His brother,
Part of the church walls were standing here, within the recollection of Eugene O'Curry,
that limit, though they were almost all boat- men.
Part of the church walls were standing here, within the recollection of Eugene O'Curry,
that limit, though they were almost all boat- men.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v3
Senan, and the many monuments still recording his name and transactions, in connection with Iniscatthy Island, a modern pseudo-antiquary has had the effrontery to write, that he was no other than theRiverShannonpersonified.
9 ByPtolemythisriveriscalledSenus,'°andby Irish writers, it is designated Sionna," or Seinnon, and Latinized, Sinnanus, orSinennus.
" Itisnotnecessary,ofcourse,tonoticeseriouslysuchanex- travagant conjecture ; but, an allusion to it, in the subjoined note,^3 will give the reader of our saint's Life some idea of the manner, in which the Rev.
Dr.
Ledvvich deals with Irish history and antiquities, in his pedantic, prejudiced, and very worthless compilation.
We can scarcely wonder, that the learned Dr.
Lanigan should give vent to his honest indignation, by indulging in re-
marks, manifesting an accerbity of tone and feeling, towards this ignorant writer ; and, that he should sometimes employ expressions, beneath historic
Chapter vi. —' See her
Life,
at the
15th
' See Rev. Dr. Leclwich's " of Antiquities
of January.
^ " '°
See Dr. Lanigan's Ecclesiastical His- tory of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, xi. , sect, iv,, p. 90, and nn. 26, 27, 28, pp. 11, 12.
TJius it is marked, on his ancient Map of Ireland.
" See the Vita S. Fintani, Cluain Ednach, cap. iii.
'^
So is it MTitten, in the Life of St. Senan himself, in which he is constantly
3 See that most readable and thoughtful
work, which does equal justice to the
scholarship and learning of the distinguished
American writer, Thomas C. Amory, called Senanus. "Transfer of Erin: or the Acquisition of
Ireland by England," chap, xiii. , p. 62.
* See Archdall's "Monasticon liiberni-
cum," pp. 49 to 52.
s See Dr. Sylvester O'Halloran's " His-
'3 Dr. I>anigan pertinently remarks, in this connexion, and in reference to Led-
wich " Does he mean to drive out of ex-
:
istence hundreds of Irish families, that bear
the name of Shannon ? Accoiding to his
mode of treating antiquities, many persons should be changed into rivers. The cele-
brated St. Nilus, with whom Senan was
nearly contemporary, would have been a
and — more than the River phantom, notiiing
tory of Ireland," vol. ii. , p. 236. ^"
See Charles Smith's Ancient and
Present State of the County of Kerry,"
of Limerick. "
chap, viii. , p. 227. 7 See Ferrar's
"History Appendix, No. XV. , p. 378.
"
Nile personified. " "Ecclesiastical History See Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical His- of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, xi. , sect, iv. , n.
tory of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, xi. , sect, iv. , 38, p. 99.
p. 91. '* In justice to Dr. Lanigan, it must be
Ireland," p. 32.
250
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 8.
when
writers and students, the character of Ledwich's so-called
Ireland " is now understood. The work itself has long since fallen into deserved contempt and neglect. In addition to what has been already stated, it must be observed, that the gift of poesy, as of prophecy, was attri- buted to the holy Patron of Iniscathay. 'S
The author of St. Senan's Prose Life gives us an account, regarding some
of those miracles, said to have been wrought through his merits, and, which took place, previous to that time when he wrote. An account of these may
prove interesting to the reader,^nd may furnish a clue to the comparatively recent period of the composition. On the authority of this biography, many statements, contained in preceding chapters, rest. During a time, that Theo- doric,^^ son to Thadeus O'Brien,'? ruled over the principality of Thomond,'^ a certain man, subject to his rule, being accused of having committed homi- cide in a brawl, fled to the monastery of St, Senan. Its church had always been considered, a place of refuge and a safe asylum, in these parts. The chieftain's satellites were sent, to apprehend the author of this crime ; but, when they had discovered his place of retreat, not daring to violate a recog- nised sanctuary, they returned to Theodoric, with an account of what had occurred ; and, stating their own scruples, in prosecuting further proceed- ings. On hearing this, the chief was excited to anger. Accompanied by a great band of soldiers, he proceeded to St. Senan's Monastery. Here, he quartered himself and his troops, 'for that night, to the great inconvenience of the monks, belonging to this house, who, as being subject to his rule, were also subjected to his exactions. On the following night, he stopped at the church of Kill-mic an dubhain'9—now called Kilmacduane^°—which was an appendagetotheMontisteryofIniscatthy, WhileTheodoricremainedthere, St. Senan appeared to the Prior of Iniscatthay Monastery, as if preparing for a journe}^ Being asked who he was, or whither he was bound, the appari- tion answered, he was Senan, and that he wished to proceed to inflict punish-
dignity,
referring
to such absurd statements. ^"^ By all Irish historical
remarked, that these expressions are not
found in the body of his history, but, rather, in its notes,
'* " The principality of Tiiomond, gene- rally called the country of the Dal-Cais, com- prised the entire of the present county of
'5 In a MS. Codex, classed Vol. iv. , Part Clare ; the parishes of Iniscaltra and Clon-
ii. , there is an Irish Life of St. Senan, at p.
rush, in the county of Galway ; the entire of
half of the barony of Clanwilliam, in the county of Tipperary ; thebaroniesof Owney-
beg, Coonagh and Clanwilliam, and the eastern halves of the baronies of Small and Coshlea, in the county of Limerick. "— County of Clare Antiquarian Letters of the Irish Oi'dnance Survey. Mr. O'Donovan's Ancient Territories in Thomond, as com-
an account of the
O' Carroll the baronies of ;
Ii8;
after death, through St. Senan, at p, 233 ; and different Poems attributed to St. Senan, to St. Brendan and to others, in Irish, at p.
142. These were transcribed, by Michael O'Clery, from older MSS. , and they arenow
preserved in the Burgundiau Library, at Bruxelles. It is to be regretted, that some efforts have not been made, to procure copies of those valuable Codices.
Ely
Upper and Lower Ormond, Owney and Arra, and somewhat more than the western
miracles, wrought
Ikerrin,
'* This was not the celebrated King of
Munster, Toirdhealbhach O'Brian, who piled or signed, by "J. O'D. , February afterwards became Monarch over all Ireland, 13th, 1841," p. 9.
and who died at Kincoradh, A. D. io86, in ''This is now a parish church, in the
the seventy-seventh year of his age. See ^ ancient temtory of Corcobaschin, near Inis- "
Dr, O'Donovan's Annals of the Four catthy, and belonging to the diocese of Kil-
Masters," vol, ii. , pp. 926, 927.
'7 Said to have been son to Donat Car-
brech, by some authorities, or rather, per-
haps, as Colgan seems to think, grandson of
the same, by his son Cornelius, according to
the opinion of certain historians. See "Acta 58, The Townland proper, divided into Sanctorum Hibemiae," Martii viii,, n. 35, p. East and West, is in the barony of Moyarta 536. alone, and shown on Sheets 47, 48, 57, 58.
laloe.
''°
*'
This parish, situated in the baronies of Ibrickan and Moyarta, is described, on the
Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the County of Clare," Sheets 38, 39, 47, 48, 57,
"
Antiquities of
March 8. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS 251
nient on the chief, for his temerity. A short time afterwards, and, on the same night, he appeared to Theodoric, whom he transfixed with the end of his staff. This stroke inflicted a wound, in the leg, which caused the chief- tain much torture. While this latter asked, why he had become thus wounded ; the saint answered, that it was on account of violence and injury inflicted on his church, and on his subjects. Saying these words, the appari- tion instantly vanished. On awaking, Theodoric found himself in a state, from which he could obtain no relief, through his medical attendants, until he died, after having suffered most extreme torture. ^^
At another time, a certain insolent noble, named Murchad O'Brien, who
was accompanied by a band, subject to him, came to Iniscatthy. They wished to take from it, by violence, a vessel, the property of its monks. The
prior and clergy, belonging to the monastery, met them, and earnestly be- sought the troop, not to act sacrilegiously upon a spot, always regarded as a place of asylum. But, this rapacious band still persisting in such purpose, some members of the congregation, belonging to the monastery, hastened to assistthemonks. Atlength,thisaffairproceededtoblows,andtheimpiety of Murchad went so far, as to cause his striking one of the clergy present, with his hand, and, in such a manner, as to cause a severe wound. After- wards, the chief and his band fled from that place ; but, God's judgments followed him, in punishment for his sacrilegious conduct. On that very night, while he was asleep, St. Senan appeared to him, and threatened punish- ment for his crimes. When the culprit learned this, he endeavoured to —obtain the saint's pardon by prayers, and by any satisfaction he might impose
but, in vain ; for, presently, he felt a great pain, in the left side, and he then awoke, crying out, that it had been transfixed by God's holy servant. While his wife and family ask the cause for his outcries and pain, the chief said, that on account of injuries inflicted on the clergy, their Patron, St. Senan, had given a wound, which must shortly result in his death. Immediately afterwards, he expressed a desire to make his will, that thus his affairs might be arranged, previous to his departure. " At another time, having violently invaded Corcobaschind territory, Richard de Clare^^ devastated every place with fire and sword, making no distinction between lay and ecclesiastical property. Among his other acts of rapine, he spoiled St. Senan's church ; when the clergy and people of the territory, moved by this sacrilegious act, poured forth a petition to their patron, that he would procure the infliction of meritedpunishment,onthisimpiousinvader. Theirprayerswereheard,and on the night after, Senan appeared to the monastery sacristan, who was told, that in consequence of petitions, offered to the patron, he would inflict chastise- ment on Richard de Clare, for the rapine and outrages visited on the saint's church and territory. Immediately afterwards, the saint appeared in person, to this chief, whom he struck with his staff; and, in consequence thereof, De Clare became imbecile and his head was rendered delirious. Three days after, this offender fell, by the hands of his enemies, in a hostile encounter. '^
Among the many churches, dedicated to St. Senan, was one named Kill- challige. ^s it was reverenced by the people, and with a veneration, second
^^ See " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- Colgan's
nise," viii. Martii. Vita Secunda S. Senani,
cap. xlvi. , p. 534,
^^ This church was situated within the
^^ See
"Acta Sanctorum Hiber- niae," viii. Martii. Vita Secunda S. Senani,
cap. xliv. , p. 533.
" See the Bollandists' " Acta Sancto-
Colgan's
S. Senani, cap. vii. , num. 53, pp. 777, 778. "3 On the authority of Camden, the Bol-
Moyarta, and county of Clare. Tliere was a burying-ground, called Cill-na-g-Caileach,
_
rum," tomus i. , viii. Martii. Vita Secunda present parish of Kilfearagh, barony of
landists place his death, at A. D, 1262. See i. e. , ibid. , num. 54, note (i).
the Church of the Nuns. " It lies in
"
the townland, to which it has given name.
252 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 8.
only to that entertained for Iniscatthy. By degrees, however, respect for it began to languish, until, in course of time, this edifice was converted into a barn. Such an irreverent use of the building was thought to have called forth our saint's displeasure, and, through a very humble instrument ; for, a sparrow having taken a burning brand, from some neighbouring fire, com- municated it to lieaps of straw, which, with the house, perished, in a con- flagration, that immediately followed. The people, however, prepared materials to restore this building. Whilst in need of lime and mortar, for such a purpose, St. Senan appeared to a villager, named Senanin O'Hettro- main,^^ telling him, that he must dig to some depth, near the house of a daughter of Y-bhmachain, where he should find so much lime, as ought to suffice, for rebuilding the church. These orders were obeyed, and, according to the promise given, so much lime was found, as served their purpose ; while the heap did not seem at all diminished in the trench, during the pro- gress of this building. ^7 What is further remarkable, in connexion with this lime, there was a curative property, it was popularly supposed to possess, in reference both to men and cattle. ^^ Donatus, son to Donald, who ruled over
Corcobaschind territory, had violated the churches of St. Senan, through
Satan'sinstigation; and,hehadevenviolentlydrivenawayherds,belonging to the neighbouring tenants. Having plundered the churches*? of Kill-na-
callige,3° Kill-charitain, and Ros-anaircheil, the Vicar of St. Senan, the vicars of other churches, with the clergy of this region, arranged themselves in a solemn procession. Bringing forth the various relics in their custody, they proceeded to Donatus, and on representing the immunity due to property, belonging to their respective churches, they asked him to restore what he had taken. They threatened those unjust invaders with the malediction of God, of St. Senan, and of other saints, connected with those churches, rendered holy by being their burial places, and by the possession of their relics. The heart of Donatus, however, proving obdurate, he disregarded these warnings. AVherefore, the clergy had recourse to the spiritual arms of the Church ; and, they fulminated a sentence of excommunication against him, with the sound- ing of bells. Although, at first, disposed to show some signs of penitence, yet, the unjust invader relapsed again into a state of more obstinate impiety. This chief, having supported a large band of soldiers, was obliged at great expense to procure them sustenance and largesses, for half of the year. At the end of this time, when he led them to the field, Donatus, his brothers, and his paid satellites, who were accomplices in the sacrilege perpetuated on the churches of God and of St. Senan, all miserably perished.
His brother,
Part of the church walls were standing here, within the recollection of Eugene O'Curry,
that limit, though they were almost all boat- men. "— /(5/</. , p. 357.
but now there is not a
visible. See
"
Vita Secunda S. Senani,
County of Clare Antiquarian Letters of the
Irish Ordnance Survey, vol. i. , p. 356. Mr.
Eugene Curry's Letter, dated Kilidisert, 8th
November, 1839. In his identification of
this place with Kill-Challige, Mr, O'Curry
refers to the present and to a subsequent
passage, taken from the Life of St. Senan,
cap. xlvii. , xlviii. '
36 (( The O'Hedromans are still numerous, in the parish of Moyarta adjoining, and are traditionally remembered as the ferrymen and fishermen of St. Seanan, who, it is said, left them the privilege that none of the name should ever be drowned between Inis Cath- aigh and Kilcardain ; nor was any of them remembered to have been drowned within
vestige
Colgan's
Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
^^ See
nije," viii. Martii.
cap. xlvii. , p. 534.
""^
See ibid. , cap. xlviii.
=» These were situated, not far from Scat-
tery Island, in the territory of Corco-bhas-
cinn, and in the diocese of KilJaloe, as
Colgan states, in n. 37, p. 536.
30 This church has been identified, in a
note to the foregoing paragi-aph. But, I am unable to identify the other two places, after a careful examination of the MS. Index to the Townland and Parishes of Clare County, as preserved in the Irish Ordnance Survey Office, Phcenix Park. Hence, I suppose, the names have become obsolete, in that part of the countrv.
March 8. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 253
Bernard, who, in no manner had been connected with those outrages, alone escaped. 3^
Another time, Mathgamanius, or Matthew, son to Domnald, son to Mur- chertach, wished to take away by violence certain herds, which were kept in a place of refuge, sacred to St. Senan. When his vicar, and the people of this place, wished to prevent that violence, Matthew shot two arrows at the vicar, intending to deprive him of life ; however, these arrows did not even pene- trate his garments, against which they lightly glanced. On seeing this, the chief was enraged, and leaping in among the cattle, he killed an ox ; but, be- fore himself or his companions could remove the quarters, Matthew was seized with a sudden illness, and he immediately expired. 3^ On a certain occasion, some wicked depredators, entering the lands dedicated to St. Senan, took away a cow, from the herd of a venerable priest, named O'Regan. Thisanimalwasbutcheredatapond,somedistancefromthat place, where the theft had been committed ; and, afterwards, a calf belonging to this cow, was covered with its hide, and sunk in the bottom of a pit near the pool. A public search was instituted, for recovery of the missing cow ; during which, it was believed, that the authors of this robbery must incur St. Senan's displeasure. After a month had elapsed, the robbers returned to the pit, whence they drew forth the skin-covered calf ; when, to their surprise, this animal was alive, and signified the fact, by bleating aloud three different times. Being seized with astonishment, at what they looked upon as a mira- culous occurrence, those thieves returned to the priest. To him they con- fessed, what had taken place ; whilst, at the same time, they promised him restitution for the injustice committed. They likewise engaged the future amendment of their lives. ^3
A clerical Synod being at one time convened, in St. Senan's church ;
amongst other decrees, one was passed, for the erection of a chapel, in
honour of the Blessed Virgin. But, a difficulty was presented, in the way of
obtaining stones, which could easily be dressed, or which might serve for the purpose of being converted into lime. While in such state of perplexity, the
clergy retired on this day; but, on the following, when going out, one of these clerics found near the church the very stones required, and, sufficient in
quantity,
Iniscattery was the see of a bishop, before the English invasion, and until
united with Limerick, about the beginning of the twelfth century. 35 Long after the death of St. Senan, the O'Brians held Iniscathay, to repel the Danish invaders of their territories. It was long an object for contention, between both parties, and our Annals3^ abound with notices of their quarrels. This island contains nearly 180 acres ; and about 20 of these were under wood, previous to the dissolution of monasteries,37 but, not a shrub now remains. 38
to build the whole sacred edifice. 3-t
" Acta Sanctoram Hiber- nise," viii. Martii. Vita Secunda S. Senani,
cap. xlix. , p. 534.
3^ See ibid. , cap. 1. , p. 534.
S. Senani, cap. vii. , num. 59, p. 778. Albert le Grand relates this incident, in a different manner. See n. (k), p. 779.
3* After relating this incident, the author
of the Prose Life adds : "Hoc ex multis
pauca per S. Senanum post mntem patrata miracula sufliciant. "—Colg:^'i\ "Acta Sane- torum Hibernioe," viii. ]M;. . ii. Vita Se- cunda S. Senani, cap. Iii, p. 534.
35 See Ferrar's "History of Limerick," part iii. , chap, iii. , pp. 185, 186.
3' See
Colgan's
33 the Bollandists' " See
Acta Sancto-
" The of Tnis- Legend
admirable
rum," tomus i. , viii. Martii. Vita Secunda cathy," will be found the Annals of this
36 See " flibernian Duffy's
Magazine," vol. i. , n. i. , p. 39. At the conclusion, in the
article,
island, with a correct topographical descrip- tion of the place, and of its venerable group of ecclesiastical ruins.
3? See Archdall's
"
Monasticon Hiberni-
cum," p. 51.
^s See Mr. and Mrs. Hall's "Ireland:
its Scenery, Character," &c. , vol. iii. , p.
434.
33 See an Article, in the "Gentleman's
254 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 8.
On this island, Mr. Hills only found the remains of six churches, and probably of a seventh ;39 although, as we have stated, at no very remote period, the ruins of eleven old buildings had been shown. The people, about here, have a great devotion towards their patron saint, and they believe that any irreverence or acts of irreligious Vandalism, committed on the Island
of Iniscattery, will meet with condign punishment. Various exemplary instances are popularly remembered. '<°
In addition to the foregoing instances, it is stated by Albert le Grand,
that during the reign of Queen Elizabeth,*' daughter to King Henry VIII. ,*^ one Bernardulus'ts was destined for the Bishopric of Limerick, when it had been resolved to effect the overthrow of the Catholic Church, in Ireland. During his visitation of this diocese, Bernardulus^'t had heard of the judg- ments, visited on those, who dared to violate the possessions of St. Senan, on Scattery Island ; but, in order to carry out a decree, which obliged Catholics to forswear the Pope's primacy, and to affirm the Queen's supremacy, even in matters ecclesiastical, he had despatched two of his ministers, with a company of soldiers, to proclaim, that the inhabitants should assemble in St. Mary's Church, to hear the royal commands. All were most reluctantly obliged to attendthere; but,meantime,theirsecretprayerswereferventlyofferedtothe Immaculate Mother of God, and to their holy Patron, St. Senan. The chief minister having retired to rest, on that night, fell asleep ; yet, soon he awoke the guard with outcries, stating, that he had seen St. Senan, and that he had felt blows on his body, from the saint's pastoral staff, which left him so dis- abled, that for a day he could not rise from bed. However, this did not alter his purpose, nor did the prayers or warnings of the islanders move him ;
Notes on the Architecture of Ireland," v. , pp. 549,
in gi-eat pain. His wife, with tears, regretted that the poor man's advice had not been taken. The sailors were called, and a litter was prepared. Gently as the men could carry him, they conveyed him to the boat, and thence to his ship, where he suffered the greatest agony.
*' This reign is calculated, from Novem- ber the 17th, A. D. 1558, to her death, which occurred, March 24th, 1603.
Magazine," Vol. i. , A. D, 1864.
550.
*" Even a local paper, the " Clare Adver-
tiser," of July 4th, 1857, relates an anecdote,
regarding a melancholy accident, which
happened to the chief Engineer of her
Majesty's ship, Hawke, in the old church
ruins of Iniscattery, on Saturday, the 27th
of June, 1857. Having landed there, with
some friends, to spend a festive day, after
dinner, the engineer and his friends walked
"
*' He ascended the throne, April 22nd, A. D. 1509, and died on the 28th of January, A. D. 1547. See Sir Harris Nicolas' "Chro- nology of History," pp. 333, 344, 338, 339.
scream—the alder branch fell on him—
tree broke, not at the place where in was
notched, but much higher up, and where it
1606 to A. D. 16 1 7, together with the see of Limerick, he held that of Kilfenora. He
wasnot tobreak. Therehe exepcted
"
of
to
"
sainted isle of old. " They viewed
the fine old tower, and holy well, and the
chapel of St. Sinan, in which there was an
alder tree, older than the oldest inhabitant
on the island. Visitors at all times have
held the antiquities of the island, in respect, if
not in veneration. The engineer was desirous
to possess some curiosity from the island, so
remarkable in Irish history ; he used a little
chopper, on the tree, when a poor man
present requested him to desist, saying such
things were never done by visitors. This
warning had not the desired effect. Not find-
ing the branch to yield, the engineer handed
the little hatchet to his companion, while he
made an effort to swing out of the tree, in
order to break it, where it was notched. crated in April, a. d. 1604. From A. D. Then the branch gave way, almost without
a pull. The engineer fell with a terrible
over the
the
died in
Limerick, on the 22nd of M. arch,
lay,
Bishops
Limerick," pp. 511
513.
*3 So called, because he was remarkably diminutive in stature.
*^ This must have been Bernard Adams,
who succeeded John Thomburgh, who was
appointed Protestant Bishop of Limerick,
by Queen Elizabeth, towards the close of A. D. 1593, and who is said to have resigned
this see July 4th, A. D. 1603, having then been translated to the Bishopric of Bristol, whence he was translated to the see of Wor- cester, on the 17th of Februaiy, A. D. 1616. According to Harris' Ware, Bernard Adams had been appointed by King James I. to succeed John Thomburgh, and he was conse-
A. D. 1625, English style, and he was buried
in St. Mary's Cathedral. See Vol. i. ,
March 8. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 255
for, he swore, that neither the saint, nor any other person, should prevent him from executing the queen's wishes, and from driving the abominations of Roman idolatry out of the island. The night following, this minister and his assistant lay, in the same chamber, but in two different beds ; when, once
more, during the night, St. Senan appeared, in pontifical garments, and sur- rounded with a great light, while carrying an episcopal crozier in his hand.
Drawing the bed-curtain aside, the apparition again struck the sleeping minister,untilbloodflowedfromhiswounds. Hiscrieswereineffectual,to bring the servants in the house to his aid, for the chamber door had been firmly fastened ; while, his room-mate looked on with terror, and fearing a like chastisement for himself The avenging spirit departed, and opening the door, the servants found access to their suffering master, who desired, at once, to be conveyed with his companions, on board a ship, which sailed from Iniscattery to Limerick. Four days after his arrival here, the miserable man died impenitent ; while, those who accompanied him to the island were so much afraid of future disagreeable consequences, that they refused to have anything more to do, in molesting the islanders on Iniscathay. 'ts
In the county of Wexford, the old parish of Templeshannon bears our saint's name, even at the present day. *^ It contains that portion of Ennis- corthy town, eastwards from the River Slaney. An ancient church is here to be seen. It is on the outskirts of the town, and it consisted of a nave-*? and choir. 48 A choir-arch, much disfigured, connects them ; while, the middle gablerisesalittleabovethesidewalls,theupperpartbeingremoved. The choir-arcli appears to have been pointed, and its gable is covered with ivy.
marks, manifesting an accerbity of tone and feeling, towards this ignorant writer ; and, that he should sometimes employ expressions, beneath historic
Chapter vi. —' See her
Life,
at the
15th
' See Rev. Dr. Leclwich's " of Antiquities
of January.
^ " '°
See Dr. Lanigan's Ecclesiastical His- tory of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, xi. , sect, iv,, p. 90, and nn. 26, 27, 28, pp. 11, 12.
TJius it is marked, on his ancient Map of Ireland.
" See the Vita S. Fintani, Cluain Ednach, cap. iii.
'^
So is it MTitten, in the Life of St. Senan himself, in which he is constantly
3 See that most readable and thoughtful
work, which does equal justice to the
scholarship and learning of the distinguished
American writer, Thomas C. Amory, called Senanus. "Transfer of Erin: or the Acquisition of
Ireland by England," chap, xiii. , p. 62.
* See Archdall's "Monasticon liiberni-
cum," pp. 49 to 52.
s See Dr. Sylvester O'Halloran's " His-
'3 Dr. I>anigan pertinently remarks, in this connexion, and in reference to Led-
wich " Does he mean to drive out of ex-
:
istence hundreds of Irish families, that bear
the name of Shannon ? Accoiding to his
mode of treating antiquities, many persons should be changed into rivers. The cele-
brated St. Nilus, with whom Senan was
nearly contemporary, would have been a
and — more than the River phantom, notiiing
tory of Ireland," vol. ii. , p. 236. ^"
See Charles Smith's Ancient and
Present State of the County of Kerry,"
of Limerick. "
chap, viii. , p. 227. 7 See Ferrar's
"History Appendix, No. XV. , p. 378.
"
Nile personified. " "Ecclesiastical History See Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical His- of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, xi. , sect, iv. , n.
tory of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, xi. , sect, iv. , 38, p. 99.
p. 91. '* In justice to Dr. Lanigan, it must be
Ireland," p. 32.
250
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 8.
when
writers and students, the character of Ledwich's so-called
Ireland " is now understood. The work itself has long since fallen into deserved contempt and neglect. In addition to what has been already stated, it must be observed, that the gift of poesy, as of prophecy, was attri- buted to the holy Patron of Iniscathay. 'S
The author of St. Senan's Prose Life gives us an account, regarding some
of those miracles, said to have been wrought through his merits, and, which took place, previous to that time when he wrote. An account of these may
prove interesting to the reader,^nd may furnish a clue to the comparatively recent period of the composition. On the authority of this biography, many statements, contained in preceding chapters, rest. During a time, that Theo- doric,^^ son to Thadeus O'Brien,'? ruled over the principality of Thomond,'^ a certain man, subject to his rule, being accused of having committed homi- cide in a brawl, fled to the monastery of St, Senan. Its church had always been considered, a place of refuge and a safe asylum, in these parts. The chieftain's satellites were sent, to apprehend the author of this crime ; but, when they had discovered his place of retreat, not daring to violate a recog- nised sanctuary, they returned to Theodoric, with an account of what had occurred ; and, stating their own scruples, in prosecuting further proceed- ings. On hearing this, the chief was excited to anger. Accompanied by a great band of soldiers, he proceeded to St. Senan's Monastery. Here, he quartered himself and his troops, 'for that night, to the great inconvenience of the monks, belonging to this house, who, as being subject to his rule, were also subjected to his exactions. On the following night, he stopped at the church of Kill-mic an dubhain'9—now called Kilmacduane^°—which was an appendagetotheMontisteryofIniscatthy, WhileTheodoricremainedthere, St. Senan appeared to the Prior of Iniscatthay Monastery, as if preparing for a journe}^ Being asked who he was, or whither he was bound, the appari- tion answered, he was Senan, and that he wished to proceed to inflict punish-
dignity,
referring
to such absurd statements. ^"^ By all Irish historical
remarked, that these expressions are not
found in the body of his history, but, rather, in its notes,
'* " The principality of Tiiomond, gene- rally called the country of the Dal-Cais, com- prised the entire of the present county of
'5 In a MS. Codex, classed Vol. iv. , Part Clare ; the parishes of Iniscaltra and Clon-
ii. , there is an Irish Life of St. Senan, at p.
rush, in the county of Galway ; the entire of
half of the barony of Clanwilliam, in the county of Tipperary ; thebaroniesof Owney-
beg, Coonagh and Clanwilliam, and the eastern halves of the baronies of Small and Coshlea, in the county of Limerick. "— County of Clare Antiquarian Letters of the Irish Oi'dnance Survey. Mr. O'Donovan's Ancient Territories in Thomond, as com-
an account of the
O' Carroll the baronies of ;
Ii8;
after death, through St. Senan, at p, 233 ; and different Poems attributed to St. Senan, to St. Brendan and to others, in Irish, at p.
142. These were transcribed, by Michael O'Clery, from older MSS. , and they arenow
preserved in the Burgundiau Library, at Bruxelles. It is to be regretted, that some efforts have not been made, to procure copies of those valuable Codices.
Ely
Upper and Lower Ormond, Owney and Arra, and somewhat more than the western
miracles, wrought
Ikerrin,
'* This was not the celebrated King of
Munster, Toirdhealbhach O'Brian, who piled or signed, by "J. O'D. , February afterwards became Monarch over all Ireland, 13th, 1841," p. 9.
and who died at Kincoradh, A. D. io86, in ''This is now a parish church, in the
the seventy-seventh year of his age. See ^ ancient temtory of Corcobaschin, near Inis- "
Dr, O'Donovan's Annals of the Four catthy, and belonging to the diocese of Kil-
Masters," vol, ii. , pp. 926, 927.
'7 Said to have been son to Donat Car-
brech, by some authorities, or rather, per-
haps, as Colgan seems to think, grandson of
the same, by his son Cornelius, according to
the opinion of certain historians. See "Acta 58, The Townland proper, divided into Sanctorum Hibemiae," Martii viii,, n. 35, p. East and West, is in the barony of Moyarta 536. alone, and shown on Sheets 47, 48, 57, 58.
laloe.
''°
*'
This parish, situated in the baronies of Ibrickan and Moyarta, is described, on the
Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the County of Clare," Sheets 38, 39, 47, 48, 57,
"
Antiquities of
March 8. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS 251
nient on the chief, for his temerity. A short time afterwards, and, on the same night, he appeared to Theodoric, whom he transfixed with the end of his staff. This stroke inflicted a wound, in the leg, which caused the chief- tain much torture. While this latter asked, why he had become thus wounded ; the saint answered, that it was on account of violence and injury inflicted on his church, and on his subjects. Saying these words, the appari- tion instantly vanished. On awaking, Theodoric found himself in a state, from which he could obtain no relief, through his medical attendants, until he died, after having suffered most extreme torture. ^^
At another time, a certain insolent noble, named Murchad O'Brien, who
was accompanied by a band, subject to him, came to Iniscatthy. They wished to take from it, by violence, a vessel, the property of its monks. The
prior and clergy, belonging to the monastery, met them, and earnestly be- sought the troop, not to act sacrilegiously upon a spot, always regarded as a place of asylum. But, this rapacious band still persisting in such purpose, some members of the congregation, belonging to the monastery, hastened to assistthemonks. Atlength,thisaffairproceededtoblows,andtheimpiety of Murchad went so far, as to cause his striking one of the clergy present, with his hand, and, in such a manner, as to cause a severe wound. After- wards, the chief and his band fled from that place ; but, God's judgments followed him, in punishment for his sacrilegious conduct. On that very night, while he was asleep, St. Senan appeared to him, and threatened punish- ment for his crimes. When the culprit learned this, he endeavoured to —obtain the saint's pardon by prayers, and by any satisfaction he might impose
but, in vain ; for, presently, he felt a great pain, in the left side, and he then awoke, crying out, that it had been transfixed by God's holy servant. While his wife and family ask the cause for his outcries and pain, the chief said, that on account of injuries inflicted on the clergy, their Patron, St. Senan, had given a wound, which must shortly result in his death. Immediately afterwards, he expressed a desire to make his will, that thus his affairs might be arranged, previous to his departure. " At another time, having violently invaded Corcobaschind territory, Richard de Clare^^ devastated every place with fire and sword, making no distinction between lay and ecclesiastical property. Among his other acts of rapine, he spoiled St. Senan's church ; when the clergy and people of the territory, moved by this sacrilegious act, poured forth a petition to their patron, that he would procure the infliction of meritedpunishment,onthisimpiousinvader. Theirprayerswereheard,and on the night after, Senan appeared to the monastery sacristan, who was told, that in consequence of petitions, offered to the patron, he would inflict chastise- ment on Richard de Clare, for the rapine and outrages visited on the saint's church and territory. Immediately afterwards, the saint appeared in person, to this chief, whom he struck with his staff; and, in consequence thereof, De Clare became imbecile and his head was rendered delirious. Three days after, this offender fell, by the hands of his enemies, in a hostile encounter. '^
Among the many churches, dedicated to St. Senan, was one named Kill- challige. ^s it was reverenced by the people, and with a veneration, second
^^ See " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- Colgan's
nise," viii. Martii. Vita Secunda S. Senani,
cap. xlvi. , p. 534,
^^ This church was situated within the
^^ See
"Acta Sanctorum Hiber- niae," viii. Martii. Vita Secunda S. Senani,
cap. xliv. , p. 533.
" See the Bollandists' " Acta Sancto-
Colgan's
S. Senani, cap. vii. , num. 53, pp. 777, 778. "3 On the authority of Camden, the Bol-
Moyarta, and county of Clare. Tliere was a burying-ground, called Cill-na-g-Caileach,
_
rum," tomus i. , viii. Martii. Vita Secunda present parish of Kilfearagh, barony of
landists place his death, at A. D, 1262. See i. e. , ibid. , num. 54, note (i).
the Church of the Nuns. " It lies in
"
the townland, to which it has given name.
252 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 8.
only to that entertained for Iniscatthy. By degrees, however, respect for it began to languish, until, in course of time, this edifice was converted into a barn. Such an irreverent use of the building was thought to have called forth our saint's displeasure, and, through a very humble instrument ; for, a sparrow having taken a burning brand, from some neighbouring fire, com- municated it to lieaps of straw, which, with the house, perished, in a con- flagration, that immediately followed. The people, however, prepared materials to restore this building. Whilst in need of lime and mortar, for such a purpose, St. Senan appeared to a villager, named Senanin O'Hettro- main,^^ telling him, that he must dig to some depth, near the house of a daughter of Y-bhmachain, where he should find so much lime, as ought to suffice, for rebuilding the church. These orders were obeyed, and, according to the promise given, so much lime was found, as served their purpose ; while the heap did not seem at all diminished in the trench, during the pro- gress of this building. ^7 What is further remarkable, in connexion with this lime, there was a curative property, it was popularly supposed to possess, in reference both to men and cattle. ^^ Donatus, son to Donald, who ruled over
Corcobaschind territory, had violated the churches of St. Senan, through
Satan'sinstigation; and,hehadevenviolentlydrivenawayherds,belonging to the neighbouring tenants. Having plundered the churches*? of Kill-na-
callige,3° Kill-charitain, and Ros-anaircheil, the Vicar of St. Senan, the vicars of other churches, with the clergy of this region, arranged themselves in a solemn procession. Bringing forth the various relics in their custody, they proceeded to Donatus, and on representing the immunity due to property, belonging to their respective churches, they asked him to restore what he had taken. They threatened those unjust invaders with the malediction of God, of St. Senan, and of other saints, connected with those churches, rendered holy by being their burial places, and by the possession of their relics. The heart of Donatus, however, proving obdurate, he disregarded these warnings. AVherefore, the clergy had recourse to the spiritual arms of the Church ; and, they fulminated a sentence of excommunication against him, with the sound- ing of bells. Although, at first, disposed to show some signs of penitence, yet, the unjust invader relapsed again into a state of more obstinate impiety. This chief, having supported a large band of soldiers, was obliged at great expense to procure them sustenance and largesses, for half of the year. At the end of this time, when he led them to the field, Donatus, his brothers, and his paid satellites, who were accomplices in the sacrilege perpetuated on the churches of God and of St. Senan, all miserably perished.
His brother,
Part of the church walls were standing here, within the recollection of Eugene O'Curry,
that limit, though they were almost all boat- men. "— /(5/</. , p. 357.
but now there is not a
visible. See
"
Vita Secunda S. Senani,
County of Clare Antiquarian Letters of the
Irish Ordnance Survey, vol. i. , p. 356. Mr.
Eugene Curry's Letter, dated Kilidisert, 8th
November, 1839. In his identification of
this place with Kill-Challige, Mr, O'Curry
refers to the present and to a subsequent
passage, taken from the Life of St. Senan,
cap. xlvii. , xlviii. '
36 (( The O'Hedromans are still numerous, in the parish of Moyarta adjoining, and are traditionally remembered as the ferrymen and fishermen of St. Seanan, who, it is said, left them the privilege that none of the name should ever be drowned between Inis Cath- aigh and Kilcardain ; nor was any of them remembered to have been drowned within
vestige
Colgan's
Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
^^ See
nije," viii. Martii.
cap. xlvii. , p. 534.
""^
See ibid. , cap. xlviii.
=» These were situated, not far from Scat-
tery Island, in the territory of Corco-bhas-
cinn, and in the diocese of KilJaloe, as
Colgan states, in n. 37, p. 536.
30 This church has been identified, in a
note to the foregoing paragi-aph. But, I am unable to identify the other two places, after a careful examination of the MS. Index to the Townland and Parishes of Clare County, as preserved in the Irish Ordnance Survey Office, Phcenix Park. Hence, I suppose, the names have become obsolete, in that part of the countrv.
March 8. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 253
Bernard, who, in no manner had been connected with those outrages, alone escaped. 3^
Another time, Mathgamanius, or Matthew, son to Domnald, son to Mur- chertach, wished to take away by violence certain herds, which were kept in a place of refuge, sacred to St. Senan. When his vicar, and the people of this place, wished to prevent that violence, Matthew shot two arrows at the vicar, intending to deprive him of life ; however, these arrows did not even pene- trate his garments, against which they lightly glanced. On seeing this, the chief was enraged, and leaping in among the cattle, he killed an ox ; but, be- fore himself or his companions could remove the quarters, Matthew was seized with a sudden illness, and he immediately expired. 3^ On a certain occasion, some wicked depredators, entering the lands dedicated to St. Senan, took away a cow, from the herd of a venerable priest, named O'Regan. Thisanimalwasbutcheredatapond,somedistancefromthat place, where the theft had been committed ; and, afterwards, a calf belonging to this cow, was covered with its hide, and sunk in the bottom of a pit near the pool. A public search was instituted, for recovery of the missing cow ; during which, it was believed, that the authors of this robbery must incur St. Senan's displeasure. After a month had elapsed, the robbers returned to the pit, whence they drew forth the skin-covered calf ; when, to their surprise, this animal was alive, and signified the fact, by bleating aloud three different times. Being seized with astonishment, at what they looked upon as a mira- culous occurrence, those thieves returned to the priest. To him they con- fessed, what had taken place ; whilst, at the same time, they promised him restitution for the injustice committed. They likewise engaged the future amendment of their lives. ^3
A clerical Synod being at one time convened, in St. Senan's church ;
amongst other decrees, one was passed, for the erection of a chapel, in
honour of the Blessed Virgin. But, a difficulty was presented, in the way of
obtaining stones, which could easily be dressed, or which might serve for the purpose of being converted into lime. While in such state of perplexity, the
clergy retired on this day; but, on the following, when going out, one of these clerics found near the church the very stones required, and, sufficient in
quantity,
Iniscattery was the see of a bishop, before the English invasion, and until
united with Limerick, about the beginning of the twelfth century. 35 Long after the death of St. Senan, the O'Brians held Iniscathay, to repel the Danish invaders of their territories. It was long an object for contention, between both parties, and our Annals3^ abound with notices of their quarrels. This island contains nearly 180 acres ; and about 20 of these were under wood, previous to the dissolution of monasteries,37 but, not a shrub now remains. 38
to build the whole sacred edifice. 3-t
" Acta Sanctoram Hiber- nise," viii. Martii. Vita Secunda S. Senani,
cap. xlix. , p. 534.
3^ See ibid. , cap. 1. , p. 534.
S. Senani, cap. vii. , num. 59, p. 778. Albert le Grand relates this incident, in a different manner. See n. (k), p. 779.
3* After relating this incident, the author
of the Prose Life adds : "Hoc ex multis
pauca per S. Senanum post mntem patrata miracula sufliciant. "—Colg:^'i\ "Acta Sane- torum Hibernioe," viii. ]M;. . ii. Vita Se- cunda S. Senani, cap. Iii, p. 534.
35 See Ferrar's "History of Limerick," part iii. , chap, iii. , pp. 185, 186.
3' See
Colgan's
33 the Bollandists' " See
Acta Sancto-
" The of Tnis- Legend
admirable
rum," tomus i. , viii. Martii. Vita Secunda cathy," will be found the Annals of this
36 See " flibernian Duffy's
Magazine," vol. i. , n. i. , p. 39. At the conclusion, in the
article,
island, with a correct topographical descrip- tion of the place, and of its venerable group of ecclesiastical ruins.
3? See Archdall's
"
Monasticon Hiberni-
cum," p. 51.
^s See Mr. and Mrs. Hall's "Ireland:
its Scenery, Character," &c. , vol. iii. , p.
434.
33 See an Article, in the "Gentleman's
254 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 8.
On this island, Mr. Hills only found the remains of six churches, and probably of a seventh ;39 although, as we have stated, at no very remote period, the ruins of eleven old buildings had been shown. The people, about here, have a great devotion towards their patron saint, and they believe that any irreverence or acts of irreligious Vandalism, committed on the Island
of Iniscattery, will meet with condign punishment. Various exemplary instances are popularly remembered. '<°
In addition to the foregoing instances, it is stated by Albert le Grand,
that during the reign of Queen Elizabeth,*' daughter to King Henry VIII. ,*^ one Bernardulus'ts was destined for the Bishopric of Limerick, when it had been resolved to effect the overthrow of the Catholic Church, in Ireland. During his visitation of this diocese, Bernardulus^'t had heard of the judg- ments, visited on those, who dared to violate the possessions of St. Senan, on Scattery Island ; but, in order to carry out a decree, which obliged Catholics to forswear the Pope's primacy, and to affirm the Queen's supremacy, even in matters ecclesiastical, he had despatched two of his ministers, with a company of soldiers, to proclaim, that the inhabitants should assemble in St. Mary's Church, to hear the royal commands. All were most reluctantly obliged to attendthere; but,meantime,theirsecretprayerswereferventlyofferedtothe Immaculate Mother of God, and to their holy Patron, St. Senan. The chief minister having retired to rest, on that night, fell asleep ; yet, soon he awoke the guard with outcries, stating, that he had seen St. Senan, and that he had felt blows on his body, from the saint's pastoral staff, which left him so dis- abled, that for a day he could not rise from bed. However, this did not alter his purpose, nor did the prayers or warnings of the islanders move him ;
Notes on the Architecture of Ireland," v. , pp. 549,
in gi-eat pain. His wife, with tears, regretted that the poor man's advice had not been taken. The sailors were called, and a litter was prepared. Gently as the men could carry him, they conveyed him to the boat, and thence to his ship, where he suffered the greatest agony.
*' This reign is calculated, from Novem- ber the 17th, A. D. 1558, to her death, which occurred, March 24th, 1603.
Magazine," Vol. i. , A. D, 1864.
550.
*" Even a local paper, the " Clare Adver-
tiser," of July 4th, 1857, relates an anecdote,
regarding a melancholy accident, which
happened to the chief Engineer of her
Majesty's ship, Hawke, in the old church
ruins of Iniscattery, on Saturday, the 27th
of June, 1857. Having landed there, with
some friends, to spend a festive day, after
dinner, the engineer and his friends walked
"
*' He ascended the throne, April 22nd, A. D. 1509, and died on the 28th of January, A. D. 1547. See Sir Harris Nicolas' "Chro- nology of History," pp. 333, 344, 338, 339.
scream—the alder branch fell on him—
tree broke, not at the place where in was
notched, but much higher up, and where it
1606 to A. D. 16 1 7, together with the see of Limerick, he held that of Kilfenora. He
wasnot tobreak. Therehe exepcted
"
of
to
"
sainted isle of old. " They viewed
the fine old tower, and holy well, and the
chapel of St. Sinan, in which there was an
alder tree, older than the oldest inhabitant
on the island. Visitors at all times have
held the antiquities of the island, in respect, if
not in veneration. The engineer was desirous
to possess some curiosity from the island, so
remarkable in Irish history ; he used a little
chopper, on the tree, when a poor man
present requested him to desist, saying such
things were never done by visitors. This
warning had not the desired effect. Not find-
ing the branch to yield, the engineer handed
the little hatchet to his companion, while he
made an effort to swing out of the tree, in
order to break it, where it was notched. crated in April, a. d. 1604. From A. D. Then the branch gave way, almost without
a pull. The engineer fell with a terrible
over the
the
died in
Limerick, on the 22nd of M. arch,
lay,
Bishops
Limerick," pp. 511
513.
*3 So called, because he was remarkably diminutive in stature.
*^ This must have been Bernard Adams,
who succeeded John Thomburgh, who was
appointed Protestant Bishop of Limerick,
by Queen Elizabeth, towards the close of A. D. 1593, and who is said to have resigned
this see July 4th, A. D. 1603, having then been translated to the Bishopric of Bristol, whence he was translated to the see of Wor- cester, on the 17th of Februaiy, A. D. 1616. According to Harris' Ware, Bernard Adams had been appointed by King James I. to succeed John Thomburgh, and he was conse-
A. D. 1625, English style, and he was buried
in St. Mary's Cathedral. See Vol. i. ,
March 8. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 255
for, he swore, that neither the saint, nor any other person, should prevent him from executing the queen's wishes, and from driving the abominations of Roman idolatry out of the island. The night following, this minister and his assistant lay, in the same chamber, but in two different beds ; when, once
more, during the night, St. Senan appeared, in pontifical garments, and sur- rounded with a great light, while carrying an episcopal crozier in his hand.
Drawing the bed-curtain aside, the apparition again struck the sleeping minister,untilbloodflowedfromhiswounds. Hiscrieswereineffectual,to bring the servants in the house to his aid, for the chamber door had been firmly fastened ; while, his room-mate looked on with terror, and fearing a like chastisement for himself The avenging spirit departed, and opening the door, the servants found access to their suffering master, who desired, at once, to be conveyed with his companions, on board a ship, which sailed from Iniscattery to Limerick. Four days after his arrival here, the miserable man died impenitent ; while, those who accompanied him to the island were so much afraid of future disagreeable consequences, that they refused to have anything more to do, in molesting the islanders on Iniscathay. 'ts
In the county of Wexford, the old parish of Templeshannon bears our saint's name, even at the present day. *^ It contains that portion of Ennis- corthy town, eastwards from the River Slaney. An ancient church is here to be seen. It is on the outskirts of the town, and it consisted of a nave-*? and choir. 48 A choir-arch, much disfigured, connects them ; while, the middle gablerisesalittleabovethesidewalls,theupperpartbeingremoved. The choir-arcli appears to have been pointed, and its gable is covered with ivy.
