Munchin, called the son of Sedna,^' is said to have been the first founder of Mungret Monastery,
regarding
which a curious legend has come down in popular tradition.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v1
XX.
—'The following copy of this stanza has been obligingly transcribed by Mr.
Joseph O'Longan from the Leabhar Breac version, fol.
79, belonging to the RoyalIrishAcademy.
TheEnglishtrans- lation has been furnished by Mr.
Bryan O'Looney, M.
R.
I.
A.
A. cU llefiL T)AiAcli oome Caitdo-o in ^1 |\eniAiii
tuTo CO ^\echc A]\'o e^Ait Ct\ifC 1 cAllAin-o enAi|»i
A. Kal. "Before the multitudinous race of men,
Let the king proceed before us, To the high noble law submitted
Christ,onthekalendsofJanuary,
— —'
Art. i. Chap. i. Mentioned by
" p. 78.
*
Sexta Vita S. Patricii," cap. lix. ,
Jocelyn,
3
SeeUssher's"BritannicarumEcclesiarum "
See Colgan's "Trias Thauraaturga," Sep-
tima Vita S. Patricii, lib. ii. , cap. Ixxxvii. ,
p. 141.
Antiquitates, Index Chronologicus, p. 517.
28 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 2.
people in that part of the country. Yet it does not seem probable, that such an efficient and a distinguished pastor had been called away from his own field of missionary labour to assume the charge of a see established at
Limerick, long subsequent to the date of his appointment.
St. Munchin, called the son of Sedna, was grandson to Cas,'^ and great
grandson to Conell of the Dalgais. s He was nephew to Bloid, King of Thomond. Nothingmorehavewebeenabletocollectregardinghiseduca- tion, pursuits, and preparation for his call to Holy Orders. Neither docu- mentary fragments nor popular tradition aid our endeavours to clear up his personalhistory. Ithasbeenasserted,thatSt. Munchin,BishopofLimerick, built a church in the island of Fidh-Inis, which lies within the large estuary wheretheRiverFergusenterstheRiverShannon. Hereheissaidtohave
. lived for a long time, and, it is thought possible, a St. Brigid,^ who was his kinswoman,? may have lived there after he left it. ^
By the erudite, local, and modem historian9 of Limerick, we are informed that St. Patrick crossed the Shannon near this city, and at a place called Sois Angel, now Singland. Not long ago there was a round tower at this place. The holy well with the stony bed and altar of the Irish Apostle may yet be seen there. '" He is said to have had a vision of angels at this spot, and to have preached. Then we are told, that St. Manchen, a religious man who had a complete knowledge of the Sacred Scriptures, was appointed by St. Patrick first bishop over Limerick. He also ruled spiritually, it is said, over the subjects of Amailgaid, King of Connaught. This prince, at the time, had been a recent convert to Christianity. " Notwithstanding what has been so frequently asserted in reference to this matter, if, as appears probable enough, St. Patrick founded the See of Limerick, as also the Abbey of Mungret, and if he appointed a bishop over the former, most likely he would have selected a Dalcassian to hold the office, especially were one to be found capable and worthy to assume this responsible charge. So conflicting are the statements, however, and so unsatisfactory the evidence yet brought to light, that on such a subject, it would be useless to hazard a conjecture, and it seems still more difficult to form even an opinion.
St. Manchinus, the disciple of St. Patrick, and who, from his proficiency in sacred erudition, has been sumamed " The Master," is said to have flourished
about the year 460. He is, therefore, to be clearly distinguished from St. Manchin of Dysert Gallen, from St. Manchin of Mena Droichit, from St. Manchin of Mohill, from St. Manchin of Leth, as also from other holy men bearing this name, since all of these latter are known to have lived at a much later period. " There was another St. Manchin, who was a disciple of St. Declan'3 of Ardmore, and who was only a boy at the time St. Patrick is sup-
* He is called Cassius the ^ See " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- Tail, Dalcassian, Colgan's
by Colgan in "Acta Sanctorum Hibemise," nije," viii. Martii. Vita S. Senani, n. 24,
n. 24, p. 540. Oliol Olum, King of Mun- ster, A. D. 125, is said to have divided his principality between his two sons. North Munster, including Limerick, fell to the lot of Cormac Cas the Younger. See Gough's "Camden's Britannia," vol. iii. , p. 516.
5 This is borne out by the Genealogies of the Irish Saints. He is also associated with
p. 240 recte 236.
' Maurice Lenihan, Esq. , M. R. I. A. '°See likewise Ferrar's "History of Lime*
rick," part i. , chap, i. , p. 4.
" " We thus catch a glimpse," adds the
historian, "through the dimness and ob- scurity of distant time of the halo that en- circled the name and character of Limerick. " Lenihan's "
Limerick. See
Colgan's
"Acta Sanctorum
History of Limerick," chap, i. ,
Hibemiae,"xiv. Februarii. VitaS. Mancheni,
n. 4, P- 332.
*
See some notices of her at the 30th of September, presumedly the day of her feast. ^ Her descent is traced through the same
Dalcassian line.
p. 4.
" See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
niae," xiv. Februarii. Vita S. Mancheni, n.
6, p. 333.
'^ He is mentioned in "Vita S. Declani,"
cap. xix.
January 2. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 29
posedtohavebeenatLimerick/* Itseemsnotunlikelyhemayhavebeen consecrated for the work of the ministry, and he might have been the first to preside over that church.
It is barely possible, but hardly probable, that Mainchen, or Munchin, of Limerick, can be identified with the learned Mainchin, who presided over the Monastery of Rosnat, in Britain,''s and who was the master of so many renowned saints. Yet the circumstances of time, of station, and of erudition, would not render this an extravagant supposition. This holy man, with one hundred and fifty of his disciples, has been invoked in the Litany of St. ^ngus. '^ Yet it seems difficult to assign his exact festival, owing as well to the confused orthographies, Munchin, Manchen, Mainchein, and Manchan, not to speak of Mansen, Manicheus, and other varied Latinized forms with
which we meet, as also to the great number of saints thus called, but whose
festival days are not sufficiently distinguished by predicates, in our Martyro- logies. '7
Certain \vriters confound St. Munchin of Limerick with St. Manchan ot Menadrochid. ^^ Notalonearetheseplacesfarapart,buttheperiodswhen both holy men flourished seem to mark a wide difference. St. Manchan of
Menadrochid'9 died a. d. 648, according to the "Annals of the Four Masters. " "
The "Annals of Clonmacnoise record his demise at a. d. 649. Dr. O'Donovan regards this latter date even as antecedent to his dormition. =° The " Annals of Ulster " the death of Abbot of Menadro-
assign Maencha,
chit, to A. D. 651. This place is now known as Monadrehid, a townland
situated in the south-west end of Magh-Thuat plain, or parish of Offerailan.
It lies about one mile, north-east from Borris-in-Ossory, Queen's County. ^^' If St. Munchin of Limerick, flourished in the time of St. Patrick, we must then fairly conclude he cannot be confounded with St. Mainchein the Wise, or Manchene, Abbot of Menedrochaidh, who died a. d. 651,^^ or 652. ^3 How- ever, it is thought that St. Manchin of Limerick lived at least two centuries before that period assigned by our Martyrologies to St. Manchen, Abbot of Menedrochit. ^4
CHAPTER II.
ST. MUNCHIN AND ST. MOLUA REGARDED AS PATRON SAINTS OF THE THOMOND O'BRIENS—SAID TO HAVE BEEN ABBOT OVER MUNGRET—DESCRIPTIVE PARTICULARS OF THIS PLACE—SISTERS OF ST. MUNCHIN—ORIGIN OF THE CITY AND SEE OF LIMERICK—ST. MUNCHIN SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN ITS FIRST BISHOP.
St. Munchin thus belonged, as tradition holds, to the blood royal of North Munster. St. Molua and he were regarded as tutelary saints of the
'^
See "Harris' Ware," vol. i. ; Bishops of Limerick, p. 503.
'9 Colgan thinkshim to be identical with St.
Manchein the Sage, of Dysart Gallen, and whose festival follows on this same day.
^° See "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 262, 263, and n. (n. )
^' There are still some ruins here, which
monk.
were substituted it is thought for cognomens,
and thus they are probably sometimes read
as proper names of saints, and sometimes as
a characteristic of their profession. See nach. "
'* Trias Thaumaturga,"Sexta Vita S. Patricii, ** See Lenihan's " History of Limerick," n. 67, p. loi. chap, i. , p. 5.
""^
Ibid, n. 3. , p. 332.
'S He is specially noticed in the Acts of
St. David, of St. Tighernach, of St. Enda, and of St. Modwenna.
'* Num. 60.
'7 It has been remarked by Colgan that
the various forms of this name are derivable
from the Irish Manath, which means "a
"
These appellations in many cases
are described at St. Laisren's feast day, the
i6th of September.
^ According to the " Annals of Ulster. "
^3 According to the " Annals of Tigher-
30
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 2.
Thomond O'Briens. ^ St.
Munchin, called the son of Sedna,^' is said to have been the first founder of Mungret Monastery, regarding which a curious legend has come down in popular tradition. Some maintain that the Priory of Mungret, within the Liberties of Limerick, was first founded by St, Patrick, in the fifth century. 3 Other writers state, that St. Nessan was the founder of this monastery, or at least its first abbot. Hence probably the place derived its name in ancient times ; for we are told it was formerly called the City of Deochain-assain. '^ Whether before or after his appoint- ment as Bishop of Limerick is not stated ; but, it has been thought, St. Munchin, in due course of time, succeeded St. Nessan as abbot over Mun-
gretorMuingharid. s Thishouseorcolonycontained1,500monks,^500of whom were devoted to preaching, 500 others were so classed and divided as to have a perpetual full choir day and night, while the remaining 500 were old men of exemplary piety, who devoted themselves to charitable and re-
works. 7 This statement seems to have been founded on a local tradition.
'
. ^~
ligious
January 2. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 31
Cashel, that Mungret had formerly within its walls six churches, and con-
tained, exclusive of scholars, 1,600 religious,? yet the ecclesiastical remains now left are very inconsiderable. There is an old church in the Irish style
14feetinheight; theyarebuiltwithgoodstones,cementedwithexcellent lime and sand mortar. The west gable is remarkably high and sharp at the point, while the east one is rendered obtuse after the storms of ages. As is usually the case in old Irish churches, the door-way opens in the west gable. It is 6 feet 8 inches in height, while it is 3 feet 7 inches wide at the bottom, and it diminishes to 3 feet 4 inches at the top. " A large breach in the south wall extends from the ground to the top of a round-headed window, which, excepting its top, has altogether disappeared. The east gable con- tains a rude round-headed window, placed at some height from the ground.
On the inside it measures about 5 feet 10 inches in height, and 2 feet 8 inches in width : on the outside it is about 3 feet 10 inches in height, and i foot 6 inches in width. '3 The north wall is in very good preservation, but feature- less : the south wall is a good deal injured, and besides the window already alluded to, it contained another, now reduced to a formless breach. '*
According to tradition, little Kilrush'5 is said to have been built by Rose,asisterofSt. Munchin. Again,theChurchofKilleely,inaparishof the same name, was dedicated to St. Lelia, also thought to have been a sister to St. Munchin. "^ It adjoins Mungret parish. When the death of St. Munchin happened has not been ascertained with any degree of correctness. We are carelessly told, indeed, that St. Munchin, the first Bishop of Limerick, died in the year 652. ^7 No authority whatever is cited for such a statement. It is not considered probable, by Dr. Lanigan, that the patron saint of Limerick, St. Munchin, or St. Manchin, had been a bishop over that see. '^ It has been remarked,'? likewise, that we can find nothing related respecting the successors of St. Munchin in the see of Limerick, before the times of those Pagan Ost- men who held Limerick by force of arms, as they did other cities. ^° We labour under like defects and disadvantages in reference to the early origin of many among our most celebrated towns and cities.
century.
5 See Gough's "Camden's Britannia," vol.
iii. , p. 519-
'° So states Dr. O'Donovan, who describes
this parish. See "Letters containing Infor- mation relative to the Antiquities of the county of Limerick, collected during the pro- gress of the Ordnance Survey in 1840," vol. i. , pp. 33, 34.
Among the Ordnance Survey Sketches pre- served in the R. I. A. , there is a pencil sketch of this abbey by William F. Wake- man, and taken in 1840.
'5 This ancient church is said to resemble,
in various particulars, that of Mungret. The residence of the Hon. Robert O'Brien, brother of Lord Inchiquin, adjoins it.
'^ Lenihan's its and "Limerick, History
"
See "Ecclesiastical History of Ireland, vol. ii. , chap, xi. , §iv. , n. 53, p. 63.
^9 In "Harris' Ware," vol. i. , Bishops of Limerick, p. 503.
^° "But in the tenth century they were converted to the Christian religion. How- ever I hardly find any bishop in this see be- fore Gille or Gillebert, who begins to govern it about the beginning of the twelfth century. " ^ccilnd.
"The
old church, by Mrs. Millard, Dublin, is after
accompanying engraving
of this
William F. Wakeman in 1840, and now preserved among the Irish Ord-
^7 See Ferrar's " of
History Limerick,
a
nance Survey Records, R. I. A.
drawing by
'^
It is built of Cyclopean masonry, and Dr. O'Donovan supplies a rough drawing of it.
'3 Dr. O'Donovan gives a sketch of this window.
'* An account of the more modem abbey church and some other ecclesiastical ruins in this parish follows the foregoing, with the "HistoryofMungret. " Seetiit'^. , pp. 35to57.
^° This is situated to the left of the road immediately
of the tenth
as you approach it from Limerick. On the inside this church measures 41 feet in length by 23 feet in breadth. Considering its age, the walls are in good preservation. ^' The side walls are 2 feet xo inches in thickness, and
Antiquities," chap, liv. , pp. 542, 543.
part i. , chap, i. , p. 4.
'^ "
32 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 2.
CHAPTER III.
ANTIQUITY OF THE SEE AND CATHEDRAL OF LIMERICK—THE OLD CHURCH OF ST, MUNCHIN CONVERTED INTO A PARISH CHURCH—ST. MUNCHIN'S CATHOLIC CHAPEL
CONCLUSION. ERECTED—FESTIVALS AND OFFICES OF ST. MUNCHIN—
An impenetrable mystery seems to shroud the history of the establishment of a see at Limerick, while the acts of its patron saint and first bishop are involved in a maze of obscurity. Various \vriters have endeavoured to solve the problem presented ; but they have been obliged to leave much for con- jecture, and this has only tended the more to perpetuate uncertainty. Some authors make this city identical with the Regia found on the Map of Ptolemy, the Geographer. St. Munchin is thought to have been earliest bishop over Limerick,^ and he is traditionally said to have founded this see, and a cathe- dral there called after his name. ^
The first historian of this city, Ferrar, could not discover anything authen-
tic concerning it, until about the middle of the ninth century. 3 A still later
history of the county and city of Limerick has been written by Rev. T.
Fitzgerald and J. J. M'Gregor. These \\Titers have acknowledged the
obscurity in which the city of Limerick's original foundation is involved.
The same historians state, that a manuscript^ belonging to the friars of Multi-
farnam, designates Limerick as Rosse de hailleagh. s Although little be
known regarding Limerick before the Danes landed there, yet its having been
reputed the see of a bishop, so early as the seventh century, furnishes some
proofthatitwasaplaceofconsequenceataveryremoteperiod. ^ Butthere can hardly be any question that the Church of Limerick had a continued succes-
sion of bishops from a very early date. 7 To St. •Munchin the foundation of Limerick Cathedral has been generally assigned. ^ From about the middle of the sixth century. Limerick appears to have held rank among the cities of Ireland. 9 In the second life of St. Senan, one Denon, called Bishop of
'°
Limerick, is said to have attended the funeral of Iniscathy's first abbot. Yet, it has been asserted, that there was neither a city nor a bishop of Limerickatthisearlyperiod. " St. Munchin'sChurchinthiscityissaid,by onewriter,tohavebeenfoundedbySt. Minchinabouttheyear630. " Itis thought to have been rebuilt by the Danes after their conversion to Chris- tianity. St. Munchin's Church continued to be this city's cathedral until
Chap. hi. —' See Ferrar's " of History
thorities,
Limerick," part iii. , chap, ii. , p. 170, and writers. This was the Cathedral of Limerick
chap, iii. , p. i86. see until about the time of the English in-
^
See "Harris' Ware," vol. i. , Bishops of vasion, when St. Mary's Cathedral was Limerick, p. 503. founded by Donald O'Brien, King of Lime-
3 See Ferrar's "History of Limerick^" rick. The Ostmen are said to have restored
p. 3.
* This, however, would not seem to have
been the "Annales de Monte Femandi. "
5 The "Annales de Monte Fernandi," or
St. Munchin's Church. See Lenihan's "Limerick, its History and Antiquities," chap. liv. p. 542.
9 See Mr. and Mrs. Hall's "Ireland, Annals of Multifernam, edited by Dr. its Scenery, Character," &c. vol. i. , p.
Aquilla Smith, have been published by the
Limerick, under the foregoing name, as given in the text.
^
part iii. , chap, i. , pp. 149, 150.
7 See Lenihan's "Limerick, its History
^
325.
Irish
nals, I cannot discover any allusion to
Hibeniiae," viii. Martii. Vita S. Senani, cap. xliii. ,
Archaeological Society.
In these An-
'° "Acta Sanctorum Colgan's
p. 537 (recte) 533.
"
See Ferrar's "History of Limerick," tory of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap. xi. iv, 33,
p. 92.
"See Ferrar's "History of Limerick,"
part i. , chap, i. , p. 4. Yet, in another This continued tradition has been place, its erection is assigned to A. D. 651.
and Antiquities," chap, liv. , p. 544.
followed by Sir James Ware and his au- See ibid. , part iii. , chap, i. , p. 149.
as also our ancient and modem by
See Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical His-
January 2,] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 33
after the erection of St. Mar/s Church. ^3 Then it would appear to have been converted to a parish church, as the new building had been considered more convenient and appropriate for cathedral purposes.
A. cU llefiL T)AiAcli oome Caitdo-o in ^1 |\eniAiii
tuTo CO ^\echc A]\'o e^Ait Ct\ifC 1 cAllAin-o enAi|»i
A. Kal. "Before the multitudinous race of men,
Let the king proceed before us, To the high noble law submitted
Christ,onthekalendsofJanuary,
— —'
Art. i. Chap. i. Mentioned by
" p. 78.
*
Sexta Vita S. Patricii," cap. lix. ,
Jocelyn,
3
SeeUssher's"BritannicarumEcclesiarum "
See Colgan's "Trias Thauraaturga," Sep-
tima Vita S. Patricii, lib. ii. , cap. Ixxxvii. ,
p. 141.
Antiquitates, Index Chronologicus, p. 517.
28 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 2.
people in that part of the country. Yet it does not seem probable, that such an efficient and a distinguished pastor had been called away from his own field of missionary labour to assume the charge of a see established at
Limerick, long subsequent to the date of his appointment.
St. Munchin, called the son of Sedna, was grandson to Cas,'^ and great
grandson to Conell of the Dalgais. s He was nephew to Bloid, King of Thomond. Nothingmorehavewebeenabletocollectregardinghiseduca- tion, pursuits, and preparation for his call to Holy Orders. Neither docu- mentary fragments nor popular tradition aid our endeavours to clear up his personalhistory. Ithasbeenasserted,thatSt. Munchin,BishopofLimerick, built a church in the island of Fidh-Inis, which lies within the large estuary wheretheRiverFergusenterstheRiverShannon. Hereheissaidtohave
. lived for a long time, and, it is thought possible, a St. Brigid,^ who was his kinswoman,? may have lived there after he left it. ^
By the erudite, local, and modem historian9 of Limerick, we are informed that St. Patrick crossed the Shannon near this city, and at a place called Sois Angel, now Singland. Not long ago there was a round tower at this place. The holy well with the stony bed and altar of the Irish Apostle may yet be seen there. '" He is said to have had a vision of angels at this spot, and to have preached. Then we are told, that St. Manchen, a religious man who had a complete knowledge of the Sacred Scriptures, was appointed by St. Patrick first bishop over Limerick. He also ruled spiritually, it is said, over the subjects of Amailgaid, King of Connaught. This prince, at the time, had been a recent convert to Christianity. " Notwithstanding what has been so frequently asserted in reference to this matter, if, as appears probable enough, St. Patrick founded the See of Limerick, as also the Abbey of Mungret, and if he appointed a bishop over the former, most likely he would have selected a Dalcassian to hold the office, especially were one to be found capable and worthy to assume this responsible charge. So conflicting are the statements, however, and so unsatisfactory the evidence yet brought to light, that on such a subject, it would be useless to hazard a conjecture, and it seems still more difficult to form even an opinion.
St. Manchinus, the disciple of St. Patrick, and who, from his proficiency in sacred erudition, has been sumamed " The Master," is said to have flourished
about the year 460. He is, therefore, to be clearly distinguished from St. Manchin of Dysert Gallen, from St. Manchin of Mena Droichit, from St. Manchin of Mohill, from St. Manchin of Leth, as also from other holy men bearing this name, since all of these latter are known to have lived at a much later period. " There was another St. Manchin, who was a disciple of St. Declan'3 of Ardmore, and who was only a boy at the time St. Patrick is sup-
* He is called Cassius the ^ See " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- Tail, Dalcassian, Colgan's
by Colgan in "Acta Sanctorum Hibemise," nije," viii. Martii. Vita S. Senani, n. 24,
n. 24, p. 540. Oliol Olum, King of Mun- ster, A. D. 125, is said to have divided his principality between his two sons. North Munster, including Limerick, fell to the lot of Cormac Cas the Younger. See Gough's "Camden's Britannia," vol. iii. , p. 516.
5 This is borne out by the Genealogies of the Irish Saints. He is also associated with
p. 240 recte 236.
' Maurice Lenihan, Esq. , M. R. I. A. '°See likewise Ferrar's "History of Lime*
rick," part i. , chap, i. , p. 4.
" " We thus catch a glimpse," adds the
historian, "through the dimness and ob- scurity of distant time of the halo that en- circled the name and character of Limerick. " Lenihan's "
Limerick. See
Colgan's
"Acta Sanctorum
History of Limerick," chap, i. ,
Hibemiae,"xiv. Februarii. VitaS. Mancheni,
n. 4, P- 332.
*
See some notices of her at the 30th of September, presumedly the day of her feast. ^ Her descent is traced through the same
Dalcassian line.
p. 4.
" See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
niae," xiv. Februarii. Vita S. Mancheni, n.
6, p. 333.
'^ He is mentioned in "Vita S. Declani,"
cap. xix.
January 2. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 29
posedtohavebeenatLimerick/* Itseemsnotunlikelyhemayhavebeen consecrated for the work of the ministry, and he might have been the first to preside over that church.
It is barely possible, but hardly probable, that Mainchen, or Munchin, of Limerick, can be identified with the learned Mainchin, who presided over the Monastery of Rosnat, in Britain,''s and who was the master of so many renowned saints. Yet the circumstances of time, of station, and of erudition, would not render this an extravagant supposition. This holy man, with one hundred and fifty of his disciples, has been invoked in the Litany of St. ^ngus. '^ Yet it seems difficult to assign his exact festival, owing as well to the confused orthographies, Munchin, Manchen, Mainchein, and Manchan, not to speak of Mansen, Manicheus, and other varied Latinized forms with
which we meet, as also to the great number of saints thus called, but whose
festival days are not sufficiently distinguished by predicates, in our Martyro- logies. '7
Certain \vriters confound St. Munchin of Limerick with St. Manchan ot Menadrochid. ^^ Notalonearetheseplacesfarapart,buttheperiodswhen both holy men flourished seem to mark a wide difference. St. Manchan of
Menadrochid'9 died a. d. 648, according to the "Annals of the Four Masters. " "
The "Annals of Clonmacnoise record his demise at a. d. 649. Dr. O'Donovan regards this latter date even as antecedent to his dormition. =° The " Annals of Ulster " the death of Abbot of Menadro-
assign Maencha,
chit, to A. D. 651. This place is now known as Monadrehid, a townland
situated in the south-west end of Magh-Thuat plain, or parish of Offerailan.
It lies about one mile, north-east from Borris-in-Ossory, Queen's County. ^^' If St. Munchin of Limerick, flourished in the time of St. Patrick, we must then fairly conclude he cannot be confounded with St. Mainchein the Wise, or Manchene, Abbot of Menedrochaidh, who died a. d. 651,^^ or 652. ^3 How- ever, it is thought that St. Manchin of Limerick lived at least two centuries before that period assigned by our Martyrologies to St. Manchen, Abbot of Menedrochit. ^4
CHAPTER II.
ST. MUNCHIN AND ST. MOLUA REGARDED AS PATRON SAINTS OF THE THOMOND O'BRIENS—SAID TO HAVE BEEN ABBOT OVER MUNGRET—DESCRIPTIVE PARTICULARS OF THIS PLACE—SISTERS OF ST. MUNCHIN—ORIGIN OF THE CITY AND SEE OF LIMERICK—ST. MUNCHIN SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN ITS FIRST BISHOP.
St. Munchin thus belonged, as tradition holds, to the blood royal of North Munster. St. Molua and he were regarded as tutelary saints of the
'^
See "Harris' Ware," vol. i. ; Bishops of Limerick, p. 503.
'9 Colgan thinkshim to be identical with St.
Manchein the Sage, of Dysart Gallen, and whose festival follows on this same day.
^° See "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 262, 263, and n. (n. )
^' There are still some ruins here, which
monk.
were substituted it is thought for cognomens,
and thus they are probably sometimes read
as proper names of saints, and sometimes as
a characteristic of their profession. See nach. "
'* Trias Thaumaturga,"Sexta Vita S. Patricii, ** See Lenihan's " History of Limerick," n. 67, p. loi. chap, i. , p. 5.
""^
Ibid, n. 3. , p. 332.
'S He is specially noticed in the Acts of
St. David, of St. Tighernach, of St. Enda, and of St. Modwenna.
'* Num. 60.
'7 It has been remarked by Colgan that
the various forms of this name are derivable
from the Irish Manath, which means "a
"
These appellations in many cases
are described at St. Laisren's feast day, the
i6th of September.
^ According to the " Annals of Ulster. "
^3 According to the " Annals of Tigher-
30
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 2.
Thomond O'Briens. ^ St.
Munchin, called the son of Sedna,^' is said to have been the first founder of Mungret Monastery, regarding which a curious legend has come down in popular tradition. Some maintain that the Priory of Mungret, within the Liberties of Limerick, was first founded by St, Patrick, in the fifth century. 3 Other writers state, that St. Nessan was the founder of this monastery, or at least its first abbot. Hence probably the place derived its name in ancient times ; for we are told it was formerly called the City of Deochain-assain. '^ Whether before or after his appoint- ment as Bishop of Limerick is not stated ; but, it has been thought, St. Munchin, in due course of time, succeeded St. Nessan as abbot over Mun-
gretorMuingharid. s Thishouseorcolonycontained1,500monks,^500of whom were devoted to preaching, 500 others were so classed and divided as to have a perpetual full choir day and night, while the remaining 500 were old men of exemplary piety, who devoted themselves to charitable and re-
works. 7 This statement seems to have been founded on a local tradition.
'
. ^~
ligious
January 2. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 31
Cashel, that Mungret had formerly within its walls six churches, and con-
tained, exclusive of scholars, 1,600 religious,? yet the ecclesiastical remains now left are very inconsiderable. There is an old church in the Irish style
14feetinheight; theyarebuiltwithgoodstones,cementedwithexcellent lime and sand mortar. The west gable is remarkably high and sharp at the point, while the east one is rendered obtuse after the storms of ages. As is usually the case in old Irish churches, the door-way opens in the west gable. It is 6 feet 8 inches in height, while it is 3 feet 7 inches wide at the bottom, and it diminishes to 3 feet 4 inches at the top. " A large breach in the south wall extends from the ground to the top of a round-headed window, which, excepting its top, has altogether disappeared. The east gable con- tains a rude round-headed window, placed at some height from the ground.
On the inside it measures about 5 feet 10 inches in height, and 2 feet 8 inches in width : on the outside it is about 3 feet 10 inches in height, and i foot 6 inches in width. '3 The north wall is in very good preservation, but feature- less : the south wall is a good deal injured, and besides the window already alluded to, it contained another, now reduced to a formless breach. '*
According to tradition, little Kilrush'5 is said to have been built by Rose,asisterofSt. Munchin. Again,theChurchofKilleely,inaparishof the same name, was dedicated to St. Lelia, also thought to have been a sister to St. Munchin. "^ It adjoins Mungret parish. When the death of St. Munchin happened has not been ascertained with any degree of correctness. We are carelessly told, indeed, that St. Munchin, the first Bishop of Limerick, died in the year 652. ^7 No authority whatever is cited for such a statement. It is not considered probable, by Dr. Lanigan, that the patron saint of Limerick, St. Munchin, or St. Manchin, had been a bishop over that see. '^ It has been remarked,'? likewise, that we can find nothing related respecting the successors of St. Munchin in the see of Limerick, before the times of those Pagan Ost- men who held Limerick by force of arms, as they did other cities. ^° We labour under like defects and disadvantages in reference to the early origin of many among our most celebrated towns and cities.
century.
5 See Gough's "Camden's Britannia," vol.
iii. , p. 519-
'° So states Dr. O'Donovan, who describes
this parish. See "Letters containing Infor- mation relative to the Antiquities of the county of Limerick, collected during the pro- gress of the Ordnance Survey in 1840," vol. i. , pp. 33, 34.
Among the Ordnance Survey Sketches pre- served in the R. I. A. , there is a pencil sketch of this abbey by William F. Wake- man, and taken in 1840.
'5 This ancient church is said to resemble,
in various particulars, that of Mungret. The residence of the Hon. Robert O'Brien, brother of Lord Inchiquin, adjoins it.
'^ Lenihan's its and "Limerick, History
"
See "Ecclesiastical History of Ireland, vol. ii. , chap, xi. , §iv. , n. 53, p. 63.
^9 In "Harris' Ware," vol. i. , Bishops of Limerick, p. 503.
^° "But in the tenth century they were converted to the Christian religion. How- ever I hardly find any bishop in this see be- fore Gille or Gillebert, who begins to govern it about the beginning of the twelfth century. " ^ccilnd.
"The
old church, by Mrs. Millard, Dublin, is after
accompanying engraving
of this
William F. Wakeman in 1840, and now preserved among the Irish Ord-
^7 See Ferrar's " of
History Limerick,
a
nance Survey Records, R. I. A.
drawing by
'^
It is built of Cyclopean masonry, and Dr. O'Donovan supplies a rough drawing of it.
'3 Dr. O'Donovan gives a sketch of this window.
'* An account of the more modem abbey church and some other ecclesiastical ruins in this parish follows the foregoing, with the "HistoryofMungret. " Seetiit'^. , pp. 35to57.
^° This is situated to the left of the road immediately
of the tenth
as you approach it from Limerick. On the inside this church measures 41 feet in length by 23 feet in breadth. Considering its age, the walls are in good preservation. ^' The side walls are 2 feet xo inches in thickness, and
Antiquities," chap, liv. , pp. 542, 543.
part i. , chap, i. , p. 4.
'^ "
32 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 2.
CHAPTER III.
ANTIQUITY OF THE SEE AND CATHEDRAL OF LIMERICK—THE OLD CHURCH OF ST, MUNCHIN CONVERTED INTO A PARISH CHURCH—ST. MUNCHIN'S CATHOLIC CHAPEL
CONCLUSION. ERECTED—FESTIVALS AND OFFICES OF ST. MUNCHIN—
An impenetrable mystery seems to shroud the history of the establishment of a see at Limerick, while the acts of its patron saint and first bishop are involved in a maze of obscurity. Various \vriters have endeavoured to solve the problem presented ; but they have been obliged to leave much for con- jecture, and this has only tended the more to perpetuate uncertainty. Some authors make this city identical with the Regia found on the Map of Ptolemy, the Geographer. St. Munchin is thought to have been earliest bishop over Limerick,^ and he is traditionally said to have founded this see, and a cathe- dral there called after his name. ^
The first historian of this city, Ferrar, could not discover anything authen-
tic concerning it, until about the middle of the ninth century. 3 A still later
history of the county and city of Limerick has been written by Rev. T.
Fitzgerald and J. J. M'Gregor. These \\Titers have acknowledged the
obscurity in which the city of Limerick's original foundation is involved.
The same historians state, that a manuscript^ belonging to the friars of Multi-
farnam, designates Limerick as Rosse de hailleagh. s Although little be
known regarding Limerick before the Danes landed there, yet its having been
reputed the see of a bishop, so early as the seventh century, furnishes some
proofthatitwasaplaceofconsequenceataveryremoteperiod. ^ Butthere can hardly be any question that the Church of Limerick had a continued succes-
sion of bishops from a very early date. 7 To St. •Munchin the foundation of Limerick Cathedral has been generally assigned. ^ From about the middle of the sixth century. Limerick appears to have held rank among the cities of Ireland. 9 In the second life of St. Senan, one Denon, called Bishop of
'°
Limerick, is said to have attended the funeral of Iniscathy's first abbot. Yet, it has been asserted, that there was neither a city nor a bishop of Limerickatthisearlyperiod. " St. Munchin'sChurchinthiscityissaid,by onewriter,tohavebeenfoundedbySt. Minchinabouttheyear630. " Itis thought to have been rebuilt by the Danes after their conversion to Chris- tianity. St. Munchin's Church continued to be this city's cathedral until
Chap. hi. —' See Ferrar's " of History
thorities,
Limerick," part iii. , chap, ii. , p. 170, and writers. This was the Cathedral of Limerick
chap, iii. , p. i86. see until about the time of the English in-
^
See "Harris' Ware," vol. i. , Bishops of vasion, when St. Mary's Cathedral was Limerick, p. 503. founded by Donald O'Brien, King of Lime-
3 See Ferrar's "History of Limerick^" rick. The Ostmen are said to have restored
p. 3.
* This, however, would not seem to have
been the "Annales de Monte Femandi. "
5 The "Annales de Monte Fernandi," or
St. Munchin's Church. See Lenihan's "Limerick, its History and Antiquities," chap. liv. p. 542.
9 See Mr. and Mrs. Hall's "Ireland, Annals of Multifernam, edited by Dr. its Scenery, Character," &c. vol. i. , p.
Aquilla Smith, have been published by the
Limerick, under the foregoing name, as given in the text.
^
part iii. , chap, i. , pp. 149, 150.
7 See Lenihan's "Limerick, its History
^
325.
Irish
nals, I cannot discover any allusion to
Hibeniiae," viii. Martii. Vita S. Senani, cap. xliii. ,
Archaeological Society.
In these An-
'° "Acta Sanctorum Colgan's
p. 537 (recte) 533.
"
See Ferrar's "History of Limerick," tory of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap. xi. iv, 33,
p. 92.
"See Ferrar's "History of Limerick,"
part i. , chap, i. , p. 4. Yet, in another This continued tradition has been place, its erection is assigned to A. D. 651.
and Antiquities," chap, liv. , p. 544.
followed by Sir James Ware and his au- See ibid. , part iii. , chap, i. , p. 149.
as also our ancient and modem by
See Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical His-
January 2,] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 33
after the erection of St. Mar/s Church. ^3 Then it would appear to have been converted to a parish church, as the new building had been considered more convenient and appropriate for cathedral purposes.
