The summit of Knockmeledown proper "commands a pano- ramie view of great extent and surpassing
brilliance
—the golden valley of the Suir on the north and .
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v7
489.
59 Cashel was formerly the ancient resi-
dence of the Munster kings. It is situated
in the county of Tipperary.
60 She should thus have been married a
second time, according to the Life.
6t The manifest absurdity of this chrono- logy shows how inaccurate and how ignorant of history the writer must have been.
Colmanus,
02 and
Equitius,
being inspired
was about to visit him, the same
went from his city, and met the saint with great joy; but, immediately he believed in the Christian religion, and received baptism, from the Irish Apostle. With premonitory intimations of Divine grace being in store for the people of Cashel, St. Declan was satisfied and returned to his own nation. There, the whole people believed in those doctrines he taught, and they were duly baptized. The chieftain and some of his followers promised from day to day, to profess their belief in Christian truths, and to receive baptism from St. Declan. Yet,throughtheinstigationofSatan,theirconversionwasstill
Patrick,
Archbishop,
king
not
only
s6 the Irish In
6a has some notices of this Colgan
he is also noticed as Oengus and Aongus, and in Latin he is
Colman, as also of his brother Equitius or Eochadius, at the 27th day of January, in his Acts of St. Natalia, Abbot. There, this Colman is stated to have been Bishop of Doremore,and
According
to Ussher's Index
Chronologicus,
language,
St. Declan was born circiter a. d. 347. See
"
Biitannicarum Ecclesiarum
p. 511. A difference of 140 years should
elapse, in that supposition, between the
birth of our saint and the death of King iKngus.
to have had a feast at the 20th of May.
63 The author of our saint's Acts observes of St. Patrick: "qui de gente Britannia erat natus, cum quibus rex neque invidiam
See Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. , Julii xxiv. De S. Declano Episcopo Ard- morias in Hibernia, cap, iv. , sect. 26,27,
pp. 598, 599.
6s xjie JJollandist editor observes, in a note
nee odium habebat. " 6* "
Antiquitates,"
July 24. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 329
It had been commonly asserted, that St. Declan visited Rome on
several occasions but, the author of our saint's Acts relates, that in old re- j
cords, he found three timeshad been the utmost numberassigned for those visits. During one of these journeys, on his return from Rome, Declan came to a holy bishop among the Britons, who was named David. 6 ^ lie lived in his city of Cellmhuny,66 beside the shore and sea, which divides Hibernia from Bri- tannia. He was most honourably receivedby St. David, owing to whose entreaty Declan remained as a guest for forty days. During this time, he daily cele- brated the holy Sacrifice of the Mass. 6? Meantime, as we are told, the glorious Archbishop Patrick, being sent on his mission by Pope Celestine, came into Ireland, and Almighty God disposed the hearts of its people to
68
St. Patrick was favourably received by yEngus, son to Neodfruoich, who has been already
mentioned as the of Munster. 6 9 From King
receive his doctrine. During his progress through this Island,
Ossory,
to have proceeded direct to the city of Cashel ; and, ^Engus went out to
1
Magh Femhin,7° in order to meet him. ?
St. Patrick, into his city of Cashel ; and there, his castle or palace was at a place, 7 2 where a stone lay, which was afterwards called Patrick's Stone. " In the course of time, the Kings of Cashel used to be inaugurated on it,7< and through veneration for the saint, 75 who, perhaps, had there celebrated the Divine Mysteries. . There, too, the saint baptized and blessed him, bestowing at
the same time abundant on the spiritual gifts
city
standing that the chieftain over the Nan Desii tenitory was yet a pagan, St.
Patrick is said to have there proceeded, that he might preach the word of God to him. It is stated, that St. Albeus, Kieran, Ibar and Declan, who were sent into Ireland before 'St. Patrick received his mission from Rome, had differences of opinion with the Irish Apostle, although they afterwards became reconciled to him. However, Kiaran submitted himself to St. Patrick's
jurisdiction, with all humility and sincerity, both during the absenceand presence
at this passage, that his predecessors had
already treated about this St. David, Bishop
of Menevia, in Wales, at the 1st of March.
There, it is written, that he was created
Bishop, about A. D. 516, and that he died in
the year 544. See "Acta Sanctorum,"
tomus v. , Julii xxiv. De S. Declano Epis- 445. He says, that (Jssher's date for St.
copo Ardmorise in Hibernia, cap. iv. , n. (e), p. 600.
06
This epithet Cellmhuni, Ceall-muni, or Killmuine, was the old Irish or British name lor Menevia.
67 See also, Hanmer's "Chronicle of Ire- land," p. 69, for an account regarding this visit of St. Declan to St. David.
68
In his Chronological Index, Archbishop Ussher refers the coming of St. Patrick into Munster to the year 449, when he baptized
Patrick's arrival there cannot agree with the account of that saint remaining in Munster for seven years, nor with his subsequent pro- ceedings, prior to his founding the See of Armagh, in the year 445. See vol. i. , chap. iv. , sect, vi. , p. 280, and n. 60, p. 281.
7 S^e Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Septima Vita S. Patricii, lib. iii. , cap. xxix. , p. 155.
13 It is said, that the stone was called
Leac Coithurgi; Leac meaning "stone," while Coithurgi, or Cothrige, was one of the namesofSt. Patrick. Seeibid. TertiaVita S. Patricii, cap. lx. , p. 26.
7t This stone was to be seen on the ascent
to the cathedral, situated on the famous Rock "
/Engus or /Eneus, son of Nadfruich, at "
Cashel. See Britannicarum Ecclesiarum
Antiquitates," cap. xvii. , p. 420, and p. 519. 69 Other particulars of this visit may be found in the Third Volume of this work, at
the 17th day of March, Art. i. Life of St. of Cashel. See Seward's Topognphia
Patrick, chap. xix.
70 Dr. Charles Smith comprises within it the
whole barony of Middle-third, and conse-
the of Cashel. See "Ancient and quently city
Present Stale of the County and City of
Ilibernica," at Cashel.
75 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga,"
Waterford," chap, i. , p. 4. Walter Harris
makes it the flat extensive country about Book of Armagh. " St. Patrick, Apostle
the Irish is said Apostle
This prince honourably conducted
and the 6 Under- people. 7
Cashel. See Harris' Ware, vol. i. , "Arch-
bishops of Armagh," p. 20. '
7 In his "Ecclesiastical History of Ire-
land," the Rev. Dr. Lanigan thinks, that the visit of St. Patrick to Cashel took place,
most probably, about the beginning of a. d.
Sexta Vita S. Patricii, cap. lxxiv. , p. 82. ? 6 However, the Rev. Dr. Todd remarks
:
" No mention of Cashel, or of Patrick's
journey to Munster—, is to be found in the
"
33© LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [July 24.
of the great Irish Hierarch. Seeing that the magnates of Ireland acknow- ledged the great Apostle Patrick, as their master, Albeus came to the latter saint, in Cashel city. In presence of King yEngus, he received St. Patrick as a spiritual superior, and with all due submission ; although, at first, Albeus felt disposed to question his superiority of jurisdiction. It is stated, that Albeus had been regarded as their legitimate superior, by Saints Kiaran, I bar and Declan, before St. Patrick's arrival. Wherefore, in order to pro- cure the obedience of his fellow bishops, Albeus first presented himself to
the great Irish Apostle, and with a proffer of his willing subjection in all spiritual matters. But, Ibar appears to have been more obstinate in his resist- ance to St. Patrick's spiritual authority. It is related, that Ibar had con- ceived a strong prejudice against the Patron of Ireland, because of his foreign birth ; for, although brought up in Ireland, when a captive during his youth, St. Patrick was born among the Britons. Wherefore, at firs! , Ibar and Patrick weremuchopposedtoeachother; but,afterwards,itissaid,owingtoan-elic admonition, peace, concord, and fraternity, were established between them. St. Declan did not wish to put himself in opposition to St. Patrick, because he had heretofore established a friendship with the latter in Italy. Although St. Patrick had been elevated to the Apostolic dignity, 7 ? Declan did not sup- pose, however, that he should become subject to Patrick's jurisdiction, as a necessary consequence of such elevation. But, Declan was admonished by an angel, that he should submit to St. Patrick. 'J 'he heavenly' messenger
:
addressed him in these words " Go immediately to St. Patrick, and enjoin
him not to curse thy people and territory; for, he is fasting this night, against the chieftain of thy nation, in a place called Hynneon. This was in the midst of Femhyn plain, in the northern part of the Desii territory. If he
denounce thy nation, it shall be under ban for ever. ?
8
Immediately on hear-
ing these words of the angel, St. Declan hastened to the place indicated. On
that same night, he passed over the River Suir, proceeding through the moun-
tain Gua, otherwise called Sliabhgua. '° On the next morning, he came to St.
Patrick, who, with his disciples, honourably received our saint on his approach. Then, St. Declan humbled himself in the presence of St. Patrick. He besought that great Apostle, to avert malediction from the Nan-Desii people
and their territory. He promised, at the same time, to be spiritually subject
of Ireland," chap, iii. , p. 468.
7 ? " Id est, episcopatum et missionem ab
ipso Pontifice Romano susceperat. " See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. , Julii xxiv. De S. Declano Episcopo Ardmorue in Hibernia, cap. v. , n. (c), p. 602.
78 The Rev. Dr. Lanigan denies, that there is any reliance to be placed on the account, regarding a synod convened at Cashel, or the meeting of St. Patrick, Adbe, Declan, &c, because there is no mention of it in nny of the Irish Apostle's Lives. He says, that
"
Desii, because thou hast interested thyself for them. "
to St. Patrick. The latter said to him :
I will even bless the people of Nan- 80
it
period,
the
ous valle—y of the blackwater to the south and the west and an extensive sweep of coast and ocean —from the south-east round to south
was atalate patched up
andat a
frontiers of the present counties of Tipperary and Waterford, north of the River Black- water. Knockmeledown proper 2,690 feet above the level of the sea is the highest in the group, and the various summits have dis- tinctive names. The range runs from east to west, and it joins the Kilwortli Mountains, in the county of Cork.
The summit of Knockmeledown proper "commands a pano- ramie view of great extent and surpassing brilliance —the golden valley of the Suir on the north and . east —the rich an—d romantic Rock of Cashel in the north-east
time, when some bishops claimed an anti-
quity and a jurisdiction for their Sees, to
which they were not originally entitled. See
"
Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. i. ,
by west. " "Parliamentary Gazetteer of Ireland," vol. ii. , p. 579.
*° See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. , Julii xxiv. De S. Declano Episcopo Aid-
chap, vi. , sect. vii. . pp. 283, 284.
74 At present known as the Knockmele-
down Mountains, \ romantic range, on the
gorge-
LIVES OE THE IRISH SAINTS.
Then, St. Declan went to the Decies chieftain, named Lebanus, who was
81
July 24]
T
33
not far from the called place
he felt
believe in St. Patrick's doctrine, at first, and had badly treated the saint, that chief was earnestly urged by St. Declan, to meet the great Irish Apostle, that thus he might become a believer and receive baptism. The chieftain, to remain in his state of 82 no means would consent
Heevenfelt
Lebanus yielding to Satan's devices, and fearing on his account that the Nan
Desii people might incur St. Patrick's denunciations, St. Declan turned towards
an assembled multitude. He then said " now from this : Separate yourselves
abandoned man, that you may not be denounced, because of his incredulity; as I have blessed you in the saving waters of baptism, come all of you, that St. Patrick may bless you with me ; for, he has been sent to you from the Almighty, and he has been selected as chief Patron over all Ireland. But I, as well as your chieftain, ought to be a leader of your nation, on account of my family descent. " At these words, the whole Nan-Desii people, with the exception of their chieftain and some of his immediate retainers, followed St.
"
desiring toSt. Declan's
persuasions.
angry
withbothsaints. 8^ On
seeing
holy Bishops :
" Who now is our chieftain ? " St. Declan answered them
mofise in Hibernia, cap. v. , sect. 42, p. 601. 81 An accomplished Irish scholar and an- tiquary, William M. Hennessy, has informed me, this place is identical with the present Mullagnony, about two miles north- west-
wardly from Clonmel.
propter fratres et cognatos Sancti Declani
quod pauci essent apud eum. "
s+ That is to say, one belonging to the
family and kindred of St. Declan.
85 In recounting these particulars, the Acts
"
(unde successores ejus magnum servitium habent), et locum non
longe a flumine Suir in eodem campo. "
8b wells in Ireland had been de- Manyholy
dicated to St. Patrick. Itisprobable, thename
82
credulitate ;" for which latter word " incre-
The Acts state, "qui in sua permansit
dulitate"is more Colgan.
83
correctly substituted, by
The Acts of our saint have it :
" that of the still continues, in
ipse part nullo modo, nullaque ratione consensit, et
Sanctis Dei iratus dixit; nisi dimitteret
Hynneon.
incredulity, by
unwilling to
Declan. ThislatterthensaidtoSt. Patrick:
left their incredulous leader, and have come with me, O Father, as their chief- tain to thee ; they wish to become subject to thee, and always to honour thee. As they have received baptism from myself, they ask thy benediction. " Then, St. Patrick and his disciples invoked a fervent blessing, not alone on the people, but even on the woods, lands, and waters, belonging to the Nan- Desii territory. The chief men and magnates of the Nan Desii then said to the
" I am at present your leader, and St. Patrick will bless whomsoever I shall appoint, to rule over you; and that man shall be your chieftain. " Then, St. Declan selected a certain young man, who is called Ferdinand, otherwise Fearghal, son to Cormac, and of the Desies royal race. 8* This young man was placed in the midst of the people as their leader, and the choice was approved by his newly constituted subjects, while he received a blessing from Saints Patrick and Declan. That chieftain was also approved of by other bishops. After bestowing his blessing on their elected chief, St. Patrick said: " This young man, whose features are beautiful, is also brave in war We shall abound in his kingdom, and the Desii chiefs shall inherit these advan- tages for ever. " This prophecy was afterwards literally fulfilled. Then, St. Declan and the chieftain Ferdinand or Fearghal, with the Decies people,
gave large tracts of land to St. Patrick, near the place where such incidents occurred, in the plain of Femhyn. 8 s A clear fountain of water was at the place, and this was called St. Patrick's Well,86 at the time when our saint's Acts were written. St. Patrick is said to have loved this place with unusual affection. Afterwards, returning thanks for the favours then received, the
Although
of our saint subjoin,
Behold, the Nan-Desii have
:
country, and its identification may be even possible.
8; See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. ,
332 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [July 24.
Irish Apostle retired with St. Declan accompanying him from the Decies
territory. They proceeded towards the city of Cashel, where King ^Engus 8
then dwelt. ?
The author of our saint's Acts relates a miracle, which happened at this
88
Whilst St. Declan was unguardedly and hastily advancing between his people and St. Patrick, his foot was badly lacerated by a piece of iron. Blood flowed profusely, and our saint felt unable to walk
perfectly, owing to his lameness. We are told, that the holy Bishops Albeus, the dear friend and companion of St. Declan, as also, a wise and holy man Seachnall,8^ a disciple of St. Patrick, felt troubled on account of that misfor- tune. Both expressed their sorrow for its occurence to the Irish Apostle. Very naturally, on hearing about the accident, this latter saint grieved much
meeting already alluded to.
and said
:
" O Lord, heal the foot of thy faithful servant, who hath laboured
greatly for thee, with those talents thou hast bestowed on him. " Beholding
the foot of St. Declan, St. Patrick then signed it with the mark of salvation.
Looking towards heaven, he prayed ; when immediately, the blood ceased to
flow, and the gaping wound began to contract. Then, the skin having closed,
only a slight mark afterwards appeared. Arising without difficulty, St. Declan
found his foot healed, and the saints of God gave thanks for the favour bestowed on him. By their acclamations, the multitude extolled those wonders wrought by God, on behalf of his true servant. ^ Such grateful manifestations, so frequently mentioned in the Acts of our Irish Saints when miracles took place, seem to have been adopted from a pious Christian usage, prevailing among believers in the earlier ages of the Church. 9' Saints Patrick, Albeus, Declan, with many other holy disciples, remained in the city of Cashel, with King /Kngus. While there, it is said, they promulgated many salutary laws, referring to ecclesiastical jurisdiction, to Christian morals, and to the further propaga- tion of Divine Faith. With the approval of King ^Engus and of all his people, the Irish Apostle decreed, that the archbishopric of Minister should have
2
itschiefseatinSt. Albeus'city. ^ TheyalsomarkedoutboundsforSt. Declan's
jurisdiction. This was commensurate with the Desies' territories. 93 The
Julii xxiv. De S. Declano Episcopo Aid-
moriae in Hibernia, cap. v. , sect. 43, 44, 45,
pp. 601, 602.
88 "
cione, modo dignitati ccepimus narrare ves- trse. "
8 > The author of our saint's Acts says of Seachnall, it is reported, that he was the first Bishop, who was interred in Ireland. His name is Latinized Secundums, likewise, and his festival occurs, at the 27th of November.
9° See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. , Julii xxiv. De S. Declano Episcopo Ard- "moriae in Hibernia, cap. vi. , sect. 46, p. 602.
9M Thus, we read about certain miracles,
Omnia," S. Augustini, tomus vii. De Civitate Dei, lib. , xxii. , cap. viii. , sect. 22. Benedic- tine edition, Parisiis, i836,etseq, small folio,
double columns. On the
Tuesday, Palladia, the sister of Paul, was miraculously healed, in like manner, and while St. Augustine was engaged preaching, his sermon was interrupted by the acclama-
The writer observes
culum, quod factum est in supradicta con-
Easter
Thanks
:
following
Quoddam mira-
wrought through the relics of St. Stephen,
the first Martyr, at Hippo, AD. 425. in the
time of St. Augustine. This illustrious mensium Vita:," p, I. Dublinii, 1626, Doctor relates, that on Easter Sun Jay morn-
ing, one, named Paul, praying before the
place where these relics had been deposited,
recovered his health and strength, before the
public view, and in a most miraculous way. now comprised in Munster. "—
The chureli then echoed widi acclamations,
the congregation crying out, " Thanks be to
(Jod : praised be the Lord ! " See
seem to be spoken of as distinct from each other, although the country of the Desii is Rev. Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical History of Ire- land, vol. i. , chap, vi. , sect, vii. , n. 69,
p. 2S6.
"
Opera
tions of the multitude exclaming, bj to God I"
"
»* Now known as Emly, formerly a city,
but now dwindled into a small village ; yet,
it seems to have been the earliest metropo-
litan See of Munster, until it merged into
Cashel, where a new cathedral had been
built, by Cormac Mac Cuillinan, King and
"
Bishop of Cashel. See Sir James Ware's
Archiepiscoporum Cas'-elien ium et Tua-
sin. fol.
9i " The people of Munster and the Desii
July 24. ] LIVES OF THE lttlSH SAINTS. 333
people he had therein converted to the Divine Faith were placed under his own spiritual rule. ^ While in other parts of Ireland, its people became subject to St. Patrick,95 the Decies people, under God, acknowledged the protection of
6
Wherefore, St. Patrick, all Ireland's Hierarch and Patron, is said to have pronounced a distich in the Irish language, and which as an oracular verse was to obtain the force of law j nor would the spiritual families of St. Albeus and of St. Declan undertake to render it by any Latin metrical translation . w The author of our saint's Acts also expresses his intention of giving it in the native idiom, as it had been composed and delivered by St. Patrick, and for the purpose of stamping it with greater authenticity and authority. Notwithstanding, these verses are thus incorrectly
their holy Patron, St. Declan. s
in the Irish 8 and in the Roman characters —
ss Treating about the people of the Decks,
language^
:
" Ailbhe umhal Padruigh Muomhan mo guchruth :
Declan Padruig na n Desi, na Desi ag Declan go bruth. "99
In these verses it was prophesied, that Albeus should be the second Patrick and Patron over Munster, and that Declan should be a second Patrick and Patron over the Desies, while the territory of that people should remain his diocese to the end of the world. Afterwards, the holy bishops bestowed their blessing on King yEngus, and proceeded to the sphere of their respective labours, in order to spread die Gospel throughout Ireland. On their depar-
100 The
Bat, in the copy of the Isidore Manuscript,
obtained at Rome, the word "Leometrice"
was wanting. The reading being rendered
printed,
received from them a kiss of
and the young Desies chief Feargall, or Ferdinand, having assembled at the place called Hynneon, the army and entire population of the Desies being in attendance, Christianity was proclaimed, and its laws were incorporated
ture,
-1
king
the
See '"Acta Sanctorum," tenuis v. ,
peace.
holy bishop Declan,
Juliixxiv. De S. Declano Episcopo Ard- m >r'ae in H. bernia, cap. vi. , sect. 47, p. 62.
conformable to this copy, and to Colgan's ""
the Acts of our saint state, ut ipsi in writing, in Trias Thaumaturga,'' Appen-
parochia episcopates ejus essent, quse est iii. , sect, xiv. , p. 201 ; it is to be suspected,
"
magna and clara.
96 In the Life of St. Declan, cap. 30, it is
stated, that the people of Desies showed the
same obedience to their patron, St. Declan,
that was exhibited towards St. Patrick, by
the Irish people in other places. Quoting
this passage, Rev. Dr. Lanigan says, that
the drift of this passage was to insinuate,
that Declan's See of Ardmore had been
exempt from the jurisdiction of Armagh. See
"
that the word Leometrice had been intro- duced by an inexact scribe.
98 The Irish distich in the text is thus en-
tered, in Smith's "Ancient and Present
State of the County a—nd City of Waterford,"
Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. i. > chap, vi. , sect, vii. , n. 70, p. 286.
59 Cashel was formerly the ancient resi-
dence of the Munster kings. It is situated
in the county of Tipperary.
60 She should thus have been married a
second time, according to the Life.
6t The manifest absurdity of this chrono- logy shows how inaccurate and how ignorant of history the writer must have been.
Colmanus,
02 and
Equitius,
being inspired
was about to visit him, the same
went from his city, and met the saint with great joy; but, immediately he believed in the Christian religion, and received baptism, from the Irish Apostle. With premonitory intimations of Divine grace being in store for the people of Cashel, St. Declan was satisfied and returned to his own nation. There, the whole people believed in those doctrines he taught, and they were duly baptized. The chieftain and some of his followers promised from day to day, to profess their belief in Christian truths, and to receive baptism from St. Declan. Yet,throughtheinstigationofSatan,theirconversionwasstill
Patrick,
Archbishop,
king
not
only
s6 the Irish In
6a has some notices of this Colgan
he is also noticed as Oengus and Aongus, and in Latin he is
Colman, as also of his brother Equitius or Eochadius, at the 27th day of January, in his Acts of St. Natalia, Abbot. There, this Colman is stated to have been Bishop of Doremore,and
According
to Ussher's Index
Chronologicus,
language,
St. Declan was born circiter a. d. 347. See
"
Biitannicarum Ecclesiarum
p. 511. A difference of 140 years should
elapse, in that supposition, between the
birth of our saint and the death of King iKngus.
to have had a feast at the 20th of May.
63 The author of our saint's Acts observes of St. Patrick: "qui de gente Britannia erat natus, cum quibus rex neque invidiam
See Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. , Julii xxiv. De S. Declano Episcopo Ard- morias in Hibernia, cap, iv. , sect. 26,27,
pp. 598, 599.
6s xjie JJollandist editor observes, in a note
nee odium habebat. " 6* "
Antiquitates,"
July 24. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 329
It had been commonly asserted, that St. Declan visited Rome on
several occasions but, the author of our saint's Acts relates, that in old re- j
cords, he found three timeshad been the utmost numberassigned for those visits. During one of these journeys, on his return from Rome, Declan came to a holy bishop among the Britons, who was named David. 6 ^ lie lived in his city of Cellmhuny,66 beside the shore and sea, which divides Hibernia from Bri- tannia. He was most honourably receivedby St. David, owing to whose entreaty Declan remained as a guest for forty days. During this time, he daily cele- brated the holy Sacrifice of the Mass. 6? Meantime, as we are told, the glorious Archbishop Patrick, being sent on his mission by Pope Celestine, came into Ireland, and Almighty God disposed the hearts of its people to
68
St. Patrick was favourably received by yEngus, son to Neodfruoich, who has been already
mentioned as the of Munster. 6 9 From King
receive his doctrine. During his progress through this Island,
Ossory,
to have proceeded direct to the city of Cashel ; and, ^Engus went out to
1
Magh Femhin,7° in order to meet him. ?
St. Patrick, into his city of Cashel ; and there, his castle or palace was at a place, 7 2 where a stone lay, which was afterwards called Patrick's Stone. " In the course of time, the Kings of Cashel used to be inaugurated on it,7< and through veneration for the saint, 75 who, perhaps, had there celebrated the Divine Mysteries. . There, too, the saint baptized and blessed him, bestowing at
the same time abundant on the spiritual gifts
city
standing that the chieftain over the Nan Desii tenitory was yet a pagan, St.
Patrick is said to have there proceeded, that he might preach the word of God to him. It is stated, that St. Albeus, Kieran, Ibar and Declan, who were sent into Ireland before 'St. Patrick received his mission from Rome, had differences of opinion with the Irish Apostle, although they afterwards became reconciled to him. However, Kiaran submitted himself to St. Patrick's
jurisdiction, with all humility and sincerity, both during the absenceand presence
at this passage, that his predecessors had
already treated about this St. David, Bishop
of Menevia, in Wales, at the 1st of March.
There, it is written, that he was created
Bishop, about A. D. 516, and that he died in
the year 544. See "Acta Sanctorum,"
tomus v. , Julii xxiv. De S. Declano Epis- 445. He says, that (Jssher's date for St.
copo Ardmorise in Hibernia, cap. iv. , n. (e), p. 600.
06
This epithet Cellmhuni, Ceall-muni, or Killmuine, was the old Irish or British name lor Menevia.
67 See also, Hanmer's "Chronicle of Ire- land," p. 69, for an account regarding this visit of St. Declan to St. David.
68
In his Chronological Index, Archbishop Ussher refers the coming of St. Patrick into Munster to the year 449, when he baptized
Patrick's arrival there cannot agree with the account of that saint remaining in Munster for seven years, nor with his subsequent pro- ceedings, prior to his founding the See of Armagh, in the year 445. See vol. i. , chap. iv. , sect, vi. , p. 280, and n. 60, p. 281.
7 S^e Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Septima Vita S. Patricii, lib. iii. , cap. xxix. , p. 155.
13 It is said, that the stone was called
Leac Coithurgi; Leac meaning "stone," while Coithurgi, or Cothrige, was one of the namesofSt. Patrick. Seeibid. TertiaVita S. Patricii, cap. lx. , p. 26.
7t This stone was to be seen on the ascent
to the cathedral, situated on the famous Rock "
/Engus or /Eneus, son of Nadfruich, at "
Cashel. See Britannicarum Ecclesiarum
Antiquitates," cap. xvii. , p. 420, and p. 519. 69 Other particulars of this visit may be found in the Third Volume of this work, at
the 17th day of March, Art. i. Life of St. of Cashel. See Seward's Topognphia
Patrick, chap. xix.
70 Dr. Charles Smith comprises within it the
whole barony of Middle-third, and conse-
the of Cashel. See "Ancient and quently city
Present Stale of the County and City of
Ilibernica," at Cashel.
75 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga,"
Waterford," chap, i. , p. 4. Walter Harris
makes it the flat extensive country about Book of Armagh. " St. Patrick, Apostle
the Irish is said Apostle
This prince honourably conducted
and the 6 Under- people. 7
Cashel. See Harris' Ware, vol. i. , "Arch-
bishops of Armagh," p. 20. '
7 In his "Ecclesiastical History of Ire-
land," the Rev. Dr. Lanigan thinks, that the visit of St. Patrick to Cashel took place,
most probably, about the beginning of a. d.
Sexta Vita S. Patricii, cap. lxxiv. , p. 82. ? 6 However, the Rev. Dr. Todd remarks
:
" No mention of Cashel, or of Patrick's
journey to Munster—, is to be found in the
"
33© LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [July 24.
of the great Irish Hierarch. Seeing that the magnates of Ireland acknow- ledged the great Apostle Patrick, as their master, Albeus came to the latter saint, in Cashel city. In presence of King yEngus, he received St. Patrick as a spiritual superior, and with all due submission ; although, at first, Albeus felt disposed to question his superiority of jurisdiction. It is stated, that Albeus had been regarded as their legitimate superior, by Saints Kiaran, I bar and Declan, before St. Patrick's arrival. Wherefore, in order to pro- cure the obedience of his fellow bishops, Albeus first presented himself to
the great Irish Apostle, and with a proffer of his willing subjection in all spiritual matters. But, Ibar appears to have been more obstinate in his resist- ance to St. Patrick's spiritual authority. It is related, that Ibar had con- ceived a strong prejudice against the Patron of Ireland, because of his foreign birth ; for, although brought up in Ireland, when a captive during his youth, St. Patrick was born among the Britons. Wherefore, at firs! , Ibar and Patrick weremuchopposedtoeachother; but,afterwards,itissaid,owingtoan-elic admonition, peace, concord, and fraternity, were established between them. St. Declan did not wish to put himself in opposition to St. Patrick, because he had heretofore established a friendship with the latter in Italy. Although St. Patrick had been elevated to the Apostolic dignity, 7 ? Declan did not sup- pose, however, that he should become subject to Patrick's jurisdiction, as a necessary consequence of such elevation. But, Declan was admonished by an angel, that he should submit to St. Patrick. 'J 'he heavenly' messenger
:
addressed him in these words " Go immediately to St. Patrick, and enjoin
him not to curse thy people and territory; for, he is fasting this night, against the chieftain of thy nation, in a place called Hynneon. This was in the midst of Femhyn plain, in the northern part of the Desii territory. If he
denounce thy nation, it shall be under ban for ever. ?
8
Immediately on hear-
ing these words of the angel, St. Declan hastened to the place indicated. On
that same night, he passed over the River Suir, proceeding through the moun-
tain Gua, otherwise called Sliabhgua. '° On the next morning, he came to St.
Patrick, who, with his disciples, honourably received our saint on his approach. Then, St. Declan humbled himself in the presence of St. Patrick. He besought that great Apostle, to avert malediction from the Nan-Desii people
and their territory. He promised, at the same time, to be spiritually subject
of Ireland," chap, iii. , p. 468.
7 ? " Id est, episcopatum et missionem ab
ipso Pontifice Romano susceperat. " See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. , Julii xxiv. De S. Declano Episcopo Ardmorue in Hibernia, cap. v. , n. (c), p. 602.
78 The Rev. Dr. Lanigan denies, that there is any reliance to be placed on the account, regarding a synod convened at Cashel, or the meeting of St. Patrick, Adbe, Declan, &c, because there is no mention of it in nny of the Irish Apostle's Lives. He says, that
"
Desii, because thou hast interested thyself for them. "
to St. Patrick. The latter said to him :
I will even bless the people of Nan- 80
it
period,
the
ous valle—y of the blackwater to the south and the west and an extensive sweep of coast and ocean —from the south-east round to south
was atalate patched up
andat a
frontiers of the present counties of Tipperary and Waterford, north of the River Black- water. Knockmeledown proper 2,690 feet above the level of the sea is the highest in the group, and the various summits have dis- tinctive names. The range runs from east to west, and it joins the Kilwortli Mountains, in the county of Cork.
The summit of Knockmeledown proper "commands a pano- ramie view of great extent and surpassing brilliance —the golden valley of the Suir on the north and . east —the rich an—d romantic Rock of Cashel in the north-east
time, when some bishops claimed an anti-
quity and a jurisdiction for their Sees, to
which they were not originally entitled. See
"
Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. i. ,
by west. " "Parliamentary Gazetteer of Ireland," vol. ii. , p. 579.
*° See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. , Julii xxiv. De S. Declano Episcopo Aid-
chap, vi. , sect. vii. . pp. 283, 284.
74 At present known as the Knockmele-
down Mountains, \ romantic range, on the
gorge-
LIVES OE THE IRISH SAINTS.
Then, St. Declan went to the Decies chieftain, named Lebanus, who was
81
July 24]
T
33
not far from the called place
he felt
believe in St. Patrick's doctrine, at first, and had badly treated the saint, that chief was earnestly urged by St. Declan, to meet the great Irish Apostle, that thus he might become a believer and receive baptism. The chieftain, to remain in his state of 82 no means would consent
Heevenfelt
Lebanus yielding to Satan's devices, and fearing on his account that the Nan
Desii people might incur St. Patrick's denunciations, St. Declan turned towards
an assembled multitude. He then said " now from this : Separate yourselves
abandoned man, that you may not be denounced, because of his incredulity; as I have blessed you in the saving waters of baptism, come all of you, that St. Patrick may bless you with me ; for, he has been sent to you from the Almighty, and he has been selected as chief Patron over all Ireland. But I, as well as your chieftain, ought to be a leader of your nation, on account of my family descent. " At these words, the whole Nan-Desii people, with the exception of their chieftain and some of his immediate retainers, followed St.
"
desiring toSt. Declan's
persuasions.
angry
withbothsaints. 8^ On
seeing
holy Bishops :
" Who now is our chieftain ? " St. Declan answered them
mofise in Hibernia, cap. v. , sect. 42, p. 601. 81 An accomplished Irish scholar and an- tiquary, William M. Hennessy, has informed me, this place is identical with the present Mullagnony, about two miles north- west-
wardly from Clonmel.
propter fratres et cognatos Sancti Declani
quod pauci essent apud eum. "
s+ That is to say, one belonging to the
family and kindred of St. Declan.
85 In recounting these particulars, the Acts
"
(unde successores ejus magnum servitium habent), et locum non
longe a flumine Suir in eodem campo. "
8b wells in Ireland had been de- Manyholy
dicated to St. Patrick. Itisprobable, thename
82
credulitate ;" for which latter word " incre-
The Acts state, "qui in sua permansit
dulitate"is more Colgan.
83
correctly substituted, by
The Acts of our saint have it :
" that of the still continues, in
ipse part nullo modo, nullaque ratione consensit, et
Sanctis Dei iratus dixit; nisi dimitteret
Hynneon.
incredulity, by
unwilling to
Declan. ThislatterthensaidtoSt. Patrick:
left their incredulous leader, and have come with me, O Father, as their chief- tain to thee ; they wish to become subject to thee, and always to honour thee. As they have received baptism from myself, they ask thy benediction. " Then, St. Patrick and his disciples invoked a fervent blessing, not alone on the people, but even on the woods, lands, and waters, belonging to the Nan- Desii territory. The chief men and magnates of the Nan Desii then said to the
" I am at present your leader, and St. Patrick will bless whomsoever I shall appoint, to rule over you; and that man shall be your chieftain. " Then, St. Declan selected a certain young man, who is called Ferdinand, otherwise Fearghal, son to Cormac, and of the Desies royal race. 8* This young man was placed in the midst of the people as their leader, and the choice was approved by his newly constituted subjects, while he received a blessing from Saints Patrick and Declan. That chieftain was also approved of by other bishops. After bestowing his blessing on their elected chief, St. Patrick said: " This young man, whose features are beautiful, is also brave in war We shall abound in his kingdom, and the Desii chiefs shall inherit these advan- tages for ever. " This prophecy was afterwards literally fulfilled. Then, St. Declan and the chieftain Ferdinand or Fearghal, with the Decies people,
gave large tracts of land to St. Patrick, near the place where such incidents occurred, in the plain of Femhyn. 8 s A clear fountain of water was at the place, and this was called St. Patrick's Well,86 at the time when our saint's Acts were written. St. Patrick is said to have loved this place with unusual affection. Afterwards, returning thanks for the favours then received, the
Although
of our saint subjoin,
Behold, the Nan-Desii have
:
country, and its identification may be even possible.
8; See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. ,
332 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [July 24.
Irish Apostle retired with St. Declan accompanying him from the Decies
territory. They proceeded towards the city of Cashel, where King ^Engus 8
then dwelt. ?
The author of our saint's Acts relates a miracle, which happened at this
88
Whilst St. Declan was unguardedly and hastily advancing between his people and St. Patrick, his foot was badly lacerated by a piece of iron. Blood flowed profusely, and our saint felt unable to walk
perfectly, owing to his lameness. We are told, that the holy Bishops Albeus, the dear friend and companion of St. Declan, as also, a wise and holy man Seachnall,8^ a disciple of St. Patrick, felt troubled on account of that misfor- tune. Both expressed their sorrow for its occurence to the Irish Apostle. Very naturally, on hearing about the accident, this latter saint grieved much
meeting already alluded to.
and said
:
" O Lord, heal the foot of thy faithful servant, who hath laboured
greatly for thee, with those talents thou hast bestowed on him. " Beholding
the foot of St. Declan, St. Patrick then signed it with the mark of salvation.
Looking towards heaven, he prayed ; when immediately, the blood ceased to
flow, and the gaping wound began to contract. Then, the skin having closed,
only a slight mark afterwards appeared. Arising without difficulty, St. Declan
found his foot healed, and the saints of God gave thanks for the favour bestowed on him. By their acclamations, the multitude extolled those wonders wrought by God, on behalf of his true servant. ^ Such grateful manifestations, so frequently mentioned in the Acts of our Irish Saints when miracles took place, seem to have been adopted from a pious Christian usage, prevailing among believers in the earlier ages of the Church. 9' Saints Patrick, Albeus, Declan, with many other holy disciples, remained in the city of Cashel, with King /Kngus. While there, it is said, they promulgated many salutary laws, referring to ecclesiastical jurisdiction, to Christian morals, and to the further propaga- tion of Divine Faith. With the approval of King ^Engus and of all his people, the Irish Apostle decreed, that the archbishopric of Minister should have
2
itschiefseatinSt. Albeus'city. ^ TheyalsomarkedoutboundsforSt. Declan's
jurisdiction. This was commensurate with the Desies' territories. 93 The
Julii xxiv. De S. Declano Episcopo Aid-
moriae in Hibernia, cap. v. , sect. 43, 44, 45,
pp. 601, 602.
88 "
cione, modo dignitati ccepimus narrare ves- trse. "
8 > The author of our saint's Acts says of Seachnall, it is reported, that he was the first Bishop, who was interred in Ireland. His name is Latinized Secundums, likewise, and his festival occurs, at the 27th of November.
9° See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. , Julii xxiv. De S. Declano Episcopo Ard- "moriae in Hibernia, cap. vi. , sect. 46, p. 602.
9M Thus, we read about certain miracles,
Omnia," S. Augustini, tomus vii. De Civitate Dei, lib. , xxii. , cap. viii. , sect. 22. Benedic- tine edition, Parisiis, i836,etseq, small folio,
double columns. On the
Tuesday, Palladia, the sister of Paul, was miraculously healed, in like manner, and while St. Augustine was engaged preaching, his sermon was interrupted by the acclama-
The writer observes
culum, quod factum est in supradicta con-
Easter
Thanks
:
following
Quoddam mira-
wrought through the relics of St. Stephen,
the first Martyr, at Hippo, AD. 425. in the
time of St. Augustine. This illustrious mensium Vita:," p, I. Dublinii, 1626, Doctor relates, that on Easter Sun Jay morn-
ing, one, named Paul, praying before the
place where these relics had been deposited,
recovered his health and strength, before the
public view, and in a most miraculous way. now comprised in Munster. "—
The chureli then echoed widi acclamations,
the congregation crying out, " Thanks be to
(Jod : praised be the Lord ! " See
seem to be spoken of as distinct from each other, although the country of the Desii is Rev. Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical History of Ire- land, vol. i. , chap, vi. , sect, vii. , n. 69,
p. 2S6.
"
Opera
tions of the multitude exclaming, bj to God I"
"
»* Now known as Emly, formerly a city,
but now dwindled into a small village ; yet,
it seems to have been the earliest metropo-
litan See of Munster, until it merged into
Cashel, where a new cathedral had been
built, by Cormac Mac Cuillinan, King and
"
Bishop of Cashel. See Sir James Ware's
Archiepiscoporum Cas'-elien ium et Tua-
sin. fol.
9i " The people of Munster and the Desii
July 24. ] LIVES OF THE lttlSH SAINTS. 333
people he had therein converted to the Divine Faith were placed under his own spiritual rule. ^ While in other parts of Ireland, its people became subject to St. Patrick,95 the Decies people, under God, acknowledged the protection of
6
Wherefore, St. Patrick, all Ireland's Hierarch and Patron, is said to have pronounced a distich in the Irish language, and which as an oracular verse was to obtain the force of law j nor would the spiritual families of St. Albeus and of St. Declan undertake to render it by any Latin metrical translation . w The author of our saint's Acts also expresses his intention of giving it in the native idiom, as it had been composed and delivered by St. Patrick, and for the purpose of stamping it with greater authenticity and authority. Notwithstanding, these verses are thus incorrectly
their holy Patron, St. Declan. s
in the Irish 8 and in the Roman characters —
ss Treating about the people of the Decks,
language^
:
" Ailbhe umhal Padruigh Muomhan mo guchruth :
Declan Padruig na n Desi, na Desi ag Declan go bruth. "99
In these verses it was prophesied, that Albeus should be the second Patrick and Patron over Munster, and that Declan should be a second Patrick and Patron over the Desies, while the territory of that people should remain his diocese to the end of the world. Afterwards, the holy bishops bestowed their blessing on King yEngus, and proceeded to the sphere of their respective labours, in order to spread die Gospel throughout Ireland. On their depar-
100 The
Bat, in the copy of the Isidore Manuscript,
obtained at Rome, the word "Leometrice"
was wanting. The reading being rendered
printed,
received from them a kiss of
and the young Desies chief Feargall, or Ferdinand, having assembled at the place called Hynneon, the army and entire population of the Desies being in attendance, Christianity was proclaimed, and its laws were incorporated
ture,
-1
king
the
See '"Acta Sanctorum," tenuis v. ,
peace.
holy bishop Declan,
Juliixxiv. De S. Declano Episcopo Ard- m >r'ae in H. bernia, cap. vi. , sect. 47, p. 62.
conformable to this copy, and to Colgan's ""
the Acts of our saint state, ut ipsi in writing, in Trias Thaumaturga,'' Appen-
parochia episcopates ejus essent, quse est iii. , sect, xiv. , p. 201 ; it is to be suspected,
"
magna and clara.
96 In the Life of St. Declan, cap. 30, it is
stated, that the people of Desies showed the
same obedience to their patron, St. Declan,
that was exhibited towards St. Patrick, by
the Irish people in other places. Quoting
this passage, Rev. Dr. Lanigan says, that
the drift of this passage was to insinuate,
that Declan's See of Ardmore had been
exempt from the jurisdiction of Armagh. See
"
that the word Leometrice had been intro- duced by an inexact scribe.
98 The Irish distich in the text is thus en-
tered, in Smith's "Ancient and Present
State of the County a—nd City of Waterford,"
Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. i. > chap, vi. , sect, vii. , n. 70, p. 286.
