3 See it described, on the " Ordnance Survey
Townland
Maps for the County of
Louth," sheet 3.
Louth," sheet 3.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v5
^^
Only a few days had passed, after this temporary arrangement of our saint's relics, until the keeper of the church, who entertained a great devotion towards Magdelgisilus, happened to take ill. Not being able to sleep, he revolved in mind the whole night, as to when and how some better plan could be devised, for their more suitable preservation. Towards morning, however, some little re- pose he had, and while his thoughts were intent on his purpose, sleep began to sealhiseyes. Suddenlythesaint—handsomeandtall—appearedtohim,and covered with bright raiment. He then said : " This purpose you shall carefully provide for and proceed to carry out, so that all my bones be buried together. " But, the keeper, who woke from his light slumber, and whose reverence for Madelgesilus was so great, clearly understood, that the saint himself had appeared, as he spoke about his own relics. The keeper, turning his eyes on the figure, desired to ask concerning his name and merits. Notwithstanding, the illustrious and glorious spirit vanished, before a word could be spoken; but, the tracks of his footsteps seemed to be of gold, while a most fragrant odour filled the whole apartment. The keeper's infirmity at once disappeared, owing to the sudden joy he experienced, on receiving this sort of revelation. Desiring to furnish proof of it to his friends, he said to himself, "Immediately, I shall seize on those golden traces of the saint's feet, and bear them as tokens to the brothers. " Then, he arose, stretching out his arms, and making an effort to reach what he deemed a reality, but the traces soon vanished. This
account is all we have remaining ; and, the old chronicler has forgotten to tell us, whether the saint's mandate had been carried out, yet, it is probable, that suchwasthecase. ^9 AninscriptiononthetombofMadelgisilusrecordsthe event of the Abbot Anscher having prepared a new shrine, for the honourable deposition of the holy man's relics. 3° It is supposed, that the ist day of June was the date for some public translation of the remains of St. Madelgisilus. His deposition or departure from life, however, has been assigned to this day, by Hariulfe; and, his authority has been followed, by most of the Kalendarists. Thus, an old Martyrology belonging to Berlin, and printed at Paris with additions, Molanus, Canisius, Wion, Dorgan, Menard, Saussay, Bucelin, and nearly all the modern writers, place the feast of Madelgesilus. 3' It is thought his Acts—now probably lost—had been written at much greater length than we have them at present. This saint is held in great
gesili Confessoris hie positum iii. Kalendas took place, A. D. 1 113. See "AnnalesOr-
Junii : quod corpus reposuit in alio novo feretro v Idus Julii. "
"^7 See the Bollandists' "Acta Sanctorum," tomus vii. , Mali xxx. De S. Madeigisilo Eremita, Centulre in Picardia. Supplemcn- tum de Translalione Corporis Centulam, deinde an. I113 in novamCapsani, pp. 268, 269.
"* See Baillet's " Les Vies des Saints," tome v. , xxx. Jour de May, sect, iii. , p. 94.
-9 See the Bollandists' " ActaSanctoium," tomus vii. , Mali xxx. De S. Madelgisilo Eremita, Cenlulce in Picardia. Siip])lemen- tum de Translatione Corporis Centulam, deinde an. 1 1 13 in novam capsam, num. 17, p. 269.
3" Mabillon states, that this entombment
dinis S. Benedicti," tomus i. , lib. xiv. , sect, iv. , p. 412.
3' The Latin lines, which run thus, are supposed to commemorate the Translation of this saint's relics. :
" Ossa Madelgisili tenet haec lectica Beati
Quern Confessorem sibi Christus rite beavit,
Anschemsque novam sibi capsamjure paravit. '
—
"Acta Sanctorum," tomus vii. , Mail xxx. De S. Madelgesilo Eremita, Centuls in Picardia, Commenlarius Pra:vius, num. pp. 264, 265.
:—
—;
MAY30. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
6ii
veneration, especially throughout Picardy. His chief festival has always been observed on the 30th of May, and with marked religious ceremonial.
The greatest errors of men are those cherished by them, pursuing fancied dreams of happiness. They do not care to reflect on the real nature of that phantom they follow. Not fully appreciating the delights of final happiness, the ultimate aim of life is unheeded, and false pleasures sought only render human beings most miserable, both in pursuit and possession.
Many seek riches as the object of their fondest desires ; with great effort or labour those
may be acquired ;
they are soon lost \
and restlessness.
citude, anxiety and energetic efforts are the price to be paid for such dan- gerous distinctions; still popular approval or the favour of those in high station is proverbially capricious ; such power is weakness, when the mind is left ill at ease, or rather entirely overburdened with fatigues and fears. Others may place their chief happiness in human and domestic affections but even these are variable and insincere, in too many instances friendship
;
has been deceived and betrayed ; conjugal, parental, or filial, relation- ship has been alloyed by faithlessness, by misfortune, and by crime. Healthofmindandbodyis thoughtbyotherstobeapearlofgreatprice, and a rational object to secure; but, although its advantages and pleasures, humanly speaking, are not to be undervalued, our mental faculties or bodily strength cannot long last in unimpaired vigour. Therefore, with the saints ought we recur to nobler and higher sources, in order to satisfy the eager longings of our souls. With them we should hold, that the Infinite alone can satiate all our desires, and regulate or appease those restless motions and aspirations of the human will, by directing them, even during our mortal career,
to the true objects, for which we have received those gifts, natural and super- natural, we now possess. Through all the vicissitudes of life, our thoughts must be elevated above ends, merely natural and perishable ; our joys and hopes should centre in the supernatural, glorious and immortal beatitude and tranquillity, whence pain and care are altogether removed. Such principles of action regulated the motives of our saints, while exercising their powers of body and of mind, in serving God, in purifying their own affections, and in edifying their fellow-creatures. With tiiem, pursuing true and unalloyed happiness, we must recognise a certain conclusion, that in the possession of Heaven, supreme felicity has been achieved, and the great contest of our lives has been crowned with victory.
Article II. St. Goban, or Gobban, of Airdne Dairinse. In the Martyrology of Tallagh,' this name is set down as, Goban Airdni Dairinsi, at this date. The BoUandists,^ quoting from the same authority, have Gobanus de Ara-Dar-Inis, at the 30th of May. This saint is said to have had another festival, at the 26th of March, when a notice of St. Gobban may be seen. Colgan also infers, that he must have been very distinguished for his piety and mental endowments, since he had a double festival instituted in his honour. Whatevercanbeknownregardinghimseemsmoreorlessinvolved in obscurity. However, attempts have been made, to clear away the mist, which has so long covered this saint's Acts. 3 It is not known, whether he
Article II. — Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. XXV.
^ See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus vii. Among the pretermitted feasts, p. 233.
3 See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
nix," Martii xxvi. , Vita S. Gobbani, p. 750.
•See Archdall's " Monasticon Hiberni-
cum," p. 695.
' According to a supposition of some, this
but most frequently they are not attained, or, if possessed, while worldly wealth, so won, is sure to increase their care Many are ambitious of public dignities and honours ; soli-
6l2 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[May 30.
governed the Island of Molana, in the River Blackwater of Munster, and in the county of Waterford, or whether he ruled over an Island, in the present WexfordHarbour. BothplacesformerlywentbythenameofDarinis. Some writers say, this saint was abbot of Airdne, one of the Aran Isles, off the coast of Galway, and in several Martyrologies, we are told, he is styled Abbas Ardnensis. -* The common name of the three Islands was Ara,5 w-hich in the nominativeisAirne,orAranninthegenitive,accordingtotheIrish. Where- fore, Father John Colgan ^ thought Airne to have been a distinct name for one of these Islands. It is another mistake of his to write, that Ard-Olen was the
^V
Nurney Old Church, County of Kildare.
same as that Island ;7 for, Ard-Olen lies, as elsewhere he has properly stated, in another place. ^ Neither is the most eastern the chiefest of the three Isles of Aran, as he took it to be,9 but rather it is the smallest. It is probable, that he was led into the mistake, by some incorrect map, in which these Islands were either misplaced, or their position was reversed. *° Before Colgan's time, the Maps of Ireland were grossly inaccurate. In some of them this East Island of Aran is set down as the largest. In others, the greatest size is claimed for the Middle Island. " There are many places, in Ireland, called
word signifies "a kidney," from a fanciful * See ibid. , xx. Januarii, Supplementum resemblance of Aranmoie to one. However, Vitae S. Fechini, cap. xxii. , p. 135, and n.
if it were the name applied to all the Islands in common, this ingenious conjecture of the etymologists sliould at once vanish, if we take into account their actual conformation.
13. p. 141.
' See ibid. , xxi. Martii, Appendix ad
Vitam S. Endei, cap. vii. , p. 714.
'° The very same cause may account for
' See "Acta Sanctorum Hiberniae," his mistake about Ardoilen.
Martii xxvi. Dc S. Gobano Abbatc de " Sec the Government Map, headed, Airdne Dairinnsi, nn. i, 2, p. 750. " Ilibernia, Insula, non procul ab Anglia,
' See ibid. , xxi. Martii, Appendix ad wlgare Uirlandia vocata, 1567," published Vitam S. Endei, cap. vii. , pp. 714, 715. with the State Papers, vol. ii. London, 1834.
—
May 30. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 613
Airdne by our ancient writers ; and, in modern phraseology, that denomina- tion has been rendered into Urney or Nurney. One of those places, called Nurney, gives name to a townland" and parish, in the present Barony of West Offiily, county of Kildare ; and here, there are some ruins of an old church in a cemetery. '3 In the same county, there is another parish of Nurney, in the Barony of Carbury. '-^ There is a parish called Nurney. likewise, in the Baronies of Carlow, Forth, and Idrone West, county of Carlow. 's However, it is not certain, that St. Goban or Gobban had connexion with any of these places. We find entered, likewise, in the Martyrology of Donegal,^^ that Gobban, abbot of Airdne, was venerated, on this day.
Article III, St. Fergussius, of Druim-bile, otherwise, St. Saergusa bile, or Saerghos, of Druim. Saergusabileis the description we find entered for this saint, in the Martyrology of Tallagh,' at the 30th of May. However, the BoUandists,^ who cite the same authority, place Faer- gussius de Druim-bile, at this date, and probably, it is the more correct ren- dering. There is a townland, called Drumbilla,3 in the parish of Roche,4 and baronyofUpperDundalk,inthecountyofLouth;while,it seemstobethe only nearly corresponding denomination, among the other townland names in Ireland. Yet, it is hardly probable, notwithstanding, that it was the place of Fer- gussius, Saergusa, or Saerghos. This holy man appears to have been identified, with Soergussius,5 or Saerghus, an abbot of Dearmhach or Durrow,^ and who died A. D. 835. 7 The identification, however, cannot be relied upon, as being quiteconclusive. Thissameday,venerationwasgiventoSaerghos,ofDruim, aswereadintheMartyrologyofDonegal. ^ Inthetableappended,thisname is written Saorghuss, and Latinized, Sergius. 9 On the west coast of Ireland, in the county of Sligo, there is a Dromard,'° the site of a religious erection. One of Miss Owenson's most affecting sketches is given of an incident she has noted, when sitting on a tomb among the old ecclesiastical ruins of Dromard, over the Atlantic Ocean, the landlord of the place, her companion, was asked by
" " In the vicinity of the village is an old castle. This parish is a rectory in the dio- cese of Kildare. "—"Parliamentary Gazet- teerof Ireland," vol. iii. , p. 43.
•3 The accompanying illustration is from a sketch, kindly made on the spot, by Rev. Edward O'Leary, C. C. , Rathangan, and transferred by William F. Wakeman, to the wood, engraved by Mrs. Millard. As acces- sories to the picture, the round stone vessel —probably a font—belongs to the place: the oblong one has been conveyed to the modern chapel, which adjoins the ruin at Nurney, and it belongs to a neighbouring old church, at Harristovvn, as I have been informed, in a letter of Very Rev. Michael Comerford, P. P. , Monasterevan, and dated June 2nd, 1S85. The situation of this parish is marked on the "Ordnance Survey Town- land Maps for the County of Kildare," sheets 27, 31. The villige, townland, and demesne, so named, are marked on the same maps.
for the County of Carlow," sheet 12,
'° Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
I40, 141.
Article in. — ' Edited by Rev. Dr.
Kelly, p. xxv.
-See -"Acta Sanctorum," tomus vii.
Among the pretermitted saints, p. 233.
3 See it described, on the " Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the County of
Louth," sheet 3.
*• This parish contains 3,305a. ir. I7p. ,
and it is shown on sheets 3, 4, 7- Il'id.
5 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Quinta Appendix ad Acta S. Columbi-e, cap.
iv. , sect, iii. , pp. 507, 508.
* In the King's County.
? See Dr. O Donovan's "Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 452,453.
« j^jjfgj ^y Qj-s. Todd and Reeves, pp.
140, 141.
9 See ibid. , pp. 464, 465.
'° This parish in the Barony of Tireragh is
shown, on the " Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the County of Sligo,"_ sheets 13, 19, 20. The townland proper is marked on
sheet 19.
" See Miss Owenson's "Patriotic Sketches
»» See ibid. , sheets 2, 3, 8. called Nurney, is on sheet 3.
Its townland,
'S It is shown, with tlie townlandso named, on the "Ordnance Survey Townland Maps
—
6 14 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 30.
a young peasant, for stones from his quarry to built up the cemetery wall, thus to save his parents' remains from desecration. "
Article IV. St. Ernine, or Erni:ius. The insertion of the name, Ernine, is found in the Martyrology of Tallagh,' at this date. The Bollan- dists' have it Ernimus—apparently an incorrect spelling—at the 30th of May, and on the previous authority. No clue is given, however, to find his place or his period.
Article V. Reputed Feast of St. Silay, or Silaus, Bishop at Lucca. The Acts, probably of St. Silaus, Bishop of Lucca—also called Silay—had been prepared for publication by Colgan,' as we find in the post- humous list of his Manuscripts, and he had intended to place them, at the 30th ofMay. ThiswasapparentlyontheauthorityofPhilipFerrarius,whostates that he died, a. d. 780, and on the Sunday after Ascension Day, in that same year. However, the Bollandists, who quote his authority for the statement, show, that the Sunday in question then fell on the 7th and not on the 30th
of May. " Father Stephen White 3 commemorates St. Silanus, at the 30th of May; and,PhilipFerarius,''also,seemstohavebeenhisauthorityforthat entry. We have already treated about St. Silaus, Bishop and Patron at Lucca, in Hetruria. 5
Article VI. St. Heyna or Hieu. [Sevefith Ce? itury. '] In the EngUsh Martyrology of John Wilson, the present holy virgin is commemo- rated, on this day ; while Philip Ferrarius ' and Arthur de Monstier ^ adopt the same arrangement. She is said to have been the first woman who em- braced a conventual life, at the instigation of St. Aidan,3 Bishop and Apostle oftheKingdomofNorthumbria. NotwithstandingtheopinionofJohnLeland, St. Hieu was a different person from St. Bees,* or Bega, as is shown by Dr. Smith, in his annotations on Venerable Bede ;5 and, Heina is said to have founded the monastery of Heorthu, over which she placed Hilla, and then she retired to Tadcaster. ^ A Saxon monastery was at this place, so early as 655 ; but, the church there was afterwards annexed to Sallay Abbey,?
of Ireland, written in Connaught," vol. ii. , 3 His Life may be seen, at the 31st of sketch xii. , pp. 9 to 13. August.
Article iv. — " Edited by Rev. Dr. •» See her Life, at the 6th of Septem-
Kelly, p. XXV.
' See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus vii.
Among the pretermitted saints, p. 233. Article V. —' See " Catalogus Actuum Sanctorum quae MS. habentur, ordine Men-
sium et Dierum. "
* See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus vii.
Amongthe pretermitted feasts, p. 233. They add: " festum autem agitur Lucas ipsa Dominica, et olim affixum fuit diei, quando vitam damns xxi. Maii. "
3 See "Apologia pro Ilibernia," cap. iv. , p. 40, cap. v. , p. 64.
* In "Catalogus Sanctorum Italic. "
5 See in the present Volume, Art. ii. , at the 2ist of this month.
Article vi. — • In "Catalogus Gene- ralis Sanctorum. "
* In Gynoeco Sacro.
ber.
s See " Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis
Anglorum. " At lib. iv. , cap. 53, note.
'"St. Mar}-'s Tadcaster, is a market town and parish, chiefly in the upper division of tlie wapentake of Barkstone Ash, but partly in tlie west division of Ainstiy wapentake, in the West Riding of Yorkshire. This place
was the site of that Roman station Calcaria so named from the soil abounding with calx or limestone. It is situated on the naviga- ble River Wharfe, over which there is a handsome stone bridge. See Samuel Lewis' "Topographical Dictionary of England," vol. iv. , pp. 294, 295.
7 See the " Monasticon Anglicanum," by Sir William Dugdalc, Kl. . and edited by John Caley, F. R. S. , Henry Ellis, LL. B. , and the Rev. Bulkelcy Bandinel, D. D. ,
;
1787, fol.
9 See Cough's Camden's "Britannia,"
vol. iii. , p. 52.
" See "Annales Ecclesiae Britannicse,"
tomusii. , num. iii. , p. 294.
" See an interesting account of this saint
and of her Priory, in Sir WiUiam Dugdale's " Monasticon Anglicanum," &c. , vol. iii. , pp. 574 to 580.
—
May 30] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 615
founded in 1146-7, by William De Percy the Third. ^ Others have it, that St. Heyna lived in Calcasester,? which is the original name given to the place, by Venerable Bede, when he speaks of St. Heina, who first took the veil in these parts. Her death is referred to a. d. 657, by Father Michael Alford,'° who thinks her to be the same as St. Bega, or Bee, of Copeland," in Cum- berland, referred by Wilson to the 6th of September, in the first edition of his Martyrology, and to the 22nd of November, in the second issue of his work. " The BoIlandists,^3 who have stated what precedes, remark, that in the ancient Martyrologies, they found nothing referring to her veneration; and that, if they met with further traces of it, they might treat about her, at the ist of October,'* or at the 22nd of November. 's She is said to have closed a holy life, at Tadcaster, on the 30th of May, a. d. 657. '^ We do not know, if she be the Heina, mentioned by Thomas Dempster,'? as having been veiled at Berwick. He states, that her time was uncertain, and she is said '^ to have written a Book of Hymns to the saints
; but, we should like to have better authority for this latter assertion, which
we do not believe can be sustained.
Article VII. Festival of St. Caidoc and Frechor or Adrian, Centule, Picardy, and Apostles of the Morini, in France. \Sixth and Seventh Centuries. '\ Already, at ist day of April,' we have treated about these holy missionaries ; but, their feasts are not confined to that day alone, asthe24thofJanuary^ andthe31stofMarch3 havebeendedicatedtotheir memory,asalsothepresent30thofMay. InanoldManuscriptKalendar, belonging to the church of Centule,* and in an old Kalendar published by D'Achery,5 their feast has been assigned to the latter day, which seems to
have been the one, according most with local tradition and former usage. The BoUandists, at this date, have Acts of these saints, Caidoc and Frechor or Adrian, in a historic commentary, consisting of eight paragraphs. ^ As we have already seen, they left Ireland for the Ponthieu district,? in Picardy, where,
vol. v. , pp. 510 to 516.
^ See Bishop Tanner's " Notitia Monas-
'5 The date given for St. Bega's festival, by John Wilson,
'^ According to Alford's " Annales Eccle-
sise Britannicse," tomus ii. , num. iii. , p.
Scotoruifi," tomus ii. , lib. viii. , num. 702,
^^ By the same Dempster.
Article vii. —' See the Fourth Volume of this work, Art. i.
= See First Volume, at that date, Art. ix. , regarding St. Caidoc 's reputed Feast.
^ See Third Volume, at that date, Art. ix.
* It states : " Coenobio Centula SS. Chaidoci, Fricorii, et Maldegisi, quorum duo primi B. Richario ad initium sancts conver- sationis Doctores fuerunt. "
tica ; or an Account of all the Abbies,
Priories, and Houses of Friers formerly in
England and Wales, and also of all the Col-
leges and Hospitals founded before a. d.
MDXL," edition by James Nasmith, M. A. , Yorkshire, sect, cv. , edition, Cambridge, p. 369.
" Alford says
Heina dicatur e Northumbriae Regibus de-
scendisse, Bega vero Hibernia Vocetur :
quia HibernicK Insults Northumbris vicing
frequinter sanguinem miscebant. "—"An- Caydoci, Adriani et Madegisli. "
:
'• Nee multum obest, quod
nales Ecclesiae Britannicse," tomus ii. , num.
Only a few days had passed, after this temporary arrangement of our saint's relics, until the keeper of the church, who entertained a great devotion towards Magdelgisilus, happened to take ill. Not being able to sleep, he revolved in mind the whole night, as to when and how some better plan could be devised, for their more suitable preservation. Towards morning, however, some little re- pose he had, and while his thoughts were intent on his purpose, sleep began to sealhiseyes. Suddenlythesaint—handsomeandtall—appearedtohim,and covered with bright raiment. He then said : " This purpose you shall carefully provide for and proceed to carry out, so that all my bones be buried together. " But, the keeper, who woke from his light slumber, and whose reverence for Madelgesilus was so great, clearly understood, that the saint himself had appeared, as he spoke about his own relics. The keeper, turning his eyes on the figure, desired to ask concerning his name and merits. Notwithstanding, the illustrious and glorious spirit vanished, before a word could be spoken; but, the tracks of his footsteps seemed to be of gold, while a most fragrant odour filled the whole apartment. The keeper's infirmity at once disappeared, owing to the sudden joy he experienced, on receiving this sort of revelation. Desiring to furnish proof of it to his friends, he said to himself, "Immediately, I shall seize on those golden traces of the saint's feet, and bear them as tokens to the brothers. " Then, he arose, stretching out his arms, and making an effort to reach what he deemed a reality, but the traces soon vanished. This
account is all we have remaining ; and, the old chronicler has forgotten to tell us, whether the saint's mandate had been carried out, yet, it is probable, that suchwasthecase. ^9 AninscriptiononthetombofMadelgisilusrecordsthe event of the Abbot Anscher having prepared a new shrine, for the honourable deposition of the holy man's relics. 3° It is supposed, that the ist day of June was the date for some public translation of the remains of St. Madelgisilus. His deposition or departure from life, however, has been assigned to this day, by Hariulfe; and, his authority has been followed, by most of the Kalendarists. Thus, an old Martyrology belonging to Berlin, and printed at Paris with additions, Molanus, Canisius, Wion, Dorgan, Menard, Saussay, Bucelin, and nearly all the modern writers, place the feast of Madelgesilus. 3' It is thought his Acts—now probably lost—had been written at much greater length than we have them at present. This saint is held in great
gesili Confessoris hie positum iii. Kalendas took place, A. D. 1 113. See "AnnalesOr-
Junii : quod corpus reposuit in alio novo feretro v Idus Julii. "
"^7 See the Bollandists' "Acta Sanctorum," tomus vii. , Mali xxx. De S. Madeigisilo Eremita, Centulre in Picardia. Supplemcn- tum de Translalione Corporis Centulam, deinde an. I113 in novamCapsani, pp. 268, 269.
"* See Baillet's " Les Vies des Saints," tome v. , xxx. Jour de May, sect, iii. , p. 94.
-9 See the Bollandists' " ActaSanctoium," tomus vii. , Mali xxx. De S. Madelgisilo Eremita, Cenlulce in Picardia. Siip])lemen- tum de Translatione Corporis Centulam, deinde an. 1 1 13 in novam capsam, num. 17, p. 269.
3" Mabillon states, that this entombment
dinis S. Benedicti," tomus i. , lib. xiv. , sect, iv. , p. 412.
3' The Latin lines, which run thus, are supposed to commemorate the Translation of this saint's relics. :
" Ossa Madelgisili tenet haec lectica Beati
Quern Confessorem sibi Christus rite beavit,
Anschemsque novam sibi capsamjure paravit. '
—
"Acta Sanctorum," tomus vii. , Mail xxx. De S. Madelgesilo Eremita, Centuls in Picardia, Commenlarius Pra:vius, num. pp. 264, 265.
:—
—;
MAY30. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
6ii
veneration, especially throughout Picardy. His chief festival has always been observed on the 30th of May, and with marked religious ceremonial.
The greatest errors of men are those cherished by them, pursuing fancied dreams of happiness. They do not care to reflect on the real nature of that phantom they follow. Not fully appreciating the delights of final happiness, the ultimate aim of life is unheeded, and false pleasures sought only render human beings most miserable, both in pursuit and possession.
Many seek riches as the object of their fondest desires ; with great effort or labour those
may be acquired ;
they are soon lost \
and restlessness.
citude, anxiety and energetic efforts are the price to be paid for such dan- gerous distinctions; still popular approval or the favour of those in high station is proverbially capricious ; such power is weakness, when the mind is left ill at ease, or rather entirely overburdened with fatigues and fears. Others may place their chief happiness in human and domestic affections but even these are variable and insincere, in too many instances friendship
;
has been deceived and betrayed ; conjugal, parental, or filial, relation- ship has been alloyed by faithlessness, by misfortune, and by crime. Healthofmindandbodyis thoughtbyotherstobeapearlofgreatprice, and a rational object to secure; but, although its advantages and pleasures, humanly speaking, are not to be undervalued, our mental faculties or bodily strength cannot long last in unimpaired vigour. Therefore, with the saints ought we recur to nobler and higher sources, in order to satisfy the eager longings of our souls. With them we should hold, that the Infinite alone can satiate all our desires, and regulate or appease those restless motions and aspirations of the human will, by directing them, even during our mortal career,
to the true objects, for which we have received those gifts, natural and super- natural, we now possess. Through all the vicissitudes of life, our thoughts must be elevated above ends, merely natural and perishable ; our joys and hopes should centre in the supernatural, glorious and immortal beatitude and tranquillity, whence pain and care are altogether removed. Such principles of action regulated the motives of our saints, while exercising their powers of body and of mind, in serving God, in purifying their own affections, and in edifying their fellow-creatures. With tiiem, pursuing true and unalloyed happiness, we must recognise a certain conclusion, that in the possession of Heaven, supreme felicity has been achieved, and the great contest of our lives has been crowned with victory.
Article II. St. Goban, or Gobban, of Airdne Dairinse. In the Martyrology of Tallagh,' this name is set down as, Goban Airdni Dairinsi, at this date. The BoUandists,^ quoting from the same authority, have Gobanus de Ara-Dar-Inis, at the 30th of May. This saint is said to have had another festival, at the 26th of March, when a notice of St. Gobban may be seen. Colgan also infers, that he must have been very distinguished for his piety and mental endowments, since he had a double festival instituted in his honour. Whatevercanbeknownregardinghimseemsmoreorlessinvolved in obscurity. However, attempts have been made, to clear away the mist, which has so long covered this saint's Acts. 3 It is not known, whether he
Article II. — Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. XXV.
^ See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus vii. Among the pretermitted feasts, p. 233.
3 See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
nix," Martii xxvi. , Vita S. Gobbani, p. 750.
•See Archdall's " Monasticon Hiberni-
cum," p. 695.
' According to a supposition of some, this
but most frequently they are not attained, or, if possessed, while worldly wealth, so won, is sure to increase their care Many are ambitious of public dignities and honours ; soli-
6l2 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[May 30.
governed the Island of Molana, in the River Blackwater of Munster, and in the county of Waterford, or whether he ruled over an Island, in the present WexfordHarbour. BothplacesformerlywentbythenameofDarinis. Some writers say, this saint was abbot of Airdne, one of the Aran Isles, off the coast of Galway, and in several Martyrologies, we are told, he is styled Abbas Ardnensis. -* The common name of the three Islands was Ara,5 w-hich in the nominativeisAirne,orAranninthegenitive,accordingtotheIrish. Where- fore, Father John Colgan ^ thought Airne to have been a distinct name for one of these Islands. It is another mistake of his to write, that Ard-Olen was the
^V
Nurney Old Church, County of Kildare.
same as that Island ;7 for, Ard-Olen lies, as elsewhere he has properly stated, in another place. ^ Neither is the most eastern the chiefest of the three Isles of Aran, as he took it to be,9 but rather it is the smallest. It is probable, that he was led into the mistake, by some incorrect map, in which these Islands were either misplaced, or their position was reversed. *° Before Colgan's time, the Maps of Ireland were grossly inaccurate. In some of them this East Island of Aran is set down as the largest. In others, the greatest size is claimed for the Middle Island. " There are many places, in Ireland, called
word signifies "a kidney," from a fanciful * See ibid. , xx. Januarii, Supplementum resemblance of Aranmoie to one. However, Vitae S. Fechini, cap. xxii. , p. 135, and n.
if it were the name applied to all the Islands in common, this ingenious conjecture of the etymologists sliould at once vanish, if we take into account their actual conformation.
13. p. 141.
' See ibid. , xxi. Martii, Appendix ad
Vitam S. Endei, cap. vii. , p. 714.
'° The very same cause may account for
' See "Acta Sanctorum Hiberniae," his mistake about Ardoilen.
Martii xxvi. Dc S. Gobano Abbatc de " Sec the Government Map, headed, Airdne Dairinnsi, nn. i, 2, p. 750. " Ilibernia, Insula, non procul ab Anglia,
' See ibid. , xxi. Martii, Appendix ad wlgare Uirlandia vocata, 1567," published Vitam S. Endei, cap. vii. , pp. 714, 715. with the State Papers, vol. ii. London, 1834.
—
May 30. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 613
Airdne by our ancient writers ; and, in modern phraseology, that denomina- tion has been rendered into Urney or Nurney. One of those places, called Nurney, gives name to a townland" and parish, in the present Barony of West Offiily, county of Kildare ; and here, there are some ruins of an old church in a cemetery. '3 In the same county, there is another parish of Nurney, in the Barony of Carbury. '-^ There is a parish called Nurney. likewise, in the Baronies of Carlow, Forth, and Idrone West, county of Carlow. 's However, it is not certain, that St. Goban or Gobban had connexion with any of these places. We find entered, likewise, in the Martyrology of Donegal,^^ that Gobban, abbot of Airdne, was venerated, on this day.
Article III, St. Fergussius, of Druim-bile, otherwise, St. Saergusa bile, or Saerghos, of Druim. Saergusabileis the description we find entered for this saint, in the Martyrology of Tallagh,' at the 30th of May. However, the BoUandists,^ who cite the same authority, place Faer- gussius de Druim-bile, at this date, and probably, it is the more correct ren- dering. There is a townland, called Drumbilla,3 in the parish of Roche,4 and baronyofUpperDundalk,inthecountyofLouth;while,it seemstobethe only nearly corresponding denomination, among the other townland names in Ireland. Yet, it is hardly probable, notwithstanding, that it was the place of Fer- gussius, Saergusa, or Saerghos. This holy man appears to have been identified, with Soergussius,5 or Saerghus, an abbot of Dearmhach or Durrow,^ and who died A. D. 835. 7 The identification, however, cannot be relied upon, as being quiteconclusive. Thissameday,venerationwasgiventoSaerghos,ofDruim, aswereadintheMartyrologyofDonegal. ^ Inthetableappended,thisname is written Saorghuss, and Latinized, Sergius. 9 On the west coast of Ireland, in the county of Sligo, there is a Dromard,'° the site of a religious erection. One of Miss Owenson's most affecting sketches is given of an incident she has noted, when sitting on a tomb among the old ecclesiastical ruins of Dromard, over the Atlantic Ocean, the landlord of the place, her companion, was asked by
" " In the vicinity of the village is an old castle. This parish is a rectory in the dio- cese of Kildare. "—"Parliamentary Gazet- teerof Ireland," vol. iii. , p. 43.
•3 The accompanying illustration is from a sketch, kindly made on the spot, by Rev. Edward O'Leary, C. C. , Rathangan, and transferred by William F. Wakeman, to the wood, engraved by Mrs. Millard. As acces- sories to the picture, the round stone vessel —probably a font—belongs to the place: the oblong one has been conveyed to the modern chapel, which adjoins the ruin at Nurney, and it belongs to a neighbouring old church, at Harristovvn, as I have been informed, in a letter of Very Rev. Michael Comerford, P. P. , Monasterevan, and dated June 2nd, 1S85. The situation of this parish is marked on the "Ordnance Survey Town- land Maps for the County of Kildare," sheets 27, 31. The villige, townland, and demesne, so named, are marked on the same maps.
for the County of Carlow," sheet 12,
'° Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
I40, 141.
Article in. — ' Edited by Rev. Dr.
Kelly, p. xxv.
-See -"Acta Sanctorum," tomus vii.
Among the pretermitted saints, p. 233.
3 See it described, on the " Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the County of
Louth," sheet 3.
*• This parish contains 3,305a. ir. I7p. ,
and it is shown on sheets 3, 4, 7- Il'id.
5 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Quinta Appendix ad Acta S. Columbi-e, cap.
iv. , sect, iii. , pp. 507, 508.
* In the King's County.
? See Dr. O Donovan's "Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 452,453.
« j^jjfgj ^y Qj-s. Todd and Reeves, pp.
140, 141.
9 See ibid. , pp. 464, 465.
'° This parish in the Barony of Tireragh is
shown, on the " Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the County of Sligo,"_ sheets 13, 19, 20. The townland proper is marked on
sheet 19.
" See Miss Owenson's "Patriotic Sketches
»» See ibid. , sheets 2, 3, 8. called Nurney, is on sheet 3.
Its townland,
'S It is shown, with tlie townlandso named, on the "Ordnance Survey Townland Maps
—
6 14 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 30.
a young peasant, for stones from his quarry to built up the cemetery wall, thus to save his parents' remains from desecration. "
Article IV. St. Ernine, or Erni:ius. The insertion of the name, Ernine, is found in the Martyrology of Tallagh,' at this date. The Bollan- dists' have it Ernimus—apparently an incorrect spelling—at the 30th of May, and on the previous authority. No clue is given, however, to find his place or his period.
Article V. Reputed Feast of St. Silay, or Silaus, Bishop at Lucca. The Acts, probably of St. Silaus, Bishop of Lucca—also called Silay—had been prepared for publication by Colgan,' as we find in the post- humous list of his Manuscripts, and he had intended to place them, at the 30th ofMay. ThiswasapparentlyontheauthorityofPhilipFerrarius,whostates that he died, a. d. 780, and on the Sunday after Ascension Day, in that same year. However, the Bollandists, who quote his authority for the statement, show, that the Sunday in question then fell on the 7th and not on the 30th
of May. " Father Stephen White 3 commemorates St. Silanus, at the 30th of May; and,PhilipFerarius,''also,seemstohavebeenhisauthorityforthat entry. We have already treated about St. Silaus, Bishop and Patron at Lucca, in Hetruria. 5
Article VI. St. Heyna or Hieu. [Sevefith Ce? itury. '] In the EngUsh Martyrology of John Wilson, the present holy virgin is commemo- rated, on this day ; while Philip Ferrarius ' and Arthur de Monstier ^ adopt the same arrangement. She is said to have been the first woman who em- braced a conventual life, at the instigation of St. Aidan,3 Bishop and Apostle oftheKingdomofNorthumbria. NotwithstandingtheopinionofJohnLeland, St. Hieu was a different person from St. Bees,* or Bega, as is shown by Dr. Smith, in his annotations on Venerable Bede ;5 and, Heina is said to have founded the monastery of Heorthu, over which she placed Hilla, and then she retired to Tadcaster. ^ A Saxon monastery was at this place, so early as 655 ; but, the church there was afterwards annexed to Sallay Abbey,?
of Ireland, written in Connaught," vol. ii. , 3 His Life may be seen, at the 31st of sketch xii. , pp. 9 to 13. August.
Article iv. — " Edited by Rev. Dr. •» See her Life, at the 6th of Septem-
Kelly, p. XXV.
' See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus vii.
Among the pretermitted saints, p. 233. Article V. —' See " Catalogus Actuum Sanctorum quae MS. habentur, ordine Men-
sium et Dierum. "
* See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus vii.
Amongthe pretermitted feasts, p. 233. They add: " festum autem agitur Lucas ipsa Dominica, et olim affixum fuit diei, quando vitam damns xxi. Maii. "
3 See "Apologia pro Ilibernia," cap. iv. , p. 40, cap. v. , p. 64.
* In "Catalogus Sanctorum Italic. "
5 See in the present Volume, Art. ii. , at the 2ist of this month.
Article vi. — • In "Catalogus Gene- ralis Sanctorum. "
* In Gynoeco Sacro.
ber.
s See " Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis
Anglorum. " At lib. iv. , cap. 53, note.
'"St. Mar}-'s Tadcaster, is a market town and parish, chiefly in the upper division of tlie wapentake of Barkstone Ash, but partly in tlie west division of Ainstiy wapentake, in the West Riding of Yorkshire. This place
was the site of that Roman station Calcaria so named from the soil abounding with calx or limestone. It is situated on the naviga- ble River Wharfe, over which there is a handsome stone bridge. See Samuel Lewis' "Topographical Dictionary of England," vol. iv. , pp. 294, 295.
7 See the " Monasticon Anglicanum," by Sir William Dugdalc, Kl. . and edited by John Caley, F. R. S. , Henry Ellis, LL. B. , and the Rev. Bulkelcy Bandinel, D. D. ,
;
1787, fol.
9 See Cough's Camden's "Britannia,"
vol. iii. , p. 52.
" See "Annales Ecclesiae Britannicse,"
tomusii. , num. iii. , p. 294.
" See an interesting account of this saint
and of her Priory, in Sir WiUiam Dugdale's " Monasticon Anglicanum," &c. , vol. iii. , pp. 574 to 580.
—
May 30] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 615
founded in 1146-7, by William De Percy the Third. ^ Others have it, that St. Heyna lived in Calcasester,? which is the original name given to the place, by Venerable Bede, when he speaks of St. Heina, who first took the veil in these parts. Her death is referred to a. d. 657, by Father Michael Alford,'° who thinks her to be the same as St. Bega, or Bee, of Copeland," in Cum- berland, referred by Wilson to the 6th of September, in the first edition of his Martyrology, and to the 22nd of November, in the second issue of his work. " The BoIlandists,^3 who have stated what precedes, remark, that in the ancient Martyrologies, they found nothing referring to her veneration; and that, if they met with further traces of it, they might treat about her, at the ist of October,'* or at the 22nd of November. 's She is said to have closed a holy life, at Tadcaster, on the 30th of May, a. d. 657. '^ We do not know, if she be the Heina, mentioned by Thomas Dempster,'? as having been veiled at Berwick. He states, that her time was uncertain, and she is said '^ to have written a Book of Hymns to the saints
; but, we should like to have better authority for this latter assertion, which
we do not believe can be sustained.
Article VII. Festival of St. Caidoc and Frechor or Adrian, Centule, Picardy, and Apostles of the Morini, in France. \Sixth and Seventh Centuries. '\ Already, at ist day of April,' we have treated about these holy missionaries ; but, their feasts are not confined to that day alone, asthe24thofJanuary^ andthe31stofMarch3 havebeendedicatedtotheir memory,asalsothepresent30thofMay. InanoldManuscriptKalendar, belonging to the church of Centule,* and in an old Kalendar published by D'Achery,5 their feast has been assigned to the latter day, which seems to
have been the one, according most with local tradition and former usage. The BoUandists, at this date, have Acts of these saints, Caidoc and Frechor or Adrian, in a historic commentary, consisting of eight paragraphs. ^ As we have already seen, they left Ireland for the Ponthieu district,? in Picardy, where,
vol. v. , pp. 510 to 516.
^ See Bishop Tanner's " Notitia Monas-
'5 The date given for St. Bega's festival, by John Wilson,
'^ According to Alford's " Annales Eccle-
sise Britannicse," tomus ii. , num. iii. , p.
Scotoruifi," tomus ii. , lib. viii. , num. 702,
^^ By the same Dempster.
Article vii. —' See the Fourth Volume of this work, Art. i.
= See First Volume, at that date, Art. ix. , regarding St. Caidoc 's reputed Feast.
^ See Third Volume, at that date, Art. ix.
* It states : " Coenobio Centula SS. Chaidoci, Fricorii, et Maldegisi, quorum duo primi B. Richario ad initium sancts conver- sationis Doctores fuerunt. "
tica ; or an Account of all the Abbies,
Priories, and Houses of Friers formerly in
England and Wales, and also of all the Col-
leges and Hospitals founded before a. d.
MDXL," edition by James Nasmith, M. A. , Yorkshire, sect, cv. , edition, Cambridge, p. 369.
" Alford says
Heina dicatur e Northumbriae Regibus de-
scendisse, Bega vero Hibernia Vocetur :
quia HibernicK Insults Northumbris vicing
frequinter sanguinem miscebant. "—"An- Caydoci, Adriani et Madegisli. "
:
'• Nee multum obest, quod
nales Ecclesiae Britannicse," tomus ii. , num.
