', Marcello>a'
7 See Roderick OFlaherty's "Chorogra-
naught,'' edited by James Ilardiman, n.
7 See Roderick OFlaherty's "Chorogra-
naught,'' edited by James Ilardiman, n.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v5
At present, the fertile Island there gives name to the large parish oflnish- keel,3inthebaroniesofBanagh^andBoylagh,5andcountyofDonegal.
It
'"' The accompanying illustration of the 134, 135.
ruins was sketched by tlie \vriter in June, *" See "Proceedings oi the Royal Irish 1885. It was transferred to tlie wood, by Academy," Irish MSS. Series, vol. i. , part William F. Wakeman, and, it was engraved,
by Mrs. Millard.
"5 Notes taken, after a visit to the place, in August. 1872.
=' See the Third Volume of this work, at March I3tli, Art. i. , chap. iii.
^' See Rev. Dr. Kelly's "Calendar of Irish Saints," p. xxiv.
"^ See Coigan's " Acta Sanctorum Ilibei- nirc," xiii. Martii. Vita S. Mochoemoci, n. 20, p. 597.
^' Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
306.
3= See " Trias Thaumaturga," Quinta Ap-
pendix ad Acta S. Patricii, cap. xxiii. , p.
269. — " Sanctorum," Article n. ' See Acta
tomus v. , Mali xx. Among the pretermitted saints, p. 170.
-'See "Trias Thaumaturga," Appendix Quarta ad Acta S. Columba;, cap. iii. . num. 10, p. 4S0.
i. , pp. 104, 105.
3" gee " Kalendars of Scottish Saints," p.
—
May 20. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
contains about eighty green acres f and, its old church was built on a rocky ledge, not far from the mainland. ? A beautiful velvety soft strand stretches from it, towards the shore ; and, from this latter, at low tides, the Island can be reached on foot. ^ It is a lonely and an uninhabited spot. It may be doubted, if the present saint were identical with St. Conald Coel, Abbot on the same Island, and whose festival, with some biographical notices, has beensetdown,forthe22ndofthismonth. Ifso,however,additionalparti- culars regarding him will be found, at that date. On the vigil of their patron's festival, the people of Iniscoel neighbourhood were accustomed to observe a rigid fast, even to the time of Colgan. 9 This writer tells us, that St. Conall was Abbot of Inis-caoil. '° Father John Colgan intended," also, to have given the acts of this saint, at the 20th of May.
Article III. —St. Daniel, of Tulach. An entry is found, in the Martyrology of Tallagh,^ at the 20th of May, respecting Daniel Tulchan. Quoting the same record, the Bollandists ^ enter, at this date Daniel Tulacen- sis. The latter word seems referable to a locality ; and, it has been thus ren- dered by the O'Clerys, when stating, on this day was venerated Daniel, of Tulach, in the Martyrology of Donegal. 3 Places, known as Tulach or Tul- lagh, simply, or in composition, are very numerous, throughout the whole of Ireland.
Article IV. St. Laidhgenn, or Laidcind. In the published Martyrology of Tallagh,^ this saint's name is called Laidcind ; but, it has beenmisplacedbysomescribe. Underadifferentform,hisnamealsoappears, when the Bollandists ^ assert, that Luidgenius is venerated, at the 20th of May, in the Tallagh Martyrology ; and, reference is made to Colgan, at the 12th of January, 3 with the possible remarks, which some of his successors might have to offer of a reliable character, at the 20th of May. Veneration was given on this day, as we read in the Martyrology of Donegal. ^ to [Laidhgenn. ] s Marianus and the Martyrology of Tamlacht are quoted for the foregoing statement.
Article V. St. Cromdithruibh, of Inis-crainn. This name as entered, in the Martyrology of Tallagh,' at the 20th May, is Cruim Ditruib,^
3 It;is described, on the "Ordnance Sur- vey Townland Maps for the County of Donegal," sheets 50, 58, 59, 64, 65, 66, 67, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 81, 82, 83, 84, 91, 92.
p. 205. —
Article hi. ' Edited by Rev. Dr.
Kelly, p. xxiv.
"" See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. , Mali
^ This portion contains 21,627a. 2r. 27p. xx. S This portion contains 80,453a. 3r. 9p. 170.
Among the pretermitted saints, p.
^ These are within the barony of Boylagh, and marked on sheet 64, ibid.
^ More to the west, and under a bold jut- ting cliff, out on the Atlantic, the visitor by boat can enter a magnificent and vast ocean cavern, hollowed out by the ocean waves.
^ These observations are made, from a visit to this Island, in July, 1868.
9 See "Trias Thaumaturga," Appendix Quarta ad Acta S. Columbse, cap. iii. , n. 10, p. 480.
'° See ibid. Appendix Quinta ad Acta S. Columbas, cap. x. , n. 32, p. 489.
^EditedbyDrs. ToddandReeves. See Appendix to the Introduction, p. xlvii, and pp. 134, 135. —
Article iv. ' Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xxiv.
^ See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. , Mali xx. Among the pretermitted saints, p. 170. ^ When treating about the Life of St. Luidgenn,in "ActaSanctorumHibernise,"
n. i, p. 58.
^ Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
134, 135.
s in a note, Dr. Todd tells us, that a para-
" See "Acta Sanctorum Hibernia;," graph, within brackets in the original MS. , xxix. Januarii. De S. Dallano Martyre, n. l6, has been added by the more recent hand.
519
—— — "
520 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 20
o Inis Criiind. The Bollandists 3 also notice Crondithubhus or Croudi- thunius de Ivi Craind, and the Tallagh MartyroloL^y is quoted, at tlie same date ; but, evidently, with some typographical errors. It seems to be the fact, that they quote from a copy Colgan possessed, and distinct from what is not to be found in the Franciscan copy. There is a small island, in Lough Corrib, and which is called Iniscreamha, translated Wildgarlick Isle. + It is situated, near Cargan,5 and within this parish,^ in the barony of Clare, and county of Galway. 7 Certain old walls of a clyclopean character are yet remaining at this place. * It cannot be positively asserted, however, that the present Inis-crainn, or Inis Cruind, corresponds with that Wildgarlick Isle; indeed, it seems improbable, that any religious edifice was in the place, alluded to by Roderick O'Flaherty. According to the Martyrology of Done- gal,? St. Cromdithruibh, of Inis-crainn, had a festival, at this date.
ArticleVI. FestivalofSt. Marcellosa,withCompanions,Martyrs IN Africa. In the " Feilire "' of St. ^ngus, at the 20th of May, we find the festivalofSt. Marcellosus,Martyr. ^ This,however,appearstobeanincorrect rendering of the name, for Marcellosa, a woman, who, with other female com- panions, had been this day commemorated, in the ancient Martyrology, attri- buted to St. Jerome. 3 Also, in the Martyrology of Tallagh, belonging to the Franciscan copy, Dublin, the name appears, under a somewhat altered form,+ at this same date. Tliis holy Martyr Marcellosa, and her companions, Victoria, and Salsa,5 laid down their lives for the faith in Africa;^ but the exact place and time do not seem to be known.
Article VII. St. Mac Laithbhe, of Donoughmore. At the 20th of May, we find a record of this saint, in the published Martyrology of
Article v. —' Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xxiv.
- HerethereisthewordLatinized,with- in brackets. It refers, however, to a saint different from the present one.
3 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. , Maii XX. Among the pretermitted saints. p. 170.
i>.
Articlevi. —' Seethe"LeabharBreac copy, where we read :
yinL nio|i inAiAcellofp Liii-o pocliAlinAin CAj-p Vor^'^GnLich icpii^p 5epb<. \]'p ppoc^pp.
-t 'I'he walls and a high ditch of a well for- tified place encompass almost the whde Is- land, as shown in an illustration to . Sir Wil inm R. Wilde's "Lough Coirib : its Shores an. l Islam s,' clinp. v. .
It is thus translated into English, by Dr.
89.
5 An illustration and description of this old castle are to be lound, in the work already
quoted. See /^/V/'. , pp. 87 to 89.
* The parish of Cargin is liescribed, on
the " Ordn. ince Survey Townland Maps for the County of Galway," sheets 41, 42, 55, 56.
Ibid, p. Ixxxviii. ^Thus: "xiii Kaiendasjunii. In Africa phicrl Description of \\ e^t or Iar-Ci>n- natalis Sam-taium Victoria.
', Marcello>a'
7 See Roderick OFlaherty's "Chorogra-
naught,'' edited by James Ilardiman, n. (m), p. 25.
** This Island is noted on the Map, pre-
fixed to the "Trilies and Customs ol Hy- otlier entries of foreign saints, the Francis-
Mnny," edited by John O'Donovan.
' I. dited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
'34» I35*
can copy of the Tallagh Martyrology is dc- fective to the ist day of . August
^ i" several old Martyrologies, their true
: \Vhitiey Stokes —
" Marcellosus' great
blood went undtr eartli a relic
tiv. l they are to be known, Gerv. ise, Protas- sius. "—'•Transactions of tlie Roy. d Irish Academy," Irish Manuscript Series, vol. i. , part i. On the Calendar of Uengus, p. Ixxx.
- Wc find the following scholion ap- pended : " Tassio sancti niarcellosi et sancta: marcello [leg. m—arc< llic? ] suce uirgi- nis. i. uirgo et niartir. '
Salsw.
• There, the entry, at the xiii. Kalends of
June, is nK\i\celLo|-Ae. Here, with three
;
on one fes-
——— —1;
May 20. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 5 2
Tallagh,' as Mac Laithbhe Domnaighmoir. This latter word was the name ofaplace. Manylocalities,calledDonoughmore,areknowninvariousparts of our Island; so that it is difficult to discover that one, with which he had been connected. Marluithces de Momech-mou is noted by the BoUandists,^ at the 20th of May, and for this feast, the Tallagh Martyrology is quoted but, we suspect, the reference has been taken incorrectly from that source. The Martyrology of Donegal, 3 on this day, registers Mac Laithbhe, of Domh- nach-mor. as havini: been venerated.
Article VIII. Festival of St. Columbanus of Luxeu, Disciple OF St. Columbanus, Abbot. We are told by the Bollandists,' at the 20th of May, that a Manuscript Benedictine Kalendar has the entry of such a fes- tival, at this date ; but, Mabillon and Menard commemorate, both master and disciple, at the succeeding day. ^
Article IX. Reputed Festival for St. Dympna and St. Gere- BERN, Belgium. At the 20th of May, Thomas Dempster^ has a record of St. Dympna'sandofSt. Gerebern'sMartyrdom,inBelgium. TheBoUandists^ also notice this allusion to St. Dympna, Virgin, and to St. Gerebern, Priest, at the 20th of May. We have aliLady treated about them, on the 15th of ihis montli.
ArticleX. FeastofSaintsGervasiusandProtassius,Martyrs. At the 20th of May, according to the " Feilire "' of St. ^ngus, the Martyr- dom of Saints Gervasius and Protassius was commemorated, in the ancient IrishChurch. Welearn,also,thatSt. GervasiusandProtasiusareindicated in old Martyrologies, at this date, as having had a festival. ^ However, these Martyrs are most generally commemorated, on the 29th of June.
Article XL St. Ronanus. It would appear to have been Colgan's intention, to publish a Life of St. Ronan, at the 20th of May, for there his name is found on the posthumous list. '
names appear to have been mis-spelled.
° See the Bollandists' " Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. , Mail xx. De Sanctis Martyribus
advenisse sentiens, e Scotia fugit, et hie Christo immulata est. Const, i'el. Ibidem Gerebemi presbyteri decoUatio hie Inuer- lothacae natus coenobii conditor. i! . '' Bishop Forbes' "Kalendars of Scottish Saints," p. 200.
° See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. ,
Maii xx. Among the pretermitted saints,
p,170. —"
Article x. ' See the Leabhar Breac'
copy, in "Transactions of the Royai Irish Academy," Irish ]\Ianu>cript Series, vol. i. , part i. On the Calendar of Oengus. Edited by \\hitley Stokes, LL. D. , p. Ixxn.
- S-e the BoUandists' " Acta Sanctorum. " tomus v. , Maii xx. Among the pretermitted
Afris Victoria. Marcellosa, Salsa, p. 173.
Article VII. — Kelly, p. xxiv.
'
Edited by Rev. Dr.
^ See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. , Mail XX. Among the pretermitted saints, p. 170.
3 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. ''34> 135-
Article VIII. — ' See "Acta Sancto- rum," tomus v. , Maii xx. Among the pre- temiitted sainis, p. 172.
" Poterit de eo Article ix. —' In his "Menologium
= The Bollandists add : agi tunc xxi. aut xxii. Nov. "
"xx. In Bel- giopassio Dympna; virginis Hibernire qua; patrem suum incaestuossissimum idolatram
See
Scotorum," it is thus noticed
:
saints, p. 171. — Article xt. '
" Catalogus Actuum Sanctorum quse MS. habentur, ordine Men-
sium et Dierum. "
fiiiJ ;
—— .
5 2 2 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 2 1
CUjentp4rs! t JBap of iHap.
ARTICLE I. —ST. BAIRRFHIONN, PATRON OF DRUIM-CUILINN, OR DRUI. M-CULLEN, KING'S COUNTY, AND OF CILL-BAIRRFHINN, NOW KILBARRON, COUNTY OF DONEGAL.
[SIXTH CENTURY. } CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTION—ST. BAIRRFHIONN'S FAMILY AND PERIOD—A DISCIPLE OF ST. COLUMBA —HIS CONNEXION WITH DRUMCULLIN—DESCRIPTION OF THE PLACE.
WE may attribute to the inherent characteristics of Irish nationality and devotion to the Church the preservation of traditions and monu- ments, which yet shed a lustre over our remote eras. The ancient language, manners, and habits, of our people, after die Anglo-Norman invasion, resisted every attempt made to extirpate them by iniquitous legislation. Even, when the change of despotism in the sixteenth century, and in ages still later, had been directed towards the utter extinction of their old faith, the Catholic Church was the predominant force, and it gave direction to the feelings and ideas of the people, through every phase of their lives. Nor were the memo- ries of the old saints lost, nor their places suffered to perish, amid the broils of faction, the war of races, or the hatred and jealousies of intolerant, irre- sponsible rulers. To the present day, our ancient churches are associated
with their former patrons, in many a parish throughout Ireland.
There was a celebrated saint of the sixth century, called Barrindeus, who has a place among the saints of the second rank, in that Catalogue, published by Ussher. ' Probably he was no other, than Barrfind of Druimm Cuilinn, mentioned in the Metrical Calendar of St. ^Engus,^ at the 21st of May. That he was born, somewhat early in the sixth century, seems to be the natural inference drawn, from the pedigree ascribed to him. It is thought, he was identical with a holy man, also called Barind, or Barindan, and Barrfionn, who lived in another part of Ireland. At this date, likewise, the name Barr-
finn Droma Cula appears, in the Martyrology of Tallagh. 3 The Bollandists enter in like fashion the feast of Barrinus or Barrindus of Druim-chulin, at the 2istof May. If correct, in his identification with the Barinthus, men- tioned in the Acts of Brendan the Navigator, and if a relation to the latter,5
Article i. —' See *' Britannicarum Ec- Colman a leper: Barrfind of Druimm Cui- clesiarum Antiquitates," cap. xvii. linn. "—" Transacuoiis uf the Royal Irish = In tlic " Leabhar Bieac " copy we Academy," Irish Manuscript Series, vol. i. , part i. On the Calendar of Oengus, by
t:KMiit)A inAi\ci]\ inii\binl •mo^'0]\°ni •oe-01 ciiii\in-o CoLiiiAti lobo]A |\ol<MiiT) 'bAi\|\]. Mn-o t)]\oniA CmliiTO.
Whitley Stokes. LL. D. , p. Ixxx.
3 Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xxv.
* See "Acta Sanctorum," tonius v. ,
Mail xxi. Among the pretermitted saints, p. 3.
5 Colgan states, however, that this kinship could not have been on the paternal side, from the diflcrences of genealogy, allotted in the male line of descent.
Tlnis translated into English, by Dr. Whitley Stokes: ''Timotliy a marvellous martyr: a great company of divine wheat : zealous
——
May 21. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 5 2 3
his name is found, in all the old Lives of that celebrated saint, and he is also known as Barint and Beryne. ^ From the recorded particulars of his pedigree, as furnished by Marianus O'Gorman and Cathald Maguire,^ we may safely infer, that he was born in the north of Ireland. This holy man is said to have descended from the race of Conall Gulban, son to Niall. His father was Muredoc, son of Eochod. ^ This latter was son to Conall Gulban. Ano- ther statement has it, that his father was Muiredacli, son of Fiacha, son to Niall of the Nine Hostages. 9 Didhuat, daughter of Meachar, was his mother. Thus, he was a near relation of the great Cokunkille,'° according to the pedi- gree made out for our saint;" although it appears to be difficult to establish the exact degree of consanguinity, owing to the discrepancies of genealogy found in various conflicting accounts. " It is said, that St. Bairrfliion was a disciple to the illustrious founder of Iona. ^3 if so, this must have been before the latter left Ireland, to settle in Scotland. Bairrfhionn, or Barrind, is said to have flourished, about a. d. 590 ; and, it is probable enough, that he lived at a much earlier period—especially, if he was a contemporary with and related to St. Brendan the Navigator. '^ This is the expressed opinion of Colgan:'5 however, there may be a misconception, regarding the individuality of the St. Barinthus—supposed to be of Kerry—with the holy man here men- tioned. The name of our present St. Barind or Barrfionn has been connected with an undoubtedly ancient place, called Druim Cuillin -^^ for, even yet, we trace there a regular and double course of works—still in good preservation around a very strong fort, most difficult of access, and commanding the whole adjoining district. It is now planted, and it presents a very striking appear- ance. Several other ruinous fortifications are to be met with, on the sur- rounding heights. The plains around are supposed to have been battle-fields, in former times, as quantities of human bones have been found immediately under the surface. '7 The old church of Drumcullen lies in the south part of Knockbarron townland ;^^ the latter denomination being supposed to have derived its title from the present saint. St. Columkille ^9 founded a church, at this place, in the sixth century. Now, it is mentioned, in Prince O'Donnell's Life of St. Columba, that Barrind was the companion of his journeyings and of his labours. ^° It is probable, St. Colunib placed St. Bairrfhionn in charge
^ See " St. Brandan : a Mediaeval Legend of the Sea," edited by Thomas Wright, for the Percy Society, vol. xiv. , pp. i, 35.
7 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Vita Quinta S. Columbze, n.
'"' The accompanying illustration of the 134, 135.
ruins was sketched by tlie \vriter in June, *" See "Proceedings oi the Royal Irish 1885. It was transferred to tlie wood, by Academy," Irish MSS. Series, vol. i. , part William F. Wakeman, and, it was engraved,
by Mrs. Millard.
"5 Notes taken, after a visit to the place, in August. 1872.
=' See the Third Volume of this work, at March I3tli, Art. i. , chap. iii.
^' See Rev. Dr. Kelly's "Calendar of Irish Saints," p. xxiv.
"^ See Coigan's " Acta Sanctorum Ilibei- nirc," xiii. Martii. Vita S. Mochoemoci, n. 20, p. 597.
^' Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
306.
3= See " Trias Thaumaturga," Quinta Ap-
pendix ad Acta S. Patricii, cap. xxiii. , p.
269. — " Sanctorum," Article n. ' See Acta
tomus v. , Mali xx. Among the pretermitted saints, p. 170.
-'See "Trias Thaumaturga," Appendix Quarta ad Acta S. Columba;, cap. iii. . num. 10, p. 4S0.
i. , pp. 104, 105.
3" gee " Kalendars of Scottish Saints," p.
—
May 20. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
contains about eighty green acres f and, its old church was built on a rocky ledge, not far from the mainland. ? A beautiful velvety soft strand stretches from it, towards the shore ; and, from this latter, at low tides, the Island can be reached on foot. ^ It is a lonely and an uninhabited spot. It may be doubted, if the present saint were identical with St. Conald Coel, Abbot on the same Island, and whose festival, with some biographical notices, has beensetdown,forthe22ndofthismonth. Ifso,however,additionalparti- culars regarding him will be found, at that date. On the vigil of their patron's festival, the people of Iniscoel neighbourhood were accustomed to observe a rigid fast, even to the time of Colgan. 9 This writer tells us, that St. Conall was Abbot of Inis-caoil. '° Father John Colgan intended," also, to have given the acts of this saint, at the 20th of May.
Article III. —St. Daniel, of Tulach. An entry is found, in the Martyrology of Tallagh,^ at the 20th of May, respecting Daniel Tulchan. Quoting the same record, the Bollandists ^ enter, at this date Daniel Tulacen- sis. The latter word seems referable to a locality ; and, it has been thus ren- dered by the O'Clerys, when stating, on this day was venerated Daniel, of Tulach, in the Martyrology of Donegal. 3 Places, known as Tulach or Tul- lagh, simply, or in composition, are very numerous, throughout the whole of Ireland.
Article IV. St. Laidhgenn, or Laidcind. In the published Martyrology of Tallagh,^ this saint's name is called Laidcind ; but, it has beenmisplacedbysomescribe. Underadifferentform,hisnamealsoappears, when the Bollandists ^ assert, that Luidgenius is venerated, at the 20th of May, in the Tallagh Martyrology ; and, reference is made to Colgan, at the 12th of January, 3 with the possible remarks, which some of his successors might have to offer of a reliable character, at the 20th of May. Veneration was given on this day, as we read in the Martyrology of Donegal. ^ to [Laidhgenn. ] s Marianus and the Martyrology of Tamlacht are quoted for the foregoing statement.
Article V. St. Cromdithruibh, of Inis-crainn. This name as entered, in the Martyrology of Tallagh,' at the 20th May, is Cruim Ditruib,^
3 It;is described, on the "Ordnance Sur- vey Townland Maps for the County of Donegal," sheets 50, 58, 59, 64, 65, 66, 67, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 81, 82, 83, 84, 91, 92.
p. 205. —
Article hi. ' Edited by Rev. Dr.
Kelly, p. xxiv.
"" See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. , Mali
^ This portion contains 21,627a. 2r. 27p. xx. S This portion contains 80,453a. 3r. 9p. 170.
Among the pretermitted saints, p.
^ These are within the barony of Boylagh, and marked on sheet 64, ibid.
^ More to the west, and under a bold jut- ting cliff, out on the Atlantic, the visitor by boat can enter a magnificent and vast ocean cavern, hollowed out by the ocean waves.
^ These observations are made, from a visit to this Island, in July, 1868.
9 See "Trias Thaumaturga," Appendix Quarta ad Acta S. Columbse, cap. iii. , n. 10, p. 480.
'° See ibid. Appendix Quinta ad Acta S. Columbas, cap. x. , n. 32, p. 489.
^EditedbyDrs. ToddandReeves. See Appendix to the Introduction, p. xlvii, and pp. 134, 135. —
Article iv. ' Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xxiv.
^ See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. , Mali xx. Among the pretermitted saints, p. 170. ^ When treating about the Life of St. Luidgenn,in "ActaSanctorumHibernise,"
n. i, p. 58.
^ Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
134, 135.
s in a note, Dr. Todd tells us, that a para-
" See "Acta Sanctorum Hibernia;," graph, within brackets in the original MS. , xxix. Januarii. De S. Dallano Martyre, n. l6, has been added by the more recent hand.
519
—— — "
520 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 20
o Inis Criiind. The Bollandists 3 also notice Crondithubhus or Croudi- thunius de Ivi Craind, and the Tallagh MartyroloL^y is quoted, at tlie same date ; but, evidently, with some typographical errors. It seems to be the fact, that they quote from a copy Colgan possessed, and distinct from what is not to be found in the Franciscan copy. There is a small island, in Lough Corrib, and which is called Iniscreamha, translated Wildgarlick Isle. + It is situated, near Cargan,5 and within this parish,^ in the barony of Clare, and county of Galway. 7 Certain old walls of a clyclopean character are yet remaining at this place. * It cannot be positively asserted, however, that the present Inis-crainn, or Inis Cruind, corresponds with that Wildgarlick Isle; indeed, it seems improbable, that any religious edifice was in the place, alluded to by Roderick O'Flaherty. According to the Martyrology of Done- gal,? St. Cromdithruibh, of Inis-crainn, had a festival, at this date.
ArticleVI. FestivalofSt. Marcellosa,withCompanions,Martyrs IN Africa. In the " Feilire "' of St. ^ngus, at the 20th of May, we find the festivalofSt. Marcellosus,Martyr. ^ This,however,appearstobeanincorrect rendering of the name, for Marcellosa, a woman, who, with other female com- panions, had been this day commemorated, in the ancient Martyrology, attri- buted to St. Jerome. 3 Also, in the Martyrology of Tallagh, belonging to the Franciscan copy, Dublin, the name appears, under a somewhat altered form,+ at this same date. Tliis holy Martyr Marcellosa, and her companions, Victoria, and Salsa,5 laid down their lives for the faith in Africa;^ but the exact place and time do not seem to be known.
Article VII. St. Mac Laithbhe, of Donoughmore. At the 20th of May, we find a record of this saint, in the published Martyrology of
Article v. —' Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xxiv.
- HerethereisthewordLatinized,with- in brackets. It refers, however, to a saint different from the present one.
3 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. , Maii XX. Among the pretermitted saints. p. 170.
i>.
Articlevi. —' Seethe"LeabharBreac copy, where we read :
yinL nio|i inAiAcellofp Liii-o pocliAlinAin CAj-p Vor^'^GnLich icpii^p 5epb<. \]'p ppoc^pp.
-t 'I'he walls and a high ditch of a well for- tified place encompass almost the whde Is- land, as shown in an illustration to . Sir Wil inm R. Wilde's "Lough Coirib : its Shores an. l Islam s,' clinp. v. .
It is thus translated into English, by Dr.
89.
5 An illustration and description of this old castle are to be lound, in the work already
quoted. See /^/V/'. , pp. 87 to 89.
* The parish of Cargin is liescribed, on
the " Ordn. ince Survey Townland Maps for the County of Galway," sheets 41, 42, 55, 56.
Ibid, p. Ixxxviii. ^Thus: "xiii Kaiendasjunii. In Africa phicrl Description of \\ e^t or Iar-Ci>n- natalis Sam-taium Victoria.
', Marcello>a'
7 See Roderick OFlaherty's "Chorogra-
naught,'' edited by James Ilardiman, n. (m), p. 25.
** This Island is noted on the Map, pre-
fixed to the "Trilies and Customs ol Hy- otlier entries of foreign saints, the Francis-
Mnny," edited by John O'Donovan.
' I. dited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
'34» I35*
can copy of the Tallagh Martyrology is dc- fective to the ist day of . August
^ i" several old Martyrologies, their true
: \Vhitiey Stokes —
" Marcellosus' great
blood went undtr eartli a relic
tiv. l they are to be known, Gerv. ise, Protas- sius. "—'•Transactions of tlie Roy. d Irish Academy," Irish Manuscript Series, vol. i. , part i. On the Calendar of Uengus, p. Ixxx.
- Wc find the following scholion ap- pended : " Tassio sancti niarcellosi et sancta: marcello [leg. m—arc< llic? ] suce uirgi- nis. i. uirgo et niartir. '
Salsw.
• There, the entry, at the xiii. Kalends of
June, is nK\i\celLo|-Ae. Here, with three
;
on one fes-
——— —1;
May 20. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 5 2
Tallagh,' as Mac Laithbhe Domnaighmoir. This latter word was the name ofaplace. Manylocalities,calledDonoughmore,areknowninvariousparts of our Island; so that it is difficult to discover that one, with which he had been connected. Marluithces de Momech-mou is noted by the BoUandists,^ at the 20th of May, and for this feast, the Tallagh Martyrology is quoted but, we suspect, the reference has been taken incorrectly from that source. The Martyrology of Donegal, 3 on this day, registers Mac Laithbhe, of Domh- nach-mor. as havini: been venerated.
Article VIII. Festival of St. Columbanus of Luxeu, Disciple OF St. Columbanus, Abbot. We are told by the Bollandists,' at the 20th of May, that a Manuscript Benedictine Kalendar has the entry of such a fes- tival, at this date ; but, Mabillon and Menard commemorate, both master and disciple, at the succeeding day. ^
Article IX. Reputed Festival for St. Dympna and St. Gere- BERN, Belgium. At the 20th of May, Thomas Dempster^ has a record of St. Dympna'sandofSt. Gerebern'sMartyrdom,inBelgium. TheBoUandists^ also notice this allusion to St. Dympna, Virgin, and to St. Gerebern, Priest, at the 20th of May. We have aliLady treated about them, on the 15th of ihis montli.
ArticleX. FeastofSaintsGervasiusandProtassius,Martyrs. At the 20th of May, according to the " Feilire "' of St. ^ngus, the Martyr- dom of Saints Gervasius and Protassius was commemorated, in the ancient IrishChurch. Welearn,also,thatSt. GervasiusandProtasiusareindicated in old Martyrologies, at this date, as having had a festival. ^ However, these Martyrs are most generally commemorated, on the 29th of June.
Article XL St. Ronanus. It would appear to have been Colgan's intention, to publish a Life of St. Ronan, at the 20th of May, for there his name is found on the posthumous list. '
names appear to have been mis-spelled.
° See the Bollandists' " Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. , Mail xx. De Sanctis Martyribus
advenisse sentiens, e Scotia fugit, et hie Christo immulata est. Const, i'el. Ibidem Gerebemi presbyteri decoUatio hie Inuer- lothacae natus coenobii conditor. i! . '' Bishop Forbes' "Kalendars of Scottish Saints," p. 200.
° See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. ,
Maii xx. Among the pretermitted saints,
p,170. —"
Article x. ' See the Leabhar Breac'
copy, in "Transactions of the Royai Irish Academy," Irish ]\Ianu>cript Series, vol. i. , part i. On the Calendar of Oengus. Edited by \\hitley Stokes, LL. D. , p. Ixxn.
- S-e the BoUandists' " Acta Sanctorum. " tomus v. , Maii xx. Among the pretermitted
Afris Victoria. Marcellosa, Salsa, p. 173.
Article VII. — Kelly, p. xxiv.
'
Edited by Rev. Dr.
^ See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. , Mail XX. Among the pretermitted saints, p. 170.
3 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. ''34> 135-
Article VIII. — ' See "Acta Sancto- rum," tomus v. , Maii xx. Among the pre- temiitted sainis, p. 172.
" Poterit de eo Article ix. —' In his "Menologium
= The Bollandists add : agi tunc xxi. aut xxii. Nov. "
"xx. In Bel- giopassio Dympna; virginis Hibernire qua; patrem suum incaestuossissimum idolatram
See
Scotorum," it is thus noticed
:
saints, p. 171. — Article xt. '
" Catalogus Actuum Sanctorum quse MS. habentur, ordine Men-
sium et Dierum. "
fiiiJ ;
—— .
5 2 2 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 2 1
CUjentp4rs! t JBap of iHap.
ARTICLE I. —ST. BAIRRFHIONN, PATRON OF DRUIM-CUILINN, OR DRUI. M-CULLEN, KING'S COUNTY, AND OF CILL-BAIRRFHINN, NOW KILBARRON, COUNTY OF DONEGAL.
[SIXTH CENTURY. } CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTION—ST. BAIRRFHIONN'S FAMILY AND PERIOD—A DISCIPLE OF ST. COLUMBA —HIS CONNEXION WITH DRUMCULLIN—DESCRIPTION OF THE PLACE.
WE may attribute to the inherent characteristics of Irish nationality and devotion to the Church the preservation of traditions and monu- ments, which yet shed a lustre over our remote eras. The ancient language, manners, and habits, of our people, after die Anglo-Norman invasion, resisted every attempt made to extirpate them by iniquitous legislation. Even, when the change of despotism in the sixteenth century, and in ages still later, had been directed towards the utter extinction of their old faith, the Catholic Church was the predominant force, and it gave direction to the feelings and ideas of the people, through every phase of their lives. Nor were the memo- ries of the old saints lost, nor their places suffered to perish, amid the broils of faction, the war of races, or the hatred and jealousies of intolerant, irre- sponsible rulers. To the present day, our ancient churches are associated
with their former patrons, in many a parish throughout Ireland.
There was a celebrated saint of the sixth century, called Barrindeus, who has a place among the saints of the second rank, in that Catalogue, published by Ussher. ' Probably he was no other, than Barrfind of Druimm Cuilinn, mentioned in the Metrical Calendar of St. ^Engus,^ at the 21st of May. That he was born, somewhat early in the sixth century, seems to be the natural inference drawn, from the pedigree ascribed to him. It is thought, he was identical with a holy man, also called Barind, or Barindan, and Barrfionn, who lived in another part of Ireland. At this date, likewise, the name Barr-
finn Droma Cula appears, in the Martyrology of Tallagh. 3 The Bollandists enter in like fashion the feast of Barrinus or Barrindus of Druim-chulin, at the 2istof May. If correct, in his identification with the Barinthus, men- tioned in the Acts of Brendan the Navigator, and if a relation to the latter,5
Article i. —' See *' Britannicarum Ec- Colman a leper: Barrfind of Druimm Cui- clesiarum Antiquitates," cap. xvii. linn. "—" Transacuoiis uf the Royal Irish = In tlic " Leabhar Bieac " copy we Academy," Irish Manuscript Series, vol. i. , part i. On the Calendar of Oengus, by
t:KMiit)A inAi\ci]\ inii\binl •mo^'0]\°ni •oe-01 ciiii\in-o CoLiiiAti lobo]A |\ol<MiiT) 'bAi\|\]. Mn-o t)]\oniA CmliiTO.
Whitley Stokes. LL. D. , p. Ixxx.
3 Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xxv.
* See "Acta Sanctorum," tonius v. ,
Mail xxi. Among the pretermitted saints, p. 3.
5 Colgan states, however, that this kinship could not have been on the paternal side, from the diflcrences of genealogy, allotted in the male line of descent.
Tlnis translated into English, by Dr. Whitley Stokes: ''Timotliy a marvellous martyr: a great company of divine wheat : zealous
——
May 21. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 5 2 3
his name is found, in all the old Lives of that celebrated saint, and he is also known as Barint and Beryne. ^ From the recorded particulars of his pedigree, as furnished by Marianus O'Gorman and Cathald Maguire,^ we may safely infer, that he was born in the north of Ireland. This holy man is said to have descended from the race of Conall Gulban, son to Niall. His father was Muredoc, son of Eochod. ^ This latter was son to Conall Gulban. Ano- ther statement has it, that his father was Muiredacli, son of Fiacha, son to Niall of the Nine Hostages. 9 Didhuat, daughter of Meachar, was his mother. Thus, he was a near relation of the great Cokunkille,'° according to the pedi- gree made out for our saint;" although it appears to be difficult to establish the exact degree of consanguinity, owing to the discrepancies of genealogy found in various conflicting accounts. " It is said, that St. Bairrfliion was a disciple to the illustrious founder of Iona. ^3 if so, this must have been before the latter left Ireland, to settle in Scotland. Bairrfhionn, or Barrind, is said to have flourished, about a. d. 590 ; and, it is probable enough, that he lived at a much earlier period—especially, if he was a contemporary with and related to St. Brendan the Navigator. '^ This is the expressed opinion of Colgan:'5 however, there may be a misconception, regarding the individuality of the St. Barinthus—supposed to be of Kerry—with the holy man here men- tioned. The name of our present St. Barind or Barrfionn has been connected with an undoubtedly ancient place, called Druim Cuillin -^^ for, even yet, we trace there a regular and double course of works—still in good preservation around a very strong fort, most difficult of access, and commanding the whole adjoining district. It is now planted, and it presents a very striking appear- ance. Several other ruinous fortifications are to be met with, on the sur- rounding heights. The plains around are supposed to have been battle-fields, in former times, as quantities of human bones have been found immediately under the surface. '7 The old church of Drumcullen lies in the south part of Knockbarron townland ;^^ the latter denomination being supposed to have derived its title from the present saint. St. Columkille ^9 founded a church, at this place, in the sixth century. Now, it is mentioned, in Prince O'Donnell's Life of St. Columba, that Barrind was the companion of his journeyings and of his labours. ^° It is probable, St. Colunib placed St. Bairrfhionn in charge
^ See " St. Brandan : a Mediaeval Legend of the Sea," edited by Thomas Wright, for the Percy Society, vol. xiv. , pp. i, 35.
7 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Vita Quinta S. Columbze, n.
