' The Life states, ''ipse enim magnam
3 Archhisliop Ussher thus writes : "Idem
qiioque author expulsionem .
3 Archhisliop Ussher thus writes : "Idem
qiioque author expulsionem .
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v5
3<^6.
'^^ . "^ce Vita ex antiquo MS. Ilibernico, cap. iv. , num. 41.
'5 Xhe manner of this expulsion is thus differently related by Rev. Dr. Jeoffrey Keating :" Wlien St. Carthage learned their design for expelling him by violence on the
;
appro. ich of his enemies, he sent a Pictish nul)leman, who was a lay monk in his house,
May 14. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
365
Rathan, when they saw such an affecting sight. One of the monks, being unable to walk, without great pain, the holy Bishop besought his persecutors, in the name of Christ, to allow this infirm man to remain in his monastery. This request was even refused. Carthage then called the brother to him, and in the name of Christ ordered, that pain should leave liis foot, and be transferred into that of Colman—a chief, who was remarkably officious, while seeking to injure him. The pain instantly left the monk's foot, and transferred itself to Colman's, for the rest of his life; while the relieved monk without any inconvenience arose, and went with his master St. Carthage. Another old monk, wishing to die in Rathan monastery, as he had resolved, obtained such permission from St. Carthage. This old man, having received Holy Eucharist trom the Bishop's hands, departed to Heaven, before all who were present. He was buried in Rathin, as he had desired. ^" Going out from his monastery, St. Carthage entered the cemetery of the departed brethren. He asked a blessing from those who were buried there. While pouring forth his prayers, at the grave of a certain monk, who had been a long time interred, thetombwasmiraculouslyopened. Suddenly,thatdeadpersonraisedhis head from the tomb, and cried aloud : " Our most holy protector, Mochuda, bless us thy children, and through thy blessing, all of us rising shall go with thee. '' Our saint said to him : " I will not make a new body, nor procure the resurrection of so many men, before the human race shall arise. " The dead man again said : " Why, father, do you leave, although promising our union with thee, and thine for us. " Mochuda said : " Hear this proverb, my son, 'Necessity moveth decrees and councils,' but here rest in your sepulchre. On the day of Resurrection, with all my monks, I shall return to thee, and to that cross, which stands at the doors of our church. ^7 In like manner shall we all go together, before the judgment-seat of God. " The saint having spoke these words, the dead man returned to that tomb, which closed upon him. Taking a last farewell of the tomb, our holy Bishop went outside of the city, with his people, to a certain cross. This bore for its title " The cross of the Angels. "S8
According to Archbishop Ussher ^9 and the Rev. Dr. Lanigan,9° tliis expulsion of St. Carthage and of his monks from Rathen is placed, at the
to treat witli Blathmac, and to desire that the abbot might be allowed to continue witli his monks at Rathain, for the term of one 3'ear. ThisrequestoftheScottishnobleman, named Constantine, was granted by the king. But, at the end of the time stipulated, the king urged his former demand. Moc- hudda, still unwilling to leave his convent, despatched the pious Constantine once more to deprecate a violent expulsion. He pro- mised at the same time, that if allowed to remain with his monks for another year, he would withdraw and without further diffi- culty. The request of our saint was again complied with, although reluctantly, on the king's part. Mochudda was tolerated in possession, however, for another entire year. When this time again expired, Blathmac and his clergy returned to Rathan. Finding Mochudda and his monks still disposed to resist the mandate of expulsion, a company of turbulent men was raised in the neighbour- hood, under the leadership of a person, named Diarmuid Ruaighnigh. This man, we are told, was followed by the principal
part of the Cluain Aongusa tril)e. The manner in which Diarmuid executed his commission accords in substance with the narrative contained in the text. However, many of its incidents, are not contained in Keating's account. See " General Plistory
ofIreland," Bookii. ,p. 395.
^* See Vita ex anticjuo MS. Hibernico,
cap. iii. , num. 42.
''' This was probably one of those fine
Irish crosses, which seem to have adorned our cemeteries and other ecclesiastical sites, even from the early Christian ages,
^^ See Vita ex antiquo MS. Hibernico, cap. iii. , "num. 43.
®' See " Britannicarum Ecclesiarum An- tiquitates," Index Chronologicus, p. 537.
9° See "Ecclesiastical History of Ire-
land," vol. ii. , chap, xiv. , sect, xiv. , p.
352. ^i
Under the year 631, we read: "Car- thach, ? >. , Mochuda, son of Finnall was banished from Rathain. "—Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 252, 253.
266' LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 14.
year630; otheraccountshaveitat631f^whilethe"ChronicumScotorum" has A. D. 635 ,92 and the Annals of Inisfallen refer it to a. d. 636. 93 This latter is too late a period ; for. it took place, before the death of the famous warrior Failbhe Fland, King of Cashel, which fell in the year 634. 9* Some accounts place his departure, however, at a. d. 636. 95 Turn- ing to the king, when about to leave, St. Carthage said to him : " Be- hold, O king, the Heavens above and the earth beneath you shall
;
not possess Heaven, and you shall quickly be expelled from your earthly
kingdom. Your brother Diarmaid, whom you have reproved, because he honoured me, shall reign rather than you, and you shall be despised by all. For your humiliation, you shalt be despised in the camp, being left without food. You, and your posterity shall die in evil. After a little time, even none of your race shall remain. Thus denouncing the king, St. ISIochuda rang a small bell against him, and his posterity. In the Scottish dialect, this bell was called, Clograbbaigh Blaichmei, which is interpreted, " the extin- guishing bell of Blaichmaich ;" because after its ringing, the king with his pos- terity soon afterwards became extinct, although he had many sons and daughters, at that time. Our saint likewise said to the chief, who held his hand : " Thou shalt be a servant before thy death ; because thou shalt be expelled from thy principality, and thy seed shall be almost extinct. " As in the former instance, this prediction likewise came to pass. Again, Carthage said to another, who held him: " Why hast thou drawn me, by the hand, from my seat ? " The man answered : " Lest a Munster man should have too much honour, in this part of the country. " The holy man replied : "Thy face shall always be filled with confusion, and the hand which hath grasped mine shall ever be accursed. " Immediately, the eyesight of this man was extinguished. Afterwards, turning to the prince and people of Demaige city, Carthage said : " A grievous discord shall arise among you, and then you shall suffer heavy losses ; for, in great measure, you have excited this per- secution against me. " This predicted event was likewise realized. 9^ Those circumstances, connected with the expulsion of our saint from Rathain, are
somewhat differently related in other accounts. »7
CHAPTER IV.
DEPARTURE OF ST. CARTHAGE AND HIS MONKS FROM RAHIN—THEY TRAVEL SOUTH- WARDS BY WAY OF DRUMCULLEN, SAIGIR, ROSCREA, CASHEL, MUSCRAIGHE, AND ARDFINNAN, TOWARDS LISMORE—ST. CARTHAGE RECEIVES A GRANT OF THIS PLACE, FKOM THE TERRITORIAL CHIEF, MAELOCTRICH—YEAR OF HIS ARRIVAL AT LISMORE—ESTABLISHMENT OF ST. CARTHAGE, IN THIS PLACE—HIS SUBSE- QUENT PROCEEDINGS AND MANNER OF LIVING—HIS DEPARTURE FROM LIFE— HIS FESTIVAL AND MEMORIALS—CONCLUSION.
Although the saint was then extremely advanced in years,' he gave orders to his people, and in a stern voice, that they should proceed on their journey,
'' See William M. Ilennes^y's edition, pp. 84, 85.
»' According to these Annals, however, Cartha<;h died in 637, nnd time could hardly be found for his transactions subsequent to the expulsion, in case it occurreil so late as 636.
9* See Rev. Dr. Lanigan's " Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, xiv. , sect. xiv. , n. 192, p. 354.
95 See William M. Hennessy's "Chroni-
cum Scotorum," pp. 84. 85.
9' See the Bollandists' "Acta Saiicto-
rum," tonius iii. , Maii xiv. De S. Carthaco seu Mochudda, &c. Vita ex antique MS. llibcrnico, cap. iv. , num. 44, p. 3S6.
'^ See Dcrnnul O'Connor's Keating's
"History of Ireland," Book ii. , pp. 394 to
397.
Chapter iv. — ' See Sir James Ware,
"De Scriploribus Hibcrnia:," lib. i. , cap. iii. , p. 20.
May 14. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 267
thenceforward leaving King Blaithmaic and his subjects. ^ With his disciples, who were in number 867,2 Carthage resolutely set out, about the year 630. 4 The Annals of Ulster s have this expulsion, however, at a. d. 635, and at Easter time, while those of Tigernach ^ place it under a. d. 636. Many of these holy men, who left Rathain, became Bishops and Abbots, in due course of time, and they raised many structures to God's glory. It is said, that nearly an equal number of his monks were buried in Rathain city, at the time when the saint and his brethren left ; wliile, many other disciples of Carthage, living and dead, had been dispersed throughout Ireland. Besides his own community, St. Carthage had a great number of lepers, in Rathain. These he kept in a cell, apart from his monastery,? and he ministered to their wants, with great affection. ^ For, many afflicted persons, belonging to tliis class of sufferers, in different parts of Ireland, heard aoout his care and attention to their poor brethren. They came to our saint, and they were charitably received by him. These patients, also, he brought with him, from Raithin city, to that of Lismore. 9 While the evicted pilgrims proceeded on their way, with chariots and waggons, and while journeying through a thick wood, they found that a large oak had blocked up their road, it having been uprooted through some cause. The attention of St. Carthnge was called to this circumstance, by one ofhismonks. Thisdisciplestated,itwasimpossibletofindanyotherroute, but that one they were taking. While he marked the wood with his hand, Carthage commanded the oak tree to resume its former position, in God's holy name. That tree became subservient to our saint's command. At the time his biographer lived, it was to be found, standing in its former place, and having a large heap of stones piled up at its roots, in commemoration of this miracle. '°
After leaving Raithin, the first stopping place which the pilgrims reached was the monastcn- of Druym Culium," on the confines of Munster, Leinster,andMeath. Itlaywiihintheterritoriesofthelatter,however,and among the people of Fearceall. There, a monastery had been erected
and, in it, the Abbot Barrin,^^ or Barindus, was renowned for his miracles. '3
^ See the BoUandists' "Acta Sancto- rum," tomus iii. , Maii xiv. De S. Car- thaco seu Mochudda. Vita ex antiquo MS. Ilibernico, cap. iv. , nuui. 45, p. 386.
;
s gee z(J/i/. , tomus iv. , p. 46.
' See ? '^/V/. , tomus ii. , p. 193.
' The Life states, ''ipse enim magnam
3 Archhisliop Ussher thus writes : "Idem
qiioque author expulsionem . S. Caiiliag'e
monasterio Ratheniensi postea enairans ;
Perrexit, inquit, Sanctus in viam cum disci-
pulis suis, qui erant numero dccclxvii. et
cosequalis numerus in civitate Raythen in
sepuichris mansit : et phues in aliis locis per
Hiberniam tie discipulis S. Mochuda, vivi
et defuncti fuerunt. Et qui secuti sunt
sanctum senem Carthngum de civitate Ray-
then, pleni gratia Dei erant : et plures ex
eis postea Sancti Epibcopi et Abbates facti,
loca Domino sedificaverunt. Ab alia Vita
ejusdem scriptore, exceptis parvulis et ser-
vientib'js, sanctorum monachorum numerus
DCCCXLVii. fuisse proditur, labore manuum
suarum victum sibi ac pnuperibus acquiren-
tium. Alius, iisdem exceptis. dcccxliv.
tantum numeral," &c. —"Hritannicarum,
Ecclesiarum Antiquitates," cap. xvii. p. bishop Llssher, "ISarrindeus mnnasterii 472. Druim-cuillin Abbas claruit. "—" Britanni-
* According to the Bodleian copy of the carum Ecclesiarum Antiquitates," Index Annals of Inisfallen. See Rev. Dr. Chronologicus, p. 534.
O'Connor's "Rerum Hibernicarum Scrip- '3 This was most likely the saint of that
tores," tomiis ii. p. 13. ,
turbam leprosorum in sua civitate in cella deorsum cum magna dignitate habeliat, et quemdain corporis valetuo dimisit. "
^ In praise of St. Carthage of L,ismore, the reader may peruse some pleasing verses, composed for a popular air, in Rev. Anthony Cogan's " Diocese of Meath, Ancient and Modern," vol. iii. , chap. Ixxv. , pp. 622 to 624. They were written by the Very Rev. Dr. Barry, formerly Vice-President of the College of All Hallows, Dublin,
' There, likewise, he provided a place for them, in which they continued under care of their kind patron.
" See Vita ex antiquo MS. Hibernico, cap. iv. , num. 45.
" Situated in the south-western part of the present King's County, and it is now called Drumcullin.
" About the year 590, according to Arch-
2 68 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 14.
Thence, they came toSaigir,'^ St. Kieran'scity. 's Next, they journeyed towards Roscrea,thecityofSt. Cronan. '^ Heretheyspentanight,withoutreceiving the hospitalities of St. Cronan, although invited. The Abbot Cronan himself hadpreparedasupper,forSt,Carthage. But,oursaintwasunwillingtogoto him, saying : "I will not go to the man, who hath shunned strangers, and who hath built his cell in a desert. " Hearing these words, Cronan came meekly to St. Carthage, and, by advice of this latter holy man, he left that retired place. '7 Then, both saints went into the city of Roscrea. '^ Afterwards, St. Mochuda came through Hesse '9 territory, on to Cashel, the royal city of Munster. On the following day, with noble courtesy, Failbhe, King of Cashel,
''°
visited Carthage, and offered him a site, whereon to construct a monastery. The saint replied to this generous ofifer : " It is not permitted us, by the Lord, to remain here ; but, we will go to the place, pointed out to us, by holy men. " Then, a messenger came from the Leinster King to Failbhe, asking his assistance ; for, the northern people were engaged, at that time, in wasting the south-eastern province. ^' Some accident had occurred to Failbhe's eye- sight, about this juncture; but, when St. Carthage had bestowed his blessing, the king's power of vision was restored. He then set out, to assist the King of Leinster. ^'' Meanwhile, Mochuda continued his journey, to the people of Muscraigh Hithirf3 and JEdan, a chief over that people, received him with kindness. He even presented to St. Carthage a village, named Hysseall. ^* The servant of God, blessed this chief and his posterity. Passing the plain of Fenryn,'s he came to Ardbrenaind,^^ on the River Suir. Here, he entered the Nan Desii territory, and he was met by Melostrich,^7 the chief, and by anothernoble,namedSuibhne, Thesewerethenengaged,inbittercontest, regarding some land. Our saint, however, contrived to reconcile them ; when, the chief presented this land to St. Mochudda, There a cell was built, and in course of time, a city arose, at a place called Airdfinayn,'^ A large tract
of land around it, afterwards became a parish, dedicated to St. Mochudcla. ^9 Still directing his course southwards, St. Mochuda came within view of the Blackwater River ; where, according to local tradition, a hill or eminence is shown, and on it the holy man rested,3° while he looked down on that charm- ing site, destined for his future habitation. In the meantime, a daughter to
^* This is the reading, in the Life of St. Carthage. Probably,Athasselismeant.
^5 This is the reading, in St. Carthach's '5 The Life of this saint will be found at Life; but, it is evidently incorrect. The
name, whose festival occurs, on the 2lst of May.
'* Also called Seir-Kieran.
the 5th of March—the date for his festi- val—in the Third Volume of this work, Art. i.
'* See his Life, at the 2Sth of April—the day for his feast —in the Fourth Volume of this work, Art. i.
'^ Probably Monahincha.
'* Allusions are made to it, in the Life of St. Cronan, at the 28th of April.
true reading should be Magh Femhain, the plain near Cashel.
^^ Rightly spelled, it should probably be Ardfinnin.
"' Tlius written, in St. Carthach's Life,
'* Dr. Lanigan remarks, thit our saint only built a cell or temporary habitation at Ardfinan, and not a regular monastery. He adds, in a note, " The monastery, properly
'' So written, in the Life of St. Car- so called, of Ardfinan, was founded by St.
thach.
^° See Rev. S. Baring-Gould's " Lives of
the Saints," vol. v. . May xiv. , p. 198.
=' In the "Chronicum Scotorum,"at A. n. 628, is noticed the devastation of I. aighen by Donihnall. See William M. Ilennessy's
edition, pp. 80, 81.
"See Vita ex antiquo MS. Ilibernico,
Finian, surnamed the lef>er, who lived late in the seventh century. "—" Ecclesiastical His- tory of Ireland, "vol. ii. , chap, xiv. , sect, xiv. , pp. 352, 353, and n. 194, p. 354.
*' See Vila ex antiquo MS. Hibcrnico, num. 47.
3» This information was communicated to the writer by Rev. David B. Mulcahy, in a letter, dated Portgleiionc, iSth Decmibcr, 1875. Some associated legends had i)een forgotten by the writer, but having reference
cap. iv. , num. 46.
'^ So it is written, in St. Carthach's Life
but, Muscraighc Thire is meant.
;
to St. Carthage's approach.
3' The Latin term for these birds is
" Cothurnices," in the original Life.
3° According to the Life of St. Carthage, it would seem as if the name Lismore, or rather Lios-more, which signifies great fort or habitation, &c. , had been given to that place, before Carthagh's death. See cap. iv. ,
num. 47.
33 So it is written in the Life of St. Carthach.
Maghsciath, i. e. , " the field of the shield. " 37 See Smith's "Ancient and Present State of County and City of Waterford,"
chap, i. , pp. 6, 7.
^s We read in the Life of St. Carthage
" Dux Meloctrig Nandesi, filius Cobh- thaichillamregionem, in qua nunc est ci vitas S. Mochudre Liassmor, coram multis testi- bus obtulit S. Carthago. "—" Acta Sanc- torum," tomu's iii. , Maii xiv. De S. Carthaco seu Mochudda, &c. Alia Vita ex antiquo MS. Hibernico, cap. iv. , num. 47, p. 387.
—:
May 14. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 269
Failbhe, King of Cashel,and who was wife to the chief Maelochtrich, or Melos- trich, son of Cabhtaygh, had a vision. In it, she saw many quails,3' Ayiiig through the air, beyond Magh Femyn. One of these led the way, being larger than the rest. At last, he alighted on the bosom of the chief, Meloctrig. Awaking from sleep, the lady told her husband what she had seen. The chief replied : " Thou hast seen a good vision, O woman, and it shall soon be fulfilled. This is its interpretation : the birds flying are St. Mochuda and his monks in heavenly conversation. But, he is more excellent and greater than the rest ; his repose also is in my bosom. He shall have his place of resur- rection, in our land, while great graces shall be derived to us and to our country. " St. Mochudda then went to Meloctrig, and asked him for a piece of land, on which to found a church. The cl ief replied : " This great place —alluding to the name Lismore^^—cannot be within narrow bounds. " Mochuda said : " God, who hath sent us to thee, will show thee a suitable spot to offer us. " Then, said the chief, " I have a country, on another part of Chuah 33 mountain—on the banks of Nemhe 3+ River—and abounding with wood and containing abundance of fish. 3s But, I fear it is too narrow. " Mochudda replied : " It shall not be narrow, but spacious ; because that land this long time has been designed for us, by the Lord. Within it shall be the place of my resurrection. " Then, the chieftain presented that tract of land 36 to St. Carthage. On this, the cathedral 37 and city of Lismore were afterwards built. s^ Many witnesses 39 were present, at the time; and, Car- thage blessed that chief, his wife, and children, and his people. -*"
His arrival at Lismore has been placed in 630, by Archbishop Ussher,''^ and it was during the year of his expulsion from Rathen. It is said, that he had been driven from this locality, in the time of Easter. His baitings here and there, make it appear probable, in the opinion of Rev. Dr. Lanigan, that his arrival in Lismore was somewhat later. ^^ Having been greatly honoured by the chief, Mochudda received permission from him to set out
Now, itisknownasSliabhGua,AngliceSlieve
Gua, in the parish of Sheskinan, barony of
Desies-without-Drum, and county of Water-
ford. The more elevated part is now called
Cnoc Maeldomhnaigh ; but, the whole range
was originally called Sliabh Cua. See Dr. nesses were probably subscribers to the
O'Donovan's " Annals of the Four Mas- ters," vol. i. , n. (1), p.
'^^ . "^ce Vita ex antiquo MS. Ilibernico, cap. iv. , num. 41.
'5 Xhe manner of this expulsion is thus differently related by Rev. Dr. Jeoffrey Keating :" Wlien St. Carthage learned their design for expelling him by violence on the
;
appro. ich of his enemies, he sent a Pictish nul)leman, who was a lay monk in his house,
May 14. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
365
Rathan, when they saw such an affecting sight. One of the monks, being unable to walk, without great pain, the holy Bishop besought his persecutors, in the name of Christ, to allow this infirm man to remain in his monastery. This request was even refused. Carthage then called the brother to him, and in the name of Christ ordered, that pain should leave liis foot, and be transferred into that of Colman—a chief, who was remarkably officious, while seeking to injure him. The pain instantly left the monk's foot, and transferred itself to Colman's, for the rest of his life; while the relieved monk without any inconvenience arose, and went with his master St. Carthage. Another old monk, wishing to die in Rathan monastery, as he had resolved, obtained such permission from St. Carthage. This old man, having received Holy Eucharist trom the Bishop's hands, departed to Heaven, before all who were present. He was buried in Rathin, as he had desired. ^" Going out from his monastery, St. Carthage entered the cemetery of the departed brethren. He asked a blessing from those who were buried there. While pouring forth his prayers, at the grave of a certain monk, who had been a long time interred, thetombwasmiraculouslyopened. Suddenly,thatdeadpersonraisedhis head from the tomb, and cried aloud : " Our most holy protector, Mochuda, bless us thy children, and through thy blessing, all of us rising shall go with thee. '' Our saint said to him : " I will not make a new body, nor procure the resurrection of so many men, before the human race shall arise. " The dead man again said : " Why, father, do you leave, although promising our union with thee, and thine for us. " Mochuda said : " Hear this proverb, my son, 'Necessity moveth decrees and councils,' but here rest in your sepulchre. On the day of Resurrection, with all my monks, I shall return to thee, and to that cross, which stands at the doors of our church. ^7 In like manner shall we all go together, before the judgment-seat of God. " The saint having spoke these words, the dead man returned to that tomb, which closed upon him. Taking a last farewell of the tomb, our holy Bishop went outside of the city, with his people, to a certain cross. This bore for its title " The cross of the Angels. "S8
According to Archbishop Ussher ^9 and the Rev. Dr. Lanigan,9° tliis expulsion of St. Carthage and of his monks from Rathen is placed, at the
to treat witli Blathmac, and to desire that the abbot might be allowed to continue witli his monks at Rathain, for the term of one 3'ear. ThisrequestoftheScottishnobleman, named Constantine, was granted by the king. But, at the end of the time stipulated, the king urged his former demand. Moc- hudda, still unwilling to leave his convent, despatched the pious Constantine once more to deprecate a violent expulsion. He pro- mised at the same time, that if allowed to remain with his monks for another year, he would withdraw and without further diffi- culty. The request of our saint was again complied with, although reluctantly, on the king's part. Mochudda was tolerated in possession, however, for another entire year. When this time again expired, Blathmac and his clergy returned to Rathan. Finding Mochudda and his monks still disposed to resist the mandate of expulsion, a company of turbulent men was raised in the neighbour- hood, under the leadership of a person, named Diarmuid Ruaighnigh. This man, we are told, was followed by the principal
part of the Cluain Aongusa tril)e. The manner in which Diarmuid executed his commission accords in substance with the narrative contained in the text. However, many of its incidents, are not contained in Keating's account. See " General Plistory
ofIreland," Bookii. ,p. 395.
^* See Vita ex anticjuo MS. Hibernico,
cap. iii. , num. 42.
''' This was probably one of those fine
Irish crosses, which seem to have adorned our cemeteries and other ecclesiastical sites, even from the early Christian ages,
^^ See Vita ex antiquo MS. Hibernico, cap. iii. , "num. 43.
®' See " Britannicarum Ecclesiarum An- tiquitates," Index Chronologicus, p. 537.
9° See "Ecclesiastical History of Ire-
land," vol. ii. , chap, xiv. , sect, xiv. , p.
352. ^i
Under the year 631, we read: "Car- thach, ? >. , Mochuda, son of Finnall was banished from Rathain. "—Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 252, 253.
266' LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 14.
year630; otheraccountshaveitat631f^whilethe"ChronicumScotorum" has A. D. 635 ,92 and the Annals of Inisfallen refer it to a. d. 636. 93 This latter is too late a period ; for. it took place, before the death of the famous warrior Failbhe Fland, King of Cashel, which fell in the year 634. 9* Some accounts place his departure, however, at a. d. 636. 95 Turn- ing to the king, when about to leave, St. Carthage said to him : " Be- hold, O king, the Heavens above and the earth beneath you shall
;
not possess Heaven, and you shall quickly be expelled from your earthly
kingdom. Your brother Diarmaid, whom you have reproved, because he honoured me, shall reign rather than you, and you shall be despised by all. For your humiliation, you shalt be despised in the camp, being left without food. You, and your posterity shall die in evil. After a little time, even none of your race shall remain. Thus denouncing the king, St. ISIochuda rang a small bell against him, and his posterity. In the Scottish dialect, this bell was called, Clograbbaigh Blaichmei, which is interpreted, " the extin- guishing bell of Blaichmaich ;" because after its ringing, the king with his pos- terity soon afterwards became extinct, although he had many sons and daughters, at that time. Our saint likewise said to the chief, who held his hand : " Thou shalt be a servant before thy death ; because thou shalt be expelled from thy principality, and thy seed shall be almost extinct. " As in the former instance, this prediction likewise came to pass. Again, Carthage said to another, who held him: " Why hast thou drawn me, by the hand, from my seat ? " The man answered : " Lest a Munster man should have too much honour, in this part of the country. " The holy man replied : "Thy face shall always be filled with confusion, and the hand which hath grasped mine shall ever be accursed. " Immediately, the eyesight of this man was extinguished. Afterwards, turning to the prince and people of Demaige city, Carthage said : " A grievous discord shall arise among you, and then you shall suffer heavy losses ; for, in great measure, you have excited this per- secution against me. " This predicted event was likewise realized. 9^ Those circumstances, connected with the expulsion of our saint from Rathain, are
somewhat differently related in other accounts. »7
CHAPTER IV.
DEPARTURE OF ST. CARTHAGE AND HIS MONKS FROM RAHIN—THEY TRAVEL SOUTH- WARDS BY WAY OF DRUMCULLEN, SAIGIR, ROSCREA, CASHEL, MUSCRAIGHE, AND ARDFINNAN, TOWARDS LISMORE—ST. CARTHAGE RECEIVES A GRANT OF THIS PLACE, FKOM THE TERRITORIAL CHIEF, MAELOCTRICH—YEAR OF HIS ARRIVAL AT LISMORE—ESTABLISHMENT OF ST. CARTHAGE, IN THIS PLACE—HIS SUBSE- QUENT PROCEEDINGS AND MANNER OF LIVING—HIS DEPARTURE FROM LIFE— HIS FESTIVAL AND MEMORIALS—CONCLUSION.
Although the saint was then extremely advanced in years,' he gave orders to his people, and in a stern voice, that they should proceed on their journey,
'' See William M. Ilennes^y's edition, pp. 84, 85.
»' According to these Annals, however, Cartha<;h died in 637, nnd time could hardly be found for his transactions subsequent to the expulsion, in case it occurreil so late as 636.
9* See Rev. Dr. Lanigan's " Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, xiv. , sect. xiv. , n. 192, p. 354.
95 See William M. Hennessy's "Chroni-
cum Scotorum," pp. 84. 85.
9' See the Bollandists' "Acta Saiicto-
rum," tonius iii. , Maii xiv. De S. Carthaco seu Mochudda, &c. Vita ex antique MS. llibcrnico, cap. iv. , num. 44, p. 3S6.
'^ See Dcrnnul O'Connor's Keating's
"History of Ireland," Book ii. , pp. 394 to
397.
Chapter iv. — ' See Sir James Ware,
"De Scriploribus Hibcrnia:," lib. i. , cap. iii. , p. 20.
May 14. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 267
thenceforward leaving King Blaithmaic and his subjects. ^ With his disciples, who were in number 867,2 Carthage resolutely set out, about the year 630. 4 The Annals of Ulster s have this expulsion, however, at a. d. 635, and at Easter time, while those of Tigernach ^ place it under a. d. 636. Many of these holy men, who left Rathain, became Bishops and Abbots, in due course of time, and they raised many structures to God's glory. It is said, that nearly an equal number of his monks were buried in Rathain city, at the time when the saint and his brethren left ; wliile, many other disciples of Carthage, living and dead, had been dispersed throughout Ireland. Besides his own community, St. Carthage had a great number of lepers, in Rathain. These he kept in a cell, apart from his monastery,? and he ministered to their wants, with great affection. ^ For, many afflicted persons, belonging to tliis class of sufferers, in different parts of Ireland, heard aoout his care and attention to their poor brethren. They came to our saint, and they were charitably received by him. These patients, also, he brought with him, from Raithin city, to that of Lismore. 9 While the evicted pilgrims proceeded on their way, with chariots and waggons, and while journeying through a thick wood, they found that a large oak had blocked up their road, it having been uprooted through some cause. The attention of St. Carthnge was called to this circumstance, by one ofhismonks. Thisdisciplestated,itwasimpossibletofindanyotherroute, but that one they were taking. While he marked the wood with his hand, Carthage commanded the oak tree to resume its former position, in God's holy name. That tree became subservient to our saint's command. At the time his biographer lived, it was to be found, standing in its former place, and having a large heap of stones piled up at its roots, in commemoration of this miracle. '°
After leaving Raithin, the first stopping place which the pilgrims reached was the monastcn- of Druym Culium," on the confines of Munster, Leinster,andMeath. Itlaywiihintheterritoriesofthelatter,however,and among the people of Fearceall. There, a monastery had been erected
and, in it, the Abbot Barrin,^^ or Barindus, was renowned for his miracles. '3
^ See the BoUandists' "Acta Sancto- rum," tomus iii. , Maii xiv. De S. Car- thaco seu Mochudda. Vita ex antiquo MS. Ilibernico, cap. iv. , nuui. 45, p. 386.
;
s gee z(J/i/. , tomus iv. , p. 46.
' See ? '^/V/. , tomus ii. , p. 193.
' The Life states, ''ipse enim magnam
3 Archhisliop Ussher thus writes : "Idem
qiioque author expulsionem . S. Caiiliag'e
monasterio Ratheniensi postea enairans ;
Perrexit, inquit, Sanctus in viam cum disci-
pulis suis, qui erant numero dccclxvii. et
cosequalis numerus in civitate Raythen in
sepuichris mansit : et phues in aliis locis per
Hiberniam tie discipulis S. Mochuda, vivi
et defuncti fuerunt. Et qui secuti sunt
sanctum senem Carthngum de civitate Ray-
then, pleni gratia Dei erant : et plures ex
eis postea Sancti Epibcopi et Abbates facti,
loca Domino sedificaverunt. Ab alia Vita
ejusdem scriptore, exceptis parvulis et ser-
vientib'js, sanctorum monachorum numerus
DCCCXLVii. fuisse proditur, labore manuum
suarum victum sibi ac pnuperibus acquiren-
tium. Alius, iisdem exceptis. dcccxliv.
tantum numeral," &c. —"Hritannicarum,
Ecclesiarum Antiquitates," cap. xvii. p. bishop Llssher, "ISarrindeus mnnasterii 472. Druim-cuillin Abbas claruit. "—" Britanni-
* According to the Bodleian copy of the carum Ecclesiarum Antiquitates," Index Annals of Inisfallen. See Rev. Dr. Chronologicus, p. 534.
O'Connor's "Rerum Hibernicarum Scrip- '3 This was most likely the saint of that
tores," tomiis ii. p. 13. ,
turbam leprosorum in sua civitate in cella deorsum cum magna dignitate habeliat, et quemdain corporis valetuo dimisit. "
^ In praise of St. Carthage of L,ismore, the reader may peruse some pleasing verses, composed for a popular air, in Rev. Anthony Cogan's " Diocese of Meath, Ancient and Modern," vol. iii. , chap. Ixxv. , pp. 622 to 624. They were written by the Very Rev. Dr. Barry, formerly Vice-President of the College of All Hallows, Dublin,
' There, likewise, he provided a place for them, in which they continued under care of their kind patron.
" See Vita ex antiquo MS. Hibernico, cap. iv. , num. 45.
" Situated in the south-western part of the present King's County, and it is now called Drumcullin.
" About the year 590, according to Arch-
2 68 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 14.
Thence, they came toSaigir,'^ St. Kieran'scity. 's Next, they journeyed towards Roscrea,thecityofSt. Cronan. '^ Heretheyspentanight,withoutreceiving the hospitalities of St. Cronan, although invited. The Abbot Cronan himself hadpreparedasupper,forSt,Carthage. But,oursaintwasunwillingtogoto him, saying : "I will not go to the man, who hath shunned strangers, and who hath built his cell in a desert. " Hearing these words, Cronan came meekly to St. Carthage, and, by advice of this latter holy man, he left that retired place. '7 Then, both saints went into the city of Roscrea. '^ Afterwards, St. Mochuda came through Hesse '9 territory, on to Cashel, the royal city of Munster. On the following day, with noble courtesy, Failbhe, King of Cashel,
''°
visited Carthage, and offered him a site, whereon to construct a monastery. The saint replied to this generous ofifer : " It is not permitted us, by the Lord, to remain here ; but, we will go to the place, pointed out to us, by holy men. " Then, a messenger came from the Leinster King to Failbhe, asking his assistance ; for, the northern people were engaged, at that time, in wasting the south-eastern province. ^' Some accident had occurred to Failbhe's eye- sight, about this juncture; but, when St. Carthage had bestowed his blessing, the king's power of vision was restored. He then set out, to assist the King of Leinster. ^'' Meanwhile, Mochuda continued his journey, to the people of Muscraigh Hithirf3 and JEdan, a chief over that people, received him with kindness. He even presented to St. Carthage a village, named Hysseall. ^* The servant of God, blessed this chief and his posterity. Passing the plain of Fenryn,'s he came to Ardbrenaind,^^ on the River Suir. Here, he entered the Nan Desii territory, and he was met by Melostrich,^7 the chief, and by anothernoble,namedSuibhne, Thesewerethenengaged,inbittercontest, regarding some land. Our saint, however, contrived to reconcile them ; when, the chief presented this land to St. Mochudda, There a cell was built, and in course of time, a city arose, at a place called Airdfinayn,'^ A large tract
of land around it, afterwards became a parish, dedicated to St. Mochudcla. ^9 Still directing his course southwards, St. Mochuda came within view of the Blackwater River ; where, according to local tradition, a hill or eminence is shown, and on it the holy man rested,3° while he looked down on that charm- ing site, destined for his future habitation. In the meantime, a daughter to
^* This is the reading, in the Life of St. Carthage. Probably,Athasselismeant.
^5 This is the reading, in St. Carthach's '5 The Life of this saint will be found at Life; but, it is evidently incorrect. The
name, whose festival occurs, on the 2lst of May.
'* Also called Seir-Kieran.
the 5th of March—the date for his festi- val—in the Third Volume of this work, Art. i.
'* See his Life, at the 2Sth of April—the day for his feast —in the Fourth Volume of this work, Art. i.
'^ Probably Monahincha.
'* Allusions are made to it, in the Life of St. Cronan, at the 28th of April.
true reading should be Magh Femhain, the plain near Cashel.
^^ Rightly spelled, it should probably be Ardfinnin.
"' Tlius written, in St. Carthach's Life,
'* Dr. Lanigan remarks, thit our saint only built a cell or temporary habitation at Ardfinan, and not a regular monastery. He adds, in a note, " The monastery, properly
'' So written, in the Life of St. Car- so called, of Ardfinan, was founded by St.
thach.
^° See Rev. S. Baring-Gould's " Lives of
the Saints," vol. v. . May xiv. , p. 198.
=' In the "Chronicum Scotorum,"at A. n. 628, is noticed the devastation of I. aighen by Donihnall. See William M. Ilennessy's
edition, pp. 80, 81.
"See Vita ex antiquo MS. Ilibernico,
Finian, surnamed the lef>er, who lived late in the seventh century. "—" Ecclesiastical His- tory of Ireland, "vol. ii. , chap, xiv. , sect, xiv. , pp. 352, 353, and n. 194, p. 354.
*' See Vila ex antiquo MS. Hibcrnico, num. 47.
3» This information was communicated to the writer by Rev. David B. Mulcahy, in a letter, dated Portgleiionc, iSth Decmibcr, 1875. Some associated legends had i)een forgotten by the writer, but having reference
cap. iv. , num. 46.
'^ So it is written, in St. Carthach's Life
but, Muscraighc Thire is meant.
;
to St. Carthage's approach.
3' The Latin term for these birds is
" Cothurnices," in the original Life.
3° According to the Life of St. Carthage, it would seem as if the name Lismore, or rather Lios-more, which signifies great fort or habitation, &c. , had been given to that place, before Carthagh's death. See cap. iv. ,
num. 47.
33 So it is written in the Life of St. Carthach.
Maghsciath, i. e. , " the field of the shield. " 37 See Smith's "Ancient and Present State of County and City of Waterford,"
chap, i. , pp. 6, 7.
^s We read in the Life of St. Carthage
" Dux Meloctrig Nandesi, filius Cobh- thaichillamregionem, in qua nunc est ci vitas S. Mochudre Liassmor, coram multis testi- bus obtulit S. Carthago. "—" Acta Sanc- torum," tomu's iii. , Maii xiv. De S. Carthaco seu Mochudda, &c. Alia Vita ex antiquo MS. Hibernico, cap. iv. , num. 47, p. 387.
—:
May 14. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 269
Failbhe, King of Cashel,and who was wife to the chief Maelochtrich, or Melos- trich, son of Cabhtaygh, had a vision. In it, she saw many quails,3' Ayiiig through the air, beyond Magh Femyn. One of these led the way, being larger than the rest. At last, he alighted on the bosom of the chief, Meloctrig. Awaking from sleep, the lady told her husband what she had seen. The chief replied : " Thou hast seen a good vision, O woman, and it shall soon be fulfilled. This is its interpretation : the birds flying are St. Mochuda and his monks in heavenly conversation. But, he is more excellent and greater than the rest ; his repose also is in my bosom. He shall have his place of resur- rection, in our land, while great graces shall be derived to us and to our country. " St. Mochudda then went to Meloctrig, and asked him for a piece of land, on which to found a church. The cl ief replied : " This great place —alluding to the name Lismore^^—cannot be within narrow bounds. " Mochuda said : " God, who hath sent us to thee, will show thee a suitable spot to offer us. " Then, said the chief, " I have a country, on another part of Chuah 33 mountain—on the banks of Nemhe 3+ River—and abounding with wood and containing abundance of fish. 3s But, I fear it is too narrow. " Mochudda replied : " It shall not be narrow, but spacious ; because that land this long time has been designed for us, by the Lord. Within it shall be the place of my resurrection. " Then, the chieftain presented that tract of land 36 to St. Carthage. On this, the cathedral 37 and city of Lismore were afterwards built. s^ Many witnesses 39 were present, at the time; and, Car- thage blessed that chief, his wife, and children, and his people. -*"
His arrival at Lismore has been placed in 630, by Archbishop Ussher,''^ and it was during the year of his expulsion from Rathen. It is said, that he had been driven from this locality, in the time of Easter. His baitings here and there, make it appear probable, in the opinion of Rev. Dr. Lanigan, that his arrival in Lismore was somewhat later. ^^ Having been greatly honoured by the chief, Mochudda received permission from him to set out
Now, itisknownasSliabhGua,AngliceSlieve
Gua, in the parish of Sheskinan, barony of
Desies-without-Drum, and county of Water-
ford. The more elevated part is now called
Cnoc Maeldomhnaigh ; but, the whole range
was originally called Sliabh Cua. See Dr. nesses were probably subscribers to the
O'Donovan's " Annals of the Four Mas- ters," vol. i. , n. (1), p.
