"
—Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Ilibernuu.
—Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Ilibernuu.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v8
102.
Maighen.
Had Mr.
Wakeman learned the
of that celebrated monument before his article was written, the account could have been rendered more complete. In the article already referred to, writing of this hill, he
"
such a site in the times of cam building and cremation could hardly fail to have been chosen by a primitive people as a fitting spot whereon to deposit the ashes of
22 Celebrated in verses elegant
by the late
justly says,
34 St. Cetemana was the first Irish
who received the veil, and from the hands of St. Patrickhimself. Shewasplacedbyhim over the nunnery of Drumdubhain, near
history
1st of January. "
11
Castle Hill or Rathmor, at Clogher, singularly resembles the ancient ruins in the
plain of Donagh Moyne, called Maighen or Mannan Castle, the ancient Domnach
William Carleton.
23 See an account of her, in the Second
V—olume of this work, at the 1st of February
the date for her Art. iii. feast,
virgin
August 15. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 217
daughter of Echodius, the dynast of that territory. She was placed there by 2
St. Patrick, and left under the care of St. Cetemaria. * Echodius himself was unwilling to become a Christian, but he was induced by the Irish Apostle to permit his daughter to take the veil and to consecrate her virginity to God. The descendants of Eochod were called in later times Clann- Daimhin, represented so late as the fourteenth century by the family of Dwyer. The famous Glen of Altadaven, about four miles to the south-east of Clogher, still retains the name of that once powerful clan. The Glen of Altadaven is partly celebrated for the romantic wildness and beauty of its scenery, and it adjoins Lough Mor, the source of the Abhain Mor or Blackwater.
On one occasion, according to St. Maccarthan's fragmentary Life, Eochod ordered a beast, which had been useful in carrying necessaries for the monas- tery,tobedrivenfromapastureandtiedtoastone. Sufferingfromhunger, this poor animal commenced a piteous lowing, which, when a Magus in the
prince's confidence had heard, he said to Eochod " Know, that thou hast
:
incurred a great loss, because thou hast ordered the bishop's ox to be tied. For, wheresoever this animal's lowing was heard, that land shall be in the bishop's possession. " This prophecy is said to have been afterwards fulfilled ; but, fearing its verification, Eochod then sent his youthful son, Corpre, with orders to expel God's servant from his possession. However, his queen forbade her boy to convey this message to the saint, lest his malediction should follow, rather than a benediction, she hoped to procure for her son. Nevertheless, the father urged Corpre to execute his commands. The son went through obedience, although with unwillingness, which was manifested by a flood of tears. The queen was greatly moved, on witnessing these signs of reluctance, and she gave an apple to the child on his departure. When the boy came to the middle of a highway, he lost that apple, and he vainly searched for it a long time. The disturbance of his mind at length induced him to fall into a profound sleep. A great number of persons on foot and on horseback passed by, without seeing or injuring him, and without even disturbing his repose. Wondering what delayed his son so long, Eochod sent messengers after him. They returned without being able to find him. This failure plunged the king and his entire court into the greatest sorrow. Their grief was only dispelled on the following day, by the return of his boy, who, after awaking from sleep, immediately found the apple he had before vainly sought. Being questioned about the
cause of his delay, he related what had occurred during his absence, declar-
ing that during his sleep, he believed himself to have been covered by the
bishop's mantle, whilst a fragrant odour was diffused around the place of his
repose.
2 *
Nevertheless, supposing
that
magic
arts had been to effect employed
this miracle, Eochod again sent one of his people to extinguish the fire in our
saint's monastery, and to expel him from Orgiell territory. However, as this
messenge* was about to execute the dynast's order, he felt his hands unable to move. Thus finding chastisements of Heaven visited on him, falling on his knees before the servant of God, Eochod humbly implored forgiveness. This being freely granted, his punishment was remitted, and he returned, relating all that had occurred. Still unchanged in purpose, the dynast resolved in person to execute his intentions. With drawn sword, he was about to deal a fatal stroke against our saint, when he became rigid as a marble statue, beifig unable to move hand or foot, whilst at the same time he was deprived of the use of speech. His queen followed her husband, to
"
Acta Sanctorum Hiber- called the Nun's Hill. Near it are two niae," xxiv. Martii. De S. Macaerthenni enclosed wells or springs, called "the Epis. Clochorensi. Ex variis, cap. viii. , pp.
Sisters. "
Clogher— probably that place in the demesne 25 See Colgan's
738, 739.
2i8 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[August i$
defeat, if possible, such murderous intentions. Seeing him thus visibly punished for his impious attempt, she gave away to tears, and prayed our
saint to restore him. The saintly bishop, moved by her passionate request, sprinkled the husband with holy water, and immediately Eochod recovered his former faculties. When understanding had resumed the place of passion in the king's mind, he fell prostrate on the earth before the man of God, and
promised faithfully to perform whatever might be required. Afterwards, he bestowed lands on Maccarthen, for the use of his newly-founded monas-
6 tery. '
One day, whilst our saint had been engaged in the study of Sacred Scrip-
ture, the shades of night began to approach. But, the Almighty, who had regard for his servant's pious wishes, and for a regret he would have felt in
being obliged to desist from study, diffused a light, powerful as that of the noon-day sun, around the monastery, and this continued during the whole night. We are told, that on one occasion, St. Maccarthen commenced a sermon at day-break, and continued it during a whole night, until morning again dawned. *? Although he excelled as a preacher of God's word, yet it is difficult to believe, that such extraordinary physical and mental exertion could naturally be endured, without some periods of interruption.
In the exercise of merciful works and of hospitality, our saint was ever en- gaged. Atonetime,somestrangeguestscametovisithim,whenhisstores of provision had been exhausted. Our saint besought the Lord, who provides for the meanest wants even of the brute creation, to extend his compassion on this occasion, for the relief of his servants' necessities. His prayers were heard, and relief was miraculously afforded. We are told, in his Acts, that corn had been rained down from Heaven on his monastery, during a whole night, whilst a most clear fountain sprung up in a place heretofore devoid of water. The bread produced from this grain tasted sweet as honey, and the water even had a vinous taste. All who were cognizant of that miracle admired those wonders God is pleased to work through his saints ; and, after the Israelite manner, the guests fed upon this miraculous manna, and
38
drank of the desert water.
CHAPTER III.
ST. MACCARTHEN's SPIRIT OF PROPHECY—HE HEALS A DEMONIAC—HE IS STATED TO HAVE BEEN ABBOT OVER DAIRINIS—DEATH OF ST. MACCARTHEN AND HIS FESTIVALS—MEMORIALS OF THE SAINT—HIS NEW CATHEDRAL—LIST OF THE EARLY BISHOPS OF CLOGHER—CONCLUSION.
BESIDES the many other graces St. Maccarthenn had received from the
Almighty, the spirit of prophecy was also granted to him in a special degree. A certain penurious and hard-hearted man—once had been asked by the
—bishop, for permission to graze an ox which he kept for monastic holy
uses on a farm belonging to the avaricious proprietor. But, when he refused this trifling request, St. Maccarthen declared in a spirit of prophecy, that
26 a8 See ibid. , cap. ix. , p. 739.
See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber- 27 Seethe Bollandists' "Acta Sanctorum," niae," xxiv. Martii. De S. Macaerthenni tomus iii. , xxiv. Martii. De S. Maccar- Epis. Clochorensi. Ex variis, cap. xii. ,
thenno, Ep. et Con. Clochorae in Hibernia,
p. 739.
Chapter iii. — ' See " Acta Colgan's
Acta sect. Mutila,
4, p. 209.
August 15. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 219
nine warriors would behead him, and that he should be ignorant of the time when, and the place whence, these men would come. He also declared, that because of his refusal to provide for that animal, the man's farm should also
become the property of his monastery. These predictions were exactly fulfilled ; for some time afterwards, nine men beheaded that avaricious person,
and brought his head, wrapped up in a covering, to a place some short dis- tance removed from the scene of his execution. Here, they ignominiously cast it aside, and immediately departed. The author of our saint's mutilated Acts declares, that by these and like miracles, the servant of Christ during his lifetime illuminated the world, like its bright luminary, the sun ; and that, when about to leave this earth, he wrought many miracles. 1 A few of these he promised to relate; but, the reader's curiosity must rest satisfied with a narration of the following miracle, which is all that has escaped the wreck of time, in a published form.
An inhabitant of Clogher diocese had a wife, possessed by an evil spirit.
Having imprisoned her in a certain part of Clogher city, he cohabited with
another woman. At the end of a year, he released the demoniac from prison,
andbroughthertohisownhouse,wherehekeptherbound. Theunhappy
woman, whilst in this state, saw a man of reverend appearance approach her,
and surrounded with a preternatural brightness. Struck with admiration, she
:
cried out " Who, sir, art thou ? or what dost thou seek ? "
He answered
:
11 I am
morrow shalt thou be liberated and restored. " This promise was exactly fulfilled ; for, at dawn on the following day, the afflicted woman received health of mind and body, to the great astonishment of all her acquaintances. Being released from her bondage, she lived afterwards with her husband, and in the same house. 3 Lands were bestowed on St. Maccarthen, likewise, for the use ofhis newly-founded monastery.
We are told, that our saint had been called Ferdachrich,3 from the cir- cumstance of his living at two different places, and of having administered in succession the affairs of two churches, namely those of Darinis and of Clogher. 4 In confirmation of this assertion, Colgan cites Marianus, and his scholiast, at
Bishop Maccarthen,
who come to free thee from
thy infirmity
;
to-
the15thofAugust. * Accordingtotheseauthorities,oursaintwasAbbotof 6
Darinis. This, however, is incorrect, and founded upon some erroneous
tradition. He was Abbot of Dairinis at first, as understood by the O'Clerys,
from two Irish quatrains. ? Of these, an English translation has been
furnished.
8
However, it has been denied by Rev. Dr. Lanigan, that Mac-
Sanctorum Hibernise," xxiv. Martii. De
Epis. ,cap. i. , p. 737, andnn. 2, 3, 4, 5, p. 739,
6 See Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- nise," xxiv. Martii. Appendix ad Acta S.
S. Macaerthanno
Epis. , cap. xiii. , p.
s See n.
ibid. , 5, p. 739.
739- 2
.
This account ends the fragment of our
saint's Life, as published by Colgan. See Macaerthenni Epis. , cap. i. , p. 740.
ibid. , cap. xiv. , p. 739.
3 A note referring to this St. Aedh, bishop
of Clogher, written partly in Irish and partly in Latin, is found in the Table postfixed to
the Donegal Martyrology. It is thus trans- lated into English by Dr. Todd. [" i. e. , Fir-
da-chrioch and Maccarthinn; at the present day he is commonly called Bishop Caoir- thinninClochar; thesamewhoiscommonly called, from the last name, Maccartinus. "] See ibid. , pp. 356, 357. Again he is iden- tified with Aodh, pp. 438, 439.
4 See Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- nise," xxiv. Martii. De S. Macaerthenno
7 See « ' of edited Martyrology Donegal,"
by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 218, 219.
8
Thus :—
" Aedh was his name in reality,
"
Grandson of Aithmet, good was his deed,
True brother, after victory with fame,
ToMaelruain,ourteacher.
Fer-da-chrioch was his name at first I will tell you his history ;
His name at Clochar was sweet, After that, Bishop Mac Cairthinn. "
220 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[August 15.
earthen was called Ferdachrioch ; such a term, in his opinion, better suiting the circumstances of St. Tigernach, his successor, who was Bishop of Clones and of Clogher. 9 Neither was St. Maccarthen abbot of Dairinis in Wexford.
IO
The mistake has been ascribed
Neither did he govern Damliinis, or Devenish, in Lough Erne, since it was not founded for many years after his time, and St. Laisre alias Molasse " is known to have been its founder. The Calendar of Cashel seems to distin-
"
O'Connor states in the letter already quoted,
*? See " Acta Sanctorum 1 liber- Colgan's
9 See
vol. i. ,
10
" llis feast occurs, at the I2th of Sep- t ember.
12 " S. IVrdachrichus, Episcopus de
Colchar, post Episcopum Maccarthenium.
"
—Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Ilibernuu. "
xxiv. Martii. Appendix ad Acta S. exxiii. , exxiv.
Macaerthenni Epis. Clochorensi,cap. 1,
p. 740.
1 Ussher says, treating of St. Maccarthen,
"quern ante Moctheum ix. videlicet Kalen-
das — Domini nvi. , obiisse legi- Aprilisanno
Ecclesiastical History of Ireland,"
ix. j sect, ii. , n. 15, p. 436.
chap,
By Rev. Dr. Lanigan.
nite," xxiv. Martii. Appendix ad Acta S. Macaerthenni, Epis. Clochorensi, cap. i. , p. 740.
to the scholiast of Marianus O'Gorman.
the Ferdacroich and Maccarthen. 12 We do not know the guish names,
age our saint had attained at the time of his death. Still, from the principal circum-
stance mentioned in his Life, we learn, that he was well advanced in years, before his appointment to Clogher See, he being old when St. Patrick was aged and infirm. Might he not have attained an extreme old age, likewise, and have not been too young to assume a bishopric, when St. Patrick had visited Inish-owen ? It is generally stated, that St. Maccarthen departed this life, in the year 506,^ being then advanced in years, when he was succeeded
St. 1 * who died a. d. by Tighernach,
550,
So far as can be ascertained, the grave of St. Maccarthin, according to the
uniform tradition of the place, was just adjoining the spot, where a large white- thorn bush stood some years ago in the burial-ground to the north of the present Protestant church, and convenient to the graveyard wall of en- closure. 16 For a long time, the peasants were in the habit of taking with them some of the earth from the grave of St. Maccarthin, and this goes to
strengthen that tradition regarding the locality of the holy bishop's grave. His festival is celebrated at Clogher, on the 24th of March, which is
thought by
some writers, to have been the
of his death. 1 ?
day
to the Martyrology of Salisbury, and the testimony of Ussher, cited in a fore-
goingnote,oursaint'sNatalisisassignedtothatdate. Thisalsoagreeswith the account in St. Maccarthen's Acts, according to the last-named autho- rity. He is venerated as the patron saint of Clogher diocese ; and, a Double OfficeoftheFirst-Classis recitedbytheclergyofthatdiocese,onthe24th of March.
Another festival in honour of this saint, was kept on the 15th of August,
In the " Fei—lire " of St.
at the 15th of August, is commemorated Fer-dd-chrich rendered "man of the two districts. " The commentator adds, that he was abbot of Dairinis, while the designation Fer da chrich is interpreted "a champion" or" enthroned. " 1 ?
The of 20 of Marianus O'Gorman, of and of
to several Irish
according Martyrologies.
18
Martyrologies Tallagh,
Mnguire,
Martyrology, ——
September August 15 Firdacrioch et S. Sarani tt filia- 14 See his Acts, in the Fourth Volume of rum Carpre. " See Rev. Dr. Kelly's
"
Calendar of Irish Saints," pp. xix. , xxxii. 'S See ibid. , at the 5th of Apiil, Art. iii. In the Book of Leinster copy of this Martyr- 16 It is nearly opposite to the residence of ology, I find at the former date epp mac Mr. James McAleer, as Rev. Daniel CapchuTo, and at the latter day only the
mus. "
**
Hriannicarum Ecclesiarum Ami-
quitates," cap. xvii. , p. 445.
this work, at the 4th of April, Art. i.
on the Nones of 's April.
"See " Transactions of the Royal Irish
Academy," Jrish Manuscript Series, vol. i. ,
On the Calendar of
part i. Oengus, pp.
ffSeeibid. ,p. exxxi. 90
we read,
"
In the Martyrology of Tallagh, at the
ix. of the Kalends of April 24th —March —
I find the festival of" Esp. mac Cairtind. "
And in the same of the Kalends of
at the xviii.
According
^Engus,
August 15. ] LIVES OE THE IRISH SAINTS. 221
Donegal, as also the Calendar of Cashel, enter our saint's festival at this day. In the Irish Calendar, belonging to the Ordnance Survey Office, Phoenix
Park, we do not find any notice whatever regarding St. Aidus or Maccarthenn, at the 24th of March. In the Irish Calendar at the xvii. of the Calends of
September—August 15th—we find notices of our saint. 21 this saint's festival day, and on the authority of Jocelyn,
Without giving Father Henry Fitzsimon seems to mention him under the name of Kirtemius. 23 In the Scottish Menologies, the feast of this saint is entered, at the present day. Thus, in the Calendar of Drummond,24 we find it recorded. The Rev. Alban 2s notes St. Mac Confessor, otherwise called Aid or Aed,
22
Bishop of Clogher, at the 15th of August. Also, in the "Circle of the
26
Seasons," his feast is thus entered.
We are told, that a relic of this saint, called Cloc Firdachrioch, or " the
bell of Ferdacrioch," was preserved at Tamlacht, over which St. Maelruan,
2
his relative, ruled as abbot. 7 Regarding the fate of the Cloch-oir, we have
now no certain information. 28 The ancient Cloch-oir is not to be confounded
with the stone still at the Protestant church of 29 and preserved Clogher,
which leans against the north side of the church opposite the door o—f the present post-office. This stone is the shaft of the old market cross the socket of which stands at the palace entrance. A Latin hymn, 3° in praise of St.
Butler,
Cartan,
Mac Carthinn, has been composed, according to a very probable opinion, by 1
RightRev. PatrickCullen,BishopofClogher. 3 Itisintenstanzas,andpre- served in the Diocesan Library of Cashel.
The old Irish Genealogies enumerate several saints, who belong to the
family or race of the present holy bishop : thus, Saints Boga, Colma, or 2
Columba, and Lassara, virgins,3 St. Colman,33 St. Coman or Colman Elo,34
to avoid desecration at the hands of the Thus: &ox> Gfp . 1. &fp niACCAnc- modern Iconoclasts, concealed the most 1iAm oCtocAp A-£vy T^atm cvmoc Ainm 01 ie valuable relics, such as- the Domnach
entry pivoAquch. 21 "
ahCAn
Abb >e eAtn
j\obA 'OAj\ittr 0C5 CU15-
— —the ofwhich
Airgid history O'Curry gives
the bell of St. Mac Cartain, which is said to have been concealed in a lake, or marsh, to the west of the church, and opposite the residence of the late learned and esteemed
cion Af riA f\AnAib fe. Aev> bA he a Ainf 1 &\\ bpiop : 11 a Aicmit) bA mAic Ajmof por\
bnuAp 1A|\ buAit> 50 bibit) t>o maoipuan
•AiAfxb poi]\ce<yoL peon 2 cpioc a Ainm
Anccg : imp pocoib Aiomug a Ainm P. P. , the Rev. Philip Connolly, and the.
ACcLocAf\babin s lajvpn epp mcCAncAi'n. " —Ordnance Survey Office Copy, Phoenix Park, "Common Place Book F," pp. 70, 71.
Clock oir, which was thrown into a cavern or well under the street near the present market-house of Clogher.
29 This is a popular misconception, accord- ing to what is stated in Lewis' "Topographi-
cal Dictionary of Ireland," vol. i. , p. 342.
3° See "Irish Ecclesiastical Record,"
vol. v. , January, 1869, pp. 185 to 187. A translation of it occurs in the number for
March, 1870, vol. vi. , pp. 275, 276.
3I He presided in that See from a. d. 1519
to A. D. 1534.
32
22 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Vita Sexta S. Patricii, cap. cxliii. , p. 96, and n. 151, p. 115.
"
Kalendars of Scottish Saints," p. 21. "
23 See O'Sullevan Beare's "Historiae
Catholicse Iberniae Compendium," tomus i. ,
lib. iv. , cap. xii. , p. 55. Catalogus aliquorum Sanctorum Ibernige.
24 As follows— xviii. Kal. Sept. : "Eodem
Die apud Hiberniam N—atale Sancti Con-
These were daughters to Comgell, son of Fingalach, son to Deman, sonofNua- 25 See Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs thai, son to Mutalan, son of Cantalan, son to Fiengalach, son of Nied, son to Buan, from whom the Dal-Buan issue. They are venerated at Lettir, in Dalrieda, on the 22nd of See, at that the First
fessoris Firdachrich. " Bishop Forbes'
and other principal Saints," vol. viii. , August xv.
26
See p. 228.
" Acta Sanctorum Hiber- niae," xxiv. Martii. Appendix ad Acta S.
27 See
Macaerthanni Epis. , cap. i. , p. 740.
Colgan's
January. date, Volume of this work, Art. iv.
33 fje was son to Lugneus, son of Cass, son to Rectatius, son of Cannech, son to Rev. Daniel O'Connor, has it, that at the Buan. His feast is supposed to have been time of the Reformation, the guardians of either on the 21st of February, or on the the sacred depositories at Clogher, in order 30th of March. The reader is referred to
28
But a local tradition, according to Very
222 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[August 15.
St. Dabyus, or Mobyus, or Mobyteus,35 St. Macnessius or Coeman,*6 St.
St. or 8 St. Senan,39 St. Thian or Thius. «° Maelruan,37 Mugcnia Libania,3
Besides these are added St. Brandubh, Bishop,41 St. Cailin or Cailan,*2 St. 6
Cassin,<3 St. Guasacus," St. Cualan or Colan. ^St. Manchan,* St. Lochan,*? St.
of that celebrated monument before his article was written, the account could have been rendered more complete. In the article already referred to, writing of this hill, he
"
such a site in the times of cam building and cremation could hardly fail to have been chosen by a primitive people as a fitting spot whereon to deposit the ashes of
22 Celebrated in verses elegant
by the late
justly says,
34 St. Cetemana was the first Irish
who received the veil, and from the hands of St. Patrickhimself. Shewasplacedbyhim over the nunnery of Drumdubhain, near
history
1st of January. "
11
Castle Hill or Rathmor, at Clogher, singularly resembles the ancient ruins in the
plain of Donagh Moyne, called Maighen or Mannan Castle, the ancient Domnach
William Carleton.
23 See an account of her, in the Second
V—olume of this work, at the 1st of February
the date for her Art. iii. feast,
virgin
August 15. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 217
daughter of Echodius, the dynast of that territory. She was placed there by 2
St. Patrick, and left under the care of St. Cetemaria. * Echodius himself was unwilling to become a Christian, but he was induced by the Irish Apostle to permit his daughter to take the veil and to consecrate her virginity to God. The descendants of Eochod were called in later times Clann- Daimhin, represented so late as the fourteenth century by the family of Dwyer. The famous Glen of Altadaven, about four miles to the south-east of Clogher, still retains the name of that once powerful clan. The Glen of Altadaven is partly celebrated for the romantic wildness and beauty of its scenery, and it adjoins Lough Mor, the source of the Abhain Mor or Blackwater.
On one occasion, according to St. Maccarthan's fragmentary Life, Eochod ordered a beast, which had been useful in carrying necessaries for the monas- tery,tobedrivenfromapastureandtiedtoastone. Sufferingfromhunger, this poor animal commenced a piteous lowing, which, when a Magus in the
prince's confidence had heard, he said to Eochod " Know, that thou hast
:
incurred a great loss, because thou hast ordered the bishop's ox to be tied. For, wheresoever this animal's lowing was heard, that land shall be in the bishop's possession. " This prophecy is said to have been afterwards fulfilled ; but, fearing its verification, Eochod then sent his youthful son, Corpre, with orders to expel God's servant from his possession. However, his queen forbade her boy to convey this message to the saint, lest his malediction should follow, rather than a benediction, she hoped to procure for her son. Nevertheless, the father urged Corpre to execute his commands. The son went through obedience, although with unwillingness, which was manifested by a flood of tears. The queen was greatly moved, on witnessing these signs of reluctance, and she gave an apple to the child on his departure. When the boy came to the middle of a highway, he lost that apple, and he vainly searched for it a long time. The disturbance of his mind at length induced him to fall into a profound sleep. A great number of persons on foot and on horseback passed by, without seeing or injuring him, and without even disturbing his repose. Wondering what delayed his son so long, Eochod sent messengers after him. They returned without being able to find him. This failure plunged the king and his entire court into the greatest sorrow. Their grief was only dispelled on the following day, by the return of his boy, who, after awaking from sleep, immediately found the apple he had before vainly sought. Being questioned about the
cause of his delay, he related what had occurred during his absence, declar-
ing that during his sleep, he believed himself to have been covered by the
bishop's mantle, whilst a fragrant odour was diffused around the place of his
repose.
2 *
Nevertheless, supposing
that
magic
arts had been to effect employed
this miracle, Eochod again sent one of his people to extinguish the fire in our
saint's monastery, and to expel him from Orgiell territory. However, as this
messenge* was about to execute the dynast's order, he felt his hands unable to move. Thus finding chastisements of Heaven visited on him, falling on his knees before the servant of God, Eochod humbly implored forgiveness. This being freely granted, his punishment was remitted, and he returned, relating all that had occurred. Still unchanged in purpose, the dynast resolved in person to execute his intentions. With drawn sword, he was about to deal a fatal stroke against our saint, when he became rigid as a marble statue, beifig unable to move hand or foot, whilst at the same time he was deprived of the use of speech. His queen followed her husband, to
"
Acta Sanctorum Hiber- called the Nun's Hill. Near it are two niae," xxiv. Martii. De S. Macaerthenni enclosed wells or springs, called "the Epis. Clochorensi. Ex variis, cap. viii. , pp.
Sisters. "
Clogher— probably that place in the demesne 25 See Colgan's
738, 739.
2i8 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[August i$
defeat, if possible, such murderous intentions. Seeing him thus visibly punished for his impious attempt, she gave away to tears, and prayed our
saint to restore him. The saintly bishop, moved by her passionate request, sprinkled the husband with holy water, and immediately Eochod recovered his former faculties. When understanding had resumed the place of passion in the king's mind, he fell prostrate on the earth before the man of God, and
promised faithfully to perform whatever might be required. Afterwards, he bestowed lands on Maccarthen, for the use of his newly-founded monas-
6 tery. '
One day, whilst our saint had been engaged in the study of Sacred Scrip-
ture, the shades of night began to approach. But, the Almighty, who had regard for his servant's pious wishes, and for a regret he would have felt in
being obliged to desist from study, diffused a light, powerful as that of the noon-day sun, around the monastery, and this continued during the whole night. We are told, that on one occasion, St. Maccarthen commenced a sermon at day-break, and continued it during a whole night, until morning again dawned. *? Although he excelled as a preacher of God's word, yet it is difficult to believe, that such extraordinary physical and mental exertion could naturally be endured, without some periods of interruption.
In the exercise of merciful works and of hospitality, our saint was ever en- gaged. Atonetime,somestrangeguestscametovisithim,whenhisstores of provision had been exhausted. Our saint besought the Lord, who provides for the meanest wants even of the brute creation, to extend his compassion on this occasion, for the relief of his servants' necessities. His prayers were heard, and relief was miraculously afforded. We are told, in his Acts, that corn had been rained down from Heaven on his monastery, during a whole night, whilst a most clear fountain sprung up in a place heretofore devoid of water. The bread produced from this grain tasted sweet as honey, and the water even had a vinous taste. All who were cognizant of that miracle admired those wonders God is pleased to work through his saints ; and, after the Israelite manner, the guests fed upon this miraculous manna, and
38
drank of the desert water.
CHAPTER III.
ST. MACCARTHEN's SPIRIT OF PROPHECY—HE HEALS A DEMONIAC—HE IS STATED TO HAVE BEEN ABBOT OVER DAIRINIS—DEATH OF ST. MACCARTHEN AND HIS FESTIVALS—MEMORIALS OF THE SAINT—HIS NEW CATHEDRAL—LIST OF THE EARLY BISHOPS OF CLOGHER—CONCLUSION.
BESIDES the many other graces St. Maccarthenn had received from the
Almighty, the spirit of prophecy was also granted to him in a special degree. A certain penurious and hard-hearted man—once had been asked by the
—bishop, for permission to graze an ox which he kept for monastic holy
uses on a farm belonging to the avaricious proprietor. But, when he refused this trifling request, St. Maccarthen declared in a spirit of prophecy, that
26 a8 See ibid. , cap. ix. , p. 739.
See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber- 27 Seethe Bollandists' "Acta Sanctorum," niae," xxiv. Martii. De S. Macaerthenni tomus iii. , xxiv. Martii. De S. Maccar- Epis. Clochorensi. Ex variis, cap. xii. ,
thenno, Ep. et Con. Clochorae in Hibernia,
p. 739.
Chapter iii. — ' See " Acta Colgan's
Acta sect. Mutila,
4, p. 209.
August 15. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 219
nine warriors would behead him, and that he should be ignorant of the time when, and the place whence, these men would come. He also declared, that because of his refusal to provide for that animal, the man's farm should also
become the property of his monastery. These predictions were exactly fulfilled ; for some time afterwards, nine men beheaded that avaricious person,
and brought his head, wrapped up in a covering, to a place some short dis- tance removed from the scene of his execution. Here, they ignominiously cast it aside, and immediately departed. The author of our saint's mutilated Acts declares, that by these and like miracles, the servant of Christ during his lifetime illuminated the world, like its bright luminary, the sun ; and that, when about to leave this earth, he wrought many miracles. 1 A few of these he promised to relate; but, the reader's curiosity must rest satisfied with a narration of the following miracle, which is all that has escaped the wreck of time, in a published form.
An inhabitant of Clogher diocese had a wife, possessed by an evil spirit.
Having imprisoned her in a certain part of Clogher city, he cohabited with
another woman. At the end of a year, he released the demoniac from prison,
andbroughthertohisownhouse,wherehekeptherbound. Theunhappy
woman, whilst in this state, saw a man of reverend appearance approach her,
and surrounded with a preternatural brightness. Struck with admiration, she
:
cried out " Who, sir, art thou ? or what dost thou seek ? "
He answered
:
11 I am
morrow shalt thou be liberated and restored. " This promise was exactly fulfilled ; for, at dawn on the following day, the afflicted woman received health of mind and body, to the great astonishment of all her acquaintances. Being released from her bondage, she lived afterwards with her husband, and in the same house. 3 Lands were bestowed on St. Maccarthen, likewise, for the use ofhis newly-founded monastery.
We are told, that our saint had been called Ferdachrich,3 from the cir- cumstance of his living at two different places, and of having administered in succession the affairs of two churches, namely those of Darinis and of Clogher. 4 In confirmation of this assertion, Colgan cites Marianus, and his scholiast, at
Bishop Maccarthen,
who come to free thee from
thy infirmity
;
to-
the15thofAugust. * Accordingtotheseauthorities,oursaintwasAbbotof 6
Darinis. This, however, is incorrect, and founded upon some erroneous
tradition. He was Abbot of Dairinis at first, as understood by the O'Clerys,
from two Irish quatrains. ? Of these, an English translation has been
furnished.
8
However, it has been denied by Rev. Dr. Lanigan, that Mac-
Sanctorum Hibernise," xxiv. Martii. De
Epis. ,cap. i. , p. 737, andnn. 2, 3, 4, 5, p. 739,
6 See Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- nise," xxiv. Martii. Appendix ad Acta S.
S. Macaerthanno
Epis. , cap. xiii. , p.
s See n.
ibid. , 5, p. 739.
739- 2
.
This account ends the fragment of our
saint's Life, as published by Colgan. See Macaerthenni Epis. , cap. i. , p. 740.
ibid. , cap. xiv. , p. 739.
3 A note referring to this St. Aedh, bishop
of Clogher, written partly in Irish and partly in Latin, is found in the Table postfixed to
the Donegal Martyrology. It is thus trans- lated into English by Dr. Todd. [" i. e. , Fir-
da-chrioch and Maccarthinn; at the present day he is commonly called Bishop Caoir- thinninClochar; thesamewhoiscommonly called, from the last name, Maccartinus. "] See ibid. , pp. 356, 357. Again he is iden- tified with Aodh, pp. 438, 439.
4 See Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- nise," xxiv. Martii. De S. Macaerthenno
7 See « ' of edited Martyrology Donegal,"
by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 218, 219.
8
Thus :—
" Aedh was his name in reality,
"
Grandson of Aithmet, good was his deed,
True brother, after victory with fame,
ToMaelruain,ourteacher.
Fer-da-chrioch was his name at first I will tell you his history ;
His name at Clochar was sweet, After that, Bishop Mac Cairthinn. "
220 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[August 15.
earthen was called Ferdachrioch ; such a term, in his opinion, better suiting the circumstances of St. Tigernach, his successor, who was Bishop of Clones and of Clogher. 9 Neither was St. Maccarthen abbot of Dairinis in Wexford.
IO
The mistake has been ascribed
Neither did he govern Damliinis, or Devenish, in Lough Erne, since it was not founded for many years after his time, and St. Laisre alias Molasse " is known to have been its founder. The Calendar of Cashel seems to distin-
"
O'Connor states in the letter already quoted,
*? See " Acta Sanctorum 1 liber- Colgan's
9 See
vol. i. ,
10
" llis feast occurs, at the I2th of Sep- t ember.
12 " S. IVrdachrichus, Episcopus de
Colchar, post Episcopum Maccarthenium.
"
—Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Ilibernuu. "
xxiv. Martii. Appendix ad Acta S. exxiii. , exxiv.
Macaerthenni Epis. Clochorensi,cap. 1,
p. 740.
1 Ussher says, treating of St. Maccarthen,
"quern ante Moctheum ix. videlicet Kalen-
das — Domini nvi. , obiisse legi- Aprilisanno
Ecclesiastical History of Ireland,"
ix. j sect, ii. , n. 15, p. 436.
chap,
By Rev. Dr. Lanigan.
nite," xxiv. Martii. Appendix ad Acta S. Macaerthenni, Epis. Clochorensi, cap. i. , p. 740.
to the scholiast of Marianus O'Gorman.
the Ferdacroich and Maccarthen. 12 We do not know the guish names,
age our saint had attained at the time of his death. Still, from the principal circum-
stance mentioned in his Life, we learn, that he was well advanced in years, before his appointment to Clogher See, he being old when St. Patrick was aged and infirm. Might he not have attained an extreme old age, likewise, and have not been too young to assume a bishopric, when St. Patrick had visited Inish-owen ? It is generally stated, that St. Maccarthen departed this life, in the year 506,^ being then advanced in years, when he was succeeded
St. 1 * who died a. d. by Tighernach,
550,
So far as can be ascertained, the grave of St. Maccarthin, according to the
uniform tradition of the place, was just adjoining the spot, where a large white- thorn bush stood some years ago in the burial-ground to the north of the present Protestant church, and convenient to the graveyard wall of en- closure. 16 For a long time, the peasants were in the habit of taking with them some of the earth from the grave of St. Maccarthin, and this goes to
strengthen that tradition regarding the locality of the holy bishop's grave. His festival is celebrated at Clogher, on the 24th of March, which is
thought by
some writers, to have been the
of his death. 1 ?
day
to the Martyrology of Salisbury, and the testimony of Ussher, cited in a fore-
goingnote,oursaint'sNatalisisassignedtothatdate. Thisalsoagreeswith the account in St. Maccarthen's Acts, according to the last-named autho- rity. He is venerated as the patron saint of Clogher diocese ; and, a Double OfficeoftheFirst-Classis recitedbytheclergyofthatdiocese,onthe24th of March.
Another festival in honour of this saint, was kept on the 15th of August,
In the " Fei—lire " of St.
at the 15th of August, is commemorated Fer-dd-chrich rendered "man of the two districts. " The commentator adds, that he was abbot of Dairinis, while the designation Fer da chrich is interpreted "a champion" or" enthroned. " 1 ?
The of 20 of Marianus O'Gorman, of and of
to several Irish
according Martyrologies.
18
Martyrologies Tallagh,
Mnguire,
Martyrology, ——
September August 15 Firdacrioch et S. Sarani tt filia- 14 See his Acts, in the Fourth Volume of rum Carpre. " See Rev. Dr. Kelly's
"
Calendar of Irish Saints," pp. xix. , xxxii. 'S See ibid. , at the 5th of Apiil, Art. iii. In the Book of Leinster copy of this Martyr- 16 It is nearly opposite to the residence of ology, I find at the former date epp mac Mr. James McAleer, as Rev. Daniel CapchuTo, and at the latter day only the
mus. "
**
Hriannicarum Ecclesiarum Ami-
quitates," cap. xvii. , p. 445.
this work, at the 4th of April, Art. i.
on the Nones of 's April.
"See " Transactions of the Royal Irish
Academy," Jrish Manuscript Series, vol. i. ,
On the Calendar of
part i. Oengus, pp.
ffSeeibid. ,p. exxxi. 90
we read,
"
In the Martyrology of Tallagh, at the
ix. of the Kalends of April 24th —March —
I find the festival of" Esp. mac Cairtind. "
And in the same of the Kalends of
at the xviii.
According
^Engus,
August 15. ] LIVES OE THE IRISH SAINTS. 221
Donegal, as also the Calendar of Cashel, enter our saint's festival at this day. In the Irish Calendar, belonging to the Ordnance Survey Office, Phoenix
Park, we do not find any notice whatever regarding St. Aidus or Maccarthenn, at the 24th of March. In the Irish Calendar at the xvii. of the Calends of
September—August 15th—we find notices of our saint. 21 this saint's festival day, and on the authority of Jocelyn,
Without giving Father Henry Fitzsimon seems to mention him under the name of Kirtemius. 23 In the Scottish Menologies, the feast of this saint is entered, at the present day. Thus, in the Calendar of Drummond,24 we find it recorded. The Rev. Alban 2s notes St. Mac Confessor, otherwise called Aid or Aed,
22
Bishop of Clogher, at the 15th of August. Also, in the "Circle of the
26
Seasons," his feast is thus entered.
We are told, that a relic of this saint, called Cloc Firdachrioch, or " the
bell of Ferdacrioch," was preserved at Tamlacht, over which St. Maelruan,
2
his relative, ruled as abbot. 7 Regarding the fate of the Cloch-oir, we have
now no certain information. 28 The ancient Cloch-oir is not to be confounded
with the stone still at the Protestant church of 29 and preserved Clogher,
which leans against the north side of the church opposite the door o—f the present post-office. This stone is the shaft of the old market cross the socket of which stands at the palace entrance. A Latin hymn, 3° in praise of St.
Butler,
Cartan,
Mac Carthinn, has been composed, according to a very probable opinion, by 1
RightRev. PatrickCullen,BishopofClogher. 3 Itisintenstanzas,andpre- served in the Diocesan Library of Cashel.
The old Irish Genealogies enumerate several saints, who belong to the
family or race of the present holy bishop : thus, Saints Boga, Colma, or 2
Columba, and Lassara, virgins,3 St. Colman,33 St. Coman or Colman Elo,34
to avoid desecration at the hands of the Thus: &ox> Gfp . 1. &fp niACCAnc- modern Iconoclasts, concealed the most 1iAm oCtocAp A-£vy T^atm cvmoc Ainm 01 ie valuable relics, such as- the Domnach
entry pivoAquch. 21 "
ahCAn
Abb >e eAtn
j\obA 'OAj\ittr 0C5 CU15-
— —the ofwhich
Airgid history O'Curry gives
the bell of St. Mac Cartain, which is said to have been concealed in a lake, or marsh, to the west of the church, and opposite the residence of the late learned and esteemed
cion Af riA f\AnAib fe. Aev> bA he a Ainf 1 &\\ bpiop : 11 a Aicmit) bA mAic Ajmof por\
bnuAp 1A|\ buAit> 50 bibit) t>o maoipuan
•AiAfxb poi]\ce<yoL peon 2 cpioc a Ainm
Anccg : imp pocoib Aiomug a Ainm P. P. , the Rev. Philip Connolly, and the.
ACcLocAf\babin s lajvpn epp mcCAncAi'n. " —Ordnance Survey Office Copy, Phoenix Park, "Common Place Book F," pp. 70, 71.
Clock oir, which was thrown into a cavern or well under the street near the present market-house of Clogher.
29 This is a popular misconception, accord- ing to what is stated in Lewis' "Topographi-
cal Dictionary of Ireland," vol. i. , p. 342.
3° See "Irish Ecclesiastical Record,"
vol. v. , January, 1869, pp. 185 to 187. A translation of it occurs in the number for
March, 1870, vol. vi. , pp. 275, 276.
3I He presided in that See from a. d. 1519
to A. D. 1534.
32
22 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Vita Sexta S. Patricii, cap. cxliii. , p. 96, and n. 151, p. 115.
"
Kalendars of Scottish Saints," p. 21. "
23 See O'Sullevan Beare's "Historiae
Catholicse Iberniae Compendium," tomus i. ,
lib. iv. , cap. xii. , p. 55. Catalogus aliquorum Sanctorum Ibernige.
24 As follows— xviii. Kal. Sept. : "Eodem
Die apud Hiberniam N—atale Sancti Con-
These were daughters to Comgell, son of Fingalach, son to Deman, sonofNua- 25 See Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs thai, son to Mutalan, son of Cantalan, son to Fiengalach, son of Nied, son to Buan, from whom the Dal-Buan issue. They are venerated at Lettir, in Dalrieda, on the 22nd of See, at that the First
fessoris Firdachrich. " Bishop Forbes'
and other principal Saints," vol. viii. , August xv.
26
See p. 228.
" Acta Sanctorum Hiber- niae," xxiv. Martii. Appendix ad Acta S.
27 See
Macaerthanni Epis. , cap. i. , p. 740.
Colgan's
January. date, Volume of this work, Art. iv.
33 fje was son to Lugneus, son of Cass, son to Rectatius, son of Cannech, son to Rev. Daniel O'Connor, has it, that at the Buan. His feast is supposed to have been time of the Reformation, the guardians of either on the 21st of February, or on the the sacred depositories at Clogher, in order 30th of March. The reader is referred to
28
But a local tradition, according to Very
222 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[August 15.
St. Dabyus, or Mobyus, or Mobyteus,35 St. Macnessius or Coeman,*6 St.
St. or 8 St. Senan,39 St. Thian or Thius. «° Maelruan,37 Mugcnia Libania,3
Besides these are added St. Brandubh, Bishop,41 St. Cailin or Cailan,*2 St. 6
Cassin,<3 St. Guasacus," St. Cualan or Colan. ^St. Manchan,* St. Lochan,*? St.
