36 xhere is reason to think,
according
to 33 Still so called.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v5
Salmanticensi (nunc in Bibl.
Ducum Bur- gundiffi apud Bruxell).
^ Thus in the Manuscript, which has been called " Codex Killcenniensis " is recorded St. Carthagus, fol. 94 to 99 ; but, fol. 100 is lost. It contained the concluding portion of this Life.
3 In the Manuscript, classed E, 3, 1 1, there is a Vita S. Carthagi at fol. 60. We find missing, fol. 65, and the Life concludes at fol. 66.
* It contains, a story of St. Mochuda, at p. 114.
5 This folio paper contains 416 written pages, transcribed by Michael Oge O'Longan, between the years iSoo and 1808. It in- eludes a short monastic Rule, or fragment of one, ascribed here to St. Mochuda of Lis- more, in 5 quatrains, at p. 317.
As published, they contain various
97 written pages, transcribed lately in Cork, by some one of the O'Longans. Though the writing has a respectable appearance ; yet, this transcript is very inaccurate, and it must have been tlie production of some ignorant scribe. On the back, this MS. is lettered " Extracts from Leabhar Droma Sneachtaigh(BookofDromSneacht); byJ- Maolconaire, 1560. "
^ It contains five quatrains, at p. 67.
' This is classed, No. 150.
'" Also a Tract on St. Suanach's sons, and
on St. Mochudda. These are now preserved in the Burgundian Library of Bruxelles, fols. 265, 268, vol. xi. , and vol. iv. , part ii. , p. 45.
"See " De Scriptoribus Hibernige," lib. i. , cap. xiii. , p. 90.
'- See "Catalogus Actuum Sanctorum quse MS. habentur, ordine Mensium et Dierum. "
'3 See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , xiv. Mail. De S. Carthaco seu Mochudda, Epis- copo et Abbate Lismoriensi, in Hibernia,
* It consists of 228 written pages, tran-
scribed by Michael Oge O'Longan, between
the years 1802 and 1827. At p. 1 15, the pp. 375 to 388.
last line but two, there is a memorandum by the transcriber to the effect, he had heard, that the Life of St. Mochuda of Lismore, and the Life of St. Daiglan (Declan), were in Kilkenny, and near Ariglin, in the year 1816.
"> This is a quarto paper book comprising
'"' It contains little, that is historical,
'^ in Rev. Dr. Lanigan's references to St. Carthage's Life, the reader is to understand, that called the Second Life was also the one, usually quoted by Ussher and Colgan.
'* See Rev. Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, xiv. , sect.
Q
242 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 14.
graphical errors. Colgan often quotes this Second Life, in his " Acta Sanc- torum Hibernige. " The first of those Lives will be cited, in the following pages, as the Vita ex duplici IMS. Legendario, and the latter, as the Vita ex antique MS. Hibernico ; for thus, they are intituled, by the Bollandists. This latter Life, comprised in Four chapters, is by far the more copious of the twobiographiespublished. Otherinterestingaccountsofthisholymanhave been published, by Archbishop Ussher,'^ Bishop Challoner,'9 Rev. Alban Butler,=° Rev. S. Baring-Gould,"' Miss Mary F. Cusack," and in Les Petits Bollandistes. "3
The approaching birth of our saint was announced to St. Comgall,"* by an Angel, in the following words : " O holy old man, a child shall be born in the western part of Ireland. He must receive the name of Carthage, at the baptismal font, because he shall be loved by God and man, both in Heaven and upon earth. After a while, he shall come to you, on his way to Rome, and it is the Lord's mandate, that you forsake him not, but that he remain with you an entire year. " St. Brendan "5 ofClonfert had an angelic warning, also, regarding the birth of our saint. Brendan heard these words : " A wonder-working brother must shortly come to thee, who shall aid thy people here and hereafter. Men shall thus divide the region of Kiarraigh. "^ His name shall be Carthage amongst you, and many shall rejoice in his com- memoration ; for, he will collect a great congregation of many people to the Lord, on the day of judgment. His first city shall be called Rathen, situated in Meath territory, in the midst of Ireland, among the people called Feara- Keelf7 andthiscityshallberenowned. But,thesecondcityshallbegreater and more illustrious ; for, Carthage shall possess a great principality called
Lismore. "^
The fath. er of St. Carthage, commonly called Mochudda, was named
Fingen. This latter was a son to Guel, and a descendant from the noble family of Ciar,''y son of Ferguss Mac Roigh,3° a renowned prince of TJlster. 3" He belonged to the tribe of Kieragia-Luachra, in the province of Munster. ThemotherofoursaintwascalledMead,daughtertoFingen,of the Corcoduibne tribe, Avho lived near the western ocean of Ireland, and in the vicinity of a fish-abounding river, called Leamha—probably the present Laune, which is an outlet of the Killarney Lakes. The father of Carthage was a powerful chieftain, possessed of two castles; one of these was situated,
xiii. , n. 177, p. 351.
'? Referring to a Life of St. Carthage, he
writes, " cujus penes me duo sunt ^ISS. exemplaria. "
'_* See " Britannicarum Ecclesiarum Anti- quitates," cap. xvii. , pp. 472, 488.
No. Ixxx. , p. 389, n.
'^ The reader will find a very interesting
account of St. Carthage Mochuda, and of this place Rahin or Rahen, a parish in the barony of Ballycowan, King's County, in Rev. A. Cogan's "Diocese of Meath, Ancient and Modern," vol. iii. , chap, Ixxv. , pp. 619 to 627.
"^ See Vita ex antiquo MS. Hibernico, cap. i. , num. i.
'' vSee " Britannia Sancta," part i. , 286 to 288.
pp.
"" See '* Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs and other principal Saints," vol. v. , May xiv.
"See '"Lives of the Saints," vol. v. , May 14.
^9 He sprang from the race of Ciar, son of P^ergus, son of Ross, son to Rudhraighe, and " See "History of the Kingdom of he belonged to the progeny of Ir, son to
Kerry," cap. iv. , pp. 60 to 64.
'3 See " Vies des Saints," tome v. , xiv*
Jour de Mai, p. 519.
'^ See his Life already given in this
volume, at May loth, Art. i.
'5 His Life will be found, at the l6th of
this month.
*' Ciaraighe Cuirche—now Kerrycurrihe,
in the county of Cork. Sec the " Irish Ecclesiastical Record," Old Scries, vol. vii. ,
Milcdh, according to the O'Clerys.
^° See Derniod O'Connor's Kcating's
" History of Ireland," Book ii. , p. 394.
3' Jhc Rev. Dr. Lanigan, in quoting Keating, would have it appear, that the latter historian made our saint an immediate son of Feargus mac Roigh. . "^ce " Ecclesi-
astical llistoiy of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, xiv. , sect, xiii. , n. 179, p. 351.
'^ Still known as Slievemish Mountains,
May 14. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
243
on the southern side of a mountain, called Miss,3^ and the other in a grove, by the River Mainne. 33 In the former of these castles, the saint was conceived, and he was born in the latter. Both of these castles received a benediction, in consequence, so that evil-designing men could not afterwards inhabit them. It is said, that while a great number of persons of both sexes were collected
in one place, a globe of fire was seen to descend on the mother of our saint, who was then borne in her womb. This celestial fire immediately vanished, without further injury to any one. They knew not, however, at that time, how thiswasanindicationoftheunborninfant'ssanctity. Wemaycalculate,that St. Carthach or Mochudda was born, about the middle of the sixth century, according to Rev. Dr. Lanigan,34 if—as appears not improbable—the time for his ordination was about a. d. 580. On his way to receive baptism, Carthage
was met by a holy man, named -^dan. He was asked to regenerate sacramen- tally this infant. That place where they then were was deficient in water but instantly, a fountain issued from earth, and with its water the child was baptized. This limpid fountain continued afterwards to flow without ceasing.
At the baptismal font, our saint received the name Carthach, or as Latinized Carthagus, according to the angelic prediction. 35 He was afterwards more usually called Mochuda ; for this reason, because the elder St. Carthage, his master, had been in the habit of calling his pupil by such a name,3S while mani- festing his affection by kisses and benedictions. St. -(Edan is said to have predicted, that the infant should be illustrious on earth, in the sight of God and man. 37 Carthage appeared, from his earliest youth, to have destined himself for God's service, and to have set at nought the vanities of this world; yet, much to the dislike of his parents, who were anxious to train him up to a knowledge of secular pursuits. Like another David, keeping the flocks of his father, our saint in his youth was an humble herd. To him and to others was committed the charge of feeding his father's swine, in certain woods, bordering on the RiverMainne,orMangJ^ AchieftainofKerry,namedMoeltul,wasvisited by the boy, at his castle of Astaddin. That chieftain received him kindly and said, " Come to me each day, with the other swineherds, and honour shall be paid them, on thy account, for I desire much to see thee. "
Onaparticularnight,theboyremainedwiththischieftain. Hiswife,named Noeleathan, the granddaughter of ^dhabeannain. King of Munster, remon- strated with her husband, for being so much captivated with a mere youth. Moeltul said "Woman, if you had seen what I behold in him, you would regard none but this child. I see a golden collar of exquisite workmanship around his neck,andapillaroffire,reachingfromhisheadtoHeaven; whileIdiscerna houseopenabove,asifnothavingaroof. FromthemomentIbeheldtheseper- sonal signs, love towards him hath taken possession of my heart. " His wife then said, "Let him come hither, and sit beside me. " This the child accordingly
ing been a disciple of the real Carthagh
lying southwards from Tralee, in the county atemode,Mochuda, thatis, "mydearChuda. " of Kerry.
36 xhere is reason to think, according to 33 Still so called. The River Maine rises Rev. Dr. Lanigan's conjecture, that his being called Carthagh was owing to his hav-
in the hills north of Castleisland, and taking a western course, it flows into Castlemain Harbour, at the head of Dingle Bay.
venerated on the 5th of March—as if we 3* See his " Ecclesiastical History of should say Carthagh's Mochuda.
Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, xiv. , sect. xiii. p. 351,
35 Yet, it is probable, according to Rev. Dr. Lanigan, that his original name was Chuda or Chuttai (Cuddy), and that his master, who was very fond of him, did no more, in this respect, than instead of calling him Chuda, addressed him by the affection-
37 See Vita ex antique MS. Hibernico, cap. i. , num. 2. Vita ex duplici MS. Le- gendario, num. i.
3« See adcscription of it, in Charles Smith's " Ancient and Present State of the County of Kerry," chap, vii. , p. 153.
39 See Vita ex antiquo MS. Hibernico, cap, i. , num. 3.
—;
i44
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 14.
Thenceforward, Carthage spent a part of his time in the chieftain's
did. 39
castle ;
being engaged in JMainne •'° woods, at this latter service; the elder Bishop Carthagepassedthatway,withabandofcompanions. Thesewereengaged singing psalms. 4' When the younger Carthage heard them, he abandoned the care of his herd. He followed the Bishop and his companions, to the monasteryofGlain,orThuain. ^^ WhentheBishopandhisbandenteredthe house, the younger Carthage remained outside, without the knowledge of its monastic inmates. Finding his favourite did not visit him on this night, and ignorant regarding the cause of his absence, Moeltul sent messengers to- enquire about him. One of these found him sitting without the monastery. Having reproved the child, he was brought before the chieftain, who asked why he had not come to him, on the preceding night. The boy answered,' " I did not come to you, sir, because I was charmed with the heavenly songs' I heard from the holy choir, and because I never heard anything like to this Psalmody, which they did not discontinue on their journey, nor afterwards, until the hour of rest. The Bishop sang afterwards, even during the whole night. I wish, therefore, O chieftain, that I were with them to learn the melody. " Thereupon,thechiefsentamessagetotheBishop,thathewould come and visited him. '»3 Meantime, the father of Mochudda, prepared a ban- quet for Moeltul ; and, in the midst of this entertainment, the latter called the boy to him. Moeltul showed him a sword, a buckler, a spear, and a hnia^*
while the remainder was occupied in tending his swine. One day,
of gold and silver, with various regal garments and instruments of war. Moel- tul said to him : " My son, take those gifts, and be mine, instead of thy father's companion. " But, the boy having rejected this offer, that chieftain asked what he should wish to receive. Carthage said : " I want none of your perishable presents, but, I wish indeed to learn that song I have heard, as sung by God's servants. " Then, knowing that the grace of God was working in bin), the chief promised to grant Avhat he required. Afterwards, Carthage the Bishop coming to the chief, this latter dynast commended to him the boy Mochudda, that he might become a student under his care. The saintly man received him joyfully, for he knew God's grace abounded within the mind of his adopted child. Afterwards, Mochudda remained under charge of the holy Bishop, until he was promoted to the Priesthood. ^^
The youth, being exceedingly comely, had certain declarations conveyed from young maidens, and those offers were intended to estrange him from a celibate's life ; but, our saint prayed for them, that their worldly might be changed into spiritual love. His prayer was heard, for all these females subsequently became religious. These even built cells and houses, which weretobeseen,atthetimetheauthorofoursaint'sIrishLifewrote. These establishmentslay,likewise,withintheparishofSt. Mochuda. Thosevirgins also dedicated themselves and their houses to God and to St. Mochuda. ''^
On the day of our saint's ordination, a man named Fintan, with his son, came to the Elder Carthage, that he might baptize the infant, whom he
*° These were probably on the banks of in her earliest or latest quarter, or like the the River Maine or Mang. letter C. Many ornaments similarly bhaped *^ The Rev. S. Baring-Gould adds, are preserved in our Irish antiquarian " which tliey probably accompanied on museums, and especially in the Museum of
harps. "—"Lives of the baiiits," vol. v. , p. 197.
*^ " Glain alibi Thuaim, forte Tuaim- grene in Mummonia. "—"Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , Maii xiv. , p. 380, n. (i).
*J See Vita ex antique MS. Hibemico, cap. i. , num. 4.
** Some ornament shaped liked the moon
the Royal Irish Academy.
•5 See Vita ex duplici MS. Lcgendario,
n. 2. See also, Colgan's '' Acta Sanctorum Ilibcrnix," v. Martii, Vita S. Carlhagii, cap. viii. , p. 475.
<^ See Vita ex antique MS. Hibernico, cap. 1, num. 6.
•" See Vita ex antique MS. Hibemix, cap.
. May 14. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
245
jntendedtooffertotheBishop. ' Thislatterholyprelatesaidtohim "Offer :
. thy son to the pious young man, who has been ordained, on this day, that he may be the baptizer. " This was accordingly done, and when the Bishop asked Fintan, what name his boy must receive, the father said, he wished this child to be called Fuendran. When his son was baptized, holding him by the hand, Mochudda thus prophesied regarding him ; " This hand sliall be cruel, and shall obtain hostages from the posterity of Forna, a race living in the terri- tory of Kearraighe, between the mountain Kuastra and the sea. His chil- dren shall reign after him, for ever, if they do not deny me ; but, if they dis- respectmeandmysuccessors,theirprincipalityshallfailthem. " Thispro- phecy was afterwards fulfilled--^^ Our saint having been promoted to the priesthood, sometime subsequently, the Bishop Carthage brought him to tlie above7mentioned chief Moeltul. He was found at a place, named Fcoiann, nearLeamhashore; and,this,itappears,wasachiefseatoftheKerryprinces. Carthage said to Moeltul : " Here, O chieftain, is the excellent boy I received from thee : he is well read and instructed in sacred literature. He hath received the priestly grade from me, and God's grace shines in him, as mani- fested by miracles. " The chieftain asked, what reward he should bestow for such a service. The Bishop thereupon replied, that he ought to dedicate him- self and his future descendants for ever, to the youthful servant of Christ. The
,chieftain, however, objected to this, on account of Mochudda's youth; when the Bishop went on his knees before our saint, saying to him, " Belioid my son, I offer myself, my church, and my diocese, to the Lord and to thee, for ever. " Onhearingthesewords,thechiefalsothrewhimselfattheyoungpriest's feet,pronouncingalikeengagement. Then,Mochudaissaidtohaveplaced his foot on the chieftain's neck, and to have measured his length with his feet. For this, he was called to account, by some of Moeltul's servants, as offering an indignity to their master. Our saint stopped suddenly, and said : " The neck which I have trodden shall not be taken from its head, and the body I have measured shall not be butchered. Had you not interrupted me, a chief- tain of his posterity should not fail to the end of time. " Then said he to the servant : " You and your -posterity shall always be low among servants. " Havingblessed the chief, Mochudda promised Heavenly and earthly gifts to him,
'saying : " If any of thy posterity cause offence to my successors, and do not give me what is due, he shall not possess the kingdom of Kerry. " These re- sults eventuated, according to his prophecy, as the author of his Life remarks. '*^
After this, by persuasions of his master, St. Carthage, and of the chieftain, Moeltul, Mochudda built a cell at a place,, called Kelltulach,''9 in a southern part of Kerry. It was situated between the mountain Myss, and the River Mainne. 5° Here, he wrought many miracles, and he was greatly honoured. But, he experienced molestation from two Bishops, Avho are namedDublinandDomangen. Theseappeartohavelookeduponhispro- ceedings, with some degree of distrust and suspicion. Whereupon, our saint went to the chieftain Moeltul, who lived in his castle, near Suningh strait, and complained regarding this persecution. The chieftain went with our saint, to his cell, and abode for a night, on the top of that mountain Myss, called alsoMainne. Regardingthepossessionsofhisfriend,Moeltulsaidtohim: '" My son, leave this small tract of land to the envious Bishops, and again
I, num. 7.
"* See Vita ex antique MS. Hibernico,
cap. I, num. 7.
_'" Now Kiltallagh, a parish in the barony
50 jt is stated, in the Second Chapter of St. Carthage's Life, that this cell was be- tween the mountain Mysis and the Mang. " Huw that mountain is now called, I do not know. "—Rev. Dr. Lanigan's " Ecclesi-
of Trughanacmy, and shown, on the " Ord-
nance Survey Townland Maps for the astical History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap. County of Kerry," sheets 38, 47. . xiv. , sect, xiv. , n. 184, p. 353.
246 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 14.
shall it be thine, with its inhabitants for ever. " St. Mochuda acquiesced in this counsel,andMoeltulreturned,afterhavingreceivedhisbenediction. Imme- diately, St. Carthage abandoned his cell, in favour of those Bishops. He then undertook a pilgrimage alone, towards the northern part of Ireland. s' In the meantime, an Angel had appeared to his cotemporary, St. Comgall of Bangor, and told him, that a young and holy Priest should come to him, wishing to cross the sea, for Christ's sake ; that this was the person, regardingwhom Comgallhad formerly prophesied, before his birth ; and that, according to God's mandate, he sliould detain the pilgrim witli him, for the remainder of the year. St. Comgallwishedtoknow,howCarthagemiglitbeidentitied. ThentheAngel said : " He shall be that person, who retires to the hospice, from the church, and with his face towards it. " Now, it was a custom of Moccuda, as it appears, never to turn his back towards any church, if he could possibly avoid it. That vision, and the token whereby our saint might be recognised, were communi- cated by the Abbot Comgall to his disciples. Afterwards, St. Carthage came to Bangor, and the Abbot discovered him, by practising the usual habit, while lionouiing the church as the house of God. Comgall was greatly rejoiced at our saint's arrival, and communicated to him the Angel's words, as also the Lord's mandate. In obedience thereto, Carthage remained in Bangor, to the end of that year. s^ On its expiration, by advice of St. Comgall, Car- thage returned to his native province. There, he erected many buildings, to thehonour of God. There, likewise, he wrought many miracles, and many disciples flocked to him, from all parts. A large extent of country was subject to his spiritual jurisdiction. We are informed, that he became bishop over the region of Kerry ;53 but, this must be inaccurate, for it is directly contrary, to what is expressly stated,5+ of his having been consecrated a bishop at Rathen, where he was not settled until some time later. According to the care, which he is said to have taken of Kerry, or a great part of that region, if true, it must be understood of his exertions, not as a bishop, but as a mis- sionary priest. 55
CHAPTER II .
SEVERAL HOLY MEN ARE VISITED BY ST. MOCHUDA—AT LAST HE IS INDUCED TO SELECT RATHAIN FOR HIS RELIGIOUS FOUNDATION—ANTIQUITIES THERE—HIS MANNER OF LIFE AND RULE—LEGENDS RELATED ABOUT ST, CARTHAGE—VIRTUES OF HIS MONKS—MIRACLES.
Leaving his religious establishments, in Kerry, to the care of faithful guardians and religious men, St. Carthage afterwards went with a few companions, to the southern part of Munster. He visited the son of Fintan, St. Hyeran,' a Bishop,
S" See Vita ex anliquo MS. Ilibernico, cap. I, num. 9.
mon. " " It is not amiss that he has met you," said the devil, "because I should not have allowed him to remain two nights in any one place, for the partiality he has shown to his own shoes above those of his congrega- tion. " Thus was St. Mochuda reproved for this slight indication of vanity,
s^ The following account is taken from
still unpubli-hed MSS. ^Vhen St. Mochuda
was in the habit of touching anything greasy
with his hands, he usually rubbed them on
his shoes. Having resolved on abandoning
his monasteiy in Rathan, tlie saint wi>hed
to go on a foreign pilgrimage, lest he might cap. i. , num. lo.
become vain of that great character he had acquired at home. But fust he went to St. Comgall of Bangor, and told him regarding this design. After St. Mochuda sat down and his shoes had been removed, St. Com- gall said.
^ Thus in the Manuscript, which has been called " Codex Killcenniensis " is recorded St. Carthagus, fol. 94 to 99 ; but, fol. 100 is lost. It contained the concluding portion of this Life.
3 In the Manuscript, classed E, 3, 1 1, there is a Vita S. Carthagi at fol. 60. We find missing, fol. 65, and the Life concludes at fol. 66.
* It contains, a story of St. Mochuda, at p. 114.
5 This folio paper contains 416 written pages, transcribed by Michael Oge O'Longan, between the years iSoo and 1808. It in- eludes a short monastic Rule, or fragment of one, ascribed here to St. Mochuda of Lis- more, in 5 quatrains, at p. 317.
As published, they contain various
97 written pages, transcribed lately in Cork, by some one of the O'Longans. Though the writing has a respectable appearance ; yet, this transcript is very inaccurate, and it must have been tlie production of some ignorant scribe. On the back, this MS. is lettered " Extracts from Leabhar Droma Sneachtaigh(BookofDromSneacht); byJ- Maolconaire, 1560. "
^ It contains five quatrains, at p. 67.
' This is classed, No. 150.
'" Also a Tract on St. Suanach's sons, and
on St. Mochudda. These are now preserved in the Burgundian Library of Bruxelles, fols. 265, 268, vol. xi. , and vol. iv. , part ii. , p. 45.
"See " De Scriptoribus Hibernige," lib. i. , cap. xiii. , p. 90.
'- See "Catalogus Actuum Sanctorum quse MS. habentur, ordine Mensium et Dierum. "
'3 See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , xiv. Mail. De S. Carthaco seu Mochudda, Epis- copo et Abbate Lismoriensi, in Hibernia,
* It consists of 228 written pages, tran-
scribed by Michael Oge O'Longan, between
the years 1802 and 1827. At p. 1 15, the pp. 375 to 388.
last line but two, there is a memorandum by the transcriber to the effect, he had heard, that the Life of St. Mochuda of Lismore, and the Life of St. Daiglan (Declan), were in Kilkenny, and near Ariglin, in the year 1816.
"> This is a quarto paper book comprising
'"' It contains little, that is historical,
'^ in Rev. Dr. Lanigan's references to St. Carthage's Life, the reader is to understand, that called the Second Life was also the one, usually quoted by Ussher and Colgan.
'* See Rev. Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, xiv. , sect.
Q
242 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 14.
graphical errors. Colgan often quotes this Second Life, in his " Acta Sanc- torum Hibernige. " The first of those Lives will be cited, in the following pages, as the Vita ex duplici IMS. Legendario, and the latter, as the Vita ex antique MS. Hibernico ; for thus, they are intituled, by the Bollandists. This latter Life, comprised in Four chapters, is by far the more copious of the twobiographiespublished. Otherinterestingaccountsofthisholymanhave been published, by Archbishop Ussher,'^ Bishop Challoner,'9 Rev. Alban Butler,=° Rev. S. Baring-Gould,"' Miss Mary F. Cusack," and in Les Petits Bollandistes. "3
The approaching birth of our saint was announced to St. Comgall,"* by an Angel, in the following words : " O holy old man, a child shall be born in the western part of Ireland. He must receive the name of Carthage, at the baptismal font, because he shall be loved by God and man, both in Heaven and upon earth. After a while, he shall come to you, on his way to Rome, and it is the Lord's mandate, that you forsake him not, but that he remain with you an entire year. " St. Brendan "5 ofClonfert had an angelic warning, also, regarding the birth of our saint. Brendan heard these words : " A wonder-working brother must shortly come to thee, who shall aid thy people here and hereafter. Men shall thus divide the region of Kiarraigh. "^ His name shall be Carthage amongst you, and many shall rejoice in his com- memoration ; for, he will collect a great congregation of many people to the Lord, on the day of judgment. His first city shall be called Rathen, situated in Meath territory, in the midst of Ireland, among the people called Feara- Keelf7 andthiscityshallberenowned. But,thesecondcityshallbegreater and more illustrious ; for, Carthage shall possess a great principality called
Lismore. "^
The fath. er of St. Carthage, commonly called Mochudda, was named
Fingen. This latter was a son to Guel, and a descendant from the noble family of Ciar,''y son of Ferguss Mac Roigh,3° a renowned prince of TJlster. 3" He belonged to the tribe of Kieragia-Luachra, in the province of Munster. ThemotherofoursaintwascalledMead,daughtertoFingen,of the Corcoduibne tribe, Avho lived near the western ocean of Ireland, and in the vicinity of a fish-abounding river, called Leamha—probably the present Laune, which is an outlet of the Killarney Lakes. The father of Carthage was a powerful chieftain, possessed of two castles; one of these was situated,
xiii. , n. 177, p. 351.
'? Referring to a Life of St. Carthage, he
writes, " cujus penes me duo sunt ^ISS. exemplaria. "
'_* See " Britannicarum Ecclesiarum Anti- quitates," cap. xvii. , pp. 472, 488.
No. Ixxx. , p. 389, n.
'^ The reader will find a very interesting
account of St. Carthage Mochuda, and of this place Rahin or Rahen, a parish in the barony of Ballycowan, King's County, in Rev. A. Cogan's "Diocese of Meath, Ancient and Modern," vol. iii. , chap, Ixxv. , pp. 619 to 627.
"^ See Vita ex antiquo MS. Hibernico, cap. i. , num. i.
'' vSee " Britannia Sancta," part i. , 286 to 288.
pp.
"" See '* Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs and other principal Saints," vol. v. , May xiv.
"See '"Lives of the Saints," vol. v. , May 14.
^9 He sprang from the race of Ciar, son of P^ergus, son of Ross, son to Rudhraighe, and " See "History of the Kingdom of he belonged to the progeny of Ir, son to
Kerry," cap. iv. , pp. 60 to 64.
'3 See " Vies des Saints," tome v. , xiv*
Jour de Mai, p. 519.
'^ See his Life already given in this
volume, at May loth, Art. i.
'5 His Life will be found, at the l6th of
this month.
*' Ciaraighe Cuirche—now Kerrycurrihe,
in the county of Cork. Sec the " Irish Ecclesiastical Record," Old Scries, vol. vii. ,
Milcdh, according to the O'Clerys.
^° See Derniod O'Connor's Kcating's
" History of Ireland," Book ii. , p. 394.
3' Jhc Rev. Dr. Lanigan, in quoting Keating, would have it appear, that the latter historian made our saint an immediate son of Feargus mac Roigh. . "^ce " Ecclesi-
astical llistoiy of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, xiv. , sect, xiii. , n. 179, p. 351.
'^ Still known as Slievemish Mountains,
May 14. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
243
on the southern side of a mountain, called Miss,3^ and the other in a grove, by the River Mainne. 33 In the former of these castles, the saint was conceived, and he was born in the latter. Both of these castles received a benediction, in consequence, so that evil-designing men could not afterwards inhabit them. It is said, that while a great number of persons of both sexes were collected
in one place, a globe of fire was seen to descend on the mother of our saint, who was then borne in her womb. This celestial fire immediately vanished, without further injury to any one. They knew not, however, at that time, how thiswasanindicationoftheunborninfant'ssanctity. Wemaycalculate,that St. Carthach or Mochudda was born, about the middle of the sixth century, according to Rev. Dr. Lanigan,34 if—as appears not improbable—the time for his ordination was about a. d. 580. On his way to receive baptism, Carthage
was met by a holy man, named -^dan. He was asked to regenerate sacramen- tally this infant. That place where they then were was deficient in water but instantly, a fountain issued from earth, and with its water the child was baptized. This limpid fountain continued afterwards to flow without ceasing.
At the baptismal font, our saint received the name Carthach, or as Latinized Carthagus, according to the angelic prediction. 35 He was afterwards more usually called Mochuda ; for this reason, because the elder St. Carthage, his master, had been in the habit of calling his pupil by such a name,3S while mani- festing his affection by kisses and benedictions. St. -(Edan is said to have predicted, that the infant should be illustrious on earth, in the sight of God and man. 37 Carthage appeared, from his earliest youth, to have destined himself for God's service, and to have set at nought the vanities of this world; yet, much to the dislike of his parents, who were anxious to train him up to a knowledge of secular pursuits. Like another David, keeping the flocks of his father, our saint in his youth was an humble herd. To him and to others was committed the charge of feeding his father's swine, in certain woods, bordering on the RiverMainne,orMangJ^ AchieftainofKerry,namedMoeltul,wasvisited by the boy, at his castle of Astaddin. That chieftain received him kindly and said, " Come to me each day, with the other swineherds, and honour shall be paid them, on thy account, for I desire much to see thee. "
Onaparticularnight,theboyremainedwiththischieftain. Hiswife,named Noeleathan, the granddaughter of ^dhabeannain. King of Munster, remon- strated with her husband, for being so much captivated with a mere youth. Moeltul said "Woman, if you had seen what I behold in him, you would regard none but this child. I see a golden collar of exquisite workmanship around his neck,andapillaroffire,reachingfromhisheadtoHeaven; whileIdiscerna houseopenabove,asifnothavingaroof. FromthemomentIbeheldtheseper- sonal signs, love towards him hath taken possession of my heart. " His wife then said, "Let him come hither, and sit beside me. " This the child accordingly
ing been a disciple of the real Carthagh
lying southwards from Tralee, in the county atemode,Mochuda, thatis, "mydearChuda. " of Kerry.
36 xhere is reason to think, according to 33 Still so called. The River Maine rises Rev. Dr. Lanigan's conjecture, that his being called Carthagh was owing to his hav-
in the hills north of Castleisland, and taking a western course, it flows into Castlemain Harbour, at the head of Dingle Bay.
venerated on the 5th of March—as if we 3* See his " Ecclesiastical History of should say Carthagh's Mochuda.
Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, xiv. , sect. xiii. p. 351,
35 Yet, it is probable, according to Rev. Dr. Lanigan, that his original name was Chuda or Chuttai (Cuddy), and that his master, who was very fond of him, did no more, in this respect, than instead of calling him Chuda, addressed him by the affection-
37 See Vita ex antique MS. Hibernico, cap. i. , num. 2. Vita ex duplici MS. Le- gendario, num. i.
3« See adcscription of it, in Charles Smith's " Ancient and Present State of the County of Kerry," chap, vii. , p. 153.
39 See Vita ex antiquo MS. Hibernico, cap, i. , num. 3.
—;
i44
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 14.
Thenceforward, Carthage spent a part of his time in the chieftain's
did. 39
castle ;
being engaged in JMainne •'° woods, at this latter service; the elder Bishop Carthagepassedthatway,withabandofcompanions. Thesewereengaged singing psalms. 4' When the younger Carthage heard them, he abandoned the care of his herd. He followed the Bishop and his companions, to the monasteryofGlain,orThuain. ^^ WhentheBishopandhisbandenteredthe house, the younger Carthage remained outside, without the knowledge of its monastic inmates. Finding his favourite did not visit him on this night, and ignorant regarding the cause of his absence, Moeltul sent messengers to- enquire about him. One of these found him sitting without the monastery. Having reproved the child, he was brought before the chieftain, who asked why he had not come to him, on the preceding night. The boy answered,' " I did not come to you, sir, because I was charmed with the heavenly songs' I heard from the holy choir, and because I never heard anything like to this Psalmody, which they did not discontinue on their journey, nor afterwards, until the hour of rest. The Bishop sang afterwards, even during the whole night. I wish, therefore, O chieftain, that I were with them to learn the melody. " Thereupon,thechiefsentamessagetotheBishop,thathewould come and visited him. '»3 Meantime, the father of Mochudda, prepared a ban- quet for Moeltul ; and, in the midst of this entertainment, the latter called the boy to him. Moeltul showed him a sword, a buckler, a spear, and a hnia^*
while the remainder was occupied in tending his swine. One day,
of gold and silver, with various regal garments and instruments of war. Moel- tul said to him : " My son, take those gifts, and be mine, instead of thy father's companion. " But, the boy having rejected this offer, that chieftain asked what he should wish to receive. Carthage said : " I want none of your perishable presents, but, I wish indeed to learn that song I have heard, as sung by God's servants. " Then, knowing that the grace of God was working in bin), the chief promised to grant Avhat he required. Afterwards, Carthage the Bishop coming to the chief, this latter dynast commended to him the boy Mochudda, that he might become a student under his care. The saintly man received him joyfully, for he knew God's grace abounded within the mind of his adopted child. Afterwards, Mochudda remained under charge of the holy Bishop, until he was promoted to the Priesthood. ^^
The youth, being exceedingly comely, had certain declarations conveyed from young maidens, and those offers were intended to estrange him from a celibate's life ; but, our saint prayed for them, that their worldly might be changed into spiritual love. His prayer was heard, for all these females subsequently became religious. These even built cells and houses, which weretobeseen,atthetimetheauthorofoursaint'sIrishLifewrote. These establishmentslay,likewise,withintheparishofSt. Mochuda. Thosevirgins also dedicated themselves and their houses to God and to St. Mochuda. ''^
On the day of our saint's ordination, a man named Fintan, with his son, came to the Elder Carthage, that he might baptize the infant, whom he
*° These were probably on the banks of in her earliest or latest quarter, or like the the River Maine or Mang. letter C. Many ornaments similarly bhaped *^ The Rev. S. Baring-Gould adds, are preserved in our Irish antiquarian " which tliey probably accompanied on museums, and especially in the Museum of
harps. "—"Lives of the baiiits," vol. v. , p. 197.
*^ " Glain alibi Thuaim, forte Tuaim- grene in Mummonia. "—"Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , Maii xiv. , p. 380, n. (i).
*J See Vita ex antique MS. Hibemico, cap. i. , num. 4.
** Some ornament shaped liked the moon
the Royal Irish Academy.
•5 See Vita ex duplici MS. Lcgendario,
n. 2. See also, Colgan's '' Acta Sanctorum Ilibcrnix," v. Martii, Vita S. Carlhagii, cap. viii. , p. 475.
<^ See Vita ex antique MS. Hibernico, cap. 1, num. 6.
•" See Vita ex antique MS. Hibemix, cap.
. May 14. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
245
jntendedtooffertotheBishop. ' Thislatterholyprelatesaidtohim "Offer :
. thy son to the pious young man, who has been ordained, on this day, that he may be the baptizer. " This was accordingly done, and when the Bishop asked Fintan, what name his boy must receive, the father said, he wished this child to be called Fuendran. When his son was baptized, holding him by the hand, Mochudda thus prophesied regarding him ; " This hand sliall be cruel, and shall obtain hostages from the posterity of Forna, a race living in the terri- tory of Kearraighe, between the mountain Kuastra and the sea. His chil- dren shall reign after him, for ever, if they do not deny me ; but, if they dis- respectmeandmysuccessors,theirprincipalityshallfailthem. " Thispro- phecy was afterwards fulfilled--^^ Our saint having been promoted to the priesthood, sometime subsequently, the Bishop Carthage brought him to tlie above7mentioned chief Moeltul. He was found at a place, named Fcoiann, nearLeamhashore; and,this,itappears,wasachiefseatoftheKerryprinces. Carthage said to Moeltul : " Here, O chieftain, is the excellent boy I received from thee : he is well read and instructed in sacred literature. He hath received the priestly grade from me, and God's grace shines in him, as mani- fested by miracles. " The chieftain asked, what reward he should bestow for such a service. The Bishop thereupon replied, that he ought to dedicate him- self and his future descendants for ever, to the youthful servant of Christ. The
,chieftain, however, objected to this, on account of Mochudda's youth; when the Bishop went on his knees before our saint, saying to him, " Belioid my son, I offer myself, my church, and my diocese, to the Lord and to thee, for ever. " Onhearingthesewords,thechiefalsothrewhimselfattheyoungpriest's feet,pronouncingalikeengagement. Then,Mochudaissaidtohaveplaced his foot on the chieftain's neck, and to have measured his length with his feet. For this, he was called to account, by some of Moeltul's servants, as offering an indignity to their master. Our saint stopped suddenly, and said : " The neck which I have trodden shall not be taken from its head, and the body I have measured shall not be butchered. Had you not interrupted me, a chief- tain of his posterity should not fail to the end of time. " Then said he to the servant : " You and your -posterity shall always be low among servants. " Havingblessed the chief, Mochudda promised Heavenly and earthly gifts to him,
'saying : " If any of thy posterity cause offence to my successors, and do not give me what is due, he shall not possess the kingdom of Kerry. " These re- sults eventuated, according to his prophecy, as the author of his Life remarks. '*^
After this, by persuasions of his master, St. Carthage, and of the chieftain, Moeltul, Mochudda built a cell at a place,, called Kelltulach,''9 in a southern part of Kerry. It was situated between the mountain Myss, and the River Mainne. 5° Here, he wrought many miracles, and he was greatly honoured. But, he experienced molestation from two Bishops, Avho are namedDublinandDomangen. Theseappeartohavelookeduponhispro- ceedings, with some degree of distrust and suspicion. Whereupon, our saint went to the chieftain Moeltul, who lived in his castle, near Suningh strait, and complained regarding this persecution. The chieftain went with our saint, to his cell, and abode for a night, on the top of that mountain Myss, called alsoMainne. Regardingthepossessionsofhisfriend,Moeltulsaidtohim: '" My son, leave this small tract of land to the envious Bishops, and again
I, num. 7.
"* See Vita ex antique MS. Hibernico,
cap. I, num. 7.
_'" Now Kiltallagh, a parish in the barony
50 jt is stated, in the Second Chapter of St. Carthage's Life, that this cell was be- tween the mountain Mysis and the Mang. " Huw that mountain is now called, I do not know. "—Rev. Dr. Lanigan's " Ecclesi-
of Trughanacmy, and shown, on the " Ord-
nance Survey Townland Maps for the astical History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap. County of Kerry," sheets 38, 47. . xiv. , sect, xiv. , n. 184, p. 353.
246 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 14.
shall it be thine, with its inhabitants for ever. " St. Mochuda acquiesced in this counsel,andMoeltulreturned,afterhavingreceivedhisbenediction. Imme- diately, St. Carthage abandoned his cell, in favour of those Bishops. He then undertook a pilgrimage alone, towards the northern part of Ireland. s' In the meantime, an Angel had appeared to his cotemporary, St. Comgall of Bangor, and told him, that a young and holy Priest should come to him, wishing to cross the sea, for Christ's sake ; that this was the person, regardingwhom Comgallhad formerly prophesied, before his birth ; and that, according to God's mandate, he sliould detain the pilgrim witli him, for the remainder of the year. St. Comgallwishedtoknow,howCarthagemiglitbeidentitied. ThentheAngel said : " He shall be that person, who retires to the hospice, from the church, and with his face towards it. " Now, it was a custom of Moccuda, as it appears, never to turn his back towards any church, if he could possibly avoid it. That vision, and the token whereby our saint might be recognised, were communi- cated by the Abbot Comgall to his disciples. Afterwards, St. Carthage came to Bangor, and the Abbot discovered him, by practising the usual habit, while lionouiing the church as the house of God. Comgall was greatly rejoiced at our saint's arrival, and communicated to him the Angel's words, as also the Lord's mandate. In obedience thereto, Carthage remained in Bangor, to the end of that year. s^ On its expiration, by advice of St. Comgall, Car- thage returned to his native province. There, he erected many buildings, to thehonour of God. There, likewise, he wrought many miracles, and many disciples flocked to him, from all parts. A large extent of country was subject to his spiritual jurisdiction. We are informed, that he became bishop over the region of Kerry ;53 but, this must be inaccurate, for it is directly contrary, to what is expressly stated,5+ of his having been consecrated a bishop at Rathen, where he was not settled until some time later. According to the care, which he is said to have taken of Kerry, or a great part of that region, if true, it must be understood of his exertions, not as a bishop, but as a mis- sionary priest. 55
CHAPTER II .
SEVERAL HOLY MEN ARE VISITED BY ST. MOCHUDA—AT LAST HE IS INDUCED TO SELECT RATHAIN FOR HIS RELIGIOUS FOUNDATION—ANTIQUITIES THERE—HIS MANNER OF LIFE AND RULE—LEGENDS RELATED ABOUT ST, CARTHAGE—VIRTUES OF HIS MONKS—MIRACLES.
Leaving his religious establishments, in Kerry, to the care of faithful guardians and religious men, St. Carthage afterwards went with a few companions, to the southern part of Munster. He visited the son of Fintan, St. Hyeran,' a Bishop,
S" See Vita ex anliquo MS. Ilibernico, cap. I, num. 9.
mon. " " It is not amiss that he has met you," said the devil, "because I should not have allowed him to remain two nights in any one place, for the partiality he has shown to his own shoes above those of his congrega- tion. " Thus was St. Mochuda reproved for this slight indication of vanity,
s^ The following account is taken from
still unpubli-hed MSS. ^Vhen St. Mochuda
was in the habit of touching anything greasy
with his hands, he usually rubbed them on
his shoes. Having resolved on abandoning
his monasteiy in Rathan, tlie saint wi>hed
to go on a foreign pilgrimage, lest he might cap. i. , num. lo.
become vain of that great character he had acquired at home. But fust he went to St. Comgall of Bangor, and told him regarding this design. After St. Mochuda sat down and his shoes had been removed, St. Com- gall said.
