O'Dono-
"^ Professor O'Looney's Manuscript Life
»*Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hibemia," xx.
"^ Professor O'Looney's Manuscript Life
»*Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hibemia," xx.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v1
Again, at the 29th of
July, the same editor gives a historic com-
See ibid, pp, 404, 405.
3 Harris seems to desire, that his readers
should infer, this St. Dunchad shut himself
336 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 20.
St. Fursey was venerated with a double office in the church of Artois. ' The life of this celebrated abbot has been given already, at the i6th of this month.
Ctoentietf) Bap of Sfauuarp*
ARTICLE I. —ST. MOLAGGA, OR LAICIN, PATRON OF TEGH-MOLAGGA. COUNTY OF CORK.
{SEVENTH CENTURY. ]
CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTION. —PROPHECIES AND MIRACLES BEFORE THE BIRTH OF ST. MOLAGGA—
OF A MONASTERY AT TULACH MHIN.
when we discover very old records to elucidate past events and
rated by other histories, regarding persons and circumstances mentioned in
the biography. He regrets, however, that the tract was so imperfect, while he was obliged to depart sometimes from the order of its narrative, according as he judged this course expedient. ^ It shall be our endeavour, with the comparison of a different biography,' to extract what we have deemed credible from this saint's life,3 and to adhere, for the most part, to Colgan's text and notes, a few particulars being supplied.
Our saint's father was named Dubhligh, or Dubhligidh,^ son to Dubhdia-
—
HIS RACE AND FAMILY—HIS BIRTH AND BAPTISM— EDUCATION ERECTION
EVEN those authorities are not
biographies, always reliable,
and if we adhere too closely, without further criticism or inquiry, to such misunderstood and hardly authentic accounts, they are apt to lead us astray on various points. A life of this saint, which has been translated into Latin from an Irish MS. , Colgan considered to be of great antiquity, and well corrobo-
con, son to DubhcuU, son of Lichta. 5
It seems doubtful whether or not
Articleviii. —' See' ' Acta tomus ii. , xix. Januarii, p. 213.
"
in
most of the same incidents are related.
Even between the British Museum
that in the Book of Fermoy, there are found differences in details.
3 It is to be regretted, that in editing this
tract, Colgan did not afford his readers, by the insertion of asterisks or other indica- tions, some means for knowing where the original became defective. It appears he, or his assistants, even made alterations at pleasure in the original MS. This very much interferes with the authenticity of his narrative.
* Thus is the name written in Professor
O'Looney's manuscript life,
s The descent of our saint is thus traced,
in the '? 31, Menologic Genealogy," chap.
where the a—ncestors of this Luchta are given
i.
'
and
—— Chap. i.
He seems to
Article
regret, that the copy of this life, which he used, was so defective, especially towards the end ; and hence, Colgan requests his
readers to excuse the imperfect biography of our saint, which he published, in case some other more correct or perfect copy of it should come to light. See " Acta Sane- torum Hibernias," xx. Januarii. Vita S. Mo- laggse, n. i, p. 148.
'
•'The Life of St. Molaga, whose iirst name was Laichin," by Professor Bryan O'Looney, taken from a manuscript in the British Mu- seum, and collated with ano—ther Irish ver-
sion, in the Book of Fermoy
This is an English translation, intituled
a nowkeptintheR. I. A. Insomerespects,
this life is deficient in details, and in other cases, it abounds with statements not con- tained in the life published by Colgan. Al-
as follows Luchta, ;
the son of son CoUa,
Sanctorum,
though differing
arrangement, substantially
manuscript
HIS
to Comscrag, son of Firelche, son to Brian, sou of Modhrut.
copy
January 20. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 337
this Luchta was grandfather to St. Lugacius. ^ Luchta was considered as head over one of the famiHes or tribes, which branched from Comscrag, his grandfather,7 and first possessor of that territory, denominated Feramugia,^
now Fermoy,9 in the present county of Cork,'° St. Molagga, or Lachinus," wasalsodesignatedMolacus. This,however,issaidnottohavebeenthe namehegotinbaptism. " HismotherborethenameMioncoUa,orMin- collaid. '3 She is said to have derived her origin from a place called Coen- ragia. '+ The parents of our saint lived at a place called Liathmuine,'5 or Cloch-Liathmhuine,'^ which was in the neighbourhood of Fermoy. '? The precise locality is Cloghleamoney at present, and it is in the parish of Kil- gullane, in the barony of Fermoy, county of Cork. '^ Their position in Ufa was an humble one ; and it is said, although long united in the bonds of matrimony, they lived to an advanced age without expectation of having children. By mutual consent, they embraced a life of celibacy, for the long period of thirty years. During this whole time, their lives and conversation were most blameless and simple, in the Lord's presence ; they were sup-
' St. Lugacius was the son of Lugid, son '° The O'Dugans, descended from the ce- to Lucta, and to Cailinnia. The other lebrated Druid, Mogh Ruith, were after- sisters are mentioned by St. /Engus the wards possessors of this territory. See Dr.
Culdee, in his treatise on the "Mothers of Irish Saints," num. 85.
7 The Cumscrag family derives its origin from the celebrated hero, Modh-ruith, son
to Fergus Macrogius, King of Ulster. This appears from the "Menologic Genealogy,"
"
Leabhar na g-Ceart, or the Book of Rights," n. (f), p. 78. There is an account of Mogh Ruith, in the ' ' Forbuis
chap. 31. "
See also Rev. C. B. Gibson's
" St. David of Wales is said to have con- ferred this name.
of the and County City
of
Cork,"
" His name seems to have eluded original
all researches.
'3 This is her name, as found in Professor
O'Looney's Manuscript Life.
'* In the document just noticed she is
called the "Caillech (old woman) of the Caenraighe. " On the father's side, the pe-
digree of St. Molaga is carried up to Mogh Ruith, as likewise to his ancestor Fergus Mac Roigh and to Meabh Cruachma, in " The Book of Fermoy. " Various extracts from this manuscript were kindly procured for the writer by Mr. Joseph O'Longan, who, in conjunction with Professor O Looney, is at present continuously engaged at the Royal Irish Academy in reproducing and edit- ing some of our rarest and most valuable Irish manuscripts.
History
vol. ii. , chap, xxi. , p. 464.
* In the Irish life, this place is called
Feara muighe feine. Within this territory,
belonging to the county and diocese of Cork,
the church of Tulach-mhin was situated, ac-
cording to Colgan. See " Acta Sanctorum
Hiberniae," xx. Januarii, n. 2, p. 148. Ac-
cording to Smith, this territory was a princi- pality of the O'Keefes, who sometimes so
enlarged it by conquest, that some Irish manuscripts have included the whole county of Cork under the denomination of Fer- muighe. See "The Ancient and Present State of the County of Cork," vol. i. , book i. , chap, i. , p. 36.
9 Feramugia is called at present Roche's and Condon's country. The name is st—ill retained in that of the town of Fermoy. Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. iii. , chap, xviii. , § iii. , n. 20, p. 84. The ancient name is said to have been Crichad an " of
'5 There are several in this places
with Cloch Leafin. See "Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the County of Cork. " Sheet 19. Translation of the Tract,
Limerick. This is contained in the " Book '7 See Dr. O'Donovan's "Leabhar na g- of Lismore ;" and to Mr. Joseph O'Longan, Ceart, or Book of Rights," n. (x), p. 261.
Caoille, i. e. , territory caoille" (woodland), according to the ancient tract, known as Forbuis Dromadamhghaire, or " The siege of DruimDamhghaire,"now
place
"Forbuis Dromadamhghaire," p. 6, n. 5, the Hill of Knocklong, in the county of fol.
an admirable Irish scholar, and a native of this part of Cork, the writer feels specially indebted for a loan of his English transla- tion, with the most valuable and accurate topographical and historical notes appended. These are highly important for illustration of St. Molagga's acts.
Elsewhere Dr. O'Donovan identifies it with
Cloch-Liathmhuine, in the parish of Kil-
gullane, and barony of Fermoy.
'^
See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , n. (i), p. 258, and " Index Locorum," vol. vii. , p. 78.
Vol. I.
O'Donovau's
Dromadamhghaire," translated by Mr. Jo- seph O'Longan, nn. 3, 5 to p. I.
county called Liathmhuine. Dr. Lanigan states, he
could not identify this place.
'* Mr. Joseph O'Longan identifies this
338 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 20.
ported by the' labour of their hands. With pious humiUty and resignation to
the designs of Providence, and with wonderful self-abnegation, they despised the goods of this life, in endeavouring to lay up for themselves treasures in Heaven. Fields which they cultivated adjoined the right hand side'9 of a principal highway, at a place called Ath-Cross. ^° On a certain day, St. Cummin Foda, or the Long,^' and St. Comdhan, sumamed Mac da Chearda,^^ with a number of clergymen, passed by, when they observed this aged couple engaged at the sowing of flax-seed. '3 Curiosity led St. Cummin Foda to enquire if they had any children or grand-children, who could aid them in their labours. Dubhligh answered, that however much he desired this blessing, yet it had pleased God to deprive him of such a comfort. He expressed himself prepared to acquiesce in the designs of Providence; especially since he had reason to hope, that his life had been passed in a blamelessmanner,beforeGodandman. Delightedwithhissimplicityand rectitude of heart, as also with the Christian resignation of this humble labourer, St. Cummin predicted that he should yet have a son, who must become a glorious and shining light in his generation, the councillor and director of his country-people in their doubts, and their shield in adversity. Whenbomandbaptized,it wasstatedheshoulddevotehimselftothestudy of literature, in Tulach-mhin, in Ardruire. '* Afterwards he should illustrate Scotia Major and Minor with the splendour of his virtues and sanctity.
Although, like Abraham of old,*5 Dubhligh heard this agreeable promise with doubt,hesoughtandobtainedablessingfromthoseservantsofGod; and on their departure, the pious couple resolved in mind what had occurred, and such promises as had been made. Uncertainty as to the designs of Divine Providence in their regard were removed by a miraculous change in their persons. This had been mutually observed by each of them, about the same time ; for it is said, they seemed to assume the colour, features and form of youth, while all indications of advanced age disappeared. Their life of celibacy was discontinued. Micholla conceived a son, the subject of this memoir, whom she brought into the world, after a pregnancy of seven months. '^
This unusual departure, from the ordinary course of nature, caused the matter to be bruited abroad ; and a dynast, named Cuanna,'7 who ruled over this part of the country, caused Dubhligh, with his wife and infant son, to be brought into his house, there to receive the kindest attentions and proper
'9 Professor O'Looney's Manuscript Life adds, that the ridge of flax they were sowing lay on the south side of this highway. The direction of our old Irish roads should prove a most useful and interesting study for some
»' He was uterine brother to St. Cummin Foda.
'^This passage shows the antiquity of linen as an article of domestic use in Ireland,
capable antiquary. subject for investigation.
ing, and that it is in Tulach min an Maige (the smooth hill of the plain), he should preside as Ard Ruire (high chief) himself. " Page 2. This may furnish some clue to the site of Tulach min Molaga, the identity of which does not seem to be very clearly as- certained.
's See Genesis, xv.
^
It an almost new opens
has " that he would be a friend of leam- it,
It is likely, this was the place after-
wards called Ath Cros Molage, about mid-
way between Mitchelstown and Kildorerry,
in the county of Cork. The ruins of Agha-
cross old church are in a parish of the same
name, and situated on the banks of the
river Puncheon. See " Ordnance Survey
Townland Maps for the County of Cork. ^'
Sheets i8, 19. On the latter are marked
the graveyard and church ruins. St. Mo- iv. , v. , p. 145, laga's well is close beside this ruin.
" Notices of St. Cummin Foda are to be
found at the 1 2th of November, the day for hisfestival.
»7This chieftain of Fermoy was the son of Ailcen, and he lived to the year 640. He was called Laech Liathmhuine, or the
"HeroofLiathmhuin. " SeeDr.
O'Dono-
"^ Professor O'Looney's Manuscript Life
»*Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hibemia," xx. Januarii, Vita S. Molaggae, cap. ii. , iii. ,
January 20. ]
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 339
nourishment. ^^ Greatnumbersflockedthither,inordertowitnessthetruth
of what fame generally divulged throughout their country. Many persons, already aware of the parents' previous condition and age, were greatly sur-
prised to find them miraculously restored, and having the vigour of youth, with robust health and fair forms. The concourse of people was so great,
that Cuanna's proverbial hospitality became heavily taxed, and his resources, as a consequence, were considerably diminished. At length, the infant was brought to the laver of regeneration. It was intended he should be baptized by St. Mochuill,^9 at a place denominated Carnchuilinn. 3° But on his way, the father met St. Cummm Foda and a numerous band of clerics, after he had crossed the ford at Ath an chairn, to the north side. Cumine and his clerics were passing the earn, on the south side, and coming to the same ford. In reply to an observation made by St. Cumine, his companion, named Comdhan, remarked, that he observed angels hovering in air, over the infant and his attendants. It was then supposed by Cummin that the duty of receiving the child within Christ's fold devolved on himself 3' Cir- cumstances attending this baptism were of a miraculous character. 3^ It would appear, the ceremony took place on that spot. Heaven's wide vault being the only canopy over the heads of those present, while a fountain of running water, on the north side of the ford, and which specially flowed for the occasion, afforded matter for conferring this sacrament. 33
Having passed the years of infancy, our saint was imbued with elementary knowledge, and acquired virtues, that gave great promise of his further pro- gress. He afterwards obtained a knowledge of Holy Scripture, while he made practical and daily progress in exercising most exalted monastic duties. From being a disciple under the teaching of other masters, he was destined
van's *' AnnalsoftheFourMasters,"vol. i. ,
pp. 258, 259, and n (i).
^^ This chief was probably related to our
saint. He was remarkable in the province of Munster for his large-heartedness and great generosity. See Dr. O'Donovan's "Leabhar na g-Ceart, or the Book of Rights," n. (s), pp. 82, 83.
''s In Professor O'Looney's Manuscript Life he is called Muchuille. The writer has
been informed by Mr. Joseph O'Longan that there is a church, called Cill-Mochuille, about four miles east of Mitchelstown, on
the road to Ballyporeen.
3° Professor O'Looney's Manuscript Life
states, that Cumine had predicted he should be baptized, not with the water of a well,
or lake, or
any washing
stream of the women
it is stated, the " regarding parents, They
or warriors of the Liathmuine, but in the
pure spring of the River Jordan. After-
wards it states, that when St. Molaga's father asked a blessing from both saints present.
"
1 shall bless the pair of whom shall be born the great auspicious son who is between them and Heaven, because they
were detained at the Cross of the Dun, in
front of the highway (Rod), just at Ath- Cross. "
3^ It is stated in the manuscript life, that rushes grew at the place where the saint was baptized. In the account of the miracle here wrought, a few lines are broken in the British Museum copy. Mr. O'Looney has supplied this defect, from the " Book of Fermoy," within brackets, but he remarks "the two ver- sions do not correspond in details. " Page 5.
33 See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hi-
bemise," xx. Januarii, Vita S. Molaggae, cap. vi. , vii. , p. 146.
Cumine said,
are obedient to God.
"
And Comdan said :
" Dubhdhligidh and Mincholluig And Cumine our friend
The simpleton pursuing them
Over the summit of the hills. "
While the clerics went on their visitation to
the South of Ireland, Dabhdligidh said to
his
wife,
" Go thou southward to Ath Carn
Cuilind"—which was called Ath-Cross in the old biographer's time—"and I shall go to Ath Fachtar Feda" called Ath na g-
—— Caornach in the biographer's time "to
see if either of us would meet a comrade to commune with, for Cumine has predicted that Ireland shall be filled with the fame and renown of the son who shall be conceived at this time. " Pages 2, 3. In the " Book of Fermoy" extracts, furnished by Mr. Joseph O'Longan, it is stated, that our saint's pa- rents were met at Ath in Cairnn, in Ath- Cairnn Cuilleann, and that they were stopped by Saints Cumin Fota and Comhgan, at Cross na Tuinnidhi, at the entrance of the road into the ford of Ath Cros.
3' In Professor O'Looney's Manuscript Life,
340 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 20.
by God to become a director in his own turn. Having selected the site of Tulach-mhin,34 for the erection of a monastery,35 he called together many
disciples. Under his training, these daily advanced in virtue and sacred learning. Influenced by their master's example, they laboured to imitate various perfections of their saintly superior. 3<5 There is a parish, known as TuUamain, in the barony of Middlethird, county of Tipperary. The old
Tullamain Ruins, Co. Tipperary.
churcli ruins are'tkere to be seen. ^'' In 1840, the western ends of the side walls were destroyed, excepting a small portion of the south wall and at the south-west corner. 38 The west gable was almost totally gone. At the distance of 22 feet 4 inches from the east gable, portions of a middle gable appeared, adjoining the north wall ; and on the south side there was a heap of earth, mixed with stones. So nearly as could then be ascertained, this church was about 65 feet in length, and over 24 feet in breadth. The eastern window, widening on the inside, was in the pointed style exteriorly. It consisted of two compartments, but the muUions had disappeared. 39 In
the north wall, there was another small window, greatly injured. The east
34 In this place, which lies within the ter- ritory of Feramugia, oursaint was venerated on the 20th of January, according to Mari- anus Gorman and the commentator on ^ngus.
35 Dr. Lanigan could not find in the country about Fermoy any place called by this name. See " Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. iii. , chap, xviii. , § iil. , n. 22, p. 85.
the Irish Ordnance Survey Sketches of Tipperary. One of these, drawn and en- graved by Mr. Gregor Grey, Dublin, accom- panies this present description.
38 The parish of Tullamain is represented
"
3* See Colgan's nire," XX. Januarii. viii. , p. 146.
Acta Sanctorum Hiber- Vita S. Molaggae, cap.
County of Tipperai7. " Sheets 61, 69. On the latter, these church ruins are to be found, within the ornamental grounds of Tullamain Castle.
39 The window was 5 feet from the ground, 4 feet 2 inches in height, and i foot 8 inches in width.
37 Three views of this locality are among
on the
"
Ordnance Survey Maps for the
January 20. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 341
gable projected at the bottom and towards the east, as also towards the north and south, so as to enter into buttresses placed on the north-east and south- eastern corners. On the south wall, at the further distance of 16 feet 8 inches, there was another buttress. The walls of this church were 10}^ feet in height, 3 feet in thickness, and formed with regular-sized stones. *" Several tombs and graves were to be seen in this then unenclosed grave- yard. '*' The Irish name of this parish has been etymologized by the late Dr. O'Donovan. '*^ There is another parish called Tullamainej^^ situated in the barony of Shillelougher, county of Kilkenny ;44 but it does not seem likely that either of the foregoing places can be the Tulach mhin founded by thepresentholyman. Itisprobable,thattherealsitewasintheparishof
which means the "
We are told, his church lay about a mile to the north-east of Kildorrery,*^ on
a bend of the River Funcheon. At present there is an extremely beautiful and a picturesque ruin at this place. An ancient well, dedicated to the saint, flows beside " lone Molaga's holy cells. "''? The peasantry ascribe manyvirtues,andtellvariousstrangelegends,regardingthisfountain. From such a description, however, it would seem that the church of Athnacross was meant. '^ Rather do we consider, that within the parish of Teampul Molaga,49 on the north-eastern boundary of Cork county, St. Molaga built his monastery. There three townlands, called respectively Labba Molaga East,LabbaMolagaWest,andLabbaMolagaMiddle,aretobefound. On the latter denomination the old church ruins of Labba Molaga are yet no- ticed. 5° These are to be seen in a beautiful situation, and within a valley or glen. Surrounded by a solid stone wall, about five feet in height and in thickness, and built about the beginning of the present century, are two buildings of unequal size. They are distant from each other over 20 feet. s^ In the vicinity of these buildings grew six ash trees. One of these was of considerable size, and it grew within the lesser building, called the Leabba, lying to the south. This is said to be of great antiquity, and dating back to
"The foregoing description is drawn 1852; but the head of one window in the
Teampal Molaga,45
Temple"
or " Church of St.
Molaga. "
from a letter of Mr. Patrick O'Keeffe, dated Cashel, Sept. i8th, 1840. See " Letters containing information relative to the An- tiquities of the County of Tipperary, col- lected during the progress of the Ordnance Survey in 1840," vol. iii. , pp. 240 to 242.
*' Two of these tombs aqd their inscrip- tions have been traced by Mr. O'Keeffe, who adds other notices regarding antiquities in
this parish. See ibid. , pp. 243 to 247.
*' He has it C«tA§ meA'ooin, "Middle
north wall and the head of another in the south wall were gone. The chancel window on the inside was concealed by an unsightly tomb, while on the outside impenetrable ivy covered it. The door was in the west end. and evidently very ancient. It was rather narrow, with inclining jambs, and covered by a flat and rude lintel stone. The right hand jamb was rounded on the external angle ; the left hand angle is not so, and the appearance of this doorway is well sketched
Hill. "
«It is represented on the "Ordnance the back, " Topography of Co. Cork, W. &
N. E. ,"p. 75. Preserved in the Royal Irish Academy.
•'It is
represented
Survey Townland Maps for the County of Cork. " Sheets 9, 10, 18, 19.
so gee Ibid. Sheet 10. In the Visitation Book of 1 591, a manuscript in the Library of Trinity College, Dublin, and classed E. 3, 4, Temple Molagy is otherwise called the church of Neylane.
s' These particulars are taken from John
Windale's " Co. manuscript, Topography
Ccr'c, W. & N. E. ," now preserved in the R. I. A. , pp. 77 to 94.
Survey Townland Maps for the County of Kilkenny. " Sheets 22, 23, 26, 27.
^ See Lewis' "
of Ireland," vol. ii. , pp. 651, 652.
on the "Ordnance
Topographical Dictionary
sSee R. D. Joyce's "Ballads, Romances, and Songs. Rose Condon, p. 67.
*Its ancient name is said to have been "
Kil-da-righ, the church of the two kings. " Ibid. , p. 66.
^7 Ibid,
•^John Windale, Esq. , the celebrated
Cork identified antiquary,
Temple Molaga with Athnacross. This he describes as an
oblong old church, the walls of which were well preserved, when he visited it in May,
in ink.
John Windale,
—MS. of
lettered on
342 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 20.
the seventh century. s^ The ruinous side-walls scarcely exceed six feet in
height : while they project beyond the end walls, about nine inches, so as to
presentasortoiantceaXeitherfront. Theendwallsareruinedatthegables.
The internal measurement of this old building is 13 by 9 feet. Within it,
there is a kind of kist, consisting of a large flag-stone, resting on low side
stones, and leaving an open space beneath, said to have been St. Molaga's bed. 53 Pilgrims, who resort here, afflicted with various diseases, are said to
have been completely restored, after having lain in it. 54 Again, lying nearly parallel with this, there is a somewhat larger church towards the north. ss Not more than about 6 feet in height of the walls remain,56 while all traces of windows have disappeared. The door seems to have been an ornamental one, but only a few details remain as specimens. 57 This church is supposed to be more modem than the Leabba by four centuries at least, s^ The ceme- tery surrounding both churches was greatly crowded with graves. S9 Like a vast sea of surging and gigantic billows, the Galtees stretch away to the west ; and under the influence of sunshine their swelling bosoms contrast brightly with the deeper shadows of the indented valleys and russet colours
impinged on particular spots.
An event recorded, not only in the life of our saint, but in the ancient
annals of the country, took place in the earlier part of the seventh century.
Cathald, son of Aidus, or Aedh, sumamed Flann-Cathrach, died, about the year 620.
July, the same editor gives a historic com-
See ibid, pp, 404, 405.
3 Harris seems to desire, that his readers
should infer, this St. Dunchad shut himself
336 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 20.
St. Fursey was venerated with a double office in the church of Artois. ' The life of this celebrated abbot has been given already, at the i6th of this month.
Ctoentietf) Bap of Sfauuarp*
ARTICLE I. —ST. MOLAGGA, OR LAICIN, PATRON OF TEGH-MOLAGGA. COUNTY OF CORK.
{SEVENTH CENTURY. ]
CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTION. —PROPHECIES AND MIRACLES BEFORE THE BIRTH OF ST. MOLAGGA—
OF A MONASTERY AT TULACH MHIN.
when we discover very old records to elucidate past events and
rated by other histories, regarding persons and circumstances mentioned in
the biography. He regrets, however, that the tract was so imperfect, while he was obliged to depart sometimes from the order of its narrative, according as he judged this course expedient. ^ It shall be our endeavour, with the comparison of a different biography,' to extract what we have deemed credible from this saint's life,3 and to adhere, for the most part, to Colgan's text and notes, a few particulars being supplied.
Our saint's father was named Dubhligh, or Dubhligidh,^ son to Dubhdia-
—
HIS RACE AND FAMILY—HIS BIRTH AND BAPTISM— EDUCATION ERECTION
EVEN those authorities are not
biographies, always reliable,
and if we adhere too closely, without further criticism or inquiry, to such misunderstood and hardly authentic accounts, they are apt to lead us astray on various points. A life of this saint, which has been translated into Latin from an Irish MS. , Colgan considered to be of great antiquity, and well corrobo-
con, son to DubhcuU, son of Lichta. 5
It seems doubtful whether or not
Articleviii. —' See' ' Acta tomus ii. , xix. Januarii, p. 213.
"
in
most of the same incidents are related.
Even between the British Museum
that in the Book of Fermoy, there are found differences in details.
3 It is to be regretted, that in editing this
tract, Colgan did not afford his readers, by the insertion of asterisks or other indica- tions, some means for knowing where the original became defective. It appears he, or his assistants, even made alterations at pleasure in the original MS. This very much interferes with the authenticity of his narrative.
* Thus is the name written in Professor
O'Looney's manuscript life,
s The descent of our saint is thus traced,
in the '? 31, Menologic Genealogy," chap.
where the a—ncestors of this Luchta are given
i.
'
and
—— Chap. i.
He seems to
Article
regret, that the copy of this life, which he used, was so defective, especially towards the end ; and hence, Colgan requests his
readers to excuse the imperfect biography of our saint, which he published, in case some other more correct or perfect copy of it should come to light. See " Acta Sane- torum Hibernias," xx. Januarii. Vita S. Mo- laggse, n. i, p. 148.
'
•'The Life of St. Molaga, whose iirst name was Laichin," by Professor Bryan O'Looney, taken from a manuscript in the British Mu- seum, and collated with ano—ther Irish ver-
sion, in the Book of Fermoy
This is an English translation, intituled
a nowkeptintheR. I. A. Insomerespects,
this life is deficient in details, and in other cases, it abounds with statements not con- tained in the life published by Colgan. Al-
as follows Luchta, ;
the son of son CoUa,
Sanctorum,
though differing
arrangement, substantially
manuscript
HIS
to Comscrag, son of Firelche, son to Brian, sou of Modhrut.
copy
January 20. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 337
this Luchta was grandfather to St. Lugacius. ^ Luchta was considered as head over one of the famiHes or tribes, which branched from Comscrag, his grandfather,7 and first possessor of that territory, denominated Feramugia,^
now Fermoy,9 in the present county of Cork,'° St. Molagga, or Lachinus," wasalsodesignatedMolacus. This,however,issaidnottohavebeenthe namehegotinbaptism. " HismotherborethenameMioncoUa,orMin- collaid. '3 She is said to have derived her origin from a place called Coen- ragia. '+ The parents of our saint lived at a place called Liathmuine,'5 or Cloch-Liathmhuine,'^ which was in the neighbourhood of Fermoy. '? The precise locality is Cloghleamoney at present, and it is in the parish of Kil- gullane, in the barony of Fermoy, county of Cork. '^ Their position in Ufa was an humble one ; and it is said, although long united in the bonds of matrimony, they lived to an advanced age without expectation of having children. By mutual consent, they embraced a life of celibacy, for the long period of thirty years. During this whole time, their lives and conversation were most blameless and simple, in the Lord's presence ; they were sup-
' St. Lugacius was the son of Lugid, son '° The O'Dugans, descended from the ce- to Lucta, and to Cailinnia. The other lebrated Druid, Mogh Ruith, were after- sisters are mentioned by St. /Engus the wards possessors of this territory. See Dr.
Culdee, in his treatise on the "Mothers of Irish Saints," num. 85.
7 The Cumscrag family derives its origin from the celebrated hero, Modh-ruith, son
to Fergus Macrogius, King of Ulster. This appears from the "Menologic Genealogy,"
"
Leabhar na g-Ceart, or the Book of Rights," n. (f), p. 78. There is an account of Mogh Ruith, in the ' ' Forbuis
chap. 31. "
See also Rev. C. B. Gibson's
" St. David of Wales is said to have con- ferred this name.
of the and County City
of
Cork,"
" His name seems to have eluded original
all researches.
'3 This is her name, as found in Professor
O'Looney's Manuscript Life.
'* In the document just noticed she is
called the "Caillech (old woman) of the Caenraighe. " On the father's side, the pe-
digree of St. Molaga is carried up to Mogh Ruith, as likewise to his ancestor Fergus Mac Roigh and to Meabh Cruachma, in " The Book of Fermoy. " Various extracts from this manuscript were kindly procured for the writer by Mr. Joseph O'Longan, who, in conjunction with Professor O Looney, is at present continuously engaged at the Royal Irish Academy in reproducing and edit- ing some of our rarest and most valuable Irish manuscripts.
History
vol. ii. , chap, xxi. , p. 464.
* In the Irish life, this place is called
Feara muighe feine. Within this territory,
belonging to the county and diocese of Cork,
the church of Tulach-mhin was situated, ac-
cording to Colgan. See " Acta Sanctorum
Hiberniae," xx. Januarii, n. 2, p. 148. Ac-
cording to Smith, this territory was a princi- pality of the O'Keefes, who sometimes so
enlarged it by conquest, that some Irish manuscripts have included the whole county of Cork under the denomination of Fer- muighe. See "The Ancient and Present State of the County of Cork," vol. i. , book i. , chap, i. , p. 36.
9 Feramugia is called at present Roche's and Condon's country. The name is st—ill retained in that of the town of Fermoy. Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. iii. , chap, xviii. , § iii. , n. 20, p. 84. The ancient name is said to have been Crichad an " of
'5 There are several in this places
with Cloch Leafin. See "Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the County of Cork. " Sheet 19. Translation of the Tract,
Limerick. This is contained in the " Book '7 See Dr. O'Donovan's "Leabhar na g- of Lismore ;" and to Mr. Joseph O'Longan, Ceart, or Book of Rights," n. (x), p. 261.
Caoille, i. e. , territory caoille" (woodland), according to the ancient tract, known as Forbuis Dromadamhghaire, or " The siege of DruimDamhghaire,"now
place
"Forbuis Dromadamhghaire," p. 6, n. 5, the Hill of Knocklong, in the county of fol.
an admirable Irish scholar, and a native of this part of Cork, the writer feels specially indebted for a loan of his English transla- tion, with the most valuable and accurate topographical and historical notes appended. These are highly important for illustration of St. Molagga's acts.
Elsewhere Dr. O'Donovan identifies it with
Cloch-Liathmhuine, in the parish of Kil-
gullane, and barony of Fermoy.
'^
See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , n. (i), p. 258, and " Index Locorum," vol. vii. , p. 78.
Vol. I.
O'Donovau's
Dromadamhghaire," translated by Mr. Jo- seph O'Longan, nn. 3, 5 to p. I.
county called Liathmhuine. Dr. Lanigan states, he
could not identify this place.
'* Mr. Joseph O'Longan identifies this
338 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 20.
ported by the' labour of their hands. With pious humiUty and resignation to
the designs of Providence, and with wonderful self-abnegation, they despised the goods of this life, in endeavouring to lay up for themselves treasures in Heaven. Fields which they cultivated adjoined the right hand side'9 of a principal highway, at a place called Ath-Cross. ^° On a certain day, St. Cummin Foda, or the Long,^' and St. Comdhan, sumamed Mac da Chearda,^^ with a number of clergymen, passed by, when they observed this aged couple engaged at the sowing of flax-seed. '3 Curiosity led St. Cummin Foda to enquire if they had any children or grand-children, who could aid them in their labours. Dubhligh answered, that however much he desired this blessing, yet it had pleased God to deprive him of such a comfort. He expressed himself prepared to acquiesce in the designs of Providence; especially since he had reason to hope, that his life had been passed in a blamelessmanner,beforeGodandman. Delightedwithhissimplicityand rectitude of heart, as also with the Christian resignation of this humble labourer, St. Cummin predicted that he should yet have a son, who must become a glorious and shining light in his generation, the councillor and director of his country-people in their doubts, and their shield in adversity. Whenbomandbaptized,it wasstatedheshoulddevotehimselftothestudy of literature, in Tulach-mhin, in Ardruire. '* Afterwards he should illustrate Scotia Major and Minor with the splendour of his virtues and sanctity.
Although, like Abraham of old,*5 Dubhligh heard this agreeable promise with doubt,hesoughtandobtainedablessingfromthoseservantsofGod; and on their departure, the pious couple resolved in mind what had occurred, and such promises as had been made. Uncertainty as to the designs of Divine Providence in their regard were removed by a miraculous change in their persons. This had been mutually observed by each of them, about the same time ; for it is said, they seemed to assume the colour, features and form of youth, while all indications of advanced age disappeared. Their life of celibacy was discontinued. Micholla conceived a son, the subject of this memoir, whom she brought into the world, after a pregnancy of seven months. '^
This unusual departure, from the ordinary course of nature, caused the matter to be bruited abroad ; and a dynast, named Cuanna,'7 who ruled over this part of the country, caused Dubhligh, with his wife and infant son, to be brought into his house, there to receive the kindest attentions and proper
'9 Professor O'Looney's Manuscript Life adds, that the ridge of flax they were sowing lay on the south side of this highway. The direction of our old Irish roads should prove a most useful and interesting study for some
»' He was uterine brother to St. Cummin Foda.
'^This passage shows the antiquity of linen as an article of domestic use in Ireland,
capable antiquary. subject for investigation.
ing, and that it is in Tulach min an Maige (the smooth hill of the plain), he should preside as Ard Ruire (high chief) himself. " Page 2. This may furnish some clue to the site of Tulach min Molaga, the identity of which does not seem to be very clearly as- certained.
's See Genesis, xv.
^
It an almost new opens
has " that he would be a friend of leam- it,
It is likely, this was the place after-
wards called Ath Cros Molage, about mid-
way between Mitchelstown and Kildorerry,
in the county of Cork. The ruins of Agha-
cross old church are in a parish of the same
name, and situated on the banks of the
river Puncheon. See " Ordnance Survey
Townland Maps for the County of Cork. ^'
Sheets i8, 19. On the latter are marked
the graveyard and church ruins. St. Mo- iv. , v. , p. 145, laga's well is close beside this ruin.
" Notices of St. Cummin Foda are to be
found at the 1 2th of November, the day for hisfestival.
»7This chieftain of Fermoy was the son of Ailcen, and he lived to the year 640. He was called Laech Liathmhuine, or the
"HeroofLiathmhuin. " SeeDr.
O'Dono-
"^ Professor O'Looney's Manuscript Life
»*Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hibemia," xx. Januarii, Vita S. Molaggae, cap. ii. , iii. ,
January 20. ]
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 339
nourishment. ^^ Greatnumbersflockedthither,inordertowitnessthetruth
of what fame generally divulged throughout their country. Many persons, already aware of the parents' previous condition and age, were greatly sur-
prised to find them miraculously restored, and having the vigour of youth, with robust health and fair forms. The concourse of people was so great,
that Cuanna's proverbial hospitality became heavily taxed, and his resources, as a consequence, were considerably diminished. At length, the infant was brought to the laver of regeneration. It was intended he should be baptized by St. Mochuill,^9 at a place denominated Carnchuilinn. 3° But on his way, the father met St. Cummm Foda and a numerous band of clerics, after he had crossed the ford at Ath an chairn, to the north side. Cumine and his clerics were passing the earn, on the south side, and coming to the same ford. In reply to an observation made by St. Cumine, his companion, named Comdhan, remarked, that he observed angels hovering in air, over the infant and his attendants. It was then supposed by Cummin that the duty of receiving the child within Christ's fold devolved on himself 3' Cir- cumstances attending this baptism were of a miraculous character. 3^ It would appear, the ceremony took place on that spot. Heaven's wide vault being the only canopy over the heads of those present, while a fountain of running water, on the north side of the ford, and which specially flowed for the occasion, afforded matter for conferring this sacrament. 33
Having passed the years of infancy, our saint was imbued with elementary knowledge, and acquired virtues, that gave great promise of his further pro- gress. He afterwards obtained a knowledge of Holy Scripture, while he made practical and daily progress in exercising most exalted monastic duties. From being a disciple under the teaching of other masters, he was destined
van's *' AnnalsoftheFourMasters,"vol. i. ,
pp. 258, 259, and n (i).
^^ This chief was probably related to our
saint. He was remarkable in the province of Munster for his large-heartedness and great generosity. See Dr. O'Donovan's "Leabhar na g-Ceart, or the Book of Rights," n. (s), pp. 82, 83.
''s In Professor O'Looney's Manuscript Life he is called Muchuille. The writer has
been informed by Mr. Joseph O'Longan that there is a church, called Cill-Mochuille, about four miles east of Mitchelstown, on
the road to Ballyporeen.
3° Professor O'Looney's Manuscript Life
states, that Cumine had predicted he should be baptized, not with the water of a well,
or lake, or
any washing
stream of the women
it is stated, the " regarding parents, They
or warriors of the Liathmuine, but in the
pure spring of the River Jordan. After-
wards it states, that when St. Molaga's father asked a blessing from both saints present.
"
1 shall bless the pair of whom shall be born the great auspicious son who is between them and Heaven, because they
were detained at the Cross of the Dun, in
front of the highway (Rod), just at Ath- Cross. "
3^ It is stated in the manuscript life, that rushes grew at the place where the saint was baptized. In the account of the miracle here wrought, a few lines are broken in the British Museum copy. Mr. O'Looney has supplied this defect, from the " Book of Fermoy," within brackets, but he remarks "the two ver- sions do not correspond in details. " Page 5.
33 See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hi-
bemise," xx. Januarii, Vita S. Molaggae, cap. vi. , vii. , p. 146.
Cumine said,
are obedient to God.
"
And Comdan said :
" Dubhdhligidh and Mincholluig And Cumine our friend
The simpleton pursuing them
Over the summit of the hills. "
While the clerics went on their visitation to
the South of Ireland, Dabhdligidh said to
his
wife,
" Go thou southward to Ath Carn
Cuilind"—which was called Ath-Cross in the old biographer's time—"and I shall go to Ath Fachtar Feda" called Ath na g-
—— Caornach in the biographer's time "to
see if either of us would meet a comrade to commune with, for Cumine has predicted that Ireland shall be filled with the fame and renown of the son who shall be conceived at this time. " Pages 2, 3. In the " Book of Fermoy" extracts, furnished by Mr. Joseph O'Longan, it is stated, that our saint's pa- rents were met at Ath in Cairnn, in Ath- Cairnn Cuilleann, and that they were stopped by Saints Cumin Fota and Comhgan, at Cross na Tuinnidhi, at the entrance of the road into the ford of Ath Cros.
3' In Professor O'Looney's Manuscript Life,
340 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 20.
by God to become a director in his own turn. Having selected the site of Tulach-mhin,34 for the erection of a monastery,35 he called together many
disciples. Under his training, these daily advanced in virtue and sacred learning. Influenced by their master's example, they laboured to imitate various perfections of their saintly superior. 3<5 There is a parish, known as TuUamain, in the barony of Middlethird, county of Tipperary. The old
Tullamain Ruins, Co. Tipperary.
churcli ruins are'tkere to be seen. ^'' In 1840, the western ends of the side walls were destroyed, excepting a small portion of the south wall and at the south-west corner. 38 The west gable was almost totally gone. At the distance of 22 feet 4 inches from the east gable, portions of a middle gable appeared, adjoining the north wall ; and on the south side there was a heap of earth, mixed with stones. So nearly as could then be ascertained, this church was about 65 feet in length, and over 24 feet in breadth. The eastern window, widening on the inside, was in the pointed style exteriorly. It consisted of two compartments, but the muUions had disappeared. 39 In
the north wall, there was another small window, greatly injured. The east
34 In this place, which lies within the ter- ritory of Feramugia, oursaint was venerated on the 20th of January, according to Mari- anus Gorman and the commentator on ^ngus.
35 Dr. Lanigan could not find in the country about Fermoy any place called by this name. See " Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. iii. , chap, xviii. , § iil. , n. 22, p. 85.
the Irish Ordnance Survey Sketches of Tipperary. One of these, drawn and en- graved by Mr. Gregor Grey, Dublin, accom- panies this present description.
38 The parish of Tullamain is represented
"
3* See Colgan's nire," XX. Januarii. viii. , p. 146.
Acta Sanctorum Hiber- Vita S. Molaggae, cap.
County of Tipperai7. " Sheets 61, 69. On the latter, these church ruins are to be found, within the ornamental grounds of Tullamain Castle.
39 The window was 5 feet from the ground, 4 feet 2 inches in height, and i foot 8 inches in width.
37 Three views of this locality are among
on the
"
Ordnance Survey Maps for the
January 20. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 341
gable projected at the bottom and towards the east, as also towards the north and south, so as to enter into buttresses placed on the north-east and south- eastern corners. On the south wall, at the further distance of 16 feet 8 inches, there was another buttress. The walls of this church were 10}^ feet in height, 3 feet in thickness, and formed with regular-sized stones. *" Several tombs and graves were to be seen in this then unenclosed grave- yard. '*' The Irish name of this parish has been etymologized by the late Dr. O'Donovan. '*^ There is another parish called Tullamainej^^ situated in the barony of Shillelougher, county of Kilkenny ;44 but it does not seem likely that either of the foregoing places can be the Tulach mhin founded by thepresentholyman. Itisprobable,thattherealsitewasintheparishof
which means the "
We are told, his church lay about a mile to the north-east of Kildorrery,*^ on
a bend of the River Funcheon. At present there is an extremely beautiful and a picturesque ruin at this place. An ancient well, dedicated to the saint, flows beside " lone Molaga's holy cells. "''? The peasantry ascribe manyvirtues,andtellvariousstrangelegends,regardingthisfountain. From such a description, however, it would seem that the church of Athnacross was meant. '^ Rather do we consider, that within the parish of Teampul Molaga,49 on the north-eastern boundary of Cork county, St. Molaga built his monastery. There three townlands, called respectively Labba Molaga East,LabbaMolagaWest,andLabbaMolagaMiddle,aretobefound. On the latter denomination the old church ruins of Labba Molaga are yet no- ticed. 5° These are to be seen in a beautiful situation, and within a valley or glen. Surrounded by a solid stone wall, about five feet in height and in thickness, and built about the beginning of the present century, are two buildings of unequal size. They are distant from each other over 20 feet. s^ In the vicinity of these buildings grew six ash trees. One of these was of considerable size, and it grew within the lesser building, called the Leabba, lying to the south. This is said to be of great antiquity, and dating back to
"The foregoing description is drawn 1852; but the head of one window in the
Teampal Molaga,45
Temple"
or " Church of St.
Molaga. "
from a letter of Mr. Patrick O'Keeffe, dated Cashel, Sept. i8th, 1840. See " Letters containing information relative to the An- tiquities of the County of Tipperary, col- lected during the progress of the Ordnance Survey in 1840," vol. iii. , pp. 240 to 242.
*' Two of these tombs aqd their inscrip- tions have been traced by Mr. O'Keeffe, who adds other notices regarding antiquities in
this parish. See ibid. , pp. 243 to 247.
*' He has it C«tA§ meA'ooin, "Middle
north wall and the head of another in the south wall were gone. The chancel window on the inside was concealed by an unsightly tomb, while on the outside impenetrable ivy covered it. The door was in the west end. and evidently very ancient. It was rather narrow, with inclining jambs, and covered by a flat and rude lintel stone. The right hand jamb was rounded on the external angle ; the left hand angle is not so, and the appearance of this doorway is well sketched
Hill. "
«It is represented on the "Ordnance the back, " Topography of Co. Cork, W. &
N. E. ,"p. 75. Preserved in the Royal Irish Academy.
•'It is
represented
Survey Townland Maps for the County of Cork. " Sheets 9, 10, 18, 19.
so gee Ibid. Sheet 10. In the Visitation Book of 1 591, a manuscript in the Library of Trinity College, Dublin, and classed E. 3, 4, Temple Molagy is otherwise called the church of Neylane.
s' These particulars are taken from John
Windale's " Co. manuscript, Topography
Ccr'c, W. & N. E. ," now preserved in the R. I. A. , pp. 77 to 94.
Survey Townland Maps for the County of Kilkenny. " Sheets 22, 23, 26, 27.
^ See Lewis' "
of Ireland," vol. ii. , pp. 651, 652.
on the "Ordnance
Topographical Dictionary
sSee R. D. Joyce's "Ballads, Romances, and Songs. Rose Condon, p. 67.
*Its ancient name is said to have been "
Kil-da-righ, the church of the two kings. " Ibid. , p. 66.
^7 Ibid,
•^John Windale, Esq. , the celebrated
Cork identified antiquary,
Temple Molaga with Athnacross. This he describes as an
oblong old church, the walls of which were well preserved, when he visited it in May,
in ink.
John Windale,
—MS. of
lettered on
342 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 20.
the seventh century. s^ The ruinous side-walls scarcely exceed six feet in
height : while they project beyond the end walls, about nine inches, so as to
presentasortoiantceaXeitherfront. Theendwallsareruinedatthegables.
The internal measurement of this old building is 13 by 9 feet. Within it,
there is a kind of kist, consisting of a large flag-stone, resting on low side
stones, and leaving an open space beneath, said to have been St. Molaga's bed. 53 Pilgrims, who resort here, afflicted with various diseases, are said to
have been completely restored, after having lain in it. 54 Again, lying nearly parallel with this, there is a somewhat larger church towards the north. ss Not more than about 6 feet in height of the walls remain,56 while all traces of windows have disappeared. The door seems to have been an ornamental one, but only a few details remain as specimens. 57 This church is supposed to be more modem than the Leabba by four centuries at least, s^ The ceme- tery surrounding both churches was greatly crowded with graves. S9 Like a vast sea of surging and gigantic billows, the Galtees stretch away to the west ; and under the influence of sunshine their swelling bosoms contrast brightly with the deeper shadows of the indented valleys and russet colours
impinged on particular spots.
An event recorded, not only in the life of our saint, but in the ancient
annals of the country, took place in the earlier part of the seventh century.
Cathald, son of Aidus, or Aedh, sumamed Flann-Cathrach, died, about the year 620.
