Mochonna
asked Foelan on what errand he came.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v6
Coemgeni, cap.
iv.
, num.
29, p.
318.
56 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
his monastery. But, a holy hermit, named Garban, or Garbhan, on seeing
" O servant of God, whither art thou bound ? It is better for thee to remain in one spot, serving the Lord, than to go about from place to place, in thy old age ; for, thou hast heard, that no bird, while flying, can hatch her eggs. "
him alone, said
punction,
promised
to return to his
place. Then,
St. Garbhan 2
presented
:
and he
Hearing this, the holy Abbot felt some degree of com-
himself with his cell to God and to St. Kevin. This St. Garban dwelt near
the city of Athcliath, in the northern part of Leinster, and lying on the sea-
shore. The author of our saint's Life remarks, that in the Scottish language this city was called Dublus,3 which is interpreted in Latin by these words,
Nigratherma,andthiscitywasapowerfulandwarlikeoneinhisday; while, initdweltmen,whowerealwaysvaliantinbattle,andskillednavigators. * No doubt, he alludes to the Scandinavians^ who were dominant in Dublin, ante- rior to the Anglo-Norman Invasion. Returning from St. Garban, holy Kevin went to the venerable senior Berchan,6 who was blind, that they might hold conferences together on some sacred subject. St. Berchan had a divine ad-
monition, concerning the approach of his guest, and he said prophetically to
" O
rable old man, Kevin, who is on his way towards us. " After our saint's
his disciples :
my children, quickly prepare
a bath for the and vene- holy
arrival, Berchan said
:
" Holy Father, wash thy body in this bath, prepared
for Divine monition. " Kevin thee, by
" from the Indeed, father,
replied :
time I resolved upon a religious life, in my youthful days, to this time, I have
never bathed, but in cold water, that I might chastise my body ; however, on thy account, and for the sake of that God, whose servant thou art, I will bathe. " Whilstoursaintwaslavinghimselfinthebath,Berchandesiredhis servant,tobringSt. Kevin'swoodenshoestohim. Afteraninspiredmanner, wearetold,St. Berchansawthetempterofmanuponthem. Hethenasked the demon, why he had dared to enter the holy man's shoes. Satan answered : " The demons can persuade him to do nothing, but by presenting their temp- tations, under some appearance of good, and hence, I entered his shoes, per- suadinghimtomakeapilgrimage,andtodeserthisplace. Thiswasanevil act, disguised under the appearance of good. " Saying these words, the demon cried out, in a loud manner, requesting that he might be permitted to depart thence; for,inthepresenceofGod'ssaints,hefelthimselfdeprivedofpower. His request was complied with, and then he vanished from sight. After- wards, St. Kevin and St. Berchan entered upon a holy conference ; and, while the latter remained within his cell, fearing and loving God, the former returned to his monks glorifying the Divine name. ?
"
Chapter iv. — * See Nolan's Joseph
iii. Vit9 S. num. Coemgeni, cap. iv. ,
31,
History and Antiquities of Glendalough," chap, iii. , p. 18.
2 " This Garbhan, who is called the sou of
pp. 318, 319.
$ See Charles Haliday's "Scandinavian
Kingdom of Dublin," &c, edited by John P. Prendergast, for an account of their prowess, after making Dublin their chief place of settlement in Ireland.
6 This Berchan was most the probably
saint who is venerated, on the 12th of Octo- ber, at a place called Glas-naoidhan, in the territory of Galenga, near the River Liffey. See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Acta S. Brigidae, Appendix Quarta, cap. 3, p. 613. It is now known, as Glasnevin, near the city of Dublin.
7 See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Junii
iii. Vita S. Coemgeni, cap. iv. , num. 32, * See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Junii p. 319.
Lugadius, to distinguish him from other persons of the same name, had been a dis- ciple of Coemgen, and lived near where Dublin is now situated. His
was revere—d on the 9th of July. AA. , SS. , p. 751. " Rev. Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical HistoryofIreland,"vol. ii. , chap,x. , sect.
x. , n. 158, p. 49.
3 The Irish name applied to Dublin seems
to have been Ath Cliath, before the English
"
Invasion. See John T. Gilbert's
of the City of Dublin," vol. i. , Appendix No. i. , pp. 403 to 408.
memory
History
1
[June 3.
June 3. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 57
Colman,8 son to Carbri, who was Tanist over the fourth part of northern Leinster, had married a certain noble woman in his youth ; but, their mode of living, not being in accordance with a mutual agreement, he put her away, and took another as his wife. The divorced woman was a wicked person, skilled in magic acts, and inflamed with resentment against Colman. All of his children, by the second wife, she put to death through her magic incantations. It is said, that when hearing about the birth of one among those sons or daughters, she came from some quarter or other to where the child was nursed, andshecontinuedtosingsomemysticverses,untiltheinfantdied. Achild being born to Colman, in his old age, it was immediately baptized, lest it might die without benefit of the sacrament of regeneration, and through some unholy means. This infant was named Foelan. 9 Immediately afterwards, the father sent this child to St. Kevin. He hoped, that the latter, through God's power, might be able to defend his son from attempts of the sorceress, and afterwards to educate him as a secular. The child was presented to our saint, that he and his posterity might be buried in his holy city ; and, if Foelan survived,itwasintendedheshouldservetheAbbot. HolyKevinreceived him, with joy. According to the father's orders, our abbot brought him up
in the habit and
of a
10 Our saint loved his infant greatly
layman.
monastery, and she was there milked, by a brother, to supply the infant Faelan's wants, until he became an adult. After this, the animal returned to graze,initsaccustomedhaunts. Onacertainday,whilemilkingthatdoe,a monkplacedthevesselcontaininghermilkontheground. Acrowcomingup, and trying to drink the milk, overturned the vessel containing it, with her
training
charge. However, he had no fresh milk to give him nourishment, as women and cows were far removed from his monastery. Notwithstanding, in this emergency, he prayed the Lord to assist him. Immediately, a doe came from the neighbouring mountains to St. Kevin. With the milk of this animal, Colman's child was nourished. This same deer each day came to St. Kevin's
bill.
On St. Kevinissaidtohaveexclaimed " andbirds seeing this, : Thou,
of thy species, for a long time shall repent this fault ; at the time of my depar-
ture, much food shall be prepared, yet you shall not partake of it. And, if any of you should have the audacity to touch the refuse or blood of animals
slain, during those days, with general satisfaction, death shall immediately over- takeyou. But,youshallbeinsorrowonthetopsofthesurroundingmountains,
cawing and contending in discontent, among yourselves. "
8
This King of Leinster died at Sliabh- Mairge, or Sievemarague, in the south- eastern part of the present Queen's County, A. D. 576. See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 208, 209, and n. (t).
9 This prince long survived St. Kevin. His brother, Aedh Cerr, died a. d. 591. It seems probable, that Ronan, son of Colman, King of Leinster, who died a. d. 610, had been another of Foelan 's brothers; while there appears to be a repetition of this same obit, Ronan, son of Colman, at A. D. 619 ; while again it occurs at a. d. 624. Foelan distinguished himself in the battle ofAth- Goan, a. d. 628, and he died a. d. 665. See ibid. , pp. 214, 215, 236, 237, 242, 243, 246
10249,250,251,278,279.
10
is said to have been on each fulfilled,
This prophecy 11
of the
even to that time, when the writer of St. Kevin's Acts flourished. 12 Having
Such allusions are precious even in con-
nexion with legendary accounts, as indicating
the distinction between the training of
clerics and iaics, in our early Irish monas-
teries. Glendalough had a school, as well as
a church, in St. Kevin's time. See "A Dic-
tionaryof Christian Biography," vol. i. , p. 590.
IJ
Allusion is made to this fast-day ot the ravens at Glendalough, in the twelfth cen- tury, by Giraldus Cambrensis, in "Opera," vol. v. Edited by James F. Dimock, M. A. , TopographiaHibernica, Dist. ii. , cap. xxviii. ,
p. 113.
I2 The Bollandist Father Baert remarks,
that there is nothing wonderful in the accom-
plishment of the latter part of this prophecy, as wherever crows are found, they are usually clamorous. See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Junii in. Vita S. Coemgeni, cap. v. , num. 33, and n. (a), pp. 319, 320.
anniversary day
patron's festival,
5 8 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 3.
heard that the infant, Foelan, was with our saint, the sorceress came and stood on the top of a mountain, called Eanach,*3 which impends over the southernsideofGlendaloughcity. Fromthatstation,shebeheldthemonastery of our saint, and she sought to kill the boy, Foelan, through her magic spells. Having a Divine admonition to this effect, blessed Kevin said to his monks : "My brethren, hide carefully the boy Foelan, lest that wicked woman, who beholdsusfromtheadjoiningmountain,mayseehim. " Onsayingthese words, St. Kevin betook himself to prayer against her arts. Roving here and there around the mountain summits, she practised her magic wiles, still per- sisting in her wickedness, until blinded by the power of God. At last, she fell from the mountain top, over a steep, and into the valley, which was called Cassain. 1* Mostprobably,weshouldherereadGleannDassain,thecbeinga mistakeford. Thus,sheperishedmiserably,andhavingallherlimbsdreadfully mangled. Afterthesethingshadoccurred,duringthetimeofspring,Foelan asked St. Kevin for apples ; and, the servant of God, wishing to please him, blessed a willow-tree. 15 Immediately, through favour of the Almighty, sweet
16 and of this fruit the
liking cold milk, Foelan asked St. Kevin for some that was warm. Not being
able to find a pipkin, the saint put milk into a wooden vessel, and he placed it on the fire. The vessel was in no manner injured by the flame, and the milk
apples grew thereon,
boy partook.
x 7 Another not time,
wasthus
18 Onanother
inanunusual
the aforesaid Foelan was sent by St. Kevin, with other companions, to a St.
" Some of our Father
warmed,
way.
occasion,
whilestilla
youth,
Mochonna. 1 ^ This man said to his monks
pious holy
Kevin's family shall come to us this day ; prepare, therefore, refreshments for
them. " Afterwards,Foelanandhiscompanionsarrived,andtheywerevery
warmly received.
Mochonna asked Foelan on what errand he came. This
:
youthanswered "OurvenerableKevin,Oholyfather,hathnottoldusthe
reason why we were sent to thee ; but this we understand, now, that thou knowest the secret thought of Kevin, and he wishes that you approve of it. " " O son, thou hast rightly answered ; this is what our Father Kevin wishes. A favourable time is coming, my son, that you may reign in your father's king- dom through our counsel and prayers, and that thy posterity may reign after thee, to the world's end. But, if any one of thy offspring shall oppose St.
and
13 At the — time,
present Derrybawn
F. Dimock, M. A.
The growth of this tree seems to have waterfall skirt the southern side of Glenda- been propagated in Glendalough for cen- lough. The natural growth on the sides of turies long after the time of St. Kevin. In the twelfth century, the fruit was called St. Kevin's Apples, and these were in request for the cure of diseases, throughout the most
Lugduff m—ountains separated by Poulenass
Derrybawn is composed of oak, ash, birch,
holly, and quicken trees. Some yew trees
are yet found on the sides of Lugduff, over
the Upper and Lower Lakes. Glendalough
was anciently called Gleann Eanaigh, ac-
cording to the Manuscript Dictionary of his time, this willow each year produced Peter Connell.
** Allusion is made subsequently to the same place, which seems to have been within
iii. Vita S. Coemgeni, cap. v. , num. 34, 35, pp. 319, 320.
'9 Colgan treats ofa St. Mochonna, at the 8th of March. See " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- Church of Glendalough, in his time, and nice," De S. Machonn qui et Dachonna, near the cemetery, with other similar trees, pp. 565, 566. Baert appears to think the having willow-like leaves and branches, yet saint already named must be identical with even then bearing apples each year. These him. Mochonna, it is said, was a disciple
or close adjoining the valley of Glendalough. *5 This willow is mentioned by Giraldus
Cambrensis, as growing not far from the
are described to be, in his own nervous Latin, "poma albaet oblonga, salubriamagisquam
sapida; —in magna reverentia ab indigenis habita. " "Opera," vol. v. Topographia Hibernica, Dist. ii. , cap. xxvii. , p. 113.
to St. Columkille, who died towards the
end of the sixth century. It is supposed,
that what is here related took place, about
the of
beginning the seventh century.
*°
Edited
l6
by James
:
remote parts of Ireland. See ibid.
" 7 Our saint's biographer remarks, that to
apples.
l8 See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Junii
Baert remarks, that this prophecy could
June 3. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 59
Kevin's successors, all goods here and hereafter shall be taken from him. " 20
Afterwards, that happy young man, Foelan, reigned in his father's territory, with
the prayers and exhortations of St. Kevin and of St. Mochonna. Through the
merits of these saints, the principality continued in a flourishing state, under his
rule. At another time, this Foelan came to visit his fosterer, St. Kevin.
Some of his enemies, on hearing it, wished to take possession of his kingdom,
and they entered into a conspiracy against his life. But, the holy Abbot, hav-
ing a revelation to that effect, told what was designed to his beloved foster-
child while bestowing his blessing; and, St. Kevin told Foelan, that he should
safely return to his principality. Although the tanist had but a few followers
withhim; yet,trustinginhisholypatron'sbenediction,hewentbyadirect
route into his own part of the country. Both himself and his companions are
said to have appeared to their enemies, in the shape of deer, and
to have escaped through their ambushes, with a velocity characteristic
of those animals. This miracle was attributed to the benediction and patronage
11
At one time, three scholastics came to St. Kevin, from the plain of Lipsi,
as stated in the Life of our saint most ; but,
of St. Kevin.
probably,
meant, for, it is afterwards remarked, that the place was known as the level
plain of Leinster.
Whilst disputing among themselves, on some philo-
2 ^
one of
named Melerius, 24 the surpassed
them,
and, he ordered, that when these two young men who perpetrated that murder arrived, no welcome should be given to them. They were to be re- ceived only with reproachful words. This order was obeyed. Feeling mortified at their reception, those strangers said to each other, in a sorrowful manner : "Holy Father Kevin, already knowing our guilt, hath ordered this brother to receive us, with such asperity of manner ; let us act upon a good suggestion, anddopenance,byconfessingourcrimetohim. " St. Kevinsaidtothem: " O my children, you have committed an evil action, yet trust in the mercy of God, and return to him you have killed. Bear my staff with you, and plant it upon his breast. Place the head, also, which lies at his feet, upon the neck, in an exact manner, and I believe your companion shall be restored to life. For, no beast hath yet touched him, with the exception of a fox, which has lapped a little of his blood. " They went and did as they had been com- manded. He, who had been killed, arose to life, as if awaking from a pro- found sleep. All three rejoicing returned to St. Kevin. The scholastic, who had been raised to life, remained an obedient monk to the end of his days. The saint told him, that he should never go further from the monastery than
sophical questions,
others in argument. Being greatly incensed, his opponents beheaded him, in the valley of Cassain—probably Gleann-Dassain—already men- tioned. Although within his cell, St. Kevin knew what had taken place ;
not have been fulfilled
;
most
probably
for
O' — to the
Byrnes, previously English
Inva-
the reason, that Ireland's ancient septs were sion. "
Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of John
subdued, after the English Invasion. But, the Four Masters," vol. i. , n. (z), p. 250.
the subsequent condition might not have
been fulfilled, and must be taken into ac-
count.
23 Commenting on this account, Baert
says, he was ignorant regarding what Philo- sophy or Philosophers existed in Ireland, at this time, and that if the author had intro- duced Bards or Druids as quarrelling or con-
tending among themselves, he might per- haps have found some to believe him, as this should be an action becoming them,
24 It seems probable enough, that he, and also the other scholastics, were pursuing their studies at Glendalough, when this hap-
21
See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Junii
iii. Vita S. Coemgeni, cap. v. , num. 36, 37,
pp. 320.
22
That part of the present county of Kil- dare, embraced by the River Liffey in its
horse-shoe winding, was anciently called Oirthear-Liffe, i. e. , East of Liffey ; and that part lying west of the same winding was
called Iarthar-Liffey, i. e. . west of Liffey. pened.
Both districts belonged to the Ui-Faelain, or 2* It was customary for the Irish, to set up
the 22 is here Liffey
6o LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[June 3.
that spot, where he had been slain, and then only for the purpose of showing strangerstheirwaythroughthemountains. Atatime,whenthewriterofSt. Kevin's Acts lived, a cross 2S had been erected 26 on the spot,27 where that murder had been committed. 28 St. Kevin ordered, that on their return, the other two scholastics should go on a pilgrimage, and afterwards live religiously.
2 These recommendations, they faithfully observed. ?
ToSt. Kevinseveralliterarycompositionshavebeenascribed; but,the
authenticity of many mentioned may well be questioned. As a poet, he is said to have been distinguished. To him has been attributed a Rule for Monks, in Irish verse. 30 This Harris thinks is much more probable, than that he concerned himself, in writing profane history. The latter writer is of opinion, also, that the Rule for his Monks is hinted at in his Life, where we
his Rule to those monks, over whom he 1 Ano- presided. 3
that he
thertreatise,calledtheLeabharBreathnach32 orBookoftheBritons,33and a book on the origin of the Milesians,34 are ascribed to him. 35 We are told, likewise, St. Kevin was author of a Life of St. Patrick, among the many learned works, which are attributed to him, Archdall. 36 we must
read,
taught
by But,
suppose this to have been a mistake on his part, and he quotes no authority for such a statement. The Third Volume of theO'Longan Manuscripts, kept in the Royal Irish Academy, contains a poem of St. Comgan,3 ? probably St. Kevin. Besides his proficiency in poetry, like many others among the clerics of his
country, 38 St. Kevin was accustomed to play on the Irish harp. This relic of
the saint was preserved in the twelfth century, and it was held in especial re-
verence, by the people, then living in and near Glendalough. 30
A certain prince came to the venerable old man Kevin, that his zone or girdle might be blessed by the saint, for thus he hoped to escape the hands of his ene- mies. This girdle being blessed, on the return to his own country, a great crowd ofenemiessuddenlyrusheduponhim. But,withbeltgirton,hebeganto invoke the name of St. Kevin. Although surrounded by his enemies, on every
crosses in those places, where anything re- Writers," p. xlii.
3I "
maikable occurred. Harris Ware, vol. ii. , Writers of Ire-
26 It may easily be credited, that some land," book i. , chap, iii. , p. 22.
persons killed there had been raised from the dead by our saint, although circumstances attending this miracle appear fabulous.
32 According to Dr. Meredith Hanmer, it
27 It is the custom in Belgium, to plant a
cross on the spot, where any person had been
killed, that the faithful might be reminded of Leinster, sometime called the Book of to pray for the repose of the deceased. Baert Glendalough," &c, edited by Robert Atkin- supposes, the same custom formerly pre- son, M. A. , LL. D. The original is kept vailed in Ireland ; and hence, it is thought,
that the cross stood at this place, in memory
of some person who had been killed, and not
of a person who had been raised to life.
34 This probably is the one, intituled by Dr. Meredith Hanmer, " De Hibero et Her- 28 Even yet, it is usual, in Ireland, to place mone," lib. i. , Ilyber et Hermon. See
a cross over the spot, where any sudden or
violent death occurred. Acairn or of heap
"Chronicle of Ireland," p. 121.
3S See Edward "
O'Reilly's Chronological
small stones is often found in connexion with Account of nearly Four Hundred Irish "
it ; as passers-by were accustomed to take Writers, p. xlii.
up a stone on approaching, and to cast it on the pile, which thus by degrees increased in size. See "Irish Folk-Lore," &c, by Lageniensis, chap, xiii. , p. 88.
29 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Junii iii. Vita S. Coemgeni, cap. v. , num. 38, p. 320. Also, nn. (e, f, g), p. 321.
30 See Edward O'Reilly's "Chronological Account of nearly Four Hundred Irish
36 See " Monasticon Hibernicum," p. 765. 3 ? It contains 48 stanzas. See pp. II, 12. 38 See Joseph C. Walker's "Historical
Memoirs of the Irish Bards," vol. i. , sect. iv. ,
p. 65.
39 See Giraldi Cambrensis "Opera," vol.
v. , Edited by James F. Dimock, M. A. "Topographia Hibernica," Distinctio iii. , cap. xii. , p. 155.
"
De Britanorum Origine," lib.
56 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
his monastery. But, a holy hermit, named Garban, or Garbhan, on seeing
" O servant of God, whither art thou bound ? It is better for thee to remain in one spot, serving the Lord, than to go about from place to place, in thy old age ; for, thou hast heard, that no bird, while flying, can hatch her eggs. "
him alone, said
punction,
promised
to return to his
place. Then,
St. Garbhan 2
presented
:
and he
Hearing this, the holy Abbot felt some degree of com-
himself with his cell to God and to St. Kevin. This St. Garban dwelt near
the city of Athcliath, in the northern part of Leinster, and lying on the sea-
shore. The author of our saint's Life remarks, that in the Scottish language this city was called Dublus,3 which is interpreted in Latin by these words,
Nigratherma,andthiscitywasapowerfulandwarlikeoneinhisday; while, initdweltmen,whowerealwaysvaliantinbattle,andskillednavigators. * No doubt, he alludes to the Scandinavians^ who were dominant in Dublin, ante- rior to the Anglo-Norman Invasion. Returning from St. Garban, holy Kevin went to the venerable senior Berchan,6 who was blind, that they might hold conferences together on some sacred subject. St. Berchan had a divine ad-
monition, concerning the approach of his guest, and he said prophetically to
" O
rable old man, Kevin, who is on his way towards us. " After our saint's
his disciples :
my children, quickly prepare
a bath for the and vene- holy
arrival, Berchan said
:
" Holy Father, wash thy body in this bath, prepared
for Divine monition. " Kevin thee, by
" from the Indeed, father,
replied :
time I resolved upon a religious life, in my youthful days, to this time, I have
never bathed, but in cold water, that I might chastise my body ; however, on thy account, and for the sake of that God, whose servant thou art, I will bathe. " Whilstoursaintwaslavinghimselfinthebath,Berchandesiredhis servant,tobringSt. Kevin'swoodenshoestohim. Afteraninspiredmanner, wearetold,St. Berchansawthetempterofmanuponthem. Hethenasked the demon, why he had dared to enter the holy man's shoes. Satan answered : " The demons can persuade him to do nothing, but by presenting their temp- tations, under some appearance of good, and hence, I entered his shoes, per- suadinghimtomakeapilgrimage,andtodeserthisplace. Thiswasanevil act, disguised under the appearance of good. " Saying these words, the demon cried out, in a loud manner, requesting that he might be permitted to depart thence; for,inthepresenceofGod'ssaints,hefelthimselfdeprivedofpower. His request was complied with, and then he vanished from sight. After- wards, St. Kevin and St. Berchan entered upon a holy conference ; and, while the latter remained within his cell, fearing and loving God, the former returned to his monks glorifying the Divine name. ?
"
Chapter iv. — * See Nolan's Joseph
iii. Vit9 S. num. Coemgeni, cap. iv. ,
31,
History and Antiquities of Glendalough," chap, iii. , p. 18.
2 " This Garbhan, who is called the sou of
pp. 318, 319.
$ See Charles Haliday's "Scandinavian
Kingdom of Dublin," &c, edited by John P. Prendergast, for an account of their prowess, after making Dublin their chief place of settlement in Ireland.
6 This Berchan was most the probably
saint who is venerated, on the 12th of Octo- ber, at a place called Glas-naoidhan, in the territory of Galenga, near the River Liffey. See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Acta S. Brigidae, Appendix Quarta, cap. 3, p. 613. It is now known, as Glasnevin, near the city of Dublin.
7 See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Junii
iii. Vita S. Coemgeni, cap. iv. , num. 32, * See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Junii p. 319.
Lugadius, to distinguish him from other persons of the same name, had been a dis- ciple of Coemgen, and lived near where Dublin is now situated. His
was revere—d on the 9th of July. AA. , SS. , p. 751. " Rev. Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical HistoryofIreland,"vol. ii. , chap,x. , sect.
x. , n. 158, p. 49.
3 The Irish name applied to Dublin seems
to have been Ath Cliath, before the English
"
Invasion. See John T. Gilbert's
of the City of Dublin," vol. i. , Appendix No. i. , pp. 403 to 408.
memory
History
1
[June 3.
June 3. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 57
Colman,8 son to Carbri, who was Tanist over the fourth part of northern Leinster, had married a certain noble woman in his youth ; but, their mode of living, not being in accordance with a mutual agreement, he put her away, and took another as his wife. The divorced woman was a wicked person, skilled in magic acts, and inflamed with resentment against Colman. All of his children, by the second wife, she put to death through her magic incantations. It is said, that when hearing about the birth of one among those sons or daughters, she came from some quarter or other to where the child was nursed, andshecontinuedtosingsomemysticverses,untiltheinfantdied. Achild being born to Colman, in his old age, it was immediately baptized, lest it might die without benefit of the sacrament of regeneration, and through some unholy means. This infant was named Foelan. 9 Immediately afterwards, the father sent this child to St. Kevin. He hoped, that the latter, through God's power, might be able to defend his son from attempts of the sorceress, and afterwards to educate him as a secular. The child was presented to our saint, that he and his posterity might be buried in his holy city ; and, if Foelan survived,itwasintendedheshouldservetheAbbot. HolyKevinreceived him, with joy. According to the father's orders, our abbot brought him up
in the habit and
of a
10 Our saint loved his infant greatly
layman.
monastery, and she was there milked, by a brother, to supply the infant Faelan's wants, until he became an adult. After this, the animal returned to graze,initsaccustomedhaunts. Onacertainday,whilemilkingthatdoe,a monkplacedthevesselcontaininghermilkontheground. Acrowcomingup, and trying to drink the milk, overturned the vessel containing it, with her
training
charge. However, he had no fresh milk to give him nourishment, as women and cows were far removed from his monastery. Notwithstanding, in this emergency, he prayed the Lord to assist him. Immediately, a doe came from the neighbouring mountains to St. Kevin. With the milk of this animal, Colman's child was nourished. This same deer each day came to St. Kevin's
bill.
On St. Kevinissaidtohaveexclaimed " andbirds seeing this, : Thou,
of thy species, for a long time shall repent this fault ; at the time of my depar-
ture, much food shall be prepared, yet you shall not partake of it. And, if any of you should have the audacity to touch the refuse or blood of animals
slain, during those days, with general satisfaction, death shall immediately over- takeyou. But,youshallbeinsorrowonthetopsofthesurroundingmountains,
cawing and contending in discontent, among yourselves. "
8
This King of Leinster died at Sliabh- Mairge, or Sievemarague, in the south- eastern part of the present Queen's County, A. D. 576. See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 208, 209, and n. (t).
9 This prince long survived St. Kevin. His brother, Aedh Cerr, died a. d. 591. It seems probable, that Ronan, son of Colman, King of Leinster, who died a. d. 610, had been another of Foelan 's brothers; while there appears to be a repetition of this same obit, Ronan, son of Colman, at A. D. 619 ; while again it occurs at a. d. 624. Foelan distinguished himself in the battle ofAth- Goan, a. d. 628, and he died a. d. 665. See ibid. , pp. 214, 215, 236, 237, 242, 243, 246
10249,250,251,278,279.
10
is said to have been on each fulfilled,
This prophecy 11
of the
even to that time, when the writer of St. Kevin's Acts flourished. 12 Having
Such allusions are precious even in con-
nexion with legendary accounts, as indicating
the distinction between the training of
clerics and iaics, in our early Irish monas-
teries. Glendalough had a school, as well as
a church, in St. Kevin's time. See "A Dic-
tionaryof Christian Biography," vol. i. , p. 590.
IJ
Allusion is made to this fast-day ot the ravens at Glendalough, in the twelfth cen- tury, by Giraldus Cambrensis, in "Opera," vol. v. Edited by James F. Dimock, M. A. , TopographiaHibernica, Dist. ii. , cap. xxviii. ,
p. 113.
I2 The Bollandist Father Baert remarks,
that there is nothing wonderful in the accom-
plishment of the latter part of this prophecy, as wherever crows are found, they are usually clamorous. See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Junii in. Vita S. Coemgeni, cap. v. , num. 33, and n. (a), pp. 319, 320.
anniversary day
patron's festival,
5 8 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 3.
heard that the infant, Foelan, was with our saint, the sorceress came and stood on the top of a mountain, called Eanach,*3 which impends over the southernsideofGlendaloughcity. Fromthatstation,shebeheldthemonastery of our saint, and she sought to kill the boy, Foelan, through her magic spells. Having a Divine admonition to this effect, blessed Kevin said to his monks : "My brethren, hide carefully the boy Foelan, lest that wicked woman, who beholdsusfromtheadjoiningmountain,mayseehim. " Onsayingthese words, St. Kevin betook himself to prayer against her arts. Roving here and there around the mountain summits, she practised her magic wiles, still per- sisting in her wickedness, until blinded by the power of God. At last, she fell from the mountain top, over a steep, and into the valley, which was called Cassain. 1* Mostprobably,weshouldherereadGleannDassain,thecbeinga mistakeford. Thus,sheperishedmiserably,andhavingallherlimbsdreadfully mangled. Afterthesethingshadoccurred,duringthetimeofspring,Foelan asked St. Kevin for apples ; and, the servant of God, wishing to please him, blessed a willow-tree. 15 Immediately, through favour of the Almighty, sweet
16 and of this fruit the
liking cold milk, Foelan asked St. Kevin for some that was warm. Not being
able to find a pipkin, the saint put milk into a wooden vessel, and he placed it on the fire. The vessel was in no manner injured by the flame, and the milk
apples grew thereon,
boy partook.
x 7 Another not time,
wasthus
18 Onanother
inanunusual
the aforesaid Foelan was sent by St. Kevin, with other companions, to a St.
" Some of our Father
warmed,
way.
occasion,
whilestilla
youth,
Mochonna. 1 ^ This man said to his monks
pious holy
Kevin's family shall come to us this day ; prepare, therefore, refreshments for
them. " Afterwards,Foelanandhiscompanionsarrived,andtheywerevery
warmly received.
Mochonna asked Foelan on what errand he came. This
:
youthanswered "OurvenerableKevin,Oholyfather,hathnottoldusthe
reason why we were sent to thee ; but this we understand, now, that thou knowest the secret thought of Kevin, and he wishes that you approve of it. " " O son, thou hast rightly answered ; this is what our Father Kevin wishes. A favourable time is coming, my son, that you may reign in your father's king- dom through our counsel and prayers, and that thy posterity may reign after thee, to the world's end. But, if any one of thy offspring shall oppose St.
and
13 At the — time,
present Derrybawn
F. Dimock, M. A.
The growth of this tree seems to have waterfall skirt the southern side of Glenda- been propagated in Glendalough for cen- lough. The natural growth on the sides of turies long after the time of St. Kevin. In the twelfth century, the fruit was called St. Kevin's Apples, and these were in request for the cure of diseases, throughout the most
Lugduff m—ountains separated by Poulenass
Derrybawn is composed of oak, ash, birch,
holly, and quicken trees. Some yew trees
are yet found on the sides of Lugduff, over
the Upper and Lower Lakes. Glendalough
was anciently called Gleann Eanaigh, ac-
cording to the Manuscript Dictionary of his time, this willow each year produced Peter Connell.
** Allusion is made subsequently to the same place, which seems to have been within
iii. Vita S. Coemgeni, cap. v. , num. 34, 35, pp. 319, 320.
'9 Colgan treats ofa St. Mochonna, at the 8th of March. See " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- Church of Glendalough, in his time, and nice," De S. Machonn qui et Dachonna, near the cemetery, with other similar trees, pp. 565, 566. Baert appears to think the having willow-like leaves and branches, yet saint already named must be identical with even then bearing apples each year. These him. Mochonna, it is said, was a disciple
or close adjoining the valley of Glendalough. *5 This willow is mentioned by Giraldus
Cambrensis, as growing not far from the
are described to be, in his own nervous Latin, "poma albaet oblonga, salubriamagisquam
sapida; —in magna reverentia ab indigenis habita. " "Opera," vol. v. Topographia Hibernica, Dist. ii. , cap. xxvii. , p. 113.
to St. Columkille, who died towards the
end of the sixth century. It is supposed,
that what is here related took place, about
the of
beginning the seventh century.
*°
Edited
l6
by James
:
remote parts of Ireland. See ibid.
" 7 Our saint's biographer remarks, that to
apples.
l8 See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Junii
Baert remarks, that this prophecy could
June 3. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 59
Kevin's successors, all goods here and hereafter shall be taken from him. " 20
Afterwards, that happy young man, Foelan, reigned in his father's territory, with
the prayers and exhortations of St. Kevin and of St. Mochonna. Through the
merits of these saints, the principality continued in a flourishing state, under his
rule. At another time, this Foelan came to visit his fosterer, St. Kevin.
Some of his enemies, on hearing it, wished to take possession of his kingdom,
and they entered into a conspiracy against his life. But, the holy Abbot, hav-
ing a revelation to that effect, told what was designed to his beloved foster-
child while bestowing his blessing; and, St. Kevin told Foelan, that he should
safely return to his principality. Although the tanist had but a few followers
withhim; yet,trustinginhisholypatron'sbenediction,hewentbyadirect
route into his own part of the country. Both himself and his companions are
said to have appeared to their enemies, in the shape of deer, and
to have escaped through their ambushes, with a velocity characteristic
of those animals. This miracle was attributed to the benediction and patronage
11
At one time, three scholastics came to St. Kevin, from the plain of Lipsi,
as stated in the Life of our saint most ; but,
of St. Kevin.
probably,
meant, for, it is afterwards remarked, that the place was known as the level
plain of Leinster.
Whilst disputing among themselves, on some philo-
2 ^
one of
named Melerius, 24 the surpassed
them,
and, he ordered, that when these two young men who perpetrated that murder arrived, no welcome should be given to them. They were to be re- ceived only with reproachful words. This order was obeyed. Feeling mortified at their reception, those strangers said to each other, in a sorrowful manner : "Holy Father Kevin, already knowing our guilt, hath ordered this brother to receive us, with such asperity of manner ; let us act upon a good suggestion, anddopenance,byconfessingourcrimetohim. " St. Kevinsaidtothem: " O my children, you have committed an evil action, yet trust in the mercy of God, and return to him you have killed. Bear my staff with you, and plant it upon his breast. Place the head, also, which lies at his feet, upon the neck, in an exact manner, and I believe your companion shall be restored to life. For, no beast hath yet touched him, with the exception of a fox, which has lapped a little of his blood. " They went and did as they had been com- manded. He, who had been killed, arose to life, as if awaking from a pro- found sleep. All three rejoicing returned to St. Kevin. The scholastic, who had been raised to life, remained an obedient monk to the end of his days. The saint told him, that he should never go further from the monastery than
sophical questions,
others in argument. Being greatly incensed, his opponents beheaded him, in the valley of Cassain—probably Gleann-Dassain—already men- tioned. Although within his cell, St. Kevin knew what had taken place ;
not have been fulfilled
;
most
probably
for
O' — to the
Byrnes, previously English
Inva-
the reason, that Ireland's ancient septs were sion. "
Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of John
subdued, after the English Invasion. But, the Four Masters," vol. i. , n. (z), p. 250.
the subsequent condition might not have
been fulfilled, and must be taken into ac-
count.
23 Commenting on this account, Baert
says, he was ignorant regarding what Philo- sophy or Philosophers existed in Ireland, at this time, and that if the author had intro- duced Bards or Druids as quarrelling or con-
tending among themselves, he might per- haps have found some to believe him, as this should be an action becoming them,
24 It seems probable enough, that he, and also the other scholastics, were pursuing their studies at Glendalough, when this hap-
21
See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Junii
iii. Vita S. Coemgeni, cap. v. , num. 36, 37,
pp. 320.
22
That part of the present county of Kil- dare, embraced by the River Liffey in its
horse-shoe winding, was anciently called Oirthear-Liffe, i. e. , East of Liffey ; and that part lying west of the same winding was
called Iarthar-Liffey, i. e. . west of Liffey. pened.
Both districts belonged to the Ui-Faelain, or 2* It was customary for the Irish, to set up
the 22 is here Liffey
6o LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[June 3.
that spot, where he had been slain, and then only for the purpose of showing strangerstheirwaythroughthemountains. Atatime,whenthewriterofSt. Kevin's Acts lived, a cross 2S had been erected 26 on the spot,27 where that murder had been committed. 28 St. Kevin ordered, that on their return, the other two scholastics should go on a pilgrimage, and afterwards live religiously.
2 These recommendations, they faithfully observed. ?
ToSt. Kevinseveralliterarycompositionshavebeenascribed; but,the
authenticity of many mentioned may well be questioned. As a poet, he is said to have been distinguished. To him has been attributed a Rule for Monks, in Irish verse. 30 This Harris thinks is much more probable, than that he concerned himself, in writing profane history. The latter writer is of opinion, also, that the Rule for his Monks is hinted at in his Life, where we
his Rule to those monks, over whom he 1 Ano- presided. 3
that he
thertreatise,calledtheLeabharBreathnach32 orBookoftheBritons,33and a book on the origin of the Milesians,34 are ascribed to him. 35 We are told, likewise, St. Kevin was author of a Life of St. Patrick, among the many learned works, which are attributed to him, Archdall. 36 we must
read,
taught
by But,
suppose this to have been a mistake on his part, and he quotes no authority for such a statement. The Third Volume of theO'Longan Manuscripts, kept in the Royal Irish Academy, contains a poem of St. Comgan,3 ? probably St. Kevin. Besides his proficiency in poetry, like many others among the clerics of his
country, 38 St. Kevin was accustomed to play on the Irish harp. This relic of
the saint was preserved in the twelfth century, and it was held in especial re-
verence, by the people, then living in and near Glendalough. 30
A certain prince came to the venerable old man Kevin, that his zone or girdle might be blessed by the saint, for thus he hoped to escape the hands of his ene- mies. This girdle being blessed, on the return to his own country, a great crowd ofenemiessuddenlyrusheduponhim. But,withbeltgirton,hebeganto invoke the name of St. Kevin. Although surrounded by his enemies, on every
crosses in those places, where anything re- Writers," p. xlii.
3I "
maikable occurred. Harris Ware, vol. ii. , Writers of Ire-
26 It may easily be credited, that some land," book i. , chap, iii. , p. 22.
persons killed there had been raised from the dead by our saint, although circumstances attending this miracle appear fabulous.
32 According to Dr. Meredith Hanmer, it
27 It is the custom in Belgium, to plant a
cross on the spot, where any person had been
killed, that the faithful might be reminded of Leinster, sometime called the Book of to pray for the repose of the deceased. Baert Glendalough," &c, edited by Robert Atkin- supposes, the same custom formerly pre- son, M. A. , LL. D. The original is kept vailed in Ireland ; and hence, it is thought,
that the cross stood at this place, in memory
of some person who had been killed, and not
of a person who had been raised to life.
34 This probably is the one, intituled by Dr. Meredith Hanmer, " De Hibero et Her- 28 Even yet, it is usual, in Ireland, to place mone," lib. i. , Ilyber et Hermon. See
a cross over the spot, where any sudden or
violent death occurred. Acairn or of heap
"Chronicle of Ireland," p. 121.
3S See Edward "
O'Reilly's Chronological
small stones is often found in connexion with Account of nearly Four Hundred Irish "
it ; as passers-by were accustomed to take Writers, p. xlii.
up a stone on approaching, and to cast it on the pile, which thus by degrees increased in size. See "Irish Folk-Lore," &c, by Lageniensis, chap, xiii. , p. 88.
29 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Junii iii. Vita S. Coemgeni, cap. v. , num. 38, p. 320. Also, nn. (e, f, g), p. 321.
30 See Edward O'Reilly's "Chronological Account of nearly Four Hundred Irish
36 See " Monasticon Hibernicum," p. 765. 3 ? It contains 48 stanzas. See pp. II, 12. 38 See Joseph C. Walker's "Historical
Memoirs of the Irish Bards," vol. i. , sect. iv. ,
p. 65.
39 See Giraldi Cambrensis "Opera," vol.
v. , Edited by James F. Dimock, M. A. "Topographia Hibernica," Distinctio iii. , cap. xii. , p. 155.
"
De Britanorum Origine," lib.
