vid Dalrymple's (Lord Hailes')
'99 See Thomas Moore's
3°° In 1836, his tomb was pointed out on the west end of the grave ; the remainder being concealed in the ground.
'99 See Thomas Moore's
3°° In 1836, his tomb was pointed out on the west end of the grave ; the remainder being concealed in the ground.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v2
, of the old
ware,"
further progress was checked by its being choked by earth and stones, in one particu- lar place. The extent of these remarkable caves, he pointed out to the writer, on the surface of the ground above, and he ex-
the desire that should pressed greatest they
be carefully explored by gentlemen com- petent to describe them.
^
English Pale),
"
or signify the Approach of
an —" Enemy. "
book
=^77 Mr. John Craig, who rented an adjoin- ing farm, told the writer, that in the field next this Dun, while ploughing, the hoofs of a horse sunk through some flag stones. On examination of the spot, a remarkable
zig-zag-shaped earth-cave was discovered.
After removing some of the covering stones, he descended into it, and found it regularly walled on the sides. Barely stooping, he was enabled to pass through it for several yards, covering flags being over his head. He saw several specimens of "crockery
•
Louthiana,"
i. , p. 9.
=^78 The people in 1836 called it UeA' pull ""
AS\x>, the high church, and it was also designated coa' pull lipi^'oe riA h-Ai|\t)e moi^e, "Brigid's Church of the great height. "
^79 This inner gable has since fallen.
^^° The accompanying engraving by Wil- liam Oldham, 8 Gloucester-street, Dublin, is from a sketch by the author, and taken on
the spot, in May, 1874.
28 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[February i.
wall was reduced to about 7 feet in height, east of the middle gable. ^^^ The western length to the middle gable was about 14 yards ; the side-walls' height, in this part, is about 14 feet. On the south side-wall was a breach near the middle gable. ^'^^ The west gable had been reduced in height to theleveloftheside-walls; whilethereisabreachonit, reachingfromtop to bottom, about 3 yards wide. On the north side-wall, about 7 feet from the ground, there was an opening, reaching to the top. Another opening next the middle gable, was to be seen, and about the same height. ^^*
This ruinous pile of masonry, at present, is in a very dilapidated condition. The people of Foughart neighbourhood^^s preserved a tradition, that this church had been built by St. Brigid—especially the eastern part—
although they knew not that here^"^^ was her birthplace. ''^^ The graveyard of Foughart is still much used for interments. The base of an old cross yet
rises over the graves. This last resting-place of the dead is intimately asso- ciated with the invasion of Ireland by King Robert Bruce^^^ of Scotland,^^^ and by his brother Edward Bruce,''^^ who prosecuted it to a disastrous issue. '^^
=^' About a yard in length retained the original height of 14 feet towards the mid- dle ; it was lower towards the east gable.
'^^ In 1836, seven feet from the ground
was an opening reaching to the top.
"^4 The foregoing is the substance of Messrs. P. O'Keefe's and T. O'Conor's
description in a letter dated Dundalk, Feb-
" Letters, containing information relative to the Antiquities of the County, collected during the Progress of the Ordnance Survey
in 1835-1836," vol. i. , pp. 285, 286.
»8s In 1836.
=^ None of the inhabitants were able
then to assign a signification for the word
=87 A few, who read St. Brigid's Life,
said that she was born within 2^ miles of
Dundalk, on a green near the old road,
leading from the latter town to Newry.
Then tradition had it, that she founded
Foughart Church, where she remained 2\
years, before she went to the nunnery at
Kildare. Ibid, pp. 286, 287.
"^^
In A. D. 1306, this heroic chieftain was forced to take refuge in the small Island of Rachlinn, off the northern coast of Antrim. In the spring of 1306, with a fleet of thirty- three galleys and about 300 men, he sailed
*'
for the Scottish coast,
that course of chivalrous conquest which led to the establishment of his country's inde- pendence and his own deathless renown. " About 700 of the northern Irish accompa- nied him on this expedition, and these were led by his brothers, Thomas and Alexander. See Moore's " of vol.
"^ The reader will recollect the allusion
to his taking refuge in Ireland, as poetically recorded in Sir Walter Scott's **Lord of the Isles," canto iii. , sec. xi.
The scheme," said Bruce, contents me well ;
Meantime 'twere best that Isabel For safety, with my bark and crew,
Again to friendly Erin drew.
There Edward, too, shall with her wend, In need to cheer her and defend,
And muster up each scattered friend. "
=9<>The old Scoto-English poem, "The
Bruce ; or the Metrical History of Robert I.
King of Scots," by Master John Barbour, Archdeacon of Aberdeen, contains the most detailed account of Edward Bruce's career in Ireland, in Buke Tend, Buke Eleuenth, Buke Twelt, vol. i. , pp. 277 to 368. This is published from a Manuscript dated M. cccc. LXXXix. See "The Bruce; and Wallace ;" edited by John Jamieson, D. D. , with notes, biographical sketches, and a glossary. In Two Volumes. Edinburgh, A. D. 1820, 4to.
=51 That brilliant and decisive victory,
achieved by the Scots over the English, at
Bannockbum, in 13 14, and to which allusion
has been already made in the Life of St.
Foilan, at the 9th of January, had awakened
for a kindred people warm sympathies, while it aroused ambition among the north-
ern Irish chieftains, to originate some effec- tive means for obtaining national indepen- dence. Proposing to Robert Bruce the propriety of making his brother, Edward, king of Ireland, they agreed to rally round the latter, immediately on his arriving in their country. As Edward had already demanded a share in the sovereignty of Scotland, King Robert eagerly inclined to the expressed wishes of these Irish chiefs, and made to
iiiary 15th, 1 836, taken from
Louth
History Ireland," iii. , chap, xxxvi,, p. 52.
every preparation
military and naval expedition, destined for
and proceeded on
the coasts of Ireland. Accordingly, on the 26th of May, 1315, Edward Bruce landed on the shores of Antrim, with a fleet of 300 sail and an army of Scots, estimated at 6,000 men. Immediatelyonhisarrival,theIrish of Ulster hastened in great numbers to fight under his standard. With united forces,
organize a
February i. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS 29
A hollow space between Faughart hill and Carrickbroad^s^ is pointed out as the spot where Bruce was killed,=93 in that last desperate
the Scots and Irish overran the whole pro- 30,000 men to surprise and harass the King
vince of Ulster, within an incredibly short of Scotland, they did not, however, venture period. Dundalk, Ardee, with some other to risk a decisive engagement with him.
places in Louth, were taken and demolished by the invading forces and their allies. To oppose them, De Burgo, earl of Ulster,
About the commencement of May, Robert Bruce was obliged to retreat upon Ulster. He soon afterwards set sail for Scotland, leaving his brother Edward to sustain the cause, in which his fortunes were embarked. This retreat of the Scots and Irish, into the northern province, allowed the English an opportunity for making many successful diversions around the borders of their own settlements. In the year 13 1 8, Edward Bruce raised a small army, with which he advanced to Foughart, near Dundalk. Here he was opposed and defeated by John
raised a large army, chiefly in Connaught.
He formed a junction with Sir Edmond
Butler, the lord justice. The Scots and
Irish crossed the river Bann, when they
gave battle to the Earl of Ulster, at Connor.
Here the Anglo-Irish leader was defeated,
and afterwards he was forced to fly for pro-
tection towards the western province. Ed-
ward Bmce, who had already caused himself
to be proclaimed king of Ireland, next be-
sieged the castle of Carrickfergus, where Birmingham, at the head of an English some of the defeated English had taken
refuge. Bruce spent some time endeavour-
ing to reduce the stronghold of Carrickfer-
gus ; yet, at last he raised the siege to
proceed southwards, through the midland
counties of Leinster. His advance caused
the rising of various native septs ; but the all over the country. See Moore's His- prevalence of famine at this time obliged
the Scottish leader to retire upon Ulster.
At the town of Kells, he gave battle to
I5,(X)0 English, under the command of Sir
Roger Mortimer, who suffered an ignomi-
nious defeat. In 1 3 16, King Robert Bruce graveyard. Near this cemetery, the inha- landed in Ireland with a great army to assist
his brother Edward, and with united forces the garrison of Carrickfergus, after a brave
and protracted defence, was compelled to surrender. Robert Bruce, accompanied by a large army of Scots and Irish, advanced to Dublin, where he arrived about the close
bitants point out a spot, where Bruce's horse was buried, and it is said, the bones of this animal were even discovered, on digging for them.
="93 The Rev. Dr. Drummo—nd's Poem,— ofnospecialmerit,however, andintituled,
"
Bruce's Invasion of Ireland," describes the progress of the Scottish leader, and his zens were in a state of consternation, but final defeat. An idea of its measure and
of February, 1317. The Anglo-Irish deni-
lost no time in making energetic preparations
style may be gleaned from the following
for defence
.
The
and Irish lines, to the —of Irish English appear relating mustering
to have been almost equally demoralized
and disorganized, during the progress of
these transactions. The suburbs of Dublin were burnt down by the citizens, to prevent their invaders from finding there a shelter on approaching. Richard, Earl of Ulster, now advanced in years, was arrested on suspicion of having favoured the cause of Bruce, whilst DeLacy joined his forces with the Scots and Irish. King Robert Bruce, however, on finding the metropolis so strongly fortified and so resolutely defended by its Anglo-Irish garrison, deemed it a useless waste of time and valour to attempt
desolated country, disconcerted his plans. Although the English mustered a force of
chiefs and tribes to his standard
its reduction the slow by
" With these comes well-versed O'Mailey,
in sea-wiles.
The lord of Craig-Uile, a prince of the isles ;
Of th' Arrans, where health-wafting gales ever blow.
And Bovin, with fat lowing herds, white as snow.
of a Conducting his army southwards through Kildare, Kilkenny, Tipperary and Limerick, he burned and plundered the English foun- dations, civil and ecclesiastical, wherever he passed. Famine, pressing sorely on this
process
siege.
force, which had marched from Dublin.
See the Author's "Catechism of Irish His-
tory," lesson XV. , pp. 153 to 158.
^9^ Some written accounts state, that Ed-
ward Bruce's body had been divided into
quarters, and had been sent for exhibition "
tory of Ireland," vol. iii,, chap, xxxvi. , p. 71. This, however, does not appear to be
confirmed on any good authority, and the local tradition is probably correct, that the headless body had been buried in Foughart
*'
:
Blood-royal O'Connor his infantry guides From regions beyond where the broad
Shannon glides ;
Great monarch of streams, that from up-
land and dell.
And a thousand steep mountains, his wide
current swell ;
By cities, lakes, forests, and fields rich
withgrain.
Sweeping on with his sail-covered tidfes
to the main. "
3«> LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS [February i. 4
battle, which he fought on the 14th of October, a. d. 1318,294 at Foiighart. ^^s Many of his chieftains and soldiers, Irish and Scots, fell in this short but
decisive conflict. =^96 Although during the course of three years,^^? pending which he waged war in Ireland, Edward Bruce had encountered the English armies in eighteen successive and victorious battles,^^^ their great numerical superiority at the battle of Foughart caused victory to favour the arms of England from the very first onset. 299 From the south-west corner of the church, and removed about four yards, the grave of Edward Bruce is shown. 3°° The authentication, however, is only sustained by a popular tradition. About the middle of the last century, St. Brigid's Stone, having a raised work about it in the form of a horse-shoe, was to be seen at Foughart. 3°' In the middle was a rough rocky flint, on which with bared knees penitents were accustomed to kneel. Raised upon two circular and concentric steps
was elevated St.
Brigid's pillar.
wthin the graveyard. 3°3 These are singularly suggestive of having been the base of a round tower. The burial-ground is well enclosed with a fine fence and a quick-set hedge of grown hawthorns. It rises high over the
adjacent fields. North-west of the old church, and within the graveyard enclosure, is shown " St. Brigid's Well. "304 It was dried up,3°5 when visited
**
As birds to the prey that come rushing from far.
They speed to enjoy the grand pastime of
war
Proud Flaiths on whose helmets gemmed
coronets shine
Proud Tanists with baldrics enriched by
the mine. "
And a thousand green islets, with foam girdled bright,
Like gems chased in silver, and glistening
=9^ Relative to the issue of this battle, we are told in "The Brus," writ be Master Johne Barbour : —
" And tha that at the fichting wer Socht Schir Eduard to get his hed Emang the folk that thar was ded. "
—
423. Aberdeen, 1856, 4to.
=97 An interesting account of this Irish
expedition of the Bruces is given in Sir Da-
"
in
light. "
;
Sec. 11. cxxxii. ,
Spald-
;
volume, at Dublin, in 1826.
'94 According to John Fordun's "Scoti-
chronicon," vol. ii. , lib. xii. , cap. xxxvii. , p. 271, Walter Goodall's Edition.
burgh, A. D. 1776, 1779, 4to.
=98 See Barbour's "Bruce," book xii.
"
History of Ireland," vol. iii. , chap, xxxvi. , p. 70.
3°^ the circular stones are now noticeable Only
Annals of This Poem was issued in a small i2mo Scotland," vol. ii. , pp. 60 to 82. Edin-
=^5 Authors differ greatly in their account
both of the numbers engaged, and of those
who fell. Barbour, whose object it was to
pay all possible honour to the valour of his
countrymen, says that Bnice's army con- the east side. It was said to have been
tained about 2,000 men, not including his Irish auxiliaries ; and that they were oppo-
sed by the overwhelming multitude of 40,000. Bruce, at his landing, had 6,000 men, and he afterwards received reinforcements from Scotland. Now, though he sustained some loss from the sword, famine, and other c^ualties of war, it is scarcely credible that
covered by notches, one of which was then visible.
3°' This object seems to have disappeared.
3°^ Thomas Wright informs us, that the nuns of the convent used to go upon their knees on particular occasions ; sometimes around the lesser and sometimes around the larger circles, as their penitence required. See " Louthiana," book iii. , p. 19.
3°3 Views of all the curious ob- foregoing
jects are preserved for us in Plate xx. , book
his forces were reduced to one-third.
Irish annals his numbers at compute
The
3,000 ; but Ware says that 8,274 fell in the field,
" while in Louthiana,"
andthat were they
iii. , of Wright's
opposed by only 1,324
men-at-arms. Walsingham states the num- addition there is a ground plan of St.
ber of the slain to be 5,800, besides 29 barons and knights. The Anglo-Irish army is not said to have sustained any loss beside that of Maupus. See " Bruce's Invasion of Ire- land," note viii. , pp. 113, 114.
Brigid's quadrangular church in the grave- yard.
3°* In Irish CobA^ 1if^$t>e.
3°5 This, we were told, was the result of some previous desecration.
200 to 202. The
ing Club Edition, edited by C. Innes, p.
vid Dalrymple's (Lord Hailes')
'99 See Thomas Moore's
3°° In 1836, his tomb was pointed out on the west end of the grave ; the remainder being concealed in the ground. Then it lay nearly horizontal, but sinking slightly to
February i,
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS
Jt
by the writer,3°6 but a pyramidical structure of stone and mortar, over a
square aperture, remain- ed. 3°7 It is on a slopin-^
of the burial- ground, and surrounded
by thickly-matted thorn bushes.
In the Parish of Foughart, there are five remarkable Moats. Three3°8 of these are on the townland of Upper Faughart; anotherMoat is in Lower Faughart,3°9 while one is onRoskeagh townland. 3^°
All writers are agreed,
that St. Brigid's birth
cannot be very distantly removed from the mid- dle of the fifth century. But authorities differ as totheexactdate. Some writers—as for instance the Bollandists3"—place it so early as the year
436 or 437. 3" The "" Annals of Dublin
and the "Annals of
Ross,3^3 with Friar John Clynn3H and Dr. Mere-
3°6 In May, 1874.
3°7 The accompanying illustration was
drawn on the spot by V. George Du Noyer, and transferred to wood from his sketches
in the R. I, A; by Gregor Grey, of Dublin, who also engraved it.
3<^ One is called m6cA ^aSa^c ; another is denominated moCA aw c-'peAti •otiine ; while the other has no distinguishing name.
3°9 This is called flAc ]"AileA6,
s^° This is styled mocA Uac fjeAfi. See "Louth Letters, containing Information relative to the Antiquities of the County, collected during the Progress of the Ordnance Survey in 1835-1836," vol. i. , p. 294.
3" Tillemont properly remarks, they had no sufficient grounds for their statements or
part
conjectures. These they were obliged to death to 506 or 517. " See Dr. Lanigan's
adopt, because they supposed St. Brigid had interviews with St. Patrick, and that he had requested her to weave a shroud for him.
"
312
ing St. Patrick's shroud is assigned by
This circumstance of St. Brigid weav-
arum Antiquitates," cap. xvii. , p. 459.
3^4 See this Tract of his published by the
st. Brigid's Well, Faughart.
Henschenius and Papebrochius, to A. D. 458, to make it accord with their hypothesis regarding St. Patrick's death occurring, as they suppose, in 460. Their predecessor Bollandus, who admitted the circumstance,
relating to friendship existing between St. Patrick and St. Brigid (" Acta Sanctorum, Februarii," torn, i. , i. Februarii), was not obliged to antedate St. Brigid's birth. For, with Ussher, he supposed the former to have lived until the year 493. "Now the successors of Bollandus, when they rejected this date, should have rejected also what has been said about the shroud, &c. , and thus would not have been reduced to assign, in opposition to the best authorities, her birth to the time above mentioned, and her
Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. i. , chap, viii. , sec. ii. , p. 378, and n. 25, pp. 382, 383, ibid.
3'3 See Ussher's " Britannicarum Ecclesi-
32 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i.
dith Hanmer,3^5 have 439. Another calculation should make her first see the light in 443. 3^^ The " Annals of Roscrea" note this event at a. d. 449. 3^7 A
judicious Irish historian considers, that including a. d. 451 and 458, St. Brigid's birth must have occurred at some time within such era. Following Ussher's
her birth to a. d. ^^^ Dr. 45 3,
to concur. The " Annals of Inisfallen" In the " Annals of Senat Mac Magnus," said to have been compiled by Charles Maguire, authors are cited for assigning the holy Virgin's birth to a. d. 457. 3^' Henry of Marl-
borough brings this event to so late a period as 468. 3'''
According to his computation, St. Brigid was only twelve years of age,
when St. Patrick died, if we adopt Dr. Lanigan's opinion ; and the same writer supposes, our Saint might have been known to the Apostle of Ireland,
at a very early age, in consequence of her singular sanctity having become conspicuous, and as she was derived from an illustrious family. But, it is thought, she could not have become a professed nun at that time, nor have already founded any religious house. 3*3 During St. Patrick's lifetime, according to the most consistent and authentic acts of both Saints, the same historian remarks, that Brigid is not represented as having been a consecrated Virgin. However minute, in all matters relating to St. Patrick, his Tripartite Life only mentions St. Brigid on one occasion. 3^4 There it is related, that, when Hstening, together with a vast number of people, to a sermon of his, she fell asleep and had a vision relative to the then state of the Irish Church and to its future vicissitudes, as expounded by St. Patrick. He, knowing that she had a vision, desired her, after she awoke, to tell what she saw.
The Saint replied, that at first she beheld a herd of white oxen amidst white crops, then spotted ones of various colours, after which appeared black and dark-coloured oxen. These were succeeded by sheep and swine, wolves
computation, affixing
The " Annals of Cambria"3i9 date it at a. d. 454.
Lanigan appears
give A. D. 456 in the opinion of some writers. s^Q
and dogs jarring with each other. 325
Irish Archaeological Society. "Quadrin-
There appears to be no good reason
3" So states Ussher in " Britannicarum Ecclesiarum Antiquitates," cap. xvii. , p. 459. However, in Henry Marleburrough's "Chronicle of Ireland," as published by the Hibemia Press Company, 4to, in 1809, we find no such notice, and there his Chronicle commences with A. D. 1 285, ending with A. D. 1421.
3^3 <' The lowest age, which I find to have been allowed in those times in any part of the Church for taking the veil, was that of 16 or 17 years. (St. Basil, Ep. Canonica, can. 18. ) The African 'Canons fixed it at 25 ; and this regulation became very general in the Western Church. Yet even in the countries where it was received, it might have been dispensed witli in certain cases.
— torn, ii. , (See Gilbert, Corp. J. Can. , p.
gentes—imo 39°. Nascitur beata virgo Bri- "
gida. " Annales Hiberniee," p. 4.
"
Other writers assume the same date, as in
3'S In his
Chronicle of Ireland," p. 89.
"Vetusto libro Chromelliae," quoted by "
Ussher. See Britannicarum Ecclesiarum
Antiquitates," cap. xvii. , p. 459.
S"** Colgan remarks, that according to an
opinion, not improbable, St. Brigid lived to be eighty years. Hence, as it is very generally supposed, she died on February 1st, A. D. 523, her birth must naturally be referred to A. D. 443. See "Trias Thau- maturga," Appendix Quarta ad Acta S. Brigidaj, cap. ix. , p. 620.
3'7 See ibid,
3*8 See "Index CCCCLiii. , p. 520.
Chronologicus,"
at A. D.
3*9 The "Annales Cambrige," supposed by the editor, Rev. John Williams ab Ithel,
n. 27, p. 383.
to be
aflfairs extant, places her birth at A. D. 454. See Preface, p. ix. and p. 3.
3=-^ See "Trias Colgan's
perhaps
the oldest chronicle of Welsh
Thaumaturga," SeptimaVitaS. Patricii,lib. iii. , cap. iv. ,
320 See "Annales
tomus ii. Dr. O'Conor's "Return Hibemi- carum Scriptores. "
3" See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Appendix Quarta ad Acta S. Brigidse, cap. U. , p. 620.
pp. 149, 150.
3=5 See also or Sexta Vita S. Jocelyn's,
Patricii, cap. xciv. , xcv. , Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," pp. 86, 87. Dr. Lanigan adds :— " In this narrative there is nothing
repugnant to the ways of the Almighty, who has been often pleased to impart to
Inisfalenses," p. 3,
"Ecclesiastical His- tory of Ireland," vol. i. , chap, viii. , sec. ii,
410). "
Dr. Lanigan's
February i. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 33
for admitting, that during the illustrious Apostle's life-time, St. Brigid had
been abbess of a monastery, nor concerning her having woven that shroud, in which St. Patrick's body was enveloped after death, and at his own parti-
cular request. 326 Still more, it nmst be observed, that neither Cogitosus, nor the author of the first or of the fifth Life, has a single word about it.
What is very remarkable, moreover, these never once mention St. Patrick, notwithstanding the care, with which they collected whatever could redound
to the honour of St. Brigid. Had she enjoyed those frequent interviews, or kept up a correspondence with St. Patrick, or attended him at his death, it is scarcely possible, that those writers, who are evidently her most ancient biographers, should have been quite silent on such material points.
From her very childhood, we are told, she had been accustomed to an
excellent course of instruction ; and, as she grew up, this holy maiden pre-
sentedeachdaysomefreshproofofreligiousdecorumandmodesty. In
allthings,sheconformedtotheinspirationsofDivineGrace. Herveryname
seemed pre-ordained to indicate her future spiritual state. 3^7 The story is
told of her, that when she was a mere child, playing at holy things, she got
a smooth slab of stone which she tried to set up as a little altar ; then a
beautiful angel joined in her play, and made wooden legs to the altar, and
bored four holes in the stone, into which the legs might be driven, so as to
make it stand. ^^^ Such legends as these—although inexactly preserved— usually attest a life of virtue, from the cradle to the grave.
ware,"
further progress was checked by its being choked by earth and stones, in one particu- lar place. The extent of these remarkable caves, he pointed out to the writer, on the surface of the ground above, and he ex-
the desire that should pressed greatest they
be carefully explored by gentlemen com- petent to describe them.
^
English Pale),
"
or signify the Approach of
an —" Enemy. "
book
=^77 Mr. John Craig, who rented an adjoin- ing farm, told the writer, that in the field next this Dun, while ploughing, the hoofs of a horse sunk through some flag stones. On examination of the spot, a remarkable
zig-zag-shaped earth-cave was discovered.
After removing some of the covering stones, he descended into it, and found it regularly walled on the sides. Barely stooping, he was enabled to pass through it for several yards, covering flags being over his head. He saw several specimens of "crockery
•
Louthiana,"
i. , p. 9.
=^78 The people in 1836 called it UeA' pull ""
AS\x>, the high church, and it was also designated coa' pull lipi^'oe riA h-Ai|\t)e moi^e, "Brigid's Church of the great height. "
^79 This inner gable has since fallen.
^^° The accompanying engraving by Wil- liam Oldham, 8 Gloucester-street, Dublin, is from a sketch by the author, and taken on
the spot, in May, 1874.
28 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[February i.
wall was reduced to about 7 feet in height, east of the middle gable. ^^^ The western length to the middle gable was about 14 yards ; the side-walls' height, in this part, is about 14 feet. On the south side-wall was a breach near the middle gable. ^'^^ The west gable had been reduced in height to theleveloftheside-walls; whilethereisabreachonit, reachingfromtop to bottom, about 3 yards wide. On the north side-wall, about 7 feet from the ground, there was an opening, reaching to the top. Another opening next the middle gable, was to be seen, and about the same height. ^^*
This ruinous pile of masonry, at present, is in a very dilapidated condition. The people of Foughart neighbourhood^^s preserved a tradition, that this church had been built by St. Brigid—especially the eastern part—
although they knew not that here^"^^ was her birthplace. ''^^ The graveyard of Foughart is still much used for interments. The base of an old cross yet
rises over the graves. This last resting-place of the dead is intimately asso- ciated with the invasion of Ireland by King Robert Bruce^^^ of Scotland,^^^ and by his brother Edward Bruce,''^^ who prosecuted it to a disastrous issue. '^^
=^' About a yard in length retained the original height of 14 feet towards the mid- dle ; it was lower towards the east gable.
'^^ In 1836, seven feet from the ground
was an opening reaching to the top.
"^4 The foregoing is the substance of Messrs. P. O'Keefe's and T. O'Conor's
description in a letter dated Dundalk, Feb-
" Letters, containing information relative to the Antiquities of the County, collected during the Progress of the Ordnance Survey
in 1835-1836," vol. i. , pp. 285, 286.
»8s In 1836.
=^ None of the inhabitants were able
then to assign a signification for the word
=87 A few, who read St. Brigid's Life,
said that she was born within 2^ miles of
Dundalk, on a green near the old road,
leading from the latter town to Newry.
Then tradition had it, that she founded
Foughart Church, where she remained 2\
years, before she went to the nunnery at
Kildare. Ibid, pp. 286, 287.
"^^
In A. D. 1306, this heroic chieftain was forced to take refuge in the small Island of Rachlinn, off the northern coast of Antrim. In the spring of 1306, with a fleet of thirty- three galleys and about 300 men, he sailed
*'
for the Scottish coast,
that course of chivalrous conquest which led to the establishment of his country's inde- pendence and his own deathless renown. " About 700 of the northern Irish accompa- nied him on this expedition, and these were led by his brothers, Thomas and Alexander. See Moore's " of vol.
"^ The reader will recollect the allusion
to his taking refuge in Ireland, as poetically recorded in Sir Walter Scott's **Lord of the Isles," canto iii. , sec. xi.
The scheme," said Bruce, contents me well ;
Meantime 'twere best that Isabel For safety, with my bark and crew,
Again to friendly Erin drew.
There Edward, too, shall with her wend, In need to cheer her and defend,
And muster up each scattered friend. "
=9<>The old Scoto-English poem, "The
Bruce ; or the Metrical History of Robert I.
King of Scots," by Master John Barbour, Archdeacon of Aberdeen, contains the most detailed account of Edward Bruce's career in Ireland, in Buke Tend, Buke Eleuenth, Buke Twelt, vol. i. , pp. 277 to 368. This is published from a Manuscript dated M. cccc. LXXXix. See "The Bruce; and Wallace ;" edited by John Jamieson, D. D. , with notes, biographical sketches, and a glossary. In Two Volumes. Edinburgh, A. D. 1820, 4to.
=51 That brilliant and decisive victory,
achieved by the Scots over the English, at
Bannockbum, in 13 14, and to which allusion
has been already made in the Life of St.
Foilan, at the 9th of January, had awakened
for a kindred people warm sympathies, while it aroused ambition among the north-
ern Irish chieftains, to originate some effec- tive means for obtaining national indepen- dence. Proposing to Robert Bruce the propriety of making his brother, Edward, king of Ireland, they agreed to rally round the latter, immediately on his arriving in their country. As Edward had already demanded a share in the sovereignty of Scotland, King Robert eagerly inclined to the expressed wishes of these Irish chiefs, and made to
iiiary 15th, 1 836, taken from
Louth
History Ireland," iii. , chap, xxxvi,, p. 52.
every preparation
military and naval expedition, destined for
and proceeded on
the coasts of Ireland. Accordingly, on the 26th of May, 1315, Edward Bruce landed on the shores of Antrim, with a fleet of 300 sail and an army of Scots, estimated at 6,000 men. Immediatelyonhisarrival,theIrish of Ulster hastened in great numbers to fight under his standard. With united forces,
organize a
February i. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS 29
A hollow space between Faughart hill and Carrickbroad^s^ is pointed out as the spot where Bruce was killed,=93 in that last desperate
the Scots and Irish overran the whole pro- 30,000 men to surprise and harass the King
vince of Ulster, within an incredibly short of Scotland, they did not, however, venture period. Dundalk, Ardee, with some other to risk a decisive engagement with him.
places in Louth, were taken and demolished by the invading forces and their allies. To oppose them, De Burgo, earl of Ulster,
About the commencement of May, Robert Bruce was obliged to retreat upon Ulster. He soon afterwards set sail for Scotland, leaving his brother Edward to sustain the cause, in which his fortunes were embarked. This retreat of the Scots and Irish, into the northern province, allowed the English an opportunity for making many successful diversions around the borders of their own settlements. In the year 13 1 8, Edward Bruce raised a small army, with which he advanced to Foughart, near Dundalk. Here he was opposed and defeated by John
raised a large army, chiefly in Connaught.
He formed a junction with Sir Edmond
Butler, the lord justice. The Scots and
Irish crossed the river Bann, when they
gave battle to the Earl of Ulster, at Connor.
Here the Anglo-Irish leader was defeated,
and afterwards he was forced to fly for pro-
tection towards the western province. Ed-
ward Bmce, who had already caused himself
to be proclaimed king of Ireland, next be-
sieged the castle of Carrickfergus, where Birmingham, at the head of an English some of the defeated English had taken
refuge. Bruce spent some time endeavour-
ing to reduce the stronghold of Carrickfer-
gus ; yet, at last he raised the siege to
proceed southwards, through the midland
counties of Leinster. His advance caused
the rising of various native septs ; but the all over the country. See Moore's His- prevalence of famine at this time obliged
the Scottish leader to retire upon Ulster.
At the town of Kells, he gave battle to
I5,(X)0 English, under the command of Sir
Roger Mortimer, who suffered an ignomi-
nious defeat. In 1 3 16, King Robert Bruce graveyard. Near this cemetery, the inha- landed in Ireland with a great army to assist
his brother Edward, and with united forces the garrison of Carrickfergus, after a brave
and protracted defence, was compelled to surrender. Robert Bruce, accompanied by a large army of Scots and Irish, advanced to Dublin, where he arrived about the close
bitants point out a spot, where Bruce's horse was buried, and it is said, the bones of this animal were even discovered, on digging for them.
="93 The Rev. Dr. Drummo—nd's Poem,— ofnospecialmerit,however, andintituled,
"
Bruce's Invasion of Ireland," describes the progress of the Scottish leader, and his zens were in a state of consternation, but final defeat. An idea of its measure and
of February, 1317. The Anglo-Irish deni-
lost no time in making energetic preparations
style may be gleaned from the following
for defence
.
The
and Irish lines, to the —of Irish English appear relating mustering
to have been almost equally demoralized
and disorganized, during the progress of
these transactions. The suburbs of Dublin were burnt down by the citizens, to prevent their invaders from finding there a shelter on approaching. Richard, Earl of Ulster, now advanced in years, was arrested on suspicion of having favoured the cause of Bruce, whilst DeLacy joined his forces with the Scots and Irish. King Robert Bruce, however, on finding the metropolis so strongly fortified and so resolutely defended by its Anglo-Irish garrison, deemed it a useless waste of time and valour to attempt
desolated country, disconcerted his plans. Although the English mustered a force of
chiefs and tribes to his standard
its reduction the slow by
" With these comes well-versed O'Mailey,
in sea-wiles.
The lord of Craig-Uile, a prince of the isles ;
Of th' Arrans, where health-wafting gales ever blow.
And Bovin, with fat lowing herds, white as snow.
of a Conducting his army southwards through Kildare, Kilkenny, Tipperary and Limerick, he burned and plundered the English foun- dations, civil and ecclesiastical, wherever he passed. Famine, pressing sorely on this
process
siege.
force, which had marched from Dublin.
See the Author's "Catechism of Irish His-
tory," lesson XV. , pp. 153 to 158.
^9^ Some written accounts state, that Ed-
ward Bruce's body had been divided into
quarters, and had been sent for exhibition "
tory of Ireland," vol. iii,, chap, xxxvi. , p. 71. This, however, does not appear to be
confirmed on any good authority, and the local tradition is probably correct, that the headless body had been buried in Foughart
*'
:
Blood-royal O'Connor his infantry guides From regions beyond where the broad
Shannon glides ;
Great monarch of streams, that from up-
land and dell.
And a thousand steep mountains, his wide
current swell ;
By cities, lakes, forests, and fields rich
withgrain.
Sweeping on with his sail-covered tidfes
to the main. "
3«> LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS [February i. 4
battle, which he fought on the 14th of October, a. d. 1318,294 at Foiighart. ^^s Many of his chieftains and soldiers, Irish and Scots, fell in this short but
decisive conflict. =^96 Although during the course of three years,^^? pending which he waged war in Ireland, Edward Bruce had encountered the English armies in eighteen successive and victorious battles,^^^ their great numerical superiority at the battle of Foughart caused victory to favour the arms of England from the very first onset. 299 From the south-west corner of the church, and removed about four yards, the grave of Edward Bruce is shown. 3°° The authentication, however, is only sustained by a popular tradition. About the middle of the last century, St. Brigid's Stone, having a raised work about it in the form of a horse-shoe, was to be seen at Foughart. 3°' In the middle was a rough rocky flint, on which with bared knees penitents were accustomed to kneel. Raised upon two circular and concentric steps
was elevated St.
Brigid's pillar.
wthin the graveyard. 3°3 These are singularly suggestive of having been the base of a round tower. The burial-ground is well enclosed with a fine fence and a quick-set hedge of grown hawthorns. It rises high over the
adjacent fields. North-west of the old church, and within the graveyard enclosure, is shown " St. Brigid's Well. "304 It was dried up,3°5 when visited
**
As birds to the prey that come rushing from far.
They speed to enjoy the grand pastime of
war
Proud Flaiths on whose helmets gemmed
coronets shine
Proud Tanists with baldrics enriched by
the mine. "
And a thousand green islets, with foam girdled bright,
Like gems chased in silver, and glistening
=9^ Relative to the issue of this battle, we are told in "The Brus," writ be Master Johne Barbour : —
" And tha that at the fichting wer Socht Schir Eduard to get his hed Emang the folk that thar was ded. "
—
423. Aberdeen, 1856, 4to.
=97 An interesting account of this Irish
expedition of the Bruces is given in Sir Da-
"
in
light. "
;
Sec. 11. cxxxii. ,
Spald-
;
volume, at Dublin, in 1826.
'94 According to John Fordun's "Scoti-
chronicon," vol. ii. , lib. xii. , cap. xxxvii. , p. 271, Walter Goodall's Edition.
burgh, A. D. 1776, 1779, 4to.
=98 See Barbour's "Bruce," book xii.
"
History of Ireland," vol. iii. , chap, xxxvi. , p. 70.
3°^ the circular stones are now noticeable Only
Annals of This Poem was issued in a small i2mo Scotland," vol. ii. , pp. 60 to 82. Edin-
=^5 Authors differ greatly in their account
both of the numbers engaged, and of those
who fell. Barbour, whose object it was to
pay all possible honour to the valour of his
countrymen, says that Bnice's army con- the east side. It was said to have been
tained about 2,000 men, not including his Irish auxiliaries ; and that they were oppo-
sed by the overwhelming multitude of 40,000. Bruce, at his landing, had 6,000 men, and he afterwards received reinforcements from Scotland. Now, though he sustained some loss from the sword, famine, and other c^ualties of war, it is scarcely credible that
covered by notches, one of which was then visible.
3°' This object seems to have disappeared.
3°^ Thomas Wright informs us, that the nuns of the convent used to go upon their knees on particular occasions ; sometimes around the lesser and sometimes around the larger circles, as their penitence required. See " Louthiana," book iii. , p. 19.
3°3 Views of all the curious ob- foregoing
jects are preserved for us in Plate xx. , book
his forces were reduced to one-third.
Irish annals his numbers at compute
The
3,000 ; but Ware says that 8,274 fell in the field,
" while in Louthiana,"
andthat were they
iii. , of Wright's
opposed by only 1,324
men-at-arms. Walsingham states the num- addition there is a ground plan of St.
ber of the slain to be 5,800, besides 29 barons and knights. The Anglo-Irish army is not said to have sustained any loss beside that of Maupus. See " Bruce's Invasion of Ire- land," note viii. , pp. 113, 114.
Brigid's quadrangular church in the grave- yard.
3°* In Irish CobA^ 1if^$t>e.
3°5 This, we were told, was the result of some previous desecration.
200 to 202. The
ing Club Edition, edited by C. Innes, p.
vid Dalrymple's (Lord Hailes')
'99 See Thomas Moore's
3°° In 1836, his tomb was pointed out on the west end of the grave ; the remainder being concealed in the ground. Then it lay nearly horizontal, but sinking slightly to
February i,
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS
Jt
by the writer,3°6 but a pyramidical structure of stone and mortar, over a
square aperture, remain- ed. 3°7 It is on a slopin-^
of the burial- ground, and surrounded
by thickly-matted thorn bushes.
In the Parish of Foughart, there are five remarkable Moats. Three3°8 of these are on the townland of Upper Faughart; anotherMoat is in Lower Faughart,3°9 while one is onRoskeagh townland. 3^°
All writers are agreed,
that St. Brigid's birth
cannot be very distantly removed from the mid- dle of the fifth century. But authorities differ as totheexactdate. Some writers—as for instance the Bollandists3"—place it so early as the year
436 or 437. 3" The "" Annals of Dublin
and the "Annals of
Ross,3^3 with Friar John Clynn3H and Dr. Mere-
3°6 In May, 1874.
3°7 The accompanying illustration was
drawn on the spot by V. George Du Noyer, and transferred to wood from his sketches
in the R. I, A; by Gregor Grey, of Dublin, who also engraved it.
3<^ One is called m6cA ^aSa^c ; another is denominated moCA aw c-'peAti •otiine ; while the other has no distinguishing name.
3°9 This is called flAc ]"AileA6,
s^° This is styled mocA Uac fjeAfi. See "Louth Letters, containing Information relative to the Antiquities of the County, collected during the Progress of the Ordnance Survey in 1835-1836," vol. i. , p. 294.
3" Tillemont properly remarks, they had no sufficient grounds for their statements or
part
conjectures. These they were obliged to death to 506 or 517. " See Dr. Lanigan's
adopt, because they supposed St. Brigid had interviews with St. Patrick, and that he had requested her to weave a shroud for him.
"
312
ing St. Patrick's shroud is assigned by
This circumstance of St. Brigid weav-
arum Antiquitates," cap. xvii. , p. 459.
3^4 See this Tract of his published by the
st. Brigid's Well, Faughart.
Henschenius and Papebrochius, to A. D. 458, to make it accord with their hypothesis regarding St. Patrick's death occurring, as they suppose, in 460. Their predecessor Bollandus, who admitted the circumstance,
relating to friendship existing between St. Patrick and St. Brigid (" Acta Sanctorum, Februarii," torn, i. , i. Februarii), was not obliged to antedate St. Brigid's birth. For, with Ussher, he supposed the former to have lived until the year 493. "Now the successors of Bollandus, when they rejected this date, should have rejected also what has been said about the shroud, &c. , and thus would not have been reduced to assign, in opposition to the best authorities, her birth to the time above mentioned, and her
Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. i. , chap, viii. , sec. ii. , p. 378, and n. 25, pp. 382, 383, ibid.
3'3 See Ussher's " Britannicarum Ecclesi-
32 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i.
dith Hanmer,3^5 have 439. Another calculation should make her first see the light in 443. 3^^ The " Annals of Roscrea" note this event at a. d. 449. 3^7 A
judicious Irish historian considers, that including a. d. 451 and 458, St. Brigid's birth must have occurred at some time within such era. Following Ussher's
her birth to a. d. ^^^ Dr. 45 3,
to concur. The " Annals of Inisfallen" In the " Annals of Senat Mac Magnus," said to have been compiled by Charles Maguire, authors are cited for assigning the holy Virgin's birth to a. d. 457. 3^' Henry of Marl-
borough brings this event to so late a period as 468. 3'''
According to his computation, St. Brigid was only twelve years of age,
when St. Patrick died, if we adopt Dr. Lanigan's opinion ; and the same writer supposes, our Saint might have been known to the Apostle of Ireland,
at a very early age, in consequence of her singular sanctity having become conspicuous, and as she was derived from an illustrious family. But, it is thought, she could not have become a professed nun at that time, nor have already founded any religious house. 3*3 During St. Patrick's lifetime, according to the most consistent and authentic acts of both Saints, the same historian remarks, that Brigid is not represented as having been a consecrated Virgin. However minute, in all matters relating to St. Patrick, his Tripartite Life only mentions St. Brigid on one occasion. 3^4 There it is related, that, when Hstening, together with a vast number of people, to a sermon of his, she fell asleep and had a vision relative to the then state of the Irish Church and to its future vicissitudes, as expounded by St. Patrick. He, knowing that she had a vision, desired her, after she awoke, to tell what she saw.
The Saint replied, that at first she beheld a herd of white oxen amidst white crops, then spotted ones of various colours, after which appeared black and dark-coloured oxen. These were succeeded by sheep and swine, wolves
computation, affixing
The " Annals of Cambria"3i9 date it at a. d. 454.
Lanigan appears
give A. D. 456 in the opinion of some writers. s^Q
and dogs jarring with each other. 325
Irish Archaeological Society. "Quadrin-
There appears to be no good reason
3" So states Ussher in " Britannicarum Ecclesiarum Antiquitates," cap. xvii. , p. 459. However, in Henry Marleburrough's "Chronicle of Ireland," as published by the Hibemia Press Company, 4to, in 1809, we find no such notice, and there his Chronicle commences with A. D. 1 285, ending with A. D. 1421.
3^3 <' The lowest age, which I find to have been allowed in those times in any part of the Church for taking the veil, was that of 16 or 17 years. (St. Basil, Ep. Canonica, can. 18. ) The African 'Canons fixed it at 25 ; and this regulation became very general in the Western Church. Yet even in the countries where it was received, it might have been dispensed witli in certain cases.
— torn, ii. , (See Gilbert, Corp. J. Can. , p.
gentes—imo 39°. Nascitur beata virgo Bri- "
gida. " Annales Hiberniee," p. 4.
"
Other writers assume the same date, as in
3'S In his
Chronicle of Ireland," p. 89.
"Vetusto libro Chromelliae," quoted by "
Ussher. See Britannicarum Ecclesiarum
Antiquitates," cap. xvii. , p. 459.
S"** Colgan remarks, that according to an
opinion, not improbable, St. Brigid lived to be eighty years. Hence, as it is very generally supposed, she died on February 1st, A. D. 523, her birth must naturally be referred to A. D. 443. See "Trias Thau- maturga," Appendix Quarta ad Acta S. Brigidaj, cap. ix. , p. 620.
3'7 See ibid,
3*8 See "Index CCCCLiii. , p. 520.
Chronologicus,"
at A. D.
3*9 The "Annales Cambrige," supposed by the editor, Rev. John Williams ab Ithel,
n. 27, p. 383.
to be
aflfairs extant, places her birth at A. D. 454. See Preface, p. ix. and p. 3.
3=-^ See "Trias Colgan's
perhaps
the oldest chronicle of Welsh
Thaumaturga," SeptimaVitaS. Patricii,lib. iii. , cap. iv. ,
320 See "Annales
tomus ii. Dr. O'Conor's "Return Hibemi- carum Scriptores. "
3" See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Appendix Quarta ad Acta S. Brigidse, cap. U. , p. 620.
pp. 149, 150.
3=5 See also or Sexta Vita S. Jocelyn's,
Patricii, cap. xciv. , xcv. , Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," pp. 86, 87. Dr. Lanigan adds :— " In this narrative there is nothing
repugnant to the ways of the Almighty, who has been often pleased to impart to
Inisfalenses," p. 3,
"Ecclesiastical His- tory of Ireland," vol. i. , chap, viii. , sec. ii,
410). "
Dr. Lanigan's
February i. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 33
for admitting, that during the illustrious Apostle's life-time, St. Brigid had
been abbess of a monastery, nor concerning her having woven that shroud, in which St. Patrick's body was enveloped after death, and at his own parti-
cular request. 326 Still more, it nmst be observed, that neither Cogitosus, nor the author of the first or of the fifth Life, has a single word about it.
What is very remarkable, moreover, these never once mention St. Patrick, notwithstanding the care, with which they collected whatever could redound
to the honour of St. Brigid. Had she enjoyed those frequent interviews, or kept up a correspondence with St. Patrick, or attended him at his death, it is scarcely possible, that those writers, who are evidently her most ancient biographers, should have been quite silent on such material points.
From her very childhood, we are told, she had been accustomed to an
excellent course of instruction ; and, as she grew up, this holy maiden pre-
sentedeachdaysomefreshproofofreligiousdecorumandmodesty. In
allthings,sheconformedtotheinspirationsofDivineGrace. Herveryname
seemed pre-ordained to indicate her future spiritual state. 3^7 The story is
told of her, that when she was a mere child, playing at holy things, she got
a smooth slab of stone which she tried to set up as a little altar ; then a
beautiful angel joined in her play, and made wooden legs to the altar, and
bored four holes in the stone, into which the legs might be driven, so as to
make it stand. ^^^ Such legends as these—although inexactly preserved— usually attest a life of virtue, from the cradle to the grave.
