He
descended
event of the chief's baptism did not take from the race of King Cathaoir Mor.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v3
, n.
''^ OnlyintheIrish
Life.
Tripartite
lea. See it noted, on the Ordnance Sur- Griati-ai-a, i. e. sol sive solarium, Arae vey Townland Maps for the County of regionis. "
(q), p.
''* This townland is in the barony of Cosh-
Limerick," Sheets 41, 49.
^5 This happened, when some years had
'^ It contains the town of Tallas-Green, in
the baronies of Coonagh and Clanwilliam, in the county of Limerick.
elapsed.
'"' In his to
attempt identify
this Caem-
73 writes of Colgan
" in de regione
2150.
Tripartite ? ' So is it called, in the Irish
Life ; but, in the Latin version, we read, " '^
han, with a holy man so named, belonging
to the Island of Aran, it is clear, that Col-
gan mistakes the mountain Claire, for the
county so called, Clare, in Munster. See Coshma, and county of Limerick, his note 88, to the Second Part of the Latin
Tripartite, p. 177, in his " Trias Thauma-
turga. "
''? Now probably Raheen, in the parish of
75 Xhis name only occurs, in the Irisli
Ballyscaddan, adjoining Knocklong, in the
barony of Coshlea, and county of Limerick.
It is convenient to Sliabh-Claire, near called Muscraidhe Ui Fhloinn, after the which, in his MS. notes to Colgan, Roderick establishment of surnames. See John O'Flaherty wrote, that Kilrath was situated. O'Donovan's " Leabhar na g-Ceart, or See, also, Archdall's " Monasticon Hiberni- Book of Rights," n. (v), p. 44. In the
cum," p. 424.
Sanctilogic Genealogies of the Irish Saints," chap. xxix. ^9 Most likely, he was venerated at the
23rd of April.
'^ seeks to Colgan
him with
the son of Laidir, surnamed Aradh, the son of Cucorb, and the ancestor of St. Scuthin, of St. Ailbe, Bishop of Emly, and of St.
"
Mochuaroc, as found in the
identify
Dola, gain
O'Huidhrin,"
it, Airther-chliach regioni Ar? e vicina. "
''* There are two townlands, named Dollas, in the parish of Croone, barony of
Tripartite Life,
7* This district comprised fifteen parishes,
"
"Topographical Poems of John O'Dubha-
and Giolla na Naomh
O' Donovan writes, that it was the ancient name of the barony of West Muskerry. See p. Ixix. , n. 602.
? ' So are they designated in the Irish Tri- partite, and we are told, that their district was in the county of Cork, in South Munster, near to Muskerry Mitine.
in the Deanery of Musgrylin, in the nortli- west of the county of Cork, according to the
Liber Regalis Visitationis. " It was also
704 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 17.
ture. They shed tears, and expressed with every sign of sorrow, for the loss they were about to sustain. Patrick therefore blessed them, and he said, that the children they should bear, even when affiliated to extern tribes, must be- come illustrious and honoured in the nation.
Patrick desired to bid the people of Aradh-Cliach farewell, and he came
to a mountain, which was called Teidhil,79 said to be near the church, and in
the parish, of Kilteely,^° or Kilteel, where it is stated,^' that the Knights Templars afterwards had a church, on an eminence. When he was bidding
the people a farewell, two of his disciples, called Muin, or Munis, and Lomchu, also denominated Longa, remained behind him. They were sent for, and found asleep, under a bush, near the hill. This was told to St, Patrick. " Here their place of death and of resurrection shall be," said the Apostle. His prediction was true, for they rested in their church,^^ which was known as Kill-Teidhil. ^3 He went after this to Hy-Fidhgente,^+ which territoryadjoinedAraCliach. Fromthelatter,itwasseparated,bytheriver Samhair. ^5 There, Lonan, son of Eire, was chief ruler, and he received the
saint and his companions with distinguished honour. He provided a grand banquet,^^ for so illustrious a guest, at his castle, which arose on the summit
of Mullach-Cae, or Mount Kea,^7 over against Carn-Feradhaigh,^^ or Carn-Fe- radhuic,^9 on the south. There, Deacon Mantan,9° or Montan, a man of Patrick's
people, was preparing the banquet along with the king. The Irish Apostle was greatly displeased, because the chief persons concerned had not yielded readily to the demands and insults of some importunate strolling buffoons,^^ called
Druids, who required the meat, prepared for this banquet. We are told, that their chief, or conductor, was one Derg, or Derc, the son of Scirire, or Shirius, of the Southern Desi,9^ which was also called Deis-Beag. 93 Thereupon, the prophetic
? ^ Thus are they named, m the Latin Tri-
that it is
^ This is in the baronies of Coonagh and Smallcounty, and towards the east of Lime- rick County. It formed part of the ancient Ara-Cliach.
^^ It is thought to have been, on the borders of the counties of Cork and Lime- rick.
^ So called, in the Irish Tripartite Life.
It is supposed to be the ancient name of
Seefin, in the barony of Coshlea, in the southofLimerickCounty. Asreferringto St. Patrick, at this place, a legend, concern- ing Ardpatrick, will be found in Duffy's
partite Life.
79 The Irish
Tripartite remarks, the name of a hill.
^' By Archdall, in his " Monasticon Hi-
bernicum," p. 425. For this statement, he "Hibernian Magazine," vol. i. , in the
quotes
*^
Smith'sMSS.
"Seefin and its
article, Environs," by
Martin Plaverty, the Editor.
^ It is thus denominated, in the Latin
Tripartite Life.
s° It is thought, that the present holy man
was venerated, on the 2nd of March, and
Colgan scarcely succeeds, in his conjec- tures, regarding the Munis and Lomchu, who were buried there.
^3 Archdall distinguishes this place from Kilteel. See " Monasticon Hibernicum,"
that Kilmantan, the ancient name for Wick- ^•t Its people are also called " Nepotes low town, had its origin from him. An Fidgenti. " Their territory was bounded on elegant aquatinta view of the Franciscan
p. 425.
the north, by the River Shannon, on the south, by Slieve Luachra, on the east, by the
rivers Maigue and Morning Star, and on west, by Kerry. See Dr. O'Donovan's
Abbey niins, in 1793, at Wicklow town, is
"
to be found, in Jonathan Fisher's
of Ireland, illustrated in a Series of Prints," &c. , Plate xxvi.
9' So are they designated, in the Latin Tripartite Life ; in the Irish version, these strollers are called artists.
9^ This was a territory, lying around the
^ "St. Patrick at the Feast of Knock
Cae ; or the Founding of Mungret," is a of Coshma, and county of Limerick. Dr.
"
Annals of the Four Masters," vol. v. , n.
(c), p. 1580.
*5 This is now the Morning Star River.
It rises, in the south of Limerick County, and it flows into the Maigue.
hill of Knockany, and containing Brugh-na-
poem of Aubrey De Vere, and to be found
O'Donovan quotes an extract, from a his-
torical in the Book of where tale, Leinster,
the hero Cuchullin is introduced, as stand-
his " 127 to 141.
of St.
among
Legends
Patrick," pp.
Deise, now the town of Bruff, in the barony
Scenery
March 17. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
705
Patrick said, there should not be a king, or an heir apparent, or a bishop, in Lonan's familys* for ever ; while he assured Mantan, the deacon, that his church should not be exalted on earth, but that it should be the abode of the very dregs of the people, and that swine and sheep should trample on his own remains. 55 The Irish Apostle had a foreknowledge,9^ that a youth, named Nessan,97 with his mother, was then on his way, with a cooked wedder, carried in a basket, probably as an offering for Lonan's table. Then, St. Patrick begged of the boy, to give him the wedder to save his honour. The son, at once, gave it cheerfully, although the mother was unwilling to do so, through fear of the king. Patrick, afterwards, gave that food to the players ; but, no sooner had they partaken of it, than they dropped dead. Then, to Nessan, who had saved his reputation, the Apostle promised, that he should be honoured among the nations. And soon St. Patrick baptized him, ordained him deacon, and founded for him a monastery and church, named Mun- garit,9^nowMungret. 99 Hismotherendeavouredtoexcuseherself;but,he said, that she should not be buried in her son's church. This came to pass, for her grave lay to the west of Mungarit,'°° and the bells of its great church
^°'
were not heard in that
Having learned of his arrival, the men of Thomond,'°2 to the north of
Luimnech, went in fleets of boats, over the Shannon, to meet St, Patrick, southwards, so far as Domhnach-mor,'°3 of Magh-Aine,^°4 and to a place,
ing on the top of Knockany, near Bruff, and thus he points out the mountains, and other features of the country, to his tutor, Laigh : "Say, my tutor, Laigh, dost thou know what territory we are in? " "I
know not, indeed. " " I know then," said
have died, a. d. 551.
9^ It lies about three miles south-west of
Limerick City. The " Annals of the Four "
Masters record the death of several among its abbots, and airchinnechs, besides its various devastations, by the Danes. A portion of the abbey and its church still re- mains.
99 It is now a in the of parish, barony
Pubblebrien, and it is defined, on the " Ord-
nance Survey Townland Maps for the
County of Limerick," Sheets 4, 5, 12, 13. '°° The exact site is not more particularly
defined.
" Cuchullin :
Ceann-Abhrat Sleiljhe-Cain, this [mountain] to the south ; the mountains
of Eibhlinni, these to the nortli
Luimneach is that bright river, which thou seest ; Druim-Collchoilli is this on which we are, which is called Aini-Cliach, in the territory of Deis-Beg ; to the south of us is the army in Cliu-Mail-mic-Ugaine, in the lands of Curoi, son of Dari. " Slieve Eibh- linni extended from near Roscrea, to the north-eastern boundary of Limerick.
*3 See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the
Four Masters," at A. D. 1560, vol. v. , n. (d),
pp. 1580, 1581.
9-» Loneis is added in a
as the tribe- name of this family. The Third and Sixth
from Leim Chonchulain, or
Lives have those events in Ormond.
95 It is a remarkable circumstance, that Colgan himself witnessed such a desecration of the grave-yard, on Kilmantan Hill, in the town of Wiclclow. Since 1798, the grave- yard has been enclosed, and it is now used
—strange to relate—as a vegetable garden, in the spot so well remembered, by the oldest inhabitants.
9* Then Patrick is said to have proclaimed, in the stanza of an Irish Poem, thus trans- lated :—
''
To him is vouchsafed the triumph ;
To Cothraige he comes,
With his little wedder on his back,"
57 He is venerated, at the church of Alun- gret, on the 25th of July. Pie is said to
The youth who comes from the north.
place.
gloss,
Loop Head, Bealach-mor, or Ballaghmore, in Upper Ossory, and from Sliabh Echtghe, or Slieve Aughty, on the borders of the counties of Clare and Galway, to Sliabh Eibhlinne, now the Slieve Phelim range, in the county of
;
the River
'°'
Such is the account in the Latin Tri-
partite Life ; however, the Irish version
states, that they were almost together, and
only separated by a wall.
'°-
Mumha, or North Munster ;
Tills territory was also called Tuatli and, it extended
to
Tipperary. The southern boundary of this great territory is still preserved, in that of the diocese of Killaloe. See Dr. O'Dono- van's " Leabhar na g-Ceart, or Book of
Rights," n. (w), pp. 260, 261. St. Patrick's journey into Thomond is noticed in the Hodges and Smith MS. classed 23. N. 22. p. 423. *R. I. A.
'°3 Several places, bearing this name, occur in Ireland, but the present one seems to defy identification.
'°'* Mention is made of a Magh-n-Aidhne,
at A. M. 3727, and of a Magh-Aidhne, at A. M. 3872, in Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters. " The learned editor
2Y
7o6 L2VRS OP THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 17.
called Dun-Nocfene,'°5 or Dun-Naoc-Fene. ^°^ We are told, that he preached
to them the Word of God, and that he baptized them in Tir-glais/°7 beyond the bounds of their own territory. By many, this place has been identified with Terryglass, on the east side of Lough Derg, in the barony of Lower Ormond, and county of Tipperary. ^°s This is by no means certain, however, and the place, in question, may possibly be sought for, within the bounds of the present county of Limerick.
While St. Patrick was in this part of the country, Cairthend,'°3 or Car-
thenn,"° son of Blat,'" or Blodius,"^ the senior of the Clann-Toirdhelb-
haigh,"3 believed in the Lord, and the holy Apostle baptized him, at
Saingeal,"4 or Sangul. "^ No children were born to Cairthenn, except such as were deformities, to that time. It was then that Eochodius,"^ also called
Eochu Ballderg,"7 was born to Cairthenn, and he was at first a monstrosity, inappearance. But,St. Patrickprocured,byhisprayersandblessing,that
he should be perfect, in all his senses, and of elegant personal shape. Although St. Patrick did not cross over to Thomond, at this time, he went
to Finnine,"^ nevertheless, and this place lay to the north-west of Domh- nach-mor,"9 a hill from which he could see that country to the north and
identifies it with a level district, in the sept, as bounded on the north by Ui-Cong-
present county of Galway, and comprised liaile ; on the east, by the Shannon ; on the within the diocese of Kilmacduagh. See the south and south-west, by the River
vol. i. , n. (m), p. 45. Also, pp. 52, 53, and n. (k). This, however, cannot be the terri- tory, mentioned in the text.
*°5 According to the Irish Tripartite Life, which adds, that it was then, at the time of writing, so called.
'°* As rendered, in the Latin TripartiteLife.
'°7 The Irish Tripartite Life adds, to the south-east of it.
Shannon ; and, on the west, by Glenomra,
"
Topo- gi-aphical Poems of John O'Dubhagain and Giolla na Naomh O'Huidhrin," p. Ixxxii. ,
n- 737-
"'t Now said to be Singland, a townland
in St. Patrick's parish, about one mile south-east from the city of Limerick. See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the Four
"^ The monastery here was founded by Masters," vol. ii. , n. (y), p. 935. This St. Colum, son of Ninnidh.
He descended event of the chief's baptism did not take from the race of King Cathaoir Mor. He place, in 434, as the local historian Ferrer died on the 13th December, A. D, 548, and states ; but, at least, twelve years later. on that day, his festival was kept,
^°' So is he called, in the Irish Tripartite Life.
*'° Thus is he named, in the Latin Tripar- tite. In the n. 76, affixed, we find the
''
words
added, as if they had been omitted, through some mistake, from the printed copy of the Tripartite. This Carthen Fionn, also called Carthen more, or the great, was regarded as thechieftainofNorthMunster. Bookof Lecain foh 219 a. He is placed, at the head of the illustrious family of the O'Briens, in Thomond, in Keating's pedigi-ees. This prince is said to have been the immediate ancestor of Earl Inchiquin and of Sir Lucius O'Brien, who lived towards the close of the
"
last century. See Comerford's History
of Ireland," p. 229.
'" This name is given him, in the Irish
Tripartite Life.
"* Such is his name, in the Latin version. "3 Dr. O'Donovan states, that Magh-Ua-
Toudhealbhaigh was a plain, near the Shannon, in the parish of Killaloe, in the
''
Annals of the Four Masters," vol. iii. , n. (y), p. 94. Elsewhere, he defines the territory of this
Theodoricianae familire progenitor"
part iv. , p. 439.
"S The Irish Tripartite Life here adds a
parenthesis, that a different angel went to converse with him that day, and not Victor. This seems to be a play upon the words, Sain-aingel, "particular angel. " Singland was regarded as the seat of O'Comhneen, or
"
History of Lime- rick," part iii. , chap, iii. , p. 184.
''*Soishecalled,intheIrishTripartite Life.
"7 Or "Eochy of the Red Spot. " He was the eldest son of Cairthenn Finn.
"^ So is it called, in the Irish Tripartite Life ; but, in the Latin version, it is called Fintine. This spot has not been identified. It may be Knockpatrick, or St. Patrick's Hill, near Limerick, which aflTords a beauti- ful, bold, and extensive prospect, over the Shannon, the surrounding country, and the ocean. The scene is diversified with every feature required, to form a charming land- scape. Ard- Patrick, or the Height of Patrick, is a beautiful green hill, at the Limerick side of the Houras. It rises near the River Shannon. By a native poet, a chieftain is represented as riding where—
east of the county of Clare. See
the territoiy of O'Kennedy. See
See, likewise, Vallancey's "Collectanea,"
O'Coneen. See Ferrar's
^Iarch 17. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 707
west of Luimnech. "° The bays and islands of the River Shannon were be- neath him, when he gave a blessing to the men and district of North Munster. Its people had come, with a profusion of gifts, to meet the holy Patrick. He also blessed the islands, and he prophesied, regarding the saints that should appear in them ; he announced their names, and the time in which they should come. " That green island in the west," said Patrick, " near the mouth of the sea, the lamp of the people of God shall shine in it. Heshallbetheheadofcounseltothisdistrict. " HealludedtoSt. Senan"^ of Inis-Cathaigh,"2 who was to flourish six score of years after that time. He did not go across Luachair"3 or Kerry, into Western Munster ; but, he
prophesied, that the renowned Brenainn, or Brendan,"^ called the Navigator, of the Ua-Alta family, who was to be the bright particular star of that region, should be born one hundred and twenty years later,"S and like all the great
Apostle's other predictions, as we are told, this was truly fulfilled. "^
CHAPTER XX.
ST. PATRICK PROCEEDS TOWARDS SOUTHERN MUNSTER—HIS MISSION AMONG THE DESII —HE VISITS MUSCRAIGE-TIIIRE—RESULTS OF HIS LABOURS IN MUNSTER—HE BLESSES AND TAKES LEAVE OF THE PEOPLE.
Our next account of the illustrious Apostle represents him, as returning to- wards Desmond, or South Munster. ^ From surviving traditions, it seems pro-
"The blest Hill of Patrick
with its tall Guebre tower on his way. "
Nearly half a century ago, this round tower
fell, still leaving traces of its remains, near a i-ange of mountain, which divides the
an ancient church, on the summit of Ard- Patrick. The time of these foundations is at present unknown ; but, they certainly
" Battle of
See R. D. Ballads, Romances and Songs," Sir Domnall, stanza v,, p. 109, and note,
ibid.
"9 According to the Irish Tripartite Life ;
but, according to the Latin, we only read,
date back to a remote ''
period.
Eugene O'Curry's p. 24,
Magh-Lena,"
Joyce's
Domnach-mor. " The parish of Donaghmore, in the barony of
"* See " Trias Colgan's
that it was
"juxta
Thaumaturga. " Tertia Vita S. Patricii, cap. Ix. , Ixi. , Ixii. , p. 26, nn. 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, p. 32. Sexta Vita S. Patricii, cap. Ixxiv. , Ixxv. , Ixxxiii. , Ixxxv. , Ixxxvii. , xcix. , pp. 91, 92. Septima Vita S. Patricii, pars, iii. , cap. xxix. , xxx. , xxxi. , xxxii. , xxxiii,, xxxiv. , xxxv. , xxxvi. , xxxvii. , xxxviii. , xxxix. , xl. , xli. , xlii. , xliii. , xliv. , xlv. , xlvi. , xlvii. , pp. 155 to 158, and nn. 55 to 79, pp. 186, 187. Also Miss Cusack's "Life of St. Patrick, Apostle of Ireland," pp. 466 to 472, with correspond-
"
Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the County of Limerick," Sheet 13. It is erroneously stated, that in the year of our Lord, 433, St. Patrick—according to a local historian— crossed the Shannon, at Lumneach, or Limerick. He was then on his way to Con- naught, it is said. At St. Patrick's well, in the southern suburbs of Limerick, a large rock is shown, which served for his bed. In the year mentioned, he is said, also, to have founded a famous monastery, at Alungret.
Clanwilliam, is defined, on the
See,
Ferrar's "
History
of
Limerick," part
serious where he that Desmoun blunder, says,
i. , chap, i. , p. 4, and chap, iv. , p. 427.
The ancient name, for the present city
of Limerick.
"' He was the son of Gergenn, son ot
Dubhthach. His feast occurs, at the 8th of March.
slopes green
or Desmond is West Munster, and nowKerry. "° "
'^^ Now in the River Scattery Island,
Shannon.
"3 This word is said to mean, "a rushy
county of Limerick from that of Kerry, and which extends into Cork County. For a full description, the reader is referred to
district. " Probably it is now Slieve-Logher,
"t His festival occurs, at the l6th of May.
"S This, however, does not tally with re- ceived chronology, and Colgan suspects an error of some scribe, in placing cxx. for xxx.
ing note* — Chapter xx.
' Harris has committed a
See Harris' Ware, vol. ii. , Antiquities of Ireland," chap. vii. ,secti. , pp. 49, 51. Kerry,
or, at least, the greatest part of it, was not included in the ancient Desmond. It belonged to lar-Muin, or West Munstei. Some parts
7o8 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 17.
bable, he made a fl(<? /c? z<fr, through the western part of the present county of Lime- rick,andnowknownasthebaroniesofLowerandUpperConnello. ^ Amoun- tain, anciently called Luachra,3 arose near St. Ita's * nunnery, and the name may probably afford a clue to the direction of his journey. However, it must be observed, that in a very disconnected and general manner, the transactions of St. Patrick, in South Munster, are related. Hence, it is no easy matter to arrange them, in any intelligible sequence.
While St. Patrick was in the southern part of the Desii, he had laid out the
linesforbuildingachurch,andonahill,calledArd-Patrick. s Thefoundations
long afterwards were to be seen, as also a rock, called, in Latin, Lapis
Patricii. The chief or dynast of the place is named Derbhallus, the son of
Aidus, in the Tripartite. This chief was a scoffer and sceptic, who wished
to put the holy missionary's powers at fault. According to jocelyn, this noble man of Munster—and by him named Cearbballus—would not permit
St. Patrick to build a church, within his territories. Not far from the noble-
man's house, there was a fair and spacious lake, called Loch Longa,^ very
pleasant to behold ; but, owing to the interposition of a great mountain, called Kennsebhrad,7 his house was deprived of that grateful prospect. The saint urged this noble man, very much, to give him leave to build a church.
The chief " If answered,
you
remove this
great mountain,
that
deprives my
house of the pleasant prospect over that broad and spacious lake, lying in
Fera-Maighe-Feine,^ on the further side, I will then yield to your request for
building a church. " The saint offered up to God his prayers, and the earth,
it is related, swallowed down the mountain. Notwithstanding, the perfidious manwouldnotstandtohisformerpromise. Wherefore,thesaintprayedto God, a second time, when the mountain forthwith swelled up, to its former
height and greatness. St. Patrick predicted, moreover, that no magnate or bishop should issue from his family, and that himself even must soon loose
his hold, upon the land, by being called away from life. 9 Belach Legtha, or " the melted pass," is the name for a very remarkable depression on the
to the east of modem Kerry might have been comprised in Desmond, such as these
patrick. From what follows in the Tripar- tite Life, it is plain, that the Luachra to which it alludes, lay more to the west. It was not far from the borders of the county
adjoining the county of Cork, which was
the real Desmond. It could not be said, that
St. Patrick had turned back from Luachra, of Kerry ; and, it may have been the dis-
adjoining Kerry, when going into Desmond, if Kerry, generally speaking, were that same territory. See Rev. Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical of vol.
trict alluded to, by Dr. O'Brien, which was distinguished by the epithet, Muscrith, be- cause it was a pleasant countiy.
^ The feast of this woman is on holy kept,
the 15th of January, at Killeely.
5 Now a and parish
History Ireland," i. , chap, vi. , sect, viii. , n. 86, pp. 292, 293.
^ A moat,
seven acres, is situated near Cluincach church, in the barony of
in the
of Coshlea, where there is a round tower, in
containing
church,
barony
diocese and of Limerick See Ferrar's " county County.
Upper Connello,
Limerick. According to a popular legend,
an enormous serpent encircled this moat,
and his head reached to his tail, at a time
when St. Patrick arrived there. The Hennessy's translation of the Irish Tripar-
— is said to have rested his hand on a tite Life. It is said to be one of the Apostle Bally-
stone wher—e " rounds " are still made by bowra mountains, in Cork County.
the people and thence he cast a Missal, which struck and killed the serpent. The foregoing information was communicated to the writer, in a letter from Mr. D. A. O'Leary, Kilbolane Cottage, Charleville, lOth of November, 1877.
3 Rev.
''^ OnlyintheIrish
Life.
Tripartite
lea. See it noted, on the Ordnance Sur- Griati-ai-a, i. e. sol sive solarium, Arae vey Townland Maps for the County of regionis. "
(q), p.
''* This townland is in the barony of Cosh-
Limerick," Sheets 41, 49.
^5 This happened, when some years had
'^ It contains the town of Tallas-Green, in
the baronies of Coonagh and Clanwilliam, in the county of Limerick.
elapsed.
'"' In his to
attempt identify
this Caem-
73 writes of Colgan
" in de regione
2150.
Tripartite ? ' So is it called, in the Irish
Life ; but, in the Latin version, we read, " '^
han, with a holy man so named, belonging
to the Island of Aran, it is clear, that Col-
gan mistakes the mountain Claire, for the
county so called, Clare, in Munster. See Coshma, and county of Limerick, his note 88, to the Second Part of the Latin
Tripartite, p. 177, in his " Trias Thauma-
turga. "
''? Now probably Raheen, in the parish of
75 Xhis name only occurs, in the Irisli
Ballyscaddan, adjoining Knocklong, in the
barony of Coshlea, and county of Limerick.
It is convenient to Sliabh-Claire, near called Muscraidhe Ui Fhloinn, after the which, in his MS. notes to Colgan, Roderick establishment of surnames. See John O'Flaherty wrote, that Kilrath was situated. O'Donovan's " Leabhar na g-Ceart, or See, also, Archdall's " Monasticon Hiberni- Book of Rights," n. (v), p. 44. In the
cum," p. 424.
Sanctilogic Genealogies of the Irish Saints," chap. xxix. ^9 Most likely, he was venerated at the
23rd of April.
'^ seeks to Colgan
him with
the son of Laidir, surnamed Aradh, the son of Cucorb, and the ancestor of St. Scuthin, of St. Ailbe, Bishop of Emly, and of St.
"
Mochuaroc, as found in the
identify
Dola, gain
O'Huidhrin,"
it, Airther-chliach regioni Ar? e vicina. "
''* There are two townlands, named Dollas, in the parish of Croone, barony of
Tripartite Life,
7* This district comprised fifteen parishes,
"
"Topographical Poems of John O'Dubha-
and Giolla na Naomh
O' Donovan writes, that it was the ancient name of the barony of West Muskerry. See p. Ixix. , n. 602.
? ' So are they designated in the Irish Tri- partite, and we are told, that their district was in the county of Cork, in South Munster, near to Muskerry Mitine.
in the Deanery of Musgrylin, in the nortli- west of the county of Cork, according to the
Liber Regalis Visitationis. " It was also
704 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 17.
ture. They shed tears, and expressed with every sign of sorrow, for the loss they were about to sustain. Patrick therefore blessed them, and he said, that the children they should bear, even when affiliated to extern tribes, must be- come illustrious and honoured in the nation.
Patrick desired to bid the people of Aradh-Cliach farewell, and he came
to a mountain, which was called Teidhil,79 said to be near the church, and in
the parish, of Kilteely,^° or Kilteel, where it is stated,^' that the Knights Templars afterwards had a church, on an eminence. When he was bidding
the people a farewell, two of his disciples, called Muin, or Munis, and Lomchu, also denominated Longa, remained behind him. They were sent for, and found asleep, under a bush, near the hill. This was told to St, Patrick. " Here their place of death and of resurrection shall be," said the Apostle. His prediction was true, for they rested in their church,^^ which was known as Kill-Teidhil. ^3 He went after this to Hy-Fidhgente,^+ which territoryadjoinedAraCliach. Fromthelatter,itwasseparated,bytheriver Samhair. ^5 There, Lonan, son of Eire, was chief ruler, and he received the
saint and his companions with distinguished honour. He provided a grand banquet,^^ for so illustrious a guest, at his castle, which arose on the summit
of Mullach-Cae, or Mount Kea,^7 over against Carn-Feradhaigh,^^ or Carn-Fe- radhuic,^9 on the south. There, Deacon Mantan,9° or Montan, a man of Patrick's
people, was preparing the banquet along with the king. The Irish Apostle was greatly displeased, because the chief persons concerned had not yielded readily to the demands and insults of some importunate strolling buffoons,^^ called
Druids, who required the meat, prepared for this banquet. We are told, that their chief, or conductor, was one Derg, or Derc, the son of Scirire, or Shirius, of the Southern Desi,9^ which was also called Deis-Beag. 93 Thereupon, the prophetic
? ^ Thus are they named, m the Latin Tri-
that it is
^ This is in the baronies of Coonagh and Smallcounty, and towards the east of Lime- rick County. It formed part of the ancient Ara-Cliach.
^^ It is thought to have been, on the borders of the counties of Cork and Lime- rick.
^ So called, in the Irish Tripartite Life.
It is supposed to be the ancient name of
Seefin, in the barony of Coshlea, in the southofLimerickCounty. Asreferringto St. Patrick, at this place, a legend, concern- ing Ardpatrick, will be found in Duffy's
partite Life.
79 The Irish
Tripartite remarks, the name of a hill.
^' By Archdall, in his " Monasticon Hi-
bernicum," p. 425. For this statement, he "Hibernian Magazine," vol. i. , in the
quotes
*^
Smith'sMSS.
"Seefin and its
article, Environs," by
Martin Plaverty, the Editor.
^ It is thus denominated, in the Latin
Tripartite Life.
s° It is thought, that the present holy man
was venerated, on the 2nd of March, and
Colgan scarcely succeeds, in his conjec- tures, regarding the Munis and Lomchu, who were buried there.
^3 Archdall distinguishes this place from Kilteel. See " Monasticon Hibernicum,"
that Kilmantan, the ancient name for Wick- ^•t Its people are also called " Nepotes low town, had its origin from him. An Fidgenti. " Their territory was bounded on elegant aquatinta view of the Franciscan
p. 425.
the north, by the River Shannon, on the south, by Slieve Luachra, on the east, by the
rivers Maigue and Morning Star, and on west, by Kerry. See Dr. O'Donovan's
Abbey niins, in 1793, at Wicklow town, is
"
to be found, in Jonathan Fisher's
of Ireland, illustrated in a Series of Prints," &c. , Plate xxvi.
9' So are they designated, in the Latin Tripartite Life ; in the Irish version, these strollers are called artists.
9^ This was a territory, lying around the
^ "St. Patrick at the Feast of Knock
Cae ; or the Founding of Mungret," is a of Coshma, and county of Limerick. Dr.
"
Annals of the Four Masters," vol. v. , n.
(c), p. 1580.
*5 This is now the Morning Star River.
It rises, in the south of Limerick County, and it flows into the Maigue.
hill of Knockany, and containing Brugh-na-
poem of Aubrey De Vere, and to be found
O'Donovan quotes an extract, from a his-
torical in the Book of where tale, Leinster,
the hero Cuchullin is introduced, as stand-
his " 127 to 141.
of St.
among
Legends
Patrick," pp.
Deise, now the town of Bruff, in the barony
Scenery
March 17. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
705
Patrick said, there should not be a king, or an heir apparent, or a bishop, in Lonan's familys* for ever ; while he assured Mantan, the deacon, that his church should not be exalted on earth, but that it should be the abode of the very dregs of the people, and that swine and sheep should trample on his own remains. 55 The Irish Apostle had a foreknowledge,9^ that a youth, named Nessan,97 with his mother, was then on his way, with a cooked wedder, carried in a basket, probably as an offering for Lonan's table. Then, St. Patrick begged of the boy, to give him the wedder to save his honour. The son, at once, gave it cheerfully, although the mother was unwilling to do so, through fear of the king. Patrick, afterwards, gave that food to the players ; but, no sooner had they partaken of it, than they dropped dead. Then, to Nessan, who had saved his reputation, the Apostle promised, that he should be honoured among the nations. And soon St. Patrick baptized him, ordained him deacon, and founded for him a monastery and church, named Mun- garit,9^nowMungret. 99 Hismotherendeavouredtoexcuseherself;but,he said, that she should not be buried in her son's church. This came to pass, for her grave lay to the west of Mungarit,'°° and the bells of its great church
^°'
were not heard in that
Having learned of his arrival, the men of Thomond,'°2 to the north of
Luimnech, went in fleets of boats, over the Shannon, to meet St, Patrick, southwards, so far as Domhnach-mor,'°3 of Magh-Aine,^°4 and to a place,
ing on the top of Knockany, near Bruff, and thus he points out the mountains, and other features of the country, to his tutor, Laigh : "Say, my tutor, Laigh, dost thou know what territory we are in? " "I
know not, indeed. " " I know then," said
have died, a. d. 551.
9^ It lies about three miles south-west of
Limerick City. The " Annals of the Four "
Masters record the death of several among its abbots, and airchinnechs, besides its various devastations, by the Danes. A portion of the abbey and its church still re- mains.
99 It is now a in the of parish, barony
Pubblebrien, and it is defined, on the " Ord-
nance Survey Townland Maps for the
County of Limerick," Sheets 4, 5, 12, 13. '°° The exact site is not more particularly
defined.
" Cuchullin :
Ceann-Abhrat Sleiljhe-Cain, this [mountain] to the south ; the mountains
of Eibhlinni, these to the nortli
Luimneach is that bright river, which thou seest ; Druim-Collchoilli is this on which we are, which is called Aini-Cliach, in the territory of Deis-Beg ; to the south of us is the army in Cliu-Mail-mic-Ugaine, in the lands of Curoi, son of Dari. " Slieve Eibh- linni extended from near Roscrea, to the north-eastern boundary of Limerick.
*3 See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the
Four Masters," at A. D. 1560, vol. v. , n. (d),
pp. 1580, 1581.
9-» Loneis is added in a
as the tribe- name of this family. The Third and Sixth
from Leim Chonchulain, or
Lives have those events in Ormond.
95 It is a remarkable circumstance, that Colgan himself witnessed such a desecration of the grave-yard, on Kilmantan Hill, in the town of Wiclclow. Since 1798, the grave- yard has been enclosed, and it is now used
—strange to relate—as a vegetable garden, in the spot so well remembered, by the oldest inhabitants.
9* Then Patrick is said to have proclaimed, in the stanza of an Irish Poem, thus trans- lated :—
''
To him is vouchsafed the triumph ;
To Cothraige he comes,
With his little wedder on his back,"
57 He is venerated, at the church of Alun- gret, on the 25th of July. Pie is said to
The youth who comes from the north.
place.
gloss,
Loop Head, Bealach-mor, or Ballaghmore, in Upper Ossory, and from Sliabh Echtghe, or Slieve Aughty, on the borders of the counties of Clare and Galway, to Sliabh Eibhlinne, now the Slieve Phelim range, in the county of
;
the River
'°'
Such is the account in the Latin Tri-
partite Life ; however, the Irish version
states, that they were almost together, and
only separated by a wall.
'°-
Mumha, or North Munster ;
Tills territory was also called Tuatli and, it extended
to
Tipperary. The southern boundary of this great territory is still preserved, in that of the diocese of Killaloe. See Dr. O'Dono- van's " Leabhar na g-Ceart, or Book of
Rights," n. (w), pp. 260, 261. St. Patrick's journey into Thomond is noticed in the Hodges and Smith MS. classed 23. N. 22. p. 423. *R. I. A.
'°3 Several places, bearing this name, occur in Ireland, but the present one seems to defy identification.
'°'* Mention is made of a Magh-n-Aidhne,
at A. M. 3727, and of a Magh-Aidhne, at A. M. 3872, in Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters. " The learned editor
2Y
7o6 L2VRS OP THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 17.
called Dun-Nocfene,'°5 or Dun-Naoc-Fene. ^°^ We are told, that he preached
to them the Word of God, and that he baptized them in Tir-glais/°7 beyond the bounds of their own territory. By many, this place has been identified with Terryglass, on the east side of Lough Derg, in the barony of Lower Ormond, and county of Tipperary. ^°s This is by no means certain, however, and the place, in question, may possibly be sought for, within the bounds of the present county of Limerick.
While St. Patrick was in this part of the country, Cairthend,'°3 or Car-
thenn,"° son of Blat,'" or Blodius,"^ the senior of the Clann-Toirdhelb-
haigh,"3 believed in the Lord, and the holy Apostle baptized him, at
Saingeal,"4 or Sangul. "^ No children were born to Cairthenn, except such as were deformities, to that time. It was then that Eochodius,"^ also called
Eochu Ballderg,"7 was born to Cairthenn, and he was at first a monstrosity, inappearance. But,St. Patrickprocured,byhisprayersandblessing,that
he should be perfect, in all his senses, and of elegant personal shape. Although St. Patrick did not cross over to Thomond, at this time, he went
to Finnine,"^ nevertheless, and this place lay to the north-west of Domh- nach-mor,"9 a hill from which he could see that country to the north and
identifies it with a level district, in the sept, as bounded on the north by Ui-Cong-
present county of Galway, and comprised liaile ; on the east, by the Shannon ; on the within the diocese of Kilmacduagh. See the south and south-west, by the River
vol. i. , n. (m), p. 45. Also, pp. 52, 53, and n. (k). This, however, cannot be the terri- tory, mentioned in the text.
*°5 According to the Irish Tripartite Life, which adds, that it was then, at the time of writing, so called.
'°* As rendered, in the Latin TripartiteLife.
'°7 The Irish Tripartite Life adds, to the south-east of it.
Shannon ; and, on the west, by Glenomra,
"
Topo- gi-aphical Poems of John O'Dubhagain and Giolla na Naomh O'Huidhrin," p. Ixxxii. ,
n- 737-
"'t Now said to be Singland, a townland
in St. Patrick's parish, about one mile south-east from the city of Limerick. See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the Four
"^ The monastery here was founded by Masters," vol. ii. , n. (y), p. 935. This St. Colum, son of Ninnidh.
He descended event of the chief's baptism did not take from the race of King Cathaoir Mor. He place, in 434, as the local historian Ferrer died on the 13th December, A. D, 548, and states ; but, at least, twelve years later. on that day, his festival was kept,
^°' So is he called, in the Irish Tripartite Life.
*'° Thus is he named, in the Latin Tripar- tite. In the n. 76, affixed, we find the
''
words
added, as if they had been omitted, through some mistake, from the printed copy of the Tripartite. This Carthen Fionn, also called Carthen more, or the great, was regarded as thechieftainofNorthMunster. Bookof Lecain foh 219 a. He is placed, at the head of the illustrious family of the O'Briens, in Thomond, in Keating's pedigi-ees. This prince is said to have been the immediate ancestor of Earl Inchiquin and of Sir Lucius O'Brien, who lived towards the close of the
"
last century. See Comerford's History
of Ireland," p. 229.
'" This name is given him, in the Irish
Tripartite Life.
"* Such is his name, in the Latin version. "3 Dr. O'Donovan states, that Magh-Ua-
Toudhealbhaigh was a plain, near the Shannon, in the parish of Killaloe, in the
''
Annals of the Four Masters," vol. iii. , n. (y), p. 94. Elsewhere, he defines the territory of this
Theodoricianae familire progenitor"
part iv. , p. 439.
"S The Irish Tripartite Life here adds a
parenthesis, that a different angel went to converse with him that day, and not Victor. This seems to be a play upon the words, Sain-aingel, "particular angel. " Singland was regarded as the seat of O'Comhneen, or
"
History of Lime- rick," part iii. , chap, iii. , p. 184.
''*Soishecalled,intheIrishTripartite Life.
"7 Or "Eochy of the Red Spot. " He was the eldest son of Cairthenn Finn.
"^ So is it called, in the Irish Tripartite Life ; but, in the Latin version, it is called Fintine. This spot has not been identified. It may be Knockpatrick, or St. Patrick's Hill, near Limerick, which aflTords a beauti- ful, bold, and extensive prospect, over the Shannon, the surrounding country, and the ocean. The scene is diversified with every feature required, to form a charming land- scape. Ard- Patrick, or the Height of Patrick, is a beautiful green hill, at the Limerick side of the Houras. It rises near the River Shannon. By a native poet, a chieftain is represented as riding where—
east of the county of Clare. See
the territoiy of O'Kennedy. See
See, likewise, Vallancey's "Collectanea,"
O'Coneen. See Ferrar's
^Iarch 17. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 707
west of Luimnech. "° The bays and islands of the River Shannon were be- neath him, when he gave a blessing to the men and district of North Munster. Its people had come, with a profusion of gifts, to meet the holy Patrick. He also blessed the islands, and he prophesied, regarding the saints that should appear in them ; he announced their names, and the time in which they should come. " That green island in the west," said Patrick, " near the mouth of the sea, the lamp of the people of God shall shine in it. Heshallbetheheadofcounseltothisdistrict. " HealludedtoSt. Senan"^ of Inis-Cathaigh,"2 who was to flourish six score of years after that time. He did not go across Luachair"3 or Kerry, into Western Munster ; but, he
prophesied, that the renowned Brenainn, or Brendan,"^ called the Navigator, of the Ua-Alta family, who was to be the bright particular star of that region, should be born one hundred and twenty years later,"S and like all the great
Apostle's other predictions, as we are told, this was truly fulfilled. "^
CHAPTER XX.
ST. PATRICK PROCEEDS TOWARDS SOUTHERN MUNSTER—HIS MISSION AMONG THE DESII —HE VISITS MUSCRAIGE-TIIIRE—RESULTS OF HIS LABOURS IN MUNSTER—HE BLESSES AND TAKES LEAVE OF THE PEOPLE.
Our next account of the illustrious Apostle represents him, as returning to- wards Desmond, or South Munster. ^ From surviving traditions, it seems pro-
"The blest Hill of Patrick
with its tall Guebre tower on his way. "
Nearly half a century ago, this round tower
fell, still leaving traces of its remains, near a i-ange of mountain, which divides the
an ancient church, on the summit of Ard- Patrick. The time of these foundations is at present unknown ; but, they certainly
" Battle of
See R. D. Ballads, Romances and Songs," Sir Domnall, stanza v,, p. 109, and note,
ibid.
"9 According to the Irish Tripartite Life ;
but, according to the Latin, we only read,
date back to a remote ''
period.
Eugene O'Curry's p. 24,
Magh-Lena,"
Joyce's
Domnach-mor. " The parish of Donaghmore, in the barony of
"* See " Trias Colgan's
that it was
"juxta
Thaumaturga. " Tertia Vita S. Patricii, cap. Ix. , Ixi. , Ixii. , p. 26, nn. 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, p. 32. Sexta Vita S. Patricii, cap. Ixxiv. , Ixxv. , Ixxxiii. , Ixxxv. , Ixxxvii. , xcix. , pp. 91, 92. Septima Vita S. Patricii, pars, iii. , cap. xxix. , xxx. , xxxi. , xxxii. , xxxiii,, xxxiv. , xxxv. , xxxvi. , xxxvii. , xxxviii. , xxxix. , xl. , xli. , xlii. , xliii. , xliv. , xlv. , xlvi. , xlvii. , pp. 155 to 158, and nn. 55 to 79, pp. 186, 187. Also Miss Cusack's "Life of St. Patrick, Apostle of Ireland," pp. 466 to 472, with correspond-
"
Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the County of Limerick," Sheet 13. It is erroneously stated, that in the year of our Lord, 433, St. Patrick—according to a local historian— crossed the Shannon, at Lumneach, or Limerick. He was then on his way to Con- naught, it is said. At St. Patrick's well, in the southern suburbs of Limerick, a large rock is shown, which served for his bed. In the year mentioned, he is said, also, to have founded a famous monastery, at Alungret.
Clanwilliam, is defined, on the
See,
Ferrar's "
History
of
Limerick," part
serious where he that Desmoun blunder, says,
i. , chap, i. , p. 4, and chap, iv. , p. 427.
The ancient name, for the present city
of Limerick.
"' He was the son of Gergenn, son ot
Dubhthach. His feast occurs, at the 8th of March.
slopes green
or Desmond is West Munster, and nowKerry. "° "
'^^ Now in the River Scattery Island,
Shannon.
"3 This word is said to mean, "a rushy
county of Limerick from that of Kerry, and which extends into Cork County. For a full description, the reader is referred to
district. " Probably it is now Slieve-Logher,
"t His festival occurs, at the l6th of May.
"S This, however, does not tally with re- ceived chronology, and Colgan suspects an error of some scribe, in placing cxx. for xxx.
ing note* — Chapter xx.
' Harris has committed a
See Harris' Ware, vol. ii. , Antiquities of Ireland," chap. vii. ,secti. , pp. 49, 51. Kerry,
or, at least, the greatest part of it, was not included in the ancient Desmond. It belonged to lar-Muin, or West Munstei. Some parts
7o8 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 17.
bable, he made a fl(<? /c? z<fr, through the western part of the present county of Lime- rick,andnowknownasthebaroniesofLowerandUpperConnello. ^ Amoun- tain, anciently called Luachra,3 arose near St. Ita's * nunnery, and the name may probably afford a clue to the direction of his journey. However, it must be observed, that in a very disconnected and general manner, the transactions of St. Patrick, in South Munster, are related. Hence, it is no easy matter to arrange them, in any intelligible sequence.
While St. Patrick was in the southern part of the Desii, he had laid out the
linesforbuildingachurch,andonahill,calledArd-Patrick. s Thefoundations
long afterwards were to be seen, as also a rock, called, in Latin, Lapis
Patricii. The chief or dynast of the place is named Derbhallus, the son of
Aidus, in the Tripartite. This chief was a scoffer and sceptic, who wished
to put the holy missionary's powers at fault. According to jocelyn, this noble man of Munster—and by him named Cearbballus—would not permit
St. Patrick to build a church, within his territories. Not far from the noble-
man's house, there was a fair and spacious lake, called Loch Longa,^ very
pleasant to behold ; but, owing to the interposition of a great mountain, called Kennsebhrad,7 his house was deprived of that grateful prospect. The saint urged this noble man, very much, to give him leave to build a church.
The chief " If answered,
you
remove this
great mountain,
that
deprives my
house of the pleasant prospect over that broad and spacious lake, lying in
Fera-Maighe-Feine,^ on the further side, I will then yield to your request for
building a church. " The saint offered up to God his prayers, and the earth,
it is related, swallowed down the mountain. Notwithstanding, the perfidious manwouldnotstandtohisformerpromise. Wherefore,thesaintprayedto God, a second time, when the mountain forthwith swelled up, to its former
height and greatness. St. Patrick predicted, moreover, that no magnate or bishop should issue from his family, and that himself even must soon loose
his hold, upon the land, by being called away from life. 9 Belach Legtha, or " the melted pass," is the name for a very remarkable depression on the
to the east of modem Kerry might have been comprised in Desmond, such as these
patrick. From what follows in the Tripar- tite Life, it is plain, that the Luachra to which it alludes, lay more to the west. It was not far from the borders of the county
adjoining the county of Cork, which was
the real Desmond. It could not be said, that
St. Patrick had turned back from Luachra, of Kerry ; and, it may have been the dis-
adjoining Kerry, when going into Desmond, if Kerry, generally speaking, were that same territory. See Rev. Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical of vol.
trict alluded to, by Dr. O'Brien, which was distinguished by the epithet, Muscrith, be- cause it was a pleasant countiy.
^ The feast of this woman is on holy kept,
the 15th of January, at Killeely.
5 Now a and parish
History Ireland," i. , chap, vi. , sect, viii. , n. 86, pp. 292, 293.
^ A moat,
seven acres, is situated near Cluincach church, in the barony of
in the
of Coshlea, where there is a round tower, in
containing
church,
barony
diocese and of Limerick See Ferrar's " county County.
Upper Connello,
Limerick. According to a popular legend,
an enormous serpent encircled this moat,
and his head reached to his tail, at a time
when St. Patrick arrived there. The Hennessy's translation of the Irish Tripar-
— is said to have rested his hand on a tite Life. It is said to be one of the Apostle Bally-
stone wher—e " rounds " are still made by bowra mountains, in Cork County.
the people and thence he cast a Missal, which struck and killed the serpent. The foregoing information was communicated to the writer, in a letter from Mr. D. A. O'Leary, Kilbolane Cottage, Charleville, lOth of November, 1877.
3 Rev.
