''7 Still, we think it very improbable, that Gille
occupied
such a status, and almost equally uncertain, that he ever governed the community at Bangor.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v2
Only one wing of that castle now remains, and it is used as a Calvinist Church.
'^^ As we have already seen, it may and has been disputed, as to where St.
Raban's birth must be referred, and there are writers, who maintain, that he was a native of Scotia.
If so, we may fairly enquire, whether he sprung from Major Scotia, or Ireland, or from Minor Scotia, the modern Scotland.
Some Scottish writers, indeed, assert—but without a shadow of proof—that he was their
is said to have been in the chapel of Saints
Non meritum aspiciens, sed pietatis opus.
Hraban mihi nomen est, lectio dulcis
Divinse legis semper ubique fuit.
Cui Deus omnipotens tribuas caelestia
regna,
Et veram requiem semper in arce poli. "
=^3
Regarding this translation, Trithemius prepared an account. See Dempster's "Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Scotorum,"
tomus ii. , lib. xvi. , num. 1037, p. 551.
="^4 Had it pleased God to spare him, Ma- billon intended to treat about this elevation and translation of St. Raban's body to
"
Annales Ordinis S. Benedicti," tomus iii. , lib. xxxv. , sec. iii. , p. 53. He did not live, however, to accomplish this purpose ; but, when he had . commenced the sixth great folio volume
of his Annals, he died, on the feast day of
his patron, St. John the Evangelist, Decem- ber 27th, A. D. 1707. Born in 1632, he was
exactly seventy-five years, one month and four days old, at the time of his death. He brought the Benedictine Annals down to the twelfth century ; and, they were con- tinued, by Father Edmund Martene, to A. D. 1 1 58, where the sixth and last volume closes.
=^5 This event had been commemorated, likewise, by John of Trittenhem in a special
'*
Syntagma. " In it are described the rea- sons for translation, the author, the time and the manner. See John of Trittenhem's
"Vita S. Rabani Mauri," lib. iii. , cap. iv. , sec. 16, 17.
=66
See "Gazetteer of the World," vol. vi. , p. 782.
Y
An-
-^ It is here produced in Latin verse :
" Lector honeste, meam si vis cognoscere vitam,
Tempore mortali discere sic poteris. Urbe quidem hac genitus sum, et sacro
fonte renatus.
In Fulda post haec dogma sacrum di-
dici.
Quo monachus factus seniorum jussa se-
quebar,
Norma mihi vitse regula sancta fuit.
Sed licet incante hanc, nee fixe semper haberem,
Cella tamen mihimet mansio grata fuit. Ast ubi jam plures transissent temporis
Martin and Boniface. See Mabillon's
nales Ordinis S- Benedicti," tomus iii. , lib. XXXV. , sec. iii. , p, 52. —
anni,
Convenere viri vertere fata loci
:
Me abstraxere domo invalidum, Regique tulere,
Poscentes fungi Prsesulis officio,
In quo nee meritum vitae, nee dogma re-
pertum est,
Nee Fastoris opus jure beneplacitum.
Promptus erat animus, sed tardans debile corpus,
Feci, quod poteram, quodqiie Deus de- derat.
Nunc ego te ex tumulo, Frater dilecte, juvando
Commendes Christo me ut precibus Domino ;
Judicis seterni me ut gratia saluet in
sevum,
Vol. II. --No. 6.
"
Saxony, at the proper year. See
322 LIVES 01 THE IRISH SAINTS. [February 4.
countryman. If a Scot, at all, Ireland's claims to his birth seem the most
probable ; for, during Raban's time, learning and piety were troubled by the invasions of the Northmen, at home, while numbers of holy and accomplished Irishmen resorted to the Continent, where a new field was open for their energy and talents. In any case, the Acts of St. Raban Maur cannot fail to inform and to edify every lover of mediaeval learning, and every member of the Universal Church ; whereas, should future writers, with happier efforts than we have been able to exercise, bring the evidences of his birth
and early education more pertinently to Ireland, our country must rejoice in such a discovery, and receive additional honour from a circumstance, reflect- ing so favourably on the genius and holiness of her sons.
Article V. —Reputed Festival of St. Gille, or Gillibert.
[Eleventh and Twelfth Centuries^ The early part of this holy man's life is
involved in complete obscurity. Indeed, it may be said, his very personality
can be called in question. The word Gille or GioUa occurs so frequently, in
our history, as the first part of men's names, that once for all, it may be
necessary to explain its signification. Among the ancient Irish, Giolla
" a
but, it was also assumed, as " a servant. " meaning
youth ;"
Hence, it happened, especially during and after the tenth and eleventh centuries, that families devoted to certain holy persons, called their sons
signified
after them, prefixing the word Giolla, intimating they were to become dedi- cated to, or the servants of, particular saints. After the introduction of
Christianity, we meet many names of men, formed by prefixing those of celebrated saints,^ This word was not only prefixed to the names of saints,
but, likewise, to the name of God,^ of the Lord,3 of Christ,* of Jesus,5 of the
HolyTrinity,^andoftheVirginMary. 7 Sometimes,personswerededicated to the saints, in general,^ and to the angels. 9 These titles were Latinized
into other forms. '° When an adjective, a colour, or of signifying quality
of mind or body is postfixed to Giolla, then it has the ancient signification. " It may be, that the present saint was that Giolla, or Gille, changed to Gille- bert, who presided over the see of Limerick," and who became distinguished for his zeal, while endeavouring to effect reforms, in the Irish ecclesiastical offices and usages of his period. It is probable, he was born about the middle of the eleventh century, or perhaps, at a period somewhat later. It
Mary. "
«
Thus, Giolla-na-Naomh, "the servant of the saints. "
'"
Thus, GioUa-na-naingeal, the servant
oftheangels. "
—' Giolla- Thus, we find,
Article v.
Ailbhe, i. e. , "the servant of St. Ailbhe," GioUa-Aodha, Giolla-Aodhain, Giolla- Breanainn, Giolla- Bhrighde, Giolla-Chao* main, Giolla-Chainnigh, Giolla-Dachaisse, Giolla-Chaoimhgin, Giolla-Chiarainn, Giol-
*°
Thus, Christianus, Marianus, Patricia-
la-Dacholmain, GioUa-Choluim, Giolla- nus, Brigidianus, &c.
" *'
Chomain, Giolla-Chomghaill, GioUa-Dom- " Thus, Giolla-Dubh, the black" or hangairt, Giolla-Finnein, Giolla-Fionnain, black-haired youth ;" GioUa-ruadh, "the Giolla-Mochua, Giolla-Molaisse, Giolla- red-haired youth ;" Giolla-riabhach, "the Moninne, Giolla Phatraig," &c. , &c.
=
" the servant of God. "
swarthy youth;" Giolla-buidhe, "the yel-
Thus,Giolla-De,
•'Thus, GioUa-na-Choimhdhe, "the ser-
youth;" Giolla-odhar, GioUa-maol,
vant of the Lord. "
*Thus, Giolla-Chriost, "the servant of Christ. "
of the Four Masters," vol. iii. , n. (c), pp. 2, 3.
5 Thus, Giolla-Iosa, "the servant of Esbog or Gilla-Espuic. See "History of
Jesus. " Ireland," book ii. , part i. , chap, i,, p. 597. *"
Thus, Giolla-na-Trionoide, "the ser- vant of the Trinity. "
'Thus, Giolla-Muire, "the servant of
O'Mahony's edition, and Acta Sanctorum Hibemiie," viii. Martii. De S. Beoado, &c. , n. 6, p. 563.
low
&c. , &c. See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals
"
Keating and Colgan style him Gilla-
February 4. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 323
has been stated, likewise, that he deserves to rank with the saints. The
anonymous calendar, published by O'Sullivan Beare,'3 enters St. Gilbert, at this day. And Henry Fitzsimon places him, on the list of Irish Saints, as a bishop, at the 4th of February. ^'* He flourished in the eleventh and twelfth centuries,asweunderstandtheallusionsmadetohim. Itisdoubtful,whether he was an Ostman^s or an Irishman, by descent ; but, it is not unlikely, he was a native of Limerick, where the Danes had long been settled, and where they seem very generally to have become Christians, before the time of his birth. There is no reason for supposing, however, that Gille was a Dane ; for, although many Ostmen dwelt in Limerick, at that time, the Irish element was probably very numerous, and the see might have had an Irish bishop to preside over it. The influence of King Muirceartach O'Brian of Thomond, and the usual order of succession, most likely should secure a native prelate for pastor. Several years before his promotion there, Gillibert had travelled abroad,andhethenbecameacquaintedwithSt. Anselm,atRouen. From a letter he wrote to this latter prelate,^^ it would seem, Gillibert had been consecrated in Ireland. Sometime, after having been placed over Limerick, in his letter to Anselm, this celebrated bishop is congratuled, on having, at last, induced the untameable minds of the Normans, to observe the regular decrees of the holy fathers, with regard to the election and consecration of abbotsandbishops,whilehethanksGodforsuchavictory. ^7 Hence,itmay safely be inferred, that Gillebert had been Bishop of Limerick, a. d, 1106, or even before it, since, in that year, Henry I. , King of England, had settled his disputes, and had agreed to terms, regarding the investitures, &c. , with Anselm. ^^ Gillebert adds, that he sends, as a token of his attachment, a little present of twenty-five small pearls, and of some value, ^9 requesting that Anselmshouldnotbeunmindfulinprayerofhim. ^^ Tothisletter,Anselm replied, reminding Gillebert of their mutual affection, after their acquaintance formerly at Rouen, while he is thanked for his present, and for his congratu- lations. Now that he knows of Gillebert having been advanced to the episcopal dignity, Anselm makes bold to request, and even to advise him, as prudence had procured him such a position, that he should exert himself with earnestness, towards correcting and extirpating, so far as he can, whatever may be wrong, and to plant instead, religious and salutary influences. ^"^ He asks, moreover, that Gillebert should secure the co-operation of his king, of the other bishops, and of all others he could influence, to obtain such desir- able advantages. ^* He concludes, by asking for Gillibert's prayers. '^s Dr.
*^ See "Historise Catholicse Ibernias
Compendium," tomus i. , lib. iv. , cap. x. ,
p. 49;
"* See ibid. ^ cap. xii. , p. 54. Capgrave tome xiv. , liv. Ixv. , sect, xlvi. , pp. 86 to
is quoted as an authority.
*s He is assumed to have been so, by
J. J. A. Worsaae, in ** An Account of the Danes and Norwegians in England, Scot- land, and Ireland. " The Norwegians in Ireland, sect, vi. , p. 344.
89.
^9 These were probably of the sort, known
as Irish diamonds, or some of the coloured
and polished stones, used formerly for oma- ments in Ireland.
2° See this epistle, in Ussher's ** Veterum
EpistolarumHibernicarum Sylloge. " Epist. xxxi. , pp. 87, 88.
-^ "Anselmseemsheretoalludetosome reformation of certain Irish ecclesiastical practices, and to the introduction of those then followed at Rome. "—Dr. Lanigan's
"Ecclesiastical of vol. History Ireland,"
iv. , chap, xxv. , sect, ix. , p. 25.
" "As this letter was written after Anselm
had settled his disputes with Henry L, and
'*
In Gerberon's edition of "Opera" S.
Anselmi, this ranks as epist. Ixxxvi. , lib.
iv. The Rev. R. W. an
Church, Anglican
clergjrman, has published a very interesting
"
biography, intituled,
appeared in crown 8vo, London, 1870.
'7 He himself in " Gillebertus styles it,
Dei quoque misericordia Lunicensis Epis-
copus. " Lunicensis, Lunnicensis, or Lum- nicensis, comes from Lumneach, the Irish
Saint Anselm. " It
name for Limerick. Ussher dates theletter,
incorrectly at A. d. 1094. ^8 "
See Fleury's Histoire Ecclesiastique,"
3^4 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February 4.
Lanigan considers this Gillebert to have been Abbot of Bangor,''* at one time ;'5 yet, in another passage, he says, if this be true, that Gillebert had been Abbot of Bangor,^^ before he became bishop of Limerick, he must have been one of those persons, who held th'e lands of the abbey, and who used to be called abbots* being elected to that sinecure situation, and correspond- ing to the dignitary, called by the French, Abbe Co7nmhidataire.
''7 Still, we think it very improbable, that Gille occupied such a status, and almost equally uncertain, that he ever governed the community at Bangor. The present Gille seems to be the man, whom Pitts mentions^^ under the names of Gilbert, Gissebert and Gislebert,=9 Bishop of Limerick. He is said incorrectly to have become a Benedictine monk,3° at Westminster, and to have been an abbot over that house. 3^ It is stated, likewise, that he studied Divinity, under St. Anselm, Archbishop of Canterbury. s^* Afterwards, it is told, he visited the academies of France and Italy. He travelled as far as Rome. Besides the epistles, written by him to Anselm, he is said to have composed a book, intituled " De Usu Ecclesiastico. " 33 It alludes to different forms of liturgies, and various ways, for celebrating Divine Service, in the Irish Church : these, however, he seeks to render conformable to the koman customs. In a letter, addressed to the bishops and clergy of Ireland, Gillibert or Gille3* says, that at the request, and even by the advice of many amongst them, he undertook to write without presumption, being desirous of obeying their
returned to England late in 1 106, it follows, or mission, and these writers too are ranked that he had not heard of Gillebert's promo- among her saints. This work was printed lion until about that time. Hence it is Parisiis, M. DC. xix. , in 4to.
clear, that it did not take place until after
Anselm's second departure from England in 1 103 ; for, if it had, Anselm would certainly have been ap^jrized of it before his return. It is probable that Gilleber—t became Bishop of Limerick about 1 105. " Ibid. ,
61, p.
=9 It is thought, that Gille's other form of name Gillebert, Latinized into Gillebertus, had been received from the Danes, among whom he lived.
3° Thus, some shallow or fabulous writers
26.
=3 This letter is to be found in Ussher's
"Walsh's "
n.
have confounded Gille or Gillebert,
of Limerick, with a Gillebert or Gislebert,
who had been a monk with Anselm in the monastery of Bee, in Normandy. But, Gislebert never became a bishop, having died Abbot of West- minster, where he was buried. Ussher ^* For such statement, Archdall cites gives his Latin epitaph. See "Veterum
Prospect," p. 246. asticon Hibernicum," p. 108.
"Veterum Epistolarum Hibemicarum
Sylloge," epist. xxxii. , pp. 88, 89. In the edition of St. Anselm's works, it stands
epist. cxliii. , lib. iii.
surnamed
loge" before his eyes, and followed his mis- takes, in the dates of the epistles there con-
tained
; yet,
same as Gislebert, merely for the purpose of insinuating that he was an Ostman. He even quotes Ware, to show, that Gillebert
See "Mon-
" **
=5 See Ecclesiastical History of Ireland,"
censio, pp. 139, 140.
3' Although Ledwich had Ussher's Syl-
vol. iv. , chap, xxv. , sec. ix. , and n. 57, pp.
23, 25.
''^
This seems to be inferred from a state- ment, attributed to Keating, that he was successor of Congell, as quoted by Gratianus
he makes this Gillebert the
Lucius, or L)mch, in
"
Cambrensis Eversus,"
p. 83. Yet, in many copies of Keating, no such statement is to be found.
"
Antiquities of Ireland," p. 433. Yet, Ware says nothing more, than that he did not know whether Gillebert was tory of Ireland," chap, xxvi. , sec. ix. , and an Irishman or an Ostman. See Dr. Lani- gan's "Ecclesiastical History of Ireland,"
=7 See Dr. Lanigan's n. 63, pp. 77 to 79.
**
Ecclesiastical His-
^
Doctoris, Liverduni in Lotharingia, Decani,
'*
Relationum Historicarum de —Rebus An-
See Joannis Pitsei Angli S. Theologiaj
2ist, A. D. H09. See Bishop Challoner's glici—s," p. 844. The first tome all have account of him in "Britannia Sancta," part
I
seen contains four parts, in which are in- troduced lives of the distinguished writers of Britain. Among these, however, Ireland can fairly claim some that were closely identified with her either by birth, education
i. ,pp. 240 to 253.
33 See Ussher's " Primordia," cap. xvii. ,
p. 917.
3« In the prefix, he styles himself Gille,
the Irish form of his name.
Crispinus,
Hibemicarum Re- Epistolarum Sylloge,"
was one. See
vol. iv. , chap, xxv. , sect, ix. , n. 61, p. 26. 3' St. Anselm departed this life, Apri
Bishop
February 4. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 325
pious requirements, in giving an explanation of the canonical custom, for re- citing the hours, and for the performance of the Divine Office, by the whole ecclesiastical order. 35 He desires, that the various and conflicting rites on this subject, which prevailed throughout almost the whole of Ireland, should yield to the ritual of the Catholic and Roman office. 3^ For, he asks, what can be considered more unbecoming or schismatical, than that a most learned ecclesiastic, acquainted with one particular rite, should find himself a fool and a laic, in a strange Church ? Wherefore, since all the members of the Catholic Church are united in the one faith, hope, and charity ; they are
ordered by the Apostle to praise God with united voice and rite, according "
tothemandate, Thatwithonemind,andwithonemouth,youmayglorify
God. " 37 Wherefore, as the dispersion of tongues took place through pride,
and was brought to unity by Apostolic humility ; so, likewise, a confusion of
rites having arisen, through negligence and presumption, they should be re-
duced to the established rules of the Roman Church, through the zeal and
humility of the Irish clergy. How much, therefore, the unity of observances
should be observed, by the faithful, is evident from many passages of the
Sacred Scriptures ; and, the writer adds, that an image or a picture of the
Church,3S attached to his letter, should render his observations sufficiently
plain to their comprehension. 39 All the members of the Church must be
governed by, and be subject to, one bishop, who is Christ, to his holy vicar,
the Apostle Peter, and to the Apostolic President, in the see of the latter
saint. He " In I ask these rewards from all of concludes, by saying, fine,
you,forthismysmallshareoflabour; that,asweoughttopraiseGodhere,
with one heart and one mouth, so being assisted by your prayers, I may de-
serve the privilege of singing together with you, in the kingdom of heaven. " 4°
This seems to have been the epistle
to his book or " De treatise,
prologue
Usu Ecclesiastico ;" and, this latter appears to have been little else than
a copy of the Roman liturgy and office. The tract, in question, is not known at present to be in existence. ^^ Harris thinks,-*^ that Pitts must have had this Gille in mind, when ascribing the authorship of a book, " De Statu Ec- clesise," identical, he says, with the book, " De Usu Ecclesise," to a supposed Gille, Bishop of Lincoln. 43 How long Gille of Limerick remained abroad
3S Ussher very incorrectly marks the date
niae," lib. i. , cap. viii. , p. 53.
3* Ussher, who, strangely enough, was quite mistaken, as to the time when Gille-
bert had been Bishop of Limerick, again in- verts the order of his compositions, by plac- ing this epistle, in point of date and posi- tion, before the previously written epistles to Anselm, with his reply to it.
37 Romans, xv. , 6.
3^ This is an instance of the habit, acquired
by our early writers, of illustrating or of
ornamenting their manuscripts, by drawings and illuminations,
39 Ussher remarks, that in the copies of the MSS. from which the present epistle was taken, he found subjoined an image of the church, to which allusion is here made,
with the following explanation of this dia-
of this letter, at A. D. in all 1090. Yet,
'' ARCA Mundi habuit: Jiguram
pro- bability, Gillebert was not Bishop of Li- merick, for fourteen or fifteen years, after that time. Ware, although not noting the time of his accession, says he flourished, A. D. mo. See " De Scriptoribus Hiber-
gram:
fuit enim tricamerata. In superiori parte
erant aves, tanquam Angeli in Caio. In medio erant IIo? nines (scilicet Noe, et familia ejus) tanquam in hoc Mundo. In inio Ani- malia et tepiilia, tanquam Animce in In-
ferno. " Ussher then says, that not being able to find a copperplate engraver, he was obliged to omit these figures Irom his work, According to Ussher, this epistle was written, in the year 1090. This epistle is thought to have been prefixed to the treatise, entitled, De Usu Ecclesiastico.
"
40 gee Ussher's
Hibernicarum Sylloge," epist. xxx. De Usu Ecclesiastico, pp. 77, 78.
'*
Ecclesiastical Ilis- tory of Ireland," vol. iv. , chap, xxv. , sect.
XI. , p. 29.
^2 See Harris' Ware, vol. i. , "Bishops of
Limerick," p. 504.
^3 See Ussher's " Veterum Epistolanim
Hibernicarum Sylloge. " Recensio, p. 139.
4i gee Dr. Lanigan's
Veterum Epistolanim
326
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS, [February 4.
does not appear but, while presiding over this see, the old church of St. ;
Munchin—nov/ a parochial one—seems to have been the site for his cathe-
dral. After his death, and about the time, when the English arrived in Ire-
land, A. D. 1 172, Donald O'Brien, King of Thomond, founded and richly
endowed a new cathedral, in Limerick city. This was solemnly dedicated
to the Blessed Virgin Mary. 44 The same Donald granted a charter, about
the year 11 94, to Brictius, the Bishop of Limerick, and to his successors,
confirming certain lands and appurtenances, in free and perpetual alms. 45
Bishop Donat O'Brien, of the Thomond family, succeeded, and he set about enlarging this cathedral, while he filled it with secular canons, to whom he
assignedprebends. ^^ Henominatedadean,topresideoverthechapter,he defined the privileges of the canons, and he made some constitutions, con- cerning the liturgy to be used in his church. St. Mary's Cathedral was re- paired,atvarioustimes; but,abouttheyear1490,thenavehavingfallen into decay, the citizens restored it, at a great cost, under Bishop John Folan, previously a canon of Ferns. 47 After the Reformation, this cathedral was transferred to its followers, and since then, it has undergone various altera- tions—which can hardly be considered improvements—while repairs have left it, at present, in a comparative state of preservation. A fine chime of bells hangs in the tower. ^^ The outlines and details of the cathedral are
44 The most interesting, detailed and exact account, we find, regarding the origin, foun- dation, architectural peculiarities, restora- tions, and history of St. Mary's Cathedral, is that contained in the truly valuable work of Maurice Lenihan, "Limerick ; its History and Antiquities, Ecclesiastical, Civil and Military," &c. , chap. Iv. , pp. 546 to 554, with the subsequent chapters.
45 A large and beautifully wrought metal bell was found in a branch of the Shannon,
near Limerick, on Friday, the 25th August, 1871. It weighed \yi cwt. , and bore the date of 1 181. It is supposed, that this bell
belonged to St. Mary's Cathedral, and that it was thrown into the river, during the memorable siege of 1 69 1. From the Irish . S/<? r of Sept. 1 6th, 1 87 1.
*-^- See " The History, Topography and
the triumphs of peace or of strife,
But a quick joyous outburst of jubilee full of their newly felt life ;
Rapid, more rapid, the clapper rebounds from the round of the bells—
Far and more far through the valley the intertwined melody swells—
Quivering and broken the atmosphere trembles and twinkles around.
Like the eyes and the hearts of the hearers that glisten and beat to the sound. "
—Part ii. , stanza vi. , p. 14. See "Ballads, Poems, and Lyrics," Original and Trans- lated. At the present time, the banks of the Shannon frequently re-echo to the music of the Limerick bells ; and, the writer had
and
rick," &c. By the Rev. P. Fitzgerald and
once an opportunity of hearing, and with no ordinary feeling of delight, "the deep cadence" of their — tone. "
"
—the Bell-Founder"
many— he of voyages, thought sailing
of the Antiquities County
of Lime-
"magical Paolo,
City by J. J. M'Gregor, vol. i. , p. 393.
to continue the story set out in quest of his bells, and after
''' See Harris' Ware, vol. i. ,
*'
of
for Ire-
Limerick," pp. 501 to 517.
4^ A beautiful legend is current, that the
silver bells of St. Mary's were originally cast in Italy, by a celebrated Italian artist ;
while, owing to the rapine of war, they were removed from fair Florence, and brought thence to Limerick. In a very charming poem, called, "The Bell Founder," by Denis Florence McCarthy, the tones of these
land
:
bells are —
admirably described,
as
vibrating
As it the
over the Amo *'
:
mountains of Clare
;
with a rapid vibration, with a melody silv'ry and strong,
The bells from the sound-shaken belfry are singing their first maiden song ;
Not now for the dead or the living, or
Toll, toll !
Bishops
A bark bound for Erin lay waiting, he entered like one in a dream ;
Fair winds in the full purple sails led him soon to the Shannon's broad stream. 'Twas an evening that Florence might
envy, so rich was the lemon-hued air.
on lone or lit lay Scattery's Island,
green
The wide-spreading old giant river rolled
his waters as smooth and as still
As if Oonagh, with all her bright nymphs, had come down from the far fairy hill.
To fling her enchantments around on the mountains, the air and the tide,
February 4. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS, 327
massive and solemn-looking.
is said to have been in the chapel of Saints
Non meritum aspiciens, sed pietatis opus.
Hraban mihi nomen est, lectio dulcis
Divinse legis semper ubique fuit.
Cui Deus omnipotens tribuas caelestia
regna,
Et veram requiem semper in arce poli. "
=^3
Regarding this translation, Trithemius prepared an account. See Dempster's "Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Scotorum,"
tomus ii. , lib. xvi. , num. 1037, p. 551.
="^4 Had it pleased God to spare him, Ma- billon intended to treat about this elevation and translation of St. Raban's body to
"
Annales Ordinis S. Benedicti," tomus iii. , lib. xxxv. , sec. iii. , p. 53. He did not live, however, to accomplish this purpose ; but, when he had . commenced the sixth great folio volume
of his Annals, he died, on the feast day of
his patron, St. John the Evangelist, Decem- ber 27th, A. D. 1707. Born in 1632, he was
exactly seventy-five years, one month and four days old, at the time of his death. He brought the Benedictine Annals down to the twelfth century ; and, they were con- tinued, by Father Edmund Martene, to A. D. 1 1 58, where the sixth and last volume closes.
=^5 This event had been commemorated, likewise, by John of Trittenhem in a special
'*
Syntagma. " In it are described the rea- sons for translation, the author, the time and the manner. See John of Trittenhem's
"Vita S. Rabani Mauri," lib. iii. , cap. iv. , sec. 16, 17.
=66
See "Gazetteer of the World," vol. vi. , p. 782.
Y
An-
-^ It is here produced in Latin verse :
" Lector honeste, meam si vis cognoscere vitam,
Tempore mortali discere sic poteris. Urbe quidem hac genitus sum, et sacro
fonte renatus.
In Fulda post haec dogma sacrum di-
dici.
Quo monachus factus seniorum jussa se-
quebar,
Norma mihi vitse regula sancta fuit.
Sed licet incante hanc, nee fixe semper haberem,
Cella tamen mihimet mansio grata fuit. Ast ubi jam plures transissent temporis
Martin and Boniface. See Mabillon's
nales Ordinis S- Benedicti," tomus iii. , lib. XXXV. , sec. iii. , p, 52. —
anni,
Convenere viri vertere fata loci
:
Me abstraxere domo invalidum, Regique tulere,
Poscentes fungi Prsesulis officio,
In quo nee meritum vitae, nee dogma re-
pertum est,
Nee Fastoris opus jure beneplacitum.
Promptus erat animus, sed tardans debile corpus,
Feci, quod poteram, quodqiie Deus de- derat.
Nunc ego te ex tumulo, Frater dilecte, juvando
Commendes Christo me ut precibus Domino ;
Judicis seterni me ut gratia saluet in
sevum,
Vol. II. --No. 6.
"
Saxony, at the proper year. See
322 LIVES 01 THE IRISH SAINTS. [February 4.
countryman. If a Scot, at all, Ireland's claims to his birth seem the most
probable ; for, during Raban's time, learning and piety were troubled by the invasions of the Northmen, at home, while numbers of holy and accomplished Irishmen resorted to the Continent, where a new field was open for their energy and talents. In any case, the Acts of St. Raban Maur cannot fail to inform and to edify every lover of mediaeval learning, and every member of the Universal Church ; whereas, should future writers, with happier efforts than we have been able to exercise, bring the evidences of his birth
and early education more pertinently to Ireland, our country must rejoice in such a discovery, and receive additional honour from a circumstance, reflect- ing so favourably on the genius and holiness of her sons.
Article V. —Reputed Festival of St. Gille, or Gillibert.
[Eleventh and Twelfth Centuries^ The early part of this holy man's life is
involved in complete obscurity. Indeed, it may be said, his very personality
can be called in question. The word Gille or GioUa occurs so frequently, in
our history, as the first part of men's names, that once for all, it may be
necessary to explain its signification. Among the ancient Irish, Giolla
" a
but, it was also assumed, as " a servant. " meaning
youth ;"
Hence, it happened, especially during and after the tenth and eleventh centuries, that families devoted to certain holy persons, called their sons
signified
after them, prefixing the word Giolla, intimating they were to become dedi- cated to, or the servants of, particular saints. After the introduction of
Christianity, we meet many names of men, formed by prefixing those of celebrated saints,^ This word was not only prefixed to the names of saints,
but, likewise, to the name of God,^ of the Lord,3 of Christ,* of Jesus,5 of the
HolyTrinity,^andoftheVirginMary. 7 Sometimes,personswerededicated to the saints, in general,^ and to the angels. 9 These titles were Latinized
into other forms. '° When an adjective, a colour, or of signifying quality
of mind or body is postfixed to Giolla, then it has the ancient signification. " It may be, that the present saint was that Giolla, or Gille, changed to Gille- bert, who presided over the see of Limerick," and who became distinguished for his zeal, while endeavouring to effect reforms, in the Irish ecclesiastical offices and usages of his period. It is probable, he was born about the middle of the eleventh century, or perhaps, at a period somewhat later. It
Mary. "
«
Thus, Giolla-na-Naomh, "the servant of the saints. "
'"
Thus, GioUa-na-naingeal, the servant
oftheangels. "
—' Giolla- Thus, we find,
Article v.
Ailbhe, i. e. , "the servant of St. Ailbhe," GioUa-Aodha, Giolla-Aodhain, Giolla- Breanainn, Giolla- Bhrighde, Giolla-Chao* main, Giolla-Chainnigh, Giolla-Dachaisse, Giolla-Chaoimhgin, Giolla-Chiarainn, Giol-
*°
Thus, Christianus, Marianus, Patricia-
la-Dacholmain, GioUa-Choluim, Giolla- nus, Brigidianus, &c.
" *'
Chomain, Giolla-Chomghaill, GioUa-Dom- " Thus, Giolla-Dubh, the black" or hangairt, Giolla-Finnein, Giolla-Fionnain, black-haired youth ;" GioUa-ruadh, "the Giolla-Mochua, Giolla-Molaisse, Giolla- red-haired youth ;" Giolla-riabhach, "the Moninne, Giolla Phatraig," &c. , &c.
=
" the servant of God. "
swarthy youth;" Giolla-buidhe, "the yel-
Thus,Giolla-De,
•'Thus, GioUa-na-Choimhdhe, "the ser-
youth;" Giolla-odhar, GioUa-maol,
vant of the Lord. "
*Thus, Giolla-Chriost, "the servant of Christ. "
of the Four Masters," vol. iii. , n. (c), pp. 2, 3.
5 Thus, Giolla-Iosa, "the servant of Esbog or Gilla-Espuic. See "History of
Jesus. " Ireland," book ii. , part i. , chap, i,, p. 597. *"
Thus, Giolla-na-Trionoide, "the ser- vant of the Trinity. "
'Thus, Giolla-Muire, "the servant of
O'Mahony's edition, and Acta Sanctorum Hibemiie," viii. Martii. De S. Beoado, &c. , n. 6, p. 563.
low
&c. , &c. See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals
"
Keating and Colgan style him Gilla-
February 4. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 323
has been stated, likewise, that he deserves to rank with the saints. The
anonymous calendar, published by O'Sullivan Beare,'3 enters St. Gilbert, at this day. And Henry Fitzsimon places him, on the list of Irish Saints, as a bishop, at the 4th of February. ^'* He flourished in the eleventh and twelfth centuries,asweunderstandtheallusionsmadetohim. Itisdoubtful,whether he was an Ostman^s or an Irishman, by descent ; but, it is not unlikely, he was a native of Limerick, where the Danes had long been settled, and where they seem very generally to have become Christians, before the time of his birth. There is no reason for supposing, however, that Gille was a Dane ; for, although many Ostmen dwelt in Limerick, at that time, the Irish element was probably very numerous, and the see might have had an Irish bishop to preside over it. The influence of King Muirceartach O'Brian of Thomond, and the usual order of succession, most likely should secure a native prelate for pastor. Several years before his promotion there, Gillibert had travelled abroad,andhethenbecameacquaintedwithSt. Anselm,atRouen. From a letter he wrote to this latter prelate,^^ it would seem, Gillibert had been consecrated in Ireland. Sometime, after having been placed over Limerick, in his letter to Anselm, this celebrated bishop is congratuled, on having, at last, induced the untameable minds of the Normans, to observe the regular decrees of the holy fathers, with regard to the election and consecration of abbotsandbishops,whilehethanksGodforsuchavictory. ^7 Hence,itmay safely be inferred, that Gillebert had been Bishop of Limerick, a. d, 1106, or even before it, since, in that year, Henry I. , King of England, had settled his disputes, and had agreed to terms, regarding the investitures, &c. , with Anselm. ^^ Gillebert adds, that he sends, as a token of his attachment, a little present of twenty-five small pearls, and of some value, ^9 requesting that Anselmshouldnotbeunmindfulinprayerofhim. ^^ Tothisletter,Anselm replied, reminding Gillebert of their mutual affection, after their acquaintance formerly at Rouen, while he is thanked for his present, and for his congratu- lations. Now that he knows of Gillebert having been advanced to the episcopal dignity, Anselm makes bold to request, and even to advise him, as prudence had procured him such a position, that he should exert himself with earnestness, towards correcting and extirpating, so far as he can, whatever may be wrong, and to plant instead, religious and salutary influences. ^"^ He asks, moreover, that Gillebert should secure the co-operation of his king, of the other bishops, and of all others he could influence, to obtain such desir- able advantages. ^* He concludes, by asking for Gillibert's prayers. '^s Dr.
*^ See "Historise Catholicse Ibernias
Compendium," tomus i. , lib. iv. , cap. x. ,
p. 49;
"* See ibid. ^ cap. xii. , p. 54. Capgrave tome xiv. , liv. Ixv. , sect, xlvi. , pp. 86 to
is quoted as an authority.
*s He is assumed to have been so, by
J. J. A. Worsaae, in ** An Account of the Danes and Norwegians in England, Scot- land, and Ireland. " The Norwegians in Ireland, sect, vi. , p. 344.
89.
^9 These were probably of the sort, known
as Irish diamonds, or some of the coloured
and polished stones, used formerly for oma- ments in Ireland.
2° See this epistle, in Ussher's ** Veterum
EpistolarumHibernicarum Sylloge. " Epist. xxxi. , pp. 87, 88.
-^ "Anselmseemsheretoalludetosome reformation of certain Irish ecclesiastical practices, and to the introduction of those then followed at Rome. "—Dr. Lanigan's
"Ecclesiastical of vol. History Ireland,"
iv. , chap, xxv. , sect, ix. , p. 25.
" "As this letter was written after Anselm
had settled his disputes with Henry L, and
'*
In Gerberon's edition of "Opera" S.
Anselmi, this ranks as epist. Ixxxvi. , lib.
iv. The Rev. R. W. an
Church, Anglican
clergjrman, has published a very interesting
"
biography, intituled,
appeared in crown 8vo, London, 1870.
'7 He himself in " Gillebertus styles it,
Dei quoque misericordia Lunicensis Epis-
copus. " Lunicensis, Lunnicensis, or Lum- nicensis, comes from Lumneach, the Irish
Saint Anselm. " It
name for Limerick. Ussher dates theletter,
incorrectly at A. d. 1094. ^8 "
See Fleury's Histoire Ecclesiastique,"
3^4 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February 4.
Lanigan considers this Gillebert to have been Abbot of Bangor,''* at one time ;'5 yet, in another passage, he says, if this be true, that Gillebert had been Abbot of Bangor,^^ before he became bishop of Limerick, he must have been one of those persons, who held th'e lands of the abbey, and who used to be called abbots* being elected to that sinecure situation, and correspond- ing to the dignitary, called by the French, Abbe Co7nmhidataire.
''7 Still, we think it very improbable, that Gille occupied such a status, and almost equally uncertain, that he ever governed the community at Bangor. The present Gille seems to be the man, whom Pitts mentions^^ under the names of Gilbert, Gissebert and Gislebert,=9 Bishop of Limerick. He is said incorrectly to have become a Benedictine monk,3° at Westminster, and to have been an abbot over that house. 3^ It is stated, likewise, that he studied Divinity, under St. Anselm, Archbishop of Canterbury. s^* Afterwards, it is told, he visited the academies of France and Italy. He travelled as far as Rome. Besides the epistles, written by him to Anselm, he is said to have composed a book, intituled " De Usu Ecclesiastico. " 33 It alludes to different forms of liturgies, and various ways, for celebrating Divine Service, in the Irish Church : these, however, he seeks to render conformable to the koman customs. In a letter, addressed to the bishops and clergy of Ireland, Gillibert or Gille3* says, that at the request, and even by the advice of many amongst them, he undertook to write without presumption, being desirous of obeying their
returned to England late in 1 106, it follows, or mission, and these writers too are ranked that he had not heard of Gillebert's promo- among her saints. This work was printed lion until about that time. Hence it is Parisiis, M. DC. xix. , in 4to.
clear, that it did not take place until after
Anselm's second departure from England in 1 103 ; for, if it had, Anselm would certainly have been ap^jrized of it before his return. It is probable that Gilleber—t became Bishop of Limerick about 1 105. " Ibid. ,
61, p.
=9 It is thought, that Gille's other form of name Gillebert, Latinized into Gillebertus, had been received from the Danes, among whom he lived.
3° Thus, some shallow or fabulous writers
26.
=3 This letter is to be found in Ussher's
"Walsh's "
n.
have confounded Gille or Gillebert,
of Limerick, with a Gillebert or Gislebert,
who had been a monk with Anselm in the monastery of Bee, in Normandy. But, Gislebert never became a bishop, having died Abbot of West- minster, where he was buried. Ussher ^* For such statement, Archdall cites gives his Latin epitaph. See "Veterum
Prospect," p. 246. asticon Hibernicum," p. 108.
"Veterum Epistolarum Hibemicarum
Sylloge," epist. xxxii. , pp. 88, 89. In the edition of St. Anselm's works, it stands
epist. cxliii. , lib. iii.
surnamed
loge" before his eyes, and followed his mis- takes, in the dates of the epistles there con-
tained
; yet,
same as Gislebert, merely for the purpose of insinuating that he was an Ostman. He even quotes Ware, to show, that Gillebert
See "Mon-
" **
=5 See Ecclesiastical History of Ireland,"
censio, pp. 139, 140.
3' Although Ledwich had Ussher's Syl-
vol. iv. , chap, xxv. , sec. ix. , and n. 57, pp.
23, 25.
''^
This seems to be inferred from a state- ment, attributed to Keating, that he was successor of Congell, as quoted by Gratianus
he makes this Gillebert the
Lucius, or L)mch, in
"
Cambrensis Eversus,"
p. 83. Yet, in many copies of Keating, no such statement is to be found.
"
Antiquities of Ireland," p. 433. Yet, Ware says nothing more, than that he did not know whether Gillebert was tory of Ireland," chap, xxvi. , sec. ix. , and an Irishman or an Ostman. See Dr. Lani- gan's "Ecclesiastical History of Ireland,"
=7 See Dr. Lanigan's n. 63, pp. 77 to 79.
**
Ecclesiastical His-
^
Doctoris, Liverduni in Lotharingia, Decani,
'*
Relationum Historicarum de —Rebus An-
See Joannis Pitsei Angli S. Theologiaj
2ist, A. D. H09. See Bishop Challoner's glici—s," p. 844. The first tome all have account of him in "Britannia Sancta," part
I
seen contains four parts, in which are in- troduced lives of the distinguished writers of Britain. Among these, however, Ireland can fairly claim some that were closely identified with her either by birth, education
i. ,pp. 240 to 253.
33 See Ussher's " Primordia," cap. xvii. ,
p. 917.
3« In the prefix, he styles himself Gille,
the Irish form of his name.
Crispinus,
Hibemicarum Re- Epistolarum Sylloge,"
was one. See
vol. iv. , chap, xxv. , sect, ix. , n. 61, p. 26. 3' St. Anselm departed this life, Apri
Bishop
February 4. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 325
pious requirements, in giving an explanation of the canonical custom, for re- citing the hours, and for the performance of the Divine Office, by the whole ecclesiastical order. 35 He desires, that the various and conflicting rites on this subject, which prevailed throughout almost the whole of Ireland, should yield to the ritual of the Catholic and Roman office. 3^ For, he asks, what can be considered more unbecoming or schismatical, than that a most learned ecclesiastic, acquainted with one particular rite, should find himself a fool and a laic, in a strange Church ? Wherefore, since all the members of the Catholic Church are united in the one faith, hope, and charity ; they are
ordered by the Apostle to praise God with united voice and rite, according "
tothemandate, Thatwithonemind,andwithonemouth,youmayglorify
God. " 37 Wherefore, as the dispersion of tongues took place through pride,
and was brought to unity by Apostolic humility ; so, likewise, a confusion of
rites having arisen, through negligence and presumption, they should be re-
duced to the established rules of the Roman Church, through the zeal and
humility of the Irish clergy. How much, therefore, the unity of observances
should be observed, by the faithful, is evident from many passages of the
Sacred Scriptures ; and, the writer adds, that an image or a picture of the
Church,3S attached to his letter, should render his observations sufficiently
plain to their comprehension. 39 All the members of the Church must be
governed by, and be subject to, one bishop, who is Christ, to his holy vicar,
the Apostle Peter, and to the Apostolic President, in the see of the latter
saint. He " In I ask these rewards from all of concludes, by saying, fine,
you,forthismysmallshareoflabour; that,asweoughttopraiseGodhere,
with one heart and one mouth, so being assisted by your prayers, I may de-
serve the privilege of singing together with you, in the kingdom of heaven. " 4°
This seems to have been the epistle
to his book or " De treatise,
prologue
Usu Ecclesiastico ;" and, this latter appears to have been little else than
a copy of the Roman liturgy and office. The tract, in question, is not known at present to be in existence. ^^ Harris thinks,-*^ that Pitts must have had this Gille in mind, when ascribing the authorship of a book, " De Statu Ec- clesise," identical, he says, with the book, " De Usu Ecclesise," to a supposed Gille, Bishop of Lincoln. 43 How long Gille of Limerick remained abroad
3S Ussher very incorrectly marks the date
niae," lib. i. , cap. viii. , p. 53.
3* Ussher, who, strangely enough, was quite mistaken, as to the time when Gille-
bert had been Bishop of Limerick, again in- verts the order of his compositions, by plac- ing this epistle, in point of date and posi- tion, before the previously written epistles to Anselm, with his reply to it.
37 Romans, xv. , 6.
3^ This is an instance of the habit, acquired
by our early writers, of illustrating or of
ornamenting their manuscripts, by drawings and illuminations,
39 Ussher remarks, that in the copies of the MSS. from which the present epistle was taken, he found subjoined an image of the church, to which allusion is here made,
with the following explanation of this dia-
of this letter, at A. D. in all 1090. Yet,
'' ARCA Mundi habuit: Jiguram
pro- bability, Gillebert was not Bishop of Li- merick, for fourteen or fifteen years, after that time. Ware, although not noting the time of his accession, says he flourished, A. D. mo. See " De Scriptoribus Hiber-
gram:
fuit enim tricamerata. In superiori parte
erant aves, tanquam Angeli in Caio. In medio erant IIo? nines (scilicet Noe, et familia ejus) tanquam in hoc Mundo. In inio Ani- malia et tepiilia, tanquam Animce in In-
ferno. " Ussher then says, that not being able to find a copperplate engraver, he was obliged to omit these figures Irom his work, According to Ussher, this epistle was written, in the year 1090. This epistle is thought to have been prefixed to the treatise, entitled, De Usu Ecclesiastico.
"
40 gee Ussher's
Hibernicarum Sylloge," epist. xxx. De Usu Ecclesiastico, pp. 77, 78.
'*
Ecclesiastical Ilis- tory of Ireland," vol. iv. , chap, xxv. , sect.
XI. , p. 29.
^2 See Harris' Ware, vol. i. , "Bishops of
Limerick," p. 504.
^3 See Ussher's " Veterum Epistolanim
Hibernicarum Sylloge. " Recensio, p. 139.
4i gee Dr. Lanigan's
Veterum Epistolanim
326
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS, [February 4.
does not appear but, while presiding over this see, the old church of St. ;
Munchin—nov/ a parochial one—seems to have been the site for his cathe-
dral. After his death, and about the time, when the English arrived in Ire-
land, A. D. 1 172, Donald O'Brien, King of Thomond, founded and richly
endowed a new cathedral, in Limerick city. This was solemnly dedicated
to the Blessed Virgin Mary. 44 The same Donald granted a charter, about
the year 11 94, to Brictius, the Bishop of Limerick, and to his successors,
confirming certain lands and appurtenances, in free and perpetual alms. 45
Bishop Donat O'Brien, of the Thomond family, succeeded, and he set about enlarging this cathedral, while he filled it with secular canons, to whom he
assignedprebends. ^^ Henominatedadean,topresideoverthechapter,he defined the privileges of the canons, and he made some constitutions, con- cerning the liturgy to be used in his church. St. Mary's Cathedral was re- paired,atvarioustimes; but,abouttheyear1490,thenavehavingfallen into decay, the citizens restored it, at a great cost, under Bishop John Folan, previously a canon of Ferns. 47 After the Reformation, this cathedral was transferred to its followers, and since then, it has undergone various altera- tions—which can hardly be considered improvements—while repairs have left it, at present, in a comparative state of preservation. A fine chime of bells hangs in the tower. ^^ The outlines and details of the cathedral are
44 The most interesting, detailed and exact account, we find, regarding the origin, foun- dation, architectural peculiarities, restora- tions, and history of St. Mary's Cathedral, is that contained in the truly valuable work of Maurice Lenihan, "Limerick ; its History and Antiquities, Ecclesiastical, Civil and Military," &c. , chap. Iv. , pp. 546 to 554, with the subsequent chapters.
45 A large and beautifully wrought metal bell was found in a branch of the Shannon,
near Limerick, on Friday, the 25th August, 1871. It weighed \yi cwt. , and bore the date of 1 181. It is supposed, that this bell
belonged to St. Mary's Cathedral, and that it was thrown into the river, during the memorable siege of 1 69 1. From the Irish . S/<? r of Sept. 1 6th, 1 87 1.
*-^- See " The History, Topography and
the triumphs of peace or of strife,
But a quick joyous outburst of jubilee full of their newly felt life ;
Rapid, more rapid, the clapper rebounds from the round of the bells—
Far and more far through the valley the intertwined melody swells—
Quivering and broken the atmosphere trembles and twinkles around.
Like the eyes and the hearts of the hearers that glisten and beat to the sound. "
—Part ii. , stanza vi. , p. 14. See "Ballads, Poems, and Lyrics," Original and Trans- lated. At the present time, the banks of the Shannon frequently re-echo to the music of the Limerick bells ; and, the writer had
and
rick," &c. By the Rev. P. Fitzgerald and
once an opportunity of hearing, and with no ordinary feeling of delight, "the deep cadence" of their — tone. "
"
—the Bell-Founder"
many— he of voyages, thought sailing
of the Antiquities County
of Lime-
"magical Paolo,
City by J. J. M'Gregor, vol. i. , p. 393.
to continue the story set out in quest of his bells, and after
''' See Harris' Ware, vol. i. ,
*'
of
for Ire-
Limerick," pp. 501 to 517.
4^ A beautiful legend is current, that the
silver bells of St. Mary's were originally cast in Italy, by a celebrated Italian artist ;
while, owing to the rapine of war, they were removed from fair Florence, and brought thence to Limerick. In a very charming poem, called, "The Bell Founder," by Denis Florence McCarthy, the tones of these
land
:
bells are —
admirably described,
as
vibrating
As it the
over the Amo *'
:
mountains of Clare
;
with a rapid vibration, with a melody silv'ry and strong,
The bells from the sound-shaken belfry are singing their first maiden song ;
Not now for the dead or the living, or
Toll, toll !
Bishops
A bark bound for Erin lay waiting, he entered like one in a dream ;
Fair winds in the full purple sails led him soon to the Shannon's broad stream. 'Twas an evening that Florence might
envy, so rich was the lemon-hued air.
on lone or lit lay Scattery's Island,
green
The wide-spreading old giant river rolled
his waters as smooth and as still
As if Oonagh, with all her bright nymphs, had come down from the far fairy hill.
To fling her enchantments around on the mountains, the air and the tide,
February 4. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS, 327
massive and solemn-looking.
