, Aberdeenshire. 4? Also, at Pitmedden, in Oyne,48 a parish in Garioch district,40 and at Fetterneir. 5° At Aberdeen was St.
28 Dr. O'Donovan's edition, vol. i. , pp. bium Candidecase. Cuius reliquie tanta
predatory
1223,
35 See Archdall's "Monasticon Hiber- peregrinationibus frequentissimum. M. L. "
profuit e—t indies ad salutem prodesse non "
desinet. " Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland," vol. ii. , p. 268.
44
See ibid. , p. 240.
45 See ibid. , p. 255.
46 "
Thus —
"
Kalendars of Scottish
:
Romanum,"editio novissima, 47 See " Collections on the
In Scotia Sancti Niniani "
p.
September 16. I LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
403
Ninian'sChapelofCastleHill. 51 TherewasanAltarage52 ofSt. Ninianin St. Nicholas, Aberdeen. S3 One of the scanty remains of pre-Reformation religious art is a fresco on the wall of St. Congan's Church54 at Turriff,55 where a figure of St. Ninian has been displayed. 56 The Lands of St. Ninian are mentioned as having been in Kintyre,57 Argyleshire. In the Island of Sanda is a memorial of St. Ninian. 58 In the Island of Mull is Kilninian. 50
Previous to the Reformation, the Castle of Dundonald, in Ayrshire, had a
chapel, chapel
;
60 which
62 are now discoverable. In the
St. Ninian's Hospital, called Kilcaiss, in Ayrshire.
66
Ayr- Kildonan,65 Kilsanctniniane is in
'
s See Chalmers'
vol.
64 See Chalmers'
book ii. , chap, vii. , p. 315, n. (1).
"Caledonia," book ii. , chap, vii. , p. 315, n. (1).
i. ,
"Caledonia,'
vol.
the of St. Ninian 6x but no remains of that
Ardmillan. 6? Kincase68 or 60- in the Kingscase Hospital,
of was Ayr,
memory
preserved
shire, in the village of Colmonell,6* there is a Kil St.
