"
48 From the Report of this investigation, and from the accounts of Bartholomoeus
September 7.
48 From the Report of this investigation, and from the accounts of Bartholomoeus
September 7.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v9
5, p.
249.
11 See ibid,, Februarii xxv. , n.
"See Vies des Saints," tome x. , viie Jour
sister of St. Waldetrude, whom slfc preceded in a religious profession. She died about the year 689.
2l In her Life ascribed to Hucbaldus, a monk of St. Amand's,—who lived in the
5, p. 412.
younger
Saints,"
14 This seems to have been the more ninth century, he states
September 7, p. 109.
ancient form of her name.
15 See his Life, at the 14th of July, in the
Seventh Volume of this work, Art. i.
16
See her Acts, at the 9th of April, in the Fourth Volume of this work, Art. i. She and her sister A ldegond is were the daughters of Prince Walbert, descended in a direct line from the former French Kings, and the Princess Berthille, an Anglo-Saxon.
— day for his feast — in the Fourth Volume of
17 See notices of him at this work, Art. vii.
18
February, in the Second Volume of this work, Art. ii.
torum 193 b.
'' See his life, at the of
14th July,
in the
"
Gazetteer of the World," vol. ix. , pp. 161, 162.
34 He was also the of Amiens. Apostle
Seventh Volume of this work, Art. ix.
His feast is held on the 31st of October.
April 17th
the
Belgii," Septima Septembris, p.
ix. ,
have we alluded to them and to 1
"Anno Dominicae
Incarnationis circiter evoluto sexcentesimo
tricesimo, in Francia regnante Dagoberto
filio Clotharii, orta est in pago Hainoensi
Virgo Aldegundis ex regali prosapia, patre Walberto, matre Bertilia. " Her Acts have
been published by Bolandus, in the "Acta
Sanctorum," at January 30th, from three different sources.
""
See Joannes Molanus' Natales Sanc-
2? Here there was a strong for t r
See an account of her, at the 25th of guard the northern borders of France. See
:
i82 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[September 7.
Paul. 2* Her sister Waldetrude retired from the 26 collected world, having
aroundheraferventandreligiouscommunity. Atthattime,Aldegondewas placed under her charge, at the age of eleven years, by Bertilia, as seems likely for purposes of religious and secular instruction ; the younger children of Waldetrude remaining in care of their maternal aunt. The parents of
Aldegonde withdrew their daughter after a brief sojourn in the monastery, fearing that she also should take the veil, and because they had intended her to marry a man of rank -equal to their own. However, their efforts were unavailing ; for she soon took an opportunity to escape from the paternal mansion, and while still very young, she had found that place of solitude, where her religious house was afterwards established. 2?
Meanwhile, Aldetrude and Madelberta felt a growing desire to conse-
28 had they
2
berta sought a retreat from the world with St. Aldegonde 9 while it would
;
seem, that her sister Aldetrude also devoted herself to a religious life, in the same monastery. There indeed was a union of 'souls engaged in all the practical virtues of their state. Their chastity and humility were exercised with vigils and largesses to the poor. From St. Amand3° and other holy bishops, they heard frequent exhortations, and were comforted against the trials and temptations, which fail not to test the fortitude of even the most virtuous persons. On one of those occasions, while our saint was in great distress, bright rays of light came through the windows of her oratory, and seemed to cover her, as if the Divine influence had been poured on her for
a protection from the snares of the enemy.
For a long time, the holy Abbess Aldegonde ruled over her community, onthebanksoftheSambre. Shewasfavouredinaneminentdegreewith the gift of fervent prayer, and with many revelations. Under such a superioress, we may well suppose, her nieces were schooled in all the virtues and discipline of their religious state. The closing years of Aldegonde were a continual martyrdom j for a cancer in the right breast was the cause of jntense pain. This she bore, not only with exemplary patience, but with rejoicing that she was deemed worthy to suffer for the name of Christ. When her term on earth was arrived, a globe of fire was seen coming from Heaven and settling over the house, in which her spirit so happily departed, and as generally supposed on the 30th of January, a. d. 684. We have already seen, the parents of St. Madelberta separated by mutual consent to spend the rest of their days in religious retirement, about the year 653 ;3» Madelgarius, or Vincent, to take up his abode in that monastery he had
crate their lives to the service of Christ. At an solely
early age,
been consigned by their pious mother to the convent founded at Maubeuge, where they were placed for education and direction under their aunt. Thus, it may be said, that almost from their cradle, they were familiarised with all the monastic rules and practices. Being—as supposed—the youngest of the daughters of St. Mauger or Vincent, and Vaudrue, or Waldetrude, Madel-
25 Venerated on the of
29th June.
26
About ihe year 641.
^ " The act of this foundation, published
l8 were not more than nine They probably
or ten years, at the time.
* See Les Petits Bollandistes, "Vies des
by Miraeus, is spurious, as mention is made Saints," tome x. , viie Jour de Septembre,
therein of persons who were not living at that time ; neither could it have been made in the twentieth year of Dagobert, as it con- tains facts, which cannot be r—econciled with
p. 553.
30 St. Amand, Bishop of Maestricht,
whose feast occurs on the 6th of February, He died A. D. 684, in the ninetieth year of
the history of that prince. "
Butler's "Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs,
and other principal Saints," vol. i. , January xxx. , n.
age.
3t See the Life of St. Maelceadar or Mal-
degarius, surnamed Vincent, at the 14th of July.
Rev. Alban his
September 7. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 183
previously founded, at Hautmont, near Maubeuge, on the River Sambre, 2
and his wife Waldetrude, or Vaudru,3 at Castrilocus, or Castrilos, subse- quently designated Mons, in the year 656. The Blessed Aldetrudis, or Adeltrude, succeeded her aunt in the government of this religious establish- ment. 33 For twelve years she presided over it with great virtue and wisdom, when she was also called away to taste the fruits of life everlasting, about the
year 696.
After the death of her sainted sister, Madelberta was selected to govern
the monastery. 34 Nor was she less careful to set an excellent example to the nuns under her charge, and to foster the good seed already sown, so that daily were pious females brought to the sanctuary, and directed by her in the paths that led to Heaven. She ruled over her religious community for the term of nine years. Madelberta had thus become the third abbess of Malbod,35 and now in turn she was called to receive the eternal reward. In the most admirable sentiments of piety she died about the year 684, or 685 according to some writers. 36 However, more recent and exact researches,
8
by Carolus le Cointe 37 and others,3 have ascertained by certain historic
comparisons of data^ that her life had been prolonged to about a. d. 705.
Her body was deposited in the Church of St. Peter, the Apostle, with solemn
funeral rites; a great number of priests with the religious entoning the psalms and canticles appropriate for the occasion.
Soon after the Saint's death, a remarkable miracle took place, which soon
caused the people of all that surrounding country to venerate her as their
special patroness. A very religious man, living near Maubeuge, had a deaf- ness in the right ear, and he had often prayed to God for the gilt of sound
hearing. One night in his sleep, a voice came to him, saying: "Arise, go to the monastery of Maubeuge and to the Church of St. Peter, where the
body of St. Madelberte, Virgin, reposes, and there you shall be healed at her tomb. " Whenmorninghadcome,hearoseandhastenedtothemonastery as directed. He assisted at Mass with profound devotion, offering up his prayers most fervently. Suddenly, when the priest commenced chaunting the Gospel, the man had an extraordinary sensation. His limbs began to tremble, his face grew pale, and some aqueous humour distilled from the ear affected. At the same moment, he felt relieved from his infirmity, which never afterwards returned. Another miracle is recorded regarding a certain girl, whose lower limbs had been crooked and paralysed from the time of birth ; but, her parents had brought her to the tomb of our saint, where she
was suddenly restored to their use.
32 See the Life of St. Waldetrude or Vau- trude, at the 9th of April.
At the time of the evening office, she
33 See Joannes Molanus' " Natales Sane-
39 Thus it has been conclusively proved in the Bollandists' "Acta Sanctorum," 34 See Les Petits Bollandistes, "Vies des tomus i. , Februarii, in a previous corn- mentary to the Acts of St. Amand, that this
torum Belgii,"SeptimaSeptembris, p. 193 £.
Saints," tome x. , viie Jour de Septembre, p. 554.
holy Bishop most probably died after a. d. 679. After his death, St. Aldegundis sur- vived him lor 'some years, and died most probably in the year 684, according to the calculations of Mabillon and the Bollandists. It is stated, likewise, that afterwards Alde- trude succeeded her aunt as abbess, ruling for twelve years in that capacity, and depar't-
35 See Joannes Molanus' " Natales Sane-
torum Belgii," Septima Septembris, p. 193 b. 36 Among these are Bartholomeus Fisen,
in Floribus Leodiensibus, Arturus in Gynae-
ceo, i-Egidius Bucherius in Chronico Epis-
coporum Trajectensium, as seen in an Ap-
pendix to " De Rebus Gestis Episcoporum
Leodiensium," by Joannes Chapeavillus, ing this life about the year 696 or 697. Her
tomus i.
3? See "Annales Ecclesiastici Francorum,"
tomus iv. , A. D. 684, num. 1.
sister Madelberta then became third abbess of that religious house, and governed it for nine years.
"
38 Such as, P. Michael Delewarde, in
Historia Generalis Harmonise," tomus
i.
84 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [September 7.
was seen by the nuns, walking through the middle of the Church, and giving thanks to God. This caused great rejoicing and admiration to all who had known her previous condition, and who had witnessed her perfect restoration. These are only a few of those miracles, which were wrought, at the place of her first sepulture. *
St. Hubert,41 who had succeeded St. Lambert** as Bishop of Maestricht,
removed the episcopal see in 721 to Liege,*3 of which city he then became
the first bishop. To honour his martyred predecessor, he had built a stately church, which he designated the cathedral,** and thither he conveyed the relicsofSt. Lambert. *s HeisstillveneratedaschiefpatronofLiege. Until theyear722,therelicsofSt. MadelbertreposedatMaubeuge. Thefameof her sanctity and miracles was so great, that about the same time, St. Hubert hadherbodytransportedtoLiege,withsolemnceremonies. Havingencased her relics in a shrine, in which were also enclosed the relics of St. Theodard,*6 they were placed in the cathedral church. There several miracles were after- wards wrought through our saint's intercession. During the middle ages,
likewise, frequent broils arose among the powerful and opulent families that disturbed the peace of Liege ; when public prayers and visitations to the shrines of the local patrons took place, to avert those disorders. On such occasions, the relics were exhibited for veneration to the faithful. *? In the year 1489, those relics were well preserved, when a commission had been appointed to examine into their state. On the 14th of April, with solemn religious ceremonies, a number of representative ecclesiastics, deputed by the Dean and Chapter oi Liege Cathedral, began the work of examination, which was continued on the 18th and 19th of the same month. In that compart- ment, in which the remains of St. Magdelberta reposed, they found her bones, with her hood and veil, as also a black cincture remarkably wrought ; more- over, they saw her robe and another veil, with two large portions 'of her habit, and two small scissors, whi—ch she was doubtless accustomed to use, together with some other ornaments whether belonging to her or placed there by others is not known. After this examination, the inner and outer coverings were locked, when the keys were placed in the sacristy of the church, and in an upper drawer, which was lettered Mechlinia. *8
40 See the Bollandists' " Acta Sanctorum," 43 The capital of an important province in tomus iii. , Septembris vii. Acta auctoie Belgium so named, and situated on the
anonymo, ex Hagiologio Brabantino MS. Rubea? Vallis, collata cum duobus aliis
MSS. , pp. no, in.
River Maese or Meuse. At that period, it
was only an insignificant village- Near it lived Pepin, in the castle of Herstal or Heristal.
44 This Gothic edifice was destroyed by
41 He was
when a young man of the world, and hence
May,
1508,
A. D.
of Erarde de la
Liege, was torn to pieces by the revolutionary mob, in 1794! The head of St. Lambert, however, has been recovered, and it is still
passionately
fond of
hunting,
he has been regarded as the patron of the French, in 1794.
hunters.
He departed this life, on the 30th
*5 The beautiful shrine in gilt bronze, a gift,
His chief —how- in 727. festival,
of
ever, is kept on the 3rd of November pro- bably on account of some translation of his relics.
Marck, Bishop
of
42 He was assassinated, at the
of Alpais, a concubine to Pepin of Heirstal, because he had reproved their crimes. He
suffered martyrdom September 17th, the day afterwards appointed for his festival. The year of his death has been variedly stated: according to a tradition of the Church at Liege, A. D. 696; while the Bollandists have it, at a. d. 708, or 709. See an account
of him in Les Petits Bollandistes, " Vies des
in instigation preserved Liege.
e"
pp. 172 to 179. Leodiensis," and of Anselmus, Canon of
''
Saints, tome xi. , xvii Jour de Septembre, Fisen, S. J. , in his Historia Ecclesise
*6 St. Lambert's predecessor in the See of Maestricht. His martyrdom took place a. n. 668, arid his feast is celebrated at Liege on the loth of September.
4? An account of those transactions may be found in Joannes Chapeavillus' work,
"
Gesta Pontificum Leodiertsium.
"
48 From the Report of this investigation, and from the accounts of Bartholomoeus
September 7. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. i»S
The name of this holy virgin is to be found in a great number of calendars and martyrologies. Although not contained in the oldest versions of Ado and Usuard ; yet, from her own time has Madalberta been venerated in the
Low
Countries,
and mentioned in various additions to Usuard. 4? At the 7th
of September, she is recorded in the Florarian Manuscript, by Castellan,s°
1 2 and in the Parisian Besides these,
byCanisiiiSjS bySaussay. s Martyrology. S3 68
Arnold Wion,s* Menard,ss Dorgan,s Bucelin,57 Molanus^ Miraeus,59 Con- stantine Ghinius,60 Arturus,61 and a host of other hagiographers, have inserted the name and festival of this holy virgin in their writings. On the 7th of September, she was venerated at Malbod,62 according to the list of Irish saints compiled by Convseus.
The Churches of Liege and Mons had an Office and a Mass proper for
St. Madelbert, on the day of her festival. In a Breviary of Liege, printed a. d. 15 14, at Paris, there is a Duplex Office, as also in the edition of 1520, there printed. A—ll the parts are from the common office of a virgin, except
in the ancient thenineLessons comprisingherLife,asfound anonymous
Acts to which allusion has been already made, only omitting those passages
that do not — to her—and the appertain immediately
"
of charity, who hath translated to Heaven on this day, thy beatified virgin
Madelberta, grant to us Thy servants celebrating her sacred festival pardon of our sins through her pious intercession. " The ancient Breviary of Mons, belonging to the noble collegiate Church of St. Waldetrude, contains the office of our saint, but having only Three Lessons63—also taken chiefly from the old Acts referred to ; while the Proper Missal of the Church . of Liege, printed at Paris, jl. d. 1509, has a special Mass prescribed for St. Madelberta's feast. 6* These notices show the veneration in which this holy virgin had
translated from the Latin
:
O
God,
Prayer,
the Creator of innocence
and the lover
in •' Gesta Pontificum
Liege, Trajectensium
et Leodiensium," we learn, that the relics of St. Madalbert, St. Lambert, and of other saints, although enclosed in one and the same great loculus, yet were placed apart in three distinct and lesser compartments.
ss In his ' ' Benedictinum. " Martyrologium
56 In his Martyrology.
57 In his Menology. However, he errs greatly in the statement, that Maldeberta flourished in the year of Christ 612. It is certain she had not been born at that date. Moreover, he makes a still greater mistake, at the 25th of February, in stating, that her sister Aldetrude flourished about the year of Christ 840—or more than two centuries later ! For this statement, he incorrectly
49 At the 7th of September, in Greven's "
edition, are the words Madelbertae vir-
ginis ;" Hagenoyensis, " Item S. Madel- bertae Virginis ;" the Carthusian MS. at
Utrecht, "Madelbergis Virginis :" and with
these may be mentioned the Lubeck- quotes Joannes Molanus and Autbertus
Cologne and Molanus additions. The author of the Bruxelles Usuard mentions her at somewhat greater length, in these words: "Item depositio S. Madelbertae virginis, quae Leodii quiescit, filiae scilicet S. Waldetrudis et beatse Gudilse neptis. " However, the latter relationship is not so certain, and it has been rejected by Father Soller in his previous commentary on the Acts of St. Amalberga, widow, and mother
Miraeus, with other Belgian writers.
of St. Gudila, at the 10th of July. 50 In Martyrologio Universali. 51 In his German Martyrology. 52 In his Gallican
63 To these are prefixed the following Prayer or Collect : "Beatissimae Madelbergae
virginis solempnitatem praevenientes, tuam deprecamur Domine clementiam, ut per ejus
assiduas a cunciis criminibus nos
Martyrology.
53 Thus; "Apud Malbodium in Dicecesi
preces
absolvas. " After the Lessons follows this
Cameracensi S. Madelbertae virginis tertiae hujus Parthenonis^Abbatissae, cujus corpus post aliquot annos Leodium, S. Hucberto procurante, translatum est. "
is noted "circa A. DCCV. " 54 In his " Lignum Vita. "
" :
Praesta, Uomine, mem- quaesumus
In the margin
beatae Madelbergae, cujus diem depositionis recolimus ejus fidei constantiam subsequa- mur. Per/' &c.
64 From this, in the Bollandist account of
«
59 In " Fastis Belgicis et Burgundicis. "
58 jn
Natalibus Sanctorum Belgii. "
60 corum,"
61
which thus be may
In "Natalibus Sanctorum Canoni-
In Gynaeceo.
62 "
See O'Sullevan Beare's Historiae Catholicae Ibemiae Compendium," tomus i. , lib. iv. , cap. x. , p. 49.
Prayer
bris nostris cum exultatione proventum, ut
186 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[September 7.
beenheldintimesremote; andinthePropriaFestorum,printeda. d. 1623, and the Breviarium, printed a. d. 1636, at Liege, her festival is celebrated annually as one of a Double Rite, throughout all that diocese. About the beginning of that century, likewise, some change appears to have been made in her Liege Office, to render it more comformable to the Roman Rite 65 and
;
much about the same time, a similar change was introduced, and for a like reason, in the Mons and Maubeuge Offices, celebrated in their noble
collegiate churches. 66 In the Low Countries, they represent St. Madelbert in a group, with her father, St. Vincent of Soignies, and her mother St. Wal-
detrude, St. Aldetrude her sister, as also her brothers, St. Landry, Bishop of
6 Meaux, and St. Dentlin. ?
While the Church is irreformable in her doctrine and conservative in her moral teaching, she always finds abuses in the world that require reformation. To preserve evils because they are old and customary would be a great omission of duty and a crime. Wherefore, several of her noblest children, men and women, have from time to time figured in her annals, as reformers of lax discipline and negligence in religious practices. Others again have shone as exemplars of piety and fervour, transmitting holiness and constancy of purpose in their respective states of life, preserving happy traditions, for the edification and encouragement of numbers who desire to follow in their foot- steps. Such were the members of St. Madelberta's holy family in their age, and they have been lights for all succeeding ages.
Article II. —St. Elarius or Helair, Patron, Anchoret and Scribe of Monahincha, near Roscrea, County of Tipperary.
{Eighth
Centuries. ^
published Martyrology
Tallaght September.
and Ninth
The
of
1
records a festival in honour of Elair of Locha at the Cre, 7th
of
— although thus set down and as found in the Book of Leinster copy. The situation of Lough Crea is said first to have attracted the notice of the
celebrated St. Cronan3 before he commenced the erection of his chief
—t accord with the ii. of Nones for this month This, however, does no
"
establishment at Roscrea. In the midst of this — Cree"
religious Stagnum therewasan"insulamodica,"ormoderately-sizedIsland nowknownas Monahincha— and here St. Cronan,it is said, first built a cell. Monahincha lies towards the left, on the high road leading from Borris-in-Ossory to Roscrea ; but, the old church is hidden from view, owing to ornamental
which surround it in various directions. The — plantations greater religious
establishment, however, seems to have been fixed at Roscrea* even in the
our Saint, certain extracts are given to Abbatissa Malbtdii in llannonia. Corn- indicate the Collects, Prayers, Gradual, mentarius Proevius, sect, iii. , num. 20 to 23,
Gospel, Offertory, Communion, and Post Communion.
6s This is inferred by Father John Perier,
S. J. , from the Decree of a Diocesan Synod,
held at Liege, a. d. 1618, by Monseigneur Ferdinand, Elector of Cologne, Bishop and Prince of Liege, at Tit. x. , cap. v. These Decrees are to be found in "Spicilegium Ecclesiasticum Germanise," tomus vi„ pp. 771 et seq.
pp. 107, 108.
6? See Les Petits Bollandistes, " Vies des
Saints," tome x. , viie Jour de Septembre,
66 In their Proper Offices, printed at Douai, a. d. 1624, 1625, the Office of St. Madelberga in Nine Lessons differed little from that of Liege, in the last century. See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus
"Dublin vol. Penny Journal,"
p. 270.
No.
86,
iii. , Sep- tembris vii. De S. Madelberta Virgine et
ii. ,
p. 554. Article ii.
—
'See his Life at the 28th of April—
the day for his feast—in the Fourth Volume of this work, Art. i. , chap. ii.
* In the grave-yard adjoining it, the tomb of St. Cronan used to be Dointed out, and a mutilated stone cross with a figure carved on
it, but nearly effaced, is represented in the
p. xxxiii.
2
Thus at ii. Hon :
locha Cne.
—
Edited
by
Rev. Dr.
Kelly,
elaip
2
September 7. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 187
time of St. Cronan—when it is probable Monahincha became a dependent on it, about the beginning of the seventh century. Already have we referred to some remains of antiquity in this tovvn,s formerly a place of considerable
6
After St. Cronan, the earliest saint recorded as having connexion with Inis Loch-Cre,
historic importance, especially in our ecclesiastical annals.
i
-
Roscrea Church Ruins and Round Tower.
is Coluim or Colum? —resolvable into Columba. His period, however, has
not been determined ; but, it is probable, he preceded the present holy superior in point of time. St. Elarius or Helair is called the son of Fintan,
8
sprung from the race of Kein, and his brothers are said to have been Saints
AidanandConrach. 9 HismotheriscalledSinacha,thirdsistertothegreat St. Columbkille. 10 This latter statement of Colgan must be rejected, if we take into account the date assigned for the death of Elarius. While Sinacha must have been born in the earlier part of the sixth century, the birth of this
5 In the Life of St. Cronan are views of the Round Tower at Roscrea, and also of the exterior of St. Cronan's dismantled church, as it faces the public highway. The view here presented of the interior faces the grave-yard within and the modern Protes- tant church. It was sketched by the writer on the spot, May 1870, and drawn on the
-wood ; it has been since engraved by
Gregor Grey. 68
In a very interesting and learned lecture, delivered in the Catholic Club Hall of
Roscrea, January 8th, 1888, by Rev. James Halpin, C. C. , the lecturer thus summarises them: "In the long line of twenty-five
Abbots, extending for four hundred years, we find men who must have been very dis-
See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Quarta Appendix ad Acta S. Columbae, cap. ii. , num. 5, 6, 23, pp. 478, 479.
9 According to the Sanctilogium Genealo- gicum, cap. 36.
tinguished in their times, for one was called 1'
the Philosopher of Roscrea, in 827 ; '
another the Venerable Elder of Roscrea,'
'
in 1 1 19 ; and anothe—r was styled Roscrea,' in 1161. " "St. Cronan, of Roscrea," p. 12.
? His feast was held on the 15th of May, and in the Fifth Volume of this work, at that date, some notices of him may be found, at
Art. vi.
10
Sixth Volume of this work, Art. i.
See his Life, at the 9th of June, in the
Bishop of Patron
188 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[September 7.
presentElariustookplace,itisprobable,atleasttwohundredyearslater. The
feast of St. Hilair is found in the Martyrology of Marianus O'Gorman, at the
7th of September. In one place, Colgan notes a St. Hilarius Mocukein, a monk
a feast at the of 11 We cannot 7th September.
of to whom he Durrow,
assigns
be assured, however, that he was identical with the present Elarius or Helair. ' 2
On the — he and his
contrary, brothers,
St. Aid—ant and St.
or Conrachus * stated to have been of Kein's race * must have lived in the sixth century, if their mother was Sinecha, the sister of St. Columkille. The present saint was undoubtedly of a different family, and he was principally venerated at the place, now known as Monahincha, which the neighbouring
Conry
It lies in the parish of Corbally, barony
is now for the most
1
are remarkably beautiful in their architectural peculiarities. ? Moory soil
still extends around, notwithstanding that the waters of the lake have been completely drawn off; while the land is thoroughly drained and reclaimed into fine pasturage, and meadow. Rich grass grows over the soil. 18 Its remarkable old church is covered with a luxuriant growth of ivy, around the whole exterior ; but this has been removed from the interior, where all the wall surfaces may be seen. There are two most beautiful doors yet remaining, and almost entire ; one of these enters the nave, and the other a small choir. They are semi-circularly headed and elegantly jointed along the jamb-stones, with zig-zag carving around the arches. The fluted columns are surmounted by curious old sculptured heads. Through the ivy on the exterior corners of the nave may be traced projecting columns of rounded and chiselled stones.
11 See ibid,, Februarii xxv. , n.
"See Vies des Saints," tome x. , viie Jour
sister of St. Waldetrude, whom slfc preceded in a religious profession. She died about the year 689.
2l In her Life ascribed to Hucbaldus, a monk of St. Amand's,—who lived in the
5, p. 412.
younger
Saints,"
14 This seems to have been the more ninth century, he states
September 7, p. 109.
ancient form of her name.
15 See his Life, at the 14th of July, in the
Seventh Volume of this work, Art. i.
16
See her Acts, at the 9th of April, in the Fourth Volume of this work, Art. i. She and her sister A ldegond is were the daughters of Prince Walbert, descended in a direct line from the former French Kings, and the Princess Berthille, an Anglo-Saxon.
— day for his feast — in the Fourth Volume of
17 See notices of him at this work, Art. vii.
18
February, in the Second Volume of this work, Art. ii.
torum 193 b.
'' See his life, at the of
14th July,
in the
"
Gazetteer of the World," vol. ix. , pp. 161, 162.
34 He was also the of Amiens. Apostle
Seventh Volume of this work, Art. ix.
His feast is held on the 31st of October.
April 17th
the
Belgii," Septima Septembris, p.
ix. ,
have we alluded to them and to 1
"Anno Dominicae
Incarnationis circiter evoluto sexcentesimo
tricesimo, in Francia regnante Dagoberto
filio Clotharii, orta est in pago Hainoensi
Virgo Aldegundis ex regali prosapia, patre Walberto, matre Bertilia. " Her Acts have
been published by Bolandus, in the "Acta
Sanctorum," at January 30th, from three different sources.
""
See Joannes Molanus' Natales Sanc-
2? Here there was a strong for t r
See an account of her, at the 25th of guard the northern borders of France. See
:
i82 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[September 7.
Paul. 2* Her sister Waldetrude retired from the 26 collected world, having
aroundheraferventandreligiouscommunity. Atthattime,Aldegondewas placed under her charge, at the age of eleven years, by Bertilia, as seems likely for purposes of religious and secular instruction ; the younger children of Waldetrude remaining in care of their maternal aunt. The parents of
Aldegonde withdrew their daughter after a brief sojourn in the monastery, fearing that she also should take the veil, and because they had intended her to marry a man of rank -equal to their own. However, their efforts were unavailing ; for she soon took an opportunity to escape from the paternal mansion, and while still very young, she had found that place of solitude, where her religious house was afterwards established. 2?
Meanwhile, Aldetrude and Madelberta felt a growing desire to conse-
28 had they
2
berta sought a retreat from the world with St. Aldegonde 9 while it would
;
seem, that her sister Aldetrude also devoted herself to a religious life, in the same monastery. There indeed was a union of 'souls engaged in all the practical virtues of their state. Their chastity and humility were exercised with vigils and largesses to the poor. From St. Amand3° and other holy bishops, they heard frequent exhortations, and were comforted against the trials and temptations, which fail not to test the fortitude of even the most virtuous persons. On one of those occasions, while our saint was in great distress, bright rays of light came through the windows of her oratory, and seemed to cover her, as if the Divine influence had been poured on her for
a protection from the snares of the enemy.
For a long time, the holy Abbess Aldegonde ruled over her community, onthebanksoftheSambre. Shewasfavouredinaneminentdegreewith the gift of fervent prayer, and with many revelations. Under such a superioress, we may well suppose, her nieces were schooled in all the virtues and discipline of their religious state. The closing years of Aldegonde were a continual martyrdom j for a cancer in the right breast was the cause of jntense pain. This she bore, not only with exemplary patience, but with rejoicing that she was deemed worthy to suffer for the name of Christ. When her term on earth was arrived, a globe of fire was seen coming from Heaven and settling over the house, in which her spirit so happily departed, and as generally supposed on the 30th of January, a. d. 684. We have already seen, the parents of St. Madelberta separated by mutual consent to spend the rest of their days in religious retirement, about the year 653 ;3» Madelgarius, or Vincent, to take up his abode in that monastery he had
crate their lives to the service of Christ. At an solely
early age,
been consigned by their pious mother to the convent founded at Maubeuge, where they were placed for education and direction under their aunt. Thus, it may be said, that almost from their cradle, they were familiarised with all the monastic rules and practices. Being—as supposed—the youngest of the daughters of St. Mauger or Vincent, and Vaudrue, or Waldetrude, Madel-
25 Venerated on the of
29th June.
26
About ihe year 641.
^ " The act of this foundation, published
l8 were not more than nine They probably
or ten years, at the time.
* See Les Petits Bollandistes, "Vies des
by Miraeus, is spurious, as mention is made Saints," tome x. , viie Jour de Septembre,
therein of persons who were not living at that time ; neither could it have been made in the twentieth year of Dagobert, as it con- tains facts, which cannot be r—econciled with
p. 553.
30 St. Amand, Bishop of Maestricht,
whose feast occurs on the 6th of February, He died A. D. 684, in the ninetieth year of
the history of that prince. "
Butler's "Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs,
and other principal Saints," vol. i. , January xxx. , n.
age.
3t See the Life of St. Maelceadar or Mal-
degarius, surnamed Vincent, at the 14th of July.
Rev. Alban his
September 7. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 183
previously founded, at Hautmont, near Maubeuge, on the River Sambre, 2
and his wife Waldetrude, or Vaudru,3 at Castrilocus, or Castrilos, subse- quently designated Mons, in the year 656. The Blessed Aldetrudis, or Adeltrude, succeeded her aunt in the government of this religious establish- ment. 33 For twelve years she presided over it with great virtue and wisdom, when she was also called away to taste the fruits of life everlasting, about the
year 696.
After the death of her sainted sister, Madelberta was selected to govern
the monastery. 34 Nor was she less careful to set an excellent example to the nuns under her charge, and to foster the good seed already sown, so that daily were pious females brought to the sanctuary, and directed by her in the paths that led to Heaven. She ruled over her religious community for the term of nine years. Madelberta had thus become the third abbess of Malbod,35 and now in turn she was called to receive the eternal reward. In the most admirable sentiments of piety she died about the year 684, or 685 according to some writers. 36 However, more recent and exact researches,
8
by Carolus le Cointe 37 and others,3 have ascertained by certain historic
comparisons of data^ that her life had been prolonged to about a. d. 705.
Her body was deposited in the Church of St. Peter, the Apostle, with solemn
funeral rites; a great number of priests with the religious entoning the psalms and canticles appropriate for the occasion.
Soon after the Saint's death, a remarkable miracle took place, which soon
caused the people of all that surrounding country to venerate her as their
special patroness. A very religious man, living near Maubeuge, had a deaf- ness in the right ear, and he had often prayed to God for the gilt of sound
hearing. One night in his sleep, a voice came to him, saying: "Arise, go to the monastery of Maubeuge and to the Church of St. Peter, where the
body of St. Madelberte, Virgin, reposes, and there you shall be healed at her tomb. " Whenmorninghadcome,hearoseandhastenedtothemonastery as directed. He assisted at Mass with profound devotion, offering up his prayers most fervently. Suddenly, when the priest commenced chaunting the Gospel, the man had an extraordinary sensation. His limbs began to tremble, his face grew pale, and some aqueous humour distilled from the ear affected. At the same moment, he felt relieved from his infirmity, which never afterwards returned. Another miracle is recorded regarding a certain girl, whose lower limbs had been crooked and paralysed from the time of birth ; but, her parents had brought her to the tomb of our saint, where she
was suddenly restored to their use.
32 See the Life of St. Waldetrude or Vau- trude, at the 9th of April.
At the time of the evening office, she
33 See Joannes Molanus' " Natales Sane-
39 Thus it has been conclusively proved in the Bollandists' "Acta Sanctorum," 34 See Les Petits Bollandistes, "Vies des tomus i. , Februarii, in a previous corn- mentary to the Acts of St. Amand, that this
torum Belgii,"SeptimaSeptembris, p. 193 £.
Saints," tome x. , viie Jour de Septembre, p. 554.
holy Bishop most probably died after a. d. 679. After his death, St. Aldegundis sur- vived him lor 'some years, and died most probably in the year 684, according to the calculations of Mabillon and the Bollandists. It is stated, likewise, that afterwards Alde- trude succeeded her aunt as abbess, ruling for twelve years in that capacity, and depar't-
35 See Joannes Molanus' " Natales Sane-
torum Belgii," Septima Septembris, p. 193 b. 36 Among these are Bartholomeus Fisen,
in Floribus Leodiensibus, Arturus in Gynae-
ceo, i-Egidius Bucherius in Chronico Epis-
coporum Trajectensium, as seen in an Ap-
pendix to " De Rebus Gestis Episcoporum
Leodiensium," by Joannes Chapeavillus, ing this life about the year 696 or 697. Her
tomus i.
3? See "Annales Ecclesiastici Francorum,"
tomus iv. , A. D. 684, num. 1.
sister Madelberta then became third abbess of that religious house, and governed it for nine years.
"
38 Such as, P. Michael Delewarde, in
Historia Generalis Harmonise," tomus
i.
84 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [September 7.
was seen by the nuns, walking through the middle of the Church, and giving thanks to God. This caused great rejoicing and admiration to all who had known her previous condition, and who had witnessed her perfect restoration. These are only a few of those miracles, which were wrought, at the place of her first sepulture. *
St. Hubert,41 who had succeeded St. Lambert** as Bishop of Maestricht,
removed the episcopal see in 721 to Liege,*3 of which city he then became
the first bishop. To honour his martyred predecessor, he had built a stately church, which he designated the cathedral,** and thither he conveyed the relicsofSt. Lambert. *s HeisstillveneratedaschiefpatronofLiege. Until theyear722,therelicsofSt. MadelbertreposedatMaubeuge. Thefameof her sanctity and miracles was so great, that about the same time, St. Hubert hadherbodytransportedtoLiege,withsolemnceremonies. Havingencased her relics in a shrine, in which were also enclosed the relics of St. Theodard,*6 they were placed in the cathedral church. There several miracles were after- wards wrought through our saint's intercession. During the middle ages,
likewise, frequent broils arose among the powerful and opulent families that disturbed the peace of Liege ; when public prayers and visitations to the shrines of the local patrons took place, to avert those disorders. On such occasions, the relics were exhibited for veneration to the faithful. *? In the year 1489, those relics were well preserved, when a commission had been appointed to examine into their state. On the 14th of April, with solemn religious ceremonies, a number of representative ecclesiastics, deputed by the Dean and Chapter oi Liege Cathedral, began the work of examination, which was continued on the 18th and 19th of the same month. In that compart- ment, in which the remains of St. Magdelberta reposed, they found her bones, with her hood and veil, as also a black cincture remarkably wrought ; more- over, they saw her robe and another veil, with two large portions 'of her habit, and two small scissors, whi—ch she was doubtless accustomed to use, together with some other ornaments whether belonging to her or placed there by others is not known. After this examination, the inner and outer coverings were locked, when the keys were placed in the sacristy of the church, and in an upper drawer, which was lettered Mechlinia. *8
40 See the Bollandists' " Acta Sanctorum," 43 The capital of an important province in tomus iii. , Septembris vii. Acta auctoie Belgium so named, and situated on the
anonymo, ex Hagiologio Brabantino MS. Rubea? Vallis, collata cum duobus aliis
MSS. , pp. no, in.
River Maese or Meuse. At that period, it
was only an insignificant village- Near it lived Pepin, in the castle of Herstal or Heristal.
44 This Gothic edifice was destroyed by
41 He was
when a young man of the world, and hence
May,
1508,
A. D.
of Erarde de la
Liege, was torn to pieces by the revolutionary mob, in 1794! The head of St. Lambert, however, has been recovered, and it is still
passionately
fond of
hunting,
he has been regarded as the patron of the French, in 1794.
hunters.
He departed this life, on the 30th
*5 The beautiful shrine in gilt bronze, a gift,
His chief —how- in 727. festival,
of
ever, is kept on the 3rd of November pro- bably on account of some translation of his relics.
Marck, Bishop
of
42 He was assassinated, at the
of Alpais, a concubine to Pepin of Heirstal, because he had reproved their crimes. He
suffered martyrdom September 17th, the day afterwards appointed for his festival. The year of his death has been variedly stated: according to a tradition of the Church at Liege, A. D. 696; while the Bollandists have it, at a. d. 708, or 709. See an account
of him in Les Petits Bollandistes, " Vies des
in instigation preserved Liege.
e"
pp. 172 to 179. Leodiensis," and of Anselmus, Canon of
''
Saints, tome xi. , xvii Jour de Septembre, Fisen, S. J. , in his Historia Ecclesise
*6 St. Lambert's predecessor in the See of Maestricht. His martyrdom took place a. n. 668, arid his feast is celebrated at Liege on the loth of September.
4? An account of those transactions may be found in Joannes Chapeavillus' work,
"
Gesta Pontificum Leodiertsium.
"
48 From the Report of this investigation, and from the accounts of Bartholomoeus
September 7. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. i»S
The name of this holy virgin is to be found in a great number of calendars and martyrologies. Although not contained in the oldest versions of Ado and Usuard ; yet, from her own time has Madalberta been venerated in the
Low
Countries,
and mentioned in various additions to Usuard. 4? At the 7th
of September, she is recorded in the Florarian Manuscript, by Castellan,s°
1 2 and in the Parisian Besides these,
byCanisiiiSjS bySaussay. s Martyrology. S3 68
Arnold Wion,s* Menard,ss Dorgan,s Bucelin,57 Molanus^ Miraeus,59 Con- stantine Ghinius,60 Arturus,61 and a host of other hagiographers, have inserted the name and festival of this holy virgin in their writings. On the 7th of September, she was venerated at Malbod,62 according to the list of Irish saints compiled by Convseus.
The Churches of Liege and Mons had an Office and a Mass proper for
St. Madelbert, on the day of her festival. In a Breviary of Liege, printed a. d. 15 14, at Paris, there is a Duplex Office, as also in the edition of 1520, there printed. A—ll the parts are from the common office of a virgin, except
in the ancient thenineLessons comprisingherLife,asfound anonymous
Acts to which allusion has been already made, only omitting those passages
that do not — to her—and the appertain immediately
"
of charity, who hath translated to Heaven on this day, thy beatified virgin
Madelberta, grant to us Thy servants celebrating her sacred festival pardon of our sins through her pious intercession. " The ancient Breviary of Mons, belonging to the noble collegiate Church of St. Waldetrude, contains the office of our saint, but having only Three Lessons63—also taken chiefly from the old Acts referred to ; while the Proper Missal of the Church . of Liege, printed at Paris, jl. d. 1509, has a special Mass prescribed for St. Madelberta's feast. 6* These notices show the veneration in which this holy virgin had
translated from the Latin
:
O
God,
Prayer,
the Creator of innocence
and the lover
in •' Gesta Pontificum
Liege, Trajectensium
et Leodiensium," we learn, that the relics of St. Madalbert, St. Lambert, and of other saints, although enclosed in one and the same great loculus, yet were placed apart in three distinct and lesser compartments.
ss In his ' ' Benedictinum. " Martyrologium
56 In his Martyrology.
57 In his Menology. However, he errs greatly in the statement, that Maldeberta flourished in the year of Christ 612. It is certain she had not been born at that date. Moreover, he makes a still greater mistake, at the 25th of February, in stating, that her sister Aldetrude flourished about the year of Christ 840—or more than two centuries later ! For this statement, he incorrectly
49 At the 7th of September, in Greven's "
edition, are the words Madelbertae vir-
ginis ;" Hagenoyensis, " Item S. Madel- bertae Virginis ;" the Carthusian MS. at
Utrecht, "Madelbergis Virginis :" and with
these may be mentioned the Lubeck- quotes Joannes Molanus and Autbertus
Cologne and Molanus additions. The author of the Bruxelles Usuard mentions her at somewhat greater length, in these words: "Item depositio S. Madelbertae virginis, quae Leodii quiescit, filiae scilicet S. Waldetrudis et beatse Gudilse neptis. " However, the latter relationship is not so certain, and it has been rejected by Father Soller in his previous commentary on the Acts of St. Amalberga, widow, and mother
Miraeus, with other Belgian writers.
of St. Gudila, at the 10th of July. 50 In Martyrologio Universali. 51 In his German Martyrology. 52 In his Gallican
63 To these are prefixed the following Prayer or Collect : "Beatissimae Madelbergae
virginis solempnitatem praevenientes, tuam deprecamur Domine clementiam, ut per ejus
assiduas a cunciis criminibus nos
Martyrology.
53 Thus; "Apud Malbodium in Dicecesi
preces
absolvas. " After the Lessons follows this
Cameracensi S. Madelbertae virginis tertiae hujus Parthenonis^Abbatissae, cujus corpus post aliquot annos Leodium, S. Hucberto procurante, translatum est. "
is noted "circa A. DCCV. " 54 In his " Lignum Vita. "
" :
Praesta, Uomine, mem- quaesumus
In the margin
beatae Madelbergae, cujus diem depositionis recolimus ejus fidei constantiam subsequa- mur. Per/' &c.
64 From this, in the Bollandist account of
«
59 In " Fastis Belgicis et Burgundicis. "
58 jn
Natalibus Sanctorum Belgii. "
60 corum,"
61
which thus be may
In "Natalibus Sanctorum Canoni-
In Gynaeceo.
62 "
See O'Sullevan Beare's Historiae Catholicae Ibemiae Compendium," tomus i. , lib. iv. , cap. x. , p. 49.
Prayer
bris nostris cum exultatione proventum, ut
186 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[September 7.
beenheldintimesremote; andinthePropriaFestorum,printeda. d. 1623, and the Breviarium, printed a. d. 1636, at Liege, her festival is celebrated annually as one of a Double Rite, throughout all that diocese. About the beginning of that century, likewise, some change appears to have been made in her Liege Office, to render it more comformable to the Roman Rite 65 and
;
much about the same time, a similar change was introduced, and for a like reason, in the Mons and Maubeuge Offices, celebrated in their noble
collegiate churches. 66 In the Low Countries, they represent St. Madelbert in a group, with her father, St. Vincent of Soignies, and her mother St. Wal-
detrude, St. Aldetrude her sister, as also her brothers, St. Landry, Bishop of
6 Meaux, and St. Dentlin. ?
While the Church is irreformable in her doctrine and conservative in her moral teaching, she always finds abuses in the world that require reformation. To preserve evils because they are old and customary would be a great omission of duty and a crime. Wherefore, several of her noblest children, men and women, have from time to time figured in her annals, as reformers of lax discipline and negligence in religious practices. Others again have shone as exemplars of piety and fervour, transmitting holiness and constancy of purpose in their respective states of life, preserving happy traditions, for the edification and encouragement of numbers who desire to follow in their foot- steps. Such were the members of St. Madelberta's holy family in their age, and they have been lights for all succeeding ages.
Article II. —St. Elarius or Helair, Patron, Anchoret and Scribe of Monahincha, near Roscrea, County of Tipperary.
{Eighth
Centuries. ^
published Martyrology
Tallaght September.
and Ninth
The
of
1
records a festival in honour of Elair of Locha at the Cre, 7th
of
— although thus set down and as found in the Book of Leinster copy. The situation of Lough Crea is said first to have attracted the notice of the
celebrated St. Cronan3 before he commenced the erection of his chief
—t accord with the ii. of Nones for this month This, however, does no
"
establishment at Roscrea. In the midst of this — Cree"
religious Stagnum therewasan"insulamodica,"ormoderately-sizedIsland nowknownas Monahincha— and here St. Cronan,it is said, first built a cell. Monahincha lies towards the left, on the high road leading from Borris-in-Ossory to Roscrea ; but, the old church is hidden from view, owing to ornamental
which surround it in various directions. The — plantations greater religious
establishment, however, seems to have been fixed at Roscrea* even in the
our Saint, certain extracts are given to Abbatissa Malbtdii in llannonia. Corn- indicate the Collects, Prayers, Gradual, mentarius Proevius, sect, iii. , num. 20 to 23,
Gospel, Offertory, Communion, and Post Communion.
6s This is inferred by Father John Perier,
S. J. , from the Decree of a Diocesan Synod,
held at Liege, a. d. 1618, by Monseigneur Ferdinand, Elector of Cologne, Bishop and Prince of Liege, at Tit. x. , cap. v. These Decrees are to be found in "Spicilegium Ecclesiasticum Germanise," tomus vi„ pp. 771 et seq.
pp. 107, 108.
6? See Les Petits Bollandistes, " Vies des
Saints," tome x. , viie Jour de Septembre,
66 In their Proper Offices, printed at Douai, a. d. 1624, 1625, the Office of St. Madelberga in Nine Lessons differed little from that of Liege, in the last century. See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus
"Dublin vol. Penny Journal,"
p. 270.
No.
86,
iii. , Sep- tembris vii. De S. Madelberta Virgine et
ii. ,
p. 554. Article ii.
—
'See his Life at the 28th of April—
the day for his feast—in the Fourth Volume of this work, Art. i. , chap. ii.
* In the grave-yard adjoining it, the tomb of St. Cronan used to be Dointed out, and a mutilated stone cross with a figure carved on
it, but nearly effaced, is represented in the
p. xxxiii.
2
Thus at ii. Hon :
locha Cne.
—
Edited
by
Rev. Dr.
Kelly,
elaip
2
September 7. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 187
time of St. Cronan—when it is probable Monahincha became a dependent on it, about the beginning of the seventh century. Already have we referred to some remains of antiquity in this tovvn,s formerly a place of considerable
6
After St. Cronan, the earliest saint recorded as having connexion with Inis Loch-Cre,
historic importance, especially in our ecclesiastical annals.
i
-
Roscrea Church Ruins and Round Tower.
is Coluim or Colum? —resolvable into Columba. His period, however, has
not been determined ; but, it is probable, he preceded the present holy superior in point of time. St. Elarius or Helair is called the son of Fintan,
8
sprung from the race of Kein, and his brothers are said to have been Saints
AidanandConrach. 9 HismotheriscalledSinacha,thirdsistertothegreat St. Columbkille. 10 This latter statement of Colgan must be rejected, if we take into account the date assigned for the death of Elarius. While Sinacha must have been born in the earlier part of the sixth century, the birth of this
5 In the Life of St. Cronan are views of the Round Tower at Roscrea, and also of the exterior of St. Cronan's dismantled church, as it faces the public highway. The view here presented of the interior faces the grave-yard within and the modern Protes- tant church. It was sketched by the writer on the spot, May 1870, and drawn on the
-wood ; it has been since engraved by
Gregor Grey. 68
In a very interesting and learned lecture, delivered in the Catholic Club Hall of
Roscrea, January 8th, 1888, by Rev. James Halpin, C. C. , the lecturer thus summarises them: "In the long line of twenty-five
Abbots, extending for four hundred years, we find men who must have been very dis-
See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Quarta Appendix ad Acta S. Columbae, cap. ii. , num. 5, 6, 23, pp. 478, 479.
9 According to the Sanctilogium Genealo- gicum, cap. 36.
tinguished in their times, for one was called 1'
the Philosopher of Roscrea, in 827 ; '
another the Venerable Elder of Roscrea,'
'
in 1 1 19 ; and anothe—r was styled Roscrea,' in 1161. " "St. Cronan, of Roscrea," p. 12.
? His feast was held on the 15th of May, and in the Fifth Volume of this work, at that date, some notices of him may be found, at
Art. vi.
10
Sixth Volume of this work, Art. i.
See his Life, at the 9th of June, in the
Bishop of Patron
188 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[September 7.
presentElariustookplace,itisprobable,atleasttwohundredyearslater. The
feast of St. Hilair is found in the Martyrology of Marianus O'Gorman, at the
7th of September. In one place, Colgan notes a St. Hilarius Mocukein, a monk
a feast at the of 11 We cannot 7th September.
of to whom he Durrow,
assigns
be assured, however, that he was identical with the present Elarius or Helair. ' 2
On the — he and his
contrary, brothers,
St. Aid—ant and St.
or Conrachus * stated to have been of Kein's race * must have lived in the sixth century, if their mother was Sinecha, the sister of St. Columkille. The present saint was undoubtedly of a different family, and he was principally venerated at the place, now known as Monahincha, which the neighbouring
Conry
It lies in the parish of Corbally, barony
is now for the most
1
are remarkably beautiful in their architectural peculiarities. ? Moory soil
still extends around, notwithstanding that the waters of the lake have been completely drawn off; while the land is thoroughly drained and reclaimed into fine pasturage, and meadow. Rich grass grows over the soil. 18 Its remarkable old church is covered with a luxuriant growth of ivy, around the whole exterior ; but this has been removed from the interior, where all the wall surfaces may be seen. There are two most beautiful doors yet remaining, and almost entire ; one of these enters the nave, and the other a small choir. They are semi-circularly headed and elegantly jointed along the jamb-stones, with zig-zag carving around the arches. The fluted columns are surmounted by curious old sculptured heads. Through the ivy on the exterior corners of the nave may be traced projecting columns of rounded and chiselled stones.
