Wakeman on
the wood, has been engraved by Mrs.
the wood, has been engraved by Mrs.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v8
Attracta
2
were only a contemporary with Coeman, ? * we have an additional argument,
in favour of her having lived during the sixth century ; for, Coeman is said to have been brother to St. Coemghen of Glendalough,3° and the latter is known to have lived even to the seventh century. 31
St. Attracta is said to have been the daughter of Talan, and to have had abrothercalledSt. Coeman. ThesebelongedtotheraceofIrius,andderive their origin from the Province of Ulster. However, other statements are found to differ from the foregoing account of her family and race. By some
writers, who have treated on this saint, she is called Taracta, but erroneously, as has been asserted. 3* Her father's name was Talan, said to belong to the
21 Thus, in her Acts, Keannfaelaid is ex-
pressly stated to have ruled the whole pro-
vince, " tenens totum ejus (Connacire) prin- cipatum universaliter. "
race of Irius 33 no little ; yet,
Having inferentially assigned this holy virgin to the seventh
exists, in those accounts respecting her parentage and genealogy. 3* In one instance, St. Attracta's father
given
3° See his life, in the Sixth Volume of this work, at the 3rd of June, Art. i.
3I See Rev. Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. iii. , chap, xvii. , sect, ix. , n. 126, v. 43.
32 Thus, Usuard's continuator, Canisius, 23 These were a sept of Fergus mac Hermanus Greuen, Ferrarius, Fitzsimon, Roich's race settled in the present barony of and others, place a St. Taracta among the Kilmaine in the County of Mayo. Fergus taints of Ireland, in their Martyrologies, at was ex-King of Ulster in the first century of the 4th of February ; but, Colgan says, that theChristianera. See Roderick O'Flaherty's they must certainly mean St. Attracta, as "Ogygia," pars, iii. , cap. xlvi. , pp. 275, the name Tharacta is not to be found among the saints of our island, nor can any name be discovered, bearing any greater affinity to it, than that of Attracta. See Colgan 's "Acta Sanctorum Hibernice," ix. Februarii,
n. I, p. 2S1.
33 Most authorities agree, that this virgin
was daughter to Talan, and of Ir's race, yet,
" See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the Four Masters" vol i. , pp. 286 to 289.
276.
24 In the present volume, at the 9th of this
month, his Acts may be seen, Art. i.
2s Of this ancient territory the barony of Leney, in the County of Sligo, forms at
"
is in said barony, is the only saint of that
Lanigan's
"
2
See Harris' Ware, vol. ii. , "Antiquities
3< Seluacius and the Sanctilogium Genea- logicum state, that the common father of Talan was, Saran, Prince of Dalaradia, in Ulster, whose father, Coelbadius, the last of Ir's race, was King of Ireland, a short time before the Gospel bad been preached in this country. But, the old author of St. Patrick's Tripartite Life states, that Talan, son to Cathbhaidh, was father to St. Attracta and St. Coeman. See " Trias Thau-
cap. liv. , n. 113, p. 178.
"
Nathy of Achonry, which
least a part.
name that flourished in Lugne. "—
differin the name of Talan's recording
Rev. Dr. Ecclesiastical History of Ireland, vol iii. , chap, xvii. , sect, ix. , n. 124,
p. 43.
his life, in the Third Volume of
this work, at the 17th of March, Art. i.
they
father and progenitors.
of Ireland," chap, xxxviii. , p. 270.
23 "
See Rev. Dr. Lanigan's Ecclesiasti-
cal History of Ireland," vol. i. , chap, iii. , sect, xviii. , pp. 125 to 128.
'" His feast has been
ofjune, where notices of him may he found, in the Sixth Volume of this work, Art vi.
assigned
to the 12th
Colgan's
maturga. " Septima Vita S. Patricii, pars ii. ,
discrepancy
August it] LIVES Of THE IRISH SAINTS. 153
is called Tigerna,3* and in another Saran. 36 According to some writers, our saint was sister to St. Coeman,37 Abbot of Ardnensis Monastery, near Wex- ford, and he was likewise the disciple of St. Patrick. *8 However, we had rather follow the opinion of Colgan, that our saint was a contemporary with St. Patrick; since the ancient Lives of our Irish Apostle speak of this holy virgin, as having been his disciple, and as having received the veil at his hands. 39 We know not whether her parents were Pagans or Christians ; for, it is stated, that when St. Patrick preached in the wooded region about Moy- lurg, about a. d. 450, St. Attracta had led a very pious and austere life, at home. An error of Rev. Dr. Lanigan appears, when he makes our saint a native of Ulster. * Now, there are circumstances related in her Acts, which
indicate, that she belonged to a Tireragh rather than to an Ultonian family ; so that it is a reasonable conjecture to suppose, the Diocese of Killala or
1
the of Diocese which it to have been her
part Achonry
In the ancient Life of this
adjoins
birth-place*
2 we are
years, she was most fervent in prayer, that she bestowed frequent alms, and
macerated her body by continual fasting. She despised this world's vanities, and lamented the blindness of its votaries, who follow lights that lure only to lead them astray. *3
When this holy virgin arrived at the age of puberty, her father was
desirous to engage her in the state of marriage. This did not accord,
however, with her own desire. Being very beautiful, and sought in marriage
by several suitors, she felt a Divine inspiration to embrace a religious life.
Those writers who hold, that she belonged to the Ulster province, state her
coming thence to Connaught to fulfil that object. 4 * In consequence of an
intention long formed, it is probable, she there sought an opportunity
presented to her, especially as another virgin had expressed a similar desire,
Saint,*
informed,
that
during
her tender
about the same time, and perhaps a mutual understanding existed between
them. St. Patrick—then engaged on his western Irish mission—was
preaching in that part of the country. This visit, it is thought, could not
have been sooner than the year 435/s To avoid her parent's importunities,
and taking with her a maid, called Mitain, and a servant-man called
6
Mochain,* she left her paternal home,*? and directed her course towards
35 In a comment on Marianus O'Gorman's
Martyrology, at the nth ot August, the father of our saint is so named, but this statement is at variance with all other au- thorities.
36 In the Fifteenth Chapter of St. Corb- mac's Life, Attracta is called daughter to Saran. Colgan would not undertake to pronounce a decision on these different statements. See "Acta Sanctorum Hiber- nioe," ix. Februarii, n. 2. p. 281.
37 The Psalter of Cashel, the Martyrology of Donegal, and other authorities, call St. Coeman's father, Talan, son to Dubhtaigh, son to Rossius, of the race of Corb, son to Fergus Rogius.
38 See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
niaj," ix. Februarii. Vita S. Attracta, cap. cised Mohan or Moghan, are still very
i. , cap. iii. , pp. 277, 27S.
39 This statement is also made, in the
Fourth Lesson of the Second Nocturn of a Divine Office, authorized by an Indult, ob- tained at Rome, on the 28th of July, 1864.
40 This he asserts, and assumes, on Col- gan's authority, but the latter only states,
numerous in Killaraght and in the northern parts of the County ot Roscommon. See John
that she lived in that province, during St. Patrick's time.
4I See Archdeacon T. O'Rorke's "History ofSligo : Town and County," \ol. ii. , chap, xxxiv. , pp. 369, 370.
« As published by Colgan.
*3 See Colgan's Acta Sanctorum Hiber*
mre," Februaiii ix. Vita S. Attracts, cap. iii. , p. 278.
*4 See Very Rev. Archdeacon O'Rorke's "History of Sligo : Town and County," vol. ii. , chap, xxxiv. , p. 369.
*s See Rev. Dr. Lanigan's " Ecclesiastical
History of Ireland," vol. i. , chap, v. , sect,
ix. , p. 240, and n. 75, pp. 242, 243.
«°
It is to be observed, that the Muinter
Mochain, or people of Mochain, now Angli-
O'Donovan's "
Customs of Hy-Fiachrach,
called O'Dowda's Country," p. 41, and n. (p). ibid.
<7 See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
Genealogies, Tribes, and
commonly
154
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [August ii.
8 in the of Lugnia, or Leney. That place was near territory
Gregraighe,*
Lough Gara, within the present county of Sligo, and in the Province of
Connaught.
Its chief feeders are the Lung River at its head, and the
River on its side « its superfluent waters being carried off Breeogue right j
the River towards the town of Boyle,50 and the River Shannon. by Boyle
The shores of the Lough, around the embouchures of the Lung and the Breeogue, and in some other places, are so low and marshy, that
when freshets occur in those streams, water is thrown back upon the country, to the great damage of the soil. The eastern shores below the
The Town of Boyle, County of Roscommon.
Breeogue are an intricate series of long, ridgy, limestone peninsulse, alternating with long and narrow bays ; while the western shores are overhung, at a little distance, by the somewhat bold and lofty hills of Sligo. On the northern side, the Curlew hills rise to a considerable height. 51 The general character of the lake scenery is rough and rude ; still, it is capable of being worked into beauty and picturesqueness, so as to present materials for a good landscape, but for the neglect and tastelessness of the landed proprietors.
When St. Attracta arrived in St. Patrick's presence, the pure virgin signified her intention to consecrate herself entirely to Almighty God. Her companion seems to have been from that part of the country,52 likewise, and both were united in desire and act. "
niae," ix. Februarii. Vita S. Attracta, cap. iv. , p. 278.
4S Now Coolavin barony in the County of Sligo. The former name somewhat survives in the denominations of Greggans and of Gregaduf. See Ven. Archdeacon T. ORorke's " History of Sligo : Town and County," vol. ii. , chap, xxxiv. , p. 370.
49 See "Parliamentary Gazetteer of Ire-
land," vol. ii. , p. 246.
50 The accompanying view of the Town of
Boyle, drawn by William F.
Wakeman on
the wood, has been engraved by Mrs. Millard.
51 See James Fraser's " Hand-book for Travellers in Ireland," No. 99, p. 461.
53 Jocelyn calls the virgins here mentioned,
"de Gregri," but Colgan observes, " recte "
Gregraige. " See Trias Thaumaturga. " Vita Sexta S. Patricii, cap. cxii. , p. 90, and n. 124, p. 114.
53 See ibid. Vita Tripartita S. Patricii,
August ii. ] LIVES OE THE IRISH SAINTS. 155
Our great Apostle accordingly prepared to receive their religious pro- fession. s+ When relating these events, referring to this holy woman, Joceline does not mention her by name; ss but, the author of St. Patrick's Tripartite Life s6 expressly names St. Attracta, in the account of this miraculous
reception. She and her companion, accordingly, and at the hands of the great Irish Apostle, were professed, and in the following manner. Whilst in the act of consecrating those virgins, a veil fell from Heaven on St. Patrick's breast. He received it with great devotion, and presented it to thevirgin,hehadlastconsecrated. ThiswasSt. Attracta,accordingtosome accounts. But, as we are told, the spouse of Christ, with unfeigned
"
humility, said to the saint :
Since this good and perfect gift has descended
from the Father of Light, I do not consider it intended for me, a sinner j
yet. in my opinion, you who have received should retain it, or present this
veil to my companion, who is more holy than I am. " Pleased with our
saint's humility, the Apostle then placed the veil upon her head, and, he
told her, she should wear it, until introduced to the bridal chamber of her
heavenly spouse. 5 ? The virgin at length yielded to his request, and wore
that veil, until the day of her death. s 8 The foregoing miraculous occurrence
is differently related, however, by the author of St. Patrick's Tripartite Life, where it is stated, that a casu/a, sent from heaven, fell at the time of her
religious profession between the Irish Apostle and the virgin. This was attributed by him as a favour to indicate her great sanctity, while the humble nun ascribed it to the superior merits of St. Patrick. 59
CHAPTER II.
AFTER HER PROFESSION, ST. ATTRACTA FOUNDS A CONVENT NEAR LOUGH GARA—THE HOUSE OF HOSPITALITY—HER VISIT TO ST. CONNALL DROMA—SHE DELIVERS LUGNA FROM A MONSTER—VISIT OF ST. PATRICK TO THAT DISTRICT—HER MIRAC LOUS PROTECTION OF THE MEN OF LUGNA.
Beside Lough Techet, now Lough Gara, St. Patrick established a convent, and at a place, which from our saint was afterwards known as the church of St. Attracta. Having founded a nunnery there, St. Patrick appointed St. Attracta to rule over it as 1 some other women
Abbess, pious
inmates of her house at the same time. He is said, likewise, to have left a
teisc and a chalice with Attracta. 2 A mistake has been committed James Ware,3 who has placed the nunnery of St. Attracta in Roscommon
lib. ii. , cap. liv. , p. 137.
54 In the Annotations of Tirechan in the
Book of Armagh, Father Edmund Hogan, S. J. , has succeeded in deciphering the fo—llow-
56 Tn lib. ii. , cap. liv. , p. 137, ibid.
ing lines, which relate to St. Attracta
:
"
Et perrexit ad tra
ctum Gregirgi, et fundavit aeclesiam in
Drum-
[w] ae, et fontem fodivit in eo [loco et aqua
non] exflu
[//] in se et de se, [sed] plenus semper et
perennis
est. Et aeclessiam posuit in cella Adrochtae
p. 137. Chapter
[fditeTal] ain, et ipsa accepit pallium denia nu Patricii. "
—" Documenta de S. Patricio," p. 76.
55 In his Vita S. Patricii, cap. cxii. See Patrick, Apostle of Ireland," part ii. , p. "
Colgan's Trias Thaumaturga, p. 90. 408.
Sir
S7 Allusion to these circumstances is more briefly made in the Second Nocturn of our Saint's approved office.
ss gee Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- nise," Februarii ix. Vita S. Attracta, cap. ii. , p. 247.
59 gee Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Septima Vita S. Patricii, pars, ii. , cap. liv. ,
the County of Sligo," p. 107.
2
See the Irish Tripartite Life of St. Patrick, as translated by William M. Hen- nessy, for Miss M. F. Cusack's " Life of St.
—
470. See M'Parian's " Statistical Survey of
11.
* It has been a. d. stated,
becoming
by
^56 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [August it. County; and, he has thus led other writers astray—notably Harris* and
Archdall. 5 However, her was in place
reality
barony of Coolavin and County of Sligo. Hence, in due course of time this
locality took the designation of Kill Athracta, or Killaraght, on account of the establishment and name of its holy Abbess. It is in the south-east part ofthehalfbaronyofColooney,andsituatedonLoughGara. Thisisnowa parish church, in the diocese of Achonry. ?
We learn little more regarding her, except from those acephalous Acts, furnishedbyColgan. Itmustbeourendeavourtoextractfromthese,some
few subsequent particulars, which are of much interest, could we only have a certainty they had been derived from authentic sources. After relating the flight of this Virgin from her friends, and her arrival in the province of Con- naght ; we are told, that Attracta not only vowed perpetual chastity, but resolved, moreover, on cultivating the virtue of hospitality, to a very great extent. 8 For this purpose, she designed taking up her residence at a place, where seven roads should appear within view, or meet, that thus it might be likely, numbers of persons should pass the spot. Towards all of those way- farers, she intended to minister the necessaries of life, by establishing there a common hospice or house of reception for strangers. 9 Her servant, named Mochain,IO who had accompanied Attracta from her own part of the country, and who already had been made aware of her intention, went out one day, at
11 Whenthesunhad Mochainbetookhim- risen,
an hourofthe early
morning.
self to the deep recessesof an adjoining wood. There he discovered the meeting
of seven roads, which appeared to have been formed, by frequent journeys
made through that part of the country. Immediately he thought, that there God must have designed to satisfy the wishes of his mistress, and that He had
designated such place as the site for her future habitation. It seemed a most convenient spot, likewise, for the establishment of one of those ancient Bruigheans," or houses for hospitality,^ which formed a peculiar feature of
former Irish
x society.
*
3 See " De Hibernia et
ejus," cap. xxvi. , p. 227.
Antiquitatibus
:o That such was the name of the servant
may be inferred from his being called in the
4 See Harris' vol. "
servus. "
The words used in the Acts are, "mani-
"
Ware, ii. , Antiquities Acts, prsedictus
of Ireland," chap, xxxviii. , p. 270.
5 See "Monasticon Hibernicum," p. 612.
6 As to Kilaraght of Roscommon, which
also Archdall has, it had either nothing to do appears to be derived from " mane," or
rather from the word "manicare," used by the ancients.
12 The classed No. in the Manuscript 24
Royal Irish Academy, contains certain curi-
some ancient farm-mansions or Bruigheans in Ireland.
with St. Attracta, or undoubtedly it was not her original nunnery. See Rev. Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical of vol.
History Ireland," i. , chap, v. , sect, x. , p. 245, and n. 95, pp. 247,
248, ibid.
1 See MTarlan's " Statistical Survey of Irish families and places, with an account of
the County of Sligo," p. 107.
8
proved office, we have the following narrative:
In the second Nocturn of our saint's ap-
zi In these a Brugad lived, and he presided Hospitalitatis quoque gratia enituit et over the Bhaile or Townland. His title
"
seipsam suasque opes in sublevandis indigen- tium miseriis alacriter impendit. Pauperes
et aegrotos undequaque accedentes Christi charitate amplexa est et eosdem turn terrena ope sublevavit turn veris fideithesauris diviies effecit. "
9 The Acts of our saint state, that she de-
came from the Bragh or village which usually surrounded his farm-house. The in- stitutiondatesfromthelimeofOllamhFodhla, King of Ireland, a. m. 3S82toA. M. 3922.
14 A most learned Irish historian, philolo- at this place. By this term, we are to under- gist, scientist and statist, the late much- stand, that it was to be a xenodochium, lamented and accomplished William K. or a hospital, for poor travellers or strangers. Sullivan, Ph. D. , tells us, that the Brugh or
signed establishing a "commune synochen,"
11
known as 6 in the Killaraght,
catione summa jam facta," on which Colgan remarks, that this strange word " manicatio"
ous genealogical and topograpical notices of
These Brughaidhs were bound to serve the "
Aid-Righ. SeeDr. O'Donovan's Annalsof the Four Masters. " vol. i. , pp. 52 to 55.
August it. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 157
Soon the servant returned to his mistress, and, falling before her on his knees, he related what he had seen. Then, accompanying him to the spot, Attracta gave thanks to God, with outstretched hands, believing her desires were about to be accomplished, as to the choice of a location for her intended establish- ment. Sheissaidtohavebestowedatractoflanduponherservant,atthat place ; recommending the practice of the virtue of hospitality to him and to his successors, that thus they might obtain favours from God, on the great accountingday. Sheaskedleavefromtheinhabitantsofthatdistrict,toerect ahabitationthere,andthispermissiontheyeagerlyaccorded. Thesaintwas much beloved and respected by the natives of that country. They admired her great virtue and prudence ; they consulted her upon all their important undertakings ; and they held her in as much esteem, as if she had been bom there,andhadconstantlyresidedamongthem. Moreover,theyerecteda church in that place, which was dedicated in her name, as also in honour of the
Most and of the Blessed 1 * Holy Trinity, Virgin.
Some short time having elapsed, after our saint's arrival in this part of
Connaught, she resolved also on making a tour through that province, to dis- cover a suitable place for the erection of a nunnery. The virgin is said to
16
called son to her mother. 1 ? He lived at Drumconnel, now commonly called
Drum. On account of her discovering a pleasing site in the neighbourhood of his church, Attracta wished to found an establishment on that spot, which was in the neighbourhood of Boyle, in the County of Roscommon. 18 Her visit there took place during Lent, when, immersed in cold water, St. Connall was thus in the habit of reciting his hours, whilst the penitential season con- tinued. Conjecturing that St. Attracta desired to have an oratory erected on the site which pleased her so much, St. Connall naturally concluded, that she was the strange virgin, whose arrival had been predicted by some true prophets, and who should be a Morning Star, on account of her devotion and service to God. '9 But, it would appear, notwithstanding the high opinion
have directed her course towards the habitation of St. Connell Droma,
village, where the Bruighfers or local rich farmers dwelt, had a political importance not enjoyed by the chieftain's manorial clans- men. The inhabitants of the former by
l6
Colgan is of opinion, that the St.
forming partnership could elect a representa- or Machonna, which is said to adjoin
tive Brughfer or Aire, for the District
Assemblies, and thus enjoy the full rights of
that of St. Connall, stood in the same region, and not far from Kill-chonail.
1? Colgancannotsaywhythisholymanwas "
citizenshipbydeputation. Thepeoplethere
owed allegiance only to the Righ of their called filius matris S. Attractce," in the
Tuath, and thus the germs of a representa-
tive system had been formed. The Bruighfers
were local magistrates ; while one of these
held the important rank of head or provincial,
and to his residence was attached a Fonts or
Forum, where the election of the Righ
Tuatha, and of his Tanaiste or successor
took place, and where public Assemblies side, if with these authorities, already
were held. The Brugh of such a magistrate,
together with its neighbouring village, might be considered asa royal borough. This title is still preserved in Bruree, a small town in the present County of Limerick.
2
were only a contemporary with Coeman, ? * we have an additional argument,
in favour of her having lived during the sixth century ; for, Coeman is said to have been brother to St. Coemghen of Glendalough,3° and the latter is known to have lived even to the seventh century. 31
St. Attracta is said to have been the daughter of Talan, and to have had abrothercalledSt. Coeman. ThesebelongedtotheraceofIrius,andderive their origin from the Province of Ulster. However, other statements are found to differ from the foregoing account of her family and race. By some
writers, who have treated on this saint, she is called Taracta, but erroneously, as has been asserted. 3* Her father's name was Talan, said to belong to the
21 Thus, in her Acts, Keannfaelaid is ex-
pressly stated to have ruled the whole pro-
vince, " tenens totum ejus (Connacire) prin- cipatum universaliter. "
race of Irius 33 no little ; yet,
Having inferentially assigned this holy virgin to the seventh
exists, in those accounts respecting her parentage and genealogy. 3* In one instance, St. Attracta's father
given
3° See his life, in the Sixth Volume of this work, at the 3rd of June, Art. i.
3I See Rev. Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. iii. , chap, xvii. , sect, ix. , n. 126, v. 43.
32 Thus, Usuard's continuator, Canisius, 23 These were a sept of Fergus mac Hermanus Greuen, Ferrarius, Fitzsimon, Roich's race settled in the present barony of and others, place a St. Taracta among the Kilmaine in the County of Mayo. Fergus taints of Ireland, in their Martyrologies, at was ex-King of Ulster in the first century of the 4th of February ; but, Colgan says, that theChristianera. See Roderick O'Flaherty's they must certainly mean St. Attracta, as "Ogygia," pars, iii. , cap. xlvi. , pp. 275, the name Tharacta is not to be found among the saints of our island, nor can any name be discovered, bearing any greater affinity to it, than that of Attracta. See Colgan 's "Acta Sanctorum Hibernice," ix. Februarii,
n. I, p. 2S1.
33 Most authorities agree, that this virgin
was daughter to Talan, and of Ir's race, yet,
" See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the Four Masters" vol i. , pp. 286 to 289.
276.
24 In the present volume, at the 9th of this
month, his Acts may be seen, Art. i.
2s Of this ancient territory the barony of Leney, in the County of Sligo, forms at
"
is in said barony, is the only saint of that
Lanigan's
"
2
See Harris' Ware, vol. ii. , "Antiquities
3< Seluacius and the Sanctilogium Genea- logicum state, that the common father of Talan was, Saran, Prince of Dalaradia, in Ulster, whose father, Coelbadius, the last of Ir's race, was King of Ireland, a short time before the Gospel bad been preached in this country. But, the old author of St. Patrick's Tripartite Life states, that Talan, son to Cathbhaidh, was father to St. Attracta and St. Coeman. See " Trias Thau-
cap. liv. , n. 113, p. 178.
"
Nathy of Achonry, which
least a part.
name that flourished in Lugne. "—
differin the name of Talan's recording
Rev. Dr. Ecclesiastical History of Ireland, vol iii. , chap, xvii. , sect, ix. , n. 124,
p. 43.
his life, in the Third Volume of
this work, at the 17th of March, Art. i.
they
father and progenitors.
of Ireland," chap, xxxviii. , p. 270.
23 "
See Rev. Dr. Lanigan's Ecclesiasti-
cal History of Ireland," vol. i. , chap, iii. , sect, xviii. , pp. 125 to 128.
'" His feast has been
ofjune, where notices of him may he found, in the Sixth Volume of this work, Art vi.
assigned
to the 12th
Colgan's
maturga. " Septima Vita S. Patricii, pars ii. ,
discrepancy
August it] LIVES Of THE IRISH SAINTS. 153
is called Tigerna,3* and in another Saran. 36 According to some writers, our saint was sister to St. Coeman,37 Abbot of Ardnensis Monastery, near Wex- ford, and he was likewise the disciple of St. Patrick. *8 However, we had rather follow the opinion of Colgan, that our saint was a contemporary with St. Patrick; since the ancient Lives of our Irish Apostle speak of this holy virgin, as having been his disciple, and as having received the veil at his hands. 39 We know not whether her parents were Pagans or Christians ; for, it is stated, that when St. Patrick preached in the wooded region about Moy- lurg, about a. d. 450, St. Attracta had led a very pious and austere life, at home. An error of Rev. Dr. Lanigan appears, when he makes our saint a native of Ulster. * Now, there are circumstances related in her Acts, which
indicate, that she belonged to a Tireragh rather than to an Ultonian family ; so that it is a reasonable conjecture to suppose, the Diocese of Killala or
1
the of Diocese which it to have been her
part Achonry
In the ancient Life of this
adjoins
birth-place*
2 we are
years, she was most fervent in prayer, that she bestowed frequent alms, and
macerated her body by continual fasting. She despised this world's vanities, and lamented the blindness of its votaries, who follow lights that lure only to lead them astray. *3
When this holy virgin arrived at the age of puberty, her father was
desirous to engage her in the state of marriage. This did not accord,
however, with her own desire. Being very beautiful, and sought in marriage
by several suitors, she felt a Divine inspiration to embrace a religious life.
Those writers who hold, that she belonged to the Ulster province, state her
coming thence to Connaught to fulfil that object. 4 * In consequence of an
intention long formed, it is probable, she there sought an opportunity
presented to her, especially as another virgin had expressed a similar desire,
Saint,*
informed,
that
during
her tender
about the same time, and perhaps a mutual understanding existed between
them. St. Patrick—then engaged on his western Irish mission—was
preaching in that part of the country. This visit, it is thought, could not
have been sooner than the year 435/s To avoid her parent's importunities,
and taking with her a maid, called Mitain, and a servant-man called
6
Mochain,* she left her paternal home,*? and directed her course towards
35 In a comment on Marianus O'Gorman's
Martyrology, at the nth ot August, the father of our saint is so named, but this statement is at variance with all other au- thorities.
36 In the Fifteenth Chapter of St. Corb- mac's Life, Attracta is called daughter to Saran. Colgan would not undertake to pronounce a decision on these different statements. See "Acta Sanctorum Hiber- nioe," ix. Februarii, n. 2. p. 281.
37 The Psalter of Cashel, the Martyrology of Donegal, and other authorities, call St. Coeman's father, Talan, son to Dubhtaigh, son to Rossius, of the race of Corb, son to Fergus Rogius.
38 See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
niaj," ix. Februarii. Vita S. Attracta, cap. cised Mohan or Moghan, are still very
i. , cap. iii. , pp. 277, 27S.
39 This statement is also made, in the
Fourth Lesson of the Second Nocturn of a Divine Office, authorized by an Indult, ob- tained at Rome, on the 28th of July, 1864.
40 This he asserts, and assumes, on Col- gan's authority, but the latter only states,
numerous in Killaraght and in the northern parts of the County ot Roscommon. See John
that she lived in that province, during St. Patrick's time.
4I See Archdeacon T. O'Rorke's "History ofSligo : Town and County," \ol. ii. , chap, xxxiv. , pp. 369, 370.
« As published by Colgan.
*3 See Colgan's Acta Sanctorum Hiber*
mre," Februaiii ix. Vita S. Attracts, cap. iii. , p. 278.
*4 See Very Rev. Archdeacon O'Rorke's "History of Sligo : Town and County," vol. ii. , chap, xxxiv. , p. 369.
*s See Rev. Dr. Lanigan's " Ecclesiastical
History of Ireland," vol. i. , chap, v. , sect,
ix. , p. 240, and n. 75, pp. 242, 243.
«°
It is to be observed, that the Muinter
Mochain, or people of Mochain, now Angli-
O'Donovan's "
Customs of Hy-Fiachrach,
called O'Dowda's Country," p. 41, and n. (p). ibid.
<7 See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
Genealogies, Tribes, and
commonly
154
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [August ii.
8 in the of Lugnia, or Leney. That place was near territory
Gregraighe,*
Lough Gara, within the present county of Sligo, and in the Province of
Connaught.
Its chief feeders are the Lung River at its head, and the
River on its side « its superfluent waters being carried off Breeogue right j
the River towards the town of Boyle,50 and the River Shannon. by Boyle
The shores of the Lough, around the embouchures of the Lung and the Breeogue, and in some other places, are so low and marshy, that
when freshets occur in those streams, water is thrown back upon the country, to the great damage of the soil. The eastern shores below the
The Town of Boyle, County of Roscommon.
Breeogue are an intricate series of long, ridgy, limestone peninsulse, alternating with long and narrow bays ; while the western shores are overhung, at a little distance, by the somewhat bold and lofty hills of Sligo. On the northern side, the Curlew hills rise to a considerable height. 51 The general character of the lake scenery is rough and rude ; still, it is capable of being worked into beauty and picturesqueness, so as to present materials for a good landscape, but for the neglect and tastelessness of the landed proprietors.
When St. Attracta arrived in St. Patrick's presence, the pure virgin signified her intention to consecrate herself entirely to Almighty God. Her companion seems to have been from that part of the country,52 likewise, and both were united in desire and act. "
niae," ix. Februarii. Vita S. Attracta, cap. iv. , p. 278.
4S Now Coolavin barony in the County of Sligo. The former name somewhat survives in the denominations of Greggans and of Gregaduf. See Ven. Archdeacon T. ORorke's " History of Sligo : Town and County," vol. ii. , chap, xxxiv. , p. 370.
49 See "Parliamentary Gazetteer of Ire-
land," vol. ii. , p. 246.
50 The accompanying view of the Town of
Boyle, drawn by William F.
Wakeman on
the wood, has been engraved by Mrs. Millard.
51 See James Fraser's " Hand-book for Travellers in Ireland," No. 99, p. 461.
53 Jocelyn calls the virgins here mentioned,
"de Gregri," but Colgan observes, " recte "
Gregraige. " See Trias Thaumaturga. " Vita Sexta S. Patricii, cap. cxii. , p. 90, and n. 124, p. 114.
53 See ibid. Vita Tripartita S. Patricii,
August ii. ] LIVES OE THE IRISH SAINTS. 155
Our great Apostle accordingly prepared to receive their religious pro- fession. s+ When relating these events, referring to this holy woman, Joceline does not mention her by name; ss but, the author of St. Patrick's Tripartite Life s6 expressly names St. Attracta, in the account of this miraculous
reception. She and her companion, accordingly, and at the hands of the great Irish Apostle, were professed, and in the following manner. Whilst in the act of consecrating those virgins, a veil fell from Heaven on St. Patrick's breast. He received it with great devotion, and presented it to thevirgin,hehadlastconsecrated. ThiswasSt. Attracta,accordingtosome accounts. But, as we are told, the spouse of Christ, with unfeigned
"
humility, said to the saint :
Since this good and perfect gift has descended
from the Father of Light, I do not consider it intended for me, a sinner j
yet. in my opinion, you who have received should retain it, or present this
veil to my companion, who is more holy than I am. " Pleased with our
saint's humility, the Apostle then placed the veil upon her head, and, he
told her, she should wear it, until introduced to the bridal chamber of her
heavenly spouse. 5 ? The virgin at length yielded to his request, and wore
that veil, until the day of her death. s 8 The foregoing miraculous occurrence
is differently related, however, by the author of St. Patrick's Tripartite Life, where it is stated, that a casu/a, sent from heaven, fell at the time of her
religious profession between the Irish Apostle and the virgin. This was attributed by him as a favour to indicate her great sanctity, while the humble nun ascribed it to the superior merits of St. Patrick. 59
CHAPTER II.
AFTER HER PROFESSION, ST. ATTRACTA FOUNDS A CONVENT NEAR LOUGH GARA—THE HOUSE OF HOSPITALITY—HER VISIT TO ST. CONNALL DROMA—SHE DELIVERS LUGNA FROM A MONSTER—VISIT OF ST. PATRICK TO THAT DISTRICT—HER MIRAC LOUS PROTECTION OF THE MEN OF LUGNA.
Beside Lough Techet, now Lough Gara, St. Patrick established a convent, and at a place, which from our saint was afterwards known as the church of St. Attracta. Having founded a nunnery there, St. Patrick appointed St. Attracta to rule over it as 1 some other women
Abbess, pious
inmates of her house at the same time. He is said, likewise, to have left a
teisc and a chalice with Attracta. 2 A mistake has been committed James Ware,3 who has placed the nunnery of St. Attracta in Roscommon
lib. ii. , cap. liv. , p. 137.
54 In the Annotations of Tirechan in the
Book of Armagh, Father Edmund Hogan, S. J. , has succeeded in deciphering the fo—llow-
56 Tn lib. ii. , cap. liv. , p. 137, ibid.
ing lines, which relate to St. Attracta
:
"
Et perrexit ad tra
ctum Gregirgi, et fundavit aeclesiam in
Drum-
[w] ae, et fontem fodivit in eo [loco et aqua
non] exflu
[//] in se et de se, [sed] plenus semper et
perennis
est. Et aeclessiam posuit in cella Adrochtae
p. 137. Chapter
[fditeTal] ain, et ipsa accepit pallium denia nu Patricii. "
—" Documenta de S. Patricio," p. 76.
55 In his Vita S. Patricii, cap. cxii. See Patrick, Apostle of Ireland," part ii. , p. "
Colgan's Trias Thaumaturga, p. 90. 408.
Sir
S7 Allusion to these circumstances is more briefly made in the Second Nocturn of our Saint's approved office.
ss gee Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- nise," Februarii ix. Vita S. Attracta, cap. ii. , p. 247.
59 gee Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Septima Vita S. Patricii, pars, ii. , cap. liv. ,
the County of Sligo," p. 107.
2
See the Irish Tripartite Life of St. Patrick, as translated by William M. Hen- nessy, for Miss M. F. Cusack's " Life of St.
—
470. See M'Parian's " Statistical Survey of
11.
* It has been a. d. stated,
becoming
by
^56 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [August it. County; and, he has thus led other writers astray—notably Harris* and
Archdall. 5 However, her was in place
reality
barony of Coolavin and County of Sligo. Hence, in due course of time this
locality took the designation of Kill Athracta, or Killaraght, on account of the establishment and name of its holy Abbess. It is in the south-east part ofthehalfbaronyofColooney,andsituatedonLoughGara. Thisisnowa parish church, in the diocese of Achonry. ?
We learn little more regarding her, except from those acephalous Acts, furnishedbyColgan. Itmustbeourendeavourtoextractfromthese,some
few subsequent particulars, which are of much interest, could we only have a certainty they had been derived from authentic sources. After relating the flight of this Virgin from her friends, and her arrival in the province of Con- naght ; we are told, that Attracta not only vowed perpetual chastity, but resolved, moreover, on cultivating the virtue of hospitality, to a very great extent. 8 For this purpose, she designed taking up her residence at a place, where seven roads should appear within view, or meet, that thus it might be likely, numbers of persons should pass the spot. Towards all of those way- farers, she intended to minister the necessaries of life, by establishing there a common hospice or house of reception for strangers. 9 Her servant, named Mochain,IO who had accompanied Attracta from her own part of the country, and who already had been made aware of her intention, went out one day, at
11 Whenthesunhad Mochainbetookhim- risen,
an hourofthe early
morning.
self to the deep recessesof an adjoining wood. There he discovered the meeting
of seven roads, which appeared to have been formed, by frequent journeys
made through that part of the country. Immediately he thought, that there God must have designed to satisfy the wishes of his mistress, and that He had
designated such place as the site for her future habitation. It seemed a most convenient spot, likewise, for the establishment of one of those ancient Bruigheans," or houses for hospitality,^ which formed a peculiar feature of
former Irish
x society.
*
3 See " De Hibernia et
ejus," cap. xxvi. , p. 227.
Antiquitatibus
:o That such was the name of the servant
may be inferred from his being called in the
4 See Harris' vol. "
servus. "
The words used in the Acts are, "mani-
"
Ware, ii. , Antiquities Acts, prsedictus
of Ireland," chap, xxxviii. , p. 270.
5 See "Monasticon Hibernicum," p. 612.
6 As to Kilaraght of Roscommon, which
also Archdall has, it had either nothing to do appears to be derived from " mane," or
rather from the word "manicare," used by the ancients.
12 The classed No. in the Manuscript 24
Royal Irish Academy, contains certain curi-
some ancient farm-mansions or Bruigheans in Ireland.
with St. Attracta, or undoubtedly it was not her original nunnery. See Rev. Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical of vol.
History Ireland," i. , chap, v. , sect, x. , p. 245, and n. 95, pp. 247,
248, ibid.
1 See MTarlan's " Statistical Survey of Irish families and places, with an account of
the County of Sligo," p. 107.
8
proved office, we have the following narrative:
In the second Nocturn of our saint's ap-
zi In these a Brugad lived, and he presided Hospitalitatis quoque gratia enituit et over the Bhaile or Townland. His title
"
seipsam suasque opes in sublevandis indigen- tium miseriis alacriter impendit. Pauperes
et aegrotos undequaque accedentes Christi charitate amplexa est et eosdem turn terrena ope sublevavit turn veris fideithesauris diviies effecit. "
9 The Acts of our saint state, that she de-
came from the Bragh or village which usually surrounded his farm-house. The in- stitutiondatesfromthelimeofOllamhFodhla, King of Ireland, a. m. 3S82toA. M. 3922.
14 A most learned Irish historian, philolo- at this place. By this term, we are to under- gist, scientist and statist, the late much- stand, that it was to be a xenodochium, lamented and accomplished William K. or a hospital, for poor travellers or strangers. Sullivan, Ph. D. , tells us, that the Brugh or
signed establishing a "commune synochen,"
11
known as 6 in the Killaraght,
catione summa jam facta," on which Colgan remarks, that this strange word " manicatio"
ous genealogical and topograpical notices of
These Brughaidhs were bound to serve the "
Aid-Righ. SeeDr. O'Donovan's Annalsof the Four Masters. " vol. i. , pp. 52 to 55.
August it. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 157
Soon the servant returned to his mistress, and, falling before her on his knees, he related what he had seen. Then, accompanying him to the spot, Attracta gave thanks to God, with outstretched hands, believing her desires were about to be accomplished, as to the choice of a location for her intended establish- ment. Sheissaidtohavebestowedatractoflanduponherservant,atthat place ; recommending the practice of the virtue of hospitality to him and to his successors, that thus they might obtain favours from God, on the great accountingday. Sheaskedleavefromtheinhabitantsofthatdistrict,toerect ahabitationthere,andthispermissiontheyeagerlyaccorded. Thesaintwas much beloved and respected by the natives of that country. They admired her great virtue and prudence ; they consulted her upon all their important undertakings ; and they held her in as much esteem, as if she had been bom there,andhadconstantlyresidedamongthem. Moreover,theyerecteda church in that place, which was dedicated in her name, as also in honour of the
Most and of the Blessed 1 * Holy Trinity, Virgin.
Some short time having elapsed, after our saint's arrival in this part of
Connaught, she resolved also on making a tour through that province, to dis- cover a suitable place for the erection of a nunnery. The virgin is said to
16
called son to her mother. 1 ? He lived at Drumconnel, now commonly called
Drum. On account of her discovering a pleasing site in the neighbourhood of his church, Attracta wished to found an establishment on that spot, which was in the neighbourhood of Boyle, in the County of Roscommon. 18 Her visit there took place during Lent, when, immersed in cold water, St. Connall was thus in the habit of reciting his hours, whilst the penitential season con- tinued. Conjecturing that St. Attracta desired to have an oratory erected on the site which pleased her so much, St. Connall naturally concluded, that she was the strange virgin, whose arrival had been predicted by some true prophets, and who should be a Morning Star, on account of her devotion and service to God. '9 But, it would appear, notwithstanding the high opinion
have directed her course towards the habitation of St. Connell Droma,
village, where the Bruighfers or local rich farmers dwelt, had a political importance not enjoyed by the chieftain's manorial clans- men. The inhabitants of the former by
l6
Colgan is of opinion, that the St.
forming partnership could elect a representa- or Machonna, which is said to adjoin
tive Brughfer or Aire, for the District
Assemblies, and thus enjoy the full rights of
that of St. Connall, stood in the same region, and not far from Kill-chonail.
1? Colgancannotsaywhythisholymanwas "
citizenshipbydeputation. Thepeoplethere
owed allegiance only to the Righ of their called filius matris S. Attractce," in the
Tuath, and thus the germs of a representa-
tive system had been formed. The Bruighfers
were local magistrates ; while one of these
held the important rank of head or provincial,
and to his residence was attached a Fonts or
Forum, where the election of the Righ
Tuatha, and of his Tanaiste or successor
took place, and where public Assemblies side, if with these authorities, already
were held. The Brugh of such a magistrate,
together with its neighbouring village, might be considered asa royal borough. This title is still preserved in Bruree, a small town in the present County of Limerick.
