'* The BoUandists 5 style him
Vachonna
^ Episcopus, at this date.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v5
*''' In the Martyrology of Donegal, at this same day, he is commemorated, as Cohnan, son of Ua Laoighse,*"?
of Tulach-mic-Comghaill, in Druimne Togha, i.
e.
, Nua Congbail, in Laoighis of Leinster.
There he led a holy life, and passed away to taste the waters of eternal life.
Article V. St. Saran, of Inis-mor, or the " Great Island," in Ui-Mac-Caille, or Imokilly, in Ui-Liathain, County of Cork. As a learned hagiographist has well observed, if a calendar be an abridgment of ecclesiastical history in general, where exhibiting local peculiarities, it sums up the results of the most remarkable Christian fruits in that country to which it belongs. ' An illustrative record is found, in the Martyrology of Tallagh,^ at the 15th of May, relating to Saran mac Airechtair, of Inis-moir, in h. mac Caille. 3 We have already seen, in previous notices, regarding St. Dubhlitir, that the present saint's name and feast had been entered likewise in the Felire . Unguis j4 and hence, we may very fairly conclude, that he lived during, or previous to, the eighth century. A festival was celebrated on this day, according to the Martyrology of Donegal,5 in honour of Saran, son to Archur, of Inis-mor, in Ui-Mac Caille,^ in Ui Liathain. 7 This latter was a large dis- trict, in the county of Cork. Formerly it included Castle Lyons, and the GreatIsland,nearCork. ^ Itseemsprettycertain,thatSt. Saranlivedonthe latter—at the entrance to Cork harbour—where probably he died and had
yet, we seek in vain, on the large Ordnance Survey Maps of this Island, for any local denomination, with which he might possibly be identified. From the facts, recorded in our Annals, that Castle Lyons, or Caislean Ui Liathain, and Great Island, in olden times known as Oilean Mor Arda Neimhidh,^ were in the ancient territory of Ui Liathain, we can form a good idea of its position and even extent. '" After the Anglo-Norman invasion,
Adamnan's Life of St. Columba. Louvain, thence to Rome, and at present it ^* See Colgan's " Trias Thaumaturga," is preserved in the Franciscan Library,
Quarta Vita S. Columbas, lib. iii. , n. 15, p. 386.
^' Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
p. ix.
= Edited by the Rev. Dr. Kelly, p.
xxiv.
3 The Franciscan copy reads : SA1^A111
mAc -dmeAchAiix . 1. 6 inif moi^ m 1i. niAC CAitie La h. tiAchAn.
Dublin.
s Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
128, 129.
* Imokilly, in its more Anglicized spell-
ing.
? This tribe derived its name and origin
from Eochaidh Liathanach, son to Daire Cearba. After the introduction of surnames, the chief familiesof this tribe were O'Liathain andO'h-Anmchada. Their territory was as- signed to Robert Fitzstephen, who granted it to Philip de Barry, soon after the Anglo- Norman invasion. In the eighth year of King John's reign, it was confirmed by his
128, 129. — Article v.
' See "Kalendars of Scot- tish Saints, with personal notices of those of Alba, Laud onia and Strathclyde," &c. By Alexander Penrose Forbes, D. C. L. Preface,
*The following commentary is found charter to William, son and heir of Philip de
affixed to the entry, in a copy of this Festi- logy, at present in the Franciscan Convent, Dublin. " Sarain mac Airechair 6 inis moir in h. mac Caille la h. Liathan. " This latter commentary and identification—as thought byCathald Maguir—of the saint, is added to the simple mention of his name by St. ^ngus, and the scholia are in small Irish characters interlined, according to that valuable MS. intituled " Martyrologium Cathaldi Maguir, sive /Engussius Auctus. " It formerly belonged to the convent of Done- gal. Afterwards, it had been carried to
Barry. See Dr. O'Donovan's " Leabhar na-g Ceart, or Book of Rights," n. (s), pp. "jz, 73.
^ See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , n. (e), p. II, and n. (n), p. 15.
»" The Great Island of Nennid Hill," so called, it is said, from Nennid, the leader of the second colony into Ireland. See " Ex- tracts containing Information relative to the Antiquities of the County Cork, collected during the Progress of the Ordnance Survey in 1839-40," vol. ii. , note, p. 401, R. I. A.
—
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 15.
the Great Island, included in the present Barony of Barrymore, seems to have
been exchided from the old district and present Barony of Imokilly. " There
is a townland Dromsarane, within or near Kilbree Demesne, in the parish of
Ballyoughtera, and Barony of Imokilly; but, no trace of an ancient ruin can
there be found on the Ordnance Survey Map. " At this day, too, the BoUan-
dists have relegated St. Saran, among their saints, passed over or left for no-
tice in another place, after stating whatever the Martyrology of Tallagh has
related in reference to him. They remark, likewise, that the name of Saran
often occurs in that record, but whether applicable to one and the same
person was to them unknown. '5 Although we have references to different
Sarans, whose deaths are found mentioned, and at various dates, in our
Annals yet, we fail even in supposing, that the present holy personage can ;
be identified with any of them, since his locality, as particularized in our calen- dars, has no apparent connexion with those places where they lived.
Article VI, St. Coluim, or Colum, of Loch-Inis-Cre, now MoNAHiNCHA, CouNTY OF TiPPERAKY. We find an entry of this saint, in the Martyrology of Tallagh/ at the 15th of Ma}', as Colum Insi Locha Cre. ^ The Bollandists quote the same authority and date, for his festival. 3 Here St. Cronan,'' Patron of Roscrea, originally founded a house, for his monks, in a very retired situation. That spot is now known as Monahincha, so called,becausetheruinsofanancientclnirch5 thereareinsulatedinthemidst of a bog. This townland is situated in the parish of Corbally, barony of Ikerrin, and county of Tipperary. Some beautiful specimens of olden Irish architecture are yet remaining at that place. ^ The old religious estab- lishment there was situated, almost in the centre of the great bog of Monela, and about three miles south-east from Roscrea. We are told, that it was originally an abbey of Culdean monks, living under the invocation of St. Columba, whose festival was formerly celebrated there. ? It seems probable, however, that the present Colum was the saint, who was thus specially vene- rated, in this place, where he practised the austerities of monastic life. The fame his island monastery had acquired brought innumerable pilgrims from the most remote parts to expiate their sins, at the altar of St. Columba. This
384
»" We may fairly infer, that three cantreds
confirmeclby Kingjohn, namely—"Olethan,
Muscheiie-Uunegan and Killede " are in-
eluded in tlie baronies of Barrymore, Kina- seu de insula Lacus-cre. '"Acta Sancto-
talloon and Imokilly, in the county of Cork,
and of Coshmore and Coshbride, in the
county of Waterford. Dr. O'Donovan seems
rathertocircumscribethe ancient limitsofUi this work, at the 28th of April, Art i. ,
Liathain in his edition of " The Topogiai^hi- cal Poems of John O'Dubhagain and Ciolla na Naomh O'Huidhrin. " See n. (549), p. Ixiv.
chap. ii.
5 Archdall supposes a wooden church had
here preceded the present beautiful stone structure, now in ruins. See " Monasticon Hibernicum," p. 668.
" See a very interesting account of these
Baronies in Smith's "Ancient and Present
State of the County and City of Cork," vol. Four Masters," vol. i. , n. (t), pp. 412, i. , Book ii. , chap, i. , pp. 99 to 149, and 413.
chap, ii. , pp. 154 to 166.
" See the "Ordnance Survey Townland
Maps for the County of Cork," sheet 77.
'^ . See the introductory Catalogue, in their
' With an inaccuracy, too frequently per- niitted, and without proper reference, Arch- dall says, on the 1 51 h of June. It is likely, however, he refers to the present saint, whose
"Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , xv. Maii, festival occurs, at the I5ih of May. See
p. 440.
Article vi. — '
Kelly, p. xxiv.
Edited by Rev. Dr.
"Monasticon Hibernicum," p. 667. Or, perhaps, he mistook this saint, for a Colman, venerated on the 15th of June.
* The Franciscan copy enters Coiumb inp LocVia C|\e.
3 Thus "Columba de Inis Locha-cre, :—
rum," tomus iii. , Mali xv. Among the pre- termitted saints, p. 440.
* See his Life, in the Fourth Volume of
'See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the
^ See Archdall's " Monasticon Hiberni- cum," p. 668.
9 See Sir James Ware's " De Hibernia et Antiquitatibus ejus Disquisitiones," cap. xxvi. , p. 206.
'° Within the beautiful demesne of Count O'Byrne, and not far from Monahincha.
" In an Inquisition, taken a. d. 1568.
'^ There is a curious flag limestone tomb, lying level with the ground, and between the transepts. It is about 6 feet, in length, by 2, in width : while it has an elegantly carved and raised cross on its surface, with a cir- cularly raised band surrounding its upper arms. There is a short pedestal beneath, and raised edges around the sides of this tomb. It contains no inscription, at present but, probably, it belongs to the grave of some ecclesiastic.
'3 Among these, the rectory of Kyle- colman is mentioned.
transepts. In each end of the cross were beautiful windows. On the southern trans- sept may be seen a beautifully turned arch, spanning the wall from the side of the nave, to the side of the choir : while, on the oppo- site northern transept, there was probably
Vol. V. —No, 7.
—;
May 15. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
celebrity, it is thought, enabled the monks to improve architecturally their abbeyanditschurch. ^ Allthesurroundingpartswereasoftmorass,inthe middle or towards the close of the last century, and the island was scarcely accessible to human feet. However, the salubrity and supernatural attributes of the isle were not so great, as to prevent the inmates from removing to the mainland. Thepriorandhisconventualbrethrenestablishedthemselvesat Corbally,9 where some ruins are yet seen. '° In the sixteenth century, a con- vent of Canons Regular of the Blessed Virgin Mary and a Prior were found living here," while tlieir church was that of the priory and parish. '^ They had considerable landed possessions and houses, with some rectories, '3 and theirproceeds,whichwereclaimedforthisconvent. ' IntheTwenty-eighth year of Queen Elizabeth's reign, Monahincha and Corbally were granted to Sir Lucas Dillon. 'S At present, a good wall srrrounds the cemetery. But, apparently, the latter, at one time, extended beyond this modern wall, and, on its outside, the ground slopes considerably below its foundations. Finely
grown trees shelter the ruins, both within and without the graveyard. '^ Coluim, of Loch-Inis-Cre, is mentioned, likewise, in the Martyrology of Done- gal, '7 as having a festival on this day.
Article VII. St. Dachonna, Bishop of Connor, County of Antrim. TheMartyrologyofDonegal' recordsatthisday,ashavingvene- rationpaidhim,Dachonna,Bishop,ofCondeire,orConnor. Hebelonged to the race of Eoghan, son of Niall. It is altogether probable, this is the same saint, as he called Mochonna, entered at the 15th of May, in the Ap- pendix to the Introduction of the Donegal Martyrology. ^ This saint is called the Pious, and his death is recorded to have occurred on the 15th of May, A. D. 725,3 or A. D. 726.
'* The BoUandists 5 style him Vachonna ^ Episcopus, at this date.
an arch precisely similar, but which has now disappeared. In the south side wall of the nave was the entrance door, of finely jointed masonry, and yet perfect, with an elegantly turned semi-circular chiselled stone heading. The ruins are draped with masses of ivy, and the walls are over three feet in thick- ness. The earth within the ruins is con- siderably elevated, owing to tiie fallen debris, or frequency of interments,
'^ See Archdall's "Monasticon Iliberni- cum," pp. 668, 669.
"" The foregoing description is furnished from notes, taken on the spot, in May, 1870.
'^ Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 128, 129.
Article vii. —' Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 126, 127.
See tllochonriA, at p. xlvii.
3 See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 322, 323.
" See Rev. William Reeves' " Ecclesiasti- yard, and the church is in tolerably good cal Antiquities of Down, Connor and Dro- preservation. It consists of nave, choir, and more," Appendix T, p. 240, and Appendix
'• The present ruins of Corbally are situated, within a much frequented grave-
LL, p. 378.
5 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , Mail
xv. Among the pretermitted saints, p. 440.
*" A typographical error has here been ad- mitted for Dachonna.
i b
385
Article ix. — ' Kelly, p. xxiv.
Edited
by Rev.
Dr.
—
386 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 15.
Article VIII. —St. Columba, Son of Faelghus. The name. Colum mac Faolgasa, is entered in the Martyrology of Tallagh,' at the 15th of May. " Owing to the patronymic, it is easy to pronounce him a different person from St. Columban, or Cohiian Mac Ua Laoighse. According to the Martyrology of Donegal,3 likewise, Columba, son of Faelghus, was venerated on this day. The Bollandists4 have Columba filius Faelgusii, at the same date.
Article IX. St. Comman, Son of Dioma, of Aricul. This saint is simply entered as Comman Mac Dimmae, in the Martyrology of Tallagh,' at the 15th ofMay. ^* The Bollandistss have a similar entry. We read, in the Martyrology of Donegal that Comman, son to Dioma of Aricul, had venera- tion given him, at this date. 5 His exact locality is not known. There are many places, called Aricul, or Erigal,^ simply or compounded—especially in the northern province of Ireland. One of these, Errigal Keerogue, is a parish, inthebaronyofClogher,andcountyofTyrone. Inthetownland,socalled, there is an old church,? within a cemetery, and on a most commanding site. Nor is there a more lovely scene, in all Ireland. The cemetery is a very ancient one, and an old cross ^ yet remains. The church ruins 9 there mea- sure 50 feet, in length, by 21 feet, in width; the walls are about 4 feet, in thickness. In the county of Donegal, within the Barony of Kilmacrenan, there is a remarkable mountain, called Arrigal, which rises to 2,462 '° feet on tlie conoidal summit, and over the level of the ocean. From this elevated position, there is a glorious prospect of the adjoining coast and highland
scenery. " It can easily be ascended, from a point to the east, where its sides curve into the connected moorland elevations ;" and, around the steep sum- mit, especially, the mountain has a chalk-white appearance, contrasting strangely with the dun heath-clad steeps, which stretch along its base. '3 There is the site of an old burial-ground, '» to the south of its summit, in the
Article viii. — ' Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xxiv.
' The Franciscan copy has CoLuni m<ic
3 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 128, 129.
* See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , Mali XV. Among the pretermitted saints, p. 440.
9 There is a curious-looking and hanging stone over the ruined doorway, in one of the side walls. The people state, it will one day fall on a Mac Mahon, passing under it, and this is so much dreaded, that persons bear- ing that name, who are numerous in the neighbourhood, will by no means incur such a risk.
•° See the " Parliamentary Gazetteer of Ireland," vol. i. , p. 67, and vol. ii. , p. 33.
"See James Fraser's "Hand-Book for Travellers in Ireland," No. 174, p. 574.
= The Franciscan copy enters Common rtidc 'OimniAe.
" In comparison with Arrigal, remarks the Rev. Ccesar Otway, the hill over Powers- XV. Among the pretermitted saints, p. court is but a grocer's sugar-loaf. See
3 See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , Mali
440.
* Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves. Sec
Appendix to the Introduction, p. xlvii. , and p. 129.
s Yet, in the Franciscan copy of the Tal- lagh Martyrology, I find, at the 15th of May, CAitinech . AiyvecuiL.
* Generally held to mean, " a habitation," in a primary sense, but, also, applied to " an oratory," or to " a church. ''
' Allusion is already made to it, in this volume, at May 7th, Art. ii. There, too, an illustration of it is given.
* The extent of its arms in only 2 feet 7 inches.
" Sketches in Ireland ; descriptive of in- teresting and hitherto unnoticed Districts, in the North and South," Letter i. , p. 19, Dublin, 1827, Svo.
'3 The illustration of this remarkable mountain, here presented, is taken from a Photograph furnished by Frederick II. Mares, and drawn on the wood, by William F. Wakeman the engraving is by Mrs.
;
Millard. A Protestant church and school- house arc in the foreground.
'* It is marked, on the "Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the County of Done- gal," sheet 42.
's A lithograph illustration of Dunlewey
May 15. LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 387
townland of Dunlewy/s and east of the Lougli so called; for, the distinctive name of Errigal is not communicated to any existing townland, on or near it. That site is beside the Clady River, which flows through Dunlewy, and thence through Upper and Lower Nacung Loughs, before making its course westwardstotheAtlanticOcean. Itwouldnotbesafetoconjecture,how- ever, that this was the locality of Arrigal, as denominated, in connexion with thepresentholyman. ThemountainofAriglestandsdetached,fromallthe surrounding hills, and it is regarded as the highest in Ulster, with the single exception of Slieve Donard, in the county of Down. '^ From the summit, on a clear day, may be seen not only most distant parts of Ulster and of Connaught, but even the Paps of Jura, in Scotland. The marble of Dunluighy, which lies near, is a fine granular limestone, of a milk-white and of a pearl-grey
Arrigal Mountain, County of Donegal.
colour ; and, it may be employed in works of sculpture, being the best of its class in Ireland, its texture and whiteness more nearly approaching Parian than Carara marble. '7 There is an extensive parish, called Errigal ''^ or Arrigle, in the baroy of Coleraine, and county of Londonderry, where St. Columkille is said to have founded a monastery, in 589 ; but, which was destroyed by the Danes, in the ninth century. '^ There is another parisii, known as Errigal Trough, and situated, partly in the barony of Clogher,
House, just over the Lough so named, may be seen, in " Useful Hints to Donegal Tourists ; with a Brief Notice of Rathlin Island. Being the Third Part of Lord George Hill's Facts from Gwedore, " p. 27.
'* Foiif miles from the foot of Arigle, towardsthewest,standstheGweedoreHotel. See ibid. t p. 29.
'7 Such is the description of Sir Charles Giesecke, in his Report to the Dublin Society. See his " lour in Donegal. "
•^ It is shown, on the " Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the County of London- derry," sheets 10, 11, 17, 18, 25, 26, 31, 32-
,
'9 SeeLewis "TopographicalDictionary
of Ireland," vol. i. , pp. 608, 609.
^ See ibid. , pp. 609, 610.
3 gee some account of them, in the Bollan- dists' "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , Maii xv. De S. Timotheo et vii Virginibus Martyribus Sirmii in Pannonia, pp. 455, 456.
Article X. —'
——
388 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 15,
county of Tyrone, but mostly in the barony of Trough, and in the county of Monaghan. =°
Article X. St. Muiredhach Ua Dubhthaigh. It is mentioned in tlie Martyrology of Donegal,' that Muiredhach Ua Dubhthaigh had a festival on this day. ^ His place and period are not further noticed.
Article XI. St. Muredach, Son of Nessan. This saint was one of the seven sainted sons of Nessan. ' There appears to have been a doubt, as to whether his festival was celebrated, on this day, or at the 12th of August. '^
Article XII. St. Timothy, Martyr at Sirmium, Pannonia. In the Feilire of St. ^ngus, at the 15th of May, allusion is made to the feast of St. Timothy. ' Itseemsprettycertain,thathewastheMartyrofSirmium,^ in Pannonia, whose name occurs at this date, and who is commemorated in several ancient calendars ; while he is associated, likewise, with seven Virgins and Martyrs. 3
Article XIII. Reputed Festival of Caineoc, Virgin. In the Royal Irish Academy Calendar of Irish Saints,' at the 15th of May, we find the insertion of Caineoc,^ Virgin, of Berson ; but, we are unable to throw further light on this entry. 3 As we have already noticed, in the Franciscan copy of the Tallagh Martyrology, there is a Cainnech of Airecuil* mentioned,
at the same date,5 and this may be referable to the foregoing notice. In the published copy of the Martyrology of Donegal,^ her name is written simply as Cainneoc, without any further designation.
Article XIV. St. Chromanus, or Chronanus, Priest and Con- fessor, OF Mernia, Scotland. \Tenth Century. '] A festival to St.
Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 128, 129.
'^ After the entry of his name, in the table superadded to it, these words occur within brackets [Pe/ai^ius Jl/ariamts. ] See iiu'd. , pp. 456, 457. —
Artici-E XI. ' The reader is referred to notices of these saints, to be found at the 15th of March, in the Third Volume of this work, Art. i.
' " S. Muredaci 15. May, vcl 12. August. " —Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hil^ernice,'' XV. Martii. Acta SS. Dichulli, Munissce ct Neslugii, Fratruum, p. 609, n. 9.
Article xiii. —' See " Common Place Book F," formerly belonging to the Irish Ordnance Survey,
Article xii.
Article V. St. Saran, of Inis-mor, or the " Great Island," in Ui-Mac-Caille, or Imokilly, in Ui-Liathain, County of Cork. As a learned hagiographist has well observed, if a calendar be an abridgment of ecclesiastical history in general, where exhibiting local peculiarities, it sums up the results of the most remarkable Christian fruits in that country to which it belongs. ' An illustrative record is found, in the Martyrology of Tallagh,^ at the 15th of May, relating to Saran mac Airechtair, of Inis-moir, in h. mac Caille. 3 We have already seen, in previous notices, regarding St. Dubhlitir, that the present saint's name and feast had been entered likewise in the Felire . Unguis j4 and hence, we may very fairly conclude, that he lived during, or previous to, the eighth century. A festival was celebrated on this day, according to the Martyrology of Donegal,5 in honour of Saran, son to Archur, of Inis-mor, in Ui-Mac Caille,^ in Ui Liathain. 7 This latter was a large dis- trict, in the county of Cork. Formerly it included Castle Lyons, and the GreatIsland,nearCork. ^ Itseemsprettycertain,thatSt. Saranlivedonthe latter—at the entrance to Cork harbour—where probably he died and had
yet, we seek in vain, on the large Ordnance Survey Maps of this Island, for any local denomination, with which he might possibly be identified. From the facts, recorded in our Annals, that Castle Lyons, or Caislean Ui Liathain, and Great Island, in olden times known as Oilean Mor Arda Neimhidh,^ were in the ancient territory of Ui Liathain, we can form a good idea of its position and even extent. '" After the Anglo-Norman invasion,
Adamnan's Life of St. Columba. Louvain, thence to Rome, and at present it ^* See Colgan's " Trias Thaumaturga," is preserved in the Franciscan Library,
Quarta Vita S. Columbas, lib. iii. , n. 15, p. 386.
^' Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
p. ix.
= Edited by the Rev. Dr. Kelly, p.
xxiv.
3 The Franciscan copy reads : SA1^A111
mAc -dmeAchAiix . 1. 6 inif moi^ m 1i. niAC CAitie La h. tiAchAn.
Dublin.
s Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
128, 129.
* Imokilly, in its more Anglicized spell-
ing.
? This tribe derived its name and origin
from Eochaidh Liathanach, son to Daire Cearba. After the introduction of surnames, the chief familiesof this tribe were O'Liathain andO'h-Anmchada. Their territory was as- signed to Robert Fitzstephen, who granted it to Philip de Barry, soon after the Anglo- Norman invasion. In the eighth year of King John's reign, it was confirmed by his
128, 129. — Article v.
' See "Kalendars of Scot- tish Saints, with personal notices of those of Alba, Laud onia and Strathclyde," &c. By Alexander Penrose Forbes, D. C. L. Preface,
*The following commentary is found charter to William, son and heir of Philip de
affixed to the entry, in a copy of this Festi- logy, at present in the Franciscan Convent, Dublin. " Sarain mac Airechair 6 inis moir in h. mac Caille la h. Liathan. " This latter commentary and identification—as thought byCathald Maguir—of the saint, is added to the simple mention of his name by St. ^ngus, and the scholia are in small Irish characters interlined, according to that valuable MS. intituled " Martyrologium Cathaldi Maguir, sive /Engussius Auctus. " It formerly belonged to the convent of Done- gal. Afterwards, it had been carried to
Barry. See Dr. O'Donovan's " Leabhar na-g Ceart, or Book of Rights," n. (s), pp. "jz, 73.
^ See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , n. (e), p. II, and n. (n), p. 15.
»" The Great Island of Nennid Hill," so called, it is said, from Nennid, the leader of the second colony into Ireland. See " Ex- tracts containing Information relative to the Antiquities of the County Cork, collected during the Progress of the Ordnance Survey in 1839-40," vol. ii. , note, p. 401, R. I. A.
—
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 15.
the Great Island, included in the present Barony of Barrymore, seems to have
been exchided from the old district and present Barony of Imokilly. " There
is a townland Dromsarane, within or near Kilbree Demesne, in the parish of
Ballyoughtera, and Barony of Imokilly; but, no trace of an ancient ruin can
there be found on the Ordnance Survey Map. " At this day, too, the BoUan-
dists have relegated St. Saran, among their saints, passed over or left for no-
tice in another place, after stating whatever the Martyrology of Tallagh has
related in reference to him. They remark, likewise, that the name of Saran
often occurs in that record, but whether applicable to one and the same
person was to them unknown. '5 Although we have references to different
Sarans, whose deaths are found mentioned, and at various dates, in our
Annals yet, we fail even in supposing, that the present holy personage can ;
be identified with any of them, since his locality, as particularized in our calen- dars, has no apparent connexion with those places where they lived.
Article VI, St. Coluim, or Colum, of Loch-Inis-Cre, now MoNAHiNCHA, CouNTY OF TiPPERAKY. We find an entry of this saint, in the Martyrology of Tallagh/ at the 15th of Ma}', as Colum Insi Locha Cre. ^ The Bollandists quote the same authority and date, for his festival. 3 Here St. Cronan,'' Patron of Roscrea, originally founded a house, for his monks, in a very retired situation. That spot is now known as Monahincha, so called,becausetheruinsofanancientclnirch5 thereareinsulatedinthemidst of a bog. This townland is situated in the parish of Corbally, barony of Ikerrin, and county of Tipperary. Some beautiful specimens of olden Irish architecture are yet remaining at that place. ^ The old religious estab- lishment there was situated, almost in the centre of the great bog of Monela, and about three miles south-east from Roscrea. We are told, that it was originally an abbey of Culdean monks, living under the invocation of St. Columba, whose festival was formerly celebrated there. ? It seems probable, however, that the present Colum was the saint, who was thus specially vene- rated, in this place, where he practised the austerities of monastic life. The fame his island monastery had acquired brought innumerable pilgrims from the most remote parts to expiate their sins, at the altar of St. Columba. This
384
»" We may fairly infer, that three cantreds
confirmeclby Kingjohn, namely—"Olethan,
Muscheiie-Uunegan and Killede " are in-
eluded in tlie baronies of Barrymore, Kina- seu de insula Lacus-cre. '"Acta Sancto-
talloon and Imokilly, in the county of Cork,
and of Coshmore and Coshbride, in the
county of Waterford. Dr. O'Donovan seems
rathertocircumscribethe ancient limitsofUi this work, at the 28th of April, Art i. ,
Liathain in his edition of " The Topogiai^hi- cal Poems of John O'Dubhagain and Ciolla na Naomh O'Huidhrin. " See n. (549), p. Ixiv.
chap. ii.
5 Archdall supposes a wooden church had
here preceded the present beautiful stone structure, now in ruins. See " Monasticon Hibernicum," p. 668.
" See a very interesting account of these
Baronies in Smith's "Ancient and Present
State of the County and City of Cork," vol. Four Masters," vol. i. , n. (t), pp. 412, i. , Book ii. , chap, i. , pp. 99 to 149, and 413.
chap, ii. , pp. 154 to 166.
" See the "Ordnance Survey Townland
Maps for the County of Cork," sheet 77.
'^ . See the introductory Catalogue, in their
' With an inaccuracy, too frequently per- niitted, and without proper reference, Arch- dall says, on the 1 51 h of June. It is likely, however, he refers to the present saint, whose
"Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , xv. Maii, festival occurs, at the I5ih of May. See
p. 440.
Article vi. — '
Kelly, p. xxiv.
Edited by Rev. Dr.
"Monasticon Hibernicum," p. 667. Or, perhaps, he mistook this saint, for a Colman, venerated on the 15th of June.
* The Franciscan copy enters Coiumb inp LocVia C|\e.
3 Thus "Columba de Inis Locha-cre, :—
rum," tomus iii. , Mali xv. Among the pre- termitted saints, p. 440.
* See his Life, in the Fourth Volume of
'See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the
^ See Archdall's " Monasticon Hiberni- cum," p. 668.
9 See Sir James Ware's " De Hibernia et Antiquitatibus ejus Disquisitiones," cap. xxvi. , p. 206.
'° Within the beautiful demesne of Count O'Byrne, and not far from Monahincha.
" In an Inquisition, taken a. d. 1568.
'^ There is a curious flag limestone tomb, lying level with the ground, and between the transepts. It is about 6 feet, in length, by 2, in width : while it has an elegantly carved and raised cross on its surface, with a cir- cularly raised band surrounding its upper arms. There is a short pedestal beneath, and raised edges around the sides of this tomb. It contains no inscription, at present but, probably, it belongs to the grave of some ecclesiastic.
'3 Among these, the rectory of Kyle- colman is mentioned.
transepts. In each end of the cross were beautiful windows. On the southern trans- sept may be seen a beautifully turned arch, spanning the wall from the side of the nave, to the side of the choir : while, on the oppo- site northern transept, there was probably
Vol. V. —No, 7.
—;
May 15. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
celebrity, it is thought, enabled the monks to improve architecturally their abbeyanditschurch. ^ Allthesurroundingpartswereasoftmorass,inthe middle or towards the close of the last century, and the island was scarcely accessible to human feet. However, the salubrity and supernatural attributes of the isle were not so great, as to prevent the inmates from removing to the mainland. Thepriorandhisconventualbrethrenestablishedthemselvesat Corbally,9 where some ruins are yet seen. '° In the sixteenth century, a con- vent of Canons Regular of the Blessed Virgin Mary and a Prior were found living here," while tlieir church was that of the priory and parish. '^ They had considerable landed possessions and houses, with some rectories, '3 and theirproceeds,whichwereclaimedforthisconvent. ' IntheTwenty-eighth year of Queen Elizabeth's reign, Monahincha and Corbally were granted to Sir Lucas Dillon. 'S At present, a good wall srrrounds the cemetery. But, apparently, the latter, at one time, extended beyond this modern wall, and, on its outside, the ground slopes considerably below its foundations. Finely
grown trees shelter the ruins, both within and without the graveyard. '^ Coluim, of Loch-Inis-Cre, is mentioned, likewise, in the Martyrology of Done- gal, '7 as having a festival on this day.
Article VII. St. Dachonna, Bishop of Connor, County of Antrim. TheMartyrologyofDonegal' recordsatthisday,ashavingvene- rationpaidhim,Dachonna,Bishop,ofCondeire,orConnor. Hebelonged to the race of Eoghan, son of Niall. It is altogether probable, this is the same saint, as he called Mochonna, entered at the 15th of May, in the Ap- pendix to the Introduction of the Donegal Martyrology. ^ This saint is called the Pious, and his death is recorded to have occurred on the 15th of May, A. D. 725,3 or A. D. 726.
'* The BoUandists 5 style him Vachonna ^ Episcopus, at this date.
an arch precisely similar, but which has now disappeared. In the south side wall of the nave was the entrance door, of finely jointed masonry, and yet perfect, with an elegantly turned semi-circular chiselled stone heading. The ruins are draped with masses of ivy, and the walls are over three feet in thick- ness. The earth within the ruins is con- siderably elevated, owing to tiie fallen debris, or frequency of interments,
'^ See Archdall's "Monasticon Iliberni- cum," pp. 668, 669.
"" The foregoing description is furnished from notes, taken on the spot, in May, 1870.
'^ Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 128, 129.
Article vii. —' Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 126, 127.
See tllochonriA, at p. xlvii.
3 See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 322, 323.
" See Rev. William Reeves' " Ecclesiasti- yard, and the church is in tolerably good cal Antiquities of Down, Connor and Dro- preservation. It consists of nave, choir, and more," Appendix T, p. 240, and Appendix
'• The present ruins of Corbally are situated, within a much frequented grave-
LL, p. 378.
5 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , Mail
xv. Among the pretermitted saints, p. 440.
*" A typographical error has here been ad- mitted for Dachonna.
i b
385
Article ix. — ' Kelly, p. xxiv.
Edited
by Rev.
Dr.
—
386 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 15.
Article VIII. —St. Columba, Son of Faelghus. The name. Colum mac Faolgasa, is entered in the Martyrology of Tallagh,' at the 15th of May. " Owing to the patronymic, it is easy to pronounce him a different person from St. Columban, or Cohiian Mac Ua Laoighse. According to the Martyrology of Donegal,3 likewise, Columba, son of Faelghus, was venerated on this day. The Bollandists4 have Columba filius Faelgusii, at the same date.
Article IX. St. Comman, Son of Dioma, of Aricul. This saint is simply entered as Comman Mac Dimmae, in the Martyrology of Tallagh,' at the 15th ofMay. ^* The Bollandistss have a similar entry. We read, in the Martyrology of Donegal that Comman, son to Dioma of Aricul, had venera- tion given him, at this date. 5 His exact locality is not known. There are many places, called Aricul, or Erigal,^ simply or compounded—especially in the northern province of Ireland. One of these, Errigal Keerogue, is a parish, inthebaronyofClogher,andcountyofTyrone. Inthetownland,socalled, there is an old church,? within a cemetery, and on a most commanding site. Nor is there a more lovely scene, in all Ireland. The cemetery is a very ancient one, and an old cross ^ yet remains. The church ruins 9 there mea- sure 50 feet, in length, by 21 feet, in width; the walls are about 4 feet, in thickness. In the county of Donegal, within the Barony of Kilmacrenan, there is a remarkable mountain, called Arrigal, which rises to 2,462 '° feet on tlie conoidal summit, and over the level of the ocean. From this elevated position, there is a glorious prospect of the adjoining coast and highland
scenery. " It can easily be ascended, from a point to the east, where its sides curve into the connected moorland elevations ;" and, around the steep sum- mit, especially, the mountain has a chalk-white appearance, contrasting strangely with the dun heath-clad steeps, which stretch along its base. '3 There is the site of an old burial-ground, '» to the south of its summit, in the
Article viii. — ' Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xxiv.
' The Franciscan copy has CoLuni m<ic
3 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 128, 129.
* See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , Mali XV. Among the pretermitted saints, p. 440.
9 There is a curious-looking and hanging stone over the ruined doorway, in one of the side walls. The people state, it will one day fall on a Mac Mahon, passing under it, and this is so much dreaded, that persons bear- ing that name, who are numerous in the neighbourhood, will by no means incur such a risk.
•° See the " Parliamentary Gazetteer of Ireland," vol. i. , p. 67, and vol. ii. , p. 33.
"See James Fraser's "Hand-Book for Travellers in Ireland," No. 174, p. 574.
= The Franciscan copy enters Common rtidc 'OimniAe.
" In comparison with Arrigal, remarks the Rev. Ccesar Otway, the hill over Powers- XV. Among the pretermitted saints, p. court is but a grocer's sugar-loaf. See
3 See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , Mali
440.
* Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves. Sec
Appendix to the Introduction, p. xlvii. , and p. 129.
s Yet, in the Franciscan copy of the Tal- lagh Martyrology, I find, at the 15th of May, CAitinech . AiyvecuiL.
* Generally held to mean, " a habitation," in a primary sense, but, also, applied to " an oratory," or to " a church. ''
' Allusion is already made to it, in this volume, at May 7th, Art. ii. There, too, an illustration of it is given.
* The extent of its arms in only 2 feet 7 inches.
" Sketches in Ireland ; descriptive of in- teresting and hitherto unnoticed Districts, in the North and South," Letter i. , p. 19, Dublin, 1827, Svo.
'3 The illustration of this remarkable mountain, here presented, is taken from a Photograph furnished by Frederick II. Mares, and drawn on the wood, by William F. Wakeman the engraving is by Mrs.
;
Millard. A Protestant church and school- house arc in the foreground.
'* It is marked, on the "Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the County of Done- gal," sheet 42.
's A lithograph illustration of Dunlewey
May 15. LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 387
townland of Dunlewy/s and east of the Lougli so called; for, the distinctive name of Errigal is not communicated to any existing townland, on or near it. That site is beside the Clady River, which flows through Dunlewy, and thence through Upper and Lower Nacung Loughs, before making its course westwardstotheAtlanticOcean. Itwouldnotbesafetoconjecture,how- ever, that this was the locality of Arrigal, as denominated, in connexion with thepresentholyman. ThemountainofAriglestandsdetached,fromallthe surrounding hills, and it is regarded as the highest in Ulster, with the single exception of Slieve Donard, in the county of Down. '^ From the summit, on a clear day, may be seen not only most distant parts of Ulster and of Connaught, but even the Paps of Jura, in Scotland. The marble of Dunluighy, which lies near, is a fine granular limestone, of a milk-white and of a pearl-grey
Arrigal Mountain, County of Donegal.
colour ; and, it may be employed in works of sculpture, being the best of its class in Ireland, its texture and whiteness more nearly approaching Parian than Carara marble. '7 There is an extensive parish, called Errigal ''^ or Arrigle, in the baroy of Coleraine, and county of Londonderry, where St. Columkille is said to have founded a monastery, in 589 ; but, which was destroyed by the Danes, in the ninth century. '^ There is another parisii, known as Errigal Trough, and situated, partly in the barony of Clogher,
House, just over the Lough so named, may be seen, in " Useful Hints to Donegal Tourists ; with a Brief Notice of Rathlin Island. Being the Third Part of Lord George Hill's Facts from Gwedore, " p. 27.
'* Foiif miles from the foot of Arigle, towardsthewest,standstheGweedoreHotel. See ibid. t p. 29.
'7 Such is the description of Sir Charles Giesecke, in his Report to the Dublin Society. See his " lour in Donegal. "
•^ It is shown, on the " Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the County of London- derry," sheets 10, 11, 17, 18, 25, 26, 31, 32-
,
'9 SeeLewis "TopographicalDictionary
of Ireland," vol. i. , pp. 608, 609.
^ See ibid. , pp. 609, 610.
3 gee some account of them, in the Bollan- dists' "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , Maii xv. De S. Timotheo et vii Virginibus Martyribus Sirmii in Pannonia, pp. 455, 456.
Article X. —'
——
388 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 15,
county of Tyrone, but mostly in the barony of Trough, and in the county of Monaghan. =°
Article X. St. Muiredhach Ua Dubhthaigh. It is mentioned in tlie Martyrology of Donegal,' that Muiredhach Ua Dubhthaigh had a festival on this day. ^ His place and period are not further noticed.
Article XI. St. Muredach, Son of Nessan. This saint was one of the seven sainted sons of Nessan. ' There appears to have been a doubt, as to whether his festival was celebrated, on this day, or at the 12th of August. '^
Article XII. St. Timothy, Martyr at Sirmium, Pannonia. In the Feilire of St. ^ngus, at the 15th of May, allusion is made to the feast of St. Timothy. ' Itseemsprettycertain,thathewastheMartyrofSirmium,^ in Pannonia, whose name occurs at this date, and who is commemorated in several ancient calendars ; while he is associated, likewise, with seven Virgins and Martyrs. 3
Article XIII. Reputed Festival of Caineoc, Virgin. In the Royal Irish Academy Calendar of Irish Saints,' at the 15th of May, we find the insertion of Caineoc,^ Virgin, of Berson ; but, we are unable to throw further light on this entry. 3 As we have already noticed, in the Franciscan copy of the Tallagh Martyrology, there is a Cainnech of Airecuil* mentioned,
at the same date,5 and this may be referable to the foregoing notice. In the published copy of the Martyrology of Donegal,^ her name is written simply as Cainneoc, without any further designation.
Article XIV. St. Chromanus, or Chronanus, Priest and Con- fessor, OF Mernia, Scotland. \Tenth Century. '] A festival to St.
Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 128, 129.
'^ After the entry of his name, in the table superadded to it, these words occur within brackets [Pe/ai^ius Jl/ariamts. ] See iiu'd. , pp. 456, 457. —
Artici-E XI. ' The reader is referred to notices of these saints, to be found at the 15th of March, in the Third Volume of this work, Art. i.
' " S. Muredaci 15. May, vcl 12. August. " —Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hil^ernice,'' XV. Martii. Acta SS. Dichulli, Munissce ct Neslugii, Fratruum, p. 609, n. 9.
Article xiii. —' See " Common Place Book F," formerly belonging to the Irish Ordnance Survey,
Article xii.
