Sillan,
mentioned
in the Acts of St.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v3
Fechin,3thefounder,whodied,a.
d.
664.
4 Thisstate- ment, however, seems hardly reconcilable with chronological dates.
After
living many years, in humble subjection and in practising a penitential life, he succeeded Dubdaboren,5 in the government of that monastery. To the office ofAbbothewasadvanced,abouttheyear735. Afterwards,hewasassumed to the exercise of episcopal functions ; he being, as is supposed, the first
Bishop of Fore ; for, we do not read, that any of his predecessors, in the
had
eternal felicity,^ on the 27th of March. He died, on that day, in the year 745 ;9 and, during this very same year, Fore was burned. '" The Annals of Ulsterplacehisdeath,ata. d. 749. Hemusthaveattainedaveryadvanced age, were we to credit the statement, of his having been in early life, a disciple, under St. Fechin. His name is found, in the Martyrology of
such a title. "^
nald 7 Murchadh, King of Ireland, our saint was called to the enjoyment of
monastery,
previously enjoyed
During
land, in the year 740, and he reigned to ji. d. 782, —a period of forty-two years, —
according to Keating. But, following the
"Annals of the Four Masters," Domhnall Article hi. —'See "Acta Sanctorum commenced his reign, a. d. 739, and he
Hiberniae," xxvii. Martii. De S. Suarlii, died, in the year 758.
^ "The ofChrist, Theseventh p. 772. age 745.
79 Published by O'Sullevan Beare.
*'° See "Apologia pro Hibemia," cap. ii. , p. 15, and cap. iv. , p. 37.
•' See p. 87.
'See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , Martii xxvii. Among the pretermitted saints, p. 686.
3 His feast occurs, at the 20th of January.
In Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 276, 277, the death of St. Feichin, of Fobhar, or Fore, is recorded, as having occurred, on the 14th of Februajy, 664.
5 Tlie death of this abbot is thus entered,
year of Domhnall. St. Suairleach, Bishop of —Fobhar [Fore], died on the 21st of March. " Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four
Masters," vol. i. , pp. 34S, 349.
» See Rev. A. Cogan's "Diocese of
Meath, Ancient and Modem," vol. iii. , chap. Ixxiv. , n. p. 562. In the First Volume of this work, the day of his death,
through mistake, is entered, at the 2ist of March. See chap, x. , p. 67.
'* The same fate befel it, A. D. 812,
at the
year 735
:
"
Dubhdabhoireann,
Abbot of Fobhar [Fore], died. "
O'Donovan's" Annals of the Four Masters,"
vol. i. , pp. 336, 337.
*
Most of the superiors here are called Abbots. However, his successor St. Aed- genius is said to have been Bishop of Fore, lor some years, and to have died, A. D. 766.
1 This monarch Domnald, or Daniel, son of Murrough, ascended the throne of Ire*
and 1169. Yet, notwithstanding these repeated bum- ings, the bell of St. Fechin, a religious relic, was preserved. This, v? ith other relics, in presence of the Abbot of Fore, and certain ecclesiastics, was a surety and guarantee of peace between Turlagh O'Connor, King of
Connaught, and Murrough O'Melaghlin, King of Meath, in A. D. 1 143.
—
Dr.
817,970, 1095, III2, I114, I167
the of Dom- reign
March 27. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 979
Tallagh," at the 27th of March, as Suairleach, Bishop. Marianus O'Gorman and Cathal Maguire, Ukewise, record him, as Bishop of Fore, at this day. Under the head of Fobhar, Duald Mac Firbis enters, Suairlech, bishop of Fobhar,rested,a. d. 745,March27th. " TheMartyrologyofDonegal'3has entered, likewise, on this day, Suairlech, Bishop of Tobhar.
Article IV. —St. Fintan or Fionntain, denominated, Mouth of
THE Psalms. ^Supposed to be of the Sixth or Sevetith Century. '] In the
Martyrology of Tallagh,^ the name is set down, as Fintan os Psalmorum, at the 27th of March. Marianus O'Gorman calls him Bel na Salm, Latinized,
by Colgan, Os Psalmorum, or Psalmicanus. Our Irish Hagiographist,* who has a iQw particular observations regarding him, at this date, conjectures, that this holy man may be identical with St. Fintan, surnamed Corach,3 whoseFeastandActsoccur,atthe21stofFebruary. * Ifso,heflourished towards the close of the sixth, and at the beginning of the seventh, century. The Bollandistss have noted our saint, at the 27th of March. Among
various holy persons, bearing a like name, one denominated Fionntain, i. e. Mouth of the Psalms, we have recorded, in the Martyrologies of Cathal Maguire and of Donegal,^ as having been venerated, on this day.
Article V. —St. Mochonna, of Magh-eo, now Mayo, County of
^hasa atthe thof
record, 27 March,
Mayo. The of Martyrology
Tallagh
commemorating Mochonna Maighi Eo, or of Mayo. The Bollandists ^ enter
his feast, in like manner, Mochonna de Mag-eo. An allusion is made to him, by Colgan, but only as one of many Irish saints, bearing such a name, when
endeavouring to account for the identity of Conan, a smith, or an artificer, whom St. Patrick placed over a church, at Dromat. 3 Apparently without warrant, and in his Hst of supposed Regular Canons at Mayo, Archdall* places St. Mochonna, between the Abbot St. Muredach, who died a. d. 726, and St. Aidan, Bishop, who departed, a. d. 768. We read, on this day, in theMartyrologyofDonegal,5thenameMochonna,ofMagh-eo. Whenhe flourished does not seem to be known.
Article VI. —St. Siollan. A saint, bearing the name, SiolUn, is mentioned, in the Martyrology of Donegal,^ on this day, as having veneration
" Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xix. The Franciscan copy has SuA^vLeAcVi eApi.
s See "Acta Sanctorum," toraus iii. ,
" bee "
Academy," Series, i,, pp. io8, 109.
Martii xxvii.
686.
saints, p.
* Edited
Among the pretermitted Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
Proceedings Irish MSS.
Royal vol.
by
'3 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
88, 89. —
Article iv. ' Edited by Rev. Dr.
Kelly, p. xix. The Franciscan copy has pncAti Of pfAl. Tno]\um.
*
See (Jolgan's ''Acta Sanctorum Hiber- nise," Manii xxvii. De S. Fintauo Psalmi- cano, p. 771.
3 We are told, by Colgan, that this Irish
word has an equivocal signification : some- times it means "voluble," and sometimes
88, 89.
Article v. —'Edited by Rev. Dr.
Kelly, p. xix. The Franciscan copy has moconne tnAige eo.
'See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , Martii xxvii. Among the pretermitted saints, p. 686.
3 See "Trias Thaumaturga," Septima
Vita S. Patricii, pars, ii. , cap. Ivi. , p. 137,
and n. 115, p. 178.
"given to psalms," or "canticles," "a "
505.
s Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
88, 89.
Article vi. —' Edited by Drs. Todd
and Reeves, pp. 88, 89.
'"
Sec Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. .
psalmodist," or a psalm-singer. "
of the
Irish i. , part
" Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
< See
nise," xvi. Februarii. De S. Fintano Abbate ct Episcopo Cluainfertensi, p. 385.
Colgan's
* See
"
Monasticon Hibemicum," p.
980 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 27.
paid to him. The Bollandists ' have a passing notice, at this date, with an indefinite allusion to a St.
Sillan, mentioned in the Acts of St. Berach,3 as
furnished by Colgan. *
ArticleVII. —ArrivalofSt. Sellan'sRelics. Wefindmentioned,
in the Martyrology of Tallagh,^ at this date, March 27th, Adventus Reliqiiia- rum Sellani, or the Arrival of St. Sellan's Relics. Who this holy man was, we cannot ascertain ; nor can we find, with what place he had been con- nected; norisitpermittedustostate,theoccasion,thelocality,ortheyear, referringtothistranslationofhisrelics. Itisprobable,however,thepresent festival is not different, from that commemorated in the Martyrology of Donegal, at this day, where the simple name, Siollan, is recorded. This appears to have been the opinion of the Bollandists,^ likewise, when alluding to the notices, contained in our Irish Calendars, at the present date.
Article VIII. —St. Archibaldus, Abbot and Confessor, in Anglia.
On the authority of the English Martyrology,^ at the 27th of March, we find St. Archibaldus, Abbot, entered in Henry Fitzsimon's Calendar of Irish
Saints. In the anonymous list, published by O'Sullevan Beare,^ at the same day,wemeetwiththesimplenameArchibaldus. Sofaraswecanglean,
he is the Abbot and Confessor, in Anglia, and referred to by Galesinius, as hefoundhim,insomeManuscriptaccount. Wionsupposeshimtohavebeen the same as Erenwaldus,3 who was consecrated a Bishop of London, after he had been an Abbot. Camerarius makes Archibaldus a Scottish saint, and asserts, that he was Abbot of Carnaminensis ; but, the Bollandists,* who record these statements, at the 27th of March, wish to have more light thrown on such obscure matters.
Article IX. —Feast of the Re-collection of St. Wasnulph's Relics. TheNatalisandActsofSt. Wasnulpharetobefoundnoticed,at the ist of October. The Translation of his relics, at the loth of January, and on this day, the feast of the Re-collection of his Relics, are recorded.
Article X. —The Festival Day of Our Divine I^ord's Resurrec-
tion. In the ancient Irish Church, the Festival of Our Divine Lord's
Resurrection was observed, on the 27th of Marcli, as we have it recorded, in
""' the Feilire
of St. . ^ngus. This accords, also, with the accounts, con .
Martii xxvii.
Among the pretermitted
Compendium," tomus i. , lib. iv. , cap. xi. , p. 50, and cap. xii. , p. 52.
^ The Bollandists promised to treat of him, at the 30th of April.
saints, p. 686.
3 His Life occurs, at the l6th of Feb-
ruary.
* See "Acta Sanctorum Ilibernia:,"
* See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus Febraarii xvi. Vita Secunda S. Berachi, jMartii xxvii. Among the pretermitted
cap. vii. , p. 345, and n. 6, p. 348. Article vii. —• Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xix. The Franciscan copy has, in like manner, at this date, ^•ouencuf ^eli-
<juiA]\um SittAin. '"
saints, p. 686. — Article x.
"
English translation, h—ave been furnished by
See Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. ,
Martii xxvii.
saints, p. 686. Article viii.
Among the pretermitted
John Wilson's compilation.
—
'
The Second Edition of
'"
See liistoriae Catholicte Ibemice
from the "Leabhar Breac
copy, and its
Professor O'Looney
b. ui, kl. hi fex kAlAitit) 4pj\eil \&. \^ cudflucA-o AnniAn
<if^er\Ach ]-cel •De|\Tn4p Ifu ad]\u cliAlniAn.
'
The following extract
:
iii. ,
March 28. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 981
tained in very ancient Martyrologies and ^vritings, as may be seen, by con- sulting the Bollandists. 2
Article XL—St. Cuniald, and St. Gisilarius, or Gillisanus, Com- panions OF St. Rupert. At this date, Andrew Saussay sets down the
Festival of these holy persons, classed by Colgan among the Irish saints,' and said to have been the colleagues of St. Rupert, Bishop of Saltzburgh. The Bollandists omit their festival, at this day. However, it is acknowledged, that their chief feast was celebrated, on the 24th of September, which is that of tlie Translation of their relics. Further notices will be found, at that date, in reference to those holy men.
Article XII. —St. Gumbert, or Gundibert, a French Martyr, in Ireland. Weareinformed,byColgan,'thatEmmawasthemotherofthis holy martyr, and of his brother, St. Xiuard. However, there seems no warrant, for Colgan placing his festival, at the present date ; whereas, the second edition of the Rheims Breviary enters it, at the 29th of J^Iay. ^ It would appear, that Gumbert had entered into the holy state of ]Matrimony with Berta, and had lived with her many years, while the spouses preserved an inviolable chastity, after the example given by many other persons of their age and country. Such account is taken from the Breviary of Rheims. ^ In France, this holy man had erected two convents for pious women. One of these was near the gate of the city of Rheims :+ while the other was erected, on his own property (Auennacensis), for his wife Berta, and this was after- wards endowed with the goods of pious men, while Queen Irmentrude was a great benefactress. To promote God's glory, and through a religious motive, GumbertwenttoIreland,andtothatpart,occupiedbytheScoti. Hebuilt
amonasterythere,andwhileprayinginit, hewasmartyredbybarbarians. His relics seem to have reached France, and to have been deposited, in the convent chapel of his wife Berta. There, his intercession was invoked, through subsequent ages, while miracles bore testimony to his sanctity.
&^z\\tV''m\)i\) Saj) of iBard)*
ARTICLE I. —ST. CAI RNECII , BISIT OV.
[F/F7V/ A. YD 67X77/ C7wV7r7^7£S. ]
WE can hardly be said to possess very authentic memorials, regarding this man has us a short Life, compiled
holy
" On the sixth of the Kalends of
April,
After the redemption of souls, Then rose— a wonderful news- - Jesus from the womb of ihc
earth. "
'See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , Martii xxvii. Sancta Memoria Jesv Christi
;
although Colgan given
Resurgentis, p. 6—87.
Article xi. 'See "Acta Sanctorum St. Gumbertus
is the name
given,
in his
Iliherni. c," Marlii xxvii. De SS. Cunialdo
el Ciisilario sive Gillisano, \>. 771.
Articlk xii. —'See "Acta Sanctorum lliDernia:," Martii xxvii. S. Gunil)erti sive
Guiulibcrti Martyris . Mcmoria, p. 771.
-
At this date, Colgan promised to say more regarding him, as al^o at the 29th of April, the dale for his Natalis, according to Eerrarius, Menard, and other writers.
3 in the fust edition, printed A. D. l6oo,
982 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 28.
fromafewrecords,whichcametohishands. However,itwouldappear, from a statement he has made, that the Acts of St. Cairnech were either lost, or that they had not come into his possession. We are informed, that he was anciently held, in very great veneration, throughout Ireland. So far as we shall be able to disentangle the probable events of St. Cairnech's life, from clouds of fable with which they are surrounded, it will only be necessary to remark, that little more can be known about him, than what mere conjec- ture furnishes ; unless, as may probably be the case, some hitherto unpub- lished Manuscript should be discovered, and brought to light, which may supply the defective materials we can now procure. We are told, by a well- known Irish writer,^ that as it concerns his etymon, Cairneach continued to signify a priest, even in the Christian times, from the practice of the druids officiatingattheCairns. Yet,itseemsdoubtfulenough,thatsuchaderiva-
tion throws any light on the etymology of our saint's name. The following accounts, relating to St. Cairnech and his relatives, and which have been lately rendered accessible to the public, are contained in an Appendix, to the Irish Version of Nennius' Historia Britonwn,^ ably edited by Dr. James Henthorn Todd, and by the Hon. Algernon Herbert. 3 The legend of St. Cairnech's miracles < is found in the Book of Ballymote. s Likewise, it occurs, as an interpolation, in Nennius' History of the Britons. ^ The legend itself is supposed to have been composed,7 subsequently to the close of the eleventh century ; and, perhaps, at a much later period. The author is un- known. An extract, from a Manuscript of Mac Firbis,^ throws some light on Cairnech's relatives, Muredhach Mac Eogan, and his wife Ere, who was maternal aunt to our saint. The history of these latter persons receives still farther elucidation, by the publication of a poem,9 extracted from a Manu- scriptvolumeofBardicverses. '" Fromthesesources,andfromthefewmeagre notices left us, by Colgan, we are enabled to give the following account,
Office ; and, it is set down, with an Octave, but the date for his feast is not noted.
written in the fourteenth century, and it is
now preserved, in the Royal Irish Aca-
demy's Library.
* It is inserted, before an account, which
The Breviary of Rheims adds: "cujus restat Aula, Sacellum, et Capella, S. Patri- cii multis orna—ta miraculis. "
he gives of the English Saxon Conquest, Article i. See Toland's History of and after the desertion of Britain, by the
'
This work was published, by the Irish
'"
the Druids," p. 105. He adds in note (24), on this passage : "This is the true origin of
the word Cairneach, as signifying a Priest ; but not derived, as men ignorant of antiquity fancy, from Coroineaeh, alluding to the crown-formed tonsure of the monks, not near so old as this word. "
Romans.
' It is probably quoted, by Dudley Mac Firbis, whose MS. was in the possession of Earl Roden ; but, whether " the old book," from which this antiquary quotes, be the Book of Ballymote, or some other book, containing similar matter, we cannot now decide, with any degree of accuracy.
Archaeological Society. Dublin, 1848.
3 A translation of the Irish version and notes by the former, and an Introduction and additional notes by the latter, manifest acquaintance with the sources of Irish his- tory, and an impartiality of investigation, highly creditable to the industry and ability
of both these gentlemen.
* It is probably a pure fiction, like many other things in this **fabula perquam futi-
It is published, in the Irish version of
lis," Sgeb goiiApjech gAn x>&c\\ piMnne, as it is truly called, in a note, containing the handwriting of old Charles O'Conor, on the
» It commences, with these words, "Enna the pupil of haixiy Cairbre," as translated from the Irish,
'°
This was preserved, in the Royal Irish Academy, for the examination and tran- scription of Irish scholars. It was the property of the late O'Connor Don, who gave it in trust to the Academicians, for the aforesaid purpose. See Irish version of the Historice Britonum of Nennius, for the fore- going and subsequent particulars. Editor's
" "Natus est hie Sanctus circa sxculi
—See Dr. Todd's note (r), p. 1S6, in the Irish version
margin of the Book of Ballymote.
vii. to Appendix, pp. 178
•'
of the
5 This valuable Manuscript had been
Preface, pp. vi. ,
193. Additional Notes, No. xxii. , pp. ci. to cxi.
Historise Britonum. "
^ Nennius.
March 28. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
983
corrected, also, from annotations, by the Editors of Nennius' Irish version. St. Cairnach was born, in the county of Louth, about the middle of the fifth century. " His father was named Sarran, and he is said " to have acquired dominion, over the Picts and Saxons. If such be the case, however, his sovereignty must date at a period, somewhat subsequent to the Saxon invasion,a. d. 449; althoughthelegendgivesanaccountofhisconquestsin Britain, as occurring first in order. According to the Genesises of Irish Saints, Sarran was son to Colchuo, Coelchu, or Colgan, son to Tuathal, son to Fedhhm,^4 son to Fiachra Cassan, the son of CoUa da Crioch. 's Besides our saint, Saran is said to have been the father of a St. Ronan, and of a St. Becan, or Brecan. Loam '^ was made first King of Scotland, a. d. 503,^7 and he is said to have reigned, for the duration of ten years. *^ He had two daughters, named respectively, Ere, and Pompa,'? or Babona. '° To his
King of Erin, Fearadhach, Tighearnach and Maian. A supposition has been made, that Ere had been only betrothed to Sarran, and that the marriage
ceremony had never taken place between them. This, however, is improbable, for the reason, that she was afterwards obliged to perform a severe public
penance.
living many years, in humble subjection and in practising a penitential life, he succeeded Dubdaboren,5 in the government of that monastery. To the office ofAbbothewasadvanced,abouttheyear735. Afterwards,hewasassumed to the exercise of episcopal functions ; he being, as is supposed, the first
Bishop of Fore ; for, we do not read, that any of his predecessors, in the
had
eternal felicity,^ on the 27th of March. He died, on that day, in the year 745 ;9 and, during this very same year, Fore was burned. '" The Annals of Ulsterplacehisdeath,ata. d. 749. Hemusthaveattainedaveryadvanced age, were we to credit the statement, of his having been in early life, a disciple, under St. Fechin. His name is found, in the Martyrology of
such a title. "^
nald 7 Murchadh, King of Ireland, our saint was called to the enjoyment of
monastery,
previously enjoyed
During
land, in the year 740, and he reigned to ji. d. 782, —a period of forty-two years, —
according to Keating. But, following the
"Annals of the Four Masters," Domhnall Article hi. —'See "Acta Sanctorum commenced his reign, a. d. 739, and he
Hiberniae," xxvii. Martii. De S. Suarlii, died, in the year 758.
^ "The ofChrist, Theseventh p. 772. age 745.
79 Published by O'Sullevan Beare.
*'° See "Apologia pro Hibemia," cap. ii. , p. 15, and cap. iv. , p. 37.
•' See p. 87.
'See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , Martii xxvii. Among the pretermitted saints, p. 686.
3 His feast occurs, at the 20th of January.
In Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 276, 277, the death of St. Feichin, of Fobhar, or Fore, is recorded, as having occurred, on the 14th of Februajy, 664.
5 Tlie death of this abbot is thus entered,
year of Domhnall. St. Suairleach, Bishop of —Fobhar [Fore], died on the 21st of March. " Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four
Masters," vol. i. , pp. 34S, 349.
» See Rev. A. Cogan's "Diocese of
Meath, Ancient and Modem," vol. iii. , chap. Ixxiv. , n. p. 562. In the First Volume of this work, the day of his death,
through mistake, is entered, at the 2ist of March. See chap, x. , p. 67.
'* The same fate befel it, A. D. 812,
at the
year 735
:
"
Dubhdabhoireann,
Abbot of Fobhar [Fore], died. "
O'Donovan's" Annals of the Four Masters,"
vol. i. , pp. 336, 337.
*
Most of the superiors here are called Abbots. However, his successor St. Aed- genius is said to have been Bishop of Fore, lor some years, and to have died, A. D. 766.
1 This monarch Domnald, or Daniel, son of Murrough, ascended the throne of Ire*
and 1169. Yet, notwithstanding these repeated bum- ings, the bell of St. Fechin, a religious relic, was preserved. This, v? ith other relics, in presence of the Abbot of Fore, and certain ecclesiastics, was a surety and guarantee of peace between Turlagh O'Connor, King of
Connaught, and Murrough O'Melaghlin, King of Meath, in A. D. 1 143.
—
Dr.
817,970, 1095, III2, I114, I167
the of Dom- reign
March 27. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 979
Tallagh," at the 27th of March, as Suairleach, Bishop. Marianus O'Gorman and Cathal Maguire, Ukewise, record him, as Bishop of Fore, at this day. Under the head of Fobhar, Duald Mac Firbis enters, Suairlech, bishop of Fobhar,rested,a. d. 745,March27th. " TheMartyrologyofDonegal'3has entered, likewise, on this day, Suairlech, Bishop of Tobhar.
Article IV. —St. Fintan or Fionntain, denominated, Mouth of
THE Psalms. ^Supposed to be of the Sixth or Sevetith Century. '] In the
Martyrology of Tallagh,^ the name is set down, as Fintan os Psalmorum, at the 27th of March. Marianus O'Gorman calls him Bel na Salm, Latinized,
by Colgan, Os Psalmorum, or Psalmicanus. Our Irish Hagiographist,* who has a iQw particular observations regarding him, at this date, conjectures, that this holy man may be identical with St. Fintan, surnamed Corach,3 whoseFeastandActsoccur,atthe21stofFebruary. * Ifso,heflourished towards the close of the sixth, and at the beginning of the seventh, century. The Bollandistss have noted our saint, at the 27th of March. Among
various holy persons, bearing a like name, one denominated Fionntain, i. e. Mouth of the Psalms, we have recorded, in the Martyrologies of Cathal Maguire and of Donegal,^ as having been venerated, on this day.
Article V. —St. Mochonna, of Magh-eo, now Mayo, County of
^hasa atthe thof
record, 27 March,
Mayo. The of Martyrology
Tallagh
commemorating Mochonna Maighi Eo, or of Mayo. The Bollandists ^ enter
his feast, in like manner, Mochonna de Mag-eo. An allusion is made to him, by Colgan, but only as one of many Irish saints, bearing such a name, when
endeavouring to account for the identity of Conan, a smith, or an artificer, whom St. Patrick placed over a church, at Dromat. 3 Apparently without warrant, and in his Hst of supposed Regular Canons at Mayo, Archdall* places St. Mochonna, between the Abbot St. Muredach, who died a. d. 726, and St. Aidan, Bishop, who departed, a. d. 768. We read, on this day, in theMartyrologyofDonegal,5thenameMochonna,ofMagh-eo. Whenhe flourished does not seem to be known.
Article VI. —St. Siollan. A saint, bearing the name, SiolUn, is mentioned, in the Martyrology of Donegal,^ on this day, as having veneration
" Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xix. The Franciscan copy has SuA^vLeAcVi eApi.
s See "Acta Sanctorum," toraus iii. ,
" bee "
Academy," Series, i,, pp. io8, 109.
Martii xxvii.
686.
saints, p.
* Edited
Among the pretermitted Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
Proceedings Irish MSS.
Royal vol.
by
'3 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
88, 89. —
Article iv. ' Edited by Rev. Dr.
Kelly, p. xix. The Franciscan copy has pncAti Of pfAl. Tno]\um.
*
See (Jolgan's ''Acta Sanctorum Hiber- nise," Manii xxvii. De S. Fintauo Psalmi- cano, p. 771.
3 We are told, by Colgan, that this Irish
word has an equivocal signification : some- times it means "voluble," and sometimes
88, 89.
Article v. —'Edited by Rev. Dr.
Kelly, p. xix. The Franciscan copy has moconne tnAige eo.
'See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , Martii xxvii. Among the pretermitted saints, p. 686.
3 See "Trias Thaumaturga," Septima
Vita S. Patricii, pars, ii. , cap. Ivi. , p. 137,
and n. 115, p. 178.
"given to psalms," or "canticles," "a "
505.
s Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
88, 89.
Article vi. —' Edited by Drs. Todd
and Reeves, pp. 88, 89.
'"
Sec Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. .
psalmodist," or a psalm-singer. "
of the
Irish i. , part
" Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
< See
nise," xvi. Februarii. De S. Fintano Abbate ct Episcopo Cluainfertensi, p. 385.
Colgan's
* See
"
Monasticon Hibemicum," p.
980 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 27.
paid to him. The Bollandists ' have a passing notice, at this date, with an indefinite allusion to a St.
Sillan, mentioned in the Acts of St. Berach,3 as
furnished by Colgan. *
ArticleVII. —ArrivalofSt. Sellan'sRelics. Wefindmentioned,
in the Martyrology of Tallagh,^ at this date, March 27th, Adventus Reliqiiia- rum Sellani, or the Arrival of St. Sellan's Relics. Who this holy man was, we cannot ascertain ; nor can we find, with what place he had been con- nected; norisitpermittedustostate,theoccasion,thelocality,ortheyear, referringtothistranslationofhisrelics. Itisprobable,however,thepresent festival is not different, from that commemorated in the Martyrology of Donegal, at this day, where the simple name, Siollan, is recorded. This appears to have been the opinion of the Bollandists,^ likewise, when alluding to the notices, contained in our Irish Calendars, at the present date.
Article VIII. —St. Archibaldus, Abbot and Confessor, in Anglia.
On the authority of the English Martyrology,^ at the 27th of March, we find St. Archibaldus, Abbot, entered in Henry Fitzsimon's Calendar of Irish
Saints. In the anonymous list, published by O'Sullevan Beare,^ at the same day,wemeetwiththesimplenameArchibaldus. Sofaraswecanglean,
he is the Abbot and Confessor, in Anglia, and referred to by Galesinius, as hefoundhim,insomeManuscriptaccount. Wionsupposeshimtohavebeen the same as Erenwaldus,3 who was consecrated a Bishop of London, after he had been an Abbot. Camerarius makes Archibaldus a Scottish saint, and asserts, that he was Abbot of Carnaminensis ; but, the Bollandists,* who record these statements, at the 27th of March, wish to have more light thrown on such obscure matters.
Article IX. —Feast of the Re-collection of St. Wasnulph's Relics. TheNatalisandActsofSt. Wasnulpharetobefoundnoticed,at the ist of October. The Translation of his relics, at the loth of January, and on this day, the feast of the Re-collection of his Relics, are recorded.
Article X. —The Festival Day of Our Divine I^ord's Resurrec-
tion. In the ancient Irish Church, the Festival of Our Divine Lord's
Resurrection was observed, on the 27th of Marcli, as we have it recorded, in
""' the Feilire
of St. . ^ngus. This accords, also, with the accounts, con .
Martii xxvii.
Among the pretermitted
Compendium," tomus i. , lib. iv. , cap. xi. , p. 50, and cap. xii. , p. 52.
^ The Bollandists promised to treat of him, at the 30th of April.
saints, p. 686.
3 His Life occurs, at the l6th of Feb-
ruary.
* See "Acta Sanctorum Ilibernia:,"
* See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus Febraarii xvi. Vita Secunda S. Berachi, jMartii xxvii. Among the pretermitted
cap. vii. , p. 345, and n. 6, p. 348. Article vii. —• Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xix. The Franciscan copy has, in like manner, at this date, ^•ouencuf ^eli-
<juiA]\um SittAin. '"
saints, p. 686. — Article x.
"
English translation, h—ave been furnished by
See Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. ,
Martii xxvii.
saints, p. 686. Article viii.
Among the pretermitted
John Wilson's compilation.
—
'
The Second Edition of
'"
See liistoriae Catholicte Ibemice
from the "Leabhar Breac
copy, and its
Professor O'Looney
b. ui, kl. hi fex kAlAitit) 4pj\eil \&. \^ cudflucA-o AnniAn
<if^er\Ach ]-cel •De|\Tn4p Ifu ad]\u cliAlniAn.
'
The following extract
:
iii. ,
March 28. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 981
tained in very ancient Martyrologies and ^vritings, as may be seen, by con- sulting the Bollandists. 2
Article XL—St. Cuniald, and St. Gisilarius, or Gillisanus, Com- panions OF St. Rupert. At this date, Andrew Saussay sets down the
Festival of these holy persons, classed by Colgan among the Irish saints,' and said to have been the colleagues of St. Rupert, Bishop of Saltzburgh. The Bollandists omit their festival, at this day. However, it is acknowledged, that their chief feast was celebrated, on the 24th of September, which is that of tlie Translation of their relics. Further notices will be found, at that date, in reference to those holy men.
Article XII. —St. Gumbert, or Gundibert, a French Martyr, in Ireland. Weareinformed,byColgan,'thatEmmawasthemotherofthis holy martyr, and of his brother, St. Xiuard. However, there seems no warrant, for Colgan placing his festival, at the present date ; whereas, the second edition of the Rheims Breviary enters it, at the 29th of J^Iay. ^ It would appear, that Gumbert had entered into the holy state of ]Matrimony with Berta, and had lived with her many years, while the spouses preserved an inviolable chastity, after the example given by many other persons of their age and country. Such account is taken from the Breviary of Rheims. ^ In France, this holy man had erected two convents for pious women. One of these was near the gate of the city of Rheims :+ while the other was erected, on his own property (Auennacensis), for his wife Berta, and this was after- wards endowed with the goods of pious men, while Queen Irmentrude was a great benefactress. To promote God's glory, and through a religious motive, GumbertwenttoIreland,andtothatpart,occupiedbytheScoti. Hebuilt
amonasterythere,andwhileprayinginit, hewasmartyredbybarbarians. His relics seem to have reached France, and to have been deposited, in the convent chapel of his wife Berta. There, his intercession was invoked, through subsequent ages, while miracles bore testimony to his sanctity.
&^z\\tV''m\)i\) Saj) of iBard)*
ARTICLE I. —ST. CAI RNECII , BISIT OV.
[F/F7V/ A. YD 67X77/ C7wV7r7^7£S. ]
WE can hardly be said to possess very authentic memorials, regarding this man has us a short Life, compiled
holy
" On the sixth of the Kalends of
April,
After the redemption of souls, Then rose— a wonderful news- - Jesus from the womb of ihc
earth. "
'See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , Martii xxvii. Sancta Memoria Jesv Christi
;
although Colgan given
Resurgentis, p. 6—87.
Article xi. 'See "Acta Sanctorum St. Gumbertus
is the name
given,
in his
Iliherni. c," Marlii xxvii. De SS. Cunialdo
el Ciisilario sive Gillisano, \>. 771.
Articlk xii. —'See "Acta Sanctorum lliDernia:," Martii xxvii. S. Gunil)erti sive
Guiulibcrti Martyris . Mcmoria, p. 771.
-
At this date, Colgan promised to say more regarding him, as al^o at the 29th of April, the dale for his Natalis, according to Eerrarius, Menard, and other writers.
3 in the fust edition, printed A. D. l6oo,
982 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 28.
fromafewrecords,whichcametohishands. However,itwouldappear, from a statement he has made, that the Acts of St. Cairnech were either lost, or that they had not come into his possession. We are informed, that he was anciently held, in very great veneration, throughout Ireland. So far as we shall be able to disentangle the probable events of St. Cairnech's life, from clouds of fable with which they are surrounded, it will only be necessary to remark, that little more can be known about him, than what mere conjec- ture furnishes ; unless, as may probably be the case, some hitherto unpub- lished Manuscript should be discovered, and brought to light, which may supply the defective materials we can now procure. We are told, by a well- known Irish writer,^ that as it concerns his etymon, Cairneach continued to signify a priest, even in the Christian times, from the practice of the druids officiatingattheCairns. Yet,itseemsdoubtfulenough,thatsuchaderiva-
tion throws any light on the etymology of our saint's name. The following accounts, relating to St. Cairnech and his relatives, and which have been lately rendered accessible to the public, are contained in an Appendix, to the Irish Version of Nennius' Historia Britonwn,^ ably edited by Dr. James Henthorn Todd, and by the Hon. Algernon Herbert. 3 The legend of St. Cairnech's miracles < is found in the Book of Ballymote. s Likewise, it occurs, as an interpolation, in Nennius' History of the Britons. ^ The legend itself is supposed to have been composed,7 subsequently to the close of the eleventh century ; and, perhaps, at a much later period. The author is un- known. An extract, from a Manuscript of Mac Firbis,^ throws some light on Cairnech's relatives, Muredhach Mac Eogan, and his wife Ere, who was maternal aunt to our saint. The history of these latter persons receives still farther elucidation, by the publication of a poem,9 extracted from a Manu- scriptvolumeofBardicverses. '" Fromthesesources,andfromthefewmeagre notices left us, by Colgan, we are enabled to give the following account,
Office ; and, it is set down, with an Octave, but the date for his feast is not noted.
written in the fourteenth century, and it is
now preserved, in the Royal Irish Aca-
demy's Library.
* It is inserted, before an account, which
The Breviary of Rheims adds: "cujus restat Aula, Sacellum, et Capella, S. Patri- cii multis orna—ta miraculis. "
he gives of the English Saxon Conquest, Article i. See Toland's History of and after the desertion of Britain, by the
'
This work was published, by the Irish
'"
the Druids," p. 105. He adds in note (24), on this passage : "This is the true origin of
the word Cairneach, as signifying a Priest ; but not derived, as men ignorant of antiquity fancy, from Coroineaeh, alluding to the crown-formed tonsure of the monks, not near so old as this word. "
Romans.
' It is probably quoted, by Dudley Mac Firbis, whose MS. was in the possession of Earl Roden ; but, whether " the old book," from which this antiquary quotes, be the Book of Ballymote, or some other book, containing similar matter, we cannot now decide, with any degree of accuracy.
Archaeological Society. Dublin, 1848.
3 A translation of the Irish version and notes by the former, and an Introduction and additional notes by the latter, manifest acquaintance with the sources of Irish his- tory, and an impartiality of investigation, highly creditable to the industry and ability
of both these gentlemen.
* It is probably a pure fiction, like many other things in this **fabula perquam futi-
It is published, in the Irish version of
lis," Sgeb goiiApjech gAn x>&c\\ piMnne, as it is truly called, in a note, containing the handwriting of old Charles O'Conor, on the
» It commences, with these words, "Enna the pupil of haixiy Cairbre," as translated from the Irish,
'°
This was preserved, in the Royal Irish Academy, for the examination and tran- scription of Irish scholars. It was the property of the late O'Connor Don, who gave it in trust to the Academicians, for the aforesaid purpose. See Irish version of the Historice Britonum of Nennius, for the fore- going and subsequent particulars. Editor's
" "Natus est hie Sanctus circa sxculi
—See Dr. Todd's note (r), p. 1S6, in the Irish version
margin of the Book of Ballymote.
vii. to Appendix, pp. 178
•'
of the
5 This valuable Manuscript had been
Preface, pp. vi. ,
193. Additional Notes, No. xxii. , pp. ci. to cxi.
Historise Britonum. "
^ Nennius.
March 28. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
983
corrected, also, from annotations, by the Editors of Nennius' Irish version. St. Cairnach was born, in the county of Louth, about the middle of the fifth century. " His father was named Sarran, and he is said " to have acquired dominion, over the Picts and Saxons. If such be the case, however, his sovereignty must date at a period, somewhat subsequent to the Saxon invasion,a. d. 449; althoughthelegendgivesanaccountofhisconquestsin Britain, as occurring first in order. According to the Genesises of Irish Saints, Sarran was son to Colchuo, Coelchu, or Colgan, son to Tuathal, son to Fedhhm,^4 son to Fiachra Cassan, the son of CoUa da Crioch. 's Besides our saint, Saran is said to have been the father of a St. Ronan, and of a St. Becan, or Brecan. Loam '^ was made first King of Scotland, a. d. 503,^7 and he is said to have reigned, for the duration of ten years. *^ He had two daughters, named respectively, Ere, and Pompa,'? or Babona. '° To his
King of Erin, Fearadhach, Tighearnach and Maian. A supposition has been made, that Ere had been only betrothed to Sarran, and that the marriage
ceremony had never taken place between them. This, however, is improbable, for the reason, that she was afterwards obliged to perform a severe public
penance.
