William Reeve's " Ecclesias- tical
Antiquities
of Down, Connor, and Dromore," Appendix T, p.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v9
b.
493, having exceeded one hundred years of age.
* Besides the present day, he is venerated at the 17th of January, and at the 21st of May.
At the 28th of September, likewise, there is a feast for another St.
Faustus, Bishop of Tarbes, in Gaul, and the Bollan- distss have notices of him in a 6 of He flourished
possibly the saint commemorated, at this date, by Marianus O'Gorman ; but it seems to us more probable, that he was really the Spanish Martyr, St.
8
ArticleXI. —IanairorJantjaritjs. ThefestivalofIanair orJanuarius
1
is inserted in the Martyrology of Marianus O'Gorman, at the 27th of Sep-
tember. ThisisprobablytheSpanishMartyrtowhomtheBollandistsalludeat
2
thisdate, withhistwocompanions,FaustusandMartial. ButUsuardandthe
Roman Martyrologys refer their festival to the 13th of October,
Article XII. —Martial or Martialis. In the Martyrology of
sylloge eight paragraphs.
towards the end of the fifth century. ? The first of the prelates named is
Faustus.
1 the feast of Martial with an 2 is marked at the eulogy
A St. Martialis, with a number of companions, Martyrs in Africa, is commemorated on this day, and notices regarding them are to be found in the Bollandists. 3 However, to us it seems most likely, the Spanish Martyr Martialis already alluded to is set down by Marianus
O'Gorman at this date.
Article XIII. —Exuperius. In the Martyrology of Marianus O'Gor-
12
man, there is a festival for Venerable Exuperius, at this date. This is no
doubt intended to mark the feast St. Exuperius, Bishop and Confessor of Toulouse in Gaul, who is commemorated in several ancient Martyrologies, and to the investigation of whose Acts the Bollandistss have devoted a
Marianus
O'Gorman,
28th of September.
4 For an interesting account of him see
**
Les Petits Bollandistes, Vies des Saints,"
deinde superciliis rasis, dentibus evulsis,
et naribus — auribus quoque prsecisi>, ignis
tome xi. , xxviiie Jour de Septembre, pp. passione martyrium consunimarunt. "
468 to 474.
s See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus vii. ,
Septembris xxviii. De S. Fausto Episc.
"
Martyrologium Romanum," editio novis-
in
6 Written by Father John Stilting, S. J.
Article xii. See Dr. Whitley Stokes
" Feilire Hui Gormain," 186, 187. pp.
-Thus:
Tarbensi,
7 See Les Petits Bollandistes,
Saints," p. 460.
8
tome xi,, xxviiie
Jour
de
mAi-omech
" Martialis who was not boastful. "
3 See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus vii. , Sep-
Novempopulania, pp. 715,716.
Also venerated at this day, as noticed in
succeeding artic—les. *
where Father John Stilting treats about them, as their
Article xi. See Dr. Whitley Stokes' " Feilire Hui Gormain," pp. 186, 187.
3
See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus vii. , Sep- tembris xxviii. Among the pretermitted feasts,
3 Thus: "Cordubse in Hispania natalis sanctorum Martyrum Fausti, Januarii et Martialis, qui primo equulei poena cruciati,
tembris xxviii. , pp. 603, 604,
" Septembre,
Vies des
sima, Tertio Idu—s Octobris, p. 152. *
ITlAftCiAt nAft
names occur in the ancient Martyrologies.
*
Article xiil— Noticed in Irish as
exupeji ntuir.
See Dr. Whitley Stokes'
"
Feilire Hui J See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus vii. , Sep-
Gormain," pp. 186, 187.
September 28. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 633
at
438.
"See an account of
Historic Sylloge,* at this date. The natal place and date of birth for St. Exuperius are alike unknown. He is supposed to have succeeded St.
Silvius,5 Bishop of Toulouse, and to have acted in tjie like capacity, towards the close of the fourth and beginning of the fifth century. He is thought
to have died about the and on the 28th year 415,
of
6
day
Article XIV. —Salon. The Martyrology of Marianus O'Gorman has
1
Italy, regarding
printed a critical Sylloge 3 taken from the Martyrologies, and written by
Father John Stilting, S. J. His history is little known, but it would seem that he flourished in the fifth century.
Article XV. —Reputed Feast of a Marcellus. In the Feilire of
12
St. iEngus, and in Marianus O'Gorman, at the 28th of September there is a
feast for Marcellus. Elsewhere, in any calendar of the saints, we do not find the entry of Marcellus, at this date.
ArticleXVI. —Zacheus. Atthe27thofSeptember,Zacheusiscom- memorated in the Feilire of Marianus O'Gorman. 1 We cannot find his name in any other calendar, and relating to this day.
ArticleXVII. —ReputedFeastofSt. Gilda. Althoughnotfound
12 in the published Martyrology of Tallagh, yet there is a festival forGilde, in
the Book of Leinster Copy, at the 28th of September.
Article XVIII. —Translation of St. Dysibod's Relics. At the
28th of to Thomas account,1 was celebrated September, according Dempster's
the anniversary of a Translation into a marble coffin placed behind the high
It seems most likely, he is to be identified with Salon—also called Salomon and Salonius—Bishop and Confessor at Genoa in and whom the Bollandists2 have
the feast of Salon, at the 28th of September.
2 The Acts of St. Disibod are already given at the 8th of July, in the Seventh Volume of this work. 3 There was a festival for him at the 8th of June j* as also at the
altar of St. Dysibod's Relics. This is referred to the year 1 143.
8th of this month.
tembris xxviii. De S.
Conf. TolosseinGallia,pp. 623to630.
4
It is contained in Three Sections, com- prising thirty-four paragraphs. This is edited by Father John Stilting, S. J.
5 The Bollandists "
2 In the Feilire of istheline:—
Marianus,
at this
notices of him in their Acta Sanctorum," tomus vii. , Maii,
This is translated: "Ma—rcellus
his vigorous grace. " Whitley "Feilire Hui Gormain," pp. 186, 187.
Article xvl—x See Dr. Stokes' Whitley
"Feilire Hui Gorm—ain," pp. 186, 187.
p.
in Les Petits
give
lasting (is) Stokes'
Bollandistes, " Vies des Saints," tome xi. , e
*
2 Thus — 5it/oe.
xxviii Jour de Septembre, pp. 461 to 467.
Article xvn.
Kelly.
Edited by Rev. Dr.
Article xiv. —l See Dr.
Stokes' 2 " Gormain," pp. 186, 187.
See Acta Sanctorum," tomus vii. , Sep- tembris xxviii. , pp. 716 to 720.
3 In — twenty-one paragraphs.
"Feilire Hui
Exuperio Episcopo
date,
him,
Whitley
"2 See Transactions of
Article xv.
the Royal Irish Academy," Irish Manuscript Series,vol. i. , parti. OntheCalendarof
Oengus. By Whitley Stokes, LL. D. , p.
In a note affixed we find the obse—r- vation marcill . i. papa . i. marcialis. " Ibid. , p. cxlvii.
cxxxix.
**
l
Dodechin follows this statement as if an
authority quoted for it. 3Art. i.
4 See the Sixth Volume of this work, at that date, Art. vii.
5 See in the at the 8th of present volume,
September, Art. i.
tTlAjtceilt, buAn a bfustiAuh.
Article xviii.
gium Scoticum, pp. 212, 213.
'See Bishop Forbes' " Kalendars of Scottish Saints," Meno'o-
September.
634 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [September 29.
CtoentiMuntt) 2Bap of £>rptrmbrr.
ARTICLE I. —ST. MURGHAL, ABBOT OF RATHLIN, COUNTY OF ANTRIM.
[EIGHTH CENTURY. ]
very remote situations, many of our Irish saints chose to remove IN from the world, to avoid its temptations and snares. In the published
of Martyrology Tallagh,
1
we find the simply
at the of entry Murgail, 29th
A similar
of Marianus O'Gorman enters Murgal, 3 at this date, and a commentator adds, that he was the son of Uinnid, and abbot of Rechrann. * This is now the Island of Rathlin, off the northern coast of Antrim. Sometimes the name of Murgal's fatheriswrittenNenned. Oursaintwasprobablybornbeforeorsoonafter the commencement of the eighth century. At a remote period, and early in the seventh century,5 a monastic institution had been there established at
8
discipline. He appears to have immediately succeeded as Abbot to St. Cobthach, who died a. d. 743, about twenty years before the period assigned for his own departure to bliss. 9 The " Annals of the Four Masters" place
11
he died a. d. 768, with which date the O'Clerys agree, and state, that he departed on the 29th of September. Additional particulars are recorded at the same
September.
entry
is in the Book of Leinster 2 The Feilire copy.
Abbot ot Iona, a. d. 6 or a little later. ? The 630,
St.
succession of its Abbots has been given by Colgan.
Iona, our saint had been religiously trained in monastic stndies and religious
Rathlin, by
Segene,
his death at the year 764. '° According to the Annals of Ulster,
12
date in the Martyrology of Donegal. son of Niunidh, Abbot of Rechrainn. ^
Article I. —1 Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xxxv.
2
Thus: mApgAile.
3 See Dr. WhitU-y Stokes' ''Feilire Hui
Gormain," pp. 186, 187.
4 Thus written in Irish mac Umne'oh. A
There he is mentioned as Murghal,
9 See Rev.
William Reeve's " Ecclesias- tical Antiquities of Down, Connor, and Dromore," Appendix T, p. 249, and Appendix LL. , p. 380.
<\b neach|\4inne. See p. 186, n. I.
5 In the Life of St. Comgall of Bangor, carum Scriptores," tomus iv. , Annates
it is stated, that he attempted to build a Ultonienses.
,a
church on Rechrann, but had been
prevented from doing so by certain 262, 263.
evil-disposed soldiers. See Flemming's ,3 In a note, Dr. Reeves says at this
regard this form of the name as nominative ; but strictly speaking, as albain from <\lb-J,
it is the genitive of flech)\4. Thus, in Adamnan we find it written Rechru
(i. , 5, p. 29, ed. Reeves), and in an adjective form Rechrea insula (ii. , 41, p. 164). In the Annals of the Four Masters, it is always in a dependant construction, and, therefore, ttechr\ainn, except once (An. 1038), where it appears as a nominative in the form, Heachrui. "
"Collectanea Sacra," p. 311, col. 2. It is word Kechrainn :
mentioned, that St. Columba visited the Annals of the Four Masters, and others
Island of Rechrea, but no statement exists ofhishavingtherefoundedachurch. See
"
Trias Thaumaturga," Adamnan's Quarta Vita S. Columbse. lib. ii. , cap. 41, p. 361.
6 '' According to Dr. O'Donovan's Annals
of the Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 250,251. 7 The Annals of Tigernach and of Ulster
place this foundation at A. D. 634 or 635.
8
See "Trias Thaumaturga," Quinta Appendix, ad Acta S. Columbse, cap. viii, pp. 5°9>510-
There, or perhaps at
l0
pp. 366, 367.
"See Dr. OConor's u Renun Hiberni-
See Dr. O'Donovan's Edition, vol. i. ,
Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves,, pp.
"
O'Donovan, in his
September 29. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAIATS. 635 Article II. —St. Columba, or Columm. At the 29th of September,
1 we find that veneration was
to Columba. The contracted word Si. appears postfixed to this entry. In a similar manner, we find it in the Hook of Leinster 2 There is
in the of published Martyrology
Tallagh,
given
repeated copy.
a festival for Colum or Colomb, in the " Feilire" of Marianus O'Gorman, at this same date,3 but without further notice. To look for his place or period in our church history seems to evade investigation. There is,a parish —yet called Tecolm—and within the barony of Ballyadams, in the Queen's County. It is not known, however, if it had been included within the ancient territory of Cremhthenna ; notwithstanding, if such happened to have
Teampull Tecolm.
been the case, the word Inghen, having been dropped to shorten the pronounciation, there might not be so much difficulty in the attempt to identifyitwiththeholywomenwhoweretheDaughtersofColuim. 4 Avery old ruined church and a grave-yard are seen, on the road between Carlow and Stradbally, and not far from Corbally House. About the year 1840, one of the old church gables had fallen flat over the graves beneath it ;5 but hardly one stone was displaced from its original position in the walls, while
6
Thirty years afterwards, the whole of this gable had been removed, so that not a stone of it now appears. Another old gable still stands, and it is also
the mass of green ivy growing around this gable was truly luxuriant.
Article ii. —* Edited by Rev. Dr.
6 In that year, the writer first saw this place, and observed what has been stated. Another visit was in May, 1870 ; and later
Kelly, p. xxxv.
2 Thus: CotumbAe rci.
3 SeeDr Whitley Stokes' " Feilire Hui still in June, 1897, when a sketch of the
Gormain," pp. 186, 187. ruin, as here presented, was taken. It has 4 Their festival occurs at the 13th of been drawn on the wood, and engraved by
September, and at that date it is entered in Gregor Grey.
the present volume, Art ii. 7 Burials have been long discontinued in
5 It fell in the great storm of the 6th of the cemetery there, and hardly a rude
January, 1839.
headstone is now visible. Near the old
636 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [September 29.
covered with ivy. The church seems to have been oblong, and its walls measured about 40 by 20 feet. They were over three feet in thickness. ? An old road led from Noughval, where St. Columban was venerated,8 towards Tecolm old church. It may therefore happen, this latter too had been dedicated to the same saint, as Tegh-colm means Columban's or Coluim's House. The present saint, equally with any other bearing a similar name, might be locally connected with Tecolm ; yet, such a suggestion cannot be affirmed of him with any degree of certainty. At this same date, the MartyrologyofDonegalregistersColumm. ThathemaybeColumToma, who was descended from the race of Laeghaire, son to Niall, is the further remark of O'Clery, the Calendarist.
ArticleIII. —St. Ciaran,SonofIar,Bishop. Atthisdate,thereis no mention of this saint in Rev. Dr. Kelly's edition of the Martyrology of Tallagh ; neither is he recorded in the Book of Leinster copy. Yet,
1
Colgan notes him as having a festival in our Irish Martyrologies.
In the Feilire of Marianus O'Gorman we find M comely Ciaran. the son of Ciar "
Tallagh, Ieir,"
veneration was to Sedrach. given
reliquis
follow such announcement at the
of 2 In the 29th September.
church, at present locally called Teampul by the peasantry, there is a remarkable spring, called Pharoah's Well ; but, why it has been so designated, the writer could obtain no information in reply to his enquiries. An ash tree grows over it, and it is seen beside the high road from Stradbally to Carlow.
8 See an account of him on the 15th of May—the day for his festival—in the Fifth Volume of this work. Art. iv.
9 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
262, 263.
Article hi. —x See " Acta Sanctorum
Hiberniae," xv. Februarii, n. 8, p. 348.
2 The words in Irish are Ciaran cat>Ia mac Cier>—Dr. Whitley Stokes' '"Feilire
Hui Gormain," pp. 186, 187.
3 In Irish epfcop.
of 2 A commentator calls him September.
at the
bishop. 3 At this date, the Martyrology of Donegal* mentions that a festival was celebrated in honour of Ciaran, son of Iar, Bishop. The same account is contained in the Irish Calendar, belonging to the Ordnance Survey Records. *
Article IV. —St. Nessan, of Uladh. The published Martyrology
of 1 a to honour of at the of Tallagh, registers festival, Nessan, Uladh, 29th
2
It seems evident, his place must be sought for in the province of Ulster, but
the exact locality is not known, The Martyrology of Marianus O'Gorman
calls him "hallowed Nessan. "3 He is entered also in the Martyrology of
4 Donegal.
Article V. —St. Sedrach, Bishop. According to the Martyrology
commemorated,
29th
September. In a similar way is he noticed in the Book of Leinster copy.
1
of
Mac
Feilire of Marianus O'Gorman, he is eulogised as Sedrach,
These words, " cum
* Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
262, 263.
s See Common—Place Book, F. , p. 82.
'
Article IV. Edited by
Kelly, p. xxxv.
2
Rev. Dr.
"
modest, bashful,
Thus: nerTAti Ul<vo.
3 Written in Irish nerfAn naeimM. —
Dr. Whitley Stokes'
''Feilire Hui
Gormain," pp. 186, 187.
* Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
262, 263.
Article v. —1 Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly,
p.
xxxv.
2 We find, likewise, the following entry in
the Hook of Leinster copy : Seonach cum
ncliqunr—to this is added Opi, indicating that he was a bishop.
September 29. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 637
and excellent," at this date. 3 He seems to have attained the rank of bishop in the Irish church, The name Sedrach, without any further designation or addition, is found in the Martyrology of Donegal,* at this same date.
ArticleVI. —St. Colman. MarianusO'GormanmentionsSt. Colman
with an 1 at the of
eulogy, 29th September,
Article VII. —St. Comgill or Comghall. A festival in honour of
to determine his period, place or position.
is entered in the Martyrology of Donegal, at the 29th of September.
Comgill, who is called " a soldier of Christ," appears in the published 12
Martyrology of Tallagh, at the 29th of September. In the Feilire of Marianus O'Gorman, he is simply noticed at this same date. 3 The Martyr-
ology of Donegal* merely enters the name Comghall, at the 29th of September.
Articlic VIII. —Feast of St. Michael the Archangel. In the
Church from a very remote date, the Festival of this Head of the Angelic
Host had been observed with special solemnity. In Ireland, St. ^Engus
the Culdee has pronounced a distinguished eulogy on him, at the 29th of
in the " Feilire. "1 Allusion is made to his with the September, fight
Dragon and Anti-Christ. 2 The Scholiast has comments3 which state, that Michael
was Prince of the Angels, and that as a soldier he was the champion whose
name is explained by sicui Deus in Mount Garganus. In recording his feast at this day, Marianus O'Gorman addresses the Archangel Michael as a powerful intercessor. * The Bollandists treat very fully about St. Michael,
6
the Archangel^ in a learned dissertation, by Father John Stilting, S. J. , in
3 Thus : Se-onach pAlnars £eboa. —Dr. soldier whitesided, hostful, will slay
""
Whitley Stokes' Feilire Hui Gormain,"
pp. 186, 187.
4 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
Wrathful Antichrist. "
Transactions of the
Royal Irish Academy," Irish Manuscript Series, vol. i. , part i.
possibly the saint commemorated, at this date, by Marianus O'Gorman ; but it seems to us more probable, that he was really the Spanish Martyr, St.
8
ArticleXI. —IanairorJantjaritjs. ThefestivalofIanair orJanuarius
1
is inserted in the Martyrology of Marianus O'Gorman, at the 27th of Sep-
tember. ThisisprobablytheSpanishMartyrtowhomtheBollandistsalludeat
2
thisdate, withhistwocompanions,FaustusandMartial. ButUsuardandthe
Roman Martyrologys refer their festival to the 13th of October,
Article XII. —Martial or Martialis. In the Martyrology of
sylloge eight paragraphs.
towards the end of the fifth century. ? The first of the prelates named is
Faustus.
1 the feast of Martial with an 2 is marked at the eulogy
A St. Martialis, with a number of companions, Martyrs in Africa, is commemorated on this day, and notices regarding them are to be found in the Bollandists. 3 However, to us it seems most likely, the Spanish Martyr Martialis already alluded to is set down by Marianus
O'Gorman at this date.
Article XIII. —Exuperius. In the Martyrology of Marianus O'Gor-
12
man, there is a festival for Venerable Exuperius, at this date. This is no
doubt intended to mark the feast St. Exuperius, Bishop and Confessor of Toulouse in Gaul, who is commemorated in several ancient Martyrologies, and to the investigation of whose Acts the Bollandistss have devoted a
Marianus
O'Gorman,
28th of September.
4 For an interesting account of him see
**
Les Petits Bollandistes, Vies des Saints,"
deinde superciliis rasis, dentibus evulsis,
et naribus — auribus quoque prsecisi>, ignis
tome xi. , xxviiie Jour de Septembre, pp. passione martyrium consunimarunt. "
468 to 474.
s See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus vii. ,
Septembris xxviii. De S. Fausto Episc.
"
Martyrologium Romanum," editio novis-
in
6 Written by Father John Stilting, S. J.
Article xii. See Dr. Whitley Stokes
" Feilire Hui Gormain," 186, 187. pp.
-Thus:
Tarbensi,
7 See Les Petits Bollandistes,
Saints," p. 460.
8
tome xi,, xxviiie
Jour
de
mAi-omech
" Martialis who was not boastful. "
3 See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus vii. , Sep-
Novempopulania, pp. 715,716.
Also venerated at this day, as noticed in
succeeding artic—les. *
where Father John Stilting treats about them, as their
Article xi. See Dr. Whitley Stokes' " Feilire Hui Gormain," pp. 186, 187.
3
See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus vii. , Sep- tembris xxviii. Among the pretermitted feasts,
3 Thus: "Cordubse in Hispania natalis sanctorum Martyrum Fausti, Januarii et Martialis, qui primo equulei poena cruciati,
tembris xxviii. , pp. 603, 604,
" Septembre,
Vies des
sima, Tertio Idu—s Octobris, p. 152. *
ITlAftCiAt nAft
names occur in the ancient Martyrologies.
*
Article xiil— Noticed in Irish as
exupeji ntuir.
See Dr. Whitley Stokes'
"
Feilire Hui J See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus vii. , Sep-
Gormain," pp. 186, 187.
September 28. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 633
at
438.
"See an account of
Historic Sylloge,* at this date. The natal place and date of birth for St. Exuperius are alike unknown. He is supposed to have succeeded St.
Silvius,5 Bishop of Toulouse, and to have acted in tjie like capacity, towards the close of the fourth and beginning of the fifth century. He is thought
to have died about the and on the 28th year 415,
of
6
day
Article XIV. —Salon. The Martyrology of Marianus O'Gorman has
1
Italy, regarding
printed a critical Sylloge 3 taken from the Martyrologies, and written by
Father John Stilting, S. J. His history is little known, but it would seem that he flourished in the fifth century.
Article XV. —Reputed Feast of a Marcellus. In the Feilire of
12
St. iEngus, and in Marianus O'Gorman, at the 28th of September there is a
feast for Marcellus. Elsewhere, in any calendar of the saints, we do not find the entry of Marcellus, at this date.
ArticleXVI. —Zacheus. Atthe27thofSeptember,Zacheusiscom- memorated in the Feilire of Marianus O'Gorman. 1 We cannot find his name in any other calendar, and relating to this day.
ArticleXVII. —ReputedFeastofSt. Gilda. Althoughnotfound
12 in the published Martyrology of Tallagh, yet there is a festival forGilde, in
the Book of Leinster Copy, at the 28th of September.
Article XVIII. —Translation of St. Dysibod's Relics. At the
28th of to Thomas account,1 was celebrated September, according Dempster's
the anniversary of a Translation into a marble coffin placed behind the high
It seems most likely, he is to be identified with Salon—also called Salomon and Salonius—Bishop and Confessor at Genoa in and whom the Bollandists2 have
the feast of Salon, at the 28th of September.
2 The Acts of St. Disibod are already given at the 8th of July, in the Seventh Volume of this work. 3 There was a festival for him at the 8th of June j* as also at the
altar of St. Dysibod's Relics. This is referred to the year 1 143.
8th of this month.
tembris xxviii. De S.
Conf. TolosseinGallia,pp. 623to630.
4
It is contained in Three Sections, com- prising thirty-four paragraphs. This is edited by Father John Stilting, S. J.
5 The Bollandists "
2 In the Feilire of istheline:—
Marianus,
at this
notices of him in their Acta Sanctorum," tomus vii. , Maii,
This is translated: "Ma—rcellus
his vigorous grace. " Whitley "Feilire Hui Gormain," pp. 186, 187.
Article xvl—x See Dr. Stokes' Whitley
"Feilire Hui Gorm—ain," pp. 186, 187.
p.
in Les Petits
give
lasting (is) Stokes'
Bollandistes, " Vies des Saints," tome xi. , e
*
2 Thus — 5it/oe.
xxviii Jour de Septembre, pp. 461 to 467.
Article xvn.
Kelly.
Edited by Rev. Dr.
Article xiv. —l See Dr.
Stokes' 2 " Gormain," pp. 186, 187.
See Acta Sanctorum," tomus vii. , Sep- tembris xxviii. , pp. 716 to 720.
3 In — twenty-one paragraphs.
"Feilire Hui
Exuperio Episcopo
date,
him,
Whitley
"2 See Transactions of
Article xv.
the Royal Irish Academy," Irish Manuscript Series,vol. i. , parti. OntheCalendarof
Oengus. By Whitley Stokes, LL. D. , p.
In a note affixed we find the obse—r- vation marcill . i. papa . i. marcialis. " Ibid. , p. cxlvii.
cxxxix.
**
l
Dodechin follows this statement as if an
authority quoted for it. 3Art. i.
4 See the Sixth Volume of this work, at that date, Art. vii.
5 See in the at the 8th of present volume,
September, Art. i.
tTlAjtceilt, buAn a bfustiAuh.
Article xviii.
gium Scoticum, pp. 212, 213.
'See Bishop Forbes' " Kalendars of Scottish Saints," Meno'o-
September.
634 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [September 29.
CtoentiMuntt) 2Bap of £>rptrmbrr.
ARTICLE I. —ST. MURGHAL, ABBOT OF RATHLIN, COUNTY OF ANTRIM.
[EIGHTH CENTURY. ]
very remote situations, many of our Irish saints chose to remove IN from the world, to avoid its temptations and snares. In the published
of Martyrology Tallagh,
1
we find the simply
at the of entry Murgail, 29th
A similar
of Marianus O'Gorman enters Murgal, 3 at this date, and a commentator adds, that he was the son of Uinnid, and abbot of Rechrann. * This is now the Island of Rathlin, off the northern coast of Antrim. Sometimes the name of Murgal's fatheriswrittenNenned. Oursaintwasprobablybornbeforeorsoonafter the commencement of the eighth century. At a remote period, and early in the seventh century,5 a monastic institution had been there established at
8
discipline. He appears to have immediately succeeded as Abbot to St. Cobthach, who died a. d. 743, about twenty years before the period assigned for his own departure to bliss. 9 The " Annals of the Four Masters" place
11
he died a. d. 768, with which date the O'Clerys agree, and state, that he departed on the 29th of September. Additional particulars are recorded at the same
September.
entry
is in the Book of Leinster 2 The Feilire copy.
Abbot ot Iona, a. d. 6 or a little later. ? The 630,
St.
succession of its Abbots has been given by Colgan.
Iona, our saint had been religiously trained in monastic stndies and religious
Rathlin, by
Segene,
his death at the year 764. '° According to the Annals of Ulster,
12
date in the Martyrology of Donegal. son of Niunidh, Abbot of Rechrainn. ^
Article I. —1 Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xxxv.
2
Thus: mApgAile.
3 See Dr. WhitU-y Stokes' ''Feilire Hui
Gormain," pp. 186, 187.
4 Thus written in Irish mac Umne'oh. A
There he is mentioned as Murghal,
9 See Rev.
William Reeve's " Ecclesias- tical Antiquities of Down, Connor, and Dromore," Appendix T, p. 249, and Appendix LL. , p. 380.
<\b neach|\4inne. See p. 186, n. I.
5 In the Life of St. Comgall of Bangor, carum Scriptores," tomus iv. , Annates
it is stated, that he attempted to build a Ultonienses.
,a
church on Rechrann, but had been
prevented from doing so by certain 262, 263.
evil-disposed soldiers. See Flemming's ,3 In a note, Dr. Reeves says at this
regard this form of the name as nominative ; but strictly speaking, as albain from <\lb-J,
it is the genitive of flech)\4. Thus, in Adamnan we find it written Rechru
(i. , 5, p. 29, ed. Reeves), and in an adjective form Rechrea insula (ii. , 41, p. 164). In the Annals of the Four Masters, it is always in a dependant construction, and, therefore, ttechr\ainn, except once (An. 1038), where it appears as a nominative in the form, Heachrui. "
"Collectanea Sacra," p. 311, col. 2. It is word Kechrainn :
mentioned, that St. Columba visited the Annals of the Four Masters, and others
Island of Rechrea, but no statement exists ofhishavingtherefoundedachurch. See
"
Trias Thaumaturga," Adamnan's Quarta Vita S. Columbse. lib. ii. , cap. 41, p. 361.
6 '' According to Dr. O'Donovan's Annals
of the Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 250,251. 7 The Annals of Tigernach and of Ulster
place this foundation at A. D. 634 or 635.
8
See "Trias Thaumaturga," Quinta Appendix, ad Acta S. Columbse, cap. viii, pp. 5°9>510-
There, or perhaps at
l0
pp. 366, 367.
"See Dr. OConor's u Renun Hiberni-
See Dr. O'Donovan's Edition, vol. i. ,
Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves,, pp.
"
O'Donovan, in his
September 29. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAIATS. 635 Article II. —St. Columba, or Columm. At the 29th of September,
1 we find that veneration was
to Columba. The contracted word Si. appears postfixed to this entry. In a similar manner, we find it in the Hook of Leinster 2 There is
in the of published Martyrology
Tallagh,
given
repeated copy.
a festival for Colum or Colomb, in the " Feilire" of Marianus O'Gorman, at this same date,3 but without further notice. To look for his place or period in our church history seems to evade investigation. There is,a parish —yet called Tecolm—and within the barony of Ballyadams, in the Queen's County. It is not known, however, if it had been included within the ancient territory of Cremhthenna ; notwithstanding, if such happened to have
Teampull Tecolm.
been the case, the word Inghen, having been dropped to shorten the pronounciation, there might not be so much difficulty in the attempt to identifyitwiththeholywomenwhoweretheDaughtersofColuim. 4 Avery old ruined church and a grave-yard are seen, on the road between Carlow and Stradbally, and not far from Corbally House. About the year 1840, one of the old church gables had fallen flat over the graves beneath it ;5 but hardly one stone was displaced from its original position in the walls, while
6
Thirty years afterwards, the whole of this gable had been removed, so that not a stone of it now appears. Another old gable still stands, and it is also
the mass of green ivy growing around this gable was truly luxuriant.
Article ii. —* Edited by Rev. Dr.
6 In that year, the writer first saw this place, and observed what has been stated. Another visit was in May, 1870 ; and later
Kelly, p. xxxv.
2 Thus: CotumbAe rci.
3 SeeDr Whitley Stokes' " Feilire Hui still in June, 1897, when a sketch of the
Gormain," pp. 186, 187. ruin, as here presented, was taken. It has 4 Their festival occurs at the 13th of been drawn on the wood, and engraved by
September, and at that date it is entered in Gregor Grey.
the present volume, Art ii. 7 Burials have been long discontinued in
5 It fell in the great storm of the 6th of the cemetery there, and hardly a rude
January, 1839.
headstone is now visible. Near the old
636 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [September 29.
covered with ivy. The church seems to have been oblong, and its walls measured about 40 by 20 feet. They were over three feet in thickness. ? An old road led from Noughval, where St. Columban was venerated,8 towards Tecolm old church. It may therefore happen, this latter too had been dedicated to the same saint, as Tegh-colm means Columban's or Coluim's House. The present saint, equally with any other bearing a similar name, might be locally connected with Tecolm ; yet, such a suggestion cannot be affirmed of him with any degree of certainty. At this same date, the MartyrologyofDonegalregistersColumm. ThathemaybeColumToma, who was descended from the race of Laeghaire, son to Niall, is the further remark of O'Clery, the Calendarist.
ArticleIII. —St. Ciaran,SonofIar,Bishop. Atthisdate,thereis no mention of this saint in Rev. Dr. Kelly's edition of the Martyrology of Tallagh ; neither is he recorded in the Book of Leinster copy. Yet,
1
Colgan notes him as having a festival in our Irish Martyrologies.
In the Feilire of Marianus O'Gorman we find M comely Ciaran. the son of Ciar "
Tallagh, Ieir,"
veneration was to Sedrach. given
reliquis
follow such announcement at the
of 2 In the 29th September.
church, at present locally called Teampul by the peasantry, there is a remarkable spring, called Pharoah's Well ; but, why it has been so designated, the writer could obtain no information in reply to his enquiries. An ash tree grows over it, and it is seen beside the high road from Stradbally to Carlow.
8 See an account of him on the 15th of May—the day for his festival—in the Fifth Volume of this work. Art. iv.
9 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
262, 263.
Article hi. —x See " Acta Sanctorum
Hiberniae," xv. Februarii, n. 8, p. 348.
2 The words in Irish are Ciaran cat>Ia mac Cier>—Dr. Whitley Stokes' '"Feilire
Hui Gormain," pp. 186, 187.
3 In Irish epfcop.
of 2 A commentator calls him September.
at the
bishop. 3 At this date, the Martyrology of Donegal* mentions that a festival was celebrated in honour of Ciaran, son of Iar, Bishop. The same account is contained in the Irish Calendar, belonging to the Ordnance Survey Records. *
Article IV. —St. Nessan, of Uladh. The published Martyrology
of 1 a to honour of at the of Tallagh, registers festival, Nessan, Uladh, 29th
2
It seems evident, his place must be sought for in the province of Ulster, but
the exact locality is not known, The Martyrology of Marianus O'Gorman
calls him "hallowed Nessan. "3 He is entered also in the Martyrology of
4 Donegal.
Article V. —St. Sedrach, Bishop. According to the Martyrology
commemorated,
29th
September. In a similar way is he noticed in the Book of Leinster copy.
1
of
Mac
Feilire of Marianus O'Gorman, he is eulogised as Sedrach,
These words, " cum
* Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
262, 263.
s See Common—Place Book, F. , p. 82.
'
Article IV. Edited by
Kelly, p. xxxv.
2
Rev. Dr.
"
modest, bashful,
Thus: nerTAti Ul<vo.
3 Written in Irish nerfAn naeimM. —
Dr. Whitley Stokes'
''Feilire Hui
Gormain," pp. 186, 187.
* Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
262, 263.
Article v. —1 Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly,
p.
xxxv.
2 We find, likewise, the following entry in
the Hook of Leinster copy : Seonach cum
ncliqunr—to this is added Opi, indicating that he was a bishop.
September 29. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 637
and excellent," at this date. 3 He seems to have attained the rank of bishop in the Irish church, The name Sedrach, without any further designation or addition, is found in the Martyrology of Donegal,* at this same date.
ArticleVI. —St. Colman. MarianusO'GormanmentionsSt. Colman
with an 1 at the of
eulogy, 29th September,
Article VII. —St. Comgill or Comghall. A festival in honour of
to determine his period, place or position.
is entered in the Martyrology of Donegal, at the 29th of September.
Comgill, who is called " a soldier of Christ," appears in the published 12
Martyrology of Tallagh, at the 29th of September. In the Feilire of Marianus O'Gorman, he is simply noticed at this same date. 3 The Martyr-
ology of Donegal* merely enters the name Comghall, at the 29th of September.
Articlic VIII. —Feast of St. Michael the Archangel. In the
Church from a very remote date, the Festival of this Head of the Angelic
Host had been observed with special solemnity. In Ireland, St. ^Engus
the Culdee has pronounced a distinguished eulogy on him, at the 29th of
in the " Feilire. "1 Allusion is made to his with the September, fight
Dragon and Anti-Christ. 2 The Scholiast has comments3 which state, that Michael
was Prince of the Angels, and that as a soldier he was the champion whose
name is explained by sicui Deus in Mount Garganus. In recording his feast at this day, Marianus O'Gorman addresses the Archangel Michael as a powerful intercessor. * The Bollandists treat very fully about St. Michael,
6
the Archangel^ in a learned dissertation, by Father John Stilting, S. J. , in
3 Thus : Se-onach pAlnars £eboa. —Dr. soldier whitesided, hostful, will slay
""
Whitley Stokes' Feilire Hui Gormain,"
pp. 186, 187.
4 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
Wrathful Antichrist. "
Transactions of the
Royal Irish Academy," Irish Manuscript Series, vol. i. , part i.
