3 There can hardly be a doubt,
but that the present entry incorrectly found its way into the published Martyrology of Tallagh, through some mistake of a scribe.
but that the present entry incorrectly found its way into the published Martyrology of Tallagh, through some mistake of a scribe.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v9
In the year 1276, a royal mandate issued for the erection of a king's castle in Cashel, and early in the fourteenth century, the city was surrounded with a stone wall, and a castle was built, which was left in charge of a constable.
In the year 1372, an Irish parlia- ment—not then confined to any particular locality—was held in Cashel.
When Richard O'Hedian or O'Heden ruled that See from a.
d.
1406 to 1440, he re-built, or at least repaired, from a very ruinous condition, the Cathedral of St.
Patrick.
He built a Hall, likewise, for his Vicars Choral, confirming to them the lands of Grange Connell and Thurles-Beg.
In the year 1495, Gerald FitzGerald, Earl of Kildare, burned the Cathedral, to be revenged on the reigning Archbishop, David Creagh.
The last Austinian Prior of Athassel Priory, Edmund Butler, was consecrated Archbishop of Cashel in 1527, holding his conventual house in commendam, until the period of the dissolution of monasteries.
His successor was Roland Baron, alias Fitz-
Gerald, desended from the ancient family of the Geraldines, and he departed this life on the 28th of October, 1561. After his death, the See continued vacant for six years ; the Catholic Archbishop, Maurice Gibbon or Fitzgibbon, apparently struggling against the power of Queen Elizabeth, who, on the 2nd of October, a. d. 1567, had promoted by Letters Patent James MacCaghvvell,intheinterestsoftheReformation. Duringhistime,byanAct of Parliament, in a. d. 1568, the See of Emly was united to that of Cashel.
When Mac Cagwell died in 1570, the celebrated Miler Magrath, who from being a Franciscan friar had become a pervert to Protestantism, was trans- lated by the Queen from the See of Clogher to the Sees of Cashel and Emly. Meantime,theCatholicArchbishopFitzgibbonhadbeennecessitated to fly from Ireland and seek refuge in Spain and France. On his death, about the year 1578, Darby O'Hurley was appointed Archbishop of Cashel by Pope Gregory XIII. , but on returning to Ireland, he was discovered and arrested. Brought before the Privy Council in Dublin, and refusing to take the objectionable oaths of supremacy and allegiance, he was at first subjected to frightful tortures, and afterwards this holy martyr was hanged on Stephen's Green, on the 6th of May, 1584. It has been supposed that Turlough O'Neill and William Burgat were the Catholic Archbishops immediately succeeding; andnextfollowedDavidKearney,whoseappointmenttookplace between the years 1602 and 1605, when, amid great difficulties and dangers, he continued to exercise episcopal duties, during the rule of Miler Magrath, whichcontinuedtohisdeathini622"5. ArchbishopKearneydiedinexile, on the 10th of March, 1625, in the Cistercian monastery at Bonlieu, near
113
Burgage holdings
were
"5 his life-time, Miler During
to the burgesses.
1,4 In the year 1224, it has been said, that
Pope Honorius III. , who took a great inte- rest in the celebrated and learned Michael
ment, witii the following Latin inscription composed by himself : Mileri Magrath,
— Casheliensis ad viatorem Archiepiscopi
him to the See of Cashel ; but on his declining that honour, he had permission to hold a benefice in Italy. See "The Dublin Review," vol. cxxiii. , October, 1898, No. 247, Art. ix. , English Scholarship in the Thirteenth Century, by Dom F.
Aidan Gasquet, D. D. , O. S. B. , p. 366.
Scott, appointed
given, likewise,
Magrath erected within the Cathedral, on a high basis at the south side of the choir, a stone Monu-
Carmen
Venerat in Dunum primo sanctissimus olim,
Patricius, nostri gloria magna soli,
Huic ego succedens, ultinam tarn sanctus ut
-lie,
:
370 LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAJNTS. [September14.
Bordeaux. When the Insurrection of 1641 broke out, Cashel fell into the hands of the Confederate Catholics, and it continued in their possession until taken in 1647 by Lord Inchiquin by storm, when several of the clergy and laity, who had fled to the Cathedral as to a citadel, were by him inhumanly massacred. A curious old painting of Cormac in robes, partly
royal and partly archiepiscopal, together with his patron, St. Patrick, was to be
seen in the new and the present century.
of the
In the year 1874, several noblemen and gentlemen of
spacious
city
Cashel,
ArchbishopCroke'sMemorialCross,Cashel.
Rock and its ruined
buildings. TheArch-
Catholic
chapel
of
different religious per- suasions allowed their
names to be placed on a committee for
purchasing "i and re- storing the ecclesias-
tical and other build- ings, on the Rock of Cashel, with the Most Rev. Dr. Leahy, Arch- bishop of Cashel, as their chairman. The Catholic inhabitants of the city of Cashel took action in the matter by sending for- ward a memorial to the head of the Govern- ment. The Catholic
bishop issued an ap- peal to all students of the history and antiquities of Ireland, to aid in restoring a noble monument of mediaeval civilization, and sent it to persons
Sic Duni primo tempore Pmesul eram.
Anglia, lustra decern sed post tua sceptra colebam,
Principibus p acui, Marte tonante, tufa.
I lie ubi sum positus, non sum, sum non ubi
non sum
Sum nee in ambobus, sum sed utroque loco.
1621.
Dominus est qui me judicat. i. Cor. 4. Qui stat, caveat ne cadat.
Thus re—ndered into English verse by Walter Harris
Patrick, the glory of our Isle and Gown, First sat a Bishop in the See of Down.
1 wish that I, succeeding him in place
As Bishop, had an equal share oi Grace.
I served thee, England, fifty years in jars, And pleased thy Princes in the midst of wars ; Here where I'm plac'd, I'm not ; and thus
the case is,
I'm not in both, yet am in both the Places.
1621.
He that judgeth me is the Lord.
;
1 Cor. 4.
Let him who stands,
take care lest he fall.
of the diocese of Cashel and Emly con- curred with the in- habitants of the
and the Catholic clergy of both dio- ceses authorised their
Archbishop, the Most Rev. Dr. Leahy, to take steps, in their name, for obtaining
laity
possession
of the
116 in early
city,
September 14. ] L/VF. S OF THE IRISH SA/. VTS 371
of influence at home and abroad, in Ireland, in Great Britain, in
America, in Australia, in India, so that funds might be procured to
realize a restoration tor of Catholic 8 To commemorate purposes worship. "
the attainment of the Episcopal Silver Jubilee of their present patriotic and distinguished prelate in the See of Cashel, the inhabitants of that
town and neighbourhood resolved on erecting a Celtic cross, and on a suitablesitegrantedforsuchpurposebytheTownCommissioners. Itwas designed by Mr. Edward O'Shea, of Kilkenny, and it has been wrought in grey
marble limestone taken from a quarry near Callan.
It stands in the market
over sixteen feet in existing old Irish crosses. .
11^ The
from carvings on
place,
height.
motifs
copied
are
The chief sculptures on it are the figure of Christ
crucified, treated in the reverent manner of the eleventh and twelfth centuries. Underneath the Crucifixion reveal are two panels ; the one representing St. Cormac Mac Cuillenan, and the Teampul Chormaic on the Rock, the other St. Ailbe preaching to the chief and tribes of the country about Emly. Below on the pedestal is shown the traditional scene representing St. Patrick baptising ^Engus, the first Christian King of Cashel ,2° On the reverse side is the commemorative 1 The of this Memorial Cross
before an enthusiastic assemblage of clergy and people, who came from far and near to participate in that grand demonstration.
inscription. " unveiling
took place on Sunday, January 24th, 1897, with suitable ceremony and
At the of the of 122
14th September, Martyrology Donegal registers
a festival in honour of Corbmac Mac Cuilennain, King of Munster. He is also called Bishop and Martyr. The age of Christ when he fell by the Lagenians,
is said to have been 919,123 according to the Calendarist. In the " Circle of •the Seasons,"12* we find the festival of this pious King-Bishop assigned to the 14th of September, in accordance with the arrangement of most hagio-
logists who have treated regarding him.
An antidote to the evils of anarchy was found in that influence
frequently exercised by ecclesiastics, representing the Church in Ireland. To their spiritual teaching and decrees, both princes and people bowed with
respect. Nevertheles, the turbulence and rivalry of faction and of personal ambition excited those passions, so little in accordance with reason and
religion. A corrective to the disruptured state of our country was found, no doubt, in that unity of doctrine and those religious usages, prevailing in the various dioceses. However, external violence and domestic intrigues rendered the kings and chiefs, in many instances, both victims and participants, in a series of ruinous feuds and wasting conflicts. Peace was
116 See Rev. Dr. Milner s " Letters on Ire- and," note at p. 130.
1. 7 From the Church Commissioners.
1. 8
This address is dated Thurles, June 5th, 1871.
"9 The accompanying illustration has
been selected from photographs kindly presented by Very Rev. Dean Thomas II. Kinane, V. G. , and P. P. of Cashel. It was drawn and engraved on the wood, by Gregor Grey.
This Market Cross has been erected by the
'" Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 120 On the side panels of the base 248, 249.
are the armorial bearings of the Cashel Diocese, and the family arms of Archbishop Croke.
,23 In a note, Dr. Reeves says, at this date of 919, "Thus in the manuscript ; but 909
121
In the following terms
:
—
is the true year. " Masters. "
See "Annals of the Four
Citizens of
And a few other Friends,
to perpetuate the Silver
Episcopal Jubilee of
His Grace, the Most Heverend Thomas
W. Croke, D. D. , Archbishop of Cashel and Emly. July 10th, 1895.
124 At p. 258.
Cashel,
372 LJVES Of THE IRISH SAINTS. [September 14.
rarely continuous and uninterrupted. Feeling was not always based on those principles of right and forbearance, that should characterize the relations of
neighbouring provinces and people. War was sometimes conducted according to the recognized usage and chivalry of civilized nations ; but, for the most part, a remorseless and powerful despot became the scourge over a
neighbouring territory, and he imposed galling conditions of tribute on its people, when too weak to resist his claim. Jealousies, divisions and distrusts pervaded the minds of petty princes, and misdirected their policy. Hence the painful and ignoble records of exactions, invasions and battles, desolating in their effects, and precluding all permanent and successful attempts for the social and political regeneration of a common country. The reformer was wanting, with a head to conceive, a will to resolve, and a power to accomplish effective means, necessary to remove these disastrous results based on anarchial usages and national prejudices. Thus, the virtuous and accomplished man, whose career we have endeavoured to trace, was unfortunately overborne in a desire to rule with justice and moderation, while disaster followed, because he had weakly yielded to the persuasions of unwise counsellors.
Article II. —St. Caemhan Brec, Bishop of Ross-each, now Russagh,
County of Westmeath. At the 14th of September, according to the
12
Feilire of yEngus and the Mart) rology of Tallagh, veneration was given to
Coeman Breic, of Ross ech, in Caillfollomon. 3 Such should have been the correct insertion ;butit reads otherwise in the published copy. According to the Scholiast on the Feilire of ^Engus, Coeman is called Mac Nisse, or son of Nisse. He is commemorated on this day in Marianus O'Gorman's " Felire," 4 with a note by his commentator, that Coeman Brecc was from Ross Ech in Caille Folamain, in Meath. He descends from the race of Conaire, son to Moghlamha, monarch of Erin, who belonged to the race of Heremon. Caille-Fallamhain has been interpreted Fallon's Wood. The situation 01 this place appears, from the foregoing record, as also from the Feilire Aenguis, to have embraced a territory in which the church of Ros-each had been situated. Yet, the district of Caille Fallamhain does not seem to have been exactly ascertained ; although it was doubtless within the territory of ancient Meath. It is said, that the place is now called Russagh,s near the
Articleii. —* Inthatcopycontained—in CoemanbpeccicllojTech1 Cailli£t>llo-
the Leabhar Breac we read at this date
:
"Oolmj; t>eic jreib Choemam bwc la T)i(i)r- mbolmain bar* cait> Cippiam oemnain Lacefat) cam Cormil.
•
Thus translated into English:—"To thee
hatli sprung the feast of Coeman Brecc,
—te with a wise (? ) pair: vast Ciprian's chas
death with the fair passion of Cornelius. " Transactions of the Royal Irish Academy,
tmrni.
3 The Scholiast to Oengus states, that he
belonged to Ross Ech, in Meath, and a son of his mother was MacRustaing ; and hence we are told, that both were maternal brothers, but whether by the same father is not so clear.
translation is: "Coeman
the hardships. " Whitley Irish Manuscript Series, vol. i. , part i. On Ilui Gormain," pp. 176, 177.
the Calendar of Oengus, p. cxxxvii. See 5 This parish is marked on the "Ordnance
also p. cxlv. Survey Townland Maps for the County of
"
Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xxxiv. Westmeath," sheets 5, 6. The townland
In the Book of Leinster copy we read : proper is on sheet 6.
4 Thus—Caeman, Brec, brig bladmar, diar ndfn ar na dodngibh. —
The
English
Brecc—famous —
—to us from
!
vigour protect
" Stokes' Felire
September 14. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 373
6
village of Street, in the baronyot Moygoish. and in the County of Westmeath. More incorrectly, it would seem, the district had been called Chailli in Ollaim, " the wood of the Ollamh," or chief Professor. ? There is also a Clonabreany or Russagh, in Diarmor Parish, deanery of Keils, and barony of Fore, County of Meath. 8 Here an old church stood ; and only a grave- yard, overgrown with flaggers, thistles, and other weeds, may now be see—n. A holy well springs near the church-yard, and it is dedicated to St. Kevin probably the present St. Caemhan Brec. He appears to have been a former" patron of this place. ? According to the Annals of Ulster and those of the
10
Four Masters, this holy man died on the 14th of September, a. d. 6i4. According to the commentator on Oengus, his maternal brother Mac Rustaing—reputed to have been a poet—was buried in Ross Ech in
13
Article III. —St. 6eledabhaill, Abbot of Bangor, County of Down. This holy man was the son of Scannall. He was born about 868, and he is distinguished as a Scribe, a preacher, a learned doctor, and a bishop. He was likewise the successor of St. Comhgall of Beannchair, now Bangor,
moreover, that Coeman Breach was buried in Ross
Meath. 11 He
Liac, which place was unknown to him. In the Martyrology of Donegal, at the same date, he is designated Caemhan Brec, of Ros-each,^ in Gaille Fallamhain, in Meath.
states,
in the County of Down. He died on the 14th of September, while on his 12
pilgrimage at Rome, in the fifty-ninth year of his age, and in the year 92 7.
Article IV. —The Daughters of Colum, in Cremtannaibh. We find
inserted, in the published Martyrology of Tallagh, at the 14th of September,
the name and 1 Colum of Cremtannaibh. 2 The is different in place, entry
that copy contained in the Book of Leinster.
3 There can hardly be a doubt,
but that the present entry incorrectly found its way into the published Martyrology of Tallagh, through some mistake of a scribe. It seems
6 See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , n. (x. ), p. 252.
7 See Dr. O'Donovan's " Leabhar na-g-
Ceart, or Book of Rights," n. (j), p. 182.
8 It is shown on the " Ordnance Survey
Townland Maps for the County of Meath,"
I2 Edited by Rev. Drs. Todd and Reeves,
pp. 248, 249.
I3 In the table appended to this Martyr-
ology, a Latin memorandum is inserted in
the Irish character, and thus rendered into
English, after the proper name Ros-ech ;
sheets
9 See Rev. A. Cogan's "Diocese of
Meath, Ancient and Modern," vol. ii. ,
"
"
see whether it be Eachros. "
Article hi. — See Dr. O'Donovan's Annals of the Pour Masters," vol. ii. ,
15,
1 6.
chap, xvi. , p. 322. pp. 620, 621.
10 See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the 3
to the — verse, thus According following
Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 238, 239,
and n. (z. ), ibid. Also Common Place Book F,
translated from the Irish
Three times nine, nine hundred years,
Are reckoned rules by plain
From the birth of Christ, deed of purity, To the holy death of Cele the Cleric.
p. 78, in the Royal Irish Academy.
" An Irish poem thus alludes to him — :
CrvicAn Ainm true tlufcamj; juvm 5apb--OAij\e Ainm true Sama-m
. AinoiAinp^nniAcCongLmoe mon •ooLaioib •oorvm'oe.
Article iv.
—
'
Edited by Rev.
Dr.
Thus translated by Dr. Whitley Stokes : — this is the confused and incorrect entry
"Critan was noble MacRustaing's name, Garb-daire was MacSamain's n—ame,
Aindiairr was MacConglinde's Many lays he made. "
Inghena
Coeman Breac of Ross ech.
Kelly, p. xxxiv.
2 Thus— " Colum i Cremtannaib. " Before
"
Coluim i Caillifollomon. " The last-named place, however, has reference to
:
There we find IngenA
Colum
3 CnemchAnnAib.
1
:
374 LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [September14.
referable to the festival celebrated on the day previous in honour of the Daughters of Colum, in Cremhthanna or Cinel Crumthainn.
Article V. —Reputed Feast of a St. Faghna. —In the anonymous list of Irish Saints, published by O'Sullivan Beare, we find a St. Faghna entered, at the 14th of September, but know not on what authority. 1
ArticleVI. —MaeltolaigofDromaFaindle. Inthatcopyofthe
Martyrology of Tallagh contained in the book of Leinster, and at the
iii Ides or 14th of September, is the following entry, Maeltolaig of Droma
1
Faindle. This insertion is omitted in the version published by Rev.
Matthew Kelly, D. D.
Article VII. —Festival of St. Cyprian, Bishop, Doctor and Martyr. At an early date in the Irish Church, the festival of St. Cyprian,
1
the illustrious Bishop of Carthage, was celebrated on the 14th of September. To this entry in the Festiology of St. ^ngus, a commentator has added notes. 2 The Life and Acts of this celebrated Father and Martyr of the early Christian Church have been set forth very fully by the Bollandists, in their great collection, at this day. 3 A lengthy previous Commentary* precedes his ancient Acts, written by the Deacon St. Pontius s and to these are added
;
the Acta proconsularia, relating to St. Cyprian's Martyrdom,6 with an Appendix, referring to the after honours which commemorated him, as also a
dissertation on the Works attributed to his authorship. ? This holy bishop, called Thasius Cyprian, was a native of Carthage, and lived the greater part of his life in Paganism, until he embraced Christianity, and afterwards became a priest. He was consecrated Bishop of Carthage, towards the middle of the third century. In the year 158, he there suffered martyrdom under the Emperor Valerian. In the Martyrology of Marianus O'Gorman,
"
at the 14th of September, is also commemorated Cyprian, called the
diadem
Article v. — See " Historic Catholicae Iberniae Compendium," tomus i. , lib. iv. ,
Septembris xiv. De S. Cypriano. Epis.
Mart, prope Carthaginem in Africa, pp.
cap. xi. , p. 51. — Article vi,
191 to 348.
Thus written
trUel-
4
This contains
Sections, con-
:
Forty-eight hundred and
o — Article vii.
cript Series, vol. i. , part i. On the edition of the "Acta Sincera Martyrum,"
Calendar of Oengus, by Whitley Stokes, and it is in three chapters, comprising
C0LA15 OponiA Venule.
of
sisting Eight
thirty-one
'See "Transactions of the Royal Irish Academy," Irish Manu-
paragraphs,
s This too is inserted from Ruinart's
L. L. D. , p. exxxvii. thirty-seven paragraphs, with several 2""
In the Leabhar Breac copy, the first explanatory notes,
"° note has added to Cipriain, i. e. , Episcopus
Cartagenis in Africa, vel Episcopus Romae. " —In a lower marginal note is the following :
Affer
"Ciprianus prinium gloriosam
rhetoricam docuit deinde Christianus (actus
Cicilio suadente omneni substantiam suam
erogavit et postea Episcopus Cartaginis constitutus est sed hujus ingenium super- fluum est dicere cum sole clarior sit inter opera ejus passus est sub Valeriano et
In six paragraphs, with explanatory notes. 7 This treatise is in Four Chapters and
Galliano principibus
die — Cornelius quorum
3 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iv. ,
in Flandria. Two sections in twenty-four
paragraphs precede Miracula Auctore
anonymc Ninoviensis ecclesise Canonico
Praemonstratensi, sub finem seculi XII. , ex Ms. codice membranaceo Ninoviensi. This
passus anno. " Ibid. % pp. cxlv. , cxlvi.
est in codem tract is in two
chapters, containing twenty-
persecutione octavo
In the same volume, there is an Appendix ad Diem XIV. ,
Septembris de SS. Cornelii et Cypriani MM.
seventy-two paragraphs.
Reliquiis
ac Miraculis in Abbatia Ninoviensi
two paragraphs, with explanatory notes, pp. 76910778.
September 14. ]
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 375
of 8 Carthage. "
martyrdom. 9
On this
date,
the Roman likewise records his Martyrology
ArticleVIII. —FeastofSt. Cornelius,PopeandMartyr. Inthe early Irish Church, at the 14th day of September, the Feast of St. Cornelius,
1
Pope and Martyr, was celebrated, as found in the Feilire of St. ^Engus. The Acts of this holy Pontiff are presented by the Bollandists in their work,3 at this same date, in a historic commentary of sixteen sections, containing three hundred and twenty-two paragraphs. When St. Fabian, Pope, had been crowned with martyrdom, on the 20th of January, a. d. 250, the See of Rome remained vacant for over sixteen months. Then Cornelius was chosen to fill the Apostolic Chair, in 251. 3 His brief Pontificate was disturbed by the Novatians ;* as also by a persecution of the Emperors Gallus and Volusien. Finally, he suffered martyrdom under the Emperor Decius. Refusing to offer sacrifice to the Pagan divinities, he was beheaded. 5
6
St. Cornelius was called to eternal bliss on the 14th of September, a. d. 25 2. He was venerated in the Irish Church, at an early period ; and in the Felire of Marianus O'Gorman,? he is noticed at the 14th of September, as the just Pope Cornelius. Also, at the 16th of this month, Saints Cornelius and
Cyprian
are commemorated in the Roman 8 Martyrology.
Article IX. —Festival of One-and-Twenty Martyrs. The Martyrology of Marianus O'Gorman commemorates the feast of One-and-
Twenty Martyrs, at the 14th of September.
1
It seems most probable, that
these were the one-and-twenty holy martyrs that suffered on the Appian Way, near Rome, in company with St. Cornelius the Pope.
8 Thus—"Mind — tomus Sseculum Kartaigne Ciprian. " vii. ,
s See the Petits Bollandistes, who place
,;
Cypriani Episcopi Carthaginensis, sanctitate des Saints, tome xi. , xvie Jour de
et doctrina clarissimi : qui sub Valeriano et Gallieno Principibus post durum exilium detruncatione capitis martyrium con- summavi—t sexto miliiario a Carthagine juxta
Dr. Whitley Stokes' " Felire Hui sect, iv. , p. 5.
Tertium, cap. ii. ,
Gormain," pp. 176, 177.
—
9 Thus "In Africa passio Sancti his Acts, at the 16th of September, "Vies
mare. " "Martyrologium
Editio novissima,—
p. 136.
Romanum,"
states—" Romse via Appia beati Cornelii Papse et Martyris, qui in persecutione Decii post exilii relegationem jussus est plumbatis
Article viii. 'See "Transactions of
the Royal Irish Academy. " Irish Manu- cum Salustia uxore sua, quos idem Cornelius
"
passi sunt Cornelius et Ciprianus intelli- Thus Sanctorum Cornelii et Cypriani
gens circumcisionem interpretatur. "—Ibid. , cxlv.
2 See "Acta Sanctorum,' tomus iv. ,
Pontificum et Martyrum, quorum natalis decimo-octavo Kalendas Octobris recolitur. " —"Martyrologium Romanum," Editio novissima, p. 137.
:
xiv. De S. Cornelio Martyre Centumcellis in Etruria, item de SS. Cereale et Salustia cum Viginti et uno
Socii M. Romse, pp. 143 to 191.
3 See Rev. Alban Butler's " Lives of the
Septembris
Papa
*
— —
Fathers, Martyrs and other Saints," vol. ix. , September xvi.
Principal
Translated into English as follows: —
" One and twenty (martyrs) whom thou
beseechest, who are holiest with the Lord. " See R. P. Natalis Alexandri, " Historia —Dr. Whitley Stokes' " Felire Hui
Ecclesiastica Veteris Novique Testamenti," Gormain," pp. 176, 177.
Septembre, pp. 127 to 132.
6 At this date the Roman Martyrology
et sic cum aliis et uno caedi, viginti pro-
miscui sexus decollari
:
sed et Coerealis Miles
On the in fid—e instruxerat, eodem die capite plexi
script Series, vol. i.
Gerald, desended from the ancient family of the Geraldines, and he departed this life on the 28th of October, 1561. After his death, the See continued vacant for six years ; the Catholic Archbishop, Maurice Gibbon or Fitzgibbon, apparently struggling against the power of Queen Elizabeth, who, on the 2nd of October, a. d. 1567, had promoted by Letters Patent James MacCaghvvell,intheinterestsoftheReformation. Duringhistime,byanAct of Parliament, in a. d. 1568, the See of Emly was united to that of Cashel.
When Mac Cagwell died in 1570, the celebrated Miler Magrath, who from being a Franciscan friar had become a pervert to Protestantism, was trans- lated by the Queen from the See of Clogher to the Sees of Cashel and Emly. Meantime,theCatholicArchbishopFitzgibbonhadbeennecessitated to fly from Ireland and seek refuge in Spain and France. On his death, about the year 1578, Darby O'Hurley was appointed Archbishop of Cashel by Pope Gregory XIII. , but on returning to Ireland, he was discovered and arrested. Brought before the Privy Council in Dublin, and refusing to take the objectionable oaths of supremacy and allegiance, he was at first subjected to frightful tortures, and afterwards this holy martyr was hanged on Stephen's Green, on the 6th of May, 1584. It has been supposed that Turlough O'Neill and William Burgat were the Catholic Archbishops immediately succeeding; andnextfollowedDavidKearney,whoseappointmenttookplace between the years 1602 and 1605, when, amid great difficulties and dangers, he continued to exercise episcopal duties, during the rule of Miler Magrath, whichcontinuedtohisdeathini622"5. ArchbishopKearneydiedinexile, on the 10th of March, 1625, in the Cistercian monastery at Bonlieu, near
113
Burgage holdings
were
"5 his life-time, Miler During
to the burgesses.
1,4 In the year 1224, it has been said, that
Pope Honorius III. , who took a great inte- rest in the celebrated and learned Michael
ment, witii the following Latin inscription composed by himself : Mileri Magrath,
— Casheliensis ad viatorem Archiepiscopi
him to the See of Cashel ; but on his declining that honour, he had permission to hold a benefice in Italy. See "The Dublin Review," vol. cxxiii. , October, 1898, No. 247, Art. ix. , English Scholarship in the Thirteenth Century, by Dom F.
Aidan Gasquet, D. D. , O. S. B. , p. 366.
Scott, appointed
given, likewise,
Magrath erected within the Cathedral, on a high basis at the south side of the choir, a stone Monu-
Carmen
Venerat in Dunum primo sanctissimus olim,
Patricius, nostri gloria magna soli,
Huic ego succedens, ultinam tarn sanctus ut
-lie,
:
370 LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAJNTS. [September14.
Bordeaux. When the Insurrection of 1641 broke out, Cashel fell into the hands of the Confederate Catholics, and it continued in their possession until taken in 1647 by Lord Inchiquin by storm, when several of the clergy and laity, who had fled to the Cathedral as to a citadel, were by him inhumanly massacred. A curious old painting of Cormac in robes, partly
royal and partly archiepiscopal, together with his patron, St. Patrick, was to be
seen in the new and the present century.
of the
In the year 1874, several noblemen and gentlemen of
spacious
city
Cashel,
ArchbishopCroke'sMemorialCross,Cashel.
Rock and its ruined
buildings. TheArch-
Catholic
chapel
of
different religious per- suasions allowed their
names to be placed on a committee for
purchasing "i and re- storing the ecclesias-
tical and other build- ings, on the Rock of Cashel, with the Most Rev. Dr. Leahy, Arch- bishop of Cashel, as their chairman. The Catholic inhabitants of the city of Cashel took action in the matter by sending for- ward a memorial to the head of the Govern- ment. The Catholic
bishop issued an ap- peal to all students of the history and antiquities of Ireland, to aid in restoring a noble monument of mediaeval civilization, and sent it to persons
Sic Duni primo tempore Pmesul eram.
Anglia, lustra decern sed post tua sceptra colebam,
Principibus p acui, Marte tonante, tufa.
I lie ubi sum positus, non sum, sum non ubi
non sum
Sum nee in ambobus, sum sed utroque loco.
1621.
Dominus est qui me judicat. i. Cor. 4. Qui stat, caveat ne cadat.
Thus re—ndered into English verse by Walter Harris
Patrick, the glory of our Isle and Gown, First sat a Bishop in the See of Down.
1 wish that I, succeeding him in place
As Bishop, had an equal share oi Grace.
I served thee, England, fifty years in jars, And pleased thy Princes in the midst of wars ; Here where I'm plac'd, I'm not ; and thus
the case is,
I'm not in both, yet am in both the Places.
1621.
He that judgeth me is the Lord.
;
1 Cor. 4.
Let him who stands,
take care lest he fall.
of the diocese of Cashel and Emly con- curred with the in- habitants of the
and the Catholic clergy of both dio- ceses authorised their
Archbishop, the Most Rev. Dr. Leahy, to take steps, in their name, for obtaining
laity
possession
of the
116 in early
city,
September 14. ] L/VF. S OF THE IRISH SA/. VTS 371
of influence at home and abroad, in Ireland, in Great Britain, in
America, in Australia, in India, so that funds might be procured to
realize a restoration tor of Catholic 8 To commemorate purposes worship. "
the attainment of the Episcopal Silver Jubilee of their present patriotic and distinguished prelate in the See of Cashel, the inhabitants of that
town and neighbourhood resolved on erecting a Celtic cross, and on a suitablesitegrantedforsuchpurposebytheTownCommissioners. Itwas designed by Mr. Edward O'Shea, of Kilkenny, and it has been wrought in grey
marble limestone taken from a quarry near Callan.
It stands in the market
over sixteen feet in existing old Irish crosses. .
11^ The
from carvings on
place,
height.
motifs
copied
are
The chief sculptures on it are the figure of Christ
crucified, treated in the reverent manner of the eleventh and twelfth centuries. Underneath the Crucifixion reveal are two panels ; the one representing St. Cormac Mac Cuillenan, and the Teampul Chormaic on the Rock, the other St. Ailbe preaching to the chief and tribes of the country about Emly. Below on the pedestal is shown the traditional scene representing St. Patrick baptising ^Engus, the first Christian King of Cashel ,2° On the reverse side is the commemorative 1 The of this Memorial Cross
before an enthusiastic assemblage of clergy and people, who came from far and near to participate in that grand demonstration.
inscription. " unveiling
took place on Sunday, January 24th, 1897, with suitable ceremony and
At the of the of 122
14th September, Martyrology Donegal registers
a festival in honour of Corbmac Mac Cuilennain, King of Munster. He is also called Bishop and Martyr. The age of Christ when he fell by the Lagenians,
is said to have been 919,123 according to the Calendarist. In the " Circle of •the Seasons,"12* we find the festival of this pious King-Bishop assigned to the 14th of September, in accordance with the arrangement of most hagio-
logists who have treated regarding him.
An antidote to the evils of anarchy was found in that influence
frequently exercised by ecclesiastics, representing the Church in Ireland. To their spiritual teaching and decrees, both princes and people bowed with
respect. Nevertheles, the turbulence and rivalry of faction and of personal ambition excited those passions, so little in accordance with reason and
religion. A corrective to the disruptured state of our country was found, no doubt, in that unity of doctrine and those religious usages, prevailing in the various dioceses. However, external violence and domestic intrigues rendered the kings and chiefs, in many instances, both victims and participants, in a series of ruinous feuds and wasting conflicts. Peace was
116 See Rev. Dr. Milner s " Letters on Ire- and," note at p. 130.
1. 7 From the Church Commissioners.
1. 8
This address is dated Thurles, June 5th, 1871.
"9 The accompanying illustration has
been selected from photographs kindly presented by Very Rev. Dean Thomas II. Kinane, V. G. , and P. P. of Cashel. It was drawn and engraved on the wood, by Gregor Grey.
This Market Cross has been erected by the
'" Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 120 On the side panels of the base 248, 249.
are the armorial bearings of the Cashel Diocese, and the family arms of Archbishop Croke.
,23 In a note, Dr. Reeves says, at this date of 919, "Thus in the manuscript ; but 909
121
In the following terms
:
—
is the true year. " Masters. "
See "Annals of the Four
Citizens of
And a few other Friends,
to perpetuate the Silver
Episcopal Jubilee of
His Grace, the Most Heverend Thomas
W. Croke, D. D. , Archbishop of Cashel and Emly. July 10th, 1895.
124 At p. 258.
Cashel,
372 LJVES Of THE IRISH SAINTS. [September 14.
rarely continuous and uninterrupted. Feeling was not always based on those principles of right and forbearance, that should characterize the relations of
neighbouring provinces and people. War was sometimes conducted according to the recognized usage and chivalry of civilized nations ; but, for the most part, a remorseless and powerful despot became the scourge over a
neighbouring territory, and he imposed galling conditions of tribute on its people, when too weak to resist his claim. Jealousies, divisions and distrusts pervaded the minds of petty princes, and misdirected their policy. Hence the painful and ignoble records of exactions, invasions and battles, desolating in their effects, and precluding all permanent and successful attempts for the social and political regeneration of a common country. The reformer was wanting, with a head to conceive, a will to resolve, and a power to accomplish effective means, necessary to remove these disastrous results based on anarchial usages and national prejudices. Thus, the virtuous and accomplished man, whose career we have endeavoured to trace, was unfortunately overborne in a desire to rule with justice and moderation, while disaster followed, because he had weakly yielded to the persuasions of unwise counsellors.
Article II. —St. Caemhan Brec, Bishop of Ross-each, now Russagh,
County of Westmeath. At the 14th of September, according to the
12
Feilire of yEngus and the Mart) rology of Tallagh, veneration was given to
Coeman Breic, of Ross ech, in Caillfollomon. 3 Such should have been the correct insertion ;butit reads otherwise in the published copy. According to the Scholiast on the Feilire of ^Engus, Coeman is called Mac Nisse, or son of Nisse. He is commemorated on this day in Marianus O'Gorman's " Felire," 4 with a note by his commentator, that Coeman Brecc was from Ross Ech in Caille Folamain, in Meath. He descends from the race of Conaire, son to Moghlamha, monarch of Erin, who belonged to the race of Heremon. Caille-Fallamhain has been interpreted Fallon's Wood. The situation 01 this place appears, from the foregoing record, as also from the Feilire Aenguis, to have embraced a territory in which the church of Ros-each had been situated. Yet, the district of Caille Fallamhain does not seem to have been exactly ascertained ; although it was doubtless within the territory of ancient Meath. It is said, that the place is now called Russagh,s near the
Articleii. —* Inthatcopycontained—in CoemanbpeccicllojTech1 Cailli£t>llo-
the Leabhar Breac we read at this date
:
"Oolmj; t>eic jreib Choemam bwc la T)i(i)r- mbolmain bar* cait> Cippiam oemnain Lacefat) cam Cormil.
•
Thus translated into English:—"To thee
hatli sprung the feast of Coeman Brecc,
—te with a wise (? ) pair: vast Ciprian's chas
death with the fair passion of Cornelius. " Transactions of the Royal Irish Academy,
tmrni.
3 The Scholiast to Oengus states, that he
belonged to Ross Ech, in Meath, and a son of his mother was MacRustaing ; and hence we are told, that both were maternal brothers, but whether by the same father is not so clear.
translation is: "Coeman
the hardships. " Whitley Irish Manuscript Series, vol. i. , part i. On Ilui Gormain," pp. 176, 177.
the Calendar of Oengus, p. cxxxvii. See 5 This parish is marked on the "Ordnance
also p. cxlv. Survey Townland Maps for the County of
"
Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xxxiv. Westmeath," sheets 5, 6. The townland
In the Book of Leinster copy we read : proper is on sheet 6.
4 Thus—Caeman, Brec, brig bladmar, diar ndfn ar na dodngibh. —
The
English
Brecc—famous —
—to us from
!
vigour protect
" Stokes' Felire
September 14. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 373
6
village of Street, in the baronyot Moygoish. and in the County of Westmeath. More incorrectly, it would seem, the district had been called Chailli in Ollaim, " the wood of the Ollamh," or chief Professor. ? There is also a Clonabreany or Russagh, in Diarmor Parish, deanery of Keils, and barony of Fore, County of Meath. 8 Here an old church stood ; and only a grave- yard, overgrown with flaggers, thistles, and other weeds, may now be see—n. A holy well springs near the church-yard, and it is dedicated to St. Kevin probably the present St. Caemhan Brec. He appears to have been a former" patron of this place. ? According to the Annals of Ulster and those of the
10
Four Masters, this holy man died on the 14th of September, a. d. 6i4. According to the commentator on Oengus, his maternal brother Mac Rustaing—reputed to have been a poet—was buried in Ross Ech in
13
Article III. —St. 6eledabhaill, Abbot of Bangor, County of Down. This holy man was the son of Scannall. He was born about 868, and he is distinguished as a Scribe, a preacher, a learned doctor, and a bishop. He was likewise the successor of St. Comhgall of Beannchair, now Bangor,
moreover, that Coeman Breach was buried in Ross
Meath. 11 He
Liac, which place was unknown to him. In the Martyrology of Donegal, at the same date, he is designated Caemhan Brec, of Ros-each,^ in Gaille Fallamhain, in Meath.
states,
in the County of Down. He died on the 14th of September, while on his 12
pilgrimage at Rome, in the fifty-ninth year of his age, and in the year 92 7.
Article IV. —The Daughters of Colum, in Cremtannaibh. We find
inserted, in the published Martyrology of Tallagh, at the 14th of September,
the name and 1 Colum of Cremtannaibh. 2 The is different in place, entry
that copy contained in the Book of Leinster.
3 There can hardly be a doubt,
but that the present entry incorrectly found its way into the published Martyrology of Tallagh, through some mistake of a scribe. It seems
6 See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , n. (x. ), p. 252.
7 See Dr. O'Donovan's " Leabhar na-g-
Ceart, or Book of Rights," n. (j), p. 182.
8 It is shown on the " Ordnance Survey
Townland Maps for the County of Meath,"
I2 Edited by Rev. Drs. Todd and Reeves,
pp. 248, 249.
I3 In the table appended to this Martyr-
ology, a Latin memorandum is inserted in
the Irish character, and thus rendered into
English, after the proper name Ros-ech ;
sheets
9 See Rev. A. Cogan's "Diocese of
Meath, Ancient and Modern," vol. ii. ,
"
"
see whether it be Eachros. "
Article hi. — See Dr. O'Donovan's Annals of the Pour Masters," vol. ii. ,
15,
1 6.
chap, xvi. , p. 322. pp. 620, 621.
10 See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the 3
to the — verse, thus According following
Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 238, 239,
and n. (z. ), ibid. Also Common Place Book F,
translated from the Irish
Three times nine, nine hundred years,
Are reckoned rules by plain
From the birth of Christ, deed of purity, To the holy death of Cele the Cleric.
p. 78, in the Royal Irish Academy.
" An Irish poem thus alludes to him — :
CrvicAn Ainm true tlufcamj; juvm 5apb--OAij\e Ainm true Sama-m
. AinoiAinp^nniAcCongLmoe mon •ooLaioib •oorvm'oe.
Article iv.
—
'
Edited by Rev.
Dr.
Thus translated by Dr. Whitley Stokes : — this is the confused and incorrect entry
"Critan was noble MacRustaing's name, Garb-daire was MacSamain's n—ame,
Aindiairr was MacConglinde's Many lays he made. "
Inghena
Coeman Breac of Ross ech.
Kelly, p. xxxiv.
2 Thus— " Colum i Cremtannaib. " Before
"
Coluim i Caillifollomon. " The last-named place, however, has reference to
:
There we find IngenA
Colum
3 CnemchAnnAib.
1
:
374 LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [September14.
referable to the festival celebrated on the day previous in honour of the Daughters of Colum, in Cremhthanna or Cinel Crumthainn.
Article V. —Reputed Feast of a St. Faghna. —In the anonymous list of Irish Saints, published by O'Sullivan Beare, we find a St. Faghna entered, at the 14th of September, but know not on what authority. 1
ArticleVI. —MaeltolaigofDromaFaindle. Inthatcopyofthe
Martyrology of Tallagh contained in the book of Leinster, and at the
iii Ides or 14th of September, is the following entry, Maeltolaig of Droma
1
Faindle. This insertion is omitted in the version published by Rev.
Matthew Kelly, D. D.
Article VII. —Festival of St. Cyprian, Bishop, Doctor and Martyr. At an early date in the Irish Church, the festival of St. Cyprian,
1
the illustrious Bishop of Carthage, was celebrated on the 14th of September. To this entry in the Festiology of St. ^ngus, a commentator has added notes. 2 The Life and Acts of this celebrated Father and Martyr of the early Christian Church have been set forth very fully by the Bollandists, in their great collection, at this day. 3 A lengthy previous Commentary* precedes his ancient Acts, written by the Deacon St. Pontius s and to these are added
;
the Acta proconsularia, relating to St. Cyprian's Martyrdom,6 with an Appendix, referring to the after honours which commemorated him, as also a
dissertation on the Works attributed to his authorship. ? This holy bishop, called Thasius Cyprian, was a native of Carthage, and lived the greater part of his life in Paganism, until he embraced Christianity, and afterwards became a priest. He was consecrated Bishop of Carthage, towards the middle of the third century. In the year 158, he there suffered martyrdom under the Emperor Valerian. In the Martyrology of Marianus O'Gorman,
"
at the 14th of September, is also commemorated Cyprian, called the
diadem
Article v. — See " Historic Catholicae Iberniae Compendium," tomus i. , lib. iv. ,
Septembris xiv. De S. Cypriano. Epis.
Mart, prope Carthaginem in Africa, pp.
cap. xi. , p. 51. — Article vi,
191 to 348.
Thus written
trUel-
4
This contains
Sections, con-
:
Forty-eight hundred and
o — Article vii.
cript Series, vol. i. , part i. On the edition of the "Acta Sincera Martyrum,"
Calendar of Oengus, by Whitley Stokes, and it is in three chapters, comprising
C0LA15 OponiA Venule.
of
sisting Eight
thirty-one
'See "Transactions of the Royal Irish Academy," Irish Manu-
paragraphs,
s This too is inserted from Ruinart's
L. L. D. , p. exxxvii. thirty-seven paragraphs, with several 2""
In the Leabhar Breac copy, the first explanatory notes,
"° note has added to Cipriain, i. e. , Episcopus
Cartagenis in Africa, vel Episcopus Romae. " —In a lower marginal note is the following :
Affer
"Ciprianus prinium gloriosam
rhetoricam docuit deinde Christianus (actus
Cicilio suadente omneni substantiam suam
erogavit et postea Episcopus Cartaginis constitutus est sed hujus ingenium super- fluum est dicere cum sole clarior sit inter opera ejus passus est sub Valeriano et
In six paragraphs, with explanatory notes. 7 This treatise is in Four Chapters and
Galliano principibus
die — Cornelius quorum
3 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iv. ,
in Flandria. Two sections in twenty-four
paragraphs precede Miracula Auctore
anonymc Ninoviensis ecclesise Canonico
Praemonstratensi, sub finem seculi XII. , ex Ms. codice membranaceo Ninoviensi. This
passus anno. " Ibid. % pp. cxlv. , cxlvi.
est in codem tract is in two
chapters, containing twenty-
persecutione octavo
In the same volume, there is an Appendix ad Diem XIV. ,
Septembris de SS. Cornelii et Cypriani MM.
seventy-two paragraphs.
Reliquiis
ac Miraculis in Abbatia Ninoviensi
two paragraphs, with explanatory notes, pp. 76910778.
September 14. ]
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 375
of 8 Carthage. "
martyrdom. 9
On this
date,
the Roman likewise records his Martyrology
ArticleVIII. —FeastofSt. Cornelius,PopeandMartyr. Inthe early Irish Church, at the 14th day of September, the Feast of St. Cornelius,
1
Pope and Martyr, was celebrated, as found in the Feilire of St. ^Engus. The Acts of this holy Pontiff are presented by the Bollandists in their work,3 at this same date, in a historic commentary of sixteen sections, containing three hundred and twenty-two paragraphs. When St. Fabian, Pope, had been crowned with martyrdom, on the 20th of January, a. d. 250, the See of Rome remained vacant for over sixteen months. Then Cornelius was chosen to fill the Apostolic Chair, in 251. 3 His brief Pontificate was disturbed by the Novatians ;* as also by a persecution of the Emperors Gallus and Volusien. Finally, he suffered martyrdom under the Emperor Decius. Refusing to offer sacrifice to the Pagan divinities, he was beheaded. 5
6
St. Cornelius was called to eternal bliss on the 14th of September, a. d. 25 2. He was venerated in the Irish Church, at an early period ; and in the Felire of Marianus O'Gorman,? he is noticed at the 14th of September, as the just Pope Cornelius. Also, at the 16th of this month, Saints Cornelius and
Cyprian
are commemorated in the Roman 8 Martyrology.
Article IX. —Festival of One-and-Twenty Martyrs. The Martyrology of Marianus O'Gorman commemorates the feast of One-and-
Twenty Martyrs, at the 14th of September.
1
It seems most probable, that
these were the one-and-twenty holy martyrs that suffered on the Appian Way, near Rome, in company with St. Cornelius the Pope.
8 Thus—"Mind — tomus Sseculum Kartaigne Ciprian. " vii. ,
s See the Petits Bollandistes, who place
,;
Cypriani Episcopi Carthaginensis, sanctitate des Saints, tome xi. , xvie Jour de
et doctrina clarissimi : qui sub Valeriano et Gallieno Principibus post durum exilium detruncatione capitis martyrium con- summavi—t sexto miliiario a Carthagine juxta
Dr. Whitley Stokes' " Felire Hui sect, iv. , p. 5.
Tertium, cap. ii. ,
Gormain," pp. 176, 177.
—
9 Thus "In Africa passio Sancti his Acts, at the 16th of September, "Vies
mare. " "Martyrologium
Editio novissima,—
p. 136.
Romanum,"
states—" Romse via Appia beati Cornelii Papse et Martyris, qui in persecutione Decii post exilii relegationem jussus est plumbatis
Article viii. 'See "Transactions of
the Royal Irish Academy. " Irish Manu- cum Salustia uxore sua, quos idem Cornelius
"
passi sunt Cornelius et Ciprianus intelli- Thus Sanctorum Cornelii et Cypriani
gens circumcisionem interpretatur. "—Ibid. , cxlv.
2 See "Acta Sanctorum,' tomus iv. ,
Pontificum et Martyrum, quorum natalis decimo-octavo Kalendas Octobris recolitur. " —"Martyrologium Romanum," Editio novissima, p. 137.
:
xiv. De S. Cornelio Martyre Centumcellis in Etruria, item de SS. Cereale et Salustia cum Viginti et uno
Socii M. Romse, pp. 143 to 191.
3 See Rev. Alban Butler's " Lives of the
Septembris
Papa
*
— —
Fathers, Martyrs and other Saints," vol. ix. , September xvi.
Principal
Translated into English as follows: —
" One and twenty (martyrs) whom thou
beseechest, who are holiest with the Lord. " See R. P. Natalis Alexandri, " Historia —Dr. Whitley Stokes' " Felire Hui
Ecclesiastica Veteris Novique Testamenti," Gormain," pp. 176, 177.
Septembre, pp. 127 to 132.
6 At this date the Roman Martyrology
et sic cum aliis et uno caedi, viginti pro-
miscui sexus decollari
:
sed et Coerealis Miles
On the in fid—e instruxerat, eodem die capite plexi
script Series, vol. i.
