Fechin, and in com- memoration of that
remarkable
miracle,^?
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v1
See "Acta Sanctorum
thers and Wives of the Irish Kings. " He Hibernise," xx. Januarii, n. 19, p. 141.
assigns her festival arbitrarily to this day, as a matter of convenience, supposing she may have been identical with Blessed The-
noticed in the " Genea- maria, Menologic
logy," chap. XX. But the writer thinks it
preferable, to class her with the ephemeral
'7 The barony of Carbury here is called
from Cairbre, third son to Niall of the Nine
Hostages, whose descemlants settled within
that also known as Cairbre of territory,
DruiinCliabhorDrumcliff. Itwasformerly
considered a part of Ulster, and tributary to
who are to be inserted towards the end of this work.
'3 He seems at this time to have been only king over Meath. In 657, he began to rule over all Ireland, jointly with King Blaith-
•
the of Aileach. See Dr. O'Donovan's King
saints,
" Leabhar na g-Ceart, or Book of Rights," n. (u), p. 130. See, also, Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , n.
fies.
the
pp. 263
"
(w), p. 328.
January 20. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 373
Mor or Carbre Droma Cliabh. '^ Within it maybe seen, near an indentation "
ofthesea,DruimcHabh,inEngHsh theridgeofthebaskets,"orDrumchff, as it is now generally written. This was the site of one among the many of St. Columkille's or Columba's churches. Few of its traces now remain : but the cemetery and round tower are still extant. The latter is shorn of its fair proportions. It is rudely built, and it indicates an early period of erec- tion. This Cloightheach measures about 40 feet in elevation. '9 Here, too, are monumental crosses of great archaeological interest. Unhappily but one tolerably well-preserved specimen remains at Drumcliff. '^° Over ground, there are at least fragments of two other crosses. The nearly perfect cross measures 13 feet in height, by 3 feet 8 inches at its greatest breadth, at the arms. The shaft is about a foot in thickness at its base, and somewhat thinner at the top. It is composed of three stones, connected by mortice
Drumcliffe Cross, Co. Sligo.
and tenon. ^' With base and cap now wanting, this stone formed a monu- ment, upon which the early sculptor carved in the Irish manner a series of devices and ornaments, like what may be found in some of our oldest manu- scripts preserved in this island, in England and on the Continent. It may be observed, the broader surfaces of the cross lie nearly, if not exactly, east and west. Such an arrangement is common to all undisturbed monuments of a similar class. "
'* See " Acta Sanctorum Hibemioe," xx. Januarii. Secunda Vita S. Fechini, cap. xxiii. , XXX. , and nn. 14, 15, 19, pp. 135,
136, HI-
'S For an illustration, the reader is re-
feiTed to the notices of St. Muadhnat, virgin,
of Caille, DrumcUffe, at the 6th of January.
is represented on the ** Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the County of Sligo, Sheets 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15.
»' The accompanying representation of this cross, from a photograph by Frederick W. Mares, was engraved by Mr. Gregor Grey, Dubhn.
'" "
This parish, in the barony of (. 'arbury, Commencing at the lowest compartment
374 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 26.
In a different district from the foregoing one, but known too as Carbre,
and at a place called Droim-for-achaidh, by the old generations, but by those who lived in more recent times Kill-Hua-Sona,^3 St. Fechin is said to have wrought three very extraordinary miracles,^* But it would seem indeed an endless task, to enumerate all the wonders performed by this holy servant of God, were we to record all that has come down to our times in writing, and still more from popular local traditions.
St. Fechin is represented as having passed from the country of Hy-Fiach- rachtotheterritoryofCriochNacceudach. ^s Thisprobablylaywithinthe
^^ The of the former district followed the people
present King's County.
saint, and were miraculously fed by him on swine's flesh. Hence grew up a
custom, that when the day permitted the use of meat, St. Fechin's successors alwayspartookofswine'sflesh,whenpassingthroughHy-Fiachrach. =7 At
on the western side, a very beautiful quad- ruple knot of interlaced tracery appears.
Above this, in a separate panel, the story of the temptation may be seen. The tree here
spiral class. As early at least as the begin- ning of the eleventh century, the latter form of ornament, after having been in use for several centuries, is known to have given way to a more modem style. It is thought, that the date of the Drumcliffe cross may be assigned to the early part of the tenth cen-
is double, and the serpent clings to either
stem. The foliage is conventionally repre-
sented, by an exquisite and most intricate
design, known as "Opus Hibernicum,"— tury. See W. F. Wakeman's "Lough Erne,
the whole being highly suggestive of a cross Enniskillen, Belleek, Ballyshannon and Bun- "
pattern. Next in alto relievo is a horse-like doran, &c. Third Excursion, pp. 107 to
figure, having probably some s3mibolical meaning. Above this monster is an easily
read hieroglyph, referring to the story of David and Goliath, The Philistine has just
been decapitated ; while the youthful victor holds the head in his left, and a short, broad- bladedCelticswordinhisrighthand. The arms and circles of the cross present repre- sentations of the last judgment. The ring or circle, by which the shaft and arms are connected, and which is thought to be em- blematicof is enriched
109.
*3 Colgan says, there was a place so called
in his time, in the district of Cairbre, other-
wise Eanghuile, and in the county of Long- ford. The mountainous part of this old territory is still called Sliabh Chairbre. The people of Cairbre Gabhre were so called as having been descended from Cairbre, son to Niall of the Nine Hostages. See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Mas- ters," vol. i. , n. (w), p. 328.
" See " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- Colgan's
by designs
eternity,
of great merit in the Celtic style. These nise," XX. Januarii. Secunda Vita S.
however are greatly weather-worn. The
western face of this cross is equally profuse
indecoration. Atthebaseisafinespecimen
of interlacing lines and knots, surmounted
by a group of three figures, apparently en- nuarii, n. 32, p. 142. Yet, it seems to the gaged in consultation. Above these, there
IS a nondescript animal, surmounted by a second group of figures, one of which seems to be armed with a sword, on the right-hand side, as if about to seize or attack the central figure, while the hands of the figure to the left seem raised, as if in the attitude of prayer or supplication. The next panel contains two seated figures, one of which holds something upon its lap. Judging from a similar, but well-preserved sculpture upon a cross at Monasterboice, this would seem intended for the infant Saviour. The head of the cross represents the crucifixion, with the sponge and spear bearers, the latter of unusually small size. Here, also, in the arms and circle are exquisite carvings in the Irish style of ornamentation. The sides or edges of the cross are richly worked, and
in chaste patterns, some of which inter-
J'et while others to the
ace, belong divergent
\vriter, that the place must rather be identified with Crioch na g-Ceadach, said by Dr. O'Donovan to have been situated in the north-east of the King's County. See " Leabhar na g-Ceart, or Book of Rights," n. (o), p. 2C».
" the ter-
^ At Cuil Fabhar, a place near Fore in
the county of Westmeath, a sept of the Hy Fiacha or Hy Fiachrach was located. This clan descended from Fiachra Mac Dathi, who was detained as a hostage by Niall of
the Nine See Dr. O'Donovan's Hostages.
Fechini, cap. xl. , and n. 30, pp. 138, 142. 's This is said by Colgan to have lain in the southern part of Roscommon county. See "Acta Sanctorum Hibemiae," xx. Ja-
»* The Crich na
ritory of the Cedachs was formerly in Meath, but is now a part of the King's County on the Westmeath side. It was so called from belonging to a sept descended from OilioU Cedach, son to Cathair Mor, monarch of Ireland in the second century. See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. ii. , n. (i), p. 1019.
g-Cedach, i. e. ,
January 20] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 375
another time, the saint visited a church, called Teagh Mhac Neamhain,"^ in thedistrictofHyFoelan,=^9andintheprovinceofLugemne. 3° Thesituation of that church was in a spot so narrow, that no room remained near it for a cemetery. 31 A great mass of stone proved a particular impediment, but by prayer he is said to have removed this obstruction. 3^
Taking a journey into Leinster, during the afternoon of a Sunday, the
holy Fechin visited that romantic waterfall now called Poulaphoka,33 in the
countyofWicklow. 34 Heretheremainsofanancienthighwayarestilltrace-
able. 3s The saint on this occasion manifested his keen appreciation, how the
beautiful external works of nature insensibly lift the soul to a consideration
ofwhatisduetotheLordofnature. Foralthoughweariedafterhisjoimiey,
Fechin would fain kneel before a cross, at this place. His disciples re-
minded him, that at least he should rest from labour on the Lord's day.
""
If," said the loving servant of God, by the continual downpour of its
waters, and by the sublime melody of its sonorous roaring, the cataract3'5 near us never ceases to praise the Divine Creator, no less should I be a debtor in the purchasing a heavenly country. " Wherefore he resolved to spend the whole of that Sunday afternoon by the waterfall, blending the human voices of sacred song, with the deeper diapason of the turbulent eddies, that whirled from the upper rocks into the gulf beneath. But, the Almighty, to reward his devout client, caused a suspension of the laws of nature in his be- half, and to the third hour of the day, the cataract ceased to flow, while the servants of God chaunted their h)nnns on this romantic site. The silence of the grave now reigned around them. St. Fechin at length considered this miraculous event as an intimation, that his good-will was accepted by God for the duty of praise, and he too ceased from the sacred psalmody, which he had commenced. 37
Thence probably the holy abbot went direct to Naas. It is said, that a religious establishment had been founded at Tulachfobhair,38 near Naas
"Genealogies, Tribes and Customs of Hy- Fiachrach," p. 33 and n (p). Most pro- bably this is the district of Hy-Fiachrach, to which allusion is here made.
Liffey, was Eas-Duthaire.
35 See Rev, John Francis Shearman's
"Loca Patriciana," p. 490. "Journal of the Historical and Archaeological Associa- tion of Ireland," vol. ii. Fourth series, July, 1873, No. 15.
3* "This cataract is formed by the descent of the River Liffey, whose accumulated
"Beauties of Ireland," vol. i. , p. 340.
37 «<The Second Life," chap, xxxviii. , p.
138.
38 Jq the Life of St. Fechin, as published
by Colgan, this place is incorrectly printed Fulach Tobhuir ; but in other instances, and in a note annexed to the passage, it is written
"favour," because of the royal bounty he had received, or it was so called from Fore, in Westmeath, where St, Fechin had his principal establishment.
^^
It is thought, the name of this place has
been derived from the three sons of Nem-
hain, who are said to have been venerated
on the 19th of February.
^"^ This
them half of the present county of Kildare. It included the baronies of Clane and Salt, with the greater part, if not the entire, of Ikeath and Oughteranny baronies. See Dr. O'Donovan's "Leabharna g-Ceart, or Book of Rights," n. (a), p. 206.
3^ This is probably a misspelling for La- genia.
3' This same miracle apparently as related
in the
"
First Life" gives us to understand,
territory comprised
about the nor-
waters here in fall,
that Fechin had a monastery there. See
3= See " The Second Life of St. Fechin," cap. xlii. , xliii. , p. 138.
"
Scenery and Antiquities of Ire- land," vol. i.
3'» The ancient name of this remarkable cataract, near the head waters of the River
chap, xxi. , p. 132.
33 An steel exquisite
as in our text. Tulach means ' ' a given
of this
will be found on the title page of W. H. hill" or "hillock. " Fobhair %\gM. i^QZ either
Bartlett's
engraving
spot
ponderous magnificence, down several progressive ledges of craggy precipice ; huge masses of rock impending on both sides, with much variety of pictu- resque effect. The great body of precipi- tated water eddies round the abyss into which it descends, forming a vortex, of frightful aspect and prodigious depth. " Brewer's
376 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 20. ^
town, by St. Fechin in the seventh century. It was endowed by the King of
Leinster, consequent on a special favour granted to St.
Fechin, and in com- memoration of that remarkable miracle,^? which is found related in his acts. '*" St. Fechin was accompanied by some of his monks. At this time, the king and his chiefs held a public assembly, at a place called Aonach Carman. Here the prayer of our saint was rejected. But being obliged to hold a more important convention, the holy man prosecuted his suit. Although the king persisted in his refusal, and would even not permit the saint to see him, on the object of his mission ; yet, in a miraculous manner, Fechin succeeded by entering into his castle at Naas. Within this stronghold, certain captives undersentenceofdeathhadbeendetained; but,attheentreatyofSt. Fechin, they were released from captivity, and he predicted that thenceforward, no other prisoners should be kept there in chains. ' To commemorate these events, very near the old castle of Naas, and in the market-place of this ancient town, a remarkable and large stone monument, known as the " Cross of St. Fechin," had been afterwards erected. In the seventeenth century,
Colgan says, this venerable object was to be seen in the middle of Naas. It
fiows
Road" extends. -^-^
Naas,
and towards which the " present Friary
through
Lauds. See Colgan's Acta Sanctorum Hibemise," xx. Januarii. Also Secunda Vita S. Fechini, pp. 132, 133.
" Acta Sanctorum Hiber- 136. I37> I4i» 142.
'° See
nise," XX. Januarii. Vita Secunda S. Fechini, cap. xxxii. , xxxiii. , and nn. 20, 21, 22, pp.
on the where the
right, Friary
*'
Coigan remarks, that this only could be
Colgan's
marked,
Road enters the town of Naas. Colond Eustace resided here, and took an active part with the Volunteers in his time. He was descended from the old family, founder of St. Eustacius' at Naas.
—which stood on the site of the present moat ; but
predicated of the old royal castle
Priory,
« This he states had St. Fechin for its
in the more modern castle or prisonersweredetained—inhistime. Indeed, the former — of Naas now converted into
regal citadel and the cross of St. Fechin, within the market-place.
jail
a town-hall lay nearly between the ancient
*' "
See Monasticon
Hibernicum," p.
"The Life of St.
Arch-
345.
''^ See notices of this saint at the nth of
January.
*^ This almost to have appears invariably
been the adjunct of our early Irish monastic houses.
David, bishop of Menevia, Chief Patron of Wales, and Titular Patron of Naas Church and
Parish, in Ireland, "chap. xiv. ,pp. l38toi40.
_*'See
nor is there even tradition — any popular regarding
has
its former existence or removal, at the present day. -'^ The King of Leinster so the old record states —to manifest his gratitude and atone for his former insensibility, granted in perpetuity to St. Fechin a tract of land, known as Tulach Fobhuir, with tenants living on it. A mill formed part of this grant. ^ That place was doubtless situated near or aroufid the principal stream, which
long
since
disappeared
the town of
;
Although the acts of St. Fechin do not allude to his erection of Tulach Fobhuir monastery, Harris has placed a religious house there. +s He has been followed by Archdall. But this writer was not able to give any account regarding it, nor can he even determine the site, except by placing it near the town of Naas, in the county of Kildare. *^ After this St. Fechin went to visit St. Ernan,47 who lived in the monastery of Cluain Deochra. Here there was a mill, the sound of which had been a constant source of annoyance to those who lived in the guest-house. *^
Townland Maps for the County of Kildare. " Sheet 19. At Simday's Well a patron was formerly held.
•* The site of Eustace's Castle is also
founder. See Harris' vol. " An- Ware, ii. ,
tiquities of Ireland," chap, xxxviii. , p. 262.
39 To this miracle allusion is made, in the
First Life of St. Fechin. It is related in
some Latin metrical lines. Afterwards, we as indicated on the "Ordnance Survey
find a more detailed account, in a hymn for "
prison many
Fechin, however, by his prayers re-
*3 This spot is probably identical with the com mill, at Mill Brook, near Sunday Well,
January 20. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 377
moved this noise, and he effected the reform of another discomfort, while stopping at this reUgious estabUshment. 49 This holy abbot was greatly ad- dicted to penitential exercises. In a poem, attributed to St. Cuimin of Connor, and which begins with the words " Patrick of the city of Macha
the —to this saint's
loves," following account, relating extraordinary austerities,
thus runs in the English translation
:
" Fechin the generous of Fobhar loved, It was no hypocritical devotion,
To place his meagre rib
Upon a hard bed without clothes. "
This is interpreted to mean, that he used no covering for his side, when re- posing on a hard bed in his cell. s° And in his Second Life, we are told, he scarcely allowed himself any refreshing sleep. To the devotional and peni- tential exercises of the day, he added others during the night. This he divided into three parts for his sanctification : the first portion he spent at
hymns, canticles, stations and genuflexions \ the second was passed in holy meditation and ecstasy under a tree near his monastery ; while the third part of the night was endured in a vessel of cold water, his mind only bent on
prayer, while his body was subjected to this process. To prevent his falling asleep through fatigue, it is said, he had one foot fastened by a chain to the tree ; while he had a vessel filled with cold water between his feet, and his hands folded on his breast supported a large stone, which if it chanced to fall into the water must serve to awaken him, by its consequent splash and sound. In the practice of these and many other wonderful corporal macera- tions, he prepared his soul by purification for the future joys of heaven. s^ St. Fechin sought from the simultaneously reigning monarchs of Ireland, Diermit II. and Blaithmaic,^^ the liberation of one Aedus or Aedan, a brave soldier. S3 This favour he obtained with great difficulty. On being dismissed from prison and given up to Fechin, the soldier went with him to Fore, where he became a monk. After further instruction, having received tonsure, he was promoted to the grade of priest, and serving God faithfully during life, he died a faithful minister. S4 The monks at his principal monastery experi- enced much inconvenience and labour in preparing food by the hand-quern for so large a community. Therefore, Fechin intended to relieve them, by engagingintheconstructionofamill,tobeworkedbywaterpower. Among the miracles of this holy abbot, his biographers take particular notice of one relating to this mill. For its working he is said to have procured a miraculous supply of water. 55 Giraldus Cambrensis \1^ites, that at Foure, in Meath, there was a mill, which St. Fechin miraculously hewed with his own hands out on
9 " Second Life," chap, xxxix. , p, 138.
s° See "The Martyrology of Donegal," edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 22,
23.
5' See " The Second Life," chap, xxiv. ,
p. 136.
s^ Their joint reigns began A. D. 657, and
assigned to the 13th of September.
54 gee the "Second Life," chap, xxvii. ,
p. 136, and n. 16, p. 141.
55 This mill was built on an eminence, and
it is stated, that the builder, a carpenter, ex- pressed his doubts if water could be procured at a sufficiently high level to turn its wheel,
"
The Lord is
vailed A. D. 664 the same year, and owing procure water for his servants. " Then he to the same mortality, St. Fechin departed. went towards a lake, about one mile distant. The events of their reign will be found in on the other side of the hill. Soon after- Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four wards a passage was made for water through this hill, and it flowed in a copious stream. See "The First Life," chap, xiv. , pp. 131,
by a St. Noeman, whose feast Colgan has
—e which they died of th great plague, pre-
But the saint said,
potent
to
Masters," vol. i. , pp. 268 to 277.
S3 On this occasion he was accompanied
132.
378 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 20.
the side of a rock. s^ Into this, as also into the church of that saint, women do not enter. Nor is that mill less respected by the natives, than if it were one of this sainfs churches. Giraldus relates several miracles, also, that were wroughtinhistime. SomeofHughDeLac/ssoldierspaidthepenaltyoftheir crimes, because they had desecrated that place. s? The miracle of this mill, is supposed to consist in a fact that the water by which it is turned, owing to the prayers of Saint Fechin, had been derived from a neighbouring lake, brought through that high mountain, at the foot of which his monastery stood. As this incident was beyond the power and order of nature, so it is called a standing and a visible miracle. On a hill near Fore, an oratory of St. Fechin was to be seen, and within it there was a large and smooth stone, on which it is said the saint was accustomed to kneel in prayer. This relic a French Seneschal had resolved on removing, and for the purpose had sent a cart with horses to the place. His neighbours endeavoured to reprove him for irreverence towards the saint ; but he disregarded their admonitions. On the following night a sudden illness brought him to the grave, and his corpse was laid on that very waggon which had been used for removing the stone. Again, when the English had arrived in Ireland, one of that nation, who possessed the vicarage of St. Fechin's church, and yet who held the patron in littleestimation,5^waspunishedinaverymiraculousmanner. Afterathree days' illness he expired. 59
Towards the close of holy Fechin's life, a Welsh saint, known as Mochoe- moc Cruthnech, or " the Cambrian," paid him a visit. The Welsh saint inquired to whom the abbot intended to leave the government of his mo- nastery after death. " To some fit person among my monks," replied Fechin. "But in case you do not find a suitable successor among them," asked Mochoe-
moc,
my
Ajid,
eligible,"
"what do " said "I shall leave it to
you purpose doing? " Then,"
Fechin,
if none of these be
masters and to their successors. " "
urged Mochoemoc," what must be done? " "Why, if such a misfortune should happen," returned Fechin, "my successors must be taken without partiality from other Irishmen, suited for the office, but by no means from among the Welsh. "^ After these words, the holy abbot, knowing that the hour of his death was fast approaching, called together his disciples, in the monastery at Fore. He exhorted them to despise the things of earth, and to ambition only heavenly delights; he entreated them to remit none of their accustomed contemplative and penitential exercises, while considering how short was their race in life, and contrasting it with the eternity and greatness of celestial rewards. Then, imparting his benediction to them, and fortified with the holy sacrament of the ! Qpdy and Blood of Christ, the chains of his body were loosed, and his soul was free. At this time, too, a St. Mochua had sent one of his servants to the monastery of Fore, to learn in what state
the holy abbot continued. On the way, this servant saw a fiery column of
great splendour reaching to the very heavens, and throwing a wonderful brilliancy over the atmosphere surrounding Fore. He returned with news of
5* Philip O' Sullivan Beare states, that this was regarded as an inviolable asylum by the Irish. "Patricianas Decadis," lib. x. , cap. vii.
57SeeGiraldusCambrensis'" Hibemise. " Dist. iv. , cap. 52, 53.
5® Moreover, he is said to have been a con- stant hater of the Irish nation.
59 See "The First Life," chap, xviii. , xix. , p. 132.
*° We have fair reason for suspecting, that this popular story had its origin, after the Welsh-Norman adventurers under De Lacy settled at Fore, and when the invaders' in- fluence had succeeded in the
Topographia
depriving native Irish of their just share of benefices. See the history of Fore, in Archdall's "Monasticon Hibemicum," p. 713. The anecdote as found in the text seems to con- vey a veritable sally of Irish satiric humour.
January 20. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 379
this portent. Mochua, having received Holy Communion, and calHng his disciplesaroundhim,exhortedandblessedthem. Thenhissouldeparted
and, according to a foregone prediction, he accompanied St. Fechin to Heaven. ^'
After a life of great penitence and extraordinary holiness this saintly abbot was called to a happy eternity, on the 20th of January,^^ a. d. 664. He died of that dreadful pestilence, the Buidhe Connail,^3 which raged all over Ireland at the time. His zeal and labours were so excelling, that notably Fechin was numbered among the twelve apostles of Ireland. ^4 A special office seems to have been composed for him and recited in the early IrishChurch. ^5 AtthetimeofSt. Fechin'sdeath,St. Moling^^issaidtohave had a vision, and to have compelled Satan to declare, that all the demons had been terrified with the preternatural brightness that had been diffused over Ireland, from which island they fled for a time. ^7
All our calendarists agree in assigning St. Fechin's feast to the 20th of
January. Thus in the published^^ and unpublished^9 Martyrology of Tallagh Fechin of Fobhair occurs. In the Festilogy of St. ^ngus,7° it is said, his name is to be discovered under the form of Moecca, or Eccanus. 7' Here, however, we think some mistake must have occurred, and that Ecca, or Eccanus, may possibly be distinguished from Fechin. 7^ Notwithstanding, it must be admitted, that the Calendar of Cashel,73 and the Commentator on St. ^ngus,74asserttheiridentity; whilethelatteradducessomeweaketymo-
logical reasons for reconciling the apparent discrepancy.
thers and Wives of the Irish Kings. " He Hibernise," xx. Januarii, n. 19, p. 141.
assigns her festival arbitrarily to this day, as a matter of convenience, supposing she may have been identical with Blessed The-
noticed in the " Genea- maria, Menologic
logy," chap. XX. But the writer thinks it
preferable, to class her with the ephemeral
'7 The barony of Carbury here is called
from Cairbre, third son to Niall of the Nine
Hostages, whose descemlants settled within
that also known as Cairbre of territory,
DruiinCliabhorDrumcliff. Itwasformerly
considered a part of Ulster, and tributary to
who are to be inserted towards the end of this work.
'3 He seems at this time to have been only king over Meath. In 657, he began to rule over all Ireland, jointly with King Blaith-
•
the of Aileach. See Dr. O'Donovan's King
saints,
" Leabhar na g-Ceart, or Book of Rights," n. (u), p. 130. See, also, Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , n.
fies.
the
pp. 263
"
(w), p. 328.
January 20. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 373
Mor or Carbre Droma Cliabh. '^ Within it maybe seen, near an indentation "
ofthesea,DruimcHabh,inEngHsh theridgeofthebaskets,"orDrumchff, as it is now generally written. This was the site of one among the many of St. Columkille's or Columba's churches. Few of its traces now remain : but the cemetery and round tower are still extant. The latter is shorn of its fair proportions. It is rudely built, and it indicates an early period of erec- tion. This Cloightheach measures about 40 feet in elevation. '9 Here, too, are monumental crosses of great archaeological interest. Unhappily but one tolerably well-preserved specimen remains at Drumcliff. '^° Over ground, there are at least fragments of two other crosses. The nearly perfect cross measures 13 feet in height, by 3 feet 8 inches at its greatest breadth, at the arms. The shaft is about a foot in thickness at its base, and somewhat thinner at the top. It is composed of three stones, connected by mortice
Drumcliffe Cross, Co. Sligo.
and tenon. ^' With base and cap now wanting, this stone formed a monu- ment, upon which the early sculptor carved in the Irish manner a series of devices and ornaments, like what may be found in some of our oldest manu- scripts preserved in this island, in England and on the Continent. It may be observed, the broader surfaces of the cross lie nearly, if not exactly, east and west. Such an arrangement is common to all undisturbed monuments of a similar class. "
'* See " Acta Sanctorum Hibemioe," xx. Januarii. Secunda Vita S. Fechini, cap. xxiii. , XXX. , and nn. 14, 15, 19, pp. 135,
136, HI-
'S For an illustration, the reader is re-
feiTed to the notices of St. Muadhnat, virgin,
of Caille, DrumcUffe, at the 6th of January.
is represented on the ** Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the County of Sligo, Sheets 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15.
»' The accompanying representation of this cross, from a photograph by Frederick W. Mares, was engraved by Mr. Gregor Grey, Dubhn.
'" "
This parish, in the barony of (. 'arbury, Commencing at the lowest compartment
374 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 26.
In a different district from the foregoing one, but known too as Carbre,
and at a place called Droim-for-achaidh, by the old generations, but by those who lived in more recent times Kill-Hua-Sona,^3 St. Fechin is said to have wrought three very extraordinary miracles,^* But it would seem indeed an endless task, to enumerate all the wonders performed by this holy servant of God, were we to record all that has come down to our times in writing, and still more from popular local traditions.
St. Fechin is represented as having passed from the country of Hy-Fiach- rachtotheterritoryofCriochNacceudach. ^s Thisprobablylaywithinthe
^^ The of the former district followed the people
present King's County.
saint, and were miraculously fed by him on swine's flesh. Hence grew up a
custom, that when the day permitted the use of meat, St. Fechin's successors alwayspartookofswine'sflesh,whenpassingthroughHy-Fiachrach. =7 At
on the western side, a very beautiful quad- ruple knot of interlaced tracery appears.
Above this, in a separate panel, the story of the temptation may be seen. The tree here
spiral class. As early at least as the begin- ning of the eleventh century, the latter form of ornament, after having been in use for several centuries, is known to have given way to a more modem style. It is thought, that the date of the Drumcliffe cross may be assigned to the early part of the tenth cen-
is double, and the serpent clings to either
stem. The foliage is conventionally repre-
sented, by an exquisite and most intricate
design, known as "Opus Hibernicum,"— tury. See W. F. Wakeman's "Lough Erne,
the whole being highly suggestive of a cross Enniskillen, Belleek, Ballyshannon and Bun- "
pattern. Next in alto relievo is a horse-like doran, &c. Third Excursion, pp. 107 to
figure, having probably some s3mibolical meaning. Above this monster is an easily
read hieroglyph, referring to the story of David and Goliath, The Philistine has just
been decapitated ; while the youthful victor holds the head in his left, and a short, broad- bladedCelticswordinhisrighthand. The arms and circles of the cross present repre- sentations of the last judgment. The ring or circle, by which the shaft and arms are connected, and which is thought to be em- blematicof is enriched
109.
*3 Colgan says, there was a place so called
in his time, in the district of Cairbre, other-
wise Eanghuile, and in the county of Long- ford. The mountainous part of this old territory is still called Sliabh Chairbre. The people of Cairbre Gabhre were so called as having been descended from Cairbre, son to Niall of the Nine Hostages. See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Mas- ters," vol. i. , n. (w), p. 328.
" See " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- Colgan's
by designs
eternity,
of great merit in the Celtic style. These nise," XX. Januarii. Secunda Vita S.
however are greatly weather-worn. The
western face of this cross is equally profuse
indecoration. Atthebaseisafinespecimen
of interlacing lines and knots, surmounted
by a group of three figures, apparently en- nuarii, n. 32, p. 142. Yet, it seems to the gaged in consultation. Above these, there
IS a nondescript animal, surmounted by a second group of figures, one of which seems to be armed with a sword, on the right-hand side, as if about to seize or attack the central figure, while the hands of the figure to the left seem raised, as if in the attitude of prayer or supplication. The next panel contains two seated figures, one of which holds something upon its lap. Judging from a similar, but well-preserved sculpture upon a cross at Monasterboice, this would seem intended for the infant Saviour. The head of the cross represents the crucifixion, with the sponge and spear bearers, the latter of unusually small size. Here, also, in the arms and circle are exquisite carvings in the Irish style of ornamentation. The sides or edges of the cross are richly worked, and
in chaste patterns, some of which inter-
J'et while others to the
ace, belong divergent
\vriter, that the place must rather be identified with Crioch na g-Ceadach, said by Dr. O'Donovan to have been situated in the north-east of the King's County. See " Leabhar na g-Ceart, or Book of Rights," n. (o), p. 2C».
" the ter-
^ At Cuil Fabhar, a place near Fore in
the county of Westmeath, a sept of the Hy Fiacha or Hy Fiachrach was located. This clan descended from Fiachra Mac Dathi, who was detained as a hostage by Niall of
the Nine See Dr. O'Donovan's Hostages.
Fechini, cap. xl. , and n. 30, pp. 138, 142. 's This is said by Colgan to have lain in the southern part of Roscommon county. See "Acta Sanctorum Hibemiae," xx. Ja-
»* The Crich na
ritory of the Cedachs was formerly in Meath, but is now a part of the King's County on the Westmeath side. It was so called from belonging to a sept descended from OilioU Cedach, son to Cathair Mor, monarch of Ireland in the second century. See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. ii. , n. (i), p. 1019.
g-Cedach, i. e. ,
January 20] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 375
another time, the saint visited a church, called Teagh Mhac Neamhain,"^ in thedistrictofHyFoelan,=^9andintheprovinceofLugemne. 3° Thesituation of that church was in a spot so narrow, that no room remained near it for a cemetery. 31 A great mass of stone proved a particular impediment, but by prayer he is said to have removed this obstruction. 3^
Taking a journey into Leinster, during the afternoon of a Sunday, the
holy Fechin visited that romantic waterfall now called Poulaphoka,33 in the
countyofWicklow. 34 Heretheremainsofanancienthighwayarestilltrace-
able. 3s The saint on this occasion manifested his keen appreciation, how the
beautiful external works of nature insensibly lift the soul to a consideration
ofwhatisduetotheLordofnature. Foralthoughweariedafterhisjoimiey,
Fechin would fain kneel before a cross, at this place. His disciples re-
minded him, that at least he should rest from labour on the Lord's day.
""
If," said the loving servant of God, by the continual downpour of its
waters, and by the sublime melody of its sonorous roaring, the cataract3'5 near us never ceases to praise the Divine Creator, no less should I be a debtor in the purchasing a heavenly country. " Wherefore he resolved to spend the whole of that Sunday afternoon by the waterfall, blending the human voices of sacred song, with the deeper diapason of the turbulent eddies, that whirled from the upper rocks into the gulf beneath. But, the Almighty, to reward his devout client, caused a suspension of the laws of nature in his be- half, and to the third hour of the day, the cataract ceased to flow, while the servants of God chaunted their h)nnns on this romantic site. The silence of the grave now reigned around them. St. Fechin at length considered this miraculous event as an intimation, that his good-will was accepted by God for the duty of praise, and he too ceased from the sacred psalmody, which he had commenced. 37
Thence probably the holy abbot went direct to Naas. It is said, that a religious establishment had been founded at Tulachfobhair,38 near Naas
"Genealogies, Tribes and Customs of Hy- Fiachrach," p. 33 and n (p). Most pro- bably this is the district of Hy-Fiachrach, to which allusion is here made.
Liffey, was Eas-Duthaire.
35 See Rev, John Francis Shearman's
"Loca Patriciana," p. 490. "Journal of the Historical and Archaeological Associa- tion of Ireland," vol. ii. Fourth series, July, 1873, No. 15.
3* "This cataract is formed by the descent of the River Liffey, whose accumulated
"Beauties of Ireland," vol. i. , p. 340.
37 «<The Second Life," chap, xxxviii. , p.
138.
38 Jq the Life of St. Fechin, as published
by Colgan, this place is incorrectly printed Fulach Tobhuir ; but in other instances, and in a note annexed to the passage, it is written
"favour," because of the royal bounty he had received, or it was so called from Fore, in Westmeath, where St, Fechin had his principal establishment.
^^
It is thought, the name of this place has
been derived from the three sons of Nem-
hain, who are said to have been venerated
on the 19th of February.
^"^ This
them half of the present county of Kildare. It included the baronies of Clane and Salt, with the greater part, if not the entire, of Ikeath and Oughteranny baronies. See Dr. O'Donovan's "Leabharna g-Ceart, or Book of Rights," n. (a), p. 206.
3^ This is probably a misspelling for La- genia.
3' This same miracle apparently as related
in the
"
First Life" gives us to understand,
territory comprised
about the nor-
waters here in fall,
that Fechin had a monastery there. See
3= See " The Second Life of St. Fechin," cap. xlii. , xliii. , p. 138.
"
Scenery and Antiquities of Ire- land," vol. i.
3'» The ancient name of this remarkable cataract, near the head waters of the River
chap, xxi. , p. 132.
33 An steel exquisite
as in our text. Tulach means ' ' a given
of this
will be found on the title page of W. H. hill" or "hillock. " Fobhair %\gM. i^QZ either
Bartlett's
engraving
spot
ponderous magnificence, down several progressive ledges of craggy precipice ; huge masses of rock impending on both sides, with much variety of pictu- resque effect. The great body of precipi- tated water eddies round the abyss into which it descends, forming a vortex, of frightful aspect and prodigious depth. " Brewer's
376 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 20. ^
town, by St. Fechin in the seventh century. It was endowed by the King of
Leinster, consequent on a special favour granted to St.
Fechin, and in com- memoration of that remarkable miracle,^? which is found related in his acts. '*" St. Fechin was accompanied by some of his monks. At this time, the king and his chiefs held a public assembly, at a place called Aonach Carman. Here the prayer of our saint was rejected. But being obliged to hold a more important convention, the holy man prosecuted his suit. Although the king persisted in his refusal, and would even not permit the saint to see him, on the object of his mission ; yet, in a miraculous manner, Fechin succeeded by entering into his castle at Naas. Within this stronghold, certain captives undersentenceofdeathhadbeendetained; but,attheentreatyofSt. Fechin, they were released from captivity, and he predicted that thenceforward, no other prisoners should be kept there in chains. ' To commemorate these events, very near the old castle of Naas, and in the market-place of this ancient town, a remarkable and large stone monument, known as the " Cross of St. Fechin," had been afterwards erected. In the seventeenth century,
Colgan says, this venerable object was to be seen in the middle of Naas. It
fiows
Road" extends. -^-^
Naas,
and towards which the " present Friary
through
Lauds. See Colgan's Acta Sanctorum Hibemise," xx. Januarii. Also Secunda Vita S. Fechini, pp. 132, 133.
" Acta Sanctorum Hiber- 136. I37> I4i» 142.
'° See
nise," XX. Januarii. Vita Secunda S. Fechini, cap. xxxii. , xxxiii. , and nn. 20, 21, 22, pp.
on the where the
right, Friary
*'
Coigan remarks, that this only could be
Colgan's
marked,
Road enters the town of Naas. Colond Eustace resided here, and took an active part with the Volunteers in his time. He was descended from the old family, founder of St. Eustacius' at Naas.
—which stood on the site of the present moat ; but
predicated of the old royal castle
Priory,
« This he states had St. Fechin for its
in the more modern castle or prisonersweredetained—inhistime. Indeed, the former — of Naas now converted into
regal citadel and the cross of St. Fechin, within the market-place.
jail
a town-hall lay nearly between the ancient
*' "
See Monasticon
Hibernicum," p.
"The Life of St.
Arch-
345.
''^ See notices of this saint at the nth of
January.
*^ This almost to have appears invariably
been the adjunct of our early Irish monastic houses.
David, bishop of Menevia, Chief Patron of Wales, and Titular Patron of Naas Church and
Parish, in Ireland, "chap. xiv. ,pp. l38toi40.
_*'See
nor is there even tradition — any popular regarding
has
its former existence or removal, at the present day. -'^ The King of Leinster so the old record states —to manifest his gratitude and atone for his former insensibility, granted in perpetuity to St. Fechin a tract of land, known as Tulach Fobhuir, with tenants living on it. A mill formed part of this grant. ^ That place was doubtless situated near or aroufid the principal stream, which
long
since
disappeared
the town of
;
Although the acts of St. Fechin do not allude to his erection of Tulach Fobhuir monastery, Harris has placed a religious house there. +s He has been followed by Archdall. But this writer was not able to give any account regarding it, nor can he even determine the site, except by placing it near the town of Naas, in the county of Kildare. *^ After this St. Fechin went to visit St. Ernan,47 who lived in the monastery of Cluain Deochra. Here there was a mill, the sound of which had been a constant source of annoyance to those who lived in the guest-house. *^
Townland Maps for the County of Kildare. " Sheet 19. At Simday's Well a patron was formerly held.
•* The site of Eustace's Castle is also
founder. See Harris' vol. " An- Ware, ii. ,
tiquities of Ireland," chap, xxxviii. , p. 262.
39 To this miracle allusion is made, in the
First Life of St. Fechin. It is related in
some Latin metrical lines. Afterwards, we as indicated on the "Ordnance Survey
find a more detailed account, in a hymn for "
prison many
Fechin, however, by his prayers re-
*3 This spot is probably identical with the com mill, at Mill Brook, near Sunday Well,
January 20. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 377
moved this noise, and he effected the reform of another discomfort, while stopping at this reUgious estabUshment. 49 This holy abbot was greatly ad- dicted to penitential exercises. In a poem, attributed to St. Cuimin of Connor, and which begins with the words " Patrick of the city of Macha
the —to this saint's
loves," following account, relating extraordinary austerities,
thus runs in the English translation
:
" Fechin the generous of Fobhar loved, It was no hypocritical devotion,
To place his meagre rib
Upon a hard bed without clothes. "
This is interpreted to mean, that he used no covering for his side, when re- posing on a hard bed in his cell. s° And in his Second Life, we are told, he scarcely allowed himself any refreshing sleep. To the devotional and peni- tential exercises of the day, he added others during the night. This he divided into three parts for his sanctification : the first portion he spent at
hymns, canticles, stations and genuflexions \ the second was passed in holy meditation and ecstasy under a tree near his monastery ; while the third part of the night was endured in a vessel of cold water, his mind only bent on
prayer, while his body was subjected to this process. To prevent his falling asleep through fatigue, it is said, he had one foot fastened by a chain to the tree ; while he had a vessel filled with cold water between his feet, and his hands folded on his breast supported a large stone, which if it chanced to fall into the water must serve to awaken him, by its consequent splash and sound. In the practice of these and many other wonderful corporal macera- tions, he prepared his soul by purification for the future joys of heaven. s^ St. Fechin sought from the simultaneously reigning monarchs of Ireland, Diermit II. and Blaithmaic,^^ the liberation of one Aedus or Aedan, a brave soldier. S3 This favour he obtained with great difficulty. On being dismissed from prison and given up to Fechin, the soldier went with him to Fore, where he became a monk. After further instruction, having received tonsure, he was promoted to the grade of priest, and serving God faithfully during life, he died a faithful minister. S4 The monks at his principal monastery experi- enced much inconvenience and labour in preparing food by the hand-quern for so large a community. Therefore, Fechin intended to relieve them, by engagingintheconstructionofamill,tobeworkedbywaterpower. Among the miracles of this holy abbot, his biographers take particular notice of one relating to this mill. For its working he is said to have procured a miraculous supply of water. 55 Giraldus Cambrensis \1^ites, that at Foure, in Meath, there was a mill, which St. Fechin miraculously hewed with his own hands out on
9 " Second Life," chap, xxxix. , p, 138.
s° See "The Martyrology of Donegal," edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 22,
23.
5' See " The Second Life," chap, xxiv. ,
p. 136.
s^ Their joint reigns began A. D. 657, and
assigned to the 13th of September.
54 gee the "Second Life," chap, xxvii. ,
p. 136, and n. 16, p. 141.
55 This mill was built on an eminence, and
it is stated, that the builder, a carpenter, ex- pressed his doubts if water could be procured at a sufficiently high level to turn its wheel,
"
The Lord is
vailed A. D. 664 the same year, and owing procure water for his servants. " Then he to the same mortality, St. Fechin departed. went towards a lake, about one mile distant. The events of their reign will be found in on the other side of the hill. Soon after- Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four wards a passage was made for water through this hill, and it flowed in a copious stream. See "The First Life," chap, xiv. , pp. 131,
by a St. Noeman, whose feast Colgan has
—e which they died of th great plague, pre-
But the saint said,
potent
to
Masters," vol. i. , pp. 268 to 277.
S3 On this occasion he was accompanied
132.
378 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 20.
the side of a rock. s^ Into this, as also into the church of that saint, women do not enter. Nor is that mill less respected by the natives, than if it were one of this sainfs churches. Giraldus relates several miracles, also, that were wroughtinhistime. SomeofHughDeLac/ssoldierspaidthepenaltyoftheir crimes, because they had desecrated that place. s? The miracle of this mill, is supposed to consist in a fact that the water by which it is turned, owing to the prayers of Saint Fechin, had been derived from a neighbouring lake, brought through that high mountain, at the foot of which his monastery stood. As this incident was beyond the power and order of nature, so it is called a standing and a visible miracle. On a hill near Fore, an oratory of St. Fechin was to be seen, and within it there was a large and smooth stone, on which it is said the saint was accustomed to kneel in prayer. This relic a French Seneschal had resolved on removing, and for the purpose had sent a cart with horses to the place. His neighbours endeavoured to reprove him for irreverence towards the saint ; but he disregarded their admonitions. On the following night a sudden illness brought him to the grave, and his corpse was laid on that very waggon which had been used for removing the stone. Again, when the English had arrived in Ireland, one of that nation, who possessed the vicarage of St. Fechin's church, and yet who held the patron in littleestimation,5^waspunishedinaverymiraculousmanner. Afterathree days' illness he expired. 59
Towards the close of holy Fechin's life, a Welsh saint, known as Mochoe- moc Cruthnech, or " the Cambrian," paid him a visit. The Welsh saint inquired to whom the abbot intended to leave the government of his mo- nastery after death. " To some fit person among my monks," replied Fechin. "But in case you do not find a suitable successor among them," asked Mochoe-
moc,
my
Ajid,
eligible,"
"what do " said "I shall leave it to
you purpose doing? " Then,"
Fechin,
if none of these be
masters and to their successors. " "
urged Mochoemoc," what must be done? " "Why, if such a misfortune should happen," returned Fechin, "my successors must be taken without partiality from other Irishmen, suited for the office, but by no means from among the Welsh. "^ After these words, the holy abbot, knowing that the hour of his death was fast approaching, called together his disciples, in the monastery at Fore. He exhorted them to despise the things of earth, and to ambition only heavenly delights; he entreated them to remit none of their accustomed contemplative and penitential exercises, while considering how short was their race in life, and contrasting it with the eternity and greatness of celestial rewards. Then, imparting his benediction to them, and fortified with the holy sacrament of the ! Qpdy and Blood of Christ, the chains of his body were loosed, and his soul was free. At this time, too, a St. Mochua had sent one of his servants to the monastery of Fore, to learn in what state
the holy abbot continued. On the way, this servant saw a fiery column of
great splendour reaching to the very heavens, and throwing a wonderful brilliancy over the atmosphere surrounding Fore. He returned with news of
5* Philip O' Sullivan Beare states, that this was regarded as an inviolable asylum by the Irish. "Patricianas Decadis," lib. x. , cap. vii.
57SeeGiraldusCambrensis'" Hibemise. " Dist. iv. , cap. 52, 53.
5® Moreover, he is said to have been a con- stant hater of the Irish nation.
59 See "The First Life," chap, xviii. , xix. , p. 132.
*° We have fair reason for suspecting, that this popular story had its origin, after the Welsh-Norman adventurers under De Lacy settled at Fore, and when the invaders' in- fluence had succeeded in the
Topographia
depriving native Irish of their just share of benefices. See the history of Fore, in Archdall's "Monasticon Hibemicum," p. 713. The anecdote as found in the text seems to con- vey a veritable sally of Irish satiric humour.
January 20. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 379
this portent. Mochua, having received Holy Communion, and calHng his disciplesaroundhim,exhortedandblessedthem. Thenhissouldeparted
and, according to a foregone prediction, he accompanied St. Fechin to Heaven. ^'
After a life of great penitence and extraordinary holiness this saintly abbot was called to a happy eternity, on the 20th of January,^^ a. d. 664. He died of that dreadful pestilence, the Buidhe Connail,^3 which raged all over Ireland at the time. His zeal and labours were so excelling, that notably Fechin was numbered among the twelve apostles of Ireland. ^4 A special office seems to have been composed for him and recited in the early IrishChurch. ^5 AtthetimeofSt. Fechin'sdeath,St. Moling^^issaidtohave had a vision, and to have compelled Satan to declare, that all the demons had been terrified with the preternatural brightness that had been diffused over Ireland, from which island they fled for a time. ^7
All our calendarists agree in assigning St. Fechin's feast to the 20th of
January. Thus in the published^^ and unpublished^9 Martyrology of Tallagh Fechin of Fobhair occurs. In the Festilogy of St. ^ngus,7° it is said, his name is to be discovered under the form of Moecca, or Eccanus. 7' Here, however, we think some mistake must have occurred, and that Ecca, or Eccanus, may possibly be distinguished from Fechin. 7^ Notwithstanding, it must be admitted, that the Calendar of Cashel,73 and the Commentator on St. ^ngus,74asserttheiridentity; whilethelatteradducessomeweaketymo-
logical reasons for reconciling the apparent discrepancy.
