" "That river, in which the
messenger
had been drowned, was only two miles distant from St.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v7
" It is more than doubtful, if that monastery—at first established by St.
Declan—afterwards belonged to Canons Regular, or whether, like so many other houses of a similar kind in Ireland, it became simply a parochial residence.
It is recorded, that the wife of a certain rich man, named Fintan, was without offspring, even to an advanced age. The couple came to St. Declan, and entreated him to beg of God, that they might be favoured with children. On their part, to procure his favour, they engaged to offer alms, and to per- form pious works. They declared, moreover, that they had most unbounded confidence, in theefiicacy of St. Declan's prayers. The bishop then bestowed
sumed, that his successors in the monastery claimed their fealty in likemanner. s The holy Albeus,5? Archbishop of Munster, knowing that the period of his
his blessing on them. He also said
<c Fulfil what you have promised, and through God's bounty, you shall be blessed with children. " After this pro- mise and benediction of the holy bishop, they returned to their house. Soon after this event, the wife of Fintan conceived, and in due course, two sons were born to her ; and these were named respectively Eoch and Fiacha. They and their posterity became St. Declan's dependants, and it is to be pre-
8
:
"
and pay a visit to my beloved companion and fellow-servant in Christ, Bishop
Declan, before I die. " Then Ailbe proceeded on his journey, to accomplish that purpose which he thus expressed. An Angel came to St. Declan, and told him, that the holy old man, his friend Albeus, was coming to visit him.
On learning it, the saintly Prelate Declan told his people to prepare every- thing necessary to receive his pious guest. Afterwards, he went from his own
60
Sees of Ireland, by Rev. Robert King, in his 58 The Acts of our saint remark, that this "Primer of the Church History of Ireland," dependency continued, "usque ad finem
departure was approaching, said to his disciples :
Brethren, I desire to see
that he might meet St. Albeus. On his arrival mere, St. Albeus was honourably received by St. Declan and by his people. Subsequently, Albeus remained fourteen days with our saint. This interval was spent in a mutual interchange of spiritual offices, and in holy
city, to a place called Druim luchtri,
vol. iii. , Appendix, No. ix. , p. 996.
5* To him has been attributed a Life of St.
Cuthbert.
53 See Rev. Samuel Hayman's "New before St. Patrick's coming, a. d. 432. See
Handbook for Youghal," p. xi.
s* It is probable, that with this name, the
list of the Bishops of this ancient See closes. See ibid.
55 When such union took place is not agrees,
known with certainty ; but, it has been thought by some writers, that Ardmore was
not a separate episcopal See, in the year
1152.
s6 See the '' Historia Monastica Hiber-
niae," p. 54, published at Paris in 1690.
57 This too has been advanedd by Rev.
Samuel Hayman, A. B. , in his "AnnaUf ol Youghal," Third Series, p. I.
6o
In a subsequent passage, the name of this place is written, " Druim luchri. " It seems probable enough, that this had been the name formerly given to that dividing chain of hills on the borders of the barony of Decies within Drum, and the barony of
I ><cies without Drum, in the present county ol Waterford.
6l Now a town and parish, in the barony
seculi. "
59 TJssher infers, that St. Albeus is not
"
Britannicarum Ecclesiarum Antiquitates," cap. xvi. , p. 409, and cap. xvii. , p. 453. Also Index Chronologicus, a. d. dxxxii. , p. 528. In this opinion of Ussher, Dr. Lanigan
likely to have preached the faith in Ireland,
July 24. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 343
charity, to the great interior consolation of those great servants of God. After such term was at an end, the venerable Ailbe returned to his own city,
61
at Emly,
which was situated on the great Munster plain ; when, with a con-
siderable number of people, St. Declan accompanied his departing guest to the
aforesaid Druim luchri. There,' St. Ailbe requested our saint's return towards
his own city. Having a presentiment, that they would not again behold each
other in this life, and full of mutual affection, these celebrated saints burst
into a flood of tears, on the instant. Offering up their prayers to God for its
long continuance, the holy prelates renewed the old fraternal alliance, already
existing between themselves and their disciples. Then, St. Albeus blessed
the Decies' city, its people, and its clerics, when St. Declan in turn bestowed
like spiritual favours on Bishop Ailbe and his charge. With the kiss of peace,
and with a sorrowful but holy resignation, having true love for God and for
their neighbour implanted in their breasts, these holy bishops and their dis-
ciples parted from each other, and returned to the places of their respective
62
habitations.
At one time, the Fort 6 3 f a Decies' chieftain, who was named Canicus,
tookfire,andtheflamesbeganragingtoafearfuldegree. VenerableBishop Declan, who felt much concerned at this accident, ran towards the castle. Taking in his hand that remarkable staff already mentioned, and with which he miraculously removed the sea, Declan threw it from the place where he stood, towards the burning edifice. By Divine permission, the staff flew through air, and fell over the topping flames and into the very middle of the forti- fication,which,atthattime,hadbeenhalfconsumed. Inaninstantaneous manner, the fire was extinguished. The distance between that place where our saint stood and the burning castle was computed, as a long mile, and
the name of Cuirt. 6^ On this witnessing
near the a spot lay
grove, bearing
miracle, the chieftain Canic, with all others present, were in admiration, and
they gave thanks to God. 6s This castle, here alluded to, was situated not
far from the River Suir, and on its southern bank. It was at a place which,
"
in our saint's Acts, is Latinized, Collis Stabilis. " But, that place, from
which St. Declan threw his staff, was situated near a shallow or ford of the same river, and it was opposite to the monastery of certain holy virgins, who
were — to this Canic. 66 Their daughters
locha 68 derived from its local probably
6? bore the name monastery Magh-
of Clanwilliam, and in the South Riding of the county of Tipperary. This ancient
episcopal seat had a long line of bishops,
obsolete. The grove in question grew not far from the present Clonmel.
6s After relating this miracle, the Acts of our saint state regarding the chieftain Canic,
voluntatem sancti Declani complevit. "
until merged in that of Cashel, a. d. 1568. ""
See an account of it in the Parliamentary Gazetteer of Ireland," vol. ii. , pp. 176, 177.
66
The Very Rev. David B. Mulcahy, P. P. „
62 Ware "Declanum vero says:
post
of of Antrim, and a native Moyarget, county
of Waterford diocese, informs the writer, by letter dated January 27th, 1890, that after a good deal of search, hefound those nuns in the Calendar, at the 24th of September, as
Albeum decessisse, testatur Vitse ejus de-
scriptor, De anno nihil traditum reperi. "
"
Opuscula adscripta S. Patricio," Annota-
tiones, p. 106. Both the Annals of Ulster
and those of Innisfallen place the death of InghetiA CAitroigh. He also states, that Ailbe, in the year 527. See Rev. Dr CAnroigh, in Irish, is the genitive case for
Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical History of Ire-
land," vol. i. , chap, i. , sect, xi. , p. 24, and
CAiiroech—identical with Caihc or Cain- nech.
6?
It is said to have been the site for a convent of Augustinian nuns, granted at the Life, it may be likely this mansion had only dissolution to Sir Henry Radcliffe. This
sect, xii. , p. 26.
63 Although called a castle, in the Latin
been constructed of wood, as were many of
the old Irish residences of chiefs and of their
people.
6* Most probably this name has become
parish of Molough was a particle of New- castle benefice in the diocese of Lismore.
See "Parliamentary Gazetteer of. Ireland," vol. ii. , p. 782.
.
position.
6
9 The writer of our saint's
344 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [July 24.
Acts informs us, that in his day, on account of the miracle wrought, a heap of stones, with a cross, had been there erected. The memorial was called Vlu,7° but it is difficult to determine the exact meaning of this old Celtic word.
At a certain time, a fleet was manned by pagans, who directed their course towards St. Declan's monastery, wishing to despoil the local inhabitants of their substance. All these people ran to their saintly and venerable old bishop, to entreat the interposition of his prayers with Heaven, in their behalf. Know-
1
ing the happiness, good dispositions, and holy charity of his disciple, Ultan 7 —whoalreadyhasbeenmentioned—St. DeclanorderedhiminGod'sname to sign against the fleet with the symbol of salvation. At this time, having his right hand engaged in the performance of some work, at the command of his venerable superior, holy brother Ultan signed against the fleet with his left hand, when instantly, all those vessels were swallowed by the sea, sinking " as lead in the mighty waters. ? a " On witnessing this miracle,? * all the Christians were filled with joy, and they were still more confirmed in their faith regardingtheMostHolyTrinity. ? * TheywereloudintheirpraisesofGod's servant, by whom these and many other miracles were wrought. They called* him their preacher and bishop. Between St. Declan and his disciple St. Ultan arose a pious contention regarding this miracle; for, the disciple wished to refer it altogther to his master's merits, while on the contrary, the master would attribute its performance solely to the virtues of his disciple.
After St. Declan's death, the same St. Uitan became second Abbot of Ard- more, and he is said also, to have wrought many miracles, as well as his more celebrated predecessor. ? *
CHAPTER IV.
BISHOP DECLAN'S RELATIONS WITH ST. PATRICK—THE BUILDING AND CONSECRATION OF A LEVITIANA OR AN ORATORY BY ST. DECLAN—HIS NUMEROUS MIRACLES- HE BUILDS A HERMITAGE NEAR THE SEA-SHORE, AND HE RETIRES TO IT—HIS PREPARATION FOR DEATH—HIS HOLY DEPARTURE—FESTIVALS AND COMMEMORA- TIONS—ANTIQUITIES AT ARDMORE—MEMORIALS OF ST. DECLAN—CONCLUSION.
Having destroyed the temples of idols, and converted Gentiles to the true Faith, St. Declan built churches to God, while he consecrated and ordained
*• "
It is found Latinized, Campus Stagni. "
At Newcastle, near the great bend of the River Suir, are the ruins of a religious house,
in tYlogh locha, now Molough, according to the Very Rev. David B. Mulcahy, who ap- pears to have most satisfactorily identified the locality.
<J It is now known as Moloughabbey, a
townland in the small parish of Molough, in
the barony of Iffa and Offa West. This
parish and the townland are described, on the
73TheLifeofoursaintstates: "etstatim
mare omnes illas naves absorpsit quasi saccos
plombo plenos. " Then follows the legen-
dary account, that those submerged bodies of the pagan sailors were changed into large rocks, which were to be seen out in the sea, and not far from the shore, in his time. Describing these in an article published in the Pall Mall Gatette, now many years back, Miss Hraddon writes: "A black acre of half-sunken rocks is the haunt of the wliist- ling whaup and of a grim foraging party of hoodie craws, which are highly partial to mussels, and are said to open these luxuries by taking the shell into the air and letting it fall on the stones below. "
"
Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the
County of Tipperary," sheet 88.
70 This place has been rendered into Latin
"
11 *
Acervus Sancti Declani," by the old writer
of the>e Acts. In English, this should mean,
the Mound or Cairn of St. Declan. "
7
The author of our saint's Acts —
He
his chanties, towards the little ones and poor of Christ.
7" See Exodus, xv. , 10.
71
is
said to have been remarkable for
that inhistime,theScots bywhomheunder-
—when
approach of danger, were accustomed to
stands the Irish
l ,ray> "The left hand of Ultan be against
seeing
says,
or the hearing
July 24. ] LIVES OE THE IRISH SAINTS. 345
several ecclesiastics. It has been generally asserted and believed, that St. Declan became the bishop of his own people, the Desii, whom he first brought toaknowledgeofDivinetruth. But,theperiodwhenhelabouredthereisnot so clearly ascertained. Whatever amount of uncertainty regards the state- St. Declan has been classed the of St. Patrick. 1 How-
among disciples
ment,
ever, this does not appear, from any of the ancient Lives of the great Irish
Apostle; and, although, during his sojourn upon earth, the reputation of our saint was very great, it has been supposed, that the omission of such an eminent person's name, had he really been one of St. Patrick's disciples,
should have been a strange circumstance.
2
The author of St. Declan's Life,
however, brings both distinguished personages into close relations of amity and intercourse.
The most holy Patrick, Archbishop of the Irish, sent one of his disciples, charged with a commission to venerable Declan. But, on coming to the southern part of the Decies' country, that disciple was drowned in a certain river,calledLuch. Hearingofhisdeath,BishopDeclanwasmuchafflicted.
:
He said M Truly do I grieve in spirit, that the most holy man's messenger,
who was sent to me, has been taken off by a sudden death, and in my part of the country. Nor can he bear back my communication to his illustrious master. Wherefore, you shall immediately place me in a chariot, that I may assist at his obsequies, and that our holy father, and his master St. Patrick, may hear of my regard for him.
" "That river, in which the messenger had been drowned, was only two miles distant from St. Declan's city. The
drowned man had already been placed in a coffin, that his corpse might be interred in St. Declan's cemetery. But, with his attendants, having met those who bore the dead body, Declan ordered them to place it on the ground. This order was obeyed, for they supposed the holy bishop was about to sing an office for the dead over him, and on that spot. 3 Approaching the coffin, and lifting the shroud from the dead man's face, Declan beheld it swollen and discoloured, as usually happens in the case of drowned persons. He shed tears, and he then prayed mentally for some time, the crowd around not hearing what had been said. He afterwards spoke these words in presence
" In the name of the Most Holy Trinity, and undivided unity of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, whose sweet and light yoke I bear, arise before us,forChristhathgrantedthylife tome. " Atthosewordsofthevenerable Bishop, St. Patrick's disciple arose from the coffin. He then blessed our saint and all those that stood around him. Bishop Declan then raised and tenderly embraced him, while our saint's disciples followed their master's example. At the time this accident which caused his death occurred,
that messenger complained of a weakly constitution, like to a man recovering from some infirmity; but, after his restoration to life, he became healthy and robust. He returned with St. Declan to his city, and remained with him some days, with manifestations of truest love. Great joy was felt in Ardmore, as a consequence of this miracle ; so that the name Christ and St. Declan's
it. " By pronouncing such words, we are who adds, that we may conclude, St.
of all
:
informed, the power of God was frequently manifested.
? s See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. , Julii xxiv. De S. Declano Episcopo Ardmoriae in Hibernia, cap. ix. , sects. 71, 72, pp. 606, 607.
Declan became distinguished during some part of the sixth century, calculating from the times of his disciples and friends, of whom some records remain. See " Eccle-
siastical History of Ireland," vol. i. , chap, i. , sect, xii. , pp. 26, 27.
3 The Life has it: " Putabant omnes, quod sanctus Episcopus vellet officium mor- tuorum inibi cantare pro illo. "
Chapter iv. "
—
T
See "Trias Colgan's
Thaumaturga,
S. Patricii, cap. xxiii. , p. 269.
4 See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. , Julii
Quinta Appendix ad Acta
3 Such is the opinion of Rev. Dr. Lanigan,
346 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [July 24.
holiness were glorified far and wide, through that section of country. This disciple of St. Patrick had been called Ballinus. Full ofjoy, lie left St.
Declan at last, and returned to his holy master, St. Patrick, relating to many persons what had occurred to him. The glorious Archbishop Patrick, on hearing these renowned and great testimonies concerning St. Declaims sanctity, did not foil to divulge his merits. Afterwards, St. Patrick extolled
his merits and praises in person to the holy bishop/ — It is said, that St. Declan had consecrated a Levitiana
most probably his oratory—by an angelic admonition, and this was intended for his own use.
There great signs and miracles were constantly wrought, through his intercession, and through the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom be
honour, glory and power, with God the Father, in the Unity of the Holy Ghost, for ever and ever. s The oratory of St. Declan—as it has been called
tianity into our Isle, about the fifth century. Some have considered it is that very place of worship, where St. Declan ministered during his lifetime, and where his remains were deposited, when he rested from his labours. The ancient church, at Ardmore, now in ruins, was afterwards made into a chancel. Until the recent erection of the present edifice, a part of this was used as the former parish church ; it was a fine building, richly decorated with sculpture, and still it displays traces of perished magnificence. X Many miracles were ascribed both before and after his death to St. Declan, while he is yet held in
8
great veneration by. people, inhabiting the barony of Decies within Dmm. s
—is a little Daimh-liag?
which bears traces of a
carries us back—at least in recollection—to the early introduction of Chris-
xxiv. Acta S. Declani, cap. ix. , sects. 73,
The earth taken from it, and which is often put into it, that it may be consecrated by lying there, is reverenced by the peasants. It is also considered efficacious, in protect- ing persons from any disease. See Rev.
74, 75. P- 6o7-
s This form, contained in St. Dedans
Acts, gives an idea that they had been com- posed as a monastic Lecture. See ibid. .
6 This building is of small dimensions
being 13 feet 4 inches, by 8 feet 9 inches, in
the clear. The two side walls extend, about
2 feet 6 inches, beyond the gable, and form
in this manner a set of four square buttresses
to the building. The original entrance was
at the west end ; but, it is now rendered use-
less owing to an accumulation of soil, on the
outside, and reaching to the very lintel. It is
5 feet 6 inches in height, and its lintel is
formed by a single stone, mote than 6 feet in
length. The doorway tapers in width, from
2 feet, at the lintel, to 2 feet 5 inches at the
base. The east window has a semi-circular
head, formed from one stone, and it displays
the same tapering construction with the door.
There were windows, also, in the norlh and Ce,\nir\A6, now called the barony of
' Deece,' in the county of Meath ; but were expelled thence by their relative Cormac, the grandson of Conn of the Hundred Battles, about the year 254, when they settled in the county of Waterford. (Book of Rights, p. 184, n. ). The Decies are now divided into two baronies, namely, Decies within Drum, and Decies without Drum, by a high ridge, called in Irish Dnom ptlgfn, i. r. , the Back or Ridge of St. Finghin (who according to Ware (see Bishops) was Bishop of i -ismore,
south walls. The south window is now built up ; for, the only entrance to the building is through the north window, which has been opened downwards for this purpose. The roof is modern. It was erected in 161 7, for the
of the oratory, by I >i . Thomas Milles, the Protestant Bishop of Waterford and Lismore. The interior of
preservation
. . e^,
,
,
;
Samuel " New Handbook of Hayman's
this little oratory presents no feature of in-
terest, savethat a' large open excavation in the
south-east angle is shown, as St. Declan's
grave. The walls of this vault are built of A. D. 1 179), which extends from Helvick masonry, and the descent is by a few steps. Head, on the coast of Dungarvan to Tallow,
very
remote
antiquity. It
Youghal," p. x.
7 See Lewis' "Topographical Dictionary
of Ireland," vol. i. Article, Ardmore.
8
stance, that Declan is yet a favourite baptis-
This is especially shown, by the circum-
mal name among the people, living in and near Ardmore.
9 " The Decies, comprise the tract of country which extends from the River Suir to the sea, and from Lismore to Credan Head,andtakesits namefromapowerful clan called the "Oeife, who claim descent from Fiacha Suighdhe, the elder brother of Conn of the Hundred Battles, and were ori- ginally located in the territory of "Oeife
July 24. ] LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. 347
After relating the foregoing wonderful occurrences, the author of our saint's Acts states, that he should end his narrative respecting the supernatural wonders recorded about St. Declan j although he was obliged to omit many of these, which must be imagined by the reader, owing to the few miracles that had been written. The biographer says, also, that he must pass over in silence accounts regarding the many blind persons restored to the use of sight by our saint; as likewise the many lepers he cleansed, the numbers of lame and mutilated persons he cured, the various deaf people he caused to hear, besides a variety of diseases, in different places, that he healed. During this time, likewise, the holy Pontiff was engaged in spreading the Gospel seed among the pagans. He says, that whilst the number of these traditionary miracles should weary him were they fully written, the readers and hearers of such won- ders must also be affected with weariness, on account of their Great multitude. 10
Church on the Cliff, Ardmore, County of Waterforcl.
Like many of our early. saints, the holy Declan wished to live as a recluse, so that he might retire to his cell occasionally, to be less disturbed by merely humanand business engagements. He had built that small butcelebrated cell," in a place now known as St. Declan's Desert. The western gable only stands, atpresent,withportionofasouthsidewall. 12 Itissituatedontheedgeofa
the most southern extremity of the county. " See O'Kearney's Translation of the Battle of Gabhra, n. 3, p. 135. Vol. i. , "Transac- tions of the Ossianic Society," Dublin, 1854, 8vo.
10 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. ,
Julii xxiv. Acta S. Declani, cap. ix. , sect.
76, p. 607.
11 This is the old ruin, to which Smith
alludes, in his " Ancient and Present State of the County and City of Waterford," chap, iii. , p. 47.
13
The accompanying illustration is from a sketch made many years since by John Win- dale, Esq. , of Cork, and at a time when the wall> were more perfect than they are at pre- sent. The original is now preserved among that gentleman's Manuscript Collections in the Royal Irish Academy. From this a copy has been made by William F. Wakeman, who transferred it to the wood, engraved by
Mrs. Millard.
«3 Meaning the Well of Declan. " It is
"
at the west side of the ruined oratory, and
348 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [July 24.
cliff, and its site was in a contracted and remote spot, between a hill and the
sea—Just over the shore of this latter element. This recess lay a short mile
from the city of Ardmore, at a time when the author of our saint's Ac—ts
;
wrote at that a clear rivulet—now called Tubber ' 3
and,
flowed by it down the hill towards the ocean, while beautiful trees also surrounded this sacred haunt. Now that spot is completely denuded of sylvan adornment, and only is the oratory M sheltered by the cliff which rises over it on the western side. After the manner of a solitary, St. Declan wished to commune with God in watching, in fasting, and in prayer; but, he could scarcely seclude himself even there, even for a short time, owing to the multitude of disciples and pilgrims, with the faithful and poor of Christ, who followed him. Our saint was bountiful, pious and clement in disposition. The author of his Life we have it from his old j s that for
period,
Deglaune
observes, disciples,
these very qualities, a great crowd constantly attended him. 16 But, he very much loved this little cell, in which, even for a brief period, he might spend
some moments in heavenly contemplation. However, certain religious men
were with him in this same constantly
place.
situations more romantically chosen for a place of worship, than that of Team-
pull Diseart, or " the church of the desert," lying southward at Ardmore. A
steep precipitous cliff overhangs the ocean, where its beetling place of eleva- tion is shown. Just on the verge of a truly frightful chasm stand the grey weather-bleached ruins of an old church. 18 It is very unlikely, however, that the present ruins there had any connexion with the patron's early period.
Not
St. Declan, but even St. had a — of his
only Patrick, foreknowledge coming
— Declan called to him a
death. Then, holy bishop
said to have been son to who was his beloved disciple, and whose monastery stood near the strait of Imleagh, opposite the men of Gabran's district, 30 in the eastern part of the Decies' territory. He desired to receive the body and blood of Jesus Christ from this holy bishop at the hour of departure. Declan also foretold the day of his own death to some venerable men. He desired to be brought into
2»
filled in spirit with faith, hope, and charity. Having collected the clergy and
Liach
his 21 that there he city,
to when he knew that his last Christ,
might depart
hours on earth were approaching. However weak in body he felt, yet was he
it is at present greatly resorted to by pil- grims.
14 It seems doubtful if this be the Mona-
chan or Dormitory of St. Declan, alluded to
by John Windale, in his "Descriptive Notices of the City of Cork and its Vicinity,"
p. 183. Cork, 1840, 8vo. Most probably, however, it was the oratory near the former
cathedral, where popular tradition yet points out his grave.
15 Hence, Sir James Ware thinks, that this ancient biographer lived not very long after St. Declan's time. See " De Scriptoribus
Ilibernise," lib. i. , cap. xiii. , p. 90.
16 From these expressions, inferences have been incorrectly drawn, that the writer of St. Declan's Life must have lived soon after liis time; however, the meaning seems to be, that his information had been derived from older documents, or from oral traditions,
supposed to contain such early accounts.
17 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. , Julii xxiv. Acta S. Declani, cap. ix. , sect.
77, p. 607.
,8
Its ecclesiastical details are said to indi- cate the thirteenth century.
It is recorded, that the wife of a certain rich man, named Fintan, was without offspring, even to an advanced age. The couple came to St. Declan, and entreated him to beg of God, that they might be favoured with children. On their part, to procure his favour, they engaged to offer alms, and to per- form pious works. They declared, moreover, that they had most unbounded confidence, in theefiicacy of St. Declan's prayers. The bishop then bestowed
sumed, that his successors in the monastery claimed their fealty in likemanner. s The holy Albeus,5? Archbishop of Munster, knowing that the period of his
his blessing on them. He also said
<c Fulfil what you have promised, and through God's bounty, you shall be blessed with children. " After this pro- mise and benediction of the holy bishop, they returned to their house. Soon after this event, the wife of Fintan conceived, and in due course, two sons were born to her ; and these were named respectively Eoch and Fiacha. They and their posterity became St. Declan's dependants, and it is to be pre-
8
:
"
and pay a visit to my beloved companion and fellow-servant in Christ, Bishop
Declan, before I die. " Then Ailbe proceeded on his journey, to accomplish that purpose which he thus expressed. An Angel came to St. Declan, and told him, that the holy old man, his friend Albeus, was coming to visit him.
On learning it, the saintly Prelate Declan told his people to prepare every- thing necessary to receive his pious guest. Afterwards, he went from his own
60
Sees of Ireland, by Rev. Robert King, in his 58 The Acts of our saint remark, that this "Primer of the Church History of Ireland," dependency continued, "usque ad finem
departure was approaching, said to his disciples :
Brethren, I desire to see
that he might meet St. Albeus. On his arrival mere, St. Albeus was honourably received by St. Declan and by his people. Subsequently, Albeus remained fourteen days with our saint. This interval was spent in a mutual interchange of spiritual offices, and in holy
city, to a place called Druim luchtri,
vol. iii. , Appendix, No. ix. , p. 996.
5* To him has been attributed a Life of St.
Cuthbert.
53 See Rev. Samuel Hayman's "New before St. Patrick's coming, a. d. 432. See
Handbook for Youghal," p. xi.
s* It is probable, that with this name, the
list of the Bishops of this ancient See closes. See ibid.
55 When such union took place is not agrees,
known with certainty ; but, it has been thought by some writers, that Ardmore was
not a separate episcopal See, in the year
1152.
s6 See the '' Historia Monastica Hiber-
niae," p. 54, published at Paris in 1690.
57 This too has been advanedd by Rev.
Samuel Hayman, A. B. , in his "AnnaUf ol Youghal," Third Series, p. I.
6o
In a subsequent passage, the name of this place is written, " Druim luchri. " It seems probable enough, that this had been the name formerly given to that dividing chain of hills on the borders of the barony of Decies within Drum, and the barony of
I ><cies without Drum, in the present county ol Waterford.
6l Now a town and parish, in the barony
seculi. "
59 TJssher infers, that St. Albeus is not
"
Britannicarum Ecclesiarum Antiquitates," cap. xvi. , p. 409, and cap. xvii. , p. 453. Also Index Chronologicus, a. d. dxxxii. , p. 528. In this opinion of Ussher, Dr. Lanigan
likely to have preached the faith in Ireland,
July 24. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 343
charity, to the great interior consolation of those great servants of God. After such term was at an end, the venerable Ailbe returned to his own city,
61
at Emly,
which was situated on the great Munster plain ; when, with a con-
siderable number of people, St. Declan accompanied his departing guest to the
aforesaid Druim luchri. There,' St. Ailbe requested our saint's return towards
his own city. Having a presentiment, that they would not again behold each
other in this life, and full of mutual affection, these celebrated saints burst
into a flood of tears, on the instant. Offering up their prayers to God for its
long continuance, the holy prelates renewed the old fraternal alliance, already
existing between themselves and their disciples. Then, St. Albeus blessed
the Decies' city, its people, and its clerics, when St. Declan in turn bestowed
like spiritual favours on Bishop Ailbe and his charge. With the kiss of peace,
and with a sorrowful but holy resignation, having true love for God and for
their neighbour implanted in their breasts, these holy bishops and their dis-
ciples parted from each other, and returned to the places of their respective
62
habitations.
At one time, the Fort 6 3 f a Decies' chieftain, who was named Canicus,
tookfire,andtheflamesbeganragingtoafearfuldegree. VenerableBishop Declan, who felt much concerned at this accident, ran towards the castle. Taking in his hand that remarkable staff already mentioned, and with which he miraculously removed the sea, Declan threw it from the place where he stood, towards the burning edifice. By Divine permission, the staff flew through air, and fell over the topping flames and into the very middle of the forti- fication,which,atthattime,hadbeenhalfconsumed. Inaninstantaneous manner, the fire was extinguished. The distance between that place where our saint stood and the burning castle was computed, as a long mile, and
the name of Cuirt. 6^ On this witnessing
near the a spot lay
grove, bearing
miracle, the chieftain Canic, with all others present, were in admiration, and
they gave thanks to God. 6s This castle, here alluded to, was situated not
far from the River Suir, and on its southern bank. It was at a place which,
"
in our saint's Acts, is Latinized, Collis Stabilis. " But, that place, from
which St. Declan threw his staff, was situated near a shallow or ford of the same river, and it was opposite to the monastery of certain holy virgins, who
were — to this Canic. 66 Their daughters
locha 68 derived from its local probably
6? bore the name monastery Magh-
of Clanwilliam, and in the South Riding of the county of Tipperary. This ancient
episcopal seat had a long line of bishops,
obsolete. The grove in question grew not far from the present Clonmel.
6s After relating this miracle, the Acts of our saint state regarding the chieftain Canic,
voluntatem sancti Declani complevit. "
until merged in that of Cashel, a. d. 1568. ""
See an account of it in the Parliamentary Gazetteer of Ireland," vol. ii. , pp. 176, 177.
66
The Very Rev. David B. Mulcahy, P. P. „
62 Ware "Declanum vero says:
post
of of Antrim, and a native Moyarget, county
of Waterford diocese, informs the writer, by letter dated January 27th, 1890, that after a good deal of search, hefound those nuns in the Calendar, at the 24th of September, as
Albeum decessisse, testatur Vitse ejus de-
scriptor, De anno nihil traditum reperi. "
"
Opuscula adscripta S. Patricio," Annota-
tiones, p. 106. Both the Annals of Ulster
and those of Innisfallen place the death of InghetiA CAitroigh. He also states, that Ailbe, in the year 527. See Rev. Dr CAnroigh, in Irish, is the genitive case for
Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical History of Ire-
land," vol. i. , chap, i. , sect, xi. , p. 24, and
CAiiroech—identical with Caihc or Cain- nech.
6?
It is said to have been the site for a convent of Augustinian nuns, granted at the Life, it may be likely this mansion had only dissolution to Sir Henry Radcliffe. This
sect, xii. , p. 26.
63 Although called a castle, in the Latin
been constructed of wood, as were many of
the old Irish residences of chiefs and of their
people.
6* Most probably this name has become
parish of Molough was a particle of New- castle benefice in the diocese of Lismore.
See "Parliamentary Gazetteer of. Ireland," vol. ii. , p. 782.
.
position.
6
9 The writer of our saint's
344 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [July 24.
Acts informs us, that in his day, on account of the miracle wrought, a heap of stones, with a cross, had been there erected. The memorial was called Vlu,7° but it is difficult to determine the exact meaning of this old Celtic word.
At a certain time, a fleet was manned by pagans, who directed their course towards St. Declan's monastery, wishing to despoil the local inhabitants of their substance. All these people ran to their saintly and venerable old bishop, to entreat the interposition of his prayers with Heaven, in their behalf. Know-
1
ing the happiness, good dispositions, and holy charity of his disciple, Ultan 7 —whoalreadyhasbeenmentioned—St. DeclanorderedhiminGod'sname to sign against the fleet with the symbol of salvation. At this time, having his right hand engaged in the performance of some work, at the command of his venerable superior, holy brother Ultan signed against the fleet with his left hand, when instantly, all those vessels were swallowed by the sea, sinking " as lead in the mighty waters. ? a " On witnessing this miracle,? * all the Christians were filled with joy, and they were still more confirmed in their faith regardingtheMostHolyTrinity. ? * TheywereloudintheirpraisesofGod's servant, by whom these and many other miracles were wrought. They called* him their preacher and bishop. Between St. Declan and his disciple St. Ultan arose a pious contention regarding this miracle; for, the disciple wished to refer it altogther to his master's merits, while on the contrary, the master would attribute its performance solely to the virtues of his disciple.
After St. Declan's death, the same St. Uitan became second Abbot of Ard- more, and he is said also, to have wrought many miracles, as well as his more celebrated predecessor. ? *
CHAPTER IV.
BISHOP DECLAN'S RELATIONS WITH ST. PATRICK—THE BUILDING AND CONSECRATION OF A LEVITIANA OR AN ORATORY BY ST. DECLAN—HIS NUMEROUS MIRACLES- HE BUILDS A HERMITAGE NEAR THE SEA-SHORE, AND HE RETIRES TO IT—HIS PREPARATION FOR DEATH—HIS HOLY DEPARTURE—FESTIVALS AND COMMEMORA- TIONS—ANTIQUITIES AT ARDMORE—MEMORIALS OF ST. DECLAN—CONCLUSION.
Having destroyed the temples of idols, and converted Gentiles to the true Faith, St. Declan built churches to God, while he consecrated and ordained
*• "
It is found Latinized, Campus Stagni. "
At Newcastle, near the great bend of the River Suir, are the ruins of a religious house,
in tYlogh locha, now Molough, according to the Very Rev. David B. Mulcahy, who ap- pears to have most satisfactorily identified the locality.
<J It is now known as Moloughabbey, a
townland in the small parish of Molough, in
the barony of Iffa and Offa West. This
parish and the townland are described, on the
73TheLifeofoursaintstates: "etstatim
mare omnes illas naves absorpsit quasi saccos
plombo plenos. " Then follows the legen-
dary account, that those submerged bodies of the pagan sailors were changed into large rocks, which were to be seen out in the sea, and not far from the shore, in his time. Describing these in an article published in the Pall Mall Gatette, now many years back, Miss Hraddon writes: "A black acre of half-sunken rocks is the haunt of the wliist- ling whaup and of a grim foraging party of hoodie craws, which are highly partial to mussels, and are said to open these luxuries by taking the shell into the air and letting it fall on the stones below. "
"
Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the
County of Tipperary," sheet 88.
70 This place has been rendered into Latin
"
11 *
Acervus Sancti Declani," by the old writer
of the>e Acts. In English, this should mean,
the Mound or Cairn of St. Declan. "
7
The author of our saint's Acts —
He
his chanties, towards the little ones and poor of Christ.
7" See Exodus, xv. , 10.
71
is
said to have been remarkable for
that inhistime,theScots bywhomheunder-
—when
approach of danger, were accustomed to
stands the Irish
l ,ray> "The left hand of Ultan be against
seeing
says,
or the hearing
July 24. ] LIVES OE THE IRISH SAINTS. 345
several ecclesiastics. It has been generally asserted and believed, that St. Declan became the bishop of his own people, the Desii, whom he first brought toaknowledgeofDivinetruth. But,theperiodwhenhelabouredthereisnot so clearly ascertained. Whatever amount of uncertainty regards the state- St. Declan has been classed the of St. Patrick. 1 How-
among disciples
ment,
ever, this does not appear, from any of the ancient Lives of the great Irish
Apostle; and, although, during his sojourn upon earth, the reputation of our saint was very great, it has been supposed, that the omission of such an eminent person's name, had he really been one of St. Patrick's disciples,
should have been a strange circumstance.
2
The author of St. Declan's Life,
however, brings both distinguished personages into close relations of amity and intercourse.
The most holy Patrick, Archbishop of the Irish, sent one of his disciples, charged with a commission to venerable Declan. But, on coming to the southern part of the Decies' country, that disciple was drowned in a certain river,calledLuch. Hearingofhisdeath,BishopDeclanwasmuchafflicted.
:
He said M Truly do I grieve in spirit, that the most holy man's messenger,
who was sent to me, has been taken off by a sudden death, and in my part of the country. Nor can he bear back my communication to his illustrious master. Wherefore, you shall immediately place me in a chariot, that I may assist at his obsequies, and that our holy father, and his master St. Patrick, may hear of my regard for him.
" "That river, in which the messenger had been drowned, was only two miles distant from St. Declan's city. The
drowned man had already been placed in a coffin, that his corpse might be interred in St. Declan's cemetery. But, with his attendants, having met those who bore the dead body, Declan ordered them to place it on the ground. This order was obeyed, for they supposed the holy bishop was about to sing an office for the dead over him, and on that spot. 3 Approaching the coffin, and lifting the shroud from the dead man's face, Declan beheld it swollen and discoloured, as usually happens in the case of drowned persons. He shed tears, and he then prayed mentally for some time, the crowd around not hearing what had been said. He afterwards spoke these words in presence
" In the name of the Most Holy Trinity, and undivided unity of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, whose sweet and light yoke I bear, arise before us,forChristhathgrantedthylife tome. " Atthosewordsofthevenerable Bishop, St. Patrick's disciple arose from the coffin. He then blessed our saint and all those that stood around him. Bishop Declan then raised and tenderly embraced him, while our saint's disciples followed their master's example. At the time this accident which caused his death occurred,
that messenger complained of a weakly constitution, like to a man recovering from some infirmity; but, after his restoration to life, he became healthy and robust. He returned with St. Declan to his city, and remained with him some days, with manifestations of truest love. Great joy was felt in Ardmore, as a consequence of this miracle ; so that the name Christ and St. Declan's
it. " By pronouncing such words, we are who adds, that we may conclude, St.
of all
:
informed, the power of God was frequently manifested.
? s See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. , Julii xxiv. De S. Declano Episcopo Ardmoriae in Hibernia, cap. ix. , sects. 71, 72, pp. 606, 607.
Declan became distinguished during some part of the sixth century, calculating from the times of his disciples and friends, of whom some records remain. See " Eccle-
siastical History of Ireland," vol. i. , chap, i. , sect, xii. , pp. 26, 27.
3 The Life has it: " Putabant omnes, quod sanctus Episcopus vellet officium mor- tuorum inibi cantare pro illo. "
Chapter iv. "
—
T
See "Trias Colgan's
Thaumaturga,
S. Patricii, cap. xxiii. , p. 269.
4 See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. , Julii
Quinta Appendix ad Acta
3 Such is the opinion of Rev. Dr. Lanigan,
346 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [July 24.
holiness were glorified far and wide, through that section of country. This disciple of St. Patrick had been called Ballinus. Full ofjoy, lie left St.
Declan at last, and returned to his holy master, St. Patrick, relating to many persons what had occurred to him. The glorious Archbishop Patrick, on hearing these renowned and great testimonies concerning St. Declaims sanctity, did not foil to divulge his merits. Afterwards, St. Patrick extolled
his merits and praises in person to the holy bishop/ — It is said, that St. Declan had consecrated a Levitiana
most probably his oratory—by an angelic admonition, and this was intended for his own use.
There great signs and miracles were constantly wrought, through his intercession, and through the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom be
honour, glory and power, with God the Father, in the Unity of the Holy Ghost, for ever and ever. s The oratory of St. Declan—as it has been called
tianity into our Isle, about the fifth century. Some have considered it is that very place of worship, where St. Declan ministered during his lifetime, and where his remains were deposited, when he rested from his labours. The ancient church, at Ardmore, now in ruins, was afterwards made into a chancel. Until the recent erection of the present edifice, a part of this was used as the former parish church ; it was a fine building, richly decorated with sculpture, and still it displays traces of perished magnificence. X Many miracles were ascribed both before and after his death to St. Declan, while he is yet held in
8
great veneration by. people, inhabiting the barony of Decies within Dmm. s
—is a little Daimh-liag?
which bears traces of a
carries us back—at least in recollection—to the early introduction of Chris-
xxiv. Acta S. Declani, cap. ix. , sects. 73,
The earth taken from it, and which is often put into it, that it may be consecrated by lying there, is reverenced by the peasants. It is also considered efficacious, in protect- ing persons from any disease. See Rev.
74, 75. P- 6o7-
s This form, contained in St. Dedans
Acts, gives an idea that they had been com- posed as a monastic Lecture. See ibid. .
6 This building is of small dimensions
being 13 feet 4 inches, by 8 feet 9 inches, in
the clear. The two side walls extend, about
2 feet 6 inches, beyond the gable, and form
in this manner a set of four square buttresses
to the building. The original entrance was
at the west end ; but, it is now rendered use-
less owing to an accumulation of soil, on the
outside, and reaching to the very lintel. It is
5 feet 6 inches in height, and its lintel is
formed by a single stone, mote than 6 feet in
length. The doorway tapers in width, from
2 feet, at the lintel, to 2 feet 5 inches at the
base. The east window has a semi-circular
head, formed from one stone, and it displays
the same tapering construction with the door.
There were windows, also, in the norlh and Ce,\nir\A6, now called the barony of
' Deece,' in the county of Meath ; but were expelled thence by their relative Cormac, the grandson of Conn of the Hundred Battles, about the year 254, when they settled in the county of Waterford. (Book of Rights, p. 184, n. ). The Decies are now divided into two baronies, namely, Decies within Drum, and Decies without Drum, by a high ridge, called in Irish Dnom ptlgfn, i. r. , the Back or Ridge of St. Finghin (who according to Ware (see Bishops) was Bishop of i -ismore,
south walls. The south window is now built up ; for, the only entrance to the building is through the north window, which has been opened downwards for this purpose. The roof is modern. It was erected in 161 7, for the
of the oratory, by I >i . Thomas Milles, the Protestant Bishop of Waterford and Lismore. The interior of
preservation
. . e^,
,
,
;
Samuel " New Handbook of Hayman's
this little oratory presents no feature of in-
terest, savethat a' large open excavation in the
south-east angle is shown, as St. Declan's
grave. The walls of this vault are built of A. D. 1 179), which extends from Helvick masonry, and the descent is by a few steps. Head, on the coast of Dungarvan to Tallow,
very
remote
antiquity. It
Youghal," p. x.
7 See Lewis' "Topographical Dictionary
of Ireland," vol. i. Article, Ardmore.
8
stance, that Declan is yet a favourite baptis-
This is especially shown, by the circum-
mal name among the people, living in and near Ardmore.
9 " The Decies, comprise the tract of country which extends from the River Suir to the sea, and from Lismore to Credan Head,andtakesits namefromapowerful clan called the "Oeife, who claim descent from Fiacha Suighdhe, the elder brother of Conn of the Hundred Battles, and were ori- ginally located in the territory of "Oeife
July 24. ] LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. 347
After relating the foregoing wonderful occurrences, the author of our saint's Acts states, that he should end his narrative respecting the supernatural wonders recorded about St. Declan j although he was obliged to omit many of these, which must be imagined by the reader, owing to the few miracles that had been written. The biographer says, also, that he must pass over in silence accounts regarding the many blind persons restored to the use of sight by our saint; as likewise the many lepers he cleansed, the numbers of lame and mutilated persons he cured, the various deaf people he caused to hear, besides a variety of diseases, in different places, that he healed. During this time, likewise, the holy Pontiff was engaged in spreading the Gospel seed among the pagans. He says, that whilst the number of these traditionary miracles should weary him were they fully written, the readers and hearers of such won- ders must also be affected with weariness, on account of their Great multitude. 10
Church on the Cliff, Ardmore, County of Waterforcl.
Like many of our early. saints, the holy Declan wished to live as a recluse, so that he might retire to his cell occasionally, to be less disturbed by merely humanand business engagements. He had built that small butcelebrated cell," in a place now known as St. Declan's Desert. The western gable only stands, atpresent,withportionofasouthsidewall. 12 Itissituatedontheedgeofa
the most southern extremity of the county. " See O'Kearney's Translation of the Battle of Gabhra, n. 3, p. 135. Vol. i. , "Transac- tions of the Ossianic Society," Dublin, 1854, 8vo.
10 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. ,
Julii xxiv. Acta S. Declani, cap. ix. , sect.
76, p. 607.
11 This is the old ruin, to which Smith
alludes, in his " Ancient and Present State of the County and City of Waterford," chap, iii. , p. 47.
13
The accompanying illustration is from a sketch made many years since by John Win- dale, Esq. , of Cork, and at a time when the wall> were more perfect than they are at pre- sent. The original is now preserved among that gentleman's Manuscript Collections in the Royal Irish Academy. From this a copy has been made by William F. Wakeman, who transferred it to the wood, engraved by
Mrs. Millard.
«3 Meaning the Well of Declan. " It is
"
at the west side of the ruined oratory, and
348 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [July 24.
cliff, and its site was in a contracted and remote spot, between a hill and the
sea—Just over the shore of this latter element. This recess lay a short mile
from the city of Ardmore, at a time when the author of our saint's Ac—ts
;
wrote at that a clear rivulet—now called Tubber ' 3
and,
flowed by it down the hill towards the ocean, while beautiful trees also surrounded this sacred haunt. Now that spot is completely denuded of sylvan adornment, and only is the oratory M sheltered by the cliff which rises over it on the western side. After the manner of a solitary, St. Declan wished to commune with God in watching, in fasting, and in prayer; but, he could scarcely seclude himself even there, even for a short time, owing to the multitude of disciples and pilgrims, with the faithful and poor of Christ, who followed him. Our saint was bountiful, pious and clement in disposition. The author of his Life we have it from his old j s that for
period,
Deglaune
observes, disciples,
these very qualities, a great crowd constantly attended him. 16 But, he very much loved this little cell, in which, even for a brief period, he might spend
some moments in heavenly contemplation. However, certain religious men
were with him in this same constantly
place.
situations more romantically chosen for a place of worship, than that of Team-
pull Diseart, or " the church of the desert," lying southward at Ardmore. A
steep precipitous cliff overhangs the ocean, where its beetling place of eleva- tion is shown. Just on the verge of a truly frightful chasm stand the grey weather-bleached ruins of an old church. 18 It is very unlikely, however, that the present ruins there had any connexion with the patron's early period.
Not
St. Declan, but even St. had a — of his
only Patrick, foreknowledge coming
— Declan called to him a
death. Then, holy bishop
said to have been son to who was his beloved disciple, and whose monastery stood near the strait of Imleagh, opposite the men of Gabran's district, 30 in the eastern part of the Decies' territory. He desired to receive the body and blood of Jesus Christ from this holy bishop at the hour of departure. Declan also foretold the day of his own death to some venerable men. He desired to be brought into
2»
filled in spirit with faith, hope, and charity. Having collected the clergy and
Liach
his 21 that there he city,
to when he knew that his last Christ,
might depart
hours on earth were approaching. However weak in body he felt, yet was he
it is at present greatly resorted to by pil- grims.
14 It seems doubtful if this be the Mona-
chan or Dormitory of St. Declan, alluded to
by John Windale, in his "Descriptive Notices of the City of Cork and its Vicinity,"
p. 183. Cork, 1840, 8vo. Most probably, however, it was the oratory near the former
cathedral, where popular tradition yet points out his grave.
15 Hence, Sir James Ware thinks, that this ancient biographer lived not very long after St. Declan's time. See " De Scriptoribus
Ilibernise," lib. i. , cap. xiii. , p. 90.
16 From these expressions, inferences have been incorrectly drawn, that the writer of St. Declan's Life must have lived soon after liis time; however, the meaning seems to be, that his information had been derived from older documents, or from oral traditions,
supposed to contain such early accounts.
17 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. , Julii xxiv. Acta S. Declani, cap. ix. , sect.
77, p. 607.
,8
Its ecclesiastical details are said to indi- cate the thirteenth century.
