No More Learning

6 in the of parish
for the County of Tyrone," Sheets 39, 47.
j5© LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [September9.
leaving their kindred and country, set out with the daughter of a British ruler to visit Ireland and St. Patricks and they may be identified with the daughters of Enoch, a name not unfamiliar to the Irish. * Before the Roman conquest, the country, now known as Lombardy, had been occupied by a powerful colony of Gauls, who, settling along the banks of the Po, from Pied- mont to Romagna, carried their arms and diffused their name from the Alps to the. Apennines. 5 When conquered by the Romans, it was called Gallia Cisal- pina ; and Christianity was early established in its cities and towns. 6 Where- fore, we can detect no historic inaccuracy in supposing that as Christians, the nine daughters of a Lombard prince may have resolved on emigrating to Ireland. However, Jocelyn does not mention the country or rank of those so-called Lombardic princesses ; for, he only calls them nine holy maidens. ?
duringthefifthandsucceedingcenturies, mighthavedrivenmanyChristians to leave that country and seek religious peace and security as exiles in far distant lands. The Lombardic princesses are said to have journeyed to a place, called Ferta minor,? whence they sent a notice of their arrival to St. Patrick. He received them very graciously, and assigned different places for their residence. They are classed, moreover, among the holy women
Still, it may be urged, that the disorders, which reigned in Northern Italy 8
veiled St. Patrick. 10 These by
served God most in religiously
holy virgins
the various places assigned for their residence to the latest day of their lives. There were preserved the relics of those holy virgins, to the time when the author of the Fourth Life of St. Patrick wrote, and God wrought many miracles through their intercession. " In another form and in a later Calendar, this Saint has been differently entered. The Martyrology of Donegal," at the same date, records the Daughter of Enach, whom, as we
are subsequently told, the Martyrologies appear to commemorate on this 1
day, under the name of Osmanna. ^
Article IX. —St. Teiccess or Tecce, Tega or Tegan, said to have
been of Kiltegan, County of Wicklow. [Possibly Fifth and Sixth
Century. ] Teicess is an entry found in the published Martyrology of
particular
3 See his Life, in the Third Volume of this work, at March 17th, Art. i.
4 See " Trias Thaumaturga," Quarta Vita S. Patricii, cap. Ixxxviii. , p. 46, and
Tallagh,
date. 2 In the Book of Leinster it is inserted Copy,
1 at this
in small letters,3 between the name of St. Darerca, immediately preceding, and that of Conali Mac Oengusa, immediately following. Most probably,
nn. 69, 70, 71, p. 50.
Christianity," vol. i. , book ii. , chap, iv. , pp. 273 to 275.
9 In the Tripartite Life, it is said they came to Coll-naningean, where three of the company remained, while the rest went to
Druim Fennedha. See " Colgan's Trias
s Edward Gibbon's u See
of the
History
Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire," Thaumaturga," Septima Vita S. Patricii,
vol. i. , chap, i. , p. 157. Dr. William lib. iii. , cap. lxxiii. , p. 163.
Smith's edition.
6
Towards the middle of the fifth century, Attila over-ran that district : b—ut, later still,
I0
See ibid. Quinta Appendix ad Acta S. Patricii, cap. xxiii. , p. 270.
"
See ibid. Quarta Vita S. Patricii, cap. Ixxxviii. , p. 46.
" Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 242, 243.
'3Seeibid. , —
pp. 430, 431.
in the next age, the Lombards region,
the name of Lombardy. See Muratori's
German or Scandinavian origin—under their
king Alboin effected the conquest of all the
"
Annali d'ltalia," tome v. , pp. 164 to 180.
7 See "Trias Colgan's
Kelly, D. D. , p. xxxiii.
Conali mac an /Engusa i.
i. e. , m Ceicer\
whichfromthemafterwardsretained
Thaumaturga," Sexta Vita S. Patricii, cap. clxv. , p. 101.
2 Thus Teicess.
• See Dean Milman's " History of Latin
placed, 3 In this form :
a
people of
Article ix.
'
Edited by the Rev. Mr.
September 9. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 251
however, this is the Tecan or Tegan,* alluded to by Miss M. F. Cusack,5 as having been a distinguished disciple of St. Fiacc o—f Sleibte or Sletty, near
—
quicks, and some young trees, rising at intervals around the fence. This is circularlyshaped,atoneside,andobtusely-angularatanother; thecemetery
Carlow, and whose feast
with the present date. If so, he may have lived at Domnach-Fiac, and he must have flourished, towards the close of the fifth or beginning of the sixth century. There is a small village, known as Kiltegan, a few miles south-east from Baltinglass, within the parish so named, barony of Talbotstown, and County of Wicklow. Near it is a lonely grave-yard, still much used for interments, and crowded with graves. It has been lately enclosed, and in a tasteful manner, with a high ditch, thickly set with flourishing hawthorn
near the
Marianus M'Guire and O'Gorman,
John
being
pastures ;
village.
According
if he be in the Calendars
to
appears correspond
Kiltegan Grave Yard, County of Wicklow.
6
isolated amid
McCall,7 here St. Tagan or Tecca, the third named in order of St. Fiac's disciples, at Minbeag, founded a little church in the fifth century, and his festivalwasformerlyobserved,inthisplace,onthe9thofSeptember. The surrounding country is fertile and picturesque, while a screen of elevated hills encircles the site, in a south-westerly direction. In the Martyrologies of
Donegal,
Tegan occurs, as having been venerated on the 9th of September.
ArticleX-St. Conall,Sonof^Engus. Venerationwasgiven,atthe
of as weread in the 9th September,
of 1 to Conall Mac Martyrology Tallagh,
4 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga. "
Septima Vita S. Patricii, lib. iii. , cap. Grey.
xxii. , p. 153, and n. 39, p. 185.
s See "Life of St. Patrick, Apostle of
Ireland," chap, ii. , p. 47.
6 The accompanying sketch was taken by
the author, August 23rd, 1882. It has been
? In a communication made to the writer. 8 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
to Mr.
8 the name of or Tecce, Tega
drawn on the wood and engraved by Gregor
242, 243. — Article x.
p. xxxiii.
Edited
by
Rev. Dr.
Kelly,
252 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [September 9.
^Engusa, i. e. an Teiccess. In that entry found in the Book of Leinster Copy, Conall Mac Oengusa follows the entry of i. e. in Teices, and seems to have no particular connexion with it. A conjecture has been offered by Colgan, as
to whether this 2 who was a Saint,
poet
or an
antiquary, might
be
identified
with St. Onchu or Onchuo, venerated at the 8th of February 3
j yet,
this position does not seem to be probable. The Bollandists have a notice of him at this day,* and allude to Colgan's doubt, as to whether he might not
be identified with Onchuo, whose feast occurs at the 8th of February. The writer adds, he shares the doubt, nor . does he know that either of the persons alluded to should have a festival assigned. There was, also, another saint having the like name, viz. Onchuo, son to Blathmac, who is venerated, at the church of Killonchon, in Corcomroe territory, on the 9th and 14th of
July, according to St. ^Engus, Marianus O'Gorman, and the Martyrology of
At this same in the of Conall, Son Aengus.
6
Tallagh. s date, Martyrology Donegal, appears,
Article XI. —St. Ferdacrich or Fer-da-chrioch. The simple record, 1
Ferdacrich, is found in the Martyrology of Tallagh, at the 9th of September. At this same date, he is entered, likewise, in the Martyrology of Donegal. 3
ArticleXII. —St. Fialan,Fertach. Itisimpossiblenottosympathize
with those, who are unable to carry their recollections far back into the dim 1
past; for, especially, in a religious point of view, much lost biography
should tend, not alone to gratify intellectual curiosity, but to edify the pious 2
soul. According to the Martyrology of Donegal, veneration was given to Fialan, Fertach, at the 9th of September. The latter epithet admits as a
"
are unable to report concerning him.
meaning, in English, either
the Virtuous," or the Miraculous. 3 But more, we
Article XIII. —Reputed Festival of St, Babolen, Abbot of Fossey. At the 26th of June, his chief festival, we have already treated about this
1
holy Abbot.
noticed by the Bollandists.
2
By Camerarius, he has been given a festival at this date, as 2
According to Colgan, he is thus entered
elaborate and elegantly illustrated volume,
" The Ancient Stone Implements, Weapons and Ornaments, of Great Britain," chap, xxv. , p. 622.
2 Edited by Drs, Todd and Reeves, pp.
in the Martyrology of Tallagh, at this date M Conallus filius Aengussii nempe va^es sive antiquarius. "
3 See his Life ay given at this date, in the Second Volume of this work, Art. i.
" tembris ix.
242, 243.
3 A note Rev. Dr. at this word
4
See
Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , Sep- Among the pretermitted Saints,
by Fertach, states :
Reeves,
"That is, 'Virtuous, and
p. 326.
5 See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Iliber-
" Miraculous. ' —
nise," Februarii viii. , n. 2, p. 277.
Drs. Todd and Reeves,
pp.
—
p. xxxiii.
Also in that copy contained in
the Book of Leinster we have |? er* x>& cjuch.
' See " Acta
Septembris ix. Saints, p. 326.
ARTICLE XIV. Kelly, p. xxxiii.
6 Edited
tomus Among the pretermitted
by 242, 243.
Sanctorum,"
Hi. ,
Article xi.
'
Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly,
2 Edited
Drs. Todd and
2 In the Book of Leinster
by copy
we find
by 242, 243.
Reeves, pp.
Article xii. — See the concluding re- marks of John Evans, F. R. S. F. S. A. , in his
Sanccae Oapepcae.
3 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
242, 243.
:
Article XIII.
of this work, and at Art. ii.
—
'
Edited
Rev. Dr.
'
See the Sixth Volume
sup-
September 10. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 253 Article XIV. —St. Darerca. —The Martyrology of Tallagh,' mentions,
that S. Darerca was venerated, at the
2 The
of of Donegal has her feast, at this same day.
him, and by Castellan, at the 9th of September. about St. Boisil, at the 23rd February. *
1
Already have we treated
9th
September.
Martyrology
Article XV. —St. Diomman,—The simple entry, Diomman, without
further is met with in the designation,
1 at the
of
ofSeptember. NocorrespondingnoticeisfoundinthepublishedMartyr-
ology of Tallagh.
Article XVI. —St. Cainchomrach, Abbot of Iona. {Tenth Century. } Cainchomrach, Abbot of Iona, is said to have been venerated at the 9th of
He seems to have exercised that office, while
Coarb of Columkille and Adamnan, presided over Iona and Raphoe. 2 He is also called Caenchomhrae, by the O'Clerys, who state that he died a. d. 945. 3
Article XVII. —St. Boisil, Prior of Melrose, Scotland. —A festival of St. Boisil, who is called Basilius, by Hugh Menard, has been placed by
September.
Robhartach,
1
Centb JBap of September.
ARTICLE I. —ST. FINIAN, FINNIA, FINNEN, FINNBARR, OR FINNIAN, BISHOP OF MOVILLE, COUNTY OF DOWN.
[SIXTH CENTURY. ]
CHAPTER I .
INTRODUCTION—WRITERS ON ST. FINIAN's ACTS—HIS FAMILY DESCENT—EARLY INSTRUCTORS—SAID TO HAVE BEEN IN SCOTLAND, AND A DISCIPLE OF NENNIO OR NENNIUS—RECORDED VISIT TO ROME, WHERE HE HAD BEEN ORDAINED—RETURN TO IRELAND.
this illustrious saint deserves to be admired and loved, is clear
from a comparison made, that in. manners and life he was like unto THAT 1
8
This, indeed, is conferring on him a very great encomium. That he was greatly reverenced, in the early Irish Church, is
Article xv. —* Edited by Drs. Todd iii. , Septembris ix. Among the preter-
James the Apostle.
and Reeves, pp. 242, 243. Article xvl—1 See
mitted Saints, p. 325.
2 See the Second Volume of this at work,
that date, Art. x. —
" Trias Thaumaturga," Quinta Appendix ad Acta
S. Columbse, iii. , sect, v. , cap.
Article Chapter ' This is to be found in the folios of an ancient vellum book —known as the Book of Leinster—and now preserved in the Franciscan Library, Dublin. Among these, also, the Martyrology of St.
p. 501.
See Dr. Reeves' Adamnan's "Life of St. Columba. " Additional notes, O,
p. 393.
3 See Dr. O'Donovan's edition, vol. ii. ,
pp. 656, 657. Article xvii.
Bollandists. See
i. , i.
2
Colgan's
Martyrology
Donegal,
9th
— Maelruain of Tallagh is included. 'z
"
This is noticed by . the See "The Martyrology of Donegal," Acta Sanctorum," tomus edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 44, 45.
*54 LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [Septemberio.
proved, not only from the regard in which he was held by exalted contem- poraries ; but, also, from the fact, of not less than four distinct festivals
having been noted, by our hagiologists, to revere his memory, viz. , the nth of Februarys the i8th of March/ the ioth of September, and the 18th of November. Hisname,however,takesdifferentforms,andhence,too,itis probable, some mistakes have been admitted, in this order of festivals ; or rather, as we may assume, because two saints, whose names closely correspond, may have been confounded in the accounts of different writers. * Thus, with the present Bishop of Moville, St. Fridian or Frigidian, Bishop of Lucca, has
6
been considered identical.
both were distinct persons ;? and while the present date is the chief festival for St. Finian, Abbot of Magh Bile or Moville; the 18th of November is that for the feast of St. Fridian or Frigidian, Bishop of Lucca. It is no diffi- cult matter to understand, how the medieval writers may have erred, in seeking materials for the acts of St. Fridian, and by assuming they were in part to be found in those Irish traditions, which had reference to the present St. Finian. However, it must be allowed, that his acts have been greatly confused, and in some respects they seem conflicting and contradictory.
There is a Latin Vita S. Finiani, among the Burgundian Library Manu-
8
scripts, Bruxelles ;
but, from Mr. S. Bindon's brief description, it is not
3 See at that date, in the Second Volume of this work, Art. xvi.
4 See Art. viii. in the Third Volume of this work, at that date.
s Colgan accounts for the nominal changes,
by stating, that where Irish writers have a
double nn, in place of the letter n, they are
used to substitute d: hence for Finn and
Finnian, they write Find and Findian.
Wherefore, the Italians, by transposing the
letters n and i, have converted n into r,
so that for Findianus we find Fridianus,
and by a further corruption, they have con-
verted Fridianus into Frigdianus and
Frigidianus. This supposition, however, is
too fanciful to be readily accepted.
Finnian and Findbarr are names indiscrimi-
nately applied to the Bishop of Maghbile ; Fourthly, Fridian and Finnian are said to
have had the same master, Mugentius, as Maguire and the Commentator on yEngus state. Fifthly, both are stated to have ruled over the monastery of Maghbile or Macbil. Sixthly, because, some circumstanc«s related in their acts apply to one and the other.
7 At present, it is only necessary to state, that while Fridian or Frigidian was buried at Lucca, Finnnian of Maghbile is said to have been interred in Damh-inis.
8
9 In the Leab—har Breac copy is the fol-
6
Such seems to have been the opinion of
Colgan, in " Acta Sanctorum Hibemiae. "
Vita S. Fridiani Episcopi, Appendix, cap. i. f
p. 642. Thefollowingarehisinconclusive reasons : first, because, Fridian is said to have been of royal Ultonian origin, in his Acts, and by Franciotti, Ghinius and Per- notti, with other writers treating about him ; while a similar origin is assigned for the present Finnian by Capgrave, the Sanctilo- gium Genealogicum, cap. 9, by Selbach, by the Psalter of Cashel, and by others. Secondly, because Fridianus and Finnian flourished about the middle of the sixth century, in the time of Pope Pelagius 1. Thirdly, because Fridianus has been called
the Irish writers Finnian and
as also by Franciotti in his Life ; while
by
Findbarr,
However, to us it seems well established, that
possible to determine which of the Finians is there meant, as many so called
""
are in our Irish Calendars. In the Feilire of St. ^Engus,9 at the ioth of
September, this saint is commemorated with a high eulogy. The scholiast has added two explanatory comments. 10 The Life of this holy man is to be
In vol. xxii. , at fol. 83.
lowing stanza
Clii •oengoin conglAme ConiAchc cA^faI fit>e Suitnan&j\iummatl pnt)bApr» muigebile.
Thus rendered into English by Whitley Stokes, LL. D. : "A body of red gold with purity ; over a sea came he : a sage for whom Irelan—d is (was) sad : Findbarr of
of the
Magh Bile. " "Transactions Royal
Irish Academy," Irish Manuscript Series, vol. i. On the Calendar of Oengus, p. cxxxvii.
10 One of these, at the word congL&ine,
has in Irish and Latin what is thus rendered
into " with i. e. , with the English, purity,
Gospel which is the new law ; for it is he
:
September io. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 255
p. cxliv.
in
u Novo
Legenda Angliae,"
11 and it is 12
from some
copied
1
who succeeded St. Aidan, * Bishop of Lindisfarne, on the death of the latter
in 651. Archbishop Ussher gives us some account of this St. Finnio, Find- barrus, or Vinnianus. 15 Colgan intended his Acts for publication, at the 10th
found,
acts written by John of Teignmouth. John Bale, Protestant Bishop of Ossory, includes this saint in his work, but confounds him with St. Finan'3
Capgrave's
16 and also at the 18th of November. ^ The of Breviary
of
Aberdeen has Lessons recording this holy man. '
of the British Churches, 1 ? he treats about our St. Finian. The Bollandists, 20 who notice the festival of St. Finanus, Bishop and Confessor, at the 10th of September, think it not improbable, that he is the same person as Finbarr,
September,
mentioned by some as having been venerated on this day.
" 22 account of St. Finian, or Winnin, in Bishop Challenor's Brittania Sancta. "
The Rev. Alban Butler has some notices of him,a3 as likewise the Rev. Dr. Lanigan,24 and mention likewise in the Petits Bollandistes. 2s
The Welch writers call him St. Winnin. 26 Thus, the word Fin of the Irish is changed by the Cambro-Britons into Win and Gwin. 2 ? Under this form of the name Bishop Forbes also treats of St. 'Finen. 28 The birth of this great man, and his future sanctity, are said to have been revealed to St. Patrick, a
long time before his birth.
He sprung from a most noble parentage. His
2 9 and his mother's Lassara. accounts, he was the son of Ultach, King of Ulster. 3°
father's name was
to some His parents seem to have been Christians. Probably, they received the faith, when St.