Formerly
it was the seat of a bishop, and long after that time, it was the fortress and capital of the once powerful Meath palatinate.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v4
Patrick F.
Moran's Early Irish Missions," p.
5.
76 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 7.
called the " Mountain of Angels. " It now bears the name Cam Engyli, and it overhangs the Nevern. At its foot was built a church. ? St. Brenach passed out of this world, on the 7th of April. ^ His relics were placed, under the eastern wall of his church. 9
Article VII. —Reputed Festival of St. Sigenius, Scottish Pres- byter AND Abbot, of the Island Helluensis. Treating about the incidents of the reign of Donaldus, the fifty-third King of Scotland, Lesley
declares,' that the foregoing holy man was held in great veneration, by all persons ; yet, that writer does not call him a saint, or blessed, as the Bollan- dists remark, at this dale. = Arnold Wion introduces the name of Sigenius, into his Benedictine Martyrology, as a saint, although not knowing the date for his festival. John Wilson places him, in the English Martyrology, at the 7th of April. Ferrarius, in his General Catalogue of the Saints, followed him. Atthe7thofApril,ThomasDempster3 hasanentry,recordingthefestivalof Sigenius, Abbot. '* He states, likewise, that the Martyrologium Anglicum has a similar commemoration. This festival is given, by David Camerarius,5 in hisScottishEntriesintheKalendar. ^ IntheearlierBreviaryofAberdeen, as also in the ancient Martyrology of Tallagh, there is no mention of Sigenius ; and, therefore, the Bollandists chose to leave him, until more cer- tain authorities could be adduced, for placing him among the recognised saints. In the Anonymous Calendar of our Irish Saints, published by O'SuUivan Beare,? the name of the present holy man appears, as Sigenus,^ at the present date.
Article VIII. —Reputed Festival of St. Brandan, or Brundan, Bishop and Confessor. \Sixth Century. ] In a Manuscript of Florarius, and by the Scholiast on Usuard,' there is a notice of Abbot Brandanus, cele- brated for his voyage, and he is called Bishop, likewise, by Petrus de Natali- bus,° as also, by other writers. 3 His life will be found more fully written, at the 1 6th May, the date usually assigned for his festival.
Article IX. —Reputed Feast of St. Vincent Ferrer, Confessor,
AND a Missionary, in Ireland. \Fourteenth and Fifteenth Centuries. ] In the Kalendar of an ancient Ambrosian Missal and Breviary, the festival
of this saint is marked, at the 7 th of April ;' but, his Life has been more properly written, for the 5th of this month.
'SeeFenton's"Pembrokeshire,"p. 543.
^ According to the " Martyrologium Aug- licanum. " Second Edition.
5 See Ri^ht Rev. Patrick F. Moran's " Early Irish Missions," p. 6.
=TIius: "7Die. SanctusSigeneiusAbbas Benchorensis monasterii in Insula Hoyensi. "
'
See iiiit. , p. 236.
' See " Historioe Calholicx Ibernice Com-
pendium," tomus i. , lib. iv. , cap. xi. , p. 50.
Article vii. rum " lib. iv.
—'
In
" Rerum Scottica-
^ See Fitzsimon's " Henry
» See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. ,
Aprilis vii. Among the pretermitted festi-
=
In lib. v. , cap. 117. "
^ See the Bollandists' Acta Sanctorum,"
vals, p. 655.
3 in the "Menologium Scotonmi," we tomus i. , Aprilis vii. Among the preter-
read under this date Sigenii Abbatis. "
:
" In Insulis Scoticis mitted saints, p. 656.
Article ix. — See the Bollandists'
* See Bishop Forbes' " Kalendars of Scot- "Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Aprilis vii. tish Saints," p. 196. Among the pretermitted saints, p. 655.
Catalogus Article viii. — Per Grevenum.
Aliquorum Sanctorum Ibernise. "
April 8. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 77
Article X—Reputed Festival of St. Celestine I. , Pope and Confessor. \Fourih arid Fifth Centuries. ^ In an ancient Catalogue, and in various Martyrologies, as already noticed on the previous day, the death of Pope St Celestine L, has been set down. '
€ig:f)ti) Bap of 9pnU
ARTICLE I. —ST. CENNFAOLADH, ABBOT OF BANGOR, COUNTY OF DOWN. [SEVENTH AND EIGHTH CENTURIES. }
AMAN, who rendered essential service to the cause of religion, humanity,
and deserves to be a beloved and historic civilization, respected
celebrity. The present holy Abbot had a sensitive and chivalrous feeling, which urged him to labour for the correction of a great social evil, and for the emancipation of women, from a state of degradation, by no means credi-
"
table to the customs or policy of past times. In the
his festival was commemorated, at the 8th of April. '
Feilire" of St. ^ngus, We find Cendfaoladh,
Abbot of Bennchair, at the record, concerning him, in the Martyrology of
Tallagh,' on this date. From the same source, and at the same day, the Bollandists 3 set down, Kinfseladius, Abbas Benchorensis. St. Cennfaoladh
was the grandson to Aedh Breac, according to the Annals of Ulster, and those of the Four Masters. * He became Abbot of Bangor, in the county of Down, most probably soon after the death of Cronan Slacu Caulne, whose departure is variedly placed, at a. d. 686,' 688,* and 690. ' However, it has been stated,* on the authority of Fleming,^ that St. Kennfaelus was Abbot here,soearlyasa. d. 678. TheplacewascalledGreatBangor,bywhichthe early Irish Annalists'" distinguished it from Bangor oftlie Britons," in Wales. It has been stated," that on the present site of the English church,
Article x. —' See the Bollandists' Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 306, 307.
"Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Aprilis vii. Among the pretermitted feasts, p. 655.
5 According to the Annals of Clonmac- noise.
'See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the
Article —
'
The
is the
I.
with its English translation :—
stanza,
following
t)<ir eriAip inmAfCii\
bamop cuip Achempuil nii\hAeiv4T> UimuticuiiN CentjfAetiT) Mi benoch^m.
" The death of Januarius the martjrr, he was his temple's great tower. Not re-
proached by his family was Cennfaelad, Abbot of Bangor. "
'
Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xx. In the Franciscan copy, we meet with CirrofeAUaT) Ah bean.
' See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Aprilis
viii. Among the pretermitted feasts, p. 740. * See Dr. O'Donovao's '• Annals of the
Four vol. Masters,"
i. , pp. 294, 295,
and n.
Ibid.
1 According to the Annals of Ulster, 'See Archdall's "Monasticum Hibemi-
cum," p. 107.
» At p. 314.
'° The name benntAH^ ino]\ is usually ap-
plied, by them, to this place.
" This is designated by Tighemach,
bentidAm biMconum "Bangor of the Bri-
tons. " See Tighemach, at A. D. 622, 756; and also, the Annals of Ulster, at a. d. 671,
755.
" See Rev. William Reeves' " Ecclesiasti-
cal Antiquities of Down, Connor, and Dro- more," p. 13, and n. (p. ) Ibid.
'^ The foundation of this church is thus
(c. )
78 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 8.
stoodtheancientoneofBeanchuir,orBangor. '3 This,however,seemsto me an inexact location, nor does it accord with the tradition of the inhabi- tants. The situation of the old monastery was undoubtedly within a vale, on either side of which two gentle eminences or ridges of land are to be seen. And its locality well deserved the title of the Vale ofAngels—which accord- ing to the old narrative it formerly bore—as well on account of its beautiful site, as also for the reason, that a numerous band of holy men sung the praises of the Almighty, on the spot, and for a long lapse of ages. In the beginningofthelastcentury,BisliopDeBurgo'• sawsomeruinsofBangor monastery. Immediately adjoining the church, the ruined walls of an old building are even yet shown ; and they lie, partly within the garden of the Rectory, or Glebe House, and partly facing the ornamental grounds of Bangor
Ancient Remains at Bangor, County of Down.
Castle,withinthedemesneenclosure,andnotfarfromitsentrancegate. Those
ruins are situated, about one-half statute mile, from the waters of Bangor Bay. 's
They are partly covered with trees and creeping plants. Although of some extent and height, they appear quite featureless, on the exterior, whence only •the writer had been enabled to obtain a view of them. He was informed, by
an intelligent inhabitant of Bangor who accompanied him,'* that the ancient cemetery extended a considerable distance, from these old walls, into the demense, as could be proved, from the quantity of human bones, removed from time to time, by labourers engaged in effecting improvements. He gave
recorded, by the Four Masters, at the year bernia Dominicana. " Caput Primum Praeam-
— :
version is
:
" oot<jn. 21. focug, bulum, ((5. )
552
ComgAit beti'ocViAip. "
eAcciui\ betrocViai)- p.
And the Latinized " Ecclesia Bennchorensis f—undata
'5 The
accompanying
sketch, taken by the writer, on the spot. This sketch has been drawn on the wood, by William F. Wakeman, and it was engraved by Mrs. Millard.
'*Ontheoccasionofavisitmade,inthe month of June, 1857.
Benchorensem. " Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum Hibernicarum Scripto-
res," tomus iii. , p. 157.
per Comgallum
'*Hewrites: "IbiporroRuderan—onnulla
antiqui Monasterii nuperrime vidi. "
"
Hi-
illustration is from a
April 8. ] LIVES 01' THE IRISH SAINTS. 79
me to understand, that local traditions confirmed these disentombed indica- tions of a former burial place ; while the same traditions assigned the ancient monastic site to that place, where the present old walls are to be seen. As we learn, from the Life of St. Comgall,'? Bangor was foundeii, about the year 558 ; and, before halia century had passed, it was in such celebrity, that a greatnumberofmonksflockedtoit. '^ Fromtheearliestperiod,Bangorhad been regarded, as belonging to the civil territory of the Ards. 's Among the Acts, which reflect such great credit on the memory of our Abbot, the Cain Adamnain states, that this Cennfaeladh was among the saints, who went security for liberating women from military service, from bondage, and from
"" He
but, it ought to become still more mellowed and beautiful, like the evening's setting sun. As the Autumn proves its richness, with the golden sheaves and luscious fruits, so must good works and words ripen into merit, towards the harvest time of a well-spent existence.
Article II. —Reputep Feast of Cathald, or Cathlad, said to
HAVE been St. Cathub, Bishop of Trim, County of Meath. Century. \ Encompassed with the ruins of churches, monasteries, and castles, whose gray mouldering relics speak of ages long past, and old celebrities long forgotten, the ancient and celebrated city of Trim yet stands on a beautiful
site, over the Boyne.
Formerly it was the seat of a bishop, and long after that time, it was the fortress and capital of the once powerful Meath palatinate. At an early period, this saint lived. We have recorded, in the Martyrology of Tallagh," that Cathub, a Bishop, had veneration paid him, at this date. ' Our annals relate, likewise, that on the 6th of April, the holy Cathub,3 son of Fearghus,AbbotofAchadh-cinn,dieda. d. 554* and,weareledtobelieve, he has been confounded with the present St. Cathald,' or Cathlad,* who
otherkindof
tury, on the 8th of April, a. d. 704, according to the Annals of Ulster, and of the Four Masters. '' According to the Martyrology of Donegal," St. Cennfaelad, Abbot of Bennchair, was venerated on this day. In an Irish Calendar, preserved at the Royal Irish Academy, the same statement is made, but the year given, a. d. 674,^3 seems to be assigned for the date of his death. This feast is in the Calendar, compiled by Rev. William Reeves. ''* We find him recorded, in the Scottish Kalendar of Drummond,'^ as a holy confessor, at this date, assigned for his departure to Christ. The life of a true saint should not only be aglow with promise, like the bright mornings of Summer ;
every
slavery.
died,
in the
early part
ofthe cen- eighth
' See his Life, at the loth of May.
' In Vita S. Comgalli, cap. xiii.
9 The Book of Armagh relates: "Com-
gallus constituit magnum monasterum quod
Tocatur Beanchor— inregionequaediciturAlti-
tudo Ultorum. " Fleming's "Collectinea
preserved, in the Royal Irish Academy.
»• See " Ecclesiastical Antiquities of
Down, Connor, and Dromore," Appendix LL, p. 377.
''Thus at (vi. Idus) "In Hibemia Sanctus Confessor Cennfael ad Christum migravit. " —Bishop Forbes' "Kalendars of Scottish Saints," p. 10.
Article ii. — Edited by Rev. D. Kelly,
p. xx. See, also, annotation to the Mar-
tyrology of Donegal, 'IntheFranciscancopy,wefind,C&chubi
e^pi.
^ See an account of him, at the date men-
Sacra," p. 305, col. 2. "" "
See The Martyrology of Donegal," by Rev. Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 98, 99.
" See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 306, 307, and n. (y. ) Ibid.
"
Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. °°' 99-
'' The entry rttns CAetinf^oUaT) <lbb tioned.
t)e4nnea^ eP -o' 674. See, the copy in the Common Place Book F, p. 36, which for- merly belonged to the Ordnance Survey Office, in the Phoenix Park, but which is now
< See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 190, 191.
5 So is he named, in the Tripartite Life of St. Patrick, lib. ii. , cap. iii.
{^Sixth
8o LIVES OP THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 8.
seems to have succeeded St. Fortchern,? in the See of Trim,^ probably some
tune, about the close of the fifth or the beginning of the sixth century. He
is called a Pilgrim, in the Acts of St. Patrick. * Now, Colgan conjectures,
that he may have been identical with St. Cathub, venerated on the 6th of
April—although through mistake the 8th is printed—and who died a. d. 554. "° Accordingly, under the he—ad of Trim, Archdall states," that on the 8th of
April—an error in Colgan died the holy Cathald, Cathlad, or Cathub, at A. D. 554. Without sufticient examination of liis identity, in like manner, Rev.
Anthony Cogan has Cathlad, or Cathub, of Trim, who departed this life, a. d. 554. " Itisbynomeanscertain,thathisplacewasinTrim. Thenameof
the present holy prelate is to be found, also, in the Martyrology of Marianus O'Gorman. 'J The Bollandists ' record the festival of Cathubius Episcopus, at the 8th of April.
Article III. —St. Aedhan, Mac Ua Duibhne. The published
'
has a record, at the 8th of April, regarding a festi- val to Aedan Mac h. Suibne. Marianus O'Gorman enters a St. Aidan, at this day. Colgan thinks, he must be identical with aScribe orChronographer of Dur- row,=' in the King's County, and whose death is recorded, in the Annals of the Four Masters, 3 under a. d. 827. At another reference, where Colgan enumerates
various saints, who bore the name of Aidan, in his Appendix to the Acts of St. Maidoc,* also called Aidan, or Aedan, he introduces the present holy man, known as Aidanusfilius Hua-Duibhna. s The Bollandists * have entered his feast, at the 8th of April, as Aidanus filius Hua-Dubnei. Thus, uncer-
tainty prevails regarding him. Aedhan, Mac Ua Duibhne, was venerated, on this day, as we read in the Martyrology of Donegal. ?
Article IV. —St. Falbens, or St. Failbhe, of Erdam. In the
Martyrology of Tallagh,' at the 8th of April, the name is entered, Failbhe Erdaim. In the Martyrology of Marianus O'Gorman, there is a record of
his feast, as having been celebrated, on this day. When treating about St.
'Thus he is called by Jocelyn, who states, CAchiib ep,, Mar. , Mart. Taml. "Cathub, that he was a Briton, by race. Colgan, in a bishop, Marianus Gorman, and Mart, of
Martyrology of Tallagh
note, makes a passing observation, that he does not find such a name, in our Calendars ; but, there isaCathfad, orCathbath, at the ist of July, and at the 1 6th of September. As this name is not found, among the saints
Tanlacht. "
'* See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. ,
Aprilis viii. Among the pretermitted saints,
restin" at Trim, Colgan says, he may have p. xx. In the Franciscan copy, we have
returned to Britain.
^ His feast belongs to the 1 7th of February,
and to the nth of October.
* See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," i. , ii. , p. 507.
3 See Dr. O'Donovan's Edition, vol. i. , II, pp. no, III ; Septima Vita S. Patricii, pp. 442,443.
lib. ii. , cap. iii. , p. 129.
9 See his Life, at the 17th of March,
chap. X.
'" See "Acta Sanctorum Hiberniae," xvii.
SextaVita S. Patricii, cap. lii. , p. 76, andn.
See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Aptilis Februarii, De S. Lomano Episcopo Athtru- viii. Among the pretermitted festivals, p.
mensi, cap. iv. , and n. 14, pp. 362, 363. "See "MonasticonHibernicum,"p. 575. " See " Diocese of Meath, Ancient and
Modern," vol. i. , cliap. vi. , p. 47.
'3 According to Dr. Todd, in the Donegal
740.
? Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
98, 99.
Article iv. —« Edited byRev. Dr. Kelly.
In the Franciscan copy, we read -p^iilbe Martyrology, a more recent hand adds, eApcAi.
p. 740. —' Article hi.
Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly,
^XexjAni IUac u Quibne. ^"
See Trias Thaumaturga," Quinta Ap- pendix ad Acta S. Columbce, cap. iv. , sect.
* See his Life, at the of 31st
January.
s See " Acta Sanctorum Hibernise," xxxi.
Januarii, cap. i. , p. 221.
''
April 8. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 8i
Failbe, or Falve,' Abbot of lona, Colgan s refers to Falveus, Abbas Erdamen- sis, who died in the year 766, and, who was venerated, as he states, at the 8th
of February, whereas his meaning apparently was, at the 8th of April. In the Annals of the Four Masters,* we have the death of Failbhe Erdaimh entered, at the year 766. There is no identification of his place. The Bollandists,5 with a misprint of date, notice Falbeus Erdamensis, at the 8th of April. The festival, in honour of Failbhe,* was celebrated, on this day, as we find a re- cord, in the Martyrology of Donegal. ?
Article V. —St. Ronan, son of Fergus.
76 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 7.
called the " Mountain of Angels. " It now bears the name Cam Engyli, and it overhangs the Nevern. At its foot was built a church. ? St. Brenach passed out of this world, on the 7th of April. ^ His relics were placed, under the eastern wall of his church. 9
Article VII. —Reputed Festival of St. Sigenius, Scottish Pres- byter AND Abbot, of the Island Helluensis. Treating about the incidents of the reign of Donaldus, the fifty-third King of Scotland, Lesley
declares,' that the foregoing holy man was held in great veneration, by all persons ; yet, that writer does not call him a saint, or blessed, as the Bollan- dists remark, at this dale. = Arnold Wion introduces the name of Sigenius, into his Benedictine Martyrology, as a saint, although not knowing the date for his festival. John Wilson places him, in the English Martyrology, at the 7th of April. Ferrarius, in his General Catalogue of the Saints, followed him. Atthe7thofApril,ThomasDempster3 hasanentry,recordingthefestivalof Sigenius, Abbot. '* He states, likewise, that the Martyrologium Anglicum has a similar commemoration. This festival is given, by David Camerarius,5 in hisScottishEntriesintheKalendar. ^ IntheearlierBreviaryofAberdeen, as also in the ancient Martyrology of Tallagh, there is no mention of Sigenius ; and, therefore, the Bollandists chose to leave him, until more cer- tain authorities could be adduced, for placing him among the recognised saints. In the Anonymous Calendar of our Irish Saints, published by O'SuUivan Beare,? the name of the present holy man appears, as Sigenus,^ at the present date.
Article VIII. —Reputed Festival of St. Brandan, or Brundan, Bishop and Confessor. \Sixth Century. ] In a Manuscript of Florarius, and by the Scholiast on Usuard,' there is a notice of Abbot Brandanus, cele- brated for his voyage, and he is called Bishop, likewise, by Petrus de Natali- bus,° as also, by other writers. 3 His life will be found more fully written, at the 1 6th May, the date usually assigned for his festival.
Article IX. —Reputed Feast of St. Vincent Ferrer, Confessor,
AND a Missionary, in Ireland. \Fourteenth and Fifteenth Centuries. ] In the Kalendar of an ancient Ambrosian Missal and Breviary, the festival
of this saint is marked, at the 7 th of April ;' but, his Life has been more properly written, for the 5th of this month.
'SeeFenton's"Pembrokeshire,"p. 543.
^ According to the " Martyrologium Aug- licanum. " Second Edition.
5 See Ri^ht Rev. Patrick F. Moran's " Early Irish Missions," p. 6.
=TIius: "7Die. SanctusSigeneiusAbbas Benchorensis monasterii in Insula Hoyensi. "
'
See iiiit. , p. 236.
' See " Historioe Calholicx Ibernice Com-
pendium," tomus i. , lib. iv. , cap. xi. , p. 50.
Article vii. rum " lib. iv.
—'
In
" Rerum Scottica-
^ See Fitzsimon's " Henry
» See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. ,
Aprilis vii. Among the pretermitted festi-
=
In lib. v. , cap. 117. "
^ See the Bollandists' Acta Sanctorum,"
vals, p. 655.
3 in the "Menologium Scotonmi," we tomus i. , Aprilis vii. Among the preter-
read under this date Sigenii Abbatis. "
:
" In Insulis Scoticis mitted saints, p. 656.
Article ix. — See the Bollandists'
* See Bishop Forbes' " Kalendars of Scot- "Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Aprilis vii. tish Saints," p. 196. Among the pretermitted saints, p. 655.
Catalogus Article viii. — Per Grevenum.
Aliquorum Sanctorum Ibernise. "
April 8. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 77
Article X—Reputed Festival of St. Celestine I. , Pope and Confessor. \Fourih arid Fifth Centuries. ^ In an ancient Catalogue, and in various Martyrologies, as already noticed on the previous day, the death of Pope St Celestine L, has been set down. '
€ig:f)ti) Bap of 9pnU
ARTICLE I. —ST. CENNFAOLADH, ABBOT OF BANGOR, COUNTY OF DOWN. [SEVENTH AND EIGHTH CENTURIES. }
AMAN, who rendered essential service to the cause of religion, humanity,
and deserves to be a beloved and historic civilization, respected
celebrity. The present holy Abbot had a sensitive and chivalrous feeling, which urged him to labour for the correction of a great social evil, and for the emancipation of women, from a state of degradation, by no means credi-
"
table to the customs or policy of past times. In the
his festival was commemorated, at the 8th of April. '
Feilire" of St. ^ngus, We find Cendfaoladh,
Abbot of Bennchair, at the record, concerning him, in the Martyrology of
Tallagh,' on this date. From the same source, and at the same day, the Bollandists 3 set down, Kinfseladius, Abbas Benchorensis. St. Cennfaoladh
was the grandson to Aedh Breac, according to the Annals of Ulster, and those of the Four Masters. * He became Abbot of Bangor, in the county of Down, most probably soon after the death of Cronan Slacu Caulne, whose departure is variedly placed, at a. d. 686,' 688,* and 690. ' However, it has been stated,* on the authority of Fleming,^ that St. Kennfaelus was Abbot here,soearlyasa. d. 678. TheplacewascalledGreatBangor,bywhichthe early Irish Annalists'" distinguished it from Bangor oftlie Britons," in Wales. It has been stated," that on the present site of the English church,
Article x. —' See the Bollandists' Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 306, 307.
"Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Aprilis vii. Among the pretermitted feasts, p. 655.
5 According to the Annals of Clonmac- noise.
'See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the
Article —
'
The
is the
I.
with its English translation :—
stanza,
following
t)<ir eriAip inmAfCii\
bamop cuip Achempuil nii\hAeiv4T> UimuticuiiN CentjfAetiT) Mi benoch^m.
" The death of Januarius the martjrr, he was his temple's great tower. Not re-
proached by his family was Cennfaelad, Abbot of Bangor. "
'
Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xx. In the Franciscan copy, we meet with CirrofeAUaT) Ah bean.
' See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Aprilis
viii. Among the pretermitted feasts, p. 740. * See Dr. O'Donovao's '• Annals of the
Four vol. Masters,"
i. , pp. 294, 295,
and n.
Ibid.
1 According to the Annals of Ulster, 'See Archdall's "Monasticum Hibemi-
cum," p. 107.
» At p. 314.
'° The name benntAH^ ino]\ is usually ap-
plied, by them, to this place.
" This is designated by Tighemach,
bentidAm biMconum "Bangor of the Bri-
tons. " See Tighemach, at A. D. 622, 756; and also, the Annals of Ulster, at a. d. 671,
755.
" See Rev. William Reeves' " Ecclesiasti-
cal Antiquities of Down, Connor, and Dro- more," p. 13, and n. (p. ) Ibid.
'^ The foundation of this church is thus
(c. )
78 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 8.
stoodtheancientoneofBeanchuir,orBangor. '3 This,however,seemsto me an inexact location, nor does it accord with the tradition of the inhabi- tants. The situation of the old monastery was undoubtedly within a vale, on either side of which two gentle eminences or ridges of land are to be seen. And its locality well deserved the title of the Vale ofAngels—which accord- ing to the old narrative it formerly bore—as well on account of its beautiful site, as also for the reason, that a numerous band of holy men sung the praises of the Almighty, on the spot, and for a long lapse of ages. In the beginningofthelastcentury,BisliopDeBurgo'• sawsomeruinsofBangor monastery. Immediately adjoining the church, the ruined walls of an old building are even yet shown ; and they lie, partly within the garden of the Rectory, or Glebe House, and partly facing the ornamental grounds of Bangor
Ancient Remains at Bangor, County of Down.
Castle,withinthedemesneenclosure,andnotfarfromitsentrancegate. Those
ruins are situated, about one-half statute mile, from the waters of Bangor Bay. 's
They are partly covered with trees and creeping plants. Although of some extent and height, they appear quite featureless, on the exterior, whence only •the writer had been enabled to obtain a view of them. He was informed, by
an intelligent inhabitant of Bangor who accompanied him,'* that the ancient cemetery extended a considerable distance, from these old walls, into the demense, as could be proved, from the quantity of human bones, removed from time to time, by labourers engaged in effecting improvements. He gave
recorded, by the Four Masters, at the year bernia Dominicana. " Caput Primum Praeam-
— :
version is
:
" oot<jn. 21. focug, bulum, ((5. )
552
ComgAit beti'ocViAip. "
eAcciui\ betrocViai)- p.
And the Latinized " Ecclesia Bennchorensis f—undata
'5 The
accompanying
sketch, taken by the writer, on the spot. This sketch has been drawn on the wood, by William F. Wakeman, and it was engraved by Mrs. Millard.
'*Ontheoccasionofavisitmade,inthe month of June, 1857.
Benchorensem. " Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum Hibernicarum Scripto-
res," tomus iii. , p. 157.
per Comgallum
'*Hewrites: "IbiporroRuderan—onnulla
antiqui Monasterii nuperrime vidi. "
"
Hi-
illustration is from a
April 8. ] LIVES 01' THE IRISH SAINTS. 79
me to understand, that local traditions confirmed these disentombed indica- tions of a former burial place ; while the same traditions assigned the ancient monastic site to that place, where the present old walls are to be seen. As we learn, from the Life of St. Comgall,'? Bangor was foundeii, about the year 558 ; and, before halia century had passed, it was in such celebrity, that a greatnumberofmonksflockedtoit. '^ Fromtheearliestperiod,Bangorhad been regarded, as belonging to the civil territory of the Ards. 's Among the Acts, which reflect such great credit on the memory of our Abbot, the Cain Adamnain states, that this Cennfaeladh was among the saints, who went security for liberating women from military service, from bondage, and from
"" He
but, it ought to become still more mellowed and beautiful, like the evening's setting sun. As the Autumn proves its richness, with the golden sheaves and luscious fruits, so must good works and words ripen into merit, towards the harvest time of a well-spent existence.
Article II. —Reputep Feast of Cathald, or Cathlad, said to
HAVE been St. Cathub, Bishop of Trim, County of Meath. Century. \ Encompassed with the ruins of churches, monasteries, and castles, whose gray mouldering relics speak of ages long past, and old celebrities long forgotten, the ancient and celebrated city of Trim yet stands on a beautiful
site, over the Boyne.
Formerly it was the seat of a bishop, and long after that time, it was the fortress and capital of the once powerful Meath palatinate. At an early period, this saint lived. We have recorded, in the Martyrology of Tallagh," that Cathub, a Bishop, had veneration paid him, at this date. ' Our annals relate, likewise, that on the 6th of April, the holy Cathub,3 son of Fearghus,AbbotofAchadh-cinn,dieda. d. 554* and,weareledtobelieve, he has been confounded with the present St. Cathald,' or Cathlad,* who
otherkindof
tury, on the 8th of April, a. d. 704, according to the Annals of Ulster, and of the Four Masters. '' According to the Martyrology of Donegal," St. Cennfaelad, Abbot of Bennchair, was venerated on this day. In an Irish Calendar, preserved at the Royal Irish Academy, the same statement is made, but the year given, a. d. 674,^3 seems to be assigned for the date of his death. This feast is in the Calendar, compiled by Rev. William Reeves. ''* We find him recorded, in the Scottish Kalendar of Drummond,'^ as a holy confessor, at this date, assigned for his departure to Christ. The life of a true saint should not only be aglow with promise, like the bright mornings of Summer ;
every
slavery.
died,
in the
early part
ofthe cen- eighth
' See his Life, at the loth of May.
' In Vita S. Comgalli, cap. xiii.
9 The Book of Armagh relates: "Com-
gallus constituit magnum monasterum quod
Tocatur Beanchor— inregionequaediciturAlti-
tudo Ultorum. " Fleming's "Collectinea
preserved, in the Royal Irish Academy.
»• See " Ecclesiastical Antiquities of
Down, Connor, and Dromore," Appendix LL, p. 377.
''Thus at (vi. Idus) "In Hibemia Sanctus Confessor Cennfael ad Christum migravit. " —Bishop Forbes' "Kalendars of Scottish Saints," p. 10.
Article ii. — Edited by Rev. D. Kelly,
p. xx. See, also, annotation to the Mar-
tyrology of Donegal, 'IntheFranciscancopy,wefind,C&chubi
e^pi.
^ See an account of him, at the date men-
Sacra," p. 305, col. 2. "" "
See The Martyrology of Donegal," by Rev. Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 98, 99.
" See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 306, 307, and n. (y. ) Ibid.
"
Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. °°' 99-
'' The entry rttns CAetinf^oUaT) <lbb tioned.
t)e4nnea^ eP -o' 674. See, the copy in the Common Place Book F, p. 36, which for- merly belonged to the Ordnance Survey Office, in the Phoenix Park, but which is now
< See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 190, 191.
5 So is he named, in the Tripartite Life of St. Patrick, lib. ii. , cap. iii.
{^Sixth
8o LIVES OP THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 8.
seems to have succeeded St. Fortchern,? in the See of Trim,^ probably some
tune, about the close of the fifth or the beginning of the sixth century. He
is called a Pilgrim, in the Acts of St. Patrick. * Now, Colgan conjectures,
that he may have been identical with St. Cathub, venerated on the 6th of
April—although through mistake the 8th is printed—and who died a. d. 554. "° Accordingly, under the he—ad of Trim, Archdall states," that on the 8th of
April—an error in Colgan died the holy Cathald, Cathlad, or Cathub, at A. D. 554. Without sufticient examination of liis identity, in like manner, Rev.
Anthony Cogan has Cathlad, or Cathub, of Trim, who departed this life, a. d. 554. " Itisbynomeanscertain,thathisplacewasinTrim. Thenameof
the present holy prelate is to be found, also, in the Martyrology of Marianus O'Gorman. 'J The Bollandists ' record the festival of Cathubius Episcopus, at the 8th of April.
Article III. —St. Aedhan, Mac Ua Duibhne. The published
'
has a record, at the 8th of April, regarding a festi- val to Aedan Mac h. Suibne. Marianus O'Gorman enters a St. Aidan, at this day. Colgan thinks, he must be identical with aScribe orChronographer of Dur- row,=' in the King's County, and whose death is recorded, in the Annals of the Four Masters, 3 under a. d. 827. At another reference, where Colgan enumerates
various saints, who bore the name of Aidan, in his Appendix to the Acts of St. Maidoc,* also called Aidan, or Aedan, he introduces the present holy man, known as Aidanusfilius Hua-Duibhna. s The Bollandists * have entered his feast, at the 8th of April, as Aidanus filius Hua-Dubnei. Thus, uncer-
tainty prevails regarding him. Aedhan, Mac Ua Duibhne, was venerated, on this day, as we read in the Martyrology of Donegal. ?
Article IV. —St. Falbens, or St. Failbhe, of Erdam. In the
Martyrology of Tallagh,' at the 8th of April, the name is entered, Failbhe Erdaim. In the Martyrology of Marianus O'Gorman, there is a record of
his feast, as having been celebrated, on this day. When treating about St.
'Thus he is called by Jocelyn, who states, CAchiib ep,, Mar. , Mart. Taml. "Cathub, that he was a Briton, by race. Colgan, in a bishop, Marianus Gorman, and Mart, of
Martyrology of Tallagh
note, makes a passing observation, that he does not find such a name, in our Calendars ; but, there isaCathfad, orCathbath, at the ist of July, and at the 1 6th of September. As this name is not found, among the saints
Tanlacht. "
'* See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. ,
Aprilis viii. Among the pretermitted saints,
restin" at Trim, Colgan says, he may have p. xx. In the Franciscan copy, we have
returned to Britain.
^ His feast belongs to the 1 7th of February,
and to the nth of October.
* See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," i. , ii. , p. 507.
3 See Dr. O'Donovan's Edition, vol. i. , II, pp. no, III ; Septima Vita S. Patricii, pp. 442,443.
lib. ii. , cap. iii. , p. 129.
9 See his Life, at the 17th of March,
chap. X.
'" See "Acta Sanctorum Hiberniae," xvii.
SextaVita S. Patricii, cap. lii. , p. 76, andn.
See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Aptilis Februarii, De S. Lomano Episcopo Athtru- viii. Among the pretermitted festivals, p.
mensi, cap. iv. , and n. 14, pp. 362, 363. "See "MonasticonHibernicum,"p. 575. " See " Diocese of Meath, Ancient and
Modern," vol. i. , cliap. vi. , p. 47.
'3 According to Dr. Todd, in the Donegal
740.
? Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
98, 99.
Article iv. —« Edited byRev. Dr. Kelly.
In the Franciscan copy, we read -p^iilbe Martyrology, a more recent hand adds, eApcAi.
p. 740. —' Article hi.
Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly,
^XexjAni IUac u Quibne. ^"
See Trias Thaumaturga," Quinta Ap- pendix ad Acta S. Columbce, cap. iv. , sect.
* See his Life, at the of 31st
January.
s See " Acta Sanctorum Hibernise," xxxi.
Januarii, cap. i. , p. 221.
''
April 8. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 8i
Failbe, or Falve,' Abbot of lona, Colgan s refers to Falveus, Abbas Erdamen- sis, who died in the year 766, and, who was venerated, as he states, at the 8th
of February, whereas his meaning apparently was, at the 8th of April. In the Annals of the Four Masters,* we have the death of Failbhe Erdaimh entered, at the year 766. There is no identification of his place. The Bollandists,5 with a misprint of date, notice Falbeus Erdamensis, at the 8th of April. The festival, in honour of Failbhe,* was celebrated, on this day, as we find a re- cord, in the Martyrology of Donegal. ?
Article V. —St. Ronan, son of Fergus.
