In the early part of that same day, Brigid sent a messenger to the king, with a true account
concerning
the transaction.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v2
, xliv.
, xlv.
, pp.
547, 548, 549. In many, if not in most, of
these chapters, one life seems to be almost a verbal copy or transcript of the other,
—'See L. Tachet de Bameval's " Historie Legendaire de I'lrlande," chap*
Chap. v.
viii. , p. 82.
=* TheMartyrologiesofMarianusGorman,
7S LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i. sontoFethlemid,sontoKingLeogaire. 3 Thisidentification,however,is
not well ascertained. '^ Her place is called Kill-Laisre,5
"
or
Laisre's
Church ;"^ although it is difficult to identify the foundress,7 among the many- recurringandsimilarnamesinscribedonourcalendars. ^ Whilerestingatthis
retreat, on the evening of a particular day, accompanied by a great multitude, St. Patrick, it is said, came to demand hospitality. Then, the nuns of St. Laisre's church,9 being concerned about the poor provision made in that place for entertaining such a number of persons, manifested their inquietude to St. Brigid. She enquired, what store they possessed. Being told, they had only twelve loaves, an tgg, and a little milk,^° which were prepared for herself and her sisters, our holy abbess repHed, that these should prove sufficient for a great number of persons, through God's bounty. She then required the Sacred Scriptures to be read, so that their corporal necessities
might presently be forgotten. St. Brigid and St. Patrick afterwards partook
of some food, which had been prepared. The quantity of provisions greatly increased, even when their repast concluded. St. Lasrea then offered her place to God and to St. Brigid, for ever. " This account seems to indicate, that previously, it had been a convent and not subject to her jurisdiction.
Our Divine Redeemer " Blessed are the for proclaimed, peace-makers,
they shall be called the children of God. ''^^* While holy Brigid remained at the nunnery of St. Lasara, a certain man, whose wife bore him some un- accountable aversion, came to the virgin. He entreated, that she should employ her pious offices for the restoration of a connubial love, which ought to exist between himself and his companion. Then, Christ's holy spouse, blessing some water, ordered the man to sprinkle his house with it, in God's name. ^3 This order he obeyed. During the absence of his wife, food and drink,withhisbed,wereaspersedbyhim. Whenshereturnedhome,^*her
Tallagh, and Cathal Maguire treat concern- ing her at the 1 8th of February, and at the 29th of March, in the opinion of Colgan.
"
See "Trias Thaumaturga, n. 21, p. 543.
3 About the year 520, his great-grand- daughter, St. Lasre, flourished, on the borders of Meath and Leinster. She was
a disciple to St. Finnian of Clonard, as may be seen in the twenty-second chapter of his life, and also in the sixteenth chapter of the Life of St. Kieran of Clonmacnoise.
^The Abbate D. Giacomo Certani as- sumes it as established, in his work, "La Santita Prodigiosa. Vita di S. Brigida Ibernese. " Libro Quarto, p. 265. For the use of this very rare work, the writer is in- debted to its learned and courteous owner, Jasper Robert Joly, LLD. , 38 Rathmines, Dublin.
s In an Irish life of our saint, at chapter
In Latin Cella S. Lassaroe. "
f The time and place are thought by Col-
gan to favour such identity.
^
first of these occurs.
9 There are many churches bearing such a
nameinIreland. OneofthesewasinUlster,
xxviii. 6"
diocese of Lismore, in Munster. A third was in Elphin diocese, in the territory Oirecht
Hymainnin; while,afourthwasinthedio- cese of Achonry, and within the territory of Lugny : both these latter being in the pro- vince of Connaught. But, from circumstances of this relation and place, none of the afore- mentioned churches seem to be here alluded to.
'°In Professor O'Looney's Irish Life of St. Brigid, "a sheep" is added to these resources, pp . 25, 26.
"See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga. " Vita Quarta S. * Brigidae, lib. i,, cap. xlvi. , p. 549. Vita Tertia S. Brigidos, cap. xliv. , p. 531. Ibid.
There are at least fifteen or sixteen holy
virgins, called Lassara, Lassar or Lasrea, in
our Irish maenologies. Marianus Gorman, Abbate D. Giacomo Certani has amplified
the Martyrologies of Tallagh, of Cathal Ma- guire, and of Donegal, name them at the
dates of their respective festivals, which are enumerated at the 6th of January, where the
his narrative of this incident. See " La
Santiti Prodigiosa. Vita di S. Brigida Ibernese. " Libro Quarto, pp. 269 to 272.
**This was at Killassair, according to
during Colgan's time. It was a parish church of Clogher diocese, and situated on the banks of a lake called Lochmacnen. Allusion has been made to in the notices of St. Lassar
it,
of Achadh-foda. There was another in the
'^St. Matt, v. , 9.
'3 In his usual erudite and fanciful manner,
February l] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 79
heart filled with affection towards her husband, while their mutual harmony and love continued so long as they lived. '5 At this time, also, St. Brigid was visited by a certain virgin, descended from the race of Guais or Guas- sius. ^*5 Their district was in Meath, where they were known as the Hi Mac Huais. ^7 This virgin sought alms from every house in the kingdom.
could profit her, for way-side robbers might deprive her of them. Brigid then asked her visitor, if she would receive a girdle, worn by herself, and which should heal several kinds of diseases, prevailing in that part of the country, provided this zone were immersed in water, the name of Christ being also invoked. The virgin'9 received this gift from our saint very thankfully. Taking the girdle, she first went to a certain boy, who was sick, and who was greatly beloved by his parents. The Almighty was pleased to restore him to health, through the instrumentality of this Brigidine relic. =*° That virgin in like manner was enabled to heal many, who were sick, so long as she lived. ^^ According to St. Brigid's prediction, she even received several presents in return for such services. With the gifts thus acquired, she bought lands, giving all the wealth she possessed to the poor. While living a chaste and holy life, she became a distinguished saint. ^* Her name, however, does not appear to have been recorded.
Another time, St. Brigid went into the district of Feara Ross. '3 Having
been requested by some persons, the Abbess visited a king, living in the plain of Breagh,24 that she might obtain a certain man's liberation. This person
had been held as a prisoner by the dynast. Our holy virgin promised a
"
sented to me. '^ The religious told our saint, that neither of these gifts
Brigid said to her :
I will give you either my cloak, or a heifer lately pre-
Professor O'Looney's Irish Life of St, Brigid. An additional incident is added to prove the affection, which the wife evinced for her husband, pp. 27, 28.
'S This miraculous renewal of affection be- tween the parties is related in the sixth metrical life of our saint, with some addi-
'5 This person is said to have been in great misery, before St. Brigid bestowed on her the gift. Professor O'Looney's Irish Life of St. Brigid, pp. 27, 28.
^° This same miracle seems the one alluded to, in the metrical life of our saint ; but, in this life, it is said, that a poor man was the recipient of St. Brigid's girdle.
tional particulars. cludes this narrative
"
T—he foUbwing line con- :
^^ It is in the Sixth stated,
that
Virginis ob meritum Christus firmavit amorem. "
Life,
means of this girdle, many miracles, in favour of the sick and afflicted, had been
—Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga. " Sexta Vita S. Brigidse, sec. xl. , p. 590.
/«*Thus found in the Third and Fourth Lives of our saint. In a note thereon, post- fixed to the Third
^^ See " Trias Colgan's
writes an emendation, that in the Irish idiom this family should be named the Mac-Huais. This tribe's name they took from an old and respectable stock, descended from Colla Huasius, who is numbered among the Irish kings. See "Trias Thaumaturga," n. 22,
p. 543-
'7 The Abbate D. Giacomo Certani has it
"Ella era d'vna Regione della Media, che allora chiamausi Nac-Hunis, et oggidi vien detta Hi Machunis. "— "La Santita Prodi- giosa. Vita di S. Brigida Ibemese," libro quarto, p. 272.
Life, Colgan
Thaumaturga. " VitaTertia S. Brigidse, cap. xlv. , xlvi. , and Quarta Vita S. Brigidse lib. i. , cap. xlvii. ,
^^This narrative is somewhat
presented in the Lections taken from the Breviary of Aberdeen. See Bishop Forbes'
"Kalendars of Scottish Saints," p. 289.
ments, Copied from Ancient Sources, by Dubhaltach Mac Firbisigh," edited with a translation and notes, by John O'Donovan,
LL. D. , p. 72, n. (b. )
^'^ or
differently
Otherwise, Breaghmhagh,
the great plain of Meath, in which Tara is situated. See " The Irish Version of the Historia Britonum of Nennius," edited with
by
wrought, throughout the districts around Kildare. These miracles are said to have been continued, after it had been brought to the recipient's country. See Sexta Vita S. Brigidse, sec. xxv. , pp. 586, 587.
xlviii. , pp. 531, 549.
^3 Which means "the men of Ross.
"
Pro-
fessor O'Looney's Irish Life of St. Brigid,
pp. 29, 30. This was a tribe and territory, comprising the country around Carrickma*
in the
part of Louth County.
of
Monaghan, and a See "Three Frag-
cross,
County
Bregia,
3o LIVJS. S OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i.
ransom to him for that captive. But the king would not consent to release
his =^5 He even vowed, this man should be to death on the prisoner. put
same day ; and the utmost concession, our saint could obtain, was a delay of
execution, until the ensuing night. Accompanied by the kindred and friends of that captive, Brigid went at night to the place where he was confined ; andwhilehercompanionsslept,shealoneremainedawake. Thedynast's
friends said to him " O : Unless,
be
to
king, thy captive
this night, no person can deprive him of Hfe on to-morrow, for St. Brigid
will liberate 'him. We have held a council amongst ourselves, resolving to take him away by violence, and to kill him, independently of your wishes.
This course, we trust, will serve to your being considered inculpable. " But
the holy virgin was miraculously admonished, regarding this plot. During the first night-watch, a vision appeared to the chained man. He saw Brigid
"
standing near him, and he heard her pronounce these words :
men are intent on killing thee this night, but when thou art dragged to death,thoushaltoftencallonmebyname. Andwhenthechainshallhave been removed from thy neck, that they may proceed to murder thee, slip away from thy executioners, on the right side, and thou wilt safely escape from them to your friends. " After this announcement, and while the captive remained awake, his executioners came. Removing him without the door of the king's castle, they unbound that chain which confined him. We are told, this man immediately escaped from their hands, and without molesta- tion,hecametoSt. Brigid; hisenemies,meantime,thinkingtheyhadkilled him and had cut off his head. On the following day, however, neither his head nor body could be seen, and this man's enemies were astonished at the result of their search.
In the early part of that same day, Brigid sent a messenger to the king, with a true account concerning the transaction. Hearing this, the dynast repented of his evil intentions, and dismissed all inimical thoughts towards the man, on account of that veneration he enter-
^'^
tained for holy Brigid.
One of the holy men, who had been distinguished owing to his virtues in
St. Brigid's time, was Bishop Ere or Ercus of Slane. ='7 He was an early
^'^
convert and a disciple of St. Patrick. This Bishop Erc's immediate progeni-
tors and family lived in Munster ; although, he descended from Fergus Rogius,^9 and the royal line of Ulster kings. 3° His hermitage was at Slane,3^
a translation and notes by Dr. James Hen-
thorn Todd and by the Hon. Algernon
Herbert, p. 124, n. (q. )
^SThe account is more fully given in Ab-
bate D. Giacomo Certani's "La Santiti Prodigiosa. Vita di S. Brigida Ibemese,"
provinces of Ireland, viz. , in Ulster, Con- naught, and Munster.
3ojrrom this line descended St. Brendan
of Birr, St. Caiman, St. Leathan, St. Ere,
bishop, and the holy sisters Criada, Derusia,
and Sincha, daughters of Ernan. According
"
to the
these were near relatives of St. Brendan. In this old record, the several holy persons enumerated are derived from their common progenitor, Corb. See "Trias Thauma-
libro quinto, pp. 354 to 359.
^See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga.
"
Sanctilogic Genealogy," chap. 30,
Vita Quarta S. Brigidae, lib. ii. , cap. xxxix. . p. 556. Also, Vita Tertia S. Brigida:, cap. Ixviii. , p. 535. Ibid.
=^7 His festival occurs at the 2nd of No-
Vita Tertia S. nn. turga. " Brigidas,
42, 43,
vember.
=* "
p. 544.
In addition to this, D. Giacomo Certani 3' In the Diocese of Meath, Ancient and
makes him, absurdly enough, a Canon Re- Modem," vol. i. , chap, xxxix. , p. 297, the gular of St. Augustine. See "La Santiti Rev. Anthony Cogan writes in sympathy
Prodigiosa. Vita di S. Brigida Ibemese," libro quinto, p. 362.
=9 His son was Corb, sumamed Ulom. Eight sons of this Ferguss, with their pos- terity, held large tracts of land, indifferent
with his subject.
put
death, during
'*
The Rev. Mervyn Arch- dall, Protestant Rector of Slane, the distin- guished author of the Monasticon Ilibcrtiicum and of the Peerage ofIreland, is buried in the Protestant churchyard of Slane. He
Behold, evil
February i. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 8i
on the banks of the and it stood in a most 3' Here Boyne, charming locality.
too, at the present time, may be seen some most interesting relics of our
Franciscan Abbey Ruins, at Slane.
ancestors' piety. 33 Beside that romantically situated cell of the holy man,
was an indefatigable compiler, and to his valuable labours we are all indebted for much
interesting information. Over his remains a monument has been erected, with the fol« lowing inscription :—
Diocesan Seminary of Navan, he won all hearts by his goodness and gentleness. His
collegiate duties were faithfully discharged ; while his literary labours were of a peculiarly
arduous nature, and must, no doubt, have greatly tended to undermine his constitution.
' We shall also bear the Heavenly. '
Sacred to the Memory of
to the first volume the author "I went from churchyard to church- yard, taking the dimensions of the existing ruins, deciphering the tombs of priests, tran-
scribing the inscriptions on the pedestals of old chalices, searching the registers, gather- ing old documents and letters of the aeceased pastors, examining the lists of subscribers
catalogued in old books, visiting the old crosses and the holy wells, and taking notes of every surviving memorial of the faith and piety of the people," p. viii. In declining health, "It is strange," he often observed
Mervyn Archdall, A. m. , Rector of this Parish, Who died the 6th August, 1791-
Aged 68 years. "
3= A very interesting history and descrip- tion of Slane—so associated with early and
scen
—es of the amiable and learned
to his friends,
"
I believe that I had a voca-
closing
writer's life found in the Rev. tion
image
of the
In his says :
preface
to write this and I should not be work,
if God would call me soon, since I cient and Modern," vol. i. , chap, ix. , pp. have finished my labours. " He departed
Anthony Cogan's
Meath,
surprised
will be
** Diocese of
An-
58 to 64, and chap, xxxix. , pp. 283 to 297. The lamented deceased was a native of Slane, where he was born in the year 1826. He was ordained a priest A. D. 1 850. As a lecturer and pulpit orator, he was highly distinguished. By the admirable work he published in three octavo volumes, an in- calculable service was rendered to the dio- cese of Meath. Attached as dean to the Vol. II.
this life on Saturday, January 28th, 1872, at Slane, with his relatives so dearly loved
by his bedside, at the comparatively early age of 46. He was buried on the following Monday, in the Parish Church of Slane, where a handsome public monument has been erected to commemorate his worth and services.
33 The accompanying engraving, by Mm,
S2 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i.
yet visited by so many pilgrims of taste, who delight to wander along the wind- ing waters of the Boyne, some towering and extensive abbey ruins34 crown a
magnificent height, which presents a vast view over one of the most lovely landscapes in Ireland. 35 A fine, lofty, and nearly perfect abbey-tower dominates over the deserted and ruinous cloisters beside it. s^ A much
frequented graveyard surrounds the ruined Franciscan monastery, that had \ beenfoundedherea. d. 1512. 37 ThepiousandnobleFlemings's^pileofbuild-
ings was soon diverted to secular purposes, while the church and monastic portions gradually fell into decay, It is said, that several fragments of St.
Erc's ancient hermitage and some ornamental details were taken from the older ruin, and inserted in the more modern erection.
With blessed Ere, the great St. Brigid was specially intimate and bound
by ties of holy friendship. This appears from her Acts, and it is supposed,39 that about the year 484, she was his travelling companion to his native pro- vince. -*® Such tour of the holy abbess possibly preceded one she made to Connaught •*'^ although, indeed, this matter has not been very clearly estab- lished. "^^ St. Brigid entertained a great incHnation to see certain consecrated places and holy persons in Munster ; but, according to another account, her visit there was induced, through a desire to accompany St. Ere on a visit towards that country, where his relatives lived. '^3 One day, while prosecuting their St.
said to the
to me the quarter of Munster, in which your family resides. " When the
journey,
Brigid
bishop,
bishop had complied with her request, the holy virgin exclaimed in continua-
tion,
" At
present,
a war is there
waging,
between tribe and another your
clan. " The bishop replied to her " O holy mother, I believe what thou
:
hast told me is true, for when I last left them to see you, they were in a
state of discord. " Then cried Brigid
" O are now Father, your people
out,
routed. " One of St. Erc's disciples,44 hereupon, thoughtlessly remarked to
Millard, Dublin, from a drawing made on the spot, represents the ruins of the Fran- ciscan monastery at Slane.
3* At Slane, it is said, Dagobert, King of Austrasia, took refuge, when he was ban- ished into Ireland, by Grimoald, Mayor of the Palace, at the age of seven years, and A. D. 653.
39 By Dr. Lanigan.
4° Whether this or the Connaught journey took place, before or after the foundation of her nunnery at Kildare, seems uncertain. Perhaps, she made more journeys than one to either province, for she appears to have been an indefatigable traveller on her holy missions, like the great Apostle St. Patrick.
4' See Dr. " Ecclesiastical His- Lanigan's
tory of Ireland," vol. i. , chap, viii. , sec. x. , n. 116, p. 407.
4= In "The Life of St. Brigid," by an
Irish Priest, he gives precedence to the holy woman's Munster visit, in the order of nar-
rative. See chap, iv. , v. , pp. 50 to 56. Some of her Latin Acts seem to reverse th—is arrangement. Abbate D. Giacomo Certani— no great historical authority, however places the Connaught journey after the Munsterone. See"LaSantitiProdigiosa. Vita di S. Brigida Ibernese," libro quinto, pp. 362 to 404. See also p. 408, et seq.
P- 389-
^ In Professor O'Looney's Irish Life of
35 Canons
been placed here by Harris, and St. Patrick is called the founder in the sixth century. See Harris' Ware, vol. ii. , "Antiquities of Ireland," chap, xxxviii. , p. 264. But, Sir James Ware more sensibly states, that Christopher Fleming, Baron of Slane, and his wife, Elizabeth Stukely, were the foun- ders. In the charter of its foundation, it is stated, to have been "in loco Hermitorii S. Erci. " See "De Hibernia et Antiqui- tatibus ejus," cap. xxvi. , pp. 167, 168.
3* A very inexact engraving of this ivy- shrouded object is presented in the "Dublin
Penny Journal," vol. ii. , No. 102, p. 393. 37 See Archdall's "Mopasticon Hibemi-
cum," pp. 572, 573.
3^ See some account of them in Rev. C.
Regular
of St.
Augustine
have
"
P. Meehan's Rise and Fall of the Irish St. Brigid he is called a clerical student,
Franciscan Monasteries and Memoirs of the Irish Hierarchy in the Seventeenth Century," ohap. ill. , pp. 144 to 156.
while it is stated St. Brigid and Bishop Ere were in Leinster, at the time of this occur- rence, pp. 41, 42.
" O venerable out father, point
" Ecclesiastical His- tory of Ireland," vol. i. , chap, viii. , sec. iv. ,
3
See Dr. Lanigan's
February i. ]
LIVES OB THE IRISH SAINTS. 83
the
holy abbess,
" How are
you
able to see the at such a distance ? " fight
The bishop reproved this incredulity for his not recognising the Holy Spirit's illuminating gifts conferred on a virgin, who was blessed both in soul and
body. Then said P^c to our saint
:
" O servant of God, sign our eyes that
we may witness those things thou seest. " The spouse of Christ immediately
complied with this request, so that they clearly observed the battle's progress.
Looking on, in great griet, his disciple cried out to Bishop Ere : "Alas!
also, my Lord, at this moment, my eyes behold the decapitation of two
brothers. " The result of enquiry established the reaHty this vision detailed.
547, 548, 549. In many, if not in most, of
these chapters, one life seems to be almost a verbal copy or transcript of the other,
—'See L. Tachet de Bameval's " Historie Legendaire de I'lrlande," chap*
Chap. v.
viii. , p. 82.
=* TheMartyrologiesofMarianusGorman,
7S LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i. sontoFethlemid,sontoKingLeogaire. 3 Thisidentification,however,is
not well ascertained. '^ Her place is called Kill-Laisre,5
"
or
Laisre's
Church ;"^ although it is difficult to identify the foundress,7 among the many- recurringandsimilarnamesinscribedonourcalendars. ^ Whilerestingatthis
retreat, on the evening of a particular day, accompanied by a great multitude, St. Patrick, it is said, came to demand hospitality. Then, the nuns of St. Laisre's church,9 being concerned about the poor provision made in that place for entertaining such a number of persons, manifested their inquietude to St. Brigid. She enquired, what store they possessed. Being told, they had only twelve loaves, an tgg, and a little milk,^° which were prepared for herself and her sisters, our holy abbess repHed, that these should prove sufficient for a great number of persons, through God's bounty. She then required the Sacred Scriptures to be read, so that their corporal necessities
might presently be forgotten. St. Brigid and St. Patrick afterwards partook
of some food, which had been prepared. The quantity of provisions greatly increased, even when their repast concluded. St. Lasrea then offered her place to God and to St. Brigid, for ever. " This account seems to indicate, that previously, it had been a convent and not subject to her jurisdiction.
Our Divine Redeemer " Blessed are the for proclaimed, peace-makers,
they shall be called the children of God. ''^^* While holy Brigid remained at the nunnery of St. Lasara, a certain man, whose wife bore him some un- accountable aversion, came to the virgin. He entreated, that she should employ her pious offices for the restoration of a connubial love, which ought to exist between himself and his companion. Then, Christ's holy spouse, blessing some water, ordered the man to sprinkle his house with it, in God's name. ^3 This order he obeyed. During the absence of his wife, food and drink,withhisbed,wereaspersedbyhim. Whenshereturnedhome,^*her
Tallagh, and Cathal Maguire treat concern- ing her at the 1 8th of February, and at the 29th of March, in the opinion of Colgan.
"
See "Trias Thaumaturga, n. 21, p. 543.
3 About the year 520, his great-grand- daughter, St. Lasre, flourished, on the borders of Meath and Leinster. She was
a disciple to St. Finnian of Clonard, as may be seen in the twenty-second chapter of his life, and also in the sixteenth chapter of the Life of St. Kieran of Clonmacnoise.
^The Abbate D. Giacomo Certani as- sumes it as established, in his work, "La Santita Prodigiosa. Vita di S. Brigida Ibernese. " Libro Quarto, p. 265. For the use of this very rare work, the writer is in- debted to its learned and courteous owner, Jasper Robert Joly, LLD. , 38 Rathmines, Dublin.
s In an Irish life of our saint, at chapter
In Latin Cella S. Lassaroe. "
f The time and place are thought by Col-
gan to favour such identity.
^
first of these occurs.
9 There are many churches bearing such a
nameinIreland. OneofthesewasinUlster,
xxviii. 6"
diocese of Lismore, in Munster. A third was in Elphin diocese, in the territory Oirecht
Hymainnin; while,afourthwasinthedio- cese of Achonry, and within the territory of Lugny : both these latter being in the pro- vince of Connaught. But, from circumstances of this relation and place, none of the afore- mentioned churches seem to be here alluded to.
'°In Professor O'Looney's Irish Life of St. Brigid, "a sheep" is added to these resources, pp . 25, 26.
"See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga. " Vita Quarta S. * Brigidae, lib. i,, cap. xlvi. , p. 549. Vita Tertia S. Brigidos, cap. xliv. , p. 531. Ibid.
There are at least fifteen or sixteen holy
virgins, called Lassara, Lassar or Lasrea, in
our Irish maenologies. Marianus Gorman, Abbate D. Giacomo Certani has amplified
the Martyrologies of Tallagh, of Cathal Ma- guire, and of Donegal, name them at the
dates of their respective festivals, which are enumerated at the 6th of January, where the
his narrative of this incident. See " La
Santiti Prodigiosa. Vita di S. Brigida Ibernese. " Libro Quarto, pp. 269 to 272.
**This was at Killassair, according to
during Colgan's time. It was a parish church of Clogher diocese, and situated on the banks of a lake called Lochmacnen. Allusion has been made to in the notices of St. Lassar
it,
of Achadh-foda. There was another in the
'^St. Matt, v. , 9.
'3 In his usual erudite and fanciful manner,
February l] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 79
heart filled with affection towards her husband, while their mutual harmony and love continued so long as they lived. '5 At this time, also, St. Brigid was visited by a certain virgin, descended from the race of Guais or Guas- sius. ^*5 Their district was in Meath, where they were known as the Hi Mac Huais. ^7 This virgin sought alms from every house in the kingdom.
could profit her, for way-side robbers might deprive her of them. Brigid then asked her visitor, if she would receive a girdle, worn by herself, and which should heal several kinds of diseases, prevailing in that part of the country, provided this zone were immersed in water, the name of Christ being also invoked. The virgin'9 received this gift from our saint very thankfully. Taking the girdle, she first went to a certain boy, who was sick, and who was greatly beloved by his parents. The Almighty was pleased to restore him to health, through the instrumentality of this Brigidine relic. =*° That virgin in like manner was enabled to heal many, who were sick, so long as she lived. ^^ According to St. Brigid's prediction, she even received several presents in return for such services. With the gifts thus acquired, she bought lands, giving all the wealth she possessed to the poor. While living a chaste and holy life, she became a distinguished saint. ^* Her name, however, does not appear to have been recorded.
Another time, St. Brigid went into the district of Feara Ross. '3 Having
been requested by some persons, the Abbess visited a king, living in the plain of Breagh,24 that she might obtain a certain man's liberation. This person
had been held as a prisoner by the dynast. Our holy virgin promised a
"
sented to me. '^ The religious told our saint, that neither of these gifts
Brigid said to her :
I will give you either my cloak, or a heifer lately pre-
Professor O'Looney's Irish Life of St, Brigid. An additional incident is added to prove the affection, which the wife evinced for her husband, pp. 27, 28.
'S This miraculous renewal of affection be- tween the parties is related in the sixth metrical life of our saint, with some addi-
'5 This person is said to have been in great misery, before St. Brigid bestowed on her the gift. Professor O'Looney's Irish Life of St. Brigid, pp. 27, 28.
^° This same miracle seems the one alluded to, in the metrical life of our saint ; but, in this life, it is said, that a poor man was the recipient of St. Brigid's girdle.
tional particulars. cludes this narrative
"
T—he foUbwing line con- :
^^ It is in the Sixth stated,
that
Virginis ob meritum Christus firmavit amorem. "
Life,
means of this girdle, many miracles, in favour of the sick and afflicted, had been
—Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga. " Sexta Vita S. Brigidse, sec. xl. , p. 590.
/«*Thus found in the Third and Fourth Lives of our saint. In a note thereon, post- fixed to the Third
^^ See " Trias Colgan's
writes an emendation, that in the Irish idiom this family should be named the Mac-Huais. This tribe's name they took from an old and respectable stock, descended from Colla Huasius, who is numbered among the Irish kings. See "Trias Thaumaturga," n. 22,
p. 543-
'7 The Abbate D. Giacomo Certani has it
"Ella era d'vna Regione della Media, che allora chiamausi Nac-Hunis, et oggidi vien detta Hi Machunis. "— "La Santita Prodi- giosa. Vita di S. Brigida Ibemese," libro quarto, p. 272.
Life, Colgan
Thaumaturga. " VitaTertia S. Brigidse, cap. xlv. , xlvi. , and Quarta Vita S. Brigidse lib. i. , cap. xlvii. ,
^^This narrative is somewhat
presented in the Lections taken from the Breviary of Aberdeen. See Bishop Forbes'
"Kalendars of Scottish Saints," p. 289.
ments, Copied from Ancient Sources, by Dubhaltach Mac Firbisigh," edited with a translation and notes, by John O'Donovan,
LL. D. , p. 72, n. (b. )
^'^ or
differently
Otherwise, Breaghmhagh,
the great plain of Meath, in which Tara is situated. See " The Irish Version of the Historia Britonum of Nennius," edited with
by
wrought, throughout the districts around Kildare. These miracles are said to have been continued, after it had been brought to the recipient's country. See Sexta Vita S. Brigidse, sec. xxv. , pp. 586, 587.
xlviii. , pp. 531, 549.
^3 Which means "the men of Ross.
"
Pro-
fessor O'Looney's Irish Life of St. Brigid,
pp. 29, 30. This was a tribe and territory, comprising the country around Carrickma*
in the
part of Louth County.
of
Monaghan, and a See "Three Frag-
cross,
County
Bregia,
3o LIVJS. S OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i.
ransom to him for that captive. But the king would not consent to release
his =^5 He even vowed, this man should be to death on the prisoner. put
same day ; and the utmost concession, our saint could obtain, was a delay of
execution, until the ensuing night. Accompanied by the kindred and friends of that captive, Brigid went at night to the place where he was confined ; andwhilehercompanionsslept,shealoneremainedawake. Thedynast's
friends said to him " O : Unless,
be
to
king, thy captive
this night, no person can deprive him of Hfe on to-morrow, for St. Brigid
will liberate 'him. We have held a council amongst ourselves, resolving to take him away by violence, and to kill him, independently of your wishes.
This course, we trust, will serve to your being considered inculpable. " But
the holy virgin was miraculously admonished, regarding this plot. During the first night-watch, a vision appeared to the chained man. He saw Brigid
"
standing near him, and he heard her pronounce these words :
men are intent on killing thee this night, but when thou art dragged to death,thoushaltoftencallonmebyname. Andwhenthechainshallhave been removed from thy neck, that they may proceed to murder thee, slip away from thy executioners, on the right side, and thou wilt safely escape from them to your friends. " After this announcement, and while the captive remained awake, his executioners came. Removing him without the door of the king's castle, they unbound that chain which confined him. We are told, this man immediately escaped from their hands, and without molesta- tion,hecametoSt. Brigid; hisenemies,meantime,thinkingtheyhadkilled him and had cut off his head. On the following day, however, neither his head nor body could be seen, and this man's enemies were astonished at the result of their search.
In the early part of that same day, Brigid sent a messenger to the king, with a true account concerning the transaction. Hearing this, the dynast repented of his evil intentions, and dismissed all inimical thoughts towards the man, on account of that veneration he enter-
^'^
tained for holy Brigid.
One of the holy men, who had been distinguished owing to his virtues in
St. Brigid's time, was Bishop Ere or Ercus of Slane. ='7 He was an early
^'^
convert and a disciple of St. Patrick. This Bishop Erc's immediate progeni-
tors and family lived in Munster ; although, he descended from Fergus Rogius,^9 and the royal line of Ulster kings. 3° His hermitage was at Slane,3^
a translation and notes by Dr. James Hen-
thorn Todd and by the Hon. Algernon
Herbert, p. 124, n. (q. )
^SThe account is more fully given in Ab-
bate D. Giacomo Certani's "La Santiti Prodigiosa. Vita di S. Brigida Ibemese,"
provinces of Ireland, viz. , in Ulster, Con- naught, and Munster.
3ojrrom this line descended St. Brendan
of Birr, St. Caiman, St. Leathan, St. Ere,
bishop, and the holy sisters Criada, Derusia,
and Sincha, daughters of Ernan. According
"
to the
these were near relatives of St. Brendan. In this old record, the several holy persons enumerated are derived from their common progenitor, Corb. See "Trias Thauma-
libro quinto, pp. 354 to 359.
^See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga.
"
Sanctilogic Genealogy," chap. 30,
Vita Quarta S. Brigidae, lib. ii. , cap. xxxix. . p. 556. Also, Vita Tertia S. Brigida:, cap. Ixviii. , p. 535. Ibid.
=^7 His festival occurs at the 2nd of No-
Vita Tertia S. nn. turga. " Brigidas,
42, 43,
vember.
=* "
p. 544.
In addition to this, D. Giacomo Certani 3' In the Diocese of Meath, Ancient and
makes him, absurdly enough, a Canon Re- Modem," vol. i. , chap, xxxix. , p. 297, the gular of St. Augustine. See "La Santiti Rev. Anthony Cogan writes in sympathy
Prodigiosa. Vita di S. Brigida Ibemese," libro quinto, p. 362.
=9 His son was Corb, sumamed Ulom. Eight sons of this Ferguss, with their pos- terity, held large tracts of land, indifferent
with his subject.
put
death, during
'*
The Rev. Mervyn Arch- dall, Protestant Rector of Slane, the distin- guished author of the Monasticon Ilibcrtiicum and of the Peerage ofIreland, is buried in the Protestant churchyard of Slane. He
Behold, evil
February i. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 8i
on the banks of the and it stood in a most 3' Here Boyne, charming locality.
too, at the present time, may be seen some most interesting relics of our
Franciscan Abbey Ruins, at Slane.
ancestors' piety. 33 Beside that romantically situated cell of the holy man,
was an indefatigable compiler, and to his valuable labours we are all indebted for much
interesting information. Over his remains a monument has been erected, with the fol« lowing inscription :—
Diocesan Seminary of Navan, he won all hearts by his goodness and gentleness. His
collegiate duties were faithfully discharged ; while his literary labours were of a peculiarly
arduous nature, and must, no doubt, have greatly tended to undermine his constitution.
' We shall also bear the Heavenly. '
Sacred to the Memory of
to the first volume the author "I went from churchyard to church- yard, taking the dimensions of the existing ruins, deciphering the tombs of priests, tran-
scribing the inscriptions on the pedestals of old chalices, searching the registers, gather- ing old documents and letters of the aeceased pastors, examining the lists of subscribers
catalogued in old books, visiting the old crosses and the holy wells, and taking notes of every surviving memorial of the faith and piety of the people," p. viii. In declining health, "It is strange," he often observed
Mervyn Archdall, A. m. , Rector of this Parish, Who died the 6th August, 1791-
Aged 68 years. "
3= A very interesting history and descrip- tion of Slane—so associated with early and
scen
—es of the amiable and learned
to his friends,
"
I believe that I had a voca-
closing
writer's life found in the Rev. tion
image
of the
In his says :
preface
to write this and I should not be work,
if God would call me soon, since I cient and Modern," vol. i. , chap, ix. , pp. have finished my labours. " He departed
Anthony Cogan's
Meath,
surprised
will be
** Diocese of
An-
58 to 64, and chap, xxxix. , pp. 283 to 297. The lamented deceased was a native of Slane, where he was born in the year 1826. He was ordained a priest A. D. 1 850. As a lecturer and pulpit orator, he was highly distinguished. By the admirable work he published in three octavo volumes, an in- calculable service was rendered to the dio- cese of Meath. Attached as dean to the Vol. II.
this life on Saturday, January 28th, 1872, at Slane, with his relatives so dearly loved
by his bedside, at the comparatively early age of 46. He was buried on the following Monday, in the Parish Church of Slane, where a handsome public monument has been erected to commemorate his worth and services.
33 The accompanying engraving, by Mm,
S2 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i.
yet visited by so many pilgrims of taste, who delight to wander along the wind- ing waters of the Boyne, some towering and extensive abbey ruins34 crown a
magnificent height, which presents a vast view over one of the most lovely landscapes in Ireland. 35 A fine, lofty, and nearly perfect abbey-tower dominates over the deserted and ruinous cloisters beside it. s^ A much
frequented graveyard surrounds the ruined Franciscan monastery, that had \ beenfoundedherea. d. 1512. 37 ThepiousandnobleFlemings's^pileofbuild-
ings was soon diverted to secular purposes, while the church and monastic portions gradually fell into decay, It is said, that several fragments of St.
Erc's ancient hermitage and some ornamental details were taken from the older ruin, and inserted in the more modern erection.
With blessed Ere, the great St. Brigid was specially intimate and bound
by ties of holy friendship. This appears from her Acts, and it is supposed,39 that about the year 484, she was his travelling companion to his native pro- vince. -*® Such tour of the holy abbess possibly preceded one she made to Connaught •*'^ although, indeed, this matter has not been very clearly estab- lished. "^^ St. Brigid entertained a great incHnation to see certain consecrated places and holy persons in Munster ; but, according to another account, her visit there was induced, through a desire to accompany St. Ere on a visit towards that country, where his relatives lived. '^3 One day, while prosecuting their St.
said to the
to me the quarter of Munster, in which your family resides. " When the
journey,
Brigid
bishop,
bishop had complied with her request, the holy virgin exclaimed in continua-
tion,
" At
present,
a war is there
waging,
between tribe and another your
clan. " The bishop replied to her " O holy mother, I believe what thou
:
hast told me is true, for when I last left them to see you, they were in a
state of discord. " Then cried Brigid
" O are now Father, your people
out,
routed. " One of St. Erc's disciples,44 hereupon, thoughtlessly remarked to
Millard, Dublin, from a drawing made on the spot, represents the ruins of the Fran- ciscan monastery at Slane.
3* At Slane, it is said, Dagobert, King of Austrasia, took refuge, when he was ban- ished into Ireland, by Grimoald, Mayor of the Palace, at the age of seven years, and A. D. 653.
39 By Dr. Lanigan.
4° Whether this or the Connaught journey took place, before or after the foundation of her nunnery at Kildare, seems uncertain. Perhaps, she made more journeys than one to either province, for she appears to have been an indefatigable traveller on her holy missions, like the great Apostle St. Patrick.
4' See Dr. " Ecclesiastical His- Lanigan's
tory of Ireland," vol. i. , chap, viii. , sec. x. , n. 116, p. 407.
4= In "The Life of St. Brigid," by an
Irish Priest, he gives precedence to the holy woman's Munster visit, in the order of nar-
rative. See chap, iv. , v. , pp. 50 to 56. Some of her Latin Acts seem to reverse th—is arrangement. Abbate D. Giacomo Certani— no great historical authority, however places the Connaught journey after the Munsterone. See"LaSantitiProdigiosa. Vita di S. Brigida Ibernese," libro quinto, pp. 362 to 404. See also p. 408, et seq.
P- 389-
^ In Professor O'Looney's Irish Life of
35 Canons
been placed here by Harris, and St. Patrick is called the founder in the sixth century. See Harris' Ware, vol. ii. , "Antiquities of Ireland," chap, xxxviii. , p. 264. But, Sir James Ware more sensibly states, that Christopher Fleming, Baron of Slane, and his wife, Elizabeth Stukely, were the foun- ders. In the charter of its foundation, it is stated, to have been "in loco Hermitorii S. Erci. " See "De Hibernia et Antiqui- tatibus ejus," cap. xxvi. , pp. 167, 168.
3* A very inexact engraving of this ivy- shrouded object is presented in the "Dublin
Penny Journal," vol. ii. , No. 102, p. 393. 37 See Archdall's "Mopasticon Hibemi-
cum," pp. 572, 573.
3^ See some account of them in Rev. C.
Regular
of St.
Augustine
have
"
P. Meehan's Rise and Fall of the Irish St. Brigid he is called a clerical student,
Franciscan Monasteries and Memoirs of the Irish Hierarchy in the Seventeenth Century," ohap. ill. , pp. 144 to 156.
while it is stated St. Brigid and Bishop Ere were in Leinster, at the time of this occur- rence, pp. 41, 42.
" O venerable out father, point
" Ecclesiastical His- tory of Ireland," vol. i. , chap, viii. , sec. iv. ,
3
See Dr. Lanigan's
February i. ]
LIVES OB THE IRISH SAINTS. 83
the
holy abbess,
" How are
you
able to see the at such a distance ? " fight
The bishop reproved this incredulity for his not recognising the Holy Spirit's illuminating gifts conferred on a virgin, who was blessed both in soul and
body. Then said P^c to our saint
:
" O servant of God, sign our eyes that
we may witness those things thou seest. " The spouse of Christ immediately
complied with this request, so that they clearly observed the battle's progress.
Looking on, in great griet, his disciple cried out to Bishop Ere : "Alas!
also, my Lord, at this moment, my eyes behold the decapitation of two
brothers. " The result of enquiry established the reaHty this vision detailed.
