No More Learning

PP- 535 'o 554- It furnishes several very curious details, regarding these ancient re- mains, accompanied by rough pen-and-ink
' The locality has not been ascertained.
'° It is now represented, by that long sketches. The artist, also, speaks of having
peninsula, stretching out into the Atlantic Ocean, west of Tralee, in the County of Kerry. It contains various groups of anti- quities, especially those remarkable bee-hive shaped houses. Sometimes, four or five specimens ofthose ancient dwellings arefound
together. This is especially the case iu a valley, which extends for four or five miles, and at present almost uninhabited.
" I submit these following extracts from
a letter, written by George Petrie, Esq. , dated 21st of September, 1841, and ad-
dressed to Lieutenant-. Colonel Larcom, re- garding an ancient ruin, in this district. He
remarks, it is a great pity, the antiqua-
had an intention of placing some antiquarian sketches, taken from this part of the country,
in his portfolio, on some subsequent journey, and occasion. There are twenty-one sketches
of antiquities, in the topographical collection for Kerry County, preserved in the Royal
Irish Academy; they all appear to have been the product of Mr. Wakeman's pencil, his name being appended to most of them, while his peculiar Petrie style and manner of anti- quarian definitions are discernible in all.
" See Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- niae," xvi. Martii, Vita S. Abbani, cap. xx. , p. 615.
3 See Ibid. , n. 18, p. 622.
rian remains could not be all
marked, on the Ordnance Map, and the most reinarkable of them be drawn with
'The"
and Selbach thus state the family descent of St. Finan, from the district of Ely and Fir- cell.
'5 See " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- Colgan's
niae. " Appendix ad Acta S. Finani, cap. i. ,
" As to the houses, I do not know what to say
ground plans.
bow-shaped
being
a great service. " County Kerry Letters,
but this is curious, that Saliust describes the houses of the people on the African coast of the Mediterranean, built by the Phenicians and Persians, as being of this shape—their form derived from their first which
;
houses,
were their boats turned upside-down ! Wake- man wiU, however, draw some of the most remarkable of th—ese remains, which will be
p. 46.
"" "
the Ordnance
Survey Office,
in the
Royal " A
'* Ex Codice
Vita S.
Finani,
Irish See Academy.
Inisensi, cap. i. , pp. 257, 258.
to
letter, alluded to by Mr. Petrie, dated Din-
pp. 527
gle, September i8th, 1841, and signed, Fred.
accurately
Menelogic Genealogy," cap. xvii. ,
529.
'' See Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- nioe," ix. JanuaiiL App. cap. i. , p. 46.
of
recent hand adds, 'ponan cam 1. cb&on Apoj-g. Mar. ' Cam means crooked ; the Mart. Tavtl. says, "obliquitas luit in oculis ejus. "
See Miss Cusack's History of the
Kingdom of Kerry," chap, xviii. , p. 407.
' In a note, Ur. Todd " The more says,
April 7. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 59
Corkaguinny, the OTalv/s ancient territory ;'° and, he was born sometime about or after the middle of the sixth century, as seems most probable. While he was a mere child, the grace of God worked so powerfully in Finian, that whenever his playmates felt unwell, they were healed by coming into contact with him. Again, he was able to predict any coming misfortune or pros- perity, for his young companions, since he was gifted with the spirit of pro- phesy. As a youth, being appointed to guard some calves, from approaching their cows giving milk, he was so intently engaged in Divine contemplation, that his object was frustrated, as the calves were able to escape for the pur- poseofsuckling; but,Finan,settinguphisstaff,drewalineacrossthefields; and, this was eflfective, in making a separation, between the calves and the cows. St. Brendan'^ conceivedagreatopinionofourholyyouth,andpro- claimed it to his parents. Under the care of that great saint, Finan appears to have been instructed. " He possessed the gift of miracles. So great was his reputation for holiness, that a brother who was dying wished to receive theHolyViaticum,athishands; and,althoughthedangerofhisdeathwas imminent, yet Finan delayed, until another duty had been discharged, for he knew beforehand, that the Almighty would preserve that brother's life, until he was able to come at the ninth hour. While a member of St. Brendan's monastery, and engaged in baking bread, for the use of his community, on a sudden, the monks thought the house, in which Finan dwelt, had taken fire, and they rushed in a body to extinguish the flames. However, St. Brendan told them, that the fire was illusory, since it was only the supernatural power of the Holy Ghost, that kindled such a light, and on approaching our saint, hewasfoundsittingtherealoneandunharmed. Knowingsuchwondersas were thus wrought through him to indicate his great perfection, and that he
was a light, which should not be placed under a bushel, but which ought rather
be elevated on a candlestick, as an example for others; St. Brendan thus
addressed his " brother it is not that both of disciple : My Finan, expedient,
us should dwell in the same place ; but, it is right, that both of us should col-
lect monks, and in places apart. If it rather)please you to dwell here, with
brothers that wish to continue, do so in God's name, and I shall pass to
another Then Finan answered " I am the and locality. " : P'ather, younger,
therefore it is more becoming, that I should not press longer on your labours, therefore bless me, that my journey may prove a prosperous one. " This
" to the mountain called
Go, my son, Bladhma,"^
Brendan and he did,
said,
and there remain, where you shall meet a drove of wild boars. " Taking his
leave, St. Finan journeyed on towards the foot of Slieve Bloom, and as the
holy senior had predicted, he met with boars in that place, which in after
times was called Kenetich,'* at present known as Kinnitty. ^'
The exact date (or the erection of St. Finan's monastery, at this place, cannot be ascertained ; by some writers, it has been placed, so early as a. d. 557t'° 'jy others, at a much later period. The monastery of Kiniictty,'? was
'° See Dr. O'Uovovan's " Annals of the
cap. ii. , iii. , iv. , v. , vi. , vii. , pp. 25S, 259.
'' The parish of KinniUy, in the barony of Ballybritt, is shown, on the " Ordnance
Survey Townland . Maps for the King's County," Sheets 36, 37, 39. 40. The town itself is on Sheet 36.
" So states Archdall, in his " Monasticon Hibemicum," on the authority of Conry, at p. 401.
''It signifies, "the head of Eitteach," being in Irish, CeAnn eicig. The Legend of its origin is in the Dinn Seanchus, under the head Ttathbha.
Four Masters," vol. ii, p. 569, n. (h).
" His Life occurs, at the l6th of May. ""
See Colgan's Trias Thaumaturga," Adamnan's or Quarta Vila S. Columbx, lib.
i. , cap. xlix. , n. 103, p. 380.
•3 Or the present Slieve Bloom Moun-
tains, separjting the King's from the Queen's
"
counties. . See Coiyan s
llii^erniae," ix. Januarii. Appendix ad Acta . S. Finani Episcopi, cap. i. , p. 46. for a no- tice of this place, in connexion with S. Finan
of Kinnitty.
'* See Ex Codice Inisensi, Vita S. Finani,
Acta Sanctorum
6o LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[April 7.
situated, on the confines of Elia, or Ely, and of Ferra Kellia, or Fearaceall. ''
It seems most probable, St; Finan settled here, towards the close of the sixth
century. ^9 Among the many saints of his name, the appellation of Cam, or ""
crooked has been given to him, either on account of being stooped,^" or as others state, owing to an obliquity of vision. 3' From all authorities, Kin- netty is placed, on the confines of Ely and Fearaceall ; whence it is evident, that Ely O'Carroll extended northwards, at least so far as Kinnetty, where it was met by the southern boundary of Fearaceall. 3^ No remains of any reli- gious edifice exist, at this time, in Kinnetty -p it is thought, however, that the parish church occupies the site of St. Finan's old monastery. At present, even St. Finan's day is not remembered. There was a well, within the village, which, through faint recollection, some state was called Finan's well, but it is now closed up. s* St. Finanus of Kennetigh is said to have presided there,^' during the lifetime of his master, St. Brendan of Clonfert, who died a. d. 576, according to the most probable accounts.
One day, while our saint was engaged in celebrating the Divine Mysteries, certain sons of Belial came to his monastery, and asked for food from the servant. He requested them to wait, until the Abbot should have concluded the Holy Sacrifice. But, as the light is ungrateful to eyes that are diseased, so the strangers asked the servant to hasten, as their own time was urgent ; and, accordingly, on seeking the Abbot, he said, "Give them whatever you have. " It so happened, that a pious woman made an offering to the house ofnineloaves,andsomebutter. Theseweresetbeforetheguests. Instead
of thanking God and his holy servant, for this gift, the strangers began to scatter the food presented, in a foolish manner, and they pelted one ano- ther with it, in a sort of horse-play. The monk in attendance felt very
According to Colgan, in note 103, to . 'Engus, in the Martyrology of Tallagh, and, chapter xxxxiv. of hb. i. , Adamtian's Lifeof also, by Miss Cusack, in her "History of St. Colum Kille. The Note is given at page the Kingdom of Kerry," chap, xviii. , p. 407.
" The Devil himself teaches such evil acts. " you
and he cried
Then, they struck the monk, who fled for refuge to where the Abbot remained, vchile the latter predicted, that the unmannerly guests should be murdered that very day, and even before the sun had set. This was verified, except in the case of two, who had remonstrated with their companions. Those men escaped to St. Finan, who took them under his protection. '*
°'
indignant,
out,
380, in which Colgan observes the circum- stances of the Lives of Four . Saints of the name (Finanus) in order to identify one of them with the Finanus mentioned by Adam- nan, in the Life 'above referred to. See " Trias Thaumaturga. "
°' See Ur, I. anigan's "Ecclesiastical His- tory of Ireland," vol. iii. , chap, xvii. , sec. 4, n. 48, p. 19.
3° In tlie " Leabhar Breac,'" or Speckled BookoftheMacEgans,Folio9bis read, pnan Camm Cliint) eccig niAC CmTDe-oij, that is, Finan Camm, or "the stooped," (? )
of Cindettig, or Kinnetty, the son of Cinde- dig, or Kennedy. And, in Folio 10 d. , fnan Camm Chirro eccigi ccoiceVi hell Aguf
pei\cel. l ; that is, Finan Camm, "the
stooped," of Cind Etty, or Kennetty, on the confines of Heli and Fercell.
""
i' This is s'ated, in the Feilire of St.
'
3" See the
nance Survey Office," vol. ii. , pp. 90, 91. T. O'Conor's Letter, dated Birr, Februaiy 2nd,
1838.
^3 In the churchyard, there are found no
ancient inscriptions, which might indicate the antiquity of this place. Tliere is one head-stoneinit, whichbearssomeornameii- tal lines indented, and, it is looked upon, by the people, as being of remote date.
343^5"King'sCountyLettersoftheOrd- nance Survey," and now preserved, in the Royal Irish Academy, vol. ii. , pp. 88, 89, 91,92. T. O'Conor's Letter, dated Birr, February 2nd, 1S38. Mr.
O'Conor, after- wards gives historic notices, relating to Kin- netty. /;4/'rf. , pp. 92, 93.
3sxhisisrelaled,in chapterviii. , ofhisLife.
^s See Codex Manuscriptus, ex Codice Inisensi, Vita S. Finani, cap. viii. , p. 259.
King's County Letters, Ord-
April 7. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 61
CHAP1 ER 11.
FISAN AT LOCH LEYN, OR KILLARNEV—HE IS PROBABLY THE PATRON THERE, AND AT AGHADOE—HIS MIRACLES.
In the old Life of St Finan, it is stated, that on one occasion, he had caused a boat to be built, near the waters of Loch Leyn, in Kerry,' and he sent word to the Regulus of its territory, tliat some of his people should come and haul it into the lake. The king and his servants obeyed that summons, but they were not able to carry it towards the water ; yet, by angelic power, this task was easily accomplished. " From this account, it may be inferred, that our saint lived' for some time, at or near the present Lakes of Killarney. Only on one of its Islands do we find, that an ancient religious house stood ; and, it may be questioned, if St. Finan of Kinnitty had not more connexion with it, than St. Finan, the Leper,3 who is popularly regarded as the founder. Be-
. -"353^:^
. St. ? 'inian"s Church on Innisfallen, Lower Lake of Killarney.
sides the monastery of Innis-Faithlenn,* which was the home of learned men, until destroyed in the reign of Henry VIII. , the Cathedral Church of Agha- doe 5 was also dedicated to St. Finnain Lobhar, it is thought. He was con-
sideredthepatronofSouthKerry. * Thispopularideamaybeerroneous, likewise, nor do the Acts of the latter saint sustain it; while, in the biography
of St. Finan Cam, he is represented, at least, as residing near Aghadoe,
namely, at Loch Leyn, or Killarney.
Chapter ii. —• The Latin has it "prope
Stagnum de Loch Leyn in Kyrrigia. " Before our saint's birth, hi. s mother is said to have bathed in Loch Leyn.
' Ex Manuscripto Codice Inisensi, cap. ix. , p. 259.
5 See his Life, at the i6th of March.
* The accompanying illustration of St.
Within two miles, over the margin of
Finan's old church, on the Island of Innis- fallen, is from a photogmpli, drawn on the wood, by William F. Wakeman, and en- graved, by Mrs. Millard.
5 The interesting doorway of Aghadoe Church is engraved, and represented, in Miss
Cusack's "
Kerry," chap, iii. , p. 51.
History
of
the Kingdom of
62 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[April 7.
the Lower Lake at Killarney, on a site of surpassing magnificence, and on an
eminence, are the rains of Aghadoe church, formerly called Aghaboe. 7 This
place is of great antiquity, and it had been likewise dedicated to St. Finian.
Excepting the stump of an old round tower,^ and the ruins of a small old
castle,9nohouseorbuildingstandsnearit. '° Inthe"AnnalsofInnisfallen,"
"
Aghadoe is called
extreme antiquity. It is supposed, that the Round Tower fell during the last century," but no description of its state, when perfect, now remains. "
At one time, wliile the saint and his companions were on their way, cer-
tain miscreants met them, and intended to murder them; but, they were for-
tunately rescued by a valiant man, named Lonan, and, in return for this
the old abbey," and this seems a sufficient evidence of its
" Because on this
of the Faith, never shall your enemies prevail against you, but to the day of
Leyn,
favour,
St. Finan
said,
day you have saved us from enemies
your death you shall continue to be victorious. " '3 On a certain occasion, when Finan was about to visit his people, he received hospitality from a poor and pious man, who killed a calf, belonging to the only cow he had, to enter- tain his guest. On learning this circumstance, on the following day, the holy man prayed to God for his host, and immediately a calf appeared to replace that,whichhadbeenkilled. ThishappenednearLochLeyn,andthere,too,a horse under the chariot of Finan dropped dead. In a miraculous manner, a horse of a hyacinth '•• colour came up from Loch
and that celebrated animal continued with him for three years. At the end of this time, our saint is said to have ordered him to return again into the lake, from which he issued, and this was accomplished. '5 Another remarkable miracle is recorded, re- garding a great tree, which lay prostrate on the road, over which the chariot of St. Finan pa. ssed, and by his command, the tree arose to its original posi- tion, so that the chariot was enabled to move without impediment. However, when it had passed, the tree once more inclined to the earth, yet not even a
branch was broken, notwithstanding the changes of position effected. '* On a certain day, while journeying, in a chariot, by the sea-side, it chanced, that a marshy place had been an obstacle in the way. St. Finan desired his charioteer to drive over it, without any hesitation ; and, when the driver obeyed this order, the plain beneath became so firm, that not even the hoofs of his horses, nor the chariot wheels, showed signs of being wet from the salt-water. '? Another time, a paralysed boy, who had no use of his limbs whatever, was brought toour saint, who, embracing him, and on applying his hands, com- manded him, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to arise, and to walk. The youth was able miraculously to fulfil this injunction. '* One day, while thirsty, he told a servant with him, to procure water. However, none was known to be near, until Finan, ordering a sod of earth to be raised, a well of
water immediately sprang from the earth. '?
In the territory of Corcabuibne, the place of our saint's nativity, a great
^
See ibid.
7 In Latin, called
Irish round towers remained at
"See Miss Cusack's interesting account
of the ruins at this in her " of place, History
the Kingdom of Kerry," chap, xxiii. , pp. 371, 372.
'3 See Vita S. Finani, cap. x. , p. 259. « The adjective used is " iacinthini. "
'5 SeeVita
« S. Finani, cap. xi. , p. 259.
"
English, "the field of the cow. "
Aghadoe.
^ " In the
Traveller's New Guide through Ireland," there is a map of the Killarney Lakes, and the tower there appears as high
as the old church gable.
9 In "Guide to Wright's
Campus bovis," or in
the
"> See Charles Smith's " Natural and 260.
Killarney," old castle is called the Pulpit.
See Vita S. Finani, cap. xii. , pp. 259, ? See ibid. , cap. xiii. , p. 260.
'8
See ibid. , cap. xiv. , p, 260. ' See ? ««'. , cap. xv. , p. 260.
Civil History of the County of Kerry," chap. vi. , p. 147.
"Smith in his "History of Kerry," only mentions, that a stump of one of the
April 7. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 63
disturbance arose, and the people sent word to St. Finan, that they were
A king, named Nectan,'° with his army, had vowed the destruction of the Cor- caduibne. Finan went to meet the tyrant, and to seek, if possible, to dis- suade him from that expedition. But Nectan, hearing about his purpose, sent messengers to state, that all interference should prove useless, as he was re- solvedontheirextermination. However,Finanwasnoteasilydiverted,from
"
sorely pressed, by their enemies, against whom they sought for his aid.
he had an interview with Nectan, and asked for a truce of one
his resolution
month, yet, he could not obtain it. The saint returned to his people, and blessing Holy Water, he desired them to drink of it, so that the spirit of God might strengthen them, to resist all assaults of their enemies. He also directed, that they should not leave the bounds of their own territory, but
;
rather there wait the attack. He said,
over your enemies, be not filled with pride, but give all glory to the Lord of Hosts, who is able to conquer with a few, as he is with a multitude. " The tyrant Nectan had brought an army of five thousand men, to spoil and to destroytheirdistrict; while,onlyafewoftheCorcaduibnecouldbemustered, toopposehim. TrustinginGod'sprotection,however,thelatterpeoplewere enabled to defend themselves ; and, in the very first attack, thirty of their enemies were killed, while this loss was doubled, on a renewal of the con- flict. " The tyrant was still obstinate, in a desire to be revenged on his opponents. ThenSt. FinansentamessagetoNectan,hishorseshoulddie that day, as a sign ; that, on the day following, he should cease to be a king ; and that even his kingdom should be taken away from him, while he should teanexileforsevenyears. Heprophesied,also,howNectan,who,onthat day, relied so much on the multitude of his forces, should be obliged, after- wards, to carry wood, on his shoulders, for the fire ; while, instead of that curiously fabricated dwelling then possessed, the oppressor should feel grate- ful, if he could only find a hollow tree, in the wood, wherein he might be able to take refuge. Until all these conditions were fulfilled, Nectan could not againbecomeaking,sincehehaddi. sobeyedFinan'sinjunctions. Thesaint signified, moreover, that he should not obtain the kingdom, until the king humbly served himself, and learned to love the people, whose destruction he now sought. While the Prophet of the Most High announced these tidings, the invaders beheld their own country, as it were in flames ; and especially, the castles of their king, were the first to take fire. Wherefore, the men of
that invading force rushed away hastily, to protect their own possessions ; yet, on returning, no conflagration was observable, nor were their houses burned. It was assumed, therefore, that the Almighty desired their fear of St. Finan to be confirmed, by such a prodigy. '' All that St. Finan had pro- phesied, regarding the king, was literally fulfilled. His horse died that day, andhewasanexileforsevenyears,fromhiskingdom. Afterhehadbeen ignominiously expelled, Nectan went to Dermitius,'^ the son of Cearuayll, with whom he lived for a while. Then the king's servant ordered him, to take his part, in bearing wood for a fire to be kindled. Afterwards, leaving the castle of King Diermit, with five other companions, Nectan wandered through
^ His record, ! n the Irish Annals, does not seem to be known. We read of a Neach- Ian, son of Canann, who died A. D. 616. See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 240, 241.
261.
" He seems to have been no other than
Diarmaid, the son of Fearghus Ceirrbheoil, who was king over Ireland, from a. d. 539 to A. D. 558. See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals
" In the Irish Annals, we do not find any of the B'our Masters," vol. i. , pp. igj to account of this raid. 201.
" See Vita S. Finani, cap. xtL, pp. , 360
If God this day give you the victory,
64 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 7.
a wood, and there found a liollow tree, in which he took a little repose. Still, all these misfortunes tended to a useful result ; for Nectan became penitent, and humbled in spirit, he sought once more his own country. There, he asked pardon from God, and from St. Finan. Thus, being sufficiently humi- liated, through the influence of our saint, Nectan once more came into pos- session of his former kingdom. '^
Another miracle is related, regarding a man, who, pressed for time on a long journey, sought aid from Finan. The saint, sympathizing in his necessi- ties, blessed him ; and, in three hours, the traveller was enabled to make as much way, as an ordinary man could in three days. 'S One of his brothers visited Cainnachty,'* where F'inan dwelt, and told the saint, he was under an engagement to his chief, that seven maid servants should be procured, to re-
deemamortgageonhishereditaryfarm. ^7 Thedayforredemptionhadbeen already fixed, but the tribute could not be paid. The saint paid little appa- rent attention to his brother's complaint, but on the day appointed for the contract being fulfilled, suddenly was the man removed from Cianachtius,^^ where he slept the night before, to his own land of Corcadubhny. He there found a sum of money, which was sufficient to pay his tribute to the chief, and he gave thanks to God and to our saint, for such favours as he obtained. ^' During the autumnal season, one day when great rain fell, so as to prevent the labours of other husbandmen, the harvesters of our saint were able to pursue their work, without one single drop falling on them, or within the cir- cuit of that field, in which they were engaged reaping. It so happened, that a chariot, or waggon, belonging to St. Finan, lay across a hedge, which bounded it; and, although one part was within the hedge, and the other with- out, in a field, where the rain fell, the reapers remarked, that it escaped entirely from a wetting. 3° One day, while on his journey, a certain man was led out for execution ; but, the saint asked, in God's name, for the life of that doomed person. The executioners regarded his words as vain, but when their hands were raised to inflict death on their captive, these became paralysed. In fine, the bound man was released, and those, who were present, extolled the servant of God, who wrought such a miracle. 3'
CHAPTER III.
ST. FINAN AND KING FAILBE FLANN—MIRACLES OF OUR SAINT—OPINIONS REGARDING HIS CONNEXION WITH PLACES IN KERRY—A CONTEMPORARY WITH ST. MOCHELLOC AND ST. MOCHOEMOC—ST. FINAN'S ILLNESS AND DEATH—PLACES THOUGHT TO HAVE BEEN UNDER HIS PATRONAGE—CALENDAR COMMEMORATIONS—CONCLUSION.
On another occasion, Finan went to a king, named Fland, who niled over a
certain territory. ' He desired to obtain the remission of taxes, which weighed
heavily on the people.