A Poem,11 attributed to
some reminiscences of to have Erin, appears
St.
some reminiscences of to have Erin, appears
St.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v6
554.
See
" Myvyrian Archaiology of Wales," vol. i. , P- I3S-
128 The special friend of St. Columba, and
" Parochiales Scotise," vol. Origines
through whose agency, Christianity became established in King Roderick's dominions. See Pinkerton's " Vitse Sanctorum
118
However, this is thought to be founded
on an erroneous reading of the Annales
Ultonienses, at A. D. 554 : the place men-
tioned there is Achadhcinn, in Ulster. See
Rev. Dr. Reeves' " Ecclesiastical Antiquities
of Down, Connor and Dromore, pp. 89, 322.
119 Also written Redereth. See the Bollan-
"
xiii. , in Vita S. Kentigerni, cap. vi. , p. 820.
cap. xlv.
129 The Englynion y Beddan have In
Aberich Rederch Hael.
130 See Bishop Forbes' edition of the
"Lives of St. Ninian and St. Kentigern,
compiled in the Twelfth century," in the Fifth Volume of the Historians of Scotland.
Edinburgh, 1874, 8vo.
'3' This is denominated one of the "Three
dists'
Acta Sanctorum," tomus
Januarii
120 In Irish Hael is rendered
i. ,
piAl.
121 See "Trias " Colgan's Thaumaturga,
Quaita Vita S. Columbse, lib. i. , cap. xv. , and nn. 56, 57, p. 376.
Battles of the Isle of Britain. " George Chalmers has a. d. 577, as the date for this battle. See "Caledonia," vol. i. ,
i. , p. 24.
Antiquse
Scotise," Jocelyn's Vita S. Kentigerni,
122 See Rees' " Essay on the Welsh book ii. , chap, ii. , p. 246.
Saints," p. 269.
123 See the interesting papers on Pennant
"
Archseologia Cambrensis," vol. iii. , No. i. , ii. , pp. 137, 224, oid series.
124 " Unde non solum in tines ciicumja- centes terrse ejus, sed etiam ultra mare —in Hyberniam exivit fama largitatis ejus. "
Jocelin, Vita S. Kentigerni, cap. 37, in Pin- donia," vol. i. , book ii. , chap, ii. , p. 246,
Melangell, in
kertonVVitaeAntiquse Sanctorum Scotiae," p. 277.
125 See Triad xxx. , in " Myvyrian Archia- "
ology of Wales, vol. ii. , p. 63.
and n. (p), ibid.
I3s In Irish •orveA'OAch.
136 See " Myvyrian Archaiology of Wales,"
vol. ii. , Triad 46, p. II, and Triad 52, p. 66.
126
See Vita S. Kentigerni, cap. xxix.
Expensive
"
Celtic Scot- land : a History of Ancient Alban," vol. ii.
chap, v. , p. 179.
133 Said to have been St. Columba's
friend.
132 See William F. Skene's
134 So he is styled, by Merlin, the Cale- "
donian poet. See George Chalmers' Cale-
4 7o LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [J une 9.
an alliance with the Saxons, and he went to Alclut, to the court of Rydderch Hael ; he consumed all the meat and drink in the palace, leaving not as much as should feed a fly, and he left neither man nor beast alive, but
destroyedall. 136 AmonghisopponentswasMerddinWylet,commonlycalled Merlin/3? He received also the name of Laloiken,138 or Laloecen from
Llallogan,
" twin
brother,"
as he was addressed
by
his sister
Gwenddydd.
He took part in the battle against the Strathclyde, of whom, from bitter ex-
perience, he makes frequent mention. 13? The religious and generous Prince
Rydderch Hael I4° sent to Columba, on one occasion, a secret embassy by Lugbe Mocumien. 1*1 The Prince wished to know, whether he should be
he
garding the king, and the kingdom, and the people, and answering as if commiserating his master, " why do you ask about that wretched man, who cannot by any means know at what time he shall be killed by his enemies," the saint then replied, "he shall never be delivered into the hands of his ene- mies;143butheshalldieonhisfeatherbedinhisownhouse. "144 Thisprophecy
of the saint regarding King Roderick was fully accomplished, for according
to Columba's he died a death in his own house. '45. word, tranquil
CHAPTER XIV.
STATE OF SCOTLAND AFTER THE DEATH OF BRUIDE MAC MAELCHON—LITERARY LABOURS OF ST. COLUMBA—THE CAUSES WHICH LED TO THE GREAT CONVENTION, ASSEMBLED AT DRUMCEAT—IT IS ATTENDED BY ST. COLUMBA— HISTORY OF THIS CONVENTION—RESULTS ACHIEVED—MIRACLES WROUGHT BY ST. COLUMBA AT THAT PLACE.
killed by his enemies or not 142
; for,
to have been
at this
driven into great extremities. But Lugbe being interrogated by the saint re-
Inthe
1 thedeathofBruideMac ofthe Maelchon, King
Picts, took
"
I3? See Goodall's edition of Fordun's ference to Aidan's
hostility.
year 584,
2 and he was succeeded
3 son of
to the nation of the southern Picts. 4 These events seem to have turned the
by Gartnaidh, tideofsuperiorityinfavourofRydderchHaelandofAidan. Thelatterwas
place,
Scoti Chronicon," vol. i. , xxxi. , pp. 135 to 137.
cap.
I43
138 See Vita S. Kentigerni, cap. xlv. , p. 241,andNotePIT. ,p. 371. BishopForbes' edition,
'39 In his Oian a Pharchellan, vs. 10, 12.
25, and in his Afallen beren. See Myvy-
rian Archaiology of Wales," vol. i. , pp. 135,
138, IS1"
140 See Ussher's Works, vol. vi. "Bri-
tannicarum Lcclesiarum Antiquitates,"
cap. xv. , p. 226.
141 It seems to be uncertain who he was.
See Rev. Dr. Reeves' Adamnan's "Vita
I44 -Eodemannoquopontifexsanctusde- cessit Kentegernus, et Rex [Rederech] ac Princeps [Morthec] pra? dicti obierunt ; et
S. Columbae," lib. i. , cap. 24, 28, 41.
neus Mocumin, his brother, is mentioned, at
"
Trias conjectures, respecting the Lugbeus Moccumin, men- tioned in the text. See Quarta Vita S.
Columbae, lib. i. , cap. xv. , n. 58, p. 376.
'« The message in the text may have re-
in the — of neighbourhood
lib. ii. , cap. 18, 27. Colgan, in his
a. d. 586.
Thaumaturga,"
offers various
a See William F. "
Skene's Chroniclesof
the Picts, Chronicles of the Scots, and other early Memorials of early Scottish History," p. 67.
3 Sometimes called Gartinaich. He is
book
See Rev. Dr. Reeves' " Adamnan's Life
of St. Columba," lib. i. , cap, 15, pp. 43, 44, and nn. (a, b, c, d, e, f).
iii. ,
Lug-
Glasgow.
Some accounts have
time,
appears
Domelch, who belonged
—
in Glasghu sepulti sunt. " Joceline's Vita
S. Kentigerni, cap. 45, in John Pinkerton's
"
"
Vitae Antiquae Sanctorum Scotiae,
M5 In Aber Riderch Hael is [buried]. See
MyvyrianArchaiologyofWales,"vol. i. , p. 79. This the Welsh place mentioned for his death is in Caernarvonshire, although the place of his burial is more likely to have been
Chapter xiv
*
p. 297
June 9-] LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. 471
brave and enterprising, while danger appears to have threatened his kingdom from those invaders, who were bent on the conquest of Anglia and probably of Scotia and of Caledonia. In conjunction with the Cumbrian prince Malgon, the Scoto-Irish King Aidan marched against the Saxons in 584, when both armies met on Stanemore, a stony district, on the eastern borders of West- moreland, then inhabited by the Britons. Here was fought the battle of Fethanlea, Anglicized Fretherne,5 in which the Saxon powers were defeated. 6 It checked their advance in a northern direction. Again coming to the aid of the Britons,? Aidan encountered the Saxons, in the battle of Leithreidh 8 or Lethrigia,9 a. d. 589, or 590, and he obtained a signal victory over them. 10 The result contributed greatly to his prestige and fame as a warrior, in those convulsions and wars, which were prevalent at this period.
While residing at Iona, the literary labours of the holy Abbot, although frequently interrupted, were not wholly relinquished.
A Poem,11 attributed to
some reminiscences of to have Erin, appears
St. 12 and Columkille,
reviving
been composed during his exile, if we can deem it authentic. ^ However,
there are evidences sufficient to indicate his frequent and affectionate recol- lections of his native land, during those years he spent in the Island of Hy, and in the country of his adoption. *4 Towards the close of his career, the holy abbot felt a great desire to revisit Ireland, while many cogent motives and reasons then urged him to put this design into execution.
Having placed the religious affairs of Scotland on a sure basis, and having established monasteries and churches in so many different places there, St. Columba knew, that the Irish clergy, nobles and people most earnestly desired his return. '5 He also felt a yearning to see many of the holy men, who were then ornaments of the Irish Church, and yet to visit many of those houses, where his spiritual children lived in community ; while above all things, he wished to promote peace, happiness and unity of feeling among the people of both Scotias. 16
We shall now proceed to narrate those circumstances which have marked withdistinguishedrenownthecareerofSt. Columba. ThemonarchAedh,1?
said to have reigned eleven years from A. D.
I2 The Irish, and English translation, with notes, may be found in Rev. Dr. Reeves' Adamnan's " Life of St. Columba," Addi- tional Notes F, pp. 274, 275.
I3 Copies are to be met with in the Bod-
leian Library, Oxford, Laud. 615, and in the
Burgundian Library, Bruxelles.
I4 See, also, "Trias Thauma- Colgan's
turga," Tertia Appendix ad Acta S. Colum-
bse, Secunda Pars, p. 472.
I5 Father Thomas Innes, in his "Civil
and Ecclesiastical History of Scotland," places his return to Ireland, at a. d. 586. See book ii. , sect, liv. , p. 209. This, however, was too early.
l6
See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Quinta Vita S. Columbse, lib. iii. , cap. i. , p. 430.
1? Aido properly Ae'oo, is the old geni- tiveof Aev, like Ferguso in Prsefacio, p. ii. , lib. i. , cap. 43, 49. So Fedelmtheo, or Fe- delmedo, from Fedelmidh, Fergosso from Fergus, as seen in Liber Armacanus, at fol.
586 to 597, when he died.
See Rev. Dr.
of Scot-
James Taylor's
land," vol. i. , chap, iii. , p. 25.
" Pictorial
4 See William F. Skene's "Celtic Scot- land : a History of Ancient Alban," vol. ii. ,
,book ii. , chap, iv. , pp. 135, 136.
s See Rev. " Saxon J. Ingram's
Chronicle, with an English translation," &c, p; 27.
6
See George Chalmers' "Caledonia," vol. i. . book ii. , chap, ii. , p. 247.
? The relative position of the Picts, Scots,
Britons and Saxons are well set forth in the
coloured Map, as found in Edward A. Free-
"
History of the Norman Conquest of England," vol. i. , chap. ii. , p. 35.
8 See Rev. Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum Hiber- nicarum Scriptores," tomus iv. , Annales Ultonienses, f>. 31. The date here given is 589.
9 Seez°3/</. ,tomusii. ,Tigernaci Annales, p. 158. The date given by Tigemach is 590.
man's
History
10 This is called by Adamnan " Miato-
rum prcelium. " In it, Aedan's two sons 16a, b, and at 16^, b. See also John
"
meVLxch a rhic mo'Ohe Ai-obleriemenx).
Arthur and Eochod-Finn were slain. O'Donovan's
" It commences with the words T)obA and Zeuss' " Grammatica Celtica," vol. i. ,
Irish Grammar," at p. 95 ; pp. xxxii. , 254, 269.
472 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 9.
son ofAinmire,18 began to reign over Ireland, a. d. 568, according to the An- nals of the Four Masters. x 9 Other writers place his accession some few years later. 20 For twenty-seven years he is said to have ruled. 21 The events of his termareofgreathistoricimportance. ThemonarchAedhhadfoursons,at this time : the oldest was called Conall Cu,22 surnamed Clogach or the Deli- rious, the second was named Cumuscach,23 the third was Maelcobha,2* and the youngest of the four was Domhnall. 2* To all of these, St. Columba was nearly related. At this time, Aedh appears to have fixed his royal residence at Ailech 26 of the kings. The character of this monarch has been most dis-
set in a transaction attributed to him, and — honourably forth, violating every
2
after three years' enjoyment of it, he was slain at the battle of Belgadin or Sliabh-
Truim (now Bessy Bell), in the county of Tyrone, by Suibhne Meann, who held the sovereignty until 628, when he was slain.
(cucullus),
may
to-night,
Parliamentary
of and The— —?
of Colman principle justice humanity. King Ossory,
incorrectly of disaffection.
named Keanfoala,28 or Kinnfoelius 2Q had been suspected
On this account, he was compelled to deliver up his son 3° some state his
18 He was first cousin to St. Columba ; so that Aedh and Columba stood, in the rela- tion, offirst and second cousins.
19 See Dr. O'Donovan's Edition, vol. i. , pp. 206, 207.
20
His death is recorded in the Annals of See Roderick O'Flaherty's "Ogygia,"
Ulster, at a. d. 597. See Rev. Dr. O'Conor's
" Rerum Hibernicarum Scriptores," tomus
iv. , p. 34.
21 The legend of his death, preserved in the
Book of Lecan, states, that he made an ex- pedition into Leinster to avenge the death of hissonCumuscach. Ontheway,hesaidto
parsiii. , cap. xciii. , p. 431.
25 He became monarch of Ireland A. D.
624, living a very exemplary life, and after reigniny for sixteen years, he died A. D. 639,
his servant
:
" me Columcille's cochall Bring
the Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 246 to
257.
26 See an account of the an- interesting
thatI
that it may be a protection to me from the Leinstermen ;" for Columcille had promised him, that Aedh should not be killed, while he had that cochall on him. Then said the
Gazetteer 27 We find "Colmanus filius Fearaide,
haveit onme
cient fort there in "
of Ireland. " vol. i. , p. 27.
"
dux regionis Osraidhe,
ia the Life of Cainnech, as that saint's
and
St. Mochoemog, published in Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hibernise. " xiii. Martii,
According to Colgan, it was he who in-
sulted St. Columba, at the Convention of
Druim-Ceat. See "Trias Thaumaturga,"
Quinta Vita S. Columbae, lib. hi. , cap. v. ,
p. 431, and n. 5, p. 452. He was defeated
by Colman Rimidh, at the battle of Sleam-
hain, in 602, and Conall escaped by flight.
See William M. Hennessy's "Chronicum in the Manuscript, classed H, 2. 16, be- Scotorum," —pp. 66, 67. The place alluded longing to Trinity College, Dublin, at fol. to is Slewen a townland divided into two 680.
:
servant "WehaveleftitatAilech. "Aedh at
" patron, It is most likely, that I shall fall this
chapters 43, 44,
said :
night by the Leinstermen, when my cochall is not here. " This account is to be seen at
fol. 308^.
22
Vita S. Mochoeomoci Abbatis, cap. xxx. , P- 594<>,
parts, Slewenmore—, the larger, and Slewen- beg, the smaller near Mullingar, in the county of Westmeath.
"
Return Hibernicarum Scriptores," tomus
23 He was slain
by Brandubh,
at Dun
Bucat, now Dumboyke, in the county of
Wicklow, a. d. 597. See Rev. Dr. O'Conor's
ii. , Tigernachi Annales, p. 160.
24 He is said to have succeeded to the
throne, A. D. 608, and after a three years' reign to have been slain in the battle of Sliabh Toadh, a. d. 610. See Dr. O'Dono- van's " Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. ,
pp. 234 to 237. According to other autho- rities, he succeeded to the throne in 612, and
according to Dr. O'Donovan's
"
Annals of
47, pp. 26, 27, 29, in that edition published by the Marquis of Ormonde, as also in the Life of
2"
29 See for the statement of Kinnfaelius
being the father of Scanlan Mor the High-
land Society's Irish Life of St. Columba, at
fol.
" Myvyrian Archaiology of Wales," vol. i. , P- I3S-
128 The special friend of St. Columba, and
" Parochiales Scotise," vol. Origines
through whose agency, Christianity became established in King Roderick's dominions. See Pinkerton's " Vitse Sanctorum
118
However, this is thought to be founded
on an erroneous reading of the Annales
Ultonienses, at A. D. 554 : the place men-
tioned there is Achadhcinn, in Ulster. See
Rev. Dr. Reeves' " Ecclesiastical Antiquities
of Down, Connor and Dromore, pp. 89, 322.
119 Also written Redereth. See the Bollan-
"
xiii. , in Vita S. Kentigerni, cap. vi. , p. 820.
cap. xlv.
129 The Englynion y Beddan have In
Aberich Rederch Hael.
130 See Bishop Forbes' edition of the
"Lives of St. Ninian and St. Kentigern,
compiled in the Twelfth century," in the Fifth Volume of the Historians of Scotland.
Edinburgh, 1874, 8vo.
'3' This is denominated one of the "Three
dists'
Acta Sanctorum," tomus
Januarii
120 In Irish Hael is rendered
i. ,
piAl.
121 See "Trias " Colgan's Thaumaturga,
Quaita Vita S. Columbse, lib. i. , cap. xv. , and nn. 56, 57, p. 376.
Battles of the Isle of Britain. " George Chalmers has a. d. 577, as the date for this battle. See "Caledonia," vol. i. ,
i. , p. 24.
Antiquse
Scotise," Jocelyn's Vita S. Kentigerni,
122 See Rees' " Essay on the Welsh book ii. , chap, ii. , p. 246.
Saints," p. 269.
123 See the interesting papers on Pennant
"
Archseologia Cambrensis," vol. iii. , No. i. , ii. , pp. 137, 224, oid series.
124 " Unde non solum in tines ciicumja- centes terrse ejus, sed etiam ultra mare —in Hyberniam exivit fama largitatis ejus. "
Jocelin, Vita S. Kentigerni, cap. 37, in Pin- donia," vol. i. , book ii. , chap, ii. , p. 246,
Melangell, in
kertonVVitaeAntiquse Sanctorum Scotiae," p. 277.
125 See Triad xxx. , in " Myvyrian Archia- "
ology of Wales, vol. ii. , p. 63.
and n. (p), ibid.
I3s In Irish •orveA'OAch.
136 See " Myvyrian Archaiology of Wales,"
vol. ii. , Triad 46, p. II, and Triad 52, p. 66.
126
See Vita S. Kentigerni, cap. xxix.
Expensive
"
Celtic Scot- land : a History of Ancient Alban," vol. ii.
chap, v. , p. 179.
133 Said to have been St. Columba's
friend.
132 See William F. Skene's
134 So he is styled, by Merlin, the Cale- "
donian poet. See George Chalmers' Cale-
4 7o LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [J une 9.
an alliance with the Saxons, and he went to Alclut, to the court of Rydderch Hael ; he consumed all the meat and drink in the palace, leaving not as much as should feed a fly, and he left neither man nor beast alive, but
destroyedall. 136 AmonghisopponentswasMerddinWylet,commonlycalled Merlin/3? He received also the name of Laloiken,138 or Laloecen from
Llallogan,
" twin
brother,"
as he was addressed
by
his sister
Gwenddydd.
He took part in the battle against the Strathclyde, of whom, from bitter ex-
perience, he makes frequent mention. 13? The religious and generous Prince
Rydderch Hael I4° sent to Columba, on one occasion, a secret embassy by Lugbe Mocumien. 1*1 The Prince wished to know, whether he should be
he
garding the king, and the kingdom, and the people, and answering as if commiserating his master, " why do you ask about that wretched man, who cannot by any means know at what time he shall be killed by his enemies," the saint then replied, "he shall never be delivered into the hands of his ene- mies;143butheshalldieonhisfeatherbedinhisownhouse. "144 Thisprophecy
of the saint regarding King Roderick was fully accomplished, for according
to Columba's he died a death in his own house. '45. word, tranquil
CHAPTER XIV.
STATE OF SCOTLAND AFTER THE DEATH OF BRUIDE MAC MAELCHON—LITERARY LABOURS OF ST. COLUMBA—THE CAUSES WHICH LED TO THE GREAT CONVENTION, ASSEMBLED AT DRUMCEAT—IT IS ATTENDED BY ST. COLUMBA— HISTORY OF THIS CONVENTION—RESULTS ACHIEVED—MIRACLES WROUGHT BY ST. COLUMBA AT THAT PLACE.
killed by his enemies or not 142
; for,
to have been
at this
driven into great extremities. But Lugbe being interrogated by the saint re-
Inthe
1 thedeathofBruideMac ofthe Maelchon, King
Picts, took
"
I3? See Goodall's edition of Fordun's ference to Aidan's
hostility.
year 584,
2 and he was succeeded
3 son of
to the nation of the southern Picts. 4 These events seem to have turned the
by Gartnaidh, tideofsuperiorityinfavourofRydderchHaelandofAidan. Thelatterwas
place,
Scoti Chronicon," vol. i. , xxxi. , pp. 135 to 137.
cap.
I43
138 See Vita S. Kentigerni, cap. xlv. , p. 241,andNotePIT. ,p. 371. BishopForbes' edition,
'39 In his Oian a Pharchellan, vs. 10, 12.
25, and in his Afallen beren. See Myvy-
rian Archaiology of Wales," vol. i. , pp. 135,
138, IS1"
140 See Ussher's Works, vol. vi. "Bri-
tannicarum Lcclesiarum Antiquitates,"
cap. xv. , p. 226.
141 It seems to be uncertain who he was.
See Rev. Dr. Reeves' Adamnan's "Vita
I44 -Eodemannoquopontifexsanctusde- cessit Kentegernus, et Rex [Rederech] ac Princeps [Morthec] pra? dicti obierunt ; et
S. Columbae," lib. i. , cap. 24, 28, 41.
neus Mocumin, his brother, is mentioned, at
"
Trias conjectures, respecting the Lugbeus Moccumin, men- tioned in the text. See Quarta Vita S.
Columbae, lib. i. , cap. xv. , n. 58, p. 376.
'« The message in the text may have re-
in the — of neighbourhood
lib. ii. , cap. 18, 27. Colgan, in his
a. d. 586.
Thaumaturga,"
offers various
a See William F. "
Skene's Chroniclesof
the Picts, Chronicles of the Scots, and other early Memorials of early Scottish History," p. 67.
3 Sometimes called Gartinaich. He is
book
See Rev. Dr. Reeves' " Adamnan's Life
of St. Columba," lib. i. , cap, 15, pp. 43, 44, and nn. (a, b, c, d, e, f).
iii. ,
Lug-
Glasgow.
Some accounts have
time,
appears
Domelch, who belonged
—
in Glasghu sepulti sunt. " Joceline's Vita
S. Kentigerni, cap. 45, in John Pinkerton's
"
"
Vitae Antiquae Sanctorum Scotiae,
M5 In Aber Riderch Hael is [buried]. See
MyvyrianArchaiologyofWales,"vol. i. , p. 79. This the Welsh place mentioned for his death is in Caernarvonshire, although the place of his burial is more likely to have been
Chapter xiv
*
p. 297
June 9-] LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. 471
brave and enterprising, while danger appears to have threatened his kingdom from those invaders, who were bent on the conquest of Anglia and probably of Scotia and of Caledonia. In conjunction with the Cumbrian prince Malgon, the Scoto-Irish King Aidan marched against the Saxons in 584, when both armies met on Stanemore, a stony district, on the eastern borders of West- moreland, then inhabited by the Britons. Here was fought the battle of Fethanlea, Anglicized Fretherne,5 in which the Saxon powers were defeated. 6 It checked their advance in a northern direction. Again coming to the aid of the Britons,? Aidan encountered the Saxons, in the battle of Leithreidh 8 or Lethrigia,9 a. d. 589, or 590, and he obtained a signal victory over them. 10 The result contributed greatly to his prestige and fame as a warrior, in those convulsions and wars, which were prevalent at this period.
While residing at Iona, the literary labours of the holy Abbot, although frequently interrupted, were not wholly relinquished.
A Poem,11 attributed to
some reminiscences of to have Erin, appears
St. 12 and Columkille,
reviving
been composed during his exile, if we can deem it authentic. ^ However,
there are evidences sufficient to indicate his frequent and affectionate recol- lections of his native land, during those years he spent in the Island of Hy, and in the country of his adoption. *4 Towards the close of his career, the holy abbot felt a great desire to revisit Ireland, while many cogent motives and reasons then urged him to put this design into execution.
Having placed the religious affairs of Scotland on a sure basis, and having established monasteries and churches in so many different places there, St. Columba knew, that the Irish clergy, nobles and people most earnestly desired his return. '5 He also felt a yearning to see many of the holy men, who were then ornaments of the Irish Church, and yet to visit many of those houses, where his spiritual children lived in community ; while above all things, he wished to promote peace, happiness and unity of feeling among the people of both Scotias. 16
We shall now proceed to narrate those circumstances which have marked withdistinguishedrenownthecareerofSt. Columba. ThemonarchAedh,1?
said to have reigned eleven years from A. D.
I2 The Irish, and English translation, with notes, may be found in Rev. Dr. Reeves' Adamnan's " Life of St. Columba," Addi- tional Notes F, pp. 274, 275.
I3 Copies are to be met with in the Bod-
leian Library, Oxford, Laud. 615, and in the
Burgundian Library, Bruxelles.
I4 See, also, "Trias Thauma- Colgan's
turga," Tertia Appendix ad Acta S. Colum-
bse, Secunda Pars, p. 472.
I5 Father Thomas Innes, in his "Civil
and Ecclesiastical History of Scotland," places his return to Ireland, at a. d. 586. See book ii. , sect, liv. , p. 209. This, however, was too early.
l6
See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Quinta Vita S. Columbse, lib. iii. , cap. i. , p. 430.
1? Aido properly Ae'oo, is the old geni- tiveof Aev, like Ferguso in Prsefacio, p. ii. , lib. i. , cap. 43, 49. So Fedelmtheo, or Fe- delmedo, from Fedelmidh, Fergosso from Fergus, as seen in Liber Armacanus, at fol.
586 to 597, when he died.
See Rev. Dr.
of Scot-
James Taylor's
land," vol. i. , chap, iii. , p. 25.
" Pictorial
4 See William F. Skene's "Celtic Scot- land : a History of Ancient Alban," vol. ii. ,
,book ii. , chap, iv. , pp. 135, 136.
s See Rev. " Saxon J. Ingram's
Chronicle, with an English translation," &c, p; 27.
6
See George Chalmers' "Caledonia," vol. i. . book ii. , chap, ii. , p. 247.
? The relative position of the Picts, Scots,
Britons and Saxons are well set forth in the
coloured Map, as found in Edward A. Free-
"
History of the Norman Conquest of England," vol. i. , chap. ii. , p. 35.
8 See Rev. Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum Hiber- nicarum Scriptores," tomus iv. , Annales Ultonienses, f>. 31. The date here given is 589.
9 Seez°3/</. ,tomusii. ,Tigernaci Annales, p. 158. The date given by Tigemach is 590.
man's
History
10 This is called by Adamnan " Miato-
rum prcelium. " In it, Aedan's two sons 16a, b, and at 16^, b. See also John
"
meVLxch a rhic mo'Ohe Ai-obleriemenx).
Arthur and Eochod-Finn were slain. O'Donovan's
" It commences with the words T)obA and Zeuss' " Grammatica Celtica," vol. i. ,
Irish Grammar," at p. 95 ; pp. xxxii. , 254, 269.
472 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 9.
son ofAinmire,18 began to reign over Ireland, a. d. 568, according to the An- nals of the Four Masters. x 9 Other writers place his accession some few years later. 20 For twenty-seven years he is said to have ruled. 21 The events of his termareofgreathistoricimportance. ThemonarchAedhhadfoursons,at this time : the oldest was called Conall Cu,22 surnamed Clogach or the Deli- rious, the second was named Cumuscach,23 the third was Maelcobha,2* and the youngest of the four was Domhnall. 2* To all of these, St. Columba was nearly related. At this time, Aedh appears to have fixed his royal residence at Ailech 26 of the kings. The character of this monarch has been most dis-
set in a transaction attributed to him, and — honourably forth, violating every
2
after three years' enjoyment of it, he was slain at the battle of Belgadin or Sliabh-
Truim (now Bessy Bell), in the county of Tyrone, by Suibhne Meann, who held the sovereignty until 628, when he was slain.
(cucullus),
may
to-night,
Parliamentary
of and The— —?
of Colman principle justice humanity. King Ossory,
incorrectly of disaffection.
named Keanfoala,28 or Kinnfoelius 2Q had been suspected
On this account, he was compelled to deliver up his son 3° some state his
18 He was first cousin to St. Columba ; so that Aedh and Columba stood, in the rela- tion, offirst and second cousins.
19 See Dr. O'Donovan's Edition, vol. i. , pp. 206, 207.
20
His death is recorded in the Annals of See Roderick O'Flaherty's "Ogygia,"
Ulster, at a. d. 597. See Rev. Dr. O'Conor's
" Rerum Hibernicarum Scriptores," tomus
iv. , p. 34.
21 The legend of his death, preserved in the
Book of Lecan, states, that he made an ex- pedition into Leinster to avenge the death of hissonCumuscach. Ontheway,hesaidto
parsiii. , cap. xciii. , p. 431.
25 He became monarch of Ireland A. D.
624, living a very exemplary life, and after reigniny for sixteen years, he died A. D. 639,
his servant
:
" me Columcille's cochall Bring
the Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 246 to
257.
26 See an account of the an- interesting
thatI
that it may be a protection to me from the Leinstermen ;" for Columcille had promised him, that Aedh should not be killed, while he had that cochall on him. Then said the
Gazetteer 27 We find "Colmanus filius Fearaide,
haveit onme
cient fort there in "
of Ireland. " vol. i. , p. 27.
"
dux regionis Osraidhe,
ia the Life of Cainnech, as that saint's
and
St. Mochoemog, published in Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hibernise. " xiii. Martii,
According to Colgan, it was he who in-
sulted St. Columba, at the Convention of
Druim-Ceat. See "Trias Thaumaturga,"
Quinta Vita S. Columbae, lib. hi. , cap. v. ,
p. 431, and n. 5, p. 452. He was defeated
by Colman Rimidh, at the battle of Sleam-
hain, in 602, and Conall escaped by flight.
See William M. Hennessy's "Chronicum in the Manuscript, classed H, 2. 16, be- Scotorum," —pp. 66, 67. The place alluded longing to Trinity College, Dublin, at fol. to is Slewen a townland divided into two 680.
:
servant "WehaveleftitatAilech. "Aedh at
" patron, It is most likely, that I shall fall this
chapters 43, 44,
said :
night by the Leinstermen, when my cochall is not here. " This account is to be seen at
fol. 308^.
22
Vita S. Mochoeomoci Abbatis, cap. xxx. , P- 594<>,
parts, Slewenmore—, the larger, and Slewen- beg, the smaller near Mullingar, in the county of Westmeath.
"
Return Hibernicarum Scriptores," tomus
23 He was slain
by Brandubh,
at Dun
Bucat, now Dumboyke, in the county of
Wicklow, a. d. 597. See Rev. Dr. O'Conor's
ii. , Tigernachi Annales, p. 160.
24 He is said to have succeeded to the
throne, A. D. 608, and after a three years' reign to have been slain in the battle of Sliabh Toadh, a. d. 610. See Dr. O'Dono- van's " Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. ,
pp. 234 to 237. According to other autho- rities, he succeeded to the throne in 612, and
according to Dr. O'Donovan's
"
Annals of
47, pp. 26, 27, 29, in that edition published by the Marquis of Ormonde, as also in the Life of
2"
29 See for the statement of Kinnfaelius
being the father of Scanlan Mor the High-
land Society's Irish Life of St. Columba, at
fol.
