From that quarter, Patrick went into the land of the
IMonarch
Laogaire.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v3
Then truly was he deserving the name of Victor, for he had accomplished the most difficult task, of having overcome his former deep-rooted prejudices.
St.
Patrick most cheerfully assentedtohispiousentreaties,andhebecameaChristian.
Notthatalone, but all the members of his household and his people were instructed in the faith,andthusregenerated.
SoferventdidVictorbecome,thathewillinglymade an offer of all his lands and possessions to the Irish Apostle, so that a church might there be built and endowed.
At present, Donaghmoyne Protestant church94 and cemetery95 stand on the summit of a round hill, about two miles northwards from the charming little town of Carrickmacross.
9'5 Its physical
position, in ancient times, was almost insular. 97 In the centre and highest part of the graveyard, some remains of the old church may be discerned ; yet, no part of the walls can be seen. ^s It was an oblong building, and run- ning from east to west ; the measurements being, about 49 feet long by 23 feet wide, in the inside. The present thickness of the debris of side-wall is about 8 feet. s9 The churchyard'°° is surrounded by trees of ash and beech,
»=> Tlie Miighdoinians are regarded, as the descendants of Colla Meann, according to the " Book of Lecan. " See Shirley's "His- tory of the County of Monaghan," chap, i. , pp. 3 to II.
9' See Dr. John O'Donovan's edition of
" Leabhar na g-Ceart, or Book of Rights,"
57 West of it lies the dried-up bed of a lake, and north of it, there was another lake, not quite so well drained off, yet the site and outlines are quite visible.
9* The accompanying sketch, taken on the spot, in February, 1879, by William F. Wakeman, and transferred to the wood, has
pp. 152, 153. — — been engraved by Mrs. Millard. In the 9^ Victor's name not being Irish fails foreground is the old church site, and im- to appear in our native Caicnciars. But, its mediately west of it, there is an enclosed
Irish form, Buadhbeo, may lead to the dis- coveiy. A saint bearing this latter name is venerated, on the 17th of November. Col- gan, however, has chosen to give the Acts of the present holy man, at the 28lh of Febniary.
9' St. John, i. 5. « Built in 1827.
tomb, with yew trees growing within the space. This is the burial-place of a local
Catholic family, named Kernan, and they were relatives to the late Most Rev. Edward
Kernan, Catholic Bishop of Clogher.
99 It is stated, that a Protestant church
had been built, on this site, probably subse- quent to the Insurrection of 1641. See
95 No monuments, in the cemeteiy, have. Evelyn Philip Shirley's "Some Account of an earlier date than the beginning of the the Territory or Dominion of Farney,"
last century. chap, vii. , p. 160. Yet, it seems equally 9* It is in the parish of Magheross and probable, that it was on the site of the
barony of Famey. It is shown, on the original church, foimded by St. Patrick, and
" Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the presided over by Victor.
County of Monaghan," Sheet 31.
">°
There is a beautiful Celtic cross of
March 17. ] LIVES OF THE IklSH SAINTS.
<^75
which in summer completely shut out the view; except towards the west, where the scene is by far the most extensive. '"^ The churchyard is sur- rounded, by a modern wall, and it is approached, by a suitable entrance. '°^ The ancient church-site of Donaghmoync'°3 is surrounded by steep, round hills
Donaglimoyne Church and Graveyard, County ^lonaghan,
of rich pasture and tillage land, clothed in many parts with modern planta- tions. '""^ Here, most humbly did the good man place himself as a disciple, under St. Patrick, and profited so much by his instruction and training, that thenovicesoonwasremarkableforgreatholinessandwisdom. Indueprocess of time, Victor attained to such learning, and sanctity, that he was made a bishop. He is said to have ruled over a church, which had been built, by St. Patrick, within his former territory. The pious Bishop Victor well discharged the duties of his episcopal office. During this mission, the people of Mugh- dorna were converted by, and obedient to, St. Patrick. So pleased was the saint with tlicse nen- converts, that he predicted, many warlike and distin- guished chiefs, as also venerable prelates in the clerical profession, should
white marble with design of interLacing
closely resembling, if not actually copied
from, the Cross ot St. IMuiredach, at ^lon-
asterboice. This cross is a monument, IManning's Castle. This may be seen des- erected to the memory of the notorious
William Stewart Trench, agent to the
Marquis of Bath. Besides being an exter-
minating land-agent, he was a calumniator
of the people of Farney, in liis work, " The
Realities of Irish Life. " He died 4lh
August, 1S72. The monument was made' cahan, in a letter dated Monaghan, March byHarrisonofDublin.
"' However, on no side can the eye reach beyond the borders of historic Farney.
^°- The churchyard is used as a burial- place by Protestants and Catholics alike, but principally by Catholics, and it is strewn
with tombs and crosses of great variety.
"' About half a mile, north-west of Donaghmoyne, lies the hill, on which stood
cribed and sketched, in Shirley's "Some Account of the Territory or Dominion of
Farney," chap. vii.
''-"^ Formostoftheforegoingdescription
of Donaghmoyne, the writer feels indebted, to the Rev. Daniel O'Connor, C. C. , Cor-
IS'. , 1879. HeaccompaniedMr. Wakeman to the spot, and insisted on defraying the expenses, in connection with the illustration. This, however, forms only a small part of the obligations, he has imposed so kindly, on the writer's grateful remembrance.
676 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 17.
belong to their race. '°3 He also imparted a special blessing. ^'* Among the Mughdorni, St. Patrick's mission and preaching proved to be eminently successful.
Afterwards, Patrick went to the Fera-Ros/°7 who lived in Crich Rois,'°^
a territory, not well defined, which lay, however, in the south of the County of Monaghan. '°9 HeadvancedtoEnachConglais,"°whereheremainedfora Sunday. While there, the Ui-Lilaigh'" are stated to have given St, Patrick poisoned cheeses ; but, knowing their intent, he made a sign of the cross over these, and immediately they were converted into stones. This miracle was a subject for great admiration to many present, and of confusion to the plotters against his life. His enemies were still actuated by malice, and he therefore wished to leave their district, so that he might go into another region. While Patrick travelled on Monday, across the ford of a certain
river, southwards, the Ui-Iilaigh went with fifty horsemen,? to watch the ford,'" and to slay him. Patrick then turned towards them, upon the banks,
" You
and to the south of the ford, when he raised his left hand, and said
shall neither come out of the ford here, nor go the other way ; but, you shall be in that water, for ever. " All were drowned, in that river, as he had declared, nor could their bodies be recovered, afterwards, although a diligent search had been made for them. Near Enach Conglais was shown a rock, or stones,"3 at the ford, where this miracle took place ; and, its memory was preserved, in the name Ath-Hiliolaigh, or " the ford of the Ui-Lilaigh," which was given to the spot,^'^ by those who bore the incident in remembrance.
CHAPTER XVII.
ST. PATRICK REVISITS MEATH—THE HYMN OF ST. SECUNDINUS—ST. PATRICK IS SAID TO HAVE PASSED FROM MEATH TOWARDS DUBLIN—HE VISITS NAAS—MIRACLES RE- CORDED, IN CONNEXION—WITH BOTH PLACES—HIS JOURNEYS TO HY-GARCHON, AND THROUGHMAGHLIFFE CHURCHESSAIDTOHAVEBEENFOUNDEDBYHIM,INTHE PRESENT COUNTY OF KILDARE.
A SECOND time was the important province of Meath blessed, through the ministrations of St. Patrick. He entered by its northern parts,' and his first
Lagan, in some part of the parish of Kill- aney, on the borders of Monaghan and Louth.
"3 The Fourth Life of St. Patrick states, that St. Patrick's persecutors were turned into these submerged stones, which miglit be seen, by those walking near the place. See cap. Ixxiv. , p. 44.
"•See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga. " Tertia Vita S. Patricii, cap. Ixv. , Ixx. , pp. 26, 27, and nn. 62, 63, p. 32. Quarta Vita S. Patricii, cap. Ixxii. , Ixxiii. , Ixxiv. , p. 44, and nn. 49, 50, p. 49. Sexta Vita S. Patricii, cap. Ixxix. , p. 83, cap. Ixxxii. , p. 84, cap. xci. , xciv. , xcv. , pp. 86, 87, cap. cxix. , p. 92,
'°s See " Septima Vita S. Patricii," lib. iii. , cap. xii. , p. 151.
"* See " Sexta Vita S. Patricii," cap, cxxxix. , p. 95.
'°? The parish of MachaireRos, or Maghe- ross, and its town Carrickmacross, lie with- in their ancient district.
"^ It contained the church of Eanach-
Conglais.
'°9 See John O'Donovan's
"
Leabhar na g-Ceart, or Book of Rights," n. (m), pp.
154, 155.
"° Colgan says, it was Kill-eanaigh (Kill-
aney) in his day, and that it was a parochial church of the diocese of Cloghcr, in Orgiell.
The parish, so called, extends into the cap. cxxxix. , cxliii. , pp. 95, 96, cap. cxlviii. ,
counties of Monaghan and Louth, and the ruins of the ,old church are in the latter county, on the borders of the former.
p. 97, and nn. 79, 80, 81, 82, 87, loi, 105, 147, 152, pp. 112 to 115. Septima Vita S. Patricii, lib, iii. , cap. i. , ii. , iii. , iv. , v. , vi. , vii. , ix. , x. , xi. , xii. , xiii. , pp. 149 to 151,
"' This name is now obsolete, nor is the
tribe-name mentioned, by O'Dugan or and nn. 1 to 22, p. 184. Also, Miss
*'
O'Heerin, in their Topographical Poems. Cusack's
"^ It was evidently a ford, on the River 457, with accompanying notes.
Life of St. Patrick," pp. 450 to
:
March 17. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 677
visit was paid to the castle at Rath-Cuile. ^ The people of the territory sur-
rounding it were known as the Fera Cuil,3 which territory was in Bregia ^ ;
and, it appears to have been conterminous, with the present barony of Kells, in the county of Meath. Near them lived the Hy-Segain, a people situated to the north of Ardbraccan, in the same county. Thus, both tribes appear to have taken in both the baronies—Upper and Lower—of Kells. Here, the Apostle refreshed their souls, with his heavenly counsels and doctrine, Avhile the inhabitants responded to the graces afforded them, nor did their great missionary leave them, until he had imparted a very cordial benedic- tion. Soon after this, lie arrived at Bile-tortan,s near Ardbraccan,^ where he is said to have founded a church, which afterwards was called Domnach-tor- tan. 7 We are told,^ it is the same as Donaghmore, near Navan,9 but such statement seems not well established. Over the place, called Domnach
'°
as its pastor, and he was a disciple of the holy missionary.
From that quarter, Patrick went into the land of the IMonarch Laogaire. " There, he measured out the foundations, forachurch,which,inaftertime,wascalledDomnachUrchaile. " There,
likewise, it is said, he remained for one night.
Among St. Patrick's disciples was the venerable Secundin,'3 or Seachnall. ''*
As some of our Apostle's disciples discoursed together, regarding his gifts and virtues, one of them said, Patrick was the holiest man, left breathing upon the face of this earth. To whom Secundinus " he had been
Tortan, St. Patrick appointed a priest, named Justin,
Chapter xvii. —'
Jocelyn states,
that
Hibernicum," p. 529.
5 Colgan, to whom Archdall refers, does
not say so. The parish of Navan, in the barony of Lower Navan, is shown, on the
"
Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the County of Meath," Sheets 25, 31. The town is on Sheet 25.
" In Tirechan's list of St. Patrick's dis-
ciples, there is a Justianus ; but, it is not possible to state, that he was identical with the present rectox'.
" "the of Crioch-Leoghaire, countiy
Leoghaire," or the Ui-Leoghaire, "the posterity of Leoghaire," was in Southern Meath, near the banks of the River Boyne, and it extended around Tara, according to
Colgan.
" Dr. O'Donovan, referring to a place,
called Druim Urchaille, renders this name, the " Ridge of the Greenwood. " He con- jectures, that it might be Cnoc-Urchoille,
or Spaniel Hill, in the county of Clare. See " Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. At A. D. 837, these authorities record the death of Domhnall, son of Aedh, its abbot. See pp. 456, 457, and n. (q). To us, it seems more probable, that it was a place, identical with Domnach Urchaile, which was un- doubtedly in Meath, and perhaps, at a sub-
time to that of St. it sequent Patrick,
became the seat of a monastery.
'^ At the 27th day of November, his
festival was kept.
'•* He is otherwise Seachnall ]\Iac called,
Ua Baird. He was the nephew of St.
Patrick, and son of Darerca, according to
St. Patrick entered the plain of Bregh, by
passing over the mountain, called Ficoth ;
l)Ut, Colgau asserts, this is an error for
Fiioit, or Fiiaid, a mountain of Southern
Ulster, This range of Sliabh Fuaid is now
called the Fews JNIountains, nearly in the
centre of Armagh County. See O'Flaherty's
" ^
coole, in Ireland.
called in the Cool,
Ogyg'^j" pars, iii. , cap. iv. , p. 167. There are several places, named Rath-
Dr. O'Donovan's
"
Leabhar na g-Ceart, or
Perhaps, the place now
parish
of Kilmainham
Wood, was identical with this fort. It ad-
joins RIoybolgue : lies to the south-west, in
the barony of Lower Kells. Or it may have been Rathcoole, a townland in the parish of
Dromin, and barony of Ardee, described on the " Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for
the County of Louth," Sheets 17, 18.
3 It was also called Feara-Cul-Breagh.
* See Dr. O'Donovau's "Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. i. , n. (p), p. 297.
5 This was its name, in pagan times. See
Book of Rights," n. (b), p. 151.
^ The Irish Life remarks, it was near the
community of Ard-Breccan ; but, this has
reference to the monastic institution here, at
a later period.
7 The Ui-Dortain or Tortain were the
descendants of Tortain, son of Fiach, son to Feidhlem, son of Fiachra, son to Colla da Crioch. These were seated, in that part of
known as in which was Aleath, Oirghialla,
the celebrated old tree, called Bile-Tortan. It stood near Ardbraccan.
* By Archdall, who has changed this
as he says, Bile-tortan. See " Monasticon sisters.
some accounts ; others say, he was the son church into a monastery, which was called, of Liamhain, another of St. Patrick's
answered, Truly,
678 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 17.
most holy, had he not been endued with less fraternal charity, than behoved
him. " This coming to Patrick's hearing, through his disciples, the saint asked Secundinus, what moved him to utter such a personal censure. Secun-
din " Because answered,
not those means for and those living,
you accept
rich presents, that are offered to you, and with which you might maintain
With the Apostle's and Master's usual benignity, his disciple was easily re- assured and forgiven. '5 The return of Patrick, to the scenes of his earlier
labours in Meath, has been assigned, to the beginning of a. d. 443. '^ Then, too, he is thought to have founded many of his churches there, and to have
left Bishop Secundin, at Domnach-Sechnall,'7 at present known as^ Dun- shaughlin. This is said to have been a corruption of the former name ; but,
multitudes of men. " To whom St. Patrick "
holy replied, Charity
great
obliges me, not to accept of such great charity ; for, if I did accept of what would be given to me, I should leave not so much as a pasture for two horses, on behalf of those saints, who shall live after us. " Secundinus then repented, that he had spoken those words, and he asked St. Patrick's pardon.
" the fort of
for his residence. '^ The aforesaid Secundinus, being a man of great
learning and wisdom, signified to St. Patrick, that he desired to compose a hymn, in honour of a saint, who yet was living. But, because it was Patrick himselfthathemeant,Secundinconcealedthatsaint'sname. Theglorious bishop answered, " It is just and reasonable, that people display the virtues of the saints, and that the Church should declare their praises,'9 which yet is more securely done after their death, when all occasion for sinning is re- moved. Praise thou, therefore, the clearness of the day, but not until the evening cometh ; the courage of the soldier, but not until he has triumphed ; the fortune of the sailor, but not until he hath landed, for the Scripture saith, thou shalt praise no man in his lifetime. ^" Yet, if you will put in execution what you intend, do it quickly ; for, lo ! death is at the door. Of all the bishopsthatareinIreland,youarethefirstthatshalldepartthislife. " Secundi- nus composed the hymn,^^ in Latin, and within a few days afterwards, he died at Domnachseachluin, his episcopal city. He showed by frequent miracles, that he reigns with Christ. There was his body deposited, and he was the first of the Irish bishops, buried in Irish soil. *^ His hymn, too, many of the islanders were daily wont to sing,^3 and from its repetition they affirm, different and great wonders have happened. ^4 Among various other favours, it obtained protection for many persons, against the designs of their enemies. ^5
'3 See "Sextii Vita S. Patiicii," cap. 211, 212. This Hymn in praise of St.
Patrick, and beginning with " Audite omnes amantes," <kc. , is found in the Manu- script, classed 23, N. 15, at p. 79. This is in the Betham Collection of the Royal Irish
it rather be may
interpreted,
Seachnall,"
as been the site having
clxxvi. , p. 104.
'* *'
See Rev. Dr. Lanigan's
Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. i. , chap, vi. , sect. iv. , p. 271. Other accounts place it, at an
earlier period. Academy. ^"^ "
the Doviinica, or church of Sechnall, it being called after this saint,
'^ See Ussher"^ " Primordia," cap. xvii. ,
"
'7 This designation has been interpreted as See
p. 826, and Ware's
Septima Vita S. Patricii," lib. iii. , cap. Ixxxix. , p. 165, and n. 115, p. 188. ^3 This testimony of Jocelyn gives us to understand, how very general was the knowledge of the Latin language, in Ire- land, during his time, and previous periods ; while, it indicates, moreover, how great was the devotion entertained for the great Irish
Opuscula S. Patricii," '9 Ecclesiasticus, xliv. 15.
p. 150.
*°
^' It has been published by Colgan, and
See Ecclesiasiicus, xi. 30.
a " Praefatio Veteris Ano-
Apostle.
'^^ It seems to have been a
to it is
prefixed,
nymi," giving substantially the legend or history of its composition, as found in tlie
recognised practice, among the most celebrated Irish saints, to recite this Hymn, wliich was a favourite and privileged devotion. This is
"
Appendix ad Acta S. Patricii, pars, iii. , pp.
te\t. See
Trias Thaumaturga. " Tertia
mentioned, in the Life of St. Coemgen,
March 17. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 679
The year for the death of Secundin is said to have been 447, and the day fellonthe27thofNoveniber. ^^ Heisthought,bysome,tohavepresided, over the See of Armagh ; but, this idea seems inconsistent, with the recorded Acts of St. Patrick, and with what we can infer, from other accounts. Nor dowefind,thattheSeeofArmaghhadanyexistence,atthisearlytime; so that Seachnall must have been dead, before its foundation had been accom- plished, by the Irish Apostle. However, as Secundin has been called
Patrick's Vicar
and
Suffragan,
while the Irish
Apostle went on
a visit to Rome f this might ac- count for a re- ceived
opinion, that the disciple had replaced his master, at Ar- magh, during the time of his pre- sumed absence from Ireland. Yet, probably, the
real
is to be found, in the circumstance,
• that before de-
parting for the more southern
districts of Ire- land, St. Patrick had entrusted Sechnall with a
very
jurisdiction, in the northern districts, and among others, over that tract, which afterwards
belonged to the
""^
See of Armagh. About this period,
1ikewise the ,
explanation
extensive
Old Church Ruins at Finglas, County of Dublui.
Irish Apostle is said to have visited the country about Slane_, to inspect the state of the congregations there formed, at the opening of his mission.
chapters xxiii. and xlviii. , in the Life of St. Cohnan Ela, chapter xxv. , and in tlie Life of St. Cannech, chapter xliii.
°5 Jocelyn adds, that tliose lying in wait
for the protected were struck with tliat kind
of blindness, " quam Acrisiam nuncupant Phisici. " See " Sexta Vita S. Patricii,"
lib. iii. , cap. Ixxxix. , xc, xci. , pp. 165, 166. 2* See Dr. O' Donovan's " Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 134, 135, and n.
-7 Rev. Dr. Lanigan asserts, that St. Patrick did not go to that city, after he had really engaged on tlie work of the L'ish
cap. clxxvii. , p. 104. These accounts ap- mission. '^^
pear, in a more detailed form, in the Tripar- Such is the very ingenious supposition
tite Life. See " Vita S. Septima
Patricii,"
of Rev. Dr. Lanigan, in his " Ecclesiastical
68o LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 17.
No wonder that the great actions of St. Patrick should be greatly magnified and even exaggerated, by the people, on whom he conferred such inestimable blessings ; and, yet, it is to be lamented, that pure inventions shouldusurptheplaceofauthenticbiography,inreferencetohim. Thus, Jocelyn, probably alluding to a legend, current in his time, especially relates,
—ck came in his that St. Patri
journey,
from Meath, so far as
Finglas,^?
—where
was a stream to a hill, which is distant a mile from Dublin. At Finglas,
there was an ancient church, and an old cemetery. There, too, the learned and
distinguished ecclesiastical historian of Ireland, Rev. John Lanigan, D. D. ,
lies interred, under a graceful Celtic cross. 3° Wlien St. Patrick was there,
Dublin is said to have been but a little village. Jocelyn remarks, that in
after times, it underwent various changes of fortune, having been mainly in-
habited by Norwegians, and by people from the Islands,3' sometimes in
alliancewith,andsometimesopposedto,thekingsofIreland. Wearetold,
that when the glorious bishop, St. Patrick, came near to the famous city of
Dublin, he found it lying in the slough of paganism and idolatry. While
contemplating it, from the hill alluded to, he blessed the territory around it.
Dr.
position, in ancient times, was almost insular. 97 In the centre and highest part of the graveyard, some remains of the old church may be discerned ; yet, no part of the walls can be seen. ^s It was an oblong building, and run- ning from east to west ; the measurements being, about 49 feet long by 23 feet wide, in the inside. The present thickness of the debris of side-wall is about 8 feet. s9 The churchyard'°° is surrounded by trees of ash and beech,
»=> Tlie Miighdoinians are regarded, as the descendants of Colla Meann, according to the " Book of Lecan. " See Shirley's "His- tory of the County of Monaghan," chap, i. , pp. 3 to II.
9' See Dr. John O'Donovan's edition of
" Leabhar na g-Ceart, or Book of Rights,"
57 West of it lies the dried-up bed of a lake, and north of it, there was another lake, not quite so well drained off, yet the site and outlines are quite visible.
9* The accompanying sketch, taken on the spot, in February, 1879, by William F. Wakeman, and transferred to the wood, has
pp. 152, 153. — — been engraved by Mrs. Millard. In the 9^ Victor's name not being Irish fails foreground is the old church site, and im- to appear in our native Caicnciars. But, its mediately west of it, there is an enclosed
Irish form, Buadhbeo, may lead to the dis- coveiy. A saint bearing this latter name is venerated, on the 17th of November. Col- gan, however, has chosen to give the Acts of the present holy man, at the 28lh of Febniary.
9' St. John, i. 5. « Built in 1827.
tomb, with yew trees growing within the space. This is the burial-place of a local
Catholic family, named Kernan, and they were relatives to the late Most Rev. Edward
Kernan, Catholic Bishop of Clogher.
99 It is stated, that a Protestant church
had been built, on this site, probably subse- quent to the Insurrection of 1641. See
95 No monuments, in the cemeteiy, have. Evelyn Philip Shirley's "Some Account of an earlier date than the beginning of the the Territory or Dominion of Farney,"
last century. chap, vii. , p. 160. Yet, it seems equally 9* It is in the parish of Magheross and probable, that it was on the site of the
barony of Famey. It is shown, on the original church, foimded by St. Patrick, and
" Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the presided over by Victor.
County of Monaghan," Sheet 31.
">°
There is a beautiful Celtic cross of
March 17. ] LIVES OF THE IklSH SAINTS.
<^75
which in summer completely shut out the view; except towards the west, where the scene is by far the most extensive. '"^ The churchyard is sur- rounded, by a modern wall, and it is approached, by a suitable entrance. '°^ The ancient church-site of Donaghmoync'°3 is surrounded by steep, round hills
Donaglimoyne Church and Graveyard, County ^lonaghan,
of rich pasture and tillage land, clothed in many parts with modern planta- tions. '""^ Here, most humbly did the good man place himself as a disciple, under St. Patrick, and profited so much by his instruction and training, that thenovicesoonwasremarkableforgreatholinessandwisdom. Indueprocess of time, Victor attained to such learning, and sanctity, that he was made a bishop. He is said to have ruled over a church, which had been built, by St. Patrick, within his former territory. The pious Bishop Victor well discharged the duties of his episcopal office. During this mission, the people of Mugh- dorna were converted by, and obedient to, St. Patrick. So pleased was the saint with tlicse nen- converts, that he predicted, many warlike and distin- guished chiefs, as also venerable prelates in the clerical profession, should
white marble with design of interLacing
closely resembling, if not actually copied
from, the Cross ot St. IMuiredach, at ^lon-
asterboice. This cross is a monument, IManning's Castle. This may be seen des- erected to the memory of the notorious
William Stewart Trench, agent to the
Marquis of Bath. Besides being an exter-
minating land-agent, he was a calumniator
of the people of Farney, in liis work, " The
Realities of Irish Life. " He died 4lh
August, 1S72. The monument was made' cahan, in a letter dated Monaghan, March byHarrisonofDublin.
"' However, on no side can the eye reach beyond the borders of historic Farney.
^°- The churchyard is used as a burial- place by Protestants and Catholics alike, but principally by Catholics, and it is strewn
with tombs and crosses of great variety.
"' About half a mile, north-west of Donaghmoyne, lies the hill, on which stood
cribed and sketched, in Shirley's "Some Account of the Territory or Dominion of
Farney," chap. vii.
''-"^ Formostoftheforegoingdescription
of Donaghmoyne, the writer feels indebted, to the Rev. Daniel O'Connor, C. C. , Cor-
IS'. , 1879. HeaccompaniedMr. Wakeman to the spot, and insisted on defraying the expenses, in connection with the illustration. This, however, forms only a small part of the obligations, he has imposed so kindly, on the writer's grateful remembrance.
676 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 17.
belong to their race. '°3 He also imparted a special blessing. ^'* Among the Mughdorni, St. Patrick's mission and preaching proved to be eminently successful.
Afterwards, Patrick went to the Fera-Ros/°7 who lived in Crich Rois,'°^
a territory, not well defined, which lay, however, in the south of the County of Monaghan. '°9 HeadvancedtoEnachConglais,"°whereheremainedfora Sunday. While there, the Ui-Lilaigh'" are stated to have given St, Patrick poisoned cheeses ; but, knowing their intent, he made a sign of the cross over these, and immediately they were converted into stones. This miracle was a subject for great admiration to many present, and of confusion to the plotters against his life. His enemies were still actuated by malice, and he therefore wished to leave their district, so that he might go into another region. While Patrick travelled on Monday, across the ford of a certain
river, southwards, the Ui-Iilaigh went with fifty horsemen,? to watch the ford,'" and to slay him. Patrick then turned towards them, upon the banks,
" You
and to the south of the ford, when he raised his left hand, and said
shall neither come out of the ford here, nor go the other way ; but, you shall be in that water, for ever. " All were drowned, in that river, as he had declared, nor could their bodies be recovered, afterwards, although a diligent search had been made for them. Near Enach Conglais was shown a rock, or stones,"3 at the ford, where this miracle took place ; and, its memory was preserved, in the name Ath-Hiliolaigh, or " the ford of the Ui-Lilaigh," which was given to the spot,^'^ by those who bore the incident in remembrance.
CHAPTER XVII.
ST. PATRICK REVISITS MEATH—THE HYMN OF ST. SECUNDINUS—ST. PATRICK IS SAID TO HAVE PASSED FROM MEATH TOWARDS DUBLIN—HE VISITS NAAS—MIRACLES RE- CORDED, IN CONNEXION—WITH BOTH PLACES—HIS JOURNEYS TO HY-GARCHON, AND THROUGHMAGHLIFFE CHURCHESSAIDTOHAVEBEENFOUNDEDBYHIM,INTHE PRESENT COUNTY OF KILDARE.
A SECOND time was the important province of Meath blessed, through the ministrations of St. Patrick. He entered by its northern parts,' and his first
Lagan, in some part of the parish of Kill- aney, on the borders of Monaghan and Louth.
"3 The Fourth Life of St. Patrick states, that St. Patrick's persecutors were turned into these submerged stones, which miglit be seen, by those walking near the place. See cap. Ixxiv. , p. 44.
"•See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga. " Tertia Vita S. Patricii, cap. Ixv. , Ixx. , pp. 26, 27, and nn. 62, 63, p. 32. Quarta Vita S. Patricii, cap. Ixxii. , Ixxiii. , Ixxiv. , p. 44, and nn. 49, 50, p. 49. Sexta Vita S. Patricii, cap. Ixxix. , p. 83, cap. Ixxxii. , p. 84, cap. xci. , xciv. , xcv. , pp. 86, 87, cap. cxix. , p. 92,
'°s See " Septima Vita S. Patricii," lib. iii. , cap. xii. , p. 151.
"* See " Sexta Vita S. Patricii," cap, cxxxix. , p. 95.
'°? The parish of MachaireRos, or Maghe- ross, and its town Carrickmacross, lie with- in their ancient district.
"^ It contained the church of Eanach-
Conglais.
'°9 See John O'Donovan's
"
Leabhar na g-Ceart, or Book of Rights," n. (m), pp.
154, 155.
"° Colgan says, it was Kill-eanaigh (Kill-
aney) in his day, and that it was a parochial church of the diocese of Cloghcr, in Orgiell.
The parish, so called, extends into the cap. cxxxix. , cxliii. , pp. 95, 96, cap. cxlviii. ,
counties of Monaghan and Louth, and the ruins of the ,old church are in the latter county, on the borders of the former.
p. 97, and nn. 79, 80, 81, 82, 87, loi, 105, 147, 152, pp. 112 to 115. Septima Vita S. Patricii, lib, iii. , cap. i. , ii. , iii. , iv. , v. , vi. , vii. , ix. , x. , xi. , xii. , xiii. , pp. 149 to 151,
"' This name is now obsolete, nor is the
tribe-name mentioned, by O'Dugan or and nn. 1 to 22, p. 184. Also, Miss
*'
O'Heerin, in their Topographical Poems. Cusack's
"^ It was evidently a ford, on the River 457, with accompanying notes.
Life of St. Patrick," pp. 450 to
:
March 17. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 677
visit was paid to the castle at Rath-Cuile. ^ The people of the territory sur-
rounding it were known as the Fera Cuil,3 which territory was in Bregia ^ ;
and, it appears to have been conterminous, with the present barony of Kells, in the county of Meath. Near them lived the Hy-Segain, a people situated to the north of Ardbraccan, in the same county. Thus, both tribes appear to have taken in both the baronies—Upper and Lower—of Kells. Here, the Apostle refreshed their souls, with his heavenly counsels and doctrine, Avhile the inhabitants responded to the graces afforded them, nor did their great missionary leave them, until he had imparted a very cordial benedic- tion. Soon after this, lie arrived at Bile-tortan,s near Ardbraccan,^ where he is said to have founded a church, which afterwards was called Domnach-tor- tan. 7 We are told,^ it is the same as Donaghmore, near Navan,9 but such statement seems not well established. Over the place, called Domnach
'°
as its pastor, and he was a disciple of the holy missionary.
From that quarter, Patrick went into the land of the IMonarch Laogaire. " There, he measured out the foundations, forachurch,which,inaftertime,wascalledDomnachUrchaile. " There,
likewise, it is said, he remained for one night.
Among St. Patrick's disciples was the venerable Secundin,'3 or Seachnall. ''*
As some of our Apostle's disciples discoursed together, regarding his gifts and virtues, one of them said, Patrick was the holiest man, left breathing upon the face of this earth. To whom Secundinus " he had been
Tortan, St. Patrick appointed a priest, named Justin,
Chapter xvii. —'
Jocelyn states,
that
Hibernicum," p. 529.
5 Colgan, to whom Archdall refers, does
not say so. The parish of Navan, in the barony of Lower Navan, is shown, on the
"
Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the County of Meath," Sheets 25, 31. The town is on Sheet 25.
" In Tirechan's list of St. Patrick's dis-
ciples, there is a Justianus ; but, it is not possible to state, that he was identical with the present rectox'.
" "the of Crioch-Leoghaire, countiy
Leoghaire," or the Ui-Leoghaire, "the posterity of Leoghaire," was in Southern Meath, near the banks of the River Boyne, and it extended around Tara, according to
Colgan.
" Dr. O'Donovan, referring to a place,
called Druim Urchaille, renders this name, the " Ridge of the Greenwood. " He con- jectures, that it might be Cnoc-Urchoille,
or Spaniel Hill, in the county of Clare. See " Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. At A. D. 837, these authorities record the death of Domhnall, son of Aedh, its abbot. See pp. 456, 457, and n. (q). To us, it seems more probable, that it was a place, identical with Domnach Urchaile, which was un- doubtedly in Meath, and perhaps, at a sub-
time to that of St. it sequent Patrick,
became the seat of a monastery.
'^ At the 27th day of November, his
festival was kept.
'•* He is otherwise Seachnall ]\Iac called,
Ua Baird. He was the nephew of St.
Patrick, and son of Darerca, according to
St. Patrick entered the plain of Bregh, by
passing over the mountain, called Ficoth ;
l)Ut, Colgau asserts, this is an error for
Fiioit, or Fiiaid, a mountain of Southern
Ulster, This range of Sliabh Fuaid is now
called the Fews JNIountains, nearly in the
centre of Armagh County. See O'Flaherty's
" ^
coole, in Ireland.
called in the Cool,
Ogyg'^j" pars, iii. , cap. iv. , p. 167. There are several places, named Rath-
Dr. O'Donovan's
"
Leabhar na g-Ceart, or
Perhaps, the place now
parish
of Kilmainham
Wood, was identical with this fort. It ad-
joins RIoybolgue : lies to the south-west, in
the barony of Lower Kells. Or it may have been Rathcoole, a townland in the parish of
Dromin, and barony of Ardee, described on the " Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for
the County of Louth," Sheets 17, 18.
3 It was also called Feara-Cul-Breagh.
* See Dr. O'Donovau's "Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. i. , n. (p), p. 297.
5 This was its name, in pagan times. See
Book of Rights," n. (b), p. 151.
^ The Irish Life remarks, it was near the
community of Ard-Breccan ; but, this has
reference to the monastic institution here, at
a later period.
7 The Ui-Dortain or Tortain were the
descendants of Tortain, son of Fiach, son to Feidhlem, son of Fiachra, son to Colla da Crioch. These were seated, in that part of
known as in which was Aleath, Oirghialla,
the celebrated old tree, called Bile-Tortan. It stood near Ardbraccan.
* By Archdall, who has changed this
as he says, Bile-tortan. See " Monasticon sisters.
some accounts ; others say, he was the son church into a monastery, which was called, of Liamhain, another of St. Patrick's
answered, Truly,
678 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 17.
most holy, had he not been endued with less fraternal charity, than behoved
him. " This coming to Patrick's hearing, through his disciples, the saint asked Secundinus, what moved him to utter such a personal censure. Secun-
din " Because answered,
not those means for and those living,
you accept
rich presents, that are offered to you, and with which you might maintain
With the Apostle's and Master's usual benignity, his disciple was easily re- assured and forgiven. '5 The return of Patrick, to the scenes of his earlier
labours in Meath, has been assigned, to the beginning of a. d. 443. '^ Then, too, he is thought to have founded many of his churches there, and to have
left Bishop Secundin, at Domnach-Sechnall,'7 at present known as^ Dun- shaughlin. This is said to have been a corruption of the former name ; but,
multitudes of men. " To whom St. Patrick "
holy replied, Charity
great
obliges me, not to accept of such great charity ; for, if I did accept of what would be given to me, I should leave not so much as a pasture for two horses, on behalf of those saints, who shall live after us. " Secundinus then repented, that he had spoken those words, and he asked St. Patrick's pardon.
" the fort of
for his residence. '^ The aforesaid Secundinus, being a man of great
learning and wisdom, signified to St. Patrick, that he desired to compose a hymn, in honour of a saint, who yet was living. But, because it was Patrick himselfthathemeant,Secundinconcealedthatsaint'sname. Theglorious bishop answered, " It is just and reasonable, that people display the virtues of the saints, and that the Church should declare their praises,'9 which yet is more securely done after their death, when all occasion for sinning is re- moved. Praise thou, therefore, the clearness of the day, but not until the evening cometh ; the courage of the soldier, but not until he has triumphed ; the fortune of the sailor, but not until he hath landed, for the Scripture saith, thou shalt praise no man in his lifetime. ^" Yet, if you will put in execution what you intend, do it quickly ; for, lo ! death is at the door. Of all the bishopsthatareinIreland,youarethefirstthatshalldepartthislife. " Secundi- nus composed the hymn,^^ in Latin, and within a few days afterwards, he died at Domnachseachluin, his episcopal city. He showed by frequent miracles, that he reigns with Christ. There was his body deposited, and he was the first of the Irish bishops, buried in Irish soil. *^ His hymn, too, many of the islanders were daily wont to sing,^3 and from its repetition they affirm, different and great wonders have happened. ^4 Among various other favours, it obtained protection for many persons, against the designs of their enemies. ^5
'3 See "Sextii Vita S. Patiicii," cap. 211, 212. This Hymn in praise of St.
Patrick, and beginning with " Audite omnes amantes," <kc. , is found in the Manu- script, classed 23, N. 15, at p. 79. This is in the Betham Collection of the Royal Irish
it rather be may
interpreted,
Seachnall,"
as been the site having
clxxvi. , p. 104.
'* *'
See Rev. Dr. Lanigan's
Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. i. , chap, vi. , sect. iv. , p. 271. Other accounts place it, at an
earlier period. Academy. ^"^ "
the Doviinica, or church of Sechnall, it being called after this saint,
'^ See Ussher"^ " Primordia," cap. xvii. ,
"
'7 This designation has been interpreted as See
p. 826, and Ware's
Septima Vita S. Patricii," lib. iii. , cap. Ixxxix. , p. 165, and n. 115, p. 188. ^3 This testimony of Jocelyn gives us to understand, how very general was the knowledge of the Latin language, in Ire- land, during his time, and previous periods ; while, it indicates, moreover, how great was the devotion entertained for the great Irish
Opuscula S. Patricii," '9 Ecclesiasticus, xliv. 15.
p. 150.
*°
^' It has been published by Colgan, and
See Ecclesiasiicus, xi. 30.
a " Praefatio Veteris Ano-
Apostle.
'^^ It seems to have been a
to it is
prefixed,
nymi," giving substantially the legend or history of its composition, as found in tlie
recognised practice, among the most celebrated Irish saints, to recite this Hymn, wliich was a favourite and privileged devotion. This is
"
Appendix ad Acta S. Patricii, pars, iii. , pp.
te\t. See
Trias Thaumaturga. " Tertia
mentioned, in the Life of St. Coemgen,
March 17. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 679
The year for the death of Secundin is said to have been 447, and the day fellonthe27thofNoveniber. ^^ Heisthought,bysome,tohavepresided, over the See of Armagh ; but, this idea seems inconsistent, with the recorded Acts of St. Patrick, and with what we can infer, from other accounts. Nor dowefind,thattheSeeofArmaghhadanyexistence,atthisearlytime; so that Seachnall must have been dead, before its foundation had been accom- plished, by the Irish Apostle. However, as Secundin has been called
Patrick's Vicar
and
Suffragan,
while the Irish
Apostle went on
a visit to Rome f this might ac- count for a re- ceived
opinion, that the disciple had replaced his master, at Ar- magh, during the time of his pre- sumed absence from Ireland. Yet, probably, the
real
is to be found, in the circumstance,
• that before de-
parting for the more southern
districts of Ire- land, St. Patrick had entrusted Sechnall with a
very
jurisdiction, in the northern districts, and among others, over that tract, which afterwards
belonged to the
""^
See of Armagh. About this period,
1ikewise the ,
explanation
extensive
Old Church Ruins at Finglas, County of Dublui.
Irish Apostle is said to have visited the country about Slane_, to inspect the state of the congregations there formed, at the opening of his mission.
chapters xxiii. and xlviii. , in the Life of St. Cohnan Ela, chapter xxv. , and in tlie Life of St. Cannech, chapter xliii.
°5 Jocelyn adds, that tliose lying in wait
for the protected were struck with tliat kind
of blindness, " quam Acrisiam nuncupant Phisici. " See " Sexta Vita S. Patricii,"
lib. iii. , cap. Ixxxix. , xc, xci. , pp. 165, 166. 2* See Dr. O' Donovan's " Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 134, 135, and n.
-7 Rev. Dr. Lanigan asserts, that St. Patrick did not go to that city, after he had really engaged on tlie work of the L'ish
cap. clxxvii. , p. 104. These accounts ap- mission. '^^
pear, in a more detailed form, in the Tripar- Such is the very ingenious supposition
tite Life. See " Vita S. Septima
Patricii,"
of Rev. Dr. Lanigan, in his " Ecclesiastical
68o LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 17.
No wonder that the great actions of St. Patrick should be greatly magnified and even exaggerated, by the people, on whom he conferred such inestimable blessings ; and, yet, it is to be lamented, that pure inventions shouldusurptheplaceofauthenticbiography,inreferencetohim. Thus, Jocelyn, probably alluding to a legend, current in his time, especially relates,
—ck came in his that St. Patri
journey,
from Meath, so far as
Finglas,^?
—where
was a stream to a hill, which is distant a mile from Dublin. At Finglas,
there was an ancient church, and an old cemetery. There, too, the learned and
distinguished ecclesiastical historian of Ireland, Rev. John Lanigan, D. D. ,
lies interred, under a graceful Celtic cross. 3° Wlien St. Patrick was there,
Dublin is said to have been but a little village. Jocelyn remarks, that in
after times, it underwent various changes of fortune, having been mainly in-
habited by Norwegians, and by people from the Islands,3' sometimes in
alliancewith,andsometimesopposedto,thekingsofIreland. Wearetold,
that when the glorious bishop, St. Patrick, came near to the famous city of
Dublin, he found it lying in the slough of paganism and idolatry. While
contemplating it, from the hill alluded to, he blessed the territory around it.
Dr.
