890,3^ O'Flaherty assigns this
occurrence
to
3^ According to the "Annals of Ulster.
3^ According to the "Annals of Ulster.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v2
has an account of
they Colgan
Moel-Brigid, at this date,^ and the BoUandists^ have briefer notices. This
distinguished saint was son to Tornan,^ who was descended Hneally, and the twelfth in generation, from Conall Gulban. -^ Marianus O'Gormans afid the MartyrologyofDonegal^writeoursaint'sfather,Dornan. Hewasthusof the same royal stock as St. Columkille himself. 7 The mother of Moel- Brigid was Soerlathia, daughter to Culebaith, and she was also of noble
birth. ^ The name to him given
signifies
" the servant of or " the Brigid,"
dictinum. " In fol, Verdkirchii, A. D, 1655. gan, son of Conall Gulban, chap. i.
^ See the Bollandists' " Acta Sanctorum," ^ From him Tyr-connall derives its name,
tomus iii. , February xxi. Among the pre- and he was son to King Niall the Great,
termitted "DeSane- s See "ActaSanctorumHiber- saints, p. 235. Also, Colgan's
tis Martyribus Germano Abbate et Ran- nice," xxii. Februarii. De S. Malbrigido
doalpho Prseposito, Grandivalle in Dioecesi
sive Brigidiano, &c. , nn. 2, 3, p. 386.
^ See Drs. Todd's and Reeves' edition,
pp. 54, 55. ? SeehisLifeatthe9thofJune,
Basileensi," pp. 263 to 266, ibid. ^
Article vii. — See the Bollandists'
**
ActaSanctorum,"tomusiii. , Februarii xxi. Among the pretermitted saints, p. 233.
Article i. —^ See "Acta Sanctorum Saints," her pedigree is thus made out: Hibernice," xxii. Februarii. De B. Mai- Soerlaith, daughter of Culebaith, son to brigido sive Brigidano Abbate Derensi et Baithgail, v^'as mother to Maelbngid, son of
"
Primate Ardmachano. Ex diversis, pp. Tornain. See Colgan's Acta Sanctorum
386, 387. Plibernioe," xxii. Februarii. De B. Mal- ^"
See Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , Feb- brigido sive Brigidano, &c. , n. 4, pp. 386, ruarii xxii. Among the pretermitted saints, 387. If the foregoing be not an interpola- pp. 280, 281. tion, it would serve to prove, that St.
*'
3 The Sanctilogic Genalogy" thus Aingus could not have been the author of
weaves his pedigree : St. Malbrigid, son of the Tract, just quoted. With this, too,
Tornan, son to Moeleach, son of Baithectra, son to Dicubas, son of Congall, son to Falvey, son of Foelan, son of Aidan, son to Ginteach, son of Lugad, son to Enna Boa-
agrees the following extract, taken from a copy of that Tract, belonging to the author, and which was transcribed from William M. Ilennessy's copy, which he wrote out
^
St. ^ngus, "On the Mothers of the Irish
According to the Tract, attributed to
664 LIVES 01 THE IRISH SAINTS. [February 22.
""
tonsured of Brigid," or the consecrated to Brigid," or the Brigidian. "
Our saint soon became greatly distinguished, for his virtues and learning. In consequence of an opinion entertained, respecting his varied merits and ac- complishments, he was appointed comorban or successor of St. Adamnan,9 mostprobablyasAbbotoverRaphoe. ^° Hewaselevated,also,toabbatial dignity—probably at a later period—over the church of St. Columba, at Derry,"accordingtoColgan. " Theearliestrecordedsettlementonthathill
above was named Doire Lough Foyle
Calgaich,
" the oak-wood of
the
warrior," or else " the oak-wood of Calgach"—a chief who bore that name—
signifying "warrior,'' and Latinized Galgacus. ^3 Dr. Lanigan agrees, that
Moelbrigid was St. Columba's successor ; yet, more probably, not at his
City of Londonderry.
monastery ot Derry,^^ but, at that of Durrow, in the King's County. How- ever, the Four Masters call Moelbrigid comorban, or successor, to Saints Patrick,Columba,andAdamnan. Astohis. beingasuccessorofColumba,
Colgan, at his Acts, refers it to Derry. 's At present, this commanding site is
Moel- Brigid had succeeded Adamnan, in his rule over this place.
"
SAefflAicVi in^en CuitobAi-o wc. bAecli-
from the
Leabhar Lecan. " MS. , R. I. A.
jAeLe mp rnAeLb|\i5T)o mc. uVioixriAm.
This too agrees with what is found in Drs. called, is defined on the Ordnance Survey
Todd's and Reeves' '* **
Townland Maps for the County of Donegal.
Sheets 62,
" 6i, 69, 70.
Now included in the parish of Temple-
more, barony North West Liberties of
of Done- gal," pp. 54, 55: Saerlaith, daughter of Cuilebaith, son to Baolhghal, was his
mother. "
9 St. Adamnan was venerated, at the
Martyrology
"
Greileach in Derry diocese ; at the church County of Londonderry," Sheets 13, 14,
churches of Dunboe, Errigle, Bovevagh and
Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the
at Drumhome
20, 21.
" *'
of Serin in Killala diocese
and Raphoe, in Raphoe diocese ; as also in
various other places, throughout Ireland.
But, as Raphoe was his principal church,
and that over which he was regarded as the
especial patron, it seems most probable, Allingham, in Fraser's Magazine for
;
'°
The parish of Raphoe, in the barony so "
Londonderry. This parish is shown on the
See Colgan's Acta Sanctorum Hiber- nire," xxii, Februarii, n. 8, p. 387.
'3 See an interesting article, On the
Names of Places in Ireland, by William *'
February 22. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 665
occupied by a flourishing city. ^^ The famous Saint Cokmiba, or Colum Cille, " Dove of the Church," founded a monastery and church here a. d. 545, the
place having been granted to him by his own tribe, i. e. , by the race of Conall Gulbann, son of King Niall ; and, afterwards, it was called Derry Columkill. '? It is now more generally known by the name of Londonderry. ^^ For this posi- tion, there seems to be a good reason ;'9 since, it cannot be supposed, that St. Moelbrigid was at any time Abbot of Hy. The successor of Kellach there was Feradach, who lived until 880. The Annals of Ulster, which are very particular as to the succession at lona, make mention after him of Flan Mac- Maoledrin, who Avas Abbot there, until a. d. 891. Now, in this year, Moel-
brigidwasalreadyArchbishopofArmagh. Beinginthatrank,hecouldnot have been invested with the government of Hy, which, in Dr. Lanigan's
opinion, was always reserved to a priest. Therefore, Maelbrigid's being called successor of Adamnan is relative to his having been Abbot over
Raphoe,=° of which monastery Adamnan'^ had been the founder and he was the patron saint. ^^ But, it is not likely, the present holy man had been a bishop
at Raphoe. ^3 it might be said, that although Maelbrigid had not been Abbot of Hy, he was a successor of Columba, not at Derry, but at Durrow, in theKing'sCounty. Thishadbeentheotherchiefmonasteryofthatsaint in Ireland. Yet, considering that Maelbrigid had been also at Raphoe, it is much more probable, it not being far from Derry,^4 that this latter was the place, over which he had been abbot. This matter is left rather undeter- mined, however, since we are only told, Maelbrigid ruled over the church or monastery of St. Columba. Yet, both Colgan and Dr. Lanigan assert, that his administration cannot be referred to the affairs of lona Island. This position is most clearly proved. Still, it is odd, that in his account of the abbots and other distinguished persons at Hy, Colgan reckons^s Maelbrigid among them, notwithstanding what he says of him in his Acts. Smith, like-
^^
wise, adopts his statement.
elevated to the Primatial See of Armagh. ^7 On account of his great zeal for religion, and the exercise of eminent wisdom and virtue, he obtained a name
Town and Country," vol. Ixxix. , June, I S69, p. 787.
was at first called " Coleraine,'' but soon "Londonderry. " See William AUingham's
^^ Except the town and liberties of Derry,
now named "Londonderry," which were
annexed to the county of the same name,
the rest of old Inis Eogain, or Innishowen,
became a part of Donegal county. "The
Society of the Governors and Assistants,
London, of the new plantation of Ulster "
was incorpoi-ated in 1613. The Common Councilmen of the City of London, whom
this society represented, and afterwards p. 113.
"
Eraser's Ma-
certain also of the city companies, thus be- came landlords of extensive disti'icts, in this part of Ireland.
'3 See "Acta Sanctorum Hibernise," xxii.
Februarii. De B. Malbrigido sive Brigid-
ano, &c. , p. 386.
^^ ^^
See his Life at the 23rd of September,
^^ A excellent tinted very
46, and "
of
view of it is given in Rev. G. Vaughan of Raphoe," p. 270.
lithographic
bishops
Armagh," p.
After enjoying those dignities, our saint was
" Statistical of the Survey
""
'7 Still, the old short name Derry Survey of the County of Londonderry,"
Sampson's
County of Londonderry,'' chap, v. , sect, i. ,
^"^ There is a Plan of the city and suburbs of Londonderry, with the Waterside, drawn by Robert Porter in 1 799, from actual survey,
p. 280. The accompanying illustration,
however, is from a ditferent point of view. — in Rev. G. Vaughan Sampson's
"
Statistical
"""
o—ftener pronounced Darry and Dorry" chap, v. , sect, i. , p. 284.
"
holds its ground in every-day use. -5 See Trias Thaumaturga," Quinta
^^
James I. formed a new county, which Appendix ad Acta S. Columbse, cap. iii. ,
article, already cited, from gazine," vol. Ixxix. , p. 788.
'^ The annexed illustration of London- derry is from a sketch taken by William F. Wakeman, and transferred by him to the wood. The engraving is by Mrs. Millard.
='° He is stated to have been a bishop of Raphoe, in James Stuart's " Historical Memoirs of the City of Armagh," chap, iii. ,
See Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical His- tory of Ireland," vol. iii. , chap, xxii. , sect. i. , n. 10, pp. 341, 342.
^3 This, however, is a mistake, to be
found in Harris' Ware, vol. i. ,
"
Arch- Bishops
666
LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [February23.
" Head of
and modern writers, regarding the order of succession, in Armagh See, as,
and for repute
and of the
in
of Europe. " There is a difference of opinion, among our Irish Annalists
being,
Religion
Ireland,
greater part
with to the names of its incumbents. "^^ Maelcoba Mac Crunn- regard
also,
vail,^9 Abbot of Armagh, is said to have died, at an advanced age, a. d.
885,3° or 887. 31 It is thought our saint, as his immediate successor,32 ^y^g
then promoted to the coarbship. 33 In such conjecture. Dr. Lanigan is sustained by the authority of the Cashel Psalter. 34 During the time of this
Archbishop's administration, a great riot took place in Armagh Cathedral Church, between the Ily Nialls of Kinel-Eogain or Tyrone, and the people of Ulidia or East Ulster. Flaithbheartach, son to Murehadh,35 was chief over the former faction, and Atteidh, son to Luighne, chieftains'^ over the
latter. This riot, which occurred, about Whitsuntide, in the year 889,37 was appeased by the Archbishop's influence and exertions. While Dr. Lanigan supposes the date should be a. d.
890,3^ O'Flaherty assigns this occurrence to
3^ According to the "Annals of Ulster. "
See Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum Hibernicarum
Scriptores. " Tom. iv,, p. 237.
32 " Ware observes, {Bishops at Armagh)
that some Irish annalists have the following from north to south, and, in breadth, from succession after Moelcoba : I. Mocta, who ten to twenty-five miles, or, in English died in 889 ; 2. Moelathgen, who died in measure, seventy-five miles long, and fr—om 890 ; 3. Kellach Mac Saorgus, who died in
sect, v. , p. 502.
^ See his " Life of St. Columba. " Ap-
pendix, p. 167.
^7 "The archbishopric of Armagh ex-
tends into five counties, is fifty-nine miles
twelve and a half to thirty-two broad. "
; 4. Moel- Kiaran Mac-Eogain, who died in 914, or 915. He adds, that these are not reckoned by others among the Archbishops ofjArmagh, and that they were co—nsidered only as suffra- of Armagh, in his "Trias Thaumaturga. " gans of Maelbrigid. "' Dr. Lanigan's "Ec-
Sir Charles Coote's "Statistical Survey of
the County of Armagh," part i. , chap, i. , sect. 4, p. 19.
=^^
Colgan gives a list of the Archbishops
Appendix ad Acta S. Patricii, p. 296. clesiastical History of Ii-eland," vol. iii. ,
There the Four Masters are said to have
placed Mocta, whom they call bishop, an- choret, and scribe of Armagh. However, in a MS. note to his copy of the "Trias
Thaumaturga," O'Flaherty asserts, that
Mocta was not a bishop. This Mocta was,
in all appearance, the person who w'as taken
by the Danes, together with Moelcoba Mac-
Crumvail. Colgan does not decide on this O'Neills, as we find it recorded, in our matter. The Four Masters also place Moe- "AnnalsoftheFourMasters. " SeeCol-
"
lathgen as bishop of Armagh, and they gan's
assign his death to 890, Yet, they had just Februarii, n. 12, p. 387.
before spoken of Maelbrigid as bishop and 3° Atteidh was not chieftain over the comorban of St. Patrick, in 889. Hence, Kinel Eogain or O'Neill family, as the Colgan concludes, that Moelathgen was order of narrative in "Annals of the Four
only a suffragen or coadjutor of his. O'Flaherty, in his MS. note, holds, that
Moelathgen was a real bishop of Armagh, and that he was the immediate predecessor
of Maelbrigid, placing his death in 891. The Four Masters next have Kellach Mac-
Saorgus, but not Moel-Kiaren, and after-
wards they treat of Maelbrigid. See Dr. bairne. "
"
Annals of the Four
Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical History of Ire- land," vol. iii. , chap, xxii. , sect, i. , n. 9, p. 341-
^9 It is stated, by the Four Masters, that "he was of the family of Cill-mor. " The
ast-named place was Kilmore, in the county land," vol. iii. , chap, xxii. , sect, i. , p. 339, of Cavan, according to Dr. O'Donovan. and n. Ii, p. 342.
3° See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the 39 In a Manuscript note to his copy of
Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 538, 539, and Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," now kept n. (ci. ) in the Royal Dublin Society's Library. Dr.
898, or as others say, in 903
chap, xxii. , sect, i. , n. 9, pp. 340, 341.
33 See " Memoir of the City and North Western Liberties of Londonderry," part
ii. , sect. 2, p. 27.
3-* Colgan prefers its authority to that of
the annalists, particularly where he treats
regarding Maelbrigid or St. Moelbrigid.
35 Flaithbheartach was the chief of the
Acta Sanctorum Hiberniae," xxii.
"
Masters would seem to indicate ; but, he
was king over the Ulidians, as we find, from a record of his death, at the year 897,
in Dr. O'Donovan's
Masters," vol. i. , pp. 554 to 557.
son of Luighne, King of Ulidia, was slain by [one of j his own tribe, i. c. . , by Mael-
"
37 The "Annals of Ulster" refer this event
to A. D. 892. See Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum
Hibernicarum Scriptores. " Tom. iv. , p.
239.
3^ See "Ecclesiastical History of Ire-
Aididh,
February 22. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 667
A. D. 892. 39 This prelate induced both parties to abstain from violence, and to
make due reparation to Almighty God, whom they offended, and to atone for the violation of St. Patrick's law. He is said to have been a man remarkable
for his inflexible justice. '^" From the Ulidians, Moel-Brigid obtained host-
ages and an offering of thirty times seven cumhals-*^ to the church ; while,
four Ulidians, the chief instigators of this riot, after being proved guilty were
hung. In like manner, the Kinel Eogain rioters repaired those outrages
committed by them, and as many more of these were hung,^^ An act of
violence is recorded, as having taken place in Armagh, during this Arch-
bishop's administration. In the year 907, the privileges of the Cathedral of
Armagh were vioL^ted by Kernach Mac-Dulgen, by dragging a captive out
of the church, who had taken sanctuary there, and by drowning him in Loch-
Kirr,43 west of the city. But, this violation was retaliated on Kernach, by
Neall Glundub, then King of Ulster, and afterwards of Ireland, who drowned
him in the same lough. 't4 Several serious disasters and disturbances
occurredinArmagh,duringthetermofoursaint'sincumbency. 45 Weread,
that the Archbishop took . a journey towards Munster, a. d. 908, to procure the
liberation of a strange Briton, 4^ who being a pilgrim in the country, had been un-
justly detained there as a captive. '*7 Respecting the result of Moel-Brigid's mission, we are not informed. While he sat in this See, Armagh was three
timestakenandplunderedbytheDanes,namely,in890,893,and919; and, it was once set on fire in the year 914. 4^ According to the most reliable accounts, Moel-Brigid49 ruled over Armagh Metropolitan See for a duration of forty years ;So yet, the Calendar of Cashel gives him only twenty-nine
Lanigan adds: "I suspect that his only Ultonienses," pp. 246, 247. Also Dr.
O 'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. ii. , pp. 578, 579. In a note (f) at this
passage, Mr. O'Donovan remarks, that some
entries in the Four Masters, under a. d, 908,
are set down in the Annals of Ulster under
912, alias 913, Among these we find,
"
Maelbride mac-Dornain came into Mun- 4" Dr. O'Donovan says: "A cumhal ster to release pilgrims out of Walles. "
reason for this date was, that the placing of the riot in 890 would not agree with his
hypothesis of making Moelathgen, Arch- bishop of Armagh, predecessor of Mael- brigid. "
4° See Stuart's " Historical Memoirs of
the City of Armagh," chap, iii. , p. 113.
originally denoted a bondmaid, which was estimated as of the value of three cows, or anything estimated as of that value,"
4^ This event ,is related in Dr. O'Dono- van's "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 542 to 545, and n. (n), at the year 889.
43 This is probably the present Loughna- shade, near Navan Fort,, which is shown on
From this latter account, we must infer,
more than one pilgrim had been detained in
captivity.
47 See Harris' Ware, vol. i. , "Arch-
bishops of Armagh," p. 47.
'^^ See Harris' Ware, vol. i. , "Arch-
bishops of Armagh," p. 47.
49 He is called " successor of Patrick,
Collum Cille and Adamnan, head of the
"
the County of Armagh," Sheet 12. The of Europe," In—commemoration of his
Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for
piety of all Ireland, and of the greater part
the
old name appears to have become obsolete. 44 See Harris' Ware, vol. i. , "Arch-
bishops of Armagh," p. 47.
45 The friendly interference of the clergy
often prevented or terminated the quarrels of opposing chieftains ; though it not uu-
frequently proved ineffectual, and then they
had the mortification to see the solemn com-
pacts, which had been ratified by the oaths
of contending parties, impiously broken Upon the earthly world in carnal shape, when opportunity offered. See "The Five years and twenty, nine hundred. Dublin Jjterary Gazette, and National To the death of Maelbrighde in evil hour, Magazine," vol. i,, No. iii. Art. on the It was not a year without events
Ancient History and the Antiquities of Ire-
; Premature the death of the Abbot of Ard
Macha,
Maelbrighe, head of Europe, Connac of Gleann-da-locha,"
land, by Rev. Edward Johnston, p. 327.
4^ See Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum Hiberni-
carum tomus " Annales Scriptores," iv. ,
death it was said
"
Twelve years not trifling
On the eighth of the Calends of July Flann
:
was buried,
On the eighth of the Calends of noble March, Malbrighde most gifted of the brave Gaei-
dhil [died].
Since the divine son of God was born
668 LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [February22.
years of rule. s^ He departed this life, at a good old age, on the 22nd of February. s^ Marianus O'Gorman and Maguire introduce this holy prelate
intotheirrespectiveCalendars. s3 TheMartyrologyofDonegal54registers
on this day, Maelbrighde, son of Dornan—by some called Tornan—succes-
sor to Patrick and to Colum Cille. He was a man full of the grace of God,
and a vessel of wisdom and knowledge in his time. According to our
"Annals of the Four Masters,''ss the year of his demise was a. d. 925.
"
Annals of Ulster,"56 he died a. d. 926. 57 The true year, however,was927. Oursaintisnottobeconfoundedwithothers,bearinga similar name. s^ Many distinct Moel-Brigids were his contemporaries, and
some of these were distinguished by piety and learning.
ArticleH. —St. Fechin,aPriest. AFeicin,orFechin,aPriest,we find mentioned in the Martyrologies of Tallagh,^ of Marianus O'Gorman, and of Donegal,* as having a festival on this day. A notice occurs, likewise, in the BoUandists' work. 3
Article HI. —St. Moelan of Achadh Gobhra. The name of Moelan, Achaidh, occurs in the Martyrologies of Tallagh,^ and of Marianus O'Gorman, at the 22nd of February. The modern designation of this place has eluded enquiry, and probably it is not known. This day was venerated
Maolan, of Achadh Gobhra, as is mentioned in the Martyrology of Donegal. ^ ""
According to the
The Mailanus Achadensis is in the BoUandists' at t— 3 entry work,hisdate.
This Latin form of the locality would seem to indicate Achonry Irish form of this place having been Achad-Chonaire.
the old
Article IV. —St.
they Colgan
Moel-Brigid, at this date,^ and the BoUandists^ have briefer notices. This
distinguished saint was son to Tornan,^ who was descended Hneally, and the twelfth in generation, from Conall Gulban. -^ Marianus O'Gormans afid the MartyrologyofDonegal^writeoursaint'sfather,Dornan. Hewasthusof the same royal stock as St. Columkille himself. 7 The mother of Moel- Brigid was Soerlathia, daughter to Culebaith, and she was also of noble
birth. ^ The name to him given
signifies
" the servant of or " the Brigid,"
dictinum. " In fol, Verdkirchii, A. D, 1655. gan, son of Conall Gulban, chap. i.
^ See the Bollandists' " Acta Sanctorum," ^ From him Tyr-connall derives its name,
tomus iii. , February xxi. Among the pre- and he was son to King Niall the Great,
termitted "DeSane- s See "ActaSanctorumHiber- saints, p. 235. Also, Colgan's
tis Martyribus Germano Abbate et Ran- nice," xxii. Februarii. De S. Malbrigido
doalpho Prseposito, Grandivalle in Dioecesi
sive Brigidiano, &c. , nn. 2, 3, p. 386.
^ See Drs. Todd's and Reeves' edition,
pp. 54, 55. ? SeehisLifeatthe9thofJune,
Basileensi," pp. 263 to 266, ibid. ^
Article vii. — See the Bollandists'
**
ActaSanctorum,"tomusiii. , Februarii xxi. Among the pretermitted saints, p. 233.
Article i. —^ See "Acta Sanctorum Saints," her pedigree is thus made out: Hibernice," xxii. Februarii. De B. Mai- Soerlaith, daughter of Culebaith, son to brigido sive Brigidano Abbate Derensi et Baithgail, v^'as mother to Maelbngid, son of
"
Primate Ardmachano. Ex diversis, pp. Tornain. See Colgan's Acta Sanctorum
386, 387. Plibernioe," xxii. Februarii. De B. Mal- ^"
See Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , Feb- brigido sive Brigidano, &c. , n. 4, pp. 386, ruarii xxii. Among the pretermitted saints, 387. If the foregoing be not an interpola- pp. 280, 281. tion, it would serve to prove, that St.
*'
3 The Sanctilogic Genalogy" thus Aingus could not have been the author of
weaves his pedigree : St. Malbrigid, son of the Tract, just quoted. With this, too,
Tornan, son to Moeleach, son of Baithectra, son to Dicubas, son of Congall, son to Falvey, son of Foelan, son of Aidan, son to Ginteach, son of Lugad, son to Enna Boa-
agrees the following extract, taken from a copy of that Tract, belonging to the author, and which was transcribed from William M. Ilennessy's copy, which he wrote out
^
St. ^ngus, "On the Mothers of the Irish
According to the Tract, attributed to
664 LIVES 01 THE IRISH SAINTS. [February 22.
""
tonsured of Brigid," or the consecrated to Brigid," or the Brigidian. "
Our saint soon became greatly distinguished, for his virtues and learning. In consequence of an opinion entertained, respecting his varied merits and ac- complishments, he was appointed comorban or successor of St. Adamnan,9 mostprobablyasAbbotoverRaphoe. ^° Hewaselevated,also,toabbatial dignity—probably at a later period—over the church of St. Columba, at Derry,"accordingtoColgan. " Theearliestrecordedsettlementonthathill
above was named Doire Lough Foyle
Calgaich,
" the oak-wood of
the
warrior," or else " the oak-wood of Calgach"—a chief who bore that name—
signifying "warrior,'' and Latinized Galgacus. ^3 Dr. Lanigan agrees, that
Moelbrigid was St. Columba's successor ; yet, more probably, not at his
City of Londonderry.
monastery ot Derry,^^ but, at that of Durrow, in the King's County. How- ever, the Four Masters call Moelbrigid comorban, or successor, to Saints Patrick,Columba,andAdamnan. Astohis. beingasuccessorofColumba,
Colgan, at his Acts, refers it to Derry. 's At present, this commanding site is
Moel- Brigid had succeeded Adamnan, in his rule over this place.
"
SAefflAicVi in^en CuitobAi-o wc. bAecli-
from the
Leabhar Lecan. " MS. , R. I. A.
jAeLe mp rnAeLb|\i5T)o mc. uVioixriAm.
This too agrees with what is found in Drs. called, is defined on the Ordnance Survey
Todd's and Reeves' '* **
Townland Maps for the County of Donegal.
Sheets 62,
" 6i, 69, 70.
Now included in the parish of Temple-
more, barony North West Liberties of
of Done- gal," pp. 54, 55: Saerlaith, daughter of Cuilebaith, son to Baolhghal, was his
mother. "
9 St. Adamnan was venerated, at the
Martyrology
"
Greileach in Derry diocese ; at the church County of Londonderry," Sheets 13, 14,
churches of Dunboe, Errigle, Bovevagh and
Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the
at Drumhome
20, 21.
" *'
of Serin in Killala diocese
and Raphoe, in Raphoe diocese ; as also in
various other places, throughout Ireland.
But, as Raphoe was his principal church,
and that over which he was regarded as the
especial patron, it seems most probable, Allingham, in Fraser's Magazine for
;
'°
The parish of Raphoe, in the barony so "
Londonderry. This parish is shown on the
See Colgan's Acta Sanctorum Hiber- nire," xxii, Februarii, n. 8, p. 387.
'3 See an interesting article, On the
Names of Places in Ireland, by William *'
February 22. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 665
occupied by a flourishing city. ^^ The famous Saint Cokmiba, or Colum Cille, " Dove of the Church," founded a monastery and church here a. d. 545, the
place having been granted to him by his own tribe, i. e. , by the race of Conall Gulbann, son of King Niall ; and, afterwards, it was called Derry Columkill. '? It is now more generally known by the name of Londonderry. ^^ For this posi- tion, there seems to be a good reason ;'9 since, it cannot be supposed, that St. Moelbrigid was at any time Abbot of Hy. The successor of Kellach there was Feradach, who lived until 880. The Annals of Ulster, which are very particular as to the succession at lona, make mention after him of Flan Mac- Maoledrin, who Avas Abbot there, until a. d. 891. Now, in this year, Moel-
brigidwasalreadyArchbishopofArmagh. Beinginthatrank,hecouldnot have been invested with the government of Hy, which, in Dr. Lanigan's
opinion, was always reserved to a priest. Therefore, Maelbrigid's being called successor of Adamnan is relative to his having been Abbot over
Raphoe,=° of which monastery Adamnan'^ had been the founder and he was the patron saint. ^^ But, it is not likely, the present holy man had been a bishop
at Raphoe. ^3 it might be said, that although Maelbrigid had not been Abbot of Hy, he was a successor of Columba, not at Derry, but at Durrow, in theKing'sCounty. Thishadbeentheotherchiefmonasteryofthatsaint in Ireland. Yet, considering that Maelbrigid had been also at Raphoe, it is much more probable, it not being far from Derry,^4 that this latter was the place, over which he had been abbot. This matter is left rather undeter- mined, however, since we are only told, Maelbrigid ruled over the church or monastery of St. Columba. Yet, both Colgan and Dr. Lanigan assert, that his administration cannot be referred to the affairs of lona Island. This position is most clearly proved. Still, it is odd, that in his account of the abbots and other distinguished persons at Hy, Colgan reckons^s Maelbrigid among them, notwithstanding what he says of him in his Acts. Smith, like-
^^
wise, adopts his statement.
elevated to the Primatial See of Armagh. ^7 On account of his great zeal for religion, and the exercise of eminent wisdom and virtue, he obtained a name
Town and Country," vol. Ixxix. , June, I S69, p. 787.
was at first called " Coleraine,'' but soon "Londonderry. " See William AUingham's
^^ Except the town and liberties of Derry,
now named "Londonderry," which were
annexed to the county of the same name,
the rest of old Inis Eogain, or Innishowen,
became a part of Donegal county. "The
Society of the Governors and Assistants,
London, of the new plantation of Ulster "
was incorpoi-ated in 1613. The Common Councilmen of the City of London, whom
this society represented, and afterwards p. 113.
"
Eraser's Ma-
certain also of the city companies, thus be- came landlords of extensive disti'icts, in this part of Ireland.
'3 See "Acta Sanctorum Hibernise," xxii.
Februarii. De B. Malbrigido sive Brigid-
ano, &c. , p. 386.
^^ ^^
See his Life at the 23rd of September,
^^ A excellent tinted very
46, and "
of
view of it is given in Rev. G. Vaughan of Raphoe," p. 270.
lithographic
bishops
Armagh," p.
After enjoying those dignities, our saint was
" Statistical of the Survey
""
'7 Still, the old short name Derry Survey of the County of Londonderry,"
Sampson's
County of Londonderry,'' chap, v. , sect, i. ,
^"^ There is a Plan of the city and suburbs of Londonderry, with the Waterside, drawn by Robert Porter in 1 799, from actual survey,
p. 280. The accompanying illustration,
however, is from a ditferent point of view. — in Rev. G. Vaughan Sampson's
"
Statistical
"""
o—ftener pronounced Darry and Dorry" chap, v. , sect, i. , p. 284.
"
holds its ground in every-day use. -5 See Trias Thaumaturga," Quinta
^^
James I. formed a new county, which Appendix ad Acta S. Columbse, cap. iii. ,
article, already cited, from gazine," vol. Ixxix. , p. 788.
'^ The annexed illustration of London- derry is from a sketch taken by William F. Wakeman, and transferred by him to the wood. The engraving is by Mrs. Millard.
='° He is stated to have been a bishop of Raphoe, in James Stuart's " Historical Memoirs of the City of Armagh," chap, iii. ,
See Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical His- tory of Ireland," vol. iii. , chap, xxii. , sect. i. , n. 10, pp. 341, 342.
^3 This, however, is a mistake, to be
found in Harris' Ware, vol. i. ,
"
Arch- Bishops
666
LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [February23.
" Head of
and modern writers, regarding the order of succession, in Armagh See, as,
and for repute
and of the
in
of Europe. " There is a difference of opinion, among our Irish Annalists
being,
Religion
Ireland,
greater part
with to the names of its incumbents. "^^ Maelcoba Mac Crunn- regard
also,
vail,^9 Abbot of Armagh, is said to have died, at an advanced age, a. d.
885,3° or 887. 31 It is thought our saint, as his immediate successor,32 ^y^g
then promoted to the coarbship. 33 In such conjecture. Dr. Lanigan is sustained by the authority of the Cashel Psalter. 34 During the time of this
Archbishop's administration, a great riot took place in Armagh Cathedral Church, between the Ily Nialls of Kinel-Eogain or Tyrone, and the people of Ulidia or East Ulster. Flaithbheartach, son to Murehadh,35 was chief over the former faction, and Atteidh, son to Luighne, chieftains'^ over the
latter. This riot, which occurred, about Whitsuntide, in the year 889,37 was appeased by the Archbishop's influence and exertions. While Dr. Lanigan supposes the date should be a. d.
890,3^ O'Flaherty assigns this occurrence to
3^ According to the "Annals of Ulster. "
See Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum Hibernicarum
Scriptores. " Tom. iv,, p. 237.
32 " Ware observes, {Bishops at Armagh)
that some Irish annalists have the following from north to south, and, in breadth, from succession after Moelcoba : I. Mocta, who ten to twenty-five miles, or, in English died in 889 ; 2. Moelathgen, who died in measure, seventy-five miles long, and fr—om 890 ; 3. Kellach Mac Saorgus, who died in
sect, v. , p. 502.
^ See his " Life of St. Columba. " Ap-
pendix, p. 167.
^7 "The archbishopric of Armagh ex-
tends into five counties, is fifty-nine miles
twelve and a half to thirty-two broad. "
; 4. Moel- Kiaran Mac-Eogain, who died in 914, or 915. He adds, that these are not reckoned by others among the Archbishops ofjArmagh, and that they were co—nsidered only as suffra- of Armagh, in his "Trias Thaumaturga. " gans of Maelbrigid. "' Dr. Lanigan's "Ec-
Sir Charles Coote's "Statistical Survey of
the County of Armagh," part i. , chap, i. , sect. 4, p. 19.
=^^
Colgan gives a list of the Archbishops
Appendix ad Acta S. Patricii, p. 296. clesiastical History of Ii-eland," vol. iii. ,
There the Four Masters are said to have
placed Mocta, whom they call bishop, an- choret, and scribe of Armagh. However, in a MS. note to his copy of the "Trias
Thaumaturga," O'Flaherty asserts, that
Mocta was not a bishop. This Mocta was,
in all appearance, the person who w'as taken
by the Danes, together with Moelcoba Mac-
Crumvail. Colgan does not decide on this O'Neills, as we find it recorded, in our matter. The Four Masters also place Moe- "AnnalsoftheFourMasters. " SeeCol-
"
lathgen as bishop of Armagh, and they gan's
assign his death to 890, Yet, they had just Februarii, n. 12, p. 387.
before spoken of Maelbrigid as bishop and 3° Atteidh was not chieftain over the comorban of St. Patrick, in 889. Hence, Kinel Eogain or O'Neill family, as the Colgan concludes, that Moelathgen was order of narrative in "Annals of the Four
only a suffragen or coadjutor of his. O'Flaherty, in his MS. note, holds, that
Moelathgen was a real bishop of Armagh, and that he was the immediate predecessor
of Maelbrigid, placing his death in 891. The Four Masters next have Kellach Mac-
Saorgus, but not Moel-Kiaren, and after-
wards they treat of Maelbrigid. See Dr. bairne. "
"
Annals of the Four
Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical History of Ire- land," vol. iii. , chap, xxii. , sect, i. , n. 9, p. 341-
^9 It is stated, by the Four Masters, that "he was of the family of Cill-mor. " The
ast-named place was Kilmore, in the county land," vol. iii. , chap, xxii. , sect, i. , p. 339, of Cavan, according to Dr. O'Donovan. and n. Ii, p. 342.
3° See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the 39 In a Manuscript note to his copy of
Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 538, 539, and Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," now kept n. (ci. ) in the Royal Dublin Society's Library. Dr.
898, or as others say, in 903
chap, xxii. , sect, i. , n. 9, pp. 340, 341.
33 See " Memoir of the City and North Western Liberties of Londonderry," part
ii. , sect. 2, p. 27.
3-* Colgan prefers its authority to that of
the annalists, particularly where he treats
regarding Maelbrigid or St. Moelbrigid.
35 Flaithbheartach was the chief of the
Acta Sanctorum Hiberniae," xxii.
"
Masters would seem to indicate ; but, he
was king over the Ulidians, as we find, from a record of his death, at the year 897,
in Dr. O'Donovan's
Masters," vol. i. , pp. 554 to 557.
son of Luighne, King of Ulidia, was slain by [one of j his own tribe, i. c. . , by Mael-
"
37 The "Annals of Ulster" refer this event
to A. D. 892. See Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum
Hibernicarum Scriptores. " Tom. iv. , p.
239.
3^ See "Ecclesiastical History of Ire-
Aididh,
February 22. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 667
A. D. 892. 39 This prelate induced both parties to abstain from violence, and to
make due reparation to Almighty God, whom they offended, and to atone for the violation of St. Patrick's law. He is said to have been a man remarkable
for his inflexible justice. '^" From the Ulidians, Moel-Brigid obtained host-
ages and an offering of thirty times seven cumhals-*^ to the church ; while,
four Ulidians, the chief instigators of this riot, after being proved guilty were
hung. In like manner, the Kinel Eogain rioters repaired those outrages
committed by them, and as many more of these were hung,^^ An act of
violence is recorded, as having taken place in Armagh, during this Arch-
bishop's administration. In the year 907, the privileges of the Cathedral of
Armagh were vioL^ted by Kernach Mac-Dulgen, by dragging a captive out
of the church, who had taken sanctuary there, and by drowning him in Loch-
Kirr,43 west of the city. But, this violation was retaliated on Kernach, by
Neall Glundub, then King of Ulster, and afterwards of Ireland, who drowned
him in the same lough. 't4 Several serious disasters and disturbances
occurredinArmagh,duringthetermofoursaint'sincumbency. 45 Weread,
that the Archbishop took . a journey towards Munster, a. d. 908, to procure the
liberation of a strange Briton, 4^ who being a pilgrim in the country, had been un-
justly detained there as a captive. '*7 Respecting the result of Moel-Brigid's mission, we are not informed. While he sat in this See, Armagh was three
timestakenandplunderedbytheDanes,namely,in890,893,and919; and, it was once set on fire in the year 914. 4^ According to the most reliable accounts, Moel-Brigid49 ruled over Armagh Metropolitan See for a duration of forty years ;So yet, the Calendar of Cashel gives him only twenty-nine
Lanigan adds: "I suspect that his only Ultonienses," pp. 246, 247. Also Dr.
O 'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. ii. , pp. 578, 579. In a note (f) at this
passage, Mr. O'Donovan remarks, that some
entries in the Four Masters, under a. d, 908,
are set down in the Annals of Ulster under
912, alias 913, Among these we find,
"
Maelbride mac-Dornain came into Mun- 4" Dr. O'Donovan says: "A cumhal ster to release pilgrims out of Walles. "
reason for this date was, that the placing of the riot in 890 would not agree with his
hypothesis of making Moelathgen, Arch- bishop of Armagh, predecessor of Mael- brigid. "
4° See Stuart's " Historical Memoirs of
the City of Armagh," chap, iii. , p. 113.
originally denoted a bondmaid, which was estimated as of the value of three cows, or anything estimated as of that value,"
4^ This event ,is related in Dr. O'Dono- van's "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 542 to 545, and n. (n), at the year 889.
43 This is probably the present Loughna- shade, near Navan Fort,, which is shown on
From this latter account, we must infer,
more than one pilgrim had been detained in
captivity.
47 See Harris' Ware, vol. i. , "Arch-
bishops of Armagh," p. 47.
'^^ See Harris' Ware, vol. i. , "Arch-
bishops of Armagh," p. 47.
49 He is called " successor of Patrick,
Collum Cille and Adamnan, head of the
"
the County of Armagh," Sheet 12. The of Europe," In—commemoration of his
Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for
piety of all Ireland, and of the greater part
the
old name appears to have become obsolete. 44 See Harris' Ware, vol. i. , "Arch-
bishops of Armagh," p. 47.
45 The friendly interference of the clergy
often prevented or terminated the quarrels of opposing chieftains ; though it not uu-
frequently proved ineffectual, and then they
had the mortification to see the solemn com-
pacts, which had been ratified by the oaths
of contending parties, impiously broken Upon the earthly world in carnal shape, when opportunity offered. See "The Five years and twenty, nine hundred. Dublin Jjterary Gazette, and National To the death of Maelbrighde in evil hour, Magazine," vol. i,, No. iii. Art. on the It was not a year without events
Ancient History and the Antiquities of Ire-
; Premature the death of the Abbot of Ard
Macha,
Maelbrighe, head of Europe, Connac of Gleann-da-locha,"
land, by Rev. Edward Johnston, p. 327.
4^ See Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum Hiberni-
carum tomus " Annales Scriptores," iv. ,
death it was said
"
Twelve years not trifling
On the eighth of the Calends of July Flann
:
was buried,
On the eighth of the Calends of noble March, Malbrighde most gifted of the brave Gaei-
dhil [died].
Since the divine son of God was born
668 LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [February22.
years of rule. s^ He departed this life, at a good old age, on the 22nd of February. s^ Marianus O'Gorman and Maguire introduce this holy prelate
intotheirrespectiveCalendars. s3 TheMartyrologyofDonegal54registers
on this day, Maelbrighde, son of Dornan—by some called Tornan—succes-
sor to Patrick and to Colum Cille. He was a man full of the grace of God,
and a vessel of wisdom and knowledge in his time. According to our
"Annals of the Four Masters,''ss the year of his demise was a. d. 925.
"
Annals of Ulster,"56 he died a. d. 926. 57 The true year, however,was927. Oursaintisnottobeconfoundedwithothers,bearinga similar name. s^ Many distinct Moel-Brigids were his contemporaries, and
some of these were distinguished by piety and learning.
ArticleH. —St. Fechin,aPriest. AFeicin,orFechin,aPriest,we find mentioned in the Martyrologies of Tallagh,^ of Marianus O'Gorman, and of Donegal,* as having a festival on this day. A notice occurs, likewise, in the BoUandists' work. 3
Article HI. —St. Moelan of Achadh Gobhra. The name of Moelan, Achaidh, occurs in the Martyrologies of Tallagh,^ and of Marianus O'Gorman, at the 22nd of February. The modern designation of this place has eluded enquiry, and probably it is not known. This day was venerated
Maolan, of Achadh Gobhra, as is mentioned in the Martyrology of Donegal. ^ ""
According to the
The Mailanus Achadensis is in the BoUandists' at t— 3 entry work,hisdate.
This Latin form of the locality would seem to indicate Achonry Irish form of this place having been Achad-Chonaire.
the old
Article IV. —St.
