^s We are told, when our saint, at another time, accompanied his mother and family to a certain village, in which they wished to remain ; the inhabitants of this place drove them out, with
injuries
and insults, which proved a cause of great grief to Senan's mother.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v3
"— " Letters
Tripartite Life also mentions him, and a St. Lucius or Lugus ; but, Colgan felt unable to determine whether the above-named saints were identical with those here mentioned.
St. Patrick's prophecy :
See Ferrar's "History of Limerick," part iii. , chap, iii. , note, p. 185.
"t^ In Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Vita Quarta S. Patricii, cap. Ixxix. , St. Patrick is stated, to have predicted, that St.
may suppose after this prophecy, p. 45,
and n. 55, p. 50.
'^ Colgan says, he could not find any
saints, in ancient historical writings, bearing these names, among St. Patrick's disciples.
;
2l6 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 8.
Romans by birth—for the conversion arid instruction of the people in Corco- baschind. These erected a church, on the northern banks of the Shannon. Here, they were afterwards buried. ''4 AH those foregoing incidents are related more circumstantially, in St. Senan's second published Life, than in the first or Metrical Life. ^s In this latter, St. Patrick is said to have predicted, that our saint should succeed him in the episcopacy. Some have been led to believe, from such a statement, that St. Senan of Iniscatthy must have pre-
sided as Archbishop over Armagh.
Very differently the pedigrees of this holy man have been set forth.
According to the Prose Life of St. Senan, his father was named Ergind,*" son to Cobthac, son of Bolgius, son to Decius, son of Imchad, son to Corbius,
son of Roding, son to Lugad, son of Olild, son to Eochad, son of ^ngus, son to Fiachrius, son of Corbre Baschaoin, descended from Connor,''/ first of this name, who was Monarch of Ireland. "*^ In the " Leabhar Breac," <» and in the " Book of Leinster," 5° the statements about his paternal line greatly vary. 5' The mother of our saint was Comgella, daughter to Ernach, son to Gulban. ShewasanativeofthatpartinMunster,whichwascalledAlt- raighe. s^ The names of all those saints, descended from the mother of St. Senan, are recorded. 53 It would seem, that not only were St. Senan's parents of noble birth, but they also professed the Christian Faith. S4 Although they were thus distinguished, it appears, however, from what is afterwards related, that his father was a man of no very exalted station in life. For, after the prophecy of St. Patrick, we are told, when the chiefs and people of a country to the north of Inis-Catthy were assembled together, at a conven-
See "Acta Sanctorum Hibernise," viii. Martii. Secunda Vita S. Senani, n. 5, p. 535. *^ This place of burial, and site of a
cliurch, was either on, or near, the Island of
persons, who then inhabited that district,
belonged to the distinguished race of Conary the Second, Monarch of Ireland in the
second century," vol. i. , No. i. , p. 37.
'* e We
Iniscatthy, regioneInis-Cathaigh," Thus, p. 19, I, 14
do not find their names, in the Litany, attri- buted to St. ^ngus, as published in the
Manuscript, we find the genealogy of St. Senan of Inis Cathaigh, as being the
Son of Gerrcend,
Son of Dubthach,
Son of Decce,
Son of Imchad,
Son of Corp [rede Corb], Son of
Son of
Son of
Son of
Son of Conaire,
Son of Mogh Lamha.
s° Thus, at p. 351, col. 2, of this Manu- script, we have the genealogy of St. Senan of Iniscathaigh, that he was the
Son of Eirggend, Son of Dubthach, Son of Decce, Son of Imchad, Son of Corb.
S' To Mr. Joseph O'Longan, the WTiter is
indebted for the extracts, in preceding notes.
5^ See " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- Colgan's
nise," Martii viii. Appendix ad Acta S.
Senani, cap. ii. , p. 537.
53 See among the Hodges and Smith col-
lection, in the Royal Irish Academy, the 4to paper MS. , No. 144.
54 See " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- Colgan's
"
Irish Ecclesiastical Record," vol. iii. , pp.
390 to 397, and 468 to 477.
45 See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
nise,"viii. Martii. VitaMetricaS. Senani, cap. i. , ii. , p. 512, and Secunda Vita S. Senani, cap. ii. , iii. , iv. , p. 526.
4* The name of St. Senan's father was Ercan, according to the first stanza, of the
—
Lugaid (or Lughaidh),
Metrical Life, which runs as follows
:
Coir
pre,
" Senanus ex nobilibus
parentibus, Et ab ipsis cunabulis, Fidelibus Christicolis.
—Colgan's viii. Martii.
"
i. , p. 512. "
"
47 In the
Procreatur
Dei Habebantur in Scotia
Quorum haec sunt vocabula, Ercanus et Coemgella. "
Qui magna
gratia
Acta Sanctomm Hiberniae," Vita Metrica S. Senani, cap.
Book of Leinster," and in the Leabhar Breac," our saint is styled, otteof
the three luminaries of the race of Conaire, according to the Poem, "On the Nine Saints of the Race of Conaire. "
4* In a beautifully-written article, The
Legend of Iniscathy, contributed to
"Hibernian Magazine," the writer says:
"Senan's father, like the other leading cap. ! . , p. 526.
Duffy's
49 at col. line of this
Oilill,
Oengus,
nia? ,"viii. Martii. Vita Secunda S. Senani,
March 8. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 2x7
tion, to decide on matters of public importance ; Ergind was also present, with his wife, who was then pregnant. A Druid showed reverence to the
couple, on their approach, and resigned his own place, to accommodate them. Hisactionbeingnoticed,bysomeofthosepresent,thisDruidwas
asked, why he gave precedency to Ergind, a man of more humble rank than himself. 55 Heanswered,thatinthusacting,hehadnotregardedthepersons of Ergind or of his wife ; but rather, the holiness of an infant, then borne by Comgella, whose offspring would hereafter be adopted, and venerated, by the people of that country, as their patron and protector. 5^ Immediately before giving birth to our saint, Comgella chanced to be sojourning at a place, called Magh-lacha,57 during the autumnal season. Having gone out to enjoy the benefit of a refreshing atmosphere, and while walking through an orchard, she was unexpectedly seized, with the pains of child-birth. But, in her extremity, an Angel of God appeared, and she was released from these pains, by giving birth to a son, whom this Angel blessed. s^ According to Dr. Lanigan, the birth and greatness of Senan, having been foretold by St. Patrick, when he had visited the present county of Limerick, about a. d. 448 :59 a period of forty years is supposed to have elapsed, between that prophecy, and the birth of our saint. This position he endeavours to establish, from a Life of St. Patrick, as published by Colgan. However, in a note to the Tripartite Life of St. Patrick, Colgan observes,^" that one MS. has26years; thusfurnishingthediscrepancyofadifferentreading,totheafore- said forty-sixth chapter. Dr. Lanigan is of opinion, that the forty years, men- tionedinSt. Patrick'sfourthLife,comenearertothetruth; andhence,he supposes St. Senan to have been born, about the year 488, a date which will be found to agree, with the real series of his biographical transactions, although not reconcilable with some unchronological fables concerning him. Magh- lacha, the place of our saint's birth, was most probably situated in the present Clonderlach, or Clonderalaw barony, which lies to the east of Moyarta, according to Dr. Lanigan. This writer thinks, there is an affinity between the names Magh-lacha and Clonderlach. ^^ St. Senan Avas thus a native ot Corco-baschind, a district in the western part of Thomond. ^^ It would
''
55 The author of the Second Life adds,
Prose Life states, after relating this legend, that the very tree alluded to was to be seen, in his day. See the Metrical Life, chap, iii. , and the Prose Life, chap. vi.
59 gee his calculations in the "Ecclesias- tical History of Ireland," vol. i. , chap; ix. , sect, iv. , p. 445.
'"= He tells that in one Irish Manu- us,
script, St. Senan was to be born after ye
or 120 and in another, after •piceA'o, years,
-pe '-p pceAt), or 26 years, which must be his meaning. According to Colgan's calcu- lation, he thinks, that the birth of St. Senan should be referred to 26 years, or at least, not after 40 years, from the time St. Patrick uttered the prediction. See "Trias Thau-
maturga," Septima Vita S. Patricii, lib. iii. ,
Druidffi enina in magna erant veneratione apud hanc nationem. " This shows, that the number of those, who had here embraced the Christian faith, could not have been in a majority ; or, that many, who had been baptized by St. Patrick, were not then living, had
in various in- stances, had already lapsed into Paganism.
57 We are told, by a distinguished Clare- man, that Magh-lacha is "the name of a townland, in which are a lake and an old church, both called after St. Senan. It lies four miles N. E. of Kilrush, county Clare. "
emigrated, or, perhaps,
" Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
5^ See
niae," viii. Martii. Vita Secunda S. Senani, cap. v. , p. 526.
Colgan's
This note is written, before the initials of
" *'
his name, by Eugene Curry, in the Heath Extracts," vol. ii. , p. 153,
5* A miraculous event is said to have ac- companied the birth of St. Senan ; as according to both Lives of our saint, some dry wood, on which Comgella placed her hand, was afterwards known to bloom, and to send forth leaves. The author of the
cap. xlvi. , p. 158, and n. 78, p. 185.
Dr. Lanigan is wrong in this conjee- ture, for according to Mr. O'Donovan's
Ancient Map of Clare, preserved among the Records of the Irish Ordnance Survey
Office, in the Royal Irish Academy, Magh- lacha was situated, not in the barony of
Clonderalaw, but within the parish of Kil- rush, iii the barony of Moyarta. It however
2i8 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 8.
appear, from the Metrical Life of our saint, that a church had been built in the neighbourhood, at the time of his birth. To this church he was brought, and here he was washed in the waters of regeneration, from the stain of original sin, having been baptized, in the name of the Most Holy Trinity. ^3
As our saint advanced in years, he grew in grace and faith ; and, his
knowledge appeared to partake somewhat of Divine inspiration. His absti- nence was of a remarkable character, even in his youth ; and, the Giver of all good lavished on him those happy dispositions of soul, which led him to theperfectpracticeofallvirtues. Oneday,whilstaccompanyinghismother on a journey, he observed her gathering some berries from the bushes. These she was about to taste, when he gently reproved her, with an admoni- tion, that refection had its own place and time. ^* The parents of our saint had two different houses, and not far distant, at a place, called Tracht- termuinn. At one time, the family of Senan, having resolved on moving from one of those residences to the other, they required our holy youth, to pre- pare the house, in which they were about to live, by placing its furniture and utensils, in their exact places. But, the boy neglected those injunctions, whileengagedinaworkofcharity,towardsonewholivednear; and,forthis neglect, Senan was reproved by his mother. However, he told her to have trust in the Lord ; promising that his negligence, in a short time, should be repaired, through Divine grace. No sooner had he spoken, than the house- hold utensils and other requisites were borne to their places, in a miraculous
manner, and were there deposited. On seeing this, his mother, and some persons, who were present, began to feel admiration and reverence towards a child, so highly favoured by Heaven.
^s We are told, when our saint, at another time, accompanied his mother and family to a certain village, in which they wished to remain ; the inhabitants of this place drove them out, with injuries and insults, which proved a cause of great grief to Senan's mother. The boy endeavoured to afford her consolation, by saying, that God was the avenger of all wrongs, causelessly inflicted on those, who were His servants. His observations appear to have been remarkably verified, in the present instance ; for, a visitation of Divine vengeance was afterwards poured down upon that place. A great plague carried off, not only the cattle of its inhabitants, but even the owners of this stock. All other possessions, in their village, likewise disappeared, and without leaving behind a single trace. It is related, that the village had been swallowed up,^^ with all its in-
bordered
on the western limits of
^* See " Acta Sanctonim Hiber- Colgan's
nise," viii. Martii, p. 527. Secunda Vita S. . Senani, cap. vi. These particulars are more diffusely related, in Vita Metrica S. Senani, cap. iii. , p. 513, As, however, there is an omission of
closely Clonderalaw.
^* " See Dr. Lanigan's
Ecclesiastical His- tory of Ireland," vol. i. , chap, ix. , sect, iv. , and nn. 56, 61, pp. 445, 448, 449. Mr.
of St. Senanus, the territory of Corca-Bhais-
cinn originally comprised the barony of Ibrickan, as we—ll as those of Moyarta and Clonderalaw. " "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , n. (g), p. 48.
*3 The—Metrical Life thus expresses it,
iii. :
O'Donovan " It from the Life says, appears
from
vi. , it is more than probable, these accounts
cap.
exp^iari. "
This verse affords an ancient doctrinal ex-
position of baptismal effects, as understood by our Irish ancestors, and according exactly with correct theological teaching.
''
chap.
remarkable fact, that on the ex-
°f ^oop Head, a high rocky islet distance out in the Atlantic
"
Baptism! tinctus flamine (flumine) ,
^*
crimine Et (si esset) actuali
Original!
*y^"\^ ^"^,
Potuisset
! ^^"^^ ^^^'"le
<^'^^^"' completely disrupted and mac-
J"*
cessible from the main shore. In 1866, the
writer, in company with the Rev. Sylvester Malone, author of the learned and valuable "Church History of Ireland" visited this romantic spot. From the mainland, we
notation,
cap.
iii. to
cap.
belong to one, or both, of the intermediate numbers.
^^
vii. The circumstances of this miracle are
See the Prose Life of St. Senan, chap.
differently related, in St. Senan's Metrical
Life. See iii.
'^f-
March 8. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 219
habitants, and their vakiables, as Core, Dathan and Abiron were buried alive, in the desert, during the time of Moyses and Aaron,^7 or as, at Jerico, in the time of Joshua, when the walls fell down by God's power,^^ and without the violence of man being required, for their destruction. ^9 In the meantime,
accompanied by his mother and family, Senan went to the sea-shore, expect- ing to find a vessel, which might convey them to the opposite coast. Not finding one, the youth offered up his prayers to God, that some means of passageshouldbeaffordedthem. TheAlmightyheardtheprayersofhis servant, and together with the members of his family, who were present, Senan found himself safely conveyed to the opposite shore. 7°
Abbey of Corcomroe, County of Clare.
His religious vocation seems to have been early determined, as this
following anecdote, recorded in his Life, will sufficiently show. Not only was he careful to avoid all occasions of sin, in the whole course of his actions ; but, he felt a marked reluctance to be made the instrument of in- justice, even when he was not morally accountable. Being a young man, he was bound by an oath of fealty, to serve the Dynast of that territory, in which he lived. The following occasion called him forth, unwillingly to bear arms, inamilitaryforay. HischiefofCorcobaschind,havingcollectedanarmyof retainers,marchedagainstthepeopleofCorcomroe. 7' Inthisancientterri- tory are still to be found many interesting vestiges of antiquity ; and, espe-
^^ See Josue vi.
were enabled to trace with the eye very dis-
tinctly, what appeared to both to have been
remains of ancient buildings and artificial
earthworks, covering the surface of this in-
accessible island, the sides of which are com-
posed of almost perpendicular cliffs, and
having not even a landing-place. The local
inhabitants have a tradition, that here was
once an ancient city, and that the waves tore
away the intermediate rocks, which once
joined it to the shore, near Loop Head Survey Office. He says, that Corcomroe
lighthouse. East, or Burren, in Irish, boi^eAtin, has the ^' See Numbers xvi. name and extent of the ancient territory pre-
*9 See the Metrical Life of St. Senan, chap. iii.
7° See the Metrical Life of St. Senan,
cap. vi.
? ' John O'Donovan gives an interesting
description of the territory of Corcomroe, East and West, in elucidation of his Ancient
Map of the County of Clare, preserved among the records of the Irish Ordnance
220 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 8.
cially a fine old Abbey,7*^ which was founded by Donnell O'Brien, King of Thomond, in 1194. 73 It is in the early pointed style. 74 St. Senan was
obliged to bear part in an expedition, which was unjustly undertaken, and which proved an unsuccessful one, for the invading force. A battle having been fought, between those hostile clans, the Corcobaschind bands were put to flight, and pursued by their enemies, with great slaughter. Senan got separated from the rest of his companions, during their confused retreat. He fled for safety, to a place, where he hoped to find refuge, from the infuriated pursuers. Havingconcealedhimselfnearastackofwheat,hewasdiscovered in this place, by some of the enemy, returning from the pursuit. Suddenly, the spot, where our saint lay, seemed to be surrounded with bright flames \ but, wonderful to relate ! although they played around a very combustible material,thewheatenstrawwasnotconsumed. WhenthemenofCorcom- roe75 approached nearer, they discovered Senan seated in the midst of the flames. On his coming out, they asked who he was, and why he had been foundinthisposition. Theholyyouth,whowouldnottellafalsehood,even to save his life, declared, that he belonged to the routed host, and that, through fear of the victors, he had there sought a place of refuge and conceal- ment. The men of Corcomroe, seeing the young man's face bright as that of an Angel, recognised the power of God, by this miraculous preservation, in the midst of flames. They at once spared Senan's life, and gave him liberty to depart, whithersoever he pleased. ? ^ On leaving them, the servant of God felt greatly the pressure of hunger and thirst. Being totally destitute, he made application for relief, at the house of a chieftain, who was then absent. Notwithstanding his humble request, and his forlorn condition, the servants of this chieftain refused hospitality. They even drove him away, thus adding injury to insult. The saint, however, bore these reproaches meekly ; but, towards evening, the owner of this castle returned. Supper had been prepared, in the meantime, and tables were loaded with all the requisitesforaluxuriousbanquet. But,theheartlessservantsfoundnota sufficiency of food, for their own wants ; for, what had been set before them, inagreatmeasure,disappeared. However,allofthose,whohadeaten,began to exhibit symptoms of insanity. Whereupon, by some heaven-inspired instinct, the chieftain made inquiry, if during his absence, his servants had
served in those of the modern barony. It is so called, owing to its rocky surface. The present barony of Corcomroe formed the western division. Both baronies, as consti- tuting the ancient territory, were co-extensive with the Diocese of Kilfenora. The terri- tory was named from the descendants of Modh Ruadh, the third son of Fearghus, dethroned King of Ulster, by Meadhljh or Maud, Queen of Connaught, in the first century. See Dr. O'Donovan's " Leabhar na g-Ceart," or, Book of Rights, n. (z), pp. 65, 66.
gress of the Ordnance Survey in 1829," vol. i. , pp. 15 to 35. Letter, dated Inistymon, Oct. 21st, 1839. "
73 See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the Four Masters," vol. v. , n. (a), pp. 1330, 1331-
t- The accompanying illustration, drawn on the spot by William F. Wakeman, and by him transferred to the wood, has been engraved by Mrs. Millard,
? = After the establishment of surnames, the two chiefs and rival families of Modh Ruadh's race took surnames. In course of
7=
andbaronyofBurren. See,fortheparish
"
It is situated in the parish of Abbey, time, the territory was divided between
Ordnance Sui-vey Townland
them. The senior took the name of O'Con- chobhair or O'Conor, and he was chieftain over the western or southern division, Cor- comroe proper ; while, the eastern or
bounds, the
Maps for the County of Clare," Sheets 3, 5,
6. The Abbey church was built, in a beau-
tiful style, and it is still in a good state of northern portion, . Burren, was ruled by
preservation. Mr. O'Donovan has given a very complete account of the parish of
"
Letters containing Infor- mation relative to the Antiquities of the County of Clare, collected during the pro-
O'Lochlainn or O'Loughlin.
? * See the Metrical Life of St. Senan,
chap. vii. The circumstances of this narra- tive are almost identical, in the Second or Prose Life of St. Senan, chap. viii. See,
Abbey, in the
March 8. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 221
injuredanywanderer,orhaddeniedhospitalitytoanypoorperson. Atonce, they recollected their uncharitable behaviour, towards that destitute young man, whom they had driven away with blows. They related these circum- stances to their master. The compassionate chieftain then desired them to go forth, to seek this young man, and to bring him back when found, whether he felt willing or not to come, that thus he might partake of food with them, and pardon the rude treatment, he had already received, at their hands. Theseorderswereobeyed. Theyoungmanwasfound,andbroughtbackto the chieftain, who treated him with marked respect. Senan readily forgave the insolent servants ; and, having poured forth his prayers, an abundance of food appeared on the table. Of this, all partook ; and, thus finding the miraculous powers, possessed by this young man, the chieftain offered him perpetual possession of a farm, attached to his mansion. 77 At the time, when the author of St. Senan's Metrical Life lived, this very farm was regarded as a possession, belonging to Iniscatthy See. 7^
At one time, while Senan was conducting a herd of cattle, belonging to his parents, from a place, called Irros, lying towards the west, to Magh- lacha,79 bearing eastward from it ; the ocean tide flowed into an estuary,
which separated both places. Evening coming on, at the same time, he
found himself unable to pass over that night. Hence, he was compelled to
return to a neighbouring castle, at a place called Dun-mechair,^° to require shelter until the following day. The owner of this castle, who was called Macharius, being absent at the time, his servants refused the belated wanderer'sapplication. Thelatter,havingnootherplaceofrefugenearhim, went back to the sea-shore, to wait the ebbing tide. To his surprise, the shore was perfectly dry, and with his oxen preceding him, Senan passed over to the opposite bank. When he reached it, on looking back, he found the waves rising to their former level, until they had come up to high water mark. Then our holy youth, admiring God's wonderful goodness towards him, resolved, as he had formerly borne arms under a temporal chief, that for the future, he would become a soldier of Christ. Presently, having struck a spear, which he then carried, in the ground, he fashioned it, so as to repre- sent a cross. He made three several genuflexions before it, and a vow, offer- ing himself and all he possessed to God, whom he resolved on serving for the future. After this had occurred, the enemies of Macharius beset his castle
also, "The Legend of Iniscathy," in Duffy's " Hibernian Magazine," vol. i. , No. I, p.
of Iniscatthy, died, A. D. Il88. Besides
this, it must be known, that the offices of
bishop and abbot, are very frequently found
37.
Ti See
" Acta Sanctorum Hiber- niae," viii. Martii. Vita Metrica S. Senani,
united in the same ruler, over a
Colgan's
particular church and monastery. These offices, again, cap. viii. , p. 515. The circumstances of are oftentimes found, to have been held at
this miracle are differently, and more sue-
cinctly, related, in St. Senan's Second Life,
the same time, but by distinct persons. See, ibid. , n. 6, pp. 524, 525.
'9 This Magh-lacha was perhaps identical
chap, ix. , p. 527.
? ^ From what is mentioned, of this farm with the IllAgLAchA, marked on Mr.
having been a possession belonging to Inis- catthy See, Colgan infers, that the writer of St. Senan's Metrical Life must have lived, before that see had lost its episcopal title.
O'Donovan's Ancient Map of Clare County, now preserved, with the Records of the Irish Ordnance Survey Office in the Royal Irish Academy. This district is located, in the western part of the present Kilrush parish, in Moyarta barony, and county of Clare. But, no place, lying west of it, is marked Irros.
and dignity. This, however, will not prove
the writer to have lived, at a very remote
period. Although, in the "Annals of the
Four Masters," we find, that Aedhan, who
died A. D.
Tripartite Life also mentions him, and a St. Lucius or Lugus ; but, Colgan felt unable to determine whether the above-named saints were identical with those here mentioned.
St. Patrick's prophecy :
See Ferrar's "History of Limerick," part iii. , chap, iii. , note, p. 185.
"t^ In Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Vita Quarta S. Patricii, cap. Ixxix. , St. Patrick is stated, to have predicted, that St.
may suppose after this prophecy, p. 45,
and n. 55, p. 50.
'^ Colgan says, he could not find any
saints, in ancient historical writings, bearing these names, among St. Patrick's disciples.
;
2l6 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 8.
Romans by birth—for the conversion arid instruction of the people in Corco- baschind. These erected a church, on the northern banks of the Shannon. Here, they were afterwards buried. ''4 AH those foregoing incidents are related more circumstantially, in St. Senan's second published Life, than in the first or Metrical Life. ^s In this latter, St. Patrick is said to have predicted, that our saint should succeed him in the episcopacy. Some have been led to believe, from such a statement, that St. Senan of Iniscatthy must have pre-
sided as Archbishop over Armagh.
Very differently the pedigrees of this holy man have been set forth.
According to the Prose Life of St. Senan, his father was named Ergind,*" son to Cobthac, son of Bolgius, son to Decius, son of Imchad, son to Corbius,
son of Roding, son to Lugad, son of Olild, son to Eochad, son of ^ngus, son to Fiachrius, son of Corbre Baschaoin, descended from Connor,''/ first of this name, who was Monarch of Ireland. "*^ In the " Leabhar Breac," <» and in the " Book of Leinster," 5° the statements about his paternal line greatly vary. 5' The mother of our saint was Comgella, daughter to Ernach, son to Gulban. ShewasanativeofthatpartinMunster,whichwascalledAlt- raighe. s^ The names of all those saints, descended from the mother of St. Senan, are recorded. 53 It would seem, that not only were St. Senan's parents of noble birth, but they also professed the Christian Faith. S4 Although they were thus distinguished, it appears, however, from what is afterwards related, that his father was a man of no very exalted station in life. For, after the prophecy of St. Patrick, we are told, when the chiefs and people of a country to the north of Inis-Catthy were assembled together, at a conven-
See "Acta Sanctorum Hibernise," viii. Martii. Secunda Vita S. Senani, n. 5, p. 535. *^ This place of burial, and site of a
cliurch, was either on, or near, the Island of
persons, who then inhabited that district,
belonged to the distinguished race of Conary the Second, Monarch of Ireland in the
second century," vol. i. , No. i. , p. 37.
'* e We
Iniscatthy, regioneInis-Cathaigh," Thus, p. 19, I, 14
do not find their names, in the Litany, attri- buted to St. ^ngus, as published in the
Manuscript, we find the genealogy of St. Senan of Inis Cathaigh, as being the
Son of Gerrcend,
Son of Dubthach,
Son of Decce,
Son of Imchad,
Son of Corp [rede Corb], Son of
Son of
Son of
Son of
Son of Conaire,
Son of Mogh Lamha.
s° Thus, at p. 351, col. 2, of this Manu- script, we have the genealogy of St. Senan of Iniscathaigh, that he was the
Son of Eirggend, Son of Dubthach, Son of Decce, Son of Imchad, Son of Corb.
S' To Mr. Joseph O'Longan, the WTiter is
indebted for the extracts, in preceding notes.
5^ See " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- Colgan's
nise," Martii viii. Appendix ad Acta S.
Senani, cap. ii. , p. 537.
53 See among the Hodges and Smith col-
lection, in the Royal Irish Academy, the 4to paper MS. , No. 144.
54 See " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- Colgan's
"
Irish Ecclesiastical Record," vol. iii. , pp.
390 to 397, and 468 to 477.
45 See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
nise,"viii. Martii. VitaMetricaS. Senani, cap. i. , ii. , p. 512, and Secunda Vita S. Senani, cap. ii. , iii. , iv. , p. 526.
4* The name of St. Senan's father was Ercan, according to the first stanza, of the
—
Lugaid (or Lughaidh),
Metrical Life, which runs as follows
:
Coir
pre,
" Senanus ex nobilibus
parentibus, Et ab ipsis cunabulis, Fidelibus Christicolis.
—Colgan's viii. Martii.
"
i. , p. 512. "
"
47 In the
Procreatur
Dei Habebantur in Scotia
Quorum haec sunt vocabula, Ercanus et Coemgella. "
Qui magna
gratia
Acta Sanctomm Hiberniae," Vita Metrica S. Senani, cap.
Book of Leinster," and in the Leabhar Breac," our saint is styled, otteof
the three luminaries of the race of Conaire, according to the Poem, "On the Nine Saints of the Race of Conaire. "
4* In a beautifully-written article, The
Legend of Iniscathy, contributed to
"Hibernian Magazine," the writer says:
"Senan's father, like the other leading cap. ! . , p. 526.
Duffy's
49 at col. line of this
Oilill,
Oengus,
nia? ,"viii. Martii. Vita Secunda S. Senani,
March 8. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 2x7
tion, to decide on matters of public importance ; Ergind was also present, with his wife, who was then pregnant. A Druid showed reverence to the
couple, on their approach, and resigned his own place, to accommodate them. Hisactionbeingnoticed,bysomeofthosepresent,thisDruidwas
asked, why he gave precedency to Ergind, a man of more humble rank than himself. 55 Heanswered,thatinthusacting,hehadnotregardedthepersons of Ergind or of his wife ; but rather, the holiness of an infant, then borne by Comgella, whose offspring would hereafter be adopted, and venerated, by the people of that country, as their patron and protector. 5^ Immediately before giving birth to our saint, Comgella chanced to be sojourning at a place, called Magh-lacha,57 during the autumnal season. Having gone out to enjoy the benefit of a refreshing atmosphere, and while walking through an orchard, she was unexpectedly seized, with the pains of child-birth. But, in her extremity, an Angel of God appeared, and she was released from these pains, by giving birth to a son, whom this Angel blessed. s^ According to Dr. Lanigan, the birth and greatness of Senan, having been foretold by St. Patrick, when he had visited the present county of Limerick, about a. d. 448 :59 a period of forty years is supposed to have elapsed, between that prophecy, and the birth of our saint. This position he endeavours to establish, from a Life of St. Patrick, as published by Colgan. However, in a note to the Tripartite Life of St. Patrick, Colgan observes,^" that one MS. has26years; thusfurnishingthediscrepancyofadifferentreading,totheafore- said forty-sixth chapter. Dr. Lanigan is of opinion, that the forty years, men- tionedinSt. Patrick'sfourthLife,comenearertothetruth; andhence,he supposes St. Senan to have been born, about the year 488, a date which will be found to agree, with the real series of his biographical transactions, although not reconcilable with some unchronological fables concerning him. Magh- lacha, the place of our saint's birth, was most probably situated in the present Clonderlach, or Clonderalaw barony, which lies to the east of Moyarta, according to Dr. Lanigan. This writer thinks, there is an affinity between the names Magh-lacha and Clonderlach. ^^ St. Senan Avas thus a native ot Corco-baschind, a district in the western part of Thomond. ^^ It would
''
55 The author of the Second Life adds,
Prose Life states, after relating this legend, that the very tree alluded to was to be seen, in his day. See the Metrical Life, chap, iii. , and the Prose Life, chap. vi.
59 gee his calculations in the "Ecclesias- tical History of Ireland," vol. i. , chap; ix. , sect, iv. , p. 445.
'"= He tells that in one Irish Manu- us,
script, St. Senan was to be born after ye
or 120 and in another, after •piceA'o, years,
-pe '-p pceAt), or 26 years, which must be his meaning. According to Colgan's calcu- lation, he thinks, that the birth of St. Senan should be referred to 26 years, or at least, not after 40 years, from the time St. Patrick uttered the prediction. See "Trias Thau-
maturga," Septima Vita S. Patricii, lib. iii. ,
Druidffi enina in magna erant veneratione apud hanc nationem. " This shows, that the number of those, who had here embraced the Christian faith, could not have been in a majority ; or, that many, who had been baptized by St. Patrick, were not then living, had
in various in- stances, had already lapsed into Paganism.
57 We are told, by a distinguished Clare- man, that Magh-lacha is "the name of a townland, in which are a lake and an old church, both called after St. Senan. It lies four miles N. E. of Kilrush, county Clare. "
emigrated, or, perhaps,
" Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
5^ See
niae," viii. Martii. Vita Secunda S. Senani, cap. v. , p. 526.
Colgan's
This note is written, before the initials of
" *'
his name, by Eugene Curry, in the Heath Extracts," vol. ii. , p. 153,
5* A miraculous event is said to have ac- companied the birth of St. Senan ; as according to both Lives of our saint, some dry wood, on which Comgella placed her hand, was afterwards known to bloom, and to send forth leaves. The author of the
cap. xlvi. , p. 158, and n. 78, p. 185.
Dr. Lanigan is wrong in this conjee- ture, for according to Mr. O'Donovan's
Ancient Map of Clare, preserved among the Records of the Irish Ordnance Survey
Office, in the Royal Irish Academy, Magh- lacha was situated, not in the barony of
Clonderalaw, but within the parish of Kil- rush, iii the barony of Moyarta. It however
2i8 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 8.
appear, from the Metrical Life of our saint, that a church had been built in the neighbourhood, at the time of his birth. To this church he was brought, and here he was washed in the waters of regeneration, from the stain of original sin, having been baptized, in the name of the Most Holy Trinity. ^3
As our saint advanced in years, he grew in grace and faith ; and, his
knowledge appeared to partake somewhat of Divine inspiration. His absti- nence was of a remarkable character, even in his youth ; and, the Giver of all good lavished on him those happy dispositions of soul, which led him to theperfectpracticeofallvirtues. Oneday,whilstaccompanyinghismother on a journey, he observed her gathering some berries from the bushes. These she was about to taste, when he gently reproved her, with an admoni- tion, that refection had its own place and time. ^* The parents of our saint had two different houses, and not far distant, at a place, called Tracht- termuinn. At one time, the family of Senan, having resolved on moving from one of those residences to the other, they required our holy youth, to pre- pare the house, in which they were about to live, by placing its furniture and utensils, in their exact places. But, the boy neglected those injunctions, whileengagedinaworkofcharity,towardsonewholivednear; and,forthis neglect, Senan was reproved by his mother. However, he told her to have trust in the Lord ; promising that his negligence, in a short time, should be repaired, through Divine grace. No sooner had he spoken, than the house- hold utensils and other requisites were borne to their places, in a miraculous
manner, and were there deposited. On seeing this, his mother, and some persons, who were present, began to feel admiration and reverence towards a child, so highly favoured by Heaven.
^s We are told, when our saint, at another time, accompanied his mother and family to a certain village, in which they wished to remain ; the inhabitants of this place drove them out, with injuries and insults, which proved a cause of great grief to Senan's mother. The boy endeavoured to afford her consolation, by saying, that God was the avenger of all wrongs, causelessly inflicted on those, who were His servants. His observations appear to have been remarkably verified, in the present instance ; for, a visitation of Divine vengeance was afterwards poured down upon that place. A great plague carried off, not only the cattle of its inhabitants, but even the owners of this stock. All other possessions, in their village, likewise disappeared, and without leaving behind a single trace. It is related, that the village had been swallowed up,^^ with all its in-
bordered
on the western limits of
^* See " Acta Sanctonim Hiber- Colgan's
nise," viii. Martii, p. 527. Secunda Vita S. . Senani, cap. vi. These particulars are more diffusely related, in Vita Metrica S. Senani, cap. iii. , p. 513, As, however, there is an omission of
closely Clonderalaw.
^* " See Dr. Lanigan's
Ecclesiastical His- tory of Ireland," vol. i. , chap, ix. , sect, iv. , and nn. 56, 61, pp. 445, 448, 449. Mr.
of St. Senanus, the territory of Corca-Bhais-
cinn originally comprised the barony of Ibrickan, as we—ll as those of Moyarta and Clonderalaw. " "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , n. (g), p. 48.
*3 The—Metrical Life thus expresses it,
iii. :
O'Donovan " It from the Life says, appears
from
vi. , it is more than probable, these accounts
cap.
exp^iari. "
This verse affords an ancient doctrinal ex-
position of baptismal effects, as understood by our Irish ancestors, and according exactly with correct theological teaching.
''
chap.
remarkable fact, that on the ex-
°f ^oop Head, a high rocky islet distance out in the Atlantic
"
Baptism! tinctus flamine (flumine) ,
^*
crimine Et (si esset) actuali
Original!
*y^"\^ ^"^,
Potuisset
! ^^"^^ ^^^'"le
<^'^^^"' completely disrupted and mac-
J"*
cessible from the main shore. In 1866, the
writer, in company with the Rev. Sylvester Malone, author of the learned and valuable "Church History of Ireland" visited this romantic spot. From the mainland, we
notation,
cap.
iii. to
cap.
belong to one, or both, of the intermediate numbers.
^^
vii. The circumstances of this miracle are
See the Prose Life of St. Senan, chap.
differently related, in St. Senan's Metrical
Life. See iii.
'^f-
March 8. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 219
habitants, and their vakiables, as Core, Dathan and Abiron were buried alive, in the desert, during the time of Moyses and Aaron,^7 or as, at Jerico, in the time of Joshua, when the walls fell down by God's power,^^ and without the violence of man being required, for their destruction. ^9 In the meantime,
accompanied by his mother and family, Senan went to the sea-shore, expect- ing to find a vessel, which might convey them to the opposite coast. Not finding one, the youth offered up his prayers to God, that some means of passageshouldbeaffordedthem. TheAlmightyheardtheprayersofhis servant, and together with the members of his family, who were present, Senan found himself safely conveyed to the opposite shore. 7°
Abbey of Corcomroe, County of Clare.
His religious vocation seems to have been early determined, as this
following anecdote, recorded in his Life, will sufficiently show. Not only was he careful to avoid all occasions of sin, in the whole course of his actions ; but, he felt a marked reluctance to be made the instrument of in- justice, even when he was not morally accountable. Being a young man, he was bound by an oath of fealty, to serve the Dynast of that territory, in which he lived. The following occasion called him forth, unwillingly to bear arms, inamilitaryforay. HischiefofCorcobaschind,havingcollectedanarmyof retainers,marchedagainstthepeopleofCorcomroe. 7' Inthisancientterri- tory are still to be found many interesting vestiges of antiquity ; and, espe-
^^ See Josue vi.
were enabled to trace with the eye very dis-
tinctly, what appeared to both to have been
remains of ancient buildings and artificial
earthworks, covering the surface of this in-
accessible island, the sides of which are com-
posed of almost perpendicular cliffs, and
having not even a landing-place. The local
inhabitants have a tradition, that here was
once an ancient city, and that the waves tore
away the intermediate rocks, which once
joined it to the shore, near Loop Head Survey Office. He says, that Corcomroe
lighthouse. East, or Burren, in Irish, boi^eAtin, has the ^' See Numbers xvi. name and extent of the ancient territory pre-
*9 See the Metrical Life of St. Senan, chap. iii.
7° See the Metrical Life of St. Senan,
cap. vi.
? ' John O'Donovan gives an interesting
description of the territory of Corcomroe, East and West, in elucidation of his Ancient
Map of the County of Clare, preserved among the records of the Irish Ordnance
220 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 8.
cially a fine old Abbey,7*^ which was founded by Donnell O'Brien, King of Thomond, in 1194. 73 It is in the early pointed style. 74 St. Senan was
obliged to bear part in an expedition, which was unjustly undertaken, and which proved an unsuccessful one, for the invading force. A battle having been fought, between those hostile clans, the Corcobaschind bands were put to flight, and pursued by their enemies, with great slaughter. Senan got separated from the rest of his companions, during their confused retreat. He fled for safety, to a place, where he hoped to find refuge, from the infuriated pursuers. Havingconcealedhimselfnearastackofwheat,hewasdiscovered in this place, by some of the enemy, returning from the pursuit. Suddenly, the spot, where our saint lay, seemed to be surrounded with bright flames \ but, wonderful to relate ! although they played around a very combustible material,thewheatenstrawwasnotconsumed. WhenthemenofCorcom- roe75 approached nearer, they discovered Senan seated in the midst of the flames. On his coming out, they asked who he was, and why he had been foundinthisposition. Theholyyouth,whowouldnottellafalsehood,even to save his life, declared, that he belonged to the routed host, and that, through fear of the victors, he had there sought a place of refuge and conceal- ment. The men of Corcomroe, seeing the young man's face bright as that of an Angel, recognised the power of God, by this miraculous preservation, in the midst of flames. They at once spared Senan's life, and gave him liberty to depart, whithersoever he pleased. ? ^ On leaving them, the servant of God felt greatly the pressure of hunger and thirst. Being totally destitute, he made application for relief, at the house of a chieftain, who was then absent. Notwithstanding his humble request, and his forlorn condition, the servants of this chieftain refused hospitality. They even drove him away, thus adding injury to insult. The saint, however, bore these reproaches meekly ; but, towards evening, the owner of this castle returned. Supper had been prepared, in the meantime, and tables were loaded with all the requisitesforaluxuriousbanquet. But,theheartlessservantsfoundnota sufficiency of food, for their own wants ; for, what had been set before them, inagreatmeasure,disappeared. However,allofthose,whohadeaten,began to exhibit symptoms of insanity. Whereupon, by some heaven-inspired instinct, the chieftain made inquiry, if during his absence, his servants had
served in those of the modern barony. It is so called, owing to its rocky surface. The present barony of Corcomroe formed the western division. Both baronies, as consti- tuting the ancient territory, were co-extensive with the Diocese of Kilfenora. The terri- tory was named from the descendants of Modh Ruadh, the third son of Fearghus, dethroned King of Ulster, by Meadhljh or Maud, Queen of Connaught, in the first century. See Dr. O'Donovan's " Leabhar na g-Ceart," or, Book of Rights, n. (z), pp. 65, 66.
gress of the Ordnance Survey in 1829," vol. i. , pp. 15 to 35. Letter, dated Inistymon, Oct. 21st, 1839. "
73 See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the Four Masters," vol. v. , n. (a), pp. 1330, 1331-
t- The accompanying illustration, drawn on the spot by William F. Wakeman, and by him transferred to the wood, has been engraved by Mrs. Millard,
? = After the establishment of surnames, the two chiefs and rival families of Modh Ruadh's race took surnames. In course of
7=
andbaronyofBurren. See,fortheparish
"
It is situated in the parish of Abbey, time, the territory was divided between
Ordnance Sui-vey Townland
them. The senior took the name of O'Con- chobhair or O'Conor, and he was chieftain over the western or southern division, Cor- comroe proper ; while, the eastern or
bounds, the
Maps for the County of Clare," Sheets 3, 5,
6. The Abbey church was built, in a beau-
tiful style, and it is still in a good state of northern portion, . Burren, was ruled by
preservation. Mr. O'Donovan has given a very complete account of the parish of
"
Letters containing Infor- mation relative to the Antiquities of the County of Clare, collected during the pro-
O'Lochlainn or O'Loughlin.
? * See the Metrical Life of St. Senan,
chap. vii. The circumstances of this narra- tive are almost identical, in the Second or Prose Life of St. Senan, chap. viii. See,
Abbey, in the
March 8. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 221
injuredanywanderer,orhaddeniedhospitalitytoanypoorperson. Atonce, they recollected their uncharitable behaviour, towards that destitute young man, whom they had driven away with blows. They related these circum- stances to their master. The compassionate chieftain then desired them to go forth, to seek this young man, and to bring him back when found, whether he felt willing or not to come, that thus he might partake of food with them, and pardon the rude treatment, he had already received, at their hands. Theseorderswereobeyed. Theyoungmanwasfound,andbroughtbackto the chieftain, who treated him with marked respect. Senan readily forgave the insolent servants ; and, having poured forth his prayers, an abundance of food appeared on the table. Of this, all partook ; and, thus finding the miraculous powers, possessed by this young man, the chieftain offered him perpetual possession of a farm, attached to his mansion. 77 At the time, when the author of St. Senan's Metrical Life lived, this very farm was regarded as a possession, belonging to Iniscatthy See. 7^
At one time, while Senan was conducting a herd of cattle, belonging to his parents, from a place, called Irros, lying towards the west, to Magh- lacha,79 bearing eastward from it ; the ocean tide flowed into an estuary,
which separated both places. Evening coming on, at the same time, he
found himself unable to pass over that night. Hence, he was compelled to
return to a neighbouring castle, at a place called Dun-mechair,^° to require shelter until the following day. The owner of this castle, who was called Macharius, being absent at the time, his servants refused the belated wanderer'sapplication. Thelatter,havingnootherplaceofrefugenearhim, went back to the sea-shore, to wait the ebbing tide. To his surprise, the shore was perfectly dry, and with his oxen preceding him, Senan passed over to the opposite bank. When he reached it, on looking back, he found the waves rising to their former level, until they had come up to high water mark. Then our holy youth, admiring God's wonderful goodness towards him, resolved, as he had formerly borne arms under a temporal chief, that for the future, he would become a soldier of Christ. Presently, having struck a spear, which he then carried, in the ground, he fashioned it, so as to repre- sent a cross. He made three several genuflexions before it, and a vow, offer- ing himself and all he possessed to God, whom he resolved on serving for the future. After this had occurred, the enemies of Macharius beset his castle
also, "The Legend of Iniscathy," in Duffy's " Hibernian Magazine," vol. i. , No. I, p.
of Iniscatthy, died, A. D. Il88. Besides
this, it must be known, that the offices of
bishop and abbot, are very frequently found
37.
Ti See
" Acta Sanctorum Hiber- niae," viii. Martii. Vita Metrica S. Senani,
united in the same ruler, over a
Colgan's
particular church and monastery. These offices, again, cap. viii. , p. 515. The circumstances of are oftentimes found, to have been held at
this miracle are differently, and more sue-
cinctly, related, in St. Senan's Second Life,
the same time, but by distinct persons. See, ibid. , n. 6, pp. 524, 525.
'9 This Magh-lacha was perhaps identical
chap, ix. , p. 527.
? ^ From what is mentioned, of this farm with the IllAgLAchA, marked on Mr.
having been a possession belonging to Inis- catthy See, Colgan infers, that the writer of St. Senan's Metrical Life must have lived, before that see had lost its episcopal title.
O'Donovan's Ancient Map of Clare County, now preserved, with the Records of the Irish Ordnance Survey Office in the Royal Irish Academy. This district is located, in the western part of the present Kilrush parish, in Moyarta barony, and county of Clare. But, no place, lying west of it, is marked Irros.
and dignity. This, however, will not prove
the writer to have lived, at a very remote
period. Although, in the "Annals of the
Four Masters," we find, that Aedhan, who
died A. D.
