It
remained
in a neglected state until Richard Vincent, Esq.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v9
,
\i. the
Septembris Among pretermitted
Saints, p. 654.
44 At September the 6th, in the Annals
48 See " The Book of Obits and
ology of the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity. Dublin," edited by John Clarke Crosthwaite
of the Cistercian Monks is found, St. and Rev. Dr. Todd, Introduction, p. xlviii. ,
Macuilindus, Bishop of Lusk, at p. 410.
45 See Bishop Forbes' '* Kalendars of
and n. (e), lxxvi. , pp. 69, 154.
49 Of this parish, a very complete account
has been given by the Rev. George Gordon,
Scottish Saints, p. 23.
Martyr-
174 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [September 6.
cated to St. Macalin. In the churchyard of Macallan, a sequestered rural burial-ground, in the wood of Easter Elchies, there is a ruined church, but fast
crumbling to decay. s° In the year 1839, the old church of Anglo-Norman erection at Lusk had been unroofed by a storm, and the building was allowed to become almost a ruin. Its ancient monuments were broken, covered with
rubbish, and exposed to every indignity. Its singular square belfry, co-eval with the Anglo-Norman Church, and its ancient round tower, supposed to have been co-eval with the original church of St. Mac Culind, were rapidly going to decay. Since that time, the Ecclesiastical Commissioners undertook
the work of reparation. It cannot be called restoration, as the original church style has been changed. The Rev. William Reeves, M. R. I. A. , to whom Irish Ecclesiastical History owes so much, was Rector of Lusk for some years ; where he laboured nobly to repair the damages of time and accident during the period of his incumbency. In our annals are several allusions to Lusk, and from an early age. Thus in a. d. 695, Casson, a learned Chronographer, died, and the same year St. Adamnan held a Synod
in its monastery, at which were present all the principal prelates and clerics of the Kingdom. In 731 died Crunnmael, son to Colman, Abbot of Lusk. Whether the office of Bishop and Abbot had been kept distinct in this place, we have no means left for ascertaining, owing to the very brief mention of persons in connexion with their obits. The mortal wounding of Colman,
Bishop of Lusca, by the Hy Tuirtre, happened in 739 ; and in 784, the death of Conall, son to Crunnmhael, Abbot of Lusk, took place; in 787, that of Colga, son to Crnnnmhael, Abbot of Lusk ; and, in 791, that of Muireadhach, son to Aenghus, Abbot of Lusk. In 795, Ferghil Ua Taidhg, scribe of Lusk, died, and in 796, Maenach, son to Aenghus, Prior of Lusk. In 804, Cormac, son to Conall, (Economus of Lusk, died, and in 805, Maenach, son to Colgan, Abbot of Lusk. Subsequently, during this century, the Abbey was pillaged and destroyed, by the Northmen, in 825, and again the Oratory of
Lusk was burned them. s1 by
in our the ninth annals, during
Nevertheless,
and tenth centuries are frequent entries of obits both of Bishops and Abbots
connected with this place. 52 Tradition has preserved for us a beautiful
portraiture of St. Maculind ; viz. , that he was angelic in appearance, truthful and brilliant in discourse, just in his judgment, amiable to all, and had no enemy. Hewasfirmandconstantinfaith,anillustriousdoctorlikeSt. Peter, a vessel of election like St. Paul, courageous as St. Andrew, full of Divine grace like St. John ; «n fine, he was comparable to all the Apostles, since in allthingshefollowedtheirexample. Thuswasheadmirable,bothinword andinwork; havingthefavoursofGodtoguidehimthroughlife,hedeserved to change its transitory course for the company of the saints in Heaven. There he shines as the sun, and with the Angels he rejoices for ever before the true Sun of Justice and of Judgment.
Article IV. —St. Sciath, Virgin, of Fert-Sceithe, now Ardskeagh, inMuskerryoftheThreePlains,CountyofCork. Venerationwas
Minister, in the "New Statistical Account the Chronicuni Scotonim, and of the Four
of Scotland," vol. xiii. , Elgin, pp. 60 Masters.
to 82. 52 For the mediaeval history of Lusk, as
s° See ibid. , p. 68. also for an account of its local characteristics '
s Although there are differences as to and antiquities, the reader is referred to dates, the foregoing instances are taken John D'Alton's "History of the County of from the Annals of Tighernach, of Ulster, of Dublin," pp. 414 to 425.
September 6. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
175
1
given, at the 6th of September, according to the Manuscript copy, as also in
3
the published Martyrology of Tallagh, to Scieth of Fiort Sceith, in
Muscraithe tre Maighi. 3 Immediately afterwards is mentioned, The Arrival of the Relics of Scethi, daughter of Mechi, at Tamlachta, or Tallagh. 4 Although in a separate line, we can hardly believe it is intended to comme- morate a different feast from the former celebration. The festival of Sciath
is to be found in the Feilire of St. ^ngus, at the 6th of September. *
ingtotheO'Clerys. 7 TheMuscraigheTriMaighe,orMuskerryoftheThree Plains, in whi< h the saint's place was situated, had been regarded as the terri-
we have noticed a feast for this
She descended from the race of Conaire, monarch of Erinn, who sprung from theseedofHeremon. Eilhue,daughterofConcraidh,washermother,accord-
Already
holy virgin,
tory
of the O'
Donnegan's.
8 The Church of Fiort Sceithe, which is
placed by
the Calendars of Marianus and the O'Clerys at September 6th, in Muscraighe-
tri-maighe, is known at present by the name of Ardskeagh. 9 This is a small
parish, in that part of the barony of Fermoy, bordering on the baronies of
Orrery and Kilmore. In the ancient taxation of the diocese of Cloyne, there is a rural deanery, called Muscry-donnegan. It contains the parishes now
comprehended in the baronies of Orrery and Kilmore, with small adjacent
portions of Duhallow and Fermoy. Among the Churches in this deanery,
Orwerg, (i. e. Orbraidhe or Orrery) and Fersket/i, {i. e. Feart Skeithe,) called
ArdskaghTM are two. This latter is now known as Ardskeagh. Thus, the
identity of Muscraighe-tri-maighe and the barony of Orrery is proved to a demonstration. " Ardskeaghisnowaparish,inthebaronyofCondonsand
Clongibbons,intheCountyofCork. ThisParish,alsocalledArdskreagh, is separated from the main body of the barony in which it is included, by the intervention of the northern part of the barony of Fermoy. Some remains of
12
its old Church yet exist in the burial ground.
Donegal,^ at this same date, the patroness is recorded as Sciath, Virgin, of Fert Sceithe, in Museraighe of the Three Plains, in Munster. This saint was venerated, likewise, in Scotland, and at the 6th of September, she is entered as Scetthe, in the Calendar of Drummond. 14
Article V. —St. Colum, of Rosglan, or Domhnach-mor-Maighe- Imchlain, now Donaghmore, near Dungannon, County of Tyrone.
Article iv. — » In that copy of the 9 It is described $n the " Ordnance Sur- Tallagh Martyrology, found in the Book of vey Townland Maps for the County of Leiuster, we read : Sciafc o pj\c Sceiui m Cork," sheets 3, 8.
niurqvge cru tTUij;i.
2 Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xxxiii.
3 See what is said about this holy virgin,
at the 1st and 15th day ofJanuary, on whuch days she is also commemorated.
,0
In 1615.
" O'Brian's statement, in his " Irish
Dictionary," voce Muscraighe, has been fully established: notwithstanding the op-
posite opinion of Dr. O'Donovan, in the
" Leabhar who treats it as wild na-g Ceart,"
and conjectural. See n. (v), pp. 44, 45, Dr Reeves has proved the contrary, in a note furnished to Dr. O'Donovan, for his edition of " The Topographical Poems of John O'Dubhagain and Giolla na Naomh
4 In the
in the Book of Leinster, we find noticed,
^ouencuf lleliquiA|\um Sceci \Xe nieclu -a-o CAtnLa6.
s See " Transactions of the Royal Irish
7 See "
Martyrology
of edited Donegal,"
Tallagh Martyrology
at this
day,
Academy," Irish Manuscript Series, vol. i. ,
parti. On the Calendar of Oengus. By O'Huidhrin. " See n. 605, pp. lxix. , lxx.
Whitley Stokes, LL. D. , p. cxxxvi.
6
See the First Volume of this work, at that date, Art. vii.
'-'
See Lewis' "Topographical Dictionary of Ireland," vol. i. , p. 57.
'3 Edited by Rev. Drs. Todd and Reeves,
pp. 238, 239.
,4 See Bishop Forbes' " Kalendars of
by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 238, 239. 8 %<
See O'Donovan's
or Book of Rights," n. (v. ), p. 42.
Scottish — Saints," p. 23.
Leabhar-na-g Ceart,
"
Article v.
See
Transactions of the
at the 1st of 6 January.
In the Martyrology of
176 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [September 6.
{Fifth Century? ) The present St. Columb of Ross Glandae and St. Sciath, are denominated a fair pair of champions, by St. ^Engus the Culdee in his Feilire, at the 6th dayof 1 In the of 2 at
September. Martyrology Tallagh, the 6th of September, there is a festival to honour Colum of Rosnossaire {i. e.
Colum Midisil). This is also noted as a feast, in that copy contained in the Book of Leinster. 3 The present Colum was descended from the race of Laeghaire, son of Niall, according to the O'Clerys. 4 We find, that when St. Patricks had been repelled by the people of Fera-Gaura, he visited the district of Imchlair. This saint was placed over the Church founded at
in the
when he had brought the people there to embrace Christianity. In the
Donoughmore,
Martyrology of Donegal,? at the same date, this saint is named Colum, of
present barony
Dungannon, by
Ros Glanda. 8 We are that Glan is the name of a told,
which was before St. Patrick's time, while Domhnoch mor Maighe Imchlair was after- wards the name of that 10 The old church stood a little to the north-
place.
east of the present village. The only traces of its venerable antiquity now
remaining is a large and elegant cross of freestone ; on which numerous
carvings, representing various passages of Scripture, are seen. 11 The people about here, baptised by St. Patrick, were blessed by him, as also was that
in which
founded a Monastery, over which it is said he placed St. Colum,'3 or Columbanus. Hischurchsoonacquiredgrantsoflandandothervaluable possessions; and it continued to flourish until after the Invasion of Ireland by Henry II. 1* The parochial surface extends from the rich champaign ground in the vicinity of Dungannon, to the bleak and dismal moorish tableau in the neighbourhood of Pomeroy ; and, it embraces every variety of soil, from the most fertile arable land to the spongy bog and the sterile
well,
they
received
regeneration.
Royal Irish Academy," Irish Manuscript Martyrology, at this word: "Glen aium Series, vol. i. , parti. On the Calendar of tiobraid boi and ria Patrick agus Domhnach
Oengus, p. cxxxvi. In an Irish comment attached, Sciath is described as of Muscraige Tri-maige in Mumain. In another note, it is stated, that Ross Glanda was formerly the name of the stead, i. e. , Glan (" pure"), the name of the well that is there, and Domnach Mor was its name, whe#the scholiast wrote. It is stated, likewise, since Patrick sent Colomb Croxaire of Ross GialMn in Ui- Liathain in Munster, or Colomb of Domnach Maige Imchlair in Tyrone ; and Glan (is) the name of a well that is in the stead.
ibid. , p. cxliii.
'Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xxxiii.
3 Thus: CoUnm o nuer*onoepMr\e ix>
Ajjuf Coltnan mi-oiril.
mor maighe Iomchlair (Donaghmore, near Dungannon), a ainm anin : Thir Eog-hain ata. "
9 There is yet a fine old sculptured cross, at the Catholic church here, and it is
adorned with Scriptural subjects. See Miss Cusack's "Life of St, Patrick, Apostle of
Ireland," p. 446, n. (4).
10 At present identical with Donaghmore,
near Dungannon, in the county of Tyrone, according to William M. Hennessy's Copy. "This was thrown down and mutilated in the war of 1641.
It remained in a neglected state until Richard Vincent, Esq. , caused it to be removed and placed where it now
stands, at the head of the village, in 1776.
6
See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the
Trias Thaumnturga. " Septima Vita S. Patricii, lib. ii. , cap. excii. ,
See the "Martyrology of Donegal,"
It is 16 feet in height, and it consists of a
238, 239.
5 See his Life, in the Third Volume of
this work, at 17th of March, Art. i.
Topographical Dictionary of Ireland," vol.
Four Masters," vol. iii. , n. (p), pp. 116 to 118.
7
Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 238, 239.
8 The
William M. Hennessy's Copy of this
14 Lewis' " See
following
MS. note is found in
See
4
edited by Rev. Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. plinth, a shaft and a cross. See Lewis'
"
of
well,
there
the Irish 6 Apostle,
12 At Domnach St. Patrick mor,
i. , p. 469.
'•' "
See Colgan's
p. 148, and nn. 239, 240.
13 He is classed among the Disciples of
St. Patrick. See ibid. , Quinta Appendix ad Acta S. Patricii, cap. xxiii. , p. 267.
Topographical Dictionary of Ireland," vol. i. , p. 469.
September 6. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 177 mountain. 's In 1 195, the monastery here was plundered and wasted by
Rughraidhe, son of Dunsleibhe, assisted by the FLnglish. '
6
In the Taxation
of Pope Nicholas, a. d. 1291, the church of Donaghmore is described as con-
taining many costly shrines. It appears to have been possessed by the
Colidei or Culdees of Armagh, in the sixteenth century. By an Inquisition taken in the 33rd year of Henry VIII. , the Colidei had their rectory and tithes,
which, with many townlands in the adjoining parishes, were granted to the Archbishop of Armagh after the Reformation. *' We are inclined to believe, that the Columb of St. Patrick's time must have been a different person from St. Colum of Slanore. It seems likely enough, this latter was the Colman, son of Eochad, who had been restored to sight at Slanore'8 by
St.
Feichan,
Abbot of Fore. ! 9 Colman's festival is to the assignable
present century. But, this Saint appears to have had five holy brothers, and one sister, all the children of one father, but by two different wives. His pedigree is set down in the Genealogies of the saints. From it we learn, that his father was Eochaidh,andhismotherAigleand,thedaughterofLenin. Theirchildren
ao and it would
that he must have lived in the seventh
appear,
21 St. 22 St. Coluim, or Columbanus, and a Lughaidh,
day,
Fintan, St. 23
Comaigh.
Guaire, son of Lughaidh, son of Laeghaire, monarch of Ireland, in the time of St. Patrick. By another wife, Ligach Bredmainech, or Ligan Bregmuinech, he had St. Nanidh,24 and St. Muiredhach. 2* St. Fursa26 was also her son, according to some accounts. 2? This however must have been a Fursa, dis- tinct from him venerated on the 16th of January, whose mother is stated to have been Gelgesia or Gelges. The present saint is introduced, also, in the Acts of St. Columba, as driving his chariot, and this probably took place when the
formerwasayoungman. Afterwards,heprobablyfoundedtheMonastery of Snamluther, now Slanore, a little to the south of Lough Oughter, and
were St.
daughter
The father of these children was the son of Ailill son to ;
nearly opposite to Trinity Island, on the west side of the parisli of Kilmore, CountyofCavan. TheAbbeyfieldthererepresentstheeffacedsiteofthis monastic establishment. 28 Here at least the saint lived, and he was visited there by St. Fechin of Fore. 29 It is probable, himself and his sister, S—t. Comaigh,werejointoccupantsofthatplace for,bothareveneratedthere
;
the present saint, as has been supposed, at this day, and his sister on the
27thofMay. Again,isstated,thataColumbaCrossairewaspatronofthe
parisli of Kilrush, according to the Martyrology of Tallagh,3° and also patron of the Church of Myshall, in the parish of St. Mary, TDounty of Wexford. 3 1
'5 See the " Gazetteer of 23 Venerated at the 27th of May. See the Parliamentary
Ireland," vol. ii. , p. 28. Fifth Volume of this work, at that date, Art. ii.
16 " 24
See ArchdalPs cum," p. 682.
'7 See Lewis' "
of Ireland," vol. i. , p. 469. 18 "
Monasticon Hiberni-
Topographical Dictionary
Venerated at the 13th of November, where notices of him may be found.
2S Venerated at the 12th of August. See
the Eighth Volume of this work, at that
date, Art. i.
a6
Venerated at the 16th of January. See the First Volume of this work, at that date, Art. i.
27 As will be seen (ibid. ) at the 1st of January, there was a St. Colman, son of
See Colgan's Acta Sanctorum Hiber- niae," xx. Januarii. Secunda Vita S. Fechini, cap. xxx. , p. 136.
19 See his Life, at the 20th of January, in the First Volume of this work, Art. ii.
20 Colgan thinks the present saint is iden-
tical with the Colman, son of Eochad, Eochaich, venerated. See Art. xvi.
venerated at the 27th of October. See Secunda Vita S. Fechini, n. 19, p. 141.
21 Venerated at the 1st of January. See the First Volume of this work, at that date, Art. xiii.
32 Venerated at the 31st of January. See ibid-, January 31st, Art. xv.
28 "
See Dr. Reeves' Adamnan's Life of
St. Columba," nn. (e,f), pp. 172 to 174.
^ See ibid. , n. (e)» p. 172.
^ This, however, we are unable to find,
in the copies now accessible.
3I See County of Wexford Irish Ordnance
Survey Records, kvol. i.
M
178 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [September 6.
In Scotland, also, the saint whose festival is held on this day was venerated ; and, in the Kalendar of Drummond,32 the name of Colombe, without further
description,issolelyentered,atthe6thofSeptember. Thisentryseemsto make it doubtful, if he be not rather of St. Columkille's than of St. Patrick's time.
Article VI. —St. Colman, Son of Eochaidh, probably of Kilclief,
County Down. We read in the of 1 that at the 6th Martyrology Donegal,
ofSeptembervenerationwasgiventoColman,sonofEochaidh. Thismay
be Colman, of Cill Cleitigh, says the writer, and son of Eochaidh, who descended from the seed of Aenghus, son to Nadfraech, King of Minister and
of Caisel. 2
year 935, when it was plundered and burned, by the Son of Barith. *
Article VII. —St. Caencomrac, said to have been Abbot and
Bishop of Derry, County of Londonderry. In the Martyrology of
1
Donegal, at the 6th of September, occurs the simple entry of this name,
Caencomrac. -This holy man, called the Son of Maoluidhir, was descended
in the twelfth degree from Connal Gulban, as appears from the Genealogies of the Irish Saints. Colgan thinks he should be identified with the present
Saint. 2 Under the head of Cluain-eois, now Clones, County of Monaghan, Duald Mac Firbis and the Four Masters3 enter Caencomrac, son of Carran, or Curan, and an eminent bishop and abbot of Cluain-eois. He died in 69 1. 4 It appears, therefore, that the preceding Caencomrac lived at a time long anterior to a distinguished bishop so called, and who flourished in the tenth century. The authority of the O'Clerys has been wrongly quoted for the statement,thatthesaintofthisdayhadbeenabishopofDerry. s However, under the head of Daire Calgaigh—the ancient name for Derry—Duald Mac Firbis enters, Caincomhrac, Son of Maoluidhir, bishop and abbot of Daire
to which allusion is here made, is identical with Kilclief, a parish in the County of Down, and where another St. Colman Finn is said to have been venerated on the 2nd of June. 3 This church is supposed to have derived its name from having been at first built of hurdles ; although a Doimliacc or stone church had been built at Kilclief, before the
Calgaigh.
6 He died in He is called the Steward of Adamnan's Law. 8 927. ?
32 See Bishop Forbes' tish Saints," p. 23.
"
Kalendars of Scot- p. 503, and sect. 3, p. 506. Elsewhere, Colgan places the death of a Coencomrac, son of
Cill-Cleitigh,
Article vi. —1 Edited
pp.
" Under Mac Teil, at June 1 1, p. 166, supra.
the Mac Tail of Cill Cuiliun, and Colman, of Cill clethi, two sons of Eochaidh, son of Dargan, son of Columba, son of Cronan, son of Aengus, son of Nadfraech. Book of Lecan, fol. 43. ,
b-e. "
3 See notices at that date, in the Sixth
Volume of this work, Art. ii.
4 See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. ii. , pp. 632 to 635, and n. (k), ibid.
by
238,239.
In a note Dr. Reeves adds :
:
834. Headds "Vide6,Septem.
\i. the
Septembris Among pretermitted
Saints, p. 654.
44 At September the 6th, in the Annals
48 See " The Book of Obits and
ology of the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity. Dublin," edited by John Clarke Crosthwaite
of the Cistercian Monks is found, St. and Rev. Dr. Todd, Introduction, p. xlviii. ,
Macuilindus, Bishop of Lusk, at p. 410.
45 See Bishop Forbes' '* Kalendars of
and n. (e), lxxvi. , pp. 69, 154.
49 Of this parish, a very complete account
has been given by the Rev. George Gordon,
Scottish Saints, p. 23.
Martyr-
174 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [September 6.
cated to St. Macalin. In the churchyard of Macallan, a sequestered rural burial-ground, in the wood of Easter Elchies, there is a ruined church, but fast
crumbling to decay. s° In the year 1839, the old church of Anglo-Norman erection at Lusk had been unroofed by a storm, and the building was allowed to become almost a ruin. Its ancient monuments were broken, covered with
rubbish, and exposed to every indignity. Its singular square belfry, co-eval with the Anglo-Norman Church, and its ancient round tower, supposed to have been co-eval with the original church of St. Mac Culind, were rapidly going to decay. Since that time, the Ecclesiastical Commissioners undertook
the work of reparation. It cannot be called restoration, as the original church style has been changed. The Rev. William Reeves, M. R. I. A. , to whom Irish Ecclesiastical History owes so much, was Rector of Lusk for some years ; where he laboured nobly to repair the damages of time and accident during the period of his incumbency. In our annals are several allusions to Lusk, and from an early age. Thus in a. d. 695, Casson, a learned Chronographer, died, and the same year St. Adamnan held a Synod
in its monastery, at which were present all the principal prelates and clerics of the Kingdom. In 731 died Crunnmael, son to Colman, Abbot of Lusk. Whether the office of Bishop and Abbot had been kept distinct in this place, we have no means left for ascertaining, owing to the very brief mention of persons in connexion with their obits. The mortal wounding of Colman,
Bishop of Lusca, by the Hy Tuirtre, happened in 739 ; and in 784, the death of Conall, son to Crunnmhael, Abbot of Lusk, took place; in 787, that of Colga, son to Crnnnmhael, Abbot of Lusk ; and, in 791, that of Muireadhach, son to Aenghus, Abbot of Lusk. In 795, Ferghil Ua Taidhg, scribe of Lusk, died, and in 796, Maenach, son to Aenghus, Prior of Lusk. In 804, Cormac, son to Conall, (Economus of Lusk, died, and in 805, Maenach, son to Colgan, Abbot of Lusk. Subsequently, during this century, the Abbey was pillaged and destroyed, by the Northmen, in 825, and again the Oratory of
Lusk was burned them. s1 by
in our the ninth annals, during
Nevertheless,
and tenth centuries are frequent entries of obits both of Bishops and Abbots
connected with this place. 52 Tradition has preserved for us a beautiful
portraiture of St. Maculind ; viz. , that he was angelic in appearance, truthful and brilliant in discourse, just in his judgment, amiable to all, and had no enemy. Hewasfirmandconstantinfaith,anillustriousdoctorlikeSt. Peter, a vessel of election like St. Paul, courageous as St. Andrew, full of Divine grace like St. John ; «n fine, he was comparable to all the Apostles, since in allthingshefollowedtheirexample. Thuswasheadmirable,bothinword andinwork; havingthefavoursofGodtoguidehimthroughlife,hedeserved to change its transitory course for the company of the saints in Heaven. There he shines as the sun, and with the Angels he rejoices for ever before the true Sun of Justice and of Judgment.
Article IV. —St. Sciath, Virgin, of Fert-Sceithe, now Ardskeagh, inMuskerryoftheThreePlains,CountyofCork. Venerationwas
Minister, in the "New Statistical Account the Chronicuni Scotonim, and of the Four
of Scotland," vol. xiii. , Elgin, pp. 60 Masters.
to 82. 52 For the mediaeval history of Lusk, as
s° See ibid. , p. 68. also for an account of its local characteristics '
s Although there are differences as to and antiquities, the reader is referred to dates, the foregoing instances are taken John D'Alton's "History of the County of from the Annals of Tighernach, of Ulster, of Dublin," pp. 414 to 425.
September 6. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
175
1
given, at the 6th of September, according to the Manuscript copy, as also in
3
the published Martyrology of Tallagh, to Scieth of Fiort Sceith, in
Muscraithe tre Maighi. 3 Immediately afterwards is mentioned, The Arrival of the Relics of Scethi, daughter of Mechi, at Tamlachta, or Tallagh. 4 Although in a separate line, we can hardly believe it is intended to comme- morate a different feast from the former celebration. The festival of Sciath
is to be found in the Feilire of St. ^ngus, at the 6th of September. *
ingtotheO'Clerys. 7 TheMuscraigheTriMaighe,orMuskerryoftheThree Plains, in whi< h the saint's place was situated, had been regarded as the terri-
we have noticed a feast for this
She descended from the race of Conaire, monarch of Erinn, who sprung from theseedofHeremon. Eilhue,daughterofConcraidh,washermother,accord-
Already
holy virgin,
tory
of the O'
Donnegan's.
8 The Church of Fiort Sceithe, which is
placed by
the Calendars of Marianus and the O'Clerys at September 6th, in Muscraighe-
tri-maighe, is known at present by the name of Ardskeagh. 9 This is a small
parish, in that part of the barony of Fermoy, bordering on the baronies of
Orrery and Kilmore. In the ancient taxation of the diocese of Cloyne, there is a rural deanery, called Muscry-donnegan. It contains the parishes now
comprehended in the baronies of Orrery and Kilmore, with small adjacent
portions of Duhallow and Fermoy. Among the Churches in this deanery,
Orwerg, (i. e. Orbraidhe or Orrery) and Fersket/i, {i. e. Feart Skeithe,) called
ArdskaghTM are two. This latter is now known as Ardskeagh. Thus, the
identity of Muscraighe-tri-maighe and the barony of Orrery is proved to a demonstration. " Ardskeaghisnowaparish,inthebaronyofCondonsand
Clongibbons,intheCountyofCork. ThisParish,alsocalledArdskreagh, is separated from the main body of the barony in which it is included, by the intervention of the northern part of the barony of Fermoy. Some remains of
12
its old Church yet exist in the burial ground.
Donegal,^ at this same date, the patroness is recorded as Sciath, Virgin, of Fert Sceithe, in Museraighe of the Three Plains, in Munster. This saint was venerated, likewise, in Scotland, and at the 6th of September, she is entered as Scetthe, in the Calendar of Drummond. 14
Article V. —St. Colum, of Rosglan, or Domhnach-mor-Maighe- Imchlain, now Donaghmore, near Dungannon, County of Tyrone.
Article iv. — » In that copy of the 9 It is described $n the " Ordnance Sur- Tallagh Martyrology, found in the Book of vey Townland Maps for the County of Leiuster, we read : Sciafc o pj\c Sceiui m Cork," sheets 3, 8.
niurqvge cru tTUij;i.
2 Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xxxiii.
3 See what is said about this holy virgin,
at the 1st and 15th day ofJanuary, on whuch days she is also commemorated.
,0
In 1615.
" O'Brian's statement, in his " Irish
Dictionary," voce Muscraighe, has been fully established: notwithstanding the op-
posite opinion of Dr. O'Donovan, in the
" Leabhar who treats it as wild na-g Ceart,"
and conjectural. See n. (v), pp. 44, 45, Dr Reeves has proved the contrary, in a note furnished to Dr. O'Donovan, for his edition of " The Topographical Poems of John O'Dubhagain and Giolla na Naomh
4 In the
in the Book of Leinster, we find noticed,
^ouencuf lleliquiA|\um Sceci \Xe nieclu -a-o CAtnLa6.
s See " Transactions of the Royal Irish
7 See "
Martyrology
of edited Donegal,"
Tallagh Martyrology
at this
day,
Academy," Irish Manuscript Series, vol. i. ,
parti. On the Calendar of Oengus. By O'Huidhrin. " See n. 605, pp. lxix. , lxx.
Whitley Stokes, LL. D. , p. cxxxvi.
6
See the First Volume of this work, at that date, Art. vii.
'-'
See Lewis' "Topographical Dictionary of Ireland," vol. i. , p. 57.
'3 Edited by Rev. Drs. Todd and Reeves,
pp. 238, 239.
,4 See Bishop Forbes' " Kalendars of
by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 238, 239. 8 %<
See O'Donovan's
or Book of Rights," n. (v. ), p. 42.
Scottish — Saints," p. 23.
Leabhar-na-g Ceart,
"
Article v.
See
Transactions of the
at the 1st of 6 January.
In the Martyrology of
176 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [September 6.
{Fifth Century? ) The present St. Columb of Ross Glandae and St. Sciath, are denominated a fair pair of champions, by St. ^Engus the Culdee in his Feilire, at the 6th dayof 1 In the of 2 at
September. Martyrology Tallagh, the 6th of September, there is a festival to honour Colum of Rosnossaire {i. e.
Colum Midisil). This is also noted as a feast, in that copy contained in the Book of Leinster. 3 The present Colum was descended from the race of Laeghaire, son of Niall, according to the O'Clerys. 4 We find, that when St. Patricks had been repelled by the people of Fera-Gaura, he visited the district of Imchlair. This saint was placed over the Church founded at
in the
when he had brought the people there to embrace Christianity. In the
Donoughmore,
Martyrology of Donegal,? at the same date, this saint is named Colum, of
present barony
Dungannon, by
Ros Glanda. 8 We are that Glan is the name of a told,
which was before St. Patrick's time, while Domhnoch mor Maighe Imchlair was after- wards the name of that 10 The old church stood a little to the north-
place.
east of the present village. The only traces of its venerable antiquity now
remaining is a large and elegant cross of freestone ; on which numerous
carvings, representing various passages of Scripture, are seen. 11 The people about here, baptised by St. Patrick, were blessed by him, as also was that
in which
founded a Monastery, over which it is said he placed St. Colum,'3 or Columbanus. Hischurchsoonacquiredgrantsoflandandothervaluable possessions; and it continued to flourish until after the Invasion of Ireland by Henry II. 1* The parochial surface extends from the rich champaign ground in the vicinity of Dungannon, to the bleak and dismal moorish tableau in the neighbourhood of Pomeroy ; and, it embraces every variety of soil, from the most fertile arable land to the spongy bog and the sterile
well,
they
received
regeneration.
Royal Irish Academy," Irish Manuscript Martyrology, at this word: "Glen aium Series, vol. i. , parti. On the Calendar of tiobraid boi and ria Patrick agus Domhnach
Oengus, p. cxxxvi. In an Irish comment attached, Sciath is described as of Muscraige Tri-maige in Mumain. In another note, it is stated, that Ross Glanda was formerly the name of the stead, i. e. , Glan (" pure"), the name of the well that is there, and Domnach Mor was its name, whe#the scholiast wrote. It is stated, likewise, since Patrick sent Colomb Croxaire of Ross GialMn in Ui- Liathain in Munster, or Colomb of Domnach Maige Imchlair in Tyrone ; and Glan (is) the name of a well that is in the stead.
ibid. , p. cxliii.
'Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xxxiii.
3 Thus: CoUnm o nuer*onoepMr\e ix>
Ajjuf Coltnan mi-oiril.
mor maighe Iomchlair (Donaghmore, near Dungannon), a ainm anin : Thir Eog-hain ata. "
9 There is yet a fine old sculptured cross, at the Catholic church here, and it is
adorned with Scriptural subjects. See Miss Cusack's "Life of St, Patrick, Apostle of
Ireland," p. 446, n. (4).
10 At present identical with Donaghmore,
near Dungannon, in the county of Tyrone, according to William M. Hennessy's Copy. "This was thrown down and mutilated in the war of 1641.
It remained in a neglected state until Richard Vincent, Esq. , caused it to be removed and placed where it now
stands, at the head of the village, in 1776.
6
See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the
Trias Thaumnturga. " Septima Vita S. Patricii, lib. ii. , cap. excii. ,
See the "Martyrology of Donegal,"
It is 16 feet in height, and it consists of a
238, 239.
5 See his Life, in the Third Volume of
this work, at 17th of March, Art. i.
Topographical Dictionary of Ireland," vol.
Four Masters," vol. iii. , n. (p), pp. 116 to 118.
7
Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 238, 239.
8 The
William M. Hennessy's Copy of this
14 Lewis' " See
following
MS. note is found in
See
4
edited by Rev. Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. plinth, a shaft and a cross. See Lewis'
"
of
well,
there
the Irish 6 Apostle,
12 At Domnach St. Patrick mor,
i. , p. 469.
'•' "
See Colgan's
p. 148, and nn. 239, 240.
13 He is classed among the Disciples of
St. Patrick. See ibid. , Quinta Appendix ad Acta S. Patricii, cap. xxiii. , p. 267.
Topographical Dictionary of Ireland," vol. i. , p. 469.
September 6. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 177 mountain. 's In 1 195, the monastery here was plundered and wasted by
Rughraidhe, son of Dunsleibhe, assisted by the FLnglish. '
6
In the Taxation
of Pope Nicholas, a. d. 1291, the church of Donaghmore is described as con-
taining many costly shrines. It appears to have been possessed by the
Colidei or Culdees of Armagh, in the sixteenth century. By an Inquisition taken in the 33rd year of Henry VIII. , the Colidei had their rectory and tithes,
which, with many townlands in the adjoining parishes, were granted to the Archbishop of Armagh after the Reformation. *' We are inclined to believe, that the Columb of St. Patrick's time must have been a different person from St. Colum of Slanore. It seems likely enough, this latter was the Colman, son of Eochad, who had been restored to sight at Slanore'8 by
St.
Feichan,
Abbot of Fore. ! 9 Colman's festival is to the assignable
present century. But, this Saint appears to have had five holy brothers, and one sister, all the children of one father, but by two different wives. His pedigree is set down in the Genealogies of the saints. From it we learn, that his father was Eochaidh,andhismotherAigleand,thedaughterofLenin. Theirchildren
ao and it would
that he must have lived in the seventh
appear,
21 St. 22 St. Coluim, or Columbanus, and a Lughaidh,
day,
Fintan, St. 23
Comaigh.
Guaire, son of Lughaidh, son of Laeghaire, monarch of Ireland, in the time of St. Patrick. By another wife, Ligach Bredmainech, or Ligan Bregmuinech, he had St. Nanidh,24 and St. Muiredhach. 2* St. Fursa26 was also her son, according to some accounts. 2? This however must have been a Fursa, dis- tinct from him venerated on the 16th of January, whose mother is stated to have been Gelgesia or Gelges. The present saint is introduced, also, in the Acts of St. Columba, as driving his chariot, and this probably took place when the
formerwasayoungman. Afterwards,heprobablyfoundedtheMonastery of Snamluther, now Slanore, a little to the south of Lough Oughter, and
were St.
daughter
The father of these children was the son of Ailill son to ;
nearly opposite to Trinity Island, on the west side of the parisli of Kilmore, CountyofCavan. TheAbbeyfieldthererepresentstheeffacedsiteofthis monastic establishment. 28 Here at least the saint lived, and he was visited there by St. Fechin of Fore. 29 It is probable, himself and his sister, S—t. Comaigh,werejointoccupantsofthatplace for,bothareveneratedthere
;
the present saint, as has been supposed, at this day, and his sister on the
27thofMay. Again,isstated,thataColumbaCrossairewaspatronofthe
parisli of Kilrush, according to the Martyrology of Tallagh,3° and also patron of the Church of Myshall, in the parish of St. Mary, TDounty of Wexford. 3 1
'5 See the " Gazetteer of 23 Venerated at the 27th of May. See the Parliamentary
Ireland," vol. ii. , p. 28. Fifth Volume of this work, at that date, Art. ii.
16 " 24
See ArchdalPs cum," p. 682.
'7 See Lewis' "
of Ireland," vol. i. , p. 469. 18 "
Monasticon Hiberni-
Topographical Dictionary
Venerated at the 13th of November, where notices of him may be found.
2S Venerated at the 12th of August. See
the Eighth Volume of this work, at that
date, Art. i.
a6
Venerated at the 16th of January. See the First Volume of this work, at that date, Art. i.
27 As will be seen (ibid. ) at the 1st of January, there was a St. Colman, son of
See Colgan's Acta Sanctorum Hiber- niae," xx. Januarii. Secunda Vita S. Fechini, cap. xxx. , p. 136.
19 See his Life, at the 20th of January, in the First Volume of this work, Art. ii.
20 Colgan thinks the present saint is iden-
tical with the Colman, son of Eochad, Eochaich, venerated. See Art. xvi.
venerated at the 27th of October. See Secunda Vita S. Fechini, n. 19, p. 141.
21 Venerated at the 1st of January. See the First Volume of this work, at that date, Art. xiii.
32 Venerated at the 31st of January. See ibid-, January 31st, Art. xv.
28 "
See Dr. Reeves' Adamnan's Life of
St. Columba," nn. (e,f), pp. 172 to 174.
^ See ibid. , n. (e)» p. 172.
^ This, however, we are unable to find,
in the copies now accessible.
3I See County of Wexford Irish Ordnance
Survey Records, kvol. i.
M
178 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [September 6.
In Scotland, also, the saint whose festival is held on this day was venerated ; and, in the Kalendar of Drummond,32 the name of Colombe, without further
description,issolelyentered,atthe6thofSeptember. Thisentryseemsto make it doubtful, if he be not rather of St. Columkille's than of St. Patrick's time.
Article VI. —St. Colman, Son of Eochaidh, probably of Kilclief,
County Down. We read in the of 1 that at the 6th Martyrology Donegal,
ofSeptembervenerationwasgiventoColman,sonofEochaidh. Thismay
be Colman, of Cill Cleitigh, says the writer, and son of Eochaidh, who descended from the seed of Aenghus, son to Nadfraech, King of Minister and
of Caisel. 2
year 935, when it was plundered and burned, by the Son of Barith. *
Article VII. —St. Caencomrac, said to have been Abbot and
Bishop of Derry, County of Londonderry. In the Martyrology of
1
Donegal, at the 6th of September, occurs the simple entry of this name,
Caencomrac. -This holy man, called the Son of Maoluidhir, was descended
in the twelfth degree from Connal Gulban, as appears from the Genealogies of the Irish Saints. Colgan thinks he should be identified with the present
Saint. 2 Under the head of Cluain-eois, now Clones, County of Monaghan, Duald Mac Firbis and the Four Masters3 enter Caencomrac, son of Carran, or Curan, and an eminent bishop and abbot of Cluain-eois. He died in 69 1. 4 It appears, therefore, that the preceding Caencomrac lived at a time long anterior to a distinguished bishop so called, and who flourished in the tenth century. The authority of the O'Clerys has been wrongly quoted for the statement,thatthesaintofthisdayhadbeenabishopofDerry. s However, under the head of Daire Calgaigh—the ancient name for Derry—Duald Mac Firbis enters, Caincomhrac, Son of Maoluidhir, bishop and abbot of Daire
to which allusion is here made, is identical with Kilclief, a parish in the County of Down, and where another St. Colman Finn is said to have been venerated on the 2nd of June. 3 This church is supposed to have derived its name from having been at first built of hurdles ; although a Doimliacc or stone church had been built at Kilclief, before the
Calgaigh.
6 He died in He is called the Steward of Adamnan's Law. 8 927. ?
32 See Bishop Forbes' tish Saints," p. 23.
"
Kalendars of Scot- p. 503, and sect. 3, p. 506. Elsewhere, Colgan places the death of a Coencomrac, son of
Cill-Cleitigh,
Article vi. —1 Edited
pp.
" Under Mac Teil, at June 1 1, p. 166, supra.
the Mac Tail of Cill Cuiliun, and Colman, of Cill clethi, two sons of Eochaidh, son of Dargan, son of Columba, son of Cronan, son of Aengus, son of Nadfraech. Book of Lecan, fol. 43. ,
b-e. "
3 See notices at that date, in the Sixth
Volume of this work, Art. ii.
4 See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. ii. , pp. 632 to 635, and n. (k), ibid.
by
238,239.
In a note Dr. Reeves adds :
:
834. Headds "Vide6,Septem.
