"65
The bardic professors of Ireland were a class, that addicted them-
selves to the composition of Irish verse, in different kinds of metre,
and who often chaunted their strains to a harp accompaniment.
The bardic professors of Ireland were a class, that addicted them-
selves to the composition of Irish verse, in different kinds of metre,
and who often chaunted their strains to a harp accompaniment.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v6
.
.
See Pnnce O Donnell s Life, lib. 111. , .
cap xxxix. , p. 437.
TM to the Second Life of St. According
n
Columba, cap. xvn p. 327.
3oo LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 9.
as often to draw blood, so that his flesh might be kept in subjection to the
spirit ; while he wore a rough shirt, woven from the mane of horses. 43 Fasting,
watching, and prayer, constantly engaged his occupation. They went almost beyond the course of human ability, and yet in the midst of these austerities,
he always showed a cheerful countenance,44 representing thereby a saint-like joypervadinghisheart. Thiswasrevealedinthoseecstasies,withwhichthe
filled his inmost soul. 4* this wonderful mortifi- Notwithstanding
Holy Spirit
cation of the flesh and austerity of life, Columba, ever desirous of preserving
holy purity in all its integrity, kept a strict guard over all his senses, so that no passage might be left open, which could in any way infringe on his chaste
and perfect aspirations. So great was his government of the eyes, that lie
feared to look upon the face of any woman, even that of his own mother 46 ;
his tongue was restrained to such a degree, that he was cautious lest any word should be even of idle or doubtful meaning, while his frank and truth-loving soulscornedequivocationortheslightestfalsehood. Indeed,heonlyemployed speech when necessary, and to promote the practices of piety. 4? He rarely
spoke with worldlings, but above all things, he engaged frequently in vocal and mental prayer ; especially did he take care to avoid idleness, and his time was ever employed on works of religion. 48
A curious story is related, that when Columba was about to erect his church and monastery at Derry, he desired to remove all vestiges of the ancient Fort by setting it on fire. In this design, he is said to have been opposed by Aedh, who contended, that the colony of monks should be in want, if the secular buildings of the former town were to perish. Columba expressed his confidence, in the goodness of God ; but, having applied fire to the houses, itwaspreternaturallydrivenbythewinds,toapleasantwoodadjoining. How- ever, Columb offered up prayers to save the trees from destruction. He then predicted the subsequent eminence of Derry, and announced its future pro • tection from fire or lightning. He composed a hymn,4 9on this circumstance, but it has been imperfectly given in Latin, as found in Prince O'Donnell's Life of our saint. * A commentator remarks, that it was versified, at the door of DisertDaireCalgaigh,thetimebeingthatofAedh,sontoAinmire. This when repeated, it was thought should save the reciters from a death by fire or
1 An
41 O'Donnell states, that a stone served Prefatio Secunda.
6
lightning. *
indulgence
was attached to the
singing
of this
Hymn, espe-
for his lib. mattress,
This is stated in the Hymn of St. Bait- hin, son of Cuanach.
iii. ,cap. xxxv. , p. 437. -< 42 This austere mode ofliving is alluded to
in an I—rish Poem, thus translated into
*> Such is the account left us in some en- comiastic verses attributed to St. Brendan of Birr, who did not, however, survive Columba, as also to St. Dalian, his contem- porary and friend.
# See O'Donnell's Life of St. Columba, lib. iii, cap. xli. , xlii. , p. 438, and n. 19, p. 453.
*> This has been published, in 'Rev. Dr. Todd's teabharv tmtntm. The 'Book of Hymnsof the Ancient Church of Ireland, Fasciculus II. , No. xvi. A notice precedes it.
English :
"
ance
_
This pious saint, as a religious pen- »
Lay on the cold ground, and through his garments
His bones look'd sharp and meagre; his poor cell
Was open to the inclemency of the
wmds
Which blew through the unplaster'd
walls. "_ —Dermod O Conor s
>
" General History of Ireland," part ii. , p. 386.
See to pp. 259
43 See
"
Noli pater indulgere," &c.
This Hymnhas been translated into English verse, by Mary F. Cusack, in Rev. Dr! \Y. Mac Ilwaine's "Lyra Hibemica Sacra," pp. 209, 210.
si See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga,'
Vita S. caP- **xvi-> P- 437-
Quinta
lib.
hi. ,
44 The Second Life of St. Columba states, "decoro vultu, rubicundis genis, corpulenta specie. " &c, cap. xviii.
5 See Adamnan's "Vita S. Columba:,"
Keating's Columba? ,
263.
so jt begins with the line :—
June 9. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 301
cially at bed-time and at rising ; for, not alone did it afford personal safety to the singer, but it protected any other nine persons, whom he desired to serve. 52 St. Columba is known to have written out a Monastic Rule, 53 for the direction of his brethren ; but, whether at this early period of life or not is uncertain. St. Wilfrid alludes to in the work of Venerable Bede 5+ and,
it, ;
such account is left us by various other writers. 55 When against his own will, St. Columba was elected Abbot of Derry,50 his rigour of life in no manner relaxed ; but, on the contrary, he deemed himself obliged to set a great example to others, in his own person, before he should admonish his subjects. The glory of God and the salvation of souls were the single objects aimed at by all in his community. The poor were special objects of concern, and no less than one hundred of these were daily supplied with food. He
always endeavoured to aid those suffering from distress, whether of mind or of body. Oneday,acertainpresumedpauperarrivedtoolateforthestewardto satisfy his wants. He was then told, that he should have patience, until the fol- lowing day, when he ought to return at an earlier hour. Yet, on the succeding day, that pauper was again late, and he received the same answer to his application. Again, on the third day the same thing happened, when the pau-
persaid "GototheAlmoner,andbearthismessagefrommetotheAbbot,
:
that unless he derives from himself what he spends on the needy, let him not end his bounty, until God first deprives him of means. " When Columba heard this advice, and learned the want of that poor man, without waiting for his shoes or mantle, he ran to the door of his monastery, whence he saw the mendicant removing. The saint pursued him to the western side of the great church, and to a place southwards called Iomopodhesiol. 5? There he no longer found a pauper, but Christ himself, who had assumed such a garb. Falling on his knees, Columba suppliantly offered his prayers. Then, he had an ineffably glorious and enchanting interview with the author of all grace ; so that, he not only obtained a great accession of virtues, but his intellect was furnished with a miraculous penetration into the most hidden secrets of nature. Above all, he returned to his monastery profoundly moved with compassion for the sufferings of the poor ; and, he ordered, that thenceforward, no poor persons should ever be turned away hungry, from the doors of his in- stitute, no matter how great might be the number, until the storehouse had beenentirelyexhausted. 58 Hewaseverregardedasthespecialguardianand protector of the poor and oppressed,59 the noblest characteristic of a noble and generous disposition. If at any time he had not means to relieve the destitute, his tears began to flow, until the Almighty enabled him to provide for their wants. 60 So pleasing was this will of the saint to God, that after he settled there, Lough Foyle seemed swarming with fish, which served the
Quinta Vita S. Columbse, lib. i. , cap. xlix. ,
p. 397.
52 See Rev. Dr. Todd's LeAbViAr* 1inuiun,
Fasiculus II. , No. xvi. , p. 261, and n. 6.
53 He is classed among the eight chief composers ,of Monastic Rules, to guide the
almost numberless monasteries founded—in
Ireland: these authors are said to be I.
St. Patrick. II. St. Brigid. III. St.
Brendan. IV. St. Ciaran. V. St. Columba.
VI. St. Comgall. VII. St. Molaise or Quinta Vita S. Columbse, lib. i. , cap. 1. , pp, Laisrean. VIII. St. Adamnan. See Dr.
O'Conor's " Rerum Hibernicarum Scrip- tores," tomus ii. Tigernachi Annales, p.
147.
5* See
"
Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis
See Rev. Dr. John Smith's Life of St Columba," p. 97.
Anglorum," lib. iii. , cap. xxv.
5S See Sir James Ware, " De Scriptoribus
Hibernise," lib. i. , cap. ii. , p. 15.
56 Interesting illustrations and a descrip- tion of this city will be found in J. B. Doyle's
"Tours in Ulster," chap, xiv. , pp. 280 to 301.
The interpretation of this Irish word is 58 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga,"
57
not given by O'Donnell.
397, 398.
59 See ibid. , lib. iii. , cap. xl. , pp. 437,
438.
6° "
3o2 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 9.
wants of his
community,
61 and the very water of the place had an admirable
and a wholesome flavour, equal to the best wine. 62 St. Brendan 63 with one
hundred companions once came to visit the saint at Derry. Only nine griddle
loaves and as many fishes were then in the house. Yet, Columba prayed to
God, and afterwards there were loaves and fishes to satisfy the wants of two
hundred persons, while over and above remained the original nine loaves and
nine fishes. 64 Two persons, on a particular occasion, came to the door of St.
Colnmba'smonastery;onewasabeggar,andtheotheragambler. Theyre-
spectively asked him for a gift. Columba gave only one coin to the beggar ;
while he gave many more to the gambler. The brethren present were sur-
prised at this distribution, and asked their Abbot why it was so. " Go," said
he, "and see if the beggar will better distribute his alms. " They went to
the gamester's house, and there they found him distributing alms to
persons entering it. They also found the beggar dead on the way, and ten
gold pieces, with St. Columba's small coin sewed in his patched garments.
Returning they told Columba what they had discovered. " And I, too," said
"
clearly knowing
what should out in the manner I happen, paid
he,
thought must be most discriminating.
"65
The bardic professors of Ireland were a class, that addicted them-
selves to the composition of Irish verse, in different kinds of metre,
and who often chaunted their strains to a harp accompaniment. They
were held in great esteem by the people, especially those of the first
order. But soon, many of them began to grow arrogant, and even inso-
lent. They had already incurred the resentment of Irish princes ; and,
Connor Mac Nessa, King of Ulster, designed to prosecute them with severity.
The chiefs and people also called for their expulsion from the kingdom. How-
ever, they promised amendment, and observed moderation for a time ; but,
atintervals, becameobnoxioustothestate,and 66 Thebards they unpopular.
—and especially the most inferior and forward among them—had become at
this time simply intolerable. They had multiplied beyond precedent, and their privileges were greatly abused. Their exactions were impoverishing the people, and especially the superior classes, who feared to incur their dis- pleasure and satire. A very singular custom is recorded to have prevailed, among those of their profession, and that from a very remote period. The bards were in the habit of travelling through the country in groups or com- panies of thirty, composed of teachers and their pupils, under a single chief or master. Each company of poets had a silver pot, which was called Coire Sainnte,67 or "the Pot of Avarice;" every pot had nine chains of bronze attached to it, by golden hooks ; and, it was suspended from spear points of nine persons among the company. Their spear-points were thrust through linksatotherendsofthechains. 68 Duringtheseprogresses,whentheycame
6t See "Trias " Colgan's Thaumaturga,
Quinta p. 398.
Vita S. lib. Hi. Columbae, i. , cap.
,
Quinta Vita S. Columbse, lib. i. , p. 398.
62
cap. li. ,
This is said to have been sung in ele-
gant metre, by Baethin, the son of Cuonach.
He is supposed to have been the same as St.
Baoithin or Baetin, Bishop of Teach Baoit-
hin or Taghboyne, county of Westmeath,
whose feast occurs at February 9th, and some
notices of whom may be found in the Second Mor Duna Doighre, called the Leabhar Volume of this work, at that date, Art. ii. Breac [R. I. A. ]—that the pot was called the
63 Most probably St. Brendan, Abbot of " Pot of Avarice," was because it was into it Birr, whose feast falls on the 29th of whatever gold or silver they received was
November.
64 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga,
"
put; andwhilstthepoemwasbeingchanted, the best nip* musicians in the company
"
6s See ibid. , cap. liii. , p. 398.
66
See Dermod O'Connor's Keating's General History of Ire'and," part ii. , pp.
370, 371. Duffy's edition.
6? In the Irish—written coro rAVici.
68 The reason according to the account
of this custom preserved in the Leahhar
June 9. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 303
to a house, where profuse hospitality was always expected, the first bard that entered began to chant the first verse of a poem ; the last man of the party re-
sponded to him ; and so, the whole poem was sung, each taking a part, in an arranged order. The houses of the monks were not spared from their intru- sion. To furnish an idea of the extravagance to which the bards at diis time carried their demands, we are told, that once, while St. Columba was at a
1 ata
him. Then, it is related, that Columba went to a neighbouring fountain, where invoking the Almighty, water was turned into wine ; while, at the same time, from an ancient mound near it, an Angel showed him a spot, from which goblets and drinking vessels were to be obtained. There, the saint entertained the bards at a banquet, and afterwards, that place was called Rathnafleidhe, 7 *
6? he felt when he had not a reward to offer ashamed,
called
some of those poetical professors. Yet, in a miraculous manner was he sup- plied with a talent of gold, which served to satisfy their avarice, and to save his own reputation, as a professor and patron of their art. 7° At another time,
place
Fiodhbeg,
a numberofbardshelda great
between and Deny
convention,?
Oileach,72 which was formerly a royal castle. " St. Columba, likewise, loved Oileach, because of its familyassociations. Thosebards demanded a gift from
or " on account of the bounty it had proved to be the means for conferring. "
or the " Rath of the The well also Banquet. "
got
the name
Maith,
good. "
St. Columba likewise loved secret contemplation, and, especially he
delighted in rambling on the shore, near the sea-waves. He used very fre-
quently resort to a lonely rock, which hung over the ocean. It was called
6 Carraig-colairg. ?
While he was there one a monk
brought
stopping
day,
8 andsonto Aidus, had died. ? ? However, there must clearly be a mistake of identifica-
him it is word,
stated,
that
Maol-chabhius,
77 his
alumnus,?
King
played music around the pot. This custom 74 This place has not been identified. was, no doubt, very picturesque; but the 7S See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," actors in it were capable of showing them- Quinta Vita S. Columbse, lib. i. , cap. lv. , selves in two different characters, according
to the result of their application. If their 7
Pot of Avarice received the approbation of
the man of the house, in gold or silver, a
laudatory poem was written for him; but if
he did not, he was satirized in the virulent
terms that a copious an—d highly expressive language could supply. " Professor Eugene
"
Customs of the Ancient
O'Curry's
Lectures on the Manners and
Lect. iii. , pp. 56, 57.
69 This means " the little wood. " It does
not seem to be capable of identification, at present.
70 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Quinta Vita S. Columbte, lib. i. , cap. liv. , p. 398.
very generally held, in Ireland ; although few in comparison have obtained any special notice in our Annals.
73 Otherwise called Aileach, of which an
account may be found in the Life of St.
Bessy Bell, a short distance south of New- town-Stewart, in the barony of Strabane, and county of Tyrone. See ibid. , n. (q),
Irish,"
vol.
ii. ,
7? His successor, Suibne Menn, is said to have killed him, a. d. 610, in the battle of classes seem to have been frequently and Sliabh Truim Tuoth, Anglicized to Sieve- tryn, on a Map of Ulster, date 1590, by Francis Jobson. At present, it is called
71 Conventionsorconferencesoftribesand
Patrick, at March 17th, in the Third Volume and vol. iii. , pp. 424, 425, and n. (a),
of this Art. xiv. work, i. , chap.
There, also,
8o While his death is to usually assigned
a. d. 597, that of Maolcobha, son of Aedh, is assigned to a. d. 615, in the " Chronicon
illustrations of it are introduced.
73 " It was simply a fortress and residen—ce
of the kind styled in Irish cashel or lis" W. F. Wakeman's " Tourists' Guide to Ire- land," p. 192.
Scotorum," pp. 74, 75,
M. Hennessy, M. K. I. A.
edited William by
place
p. 398.
°
vol. i. , pp. 226, 227.
? 8 Father Hugh Ward, in his papers, makes
him a monk and afterwards a bishop over
Clogher, for nine years, stating also that Drumleas church had been dedicated to him. Selbach, or whoever was author of the me- trical Sanctilogic Menology, seems to rank him among the saints.
It is a place, in the Diocese of Derry, "ad marginem Eurypi Feuolii. "
77 According to Dr. Jeoffry Keating's "General History of Ireland," part ii. , p. 393, he was afterwards King of Ireland for
"
of the Four Masters," state for three. See
four years, or as Dr. O'Donovan's
Annals
8l
See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga,"
3o4 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 9.
tion, in the account of this circumstance; or, it must be one of the many unreliable fictions, created by legend-mongers, who have dealt so unwarrant-
80
ably with the Acts of St. Columba.
the narrative as it stands. Feeling for his loss most sensibly, our saint at once hastened to the place where the dead man lay, and on bended knees, he thrice recited the Psalter. Then, he touched the body with the cusped
extremity of his cross.
Maol-chabbius to arise.
In a loud voice, he afterwards called on the dead
He immediately came to life, as a consequence of The king felt so grateful for such a favour, that he
Columb's interposition.
selected from his herds and flocks thirty animals, as an offering to the saint.
On his own account, the prince promised, that he and his posterity should present an equal annual number to St. Columb, and to his successors. After
living some years, and enjoying regal honours, this prince departed from life a second time, and with a general opinion he had a most holy end. 81 While Columba lived at Derry, an infant was brought to him for baptism, but water was wanting for that purpose. Yet, impressing a sign of the cross on a steep rock, a fountain of living water poured out, and in this the child was baptized. Afterwards, it was called St. Columb's Well. 82 Many other great miracles he performed, while at Derry; and, there he dwelt for a considerable time.
Long afterwards, the house of his foundation seems to have obtained the denomination " Cella Nigra S. Columba? de Deria," which leads us to infer, that the monks of his order wore a black habit. 83 He built the Duibh- regleas 84 church at Derry, chiefly with the wood of those trees, which grew there, but he did not wish to destroy many of them. 8* It was a truly poetic taste of the saint to admire his trees, and to have a desire to preserve them, as much as possible. He caused this church to be built more long than broad, from north to south; so that, according to the common rite, the build- ing could not be duly orientated. Yet, he placed that altar, on which he celebrated, at the east side of the building. When O'Donnell wrote his Life of St. Columba, traces of the chapel were preserved, to illustrate the unusual characteristics of that 86 In times to Columba's
building. long subsequent
period, the great Cathedral Church or Templemore of Derry was founded; and, from it, the annexed parish was named Templemore. This mediaeval cathe- dral was situated near the Dubh Regies; and, with their accompanying buildings, both were outside the present city walls. 8? When a storm had blown down trees, or when they fell through age, and after a lapse of nine days, the tenth part of such timber was allowed for use of the poor, a third was
82
Vita S. lib. i. , Columbae, cap.
8s See Le Comtede Montalembert's "Les
Moines d'Occident," tome iii. , liv. xi. ,
Quinta
398, and 1111. 49, 50, p. 450.
lvi. ,
p.
There are still shown three distinct
wells at Derry, at present, and all called by
the name of our saint. See " Memoir of the
City and North-Western Liberties of p. 398.
Londonderry," part ii. , sect. I, p. 26.
83 See il Acts of Archbishop Colton in his Metropolitan Visitation of the Diocese of Derry, A. n. , mcccxcvii. " &c, edited by
Rev. William Reeves, p. 56, and n. (r).
84 This was the original church, and after- wards it came into possession of the Regular Canons of the Order of St.
See Pnnce O Donnell s Life, lib. 111. , .
cap xxxix. , p. 437.
TM to the Second Life of St. According
n
Columba, cap. xvn p. 327.
3oo LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 9.
as often to draw blood, so that his flesh might be kept in subjection to the
spirit ; while he wore a rough shirt, woven from the mane of horses. 43 Fasting,
watching, and prayer, constantly engaged his occupation. They went almost beyond the course of human ability, and yet in the midst of these austerities,
he always showed a cheerful countenance,44 representing thereby a saint-like joypervadinghisheart. Thiswasrevealedinthoseecstasies,withwhichthe
filled his inmost soul. 4* this wonderful mortifi- Notwithstanding
Holy Spirit
cation of the flesh and austerity of life, Columba, ever desirous of preserving
holy purity in all its integrity, kept a strict guard over all his senses, so that no passage might be left open, which could in any way infringe on his chaste
and perfect aspirations. So great was his government of the eyes, that lie
feared to look upon the face of any woman, even that of his own mother 46 ;
his tongue was restrained to such a degree, that he was cautious lest any word should be even of idle or doubtful meaning, while his frank and truth-loving soulscornedequivocationortheslightestfalsehood. Indeed,heonlyemployed speech when necessary, and to promote the practices of piety. 4? He rarely
spoke with worldlings, but above all things, he engaged frequently in vocal and mental prayer ; especially did he take care to avoid idleness, and his time was ever employed on works of religion. 48
A curious story is related, that when Columba was about to erect his church and monastery at Derry, he desired to remove all vestiges of the ancient Fort by setting it on fire. In this design, he is said to have been opposed by Aedh, who contended, that the colony of monks should be in want, if the secular buildings of the former town were to perish. Columba expressed his confidence, in the goodness of God ; but, having applied fire to the houses, itwaspreternaturallydrivenbythewinds,toapleasantwoodadjoining. How- ever, Columb offered up prayers to save the trees from destruction. He then predicted the subsequent eminence of Derry, and announced its future pro • tection from fire or lightning. He composed a hymn,4 9on this circumstance, but it has been imperfectly given in Latin, as found in Prince O'Donnell's Life of our saint. * A commentator remarks, that it was versified, at the door of DisertDaireCalgaigh,thetimebeingthatofAedh,sontoAinmire. This when repeated, it was thought should save the reciters from a death by fire or
1 An
41 O'Donnell states, that a stone served Prefatio Secunda.
6
lightning. *
indulgence
was attached to the
singing
of this
Hymn, espe-
for his lib. mattress,
This is stated in the Hymn of St. Bait- hin, son of Cuanach.
iii. ,cap. xxxv. , p. 437. -< 42 This austere mode ofliving is alluded to
in an I—rish Poem, thus translated into
*> Such is the account left us in some en- comiastic verses attributed to St. Brendan of Birr, who did not, however, survive Columba, as also to St. Dalian, his contem- porary and friend.
# See O'Donnell's Life of St. Columba, lib. iii, cap. xli. , xlii. , p. 438, and n. 19, p. 453.
*> This has been published, in 'Rev. Dr. Todd's teabharv tmtntm. The 'Book of Hymnsof the Ancient Church of Ireland, Fasciculus II. , No. xvi. A notice precedes it.
English :
"
ance
_
This pious saint, as a religious pen- »
Lay on the cold ground, and through his garments
His bones look'd sharp and meagre; his poor cell
Was open to the inclemency of the
wmds
Which blew through the unplaster'd
walls. "_ —Dermod O Conor s
>
" General History of Ireland," part ii. , p. 386.
See to pp. 259
43 See
"
Noli pater indulgere," &c.
This Hymnhas been translated into English verse, by Mary F. Cusack, in Rev. Dr! \Y. Mac Ilwaine's "Lyra Hibemica Sacra," pp. 209, 210.
si See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga,'
Vita S. caP- **xvi-> P- 437-
Quinta
lib.
hi. ,
44 The Second Life of St. Columba states, "decoro vultu, rubicundis genis, corpulenta specie. " &c, cap. xviii.
5 See Adamnan's "Vita S. Columba:,"
Keating's Columba? ,
263.
so jt begins with the line :—
June 9. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 301
cially at bed-time and at rising ; for, not alone did it afford personal safety to the singer, but it protected any other nine persons, whom he desired to serve. 52 St. Columba is known to have written out a Monastic Rule, 53 for the direction of his brethren ; but, whether at this early period of life or not is uncertain. St. Wilfrid alludes to in the work of Venerable Bede 5+ and,
it, ;
such account is left us by various other writers. 55 When against his own will, St. Columba was elected Abbot of Derry,50 his rigour of life in no manner relaxed ; but, on the contrary, he deemed himself obliged to set a great example to others, in his own person, before he should admonish his subjects. The glory of God and the salvation of souls were the single objects aimed at by all in his community. The poor were special objects of concern, and no less than one hundred of these were daily supplied with food. He
always endeavoured to aid those suffering from distress, whether of mind or of body. Oneday,acertainpresumedpauperarrivedtoolateforthestewardto satisfy his wants. He was then told, that he should have patience, until the fol- lowing day, when he ought to return at an earlier hour. Yet, on the succeding day, that pauper was again late, and he received the same answer to his application. Again, on the third day the same thing happened, when the pau-
persaid "GototheAlmoner,andbearthismessagefrommetotheAbbot,
:
that unless he derives from himself what he spends on the needy, let him not end his bounty, until God first deprives him of means. " When Columba heard this advice, and learned the want of that poor man, without waiting for his shoes or mantle, he ran to the door of his monastery, whence he saw the mendicant removing. The saint pursued him to the western side of the great church, and to a place southwards called Iomopodhesiol. 5? There he no longer found a pauper, but Christ himself, who had assumed such a garb. Falling on his knees, Columba suppliantly offered his prayers. Then, he had an ineffably glorious and enchanting interview with the author of all grace ; so that, he not only obtained a great accession of virtues, but his intellect was furnished with a miraculous penetration into the most hidden secrets of nature. Above all, he returned to his monastery profoundly moved with compassion for the sufferings of the poor ; and, he ordered, that thenceforward, no poor persons should ever be turned away hungry, from the doors of his in- stitute, no matter how great might be the number, until the storehouse had beenentirelyexhausted. 58 Hewaseverregardedasthespecialguardianand protector of the poor and oppressed,59 the noblest characteristic of a noble and generous disposition. If at any time he had not means to relieve the destitute, his tears began to flow, until the Almighty enabled him to provide for their wants. 60 So pleasing was this will of the saint to God, that after he settled there, Lough Foyle seemed swarming with fish, which served the
Quinta Vita S. Columbse, lib. i. , cap. xlix. ,
p. 397.
52 See Rev. Dr. Todd's LeAbViAr* 1inuiun,
Fasiculus II. , No. xvi. , p. 261, and n. 6.
53 He is classed among the eight chief composers ,of Monastic Rules, to guide the
almost numberless monasteries founded—in
Ireland: these authors are said to be I.
St. Patrick. II. St. Brigid. III. St.
Brendan. IV. St. Ciaran. V. St. Columba.
VI. St. Comgall. VII. St. Molaise or Quinta Vita S. Columbse, lib. i. , cap. 1. , pp, Laisrean. VIII. St. Adamnan. See Dr.
O'Conor's " Rerum Hibernicarum Scrip- tores," tomus ii. Tigernachi Annales, p.
147.
5* See
"
Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis
See Rev. Dr. John Smith's Life of St Columba," p. 97.
Anglorum," lib. iii. , cap. xxv.
5S See Sir James Ware, " De Scriptoribus
Hibernise," lib. i. , cap. ii. , p. 15.
56 Interesting illustrations and a descrip- tion of this city will be found in J. B. Doyle's
"Tours in Ulster," chap, xiv. , pp. 280 to 301.
The interpretation of this Irish word is 58 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga,"
57
not given by O'Donnell.
397, 398.
59 See ibid. , lib. iii. , cap. xl. , pp. 437,
438.
6° "
3o2 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 9.
wants of his
community,
61 and the very water of the place had an admirable
and a wholesome flavour, equal to the best wine. 62 St. Brendan 63 with one
hundred companions once came to visit the saint at Derry. Only nine griddle
loaves and as many fishes were then in the house. Yet, Columba prayed to
God, and afterwards there were loaves and fishes to satisfy the wants of two
hundred persons, while over and above remained the original nine loaves and
nine fishes. 64 Two persons, on a particular occasion, came to the door of St.
Colnmba'smonastery;onewasabeggar,andtheotheragambler. Theyre-
spectively asked him for a gift. Columba gave only one coin to the beggar ;
while he gave many more to the gambler. The brethren present were sur-
prised at this distribution, and asked their Abbot why it was so. " Go," said
he, "and see if the beggar will better distribute his alms. " They went to
the gamester's house, and there they found him distributing alms to
persons entering it. They also found the beggar dead on the way, and ten
gold pieces, with St. Columba's small coin sewed in his patched garments.
Returning they told Columba what they had discovered. " And I, too," said
"
clearly knowing
what should out in the manner I happen, paid
he,
thought must be most discriminating.
"65
The bardic professors of Ireland were a class, that addicted them-
selves to the composition of Irish verse, in different kinds of metre,
and who often chaunted their strains to a harp accompaniment. They
were held in great esteem by the people, especially those of the first
order. But soon, many of them began to grow arrogant, and even inso-
lent. They had already incurred the resentment of Irish princes ; and,
Connor Mac Nessa, King of Ulster, designed to prosecute them with severity.
The chiefs and people also called for their expulsion from the kingdom. How-
ever, they promised amendment, and observed moderation for a time ; but,
atintervals, becameobnoxioustothestate,and 66 Thebards they unpopular.
—and especially the most inferior and forward among them—had become at
this time simply intolerable. They had multiplied beyond precedent, and their privileges were greatly abused. Their exactions were impoverishing the people, and especially the superior classes, who feared to incur their dis- pleasure and satire. A very singular custom is recorded to have prevailed, among those of their profession, and that from a very remote period. The bards were in the habit of travelling through the country in groups or com- panies of thirty, composed of teachers and their pupils, under a single chief or master. Each company of poets had a silver pot, which was called Coire Sainnte,67 or "the Pot of Avarice;" every pot had nine chains of bronze attached to it, by golden hooks ; and, it was suspended from spear points of nine persons among the company. Their spear-points were thrust through linksatotherendsofthechains. 68 Duringtheseprogresses,whentheycame
6t See "Trias " Colgan's Thaumaturga,
Quinta p. 398.
Vita S. lib. Hi. Columbae, i. , cap.
,
Quinta Vita S. Columbse, lib. i. , p. 398.
62
cap. li. ,
This is said to have been sung in ele-
gant metre, by Baethin, the son of Cuonach.
He is supposed to have been the same as St.
Baoithin or Baetin, Bishop of Teach Baoit-
hin or Taghboyne, county of Westmeath,
whose feast occurs at February 9th, and some
notices of whom may be found in the Second Mor Duna Doighre, called the Leabhar Volume of this work, at that date, Art. ii. Breac [R. I. A. ]—that the pot was called the
63 Most probably St. Brendan, Abbot of " Pot of Avarice," was because it was into it Birr, whose feast falls on the 29th of whatever gold or silver they received was
November.
64 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga,
"
put; andwhilstthepoemwasbeingchanted, the best nip* musicians in the company
"
6s See ibid. , cap. liii. , p. 398.
66
See Dermod O'Connor's Keating's General History of Ire'and," part ii. , pp.
370, 371. Duffy's edition.
6? In the Irish—written coro rAVici.
68 The reason according to the account
of this custom preserved in the Leahhar
June 9. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 303
to a house, where profuse hospitality was always expected, the first bard that entered began to chant the first verse of a poem ; the last man of the party re-
sponded to him ; and so, the whole poem was sung, each taking a part, in an arranged order. The houses of the monks were not spared from their intru- sion. To furnish an idea of the extravagance to which the bards at diis time carried their demands, we are told, that once, while St. Columba was at a
1 ata
him. Then, it is related, that Columba went to a neighbouring fountain, where invoking the Almighty, water was turned into wine ; while, at the same time, from an ancient mound near it, an Angel showed him a spot, from which goblets and drinking vessels were to be obtained. There, the saint entertained the bards at a banquet, and afterwards, that place was called Rathnafleidhe, 7 *
6? he felt when he had not a reward to offer ashamed,
called
some of those poetical professors. Yet, in a miraculous manner was he sup- plied with a talent of gold, which served to satisfy their avarice, and to save his own reputation, as a professor and patron of their art. 7° At another time,
place
Fiodhbeg,
a numberofbardshelda great
between and Deny
convention,?
Oileach,72 which was formerly a royal castle. " St. Columba, likewise, loved Oileach, because of its familyassociations. Thosebards demanded a gift from
or " on account of the bounty it had proved to be the means for conferring. "
or the " Rath of the The well also Banquet. "
got
the name
Maith,
good. "
St. Columba likewise loved secret contemplation, and, especially he
delighted in rambling on the shore, near the sea-waves. He used very fre-
quently resort to a lonely rock, which hung over the ocean. It was called
6 Carraig-colairg. ?
While he was there one a monk
brought
stopping
day,
8 andsonto Aidus, had died. ? ? However, there must clearly be a mistake of identifica-
him it is word,
stated,
that
Maol-chabhius,
77 his
alumnus,?
King
played music around the pot. This custom 74 This place has not been identified. was, no doubt, very picturesque; but the 7S See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," actors in it were capable of showing them- Quinta Vita S. Columbse, lib. i. , cap. lv. , selves in two different characters, according
to the result of their application. If their 7
Pot of Avarice received the approbation of
the man of the house, in gold or silver, a
laudatory poem was written for him; but if
he did not, he was satirized in the virulent
terms that a copious an—d highly expressive language could supply. " Professor Eugene
"
Customs of the Ancient
O'Curry's
Lectures on the Manners and
Lect. iii. , pp. 56, 57.
69 This means " the little wood. " It does
not seem to be capable of identification, at present.
70 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Quinta Vita S. Columbte, lib. i. , cap. liv. , p. 398.
very generally held, in Ireland ; although few in comparison have obtained any special notice in our Annals.
73 Otherwise called Aileach, of which an
account may be found in the Life of St.
Bessy Bell, a short distance south of New- town-Stewart, in the barony of Strabane, and county of Tyrone. See ibid. , n. (q),
Irish,"
vol.
ii. ,
7? His successor, Suibne Menn, is said to have killed him, a. d. 610, in the battle of classes seem to have been frequently and Sliabh Truim Tuoth, Anglicized to Sieve- tryn, on a Map of Ulster, date 1590, by Francis Jobson. At present, it is called
71 Conventionsorconferencesoftribesand
Patrick, at March 17th, in the Third Volume and vol. iii. , pp. 424, 425, and n. (a),
of this Art. xiv. work, i. , chap.
There, also,
8o While his death is to usually assigned
a. d. 597, that of Maolcobha, son of Aedh, is assigned to a. d. 615, in the " Chronicon
illustrations of it are introduced.
73 " It was simply a fortress and residen—ce
of the kind styled in Irish cashel or lis" W. F. Wakeman's " Tourists' Guide to Ire- land," p. 192.
Scotorum," pp. 74, 75,
M. Hennessy, M. K. I. A.
edited William by
place
p. 398.
°
vol. i. , pp. 226, 227.
? 8 Father Hugh Ward, in his papers, makes
him a monk and afterwards a bishop over
Clogher, for nine years, stating also that Drumleas church had been dedicated to him. Selbach, or whoever was author of the me- trical Sanctilogic Menology, seems to rank him among the saints.
It is a place, in the Diocese of Derry, "ad marginem Eurypi Feuolii. "
77 According to Dr. Jeoffry Keating's "General History of Ireland," part ii. , p. 393, he was afterwards King of Ireland for
"
of the Four Masters," state for three. See
four years, or as Dr. O'Donovan's
Annals
8l
See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga,"
3o4 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 9.
tion, in the account of this circumstance; or, it must be one of the many unreliable fictions, created by legend-mongers, who have dealt so unwarrant-
80
ably with the Acts of St. Columba.
the narrative as it stands. Feeling for his loss most sensibly, our saint at once hastened to the place where the dead man lay, and on bended knees, he thrice recited the Psalter. Then, he touched the body with the cusped
extremity of his cross.
Maol-chabbius to arise.
In a loud voice, he afterwards called on the dead
He immediately came to life, as a consequence of The king felt so grateful for such a favour, that he
Columb's interposition.
selected from his herds and flocks thirty animals, as an offering to the saint.
On his own account, the prince promised, that he and his posterity should present an equal annual number to St. Columb, and to his successors. After
living some years, and enjoying regal honours, this prince departed from life a second time, and with a general opinion he had a most holy end. 81 While Columba lived at Derry, an infant was brought to him for baptism, but water was wanting for that purpose. Yet, impressing a sign of the cross on a steep rock, a fountain of living water poured out, and in this the child was baptized. Afterwards, it was called St. Columb's Well. 82 Many other great miracles he performed, while at Derry; and, there he dwelt for a considerable time.
Long afterwards, the house of his foundation seems to have obtained the denomination " Cella Nigra S. Columba? de Deria," which leads us to infer, that the monks of his order wore a black habit. 83 He built the Duibh- regleas 84 church at Derry, chiefly with the wood of those trees, which grew there, but he did not wish to destroy many of them. 8* It was a truly poetic taste of the saint to admire his trees, and to have a desire to preserve them, as much as possible. He caused this church to be built more long than broad, from north to south; so that, according to the common rite, the build- ing could not be duly orientated. Yet, he placed that altar, on which he celebrated, at the east side of the building. When O'Donnell wrote his Life of St. Columba, traces of the chapel were preserved, to illustrate the unusual characteristics of that 86 In times to Columba's
building. long subsequent
period, the great Cathedral Church or Templemore of Derry was founded; and, from it, the annexed parish was named Templemore. This mediaeval cathe- dral was situated near the Dubh Regies; and, with their accompanying buildings, both were outside the present city walls. 8? When a storm had blown down trees, or when they fell through age, and after a lapse of nine days, the tenth part of such timber was allowed for use of the poor, a third was
82
Vita S. lib. i. , Columbae, cap.
8s See Le Comtede Montalembert's "Les
Moines d'Occident," tome iii. , liv. xi. ,
Quinta
398, and 1111. 49, 50, p. 450.
lvi. ,
p.
There are still shown three distinct
wells at Derry, at present, and all called by
the name of our saint. See " Memoir of the
City and North-Western Liberties of p. 398.
Londonderry," part ii. , sect. I, p. 26.
83 See il Acts of Archbishop Colton in his Metropolitan Visitation of the Diocese of Derry, A. n. , mcccxcvii. " &c, edited by
Rev. William Reeves, p. 56, and n. (r).
84 This was the original church, and after- wards it came into possession of the Regular Canons of the Order of St.
