—" Histoire
Monastique
il'Irlande," p.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v9
175, 176.
9 See Dr. O' Donovan's edition, vol. i. , pp. 180, 181. These authors place the death of Tuathal at a. d. 538; while allowing Diermit
death, according to Ussher. See Primordia
Ecclesiarum Britannicarum," cap. xvii. , p.
947f and Index Chronologicus ad ann, Dl. xv.
11
Under this Monarch occurred two
Wright's " History Ireland," vol. i. , book i. , chap, iv. , p. 30.
of
of so many contradictory authorities.
M The Bollandist editor remarks, that there are certain difficulties connected with this account, which render such a statement
September 9. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 221
Bollandist editor of our Saint's acts refuses to accept the computation of the Four Masters, in reference to those circumstances, which appear to determine the date of Kieran's foundation. This he seems desirous of placing at a. d. 544. 14 If it could be established, that Eogain Bel I5 died in 537 6 it must
;'
seem, that St. Kellach was then living at Clonmacnoise, and consequently, that St. Kieran had founded his establishment there, at or before such a date. 17 This grant was probably made, after the death of King Tuathal, while Diermit reigned, and about the year 540, when Finian was ninety years of age. It could not have occurred much sooner, unless we wish to assert, against the opinion of Ussher and other authorities cited by him, that St.
Finian owed his possessions, not to the liberality of St. Kyran of Clonmacnoise, but to that of St. Kyran of Saigir.
18
In the Life of St. Kellach,
are informed, that this holy man spent some time at Clonmacnoise, under St. Kieran'sspiritualguidance. Whileaspiringtothemonasticstate,news arrived regarding the death of Eogain Bel. His son was induced by certain chiefs to leave Clonmacnoise in a private manner. This was done without theconsentofSt. Kieran. ThenKellachhopedtosucceedasrulerinhis father's kingdom. That dignity he enjoyed only for a short time, when he felt a desire to abandon objects of worldly ambition to seek the solitude of a wood, where he appears to have led an eremitical life. After a year penitently spent in this manner, and with some degree of self-reproach, he returnedtoSt. KieranatClonmacnoise. ThereKellachwaskindlyreceived.
Being initiated to the priesthood, he afterwards lived a holy life, under our
1 saint's rule. ^
It is said, that Diermit had a great esteem for our saint. But, it is scarcely probable, that Kieran obtained one hundred churches or cells from him. 20 Such an account most likely became current, long after the time of
our saint, when his rule and institute had been embraced in a great number of religious houses. During the course of ages, these communities gradually
multiplied ; yet, with the exception of Inis-aingin and Clonmacnoise, we cannot find reliable testimony concerning any other houses of his order, which existed during the life-time of Kieran. 31 From occasional illustrations, contained in other saints' lives, we learn that Clonmacnoise was the head of other flourishing houses throughout Ireland, and that it was richly endowed.
l8 See the Life of of Ceallach, bishop
Killala, at the 1st of May, in the Fifth Volume of this work, Art. i.
He thinks it can be estab-
improbable.
lished, from the Life of St. Kellac, bishop in Ireland, and which in tomus i. , Maii i. , at p. 104, is to be found in their great collec- tion, that St. Kiaran presided for more than a
year
I9 Suyskens thinks the foregoing cir- cumstances, if reliable, should require at least more than one of incidence,
over Clonmacnoise, '" cum nihil vetet, quominus ejusdem mors in annum 549 aut forte 548 incidisse dicatur, necesse pariter est, ut Cluain-mic-noisia prius condita fuisse credatur. "—"Acta Sanctorum," tomus
year
and should represent at least two or three
iii. , Septembris ix. , sect, v. , num. 48, p. 379. 14 This is the year given by Ussher, for St.
carum," at p. 957, and Index Chronologicus, ad A. D- 544.
2I
son to Eogain Bel, King of Connaught, we
Indeed, it is not probable, that our saint would have accepted very rich endow- " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- ments, even if offered by Diermit. The nioe," xxvi. Martii, n. 10, p. 755. grants usually given in those primitive 17 But, in Suysken's opinion, as the Four times were such tracts of lands, as the Masters, who assign such year for his death, monks could conveniently till by the had antedated the reigns of Tuathal and labour of their own hands. See Dr.
Kieran's foundation at Inis Aingin. '5 King of Connaught.
16 See
Diermit by five years, so these same authori- ties may have committed a like mistake in this present instance.
Colgan's
years.
20
See " De Primordiis Ecclesiarum Britanni-
This is stated, in the Book of Navan.
Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical History of Ire- land," vol. ii. , chap, x. , sect, xi. , n. 181, pp. 58, 59.
222 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[September 9.
Whatever credit we may be disposed to give such accounts, one thing appears certain, our ancestors considered this establishment to have been one of great extent and importance. This is shown, from the vision and prophecy ofSt. Endeus,towhichallusionhasbeenalreadymade. Again,wefindit recorded, that while St. Columba had been engaged transcribing a book of Gospels, he asked St. Kieran to aid him in writing some middle portion of this work. 22 to such a
Assenting
the part of God, I also promise and pronounce, that the central parts of Ireland shall be connected with your name, and become tributaries for the
23
When leaving for Clonmacnoise, St. Ciaran is said to have previously
future to
your monastery. "
resigned Aingin Monastery
proposal,
2* to the care of Adomnan or Domnan, a native of Munster. He took with him eight disciples: viz. , Ciaran, Oengus, Mac-nisse,
Inis Aingin Ruins, Lough Ree.
Cael-colomb, Mobeoc, Mo-lioc, Lugna Mac-hui Moga-Laim, and Colman, son ofNun. Aftertheyhadcomefromthewavesofthewater,allarecomparedto Noah, son of Lamech, who took possession of the world with his octad, when coming from the waves of the Deluge. According to Archbishop Ussher, Kieran went to Clonmacnoise in 544. The Irish Life of our saint, as found in the Book of Lismore, mentions the eighth of the Calends of February, on the tenth of the moon, on the tenth of the lunar month, and on a Saturday, as the data for his setting up the first stake there, but the year is not men- tioned. At that time Diarmait, son of Cerball, is said to have been along with him. 's Anciently Clonmacnoise is said to have been called Druim-
" This seems to be only another version of an anecdote already related, but in a different form.
33 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," VitaQuintaS. Columbx,n. 88,p. 403.
24 Already we have presented an illustra- tion of the ancient church on Inis Aingin or Hare Island. To the kindness of the
Very Rev. Thomas Langan, D. D. , Admin- istrator of St. Mary's Church, Athlone, we
have been presented with a photograph of the ruins there remaining, and from an en- tirelydifferentpointofview. Thisrepre- sentation has been drawn and engraved on
the wood by Gregor Grey.
25 The narrative thus continues : Said
St. Columba " On predicted :
September 9. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 223
26
See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
26 and it has been to have thought
name from a
tiprad,
Connaught prince.
got
present
by Ware,
to a. d.
2?
548.
a8 That Clonmacnoise had been founded monastery
nian," Februarii vi. De S. Mune Episcopo
Forgnagiensi, cap. ix. , p. 266.
" A. D. 547 (548) Fundata est Clonmacnois, i. e. , Nois Muccaid regis Connacie a quo nomina-
27 The Annals of Innisfallen have
:
tur Cluain. " The
be that it was so called from a son of Nois Muccaid, King of Connaught. Perhaps 241.
Colgan's nian," p. 346.
" Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
;
meaning
of this seems to
his name was Tiprad. I find this name among these of the ancient princes of that province. "—Rev. Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesi- astical History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, x. , sect, xi. , n. 180, p. 58. Reference is there made to
33 The Irish verse is thus rendered into English :—
28 " S. Kieranus, sive Ciaranus junior, ex Aradensium familia ortus, sed Boe'tii, alias Beonandi fabri lignarii filius, unde et vulgo dictus est Maciteir, sive filius artificis, cceno- bium condidit Clonmacnoisan prius Tipraic dictae, in ipso quasi Hibernian umbilici) sive meditullio, anno Domini dxlviii. , locum concedente Dermitio Cervalli fdio, rege Hibernian. Huic ccenobio secundum pluri-
34 Alemand writes : '* A Cluain-Mac-nois% autrement Chines ou Kilcom, il y a eu une ancienne Abbaye que les Annales d'Ultonie appellent noiiUssimum Afotmsterttim^ &c.
its
The first establishment of St. Kieran here is referred
in the year just mentioned appears from the general testimony of our old 2
writers. ?
Regarding the arrival of Kieran, at Clonmacnoise, we are told, 30 that our
:
Saint predicted as follows M Here shall I dwell, in this place many souls
shall go to the Kingdom of God, and in this place shall my resurrection be. " Then, we are informed, that with his disciples, St. Kieran dwelt there, and began the foundation of a great monastery. Many flocked to him, when his monastery had been founded at Clonmacnoise. His district embraced a wide circuit. Soon his fame became celebrated throughout the whole ot Ireland. 3 1 A very ancient old vellum book states, that Ciaran of Cluain was in his habits and life like unto John the Apostle. His great virtues and miracles made him be known as a remarkable saint, both at home and abroad. His love for chastity and truth is thus traditionally recorded by Cuimin of Coindeire,3' who in the
states,
the fort of Macha loves," etc. , that Ciaran never looked upon a woman, from
the time he was born, and that he never told a lie. 33 Nor indeed is it to be a subject for wonder, that brief as had been his rule at Clonmacnois,3* he
Cianin to Diarmait when setting the stake, mos Kieranus unico solum anno, secundum "Let, O warrior, thy hand be over my nonnullus (perperam opinor) annis septem
hand, and thou shalt be in sovereignty over prsefuit abbas, morte ibi ereptus v. Idus the men of Ireland. " " I agree," saith Septembris, anno salutis per Christum
Diarmait, "provided thou givest a sign to me in confirmation. " " I will say it then,"
"
though thou art alone to- day, thou wilt be king of Ireland at this hour to-morrow. " That promise was real- ized, for Tiiathal Maelgarb, King of Ire- land, was killed on that night, and Diarmait took the kingdom of Ireland on the morrow, and offered a hundred churches to Ciaran. This is followed by confirmatory verses,
taken from an Irish poem.
dxlix. , in ipso aetatis flore, cum annos vixisset solum triginta ties. " See " Com- mentarius de Prsesulibus Hiberniae," p. 95.
29 These state, moreover, that Kieran died
the year immediately succeeding its founda- tion.
30 By O'Sheerin, in "Collectanea Sacra. "
Dissertatione de S. Columbani Monachatu,
art. hi. , sect, ii. , num. 84, pp. 433, 434.
31 O'Sheerin adds: "Clara civitas et sancta in ipso loco in honore S. Kiarani crevit, cujus nomen Cluainmicnois vocatur, quae est in Occidentali plaga regionis nepotum Neill, super ripam Orientalem fluminis Sinna, con- tra provinciam Connachtorum, in qua sive reges sive duces nepotum Neill et Connach-
replied Ciaran,
poem
which u Patrick of begins,
torum apud S. Kiaranum sepeliuntur. "
32 See the " of Martyrology Donegal,"
edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 240,
"
The holy Ciaran, of Cluain, loves Humility, from which he did not rashly
swerve
He never uttered a word that was false, Nor looked upon woman from his birth. "
—Ibid. , p. 243.
—" Histoire Monastique il'Irlande," p. 40. Alemand has some mistakes in his short
224 LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [September9.
was ranked among the foremost Patriarchs of Irish monks. *5 On a certain day, as Ciaran was sowing seed at Iseal Chiarain, a poor man came to ask alms from him. Ciaran threw a handful of the grain into his breast, and it was immediately turned into gold. At this time the king, i. e. Aenghus, son of Crimthann, sent two horses and a chariot to Ciaran. Our saint gave those horses to the poor man for the gold, and the gold was turned into grain immediately, while the field was sown with it afterwards, so that there was not in the whole territory corn better than what grew there. *6 We are informed,3? that on a certain occasion this holy man visited some female religious, who were under the guardianship of our Saint Kieran. For the latter holy abbot, according to this legend, a meal had been prepared, but of this St. Aedus partook.
their arrived near the patrons
place,
said,
paragraph relating to St. Kieran. Thus he seems to confound Clunes or Clones with Clonmacnoise, and where he found Kilcom
4° However, we are told, that the original denomination was Ath-more, or "the great ford. " It was afterwards changed to Ath- Luain, or the " ford of Luan," a man's name, formerly very common. In an old Irish tale, known as the " Fate of the Children of Tuireann," the place is called Ath-Luain- mic-Luighdheach, or the "Ford of Luan the son of Lewy. " See Dr. Patrick W.
as an alterative does not appear. Also he "
remarks of St. Kieran, encore Evesque de Clunes, est appelle par des Historiens
Episcopus Coloniensis, ce qui a donne oc- casion de croire qu'il avoit este Evesque et
au lieu de Cloniensis. "
"
35 See
de Monasiica S. Columbani Luxoviensis et Bobiensis Abbatis Professionc, art. iii. , sect, ii. , num. 84, p. 434.
36 See the " of Martyrology Donegal,"
edited by Rev. Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 240. 241.
Names of Places," part iii. , chap, v. , p. 342.
Collectanea Sacra. " Dissertatio
Knowing the poverty of those nuns, when
Aedus
meat and drink as before, and they shall be replenished. " 38 This being
done, the prediction was fulfilled, and St. Kieran was suitably entertained by his religious sisters. 39
The chief foundation of St. Kieran, as mentioned in old Latin
documents, is usually written Cluanense. In our times, it is better known
as Clonmacnoise, and after St. Kiarain's monastery had been there estab-
lished, it grew to the dimensions of a considerable city or town. In due
course, it became an episcopal see. Yet, Sir James Ware confesses himself
uninformed, regarding the exact period, when St. Kieran's foundation was
merged into a Cathedral Church. The ruins of this establishment are yet
traceable on the Shannon's eastern banks, and on the western borders of the
oldMeathianprovince. FromtheancientnameAth-Luain,* thepresenttown
1
ofAthlone,* situatedchieflyontheConnaughtsideoftheriver,isabouteight
or nine miles northwards from Clonmacnoise. It is the most central town in Ireland ; and although from the denomination regarded as a ford on the old
Shannon, it had a bridge which spanned the river, at a very early period, and afforded a means of communication between the provinces of Leinster and
Connaught. 42 A strong castle, to command the passage of the Shannon, was built at Athlone, so early as the reign of King John. Walls around the
Archevesque de Cologne en Allemagne, mais
il n'a este appelle Coloniensis que par erreur Joyce's "Origin and History of Irish
and St. Peter's, containing ilia. 2r. 3p. , 37 In the Acts of St. Aedus, Bishop of in the barony of Athlone, is noted
"
Ordnance Survey Townland See Colgan's Acta Sanctorum Hiber- Maps for the County of Roscommon,"
Killare, at the 28th of February. on the 3S "
nice," Vita S. Aedi,cap. xix. , and n. 18, p. 420.
sheet 52.
39 Yet this account is so
in Suysken's opinion, that it is placed on re-
cord, merely to satisfy the curiosity of some readers.
** A and an very complete
patently fabulous,
interesting account of Athlone may be read in the
4I Athlone has two
viz.
St.
" vessels of Lay your
parishes,
Mary's, in the barony of Brawny, containing
37-a. ir. 3p. , and it is marked on the
"Ordnance Townland for Survey Maps
the County of Westmeath," sheet 29 ;
"
i. , pp. 95 to 101.
Parliamentary Gazetteer of Ireland," vol.
:
September 9. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 225
land sides of the two divisions of the town were probably soon afterwards constructed : and they appear to have been either enlarged, or at least
repaired and strengthened, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth. The castle and a portion of the fortifications still remain. ** Here, too, were former
religious foundations; but of these no traces at present remain. The bridge
North Gate, Athlone.
which spanned the Shannon at the close of the seventeenth century, has long
since been removed. ** With lapse of time, nine churches, besides the original
6
foundation, are said *s to have stood within the cemetery,* at Clonmacnoise.
This contained less than two Irish acres. *? Eastwards from the cemetery
Formerly Clonmac- However, the former
8 After the introduction of the Reformation to Ireland, by an Act of Parliament, the independent See of Clonmacnoise had been added to that of Meath, a. d. i568. '4 9 At the present time, some curious ancient inscriptions still remain. The claim of St. Kieran to be considered first Abbot of Clonmacnoise has been invariably admitted. By others, he has been regarded as its first bishop. It
43 The accompanying illustration, drawn be seen in Bartlett's "Scenery and Anti-
enclosure certain episcopal buildings had been erected. noise See had been enriched with abundant revenues.
episcopal city
lias now dwindled to an
insignificant village/
on the wood and engraved by Gregor Grey, represents the North Gate of Athlone.
**
Porter writes, "quod suum habet Castrum
quities of Ireland," vol. i. Letterpress descriptions serve to illustrate them. See
In allusion to Athlone, Father Francis
et Pontem e vivo saxo pulcherrimum. '. '— scenery, character," &c, vol. ii. , pp. 1 91, 192.
"
Compendium Annalium Ecclesiasticorum Regni Hibernia\" Sectio Prima, cap. iii. , P- 44-
45 By Sir James Ware.
46 There are three exquisite steel engrav- ings of the Antiquities at Clonmacnoise to
48 This had occurred over two hundred years ago, as we find in a note of Colgan,
"
Acta Sanctorum Ilibernire," Januarii xx. Vita S.
Molagg. x, n. 26, p. 150.
49 According to Sir James Ware.
chap, xiv. , pp. lot to 105.
v See Mr. and Mrs. Hall's " Ireland : its
appended to St. Molagga's Life. See
P
226 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[September 9.
seems to be more than doubtful, however, if Clonmacnoise had been erected into an episcopal See during the life-time of our saint. Neither Archbishop Ussher nor Colgan favour any idea, that he ever rose above the rank of Abbot. The latter writer gives St. Kieran this title only, while distinguishing
Ailbeus,s° as archbishop and bishop of Emly, in Munster,$
x
In one of the
old Irish Epistles,s»published by Ussher,53 nothing seems clearly demonstrable, regarding the rank held by our saint, in the Irish Church. 54 When treating
of the monastery at this place, Sir James Ware leaves us doubtful, about the time when a cathedra! church had been there erected. 55 It is observed, by him,56 that a certain Baitan, first noted as abbot and bishop of the place, died on the 1st March, 663. 5? Allemand,58 who flourished at a period still later than Sir James Ware, does not hesitate to make our Saint a bishop, citing the authority both of Ussher and Colgan. 59 Harris seems to make our Saint bishop of Clonmacnoise, owing to an obvious mistake he has committed, by placing
60
This latter mistake of whilst adding another, when he intro- duces Oedhlugh, abbot of this place, as having died on the 26th day of Feb- ruary,a. d. 551. However,notingthesilenceofallancientIrishMartyrologists and writers on the subject of Kieran having been bishop of Clonmacnoise; also, the prose Life of St. Senan describing when this holy man had been visited by Kieran, the latter being represented only as a priest, nor, do we learn elsewhere, that he became bishop : wherefore, we must probably regard him ashavingbeensimplyanabbotoverClonmacnoise. Thisseemstobemost likely, as he is generally allowed to have lived there only for one year, which could scarcely suffice for its growth and consolidation, to require its erection into a See, or as the chief seat for a diocesan district. It has been supposed, that the idea of St. Kyran having been the first bishop over Clonmacnoise,
arose, either from an erroneous opinion of his namesake, St. Kieran, abbot and bishop of Saigir, having been confounded with the abbot of Clonmac- noise,62 or that Kieran of Saigir had been reputed first founder of
s° His feast occurs on the 12th September. 55 "
Tighernach there, as immediate successor of Kieran.
Harris has been followed by Archdall,
61
ccenobii ecclesia postea, sed quo See his life at that date, in the present tempore, me latet, in ecclesiam cathedralem
commutata est. Non desunt quidem, qui S. 51 "Successor Queraini Coloniensis, vel Kieranum episcopum fuisse Cloinmac-
volume, Art. i.
rectius . . . Kierani Clonensis seu Cluan- ensis, abbas de Cluain, alias Cluain-mic-nois, in limite Mediae. " — " Acta Sanctorum Hibernise," Februarii xxiv. Vita S. Cuminwi, n. 16, p. 41 1.
noisensem, diserte tra:lunt. Hoc si vetum, de ecclesioc cathedralis initio, non est quod ulterius disquiramus. "—" Commentarius de Prsesulibus Hibernian," p. 95.
s* " Ultrum recte, non inquiro ; ut velim, 52 This is attributed to Cummian, who saltern paucis recensuisset scriptoris, a wrote to Segienus, abbot of Iona, in the quibus sancti episcopatum Cluain-mic-
seventh century, regarding the Paschal controversy ; and, it has a great historic value, as referring to individual Irish saints oi an earlier period, and to the traditions of the ancient Irish Church.
"
s* Cummian says :
interrogavi patres meos, ut annunciarent nnlii. successores videlicet nostrorum patrum
priorum, Abbei episcopi, Querani Colon—i- ensis, Brendini, Neesani, Lugidi," &c.
••
Sylloge Yeterum Epistolarum Hiberni- carum, num. xi.
noisensem diserte traditum repent. "
57 In Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters," while his death is placed at this date, he is only styled Baetan Mac-Ua- Cormaic, Abbot of Cluain-mic-Nois. See
vol. i. , pp. 274, 275. 58Seehis"HistoireMonastiqued'Irlande,"
p. 40,
59 However, neither of these authors posi-
Juxta Duteronomion,
54 In the Epistle of Cummian, it must be
remarked, that where Albeus is styled a
bishop, no such distinctive title follows for
St. Queran, whose connection with Clon- James Ware, who in treating about the macnoise is simply stated. Ossorian bishops says, that Kieran of
Hujus
tively assert such 60
a statement.
See Harris' Ware, vol. i. "Bishops of
Clonmacnoise," p. 167. But Tigernach was bishop at Clones, and not at Clonmacnoise.
61 62
See "Monasticon Ilibernicum," p. 380. This seems to have been done by Sir
September 9. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 227
Clonmacnoise episcopal See, and this for no better reason, than because its precise erection as such can be referred to no exact date. 63
CHAPTER IV.
VARIOUS POETICAL PIECES STATED TO HAVE BEEN THE COMPOSITIONS OF ST. KIERAN— HE WAS AUTHOR OF A SPECIAL RELIGIOUS RULE—THE YEAR OF ST. KIERAN'S DEATH—HIS BURIAL AND RELICS AT CLONMACNOISE—COMPOSITION IN PRAISE OF ITS FOUNDER ATTRIBUTED TO ST. COLUMBA—COMMEMORATIONS AND CELE- BRATIONS OF ST. KIERAN—MEMORIALS—CONCLUSION.
To St. Kiaran have been ascribed the gifts of a poetic genius ; and even
various compositions attributed to him are handed down to our time. It
was Ciaran, we are told, that composed the celebrated poetical lay which
begins :
" An rim a ri an richid rain," &c, asking of God a prolongation of
his life, that he might perform more labour and service to Him. There is a
Poem attributed to St. Kiarain, among the Manuscripts of Trinity College,
Dublin. 1 The Kierain intended is
probably
the Patron of Clonmacnoise.
9 See Dr. O' Donovan's edition, vol. i. , pp. 180, 181. These authors place the death of Tuathal at a. d. 538; while allowing Diermit
death, according to Ussher. See Primordia
Ecclesiarum Britannicarum," cap. xvii. , p.
947f and Index Chronologicus ad ann, Dl. xv.
11
Under this Monarch occurred two
Wright's " History Ireland," vol. i. , book i. , chap, iv. , p. 30.
of
of so many contradictory authorities.
M The Bollandist editor remarks, that there are certain difficulties connected with this account, which render such a statement
September 9. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 221
Bollandist editor of our Saint's acts refuses to accept the computation of the Four Masters, in reference to those circumstances, which appear to determine the date of Kieran's foundation. This he seems desirous of placing at a. d. 544. 14 If it could be established, that Eogain Bel I5 died in 537 6 it must
;'
seem, that St. Kellach was then living at Clonmacnoise, and consequently, that St. Kieran had founded his establishment there, at or before such a date. 17 This grant was probably made, after the death of King Tuathal, while Diermit reigned, and about the year 540, when Finian was ninety years of age. It could not have occurred much sooner, unless we wish to assert, against the opinion of Ussher and other authorities cited by him, that St.
Finian owed his possessions, not to the liberality of St. Kyran of Clonmacnoise, but to that of St. Kyran of Saigir.
18
In the Life of St. Kellach,
are informed, that this holy man spent some time at Clonmacnoise, under St. Kieran'sspiritualguidance. Whileaspiringtothemonasticstate,news arrived regarding the death of Eogain Bel. His son was induced by certain chiefs to leave Clonmacnoise in a private manner. This was done without theconsentofSt. Kieran. ThenKellachhopedtosucceedasrulerinhis father's kingdom. That dignity he enjoyed only for a short time, when he felt a desire to abandon objects of worldly ambition to seek the solitude of a wood, where he appears to have led an eremitical life. After a year penitently spent in this manner, and with some degree of self-reproach, he returnedtoSt. KieranatClonmacnoise. ThereKellachwaskindlyreceived.
Being initiated to the priesthood, he afterwards lived a holy life, under our
1 saint's rule. ^
It is said, that Diermit had a great esteem for our saint. But, it is scarcely probable, that Kieran obtained one hundred churches or cells from him. 20 Such an account most likely became current, long after the time of
our saint, when his rule and institute had been embraced in a great number of religious houses. During the course of ages, these communities gradually
multiplied ; yet, with the exception of Inis-aingin and Clonmacnoise, we cannot find reliable testimony concerning any other houses of his order, which existed during the life-time of Kieran. 31 From occasional illustrations, contained in other saints' lives, we learn that Clonmacnoise was the head of other flourishing houses throughout Ireland, and that it was richly endowed.
l8 See the Life of of Ceallach, bishop
Killala, at the 1st of May, in the Fifth Volume of this work, Art. i.
He thinks it can be estab-
improbable.
lished, from the Life of St. Kellac, bishop in Ireland, and which in tomus i. , Maii i. , at p. 104, is to be found in their great collec- tion, that St. Kiaran presided for more than a
year
I9 Suyskens thinks the foregoing cir- cumstances, if reliable, should require at least more than one of incidence,
over Clonmacnoise, '" cum nihil vetet, quominus ejusdem mors in annum 549 aut forte 548 incidisse dicatur, necesse pariter est, ut Cluain-mic-noisia prius condita fuisse credatur. "—"Acta Sanctorum," tomus
year
and should represent at least two or three
iii. , Septembris ix. , sect, v. , num. 48, p. 379. 14 This is the year given by Ussher, for St.
carum," at p. 957, and Index Chronologicus, ad A. D- 544.
2I
son to Eogain Bel, King of Connaught, we
Indeed, it is not probable, that our saint would have accepted very rich endow- " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- ments, even if offered by Diermit. The nioe," xxvi. Martii, n. 10, p. 755. grants usually given in those primitive 17 But, in Suysken's opinion, as the Four times were such tracts of lands, as the Masters, who assign such year for his death, monks could conveniently till by the had antedated the reigns of Tuathal and labour of their own hands. See Dr.
Kieran's foundation at Inis Aingin. '5 King of Connaught.
16 See
Diermit by five years, so these same authori- ties may have committed a like mistake in this present instance.
Colgan's
years.
20
See " De Primordiis Ecclesiarum Britanni-
This is stated, in the Book of Navan.
Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical History of Ire- land," vol. ii. , chap, x. , sect, xi. , n. 181, pp. 58, 59.
222 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[September 9.
Whatever credit we may be disposed to give such accounts, one thing appears certain, our ancestors considered this establishment to have been one of great extent and importance. This is shown, from the vision and prophecy ofSt. Endeus,towhichallusionhasbeenalreadymade. Again,wefindit recorded, that while St. Columba had been engaged transcribing a book of Gospels, he asked St. Kieran to aid him in writing some middle portion of this work. 22 to such a
Assenting
the part of God, I also promise and pronounce, that the central parts of Ireland shall be connected with your name, and become tributaries for the
23
When leaving for Clonmacnoise, St. Ciaran is said to have previously
future to
your monastery. "
resigned Aingin Monastery
proposal,
2* to the care of Adomnan or Domnan, a native of Munster. He took with him eight disciples: viz. , Ciaran, Oengus, Mac-nisse,
Inis Aingin Ruins, Lough Ree.
Cael-colomb, Mobeoc, Mo-lioc, Lugna Mac-hui Moga-Laim, and Colman, son ofNun. Aftertheyhadcomefromthewavesofthewater,allarecomparedto Noah, son of Lamech, who took possession of the world with his octad, when coming from the waves of the Deluge. According to Archbishop Ussher, Kieran went to Clonmacnoise in 544. The Irish Life of our saint, as found in the Book of Lismore, mentions the eighth of the Calends of February, on the tenth of the moon, on the tenth of the lunar month, and on a Saturday, as the data for his setting up the first stake there, but the year is not men- tioned. At that time Diarmait, son of Cerball, is said to have been along with him. 's Anciently Clonmacnoise is said to have been called Druim-
" This seems to be only another version of an anecdote already related, but in a different form.
33 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," VitaQuintaS. Columbx,n. 88,p. 403.
24 Already we have presented an illustra- tion of the ancient church on Inis Aingin or Hare Island. To the kindness of the
Very Rev. Thomas Langan, D. D. , Admin- istrator of St. Mary's Church, Athlone, we
have been presented with a photograph of the ruins there remaining, and from an en- tirelydifferentpointofview. Thisrepre- sentation has been drawn and engraved on
the wood by Gregor Grey.
25 The narrative thus continues : Said
St. Columba " On predicted :
September 9. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 223
26
See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
26 and it has been to have thought
name from a
tiprad,
Connaught prince.
got
present
by Ware,
to a. d.
2?
548.
a8 That Clonmacnoise had been founded monastery
nian," Februarii vi. De S. Mune Episcopo
Forgnagiensi, cap. ix. , p. 266.
" A. D. 547 (548) Fundata est Clonmacnois, i. e. , Nois Muccaid regis Connacie a quo nomina-
27 The Annals of Innisfallen have
:
tur Cluain. " The
be that it was so called from a son of Nois Muccaid, King of Connaught. Perhaps 241.
Colgan's nian," p. 346.
" Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
;
meaning
of this seems to
his name was Tiprad. I find this name among these of the ancient princes of that province. "—Rev. Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesi- astical History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, x. , sect, xi. , n. 180, p. 58. Reference is there made to
33 The Irish verse is thus rendered into English :—
28 " S. Kieranus, sive Ciaranus junior, ex Aradensium familia ortus, sed Boe'tii, alias Beonandi fabri lignarii filius, unde et vulgo dictus est Maciteir, sive filius artificis, cceno- bium condidit Clonmacnoisan prius Tipraic dictae, in ipso quasi Hibernian umbilici) sive meditullio, anno Domini dxlviii. , locum concedente Dermitio Cervalli fdio, rege Hibernian. Huic ccenobio secundum pluri-
34 Alemand writes : '* A Cluain-Mac-nois% autrement Chines ou Kilcom, il y a eu une ancienne Abbaye que les Annales d'Ultonie appellent noiiUssimum Afotmsterttim^ &c.
its
The first establishment of St. Kieran here is referred
in the year just mentioned appears from the general testimony of our old 2
writers. ?
Regarding the arrival of Kieran, at Clonmacnoise, we are told, 30 that our
:
Saint predicted as follows M Here shall I dwell, in this place many souls
shall go to the Kingdom of God, and in this place shall my resurrection be. " Then, we are informed, that with his disciples, St. Kieran dwelt there, and began the foundation of a great monastery. Many flocked to him, when his monastery had been founded at Clonmacnoise. His district embraced a wide circuit. Soon his fame became celebrated throughout the whole ot Ireland. 3 1 A very ancient old vellum book states, that Ciaran of Cluain was in his habits and life like unto John the Apostle. His great virtues and miracles made him be known as a remarkable saint, both at home and abroad. His love for chastity and truth is thus traditionally recorded by Cuimin of Coindeire,3' who in the
states,
the fort of Macha loves," etc. , that Ciaran never looked upon a woman, from
the time he was born, and that he never told a lie. 33 Nor indeed is it to be a subject for wonder, that brief as had been his rule at Clonmacnois,3* he
Cianin to Diarmait when setting the stake, mos Kieranus unico solum anno, secundum "Let, O warrior, thy hand be over my nonnullus (perperam opinor) annis septem
hand, and thou shalt be in sovereignty over prsefuit abbas, morte ibi ereptus v. Idus the men of Ireland. " " I agree," saith Septembris, anno salutis per Christum
Diarmait, "provided thou givest a sign to me in confirmation. " " I will say it then,"
"
though thou art alone to- day, thou wilt be king of Ireland at this hour to-morrow. " That promise was real- ized, for Tiiathal Maelgarb, King of Ire- land, was killed on that night, and Diarmait took the kingdom of Ireland on the morrow, and offered a hundred churches to Ciaran. This is followed by confirmatory verses,
taken from an Irish poem.
dxlix. , in ipso aetatis flore, cum annos vixisset solum triginta ties. " See " Com- mentarius de Prsesulibus Hiberniae," p. 95.
29 These state, moreover, that Kieran died
the year immediately succeeding its founda- tion.
30 By O'Sheerin, in "Collectanea Sacra. "
Dissertatione de S. Columbani Monachatu,
art. hi. , sect, ii. , num. 84, pp. 433, 434.
31 O'Sheerin adds: "Clara civitas et sancta in ipso loco in honore S. Kiarani crevit, cujus nomen Cluainmicnois vocatur, quae est in Occidentali plaga regionis nepotum Neill, super ripam Orientalem fluminis Sinna, con- tra provinciam Connachtorum, in qua sive reges sive duces nepotum Neill et Connach-
replied Ciaran,
poem
which u Patrick of begins,
torum apud S. Kiaranum sepeliuntur. "
32 See the " of Martyrology Donegal,"
edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 240,
"
The holy Ciaran, of Cluain, loves Humility, from which he did not rashly
swerve
He never uttered a word that was false, Nor looked upon woman from his birth. "
—Ibid. , p. 243.
—" Histoire Monastique il'Irlande," p. 40. Alemand has some mistakes in his short
224 LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [September9.
was ranked among the foremost Patriarchs of Irish monks. *5 On a certain day, as Ciaran was sowing seed at Iseal Chiarain, a poor man came to ask alms from him. Ciaran threw a handful of the grain into his breast, and it was immediately turned into gold. At this time the king, i. e. Aenghus, son of Crimthann, sent two horses and a chariot to Ciaran. Our saint gave those horses to the poor man for the gold, and the gold was turned into grain immediately, while the field was sown with it afterwards, so that there was not in the whole territory corn better than what grew there. *6 We are informed,3? that on a certain occasion this holy man visited some female religious, who were under the guardianship of our Saint Kieran. For the latter holy abbot, according to this legend, a meal had been prepared, but of this St. Aedus partook.
their arrived near the patrons
place,
said,
paragraph relating to St. Kieran. Thus he seems to confound Clunes or Clones with Clonmacnoise, and where he found Kilcom
4° However, we are told, that the original denomination was Ath-more, or "the great ford. " It was afterwards changed to Ath- Luain, or the " ford of Luan," a man's name, formerly very common. In an old Irish tale, known as the " Fate of the Children of Tuireann," the place is called Ath-Luain- mic-Luighdheach, or the "Ford of Luan the son of Lewy. " See Dr. Patrick W.
as an alterative does not appear. Also he "
remarks of St. Kieran, encore Evesque de Clunes, est appelle par des Historiens
Episcopus Coloniensis, ce qui a donne oc- casion de croire qu'il avoit este Evesque et
au lieu de Cloniensis. "
"
35 See
de Monasiica S. Columbani Luxoviensis et Bobiensis Abbatis Professionc, art. iii. , sect, ii. , num. 84, p. 434.
36 See the " of Martyrology Donegal,"
edited by Rev. Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 240. 241.
Names of Places," part iii. , chap, v. , p. 342.
Collectanea Sacra. " Dissertatio
Knowing the poverty of those nuns, when
Aedus
meat and drink as before, and they shall be replenished. " 38 This being
done, the prediction was fulfilled, and St. Kieran was suitably entertained by his religious sisters. 39
The chief foundation of St. Kieran, as mentioned in old Latin
documents, is usually written Cluanense. In our times, it is better known
as Clonmacnoise, and after St. Kiarain's monastery had been there estab-
lished, it grew to the dimensions of a considerable city or town. In due
course, it became an episcopal see. Yet, Sir James Ware confesses himself
uninformed, regarding the exact period, when St. Kieran's foundation was
merged into a Cathedral Church. The ruins of this establishment are yet
traceable on the Shannon's eastern banks, and on the western borders of the
oldMeathianprovince. FromtheancientnameAth-Luain,* thepresenttown
1
ofAthlone,* situatedchieflyontheConnaughtsideoftheriver,isabouteight
or nine miles northwards from Clonmacnoise. It is the most central town in Ireland ; and although from the denomination regarded as a ford on the old
Shannon, it had a bridge which spanned the river, at a very early period, and afforded a means of communication between the provinces of Leinster and
Connaught. 42 A strong castle, to command the passage of the Shannon, was built at Athlone, so early as the reign of King John. Walls around the
Archevesque de Cologne en Allemagne, mais
il n'a este appelle Coloniensis que par erreur Joyce's "Origin and History of Irish
and St. Peter's, containing ilia. 2r. 3p. , 37 In the Acts of St. Aedus, Bishop of in the barony of Athlone, is noted
"
Ordnance Survey Townland See Colgan's Acta Sanctorum Hiber- Maps for the County of Roscommon,"
Killare, at the 28th of February. on the 3S "
nice," Vita S. Aedi,cap. xix. , and n. 18, p. 420.
sheet 52.
39 Yet this account is so
in Suysken's opinion, that it is placed on re-
cord, merely to satisfy the curiosity of some readers.
** A and an very complete
patently fabulous,
interesting account of Athlone may be read in the
4I Athlone has two
viz.
St.
" vessels of Lay your
parishes,
Mary's, in the barony of Brawny, containing
37-a. ir. 3p. , and it is marked on the
"Ordnance Townland for Survey Maps
the County of Westmeath," sheet 29 ;
"
i. , pp. 95 to 101.
Parliamentary Gazetteer of Ireland," vol.
:
September 9. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 225
land sides of the two divisions of the town were probably soon afterwards constructed : and they appear to have been either enlarged, or at least
repaired and strengthened, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth. The castle and a portion of the fortifications still remain. ** Here, too, were former
religious foundations; but of these no traces at present remain. The bridge
North Gate, Athlone.
which spanned the Shannon at the close of the seventeenth century, has long
since been removed. ** With lapse of time, nine churches, besides the original
6
foundation, are said *s to have stood within the cemetery,* at Clonmacnoise.
This contained less than two Irish acres. *? Eastwards from the cemetery
Formerly Clonmac- However, the former
8 After the introduction of the Reformation to Ireland, by an Act of Parliament, the independent See of Clonmacnoise had been added to that of Meath, a. d. i568. '4 9 At the present time, some curious ancient inscriptions still remain. The claim of St. Kieran to be considered first Abbot of Clonmacnoise has been invariably admitted. By others, he has been regarded as its first bishop. It
43 The accompanying illustration, drawn be seen in Bartlett's "Scenery and Anti-
enclosure certain episcopal buildings had been erected. noise See had been enriched with abundant revenues.
episcopal city
lias now dwindled to an
insignificant village/
on the wood and engraved by Gregor Grey, represents the North Gate of Athlone.
**
Porter writes, "quod suum habet Castrum
quities of Ireland," vol. i. Letterpress descriptions serve to illustrate them. See
In allusion to Athlone, Father Francis
et Pontem e vivo saxo pulcherrimum. '. '— scenery, character," &c, vol. ii. , pp. 1 91, 192.
"
Compendium Annalium Ecclesiasticorum Regni Hibernia\" Sectio Prima, cap. iii. , P- 44-
45 By Sir James Ware.
46 There are three exquisite steel engrav- ings of the Antiquities at Clonmacnoise to
48 This had occurred over two hundred years ago, as we find in a note of Colgan,
"
Acta Sanctorum Ilibernire," Januarii xx. Vita S.
Molagg. x, n. 26, p. 150.
49 According to Sir James Ware.
chap, xiv. , pp. lot to 105.
v See Mr. and Mrs. Hall's " Ireland : its
appended to St. Molagga's Life. See
P
226 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[September 9.
seems to be more than doubtful, however, if Clonmacnoise had been erected into an episcopal See during the life-time of our saint. Neither Archbishop Ussher nor Colgan favour any idea, that he ever rose above the rank of Abbot. The latter writer gives St. Kieran this title only, while distinguishing
Ailbeus,s° as archbishop and bishop of Emly, in Munster,$
x
In one of the
old Irish Epistles,s»published by Ussher,53 nothing seems clearly demonstrable, regarding the rank held by our saint, in the Irish Church. 54 When treating
of the monastery at this place, Sir James Ware leaves us doubtful, about the time when a cathedra! church had been there erected. 55 It is observed, by him,56 that a certain Baitan, first noted as abbot and bishop of the place, died on the 1st March, 663. 5? Allemand,58 who flourished at a period still later than Sir James Ware, does not hesitate to make our Saint a bishop, citing the authority both of Ussher and Colgan. 59 Harris seems to make our Saint bishop of Clonmacnoise, owing to an obvious mistake he has committed, by placing
60
This latter mistake of whilst adding another, when he intro- duces Oedhlugh, abbot of this place, as having died on the 26th day of Feb- ruary,a. d. 551. However,notingthesilenceofallancientIrishMartyrologists and writers on the subject of Kieran having been bishop of Clonmacnoise; also, the prose Life of St. Senan describing when this holy man had been visited by Kieran, the latter being represented only as a priest, nor, do we learn elsewhere, that he became bishop : wherefore, we must probably regard him ashavingbeensimplyanabbotoverClonmacnoise. Thisseemstobemost likely, as he is generally allowed to have lived there only for one year, which could scarcely suffice for its growth and consolidation, to require its erection into a See, or as the chief seat for a diocesan district. It has been supposed, that the idea of St. Kyran having been the first bishop over Clonmacnoise,
arose, either from an erroneous opinion of his namesake, St. Kieran, abbot and bishop of Saigir, having been confounded with the abbot of Clonmac- noise,62 or that Kieran of Saigir had been reputed first founder of
s° His feast occurs on the 12th September. 55 "
Tighernach there, as immediate successor of Kieran.
Harris has been followed by Archdall,
61
ccenobii ecclesia postea, sed quo See his life at that date, in the present tempore, me latet, in ecclesiam cathedralem
commutata est. Non desunt quidem, qui S. 51 "Successor Queraini Coloniensis, vel Kieranum episcopum fuisse Cloinmac-
volume, Art. i.
rectius . . . Kierani Clonensis seu Cluan- ensis, abbas de Cluain, alias Cluain-mic-nois, in limite Mediae. " — " Acta Sanctorum Hibernise," Februarii xxiv. Vita S. Cuminwi, n. 16, p. 41 1.
noisensem, diserte tra:lunt. Hoc si vetum, de ecclesioc cathedralis initio, non est quod ulterius disquiramus. "—" Commentarius de Prsesulibus Hibernian," p. 95.
s* " Ultrum recte, non inquiro ; ut velim, 52 This is attributed to Cummian, who saltern paucis recensuisset scriptoris, a wrote to Segienus, abbot of Iona, in the quibus sancti episcopatum Cluain-mic-
seventh century, regarding the Paschal controversy ; and, it has a great historic value, as referring to individual Irish saints oi an earlier period, and to the traditions of the ancient Irish Church.
"
s* Cummian says :
interrogavi patres meos, ut annunciarent nnlii. successores videlicet nostrorum patrum
priorum, Abbei episcopi, Querani Colon—i- ensis, Brendini, Neesani, Lugidi," &c.
••
Sylloge Yeterum Epistolarum Hiberni- carum, num. xi.
noisensem diserte traditum repent. "
57 In Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters," while his death is placed at this date, he is only styled Baetan Mac-Ua- Cormaic, Abbot of Cluain-mic-Nois. See
vol. i. , pp. 274, 275. 58Seehis"HistoireMonastiqued'Irlande,"
p. 40,
59 However, neither of these authors posi-
Juxta Duteronomion,
54 In the Epistle of Cummian, it must be
remarked, that where Albeus is styled a
bishop, no such distinctive title follows for
St. Queran, whose connection with Clon- James Ware, who in treating about the macnoise is simply stated. Ossorian bishops says, that Kieran of
Hujus
tively assert such 60
a statement.
See Harris' Ware, vol. i. "Bishops of
Clonmacnoise," p. 167. But Tigernach was bishop at Clones, and not at Clonmacnoise.
61 62
See "Monasticon Ilibernicum," p. 380. This seems to have been done by Sir
September 9. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 227
Clonmacnoise episcopal See, and this for no better reason, than because its precise erection as such can be referred to no exact date. 63
CHAPTER IV.
VARIOUS POETICAL PIECES STATED TO HAVE BEEN THE COMPOSITIONS OF ST. KIERAN— HE WAS AUTHOR OF A SPECIAL RELIGIOUS RULE—THE YEAR OF ST. KIERAN'S DEATH—HIS BURIAL AND RELICS AT CLONMACNOISE—COMPOSITION IN PRAISE OF ITS FOUNDER ATTRIBUTED TO ST. COLUMBA—COMMEMORATIONS AND CELE- BRATIONS OF ST. KIERAN—MEMORIALS—CONCLUSION.
To St. Kiaran have been ascribed the gifts of a poetic genius ; and even
various compositions attributed to him are handed down to our time. It
was Ciaran, we are told, that composed the celebrated poetical lay which
begins :
" An rim a ri an richid rain," &c, asking of God a prolongation of
his life, that he might perform more labour and service to Him. There is a
Poem attributed to St. Kiarain, among the Manuscripts of Trinity College,
Dublin. 1 The Kierain intended is
probably
the Patron of Clonmacnoise.
