137 See "
Gazetteer
of the World," vol.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v6
162, and nn, 167, 168.
p.
168.
*°5 Colgan could not decide which of the many Baithens mentioned in our Annals and Calendars, this man had been. See " Trias Thaumaturga," Quarta Vita S. Columbse, lib. i. , cap. xx. , n. 63, p. 377.
l0 ^ That is, Ua 11i<voh Caboipe. Niath occurs in Tirechan. See Liber Arma- chanus, fol. 14, a b, 15 £ b. It signifies a "champion," and the word is often given as a component in ancient names.
107 We find Tolorg in the " Annals of the Four Masters " at A. D. 842, 885; and, fre- quently the name occurs in the Catalogue of the Pictish Kings. See the "Irish Ver- sionof Nennius," at pp. 160, 164.
108 The term in the original is Scotice, but
it has this signification.
109 Unknown, but probably in Derry. See
110
Noted as the oak-grove of Galga- chus.
1,1
The church and its precincts were in- violate sanctuary by the ancient laws of the
Irish Church. The penalties of its violation
varied, according to the dignity of the church, and of the ecclesiastic who procured
for it protection.
"2 In the O'Clerys' Irish Calendar, there
is a saint of this name at January ioth, May31st, Novembernth,andDecember 2nd. See Rev. Dr. Todd's and Reeves' edition, pp. 12, 13, 140, 141, 304, 305, 324, 325.
"3 See Rev. Dr. Reeves' Adamnan's "Life of St. Columba," lib. i. , cap. 20, pp. 49, 50.
"4 This is an exaggerated descsiption, as
the highest hill on Iona—
that of Dun-I—
is
only 330 feet,
"S It is situated north- north -west of the
monastery. It is a conspicuous object from the sea.
II6 If Cnoc-mor were the place selected
Bay
"7 Port-Ronain lies near the and village,
it is the usual landing-place. It lies nearly due south of Duni.
in 108 Lath- Irish,
"
Campi Lunge,"
126 and
terra,
lying opposite
to Iona, is on the south-east side of the
122 See Rev. Dr. Reeves' Adamnan's " Life
of St. Columba," lib. i. , cap. 41, and lib. iii. , cap. 8. ThereisanotherplacecalledMagh-
lung, near Ballaghaderreen, in the county of
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
sins, in presence of all the company. The saint out of compassion and weeping
June 9. ]
433
"
are forgiven, because it is written
with. him afterwards said :
Rise, my son, and be of good cheer, for your sins
:
* A contrite and humble heart, God will
not depise. '""9 Afterwards, being very lovingly entertained by our saint, he
sent Fechnaus to Baithan, living at a place called Maghlung,120 or " the plain
of the 121 He was the 122 I23 ships. " superior over this penitential station,
Loch Coiruisg, or Corriskin, Island of Skye.
I2+ now Tiree Island. Here St. Columba himself had built a monastery. The port of Maglunga, I2 s or as Latinized
which was situated in the Ethica
118 He is "
styled sapiens
vir " twice. In
the Irish Annals, we frequently find the
epithet fAoi, "sapiens," applied to ecclesias- tics. Finding St. Fachnan of Ross styled
" sapiens
"inthe Life ofSt.
that of Roscommon. Its
Mochaomoc, Colgan conjectured that he was the subject of the present narrative, but without good reason. Besides, Fachtnan and Fiachna
seem to be different names.
Mayo, adjoining
"9 1:0
See Adamnan's Vita S. Columbse,
See Psalms I. ,
See Adamnan's Life of St. Columba,"
123
lib. ii. , cap. 39.
19. "
lib. ii. , cap. 15. Among the obits in the An-
nals of Ulster, at A. D. 774, isConatb U1aij;iii
Lump, or "Conall of Magh-Luinge. " See Rev. Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum Hibernicarum
Scriptores," tomus iv. , p. 105.
124 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Quinta Vita S. Columbse, lib. ii. , cap. Ixxxviii. , p. 426.
125 Allusions are made to Magh-Luinge,
Combustio Muighe Luinge,"
121 "
id est, Maglunga vocatur quodque per S. at a. d. 673. This event is placed at A,r>.
In monasterio quod Campus navis, Columbam in terra Heth fundatum est. "
Tigernach :
"
Vita S. Baitheni, cap. vii. , p. 237/'.
669, in the Annals of Clonmacnoise ; in those of the Four Masters, at A. D. 671 ; while the. Ulster Annals have it, at A D. 672.
IE
See
Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , Junii ix. ,
name is derived from the River Lun^, which
discharges into Lough Gara. See Dr. John
O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , n. (z), p. 283.
in the Irish Annals. Thus we read in "
434 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 9.
island. Near Soroby there stands a very ancient cross, and there too are re- membered the remains of the original parish church. These are near that spot, now occupied by some curious sepulchral slabs. ,2 ? Thither, with a blessing,
28
One of the most interesting of the Hebrides is the Island of Skye,
the penitent journeyed in peace. '
whether we consider its size, productiveness, population, or wildly magnificent
128
See Rev. Dr. Reeves' Adamnan's
12? The mountains in the northern especially
are of
Among the latter may
as it has been also
on the western coast,
scenery.
height, and several of its lakes a—re deep and lonely.
parts
towering
—oned Loch x or Loch Corriskin
II
be reck Coiruisg 3° 3
'32
named embosomed in the Cuchullin Mountains,
and discharging itself into Loch Sclavig. ^ Skye was one of those Islands,
in which St. Columba sometimes loved to dwell. 134 He and St. Maelrubha
J
or Maelrubius 35 were its chief Patrons ; the former having the north-eastern
and the latter 136 the—south-eastern portion. —It is a curious feature in the largest
I37
Island of Scotland excepting Lewis that no spot there is four miles
from the sea, and few parts are more than two. 's8 That portion of the island peculiar to St. Columba is a part of Trotternish, bounded by a line drawn from Portree to the head of Loch Snizort. At the northwestern extremity of this district, in the parish of Kilmuir, about two and a-half miles north ofUig Bay,is thealluvialbedofalake,formerlyknownasLochColumkille. 13? It is
126 It is mentioned
S. Columbse, lib. ii. , cap. 15.
in Vita
How term its dark waves ? and you
how
Yon northern mountain's pathless
brow,
And yonder peak of dread,
That to the evening sun uplifts
The grizzly gulfs and slaty rifts —
Which seam its shiver'd head? " " Corriskin call the dark lake's name : Coolin the ridge, as bards proclaim,
Frcm old Cuchullin, chief of fame. "'
"7 Among the thirteen Brigids mentioned by yEngus the Culdee, is " S. Brigida de MagLuinge. " Colgan places her in Dal-
"
riedia. See
If he means the original territory of that name, however, in the north of the county of Antrim, he is in error. In the farm of Cornagmore, on the north side of Tiree, is a place called Kilbride, where a small chapel formerly stood. This is the true site of the
"Ecclesia S. Brigidse de Mag Luinge. " See a paper on the Island of Tiree, in the
" Ulster of Journal
by Adamnan,
Trias Thaumaturga," p. dwb.
vol. pp. 239, 241, and the accompanying Map.
133 See the Gazetteer of Scot- "Imperial
land," vol. i. , pp. 300, 301.
134 See Rev. Dr. Reeves' Adamnan's
Archaeology,"
ii. ,
"Life of St. Columba," lib. i. , cap. 30, "Life of St. Columba," lib. i. , cap. 33,
p. 62.
PP- 58, 59- 129 In Dr.
Macculloch's "
tion of the Western Islands of Scotland," an account of this Island will be found in vol. i. ,
John
135 His feast at the 21st of Descrip- occurs,
pp. 262 to 419.
130 The accompanying illustration of this
April. See an account of him, at that date, in the
Fourth Volume of this work, Art. i.
136 Killashig, or Askimilruby, with Kilma-
ree in Strath, and Kilniolruy in Brackdale, Loch has been drawn by William F. Wake- were commemorative of St. Maelrubha,
man on the wood, engraved by Mrs. Millard.
131 The pencil of the accomplished artist, J. W. Turner, was employed- in delineating its sceneiy for an illustrated edition of Sir Walter Scott's works.
Loch, and presented a faithful — word-picture,
which he closes with these lines
" This lake," said Bruce, " whose bar-
riers drear
Are precipices sharp and sheer,
Yielding no track for goat or deer, Save the black shelves we tread.
whose pi incipal church of Apercrossan, now Applecross, is within view, on the mainland to the north-east.
137 See " Gazetteer of the World," vol. xii. , p. 641.
138 A very interesting account of Skye,
132 The illustrious Poet and Novelist of
Scotland has admirably desciibed this wild seen, in Thomas Pennant's " Tour in
:
361.
—
Canto iii. , sect. xvi.
Sir Walter Scott's "Lord of the Isles,"
after the middle of the last
Scotland, and mdcclxxii," part i. , pp. 324
Voyage
to
139 It was drained some thirty years ago,
by Lord Macdonald, the proprietor.
140 It measured about 16 yards in dia- meter east and west, and 11 north and
south.
be to the Hebrides,
century, may
June 9. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 435
one of the largest fresh water lakes on the Island of Skye. Towards its northern
extremity is an elevated spot, about three acres in extent, and which was for-
merly insulated. Tins was known as St. Columkille's Island. On the north
side of this island, there is an irregular circular enclosure of rude and extremely
11
ancient masonry. * Within are the traces of three distinct chambers or com-
partments. It was surrounded by a cyclopean cashel, the north face of which
is the most perfect, and it is in parts nearly eight feet thick. 11* 1
this, *
there is a quadrilateral building. *3 the cells and several rooms were
tury,
very distinguishable.
11 2 1
Near to After the middle ofthe last cen-
1 '*'* It is now commonly employed as an enclosure for cows. The roof has long fallen in, and the Avails, which are built with cement, are reduced to the height of five feet.
The adjacent ground is covered with masses of large grey stones, the debris of the walls. '45 At short distances are patches of ground, covered with grey
1"*6which
of this, and a little to the west of the main road to Portree, where Skabost
stones,
appear
tohavebeenthesitesofconventual I47 South buildings.
crosses the Snizort 1 '' 8 extends a Bridge river,
long
narrow
strip
of 140 ground,
insulated by the river. On this are the remains of two ancient buildings
standing within a large cemetery. That next the bridge, much the larger of the
two, was probably the old parish church ; that more remote is of smaller dimensions. 150 The parish church, now known as Snizort, was formerly dedi- cated to St. Columkille. 151 Proceeding southwards, we reach Portree, the inner bay of which north-west of the town was iormerly called as some old people remember Loch Columkille. In an Island, called Elena, 152 or Elene, which has not been identified by a modern name,153 St. Columba is supposed to have erected a religious establishment. To us it seems probable, that this site was attached to the Island of Skye. This foundation of Columba would appear to have been made during the closing years of his life. Lugneus Mocumin '54 was one of his disciples. He was placed, when an aged man, overamonasteryinElena,155andwhichseemstohaveexisted,beforehebecame
" the Tower," which a
141
writer of the seventeenth century describes
warrior.
ISI It is styled Satut Colnfs Kirk in Snes-
furd in Trouternes. See "Origines Paro- chiales Scoriae," vol. ii. , pars i. , p. 354.
Probably
"
es Scotise," vol. ii. , part i. , p. 349.
On the south-west.
143 It stands north and south, measuring
21 feet, 10 inches, by 12 feet, 2 inches.
144 See Thomas Pennant's "Tour in Scotland, and Voyage to the Hebrides,
mdcclxii," part i. , p. 346.
143 It is impossible to examine the area,
where one should expect to find trace of the cemetery. It may be, that some curious
as existing here. See
Origines Parochia-
142
I52 " The Rev. Dr. Lanigan snys of it,
remains are locked there. up
astical History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, xi. , sect. xiv. , n. 160, p. 164.
I53 An identification has been attempted
by Colgan, but with indifferent su :cess ; for
he conjectures, that Elene may have been
used for Elethre, or for Ros-Elethre, i. e. ,
" Elethre," in which was vene- peninsula
rated a St. Fachna, brother to a St. Lug- neus. See "Trias Thaumaturga," Quarta Vita S. Columbse, lib. ii. , cap. xviii. , nn. 17, 18, p. 383.
' 54 In the Latin version of Prince O'Don-
sepulchral
146 Probably of "the Town" mentioned by
an old writer, and of "the ruins of some buildings composed of stone without mor- tar," which were to be seen in 1772. See
"Origines *•» P-349-
Parochiales
Scotise,"
vol.
ii. , part
"
147 Mugsted recte Monkstead, is the name of the adjoining farm.
148 Near its entrance into Loch Snizort Bay.
149 Formerly it was enclosed by an earthen
'55 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," QuartaVitaS. Columbse,lib. ii. , cap. xviii. , p. 354. Also Quinta Vita S. Columbse,
rampart. See Rev. Dr. Reeves' Adamnan's "'"
Life of St. Columba," n. (a), p. 139.
150 This is chiefly worthy of notice, on ac- count of a curious slab, embedded in the
floor, and exhibiting the figure of an armed
lib. ii. , cap. lxxxv. , p. 425.
56 See Rev. Dr. Lanigan's Ecclesiasti-
cal History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, xi. ,
sect, xiv. , p. 162, andnn. 160, 170, pp. 164,169. ' 57 The traces of graves, and of a small
the same, I suppose, as Elen-ree, an—island be- longing to the shire of Argyle. " "Ecclesi-
nell's Life of our saint, he is called neus Monachus. "
Lug-
436 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 9.
superior of it. 156 Near the shore of Skye, and under the sheriff's house, is a small island, still called Eilean Columkille^ about an eighth of a mile in
circumference. ^ made.
8
This may have been the Elena, to which allusion has been
— — ThatSt. Columbaformedsomeestablishment perhapsmorethanone
in the Island of Skye is very probable. 15^ It is related, that he spent some time there, and attended by others. We find this place variedly denomi-
nated l6°
Scith, Sceth,
While the saint for some few beingataplaceborderingonthesea,hestrucktheearthwithhisstaff. Then
he said to the monks, who were with him " Behold, my dear children, a cer-
:
tain Gentile,170 who all his lifetime followed the instincts and propensities ofa
11
good nature, ? shall this day be baptized, shall die, and he shall be buried in
2
thisveryplace. "'? Withinanhourorso,ashipsteeredintothesamehaven,'73
on whose fore-deck sat an aged Pagan chief of the Geona Cohort. This was pro- bably a Pictish corps, deriving its name from the district to which it belonged. The denomination Geona I74 had properly no relation to an Island,' 75 called Gunna, 170 although this has been assumed by some writers. '77 Two young
building standing east and west may there be discerned ; and, some old people remem- bered one or two interments on the islet. See Rev. Dr. Reeves' Adamnan's " Life of St. Columba," n. (a), pp. 138, 139.
l63 while Sgathaig; by
164 l6s and Skid, Skydu
,6°
See Annales Tighernaci, at A. D. 668.
Rev. Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum Hibernicamm
Scriptores," tomus ii. , p. 206.
161 See Annales Ultonienses, at A. D. 667,
ibid. , tomus vi. , p. 57.
162 In the Leabhar Lecan, fol.
a a, in the Royal Irish Academy, we find it noted
asSc.
161 In the " Transactions of the Gaelic
Society," it is written S5ACA15, at p. 118. 164 See the account of Haco's Expedition,
"
ubi Vestra-fyrdi. " See Johnstone's Olave, p. 10.
pp. 16, 46. Again,
165 See Death Song of Lodbroc, p. 107.
166
See ibid. , p. 23.
167 See Rev. Dr. Reeves' Adamnan's
" Life of St. Columba," n. (b), p 62.
168 Allusion appears to be made to them in the following passage taken from the An-
nals of Tighernach, at A. D. 668
Naviga- on
161 and sometimes contracted into Sc l62 it is also called ;
the Scandinavians it is termed
Scaethi. 166 It is usually Latinized Scia, an adjective form agreeing with the Insula, to which the namehas reference. l67 Wemaybe sureSt. Columba hadasachiefmotiveforvisitingSkyethegoodofreligion. Inthishypothesis, it will not be denied that he erected, at least, a church in that Island, and connected with it were monks l68 to serve its requirements, and living in com-
munity.
days
remained in the Island of l69 Skye,
chiales Scotise," vol. ii. , part i. , p. 350.
170 This term Adamnan frequently applies to the Picts. See Vita S. Columbse, lib. i. , *s8 At high water, it is nearly covered caP- 37 5 also lib- "•» caP- 2> 27, 33, and
with stones, which were spread upon it for the drying of sea-wrack, and kilns for burn- ing kelp, so that the soil is nearly hidden.
1S' See Rev. Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiasti-
cal History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, xi. ,
sect, xiv. , p. 162, and n. 171, p. 169.
*°5 Colgan could not decide which of the many Baithens mentioned in our Annals and Calendars, this man had been. See " Trias Thaumaturga," Quarta Vita S. Columbse, lib. i. , cap. xx. , n. 63, p. 377.
l0 ^ That is, Ua 11i<voh Caboipe. Niath occurs in Tirechan. See Liber Arma- chanus, fol. 14, a b, 15 £ b. It signifies a "champion," and the word is often given as a component in ancient names.
107 We find Tolorg in the " Annals of the Four Masters " at A. D. 842, 885; and, fre- quently the name occurs in the Catalogue of the Pictish Kings. See the "Irish Ver- sionof Nennius," at pp. 160, 164.
108 The term in the original is Scotice, but
it has this signification.
109 Unknown, but probably in Derry. See
110
Noted as the oak-grove of Galga- chus.
1,1
The church and its precincts were in- violate sanctuary by the ancient laws of the
Irish Church. The penalties of its violation
varied, according to the dignity of the church, and of the ecclesiastic who procured
for it protection.
"2 In the O'Clerys' Irish Calendar, there
is a saint of this name at January ioth, May31st, Novembernth,andDecember 2nd. See Rev. Dr. Todd's and Reeves' edition, pp. 12, 13, 140, 141, 304, 305, 324, 325.
"3 See Rev. Dr. Reeves' Adamnan's "Life of St. Columba," lib. i. , cap. 20, pp. 49, 50.
"4 This is an exaggerated descsiption, as
the highest hill on Iona—
that of Dun-I—
is
only 330 feet,
"S It is situated north- north -west of the
monastery. It is a conspicuous object from the sea.
II6 If Cnoc-mor were the place selected
Bay
"7 Port-Ronain lies near the and village,
it is the usual landing-place. It lies nearly due south of Duni.
in 108 Lath- Irish,
"
Campi Lunge,"
126 and
terra,
lying opposite
to Iona, is on the south-east side of the
122 See Rev. Dr. Reeves' Adamnan's " Life
of St. Columba," lib. i. , cap. 41, and lib. iii. , cap. 8. ThereisanotherplacecalledMagh-
lung, near Ballaghaderreen, in the county of
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
sins, in presence of all the company. The saint out of compassion and weeping
June 9. ]
433
"
are forgiven, because it is written
with. him afterwards said :
Rise, my son, and be of good cheer, for your sins
:
* A contrite and humble heart, God will
not depise. '""9 Afterwards, being very lovingly entertained by our saint, he
sent Fechnaus to Baithan, living at a place called Maghlung,120 or " the plain
of the 121 He was the 122 I23 ships. " superior over this penitential station,
Loch Coiruisg, or Corriskin, Island of Skye.
I2+ now Tiree Island. Here St. Columba himself had built a monastery. The port of Maglunga, I2 s or as Latinized
which was situated in the Ethica
118 He is "
styled sapiens
vir " twice. In
the Irish Annals, we frequently find the
epithet fAoi, "sapiens," applied to ecclesias- tics. Finding St. Fachnan of Ross styled
" sapiens
"inthe Life ofSt.
that of Roscommon. Its
Mochaomoc, Colgan conjectured that he was the subject of the present narrative, but without good reason. Besides, Fachtnan and Fiachna
seem to be different names.
Mayo, adjoining
"9 1:0
See Adamnan's Vita S. Columbse,
See Psalms I. ,
See Adamnan's Life of St. Columba,"
123
lib. ii. , cap. 39.
19. "
lib. ii. , cap. 15. Among the obits in the An-
nals of Ulster, at A. D. 774, isConatb U1aij;iii
Lump, or "Conall of Magh-Luinge. " See Rev. Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum Hibernicarum
Scriptores," tomus iv. , p. 105.
124 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Quinta Vita S. Columbse, lib. ii. , cap. Ixxxviii. , p. 426.
125 Allusions are made to Magh-Luinge,
Combustio Muighe Luinge,"
121 "
id est, Maglunga vocatur quodque per S. at a. d. 673. This event is placed at A,r>.
In monasterio quod Campus navis, Columbam in terra Heth fundatum est. "
Tigernach :
"
Vita S. Baitheni, cap. vii. , p. 237/'.
669, in the Annals of Clonmacnoise ; in those of the Four Masters, at A. D. 671 ; while the. Ulster Annals have it, at A D. 672.
IE
See
Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , Junii ix. ,
name is derived from the River Lun^, which
discharges into Lough Gara. See Dr. John
O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , n. (z), p. 283.
in the Irish Annals. Thus we read in "
434 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 9.
island. Near Soroby there stands a very ancient cross, and there too are re- membered the remains of the original parish church. These are near that spot, now occupied by some curious sepulchral slabs. ,2 ? Thither, with a blessing,
28
One of the most interesting of the Hebrides is the Island of Skye,
the penitent journeyed in peace. '
whether we consider its size, productiveness, population, or wildly magnificent
128
See Rev. Dr. Reeves' Adamnan's
12? The mountains in the northern especially
are of
Among the latter may
as it has been also
on the western coast,
scenery.
height, and several of its lakes a—re deep and lonely.
parts
towering
—oned Loch x or Loch Corriskin
II
be reck Coiruisg 3° 3
'32
named embosomed in the Cuchullin Mountains,
and discharging itself into Loch Sclavig. ^ Skye was one of those Islands,
in which St. Columba sometimes loved to dwell. 134 He and St. Maelrubha
J
or Maelrubius 35 were its chief Patrons ; the former having the north-eastern
and the latter 136 the—south-eastern portion. —It is a curious feature in the largest
I37
Island of Scotland excepting Lewis that no spot there is four miles
from the sea, and few parts are more than two. 's8 That portion of the island peculiar to St. Columba is a part of Trotternish, bounded by a line drawn from Portree to the head of Loch Snizort. At the northwestern extremity of this district, in the parish of Kilmuir, about two and a-half miles north ofUig Bay,is thealluvialbedofalake,formerlyknownasLochColumkille. 13? It is
126 It is mentioned
S. Columbse, lib. ii. , cap. 15.
in Vita
How term its dark waves ? and you
how
Yon northern mountain's pathless
brow,
And yonder peak of dread,
That to the evening sun uplifts
The grizzly gulfs and slaty rifts —
Which seam its shiver'd head? " " Corriskin call the dark lake's name : Coolin the ridge, as bards proclaim,
Frcm old Cuchullin, chief of fame. "'
"7 Among the thirteen Brigids mentioned by yEngus the Culdee, is " S. Brigida de MagLuinge. " Colgan places her in Dal-
"
riedia. See
If he means the original territory of that name, however, in the north of the county of Antrim, he is in error. In the farm of Cornagmore, on the north side of Tiree, is a place called Kilbride, where a small chapel formerly stood. This is the true site of the
"Ecclesia S. Brigidse de Mag Luinge. " See a paper on the Island of Tiree, in the
" Ulster of Journal
by Adamnan,
Trias Thaumaturga," p. dwb.
vol. pp. 239, 241, and the accompanying Map.
133 See the Gazetteer of Scot- "Imperial
land," vol. i. , pp. 300, 301.
134 See Rev. Dr. Reeves' Adamnan's
Archaeology,"
ii. ,
"Life of St. Columba," lib. i. , cap. 30, "Life of St. Columba," lib. i. , cap. 33,
p. 62.
PP- 58, 59- 129 In Dr.
Macculloch's "
tion of the Western Islands of Scotland," an account of this Island will be found in vol. i. ,
John
135 His feast at the 21st of Descrip- occurs,
pp. 262 to 419.
130 The accompanying illustration of this
April. See an account of him, at that date, in the
Fourth Volume of this work, Art. i.
136 Killashig, or Askimilruby, with Kilma-
ree in Strath, and Kilniolruy in Brackdale, Loch has been drawn by William F. Wake- were commemorative of St. Maelrubha,
man on the wood, engraved by Mrs. Millard.
131 The pencil of the accomplished artist, J. W. Turner, was employed- in delineating its sceneiy for an illustrated edition of Sir Walter Scott's works.
Loch, and presented a faithful — word-picture,
which he closes with these lines
" This lake," said Bruce, " whose bar-
riers drear
Are precipices sharp and sheer,
Yielding no track for goat or deer, Save the black shelves we tread.
whose pi incipal church of Apercrossan, now Applecross, is within view, on the mainland to the north-east.
137 See " Gazetteer of the World," vol. xii. , p. 641.
138 A very interesting account of Skye,
132 The illustrious Poet and Novelist of
Scotland has admirably desciibed this wild seen, in Thomas Pennant's " Tour in
:
361.
—
Canto iii. , sect. xvi.
Sir Walter Scott's "Lord of the Isles,"
after the middle of the last
Scotland, and mdcclxxii," part i. , pp. 324
Voyage
to
139 It was drained some thirty years ago,
by Lord Macdonald, the proprietor.
140 It measured about 16 yards in dia- meter east and west, and 11 north and
south.
be to the Hebrides,
century, may
June 9. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 435
one of the largest fresh water lakes on the Island of Skye. Towards its northern
extremity is an elevated spot, about three acres in extent, and which was for-
merly insulated. Tins was known as St. Columkille's Island. On the north
side of this island, there is an irregular circular enclosure of rude and extremely
11
ancient masonry. * Within are the traces of three distinct chambers or com-
partments. It was surrounded by a cyclopean cashel, the north face of which
is the most perfect, and it is in parts nearly eight feet thick. 11* 1
this, *
there is a quadrilateral building. *3 the cells and several rooms were
tury,
very distinguishable.
11 2 1
Near to After the middle ofthe last cen-
1 '*'* It is now commonly employed as an enclosure for cows. The roof has long fallen in, and the Avails, which are built with cement, are reduced to the height of five feet.
The adjacent ground is covered with masses of large grey stones, the debris of the walls. '45 At short distances are patches of ground, covered with grey
1"*6which
of this, and a little to the west of the main road to Portree, where Skabost
stones,
appear
tohavebeenthesitesofconventual I47 South buildings.
crosses the Snizort 1 '' 8 extends a Bridge river,
long
narrow
strip
of 140 ground,
insulated by the river. On this are the remains of two ancient buildings
standing within a large cemetery. That next the bridge, much the larger of the
two, was probably the old parish church ; that more remote is of smaller dimensions. 150 The parish church, now known as Snizort, was formerly dedi- cated to St. Columkille. 151 Proceeding southwards, we reach Portree, the inner bay of which north-west of the town was iormerly called as some old people remember Loch Columkille. In an Island, called Elena, 152 or Elene, which has not been identified by a modern name,153 St. Columba is supposed to have erected a religious establishment. To us it seems probable, that this site was attached to the Island of Skye. This foundation of Columba would appear to have been made during the closing years of his life. Lugneus Mocumin '54 was one of his disciples. He was placed, when an aged man, overamonasteryinElena,155andwhichseemstohaveexisted,beforehebecame
" the Tower," which a
141
writer of the seventeenth century describes
warrior.
ISI It is styled Satut Colnfs Kirk in Snes-
furd in Trouternes. See "Origines Paro- chiales Scoriae," vol. ii. , pars i. , p. 354.
Probably
"
es Scotise," vol. ii. , part i. , p. 349.
On the south-west.
143 It stands north and south, measuring
21 feet, 10 inches, by 12 feet, 2 inches.
144 See Thomas Pennant's "Tour in Scotland, and Voyage to the Hebrides,
mdcclxii," part i. , p. 346.
143 It is impossible to examine the area,
where one should expect to find trace of the cemetery. It may be, that some curious
as existing here. See
Origines Parochia-
142
I52 " The Rev. Dr. Lanigan snys of it,
remains are locked there. up
astical History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, xi. , sect. xiv. , n. 160, p. 164.
I53 An identification has been attempted
by Colgan, but with indifferent su :cess ; for
he conjectures, that Elene may have been
used for Elethre, or for Ros-Elethre, i. e. ,
" Elethre," in which was vene- peninsula
rated a St. Fachna, brother to a St. Lug- neus. See "Trias Thaumaturga," Quarta Vita S. Columbse, lib. ii. , cap. xviii. , nn. 17, 18, p. 383.
' 54 In the Latin version of Prince O'Don-
sepulchral
146 Probably of "the Town" mentioned by
an old writer, and of "the ruins of some buildings composed of stone without mor- tar," which were to be seen in 1772. See
"Origines *•» P-349-
Parochiales
Scotise,"
vol.
ii. , part
"
147 Mugsted recte Monkstead, is the name of the adjoining farm.
148 Near its entrance into Loch Snizort Bay.
149 Formerly it was enclosed by an earthen
'55 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," QuartaVitaS. Columbse,lib. ii. , cap. xviii. , p. 354. Also Quinta Vita S. Columbse,
rampart. See Rev. Dr. Reeves' Adamnan's "'"
Life of St. Columba," n. (a), p. 139.
150 This is chiefly worthy of notice, on ac- count of a curious slab, embedded in the
floor, and exhibiting the figure of an armed
lib. ii. , cap. lxxxv. , p. 425.
56 See Rev. Dr. Lanigan's Ecclesiasti-
cal History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, xi. ,
sect, xiv. , p. 162, andnn. 160, 170, pp. 164,169. ' 57 The traces of graves, and of a small
the same, I suppose, as Elen-ree, an—island be- longing to the shire of Argyle. " "Ecclesi-
nell's Life of our saint, he is called neus Monachus. "
Lug-
436 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 9.
superior of it. 156 Near the shore of Skye, and under the sheriff's house, is a small island, still called Eilean Columkille^ about an eighth of a mile in
circumference. ^ made.
8
This may have been the Elena, to which allusion has been
— — ThatSt. Columbaformedsomeestablishment perhapsmorethanone
in the Island of Skye is very probable. 15^ It is related, that he spent some time there, and attended by others. We find this place variedly denomi-
nated l6°
Scith, Sceth,
While the saint for some few beingataplaceborderingonthesea,hestrucktheearthwithhisstaff. Then
he said to the monks, who were with him " Behold, my dear children, a cer-
:
tain Gentile,170 who all his lifetime followed the instincts and propensities ofa
11
good nature, ? shall this day be baptized, shall die, and he shall be buried in
2
thisveryplace. "'? Withinanhourorso,ashipsteeredintothesamehaven,'73
on whose fore-deck sat an aged Pagan chief of the Geona Cohort. This was pro- bably a Pictish corps, deriving its name from the district to which it belonged. The denomination Geona I74 had properly no relation to an Island,' 75 called Gunna, 170 although this has been assumed by some writers. '77 Two young
building standing east and west may there be discerned ; and, some old people remem- bered one or two interments on the islet. See Rev. Dr. Reeves' Adamnan's " Life of St. Columba," n. (a), pp. 138, 139.
l63 while Sgathaig; by
164 l6s and Skid, Skydu
,6°
See Annales Tighernaci, at A. D. 668.
Rev. Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum Hibernicamm
Scriptores," tomus ii. , p. 206.
161 See Annales Ultonienses, at A. D. 667,
ibid. , tomus vi. , p. 57.
162 In the Leabhar Lecan, fol.
a a, in the Royal Irish Academy, we find it noted
asSc.
161 In the " Transactions of the Gaelic
Society," it is written S5ACA15, at p. 118. 164 See the account of Haco's Expedition,
"
ubi Vestra-fyrdi. " See Johnstone's Olave, p. 10.
pp. 16, 46. Again,
165 See Death Song of Lodbroc, p. 107.
166
See ibid. , p. 23.
167 See Rev. Dr. Reeves' Adamnan's
" Life of St. Columba," n. (b), p 62.
168 Allusion appears to be made to them in the following passage taken from the An-
nals of Tighernach, at A. D. 668
Naviga- on
161 and sometimes contracted into Sc l62 it is also called ;
the Scandinavians it is termed
Scaethi. 166 It is usually Latinized Scia, an adjective form agreeing with the Insula, to which the namehas reference. l67 Wemaybe sureSt. Columba hadasachiefmotiveforvisitingSkyethegoodofreligion. Inthishypothesis, it will not be denied that he erected, at least, a church in that Island, and connected with it were monks l68 to serve its requirements, and living in com-
munity.
days
remained in the Island of l69 Skye,
chiales Scotise," vol. ii. , part i. , p. 350.
170 This term Adamnan frequently applies to the Picts. See Vita S. Columbse, lib. i. , *s8 At high water, it is nearly covered caP- 37 5 also lib- "•» caP- 2> 27, 33, and
with stones, which were spread upon it for the drying of sea-wrack, and kilns for burn- ing kelp, so that the soil is nearly hidden.
1S' See Rev. Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiasti-
cal History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, xi. ,
sect, xiv. , p. 162, and n. 171, p. 169.
