father, Koelchama,
descended
from Eochaidh Fionn Fuathart,^^ was brother to
Vitas S.
Vitas S.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v1
St.
Mologga, of Tulach
mhin Molagga, at the present date. 4. St. Molocca, son of Colman Finn, at the 22nd of March. 5. St. Molocca, at the 26th of the same month. 6. St. Loichen, of Cong, at the 17th of April. 7. St. Loichen, at the
Confessorum Molaca Oenii Fechin celebra- 12th of June. 8. St. Moloca of Sliabh
"
tur. " See Bishop Fo—rbes'
the Scottish Saints. " Kalendarium Drum- of Tulach-h-Olainn, at the 7th of August, mondiense, p. 3. 10. St. Molocca, at the 9th of the same
33 This likewise accords with a statement month. 11. St. Molacca, son of Cairthenn, in his Irish Life, contained in the Book of at the 13th of the same month. 12. St.
Kalendars of Bloom, at the 20th of July. 9. St. Molacca,
Lismore. A stream, called Abhann Carrig
na mbrointe, or " The River of the Quern
Stones," flows north-west of Marshalstown,
into the River Funcheon, and southwards
through the glen called Leaba Molagga. This Mr. Joseph O'Longan identifies with
Glaise-Muilinn, i. e. , "the Stream of Mar-
tel's mill," or "the stream of the mortar
mill," mentioned in the translated tract,
"
Forbuis Dromadamhghaire," n. 7 to p. i. Some, however, identify it with Sheep River, west of the first-mentioned stream.
3< Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hibemise," XX. Januarii. Vita S. MolaggJE, cap. xxii. , p. 148.
35Thefollowingistheorderoftheirfeasts,
viz. : I. St. Molacca, of Lifeacbar, at the Abbey,"in"Poems,''byT. D. Sidlivan,p. 202.
Lochan, at the 31st of December. See notices of them at their respective days.
3* Mr. Joseph O'Longan's translation of
" Forbuis Dromadamhghaire," n. I, p. 9. Mag Floinn was the comharba, and O'Cos- crann was the clerk of the crozier to this place, according to that tract,
"
37 Mr. Joseph O'Longan's translation of
Forbuis Dromadamhghaire," pp. 6, 7, and n. i to p. 7.
38 These extend from near Buttevant to the Galtees.
3? Mr. Joseph O'Longan's Translation of "Forbuis Dromadamhghaire," im. i, 2, 3, 4, p. 14.
'* *'°Seethebeautifullegendof Timoleague
January 20. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 355
is said to have derived its name from this saint, the EngUsh equivalent being " the house of Molaga. "-*! It is probable, that a church dedicated to him stood in this place, before the foundation of the noble Franciscan Abbey in 1240. 42 Itissaid,thatthiserectionhadbeendedicatedtothelocalpatrouj^s and that it had been founded by the sept of the Mac Carthys. t4 The buildings are yet nearly entire, excepting the roof, and the walls enclose three sides of a court, sixty yards square. ^s On the east is the church, with nave and choir ; the former is thirty and the latter fifteen yards in length. From the division, a transept more than twelve yards long extends towards the south. South of the nave there is an open arcade, extending along one
Timoleague Abbey Ruins, Co. Cork.
side of the transept, and supported by seven irregular arches, resting on cylindrical and square pillars without capitals. The windows are varied in their elevation and style. The east window is composed of three lofty lights, divided by stone mullions. The south window of the transept has three
lancet-shaped lights, and the great west window two. There is a chapel on the east side of the south transept, with light and elegant windows. Those
of the nave are pointed, square-headed, obtuse, and ogee, A lofty arch divides the nave and choir. Over it rises a light square tower, 68 feet in height. 46 The dormitories, refectory, and other domestic edifices remain. 47
and the froma Dublin, copied by writer,
beautiful drawing of John Windale, pre- served among his Manuscripts in the Royal
^^MSee Rev. C. B. Gibson's " of History
the County and City of Cork," vol. ii. , chap, xxiii. , p. 504.
Topographical Dictionary of Ireland," vol. ii. , p. 625.
** Beneath this tower there is a narrow and curious passage, similar to those leading to the roof-loft in the English cathedral—s.
47 See ibid. Around this ruin are
place,
monastery,
" Annals of the Four
(w), pp. 300, 301, 4^ See ibid.
Masters,"
vol. n. iii. ,
^^ See Lewis' ' '
in Irish CeAC is molAjA,
4' This
situated in the barony of Barryroe, in the county of Cork. Here probably, thinks Dr. O'Donovan, St. Molaga erected a primitive
but of this we have no
Irish
record. Dr. O'Donovan seems to distin- guish it from Tulach min Molaga. See
^3 The situation of Timoleague parish is
shown on the
''
Ordnance Survey Townland
MapsfortheCountyofCork," Sheets123, 136. On the former sheet the site and sur-
j" The swelling fields of Barryroe,
roundings
of the
abbey
ruins be traced. may
And all the westward " Carbery heights.
The accompanying engraving of this abbey has been executed by George A. Hanlon, of
—See T. D. Sullivan's " Poems"—"Timo- league Abbey," p. 202.
Irish Academy.
356
LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. ' 20. [January
In 1604, the Catholics of this place repaired the monastery,^^ and used it for
religious services; while the walls, though now unroofed, are yet very
perfect. 49
One of this saint's chief objects was by his instructions and example to
shed the light of science and religion over those ages which were kept in the shade. He also wished to demonstrate the greatness of the Church, and her sanctity allied to the constant progress of Christian civilization. He proved quite equal to such an undertaking, hard as it was, and not unfraught with peril under peculiar conditions. Deep erudition was needed, no apocryphal documents could be accepted, no doubtful texts quoted, nor contestable arguments be advanced, when he had to deal with those learned men who were his adversaries, when the relics of paganism had not been wholly extinct in Ireland, and when Christians needed the wholesome food of sound doctrine, and the salt of true wsdom, to preserve them from con lamination, and the dangers of their age.
ARTICLE II. —ST. FECHIN, ABBOT OF FOBHAR, OR FORE, COUNTY OF WESTMEATH.
[SEVENTH CENTURY. '^
CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTION—ST. FECHIN'S OLD AND MODERN LIVES—HIS PARENTAGE AND PLACE
OF BIRTH—PORTENTS REGARDING HIS FUTURE GREATNESS AND SANCTITY—
HIS EARLY EDUCATION—MONASTIC ESTABLISHMENTS AND CHURCHES ERECTED—IMAY—
ARD-OILEAN.
This ascetic man belonged to the class of holy and secluded anchorets, al- though he ruled as an abbot. His sanctity attracted great numbers ot disciples to his retreat. Before he had long exercised jurisdiction, his com- munity numbered over three hundred pious monks. ^ Hence, in his habits and life, he has been compared to the great archimandrite of the East, St. Anthony. * His manner of living was very austere. It has been remarked, that St. Fechin's acts have been filled with many characteristic incidents of Irish related miracles. 3 More might be added, that several of these are absurd and manifestly fabulous. * Yet are we ready to beheve, that such a man, gifted with so many rich graces from Heaven, and so purified by holi- ness in a very perfect degree, must have been distinguished during life by the achievement of various supernatural works. We shall endeavour to exercise some caution and discrimination, while unveiling the chief recorded particu-
lars of his life.
Some manuscript acts of this holy abbot are extant. s The Bollandist
^ Cox's "History of Ireland," vol. ii. , p. 10.
*9 See an interesting account of this place
Brigid's feast, on the 1st day of February, and at St. Patrick's feast, on the 1 7th day of March.
3 See Rev. S. " Lives ot Baring-Gould's
the Saints," vol. i. , January xx. , pp. 310, 311.
< Yet our annals and records certify that
the personages named as this saint's con-
temporaries, when known, have been found
admirably to synchronize with statements contained in his acts,
5 Among these do we find described,
in Archdall's "Monasticon
Hibemicum,"
pp. 77, 78. — Article II. —Chapter i.
'See Rev. A. Cogan's "Diocese of Meath, Ancient and Modem," vol. iii. , chap. Ixxiv. , p. 561.
' See "The Martyrology of Donegal," edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 22, 23. For this statement is quoted that very old vellum book, which is mentioned at St.
JANUARY 20. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 357
fathers have edited the Acts of St. Fechin, in four chapters and seventeen sections. ^ BishopChallonerhassomenoticesregardingthissaint. ? TheRev. AlbanButlerhasabriefrecordofhim. ^ Theseaccountsoccuratthe20th of January, the date for his festival. Colgan has published two lives of holy Fechin, with notes and appendices. 9 The author of the first life'° was Augustine MacGraidin, who died in 1405," This formed only a brief bio- graphy of the saint. " A second collection of his acts, which is more copious and circumstantial—even if less authentic—had been compiled by Colgan and his assistants. This compilation proceeded from three different lives of Fechin,'3 which were composed in Irish. ^* One of these had been taken from a much older codex, written in Latin. 's St. Aileran the Wise, abbot of Clonard, is said to have written the present saint's acts,'^ and both
this biographer and the subject of his biography were contemporaries. ^'
Bile,'^ afterwards called from the circumstance. Bile Fechin, in the present
barony of Leney, and county of Sligo, is stated to have been the place of
St. Fechin's birth. '9 This illustrious saint seems to have been a native of
that =° in which the celebrated St. Athracta had her His territory, nunnery.
father, Koelchama, descended from Eochaidh Fionn Fuathart,^^ was brother to
Vitas S. Fechini, Abbatis, Fourii, in Hi- and written in 74 elegant metrical distichs, bemia :—i. MS. Bodl. Rawl. B. 505, ff. recounting a great number of the saint's 181- 185, veil, folio, xiv. cent. ; 2. MS. miracles. The three codices were found to Bodl. Rawl. B. 485, f. 181, veil. 4to. xiv.
cent.
*
See "Acta Sanctoram," tomus ii. , xx. Januarii, Vita S. Fechini, pp. 329 to 333.
be over proHx for separate publication, so that Colgan thought it better to collate and
This a. dds little to what has been
abridge their contents, which substantially he has published.
'* See Rev. A. "Diocese of Cogan's
Meath,Ancient. andModem,"vol. i. , chap,
ii. , p. 15-
'7 See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hi-
bemiae," xx. Januarii, Acta S. Fechini, n. 12, p. 140.
'^ This is probably the townland of Billa, south of Owenbeg river, in the parish of Ballysadare, barony of Le3Tiy, and county of Sligo. Excepting a moat, I find no ob- ject of antiquarian interest there.
Colgan. " 7 See
to 70. ^"
given by Britannia Sancta," part i. , pp. 68
Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs, and other Principal Saints," vol. i. , xx. January. 9 See "Acta Sanctorum Hibemiae," xx.
Januarii, Acta S. Fechini, pp. 130 to 144.
In both lives, however, the series of his acts
seems much confused.
'°
This was taken from the Book of the
See for the
Island of All
of Longford.
in
" Ordnance Townland Survey
"
'9 See " The Second Life of St. Fechin,"
chap i. , p. 133. In this district, the epis- copal see of Achonry was situated, n. 2, p. 140.
"° However, other accounts seem to as- sign his birth to Meath, and the "Meno-
thus — logic Genealogy," chap, iv. , incorrectly
and inadvertently weaves his pedigree
St Fechin, son of Coelchama, son to Gril-
son to— son of Aid Slaine. Yet lin, Coselius,
—was killed A. D. about the period assigned for Fechin's birth or youth. See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals
of the Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 226, 227. But the same "Menologic Genealogy,''
chap. XV. , brings him, not from the race of Colman Crimthann, to which Aldus Slaine belonged, but from the line of Aidus Mac Saine, pertaining to the race of Eochad Finn.
"
wards from our saint
600,
Saints,
Lough Ree, county
Maps
" He was an erudite and a wise man. See Sir James Ware, " De Scriptoribus Hiber- nise," lib. i. , cap. xi. , p. 75.
County of Sligo,
Sheet 26.
" For purposes of quotation, this may be designated the " Prima Vita S. Fechini," or "First Life of St. Fechin. "
'3 This was intended to elucidate what was found to be obscure in the Island of All Saints' life, and to include what was not there written.
'• For purposes of quotation, this may be called the "Secunda Vita S. Fechini," or
the latter four generations removed back-
SecondLifeofSt. Fechin. " Colgande-
signates it as the supplementum, or supple- ment to the first
'5 It is said, in the time of St Aidan, who
was a contemporary of St. Fechin, and over nine hundred years before Colgan wrote. This was a Codex of Immaigh, in Con- naught, where our saint lived. The second very old life wanted both the beginning and the end, although otherwise very trust- worthy. The third was very, old, likewise,
^'
Th—us is his paternal pedigree generally
St. sonof son
:
given Fechin, Coelchama,
358 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 20.
the famous monarch, Conn of the Hundred Battles. =' His mother, Lassair,
orLassara,belongedtotheroyalbloodofMunster. ^s Thus,ineitherline,
must our saint be regarded as noble by descent,^4 and by paternal ancestry, he was alHed in blood with several of our most celebrated saints. ^5
The illustrious St. Columkille,^^ thirty years before its occvurence, an- nounced, in a spirit of prophecy, the time for his birth. 27 The village of Bile-Fobhair—where his parents dwelt, and when his nativity drew near— is said to have been all over illuminated^^ with a heavenly light. ^9 This was
a presage of Fechin's future sanctity. Scarcely can it be admitted, that one who died of a plague in 665 could have been born earlier than between 580 and 590. 3° Even it seems possible, his birth may be more nearly referable to the beginning of the seventh century.
The very infancy of St. Fechin was distinguished by the performance of miracles. 3^ He received an early literary culture from St. Nathi, who lived
atAchonry. 3^ Hewasindoctrinatedbythisholymanwithasoundandreli- gious education. 33 At this school, not far from his native place, he made
great progress in piety and inductive literature. According to one account,
while there, he caused water to flow from dry soil, and this was afterwards
called the " the well of St. Fechin. "34 He is said to have re- by people
mained with Nathy until after his ordination. 3s This Nathi is represented as
to Killin, son of Coel, son to Aid, son of Saine, son to Airtcorb, son of Carbre Niadh,
January, says Colgan—but correctly 28th of June—and Stellan, had prophetic admoni- tions regarding this event. See ibid. ^ cap. iii. , p. 130, and cap. iii. , p. 133. Colgan thinks, however, that for Cruemus may
son to Cormac, son of ^ngus Menn, son to
Eochadh Fionn Fuothairt. Thus agree the
Martyrology of Cashel at the 20th of Ja-
nuary, and the commentator on ^ngus, possibly be re—ad Crumtherus, i. e. , Nathius
at the same date, as likewise Selbach, chap,
xiv. , the Psalter of Cashel, and the **Ge-
nealogic Sanctilogy," num. xix.
""This monarch reigned from A. D, 123 to
A. D. 157, according to Dr. O' Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters," voL i. , pp. 102 to 105.
"3 According to both published Acts of St. Fechin in Colgan. However, in the appen- dix, we are told that the tract on the "
or Nathineus t
—he name of St. Fechin's
future instructor. Ibid. , n. 5, p. 140. ''^See "The Second Life," chap, iv. , pp.
"
Mothers of the Irish Saints" calls her
vicious chief, the enemy of our saint's pa-
rents and of others, who, like Balaam, pro-
phesied that the child thus bom should ap- pear in aftertime by the splendour of his virtues, a wonder to coming time. See ibid. , cap. iv. , p. 130.
• 3° Sochla," num. 35. This latter word has
Yet Dr. Lanigan stretches the supposi-
the meaning of "generous" or "charitable," while "Lassair" means "aflame. " Hence Colgan thinks she might have received either name, nearly synonymous, because of the flame of charity with which she had been filled.
'^ According to the poem, beginning with " The Hagiology of the Saints of Inis- Fail," he belonged to the line of Eochaidh Finnfuathart, from which St. Brigid her-
self descended. See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Appendix Quarta ad Acta S. Brigidae, cap. iii. , p. 613.
tion to the extent of assigning his birth to
A. D. 575, provided Fechin could be thought to have attained 90 years at the time of his death. Still the learned Doctor says, it is very probable St. Fechin did not pass his eightieth year. An effort is here made to reconcile with probability the matter of his having studied under St. Nathi. See "Ec- clesiastical History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, xii. , § iii. , n. 40, pp. 192, 193.
3' Yet these accounts are blended with
so many fables, we deem it only proper to omit several of them. See "The First Life,"
" Acta Sanctorum Hi- bemiae," xx. Januarii, Appendix ad Acta
"5 See
ix. ,pp. 130, 131.
Colgan's
S. Fechini, cap. i. , p. 143.
chap, vi. , vii. ,
"*
See his life, at the 9th of June. Also "
viii. ,
3* See Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical
History of Ireland," vol. i. , chap, vii. , §vi. , n. 65, p. 345.
mhin Molagga, at the present date. 4. St. Molocca, son of Colman Finn, at the 22nd of March. 5. St. Molocca, at the 26th of the same month. 6. St. Loichen, of Cong, at the 17th of April. 7. St. Loichen, at the
Confessorum Molaca Oenii Fechin celebra- 12th of June. 8. St. Moloca of Sliabh
"
tur. " See Bishop Fo—rbes'
the Scottish Saints. " Kalendarium Drum- of Tulach-h-Olainn, at the 7th of August, mondiense, p. 3. 10. St. Molocca, at the 9th of the same
33 This likewise accords with a statement month. 11. St. Molacca, son of Cairthenn, in his Irish Life, contained in the Book of at the 13th of the same month. 12. St.
Kalendars of Bloom, at the 20th of July. 9. St. Molacca,
Lismore. A stream, called Abhann Carrig
na mbrointe, or " The River of the Quern
Stones," flows north-west of Marshalstown,
into the River Funcheon, and southwards
through the glen called Leaba Molagga. This Mr. Joseph O'Longan identifies with
Glaise-Muilinn, i. e. , "the Stream of Mar-
tel's mill," or "the stream of the mortar
mill," mentioned in the translated tract,
"
Forbuis Dromadamhghaire," n. 7 to p. i. Some, however, identify it with Sheep River, west of the first-mentioned stream.
3< Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hibemise," XX. Januarii. Vita S. MolaggJE, cap. xxii. , p. 148.
35Thefollowingistheorderoftheirfeasts,
viz. : I. St. Molacca, of Lifeacbar, at the Abbey,"in"Poems,''byT. D. Sidlivan,p. 202.
Lochan, at the 31st of December. See notices of them at their respective days.
3* Mr. Joseph O'Longan's translation of
" Forbuis Dromadamhghaire," n. I, p. 9. Mag Floinn was the comharba, and O'Cos- crann was the clerk of the crozier to this place, according to that tract,
"
37 Mr. Joseph O'Longan's translation of
Forbuis Dromadamhghaire," pp. 6, 7, and n. i to p. 7.
38 These extend from near Buttevant to the Galtees.
3? Mr. Joseph O'Longan's Translation of "Forbuis Dromadamhghaire," im. i, 2, 3, 4, p. 14.
'* *'°Seethebeautifullegendof Timoleague
January 20. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 355
is said to have derived its name from this saint, the EngUsh equivalent being " the house of Molaga. "-*! It is probable, that a church dedicated to him stood in this place, before the foundation of the noble Franciscan Abbey in 1240. 42 Itissaid,thatthiserectionhadbeendedicatedtothelocalpatrouj^s and that it had been founded by the sept of the Mac Carthys. t4 The buildings are yet nearly entire, excepting the roof, and the walls enclose three sides of a court, sixty yards square. ^s On the east is the church, with nave and choir ; the former is thirty and the latter fifteen yards in length. From the division, a transept more than twelve yards long extends towards the south. South of the nave there is an open arcade, extending along one
Timoleague Abbey Ruins, Co. Cork.
side of the transept, and supported by seven irregular arches, resting on cylindrical and square pillars without capitals. The windows are varied in their elevation and style. The east window is composed of three lofty lights, divided by stone mullions. The south window of the transept has three
lancet-shaped lights, and the great west window two. There is a chapel on the east side of the south transept, with light and elegant windows. Those
of the nave are pointed, square-headed, obtuse, and ogee, A lofty arch divides the nave and choir. Over it rises a light square tower, 68 feet in height. 46 The dormitories, refectory, and other domestic edifices remain. 47
and the froma Dublin, copied by writer,
beautiful drawing of John Windale, pre- served among his Manuscripts in the Royal
^^MSee Rev. C. B. Gibson's " of History
the County and City of Cork," vol. ii. , chap, xxiii. , p. 504.
Topographical Dictionary of Ireland," vol. ii. , p. 625.
** Beneath this tower there is a narrow and curious passage, similar to those leading to the roof-loft in the English cathedral—s.
47 See ibid. Around this ruin are
place,
monastery,
" Annals of the Four
(w), pp. 300, 301, 4^ See ibid.
Masters,"
vol. n. iii. ,
^^ See Lewis' ' '
in Irish CeAC is molAjA,
4' This
situated in the barony of Barryroe, in the county of Cork. Here probably, thinks Dr. O'Donovan, St. Molaga erected a primitive
but of this we have no
Irish
record. Dr. O'Donovan seems to distin- guish it from Tulach min Molaga. See
^3 The situation of Timoleague parish is
shown on the
''
Ordnance Survey Townland
MapsfortheCountyofCork," Sheets123, 136. On the former sheet the site and sur-
j" The swelling fields of Barryroe,
roundings
of the
abbey
ruins be traced. may
And all the westward " Carbery heights.
The accompanying engraving of this abbey has been executed by George A. Hanlon, of
—See T. D. Sullivan's " Poems"—"Timo- league Abbey," p. 202.
Irish Academy.
356
LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. ' 20. [January
In 1604, the Catholics of this place repaired the monastery,^^ and used it for
religious services; while the walls, though now unroofed, are yet very
perfect. 49
One of this saint's chief objects was by his instructions and example to
shed the light of science and religion over those ages which were kept in the shade. He also wished to demonstrate the greatness of the Church, and her sanctity allied to the constant progress of Christian civilization. He proved quite equal to such an undertaking, hard as it was, and not unfraught with peril under peculiar conditions. Deep erudition was needed, no apocryphal documents could be accepted, no doubtful texts quoted, nor contestable arguments be advanced, when he had to deal with those learned men who were his adversaries, when the relics of paganism had not been wholly extinct in Ireland, and when Christians needed the wholesome food of sound doctrine, and the salt of true wsdom, to preserve them from con lamination, and the dangers of their age.
ARTICLE II. —ST. FECHIN, ABBOT OF FOBHAR, OR FORE, COUNTY OF WESTMEATH.
[SEVENTH CENTURY. '^
CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTION—ST. FECHIN'S OLD AND MODERN LIVES—HIS PARENTAGE AND PLACE
OF BIRTH—PORTENTS REGARDING HIS FUTURE GREATNESS AND SANCTITY—
HIS EARLY EDUCATION—MONASTIC ESTABLISHMENTS AND CHURCHES ERECTED—IMAY—
ARD-OILEAN.
This ascetic man belonged to the class of holy and secluded anchorets, al- though he ruled as an abbot. His sanctity attracted great numbers ot disciples to his retreat. Before he had long exercised jurisdiction, his com- munity numbered over three hundred pious monks. ^ Hence, in his habits and life, he has been compared to the great archimandrite of the East, St. Anthony. * His manner of living was very austere. It has been remarked, that St. Fechin's acts have been filled with many characteristic incidents of Irish related miracles. 3 More might be added, that several of these are absurd and manifestly fabulous. * Yet are we ready to beheve, that such a man, gifted with so many rich graces from Heaven, and so purified by holi- ness in a very perfect degree, must have been distinguished during life by the achievement of various supernatural works. We shall endeavour to exercise some caution and discrimination, while unveiling the chief recorded particu-
lars of his life.
Some manuscript acts of this holy abbot are extant. s The Bollandist
^ Cox's "History of Ireland," vol. ii. , p. 10.
*9 See an interesting account of this place
Brigid's feast, on the 1st day of February, and at St. Patrick's feast, on the 1 7th day of March.
3 See Rev. S. " Lives ot Baring-Gould's
the Saints," vol. i. , January xx. , pp. 310, 311.
< Yet our annals and records certify that
the personages named as this saint's con-
temporaries, when known, have been found
admirably to synchronize with statements contained in his acts,
5 Among these do we find described,
in Archdall's "Monasticon
Hibemicum,"
pp. 77, 78. — Article II. —Chapter i.
'See Rev. A. Cogan's "Diocese of Meath, Ancient and Modem," vol. iii. , chap. Ixxiv. , p. 561.
' See "The Martyrology of Donegal," edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 22, 23. For this statement is quoted that very old vellum book, which is mentioned at St.
JANUARY 20. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 357
fathers have edited the Acts of St. Fechin, in four chapters and seventeen sections. ^ BishopChallonerhassomenoticesregardingthissaint. ? TheRev. AlbanButlerhasabriefrecordofhim. ^ Theseaccountsoccuratthe20th of January, the date for his festival. Colgan has published two lives of holy Fechin, with notes and appendices. 9 The author of the first life'° was Augustine MacGraidin, who died in 1405," This formed only a brief bio- graphy of the saint. " A second collection of his acts, which is more copious and circumstantial—even if less authentic—had been compiled by Colgan and his assistants. This compilation proceeded from three different lives of Fechin,'3 which were composed in Irish. ^* One of these had been taken from a much older codex, written in Latin. 's St. Aileran the Wise, abbot of Clonard, is said to have written the present saint's acts,'^ and both
this biographer and the subject of his biography were contemporaries. ^'
Bile,'^ afterwards called from the circumstance. Bile Fechin, in the present
barony of Leney, and county of Sligo, is stated to have been the place of
St. Fechin's birth. '9 This illustrious saint seems to have been a native of
that =° in which the celebrated St. Athracta had her His territory, nunnery.
father, Koelchama, descended from Eochaidh Fionn Fuathart,^^ was brother to
Vitas S. Fechini, Abbatis, Fourii, in Hi- and written in 74 elegant metrical distichs, bemia :—i. MS. Bodl. Rawl. B. 505, ff. recounting a great number of the saint's 181- 185, veil, folio, xiv. cent. ; 2. MS. miracles. The three codices were found to Bodl. Rawl. B. 485, f. 181, veil. 4to. xiv.
cent.
*
See "Acta Sanctoram," tomus ii. , xx. Januarii, Vita S. Fechini, pp. 329 to 333.
be over proHx for separate publication, so that Colgan thought it better to collate and
This a. dds little to what has been
abridge their contents, which substantially he has published.
'* See Rev. A. "Diocese of Cogan's
Meath,Ancient. andModem,"vol. i. , chap,
ii. , p. 15-
'7 See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hi-
bemiae," xx. Januarii, Acta S. Fechini, n. 12, p. 140.
'^ This is probably the townland of Billa, south of Owenbeg river, in the parish of Ballysadare, barony of Le3Tiy, and county of Sligo. Excepting a moat, I find no ob- ject of antiquarian interest there.
Colgan. " 7 See
to 70. ^"
given by Britannia Sancta," part i. , pp. 68
Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs, and other Principal Saints," vol. i. , xx. January. 9 See "Acta Sanctorum Hibemiae," xx.
Januarii, Acta S. Fechini, pp. 130 to 144.
In both lives, however, the series of his acts
seems much confused.
'°
This was taken from the Book of the
See for the
Island of All
of Longford.
in
" Ordnance Townland Survey
"
'9 See " The Second Life of St. Fechin,"
chap i. , p. 133. In this district, the epis- copal see of Achonry was situated, n. 2, p. 140.
"° However, other accounts seem to as- sign his birth to Meath, and the "Meno-
thus — logic Genealogy," chap, iv. , incorrectly
and inadvertently weaves his pedigree
St Fechin, son of Coelchama, son to Gril-
son to— son of Aid Slaine. Yet lin, Coselius,
—was killed A. D. about the period assigned for Fechin's birth or youth. See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals
of the Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 226, 227. But the same "Menologic Genealogy,''
chap. XV. , brings him, not from the race of Colman Crimthann, to which Aldus Slaine belonged, but from the line of Aidus Mac Saine, pertaining to the race of Eochad Finn.
"
wards from our saint
600,
Saints,
Lough Ree, county
Maps
" He was an erudite and a wise man. See Sir James Ware, " De Scriptoribus Hiber- nise," lib. i. , cap. xi. , p. 75.
County of Sligo,
Sheet 26.
" For purposes of quotation, this may be designated the " Prima Vita S. Fechini," or "First Life of St. Fechin. "
'3 This was intended to elucidate what was found to be obscure in the Island of All Saints' life, and to include what was not there written.
'• For purposes of quotation, this may be called the "Secunda Vita S. Fechini," or
the latter four generations removed back-
SecondLifeofSt. Fechin. " Colgande-
signates it as the supplementum, or supple- ment to the first
'5 It is said, in the time of St Aidan, who
was a contemporary of St. Fechin, and over nine hundred years before Colgan wrote. This was a Codex of Immaigh, in Con- naught, where our saint lived. The second very old life wanted both the beginning and the end, although otherwise very trust- worthy. The third was very, old, likewise,
^'
Th—us is his paternal pedigree generally
St. sonof son
:
given Fechin, Coelchama,
358 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 20.
the famous monarch, Conn of the Hundred Battles. =' His mother, Lassair,
orLassara,belongedtotheroyalbloodofMunster. ^s Thus,ineitherline,
must our saint be regarded as noble by descent,^4 and by paternal ancestry, he was alHed in blood with several of our most celebrated saints. ^5
The illustrious St. Columkille,^^ thirty years before its occvurence, an- nounced, in a spirit of prophecy, the time for his birth. 27 The village of Bile-Fobhair—where his parents dwelt, and when his nativity drew near— is said to have been all over illuminated^^ with a heavenly light. ^9 This was
a presage of Fechin's future sanctity. Scarcely can it be admitted, that one who died of a plague in 665 could have been born earlier than between 580 and 590. 3° Even it seems possible, his birth may be more nearly referable to the beginning of the seventh century.
The very infancy of St. Fechin was distinguished by the performance of miracles. 3^ He received an early literary culture from St. Nathi, who lived
atAchonry. 3^ Hewasindoctrinatedbythisholymanwithasoundandreli- gious education. 33 At this school, not far from his native place, he made
great progress in piety and inductive literature. According to one account,
while there, he caused water to flow from dry soil, and this was afterwards
called the " the well of St. Fechin. "34 He is said to have re- by people
mained with Nathy until after his ordination. 3s This Nathi is represented as
to Killin, son of Coel, son to Aid, son of Saine, son to Airtcorb, son of Carbre Niadh,
January, says Colgan—but correctly 28th of June—and Stellan, had prophetic admoni- tions regarding this event. See ibid. ^ cap. iii. , p. 130, and cap. iii. , p. 133. Colgan thinks, however, that for Cruemus may
son to Cormac, son of ^ngus Menn, son to
Eochadh Fionn Fuothairt. Thus agree the
Martyrology of Cashel at the 20th of Ja-
nuary, and the commentator on ^ngus, possibly be re—ad Crumtherus, i. e. , Nathius
at the same date, as likewise Selbach, chap,
xiv. , the Psalter of Cashel, and the **Ge-
nealogic Sanctilogy," num. xix.
""This monarch reigned from A. D, 123 to
A. D. 157, according to Dr. O' Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters," voL i. , pp. 102 to 105.
"3 According to both published Acts of St. Fechin in Colgan. However, in the appen- dix, we are told that the tract on the "
or Nathineus t
—he name of St. Fechin's
future instructor. Ibid. , n. 5, p. 140. ''^See "The Second Life," chap, iv. , pp.
"
Mothers of the Irish Saints" calls her
vicious chief, the enemy of our saint's pa-
rents and of others, who, like Balaam, pro-
phesied that the child thus bom should ap- pear in aftertime by the splendour of his virtues, a wonder to coming time. See ibid. , cap. iv. , p. 130.
• 3° Sochla," num. 35. This latter word has
Yet Dr. Lanigan stretches the supposi-
the meaning of "generous" or "charitable," while "Lassair" means "aflame. " Hence Colgan thinks she might have received either name, nearly synonymous, because of the flame of charity with which she had been filled.
'^ According to the poem, beginning with " The Hagiology of the Saints of Inis- Fail," he belonged to the line of Eochaidh Finnfuathart, from which St. Brigid her-
self descended. See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Appendix Quarta ad Acta S. Brigidae, cap. iii. , p. 613.
tion to the extent of assigning his birth to
A. D. 575, provided Fechin could be thought to have attained 90 years at the time of his death. Still the learned Doctor says, it is very probable St. Fechin did not pass his eightieth year. An effort is here made to reconcile with probability the matter of his having studied under St. Nathi. See "Ec- clesiastical History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, xii. , § iii. , n. 40, pp. 192, 193.
3' Yet these accounts are blended with
so many fables, we deem it only proper to omit several of them. See "The First Life,"
" Acta Sanctorum Hi- bemiae," xx. Januarii, Appendix ad Acta
"5 See
ix. ,pp. 130, 131.
Colgan's
S. Fechini, cap. i. , p. 143.
chap, vi. , vii. ,
"*
See his life, at the 9th of June. Also "
viii. ,
3* See Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical
History of Ireland," vol. i. , chap, vii. , §vi. , n. 65, p. 345.
