s This promise has been
fulfilled
in * ' Acta
*"
See Fasti Ecclesise Hibemicae," vol.
*"
See Fasti Ecclesise Hibemicae," vol.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v2
Some ruins of the old parish ch yet
42, 43. — Article vii,
The following extract from the "Leabhar Breac" copy, and its English translation, have been furni—shed to
the writer, by Professor O'Looney
'O. ui. 1'0. Ti-tiA An \x\x> ecif,
"bA urn C^ifc ALAb|\A :
:
DA
-Abb IpA^-OA Am^AA.
^ See Nicholas Carlisle's *'
i:iAcVi]\A
fe^ |:e^]\t>A,
" The of the grandson
for the of County
pure sage
His discourse was concerning Christ
Survey Maps
Sheets 44, 45, 51, 52, 53, 59,
Fiachra was a manly man The noble abbot of Irard. "
^ '° See Rev. A. Cogan's "Diocese of
Meath, Ancient and Modern," vol. i. , chap, ii. , p. 14.
See Rev. Anthony Cogan's "Diocese of Meath, Ancient and Modern," vol. i. , chap, ii. , p. 14. This account supposes him, with
and to have been Abbot of Colgan Harris,
Clonard, as well as Abbot of Congbail, or Conwal, of Gleann Suilige, in Tyrconnell. See "Acta Sanctorum Hibernice. " Ap-
pendix ad Vitam S. Finiani, cap. v. , p. 406, and Harris' Ware, vol. i,, "Bishops of Meath," p. 139.
" See Archdeacon Henry Cotton's "Fasti Ecclesise Hibernicte :" the Succession of the Prelates and Members of the Cathedral Bodies in Ireland, vol. iii. , p. 109.
3 See Nicholas Carlisle's "
Topographical Dictionary of Ireland," sub voce Clonard.
* Edited by Rev, Dr. Kelly, p. xv.
s Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 42, 43.
^ In Wm. M. Hennessy's copy of the Donegal Martyrology, I find, at this entry, the following note, in the Irish character :
"pAcVi^A bA fe^x ^rep^-OA, Abb 1|\A]\t)A ^m^ . 1. o CongbAil 5lirit)e Suilig . 1. nometi a|\ inif Iinaix-oa . 1. a nomine AbAf
Leabhar Breac. '' Probably this island lay in
—urch are
doesnotseemtobeknown. " InthesouthofIreland,thisvenerableman's
butknownotonwhatgrounds thatthepresentsaintdied,onthe29thof
March, between the years 582 and 652. '° In reality, the year of his death
O'Dubhagain and Giolla na Naomh
O'Huidhrin," edited by Dr. O'Donovan, p. 61.
3 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
*
no CeAlL in Uib t)|\onA illAigmb, Ajtif mochotmog CluAnA I^aai^w in hoc oie
•oicicui\. L. Breac, 31. a. " The foregoing passage has been thus rendered literally,
from the Irish, by Mr. Joseph O'Longan :
"Fiachra, who was a manly man, Abbot of
noble Irard, that is, from Conwall of Glenn
Swilly, that is, nomen on the Isle of Irard,
that a nomifte of the or a church is, abbot,
in Ua Drona in Leinster, and Mocholmog of Clonard, in hoc du dicitnr.
7 By William M. liennessy.
Topographical Dictionary of Ireland," sub voce, Conwall. The extent of this parish is shown on the
" Ordnance
Donegal. " 60, 61.
9 See Lewis' "Topographical Dictionary
of Ireland," vol. i. , p. 395.
visible. 9 We find it stated
February 8. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 413
memory was also commemorated. In Sheffin" and Clontubrid/3 alias
Balhine, in the village and townland of Lisdowney,''^ and deaconate of
Aghoure, in the diocese of Ossory, St. Fiachra, or Fiacrius, Abbot, was
reverenced as
patron,'s
on the 8th of
^^ in
February. Again, Kilferagh,^7
'^ and
the 8th of February. '9 Even in Scotland, this holy abbot was held in
diocese of St. Ossory,
Fiacrius, Confessor,
Abbot,
was on venerated,
honour. TheKalendarofDrummondhastheNatalisof —
Fiacra, Confessor,
in the island of Hibernia, at the vi. Ides
—
or at the 8th
of
=°
February. With regard to the place, where this present holy abbot had been reverenced, the truth of our venerable antiquary's observation has been demonstrated.
Our ancient monasteries, he states sympathizingly,^^ gave birth to the towns, and not the towns to the monasteries ; while the destruction, which fell upon
our primitive establishments, has, in most instances, been followed by the decline of those towns, which were their appendages.
Article VIII. —Reputed Festival of St. Tressan, or Tresan,
Confessor, at Avenay, France. \Sixth Centmy. '] At the previous date, the Acts of this saint have been given ; yet, the Office, printed at Avenay, in 1600, and a Life of him, written by Guilielmus Diviatius, state, that St.
Tressan departed from this world, on the 8th of February. ^
Article IX. —Reputed Festival of St. Burchard, Bishop of Wurtzburgh. [Eighth Centtcry? ^ While several writers allege, that the present distinguished missionary was an Anglo-Saxon ; others again main-
tain, that he was a Scot by race. St. Burchard, Bishop of Wurtzburgh, has a festival assigned him on this day by Camerarius,^ who classes him among the Saints of Scotland. He acknowledges, however, that other writers enter a different festival day for him. Wolfgangus Lazius,^ Dempsters and other writers, treat about this saint. The Bollandists have merely a reference to him, at this date;'^ but, they promise to give his Acts, at the 14th of October. 5 Furtheraccountsregardinghimarereservedforthelatterdate.
*^ =° **
This small parish is in the baronies of
Crannagh and Galmoy. ^3ThistownlandisintheparishofShefiEin,
and barony of Crannagh.
^4 Both are situated in the parish of
See Bishop Forbes' Kalendars of Scottish Saints," p. 4.
Architecture of Ireland, anterior to the
Anglo-Norman Invasion ; comprising an Es-
say on the Origin and Uses of the Round
Towers of — i. , sect, iii. , Ireland," part p. 35.
^
Article viii. See the Bollandists'
"Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , Februarii '5 See Rt. Rev. Patrick Francis Moran's vii, De S. Tresano Presbytero. Commen-
"Spicilegium Ossoriense," vol. i. , art. ii. Patron Saints of the Diocese of Ossory, p.
Aharney, barony of Galmoy. The foregoing
places
are shown, on the " Ordnance Sur-
vey Townland Maps for the County of Kil-
kenny. " Sheets 4, 9.
7.
'^ "
See Statuta Dioecesis Ossoriensis. "
Article ix. See "De Statu Hominis veteris simul ac novte Ecclesise, et Infidelium Conversione," lib. i. , pars ii. , cap. iii. , sec.
^7 This small parish is in the barony of Shillelogher, and it is shown on the " Ord- nance Survey Maps for the County of Kil- kenny. " Sheets 19, 20, 23, 24. The town- land itself is marked on the three first sheets.
2, p. 147. ^"
'"
** "
See Rt. Rev. Patrick Francis Moran's
Spicilegium Ossoriense," vol. i. , art. ii. Patron Saints of the Diocese of Ossory, p. 8.
^9 See "Statuta Dioecesis Ossoriensis.
February, A. D. 791. See Historia Eccle- siastica Gentis Scotorum," tomus i. , lib. ii. ,
num. 141, p. 80.
'^ See "Acta Sanctorum, tomus ii. , Feb-
-^
See George Petrie's "Ecclesiastical
tarius historicus,—num. 7> P- 53' - '
In the preface to his work, De Mig- ratione Gentium," St. Burchard is said to have been a Scot.
^ By this writer, he is unauthorizedly
made a Scot, of his Scotia.
Dempster states, that St. Burchard died on the 2nd of
"
414 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February 8.
Article X. —St. Colman, Mac-Ui-Tealduibh, Bishop, 'and Abbot OFClonard,CountyofMeath. [SixthorSeventhCentury^ Thissaint was bom, probably towards the close of the sixth century. Our Calendars andAnnalsdiffersomewhat,ingivingusthespellingofhispatronymic. By the Martyrology of Tallagh,^ at the 8th of February, he is called, Colman mac h. Thelluib. At the same date, the Martyrology of Donegal^ has Colman, Mac-Ui-Tealduibh. The Annals of Ulster call him, Mac Cudel- duibj thoseofClonmacnoisestylehim,MacVihelly; whilethoseofthe Four Masters denominate " son of Aiteldubh. '' He was a in
him, bishop 640, as we find him so designated, in an epistle, written from Rome,3 at that
date, and respecting the Paschal usage. '^ In the Annals of Clonmacnoise, the death of this saint, denominated Mac Vihelly, Bishop and Abbot of Clonard,isreferredtoa. d. 651; intheAnnalsoftheFourMasters,5andby Archdeacon Cotton,^ his demise is set down, at the 8th of February, a. d. 652 ; while the Annals of Ulster state, that he died, a. d. 653. 7 By all of theseauthorities,heisstyledAbbotofClonard. ^ Thatverysameyear,in which he died, and only a few short months afterwards, another holy Abbot of Clonard, known as St. Oissene Fota,9 went to Heaven.
Article XI. —Reputed Festival of Saints Gislarius, a Priest,
AND ChUNIBALDUS, COMPANIONS OF St. RuPERT, BiSHOP OF SaLTZBURGH, Bavaria. \Sixth or Seventh Century^ In the Carthusian Martyrology of Hermann Greuen, the festival of these saints has been assigned to the 8th of February. The BoUandists, however, reserve their Acts, for the 24th of September-^ and,atthatdate,also,furthernoticesofthemwillbefoundin our work.
Article XII. —Reputed Festival of St. Gunibald, Martyr and Pilgrim, Italy. \Fifth Century^ The BoUandists have no special notice of St. Gunibald, at this date, unless he is to be identified with Cunibald or Chunibald, who is only classed as a confessor. Among the Scottish saints, Dempster enters^ St. Gunibald, or Gunibaldus, a martyr and pilgrim, at the viii. of February. 2 Elsewhere, he tells us, on the authority of Jacobus Guallus,3 that St. Gunibald was born of a Scottish and noble race. When a
great persecution happened in the nation of Scotia, he even then desired
ruarii viii. Prsetermissi et in alios dies re-
jecti, p. 152.
s This promise has been fulfilled in * ' Acta
*"
See Fasti Ecclesise Hibemicae," vol.
iii. , p. 109.
'See " Annales Ultonienses. " Dr.
Sanctorum," tomus vi. , Octobris xiv. De O'Conor's " Rerum Hibernicarum Scrip-
S. Burchardo. Four historic sections pre- cede, and two distinct ancient Acts, The editor was Jacob Bueus, a priest of the Pre- monstratensian order, at Tongerloo,
Article x. —* Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. XV.
tores," torn, iv. , p. 52.
^ See Rev. Anthony Cogan's "Diocese
of Meath, Ancient and Modern," vol. i. , chap, ii. , p. 14.
» See notices o—f him, at the ist of May.
Article xi.
by them among the pretermitted saints, whose Acts are reserved for another day. See 3 See Ussher's "Veterum Epistolarum "Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , Februarii
="
Edited by Drs. Todd aud Reeves, pp. 42, 43-
Hibernicarum Sylloge," Epist. ix. , pp. 22, 23-
* See a further account of this matter, in
the Life of St. Diman or Dima Dubh, at
the 6th of January.
s See Dr. O'Donovan's edition, vol. i. ,
pp. 264, 265, and n. (u), ibid.
viii. , p. 152. — Article xii.
'
' are classed They
See
ticum," Bishop Forbes' " Kalendar of Scot-
tish Saints," p. 191.
»
For this statement, Dempster quotes Guallus.
3 in " Sanctuario Papiae. "
"Menologium
Sco-
February 9. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 415
death for the sake of Christ. But, fearing the displeasure of his parents, Gunibaldus, in company with his brother Gunifort* or GuniforLis,5 and two
sisters,setoutforGermany. TheretheyproclaimedthemselvesChristians, and even taught the Faith. The two sisters were apprehended, and were condemned to a cruel death. Their brothers exhorted them to constancy. Those ladies, distinguished for their nobility and beauty, but still more for their faith and love of virginity, overcame woman's timidity, while with eyes and hands directed to Heaven, they obtained martyrs' crowns. Afterwards, Gunibaldus and Gunifortis left Germany, and proceeded over the Alps, to the city, known as Camara,^ in Italy. Here, likewise, a great persecution hadbeenraisedagainsttheChristians. 7 Yet,theholyScottishpilgrimspro- claimed the faith of Christ, and urged many of the people to strive for the crown of martyrdom. Gunibaldus being apprehended, however, fell by the sword. This is thought to have occurred, about a. d. 417. ^ St. Gunifortis escaped from this persecution, only to suffer martyrdom, in Milan, at a period somewhat later. 9 Thus the brothers and sisters, who lived so reli- giously in life, were united again, and received into the glorious company of the martyrs in Heaven.
^mtft JBap of jfefjruarp^
ARTICLE L—THE BLESSED MARIANUS SCOTUS, OR ST. MUIREDHAC, . MAC ROBARTAIG, BENEDICTINE ABBOT OF RATISBON, BAVARIA.
[ELEVENTH CENTURY. ]
CHAPTER I.
before the period, when this most pious servant of God lived, the
LONG of the Lord had been sent
spirit forth, through holy
INTRODUCTION—ACTS OF MARIANUS SCOTUS—HIS FAMILY NAME AND ORIGIN—HIS EARLY EDUCATION AND DISPOSITIONS—HE LEAVES IRELAND, WITH SOME COM-
PANIONS—MARIANUS ARRIVES IN GERMANY, AND SETTLES IN RATISBON— COURSE OF STUDIES AND EXERCISES THERE—A MIRACLE REGARDING HIM RE- CORDED.
Irish missionaries on the Continent of Europe, and the face of the earth had been renewed,
^ See notices of him, at the 22nd of August.
as also in Charles Knight's "English Cyclo- psedia. " Geography, vol. ii. , cols. 256, 257.
7 If the received account of his time be
correct, this probably occurred during the inroads of the Goths or Huns.
^ See *' Historia Ecclesiastica Dempster's
Gentis Scotorum," tomus i. , lib. vii. , num. 576, pp. 309, 310.
; Scripta Sicily, and founded in the year after Rome terierunt omnia, siquse reliquit. " Indeed, 155. A further account of it may be had in too frequently, his statements are suspedoe. Baudrand's Philippus Ferrarius, "Novum /^^/, and they must always be received with
Lexicon Geographicum," tomus i. , p. 152, extreme caution.
s His feast has been assigned by Dempster
"
clesiastica Gentis Scotorum," tomus i. , lib.
to the 22nd of August. See vii. , num. 575, p. 309.
Historia Ec-
^ There is a of city
this name, and to the east of Olus. See William Smith's "Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography," vol. i. , p. 486. I find no city or town of a corresponding name, now, or
Crete, bearing
9 it is singular to remark, that Dempster, who professes to place none in his Ecclesi- formerly known, in Italy ; yet, there was a astical History but such as were writers, Camarina, a town, on the southern shore of remarks of St. Gunibaldus " in*
HIS
41 6 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February 9.
for the Almighty had willed the manifestation and endurance to his glory,
^
and he rejoiced in the works, wrought by such faithful souls. This is suffi-
ciently apparent, both from tradition and history. The ancient writer of the Acts of Blessed Marianus observes, that the light of the saints went out from Hibemia, though the whole world, and that above the people of all other nations, her pilgrim children were accustomed to test the most rigorous and
the most sunny climes. From the very days of the glorious Apostle, St. Peter,^ when dwelling in Rome, even to the close of the twelfth century, examples are cited, which serve to establish the truth of such conclusions.
This the Bollandists in their — the Acts of Blessed day, have, great work,
Marianus— Scotus,
and of St. Muirchertach3 or as he is there called Mur-
cheratus recluse, at Ratisbon. -* Those Acts are preceded by a previous
commentary, in three sections, consisting of twenty-four paragraphs, in which
allusions are made to other incidental subjects, such as to the growth of
Irish or Scottish monasteries, especially in Germany, and regarding that particular house, with which Blessed Marianus was connected, as also in-
cluding personal references to this distinguished man, and to the companions, who left Ireland before and about his period. At this date, Colgan has
passedover,incompletesilence,thecareeroftheBlessedMarianus. s Yet, one of the most interesting of biographical records is that, which treats about him. From this, we chiefly derive his personal history. ^ A memoir of Marianus and of his successors was composed by an Irish monk, living at Ratisbon, in Bavaria. 7 This has been carefully edited by Father John Boiand,^ a copy having been forwarded to him, by a Jesuit Father, Joannes Gamansius. 9 It had been taken from a manuscript, preserved in the Car- thusian monastery of Gaming,^° in Lower Austria. " It furnishes the follow- ingparticulars,concerningthehistoryofthisgoodman. TheRev. William Reeves has epitomized this account, Hkewise, in a very interesting paper on the subject of Marianus Scotus of Ratisbon, which had been prepared for one of the Royal Irish Academy's evening sessions. "
The real name of Marianus Scotus^3 was Muiredhach Mac Robartaigh. It is probable, this pious servant of God was born, in the earHer part of the
Article i. —Chapter i. —^ See Psalms, ciii. , 30, 31.
^ From him, St. Mansuetus, an early Irish Bishop of Toul, is said to have received ec- clesiastical training, and his future mission. See his Life at the 3rd of September.
interesting particulars, regarding the rise of 3 He is also called Muricherodac. His various Benedictine Irish or Scottish mon*
Life has been already given at the 17th of
January.
• See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , Feb-
ruarii ix. De B. Mariano Scoto, Abbate Ord. S. Benedicti, et B. Murcherato In- cluso, Ratisbonae in Bavaria, pp. 361 to 372.
5 In another place, however, he promised to produce his Acts, at the 17th of April. See "Acta Sanctorum Hibemia:," xvii. Januarii. De Muricherodaco clauso con-
fessore, n. p. ill.
^
In his "Bavaria Sancta,' Rader has edited some part of this Life, for he does not seem to have had a perfect copy. See tomus ii.
7 From certain historic personages alluded to, in this tract, it seems to have been com- piled towards the close of the twelfth, or
asteries in Germany.
^° **
early in the thirteenth, century, ^ *'
See Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , Feb«
ruarii ix;, pp. 365 to 372.
' Not only does this produce the Life of
Marianus Scotus, but, it also contains most
This place is Latinized,
Carthusia It is sometimes called
"
" This monastery was founded by Duke Albert, A. D. 1332. —It was secularized by Joseph II. in 1782. See Fez, SS. Rerum Austriae, tomus i. , col. 935. Also, Ersep
"
" This was read, on the 9th of April, and
it was published, in the "Natural Historv '
Review and Quarterly Journal of Science,
"
for July, i860. See, also,
the Royal Irish Academy," vol. vii. , pp.
290 to 301.
'3 Arnold Wion calls him
Gamnicensis.
Kemnick, and Gemnikho.
und Gruber's
Allgemeine Encyclopaedic," sub voce, G^ctamg.
num," in his work cap. 72.
"
Proceedings of
"
Lignum Vitae," lib. ii. ,
S. Maria-
February 9. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 417
eleventh century. He was a native of Tir Conaill, which corresponds with the modern county of Donegal. ^4 From his own \vritings, too. we have been
led to the discovery, that he belonged to the family of Mac Robhartaigh. These were hereditary guardians of the venerable Cathach of St. Cokimkille. 'S As such, they were herejiachs in Tyrconnell, and vassals of the O'Donells,
^^
of Drumhone, county of Donegal, is so called from Baile-mecc-Robhartaich.
Originally this was the possession of Mac Robhartach, Keeper of the Cathach. Ballymagrorty, in the parish of Templemore or Derry, has the same origin, ^^ At this present time, the name has been moulded into O'Rafferty, Rafferty, and M'Grotty;'^ and, although we have not been able to find the pedigree of the present Muiredhach, yet, we have reason to believe, he descended fromarespectablefamilyandrace. AlmostcontemporarywiththisMarianus was Donnall Mac Robartaigh, St. Columba's successor at Kells. His name is engraved on the silver case of the Cathach,^9 and his death is also re- cordedbytheFourMastersat1098. ^° Bythem,heiscalledO'Robhartaigh; but, this interchange of Mac and O' is common in early records. ^^
Marianus was remarkable, as well for the beauty of his countenance, as
forthestrengthofhisbody. Hishair,theancientauthorofhisActsstates,"^^
was glossy. But, he was chiefly distinguished, for his charming simplicity of manner, and for his unaffected piety. During the time of boyhood, he was carefully instructed by his parents, in sacred and secular Hterature, and in eloquence, with a view to his entering upon the clerical office. The very aspect of the holy youth inspired all beholders with a conviction, that the SpiritofGoddweltwithinhim. Inprocessoftime,heassumedthemonastic habit, but, seemingly without entering any regular order. ^3
the ancient princely rulers over that region.
Ballymagroarty, in the parish
At an early age—according to a custom usual in Ireland in his day—the parents of Marianus appear to have destined him for the Church, as his opening virtues showed clearly marks of a Divine vocation. Even when he
^4 Yet Dempster and Camerarius would fain claim him as a Scotchman.
^5 At present preserved in the Royal Irish Academy's Museum.
42, 43. — Article vii,
The following extract from the "Leabhar Breac" copy, and its English translation, have been furni—shed to
the writer, by Professor O'Looney
'O. ui. 1'0. Ti-tiA An \x\x> ecif,
"bA urn C^ifc ALAb|\A :
:
DA
-Abb IpA^-OA Am^AA.
^ See Nicholas Carlisle's *'
i:iAcVi]\A
fe^ |:e^]\t>A,
" The of the grandson
for the of County
pure sage
His discourse was concerning Christ
Survey Maps
Sheets 44, 45, 51, 52, 53, 59,
Fiachra was a manly man The noble abbot of Irard. "
^ '° See Rev. A. Cogan's "Diocese of
Meath, Ancient and Modern," vol. i. , chap, ii. , p. 14.
See Rev. Anthony Cogan's "Diocese of Meath, Ancient and Modern," vol. i. , chap, ii. , p. 14. This account supposes him, with
and to have been Abbot of Colgan Harris,
Clonard, as well as Abbot of Congbail, or Conwal, of Gleann Suilige, in Tyrconnell. See "Acta Sanctorum Hibernice. " Ap-
pendix ad Vitam S. Finiani, cap. v. , p. 406, and Harris' Ware, vol. i,, "Bishops of Meath," p. 139.
" See Archdeacon Henry Cotton's "Fasti Ecclesise Hibernicte :" the Succession of the Prelates and Members of the Cathedral Bodies in Ireland, vol. iii. , p. 109.
3 See Nicholas Carlisle's "
Topographical Dictionary of Ireland," sub voce Clonard.
* Edited by Rev, Dr. Kelly, p. xv.
s Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 42, 43.
^ In Wm. M. Hennessy's copy of the Donegal Martyrology, I find, at this entry, the following note, in the Irish character :
"pAcVi^A bA fe^x ^rep^-OA, Abb 1|\A]\t)A ^m^ . 1. o CongbAil 5lirit)e Suilig . 1. nometi a|\ inif Iinaix-oa . 1. a nomine AbAf
Leabhar Breac. '' Probably this island lay in
—urch are
doesnotseemtobeknown. " InthesouthofIreland,thisvenerableman's
butknownotonwhatgrounds thatthepresentsaintdied,onthe29thof
March, between the years 582 and 652. '° In reality, the year of his death
O'Dubhagain and Giolla na Naomh
O'Huidhrin," edited by Dr. O'Donovan, p. 61.
3 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
*
no CeAlL in Uib t)|\onA illAigmb, Ajtif mochotmog CluAnA I^aai^w in hoc oie
•oicicui\. L. Breac, 31. a. " The foregoing passage has been thus rendered literally,
from the Irish, by Mr. Joseph O'Longan :
"Fiachra, who was a manly man, Abbot of
noble Irard, that is, from Conwall of Glenn
Swilly, that is, nomen on the Isle of Irard,
that a nomifte of the or a church is, abbot,
in Ua Drona in Leinster, and Mocholmog of Clonard, in hoc du dicitnr.
7 By William M. liennessy.
Topographical Dictionary of Ireland," sub voce, Conwall. The extent of this parish is shown on the
" Ordnance
Donegal. " 60, 61.
9 See Lewis' "Topographical Dictionary
of Ireland," vol. i. , p. 395.
visible. 9 We find it stated
February 8. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 413
memory was also commemorated. In Sheffin" and Clontubrid/3 alias
Balhine, in the village and townland of Lisdowney,''^ and deaconate of
Aghoure, in the diocese of Ossory, St. Fiachra, or Fiacrius, Abbot, was
reverenced as
patron,'s
on the 8th of
^^ in
February. Again, Kilferagh,^7
'^ and
the 8th of February. '9 Even in Scotland, this holy abbot was held in
diocese of St. Ossory,
Fiacrius, Confessor,
Abbot,
was on venerated,
honour. TheKalendarofDrummondhastheNatalisof —
Fiacra, Confessor,
in the island of Hibernia, at the vi. Ides
—
or at the 8th
of
=°
February. With regard to the place, where this present holy abbot had been reverenced, the truth of our venerable antiquary's observation has been demonstrated.
Our ancient monasteries, he states sympathizingly,^^ gave birth to the towns, and not the towns to the monasteries ; while the destruction, which fell upon
our primitive establishments, has, in most instances, been followed by the decline of those towns, which were their appendages.
Article VIII. —Reputed Festival of St. Tressan, or Tresan,
Confessor, at Avenay, France. \Sixth Centmy. '] At the previous date, the Acts of this saint have been given ; yet, the Office, printed at Avenay, in 1600, and a Life of him, written by Guilielmus Diviatius, state, that St.
Tressan departed from this world, on the 8th of February. ^
Article IX. —Reputed Festival of St. Burchard, Bishop of Wurtzburgh. [Eighth Centtcry? ^ While several writers allege, that the present distinguished missionary was an Anglo-Saxon ; others again main-
tain, that he was a Scot by race. St. Burchard, Bishop of Wurtzburgh, has a festival assigned him on this day by Camerarius,^ who classes him among the Saints of Scotland. He acknowledges, however, that other writers enter a different festival day for him. Wolfgangus Lazius,^ Dempsters and other writers, treat about this saint. The Bollandists have merely a reference to him, at this date;'^ but, they promise to give his Acts, at the 14th of October. 5 Furtheraccountsregardinghimarereservedforthelatterdate.
*^ =° **
This small parish is in the baronies of
Crannagh and Galmoy. ^3ThistownlandisintheparishofShefiEin,
and barony of Crannagh.
^4 Both are situated in the parish of
See Bishop Forbes' Kalendars of Scottish Saints," p. 4.
Architecture of Ireland, anterior to the
Anglo-Norman Invasion ; comprising an Es-
say on the Origin and Uses of the Round
Towers of — i. , sect, iii. , Ireland," part p. 35.
^
Article viii. See the Bollandists'
"Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , Februarii '5 See Rt. Rev. Patrick Francis Moran's vii, De S. Tresano Presbytero. Commen-
"Spicilegium Ossoriense," vol. i. , art. ii. Patron Saints of the Diocese of Ossory, p.
Aharney, barony of Galmoy. The foregoing
places
are shown, on the " Ordnance Sur-
vey Townland Maps for the County of Kil-
kenny. " Sheets 4, 9.
7.
'^ "
See Statuta Dioecesis Ossoriensis. "
Article ix. See "De Statu Hominis veteris simul ac novte Ecclesise, et Infidelium Conversione," lib. i. , pars ii. , cap. iii. , sec.
^7 This small parish is in the barony of Shillelogher, and it is shown on the " Ord- nance Survey Maps for the County of Kil- kenny. " Sheets 19, 20, 23, 24. The town- land itself is marked on the three first sheets.
2, p. 147. ^"
'"
** "
See Rt. Rev. Patrick Francis Moran's
Spicilegium Ossoriense," vol. i. , art. ii. Patron Saints of the Diocese of Ossory, p. 8.
^9 See "Statuta Dioecesis Ossoriensis.
February, A. D. 791. See Historia Eccle- siastica Gentis Scotorum," tomus i. , lib. ii. ,
num. 141, p. 80.
'^ See "Acta Sanctorum, tomus ii. , Feb-
-^
See George Petrie's "Ecclesiastical
tarius historicus,—num. 7> P- 53' - '
In the preface to his work, De Mig- ratione Gentium," St. Burchard is said to have been a Scot.
^ By this writer, he is unauthorizedly
made a Scot, of his Scotia.
Dempster states, that St. Burchard died on the 2nd of
"
414 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February 8.
Article X. —St. Colman, Mac-Ui-Tealduibh, Bishop, 'and Abbot OFClonard,CountyofMeath. [SixthorSeventhCentury^ Thissaint was bom, probably towards the close of the sixth century. Our Calendars andAnnalsdiffersomewhat,ingivingusthespellingofhispatronymic. By the Martyrology of Tallagh,^ at the 8th of February, he is called, Colman mac h. Thelluib. At the same date, the Martyrology of Donegal^ has Colman, Mac-Ui-Tealduibh. The Annals of Ulster call him, Mac Cudel- duibj thoseofClonmacnoisestylehim,MacVihelly; whilethoseofthe Four Masters denominate " son of Aiteldubh. '' He was a in
him, bishop 640, as we find him so designated, in an epistle, written from Rome,3 at that
date, and respecting the Paschal usage. '^ In the Annals of Clonmacnoise, the death of this saint, denominated Mac Vihelly, Bishop and Abbot of Clonard,isreferredtoa. d. 651; intheAnnalsoftheFourMasters,5andby Archdeacon Cotton,^ his demise is set down, at the 8th of February, a. d. 652 ; while the Annals of Ulster state, that he died, a. d. 653. 7 By all of theseauthorities,heisstyledAbbotofClonard. ^ Thatverysameyear,in which he died, and only a few short months afterwards, another holy Abbot of Clonard, known as St. Oissene Fota,9 went to Heaven.
Article XI. —Reputed Festival of Saints Gislarius, a Priest,
AND ChUNIBALDUS, COMPANIONS OF St. RuPERT, BiSHOP OF SaLTZBURGH, Bavaria. \Sixth or Seventh Century^ In the Carthusian Martyrology of Hermann Greuen, the festival of these saints has been assigned to the 8th of February. The BoUandists, however, reserve their Acts, for the 24th of September-^ and,atthatdate,also,furthernoticesofthemwillbefoundin our work.
Article XII. —Reputed Festival of St. Gunibald, Martyr and Pilgrim, Italy. \Fifth Century^ The BoUandists have no special notice of St. Gunibald, at this date, unless he is to be identified with Cunibald or Chunibald, who is only classed as a confessor. Among the Scottish saints, Dempster enters^ St. Gunibald, or Gunibaldus, a martyr and pilgrim, at the viii. of February. 2 Elsewhere, he tells us, on the authority of Jacobus Guallus,3 that St. Gunibald was born of a Scottish and noble race. When a
great persecution happened in the nation of Scotia, he even then desired
ruarii viii. Prsetermissi et in alios dies re-
jecti, p. 152.
s This promise has been fulfilled in * ' Acta
*"
See Fasti Ecclesise Hibemicae," vol.
iii. , p. 109.
'See " Annales Ultonienses. " Dr.
Sanctorum," tomus vi. , Octobris xiv. De O'Conor's " Rerum Hibernicarum Scrip-
S. Burchardo. Four historic sections pre- cede, and two distinct ancient Acts, The editor was Jacob Bueus, a priest of the Pre- monstratensian order, at Tongerloo,
Article x. —* Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. XV.
tores," torn, iv. , p. 52.
^ See Rev. Anthony Cogan's "Diocese
of Meath, Ancient and Modern," vol. i. , chap, ii. , p. 14.
» See notices o—f him, at the ist of May.
Article xi.
by them among the pretermitted saints, whose Acts are reserved for another day. See 3 See Ussher's "Veterum Epistolarum "Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , Februarii
="
Edited by Drs. Todd aud Reeves, pp. 42, 43-
Hibernicarum Sylloge," Epist. ix. , pp. 22, 23-
* See a further account of this matter, in
the Life of St. Diman or Dima Dubh, at
the 6th of January.
s See Dr. O'Donovan's edition, vol. i. ,
pp. 264, 265, and n. (u), ibid.
viii. , p. 152. — Article xii.
'
' are classed They
See
ticum," Bishop Forbes' " Kalendar of Scot-
tish Saints," p. 191.
»
For this statement, Dempster quotes Guallus.
3 in " Sanctuario Papiae. "
"Menologium
Sco-
February 9. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 415
death for the sake of Christ. But, fearing the displeasure of his parents, Gunibaldus, in company with his brother Gunifort* or GuniforLis,5 and two
sisters,setoutforGermany. TheretheyproclaimedthemselvesChristians, and even taught the Faith. The two sisters were apprehended, and were condemned to a cruel death. Their brothers exhorted them to constancy. Those ladies, distinguished for their nobility and beauty, but still more for their faith and love of virginity, overcame woman's timidity, while with eyes and hands directed to Heaven, they obtained martyrs' crowns. Afterwards, Gunibaldus and Gunifortis left Germany, and proceeded over the Alps, to the city, known as Camara,^ in Italy. Here, likewise, a great persecution hadbeenraisedagainsttheChristians. 7 Yet,theholyScottishpilgrimspro- claimed the faith of Christ, and urged many of the people to strive for the crown of martyrdom. Gunibaldus being apprehended, however, fell by the sword. This is thought to have occurred, about a. d. 417. ^ St. Gunifortis escaped from this persecution, only to suffer martyrdom, in Milan, at a period somewhat later. 9 Thus the brothers and sisters, who lived so reli- giously in life, were united again, and received into the glorious company of the martyrs in Heaven.
^mtft JBap of jfefjruarp^
ARTICLE L—THE BLESSED MARIANUS SCOTUS, OR ST. MUIREDHAC, . MAC ROBARTAIG, BENEDICTINE ABBOT OF RATISBON, BAVARIA.
[ELEVENTH CENTURY. ]
CHAPTER I.
before the period, when this most pious servant of God lived, the
LONG of the Lord had been sent
spirit forth, through holy
INTRODUCTION—ACTS OF MARIANUS SCOTUS—HIS FAMILY NAME AND ORIGIN—HIS EARLY EDUCATION AND DISPOSITIONS—HE LEAVES IRELAND, WITH SOME COM-
PANIONS—MARIANUS ARRIVES IN GERMANY, AND SETTLES IN RATISBON— COURSE OF STUDIES AND EXERCISES THERE—A MIRACLE REGARDING HIM RE- CORDED.
Irish missionaries on the Continent of Europe, and the face of the earth had been renewed,
^ See notices of him, at the 22nd of August.
as also in Charles Knight's "English Cyclo- psedia. " Geography, vol. ii. , cols. 256, 257.
7 If the received account of his time be
correct, this probably occurred during the inroads of the Goths or Huns.
^ See *' Historia Ecclesiastica Dempster's
Gentis Scotorum," tomus i. , lib. vii. , num. 576, pp. 309, 310.
; Scripta Sicily, and founded in the year after Rome terierunt omnia, siquse reliquit. " Indeed, 155. A further account of it may be had in too frequently, his statements are suspedoe. Baudrand's Philippus Ferrarius, "Novum /^^/, and they must always be received with
Lexicon Geographicum," tomus i. , p. 152, extreme caution.
s His feast has been assigned by Dempster
"
clesiastica Gentis Scotorum," tomus i. , lib.
to the 22nd of August. See vii. , num. 575, p. 309.
Historia Ec-
^ There is a of city
this name, and to the east of Olus. See William Smith's "Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography," vol. i. , p. 486. I find no city or town of a corresponding name, now, or
Crete, bearing
9 it is singular to remark, that Dempster, who professes to place none in his Ecclesi- formerly known, in Italy ; yet, there was a astical History but such as were writers, Camarina, a town, on the southern shore of remarks of St. Gunibaldus " in*
HIS
41 6 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February 9.
for the Almighty had willed the manifestation and endurance to his glory,
^
and he rejoiced in the works, wrought by such faithful souls. This is suffi-
ciently apparent, both from tradition and history. The ancient writer of the Acts of Blessed Marianus observes, that the light of the saints went out from Hibemia, though the whole world, and that above the people of all other nations, her pilgrim children were accustomed to test the most rigorous and
the most sunny climes. From the very days of the glorious Apostle, St. Peter,^ when dwelling in Rome, even to the close of the twelfth century, examples are cited, which serve to establish the truth of such conclusions.
This the Bollandists in their — the Acts of Blessed day, have, great work,
Marianus— Scotus,
and of St. Muirchertach3 or as he is there called Mur-
cheratus recluse, at Ratisbon. -* Those Acts are preceded by a previous
commentary, in three sections, consisting of twenty-four paragraphs, in which
allusions are made to other incidental subjects, such as to the growth of
Irish or Scottish monasteries, especially in Germany, and regarding that particular house, with which Blessed Marianus was connected, as also in-
cluding personal references to this distinguished man, and to the companions, who left Ireland before and about his period. At this date, Colgan has
passedover,incompletesilence,thecareeroftheBlessedMarianus. s Yet, one of the most interesting of biographical records is that, which treats about him. From this, we chiefly derive his personal history. ^ A memoir of Marianus and of his successors was composed by an Irish monk, living at Ratisbon, in Bavaria. 7 This has been carefully edited by Father John Boiand,^ a copy having been forwarded to him, by a Jesuit Father, Joannes Gamansius. 9 It had been taken from a manuscript, preserved in the Car- thusian monastery of Gaming,^° in Lower Austria. " It furnishes the follow- ingparticulars,concerningthehistoryofthisgoodman. TheRev. William Reeves has epitomized this account, Hkewise, in a very interesting paper on the subject of Marianus Scotus of Ratisbon, which had been prepared for one of the Royal Irish Academy's evening sessions. "
The real name of Marianus Scotus^3 was Muiredhach Mac Robartaigh. It is probable, this pious servant of God was born, in the earHer part of the
Article i. —Chapter i. —^ See Psalms, ciii. , 30, 31.
^ From him, St. Mansuetus, an early Irish Bishop of Toul, is said to have received ec- clesiastical training, and his future mission. See his Life at the 3rd of September.
interesting particulars, regarding the rise of 3 He is also called Muricherodac. His various Benedictine Irish or Scottish mon*
Life has been already given at the 17th of
January.
• See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , Feb-
ruarii ix. De B. Mariano Scoto, Abbate Ord. S. Benedicti, et B. Murcherato In- cluso, Ratisbonae in Bavaria, pp. 361 to 372.
5 In another place, however, he promised to produce his Acts, at the 17th of April. See "Acta Sanctorum Hibemia:," xvii. Januarii. De Muricherodaco clauso con-
fessore, n. p. ill.
^
In his "Bavaria Sancta,' Rader has edited some part of this Life, for he does not seem to have had a perfect copy. See tomus ii.
7 From certain historic personages alluded to, in this tract, it seems to have been com- piled towards the close of the twelfth, or
asteries in Germany.
^° **
early in the thirteenth, century, ^ *'
See Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , Feb«
ruarii ix;, pp. 365 to 372.
' Not only does this produce the Life of
Marianus Scotus, but, it also contains most
This place is Latinized,
Carthusia It is sometimes called
"
" This monastery was founded by Duke Albert, A. D. 1332. —It was secularized by Joseph II. in 1782. See Fez, SS. Rerum Austriae, tomus i. , col. 935. Also, Ersep
"
" This was read, on the 9th of April, and
it was published, in the "Natural Historv '
Review and Quarterly Journal of Science,
"
for July, i860. See, also,
the Royal Irish Academy," vol. vii. , pp.
290 to 301.
'3 Arnold Wion calls him
Gamnicensis.
Kemnick, and Gemnikho.
und Gruber's
Allgemeine Encyclopaedic," sub voce, G^ctamg.
num," in his work cap. 72.
"
Proceedings of
"
Lignum Vitae," lib. ii. ,
S. Maria-
February 9. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 417
eleventh century. He was a native of Tir Conaill, which corresponds with the modern county of Donegal. ^4 From his own \vritings, too. we have been
led to the discovery, that he belonged to the family of Mac Robhartaigh. These were hereditary guardians of the venerable Cathach of St. Cokimkille. 'S As such, they were herejiachs in Tyrconnell, and vassals of the O'Donells,
^^
of Drumhone, county of Donegal, is so called from Baile-mecc-Robhartaich.
Originally this was the possession of Mac Robhartach, Keeper of the Cathach. Ballymagrorty, in the parish of Templemore or Derry, has the same origin, ^^ At this present time, the name has been moulded into O'Rafferty, Rafferty, and M'Grotty;'^ and, although we have not been able to find the pedigree of the present Muiredhach, yet, we have reason to believe, he descended fromarespectablefamilyandrace. AlmostcontemporarywiththisMarianus was Donnall Mac Robartaigh, St. Columba's successor at Kells. His name is engraved on the silver case of the Cathach,^9 and his death is also re- cordedbytheFourMastersat1098. ^° Bythem,heiscalledO'Robhartaigh; but, this interchange of Mac and O' is common in early records. ^^
Marianus was remarkable, as well for the beauty of his countenance, as
forthestrengthofhisbody. Hishair,theancientauthorofhisActsstates,"^^
was glossy. But, he was chiefly distinguished, for his charming simplicity of manner, and for his unaffected piety. During the time of boyhood, he was carefully instructed by his parents, in sacred and secular Hterature, and in eloquence, with a view to his entering upon the clerical office. The very aspect of the holy youth inspired all beholders with a conviction, that the SpiritofGoddweltwithinhim. Inprocessoftime,heassumedthemonastic habit, but, seemingly without entering any regular order. ^3
the ancient princely rulers over that region.
Ballymagroarty, in the parish
At an early age—according to a custom usual in Ireland in his day—the parents of Marianus appear to have destined him for the Church, as his opening virtues showed clearly marks of a Divine vocation. Even when he
^4 Yet Dempster and Camerarius would fain claim him as a Scotchman.
^5 At present preserved in the Royal Irish Academy's Museum.
