Possibly, a considerable portion of his relics were preserved in it ; for,
according
to local tradition, his
remains were deposited within the cemetery.
remains were deposited within the cemetery.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v5
DubhtachmetwiththeminLaighen and killed the entire eight, viz.
, Fomu, Fer- Liamna-Roimper, Fercantana, Fornocht, Fer Manca, Fer Dubh with Truistin.
They
90 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 3.
—an old topographical tract, contained in the Book of Ballymote. ^' There can be no reasonable doubt entertained, that the thickly wooded and wild moun- tainous districts, in the plains of Leinster, were at that time infested with wolves, 3' lying i" '^vait for lonely and adventurous travellers. Whatever may be thought concerning the mode and place for this saint's death, we may take it for granted, the commentator has inserted an absurd popular tradition, which referred his violent end to a disobedience of St. Brigid's wishes, and especially to her prayers. Such infelicitous introductions, among the Acts of our National Saints, are greatly to be deprecated ; since they render the Irish hagiologist's task one of extreme caution and delicacy, when seeking to dis- criminate between fact and fiction. Professor Eugene O'Curry identifies this Liamhain ^3—where a great battle had been fought—with the present Dun- lavin,inthecountyofWicklow. HeretherewasanancientseatoftheLein- ster Kings. 34 This was probably on or near the celebrated INIoat of Tornant, which forms so prominent an object, and which rises over the town of Dun- lavin, at no great distance from it. The writer has been informed, however, by a competent investigator of Irish topography and antiquities,35 as also by one who has a specially intimate knowledge of this locality and of the adjoin- ing places, that no denomination, at all resembling Sechai Condlad, can be tracednearDunlavin. FormerlythisplacewascalledDunLianhna,aswell as Liamhain. 3^ It is celebrated in ancient documents, and it seems to have been in a district, not far from the sea, from allusion there made to it. 37 This circumstance should tally well with the accounts, that St. Conleth was obliged to pass near it, before embarking for Britain or the Continent, when prosecut- ing his intended journey to Rome.
Probably, we may find the rationale of the foregoing account, and it may consist solely in these facts ; viz. , that for special good reasons ofhisown,St. ConlethmayhavedesignedajourneytoRome; thatSt. Brigid might have warned him of danger to be apprehended on the way, especially if he undertook thr journey without sufficient protection, or alone; and that the sad event of death, occurring in the manner described, fully justified her pre- science, her fears and her warnings. The year for this latter occurrence was 519, in the sixteenth year of King Muircheartach's reign, according to the Annals
died on Cnoc-Dumha Aichor in Hy Fel- metha (in the parish of Tullophelim, Co. Carlow? ")
3° At Fol. 194, b. b.
" This is a much-prized Manuscript pre-
served in the Royal Iri-h Academy's Library. 3' The last descendant of those Irish wolves disappeared, only about the com-
mencement of last century.
niacan Eigeas, in the year 942, n. 59, p. 36.
-7 See Dr. O'Donovan's "Leabhar na-g- Ceart, or Book of Rights," pp. 40, 41, and n. (o). Al^o, n. (x), p. 203, and n. (m), pp. 228, 229. Also, n. (r), p. 231.
38 Sce Rev. Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum Hiber- nicarum Scriptores," tomus iv. , p. 13.
39 See Dr. O'Donovan's edition, vol. i. ,
The Annals of Tighernach refer his
of Ulster,38 and of the Four Masters. 39
Fornocht at Fornocht (Fornaughts ? ) Roim-
per at Glas-Roimpair, Fomu in Fomina ;
Liamain on Liomain (Dunlavin), Mianach in
her Cul (Corner, i. e. , Cul-Mianach), Forcar-
tain in Forcariain, Truistin on his ford [i. f.
Ath Trui>ten, near the hill of Mullaghmast
on the Greece. ) Their mother then came
from the west, i. e. , Luachair Bairnech was
her name, and from Bairend of Corcomroe
she came ; and when she obtained reliable
knowledge regarding the killing of her sons,
her heait broke within her. F"rom her is
named Luachair Bairnech. (This name is
still preserved in that part of the Burren
River, Co. Carlow. ) Aichor went, and he Neill, Prince of Aileach," written by Cor- \
33 Allusion is made to Liamain, in one ot these three poems, yet preserved in the Book of Leinster, and attributed to Dubhtach Ua Lug. iir, chief poet to the monarch Laegaire, who flouri>hed, A. D. 432. It refers to the triumphs of Enna Censellach and of his son Crimthann, Kings of Leinster.
34 c^ge " Lectures on the Manuscript Ma- terials of Ancient Irish History. " Appendix iii. , p. 492, and n. 71. Ibid.
35 Rev. John Francis Shearman, C. C. , Howth.
2* See Dr. O'Donovan's Edition of the " Circuit of Ireland, by Mircheartach Mac
May 3. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 91
death to the year 520/° St. Conleth's remains are said'*' to have been at first buried in Killeen Cormaci^ It \yould appear, however, that tlie bones and probably other reHcs—of St. Conlelh, had been recovered and conveyed to the former place of his abode. No doubt, St. Brigid took special care, that his sacred remains should be interred or enshrined, with all that religious reverence and honour, due to the distinguished virtues and merits of her holy bishop and counsellor.
In the fine church, built at Kildare, and already described, some time after their respective deaths, thebodies of St. Brigid and of St. Conlaeth''^ were deposited in rich shrines. These were placed relatively on the right and left sidesofadecoratedaltar. Theirreliquarieswereornamentedwithgold,silver, gems, and precious stones, having been surmounted with crowns of gold and silver. 44 We are told, by CogitosuSi-ts that his remains were interred, near the high altar of the great church at Kildare ;46 and, in the year 799,^7 according to the Annals of Ulster,48 the relics of Conlaid or Conlaoi were placed in a shrine of gold and silver. 49 Under the year S36, it ii: recorded, that the Danes plundered and burned the noble abbey and churches at Kildare, taking with them the rich shrines of St. Brigid and of St. Conleath. 5° In a previous part
of this biography, it may be seen, that such an account apparently conflicts with a local tradition. However, it is possible, a translation of St. Conlaeth's remains may have taken place ; for, while some portions of his relics may have been preserved at Old Conall, other parts had possibly been enshrined
pp. 170, 171.
'*° See Rev. Dr. O'Conor's "Rerum
Hibernicarum Scriptores," tomus ii. , p. 129.
"•' ByRev. JohnFrancisShearman.
*- See a very complete account of the origin and antiquities of this curious burial ground, in a very uiteresting seiies of papers intituled, "Loca Patriciana. " They were published in the '"Journal of the Royal Historical and Archaeological Association of Ireland," vol. ii. , Fourth Series, April, 1S73, No, 14, pp. 339 to 361. July, No. 15, pp. 4S6 to 498.
*'' Colgan observes, that although for cen- turies before his time, the bodies of Saints Patrick, Brigid, and Columkille were de-
617, 618, 619, and n. 17, p. 526.
"t* Regarding the church and city of Kil-
Thaumaturga. " Vita Secunda S. Brigidse, cap. xxxvi. , p. 524. In a note on this pas- sage, Colgan remarks on the Scotorum terra being identical with Ireland, as the city of St. Brigid, as Kildare, at some distance from the chief city, Dubhn, was undoubtedly in Ireland. Seen. 19, p. 526, ibid.
45 See Messingham's " Florilegium Insulas Sanctorum. " According to Messingham's version of this Life of St. Brigid, we find it in chapter xiv. , at p. 199.
t" See Colgan's " Trias Thaumaturga," Secunda Vita S. Brigidse, cap. xxxv. , p. 523. 47 In Harris' Ware, vol. i. , after treating about Conleth"s death, it is said : " But his bones 281 years after, i. e. , A. D. Soo, were translated into a silver gilded shrine adorned
dare," p. 3S0. It may not be quite correct to state, that such a length of time had been suffered to elapse, before his remains were first enshrined ; all that should be observed is, at or before the commencement of the ninth century, his relics were placed in a new and beautiful reliquary.
''^ See Rev. Dr. O'Conor's "Rerum Hiber- nicarum Scriptorej," tomus iv. Annales Ul- tonienses, ab A. D. cccxxxi. to a. d. dccc. Ex codice Bodleiano, pars i. " Positio reli- quiar. Conlaid hi serin oir agus oirget. [in scrinio auri et argenti. "] p. 120.
posited in Down, of Ulster
yet, the remains of St. Brigid were first buried at Kildare, in Leinster, as appears from this passage, and from other observations, which are made in the Fourth Appendix to our Saints' Acts. See "Trias Tliaumaturga," cap. vi. , pp.
—
with precious stones. " " Bishops of Kil-
tota Scotoium terra, cum suis omnibus fugi- tivis. " In it were preserved the treasures of kings most religiously, and under its highly adorned covering. See Colgan's " Trias
chap, ii. , p. 160.
5' No doubt, St. Brigid desired to have a
part of his bones removed, to her great church, built at Kildare,
;
dare, Cogitosus remarks, that it would not be
possible to describe sufficiently the great
beauty of this church, and the many miracles
wrought in this city, "si fas est dici civitas
de qua vita in se multorum nomen accepit.
Maxima hsec civitas et metropolitane est : in
cujus suburbanis quae sancta certo limite de-
signavit Brigida. " He adds, that no carnal
adversary, nor concourse of enemies, was
feared there, in his time, as the city was one
of safe refuge for all living elsewhere, "in ral History of Ireland," vol. ii. , Book x. ,
49 Allusion has been made to it already, in a previous chapter.
S' See Dr. Sylvester O'Halloran's "Gene-
—
g2
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 3.
at Kildare. s' It is probable, that this reliquary had been destroyed or re- moved, during one of the Danish or northern incursions, with which this city hadbeenfrequentlyvisited. s^' But,theforegoingobjectofart,withitsmuch prized contents, had been long preserved and exposed, for the admiration and veneration of Christians at Kildare.
—known too as Condail of oftheKings—wasunderthespecialpatronageofSt. Conleath. Thename Condail may be rendered, also, " the place of meeting. "53 It is not impro- bable, that it was identical with the present remarkable mound, already de- scribed, and which may have been the folk-moat of olden times. After the celebrated victory of the Leinster chiefs and heroes, obtained in the battle at
the Hill Allen, in a. d. 722, and about five miles northwards from Kildare, it is related, that they assembled at Condail of the Kings. That victory is said to have been obtained, under the patronage of St. Brigid, whose presence was seen over the Leinstermen, either before or daring the battle. However, the heroes of Leinster spent the night in high spirits, each describing his achievements, at Condail of the Kings, while wine and mead circulated, and merrimentseemedtheorderofthatnight. s* Thewholeofthisaccount,how- ever, is mingled with romantic and extravagant incidents. Near it, the an- cient church of Old Connell probably stood, when the Leinster heroes cele- brated their famous victory ; and, it seems likely, that St. Conleth was re- garded as its patron, even before the eighth century.
Possibly, a considerable portion of his relics were preserved in it ; for, according to local tradition, his
remains were deposited within the cemetery.
All our Irish Martyrologists place his festival, at the 3rd of May,
the date assigned for his death. 55 In the Metrical Martyrology of St. yEno-us the Culdee, and known as the Feilire-^ngus, at this date, and'^when recording his death, it is stated : Bas Conlaid, cain-aige, " The death of Condlaid, beautiful pillar. "56 The name of this holy bishop is written Roncend, in the ALirtyrology of Tallagh,57 at the 3rd of May. This Roncend is not a distinct saint from Conleth, who is venerated onthisday,andwhosefirst name,aswehavealreadyseen,wasRoincenn. We read, in the Martyrology of Donegal,5S likewise, that a festival was cele- brated, in honour of Roineheann,59 on this day. In the diocese of Kildare,
The place where he lived, Old Connell
—
5= "We have the most indisputable histo- ricalevidence, not only of the existence of one of tlie two shnnes noticed by Cogitosus, as preserved at Kildarein his own time, but also of the costliness of its materials ; and it will surely not be doubted that the religious com- munity of Kildare, who paid this reverence to the relics of their first bishop, would have had a similar, if not a still more splendid
shrine, to preserve the relics of the great founder and patronessof their establishment. " —Dr George Petrie's "Ecclesiastical Archi- teclui'e and Round Towers of Ireland," part ii , sub. sec. i. , pp. 203, 204.
S3 According to \Villiam M. Hennessy.
5< See "Three Fragments of Annals, copied from Ancient Sources," by Dhubal- tach Mac Firbisigh, and edited by Dr. O'Donovan, pp. 33 1051. This work was
the feast of St. Conleth
at the 3rd of May—
is observed as a double of the first-class, with an octave. There is no proper ofifice for this saint, however; but the psalms, lessons, &:c. , are taken from the common to a confessor and bishop. For the other dioceses of Ireland, this office is recited as a double,
published, in the year iS6o.
S3 See Dr. O' Donovan's "Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 170, 171.
so in the " IMartyrology of Tallagh, ' as edited by the Rev. Matthew Kelly, at p. xxiii. , we find, besides the enti7 of Connlai, Bishop of Cill Dara, two other entries, at the 3rd of May, viz. , Roncend. and Mocbona Daire. All these designations are referable to one saint. The same repetition is notice- able, in the "Martyrology of Donegal,"
edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 118 119, and at ihe same day of the month,
57 Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xxui. In the Franciscan copy is Con-oUe'o Cilli Oa|\a Honcenx) piMinuf.
=« Eiiiied by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
I18, II9.
,
a note by Dr. Todd says, at Koin-
59
^ ^ ,,
May 3. LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
93
but without an octave. Even De Burgo ^° altogether omitted St. Conleth from his Hst of Irish Saints, although he has compiled proper offices for others, not more celebrated, and for several totally unconnected, as to special vene- ration, in connexion with our national sees.
Towards the close of the last century, when many of our old chapels had been erected, the Catholic people of Ireland were a cower- ing and proscribed race. Among other nations, however, their melan- choly music, their impatiently borne wrongs, their tried fidelity to country and religion, had made them known. But, their former places of wor- ship had been dismantled, and these passed as spoils into the hands of other worshippers. The haunts of their former saints had almost been forgotten. The old parish chapel of Newbridge was a wretched build- ing, on the strand of the Liffey, and not far from the site of St. Conleth's pre- sent imposing parochial church. For years, many a prayer was offered up, that a new parochial church might be built. At 'ast, in the year 1848, just as the nation was emerging from famine and prostration, the parish priest, the Rev. 'I'imothyKavanagh,andthepeople''' ofNewbridge,undertooktobuild a larger church.
The great efibri was to make out funds, during what were justly called the "Bad Times. '^s^ This, however, was soon effected, but with much difficulty. 63 The drawings and sjDe-
St. Conleth's Catholic Church, Newbridge, County of Kildare.
cifications for the the church were supplied by some friendly architect, whose name has not transpired. ^* The style of that new building is Gothic ; it has a tower or bel- fry -65 but the spire is not yet built. In 1852, the church was dedi- cated to St. Con- leth, and opened for Divine ser- vice. This is the only church in the diocese of Kil- dareand Leighlin —we believe it may be stated in
all Ireland—dedi-
cated to St. Con- leth. ^^ Out of the debris of the old chapel, and in close connection with St. Conleth's new church, a comfortable parochial house and good out-offices ckeann : " The more recent hand adds, *° AUusion is made to his work—now
"Vide Conleadh," whose first name was rarely procurable, " Otficia Propria Sancto- Roincenn. rumHibernise. " Yet,surelysufficientma-
94 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 3
were afterwards built. Active and earnest exertions were made ^^ to orna- ment the interior of this fine church, and to improve the external grounds and approaches to it. Since that time, further spiritual advantages have been secured for the parish. ^^ The foundation stone of a new convent at New- bridge was laid, by the Right Rev. James Walsh, D. D. , and Bishop of Kil- dareandLeighlin,onAscensionDay,22ndMay,1873. Itspositionisquite close to the church, and the establishment has been dedicated to St. Conleth. ^9 The community in possession is known as the Oblate Sisters 7° of the Imma- culate Conception. 7' These nuns first came to the convent, on the 26th of
terials are available, for the compilation of a proper office for St. Conleth.
" They contributed about ;^500. and after expending this sum on t'. e foundation, they seemed to despair of progressing further with their undertaking.
'^ In the beginning of March, 1849, the Rev. Patrick Carey—now parish priest of Borris, county of Carlow—was sent by the greatly venerated Bisliop, Right Rev. Dr. Francis Haly, to Newbridge, as curate. In conjunction with the pastor, he actively laboured, in collecting funds, and in superin- tending the building of the new church. To the Rev. Mr. Carey, the writer is indebted, for many of these particulars.
following is a minute description : —The de- vice exhibits three statues standing in cano- pied niches, of the florid Gothic or pointed style of architecture of the fifteenth century. The centre figure represents the Virgin and child, and the figures on each side appear in- tended to represent the patron saints of Ire- land, Patrick and Brigid. Below the centre figure there is a smaller niche, containing the figure of another ecclesiastic, with his hands raised, in the attitude of prayer, and his arm supporting the pastoral staff. This figure, it is probable, is intended to represent
St. Conlaeth, the first Bishop of Kildare, who was contemporary with St. Brigid, and said to have been the joint founder of that See. On each side of the figure is a shield, one of which bears the arms of France and England quarterly ; the other, two keys in saltire, in
*3 The parishioners both Catholic and
Protestant generously subscribed, and the
neighbouring parishes gave much assistance.
At the " Curragh Meeting," the Rev. Mr. chief a royal crown ; a device which, it is
Carey was very successful, in getting sub- scriptions from all creeds and parties, espe- cially from among the gentry. On one occasion, when collecting for the church in Dublin, he was asked by a gentleman, the late W. N. Skelly, Esq. , to whom the church was to be dedicated. The Rev. Mr. Carey repli-jd, it was not necessary to go far for a patron saint, as tradition said the first Bishop of Kiklare lived on the banks of the Liffey, and probal. ly, very near the site of the new church. " Bravo," said Mr. Skelly, " I will give a subscription ; but, if you went to foreign countries for a patron, and having so many saints in our own country, I should notgiveyouonepenny. " Themoneyafter- wards came in rapidly, and the work pros-
pered.
*'' Wepresentanillustrationfromaphoto-
graph, kindly furnished by the Rev. Alartin Nolan,P. P. ,ofNewbridge. Itwasdrawn on the wood, by William F. Wakeman, and it was engraved, by Mrs. Millard.
*5 One of John Murphy's superior bells, weighing one ton, one cwt. , is Jn the cam- panile. It was cast in Dublin.
*' It may be of interest to mention, that in "The Lamp," of Saturday, July I St, 1854, vol. vii. , No. 25, pp. 36, 37, there is an engraving of a seal, be- longing to William, Bishop Kildare, and supposed to represent St. Cunleth, as one of its devices. The original matrix is said to be in possession of a l3ublin gentleman. The
worthy of remark, constitutes the arms an- ciently and still borne by the Archbishops of York, and the appearance of which in this seal may therefore not be easy to account for. The inscription reads as follows :
" Sigillum W'illmi dei gracia Kyldarens epi,"
or, "Sigillum Willie mi dei gratia Kylda-
rensis Episcopus" (the sealof William, by the graceofGod,BishopofKildare). Asamong the Bishops of Kildare, two of the name of William occur in the fifteenth century, it may not be easy to determine with certainty to which of them this seal should be as- signed; but,thereappearsthegreatestrea- son to ascribe it to the first, who according to Ware, having been previously Archdeacon of Kildare, was appointed to this See, by the provisions of Pope Eugene IV. , in 1432, and having governed this See fourteen years, he died in April, 1446.
"7 By the Rev. Patrick
pointed curate in 1857—afterwards, the worthy and deservedly esteemed parish priest of Goresbridge and Paulstown. Owing to a total loss of sight, the Rev. Timothy Kavanagh had been left unable to administer the affairs of his parish, the care of which chiefly devolved on the curate as administrator.
'* By the Rev. Martin Nolan, the present excellent parish priest of Newbridge, who furnished many of the succeeding details to the writer.
J.
Mulhall, ap-
May 3. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
95
May,72 1875. The Oblate Sisters 73 have charge now of large poor schools, and of those for children of the higher classes, 74 in the parish of Newbridge. 7S Established by voluntary contributions, a Reformatory for Catholic boys,7*5 and under the patronage of St. Conleth, has been for many years past located inPhilipstown,King'sCounty. Aconsiderableportionofthepremiseswas formerly the county prison, largely increased for accommodation, with build- ings in open spaces, and a farm attached. Near 300 boys, are here congre- gated, and the institution is under charge of the Oblate Fathers of Mary Im- maculate. Those boys are taught reading, writing, arithmetic, geography, and grammar, sufficiently well to turn them out respectably educated, according to theirstationinlife. Thepremiseshavebeenmuchimproved,gas-workswere erected, cooking by steam was commenced, and an unlimited water supply laid on for use. The industrial progress of the boys has been admirable. All useful trades are taught, while the farm attached to this institution is admirably cul- tivated, by the inmates. As a matter of course, their religious training is sedulously prosecuted, by the Reverend Managers, and a governmental grant in aid is obtained.
Like many other holy servants of God, St. Conleth departed from this earth, to give an account of his mortal pilgrimage and stewardship but, he went to receive from his loving Master, in acknowledgment for his fidelity, the crown of immortal bliss. The possession of God, in the unfading glory of his celestial kingdom, was the complement of his well-spent life. The revolution which he effected on earth was essentially re- ligious, and in a social point of view by no means abrupt or subversive. A grateful people have honoured him as their patron, and the appointed one of Heaven. We observe their fidelity and attachment to his name and teaching, during the varying scenes of his life. Fourteen centuries have passed, yet we feel convinced, that as years roll on, his name and his memory shall be more deeply venerated throughout the diocese, on which he conferred so
many blessings, from the period of its first Christian organization down to the present time.
Article IL—St, Daircheall, Bishop of Glendalough, County OF WicKLOW. \Seventh Century^ As servants, who have been trained in noble families, acquire the manners and accomplishments of their superiors, in a marked degree ; so religious, who have entered a good school and learn under perfect masters, become in turn learned and holy. In the Martyrology
*9 The Very Rev. Nicholas Walsh, S. J. , preached an eloquent sermon, on this in- teresting occasion.
7° They are established in conformity with their Rules, to assist in any works of mercy, corporal and spiritual, and especially to teach Poor, Middle and High Class schools.
7' Their Order was founded, by the Bishop of Marseilles, in the year 1826.
7^ On the 27th, the feast of Corpus Christi, the first Mass was celebrated, by the Rev. Father Cooke, O. M. I.
'3 In 1S68, they were affiliated to the Order of the Holy Family, founded by the Rev. Father Noailles, a. d. 1820, at Bor- deaux, for works nearly similar.
T' The Oblate Sisters have founded a large Convent, wiih Orphanage and Poor Schools, in Leeds, after much zealous labour. It is now flourishing, and daily increasing its
sphere of usefulness. The Order has ex- tended very much in England, where there are about ten houses, including the Novitiate of Rock Ferry, a magnificent house and es- tablishment dedicated to the reception of postulants from Great Britain and Ireland, There is also one house in Scotland. There is a Novitiate for the French houses, at the Abbey of Royaumount, and also one in Spain, where there are many houses of the Order. The Sisters are also established in South Africa, where they have more than ten houses, and in Ceylon. The Order num- bers now about 6,000 Sisters.
75 Nearly 500 children there attend their schools.
76 Who have fallen into criminal courses, or who have been rescued from temporal and spiritual dangers.
Article ii,^' Edited by Rev, Dr. Kelly,
;
—
96 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 3.
of Tallagh/ St. Daircheall's name occurs, at the 3rd of May, as Daircholla, Glinni da locha. ^ This is the oft and well described Valley of the Two Lakes, intheheartofthecountyofWicklow. Quotingtheforegoingauthority,the Bollandists 3 enter Darchellus Glenndalocensis, at this date. In some autho- rities,'* we find him called Mac Curetai, or the son of Curetai ; and again, Mac Cuyletty. 5 Under the head of Glenn-da-locha, Duald Mac Firbis enters Uairchill, son of Haireta, bishop of Glen-da-locha,° at May 3rd. The year 674 is assigned for his death, in the " Chronicum Scotorum," as also in the AnnalsofClonmacnoise;7 andtheyear676,byMacFirbis,asalso,bythe O'Clerys ; while, the Annals of Ulster place the demise of Daircill mc Cur- tai,^ at A. D.
90 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 3.
—an old topographical tract, contained in the Book of Ballymote. ^' There can be no reasonable doubt entertained, that the thickly wooded and wild moun- tainous districts, in the plains of Leinster, were at that time infested with wolves, 3' lying i" '^vait for lonely and adventurous travellers. Whatever may be thought concerning the mode and place for this saint's death, we may take it for granted, the commentator has inserted an absurd popular tradition, which referred his violent end to a disobedience of St. Brigid's wishes, and especially to her prayers. Such infelicitous introductions, among the Acts of our National Saints, are greatly to be deprecated ; since they render the Irish hagiologist's task one of extreme caution and delicacy, when seeking to dis- criminate between fact and fiction. Professor Eugene O'Curry identifies this Liamhain ^3—where a great battle had been fought—with the present Dun- lavin,inthecountyofWicklow. HeretherewasanancientseatoftheLein- ster Kings. 34 This was probably on or near the celebrated INIoat of Tornant, which forms so prominent an object, and which rises over the town of Dun- lavin, at no great distance from it. The writer has been informed, however, by a competent investigator of Irish topography and antiquities,35 as also by one who has a specially intimate knowledge of this locality and of the adjoin- ing places, that no denomination, at all resembling Sechai Condlad, can be tracednearDunlavin. FormerlythisplacewascalledDunLianhna,aswell as Liamhain. 3^ It is celebrated in ancient documents, and it seems to have been in a district, not far from the sea, from allusion there made to it. 37 This circumstance should tally well with the accounts, that St. Conleth was obliged to pass near it, before embarking for Britain or the Continent, when prosecut- ing his intended journey to Rome.
Probably, we may find the rationale of the foregoing account, and it may consist solely in these facts ; viz. , that for special good reasons ofhisown,St. ConlethmayhavedesignedajourneytoRome; thatSt. Brigid might have warned him of danger to be apprehended on the way, especially if he undertook thr journey without sufficient protection, or alone; and that the sad event of death, occurring in the manner described, fully justified her pre- science, her fears and her warnings. The year for this latter occurrence was 519, in the sixteenth year of King Muircheartach's reign, according to the Annals
died on Cnoc-Dumha Aichor in Hy Fel- metha (in the parish of Tullophelim, Co. Carlow? ")
3° At Fol. 194, b. b.
" This is a much-prized Manuscript pre-
served in the Royal Iri-h Academy's Library. 3' The last descendant of those Irish wolves disappeared, only about the com-
mencement of last century.
niacan Eigeas, in the year 942, n. 59, p. 36.
-7 See Dr. O'Donovan's "Leabhar na-g- Ceart, or Book of Rights," pp. 40, 41, and n. (o). Al^o, n. (x), p. 203, and n. (m), pp. 228, 229. Also, n. (r), p. 231.
38 Sce Rev. Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum Hiber- nicarum Scriptores," tomus iv. , p. 13.
39 See Dr. O'Donovan's edition, vol. i. ,
The Annals of Tighernach refer his
of Ulster,38 and of the Four Masters. 39
Fornocht at Fornocht (Fornaughts ? ) Roim-
per at Glas-Roimpair, Fomu in Fomina ;
Liamain on Liomain (Dunlavin), Mianach in
her Cul (Corner, i. e. , Cul-Mianach), Forcar-
tain in Forcariain, Truistin on his ford [i. f.
Ath Trui>ten, near the hill of Mullaghmast
on the Greece. ) Their mother then came
from the west, i. e. , Luachair Bairnech was
her name, and from Bairend of Corcomroe
she came ; and when she obtained reliable
knowledge regarding the killing of her sons,
her heait broke within her. F"rom her is
named Luachair Bairnech. (This name is
still preserved in that part of the Burren
River, Co. Carlow. ) Aichor went, and he Neill, Prince of Aileach," written by Cor- \
33 Allusion is made to Liamain, in one ot these three poems, yet preserved in the Book of Leinster, and attributed to Dubhtach Ua Lug. iir, chief poet to the monarch Laegaire, who flouri>hed, A. D. 432. It refers to the triumphs of Enna Censellach and of his son Crimthann, Kings of Leinster.
34 c^ge " Lectures on the Manuscript Ma- terials of Ancient Irish History. " Appendix iii. , p. 492, and n. 71. Ibid.
35 Rev. John Francis Shearman, C. C. , Howth.
2* See Dr. O'Donovan's Edition of the " Circuit of Ireland, by Mircheartach Mac
May 3. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 91
death to the year 520/° St. Conleth's remains are said'*' to have been at first buried in Killeen Cormaci^ It \yould appear, however, that tlie bones and probably other reHcs—of St. Conlelh, had been recovered and conveyed to the former place of his abode. No doubt, St. Brigid took special care, that his sacred remains should be interred or enshrined, with all that religious reverence and honour, due to the distinguished virtues and merits of her holy bishop and counsellor.
In the fine church, built at Kildare, and already described, some time after their respective deaths, thebodies of St. Brigid and of St. Conlaeth''^ were deposited in rich shrines. These were placed relatively on the right and left sidesofadecoratedaltar. Theirreliquarieswereornamentedwithgold,silver, gems, and precious stones, having been surmounted with crowns of gold and silver. 44 We are told, by CogitosuSi-ts that his remains were interred, near the high altar of the great church at Kildare ;46 and, in the year 799,^7 according to the Annals of Ulster,48 the relics of Conlaid or Conlaoi were placed in a shrine of gold and silver. 49 Under the year S36, it ii: recorded, that the Danes plundered and burned the noble abbey and churches at Kildare, taking with them the rich shrines of St. Brigid and of St. Conleath. 5° In a previous part
of this biography, it may be seen, that such an account apparently conflicts with a local tradition. However, it is possible, a translation of St. Conlaeth's remains may have taken place ; for, while some portions of his relics may have been preserved at Old Conall, other parts had possibly been enshrined
pp. 170, 171.
'*° See Rev. Dr. O'Conor's "Rerum
Hibernicarum Scriptores," tomus ii. , p. 129.
"•' ByRev. JohnFrancisShearman.
*- See a very complete account of the origin and antiquities of this curious burial ground, in a very uiteresting seiies of papers intituled, "Loca Patriciana. " They were published in the '"Journal of the Royal Historical and Archaeological Association of Ireland," vol. ii. , Fourth Series, April, 1S73, No, 14, pp. 339 to 361. July, No. 15, pp. 4S6 to 498.
*'' Colgan observes, that although for cen- turies before his time, the bodies of Saints Patrick, Brigid, and Columkille were de-
617, 618, 619, and n. 17, p. 526.
"t* Regarding the church and city of Kil-
Thaumaturga. " Vita Secunda S. Brigidse, cap. xxxvi. , p. 524. In a note on this pas- sage, Colgan remarks on the Scotorum terra being identical with Ireland, as the city of St. Brigid, as Kildare, at some distance from the chief city, Dubhn, was undoubtedly in Ireland. Seen. 19, p. 526, ibid.
45 See Messingham's " Florilegium Insulas Sanctorum. " According to Messingham's version of this Life of St. Brigid, we find it in chapter xiv. , at p. 199.
t" See Colgan's " Trias Thaumaturga," Secunda Vita S. Brigidse, cap. xxxv. , p. 523. 47 In Harris' Ware, vol. i. , after treating about Conleth"s death, it is said : " But his bones 281 years after, i. e. , A. D. Soo, were translated into a silver gilded shrine adorned
dare," p. 3S0. It may not be quite correct to state, that such a length of time had been suffered to elapse, before his remains were first enshrined ; all that should be observed is, at or before the commencement of the ninth century, his relics were placed in a new and beautiful reliquary.
''^ See Rev. Dr. O'Conor's "Rerum Hiber- nicarum Scriptorej," tomus iv. Annales Ul- tonienses, ab A. D. cccxxxi. to a. d. dccc. Ex codice Bodleiano, pars i. " Positio reli- quiar. Conlaid hi serin oir agus oirget. [in scrinio auri et argenti. "] p. 120.
posited in Down, of Ulster
yet, the remains of St. Brigid were first buried at Kildare, in Leinster, as appears from this passage, and from other observations, which are made in the Fourth Appendix to our Saints' Acts. See "Trias Tliaumaturga," cap. vi. , pp.
—
with precious stones. " " Bishops of Kil-
tota Scotoium terra, cum suis omnibus fugi- tivis. " In it were preserved the treasures of kings most religiously, and under its highly adorned covering. See Colgan's " Trias
chap, ii. , p. 160.
5' No doubt, St. Brigid desired to have a
part of his bones removed, to her great church, built at Kildare,
;
dare, Cogitosus remarks, that it would not be
possible to describe sufficiently the great
beauty of this church, and the many miracles
wrought in this city, "si fas est dici civitas
de qua vita in se multorum nomen accepit.
Maxima hsec civitas et metropolitane est : in
cujus suburbanis quae sancta certo limite de-
signavit Brigida. " He adds, that no carnal
adversary, nor concourse of enemies, was
feared there, in his time, as the city was one
of safe refuge for all living elsewhere, "in ral History of Ireland," vol. ii. , Book x. ,
49 Allusion has been made to it already, in a previous chapter.
S' See Dr. Sylvester O'Halloran's "Gene-
—
g2
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 3.
at Kildare. s' It is probable, that this reliquary had been destroyed or re- moved, during one of the Danish or northern incursions, with which this city hadbeenfrequentlyvisited. s^' But,theforegoingobjectofart,withitsmuch prized contents, had been long preserved and exposed, for the admiration and veneration of Christians at Kildare.
—known too as Condail of oftheKings—wasunderthespecialpatronageofSt. Conleath. Thename Condail may be rendered, also, " the place of meeting. "53 It is not impro- bable, that it was identical with the present remarkable mound, already de- scribed, and which may have been the folk-moat of olden times. After the celebrated victory of the Leinster chiefs and heroes, obtained in the battle at
the Hill Allen, in a. d. 722, and about five miles northwards from Kildare, it is related, that they assembled at Condail of the Kings. That victory is said to have been obtained, under the patronage of St. Brigid, whose presence was seen over the Leinstermen, either before or daring the battle. However, the heroes of Leinster spent the night in high spirits, each describing his achievements, at Condail of the Kings, while wine and mead circulated, and merrimentseemedtheorderofthatnight. s* Thewholeofthisaccount,how- ever, is mingled with romantic and extravagant incidents. Near it, the an- cient church of Old Connell probably stood, when the Leinster heroes cele- brated their famous victory ; and, it seems likely, that St. Conleth was re- garded as its patron, even before the eighth century.
Possibly, a considerable portion of his relics were preserved in it ; for, according to local tradition, his
remains were deposited within the cemetery.
All our Irish Martyrologists place his festival, at the 3rd of May,
the date assigned for his death. 55 In the Metrical Martyrology of St. yEno-us the Culdee, and known as the Feilire-^ngus, at this date, and'^when recording his death, it is stated : Bas Conlaid, cain-aige, " The death of Condlaid, beautiful pillar. "56 The name of this holy bishop is written Roncend, in the ALirtyrology of Tallagh,57 at the 3rd of May. This Roncend is not a distinct saint from Conleth, who is venerated onthisday,andwhosefirst name,aswehavealreadyseen,wasRoincenn. We read, in the Martyrology of Donegal,5S likewise, that a festival was cele- brated, in honour of Roineheann,59 on this day. In the diocese of Kildare,
The place where he lived, Old Connell
—
5= "We have the most indisputable histo- ricalevidence, not only of the existence of one of tlie two shnnes noticed by Cogitosus, as preserved at Kildarein his own time, but also of the costliness of its materials ; and it will surely not be doubted that the religious com- munity of Kildare, who paid this reverence to the relics of their first bishop, would have had a similar, if not a still more splendid
shrine, to preserve the relics of the great founder and patronessof their establishment. " —Dr George Petrie's "Ecclesiastical Archi- teclui'e and Round Towers of Ireland," part ii , sub. sec. i. , pp. 203, 204.
S3 According to \Villiam M. Hennessy.
5< See "Three Fragments of Annals, copied from Ancient Sources," by Dhubal- tach Mac Firbisigh, and edited by Dr. O'Donovan, pp. 33 1051. This work was
the feast of St. Conleth
at the 3rd of May—
is observed as a double of the first-class, with an octave. There is no proper ofifice for this saint, however; but the psalms, lessons, &:c. , are taken from the common to a confessor and bishop. For the other dioceses of Ireland, this office is recited as a double,
published, in the year iS6o.
S3 See Dr. O' Donovan's "Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 170, 171.
so in the " IMartyrology of Tallagh, ' as edited by the Rev. Matthew Kelly, at p. xxiii. , we find, besides the enti7 of Connlai, Bishop of Cill Dara, two other entries, at the 3rd of May, viz. , Roncend. and Mocbona Daire. All these designations are referable to one saint. The same repetition is notice- able, in the "Martyrology of Donegal,"
edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 118 119, and at ihe same day of the month,
57 Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xxui. In the Franciscan copy is Con-oUe'o Cilli Oa|\a Honcenx) piMinuf.
=« Eiiiied by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
I18, II9.
,
a note by Dr. Todd says, at Koin-
59
^ ^ ,,
May 3. LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
93
but without an octave. Even De Burgo ^° altogether omitted St. Conleth from his Hst of Irish Saints, although he has compiled proper offices for others, not more celebrated, and for several totally unconnected, as to special vene- ration, in connexion with our national sees.
Towards the close of the last century, when many of our old chapels had been erected, the Catholic people of Ireland were a cower- ing and proscribed race. Among other nations, however, their melan- choly music, their impatiently borne wrongs, their tried fidelity to country and religion, had made them known. But, their former places of wor- ship had been dismantled, and these passed as spoils into the hands of other worshippers. The haunts of their former saints had almost been forgotten. The old parish chapel of Newbridge was a wretched build- ing, on the strand of the Liffey, and not far from the site of St. Conleth's pre- sent imposing parochial church. For years, many a prayer was offered up, that a new parochial church might be built. At 'ast, in the year 1848, just as the nation was emerging from famine and prostration, the parish priest, the Rev. 'I'imothyKavanagh,andthepeople''' ofNewbridge,undertooktobuild a larger church.
The great efibri was to make out funds, during what were justly called the "Bad Times. '^s^ This, however, was soon effected, but with much difficulty. 63 The drawings and sjDe-
St. Conleth's Catholic Church, Newbridge, County of Kildare.
cifications for the the church were supplied by some friendly architect, whose name has not transpired. ^* The style of that new building is Gothic ; it has a tower or bel- fry -65 but the spire is not yet built. In 1852, the church was dedi- cated to St. Con- leth, and opened for Divine ser- vice. This is the only church in the diocese of Kil- dareand Leighlin —we believe it may be stated in
all Ireland—dedi-
cated to St. Con- leth. ^^ Out of the debris of the old chapel, and in close connection with St. Conleth's new church, a comfortable parochial house and good out-offices ckeann : " The more recent hand adds, *° AUusion is made to his work—now
"Vide Conleadh," whose first name was rarely procurable, " Otficia Propria Sancto- Roincenn. rumHibernise. " Yet,surelysufficientma-
94 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 3
were afterwards built. Active and earnest exertions were made ^^ to orna- ment the interior of this fine church, and to improve the external grounds and approaches to it. Since that time, further spiritual advantages have been secured for the parish. ^^ The foundation stone of a new convent at New- bridge was laid, by the Right Rev. James Walsh, D. D. , and Bishop of Kil- dareandLeighlin,onAscensionDay,22ndMay,1873. Itspositionisquite close to the church, and the establishment has been dedicated to St. Conleth. ^9 The community in possession is known as the Oblate Sisters 7° of the Imma- culate Conception. 7' These nuns first came to the convent, on the 26th of
terials are available, for the compilation of a proper office for St. Conleth.
" They contributed about ;^500. and after expending this sum on t'. e foundation, they seemed to despair of progressing further with their undertaking.
'^ In the beginning of March, 1849, the Rev. Patrick Carey—now parish priest of Borris, county of Carlow—was sent by the greatly venerated Bisliop, Right Rev. Dr. Francis Haly, to Newbridge, as curate. In conjunction with the pastor, he actively laboured, in collecting funds, and in superin- tending the building of the new church. To the Rev. Mr. Carey, the writer is indebted, for many of these particulars.
following is a minute description : —The de- vice exhibits three statues standing in cano- pied niches, of the florid Gothic or pointed style of architecture of the fifteenth century. The centre figure represents the Virgin and child, and the figures on each side appear in- tended to represent the patron saints of Ire- land, Patrick and Brigid. Below the centre figure there is a smaller niche, containing the figure of another ecclesiastic, with his hands raised, in the attitude of prayer, and his arm supporting the pastoral staff. This figure, it is probable, is intended to represent
St. Conlaeth, the first Bishop of Kildare, who was contemporary with St. Brigid, and said to have been the joint founder of that See. On each side of the figure is a shield, one of which bears the arms of France and England quarterly ; the other, two keys in saltire, in
*3 The parishioners both Catholic and
Protestant generously subscribed, and the
neighbouring parishes gave much assistance.
At the " Curragh Meeting," the Rev. Mr. chief a royal crown ; a device which, it is
Carey was very successful, in getting sub- scriptions from all creeds and parties, espe- cially from among the gentry. On one occasion, when collecting for the church in Dublin, he was asked by a gentleman, the late W. N. Skelly, Esq. , to whom the church was to be dedicated. The Rev. Mr. Carey repli-jd, it was not necessary to go far for a patron saint, as tradition said the first Bishop of Kiklare lived on the banks of the Liffey, and probal. ly, very near the site of the new church. " Bravo," said Mr. Skelly, " I will give a subscription ; but, if you went to foreign countries for a patron, and having so many saints in our own country, I should notgiveyouonepenny. " Themoneyafter- wards came in rapidly, and the work pros-
pered.
*'' Wepresentanillustrationfromaphoto-
graph, kindly furnished by the Rev. Alartin Nolan,P. P. ,ofNewbridge. Itwasdrawn on the wood, by William F. Wakeman, and it was engraved, by Mrs. Millard.
*5 One of John Murphy's superior bells, weighing one ton, one cwt. , is Jn the cam- panile. It was cast in Dublin.
*' It may be of interest to mention, that in "The Lamp," of Saturday, July I St, 1854, vol. vii. , No. 25, pp. 36, 37, there is an engraving of a seal, be- longing to William, Bishop Kildare, and supposed to represent St. Cunleth, as one of its devices. The original matrix is said to be in possession of a l3ublin gentleman. The
worthy of remark, constitutes the arms an- ciently and still borne by the Archbishops of York, and the appearance of which in this seal may therefore not be easy to account for. The inscription reads as follows :
" Sigillum W'illmi dei gracia Kyldarens epi,"
or, "Sigillum Willie mi dei gratia Kylda-
rensis Episcopus" (the sealof William, by the graceofGod,BishopofKildare). Asamong the Bishops of Kildare, two of the name of William occur in the fifteenth century, it may not be easy to determine with certainty to which of them this seal should be as- signed; but,thereappearsthegreatestrea- son to ascribe it to the first, who according to Ware, having been previously Archdeacon of Kildare, was appointed to this See, by the provisions of Pope Eugene IV. , in 1432, and having governed this See fourteen years, he died in April, 1446.
"7 By the Rev. Patrick
pointed curate in 1857—afterwards, the worthy and deservedly esteemed parish priest of Goresbridge and Paulstown. Owing to a total loss of sight, the Rev. Timothy Kavanagh had been left unable to administer the affairs of his parish, the care of which chiefly devolved on the curate as administrator.
'* By the Rev. Martin Nolan, the present excellent parish priest of Newbridge, who furnished many of the succeeding details to the writer.
J.
Mulhall, ap-
May 3. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
95
May,72 1875. The Oblate Sisters 73 have charge now of large poor schools, and of those for children of the higher classes, 74 in the parish of Newbridge. 7S Established by voluntary contributions, a Reformatory for Catholic boys,7*5 and under the patronage of St. Conleth, has been for many years past located inPhilipstown,King'sCounty. Aconsiderableportionofthepremiseswas formerly the county prison, largely increased for accommodation, with build- ings in open spaces, and a farm attached. Near 300 boys, are here congre- gated, and the institution is under charge of the Oblate Fathers of Mary Im- maculate. Those boys are taught reading, writing, arithmetic, geography, and grammar, sufficiently well to turn them out respectably educated, according to theirstationinlife. Thepremiseshavebeenmuchimproved,gas-workswere erected, cooking by steam was commenced, and an unlimited water supply laid on for use. The industrial progress of the boys has been admirable. All useful trades are taught, while the farm attached to this institution is admirably cul- tivated, by the inmates. As a matter of course, their religious training is sedulously prosecuted, by the Reverend Managers, and a governmental grant in aid is obtained.
Like many other holy servants of God, St. Conleth departed from this earth, to give an account of his mortal pilgrimage and stewardship but, he went to receive from his loving Master, in acknowledgment for his fidelity, the crown of immortal bliss. The possession of God, in the unfading glory of his celestial kingdom, was the complement of his well-spent life. The revolution which he effected on earth was essentially re- ligious, and in a social point of view by no means abrupt or subversive. A grateful people have honoured him as their patron, and the appointed one of Heaven. We observe their fidelity and attachment to his name and teaching, during the varying scenes of his life. Fourteen centuries have passed, yet we feel convinced, that as years roll on, his name and his memory shall be more deeply venerated throughout the diocese, on which he conferred so
many blessings, from the period of its first Christian organization down to the present time.
Article IL—St, Daircheall, Bishop of Glendalough, County OF WicKLOW. \Seventh Century^ As servants, who have been trained in noble families, acquire the manners and accomplishments of their superiors, in a marked degree ; so religious, who have entered a good school and learn under perfect masters, become in turn learned and holy. In the Martyrology
*9 The Very Rev. Nicholas Walsh, S. J. , preached an eloquent sermon, on this in- teresting occasion.
7° They are established in conformity with their Rules, to assist in any works of mercy, corporal and spiritual, and especially to teach Poor, Middle and High Class schools.
7' Their Order was founded, by the Bishop of Marseilles, in the year 1826.
7^ On the 27th, the feast of Corpus Christi, the first Mass was celebrated, by the Rev. Father Cooke, O. M. I.
'3 In 1S68, they were affiliated to the Order of the Holy Family, founded by the Rev. Father Noailles, a. d. 1820, at Bor- deaux, for works nearly similar.
T' The Oblate Sisters have founded a large Convent, wiih Orphanage and Poor Schools, in Leeds, after much zealous labour. It is now flourishing, and daily increasing its
sphere of usefulness. The Order has ex- tended very much in England, where there are about ten houses, including the Novitiate of Rock Ferry, a magnificent house and es- tablishment dedicated to the reception of postulants from Great Britain and Ireland, There is also one house in Scotland. There is a Novitiate for the French houses, at the Abbey of Royaumount, and also one in Spain, where there are many houses of the Order. The Sisters are also established in South Africa, where they have more than ten houses, and in Ceylon. The Order num- bers now about 6,000 Sisters.
75 Nearly 500 children there attend their schools.
76 Who have fallen into criminal courses, or who have been rescued from temporal and spiritual dangers.
Article ii,^' Edited by Rev, Dr. Kelly,
;
—
96 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 3.
of Tallagh/ St. Daircheall's name occurs, at the 3rd of May, as Daircholla, Glinni da locha. ^ This is the oft and well described Valley of the Two Lakes, intheheartofthecountyofWicklow. Quotingtheforegoingauthority,the Bollandists 3 enter Darchellus Glenndalocensis, at this date. In some autho- rities,'* we find him called Mac Curetai, or the son of Curetai ; and again, Mac Cuyletty. 5 Under the head of Glenn-da-locha, Duald Mac Firbis enters Uairchill, son of Haireta, bishop of Glen-da-locha,° at May 3rd. The year 674 is assigned for his death, in the " Chronicum Scotorum," as also in the AnnalsofClonmacnoise;7 andtheyear676,byMacFirbis,asalso,bythe O'Clerys ; while, the Annals of Ulster place the demise of Daircill mc Cur- tai,^ at A. D.
