All useful trades are taught, while the farm attached to this
institution
is admirably cul- tivated, by the inmates.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v5
Ex codice Bodleiano, pars i.
" Positio reli- quiar.
Conlaid hi serin oir agus oirget.
[in scrinio auri et argenti.
"] p.
120.
posited in Down, of Ulster
yet, the remains of St. Brigid were first buried at Kildare, in Leinster, as appears from this passage, and from other observations, which are made in the Fourth Appendix to our Saints' Acts. See "Trias Tliaumaturga," cap. vi. , pp.
—
with precious stones. " " Bishops of Kil-
tota Scotoium terra, cum suis omnibus fugi- tivis. " In it were preserved the treasures of kings most religiously, and under its highly adorned covering. See Colgan's " Trias
chap, ii. , p. 160.
5' No doubt, St. Brigid desired to have a
part of his bones removed, to her great church, built at Kildare,
;
dare, Cogitosus remarks, that it would not be
possible to describe sufficiently the great
beauty of this church, and the many miracles
wrought in this city, "si fas est dici civitas
de qua vita in se multorum nomen accepit.
Maxima hsec civitas et metropolitane est : in
cujus suburbanis quae sancta certo limite de-
signavit Brigida. " He adds, that no carnal
adversary, nor concourse of enemies, was
feared there, in his time, as the city was one
of safe refuge for all living elsewhere, "in ral History of Ireland," vol. ii. , Book x. ,
49 Allusion has been made to it already, in a previous chapter.
S' See Dr. Sylvester O'Halloran's "Gene-
—
g2
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 3.
at Kildare. s' It is probable, that this reliquary had been destroyed or re- moved, during one of the Danish or northern incursions, with which this city hadbeenfrequentlyvisited. s^' But,theforegoingobjectofart,withitsmuch prized contents, had been long preserved and exposed, for the admiration and veneration of Christians at Kildare.
—known too as Condail of oftheKings—wasunderthespecialpatronageofSt. Conleath. Thename Condail may be rendered, also, " the place of meeting. "53 It is not impro- bable, that it was identical with the present remarkable mound, already de- scribed, and which may have been the folk-moat of olden times. After the celebrated victory of the Leinster chiefs and heroes, obtained in the battle at
the Hill Allen, in a. d. 722, and about five miles northwards from Kildare, it is related, that they assembled at Condail of the Kings. That victory is said to have been obtained, under the patronage of St. Brigid, whose presence was seen over the Leinstermen, either before or daring the battle. However, the heroes of Leinster spent the night in high spirits, each describing his achievements, at Condail of the Kings, while wine and mead circulated, and merrimentseemedtheorderofthatnight. s* Thewholeofthisaccount,how- ever, is mingled with romantic and extravagant incidents. Near it, the an- cient church of Old Connell probably stood, when the Leinster heroes cele- brated their famous victory ; and, it seems likely, that St. Conleth was re- garded as its patron, even before the eighth century. Possibly, a considerable portion of his relics were preserved in it ; for, according to local tradition, his
remains were deposited within the cemetery.
All our Irish Martyrologists place his festival, at the 3rd of May,
the date assigned for his death. 55 In the Metrical Martyrology of St. yEno-us the Culdee, and known as the Feilire-^ngus, at this date, and'^when recording his death, it is stated : Bas Conlaid, cain-aige, " The death of Condlaid, beautiful pillar. "56 The name of this holy bishop is written Roncend, in the ALirtyrology of Tallagh,57 at the 3rd of May. This Roncend is not a distinct saint from Conleth, who is venerated onthisday,andwhosefirst name,aswehavealreadyseen,wasRoincenn. We read, in the Martyrology of Donegal,5S likewise, that a festival was cele- brated, in honour of Roineheann,59 on this day. In the diocese of Kildare,
The place where he lived, Old Connell
—
5= "We have the most indisputable histo- ricalevidence, not only of the existence of one of tlie two shnnes noticed by Cogitosus, as preserved at Kildarein his own time, but also of the costliness of its materials ; and it will surely not be doubted that the religious com- munity of Kildare, who paid this reverence to the relics of their first bishop, would have had a similar, if not a still more splendid
shrine, to preserve the relics of the great founder and patronessof their establishment. " —Dr George Petrie's "Ecclesiastical Archi- teclui'e and Round Towers of Ireland," part ii , sub. sec. i. , pp. 203, 204.
S3 According to \Villiam M. Hennessy.
5< See "Three Fragments of Annals, copied from Ancient Sources," by Dhubal- tach Mac Firbisigh, and edited by Dr. O'Donovan, pp. 33 1051. This work was
the feast of St. Conleth
at the 3rd of May—
is observed as a double of the first-class, with an octave. There is no proper ofifice for this saint, however; but the psalms, lessons, &:c. , are taken from the common to a confessor and bishop. For the other dioceses of Ireland, this office is recited as a double,
published, in the year iS6o.
S3 See Dr. O' Donovan's "Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 170, 171.
so in the " IMartyrology of Tallagh, ' as edited by the Rev. Matthew Kelly, at p. xxiii. , we find, besides the enti7 of Connlai, Bishop of Cill Dara, two other entries, at the 3rd of May, viz. , Roncend. and Mocbona Daire. All these designations are referable to one saint. The same repetition is notice- able, in the "Martyrology of Donegal,"
edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 118 119, and at ihe same day of the month,
57 Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xxui. In the Franciscan copy is Con-oUe'o Cilli Oa|\a Honcenx) piMinuf.
=« Eiiiied by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
I18, II9.
,
a note by Dr. Todd says, at Koin-
59
^ ^ ,,
May 3. LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
93
but without an octave. Even De Burgo ^° altogether omitted St. Conleth from his Hst of Irish Saints, although he has compiled proper offices for others, not more celebrated, and for several totally unconnected, as to special vene- ration, in connexion with our national sees.
Towards the close of the last century, when many of our old chapels had been erected, the Catholic people of Ireland were a cower- ing and proscribed race. Among other nations, however, their melan- choly music, their impatiently borne wrongs, their tried fidelity to country and religion, had made them known. But, their former places of wor- ship had been dismantled, and these passed as spoils into the hands of other worshippers. The haunts of their former saints had almost been forgotten. The old parish chapel of Newbridge was a wretched build- ing, on the strand of the Liffey, and not far from the site of St. Conleth's pre- sent imposing parochial church. For years, many a prayer was offered up, that a new parochial church might be built. At 'ast, in the year 1848, just as the nation was emerging from famine and prostration, the parish priest, the Rev. 'I'imothyKavanagh,andthepeople''' ofNewbridge,undertooktobuild a larger church.
The great efibri was to make out funds, during what were justly called the "Bad Times. '^s^ This, however, was soon effected, but with much difficulty. 63 The drawings and sjDe-
St. Conleth's Catholic Church, Newbridge, County of Kildare.
cifications for the the church were supplied by some friendly architect, whose name has not transpired. ^* The style of that new building is Gothic ; it has a tower or bel- fry -65 but the spire is not yet built. In 1852, the church was dedi- cated to St. Con- leth, and opened for Divine ser- vice. This is the only church in the diocese of Kil- dareand Leighlin —we believe it may be stated in
all Ireland—dedi-
cated to St. Con- leth. ^^ Out of the debris of the old chapel, and in close connection with St. Conleth's new church, a comfortable parochial house and good out-offices ckeann : " The more recent hand adds, *° AUusion is made to his work—now
"Vide Conleadh," whose first name was rarely procurable, " Otficia Propria Sancto- Roincenn. rumHibernise. " Yet,surelysufficientma-
94 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 3
were afterwards built. Active and earnest exertions were made ^^ to orna- ment the interior of this fine church, and to improve the external grounds and approaches to it. Since that time, further spiritual advantages have been secured for the parish. ^^ The foundation stone of a new convent at New- bridge was laid, by the Right Rev. James Walsh, D. D. , and Bishop of Kil- dareandLeighlin,onAscensionDay,22ndMay,1873. Itspositionisquite close to the church, and the establishment has been dedicated to St. Conleth. ^9 The community in possession is known as the Oblate Sisters 7° of the Imma- culate Conception. 7' These nuns first came to the convent, on the 26th of
terials are available, for the compilation of a proper office for St. Conleth.
" They contributed about ;^500. and after expending this sum on t'. e foundation, they seemed to despair of progressing further with their undertaking.
'^ In the beginning of March, 1849, the Rev. Patrick Carey—now parish priest of Borris, county of Carlow—was sent by the greatly venerated Bisliop, Right Rev. Dr. Francis Haly, to Newbridge, as curate. In conjunction with the pastor, he actively laboured, in collecting funds, and in superin- tending the building of the new church. To the Rev. Mr. Carey, the writer is indebted, for many of these particulars.
following is a minute description : —The de- vice exhibits three statues standing in cano- pied niches, of the florid Gothic or pointed style of architecture of the fifteenth century. The centre figure represents the Virgin and child, and the figures on each side appear in- tended to represent the patron saints of Ire- land, Patrick and Brigid. Below the centre figure there is a smaller niche, containing the figure of another ecclesiastic, with his hands raised, in the attitude of prayer, and his arm supporting the pastoral staff. This figure, it is probable, is intended to represent
St. Conlaeth, the first Bishop of Kildare, who was contemporary with St. Brigid, and said to have been the joint founder of that See. On each side of the figure is a shield, one of which bears the arms of France and England quarterly ; the other, two keys in saltire, in
*3 The parishioners both Catholic and
Protestant generously subscribed, and the
neighbouring parishes gave much assistance.
At the " Curragh Meeting," the Rev. Mr. chief a royal crown ; a device which, it is
Carey was very successful, in getting sub- scriptions from all creeds and parties, espe- cially from among the gentry. On one occasion, when collecting for the church in Dublin, he was asked by a gentleman, the late W. N. Skelly, Esq. , to whom the church was to be dedicated. The Rev. Mr. Carey repli-jd, it was not necessary to go far for a patron saint, as tradition said the first Bishop of Kiklare lived on the banks of the Liffey, and probal. ly, very near the site of the new church. " Bravo," said Mr. Skelly, " I will give a subscription ; but, if you went to foreign countries for a patron, and having so many saints in our own country, I should notgiveyouonepenny. " Themoneyafter- wards came in rapidly, and the work pros-
pered.
*'' Wepresentanillustrationfromaphoto-
graph, kindly furnished by the Rev. Alartin Nolan,P. P. ,ofNewbridge. Itwasdrawn on the wood, by William F. Wakeman, and it was engraved, by Mrs. Millard.
*5 One of John Murphy's superior bells, weighing one ton, one cwt. , is Jn the cam- panile. It was cast in Dublin.
*' It may be of interest to mention, that in "The Lamp," of Saturday, July I St, 1854, vol. vii. , No. 25, pp. 36, 37, there is an engraving of a seal, be- longing to William, Bishop Kildare, and supposed to represent St. Cunleth, as one of its devices. The original matrix is said to be in possession of a l3ublin gentleman. The
worthy of remark, constitutes the arms an- ciently and still borne by the Archbishops of York, and the appearance of which in this seal may therefore not be easy to account for. The inscription reads as follows :
" Sigillum W'illmi dei gracia Kyldarens epi,"
or, "Sigillum Willie mi dei gratia Kylda-
rensis Episcopus" (the sealof William, by the graceofGod,BishopofKildare). Asamong the Bishops of Kildare, two of the name of William occur in the fifteenth century, it may not be easy to determine with certainty to which of them this seal should be as- signed; but,thereappearsthegreatestrea- son to ascribe it to the first, who according to Ware, having been previously Archdeacon of Kildare, was appointed to this See, by the provisions of Pope Eugene IV. , in 1432, and having governed this See fourteen years, he died in April, 1446.
"7 By the Rev. Patrick
pointed curate in 1857—afterwards, the worthy and deservedly esteemed parish priest of Goresbridge and Paulstown. Owing to a total loss of sight, the Rev. Timothy Kavanagh had been left unable to administer the affairs of his parish, the care of which chiefly devolved on the curate as administrator.
'* By the Rev. Martin Nolan, the present excellent parish priest of Newbridge, who furnished many of the succeeding details to the writer.
J.
Mulhall, ap-
May 3. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
95
May,72 1875. The Oblate Sisters 73 have charge now of large poor schools, and of those for children of the higher classes, 74 in the parish of Newbridge. 7S Established by voluntary contributions, a Reformatory for Catholic boys,7*5 and under the patronage of St. Conleth, has been for many years past located inPhilipstown,King'sCounty. Aconsiderableportionofthepremiseswas formerly the county prison, largely increased for accommodation, with build- ings in open spaces, and a farm attached. Near 300 boys, are here congre- gated, and the institution is under charge of the Oblate Fathers of Mary Im- maculate. Those boys are taught reading, writing, arithmetic, geography, and grammar, sufficiently well to turn them out respectably educated, according to theirstationinlife. Thepremiseshavebeenmuchimproved,gas-workswere erected, cooking by steam was commenced, and an unlimited water supply laid on for use. The industrial progress of the boys has been admirable.
All useful trades are taught, while the farm attached to this institution is admirably cul- tivated, by the inmates. As a matter of course, their religious training is sedulously prosecuted, by the Reverend Managers, and a governmental grant in aid is obtained.
Like many other holy servants of God, St. Conleth departed from this earth, to give an account of his mortal pilgrimage and stewardship but, he went to receive from his loving Master, in acknowledgment for his fidelity, the crown of immortal bliss. The possession of God, in the unfading glory of his celestial kingdom, was the complement of his well-spent life. The revolution which he effected on earth was essentially re- ligious, and in a social point of view by no means abrupt or subversive. A grateful people have honoured him as their patron, and the appointed one of Heaven. We observe their fidelity and attachment to his name and teaching, during the varying scenes of his life. Fourteen centuries have passed, yet we feel convinced, that as years roll on, his name and his memory shall be more deeply venerated throughout the diocese, on which he conferred so
many blessings, from the period of its first Christian organization down to the present time.
Article IL—St, Daircheall, Bishop of Glendalough, County OF WicKLOW. \Seventh Century^ As servants, who have been trained in noble families, acquire the manners and accomplishments of their superiors, in a marked degree ; so religious, who have entered a good school and learn under perfect masters, become in turn learned and holy. In the Martyrology
*9 The Very Rev. Nicholas Walsh, S. J. , preached an eloquent sermon, on this in- teresting occasion.
7° They are established in conformity with their Rules, to assist in any works of mercy, corporal and spiritual, and especially to teach Poor, Middle and High Class schools.
7' Their Order was founded, by the Bishop of Marseilles, in the year 1826.
7^ On the 27th, the feast of Corpus Christi, the first Mass was celebrated, by the Rev. Father Cooke, O. M. I.
'3 In 1S68, they were affiliated to the Order of the Holy Family, founded by the Rev. Father Noailles, a. d. 1820, at Bor- deaux, for works nearly similar.
T' The Oblate Sisters have founded a large Convent, wiih Orphanage and Poor Schools, in Leeds, after much zealous labour. It is now flourishing, and daily increasing its
sphere of usefulness. The Order has ex- tended very much in England, where there are about ten houses, including the Novitiate of Rock Ferry, a magnificent house and es- tablishment dedicated to the reception of postulants from Great Britain and Ireland, There is also one house in Scotland. There is a Novitiate for the French houses, at the Abbey of Royaumount, and also one in Spain, where there are many houses of the Order. The Sisters are also established in South Africa, where they have more than ten houses, and in Ceylon. The Order num- bers now about 6,000 Sisters.
75 Nearly 500 children there attend their schools.
76 Who have fallen into criminal courses, or who have been rescued from temporal and spiritual dangers.
Article ii,^' Edited by Rev, Dr. Kelly,
;
—
96 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 3.
of Tallagh/ St. Daircheall's name occurs, at the 3rd of May, as Daircholla, Glinni da locha. ^ This is the oft and well described Valley of the Two Lakes, intheheartofthecountyofWicklow. Quotingtheforegoingauthority,the Bollandists 3 enter Darchellus Glenndalocensis, at this date. In some autho- rities,'* we find him called Mac Curetai, or the son of Curetai ; and again, Mac Cuyletty. 5 Under the head of Glenn-da-locha, Duald Mac Firbis enters Uairchill, son of Haireta, bishop of Glen-da-locha,° at May 3rd. The year 674 is assigned for his death, in the " Chronicum Scotorum," as also in the AnnalsofClonmacnoise;7 andtheyear676,byMacFirbis,asalso,bythe O'Clerys ; while, the Annals of Ulster place the demise of Daircill mc Cur- tai,^ at A. D. 677. 5 On this day, we find mentioned, in the Martyrology o! Donegal,'" that veneration was paid to St. Daircheall, Bishop of Gleann-da- locha.
Article III. —Sx Mochonna, of Derry. The name of this saint is set down in the ]\Iartyrolo. cr\ of Tallagh,' at the 3rd of May, as Mochonna, Daire. ^ Many places in ! reland are called Deny, simply, or as compounds, with some other designation. The Bollandists 3 have entered Mochonna de Doire, from the foregoing record, at this day ; but, they remark, it is difficult to pronounce upon his identity, as there are so many similar names, and on different days, in the list given by Colgan,^ and in which the present holy man is not included. Another name for Mochonna is Dachonna. s A festival, in honour of Mochonna, was celebrated on this day, as we read in the Mar- tyrology of Donegal. ^ We find [Mochonna, Marianus, and Martyrology of Tamlacht,7] thus cited within brackets ; but, from what has been already stated, perhaps he does not differ from St. Conleth of Kildare.
Article IV. St. Nem, or Nehemias, Bishop of Druim Dallain, OR TuLLAGH, CouNTY OF ANTRIM. Nothing very satisfactory can be dis- covered, regarding a Nehemias, who is mentioned in the Acts of St. Patrick, and who is said to liave appointed him as a bishop, over a church called Tulacha, or TuUagh,^ in that part of Dalriada, which is near Ramoan, in the diocese of Connor. The modern name of this place is uncertain; but,
^ The Franciscan copy enters niocVionriAe 'OAi]\e.
3 See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Mail 3 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Maii iii. Among the pretermitted saints, p.
iii. Among the pretermitted saints, p. 360.
p. xxiii.
" The Franciscan copy has 'OAiiAclielljk
Jlinm DA locViA
» See "Acta Sanctorum Hiberni^e," Mar- tii viii. De S. Mochonn qui et Dochonna Antistite Dorensi, with notes, pp. 565, 566.
5 The reader is referred to what has been already stated, in our notices of St. Mo- chonna, or Dachonna, of Daire, or Derry, in vol. iii. of this work, at the 8th of March, Art. xv.
^ Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 118, 119.
7 In a note Dr. Todd says : " The clause Hibernicarum Scriptores," tomus iv. . An- within brackets is in the more recent
360.
» The Annals of Ulster, and those of the
Four Masters.
s In the English translation of the Annals
of Clonmacnoise.
* See "Proceedings of the Royal Irish
Academy," Irish MSS. Series, vol. i. , part i. , pp. 112, 113.
"I See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters" vol. i. , pp. 284, 285, and n. (m).
* Styled " Episcopus Glinne-da-loc/ia. "
9 See Rev. Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum
hand. "
Article iv. — ' See Colgan's "Trias
118, 119.
Article hi. — ' Edited by Rev. Dr. lib. ii. , cap. cxxx. , p. 146, and nn. 199, 200,
Kelly, p. xxiii. p. 182.
nales Ultonienses, p. 61.
° Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
Thaunialurga," Septinia Vita S. Patricii,
— —
May 3. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 97
possibly it is DnimtuUagh, now popularly called Croshan,^ A Nem,3 Bishop,
of Drum Dallain, is mentioned in the Afartyrology of Donegal,^ as liaving a
festival on this day. In a townland of the place first alluded to, the name
Manister—no doubt from the Irish word which signifies "a monastery"
occurs asalso,anothertownlandcalledKilmoyle,inwhichthereisanancient ;
cemetery. 5 TheplacehasbeenincorrectlyconfoundedwithTulach-ruise^ now Tullyrusk—in Dalmunia. 7 The Rev. William Reeves, in a calendar which he has compiled, seems to identify the present St. Neim, with St. Nehemias, bishop of Tullagh. ® The Rev. Dr. Lanigan 9 thinks, however, that the Nehe- mias alluded to, in St. Patrick's Life, may have have been placed at too early a date, and that he may not have been any other than a St. Nehemias, who died A. D. 654. '° Under the head of Druim Dallain," Duald Mac Firbis enters Nemh, bishop, for May 3rd. ^-
Article V. St. Neccan. The name of Neccan—without any other designation—occurs in the Martyrology ofTallagh,' as having been vene- rated on this day. He is Latinized Neccanus, by the Bollandists,^ who quote this entry ; but, with a conjecture,3 that he may have been confounded with Nessanus, who lived in the small Island off the eastern coast, and known as Ireland's Eye. -* A Book of Gosi)els, belonging to him, and called Kyrlabar,5 is said to have fallen into the sea,^ and to have been taken out of it, without sustaining any injury. ? It was held in great veneration ; and people were accustomed to swear on this book, because it was thought, if perjury were
^ See Rev. Dr. Reeves' " Ecclesiastical Antiquities of Down, Connor and Dromore. " Appendix T, p. 251,
3 See what occurs at the feast of St. Nem, at 1 8th of February.
* Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 118, 119.
5 See "Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the County of Antrim," sheet 8.
"^ By Colgan, in "Trias Thaumaturga," Septima Vita S. Patricii, pars, ii. , cap. cxxx. , p. 146, andn. 199, p. 182.
7 See Rev. William Reeves' "Ecclesiasti- cal Antiquities of Down, Connor and Dro- more," Appendix T, p. 251, and F, F, n, (x), p. 322.
8 See ibid. , LL, p. 378.
9 In his " Ecclesiastical History of Ire- land," vol. i. , chap, vi. , sect, iii. , n. 22, p. 268.
'° Known also as St. Nera Mac Ua-Birn, successor of St. Enna, Abbot of Aran, who died on the 14th of June. See Dr. O'Dono- van's "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 266, 267.
" Not now known—William M. Hen- nessy's note.
'^ See " Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy," Irish MSS. Series, vol. i. , part i. ,
pp. loS, 109. — Article v.
posited in Down, of Ulster
yet, the remains of St. Brigid were first buried at Kildare, in Leinster, as appears from this passage, and from other observations, which are made in the Fourth Appendix to our Saints' Acts. See "Trias Tliaumaturga," cap. vi. , pp.
—
with precious stones. " " Bishops of Kil-
tota Scotoium terra, cum suis omnibus fugi- tivis. " In it were preserved the treasures of kings most religiously, and under its highly adorned covering. See Colgan's " Trias
chap, ii. , p. 160.
5' No doubt, St. Brigid desired to have a
part of his bones removed, to her great church, built at Kildare,
;
dare, Cogitosus remarks, that it would not be
possible to describe sufficiently the great
beauty of this church, and the many miracles
wrought in this city, "si fas est dici civitas
de qua vita in se multorum nomen accepit.
Maxima hsec civitas et metropolitane est : in
cujus suburbanis quae sancta certo limite de-
signavit Brigida. " He adds, that no carnal
adversary, nor concourse of enemies, was
feared there, in his time, as the city was one
of safe refuge for all living elsewhere, "in ral History of Ireland," vol. ii. , Book x. ,
49 Allusion has been made to it already, in a previous chapter.
S' See Dr. Sylvester O'Halloran's "Gene-
—
g2
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 3.
at Kildare. s' It is probable, that this reliquary had been destroyed or re- moved, during one of the Danish or northern incursions, with which this city hadbeenfrequentlyvisited. s^' But,theforegoingobjectofart,withitsmuch prized contents, had been long preserved and exposed, for the admiration and veneration of Christians at Kildare.
—known too as Condail of oftheKings—wasunderthespecialpatronageofSt. Conleath. Thename Condail may be rendered, also, " the place of meeting. "53 It is not impro- bable, that it was identical with the present remarkable mound, already de- scribed, and which may have been the folk-moat of olden times. After the celebrated victory of the Leinster chiefs and heroes, obtained in the battle at
the Hill Allen, in a. d. 722, and about five miles northwards from Kildare, it is related, that they assembled at Condail of the Kings. That victory is said to have been obtained, under the patronage of St. Brigid, whose presence was seen over the Leinstermen, either before or daring the battle. However, the heroes of Leinster spent the night in high spirits, each describing his achievements, at Condail of the Kings, while wine and mead circulated, and merrimentseemedtheorderofthatnight. s* Thewholeofthisaccount,how- ever, is mingled with romantic and extravagant incidents. Near it, the an- cient church of Old Connell probably stood, when the Leinster heroes cele- brated their famous victory ; and, it seems likely, that St. Conleth was re- garded as its patron, even before the eighth century. Possibly, a considerable portion of his relics were preserved in it ; for, according to local tradition, his
remains were deposited within the cemetery.
All our Irish Martyrologists place his festival, at the 3rd of May,
the date assigned for his death. 55 In the Metrical Martyrology of St. yEno-us the Culdee, and known as the Feilire-^ngus, at this date, and'^when recording his death, it is stated : Bas Conlaid, cain-aige, " The death of Condlaid, beautiful pillar. "56 The name of this holy bishop is written Roncend, in the ALirtyrology of Tallagh,57 at the 3rd of May. This Roncend is not a distinct saint from Conleth, who is venerated onthisday,andwhosefirst name,aswehavealreadyseen,wasRoincenn. We read, in the Martyrology of Donegal,5S likewise, that a festival was cele- brated, in honour of Roineheann,59 on this day. In the diocese of Kildare,
The place where he lived, Old Connell
—
5= "We have the most indisputable histo- ricalevidence, not only of the existence of one of tlie two shnnes noticed by Cogitosus, as preserved at Kildarein his own time, but also of the costliness of its materials ; and it will surely not be doubted that the religious com- munity of Kildare, who paid this reverence to the relics of their first bishop, would have had a similar, if not a still more splendid
shrine, to preserve the relics of the great founder and patronessof their establishment. " —Dr George Petrie's "Ecclesiastical Archi- teclui'e and Round Towers of Ireland," part ii , sub. sec. i. , pp. 203, 204.
S3 According to \Villiam M. Hennessy.
5< See "Three Fragments of Annals, copied from Ancient Sources," by Dhubal- tach Mac Firbisigh, and edited by Dr. O'Donovan, pp. 33 1051. This work was
the feast of St. Conleth
at the 3rd of May—
is observed as a double of the first-class, with an octave. There is no proper ofifice for this saint, however; but the psalms, lessons, &:c. , are taken from the common to a confessor and bishop. For the other dioceses of Ireland, this office is recited as a double,
published, in the year iS6o.
S3 See Dr. O' Donovan's "Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 170, 171.
so in the " IMartyrology of Tallagh, ' as edited by the Rev. Matthew Kelly, at p. xxiii. , we find, besides the enti7 of Connlai, Bishop of Cill Dara, two other entries, at the 3rd of May, viz. , Roncend. and Mocbona Daire. All these designations are referable to one saint. The same repetition is notice- able, in the "Martyrology of Donegal,"
edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 118 119, and at ihe same day of the month,
57 Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xxui. In the Franciscan copy is Con-oUe'o Cilli Oa|\a Honcenx) piMinuf.
=« Eiiiied by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
I18, II9.
,
a note by Dr. Todd says, at Koin-
59
^ ^ ,,
May 3. LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
93
but without an octave. Even De Burgo ^° altogether omitted St. Conleth from his Hst of Irish Saints, although he has compiled proper offices for others, not more celebrated, and for several totally unconnected, as to special vene- ration, in connexion with our national sees.
Towards the close of the last century, when many of our old chapels had been erected, the Catholic people of Ireland were a cower- ing and proscribed race. Among other nations, however, their melan- choly music, their impatiently borne wrongs, their tried fidelity to country and religion, had made them known. But, their former places of wor- ship had been dismantled, and these passed as spoils into the hands of other worshippers. The haunts of their former saints had almost been forgotten. The old parish chapel of Newbridge was a wretched build- ing, on the strand of the Liffey, and not far from the site of St. Conleth's pre- sent imposing parochial church. For years, many a prayer was offered up, that a new parochial church might be built. At 'ast, in the year 1848, just as the nation was emerging from famine and prostration, the parish priest, the Rev. 'I'imothyKavanagh,andthepeople''' ofNewbridge,undertooktobuild a larger church.
The great efibri was to make out funds, during what were justly called the "Bad Times. '^s^ This, however, was soon effected, but with much difficulty. 63 The drawings and sjDe-
St. Conleth's Catholic Church, Newbridge, County of Kildare.
cifications for the the church were supplied by some friendly architect, whose name has not transpired. ^* The style of that new building is Gothic ; it has a tower or bel- fry -65 but the spire is not yet built. In 1852, the church was dedi- cated to St. Con- leth, and opened for Divine ser- vice. This is the only church in the diocese of Kil- dareand Leighlin —we believe it may be stated in
all Ireland—dedi-
cated to St. Con- leth. ^^ Out of the debris of the old chapel, and in close connection with St. Conleth's new church, a comfortable parochial house and good out-offices ckeann : " The more recent hand adds, *° AUusion is made to his work—now
"Vide Conleadh," whose first name was rarely procurable, " Otficia Propria Sancto- Roincenn. rumHibernise. " Yet,surelysufficientma-
94 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 3
were afterwards built. Active and earnest exertions were made ^^ to orna- ment the interior of this fine church, and to improve the external grounds and approaches to it. Since that time, further spiritual advantages have been secured for the parish. ^^ The foundation stone of a new convent at New- bridge was laid, by the Right Rev. James Walsh, D. D. , and Bishop of Kil- dareandLeighlin,onAscensionDay,22ndMay,1873. Itspositionisquite close to the church, and the establishment has been dedicated to St. Conleth. ^9 The community in possession is known as the Oblate Sisters 7° of the Imma- culate Conception. 7' These nuns first came to the convent, on the 26th of
terials are available, for the compilation of a proper office for St. Conleth.
" They contributed about ;^500. and after expending this sum on t'. e foundation, they seemed to despair of progressing further with their undertaking.
'^ In the beginning of March, 1849, the Rev. Patrick Carey—now parish priest of Borris, county of Carlow—was sent by the greatly venerated Bisliop, Right Rev. Dr. Francis Haly, to Newbridge, as curate. In conjunction with the pastor, he actively laboured, in collecting funds, and in superin- tending the building of the new church. To the Rev. Mr. Carey, the writer is indebted, for many of these particulars.
following is a minute description : —The de- vice exhibits three statues standing in cano- pied niches, of the florid Gothic or pointed style of architecture of the fifteenth century. The centre figure represents the Virgin and child, and the figures on each side appear in- tended to represent the patron saints of Ire- land, Patrick and Brigid. Below the centre figure there is a smaller niche, containing the figure of another ecclesiastic, with his hands raised, in the attitude of prayer, and his arm supporting the pastoral staff. This figure, it is probable, is intended to represent
St. Conlaeth, the first Bishop of Kildare, who was contemporary with St. Brigid, and said to have been the joint founder of that See. On each side of the figure is a shield, one of which bears the arms of France and England quarterly ; the other, two keys in saltire, in
*3 The parishioners both Catholic and
Protestant generously subscribed, and the
neighbouring parishes gave much assistance.
At the " Curragh Meeting," the Rev. Mr. chief a royal crown ; a device which, it is
Carey was very successful, in getting sub- scriptions from all creeds and parties, espe- cially from among the gentry. On one occasion, when collecting for the church in Dublin, he was asked by a gentleman, the late W. N. Skelly, Esq. , to whom the church was to be dedicated. The Rev. Mr. Carey repli-jd, it was not necessary to go far for a patron saint, as tradition said the first Bishop of Kiklare lived on the banks of the Liffey, and probal. ly, very near the site of the new church. " Bravo," said Mr. Skelly, " I will give a subscription ; but, if you went to foreign countries for a patron, and having so many saints in our own country, I should notgiveyouonepenny. " Themoneyafter- wards came in rapidly, and the work pros-
pered.
*'' Wepresentanillustrationfromaphoto-
graph, kindly furnished by the Rev. Alartin Nolan,P. P. ,ofNewbridge. Itwasdrawn on the wood, by William F. Wakeman, and it was engraved, by Mrs. Millard.
*5 One of John Murphy's superior bells, weighing one ton, one cwt. , is Jn the cam- panile. It was cast in Dublin.
*' It may be of interest to mention, that in "The Lamp," of Saturday, July I St, 1854, vol. vii. , No. 25, pp. 36, 37, there is an engraving of a seal, be- longing to William, Bishop Kildare, and supposed to represent St. Cunleth, as one of its devices. The original matrix is said to be in possession of a l3ublin gentleman. The
worthy of remark, constitutes the arms an- ciently and still borne by the Archbishops of York, and the appearance of which in this seal may therefore not be easy to account for. The inscription reads as follows :
" Sigillum W'illmi dei gracia Kyldarens epi,"
or, "Sigillum Willie mi dei gratia Kylda-
rensis Episcopus" (the sealof William, by the graceofGod,BishopofKildare). Asamong the Bishops of Kildare, two of the name of William occur in the fifteenth century, it may not be easy to determine with certainty to which of them this seal should be as- signed; but,thereappearsthegreatestrea- son to ascribe it to the first, who according to Ware, having been previously Archdeacon of Kildare, was appointed to this See, by the provisions of Pope Eugene IV. , in 1432, and having governed this See fourteen years, he died in April, 1446.
"7 By the Rev. Patrick
pointed curate in 1857—afterwards, the worthy and deservedly esteemed parish priest of Goresbridge and Paulstown. Owing to a total loss of sight, the Rev. Timothy Kavanagh had been left unable to administer the affairs of his parish, the care of which chiefly devolved on the curate as administrator.
'* By the Rev. Martin Nolan, the present excellent parish priest of Newbridge, who furnished many of the succeeding details to the writer.
J.
Mulhall, ap-
May 3. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
95
May,72 1875. The Oblate Sisters 73 have charge now of large poor schools, and of those for children of the higher classes, 74 in the parish of Newbridge. 7S Established by voluntary contributions, a Reformatory for Catholic boys,7*5 and under the patronage of St. Conleth, has been for many years past located inPhilipstown,King'sCounty. Aconsiderableportionofthepremiseswas formerly the county prison, largely increased for accommodation, with build- ings in open spaces, and a farm attached. Near 300 boys, are here congre- gated, and the institution is under charge of the Oblate Fathers of Mary Im- maculate. Those boys are taught reading, writing, arithmetic, geography, and grammar, sufficiently well to turn them out respectably educated, according to theirstationinlife. Thepremiseshavebeenmuchimproved,gas-workswere erected, cooking by steam was commenced, and an unlimited water supply laid on for use. The industrial progress of the boys has been admirable.
All useful trades are taught, while the farm attached to this institution is admirably cul- tivated, by the inmates. As a matter of course, their religious training is sedulously prosecuted, by the Reverend Managers, and a governmental grant in aid is obtained.
Like many other holy servants of God, St. Conleth departed from this earth, to give an account of his mortal pilgrimage and stewardship but, he went to receive from his loving Master, in acknowledgment for his fidelity, the crown of immortal bliss. The possession of God, in the unfading glory of his celestial kingdom, was the complement of his well-spent life. The revolution which he effected on earth was essentially re- ligious, and in a social point of view by no means abrupt or subversive. A grateful people have honoured him as their patron, and the appointed one of Heaven. We observe their fidelity and attachment to his name and teaching, during the varying scenes of his life. Fourteen centuries have passed, yet we feel convinced, that as years roll on, his name and his memory shall be more deeply venerated throughout the diocese, on which he conferred so
many blessings, from the period of its first Christian organization down to the present time.
Article IL—St, Daircheall, Bishop of Glendalough, County OF WicKLOW. \Seventh Century^ As servants, who have been trained in noble families, acquire the manners and accomplishments of their superiors, in a marked degree ; so religious, who have entered a good school and learn under perfect masters, become in turn learned and holy. In the Martyrology
*9 The Very Rev. Nicholas Walsh, S. J. , preached an eloquent sermon, on this in- teresting occasion.
7° They are established in conformity with their Rules, to assist in any works of mercy, corporal and spiritual, and especially to teach Poor, Middle and High Class schools.
7' Their Order was founded, by the Bishop of Marseilles, in the year 1826.
7^ On the 27th, the feast of Corpus Christi, the first Mass was celebrated, by the Rev. Father Cooke, O. M. I.
'3 In 1S68, they were affiliated to the Order of the Holy Family, founded by the Rev. Father Noailles, a. d. 1820, at Bor- deaux, for works nearly similar.
T' The Oblate Sisters have founded a large Convent, wiih Orphanage and Poor Schools, in Leeds, after much zealous labour. It is now flourishing, and daily increasing its
sphere of usefulness. The Order has ex- tended very much in England, where there are about ten houses, including the Novitiate of Rock Ferry, a magnificent house and es- tablishment dedicated to the reception of postulants from Great Britain and Ireland, There is also one house in Scotland. There is a Novitiate for the French houses, at the Abbey of Royaumount, and also one in Spain, where there are many houses of the Order. The Sisters are also established in South Africa, where they have more than ten houses, and in Ceylon. The Order num- bers now about 6,000 Sisters.
75 Nearly 500 children there attend their schools.
76 Who have fallen into criminal courses, or who have been rescued from temporal and spiritual dangers.
Article ii,^' Edited by Rev, Dr. Kelly,
;
—
96 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 3.
of Tallagh/ St. Daircheall's name occurs, at the 3rd of May, as Daircholla, Glinni da locha. ^ This is the oft and well described Valley of the Two Lakes, intheheartofthecountyofWicklow. Quotingtheforegoingauthority,the Bollandists 3 enter Darchellus Glenndalocensis, at this date. In some autho- rities,'* we find him called Mac Curetai, or the son of Curetai ; and again, Mac Cuyletty. 5 Under the head of Glenn-da-locha, Duald Mac Firbis enters Uairchill, son of Haireta, bishop of Glen-da-locha,° at May 3rd. The year 674 is assigned for his death, in the " Chronicum Scotorum," as also in the AnnalsofClonmacnoise;7 andtheyear676,byMacFirbis,asalso,bythe O'Clerys ; while, the Annals of Ulster place the demise of Daircill mc Cur- tai,^ at A. D. 677. 5 On this day, we find mentioned, in the Martyrology o! Donegal,'" that veneration was paid to St. Daircheall, Bishop of Gleann-da- locha.
Article III. —Sx Mochonna, of Derry. The name of this saint is set down in the ]\Iartyrolo. cr\ of Tallagh,' at the 3rd of May, as Mochonna, Daire. ^ Many places in ! reland are called Deny, simply, or as compounds, with some other designation. The Bollandists 3 have entered Mochonna de Doire, from the foregoing record, at this day ; but, they remark, it is difficult to pronounce upon his identity, as there are so many similar names, and on different days, in the list given by Colgan,^ and in which the present holy man is not included. Another name for Mochonna is Dachonna. s A festival, in honour of Mochonna, was celebrated on this day, as we read in the Mar- tyrology of Donegal. ^ We find [Mochonna, Marianus, and Martyrology of Tamlacht,7] thus cited within brackets ; but, from what has been already stated, perhaps he does not differ from St. Conleth of Kildare.
Article IV. St. Nem, or Nehemias, Bishop of Druim Dallain, OR TuLLAGH, CouNTY OF ANTRIM. Nothing very satisfactory can be dis- covered, regarding a Nehemias, who is mentioned in the Acts of St. Patrick, and who is said to liave appointed him as a bishop, over a church called Tulacha, or TuUagh,^ in that part of Dalriada, which is near Ramoan, in the diocese of Connor. The modern name of this place is uncertain; but,
^ The Franciscan copy enters niocVionriAe 'OAi]\e.
3 See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Mail 3 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Maii iii. Among the pretermitted saints, p.
iii. Among the pretermitted saints, p. 360.
p. xxiii.
" The Franciscan copy has 'OAiiAclielljk
Jlinm DA locViA
» See "Acta Sanctorum Hiberni^e," Mar- tii viii. De S. Mochonn qui et Dochonna Antistite Dorensi, with notes, pp. 565, 566.
5 The reader is referred to what has been already stated, in our notices of St. Mo- chonna, or Dachonna, of Daire, or Derry, in vol. iii. of this work, at the 8th of March, Art. xv.
^ Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 118, 119.
7 In a note Dr. Todd says : " The clause Hibernicarum Scriptores," tomus iv. . An- within brackets is in the more recent
360.
» The Annals of Ulster, and those of the
Four Masters.
s In the English translation of the Annals
of Clonmacnoise.
* See "Proceedings of the Royal Irish
Academy," Irish MSS. Series, vol. i. , part i. , pp. 112, 113.
"I See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters" vol. i. , pp. 284, 285, and n. (m).
* Styled " Episcopus Glinne-da-loc/ia. "
9 See Rev. Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum
hand. "
Article iv. — ' See Colgan's "Trias
118, 119.
Article hi. — ' Edited by Rev. Dr. lib. ii. , cap. cxxx. , p. 146, and nn. 199, 200,
Kelly, p. xxiii. p. 182.
nales Ultonienses, p. 61.
° Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
Thaunialurga," Septinia Vita S. Patricii,
— —
May 3. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 97
possibly it is DnimtuUagh, now popularly called Croshan,^ A Nem,3 Bishop,
of Drum Dallain, is mentioned in the Afartyrology of Donegal,^ as liaving a
festival on this day. In a townland of the place first alluded to, the name
Manister—no doubt from the Irish word which signifies "a monastery"
occurs asalso,anothertownlandcalledKilmoyle,inwhichthereisanancient ;
cemetery. 5 TheplacehasbeenincorrectlyconfoundedwithTulach-ruise^ now Tullyrusk—in Dalmunia. 7 The Rev. William Reeves, in a calendar which he has compiled, seems to identify the present St. Neim, with St. Nehemias, bishop of Tullagh. ® The Rev. Dr. Lanigan 9 thinks, however, that the Nehe- mias alluded to, in St. Patrick's Life, may have have been placed at too early a date, and that he may not have been any other than a St. Nehemias, who died A. D. 654. '° Under the head of Druim Dallain," Duald Mac Firbis enters Nemh, bishop, for May 3rd. ^-
Article V. St. Neccan. The name of Neccan—without any other designation—occurs in the Martyrology ofTallagh,' as having been vene- rated on this day. He is Latinized Neccanus, by the Bollandists,^ who quote this entry ; but, with a conjecture,3 that he may have been confounded with Nessanus, who lived in the small Island off the eastern coast, and known as Ireland's Eye. -* A Book of Gosi)els, belonging to him, and called Kyrlabar,5 is said to have fallen into the sea,^ and to have been taken out of it, without sustaining any injury. ? It was held in great veneration ; and people were accustomed to swear on this book, because it was thought, if perjury were
^ See Rev. Dr. Reeves' " Ecclesiastical Antiquities of Down, Connor and Dromore. " Appendix T, p. 251,
3 See what occurs at the feast of St. Nem, at 1 8th of February.
* Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 118, 119.
5 See "Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the County of Antrim," sheet 8.
"^ By Colgan, in "Trias Thaumaturga," Septima Vita S. Patricii, pars, ii. , cap. cxxx. , p. 146, andn. 199, p. 182.
7 See Rev. William Reeves' "Ecclesiasti- cal Antiquities of Down, Connor and Dro- more," Appendix T, p. 251, and F, F, n, (x), p. 322.
8 See ibid. , LL, p. 378.
9 In his " Ecclesiastical History of Ire- land," vol. i. , chap, vi. , sect, iii. , n. 22, p. 268.
'° Known also as St. Nera Mac Ua-Birn, successor of St. Enna, Abbot of Aran, who died on the 14th of June. See Dr. O'Dono- van's "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 266, 267.
" Not now known—William M. Hen- nessy's note.
'^ See " Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy," Irish MSS. Series, vol. i. , part i. ,
pp. loS, 109. — Article v.
