'*
Roderick
O'Flaherty says : "SS.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v7
—
of the commentator on the Feilire of St. ^Engus—Declan was a foster-son of St. Mo- ling, while we are told in St. Mullin's he rests or in Lismore. See "Transactions of the Royal Irish Academy," vol. i. , part i. On the Calendar of Oen^us, by Wuitley Stokes, LL. D. , p. cxx.
great
day
,32 According to another statement that ""
God, a
320 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [July 24.
prediction was fulfilled j for, believing in God, they received baptism, in the name of the Holy Trinity, and they became saints. Seven renowned cells were built and dedicated to God by them, and within circuit of the afore- mentioned Sceithe plain.
For seven whole years, St. Declan was carefully tended by his fosterer and relative Dobran. ^2 The boy had also formed a great attachment towards his guardian. Even during these seven years of his tutelage, it pleased the Almighty to work miracles through him. The grace of God so far inspired St. Declan, that he abstained from all unlawful pagan practices, as though he were a thoroughly well instructed and a prac- tical Christian. At the expiration of those seven years of his tutelage, a reli- gious and wise man, named Dymma, 1 " had lately arrived in Ireland, which was the country of his birth. Having embraced the Christian religion, to the observances of which he addicted himself, that pious servant of God built a cell, in this part of the country. In it he intended, likewise, to give literary instruction. To this teacher, the boy Declan was delivered by his parents and fosterer, according to Colman's mandate. Another boy, named Carbre,*3* son to Colman, and who afterwards became a holy and venerable bishop, was also committed to the training of St. Dimma, and about that same timers Both of these pupils diligently attended to their master's instructions. The holy Declan spent much time under Dyrama's teaching, and he drained large
of fromvariousmundaneandsacred 1*6 this draughts learning, writings. Through
instruction, his understanding was rendered acute, and he was distinguished for his eloquence. Knowing St. Declan's nobility of soul, while seeing and hearing much respecting his unrivalled sanctity, religion, and charity, many
T
persons came to visit him. 37 These voluntarily subjected themselves to the
yoke of his discipline, and they possibly lived with him, at or near the present town of Ardmore.
CHAPTER II.
EARLY CHRISTIANITY IN- IRELAND—ST. DECLAN, WITH SOME OF HIS DISCIPLES, PRO- CEEDS TO ROME—CONSECRATED BISHOP THERE BY THE POPE—HE RECEIVES A COMMISSION TO PREACH THE GOSPEL IN IRELAND—HIS FIRST MEETING WITH ST. PATRICK—ST. DECLAN ARRIVES IN IRELAND, AND COMMENCES HIS MISSION IN THE SOUTH—HIS ZEAL AND LABOURS—HE VISITS CASHEL, TO TREACH THE GOSPEL TO ANGUS, SON OF NADFRAOICH, KING OF MUNSTER—FRIENDSHIP OF ST. PATRICK FOR ST. DECLAN—THE LATTER FAILS TO CONVERT LEBANUS, CHIEF OF
AND FEARGHAL IS INAUGURATED AS THEIR CHIEF— ECCLESIASTICAL ARRANGEMENTS REGARDING JURISDICTION.
THE DESII
—HE IS
DEPOSED,
So early as the fourth century, it has been supposed, that some pains were taken to spread the Gospel in Ireland, then inhabited by a people called
133 Amongthe saints mentioned in our Calendars, he has not been identified.
134 Of this Carbre nothing more is known ; for, of four saints bearing the name Carbre, enumerated by Colgan, in his First Volume, P- 3I3» we have only information, regard- ing the first of them. He is said to have belonged to the ninth century, and conse- quently, he must have been distinct from the fellow-disciple of our saint.
135 In common with many other scholars
and lovers of antiquity, the Bollandist editor
laments the want of continuing Colgan's Unfinished works, which should most proba
blythrowmuchlightonthehistoryofseveral unknown Irish saints. See "Acta Sancto- rum," tomus v. , Julii xxiv. De S. Declano Episcopo Ardmoria? in Ilibernia, cap. ii. , n. (e), p. 597.
I36 The Acts of our saint here read,
" Dulcia divcrsarum pocula vScripturarum," "
&c. Ussher has it, Scriptarum exhausit
"
diciplinarum," &c. See
Ecclesurum Antiquitates," cap. xvi. , p. 410.
' 3? See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. , Julii xxiv. De S. Declano Episcopo Ard- morix* in Ilibernia, cap. ii. , sects. 15, 16, 17* and nn. (a, b, c, d, e, f, g), pp. 596, 597.
Ikitannicarum
July 24. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 32 t
Scoti. 1 About this epoch, St. Albeus 2 had been for many years under the
discipline of St. Hilarys Bishop, at Rome. At the instigation and entreaty of this last-named saint, Albeus was consecrated bishop. It is said, more-
over, that four holy bishops, named Albeus, Declan, Ibar and Kiaran, together with their disciples, laboured in Ireland andconverted many of its inha- bitants, before the era of St. Patrick's preaching. Although, on spreading the net of the Gospel, those missionaries attracted many to a profession of the true faith ; yet, it was reserved for St. Patrick, to convert the great majority Of Ireland's inhabitants and chiefs, and to obtain the dignity of primate, in the country of his Apostolate. * However, it cannot be doubted, but that St. Patrick had some precursors in the south and south-east parts of Ireland, as there were Christians in Ireland before the mission of Palladium ; and, con- sidering the greater proximity of those parts to the Continent, besides their
lying convenient for an intercourse with Great Britain, it may reasonably be
supposed, that they had already received no small share of the Gospel
light. s
Our saint formed a resolution of journeying to Rome, that he might there be
initiated to a knowledge of ecclesiastical discipline, receive Holy Orders, and
See. 6
some disciples with him, Declan commenced his voyage, and he safely arrived
at Rome. When St. Declan and his disciples had reached the Eternal City, 7 greatjoywasmanifestedj for,thenoblebirthandgreatsanctityofthemaster are said to have been known to the Roman people and to the clergy, who, on account of their antecedents, conceived a great love and veneration for the pious band of adventurers, and especially for their chief. With the counsel of many, St. Declan was consecrated bishop by the Sovereign Pon- tiff. 8 He remained in Rome for a considerable time. Having obtained some books, and a rule for his guidance, he was then sent back to preach in Ire- land. Receiving this license, and the Pope's benediction, as also the blessing of high members constituting the Roman Church, the holy bishop Declan pre- pared for his return towards Ireland. ' Many followed him from Rome, who were willing to place themselves under his direction, in a distant land. Among these is said to have been a prince named Lunanus, son of the
Roman 10 and this scion was loved St. Declan.
obtain a license for from the preaching
Apostolic
Wherefore, taking
king, royal
greatly by
Chapter, ii. — * A learned historian re- marks, ihat " when in the next age, Palla- dius was sent from Rome to instruct them, it appeared that some of them had a know- ledge of—Christianity before he came among them. " Dodd's "Church
n. 60, p. 281.
6 The Acts of our saint say, one of the
objects Declan had in view, when going to
England," vol. i. , part i. , A.
etiatn confirmat. " Britannicarum Ecclesiarum Antiquitates,"
cap. xvi. , p. 789. Editio Dublinii, 1639.
9 The author of our saint's Life states :
" traditis sibi libris et reyulis, missus est ad
1. 2"
Ussher's
p.
occurs on the 12th of September. At this date, his Life may be seen.
ipsius scriptor
i. ,
St. Ailbe, Bishop of Emly. His feast
3
St. Patrick's Acts at the 17th of March, that he must have been the Roman Pontiff, St. Hilary, who ruled from' A. D. 461 to a. d. 468.
TheBollandiststhink,intheirtreatmentof
See Sir Harris Nicolas'
"
Chronology of
patriam suam, sc. Hiberniam, ut praedica-
History
of
7"
S. Declanum Romse turn — Vitaa adfuisse,
ret in ea. "
^ See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. , Julii xxiv. De S. Declano Episcopo Ard-
Julii xxiv. De S. Declano Episcopo Ard- moiiae in Hibernia, cap. iii. , sects. 18, 19, morioe in Hibernia, cap. iii. , sect. 23, p. 597.
10 The ignorance of Roman history shown the writer of our saint's Life is manifested in this instance, as no king or emperor in
History," p. 209.
p. 598.
5 See Rev. Dr.
" Ecclesiastical History of Ireland, "vol. i. , chap, vi. , sect. vi, r
by
Vol. VII—No. 6,
X
Lanigan's
"
dum institutionem Romanam adduceret. "
Rome, was that
ordinem et regulas seeun-
8 The Life of our saint states
multos dies S. Declanus a Domino Papa, suadentibus multis, ordinatus est," &c.
—"Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. ,
:
post
" Et
322 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [July
It is recorded, that while holy Bishop Declan was offering the Divine Sacri- fice, in a certain church, and on his return to Ireland, a small black bell was sent to him from Heaven, by the Almighty. It came through the window of that church, resting over the altar, and in his presence. Whereupon, St- Declan received this gift, with great joy, and he gave thanks to God. Through such a
celestial token, he felt fortified against the barbarous ferocity of the Gentiles. He delivered that bell to the aforesaid Lunanus, so that he might carry it, and be its custodian. The Scots called this object Duibhin Declain," on account of its dark colour, and because it appertained to St. Declan. It is reported, that St. Patrick, the future Apostle, and Archbishop of Ireland,
1 *
Britain, pass over,
vessel was to be found. The holy man, on seeing this, took the aforesaid bell in his hand, and then ringing it, Declan prayed the Almighty, that he might be assisted in this juncture. Immediately, his prayer was heard, when an empty vessel, without sails or sailors, appeared skimming over the waves, and approachingtowardsoursaintandhiscompanions. Declanthensaidtohis
then on his
Both holy personages saluted each other, with the kiss of peace, and con- ceived a mutual friendship, before leaving for their respective destinations. *3
being
way
to
Rome, happened
disciples :
" In the name of let us enter this Christ,
and who sent He,
saying of David,
wonderful is the Lord in his saints. "
landedwasinMenevia. 1? Weare
that the two holy Pontiffs, St. David 2 ° and St. Declan, established a Chris-
The wherethe place
voyagers
informed,
Rome is known to have had a son bearing such a name.
" We are told by the writer of our saint's Life, that in his time, this venerated relic of Declan had proved the occasion for many miracles being wrought through God's grace, and that it was preserved with great respect in St. Declan's
year 527, and as St. Declan survived him, according to the Acts of this latter, Dr.
Lanigan thinks it sufficiently established, that our saint " was not a bishop in the year 402, nor at any time before the mission of St. Patrick. "— " Ecclesiastical History of Ire- land," vol. i. , chap, i. , sect, xii. , p. 26.
J ? The Bollandist editor that Ycht thinks,
was only another name for the Isbnd, Latinized Vecta, and Englished Wight. This isle is situated in the sea, that divides France
" from England or Britain. See Acta
to Ardmore.
city—
a name
usually applied
13 "
See Ussher's Britannicarum Ecclesia-
rum Antiquitates, cap. xvi. , p. 790. Editio Dublinii.
13 See Dr. Charles Smith's "Ancient Sanctorum," tomus v. , Julii xxiv. De S.
and Present State of the County and City of Waterfoni," chap, i. , p. 5.
'* Roderick O'Flaherty says : "SS. De-
clanus, et Kieranus, Episcopi a summo Pon-
tifica ordinati, et in Italia S. Patricio Romam
tendenti, anno 402 obvii facti in Hiberniam
Declano Episcopo Ardmoriee in Hihernia,
cap. iii. , n. (e), p. 598.
,8 The Irish were always accustomed to
call this the Ictian Sea.
* The ancient name for St. David's, and
still the head of a See in Wales,
venerunt. "— " ao See his at the 1st of in the
Ogygia," pars iii. , cap. Life, March, Third Volume of this work, Art. i.
lxxxv. , p. 398.
j s See his Life, at the 5th of March, in the
Third Volume of this work, Art. i.
2I The Irish tradition has it, that this in- cident occurred, while he was coming from Rome to Ireland, and that it rested on a rock
16
As St. Ailbe is said to have died in the
to meet with St. Declan in ,2 Italy.
this occurred in the x * St. year 402,
to another
the future Bishop of Ossory, being in company with our saint. 16
Pontiff, with his disciples, came towards that sea, which was called Ycht,1 ? and which divided Gaul from 18 but he could not as no
According
statement,
Kieran, The holy
it, will cause it to bear us smoothly over the sea. "
entered that ship, when by a Divine impulse, it returned towards the ocean
again safely cleaving the water. With a swift course, it reached a port of
Britain. Declan and his companions disembarking at that spot, the ship
returned towards the very station whence it came. On experiencing and
witnessing such a miracle wrought in their behalf, all those voyagers gave
thanks to Christ, for his bounties towards them. Thus was accomplished the
"
vessel,
At our saint's word, they
July 24. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 323
tian fraternity between themselves and their disciples, which was perpetually
to endure. After the expiration of forty days, having received permission from St. David and from his brethren, with their benediction and the kiss of peace, the holy father St. Declan and his disciples entered their vessel. Then they set out on their voyage for Ireland. The legend runs, that St. Declan's bell—already alluded to as having been sent from Heaven—was in the custody of Lunanus, a short time previous to their embarkation. On the day of their departure from Wales, Lunanus had given this bell to one of his companions,
whowas the son of that he Theste,
might carry
coming towards the shore, that person deposited the bell upon a rock, and
being occupied with some other affairs, he intended afterwards to bring it on board the vessel. However, during the hurry of debarkation, he forgot what had been placed in his charge, until under a full spread of canvass, the ship scudded before a brisk breeze into the mid-sea. When at length, the holy pontiff, St. Declan, had been informed, that the precious relic sent from God to him was forgotten on the shore, he felt much grieved in spirit, on account
of this neglect. All his fellow-passengers shared in this grief. But, looking
towards heaven, our saint secretly offered up a prayer to Christ.
ended this short petition, Declan said to his sorrowing disciples :
dren, lay aside your sadness, for the Almighty who hath bestowed this gift can bring it to us, and by a miraculous transportation. " In giving an account of the miracle which ensued, the author of our saint's Acts exclaims, that the Creator hath admirably shown his power over a material, naturally made weighty at the time of creation. That stone, which was very large, and of the hardest rocky species, nevertheless lightly floated off, with a swift course, and in a straight direction after Declan's ship. Meanwhile, it bore likewise the miraculous bell. After a short interval, the servants of God, who were in the ship, saw what had occurred. - They were greatly astonished at this wonderful miracle, and they were filled with the love of Christ. They also entertained a great veneration for their master. Filled with a prophetic spirit,
:
the holy Declan said to his companions " Steer our ship directly in the
wake of this rock ; and, in whatever place it shall touch the shore, my city shallthererisenearit. Inthatplace,theseatofmybishopricshallremain;and I shall depart thence to Christ, when my resurrection from its earth shall have been accomplished. " That floating rock immediately preceded their ship, at a short distance. It moved also at a rate commensurate with the sailing powers of their craft. The stone directed its course towards Ireland's southern sea-
coast, along which it moved, and at a short distance from the shore.
22
Pass-
ing from headland to headland, their ship followed its course, as the saint had
ordered, until the rock came to a certain island, on the southern shore of the
territory. resting-place
near it the vessel was landed, according to St. Declan's desire. Having dis- embarked, this holy man gave thanks to God, because he had thus reached that spot destined for his future resurrection.
Local tradition has another version for this story, and as there are variations in details, here it may be as well to present its substance.
Nan Decii 2 3 Here it found a on the sea-coast, and
in the Bay of Ardmore. See" Maityrology of Donegal," edited by Rev. Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 200, 201.
ship in Erin. Declan said, that where the rock should touch the land, there God would permit him to erect a church, and this was afterwardsfulfilled. Thischurchwassituated
"See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. ,
Julii xxiv. De S. Declano Episcopo Ard- in the Deisies of Minister, where he per-
morise in Hibernia, cap. iv. , sects. 28, 29, 30, 31, p. 599.
83 The rock, it is stated by the O'Clerys, swam after him, so that it arrived before the
formed many signs and miracles. See the
"
Martyrology of Donegal," edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 200, 201.
24 This too accords with the relation, in
it to the 21 But, on ship.
"
Having My chil-
321 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [July 24.
There is furthermore a Urge mass of rock on the beach, known as " St. Declan's Stone," and with which a curious popular belief is connected. It is said,tohavetloatedoverfromRome,2* withthebellsofArdmorecathedral. This fragment rests on the strand, in front of the village, and on a ledge of rock, by which it is supported 25 while many practices here intended to be de-
votional yet take place.
26
;
It is still to be seen,
2?
and just beneath the old cell of
The Slone of St. Deglan, Ardmore, County of Waterford.
St. Declan, which rises on the cliff. '- 8 On that island, there was a celebrated
2
hill. 9 By the inhabitants, in that part of the country, it had been denomi-
natedArdGoerach,3°whichisLatinize6M////W0ovium; becausecertainsheep there belonged to the chief's wife, residing in that country, and these were pastured on the island, where after feeding they were accustomed to lie down
the "Mattyrology of Donegal," edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 200, 201.
5 A view of M. Declan's Rock is pre-
sented, where the human figure stands, in
the accompanying engraving, by Mrs. Millard. Tins view was drawn onthe wood by William
F. Wakeman, from a photograph, kindly procurred for the writer, by Very Rev. John Walsh, P. P. of Ardmore.
•
on the "patron day," and these celebrations annually occur on the 24th
•8
Tradition says, that the stone floated the holy man's bell and vestments in a miracu- lous manner from Rome. It is of course girt, like all the adjacent cliff, and it lies sheh ing on the point of a rock. On St. Declan's "patron day,'' numbers of the people used to pass three different times under this stone, to cure or prevent pains in the back. See Smith's "Ancient and present State of the County and City of Waterford," chap, hi. , p. 47.
1 his has been Latinized Altitude
maqna.
30 More correctly written Ard-na-g-cae-
rach, in the Gaelic language. See Dayman's "Mew Handbook for Youghal,"p. x.
3 ' "Here," we are told, "Declan
Especially
of
2? For further illustrations of many other
objects of interest connected with Ardmore,
see Mr. and Mrs. Hall's "Ireland: its
Scenery, Character," &c, vol. i. , pp. 278 to 2$S.
July.
July 24. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 325
on its hill. Looking from that elevation, some disciples of our saint saw the
island surrounded by the sea. They asked their master Declan, how this
small eminence could suffice for the wants of his people. Our saint replied :
"
hill. " Wherefore, St. Declan's city, subsequently built in that place, received
the name of Ardmore, from the Scots. The holy bishop went to the Nan
Desiichieftain,andaskedthatislandfromhim. Thetanistcompliedwith
his
1 request.
My children, it si Kill no longer be called the small eminence, but the large
3
Then St. Declan went to a place which is called Atrium breasoil, in his Acts, and here ships were moored, to bear him towards that island. But, the local inhabitants felt greatly displeased, that St. Declan desired to dwell onsuchanisolatedspot. Topreventhislandingthere,theyconcealedhisships.
:
Whereupon, St. Declan's disciples said to him " O father, a necessity forsailing
thither shall arise, when obliged to pass from one place to another ; but, such necessity must more frequently occur, when thou art called away to Heaven. Wherefore, with heart and mouth we entreat thee, to desert that island, or to ask the Almighty Father, in the name of the Son, and through the unity of the Holy Spirit, that this strait be moved from its place, out into tl>e sea, and that in its place, there may be level land before thy city. For this spot cannot be easily inhabited, on account of the strait ; and here, not alone can
a cell much less a be built. " The city
holy
man
answered, saying :
" How
can I desert a place assigned to me by God, that I may die and be interred
therein? Yet, what you state, regarding the difficulty of dwelling here, I
know as well as yourselves, while the Almighty knows it still better ; how- ever, I am unwilling to ask the removal of this strait, contrary to God's holy will. Nevertheless, according to your wishes, I shall offer my prayers to the Lord, and then let him do whatever shall be most pleasing to his adorable Providence. '^ The legend relates, that on arising from his prayers, St. Declan
: wisaddressedbyhisdisciples,inthesefollowingwords "OFather,takeyour
staff, and after the manner in which his rod had been used by Moyses, strike the water of the strait. Afterwards, as you have said, let God do what He
pleases. " At the same time, his disciples 33 prayed to God, with their holy patron. Having taken his staff in hand, St. Declan struck the water in the name
of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, while making a sign of Christ's holy cross. Immediately, through a Divine favour, the waters of that wide strait began to retire 34 from their position, and towards the sea, in the presence of this man of God. We are told, that they rolled like a torrent from the breast of a mountain, and that marine animals could scarcely follow with sufficient speed the retreating waves, while many fishes were left behind on the deserted strand. Our holy pontiff, holding the staff in his hand, pur-
sued the retiring motion of these waters, when his disciples also followed, the sea meantime heaving in commotion, while the animals it contained sent forth a variety of discordant sounds. When holy Declan came to t—hat line, where earthandseawerebounded,apiousyouth,namedManchinus whofollowed in his
—was filled with on those monsters with the horror, seeing flying
footsteps
retreating waters, while those rolling on the deserted shore opened their mouths, in an unusual manner. He therefore said to St. Declan : "O holy
founded circ, 416, a seminary from which the light of Christianity radiated into all the
pp. 599, 600.
** In a parenthesis, we find it observed,
" eniin Sanctiet erant. " ipsi probati
34 In a letter, received from the Rev. Samuel Hayman, Rector of Youghal, the writer states, that only local residents can
understand this legend, regarding that change in the embouchure of the River Blackwater,
districts ; and the retired hamlet became a sanctuary for religion and letters. "
See ibid.
32 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. ,
Julii xxiv. De S. Declano Episcopo Ard- morise in Hibernia, cap. iv. , sects. 32, 33,
contiguous
326 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [July 24.
father, you have sufficiently diverted the waves from their course, we now should fear those animals recovered from the sea. " At these words, the waters stopped in their progress, and did not retire to any greater distance. On seeing this, Bishop Declan felt greatly displeased. He gave the youth a
" I have not
Almighty by His great power hath done so, and unless thou hadst thus
spoken, he would send them to a far greater distance. " Immediately, three drops of blood fell fromManchinus on the earth, and in three different places. Seeing this, St. Declan bestowed a benediction on his forehead, and the blood instantly ceased, to flow. Three clear fountains of fresh water sprung up beneath the saint's feet,35 exactly in those places where the blood-gouts had fallen.
That space, embraced by the former waters and within the reclaimed
strait, was about a mile in width ; and, although extending in length to a great distance, it afterwards became tributary to St. Declan's city. As meadow
6
After the waters retired, St. Declan's staff, which he held in his hand, was styled from that time, to a period when our saint's biographer wrote, Feartach Declain, in the Irish language. 37. It was so called, because many wonderful miracles were wrought through it, in every age, and owing to Declan's great sanctity. In a subsequent passage, the writer promises examples of such miracles, in attestation of his
slight
stroke on the
face, saying :
expelled
the but the waves,
and tillage land, it is said to have been most productive. 3
assertions. 38 We are that the lord over that told,
of the
land to our saint, at Ardmore. On this site, his monastery afterwards was built. 39 At what precise time, the foundations of his establishment were laid by our saint, seems to have baffled the inquiries of our best antiquaries and historians. It is told us, however, in the Life of St. Declan, that together with the saints and bishops, Ailbe, Ibar, Kyran, and with some disciples, he spread the faith of Christ in Ireland, before the arrival of St. Patrick ; although, to this latter is ascribed the conversion of potentates and princes in the Island. The labours of St. Declan were principally confined to the territory of Nan-Desii. There he preached to the people faith in the three persons of the Most Adorable Trinity, baptizing many, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. * The holy Bishop, with his disciples, rejoiced at the waves receding from that strait. In consequence thereof, his fame was divulged throughout all parts of Ireland. He began to build a large monastery, at the western side of a rivulet, which emptied into
1
the dried up strait, and which flowed from the middle of the former Island/ At this same place, a small city 42 was built near the rivulet, in honour of St. Declan.
Having heard rumoured the fame of our saint's sanctity, multitudes flocked to St.
of the commentator on the Feilire of St. ^Engus—Declan was a foster-son of St. Mo- ling, while we are told in St. Mullin's he rests or in Lismore. See "Transactions of the Royal Irish Academy," vol. i. , part i. On the Calendar of Oen^us, by Wuitley Stokes, LL. D. , p. cxx.
great
day
,32 According to another statement that ""
God, a
320 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [July 24.
prediction was fulfilled j for, believing in God, they received baptism, in the name of the Holy Trinity, and they became saints. Seven renowned cells were built and dedicated to God by them, and within circuit of the afore- mentioned Sceithe plain.
For seven whole years, St. Declan was carefully tended by his fosterer and relative Dobran. ^2 The boy had also formed a great attachment towards his guardian. Even during these seven years of his tutelage, it pleased the Almighty to work miracles through him. The grace of God so far inspired St. Declan, that he abstained from all unlawful pagan practices, as though he were a thoroughly well instructed and a prac- tical Christian. At the expiration of those seven years of his tutelage, a reli- gious and wise man, named Dymma, 1 " had lately arrived in Ireland, which was the country of his birth. Having embraced the Christian religion, to the observances of which he addicted himself, that pious servant of God built a cell, in this part of the country. In it he intended, likewise, to give literary instruction. To this teacher, the boy Declan was delivered by his parents and fosterer, according to Colman's mandate. Another boy, named Carbre,*3* son to Colman, and who afterwards became a holy and venerable bishop, was also committed to the training of St. Dimma, and about that same timers Both of these pupils diligently attended to their master's instructions. The holy Declan spent much time under Dyrama's teaching, and he drained large
of fromvariousmundaneandsacred 1*6 this draughts learning, writings. Through
instruction, his understanding was rendered acute, and he was distinguished for his eloquence. Knowing St. Declan's nobility of soul, while seeing and hearing much respecting his unrivalled sanctity, religion, and charity, many
T
persons came to visit him. 37 These voluntarily subjected themselves to the
yoke of his discipline, and they possibly lived with him, at or near the present town of Ardmore.
CHAPTER II.
EARLY CHRISTIANITY IN- IRELAND—ST. DECLAN, WITH SOME OF HIS DISCIPLES, PRO- CEEDS TO ROME—CONSECRATED BISHOP THERE BY THE POPE—HE RECEIVES A COMMISSION TO PREACH THE GOSPEL IN IRELAND—HIS FIRST MEETING WITH ST. PATRICK—ST. DECLAN ARRIVES IN IRELAND, AND COMMENCES HIS MISSION IN THE SOUTH—HIS ZEAL AND LABOURS—HE VISITS CASHEL, TO TREACH THE GOSPEL TO ANGUS, SON OF NADFRAOICH, KING OF MUNSTER—FRIENDSHIP OF ST. PATRICK FOR ST. DECLAN—THE LATTER FAILS TO CONVERT LEBANUS, CHIEF OF
AND FEARGHAL IS INAUGURATED AS THEIR CHIEF— ECCLESIASTICAL ARRANGEMENTS REGARDING JURISDICTION.
THE DESII
—HE IS
DEPOSED,
So early as the fourth century, it has been supposed, that some pains were taken to spread the Gospel in Ireland, then inhabited by a people called
133 Amongthe saints mentioned in our Calendars, he has not been identified.
134 Of this Carbre nothing more is known ; for, of four saints bearing the name Carbre, enumerated by Colgan, in his First Volume, P- 3I3» we have only information, regard- ing the first of them. He is said to have belonged to the ninth century, and conse- quently, he must have been distinct from the fellow-disciple of our saint.
135 In common with many other scholars
and lovers of antiquity, the Bollandist editor
laments the want of continuing Colgan's Unfinished works, which should most proba
blythrowmuchlightonthehistoryofseveral unknown Irish saints. See "Acta Sancto- rum," tomus v. , Julii xxiv. De S. Declano Episcopo Ardmoria? in Ilibernia, cap. ii. , n. (e), p. 597.
I36 The Acts of our saint here read,
" Dulcia divcrsarum pocula vScripturarum," "
&c. Ussher has it, Scriptarum exhausit
"
diciplinarum," &c. See
Ecclesurum Antiquitates," cap. xvi. , p. 410.
' 3? See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. , Julii xxiv. De S. Declano Episcopo Ard- morix* in Ilibernia, cap. ii. , sects. 15, 16, 17* and nn. (a, b, c, d, e, f, g), pp. 596, 597.
Ikitannicarum
July 24. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 32 t
Scoti. 1 About this epoch, St. Albeus 2 had been for many years under the
discipline of St. Hilarys Bishop, at Rome. At the instigation and entreaty of this last-named saint, Albeus was consecrated bishop. It is said, more-
over, that four holy bishops, named Albeus, Declan, Ibar and Kiaran, together with their disciples, laboured in Ireland andconverted many of its inha- bitants, before the era of St. Patrick's preaching. Although, on spreading the net of the Gospel, those missionaries attracted many to a profession of the true faith ; yet, it was reserved for St. Patrick, to convert the great majority Of Ireland's inhabitants and chiefs, and to obtain the dignity of primate, in the country of his Apostolate. * However, it cannot be doubted, but that St. Patrick had some precursors in the south and south-east parts of Ireland, as there were Christians in Ireland before the mission of Palladium ; and, con- sidering the greater proximity of those parts to the Continent, besides their
lying convenient for an intercourse with Great Britain, it may reasonably be
supposed, that they had already received no small share of the Gospel
light. s
Our saint formed a resolution of journeying to Rome, that he might there be
initiated to a knowledge of ecclesiastical discipline, receive Holy Orders, and
See. 6
some disciples with him, Declan commenced his voyage, and he safely arrived
at Rome. When St. Declan and his disciples had reached the Eternal City, 7 greatjoywasmanifestedj for,thenoblebirthandgreatsanctityofthemaster are said to have been known to the Roman people and to the clergy, who, on account of their antecedents, conceived a great love and veneration for the pious band of adventurers, and especially for their chief. With the counsel of many, St. Declan was consecrated bishop by the Sovereign Pon- tiff. 8 He remained in Rome for a considerable time. Having obtained some books, and a rule for his guidance, he was then sent back to preach in Ire- land. Receiving this license, and the Pope's benediction, as also the blessing of high members constituting the Roman Church, the holy bishop Declan pre- pared for his return towards Ireland. ' Many followed him from Rome, who were willing to place themselves under his direction, in a distant land. Among these is said to have been a prince named Lunanus, son of the
Roman 10 and this scion was loved St. Declan.
obtain a license for from the preaching
Apostolic
Wherefore, taking
king, royal
greatly by
Chapter, ii. — * A learned historian re- marks, ihat " when in the next age, Palla- dius was sent from Rome to instruct them, it appeared that some of them had a know- ledge of—Christianity before he came among them. " Dodd's "Church
n. 60, p. 281.
6 The Acts of our saint say, one of the
objects Declan had in view, when going to
England," vol. i. , part i. , A.
etiatn confirmat. " Britannicarum Ecclesiarum Antiquitates,"
cap. xvi. , p. 789. Editio Dublinii, 1639.
9 The author of our saint's Life states :
" traditis sibi libris et reyulis, missus est ad
1. 2"
Ussher's
p.
occurs on the 12th of September. At this date, his Life may be seen.
ipsius scriptor
i. ,
St. Ailbe, Bishop of Emly. His feast
3
St. Patrick's Acts at the 17th of March, that he must have been the Roman Pontiff, St. Hilary, who ruled from' A. D. 461 to a. d. 468.
TheBollandiststhink,intheirtreatmentof
See Sir Harris Nicolas'
"
Chronology of
patriam suam, sc. Hiberniam, ut praedica-
History
of
7"
S. Declanum Romse turn — Vitaa adfuisse,
ret in ea. "
^ See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. , Julii xxiv. De S. Declano Episcopo Ard-
Julii xxiv. De S. Declano Episcopo Ard- moiiae in Hibernia, cap. iii. , sects. 18, 19, morioe in Hibernia, cap. iii. , sect. 23, p. 597.
10 The ignorance of Roman history shown the writer of our saint's Life is manifested in this instance, as no king or emperor in
History," p. 209.
p. 598.
5 See Rev. Dr.
" Ecclesiastical History of Ireland, "vol. i. , chap, vi. , sect. vi, r
by
Vol. VII—No. 6,
X
Lanigan's
"
dum institutionem Romanam adduceret. "
Rome, was that
ordinem et regulas seeun-
8 The Life of our saint states
multos dies S. Declanus a Domino Papa, suadentibus multis, ordinatus est," &c.
—"Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. ,
:
post
" Et
322 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [July
It is recorded, that while holy Bishop Declan was offering the Divine Sacri- fice, in a certain church, and on his return to Ireland, a small black bell was sent to him from Heaven, by the Almighty. It came through the window of that church, resting over the altar, and in his presence. Whereupon, St- Declan received this gift, with great joy, and he gave thanks to God. Through such a
celestial token, he felt fortified against the barbarous ferocity of the Gentiles. He delivered that bell to the aforesaid Lunanus, so that he might carry it, and be its custodian. The Scots called this object Duibhin Declain," on account of its dark colour, and because it appertained to St. Declan. It is reported, that St. Patrick, the future Apostle, and Archbishop of Ireland,
1 *
Britain, pass over,
vessel was to be found. The holy man, on seeing this, took the aforesaid bell in his hand, and then ringing it, Declan prayed the Almighty, that he might be assisted in this juncture. Immediately, his prayer was heard, when an empty vessel, without sails or sailors, appeared skimming over the waves, and approachingtowardsoursaintandhiscompanions. Declanthensaidtohis
then on his
Both holy personages saluted each other, with the kiss of peace, and con- ceived a mutual friendship, before leaving for their respective destinations. *3
being
way
to
Rome, happened
disciples :
" In the name of let us enter this Christ,
and who sent He,
saying of David,
wonderful is the Lord in his saints. "
landedwasinMenevia. 1? Weare
that the two holy Pontiffs, St. David 2 ° and St. Declan, established a Chris-
The wherethe place
voyagers
informed,
Rome is known to have had a son bearing such a name.
" We are told by the writer of our saint's Life, that in his time, this venerated relic of Declan had proved the occasion for many miracles being wrought through God's grace, and that it was preserved with great respect in St. Declan's
year 527, and as St. Declan survived him, according to the Acts of this latter, Dr.
Lanigan thinks it sufficiently established, that our saint " was not a bishop in the year 402, nor at any time before the mission of St. Patrick. "— " Ecclesiastical History of Ire- land," vol. i. , chap, i. , sect, xii. , p. 26.
J ? The Bollandist editor that Ycht thinks,
was only another name for the Isbnd, Latinized Vecta, and Englished Wight. This isle is situated in the sea, that divides France
" from England or Britain. See Acta
to Ardmore.
city—
a name
usually applied
13 "
See Ussher's Britannicarum Ecclesia-
rum Antiquitates, cap. xvi. , p. 790. Editio Dublinii.
13 See Dr. Charles Smith's "Ancient Sanctorum," tomus v. , Julii xxiv. De S.
and Present State of the County and City of Waterfoni," chap, i. , p. 5.
'* Roderick O'Flaherty says : "SS. De-
clanus, et Kieranus, Episcopi a summo Pon-
tifica ordinati, et in Italia S. Patricio Romam
tendenti, anno 402 obvii facti in Hiberniam
Declano Episcopo Ardmoriee in Hihernia,
cap. iii. , n. (e), p. 598.
,8 The Irish were always accustomed to
call this the Ictian Sea.
* The ancient name for St. David's, and
still the head of a See in Wales,
venerunt. "— " ao See his at the 1st of in the
Ogygia," pars iii. , cap. Life, March, Third Volume of this work, Art. i.
lxxxv. , p. 398.
j s See his Life, at the 5th of March, in the
Third Volume of this work, Art. i.
2I The Irish tradition has it, that this in- cident occurred, while he was coming from Rome to Ireland, and that it rested on a rock
16
As St. Ailbe is said to have died in the
to meet with St. Declan in ,2 Italy.
this occurred in the x * St. year 402,
to another
the future Bishop of Ossory, being in company with our saint. 16
Pontiff, with his disciples, came towards that sea, which was called Ycht,1 ? and which divided Gaul from 18 but he could not as no
According
statement,
Kieran, The holy
it, will cause it to bear us smoothly over the sea. "
entered that ship, when by a Divine impulse, it returned towards the ocean
again safely cleaving the water. With a swift course, it reached a port of
Britain. Declan and his companions disembarking at that spot, the ship
returned towards the very station whence it came. On experiencing and
witnessing such a miracle wrought in their behalf, all those voyagers gave
thanks to Christ, for his bounties towards them. Thus was accomplished the
"
vessel,
At our saint's word, they
July 24. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 323
tian fraternity between themselves and their disciples, which was perpetually
to endure. After the expiration of forty days, having received permission from St. David and from his brethren, with their benediction and the kiss of peace, the holy father St. Declan and his disciples entered their vessel. Then they set out on their voyage for Ireland. The legend runs, that St. Declan's bell—already alluded to as having been sent from Heaven—was in the custody of Lunanus, a short time previous to their embarkation. On the day of their departure from Wales, Lunanus had given this bell to one of his companions,
whowas the son of that he Theste,
might carry
coming towards the shore, that person deposited the bell upon a rock, and
being occupied with some other affairs, he intended afterwards to bring it on board the vessel. However, during the hurry of debarkation, he forgot what had been placed in his charge, until under a full spread of canvass, the ship scudded before a brisk breeze into the mid-sea. When at length, the holy pontiff, St. Declan, had been informed, that the precious relic sent from God to him was forgotten on the shore, he felt much grieved in spirit, on account
of this neglect. All his fellow-passengers shared in this grief. But, looking
towards heaven, our saint secretly offered up a prayer to Christ.
ended this short petition, Declan said to his sorrowing disciples :
dren, lay aside your sadness, for the Almighty who hath bestowed this gift can bring it to us, and by a miraculous transportation. " In giving an account of the miracle which ensued, the author of our saint's Acts exclaims, that the Creator hath admirably shown his power over a material, naturally made weighty at the time of creation. That stone, which was very large, and of the hardest rocky species, nevertheless lightly floated off, with a swift course, and in a straight direction after Declan's ship. Meanwhile, it bore likewise the miraculous bell. After a short interval, the servants of God, who were in the ship, saw what had occurred. - They were greatly astonished at this wonderful miracle, and they were filled with the love of Christ. They also entertained a great veneration for their master. Filled with a prophetic spirit,
:
the holy Declan said to his companions " Steer our ship directly in the
wake of this rock ; and, in whatever place it shall touch the shore, my city shallthererisenearit. Inthatplace,theseatofmybishopricshallremain;and I shall depart thence to Christ, when my resurrection from its earth shall have been accomplished. " That floating rock immediately preceded their ship, at a short distance. It moved also at a rate commensurate with the sailing powers of their craft. The stone directed its course towards Ireland's southern sea-
coast, along which it moved, and at a short distance from the shore.
22
Pass-
ing from headland to headland, their ship followed its course, as the saint had
ordered, until the rock came to a certain island, on the southern shore of the
territory. resting-place
near it the vessel was landed, according to St. Declan's desire. Having dis- embarked, this holy man gave thanks to God, because he had thus reached that spot destined for his future resurrection.
Local tradition has another version for this story, and as there are variations in details, here it may be as well to present its substance.
Nan Decii 2 3 Here it found a on the sea-coast, and
in the Bay of Ardmore. See" Maityrology of Donegal," edited by Rev. Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 200, 201.
ship in Erin. Declan said, that where the rock should touch the land, there God would permit him to erect a church, and this was afterwardsfulfilled. Thischurchwassituated
"See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. ,
Julii xxiv. De S. Declano Episcopo Ard- in the Deisies of Minister, where he per-
morise in Hibernia, cap. iv. , sects. 28, 29, 30, 31, p. 599.
83 The rock, it is stated by the O'Clerys, swam after him, so that it arrived before the
formed many signs and miracles. See the
"
Martyrology of Donegal," edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 200, 201.
24 This too accords with the relation, in
it to the 21 But, on ship.
"
Having My chil-
321 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [July 24.
There is furthermore a Urge mass of rock on the beach, known as " St. Declan's Stone," and with which a curious popular belief is connected. It is said,tohavetloatedoverfromRome,2* withthebellsofArdmorecathedral. This fragment rests on the strand, in front of the village, and on a ledge of rock, by which it is supported 25 while many practices here intended to be de-
votional yet take place.
26
;
It is still to be seen,
2?
and just beneath the old cell of
The Slone of St. Deglan, Ardmore, County of Waterford.
St. Declan, which rises on the cliff. '- 8 On that island, there was a celebrated
2
hill. 9 By the inhabitants, in that part of the country, it had been denomi-
natedArdGoerach,3°whichisLatinize6M////W0ovium; becausecertainsheep there belonged to the chief's wife, residing in that country, and these were pastured on the island, where after feeding they were accustomed to lie down
the "Mattyrology of Donegal," edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 200, 201.
5 A view of M. Declan's Rock is pre-
sented, where the human figure stands, in
the accompanying engraving, by Mrs. Millard. Tins view was drawn onthe wood by William
F. Wakeman, from a photograph, kindly procurred for the writer, by Very Rev. John Walsh, P. P. of Ardmore.
•
on the "patron day," and these celebrations annually occur on the 24th
•8
Tradition says, that the stone floated the holy man's bell and vestments in a miracu- lous manner from Rome. It is of course girt, like all the adjacent cliff, and it lies sheh ing on the point of a rock. On St. Declan's "patron day,'' numbers of the people used to pass three different times under this stone, to cure or prevent pains in the back. See Smith's "Ancient and present State of the County and City of Waterford," chap, hi. , p. 47.
1 his has been Latinized Altitude
maqna.
30 More correctly written Ard-na-g-cae-
rach, in the Gaelic language. See Dayman's "Mew Handbook for Youghal,"p. x.
3 ' "Here," we are told, "Declan
Especially
of
2? For further illustrations of many other
objects of interest connected with Ardmore,
see Mr. and Mrs. Hall's "Ireland: its
Scenery, Character," &c, vol. i. , pp. 278 to 2$S.
July.
July 24. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 325
on its hill. Looking from that elevation, some disciples of our saint saw the
island surrounded by the sea. They asked their master Declan, how this
small eminence could suffice for the wants of his people. Our saint replied :
"
hill. " Wherefore, St. Declan's city, subsequently built in that place, received
the name of Ardmore, from the Scots. The holy bishop went to the Nan
Desiichieftain,andaskedthatislandfromhim. Thetanistcompliedwith
his
1 request.
My children, it si Kill no longer be called the small eminence, but the large
3
Then St. Declan went to a place which is called Atrium breasoil, in his Acts, and here ships were moored, to bear him towards that island. But, the local inhabitants felt greatly displeased, that St. Declan desired to dwell onsuchanisolatedspot. Topreventhislandingthere,theyconcealedhisships.
:
Whereupon, St. Declan's disciples said to him " O father, a necessity forsailing
thither shall arise, when obliged to pass from one place to another ; but, such necessity must more frequently occur, when thou art called away to Heaven. Wherefore, with heart and mouth we entreat thee, to desert that island, or to ask the Almighty Father, in the name of the Son, and through the unity of the Holy Spirit, that this strait be moved from its place, out into tl>e sea, and that in its place, there may be level land before thy city. For this spot cannot be easily inhabited, on account of the strait ; and here, not alone can
a cell much less a be built. " The city
holy
man
answered, saying :
" How
can I desert a place assigned to me by God, that I may die and be interred
therein? Yet, what you state, regarding the difficulty of dwelling here, I
know as well as yourselves, while the Almighty knows it still better ; how- ever, I am unwilling to ask the removal of this strait, contrary to God's holy will. Nevertheless, according to your wishes, I shall offer my prayers to the Lord, and then let him do whatever shall be most pleasing to his adorable Providence. '^ The legend relates, that on arising from his prayers, St. Declan
: wisaddressedbyhisdisciples,inthesefollowingwords "OFather,takeyour
staff, and after the manner in which his rod had been used by Moyses, strike the water of the strait. Afterwards, as you have said, let God do what He
pleases. " At the same time, his disciples 33 prayed to God, with their holy patron. Having taken his staff in hand, St. Declan struck the water in the name
of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, while making a sign of Christ's holy cross. Immediately, through a Divine favour, the waters of that wide strait began to retire 34 from their position, and towards the sea, in the presence of this man of God. We are told, that they rolled like a torrent from the breast of a mountain, and that marine animals could scarcely follow with sufficient speed the retreating waves, while many fishes were left behind on the deserted strand. Our holy pontiff, holding the staff in his hand, pur-
sued the retiring motion of these waters, when his disciples also followed, the sea meantime heaving in commotion, while the animals it contained sent forth a variety of discordant sounds. When holy Declan came to t—hat line, where earthandseawerebounded,apiousyouth,namedManchinus whofollowed in his
—was filled with on those monsters with the horror, seeing flying
footsteps
retreating waters, while those rolling on the deserted shore opened their mouths, in an unusual manner. He therefore said to St. Declan : "O holy
founded circ, 416, a seminary from which the light of Christianity radiated into all the
pp. 599, 600.
** In a parenthesis, we find it observed,
" eniin Sanctiet erant. " ipsi probati
34 In a letter, received from the Rev. Samuel Hayman, Rector of Youghal, the writer states, that only local residents can
understand this legend, regarding that change in the embouchure of the River Blackwater,
districts ; and the retired hamlet became a sanctuary for religion and letters. "
See ibid.
32 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. ,
Julii xxiv. De S. Declano Episcopo Ard- morise in Hibernia, cap. iv. , sects. 32, 33,
contiguous
326 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [July 24.
father, you have sufficiently diverted the waves from their course, we now should fear those animals recovered from the sea. " At these words, the waters stopped in their progress, and did not retire to any greater distance. On seeing this, Bishop Declan felt greatly displeased. He gave the youth a
" I have not
Almighty by His great power hath done so, and unless thou hadst thus
spoken, he would send them to a far greater distance. " Immediately, three drops of blood fell fromManchinus on the earth, and in three different places. Seeing this, St. Declan bestowed a benediction on his forehead, and the blood instantly ceased, to flow. Three clear fountains of fresh water sprung up beneath the saint's feet,35 exactly in those places where the blood-gouts had fallen.
That space, embraced by the former waters and within the reclaimed
strait, was about a mile in width ; and, although extending in length to a great distance, it afterwards became tributary to St. Declan's city. As meadow
6
After the waters retired, St. Declan's staff, which he held in his hand, was styled from that time, to a period when our saint's biographer wrote, Feartach Declain, in the Irish language. 37. It was so called, because many wonderful miracles were wrought through it, in every age, and owing to Declan's great sanctity. In a subsequent passage, the writer promises examples of such miracles, in attestation of his
slight
stroke on the
face, saying :
expelled
the but the waves,
and tillage land, it is said to have been most productive. 3
assertions. 38 We are that the lord over that told,
of the
land to our saint, at Ardmore. On this site, his monastery afterwards was built. 39 At what precise time, the foundations of his establishment were laid by our saint, seems to have baffled the inquiries of our best antiquaries and historians. It is told us, however, in the Life of St. Declan, that together with the saints and bishops, Ailbe, Ibar, Kyran, and with some disciples, he spread the faith of Christ in Ireland, before the arrival of St. Patrick ; although, to this latter is ascribed the conversion of potentates and princes in the Island. The labours of St. Declan were principally confined to the territory of Nan-Desii. There he preached to the people faith in the three persons of the Most Adorable Trinity, baptizing many, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. * The holy Bishop, with his disciples, rejoiced at the waves receding from that strait. In consequence thereof, his fame was divulged throughout all parts of Ireland. He began to build a large monastery, at the western side of a rivulet, which emptied into
1
the dried up strait, and which flowed from the middle of the former Island/ At this same place, a small city 42 was built near the rivulet, in honour of St. Declan.
Having heard rumoured the fame of our saint's sanctity, multitudes flocked to St.
