Ciarain of
Clonmacnoise
and two of his clerics in vol.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v9
2 filled with God's grace, presented for ever to the Almighty
and to St. Kieran Angin Island, which belonged to him. ? 3 According to Ussher, this first establishment of our Saint had its foundation in the year 544,74 and this statement apparently is made on the supposition, as Diermit's reign over Ireland did not begin until that year, Kieran could not have obtained his grant from him before such date.
CHAPTER III.
ST. KIERAN LEAVES INIS AINGIN AND PROCEEDS TO CLONMACNOISE—TUATHAL AND DIERMIT, KINGS OF IRELAND—FOUNDATION OF THE GREAT MONASTERY OF CLON-
MACNOISE—ST. KIERAN'S PREDICTION—
AN EPISCOPAL CITY AT CLONMACNOISE— ST. KIERAN THE FIRST ABBOT THERE.
While residing in Aingin, our Saint is said to have visited the Abbot Senan of Iniscathy, which shows, that it had been founded before the death of the latter. This we find related, in the metrical and prose Lives of St. Senan, where Kyran's miracles and virtues are specially recorded ; and from those accounts it would appear, that he was not then subject to Senan's spiritual jurisdiction, although he was received by the latter as a guest. Probably
** " Thus, Tigernach states in his Annals,
that Kieran, having founded the monastery of Clonmacnoise, was abbot for seven yeaes.
According to every other account, however, he founded it only one year before his death.
It seems probable, that Tigernach must be understood as referring to the whole time, during which he governed, both at Inis- aingin, and afterwards at Clonmacnoise.
7° He reigned from a. d. 539 to 559, ac- cording to Sylvester O'llalloran, who gives
Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, x. , sect, xi. , n. 179, p. 58. See, also, sect, xiii. , n. 213, pp. 71, 72.
72 This latter account is contained in a Life of St. Kieran, as quoted by Colgan, in "Trias Thaumaturga," Septima Vita S. Patricii, pars, ii. , n. 55, p. 175.
? 3 The Life of St. Ciardn, in the Book of
Lismore, states the mode of his coming to
Inis Aingin, a pet stag carrying his books, and the saint following behind until he came to the island. Therein dwelt an arch- presbyter, named Daniel, and a Briton. At first, he did not wish to receive Kieran, but as our saint presented him with a royal cup of great value, the priest wondered greatly and asked forgiveness. He then prostrated himself before our saint, and gave the island up to him.
"
General History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, iv. , pp.
the particulars of his reign in the 69 to 75.
7*
"
The name and recollection of Inis-
aingin were in course of time swallowed up
in the greatness of Clonmacnois, insomuch
that in some documents, ex c. the Acts of
Knda, Kieran is spoken of as setting about
the establishment of the latter very soon
after his departure from Arran, without any tomus iii. , Martii xxi. , Papebroke. in his
mention being made of Inis-aingin. As to the whole period of Kieran's abbotship,
Annotations to the Life of St. Endeus, at cat). 4, n. (b. ), also recognizes our saint to have been abbot and founder of Aingin
Tighernach is a respectable witness, having
lived at Clonmacnois, where he was an monastery. Suyskens says he probably Erenach, or as oth—ers say, abbot in the stated these things, on the authority of eleventh century. " Rev. Dr. Lanigan's Ussher, and on that of St. Kieran's Life,
security,
persecuted,
HIS VIRTUES AND MIRACLES—GROWTH OF
? 4 In the Bollandists' "Acta Sanctorum,"
September 9. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 219
1
they held many spiritual conferences together, on the occasion of each visit. While he dwelt in Inis-Aingin, Ciaran one day heard a noise in the harbour.
"
reaching the harbour, however, they only found a heathen youth, and this
"
Nevertheless," he replied, "go again for him, since it is manifest to me from his voice, that he shall be your abbot after me. " Then the youth was brought to Ciaran. His name was Enna Mac- Hui-Laigsi, and having received Tonsure, he read under Ciaran. He was a holy man, admirable in the Lord's sight, and he succeeded Ciaran as abbot
in Inis Aingin.
It so happened, that Ciaran's Book of Gospels was dropped into the lake
by a careless brother. There it remained for a long time. On a certain day in summer, cows went into the water, and the strap of that Book stuck to the foot of one animal, who brought it quite dry to the landing place. When
opened, not a single letter was defaced, and afterwards the landing place was called Port in Sosceoil, or Harbour of the Gospel. A certain man, named Donnan,2 came from Corco-Baiscin to St. Ciaran. He was son to a brother ofSenan,sonofGergenn,whileheandSenanhadthesamemother. Senan
situation, he said to his monks M If we tarry here, we shall have abundant
:
wealth of this world, but few souls shall go hence to Heaven. "
Before Diermit became the supreme ruler over Ireland,3 he had been
persecuted by King Tuathal. 4 In consequence, he was obliged to seek
safety by concealing himself en Lough Ree, and on the Lough Derg Islands, in the River Shannon. At this time, St. Kieran desired a site for the
erection of his religious establishment. The ground on which Clonmacnoise now stands, then belonged to Diermit. One day, while passing near the place in a boat, he met St. Kieran, who sought an interview with the prince. Thenhewasendeavouringtoescapefromoneislandtoanother. OurSaint thus addressed the
Kieran,
place, finding that his rival Diermit sought refuge in the place, King Tuathal
He then said to the brethren there,
Go to meet your future abbot. " When
they reported to Ciaran.
said to u What dost thou wish or him,
dost thou come ? ' He "ToseekaplacewhereinImayabideandserveGod. " WhenCiaranhad resolved on leaving Aingin, after a residence of three years and three months, he intended Donnan should there succeed him. He also left with him as reliquaries, that Book of Gospels which had been recovered from the lake, his bell, and his bearer Mael Odran. Afterwards, Ciaran went to Ard Manntain, beside the Shannon. When he saw how delightful was that
prince, son of a king and queen ;
" Thou art descended from a the kingly family,
this place is rightly thine, therefore grant a site for buildingachurch,asthehouseofGod; markoutitsdimensions,andbegin its first foundation. " Diermit replied that he was not a king. Then said "Thoushaltbea to-morrow. " Whilethisconversationtook
king
which he praises. In the time of Suyskens,
this life was not to be found in the Bol'landist
and 21, "dicuntur quinquaginta monachi in
Hiberniam appulisse, quorum aliqui, at in votis habebant, a S. Senano ad S. Kieranum, jam uti—que Anginensium abbatem, dimissi sunt. " "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. ,
ix. Acta S- sect, Septembris Kierani, iv. ,
Hare Island, in the First Volume of this work, and at that date, Art. xi.
Library. Chapter hi.
saints of
beginning
at A. u. 536 is mentioned Sanctus
"
Bruodin, in
Veritatis, Libris X. Coiistructum," lib. v. , cap. xii. , I)e Reg: qui post Christum reg-
to
narunt, pp. 892 894, Pragce, 1669, sm. 4to.
4 This is mentioned the writer, in the by
—
which Ussher had seen, at cap. iii. , num. 20
the of which is
•
In the Life of St. Kieran,
his reign—
why
replied
:
Tripartite Life of St. Patrick. See Colgan's 2u
p. 277.
His feast is held on the 7th of January. Trias Thaumaturga," lib. ii. , cap. xxviii. , See notices of him and of Inis Aingin or pp. 132, 133.
3 the
Among —contemporaneous
placed Kieranus Episcopus," by R. P. F. Anthony
Propragnaculum Catholics
"
220 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[September 9.
came against him, with a great force. A battle ensued, in which Tuathal fell. 5 After his rival's death, Diermit succeeded him in the kingdom. 6 So far as we can follow the order of narrative, after St. Kiarain left Ard Mann- tain, he went to a place, then called Ard Tiprat, or the Height of the Well. " Here then will we stay," he said to his monks, " for many souls shall go hence to Heaven, and there shall be a visit from God and men for ever on this place. " It was the site chosen for his future great monastery of Clonmacnoise. We are told, that King Diermit laid the foundations of Clonmacnoise church. This appears to have been at first a small one. While, returning to Temoria, the king alighted from his horse three different times; and wherever he alighted, Diermit assigned a tract of land in each place, as an endowment for the new religious establishment. ? He also bestowed the state of Druim-raithe on God and on St. Kieran. 8
As Irish historians differ, regarding the year when King Diermit I. reached the throne of Ireland, we are in doubt, as to the exact date for this foundationatClonmacnoise. AccordingtotheAnnalsoftheFourMasters, a. d. 538,9 and to the Ulster Annals, a. d. 544, originated the earliest year of
IO
Although Ussher would assign the donation of Diermit" and his accession to a. d. 544 ; nevertheless, he
thinks Kieran did not found his monastery at Clonmacnoise, until a. d. 448. " This is inferred, from what is stated, that our saint lived only one year at Clonmacnoise, he having died in 549. I3 For certain reasons assigned, the
his reign : the latest assigned being 565.
5 He was pierced with a deadly wound, inflicted by Maelmorus, a relative of Dier-
numbered folio pages was written by
Michael Oge O'Longan, between the years 1 791 and 1799, in various parts of Munster.
8
See Septima Vita, seu Tripartita, S. Patricii, pars ii. , cap. xxviii. , pp. 132, 133,
mit.
"
Et hinc natum proverbium en
Moelmori palma ; quando facinus aliquod brevis lsetitia? et gloriae, ad quod mox
tristitia, vel adversitas subsequitur, deno- tare volumus. "—Ibid.
6 Dr. Charles O'Conor, who has published the Irish Poem attributed to Gildas Modu-
dius of Arcibraccan, and beginning Eire
"
Trias Thaumaturga," and nn.
ogh transla
twenty years,
lines
:
pp. IO
occurring 200, 201.
Inis na Noimh, with a literal Latin
a
of
from A. D. — his 539,
reign —tion, has at the xii. strophe these demise
under the
year 558.
Ibid. ,
Diarmitius bis decern annorum,
Filius Cearballi cum mansuetis Legibus, Aodhus Niger armis eum jugulavit, cruci-
avit,
Occidit, combussit, in cinerem redegit.
This was the year of King Diermit's "
In a note on this
" Ecclesia? Cluanmocnoisensis prima funda- menta jecit, et agros monti Usnacha: contiguos, antea Druidicos, S. Kierano, istius Monasterii primo Abbati, contulit. " O'Duvegani Codex MS. , fol. 132. Evinus In Vita Patr. , p. 3, c. 28. —" Rerum Hiberni- caruni Scriptores Veteres,'' tomus i. Nuncupatoria, pp. cxlvii. to clxviii.
celebrated events in Irish history ; viz. , the
foundation of the great Monastery of Clon-
by
the palace of Tara.
" In a note to the Acts of St. Cronan of
Roscrea, at the 28th of April, the Bollandist
passage,
the editor adds
macnoise St. Kieran,andthedesertionof
7 There is an
St.
Ciarain of Clonmacnoise and two of his clerics in vol. i. of the Betham Manuscript Collection, belonging to the Royal Irish Academy. It is entitled, eaccpa leifjin, or the Adventures of Leithin, and it contains some curious topographical references. See pp. 378 to 385. This Manuscript of 401
editor promised, at the 9th of September, it should be proved, that the monastery of Clonmacnoise had been founded so early as about A. D. 519, and that St. Kieran lived there until or even later. It be
interesting Legend regarding
570, may observed, that this promise has not been fulfilled, as indeed it would have been absurd to make such an attempt in the face
:
Epistola
—
in Colgan's
63, 64, ibid. , pp. 175, 176.
9 See Dr. O' Donovan's edition, vol. i. , pp. 180, 181. These authors place the death of Tuathal at a. d. 538; while allowing Diermit
death, according to Ussher. See Primordia
Ecclesiarum Britannicarum," cap. xvii. , p.
947f and Index Chronologicus ad ann, Dl. xv.
11
Under this Monarch occurred two
Wright's " History Ireland," vol. i. , book i. , chap, iv. , p. 30.
of
of so many contradictory authorities.
M The Bollandist editor remarks, that there are certain difficulties connected with this account, which render such a statement
September 9. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 221
Bollandist editor of our Saint's acts refuses to accept the computation of the Four Masters, in reference to those circumstances, which appear to determine the date of Kieran's foundation. This he seems desirous of placing at a. d. 544. 14 If it could be established, that Eogain Bel I5 died in 537 6 it must
;'
seem, that St. Kellach was then living at Clonmacnoise, and consequently, that St. Kieran had founded his establishment there, at or before such a date. 17 This grant was probably made, after the death of King Tuathal, while Diermit reigned, and about the year 540, when Finian was ninety years of age. It could not have occurred much sooner, unless we wish to assert, against the opinion of Ussher and other authorities cited by him, that St.
Finian owed his possessions, not to the liberality of St. Kyran of Clonmacnoise, but to that of St. Kyran of Saigir.
18
In the Life of St. Kellach,
are informed, that this holy man spent some time at Clonmacnoise, under St. Kieran'sspiritualguidance. Whileaspiringtothemonasticstate,news arrived regarding the death of Eogain Bel. His son was induced by certain chiefs to leave Clonmacnoise in a private manner. This was done without theconsentofSt. Kieran. ThenKellachhopedtosucceedasrulerinhis father's kingdom. That dignity he enjoyed only for a short time, when he felt a desire to abandon objects of worldly ambition to seek the solitude of a wood, where he appears to have led an eremitical life. After a year penitently spent in this manner, and with some degree of self-reproach, he returnedtoSt. KieranatClonmacnoise. ThereKellachwaskindlyreceived.
Being initiated to the priesthood, he afterwards lived a holy life, under our
1 saint's rule. ^
It is said, that Diermit had a great esteem for our saint. But, it is scarcely probable, that Kieran obtained one hundred churches or cells from him. 20 Such an account most likely became current, long after the time of
our saint, when his rule and institute had been embraced in a great number of religious houses. During the course of ages, these communities gradually
multiplied ; yet, with the exception of Inis-aingin and Clonmacnoise, we cannot find reliable testimony concerning any other houses of his order, which existed during the life-time of Kieran. 31 From occasional illustrations, contained in other saints' lives, we learn that Clonmacnoise was the head of other flourishing houses throughout Ireland, and that it was richly endowed.
l8 See the Life of of Ceallach, bishop
Killala, at the 1st of May, in the Fifth Volume of this work, Art. i.
He thinks it can be estab-
improbable.
lished, from the Life of St. Kellac, bishop in Ireland, and which in tomus i. , Maii i. , at p. 104, is to be found in their great collec- tion, that St. Kiaran presided for more than a
year
I9 Suyskens thinks the foregoing cir- cumstances, if reliable, should require at least more than one of incidence,
over Clonmacnoise, '" cum nihil vetet, quominus ejusdem mors in annum 549 aut forte 548 incidisse dicatur, necesse pariter est, ut Cluain-mic-noisia prius condita fuisse credatur. "—"Acta Sanctorum," tomus
year
and should represent at least two or three
iii. , Septembris ix. , sect, v. , num. 48, p. 379. 14 This is the year given by Ussher, for St.
carum," at p. 957, and Index Chronologicus, ad A. D- 544.
2I
son to Eogain Bel, King of Connaught, we
Indeed, it is not probable, that our saint would have accepted very rich endow- " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- ments, even if offered by Diermit. The nioe," xxvi. Martii, n. 10, p. 755. grants usually given in those primitive 17 But, in Suysken's opinion, as the Four times were such tracts of lands, as the Masters, who assign such year for his death, monks could conveniently till by the had antedated the reigns of Tuathal and labour of their own hands. See Dr.
Kieran's foundation at Inis Aingin. '5 King of Connaught.
16 See
Diermit by five years, so these same authori- ties may have committed a like mistake in this present instance.
Colgan's
years.
20
See " De Primordiis Ecclesiarum Britanni-
This is stated, in the Book of Navan.
Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical History of Ire- land," vol. ii. , chap, x. , sect, xi. , n. 181, pp. 58, 59.
222 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[September 9.
Whatever credit we may be disposed to give such accounts, one thing appears certain, our ancestors considered this establishment to have been one of great extent and importance. This is shown, from the vision and prophecy ofSt. Endeus,towhichallusionhasbeenalreadymade. Again,wefindit recorded, that while St. Columba had been engaged transcribing a book of Gospels, he asked St. Kieran to aid him in writing some middle portion of this work. 22 to such a
Assenting
the part of God, I also promise and pronounce, that the central parts of Ireland shall be connected with your name, and become tributaries for the
23
When leaving for Clonmacnoise, St. Ciaran is said to have previously
future to
your monastery. "
resigned Aingin Monastery
proposal,
2* to the care of Adomnan or Domnan, a native of Munster. He took with him eight disciples: viz. , Ciaran, Oengus, Mac-nisse,
Inis Aingin Ruins, Lough Ree.
Cael-colomb, Mobeoc, Mo-lioc, Lugna Mac-hui Moga-Laim, and Colman, son ofNun. Aftertheyhadcomefromthewavesofthewater,allarecomparedto Noah, son of Lamech, who took possession of the world with his octad, when coming from the waves of the Deluge. According to Archbishop Ussher, Kieran went to Clonmacnoise in 544. The Irish Life of our saint, as found in the Book of Lismore, mentions the eighth of the Calends of February, on the tenth of the moon, on the tenth of the lunar month, and on a Saturday, as the data for his setting up the first stake there, but the year is not men- tioned. At that time Diarmait, son of Cerball, is said to have been along with him. 's Anciently Clonmacnoise is said to have been called Druim-
" This seems to be only another version of an anecdote already related, but in a different form.
33 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," VitaQuintaS. Columbx,n. 88,p. 403.
24 Already we have presented an illustra- tion of the ancient church on Inis Aingin or Hare Island. To the kindness of the
Very Rev. Thomas Langan, D. D. , Admin- istrator of St. Mary's Church, Athlone, we
have been presented with a photograph of the ruins there remaining, and from an en- tirelydifferentpointofview. Thisrepre- sentation has been drawn and engraved on
the wood by Gregor Grey.
25 The narrative thus continues : Said
St. Columba " On predicted :
September 9. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 223
26
See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
26 and it has been to have thought
name from a
tiprad,
Connaught prince.
got
present
by Ware,
to a. d.
2?
548.
a8 That Clonmacnoise had been founded monastery
nian," Februarii vi. De S. Mune Episcopo
Forgnagiensi, cap. ix. , p. 266.
" A. D. 547 (548) Fundata est Clonmacnois, i. e. , Nois Muccaid regis Connacie a quo nomina-
27 The Annals of Innisfallen have
:
tur Cluain. " The
be that it was so called from a son of Nois Muccaid, King of Connaught. Perhaps 241.
Colgan's nian," p. 346.
" Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
;
meaning
of this seems to
his name was Tiprad. I find this name among these of the ancient princes of that province. "—Rev. Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesi- astical History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, x. , sect, xi. , n. 180, p. 58. Reference is there made to
33 The Irish verse is thus rendered into English :—
28 " S. Kieranus, sive Ciaranus junior, ex Aradensium familia ortus, sed Boe'tii, alias Beonandi fabri lignarii filius, unde et vulgo dictus est Maciteir, sive filius artificis, cceno- bium condidit Clonmacnoisan prius Tipraic dictae, in ipso quasi Hibernian umbilici) sive meditullio, anno Domini dxlviii. , locum concedente Dermitio Cervalli fdio, rege Hibernian. Huic ccenobio secundum pluri-
34 Alemand writes : '* A Cluain-Mac-nois% autrement Chines ou Kilcom, il y a eu une ancienne Abbaye que les Annales d'Ultonie appellent noiiUssimum Afotmsterttim^ &c.
its
The first establishment of St. Kieran here is referred
in the year just mentioned appears from the general testimony of our old 2
writers. ?
Regarding the arrival of Kieran, at Clonmacnoise, we are told, 30 that our
:
Saint predicted as follows M Here shall I dwell, in this place many souls
shall go to the Kingdom of God, and in this place shall my resurrection be. " Then, we are informed, that with his disciples, St. Kieran dwelt there, and began the foundation of a great monastery. Many flocked to him, when his monastery had been founded at Clonmacnoise. His district embraced a wide circuit. Soon his fame became celebrated throughout the whole ot Ireland. 3 1 A very ancient old vellum book states, that Ciaran of Cluain was in his habits and life like unto John the Apostle. His great virtues and miracles made him be known as a remarkable saint, both at home and abroad. His love for chastity and truth is thus traditionally recorded by Cuimin of Coindeire,3' who in the
states,
the fort of Macha loves," etc. , that Ciaran never looked upon a woman, from
the time he was born, and that he never told a lie. 33 Nor indeed is it to be a subject for wonder, that brief as had been his rule at Clonmacnois,3* he
Cianin to Diarmait when setting the stake, mos Kieranus unico solum anno, secundum "Let, O warrior, thy hand be over my nonnullus (perperam opinor) annis septem
hand, and thou shalt be in sovereignty over prsefuit abbas, morte ibi ereptus v. Idus the men of Ireland. " " I agree," saith Septembris, anno salutis per Christum
Diarmait, "provided thou givest a sign to me in confirmation. " " I will say it then,"
"
though thou art alone to- day, thou wilt be king of Ireland at this hour to-morrow. " That promise was real- ized, for Tiiathal Maelgarb, King of Ire- land, was killed on that night, and Diarmait took the kingdom of Ireland on the morrow, and offered a hundred churches to Ciaran. This is followed by confirmatory verses,
taken from an Irish poem.
dxlix. , in ipso aetatis flore, cum annos vixisset solum triginta ties. " See " Com- mentarius de Prsesulibus Hiberniae," p. 95.
29 These state, moreover, that Kieran died
the year immediately succeeding its founda- tion.
30 By O'Sheerin, in "Collectanea Sacra. "
Dissertatione de S. Columbani Monachatu,
art. hi. , sect, ii. , num.
and to St. Kieran Angin Island, which belonged to him. ? 3 According to Ussher, this first establishment of our Saint had its foundation in the year 544,74 and this statement apparently is made on the supposition, as Diermit's reign over Ireland did not begin until that year, Kieran could not have obtained his grant from him before such date.
CHAPTER III.
ST. KIERAN LEAVES INIS AINGIN AND PROCEEDS TO CLONMACNOISE—TUATHAL AND DIERMIT, KINGS OF IRELAND—FOUNDATION OF THE GREAT MONASTERY OF CLON-
MACNOISE—ST. KIERAN'S PREDICTION—
AN EPISCOPAL CITY AT CLONMACNOISE— ST. KIERAN THE FIRST ABBOT THERE.
While residing in Aingin, our Saint is said to have visited the Abbot Senan of Iniscathy, which shows, that it had been founded before the death of the latter. This we find related, in the metrical and prose Lives of St. Senan, where Kyran's miracles and virtues are specially recorded ; and from those accounts it would appear, that he was not then subject to Senan's spiritual jurisdiction, although he was received by the latter as a guest. Probably
** " Thus, Tigernach states in his Annals,
that Kieran, having founded the monastery of Clonmacnoise, was abbot for seven yeaes.
According to every other account, however, he founded it only one year before his death.
It seems probable, that Tigernach must be understood as referring to the whole time, during which he governed, both at Inis- aingin, and afterwards at Clonmacnoise.
7° He reigned from a. d. 539 to 559, ac- cording to Sylvester O'llalloran, who gives
Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, x. , sect, xi. , n. 179, p. 58. See, also, sect, xiii. , n. 213, pp. 71, 72.
72 This latter account is contained in a Life of St. Kieran, as quoted by Colgan, in "Trias Thaumaturga," Septima Vita S. Patricii, pars, ii. , n. 55, p. 175.
? 3 The Life of St. Ciardn, in the Book of
Lismore, states the mode of his coming to
Inis Aingin, a pet stag carrying his books, and the saint following behind until he came to the island. Therein dwelt an arch- presbyter, named Daniel, and a Briton. At first, he did not wish to receive Kieran, but as our saint presented him with a royal cup of great value, the priest wondered greatly and asked forgiveness. He then prostrated himself before our saint, and gave the island up to him.
"
General History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, iv. , pp.
the particulars of his reign in the 69 to 75.
7*
"
The name and recollection of Inis-
aingin were in course of time swallowed up
in the greatness of Clonmacnois, insomuch
that in some documents, ex c. the Acts of
Knda, Kieran is spoken of as setting about
the establishment of the latter very soon
after his departure from Arran, without any tomus iii. , Martii xxi. , Papebroke. in his
mention being made of Inis-aingin. As to the whole period of Kieran's abbotship,
Annotations to the Life of St. Endeus, at cat). 4, n. (b. ), also recognizes our saint to have been abbot and founder of Aingin
Tighernach is a respectable witness, having
lived at Clonmacnois, where he was an monastery. Suyskens says he probably Erenach, or as oth—ers say, abbot in the stated these things, on the authority of eleventh century. " Rev. Dr. Lanigan's Ussher, and on that of St. Kieran's Life,
security,
persecuted,
HIS VIRTUES AND MIRACLES—GROWTH OF
? 4 In the Bollandists' "Acta Sanctorum,"
September 9. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 219
1
they held many spiritual conferences together, on the occasion of each visit. While he dwelt in Inis-Aingin, Ciaran one day heard a noise in the harbour.
"
reaching the harbour, however, they only found a heathen youth, and this
"
Nevertheless," he replied, "go again for him, since it is manifest to me from his voice, that he shall be your abbot after me. " Then the youth was brought to Ciaran. His name was Enna Mac- Hui-Laigsi, and having received Tonsure, he read under Ciaran. He was a holy man, admirable in the Lord's sight, and he succeeded Ciaran as abbot
in Inis Aingin.
It so happened, that Ciaran's Book of Gospels was dropped into the lake
by a careless brother. There it remained for a long time. On a certain day in summer, cows went into the water, and the strap of that Book stuck to the foot of one animal, who brought it quite dry to the landing place. When
opened, not a single letter was defaced, and afterwards the landing place was called Port in Sosceoil, or Harbour of the Gospel. A certain man, named Donnan,2 came from Corco-Baiscin to St. Ciaran. He was son to a brother ofSenan,sonofGergenn,whileheandSenanhadthesamemother. Senan
situation, he said to his monks M If we tarry here, we shall have abundant
:
wealth of this world, but few souls shall go hence to Heaven. "
Before Diermit became the supreme ruler over Ireland,3 he had been
persecuted by King Tuathal. 4 In consequence, he was obliged to seek
safety by concealing himself en Lough Ree, and on the Lough Derg Islands, in the River Shannon. At this time, St. Kieran desired a site for the
erection of his religious establishment. The ground on which Clonmacnoise now stands, then belonged to Diermit. One day, while passing near the place in a boat, he met St. Kieran, who sought an interview with the prince. Thenhewasendeavouringtoescapefromoneislandtoanother. OurSaint thus addressed the
Kieran,
place, finding that his rival Diermit sought refuge in the place, King Tuathal
He then said to the brethren there,
Go to meet your future abbot. " When
they reported to Ciaran.
said to u What dost thou wish or him,
dost thou come ? ' He "ToseekaplacewhereinImayabideandserveGod. " WhenCiaranhad resolved on leaving Aingin, after a residence of three years and three months, he intended Donnan should there succeed him. He also left with him as reliquaries, that Book of Gospels which had been recovered from the lake, his bell, and his bearer Mael Odran. Afterwards, Ciaran went to Ard Manntain, beside the Shannon. When he saw how delightful was that
prince, son of a king and queen ;
" Thou art descended from a the kingly family,
this place is rightly thine, therefore grant a site for buildingachurch,asthehouseofGod; markoutitsdimensions,andbegin its first foundation. " Diermit replied that he was not a king. Then said "Thoushaltbea to-morrow. " Whilethisconversationtook
king
which he praises. In the time of Suyskens,
this life was not to be found in the Bol'landist
and 21, "dicuntur quinquaginta monachi in
Hiberniam appulisse, quorum aliqui, at in votis habebant, a S. Senano ad S. Kieranum, jam uti—que Anginensium abbatem, dimissi sunt. " "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. ,
ix. Acta S- sect, Septembris Kierani, iv. ,
Hare Island, in the First Volume of this work, and at that date, Art. xi.
Library. Chapter hi.
saints of
beginning
at A. u. 536 is mentioned Sanctus
"
Bruodin, in
Veritatis, Libris X. Coiistructum," lib. v. , cap. xii. , I)e Reg: qui post Christum reg-
to
narunt, pp. 892 894, Pragce, 1669, sm. 4to.
4 This is mentioned the writer, in the by
—
which Ussher had seen, at cap. iii. , num. 20
the of which is
•
In the Life of St. Kieran,
his reign—
why
replied
:
Tripartite Life of St. Patrick. See Colgan's 2u
p. 277.
His feast is held on the 7th of January. Trias Thaumaturga," lib. ii. , cap. xxviii. , See notices of him and of Inis Aingin or pp. 132, 133.
3 the
Among —contemporaneous
placed Kieranus Episcopus," by R. P. F. Anthony
Propragnaculum Catholics
"
220 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[September 9.
came against him, with a great force. A battle ensued, in which Tuathal fell. 5 After his rival's death, Diermit succeeded him in the kingdom. 6 So far as we can follow the order of narrative, after St. Kiarain left Ard Mann- tain, he went to a place, then called Ard Tiprat, or the Height of the Well. " Here then will we stay," he said to his monks, " for many souls shall go hence to Heaven, and there shall be a visit from God and men for ever on this place. " It was the site chosen for his future great monastery of Clonmacnoise. We are told, that King Diermit laid the foundations of Clonmacnoise church. This appears to have been at first a small one. While, returning to Temoria, the king alighted from his horse three different times; and wherever he alighted, Diermit assigned a tract of land in each place, as an endowment for the new religious establishment. ? He also bestowed the state of Druim-raithe on God and on St. Kieran. 8
As Irish historians differ, regarding the year when King Diermit I. reached the throne of Ireland, we are in doubt, as to the exact date for this foundationatClonmacnoise. AccordingtotheAnnalsoftheFourMasters, a. d. 538,9 and to the Ulster Annals, a. d. 544, originated the earliest year of
IO
Although Ussher would assign the donation of Diermit" and his accession to a. d. 544 ; nevertheless, he
thinks Kieran did not found his monastery at Clonmacnoise, until a. d. 448. " This is inferred, from what is stated, that our saint lived only one year at Clonmacnoise, he having died in 549. I3 For certain reasons assigned, the
his reign : the latest assigned being 565.
5 He was pierced with a deadly wound, inflicted by Maelmorus, a relative of Dier-
numbered folio pages was written by
Michael Oge O'Longan, between the years 1 791 and 1799, in various parts of Munster.
8
See Septima Vita, seu Tripartita, S. Patricii, pars ii. , cap. xxviii. , pp. 132, 133,
mit.
"
Et hinc natum proverbium en
Moelmori palma ; quando facinus aliquod brevis lsetitia? et gloriae, ad quod mox
tristitia, vel adversitas subsequitur, deno- tare volumus. "—Ibid.
6 Dr. Charles O'Conor, who has published the Irish Poem attributed to Gildas Modu-
dius of Arcibraccan, and beginning Eire
"
Trias Thaumaturga," and nn.
ogh transla
twenty years,
lines
:
pp. IO
occurring 200, 201.
Inis na Noimh, with a literal Latin
a
of
from A. D. — his 539,
reign —tion, has at the xii. strophe these demise
under the
year 558.
Ibid. ,
Diarmitius bis decern annorum,
Filius Cearballi cum mansuetis Legibus, Aodhus Niger armis eum jugulavit, cruci-
avit,
Occidit, combussit, in cinerem redegit.
This was the year of King Diermit's "
In a note on this
" Ecclesia? Cluanmocnoisensis prima funda- menta jecit, et agros monti Usnacha: contiguos, antea Druidicos, S. Kierano, istius Monasterii primo Abbati, contulit. " O'Duvegani Codex MS. , fol. 132. Evinus In Vita Patr. , p. 3, c. 28. —" Rerum Hiberni- caruni Scriptores Veteres,'' tomus i. Nuncupatoria, pp. cxlvii. to clxviii.
celebrated events in Irish history ; viz. , the
foundation of the great Monastery of Clon-
by
the palace of Tara.
" In a note to the Acts of St. Cronan of
Roscrea, at the 28th of April, the Bollandist
passage,
the editor adds
macnoise St. Kieran,andthedesertionof
7 There is an
St.
Ciarain of Clonmacnoise and two of his clerics in vol. i. of the Betham Manuscript Collection, belonging to the Royal Irish Academy. It is entitled, eaccpa leifjin, or the Adventures of Leithin, and it contains some curious topographical references. See pp. 378 to 385. This Manuscript of 401
editor promised, at the 9th of September, it should be proved, that the monastery of Clonmacnoise had been founded so early as about A. D. 519, and that St. Kieran lived there until or even later. It be
interesting Legend regarding
570, may observed, that this promise has not been fulfilled, as indeed it would have been absurd to make such an attempt in the face
:
Epistola
—
in Colgan's
63, 64, ibid. , pp. 175, 176.
9 See Dr. O' Donovan's edition, vol. i. , pp. 180, 181. These authors place the death of Tuathal at a. d. 538; while allowing Diermit
death, according to Ussher. See Primordia
Ecclesiarum Britannicarum," cap. xvii. , p.
947f and Index Chronologicus ad ann, Dl. xv.
11
Under this Monarch occurred two
Wright's " History Ireland," vol. i. , book i. , chap, iv. , p. 30.
of
of so many contradictory authorities.
M The Bollandist editor remarks, that there are certain difficulties connected with this account, which render such a statement
September 9. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 221
Bollandist editor of our Saint's acts refuses to accept the computation of the Four Masters, in reference to those circumstances, which appear to determine the date of Kieran's foundation. This he seems desirous of placing at a. d. 544. 14 If it could be established, that Eogain Bel I5 died in 537 6 it must
;'
seem, that St. Kellach was then living at Clonmacnoise, and consequently, that St. Kieran had founded his establishment there, at or before such a date. 17 This grant was probably made, after the death of King Tuathal, while Diermit reigned, and about the year 540, when Finian was ninety years of age. It could not have occurred much sooner, unless we wish to assert, against the opinion of Ussher and other authorities cited by him, that St.
Finian owed his possessions, not to the liberality of St. Kyran of Clonmacnoise, but to that of St. Kyran of Saigir.
18
In the Life of St. Kellach,
are informed, that this holy man spent some time at Clonmacnoise, under St. Kieran'sspiritualguidance. Whileaspiringtothemonasticstate,news arrived regarding the death of Eogain Bel. His son was induced by certain chiefs to leave Clonmacnoise in a private manner. This was done without theconsentofSt. Kieran. ThenKellachhopedtosucceedasrulerinhis father's kingdom. That dignity he enjoyed only for a short time, when he felt a desire to abandon objects of worldly ambition to seek the solitude of a wood, where he appears to have led an eremitical life. After a year penitently spent in this manner, and with some degree of self-reproach, he returnedtoSt. KieranatClonmacnoise. ThereKellachwaskindlyreceived.
Being initiated to the priesthood, he afterwards lived a holy life, under our
1 saint's rule. ^
It is said, that Diermit had a great esteem for our saint. But, it is scarcely probable, that Kieran obtained one hundred churches or cells from him. 20 Such an account most likely became current, long after the time of
our saint, when his rule and institute had been embraced in a great number of religious houses. During the course of ages, these communities gradually
multiplied ; yet, with the exception of Inis-aingin and Clonmacnoise, we cannot find reliable testimony concerning any other houses of his order, which existed during the life-time of Kieran. 31 From occasional illustrations, contained in other saints' lives, we learn that Clonmacnoise was the head of other flourishing houses throughout Ireland, and that it was richly endowed.
l8 See the Life of of Ceallach, bishop
Killala, at the 1st of May, in the Fifth Volume of this work, Art. i.
He thinks it can be estab-
improbable.
lished, from the Life of St. Kellac, bishop in Ireland, and which in tomus i. , Maii i. , at p. 104, is to be found in their great collec- tion, that St. Kiaran presided for more than a
year
I9 Suyskens thinks the foregoing cir- cumstances, if reliable, should require at least more than one of incidence,
over Clonmacnoise, '" cum nihil vetet, quominus ejusdem mors in annum 549 aut forte 548 incidisse dicatur, necesse pariter est, ut Cluain-mic-noisia prius condita fuisse credatur. "—"Acta Sanctorum," tomus
year
and should represent at least two or three
iii. , Septembris ix. , sect, v. , num. 48, p. 379. 14 This is the year given by Ussher, for St.
carum," at p. 957, and Index Chronologicus, ad A. D- 544.
2I
son to Eogain Bel, King of Connaught, we
Indeed, it is not probable, that our saint would have accepted very rich endow- " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- ments, even if offered by Diermit. The nioe," xxvi. Martii, n. 10, p. 755. grants usually given in those primitive 17 But, in Suysken's opinion, as the Four times were such tracts of lands, as the Masters, who assign such year for his death, monks could conveniently till by the had antedated the reigns of Tuathal and labour of their own hands. See Dr.
Kieran's foundation at Inis Aingin. '5 King of Connaught.
16 See
Diermit by five years, so these same authori- ties may have committed a like mistake in this present instance.
Colgan's
years.
20
See " De Primordiis Ecclesiarum Britanni-
This is stated, in the Book of Navan.
Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical History of Ire- land," vol. ii. , chap, x. , sect, xi. , n. 181, pp. 58, 59.
222 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[September 9.
Whatever credit we may be disposed to give such accounts, one thing appears certain, our ancestors considered this establishment to have been one of great extent and importance. This is shown, from the vision and prophecy ofSt. Endeus,towhichallusionhasbeenalreadymade. Again,wefindit recorded, that while St. Columba had been engaged transcribing a book of Gospels, he asked St. Kieran to aid him in writing some middle portion of this work. 22 to such a
Assenting
the part of God, I also promise and pronounce, that the central parts of Ireland shall be connected with your name, and become tributaries for the
23
When leaving for Clonmacnoise, St. Ciaran is said to have previously
future to
your monastery. "
resigned Aingin Monastery
proposal,
2* to the care of Adomnan or Domnan, a native of Munster. He took with him eight disciples: viz. , Ciaran, Oengus, Mac-nisse,
Inis Aingin Ruins, Lough Ree.
Cael-colomb, Mobeoc, Mo-lioc, Lugna Mac-hui Moga-Laim, and Colman, son ofNun. Aftertheyhadcomefromthewavesofthewater,allarecomparedto Noah, son of Lamech, who took possession of the world with his octad, when coming from the waves of the Deluge. According to Archbishop Ussher, Kieran went to Clonmacnoise in 544. The Irish Life of our saint, as found in the Book of Lismore, mentions the eighth of the Calends of February, on the tenth of the moon, on the tenth of the lunar month, and on a Saturday, as the data for his setting up the first stake there, but the year is not men- tioned. At that time Diarmait, son of Cerball, is said to have been along with him. 's Anciently Clonmacnoise is said to have been called Druim-
" This seems to be only another version of an anecdote already related, but in a different form.
33 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," VitaQuintaS. Columbx,n. 88,p. 403.
24 Already we have presented an illustra- tion of the ancient church on Inis Aingin or Hare Island. To the kindness of the
Very Rev. Thomas Langan, D. D. , Admin- istrator of St. Mary's Church, Athlone, we
have been presented with a photograph of the ruins there remaining, and from an en- tirelydifferentpointofview. Thisrepre- sentation has been drawn and engraved on
the wood by Gregor Grey.
25 The narrative thus continues : Said
St. Columba " On predicted :
September 9. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 223
26
See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
26 and it has been to have thought
name from a
tiprad,
Connaught prince.
got
present
by Ware,
to a. d.
2?
548.
a8 That Clonmacnoise had been founded monastery
nian," Februarii vi. De S. Mune Episcopo
Forgnagiensi, cap. ix. , p. 266.
" A. D. 547 (548) Fundata est Clonmacnois, i. e. , Nois Muccaid regis Connacie a quo nomina-
27 The Annals of Innisfallen have
:
tur Cluain. " The
be that it was so called from a son of Nois Muccaid, King of Connaught. Perhaps 241.
Colgan's nian," p. 346.
" Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
;
meaning
of this seems to
his name was Tiprad. I find this name among these of the ancient princes of that province. "—Rev. Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesi- astical History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, x. , sect, xi. , n. 180, p. 58. Reference is there made to
33 The Irish verse is thus rendered into English :—
28 " S. Kieranus, sive Ciaranus junior, ex Aradensium familia ortus, sed Boe'tii, alias Beonandi fabri lignarii filius, unde et vulgo dictus est Maciteir, sive filius artificis, cceno- bium condidit Clonmacnoisan prius Tipraic dictae, in ipso quasi Hibernian umbilici) sive meditullio, anno Domini dxlviii. , locum concedente Dermitio Cervalli fdio, rege Hibernian. Huic ccenobio secundum pluri-
34 Alemand writes : '* A Cluain-Mac-nois% autrement Chines ou Kilcom, il y a eu une ancienne Abbaye que les Annales d'Ultonie appellent noiiUssimum Afotmsterttim^ &c.
its
The first establishment of St. Kieran here is referred
in the year just mentioned appears from the general testimony of our old 2
writers. ?
Regarding the arrival of Kieran, at Clonmacnoise, we are told, 30 that our
:
Saint predicted as follows M Here shall I dwell, in this place many souls
shall go to the Kingdom of God, and in this place shall my resurrection be. " Then, we are informed, that with his disciples, St. Kieran dwelt there, and began the foundation of a great monastery. Many flocked to him, when his monastery had been founded at Clonmacnoise. His district embraced a wide circuit. Soon his fame became celebrated throughout the whole ot Ireland. 3 1 A very ancient old vellum book states, that Ciaran of Cluain was in his habits and life like unto John the Apostle. His great virtues and miracles made him be known as a remarkable saint, both at home and abroad. His love for chastity and truth is thus traditionally recorded by Cuimin of Coindeire,3' who in the
states,
the fort of Macha loves," etc. , that Ciaran never looked upon a woman, from
the time he was born, and that he never told a lie. 33 Nor indeed is it to be a subject for wonder, that brief as had been his rule at Clonmacnois,3* he
Cianin to Diarmait when setting the stake, mos Kieranus unico solum anno, secundum "Let, O warrior, thy hand be over my nonnullus (perperam opinor) annis septem
hand, and thou shalt be in sovereignty over prsefuit abbas, morte ibi ereptus v. Idus the men of Ireland. " " I agree," saith Septembris, anno salutis per Christum
Diarmait, "provided thou givest a sign to me in confirmation. " " I will say it then,"
"
though thou art alone to- day, thou wilt be king of Ireland at this hour to-morrow. " That promise was real- ized, for Tiiathal Maelgarb, King of Ire- land, was killed on that night, and Diarmait took the kingdom of Ireland on the morrow, and offered a hundred churches to Ciaran. This is followed by confirmatory verses,
taken from an Irish poem.
dxlix. , in ipso aetatis flore, cum annos vixisset solum triginta ties. " See " Com- mentarius de Prsesulibus Hiberniae," p. 95.
29 These state, moreover, that Kieran died
the year immediately succeeding its founda- tion.
30 By O'Sheerin, in "Collectanea Sacra. "
Dissertatione de S. Columbani Monachatu,
art. hi. , sect, ii. , num.
