Further
particulars
regard- ing him are reserved for the 10th of Novem-
ber.
ber.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v9
The foregoing inscription is only substantially and not literally given, for many of the letters were then obliterated.
However, it seems the oldest legible epitaph to be found over any of the graves.
42 A round-headed door-way had been in
the centre of the west gable, and built in
plain Hiberno-Romanesque style. Mr. Wakeman's description of this door-way and the roof was drawn from a sketch by Mons. Besaucle, a French gentleman, and
professor of drawing in the Royal Belfast Academical Institution. This sketch was
•'
The Dublin Review," for 1845. It gives a critical analysis and notice commendatory of Mr.
Petrie's celebrated work, and his conclusions on the subject. It has since been
D. D. , and published in
e to they designed
"
Irish Church History. '' Edited by Rev.
Daniel MacCarthy, D-D. , pp. 137 to 219.
47 The presented illustration, from an
approved engraving, represents the Round Tower and some of the deserted ecclesiasti- cal ruins, now remaining on Devenish. It has been drawn on the wood and engraved by Gregor Gray.
republished. See
Dissertations chiefly on
September i2. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 303
are quite smooth. *8 The stones are so admirably laid and fitted one to
another, that at a little distance from the ground the interstices of the
masonry can scarcely be detected. The doorway is semicircular, with a
prominent architrave and inclined sides j nearly all the stones forming its
casing run the whole thickness of the wall. The Tower from base to cap
is a marvel of masonry. At the joining of the roof may be seen a unique
feature- a cornice running round the whole summit, ornamented with four
human heads,*? well executed in stone. These are placed at the cardinal
points, and each surmounting one of the four large apertures, through which the bells of old sounded. *
Devenish and Lough Erne, St. Molasi's Island.
Of the monastic remains, that called the Abbey or the Upper Church is the most perfect, and the most modem, or probably it has been re-edified at alaterperiod,thanwhenfirst built. s1 Thisabbeychurchs2 is ataconsider- able distance from the Round Tower, and near the highest part of the
48 The structure
exteriorly,
and the interior
had taken at the of the shaft root, just point
underthecone; and,duringahighwindin 1834, it was blown down, carrying with it several tons of stones. However, the Hon. and Rev, J. C. Maude, then Rector of Ennis-
killen, inaugurated a subscription to restore the roof, which was effected in 1835. It
was then discovered, that the topmost stone contained an aperture, in which was found a piece of iron. This was probably a portion of the cross, which it seems probable surmounted the whole structure.
51 It was erected by Matthew O'Dubha-
gain in the early part of the fifteenth century, as stated by an inscription, which still remains on the wall of the interior.
52 According to tradition it had been dedi-
section, with details of the Round Tower,
are drawn by Mr. Wakeman, and minutely
described ; while he was indebted to Roderick Gray, Esq. , C. E. , for most of the measurements from top to bottom. The total vertical height of the tower is 84 feet 10 inches : the thickness of the wall at base is 4 feet, 1 inch, and the circumference of the Tower at base is 49 feet, while interiorly, there were formerly five floors. The acute apex over a cornice, and which tops the roof, rises 16 feet to the upper point.
49 The beards of the heads are interlaced,
and resemble those on the western door-
way capitals of Killeshin Church, near Carlow.
50 An alder of considerable dimensions
cated to St.
Mary.
3°4 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [September 12.
island. That building measures ninety-eight feet, by twenty-eight—the breadth of the nave. At present, little more than the great central square tower and some side-walls of the building remain. " The nave had been divided by a wooden floor, into two apartments ; the upper story, as well as the tower, having been intended apparently for 'the purposes of a dwelling. In the northern wall of the chancel a niche or door-way appears, the head of which is singularly decorated with foliage, having interlacing stems. 54 The basement story of the tower55 is groined, and it rests on beautifully moulded ribs. In the ceiling are two apertures, coeval with the building, through which bell ropes were formerly passed. A small pointed doorway leads to a spiral staircase, by which the battlememts of the tower are reached. The masonry—or sculpture it might almost be called—is very remarkable for its excellence. The angles of the architraves, being delicately fluted and finished equally at top as at bottom, produce an effect both light and graceful. There is a second doorway in the south wall, with an ornamental architrave ; above which, in a canopied niche, were the arms of the founder, or of some benefactortothepriory. 56 Asmalltranseptextendstothenorth,andonthis side were a number of attached edifices, which are supposed to have been theresidencesofthemonks. Thestoneusedinthebuildingofthetoweris a beautiful gray limestone, susceptible of a high polish, and one of the varieties found in that district adjoining the lake. 57
Looking over the graveyard adjoining the abbey, we see many very old carved stones, now buried in the grass. Among those, one may be noticed, but at present broken through ; it has a carved cross on the surface, and it was probably intended to mark the resting place of an abbot or of
some ecclesiastical
58 Lichen-covered
and head-stones dot t—he —ch extend near the ruins. The
accordingtolocalnomenclature ortheLowerChurchisofamoreancient
date than the and much more 60 The eastern window
dignitary.
flag
swards of old burial places,59 whi Nunnery
priory, dilapidated.
was still perfect, until a comparatively late period ; it was rudely executed, and divided into three compartments, with lancet heads, and banded on the
53 The eastern gable, and its traceried
window, have been destroyed ; but, some sculptured stones of the latter may still be found among the tombs, and evince taste and skill on the part of its builders.
54 Similar designs, but of later date, occur in the old buildings of Galway. It is interesting to observe how long this pecu- liar Irish style of ornamentation continued to be used.
55 The Tower is supported on two
admirably designed arches, the capitals of which rests on tongue-shaped corbels of a patters almost peculiar to Ireland.
; in the upper windows of the Round
Tower, or even from those of the square
Beil-Tower, a most enchanting range of vision, over the Lower Lake and its sur-
rounding shore, must open upon the eye, if surveyed on a clear summer day.
57 About the year i860, or 1861, several
human bones were dug up from a hollow,
out thecaretakeronDevenish pointed by
Island, and which lies some distance apart from the more modern abbey church and its graveyard. No graves seem to have ex-
tended to that spot, as connected with the
adjoining burial-ground. Those bones were afterwards re-interred, and stones were heaped over them.
S*A fine sandstone shaft of an ancient cross long remained covered with earth, until recently, when the Rev. Mr. Hughes of Carrickmacross had it exposed to view by digging around it. Over eight feet were uncovered, and still he did not come to the end of this cross where it joined to a soffit and pedestal rooted near it, and yet to be Been embedded in the earth. There was a very beautiful and perfect carving on one side, according to the caretaker's account. The Rev. Mr. Hughes again covered that antique cross, intending, at some future time, to have it raised and placed in its proper position.
59 These were a favourie sepulchral site for the Maguires of Portora, and their clans- men.
6oThe —ofthischurchiseightyfeetby length
twenty-three
must be gathered exclusively from the records of its fate.
a fact that in a few years more
September 12. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 305
inside 61 while in the southern wall were two circularly-headed windows,68 ;
and illuminating, it is said, a baptistery just below them. The Upper and Lower churches possessed the advantage of a bell suspended in each, for many years ; but, at the suppression, it was directed that they should be carried to the cathedral of Armagh. 6* Like most of the old churches in Ireland, the ruins of Devenish have not escaped the ravages of Vandalism. 6 *
CHAPTER II.
PERIOD OF ST. MOLATSSl'S SETTLEMENT IN DEVENISH—RULE DRAWN UP BY HIM FOR THE REGULATION OF THAT MONASTERY—HIS MIRACLES—VIRTUES AND LEARNING OF THE SAINT—HIS DEATH AND BURIAL AT DEVENISH—COMMEMORATIONS — CONCLUSION.
The story of St. Columba's having been ordered by Molaisse to leave
Ireland, however fabulous, yet pre-supposes that the latter was a renowned
12
Abbot about 561, the year assigned for the battle of Cul-dremni, or Cul-
drebhni. The account of its origin is of ancient date, however, and the tradition has long survived in the compositions of our bards and chroniclers. In conjunction with Saints Finian and Brendan,3 St. Molaisse is said to have advised his school-fellow, St. Columkille, to pass over into Britain. St. Molaisi is known to have lived at Damh-inis, before the departure of St. Columkille from Ireland, in the year 563, the second year after the battle of Culdrebhne, and in the forty-second year of his age/ By some writers, the foundation of St. Molaisi's monastery has been referred to the latter date. 5
61
These are represented in a drawing by to the Ordnance Memoir of Ireland ; John Frith ; the slender lights were sepa- together with the Minutes of Evidence.
rated by massive piers of stone.
6* The only one of these now remaining
has been represented, exteriorly and in- teriorly, by Mr. Wakeman, and the dimen- sions given, in his article on "The Antiquities of Devenish. "
6i The following is a local tradition.
Boats were procured for the purpose. The
bell of the upper church was conveyed
safely to shore, and carried to the place of
destination ; but the boat in which was
Molaisse's bell sunk, with its load, to the
bottom, and has never since been recovered.
Appendix and Index, presented to both Houses of Parliament by order of her
Majesty, p. 23, n—. 218.
"
If a day can influence a deed, it may have
ii.
Scotorum,"at that date, in which it is stated,
that the battle of Cuil Dremne was gained over Diarmaid Mac Cerbhaill for his trans- gressions against St. Colum Cille. Edition of William M. Hennessy, pp. 52, 53. These transgressions are supposed to have been his judgment pronounced against Columba, respecting the transcript secretly made of a copy of the Gospels belonging to St. Finian of Magh Bile. See ibid. , nn. 4, 5.
2 See Rev. Dr. " Ecclesiastical Lanigan's
History of Ireland," vol. ii. , cap. xi. , sect,
Fifth Volume of this work, Art. i.
4 See James Mackinnon's "Culture in
. done so in this instance, the 12th
St. Molaisse's festival, having been the date
—" The 64 This is proved from the following
—
for this singular occurrence. "
Scenery and Antiquities of Ireland, Illus- trated," vol. i. , chap, viii. , pp. 60, 61.
n. 220. 129, p.
evidence of the Rev. Romney Robinson "
book London, 1892, 8vo.
While Rector of Enniskillen, about
September,
:
Early Scotland,"
iii.
,
chap, i. , p. 152.
twenty years ago, I caught the tenant of
Devenish building a barn with the fragments of the east window of the monastery, and
pulling dow—n parts that were comparatively
uninjured. " Report of the Commissioners testant Reformation in England and appointed to inquire into the Facts relating Ireland," vol. ii. , County Fermanagh.
Chapter
'See the "Chronicum
sect,
3 See his Life, at the 16th of May, in the
ii. , chap, xii. ,
ix. ,
5 William Cobbett thus writes : "An abbey, built in Daimb-inis about the year 563, by St. Lase—rian : it stood until the
"
general plunder. " History of the Pro-
U
306 LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [September12.
Many holy men, and among others St. Aidus of Killare, 6 visited him in his retirement. We are told in the legendary Life of St. Aidus, that when this Saint came to Devenish, he found St. Laisrean at work with his monks. The visitor then asked what he could do to assist them. St. Laisrean told him to move a tree of great size and age from its position in the earth, when he ordered the tree in the name of Christ to be uprooted. On the instant, it was miraculously raised from the earth into air, and carried off into the sea. Allwhowitnessedthismiracle
which was the school at Damhinis. There he learned fully the arts of
writing, and he acquired a knowledge of polite learning, while he became celebrated for his skill as an artist in metal work, 10 before he became bishop
over Iniskeen, in the County of Louth. So that we may conclude, a school of repute had been established on the island, so early as the sixth century. There the very crypt or cell inhabited by St. Molaise is said to be still standing, but unroofed. Its walls are of massive solidity, and traces of the covering-roof remain.
It has been stated, that St. Molaisse or Laiserian made a pilgrimage to the Eternal City, after he became Abbot over Devenish. However, the learned Dr. Lanigan thinks, that the journey Laiserian is said to have made to Rome rests on no sure foundation, and that he was probably confounded with his namesake of LeighUn. " We have already seen, that St. Moedoc, Bishop of Ferns and St. Molaise of Devenish were intimates and friends. After their first separation in Ulster, it is said, St. Molaise, before he under- took that journey to Rome, resolved on visiting his beloved acquaintance at Ferns. Then a pact of amity was again confirmed, not only between the principals, but also between the members, of their respective communities, and this bond of union, it was agreed, should be perpetual. From Rome, our saint had resolved to bring back some clay and relics to hallow his
13
cemetery at Devenish.
An ancient hymn states, that St. Molaisse shone forth as a bright lamp,
illustrating all Ireland by his sanctity and learning. He drew up a Rule for the instruction and guidance of his religious, over whom he presided as Abbot. Under his training, the monks aspired to the most sublime practices of devotion. The Life of Ciaran x 3 of Cluain
gave
that St. Daigh or Dagcus said to have been a nephew of our Saint
8
—
thankstoGod. ? Wehave — already seen,
was also a pupil of St. Laisrian and of his brother, a Deacon, who taught in the schoolatDamh-inis. WiththatDeaconanduncle,theboypaidavisitto St. Mochta, of Louth,9 and afterwards, having had his future sanctity and eminence predicted by that patriarch, both returned to the lesser monastery,
1 * that the Order of Molaissi was one of the eight Orders that were in Erinj's but perhaps, adds the calendarist, it speaks of some other saint bearing the same name.
6
February, in the Second Volume of this work, Art. viii.
Further particulars regard- ing him are reserved for the 10th of Novem-
ber.
7 SeeColgan's " Acta Sanctorum Iliber-
niae. ' xxviii. Februarii. Vita S. Aidi, cap.
See an account of him, at the 28th of
"Venerated on the 18th of April, where
his Life is given, in the Fourth Volume of
this work, Art. i.
'2
See an article, written by His Eminence Cardinal Patrick F. Motan, Archbishop of Sydney, in the First Series of the "Irish Ecclesiastical Record," vol. vii. ,
xxvii. , p. 421. 8'
See his Life, at the 18th of August, in the Eighth Volume of this work, Ait. i.
9Seehis attheic/. hof in Life, August,
the Eighth Volume of this work, Art. i.
10
See chapter i. , in the Life of St. Daigh, at the 18th of August.
p. 318.
3 See his Life, at the 9th day of this
month, in the present volume, Art. i.
I4 to the" of According Martyrology
Donegal," edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves.
l> Chapter XLVii. is quoted.
states,
September 12. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 307
"
Patrick of the Fort of Macha loves," relates that Molaissi desired to be in a stone prison, and also to keep a house of hospitality for every one in Erin. 16 These abodes of hospitality were usually known as the guest-houses, attached to nearly all thecelebratedmonasteriesinIreland. Generallyspeaking,amoregenerous refreshment was served up in them for the pilgrims and travellers, who were accustomed to visit those places held in such popular veneration, than was allowedforrefectionofthemonks. Onacertainoccasion,asMolaisseand his monks were taking their scanty meal, the refectory in which they were caught fire. The monks rose suddenly to fly from the house, on seeing it lighted with red glowing flames. Their Superior requested them to remain, to go on their knees, and to pray, while he did the same, while reaching forth his hand towards the fire. Then the ridge-pole of the house fell in, and the fire did them no further injury. Afterwards, he permitted the monks to rise from their posture of prayer. St. Laisrean, it is stated, converted to the faith a certain Conall or Colman Derig, a King of Ulster, who had been
struckwithblindness. ^ Ofhimwefindnofurtherhistoricaccount,
So highly esteemed was Saint Molaise or Laisren both for his piety and
18
Cuimin of Coindeire, in the poem which begins,
learning, that he is said to have been created Bishop of Clogher,
next in succession to Crimir-Rodan. It has been stated, moreover, that he administered the ecclesiastical affairs of that diocese, with prudence and edification. x 9 With other men, our saint is 20 as one of the
Twelve Apostles of Erin, and he is named, as having assisted at
Congal's feast. He is said to have been present at the Banquet of Dun-na
n-Gedh. However, either the narrator was a very inaccurate historian,
or the transcribers have corrupted his text. The present holy Abbot
is numbered among the Irish Saints of the second class, as noted in the
ancient Irish 21 the Irish saints, no fewer than eleven Catalogue. Among
bear the name of Laisrian or Molaisse. St. Laserian, the patron of Leighlin, and the present holy man, were the most eminent among these. An Alpha- betical Latin Hymn, addressed to Laserian or Molaisse, of Daimh-innis or
"
Devenish, is to be found in the Liber Hymnorum," a Manuscript preserved
in Trinity College, Dublin. 22 This was first published in the '* Irish Eccle- "
holy represented
siastical Record 23 of 1869, and it has been again printed with some inaccuracies. 2* The latest issue of it is that by the Henry Bradshaw
"
,6 Thus he says : —
Molaisi of the Lake, loves
To be in a prison of ha*d stone,
To have a house of guests for the men of
accession of Laisrean, which should have been prior to a. d. 570. See " Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap. xii. . sect.
i. , and n. 5. , pp. 183 to 185.
^ In Dr. O' Donovan's translation of the
"
ancient historical tale of the
Without refusal, without a particle of Dun na n gedh and the Battle of Magh churlishness. " Rath. " The entire difficulty could be got
Erin,
Banquet of
'7 See Challoner's "Britannia and the word co— Bishopbyinsertingtnharba
*'. <? . ,
Sancta," part ii. , pp. 128, 129. representative or successor before the
18
over
for — by substituting bishops Apostles,
According to Sir James Ware, in his names of these Saints. The probability,
Lists of the Bishops of Clogher, taken from the Register of that See.
19 However, the Rev. Dr. Lanigan denies Ware's statement, concerning St. Molaise having been a Bishop over Clogher. He says, that even supposing Laisrean had been bishop there, it cannot be believed, that nine prelates of that see lived between Tigernach, who died a. d. 549, and the pretended
however, is that the anachronism —is an
original blunder of the writer himself. "
pp. 27, 28, n.
2I "
See
See Ussher's Britannicarum Ecclesi- arum Antiquitates, cap. xvii. , p. 474.
22
It is classed E. 4. 2.
23 See vol. v. , p. 224.
24 In Dreves' *' Analecta," vol. xix. , p.
222.
coming
3o8
LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [September12.
Society, LL. l). 2?
J.
Bernard, D. D,
Atkinson,
2* under the of editorship
26 and R.
H.
This Hymn28 is probably derived from an Office for the Feast of
St. Molaise, of which a fragment is extant as a marginal note in the 2
Martyrology of Donegal, at the 12th of September. 9
After a life usefully and religiously spent, St. Molaisse was called away to
receive the crown of his labours and virtues, on the 12th day of September. He was buried, in the cemetery, on the Island of Devenish. His stone coffin30 is said to have been found, embedded in the earth, near one of the ruins. The lid, which had been long taken for the shaft of an antique cross, layattheeasternsideofwhatiscalledtheLowerChurch. Tothenorthof the oratory, within a small quadrangular enclosure, which appears to have been the aherla, or Saint's burial-place, was to be seen that very rude stone coffin, now broken into pieces. 3 1 The material is sandstone, and the bottom seems to hav—e been
of three —stones. 32 The lid has been composed separate
33
style, a very correct idea might be formed regarding the date of the
sarcophagus.
The festival of St. Molaisse is kept on the day of his death. For a long
time, it had been religiously observed by those, who dwelt in the vicinity of Lough Erne. During the last century, and in the beginning of the present,
"
25 See the Irish Liber Hymnorum," 29 See ibid. , vol. ii , pp. 220, 221.
carried away a fact greatly to be regretted
as by an examination of its
edited from the MSS. , with Translations,
Notes and Glossary, vol. i. , p. 158. London,
1898, 8vo.
26
Fellow of Trinity College, and Arch- bishop King's Lecturer in Divinity in the University of Dublin.
2? Professor of Sanskrit in the University of Dublin.
28 The following is the text :—
Abbas probatus omnino Benedictus a domino
Cum caritatis fructibus Doctor seclesiasticus
Elect us dei anthleta Fidelis sine macula Gregis pastor subagrinus Humilis supplex submissus Jeiunus largissimus
Kastus cum rectis moribus Lucerna erit in tota Macculasrius Hibernia Nadfraich et sanctus filius Optimus dei filius Probatus sapiens peritus Quern coronavit dominus Kequiescit post obitum Securus in perpetuum Tenebrarum rectoiibus Uictis atque principibus Xristo cum suis omnibus Ymnum canit celestibus Zelus in quo fait missus dei prae particibus.
Oratio.
Per meritum Macculasri summi sacerdotis adiuna nos Christe saluator mundi qui regnas.
30 This stone-coffin measured about six
feet, two inches in length, exteriorly, and in-
teriorly, five feet, six inches, by one foot, ten inches.
31 Mr. Wakeman ascertained, that a stone
bearing an extremely rude effigy, and now used as a headstone in the upper cemetery, was popularly believed to have been the lid of this coffin.
32 One end has been hollowed to meet the contour of the head and shoulders of a very small person ; but altogether, the work
presents a particularly mediaeval look. Of those objects drawings have been furnished by Mr. Wakeman, with the article to which jrilusion has been already made.
33 The bed of St. Molaisi was shown as a small square enclosure of walls, but now broken, at the time of our visit to Devenish, in July, 1869. About eighteen or nineteen years previously, a certain Vandal, named Robert Watkin, »broke this tomb—then perfect— as we were told by the guide. A week afterwards, he shot off his own thumb by an accident, but this was attributed to the Saint's displeasure : he got into prison three several times, proved most unfortunate in all his dealings, and in fine, he emigrated to Ameriea. During the wintei of 1865- 66, three English soldiers, stationed at Enniskillen, and belonging to the 93rd
Regiment, visited the Island. While one of these looked on passively, the others broke St. Molaise's tomb, in two distinct places. Soon afterwards, one of the wreckers named Davis, was drowned in the Lake, with two other soldiers. It was not known, if either or both of his companions had shared his watery grave, after that wanton and base act.
September12! LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS.
309
countless numbers repaired to the Island to practise various devotions on St. Molaise's festival day. The local guide pointed out another object of interest, viz. the exact spot on the North side facing down towards the Lough, where St. Molaise's well flowed, although it was then covered up with stones. Stations were formerly carriecl on near it. There is a tradition, that in the oldentimeDevenishwasconnectedwiththemainlandbyacauseway. A portion of this work appears to remain, and upon it there is a very well defined crannogue, or artificial Island. Except in very dry summers, this islet is covered with water. 3* The exact year of St. Molaisse's death has not been determined. However, the Annals of Boyle place it so early as a. d. 35
some
years, we are told, that he went to Heaven, a. d. 563, according to the Annals of Ulster, and again this record assigns it to 570,37 which other writers adopt. Again, the year 571 is thought to be the latest date that can be noted for his departure. 38 Some authorities name the 13th of April, 571, as the day for his departure. 39 In the " Feilire " of ^Engus, at the 12th of September,4° there is an encomiastic notice of Laisren, called the beautiful, of multitudinous Damh-inis. There is a comment, having an Irish verse attributed to him/1 The published Martyrology of Tallagh42 records a festival, at the 12th of September, in honour of Molaissi Daimhinsi, i. e. MacNatifraich. It is also entered in the Book of Leinster copy. *3 In the Irish poetical Martyrology of Marianus O'Gorman,4* which has been edited by Whitley Stokes, D. C. L. ,4* and which contains several Biblical, Continental,
544.
By
authors,
it is referred to
563. 3
completing thirty
34 The foregoing description has been 42 Edited by Rev Dr. Kelly, p. xxxiv. written by W. F. Wakeman, for the " Irish 43 Thus molAr'p true ruopnaich T>&m Chronicle," of May 29th, 1869. This mp.
accomplished artist and antiquary enters upon a more minute and complete descrip-
tion of those antique objects in his elegantly written and illustrated Guide Book,
intituled "Lough Erne, Enniskillen, Belleek, Ballyshannon and Bundoran," &c. First Excursion, pp. 39 to 52.
35 " An— dxliv. K. Molasi Daminsi a
Apostles, monastery belonging
to the
quievit. " Annales Buelliani, in Df. "
Canons Regular of St. Augustine at Knock, close to the town of Louth.
42 A round-headed door-way had been in
the centre of the west gable, and built in
plain Hiberno-Romanesque style. Mr. Wakeman's description of this door-way and the roof was drawn from a sketch by Mons. Besaucle, a French gentleman, and
professor of drawing in the Royal Belfast Academical Institution. This sketch was
•'
The Dublin Review," for 1845. It gives a critical analysis and notice commendatory of Mr.
Petrie's celebrated work, and his conclusions on the subject. It has since been
D. D. , and published in
e to they designed
"
Irish Church History. '' Edited by Rev.
Daniel MacCarthy, D-D. , pp. 137 to 219.
47 The presented illustration, from an
approved engraving, represents the Round Tower and some of the deserted ecclesiasti- cal ruins, now remaining on Devenish. It has been drawn on the wood and engraved by Gregor Gray.
republished. See
Dissertations chiefly on
September i2. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 303
are quite smooth. *8 The stones are so admirably laid and fitted one to
another, that at a little distance from the ground the interstices of the
masonry can scarcely be detected. The doorway is semicircular, with a
prominent architrave and inclined sides j nearly all the stones forming its
casing run the whole thickness of the wall. The Tower from base to cap
is a marvel of masonry. At the joining of the roof may be seen a unique
feature- a cornice running round the whole summit, ornamented with four
human heads,*? well executed in stone. These are placed at the cardinal
points, and each surmounting one of the four large apertures, through which the bells of old sounded. *
Devenish and Lough Erne, St. Molasi's Island.
Of the monastic remains, that called the Abbey or the Upper Church is the most perfect, and the most modem, or probably it has been re-edified at alaterperiod,thanwhenfirst built. s1 Thisabbeychurchs2 is ataconsider- able distance from the Round Tower, and near the highest part of the
48 The structure
exteriorly,
and the interior
had taken at the of the shaft root, just point
underthecone; and,duringahighwindin 1834, it was blown down, carrying with it several tons of stones. However, the Hon. and Rev, J. C. Maude, then Rector of Ennis-
killen, inaugurated a subscription to restore the roof, which was effected in 1835. It
was then discovered, that the topmost stone contained an aperture, in which was found a piece of iron. This was probably a portion of the cross, which it seems probable surmounted the whole structure.
51 It was erected by Matthew O'Dubha-
gain in the early part of the fifteenth century, as stated by an inscription, which still remains on the wall of the interior.
52 According to tradition it had been dedi-
section, with details of the Round Tower,
are drawn by Mr. Wakeman, and minutely
described ; while he was indebted to Roderick Gray, Esq. , C. E. , for most of the measurements from top to bottom. The total vertical height of the tower is 84 feet 10 inches : the thickness of the wall at base is 4 feet, 1 inch, and the circumference of the Tower at base is 49 feet, while interiorly, there were formerly five floors. The acute apex over a cornice, and which tops the roof, rises 16 feet to the upper point.
49 The beards of the heads are interlaced,
and resemble those on the western door-
way capitals of Killeshin Church, near Carlow.
50 An alder of considerable dimensions
cated to St.
Mary.
3°4 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [September 12.
island. That building measures ninety-eight feet, by twenty-eight—the breadth of the nave. At present, little more than the great central square tower and some side-walls of the building remain. " The nave had been divided by a wooden floor, into two apartments ; the upper story, as well as the tower, having been intended apparently for 'the purposes of a dwelling. In the northern wall of the chancel a niche or door-way appears, the head of which is singularly decorated with foliage, having interlacing stems. 54 The basement story of the tower55 is groined, and it rests on beautifully moulded ribs. In the ceiling are two apertures, coeval with the building, through which bell ropes were formerly passed. A small pointed doorway leads to a spiral staircase, by which the battlememts of the tower are reached. The masonry—or sculpture it might almost be called—is very remarkable for its excellence. The angles of the architraves, being delicately fluted and finished equally at top as at bottom, produce an effect both light and graceful. There is a second doorway in the south wall, with an ornamental architrave ; above which, in a canopied niche, were the arms of the founder, or of some benefactortothepriory. 56 Asmalltranseptextendstothenorth,andonthis side were a number of attached edifices, which are supposed to have been theresidencesofthemonks. Thestoneusedinthebuildingofthetoweris a beautiful gray limestone, susceptible of a high polish, and one of the varieties found in that district adjoining the lake. 57
Looking over the graveyard adjoining the abbey, we see many very old carved stones, now buried in the grass. Among those, one may be noticed, but at present broken through ; it has a carved cross on the surface, and it was probably intended to mark the resting place of an abbot or of
some ecclesiastical
58 Lichen-covered
and head-stones dot t—he —ch extend near the ruins. The
accordingtolocalnomenclature ortheLowerChurchisofamoreancient
date than the and much more 60 The eastern window
dignitary.
flag
swards of old burial places,59 whi Nunnery
priory, dilapidated.
was still perfect, until a comparatively late period ; it was rudely executed, and divided into three compartments, with lancet heads, and banded on the
53 The eastern gable, and its traceried
window, have been destroyed ; but, some sculptured stones of the latter may still be found among the tombs, and evince taste and skill on the part of its builders.
54 Similar designs, but of later date, occur in the old buildings of Galway. It is interesting to observe how long this pecu- liar Irish style of ornamentation continued to be used.
55 The Tower is supported on two
admirably designed arches, the capitals of which rests on tongue-shaped corbels of a patters almost peculiar to Ireland.
; in the upper windows of the Round
Tower, or even from those of the square
Beil-Tower, a most enchanting range of vision, over the Lower Lake and its sur-
rounding shore, must open upon the eye, if surveyed on a clear summer day.
57 About the year i860, or 1861, several
human bones were dug up from a hollow,
out thecaretakeronDevenish pointed by
Island, and which lies some distance apart from the more modern abbey church and its graveyard. No graves seem to have ex-
tended to that spot, as connected with the
adjoining burial-ground. Those bones were afterwards re-interred, and stones were heaped over them.
S*A fine sandstone shaft of an ancient cross long remained covered with earth, until recently, when the Rev. Mr. Hughes of Carrickmacross had it exposed to view by digging around it. Over eight feet were uncovered, and still he did not come to the end of this cross where it joined to a soffit and pedestal rooted near it, and yet to be Been embedded in the earth. There was a very beautiful and perfect carving on one side, according to the caretaker's account. The Rev. Mr. Hughes again covered that antique cross, intending, at some future time, to have it raised and placed in its proper position.
59 These were a favourie sepulchral site for the Maguires of Portora, and their clans- men.
6oThe —ofthischurchiseightyfeetby length
twenty-three
must be gathered exclusively from the records of its fate.
a fact that in a few years more
September 12. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 305
inside 61 while in the southern wall were two circularly-headed windows,68 ;
and illuminating, it is said, a baptistery just below them. The Upper and Lower churches possessed the advantage of a bell suspended in each, for many years ; but, at the suppression, it was directed that they should be carried to the cathedral of Armagh. 6* Like most of the old churches in Ireland, the ruins of Devenish have not escaped the ravages of Vandalism. 6 *
CHAPTER II.
PERIOD OF ST. MOLATSSl'S SETTLEMENT IN DEVENISH—RULE DRAWN UP BY HIM FOR THE REGULATION OF THAT MONASTERY—HIS MIRACLES—VIRTUES AND LEARNING OF THE SAINT—HIS DEATH AND BURIAL AT DEVENISH—COMMEMORATIONS — CONCLUSION.
The story of St. Columba's having been ordered by Molaisse to leave
Ireland, however fabulous, yet pre-supposes that the latter was a renowned
12
Abbot about 561, the year assigned for the battle of Cul-dremni, or Cul-
drebhni. The account of its origin is of ancient date, however, and the tradition has long survived in the compositions of our bards and chroniclers. In conjunction with Saints Finian and Brendan,3 St. Molaisse is said to have advised his school-fellow, St. Columkille, to pass over into Britain. St. Molaisi is known to have lived at Damh-inis, before the departure of St. Columkille from Ireland, in the year 563, the second year after the battle of Culdrebhne, and in the forty-second year of his age/ By some writers, the foundation of St. Molaisi's monastery has been referred to the latter date. 5
61
These are represented in a drawing by to the Ordnance Memoir of Ireland ; John Frith ; the slender lights were sepa- together with the Minutes of Evidence.
rated by massive piers of stone.
6* The only one of these now remaining
has been represented, exteriorly and in- teriorly, by Mr. Wakeman, and the dimen- sions given, in his article on "The Antiquities of Devenish. "
6i The following is a local tradition.
Boats were procured for the purpose. The
bell of the upper church was conveyed
safely to shore, and carried to the place of
destination ; but the boat in which was
Molaisse's bell sunk, with its load, to the
bottom, and has never since been recovered.
Appendix and Index, presented to both Houses of Parliament by order of her
Majesty, p. 23, n—. 218.
"
If a day can influence a deed, it may have
ii.
Scotorum,"at that date, in which it is stated,
that the battle of Cuil Dremne was gained over Diarmaid Mac Cerbhaill for his trans- gressions against St. Colum Cille. Edition of William M. Hennessy, pp. 52, 53. These transgressions are supposed to have been his judgment pronounced against Columba, respecting the transcript secretly made of a copy of the Gospels belonging to St. Finian of Magh Bile. See ibid. , nn. 4, 5.
2 See Rev. Dr. " Ecclesiastical Lanigan's
History of Ireland," vol. ii. , cap. xi. , sect,
Fifth Volume of this work, Art. i.
4 See James Mackinnon's "Culture in
. done so in this instance, the 12th
St. Molaisse's festival, having been the date
—" The 64 This is proved from the following
—
for this singular occurrence. "
Scenery and Antiquities of Ireland, Illus- trated," vol. i. , chap, viii. , pp. 60, 61.
n. 220. 129, p.
evidence of the Rev. Romney Robinson "
book London, 1892, 8vo.
While Rector of Enniskillen, about
September,
:
Early Scotland,"
iii.
,
chap, i. , p. 152.
twenty years ago, I caught the tenant of
Devenish building a barn with the fragments of the east window of the monastery, and
pulling dow—n parts that were comparatively
uninjured. " Report of the Commissioners testant Reformation in England and appointed to inquire into the Facts relating Ireland," vol. ii. , County Fermanagh.
Chapter
'See the "Chronicum
sect,
3 See his Life, at the 16th of May, in the
ii. , chap, xii. ,
ix. ,
5 William Cobbett thus writes : "An abbey, built in Daimb-inis about the year 563, by St. Lase—rian : it stood until the
"
general plunder. " History of the Pro-
U
306 LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [September12.
Many holy men, and among others St. Aidus of Killare, 6 visited him in his retirement. We are told in the legendary Life of St. Aidus, that when this Saint came to Devenish, he found St. Laisrean at work with his monks. The visitor then asked what he could do to assist them. St. Laisrean told him to move a tree of great size and age from its position in the earth, when he ordered the tree in the name of Christ to be uprooted. On the instant, it was miraculously raised from the earth into air, and carried off into the sea. Allwhowitnessedthismiracle
which was the school at Damhinis. There he learned fully the arts of
writing, and he acquired a knowledge of polite learning, while he became celebrated for his skill as an artist in metal work, 10 before he became bishop
over Iniskeen, in the County of Louth. So that we may conclude, a school of repute had been established on the island, so early as the sixth century. There the very crypt or cell inhabited by St. Molaise is said to be still standing, but unroofed. Its walls are of massive solidity, and traces of the covering-roof remain.
It has been stated, that St. Molaisse or Laiserian made a pilgrimage to the Eternal City, after he became Abbot over Devenish. However, the learned Dr. Lanigan thinks, that the journey Laiserian is said to have made to Rome rests on no sure foundation, and that he was probably confounded with his namesake of LeighUn. " We have already seen, that St. Moedoc, Bishop of Ferns and St. Molaise of Devenish were intimates and friends. After their first separation in Ulster, it is said, St. Molaise, before he under- took that journey to Rome, resolved on visiting his beloved acquaintance at Ferns. Then a pact of amity was again confirmed, not only between the principals, but also between the members, of their respective communities, and this bond of union, it was agreed, should be perpetual. From Rome, our saint had resolved to bring back some clay and relics to hallow his
13
cemetery at Devenish.
An ancient hymn states, that St. Molaisse shone forth as a bright lamp,
illustrating all Ireland by his sanctity and learning. He drew up a Rule for the instruction and guidance of his religious, over whom he presided as Abbot. Under his training, the monks aspired to the most sublime practices of devotion. The Life of Ciaran x 3 of Cluain
gave
that St. Daigh or Dagcus said to have been a nephew of our Saint
8
—
thankstoGod. ? Wehave — already seen,
was also a pupil of St. Laisrian and of his brother, a Deacon, who taught in the schoolatDamh-inis. WiththatDeaconanduncle,theboypaidavisitto St. Mochta, of Louth,9 and afterwards, having had his future sanctity and eminence predicted by that patriarch, both returned to the lesser monastery,
1 * that the Order of Molaissi was one of the eight Orders that were in Erinj's but perhaps, adds the calendarist, it speaks of some other saint bearing the same name.
6
February, in the Second Volume of this work, Art. viii.
Further particulars regard- ing him are reserved for the 10th of Novem-
ber.
7 SeeColgan's " Acta Sanctorum Iliber-
niae. ' xxviii. Februarii. Vita S. Aidi, cap.
See an account of him, at the 28th of
"Venerated on the 18th of April, where
his Life is given, in the Fourth Volume of
this work, Art. i.
'2
See an article, written by His Eminence Cardinal Patrick F. Motan, Archbishop of Sydney, in the First Series of the "Irish Ecclesiastical Record," vol. vii. ,
xxvii. , p. 421. 8'
See his Life, at the 18th of August, in the Eighth Volume of this work, Ait. i.
9Seehis attheic/. hof in Life, August,
the Eighth Volume of this work, Art. i.
10
See chapter i. , in the Life of St. Daigh, at the 18th of August.
p. 318.
3 See his Life, at the 9th day of this
month, in the present volume, Art. i.
I4 to the" of According Martyrology
Donegal," edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves.
l> Chapter XLVii. is quoted.
states,
September 12. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 307
"
Patrick of the Fort of Macha loves," relates that Molaissi desired to be in a stone prison, and also to keep a house of hospitality for every one in Erin. 16 These abodes of hospitality were usually known as the guest-houses, attached to nearly all thecelebratedmonasteriesinIreland. Generallyspeaking,amoregenerous refreshment was served up in them for the pilgrims and travellers, who were accustomed to visit those places held in such popular veneration, than was allowedforrefectionofthemonks. Onacertainoccasion,asMolaisseand his monks were taking their scanty meal, the refectory in which they were caught fire. The monks rose suddenly to fly from the house, on seeing it lighted with red glowing flames. Their Superior requested them to remain, to go on their knees, and to pray, while he did the same, while reaching forth his hand towards the fire. Then the ridge-pole of the house fell in, and the fire did them no further injury. Afterwards, he permitted the monks to rise from their posture of prayer. St. Laisrean, it is stated, converted to the faith a certain Conall or Colman Derig, a King of Ulster, who had been
struckwithblindness. ^ Ofhimwefindnofurtherhistoricaccount,
So highly esteemed was Saint Molaise or Laisren both for his piety and
18
Cuimin of Coindeire, in the poem which begins,
learning, that he is said to have been created Bishop of Clogher,
next in succession to Crimir-Rodan. It has been stated, moreover, that he administered the ecclesiastical affairs of that diocese, with prudence and edification. x 9 With other men, our saint is 20 as one of the
Twelve Apostles of Erin, and he is named, as having assisted at
Congal's feast. He is said to have been present at the Banquet of Dun-na
n-Gedh. However, either the narrator was a very inaccurate historian,
or the transcribers have corrupted his text. The present holy Abbot
is numbered among the Irish Saints of the second class, as noted in the
ancient Irish 21 the Irish saints, no fewer than eleven Catalogue. Among
bear the name of Laisrian or Molaisse. St. Laserian, the patron of Leighlin, and the present holy man, were the most eminent among these. An Alpha- betical Latin Hymn, addressed to Laserian or Molaisse, of Daimh-innis or
"
Devenish, is to be found in the Liber Hymnorum," a Manuscript preserved
in Trinity College, Dublin. 22 This was first published in the '* Irish Eccle- "
holy represented
siastical Record 23 of 1869, and it has been again printed with some inaccuracies. 2* The latest issue of it is that by the Henry Bradshaw
"
,6 Thus he says : —
Molaisi of the Lake, loves
To be in a prison of ha*d stone,
To have a house of guests for the men of
accession of Laisrean, which should have been prior to a. d. 570. See " Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap. xii. . sect.
i. , and n. 5. , pp. 183 to 185.
^ In Dr. O' Donovan's translation of the
"
ancient historical tale of the
Without refusal, without a particle of Dun na n gedh and the Battle of Magh churlishness. " Rath. " The entire difficulty could be got
Erin,
Banquet of
'7 See Challoner's "Britannia and the word co— Bishopbyinsertingtnharba
*'. <? . ,
Sancta," part ii. , pp. 128, 129. representative or successor before the
18
over
for — by substituting bishops Apostles,
According to Sir James Ware, in his names of these Saints. The probability,
Lists of the Bishops of Clogher, taken from the Register of that See.
19 However, the Rev. Dr. Lanigan denies Ware's statement, concerning St. Molaise having been a Bishop over Clogher. He says, that even supposing Laisrean had been bishop there, it cannot be believed, that nine prelates of that see lived between Tigernach, who died a. d. 549, and the pretended
however, is that the anachronism —is an
original blunder of the writer himself. "
pp. 27, 28, n.
2I "
See
See Ussher's Britannicarum Ecclesi- arum Antiquitates, cap. xvii. , p. 474.
22
It is classed E. 4. 2.
23 See vol. v. , p. 224.
24 In Dreves' *' Analecta," vol. xix. , p.
222.
coming
3o8
LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [September12.
Society, LL. l). 2?
J.
Bernard, D. D,
Atkinson,
2* under the of editorship
26 and R.
H.
This Hymn28 is probably derived from an Office for the Feast of
St. Molaise, of which a fragment is extant as a marginal note in the 2
Martyrology of Donegal, at the 12th of September. 9
After a life usefully and religiously spent, St. Molaisse was called away to
receive the crown of his labours and virtues, on the 12th day of September. He was buried, in the cemetery, on the Island of Devenish. His stone coffin30 is said to have been found, embedded in the earth, near one of the ruins. The lid, which had been long taken for the shaft of an antique cross, layattheeasternsideofwhatiscalledtheLowerChurch. Tothenorthof the oratory, within a small quadrangular enclosure, which appears to have been the aherla, or Saint's burial-place, was to be seen that very rude stone coffin, now broken into pieces. 3 1 The material is sandstone, and the bottom seems to hav—e been
of three —stones. 32 The lid has been composed separate
33
style, a very correct idea might be formed regarding the date of the
sarcophagus.
The festival of St. Molaisse is kept on the day of his death. For a long
time, it had been religiously observed by those, who dwelt in the vicinity of Lough Erne. During the last century, and in the beginning of the present,
"
25 See the Irish Liber Hymnorum," 29 See ibid. , vol. ii , pp. 220, 221.
carried away a fact greatly to be regretted
as by an examination of its
edited from the MSS. , with Translations,
Notes and Glossary, vol. i. , p. 158. London,
1898, 8vo.
26
Fellow of Trinity College, and Arch- bishop King's Lecturer in Divinity in the University of Dublin.
2? Professor of Sanskrit in the University of Dublin.
28 The following is the text :—
Abbas probatus omnino Benedictus a domino
Cum caritatis fructibus Doctor seclesiasticus
Elect us dei anthleta Fidelis sine macula Gregis pastor subagrinus Humilis supplex submissus Jeiunus largissimus
Kastus cum rectis moribus Lucerna erit in tota Macculasrius Hibernia Nadfraich et sanctus filius Optimus dei filius Probatus sapiens peritus Quern coronavit dominus Kequiescit post obitum Securus in perpetuum Tenebrarum rectoiibus Uictis atque principibus Xristo cum suis omnibus Ymnum canit celestibus Zelus in quo fait missus dei prae particibus.
Oratio.
Per meritum Macculasri summi sacerdotis adiuna nos Christe saluator mundi qui regnas.
30 This stone-coffin measured about six
feet, two inches in length, exteriorly, and in-
teriorly, five feet, six inches, by one foot, ten inches.
31 Mr. Wakeman ascertained, that a stone
bearing an extremely rude effigy, and now used as a headstone in the upper cemetery, was popularly believed to have been the lid of this coffin.
32 One end has been hollowed to meet the contour of the head and shoulders of a very small person ; but altogether, the work
presents a particularly mediaeval look. Of those objects drawings have been furnished by Mr. Wakeman, with the article to which jrilusion has been already made.
33 The bed of St. Molaisi was shown as a small square enclosure of walls, but now broken, at the time of our visit to Devenish, in July, 1869. About eighteen or nineteen years previously, a certain Vandal, named Robert Watkin, »broke this tomb—then perfect— as we were told by the guide. A week afterwards, he shot off his own thumb by an accident, but this was attributed to the Saint's displeasure : he got into prison three several times, proved most unfortunate in all his dealings, and in fine, he emigrated to Ameriea. During the wintei of 1865- 66, three English soldiers, stationed at Enniskillen, and belonging to the 93rd
Regiment, visited the Island. While one of these looked on passively, the others broke St. Molaise's tomb, in two distinct places. Soon afterwards, one of the wreckers named Davis, was drowned in the Lake, with two other soldiers. It was not known, if either or both of his companions had shared his watery grave, after that wanton and base act.
September12! LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS.
309
countless numbers repaired to the Island to practise various devotions on St. Molaise's festival day. The local guide pointed out another object of interest, viz. the exact spot on the North side facing down towards the Lough, where St. Molaise's well flowed, although it was then covered up with stones. Stations were formerly carriecl on near it. There is a tradition, that in the oldentimeDevenishwasconnectedwiththemainlandbyacauseway. A portion of this work appears to remain, and upon it there is a very well defined crannogue, or artificial Island. Except in very dry summers, this islet is covered with water. 3* The exact year of St. Molaisse's death has not been determined. However, the Annals of Boyle place it so early as a. d. 35
some
years, we are told, that he went to Heaven, a. d. 563, according to the Annals of Ulster, and again this record assigns it to 570,37 which other writers adopt. Again, the year 571 is thought to be the latest date that can be noted for his departure. 38 Some authorities name the 13th of April, 571, as the day for his departure. 39 In the " Feilire " of ^Engus, at the 12th of September,4° there is an encomiastic notice of Laisren, called the beautiful, of multitudinous Damh-inis. There is a comment, having an Irish verse attributed to him/1 The published Martyrology of Tallagh42 records a festival, at the 12th of September, in honour of Molaissi Daimhinsi, i. e. MacNatifraich. It is also entered in the Book of Leinster copy. *3 In the Irish poetical Martyrology of Marianus O'Gorman,4* which has been edited by Whitley Stokes, D. C. L. ,4* and which contains several Biblical, Continental,
544.
By
authors,
it is referred to
563. 3
completing thirty
34 The foregoing description has been 42 Edited by Rev Dr. Kelly, p. xxxiv. written by W. F. Wakeman, for the " Irish 43 Thus molAr'p true ruopnaich T>&m Chronicle," of May 29th, 1869. This mp.
accomplished artist and antiquary enters upon a more minute and complete descrip-
tion of those antique objects in his elegantly written and illustrated Guide Book,
intituled "Lough Erne, Enniskillen, Belleek, Ballyshannon and Bundoran," &c. First Excursion, pp. 39 to 52.
35 " An— dxliv. K. Molasi Daminsi a
Apostles, monastery belonging
to the
quievit. " Annales Buelliani, in Df. "
Canons Regular of St. Augustine at Knock, close to the town of Louth.
