Tlnis
translated
into English, by Dr.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v5
Tliis holy Martyr Marcellosa, and her companions, Victoria, and Salsa,5 laid down their lives for the faith in Africa;^ but the exact place and time do not seem to be known.
Article VII. St. Mac Laithbhe, of Donoughmore. At the 20th of May, we find a record of this saint, in the published Martyrology of
Article v. —' Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xxiv.
- HerethereisthewordLatinized,with- in brackets. It refers, however, to a saint different from the present one.
3 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. , Maii XX. Among the pretermitted saints. p. 170.
i>.
Articlevi. —' Seethe"LeabharBreac copy, where we read :
yinL nio|i inAiAcellofp Liii-o pocliAlinAin CAj-p Vor^'^GnLich icpii^p 5epb<. \]'p ppoc^pp.
-t 'I'he walls and a high ditch of a well for- tified place encompass almost the whde Is- land, as shown in an illustration to . Sir Wil inm R. Wilde's "Lough Coirib : its Shores an. l Islam s,' clinp. v. .
It is thus translated into English, by Dr.
89.
5 An illustration and description of this old castle are to be lound, in the work already
quoted. See /^/V/'. , pp. 87 to 89.
* The parish of Cargin is liescribed, on
the " Ordn. ince Survey Townland Maps for the County of Galway," sheets 41, 42, 55, 56.
Ibid, p. Ixxxviii. ^Thus: "xiii Kaiendasjunii. In Africa phicrl Description of \\ e^t or Iar-Ci>n- natalis Sam-taium Victoria. ', Marcello>a'
7 See Roderick OFlaherty's "Chorogra-
naught,'' edited by James Ilardiman, n. (m), p. 25.
** This Island is noted on the Map, pre-
fixed to the "Trilies and Customs ol Hy- otlier entries of foreign saints, the Francis-
Mnny," edited by John O'Donovan.
' I. dited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
'34» I35*
can copy of the Tallagh Martyrology is dc- fective to the ist day of . August
^ i" several old Martyrologies, their true
: \Vhitiey Stokes —
" Marcellosus' great
blood went undtr eartli a relic
tiv. l they are to be known, Gerv. ise, Protas- sius. "—'•Transactions of tlie Roy. d Irish Academy," Irish Manuscript Series, vol. i. , part i. On the Calendar of Uengus, p. Ixxx.
- Wc find the following scholion ap- pended : " Tassio sancti niarcellosi et sancta: marcello [leg. m—arc< llic? ] suce uirgi- nis. i. uirgo et niartir. '
Salsw.
• There, the entry, at the xiii. Kalends of
June, is nK\i\celLo|-Ae. Here, with three
;
on one fes-
——— —1;
May 20. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 5 2
Tallagh,' as Mac Laithbhe Domnaighmoir. This latter word was the name ofaplace. Manylocalities,calledDonoughmore,areknowninvariousparts of our Island; so that it is difficult to discover that one, with which he had been connected. Marluithces de Momech-mou is noted by the BoUandists,^ at the 20th of May, and for this feast, the Tallagh Martyrology is quoted but, we suspect, the reference has been taken incorrectly from that source. The Martyrology of Donegal, 3 on this day, registers Mac Laithbhe, of Domh- nach-mor. as havini: been venerated.
Article VIII. Festival of St. Columbanus of Luxeu, Disciple OF St. Columbanus, Abbot. We are told by the Bollandists,' at the 20th of May, that a Manuscript Benedictine Kalendar has the entry of such a fes- tival, at this date ; but, Mabillon and Menard commemorate, both master and disciple, at the succeeding day. ^
Article IX. Reputed Festival for St. Dympna and St. Gere- BERN, Belgium. At the 20th of May, Thomas Dempster^ has a record of St. Dympna'sandofSt. Gerebern'sMartyrdom,inBelgium. TheBoUandists^ also notice this allusion to St. Dympna, Virgin, and to St. Gerebern, Priest, at the 20th of May. We have aliLady treated about them, on the 15th of ihis montli.
ArticleX. FeastofSaintsGervasiusandProtassius,Martyrs. At the 20th of May, according to the " Feilire "' of St. ^ngus, the Martyr- dom of Saints Gervasius and Protassius was commemorated, in the ancient IrishChurch. Welearn,also,thatSt. GervasiusandProtasiusareindicated in old Martyrologies, at this date, as having had a festival. ^ However, these Martyrs are most generally commemorated, on the 29th of June.
Article XL St. Ronanus. It would appear to have been Colgan's intention, to publish a Life of St. Ronan, at the 20th of May, for there his name is found on the posthumous list. '
names appear to have been mis-spelled.
° See the Bollandists' " Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. , Mail xx. De Sanctis Martyribus
advenisse sentiens, e Scotia fugit, et hie Christo immulata est. Const, i'el. Ibidem Gerebemi presbyteri decoUatio hie Inuer- lothacae natus coenobii conditor. i! . '' Bishop Forbes' "Kalendars of Scottish Saints," p. 200.
° See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. ,
Maii xx. Among the pretermitted saints,
p,170. —"
Article x. ' See the Leabhar Breac'
copy, in "Transactions of the Royai Irish Academy," Irish ]\Ianu>cript Series, vol. i. , part i. On the Calendar of Oengus. Edited by \\hitley Stokes, LL. D. , p. Ixxn.
- S-e the BoUandists' " Acta Sanctorum. " tomus v. , Maii xx. Among the pretermitted
Afris Victoria. Marcellosa, Salsa, p. 173.
Article VII. — Kelly, p. xxiv.
'
Edited by Rev. Dr.
^ See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. , Mail XX. Among the pretermitted saints, p. 170.
3 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. ''34> 135-
Article VIII. — ' See "Acta Sancto- rum," tomus v. , Maii xx. Among the pre- temiitted sainis, p. 172.
" Poterit de eo Article ix. —' In his "Menologium
= The Bollandists add : agi tunc xxi. aut xxii. Nov. "
"xx. In Bel- giopassio Dympna; virginis Hibernire qua; patrem suum incaestuossissimum idolatram
See
Scotorum," it is thus noticed
:
saints, p. 171. — Article xt. '
" Catalogus Actuum Sanctorum quse MS. habentur, ordine Men-
sium et Dierum. "
fiiiJ ;
—— .
5 2 2 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 2 1
CUjentp4rs! t JBap of iHap.
ARTICLE I. —ST. BAIRRFHIONN, PATRON OF DRUIM-CUILINN, OR DRUI. M-CULLEN, KING'S COUNTY, AND OF CILL-BAIRRFHINN, NOW KILBARRON, COUNTY OF DONEGAL.
[SIXTH CENTURY. } CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTION—ST. BAIRRFHIONN'S FAMILY AND PERIOD—A DISCIPLE OF ST. COLUMBA —HIS CONNEXION WITH DRUMCULLIN—DESCRIPTION OF THE PLACE.
WE may attribute to the inherent characteristics of Irish nationality and devotion to the Church the preservation of traditions and monu- ments, which yet shed a lustre over our remote eras. The ancient language, manners, and habits, of our people, after die Anglo-Norman invasion, resisted every attempt made to extirpate them by iniquitous legislation. Even, when the change of despotism in the sixteenth century, and in ages still later, had been directed towards the utter extinction of their old faith, the Catholic Church was the predominant force, and it gave direction to the feelings and ideas of the people, through every phase of their lives. Nor were the memo- ries of the old saints lost, nor their places suffered to perish, amid the broils of faction, the war of races, or the hatred and jealousies of intolerant, irre- sponsible rulers. To the present day, our ancient churches are associated
with their former patrons, in many a parish throughout Ireland.
There was a celebrated saint of the sixth century, called Barrindeus, who has a place among the saints of the second rank, in that Catalogue, published by Ussher. ' Probably he was no other, than Barrfind of Druimm Cuilinn, mentioned in the Metrical Calendar of St. ^Engus,^ at the 21st of May. That he was born, somewhat early in the sixth century, seems to be the natural inference drawn, from the pedigree ascribed to him. It is thought, he was identical with a holy man, also called Barind, or Barindan, and Barrfionn, who lived in another part of Ireland. At this date, likewise, the name Barr-
finn Droma Cula appears, in the Martyrology of Tallagh. 3 The Bollandists enter in like fashion the feast of Barrinus or Barrindus of Druim-chulin, at the 2istof May. If correct, in his identification with the Barinthus, men- tioned in the Acts of Brendan the Navigator, and if a relation to the latter,5
Article i. —' See *' Britannicarum Ec- Colman a leper: Barrfind of Druimm Cui- clesiarum Antiquitates," cap. xvii. linn. "—" Transacuoiis uf the Royal Irish = In tlic " Leabhar Bieac " copy we Academy," Irish Manuscript Series, vol. i. , part i. On the Calendar of Oengus, by
t:KMiit)A inAi\ci]\ inii\binl •mo^'0]\°ni •oe-01 ciiii\in-o CoLiiiAti lobo]A |\ol<MiiT) 'bAi\|\]. Mn-o t)]\oniA CmliiTO.
Whitley Stokes. LL. D. , p. Ixxx.
3 Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xxv.
* See "Acta Sanctorum," tonius v. ,
Mail xxi. Among the pretermitted saints, p. 3.
5 Colgan states, however, that this kinship could not have been on the paternal side, from the diflcrences of genealogy, allotted in the male line of descent.
Tlnis translated into English, by Dr. Whitley Stokes: ''Timotliy a marvellous martyr: a great company of divine wheat : zealous
——
May 21. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 5 2 3
his name is found, in all the old Lives of that celebrated saint, and he is also known as Barint and Beryne. ^ From the recorded particulars of his pedigree, as furnished by Marianus O'Gorman and Cathald Maguire,^ we may safely infer, that he was born in the north of Ireland. This holy man is said to have descended from the race of Conall Gulban, son to Niall. His father was Muredoc, son of Eochod. ^ This latter was son to Conall Gulban. Ano- ther statement has it, that his father was Muiredacli, son of Fiacha, son to Niall of the Nine Hostages. 9 Didhuat, daughter of Meachar, was his mother. Thus, he was a near relation of the great Cokunkille,'° according to the pedi- gree made out for our saint;" although it appears to be difficult to establish the exact degree of consanguinity, owing to the discrepancies of genealogy found in various conflicting accounts. " It is said, that St. Bairrfliion was a disciple to the illustrious founder of Iona. ^3 if so, this must have been before the latter left Ireland, to settle in Scotland. Bairrfhionn, or Barrind, is said to have flourished, about a. d. 590 ; and, it is probable enough, that he lived at a much earlier period—especially, if he was a contemporary with and related to St. Brendan the Navigator. '^ This is the expressed opinion of Colgan:'5 however, there may be a misconception, regarding the individuality of the St. Barinthus—supposed to be of Kerry—with the holy man here men- tioned. The name of our present St. Barind or Barrfionn has been connected with an undoubtedly ancient place, called Druim Cuillin -^^ for, even yet, we trace there a regular and double course of works—still in good preservation around a very strong fort, most difficult of access, and commanding the whole adjoining district. It is now planted, and it presents a very striking appear- ance. Several other ruinous fortifications are to be met with, on the sur- rounding heights. The plains around are supposed to have been battle-fields, in former times, as quantities of human bones have been found immediately under the surface. '7 The old church of Drumcullen lies in the south part of Knockbarron townland ;^^ the latter denomination being supposed to have derived its title from the present saint. St. Columkille ^9 founded a church, at this place, in the sixth century. Now, it is mentioned, in Prince O'Donnell's Life of St. Columba, that Barrind was the companion of his journeyings and of his labours. ^° It is probable, St. Colunib placed St. Bairrfhionn in charge
^ See " St. Brandan : a Mediaeval Legend of the Sea," edited by Thomas Wright, for the Percy Society, vol. xiv. , pp. i, 35.
7 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Vita Quinta S. Columbze, n. 76, p. 451.
^According to the " Sanctilogium Genea- logicum," and to Seluacius.
9 Such is an alternative gloss, on the copy of the "Feilire" of St. ^Engus, as found in the "Leabhar Breac. "
'° See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga. " Prince O'Donnell's or Quinta Vita S. Co- lumbje, lib. i. ,cap. xci. , p. 404.
" O'Donnell states regarding the saint of
this name, who settled in Kill-Barrind :
"fuit enim filius Muredachi, filii Eocodii, relative to the Antiquities of the King's filiiConalliGulbani. Ibid. CountycollectedduringtheProgressofthe
^^ In Rev. Dr. Reeves' Adamnan's "Life Ordnance Survey in 1837-8," vol. ii. Letter of St. Columba," we do not find any mention of Thomas O'Conor, dated Birr, January
of this saint, in the genealogical Tables ap- pearing in the Additional Notes, B, p. 251, or at N, p. 342.
26th, 1838, p. 50.
'' See his Life, at the gth of June, in the
succeeding volume of this work, Art. i.
^° See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Quarta Appendix ad Acta S. Columbas, cap. Vita Quinta S. Columba, lib. i. , cap. xci. .
'3 Sec Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga,"
iii. , num. 5, p. 480.
"• See Iiis Life, already given at the 1 6th
of May, in a previous part of this volume, Art. i. , chap. ii.
'S See "Acta Sanctorum Hiberni£e,"xxii. Martii. De Egressione Familiar S. Bren- dani, with notes, pp. 721 to 725.
"^ See what has been stated already, about a St. Barnitus or Barrintus of Drumcullen Parish, King's County, in the First Volume of this work, at the 13th of January, Art. v.
''' See Lewis' "Topographical Dictionary of Ireland," vol. i. , pp. 514, 515.
'^ See " Letters containing Information
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 21.
of this missionary centre, if reliance be had upon statements, regarding his station and rank ; although he is not now traditionally remembered, in Druim- Cuilinn. Its topographical meaning is the Ridge or Long Hill of the Holly, It is now known as Drum-Cullin,^' situated in the south of Eglish, or Fircall Barony, in the King's County. The old church in ruins is still to be seen there
; and, it stands on the ancient boundary, between Meath and Munster. '^ In
it, there is a stone arch of curious workmanship,'3 at the west end. ** The
524
Old Church, at Driimcullen, King's County.
walls are still tolerably perfect, and over them grows a thick mantle of ivy. 's Around the old church is a cemetery, of very great antiquity, as may be demon- strated at the present time, owing to the Hict, that an adjoining small river the Little Brosna—had of late encroached during floods, which sweep with force from the Slieve Bloom range, over the graveyard, and had washed away numbers of graves. Still through the freshly-disclosed soil remaining maybe seen thick layers of human bones, exposed along that side nearest the stream, now embanked by the Poor-l:iw Guardians, while the channel has been diverted into another course. This river flows through the beautiful demesne of Castle Bernard, which is near the old church. Here, St. Bairrfionn was
p. 404.
=' In the l)eginning of this century, it was
'* -See " Letters containing Information relative to the Antiquities of the King's County, collected during,' the Progress of the
an impropri. ue vicarage, in the diocese of
I^feath, and united with Killaliy. . See Ordnance Survey in 1837-8, ' vol. ii. Letter
Sir Cliaiks Coote's "General View of the Agriculture and Manufactures of the King's County,"chap, xx. , sect. 3, p. 196.
'- . See Ur. O'Donovan's " . Annals of the I'onr Masters. '' vol. i. , n. (ni). p. t,2\.
of Thomas O'Conor, dated liirr, January 26tli, 183S, p. 50.
-'^ riie accomjianying illustration, drawn by the writer, in June, 1SS5, was afterwards traiislerrcd to the wood, hy William K.
°3 See Lewis' "Topographical Dictionary Wakrnian, and it was e. igraved, by Mrs. of Ireland," vol. i. , p. 514. Millard.
—
May 2 1 . ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 525
Abbot of Druim-cuillin, in the territory of Fearceall, upon the confines of Leinster and Minister; but, by mistake,^^ he has been confounded with St. Barrus of Cork,-' whose feast occurs on the 25th of September, and who is quite a different personage. Most picturesque was the site selected for that establishment ; for, at the present time, Urumcullen is dominated by the wild and barren western slopes of the Slieve Bloom Mountains, yet stretching away from their base is a pleasant and varied surface of country, having undergone modern improvements and cultivation. Several handsome mansions, villas and demesnes are to be found,^^ surrounding the old site of St. Barrfinn's monastery, which seems to have had a vigorous life, for long after the founder's death; since, here, also, St. Mochudda or Carthage ^9 and his monks halted and were refreshed, on their way from Rahan to Lismore,3° as we have seen already, in the Life of that holy Abbot, Even yet, . as it appears, tlie memory of St. Barrfionn has been intertwined with local topography ; for, near Drumcullen, there is an eminence called Knockbarron—in Irish Cnoc- Barrind—and it may be Anglicized, " the hill of Barrind. " He must have been a person of great importance in his day, thus to have left his name behind in that place, after a lapse of thirteen centuries ;3' and, as we shall see, at a spot far away from the religious house here, his fame is still preserved, in the name of an ancient church and of a parish, much nearer to his native soil.
CHAPTER II.
THE PROBABLE MIGRATION OF ST. 13ARRFOINN FROM DRUMCULLEN, TOWARDS THE NORTHERN PART OF IRELAND—HIS SETTLEMENT AT KILLBARRIND—ITS LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION—VISITED THERE BY ST. COLUMBA—ST. BARRIND IS SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN THE FIRST EUROPEAN DISCOVERER OF THE AiMERICAN CONTINENT —HIS PLACE IN OUR CALENDARS—CONCLUSION.
From Drumcullen St. Barrfionn emigrated, most probably, towards the north of Ireland ; and, there he is said to have fixed the site for a religious estab- lishment, of some sort, and in a very retired situation. That place is now known as Kilbarron, "the church of St. Barrind," scarcely three miles distant from Ballyshannon. ^ The greater part of this town is included, within the present parish,^ which extends along the River Erne, from the vicinity of Belleek to Donegal Bay.
Here, St. Barfhionn, Barrindeus, or Barrinthus, is said to have founded a monastery, during the sixth century. 3 This account is much more probable, than another, for which no good authority has been advanced, that a St. Colman had previously established a church there. '* Beside the river called
=* See Bishop Challenor's "Britannia chap, ix. , pp. 155, 156. Edition of 1875, 8vo.
Sancta," part ii. , p. 143.
=7 See Archdall's " Monasticon Hiherni-
cum," p. 373.
=* See " The Parliamentary Gazetteer of
Ireland," vol. ii. , p. 84.
=^9 See his Life, in the present volume, at
the 14th of May, chap. iv.
3° See Rev. A. Cognn"s "Diocese of
Meath, Ancient and Modern," vol. iii. , chap. Ixxv. p. 609.
3" See "The Early History of the Town of Birr," &c. , by the late Thomas Lalor Cooke,
Chapter ii. — ^ William Allingliam has written an interesting account of this place, in a hook, intituled : " Ballyshannon, its History and Antiquities. "
- It is traversed by thehigh road fromBally- shannon to Enniskillen, and by a road from Ballyshannon to Donegal. See the " Parlia- mentary Gazetteer of Ireland," vol. ii. , pp. 360, 361.
3 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Quarta Appendix ad Acta S. Columbce, cap. iii. , num. 5, p. 480.
526
LIVES OF THE IRISHSAINTS. [May 21.
Article VII. St. Mac Laithbhe, of Donoughmore. At the 20th of May, we find a record of this saint, in the published Martyrology of
Article v. —' Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xxiv.
- HerethereisthewordLatinized,with- in brackets. It refers, however, to a saint different from the present one.
3 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. , Maii XX. Among the pretermitted saints. p. 170.
i>.
Articlevi. —' Seethe"LeabharBreac copy, where we read :
yinL nio|i inAiAcellofp Liii-o pocliAlinAin CAj-p Vor^'^GnLich icpii^p 5epb<. \]'p ppoc^pp.
-t 'I'he walls and a high ditch of a well for- tified place encompass almost the whde Is- land, as shown in an illustration to . Sir Wil inm R. Wilde's "Lough Coirib : its Shores an. l Islam s,' clinp. v. .
It is thus translated into English, by Dr.
89.
5 An illustration and description of this old castle are to be lound, in the work already
quoted. See /^/V/'. , pp. 87 to 89.
* The parish of Cargin is liescribed, on
the " Ordn. ince Survey Townland Maps for the County of Galway," sheets 41, 42, 55, 56.
Ibid, p. Ixxxviii. ^Thus: "xiii Kaiendasjunii. In Africa phicrl Description of \\ e^t or Iar-Ci>n- natalis Sam-taium Victoria. ', Marcello>a'
7 See Roderick OFlaherty's "Chorogra-
naught,'' edited by James Ilardiman, n. (m), p. 25.
** This Island is noted on the Map, pre-
fixed to the "Trilies and Customs ol Hy- otlier entries of foreign saints, the Francis-
Mnny," edited by John O'Donovan.
' I. dited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
'34» I35*
can copy of the Tallagh Martyrology is dc- fective to the ist day of . August
^ i" several old Martyrologies, their true
: \Vhitiey Stokes —
" Marcellosus' great
blood went undtr eartli a relic
tiv. l they are to be known, Gerv. ise, Protas- sius. "—'•Transactions of tlie Roy. d Irish Academy," Irish Manuscript Series, vol. i. , part i. On the Calendar of Uengus, p. Ixxx.
- Wc find the following scholion ap- pended : " Tassio sancti niarcellosi et sancta: marcello [leg. m—arc< llic? ] suce uirgi- nis. i. uirgo et niartir. '
Salsw.
• There, the entry, at the xiii. Kalends of
June, is nK\i\celLo|-Ae. Here, with three
;
on one fes-
——— —1;
May 20. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 5 2
Tallagh,' as Mac Laithbhe Domnaighmoir. This latter word was the name ofaplace. Manylocalities,calledDonoughmore,areknowninvariousparts of our Island; so that it is difficult to discover that one, with which he had been connected. Marluithces de Momech-mou is noted by the BoUandists,^ at the 20th of May, and for this feast, the Tallagh Martyrology is quoted but, we suspect, the reference has been taken incorrectly from that source. The Martyrology of Donegal, 3 on this day, registers Mac Laithbhe, of Domh- nach-mor. as havini: been venerated.
Article VIII. Festival of St. Columbanus of Luxeu, Disciple OF St. Columbanus, Abbot. We are told by the Bollandists,' at the 20th of May, that a Manuscript Benedictine Kalendar has the entry of such a fes- tival, at this date ; but, Mabillon and Menard commemorate, both master and disciple, at the succeeding day. ^
Article IX. Reputed Festival for St. Dympna and St. Gere- BERN, Belgium. At the 20th of May, Thomas Dempster^ has a record of St. Dympna'sandofSt. Gerebern'sMartyrdom,inBelgium. TheBoUandists^ also notice this allusion to St. Dympna, Virgin, and to St. Gerebern, Priest, at the 20th of May. We have aliLady treated about them, on the 15th of ihis montli.
ArticleX. FeastofSaintsGervasiusandProtassius,Martyrs. At the 20th of May, according to the " Feilire "' of St. ^ngus, the Martyr- dom of Saints Gervasius and Protassius was commemorated, in the ancient IrishChurch. Welearn,also,thatSt. GervasiusandProtasiusareindicated in old Martyrologies, at this date, as having had a festival. ^ However, these Martyrs are most generally commemorated, on the 29th of June.
Article XL St. Ronanus. It would appear to have been Colgan's intention, to publish a Life of St. Ronan, at the 20th of May, for there his name is found on the posthumous list. '
names appear to have been mis-spelled.
° See the Bollandists' " Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. , Mail xx. De Sanctis Martyribus
advenisse sentiens, e Scotia fugit, et hie Christo immulata est. Const, i'el. Ibidem Gerebemi presbyteri decoUatio hie Inuer- lothacae natus coenobii conditor. i! . '' Bishop Forbes' "Kalendars of Scottish Saints," p. 200.
° See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. ,
Maii xx. Among the pretermitted saints,
p,170. —"
Article x. ' See the Leabhar Breac'
copy, in "Transactions of the Royai Irish Academy," Irish ]\Ianu>cript Series, vol. i. , part i. On the Calendar of Oengus. Edited by \\hitley Stokes, LL. D. , p. Ixxn.
- S-e the BoUandists' " Acta Sanctorum. " tomus v. , Maii xx. Among the pretermitted
Afris Victoria. Marcellosa, Salsa, p. 173.
Article VII. — Kelly, p. xxiv.
'
Edited by Rev. Dr.
^ See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. , Mail XX. Among the pretermitted saints, p. 170.
3 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. ''34> 135-
Article VIII. — ' See "Acta Sancto- rum," tomus v. , Maii xx. Among the pre- temiitted sainis, p. 172.
" Poterit de eo Article ix. —' In his "Menologium
= The Bollandists add : agi tunc xxi. aut xxii. Nov. "
"xx. In Bel- giopassio Dympna; virginis Hibernire qua; patrem suum incaestuossissimum idolatram
See
Scotorum," it is thus noticed
:
saints, p. 171. — Article xt. '
" Catalogus Actuum Sanctorum quse MS. habentur, ordine Men-
sium et Dierum. "
fiiiJ ;
—— .
5 2 2 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 2 1
CUjentp4rs! t JBap of iHap.
ARTICLE I. —ST. BAIRRFHIONN, PATRON OF DRUIM-CUILINN, OR DRUI. M-CULLEN, KING'S COUNTY, AND OF CILL-BAIRRFHINN, NOW KILBARRON, COUNTY OF DONEGAL.
[SIXTH CENTURY. } CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTION—ST. BAIRRFHIONN'S FAMILY AND PERIOD—A DISCIPLE OF ST. COLUMBA —HIS CONNEXION WITH DRUMCULLIN—DESCRIPTION OF THE PLACE.
WE may attribute to the inherent characteristics of Irish nationality and devotion to the Church the preservation of traditions and monu- ments, which yet shed a lustre over our remote eras. The ancient language, manners, and habits, of our people, after die Anglo-Norman invasion, resisted every attempt made to extirpate them by iniquitous legislation. Even, when the change of despotism in the sixteenth century, and in ages still later, had been directed towards the utter extinction of their old faith, the Catholic Church was the predominant force, and it gave direction to the feelings and ideas of the people, through every phase of their lives. Nor were the memo- ries of the old saints lost, nor their places suffered to perish, amid the broils of faction, the war of races, or the hatred and jealousies of intolerant, irre- sponsible rulers. To the present day, our ancient churches are associated
with their former patrons, in many a parish throughout Ireland.
There was a celebrated saint of the sixth century, called Barrindeus, who has a place among the saints of the second rank, in that Catalogue, published by Ussher. ' Probably he was no other, than Barrfind of Druimm Cuilinn, mentioned in the Metrical Calendar of St. ^Engus,^ at the 21st of May. That he was born, somewhat early in the sixth century, seems to be the natural inference drawn, from the pedigree ascribed to him. It is thought, he was identical with a holy man, also called Barind, or Barindan, and Barrfionn, who lived in another part of Ireland. At this date, likewise, the name Barr-
finn Droma Cula appears, in the Martyrology of Tallagh. 3 The Bollandists enter in like fashion the feast of Barrinus or Barrindus of Druim-chulin, at the 2istof May. If correct, in his identification with the Barinthus, men- tioned in the Acts of Brendan the Navigator, and if a relation to the latter,5
Article i. —' See *' Britannicarum Ec- Colman a leper: Barrfind of Druimm Cui- clesiarum Antiquitates," cap. xvii. linn. "—" Transacuoiis uf the Royal Irish = In tlic " Leabhar Bieac " copy we Academy," Irish Manuscript Series, vol. i. , part i. On the Calendar of Oengus, by
t:KMiit)A inAi\ci]\ inii\binl •mo^'0]\°ni •oe-01 ciiii\in-o CoLiiiAti lobo]A |\ol<MiiT) 'bAi\|\]. Mn-o t)]\oniA CmliiTO.
Whitley Stokes. LL. D. , p. Ixxx.
3 Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xxv.
* See "Acta Sanctorum," tonius v. ,
Mail xxi. Among the pretermitted saints, p. 3.
5 Colgan states, however, that this kinship could not have been on the paternal side, from the diflcrences of genealogy, allotted in the male line of descent.
Tlnis translated into English, by Dr. Whitley Stokes: ''Timotliy a marvellous martyr: a great company of divine wheat : zealous
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May 21. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 5 2 3
his name is found, in all the old Lives of that celebrated saint, and he is also known as Barint and Beryne. ^ From the recorded particulars of his pedigree, as furnished by Marianus O'Gorman and Cathald Maguire,^ we may safely infer, that he was born in the north of Ireland. This holy man is said to have descended from the race of Conall Gulban, son to Niall. His father was Muredoc, son of Eochod. ^ This latter was son to Conall Gulban. Ano- ther statement has it, that his father was Muiredacli, son of Fiacha, son to Niall of the Nine Hostages. 9 Didhuat, daughter of Meachar, was his mother. Thus, he was a near relation of the great Cokunkille,'° according to the pedi- gree made out for our saint;" although it appears to be difficult to establish the exact degree of consanguinity, owing to the discrepancies of genealogy found in various conflicting accounts. " It is said, that St. Bairrfliion was a disciple to the illustrious founder of Iona. ^3 if so, this must have been before the latter left Ireland, to settle in Scotland. Bairrfhionn, or Barrind, is said to have flourished, about a. d. 590 ; and, it is probable enough, that he lived at a much earlier period—especially, if he was a contemporary with and related to St. Brendan the Navigator. '^ This is the expressed opinion of Colgan:'5 however, there may be a misconception, regarding the individuality of the St. Barinthus—supposed to be of Kerry—with the holy man here men- tioned. The name of our present St. Barind or Barrfionn has been connected with an undoubtedly ancient place, called Druim Cuillin -^^ for, even yet, we trace there a regular and double course of works—still in good preservation around a very strong fort, most difficult of access, and commanding the whole adjoining district. It is now planted, and it presents a very striking appear- ance. Several other ruinous fortifications are to be met with, on the sur- rounding heights. The plains around are supposed to have been battle-fields, in former times, as quantities of human bones have been found immediately under the surface. '7 The old church of Drumcullen lies in the south part of Knockbarron townland ;^^ the latter denomination being supposed to have derived its title from the present saint. St. Columkille ^9 founded a church, at this place, in the sixth century. Now, it is mentioned, in Prince O'Donnell's Life of St. Columba, that Barrind was the companion of his journeyings and of his labours. ^° It is probable, St. Colunib placed St. Bairrfhionn in charge
^ See " St. Brandan : a Mediaeval Legend of the Sea," edited by Thomas Wright, for the Percy Society, vol. xiv. , pp. i, 35.
7 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Vita Quinta S. Columbze, n. 76, p. 451.
^According to the " Sanctilogium Genea- logicum," and to Seluacius.
9 Such is an alternative gloss, on the copy of the "Feilire" of St. ^Engus, as found in the "Leabhar Breac. "
'° See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga. " Prince O'Donnell's or Quinta Vita S. Co- lumbje, lib. i. ,cap. xci. , p. 404.
" O'Donnell states regarding the saint of
this name, who settled in Kill-Barrind :
"fuit enim filius Muredachi, filii Eocodii, relative to the Antiquities of the King's filiiConalliGulbani. Ibid. CountycollectedduringtheProgressofthe
^^ In Rev. Dr. Reeves' Adamnan's "Life Ordnance Survey in 1837-8," vol. ii. Letter of St. Columba," we do not find any mention of Thomas O'Conor, dated Birr, January
of this saint, in the genealogical Tables ap- pearing in the Additional Notes, B, p. 251, or at N, p. 342.
26th, 1838, p. 50.
'' See his Life, at the gth of June, in the
succeeding volume of this work, Art. i.
^° See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Quarta Appendix ad Acta S. Columbas, cap. Vita Quinta S. Columba, lib. i. , cap. xci. .
'3 Sec Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga,"
iii. , num. 5, p. 480.
"• See Iiis Life, already given at the 1 6th
of May, in a previous part of this volume, Art. i. , chap. ii.
'S See "Acta Sanctorum Hiberni£e,"xxii. Martii. De Egressione Familiar S. Bren- dani, with notes, pp. 721 to 725.
"^ See what has been stated already, about a St. Barnitus or Barrintus of Drumcullen Parish, King's County, in the First Volume of this work, at the 13th of January, Art. v.
''' See Lewis' "Topographical Dictionary of Ireland," vol. i. , pp. 514, 515.
'^ See " Letters containing Information
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 21.
of this missionary centre, if reliance be had upon statements, regarding his station and rank ; although he is not now traditionally remembered, in Druim- Cuilinn. Its topographical meaning is the Ridge or Long Hill of the Holly, It is now known as Drum-Cullin,^' situated in the south of Eglish, or Fircall Barony, in the King's County. The old church in ruins is still to be seen there
; and, it stands on the ancient boundary, between Meath and Munster. '^ In
it, there is a stone arch of curious workmanship,'3 at the west end. ** The
524
Old Church, at Driimcullen, King's County.
walls are still tolerably perfect, and over them grows a thick mantle of ivy. 's Around the old church is a cemetery, of very great antiquity, as may be demon- strated at the present time, owing to the Hict, that an adjoining small river the Little Brosna—had of late encroached during floods, which sweep with force from the Slieve Bloom range, over the graveyard, and had washed away numbers of graves. Still through the freshly-disclosed soil remaining maybe seen thick layers of human bones, exposed along that side nearest the stream, now embanked by the Poor-l:iw Guardians, while the channel has been diverted into another course. This river flows through the beautiful demesne of Castle Bernard, which is near the old church. Here, St. Bairrfionn was
p. 404.
=' In the l)eginning of this century, it was
'* -See " Letters containing Information relative to the Antiquities of the King's County, collected during,' the Progress of the
an impropri. ue vicarage, in the diocese of
I^feath, and united with Killaliy. . See Ordnance Survey in 1837-8, ' vol. ii. Letter
Sir Cliaiks Coote's "General View of the Agriculture and Manufactures of the King's County,"chap, xx. , sect. 3, p. 196.
'- . See Ur. O'Donovan's " . Annals of the I'onr Masters. '' vol. i. , n. (ni). p. t,2\.
of Thomas O'Conor, dated liirr, January 26tli, 183S, p. 50.
-'^ riie accomjianying illustration, drawn by the writer, in June, 1SS5, was afterwards traiislerrcd to the wood, hy William K.
°3 See Lewis' "Topographical Dictionary Wakrnian, and it was e. igraved, by Mrs. of Ireland," vol. i. , p. 514. Millard.
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May 2 1 . ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 525
Abbot of Druim-cuillin, in the territory of Fearceall, upon the confines of Leinster and Minister; but, by mistake,^^ he has been confounded with St. Barrus of Cork,-' whose feast occurs on the 25th of September, and who is quite a different personage. Most picturesque was the site selected for that establishment ; for, at the present time, Urumcullen is dominated by the wild and barren western slopes of the Slieve Bloom Mountains, yet stretching away from their base is a pleasant and varied surface of country, having undergone modern improvements and cultivation. Several handsome mansions, villas and demesnes are to be found,^^ surrounding the old site of St. Barrfinn's monastery, which seems to have had a vigorous life, for long after the founder's death; since, here, also, St. Mochudda or Carthage ^9 and his monks halted and were refreshed, on their way from Rahan to Lismore,3° as we have seen already, in the Life of that holy Abbot, Even yet, . as it appears, tlie memory of St. Barrfionn has been intertwined with local topography ; for, near Drumcullen, there is an eminence called Knockbarron—in Irish Cnoc- Barrind—and it may be Anglicized, " the hill of Barrind. " He must have been a person of great importance in his day, thus to have left his name behind in that place, after a lapse of thirteen centuries ;3' and, as we shall see, at a spot far away from the religious house here, his fame is still preserved, in the name of an ancient church and of a parish, much nearer to his native soil.
CHAPTER II.
THE PROBABLE MIGRATION OF ST. 13ARRFOINN FROM DRUMCULLEN, TOWARDS THE NORTHERN PART OF IRELAND—HIS SETTLEMENT AT KILLBARRIND—ITS LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION—VISITED THERE BY ST. COLUMBA—ST. BARRIND IS SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN THE FIRST EUROPEAN DISCOVERER OF THE AiMERICAN CONTINENT —HIS PLACE IN OUR CALENDARS—CONCLUSION.
From Drumcullen St. Barrfionn emigrated, most probably, towards the north of Ireland ; and, there he is said to have fixed the site for a religious estab- lishment, of some sort, and in a very retired situation. That place is now known as Kilbarron, "the church of St. Barrind," scarcely three miles distant from Ballyshannon. ^ The greater part of this town is included, within the present parish,^ which extends along the River Erne, from the vicinity of Belleek to Donegal Bay.
Here, St. Barfhionn, Barrindeus, or Barrinthus, is said to have founded a monastery, during the sixth century. 3 This account is much more probable, than another, for which no good authority has been advanced, that a St. Colman had previously established a church there. '* Beside the river called
=* See Bishop Challenor's "Britannia chap, ix. , pp. 155, 156. Edition of 1875, 8vo.
Sancta," part ii. , p. 143.
=7 See Archdall's " Monasticon Hiherni-
cum," p. 373.
=* See " The Parliamentary Gazetteer of
Ireland," vol. ii. , p. 84.
=^9 See his Life, in the present volume, at
the 14th of May, chap. iv.
3° See Rev. A. Cognn"s "Diocese of
Meath, Ancient and Modern," vol. iii. , chap. Ixxv. p. 609.
3" See "The Early History of the Town of Birr," &c. , by the late Thomas Lalor Cooke,
Chapter ii. — ^ William Allingliam has written an interesting account of this place, in a hook, intituled : " Ballyshannon, its History and Antiquities. "
- It is traversed by thehigh road fromBally- shannon to Enniskillen, and by a road from Ballyshannon to Donegal. See the " Parlia- mentary Gazetteer of Ireland," vol. ii. , pp. 360, 361.
3 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Quarta Appendix ad Acta S. Columbce, cap. iii. , num. 5, p. 480.
526
LIVES OF THE IRISHSAINTS. [May 21.
