He was very graciously
received
by Anselni.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v4
Columbie," lib.
iii.
, cap.
18.
* See his Edition, at p.
223, and n.
(c).
s It is well defined, on Alexander Keith
" Atlas of Modern Geo- Johnston's Royal
graphy," Map 8.
by "
See Dr. O'Donovan's Edition, vol. i. ,
PP- 3*4, 3'5-
"See "Acta Sanctorum HibemiiE,"
Februarii iv. De S. Cuanna sive Cuanua- chio Abbate, n. 2, p. 251.
'
Itis 1,346 feet in height, formed of pitch-
'J Edited
by
Drs. Todd and
stone and porphyry.
' There is a very interesting account of
the Scuir of Eigg, in Archibald Geikie's
" of Scotland viewed in connexion Scenery
with its Physical Geology," chap, x. , pp.
to 282.
' Under the old foundations of this large
wall are the remains of a pine forest, and tlie
tree which formed thb fossil-wood has been
known to geologists as Pinites Eiggensis.
' Travellers often land to visit it. On a
certain occasion, the Macleods of Skye smothered all the inhabitants of the Island, who took to from
Reeves, pp.
" The copulative seems to have been introduced here through mistake, for in the Martyrology of Tamlacht, and in the gloss for Marian Gorman (the authority for the location of saints which this Calendar follows), Kos-eo
is placed in Maghlacha. "
'5 This we find, in Bishop Forbes' " Ka-
98. 99-
'• In a note, Dr. Reeves here
says,
278
lendars of Scottish Saints,"
—" Et
apud
refuge there, escape threatened vengeance, and to—this massa-
Hilierniam Sancta virgo Cuanda ad Chris-
tum penexit," at p. 10.
cre, Sir Waller Scott alludes
"
"
George
Chalmers'
Article n. —' See
Caledonia, or an Account, Historical and
:
A numerous race, ere stem Macleod O'er their bleak shores in vengeance
strode,
When all in vain the ocean cave Its retuge to its victims gave. "
Topographic, of North Britain ; from the most ancient to the present Times : with a Dictionary of Places, Chronographi- cal and Philological," voL i. , Book ii. , chap, v. , p. 265.
—"Lord of the canto sect. ix. Isles," iv. ,
'" See " Handbook for Travel- Murray's
lers in Scotland," Route 56, pp. 311, 312.
" Edited Rev. Dr. xxl. by Kelly, p.
Franciscan copy has bepch«in 650.
The
' We are told, or <\e5, gen xJego,
-dej;*, is the Irish form for Egg Island in Scotland.
5i LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April io.
light, gravely soil. " The Bollandists " have the entry of Berchanus de Ega,
at this date, on the authority of the Martyrology of Tallagh. Again, we find set down, in the Martyrology of Donegal, '3 as having been venerated on this
day,Berchan,Aego. Moreregardinghim,wecannotfind.
Article III. —St. Midhghus, or Midgusa. You are recommended to meditate on God, with a continued renewal of your trust in Him, till you feel that you love with sincere delight, and that you cannot live a day without His presence. ' This was the usual and daily occupation of his pious servants on earth. In the Martyrology of Tallagh,^ at the loth of April, appears the name, St. Midgusa. On the same authority, the Bollandists 3 enter Midgusius, and, it will be noticed, with a different termination. Again, the Martyrology ofDonegal* thisdayrecordsthenameofMidhghus,ashavingbeenvene- rated.
Article IV. —St. Herednat, or Eretnatan, Virgin, of Tulach Bennain. [Probably in the Sixth Centuryi\ At the loth day of April, the
entry, Eretnatan, Vir. , is set down, in the Martyrology of Tallagh. ' Marianus O'Gorman, and a commentator on ^ngus, also, note this festival. The Bol-
landists ^ notice Erednata at this date. From the only Virgo,
following This holy
Article V. —St. Malachus, Bishop of Lismore, County of Water-
ford. [^Eleventh and Twelfth Centuries. ] In the first edition of John Molanus, who has added to Usuard's Martyrology, there is an entry of Malachus,
Bishop of Lesmore, in Ireland, at the loth day of April. The same notice is to be found, in Canisius and Ferrarius, as the Bollandists observe,' at this
date. The present holy man is thought by them, to have been that Bishop
' See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Ap-
rilis x. Among the pretermitted saints, p.
856.
3 His Life is to be seen, in the First
Volume of this work, at the 3rd day of
cumstance, we may infer, she flourished in the sixth century.
virgin—also called Ernait—is said to have been daughter to King Kiannacht, and to have lived at first, in the north of Ireland. Her coming to a place, called Tulach Bennain, is said to have been foretold by St. Fintan of Dunbleis- que,3 when he was at Kell Fintain. 't Both places, it is supposed, were in the south of Ireland. 5 There was a festival, celebrated on this day, in honour of Herednat, as we read, in the Martyrology of Donegal. ^
" See a description of it, by the Rev. Donald Maclean, in "The New Statistical Account of Scotland," vol. xiv. Inverness- shire, pp. 145 to 148.
" See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Ap- rilis X. Among the pretermitted saints, p. 856.
January.
* See Colgan's
"
Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
'3 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
98,99.
Article hi. —' See "Star of Bethle-
nise," iii. Januarii. Vita S. Fintani, cap. vii. , p. II.
s See zi5/a'. , nn. 14, 15.
'Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 98, 99. After the entry of this name, in the table appended to this work, we find in-
hem. "
'
Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xxi. Franciscan copy reads Sci nii-ogu]-^.
The
3 See "Ada Sanctorum," tomus
rilis X. Among the pretermitted saints, p. certain comments. These words, "[Her-
Ap-
856.
* Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp
serted, in Irish and within brackets, English
98, 99. — Article IV.
'
translation. S—ee Md. , pp. 426, 427. '
Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xxi. The Franciscan copy has efea'onA-
Article v. See "Acta Sanctorum,"
CAtl
Uip.
tomusi. , Aprilisx. Amongthepretermitted saints, p. 857.
i. ,
meadachandHermcnas seeEirmeadhach ;
and Ermin], (10 Apr. )," are the English
cir-
April I o. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 93
of Lismore, in Ireland, and who lived contemporaneously with St. Malachy O'Morgair. " He was born of respectable parents, about the middle of the eleventh century. Although a native of Ireland, Malclius had spent a long time in the monastery at Winchester,^ in England, where his education seems to have been chiefly obtained. This holy man was well versed, in the canon- ical observances of the universal Church, and he had a great reputation for learning. * He was raised to the priesthood, and he lived as a monk, under BishopWalchelin,ofWinchester. Suchwerethegraceshereceived,thathe was not only illustrious for the purity of his doctrine and morals, but even for the performance of miracles. In illustration of this latter statement, the greatSt. Bernard' citestwowell-knownexamples. Oneofthesewasaman who had been deaf, and who was restored to the sense of hearing, when Malchus applied his fingers, to the ears of that afflicted person. Another instancewasthatofaboy,whoseintellecthadbeenweak; butwho,itseems, was able to receive confirmation, at the hands of Malchus, when the latter had become a bishop. When he participated in the graces of that holy sacrament, the boy obtained such a gift of understanding, that the bishop was enabled to appoint him, almost immediately afterwards, as the ostiarius of his house ; and, this function, the boy continued to discharge, until he grew on to the age of manhood. * In the eleventh century, the city of Waterford was inhabited, principally by Danes, or Ostmen, who had embraced the Christian religion. ' It was subject, however, to Murtogh O'Brien, King of Munster, in the year 1095, when it was constituted an Episcopal See. An election had been held by the clergy and laity of that city, and Malchus was unanimously
chosen for the Episcopal charge f this choice was also appoved by Murtogh
O'Brien, and by his brother Derraod, by Domnald, Bishop of Cashel, by
Samuel O'Haingley, Bishop of Dublin, by Idunan, Bishop of Meath, by Fer- domnach, a Leinster Bishop, and by others. ' A letter was directed to St.
Anselm,'" then Bishop of Canterbury, and signed by the above-named Princes and Prelates, in the name of the,Waterford clergy and people. " In this epistle, it was stated, that as Waterford city tlien contained a numerous popu- lation, that as it had remained without pastoral care, and that as it had been exposed to various perils, which were detrimental fo faith and morals ; the
petitioners judged it expedient, in consequence, to apply for the appointment of a local bishop. Malchus was deemed a person, best suited to discharge
this office, owing to his prudence, piety, and learning. The Danes of Lime- rick, as also those of Dublin, appear to have preferred union in ecclesiastical
*HU Life will be found, at the 3rd of No- sibos transmisssE subscribit Samutl Dub-
vonbcr, the date for his feast.
^ " In Wintoninui inoiia*terio,"a« we find
Uniensium et Ftrdonuuhus Laginiensium EpiKopus. "—Ussher's Index Chronolo-
it recorded. gicus,
"
Britannicairuiii Eccletiarum Anti-
' He was well vetted in Apostolic and
quitates," p. 545.
'"He departed this life, on the 2lst of
April, A. D. 1 109, in the seventy-sixth year of his age, and in the sixteenth of his remark- able pontificate. His Acts by Eadmer are to be found, with an Introduction, in the BolUndists'"ActaSanctorum,"tomusii. , Aprilis xxi. De Sancto Anselmo Archiepis- copo Cantuariensi in Anglia, pp. 865 to 953.
"^In writing to Ansclm, they say :" Prop-
tera nos, et Kex nostcr Murchertachus Dom-
naldiis, et Dermeth Dux noster frater Regis,
ecclesiastical discipline, accordwg to £ad- "
mer, in Historia Novorum," lib. ii. , pars. ii. , cap. L
I The Abbot of Clairvaux, whose festival occurs, at the 20th of August.
'SeeViuS. Malachiae,cap. iv. ,"Open" S. Bemardi, tomus ii.
' See Smith's
"
Ancient and Present State
of the County and City of Waterford,"
chap, iv. , p. 98.
• See Archdeacon Henry Cotton's " Fasti
Ecclesix liibernicae," vol. L Diocese of Waterford, p. 116.
•"Mxciv. EpiswUe ad Anstlmum Cas\- tnaiiensem aicluepiscopum a Wateifoidica-
tlegimus hunc presbyterum Malchum, Wale-
helini Wintoniensis Ejiiscopi Monachum,"—
"
laruiik Syl^e," li^pi^t. , ;pLXi,,,p. s^.
Ussher'j
Veterum Hibernicarum £pisto-,
94 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April io.
government, with the Northmen, then powerful in England. The present instance, with a few others of similar character, will not, however, bear out the assertion, that the See of Canterbury held a supremacy over the churches ofIreland. " Beingappointed,asthebeareroftheletteralludedto,'3Mal- chus went over to England, in the year \ 096.
He was very graciously received by Anselni. This holy Prelate judged the Irish priest selected, to be in every respect qualified for the higher office, to which he had been elected. He was consecrated by St. Anselm,''* Archbishop of Canterbury, on the 28th of Decem- ber, A. D. 1 096,^5 Ralph, Bishop of Chichester, and Gundulph, Bishop of Ro-
: chester,assisting. Aprofessionwasmade,inthefollowingterms "Elected
for the Church of VVaterford, and to be consecrated Bishop by thee. Rev. Father Anselm, Archbishop over the holy Church of Canterbury, and Primate
of all Britain, I Malchus do promise, that I will observe canonical obedience, in all things, to thee, and to thy successors. " The newly consecrated Bishop shortly afterwards returned to VVaterford. With the assistance of his Ostmen or Danish flock, Malchus built the cathedral there. This church at Water-
ford, formerly dedicated to the Blessed Trinity, was, at a subsequent period, denominated Christ's Church. '^ Very interesting notices of this edifice are
on record. '' Malchus is found holding that See, A. D. 11 10, but the year of
his death is not recorded -^^ hence, the uncertainty which arises, to ascertain, if this holy Malchus be the very learned and sage Malchus, who lived as Bishop of Lismore, for several years after the previous date. Our acces- sible records are not sufficiently clear, on this point ;'9 but, we believe, that strongcircumstantialevidencewillgofartoestablishtheiridentity. Certain reports had reached St. Anselm regarding the practices of Samuel O'Haingly, or 0'Hanly,=° the Bishop of Dublin, who had not faithfully discharged some trusts,leftforthebenefitofhisSee. Sinioniacaldealingshadbeenattributed to hmi, by rumour. From the year 1095, when King Muirtach O'Brien, monarch of all Ireland, drove out the local Danish ruler, Godfrid Merenagh, to A. D. 1 1 20, when the monarch's death took place, no other king of the Dublin Ostmen seems to have reigned," in that city. Before the death of Arch-
" " Hibernienses a suis Episcopos postu-
'* See Archdeacon Cotton's " Fasti Henry
Ecclesias Hibernicse," vol. i. , Diocese of Waterford, p. 116.
latos, vel electos a Cantuariensibus Archi- episcopis confirmariatquesacrarisolitosesse,
ex his constare potest, &c. —Parker,
"
De
' the next Melisa O-Hamire is
recorded
Antiquitate Britannicae Ecclesise," p. 33.
'3 This letter begins with the following
words, "Anselmo Dei gratia Anglorum archiepiscopo, et omnibus diocesis sute epis-
Bishop, after Malchus of Waterford, orPort-
largi, as called by the Irish, or Britons,
according to the supplement of Tighernach's
Annals, and he died, in 1135 or 1136. See
Harris'Ware,vol. i. , "BishopsofWater-
ford," p. 527. We find the death of one
Mac-Mic-/Educan, under the heading of
"
Bishops of Lismore," at A. D. 1 1 1 3, zii/(/. p. 550. Again, at the year 1128, we have the deathof " Mac-Maras Ua Reabhachain, suc- cessor of Mochuda," recorded. See Dr.
copis, Clerus at Populus oppidi Watafordise, cum rege Murchertacho et Episcopo Dom-
naldo, salutem in Domino. " — "Veterum Hibernicarum Epistolarum Syl- loge. " No. xxxiv.
'• A very beautifully-written and interes-
"
S. Tint Anselm," by R. W. Church, Rector of Whatley, appeared in 1870. Throughout there is a fair appre- ciation of this great saint's career, although the work in question has been written by a
Protestant minister.
'5 "Die xxviii. mensis Decembris,
ting biography, called
"
qui anno MXCVI. in Dominicam incidebat,"—
ters," vol. ii. , pp. 1028, 1029. To that date, Ware added a year, and, it would seem, that O'Rebacain was only abbot, and not Bishop, of Lismore.
'° He is said to have ruled over the See of Dublin, from A. D. 1095, when he was con- secrated at Winchester, by St. Anselm, to the 4th of July, a. d. 1121, when he died, according to the best authorities. See an account of this prelate, in John D'Alton's "Memoirs of the Archbishops of Dublin," pp. 37 to 41.
"
Annales Ecclesiastici," critices
Baronius'
Pagii. ad annum 1097, sect. II.
"See Smith's "Ancient and Present State of the County and City of Waterford," chap, iv. , p. 98.
'' See ibid,, chap, v. , pp. 169 to 178.
Ussher's
O'Donovan's
Annals of the Four Mas-
April io. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 95
bishop Anselm, he wrote an epistle to Malchus, Bishop of Waterford, and thiswasaccompaniedbyone,directedtoSamuel. Theletter,Malchuswas requested by the Archbishop ot Canterbury, to deliver in person to him, and
to expostulate viva voce, respecting those complaints preferred. This occur- red some short time before the death of Archbishop Anselm. " The See of Waterford, however, seems not to have constituted the sole charge of Mal- chus, especially at a later period of his life. Ussher maintains, that this Malchus was not only Bishop of Waterford, but likewise of Lismore. 's Arch- deacon John Lynch of Tuam formed the same opmion, and the Rev. Dr.
Lanigan asserts, that this is probable, although the question is involved in too
much obscurity, to venture on a decided judgment. Although, St. Bernard
says, that Malchus was removed from Winchester straight to Lismore, whereas
the original see of the Malchus already mentioned was at Waterford ; yet, the
circumstances of the name and time agreeing, with the fact of each having
been alluded to, as a monk of Winchester, are strongly corroborative of
identity. However, there were in those times other persons named Malchus,
one of whom is mentioned by St. Bernard himself'* Perhaps, the Bishop of
Waterford, so named, had been translated to Lismore, at a subsequent period ;
if, indeed, both Sees had not been united,'' at the time to which we allude.
From the early part of the seventh century, however, Lismore had its separate
bishop,'* and with a distinct jurisdiction. '' At a long subsequent period, the See of Lismore was united to that of Waterford : and this union was contem-
plated, in the reign of King Henry HL"* However, the two dioceses con- tinued to begovemed, by different prelates, until the timeof King Edward HL,
who caused letters, signed by himself, to be transmitted to Pope John XXH. , and this Pontiff sanctioned such an arrangement,'' in the Bull, which he
" Malchus was there some be- bishop years
fore tliat time, as is clear from St. Malachy's
having repaired to him thither about II23. In consequence of that mistake they were puzzled as to the precise period of Malchus' incumbency. Ware saying that he flourished in 1 140 (when he was probably dead), and Harris, that it was in 1 134. Indeed Harris has shame:ully bungled the whole business, telling us elsewhere (see above, Not. 44), that >t. Malachy went to Lismore when only twelve years old, tliat is, about A. D. 1107. He throws in a caveat, that Malchus was not yet a bishop. Had he read or di<l he understand St. Bernard, who tells us in the clearest terms, that Malchus was a bishop, and a cclcbraied one, of Lismore, before he was waited upon by St. Malachy? "—" Ec- clesiastical History of Ireland," vol. iv. , chap, xxvi. , sec. vii. , n. 54, pp. 74, 75.
"" St. Mochuda, the first bishop, died 14th of May, ad. 636. See Dr. O'Donovan's
"
Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 254, 255.
^ See Harris' Ware, vol. i. , "Bishops of Lismore," pp. 547 to 554.
""A condition was distinctly specified, "that the episcopal See should continue at Waterford. ' The king's writ to that eflfect, and his letters to the Pope, on this subject, are extant ; birt, for reasons, of which no mention happens to be made in the Close
Rolls, after repeated application^ the pro- ject was abandoned.
" See Walter Harris' "
^nities of the City of Dublin, from the ear- liest accounts," &c. , chap, ix. , p. 202.
" In Ussher's " Veterum Hibemicanim
Epistolarum Sylloge," the date is incorrectly placed, at A. C. 11 10. . See tpist. xixviii. , pp. 97, 98. The Arthbishop departed this life, daring the previous year.
'^ In a note, appended to the epistle. See
Epistolarum Recen>io, pp. 144, 145. Jbid. »< In Vita S. Malachiae, cap. v. Accord- ing to Dr. Lanigan, Malchus seenls to have been a Latinized appellation, for one or other of those many Irish names, that began with Maol. There might have been two persons, so called, monks at Winchester,
out this conjecture is hariily probable. ''Such a union is said to have been
ordered, by the Synod of Kathbreasal ; and, hence, it m. ght be supposed, that one and the same Malchus ruled over both bishoprics. . See the Rev. Dr. Lanigan s "Ecclesiastical
History of Ireland," vol. iv. , chap, xxvi. , sect, vii. , n. 53, p. 74. The same writer supposes Malchus, to have been the imme- diate successor of Mac-mic-. ^edncan, bishop of Lismore, who died, in the year 1 113. See Harris' Ware, vol. i. , "Bishops of Lismore," p. 550. In ihe latter worU. however, a Gilla- Motudu O'kebacain, which name, accord- ing to Harris, signifies, Rei^acian the servant of Mocudu, and who died in 1 129 (/Hii. ), is made the next successor to . \Iac-mic-Aedu- Can. "But furely," lemaikaDi. Lanigan,
History
and Anti-
96 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April lo.
issuecl. 3° Notwithstanding the decree of Pope John, the two dioceses con- tinued separate, until a second appUcation had been made, during the Ponti- ficate of Innocent VI. ; that Pope, at the instance of Edward III. , in 1355, confirmed the letters of union, granted by John XXII. ; while, atthe^same time, he transmitted copies, both of the original document and of its confir- mation, to Edward III. , and to Roger, Bishop of Waterford. Nor was the union effected, until eight years after this period, or, in the year 1363. 3' In the earlier and even in the mediaeval times, the city of Lismore was greatly dis-
tinguished,'for the number of its religious edifices, and as a place of learning. 3" It would appear, that the name of Malchus had not been unknown, beyond the boundaries of his native Island, and the country in which he had passed such a lengthened portion of his life ; for, even the Scots or Northern Britons 33 were accustomed to resort, for the benefit of his instructions and spiritual guidance, to the city, where he usually resided. Mindful of the expression of holy Job, that wisdom is to be found among seniors,34 the illustrious St. Malachy O'Morgair was anxious to place himself, under the direction of this
experienced sage. St, Malachy O'Morgair arrived at Lismore, about the year 1 1 19, or 1 1 20,—according to anotheraccount 1123,3s—having sought the bless-
ing of his former superior, Imar, and the approval of Archbishop Celsus, who then ruled over Armagh. His object was, to restore religious rites and the Divine worship, in a manner conformable to exact ecclesiastical usage and canon law. For this laudable effort, in the way of reform, he chiefly desired the counsel of Malchus, who had experience and profound knowledge to direct him. The holy priest was most graciously received by Malchus, under whose guidance and instruction, it is said,3* he spent some years ; but, we think his stay to have been of short continuance, before being recalled by his Bishop Celsus, and by his superior Imar,37 to engage on those useful reforms, for which he was specially destined, in the Irish Church. s^ St. Malachy
'^ Tn consequence of this representation, a
Waterford and Lismore were permanently
united, by Urban v. , Thomas Le Reve, Pope
formerly Chancellor of Ireland, having been at the time Bishop of Lismore. See Rev.
"
3= Xhe modern Protestant church stands on the old cathedral site. See Leitch Rit-
"
Ireland, Picturesque and Romantic," vol. i. , chap, ix. , p. 140. A beautiful illus- tration of Lismore Castle is at p. 136.
s It is well defined, on Alexander Keith
" Atlas of Modern Geo- Johnston's Royal
graphy," Map 8.
by "
See Dr. O'Donovan's Edition, vol. i. ,
PP- 3*4, 3'5-
"See "Acta Sanctorum HibemiiE,"
Februarii iv. De S. Cuanna sive Cuanua- chio Abbate, n. 2, p. 251.
'
Itis 1,346 feet in height, formed of pitch-
'J Edited
by
Drs. Todd and
stone and porphyry.
' There is a very interesting account of
the Scuir of Eigg, in Archibald Geikie's
" of Scotland viewed in connexion Scenery
with its Physical Geology," chap, x. , pp.
to 282.
' Under the old foundations of this large
wall are the remains of a pine forest, and tlie
tree which formed thb fossil-wood has been
known to geologists as Pinites Eiggensis.
' Travellers often land to visit it. On a
certain occasion, the Macleods of Skye smothered all the inhabitants of the Island, who took to from
Reeves, pp.
" The copulative seems to have been introduced here through mistake, for in the Martyrology of Tamlacht, and in the gloss for Marian Gorman (the authority for the location of saints which this Calendar follows), Kos-eo
is placed in Maghlacha. "
'5 This we find, in Bishop Forbes' " Ka-
98. 99-
'• In a note, Dr. Reeves here
says,
278
lendars of Scottish Saints,"
—" Et
apud
refuge there, escape threatened vengeance, and to—this massa-
Hilierniam Sancta virgo Cuanda ad Chris-
tum penexit," at p. 10.
cre, Sir Waller Scott alludes
"
"
George
Chalmers'
Article n. —' See
Caledonia, or an Account, Historical and
:
A numerous race, ere stem Macleod O'er their bleak shores in vengeance
strode,
When all in vain the ocean cave Its retuge to its victims gave. "
Topographic, of North Britain ; from the most ancient to the present Times : with a Dictionary of Places, Chronographi- cal and Philological," voL i. , Book ii. , chap, v. , p. 265.
—"Lord of the canto sect. ix. Isles," iv. ,
'" See " Handbook for Travel- Murray's
lers in Scotland," Route 56, pp. 311, 312.
" Edited Rev. Dr. xxl. by Kelly, p.
Franciscan copy has bepch«in 650.
The
' We are told, or <\e5, gen xJego,
-dej;*, is the Irish form for Egg Island in Scotland.
5i LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April io.
light, gravely soil. " The Bollandists " have the entry of Berchanus de Ega,
at this date, on the authority of the Martyrology of Tallagh. Again, we find set down, in the Martyrology of Donegal, '3 as having been venerated on this
day,Berchan,Aego. Moreregardinghim,wecannotfind.
Article III. —St. Midhghus, or Midgusa. You are recommended to meditate on God, with a continued renewal of your trust in Him, till you feel that you love with sincere delight, and that you cannot live a day without His presence. ' This was the usual and daily occupation of his pious servants on earth. In the Martyrology of Tallagh,^ at the loth of April, appears the name, St. Midgusa. On the same authority, the Bollandists 3 enter Midgusius, and, it will be noticed, with a different termination. Again, the Martyrology ofDonegal* thisdayrecordsthenameofMidhghus,ashavingbeenvene- rated.
Article IV. —St. Herednat, or Eretnatan, Virgin, of Tulach Bennain. [Probably in the Sixth Centuryi\ At the loth day of April, the
entry, Eretnatan, Vir. , is set down, in the Martyrology of Tallagh. ' Marianus O'Gorman, and a commentator on ^ngus, also, note this festival. The Bol-
landists ^ notice Erednata at this date. From the only Virgo,
following This holy
Article V. —St. Malachus, Bishop of Lismore, County of Water-
ford. [^Eleventh and Twelfth Centuries. ] In the first edition of John Molanus, who has added to Usuard's Martyrology, there is an entry of Malachus,
Bishop of Lesmore, in Ireland, at the loth day of April. The same notice is to be found, in Canisius and Ferrarius, as the Bollandists observe,' at this
date. The present holy man is thought by them, to have been that Bishop
' See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Ap-
rilis x. Among the pretermitted saints, p.
856.
3 His Life is to be seen, in the First
Volume of this work, at the 3rd day of
cumstance, we may infer, she flourished in the sixth century.
virgin—also called Ernait—is said to have been daughter to King Kiannacht, and to have lived at first, in the north of Ireland. Her coming to a place, called Tulach Bennain, is said to have been foretold by St. Fintan of Dunbleis- que,3 when he was at Kell Fintain. 't Both places, it is supposed, were in the south of Ireland. 5 There was a festival, celebrated on this day, in honour of Herednat, as we read, in the Martyrology of Donegal. ^
" See a description of it, by the Rev. Donald Maclean, in "The New Statistical Account of Scotland," vol. xiv. Inverness- shire, pp. 145 to 148.
" See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Ap- rilis X. Among the pretermitted saints, p. 856.
January.
* See Colgan's
"
Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
'3 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
98,99.
Article hi. —' See "Star of Bethle-
nise," iii. Januarii. Vita S. Fintani, cap. vii. , p. II.
s See zi5/a'. , nn. 14, 15.
'Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 98, 99. After the entry of this name, in the table appended to this work, we find in-
hem. "
'
Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xxi. Franciscan copy reads Sci nii-ogu]-^.
The
3 See "Ada Sanctorum," tomus
rilis X. Among the pretermitted saints, p. certain comments. These words, "[Her-
Ap-
856.
* Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp
serted, in Irish and within brackets, English
98, 99. — Article IV.
'
translation. S—ee Md. , pp. 426, 427. '
Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xxi. The Franciscan copy has efea'onA-
Article v. See "Acta Sanctorum,"
CAtl
Uip.
tomusi. , Aprilisx. Amongthepretermitted saints, p. 857.
i. ,
meadachandHermcnas seeEirmeadhach ;
and Ermin], (10 Apr. )," are the English
cir-
April I o. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 93
of Lismore, in Ireland, and who lived contemporaneously with St. Malachy O'Morgair. " He was born of respectable parents, about the middle of the eleventh century. Although a native of Ireland, Malclius had spent a long time in the monastery at Winchester,^ in England, where his education seems to have been chiefly obtained. This holy man was well versed, in the canon- ical observances of the universal Church, and he had a great reputation for learning. * He was raised to the priesthood, and he lived as a monk, under BishopWalchelin,ofWinchester. Suchwerethegraceshereceived,thathe was not only illustrious for the purity of his doctrine and morals, but even for the performance of miracles. In illustration of this latter statement, the greatSt. Bernard' citestwowell-knownexamples. Oneofthesewasaman who had been deaf, and who was restored to the sense of hearing, when Malchus applied his fingers, to the ears of that afflicted person. Another instancewasthatofaboy,whoseintellecthadbeenweak; butwho,itseems, was able to receive confirmation, at the hands of Malchus, when the latter had become a bishop. When he participated in the graces of that holy sacrament, the boy obtained such a gift of understanding, that the bishop was enabled to appoint him, almost immediately afterwards, as the ostiarius of his house ; and, this function, the boy continued to discharge, until he grew on to the age of manhood. * In the eleventh century, the city of Waterford was inhabited, principally by Danes, or Ostmen, who had embraced the Christian religion. ' It was subject, however, to Murtogh O'Brien, King of Munster, in the year 1095, when it was constituted an Episcopal See. An election had been held by the clergy and laity of that city, and Malchus was unanimously
chosen for the Episcopal charge f this choice was also appoved by Murtogh
O'Brien, and by his brother Derraod, by Domnald, Bishop of Cashel, by
Samuel O'Haingley, Bishop of Dublin, by Idunan, Bishop of Meath, by Fer- domnach, a Leinster Bishop, and by others. ' A letter was directed to St.
Anselm,'" then Bishop of Canterbury, and signed by the above-named Princes and Prelates, in the name of the,Waterford clergy and people. " In this epistle, it was stated, that as Waterford city tlien contained a numerous popu- lation, that as it had remained without pastoral care, and that as it had been exposed to various perils, which were detrimental fo faith and morals ; the
petitioners judged it expedient, in consequence, to apply for the appointment of a local bishop. Malchus was deemed a person, best suited to discharge
this office, owing to his prudence, piety, and learning. The Danes of Lime- rick, as also those of Dublin, appear to have preferred union in ecclesiastical
*HU Life will be found, at the 3rd of No- sibos transmisssE subscribit Samutl Dub-
vonbcr, the date for his feast.
^ " In Wintoninui inoiia*terio,"a« we find
Uniensium et Ftrdonuuhus Laginiensium EpiKopus. "—Ussher's Index Chronolo-
it recorded. gicus,
"
Britannicairuiii Eccletiarum Anti-
' He was well vetted in Apostolic and
quitates," p. 545.
'"He departed this life, on the 2lst of
April, A. D. 1 109, in the seventy-sixth year of his age, and in the sixteenth of his remark- able pontificate. His Acts by Eadmer are to be found, with an Introduction, in the BolUndists'"ActaSanctorum,"tomusii. , Aprilis xxi. De Sancto Anselmo Archiepis- copo Cantuariensi in Anglia, pp. 865 to 953.
"^In writing to Ansclm, they say :" Prop-
tera nos, et Kex nostcr Murchertachus Dom-
naldiis, et Dermeth Dux noster frater Regis,
ecclesiastical discipline, accordwg to £ad- "
mer, in Historia Novorum," lib. ii. , pars. ii. , cap. L
I The Abbot of Clairvaux, whose festival occurs, at the 20th of August.
'SeeViuS. Malachiae,cap. iv. ,"Open" S. Bemardi, tomus ii.
' See Smith's
"
Ancient and Present State
of the County and City of Waterford,"
chap, iv. , p. 98.
• See Archdeacon Henry Cotton's " Fasti
Ecclesix liibernicae," vol. L Diocese of Waterford, p. 116.
•"Mxciv. EpiswUe ad Anstlmum Cas\- tnaiiensem aicluepiscopum a Wateifoidica-
tlegimus hunc presbyterum Malchum, Wale-
helini Wintoniensis Ejiiscopi Monachum,"—
"
laruiik Syl^e," li^pi^t. , ;pLXi,,,p. s^.
Ussher'j
Veterum Hibernicarum £pisto-,
94 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April io.
government, with the Northmen, then powerful in England. The present instance, with a few others of similar character, will not, however, bear out the assertion, that the See of Canterbury held a supremacy over the churches ofIreland. " Beingappointed,asthebeareroftheletteralludedto,'3Mal- chus went over to England, in the year \ 096.
He was very graciously received by Anselni. This holy Prelate judged the Irish priest selected, to be in every respect qualified for the higher office, to which he had been elected. He was consecrated by St. Anselm,''* Archbishop of Canterbury, on the 28th of Decem- ber, A. D. 1 096,^5 Ralph, Bishop of Chichester, and Gundulph, Bishop of Ro-
: chester,assisting. Aprofessionwasmade,inthefollowingterms "Elected
for the Church of VVaterford, and to be consecrated Bishop by thee. Rev. Father Anselm, Archbishop over the holy Church of Canterbury, and Primate
of all Britain, I Malchus do promise, that I will observe canonical obedience, in all things, to thee, and to thy successors. " The newly consecrated Bishop shortly afterwards returned to VVaterford. With the assistance of his Ostmen or Danish flock, Malchus built the cathedral there. This church at Water-
ford, formerly dedicated to the Blessed Trinity, was, at a subsequent period, denominated Christ's Church. '^ Very interesting notices of this edifice are
on record. '' Malchus is found holding that See, A. D. 11 10, but the year of
his death is not recorded -^^ hence, the uncertainty which arises, to ascertain, if this holy Malchus be the very learned and sage Malchus, who lived as Bishop of Lismore, for several years after the previous date. Our acces- sible records are not sufficiently clear, on this point ;'9 but, we believe, that strongcircumstantialevidencewillgofartoestablishtheiridentity. Certain reports had reached St. Anselm regarding the practices of Samuel O'Haingly, or 0'Hanly,=° the Bishop of Dublin, who had not faithfully discharged some trusts,leftforthebenefitofhisSee. Sinioniacaldealingshadbeenattributed to hmi, by rumour. From the year 1095, when King Muirtach O'Brien, monarch of all Ireland, drove out the local Danish ruler, Godfrid Merenagh, to A. D. 1 1 20, when the monarch's death took place, no other king of the Dublin Ostmen seems to have reigned," in that city. Before the death of Arch-
" " Hibernienses a suis Episcopos postu-
'* See Archdeacon Cotton's " Fasti Henry
Ecclesias Hibernicse," vol. i. , Diocese of Waterford, p. 116.
latos, vel electos a Cantuariensibus Archi- episcopis confirmariatquesacrarisolitosesse,
ex his constare potest, &c. —Parker,
"
De
' the next Melisa O-Hamire is
recorded
Antiquitate Britannicae Ecclesise," p. 33.
'3 This letter begins with the following
words, "Anselmo Dei gratia Anglorum archiepiscopo, et omnibus diocesis sute epis-
Bishop, after Malchus of Waterford, orPort-
largi, as called by the Irish, or Britons,
according to the supplement of Tighernach's
Annals, and he died, in 1135 or 1136. See
Harris'Ware,vol. i. , "BishopsofWater-
ford," p. 527. We find the death of one
Mac-Mic-/Educan, under the heading of
"
Bishops of Lismore," at A. D. 1 1 1 3, zii/(/. p. 550. Again, at the year 1128, we have the deathof " Mac-Maras Ua Reabhachain, suc- cessor of Mochuda," recorded. See Dr.
copis, Clerus at Populus oppidi Watafordise, cum rege Murchertacho et Episcopo Dom-
naldo, salutem in Domino. " — "Veterum Hibernicarum Epistolarum Syl- loge. " No. xxxiv.
'• A very beautifully-written and interes-
"
S. Tint Anselm," by R. W. Church, Rector of Whatley, appeared in 1870. Throughout there is a fair appre- ciation of this great saint's career, although the work in question has been written by a
Protestant minister.
'5 "Die xxviii. mensis Decembris,
ting biography, called
"
qui anno MXCVI. in Dominicam incidebat,"—
ters," vol. ii. , pp. 1028, 1029. To that date, Ware added a year, and, it would seem, that O'Rebacain was only abbot, and not Bishop, of Lismore.
'° He is said to have ruled over the See of Dublin, from A. D. 1095, when he was con- secrated at Winchester, by St. Anselm, to the 4th of July, a. d. 1121, when he died, according to the best authorities. See an account of this prelate, in John D'Alton's "Memoirs of the Archbishops of Dublin," pp. 37 to 41.
"
Annales Ecclesiastici," critices
Baronius'
Pagii. ad annum 1097, sect. II.
"See Smith's "Ancient and Present State of the County and City of Waterford," chap, iv. , p. 98.
'' See ibid,, chap, v. , pp. 169 to 178.
Ussher's
O'Donovan's
Annals of the Four Mas-
April io. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 95
bishop Anselm, he wrote an epistle to Malchus, Bishop of Waterford, and thiswasaccompaniedbyone,directedtoSamuel. Theletter,Malchuswas requested by the Archbishop ot Canterbury, to deliver in person to him, and
to expostulate viva voce, respecting those complaints preferred. This occur- red some short time before the death of Archbishop Anselm. " The See of Waterford, however, seems not to have constituted the sole charge of Mal- chus, especially at a later period of his life. Ussher maintains, that this Malchus was not only Bishop of Waterford, but likewise of Lismore. 's Arch- deacon John Lynch of Tuam formed the same opmion, and the Rev. Dr.
Lanigan asserts, that this is probable, although the question is involved in too
much obscurity, to venture on a decided judgment. Although, St. Bernard
says, that Malchus was removed from Winchester straight to Lismore, whereas
the original see of the Malchus already mentioned was at Waterford ; yet, the
circumstances of the name and time agreeing, with the fact of each having
been alluded to, as a monk of Winchester, are strongly corroborative of
identity. However, there were in those times other persons named Malchus,
one of whom is mentioned by St. Bernard himself'* Perhaps, the Bishop of
Waterford, so named, had been translated to Lismore, at a subsequent period ;
if, indeed, both Sees had not been united,'' at the time to which we allude.
From the early part of the seventh century, however, Lismore had its separate
bishop,'* and with a distinct jurisdiction. '' At a long subsequent period, the See of Lismore was united to that of Waterford : and this union was contem-
plated, in the reign of King Henry HL"* However, the two dioceses con- tinued to begovemed, by different prelates, until the timeof King Edward HL,
who caused letters, signed by himself, to be transmitted to Pope John XXH. , and this Pontiff sanctioned such an arrangement,'' in the Bull, which he
" Malchus was there some be- bishop years
fore tliat time, as is clear from St. Malachy's
having repaired to him thither about II23. In consequence of that mistake they were puzzled as to the precise period of Malchus' incumbency. Ware saying that he flourished in 1 140 (when he was probably dead), and Harris, that it was in 1 134. Indeed Harris has shame:ully bungled the whole business, telling us elsewhere (see above, Not. 44), that >t. Malachy went to Lismore when only twelve years old, tliat is, about A. D. 1107. He throws in a caveat, that Malchus was not yet a bishop. Had he read or di<l he understand St. Bernard, who tells us in the clearest terms, that Malchus was a bishop, and a cclcbraied one, of Lismore, before he was waited upon by St. Malachy? "—" Ec- clesiastical History of Ireland," vol. iv. , chap, xxvi. , sec. vii. , n. 54, pp. 74, 75.
"" St. Mochuda, the first bishop, died 14th of May, ad. 636. See Dr. O'Donovan's
"
Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 254, 255.
^ See Harris' Ware, vol. i. , "Bishops of Lismore," pp. 547 to 554.
""A condition was distinctly specified, "that the episcopal See should continue at Waterford. ' The king's writ to that eflfect, and his letters to the Pope, on this subject, are extant ; birt, for reasons, of which no mention happens to be made in the Close
Rolls, after repeated application^ the pro- ject was abandoned.
" See Walter Harris' "
^nities of the City of Dublin, from the ear- liest accounts," &c. , chap, ix. , p. 202.
" In Ussher's " Veterum Hibemicanim
Epistolarum Sylloge," the date is incorrectly placed, at A. C. 11 10. . See tpist. xixviii. , pp. 97, 98. The Arthbishop departed this life, daring the previous year.
'^ In a note, appended to the epistle. See
Epistolarum Recen>io, pp. 144, 145. Jbid. »< In Vita S. Malachiae, cap. v. Accord- ing to Dr. Lanigan, Malchus seenls to have been a Latinized appellation, for one or other of those many Irish names, that began with Maol. There might have been two persons, so called, monks at Winchester,
out this conjecture is hariily probable. ''Such a union is said to have been
ordered, by the Synod of Kathbreasal ; and, hence, it m. ght be supposed, that one and the same Malchus ruled over both bishoprics. . See the Rev. Dr. Lanigan s "Ecclesiastical
History of Ireland," vol. iv. , chap, xxvi. , sect, vii. , n. 53, p. 74. The same writer supposes Malchus, to have been the imme- diate successor of Mac-mic-. ^edncan, bishop of Lismore, who died, in the year 1 113. See Harris' Ware, vol. i. , "Bishops of Lismore," p. 550. In ihe latter worU. however, a Gilla- Motudu O'kebacain, which name, accord- ing to Harris, signifies, Rei^acian the servant of Mocudu, and who died in 1 129 (/Hii. ), is made the next successor to . \Iac-mic-Aedu- Can. "But furely," lemaikaDi. Lanigan,
History
and Anti-
96 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April lo.
issuecl. 3° Notwithstanding the decree of Pope John, the two dioceses con- tinued separate, until a second appUcation had been made, during the Ponti- ficate of Innocent VI. ; that Pope, at the instance of Edward III. , in 1355, confirmed the letters of union, granted by John XXII. ; while, atthe^same time, he transmitted copies, both of the original document and of its confir- mation, to Edward III. , and to Roger, Bishop of Waterford. Nor was the union effected, until eight years after this period, or, in the year 1363. 3' In the earlier and even in the mediaeval times, the city of Lismore was greatly dis-
tinguished,'for the number of its religious edifices, and as a place of learning. 3" It would appear, that the name of Malchus had not been unknown, beyond the boundaries of his native Island, and the country in which he had passed such a lengthened portion of his life ; for, even the Scots or Northern Britons 33 were accustomed to resort, for the benefit of his instructions and spiritual guidance, to the city, where he usually resided. Mindful of the expression of holy Job, that wisdom is to be found among seniors,34 the illustrious St. Malachy O'Morgair was anxious to place himself, under the direction of this
experienced sage. St, Malachy O'Morgair arrived at Lismore, about the year 1 1 19, or 1 1 20,—according to anotheraccount 1123,3s—having sought the bless-
ing of his former superior, Imar, and the approval of Archbishop Celsus, who then ruled over Armagh. His object was, to restore religious rites and the Divine worship, in a manner conformable to exact ecclesiastical usage and canon law. For this laudable effort, in the way of reform, he chiefly desired the counsel of Malchus, who had experience and profound knowledge to direct him. The holy priest was most graciously received by Malchus, under whose guidance and instruction, it is said,3* he spent some years ; but, we think his stay to have been of short continuance, before being recalled by his Bishop Celsus, and by his superior Imar,37 to engage on those useful reforms, for which he was specially destined, in the Irish Church. s^ St. Malachy
'^ Tn consequence of this representation, a
Waterford and Lismore were permanently
united, by Urban v. , Thomas Le Reve, Pope
formerly Chancellor of Ireland, having been at the time Bishop of Lismore. See Rev.
"
3= Xhe modern Protestant church stands on the old cathedral site. See Leitch Rit-
"
Ireland, Picturesque and Romantic," vol. i. , chap, ix. , p. 140. A beautiful illus- tration of Lismore Castle is at p. 136.
