According
to another account, however, the saint debarked a.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v3
7
having been then a young man. See
March 17. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 531
I was ordained deacon. '^^ On account of the anxiety of my sorrowing mind, I confessed to my dearest friend, what I had done one day in my boyhood. " The false zeal and want of judgment, on the part of this supposed familiar, seem, for a time, to have interposed some objection to St. Patrick's episcopal elevation. Yet, God had great designs in waiting, for his humble servant ; and, he acknowledges, that all things turned out well for him,'^3 because he was thereby amended, through our Lord. Even on that very day, when Patrick had been reproved by those censors, he saw a nightly vision, before his face. It presented the appearance of a writing, and, in the meantime,
:
Patrick heard an answer from the Lord, saying to him " We have imper-
fectly seen the face of him, who was marked out to us, and whose name was
discovered. " In
giving
this
but,
the saint adds account, :
" Nor did he ' You say,
have
imperfectly
seen
;'
' Wehave
asifhethere imperfectly seen,' joined
himself to another like when he ;
said,
' He who touches touches the you,
of
with my purpose, which I had learned from my Lord ; but, rather I felt within me an uncommon strength, and my faith was approved before God and men. Wherefore, I boldly assert, that my conscience offers me no re- proach. I have God for my witness, that I have spoken the truth in those things I related ; but, I grieved the more for my dearest friend, to whom I trusted my soul, that we should have deserved to hear such an answer. I found out, likewise, from some of my br'ethren, before such prohibition, that I was not there, nor was I in Britain, nor was I the occasion, that he, in my absence, should have defended me. " We are not more clearly enlightened, regarding the nature of this accusation and defence of our holy patron. However, he returned thanks to God, for having comforted and encouraged him, not to desist from the great purpose, on which he had resolved. '^s He also declares, how God and the Irish people knew the manner of his life, and of his dispositions, among them, from the time of his youth. It has been conjectured, that the denunciation of St. Patrick had been contrived, by
'^-^
I
all things, so as not to interfere with the journey I had resolved upon, nor
apple
my eye. '
Wherefore,
give
him,
certain '^^ with a view of seniors,
him at with his friends and home,
keeping
relatives, who were so much opposed to the idea of his undertaking the Irish
mission. It has been regarded, also, as a convincing proof, for his having been consecrated, in his own country, and, not far from where his relations and acquaintances resided. '^^
Singular to relate, St. Celestine the First only lived one week, after this most remarkable event in his pontificate. ^^^ He thoroughly approved, how-
''°
Thus, according to Dr. Lanigan, it would seem to have occurred, in A. D. 432, or towards the latter end of 431. StQibid. ,
least under a part of these seniores, he com- See, Tillemont's Memoires pour prised some of his relatives, nor with his
sect, iv. , pp. 136, 137.
*^' "
servir a I'Histoire
tome xvi. , Art.
notes,
'^^
Ecclesiastique," &c. , ii. , S. Patrice, and
using the word/;w4y^^^» ^^herever he talks of a priest. It would be very unusual, more- over, for a person, while as yet only a priest himself, to use the phrase, "myphests. "
'^7 Tillemont adds, that country was Great Britain. See p. 783. At this time, however, St. Patrick's near relatives seem to have been in France.
These thirty years must be counted, after the fifteen years of age, when this fault had been committed.
'*3 Rom. viii. 28.
'* Zach. ii. 8.
'«5 See " Confessio S.
''* See " Prima Vita S. Patricii," nn. 13, num. II, 12, 13, pp. 194 to 197. See 14, p. 5. The Scholiast remarks, that at
"
Apostoli, Synodi, Canones, Opuscula," &c.
the time of Patrick's ordination, Celestine heard the voices of certain infants, called Erebrea and Lessa, or Lassera, two
Villanueva's
Sancti Patricii, Ibernoi-um
'*'
Tillemont conjectures, that by "senio-
Patricii," cap. iii. ,
"
res" he meant priests. See, Memoires pour daughters of Glerann, the son of Cumin.
thanks to
who comforted me in
servir a I'Histoire Ecclesiastique," tome xvi. , p. 459. But this agrees, neither with
the context, which plainly shows, that at
532 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 17.
ever, the judgment of St. German, in this choice, and gave his benediction to
St. Patrick, before setting out on his Irish mission. '^? Our saint also
obtained sacred reHcs, from the glorious Pontiff. '7° Having bade farewell to
him, our newly-appointed bishop journeyed on towards Ireland, through Italy and Gaul, until he came to the British Sea. '7i if we are to rely on the
Scholiast's statement, this consecration should be assigned, to the 30th or 31st
of March, a. d. 432. ^72 Assuming St. Patrick to have visited Rome, Dr.
Lanigan calculates, that he left it, either late in the year 431,^73 or early in the year 432. '74 The latter date is that most generally accepted. '7s William
of Malmesbury, who knew little about the chronology of those times, brings St. Patrick to Ireland, in a. d. 425. It would appear, he brought companions associated with him, for this important work he had undertaken. ''? ^ Whether or not these belonged to Gaul or to Italy has been questioned. It is most likely, however, his missionaries were drawn, from both countries. There are even reasons for doubting, if all those enumerated as foreign assis- tants went to Ireland with St. Patrick, or deferred their visit to that country, for some years, after his mission there commenced. The Third Life '77 gives St. Patrick twenty-four companions ; while others raise the
number to thirty-four, partly obtained, it would seem, from Rome, and partly trom other places. '7^ This cortege has been thought, however, to have been over numerous, for the necessities and policy of the Irish
Apostle's mission. '79 Jocelyn says,'^° that he was accompanied, all the way
from Rome, by twenty men, who were distinguished for their morals and
wisdom. These were given him, by the Pope, as his coadjutors, in that great
work he was to undertake, when he set out on his journey towards Ireland.
On the way, he repaired to his old master and instructor, St. German, from
whom he received chalices, vestments, books, and other church requisites. '^'
Whether or not, St. German then lived, at Auxerre, may be questioned. It
is supposed, that St. Patrick did not take the route by Boulogne, when about
passing over to Great Britain. This may have proceeded from a desire, to
avoid family importunities, as he had been previously thwarted in his epis- copal consecration, and in his self-devotedness to the labours of a foreign
These, although not yet born, invoked is remarkably absurd, as also their conjee-
Patrick ; and, afterwards he baptized them, at Caille Fochla, westwards from the River Moy, where they rest. " Quae autem tunc in ventre Matris existentes dicebant, erant hsec ; Hibemienses omnes clamant ad te. Et hsec scepius ab eis decantata audiebantur per Hibern—iam totam, vel usque ad ipsos Romanos. " Ibid. , n. 15/. , and n. 38, p.
10.
**'Erric thus writes, in his work, "De
Vita S. Germani," lib. i. , cap. 12.
'7° The Fourth Life so states, in the
ture, that by the island Tamarensis, we may
"
Acta Sancto- rum," tomus ii. , Martii xvii. De S. Patricio Apostolo Hibemioe. Commentarius prae- vius, sect, v. , p. 522, and sect, viii. , p. 527. '? * See, Ussher's " Primordia," cap. xvii,, p. 842, and Colgan's Secunda Vita S. Pa- tricii, cap. xxvi. , pp. 13, 14, and "Trias
Thaumaturga," nn. 39, 40, pp. 18, 19.
*77 See cap. xxvii. , p. 23.
*? * See Ussher's " Primordia," cap. xvii. ,
p. 845.
•'' Such a number of missionaries, as Dr.
Lanigan remarks, was hardly ever heard of before, nor even since, when an enterprize of this kind had been at first undertaken, Not to mention the expense for conveying
and maintaining such a number of persons, those story tellers might have reflected, if St. Patrick were to appear in Ireland with such a host of foreigners, and particularly of Romans, that he and his companions must have been driven out of the
immediately
country.
'«o See " Sexta Vita S. Patricii," cap.
twenty-ninth chapter, p. 39. "
'7' See Septima Vita S. Patricii," lib. i. , cap. xxxix. , xl. , p. 123.
''^ Pope St. Celestine the First died, on the 6th of April, A. D. 432.
'73 His mission is placed imder this year, in Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters. " See vol. i. , pp. 128 to 131.
'74 See his " Ecclesiastical History of Ire- land," vol. i. , chap, iv. , sect, xviii. , p. 195.
that St.
supposed, Patrick preached in Ireland, A. D. 413, for the first time. This was long before his
regular appointment, for that purpose. . It
'7S The Bollandists have
understand Ireland. See
xxvi. , p. 70.
March 17. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 533
mission/^- However, St. Patrick permitted no very lengthened period to elapse, after his consecration, until he made the necessary preparation, and he soon was ready to enter on the scene of his missionary emprises.
Some miracles are commemorated, by his biographers, and which our saint is said to have performed, while in Gaul, as also on his passage over to Ireland. These, indeed, are of too legendary a character to deserve serious
notice. '^3 it is thought, by Dr. Lanigan, our great Apostle may have em- barked for Ireland, from the mouth of the River Seine. ^^* Every preliminary
for his passage having been arranged, St. Patrick, with his companions, probably coasted by the shores of Cornwall. It is even possible, he sailed direct from France to Ireland. His passage is described, as having been a favourable one. '^s According to nearly all of his biographers, however, he
St. David's, in South Wales. '^s This, indeed, seems not improbable ; and, it is even likely, he passed by a short sail, from that port, over towards the
Wicklow coast, where he is thought to have landed, on this auspicious occasion.
According to another account, however, the saint debarked a. d. 432, from that celebrated pool, on the north-western coast of England, and which is now so famous, as a great commercial entrepot. '^'^° If there be truth, in his sailing to the Isle of Man and to Britain, at a later period, this tradi- tion may have antedated the time of his departure, from that more northerly shore. During his passage over to Ireland, the holy man turned from what- evermightimpedehim,'9' and,hewaswaftedspeedilytoourshore,inthe name of the most adorable Trinity.
'*' '^'
According to Jocelyn.
''< See "Ecclesiastical History of Ire- land," vol. i. , chap, iv. , sect, xvii. , and n. 150, pp. 196, 198.
'^5 See the Second Life, cap. xxvi. , p. 14 ; also the Third Life, cap. xxviii. , p. 23. '** The Life of our saint, written by Pro- bus, thus relates, that the venerable priest
Patrick speedily going on board, his vessel then sailed to Britain.
in the first towards Great Britain. ^^"^ Some writers instance,
passed over,
state, moreover, that he made little delay in this latter country. ^^7 Yet, other authorities declare, that he preached for some days there ;^^^ and, it is related, likewise, that he spent some time at Menevia, afterwards known as
See Rev. Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesias- tical History of Ireland," vol. i. , chap, iv. , sects, vii. , viii. , xix. , and nn. pp. 195 to 205. Colgan thinks, however, if we grant, that St. Patrick spent some time on the mission, and exercised the episcopal office among the Morini, and at Boulogne, before he began his Irish Apostleship ; it cannot
be as allowed,
would
that many years were passed by the saint "
"
Quinta p. 49.
'^^ In a
agreeing, with that just quoted from Probus, Nennius throws in this addition, referring to
Malbranque
have it,
'^7 the narrative : Probus thus continues
omnibus ambulandi anfractibus cum omni velocitate prospero fluctu mare nostrum in nomine S. Trinitatis adiit. " See
there, but, at most, only some months of the year 432, when he was consecrated, and sent into Ireland. See "Trias Thauma- turga," Quinta Appendix ad Acta S. Pa- tricii, cap. xvi. , num. 4,
Vita S. lib. xxv. , Patricii," i. , cap.
p. 253.
'^3 The Third Life contains the account of
passage,
almost word for word
a leper, who in an extraordinary manner followed the saint to Ireland ; and also, how demons fluttered about his vessel, during the six days he spent on the voyage over (cap. xxvii. , p. 23) ; other particulars are added in the Fourth Life (cap. xxx. , p. 39. ) Probus omits these accounts ; Jocelyn, how- ever, enlarges on those particulars, appa- rently subjects he desired to treat, according
regarding either legend.
Britain " Et praedicavit ibi non multis diebus. " See, also, Matthew of West- minster, "Flores Historiarum," a. d. ccccxci. , p. 177.
with his taste peculiar
connected with
this town great
(cap. xxvii
pp. 70, 71) ; the Latin Tripartite Life relates about the leper solely (lib. i. , cap. xl. , p. 123) ; while, in the Irish Tripartite Life, edited by Miss Cusack, we find nothing,
, xxviii. ,
rity
omissisque
:
'^ See Ussher's " Primordia," cap. xvii,, p. 843, and those following.
'9° Under the year 432, and as the first entry, in local historic annals, one autho-
observes, that tradition informs us, St.
Patrick, during this year, sailed from the
banks of the Mersey, on his celebrated mis-
sion to Ireland, and that he suffered ship- wreck, at the Isle of Man. —See Gore'
534 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 17.
CHAPTER VII.
STATE OF SOCIETY WHEN ST. PATRICK ARRIVED IN OUR ISLAND—DRUIDIC PREDICTIONS —THE DATE FOR PATRICK'S ARRIVAL—HE LANDS ON THE EASTERN COAST OF LEIN- STER—REPELLED BY THE NATIVES—HE THEN SAILS TOWARDS THE NORTH—THE SAINT TOUCHES AT INIS PHADRAIG—HE ARRIVES AT LEGALE—ENQUIRY REGARDING THE PLACE OF HIS DEBARKATION.
At the time of St. Patrick's arrival in this country, the island was governed by a chief monarch, whose usual and principal residence was in the great central fortress, on the Hill of Tara. ' According to a constitutional settle- ment of rights and privileges,"" harmonized with those of his chiefs and sub-
jects, the Ard-Righ's supreme jurisdiction was acknowledged, and it extended over the entire nation. 3 The territory of Midhe, or Meath, was more imme-
diately subject to him, as containing the mensal lands ; yet, Ulster, Leinster,
Munster, and Connaught, were under independent kings, and co-ordinate with the Ard-Righ, to whom all others owed fealty. The subordinate chiefs,
notables, and learned men of the kingdom, were obliged to assemble, in a triennial Feis, or Convention,4 held at Tara ;5 where, with great ceremony
and solemnity, this truly representative assembly enacted general laws, and discussed measures, requisite for the social well-being of various classes among thehumblerpeople. Theselatter,atthisperiod,hadnospecialpublicinterests or policy, distinct from the oligarchy, who were regarded as their protectors and privileged superiors. ^ Among the five provinces, that of Ulster was, at all times, the most important, since it furnished more titular monarchs for all Ireland,thananyoftheremainingdivisions. Theexecutivepowersometimes wanted strength and authority to enforce obedience, especially under unwise and irresolute monarchs ; so that, not less among our ancestors, than among other contemporaneous people, civil commotions and petty wars were often waged. Thishadbeenastateofliving,commontotheTeutonicandKeltic races. In contests with better organized empires and states, the fiery Kelts were often able to maintain a fitful, yet protracted, resistance. However, as the septs or clans varied in numbers, and in power, as also in diversity of local interests ; it was found very difficult, to procure cohesion or coalition, in sufficient force, to secure a final victorious result. ^ From genuine records and monumental evidences, we can glean, and with a great degree of certainty, that the chiefs lived in old-world grandeur and state, while the law-protected people of ancient Erinn were in possession of much worldly happiness and temporal comfort ; although perfect civilization and rule cannot prevail, where Pagan superstitions abound. ^
"
1871. " AnnalsofLiverpool,etc. ,p. 45.
Directory for Liverpool and its environs,
especially chap. i. on this subject. Dublin: 1871, 8vo post.
'9' See Probus, in "
'
Vita S.
• This is said to have been first
Quinta Patricii," i. , cap. XXV. , p. 49.
instituted,
lib. — Chapter vii.
Ollamh Monarch of
by Fodhla, Ireland,
from a. m. 3082 to 3113.
^ For a description and illustration of the
ancient remains there, the reader may con- suit "Transactions of the Royal Irish
The parish of Tara, in the barony of Skreen, is shown on the "Ord- nance Survey Townland Maps for the County of Meath," Sheets 31, 32, 37, 38. The townland and Hill of Tara are noted on
Sheet
Academy," vol. xviii. Antiquities. No.
'
31.
See on this subject, John O'Donovan's
iii. Onthe" and of History Antiquities
edition of teAbh<ip riA 5-CeA|vc, or "The
Book of Rights," &c. Dublin, 1847, 8vo. 3 The former social state of the Irish and theCeltic land system have been treated, with great ability, in the "History of the Land Tenures and Land Classes of Ireland," by George Sigerson, M. D. , M. R. I. A. Sec
Tara Hill," by George Pelrie, Esq. ,
R. H. A. , M. R. I. A. Read 24th April, 8th
" General
Jeoffry Keatmg's
Histoi7 of Ireland," pait i. , pp. 160 to 170,
Duffy's edition.
^ See Goldwin Smith's "Irish History
and Irish Character," p. 15.
May, and 22nd May, 1837, pp. 25 to 232.
* See Dr.
March 17. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 535
History and poetry were preserved and cultivated by the learned, while patronized by the kings and chiefs. Ireland was a land of legends and of traditions many ages, before Saint Patrick visited it. There existed, in all parts, colleges of bards, whose duty it was to preserve in song the history of every clan and ruling-house, while shannachies no less sedulously promoted thecultivationofhistoricstudies. FromPagantimes,strangeaccountswere handed down to our Christian ancestors, who have not failed to transmit an abundant store of curious romance to the present generation- Thus, for fourteen centuries back, the subject of this biography has been regarded, at countless hearths, as the greatest man and the greatest benefactor, that ever trod the Irish soil, and there remains respecting him a vast cycle of legends, serious, pathetic, and profound. ^ Even the Druids and Soothsayers are re- lated to have predicted St. Patrick's arrival, and those consequences likely to result from it. Art,'° the son of Conn, Monarch of Ireland, is said to have
the time of St. Patrick's arrival in Ireland, the Tuatha of Erinn prophesied regarding a new kingdom of Faith, which should come, and that it should last for evermore. They had also announced, how the land of Tara must become waste and silent. '3 At this time, Loegaire was the supreme Monarch of Ireland, and from him, it is stated, his Druids'^ did not conceal the coming of St. Patrick : while their prophecy was verified, as to the kingdom, regarding which they spoke. '5 Various Irish Annals'^ announce the saint's arrival to have occurred, after the death of Pope Celestine I. , and
had a vision of his coming. ^^ We are informed," that previous to, or about, ""
^ Whoever desires the most ample infor-
—"Irish Ecclesiastical Record," vol. iv.
mation, regarding this subject, may consult
that admirable work, " On the Manners and
Customs of the Ancient Irish. " A series of
Lectures, delivered by the late Eugene " Trias Thaumaturga. " Also Scholia, n. O'Curry, M. R. I. A. , Professor of Irish His- 18, p. 5. See the Second Life, cap. xxvii. , tory and Archseology in the Catholic Univer- p. 14; the Fifth Life, lib. i. , cap. xxvi. , p. sity of Ireland, corresponding Member of 49 ; the Sixth Life, cap. xxxi. , p. 71 ; the the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, etc.
Seventh Life, lib. i. , cap. xliii. , p. 123.
'^ In the scholia to St. Fiach's ancient Hymn, we are informed, that the Druids of King Laogarius were Luchra and Lucat of Chemistry to the Catholic University of Moel. Other Acts of St. Patrick agree Ireland, and to the Royal College of %vith this account, although the names of Science. Three volumes 8vo. Dublin, those Druids are somewhat differently
Edited with an Introduction, Appendices, etc. , by W. K. Sullivan, Ph. D. , Secretary to the Royal Irish Academy, and Professor
1873.
9 See
De Vere's "
of
spelled.
having been then a young man. See
March 17. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 531
I was ordained deacon. '^^ On account of the anxiety of my sorrowing mind, I confessed to my dearest friend, what I had done one day in my boyhood. " The false zeal and want of judgment, on the part of this supposed familiar, seem, for a time, to have interposed some objection to St. Patrick's episcopal elevation. Yet, God had great designs in waiting, for his humble servant ; and, he acknowledges, that all things turned out well for him,'^3 because he was thereby amended, through our Lord. Even on that very day, when Patrick had been reproved by those censors, he saw a nightly vision, before his face. It presented the appearance of a writing, and, in the meantime,
:
Patrick heard an answer from the Lord, saying to him " We have imper-
fectly seen the face of him, who was marked out to us, and whose name was
discovered. " In
giving
this
but,
the saint adds account, :
" Nor did he ' You say,
have
imperfectly
seen
;'
' Wehave
asifhethere imperfectly seen,' joined
himself to another like when he ;
said,
' He who touches touches the you,
of
with my purpose, which I had learned from my Lord ; but, rather I felt within me an uncommon strength, and my faith was approved before God and men. Wherefore, I boldly assert, that my conscience offers me no re- proach. I have God for my witness, that I have spoken the truth in those things I related ; but, I grieved the more for my dearest friend, to whom I trusted my soul, that we should have deserved to hear such an answer. I found out, likewise, from some of my br'ethren, before such prohibition, that I was not there, nor was I in Britain, nor was I the occasion, that he, in my absence, should have defended me. " We are not more clearly enlightened, regarding the nature of this accusation and defence of our holy patron. However, he returned thanks to God, for having comforted and encouraged him, not to desist from the great purpose, on which he had resolved. '^s He also declares, how God and the Irish people knew the manner of his life, and of his dispositions, among them, from the time of his youth. It has been conjectured, that the denunciation of St. Patrick had been contrived, by
'^-^
I
all things, so as not to interfere with the journey I had resolved upon, nor
apple
my eye. '
Wherefore,
give
him,
certain '^^ with a view of seniors,
him at with his friends and home,
keeping
relatives, who were so much opposed to the idea of his undertaking the Irish
mission. It has been regarded, also, as a convincing proof, for his having been consecrated, in his own country, and, not far from where his relations and acquaintances resided. '^^
Singular to relate, St. Celestine the First only lived one week, after this most remarkable event in his pontificate. ^^^ He thoroughly approved, how-
''°
Thus, according to Dr. Lanigan, it would seem to have occurred, in A. D. 432, or towards the latter end of 431. StQibid. ,
least under a part of these seniores, he com- See, Tillemont's Memoires pour prised some of his relatives, nor with his
sect, iv. , pp. 136, 137.
*^' "
servir a I'Histoire
tome xvi. , Art.
notes,
'^^
Ecclesiastique," &c. , ii. , S. Patrice, and
using the word/;w4y^^^» ^^herever he talks of a priest. It would be very unusual, more- over, for a person, while as yet only a priest himself, to use the phrase, "myphests. "
'^7 Tillemont adds, that country was Great Britain. See p. 783. At this time, however, St. Patrick's near relatives seem to have been in France.
These thirty years must be counted, after the fifteen years of age, when this fault had been committed.
'*3 Rom. viii. 28.
'* Zach. ii. 8.
'«5 See " Confessio S.
''* See " Prima Vita S. Patricii," nn. 13, num. II, 12, 13, pp. 194 to 197. See 14, p. 5. The Scholiast remarks, that at
"
Apostoli, Synodi, Canones, Opuscula," &c.
the time of Patrick's ordination, Celestine heard the voices of certain infants, called Erebrea and Lessa, or Lassera, two
Villanueva's
Sancti Patricii, Ibernoi-um
'*'
Tillemont conjectures, that by "senio-
Patricii," cap. iii. ,
"
res" he meant priests. See, Memoires pour daughters of Glerann, the son of Cumin.
thanks to
who comforted me in
servir a I'Histoire Ecclesiastique," tome xvi. , p. 459. But this agrees, neither with
the context, which plainly shows, that at
532 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 17.
ever, the judgment of St. German, in this choice, and gave his benediction to
St. Patrick, before setting out on his Irish mission. '^? Our saint also
obtained sacred reHcs, from the glorious Pontiff. '7° Having bade farewell to
him, our newly-appointed bishop journeyed on towards Ireland, through Italy and Gaul, until he came to the British Sea. '7i if we are to rely on the
Scholiast's statement, this consecration should be assigned, to the 30th or 31st
of March, a. d. 432. ^72 Assuming St. Patrick to have visited Rome, Dr.
Lanigan calculates, that he left it, either late in the year 431,^73 or early in the year 432. '74 The latter date is that most generally accepted. '7s William
of Malmesbury, who knew little about the chronology of those times, brings St. Patrick to Ireland, in a. d. 425. It would appear, he brought companions associated with him, for this important work he had undertaken. ''? ^ Whether or not these belonged to Gaul or to Italy has been questioned. It is most likely, however, his missionaries were drawn, from both countries. There are even reasons for doubting, if all those enumerated as foreign assis- tants went to Ireland with St. Patrick, or deferred their visit to that country, for some years, after his mission there commenced. The Third Life '77 gives St. Patrick twenty-four companions ; while others raise the
number to thirty-four, partly obtained, it would seem, from Rome, and partly trom other places. '7^ This cortege has been thought, however, to have been over numerous, for the necessities and policy of the Irish
Apostle's mission. '79 Jocelyn says,'^° that he was accompanied, all the way
from Rome, by twenty men, who were distinguished for their morals and
wisdom. These were given him, by the Pope, as his coadjutors, in that great
work he was to undertake, when he set out on his journey towards Ireland.
On the way, he repaired to his old master and instructor, St. German, from
whom he received chalices, vestments, books, and other church requisites. '^'
Whether or not, St. German then lived, at Auxerre, may be questioned. It
is supposed, that St. Patrick did not take the route by Boulogne, when about
passing over to Great Britain. This may have proceeded from a desire, to
avoid family importunities, as he had been previously thwarted in his epis- copal consecration, and in his self-devotedness to the labours of a foreign
These, although not yet born, invoked is remarkably absurd, as also their conjee-
Patrick ; and, afterwards he baptized them, at Caille Fochla, westwards from the River Moy, where they rest. " Quae autem tunc in ventre Matris existentes dicebant, erant hsec ; Hibemienses omnes clamant ad te. Et hsec scepius ab eis decantata audiebantur per Hibern—iam totam, vel usque ad ipsos Romanos. " Ibid. , n. 15/. , and n. 38, p.
10.
**'Erric thus writes, in his work, "De
Vita S. Germani," lib. i. , cap. 12.
'7° The Fourth Life so states, in the
ture, that by the island Tamarensis, we may
"
Acta Sancto- rum," tomus ii. , Martii xvii. De S. Patricio Apostolo Hibemioe. Commentarius prae- vius, sect, v. , p. 522, and sect, viii. , p. 527. '? * See, Ussher's " Primordia," cap. xvii,, p. 842, and Colgan's Secunda Vita S. Pa- tricii, cap. xxvi. , pp. 13, 14, and "Trias
Thaumaturga," nn. 39, 40, pp. 18, 19.
*77 See cap. xxvii. , p. 23.
*? * See Ussher's " Primordia," cap. xvii. ,
p. 845.
•'' Such a number of missionaries, as Dr.
Lanigan remarks, was hardly ever heard of before, nor even since, when an enterprize of this kind had been at first undertaken, Not to mention the expense for conveying
and maintaining such a number of persons, those story tellers might have reflected, if St. Patrick were to appear in Ireland with such a host of foreigners, and particularly of Romans, that he and his companions must have been driven out of the
immediately
country.
'«o See " Sexta Vita S. Patricii," cap.
twenty-ninth chapter, p. 39. "
'7' See Septima Vita S. Patricii," lib. i. , cap. xxxix. , xl. , p. 123.
''^ Pope St. Celestine the First died, on the 6th of April, A. D. 432.
'73 His mission is placed imder this year, in Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters. " See vol. i. , pp. 128 to 131.
'74 See his " Ecclesiastical History of Ire- land," vol. i. , chap, iv. , sect, xviii. , p. 195.
that St.
supposed, Patrick preached in Ireland, A. D. 413, for the first time. This was long before his
regular appointment, for that purpose. . It
'7S The Bollandists have
understand Ireland. See
xxvi. , p. 70.
March 17. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 533
mission/^- However, St. Patrick permitted no very lengthened period to elapse, after his consecration, until he made the necessary preparation, and he soon was ready to enter on the scene of his missionary emprises.
Some miracles are commemorated, by his biographers, and which our saint is said to have performed, while in Gaul, as also on his passage over to Ireland. These, indeed, are of too legendary a character to deserve serious
notice. '^3 it is thought, by Dr. Lanigan, our great Apostle may have em- barked for Ireland, from the mouth of the River Seine. ^^* Every preliminary
for his passage having been arranged, St. Patrick, with his companions, probably coasted by the shores of Cornwall. It is even possible, he sailed direct from France to Ireland. His passage is described, as having been a favourable one. '^s According to nearly all of his biographers, however, he
St. David's, in South Wales. '^s This, indeed, seems not improbable ; and, it is even likely, he passed by a short sail, from that port, over towards the
Wicklow coast, where he is thought to have landed, on this auspicious occasion.
According to another account, however, the saint debarked a. d. 432, from that celebrated pool, on the north-western coast of England, and which is now so famous, as a great commercial entrepot. '^'^° If there be truth, in his sailing to the Isle of Man and to Britain, at a later period, this tradi- tion may have antedated the time of his departure, from that more northerly shore. During his passage over to Ireland, the holy man turned from what- evermightimpedehim,'9' and,hewaswaftedspeedilytoourshore,inthe name of the most adorable Trinity.
'*' '^'
According to Jocelyn.
''< See "Ecclesiastical History of Ire- land," vol. i. , chap, iv. , sect, xvii. , and n. 150, pp. 196, 198.
'^5 See the Second Life, cap. xxvi. , p. 14 ; also the Third Life, cap. xxviii. , p. 23. '** The Life of our saint, written by Pro- bus, thus relates, that the venerable priest
Patrick speedily going on board, his vessel then sailed to Britain.
in the first towards Great Britain. ^^"^ Some writers instance,
passed over,
state, moreover, that he made little delay in this latter country. ^^7 Yet, other authorities declare, that he preached for some days there ;^^^ and, it is related, likewise, that he spent some time at Menevia, afterwards known as
See Rev. Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesias- tical History of Ireland," vol. i. , chap, iv. , sects, vii. , viii. , xix. , and nn. pp. 195 to 205. Colgan thinks, however, if we grant, that St. Patrick spent some time on the mission, and exercised the episcopal office among the Morini, and at Boulogne, before he began his Irish Apostleship ; it cannot
be as allowed,
would
that many years were passed by the saint "
"
Quinta p. 49.
'^^ In a
agreeing, with that just quoted from Probus, Nennius throws in this addition, referring to
Malbranque
have it,
'^7 the narrative : Probus thus continues
omnibus ambulandi anfractibus cum omni velocitate prospero fluctu mare nostrum in nomine S. Trinitatis adiit. " See
there, but, at most, only some months of the year 432, when he was consecrated, and sent into Ireland. See "Trias Thauma- turga," Quinta Appendix ad Acta S. Pa- tricii, cap. xvi. , num. 4,
Vita S. lib. xxv. , Patricii," i. , cap.
p. 253.
'^3 The Third Life contains the account of
passage,
almost word for word
a leper, who in an extraordinary manner followed the saint to Ireland ; and also, how demons fluttered about his vessel, during the six days he spent on the voyage over (cap. xxvii. , p. 23) ; other particulars are added in the Fourth Life (cap. xxx. , p. 39. ) Probus omits these accounts ; Jocelyn, how- ever, enlarges on those particulars, appa- rently subjects he desired to treat, according
regarding either legend.
Britain " Et praedicavit ibi non multis diebus. " See, also, Matthew of West- minster, "Flores Historiarum," a. d. ccccxci. , p. 177.
with his taste peculiar
connected with
this town great
(cap. xxvii
pp. 70, 71) ; the Latin Tripartite Life relates about the leper solely (lib. i. , cap. xl. , p. 123) ; while, in the Irish Tripartite Life, edited by Miss Cusack, we find nothing,
, xxviii. ,
rity
omissisque
:
'^ See Ussher's " Primordia," cap. xvii,, p. 843, and those following.
'9° Under the year 432, and as the first entry, in local historic annals, one autho-
observes, that tradition informs us, St.
Patrick, during this year, sailed from the
banks of the Mersey, on his celebrated mis-
sion to Ireland, and that he suffered ship- wreck, at the Isle of Man. —See Gore'
534 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 17.
CHAPTER VII.
STATE OF SOCIETY WHEN ST. PATRICK ARRIVED IN OUR ISLAND—DRUIDIC PREDICTIONS —THE DATE FOR PATRICK'S ARRIVAL—HE LANDS ON THE EASTERN COAST OF LEIN- STER—REPELLED BY THE NATIVES—HE THEN SAILS TOWARDS THE NORTH—THE SAINT TOUCHES AT INIS PHADRAIG—HE ARRIVES AT LEGALE—ENQUIRY REGARDING THE PLACE OF HIS DEBARKATION.
At the time of St. Patrick's arrival in this country, the island was governed by a chief monarch, whose usual and principal residence was in the great central fortress, on the Hill of Tara. ' According to a constitutional settle- ment of rights and privileges,"" harmonized with those of his chiefs and sub-
jects, the Ard-Righ's supreme jurisdiction was acknowledged, and it extended over the entire nation. 3 The territory of Midhe, or Meath, was more imme-
diately subject to him, as containing the mensal lands ; yet, Ulster, Leinster,
Munster, and Connaught, were under independent kings, and co-ordinate with the Ard-Righ, to whom all others owed fealty. The subordinate chiefs,
notables, and learned men of the kingdom, were obliged to assemble, in a triennial Feis, or Convention,4 held at Tara ;5 where, with great ceremony
and solemnity, this truly representative assembly enacted general laws, and discussed measures, requisite for the social well-being of various classes among thehumblerpeople. Theselatter,atthisperiod,hadnospecialpublicinterests or policy, distinct from the oligarchy, who were regarded as their protectors and privileged superiors. ^ Among the five provinces, that of Ulster was, at all times, the most important, since it furnished more titular monarchs for all Ireland,thananyoftheremainingdivisions. Theexecutivepowersometimes wanted strength and authority to enforce obedience, especially under unwise and irresolute monarchs ; so that, not less among our ancestors, than among other contemporaneous people, civil commotions and petty wars were often waged. Thishadbeenastateofliving,commontotheTeutonicandKeltic races. In contests with better organized empires and states, the fiery Kelts were often able to maintain a fitful, yet protracted, resistance. However, as the septs or clans varied in numbers, and in power, as also in diversity of local interests ; it was found very difficult, to procure cohesion or coalition, in sufficient force, to secure a final victorious result. ^ From genuine records and monumental evidences, we can glean, and with a great degree of certainty, that the chiefs lived in old-world grandeur and state, while the law-protected people of ancient Erinn were in possession of much worldly happiness and temporal comfort ; although perfect civilization and rule cannot prevail, where Pagan superstitions abound. ^
"
1871. " AnnalsofLiverpool,etc. ,p. 45.
Directory for Liverpool and its environs,
especially chap. i. on this subject. Dublin: 1871, 8vo post.
'9' See Probus, in "
'
Vita S.
• This is said to have been first
Quinta Patricii," i. , cap. XXV. , p. 49.
instituted,
lib. — Chapter vii.
Ollamh Monarch of
by Fodhla, Ireland,
from a. m. 3082 to 3113.
^ For a description and illustration of the
ancient remains there, the reader may con- suit "Transactions of the Royal Irish
The parish of Tara, in the barony of Skreen, is shown on the "Ord- nance Survey Townland Maps for the County of Meath," Sheets 31, 32, 37, 38. The townland and Hill of Tara are noted on
Sheet
Academy," vol. xviii. Antiquities. No.
'
31.
See on this subject, John O'Donovan's
iii. Onthe" and of History Antiquities
edition of teAbh<ip riA 5-CeA|vc, or "The
Book of Rights," &c. Dublin, 1847, 8vo. 3 The former social state of the Irish and theCeltic land system have been treated, with great ability, in the "History of the Land Tenures and Land Classes of Ireland," by George Sigerson, M. D. , M. R. I. A. Sec
Tara Hill," by George Pelrie, Esq. ,
R. H. A. , M. R. I. A. Read 24th April, 8th
" General
Jeoffry Keatmg's
Histoi7 of Ireland," pait i. , pp. 160 to 170,
Duffy's edition.
^ See Goldwin Smith's "Irish History
and Irish Character," p. 15.
May, and 22nd May, 1837, pp. 25 to 232.
* See Dr.
March 17. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 535
History and poetry were preserved and cultivated by the learned, while patronized by the kings and chiefs. Ireland was a land of legends and of traditions many ages, before Saint Patrick visited it. There existed, in all parts, colleges of bards, whose duty it was to preserve in song the history of every clan and ruling-house, while shannachies no less sedulously promoted thecultivationofhistoricstudies. FromPagantimes,strangeaccountswere handed down to our Christian ancestors, who have not failed to transmit an abundant store of curious romance to the present generation- Thus, for fourteen centuries back, the subject of this biography has been regarded, at countless hearths, as the greatest man and the greatest benefactor, that ever trod the Irish soil, and there remains respecting him a vast cycle of legends, serious, pathetic, and profound. ^ Even the Druids and Soothsayers are re- lated to have predicted St. Patrick's arrival, and those consequences likely to result from it. Art,'° the son of Conn, Monarch of Ireland, is said to have
the time of St. Patrick's arrival in Ireland, the Tuatha of Erinn prophesied regarding a new kingdom of Faith, which should come, and that it should last for evermore. They had also announced, how the land of Tara must become waste and silent. '3 At this time, Loegaire was the supreme Monarch of Ireland, and from him, it is stated, his Druids'^ did not conceal the coming of St. Patrick : while their prophecy was verified, as to the kingdom, regarding which they spoke. '5 Various Irish Annals'^ announce the saint's arrival to have occurred, after the death of Pope Celestine I. , and
had a vision of his coming. ^^ We are informed," that previous to, or about, ""
^ Whoever desires the most ample infor-
—"Irish Ecclesiastical Record," vol. iv.
mation, regarding this subject, may consult
that admirable work, " On the Manners and
Customs of the Ancient Irish. " A series of
Lectures, delivered by the late Eugene " Trias Thaumaturga. " Also Scholia, n. O'Curry, M. R. I. A. , Professor of Irish His- 18, p. 5. See the Second Life, cap. xxvii. , tory and Archseology in the Catholic Univer- p. 14; the Fifth Life, lib. i. , cap. xxvi. , p. sity of Ireland, corresponding Member of 49 ; the Sixth Life, cap. xxxi. , p. 71 ; the the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, etc.
Seventh Life, lib. i. , cap. xliii. , p. 123.
'^ In the scholia to St. Fiach's ancient Hymn, we are informed, that the Druids of King Laogarius were Luchra and Lucat of Chemistry to the Catholic University of Moel. Other Acts of St. Patrick agree Ireland, and to the Royal College of %vith this account, although the names of Science. Three volumes 8vo. Dublin, those Druids are somewhat differently
Edited with an Introduction, Appendices, etc. , by W. K. Sullivan, Ph. D. , Secretary to the Royal Irish Academy, and Professor
1873.
9 See
De Vere's "
of
spelled.
