3 \\\^
festival
belongs to the 29th of
March, where his Life has been given, in the Third Volume of this work, Art.
March, where his Life has been given, in the Third Volume of this work, Art.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v5
George Petrie, on the History and Antiquities of Tara Hill.
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 1
the history of these Islands. Towards the south-east of those objects was the Teach Cormaic," or House of Cormac ; and, between them, it is sup- posedtheruinsofTeamur"orTaralay. Therewereseveralancientroads even yet traceable—leading from the royal residence at Tara, and in different directions. To the north was the Slighe Fan na g-Carbad, or Slope of the Chariots. The upright obeliscal pillar-stone '3 oa the Hill of Tara is said to have been a monument of pagan antiquity : and, it has been identified with the Lia Fail or Stone of Destiny. '-* The Irish writers call it ati idol-stone. There are various earth-mounds and other objects, which are severally named, and which undoubtedly belong to a very ancient origin. Thus, approaching the Hill from the north, we find the site of the Teach Miodhchuarta. 's or Great Banqueting Hall ;'^ and, in the adjoining field is Rath Caelcon, while beyond this are the remains of two circular Duns ;'? towards the south, we pass into the great oval enclosure of Rath na Riogh,'^ or the King's Rath, and within its northern boundary is pointed out Dumha na-Ngiall,'9 or Mound of the Hostages ; ascending the slope towards the south we gain the summit, crowned by Rath na Seanadh,^° or Rath of the Synods, sometimes called the King's Chair,^' and the highest spot upon the Hill, being 512 feet above the sea-level. From the centre of the Forradh on the one side, and from the Rath na Seanadh on the other, we obtain most extensive views of the
486
wards drawn on the wood, in the accom- panying illustration, engraved by Mrs. Millard.
" It was joined to the Forradh by a com- mon parapet, and it may be described as a double enclosure, the rings of which, upon the western side, become connected. Its diameter is about 140 feet. See William F. Wakem. an's " Hand-Book of Irish Antiqui- ties," part i. , chap, iv. , p. 43.
"Thisnameis saidtohavebeenderived from a fortress, in which the Milesian Queen Tea resided. See Sir William Wilde's " Beauties of the Boyne, and its Tributary, the Blackwater," chap, v. , p. 124.
'3 It lay in a prostrate position, probably for many centuries, until removed shortly after 1798, when it was set up as a monument to mark the grave of those insurgents who fell there at that memorable period.
'*ByDr. George Petrie, in his Essay on the History and Antiquities of Tara 1 1 ill. See "Transactions of the Royal Irish Aca- demy," vol. xviii. Antiquities, No. iii. , pp. 1 60 to 1 62. On the latter page a fine wood- cut illustration of it is presented.
and his relative obligations to them, his cus- toms and refections, his stipends and pre- sents. See pp. 8 to II, 38, 39, 136, 137, 142, 143, 176 to 191, 23810 269,
'* Here, it is thought, the Feis Teamhrach was held.
'' These are greatly obliterated by planta- tions ; one of these is Rath-Grainne, while the other is now scarcely perceptible. The small well, Tober Finn, is near.
'^ It is called, likewise, the CathairofCro- finn. It measures upwards of 280 yards in length, in its longest dimensions, and it is the most extensive of all the circles at Tara. Inseveralplaces,it isoblitered.
'9 This is a small circular moat, and so named in memory of the hostages which were taken from the different provinces. On this formerly lay the monolith, supposed by Dr. Petrie to have been the Lia Fail, or Stone of Destiny.
^° This presents a double line of circum- vallation. The eastern side has been cut oflf by the adjoining churchyard. It is said the tent of Adamnan had been pitched there, and, it is probable, in Christian times, some of the Tara Synods were there held.
'S This is a deep excavation, nmning north
and south, with parallel sides, and rising up
a gentle ascent of the Hill. It is 360 feet
long, and 40 wide. The sides are formed of of these is a flat pillar-stone, about six feet
a raised mur, or earth embankment. Here
and there are gaps or excavations, supposed
to have corresponded with doors, which led
into the great Hall. In Dr. O'Donovan's
edition of the leAbliAjxtiA 5-CeA]\c, or the
" Book of Rights," we have an account of Grange—may be seen. It is sup])osed, to
various tributes in cattle and provisions due to the King of Tara, with his obligations to entertain provincial kings, and their privi- leges at the feast ; also his tributes and rents from the provincial chiefs, his prerogatives,
have been one of the two druidical stones, called Bloc and Bluicini, which opened out to admit the king's chariot, at his corona- tion.
" Here, it is said, that King Laoghairc was
'' Within tlie churchyard enclosure, there aresomeobjectsofantiquarianinterest. One
high, supposed to be the shaft of St. . \iam- nan's cross ; and, on iis western face is carved in relief a rude human figure, about eighteen inches high. In its vicinity, a short pillar- stone—not unlike some of those at New
—6
——
May 1 6. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 487
the great Meathian plains. The Rath of Laoghaire^^ is shown on the slope of the Hill, towards the south, and about one quarter of a mile distant is the Rath of Queen Maeve, among some trees, crowning an adjoining elevation. To the east of the Forradh, and immediately adjoining the road, is the Well of Neamhnach, or Newnagh, a beautiful spring formerly shaded by a magnifi- cent ash tree, and over it the roots still stretch, ^3 No less than four distinct Liathdruims are mentioned, in the Annals of the Four Masters,^'^ viz. : first, that now known as Tara Hill, in the cqunty of Meath ; secondly, that situated in Dealbhna-Eathra ; thirdly, that in Clanrickard ; and fourthly, that in West Brefney. It seems impossible now to state, with which—if indeed with any —of them, the present holy man had been connected.
Article VHI. —St. Maclaisre, Abbot of Bangor, County of Down. TheMartyrologyofTallagh^ recordsthissaint,atthei6thofMay,asMac Lasre, Abbot of Bangor. ^ At the same date, tlie Bollandists 3 enter Maclas- rius, Abbas Benchorensis, in Ultonia. Allusion is made to him, by Father John Colgan,'^ as having died, during the reigns ofConalland Kellach, joint sovereigns over Ireland. The " Chronicum Scotorum "s places the death of Mac Laisre, Abbot of Bennchair, at a. d. 644, the year when it is stated Bede was born. ^ On this day, Mac Laisre departed to a brighter and a better world, in the year 645, according to the Annals of Ulster, and of the Four ]\Iasters. 7 The Martyrology of Donegal ^ registers on this day, as having veneration paid him, Alaclaisre, Abbot of Bennchor.
Article IX. St. Boetius, also called Breg-boesach, Son of Brondius. Venerationwasgivenatthisdate,aswereadintheMartyrology of Tallagh,^ to a St. Boetius, whose name was also Breg-boesach, the son of Brondius. * The Bollandists,3 who quote the same authority, suppose him to be the Boetius, son of Bronaigh, mentioned by Prince O'Donnell, in his Life of St. Columkille,'* and whose feast is set down, at the 7th of December.
Article X. St. Mochamail. We find the simple entry, Mochamail, inserted in the Martyrology of Tallagh,' at the i6th of May. ^ Quoting the
buried, and in a standing position. some authorities ; while others have 674, ^3 See Sir William R. Wilde's "Beauties Following the reasoning of Pagi, Mr.
oftheBoyne, and its Tributary, the Black- water," chap, v. , pp. 122 to 126.
^^ See Dr. O'Donovan's Edition, vol. vii. , Index, p. 77.
Article viii. —'Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xxiv.
^ The Franciscan copy has 1T1ac LAi'i\e Abb beAnn.
3 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , Mali xvi. Among the pretermitted saints, p. 559.
= The Franciscan copy has boecn, i. e. , Martii xxx. Vita S. Mochuse sive Cronani cunif nomen e]\AC b]\e5 befAch pin
4 See "Acta Sanctorum Hiberniae,"
Abb. Ballensis, n. 24, p. 792.
5 See William M. Hennessey's edition,
pp. 88, 89.
^ The year for this event, however, has
been referred to 672 or 673, according to
b]\oiin.
^ See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. ,
Mali xvi. Among the pretermitted saints,
p. 561.
" See lib. i.
Stevenson has adopted the latter chronology, See Sir Thomas Duffus Hardy's " Descrip- tive Catalogue of Materials relating to the History of Great Britain and Ireland," vol. i. , parti. , p. 446.
'' See Dr. O'Donovan's edition, vol. i. , pp. 258, 259, and n. (r). Ibid.
^ Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 130,131. —
Article ix. ' Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xxiv.
p. 559. Article XI.
—
' See "Acta Sancto- rum," tomus iii. , Maii XVI. Among the pre-
———
488 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May i6.
same record, at this date, the BoUandists 3 enter Mochamalius, but without any attempt to assign the place where he was venerated, or the period when he flourished.
ArticleXI. St. Finntan,ofCluanaCruaich. ThenameFinntan, of Cluana Cruaich, appears in the Martyrology of Tallagh,^ at the i6th of May. - WefindthefeastofFintanusdeCluain-Cruaich,onthesameautho- rity, entered by tlie BoUandists, 3 at this day. He is noticed, by Father John Colgan,4 in Uke manner ; but, without giving indication of his family, place, or period.
Article XII. St. Fionnchadh, Bishop. An entry is found, regard- ing Findchad, a Bishop, in the Martyrology of Tallagh,' at the i6th of May. * TheBoUandists3 simplynoteFindchadusEpiscopus,fromthesamesource, and for the same date. On this day was venerated Fionnchadh, Bishop, as we read in the Martyrology of Donegal. *
ArticleXIII. FeastoftheTranslationorElevationofthe Relics of Saints Columban, Eustasius and Waldebert. At the i6th of May, the BoUandists ' insert a festival, which commemorates the Transla- tion or Elevation of the Relics of Saints Columban,^ Eustasius 3 and Walde- bert. *
Article XIV. St. Tricius, Bishop and Confessor, in Scotia. The English Martyrology enters a St. Tricius, a Bishop, at the i6th of May, according to Father Henry Fitzsimon, who notes him among the Irish Saints. However, the BoUandists ' deny, that Tricius is to be found, in either edition of the " Martyrologium Anglicanum," or even in the Tallagh Martyrology, although they insert, at this date, Tricius, Episcopus et Confessor in Scotia. ' In the anonymous catalogue, published by O'SuUevan Beare,3 a Tricius is en- tered at the same date.
Article XV. Reputed Feast of St. Bertin, Abbot and Apostle, Belgium. In his " Menologium Scoticum," Thomas Dempster enters ' a
Article x. — ' Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xxiv.
- The Franciscan copy enters also modia- mAiL
3 See "Acta Sanctorum,"' tomus iii. , Maii xvi. Among the pretermitted saints,
3 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. ,
Maii xvi. Among the pretermitted saints,
p. 559.
* Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
'
Edited by Rev. Dr.
termitted feasts, p. 559.
* His feast occurs, at the 21st of Novem-
ber, where his Life will be found.
3 \\\^ festival belongs to the 29th of
March, where his Life has been given, in the Third Volume of this work, Art. v.
Article xiv. —
rum," tomus iii. , Maii xvi. Among tlie pre- termitted saints, p. 559.
Such is the record, in a MS. Florarium
Kelly, p. xxiv.
' In the Franciscan copy, we find pncAn
CluAin Crunch.
3 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii.
Maii xvi. Among the pretermitted saints,
p. 5-59.
* See "Acta Sanctorum Hibcrnix,"
Februaiii xvii. Appendix ad Acta S. Fin-
tani Abbalis de Cluain-Ednech, cap. i. ,
"* His feast occurs, at the 2nd of May.
p. 355. —
Article Xll. ' Edited by Rev. Dr. Sanctorum.
Kelly, p. xxiv. 3 See " HistorireCatholicre Ibernice Com- ' The Franciscan copy has pn'ocliA'O pendium," tomus i. , lib. iv. , cap. xi. , xii. ,
epi. pp. 50, 57.
130, 131. — Article xill.
'
See "Acta Sancto-
Article xv. —' Thus : " In Belgio Ber- tuini abbatis et apostoli. P. "
"^ See Bishop Forbes' " Kalendar of Scot- tish Saints," p. 199.
3 Thus do we find his entry, at this date, in " Catalogus Actuum Sanctorum qu£e MS. habentur, ordine Mensium et Dierum. "
* In Chronica.
Catholicse Iberniis Compendium," tomus i. , lib. iv. , cap. xii. , p. 52.
Article xvi. —
Thus: "Hoc eodem etiam die sanctus Benthus Confessor. "—Bis- hop Forbes' "Kalendars of Scottish Saints,"
p. 237.
^ See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. ,
Mail xvi. Among the pretermitted saints, p. 559.
'
—
May 17. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
feast for St. Bertuinus, Abbot and Apostle in Belgium, at the i6th of May. '' It seems to have been Colgan's intention to have published Acts of this saint, either at the i6th of May, or the nth of November. 3 Petrus a Natalibus^ and Henry Fitzsimou s have also placed the festival of St, Bertuinus, Abbot, at the x6th of May. ^
Article XVI. Reputed Festival of St. Benthus, Confessor. Among the Scottish entries, in the Kalendar of David Camerarius, at the i6th ofMay,'isaSt. Benthus,aConfessor. Perhaps,theBoetiuspreviouslymen- tioned, on this day, may have been the person intended. However, it is re- marked, by the Bollandists,^ at this date, that elsewhere they find no traces of such a saint.
^ebentenitl) JBap of i¥lap*
ARTICLE I. —ST. FIONNCHAN, BISHOP OF DRUIM-EANAIGH AND OF DRUIM-FESS.
[SIXTH CENTURY. ]
LITTLE more is known regarding this holy Prelate, than his having flourishedatanearlydate,intheIrishChurch. Wefind,bothinthe Franciscan ' and in the published Martyrology of Tallagh,^ Finnchan of Droma Enaigh. He is commemorated, by Marianus O'Gorman, and he is said to have flourished in the sixth century, having been a synchronus with St. Colman Elo,3 who was himself contemporaneous with the great St. Colum- kille. '* Under the head of Druim Eanuigh, Duald Mac Firbis enters Fionn- chan. Bishop, at May the 1 7th. Again, do we find the same writer calling his place Druim Fes, or Fesi. s This form of an Irish local name has not been identified, no more than the former etymon. The Bollandists ^ place Find- chanus. Bishop of Druim-Enaich, at the 17th of May; but, they are at a loss to find any particulars regarding him, and deserving of insertion. This day.
Article i. —' At the xvi. of the June Kalends—corresponding with this date—we here read ptiTjchAn •0|\oniA eriAig A^-Uf 0|\oniA ^eife.
^ Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xxiv.
^ According to his Irish Life. His feast occurs on the 26th of September.
* His Life will be found at the 9th of 5 In " Catalogus aliquorum Sanctorum June. See Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum Ibernise. " Hibernioe," Martii xi. De S. Finchano Ab-
^ See O'Sullevan Beare's " Historic bate de Ardchaoin, p. 584, and n. 3.
5 See " Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy," vol. i. , Irish Manuscript Series, parti. , pp. 108, 109.
* See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , Mail xvii. Among the pretermitted saints, p. 2.
? Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 132,133.
489
490
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 17.
likewise, the Martyrology of Donegal ^ records the name of Fionnchan, Bishop, of Druim-eanaigh, and of Druim-fess. as having been venerated.
Article II. —St. Siollan, Bishop of Daimhinis, or Devenish Island, County of Fermanagh. \Seventh Century. '] It is a sight never to be for- gotten, when Lough Erne seems, as it were, holding her mirror to the relics around St. Molaisse's monastery. The round tower—simple, erect, and exquisitely tapering skywards—looks a fit emblem of hope, as the descending sun illumes its cap with golden light ; while, down in the silent depths of the lake—less distinct, of a deeper and more dreamy shade—extends the reflec- tion, as if veiling the mysterious past. ' The name Sillan, a Bishop—with- out any further designation—occurs in the IMartyrology of Tallagh,^at the 17th ofMay. WehaveSillanusEpiscopus,likewise,intheFranciscancopyofthe Tallagh Martyrology,^ at the 1 7th of May. The BoUandists also enter his festi- val, on the same authority. -^ In the Acts of St. Berach^s allusion is made to a holy man, named Sillanus, who was miraculously restored to life, at a place called Rath-ond, but, of whose history little more seems to be known. A conjecture is offered, by Colgan,^ that he may be identical with the present holy man, yet this is hardly probable. The following identification is doubt- less the true one, where at this date the Ivlartyrology of Donegal ^ records the veneration of Siollan, Bishop [of Daimhinis]. ^ This has the English significa- tion of " deer island. " His place of habitation was on the historic and beau- tiful Island of Devenish, so picturesquely situated, on Lower Lough Erne, about two and a-half miles below the town of Enniskillen, and iu the county of Fermanagh. 9 The sail downwards, by'steamer or row-boat,'° is one of sur- passing interest. On his left hand, the tourist will pass Portora, a grassy eminence, above a gentle indentation of the lake. " This little bay was the usualplaceofembarkationforDevenish. " Beyondthispoint,thelakesud- denly narrows, and its current becomes almost a rapid. On a bank towards the left, immediately over the water, and fully commanding the passage, rises
the shell of a once formidable castle. '^ it was of a quadrangular form, with round towers at the angles. The walls are pierced with holes for matchlocks or muskets ; and these apertures are original features. '* And now, our boat
Article ii. — ' This pictorial effect is Lough Erne in Mr. and Mrs. Hall's '' Ire- very artistically presented, by a wood- land : its Scenery, Ciiaracter," &c. , vol. iii. ,
engraving, introduced by Mr. W. F. Wake- man in his charming Guide-Book, " Lough Erne, Enniskillen, Belleek, Ballyshannon and liundoran," &c. First Excursion, p. 40.
^ Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xxiv.
3 Thus noted, SillAni Cppi.
* See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iv. ,
Maii xvii. Among the pretermitted . saints, p. 2.
5 See his Life, in the Second Volume of this work, at the 15th of February, Art. i.
" See "Acta Sancloium Hibernia-," Februarii xv. Vita S. lierachi Abbatis, n. 24, p. 347. Also, Supplementum Vilie S. Berachi, n. 6, p. 348.
'Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 132, 133.
* In a note Dr. Todd here says: "The words within brackets in this and the follow- ing )iaragraph aie in a diflerent hand. "
pp. 17S to 190.
" At Enniskillen, boats are easily pro-
cured, and at a very moderate charge. A row of less than half an hour will bring the tourist to the island.
" Crowning this eminence is the Royal School, which commands a noble view of the Lower Lake.
" Thither, for ages, were brought the bodies of the dead, on their way for inter- ment, in that holy island. Hence, the name " Portor. n," or the " Port of Tears. "
'^ This is supposed to have been built and tenanted, by the Maguires, the Princes of Fermanagh.
'• Hence, this building cannot be regarded as possessing very great antiquity, notwith- standing the Norman-looking towers, which Hank the walls. Not a single moulding of window or doorway, by which a date might be inferred, remains. The ]iroud chieftains
' There are very beautiful engravings and
interesting descriptions of Devenish and and ladies bright, minslieis, light-limbed
kerns, and mailed gallow-glasses, who once occupied this keep, have long mouldered into the dust. This old pile seems fast 01 ambling to the lake :
*' Earth buildeth upon the earth castles
andtowers
Earth sayeth unto earth— all shall be
ours
Earth walketh on the earth glittering
with gold
Earth goeth to the earth sooner than
it would. "
—See W. F. Wakeman's "Lough Erne, Enniskillen, Belleek, Ballyshannon and Buu-
doran," &c.
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 1
the history of these Islands. Towards the south-east of those objects was the Teach Cormaic," or House of Cormac ; and, between them, it is sup- posedtheruinsofTeamur"orTaralay. Therewereseveralancientroads even yet traceable—leading from the royal residence at Tara, and in different directions. To the north was the Slighe Fan na g-Carbad, or Slope of the Chariots. The upright obeliscal pillar-stone '3 oa the Hill of Tara is said to have been a monument of pagan antiquity : and, it has been identified with the Lia Fail or Stone of Destiny. '-* The Irish writers call it ati idol-stone. There are various earth-mounds and other objects, which are severally named, and which undoubtedly belong to a very ancient origin. Thus, approaching the Hill from the north, we find the site of the Teach Miodhchuarta. 's or Great Banqueting Hall ;'^ and, in the adjoining field is Rath Caelcon, while beyond this are the remains of two circular Duns ;'? towards the south, we pass into the great oval enclosure of Rath na Riogh,'^ or the King's Rath, and within its northern boundary is pointed out Dumha na-Ngiall,'9 or Mound of the Hostages ; ascending the slope towards the south we gain the summit, crowned by Rath na Seanadh,^° or Rath of the Synods, sometimes called the King's Chair,^' and the highest spot upon the Hill, being 512 feet above the sea-level. From the centre of the Forradh on the one side, and from the Rath na Seanadh on the other, we obtain most extensive views of the
486
wards drawn on the wood, in the accom- panying illustration, engraved by Mrs. Millard.
" It was joined to the Forradh by a com- mon parapet, and it may be described as a double enclosure, the rings of which, upon the western side, become connected. Its diameter is about 140 feet. See William F. Wakem. an's " Hand-Book of Irish Antiqui- ties," part i. , chap, iv. , p. 43.
"Thisnameis saidtohavebeenderived from a fortress, in which the Milesian Queen Tea resided. See Sir William Wilde's " Beauties of the Boyne, and its Tributary, the Blackwater," chap, v. , p. 124.
'3 It lay in a prostrate position, probably for many centuries, until removed shortly after 1798, when it was set up as a monument to mark the grave of those insurgents who fell there at that memorable period.
'*ByDr. George Petrie, in his Essay on the History and Antiquities of Tara 1 1 ill. See "Transactions of the Royal Irish Aca- demy," vol. xviii. Antiquities, No. iii. , pp. 1 60 to 1 62. On the latter page a fine wood- cut illustration of it is presented.
and his relative obligations to them, his cus- toms and refections, his stipends and pre- sents. See pp. 8 to II, 38, 39, 136, 137, 142, 143, 176 to 191, 23810 269,
'* Here, it is thought, the Feis Teamhrach was held.
'' These are greatly obliterated by planta- tions ; one of these is Rath-Grainne, while the other is now scarcely perceptible. The small well, Tober Finn, is near.
'^ It is called, likewise, the CathairofCro- finn. It measures upwards of 280 yards in length, in its longest dimensions, and it is the most extensive of all the circles at Tara. Inseveralplaces,it isoblitered.
'9 This is a small circular moat, and so named in memory of the hostages which were taken from the different provinces. On this formerly lay the monolith, supposed by Dr. Petrie to have been the Lia Fail, or Stone of Destiny.
^° This presents a double line of circum- vallation. The eastern side has been cut oflf by the adjoining churchyard. It is said the tent of Adamnan had been pitched there, and, it is probable, in Christian times, some of the Tara Synods were there held.
'S This is a deep excavation, nmning north
and south, with parallel sides, and rising up
a gentle ascent of the Hill. It is 360 feet
long, and 40 wide. The sides are formed of of these is a flat pillar-stone, about six feet
a raised mur, or earth embankment. Here
and there are gaps or excavations, supposed
to have corresponded with doors, which led
into the great Hall. In Dr. O'Donovan's
edition of the leAbliAjxtiA 5-CeA]\c, or the
" Book of Rights," we have an account of Grange—may be seen. It is sup])osed, to
various tributes in cattle and provisions due to the King of Tara, with his obligations to entertain provincial kings, and their privi- leges at the feast ; also his tributes and rents from the provincial chiefs, his prerogatives,
have been one of the two druidical stones, called Bloc and Bluicini, which opened out to admit the king's chariot, at his corona- tion.
" Here, it is said, that King Laoghairc was
'' Within tlie churchyard enclosure, there aresomeobjectsofantiquarianinterest. One
high, supposed to be the shaft of St. . \iam- nan's cross ; and, on iis western face is carved in relief a rude human figure, about eighteen inches high. In its vicinity, a short pillar- stone—not unlike some of those at New
—6
——
May 1 6. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 487
the great Meathian plains. The Rath of Laoghaire^^ is shown on the slope of the Hill, towards the south, and about one quarter of a mile distant is the Rath of Queen Maeve, among some trees, crowning an adjoining elevation. To the east of the Forradh, and immediately adjoining the road, is the Well of Neamhnach, or Newnagh, a beautiful spring formerly shaded by a magnifi- cent ash tree, and over it the roots still stretch, ^3 No less than four distinct Liathdruims are mentioned, in the Annals of the Four Masters,^'^ viz. : first, that now known as Tara Hill, in the cqunty of Meath ; secondly, that situated in Dealbhna-Eathra ; thirdly, that in Clanrickard ; and fourthly, that in West Brefney. It seems impossible now to state, with which—if indeed with any —of them, the present holy man had been connected.
Article VHI. —St. Maclaisre, Abbot of Bangor, County of Down. TheMartyrologyofTallagh^ recordsthissaint,atthei6thofMay,asMac Lasre, Abbot of Bangor. ^ At the same date, tlie Bollandists 3 enter Maclas- rius, Abbas Benchorensis, in Ultonia. Allusion is made to him, by Father John Colgan,'^ as having died, during the reigns ofConalland Kellach, joint sovereigns over Ireland. The " Chronicum Scotorum "s places the death of Mac Laisre, Abbot of Bennchair, at a. d. 644, the year when it is stated Bede was born. ^ On this day, Mac Laisre departed to a brighter and a better world, in the year 645, according to the Annals of Ulster, and of the Four ]\Iasters. 7 The Martyrology of Donegal ^ registers on this day, as having veneration paid him, Alaclaisre, Abbot of Bennchor.
Article IX. St. Boetius, also called Breg-boesach, Son of Brondius. Venerationwasgivenatthisdate,aswereadintheMartyrology of Tallagh,^ to a St. Boetius, whose name was also Breg-boesach, the son of Brondius. * The Bollandists,3 who quote the same authority, suppose him to be the Boetius, son of Bronaigh, mentioned by Prince O'Donnell, in his Life of St. Columkille,'* and whose feast is set down, at the 7th of December.
Article X. St. Mochamail. We find the simple entry, Mochamail, inserted in the Martyrology of Tallagh,' at the i6th of May. ^ Quoting the
buried, and in a standing position. some authorities ; while others have 674, ^3 See Sir William R. Wilde's "Beauties Following the reasoning of Pagi, Mr.
oftheBoyne, and its Tributary, the Black- water," chap, v. , pp. 122 to 126.
^^ See Dr. O'Donovan's Edition, vol. vii. , Index, p. 77.
Article viii. —'Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xxiv.
^ The Franciscan copy has 1T1ac LAi'i\e Abb beAnn.
3 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , Mali xvi. Among the pretermitted saints, p. 559.
= The Franciscan copy has boecn, i. e. , Martii xxx. Vita S. Mochuse sive Cronani cunif nomen e]\AC b]\e5 befAch pin
4 See "Acta Sanctorum Hiberniae,"
Abb. Ballensis, n. 24, p. 792.
5 See William M. Hennessey's edition,
pp. 88, 89.
^ The year for this event, however, has
been referred to 672 or 673, according to
b]\oiin.
^ See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. ,
Mali xvi. Among the pretermitted saints,
p. 561.
" See lib. i.
Stevenson has adopted the latter chronology, See Sir Thomas Duffus Hardy's " Descrip- tive Catalogue of Materials relating to the History of Great Britain and Ireland," vol. i. , parti. , p. 446.
'' See Dr. O'Donovan's edition, vol. i. , pp. 258, 259, and n. (r). Ibid.
^ Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 130,131. —
Article ix. ' Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xxiv.
p. 559. Article XI.
—
' See "Acta Sancto- rum," tomus iii. , Maii XVI. Among the pre-
———
488 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May i6.
same record, at this date, the BoUandists 3 enter Mochamalius, but without any attempt to assign the place where he was venerated, or the period when he flourished.
ArticleXI. St. Finntan,ofCluanaCruaich. ThenameFinntan, of Cluana Cruaich, appears in the Martyrology of Tallagh,^ at the i6th of May. - WefindthefeastofFintanusdeCluain-Cruaich,onthesameautho- rity, entered by tlie BoUandists, 3 at this day. He is noticed, by Father John Colgan,4 in Uke manner ; but, without giving indication of his family, place, or period.
Article XII. St. Fionnchadh, Bishop. An entry is found, regard- ing Findchad, a Bishop, in the Martyrology of Tallagh,' at the i6th of May. * TheBoUandists3 simplynoteFindchadusEpiscopus,fromthesamesource, and for the same date. On this day was venerated Fionnchadh, Bishop, as we read in the Martyrology of Donegal. *
ArticleXIII. FeastoftheTranslationorElevationofthe Relics of Saints Columban, Eustasius and Waldebert. At the i6th of May, the BoUandists ' insert a festival, which commemorates the Transla- tion or Elevation of the Relics of Saints Columban,^ Eustasius 3 and Walde- bert. *
Article XIV. St. Tricius, Bishop and Confessor, in Scotia. The English Martyrology enters a St. Tricius, a Bishop, at the i6th of May, according to Father Henry Fitzsimon, who notes him among the Irish Saints. However, the BoUandists ' deny, that Tricius is to be found, in either edition of the " Martyrologium Anglicanum," or even in the Tallagh Martyrology, although they insert, at this date, Tricius, Episcopus et Confessor in Scotia. ' In the anonymous catalogue, published by O'SuUevan Beare,3 a Tricius is en- tered at the same date.
Article XV. Reputed Feast of St. Bertin, Abbot and Apostle, Belgium. In his " Menologium Scoticum," Thomas Dempster enters ' a
Article x. — ' Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xxiv.
- The Franciscan copy enters also modia- mAiL
3 See "Acta Sanctorum,"' tomus iii. , Maii xvi. Among the pretermitted saints,
3 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. ,
Maii xvi. Among the pretermitted saints,
p. 559.
* Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
'
Edited by Rev. Dr.
termitted feasts, p. 559.
* His feast occurs, at the 21st of Novem-
ber, where his Life will be found.
3 \\\^ festival belongs to the 29th of
March, where his Life has been given, in the Third Volume of this work, Art. v.
Article xiv. —
rum," tomus iii. , Maii xvi. Among tlie pre- termitted saints, p. 559.
Such is the record, in a MS. Florarium
Kelly, p. xxiv.
' In the Franciscan copy, we find pncAn
CluAin Crunch.
3 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii.
Maii xvi. Among the pretermitted saints,
p. 5-59.
* See "Acta Sanctorum Hibcrnix,"
Februaiii xvii. Appendix ad Acta S. Fin-
tani Abbalis de Cluain-Ednech, cap. i. ,
"* His feast occurs, at the 2nd of May.
p. 355. —
Article Xll. ' Edited by Rev. Dr. Sanctorum.
Kelly, p. xxiv. 3 See " HistorireCatholicre Ibernice Com- ' The Franciscan copy has pn'ocliA'O pendium," tomus i. , lib. iv. , cap. xi. , xii. ,
epi. pp. 50, 57.
130, 131. — Article xill.
'
See "Acta Sancto-
Article xv. —' Thus : " In Belgio Ber- tuini abbatis et apostoli. P. "
"^ See Bishop Forbes' " Kalendar of Scot- tish Saints," p. 199.
3 Thus do we find his entry, at this date, in " Catalogus Actuum Sanctorum qu£e MS. habentur, ordine Mensium et Dierum. "
* In Chronica.
Catholicse Iberniis Compendium," tomus i. , lib. iv. , cap. xii. , p. 52.
Article xvi. —
Thus: "Hoc eodem etiam die sanctus Benthus Confessor. "—Bis- hop Forbes' "Kalendars of Scottish Saints,"
p. 237.
^ See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. ,
Mail xvi. Among the pretermitted saints, p. 559.
'
—
May 17. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
feast for St. Bertuinus, Abbot and Apostle in Belgium, at the i6th of May. '' It seems to have been Colgan's intention to have published Acts of this saint, either at the i6th of May, or the nth of November. 3 Petrus a Natalibus^ and Henry Fitzsimou s have also placed the festival of St, Bertuinus, Abbot, at the x6th of May. ^
Article XVI. Reputed Festival of St. Benthus, Confessor. Among the Scottish entries, in the Kalendar of David Camerarius, at the i6th ofMay,'isaSt. Benthus,aConfessor. Perhaps,theBoetiuspreviouslymen- tioned, on this day, may have been the person intended. However, it is re- marked, by the Bollandists,^ at this date, that elsewhere they find no traces of such a saint.
^ebentenitl) JBap of i¥lap*
ARTICLE I. —ST. FIONNCHAN, BISHOP OF DRUIM-EANAIGH AND OF DRUIM-FESS.
[SIXTH CENTURY. ]
LITTLE more is known regarding this holy Prelate, than his having flourishedatanearlydate,intheIrishChurch. Wefind,bothinthe Franciscan ' and in the published Martyrology of Tallagh,^ Finnchan of Droma Enaigh. He is commemorated, by Marianus O'Gorman, and he is said to have flourished in the sixth century, having been a synchronus with St. Colman Elo,3 who was himself contemporaneous with the great St. Colum- kille. '* Under the head of Druim Eanuigh, Duald Mac Firbis enters Fionn- chan. Bishop, at May the 1 7th. Again, do we find the same writer calling his place Druim Fes, or Fesi. s This form of an Irish local name has not been identified, no more than the former etymon. The Bollandists ^ place Find- chanus. Bishop of Druim-Enaich, at the 17th of May; but, they are at a loss to find any particulars regarding him, and deserving of insertion. This day.
Article i. —' At the xvi. of the June Kalends—corresponding with this date—we here read ptiTjchAn •0|\oniA eriAig A^-Uf 0|\oniA ^eife.
^ Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xxiv.
^ According to his Irish Life. His feast occurs on the 26th of September.
* His Life will be found at the 9th of 5 In " Catalogus aliquorum Sanctorum June. See Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum Ibernise. " Hibernioe," Martii xi. De S. Finchano Ab-
^ See O'Sullevan Beare's " Historic bate de Ardchaoin, p. 584, and n. 3.
5 See " Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy," vol. i. , Irish Manuscript Series, parti. , pp. 108, 109.
* See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , Mail xvii. Among the pretermitted saints, p. 2.
? Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 132,133.
489
490
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 17.
likewise, the Martyrology of Donegal ^ records the name of Fionnchan, Bishop, of Druim-eanaigh, and of Druim-fess. as having been venerated.
Article II. —St. Siollan, Bishop of Daimhinis, or Devenish Island, County of Fermanagh. \Seventh Century. '] It is a sight never to be for- gotten, when Lough Erne seems, as it were, holding her mirror to the relics around St. Molaisse's monastery. The round tower—simple, erect, and exquisitely tapering skywards—looks a fit emblem of hope, as the descending sun illumes its cap with golden light ; while, down in the silent depths of the lake—less distinct, of a deeper and more dreamy shade—extends the reflec- tion, as if veiling the mysterious past. ' The name Sillan, a Bishop—with- out any further designation—occurs in the IMartyrology of Tallagh,^at the 17th ofMay. WehaveSillanusEpiscopus,likewise,intheFranciscancopyofthe Tallagh Martyrology,^ at the 1 7th of May. The BoUandists also enter his festi- val, on the same authority. -^ In the Acts of St. Berach^s allusion is made to a holy man, named Sillanus, who was miraculously restored to life, at a place called Rath-ond, but, of whose history little more seems to be known. A conjecture is offered, by Colgan,^ that he may be identical with the present holy man, yet this is hardly probable. The following identification is doubt- less the true one, where at this date the Ivlartyrology of Donegal ^ records the veneration of Siollan, Bishop [of Daimhinis]. ^ This has the English significa- tion of " deer island. " His place of habitation was on the historic and beau- tiful Island of Devenish, so picturesquely situated, on Lower Lough Erne, about two and a-half miles below the town of Enniskillen, and iu the county of Fermanagh. 9 The sail downwards, by'steamer or row-boat,'° is one of sur- passing interest. On his left hand, the tourist will pass Portora, a grassy eminence, above a gentle indentation of the lake. " This little bay was the usualplaceofembarkationforDevenish. " Beyondthispoint,thelakesud- denly narrows, and its current becomes almost a rapid. On a bank towards the left, immediately over the water, and fully commanding the passage, rises
the shell of a once formidable castle. '^ it was of a quadrangular form, with round towers at the angles. The walls are pierced with holes for matchlocks or muskets ; and these apertures are original features. '* And now, our boat
Article ii. — ' This pictorial effect is Lough Erne in Mr. and Mrs. Hall's '' Ire- very artistically presented, by a wood- land : its Scenery, Ciiaracter," &c. , vol. iii. ,
engraving, introduced by Mr. W. F. Wake- man in his charming Guide-Book, " Lough Erne, Enniskillen, Belleek, Ballyshannon and liundoran," &c. First Excursion, p. 40.
^ Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xxiv.
3 Thus noted, SillAni Cppi.
* See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iv. ,
Maii xvii. Among the pretermitted . saints, p. 2.
5 See his Life, in the Second Volume of this work, at the 15th of February, Art. i.
" See "Acta Sancloium Hibernia-," Februarii xv. Vita S. lierachi Abbatis, n. 24, p. 347. Also, Supplementum Vilie S. Berachi, n. 6, p. 348.
'Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 132, 133.
* In a note Dr. Todd here says: "The words within brackets in this and the follow- ing )iaragraph aie in a diflerent hand. "
pp. 17S to 190.
" At Enniskillen, boats are easily pro-
cured, and at a very moderate charge. A row of less than half an hour will bring the tourist to the island.
" Crowning this eminence is the Royal School, which commands a noble view of the Lower Lake.
" Thither, for ages, were brought the bodies of the dead, on their way for inter- ment, in that holy island. Hence, the name " Portor. n," or the " Port of Tears. "
'^ This is supposed to have been built and tenanted, by the Maguires, the Princes of Fermanagh.
'• Hence, this building cannot be regarded as possessing very great antiquity, notwith- standing the Norman-looking towers, which Hank the walls. Not a single moulding of window or doorway, by which a date might be inferred, remains. The ]iroud chieftains
' There are very beautiful engravings and
interesting descriptions of Devenish and and ladies bright, minslieis, light-limbed
kerns, and mailed gallow-glasses, who once occupied this keep, have long mouldered into the dust. This old pile seems fast 01 ambling to the lake :
*' Earth buildeth upon the earth castles
andtowers
Earth sayeth unto earth— all shall be
ours
Earth walketh on the earth glittering
with gold
Earth goeth to the earth sooner than
it would. "
—See W. F. Wakeman's "Lough Erne, Enniskillen, Belleek, Ballyshannon and Buu-
doran," &c.
