Caireach
or Cairec Dergain, Virgin of Cluain- BoiRiNN, NOW Clonburren, Parish of Moore, County of Roscommon.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v2
" Colgan's "Acta Sane torum Hibernise," xvi.
Januarii.
Vita S.
Furssei, lib i.
, cap.
xl.
, p.
82, lib.
ii.
, cap.
XV.
, xvi.
, p.
86, and ibid.
Vita S.
Fursaei, a Desmseo, cap.
xx.
, p.
297.
^^
His feast is assigned to the 8lh of Jan-
='
Among these were St. Beoan and St.
uary.
'^'^ Also, called Genevieve, Patroness of
Paris, who is venerated, on the 3rd of Jan- uary.
^o Probably St. Columba, virgin and martyr, whose feast is kept, on the 31st of December,
31 According to Baronius, Autbert was Bishop of Cambray, in the year 648. He survived St. Eligius, for many years. But, we can hardly suppose, that he lived to the year 709, as Sigebert and Baronius state,
32
According to Desmay.
33 q^hc old author of St. Fursey's Life calls
it a sarcophagus.
Meldan, whose relics were placed there by
" The old author says, "ad —orientalem partem altaris domuncula. " Colgan's
**
Acta Sanctorum Hibernise," xvi, Januarii. Vita S. Furssei, lib. i. , cap. xli. , p. 82.
=3
According to Baronius, in his Annals,
Eligius, departed this life, A. D. 665, but
according to Miraeus, in his Belgian Chroni-
cle, A. D. 660. His Life has been written. History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, xvi. , in two books, by his intimate friend St. sect, x. , and n. 95, pp. 462, 463.
Ouen, Bishop of Rouen,
St. Fursey.
s-*
Dr. Lanigan refers the Translation of
St. Fursey's body, four years after his death, to the 9th of February. See "Ecclesiastical
February 9. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 441
the sanctuary. These reHcs were then placed on the eastern side, over the high altar, which was dedicated to St. Peter, Prince of the Apostles, and behind that altar, as the old writer of our saint's Acts relates. 35 He also remarks, from that date to his own time, any persons who approached to offer up their devotions and lawful petitions before the shrine of Saint Fursey were seen to obtain whatever favours they sought. 36 The year, succeeding this translation of our saint's relics, was remarkable for a general failure of the vine-cropthroughoutthewholeofFrance; sothat,itwaswithgreatdifficulty, winecouldbeprocuredforcelebrationoftheDivineMysteries. Ithappened, that a noble lady, at Perrone, with a great part of her family, suffered from some grievous illness. As her life had been despaired of, her last moment was hourly expected. On a certain night, she had a vision. It seemed to her, she was told to send to the church, in which St. Fursey's body lay, and to ask for herself and family some of the wine, which was there required for the Eucharistic Sacrifice. She immediately called a trusty servant, and related the particulars of her nocturnal vision. Being sent to the church, this servant asked the cleric who was sacristan, at the time, for that wine, which would restore his mistress to health. On account of its scarcity, the sacristan refused to comply with this request, but he advised the servant to go and fetch water to his mistress, from St. Fursey's well, which was to be found near the mountain summit. The servant filled the vessel, which he hadbrought,withthiswater,andboreithomewards. Thewaterwasmira- culously changed into wine, before the sick woman tasted it, to the bearer's greatastonishment,forheknewfromwhatsourceithadbeendrawn. Im- mediately after the pious matron tasted this liquid, she was restored to health, as likewise was the case, in reference to other infirm persons in the family. Whereupon, accompanied by her relations, domestics and friends, this noble lady proceeded at once to St. Fursey's church, bearing lights, with offerings of gold and silver. Here she prostrated herself in prayer, and she offered acts of thanksgiving to God, and to his servant, St. Fursey.
She then dedicated the remainder of her life to a devout worship of Almighty God, and to a pious veneration for the patron saint of that church. There she desired her remains to be laid after death. 37 We are told by Desmay,38 that not only do the people of Perrone derive strength and health from the use of this water, when suffering from fever or from any other kind of dis- ease ; but, even all infirm persons, from parts more distant, when with faith and piety, they venerated holy St. Fursey and used that water, which by an ancient custom of the church had been blessed. There were six different kinds of diseases, especially enumerated, in the hymn of lauds, recited on the saint's festival. 39 Such account is to be found, in an old office of St. Fursey. These maladies were known to be removed, by a devout venera- tion of the patron saint. ^o A small aperture was to be seen in the old tomb
**
3S See Colgan's
nise," xvi. Januarii. Vita S. Furssei, lib.
3' They are thus named, in the following lines :—
Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
86.
3^ In the time of Bede, the fame of miracles
wrought at St. Fursey's tomb was very great. See "Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Anglo-
rum," lib. iii. , cap. xix. , p. 215.
"
37 See, also, Mabillon's
S. Benedict! ," tomus i. , lib. xiv. , sect. 1. , p. 410.
ii. , cap. xvii. , p.
"
Annales Ordinis
Febris, Spasmus, Paralysis, Calculus, et Hernia, Curantur, ac Hydropsis, Breviter, et omnia
Quce sanare nequit Physis, Sanat ejus gratia. "
" Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
'° Desmay says, that this hymn was to be found in our saint's office, before issuing an edition of the new breviary. Sometime
3^ See
niae," ix. Februarii. Vita S. Furssei, cap. xxi. , p. 298.
Colgan's
442 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS [February 9.
of St. Fursey, in the time of Desmay. ^i Into this opening, infirm persons were accustomed to introduce pocket-handkerchiefs, or hnens, to touch the holyman'sremainswiththem. Also,those,whowereafflictedwithhead- ache, apphed their heads to this aperture, when they frequently experienced im,mediaterelieffromsuchmalady. Inmemoryofvariousbenefitsreceived by them, different valetudinarians, who had recovered their strength through St. Fursey's intercession,^^ at several periods, down to the seventeenth century, wished to perpetuate such personal favours. As memorials, they hung up several waxen images, before the holy confessor's altar. -^3 Desmay vindicates this, as an ancient and pious custom in the church,'*'* although it excited the ire and calumnies of Calvinists in his day. -^s As expiatory offerings, the Phillistines hung up before the ark five golden emerods and five golden mice ;^*^ while, as perpetual memorials, the Jews always willed them, there to continue. '*^ The Church has wisely provided,'*^ however, that nothing unbecoming, or of a dishonest signification be permitted, in practises of this kind.
Article V. —St. Colman, of Cluain Eraird, or Clonard, County OF Meath. [^Possibly in the Seventh Century? ^ A stranger, viewing the towers, abbeys and monasteries, dispersed throughout the county of Meath,
would be inclined to exclaim,
" "* The This was the land of saints, indeed !
present holy man is styled Mocolmoc, Cluana Iraird, in the Martyrology of Tallagh,^ at the 9th of February. If what follows be correct, he must have been a nephew to the celebrated founder of Clonard,3 in the ancient territory of Meath ; for, we are told, that Rioghnach,'* sister of Finnen, ol Cluain Eraird was his mother. Her parents, therefore, seem to have been Fintan, descended from the family of Loschain, and her mother's name was Talech. The present St. Colman must have Hved, in that case, in the sixth century. According to the published Martyrology of Donegal,s on this day was venerated, Colman, of Cluain Eraird. In Harris' Ware, we read, that a
before he wrote, the new edition had been observavit Metaphrastes. Multa etiam hujus
pubUshed. '''InhisepistletoPopeHormisdaSjSt.
generis signa in sede D. Virginis Lauretana Ger- exstant. "
** Acta Sanctorum Hiber- formerly noticed at the tombs of holy martyrs. niae," ix, Februarii. Vita S. Furssei, cap.
St. Csecilia's body, Blosius relates this cir- cumstance.
^'^
Desmay says, that during ages preced-
ing his own time, numberless miracles had
been wrought, at the tomb of our saint. So mains of towns and villages near each, many blind persons had been restored to the
use of sight, so many lame to that of walk-
ing, and so many, afllicted with all sorts of
diseases, to a perfect state of health, that if
an exact relation of each particular case were
recorded, the biographer declares, he should
never be able to conclude the Life of our
saint.
manus testifies, that such were *5 See many openings
Colgan's
Even, a short time before Desmay wrote the
Life ot St. P^ursey, the illustrious Cardinal
Paulus Sfrondatus discovered an aperture of
like character A. D, 1599, at the tomb ol St. passage,, Q. 13. Cecilia. In his book, on the discovery of -^^
-•^ See the
and fourth
1 2th of Deceml^er.
* In a note, Dr. Todd says at Rioghnach,
twenty-first chapter, section of the Life, by Desmay.
^* " De qua inter alios veteres Theodoretns libro 8, de curandis Grsec. affect. Idem ad Vitam Danielis Stillitse tmdecima Decembris
xxi. , p. 298.
'**' See i. Kings, chap. vi.
'*' So writes Tostatus Abulensis, on this
at the time of the Council
Especially, of Trent, —
'
who makes " from the number
The writer,
Article v.
this remark, continues,
of these religious foundations, and the re-
arises a fair conclusion, that the population
of Meath, i—n ages far remote, was very con- "
siderable. " Robert Thompson's Statis-
tical Survey of the County of Meath," chap,
i. , sect, i. , p. 4.
=
"The words within brackets are added in the more recent hand. "
s Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 42, 43.
Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xv.
3 jjt, Finian, whose Life occurs at the
February 9. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 443
Colman O'Heir died, on the 9th of February, a. d. 700. ^ I cannot find the authority, for placing his death on the present date of the month ; but, our Annals concur in stating, that Colman-Ua-hEire died Abbot of Clonard,^ in the year 700. ^ It is possible, he may be identified, with the present St. Colman.
Article VI. —St.
Caireach or Cairec Dergain, Virgin of Cluain- BoiRiNN, NOW Clonburren, Parish of Moore, County of Roscommon.
"
\_Stxth Century. ^ St. ^ngus the Culdee, in his
Feilire," notices this holy
woman, and eulogises her as
"
Coeirech Dergan, the Godly. " In the Mar-
tyrology of Tallagh,^ at the 9th of February, there is an entry of Cairec
Dergain. Marianus O'Gorman and Maguire, also, commemorate her. Carecha de Dergain was daughter to Conall, the Red, and sister to St. Enda, of Aran,"* and to St. Libeus,3 as also to St. Fanchea,* St. Lochinas and St. Darenia. ^ She was a scion of the race of Colla-da-Chrich, on the father'sside whilehermother —somecalledAibfinnia—was
;
Briga by grand-
—— daughtertoRonan,KingofFerard. St. Caireach likehersisterFanchea
was born probably at Rathmore,^ in the vicinity of Clogher. Like her brothers and sisters, she left family and home, and in exchange for the
domestic ties of a princely social circle, she sought God, in the religious state. The Martyrology of Donegal^ enters the feast of Caireach Dergdin,
virgin, of Cluain-Boirinn,9 in Ui Maine, at this date. This appears to have been the place, where she lived in conventual seclusion. It is nearly opposite to the seven churches of Clonmacnoise ;^° and that part of the Shannon, lying between both places, was anciently called Sndrah-dd-en. " A portion of this virgin's church, referred to Ireland's primitive ages of Christianity, yet remains, and some ancient inscriptions are said to have been there seen. " There were O'Kellys, who Uved at Cluainbuarain. ^3
^
See vol. i. , "Bishops of Meath," p. 139.
by some error Colgan promised to give her Life, at the 6th ot June. See Drs. Todd's
7 The parish of Clonard, in the barony of ""
and Reeve's "Martyrology of Donegal," Upper Movfenrath, is shown on the Ord- pp. i86 to 189, and Acta Sanctorum Hi- nance Survey Tow^nland Maps for the berniae," xxi. Martii. Vita S. Endei, cap.
County of Meath. " Sheets 40, 41, 46, viii. , and nn. 16, 17, pp. 706, 710.
47. The townland proper is described on
Sheets 41, 47. ^"
' This vi^as probably on the site of the
beautiful grounds, within the demesne of the
Protestant Bishop of Clogher. It is a lofty
earth-work or fortress, protected on the
See Dr. O'Donovan's Annals of the Four Masters," v—ol. i. , pp. 300, 301.
Article vi.
Kelly, p. XV.
'
Endaei, cap, iv. , p. 713.
3 He is said, by Colgan, to have been vene-
rated at the iSth of February, or at the 26th of December. Indeed, at both days, we find him under the form Molioba, of Eanach Elti, in Ui Eachadh-Uladh.
^
and south a fosse by deep
See her Life at the ist of January.
tyrology of Donegal,
" O 61tt
Edited by Rev. Dr. west
this, to the south, is a camp, surrounded by
" Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
^ See
niae," xxi. Martii. Appendix ad Vitam S. tumulus or cairn, encircled by a raised
Colgan's
a fosse. Still further southward is a single
I
s Also called Loichein, who is venerated |\inn a]\ biAutiA fiotiA. " H. i, 10, 123 b.
at the 1 2th of
^ The feast day of St. Darenia does not
appear, in our calendars ; however, the Acts of St. Enda relate, that she was, also, called Moninna, who had her religious house in
June.
Belslebhe, which appears to have been p. 134.
another form of name for Kill-slebhe. She " Yet,. Dr. O'Donovan vainly searched was venerated on the 6th of July—although for them in the graveyard, a. d. 1836. See
earth-work. See Lewis' "Topographical "
42, 43.
9 In a note, appended to this entry, in
William M. Hennessy's copy of the Mar-
Dictionary of Ireland,
vol. i. , p. 342.
^ Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
find,
'° See Dr. O'Donovan's Ancient Map
prefixed to his " Tribes and Customs of Hy-
Many. "
" See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga. "
Septima Vita S. Patricii, lib. ii. , cap. xxxiii. ,
;
beyond
bA|\-
444 LTVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February 9
There is at present a parish, called Clonbern,*^ on the western border of the
half-baronyofBallymoe,countyofGalway. ^s Thisparishconsistsofamain body and of a detached district. The latter is situated three-fourths of a
mile to the north-north-east. Bog and arable land chiefly compose the surface, while a lacustrine water-area of 130 acres, 3 roods, and 39 perches—
comprising the greater part of Lough Mackeeran, and about the half of Lough Doo—lies within the bounds. '^ This happy virgin's death is re- corded, at the 9th of February, a. d. 577, in the Annals of the Four Masters. '^ We learn, also, that her place is identical with the present Cloonburren,^^ on the west side of the Shannon, in the parish of Moore,'9 barony of Moycarn, and county of Roscommon. 2° Archdall perpetrates the mistake, of placing the death of Cairecha Cergain—as he spells it—at the 5th of February. '^ Doubtless, he mistook the v. of the February Ides—which is correct—for the 5th day of this month.
Article VIL—St. Ronan, Bishop of Lismore. [Possibly in the Eighth Cejitury. '] A saint's name is entered, in the Martyrology of Tallagh,^ at this date, as Ronan, Lios-moir. There is a Ronan entered, among the Bishops of Lismore, in Harris' Ware,^ and he appears to have had as pre- decessors Macoge,3 or Maccoigeth, who died a. d. 748,-^ or more correctly 753. 5 He is called, however, only an abbot ; but, he may, likewise, have beenabishop. Again,ata. d. 752,^wefindmentioned,thedeathofSinchu, Abbot of Lismore, and at a. d. 755,7 Condath, Abbot of Lismore. Also, in the year 763,^ died the Abbot Aedhan of Lismore. At this same year is noted the death of Ronan, in Harris' Ware,9 and in Archdall, who quotes
the same
authority.
'° Whether he was identical with the present holy man,
or not, may be questioned. Under the head of Lis-mor, Duald Mac Firbis
enters, Ronan, bishop, of Lis-mor Mochuda, at February the 9th. " His
name is also thus registered, in the Martyrology of Donegal," as Rondn,
Bishop of Lis-mor. He was venerated on this day, according to the fore- going authorities.
Article VIH. —St. Attracta, Virgin, of Killaraght, County of Sligo. [lifth or Sixth Century. ] Our national hagiologist, Father John
"Tribes and Customs of Hy-Many," n. 9,
p. 82. Also, Buile Suibhne, a MS. in the
K. I. A. , p. 141 is quoted.
'3 See ibid. Additional notes, D, p. i66.
Article vii. —''Edited by Rev. Dr.
3 See
tion with Cluain-Boirinn. It is included on niee. " Index, p. 835, col. i.
^4 in This has some similarity
pronuncia-
Colgan's
the " Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the County of Galway. " Sheets 17, 18, 30, 31.
'S See Lew^is' "Topographical Dictionary of Ireland," vol. i. , p. 350.
'^ See ** The Parliamentary Gazetteer of
Ireland," vol. i. , p. 427.
'7 See O'Donovan's edition, vol. i. , pp.
It is described on the Ordnance Sur- vey Townland Maps for the County of Ros- common. " Sheets 54, 56.
'9 Described on Sheets 50, 51, 53, 54, 55,
Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. i. , n. (w), p. 209.
'* "
See Monasticon Hibemicum," p. 608.
* See Dr. 6' Donovan's " Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 350, 351.
5 The "Annales Ultonienses," have his
death at A. D. 752, See ibid. , n. (o), p. 351.
^ See ibid. , pp. 354, 355. 7 See ibid. , pp. 358, 359.
^
See tbid. , pp. 366, 367.
9 See vol. i. , "Bishops of Lismore," p.
208, 209.
»^ "
56.
='° "
Academy," Irish MSS. series, vol. i. , part
i. , pp. 118, 119.
'^
Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
^^
His feast is assigned to the 8lh of Jan-
='
Among these were St. Beoan and St.
uary.
'^'^ Also, called Genevieve, Patroness of
Paris, who is venerated, on the 3rd of Jan- uary.
^o Probably St. Columba, virgin and martyr, whose feast is kept, on the 31st of December,
31 According to Baronius, Autbert was Bishop of Cambray, in the year 648. He survived St. Eligius, for many years. But, we can hardly suppose, that he lived to the year 709, as Sigebert and Baronius state,
32
According to Desmay.
33 q^hc old author of St. Fursey's Life calls
it a sarcophagus.
Meldan, whose relics were placed there by
" The old author says, "ad —orientalem partem altaris domuncula. " Colgan's
**
Acta Sanctorum Hibernise," xvi, Januarii. Vita S. Furssei, lib. i. , cap. xli. , p. 82.
=3
According to Baronius, in his Annals,
Eligius, departed this life, A. D. 665, but
according to Miraeus, in his Belgian Chroni-
cle, A. D. 660. His Life has been written. History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, xvi. , in two books, by his intimate friend St. sect, x. , and n. 95, pp. 462, 463.
Ouen, Bishop of Rouen,
St. Fursey.
s-*
Dr. Lanigan refers the Translation of
St. Fursey's body, four years after his death, to the 9th of February. See "Ecclesiastical
February 9. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 441
the sanctuary. These reHcs were then placed on the eastern side, over the high altar, which was dedicated to St. Peter, Prince of the Apostles, and behind that altar, as the old writer of our saint's Acts relates. 35 He also remarks, from that date to his own time, any persons who approached to offer up their devotions and lawful petitions before the shrine of Saint Fursey were seen to obtain whatever favours they sought. 36 The year, succeeding this translation of our saint's relics, was remarkable for a general failure of the vine-cropthroughoutthewholeofFrance; sothat,itwaswithgreatdifficulty, winecouldbeprocuredforcelebrationoftheDivineMysteries. Ithappened, that a noble lady, at Perrone, with a great part of her family, suffered from some grievous illness. As her life had been despaired of, her last moment was hourly expected. On a certain night, she had a vision. It seemed to her, she was told to send to the church, in which St. Fursey's body lay, and to ask for herself and family some of the wine, which was there required for the Eucharistic Sacrifice. She immediately called a trusty servant, and related the particulars of her nocturnal vision. Being sent to the church, this servant asked the cleric who was sacristan, at the time, for that wine, which would restore his mistress to health. On account of its scarcity, the sacristan refused to comply with this request, but he advised the servant to go and fetch water to his mistress, from St. Fursey's well, which was to be found near the mountain summit. The servant filled the vessel, which he hadbrought,withthiswater,andboreithomewards. Thewaterwasmira- culously changed into wine, before the sick woman tasted it, to the bearer's greatastonishment,forheknewfromwhatsourceithadbeendrawn. Im- mediately after the pious matron tasted this liquid, she was restored to health, as likewise was the case, in reference to other infirm persons in the family. Whereupon, accompanied by her relations, domestics and friends, this noble lady proceeded at once to St. Fursey's church, bearing lights, with offerings of gold and silver. Here she prostrated herself in prayer, and she offered acts of thanksgiving to God, and to his servant, St. Fursey.
She then dedicated the remainder of her life to a devout worship of Almighty God, and to a pious veneration for the patron saint of that church. There she desired her remains to be laid after death. 37 We are told by Desmay,38 that not only do the people of Perrone derive strength and health from the use of this water, when suffering from fever or from any other kind of dis- ease ; but, even all infirm persons, from parts more distant, when with faith and piety, they venerated holy St. Fursey and used that water, which by an ancient custom of the church had been blessed. There were six different kinds of diseases, especially enumerated, in the hymn of lauds, recited on the saint's festival. 39 Such account is to be found, in an old office of St. Fursey. These maladies were known to be removed, by a devout venera- tion of the patron saint. ^o A small aperture was to be seen in the old tomb
**
3S See Colgan's
nise," xvi. Januarii. Vita S. Furssei, lib.
3' They are thus named, in the following lines :—
Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
86.
3^ In the time of Bede, the fame of miracles
wrought at St. Fursey's tomb was very great. See "Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Anglo-
rum," lib. iii. , cap. xix. , p. 215.
"
37 See, also, Mabillon's
S. Benedict! ," tomus i. , lib. xiv. , sect. 1. , p. 410.
ii. , cap. xvii. , p.
"
Annales Ordinis
Febris, Spasmus, Paralysis, Calculus, et Hernia, Curantur, ac Hydropsis, Breviter, et omnia
Quce sanare nequit Physis, Sanat ejus gratia. "
" Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
'° Desmay says, that this hymn was to be found in our saint's office, before issuing an edition of the new breviary. Sometime
3^ See
niae," ix. Februarii. Vita S. Furssei, cap. xxi. , p. 298.
Colgan's
442 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS [February 9.
of St. Fursey, in the time of Desmay. ^i Into this opening, infirm persons were accustomed to introduce pocket-handkerchiefs, or hnens, to touch the holyman'sremainswiththem. Also,those,whowereafflictedwithhead- ache, apphed their heads to this aperture, when they frequently experienced im,mediaterelieffromsuchmalady. Inmemoryofvariousbenefitsreceived by them, different valetudinarians, who had recovered their strength through St. Fursey's intercession,^^ at several periods, down to the seventeenth century, wished to perpetuate such personal favours. As memorials, they hung up several waxen images, before the holy confessor's altar. -^3 Desmay vindicates this, as an ancient and pious custom in the church,'*'* although it excited the ire and calumnies of Calvinists in his day. -^s As expiatory offerings, the Phillistines hung up before the ark five golden emerods and five golden mice ;^*^ while, as perpetual memorials, the Jews always willed them, there to continue. '*^ The Church has wisely provided,'*^ however, that nothing unbecoming, or of a dishonest signification be permitted, in practises of this kind.
Article V. —St. Colman, of Cluain Eraird, or Clonard, County OF Meath. [^Possibly in the Seventh Century? ^ A stranger, viewing the towers, abbeys and monasteries, dispersed throughout the county of Meath,
would be inclined to exclaim,
" "* The This was the land of saints, indeed !
present holy man is styled Mocolmoc, Cluana Iraird, in the Martyrology of Tallagh,^ at the 9th of February. If what follows be correct, he must have been a nephew to the celebrated founder of Clonard,3 in the ancient territory of Meath ; for, we are told, that Rioghnach,'* sister of Finnen, ol Cluain Eraird was his mother. Her parents, therefore, seem to have been Fintan, descended from the family of Loschain, and her mother's name was Talech. The present St. Colman must have Hved, in that case, in the sixth century. According to the published Martyrology of Donegal,s on this day was venerated, Colman, of Cluain Eraird. In Harris' Ware, we read, that a
before he wrote, the new edition had been observavit Metaphrastes. Multa etiam hujus
pubUshed. '''InhisepistletoPopeHormisdaSjSt.
generis signa in sede D. Virginis Lauretana Ger- exstant. "
** Acta Sanctorum Hiber- formerly noticed at the tombs of holy martyrs. niae," ix, Februarii. Vita S. Furssei, cap.
St. Csecilia's body, Blosius relates this cir- cumstance.
^'^
Desmay says, that during ages preced-
ing his own time, numberless miracles had
been wrought, at the tomb of our saint. So mains of towns and villages near each, many blind persons had been restored to the
use of sight, so many lame to that of walk-
ing, and so many, afllicted with all sorts of
diseases, to a perfect state of health, that if
an exact relation of each particular case were
recorded, the biographer declares, he should
never be able to conclude the Life of our
saint.
manus testifies, that such were *5 See many openings
Colgan's
Even, a short time before Desmay wrote the
Life ot St. P^ursey, the illustrious Cardinal
Paulus Sfrondatus discovered an aperture of
like character A. D, 1599, at the tomb ol St. passage,, Q. 13. Cecilia. In his book, on the discovery of -^^
-•^ See the
and fourth
1 2th of Deceml^er.
* In a note, Dr. Todd says at Rioghnach,
twenty-first chapter, section of the Life, by Desmay.
^* " De qua inter alios veteres Theodoretns libro 8, de curandis Grsec. affect. Idem ad Vitam Danielis Stillitse tmdecima Decembris
xxi. , p. 298.
'**' See i. Kings, chap. vi.
'*' So writes Tostatus Abulensis, on this
at the time of the Council
Especially, of Trent, —
'
who makes " from the number
The writer,
Article v.
this remark, continues,
of these religious foundations, and the re-
arises a fair conclusion, that the population
of Meath, i—n ages far remote, was very con- "
siderable. " Robert Thompson's Statis-
tical Survey of the County of Meath," chap,
i. , sect, i. , p. 4.
=
"The words within brackets are added in the more recent hand. "
s Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 42, 43.
Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xv.
3 jjt, Finian, whose Life occurs at the
February 9. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 443
Colman O'Heir died, on the 9th of February, a. d. 700. ^ I cannot find the authority, for placing his death on the present date of the month ; but, our Annals concur in stating, that Colman-Ua-hEire died Abbot of Clonard,^ in the year 700. ^ It is possible, he may be identified, with the present St. Colman.
Article VI. —St.
Caireach or Cairec Dergain, Virgin of Cluain- BoiRiNN, NOW Clonburren, Parish of Moore, County of Roscommon.
"
\_Stxth Century. ^ St. ^ngus the Culdee, in his
Feilire," notices this holy
woman, and eulogises her as
"
Coeirech Dergan, the Godly. " In the Mar-
tyrology of Tallagh,^ at the 9th of February, there is an entry of Cairec
Dergain. Marianus O'Gorman and Maguire, also, commemorate her. Carecha de Dergain was daughter to Conall, the Red, and sister to St. Enda, of Aran,"* and to St. Libeus,3 as also to St. Fanchea,* St. Lochinas and St. Darenia. ^ She was a scion of the race of Colla-da-Chrich, on the father'sside whilehermother —somecalledAibfinnia—was
;
Briga by grand-
—— daughtertoRonan,KingofFerard. St. Caireach likehersisterFanchea
was born probably at Rathmore,^ in the vicinity of Clogher. Like her brothers and sisters, she left family and home, and in exchange for the
domestic ties of a princely social circle, she sought God, in the religious state. The Martyrology of Donegal^ enters the feast of Caireach Dergdin,
virgin, of Cluain-Boirinn,9 in Ui Maine, at this date. This appears to have been the place, where she lived in conventual seclusion. It is nearly opposite to the seven churches of Clonmacnoise ;^° and that part of the Shannon, lying between both places, was anciently called Sndrah-dd-en. " A portion of this virgin's church, referred to Ireland's primitive ages of Christianity, yet remains, and some ancient inscriptions are said to have been there seen. " There were O'Kellys, who Uved at Cluainbuarain. ^3
^
See vol. i. , "Bishops of Meath," p. 139.
by some error Colgan promised to give her Life, at the 6th ot June. See Drs. Todd's
7 The parish of Clonard, in the barony of ""
and Reeve's "Martyrology of Donegal," Upper Movfenrath, is shown on the Ord- pp. i86 to 189, and Acta Sanctorum Hi- nance Survey Tow^nland Maps for the berniae," xxi. Martii. Vita S. Endei, cap.
County of Meath. " Sheets 40, 41, 46, viii. , and nn. 16, 17, pp. 706, 710.
47. The townland proper is described on
Sheets 41, 47. ^"
' This vi^as probably on the site of the
beautiful grounds, within the demesne of the
Protestant Bishop of Clogher. It is a lofty
earth-work or fortress, protected on the
See Dr. O'Donovan's Annals of the Four Masters," v—ol. i. , pp. 300, 301.
Article vi.
Kelly, p. XV.
'
Endaei, cap, iv. , p. 713.
3 He is said, by Colgan, to have been vene-
rated at the iSth of February, or at the 26th of December. Indeed, at both days, we find him under the form Molioba, of Eanach Elti, in Ui Eachadh-Uladh.
^
and south a fosse by deep
See her Life at the ist of January.
tyrology of Donegal,
" O 61tt
Edited by Rev. Dr. west
this, to the south, is a camp, surrounded by
" Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
^ See
niae," xxi. Martii. Appendix ad Vitam S. tumulus or cairn, encircled by a raised
Colgan's
a fosse. Still further southward is a single
I
s Also called Loichein, who is venerated |\inn a]\ biAutiA fiotiA. " H. i, 10, 123 b.
at the 1 2th of
^ The feast day of St. Darenia does not
appear, in our calendars ; however, the Acts of St. Enda relate, that she was, also, called Moninna, who had her religious house in
June.
Belslebhe, which appears to have been p. 134.
another form of name for Kill-slebhe. She " Yet,. Dr. O'Donovan vainly searched was venerated on the 6th of July—although for them in the graveyard, a. d. 1836. See
earth-work. See Lewis' "Topographical "
42, 43.
9 In a note, appended to this entry, in
William M. Hennessy's copy of the Mar-
Dictionary of Ireland,
vol. i. , p. 342.
^ Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
find,
'° See Dr. O'Donovan's Ancient Map
prefixed to his " Tribes and Customs of Hy-
Many. "
" See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga. "
Septima Vita S. Patricii, lib. ii. , cap. xxxiii. ,
;
beyond
bA|\-
444 LTVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February 9
There is at present a parish, called Clonbern,*^ on the western border of the
half-baronyofBallymoe,countyofGalway. ^s Thisparishconsistsofamain body and of a detached district. The latter is situated three-fourths of a
mile to the north-north-east. Bog and arable land chiefly compose the surface, while a lacustrine water-area of 130 acres, 3 roods, and 39 perches—
comprising the greater part of Lough Mackeeran, and about the half of Lough Doo—lies within the bounds. '^ This happy virgin's death is re- corded, at the 9th of February, a. d. 577, in the Annals of the Four Masters. '^ We learn, also, that her place is identical with the present Cloonburren,^^ on the west side of the Shannon, in the parish of Moore,'9 barony of Moycarn, and county of Roscommon. 2° Archdall perpetrates the mistake, of placing the death of Cairecha Cergain—as he spells it—at the 5th of February. '^ Doubtless, he mistook the v. of the February Ides—which is correct—for the 5th day of this month.
Article VIL—St. Ronan, Bishop of Lismore. [Possibly in the Eighth Cejitury. '] A saint's name is entered, in the Martyrology of Tallagh,^ at this date, as Ronan, Lios-moir. There is a Ronan entered, among the Bishops of Lismore, in Harris' Ware,^ and he appears to have had as pre- decessors Macoge,3 or Maccoigeth, who died a. d. 748,-^ or more correctly 753. 5 He is called, however, only an abbot ; but, he may, likewise, have beenabishop. Again,ata. d. 752,^wefindmentioned,thedeathofSinchu, Abbot of Lismore, and at a. d. 755,7 Condath, Abbot of Lismore. Also, in the year 763,^ died the Abbot Aedhan of Lismore. At this same year is noted the death of Ronan, in Harris' Ware,9 and in Archdall, who quotes
the same
authority.
'° Whether he was identical with the present holy man,
or not, may be questioned. Under the head of Lis-mor, Duald Mac Firbis
enters, Ronan, bishop, of Lis-mor Mochuda, at February the 9th. " His
name is also thus registered, in the Martyrology of Donegal," as Rondn,
Bishop of Lis-mor. He was venerated on this day, according to the fore- going authorities.
Article VIH. —St. Attracta, Virgin, of Killaraght, County of Sligo. [lifth or Sixth Century. ] Our national hagiologist, Father John
"Tribes and Customs of Hy-Many," n. 9,
p. 82. Also, Buile Suibhne, a MS. in the
K. I. A. , p. 141 is quoted.
'3 See ibid. Additional notes, D, p. i66.
Article vii. —''Edited by Rev. Dr.
3 See
tion with Cluain-Boirinn. It is included on niee. " Index, p. 835, col. i.
^4 in This has some similarity
pronuncia-
Colgan's
the " Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the County of Galway. " Sheets 17, 18, 30, 31.
'S See Lew^is' "Topographical Dictionary of Ireland," vol. i. , p. 350.
'^ See ** The Parliamentary Gazetteer of
Ireland," vol. i. , p. 427.
'7 See O'Donovan's edition, vol. i. , pp.
It is described on the Ordnance Sur- vey Townland Maps for the County of Ros- common. " Sheets 54, 56.
'9 Described on Sheets 50, 51, 53, 54, 55,
Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. i. , n. (w), p. 209.
'* "
See Monasticon Hibemicum," p. 608.
* See Dr. 6' Donovan's " Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 350, 351.
5 The "Annales Ultonienses," have his
death at A. D. 752, See ibid. , n. (o), p. 351.
^ See ibid. , pp. 354, 355. 7 See ibid. , pp. 358, 359.
^
See tbid. , pp. 366, 367.
9 See vol. i. , "Bishops of Lismore," p.
208, 209.
»^ "
56.
='° "
Academy," Irish MSS. series, vol. i. , part
i. , pp. 118, 119.
'^
Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
