A close hawthorn fence surrounds the
cemetery
her;e.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v2
He has another
Life, taken from Albert le Grand, " De
Sanctis Britannias Armoricae," pp. 160, 161.
^
See "Trias Thaumaturga. " Septima Vita S. Patricii, lib. iii. , cap, xxii. ,pp. 152, 153, n. 38, p. 185, as also nn. 124, 125, p. 188.
3 See ibid. Quinta Appendix ad Acta S. Patricii, cap. xxiii. , p. 267.
^
Colgan has (at 13 Feb. ) such Ac—ts of Dom- "
Article — —
astical History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap.
xiv. , section v. , n. 70, p. 320.
to be derived from
Chapter
i.
"9 See Acta
i.
Sanctorum Hibernise," xiii. Februarii. De "Dominica. "
^° This is thought, to have been that ori* ginal word, from which the name Domnoc hadbeendrawn. Itisalsotheoneusedby
3 See Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , xiii.
Februarii, De S. Modomnoco, sive Do- when referring to this saint, in their re*
S. Dominico qui Modomnocus, pp. 326 to 328.
^
SeehisLifeattheistofMarch. *'
Giraldus Cambrensis, and by Lombard,
minico Ossoriensi in Hibernia, pp, 673,
674.
4 By Father Godefrid Henschenn.
spective treatises,
" See " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- Colgan's
nise," xiii. Februarii. Vita S. Dominici,
s See "Britannia Sancta," part i,, p. 116. ^""
See Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs, and
Other Principal Saints," vol. ii,, February xiii.
7 See " Lives of the Saints," vol. ii. , Feb- ruary xiii. , p, 291.
cap, i. , p. 326, and nn. 2, 3, p. 327, ibid. In the latter place, the Sanctilogium Genealogicum," cap, 3> is quoted, as au« thority for this pedigree.
**
observes: "I need
the reader, that Modomnoch means my Domnoch. This saint is called Modomnoch in the Life of St. David
In the one written by Giraldus Cambrensis
" See Rev. Alban Butler's " Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs, and other Principal Saints," vol, ii,, February xiii.
ject,
scarcely apprize
Sanctilogium Genealogicum,"
Dr, Lanigan, in connexion with this sub-
^3 The "
published by Colgan.
^* to the same " According
noch, as he was able to collect. " Ecclesi-
Said, by Colgan,
cap, 3, is also cited by Colgan, for this re»
lationship.
Genealogicum," cap. 1 9, the latter St. Domangart is said to
512 LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [February13.
tery, in Ulster, at the foot of Slainge mountain, now Slieve Donard, in the countyofDown. 's WefindthenameofModomnocresolvedintoMandab- naucus, by Giraldus Cambrensis. '^
Through a desire of perfecting himself in religious fervour and learning, St. Modomnoc left his native country, and then he sailed over to Wales. '7 Here, he was placed under the direction of St. David, afterwards Bishop of Menevia. '^ As a disciple of this great master, Modomnoc showed in all things, and at all times, most ready obedience and docility, as also the greatest care and zeal, in discharging whatever duties were required of him, and the most faithful observance of discipline. For these several reasons, he was always most affectionately esteemed by his renowned master. ^9 While residing at Mensevia, St. David had entrusted him with the care of his bees, and with the honey, belonging to his monastery,^" and these useful insects under his charge seem to have formed some sort of instinctive love for their
keeper.
We are told,'^^ likewise, that on one occasion, this saint was labouring
with others, and endeavouring to level a hilly road,^^ that thus a freer passage should be made, for the transportation of burdens. Seeing one of his com-
panions at work, and who appeared to proceed too slowly with it, Modomnoc undertook to administer a slight reproof. His words excited the anger of
that person. Immediately lifting an iron instrument he held, the man re-
provedwasabouttostrikeoursaint; but,beholdinginspiritwhatwasgoing
to take place, holy David, having made the sign of the cross, the delinquent's hand became suddenly paralysed. ^3 So was the good Irish monk saved from that danger, which threatened his life.
A curious account of our saint is related, in the old Acts of Bishop David. ^'^ We are told, that when Modomnoc was about to take his leave of Wales, with a design of returning to his native country, several swarms of bees followed him, and settled on board the ship, in which he was about to
havebeensontoEuchodius,KingofUlster,
and to have flourished about the middle of
the fifth century. Our saint and his brother,
St. Domangart, flourished about a century toria de Vita S. Davidis Archiepiscopi laterthanthisperiod. SeeColgan's"Acta
Sanctorum Hibernise," xiii. Februarii, n. 4,
pp. 327, 328.
'5 See his Life at the 24th of March.
='
^^" =^ See Historia, de Vita S. Davidis
It is worth observing, in this and in similar passages of old Saints' Lives, what useful public works often engaged their at- tention.
=3 See ** Acta Sanctorum Hiber- Colgan's
Fathers, Martyrs, and other Principal ni? e," xiii. Februarii. Vita S. Dominici, Saints," vol. ii. , February xiii. cap. iii. , pp. 326, 327.
Archiepiscopi Menevensis," lect. vii. Gi-
raldi Cambrensis' "Opera," vol. iii. Edited
by J. S. Brewer, M. A. , p. 395.
'7 Alban Butler's " Lives of the See Rev.
" Acta Sanctorum Hiber- =* This Life is taken from a MS. of All niae," xiii. Februarii. Vita S. Dominici, Saints' Island, in Ireland. At present,
'8 See
Colgan's
cap. ii. , p. 326. In n. 5, p. 328, to this passage, Colgan refers us to the Life of St. David, which he published at the 1st of March. In the succeeding n. 6. , p. 328, and in the chapter just cited, Colgan states, that our saint, under St. David, was a fellow- disciple with St. Aedan or Moedoc of Ferns,
St. Scuthin, and many other holy and
learned Irishmen, as may be seen, by refer-
ring to the Acts of St. David, of St. Barr, of
St. Maidoc, of St. Senan, of St. Mologga, MacGawan. Harris distinguishes them, of St. Scutin, &c. See Harris' Ware, vol. ii. , "Writers of
*' See Bishop Challoner's *' Britannia Ireland," book i. , chap, xi. , xii. , p. 87.
Sancta,"parti. , p. 116.
=° "
See Giraldi Cambrensis' Opera," vol.
"
In the Acts of St. David, as written by Giraldus Cambrensis. See ibid. ^ pp. 395, 396.
iii. Edited by J, S. Brewer, M. A,, Menevensis," lect. vii. , p. 396.
His-
the original is preserved in the Franciscan Convent, Dublin. In his Lives of the Irish Writers, book i. , cap. ii. . Ware sup-
poses, that Augustine Magradin, an Irish
Canon Regular, was writer of those Lives,
which are to be found in that MS. See
"
Februarii, n. 9, p. 328. Nicholson, in his
Colgan's
Acta Sanctorum Hibernia;," xiii.
*'
Irish Historical Library," pp. 83, 84, con- founds this writer, Magraidin, with Magraith
February 13. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 513
embark. 25 There can be no doubt, moreover, but this legend has been in cir-
culation, from a very early period. It is said, that being unwilling to deprive the brothers of their accustomed luxury, Modomnoc again returned to his
master, the bees following him, and taking refuge in their former hives. A
second, and a third time, Modomnoc took leave of his master and brethren,
but, the bees, in like manner, moved with him. Then, St. David and his
other disciples, bestowing their blessings on our saint, at length gave him
permission to depart. ^"^ St. David, likewise, imparted his benediction to the
"
bees, and said :
May the land, to which you are brought, abound with your
progeny, and there may your species and generation never fail ; but, our city
shallbeforeverdeprivedofyou; norshallyourseedanylongerincrease
in it. " The popular belief was held, in after time, that St. David's prophecy
had been fulfilled ; for, if bees were even brought to Menaevia, whence they
were taken, these did not long survive their transport thither ; whilst, in Ire-
land, they were afterwards found, in great abundance. ^7 The foregoing
incidentsarerelated,byGiraldusCambrensis; and,headds,thatbeeswere
known to have become extinct in Menevia, even in his own time. ^^ After
Modomnoc's arrival in Ireland, it is said, those bees, that accompanied him,
were left at a place near or in Fingall, named from the circumstance, Lann
"
Beachaire,^9 or
the Church of the Bee-keeper. " 3° This place, therefore,
either derived its name from our saint, for the reason assigned, or from St.
Molagga,3^ its patron. It has been identified with Bremore, near Balbriggan,
county of Dublin. The ruins of an old chapel there measure 36 feet in
length, by 16 in width ; besides, a chancel, 20 feet in length, is attached. The walls are two and a-lialf feet, in thickness.
A close hawthorn fence surrounds the cemetery her;e. r-nd several trees grow within this enclosure.
CHAPTER II.
ENQUIRY REGARDING BEES AND HONEY HAVING BEEN IN IRELAND FROM THE EARLIEST KNOWN TIMES—ST. MODOMNOC SETTLES AT A PLACE, FORMERLY CALLED TIPRAD- FACHTNA, AND NOW KNOWN AS TIBBERAGHNY—ITS ANTIQUITIES—HIS SUPPOSED RANK IN THE CHURCH—HIS NATALIS AND TIME OF HIS DEATH—CONCLUSION.
That St. Modomnoc was the first to introduce bees into Ireland, has been conjectured, from the account already given. Yet, we have sufficient testi- mony to assure us, that our island abounded in bees and honey, at a far earlier period, than when he lived. Although Solinus had said,^ that in his
=s Colgan has a comment, in which he frequently found in Welsh topography,
cites authorities for this account of the mira-
culous removal of the bees with Modomnoc.
Thus, Peter Lombard, Archbishop of Ar-
magh, Giraldus Cambrensis, in his " Topo-
graphia Hibernise," the Calendar of Cashel,
From the Welsh, it was probably taken, and used by the Irish, as denominating an ecclesiastical place. Beach is an Irish word,
signifying "a bee :" and Beachuire signifies "onewhohasthecareofbees. " beACAi)\e
and St. the in his " ^ngus Culdee,
areseverallyfoundtorelateit.
nevensis, lect. vii. , p. 396.
^7 See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
nise," xiii. Februarii. Vita S. Dominici, cap. iv. , v. , p. 327.
^^
See Giraldi Cambrensis' "Opera," vol. iii. Edited by J. S. Brewer, M. A. , "His- toria de Vita S. Davidis Archiepiscopi Me- nevensis," lect. vii. , pp. 396, 397.
'^ Lann or Lan is a Britisli word, and it is Vol. II. —No. 9.
means "a bee-hive. " See Edward
"Sanas Gaoidhilge-Sagsbhearla, or An Irish-English Dictionary," sub voce.
3° See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
nise," xiii. Februarii, n. lo, p. 328.
31 See his Life—, at the 20th of January.
^
Chapter ii. Solinus, who wrote con-
Felire,"
Opera," vol. iii. Edited by J. S. Brewer, M. A. , " His- toria de Vita S. Davidis Archiepiscopi Me-
O'Reilly's
^^ *' See Giraldi Cambrensis'
cerning Ireland, before the birth of Christ, "
notes in these terms : lUic nullus anguis, avis rara, apis nulla ; adeo ut advectos inde
pulveres seu lapillos, siquis alibi sparserit inter alvearia examina favos deserant. " St. Isidore of Seville, also, has the same ac- counts, regarding our island. But it is
514 LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [February13.
time, there were no bees in Ireland, it is more than probable, that he was mistaken on this point, as he certainly was, in what he adds, concerning the
scarcity of birds. ^ However, both native and foreign writers justly reproach himforhiserror. Regardingmanyotherthings,whichherelates,inreference to Ireland, he had not sufficient authority or foundation to sustain various statements. That there were bees in this country, long before his time, appears from the rule of St. Ailbe of Emly, in which it is ordered,3 that a portion of honeycomb should be allowed the monks at their meals. * Now, St. Albeus flourished in Ireland contemporaneously with St. Patrick, and . even, it has been asserted, some years before his arrival in this country,
which is generally referred to about a. d. 432.
Were we disposed to admit the truth of a narrative, contained in St.
David's Acts, it can only be allowed, that Modomnoc first introduced bees of a certain kind into his native island. s Dr. Lanigan suspects,^ that the importation of bees by St. Domnoch is a story made up, to account for the scarcity of them at Menevia ; for, Giraldus says,7 that they continued to fall oif there, from that time when the swarms had followed Domnoch to Ireland. He tells us, likewise, that Domnoch was, when with St. David at Menevia, charged with the care of the bee-hives. ^ Now, as it happened that the number of bees in that district began to decrease, some wiseacre 9 undertook to explain this phenomenon, by saying, that they accompanied Domnoch on his return to Ireland. This story, however, made its way over to us, before the times of Giraldus. Connected with what Solinus, and others after him, had said, concerning there having been no bees in Ireland, induced some Irish writers of the ninth and tenth centuries to attribute the introduction of them to St. Domnoch. Colgan concludes, that as St. -^ngus and others state our saint was the first, who introduced bees into Ireland, we can only
receive these statements, as implying a certain particular species of this insect. In Ireland, there were for centuries domesticated and wild bees, with bees of different forms and colours. ^°
After St. Modomnoc's return to Ireland, he settled at a place called Tiprad-Fachtna, abbreviated to Tibrach," in the county of Kilkenny. " It
certain, that in the time of this latter, who flourished about A. D. 600, and who died in the 63rd year of his age, that bees and honey
s in a long note, Colgan here remarks, that, this account of St. Dominick having been the first to introduce bees into Ireland
then abounded in Ireland ; for the Venerable
" *'
Bede writes : Dives lactis et mellis insula,
nee vinearum —
expers, piscium volucrumque
sed et cervorum venatu insignis. "
"Historia
Ecclesiastica Gentis Anglorum," lib. i. , chap.
i. , p. 24. The fact of vines, growing in Ire-
land, shows that its summers were warmer in
the eighth century, than they are in our own time.
= The account of Solinus must have been received by St. Isidore, without due exami- nation. Yet, St. Modomnoc himself, who is said, first to have introduced bees into Ireland, flourished many years before St. Isidore's time, and in the Acts of our early saints, frequent mention about the existence of bees and honey in Ireland occurs.
3 Num. 37.
*' Cum sedent ad men-
* Thus we read
sam adferantur herba sive radices aqua lota in mundis scutellis j item poma, cervisia, et ex alvearis mellis ad latitudinem pollicis > id est, aliquot favi. "
:
rests upon the authority of two Menologists, with that of other historians. See Acta Sanctorum Hiberniae," xiii. Februarii. De S. Dominico qui Modomnocus, nn. 7, 8, p. 328.
* On such subject, he remarks that this curious anecdote is mentioned, not only in the Lives of St. David, but likewise in the passage of Giraldus* "Topographia," and, what seems of more weight, in the Calendar of Cashel, and in the Life of St. Molagga.
' In his Life of St. David,
^"
See Ecclesiastical History of Ireland,"
vol. ii. , chap, xiv. , section v. , n. 71, pp. 320, 321.
' Such is the expression of Dr. Lanigan, and only one of many other quaint words, with which his notes are filled.
" See " Acta Sanctorum Hiberniae," xiii.
Februarii, nn. 7, 8, p. 328.
" It lies, nearly three miles E. S. E. from
Carrick-on-Suir, on the road to Waterford. See Lewis' "Topographical Dictionary of
February 13. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 515
lay near the River Suir. It is also called Tibberaghny, a townland in the
parish, having a like denomination, and in the barony of Iverk. ^3 The ruins of a church, here, bear evidences of a very remote antiquity. Here, too, are the remains of an ancient town, thought to have been of great importance,
in olden times. The antiquities near are of great interest,'-* especially a conical mound, presenting a considerable area on its summit, and encircled by a spacious fosse. 's St. Modomnoc is thought to have been honoured
with the
writers he is called Dominick. '7
^^ some By
episcopal dignity,
about the middle of the sixth
century.
At Tibberaghny, his feast was chiefly celebrated, and of that place, he
appears to have been the chief patron. '^ His natalis, or departure from this
life, is celebrated on the 13th day of February, according to Maguire and other writers. Another festival is kept in his honour, however, on the 18th day of May, according to the same authorities. '9 The year of his death is
not known he
; but, flourished,
about the middle of the sixth ^° century.
in his " commemorates not 13th February, ^ngus, Feilire,"
At the of St.
only St. Modomnoc, but also the account of his having introduced bees into Ireland. ^'' The Calendar of Cashel,^^ the Martyrology of Tallaght,=3 Marianus 0'Gorman,=^4CathalMaguire,^^andtheMartyrologyofDonegal,*^agree. In the Circle of the Seasons, he is commemorated, as a bishop and confessor. ^7 In Scotland, his memorial was kept. At the Ides, or 13th of February, the festival of St. Modomnoc, confessor in Hibernia, is set down in the Kalendar
Ireland," vol. ii. , p. 627.
noise, IS 533.
^^ The stanza, from the Leabhar following
Breac copy, with its English translation, was kindly furnished by Professor O'Looney :—
" Ecclesiastical His- tory of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, xiv. , section v. , p. 319- 1'his historian remarks, that it does not "appear whether his establish- ment at Tibrach was a monastery or simply
a church. " Ibid.
^3 Both townland and parish have the
same extent, and are shown on the "Ord- nance Survey Townland Maps for the
^^ See Dr.
Lanigan's
of
^4 It is said, a tombstone was to be seen
there, inscribed with Danish characters. Most probably they are Irish.
County
Kilkenny. "
Sheets
38, 39.
*currach,'
^5 See Lewis' "
of Ireland," vol. ii. , p. 627.
^^SeeRev. AlbanButler's"Livesofthe Fathers, Martyrs, and other Principal Saints," vol. ii. , February xiii.
^^ See ibid.
^^ There is a Toberaghny, near Carric—k-
on-Suir, in Ivaerk. Ciob^AiT) 'pAchcriA. MS. note of William M. Hennessy.
'5 See notices at the in
day question.
^°
This conclusion is arrived at, because
Topographical Dictionary
our saint was renowned for his miraculous
powers, in the time of St. David, Bishop of
Menevia, who died it is supposed about the
year 544, and because Murchertach, King of Ireland, was his uncle, who flourished A. D.
500, and died A. D. 527, according to the Annals of the Four Masters, or in A. D. 533, according to Ussher. See Ussher's " Bri- tannicarum Ecclesiarum Antiquitates. " In- dex Chronologicus, p. 530, and O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , pp.
174 to 177, and notes (i, j, k), ibid.
Life, taken from Albert le Grand, " De
Sanctis Britannias Armoricae," pp. 160, 161.
^
See "Trias Thaumaturga. " Septima Vita S. Patricii, lib. iii. , cap, xxii. ,pp. 152, 153, n. 38, p. 185, as also nn. 124, 125, p. 188.
3 See ibid. Quinta Appendix ad Acta S. Patricii, cap. xxiii. , p. 267.
^
Colgan has (at 13 Feb. ) such Ac—ts of Dom- "
Article — —
astical History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap.
xiv. , section v. , n. 70, p. 320.
to be derived from
Chapter
i.
"9 See Acta
i.
Sanctorum Hibernise," xiii. Februarii. De "Dominica. "
^° This is thought, to have been that ori* ginal word, from which the name Domnoc hadbeendrawn. Itisalsotheoneusedby
3 See Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , xiii.
Februarii, De S. Modomnoco, sive Do- when referring to this saint, in their re*
S. Dominico qui Modomnocus, pp. 326 to 328.
^
SeehisLifeattheistofMarch. *'
Giraldus Cambrensis, and by Lombard,
minico Ossoriensi in Hibernia, pp, 673,
674.
4 By Father Godefrid Henschenn.
spective treatises,
" See " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- Colgan's
nise," xiii. Februarii. Vita S. Dominici,
s See "Britannia Sancta," part i,, p. 116. ^""
See Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs, and
Other Principal Saints," vol. ii,, February xiii.
7 See " Lives of the Saints," vol. ii. , Feb- ruary xiii. , p, 291.
cap, i. , p. 326, and nn. 2, 3, p. 327, ibid. In the latter place, the Sanctilogium Genealogicum," cap, 3> is quoted, as au« thority for this pedigree.
**
observes: "I need
the reader, that Modomnoch means my Domnoch. This saint is called Modomnoch in the Life of St. David
In the one written by Giraldus Cambrensis
" See Rev. Alban Butler's " Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs, and other Principal Saints," vol, ii,, February xiii.
ject,
scarcely apprize
Sanctilogium Genealogicum,"
Dr, Lanigan, in connexion with this sub-
^3 The "
published by Colgan.
^* to the same " According
noch, as he was able to collect. " Ecclesi-
Said, by Colgan,
cap, 3, is also cited by Colgan, for this re»
lationship.
Genealogicum," cap. 1 9, the latter St. Domangart is said to
512 LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [February13.
tery, in Ulster, at the foot of Slainge mountain, now Slieve Donard, in the countyofDown. 's WefindthenameofModomnocresolvedintoMandab- naucus, by Giraldus Cambrensis. '^
Through a desire of perfecting himself in religious fervour and learning, St. Modomnoc left his native country, and then he sailed over to Wales. '7 Here, he was placed under the direction of St. David, afterwards Bishop of Menevia. '^ As a disciple of this great master, Modomnoc showed in all things, and at all times, most ready obedience and docility, as also the greatest care and zeal, in discharging whatever duties were required of him, and the most faithful observance of discipline. For these several reasons, he was always most affectionately esteemed by his renowned master. ^9 While residing at Mensevia, St. David had entrusted him with the care of his bees, and with the honey, belonging to his monastery,^" and these useful insects under his charge seem to have formed some sort of instinctive love for their
keeper.
We are told,'^^ likewise, that on one occasion, this saint was labouring
with others, and endeavouring to level a hilly road,^^ that thus a freer passage should be made, for the transportation of burdens. Seeing one of his com-
panions at work, and who appeared to proceed too slowly with it, Modomnoc undertook to administer a slight reproof. His words excited the anger of
that person. Immediately lifting an iron instrument he held, the man re-
provedwasabouttostrikeoursaint; but,beholdinginspiritwhatwasgoing
to take place, holy David, having made the sign of the cross, the delinquent's hand became suddenly paralysed. ^3 So was the good Irish monk saved from that danger, which threatened his life.
A curious account of our saint is related, in the old Acts of Bishop David. ^'^ We are told, that when Modomnoc was about to take his leave of Wales, with a design of returning to his native country, several swarms of bees followed him, and settled on board the ship, in which he was about to
havebeensontoEuchodius,KingofUlster,
and to have flourished about the middle of
the fifth century. Our saint and his brother,
St. Domangart, flourished about a century toria de Vita S. Davidis Archiepiscopi laterthanthisperiod. SeeColgan's"Acta
Sanctorum Hibernise," xiii. Februarii, n. 4,
pp. 327, 328.
'5 See his Life at the 24th of March.
='
^^" =^ See Historia, de Vita S. Davidis
It is worth observing, in this and in similar passages of old Saints' Lives, what useful public works often engaged their at- tention.
=3 See ** Acta Sanctorum Hiber- Colgan's
Fathers, Martyrs, and other Principal ni? e," xiii. Februarii. Vita S. Dominici, Saints," vol. ii. , February xiii. cap. iii. , pp. 326, 327.
Archiepiscopi Menevensis," lect. vii. Gi-
raldi Cambrensis' "Opera," vol. iii. Edited
by J. S. Brewer, M. A. , p. 395.
'7 Alban Butler's " Lives of the See Rev.
" Acta Sanctorum Hiber- =* This Life is taken from a MS. of All niae," xiii. Februarii. Vita S. Dominici, Saints' Island, in Ireland. At present,
'8 See
Colgan's
cap. ii. , p. 326. In n. 5, p. 328, to this passage, Colgan refers us to the Life of St. David, which he published at the 1st of March. In the succeeding n. 6. , p. 328, and in the chapter just cited, Colgan states, that our saint, under St. David, was a fellow- disciple with St. Aedan or Moedoc of Ferns,
St. Scuthin, and many other holy and
learned Irishmen, as may be seen, by refer-
ring to the Acts of St. David, of St. Barr, of
St. Maidoc, of St. Senan, of St. Mologga, MacGawan. Harris distinguishes them, of St. Scutin, &c. See Harris' Ware, vol. ii. , "Writers of
*' See Bishop Challoner's *' Britannia Ireland," book i. , chap, xi. , xii. , p. 87.
Sancta,"parti. , p. 116.
=° "
See Giraldi Cambrensis' Opera," vol.
"
In the Acts of St. David, as written by Giraldus Cambrensis. See ibid. ^ pp. 395, 396.
iii. Edited by J, S. Brewer, M. A,, Menevensis," lect. vii. , p. 396.
His-
the original is preserved in the Franciscan Convent, Dublin. In his Lives of the Irish Writers, book i. , cap. ii. . Ware sup-
poses, that Augustine Magradin, an Irish
Canon Regular, was writer of those Lives,
which are to be found in that MS. See
"
Februarii, n. 9, p. 328. Nicholson, in his
Colgan's
Acta Sanctorum Hibernia;," xiii.
*'
Irish Historical Library," pp. 83, 84, con- founds this writer, Magraidin, with Magraith
February 13. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 513
embark. 25 There can be no doubt, moreover, but this legend has been in cir-
culation, from a very early period. It is said, that being unwilling to deprive the brothers of their accustomed luxury, Modomnoc again returned to his
master, the bees following him, and taking refuge in their former hives. A
second, and a third time, Modomnoc took leave of his master and brethren,
but, the bees, in like manner, moved with him. Then, St. David and his
other disciples, bestowing their blessings on our saint, at length gave him
permission to depart. ^"^ St. David, likewise, imparted his benediction to the
"
bees, and said :
May the land, to which you are brought, abound with your
progeny, and there may your species and generation never fail ; but, our city
shallbeforeverdeprivedofyou; norshallyourseedanylongerincrease
in it. " The popular belief was held, in after time, that St. David's prophecy
had been fulfilled ; for, if bees were even brought to Menaevia, whence they
were taken, these did not long survive their transport thither ; whilst, in Ire-
land, they were afterwards found, in great abundance. ^7 The foregoing
incidentsarerelated,byGiraldusCambrensis; and,headds,thatbeeswere
known to have become extinct in Menevia, even in his own time. ^^ After
Modomnoc's arrival in Ireland, it is said, those bees, that accompanied him,
were left at a place near or in Fingall, named from the circumstance, Lann
"
Beachaire,^9 or
the Church of the Bee-keeper. " 3° This place, therefore,
either derived its name from our saint, for the reason assigned, or from St.
Molagga,3^ its patron. It has been identified with Bremore, near Balbriggan,
county of Dublin. The ruins of an old chapel there measure 36 feet in
length, by 16 in width ; besides, a chancel, 20 feet in length, is attached. The walls are two and a-lialf feet, in thickness.
A close hawthorn fence surrounds the cemetery her;e. r-nd several trees grow within this enclosure.
CHAPTER II.
ENQUIRY REGARDING BEES AND HONEY HAVING BEEN IN IRELAND FROM THE EARLIEST KNOWN TIMES—ST. MODOMNOC SETTLES AT A PLACE, FORMERLY CALLED TIPRAD- FACHTNA, AND NOW KNOWN AS TIBBERAGHNY—ITS ANTIQUITIES—HIS SUPPOSED RANK IN THE CHURCH—HIS NATALIS AND TIME OF HIS DEATH—CONCLUSION.
That St. Modomnoc was the first to introduce bees into Ireland, has been conjectured, from the account already given. Yet, we have sufficient testi- mony to assure us, that our island abounded in bees and honey, at a far earlier period, than when he lived. Although Solinus had said,^ that in his
=s Colgan has a comment, in which he frequently found in Welsh topography,
cites authorities for this account of the mira-
culous removal of the bees with Modomnoc.
Thus, Peter Lombard, Archbishop of Ar-
magh, Giraldus Cambrensis, in his " Topo-
graphia Hibernise," the Calendar of Cashel,
From the Welsh, it was probably taken, and used by the Irish, as denominating an ecclesiastical place. Beach is an Irish word,
signifying "a bee :" and Beachuire signifies "onewhohasthecareofbees. " beACAi)\e
and St. the in his " ^ngus Culdee,
areseverallyfoundtorelateit.
nevensis, lect. vii. , p. 396.
^7 See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
nise," xiii. Februarii. Vita S. Dominici, cap. iv. , v. , p. 327.
^^
See Giraldi Cambrensis' "Opera," vol. iii. Edited by J. S. Brewer, M. A. , "His- toria de Vita S. Davidis Archiepiscopi Me- nevensis," lect. vii. , pp. 396, 397.
'^ Lann or Lan is a Britisli word, and it is Vol. II. —No. 9.
means "a bee-hive. " See Edward
"Sanas Gaoidhilge-Sagsbhearla, or An Irish-English Dictionary," sub voce.
3° See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
nise," xiii. Februarii, n. lo, p. 328.
31 See his Life—, at the 20th of January.
^
Chapter ii. Solinus, who wrote con-
Felire,"
Opera," vol. iii. Edited by J. S. Brewer, M. A. , " His- toria de Vita S. Davidis Archiepiscopi Me-
O'Reilly's
^^ *' See Giraldi Cambrensis'
cerning Ireland, before the birth of Christ, "
notes in these terms : lUic nullus anguis, avis rara, apis nulla ; adeo ut advectos inde
pulveres seu lapillos, siquis alibi sparserit inter alvearia examina favos deserant. " St. Isidore of Seville, also, has the same ac- counts, regarding our island. But it is
514 LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [February13.
time, there were no bees in Ireland, it is more than probable, that he was mistaken on this point, as he certainly was, in what he adds, concerning the
scarcity of birds. ^ However, both native and foreign writers justly reproach himforhiserror. Regardingmanyotherthings,whichherelates,inreference to Ireland, he had not sufficient authority or foundation to sustain various statements. That there were bees in this country, long before his time, appears from the rule of St. Ailbe of Emly, in which it is ordered,3 that a portion of honeycomb should be allowed the monks at their meals. * Now, St. Albeus flourished in Ireland contemporaneously with St. Patrick, and . even, it has been asserted, some years before his arrival in this country,
which is generally referred to about a. d. 432.
Were we disposed to admit the truth of a narrative, contained in St.
David's Acts, it can only be allowed, that Modomnoc first introduced bees of a certain kind into his native island. s Dr. Lanigan suspects,^ that the importation of bees by St. Domnoch is a story made up, to account for the scarcity of them at Menevia ; for, Giraldus says,7 that they continued to fall oif there, from that time when the swarms had followed Domnoch to Ireland. He tells us, likewise, that Domnoch was, when with St. David at Menevia, charged with the care of the bee-hives. ^ Now, as it happened that the number of bees in that district began to decrease, some wiseacre 9 undertook to explain this phenomenon, by saying, that they accompanied Domnoch on his return to Ireland. This story, however, made its way over to us, before the times of Giraldus. Connected with what Solinus, and others after him, had said, concerning there having been no bees in Ireland, induced some Irish writers of the ninth and tenth centuries to attribute the introduction of them to St. Domnoch. Colgan concludes, that as St. -^ngus and others state our saint was the first, who introduced bees into Ireland, we can only
receive these statements, as implying a certain particular species of this insect. In Ireland, there were for centuries domesticated and wild bees, with bees of different forms and colours. ^°
After St. Modomnoc's return to Ireland, he settled at a place called Tiprad-Fachtna, abbreviated to Tibrach," in the county of Kilkenny. " It
certain, that in the time of this latter, who flourished about A. D. 600, and who died in the 63rd year of his age, that bees and honey
s in a long note, Colgan here remarks, that, this account of St. Dominick having been the first to introduce bees into Ireland
then abounded in Ireland ; for the Venerable
" *'
Bede writes : Dives lactis et mellis insula,
nee vinearum —
expers, piscium volucrumque
sed et cervorum venatu insignis. "
"Historia
Ecclesiastica Gentis Anglorum," lib. i. , chap.
i. , p. 24. The fact of vines, growing in Ire-
land, shows that its summers were warmer in
the eighth century, than they are in our own time.
= The account of Solinus must have been received by St. Isidore, without due exami- nation. Yet, St. Modomnoc himself, who is said, first to have introduced bees into Ireland, flourished many years before St. Isidore's time, and in the Acts of our early saints, frequent mention about the existence of bees and honey in Ireland occurs.
3 Num. 37.
*' Cum sedent ad men-
* Thus we read
sam adferantur herba sive radices aqua lota in mundis scutellis j item poma, cervisia, et ex alvearis mellis ad latitudinem pollicis > id est, aliquot favi. "
:
rests upon the authority of two Menologists, with that of other historians. See Acta Sanctorum Hiberniae," xiii. Februarii. De S. Dominico qui Modomnocus, nn. 7, 8, p. 328.
* On such subject, he remarks that this curious anecdote is mentioned, not only in the Lives of St. David, but likewise in the passage of Giraldus* "Topographia," and, what seems of more weight, in the Calendar of Cashel, and in the Life of St. Molagga.
' In his Life of St. David,
^"
See Ecclesiastical History of Ireland,"
vol. ii. , chap, xiv. , section v. , n. 71, pp. 320, 321.
' Such is the expression of Dr. Lanigan, and only one of many other quaint words, with which his notes are filled.
" See " Acta Sanctorum Hiberniae," xiii.
Februarii, nn. 7, 8, p. 328.
" It lies, nearly three miles E. S. E. from
Carrick-on-Suir, on the road to Waterford. See Lewis' "Topographical Dictionary of
February 13. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 515
lay near the River Suir. It is also called Tibberaghny, a townland in the
parish, having a like denomination, and in the barony of Iverk. ^3 The ruins of a church, here, bear evidences of a very remote antiquity. Here, too, are the remains of an ancient town, thought to have been of great importance,
in olden times. The antiquities near are of great interest,'-* especially a conical mound, presenting a considerable area on its summit, and encircled by a spacious fosse. 's St. Modomnoc is thought to have been honoured
with the
writers he is called Dominick. '7
^^ some By
episcopal dignity,
about the middle of the sixth
century.
At Tibberaghny, his feast was chiefly celebrated, and of that place, he
appears to have been the chief patron. '^ His natalis, or departure from this
life, is celebrated on the 13th day of February, according to Maguire and other writers. Another festival is kept in his honour, however, on the 18th day of May, according to the same authorities. '9 The year of his death is
not known he
; but, flourished,
about the middle of the sixth ^° century.
in his " commemorates not 13th February, ^ngus, Feilire,"
At the of St.
only St. Modomnoc, but also the account of his having introduced bees into Ireland. ^'' The Calendar of Cashel,^^ the Martyrology of Tallaght,=3 Marianus 0'Gorman,=^4CathalMaguire,^^andtheMartyrologyofDonegal,*^agree. In the Circle of the Seasons, he is commemorated, as a bishop and confessor. ^7 In Scotland, his memorial was kept. At the Ides, or 13th of February, the festival of St. Modomnoc, confessor in Hibernia, is set down in the Kalendar
Ireland," vol. ii. , p. 627.
noise, IS 533.
^^ The stanza, from the Leabhar following
Breac copy, with its English translation, was kindly furnished by Professor O'Looney :—
" Ecclesiastical His- tory of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, xiv. , section v. , p. 319- 1'his historian remarks, that it does not "appear whether his establish- ment at Tibrach was a monastery or simply
a church. " Ibid.
^3 Both townland and parish have the
same extent, and are shown on the "Ord- nance Survey Townland Maps for the
^^ See Dr.
Lanigan's
of
^4 It is said, a tombstone was to be seen
there, inscribed with Danish characters. Most probably they are Irish.
County
Kilkenny. "
Sheets
38, 39.
*currach,'
^5 See Lewis' "
of Ireland," vol. ii. , p. 627.
^^SeeRev. AlbanButler's"Livesofthe Fathers, Martyrs, and other Principal Saints," vol. ii. , February xiii.
^^ See ibid.
^^ There is a Toberaghny, near Carric—k-
on-Suir, in Ivaerk. Ciob^AiT) 'pAchcriA. MS. note of William M. Hennessy.
'5 See notices at the in
day question.
^°
This conclusion is arrived at, because
Topographical Dictionary
our saint was renowned for his miraculous
powers, in the time of St. David, Bishop of
Menevia, who died it is supposed about the
year 544, and because Murchertach, King of Ireland, was his uncle, who flourished A. D.
500, and died A. D. 527, according to the Annals of the Four Masters, or in A. D. 533, according to Ussher. See Ussher's " Bri- tannicarum Ecclesiarum Antiquitates. " In- dex Chronologicus, p. 530, and O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , pp.
174 to 177, and notes (i, j, k), ibid.
