" The horsemen in fear turned to fly ; but, soon, to their amazement, instead
ofattacking
St.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v5
, lib.
ii.
, num.
158, pp.
89, 90.
7 It is somewhat remarkable, that on
Friday, August 21, 1492, Christopher Colum-
bus sailed on his great voyage of discovery.
On Friday, October 12, 1493, 'i*-' f'^st dis-
covered land. On Friday, January 4, 1493,
he sailed on his return to Spain. whiLh if he
had not reached in safety the hapjiy result
would never have been known, that led to
the settlement of a vast continent. On called the "saints' road. " See Charles Friday, March 15, 1493, he arrived at Palos Smith's " Ancient and Present State of the
in safety. Or. Friday, November 22, 1493, he arrived at Hispaniola, on his second yoy- age to America. On Friday, Januaiy 13, 1494, he, though unknown to himself, dis- covered the Continent of America,
^ See Isaac Butt's " Irish Federalism Its Meaning, its Objects, and its Hopes," chap, ix. , n. p. 59. Dublin, 1S74, 8vo.
5 It isnow known as Inishdadroum, mean- ing "the Island of the two hills. "
'° See Rev. Dr. James Henthorn Todd's CojatiIi ^deroheL He 5v\llAibh, the War
"Or Cianaighe-Luachra, the ancient name for Kerry, south of the Shannon.
'^ It is probable, the true reading should be Luimneach, the ancient name for Lime- rick.
'' See Most Rev. Patrick Francis Moran's "Acta Sancti Brcndani," Vita S. Brendani, cap. xii. , pp. 10, il.
'5 Another celebrated pass, in the southern part of the barony of Corck. aguiny, was also
:
—
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
ingfromKilmalchedarto St. Brendan's elevated oratory. Within tliree quarters of a mile from Mount St. Brandon summit, there is a large mound of stones, called"Lachthannan-cilireach,"or"thePilgrim'scairn. " Thatpathwayfor the traveller is bounded by large stones, fixed firmly in the ground, to define it, and to direct the pilgrim on his way, in the event of fogs or mists rising over the mountain. There is a pretty little plateau,^^ forming a few acres of nice green soil, situated at that bank of the sen, on the shoulder of Brandon Bay, and lyingbeneathaprecipitouselevation,aboutonethousandfeethigh. There,may still be seen various monastic remains, which, however, are of a comparatively modernerection. Localtraditionhasalwaysmaintained,thattheholyvoyager St. Brendan, filled with sublime aspirations, lived on that high mountain over the Atlantic, in the constant practice of prayer and of devout contemplation. Formerly, a church of large dimensions is said to have been there, and that it had been replaced, by a small cell-like oratory. ^7 This is thought to have been erected, by those wlio came after St. Brandon, and to have been of com- paratively modern erection. '^ How long St. Brendan lived on Brandon Mountain is not known, either from history or from local tradition ; nor can it well be determined, to what particular epoch of his life, it should be refer- red. Notwithstanding, the opinion is sufficiently probable, that he was a resident of this locality, before he departed on his expedition to the Land of Promise; and,itseemstobeprettycertain,thathelivedthere,beforeheset out for Brittany, and before he founded the monastery, at Clonfert. '^
It is generally supposed, also, that after St. Brendan's return from the Pro- mised Land to Ireland, he selected Ardfert, for the foundation of a monastery. Thither, a great number of holy and fervent disciples flocked. He lived and laboured among them, under the special Rule he had established; while their agriculturalskillandtoilsecuredthemacommonsustenance. ^" Alocaltra- dition prevails, that St. Brendan had wished to build a church, at a place, called Cahirfert, and that he had laid down lines, for the purpose of tracing out the plan. But, a bird, taking up the lines in his bill, flew away to the pre- sent site of Ardfert, where he deposited them. This caused Brendan to change his purpose, and to select the latter place for his erection. ^' Near the ancient church and monastery of Ardfert,^^ there is a clear spring of water, called Brandon well, which is reputed to be holy. A townland there is also called Brandonwell,*3 in memory of the patron saint. While St. Brendan journeyed, on a certain occasion, through that plain and territory of Munster, known as Ara-Cliath,^4 or Cliach, situated in the present county of Limerick, he came
May 1 6. ]
443
to a celebrated fort,^5 called Bri-uys.
County of Kerry, " chap, vii. , p. 196.
'^ At present, this spot is called "Frihir na manach," i. e. , "the good land of the
monks. "
'7 At the head of this may be seen the
rude stone altar, with its wooden cross
which, together with the upper portion of associations are well described, in Miss the altar, was erected by Very Rev. Timothy Cusack's "History of the Kingdom of Canon Brosnan, in 1867. See James J. Kerry," chap, xviii. , pp. 37310385.
Long's " Mount Saint Brandon Religious ^3 It is in the parish of Ardfert, and Celebration : its Scenery, Antiquities, and barony of Clanmaurice. It is shown, on History of West Kerry," Preface, Tralee,
1868, small 4to.
'^ Certain excavations, recently made, on the summit of Mount St. Branclon, are re- lied on for this statement.
'9 See Rev. Dr. Lanigan's " Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, x. , sect. vii. , nn. 103. 106, 109, pp. 34, 35.
^°See Sir James Ware, " De Hibernia et
There he remained for a night. That
Antiquitatibus ejus, Disquisitiones, " cap. xxvi. , p. 215.
''^ The foregoing is the story, as related to the writer, by Rev. Denis O'Donoghoe, P. P. , of Ardfert.
^"^ Here St. Aibhe and St. Fintan were born, as also Ailinne, the mother of St. Fintan, who was a native of Grene-Cliath.
^s In the Life of St. Brendan, it is said to have been "contra montem poroi si- turn. "
°* The writer of Vita S. Brendani adds,
^^ Ardfert, its antiquities, and its historic
the " Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the County of Kerry," sheet 20.
444
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May i6.
fort had been remarkable for nurturing fleas, which abounded in numbers almost incredible. There, the hospitable denizens made complaint about such a nuisance to the saint, who prayed that the pest might be removed, on ac- count of their benignity. No sooner had he offered that petition, than the troublesome insects began to disappear ; while the following day, not even one of them remained. ^^
As the holy youth had received his early training from St. Ita, it is said, during the years of early life, that he made a penitential pilgrimage to Brittany, and at her request. ^7 The following story is thought to have furnished the occa- sion, and to have supplied the motive. One day, St, Brendan sailed to the Island De-Trumma, and he left a youth, on the beach, to guard the vessel. However, the tide began to rise, and the brother of that young man cried out to St. Brendan: "O holy father, the sea rises very high, drawing away the boat,andmybrothershallbesubmergedanddrowned. " St. Brendanthen spoke, as if irritated : " Lovest thou him more that I do } If you compassion- ate his misfortune, therefore, go and die for his sake. " Instantly, the obedient brother went to aid his kinsman; but, the sea carried him into the abyss, where he perish ed. ^^ His brother, however, was saved. Notwithstanding, the death of him, who was buried beneath the waves, caused poignant regret to St. Brendan, as he had advised that course, which caused him to be drowned. He consulted certain holy men, on what should now be done, and they advised him to seek proper counsel from his nurse St. Ita, who was also a prophetess. This he did, and she advised him, to make a pilgrimage, as an atonement for that death of which he had been the occasion, and afterwards to preach among men, so that he might draw many souls to Christ. In obedience to her, the holy man prepared for his pilgrimage, and he sailed for Britain. According to some writers, St. Brendan went over to Wales, and there he passed some time, under the instruction of a holy senior and a wise man, named St. Gildas. *9
We are told, moreover, that Brendan hved for several years, in the Abbey of Llancarven,3°in Glamorganshire, while his reputation had spread far and near. Before the arrival of our saint, Gildas had intimation of his coming, and had in- structed his disciples to prepare a supper for the holy guests and labourers in Christ'svineyard,whowereexpectedtoarriveonthatveryday. Healsode- clared, that his monks should see in the flesh, one like to the Apostle St. Peter, who was a zealous and laborious worker, as also, one who should declare, for what crime—already pardoned by the Almighty—he had come there on a pil- grimage. He then told the janitor of their monastery, that he should close the gate, with iron bolts, until through Brendan's merits, the Almighty would open them. At that time, winter set in. Three years had already elapsed, beforeSt. Brendan'spilgrimagewasfinished. Whenhearrivedatthemonas- tery of St. Gildas, snow covered the ground; but, none fell on St. Brendan nor on his disciples, who were waiting before the monastery gate. The ostiarius who was inside, on seeing this, invited them to approach, and he declared, that throughtheirmerits,thegateshouldopen. Then,St. Brendancalledhisdis-
pel ab illo ilie usque liodie polices nullo °9 His feast has been assigned, to the 29th modo in ipso castro vivunt," cap. xiii. , pp. of January. See his Life at that date, in this II, 12. See Most Rev. Patrick Francis work, vol. i. , Art. i.
Moran's " Acta Sancti Brendani. "
'7 . See Miss Mary Frances Cusack's "His-
tory of the Kingdom of Kerry," chap, iii. ,
p_ ^1^
"* The author of the Life adds : " priori
^° Although IJssher asserts, that St. Bren- dan succeeded Cadoc, as abbot of this place ; yet this cannot be leconcikd with Cadoc's transactions, nor with the statements of Ussher himself, that Ellenius was Cadoc's successor. See Rev. Dr. Lanigan's " Eccle-
verojuveni, qermano illius, erat quasi murus
sicut et Moysi. "—Cap. xiv. , p. 12. See Most siastical History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap. Rev. Patrick Francis Moran's "Acta Sancti x. , sect, vii. , n. 102, p. 33.
Brendani. "
^' The feast of this saint has been assigned,
May 1 6. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 445
ciple, St. Talmach,3' telling him to go and open the door in Chiisi's name. Immediately, his hand was extended for the purpose, when the locks within disappeared ; and going, in like manner to the teampiill^ they found it closed against them. However, knowing that this was a trial for him, St. Brendan placed his hand on the two valves, and said : " True mother, Church of Christ,opentome. " Immediately,thelocksofthechurchwerebroken,and they entered into the choir. Then, St. Gildas had a missal, traced in Greek letters,32 and he placed that book upon the altar. 33 The custodian of the church, by order of St. Gildas, said to St. Brendan : "Man of God, our holy senior orders you to offer the Body of Christ ; behold ! there is an altar here, as also a book written in the Greek characters, and sing from it as does our Abbot. " Then, opening the book, St. Brendan said : " Teach me, O Lord Jesus, these Unknown letters, as thou hast opened the closed doors before us. " Indeed, all things are possible to those believing. Instantly, St. Brendan learned the Greek letters well as those Latin ones, he knew from infancy and,hebegantosingtheMass. Then,thevenerableseniorGildasandhis monks came to receive the Eucharist from the hand of St. Brendan, when a wonderful miracle was wrought. 3+ Our saint remained there for three days and three nights. 35 Afterwards, the venerable senior Gildas said to St. Brendan : " Very fierce and strong animals abound in the desert parts near us, and often they attack men and prowl about our city. The Almighty hath granted, that you drive those away from the people, for by such a sign you shall know that the sin, which conducted you hither, shall be pardoned. " Taking his disciple Talmach with him to the desert, many men mounted on horses followed them to witness the result. Coming to a certain place, they found about noon—probably a she-wolf—with her cubs sleeping. Then, said Brendan : " Follow us tamely with your young.
" The horsemen in fear turned to fly ; but, soon, to their amazement, instead ofattacking St. Brendan and his companion, the animals followed them, as if they had been docile house-dogs. St. Gilas himself saw them before the gates of his monastery, and he thanked God for all his wonderful works. Then, St. Brendan com- manded the animals to retire into their desert, and thenceforth to molest no person. People knew not what became of them, but afterwards, they dis- appeared. 3^ Then, venerable old Gildas said to our saint : " Father, receive me as thy disciple, and here be the patron of my city and people. " St. Bren-
" Here, I shall not wait, for the place of my resurrection must Then, both holy men gave each other a mutual benediction, and, St. Brendan left the school of Gildas for another region
dan answered :
be in Ireland. "
before parting ;
ofBritain,supposed—tobeLesserBrittanyorFrance; and,inwhich—accord- ing to some writers
the territory of Helh was to be found. In that he built a church,37 while a city grew up around it.
to the 26th of February.
3^ The Most Rev. Dr. Moran remarks,
that this probably refers to a Latin missal, written wholly or partly in Greek letters. Such Manuscripts of the early Irish Church have survived to our own times.
place,
Dei. Cui ait Sanctus Brendanus : nostra oracio protegat te a vindicta. Tempus jam modo dimmittendi est qui satis probasti Xti peregrinos. Iterum orante Sancto Brendano corpus Dominicum in specie consuetudinaria in disco apparuit et sanguis in calice in
33 The Gospel of St. Matthew gives the vinum. Et postea illi sancti communionem Latin text of the Lord's prayer, written in dominicam cum gratiarum actione sump- Greek letters, as found in the Book of serunt. "
Armagh. Seethe"Atlantis,"No. ix. ,pp.
80, 82, A. D. 1S70. _
34 It is thus related, in the Latin : " Vidit-
que Sanctus GiUdas carnem crudam in disco et sanguinem in calice et ait : Quid mihi praebui judicium Dei temptando te O homo
3sSeeMostRev. PatrickFrancisMoran's "Acta Sancti Brendani," Vita S. Brendani, cap. xv. , pp. 12 to 14.
36 At least to that time, when St. Bren- dan's Life had been written.
3? See Ussher's " Britannicarum Ecclesia-
;
446
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May i6.
There, the holy man wrought wonderful miracles. It is stated. ^^ also, that he presided as Abbot over an elegant and a noble monas- tery, situated in a valley called Carruan, at a time when St. Maclovius was born. 39 St. Brendan founded the monastery of Ailech, which is said^° to be identical with the ancient Alectum, in Brittany,*^ and of which St. Maclovius or Malo became bishop. *^ He was a native of that district, and some accounts have it, that he was baptized, by St. Brendan j'>3 yet, this does not appear to be probable. It is only known, that from his youth, St. Brendan instructed him in sacred letters, and trained him in the practice of a religious life;'''* while, owing to the inspirations re- ceived,heresolvedonaccompanyinghismastertotheLandofPromise. It may be observed, according to some writers, it was after our saint went to Britanny, and had formed the acquaintance of St. Malo, that he returned to the district of country, wliere he was born, and where he received his early training, St. Maclovius having set out with him on his celebrated voyage. '*5 On the authority of SigebertuSjt^ Autbertus Miraeus, in his Belgic Annals, makes St. Maclovius a disciple of St. Brendan, and afterwards, a bishop over that place, with which his renown is so inseparably connected. ''7 In future times, it took the name of St. Malo, from Maclovius. Matthew of Paris
states,^^ that Macutus or Malo was a companion of St. Brendan, during his seven years' navigation. In Britain, his miracles and sanctity rendered him illustrious. He was persecuted by the Britons, and owing to his malediction, they suffered various defeats. However, he pardoned them, and gave them his benediction. He passed over to the Gauls, and among them, under Bishop Leontius, he was distinguished for his many virtues.
Subsequently,St. Brendanreturnedtohisnativecountry. ''? Weareinformed, that St. Abban 5° desired to hear from his own mouth, the wonderful things St. Brendan had seen and heard, during his celebrated voyage on the ocean, and for that purpose paid him a visit, which lasted for some days. Then, a firm
rum Antiquitates," cap. xvii. , p. 494. miraculis claruit ; qui a Britannis exacerba- 3^ In the Acts of St. Maclovius, edited tus, eis maledictis, transivit ad Gallias, et
fey John A. Bosco, in the Bibliotheca Floria- censis.
39 His birth took place in Brittany, ac- cording to Lobineau, in his " Histoire de Bretagne,'' tome ii. , p. 75.
•'° By Rev. Dr. Lanigan. See " Ecclesi- astical History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap. X. , sect, vii. , p. 29.
4' See ibid. , n. 104, p. 34.
*' Sigebert of Gemblours wrote the Life of St. Maclovius. It is published by Surius, at the 15th of November.
^3 This is stated, in the Acts of St. Maclo- vius, as edited by John a Bosco.
sub Leontio Sanctorum episcopo multo tem- pore virtutibus clamit. '' Hucusque vetus editio : addit nova, "Britannos vero, prop- ter suam maledictionem variis cladibus ad- dictos, data rursus benedictione absolvit et sanavit. " See " Historia Ecclesiastica Gen- tis Scotorum," tomus i. , lib. ii. , num. 148, pp. 81, 82.
"' At A. D. 561, we read : "Fuit autem S. Maclovius Alethie in Britannia minore Epis- copus : quae urbs hodie ab ipso Maclouiopo- lis, 6". Malo, nuncupatur. Portio o. ssium ejus adservatur Gemblaci in Benedictino- rum Abbatia. Ejusdcm vita Histoiiam
** According to the " Acta Sanctorum scripsit, sen potius emendavit Sigcbertus
Ordinis S. Benedicti," tomus i. , num. i. , p. 217.
<5 Such is the statement, in his Life, by Sigebert; but, it is easy to understand, how his biographer may have mistaken the vague traditions coming down to him, on this sub-
ject.
** Thomas Dempster thus quotes him, in
Chonico ad annum DLXi. , "In Scotia Brendanus claruit, qui Foitiinatas Insulas septennali navigatione rcquirens, multa mira- culo digna vidit ; a quo Macutcs, qui et Maclovus, rcgulariter cducatus, ct ipsius na- vigationis socius, in Britannia sanctitate et
Gemblacensis. "—Autbertus MivKus' " Re- rum Belgicarum Aniiaies," p. 165.
"'In his "Chronica ALijora," edited by Henry Richards Luard, M. A. , vol. ii. , p. 246.
••^ " Brendan's departure from Brittany niay be placol between 540 and 550. "—Rev. Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, x. , sect, vii. , n. 103, p. 34,
5° Some notices of this saint will be found, in the Third Volume of this work, Art. ii. , at the i6th of March. His chief feast, how- ever, is at the 27th of October, where his
May 1 6. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 447
friendship was established between them, and until they parted, that interval was spent in holy and edifying conversation. s' He also visited Gildas, it is said, before he returned to Ireland. s^ One day, while St. Brendan was en- gaged in his voyage by sea, he saw two monsters of the deep, alternately fighting and swimming, one seeming to have yielded during that struggle. S3 The vanquished monster, when pursued and nearly taken, cried out with human voice to St. Brendan : " I recommend my protection to St. Patrick, Archbishop of the Scots. " The other animal replied in like manner: " His protection in no way shall avail you. " Then cried the fugitive : " Now, I com- mend myself to St. Brendan's protection. " The persecutor cried out : "In- deed, Brendan's defence shall not profit you. " Then, added the fugitive : " To the most holy virgin Brigid, I recommend my safety. " Immediately, the victorious fish seemed vanquished, for he turned away and said : " Father, I dare not follow thee, because thou hast trusted to the holy Brigid for pro- tection. " Then, that persecuted monster escaped. Giving praise to God, St. Brendan also venerated St. Brigid. Afterwards, coming to Ireland, he visited this holy virgin, and he told her then what he had seen and heard far away on the ocean. Wherefore, Brendan asked : " Why, O virgin of Christ, do the sea-monsters fear thee more than other saints. " She replied : " How often is thy intention directed to God ? " He said : " At least in every seventh step I take, do I think of God ; however, it sometimes happens, that during a very long interval, I think of God solely. " Then said St. Brigid : " There- fore, sometimes thou thinkest about things on earth, and sometimes on God; but, from that day, when my mind was placed on God, never did it turn again upon any other object ; and, by how much man looks to God and loves liim, in that same measure do animals fear men. " St. Brendan was greatly edified, bythispronouncementofthemostsaintlyvirginBrigid. Withmutualbless- ings, they took leave of each other, and Brendan returned to his place. 5+
On this occasion, St. Brendan of Clonfert is said to have waited upon the great St. Brigid,ss Patroness of Kildare, to receive instruction regarding some religious topic. Possibly, however, this celebrated virgin may have been mis- taken for his own sister, Briga, who was a nun, and who is generally believed to have been living under her brother's direction, at Enach-duin,56 or Annagh- down, on the banks of Lough Corrib, in the county of Gal way. It is stated, 57 that Aodha, son of Eochy Tirmacarna, King of Connaught, bestowed that place on God and on St. Brendan, w^hen he there established a nunnery. At present, some monastic ruins of round undressed stones are to be seen,58 on the north side of a rocky inlet of the lake, into which a small stream pours its waters. 59 TheAbbeychurch^° lay to the north ofthe monastery; the west gable and the north walls are still standing, as also a portion of the south walls at the west. There, the church is supported by a remarkably well-built buttressofdressedstone,evidentlyofamuchlaterdate. Thenorthernentrance hasadeeplymouldedpointedarch; but,thatonthesouth,whichwasprobably
Acts are treated more at length.
5' See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Iliber-
niDs,"xvi. Martii. Vita S. Abbani Abbatis de Magharnuidhe, cap. xliii. , p. 619.
5^ See Miss Mary Frances Cusack's
" History of the Kingdom of Kerry," chap, the bog. " In modern Irish, it has been
iii. , p. 47.
S3 This account will be found, in Colgan's
" Trias Thaumaturga," Appendix Secunda ad Acta S. Brigidee, cap. xviii. , p. 605.
5't Most Rev.
7 It is somewhat remarkable, that on
Friday, August 21, 1492, Christopher Colum-
bus sailed on his great voyage of discovery.
On Friday, October 12, 1493, 'i*-' f'^st dis-
covered land. On Friday, January 4, 1493,
he sailed on his return to Spain. whiLh if he
had not reached in safety the hapjiy result
would never have been known, that led to
the settlement of a vast continent. On called the "saints' road. " See Charles Friday, March 15, 1493, he arrived at Palos Smith's " Ancient and Present State of the
in safety. Or. Friday, November 22, 1493, he arrived at Hispaniola, on his second yoy- age to America. On Friday, Januaiy 13, 1494, he, though unknown to himself, dis- covered the Continent of America,
^ See Isaac Butt's " Irish Federalism Its Meaning, its Objects, and its Hopes," chap, ix. , n. p. 59. Dublin, 1S74, 8vo.
5 It isnow known as Inishdadroum, mean- ing "the Island of the two hills. "
'° See Rev. Dr. James Henthorn Todd's CojatiIi ^deroheL He 5v\llAibh, the War
"Or Cianaighe-Luachra, the ancient name for Kerry, south of the Shannon.
'^ It is probable, the true reading should be Luimneach, the ancient name for Lime- rick.
'' See Most Rev. Patrick Francis Moran's "Acta Sancti Brcndani," Vita S. Brendani, cap. xii. , pp. 10, il.
'5 Another celebrated pass, in the southern part of the barony of Corck. aguiny, was also
:
—
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
ingfromKilmalchedarto St. Brendan's elevated oratory. Within tliree quarters of a mile from Mount St. Brandon summit, there is a large mound of stones, called"Lachthannan-cilireach,"or"thePilgrim'scairn. " Thatpathwayfor the traveller is bounded by large stones, fixed firmly in the ground, to define it, and to direct the pilgrim on his way, in the event of fogs or mists rising over the mountain. There is a pretty little plateau,^^ forming a few acres of nice green soil, situated at that bank of the sen, on the shoulder of Brandon Bay, and lyingbeneathaprecipitouselevation,aboutonethousandfeethigh. There,may still be seen various monastic remains, which, however, are of a comparatively modernerection. Localtraditionhasalwaysmaintained,thattheholyvoyager St. Brendan, filled with sublime aspirations, lived on that high mountain over the Atlantic, in the constant practice of prayer and of devout contemplation. Formerly, a church of large dimensions is said to have been there, and that it had been replaced, by a small cell-like oratory. ^7 This is thought to have been erected, by those wlio came after St. Brandon, and to have been of com- paratively modern erection. '^ How long St. Brendan lived on Brandon Mountain is not known, either from history or from local tradition ; nor can it well be determined, to what particular epoch of his life, it should be refer- red. Notwithstanding, the opinion is sufficiently probable, that he was a resident of this locality, before he departed on his expedition to the Land of Promise; and,itseemstobeprettycertain,thathelivedthere,beforeheset out for Brittany, and before he founded the monastery, at Clonfert. '^
It is generally supposed, also, that after St. Brendan's return from the Pro- mised Land to Ireland, he selected Ardfert, for the foundation of a monastery. Thither, a great number of holy and fervent disciples flocked. He lived and laboured among them, under the special Rule he had established; while their agriculturalskillandtoilsecuredthemacommonsustenance. ^" Alocaltra- dition prevails, that St. Brendan had wished to build a church, at a place, called Cahirfert, and that he had laid down lines, for the purpose of tracing out the plan. But, a bird, taking up the lines in his bill, flew away to the pre- sent site of Ardfert, where he deposited them. This caused Brendan to change his purpose, and to select the latter place for his erection. ^' Near the ancient church and monastery of Ardfert,^^ there is a clear spring of water, called Brandon well, which is reputed to be holy. A townland there is also called Brandonwell,*3 in memory of the patron saint. While St. Brendan journeyed, on a certain occasion, through that plain and territory of Munster, known as Ara-Cliath,^4 or Cliach, situated in the present county of Limerick, he came
May 1 6. ]
443
to a celebrated fort,^5 called Bri-uys.
County of Kerry, " chap, vii. , p. 196.
'^ At present, this spot is called "Frihir na manach," i. e. , "the good land of the
monks. "
'7 At the head of this may be seen the
rude stone altar, with its wooden cross
which, together with the upper portion of associations are well described, in Miss the altar, was erected by Very Rev. Timothy Cusack's "History of the Kingdom of Canon Brosnan, in 1867. See James J. Kerry," chap, xviii. , pp. 37310385.
Long's " Mount Saint Brandon Religious ^3 It is in the parish of Ardfert, and Celebration : its Scenery, Antiquities, and barony of Clanmaurice. It is shown, on History of West Kerry," Preface, Tralee,
1868, small 4to.
'^ Certain excavations, recently made, on the summit of Mount St. Branclon, are re- lied on for this statement.
'9 See Rev. Dr. Lanigan's " Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, x. , sect. vii. , nn. 103. 106, 109, pp. 34, 35.
^°See Sir James Ware, " De Hibernia et
There he remained for a night. That
Antiquitatibus ejus, Disquisitiones, " cap. xxvi. , p. 215.
''^ The foregoing is the story, as related to the writer, by Rev. Denis O'Donoghoe, P. P. , of Ardfert.
^"^ Here St. Aibhe and St. Fintan were born, as also Ailinne, the mother of St. Fintan, who was a native of Grene-Cliath.
^s In the Life of St. Brendan, it is said to have been "contra montem poroi si- turn. "
°* The writer of Vita S. Brendani adds,
^^ Ardfert, its antiquities, and its historic
the " Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the County of Kerry," sheet 20.
444
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May i6.
fort had been remarkable for nurturing fleas, which abounded in numbers almost incredible. There, the hospitable denizens made complaint about such a nuisance to the saint, who prayed that the pest might be removed, on ac- count of their benignity. No sooner had he offered that petition, than the troublesome insects began to disappear ; while the following day, not even one of them remained. ^^
As the holy youth had received his early training from St. Ita, it is said, during the years of early life, that he made a penitential pilgrimage to Brittany, and at her request. ^7 The following story is thought to have furnished the occa- sion, and to have supplied the motive. One day, St, Brendan sailed to the Island De-Trumma, and he left a youth, on the beach, to guard the vessel. However, the tide began to rise, and the brother of that young man cried out to St. Brendan: "O holy father, the sea rises very high, drawing away the boat,andmybrothershallbesubmergedanddrowned. " St. Brendanthen spoke, as if irritated : " Lovest thou him more that I do } If you compassion- ate his misfortune, therefore, go and die for his sake. " Instantly, the obedient brother went to aid his kinsman; but, the sea carried him into the abyss, where he perish ed. ^^ His brother, however, was saved. Notwithstanding, the death of him, who was buried beneath the waves, caused poignant regret to St. Brendan, as he had advised that course, which caused him to be drowned. He consulted certain holy men, on what should now be done, and they advised him to seek proper counsel from his nurse St. Ita, who was also a prophetess. This he did, and she advised him, to make a pilgrimage, as an atonement for that death of which he had been the occasion, and afterwards to preach among men, so that he might draw many souls to Christ. In obedience to her, the holy man prepared for his pilgrimage, and he sailed for Britain. According to some writers, St. Brendan went over to Wales, and there he passed some time, under the instruction of a holy senior and a wise man, named St. Gildas. *9
We are told, moreover, that Brendan hved for several years, in the Abbey of Llancarven,3°in Glamorganshire, while his reputation had spread far and near. Before the arrival of our saint, Gildas had intimation of his coming, and had in- structed his disciples to prepare a supper for the holy guests and labourers in Christ'svineyard,whowereexpectedtoarriveonthatveryday. Healsode- clared, that his monks should see in the flesh, one like to the Apostle St. Peter, who was a zealous and laborious worker, as also, one who should declare, for what crime—already pardoned by the Almighty—he had come there on a pil- grimage. He then told the janitor of their monastery, that he should close the gate, with iron bolts, until through Brendan's merits, the Almighty would open them. At that time, winter set in. Three years had already elapsed, beforeSt. Brendan'spilgrimagewasfinished. Whenhearrivedatthemonas- tery of St. Gildas, snow covered the ground; but, none fell on St. Brendan nor on his disciples, who were waiting before the monastery gate. The ostiarius who was inside, on seeing this, invited them to approach, and he declared, that throughtheirmerits,thegateshouldopen. Then,St. Brendancalledhisdis-
pel ab illo ilie usque liodie polices nullo °9 His feast has been assigned, to the 29th modo in ipso castro vivunt," cap. xiii. , pp. of January. See his Life at that date, in this II, 12. See Most Rev. Patrick Francis work, vol. i. , Art. i.
Moran's " Acta Sancti Brendani. "
'7 . See Miss Mary Frances Cusack's "His-
tory of the Kingdom of Kerry," chap, iii. ,
p_ ^1^
"* The author of the Life adds : " priori
^° Although IJssher asserts, that St. Bren- dan succeeded Cadoc, as abbot of this place ; yet this cannot be leconcikd with Cadoc's transactions, nor with the statements of Ussher himself, that Ellenius was Cadoc's successor. See Rev. Dr. Lanigan's " Eccle-
verojuveni, qermano illius, erat quasi murus
sicut et Moysi. "—Cap. xiv. , p. 12. See Most siastical History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap. Rev. Patrick Francis Moran's "Acta Sancti x. , sect, vii. , n. 102, p. 33.
Brendani. "
^' The feast of this saint has been assigned,
May 1 6. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 445
ciple, St. Talmach,3' telling him to go and open the door in Chiisi's name. Immediately, his hand was extended for the purpose, when the locks within disappeared ; and going, in like manner to the teampiill^ they found it closed against them. However, knowing that this was a trial for him, St. Brendan placed his hand on the two valves, and said : " True mother, Church of Christ,opentome. " Immediately,thelocksofthechurchwerebroken,and they entered into the choir. Then, St. Gildas had a missal, traced in Greek letters,32 and he placed that book upon the altar. 33 The custodian of the church, by order of St. Gildas, said to St. Brendan : "Man of God, our holy senior orders you to offer the Body of Christ ; behold ! there is an altar here, as also a book written in the Greek characters, and sing from it as does our Abbot. " Then, opening the book, St. Brendan said : " Teach me, O Lord Jesus, these Unknown letters, as thou hast opened the closed doors before us. " Indeed, all things are possible to those believing. Instantly, St. Brendan learned the Greek letters well as those Latin ones, he knew from infancy and,hebegantosingtheMass. Then,thevenerableseniorGildasandhis monks came to receive the Eucharist from the hand of St. Brendan, when a wonderful miracle was wrought. 3+ Our saint remained there for three days and three nights. 35 Afterwards, the venerable senior Gildas said to St. Brendan : " Very fierce and strong animals abound in the desert parts near us, and often they attack men and prowl about our city. The Almighty hath granted, that you drive those away from the people, for by such a sign you shall know that the sin, which conducted you hither, shall be pardoned. " Taking his disciple Talmach with him to the desert, many men mounted on horses followed them to witness the result. Coming to a certain place, they found about noon—probably a she-wolf—with her cubs sleeping. Then, said Brendan : " Follow us tamely with your young.
" The horsemen in fear turned to fly ; but, soon, to their amazement, instead ofattacking St. Brendan and his companion, the animals followed them, as if they had been docile house-dogs. St. Gilas himself saw them before the gates of his monastery, and he thanked God for all his wonderful works. Then, St. Brendan com- manded the animals to retire into their desert, and thenceforth to molest no person. People knew not what became of them, but afterwards, they dis- appeared. 3^ Then, venerable old Gildas said to our saint : " Father, receive me as thy disciple, and here be the patron of my city and people. " St. Bren-
" Here, I shall not wait, for the place of my resurrection must Then, both holy men gave each other a mutual benediction, and, St. Brendan left the school of Gildas for another region
dan answered :
be in Ireland. "
before parting ;
ofBritain,supposed—tobeLesserBrittanyorFrance; and,inwhich—accord- ing to some writers
the territory of Helh was to be found. In that he built a church,37 while a city grew up around it.
to the 26th of February.
3^ The Most Rev. Dr. Moran remarks,
that this probably refers to a Latin missal, written wholly or partly in Greek letters. Such Manuscripts of the early Irish Church have survived to our own times.
place,
Dei. Cui ait Sanctus Brendanus : nostra oracio protegat te a vindicta. Tempus jam modo dimmittendi est qui satis probasti Xti peregrinos. Iterum orante Sancto Brendano corpus Dominicum in specie consuetudinaria in disco apparuit et sanguis in calice in
33 The Gospel of St. Matthew gives the vinum. Et postea illi sancti communionem Latin text of the Lord's prayer, written in dominicam cum gratiarum actione sump- Greek letters, as found in the Book of serunt. "
Armagh. Seethe"Atlantis,"No. ix. ,pp.
80, 82, A. D. 1S70. _
34 It is thus related, in the Latin : " Vidit-
que Sanctus GiUdas carnem crudam in disco et sanguinem in calice et ait : Quid mihi praebui judicium Dei temptando te O homo
3sSeeMostRev. PatrickFrancisMoran's "Acta Sancti Brendani," Vita S. Brendani, cap. xv. , pp. 12 to 14.
36 At least to that time, when St. Bren- dan's Life had been written.
3? See Ussher's " Britannicarum Ecclesia-
;
446
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May i6.
There, the holy man wrought wonderful miracles. It is stated. ^^ also, that he presided as Abbot over an elegant and a noble monas- tery, situated in a valley called Carruan, at a time when St. Maclovius was born. 39 St. Brendan founded the monastery of Ailech, which is said^° to be identical with the ancient Alectum, in Brittany,*^ and of which St. Maclovius or Malo became bishop. *^ He was a native of that district, and some accounts have it, that he was baptized, by St. Brendan j'>3 yet, this does not appear to be probable. It is only known, that from his youth, St. Brendan instructed him in sacred letters, and trained him in the practice of a religious life;'''* while, owing to the inspirations re- ceived,heresolvedonaccompanyinghismastertotheLandofPromise. It may be observed, according to some writers, it was after our saint went to Britanny, and had formed the acquaintance of St. Malo, that he returned to the district of country, wliere he was born, and where he received his early training, St. Maclovius having set out with him on his celebrated voyage. '*5 On the authority of SigebertuSjt^ Autbertus Miraeus, in his Belgic Annals, makes St. Maclovius a disciple of St. Brendan, and afterwards, a bishop over that place, with which his renown is so inseparably connected. ''7 In future times, it took the name of St. Malo, from Maclovius. Matthew of Paris
states,^^ that Macutus or Malo was a companion of St. Brendan, during his seven years' navigation. In Britain, his miracles and sanctity rendered him illustrious. He was persecuted by the Britons, and owing to his malediction, they suffered various defeats. However, he pardoned them, and gave them his benediction. He passed over to the Gauls, and among them, under Bishop Leontius, he was distinguished for his many virtues.
Subsequently,St. Brendanreturnedtohisnativecountry. ''? Weareinformed, that St. Abban 5° desired to hear from his own mouth, the wonderful things St. Brendan had seen and heard, during his celebrated voyage on the ocean, and for that purpose paid him a visit, which lasted for some days. Then, a firm
rum Antiquitates," cap. xvii. , p. 494. miraculis claruit ; qui a Britannis exacerba- 3^ In the Acts of St. Maclovius, edited tus, eis maledictis, transivit ad Gallias, et
fey John A. Bosco, in the Bibliotheca Floria- censis.
39 His birth took place in Brittany, ac- cording to Lobineau, in his " Histoire de Bretagne,'' tome ii. , p. 75.
•'° By Rev. Dr. Lanigan. See " Ecclesi- astical History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap. X. , sect, vii. , p. 29.
4' See ibid. , n. 104, p. 34.
*' Sigebert of Gemblours wrote the Life of St. Maclovius. It is published by Surius, at the 15th of November.
^3 This is stated, in the Acts of St. Maclo- vius, as edited by John a Bosco.
sub Leontio Sanctorum episcopo multo tem- pore virtutibus clamit. '' Hucusque vetus editio : addit nova, "Britannos vero, prop- ter suam maledictionem variis cladibus ad- dictos, data rursus benedictione absolvit et sanavit. " See " Historia Ecclesiastica Gen- tis Scotorum," tomus i. , lib. ii. , num. 148, pp. 81, 82.
"' At A. D. 561, we read : "Fuit autem S. Maclovius Alethie in Britannia minore Epis- copus : quae urbs hodie ab ipso Maclouiopo- lis, 6". Malo, nuncupatur. Portio o. ssium ejus adservatur Gemblaci in Benedictino- rum Abbatia. Ejusdcm vita Histoiiam
** According to the " Acta Sanctorum scripsit, sen potius emendavit Sigcbertus
Ordinis S. Benedicti," tomus i. , num. i. , p. 217.
<5 Such is the statement, in his Life, by Sigebert; but, it is easy to understand, how his biographer may have mistaken the vague traditions coming down to him, on this sub-
ject.
** Thomas Dempster thus quotes him, in
Chonico ad annum DLXi. , "In Scotia Brendanus claruit, qui Foitiinatas Insulas septennali navigatione rcquirens, multa mira- culo digna vidit ; a quo Macutcs, qui et Maclovus, rcgulariter cducatus, ct ipsius na- vigationis socius, in Britannia sanctitate et
Gemblacensis. "—Autbertus MivKus' " Re- rum Belgicarum Aniiaies," p. 165.
"'In his "Chronica ALijora," edited by Henry Richards Luard, M. A. , vol. ii. , p. 246.
••^ " Brendan's departure from Brittany niay be placol between 540 and 550. "—Rev. Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, x. , sect, vii. , n. 103, p. 34,
5° Some notices of this saint will be found, in the Third Volume of this work, Art. ii. , at the i6th of March. His chief feast, how- ever, is at the 27th of October, where his
May 1 6. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 447
friendship was established between them, and until they parted, that interval was spent in holy and edifying conversation. s' He also visited Gildas, it is said, before he returned to Ireland. s^ One day, while St. Brendan was en- gaged in his voyage by sea, he saw two monsters of the deep, alternately fighting and swimming, one seeming to have yielded during that struggle. S3 The vanquished monster, when pursued and nearly taken, cried out with human voice to St. Brendan : " I recommend my protection to St. Patrick, Archbishop of the Scots. " The other animal replied in like manner: " His protection in no way shall avail you. " Then cried the fugitive : " Now, I com- mend myself to St. Brendan's protection. " The persecutor cried out : "In- deed, Brendan's defence shall not profit you. " Then, added the fugitive : " To the most holy virgin Brigid, I recommend my safety. " Immediately, the victorious fish seemed vanquished, for he turned away and said : " Father, I dare not follow thee, because thou hast trusted to the holy Brigid for pro- tection. " Then, that persecuted monster escaped. Giving praise to God, St. Brendan also venerated St. Brigid. Afterwards, coming to Ireland, he visited this holy virgin, and he told her then what he had seen and heard far away on the ocean. Wherefore, Brendan asked : " Why, O virgin of Christ, do the sea-monsters fear thee more than other saints. " She replied : " How often is thy intention directed to God ? " He said : " At least in every seventh step I take, do I think of God ; however, it sometimes happens, that during a very long interval, I think of God solely. " Then said St. Brigid : " There- fore, sometimes thou thinkest about things on earth, and sometimes on God; but, from that day, when my mind was placed on God, never did it turn again upon any other object ; and, by how much man looks to God and loves liim, in that same measure do animals fear men. " St. Brendan was greatly edified, bythispronouncementofthemostsaintlyvirginBrigid. Withmutualbless- ings, they took leave of each other, and Brendan returned to his place. 5+
On this occasion, St. Brendan of Clonfert is said to have waited upon the great St. Brigid,ss Patroness of Kildare, to receive instruction regarding some religious topic. Possibly, however, this celebrated virgin may have been mis- taken for his own sister, Briga, who was a nun, and who is generally believed to have been living under her brother's direction, at Enach-duin,56 or Annagh- down, on the banks of Lough Corrib, in the county of Gal way. It is stated, 57 that Aodha, son of Eochy Tirmacarna, King of Connaught, bestowed that place on God and on St. Brendan, w^hen he there established a nunnery. At present, some monastic ruins of round undressed stones are to be seen,58 on the north side of a rocky inlet of the lake, into which a small stream pours its waters. 59 TheAbbeychurch^° lay to the north ofthe monastery; the west gable and the north walls are still standing, as also a portion of the south walls at the west. There, the church is supported by a remarkably well-built buttressofdressedstone,evidentlyofamuchlaterdate. Thenorthernentrance hasadeeplymouldedpointedarch; but,thatonthesouth,whichwasprobably
Acts are treated more at length.
5' See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Iliber-
niDs,"xvi. Martii. Vita S. Abbani Abbatis de Magharnuidhe, cap. xliii. , p. 619.
5^ See Miss Mary Frances Cusack's
" History of the Kingdom of Kerry," chap, the bog. " In modern Irish, it has been
iii. , p. 47.
S3 This account will be found, in Colgan's
" Trias Thaumaturga," Appendix Secunda ad Acta S. Brigidee, cap. xviii. , p. 605.
5't Most Rev.
