Lanigan is, that Senan had been rather advanced in life, when he settled on Iniscathy ; a supposition even is
entertained
of his being not less than fifty years of age, at that time.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v3
Whilehere,aviolentinfluxoftheoceancameupon the island, and it drowned the magus, with his confederates.
In memory of this miraculous event, the place was afterwards called, Carrac an Druadh, which signifies, "the rock of the Druid;" for, by this name was it known, atthetime,whenSt.
Senan'sProseLifehadbeenwritten,4' andthepeople, no doubt, regarded it, as a memorial of his punishment.
I well know, it shall not profit thee to go to thy destined place," said Senan,
238 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS, [March 8.
After these things occurred, returning from an assembly of the chieftains, which had been held in Corcomroe, Mactail learned the death of his magus.
He hastened immediately to Iniscatthy, where, in a frenzy of rage and im-
patience, he said to Senan " Art thou the man, who hath possessed my
:
lands, I being opposed to thy desires ? art thou the person, who caused the death of my magus and servant ? Know for certain, that thou shalt die the same kind of death ; for, a stone being tied to thy neck, in punishment for thy crimes, thou shalt be thrown into the sea. " St. Senan replied, that the chief had not power to execute this threat ; when, as if forgetful of himself, Mactail ordered the saint to feed and attend to the horses, committed to his charge. The saint returned for answer, that he was neither a stall-keeper noragroom; but,Mactalius—ashisnameisLatinized—replied,thatwhether he would or not. he must take charge of the horses, until Mactail returned from a
hewasabouttoundertake. Senan "The ofGodisable journey said, power
to prevent you from returning hither. " While Mactalius and the saint were engaged in this controversy, and while the former urged Senan with threats and insults ; those two horses, which had been the cause of litigation, by a decree of heaven, are said to have been swallowed up in the earth, at a place
"
When word of this event had been brought by a messenger, the dynast felt
through
afte:rwards called, Fan-na-neach. ^^ which signifies,
the trench of the horses. "
more enraged, although his son endeavoured to appease him, and to advise, that he should act more respectfully towards God's holy servant, and, fear Divine punishment, by the example of those things, which he had hitherto seen. The inexorable and im])ious Mactalius replied, that he no more feared Senan and than he did a shorn " said Senan, "
God, sheep. Then,"
the disposition of the Almighty, in my regard, this inoffensive animal can be the cause and instrument of thy death. " '^3 After many insults, threats and blasphemies, the obstinate tyrant took his departure, full of pride and anger, resuming his journey. While near a certain wood, in Corcobaskind territory, he saw a shorn sheep running with great speed, until it rushed under the feet of the horses, yoked to his chariot. Being affrighted, these horses reared and broke their yokes, when the chariot was overturned. Mactalius fell headlong upon a rock, and was instantly killed, on the spot. "** Thus, his wicked soul was sent unprepared and suddenly, to meet the judgment which awaited him. 45
One day, St. Donnan,^^ the son of Lieth, and a disciple to St. Senan,^?
*' See Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- nise," viii. Martii. Vita S. Senani, cap. xxxi. , xxxii. , pp. 530, 531.
ceded the present narrative,
'*5 See the Bollandists' "Acta Sanctoram,"
tomus i. , Martii viii. Vita Secunda S.
^^ The tradition of this
served, and it is shown in a diagram, pre- pared by Mr. O'Donovan, to illustrate his description. Fan-na-neach is shown, west of some effaced churches, on Scattery Island.
^3 See "The Legend of Iniscatthy" in
num.
to
Duffy's
l> P%38' 4+ The
"
Hibernian Magazine," vol. i. , No. ^
** Colgan supposes this saint to have been
a nephew to Senan, and son to that com-
passionate brother, Lieth, already mentioned
in our Saint's Acts. There are at least three
saints, bearing this name, mentioned in the
Irish Calendars; viz. , St. Donnan, Martyr,
whose
llibernia;," viii. Martii, n. 23, p. 536.
'^ In the Metrical Life, St. Donnan seem? to have been aUuded to, as " Sancti Senani patruus," where the relation of an incident,
account of Mactalius' punishment and tyranny is to be found, in Colg;'n's "Acta Sanctorum Ilibernice,"
Martii viii. Vita Metrica S. Senani, cap. xiv. , XV. , pp. 519, 520. Some of those cir- cumstances, as found in St. Senan's Prose Life, are not given in his Metrical Acts; and, in the latter, this chief's proper name is not noted. Also, through the carelessness of a transcriber, many particulars appear to have been omitted, which immediately prC"
feast is kept on the 17th of April
foregoing
; St. Donnan, Confessor, whose feast is assigned to the iith of August; and St. Donnan, Priest, whose iesiival is held on the 26th of April. The saint, mentioned in the text, is supposed to have been either of the two latter. See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum
place
is still
pre-
Senani, cap. v. , 775.
30
38, pp. 774,
March 8. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 239
being accompanied by two boys, who were engaged in study with him, went to a certain rock, which was out in the sea, and for the purpose of collecting shell-fish. Having left those boys there, he returned to the island ; mean- time, the ocean-tide had taken away an only boat, which remained to remove them. The' boys were drowned, on the rising of the waves ; but, their bodies, together with the boat, were afterwards washed ashore, on the island. When the parents and friends of those boys heard what had occurred, they ran, to the spot. With tears and wailing, they demanded of the saint, that their lost children should be restored to them alive. Then St. Senan said to
Donnan " Command the deceased boys, in the name of the Saviour, that
:
they may immediately come to me. " When he had done, as directed, the boys were immediately restored to life and strength. Running towards St.
Senan, and to the embrace of their parents, these they reproached, for having been tlie cause of their withdrawal from a happy state, in which lately they
had been. Their mothers then said
:
" Had you rather live in these regions,
than upon earth, with your friends and kindred ? " To these queries, their
children replied, that if they possessed the whole world, with all its pleasures
and luxuries, they would only consider it as a prison, in which they were confined, while reflecting on the loss of those delights they had already ex-
perienced. Wherefore, they earnestly requested, that it might be permitted them, to repossess their former state of felicity. They promised their parents,
likewise, that through God's goodness, these should sorrow no more, on their account. The parents, on their part, assenting to those wishes, in the name of the Lord, St. Senan ratified the promise of their children. Those were brought to his monastery, where they received Holy Communion. la a short time, afterwards, with acts of thanksgiving and of holy joy, those boys slept in the Lord, and their bodies were buried in the cemetery, near the monastery. They were the first deposed within that graveyard, and they were interred in a conspicuous place, before the entrance. ^^
Saints Kieran and Brendan,49 being admonished by an angel, had also visited St. Senan, whom they chose as their spiritual director. 5° The abbot of Iniscatthy received them with due honour ; but, after they had been to
given in the text, is almost similar,
** See ibid. Vita Secunda S. Senani, cap. XXXV. , p. 531, and Vita Metrica S.
spoken of, it would appear, that they were both abbots, and lived not very far from each other. This, he thinks, will not answer for Brendan of Clonfert, who was not abbot
Senani, cap. xii. , pp. 522, 523.
^' These saints are supposed to have been thei-e, until after Kieran's death. Nor is
St. Kieran of Clonmacnoise, whose feast is
kept on the Qlh of September, and St.
Brendan of Birr, whose festival is observed
on the 29th of November. However, Colgan
thinks, that Brendan of Clonfert, whose ments of Inisaingin and Clonmacnois, feast is kept on the i6th of May, was the
saint here mentioned, because of allusion to
a custom, peculiar to saints of this age ; each
one of whoni desired to select a certain
spiritual director, and confessor, "a quo person, who then accompanied Kieran. lie
aguita culpa, et confessis suis excessibus,
negligentiis et peccatis recipiebat peniten-
tiam : et hunc Scotice vocabunt anamchara,
i. e. , sinedrum, spiritualem amicum, seu Kieran was still abbot of Inis-aingin, when Patrem. " Ibid. , viii. Martii, n. 12, p, 535. he set out for Iniscatthy, Birr lies not much
5° Dr. Tanigan remarks, that if the out of the road, by which he must have
Brendan, who on another occasion M'aitcd, togethcrwith Kieran, on Senan, was Brendan of Clonfert, it should follow, that Senan was born prior to 484, being represented as older than Brendan of Birr ; whereas, from the manner, in which Kieran and Brendan are
passed, so that he and Brendan might, with little inconvenience, liave met for the pur- pose of travelling together. See " Ecclcsi- astical History of Ireland," vol, ii. , chap,
xi. , sect, iv. , n. 28, pp. 91, 92.
S' See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
there any account of his having been, prior to his settling at Clonfert, abbot anywhere else in Ireland, at least in those parts, which were not far distant from Kieran's establish-
Brendan of Clonfert was probably in Brittany, at the time of this visit to Senan, Now, every circumstance accords with the supposition, that Brendan of Birr was the
was, in all probability, an abljot before Kieran died. Birr is within a few miles from Clonmacnois, and if we should suppose that
240 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 8.
confession with him, the monastic steward came to announce, that no pro- visions were to be found in the cellar, for the refreshment of their guests and brethren. Senan replied, that nothing should be wanting, for those who fearedGod. HeexhortedtheholystrangerstohopeintheLord,andtobe of good cheer, since, provisions should be procured for them and for his brethren, through the bounty of Providence. It chanced, that Nectan Kernn- fhoda. Prince of Y-figinte, miraculously admonished of this exigency, ordered his steward to bestow on Senan and the other servants of God, in Iniscatthy, stores of food and drink, which had been prepared for his own table. The steward executed these commands, and the prince himself proceeded to the island port, in a boat, which contained his offerings. The saintly abbot and his guests went out to meet him, while the former returned most grateful thanks, for this gift. The chieftain placed himself under the prayers and protection of those holy men, asking their benediction for himself and on his posterity. Filled with the spirit of prophecy, St. Senan predicted, that to him and to his seed, the Almighty had decreed the government of a pro- vince. He also dismissed this prince with his blessing. St. Senan and his guests then sat down to dinner. During the time of this meal, a bell mira- culously descended from heaven. It was the subject of great astonishment, to all who were present; and, the disciples Of those tliree saints, Senan,
Kieran, and Brendan, raised a question among themselves, as to which of their masters that gift belonged. Each of the disciples supposed this bell
had been intended for his own superior.
to his " Let us arise and guests :
To end this doubt, St. Senan said
and let the bell to whomsoever belong
depart,
its sound shall follow. " *They obeyed, when the sound of this bell was found
only to follow St. Senan, to whom it was then adjudged, as the proper owner. Those three saints then embraced each other, Kieran and Brendan having formed a firm alliance of friendship with St. Senan. His guests then took leave of him, much edified with what they had seen and heard. s'
At one time, Iniscatthy Island and the adjoining country suffered much, owing to a want of fresh water ; and this complaint was one of daily occur- rencetothesaint,onthepartofhismonks. TheangeloftheLordappeared to our abbot, during sleep, and directed, that he should go to a certain place, in that neighbourhood, where God's bounty would furnish a well of pure water. Our holy abbot obeyed, and according to the angel's mandate, he rooted up the earth there, with the end of his staff. Immediately, a stream of limpid water began to flow. s* The angel declared, moreover, that so long as they should persevere in penance and true compunction of heart, on Iniscathy Island, this fountain could not be exhausted. On its brink, St. Senan set down the staff, with which it had been dug. This staff afterwards grew into a hazel-tree, which was pointed out, at that time, when the author of St. Senan's Prose Life wrote his account of the transaction. 53
niae," viii. Martii. Vita Secunda S. Senani, cap. xxxvi. , pp. 531, 532, and Vita Metrica S. Senani, cap. xvii. , p. 520. Both accounts are essentially the same, as to the former part of those various incidents related. The name of Prince Nectan Kenn-fhoda is alone men- tioned, in the Prose Life. The miracle, re- ferring to the bell, however, is only to be found, in St. Senan's Metrical Life.
Clare, by W. F. Wakeman, and now pre- served in the Royal Irish Academy, the
following five subjects refer to Iniscathy. I. The Round Tower of Scattery Island,
2. The large church of Scattery. 3. St. Cinan's Church, Scattery. 4. The door- way of the Round Tower of Scattery. 5.
Thedoor-wayof the great church on Scattery Island. These sketches, like all others by the same artist, are exceeding beautiful ; but, nevertheless, tlie present ones, although very carefully outlined, are not highly finished.
53 jjee
^-
It must have been intended, by this
account, to designate the well on Iniscathy "
Island, called Tober Sheanain," which is yet to be seen there. Among the sketches of Antiquities, illustrating the county of
Colgan's
" Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
March 8. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 241
CHAPTER IV.
THE QUESTION OF ST. SENAN's EPISCOPACY, AND HIS OFFICE OF ABBOT, AT INISCATTERY—> ENQUIRY AS TO WHETHER HE HAD BEEN ARCHBISHOP OF ARMAGH—HIS STRICT MONASTIC DISCIPLINE—HIS MIRACULOUS POWERS—ANTIQUITIES ON BISHOP's ISLAND.
It is supposed, by Dr. Lanigan, that Senan became a bishop, when his estab- lishment was founded at Iniscatthy ; and, most probably, even some time before it, owing to the circumstance of his having previously given the veil to the dynast Brendan's daughters, while he was living at Inisluinge, We are not informed, regarding the time when, or the bishop by whom, he had been consecrated. ' According to some historians,^ St. Senan founded Inis- cathy monastery, before St. Patrick's arrival in Munster ; but, it is easy to discover, how incorrect such a conclusion must be. The opinion of Dr.
Lanigan is, that Senan had been rather advanced in life, when he settled on Iniscathy ; a supposition even is entertained of his being not less than fifty years of age, at that time. 3
After dwelling on circumstances, connected with the baptism of the Thomond people by St. Patrick, and on his pri^'Jiction regarding a successor, it is clear, in certain passages of St. Senan's Acts,'* no more is meant, than that instead of St. Patrick, who acted then as universal bishop over all Ireland, and
accordingly over Thomond, this district should have, after some years, a bishop of its own, and who might very justly be styled a successor to the Irish
Apostle, s Yet, it has been understood, by some writers,^ as if Senan had succeeded St. Patrick, at Armagh. While he rejected this fable, Ussher fell into a mistake, almost equally unfounded. He supposed, that Senan having been spoken of as a successor to St. Patrick, the latter had been at Iniscatthy, and must have acted there as bishop, for a considerable time. ' Yet, from the Tripartite Life of St. Patrick,^ and from the Second Life of St. Senan, it is evident, that St. Patrick did not visit the country about Iniscatthy, although he took care to supply the inhabitants with religious teachers. 9
Certain writers conform to an opinion, that St. Patrick predicted Senan should succeed him in the episcopacy,^° and that his prophecy was accordingly fulfilled. " Among these are Richard Whitford,^^ the Carthusian Martyrology of Newport, in England, and Albert le Grand. '3 Moreover, it is thought to
nise," viii. Martii. Vita Secunda S. Senani, tur ;" and, according to this, a bishop could cap. xxxvii. , p. 532, and Vita Metrica S. be said to succeed other bishops, although Senani, cap. xxv—. , p. 523. not attached to the same See.
'
Chapter IV. See Dr. Lanigan's Ec-
clesiastical History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap. X. , sect, i. , pp. 3, 4, and n. 20, p. 7.
*
See Dr. Sylvester O'Halloran's "His- toryofIreland,"vol. iii. , bookvii. , chap. vi. , p. 44.
3 In the Life of Kieran of Clonmacnois,
Senan is spoken of as old as the time of his
receiving a visit, when he supplied Kieran with a cloak. It could not have taken place
chap, xi. , sect, iv. , n, 28, p. 91.
De Primordiis Ecclesiarum Bri-
tannicarum," cap. xvii. , p. 873.
^ See "Acta Sanctorum Hiberniae," Mar-
tii viii. , p. 542.
^
SeeColgan's"TriasThaumaturga,"Sep- timaVitaS. Patricii, lib. iii. , cap. xlvi. , p. 158. 9 See Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical His-
tory of Ireland," vol. i. , chap, viii. , sect, i. ,
p. 374, and chap, ix. , sect, iv. , n. 57, pp.
448, 449.
whether or not our saint had been Arch-
later than the of early part
'° has a Colgan
the
in which Kieran died. See Dr. Lanigan's " Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. ii. ,
of his
to St. Senan's Life, devoted to an enquiry
* See iii. , iv.
especially
the Prose
" St. Senan is called in Archipontifex,
s Dr. Lanigan remarks, in connexion with this enquiry, that episcopal unity is well ex-
his Metrical Life, chapter xxiii.
'^ In the " Martyrology of Salisbury," at
the 8th of March.
'3 See "Les Vies des Saints de la Bretagne
Armorique," &c. In the account of St. Q
St.
est, enjus a singulis in solidum pars tene-
pressed by
Cyprian :
year
Life, chapters
chapter
Appendix
549,
" unus Episcopatus
"^" See
bishop of Armagh.
242
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 8,
have been our saint, who is found in a list of the Armagh Archbishops, under thesenames,Senchonan,^4Senior,'5orSenach. Thesethreenameshavea similar meaning, and they denote seniority. They have a hke derivation and significancy, also, with the name Senan, which bears the Latin interpre-
" Seniculus. " in two lists of Armagh Archbishops, which However,
tation,
Colgan had seen, he found nothing of Senchonan, Senior, or Senan ; unless it be, that Senior or Senan must be regarded as the same Senach, who stood there fifteenth in order. '^ Granting that Senchonanus and Senior were incor- rectly omitted, and that they should have been included, in this list of bishops; yet,neitherofthemcanbeconfoundedwithoursaint,ifwhatis already written regarding both be true. '? Senchonan is said to have suc- ceeded St. Secundin. 'S whether it be the Senan, who is called Senach, in those lists already named, was a matter of doubt to Colgan ; since he read an account of him, contained in the " Annals of the Four Masters," at A. D. 609. ^9 An event in his life, of so very important a character, as having been over the church of Armagh, could not have been omitted by his biographers ; yet, they are quite silent, on such a subject. There can be no doubt what- ever, that Senan was the first founder of Iniscatthy Monastery ; and, Dr. Lanigan's opinion is, that Senan's estabUshment there cannot be placed earher, than about a. d. 534. ^°
By one of the rules of St. Senan's monastic institute, females were ex- cluded, not only from its enclosure, but even from landing on the island. St. Senan's monks were so chaste, that they never looked at a woman. ''^ This regulation was observed, even with regard to the most holy virgins ; as we are given to understand, in the case of St. Cannera,^^ who died, soon
after she landed on the
island,
and she was buried in the " Grave. " '3 Lady's
Senan, it is here remarked, in the fourth
chapter, that he was unanimously elected a bishop, and the successor of St. Patrick.
'* St. Senchonan is numbered amongst the Armagh Archbishops, in a Life of St. Benig-
"
Sanctus autem Sechnaldus, sive Secundinus, imme- diatus S. Patricii successor, sedit in Ponti- ficatu et Hiberiiias primatu annis sedecim : et post Secundinum, S. Senchonanus annis decim, et post hunc, S. Benignus aliis de-
cim. "
'= At the iitU of April, Marianus men-
*'
predicted, that he should be born I20 years after the time of his prophecy, or according to an anonymous author of St. Patrick's Life, after a term of 40 years. Wherefore, he who is there named Senchonan seems to have been the person, called by others, Senpatruic, or Patrick Senior, for these rea- sons, that what is already said of Senchonan immediately succeeding St. Secundin, and preceding St. Benignus, is written regarding St. Patrick Senior, in the two lists already referred to ; and because, this appellation of Senior, prefixed to either name, seems to insinuate as much. Senchonan is the same as Conan Senior, and Senpatruic means
Patrick Senior.
'9 His death is there recorded, as having
been Abbot of Ardmacha, and as being of Cluain-Ua-nGrici. Dr. O'Donovan does not know, where the latter place had been situated. See vol. i. , pp. 234, 235, and n.
nus, chap, viii. , in these words,
Senior filius Maldaluaini Primas Ai-dmachanus. " The Martyrology of Done- gal commemorates him, also, on the same day. Still, our St. Senan was not the son of Maldaluan, but son to Ercan or Erchinn, according to the account, contained in his Acts.
'* On a list of Armagh Archbishops, in the Calendar of Cashel.
'7 The in which our St. Senan time,
tions,
lived, distinguishes him from the first ; while, the
'° See "Ecclesiastical of
History Ireland,"
vol. i. , chap, ix. , sect, iv. , p. 446.
" See Ferrar's " of
History Limerick,"
part iii. , chap, iii. , p. 185.
^- Her a well-known in- Life, containing
cident, will be found at the 28th of January. -3 It is yet shown, on the south strand of
the island.
" Nee mora, reddit spiritum Diemque clausit ultimuni.
name of his being the second.
him from
died, during St. Patrick's lifetime. According to the Four Masters, in their Annals, the Annals of Clonmacnoise and of Senatenses, he died A. D. 447, St. SenanofIniscatthycouldnot have been born, at this time ; since, accord- ing to the Salisbury Martyrology, St. Patrick
parent, precludes
^^ to he According Jocelyn,
(n),
ibid.
March 8. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 243
It is greatly to be lamented, that tourists should have their prejudices and
ignorance, regarding the reHgion and history of Ireland, unremoved, if not strengthened by the statements of a widely-circulated Guide-book. ^'* In reference to Scattery Island, and to St. Senan, it is most incorrectly stated, that he built a church there, and established a religious retreat, long previous to the mission of St. Patrick.
The Iniscattery establishment must have existed about the year 540, and most certainly before that time, at which Kieran of Clonmacnoise is said to have visited Senan, to engage him as a spiritual director. '^ But, it can hardly be allowed a much earlier date. The learned Sir James Ware is even mistaken, in assigning the foundation of this abbey, to the end of the fifth century. ^^ Again, Ussher most certainly was quite astray, when he supposed, that St. Patrick must have spent some time on Iniscatthy Island, as bishop, and pre- decessor of St. Senan, over that see. He would seem to have fallen into such an error, so that he might account for our saint being considered Patrick's successor in the episcopacy. However, the opinion, that our saint was Archbishop of Armagh, is a supposition which Ussher rejects. '^
To resume the narrative of our Saint's Acts, we are told, that being one
day on a journey to our saint, Kieran met a mendicant on the way, who was
ragged and almost naked, and who was very importunate for alms. Having nothing else to give, Kieran took off a clock or monastic habit he wore, and
thus deprived of covering he proceeded to the island. In spirit, knowing what had occurred, St. Senan ordered his monks to take a boat, which was broken, and out of repair,*^ yet the only one moored on their island, so that they might bring over St. Kieran, who stood on the opposite shore. When they had obeyed his order, Senan himself, bearing a cloak, ran to meet his holy visitor. On being covered, the charitable Kieran was joyfully con- ducted to the monastery. *9
By their many magical incantations, the Druids had wished to pervert God's servant, from the true faith : but, he overcame all their efforts, through the assistance of heaven. Having disturbed the air, through means of the powers of darkness, these magi caused rain to follow ; and, then they challenged our saint to prevent this shower, if he were able, through his
A fratribus insolitse Celebrantur exequiae. "
On the west side of Rinn Eanaigh point, there is a flag, said to cover the body of the
who desired to obtain admission to the
lady,
island, but, who was repulsed by St. Senan.
See "Antiquarian Letters relating to the
simply the practice of holy purity, in his life and institute, by the careful exclusion of fe-
males ; and, how injurious to historical ac- curacy, when a glaring anachronism is thus palmed off, on the unsuspecting travellei-.
p. 3, and sect, xi. , n. 175, pp- S^j 57-
=* See "De Hibernia et Antiquitatibus
of Clare. " Irish Ordnance
vol. ii. , pp. 13 to 30. Mr. O'Donovan's ejus," cap.
I well know, it shall not profit thee to go to thy destined place," said Senan,
238 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS, [March 8.
After these things occurred, returning from an assembly of the chieftains, which had been held in Corcomroe, Mactail learned the death of his magus.
He hastened immediately to Iniscatthy, where, in a frenzy of rage and im-
patience, he said to Senan " Art thou the man, who hath possessed my
:
lands, I being opposed to thy desires ? art thou the person, who caused the death of my magus and servant ? Know for certain, that thou shalt die the same kind of death ; for, a stone being tied to thy neck, in punishment for thy crimes, thou shalt be thrown into the sea. " St. Senan replied, that the chief had not power to execute this threat ; when, as if forgetful of himself, Mactail ordered the saint to feed and attend to the horses, committed to his charge. The saint returned for answer, that he was neither a stall-keeper noragroom; but,Mactalius—ashisnameisLatinized—replied,thatwhether he would or not. he must take charge of the horses, until Mactail returned from a
hewasabouttoundertake. Senan "The ofGodisable journey said, power
to prevent you from returning hither. " While Mactalius and the saint were engaged in this controversy, and while the former urged Senan with threats and insults ; those two horses, which had been the cause of litigation, by a decree of heaven, are said to have been swallowed up in the earth, at a place
"
When word of this event had been brought by a messenger, the dynast felt
through
afte:rwards called, Fan-na-neach. ^^ which signifies,
the trench of the horses. "
more enraged, although his son endeavoured to appease him, and to advise, that he should act more respectfully towards God's holy servant, and, fear Divine punishment, by the example of those things, which he had hitherto seen. The inexorable and im])ious Mactalius replied, that he no more feared Senan and than he did a shorn " said Senan, "
God, sheep. Then,"
the disposition of the Almighty, in my regard, this inoffensive animal can be the cause and instrument of thy death. " '^3 After many insults, threats and blasphemies, the obstinate tyrant took his departure, full of pride and anger, resuming his journey. While near a certain wood, in Corcobaskind territory, he saw a shorn sheep running with great speed, until it rushed under the feet of the horses, yoked to his chariot. Being affrighted, these horses reared and broke their yokes, when the chariot was overturned. Mactalius fell headlong upon a rock, and was instantly killed, on the spot. "** Thus, his wicked soul was sent unprepared and suddenly, to meet the judgment which awaited him. 45
One day, St. Donnan,^^ the son of Lieth, and a disciple to St. Senan,^?
*' See Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- nise," viii. Martii. Vita S. Senani, cap. xxxi. , xxxii. , pp. 530, 531.
ceded the present narrative,
'*5 See the Bollandists' "Acta Sanctoram,"
tomus i. , Martii viii. Vita Secunda S.
^^ The tradition of this
served, and it is shown in a diagram, pre- pared by Mr. O'Donovan, to illustrate his description. Fan-na-neach is shown, west of some effaced churches, on Scattery Island.
^3 See "The Legend of Iniscatthy" in
num.
to
Duffy's
l> P%38' 4+ The
"
Hibernian Magazine," vol. i. , No. ^
** Colgan supposes this saint to have been
a nephew to Senan, and son to that com-
passionate brother, Lieth, already mentioned
in our Saint's Acts. There are at least three
saints, bearing this name, mentioned in the
Irish Calendars; viz. , St. Donnan, Martyr,
whose
llibernia;," viii. Martii, n. 23, p. 536.
'^ In the Metrical Life, St. Donnan seem? to have been aUuded to, as " Sancti Senani patruus," where the relation of an incident,
account of Mactalius' punishment and tyranny is to be found, in Colg;'n's "Acta Sanctorum Ilibernice,"
Martii viii. Vita Metrica S. Senani, cap. xiv. , XV. , pp. 519, 520. Some of those cir- cumstances, as found in St. Senan's Prose Life, are not given in his Metrical Acts; and, in the latter, this chief's proper name is not noted. Also, through the carelessness of a transcriber, many particulars appear to have been omitted, which immediately prC"
feast is kept on the 17th of April
foregoing
; St. Donnan, Confessor, whose feast is assigned to the iith of August; and St. Donnan, Priest, whose iesiival is held on the 26th of April. The saint, mentioned in the text, is supposed to have been either of the two latter. See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum
place
is still
pre-
Senani, cap. v. , 775.
30
38, pp. 774,
March 8. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 239
being accompanied by two boys, who were engaged in study with him, went to a certain rock, which was out in the sea, and for the purpose of collecting shell-fish. Having left those boys there, he returned to the island ; mean- time, the ocean-tide had taken away an only boat, which remained to remove them. The' boys were drowned, on the rising of the waves ; but, their bodies, together with the boat, were afterwards washed ashore, on the island. When the parents and friends of those boys heard what had occurred, they ran, to the spot. With tears and wailing, they demanded of the saint, that their lost children should be restored to them alive. Then St. Senan said to
Donnan " Command the deceased boys, in the name of the Saviour, that
:
they may immediately come to me. " When he had done, as directed, the boys were immediately restored to life and strength. Running towards St.
Senan, and to the embrace of their parents, these they reproached, for having been tlie cause of their withdrawal from a happy state, in which lately they
had been. Their mothers then said
:
" Had you rather live in these regions,
than upon earth, with your friends and kindred ? " To these queries, their
children replied, that if they possessed the whole world, with all its pleasures
and luxuries, they would only consider it as a prison, in which they were confined, while reflecting on the loss of those delights they had already ex-
perienced. Wherefore, they earnestly requested, that it might be permitted them, to repossess their former state of felicity. They promised their parents,
likewise, that through God's goodness, these should sorrow no more, on their account. The parents, on their part, assenting to those wishes, in the name of the Lord, St. Senan ratified the promise of their children. Those were brought to his monastery, where they received Holy Communion. la a short time, afterwards, with acts of thanksgiving and of holy joy, those boys slept in the Lord, and their bodies were buried in the cemetery, near the monastery. They were the first deposed within that graveyard, and they were interred in a conspicuous place, before the entrance. ^^
Saints Kieran and Brendan,49 being admonished by an angel, had also visited St. Senan, whom they chose as their spiritual director. 5° The abbot of Iniscatthy received them with due honour ; but, after they had been to
given in the text, is almost similar,
** See ibid. Vita Secunda S. Senani, cap. XXXV. , p. 531, and Vita Metrica S.
spoken of, it would appear, that they were both abbots, and lived not very far from each other. This, he thinks, will not answer for Brendan of Clonfert, who was not abbot
Senani, cap. xii. , pp. 522, 523.
^' These saints are supposed to have been thei-e, until after Kieran's death. Nor is
St. Kieran of Clonmacnoise, whose feast is
kept on the Qlh of September, and St.
Brendan of Birr, whose festival is observed
on the 29th of November. However, Colgan
thinks, that Brendan of Clonfert, whose ments of Inisaingin and Clonmacnois, feast is kept on the i6th of May, was the
saint here mentioned, because of allusion to
a custom, peculiar to saints of this age ; each
one of whoni desired to select a certain
spiritual director, and confessor, "a quo person, who then accompanied Kieran. lie
aguita culpa, et confessis suis excessibus,
negligentiis et peccatis recipiebat peniten-
tiam : et hunc Scotice vocabunt anamchara,
i. e. , sinedrum, spiritualem amicum, seu Kieran was still abbot of Inis-aingin, when Patrem. " Ibid. , viii. Martii, n. 12, p, 535. he set out for Iniscatthy, Birr lies not much
5° Dr. Tanigan remarks, that if the out of the road, by which he must have
Brendan, who on another occasion M'aitcd, togethcrwith Kieran, on Senan, was Brendan of Clonfert, it should follow, that Senan was born prior to 484, being represented as older than Brendan of Birr ; whereas, from the manner, in which Kieran and Brendan are
passed, so that he and Brendan might, with little inconvenience, liave met for the pur- pose of travelling together. See " Ecclcsi- astical History of Ireland," vol, ii. , chap,
xi. , sect, iv. , n. 28, pp. 91, 92.
S' See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
there any account of his having been, prior to his settling at Clonfert, abbot anywhere else in Ireland, at least in those parts, which were not far distant from Kieran's establish-
Brendan of Clonfert was probably in Brittany, at the time of this visit to Senan, Now, every circumstance accords with the supposition, that Brendan of Birr was the
was, in all probability, an abljot before Kieran died. Birr is within a few miles from Clonmacnois, and if we should suppose that
240 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 8.
confession with him, the monastic steward came to announce, that no pro- visions were to be found in the cellar, for the refreshment of their guests and brethren. Senan replied, that nothing should be wanting, for those who fearedGod. HeexhortedtheholystrangerstohopeintheLord,andtobe of good cheer, since, provisions should be procured for them and for his brethren, through the bounty of Providence. It chanced, that Nectan Kernn- fhoda. Prince of Y-figinte, miraculously admonished of this exigency, ordered his steward to bestow on Senan and the other servants of God, in Iniscatthy, stores of food and drink, which had been prepared for his own table. The steward executed these commands, and the prince himself proceeded to the island port, in a boat, which contained his offerings. The saintly abbot and his guests went out to meet him, while the former returned most grateful thanks, for this gift. The chieftain placed himself under the prayers and protection of those holy men, asking their benediction for himself and on his posterity. Filled with the spirit of prophecy, St. Senan predicted, that to him and to his seed, the Almighty had decreed the government of a pro- vince. He also dismissed this prince with his blessing. St. Senan and his guests then sat down to dinner. During the time of this meal, a bell mira- culously descended from heaven. It was the subject of great astonishment, to all who were present; and, the disciples Of those tliree saints, Senan,
Kieran, and Brendan, raised a question among themselves, as to which of their masters that gift belonged. Each of the disciples supposed this bell
had been intended for his own superior.
to his " Let us arise and guests :
To end this doubt, St. Senan said
and let the bell to whomsoever belong
depart,
its sound shall follow. " *They obeyed, when the sound of this bell was found
only to follow St. Senan, to whom it was then adjudged, as the proper owner. Those three saints then embraced each other, Kieran and Brendan having formed a firm alliance of friendship with St. Senan. His guests then took leave of him, much edified with what they had seen and heard. s'
At one time, Iniscatthy Island and the adjoining country suffered much, owing to a want of fresh water ; and this complaint was one of daily occur- rencetothesaint,onthepartofhismonks. TheangeloftheLordappeared to our abbot, during sleep, and directed, that he should go to a certain place, in that neighbourhood, where God's bounty would furnish a well of pure water. Our holy abbot obeyed, and according to the angel's mandate, he rooted up the earth there, with the end of his staff. Immediately, a stream of limpid water began to flow. s* The angel declared, moreover, that so long as they should persevere in penance and true compunction of heart, on Iniscathy Island, this fountain could not be exhausted. On its brink, St. Senan set down the staff, with which it had been dug. This staff afterwards grew into a hazel-tree, which was pointed out, at that time, when the author of St. Senan's Prose Life wrote his account of the transaction. 53
niae," viii. Martii. Vita Secunda S. Senani, cap. xxxvi. , pp. 531, 532, and Vita Metrica S. Senani, cap. xvii. , p. 520. Both accounts are essentially the same, as to the former part of those various incidents related. The name of Prince Nectan Kenn-fhoda is alone men- tioned, in the Prose Life. The miracle, re- ferring to the bell, however, is only to be found, in St. Senan's Metrical Life.
Clare, by W. F. Wakeman, and now pre- served in the Royal Irish Academy, the
following five subjects refer to Iniscathy. I. The Round Tower of Scattery Island,
2. The large church of Scattery. 3. St. Cinan's Church, Scattery. 4. The door- way of the Round Tower of Scattery. 5.
Thedoor-wayof the great church on Scattery Island. These sketches, like all others by the same artist, are exceeding beautiful ; but, nevertheless, tlie present ones, although very carefully outlined, are not highly finished.
53 jjee
^-
It must have been intended, by this
account, to designate the well on Iniscathy "
Island, called Tober Sheanain," which is yet to be seen there. Among the sketches of Antiquities, illustrating the county of
Colgan's
" Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
March 8. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 241
CHAPTER IV.
THE QUESTION OF ST. SENAN's EPISCOPACY, AND HIS OFFICE OF ABBOT, AT INISCATTERY—> ENQUIRY AS TO WHETHER HE HAD BEEN ARCHBISHOP OF ARMAGH—HIS STRICT MONASTIC DISCIPLINE—HIS MIRACULOUS POWERS—ANTIQUITIES ON BISHOP's ISLAND.
It is supposed, by Dr. Lanigan, that Senan became a bishop, when his estab- lishment was founded at Iniscatthy ; and, most probably, even some time before it, owing to the circumstance of his having previously given the veil to the dynast Brendan's daughters, while he was living at Inisluinge, We are not informed, regarding the time when, or the bishop by whom, he had been consecrated. ' According to some historians,^ St. Senan founded Inis- cathy monastery, before St. Patrick's arrival in Munster ; but, it is easy to discover, how incorrect such a conclusion must be. The opinion of Dr.
Lanigan is, that Senan had been rather advanced in life, when he settled on Iniscathy ; a supposition even is entertained of his being not less than fifty years of age, at that time. 3
After dwelling on circumstances, connected with the baptism of the Thomond people by St. Patrick, and on his pri^'Jiction regarding a successor, it is clear, in certain passages of St. Senan's Acts,'* no more is meant, than that instead of St. Patrick, who acted then as universal bishop over all Ireland, and
accordingly over Thomond, this district should have, after some years, a bishop of its own, and who might very justly be styled a successor to the Irish
Apostle, s Yet, it has been understood, by some writers,^ as if Senan had succeeded St. Patrick, at Armagh. While he rejected this fable, Ussher fell into a mistake, almost equally unfounded. He supposed, that Senan having been spoken of as a successor to St. Patrick, the latter had been at Iniscatthy, and must have acted there as bishop, for a considerable time. ' Yet, from the Tripartite Life of St. Patrick,^ and from the Second Life of St. Senan, it is evident, that St. Patrick did not visit the country about Iniscatthy, although he took care to supply the inhabitants with religious teachers. 9
Certain writers conform to an opinion, that St. Patrick predicted Senan should succeed him in the episcopacy,^° and that his prophecy was accordingly fulfilled. " Among these are Richard Whitford,^^ the Carthusian Martyrology of Newport, in England, and Albert le Grand. '3 Moreover, it is thought to
nise," viii. Martii. Vita Secunda S. Senani, tur ;" and, according to this, a bishop could cap. xxxvii. , p. 532, and Vita Metrica S. be said to succeed other bishops, although Senani, cap. xxv—. , p. 523. not attached to the same See.
'
Chapter IV. See Dr. Lanigan's Ec-
clesiastical History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap. X. , sect, i. , pp. 3, 4, and n. 20, p. 7.
*
See Dr. Sylvester O'Halloran's "His- toryofIreland,"vol. iii. , bookvii. , chap. vi. , p. 44.
3 In the Life of Kieran of Clonmacnois,
Senan is spoken of as old as the time of his
receiving a visit, when he supplied Kieran with a cloak. It could not have taken place
chap, xi. , sect, iv. , n, 28, p. 91.
De Primordiis Ecclesiarum Bri-
tannicarum," cap. xvii. , p. 873.
^ See "Acta Sanctorum Hiberniae," Mar-
tii viii. , p. 542.
^
SeeColgan's"TriasThaumaturga,"Sep- timaVitaS. Patricii, lib. iii. , cap. xlvi. , p. 158. 9 See Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical His-
tory of Ireland," vol. i. , chap, viii. , sect, i. ,
p. 374, and chap, ix. , sect, iv. , n. 57, pp.
448, 449.
whether or not our saint had been Arch-
later than the of early part
'° has a Colgan
the
in which Kieran died. See Dr. Lanigan's " Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. ii. ,
of his
to St. Senan's Life, devoted to an enquiry
* See iii. , iv.
especially
the Prose
" St. Senan is called in Archipontifex,
s Dr. Lanigan remarks, in connexion with this enquiry, that episcopal unity is well ex-
his Metrical Life, chapter xxiii.
'^ In the " Martyrology of Salisbury," at
the 8th of March.
'3 See "Les Vies des Saints de la Bretagne
Armorique," &c. In the account of St. Q
St.
est, enjus a singulis in solidum pars tene-
pressed by
Cyprian :
year
Life, chapters
chapter
Appendix
549,
" unus Episcopatus
"^" See
bishop of Armagh.
242
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 8,
have been our saint, who is found in a list of the Armagh Archbishops, under thesenames,Senchonan,^4Senior,'5orSenach. Thesethreenameshavea similar meaning, and they denote seniority. They have a hke derivation and significancy, also, with the name Senan, which bears the Latin interpre-
" Seniculus. " in two lists of Armagh Archbishops, which However,
tation,
Colgan had seen, he found nothing of Senchonan, Senior, or Senan ; unless it be, that Senior or Senan must be regarded as the same Senach, who stood there fifteenth in order. '^ Granting that Senchonanus and Senior were incor- rectly omitted, and that they should have been included, in this list of bishops; yet,neitherofthemcanbeconfoundedwithoursaint,ifwhatis already written regarding both be true. '? Senchonan is said to have suc- ceeded St. Secundin. 'S whether it be the Senan, who is called Senach, in those lists already named, was a matter of doubt to Colgan ; since he read an account of him, contained in the " Annals of the Four Masters," at A. D. 609. ^9 An event in his life, of so very important a character, as having been over the church of Armagh, could not have been omitted by his biographers ; yet, they are quite silent, on such a subject. There can be no doubt what- ever, that Senan was the first founder of Iniscatthy Monastery ; and, Dr. Lanigan's opinion is, that Senan's estabUshment there cannot be placed earher, than about a. d. 534. ^°
By one of the rules of St. Senan's monastic institute, females were ex- cluded, not only from its enclosure, but even from landing on the island. St. Senan's monks were so chaste, that they never looked at a woman. ''^ This regulation was observed, even with regard to the most holy virgins ; as we are given to understand, in the case of St. Cannera,^^ who died, soon
after she landed on the
island,
and she was buried in the " Grave. " '3 Lady's
Senan, it is here remarked, in the fourth
chapter, that he was unanimously elected a bishop, and the successor of St. Patrick.
'* St. Senchonan is numbered amongst the Armagh Archbishops, in a Life of St. Benig-
"
Sanctus autem Sechnaldus, sive Secundinus, imme- diatus S. Patricii successor, sedit in Ponti- ficatu et Hiberiiias primatu annis sedecim : et post Secundinum, S. Senchonanus annis decim, et post hunc, S. Benignus aliis de-
cim. "
'= At the iitU of April, Marianus men-
*'
predicted, that he should be born I20 years after the time of his prophecy, or according to an anonymous author of St. Patrick's Life, after a term of 40 years. Wherefore, he who is there named Senchonan seems to have been the person, called by others, Senpatruic, or Patrick Senior, for these rea- sons, that what is already said of Senchonan immediately succeeding St. Secundin, and preceding St. Benignus, is written regarding St. Patrick Senior, in the two lists already referred to ; and because, this appellation of Senior, prefixed to either name, seems to insinuate as much. Senchonan is the same as Conan Senior, and Senpatruic means
Patrick Senior.
'9 His death is there recorded, as having
been Abbot of Ardmacha, and as being of Cluain-Ua-nGrici. Dr. O'Donovan does not know, where the latter place had been situated. See vol. i. , pp. 234, 235, and n.
nus, chap, viii. , in these words,
Senior filius Maldaluaini Primas Ai-dmachanus. " The Martyrology of Done- gal commemorates him, also, on the same day. Still, our St. Senan was not the son of Maldaluan, but son to Ercan or Erchinn, according to the account, contained in his Acts.
'* On a list of Armagh Archbishops, in the Calendar of Cashel.
'7 The in which our St. Senan time,
tions,
lived, distinguishes him from the first ; while, the
'° See "Ecclesiastical of
History Ireland,"
vol. i. , chap, ix. , sect, iv. , p. 446.
" See Ferrar's " of
History Limerick,"
part iii. , chap, iii. , p. 185.
^- Her a well-known in- Life, containing
cident, will be found at the 28th of January. -3 It is yet shown, on the south strand of
the island.
" Nee mora, reddit spiritum Diemque clausit ultimuni.
name of his being the second.
him from
died, during St. Patrick's lifetime. According to the Four Masters, in their Annals, the Annals of Clonmacnoise and of Senatenses, he died A. D. 447, St. SenanofIniscatthycouldnot have been born, at this time ; since, accord- ing to the Salisbury Martyrology, St. Patrick
parent, precludes
^^ to he According Jocelyn,
(n),
ibid.
March 8. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 243
It is greatly to be lamented, that tourists should have their prejudices and
ignorance, regarding the reHgion and history of Ireland, unremoved, if not strengthened by the statements of a widely-circulated Guide-book. ^'* In reference to Scattery Island, and to St. Senan, it is most incorrectly stated, that he built a church there, and established a religious retreat, long previous to the mission of St. Patrick.
The Iniscattery establishment must have existed about the year 540, and most certainly before that time, at which Kieran of Clonmacnoise is said to have visited Senan, to engage him as a spiritual director. '^ But, it can hardly be allowed a much earlier date. The learned Sir James Ware is even mistaken, in assigning the foundation of this abbey, to the end of the fifth century. ^^ Again, Ussher most certainly was quite astray, when he supposed, that St. Patrick must have spent some time on Iniscatthy Island, as bishop, and pre- decessor of St. Senan, over that see. He would seem to have fallen into such an error, so that he might account for our saint being considered Patrick's successor in the episcopacy. However, the opinion, that our saint was Archbishop of Armagh, is a supposition which Ussher rejects. '^
To resume the narrative of our Saint's Acts, we are told, that being one
day on a journey to our saint, Kieran met a mendicant on the way, who was
ragged and almost naked, and who was very importunate for alms. Having nothing else to give, Kieran took off a clock or monastic habit he wore, and
thus deprived of covering he proceeded to the island. In spirit, knowing what had occurred, St. Senan ordered his monks to take a boat, which was broken, and out of repair,*^ yet the only one moored on their island, so that they might bring over St. Kieran, who stood on the opposite shore. When they had obeyed his order, Senan himself, bearing a cloak, ran to meet his holy visitor. On being covered, the charitable Kieran was joyfully con- ducted to the monastery. *9
By their many magical incantations, the Druids had wished to pervert God's servant, from the true faith : but, he overcame all their efforts, through the assistance of heaven. Having disturbed the air, through means of the powers of darkness, these magi caused rain to follow ; and, then they challenged our saint to prevent this shower, if he were able, through his
A fratribus insolitse Celebrantur exequiae. "
On the west side of Rinn Eanaigh point, there is a flag, said to cover the body of the
who desired to obtain admission to the
lady,
island, but, who was repulsed by St. Senan.
See "Antiquarian Letters relating to the
simply the practice of holy purity, in his life and institute, by the careful exclusion of fe-
males ; and, how injurious to historical ac- curacy, when a glaring anachronism is thus palmed off, on the unsuspecting travellei-.
p. 3, and sect, xi. , n. 175, pp- S^j 57-
=* See "De Hibernia et Antiquitatibus
of Clare. " Irish Ordnance
vol. ii. , pp. 13 to 30. Mr. O'Donovan's ejus," cap.
