However, on this sub- ject, the
accounts
were conflicting, and they merited little credence.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v7
"
" Eccle- i. , cap. i. ,
Hayman's x.
siastical
sect, xii. , n. 96, pp. 27, 28.
History
of Ireland," vol.
2» "To the south-east of the church is a small, low, and plain building, called the
clani, cap. ix. , n. (b), p. 608.
" New
350 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [July 24. body, has been removed in small quantities, from time to time, by the country
29 In the ruined of the old church at Ardmore were to be seen
3° representing scriptural subjects.
All native writers seem agreed, that the 24th of June was the day for St. Declan's festival, as of his death ; while this statement accords, also with his Acts,3* and with popular tradition. In the rt Feilire "i2 of St ^Engus, a special eulogy is pronounced on St. Declan, whose feast is set down at this date. The Martyrology of Tallagh,33 at the 24th of July, enters a festival in honour of Declan of Airde Moir. In his Catalogus Praecipuorum Sanctorum Hiberniae, which was first edited at Douay, in 1 6 1 5, and which was afterwards revised and extended at Liege, in 16 19, Father Henry Fitzsimons assigns this as the day for our saint's festival. In the anonymous Calendar of our national saints, given by O'Sullevan Beare,34 we find Declarus —an evident mistake for Declanus—at the same date. The Martyrology ofDonegal,35 atthissameday,recordshimatgreaterlength,asDecclan,ofArd
Several most interesting remains of antiquity are yet visible at Ard- more. 39 Among these the cathedral, which consists of a nave and choir, was erected at different periods. In the lower part of the north wall of the choir, there is ancient masonry and of cyclopean character. The stones are not laid in courses, but they are fitted according to the natural forms around
gable — an arched window, and underneath it twelve figures
people.
in as many different com- partments—which appear designed to designate the Twelve Apostles. Under- neath those figures were two arched compartments, containing sculptures,
son of 6 and Confessor. He to the Maicuiadh,3 Bishop belonged
son to
race of Eochaidh Finn Fuathairt, from whom Brighit descended, and Deitsin was the name of his mother. Again, in the Circle of the Seasons,37 this saint is incorrectly entered as Dulan. In the Scottish Kalendars, St. Declan's feast is entered at this date. Thus it is found, in the Calendar of Drummond. 38
mor,
Ere,
each and other,
placed
at rand1 rm. This
of the is referable building
portion
to a very high antiquity, and perhaps it goes back to the age of Declan's
immediate successors in the sixth or seventh century. The nave is in the
Hiberno-Romanesque style of the eleventh century. It was probably built when Christianity had extended throughout that district, and for the purpose
Dormitory of St. Declan, and held in great veneration by the inhabitants of the neigh- bourhood ; it was repaired and roof—ed about a century since by Bishop Willis. " Lewis' "Topographical Dictionary of Ireland," vol. i. Article, Ardmore.
2
'See Rev. R. II. Ryland's "History, Topography and Antiquities of the City and County of Waterford," p. 326. An excel- lent idea, regarding the relative situations and appearance of the Round Tower, Dor- mitory and Church, may be formed, from engravings contained in the latter work, at
PP- 327, 329 and 33°-
30 These are very curiously and accurately
Acts of our Irish Saints, through the months
posterior to March.
Ja In the "Leabhar Bteac" copy belong-
to Irish
ing the Royal Academy. See
"Transactions of the Royal Irish Academy," vol. i. , part i. , Irish Manuscript Series. On the Calendar of Oengus. By Whitley Stokes, LL. D. , p. cxii.
" Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xxx.
34 See "Historise Catholics IberniceCom-
pendium," tomus i. , lib. iv. , cap. xi„ p. 50. 35 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
200, 201.
36 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga,"
Appendix Quarta ad Acta S. Brigidae, cap. 3, p. 613.
J7 See 206. p.
3* " 24 ix. Kal. A—pud Hiberniam Sancti Confessoris Declaim" Bishop Forbes' "Ka- lendars of Scottish Saints," p. 19.
39 For a description with illustrations of
graved. See the plate, ibid. , p. 330.
31 In his " Trias
Volume of the Acts of the Irish Saints, 613, and elsewhere, John Colgan refers to the Irish Martyrologies, in proof of a like statement; although he only cites the text
of Sanctilogium Genealogicum, reserving other authorities to the 24th ofJuly, to which day he refers his readers. But, it is unnecessary to state, that he lived not to complete his great design of publishing the
Thaumaturga
" or Second
p.
Ardmore, the reader is referred to that very "
beautifulwork,J. R. O'Flanagan's Histo- rical and Picturesque Guide to the River
Blackwater in Munster," pp. 27 to 30.
4o About 6 feet from the ground are two
July 24. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 35i
of affording additional accommodation to the worshippers. The more ancient building to which it was added was then converted into a choir. The ruined west gable presents a series of sculptured niches of elaborate design and
1
execution. * Huge and unsightly buttresses* have been built to the north
2 and at the east end of the cathedral. there were three quoins* Originally
entrances into the cathedral : two on the south side into the nave and choir respectively, while one on the north side led into the nave. *3 The north entrance to the nave is available, but it has been reduced in size by the inser- tion within of a plain Gothic doorway, now occupied with an open iron gate. The jambs of the original entrance remain in good preservation with the capitals of the columns which adorned it ; and over head stretches still the fine moulded circular arch. Within the entrance is a small court, over- shadowed by trees. This is the roofless nave. It was lighted originally by five windows. ** The upper part of a wall in the nave is ornamented with arches and compartments, such as are common in Norman designs. Towards the choir, there is a sepulchral arch, having columns with floriated capitals and a trefoil arched canopy. Opposite in the south wall, there is another arch but of simpler design. In the gravelled walk, there are seven tapered tomb- flags,** generally, but erroneously, styled coffin-lids. The choir-arch is of great beauty. The piers are massive, and they have capitals sculptured with the lotus in bud. From them springs a pointed and moulded arch, through which the interior is seen to great advantage, as if it were set in a frame. The choir has few objects of interest. The windows seem to be
reconstructions, with the ancient jambs and arch-stone. *6 The choir*?
large semi-circular compartments, enclosed in a moulded string-course. In that to the north are three arched niches, the central one containing a sculpture representing the Tree of Life, with the serpent coiled around the trunk ; while Adam and Eve are stand- ing at either side. The right hand niche of this compartment commemorates the conver- sion of the pagan Prince of the Deisi, who with his spear couched and resting upon his shoulder bows before the Christian mis- sionary. The left hand contains an ox or cow. The southern compartment is yet more elaborately filled. At the top is the Judgment of Solomon. Beneath this there are six niches, that to the extreme left being square-headed, and all the rest are circular. In the square niche is a cow or a' sheep, raised on a pedestal ; in the next compart- ment is the Virgin and Child ; while in the
first Earl of Cork, who was granted the
manor, on the 10th of May, 1604.
42 On the buttress at the north-west quoin
is the date 1630, most legibly carved.
43 Of these, the two southern doorways have been built up, while the earth has been raised against them on the exterior to half
their height, owing to accumulated burials. 44 The west gable window has foliated capitals to its shafts still visible, and from which we may infer a very ornamental de- sign. Two windows were in the southern wail, but these are now built up, while the two windows in the northern wall are open ; these are moulded, and they have circular
heads.
45 On some of these are plain incised
remaining four the Magi are represented
with their offerings. Above these grand com-
partments stretches a continuous series of pital letters. These stones once covered the seventeen circular-headed niches, divided
fromeachotherbyplainpillasters. Ofthese,
the central niche is immediately beneath the
window of the gable, and formerly it con-
tained the Crucifixion, which has since fallen
down. The others display various human
figures ; sometimes a single one in a niche,
and sometimes two or even three. What
may be intended by this sculptured history
we are left to conjecture, but probably, it
refers to the early Christianizing of Ardmore
by St. Declan and by his successors.
* x These were probably erected by the
46 The font has been removed, and it is now in the modern church of the village ; it
crosses, while on others crosses rise in relief. One tomb has a cross fleury, while it appears to be later in date than the rest. Another has a Latin inscription across its upper sur- face Fvndatorum Ep. + Ards in Roman ca-
remains of abbots or brethren belonging to
the ancient monastery. An interesting dis- covery in confirmation of this supposition had been made some years ago, and near that spotwheretheyarelaid. Somepersonsem- ployed in making a vault, at the entrance to the chancel, dug up a pair of shoes, being the same kind as those worn usually by monks, and which were made by themselves. See Frazer's "Magazine, for Town and Country," for September, 1845, PP- 292> 293»
352 LIVES OF IHE IRISH SAINTS. [July 24. measures within walls 34 feet by 18; while the nave is 72 feet in length, by
8
Already have we alluded to, and pretty fully described/9 the Cloig- theach or Round Tower of Ardmore, and which forms one of the most attractive objects for the eye of the antiquary or tourist. The peculiarity of its corbels and external bands or belts has been remarked upon, as presenting features not commonly found in other Irish Round Towers. 50 It is thought, that the erection of the Cloigtheach of Ardmore should be referred to the ninth or tenth century, as indicated by the mouldings on the doorway, the
grotesque corbel-heads in the interior, and the square trefoil-heads of the upper storey windows. *1 The site of the former monastery here is said to be
occupied by a farm-house, near the ancient cathedral, but on the opposite side of the road. The church lands here were demised by Thomas Wither- head, Bishop of Waterford and Lismore, with the consent of the Dean and
2 Two
At present, not far removed from Ardmore Head are pointed out the remains of that old church," called Thoumple a Deshert, or the Temple of the Desert, at the eastern end of which stood a high gable, with a hand- some Gothic window; this portion of the ruins was blown down by a gust of wind. * Where the north wall stood, right over the sea, a pile of loose stones, belonging to these ruins, may be observed. The entrances were two ; both of these were in the south wall, at its eastern and western extremities. Of the door to the west, one jamb alone remains. A door, towards the east gable, is nearly perfect ; and, it is 8 feet in height-, by 4 feet 3 inches, —in breadth. The key-stone of the flat arch over its head is apparently inverted
a matter which has given rise to much speculation —
scrutiny will show, that it was so cut to the depth of a few inches only, and that then it is constructed, as usual, to meet the laws of gravitation. The church measures within its walls, 66 feet, by t8. It was lighted, by a large lancet window of two lights, in the east gable ; a narrow window, which is now built up, was in the south wall, and a square tapered window lay high up, in the west gable. This last is now broken through at the base, and it affords a modern passage into the ruins. At the east end, there is a squarepiscina, close to which is a rude modern altar. 5* The people of the Desies always regarded St. Declan as their special Patron,56 and even to the present time,
26 in breadth/
tothecelebratedSirWalter
Dowdall of Pilltown, Knight, ejected him from that tenure. On the 10th of May, 1604, King James I. granted this manor to Sir Richard Boyle, afterwards Earl of Cork, with power to take possession without suit, or else by law to recover the same.
Chapter,
Raleigh. *
years afterwards,
Sir
John
they
but the result of a keen
entertain an for hrs The " well " extraordinary respect memory. holy
is octagonal, and it belongs to the decorated
period.
47 This portion of the old structure was
used as the parish church unuj the year 1842.
*BSeetheRev. SamuelHayman's"New Handbook for Youghal," &c, pp. xi. to xiii.
49 See the Third Volume of this work, when treating of St. Mocelloc, Hermit, at the 7th of March, Art. i. There, too, an illustration of the Round Tower and Eccle- siastical Remains, at Ardmore, may be seen.
50 See George Petrie's "Ecclesiastical
Architecture and Round Towers of Ire-
land," part ii. , sect, iii. , sub-sect. 3, pp. 399, 401 -
5' See Rev. Samuel Hayman's " New Handbook for Youghal," &c, p. xiii.
» He obtained, by indenture dated 15th
of January, 1 591, the manor, lordship, castle, town and lands of Ardmore, for a term of 101
years.
^ This was probably the former cell, to
which St. Declan retired, and where he died, as related by many writers,
S4 About the year 1826.
ss «« There in the western end of the outer
wall, a little within the piers, do you see two
spaces like small doorways, and two coarsely cut representations of the Crucifixion above them ? Look in ! there is a clear, cool well of delicious water on a gravelly bottom ; and here, on a stone shelf within, stands a wooden
July 24. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 353
of St. Declan, held in so much veneration by the neighbouring peasants, gushesfromthesiteofthisoldbuilding^ Theresorttothisremotespring
is very frequent by the neighbouring inhabitants. To the well, likewise, many miraculous qualities are attributed by the people. 58 Near this is also a trough, through which a clear stream runs constantly, and into which the cripples dip their maimed limbs, trusting in simple and firm faith to obtain restoration or alleviation of their various infirmities. The festival of St. Declan is kept on the 24th of July, when multitudes visit this well, as also the saint's burial-place, in the oratory already described, and likewise the large boulder-stone, lying among the rocks on the beach. 59 This stone is called by his name. Another object of local interest here is Gurge-na-ganogue, or the Cave of the Mur, also known as St. Declan's Parlour, which cannot be visited except from the water. Long previous to the present age, the surface of St. Declan's grave had been undermined, to a considerable depth. However, as the clay had been removed in small quantities and taken away by the people, earth has been again introduced into the cavity to supply the waste. Some curious accounts are left us, regarding a popular belief, that the skull of St. Declan had been preserved in the churchyard, where his dormitory was built. But, it seemed too fresh and sound, as pointed out by the people, to date back so far as the fifth or sixth century.
However, on this sub- ject, the accounts were conflicting, and they merited little credence. 60
That Declan was much esteemed for his great sanctity, not only his own Acts, but even those of other saints connected with his native country, sufficiently demonstrate. If we are to rely on the account left us, by the ancient writer of his 61 our saint could not exhibit nobleness of
Life, only birth;but,hewasaman,possessingabeautifulfigure. Hewasdistinguished, moreover, by an humble mien and dress ; his voice, although powerful, was characterized by naturally melodious inflexions and cadence ; he was esteemed much for his prudent counsels, and for his ardent charity. This latter bounteous virtue often urged him to bestow large gifts on those who stood in need of support. His conversation was animated, while his actions were
holy ; and, we may infer justly, that he was renowned for his powers of eloquence in preaching God's word, owing to these natural characteristics.
cup for the use of pilgrims, and you may —Ussher's " Britannicarum Ecclesiarum
avail yourself of it. This well is a holy well, and called St. Declan's; it is believed to have been blessed by him, and endowed with some sanitary virtues. When the country people draw water from it, they bend a knee before it. From the veneration in which it is held, and from its situation near the en- trance of the I — it to have
Antiquitates," cap. xvii. , p. 450.
S7 This holy well "owes its present neat
and enticing appearance to an individual, named Hugh Byrne, a private soldier in the Donegal militia, who, after the Irish Rebel- lion of 1798, came here, and passed the re- mainder of his life in this solitary abode, and was buried beside St. Declan. " See Dublin
State of the County and City of Waterford," chap, iii. , p. 47.
59 See Rev. Samuel Hayman's "New
Handbook for xiii. , xiv. Youghal, pp.
60 See Smith's "Ancient and Present State of the County and City of Waterford," chap, iii. , pp. 48, 49.
6l See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. , Julii
xxiv. Acta S. Declani, cap. iii. , sect. 19,
See Ussher's Britannicarum Ecclesia- rum Antiquitates," cap. xvi. , p. 412.
church, conjecture
Frazer's "Ma- gazine for Town and Country," for Septem-
been used as a Baptistery. "
n. 106. 118, p.
ber, 1845, P- 296.
56 This is expressed in the following Latin
verses, trans—lated from an Irish original, by John Kelly :
"
Albeus est humilis, dixit Calphurnia proles ;
Patriciusque esto hinc Albe Mo- monise.
Declanus pariter patronus Desius esto,
Inter Desenses Patriciusque suos. "
vol.
58 See Smith's "Ancient and Present
Penny fournal,
iii. ,
p. 597.
<* "
354 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [July 24.
The greatness and frequency of his miracles caused him to be regarded, as the special favourite of Heaven. 6a These great qualifications must have exalted him, not alone in the sight of God, but of man ; while, the potency of his intellectual attainments acquired a merited ascendency, over the minds of his fellow-creatures. This enabled him, moreover, to direct many souls, in a true knowledge of heavenly things, and in the secure way, which leads to eternal life.
Article II. —St. Beoc, Mobheoc, Mobheog, Beog, Beanus, Dabeoc, Dabheoc, or Dabheog, Abbot of Termonn, Lough Derg, County of Donegal. [Fifth or Sixth Century. ~\ Refinement and gracefulness of mien aretheusualresultsofexaltedlineageandofintellectualculture; but,com- bined with true piety and enlightened zeal they are heightened still more in
degree. When those in high stations chose to relinquish the fleeting enjoy-
ments of earth for the lasting beatitude of Heaven, we may regard them as
truly wise, and they should be held before our view as models for human
admiration, even though in life they disregarded the praise or applause of
men. Aswehavealreadystated,therewerethreedistinctfestivalsannually
kept at Lough Derg, in honour of St. Beoc, Mobheog or Dabheog, viz. : on
the 1 st of January, on the 24th of July, and on the 16th of December. 1 In
addition to there seems to be an 3 as to whether or not the these, uncertainty,
present saint should be identified with the Mobecocc,3 or Mobeoc, or Beoan,*
venerated on the 28th of or with the October,
Beoan,s feastissetdownatthe3rdofDecember. Indeed,PrinceO'Donnellmakes
8 Already have we treated about this holy and primitive Abbot, at the first day of the year ? and, at the present date, we purpose adding somewhat, to the
Sanctus Dabeocus identical with Sanctus Beoanus,? in his Life of St. Columba.
particulars
there
given.
Weareinformed,
by
the
O'Clerys,
10 thatthe
King
of Britain, named Brachan, son of Brachameoc," was his father, and the 12 x
father of Mogorog, of Sruthar, and that Dina, 3 daughter to the King of Saxonland, was his mother. Sufficient has been written, regarding the various
Article ii. — x In the opinion of the Rev. Donegal.
Daniel O'Connor, the first of these may have 1 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga,"
been his dies natalis, the second the day of Quinta Vita S. Columba}, lib. i. , cap. x. ,
his installation by St. Patrick as abbot, and
the third his dies obltus. See " Lough Derg
and its Pilgrimages," chap. vi. , p. 39. To this
very learned and interesting book, which
contains a Map of Lough Derg and numer-
p. 390.
* See the Sixth Volume of this work
at June 9th, Life of St. Columkille, chap. i. 9 See the First Volume of this work, at
January 1st, Art. ii.
10 See the " of Martyrology Donegal,"
edited by Rev. Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 200, 201.
" In Rees' " on the Welsh Saints," Essay
he is called Braccanoc or Brycan, Junior, his father bearing the same name, and being styledBraccan. Seep. 143.
" Supposed to have been venerated, at the 23rd of December.
,3 She is also called Dwynmas, and she is said to have been the daughter of Banhad- lewdd, by the King of Powys. See Rev. John Francis Shearman's " Loca Patri- ciana," No. viii. The Dalaradian Genealogy, with a Cambro-British Genealogy, showing the connexion of St. David and other Cam- brian Saints with Ireland, p. 157.
ous we are indebted for woodcuts,
many par- ticulars, which occur in the course of this
narrative.
3 See "Trias
Colgan's Thaumaturga,"
Quarta Vita S. Columba;, n. 19, p. 449.
3 So named in the Martyrology of Donegal. 4 These two names, as distinct entries, are
in the Martyrology of Tallagh.
5 In the "Topographia Hibernica," Dist.
ii. , cap. xi. , allusion is made to a St. Beanus, who lived in a remote part of Ulto- nia, where he had a church, which was re- garded as a sanctuary for birds, and about which is related an extraordinary legend. See Giraldi Cambrensis "Opera," vol. v. Edited
by James F. Dimock, M. A. , pp. 124, 125.
*
Thus noted, in the Martyrology of
son of 6 whose Libren,
July 24. ]
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
355
members of a holy offspring, so that our attention can only be engaged at
present with St. Mobheog or Dabheog. It is evident from his parentage, and
from a previous statement at the 1st day of January, that the present saint is 1
identical with St. Dabheog, of Lough Derg, * in the county of Donegal. The earlier name of this celebrated lake appears to have been Lough Gerg. 's
However, a conjecture has been advanced, that although the foregoing saint might have been on Lough Derg, another Dabheoc, living in the seventh
century,
likely
patron
16 is more
of it. To this conclusion us,
to have been the
seems to be warranted by no proof or even by any plausible inference. It
has been supposed, that the Cambrian St. Daveog had been at first a disciple to the illustrious Apostle of Ireland ; yet, in the list of his disciples, we do not find his name. He probably left Wales for Ireland, towards the close ofthefifthorbeginningofthes—ixthcentury. Selectingfortheplaceofhis
1 retreat an Islan—d of Lough Derg more anciently known as Fionloch, ? or
""
the fair lake among the wilds of Donegal, there he is said to have built
hischurchandmonastery. Hisretreatwascalledthe"Saint'sIsland,"and
18
as tradition has it, St. Patrick visited that place,
1^
prayer.
Son of God appeared to him, and brought him to that desert, where a round
cave was shown, and quite dark within, while he was thus addressed: "Who- soever shall enter this cave, truly penitent and full of Faith, for the duration of a day and night, shall be purged in it from all sins, committed during the whole course of his life, and he, entering it, shall not alone see the torments of the damned, but also the joys of the blessed, if only he shall persevere in the love of God. " Then the Lord disappeared. The great St. Patrick, while preaching in Ireland, and while eminent for working stupendous miracles, had endeavoured to withdraw the wicked men of that Island from everlasting death, through fear of infernal torments, and through desire for the delights of Paradise. But, they had openly declared, that they would not be converted to Christ, until they had seen with their own eyes what he had promised. Grateful to the Lord for vouchsafing the vision of this cave, he now hoped the miserable people of Erin should be converted to the Catholic Faith.
after a course of and fasting, vigil
According
to the 20 the Legend,
he erectedan There, immediately
oratory.
31 Hebuiltawallaroundthe
cave,
14
"Illustrated Handbook of the Scenery and it states that the lake was dyed of a reddish Antiquities of South-Western Donegal. " colour by its blood. Hence it changed its
Lough Derg is well described, in the death the serpent ; and the legend regarding 13 Latinized Gergensis. See Colgan's name Fionn, or fair, into Dearg, which sig-
"
Trias Thaumaturga," Quinta Vita S. Columbse, n. 19, p. 449.
nines "red. "
*» See the account contained, in Matthaei
Parisiensis, Monachi Sancti " Chro- Albani,
nica Majora," edited by Henry Richards
Luard, M. A. , &c, vol. ii. , pp. 193, 194. "There is a fabulous Account of the
Origin of St. Patrick's Purgatory, among the Manuscripts contained in the Royal Irish Academy's Library. It is in the Manuscript classed 23, A. 15, as also, a Religious Legend on St. Patrick's Purgatory, in Manu- script classed 23, L. 24.
16 to the Saint
in the "Leabhar Breac he was of Ulster origin. See Rev. John Francis Shearman's
" Loca Patriciana," No. viii. , p. 158, n. 1. 17 The name is thus referred to by Roderick O'Flaherty, in connection with two other
lakes, the names of which are long obsolete, "
thus, Fordremanus, Finloch, Lochlurgan, stagna vetusta. " See "Ogygia," pars iii. , cap. iii. , p. 164.
According
"
Genealogies
18 the Regarding change
of the name to
" In the of St. Benedict's Library
Lough Derg, a strange legend is recorded.
Lough Fionn was known in ancient Erin as
being connected with alarming terrors. A torio S. Patricii. "
frightful monster, like the Lernean hydra, of the serpent class, and of prodigious size, made it still more dreadful. When St. Patrick came into this district, he put to
" Regular Canons are said to have been
brought there by St. Patrick, and to the prior of that church he entrusted the key, whilehedecreed,thatwhoeverdesiredtoenter
whither he had been led,
College, England, we find a Manuscript, numbered 1280, which contains a Tract, " De Purga-
356 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [July 24 which was in the cemetery, and right before his church ; and, he set up a
23
door, which was locked, so that no person could enter without his permission. In thedays of the Irish Apostle, many are stated to have visited that cave, known as the Purgatory of St. Patrick, and on leaving it, they bore witness to the grievous pains endured within it, and also to the great and ineffable glory theybeheld. 23 Accordingtotheusuallyreceivedtradition,theApostleofIre- land 2* was the first holy person that landed at Saints' Island, on Lough Derg, and that gave a future celebrity to the place. Here, in after times, was
shown his bed. Not long after his period, it must have been, that St. Dabeoc or Beoan lived in that Island containing the Purgatory of St. Patrick, and when he had a vision of St. Columkille's birth. 8* The bleak shores, around the surface of Lough Derg, present a scene of melancholy loneliness, espe- cially in the winter season. Situated in the parish of Templecairn, barony of Tyrhugh, county of Donegal, and diocese of Clogher, the Lough and its Hospice 26 are most usually visited by pious pilgrims, during the months of July and August. Theexpanseof Lough Derg is bespangled with numerous and pretty islands, some crowned with stunted trees, some bared to the mountain
2 of these islands are Station Island, Saint's Island, ?
" Eccle- i. , cap. i. ,
Hayman's x.
siastical
sect, xii. , n. 96, pp. 27, 28.
History
of Ireland," vol.
2» "To the south-east of the church is a small, low, and plain building, called the
clani, cap. ix. , n. (b), p. 608.
" New
350 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [July 24. body, has been removed in small quantities, from time to time, by the country
29 In the ruined of the old church at Ardmore were to be seen
3° representing scriptural subjects.
All native writers seem agreed, that the 24th of June was the day for St. Declan's festival, as of his death ; while this statement accords, also with his Acts,3* and with popular tradition. In the rt Feilire "i2 of St ^Engus, a special eulogy is pronounced on St. Declan, whose feast is set down at this date. The Martyrology of Tallagh,33 at the 24th of July, enters a festival in honour of Declan of Airde Moir. In his Catalogus Praecipuorum Sanctorum Hiberniae, which was first edited at Douay, in 1 6 1 5, and which was afterwards revised and extended at Liege, in 16 19, Father Henry Fitzsimons assigns this as the day for our saint's festival. In the anonymous Calendar of our national saints, given by O'Sullevan Beare,34 we find Declarus —an evident mistake for Declanus—at the same date. The Martyrology ofDonegal,35 atthissameday,recordshimatgreaterlength,asDecclan,ofArd
Several most interesting remains of antiquity are yet visible at Ard- more. 39 Among these the cathedral, which consists of a nave and choir, was erected at different periods. In the lower part of the north wall of the choir, there is ancient masonry and of cyclopean character. The stones are not laid in courses, but they are fitted according to the natural forms around
gable — an arched window, and underneath it twelve figures
people.
in as many different com- partments—which appear designed to designate the Twelve Apostles. Under- neath those figures were two arched compartments, containing sculptures,
son of 6 and Confessor. He to the Maicuiadh,3 Bishop belonged
son to
race of Eochaidh Finn Fuathairt, from whom Brighit descended, and Deitsin was the name of his mother. Again, in the Circle of the Seasons,37 this saint is incorrectly entered as Dulan. In the Scottish Kalendars, St. Declan's feast is entered at this date. Thus it is found, in the Calendar of Drummond. 38
mor,
Ere,
each and other,
placed
at rand1 rm. This
of the is referable building
portion
to a very high antiquity, and perhaps it goes back to the age of Declan's
immediate successors in the sixth or seventh century. The nave is in the
Hiberno-Romanesque style of the eleventh century. It was probably built when Christianity had extended throughout that district, and for the purpose
Dormitory of St. Declan, and held in great veneration by the inhabitants of the neigh- bourhood ; it was repaired and roof—ed about a century since by Bishop Willis. " Lewis' "Topographical Dictionary of Ireland," vol. i. Article, Ardmore.
2
'See Rev. R. II. Ryland's "History, Topography and Antiquities of the City and County of Waterford," p. 326. An excel- lent idea, regarding the relative situations and appearance of the Round Tower, Dor- mitory and Church, may be formed, from engravings contained in the latter work, at
PP- 327, 329 and 33°-
30 These are very curiously and accurately
Acts of our Irish Saints, through the months
posterior to March.
Ja In the "Leabhar Bteac" copy belong-
to Irish
ing the Royal Academy. See
"Transactions of the Royal Irish Academy," vol. i. , part i. , Irish Manuscript Series. On the Calendar of Oengus. By Whitley Stokes, LL. D. , p. cxii.
" Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xxx.
34 See "Historise Catholics IberniceCom-
pendium," tomus i. , lib. iv. , cap. xi„ p. 50. 35 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
200, 201.
36 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga,"
Appendix Quarta ad Acta S. Brigidae, cap. 3, p. 613.
J7 See 206. p.
3* " 24 ix. Kal. A—pud Hiberniam Sancti Confessoris Declaim" Bishop Forbes' "Ka- lendars of Scottish Saints," p. 19.
39 For a description with illustrations of
graved. See the plate, ibid. , p. 330.
31 In his " Trias
Volume of the Acts of the Irish Saints, 613, and elsewhere, John Colgan refers to the Irish Martyrologies, in proof of a like statement; although he only cites the text
of Sanctilogium Genealogicum, reserving other authorities to the 24th ofJuly, to which day he refers his readers. But, it is unnecessary to state, that he lived not to complete his great design of publishing the
Thaumaturga
" or Second
p.
Ardmore, the reader is referred to that very "
beautifulwork,J. R. O'Flanagan's Histo- rical and Picturesque Guide to the River
Blackwater in Munster," pp. 27 to 30.
4o About 6 feet from the ground are two
July 24. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 35i
of affording additional accommodation to the worshippers. The more ancient building to which it was added was then converted into a choir. The ruined west gable presents a series of sculptured niches of elaborate design and
1
execution. * Huge and unsightly buttresses* have been built to the north
2 and at the east end of the cathedral. there were three quoins* Originally
entrances into the cathedral : two on the south side into the nave and choir respectively, while one on the north side led into the nave. *3 The north entrance to the nave is available, but it has been reduced in size by the inser- tion within of a plain Gothic doorway, now occupied with an open iron gate. The jambs of the original entrance remain in good preservation with the capitals of the columns which adorned it ; and over head stretches still the fine moulded circular arch. Within the entrance is a small court, over- shadowed by trees. This is the roofless nave. It was lighted originally by five windows. ** The upper part of a wall in the nave is ornamented with arches and compartments, such as are common in Norman designs. Towards the choir, there is a sepulchral arch, having columns with floriated capitals and a trefoil arched canopy. Opposite in the south wall, there is another arch but of simpler design. In the gravelled walk, there are seven tapered tomb- flags,** generally, but erroneously, styled coffin-lids. The choir-arch is of great beauty. The piers are massive, and they have capitals sculptured with the lotus in bud. From them springs a pointed and moulded arch, through which the interior is seen to great advantage, as if it were set in a frame. The choir has few objects of interest. The windows seem to be
reconstructions, with the ancient jambs and arch-stone. *6 The choir*?
large semi-circular compartments, enclosed in a moulded string-course. In that to the north are three arched niches, the central one containing a sculpture representing the Tree of Life, with the serpent coiled around the trunk ; while Adam and Eve are stand- ing at either side. The right hand niche of this compartment commemorates the conver- sion of the pagan Prince of the Deisi, who with his spear couched and resting upon his shoulder bows before the Christian mis- sionary. The left hand contains an ox or cow. The southern compartment is yet more elaborately filled. At the top is the Judgment of Solomon. Beneath this there are six niches, that to the extreme left being square-headed, and all the rest are circular. In the square niche is a cow or a' sheep, raised on a pedestal ; in the next compart- ment is the Virgin and Child ; while in the
first Earl of Cork, who was granted the
manor, on the 10th of May, 1604.
42 On the buttress at the north-west quoin
is the date 1630, most legibly carved.
43 Of these, the two southern doorways have been built up, while the earth has been raised against them on the exterior to half
their height, owing to accumulated burials. 44 The west gable window has foliated capitals to its shafts still visible, and from which we may infer a very ornamental de- sign. Two windows were in the southern wail, but these are now built up, while the two windows in the northern wall are open ; these are moulded, and they have circular
heads.
45 On some of these are plain incised
remaining four the Magi are represented
with their offerings. Above these grand com-
partments stretches a continuous series of pital letters. These stones once covered the seventeen circular-headed niches, divided
fromeachotherbyplainpillasters. Ofthese,
the central niche is immediately beneath the
window of the gable, and formerly it con-
tained the Crucifixion, which has since fallen
down. The others display various human
figures ; sometimes a single one in a niche,
and sometimes two or even three. What
may be intended by this sculptured history
we are left to conjecture, but probably, it
refers to the early Christianizing of Ardmore
by St. Declan and by his successors.
* x These were probably erected by the
46 The font has been removed, and it is now in the modern church of the village ; it
crosses, while on others crosses rise in relief. One tomb has a cross fleury, while it appears to be later in date than the rest. Another has a Latin inscription across its upper sur- face Fvndatorum Ep. + Ards in Roman ca-
remains of abbots or brethren belonging to
the ancient monastery. An interesting dis- covery in confirmation of this supposition had been made some years ago, and near that spotwheretheyarelaid. Somepersonsem- ployed in making a vault, at the entrance to the chancel, dug up a pair of shoes, being the same kind as those worn usually by monks, and which were made by themselves. See Frazer's "Magazine, for Town and Country," for September, 1845, PP- 292> 293»
352 LIVES OF IHE IRISH SAINTS. [July 24. measures within walls 34 feet by 18; while the nave is 72 feet in length, by
8
Already have we alluded to, and pretty fully described/9 the Cloig- theach or Round Tower of Ardmore, and which forms one of the most attractive objects for the eye of the antiquary or tourist. The peculiarity of its corbels and external bands or belts has been remarked upon, as presenting features not commonly found in other Irish Round Towers. 50 It is thought, that the erection of the Cloigtheach of Ardmore should be referred to the ninth or tenth century, as indicated by the mouldings on the doorway, the
grotesque corbel-heads in the interior, and the square trefoil-heads of the upper storey windows. *1 The site of the former monastery here is said to be
occupied by a farm-house, near the ancient cathedral, but on the opposite side of the road. The church lands here were demised by Thomas Wither- head, Bishop of Waterford and Lismore, with the consent of the Dean and
2 Two
At present, not far removed from Ardmore Head are pointed out the remains of that old church," called Thoumple a Deshert, or the Temple of the Desert, at the eastern end of which stood a high gable, with a hand- some Gothic window; this portion of the ruins was blown down by a gust of wind. * Where the north wall stood, right over the sea, a pile of loose stones, belonging to these ruins, may be observed. The entrances were two ; both of these were in the south wall, at its eastern and western extremities. Of the door to the west, one jamb alone remains. A door, towards the east gable, is nearly perfect ; and, it is 8 feet in height-, by 4 feet 3 inches, —in breadth. The key-stone of the flat arch over its head is apparently inverted
a matter which has given rise to much speculation —
scrutiny will show, that it was so cut to the depth of a few inches only, and that then it is constructed, as usual, to meet the laws of gravitation. The church measures within its walls, 66 feet, by t8. It was lighted, by a large lancet window of two lights, in the east gable ; a narrow window, which is now built up, was in the south wall, and a square tapered window lay high up, in the west gable. This last is now broken through at the base, and it affords a modern passage into the ruins. At the east end, there is a squarepiscina, close to which is a rude modern altar. 5* The people of the Desies always regarded St. Declan as their special Patron,56 and even to the present time,
26 in breadth/
tothecelebratedSirWalter
Dowdall of Pilltown, Knight, ejected him from that tenure. On the 10th of May, 1604, King James I. granted this manor to Sir Richard Boyle, afterwards Earl of Cork, with power to take possession without suit, or else by law to recover the same.
Chapter,
Raleigh. *
years afterwards,
Sir
John
they
but the result of a keen
entertain an for hrs The " well " extraordinary respect memory. holy
is octagonal, and it belongs to the decorated
period.
47 This portion of the old structure was
used as the parish church unuj the year 1842.
*BSeetheRev. SamuelHayman's"New Handbook for Youghal," &c, pp. xi. to xiii.
49 See the Third Volume of this work, when treating of St. Mocelloc, Hermit, at the 7th of March, Art. i. There, too, an illustration of the Round Tower and Eccle- siastical Remains, at Ardmore, may be seen.
50 See George Petrie's "Ecclesiastical
Architecture and Round Towers of Ire-
land," part ii. , sect, iii. , sub-sect. 3, pp. 399, 401 -
5' See Rev. Samuel Hayman's " New Handbook for Youghal," &c, p. xiii.
» He obtained, by indenture dated 15th
of January, 1 591, the manor, lordship, castle, town and lands of Ardmore, for a term of 101
years.
^ This was probably the former cell, to
which St. Declan retired, and where he died, as related by many writers,
S4 About the year 1826.
ss «« There in the western end of the outer
wall, a little within the piers, do you see two
spaces like small doorways, and two coarsely cut representations of the Crucifixion above them ? Look in ! there is a clear, cool well of delicious water on a gravelly bottom ; and here, on a stone shelf within, stands a wooden
July 24. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 353
of St. Declan, held in so much veneration by the neighbouring peasants, gushesfromthesiteofthisoldbuilding^ Theresorttothisremotespring
is very frequent by the neighbouring inhabitants. To the well, likewise, many miraculous qualities are attributed by the people. 58 Near this is also a trough, through which a clear stream runs constantly, and into which the cripples dip their maimed limbs, trusting in simple and firm faith to obtain restoration or alleviation of their various infirmities. The festival of St. Declan is kept on the 24th of July, when multitudes visit this well, as also the saint's burial-place, in the oratory already described, and likewise the large boulder-stone, lying among the rocks on the beach. 59 This stone is called by his name. Another object of local interest here is Gurge-na-ganogue, or the Cave of the Mur, also known as St. Declan's Parlour, which cannot be visited except from the water. Long previous to the present age, the surface of St. Declan's grave had been undermined, to a considerable depth. However, as the clay had been removed in small quantities and taken away by the people, earth has been again introduced into the cavity to supply the waste. Some curious accounts are left us, regarding a popular belief, that the skull of St. Declan had been preserved in the churchyard, where his dormitory was built. But, it seemed too fresh and sound, as pointed out by the people, to date back so far as the fifth or sixth century.
However, on this sub- ject, the accounts were conflicting, and they merited little credence. 60
That Declan was much esteemed for his great sanctity, not only his own Acts, but even those of other saints connected with his native country, sufficiently demonstrate. If we are to rely on the account left us, by the ancient writer of his 61 our saint could not exhibit nobleness of
Life, only birth;but,hewasaman,possessingabeautifulfigure. Hewasdistinguished, moreover, by an humble mien and dress ; his voice, although powerful, was characterized by naturally melodious inflexions and cadence ; he was esteemed much for his prudent counsels, and for his ardent charity. This latter bounteous virtue often urged him to bestow large gifts on those who stood in need of support. His conversation was animated, while his actions were
holy ; and, we may infer justly, that he was renowned for his powers of eloquence in preaching God's word, owing to these natural characteristics.
cup for the use of pilgrims, and you may —Ussher's " Britannicarum Ecclesiarum
avail yourself of it. This well is a holy well, and called St. Declan's; it is believed to have been blessed by him, and endowed with some sanitary virtues. When the country people draw water from it, they bend a knee before it. From the veneration in which it is held, and from its situation near the en- trance of the I — it to have
Antiquitates," cap. xvii. , p. 450.
S7 This holy well "owes its present neat
and enticing appearance to an individual, named Hugh Byrne, a private soldier in the Donegal militia, who, after the Irish Rebel- lion of 1798, came here, and passed the re- mainder of his life in this solitary abode, and was buried beside St. Declan. " See Dublin
State of the County and City of Waterford," chap, iii. , p. 47.
59 See Rev. Samuel Hayman's "New
Handbook for xiii. , xiv. Youghal, pp.
60 See Smith's "Ancient and Present State of the County and City of Waterford," chap, iii. , pp. 48, 49.
6l See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. , Julii
xxiv. Acta S. Declani, cap. iii. , sect. 19,
See Ussher's Britannicarum Ecclesia- rum Antiquitates," cap. xvi. , p. 412.
church, conjecture
Frazer's "Ma- gazine for Town and Country," for Septem-
been used as a Baptistery. "
n. 106. 118, p.
ber, 1845, P- 296.
56 This is expressed in the following Latin
verses, trans—lated from an Irish original, by John Kelly :
"
Albeus est humilis, dixit Calphurnia proles ;
Patriciusque esto hinc Albe Mo- monise.
Declanus pariter patronus Desius esto,
Inter Desenses Patriciusque suos. "
vol.
58 See Smith's "Ancient and Present
Penny fournal,
iii. ,
p. 597.
<* "
354 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [July 24.
The greatness and frequency of his miracles caused him to be regarded, as the special favourite of Heaven. 6a These great qualifications must have exalted him, not alone in the sight of God, but of man ; while, the potency of his intellectual attainments acquired a merited ascendency, over the minds of his fellow-creatures. This enabled him, moreover, to direct many souls, in a true knowledge of heavenly things, and in the secure way, which leads to eternal life.
Article II. —St. Beoc, Mobheoc, Mobheog, Beog, Beanus, Dabeoc, Dabheoc, or Dabheog, Abbot of Termonn, Lough Derg, County of Donegal. [Fifth or Sixth Century. ~\ Refinement and gracefulness of mien aretheusualresultsofexaltedlineageandofintellectualculture; but,com- bined with true piety and enlightened zeal they are heightened still more in
degree. When those in high stations chose to relinquish the fleeting enjoy-
ments of earth for the lasting beatitude of Heaven, we may regard them as
truly wise, and they should be held before our view as models for human
admiration, even though in life they disregarded the praise or applause of
men. Aswehavealreadystated,therewerethreedistinctfestivalsannually
kept at Lough Derg, in honour of St. Beoc, Mobheog or Dabheog, viz. : on
the 1 st of January, on the 24th of July, and on the 16th of December. 1 In
addition to there seems to be an 3 as to whether or not the these, uncertainty,
present saint should be identified with the Mobecocc,3 or Mobeoc, or Beoan,*
venerated on the 28th of or with the October,
Beoan,s feastissetdownatthe3rdofDecember. Indeed,PrinceO'Donnellmakes
8 Already have we treated about this holy and primitive Abbot, at the first day of the year ? and, at the present date, we purpose adding somewhat, to the
Sanctus Dabeocus identical with Sanctus Beoanus,? in his Life of St. Columba.
particulars
there
given.
Weareinformed,
by
the
O'Clerys,
10 thatthe
King
of Britain, named Brachan, son of Brachameoc," was his father, and the 12 x
father of Mogorog, of Sruthar, and that Dina, 3 daughter to the King of Saxonland, was his mother. Sufficient has been written, regarding the various
Article ii. — x In the opinion of the Rev. Donegal.
Daniel O'Connor, the first of these may have 1 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga,"
been his dies natalis, the second the day of Quinta Vita S. Columba}, lib. i. , cap. x. ,
his installation by St. Patrick as abbot, and
the third his dies obltus. See " Lough Derg
and its Pilgrimages," chap. vi. , p. 39. To this
very learned and interesting book, which
contains a Map of Lough Derg and numer-
p. 390.
* See the Sixth Volume of this work
at June 9th, Life of St. Columkille, chap. i. 9 See the First Volume of this work, at
January 1st, Art. ii.
10 See the " of Martyrology Donegal,"
edited by Rev. Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 200, 201.
" In Rees' " on the Welsh Saints," Essay
he is called Braccanoc or Brycan, Junior, his father bearing the same name, and being styledBraccan. Seep. 143.
" Supposed to have been venerated, at the 23rd of December.
,3 She is also called Dwynmas, and she is said to have been the daughter of Banhad- lewdd, by the King of Powys. See Rev. John Francis Shearman's " Loca Patri- ciana," No. viii. The Dalaradian Genealogy, with a Cambro-British Genealogy, showing the connexion of St. David and other Cam- brian Saints with Ireland, p. 157.
ous we are indebted for woodcuts,
many par- ticulars, which occur in the course of this
narrative.
3 See "Trias
Colgan's Thaumaturga,"
Quarta Vita S. Columba;, n. 19, p. 449.
3 So named in the Martyrology of Donegal. 4 These two names, as distinct entries, are
in the Martyrology of Tallagh.
5 In the "Topographia Hibernica," Dist.
ii. , cap. xi. , allusion is made to a St. Beanus, who lived in a remote part of Ulto- nia, where he had a church, which was re- garded as a sanctuary for birds, and about which is related an extraordinary legend. See Giraldi Cambrensis "Opera," vol. v. Edited
by James F. Dimock, M. A. , pp. 124, 125.
*
Thus noted, in the Martyrology of
son of 6 whose Libren,
July 24. ]
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
355
members of a holy offspring, so that our attention can only be engaged at
present with St. Mobheog or Dabheog. It is evident from his parentage, and
from a previous statement at the 1st day of January, that the present saint is 1
identical with St. Dabheog, of Lough Derg, * in the county of Donegal. The earlier name of this celebrated lake appears to have been Lough Gerg. 's
However, a conjecture has been advanced, that although the foregoing saint might have been on Lough Derg, another Dabheoc, living in the seventh
century,
likely
patron
16 is more
of it. To this conclusion us,
to have been the
seems to be warranted by no proof or even by any plausible inference. It
has been supposed, that the Cambrian St. Daveog had been at first a disciple to the illustrious Apostle of Ireland ; yet, in the list of his disciples, we do not find his name. He probably left Wales for Ireland, towards the close ofthefifthorbeginningofthes—ixthcentury. Selectingfortheplaceofhis
1 retreat an Islan—d of Lough Derg more anciently known as Fionloch, ? or
""
the fair lake among the wilds of Donegal, there he is said to have built
hischurchandmonastery. Hisretreatwascalledthe"Saint'sIsland,"and
18
as tradition has it, St. Patrick visited that place,
1^
prayer.
Son of God appeared to him, and brought him to that desert, where a round
cave was shown, and quite dark within, while he was thus addressed: "Who- soever shall enter this cave, truly penitent and full of Faith, for the duration of a day and night, shall be purged in it from all sins, committed during the whole course of his life, and he, entering it, shall not alone see the torments of the damned, but also the joys of the blessed, if only he shall persevere in the love of God. " Then the Lord disappeared. The great St. Patrick, while preaching in Ireland, and while eminent for working stupendous miracles, had endeavoured to withdraw the wicked men of that Island from everlasting death, through fear of infernal torments, and through desire for the delights of Paradise. But, they had openly declared, that they would not be converted to Christ, until they had seen with their own eyes what he had promised. Grateful to the Lord for vouchsafing the vision of this cave, he now hoped the miserable people of Erin should be converted to the Catholic Faith.
after a course of and fasting, vigil
According
to the 20 the Legend,
he erectedan There, immediately
oratory.
31 Hebuiltawallaroundthe
cave,
14
"Illustrated Handbook of the Scenery and it states that the lake was dyed of a reddish Antiquities of South-Western Donegal. " colour by its blood. Hence it changed its
Lough Derg is well described, in the death the serpent ; and the legend regarding 13 Latinized Gergensis. See Colgan's name Fionn, or fair, into Dearg, which sig-
"
Trias Thaumaturga," Quinta Vita S. Columbse, n. 19, p. 449.
nines "red. "
*» See the account contained, in Matthaei
Parisiensis, Monachi Sancti " Chro- Albani,
nica Majora," edited by Henry Richards
Luard, M. A. , &c, vol. ii. , pp. 193, 194. "There is a fabulous Account of the
Origin of St. Patrick's Purgatory, among the Manuscripts contained in the Royal Irish Academy's Library. It is in the Manuscript classed 23, A. 15, as also, a Religious Legend on St. Patrick's Purgatory, in Manu- script classed 23, L. 24.
16 to the Saint
in the "Leabhar Breac he was of Ulster origin. See Rev. John Francis Shearman's
" Loca Patriciana," No. viii. , p. 158, n. 1. 17 The name is thus referred to by Roderick O'Flaherty, in connection with two other
lakes, the names of which are long obsolete, "
thus, Fordremanus, Finloch, Lochlurgan, stagna vetusta. " See "Ogygia," pars iii. , cap. iii. , p. 164.
According
"
Genealogies
18 the Regarding change
of the name to
" In the of St. Benedict's Library
Lough Derg, a strange legend is recorded.
Lough Fionn was known in ancient Erin as
being connected with alarming terrors. A torio S. Patricii. "
frightful monster, like the Lernean hydra, of the serpent class, and of prodigious size, made it still more dreadful. When St. Patrick came into this district, he put to
" Regular Canons are said to have been
brought there by St. Patrick, and to the prior of that church he entrusted the key, whilehedecreed,thatwhoeverdesiredtoenter
whither he had been led,
College, England, we find a Manuscript, numbered 1280, which contains a Tract, " De Purga-
356 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [July 24 which was in the cemetery, and right before his church ; and, he set up a
23
door, which was locked, so that no person could enter without his permission. In thedays of the Irish Apostle, many are stated to have visited that cave, known as the Purgatory of St. Patrick, and on leaving it, they bore witness to the grievous pains endured within it, and also to the great and ineffable glory theybeheld. 23 Accordingtotheusuallyreceivedtradition,theApostleofIre- land 2* was the first holy person that landed at Saints' Island, on Lough Derg, and that gave a future celebrity to the place. Here, in after times, was
shown his bed. Not long after his period, it must have been, that St. Dabeoc or Beoan lived in that Island containing the Purgatory of St. Patrick, and when he had a vision of St. Columkille's birth. 8* The bleak shores, around the surface of Lough Derg, present a scene of melancholy loneliness, espe- cially in the winter season. Situated in the parish of Templecairn, barony of Tyrhugh, county of Donegal, and diocese of Clogher, the Lough and its Hospice 26 are most usually visited by pious pilgrims, during the months of July and August. Theexpanseof Lough Derg is bespangled with numerous and pretty islands, some crowned with stunted trees, some bared to the mountain
2 of these islands are Station Island, Saint's Island, ?
