See "The
Topographical
Poems of John O'DubhagainandGioUanaNaomhO'Huidh- rin.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v2
^ See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii.
, xviii.
Februarii.
De S.
Culano Episcopo
in Hibernia, p. 82.
* He "In Hibernia^ S. Culani Epis- says,
Generalis Sanctorum. " s In Antiquae Lectiones. "
^
See "Trias Thaumaturga. " Quinta Appendix ad Acta S. Patricii, cap. xxiii. , p.
noise. " '^
According
to the " Annals of Ulster. "
According
"
to the " Annals of the Four —"
copi. " Catalogus
'7
Masters. " See Dr. O'Donovan's edition,
vol. i. , pp. 279 and n. (f). Also pp. 284, 285.
"^See Bishop Forbes' "Kalendars of 268.
Scottish Saints," pp. 235, and 303, 304. 'This appears in Ussher's "De Primor-
"' See Bishop Forbes' "Kalendars of diis EcclesiarumBritannicarum," cap. xvii. ,
Scottish
Saints," p. 97. p. 950.
alias Dacualeno, pp. 368, 369. ""
February i8. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS 621
there are many saints, having the name Colan or Coelon. ^ However, Cul- anus, Cuilen, or Cualen, was the same as Cuien or Dachualen, whose com- memoration occurs, at the 12th of March, in the Martyrologies of Maii- anusO'GormanandofCathaldMaguire. s Ifhebethesameperson,his descent is traced, in the Genealogy of the Saints of Ireland, by Cormac, Bishop of Cashel, from the Hy-Niall family. The father of this saint was Guaire, son to Columba, son to Crimthann, son of Eochad Binnigh, son to Eugene, son to Niall of the Nine Hostages. '^ Notwithstanding his assertion, Colgan omits any mention of a saint, bearing this name, at the 12th of March. According to the foregoing pedigree, this holy man should naturally belong to about the beginning of the seventh century. In the parish of
also called in the — of Borrisoleigh," lUeagh, county
Tipperary,
there was
— a church dedicated to a St. Coulane'^ identical with the formerly
present saint and here was long preserved singularly curiously
"
wrought bronze shrine or bell, called the
Barnane Cuilawn," which was
formerly in the possession of the Dwyer family, living at Ballinaruan, near Borrisoleigh, and afterwards it became the property of the late Thomas L.
Cooke of Birr,^3 who got it from the Dwyers. '^ It passed from Mr. Cooke "
to a public institution,'5 and it is said, that the Barnaan Cuilawn" was found many years since, in the hollow of a tree,^^ at a place named Killcui-
^ The Martyrologies of Tallagli, of Mari-
anus O'Gorman and of Cathald Maguire,
mention ^saints, bearing this name at the
loth and 30th of June, at the 25th and 29th
of July, at the i6th and 25th of September,
and at the 29th of October, See Colgan's it, and got it by way of present, from the "Acta Sanctorum Hibernise," xviii. Feb-
ruarii, n. i, p. 369. 9 See ibid,, n. 2.
family. — Dr. Tracey stated, that young Mr. Cooke most probably Mr. Thomas L.
^°
According
to the "
Sanctilogic
Genea-
and able man— the relic accomplished got
logy," chap. xii.
" The name it bears on the Ordnance
Maps is Two-mile-borris, in the barony of Eliogarty, in the North Riding. It is des- cribed on the " Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the County of Tipperary. " Sheets 41, 42, 47, 48.
"
Archbisop Butler, of Cashel
this particular time, July 22nd, 1 752. Mr. Maurice Lenihan has furnished various ex- tracts of a very interesting character from it, and he has published them in successive
from the Dwyer family, without the least trouble. Dr. Tracey did not hear that
"
" According to a " Visitation Book of the
say,
articles, under the heading,
"
Cashel of the
&c. See for the
Kings," following
notices i\iQ Limerick Reporter oi Yob. 21st, 1873.
compiled at
to explain. Then Miss Mary Dwyer Mrs. ^3 Author of the " Picture of Parsons- Dwyer's daughter—said, "I'll show it to
town. " This work has been enlarged, by his son William Antisell Cooke, of Birr, and published in 1875, under the title of "The
you. " She then took down the curiosity off the tester of a bed ; it had been covered all over with a thick dust, as if it had been but
of the Town of
Parsonstown, with the particulars of remark- whei'e
and as — it had Iain though
for months. Dr. Daniel
Early History
Birr,
or seldom
handled, it was
able events there in more recent times. Also the towns of Nenagh, Roscrea, Banagher,
Tullamore, Philipstown, Frankford, Shin- rone, Kinnetty and Ballyboy, and the ancient septs, princes, and celebrated places of the surrounding country. " By the late Thomas LalorCooke. Dublin,8vo.
^* An old and valued friend of Mr. Leni-
han, Dr. Daniel Tracey, formerly of Nenagh, who lived to be over 80 years, said, that
Tracey mentioned these particulars regard- ing it to Maurice Lenihan, on the 12th of
December, 1869.
'S Mr. Lenihan knew not whether to the
Royal Irish Academy, or lo the British
Museum. The object in question, however, isnottobefoundintheformerinstitution.
a ancient and
when he was a very young child, the family of his aunt, Mrs. Dwyer of Ballinaruan, had possession of the " Barnane Cuilawn " for many years, and that one of the sons of Mr.
Richard Cooke, of Borrisoleigh, applied for
Cooke, a great lover of antiquities, and an
people were cured of illness, by the
naan Cuilawn," but he did hear, that people swore on it ; and the children when threat- ening each other at Mrs. Dwyer's used to
"
I'll tell the Barnaan Cuilawn of you," or words to that effect. Dr. Tracey stated, that a sister of his, named Mrs. Duff, at one time threatened the Barnaan Cuilawn, on Mrs. Dwyer's son, Joseph, who appeared greatly frightened in consequence. Mrs. Duff did not, at the time, really know what the Barnaan Cuilawn was, or what the
words and she Mrs. — meant, requested Dwyer
'^ See Lewis' "
of Ireland," vol. i. , p. 654.
Topographical Dictionary
Bar-
622 LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [Februaryi8.
lawn,*7 situate in the mountains, and about two miles distant from Borriso-
leigh, in the parish of Glankeen/^ and county of Tipperary. This curious , "
reUc, of a remote age, is Hkewise called in the Irish language Obair na naoim ;" —that is " the Saint's work. " In shape, it resembles a mitre, and internally it is made of wrought iron ; the internal part, now nearly eaten away by rust, appears to have been originally about three-tenths of an inch thick, having in its summit two round holes, about three-tenths of an inch in diameter, which do not seem to have been ever intended for receiving any kind of screws or rivets. ^9 It is about eleven inches and a half high, and the bottom—in the shape of a parallelogram—is about eight inches long, by four inches broad, whence its length and breadth gradually diminish, it being at the top only six inches and a half long, and about two inches broad. Around the bottom is a kind of bronze'° frame or base, about one-eighth of an inch thick and two inches in height, having at each corner a round bronze pedestal, about three inches high, and half-an-inch thick. These pillars ex- tend about three-eighths of an inch lower than the bronze frame, so as to form a kind of feet. In the bronze frame or base, on the front side of the Barnaan Cuilawn, is a small semicircular opening, about one inch in dia- meter, and somewhat resembling the aperture of a beehive, through which the bees pass in and out. The iron or internal part of the Barnaan Cuilawn appears to have been originally all covered with bronze highly ornamented. There is bronze still adhering to parts of the iron, and which has the appear- ance of having been united to it, by the effects of fire. The top, which is the most curious part now extant, is of cast metal Hke bronze, of a whitish yellow colour, and of exquisite workmanship. It has several apertures and it is beau- tifully ornamented in runic knots, with gold, silver, copper, and some dark bluish granular metal, which Mr. T. L. Cooke at first took to resemble cobalt, having on each of its —sides four representations of an eye, and on the
See Ordnance Survey Townland Maps lor
of which the Barnaan Cuilawn
the County of Tipperary. 33, 34, 40.
"
Sheets 27, 28,
the interior
is composed. The object itself resembles the cover for an ancient Irish bell.
'3 This description, as furnished by Mr.
Lenihan, is taken from a note book of Mr.
T. L. Cooke, who contributed these facts to
the Royal Irish Academy, in 1822. See
"
Description of the Barnaan Cuilawn, and some conjectures upon the original use thereof ; together with an account of the superstitious purposes to which it was latterly appUed. Also a des-
cription of the remains of an ancient Mill, which were recently discovered near the ruins of Glankeen Church, in the County of Tipperary. " ^y Thomas Lalor Cooke,
Esq. Read January 7, 1822, pp. 31 to 46.
Transactions of the Royal Irish Academy,"
'*
vol. xvii. Antiquities.
*^
Mr. T. L. Cooke, in his note book,
heads muchliket—
endstwobald
thewallsofancientmonasteriesinIreland andtwootherrepresentationsof eyes. In the top are laid three pieces of yellow stone or composition, intersected by other narrow red stones, both in appearance like jasper. ^^ The opinion of Mr. Cooke, that the Barnaan Cuilawn was the top of an ecclesiastical censer is quite incorrect, and could only occur to one, who had not a thorough know-
antique
*7 This denomination does not now appear on the Ordnance Survey Maps.
called the bronze by the name of brass ; but, there is a vast difference between bronze and brass ; an—d Mr. T. L. Cooke wrongly named
with the of the iron in the metal — exception
=' It is right to remark, that both parts of those inlayings, which appeared to be cobalt, are not in reality of that metal. Cobalt is said not to have been discovered, until about the year 1733, although the beautiful colour in some ancient stained windows and orien- tal porcelain would seem to argue, that this metal was longer known. The late General Valiancy in the "Collectanea de Rebus Hibernicis," treating of the Laith Meisicith
'* It is
probable that they kindled their pretended sacred fires from cobalt ground with oil, which after lying an hour in an—unctious
^^
This large parish is in the barony of
Upper Kilnamanagh, in the North Ridhig. "
hose of stone which are met with in
of the ancient Irish Druids says—
state burst into an amazing flame. " Ko. 13.
vol.
iv. ,
February i8. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 623
ledgeofecclesiasticalantiquities. ThebackandsidesoftheCuilawnarestill covered with thin bronze plates, on the former of which is visible the outlines of a cross. This cross, in shape and outline, is said to be similar to that on the tomb of O'Toole in Glendalough. Several credible and respectable in- habitants of the parish in which it was found affirmed, that since 1782, there was a cross on the front side of the Barnaan Cuilawn, enriched with various coloured precious stones. But, although much pains have been taken to procure this cross, rewards and inquiries have hitherto proved ineffectual. '* It has been asserted,^^ that these bronze articles are of a very remote anti-
"
quity, and were the work of the
Cuthites. " But, we may well consider thi-s
opinion as one going far into the dreaminess of mere speculation. It is
likely, St. Culan had his habitation, not far removed from Borrisoleigh, and
Killcuilawn derived its name from a church he had there founded. ''^ His
period is not well known, for, the accuracy of that information, furnished to
the compilers of a modern topographical work,=^5 hardly falls within the range
of probability. It is more likely he belonged to the seventh century. At
Glankeen, it is said, an abbey had been founded, so early as the time of St.
Patrick. ^^ In a Life of St. Cormach,='7 it is stated, that he was descended
fromOilumOlum. Itrelates,thathehadfivebrothers,bythesamefather,
and that Culanus was one of these. Again, it is asserted, that this St. Culan
built a church in a valley of the region, known as Hi Luigdlicach,''^ where he
remained among his kindred and acquaintances. His pedigree is thus
traced ; he was the son of Eugene, son to Murchad, son of Muredac, son to
Diermit, son of Eugene, son to Alild Flanbeg, son of Fianch Muillethain,
son to Eugene the Great, son of Ailild Olum. ^9 His church was called
*'
Glean-chaoin, the beautiful glen," and it lies at the foot of Knockanura
mountain, and at the bounds of Killaloe See. In reality, two buildings raised at different periods present themselves in the ruins of Glean-choin or Gleankeen Church. There was an old building formerly at Killcuilawn ; but, towards the close of the last century, its stones were removed for the
=^ The cross —of has been lost just spoken
=^s in
were discovered near Kilcuilawn Church, See ibid. A copper engraving of the " Bar-
in the following manner
of the Rev. Mr. McEneiry, Roman Catholic Vicar of the parish of Glenkeen, the Bar- naan Cuilawn fell into the hands of his sue- cessor, the Rev. Michael Bohun, a man of
:
After the death
mains, which are represented on the same great learning, but who had not much taste plate.
^^ ** ior the antiquities of his country. Upon the See
Rev. Mr. Bohun having newly come to the parish, the Barnaan Cuilawn was, in the
Monastic6n Hibernicum," p. 46. Archdall places it in the county of Clare-
hurry of removing, unfortunately thrown holy man is venerated, at the 26th of
along with some articles of furniture into an open stable. While it remained there, some
induced a wish of
persons, by possessing
of so revered a or more
part relic, probably
March.
^^ This district is said to have been so
urged by a spirit of avarice, took away the crossabove-mentioned.
it originally belonged and annexed it to
Munster. ThistractwasalsocalledGrabh 23 By Mr. Marcus Keane, M. R. I. A. , Fhearon Lugheadh. The district is other- J. P. , &c. , &c. , author of the "Ancient wise called lleagh. It was formerly a sepa- rate barony, and shown as such in the Down Survey ; but, at present, it is included in the barony of Eliogarty, county of Tipperiry.
See "The Topographical Poems of John O'DubhagainandGioUanaNaomhO'Huidh- rin. " Edited by John O'Donovan, LL. D. ,
Shrines and Temples of Ireland," in a con- versation with Mr. Maurice Lenihan. He furthermore stated, that the iron work in the interior was, in his opinion, made in more recent times, and that it bears no possible semblance to the wonderfully beautiful work in the bronze, &c. , &c.
^^ to Lewis, in the tenth cen- According
p. Ixxxvi. , n. 781.
=9 See ** Acta Sanctorum Hiber- Colgan's
"
tury. See Topographica Dictionary of nios," xxvi. Martii. Vita S. Cormaci, cap.
Ireland," vol. i. , p. 654. i. , p. 751, and n. 2, p. 755.
1821,
the remains of an ancient mill
"
paper, together with some of the old mill re-
naan Cuilawn
accompanies Mr. Cooke's
="7 Found in the
'*
LeabharLecain. " This
calledfrom
it from the
Menn,who— Luighuidh conquered
of — to which province Connaught
624 LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [Februaryt8.
purpose of building a house. The Church of Culan was benefited by the piety and generosity of his relatives, and these considered themselves as more than recompensed by the saint's prayers for their welfare. 3° What particular reason there was for supposing, that Irish Apostolic men brought the relics of St, Culan to Germany, or even a veneration for him, Godefrid Henschenn has
not explained. 3'' From what we have already seen, his relics appear always tohaveremainedinIreland; andprobably,hebelongedtothatpartofit,
""
where the Barnane Cuilawn had been so long preserved.
ArticleIII. —St. Nem,BishopofDrumBerthach. Thisholyman
is entered in the " of Martyrology
Tallagh,"'
Bertach. ^ By some writers, this saint has been confounded with a St. Beret-
chert, Berichter or Berechtuine, of Tullylease, county of Cork—thought to be locally called St. Ben or St. Benjamin. 3 This identification, however, admits of very great doubt. The Martyrology of Donegal'^ records on this day Nem, Bishop of Drum Berthach. s It seems difficult to identify this
place, but, very possibly, it may be in or near Tullylease. We may ask, too, if the St. Nem of our Calendars could have been corrupted into the local
pronunciation of Ben. This seems, at least, possible. Colgan thinks, the present saint may have been St. Patrick's disciple,^ who was set over Tullach rise, in the diocese of Connor. It is said to have been one of the churches St. Patrick erected in Dalaradia. 7 Under the head of Druim-bertach, Duald Mac Firbis records, Nemh, Bishop of Druim Bertach, at February the i8th. ^ By William M. Hennessy, this place is identified with Burt,9 in the barony of Inishown West, county of Donegal. Now, the ruined church of Tullilease parish, partly in Duhallow barony, partly in that of Ossory and Kilmore, East Riding of the county of Cork,^° is said to have been built in the time of St. Patrick ; and, as local tradition has it, in the following manfTer. " When the was in this —he met with much
from a pagan chie
—f of the district. This chief whose name has not survived
the lapse of years said he would believe in Patrick's teaching, if the saint, or any of his attendant monks, went into a house, which was then to be set onfire; andshoulditsoccupantcomeforthunscathed,thechiefwouldthen
great Apostle travelling locality, opposition
3° See " of the Irish Proceedings Royal
Academy," vol. xiv. , pp. 40, 41, and note. 3' See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , xviii. Februarii. De S. CulanoEpiscopo in
Hibernia, num. 2, p. 82.
Article hi. —' Edited by Rev. Dr.
7 See "Trias " Colgan's Thaumaturga.
Septima Vita S. Patricii, lib. ii. ,cap. cxxx. , p. 146, nn. 199, 200, p. 182.
^ See "Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy," Irish MSS. Series, vol. i. , part i, pp. 108, 109, and note.
9 This parish is shown on the " Ordnance
shown on Sheets 38, 47.
'° Its bounds are described on the " Ord-
nance Survey Townland Maps for the •Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. County of Cork. " Sheets 5, 6, 15. The
52, S3' townland proper is on Sheet 6.
5 In a note Dr. Todd says, at Drum-ber- " For this, and much of the following thach. " The later hand notes here, Aca information, with several accompanying
Kelly, p. xvi.
=" Then follow these
per an, xl. mu. ''
"feriasem-
Townland for the Maps
3 See a very interesting paper, intituled, "St. Beretcheart of Tullylease," by W,
Reeves, D. D,, inserted with a lithograph of the saint's tomb, in "The Ulster Journal of
Archasology," vol. vi. , pp. 267 to 275.
words,
of Donegal. " Sheets 38, 39, 46, 47. Burt Level, with its intake, contains 1,430 acres, as given in the Tenement Valuation. It is
*
tD^om beptA Iahh le CeAn-Annuj' :
with a St. Nem, venerated at the 3rd "of letters, one dated the 26th of December, May. 1874, and the other, 17th April, 1875.
There is a Drom-bertha alongside of Ceanannus,
sketches, the writer feels greatly indebted to a local resident. These notices were com- municated by Denis A. O'Leary, Kilbolane
[Kells]. '"
^This conjecture he divides, however, Cottage, Charleville, Co. Cork, in two
Survey
County
as of Droma Nem, Bishop
February i8. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 625
believe in the power of the Christians' God. Thereupon, it is said, that St. Patrick asked Benjamin,"—or as he is called in Irish Berechert—would he go into the burning house. To this proposal, the saint willingly assented. The pagan chief then compelled one of his own priests to accompany Ben- jamin,and,tomakematterssure,hegotthemtoexchangegarments. This being done, the door was closed up, and the house was then set on fire, and left burning for some time. When it had been considered, that a sufficient time elapsed, to allow the fire to consume everything, an entrance was made, and then it became evident, that the hand of the Almighty was still stretched forth, in defence of his ministers : for there, bathed in sweat and in profound sleep was the young saint, Berechert, while his companion was burned to a cinder. The chief was immediately baptized, and he continued ever after a good Christian. Saint Benjamin then built this church, and ever since he is regarded as the special patron saint of Tullilease parish. His festival is held on the 1 8th of February, which was honoured there, as a strict holiday, and which was kept with great veneration -p but, in latter years, it is only re- garded as a day of devotion. ^'^ Close by St. Ben's Well are the mere founda- tions of a house^s—28 feet long by 32 feet—said to be that, in which the saint was shut up, when it was set on fire, by order of the pagan chief of that district. Farmersareknowntocomeoverfourmilestogetastoneou—tof this, when building new houses. This stone was set in the foundation as
coinsandnewspapersarenow-a-daysplaced. Holywater,orwaterfromSt. Ben's Well—generally the latter—being sprinkled over it, the wall was then commenced, with a firm belief that the house built could never be burned. The church, which runs from east to west, was about 90 feet in length, and 27 feet in breadth. There is now standing only a small portion of the northernsidewall; theeasterngable,stillquiteperfect,waslightedbyone narrow double lancet-window. The southern side wall is still perfect, and in this there is a peculiar circular-headed window, 40 inches long, by 7 inches broad. The doorway, with fluted stone jambs, is also arched, and nowbuiltupwithmasonry. Withinthechurch,andunderneaththedouble lancet-window, stands a slab, known as " St. Ben's Stone. "'^ Underneath the small arched window, in the southern wall, and on the right hand, as you stand within the walls, looking to the east, there is a closet, the sides and back of which, being composed of single slabs, are worthy of a passing word. On the right hand side, there is one slab, having a peculiar shaped cross ; on the left hand, there is another slab, with a drawing like the stem of a chalice,
and like the " St. Ben's is made
up
of
which, large slab,
*^ The Rev. William Reeves considers this local Benjamin to have been confounded with St. Eenen or Bineus one of St. Patrick's disciples, and regarding whom, a nearly similar story is told, in" Liber Ardmachanse," folio 5 ba. Also see Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Septima Vita S. Patricii, lib. i. , cap. 65, p. 127.
'3 Even after the beginning of this cen-
tury.
'^ In an anonymous communication signed
" A Subscriber," I am informed, —that the
Stone,"
beautifully
name and feast of St. Berre—
name is locally pronounced is held in
special veneration by the O'Mahonys of
Kerry, especially those of Castlequin and CuUina. The same letter informs me, that St. Berrehurth was invoked against fire, and tradition has it, that he was an O'Mahony,
wona visible is the slab on which is engraved a sort of Shamrock Crozier Cross. Mr. O'Leary has furnished the writer with a correct drawing of this object, and it seems to be a very
graceful design.
Vol. IL
2 s
hurth as his
by
in for thanksgiving
having barely
and brother to St. Gobinett, a more cele- brated saint, as the numerous churches dedi- cated to her patronage testify, in the counties of Cork and Kerry. Her Life is already given at the i ith of February,
'S It is called Cloc ah t)e^ece|\c, or ""
*^
Next to it, there is a very grotesque re- presentation of the saint, in swallow-tailed coat, curled locks, with the hands joined in front, in the attitude of prayer. Mr. O'Leary heard it was placed here some 60 years ago,
Berecert's stone house.
a man, lawsuit. Next,
with the end
626 LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [Februaryi8.
interlaced work. ^7 There was a similar stone, with this peculiar-shaped
cross, which stone is considered to have been used as a doorway to the
closet, supposing it was used like our modern tabernacles or sanctuaries, as
a receptacle for the sacred vessels. This is at the foot of a priest's grave, in
the graveyard attached to this church. Doubtless the relatives of a clergy-
man there interred considered it an indifferent matter to remove this slab,
and to place it in its present position. The closet is 14 inches high, by 28
inches long. Mr. O'Leary, however, did not measure its depth, into the
wall. ^^ We are that " Saint Ben's Well " at the western
informed, flows, side of the county road, leading to Dromcolloher,^9 while
"
These wells are especially celebrated for curing sore eyes, ophthalmia, and
Our Lady's Well " ^° is on the eastern side. Mr. O'Leary has heard of many miracles, which were wrought at those wells, and which he believes to be authentic.
various other diseases. All who come to the
""
— on Saint Ben's
Day," go
pay
is, say
and
" rounds " that
"
Well," one at " Our Lady's Well," and one within the abbey church, opposite
a large brown slab placed standing upright. ^^ On this is engraved a peculiar
cross, having the arms and base filled with the most delicate interlaces,
spiral pattern, and also having an inscription, said to have been engraved by Saint Benjamin himself. The upper left hand corner is broken off, and on the opposite right hand corner are peculiar characters. "^^ When St. Ben's
blessed wells, a small portion of the brown stone of this district, which is believed to be a sure preventive against fire, in whatever house it is kept. ''^
'7 From Mr, O'Leary, the writer has re- nounced Poiilaveara—from the following,
those who come to
carry home with them, besides some of the water from one or both of the
Day,
the 18th
February, arrives,
pay
invariably
ceiveddrawingsoftheseobjects. legendary,cause. Ononeoccasion,when '^ " * '
Mr. O'Leary states in addition : Be- some persons were paying rounds at this
yond those slabs, there is nothing else to in- well, a scoffer, who was passing by, railed '
terest the antiquarian ; but, it is really a at them for their superstition ;' and he ''
pity, that St. Ben's Stone is not photo- said, that he should now see what virtue
graphed, especially as the manner in which ''
there was in the well, at the same time thrusting his finger into it. It is said his finger then fell off, and hence the name of
persons act who pay rounds is not calcu-
lated to preserve such monuments. I allude
to the vile habit—I can call it nothing else— Poulaveara, or 'the well of the finger. ' which those parties have of scratching with
a sharp stone a cross, in six or seven diffe-
rent parts of this stone, and in consequence
of which the crosses enclosed in the circles
above and beneath the arms of this cross,
are almost obliterated. Luckily it is only stones, with etchings, &c. , as also all the
This well has given its name, Poulaveara, to the adjoining townland. I should have mentioned above, that (excepting the slab on which is engraved the representation of St. Ben, and which is limestone) all the
Shamrock Crozier stones, used in building the church, are the Cross that is visible, or this fine extant ordinary brown stone of the district. "
the end of the beautiful '
'
* =' relicwouldsoonbea thingofthepast. '
Thereisafinetintedlithographofthis
Surely,
it is time, that those who alone can
object
" St. Beretcheart's Tombstone, at
prevent such obliteration of national monu-
ments, stepped in and explained the usdess-
ness of such conduct. I allude to the Catho-
lic clergymen of this and the surrounding
TuUylease, County Cork," in the "Ulster
Journal of Archaeology," vol. vi. , opposite
p. 267.
in Hibernia, p. 82.
* He "In Hibernia^ S. Culani Epis- says,
Generalis Sanctorum. " s In Antiquae Lectiones. "
^
See "Trias Thaumaturga. " Quinta Appendix ad Acta S. Patricii, cap. xxiii. , p.
noise. " '^
According
to the " Annals of Ulster. "
According
"
to the " Annals of the Four —"
copi. " Catalogus
'7
Masters. " See Dr. O'Donovan's edition,
vol. i. , pp. 279 and n. (f). Also pp. 284, 285.
"^See Bishop Forbes' "Kalendars of 268.
Scottish Saints," pp. 235, and 303, 304. 'This appears in Ussher's "De Primor-
"' See Bishop Forbes' "Kalendars of diis EcclesiarumBritannicarum," cap. xvii. ,
Scottish
Saints," p. 97. p. 950.
alias Dacualeno, pp. 368, 369. ""
February i8. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS 621
there are many saints, having the name Colan or Coelon. ^ However, Cul- anus, Cuilen, or Cualen, was the same as Cuien or Dachualen, whose com- memoration occurs, at the 12th of March, in the Martyrologies of Maii- anusO'GormanandofCathaldMaguire. s Ifhebethesameperson,his descent is traced, in the Genealogy of the Saints of Ireland, by Cormac, Bishop of Cashel, from the Hy-Niall family. The father of this saint was Guaire, son to Columba, son to Crimthann, son of Eochad Binnigh, son to Eugene, son to Niall of the Nine Hostages. '^ Notwithstanding his assertion, Colgan omits any mention of a saint, bearing this name, at the 12th of March. According to the foregoing pedigree, this holy man should naturally belong to about the beginning of the seventh century. In the parish of
also called in the — of Borrisoleigh," lUeagh, county
Tipperary,
there was
— a church dedicated to a St. Coulane'^ identical with the formerly
present saint and here was long preserved singularly curiously
"
wrought bronze shrine or bell, called the
Barnane Cuilawn," which was
formerly in the possession of the Dwyer family, living at Ballinaruan, near Borrisoleigh, and afterwards it became the property of the late Thomas L.
Cooke of Birr,^3 who got it from the Dwyers. '^ It passed from Mr. Cooke "
to a public institution,'5 and it is said, that the Barnaan Cuilawn" was found many years since, in the hollow of a tree,^^ at a place named Killcui-
^ The Martyrologies of Tallagli, of Mari-
anus O'Gorman and of Cathald Maguire,
mention ^saints, bearing this name at the
loth and 30th of June, at the 25th and 29th
of July, at the i6th and 25th of September,
and at the 29th of October, See Colgan's it, and got it by way of present, from the "Acta Sanctorum Hibernise," xviii. Feb-
ruarii, n. i, p. 369. 9 See ibid,, n. 2.
family. — Dr. Tracey stated, that young Mr. Cooke most probably Mr. Thomas L.
^°
According
to the "
Sanctilogic
Genea-
and able man— the relic accomplished got
logy," chap. xii.
" The name it bears on the Ordnance
Maps is Two-mile-borris, in the barony of Eliogarty, in the North Riding. It is des- cribed on the " Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the County of Tipperary. " Sheets 41, 42, 47, 48.
"
Archbisop Butler, of Cashel
this particular time, July 22nd, 1 752. Mr. Maurice Lenihan has furnished various ex- tracts of a very interesting character from it, and he has published them in successive
from the Dwyer family, without the least trouble. Dr. Tracey did not hear that
"
" According to a " Visitation Book of the
say,
articles, under the heading,
"
Cashel of the
&c. See for the
Kings," following
notices i\iQ Limerick Reporter oi Yob. 21st, 1873.
compiled at
to explain. Then Miss Mary Dwyer Mrs. ^3 Author of the " Picture of Parsons- Dwyer's daughter—said, "I'll show it to
town. " This work has been enlarged, by his son William Antisell Cooke, of Birr, and published in 1875, under the title of "The
you. " She then took down the curiosity off the tester of a bed ; it had been covered all over with a thick dust, as if it had been but
of the Town of
Parsonstown, with the particulars of remark- whei'e
and as — it had Iain though
for months. Dr. Daniel
Early History
Birr,
or seldom
handled, it was
able events there in more recent times. Also the towns of Nenagh, Roscrea, Banagher,
Tullamore, Philipstown, Frankford, Shin- rone, Kinnetty and Ballyboy, and the ancient septs, princes, and celebrated places of the surrounding country. " By the late Thomas LalorCooke. Dublin,8vo.
^* An old and valued friend of Mr. Leni-
han, Dr. Daniel Tracey, formerly of Nenagh, who lived to be over 80 years, said, that
Tracey mentioned these particulars regard- ing it to Maurice Lenihan, on the 12th of
December, 1869.
'S Mr. Lenihan knew not whether to the
Royal Irish Academy, or lo the British
Museum. The object in question, however, isnottobefoundintheformerinstitution.
a ancient and
when he was a very young child, the family of his aunt, Mrs. Dwyer of Ballinaruan, had possession of the " Barnane Cuilawn " for many years, and that one of the sons of Mr.
Richard Cooke, of Borrisoleigh, applied for
Cooke, a great lover of antiquities, and an
people were cured of illness, by the
naan Cuilawn," but he did hear, that people swore on it ; and the children when threat- ening each other at Mrs. Dwyer's used to
"
I'll tell the Barnaan Cuilawn of you," or words to that effect. Dr. Tracey stated, that a sister of his, named Mrs. Duff, at one time threatened the Barnaan Cuilawn, on Mrs. Dwyer's son, Joseph, who appeared greatly frightened in consequence. Mrs. Duff did not, at the time, really know what the Barnaan Cuilawn was, or what the
words and she Mrs. — meant, requested Dwyer
'^ See Lewis' "
of Ireland," vol. i. , p. 654.
Topographical Dictionary
Bar-
622 LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [Februaryi8.
lawn,*7 situate in the mountains, and about two miles distant from Borriso-
leigh, in the parish of Glankeen/^ and county of Tipperary. This curious , "
reUc, of a remote age, is Hkewise called in the Irish language Obair na naoim ;" —that is " the Saint's work. " In shape, it resembles a mitre, and internally it is made of wrought iron ; the internal part, now nearly eaten away by rust, appears to have been originally about three-tenths of an inch thick, having in its summit two round holes, about three-tenths of an inch in diameter, which do not seem to have been ever intended for receiving any kind of screws or rivets. ^9 It is about eleven inches and a half high, and the bottom—in the shape of a parallelogram—is about eight inches long, by four inches broad, whence its length and breadth gradually diminish, it being at the top only six inches and a half long, and about two inches broad. Around the bottom is a kind of bronze'° frame or base, about one-eighth of an inch thick and two inches in height, having at each corner a round bronze pedestal, about three inches high, and half-an-inch thick. These pillars ex- tend about three-eighths of an inch lower than the bronze frame, so as to form a kind of feet. In the bronze frame or base, on the front side of the Barnaan Cuilawn, is a small semicircular opening, about one inch in dia- meter, and somewhat resembling the aperture of a beehive, through which the bees pass in and out. The iron or internal part of the Barnaan Cuilawn appears to have been originally all covered with bronze highly ornamented. There is bronze still adhering to parts of the iron, and which has the appear- ance of having been united to it, by the effects of fire. The top, which is the most curious part now extant, is of cast metal Hke bronze, of a whitish yellow colour, and of exquisite workmanship. It has several apertures and it is beau- tifully ornamented in runic knots, with gold, silver, copper, and some dark bluish granular metal, which Mr. T. L. Cooke at first took to resemble cobalt, having on each of its —sides four representations of an eye, and on the
See Ordnance Survey Townland Maps lor
of which the Barnaan Cuilawn
the County of Tipperary. 33, 34, 40.
"
Sheets 27, 28,
the interior
is composed. The object itself resembles the cover for an ancient Irish bell.
'3 This description, as furnished by Mr.
Lenihan, is taken from a note book of Mr.
T. L. Cooke, who contributed these facts to
the Royal Irish Academy, in 1822. See
"
Description of the Barnaan Cuilawn, and some conjectures upon the original use thereof ; together with an account of the superstitious purposes to which it was latterly appUed. Also a des-
cription of the remains of an ancient Mill, which were recently discovered near the ruins of Glankeen Church, in the County of Tipperary. " ^y Thomas Lalor Cooke,
Esq. Read January 7, 1822, pp. 31 to 46.
Transactions of the Royal Irish Academy,"
'*
vol. xvii. Antiquities.
*^
Mr. T. L. Cooke, in his note book,
heads muchliket—
endstwobald
thewallsofancientmonasteriesinIreland andtwootherrepresentationsof eyes. In the top are laid three pieces of yellow stone or composition, intersected by other narrow red stones, both in appearance like jasper. ^^ The opinion of Mr. Cooke, that the Barnaan Cuilawn was the top of an ecclesiastical censer is quite incorrect, and could only occur to one, who had not a thorough know-
antique
*7 This denomination does not now appear on the Ordnance Survey Maps.
called the bronze by the name of brass ; but, there is a vast difference between bronze and brass ; an—d Mr. T. L. Cooke wrongly named
with the of the iron in the metal — exception
=' It is right to remark, that both parts of those inlayings, which appeared to be cobalt, are not in reality of that metal. Cobalt is said not to have been discovered, until about the year 1733, although the beautiful colour in some ancient stained windows and orien- tal porcelain would seem to argue, that this metal was longer known. The late General Valiancy in the "Collectanea de Rebus Hibernicis," treating of the Laith Meisicith
'* It is
probable that they kindled their pretended sacred fires from cobalt ground with oil, which after lying an hour in an—unctious
^^
This large parish is in the barony of
Upper Kilnamanagh, in the North Ridhig. "
hose of stone which are met with in
of the ancient Irish Druids says—
state burst into an amazing flame. " Ko. 13.
vol.
iv. ,
February i8. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 623
ledgeofecclesiasticalantiquities. ThebackandsidesoftheCuilawnarestill covered with thin bronze plates, on the former of which is visible the outlines of a cross. This cross, in shape and outline, is said to be similar to that on the tomb of O'Toole in Glendalough. Several credible and respectable in- habitants of the parish in which it was found affirmed, that since 1782, there was a cross on the front side of the Barnaan Cuilawn, enriched with various coloured precious stones. But, although much pains have been taken to procure this cross, rewards and inquiries have hitherto proved ineffectual. '* It has been asserted,^^ that these bronze articles are of a very remote anti-
"
quity, and were the work of the
Cuthites. " But, we may well consider thi-s
opinion as one going far into the dreaminess of mere speculation. It is
likely, St. Culan had his habitation, not far removed from Borrisoleigh, and
Killcuilawn derived its name from a church he had there founded. ''^ His
period is not well known, for, the accuracy of that information, furnished to
the compilers of a modern topographical work,=^5 hardly falls within the range
of probability. It is more likely he belonged to the seventh century. At
Glankeen, it is said, an abbey had been founded, so early as the time of St.
Patrick. ^^ In a Life of St. Cormach,='7 it is stated, that he was descended
fromOilumOlum. Itrelates,thathehadfivebrothers,bythesamefather,
and that Culanus was one of these. Again, it is asserted, that this St. Culan
built a church in a valley of the region, known as Hi Luigdlicach,''^ where he
remained among his kindred and acquaintances. His pedigree is thus
traced ; he was the son of Eugene, son to Murchad, son of Muredac, son to
Diermit, son of Eugene, son to Alild Flanbeg, son of Fianch Muillethain,
son to Eugene the Great, son of Ailild Olum. ^9 His church was called
*'
Glean-chaoin, the beautiful glen," and it lies at the foot of Knockanura
mountain, and at the bounds of Killaloe See. In reality, two buildings raised at different periods present themselves in the ruins of Glean-choin or Gleankeen Church. There was an old building formerly at Killcuilawn ; but, towards the close of the last century, its stones were removed for the
=^ The cross —of has been lost just spoken
=^s in
were discovered near Kilcuilawn Church, See ibid. A copper engraving of the " Bar-
in the following manner
of the Rev. Mr. McEneiry, Roman Catholic Vicar of the parish of Glenkeen, the Bar- naan Cuilawn fell into the hands of his sue- cessor, the Rev. Michael Bohun, a man of
:
After the death
mains, which are represented on the same great learning, but who had not much taste plate.
^^ ** ior the antiquities of his country. Upon the See
Rev. Mr. Bohun having newly come to the parish, the Barnaan Cuilawn was, in the
Monastic6n Hibernicum," p. 46. Archdall places it in the county of Clare-
hurry of removing, unfortunately thrown holy man is venerated, at the 26th of
along with some articles of furniture into an open stable. While it remained there, some
induced a wish of
persons, by possessing
of so revered a or more
part relic, probably
March.
^^ This district is said to have been so
urged by a spirit of avarice, took away the crossabove-mentioned.
it originally belonged and annexed it to
Munster. ThistractwasalsocalledGrabh 23 By Mr. Marcus Keane, M. R. I. A. , Fhearon Lugheadh. The district is other- J. P. , &c. , &c. , author of the "Ancient wise called lleagh. It was formerly a sepa- rate barony, and shown as such in the Down Survey ; but, at present, it is included in the barony of Eliogarty, county of Tipperiry.
See "The Topographical Poems of John O'DubhagainandGioUanaNaomhO'Huidh- rin. " Edited by John O'Donovan, LL. D. ,
Shrines and Temples of Ireland," in a con- versation with Mr. Maurice Lenihan. He furthermore stated, that the iron work in the interior was, in his opinion, made in more recent times, and that it bears no possible semblance to the wonderfully beautiful work in the bronze, &c. , &c.
^^ to Lewis, in the tenth cen- According
p. Ixxxvi. , n. 781.
=9 See ** Acta Sanctorum Hiber- Colgan's
"
tury. See Topographica Dictionary of nios," xxvi. Martii. Vita S. Cormaci, cap.
Ireland," vol. i. , p. 654. i. , p. 751, and n. 2, p. 755.
1821,
the remains of an ancient mill
"
paper, together with some of the old mill re-
naan Cuilawn
accompanies Mr. Cooke's
="7 Found in the
'*
LeabharLecain. " This
calledfrom
it from the
Menn,who— Luighuidh conquered
of — to which province Connaught
624 LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [Februaryt8.
purpose of building a house. The Church of Culan was benefited by the piety and generosity of his relatives, and these considered themselves as more than recompensed by the saint's prayers for their welfare. 3° What particular reason there was for supposing, that Irish Apostolic men brought the relics of St, Culan to Germany, or even a veneration for him, Godefrid Henschenn has
not explained. 3'' From what we have already seen, his relics appear always tohaveremainedinIreland; andprobably,hebelongedtothatpartofit,
""
where the Barnane Cuilawn had been so long preserved.
ArticleIII. —St. Nem,BishopofDrumBerthach. Thisholyman
is entered in the " of Martyrology
Tallagh,"'
Bertach. ^ By some writers, this saint has been confounded with a St. Beret-
chert, Berichter or Berechtuine, of Tullylease, county of Cork—thought to be locally called St. Ben or St. Benjamin. 3 This identification, however, admits of very great doubt. The Martyrology of Donegal'^ records on this day Nem, Bishop of Drum Berthach. s It seems difficult to identify this
place, but, very possibly, it may be in or near Tullylease. We may ask, too, if the St. Nem of our Calendars could have been corrupted into the local
pronunciation of Ben. This seems, at least, possible. Colgan thinks, the present saint may have been St. Patrick's disciple,^ who was set over Tullach rise, in the diocese of Connor. It is said to have been one of the churches St. Patrick erected in Dalaradia. 7 Under the head of Druim-bertach, Duald Mac Firbis records, Nemh, Bishop of Druim Bertach, at February the i8th. ^ By William M. Hennessy, this place is identified with Burt,9 in the barony of Inishown West, county of Donegal. Now, the ruined church of Tullilease parish, partly in Duhallow barony, partly in that of Ossory and Kilmore, East Riding of the county of Cork,^° is said to have been built in the time of St. Patrick ; and, as local tradition has it, in the following manfTer. " When the was in this —he met with much
from a pagan chie
—f of the district. This chief whose name has not survived
the lapse of years said he would believe in Patrick's teaching, if the saint, or any of his attendant monks, went into a house, which was then to be set onfire; andshoulditsoccupantcomeforthunscathed,thechiefwouldthen
great Apostle travelling locality, opposition
3° See " of the Irish Proceedings Royal
Academy," vol. xiv. , pp. 40, 41, and note. 3' See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , xviii. Februarii. De S. CulanoEpiscopo in
Hibernia, num. 2, p. 82.
Article hi. —' Edited by Rev. Dr.
7 See "Trias " Colgan's Thaumaturga.
Septima Vita S. Patricii, lib. ii. ,cap. cxxx. , p. 146, nn. 199, 200, p. 182.
^ See "Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy," Irish MSS. Series, vol. i. , part i, pp. 108, 109, and note.
9 This parish is shown on the " Ordnance
shown on Sheets 38, 47.
'° Its bounds are described on the " Ord-
nance Survey Townland Maps for the •Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. County of Cork. " Sheets 5, 6, 15. The
52, S3' townland proper is on Sheet 6.
5 In a note Dr. Todd says, at Drum-ber- " For this, and much of the following thach. " The later hand notes here, Aca information, with several accompanying
Kelly, p. xvi.
=" Then follow these
per an, xl. mu. ''
"feriasem-
Townland for the Maps
3 See a very interesting paper, intituled, "St. Beretcheart of Tullylease," by W,
Reeves, D. D,, inserted with a lithograph of the saint's tomb, in "The Ulster Journal of
Archasology," vol. vi. , pp. 267 to 275.
words,
of Donegal. " Sheets 38, 39, 46, 47. Burt Level, with its intake, contains 1,430 acres, as given in the Tenement Valuation. It is
*
tD^om beptA Iahh le CeAn-Annuj' :
with a St. Nem, venerated at the 3rd "of letters, one dated the 26th of December, May. 1874, and the other, 17th April, 1875.
There is a Drom-bertha alongside of Ceanannus,
sketches, the writer feels greatly indebted to a local resident. These notices were com- municated by Denis A. O'Leary, Kilbolane
[Kells]. '"
^This conjecture he divides, however, Cottage, Charleville, Co. Cork, in two
Survey
County
as of Droma Nem, Bishop
February i8. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 625
believe in the power of the Christians' God. Thereupon, it is said, that St. Patrick asked Benjamin,"—or as he is called in Irish Berechert—would he go into the burning house. To this proposal, the saint willingly assented. The pagan chief then compelled one of his own priests to accompany Ben- jamin,and,tomakematterssure,hegotthemtoexchangegarments. This being done, the door was closed up, and the house was then set on fire, and left burning for some time. When it had been considered, that a sufficient time elapsed, to allow the fire to consume everything, an entrance was made, and then it became evident, that the hand of the Almighty was still stretched forth, in defence of his ministers : for there, bathed in sweat and in profound sleep was the young saint, Berechert, while his companion was burned to a cinder. The chief was immediately baptized, and he continued ever after a good Christian. Saint Benjamin then built this church, and ever since he is regarded as the special patron saint of Tullilease parish. His festival is held on the 1 8th of February, which was honoured there, as a strict holiday, and which was kept with great veneration -p but, in latter years, it is only re- garded as a day of devotion. ^'^ Close by St. Ben's Well are the mere founda- tions of a house^s—28 feet long by 32 feet—said to be that, in which the saint was shut up, when it was set on fire, by order of the pagan chief of that district. Farmersareknowntocomeoverfourmilestogetastoneou—tof this, when building new houses. This stone was set in the foundation as
coinsandnewspapersarenow-a-daysplaced. Holywater,orwaterfromSt. Ben's Well—generally the latter—being sprinkled over it, the wall was then commenced, with a firm belief that the house built could never be burned. The church, which runs from east to west, was about 90 feet in length, and 27 feet in breadth. There is now standing only a small portion of the northernsidewall; theeasterngable,stillquiteperfect,waslightedbyone narrow double lancet-window. The southern side wall is still perfect, and in this there is a peculiar circular-headed window, 40 inches long, by 7 inches broad. The doorway, with fluted stone jambs, is also arched, and nowbuiltupwithmasonry. Withinthechurch,andunderneaththedouble lancet-window, stands a slab, known as " St. Ben's Stone. "'^ Underneath the small arched window, in the southern wall, and on the right hand, as you stand within the walls, looking to the east, there is a closet, the sides and back of which, being composed of single slabs, are worthy of a passing word. On the right hand side, there is one slab, having a peculiar shaped cross ; on the left hand, there is another slab, with a drawing like the stem of a chalice,
and like the " St. Ben's is made
up
of
which, large slab,
*^ The Rev. William Reeves considers this local Benjamin to have been confounded with St. Eenen or Bineus one of St. Patrick's disciples, and regarding whom, a nearly similar story is told, in" Liber Ardmachanse," folio 5 ba. Also see Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Septima Vita S. Patricii, lib. i. , cap. 65, p. 127.
'3 Even after the beginning of this cen-
tury.
'^ In an anonymous communication signed
" A Subscriber," I am informed, —that the
Stone,"
beautifully
name and feast of St. Berre—
name is locally pronounced is held in
special veneration by the O'Mahonys of
Kerry, especially those of Castlequin and CuUina. The same letter informs me, that St. Berrehurth was invoked against fire, and tradition has it, that he was an O'Mahony,
wona visible is the slab on which is engraved a sort of Shamrock Crozier Cross. Mr. O'Leary has furnished the writer with a correct drawing of this object, and it seems to be a very
graceful design.
Vol. IL
2 s
hurth as his
by
in for thanksgiving
having barely
and brother to St. Gobinett, a more cele- brated saint, as the numerous churches dedi- cated to her patronage testify, in the counties of Cork and Kerry. Her Life is already given at the i ith of February,
'S It is called Cloc ah t)e^ece|\c, or ""
*^
Next to it, there is a very grotesque re- presentation of the saint, in swallow-tailed coat, curled locks, with the hands joined in front, in the attitude of prayer. Mr. O'Leary heard it was placed here some 60 years ago,
Berecert's stone house.
a man, lawsuit. Next,
with the end
626 LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [Februaryi8.
interlaced work. ^7 There was a similar stone, with this peculiar-shaped
cross, which stone is considered to have been used as a doorway to the
closet, supposing it was used like our modern tabernacles or sanctuaries, as
a receptacle for the sacred vessels. This is at the foot of a priest's grave, in
the graveyard attached to this church. Doubtless the relatives of a clergy-
man there interred considered it an indifferent matter to remove this slab,
and to place it in its present position. The closet is 14 inches high, by 28
inches long. Mr. O'Leary, however, did not measure its depth, into the
wall. ^^ We are that " Saint Ben's Well " at the western
informed, flows, side of the county road, leading to Dromcolloher,^9 while
"
These wells are especially celebrated for curing sore eyes, ophthalmia, and
Our Lady's Well " ^° is on the eastern side. Mr. O'Leary has heard of many miracles, which were wrought at those wells, and which he believes to be authentic.
various other diseases. All who come to the
""
— on Saint Ben's
Day," go
pay
is, say
and
" rounds " that
"
Well," one at " Our Lady's Well," and one within the abbey church, opposite
a large brown slab placed standing upright. ^^ On this is engraved a peculiar
cross, having the arms and base filled with the most delicate interlaces,
spiral pattern, and also having an inscription, said to have been engraved by Saint Benjamin himself. The upper left hand corner is broken off, and on the opposite right hand corner are peculiar characters. "^^ When St. Ben's
blessed wells, a small portion of the brown stone of this district, which is believed to be a sure preventive against fire, in whatever house it is kept. ''^
'7 From Mr, O'Leary, the writer has re- nounced Poiilaveara—from the following,
those who come to
carry home with them, besides some of the water from one or both of the
Day,
the 18th
February, arrives,
pay
invariably
ceiveddrawingsoftheseobjects. legendary,cause. Ononeoccasion,when '^ " * '
Mr. O'Leary states in addition : Be- some persons were paying rounds at this
yond those slabs, there is nothing else to in- well, a scoffer, who was passing by, railed '
terest the antiquarian ; but, it is really a at them for their superstition ;' and he ''
pity, that St. Ben's Stone is not photo- said, that he should now see what virtue
graphed, especially as the manner in which ''
there was in the well, at the same time thrusting his finger into it. It is said his finger then fell off, and hence the name of
persons act who pay rounds is not calcu-
lated to preserve such monuments. I allude
to the vile habit—I can call it nothing else— Poulaveara, or 'the well of the finger. ' which those parties have of scratching with
a sharp stone a cross, in six or seven diffe-
rent parts of this stone, and in consequence
of which the crosses enclosed in the circles
above and beneath the arms of this cross,
are almost obliterated. Luckily it is only stones, with etchings, &c. , as also all the
This well has given its name, Poulaveara, to the adjoining townland. I should have mentioned above, that (excepting the slab on which is engraved the representation of St. Ben, and which is limestone) all the
Shamrock Crozier stones, used in building the church, are the Cross that is visible, or this fine extant ordinary brown stone of the district. "
the end of the beautiful '
'
* =' relicwouldsoonbea thingofthepast. '
Thereisafinetintedlithographofthis
Surely,
it is time, that those who alone can
object
" St. Beretcheart's Tombstone, at
prevent such obliteration of national monu-
ments, stepped in and explained the usdess-
ness of such conduct. I allude to the Catho-
lic clergymen of this and the surrounding
TuUylease, County Cork," in the "Ulster
Journal of Archaeology," vol. vi. , opposite
p. 267.
