This gift our saint
afterwards
parted with, in favour of the poor.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v9
Ciaran of Clonmac-
1,6
"
Britannicarum Ecclesiarum Anti-
property. "
Mugenoc
These were all holy men,
We are told, that St. Kieran
6 This statement"7 is
1 Two
Ciaran, Camnach, fair Comgall, Two Brenainns, Ruadan with beauty,
Findians,
two chaste Colombs,
Ninnid, Mobi, Nat-fraich's son. ' i. e. t MolaisiofDevenish.
"
Papebroke adds to the foregoing account,
September 9. ] LIVES OE THE IRISH SAINTS. 209
toKieranofSaigirthantohimofClonmacnoise. For,althoughtheopinion be not admitted, that our Kieran died in the thirty-third year of his age, whilst Papebroke thinks, Kieran of Saigir died in 520; this latter cannot have frequented Clonard school with the former. The record cited by
1
Ussher does not determine this point satisfactorily," since it fails to dis-
tinguish which of the Kierans is there mentioned,123 Manual labour is said to have been practised at this school of Clonard, and each of the bishops
there had his task assigned alternately to grind a day at the quern. "3 But, when our saint's day came, angels u$ed to grind at the quern for Ciaran. ,24 While he war, there, and having dedicated her maidenhood to God, the king of Cualann's daughter was entrusted to the care of Findian, who brought her to Ciaran, and with him she used to read the psalms. So long as he was engaged in teaching her, he would not look at the face of the young lady, and he saw only her feet. So great an opinion had Findian of the disciple's sanctity, that when twelve lepers came to be healed by him, the abbot sent them to Ciaran, v/ho, taking a sod from the earth, caused water to flow, and pouring three waves of it over each of the men, they were immediately cleansed from their leprosy. Again, it is related, that while Ninnid Slant-eye of Locha Eime #as a student with him at Clonard, he had no book, and was directed by Findian to borrow from some one among the scholars. They refused to lend him, and this he stated to the abbot, who said, " Hast thou gone to the tender youth who is in the north of the green? " Ninnid said he had not, but that he should then go, and meantime Ciaran had arrived
atthemiddletextofSt. Matthew'sGospel "Omniaquaecumquevultisat
:
I2 "
faciant homines vobis ita et vos faciatis illis. " 5 Ninnid then said, I have
come to borrow a book. " "Mercy come to us ! " replied Ciaran, "it is for
this I read, and this the text saith to me, that I should do unto everyone
whatIdesireshouldbedoneuntome. " Hethengavethatbook. Onthe
morrow, his companions asked Ninnid regarding his procuring of the book,
and they were told the circumstances already related. One of the class then
" 126 "
said, Let Ciaran Half-Matthew be his name. " Nay," replied Findian,
" but Ciaran 12 ? for half of Ireland shall be and ours shall Half-Ireland, his,
be the other half. "
121
128
Other legendary accounts are given regarding his
Notwithstanding the foregoing state- ment, Ussher distinctly lays it down from the old Life of St. Finian, that the two Kierans,
dicitur, et Kieranus Saigre attended his school at Clonard. And the Kieran, who bestowed Clonard and its possessions on his master, has been identified with him of Clonmacnoise. See TJssher's " Britanni- carum Ecclesiarum Antiquitates," cap. xvii. , p. 471'
133
However, TJssher's conjecture seems far more probable, taking into account the dates, position and circumstances of these early events.
123 This account— substituting mill for quern—is given by Colgan, from the biogra- pherof St. Kyran, whom he cites, in u Trias Thaumaturga. " Vita S. Columbia, n. 12, p. 457*
124 Again we are informed, this same pro- digy had taken place, during his captivity under King Furbithus. Not having seen
the document cited by Colgan, Suyskens
says, he could not determine the particular St. Kyran here meant. But, he suspects, also, that this account must have been trans- ferred from the acts of other saints. As for instance, an angel is said to have worked a
"
" Kieranus filius Artificis qui iriAcicAein "
Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Martii viii. , nn. 13
mill for St. Senan, as recorded in the
et seq. , p. 771.
,2s Somewhat similar to this account is one
related in the Life of St. Gildas Badonicus. There reference is made to some ancient Life of St. Finnian, who was the master of Kieran.
,2<5 In Latin " Dimidium Matthaei. " The Irish words are Leth Matha.
,27 The Irish words used were Leth nErionn. Having been honoured and en- dowed by Irish princes, many farms, cells and monasteries became subject to him ; so that Kieran and his succes*ors might be re- garded, as having the half of Ireland subject to them.
,28 To this the writer of St. Ciaran's Life in the Book of Lismore adds, and with an
O
2io LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[September 9.
miracles and spirit of prophecy, while at Clonard j but, we shall only refer to them as introducing the domestic and social usages of wheat and oats being carried to a mill, loaves of wheat, bacon, flesh, vessels of ale, mead, nocturnsandprime,reapingandreapers,beingmentioned. Certainofthe clerics asked Findian, who would give out the prayer, when himself should
"
Ciaran. 1S9 " Thou givest the abbacy to him," saith Brenainn, M in preference
" It hath been
between chief cities, and the difference that shall be between them in size must be the difference between both rivers. "
CHAPTER II.
ST. KIERAN LEAVES CLONARD FOR THE SCHOOL OF ST. NINNIDIUS—MIRACLES RECORDED —HE GOES TO ST. ENDEUS, ON THE ISLAND OF ARAN—HIS ACTS WHILE THERK— HIS VISIT TO ST. SENAN OF INISCATHY—ADMONISHED IN A VISION TO BECOME THE FOUNDER OF A GREAT MONASTERY.
muigh-samh. 4 Thispermissionheobtainedin530,accordingtoArchbishop Ussher. The Irish Life, contained in the Book of Lismore, states, that after learning reading and wisdom at Clonard, he left the Dun with holy Ninnid, but said that her hide should come to him afterwards, and he declared, that although numbers might be nourished by her milk, still there must be many more to whom her hide should give help. 5 In referring to Ussher's statement, that our saint left St. Finian's School in 530, Dr. Lanigan observes, that the date ill accords with that assigned for the birth of Kieran, as, according to such hypothesis, Kieran should have been then
be no longer on earth.
Yonder youth," replied Findian, pointing to
Findian
be given. " This saying caused Ciaran to# be envied by all the saints, except Columkille. Then one of those present asked Ciaran, which of the saints should have the greatest reward in Heaven. " Mercy come to us ! " returned Ciaran, " it shall be known in our convents on earth. " Then Brenain of Birr prophesied for him '* We will take two convents on two streams
:
to
everyone. "
replied :
given,
We are that told,
1 from his former
Kieran went to St. Ninnidius, the abbot of a monastery built in a wood, near Lough Erne. Other accounts have it, on an Island,3 called Inis-
only fourteen years of age.
6
However, it is generally supposed, that the
having
obtained 2
permission
master,
St.
Irish verse commemorating it ; from that xi. , n. 170, p. 54. A similar passage is the famous word was taken to Rome to quoted by Ussher, from a somewhat different Alexander, " Non legam Marcum quo Life. See ** Britannicarum Ecclesiarum usque compleveram Mattheum. "
Antiquitates," cap. xvii. , p. 495.
2 Saint Ninnid's Life has been compiled from the acts of other saints, and published by Colgan, at the 18th of January. He is there called Ninnidius, Nennidhuis or forward a unity of friendship was estab- Nennius, abbot and bishop. See " Acta
129 The Irish Life of our saint in the Book of Lismore states, that before taking leave of his pupil, Finian offered his monastery to Kiaran. This offer was refused, but thence-
lished between them.
Chapter ii. —'
licentia et benedictione occurs in a life of
accepta licentia, in Dr. Lanigan's estimation, alluded to a certificate or testimonial for learning and good conduct, such as was often given in universities to deserving students, who are
Sanctorum Hiberniae," xviii. Januarii, num.
8, p. 113.
3 On Lough Erne. 4 See notices of this
St. These words Kieran, cap. 7.
at the 1 8th of January, the day for his feast, in the First
thence named liceticiates.
See " Ecclesiasti-
sect.
Volume of this work, Art. ii.
s He said " Every soul that shall go out
of its body on the hide of the Dun "—a cow so called—" shall not be punished in hell. " 6 The Rev. Dr. adds: "Who
cal of History
Ireland,
"vol.
ii. , chap, x. ,
Lanigan
"Accepta magistri "
sui
it is and it shall given,
saint,
September 9. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAIATS. 211
school at Clonard could not have been established much earlier than about such a date. ? But, that our saint had spent three or four years there, the year for his departure most probably may have been about 534, which can fairly well accord with the time necessary for the completion of his theolo-
studies at the of or 8 His new master is age twenty-six twenty-seven.
gical
said to have been surnamed Laobh-dearc, and to have been a fellow-disciple,
probably with St. Kieran, in the school of Clonard. 9
In his Life, we are told, that St. Kieran of Clonmacnoise, a great Ii^ht
of Ireland, appeared among other distinguished scholars, like the moon amid less luminous orbs. Finian had a vision of him and of Cclumkille, and of two moons in the air, with a hue of gold upon them. One of the twain went by sea towards the north-east, and this was Columkille to Iona, with the radiance of his nobleness and high birth ; the other went west- wards to the Shannon, and shone over the middle of Ireland, with the radiance of his charity and mercy. This latter was Ciaran of Clonmacnoise. Again, from the Life of our saint, compiled by Augustin Graidin10 or Mac
11 we are
obtained his master's blessing and leave to depart, and he was afterwards received with great joy and kindness by St. Ninnidius. Whilst here, it was customary for three monks, with their senior, to cut and remove wood, for theuseoftheirmonastery. Thesedutiesrecurredtothematstatedtimes. In accordance with that rule, our saint and his attendant brethren were sent to an adjoining wood, during a period his course of religious discipline continued. However, while the monks were prosecuting their labours on an island, our saint retired to pray, in a more distant place. Meantime, some robbers passed over in a boat. Rushing on the monks, these outcasts, as we are told, killed them, and took away their heads. After some time, Kieran wondered why he did not hear the sound of axes. He went to ascertain the cause for this cessation in their labours. On witnessing the sad spectacle presented of bodies decapitated, he felt grievously afflicted. Following closely on the traces of their murderers, he found them endeavouring to launch their vessels from the haven into the water. This, however, they were unable to effect, by any effort. Experiencing such a striking and miraculous manifestation of the Almighty's displeasure, they penitently besought pardon from our saint. Mindful of his Heavenly Master's great example, in praying for the Jews that crucified Him, Kyran
Graidin,
informed,
that
having spent
some time at he Clonard,
will believe that he was so young at a time
when he had completed his theological studies, and was probably already a monk? In what is said of him on his arrival at the monastery of Nennidius he appears as such. He was, I dare say, much more than 14 years old, when he first went to Finian's school ; whereas, besides its being related that he was then grown up, adultioris cetatis, it can scarcely be supposed, that he was less than 18 or 20 when properly qualified for
Ussher states, he sh—ould have been only seventeen or eighteen an age too premature for the attainment of such an object.
9 See Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical His- tory of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, x. , sect, xi. , p. 51, and nn. 171, 172, p. 55, ibid.
,0 This writer is mentioned by Sir James Ware, as an Augustinian Canon, as also a learned and prudent man, who died A. D. 1405. Among his principal works we find enumerated, Vita Sanctorum Hibern'uc. See " De Scriptoribus Hibernice," lib. i. , cap. xi. , p. 75.
"
Although Mac Graidin is praised for his judgment and learning, by Sir James Ware; yet,Papebrokeseemstohaveformed a far different opinion in "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , Martii xxi. De S. Endeo Abbate Araniensi in Hibernia. Commentarius
praevius, num. 5, p. 268.
the biblical an—d theological studies cultivated "
at Clonard. " Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, x. , sect, xi. , n. 170, p. 54.
7 See ibid. vol. i. , chap, ix. , sect, viii. , and
notes, pp. 464 to 469.
8 This too should coincide with the date
for his birth, as given in the Annals of Innis- fallen, but, had he been born in 516, as
212 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[September 9.
was also ready to offer his prayers for those wicked robbers. He demanded theheadswhichhadbeencarriedaway. Havingobtainedsuchrestoration, their vessel then floated Out on the water. Our saint returned with the heads to where their bodies lay. Then praying the Almighty to manifest His great mercy, by the restoration to life of his slain brethren, Kieran placed the heads near their bodies. Owing to the efficacy of his prayers, those monks were once more restored to life. They afterwards carried the wood cut down towards their monastery ; and, so long as those religious lived,
2
11*
It is related in the Irish Life, * that while Tuathal Mael-garbh ruled over
Ireland, Kieran went to request the manumission of a slave-girl, and he
offered to place his hand on the quern to supply her place. Whereupon, the King not only released that slave, but bestowed his royal raiment on Ciaran.
This gift our saint afterwards parted with, in favour of the poor. It is said, likewise, that he went to King Furbaide15 to ask for another slave-girl, when one man brought him a cow as his offering, another man bestowed on him a mantle, and another brought a kettle ; but, these he gave to the poor, on that same day he received them. However, to reward his charity, the Almighty gave three offerings that were better ; viz. , a cauldron in lieu of his kettle, twelve mantles in lieu of his single mantle, and twelve cows instead of his one cow. Seeing this, the King released the slave-girl, in favour of St Ciaran's interposition.
After remaining with St. Nennidius for some time, our Saint16 went to St. Endeus of Aran. 1 ? According to one account,18 our Saint paid two distinct visits to him, and at* different times. We may suppose, that after the first of those visits, Kyran went to St. Senan,'9 and that after some experience of Iniscathy, he desired to return again to St. Endeus of Aran, in order to become one of his professed monks, and to close his life under such discipline. With him for some years, Kyran faithfully served in
diligence and industry of Kieran, during that period he spent in Aran, that no roof could be constructed to cover all the grain, which he had threshed. 21
marks of decapitation were traceable around their necks. '
20
years under the direction of St. Endeus, Abbot of Aran. Such were the
threshing out grain.
Archbishop Ussher states, that Kieran passed seven
12
Remarking on the unusual character of
vol. i. , pp. 176 to 181. However, Roderick O'Flaherty places the accession of Tutlialius
Calvoasper in the year 533, which agrees with the computation in the Annals of Ulster. These latter assign his death to A. l>. 543. See " Ogygia," pars iii. , cap. xciii. , p. 430.
15 No Ard-Righ, bearing this name, is to be found among the monarchs of Ireland.
16 Called " filius fabri. "
17 See his Life, at the 21st of March, in the Third Volume of this work, Art. i.
18 That of Augustin Magraidin.
'9 See his Life, at the 8th of March, in the Third Volume of this work, Art. i.
20 In the old Life, we find, "in monas-
terii territorio. " The Bollandist editor
u teritorio. '' It be suggests, forte may
observed, that this term seems to imply, a threshinzfloor.
Q'Donovan's ''Annals of the Four Masters," Island, at the time of their composition.
this prodigy, Suyskens considered it might appear more authentic if found in an earlier record. lie observes, also, that Macgraidin as in the instance of St. Endeus' acts, had possibly in his possession still older acts of our Saint, from which the foregoing prodigy might have been taken ; yet, using his dis- cretion as a with such little
compiler
ment, it is to be feared, he considered un-
authentic or very recent acts as trustworthy
13 As found in the Book of Lismore.
'*
The O'Clerys place the accession of Tuathal Maelgarbh, whose name has been
documents. Suyskens adds
hinc inferre, hax aut quoecumque alia ad fahulas certo esse rejicienda, cum antiquis monumentis revera hinc inde potuerit usus fuisse. "
Latinised Tutlialius at A. D. Calvoasper,
21 of St. Endeus In the old Acts
:
" Nolim tamen
judg-
by Magraidin, we are told, that the walls of placing his death at A. D. 538. See Dr. this threshing place might be seen in Aran
528, allowing him a leign of eleven years, and
September 9. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 213
After the lapse of his term, St. Kyran had a dream, which was thus related to his Master. One night he saw a tree, which grew near a large river called the Shannon, and it seemed so large, leafy and spreading, that it covered the whole of Ireland. Endeus said, that Kyran himself was that flourishing tree ; that before God and man should he grow great and fruitful in good works ; and, that he would be honoured throughout the whole of Ireland. Endeus
added, M Now therefore approach, and fulfilling the will of God, build there
a 22 monastery. "
some time
under the
lived for
of St. Senan of Iniscathy, St. Kieran founded his establishment at Inis
Aingin, during the life- time of the former. A
good deal of conjec- ture has been expended on an attempt to locate exactly this monastery of Aingin or Angina. However, it appears to have been situated on
2
an Island, 3now known
as Hare Island, and anciently called Inis-
Aingin or Inchinneen, in the lower region of
Lough Ree, on the River Shannon. It consists of 1 10 acres—
at present altogether grown over with large torest trees, and thickly
Having
religious discipline
Old Chur
pearances of remote erection. * It lies near the south-east shore of
Lcugh
Ree. as It is 26 that in MacGraidin's account, he thought,
probably
23
religious foundation alluded to must have been that of Clonmacnoise, Latinized, Cluanense. But, the reference was to a more remote period, as Papebroke states, in editing his Acts of St. Endeus.
F. Wakeraan, and tiansferred to the wood, engraved by Mrs. Millard.
25 Some improvements of a modern cha-
racter have been there introduced by a
It will naturally be supposed, that the
23 See Rev. A.
Cogan's
" Diocese of vol. ii. ,
Meath, Ancient and Modern," vol. hi. ,
chap, lxxiv. , p. 570.
24 The accompanying illustration of the
ruined gable and window of this primitive church was sketched on the spot by William
26
p. 295.
Suy^ken supposes it to be very likely,
Aingen, Lough Ree. 2
former proprietor, Viscount Casilemaine. "
See Parliamentary Gazetteer of Ireland,''
that, finding the same vision differently described in both copies of St. Kyran's
Acts, which he possessed, and conjecturing that they were different visions, MacGraidin
brakes of
tangled
brush-wood,
parish of Bunown,
barony of Kilkenny West and County of Westmeath. Onitare to be seen the ruins of an old church, built of solid masonry blocks, and exhibiting in its lonely and sylvan sur- roundings all the ap-
in the
2i4 LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [September9.
confounded a double visit of St. Kieran to St. Endeus and there- ;
fore, that his prophesy might be referred to the later one. The purpose of St. Kyran to remain as a monk on Aran Island was probably frustratedbythevisionknowntoSt. Endeus. Owingtoitsoccurrence,our Saint was directed to establish his monastery near that place on the River Shannon, and specially pointed out by Heaven's decree. Whether this was on the Island of Aingen or at Clonmacnois may be questioned : if the former be meant, the account must appear to be more in the order of narrative ; but, the latter site is generally supposed to be intended, since it became the place for his more celebrated establishment. 2? While under St. Endeus, we have accounts of the charity, spirit of prophecy, and miracles of St. Ciaran ; while allusion is made to a place called Isel, which a certain Cobthach
to God and Ciaran. 28 We are butfurtheridentificationseemstobewanting. Nordoesthereappeartobe order or sequence in the narrative of his acts, as they have come down to us, so that it is impossible to state when or where many of them occurred. 3°
granted
In a Life of our
informed,
that it was near a 29 lake,
Aran,3
2 and visited St.
Senan, bishop
Iniscathy. 33
When Kieran
Saint,
told,
31
we are
that St. and abbot of
Kyran
left the Island of
obtained leave to depart from Aran, its holy abbot saw in a vision all the
guardian angels that attended on the saints of his community accompanying
him. Hereupon, St. Endeus felt depressed in mind, lest these blessed spirits" should not again return. 34 Having fasted and prayed with devoted
"Omanof
Endeus replied, " Tiie reason for my grieving <s because all the angels have left us and have
to him and
for what reason do you feel sad and so greatly afflicted ? "
an of the Lord fervour, angel
appeared
said,
God,
gone with Kieran. " The angel thus returned
:
" As Kieran is most dear to
God, therefore He hath sent those angels to accompany that Saint. Do not
in consequence be afflicted, for they shall again return to thee; then, in the
Lord's name, cease from fasting. " These testimonies seem indications of St.
Kieran's extraordinary sanctity ; but, on what original authority they rest has not been sufficiently manifested. Thus accompanied, Kieran reached the shore, and foretold the unhappy state to which that spot and the neigh- bouring islands should be reduced at a future time. Endeus returned to the monastery. 35 There, after recommending his soul to Almighty God, Enda happily departed this life. 36
The arrival of St. Kieran at Inniscathy, after his departure from St. Endeus of Aran, is placed at the year 538,37 by Archbishop Ussher. How- ever, this date is probably conjectural, and it cannot be reconciled with other dates, particularly with those laid down by himself. Thus, it is more than
might have thus referred them to distinct periods. It this latter conjecture hold good, the difficulty can easily be solved.
St. Enda of Avian may be assigned, to about
the year 542. He died, not long after
Kieran of Clonmacnoise left his monastery.
33 the site and of Inis- Regarding history
cathy, we have already treated, at the 8th of March.
5*According to Augustine Magraidin's Life of St. Endeus.
» This is stated in the last chapter of St.
27 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus
iii. ,
Septembris ix. , Acta St. Kierani, sec. iii. ,
pp. 374 to 376.
28
Afterwards,itwasknownasIselCiaran. 9 This would seem to make it identical with Inis Aingen, which was situated on
Lough Kee, an extension of the River Enda's Acts.
"
Shannon.
30 Allusion is here made to the Life of
Ciaran of Clonmacnoise, as found in the Book of Lismore .
31 As mentioned by Ussher.
36 §ee Rev. Dr. Lanigan's
32
According to Dr. Lanigan, the death of
xiii. , and n. 213, pp. 69, 71.
3? According to this computation, he
should have remained but one year with Nennidh.
Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, x. , sect.
September y. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 215
probable, that Kieran did not go to the monastery of Ninnidh so early as 530. Again, we can hardly account for the time between 538 and 544 ; this latter being the year to which Ussher assigns the foundation for Kieran's first monastery. Also admitting that Kieran went from Aran to Inniscathy, it is plain, from the account given of what occurred in this latter place, that he remained there only a short time. 38 It is thought, that Ussher's motive for making these occurrences earlier than he ought was a wish to reconcile them with the wrong date,39 which he had assigned for Enda's foundation in Aran. 4° Such computation only gives us eight years for the period of time our Saint spent, both with St. Ninnidh and St. Endeus. From St. Senan, he received a in the
monastery
position
guest-master. We may rest satisfied, that he exercised great liberality, so soon as he had acquired such authority. It would seem, that Kieran was usually considered St. Senan's most intimate companion and confidant, from what we find related in the metrical Life of this latter
holy
intimacy not only endured, it is stated, while Kiernan was a disciple of Inniscathy's abbot, but even after he had been released from that jurisdic-
tion/3 In the opinion of Dr. Lanigan, half a year had not elapsed, until he incurred the displeasure of its monks. ** However, it must be observed, that in neither of St. Senan's Lives, as published by Colgan, do we find any record concerning Kieran having belonged to the house of Inniscathy, although he is mentioned more than once ; for, in the Metrical Life^ it is said, Kieran and Brendan** waited on St. Senan to make their confessions to him. In one Life, we read, that they called on this Saint to request him to become their director, as he was older and-a superior in rank, he being
6
a bishop, whilst they were only priests. *
that our saint founded the monastery of Aingin, before a. d. 540; yet, Ussher thinks this event did not happen until after Senan's death, which is
generally assigned
to the *8 it is from both ofSt. Senan's year 544. But, evident,
38 In the Life of Enda, Kieran is repre-
sented, when leaving Aran, as bent upon erecting a monastery for himself. It seems
strange, that Ussher fixed upon the year 538 for his leaving Aran, having placed Kieran's birth in 516; whereas he must have sup- posed, that Kieran arrived in Aran seven
years before, that is, in 531, when he was only fifteen years old. We can hardly imagine, that St, Enda would have ordered a boy of that age to employ himself in threshing corn.
39Namely,A. D. 449. See"Britannicarum Ecclesiarum Antiquitates," cap. xvii. , p. 451, and Index Chronologicus, p. 519.
40 Thus reasons Dr. Lanigan, who states, that Ussher drew back, so far as he thought advisable, the transactions of Kieran with Enda, lest he should be obliged to consider, that the latter attained an extreme old age. See "Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap x. , sect, xi. , n. 175, pp.
Acts relating to the same saint, written after the twelfth century.
1,6
"
Britannicarum Ecclesiarum Anti-
property. "
Mugenoc
These were all holy men,
We are told, that St. Kieran
6 This statement"7 is
1 Two
Ciaran, Camnach, fair Comgall, Two Brenainns, Ruadan with beauty,
Findians,
two chaste Colombs,
Ninnid, Mobi, Nat-fraich's son. ' i. e. t MolaisiofDevenish.
"
Papebroke adds to the foregoing account,
September 9. ] LIVES OE THE IRISH SAINTS. 209
toKieranofSaigirthantohimofClonmacnoise. For,althoughtheopinion be not admitted, that our Kieran died in the thirty-third year of his age, whilst Papebroke thinks, Kieran of Saigir died in 520; this latter cannot have frequented Clonard school with the former. The record cited by
1
Ussher does not determine this point satisfactorily," since it fails to dis-
tinguish which of the Kierans is there mentioned,123 Manual labour is said to have been practised at this school of Clonard, and each of the bishops
there had his task assigned alternately to grind a day at the quern. "3 But, when our saint's day came, angels u$ed to grind at the quern for Ciaran. ,24 While he war, there, and having dedicated her maidenhood to God, the king of Cualann's daughter was entrusted to the care of Findian, who brought her to Ciaran, and with him she used to read the psalms. So long as he was engaged in teaching her, he would not look at the face of the young lady, and he saw only her feet. So great an opinion had Findian of the disciple's sanctity, that when twelve lepers came to be healed by him, the abbot sent them to Ciaran, v/ho, taking a sod from the earth, caused water to flow, and pouring three waves of it over each of the men, they were immediately cleansed from their leprosy. Again, it is related, that while Ninnid Slant-eye of Locha Eime #as a student with him at Clonard, he had no book, and was directed by Findian to borrow from some one among the scholars. They refused to lend him, and this he stated to the abbot, who said, " Hast thou gone to the tender youth who is in the north of the green? " Ninnid said he had not, but that he should then go, and meantime Ciaran had arrived
atthemiddletextofSt. Matthew'sGospel "Omniaquaecumquevultisat
:
I2 "
faciant homines vobis ita et vos faciatis illis. " 5 Ninnid then said, I have
come to borrow a book. " "Mercy come to us ! " replied Ciaran, "it is for
this I read, and this the text saith to me, that I should do unto everyone
whatIdesireshouldbedoneuntome. " Hethengavethatbook. Onthe
morrow, his companions asked Ninnid regarding his procuring of the book,
and they were told the circumstances already related. One of the class then
" 126 "
said, Let Ciaran Half-Matthew be his name. " Nay," replied Findian,
" but Ciaran 12 ? for half of Ireland shall be and ours shall Half-Ireland, his,
be the other half. "
121
128
Other legendary accounts are given regarding his
Notwithstanding the foregoing state- ment, Ussher distinctly lays it down from the old Life of St. Finian, that the two Kierans,
dicitur, et Kieranus Saigre attended his school at Clonard. And the Kieran, who bestowed Clonard and its possessions on his master, has been identified with him of Clonmacnoise. See TJssher's " Britanni- carum Ecclesiarum Antiquitates," cap. xvii. , p. 471'
133
However, TJssher's conjecture seems far more probable, taking into account the dates, position and circumstances of these early events.
123 This account— substituting mill for quern—is given by Colgan, from the biogra- pherof St. Kyran, whom he cites, in u Trias Thaumaturga. " Vita S. Columbia, n. 12, p. 457*
124 Again we are informed, this same pro- digy had taken place, during his captivity under King Furbithus. Not having seen
the document cited by Colgan, Suyskens
says, he could not determine the particular St. Kyran here meant. But, he suspects, also, that this account must have been trans- ferred from the acts of other saints. As for instance, an angel is said to have worked a
"
" Kieranus filius Artificis qui iriAcicAein "
Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Martii viii. , nn. 13
mill for St. Senan, as recorded in the
et seq. , p. 771.
,2s Somewhat similar to this account is one
related in the Life of St. Gildas Badonicus. There reference is made to some ancient Life of St. Finnian, who was the master of Kieran.
,2<5 In Latin " Dimidium Matthaei. " The Irish words are Leth Matha.
,27 The Irish words used were Leth nErionn. Having been honoured and en- dowed by Irish princes, many farms, cells and monasteries became subject to him ; so that Kieran and his succes*ors might be re- garded, as having the half of Ireland subject to them.
,28 To this the writer of St. Ciaran's Life in the Book of Lismore adds, and with an
O
2io LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[September 9.
miracles and spirit of prophecy, while at Clonard j but, we shall only refer to them as introducing the domestic and social usages of wheat and oats being carried to a mill, loaves of wheat, bacon, flesh, vessels of ale, mead, nocturnsandprime,reapingandreapers,beingmentioned. Certainofthe clerics asked Findian, who would give out the prayer, when himself should
"
Ciaran. 1S9 " Thou givest the abbacy to him," saith Brenainn, M in preference
" It hath been
between chief cities, and the difference that shall be between them in size must be the difference between both rivers. "
CHAPTER II.
ST. KIERAN LEAVES CLONARD FOR THE SCHOOL OF ST. NINNIDIUS—MIRACLES RECORDED —HE GOES TO ST. ENDEUS, ON THE ISLAND OF ARAN—HIS ACTS WHILE THERK— HIS VISIT TO ST. SENAN OF INISCATHY—ADMONISHED IN A VISION TO BECOME THE FOUNDER OF A GREAT MONASTERY.
muigh-samh. 4 Thispermissionheobtainedin530,accordingtoArchbishop Ussher. The Irish Life, contained in the Book of Lismore, states, that after learning reading and wisdom at Clonard, he left the Dun with holy Ninnid, but said that her hide should come to him afterwards, and he declared, that although numbers might be nourished by her milk, still there must be many more to whom her hide should give help. 5 In referring to Ussher's statement, that our saint left St. Finian's School in 530, Dr. Lanigan observes, that the date ill accords with that assigned for the birth of Kieran, as, according to such hypothesis, Kieran should have been then
be no longer on earth.
Yonder youth," replied Findian, pointing to
Findian
be given. " This saying caused Ciaran to# be envied by all the saints, except Columkille. Then one of those present asked Ciaran, which of the saints should have the greatest reward in Heaven. " Mercy come to us ! " returned Ciaran, " it shall be known in our convents on earth. " Then Brenain of Birr prophesied for him '* We will take two convents on two streams
:
to
everyone. "
replied :
given,
We are that told,
1 from his former
Kieran went to St. Ninnidius, the abbot of a monastery built in a wood, near Lough Erne. Other accounts have it, on an Island,3 called Inis-
only fourteen years of age.
6
However, it is generally supposed, that the
having
obtained 2
permission
master,
St.
Irish verse commemorating it ; from that xi. , n. 170, p. 54. A similar passage is the famous word was taken to Rome to quoted by Ussher, from a somewhat different Alexander, " Non legam Marcum quo Life. See ** Britannicarum Ecclesiarum usque compleveram Mattheum. "
Antiquitates," cap. xvii. , p. 495.
2 Saint Ninnid's Life has been compiled from the acts of other saints, and published by Colgan, at the 18th of January. He is there called Ninnidius, Nennidhuis or forward a unity of friendship was estab- Nennius, abbot and bishop. See " Acta
129 The Irish Life of our saint in the Book of Lismore states, that before taking leave of his pupil, Finian offered his monastery to Kiaran. This offer was refused, but thence-
lished between them.
Chapter ii. —'
licentia et benedictione occurs in a life of
accepta licentia, in Dr. Lanigan's estimation, alluded to a certificate or testimonial for learning and good conduct, such as was often given in universities to deserving students, who are
Sanctorum Hiberniae," xviii. Januarii, num.
8, p. 113.
3 On Lough Erne. 4 See notices of this
St. These words Kieran, cap. 7.
at the 1 8th of January, the day for his feast, in the First
thence named liceticiates.
See " Ecclesiasti-
sect.
Volume of this work, Art. ii.
s He said " Every soul that shall go out
of its body on the hide of the Dun "—a cow so called—" shall not be punished in hell. " 6 The Rev. Dr. adds: "Who
cal of History
Ireland,
"vol.
ii. , chap, x. ,
Lanigan
"Accepta magistri "
sui
it is and it shall given,
saint,
September 9. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAIATS. 211
school at Clonard could not have been established much earlier than about such a date. ? But, that our saint had spent three or four years there, the year for his departure most probably may have been about 534, which can fairly well accord with the time necessary for the completion of his theolo-
studies at the of or 8 His new master is age twenty-six twenty-seven.
gical
said to have been surnamed Laobh-dearc, and to have been a fellow-disciple,
probably with St. Kieran, in the school of Clonard. 9
In his Life, we are told, that St. Kieran of Clonmacnoise, a great Ii^ht
of Ireland, appeared among other distinguished scholars, like the moon amid less luminous orbs. Finian had a vision of him and of Cclumkille, and of two moons in the air, with a hue of gold upon them. One of the twain went by sea towards the north-east, and this was Columkille to Iona, with the radiance of his nobleness and high birth ; the other went west- wards to the Shannon, and shone over the middle of Ireland, with the radiance of his charity and mercy. This latter was Ciaran of Clonmacnoise. Again, from the Life of our saint, compiled by Augustin Graidin10 or Mac
11 we are
obtained his master's blessing and leave to depart, and he was afterwards received with great joy and kindness by St. Ninnidius. Whilst here, it was customary for three monks, with their senior, to cut and remove wood, for theuseoftheirmonastery. Thesedutiesrecurredtothematstatedtimes. In accordance with that rule, our saint and his attendant brethren were sent to an adjoining wood, during a period his course of religious discipline continued. However, while the monks were prosecuting their labours on an island, our saint retired to pray, in a more distant place. Meantime, some robbers passed over in a boat. Rushing on the monks, these outcasts, as we are told, killed them, and took away their heads. After some time, Kieran wondered why he did not hear the sound of axes. He went to ascertain the cause for this cessation in their labours. On witnessing the sad spectacle presented of bodies decapitated, he felt grievously afflicted. Following closely on the traces of their murderers, he found them endeavouring to launch their vessels from the haven into the water. This, however, they were unable to effect, by any effort. Experiencing such a striking and miraculous manifestation of the Almighty's displeasure, they penitently besought pardon from our saint. Mindful of his Heavenly Master's great example, in praying for the Jews that crucified Him, Kyran
Graidin,
informed,
that
having spent
some time at he Clonard,
will believe that he was so young at a time
when he had completed his theological studies, and was probably already a monk? In what is said of him on his arrival at the monastery of Nennidius he appears as such. He was, I dare say, much more than 14 years old, when he first went to Finian's school ; whereas, besides its being related that he was then grown up, adultioris cetatis, it can scarcely be supposed, that he was less than 18 or 20 when properly qualified for
Ussher states, he sh—ould have been only seventeen or eighteen an age too premature for the attainment of such an object.
9 See Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical His- tory of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, x. , sect, xi. , p. 51, and nn. 171, 172, p. 55, ibid.
,0 This writer is mentioned by Sir James Ware, as an Augustinian Canon, as also a learned and prudent man, who died A. D. 1405. Among his principal works we find enumerated, Vita Sanctorum Hibern'uc. See " De Scriptoribus Hibernice," lib. i. , cap. xi. , p. 75.
"
Although Mac Graidin is praised for his judgment and learning, by Sir James Ware; yet,Papebrokeseemstohaveformed a far different opinion in "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , Martii xxi. De S. Endeo Abbate Araniensi in Hibernia. Commentarius
praevius, num. 5, p. 268.
the biblical an—d theological studies cultivated "
at Clonard. " Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, x. , sect, xi. , n. 170, p. 54.
7 See ibid. vol. i. , chap, ix. , sect, viii. , and
notes, pp. 464 to 469.
8 This too should coincide with the date
for his birth, as given in the Annals of Innis- fallen, but, had he been born in 516, as
212 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[September 9.
was also ready to offer his prayers for those wicked robbers. He demanded theheadswhichhadbeencarriedaway. Havingobtainedsuchrestoration, their vessel then floated Out on the water. Our saint returned with the heads to where their bodies lay. Then praying the Almighty to manifest His great mercy, by the restoration to life of his slain brethren, Kieran placed the heads near their bodies. Owing to the efficacy of his prayers, those monks were once more restored to life. They afterwards carried the wood cut down towards their monastery ; and, so long as those religious lived,
2
11*
It is related in the Irish Life, * that while Tuathal Mael-garbh ruled over
Ireland, Kieran went to request the manumission of a slave-girl, and he
offered to place his hand on the quern to supply her place. Whereupon, the King not only released that slave, but bestowed his royal raiment on Ciaran.
This gift our saint afterwards parted with, in favour of the poor. It is said, likewise, that he went to King Furbaide15 to ask for another slave-girl, when one man brought him a cow as his offering, another man bestowed on him a mantle, and another brought a kettle ; but, these he gave to the poor, on that same day he received them. However, to reward his charity, the Almighty gave three offerings that were better ; viz. , a cauldron in lieu of his kettle, twelve mantles in lieu of his single mantle, and twelve cows instead of his one cow. Seeing this, the King released the slave-girl, in favour of St Ciaran's interposition.
After remaining with St. Nennidius for some time, our Saint16 went to St. Endeus of Aran. 1 ? According to one account,18 our Saint paid two distinct visits to him, and at* different times. We may suppose, that after the first of those visits, Kyran went to St. Senan,'9 and that after some experience of Iniscathy, he desired to return again to St. Endeus of Aran, in order to become one of his professed monks, and to close his life under such discipline. With him for some years, Kyran faithfully served in
diligence and industry of Kieran, during that period he spent in Aran, that no roof could be constructed to cover all the grain, which he had threshed. 21
marks of decapitation were traceable around their necks. '
20
years under the direction of St. Endeus, Abbot of Aran. Such were the
threshing out grain.
Archbishop Ussher states, that Kieran passed seven
12
Remarking on the unusual character of
vol. i. , pp. 176 to 181. However, Roderick O'Flaherty places the accession of Tutlialius
Calvoasper in the year 533, which agrees with the computation in the Annals of Ulster. These latter assign his death to A. l>. 543. See " Ogygia," pars iii. , cap. xciii. , p. 430.
15 No Ard-Righ, bearing this name, is to be found among the monarchs of Ireland.
16 Called " filius fabri. "
17 See his Life, at the 21st of March, in the Third Volume of this work, Art. i.
18 That of Augustin Magraidin.
'9 See his Life, at the 8th of March, in the Third Volume of this work, Art. i.
20 In the old Life, we find, "in monas-
terii territorio. " The Bollandist editor
u teritorio. '' It be suggests, forte may
observed, that this term seems to imply, a threshinzfloor.
Q'Donovan's ''Annals of the Four Masters," Island, at the time of their composition.
this prodigy, Suyskens considered it might appear more authentic if found in an earlier record. lie observes, also, that Macgraidin as in the instance of St. Endeus' acts, had possibly in his possession still older acts of our Saint, from which the foregoing prodigy might have been taken ; yet, using his dis- cretion as a with such little
compiler
ment, it is to be feared, he considered un-
authentic or very recent acts as trustworthy
13 As found in the Book of Lismore.
'*
The O'Clerys place the accession of Tuathal Maelgarbh, whose name has been
documents. Suyskens adds
hinc inferre, hax aut quoecumque alia ad fahulas certo esse rejicienda, cum antiquis monumentis revera hinc inde potuerit usus fuisse. "
Latinised Tutlialius at A. D. Calvoasper,
21 of St. Endeus In the old Acts
:
" Nolim tamen
judg-
by Magraidin, we are told, that the walls of placing his death at A. D. 538. See Dr. this threshing place might be seen in Aran
528, allowing him a leign of eleven years, and
September 9. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 213
After the lapse of his term, St. Kyran had a dream, which was thus related to his Master. One night he saw a tree, which grew near a large river called the Shannon, and it seemed so large, leafy and spreading, that it covered the whole of Ireland. Endeus said, that Kyran himself was that flourishing tree ; that before God and man should he grow great and fruitful in good works ; and, that he would be honoured throughout the whole of Ireland. Endeus
added, M Now therefore approach, and fulfilling the will of God, build there
a 22 monastery. "
some time
under the
lived for
of St. Senan of Iniscathy, St. Kieran founded his establishment at Inis
Aingin, during the life- time of the former. A
good deal of conjec- ture has been expended on an attempt to locate exactly this monastery of Aingin or Angina. However, it appears to have been situated on
2
an Island, 3now known
as Hare Island, and anciently called Inis-
Aingin or Inchinneen, in the lower region of
Lough Ree, on the River Shannon. It consists of 1 10 acres—
at present altogether grown over with large torest trees, and thickly
Having
religious discipline
Old Chur
pearances of remote erection. * It lies near the south-east shore of
Lcugh
Ree. as It is 26 that in MacGraidin's account, he thought,
probably
23
religious foundation alluded to must have been that of Clonmacnoise, Latinized, Cluanense. But, the reference was to a more remote period, as Papebroke states, in editing his Acts of St. Endeus.
F. Wakeraan, and tiansferred to the wood, engraved by Mrs. Millard.
25 Some improvements of a modern cha-
racter have been there introduced by a
It will naturally be supposed, that the
23 See Rev. A.
Cogan's
" Diocese of vol. ii. ,
Meath, Ancient and Modern," vol. hi. ,
chap, lxxiv. , p. 570.
24 The accompanying illustration of the
ruined gable and window of this primitive church was sketched on the spot by William
26
p. 295.
Suy^ken supposes it to be very likely,
Aingen, Lough Ree. 2
former proprietor, Viscount Casilemaine. "
See Parliamentary Gazetteer of Ireland,''
that, finding the same vision differently described in both copies of St. Kyran's
Acts, which he possessed, and conjecturing that they were different visions, MacGraidin
brakes of
tangled
brush-wood,
parish of Bunown,
barony of Kilkenny West and County of Westmeath. Onitare to be seen the ruins of an old church, built of solid masonry blocks, and exhibiting in its lonely and sylvan sur- roundings all the ap-
in the
2i4 LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [September9.
confounded a double visit of St. Kieran to St. Endeus and there- ;
fore, that his prophesy might be referred to the later one. The purpose of St. Kyran to remain as a monk on Aran Island was probably frustratedbythevisionknowntoSt. Endeus. Owingtoitsoccurrence,our Saint was directed to establish his monastery near that place on the River Shannon, and specially pointed out by Heaven's decree. Whether this was on the Island of Aingen or at Clonmacnois may be questioned : if the former be meant, the account must appear to be more in the order of narrative ; but, the latter site is generally supposed to be intended, since it became the place for his more celebrated establishment. 2? While under St. Endeus, we have accounts of the charity, spirit of prophecy, and miracles of St. Ciaran ; while allusion is made to a place called Isel, which a certain Cobthach
to God and Ciaran. 28 We are butfurtheridentificationseemstobewanting. Nordoesthereappeartobe order or sequence in the narrative of his acts, as they have come down to us, so that it is impossible to state when or where many of them occurred. 3°
granted
In a Life of our
informed,
that it was near a 29 lake,
Aran,3
2 and visited St.
Senan, bishop
Iniscathy. 33
When Kieran
Saint,
told,
31
we are
that St. and abbot of
Kyran
left the Island of
obtained leave to depart from Aran, its holy abbot saw in a vision all the
guardian angels that attended on the saints of his community accompanying
him. Hereupon, St. Endeus felt depressed in mind, lest these blessed spirits" should not again return. 34 Having fasted and prayed with devoted
"Omanof
Endeus replied, " Tiie reason for my grieving <s because all the angels have left us and have
to him and
for what reason do you feel sad and so greatly afflicted ? "
an of the Lord fervour, angel
appeared
said,
God,
gone with Kieran. " The angel thus returned
:
" As Kieran is most dear to
God, therefore He hath sent those angels to accompany that Saint. Do not
in consequence be afflicted, for they shall again return to thee; then, in the
Lord's name, cease from fasting. " These testimonies seem indications of St.
Kieran's extraordinary sanctity ; but, on what original authority they rest has not been sufficiently manifested. Thus accompanied, Kieran reached the shore, and foretold the unhappy state to which that spot and the neigh- bouring islands should be reduced at a future time. Endeus returned to the monastery. 35 There, after recommending his soul to Almighty God, Enda happily departed this life. 36
The arrival of St. Kieran at Inniscathy, after his departure from St. Endeus of Aran, is placed at the year 538,37 by Archbishop Ussher. How- ever, this date is probably conjectural, and it cannot be reconciled with other dates, particularly with those laid down by himself. Thus, it is more than
might have thus referred them to distinct periods. It this latter conjecture hold good, the difficulty can easily be solved.
St. Enda of Avian may be assigned, to about
the year 542. He died, not long after
Kieran of Clonmacnoise left his monastery.
33 the site and of Inis- Regarding history
cathy, we have already treated, at the 8th of March.
5*According to Augustine Magraidin's Life of St. Endeus.
» This is stated in the last chapter of St.
27 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus
iii. ,
Septembris ix. , Acta St. Kierani, sec. iii. ,
pp. 374 to 376.
28
Afterwards,itwasknownasIselCiaran. 9 This would seem to make it identical with Inis Aingen, which was situated on
Lough Kee, an extension of the River Enda's Acts.
"
Shannon.
30 Allusion is here made to the Life of
Ciaran of Clonmacnoise, as found in the Book of Lismore .
31 As mentioned by Ussher.
36 §ee Rev. Dr. Lanigan's
32
According to Dr. Lanigan, the death of
xiii. , and n. 213, pp. 69, 71.
3? According to this computation, he
should have remained but one year with Nennidh.
Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, x. , sect.
September y. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 215
probable, that Kieran did not go to the monastery of Ninnidh so early as 530. Again, we can hardly account for the time between 538 and 544 ; this latter being the year to which Ussher assigns the foundation for Kieran's first monastery. Also admitting that Kieran went from Aran to Inniscathy, it is plain, from the account given of what occurred in this latter place, that he remained there only a short time. 38 It is thought, that Ussher's motive for making these occurrences earlier than he ought was a wish to reconcile them with the wrong date,39 which he had assigned for Enda's foundation in Aran. 4° Such computation only gives us eight years for the period of time our Saint spent, both with St. Ninnidh and St. Endeus. From St. Senan, he received a in the
monastery
position
guest-master. We may rest satisfied, that he exercised great liberality, so soon as he had acquired such authority. It would seem, that Kieran was usually considered St. Senan's most intimate companion and confidant, from what we find related in the metrical Life of this latter
holy
intimacy not only endured, it is stated, while Kiernan was a disciple of Inniscathy's abbot, but even after he had been released from that jurisdic-
tion/3 In the opinion of Dr. Lanigan, half a year had not elapsed, until he incurred the displeasure of its monks. ** However, it must be observed, that in neither of St. Senan's Lives, as published by Colgan, do we find any record concerning Kieran having belonged to the house of Inniscathy, although he is mentioned more than once ; for, in the Metrical Life^ it is said, Kieran and Brendan** waited on St. Senan to make their confessions to him. In one Life, we read, that they called on this Saint to request him to become their director, as he was older and-a superior in rank, he being
6
a bishop, whilst they were only priests. *
that our saint founded the monastery of Aingin, before a. d. 540; yet, Ussher thinks this event did not happen until after Senan's death, which is
generally assigned
to the *8 it is from both ofSt. Senan's year 544. But, evident,
38 In the Life of Enda, Kieran is repre-
sented, when leaving Aran, as bent upon erecting a monastery for himself. It seems
strange, that Ussher fixed upon the year 538 for his leaving Aran, having placed Kieran's birth in 516; whereas he must have sup- posed, that Kieran arrived in Aran seven
years before, that is, in 531, when he was only fifteen years old. We can hardly imagine, that St, Enda would have ordered a boy of that age to employ himself in threshing corn.
39Namely,A. D. 449. See"Britannicarum Ecclesiarum Antiquitates," cap. xvii. , p. 451, and Index Chronologicus, p. 519.
40 Thus reasons Dr. Lanigan, who states, that Ussher drew back, so far as he thought advisable, the transactions of Kieran with Enda, lest he should be obliged to consider, that the latter attained an extreme old age. See "Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap x. , sect, xi. , n. 175, pp.
Acts relating to the same saint, written after the twelfth century.
