Gerebern, and on the history of that
interesting
little com- inune, which claims this early Irish ecclesiastic as a special patron.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v5
D.
1643.
would most willingly communicate whatever particulars his anxious and exact researches had enabled him to procure,
'^ A third original Papal bull I also exa- mined, but forgot to take a note of its sub- stance, at the time.
^"^ Molanus, writing from the records of Santen, observes, that Sonsbeck was not a city, but a village of Santen parish, which obtained a distinct church, owing to the munificence of Theodore, Count of Cleves. In 1320, Theodore gave the people of Sons- beck an immunity from tolls and the power of electing their own magistrates. For this
" In July, 1863, at the period of my statement we are referred to Teschenmacher, visit. in " Annalibus Clivire," p. 173.
" To the present writer, it was a subject '5 "Ulii hoc tempore illud asservari cum of regret, that Mr. Jaspers' absence from Gramayo et Tlieodorc Rhay asserunt Sonsbeck prevented the acquisition of much Molanus, MirKus, et Merianus in Topogra- information his materials and local know- phia Westphaliie observantque, per errorem ledge should supply ; for assurance was vulgi non Gerebernum sed Bernardum nunc
IA
370
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 15.
of July, in the Carthusian Martyrology, we have notice of a feast for the Translation of St, Gerebern, priest, at Xanten, on the Rhine. And Grammay'^ tells us, that in the church of St. Dympna, at Gheel, the head St. Herbern is kept, his body having been translated to Sonsbeck. '? Among the inhabitants of this latter town, a tradition prevails, that when the people of Xanten brought St. Gerebern's remains to the hill, where his chapel is now erected, those beasts yoked, to a waggon on which the saint's relics were borne, could not proceed farther, througli some supernatural cause. Wherefore, the Sonsbeck people deposited St. Gerebern's remains on that elevated site, and erected theirprimitivechurchoverthem. TlieVeryRev. Mr. Frankeserinformed the writer, that he had also seen, in either a printed book or Manuscript in possession of the Rev. Charles Jaspers, a statement conformable to the pre- ceding popular tradition. A custom, at present prevailing in the town and parish of Sonsbeck, requires all the Catholic inhabitants to attend in their best holiday attire, on the Sunday,but not that one immediately succeeding the feast ofSt. Margaret,virginandmartyr,whichoccursonthe13thofJune. '^ The place of meeting is in and around the ancient little chapel of St. Gerebern, situatedonabeautifuleminence,immediatelyoutsidethetownofSonsbeck. On the occasion of St. Gerebern's principal festival—the octave of the Sunday after St. Margaret's day—all the parochial Masses are there celebrated, and the doors of the parish church are closed. During the octave, a like custom prevails. At other times, when the people wish their cure or vicaires to celebrate a votive Mass for them, the little chapel of St. Gerebern is often used, for this pur- pose. '9 As the writer had been informed by the pastor, St. Gerebern's exist- ing chapel dates its origin to the very commencement of the thirteenth cen- tury. It is probable, an older ecclesiastical structure occupied its present site. Immediately adjoining St. Gerebern's chapel, covered with rose trees and weeping willows, lies the Catholic cemetery of the parish, which is very neatly kept and enclosed. That it is a very ancient burial-place, we may well suppose, and from the numerous tombs and crosses placed over the graves, it seems a favourite burial-place for the Catholic inhabitants of Sons- beck and of the adjoining country. The Evangelicals, as all the Protestant inhabitants are called, have their separate place of interment, and the Jews' cemetery is distinct from the two former graveyards. The prospect from the top of the hill, on which the little chapel of St. Gerebern is built, embraces a most extended field of vision ; and, on the bright warm sunshine day,^° when
vocari : et annulis sacratis (qui contra chira-
gram et febris a fidelibus gestari solent) non
Gereberni, sed ]'>ernardi nomen impressum
legi ; scilicet cum Sint Gebern et contrac- honorant. " Again, in Vitre, No. 6, we read : tius. Sint Bern diceretiir, imperite nomen " Gerebernus apud Zanten oppidum juxta Bernardi assumptum fuisse. Solent autem, Rhenum in magna veneratione haberi. " saciffi Reliquiae, cum frequentissimo populi And, in " HistoriaMiraculorum," it is said : concursu, Dominica post festum S. Mar- " Incola; dicti loci Zanten, cum Beati pig- garitse circumferri. " Hensclienius, Pras- noribus Gereberni aufugisse ; cunique prope mium. The latter statement is incorrect, castruni Zanies accederent, moniti oppidani for the present procession takes place not on cum luminaribus * • * ad ecclesiam the Sunday after the feast of St. Margaret,
but on the octave of that vSunday. Tiie same custom most likely prevailed, from time im- morial.
'* See " Antverpirc Antiquitates," cap. X. , pp. 144, 145.
' Theodorus Rhay, in " Animabus illus- tribus Julia;, Clivix, cl vicinarum Provincia- rum," at the 15th of May, writes : "Sons- beca pervelusta Clivia; urbs, non principe sed
deportarunt. "
'^ In the Calendar of the " Breviariuni
suburbano ejus in templo, patrocinium habet S. Gereberni Martyris, quern incolje et ac- colre more majorum constanti pracipuoque
Monasteriense," at this date, will be found the following notice : " S. Margarita, Virg. et Mart. , Duplex, (c. med. sec. 4. )"
""During my short visit at Sonsbeck, I had the privilege of celebrating the Holy Sacrifice of Mass, within the little chapel of St. Gerebern.
'" The ist of August, 1863.
May 15. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
371
the writer beheld it, the vast plains around were covered with varied vegeta- ble productions, the harvest was already far advanced, and the industrious inhabitants of the surrounding country were busily engaged, in the agricul- tural operations of the season. Immediately below lay the old town of Sons- beck, displaying its picturesque high-pitched and red-tiled roofs, with the slate-covered spire and roof of the parish church dominating over all the other houses. Small weather vanes lay motionless on the gables of several build- ings, and dense woods spread far away towards the distant horizon. The whole scene was surpassingly picturesque and varied. Rural tranquillity pre- vailed over this extensive landscape, so well harmonizing with the character of the inhabitants, as also with the peace and order reigning throughout this beautiful and productive region. Catholics constitute a preponderating niajority of the people, in this district of Prussia, and along the Rhemish bor- ders. They live in perfect harmony, with their dissenting fellow-subjects ; all classes and denominations of people then enjoying religious freedom and pro-
tection from their government, without distinction of sect or party. The sub- jects of this absolute monarchy were greatly reconciled to a deprivation of other political rights and privileges, which they hoped to obtain, in due course of time. The old chapel of St. Gerebern no longer exists in its ancient form. The foundations, which are of stone, appear to be the most antique portions of the present building ; the upper sections having been afterwards built of red brick, without any regard being paid to architectural beauty or design. The general style of St. Gerebern's chapel is Gothic, but greatly distigured on the exterior, by windows having been removed, and afterwards closed with commonbrickmaterials. Asmallgrass-grownwalledandhedgedenclosurecir- cles the building. On an eminence in front rises one of those large windmills, so frequently seen in France, Holland, Belgium and Germany, and which rather detracts from the general appearance of this small but interesting chapel. In front of the latter arises a square tower, surmounted by a spire of no very imposing height. Only for its historic, traditional, and religious asso- ciations, the chapel of St. Gerebern would have little to recommend it to the specialattentionofanarchitectorecclesiologist. Ingivingadescriptionofthe building, it may be remarked, that the nave of St. Gerebern's chapel is short, and two small aisles extend on either side of it : the roof is arched and ribbed in compartments, over choir, nave and aisles. Round pillars separate the two latter divisions of the church. A small porch and a rude old door stand im- mediately under a square tower, in front of the chapel. The tower is pierced on each side, with two open lights near the belfry. , A spire tapers upwards to the surmounting cross, in an octagon shape. It is slated around, like the covering roof over the chapel. This building is very plain looking, on the exterior. At the principal entrance, it is almost hidden by two large inter- laced lime trees, which grow within the grass enclosure. There were five abutments, with offsets on one side aisle, and four on the other, outside the chapel, besides five other buttresses around the choir, and two on the exterior of an old sacristy, attached to the choir, on one of its sides. Eight principal windows only remained around the church, and in a bad state of preserva- tion ; for the handsome stone mullions, broken in various places, w^re cramped with iron plates and bars. In some instances, the mullions were com- pletely gone. A few additional small square windows pierced the walls. A little cellular partition, in one of the side aisles, is entered by a rude door; and within this place, ahermitlived in other times, as the writer was informed by the pastor. A small door entered either side aisle. Behind the choir, on the exterior enclosure, was a wooden crucifix, and immediately before it were two ranges of lime trees, extending downwards to the public road. Under
372 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 15.
these trees, it is usual for a great crowd to assemble on the Dominical feast and octave of St. Gerebern, when the Gospel is preached to the people in open air,beforetliepublicprocessionisformed. OntheoctaveofSt. Gerebern's festival, statues of St. Gerebern and of St. Dynipna were brought in a solemn manner, with religious ceremonies, through the principal streets of Sonsbeck, and in a circuit around the adjoining fertile fields. The people carried green branches in their hands and lights during their progress through the town and country, until they returned back to St. Gerebern's chapel. Great numbers usually approached the sacraments, to receive indulgences obtained on the feast and during the octave. There is an inscription, dated a. d. 1687, on a little yellow-coloured shield, over the altar of St. Gerebern, and under a white figure, holding a black demon chained. Two figures rest immediately beneath it. Below is an altar-piece, which represents St. Gerebern clothed with vest- ments and standing in the foreground, with a sword falling over his head. Behind is represented St. Dympna, grasped by the hair in one of her father's hands, while he is drawing the sword downwards with the otl. er hand and over the virgin's neck. A rude wooden statue of St. Gerebern, painted white, with ornaments in gold leaf, rested immediately over the altar; a gilt sword, supported on the foot, was held by the right hand, whilst a gilt sceptre was grasped in the other. The altar itself was composed of a rough and massive slab, resting on other rude stones. Formerly, the place under this altar was open at either end, and it was usual for people to pass under it, on their knees, while reciting certain devotions. Around the platform, and extending to either end of the altar, an oval or a circular hollow, worn by the knees of penitents, may be seen in the gray common marble stones, with which the chapel is entirely paved. One of the former bishops of the diocese having discountenanced this custom, the ends of St. Gerebern's altar were closed with brick and mortar. But, on striking either end, it is easy to ascertain, from a peculiar sound, that the under part of this altar, in the centre, is yet hollow. The custom of making those pilgrimages by genuflexion has not yet entirely ceased ; and, the Avriter was informed by the pastor, who pointed out all the objects of interest in this chapel, that many of his parishioners followed the old practice, and passed around St. Gerebern's altar, which is detached from the rere wall. On the corner of a little choir-wall, near the altar of St. Gerebern, there was another wooden image of St. Bernard, abbot of Clair- vaux ; for, the people have confused their traditions, regarding the identity of this latter celebrated doctor and our Irish saint. It is very like the former small image, already described, \\\ shaj)e and size. Within the choir was placed the chief altar, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, with a large wooden statue of the Mater Dolorosa over it—a sword transfixing her breast. On either side of the choir, on corbels, are two smaller images, in wood, both representing St. Dympna. On the right side, from the principal entrance door, she appears crowned with a coronet, reading a book, resting on her right hand, while holding a small vase, in which flowers are often placed, in lier left hand. On the opposite side, she was also represented with the same emblems in her hands ; but, underneath one of her feet lay the prostrate form of her father, who possibly represented her usual adjunct, the demon crushed, in human shape, and in a very natural form, perfectly coinciding with the incidents of her ordinary legend. Over the head of St. Dympna was one of those high and grotesque head-dresses, peculiar to female costumes of the fourteenth or fifteenth century. These figures for the most part are painted white and decorated with gilding. There were various other small images of angels and saints around the interior of St. Gerebern's chapel, with sonfe pic- tures of no particular value, in point of colouring and execution. If pictorial
May 15. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
373
art fail to give the practised connoisseur a very special amount of satisfaction, the archceologist and antiquarian might nevertheless linger with some degree of interest and pleasure, within this little structure of the middle ages. The people of Sonsbeck believe, that the relics of St. Gerebern are preserved under the left altar of his chapel, from the principal entering door. But, the parish priest supposes, that during the time of the Lutheran and Calvinist wars, these remains were buried, and that no person knows with certainty where they nowrest. Thosemassivestonescomposingthealtarhaveneverbeenopened, so far as he had been able to ascertain. The relics of St. Gerebern may possi- bly repose within. Still, the pastor had no reliable tradition, observation, or historicrecord,toauthenticatetheirpreservation. Hehad,however,latelypro- cured from Ghecl, some of relics of the St. Dympna and of St. Gerebern, which he intended to carry around in procession, on the recurrence of future local festivals. ^' The good pastor of Sonsbeck told the writer, that he intended to
ask permission from his bishop, to open the place near St. Gerebern's altar,
within the chapel. He felt desirous to search diligently underneath the altar,
and ascertain, if any trace of this saint's relics could be found, in accordance
with existing popular traditions and immemorial pious usages. There can
hardly exist any reasonable doubt, that the remains of St. Bern had been
placed under the altar, which is yet held in such veneration, by the common
people. If this permission were accorded to the Very Rev. Mr. Frankeser, the
result of his researches must be regarded with archseological, and especially
with religious, interest. If carefully noted and examined, all the knowledge
possible to be procured on this matter must be obtained ; for, the pastor had
already in his possession, that amount of traditional information and access
to historic records, which should enable him to identify the remains of St.
Gerebern, in case they might be disinterred. The present parish church,
dedicated to St. Mary Magdalen, is a very large structure, within the town of
Sonsbeck yet,likemanyoftheGermanchurches,notremarkableforarchi- ;
tectural beauties, exteriorly, although worthy of the beholder's admiration, when within its walls. Having no very immediate relation to the subject of this biography, the reader will the more readily excuse an omission, in describ- ing its genenil appeara,nce and structural details. However, it may be observed, there is a small painted wooden statue, representing St. Dympna holding a sword in the right hand, the point of which rests near one foot, whilst in the left hand she supports a book, from which she appears to be read- ing. A figure of the devil, painted in brown colours, is represented as writh- ing beneath her feet. This little image stands on a corbel, which looks into the nave of the church. St. Dympna wears a coronet and she is clad in royal habiliments. There appears to be no representation or memorial of St. Gere- bern, within the parochial church ; although his memory is held in such great veneration, by the parishioners of Sonsbeck. Such were the notes and observations limited time and opportunities enabled the present writer to take, during his short sojourn, in this particular portion of tlie Rhenish province of
°' Allusion has been already made to tlie with diamonds or jewels, maybe seen ; and, ancient practice of blessing St. Gerebern's they are worn to prevent diseases, especially rings at Sonsbeck. This custom yet pre- fever. -, and all oiher kinds of temporal
vails, and the blessing takes place, on the morning of the Saint's dominical festival. The people of Sonsbeck city and parish, male and female, provide those rings in a mate- rial and style of embellishment, suited to the taste and circumstances of their respective wearers. On the fingers of many ladies, single as well as married, gold rings, set
calamities. The common people usually we. ir silver, or at least gilt brass rings. The pastor blesses these rings, by a short form of prayer, found in his ritual, afterwards he sprinkles them with holy water. They are then distributed to their various owners, and worn on all occasions ; their possession being regarded as a pious manifestation.
——
374 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 15.
Prussia. ThechurchrecordsofSonsbeckhadbeenremovedtoamoredistant city, at the time, in order to furnish evidence on matters pending judicial trial. This circumstance will in a great measure account for want of more detailed documentary illustration and information, which might otherwise be obtained. It is to be hoped, however, that hereafter some additional light will be thrown on the acts of St.
Gerebern, and on the history of that interesting little com- inune, which claims this early Irish ecclesiastic as a special patron.
Article III. St. Dubhlitir, Abbot of Finglas, County of Dublin. [Eighth Centuiy. '\ The oldest church erected at Finglas—unless its foundations be considered—no longer exists; but, it covered the site of a more modernone. ThislatterhadbeenusedforProtestantworship,intheearlierpart of the present century, and until the erection of a newer and more architec- turally correct building, which rises near the ornate rectory grounds. In the parsonage, and as rector here, the poet Dr. Thomas Parnell lived, but only for
Finglas Cemetery and Village, County Dublin
a short time, about the commencement of the last century. ' The graveyard almost triangular—is enclosed by a stone wall. Along two of its sides, ranges of fine sycamore trees have been set. The church ruins are within and near a corner of the cemetery, entered from the public road through an iron gate. Whole generations of the dead rest under the nink grass, wild celery, and hemlock, of this burial-ground. Within the existing ruins, flag-tombstones
Article hi. —' He w. -xs born in r)ul)lin, A. n. 1679, . nnd died at Chester, on his way to Ireland, in the ninnth of July, 1717. Dr. Oliver Goldsmith and Dr. Samuel [ohnson
liave sketchctl tlie bfe of this classic writer.
Alexander Pope and Dr. Jonathan Swift lircpaied posthumous editions of his works. . \ fine folio edition and elegantly printed of his poetical works appeared from the Glas-
gow PrcbS, in 1786.
» Our accompanying illustration pre- sents a view of the present entrance to this graveyard ; and the deserted medireval church ruin appears just within the enclos- ing wall. It has been drawn on the wood, by William F. Wakeman, from a photograph furnished by the Rev. John Henebery Green, U. S. A. , and it has been engraved, by Mrs. Millard.
3 See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 360, 361.
down at the 24th
-RAch in fiDnii\uA i^eccA SenAich ^o^x cleiiA n5elinAi]\ ; CiAnroAi, SA-t\An fAiiDbiis "pent OuibLiC|\ech x)ei\niAi]A.
" The grace of the seven-fold Spirit Poured on great-bright clerics, Timothy, the rich Saran,
On the festival of renowned Dubh-
litir. "
" The following is Dr. Whitley Stokes'
t
day of September.
— :
See his festival, set
s Dr. O'Donovan, however, corrects the
—
May 15. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
cover vaults, in which persons, once of high social position, are now moulder- ingindecay. 2 ThedeathofFaelchu,ofFinnghlais,isnoticedata. d. 758. 3 He is supposed to have been identical with a saint similarly designated. * Again, Caencomhrac, bishop of this place, died a. d. 786. 5 Contempora- neously with this bishop, and possibly ruling over a monastery during his term of incumbency, Dublitir lived. When he began to govern the monks there has not been ascertained ; or what age he had reached, at the date assigned for his death, must yet remain an open question. St. Dubhlitir appears to have lived as a contemporary with St. . ^ngus the Culdee. Tallagh and Finglas were not very distantly separated, and both of these holy men may have enjoyed the privilege and happiness of a personal acquaintance. As St. ^ngus survived, however, it seems pretty certain, he must have known perfectly well the character of this deceased guardian over Finglas Monastery. ^ In the " Felire of ^ngus,"? as preserved in the "I. eabhar Breac,"^ and in that copy formerly belonging to St. Isidore's con- vent, at Rome,9 a special eulogy has been pronounced, in reference to this holy Abbot,'° in common with other saints, mentioned in the stanza. " However fanciful etymological derivations of Irish names may be regarded, thepresentholyman'snamecanliterallybeAnglicized"black-letter. " This term is usually applied to students, who closely apply themselves to books
; and, in a double sense, it was most probably appropriate to St. Dubhlitir, whosefeasthasbeenassignedforthe15thMay. ThisDubhlittir,nodoubt," was the person referred to in the following entry, '3 in the " Annals of Ulster," at A. D. 779 (780): "An assembly of the synods of the Ui-Neill and the Leinsterinen, where there were many anchorites and scribes, over whom Dubhlitter was President. "'* He is briefly alluded to by Colgan,'s in the Bol-
" The grace of the Septenary Spirit dropped on a date to A. D. 791. See his " Annals of the fair great clergy. Timothy wealthy Saran:
:—
Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 392, 393. the feast of vast Duibliter. " "Transactions
* There was also a Dubhlittir Ua of the Royal Irish Academy," Irish Manu-
h-Uathgaile, author of a historical poem,
given in the Book ofLemster[^. 141 b), and
in other ancient Manuscripts. He seems to
have lived in the tenth century, and he is
called Donnchuad, in Edward O'Reilly's
'•Chronological Account of nearly Four descended on one hundred and twenty ; and. Hundred Irish Writers," p. Ixxix. he adds, that it dropped or showered "in
7 At the 15th of May. coenaculo in die Pentecostes in Jerusalem. "
^ Belonging to the Royal Irish Aca- See ibid. , p. Lxxxvi.
(]enjy_
9 Now in the custody of the Franciscans,
at their convent in Dubbin. .
'° The original Irish rnnn has been oblig-
" According to the opinion of William M. Hennessy, M. R. I. A.
"^ The writer has been informed, by William M. Hennessy—at present engaged in editing a new edition of the Ulster Annals
ingly copied and collated, while the English
translation has been supplied, by William —that the present ecclesiastical historic
M. Hennessy, Esq. , M. R. I. A. ;
event is not elsewhere recorded, so far as
translation of the foregoing stanza
script Series, vol. i. , part i. On the Calen- dar of Oengus, p. Ixxx. On the first lines, the commentator in the " Leabhar Breac," notes, that reference is made to Quinqua- gessima, or Pentecost, when the Holy Ghost
375
376
Archdall3° evidently confounds this saint with an
"' Thus, at the Ides of May : " Et apud " Congressio Hiherniam Natale Sancti Confessoris Dub- senodorum (sic) nepotum Neill Laginen- litrech. "—Bishop Forbes' " Kalendars of
ScoUish Saints," p. 13.
°5 Thus, Dr. O'Donovan most unaccount-
of the sixth century. ^9
he is aware.
'* It "is thus Latinized :
tiumquse in opido Temro, ubi fuerunt an- coritse et scribe multi, quibus dux erat Dublitter. "
ably mistakes, when he writes: " The fes- »5 See "Acta Sanctorum Hibernioe," tival of St. Cainneach, of this place, is set xvi. Martii. Vila S. Abbaiii, n. 24, p. 623. down in ' Feilire-xEnguis,' and in O'Clery's 'Irish Calendar,' at 15th of May. " See " Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , n. (i), p, 361. He must have confounded St. Cainneach with another Saint, whose festi- '^ In tlie " Leabhar Breac " copy. He val is set down for this same day, in O'Clery's adds, in a scholium: . 1. Abb pnogLApTi "Irish Calendar," belonging to the Royal CAni'oij icAeb x\chA cIacIi, or Abbot of Irish Academy, as " Cainneoc, virgin,
'* See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , Mali XV. Among the pretermitted saints, p. 440.
'7 See p. 76.
Findglas Cainnig bcsilc Dublin.
'9 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves,
daughter of Bersu, of the [race] of Niall of the Nine Hostages. "
*
'* In the gloss to the copy of the "Felire, preserved in the " Leabliar-Breac," Find- " Also, Oublicn\ Ah&n ^rnnsglAj-i. glais is described as " i-taebh Atba Cliath, ' i. e. , "by the side of Dublin. " See Dr, O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters,"
pp. 128, 129.
°° By Dr. Mathew Ke'. ly, p. 24.
Entry as found in the copy of the " -M. 'irtyr- ology of Tallagh," cxiracled from the"Book of I. einster," and now preserved among the MS. S. belonging to the Franciscan Library, Dublin,
". See Dr. O'Donovan's edition, vol. i. , pp. 398, 399. The date of his death is said to be (/rr/^) A. D. 796.
'3 Thus : " Dublittir Finnglaissi. " See Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum llibernicarum Scriptores," torn, iv. , p. 118.
vol. i. , n. (i), p. 361.
'"
See his Life, elsewhere written, at the nth of October.
-^ Sec Drs. Todd and Reeves' edition of the " Martyrology of Donegal," at October 12th, when his feast occurs, pp. 272 to 273.
'' Ussher tells us, that he died A. n. 599, in the 72nd year of his age. See " Britan-
—
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 15.
fendist collection ,^^ and also in Manuscript Book of " Extracts," among the Records for Dublin County, at present kept in the Library of the Royal Irish Academy. '? On this day, likewise, the commentator on St. ^ngiis,'^ and also the Martyrology of Donegal,'9 register Dubhlitir, Abbot of Finnglais- Cainnigh, near Ath-cliatli. It must be regarded as the correct date for his death. The present saint's name occurs, at the 15th of May, in the published '° Martyrology of Tallagh. ^'' Tiie year when his demise took place is set down, in the Annals of the Four Masters," as 791. The Annals of Ulster write it, at A. D. ^3 795. His remains were deposited, probabl)', within the old church walls, or unfler some now unnoticed sod of the present cemetery, which rises high over the " bright stream," that rushes onward to join the classic Tolka River. The present holy man was also venerated in Scotland, at the 15th of
May, as we find from the entry in the Kalendar of Drummond. '* A con- siderable share of misunderstanding has prevailed—while even distinguished Irish historians and topographers appear to have fallen into errors ^5—in refer- ence to the special Patron Saint of Finglas. ^^ The original name of this village seems to have been derived from the small, rapid, and tortuous " bright stream," that runs through a sort of ravine, beside the present cemetery. Towards the close of the eightli, or in the beginning of the ninth century as we find in the "Feilireof ^ngusa"—this place had been denominated Finnghlais-Cainnigh, after some earlier patron, called Cainnigh or Canice. He is generally thought to have been the Patron Saint of Ossory,'7 as no other one, bearing such a name, can be found in connexion with this spot.
would most willingly communicate whatever particulars his anxious and exact researches had enabled him to procure,
'^ A third original Papal bull I also exa- mined, but forgot to take a note of its sub- stance, at the time.
^"^ Molanus, writing from the records of Santen, observes, that Sonsbeck was not a city, but a village of Santen parish, which obtained a distinct church, owing to the munificence of Theodore, Count of Cleves. In 1320, Theodore gave the people of Sons- beck an immunity from tolls and the power of electing their own magistrates. For this
" In July, 1863, at the period of my statement we are referred to Teschenmacher, visit. in " Annalibus Clivire," p. 173.
" To the present writer, it was a subject '5 "Ulii hoc tempore illud asservari cum of regret, that Mr. Jaspers' absence from Gramayo et Tlieodorc Rhay asserunt Sonsbeck prevented the acquisition of much Molanus, MirKus, et Merianus in Topogra- information his materials and local know- phia Westphaliie observantque, per errorem ledge should supply ; for assurance was vulgi non Gerebernum sed Bernardum nunc
IA
370
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 15.
of July, in the Carthusian Martyrology, we have notice of a feast for the Translation of St, Gerebern, priest, at Xanten, on the Rhine. And Grammay'^ tells us, that in the church of St. Dympna, at Gheel, the head St. Herbern is kept, his body having been translated to Sonsbeck. '? Among the inhabitants of this latter town, a tradition prevails, that when the people of Xanten brought St. Gerebern's remains to the hill, where his chapel is now erected, those beasts yoked, to a waggon on which the saint's relics were borne, could not proceed farther, througli some supernatural cause. Wherefore, the Sonsbeck people deposited St. Gerebern's remains on that elevated site, and erected theirprimitivechurchoverthem. TlieVeryRev. Mr. Frankeserinformed the writer, that he had also seen, in either a printed book or Manuscript in possession of the Rev. Charles Jaspers, a statement conformable to the pre- ceding popular tradition. A custom, at present prevailing in the town and parish of Sonsbeck, requires all the Catholic inhabitants to attend in their best holiday attire, on the Sunday,but not that one immediately succeeding the feast ofSt. Margaret,virginandmartyr,whichoccursonthe13thofJune. '^ The place of meeting is in and around the ancient little chapel of St. Gerebern, situatedonabeautifuleminence,immediatelyoutsidethetownofSonsbeck. On the occasion of St. Gerebern's principal festival—the octave of the Sunday after St. Margaret's day—all the parochial Masses are there celebrated, and the doors of the parish church are closed. During the octave, a like custom prevails. At other times, when the people wish their cure or vicaires to celebrate a votive Mass for them, the little chapel of St. Gerebern is often used, for this pur- pose. '9 As the writer had been informed by the pastor, St. Gerebern's exist- ing chapel dates its origin to the very commencement of the thirteenth cen- tury. It is probable, an older ecclesiastical structure occupied its present site. Immediately adjoining St. Gerebern's chapel, covered with rose trees and weeping willows, lies the Catholic cemetery of the parish, which is very neatly kept and enclosed. That it is a very ancient burial-place, we may well suppose, and from the numerous tombs and crosses placed over the graves, it seems a favourite burial-place for the Catholic inhabitants of Sons- beck and of the adjoining country. The Evangelicals, as all the Protestant inhabitants are called, have their separate place of interment, and the Jews' cemetery is distinct from the two former graveyards. The prospect from the top of the hill, on which the little chapel of St. Gerebern is built, embraces a most extended field of vision ; and, on the bright warm sunshine day,^° when
vocari : et annulis sacratis (qui contra chira-
gram et febris a fidelibus gestari solent) non
Gereberni, sed ]'>ernardi nomen impressum
legi ; scilicet cum Sint Gebern et contrac- honorant. " Again, in Vitre, No. 6, we read : tius. Sint Bern diceretiir, imperite nomen " Gerebernus apud Zanten oppidum juxta Bernardi assumptum fuisse. Solent autem, Rhenum in magna veneratione haberi. " saciffi Reliquiae, cum frequentissimo populi And, in " HistoriaMiraculorum," it is said : concursu, Dominica post festum S. Mar- " Incola; dicti loci Zanten, cum Beati pig- garitse circumferri. " Hensclienius, Pras- noribus Gereberni aufugisse ; cunique prope mium. The latter statement is incorrect, castruni Zanies accederent, moniti oppidani for the present procession takes place not on cum luminaribus * • * ad ecclesiam the Sunday after the feast of St. Margaret,
but on the octave of that vSunday. Tiie same custom most likely prevailed, from time im- morial.
'* See " Antverpirc Antiquitates," cap. X. , pp. 144, 145.
' Theodorus Rhay, in " Animabus illus- tribus Julia;, Clivix, cl vicinarum Provincia- rum," at the 15th of May, writes : "Sons- beca pervelusta Clivia; urbs, non principe sed
deportarunt. "
'^ In the Calendar of the " Breviariuni
suburbano ejus in templo, patrocinium habet S. Gereberni Martyris, quern incolje et ac- colre more majorum constanti pracipuoque
Monasteriense," at this date, will be found the following notice : " S. Margarita, Virg. et Mart. , Duplex, (c. med. sec. 4. )"
""During my short visit at Sonsbeck, I had the privilege of celebrating the Holy Sacrifice of Mass, within the little chapel of St. Gerebern.
'" The ist of August, 1863.
May 15. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
371
the writer beheld it, the vast plains around were covered with varied vegeta- ble productions, the harvest was already far advanced, and the industrious inhabitants of the surrounding country were busily engaged, in the agricul- tural operations of the season. Immediately below lay the old town of Sons- beck, displaying its picturesque high-pitched and red-tiled roofs, with the slate-covered spire and roof of the parish church dominating over all the other houses. Small weather vanes lay motionless on the gables of several build- ings, and dense woods spread far away towards the distant horizon. The whole scene was surpassingly picturesque and varied. Rural tranquillity pre- vailed over this extensive landscape, so well harmonizing with the character of the inhabitants, as also with the peace and order reigning throughout this beautiful and productive region. Catholics constitute a preponderating niajority of the people, in this district of Prussia, and along the Rhemish bor- ders. They live in perfect harmony, with their dissenting fellow-subjects ; all classes and denominations of people then enjoying religious freedom and pro-
tection from their government, without distinction of sect or party. The sub- jects of this absolute monarchy were greatly reconciled to a deprivation of other political rights and privileges, which they hoped to obtain, in due course of time. The old chapel of St. Gerebern no longer exists in its ancient form. The foundations, which are of stone, appear to be the most antique portions of the present building ; the upper sections having been afterwards built of red brick, without any regard being paid to architectural beauty or design. The general style of St. Gerebern's chapel is Gothic, but greatly distigured on the exterior, by windows having been removed, and afterwards closed with commonbrickmaterials. Asmallgrass-grownwalledandhedgedenclosurecir- cles the building. On an eminence in front rises one of those large windmills, so frequently seen in France, Holland, Belgium and Germany, and which rather detracts from the general appearance of this small but interesting chapel. In front of the latter arises a square tower, surmounted by a spire of no very imposing height. Only for its historic, traditional, and religious asso- ciations, the chapel of St. Gerebern would have little to recommend it to the specialattentionofanarchitectorecclesiologist. Ingivingadescriptionofthe building, it may be remarked, that the nave of St. Gerebern's chapel is short, and two small aisles extend on either side of it : the roof is arched and ribbed in compartments, over choir, nave and aisles. Round pillars separate the two latter divisions of the church. A small porch and a rude old door stand im- mediately under a square tower, in front of the chapel. The tower is pierced on each side, with two open lights near the belfry. , A spire tapers upwards to the surmounting cross, in an octagon shape. It is slated around, like the covering roof over the chapel. This building is very plain looking, on the exterior. At the principal entrance, it is almost hidden by two large inter- laced lime trees, which grow within the grass enclosure. There were five abutments, with offsets on one side aisle, and four on the other, outside the chapel, besides five other buttresses around the choir, and two on the exterior of an old sacristy, attached to the choir, on one of its sides. Eight principal windows only remained around the church, and in a bad state of preserva- tion ; for the handsome stone mullions, broken in various places, w^re cramped with iron plates and bars. In some instances, the mullions were com- pletely gone. A few additional small square windows pierced the walls. A little cellular partition, in one of the side aisles, is entered by a rude door; and within this place, ahermitlived in other times, as the writer was informed by the pastor. A small door entered either side aisle. Behind the choir, on the exterior enclosure, was a wooden crucifix, and immediately before it were two ranges of lime trees, extending downwards to the public road. Under
372 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 15.
these trees, it is usual for a great crowd to assemble on the Dominical feast and octave of St. Gerebern, when the Gospel is preached to the people in open air,beforetliepublicprocessionisformed. OntheoctaveofSt. Gerebern's festival, statues of St. Gerebern and of St. Dynipna were brought in a solemn manner, with religious ceremonies, through the principal streets of Sonsbeck, and in a circuit around the adjoining fertile fields. The people carried green branches in their hands and lights during their progress through the town and country, until they returned back to St. Gerebern's chapel. Great numbers usually approached the sacraments, to receive indulgences obtained on the feast and during the octave. There is an inscription, dated a. d. 1687, on a little yellow-coloured shield, over the altar of St. Gerebern, and under a white figure, holding a black demon chained. Two figures rest immediately beneath it. Below is an altar-piece, which represents St. Gerebern clothed with vest- ments and standing in the foreground, with a sword falling over his head. Behind is represented St. Dympna, grasped by the hair in one of her father's hands, while he is drawing the sword downwards with the otl. er hand and over the virgin's neck. A rude wooden statue of St. Gerebern, painted white, with ornaments in gold leaf, rested immediately over the altar; a gilt sword, supported on the foot, was held by the right hand, whilst a gilt sceptre was grasped in the other. The altar itself was composed of a rough and massive slab, resting on other rude stones. Formerly, the place under this altar was open at either end, and it was usual for people to pass under it, on their knees, while reciting certain devotions. Around the platform, and extending to either end of the altar, an oval or a circular hollow, worn by the knees of penitents, may be seen in the gray common marble stones, with which the chapel is entirely paved. One of the former bishops of the diocese having discountenanced this custom, the ends of St. Gerebern's altar were closed with brick and mortar. But, on striking either end, it is easy to ascertain, from a peculiar sound, that the under part of this altar, in the centre, is yet hollow. The custom of making those pilgrimages by genuflexion has not yet entirely ceased ; and, the Avriter was informed by the pastor, who pointed out all the objects of interest in this chapel, that many of his parishioners followed the old practice, and passed around St. Gerebern's altar, which is detached from the rere wall. On the corner of a little choir-wall, near the altar of St. Gerebern, there was another wooden image of St. Bernard, abbot of Clair- vaux ; for, the people have confused their traditions, regarding the identity of this latter celebrated doctor and our Irish saint. It is very like the former small image, already described, \\\ shaj)e and size. Within the choir was placed the chief altar, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, with a large wooden statue of the Mater Dolorosa over it—a sword transfixing her breast. On either side of the choir, on corbels, are two smaller images, in wood, both representing St. Dympna. On the right side, from the principal entrance door, she appears crowned with a coronet, reading a book, resting on her right hand, while holding a small vase, in which flowers are often placed, in lier left hand. On the opposite side, she was also represented with the same emblems in her hands ; but, underneath one of her feet lay the prostrate form of her father, who possibly represented her usual adjunct, the demon crushed, in human shape, and in a very natural form, perfectly coinciding with the incidents of her ordinary legend. Over the head of St. Dympna was one of those high and grotesque head-dresses, peculiar to female costumes of the fourteenth or fifteenth century. These figures for the most part are painted white and decorated with gilding. There were various other small images of angels and saints around the interior of St. Gerebern's chapel, with sonfe pic- tures of no particular value, in point of colouring and execution. If pictorial
May 15. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
373
art fail to give the practised connoisseur a very special amount of satisfaction, the archceologist and antiquarian might nevertheless linger with some degree of interest and pleasure, within this little structure of the middle ages. The people of Sonsbeck believe, that the relics of St. Gerebern are preserved under the left altar of his chapel, from the principal entering door. But, the parish priest supposes, that during the time of the Lutheran and Calvinist wars, these remains were buried, and that no person knows with certainty where they nowrest. Thosemassivestonescomposingthealtarhaveneverbeenopened, so far as he had been able to ascertain. The relics of St. Gerebern may possi- bly repose within. Still, the pastor had no reliable tradition, observation, or historicrecord,toauthenticatetheirpreservation. Hehad,however,latelypro- cured from Ghecl, some of relics of the St. Dympna and of St. Gerebern, which he intended to carry around in procession, on the recurrence of future local festivals. ^' The good pastor of Sonsbeck told the writer, that he intended to
ask permission from his bishop, to open the place near St. Gerebern's altar,
within the chapel. He felt desirous to search diligently underneath the altar,
and ascertain, if any trace of this saint's relics could be found, in accordance
with existing popular traditions and immemorial pious usages. There can
hardly exist any reasonable doubt, that the remains of St. Bern had been
placed under the altar, which is yet held in such veneration, by the common
people. If this permission were accorded to the Very Rev. Mr. Frankeser, the
result of his researches must be regarded with archseological, and especially
with religious, interest. If carefully noted and examined, all the knowledge
possible to be procured on this matter must be obtained ; for, the pastor had
already in his possession, that amount of traditional information and access
to historic records, which should enable him to identify the remains of St.
Gerebern, in case they might be disinterred. The present parish church,
dedicated to St. Mary Magdalen, is a very large structure, within the town of
Sonsbeck yet,likemanyoftheGermanchurches,notremarkableforarchi- ;
tectural beauties, exteriorly, although worthy of the beholder's admiration, when within its walls. Having no very immediate relation to the subject of this biography, the reader will the more readily excuse an omission, in describ- ing its genenil appeara,nce and structural details. However, it may be observed, there is a small painted wooden statue, representing St. Dympna holding a sword in the right hand, the point of which rests near one foot, whilst in the left hand she supports a book, from which she appears to be read- ing. A figure of the devil, painted in brown colours, is represented as writh- ing beneath her feet. This little image stands on a corbel, which looks into the nave of the church. St. Dympna wears a coronet and she is clad in royal habiliments. There appears to be no representation or memorial of St. Gere- bern, within the parochial church ; although his memory is held in such great veneration, by the parishioners of Sonsbeck. Such were the notes and observations limited time and opportunities enabled the present writer to take, during his short sojourn, in this particular portion of tlie Rhenish province of
°' Allusion has been already made to tlie with diamonds or jewels, maybe seen ; and, ancient practice of blessing St. Gerebern's they are worn to prevent diseases, especially rings at Sonsbeck. This custom yet pre- fever. -, and all oiher kinds of temporal
vails, and the blessing takes place, on the morning of the Saint's dominical festival. The people of Sonsbeck city and parish, male and female, provide those rings in a mate- rial and style of embellishment, suited to the taste and circumstances of their respective wearers. On the fingers of many ladies, single as well as married, gold rings, set
calamities. The common people usually we. ir silver, or at least gilt brass rings. The pastor blesses these rings, by a short form of prayer, found in his ritual, afterwards he sprinkles them with holy water. They are then distributed to their various owners, and worn on all occasions ; their possession being regarded as a pious manifestation.
——
374 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 15.
Prussia. ThechurchrecordsofSonsbeckhadbeenremovedtoamoredistant city, at the time, in order to furnish evidence on matters pending judicial trial. This circumstance will in a great measure account for want of more detailed documentary illustration and information, which might otherwise be obtained. It is to be hoped, however, that hereafter some additional light will be thrown on the acts of St.
Gerebern, and on the history of that interesting little com- inune, which claims this early Irish ecclesiastic as a special patron.
Article III. St. Dubhlitir, Abbot of Finglas, County of Dublin. [Eighth Centuiy. '\ The oldest church erected at Finglas—unless its foundations be considered—no longer exists; but, it covered the site of a more modernone. ThislatterhadbeenusedforProtestantworship,intheearlierpart of the present century, and until the erection of a newer and more architec- turally correct building, which rises near the ornate rectory grounds. In the parsonage, and as rector here, the poet Dr. Thomas Parnell lived, but only for
Finglas Cemetery and Village, County Dublin
a short time, about the commencement of the last century. ' The graveyard almost triangular—is enclosed by a stone wall. Along two of its sides, ranges of fine sycamore trees have been set. The church ruins are within and near a corner of the cemetery, entered from the public road through an iron gate. Whole generations of the dead rest under the nink grass, wild celery, and hemlock, of this burial-ground. Within the existing ruins, flag-tombstones
Article hi. —' He w. -xs born in r)ul)lin, A. n. 1679, . nnd died at Chester, on his way to Ireland, in the ninnth of July, 1717. Dr. Oliver Goldsmith and Dr. Samuel [ohnson
liave sketchctl tlie bfe of this classic writer.
Alexander Pope and Dr. Jonathan Swift lircpaied posthumous editions of his works. . \ fine folio edition and elegantly printed of his poetical works appeared from the Glas-
gow PrcbS, in 1786.
» Our accompanying illustration pre- sents a view of the present entrance to this graveyard ; and the deserted medireval church ruin appears just within the enclos- ing wall. It has been drawn on the wood, by William F. Wakeman, from a photograph furnished by the Rev. John Henebery Green, U. S. A. , and it has been engraved, by Mrs. Millard.
3 See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 360, 361.
down at the 24th
-RAch in fiDnii\uA i^eccA SenAich ^o^x cleiiA n5elinAi]\ ; CiAnroAi, SA-t\An fAiiDbiis "pent OuibLiC|\ech x)ei\niAi]A.
" The grace of the seven-fold Spirit Poured on great-bright clerics, Timothy, the rich Saran,
On the festival of renowned Dubh-
litir. "
" The following is Dr. Whitley Stokes'
t
day of September.
— :
See his festival, set
s Dr. O'Donovan, however, corrects the
—
May 15. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
cover vaults, in which persons, once of high social position, are now moulder- ingindecay. 2 ThedeathofFaelchu,ofFinnghlais,isnoticedata. d. 758. 3 He is supposed to have been identical with a saint similarly designated. * Again, Caencomhrac, bishop of this place, died a. d. 786. 5 Contempora- neously with this bishop, and possibly ruling over a monastery during his term of incumbency, Dublitir lived. When he began to govern the monks there has not been ascertained ; or what age he had reached, at the date assigned for his death, must yet remain an open question. St. Dubhlitir appears to have lived as a contemporary with St. . ^ngus the Culdee. Tallagh and Finglas were not very distantly separated, and both of these holy men may have enjoyed the privilege and happiness of a personal acquaintance. As St. ^ngus survived, however, it seems pretty certain, he must have known perfectly well the character of this deceased guardian over Finglas Monastery. ^ In the " Felire of ^ngus,"? as preserved in the "I. eabhar Breac,"^ and in that copy formerly belonging to St. Isidore's con- vent, at Rome,9 a special eulogy has been pronounced, in reference to this holy Abbot,'° in common with other saints, mentioned in the stanza. " However fanciful etymological derivations of Irish names may be regarded, thepresentholyman'snamecanliterallybeAnglicized"black-letter. " This term is usually applied to students, who closely apply themselves to books
; and, in a double sense, it was most probably appropriate to St. Dubhlitir, whosefeasthasbeenassignedforthe15thMay. ThisDubhlittir,nodoubt," was the person referred to in the following entry, '3 in the " Annals of Ulster," at A. D. 779 (780): "An assembly of the synods of the Ui-Neill and the Leinsterinen, where there were many anchorites and scribes, over whom Dubhlitter was President. "'* He is briefly alluded to by Colgan,'s in the Bol-
" The grace of the Septenary Spirit dropped on a date to A. D. 791. See his " Annals of the fair great clergy. Timothy wealthy Saran:
:—
Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 392, 393. the feast of vast Duibliter. " "Transactions
* There was also a Dubhlittir Ua of the Royal Irish Academy," Irish Manu-
h-Uathgaile, author of a historical poem,
given in the Book ofLemster[^. 141 b), and
in other ancient Manuscripts. He seems to
have lived in the tenth century, and he is
called Donnchuad, in Edward O'Reilly's
'•Chronological Account of nearly Four descended on one hundred and twenty ; and. Hundred Irish Writers," p. Ixxix. he adds, that it dropped or showered "in
7 At the 15th of May. coenaculo in die Pentecostes in Jerusalem. "
^ Belonging to the Royal Irish Aca- See ibid. , p. Lxxxvi.
(]enjy_
9 Now in the custody of the Franciscans,
at their convent in Dubbin. .
'° The original Irish rnnn has been oblig-
" According to the opinion of William M. Hennessy, M. R. I. A.
"^ The writer has been informed, by William M. Hennessy—at present engaged in editing a new edition of the Ulster Annals
ingly copied and collated, while the English
translation has been supplied, by William —that the present ecclesiastical historic
M. Hennessy, Esq. , M. R. I. A. ;
event is not elsewhere recorded, so far as
translation of the foregoing stanza
script Series, vol. i. , part i. On the Calen- dar of Oengus, p. Ixxx. On the first lines, the commentator in the " Leabhar Breac," notes, that reference is made to Quinqua- gessima, or Pentecost, when the Holy Ghost
375
376
Archdall3° evidently confounds this saint with an
"' Thus, at the Ides of May : " Et apud " Congressio Hiherniam Natale Sancti Confessoris Dub- senodorum (sic) nepotum Neill Laginen- litrech. "—Bishop Forbes' " Kalendars of
ScoUish Saints," p. 13.
°5 Thus, Dr. O'Donovan most unaccount-
of the sixth century. ^9
he is aware.
'* It "is thus Latinized :
tiumquse in opido Temro, ubi fuerunt an- coritse et scribe multi, quibus dux erat Dublitter. "
ably mistakes, when he writes: " The fes- »5 See "Acta Sanctorum Hibernioe," tival of St. Cainneach, of this place, is set xvi. Martii. Vila S. Abbaiii, n. 24, p. 623. down in ' Feilire-xEnguis,' and in O'Clery's 'Irish Calendar,' at 15th of May. " See " Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , n. (i), p, 361. He must have confounded St. Cainneach with another Saint, whose festi- '^ In tlie " Leabhar Breac " copy. He val is set down for this same day, in O'Clery's adds, in a scholium: . 1. Abb pnogLApTi "Irish Calendar," belonging to the Royal CAni'oij icAeb x\chA cIacIi, or Abbot of Irish Academy, as " Cainneoc, virgin,
'* See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , Mali XV. Among the pretermitted saints, p. 440.
'7 See p. 76.
Findglas Cainnig bcsilc Dublin.
'9 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves,
daughter of Bersu, of the [race] of Niall of the Nine Hostages. "
*
'* In the gloss to the copy of the "Felire, preserved in the " Leabliar-Breac," Find- " Also, Oublicn\ Ah&n ^rnnsglAj-i. glais is described as " i-taebh Atba Cliath, ' i. e. , "by the side of Dublin. " See Dr, O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters,"
pp. 128, 129.
°° By Dr. Mathew Ke'. ly, p. 24.
Entry as found in the copy of the " -M. 'irtyr- ology of Tallagh," cxiracled from the"Book of I. einster," and now preserved among the MS. S. belonging to the Franciscan Library, Dublin,
". See Dr. O'Donovan's edition, vol. i. , pp. 398, 399. The date of his death is said to be (/rr/^) A. D. 796.
'3 Thus : " Dublittir Finnglaissi. " See Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum llibernicarum Scriptores," torn, iv. , p. 118.
vol. i. , n. (i), p. 361.
'"
See his Life, elsewhere written, at the nth of October.
-^ Sec Drs. Todd and Reeves' edition of the " Martyrology of Donegal," at October 12th, when his feast occurs, pp. 272 to 273.
'' Ussher tells us, that he died A. n. 599, in the 72nd year of his age. See " Britan-
—
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 15.
fendist collection ,^^ and also in Manuscript Book of " Extracts," among the Records for Dublin County, at present kept in the Library of the Royal Irish Academy. '? On this day, likewise, the commentator on St. ^ngiis,'^ and also the Martyrology of Donegal,'9 register Dubhlitir, Abbot of Finnglais- Cainnigh, near Ath-cliatli. It must be regarded as the correct date for his death. The present saint's name occurs, at the 15th of May, in the published '° Martyrology of Tallagh. ^'' Tiie year when his demise took place is set down, in the Annals of the Four Masters," as 791. The Annals of Ulster write it, at A. D. ^3 795. His remains were deposited, probabl)', within the old church walls, or unfler some now unnoticed sod of the present cemetery, which rises high over the " bright stream," that rushes onward to join the classic Tolka River. The present holy man was also venerated in Scotland, at the 15th of
May, as we find from the entry in the Kalendar of Drummond. '* A con- siderable share of misunderstanding has prevailed—while even distinguished Irish historians and topographers appear to have fallen into errors ^5—in refer- ence to the special Patron Saint of Finglas. ^^ The original name of this village seems to have been derived from the small, rapid, and tortuous " bright stream," that runs through a sort of ravine, beside the present cemetery. Towards the close of the eightli, or in the beginning of the ninth century as we find in the "Feilireof ^ngusa"—this place had been denominated Finnghlais-Cainnigh, after some earlier patron, called Cainnigh or Canice. He is generally thought to have been the Patron Saint of Ossory,'7 as no other one, bearing such a name, can be found in connexion with this spot.
