He is son to Cornac, from whom the
posterity
of Ethach derive their origin.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v5
Carthage had wrought various mira- cles there; many persons travelled from different provinces of Ireland, and even from Britain, to become monks under his rule.
It was an age, v/hen faith and fervour glowed in the souls of Christians, who aspired to be perfect as religious.
In an old recordj^s it is stated, that Carthage had a famous congregation, consisting of seven hundred and ten persons, when he was abbot, at Raithin,''^ and lived in that monastery.
According to another account, however, eight hundred and sixty-seven n)onks,''s at one time, were subject to his Rule.
One day, in the spring season, a certain poor man, who lived in the neighbourhood of his monastery, came to our saint, and asked himfortheuseofaploughandsomeoxen.
Asthesaint'smonksdidnot use ploughs, but hoes or spades, Carthage called one of them, named ^dan, and told him to go out into an adjoining wood, and take two deer, which should meet him, to that man.
With them he was to plough, daring the spring season.
This ^dan did, and when he had ploughed for the poor man dur.
ing this season, he repaired to St.
Carthage, while the deer returned to the woods.
'»^ At another time, a demoniac was brought to our saint.
Making the sign of the cross on him, Carthage commanded that evil spirit to depart, and no longer to profane a temple, which God had designed for his own dwel- ling.
This command was obeyed.
The demoniac was restored, and to the great admiration of all who were present.
^?
Under the direction of such a holy superior, it is not surprising, that his disciples should abound in heavenly graces.
An angel used to address every third man of the monks,'*^ living under the Rule of St.
Mochudda.
Their Rule prescribed bodily labour, as well as holy meditation.
On one occasion, while the monks were wearied, after other toil, it is said, our saint himself went to the mill, to prepare flour for monastic purposes.
On leaving this, nine robbers, who bore a hatred to Carthage, came there, andwithan intention of killinghim.
Each of those endea- voured successively to enter the mill, according to the orders of their leader, but each man found himself prevented from entering.
A flame interposed, miraculously, between the robbers and the door.
However, these outcasts observed, through an opening in the door, that being overtaken with fatigue, Carthage sometimes slumbered, for a short time, and then awoke, at intervals.
While he was sleeping, the mill ceased to grind, butrecommenced its work, when he was awake.
One of those robbers returned, with an account of what he had observed, to the leader, who was sitting in a wood.
Inflamed with anger, their captain went to the mill, intending to kill our saint ; but he, on witness- ing the same phenomenon, returned also to his companions, and told them to wait in a certain place, that they might murder Carthage, when leaving the mill.
After some time, Mochuda left it, and carrying a heavy load of flour.
Rushing forth to murder him, those robbers found their hands and arms com- pletely paralyzed. St. Mochuda besought them, to allow a visit to his monks, andthatheshouldafterwardsreturntothem,astheirvictim. Thesaintwas allowed to pass. Having deposited his load in the house, Carthage repaired to the robbers, as he had promised. This he did, without giving any intima- tion to the monks, who thought he retired to some secret place for prayer.
« See Dermod O'Connor's Keating's "History of Ireland," Book ii. , p. 394.
<* According to the O'Clerys.
erunt. "
*" See \'ita ex antiquo MS, Ilibernico, cap. ii. , num. 17.
"•^ See Vita ex antiquo MS. Hibemieo, cap. ii. , num. iS. Also Vita ex duplici MS. Legcndario, num. 6.
the account given, in that Life of Carthage, as published by the Hollandists,
*5 This
•'in quo ucccLXVii. monachi simul sub
is
May 14. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
253.
But, the robbers, attempting in various ways to murder him, found themselves unable to effect their purpose. At length, seeing these miraculous signs of Divine protection, they did penance, presenting themselves to God, and to hisservantMochuda. Theyremainedunderhisdirection,duringtherestof their lives ; besides, many holy and glorious things were afterwards recorded of them. 49
The Angel of the Lord appeared to St. Carthage, in his monastery, and told him, tliat Fridhaich,5° who ruled over the Kiarraigh country, was at the point of death, and that our saint should administer the last sacraments tohim,beforehisdeparture. But,tliesaintremonstratedwiththeheavenlymes- senger, as to how he should be able to go there so soon ; when immediately, he was taken by the Angel, into a fiery chariot, and placed at the prince's castle. Carthage gave him Holy Communion, and the prince, having pre- sented him many gifts, happily departed this life. The saint was brought back to Rathin city, on the same day, when he found the brethren reciting Nones. 5' Another time, St. Carthage went to St. Colman, in his monastery of Lainneala,52 that he might bring him to bless a cemetery,S3 situated near Raithen. It was likewise a gift granted from Heaven, that all who arose from cemeteries thus blessed, should be looked upon as the children of light. St. Colman said : " Go to thy cell, and I will attend you, on the fifth day. " St. Carthage complied, as commanded, but he found that Colman did not visit
him, on the day appointed ; whereupon, returning once more, he enquired of Colman, why he did not fulfil his promise. Colman answered, " I went forth with the Angels, to bless thy cemetery, but, I was induced to return, because another cemetery, far more renowned, shall be blessed by Angels, in thy other city, and in a southern part of Ireland. " He also declared, this cemetery had been blessed, by an old man, living to the south of his cell. Carthage after- wards discovered, that such had been the case. s* At the same time, certain persons came from the mountainous parts of Kerry, to the nunnery of St. Ita,s5 in Hy Connaill ; and, a small boy formed one of that retinue. On seeing them, St. Ita wept, and the clerics asked her, why she felt sorrowful, on their arrival. The virgin answered : " O happy indeed has been the birth of this boy, for the soil of that cemetery, in which he rests, shall not cover a son of death, and would that I were there buried. " The clerics asked, where he should be buried. She then said : " In the cemetery of St. Mochuda, which is not yet blessed, but, which when blessed shall be renowned. " This prophecywasfulfilled. Theboy,whohadattractedthenoticeandhadmoved the prophetic spirit of St. Ita, afterwards became a disciple of St. IMochuda; and subsequently, he was buried in Lismore cemetery, which was not even traced out, at that time. s^ This veneration for cities of the dead, and which had been consecrated during the lifetime of Irish Saints, will serve to exhibit the deep popular feeling entertained, for the memory of these shining lights in our early Church.
*^ See the O'CIerys' Calendar, Rev. Drs. Todds' and Reeves' " Martyrology of Done- gal," pp, 126, 127.
*9 See Vita ex antiquo MS. Hibernico, cap. ii. , num. 19.
50 We cannot find his name in the Irish Annals.
5' See Vita ex antiquo MS. Hibernico, cap. ii. , num. 20.
s^ Or Lynally, in the barony of Bally- cowan, King's County. In the beginning of January, 1838, John O'Donovan visited this place, as he states, in "Letters containing
Information relative to the Antiquities of the County Tipperary, collected during the Pro- gress of the Ordnance Survey, in 1837- 1838," vol. i. Letter dated TuUamore, January 2nd, 1838, p. 91.
ss The terms used in our saint's Acts are " ut veniens secum Levitianam signaret.
S'' See Vita ex antiquo MS. Hibernico, cap. ii. , num. 21.
^^ gee her Life in the First Volume of this work, at January xv. , Art. i.
ss ggg Vita ex antiquo MS. Hibernico, cap. ii. , num. 23.
"
^54
Chapter hi. —' This is a small stream, passing by the ornamental demesne of the flourishing Jesuit College at Tullybcg, on the northern bank, connected by a bridge with the ancient ruins, on the southern side. It is called the Clodiagh, and it unites with the Brosna River. This latter joins the Shan- non, about midway between Shannon Har- hour and Banagher.
* This seems to be intended for the River Maine, in Kerry.
s Under this name, no ancient Irish terri- tory appears in our records. It may be sus- pected, however, that it lay along the banks of the river already named. Again, the territories of the Dcalbhnas are placed within the counties of Westmeath and King's ; and, it may be, one of tliose is meant. The
' This record is interesting, as furnishing situation of Dealbhna Teanmaighe, or
proof of the antiquity of arched bridges in Ireland, and especially at this place.
3 See the Bollandists' "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , Mali xiv. De S. Carthaco seu Mochudda, Episcopo et Abbate, &c. Vila ex antique MS. Hibernico, cap. ii. , num. 23. Also Vita ex duplici MS. Legendario, n. 7.
Western Dealbhna has not been as yet fixed. See "Topographical Poems of John O'Dubhagain and Giolla na Naomh O'Huidhrin," edited by Dr. O'Donovan, pp. 4, 5, 12, 13, and nn. 26, 28, 34, 50, pp. vii. , ix. , xii. , xiii.
" This locality has not been identified. ' See Vita ex antiquo MS. Hibem
—
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 14.
CHAPTER III.
MIRACLES WROUGHT BY ST. MOCHUDA WHILE AT RAHEN—HIS CHIEF DISCIPLES THERE —HE VISITS KERRY—VISITED AT RAHAX BY ST. COLUMBKILLE—HIS PROPHECY THE OLD CHURCH AT RAHAN—CONSPIRACY THERE TO TAKE AWAY HIS LIFE MONASTIC ANECDOTES—ENVIOUS PROCEEDINGS INSTITUTED TO DRIVE HIM FROM RAHAN—KING BLAITHMACH, HIS BROTHER DIARMAID, WITH THE CHIEFS OF MEATH, CONCERNED IN THIS COURSE OF ACTION—MOCHUDA AND HIS MONKS ARE EXPELLED FROM RAHAN.
It happened one da}', that a boy fell into a river,^ near Rathin. As no per- son had been witness of this occurrence, his body lay buried under water, for a long lime. The child's parents and friends sought him, but in vain, through the neighbouring houses, villages, and fields ; until, despairing of his recovery, they had recourse to St. Carthage, that through inspiration of the Holy Spirit, he might be able to tell them, where their boyshould be found. Then, Carthage said : " Go to the bridge over the river, and you shall find him drowned, at the base of its first arch. "^ They found him accordingly, and bearing his corpse to blessed Mochuda's feet, through the prayers of our saint, that boy wasrestoredtolife. Thesaintafterwardstookchargeofhiseducation. When he grew to adolescence, Mochuda sent him to his own part of the country. There, that young man afterwards had a family of sons and daughters. Through gratitude, he made an oblation of himself and of his posterity, to God and to St. Carthage. His descendants remained afterwards as monastic dependents,^ or tenants. At another time, while on a visit to his ecclesiastical district in Kerry, the holy man returned with many gifts, to his monastery of Raithen. Pursuing his way, night fell upon him, at that River Mainne,^ in Dealhna territory. 5 When passing along, he found a movable and creaking hurdle, which had been placed in the current of that river, and for some mali- cious purpose. The inhabitants belonging to a neighbouring village, on hear- ing this unusual noise, came forth to ascertain its cause, while they set up a great clamour and shouting. The companions of St. Carthage felt alarmed. Their horses even ran away, having cast off their burdens ; however, those animalswereafterwardscaught,butwithgreatdifficulty,intheby-ways. On learning the cause for this strange noise, Carthage declared, that its authors should never be able to complete a mill, which they were about to construct. He predicted, likewise, that they and their posterity should be wanderers. Afterwards, St. Carthage came to a place, called Cluainbiennain,^ where his
May 14. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
255
disciplesaskedforapplesfromitspeople,butthisrequesttheyrefused. Car- thage proclaimed, that thenceforth no apples should grow upon their trees, and his declaration accordingly was fulfilled. ?
From other sources we learn, that St. Mochuda had twelve disciples in his monastery of Rathin, distinguished for humility and obedience,^ namely, Mochua,9 son to Mellain, who was the first monk in his monastery ;'° Moche- mog," son to Vairt ; Cobban," Straphan,'3 and Lasceran,'^ the three sons of Nascain ; besides Molua, Lughayr, Mochoemhog, afterwards Bishop, and Moch- emhog, son to Cuaith ; asalso, ^dan, Fiachna,andFynlughie. Wishing to con- sult for their ease, Carthage appointed cells for them, before their death ; that thus, in their old age, they might be rewarded for their obedience, when youngmen. Heprophesiedmanygoodthings,regardingthem;andespe- cially, he assigned a cell, in a place called Cluaindachraim,'5 near Raithin, to Mochua, son of Mellain. He said : " My dear son, this shall not be the place for thy resurrection, but another spot,'^ appointed by the Lord. " His pro- phecy was accomphshed. The saint also predicted, regarding his disciple Fiachna, when assigning him a cell, named Coiningnibh. He said: "This, my son, shall not be the place for thy resurrection ; but, thou shalt possess three places, and thy relics shall rest with thy fellow disciple, ^dan, in the country of Torna's posterity. ^7 There shall be thy resurrection, and the place must
be named after thee. "'^ Then, assigning to ^dan himself a cell,'9 in the country of Torna's posterity, and near the mountain, Luachra,^° he prophesied "A day shall come, when the relics of thy fellow disciple, Fiachna, shall be brought to thee, and his name shall be exalted for ever. " He delivered like predictions, regarding other places or persons. ^' An infant was brought to the city of Rathin, and there left abandoned, near the church. With great charity, Carthage took charge of his education. In course of time, this deserted child even became a Bishop. All others being ignorant respecting his parents, Carthage said, in a prophetic manner : " This infant shall be called Dymna.
He is son to Cornac, from whom the posterity of Ethach derive their origin. " All wondered at this revelation, concerning the child's name
cap. ii. , num. 24. ^^ It may be questioned, if under this ^ See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber- spelling, we are to understand, the Ua ni3e,"xvii. Martii. De S. Gobbano Episcopo, Tighearnaigh, descended from Eochaidh p. 631. Liathain. See the " Miscellany of the' ' He is said to have been, that Mochua, Celtic Society," edited by John O'Donovan, LL. D. jeni e-aiAC Coi\ca l. Ait)e, or Genea-
or Cronan, Abbot and Martyr, venerated, according to Colgan, on the loth of Feb- ruary. See ibid. , pp. 303, 304.
logy of Corca Laidhe, pp. 44, 45.
'^ This is probably identical with the pre- sent Kilfeighny, a parish, in the barony of Clanmaurice, and shown, on the "Ordnance
Survey Townland Maps for the County of Kerry," sheets 15, 16, 17, 22, 23. The townland proper, is divided into North and South, shown on sheets 16, 22.
'9 This place, which was at first deno- minated Cell -lEdan Rcdhaire, was after- wards called, in the Irish language, Ccall Fiachna.
=° Now called Slieve-Lougher, near Castle Island, in the county of Kerry; it was also distinguished as Luachair-Deadhach. See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four
'° Already an account of this saint will be found, in the Second Volume of this work, at the loth of February, Art. i.
" He does not appear to be identified.
" See an account of him, in the Third Volume of this work, at March xvii. , Art. V.
'3 Supposed to be resolvable into Stephen, and to have been commemorated at Clon- more, under the name of Sraftan, on the 23rd of May.
'•Supposed to have been venerated, at Ard-mac-Nasca, at the 25th of October.
'5 There his feast is said to have been kept.
on the 2ist of November. Another name Masters," vol. i. , pp. 44, 45, and n. (f).
for the place seems to have been Cluain- ^' Seethe Bollandists' " Acta Sanctorum," Chrainn ; said to be identical with Clonrane, tomus iii. , Maii xiv. De S. Carthaco seu
in the county of Wcstmeath.
'* Said to have been the church of Glas-
more, near Swords, in Leinster.
Mochudda, &c. Vita ex antique MS. Hiber- nico, cap. iii. , num. 25.
^' We think an error of transcription or of
:
556 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 14.
and origin. When lie became a Bishop, Carthage desired him to go into his own country, situated in southern Munster. That was declared to be the place for his resurrection. Parricide should take place among his relations, he was told, if he did not hasten there to prevent it. Immediately, Dymnasetout, as directed,towardshisnativecountry. Anotherholybishop,namedCmanna," a man full of God's spirit, and a disciple of St. iMochuda, was a companion on the way. St. Dymna effected a reconciliation, among his friends, by urging fulfilmentoftheDivineprecept. Hebuiltamonastery,likewise,inthispart of the country, and he presented it to St. Mochuda, with himself and his religious family. Here, also, he happily departed, according to the prophecy of St. Carthage. '3
On an occasion, this holy man left his city of Rathin, for his native place, Kerry. =4 A King of Munster,=s named Corbrej^"^ son to Chrymti, was living, at the same time, and in a castle, on Cuyphert plain ;^7 when a thunder- storm proved fatal to many chiefs, who were in the same place, together with the queen, named Cuinhan, and the king's son, named yEdus,'® as also to thatdynast'schariothorses. ThekingbesoughtSt. Carthagetorestorethedead tolife. Withsuchrequest,hecomplied;when,inreturn,allgavethankstoGod and to St. Mochuda. That king ^9 even made an offering of lands and ser- vants to him. However, one of these servants refused obedience to the saint, who said prophetically : " Thy posterity shall be extinct, while the inherit- ance, for which thou contendest against me, shall be mine ; and, whoever shall take away what has been offered to me. Heaven and earth shall be taken from him. " Shortly afterwards, that man and his posterity perished. 3" At another time, Mochuda sent a golden zone, with his benediction, to a certain chief, called Fergus,3' son to Cryntharin, who suffered from a scrofulous dis- order ; on girding this belt around his loins, he was healed. 3^ Cathal,33 son to ^dus, King of Munster, wl. o lived in a part of Kerry, named Chuyrthe,^* had been deaf and blind, for a long time. 35 He asked our saint to heal him, in the name of Christ. On praying, Carthage restored him to the use of hearing and of sight. This king then presented to God and to Carthage his servant, a castle, belonging to him, and called Hyleam Cnharch,36 Rosbeargh,
printing has here occurred, and that the alluded to are said to have been Saints Cum- namesliouldbewrittenCuanna. maniaandSodelmia,idestPulcheria; their *3 See Vita ex anliquo MS. Hibernico, festivals being referred, to the 15th of January, and to the loth of November. See Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum Hiberniae," xxxi.
cap. iii. , num. 26.
^* Kerrycurrihy, a barony in the county of
Cork, is thought to have been here indicated ; but, this is not correct, as the northern part of Kerry County was St. Mochuda's native place.
*s The BoUandist editor incorrectly sug- gests : " Videtur potius legendum Lagenia;, ubi Corbreus fuit Rex. "
^ Perhaps, under this form, we are to re- cognise Cairbre Cruimh, who is said to have reigned thirty years over Munster. See John O'Dugan's Chronological Poem, "The Kings of the Race of Eibhear," translated by Michael Kearney, and edited by John O'Daly, pp. 16, 17.
*' Its situation appears to be unknown.
'^ Their names do not appear in our An- nals.
'9 The BoUandist editor thinks, he was i^dus or Aldus, father of those holy virgins, visited by St. Aidan or St. Mxdoc, bishop of Ferns, as read in Vita S. Maidoci, n. 32, at the 31st of January. The holy virgins
Januarii, p. 218.
^o -p^g circumstances of this event are
rather differently related, in the Vita ex duplici MS. Legendario, num. 8, where Corpre is called a tyrant,
3> He is not identified,
3- See Vita ex antiquo MS. Hibernico, cap. iii. , num. 27. In the Vita ex duplici MS. Legendario, num. 9, this chieftain is said to have been dropsical, &c.
33 There is a Calhald, son of Aedh, King of Munster, whose death is recorded at A. D. 630, in Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 244, 245.
• ^* This seems to be identical, with Ciar- raighe-Chuirche, the present b. irony of Kerrycurrihy, shown on the " Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for tiie County of Cork," sheets 75, 85, S6, 87, 97, 98, 99.
35 The Annals of Clonmacnoise report his death, at A. D. 624, and the " Chronicum Scotorum," at A. D. 625. See William M.
;
May 14. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
Rosmore, and the Island Pioch,37 situated in the strait Coga—but probably the reading should be Cova, now known as Cove,38 ^here a flourishing town, and delightfully situated, on the Great Island, at the entrance to Cork Har- bour, is at present to be seen. 39 Carthage left some monks, at Rosbeargh, to build a cell there ; and, this place was afterwards renowned. That holy man himself commenced a building, in the Island of Piocli, where he remained a whole year.
Inis-Pict, or Spike Island, in the Cove of Cork.
At the end of this time, three of his disciples,4° known as Gobban, the Bishop, Straphan, a Priest, and Lasceran, all sons of Nascain, were ordained by a Bishop, named Domangen,t' at Raithin, in presence of St. Carthage. These, together with twelve other brethren, were left there, by our saint, on returning to Raithin. That Island of Pioch, or Pict, was greatly distinguished, for the fervour of holy men who inhabited it. -t^ At another time, our saint, travelling through a part of Munster, came to a river, formerly called Nemphe,
Hennessy' edition, pp. 78, 79. Hawlboline Island is in the distance, •''° In the Life of St. Gobban, where alhi- and the mouth of Cork Harbour is in the
sion is made to this place, it is written offing.
Aileam Cathail.
37 It is variedly called Inis-Pict, Inis-Pick,
or Inis-Puice, now thought to be Spike Is- land, near Cork.
2^ The accompanying illustration of Cove
—most improperly Anglicized Queenstown,
to gratify the sentiment of sycophantic
loyalty which actuated the former local
authorities, on the occasion of Queen Victo-
ria's visit to Cork, immediately after the Tuaim Muscraige. In the P'ourth Volume
great Irish Pamine—has been drawn on the wood, by William F. Wakeman, and it was engraved by Mrs. Millard. Spike Island, with its buildings for convicts, appears in the middle distance of the Cove of Cork
Vol. v. —No. 5.
of this work ; at that day, seme account of him will be found. See Art. vii.
^^ See Vita ex antiquo MS. Hibernico, cap. i. , num. 27, 28. In the Vita exduplici MS. Legendavio, num. 9, this chieftain is. said
33 The magnificent new Catholic Cathe- dral of Cloyne Diocese denominates the town and harbour, on its elevated founda- tion of rock.
•»" SeeColgan's"ActaSanctorumHiber- nire," xvii. Martii. De S. Gobbano Epis- copo, p. 631.
i' His feast has been assigned to the 29th of April, as St. Domaingen, Bishop of
257
258 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 14.
and afterwards Abhainn, or " the great river. "'»3 On its surface, he saw an appleswimming. Thishetook,inhishand,andbroughtit towardshome. That place thence received the name, Arhubbla,'''* or " the shallow of the apple ;" and, it was situated, within the territory of the men of Maighe. . Our saint's charioteer asked him for this fruit, which he refused to give, saying ** The Lord, on to-day will work for me a great miracle, by means of this apple ; for, this day, shall we find the daughter of Cuanna, son to Bealcham, the chief of this country, before the castle of her father. She has a hand
yet, through the blessing of God, by means of this apple, shall she be healed. " Afterwards, seeing the girl play- ing with other companions, before the castle, IMochuda went to her and said : " Take this apple. " She reached forth her left hand. Our saint drew back the present, but telling her to extend the right hand. Full of faith, she stretched it forth, and found it restored to strength, while thus receiving fruit from the saint. All present were in admiration, at this miracle. Then, Cuanus said to his daughter, on that night : " ]My daughter, select from among the noble young men of Munster him thou wouldst wish to be thy husband, and I shallobtainhimforthee. " Shereplied: "Iwillhavenonesavehim,whohealed myhand. " ThefatherinterrogatedCarthage: "Dostthouhearwhatshesays? '' Whereupon, Carthage answered : " Give her to me, and I will resign her as spouse to the Son of God, who hath healed her hand. " Her father then said : " I wholly give to God and to St. Carthage, my daugliter, Flannaid,*5 with her inheritance, in the town of Forth, on the bank of Nemphe River. " Our saint brought this holy virgin with him, to tlie city of Raithain, She lived near it, in a nunnery, with some holy women, until that time when St. Carthage and his monks were expelled from Rathain, by the king and chiefs of Ter-
moria. '*^
Being at a certain locality, in the province of Munster, Carthage said
to his companions : " I hear, in this place, the voices of the Leinster children, proceeding from our monastery ofRaithen. By such token, I know this spot shall be ours. " The prediction was afterwards fulfilled. ^7 One day, St. Columkille '<^ came to our saint, at Raithin. Saluting the superior there, Columba said : " Dost thou love this place, holy father ? " Mochuda answered: "Truly, I do love it. " Then, Columkille replied : "Let not what I say disturb thee.
Rushing forth to murder him, those robbers found their hands and arms com- pletely paralyzed. St. Mochuda besought them, to allow a visit to his monks, andthatheshouldafterwardsreturntothem,astheirvictim. Thesaintwas allowed to pass. Having deposited his load in the house, Carthage repaired to the robbers, as he had promised. This he did, without giving any intima- tion to the monks, who thought he retired to some secret place for prayer.
« See Dermod O'Connor's Keating's "History of Ireland," Book ii. , p. 394.
<* According to the O'Clerys.
erunt. "
*" See \'ita ex antiquo MS, Ilibernico, cap. ii. , num. 17.
"•^ See Vita ex antiquo MS. Hibemieo, cap. ii. , num. iS. Also Vita ex duplici MS. Legcndario, num. 6.
the account given, in that Life of Carthage, as published by the Hollandists,
*5 This
•'in quo ucccLXVii. monachi simul sub
is
May 14. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
253.
But, the robbers, attempting in various ways to murder him, found themselves unable to effect their purpose. At length, seeing these miraculous signs of Divine protection, they did penance, presenting themselves to God, and to hisservantMochuda. Theyremainedunderhisdirection,duringtherestof their lives ; besides, many holy and glorious things were afterwards recorded of them. 49
The Angel of the Lord appeared to St. Carthage, in his monastery, and told him, tliat Fridhaich,5° who ruled over the Kiarraigh country, was at the point of death, and that our saint should administer the last sacraments tohim,beforehisdeparture. But,tliesaintremonstratedwiththeheavenlymes- senger, as to how he should be able to go there so soon ; when immediately, he was taken by the Angel, into a fiery chariot, and placed at the prince's castle. Carthage gave him Holy Communion, and the prince, having pre- sented him many gifts, happily departed this life. The saint was brought back to Rathin city, on the same day, when he found the brethren reciting Nones. 5' Another time, St. Carthage went to St. Colman, in his monastery of Lainneala,52 that he might bring him to bless a cemetery,S3 situated near Raithen. It was likewise a gift granted from Heaven, that all who arose from cemeteries thus blessed, should be looked upon as the children of light. St. Colman said : " Go to thy cell, and I will attend you, on the fifth day. " St. Carthage complied, as commanded, but he found that Colman did not visit
him, on the day appointed ; whereupon, returning once more, he enquired of Colman, why he did not fulfil his promise. Colman answered, " I went forth with the Angels, to bless thy cemetery, but, I was induced to return, because another cemetery, far more renowned, shall be blessed by Angels, in thy other city, and in a southern part of Ireland. " He also declared, this cemetery had been blessed, by an old man, living to the south of his cell. Carthage after- wards discovered, that such had been the case. s* At the same time, certain persons came from the mountainous parts of Kerry, to the nunnery of St. Ita,s5 in Hy Connaill ; and, a small boy formed one of that retinue. On seeing them, St. Ita wept, and the clerics asked her, why she felt sorrowful, on their arrival. The virgin answered : " O happy indeed has been the birth of this boy, for the soil of that cemetery, in which he rests, shall not cover a son of death, and would that I were there buried. " The clerics asked, where he should be buried. She then said : " In the cemetery of St. Mochuda, which is not yet blessed, but, which when blessed shall be renowned. " This prophecywasfulfilled. Theboy,whohadattractedthenoticeandhadmoved the prophetic spirit of St. Ita, afterwards became a disciple of St. IMochuda; and subsequently, he was buried in Lismore cemetery, which was not even traced out, at that time. s^ This veneration for cities of the dead, and which had been consecrated during the lifetime of Irish Saints, will serve to exhibit the deep popular feeling entertained, for the memory of these shining lights in our early Church.
*^ See the O'CIerys' Calendar, Rev. Drs. Todds' and Reeves' " Martyrology of Done- gal," pp, 126, 127.
*9 See Vita ex antiquo MS. Hibernico, cap. ii. , num. 19.
50 We cannot find his name in the Irish Annals.
5' See Vita ex antiquo MS. Hibernico, cap. ii. , num. 20.
s^ Or Lynally, in the barony of Bally- cowan, King's County. In the beginning of January, 1838, John O'Donovan visited this place, as he states, in "Letters containing
Information relative to the Antiquities of the County Tipperary, collected during the Pro- gress of the Ordnance Survey, in 1837- 1838," vol. i. Letter dated TuUamore, January 2nd, 1838, p. 91.
ss The terms used in our saint's Acts are " ut veniens secum Levitianam signaret.
S'' See Vita ex antiquo MS. Hibernico, cap. ii. , num. 21.
^^ gee her Life in the First Volume of this work, at January xv. , Art. i.
ss ggg Vita ex antiquo MS. Hibernico, cap. ii. , num. 23.
"
^54
Chapter hi. —' This is a small stream, passing by the ornamental demesne of the flourishing Jesuit College at Tullybcg, on the northern bank, connected by a bridge with the ancient ruins, on the southern side. It is called the Clodiagh, and it unites with the Brosna River. This latter joins the Shan- non, about midway between Shannon Har- hour and Banagher.
* This seems to be intended for the River Maine, in Kerry.
s Under this name, no ancient Irish terri- tory appears in our records. It may be sus- pected, however, that it lay along the banks of the river already named. Again, the territories of the Dcalbhnas are placed within the counties of Westmeath and King's ; and, it may be, one of tliose is meant. The
' This record is interesting, as furnishing situation of Dealbhna Teanmaighe, or
proof of the antiquity of arched bridges in Ireland, and especially at this place.
3 See the Bollandists' "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , Mali xiv. De S. Carthaco seu Mochudda, Episcopo et Abbate, &c. Vila ex antique MS. Hibernico, cap. ii. , num. 23. Also Vita ex duplici MS. Legendario, n. 7.
Western Dealbhna has not been as yet fixed. See "Topographical Poems of John O'Dubhagain and Giolla na Naomh O'Huidhrin," edited by Dr. O'Donovan, pp. 4, 5, 12, 13, and nn. 26, 28, 34, 50, pp. vii. , ix. , xii. , xiii.
" This locality has not been identified. ' See Vita ex antiquo MS. Hibem
—
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 14.
CHAPTER III.
MIRACLES WROUGHT BY ST. MOCHUDA WHILE AT RAHEN—HIS CHIEF DISCIPLES THERE —HE VISITS KERRY—VISITED AT RAHAX BY ST. COLUMBKILLE—HIS PROPHECY THE OLD CHURCH AT RAHAN—CONSPIRACY THERE TO TAKE AWAY HIS LIFE MONASTIC ANECDOTES—ENVIOUS PROCEEDINGS INSTITUTED TO DRIVE HIM FROM RAHAN—KING BLAITHMACH, HIS BROTHER DIARMAID, WITH THE CHIEFS OF MEATH, CONCERNED IN THIS COURSE OF ACTION—MOCHUDA AND HIS MONKS ARE EXPELLED FROM RAHAN.
It happened one da}', that a boy fell into a river,^ near Rathin. As no per- son had been witness of this occurrence, his body lay buried under water, for a long lime. The child's parents and friends sought him, but in vain, through the neighbouring houses, villages, and fields ; until, despairing of his recovery, they had recourse to St. Carthage, that through inspiration of the Holy Spirit, he might be able to tell them, where their boyshould be found. Then, Carthage said : " Go to the bridge over the river, and you shall find him drowned, at the base of its first arch. "^ They found him accordingly, and bearing his corpse to blessed Mochuda's feet, through the prayers of our saint, that boy wasrestoredtolife. Thesaintafterwardstookchargeofhiseducation. When he grew to adolescence, Mochuda sent him to his own part of the country. There, that young man afterwards had a family of sons and daughters. Through gratitude, he made an oblation of himself and of his posterity, to God and to St. Carthage. His descendants remained afterwards as monastic dependents,^ or tenants. At another time, while on a visit to his ecclesiastical district in Kerry, the holy man returned with many gifts, to his monastery of Raithen. Pursuing his way, night fell upon him, at that River Mainne,^ in Dealhna territory. 5 When passing along, he found a movable and creaking hurdle, which had been placed in the current of that river, and for some mali- cious purpose. The inhabitants belonging to a neighbouring village, on hear- ing this unusual noise, came forth to ascertain its cause, while they set up a great clamour and shouting. The companions of St. Carthage felt alarmed. Their horses even ran away, having cast off their burdens ; however, those animalswereafterwardscaught,butwithgreatdifficulty,intheby-ways. On learning the cause for this strange noise, Carthage declared, that its authors should never be able to complete a mill, which they were about to construct. He predicted, likewise, that they and their posterity should be wanderers. Afterwards, St. Carthage came to a place, called Cluainbiennain,^ where his
May 14. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
255
disciplesaskedforapplesfromitspeople,butthisrequesttheyrefused. Car- thage proclaimed, that thenceforth no apples should grow upon their trees, and his declaration accordingly was fulfilled. ?
From other sources we learn, that St. Mochuda had twelve disciples in his monastery of Rathin, distinguished for humility and obedience,^ namely, Mochua,9 son to Mellain, who was the first monk in his monastery ;'° Moche- mog," son to Vairt ; Cobban," Straphan,'3 and Lasceran,'^ the three sons of Nascain ; besides Molua, Lughayr, Mochoemhog, afterwards Bishop, and Moch- emhog, son to Cuaith ; asalso, ^dan, Fiachna,andFynlughie. Wishing to con- sult for their ease, Carthage appointed cells for them, before their death ; that thus, in their old age, they might be rewarded for their obedience, when youngmen. Heprophesiedmanygoodthings,regardingthem;andespe- cially, he assigned a cell, in a place called Cluaindachraim,'5 near Raithin, to Mochua, son of Mellain. He said : " My dear son, this shall not be the place for thy resurrection, but another spot,'^ appointed by the Lord. " His pro- phecy was accomphshed. The saint also predicted, regarding his disciple Fiachna, when assigning him a cell, named Coiningnibh. He said: "This, my son, shall not be the place for thy resurrection ; but, thou shalt possess three places, and thy relics shall rest with thy fellow disciple, ^dan, in the country of Torna's posterity. ^7 There shall be thy resurrection, and the place must
be named after thee. "'^ Then, assigning to ^dan himself a cell,'9 in the country of Torna's posterity, and near the mountain, Luachra,^° he prophesied "A day shall come, when the relics of thy fellow disciple, Fiachna, shall be brought to thee, and his name shall be exalted for ever. " He delivered like predictions, regarding other places or persons. ^' An infant was brought to the city of Rathin, and there left abandoned, near the church. With great charity, Carthage took charge of his education. In course of time, this deserted child even became a Bishop. All others being ignorant respecting his parents, Carthage said, in a prophetic manner : " This infant shall be called Dymna.
He is son to Cornac, from whom the posterity of Ethach derive their origin. " All wondered at this revelation, concerning the child's name
cap. ii. , num. 24. ^^ It may be questioned, if under this ^ See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber- spelling, we are to understand, the Ua ni3e,"xvii. Martii. De S. Gobbano Episcopo, Tighearnaigh, descended from Eochaidh p. 631. Liathain. See the " Miscellany of the' ' He is said to have been, that Mochua, Celtic Society," edited by John O'Donovan, LL. D. jeni e-aiAC Coi\ca l. Ait)e, or Genea-
or Cronan, Abbot and Martyr, venerated, according to Colgan, on the loth of Feb- ruary. See ibid. , pp. 303, 304.
logy of Corca Laidhe, pp. 44, 45.
'^ This is probably identical with the pre- sent Kilfeighny, a parish, in the barony of Clanmaurice, and shown, on the "Ordnance
Survey Townland Maps for the County of Kerry," sheets 15, 16, 17, 22, 23. The townland proper, is divided into North and South, shown on sheets 16, 22.
'9 This place, which was at first deno- minated Cell -lEdan Rcdhaire, was after- wards called, in the Irish language, Ccall Fiachna.
=° Now called Slieve-Lougher, near Castle Island, in the county of Kerry; it was also distinguished as Luachair-Deadhach. See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four
'° Already an account of this saint will be found, in the Second Volume of this work, at the loth of February, Art. i.
" He does not appear to be identified.
" See an account of him, in the Third Volume of this work, at March xvii. , Art. V.
'3 Supposed to be resolvable into Stephen, and to have been commemorated at Clon- more, under the name of Sraftan, on the 23rd of May.
'•Supposed to have been venerated, at Ard-mac-Nasca, at the 25th of October.
'5 There his feast is said to have been kept.
on the 2ist of November. Another name Masters," vol. i. , pp. 44, 45, and n. (f).
for the place seems to have been Cluain- ^' Seethe Bollandists' " Acta Sanctorum," Chrainn ; said to be identical with Clonrane, tomus iii. , Maii xiv. De S. Carthaco seu
in the county of Wcstmeath.
'* Said to have been the church of Glas-
more, near Swords, in Leinster.
Mochudda, &c. Vita ex antique MS. Hiber- nico, cap. iii. , num. 25.
^' We think an error of transcription or of
:
556 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 14.
and origin. When lie became a Bishop, Carthage desired him to go into his own country, situated in southern Munster. That was declared to be the place for his resurrection. Parricide should take place among his relations, he was told, if he did not hasten there to prevent it. Immediately, Dymnasetout, as directed,towardshisnativecountry. Anotherholybishop,namedCmanna," a man full of God's spirit, and a disciple of St. iMochuda, was a companion on the way. St. Dymna effected a reconciliation, among his friends, by urging fulfilmentoftheDivineprecept. Hebuiltamonastery,likewise,inthispart of the country, and he presented it to St. Mochuda, with himself and his religious family. Here, also, he happily departed, according to the prophecy of St. Carthage. '3
On an occasion, this holy man left his city of Rathin, for his native place, Kerry. =4 A King of Munster,=s named Corbrej^"^ son to Chrymti, was living, at the same time, and in a castle, on Cuyphert plain ;^7 when a thunder- storm proved fatal to many chiefs, who were in the same place, together with the queen, named Cuinhan, and the king's son, named yEdus,'® as also to thatdynast'schariothorses. ThekingbesoughtSt. Carthagetorestorethedead tolife. Withsuchrequest,hecomplied;when,inreturn,allgavethankstoGod and to St. Mochuda. That king ^9 even made an offering of lands and ser- vants to him. However, one of these servants refused obedience to the saint, who said prophetically : " Thy posterity shall be extinct, while the inherit- ance, for which thou contendest against me, shall be mine ; and, whoever shall take away what has been offered to me. Heaven and earth shall be taken from him. " Shortly afterwards, that man and his posterity perished. 3" At another time, Mochuda sent a golden zone, with his benediction, to a certain chief, called Fergus,3' son to Cryntharin, who suffered from a scrofulous dis- order ; on girding this belt around his loins, he was healed. 3^ Cathal,33 son to ^dus, King of Munster, wl. o lived in a part of Kerry, named Chuyrthe,^* had been deaf and blind, for a long time. 35 He asked our saint to heal him, in the name of Christ. On praying, Carthage restored him to the use of hearing and of sight. This king then presented to God and to Carthage his servant, a castle, belonging to him, and called Hyleam Cnharch,36 Rosbeargh,
printing has here occurred, and that the alluded to are said to have been Saints Cum- namesliouldbewrittenCuanna. maniaandSodelmia,idestPulcheria; their *3 See Vita ex anliquo MS. Hibernico, festivals being referred, to the 15th of January, and to the loth of November. See Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum Hiberniae," xxxi.
cap. iii. , num. 26.
^* Kerrycurrihy, a barony in the county of
Cork, is thought to have been here indicated ; but, this is not correct, as the northern part of Kerry County was St. Mochuda's native place.
*s The BoUandist editor incorrectly sug- gests : " Videtur potius legendum Lagenia;, ubi Corbreus fuit Rex. "
^ Perhaps, under this form, we are to re- cognise Cairbre Cruimh, who is said to have reigned thirty years over Munster. See John O'Dugan's Chronological Poem, "The Kings of the Race of Eibhear," translated by Michael Kearney, and edited by John O'Daly, pp. 16, 17.
*' Its situation appears to be unknown.
'^ Their names do not appear in our An- nals.
'9 The BoUandist editor thinks, he was i^dus or Aldus, father of those holy virgins, visited by St. Aidan or St. Mxdoc, bishop of Ferns, as read in Vita S. Maidoci, n. 32, at the 31st of January. The holy virgins
Januarii, p. 218.
^o -p^g circumstances of this event are
rather differently related, in the Vita ex duplici MS. Legendario, num. 8, where Corpre is called a tyrant,
3> He is not identified,
3- See Vita ex antiquo MS. Hibernico, cap. iii. , num. 27. In the Vita ex duplici MS. Legendario, num. 9, this chieftain is said to have been dropsical, &c.
33 There is a Calhald, son of Aedh, King of Munster, whose death is recorded at A. D. 630, in Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 244, 245.
• ^* This seems to be identical, with Ciar- raighe-Chuirche, the present b. irony of Kerrycurrihy, shown on the " Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for tiie County of Cork," sheets 75, 85, S6, 87, 97, 98, 99.
35 The Annals of Clonmacnoise report his death, at A. D. 624, and the " Chronicum Scotorum," at A. D. 625. See William M.
;
May 14. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
Rosmore, and the Island Pioch,37 situated in the strait Coga—but probably the reading should be Cova, now known as Cove,38 ^here a flourishing town, and delightfully situated, on the Great Island, at the entrance to Cork Har- bour, is at present to be seen. 39 Carthage left some monks, at Rosbeargh, to build a cell there ; and, this place was afterwards renowned. That holy man himself commenced a building, in the Island of Piocli, where he remained a whole year.
Inis-Pict, or Spike Island, in the Cove of Cork.
At the end of this time, three of his disciples,4° known as Gobban, the Bishop, Straphan, a Priest, and Lasceran, all sons of Nascain, were ordained by a Bishop, named Domangen,t' at Raithin, in presence of St. Carthage. These, together with twelve other brethren, were left there, by our saint, on returning to Raithin. That Island of Pioch, or Pict, was greatly distinguished, for the fervour of holy men who inhabited it. -t^ At another time, our saint, travelling through a part of Munster, came to a river, formerly called Nemphe,
Hennessy' edition, pp. 78, 79. Hawlboline Island is in the distance, •''° In the Life of St. Gobban, where alhi- and the mouth of Cork Harbour is in the
sion is made to this place, it is written offing.
Aileam Cathail.
37 It is variedly called Inis-Pict, Inis-Pick,
or Inis-Puice, now thought to be Spike Is- land, near Cork.
2^ The accompanying illustration of Cove
—most improperly Anglicized Queenstown,
to gratify the sentiment of sycophantic
loyalty which actuated the former local
authorities, on the occasion of Queen Victo-
ria's visit to Cork, immediately after the Tuaim Muscraige. In the P'ourth Volume
great Irish Pamine—has been drawn on the wood, by William F. Wakeman, and it was engraved by Mrs. Millard. Spike Island, with its buildings for convicts, appears in the middle distance of the Cove of Cork
Vol. v. —No. 5.
of this work ; at that day, seme account of him will be found. See Art. vii.
^^ See Vita ex antiquo MS. Hibernico, cap. i. , num. 27, 28. In the Vita exduplici MS. Legendavio, num. 9, this chieftain is. said
33 The magnificent new Catholic Cathe- dral of Cloyne Diocese denominates the town and harbour, on its elevated founda- tion of rock.
•»" SeeColgan's"ActaSanctorumHiber- nire," xvii. Martii. De S. Gobbano Epis- copo, p. 631.
i' His feast has been assigned to the 29th of April, as St. Domaingen, Bishop of
257
258 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 14.
and afterwards Abhainn, or " the great river. "'»3 On its surface, he saw an appleswimming. Thishetook,inhishand,andbroughtit towardshome. That place thence received the name, Arhubbla,'''* or " the shallow of the apple ;" and, it was situated, within the territory of the men of Maighe. . Our saint's charioteer asked him for this fruit, which he refused to give, saying ** The Lord, on to-day will work for me a great miracle, by means of this apple ; for, this day, shall we find the daughter of Cuanna, son to Bealcham, the chief of this country, before the castle of her father. She has a hand
yet, through the blessing of God, by means of this apple, shall she be healed. " Afterwards, seeing the girl play- ing with other companions, before the castle, IMochuda went to her and said : " Take this apple. " She reached forth her left hand. Our saint drew back the present, but telling her to extend the right hand. Full of faith, she stretched it forth, and found it restored to strength, while thus receiving fruit from the saint. All present were in admiration, at this miracle. Then, Cuanus said to his daughter, on that night : " ]My daughter, select from among the noble young men of Munster him thou wouldst wish to be thy husband, and I shallobtainhimforthee. " Shereplied: "Iwillhavenonesavehim,whohealed myhand. " ThefatherinterrogatedCarthage: "Dostthouhearwhatshesays? '' Whereupon, Carthage answered : " Give her to me, and I will resign her as spouse to the Son of God, who hath healed her hand. " Her father then said : " I wholly give to God and to St. Carthage, my daugliter, Flannaid,*5 with her inheritance, in the town of Forth, on the bank of Nemphe River. " Our saint brought this holy virgin with him, to tlie city of Raithain, She lived near it, in a nunnery, with some holy women, until that time when St. Carthage and his monks were expelled from Rathain, by the king and chiefs of Ter-
moria. '*^
Being at a certain locality, in the province of Munster, Carthage said
to his companions : " I hear, in this place, the voices of the Leinster children, proceeding from our monastery ofRaithen. By such token, I know this spot shall be ours. " The prediction was afterwards fulfilled. ^7 One day, St. Columkille '<^ came to our saint, at Raithin. Saluting the superior there, Columba said : " Dost thou love this place, holy father ? " Mochuda answered: "Truly, I do love it. " Then, Columkille replied : "Let not what I say disturb thee.
