In the second
Chapter are to be found important testi-
monies relating to his sanctity.
Chapter are to be found important testi-
monies relating to his sanctity.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v9
841.
"
Encyclopedic Catholique,"
Fasti Romani," vol. i. 4 He occupied ihe Papal chair from A. D.
to See " 578 590.
M. fAbbe Glaire et M. le Vte-
Walsh,
5 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus vii. others.
par
tome xv. , p. 514.
*****
Septembrisxxvii. Amongthepretermitted
feasts, p. 376.
they endure even to hear them named by
j h,
t has een
pleasantly remarked by Mr. O'Donovan, that if a man of the name of Fox, Hare, or
Rabbit, wished <o settle amongthe Claddagh
6
Such as the continuators of Usuard, the
However, the fact of his entry
The name Sinach is
they
mention their names themselves, nor can
622 LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [September28. Sionnach, which was his real name. At the 28th of September, Marianus
O'Gorman sets down Sinach in his Festilogy.
2
His commentator has a note
appended to his name which states, that he was from Cruach mac Daro. 3
From other Irish Martyrologies regarding this saint, we can glean no parti-
culars. On the south-western shore of a peninsula, anciently called Torrasainteach,* and comprising the southern portion of the present Ballyna-
hinch Barony, and in the parish of Moyrus,s lies a small Island, presenting to the sea on all sides rocks which are high and precipitous, except towards the eastern part, where boats can safely touch. The appearance of this Island
Island Oratory of Cruach Mac Dara.
from a distance, coupled with its relation to our saint, gave it the name of Cruach Mac Dara, which when anglicised means, "The Rick of Mac Dara," or '« The Island of Mac Dara. " Near the on this St.
landing place Island, Sinach Mac Dara is supposed to have built a small stone church,
the ruins of which yet remain, and are in a good state of preservation.
6
fishermen, he should change his name to Pike, Coddle, or Salmon, or some such ; for that hi j name would destroy the hick
Conmaicne—meaning " maritime"—terri-
tory, is very fully described by John O* Donovan in " Letters containing Informa- tion relative to tlie Antiquities of the County ot Galway collected during the Progress of the Ordnance Survey in 1839. " Vol. iii. , Letter dated Taylor's Hill near Galway, July 22nd, 1839, pp. 112 to 125.
6 An — account of the ruins on interesting
this Island taken chiefly from that given
—
by John O'Donovan and a beautiful
and happiness of this strnnge people. "—
"
Roderick O'Flaherty's
Description of West or H-Iar Connaught,"
edited by James llardiman n. (d. ) pp. ioo, 101.
3 Rendered in Irish o Crvudich nielcDapo.
2 See Dr.
Gorniain," pp. 186, 187.
4 This is
by Tohn O'Donovan.
" the
the stone
may be seen, by referring to Dr. l'etrie's splendid work, " The Round Towers and Ecclesiastical Architecture of Ireland," part
ii. , sect, iii. , subs, i. , pp. 189 to 191.
Whitley
Stokes' "Feilire Ui
interpreted
stormy Irros,"
engraving representing
church,
5 This parish, bounded on the south and south-west by the Atlantic Ocean, forms the southern portion of Conmaicne-mara or
Chorographical
September 28. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 623
These evince a date of erection, almost coeval with the first establishment of Christianity in Ireland. This church is built with stones of massive size, and in the ancient Cyclopean style of primitive and rude architecture. 7 It has, however, angular projections or plain-faced pilasters, carried up to the apex of its gables, at both ends. It is small in dimensions, only fifteen feet in length by eleven in breadth, and its walls, extending beyond this area, are nearly three feet in thickness. * Besides this ruin, a circular or rather oval stone-house, twenty-four feet by eighteen, with walls seven feet in thick- ness, is yet to be seen, although in a very dilapidated condition. This was probably our saint's usual habitation, and the church might have been chiefly in use, as an oratory. At the distance of 300 feet from this church, and on its northern side, a square altar, surmounted by a cross, and a holy well near it, are pointed out to strangers. 9 Both are dedicated to St. Mac Dara. He seems to have led a secluded life on the Island bearing his name, and one devoted to the practice of most austere religious rules and duties. According to a custom,10 usual in our old Irish churches," the wooden statue of this saint —was preserved in his chapel for many centuries subsequent to his death thisimagebeingcommemorativeofthefounderandpatron,whose intercession was invoked. However, for special weighty reasons, the Arch-
12
tai s of its door-way and small windows, is "
preserved in the Letters containing Infor- mation relative to the Antiquities of the
withstanding the utmost vigilance of the u
County of Galway collected during the
Progress of the Ordnance Survey in 1839,"
vol. iii. , p. 136.
a
The annexed illustration, which has been faithfully copied from Dr. Petrie's work,
clergy to prevent it. " See Chorogra-
presents the ruin on a somewhat enlarged 99, n. (a).
. -cale in its isolated It has
present position. very parish
been copied and drawn on the wood, en-
graved by Gregor Grey.
9 Mr. Petrie says of St. Mac Dara, " his
XS There is a ground-plan and a beautiful drawing of the old church of Moyrus, with details of its round-headed door- way, and a small
bronze cross, which was preserved in his church, still exists and is supposed to pos-
sess miraculous powers. "
—" Round Towers
square-headed window, by George Petrie, together with a description in his handwriting, setting forth that the church was thirty-eight feet in length, by eighteen feet six inches interiorly, and that it ori^i- nally had two door-ways. The eastern gable contained a fine window, now nearly destroyed. The remaining door-way is
and Ancient Architecture of Ireland," part
ii. , sec. iii. , subs, i. , p. 190.
10
Alluded to by Giraldus Cambrensis, in his time, when many wooden effigies ot the primitive Irish saints were preserved in the ehurches of which they were founders or patrons.
" Hibernia Dominicana," cap. ix. , sec. xx. , num. iv. , p.
11 See De Bishop
caused its removal during the time of
bishop of Tuam, Malachy Queely,
his incumbency, and had it buried under the ground. 3 Besides the venera- tion paid our saint on this Island, the inhabitants of Moyrus Parish, 14 on the shore of the opposite mainland, point out the ruins of an old parish church, which is dedicated to him. 1 * There, in the time of Roderick O'Flaherty, " his altar stone, by the name of Leac Sinach," was kept as a venerable relic, This church likewise may have been one of Sionnach's erection. It had two
7 A view of Mac Dara's church, with de-
x
vent the islanders from asseverating by the
saint, as was then, and is still practised, on the relics of saints, in other places, not-
of three concentric arches in beautifully cut stone ; it was buried several feet in the earth when measured as four feet two inches in height, and only two feet, five list of the churches and chapels in his inches in breadth. See " Letters containing Information relative to the Antiquities of the County of Galway collected during the Progress of the Ordnance Survey in 1839,"
vol. iii. , pp. 139, 140.
273, and cap. x. , sec. iv. , num. v. , p. 344.
12 He was the prelate, who sent Colgan a
diocese, shortly before the year 1645, as
mentioned in
"
Acta Sanctorum Hiberniae," 13 This was done, most probably to pre-
p. 7*4-
Burgo's
composed
phical Description of West or H-Iar Connaught," written a. d. 1684, by Roderick O'Flaherty. Edited with notes and illus- trations by James Hardiman, Esq. , pp. 98,
'•» This extensive and its islands, in the baruny of Ballynahinch and County of Gal way, covers 101,510a. 3r. and 8p.
624 LIVES Of THE IRISH SAINTS. [September 28.
doorways, formerly ; one in the north, and the other in its south side. The northern one is now built up ; but the other is formed of cut-stone, and it has three concentric arches directly over the entrance. The eastern gable- window is now a melancholy ruin. Here, the coast inhabitants, who are
16
principally fishermen, assemble on the 16th of July each year, to celebrate
the festival of their of 1' At this date, however, we find patron Moyrus parish.
no mention of Sinach Mac Dara, in our Martyrologies. The principal festival of our saint is noted in the Irish Calendar, as occurring on the 28th
day of September. This day may probably be assigned, as that for his departure. Many miraculous occurrences are recorded, and some super- stitious observances are said to have been practised in connection with this
One of the latter practices at low water, by women, in order to obtain the release of some friend in captivity : this reprieve, however, they expected should be obtained chiefly through the intercession of our
saint's memory by recurring to local tradition. was the collection of Dunleasg or salt sea-leaf,
This practice of gathering Dunleasg has been disused for many years although old people are yet living, who remember its frequent observ- In the time of Roderick O' Flaherty, it was customary for all boats, passing between Mason-head and the Island, to lower their sails three times, in honour of Mac Dara. 1 ? In the year 1672, a certain captain of Galway
garrison, passing without the usual mark of reverence, experienced such a
violent gale, that he made a vow of never again sailing by without a proper
obeisance ae he was shipwrecked shortly afterwards, and never reached his ;
destination. One Gill, a fisherman of Galway, during the prevalence of fair weather before and after the occurrence, was struck dead almost instanta- neously, by a stroke from the mast of his own boat, when it fell on his head. This accident, like the former, was attributed to that contempt shown towards our saint by a departure from the time-honoured custom. His altar-stone, called " Leac Shinac," was said to have been preserved to the middle of the present century ; but its whereabouts is not now known. The name Mac Dara is a very common prefix to surnames of many Islanders and borderers, on the Galway coast, and even boats and hookers belonging to its fishermen are inscribed with the name, in token of veneration for our saint.
Article II. —Feast of St. Fursey. A Feast in honour of St. Fursey
1
saint.
past ; ance.
was kept on the 28th day of September, according to Petrus de Natalibus,
,6 At that date, a "
honour, on the shore opposite his island, and in the town of Clifdeu.
however it may have originated, few sea- faring natives of the coasts would now venture to omit that accustomed mark of
name truly descriptive of the land on which
the ancient church of the
18 Called in Latin Rhodomenia
by Mr. Hardiman.
*> To this custom, allusion is made in
Denis Florence Mac Carthy's "Voyage of St. Brendan. " The Navigator is repre- sented as saying,
by the botanists.
19 " This is scrupulously observed to the
present day ; and it is performed by lower-
the main-sail a little, three times. The custom is supposed to have originated with some pious boatmen, who probably in the life-time of the saint, first adopted that mode of salutation on sailing by the Island. That
precedent a few times repeated, and a wreck
a boat which would be suffi- cient to establish the ceremony. But,
' '
Borne on the tide or driven before the
And as I passed Mac Dara's Sacred Isle, Thrice bowed my mast, and thrice let
ing
gale;
Article ii. —' "Fursaeus anno Episcopus
or other accident
befalling might happen to neglect it,
Constantis qui & Constantinus, in iiibernia claruit ut dicit Sigebertus. Hie
pattern"
is held in his
18
respect to St. Mac Dara. " — Roderick ""
'7 Moyrus, an Anglicised form of the Irish
max; Uuip, meaning the plain or field of O'Flaherty's Chorographical Description the point or promontory"; and this is a of Iar or West Connaught," p. ioo, note c,
parish
stands.
palmata,
— downmysail. " Part ii. , stanza io.
5.
Sep r ember 28. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 625
Maurolycus Felicis, Ferrarius, and Wion. 2 The latter writer supposes this to have been the Feast for the finding of St. Fursey's relics. The particulars of St. Fursey's life will be found at the 1 6th of January. 3 which is the day for his chief festival. * Colgan refers to the Lives of various Irish saints, for testi- monies regarding the miracles and virtues of St. Fursey, besides giving those special Acts, which he has published, at the 16th of January, and at the 9th of February. Among those we are referred to the Life of St. Cronan,5 to the
6
close of St. Cuan's Acts, to the Life of St. Molaga, to the Life of St. Barr,7
&c. St. Cumineus alludes to our saint in his treatise, intituled, u I)e
Virtutibus sive •" 8 and there he Elogiis
Sanctorum
aliquot
mentions the extraordinary practice of austerity whilst reciting the Psaltery.
singularibus
St. ^fCngus, in his Litany, alludes to our saint,9 while his ancient scholiast treats about Fursey's miracles, and his spiritual friendship with Magnennus10
11 12 and St. Meldan, both Irish saints.
According to the account of
1 Venerable Bede, St. Fursey descended from a noble family of the Scots, *
nobilis genere sed nobilior fide, ab infantia feast of the Finding of his Relics, or some
sacris litteris eruditus, dum inter parentes other special commemoration, is assigned to suos sacri verbi seminaret eloquium quadam the 28th of September. The eleventh
Chapter forms an epilogue of the preceding chapters. See "Acta Sanctorum Hiberniae. "
die &c," lib. viii. , cap. 126. 2"
See Lignum Vitse," at the 28th of Sep- tember.
xvi. Januarii. Vi'a S. Furssei, Appendix, cap. i. to xi. , pp. 92 to 98.
3 On this day, Colgan presents the saint's
Acts, in three different Books or Tracts,
with notes and a valuable Appendix, in
Eleven Chapters. In the last of these
chapters, he gives a summary of the contents
of previous ones, while showing certain
incidents, that serve to illustrate the Acts of
St. Fursey, and which partly concern the
honours referable to him. In the first
chapter is described the number and distinc-
tion of those writers, who have treated his
Acts in their various tracts.
In the second
Chapter are to be found important testi-
monies relating to his sanctity. The third
Chapter proves his country not to have been
Scotia Minor or Albania, as some Scoto-
Britons pretend, but Scotia Major or gelido ; stans, Psalt—erium landesque divinas Hibernia, and in like manner are his mis-
sionary companions to be regarded as Irish.
In the fourth Chapter he is set down as of
Munster and his is traced to origin, pedigree
its proper source. In the fifth Chapter he is
thought probably to have been of the Bene-
dictine and episcopal order. In the sixth
Chapter are enumerated his twenty-one those who appeared to him, as may be seen
disciples, illustrious for their sanctity, and all,
in our Life of St. Fursey, Abbot of Lagny,
in France, chap, iv. , at the 16th of January. " The latter saint is associated with saints Nasad and Beoain, in the Feilire of St. Fursey was in Ireland. The eighth Chapter ^Engus, at the 26th of October. At that
with the single exception of King Sigebert, were Irish. The seventh Chapter shows, that from his infancy to about the year 635,
states how he went to England in 636, and
thence went to Gaul about the year 648 or
649. The ninth Chapter relates his death
at A. D. 652. The tenth Chapter places the
observance of his Natalis at the 9th of
February, and the day of his Deposition at
the 4th of March, the first Elevation or Fursey ab ipsa quoque insula patria dis- Translation of his Relics at the 1 6th of cessit. " We see, that the term Scotia can January, the second at the 25th of February, only apply to Ireland, which is an island. the third at the 17th of September, while the The British Scotia is not by itself so
4 See also at that date his Life, in the First Volume of this work, Art. i.
5 We are told, that our saint was a bishop
in Vita S. Cronani, cap. xvi. See the Life
of this saint at the 28th of April, in the
Fourth Volume of this work, Art. i.
6
7 Vita S. Barsei, cap. xxiv. See his Life,
In the Vita S. Molagae, cap. xix. See his Life at the 20th of January, in the First Volume of this work, Art. i.
at the 25th of September, in the present Volume, Art. i.
8 These are his words: " Hoc in more habuit S. Fursseus mire devotus, (nee auditur quid rarius) quod in puteo, ad instar nivis
semper persolverit. " Num. 25.
9 Thus " Hodie S. Fursaeus cum 27. :
millibus astra ascendit. "
10 We can find no saint with a
11
correspond'
ing name in our Irish Calendars.
However, in the Vision of St. Fursey, Saints Beoan and Meldan are mentioned as
date, more may be found regarding them, in the present work.
13 That the Irish and Scots are the same people, and Hiberniaand Scotia are the same nation, would appear from many passages in
Bede, and especially in the instance, where "
IR
626 LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [September28.
being son to Finlog, a king of Munster. He is also said to have come from Hibernia, and to have lived many years in Scotia. In John Capgrave's Lives
of the Saints, Fursey is stated to have been a native of Ireland, and sprang from a noble race, but rendered still more noble on account of his Faith, and
although distinguished in his family circle, Divine Grace made him yet more illustrious. He was beautiful in external appearance, chaste in his actions, devout in disposition, affable in discourse, amiable in his looks, and abounding in good works. From his infancy, he was addicted to sacred
supposes him to have been advanced to the episcopal dignity. If we are to
6
credit the statement of Desmay,' both Fursay and his brother Foillan were
ordained bishops in Rome,17 by Pope Martin I. This account, however, is not only fabulous but unchronological, since his brother Foillan did not
and trained to monastic
Mabillon has been derived from old Acts of St. Fursey, by an anonymous author. '5 Numbers of other writers, that have flourished in France, Belgium and various Continental counties, at a more recent date, have treated On the life and virtues of St. Fursey. The old writer of St. Fursey's Acts
studies,
discipline.
by
In the Life of St.
1 ? He is thus designated in the Annals of Ulster at a. d. 627. Also, in the Index
at the same
2* of whom there were in his in days many
leave Ireland for the Continent until after Fursey's death.
Cronan,
18 who was a
contemporary
of
Fursey,
the latter is
styled Bishop.
of
that lie was not a bishop, although improperly called so, like Richarius of Centula and some others, on account of his having been a great preacher of the Gospel. Nevertheless, five hundred years before Mabillon wrote,22 Fursey's figure on the larger door of his church at Perrone was represented in episcopal insignia ; while an old writer of his Life23 makes him a bishop. The opinion of Dr. Lanigan is, that perhaps he was a chorepiscopus, or one of
Chronologicus
Archbishop Usher,
year.
those without bishops
regular sees,
Ireland. Yet, he thinks, although the matter is uncertain, that the supposi-
tion of some writers regarding Fursey being a bishop to be not quite unfounded. According to the testimony of Molanus, such also had been the
constant tradition of people living in the neighbourhood of Cambray. In the
latter diocese he is revered as a bishop, not so much because he reached that
dignity, but that he had been recognised as the Apostle of various places in
its
vicinity.
2*
When about neither the Venerable Bede nor treating Fursey,
accordance with the testimony of Venerable
Bede. See "Annales Ordinis S. Benedicti,"
tomus i. , lib. xiv. , sect, i. , p. 410.
l6
In the Fourteenth Chapter of our saint's Life.
' 7 Even Colgan rejects this story, and
J 5He is
Feirarius, who
,8 Vita S. Cronani, xvi.
history
"
cap.
Acta Sanctorum Iliber-
"
See Colgan's Acta Sane-
circumstanced.
torum Hibernire, xvi. Januarii. Vita S. Furssei, lib. i. , cap. i. , p. 75, lib. iii. , pp. 87, 88, and num. 4, 5, p. 91.
14 See " Nova Legenda Angliae," Vita S. Furssei, fob cliii.
Venerable Bede, and his words are almost literally given in the
that St.
was a bishop, but consecrated in Ireland,
praised by
joins
says,
Fursey
of this latter writer. We are told,
also, by Mabillon, that another anonymous
wi iter issued the Acts of St. Fursey, in two niae," xvi. January. Appendix ad Acta S.
Books ; and that after his time, Arnulfus, Furscei, cap. v. , p. 96.
quitates," p. 537.
Abbot of Lagny, towards the close of the
eleventh century, wrote two books on this
same subject. One of these gave an account
of the saint's Life, and the other of his
miracles. In a book, formerly belonging to
Christina, Queen of Sweden, it is said, that
these memoirs were written at special re-
quest of the inhabitants of l'errone. Those vol. ii. , chap, xvi. , sec. x. , n. 96, pp. 463, Acts of our saint contain an account of his
was descended from a royal Scotic race, in censes ut episcopum colunt, non quod
464.
pilgrimage to Rome. They state, that he *s The words of Molanus are : **Camara-
1 * The account of our saint
'» See Colgan's
20 Mabillon 21 states,
20 "
See Britannicarum Ecclesiarum Anti-
2I
At A. D. 645.
See at a. d. 650.
*3 This had been written before the
biography by Arnulph.
J * See " Ecclesiastical History of Ireland,"
September 28. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 627
the writer of the Saint's ancient Acts styles him Bishop. We have no sufficient evidence' for Fursey having been the author of" De Vita Monastica," HI), i. ,
attributed to him 26 This is by Dempster.
stated
but without attaching credence to a statement depending on such, doubtful
authority; moreover,hiseditor,WalterHarris,adds,thataProphecywrittenin
the Irish has also been ascribed 10 him. 2? Tne of Wion language writings Ado,
and other authors have been cited by Mabillon to show, that St. Fursey had
been at first interred in Lagny, and that afterwards his remains had been
removed to Perrone. Arnold Wion 28 has published laudatory Hymns in
praise of St. Fursey. Besides various old authors, in whose writings eulogies
and notices of St. Fursey occur, and whose testimonies may be found in
previous portions of this work, there are many others, that make honourable
mention of and whose words are 29 In his him, quoted by Colgan.
Martyrology, at the 16th of January, Notker Balbulus has alluded to a passage from the old life of the Hibernian St. Fursey, who was taken from this world to Heaven, whence he returned to relate many miraculous and admirable Visions he had there to other mortals. Afterwards, Fursey led an austere life and departed to bliss, in the village of Manden, at Perone. The Blessed Rabanus Maurus 3° more fully describes the life and miracles of our
1
Florence of Worcester has an account of St. Fursey in his Chronicle at the year 636, when the holy man is said to have come from Hibernia to King Sigebert, who ruled over the East Angles, and by whom he was reverently received. . There he preached the word of God, and converted many' Gentiles to the true Faith. After- wards the King founded a noble monastery, into which himself entered, having resigned his kingdom and all secular and governmental affairs to his relative Egric. Again does Vincentius Belluacenis relate his actions, by stating that Fursaus was of noble birth, but still more noble in Faith, having been com- mitted through the disposal of Divine Providence to the care of priests, and
2 instructedaswellinsacredstudiesasinmonasticdiscipline^ TheChronicon
saint in his Martyrology, at the 16th of January. 3
proprii nominis episcopus fuerit, sed quia quorundum locorum Apostolus fuit. Hac enim de causa plures ut episcopos coli, sparsim a me est annotatum. "—" Natales Sanctorum Belgii," Decima-sexta Januarii, Num 2, p. 13.
3I Thus, "In pago vero Mandinse in Perona Monasterio depositio S. Fursaei con- fessoris, qui in Hibernia natus, & nutritus,
patriam parentesque relinquens, sacrae scrip- turae studiis, aliquot vacabat annis : unde monasterium in quodam, construxit loco ;
26 Indeed, we may take it for granted, sed dum patriam parentesque visitare pro-
that it is but one of his many inventions;
and especially as in the very same article, he accuses of error the early and most reliable authorities, Notker Balbulus and Raban Maur, who state that Fursey was born in Hibernia. Contrary to the well- known acts of his life, Dempster in mala fide impudently states: "S. Fursaeus Scotus, non Hibernus, licet ex Hibernia cum sociis in patriam venisse scribatur. "— See " Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Scotorum," tomus i. , lib. vi. , num. 517, pp. 283 to 285.
2? See Harris' Ware. " Writers of Ire-
peraret, ut inter illos sacri verbi semina spiritualibus seminaret eloquiis, quodam
die corporis aegrotantis molestia corripitur, ac post subito in extasi raptus, jacuit quasi
exanimis a vespertina hora usque ad galli- cantum. Sed dum ad se rediret, agnovit
Angelicam esse visionem, & sumpto corpore & sanguine Christi, jacuit infirmus ipso die & altero : tertia vero nocte iterum ab Angelis sublatus mirabiles vidit visiones, sicut liber vitae ipsius testatur. " Then it is stated, that after his Ecstasy, he spent twelve years in preaching the word of God, and that he became renowned for the working of miracles. Laterstill,hismeritsculminating, he built monasteries in Gaul, whence he departed to Christ. His body was honour- ablyburiedbyDukeErcenwaldandbythe
land," vol. ii. , book i. , chap, iv. , p. 35. 23 "
In Lignum Vitae," lib. iii.
29 See "Acta Sanctorum Hibernise," xvi.
Januarii, Vita S. Fursaei, Appendix, cap. ii. , pp. 92,93.
30 — of
See an account of his Life and writings faithful in the Church St. Peter the
of when his festival occurs in the Second Volume of this work,
at Perona
32 See lib. iii. , cap. 81, 82, 83.
near the
at the—
4th February
Apostle Altar.
Monastery,
Art. v.
merely
by
Sir
James Ware,
and
62S LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAIATS. [September28.
Generalc Mundiss celebrates St. Fursey's virtues, assigning his festival to the 4th of March.
"
Encyclopedic Catholique,"
Fasti Romani," vol. i. 4 He occupied ihe Papal chair from A. D.
to See " 578 590.
M. fAbbe Glaire et M. le Vte-
Walsh,
5 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus vii. others.
par
tome xv. , p. 514.
*****
Septembrisxxvii. Amongthepretermitted
feasts, p. 376.
they endure even to hear them named by
j h,
t has een
pleasantly remarked by Mr. O'Donovan, that if a man of the name of Fox, Hare, or
Rabbit, wished <o settle amongthe Claddagh
6
Such as the continuators of Usuard, the
However, the fact of his entry
The name Sinach is
they
mention their names themselves, nor can
622 LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [September28. Sionnach, which was his real name. At the 28th of September, Marianus
O'Gorman sets down Sinach in his Festilogy.
2
His commentator has a note
appended to his name which states, that he was from Cruach mac Daro. 3
From other Irish Martyrologies regarding this saint, we can glean no parti-
culars. On the south-western shore of a peninsula, anciently called Torrasainteach,* and comprising the southern portion of the present Ballyna-
hinch Barony, and in the parish of Moyrus,s lies a small Island, presenting to the sea on all sides rocks which are high and precipitous, except towards the eastern part, where boats can safely touch. The appearance of this Island
Island Oratory of Cruach Mac Dara.
from a distance, coupled with its relation to our saint, gave it the name of Cruach Mac Dara, which when anglicised means, "The Rick of Mac Dara," or '« The Island of Mac Dara. " Near the on this St.
landing place Island, Sinach Mac Dara is supposed to have built a small stone church,
the ruins of which yet remain, and are in a good state of preservation.
6
fishermen, he should change his name to Pike, Coddle, or Salmon, or some such ; for that hi j name would destroy the hick
Conmaicne—meaning " maritime"—terri-
tory, is very fully described by John O* Donovan in " Letters containing Informa- tion relative to tlie Antiquities of the County ot Galway collected during the Progress of the Ordnance Survey in 1839. " Vol. iii. , Letter dated Taylor's Hill near Galway, July 22nd, 1839, pp. 112 to 125.
6 An — account of the ruins on interesting
this Island taken chiefly from that given
—
by John O'Donovan and a beautiful
and happiness of this strnnge people. "—
"
Roderick O'Flaherty's
Description of West or H-Iar Connaught,"
edited by James llardiman n. (d. ) pp. ioo, 101.
3 Rendered in Irish o Crvudich nielcDapo.
2 See Dr.
Gorniain," pp. 186, 187.
4 This is
by Tohn O'Donovan.
" the
the stone
may be seen, by referring to Dr. l'etrie's splendid work, " The Round Towers and Ecclesiastical Architecture of Ireland," part
ii. , sect, iii. , subs, i. , pp. 189 to 191.
Whitley
Stokes' "Feilire Ui
interpreted
stormy Irros,"
engraving representing
church,
5 This parish, bounded on the south and south-west by the Atlantic Ocean, forms the southern portion of Conmaicne-mara or
Chorographical
September 28. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 623
These evince a date of erection, almost coeval with the first establishment of Christianity in Ireland. This church is built with stones of massive size, and in the ancient Cyclopean style of primitive and rude architecture. 7 It has, however, angular projections or plain-faced pilasters, carried up to the apex of its gables, at both ends. It is small in dimensions, only fifteen feet in length by eleven in breadth, and its walls, extending beyond this area, are nearly three feet in thickness. * Besides this ruin, a circular or rather oval stone-house, twenty-four feet by eighteen, with walls seven feet in thick- ness, is yet to be seen, although in a very dilapidated condition. This was probably our saint's usual habitation, and the church might have been chiefly in use, as an oratory. At the distance of 300 feet from this church, and on its northern side, a square altar, surmounted by a cross, and a holy well near it, are pointed out to strangers. 9 Both are dedicated to St. Mac Dara. He seems to have led a secluded life on the Island bearing his name, and one devoted to the practice of most austere religious rules and duties. According to a custom,10 usual in our old Irish churches," the wooden statue of this saint —was preserved in his chapel for many centuries subsequent to his death thisimagebeingcommemorativeofthefounderandpatron,whose intercession was invoked. However, for special weighty reasons, the Arch-
12
tai s of its door-way and small windows, is "
preserved in the Letters containing Infor- mation relative to the Antiquities of the
withstanding the utmost vigilance of the u
County of Galway collected during the
Progress of the Ordnance Survey in 1839,"
vol. iii. , p. 136.
a
The annexed illustration, which has been faithfully copied from Dr. Petrie's work,
clergy to prevent it. " See Chorogra-
presents the ruin on a somewhat enlarged 99, n. (a).
. -cale in its isolated It has
present position. very parish
been copied and drawn on the wood, en-
graved by Gregor Grey.
9 Mr. Petrie says of St. Mac Dara, " his
XS There is a ground-plan and a beautiful drawing of the old church of Moyrus, with details of its round-headed door- way, and a small
bronze cross, which was preserved in his church, still exists and is supposed to pos-
sess miraculous powers. "
—" Round Towers
square-headed window, by George Petrie, together with a description in his handwriting, setting forth that the church was thirty-eight feet in length, by eighteen feet six inches interiorly, and that it ori^i- nally had two door-ways. The eastern gable contained a fine window, now nearly destroyed. The remaining door-way is
and Ancient Architecture of Ireland," part
ii. , sec. iii. , subs, i. , p. 190.
10
Alluded to by Giraldus Cambrensis, in his time, when many wooden effigies ot the primitive Irish saints were preserved in the ehurches of which they were founders or patrons.
" Hibernia Dominicana," cap. ix. , sec. xx. , num. iv. , p.
11 See De Bishop
caused its removal during the time of
bishop of Tuam, Malachy Queely,
his incumbency, and had it buried under the ground. 3 Besides the venera- tion paid our saint on this Island, the inhabitants of Moyrus Parish, 14 on the shore of the opposite mainland, point out the ruins of an old parish church, which is dedicated to him. 1 * There, in the time of Roderick O'Flaherty, " his altar stone, by the name of Leac Sinach," was kept as a venerable relic, This church likewise may have been one of Sionnach's erection. It had two
7 A view of Mac Dara's church, with de-
x
vent the islanders from asseverating by the
saint, as was then, and is still practised, on the relics of saints, in other places, not-
of three concentric arches in beautifully cut stone ; it was buried several feet in the earth when measured as four feet two inches in height, and only two feet, five list of the churches and chapels in his inches in breadth. See " Letters containing Information relative to the Antiquities of the County of Galway collected during the Progress of the Ordnance Survey in 1839,"
vol. iii. , pp. 139, 140.
273, and cap. x. , sec. iv. , num. v. , p. 344.
12 He was the prelate, who sent Colgan a
diocese, shortly before the year 1645, as
mentioned in
"
Acta Sanctorum Hiberniae," 13 This was done, most probably to pre-
p. 7*4-
Burgo's
composed
phical Description of West or H-Iar Connaught," written a. d. 1684, by Roderick O'Flaherty. Edited with notes and illus- trations by James Hardiman, Esq. , pp. 98,
'•» This extensive and its islands, in the baruny of Ballynahinch and County of Gal way, covers 101,510a. 3r. and 8p.
624 LIVES Of THE IRISH SAINTS. [September 28.
doorways, formerly ; one in the north, and the other in its south side. The northern one is now built up ; but the other is formed of cut-stone, and it has three concentric arches directly over the entrance. The eastern gable- window is now a melancholy ruin. Here, the coast inhabitants, who are
16
principally fishermen, assemble on the 16th of July each year, to celebrate
the festival of their of 1' At this date, however, we find patron Moyrus parish.
no mention of Sinach Mac Dara, in our Martyrologies. The principal festival of our saint is noted in the Irish Calendar, as occurring on the 28th
day of September. This day may probably be assigned, as that for his departure. Many miraculous occurrences are recorded, and some super- stitious observances are said to have been practised in connection with this
One of the latter practices at low water, by women, in order to obtain the release of some friend in captivity : this reprieve, however, they expected should be obtained chiefly through the intercession of our
saint's memory by recurring to local tradition. was the collection of Dunleasg or salt sea-leaf,
This practice of gathering Dunleasg has been disused for many years although old people are yet living, who remember its frequent observ- In the time of Roderick O' Flaherty, it was customary for all boats, passing between Mason-head and the Island, to lower their sails three times, in honour of Mac Dara. 1 ? In the year 1672, a certain captain of Galway
garrison, passing without the usual mark of reverence, experienced such a
violent gale, that he made a vow of never again sailing by without a proper
obeisance ae he was shipwrecked shortly afterwards, and never reached his ;
destination. One Gill, a fisherman of Galway, during the prevalence of fair weather before and after the occurrence, was struck dead almost instanta- neously, by a stroke from the mast of his own boat, when it fell on his head. This accident, like the former, was attributed to that contempt shown towards our saint by a departure from the time-honoured custom. His altar-stone, called " Leac Shinac," was said to have been preserved to the middle of the present century ; but its whereabouts is not now known. The name Mac Dara is a very common prefix to surnames of many Islanders and borderers, on the Galway coast, and even boats and hookers belonging to its fishermen are inscribed with the name, in token of veneration for our saint.
Article II. —Feast of St. Fursey. A Feast in honour of St. Fursey
1
saint.
past ; ance.
was kept on the 28th day of September, according to Petrus de Natalibus,
,6 At that date, a "
honour, on the shore opposite his island, and in the town of Clifdeu.
however it may have originated, few sea- faring natives of the coasts would now venture to omit that accustomed mark of
name truly descriptive of the land on which
the ancient church of the
18 Called in Latin Rhodomenia
by Mr. Hardiman.
*> To this custom, allusion is made in
Denis Florence Mac Carthy's "Voyage of St. Brendan. " The Navigator is repre- sented as saying,
by the botanists.
19 " This is scrupulously observed to the
present day ; and it is performed by lower-
the main-sail a little, three times. The custom is supposed to have originated with some pious boatmen, who probably in the life-time of the saint, first adopted that mode of salutation on sailing by the Island. That
precedent a few times repeated, and a wreck
a boat which would be suffi- cient to establish the ceremony. But,
' '
Borne on the tide or driven before the
And as I passed Mac Dara's Sacred Isle, Thrice bowed my mast, and thrice let
ing
gale;
Article ii. —' "Fursaeus anno Episcopus
or other accident
befalling might happen to neglect it,
Constantis qui & Constantinus, in iiibernia claruit ut dicit Sigebertus. Hie
pattern"
is held in his
18
respect to St. Mac Dara. " — Roderick ""
'7 Moyrus, an Anglicised form of the Irish
max; Uuip, meaning the plain or field of O'Flaherty's Chorographical Description the point or promontory"; and this is a of Iar or West Connaught," p. ioo, note c,
parish
stands.
palmata,
— downmysail. " Part ii. , stanza io.
5.
Sep r ember 28. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 625
Maurolycus Felicis, Ferrarius, and Wion. 2 The latter writer supposes this to have been the Feast for the finding of St. Fursey's relics. The particulars of St. Fursey's life will be found at the 1 6th of January. 3 which is the day for his chief festival. * Colgan refers to the Lives of various Irish saints, for testi- monies regarding the miracles and virtues of St. Fursey, besides giving those special Acts, which he has published, at the 16th of January, and at the 9th of February. Among those we are referred to the Life of St. Cronan,5 to the
6
close of St. Cuan's Acts, to the Life of St. Molaga, to the Life of St. Barr,7
&c. St. Cumineus alludes to our saint in his treatise, intituled, u I)e
Virtutibus sive •" 8 and there he Elogiis
Sanctorum
aliquot
mentions the extraordinary practice of austerity whilst reciting the Psaltery.
singularibus
St. ^fCngus, in his Litany, alludes to our saint,9 while his ancient scholiast treats about Fursey's miracles, and his spiritual friendship with Magnennus10
11 12 and St. Meldan, both Irish saints.
According to the account of
1 Venerable Bede, St. Fursey descended from a noble family of the Scots, *
nobilis genere sed nobilior fide, ab infantia feast of the Finding of his Relics, or some
sacris litteris eruditus, dum inter parentes other special commemoration, is assigned to suos sacri verbi seminaret eloquium quadam the 28th of September. The eleventh
Chapter forms an epilogue of the preceding chapters. See "Acta Sanctorum Hiberniae. "
die &c," lib. viii. , cap. 126. 2"
See Lignum Vitse," at the 28th of Sep- tember.
xvi. Januarii. Vi'a S. Furssei, Appendix, cap. i. to xi. , pp. 92 to 98.
3 On this day, Colgan presents the saint's
Acts, in three different Books or Tracts,
with notes and a valuable Appendix, in
Eleven Chapters. In the last of these
chapters, he gives a summary of the contents
of previous ones, while showing certain
incidents, that serve to illustrate the Acts of
St. Fursey, and which partly concern the
honours referable to him. In the first
chapter is described the number and distinc-
tion of those writers, who have treated his
Acts in their various tracts.
In the second
Chapter are to be found important testi-
monies relating to his sanctity. The third
Chapter proves his country not to have been
Scotia Minor or Albania, as some Scoto-
Britons pretend, but Scotia Major or gelido ; stans, Psalt—erium landesque divinas Hibernia, and in like manner are his mis-
sionary companions to be regarded as Irish.
In the fourth Chapter he is set down as of
Munster and his is traced to origin, pedigree
its proper source. In the fifth Chapter he is
thought probably to have been of the Bene-
dictine and episcopal order. In the sixth
Chapter are enumerated his twenty-one those who appeared to him, as may be seen
disciples, illustrious for their sanctity, and all,
in our Life of St. Fursey, Abbot of Lagny,
in France, chap, iv. , at the 16th of January. " The latter saint is associated with saints Nasad and Beoain, in the Feilire of St. Fursey was in Ireland. The eighth Chapter ^Engus, at the 26th of October. At that
with the single exception of King Sigebert, were Irish. The seventh Chapter shows, that from his infancy to about the year 635,
states how he went to England in 636, and
thence went to Gaul about the year 648 or
649. The ninth Chapter relates his death
at A. D. 652. The tenth Chapter places the
observance of his Natalis at the 9th of
February, and the day of his Deposition at
the 4th of March, the first Elevation or Fursey ab ipsa quoque insula patria dis- Translation of his Relics at the 1 6th of cessit. " We see, that the term Scotia can January, the second at the 25th of February, only apply to Ireland, which is an island. the third at the 17th of September, while the The British Scotia is not by itself so
4 See also at that date his Life, in the First Volume of this work, Art. i.
5 We are told, that our saint was a bishop
in Vita S. Cronani, cap. xvi. See the Life
of this saint at the 28th of April, in the
Fourth Volume of this work, Art. i.
6
7 Vita S. Barsei, cap. xxiv. See his Life,
In the Vita S. Molagae, cap. xix. See his Life at the 20th of January, in the First Volume of this work, Art. i.
at the 25th of September, in the present Volume, Art. i.
8 These are his words: " Hoc in more habuit S. Fursseus mire devotus, (nee auditur quid rarius) quod in puteo, ad instar nivis
semper persolverit. " Num. 25.
9 Thus " Hodie S. Fursaeus cum 27. :
millibus astra ascendit. "
10 We can find no saint with a
11
correspond'
ing name in our Irish Calendars.
However, in the Vision of St. Fursey, Saints Beoan and Meldan are mentioned as
date, more may be found regarding them, in the present work.
13 That the Irish and Scots are the same people, and Hiberniaand Scotia are the same nation, would appear from many passages in
Bede, and especially in the instance, where "
IR
626 LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [September28.
being son to Finlog, a king of Munster. He is also said to have come from Hibernia, and to have lived many years in Scotia. In John Capgrave's Lives
of the Saints, Fursey is stated to have been a native of Ireland, and sprang from a noble race, but rendered still more noble on account of his Faith, and
although distinguished in his family circle, Divine Grace made him yet more illustrious. He was beautiful in external appearance, chaste in his actions, devout in disposition, affable in discourse, amiable in his looks, and abounding in good works. From his infancy, he was addicted to sacred
supposes him to have been advanced to the episcopal dignity. If we are to
6
credit the statement of Desmay,' both Fursay and his brother Foillan were
ordained bishops in Rome,17 by Pope Martin I. This account, however, is not only fabulous but unchronological, since his brother Foillan did not
and trained to monastic
Mabillon has been derived from old Acts of St. Fursey, by an anonymous author. '5 Numbers of other writers, that have flourished in France, Belgium and various Continental counties, at a more recent date, have treated On the life and virtues of St. Fursey. The old writer of St. Fursey's Acts
studies,
discipline.
by
In the Life of St.
1 ? He is thus designated in the Annals of Ulster at a. d. 627. Also, in the Index
at the same
2* of whom there were in his in days many
leave Ireland for the Continent until after Fursey's death.
Cronan,
18 who was a
contemporary
of
Fursey,
the latter is
styled Bishop.
of
that lie was not a bishop, although improperly called so, like Richarius of Centula and some others, on account of his having been a great preacher of the Gospel. Nevertheless, five hundred years before Mabillon wrote,22 Fursey's figure on the larger door of his church at Perrone was represented in episcopal insignia ; while an old writer of his Life23 makes him a bishop. The opinion of Dr. Lanigan is, that perhaps he was a chorepiscopus, or one of
Chronologicus
Archbishop Usher,
year.
those without bishops
regular sees,
Ireland. Yet, he thinks, although the matter is uncertain, that the supposi-
tion of some writers regarding Fursey being a bishop to be not quite unfounded. According to the testimony of Molanus, such also had been the
constant tradition of people living in the neighbourhood of Cambray. In the
latter diocese he is revered as a bishop, not so much because he reached that
dignity, but that he had been recognised as the Apostle of various places in
its
vicinity.
2*
When about neither the Venerable Bede nor treating Fursey,
accordance with the testimony of Venerable
Bede. See "Annales Ordinis S. Benedicti,"
tomus i. , lib. xiv. , sect, i. , p. 410.
l6
In the Fourteenth Chapter of our saint's Life.
' 7 Even Colgan rejects this story, and
J 5He is
Feirarius, who
,8 Vita S. Cronani, xvi.
history
"
cap.
Acta Sanctorum Iliber-
"
See Colgan's Acta Sane-
circumstanced.
torum Hibernire, xvi. Januarii. Vita S. Furssei, lib. i. , cap. i. , p. 75, lib. iii. , pp. 87, 88, and num. 4, 5, p. 91.
14 See " Nova Legenda Angliae," Vita S. Furssei, fob cliii.
Venerable Bede, and his words are almost literally given in the
that St.
was a bishop, but consecrated in Ireland,
praised by
joins
says,
Fursey
of this latter writer. We are told,
also, by Mabillon, that another anonymous
wi iter issued the Acts of St. Fursey, in two niae," xvi. January. Appendix ad Acta S.
Books ; and that after his time, Arnulfus, Furscei, cap. v. , p. 96.
quitates," p. 537.
Abbot of Lagny, towards the close of the
eleventh century, wrote two books on this
same subject. One of these gave an account
of the saint's Life, and the other of his
miracles. In a book, formerly belonging to
Christina, Queen of Sweden, it is said, that
these memoirs were written at special re-
quest of the inhabitants of l'errone. Those vol. ii. , chap, xvi. , sec. x. , n. 96, pp. 463, Acts of our saint contain an account of his
was descended from a royal Scotic race, in censes ut episcopum colunt, non quod
464.
pilgrimage to Rome. They state, that he *s The words of Molanus are : **Camara-
1 * The account of our saint
'» See Colgan's
20 Mabillon 21 states,
20 "
See Britannicarum Ecclesiarum Anti-
2I
At A. D. 645.
See at a. d. 650.
*3 This had been written before the
biography by Arnulph.
J * See " Ecclesiastical History of Ireland,"
September 28. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 627
the writer of the Saint's ancient Acts styles him Bishop. We have no sufficient evidence' for Fursey having been the author of" De Vita Monastica," HI), i. ,
attributed to him 26 This is by Dempster.
stated
but without attaching credence to a statement depending on such, doubtful
authority; moreover,hiseditor,WalterHarris,adds,thataProphecywrittenin
the Irish has also been ascribed 10 him. 2? Tne of Wion language writings Ado,
and other authors have been cited by Mabillon to show, that St. Fursey had
been at first interred in Lagny, and that afterwards his remains had been
removed to Perrone. Arnold Wion 28 has published laudatory Hymns in
praise of St. Fursey. Besides various old authors, in whose writings eulogies
and notices of St. Fursey occur, and whose testimonies may be found in
previous portions of this work, there are many others, that make honourable
mention of and whose words are 29 In his him, quoted by Colgan.
Martyrology, at the 16th of January, Notker Balbulus has alluded to a passage from the old life of the Hibernian St. Fursey, who was taken from this world to Heaven, whence he returned to relate many miraculous and admirable Visions he had there to other mortals. Afterwards, Fursey led an austere life and departed to bliss, in the village of Manden, at Perone. The Blessed Rabanus Maurus 3° more fully describes the life and miracles of our
1
Florence of Worcester has an account of St. Fursey in his Chronicle at the year 636, when the holy man is said to have come from Hibernia to King Sigebert, who ruled over the East Angles, and by whom he was reverently received. . There he preached the word of God, and converted many' Gentiles to the true Faith. After- wards the King founded a noble monastery, into which himself entered, having resigned his kingdom and all secular and governmental affairs to his relative Egric. Again does Vincentius Belluacenis relate his actions, by stating that Fursaus was of noble birth, but still more noble in Faith, having been com- mitted through the disposal of Divine Providence to the care of priests, and
2 instructedaswellinsacredstudiesasinmonasticdiscipline^ TheChronicon
saint in his Martyrology, at the 16th of January. 3
proprii nominis episcopus fuerit, sed quia quorundum locorum Apostolus fuit. Hac enim de causa plures ut episcopos coli, sparsim a me est annotatum. "—" Natales Sanctorum Belgii," Decima-sexta Januarii, Num 2, p. 13.
3I Thus, "In pago vero Mandinse in Perona Monasterio depositio S. Fursaei con- fessoris, qui in Hibernia natus, & nutritus,
patriam parentesque relinquens, sacrae scrip- turae studiis, aliquot vacabat annis : unde monasterium in quodam, construxit loco ;
26 Indeed, we may take it for granted, sed dum patriam parentesque visitare pro-
that it is but one of his many inventions;
and especially as in the very same article, he accuses of error the early and most reliable authorities, Notker Balbulus and Raban Maur, who state that Fursey was born in Hibernia. Contrary to the well- known acts of his life, Dempster in mala fide impudently states: "S. Fursaeus Scotus, non Hibernus, licet ex Hibernia cum sociis in patriam venisse scribatur. "— See " Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Scotorum," tomus i. , lib. vi. , num. 517, pp. 283 to 285.
2? See Harris' Ware. " Writers of Ire-
peraret, ut inter illos sacri verbi semina spiritualibus seminaret eloquiis, quodam
die corporis aegrotantis molestia corripitur, ac post subito in extasi raptus, jacuit quasi
exanimis a vespertina hora usque ad galli- cantum. Sed dum ad se rediret, agnovit
Angelicam esse visionem, & sumpto corpore & sanguine Christi, jacuit infirmus ipso die & altero : tertia vero nocte iterum ab Angelis sublatus mirabiles vidit visiones, sicut liber vitae ipsius testatur. " Then it is stated, that after his Ecstasy, he spent twelve years in preaching the word of God, and that he became renowned for the working of miracles. Laterstill,hismeritsculminating, he built monasteries in Gaul, whence he departed to Christ. His body was honour- ablyburiedbyDukeErcenwaldandbythe
land," vol. ii. , book i. , chap, iv. , p. 35. 23 "
In Lignum Vitae," lib. iii.
29 See "Acta Sanctorum Hibernise," xvi.
Januarii, Vita S. Fursaei, Appendix, cap. ii. , pp. 92,93.
30 — of
See an account of his Life and writings faithful in the Church St. Peter the
of when his festival occurs in the Second Volume of this work,
at Perona
32 See lib. iii. , cap. 81, 82, 83.
near the
at the—
4th February
Apostle Altar.
Monastery,
Art. v.
merely
by
Sir
James Ware,
and
62S LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAIATS. [September28.
Generalc Mundiss celebrates St. Fursey's virtues, assigning his festival to the 4th of March.
