=^^ From her eight noble sons, she had
received
a territory, and free from all claim.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v3
However, it is acknowledged, that their chief feast was celebrated, on the 24th of September, which is that of tlie Translation of their relics.
Further notices will be found, at that date, in reference to those holy men.
Article XII. —St. Gumbert, or Gundibert, a French Martyr, in Ireland. Weareinformed,byColgan,'thatEmmawasthemotherofthis holy martyr, and of his brother, St. Xiuard. However, there seems no warrant, for Colgan placing his festival, at the present date ; whereas, the second edition of the Rheims Breviary enters it, at the 29th of J^Iay. ^ It would appear, that Gumbert had entered into the holy state of ]Matrimony with Berta, and had lived with her many years, while the spouses preserved an inviolable chastity, after the example given by many other persons of their age and country. Such account is taken from the Breviary of Rheims. ^ In France, this holy man had erected two convents for pious women. One of these was near the gate of the city of Rheims :+ while the other was erected, on his own property (Auennacensis), for his wife Berta, and this was after- wards endowed with the goods of pious men, while Queen Irmentrude was a great benefactress. To promote God's glory, and through a religious motive, GumbertwenttoIreland,andtothatpart,occupiedbytheScoti. Hebuilt
amonasterythere,andwhileprayinginit, hewasmartyredbybarbarians. His relics seem to have reached France, and to have been deposited, in the convent chapel of his wife Berta. There, his intercession was invoked, through subsequent ages, while miracles bore testimony to his sanctity.
&^z\\tV''m\)i\) Saj) of iBard)*
ARTICLE I. —ST. CAI RNECII , BISIT OV.
[F/F7V/ A. YD 67X77/ C7wV7r7^7£S. ]
WE can hardly be said to possess very authentic memorials, regarding this man has us a short Life, compiled
holy
" On the sixth of the Kalends of
April,
After the redemption of souls, Then rose— a wonderful news- - Jesus from the womb of ihc
earth. "
'See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , Martii xxvii. Sancta Memoria Jesv Christi
;
although Colgan given
Resurgentis, p. 6—87.
Article xi. 'See "Acta Sanctorum St. Gumbertus
is the name
given,
in his
Iliherni. c," Marlii xxvii. De SS. Cunialdo
el Ciisilario sive Gillisano, \>. 771.
Articlk xii. —'See "Acta Sanctorum lliDernia:," Martii xxvii. S. Gunil)erti sive
Guiulibcrti Martyris . Mcmoria, p. 771.
-
At this date, Colgan promised to say more regarding him, as al^o at the 29th of April, the dale for his Natalis, according to Eerrarius, Menard, and other writers.
3 in the fust edition, printed A. D. l6oo,
982 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 28.
fromafewrecords,whichcametohishands. However,itwouldappear, from a statement he has made, that the Acts of St. Cairnech were either lost, or that they had not come into his possession. We are informed, that he was anciently held, in very great veneration, throughout Ireland. So far as we shall be able to disentangle the probable events of St. Cairnech's life, from clouds of fable with which they are surrounded, it will only be necessary to remark, that little more can be known about him, than what mere conjec- ture furnishes ; unless, as may probably be the case, some hitherto unpub- lished Manuscript should be discovered, and brought to light, which may supply the defective materials we can now procure. We are told, by a well- known Irish writer,^ that as it concerns his etymon, Cairneach continued to signify a priest, even in the Christian times, from the practice of the druids officiatingattheCairns. Yet,itseemsdoubtfulenough,thatsuchaderiva-
tion throws any light on the etymology of our saint's name. The following accounts, relating to St. Cairnech and his relatives, and which have been lately rendered accessible to the public, are contained in an Appendix, to the Irish Version of Nennius' Historia Britonwn,^ ably edited by Dr. James Henthorn Todd, and by the Hon. Algernon Herbert. 3 The legend of St. Cairnech's miracles < is found in the Book of Ballymote. s Likewise, it occurs, as an interpolation, in Nennius' History of the Britons. ^ The legend itself is supposed to have been composed,7 subsequently to the close of the eleventh century ; and, perhaps, at a much later period. The author is un- known. An extract, from a Manuscript of Mac Firbis,^ throws some light on Cairnech's relatives, Muredhach Mac Eogan, and his wife Ere, who was maternal aunt to our saint. The history of these latter persons receives still farther elucidation, by the publication of a poem,9 extracted from a Manu- scriptvolumeofBardicverses. '" Fromthesesources,andfromthefewmeagre notices left us, by Colgan, we are enabled to give the following account,
Office ; and, it is set down, with an Octave, but the date for his feast is not noted.
written in the fourteenth century, and it is
now preserved, in the Royal Irish Aca-
demy's Library.
* It is inserted, before an account, which
The Breviary of Rheims adds: "cujus restat Aula, Sacellum, et Capella, S. Patri- cii multis orna—ta miraculis. "
he gives of the English Saxon Conquest, Article i. See Toland's History of and after the desertion of Britain, by the
'
This work was published, by the Irish
'"
the Druids," p. 105. He adds in note (24), on this passage : "This is the true origin of
the word Cairneach, as signifying a Priest ; but not derived, as men ignorant of antiquity fancy, from Coroineaeh, alluding to the crown-formed tonsure of the monks, not near so old as this word. "
Romans.
' It is probably quoted, by Dudley Mac Firbis, whose MS. was in the possession of Earl Roden ; but, whether " the old book," from which this antiquary quotes, be the Book of Ballymote, or some other book, containing similar matter, we cannot now decide, with any degree of accuracy.
Archaeological Society. Dublin, 1848.
3 A translation of the Irish version and notes by the former, and an Introduction and additional notes by the latter, manifest acquaintance with the sources of Irish his- tory, and an impartiality of investigation, highly creditable to the industry and ability
of both these gentlemen.
* It is probably a pure fiction, like many other things in this **fabula perquam futi-
It is published, in the Irish version of
lis," Sgeb goiiApjech gAn x>&c\\ piMnne, as it is truly called, in a note, containing the handwriting of old Charles O'Conor, on the
» It commences, with these words, "Enna the pupil of haixiy Cairbre," as translated from the Irish,
'°
This was preserved, in the Royal Irish Academy, for the examination and tran- scription of Irish scholars. It was the property of the late O'Connor Don, who gave it in trust to the Academicians, for the aforesaid purpose. See Irish version of the Historice Britonum of Nennius, for the fore- going and subsequent particulars. Editor's
" "Natus est hie Sanctus circa sxculi
—See Dr. Todd's note (r), p. 1S6, in the Irish version
margin of the Book of Ballymote.
vii. to Appendix, pp. 178
•'
of the
5 This valuable Manuscript had been
Preface, pp. vi. ,
193. Additional Notes, No. xxii. , pp. ci. to cxi.
Historise Britonum. "
^ Nennius.
March 28. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
983
corrected, also, from annotations, by the Editors of Nennius' Irish version. St. Cairnach was born, in the county of Louth, about the middle of the fifth century. " His father was named Sarran, and he is said " to have acquired dominion, over the Picts and Saxons. If such be the case, however, his sovereignty must date at a period, somewhat subsequent to the Saxon invasion,a. d. 449; althoughthelegendgivesanaccountofhisconquestsin Britain, as occurring first in order. According to the Genesises of Irish Saints, Sarran was son to Colchuo, Coelchu, or Colgan, son to Tuathal, son to Fedhhm,^4 son to Fiachra Cassan, the son of CoUa da Crioch. 's Besides our saint, Saran is said to have been the father of a St. Ronan, and of a St. Becan, or Brecan. Loam '^ was made first King of Scotland, a. d. 503,^7 and he is said to have reigned, for the duration of ten years. *^ He had two daughters, named respectively, Ere, and Pompa,'? or Babona. '° To his
King of Erin, Fearadhach, Tighearnach and Maian. A supposition has been made, that Ere had been only betrothed to Sarran, and that the marriage
ceremony had never taken place between them. This, however, is improbable, for the reason, that she was afterwards obliged to perform a severe public
penance. This supposes some guilt of a public and of an infamous character. '3 Being deserted by Ere, Sarran procured an alliance with her
medium in finibus— no- ''The attributed to St. quinti Orgiellioram, "Opuscula,"
Erci, mater fuit S. Carnechi S. Brecani et
name had been affixed the " ^' His father was epithetMor, great. "
named Ere, and, strange as it may appear, his daughter was distinguished by the same appellation. The legend of our saint's Life states, that Ere was first married to Sarran, that she afterwards eloped with Muiredhach,^* to Ireland, and bore him four sons, viz. : Muircheartach Mac Erca, who was afterwards
""
bili oriundus prosapia. " Colgan's Acta iEngus, states : Pompa filia Loarai filii
Sanctoram Hibemiae," xxviii. Martii, p. 782.
S. Ronani filiorum Sarani. "—Lib. 19.
" In the legend.
»3 Chap. xiii.
** He is made the son of Fechim, son of
^°
iv. , cap.
She is so called, by Seluacius, or Sel-
Fiach, son of Colla da Crioch, in another
authority, quoted by Colgan, in n. 2, but the first is more correct. See Dr. Todd's
note (b), p. 175. The author in question is conjectured to be Seluacius, or some one who wrote on the Genealogies of the Irish
saints, chap. xi.
'5 Hiber- See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum
nise," xxviii. Martii, p. 783, n. I, and xxi. Martii, p. 713. Appendix, cap. iv.
'* Loam, in Scotland, is supposed to de- rive its name from him. However, Hector Boece and other Scottish writers do not in- cludehimamongthekingsofScotland. On this matter, too, the reader is referred to a
bach, in his Irish Metrical Genealogies oF
theSaints; and,hedistinguishesher,asthe
mother of St. Ronan, the son of Saran, descended from the Colla Dacrioch. St. Brecan and St. Carnech were two brothers of St. Ronan, Bebona, the daughter of Loam being the mother of these three saints.
"a **
more clear and intelligible account, in •'
for twenty-seven years. See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hibemiae," xxviii,
Martii, nn. 2, 3, p. 783.
** Muiredhach was son to Eoghan Mac
NeillNaoighiallach.
=^3 The account in Dudley Mac Firbis'
Book tells us, that Muiredach's female com- panion married again, after his demise. "After the death of the son of Eoghan, Feargus, the son of Conal Gulban espoused Earc, the daughter of Loam :—
' Foursons'hadFergusbyEre, The same were worthy ; Fedlhimidh, and Loam, " Brennainn and Seudna. '
William F. Skene's Celtic Scotland," vol. i. , book i. , chap, v. , pp. 226 to 230.
'' According to O'Flaherty, in his
" See Scotise Ogygia. "
Regum Catalogus Chronologo-Genealogicus, p. 470.
'^ Colgan had in his possession, a Cata- logue of the kings of the Scots of Albania, or of the Dalriedii, from their first King Loam, to Malcolm, the son of Dunchad, who began to reign a. d. 1057, and under whom the Scoto-British author states he lived. This Tract affirms what is related in the text.
—
Notes, No. xxii. , p. cii. This account also accords, with what we find in O'Flaherty's
Chapter ii.
Her name denotes
" or "a woman. " benign
good
After him, his brother Ferguss reigned
version of Nennius.
Irish Additional
984 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 28.
sister Pompa,=4 or Babona, and by this latter, it is said, he had five sons. Four only are named in the legend, viz. : Luirig, Cairnach, Dallain and Caemlach. ThisaccountofPompa'ssonsbySarran,isquitedifferentfrom that given, by Colgan and O'Flaherty. These writers tell us, that she had three sons, named Gamech, Ronan, and Brecan, or Becan. 'S In the account, taken from the Manuscript of Dudley Mac Firbiss, it would seem, that after her marriage with Fergus, Ere felt remorse for her former crimes ; and, in order to give some public example of penitence, she set out from Tory Island, on the north-western coast of Donegal. She directed her course, most probably on foot, towards the palace of Aileach, near Derry, where St. Cairneach then dwelt. It is said, that in token of penitence, she knelt at
every second ridge on the way, and that blood oozed from the ends of her fingers, when she came into her nephew's presence. St. Cairneach received
her approaching end, she wished to leave some testamentary bequests to her nephew, and to his successors.
=^^ From her eight noble sons, she had received a territory, and free from all claim. ^7 This was to depend, on the descendants of Fare's sons, in Tir-Connell. The sons of Fearghus had given her, likewise, a place called Druim Lighean, or Cruachan Lighean, now Drumleene,"^ on the western bank of Lough Foyle, near Lifford. It is still the name of a townland, in the barony of Raphoe, parish of Clonleigh,'? or Clonlaodh, County Donegal. It was remarkable for its convenient situation, between Tir Eoghain and Tir Conaill. This fine territory she be- queathed to the venerated Cairneach, her sister's son. 3° We are informed, thatafterCairnech,Massan3» andCassan3* werethetwoCoarbs,whogave Druim Lighean away freely, on condition of receiving Cairneach's tribute.
her with the following prophetic words
shalt go to Heaven ; and, one of every two worthy kings, who shall reign overErin,shallbeofthyseed; thebestwomen,andthebestclerics,shall be theirs ; success in battle and combat shall be upon them. " He then absolved her, from the former sins she had committed. In anticipation of
" Ogygia :" " Erica Loanii regis filia bis nupta ; primo Muredacho Nielli Magni ex Eugenio filio nepoti filios edidit Murchertum Regem Hibernian, Anno 513. & 14, regum Hibernias Satorem, Feradachum Suwnei R.
Hiberniae avum, Tigemachum, & Moenum secundo nupta Fergusio Conalli Gulbanii
"* It is noted, on the " Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the County of Donegal," Sheets 62, 63, 70, 71.
=^9 A monastery was founded, by St. Columba, at Clonleigh. See Colgan's " Trias Thaumaturga," Quinta Appendix ad Acta S. Columbaj, cap. i. , p. 435, num.
:
filio, prioris niariti patrueli genuit Sednaeum 53.
novem Hibernioe regum progenitorem, 30 Jhe poem, as translated, continues Fedlimium S. Columbae utriusque Scotiae
Divi tu—telaris patrem, Loarnum, & Brenda- " Her horses, her gold, her apparel, num. " "ScotiasRegumCatalogusChrono- Her parents of many heavy hundreds, logo-Genealogicus," p. 471.
* This name is held -to " a For her the sons of express proud by
Muireadhach.
woman. "
*s " Pompa Bebona altera Loami Regis
filia Sarano conjugi, qui Fiachrium Cassan
Colla Huasii Anno 327. R. Hiberniae ex
" Her suit of apparel every year,
As if she were alive by strict injunction, And an hundred of every kind of cattle To Cairneach from the seed of Eoghan.
" The seed of Eoghan paid the tribute During Cairneach's life withou—t murmur,
fratre nepotem abavum prretulit, enixa est
SS. Carnechum, Ronanum, et Brecanum. "—
O'Flaherty's "Ogygia. " Scotiae Regum
Catalogus Chronologo-Genealogicus, p. 471.
And — they paid it
=* Soit is in the
stated, poem, beginning
deed
with the translated words: pupil of hardy Cairbre. "
''^ In the Irish it is Poem,
" Enna, the
a
noble
After him, for the term of twenty years. "
V^id; ^taU,
Brehon law term, nearly equivalent to our the
Colgan M
conjecture,
that
eliding
fee-iimpU.
:
3'
" I hail thee, O Earc, and thou
— And that he be entertained at banquets,
has a
for mo, this may be the St. Assanus,
whose feast occurs, at the 27th of April.
:
March 28. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
985
This was paid, by the prosperous Clann Neill, free of expeditions or of host- ings,33 although, as the poem states, they might have kept it without reproach.
And, subject to this tribute, Fearghus, son of Muircheartach, with his sons, took Druim Lighean. Hence, they were called Ui Ethach Droma Lighean, the descendants of Eochaidh of Druim Lighean, or Feara Droma Lighean, themenofDrumLighean. ^* Thesubstanceoftheforegoingpoemisgiven, by Colgan, in his Acts of St. Carnech ; and, moreover, he says, that the author of it lived at a remote period, from that time, when his own work had been written. 35 After Erc's bequest, and when she had been absolved, she was called away to a life of bliss. Her nephew blessed that spot, where she
"
died. It was afterwards called Ceall Earca, i. e. , Earc's Cell. " Caimeach
left Criodan, a Bishop, in charge of this place. 3^ Colgan is of opinion, that after these liberal bequests, Caimeach founded two churches, in the territory
of Cruachan, or Druim Lighean, either building not being far apart from the other. It is thought, that over these he exercised the rule of an Abbot, with
Episcopal jurisdiction. 37 One of the churches was named Domnach-Mor, of MaghIth,towardsthewest; theotherwasnamedCluainLoadh,nowClon-
leigh, towards the north. Our Hagiographists generally state, that St. Car- nech was a bishop, but they do not mention the name of his See. Some
suppose, that he only enlarged or improved a church, founded by St. Colura- kille, at Clonleigh. Little more can be stated, regarding St. Cairnech's acts, at least, as having been connected with Ireland ; for, the legend which follows
may refer, in part, to this country, or to Britain, without our being able to decide with certainty, from the obscure character of its narrative. 3^ Sarran may have reigned, over the Saxons and Picts, it is thought, towards the be-
city of Tours, in France, which he is thought to have conquered, and to have bestowed the bishopric thereof on his son Caimeach ; or, perhaps, in some otherplace,whereamonastery had been dedicated to St. Martin of Tours. There weretwoplacesinCornwall,namedafterSt. Martin; and,beforetheBene- dictine Rule was established, nearly all Irish monks are said to have followed the Martinist foundation. However this be, Luirig succeeded his father, and extended his sway, over the Saxons. It seems, that Muircheartach Mac
We are
house of Martin ;" by which we may infer, that he died a monk, either in the
ginning
of the sixth
century.
told,
that he
died,
3" Colgan thinks, lie may be the St. Cassanus, who is venerated, at the 20th of June.
33 The successors of St. Carnech, it ap-
is the same whom Colgan mentions as a disciple of St. Petroe, or Pereuse, Abbot of
Padstow (i. e. Petroestowe), in Cornwall, who died about a. d. 564. Of Criodan,
. . . .
in Lagenia, i—n ecclesia de Acadh Binnich, charges of expeditions and hostings, the die 11 Maii. " "—Acta Sanctorum," p. 586,
pears, preferred the tribute to the land, which was at that time burdened with the
Colgansays
Colitur
maintenance of troops, and also the obliga-
tion of serving personally in the wars, from which the ecclesiastical character of the owners did not protect them.
3* See the genealogy of the O'Donnellys, who were the chiefs of the Fir Droma, in the Appendix to. Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. vi. , p. 2426.
saint, bearing the like name, and a contem- ns See "Acta Sanctorum Hibernias," porary. He is called, "Antistes Tulensis
xxviii. Martii. Vita S. Carnechi, cap. iii. , iv. , p. 782.
3* To such information, as was given in
the Manuscript, we find added the following sentence : "This is from the copy of the Book of Lecan Maic Firbisigh. " And, in a
in Media," and he is said to have flourished, about the year 450. He is said to have been a Briton, by race, and to have been son to a king of Ceretica, a Cambro-Briton, His feast occurs, at the i6thof May, accord- ing to John of Teignmouth and John Cap- grave.
note on Criodan, it is said :
"
Perhaps this
" after in the triumph
Cridanus
:
"
nn. 11, 12, 13. " Irish Version of Nen-
nius," Additional Notes, No. xxii. , p. ciii. 37 Such is Colgan's opinion,
38 These foregoing particulars appear to
be all of an authentic character, that can be
related, regarding our saint. What follows, in the text, would seem referable to another
986 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 28.
Erca, who was a prince of violent passions, having previously killed some Crossans, in Ireland, had been banished from the island, and he took refuge
in Scotland. Here, having slain his grandfather Loam, he was again expelled that country. He then fled to the King of Britain, and having had his arms consecrated, by his cousin Cairneach, according to a custom of the time, he offered to this latter king his military services, which were eagerly accepted. Before this time, Luirig had built a fort, within the precincts of his brother Cairneach's monastery, without his consent being obtained, and much to his annoyance. When the consecration of Muircheartach's arms took place,
" As God is my judge, I think more of the power of the pet wild fawn he has, than of his own power, or of the power of the Lord God whom he adores. " Muirchear- tach told the result to Cairneach, who, moved with indignation, exclaimed : " My prayer to my Lord, to my God, is, that this very fawn may be the cause
!
of his death, and by thy hand, O Mac Erca " The person addressed,
already familiar with deeds of violence, looked upon these words of Cair- neach, as a sufficient warrant for an attempt on Luirig's life. He sought the monarch's presence, at a time when he was surrounded by his guards and nobles, as also by women, representing his household. At this moment, a wild fawn 39 rushed out from the mountain, and all the king's guards started forth in pursuit, leaving Luirig alone, with those women and Mac Erca. The latter, having reproached him with injustice towards St. Cairneach, drove his spear through the king's body, and then brought Luirig's head to the bishop, as a trophy, betokening the successful issue of his unnatural deed. To com- plete this wicked act, it is said, that he forced the French king, after many conflicts, to yield his daughter, who had been previously married to Luirig, By her, he is said to have had four sons, viz. : Constantine and Gedal Ficht, from whom the British kings and those of Cornwall claim descent ; Nellenn, from whom the race of Nellenn is derived ; and Scannal, from whom the posterity of Scannail draw their origin. These two last races belong to Ire- land. St. Cairnech is said to have been present, at a Council, held in Tours, at which Euphronius, Bishop of Tours, and eight other bishops, assisted. This Council was convened, at St. Martin's church, on the 17th of November, about the year 566 or 567. In the legend of our saint's life, it is stated, that he afterwards set out on a pilgrimage to Lien—probably Lyons—accompanied by many bishops ; and, that this pilgrimage was undertaken, for the sake of MacErcaandMuiredhach. Itissaid,thatheafterwardsreturnedtoCorn- wall, in which part of Britain he ruled as bishop ; and that, aftenvards, he be- bame bishop, over the Clann-Niall and of Tara,-*" in Ireland, where he is supposedtohavedied. Heiscalledfirstmartyr,andfirstmonkofEri,and, likewise, first Brehon, or judge. These extravagent and incoherent relations are passed over, in silence, by the learned Colgan. The feast of St. Cearnech, Bishop, was held, on tlie 28th of March. We find, in the Martyrology of Tallagh,^' the name of Cairnigh, Bishop, without any other description, at this date. Again, Marianus O'Gorman and Cathal Maguire, calling him
bishop, commemorate him at the same day, but they do not designate the
39 Meaning, of course, the wild fawn ecclesiastical province, in which Tara had
Cairneach is reported to have said to him
of Britain, forever, and shalt go to heaven after, provided thou canst but preventLuirig,fromexercisinghispoweragainsttheChurch. " Muirchear-
tach reported this speech to Luirig, who thereupon cried out
:
already spoken of, for otherwise the prayer of St. Cairneach would not have been lul-
filled.
*" This must mean, over the diocese or
been situated,
^» Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xx. In
the Franciscan copy, the entry of this saint's name is CAptug e-api.
:
'* Thou shalt be king of Eri and
March 28. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
987
place,wherehewasveneratedaspatron/" AccordingtotheMartyrologyof
Donegal,^3 on this day was celebrated a festival in honour of Cairnech,
Bishop. '** Before or about the year 530, Colgan assigns for the death of St.
Cairneach. This date, he endeavours to establish, from the circumstance,
that Ferguss, the son of Murchertach, possessed Cruachan's farm, after
twenty years from Carnech's demise, about the year 550, Ferguss and Domhnall died, a. d. 561, according to the Annals of the Four Masters, after
they had jointly reigned over Ireland, for three years. If such be the case, that our saint died before, or about, the year 530, and, if we admit a statement, that another saint, bearing a nearly similar name, and called Carantoch by the Britons, flourished about a. d. 450 ; we shall have still greater difficulty, in reconciling those latter actions, regarding our saint, as recorded in the Irish version of the Historia Britonum, with authentic history. Regarding what has been related of his actions, in Britain and in France, especially his assisting at the Council of Tours, and afterwards returning to Ireland ; we can hardly reconcile it with a date, which assigns his birth to the middle of
the fifth century, unless, indeed, we should be willing to allow his having attained an extraordinary age, and a date of departure, much later, than that givenbyColgan. ThenameCarnechus,andthedesignationEpiscoJ>us,are all we find in the BollandistSj-^s at this particular day.
Article II. —St, Conald, or Conall, Bishop of Kilskyre, County
OF Meath. l^Ntnth Cen/urj. ] The servant of Christ, Conall, or Conald, is
^
said to have been son to Fiachna, Prince of East Meath, and of the blood
royal of Ireland. '' The latter was son to Maelduin, son of Column, son to
Aedh, son of Libren, son to Dallen, son of Endeus, son to Loegaire, son of NialloftheNineHostages. 3 Colganhasenteredsomenotices,inwhichan
effort is made to investigate matters, serving to illustrate this saint's biography. 4 The BoUandists barely notice him, with doubts of his claim to a legitimate cultus. ^ We are told, that Conall was at first Bishop of Kilskyre, or Kilskeer. This old church is now a ruin, measuring eighty-two feet, by twenty-seven feet, three inches. ^ The body is completely desolated, for the windows, doorway, and east wall, have disappeared. The western end terminated, in a triple belfry. Within the chancel, there is a sepulchral cross, which origi- nally marked the grave of an ecclesiastic. Kilskyre was plundered and burned, on more than one occasion ; and, after the English Invasion, a parish church merely remained. 7 It is now a parish, in the barony of UpperKells,andcountyofMeath. Conallwastheonlybishopwemeet with in that place. ^ Thence, it would seem, he went to the Great Island of
»' See
bemiae," xxviii, Martii, n. 14, p. 784.
3 Thus does his ruti in the pedigree
saints," p. 709. — Article II.
account of Kilskyre is
Colgan's
"
" Acta Sanctorum' Hi-
^3 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, p.
89.
^TheCalendarist observes, that there was
a Cairnech, son of Saran, and sprung from the race of Colla-da Chroich, son of Eoch- aidh Dounhlen.
^5 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. ,
Sanctilogic Genealogies," chap, iii. , while Seluacius, or the compiler of another Genea- logy, is of accord.
"See "Acta Sanctorum Hibernije,"
xxviii. Martii. De S. Conallo sive Conaldo,
p. 784.
s See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. ,
Martii xxviii. Among the pretermitted saints, p. 709.
* An
interesting
given, in Rev. Anthony Cogan's
siastical History of the Diocese of Meath,
Ancient and Modern," vol. i. , chap, xxvi. , pp. 147 to 149.
^ Ibid.
Article XII. —St. Gumbert, or Gundibert, a French Martyr, in Ireland. Weareinformed,byColgan,'thatEmmawasthemotherofthis holy martyr, and of his brother, St. Xiuard. However, there seems no warrant, for Colgan placing his festival, at the present date ; whereas, the second edition of the Rheims Breviary enters it, at the 29th of J^Iay. ^ It would appear, that Gumbert had entered into the holy state of ]Matrimony with Berta, and had lived with her many years, while the spouses preserved an inviolable chastity, after the example given by many other persons of their age and country. Such account is taken from the Breviary of Rheims. ^ In France, this holy man had erected two convents for pious women. One of these was near the gate of the city of Rheims :+ while the other was erected, on his own property (Auennacensis), for his wife Berta, and this was after- wards endowed with the goods of pious men, while Queen Irmentrude was a great benefactress. To promote God's glory, and through a religious motive, GumbertwenttoIreland,andtothatpart,occupiedbytheScoti. Hebuilt
amonasterythere,andwhileprayinginit, hewasmartyredbybarbarians. His relics seem to have reached France, and to have been deposited, in the convent chapel of his wife Berta. There, his intercession was invoked, through subsequent ages, while miracles bore testimony to his sanctity.
&^z\\tV''m\)i\) Saj) of iBard)*
ARTICLE I. —ST. CAI RNECII , BISIT OV.
[F/F7V/ A. YD 67X77/ C7wV7r7^7£S. ]
WE can hardly be said to possess very authentic memorials, regarding this man has us a short Life, compiled
holy
" On the sixth of the Kalends of
April,
After the redemption of souls, Then rose— a wonderful news- - Jesus from the womb of ihc
earth. "
'See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , Martii xxvii. Sancta Memoria Jesv Christi
;
although Colgan given
Resurgentis, p. 6—87.
Article xi. 'See "Acta Sanctorum St. Gumbertus
is the name
given,
in his
Iliherni. c," Marlii xxvii. De SS. Cunialdo
el Ciisilario sive Gillisano, \>. 771.
Articlk xii. —'See "Acta Sanctorum lliDernia:," Martii xxvii. S. Gunil)erti sive
Guiulibcrti Martyris . Mcmoria, p. 771.
-
At this date, Colgan promised to say more regarding him, as al^o at the 29th of April, the dale for his Natalis, according to Eerrarius, Menard, and other writers.
3 in the fust edition, printed A. D. l6oo,
982 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 28.
fromafewrecords,whichcametohishands. However,itwouldappear, from a statement he has made, that the Acts of St. Cairnech were either lost, or that they had not come into his possession. We are informed, that he was anciently held, in very great veneration, throughout Ireland. So far as we shall be able to disentangle the probable events of St. Cairnech's life, from clouds of fable with which they are surrounded, it will only be necessary to remark, that little more can be known about him, than what mere conjec- ture furnishes ; unless, as may probably be the case, some hitherto unpub- lished Manuscript should be discovered, and brought to light, which may supply the defective materials we can now procure. We are told, by a well- known Irish writer,^ that as it concerns his etymon, Cairneach continued to signify a priest, even in the Christian times, from the practice of the druids officiatingattheCairns. Yet,itseemsdoubtfulenough,thatsuchaderiva-
tion throws any light on the etymology of our saint's name. The following accounts, relating to St. Cairnech and his relatives, and which have been lately rendered accessible to the public, are contained in an Appendix, to the Irish Version of Nennius' Historia Britonwn,^ ably edited by Dr. James Henthorn Todd, and by the Hon. Algernon Herbert. 3 The legend of St. Cairnech's miracles < is found in the Book of Ballymote. s Likewise, it occurs, as an interpolation, in Nennius' History of the Britons. ^ The legend itself is supposed to have been composed,7 subsequently to the close of the eleventh century ; and, perhaps, at a much later period. The author is un- known. An extract, from a Manuscript of Mac Firbis,^ throws some light on Cairnech's relatives, Muredhach Mac Eogan, and his wife Ere, who was maternal aunt to our saint. The history of these latter persons receives still farther elucidation, by the publication of a poem,9 extracted from a Manu- scriptvolumeofBardicverses. '" Fromthesesources,andfromthefewmeagre notices left us, by Colgan, we are enabled to give the following account,
Office ; and, it is set down, with an Octave, but the date for his feast is not noted.
written in the fourteenth century, and it is
now preserved, in the Royal Irish Aca-
demy's Library.
* It is inserted, before an account, which
The Breviary of Rheims adds: "cujus restat Aula, Sacellum, et Capella, S. Patri- cii multis orna—ta miraculis. "
he gives of the English Saxon Conquest, Article i. See Toland's History of and after the desertion of Britain, by the
'
This work was published, by the Irish
'"
the Druids," p. 105. He adds in note (24), on this passage : "This is the true origin of
the word Cairneach, as signifying a Priest ; but not derived, as men ignorant of antiquity fancy, from Coroineaeh, alluding to the crown-formed tonsure of the monks, not near so old as this word. "
Romans.
' It is probably quoted, by Dudley Mac Firbis, whose MS. was in the possession of Earl Roden ; but, whether " the old book," from which this antiquary quotes, be the Book of Ballymote, or some other book, containing similar matter, we cannot now decide, with any degree of accuracy.
Archaeological Society. Dublin, 1848.
3 A translation of the Irish version and notes by the former, and an Introduction and additional notes by the latter, manifest acquaintance with the sources of Irish his- tory, and an impartiality of investigation, highly creditable to the industry and ability
of both these gentlemen.
* It is probably a pure fiction, like many other things in this **fabula perquam futi-
It is published, in the Irish version of
lis," Sgeb goiiApjech gAn x>&c\\ piMnne, as it is truly called, in a note, containing the handwriting of old Charles O'Conor, on the
» It commences, with these words, "Enna the pupil of haixiy Cairbre," as translated from the Irish,
'°
This was preserved, in the Royal Irish Academy, for the examination and tran- scription of Irish scholars. It was the property of the late O'Connor Don, who gave it in trust to the Academicians, for the aforesaid purpose. See Irish version of the Historice Britonum of Nennius, for the fore- going and subsequent particulars. Editor's
" "Natus est hie Sanctus circa sxculi
—See Dr. Todd's note (r), p. 1S6, in the Irish version
margin of the Book of Ballymote.
vii. to Appendix, pp. 178
•'
of the
5 This valuable Manuscript had been
Preface, pp. vi. ,
193. Additional Notes, No. xxii. , pp. ci. to cxi.
Historise Britonum. "
^ Nennius.
March 28. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
983
corrected, also, from annotations, by the Editors of Nennius' Irish version. St. Cairnach was born, in the county of Louth, about the middle of the fifth century. " His father was named Sarran, and he is said " to have acquired dominion, over the Picts and Saxons. If such be the case, however, his sovereignty must date at a period, somewhat subsequent to the Saxon invasion,a. d. 449; althoughthelegendgivesanaccountofhisconquestsin Britain, as occurring first in order. According to the Genesises of Irish Saints, Sarran was son to Colchuo, Coelchu, or Colgan, son to Tuathal, son to Fedhhm,^4 son to Fiachra Cassan, the son of CoUa da Crioch. 's Besides our saint, Saran is said to have been the father of a St. Ronan, and of a St. Becan, or Brecan. Loam '^ was made first King of Scotland, a. d. 503,^7 and he is said to have reigned, for the duration of ten years. *^ He had two daughters, named respectively, Ere, and Pompa,'? or Babona. '° To his
King of Erin, Fearadhach, Tighearnach and Maian. A supposition has been made, that Ere had been only betrothed to Sarran, and that the marriage
ceremony had never taken place between them. This, however, is improbable, for the reason, that she was afterwards obliged to perform a severe public
penance. This supposes some guilt of a public and of an infamous character. '3 Being deserted by Ere, Sarran procured an alliance with her
medium in finibus— no- ''The attributed to St. quinti Orgiellioram, "Opuscula,"
Erci, mater fuit S. Carnechi S. Brecani et
name had been affixed the " ^' His father was epithetMor, great. "
named Ere, and, strange as it may appear, his daughter was distinguished by the same appellation. The legend of our saint's Life states, that Ere was first married to Sarran, that she afterwards eloped with Muiredhach,^* to Ireland, and bore him four sons, viz. : Muircheartach Mac Erca, who was afterwards
""
bili oriundus prosapia. " Colgan's Acta iEngus, states : Pompa filia Loarai filii
Sanctoram Hibemiae," xxviii. Martii, p. 782.
S. Ronani filiorum Sarani. "—Lib. 19.
" In the legend.
»3 Chap. xiii.
** He is made the son of Fechim, son of
^°
iv. , cap.
She is so called, by Seluacius, or Sel-
Fiach, son of Colla da Crioch, in another
authority, quoted by Colgan, in n. 2, but the first is more correct. See Dr. Todd's
note (b), p. 175. The author in question is conjectured to be Seluacius, or some one who wrote on the Genealogies of the Irish
saints, chap. xi.
'5 Hiber- See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum
nise," xxviii. Martii, p. 783, n. I, and xxi. Martii, p. 713. Appendix, cap. iv.
'* Loam, in Scotland, is supposed to de- rive its name from him. However, Hector Boece and other Scottish writers do not in- cludehimamongthekingsofScotland. On this matter, too, the reader is referred to a
bach, in his Irish Metrical Genealogies oF
theSaints; and,hedistinguishesher,asthe
mother of St. Ronan, the son of Saran, descended from the Colla Dacrioch. St. Brecan and St. Carnech were two brothers of St. Ronan, Bebona, the daughter of Loam being the mother of these three saints.
"a **
more clear and intelligible account, in •'
for twenty-seven years. See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hibemiae," xxviii,
Martii, nn. 2, 3, p. 783.
** Muiredhach was son to Eoghan Mac
NeillNaoighiallach.
=^3 The account in Dudley Mac Firbis'
Book tells us, that Muiredach's female com- panion married again, after his demise. "After the death of the son of Eoghan, Feargus, the son of Conal Gulban espoused Earc, the daughter of Loam :—
' Foursons'hadFergusbyEre, The same were worthy ; Fedlhimidh, and Loam, " Brennainn and Seudna. '
William F. Skene's Celtic Scotland," vol. i. , book i. , chap, v. , pp. 226 to 230.
'' According to O'Flaherty, in his
" See Scotise Ogygia. "
Regum Catalogus Chronologo-Genealogicus, p. 470.
'^ Colgan had in his possession, a Cata- logue of the kings of the Scots of Albania, or of the Dalriedii, from their first King Loam, to Malcolm, the son of Dunchad, who began to reign a. d. 1057, and under whom the Scoto-British author states he lived. This Tract affirms what is related in the text.
—
Notes, No. xxii. , p. cii. This account also accords, with what we find in O'Flaherty's
Chapter ii.
Her name denotes
" or "a woman. " benign
good
After him, his brother Ferguss reigned
version of Nennius.
Irish Additional
984 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 28.
sister Pompa,=4 or Babona, and by this latter, it is said, he had five sons. Four only are named in the legend, viz. : Luirig, Cairnach, Dallain and Caemlach. ThisaccountofPompa'ssonsbySarran,isquitedifferentfrom that given, by Colgan and O'Flaherty. These writers tell us, that she had three sons, named Gamech, Ronan, and Brecan, or Becan. 'S In the account, taken from the Manuscript of Dudley Mac Firbiss, it would seem, that after her marriage with Fergus, Ere felt remorse for her former crimes ; and, in order to give some public example of penitence, she set out from Tory Island, on the north-western coast of Donegal. She directed her course, most probably on foot, towards the palace of Aileach, near Derry, where St. Cairneach then dwelt. It is said, that in token of penitence, she knelt at
every second ridge on the way, and that blood oozed from the ends of her fingers, when she came into her nephew's presence. St. Cairneach received
her approaching end, she wished to leave some testamentary bequests to her nephew, and to his successors.
=^^ From her eight noble sons, she had received a territory, and free from all claim. ^7 This was to depend, on the descendants of Fare's sons, in Tir-Connell. The sons of Fearghus had given her, likewise, a place called Druim Lighean, or Cruachan Lighean, now Drumleene,"^ on the western bank of Lough Foyle, near Lifford. It is still the name of a townland, in the barony of Raphoe, parish of Clonleigh,'? or Clonlaodh, County Donegal. It was remarkable for its convenient situation, between Tir Eoghain and Tir Conaill. This fine territory she be- queathed to the venerated Cairneach, her sister's son. 3° We are informed, thatafterCairnech,Massan3» andCassan3* werethetwoCoarbs,whogave Druim Lighean away freely, on condition of receiving Cairneach's tribute.
her with the following prophetic words
shalt go to Heaven ; and, one of every two worthy kings, who shall reign overErin,shallbeofthyseed; thebestwomen,andthebestclerics,shall be theirs ; success in battle and combat shall be upon them. " He then absolved her, from the former sins she had committed. In anticipation of
" Ogygia :" " Erica Loanii regis filia bis nupta ; primo Muredacho Nielli Magni ex Eugenio filio nepoti filios edidit Murchertum Regem Hibernian, Anno 513. & 14, regum Hibernias Satorem, Feradachum Suwnei R.
Hiberniae avum, Tigemachum, & Moenum secundo nupta Fergusio Conalli Gulbanii
"* It is noted, on the " Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the County of Donegal," Sheets 62, 63, 70, 71.
=^9 A monastery was founded, by St. Columba, at Clonleigh. See Colgan's " Trias Thaumaturga," Quinta Appendix ad Acta S. Columbaj, cap. i. , p. 435, num.
:
filio, prioris niariti patrueli genuit Sednaeum 53.
novem Hibernioe regum progenitorem, 30 Jhe poem, as translated, continues Fedlimium S. Columbae utriusque Scotiae
Divi tu—telaris patrem, Loarnum, & Brenda- " Her horses, her gold, her apparel, num. " "ScotiasRegumCatalogusChrono- Her parents of many heavy hundreds, logo-Genealogicus," p. 471.
* This name is held -to " a For her the sons of express proud by
Muireadhach.
woman. "
*s " Pompa Bebona altera Loami Regis
filia Sarano conjugi, qui Fiachrium Cassan
Colla Huasii Anno 327. R. Hiberniae ex
" Her suit of apparel every year,
As if she were alive by strict injunction, And an hundred of every kind of cattle To Cairneach from the seed of Eoghan.
" The seed of Eoghan paid the tribute During Cairneach's life withou—t murmur,
fratre nepotem abavum prretulit, enixa est
SS. Carnechum, Ronanum, et Brecanum. "—
O'Flaherty's "Ogygia. " Scotiae Regum
Catalogus Chronologo-Genealogicus, p. 471.
And — they paid it
=* Soit is in the
stated, poem, beginning
deed
with the translated words: pupil of hardy Cairbre. "
''^ In the Irish it is Poem,
" Enna, the
a
noble
After him, for the term of twenty years. "
V^id; ^taU,
Brehon law term, nearly equivalent to our the
Colgan M
conjecture,
that
eliding
fee-iimpU.
:
3'
" I hail thee, O Earc, and thou
— And that he be entertained at banquets,
has a
for mo, this may be the St. Assanus,
whose feast occurs, at the 27th of April.
:
March 28. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
985
This was paid, by the prosperous Clann Neill, free of expeditions or of host- ings,33 although, as the poem states, they might have kept it without reproach.
And, subject to this tribute, Fearghus, son of Muircheartach, with his sons, took Druim Lighean. Hence, they were called Ui Ethach Droma Lighean, the descendants of Eochaidh of Druim Lighean, or Feara Droma Lighean, themenofDrumLighean. ^* Thesubstanceoftheforegoingpoemisgiven, by Colgan, in his Acts of St. Carnech ; and, moreover, he says, that the author of it lived at a remote period, from that time, when his own work had been written. 35 After Erc's bequest, and when she had been absolved, she was called away to a life of bliss. Her nephew blessed that spot, where she
"
died. It was afterwards called Ceall Earca, i. e. , Earc's Cell. " Caimeach
left Criodan, a Bishop, in charge of this place. 3^ Colgan is of opinion, that after these liberal bequests, Caimeach founded two churches, in the territory
of Cruachan, or Druim Lighean, either building not being far apart from the other. It is thought, that over these he exercised the rule of an Abbot, with
Episcopal jurisdiction. 37 One of the churches was named Domnach-Mor, of MaghIth,towardsthewest; theotherwasnamedCluainLoadh,nowClon-
leigh, towards the north. Our Hagiographists generally state, that St. Car- nech was a bishop, but they do not mention the name of his See. Some
suppose, that he only enlarged or improved a church, founded by St. Colura- kille, at Clonleigh. Little more can be stated, regarding St. Cairnech's acts, at least, as having been connected with Ireland ; for, the legend which follows
may refer, in part, to this country, or to Britain, without our being able to decide with certainty, from the obscure character of its narrative. 3^ Sarran may have reigned, over the Saxons and Picts, it is thought, towards the be-
city of Tours, in France, which he is thought to have conquered, and to have bestowed the bishopric thereof on his son Caimeach ; or, perhaps, in some otherplace,whereamonastery had been dedicated to St. Martin of Tours. There weretwoplacesinCornwall,namedafterSt. Martin; and,beforetheBene- dictine Rule was established, nearly all Irish monks are said to have followed the Martinist foundation. However this be, Luirig succeeded his father, and extended his sway, over the Saxons. It seems, that Muircheartach Mac
We are
house of Martin ;" by which we may infer, that he died a monk, either in the
ginning
of the sixth
century.
told,
that he
died,
3" Colgan thinks, lie may be the St. Cassanus, who is venerated, at the 20th of June.
33 The successors of St. Carnech, it ap-
is the same whom Colgan mentions as a disciple of St. Petroe, or Pereuse, Abbot of
Padstow (i. e. Petroestowe), in Cornwall, who died about a. d. 564. Of Criodan,
. . . .
in Lagenia, i—n ecclesia de Acadh Binnich, charges of expeditions and hostings, the die 11 Maii. " "—Acta Sanctorum," p. 586,
pears, preferred the tribute to the land, which was at that time burdened with the
Colgansays
Colitur
maintenance of troops, and also the obliga-
tion of serving personally in the wars, from which the ecclesiastical character of the owners did not protect them.
3* See the genealogy of the O'Donnellys, who were the chiefs of the Fir Droma, in the Appendix to. Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. vi. , p. 2426.
saint, bearing the like name, and a contem- ns See "Acta Sanctorum Hibernias," porary. He is called, "Antistes Tulensis
xxviii. Martii. Vita S. Carnechi, cap. iii. , iv. , p. 782.
3* To such information, as was given in
the Manuscript, we find added the following sentence : "This is from the copy of the Book of Lecan Maic Firbisigh. " And, in a
in Media," and he is said to have flourished, about the year 450. He is said to have been a Briton, by race, and to have been son to a king of Ceretica, a Cambro-Briton, His feast occurs, at the i6thof May, accord- ing to John of Teignmouth and John Cap- grave.
note on Criodan, it is said :
"
Perhaps this
" after in the triumph
Cridanus
:
"
nn. 11, 12, 13. " Irish Version of Nen-
nius," Additional Notes, No. xxii. , p. ciii. 37 Such is Colgan's opinion,
38 These foregoing particulars appear to
be all of an authentic character, that can be
related, regarding our saint. What follows, in the text, would seem referable to another
986 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 28.
Erca, who was a prince of violent passions, having previously killed some Crossans, in Ireland, had been banished from the island, and he took refuge
in Scotland. Here, having slain his grandfather Loam, he was again expelled that country. He then fled to the King of Britain, and having had his arms consecrated, by his cousin Cairneach, according to a custom of the time, he offered to this latter king his military services, which were eagerly accepted. Before this time, Luirig had built a fort, within the precincts of his brother Cairneach's monastery, without his consent being obtained, and much to his annoyance. When the consecration of Muircheartach's arms took place,
" As God is my judge, I think more of the power of the pet wild fawn he has, than of his own power, or of the power of the Lord God whom he adores. " Muirchear- tach told the result to Cairneach, who, moved with indignation, exclaimed : " My prayer to my Lord, to my God, is, that this very fawn may be the cause
!
of his death, and by thy hand, O Mac Erca " The person addressed,
already familiar with deeds of violence, looked upon these words of Cair- neach, as a sufficient warrant for an attempt on Luirig's life. He sought the monarch's presence, at a time when he was surrounded by his guards and nobles, as also by women, representing his household. At this moment, a wild fawn 39 rushed out from the mountain, and all the king's guards started forth in pursuit, leaving Luirig alone, with those women and Mac Erca. The latter, having reproached him with injustice towards St. Cairneach, drove his spear through the king's body, and then brought Luirig's head to the bishop, as a trophy, betokening the successful issue of his unnatural deed. To com- plete this wicked act, it is said, that he forced the French king, after many conflicts, to yield his daughter, who had been previously married to Luirig, By her, he is said to have had four sons, viz. : Constantine and Gedal Ficht, from whom the British kings and those of Cornwall claim descent ; Nellenn, from whom the race of Nellenn is derived ; and Scannal, from whom the posterity of Scannail draw their origin. These two last races belong to Ire- land. St. Cairnech is said to have been present, at a Council, held in Tours, at which Euphronius, Bishop of Tours, and eight other bishops, assisted. This Council was convened, at St. Martin's church, on the 17th of November, about the year 566 or 567. In the legend of our saint's life, it is stated, that he afterwards set out on a pilgrimage to Lien—probably Lyons—accompanied by many bishops ; and, that this pilgrimage was undertaken, for the sake of MacErcaandMuiredhach. Itissaid,thatheafterwardsreturnedtoCorn- wall, in which part of Britain he ruled as bishop ; and that, aftenvards, he be- bame bishop, over the Clann-Niall and of Tara,-*" in Ireland, where he is supposedtohavedied. Heiscalledfirstmartyr,andfirstmonkofEri,and, likewise, first Brehon, or judge. These extravagent and incoherent relations are passed over, in silence, by the learned Colgan. The feast of St. Cearnech, Bishop, was held, on tlie 28th of March. We find, in the Martyrology of Tallagh,^' the name of Cairnigh, Bishop, without any other description, at this date. Again, Marianus O'Gorman and Cathal Maguire, calling him
bishop, commemorate him at the same day, but they do not designate the
39 Meaning, of course, the wild fawn ecclesiastical province, in which Tara had
Cairneach is reported to have said to him
of Britain, forever, and shalt go to heaven after, provided thou canst but preventLuirig,fromexercisinghispoweragainsttheChurch. " Muirchear-
tach reported this speech to Luirig, who thereupon cried out
:
already spoken of, for otherwise the prayer of St. Cairneach would not have been lul-
filled.
*" This must mean, over the diocese or
been situated,
^» Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xx. In
the Franciscan copy, the entry of this saint's name is CAptug e-api.
:
'* Thou shalt be king of Eri and
March 28. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
987
place,wherehewasveneratedaspatron/" AccordingtotheMartyrologyof
Donegal,^3 on this day was celebrated a festival in honour of Cairnech,
Bishop. '** Before or about the year 530, Colgan assigns for the death of St.
Cairneach. This date, he endeavours to establish, from the circumstance,
that Ferguss, the son of Murchertach, possessed Cruachan's farm, after
twenty years from Carnech's demise, about the year 550, Ferguss and Domhnall died, a. d. 561, according to the Annals of the Four Masters, after
they had jointly reigned over Ireland, for three years. If such be the case, that our saint died before, or about, the year 530, and, if we admit a statement, that another saint, bearing a nearly similar name, and called Carantoch by the Britons, flourished about a. d. 450 ; we shall have still greater difficulty, in reconciling those latter actions, regarding our saint, as recorded in the Irish version of the Historia Britonum, with authentic history. Regarding what has been related of his actions, in Britain and in France, especially his assisting at the Council of Tours, and afterwards returning to Ireland ; we can hardly reconcile it with a date, which assigns his birth to the middle of
the fifth century, unless, indeed, we should be willing to allow his having attained an extraordinary age, and a date of departure, much later, than that givenbyColgan. ThenameCarnechus,andthedesignationEpiscoJ>us,are all we find in the BollandistSj-^s at this particular day.
Article II. —St, Conald, or Conall, Bishop of Kilskyre, County
OF Meath. l^Ntnth Cen/urj. ] The servant of Christ, Conall, or Conald, is
^
said to have been son to Fiachna, Prince of East Meath, and of the blood
royal of Ireland. '' The latter was son to Maelduin, son of Column, son to
Aedh, son of Libren, son to Dallen, son of Endeus, son to Loegaire, son of NialloftheNineHostages. 3 Colganhasenteredsomenotices,inwhichan
effort is made to investigate matters, serving to illustrate this saint's biography. 4 The BoUandists barely notice him, with doubts of his claim to a legitimate cultus. ^ We are told, that Conall was at first Bishop of Kilskyre, or Kilskeer. This old church is now a ruin, measuring eighty-two feet, by twenty-seven feet, three inches. ^ The body is completely desolated, for the windows, doorway, and east wall, have disappeared. The western end terminated, in a triple belfry. Within the chancel, there is a sepulchral cross, which origi- nally marked the grave of an ecclesiastic. Kilskyre was plundered and burned, on more than one occasion ; and, after the English Invasion, a parish church merely remained. 7 It is now a parish, in the barony of UpperKells,andcountyofMeath. Conallwastheonlybishopwemeet with in that place. ^ Thence, it would seem, he went to the Great Island of
»' See
bemiae," xxviii, Martii, n. 14, p. 784.
3 Thus does his ruti in the pedigree
saints," p. 709. — Article II.
account of Kilskyre is
Colgan's
"
" Acta Sanctorum' Hi-
^3 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, p.
89.
^TheCalendarist observes, that there was
a Cairnech, son of Saran, and sprung from the race of Colla-da Chroich, son of Eoch- aidh Dounhlen.
^5 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. ,
Sanctilogic Genealogies," chap, iii. , while Seluacius, or the compiler of another Genea- logy, is of accord.
"See "Acta Sanctorum Hibernije,"
xxviii. Martii. De S. Conallo sive Conaldo,
p. 784.
s See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. ,
Martii xxviii. Among the pretermitted saints, p. 709.
* An
interesting
given, in Rev. Anthony Cogan's
siastical History of the Diocese of Meath,
Ancient and Modern," vol. i. , chap, xxvi. , pp. 147 to 149.
^ Ibid.
