—
"Strong were the Connachtmen in
Magh Ai ;
They were not weak against Feidh-
limidh.
"Strong were the Connachtmen in
Magh Ai ;
They were not weak against Feidh-
limidh.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v8
397
their recognition. According to Colgan, the Aidan, belonging to St. Bngid's family, seems to have been venerated at a Cluain Tarbh—now probably
Clontarf, County Dublin—either on the 27th of August, or on the 4th of
In the of 8 at this same is entered Martyrology Donegal, date,
September. ?
Aedhan, but without any peculiar recognition of family descent or place of residence.
Article IV. —The Blessed Maelerigid, Priest, at Armagh.
\Eleve? ith and Twelfth Centuries. '] There is an account of a holy man, named Maelbrighde MacDoilgen, or the son of Dolgen, in the Irish Annals. He was born in the year 1052, as may be inferred from the statements given. He became a priest a. d. 1080, and he appears to have been attached to the ChurchatArmagh. Heismentioned,ashavingbeenanoblepriest,andas
having been the senior of the priests of Ireland.
1
Towards the close of his
life occurred those disagreeable and factious proceedings, whereby a dominant
2
faction resisted St. Malachy O'Morgair in his efforts to take possession of the
See of Armagh, to which he had been elected as the chosen successor of
Celsus, both by the clergy and people. In his industriously compiled Chronicle of the Primate Archbishops, illustrious men and incidents relating to the ancient Church of Armagh, Colgan has recorded the present dis- tinguishedPriest. 3 Hediedinthefifty-secondyearofhispriesthood,andin theeightiethofhisage,onthe27thofAugust,1132. + Althoughdesiringto know on what grounds Maelbrigidus is called beatus by Colgan, the Bollandistss have noticed him at the 27th day of August, that assigned for his death.
Article V. —St. Dagan or Degeman, Wales. This holy man, who
is classed among the Saints of Ireland, seems to have chosen Wales as the
countryforhismission. Itisrelated,thathepassedovertheriverSevernon
a hurdle made with branches of trees. He then retired into a vast wilder-
ness, covered with briars and brushwood. There he spent a life of prayer
and contemplation.
1
In Wales, he is honoured on the 27th of August.
Article VI. —Festival of St. Rufinus and of his Companions,
Martyrs. In the early Irish Church, on the 27 th of August, was celebrated the Feast of St. Rufinus and of his holy companions, who were Martyrs, as
we find from the " Feilire " of 1 iEngus.
7 See "Trias Thaumaturga," Appendix Quartaad Acta S. Brigidse, cap. 3, p. 613.
8 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
The names most
nearly approach-
228, 229. — Article iv.
there were not priests in Ireland, at that time, his senior in years.
2
See his Life, at the 3rd of November,
in the Eleventh Volume of this work, lish translation is by Whitley Stokes,
'
1
It does not seem likely, that such a statement is to be received in an
See Right Rev. Patrick F. Moran's "Early Irish Missions," No. 1. absolute sense ; for it is hardly probable Fruits of Irish Piety in the British Church,
Art. i.
3 See "Trias Thaumaturga," Septima
Appendix ad Acta S. Patrici, Pars Tertia,
p. 303.
4 See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the
LL. D. :—
"Opon^ in mAr\cir\ 5LAITOAI ttuphin CAin combitroe Corug nel noem rrooe two cj\e r\oe rvirvoe.
Four Masters, vol. ii. , pp. 1040,1041.
s See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus vi. ,
Augustii xxvii. leasts, p. 3. — Article v.
Among the pretermitted
p. 17. — Article vi.
" " Leabhar Breac
* In the
copy, it is thus entered in Irish. The Eng-
398 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [August 28. ing on this day are St. Rufus, said to have been a Bishop and Martyr, at
in 3 as also an apparently distinct St. Rufus, associated in Italy ;
3 August.
CtoentjMigbtl) 2Baj) of Sugusft.
ARTICLE I. —FESTIVAL OF FEIDHLIMIDH, SON OF CREMHTHANN, KING OF MUNSTER.
[EIGHTH AND NINTH CENTURIES. }
we find various allusions to the subject of our present
Capua,
martyrdom with St. Carpon, Carponius or Carphorus, in the same city of Capua, in Italy. In like manner, he is venerated, on the 27th day of
in the Annals of Ireland ALTHmeOmoUirG,H
; yet,
those accounts are brief and
disconnected, so that it is a difficult matter from such notices, to form an
exact judgment regarding this King's career and character. That his life
and actions can be generally approved must be a subject for discussion
among modern historians, since we find many conflicting opinions brought
down to us by tradition. At this date, Colgan had promised to treat at some length on this prince, who is said to have descended from a high worldly rank, that he might be exalted in the court of Heaven. This change of purpose seems to have occurred, only towards the close of his life. His reign was marked by broils and contentions ; but, he usually came off victorious, as we find recorded in the Irish Annals. The national and social state of Ireland, and the position he filled, may have rendered some of those intestine warsevilsthatcouldnotwellbeavoided; butambitionandgreedarelikely to have influenced his conduct, before penitence and contrition enabled this prince, to repair in a great measure the bloodshed and wrongs he had inflicted on others. Notwithstanding such a record, he is praised by several of the Minister bards and chroniclers, while his name has been inscribed among those, whose festivals are commemorated in our Calendars.
Veneration was given, as we are told, to Feidhilmidh MacCrimthain, at
Thus is he noticed in the
of 1 Martyrology Tallagh.
the 28th of
In the Book of Leinster
He descended from the race of Aenghus, son to Naetfraech, son of Lughaidh, as stated by the O'Clerys. His father's name was Crimhthann, and he is
August.
copy,
his name is found
contracted,
2 at this date.
"The troop of the purified martyr Ru-
finus, the fair with melodiousness, to the
holy rampart of the King of Clouds went
through keenest spear-points. "—" Transac-
tions of the Royal Irish Academy," Irish
Manuscript Series, vol. i. , part i. On the xxvii. , pp. 16 to 20. Under the heading, Calendar of Oengus, by Whitley Stokes,
LL. D. , p. cxxv.
2
The Bollandist Father John Stilting, S. J. , has a dissertation, or Sylloge Historico-
Martyre Capuse in Italia, pp. 9 to II. This is in eleven paragraphs, and there an at- tempt has been made to elucidate his Acts,
De SS. Rufo et Carpone, Carponio, vel Carpophoro Martyribus, Capuae in Cam-
"
vi,, Augusti xxvii. , De S. Rufo Episcopo ing them by ea—rlier writers.
Critica, in the
Acta Sanctorum," tomus
and to examine the various notices of him in ancient records.
3 The same Father John Stilling has edited the " Passio " of both these Martyrs in the "Acta Sanctorum," tomus vi. , Augu. ^ti
pania Italia, he has a previous commentary in eight paragraphs, and in these he criti- cally examines what has been stated regard-
'
Article I. by Kelly,
p. xxxiii.
a,,
Thus t? ei olimi o mAcCpich.
Edited Rev. Dr.
August 28. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 399
said to have been of Claire. 3 His son, who afterwards ascended the throne ofMunster,wasbornprobablytowardsthecloseoftheeighthcentury. The young prince appears to have received a liberal education for it is related,
that he was an excellent scribe—which means according to Irish acceptance— a writer, although none of his compositions have come down to us. Nor is the school in which he studied known. It is stated, also, that Feidhlimidh entered into Holy Orders,* and that afterwards he presided as Archbishop5 over Leath Mogha,6 otherwise in the See of Cashel. However, there is no sufficient warrant for such a statement. Moreover, in his enumeration of the Archbishops of Cashel, Sir James Ware does not record any earlier bishop than Cormac MacCullinan,? who flourished towards the close of the
;
ninth and beginning of the tenth century.
From what has been stated in the Irish Annals regarding Feidhlimidh,
we are led to infer, that he must have succeeded in the principality of Munster, in or about the year 820. 9 He was remarkable for personal courage and force of character—qualities which were sufficient to excite the admiration of his followers, and to cause his interested and over-partial panegyrists in prose and verse to overlook or conceal his many deficiencies. Having been recognised as a King over Ireland, by some authorities, without
TO his
with the period when Gaithen," the son of Cionaedhe, was chief over
Laeighis or Leix, a territory contained within the present Queen's County. He is also noticed, as having lived about that period, when the death of the
Ostman tyrant Turgesius took place. Moreover, he is supposed by Giraldus Cambrensis to have been a King over Ireland, and the . seventeenth
predecessor of Roderick O'Conor, 12 the latest recognised monarch, who died towards the close of the twelfth century. ^
Our native Annalists, for the most part, do not class Feidhlimidh among the supreme monarchs of Ireland ; although some of the Munster chroni- clers and bards, who state that he ruled twenty-seven years over that province, reserve seven of these for jurisdiction over all the otlier provincial
denning
the term or the number of
years ;
reign
has been
synchronized
kings and chiefs of the nation. 14
3 See the "Chronicum Scotorum," edited, with a translation by William M. Hennessy,
M. R. I. A. , pp. 146, 147.
Jeffry Keating's "History of Ireland," part ii.
This claim nevertheless can hardly be
Dounchadh, had begun to reign, A. D. 819, according to Roderick O'Flaherty, and was regarded as king over Ireland for the en-
4 See Rev. Dr.
fourteen See "
years. Ogygia," pars
= This is a mistake of Mr.
O'Daly.
In
I0 See " Trias
Colgan's Thaumaturga,"
where allusion is made to him, in Septima
Vita S. Patricii, pars iii. , cap. xxvi. , p. 155. " In St. Patrick's time, the Irish Apostle is said to have foretold the destruction of
his time, Cashel had not been erected into
an Archiepiscopal See.
6 The south half of Ireland was generally
so called in ancient times.
7 See his Life in the Ninth Volume of this
work, at the 14th of September, when he is
commemorated as a saint and martyr, in the
Irish Calendar,
8"
In his Preface to Archiepiscoporum Cas-
" ventus ab A scholiast on the Tri- partite Life refers the fulfilment of that pro- phecy to Goithin, "enim vox Hibernica ex suo etymo venteum vel ventuosum denotat. "
seliensium et —Tuamensium Vitas," Sir
James
This is said to have occurred "
Conchonario,"
regnantibus
Ware writes
libentius desudavi, quia omnia pene Vetera utriusque sedis monumenta (Casseliensis scilicet et Tuamensis) sive per incuriam et
:
"Atque
in hac
indagine
eo Fedhlimidio et Ireland.
over
I2 See Giraldi Cambrensis "Opera," edited by James T. Dimock, M. A. , vol. v. negligentiam, sive per bellorum rabiem " Topographia Hibernica," Dist. iii. , cap.
peiierunt, vel salter—n per invidorum malitiam
hodie diletescunt. " Ad Lectorem, Dublini,
1626, sm. 4to.
» At this time Conchobhar, the son of
xliv. , p. 188.
8
suing
iii. , cap. xciii. , p. 433.
then inferno exortus, "
Rath-Bacain,
building, by
I3
ferred to A. D. 1 198.
By the Irish historians his death is re- I4 Thus, in an Irish poem by John
/'. <? ,,
4oo LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [August 28.
allowed ; but, having been a highly successful raider in his time, provincial tradition probably assigned that elevation to him, and caused it to be circulated for belief in other districts of the country. However, it cannot be doubted, that he not only exercised the power and privileges of a King throughout the province of Munster for a long period ; but, his influence and fame as a warrior caused him to be feared and respected, even by the recognised sovereign of Ireland, and by all the subordinate kings and chiefs.
Our Annals contain many brief records of his acts. Thus, in the year
823, it is related, that the Law of Patrick was established over Mumhan's
by Feidhlimidh, son of Crimhthann. '6 He is said to have immediately
succeeded Fiacha Airtre, 1 ? who ruled for fourteen or fifteen years over that
18
The Law of Patrick to which allusion has been made seems referable to some tribute or contribution allowed by the other provinces of Ireland, and as an acknowledgment of primacy over the Irish Church, in the See of Armagh. We find frequent allusion in the Annals, to visits made by the Archbishops and Abbots, to different places and at various times, in order to renew or establish that Law. Moreover, the kings and chiefs of those territories and districts were ready to enforce the obligations it involved, so far as their power extended. It is less pleasing for us to recount the many destructive raids or expeditions noted in our Annals.
Inthe wereadthatGalinneoftheBritons1? wasburned year 823,
province,
but, the date for whose death we have not been able to ascertain.
by Feidhlimidh, son of Crimhthann, with its whole dwelling-place and the
18
According to John O'Dugan's poem
UobcAp cpenA ComiAchcA a 1Uai§ ni, mboAn pMinA jma treiT>limit>.
—
"Strong were the Connachtmen in
Magh Ai ;
They were not weak against Feidh-
limidh. "
20 Other authorities
place
that incident at earlier 21 It periods.
oratory.
would seem, that the King of Munster had planned another expedition for
22
the invasion of Connaught. That very same year 823, we find a victory
was gained by Cathal, son of Ailill, over Feidhlimidhin Magh-Ai, where
2
many fell. ^ However, this reverse of his career is stated to have occurred in
O'Dugan, and intituled ftioJA rib Oibir\, or Kings of the Race of Eibhear, with a trans- lation by Michael Kearney, A. D. 1635, and edited by John O'Daly, allusion is thus made to him at pp. 20, 21 : —
•A feAcc pceAT) da j? eit>m rearm
fei'olim fiu jtIaic eipeArm ; CiAjvAn mac an c-r-AOir\ t>a gum,
£up cuic cj\e AOib nA folui§.
:
It is thus translated into English —
" Ffeilimidh, fitt a Monarch to be, Of Ireland all, to Twenty,
Adding 7 yeares over Mounster
raigned,
Ere Kyaran him killed most basely. "
'5 The Irish term for Munster.
,6 See the "Chronicum Scotorum," edited
by William M. Hennessy, pp. 130, 131.
1 Said to have been of the progeny of
Chuirc or Corck.
monastery for British monks, towards the close of the fifth century,
20 "
See the Chronicon Scotorum," edited
by William M. Hennessy, pp. 132, 133.
" Thus the Annals of Clonmacnois, under the year 820 : —" Galen of the Welshmen was altogether burnt by Felym mac Cri- whan, both houses, churches, and sanctuary—. "
At A. D. 822, the Annals of Ulster record gAlinne tia 111 ©pecan exurcum efc
R. 105A pi eibin.
** Otherwise called Galinne na m Bretann,
the old name for Gallen, in the barony of
Garrycastle, in the King's County. It de- rived such denomination, because St. Canocus, a Welshman, had erected there a
Thus rendered into English
:
o ,6 cum coca hAbicAoone t? eit>l,imi
ruiA, orvacomo. SeeAnnAlAUl<voh,or Annals of Ulster, edited, with a Translation
ec cum
and Notes, by William M. Hennessy, vol. i. , pp. 316 to 319.
22
According to the account, which is con- ''
tainedinthe ChronicumScotorum. "How- ever, we find no entry of this contest, in the
"
ing Irish lines :—
Annals of the Four Masters. "
23 This is commemorated in the succeed-
:
August 28. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 401
29
834, by the O'Clerys, * and it is related by an Irish poet, 5 to have been at a
place named Loch-na-Calla, or Lake of the Shouting, owing to the rejoicing of the Ui-Maine, on account of their victory over Feidhlimidh. The name of that place seems now to have become obsolete. Moreover, the Annals of Clonmacnoise relate, that Delvin Beathra36 was burned by King Felym or Feidhlimidh, son of Crimhtann, in 823 ; while those of the Four Masters
2
place this event in 824 ? and those of Ulster have it at a. d. 826.
Although undoubtedly remarkable for his prowess in arms and for personal valour, yet the King of Munster is not noticed in our Annals, for exercising either
Birr,
between Conchobhar, son of Donnchadh, King of Ireland, and
;
against the Danes or Norwegians, whose inroads upon various parts of
Ireland are recorded during his career. He wanted the spirit of patriotism
to render his deeds heroic ; nor can it be said, that the reigning monarch
Conchobhar was energetic or capable in suppressing such raids. Rather were
internecine contests, among the Irish kings and princes, events most promi-
nent during this period. In 824, there was a royal meeting at Biorra or 28
Feidhlimidh, King of Munster, according to the Annals of Clonmacnoise ;
2
this event is noticed in the Annals of the Four Masters, 9 at the following
year; while the Annals of Ulster have it at a. d. 826. The objects had in view for holding this meeting, nor the subjects there discussed by the monarch and by his nominally subordinate prince, have not been disclosed in any account with which we are familiar ; but, it seems probable enough, that the King of Ireland suspected and feared the aspiring and ambitious aims of the Munster potentate, and sought explanations or some sort of understanding to restrain his acts, or to divert them into a more desirable course of policy. Weighed in the scale of subsequent events, there are just grounds for supposing, that Feidhlimidh was anxious to employ means, and to seek aid beyond his own province, for acquiring sway over the rest of Ireland. If we are to receive the account of the Rev. Dr. Keating, Feidhlime received provocations from the northern half of the Island, which was known under the designation of Leath Cuin. Carrying his arms into that part of the country, he sorely distressed its inhabitants, and he plundered without distinction from Birr to Teamhair Breag. We are told, moreover, that he met with opposition at Tara, and which he overcame with some difficulty. In a conflict, his forces engaged Jonrachtach, the son of Moal- duin. 3° This seems to have been intended for what is related, at the year 828, when the Annals of Clonmacnoise record the coming of the forces of
Munster and of Leinster to
z
—— also called to
26 Otherwise called Dealbh-na-Eathra, the ancient name for the present barony of
Garrycastle, in the King's County. See the
*' Se« Dr O'Donovan's edition, vol. i„
2< See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 450, 451, and nn. (i, k), ibid. —
25 The following Irish lines are quoted
nobc*n cr*en ConnAccA, hi mMt trf mpcAtx puma,
<Vbrix> nee re pM-olimi-o, cm ioc tiACAtU.
Thus—rendered into English by Dr. O'Dono- van «
LeAbhar* r»A or Book of 5-CeAnc,
Connaughtmen mighty; Magh-I they were not feeble ;
Let any one inquire of Feidhlimidh, whence Loch-na-calla is (named). "
History Ireland," part ii. , of Niall Caille.
reign
Fynore3
Finnabhair-Breagh
:
Rights, edited by John O'Donovan, n. (k), p. 183.
*
PP-436, 437, and n. (x) ubid
* In the baron of Ballybrit> -01acca y
"The were in " of atthe
KinS s
County. .
29 See Dr. O Donovans edition, vol. I. ,
pp. 440, 441, and n. (h), ibid.
30 According to Rev. Dr. Keating, he lost
his life in this battle, but such a statement is not to be found in other accounts. See
31 Now Fennor, near Slane, County of Meath.
IC
4o2
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [August 28.
2 This account is set down at a. d.
in the Annals of the Four Masters ;33 while the Annals of Ulster place it at a. d. 830. Again, the burning of Fore by Feidhlimid is recorded as having occurredata. d. 830. ^ TheAnnalsoftheFourMasters,35ata. d. 831,have
an account of the burning of Tearmann-Chiarain by this king j and also of
the plundering of Dealbhna-Beathra three times. The Annals of Clonmac-
noise, however, place these events at a. d. 829.
It would appear, that similar devastations were continued by him the year
following, 832,36 when a great number of the family of Cluain-mac-Nois37 were slain, and all their termon was burned by Feidhlimidh, to the very door of their church. It is stated, that while this king was brave in action, gener- ous in success, anct unbroken in adverse fortune, he secured the co-operation and retained the fidelity of the two great provinces of Minister over which he reigned ; and being munificent, insinuating, amiable, religious, but not pious, he for a considerable time gained friends, in all the other provinces of Ireland. He is said to have occasionally made the clergy instruments of his ambition, and to have harassed them in turn when they would not go all his lengths. Moreover, as we read, he treated the family of Dearmach, or
The Annals of Ulster place the death of Concobhar mac Donncha, King
destroy, prey
and
spoil Moybrey. 3
829,
8 in like as he did that of Clonmacnoise, and also to the fashion,
Durro\v,3
door of its church. The Annals of Ulster place such outrages, at this same year. 39 while those of Clonmacnois refer them, to a. d. 830. In the mean- time, during the reigns of Aedh Ornidhe and of Concobhar, monarchs of Ire- land, the Northmen, while making inroads on the country, received no opposition from the King of Munster, who covered the south, and who was powerful enough to have prevented their incursions. It is even stated, that through interested motives, he basely enjoyed the miseries of his country- men/
of at a. d. Ireland,
2. *1 The same is stated to have been the first for year
83
his successor, Niall Caile, son to Aedh Oirdnaidhe ; but, the true year, as we are told, is a. d. 833. 4* In the " Chronicum Scotorum,"43 at the year 836, is an entry regarding the taking of the oratory at Cill-dara," against Forannan,** Abbot of Ard-Macha, with the congregation of Patrick besides, by Feidhlimidh, son of Crimhthann, by battle and arms ; and, as stated,
4° See Charles O'Conor's " Dissertations on the History of Ireland," &c, sect, xvi. , pp. 223,224. Third edition, Dublin, 1812, 8vo.
4I See 4rmaL& UL<voh, or Annals of Ulster,
edited by William M. Hennessy, vol. i. , pp.
330, 331.
42 Such is the of Roderick chronology
O'Flahertyin his Carmen Chronographicum, Ogygia; suae summam complectens, at A. D.
: 833 -
,. _ . . ,. u XT. . . Calneus ormdio regnavit patre Niellus
Autumnis tredecim flumine : raptus equo. Pars secunda» P- 456.
43 Edited by William M. Hennessy,
pp. 140, 14I.
44 Now Kildare.
4s Also called Faranan. He is said to
have been Archbishop of Armagh from a. d. 834 to A. D. 848, when he abdicated that see to make room for Dermod O'Tigernach.
3* Also called a Magh Breagh,
large plain or level territory in East Meath, which con-
"
The Topogra- phical Poems of John O'Dubhagain and Giolla na Naomh O'Huidhrin," edited by
tained five cantreds. See
John O'Donovan, LL. D. , n. II. 'p. iii.
33 See Dr. O'Donovan's pp. 444, 445, and n. (b), ibid.
vol.
34 See " Chronicum Scotorum," edited by
WilliamM. Hennessy,pp. 138,139.
35 See Dr. O'Donovan's edition, vol. i. ,
pp. 446, 447, and n. (k), ibid.
36 See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 446, 447, and n. (q), ibid.
37 Situated on the east bank of the River Shannon, in the barony of Garrycastle, King's County.
38 In the barony of Ballycowen, King's County.
edition,
i. ,
39 See the . annata tlld'ori, or Annals of
Ulster, edited by William M. Hennessy, See Harris' Ware, vol. i. , "Archbishops of vol. i. , pp. 332, 333. Armagh," p. 45.
August 28. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 403
they were taken prisoners with their submission. This is related to have happened, a. d. 835,^ in the "Annals of the Four Masters. " The " Annals of Ulster" agree with this latter date 4? while those of Gonmacnoise have
;
a. d. Z-x>2>y f°r such transaction. In 836 *8 occurred the plundering of the race
of Cairbre Crom4 9 by Feidhlimidh, son of Crimhthann. '
In the year 837,5° a great royal meeting between Niall Caille and Feidh-
limidh, son of Crimhthann, took place at Cluain-Conaire-Tomain, now
Cloncurry, in the County of Kildare. The " Annals of Ulster" agree with
1
this date;- while those of Clonmacnois have a.
their recognition. According to Colgan, the Aidan, belonging to St. Bngid's family, seems to have been venerated at a Cluain Tarbh—now probably
Clontarf, County Dublin—either on the 27th of August, or on the 4th of
In the of 8 at this same is entered Martyrology Donegal, date,
September. ?
Aedhan, but without any peculiar recognition of family descent or place of residence.
Article IV. —The Blessed Maelerigid, Priest, at Armagh.
\Eleve? ith and Twelfth Centuries. '] There is an account of a holy man, named Maelbrighde MacDoilgen, or the son of Dolgen, in the Irish Annals. He was born in the year 1052, as may be inferred from the statements given. He became a priest a. d. 1080, and he appears to have been attached to the ChurchatArmagh. Heismentioned,ashavingbeenanoblepriest,andas
having been the senior of the priests of Ireland.
1
Towards the close of his
life occurred those disagreeable and factious proceedings, whereby a dominant
2
faction resisted St. Malachy O'Morgair in his efforts to take possession of the
See of Armagh, to which he had been elected as the chosen successor of
Celsus, both by the clergy and people. In his industriously compiled Chronicle of the Primate Archbishops, illustrious men and incidents relating to the ancient Church of Armagh, Colgan has recorded the present dis- tinguishedPriest. 3 Hediedinthefifty-secondyearofhispriesthood,andin theeightiethofhisage,onthe27thofAugust,1132. + Althoughdesiringto know on what grounds Maelbrigidus is called beatus by Colgan, the Bollandistss have noticed him at the 27th day of August, that assigned for his death.
Article V. —St. Dagan or Degeman, Wales. This holy man, who
is classed among the Saints of Ireland, seems to have chosen Wales as the
countryforhismission. Itisrelated,thathepassedovertheriverSevernon
a hurdle made with branches of trees. He then retired into a vast wilder-
ness, covered with briars and brushwood. There he spent a life of prayer
and contemplation.
1
In Wales, he is honoured on the 27th of August.
Article VI. —Festival of St. Rufinus and of his Companions,
Martyrs. In the early Irish Church, on the 27 th of August, was celebrated the Feast of St. Rufinus and of his holy companions, who were Martyrs, as
we find from the " Feilire " of 1 iEngus.
7 See "Trias Thaumaturga," Appendix Quartaad Acta S. Brigidse, cap. 3, p. 613.
8 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
The names most
nearly approach-
228, 229. — Article iv.
there were not priests in Ireland, at that time, his senior in years.
2
See his Life, at the 3rd of November,
in the Eleventh Volume of this work, lish translation is by Whitley Stokes,
'
1
It does not seem likely, that such a statement is to be received in an
See Right Rev. Patrick F. Moran's "Early Irish Missions," No. 1. absolute sense ; for it is hardly probable Fruits of Irish Piety in the British Church,
Art. i.
3 See "Trias Thaumaturga," Septima
Appendix ad Acta S. Patrici, Pars Tertia,
p. 303.
4 See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the
LL. D. :—
"Opon^ in mAr\cir\ 5LAITOAI ttuphin CAin combitroe Corug nel noem rrooe two cj\e r\oe rvirvoe.
Four Masters, vol. ii. , pp. 1040,1041.
s See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus vi. ,
Augustii xxvii. leasts, p. 3. — Article v.
Among the pretermitted
p. 17. — Article vi.
" " Leabhar Breac
* In the
copy, it is thus entered in Irish. The Eng-
398 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [August 28. ing on this day are St. Rufus, said to have been a Bishop and Martyr, at
in 3 as also an apparently distinct St. Rufus, associated in Italy ;
3 August.
CtoentjMigbtl) 2Baj) of Sugusft.
ARTICLE I. —FESTIVAL OF FEIDHLIMIDH, SON OF CREMHTHANN, KING OF MUNSTER.
[EIGHTH AND NINTH CENTURIES. }
we find various allusions to the subject of our present
Capua,
martyrdom with St. Carpon, Carponius or Carphorus, in the same city of Capua, in Italy. In like manner, he is venerated, on the 27th day of
in the Annals of Ireland ALTHmeOmoUirG,H
; yet,
those accounts are brief and
disconnected, so that it is a difficult matter from such notices, to form an
exact judgment regarding this King's career and character. That his life
and actions can be generally approved must be a subject for discussion
among modern historians, since we find many conflicting opinions brought
down to us by tradition. At this date, Colgan had promised to treat at some length on this prince, who is said to have descended from a high worldly rank, that he might be exalted in the court of Heaven. This change of purpose seems to have occurred, only towards the close of his life. His reign was marked by broils and contentions ; but, he usually came off victorious, as we find recorded in the Irish Annals. The national and social state of Ireland, and the position he filled, may have rendered some of those intestine warsevilsthatcouldnotwellbeavoided; butambitionandgreedarelikely to have influenced his conduct, before penitence and contrition enabled this prince, to repair in a great measure the bloodshed and wrongs he had inflicted on others. Notwithstanding such a record, he is praised by several of the Minister bards and chroniclers, while his name has been inscribed among those, whose festivals are commemorated in our Calendars.
Veneration was given, as we are told, to Feidhilmidh MacCrimthain, at
Thus is he noticed in the
of 1 Martyrology Tallagh.
the 28th of
In the Book of Leinster
He descended from the race of Aenghus, son to Naetfraech, son of Lughaidh, as stated by the O'Clerys. His father's name was Crimhthann, and he is
August.
copy,
his name is found
contracted,
2 at this date.
"The troop of the purified martyr Ru-
finus, the fair with melodiousness, to the
holy rampart of the King of Clouds went
through keenest spear-points. "—" Transac-
tions of the Royal Irish Academy," Irish
Manuscript Series, vol. i. , part i. On the xxvii. , pp. 16 to 20. Under the heading, Calendar of Oengus, by Whitley Stokes,
LL. D. , p. cxxv.
2
The Bollandist Father John Stilting, S. J. , has a dissertation, or Sylloge Historico-
Martyre Capuse in Italia, pp. 9 to II. This is in eleven paragraphs, and there an at- tempt has been made to elucidate his Acts,
De SS. Rufo et Carpone, Carponio, vel Carpophoro Martyribus, Capuae in Cam-
"
vi,, Augusti xxvii. , De S. Rufo Episcopo ing them by ea—rlier writers.
Critica, in the
Acta Sanctorum," tomus
and to examine the various notices of him in ancient records.
3 The same Father John Stilling has edited the " Passio " of both these Martyrs in the "Acta Sanctorum," tomus vi. , Augu. ^ti
pania Italia, he has a previous commentary in eight paragraphs, and in these he criti- cally examines what has been stated regard-
'
Article I. by Kelly,
p. xxxiii.
a,,
Thus t? ei olimi o mAcCpich.
Edited Rev. Dr.
August 28. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 399
said to have been of Claire. 3 His son, who afterwards ascended the throne ofMunster,wasbornprobablytowardsthecloseoftheeighthcentury. The young prince appears to have received a liberal education for it is related,
that he was an excellent scribe—which means according to Irish acceptance— a writer, although none of his compositions have come down to us. Nor is the school in which he studied known. It is stated, also, that Feidhlimidh entered into Holy Orders,* and that afterwards he presided as Archbishop5 over Leath Mogha,6 otherwise in the See of Cashel. However, there is no sufficient warrant for such a statement. Moreover, in his enumeration of the Archbishops of Cashel, Sir James Ware does not record any earlier bishop than Cormac MacCullinan,? who flourished towards the close of the
;
ninth and beginning of the tenth century.
From what has been stated in the Irish Annals regarding Feidhlimidh,
we are led to infer, that he must have succeeded in the principality of Munster, in or about the year 820. 9 He was remarkable for personal courage and force of character—qualities which were sufficient to excite the admiration of his followers, and to cause his interested and over-partial panegyrists in prose and verse to overlook or conceal his many deficiencies. Having been recognised as a King over Ireland, by some authorities, without
TO his
with the period when Gaithen," the son of Cionaedhe, was chief over
Laeighis or Leix, a territory contained within the present Queen's County. He is also noticed, as having lived about that period, when the death of the
Ostman tyrant Turgesius took place. Moreover, he is supposed by Giraldus Cambrensis to have been a King over Ireland, and the . seventeenth
predecessor of Roderick O'Conor, 12 the latest recognised monarch, who died towards the close of the twelfth century. ^
Our native Annalists, for the most part, do not class Feidhlimidh among the supreme monarchs of Ireland ; although some of the Munster chroni- clers and bards, who state that he ruled twenty-seven years over that province, reserve seven of these for jurisdiction over all the otlier provincial
denning
the term or the number of
years ;
reign
has been
synchronized
kings and chiefs of the nation. 14
3 See the "Chronicum Scotorum," edited, with a translation by William M. Hennessy,
M. R. I. A. , pp. 146, 147.
Jeffry Keating's "History of Ireland," part ii.
This claim nevertheless can hardly be
Dounchadh, had begun to reign, A. D. 819, according to Roderick O'Flaherty, and was regarded as king over Ireland for the en-
4 See Rev. Dr.
fourteen See "
years. Ogygia," pars
= This is a mistake of Mr.
O'Daly.
In
I0 See " Trias
Colgan's Thaumaturga,"
where allusion is made to him, in Septima
Vita S. Patricii, pars iii. , cap. xxvi. , p. 155. " In St. Patrick's time, the Irish Apostle is said to have foretold the destruction of
his time, Cashel had not been erected into
an Archiepiscopal See.
6 The south half of Ireland was generally
so called in ancient times.
7 See his Life in the Ninth Volume of this
work, at the 14th of September, when he is
commemorated as a saint and martyr, in the
Irish Calendar,
8"
In his Preface to Archiepiscoporum Cas-
" ventus ab A scholiast on the Tri- partite Life refers the fulfilment of that pro- phecy to Goithin, "enim vox Hibernica ex suo etymo venteum vel ventuosum denotat. "
seliensium et —Tuamensium Vitas," Sir
James
This is said to have occurred "
Conchonario,"
regnantibus
Ware writes
libentius desudavi, quia omnia pene Vetera utriusque sedis monumenta (Casseliensis scilicet et Tuamensis) sive per incuriam et
:
"Atque
in hac
indagine
eo Fedhlimidio et Ireland.
over
I2 See Giraldi Cambrensis "Opera," edited by James T. Dimock, M. A. , vol. v. negligentiam, sive per bellorum rabiem " Topographia Hibernica," Dist. iii. , cap.
peiierunt, vel salter—n per invidorum malitiam
hodie diletescunt. " Ad Lectorem, Dublini,
1626, sm. 4to.
» At this time Conchobhar, the son of
xliv. , p. 188.
8
suing
iii. , cap. xciii. , p. 433.
then inferno exortus, "
Rath-Bacain,
building, by
I3
ferred to A. D. 1 198.
By the Irish historians his death is re- I4 Thus, in an Irish poem by John
/'. <? ,,
4oo LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [August 28.
allowed ; but, having been a highly successful raider in his time, provincial tradition probably assigned that elevation to him, and caused it to be circulated for belief in other districts of the country. However, it cannot be doubted, that he not only exercised the power and privileges of a King throughout the province of Munster for a long period ; but, his influence and fame as a warrior caused him to be feared and respected, even by the recognised sovereign of Ireland, and by all the subordinate kings and chiefs.
Our Annals contain many brief records of his acts. Thus, in the year
823, it is related, that the Law of Patrick was established over Mumhan's
by Feidhlimidh, son of Crimhthann. '6 He is said to have immediately
succeeded Fiacha Airtre, 1 ? who ruled for fourteen or fifteen years over that
18
The Law of Patrick to which allusion has been made seems referable to some tribute or contribution allowed by the other provinces of Ireland, and as an acknowledgment of primacy over the Irish Church, in the See of Armagh. We find frequent allusion in the Annals, to visits made by the Archbishops and Abbots, to different places and at various times, in order to renew or establish that Law. Moreover, the kings and chiefs of those territories and districts were ready to enforce the obligations it involved, so far as their power extended. It is less pleasing for us to recount the many destructive raids or expeditions noted in our Annals.
Inthe wereadthatGalinneoftheBritons1? wasburned year 823,
province,
but, the date for whose death we have not been able to ascertain.
by Feidhlimidh, son of Crimhthann, with its whole dwelling-place and the
18
According to John O'Dugan's poem
UobcAp cpenA ComiAchcA a 1Uai§ ni, mboAn pMinA jma treiT>limit>.
—
"Strong were the Connachtmen in
Magh Ai ;
They were not weak against Feidh-
limidh. "
20 Other authorities
place
that incident at earlier 21 It periods.
oratory.
would seem, that the King of Munster had planned another expedition for
22
the invasion of Connaught. That very same year 823, we find a victory
was gained by Cathal, son of Ailill, over Feidhlimidhin Magh-Ai, where
2
many fell. ^ However, this reverse of his career is stated to have occurred in
O'Dugan, and intituled ftioJA rib Oibir\, or Kings of the Race of Eibhear, with a trans- lation by Michael Kearney, A. D. 1635, and edited by John O'Daly, allusion is thus made to him at pp. 20, 21 : —
•A feAcc pceAT) da j? eit>m rearm
fei'olim fiu jtIaic eipeArm ; CiAjvAn mac an c-r-AOir\ t>a gum,
£up cuic cj\e AOib nA folui§.
:
It is thus translated into English —
" Ffeilimidh, fitt a Monarch to be, Of Ireland all, to Twenty,
Adding 7 yeares over Mounster
raigned,
Ere Kyaran him killed most basely. "
'5 The Irish term for Munster.
,6 See the "Chronicum Scotorum," edited
by William M. Hennessy, pp. 130, 131.
1 Said to have been of the progeny of
Chuirc or Corck.
monastery for British monks, towards the close of the fifth century,
20 "
See the Chronicon Scotorum," edited
by William M. Hennessy, pp. 132, 133.
" Thus the Annals of Clonmacnois, under the year 820 : —" Galen of the Welshmen was altogether burnt by Felym mac Cri- whan, both houses, churches, and sanctuary—. "
At A. D. 822, the Annals of Ulster record gAlinne tia 111 ©pecan exurcum efc
R. 105A pi eibin.
** Otherwise called Galinne na m Bretann,
the old name for Gallen, in the barony of
Garrycastle, in the King's County. It de- rived such denomination, because St. Canocus, a Welshman, had erected there a
Thus rendered into English
:
o ,6 cum coca hAbicAoone t? eit>l,imi
ruiA, orvacomo. SeeAnnAlAUl<voh,or Annals of Ulster, edited, with a Translation
ec cum
and Notes, by William M. Hennessy, vol. i. , pp. 316 to 319.
22
According to the account, which is con- ''
tainedinthe ChronicumScotorum. "How- ever, we find no entry of this contest, in the
"
ing Irish lines :—
Annals of the Four Masters. "
23 This is commemorated in the succeed-
:
August 28. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 401
29
834, by the O'Clerys, * and it is related by an Irish poet, 5 to have been at a
place named Loch-na-Calla, or Lake of the Shouting, owing to the rejoicing of the Ui-Maine, on account of their victory over Feidhlimidh. The name of that place seems now to have become obsolete. Moreover, the Annals of Clonmacnoise relate, that Delvin Beathra36 was burned by King Felym or Feidhlimidh, son of Crimhtann, in 823 ; while those of the Four Masters
2
place this event in 824 ? and those of Ulster have it at a. d. 826.
Although undoubtedly remarkable for his prowess in arms and for personal valour, yet the King of Munster is not noticed in our Annals, for exercising either
Birr,
between Conchobhar, son of Donnchadh, King of Ireland, and
;
against the Danes or Norwegians, whose inroads upon various parts of
Ireland are recorded during his career. He wanted the spirit of patriotism
to render his deeds heroic ; nor can it be said, that the reigning monarch
Conchobhar was energetic or capable in suppressing such raids. Rather were
internecine contests, among the Irish kings and princes, events most promi-
nent during this period. In 824, there was a royal meeting at Biorra or 28
Feidhlimidh, King of Munster, according to the Annals of Clonmacnoise ;
2
this event is noticed in the Annals of the Four Masters, 9 at the following
year; while the Annals of Ulster have it at a. d. 826. The objects had in view for holding this meeting, nor the subjects there discussed by the monarch and by his nominally subordinate prince, have not been disclosed in any account with which we are familiar ; but, it seems probable enough, that the King of Ireland suspected and feared the aspiring and ambitious aims of the Munster potentate, and sought explanations or some sort of understanding to restrain his acts, or to divert them into a more desirable course of policy. Weighed in the scale of subsequent events, there are just grounds for supposing, that Feidhlimidh was anxious to employ means, and to seek aid beyond his own province, for acquiring sway over the rest of Ireland. If we are to receive the account of the Rev. Dr. Keating, Feidhlime received provocations from the northern half of the Island, which was known under the designation of Leath Cuin. Carrying his arms into that part of the country, he sorely distressed its inhabitants, and he plundered without distinction from Birr to Teamhair Breag. We are told, moreover, that he met with opposition at Tara, and which he overcame with some difficulty. In a conflict, his forces engaged Jonrachtach, the son of Moal- duin. 3° This seems to have been intended for what is related, at the year 828, when the Annals of Clonmacnoise record the coming of the forces of
Munster and of Leinster to
z
—— also called to
26 Otherwise called Dealbh-na-Eathra, the ancient name for the present barony of
Garrycastle, in the King's County. See the
*' Se« Dr O'Donovan's edition, vol. i„
2< See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 450, 451, and nn. (i, k), ibid. —
25 The following Irish lines are quoted
nobc*n cr*en ConnAccA, hi mMt trf mpcAtx puma,
<Vbrix> nee re pM-olimi-o, cm ioc tiACAtU.
Thus—rendered into English by Dr. O'Dono- van «
LeAbhar* r»A or Book of 5-CeAnc,
Connaughtmen mighty; Magh-I they were not feeble ;
Let any one inquire of Feidhlimidh, whence Loch-na-calla is (named). "
History Ireland," part ii. , of Niall Caille.
reign
Fynore3
Finnabhair-Breagh
:
Rights, edited by John O'Donovan, n. (k), p. 183.
*
PP-436, 437, and n. (x) ubid
* In the baron of Ballybrit> -01acca y
"The were in " of atthe
KinS s
County. .
29 See Dr. O Donovans edition, vol. I. ,
pp. 440, 441, and n. (h), ibid.
30 According to Rev. Dr. Keating, he lost
his life in this battle, but such a statement is not to be found in other accounts. See
31 Now Fennor, near Slane, County of Meath.
IC
4o2
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [August 28.
2 This account is set down at a. d.
in the Annals of the Four Masters ;33 while the Annals of Ulster place it at a. d. 830. Again, the burning of Fore by Feidhlimid is recorded as having occurredata. d. 830. ^ TheAnnalsoftheFourMasters,35ata. d. 831,have
an account of the burning of Tearmann-Chiarain by this king j and also of
the plundering of Dealbhna-Beathra three times. The Annals of Clonmac-
noise, however, place these events at a. d. 829.
It would appear, that similar devastations were continued by him the year
following, 832,36 when a great number of the family of Cluain-mac-Nois37 were slain, and all their termon was burned by Feidhlimidh, to the very door of their church. It is stated, that while this king was brave in action, gener- ous in success, anct unbroken in adverse fortune, he secured the co-operation and retained the fidelity of the two great provinces of Minister over which he reigned ; and being munificent, insinuating, amiable, religious, but not pious, he for a considerable time gained friends, in all the other provinces of Ireland. He is said to have occasionally made the clergy instruments of his ambition, and to have harassed them in turn when they would not go all his lengths. Moreover, as we read, he treated the family of Dearmach, or
The Annals of Ulster place the death of Concobhar mac Donncha, King
destroy, prey
and
spoil Moybrey. 3
829,
8 in like as he did that of Clonmacnoise, and also to the fashion,
Durro\v,3
door of its church. The Annals of Ulster place such outrages, at this same year. 39 while those of Clonmacnois refer them, to a. d. 830. In the mean- time, during the reigns of Aedh Ornidhe and of Concobhar, monarchs of Ire- land, the Northmen, while making inroads on the country, received no opposition from the King of Munster, who covered the south, and who was powerful enough to have prevented their incursions. It is even stated, that through interested motives, he basely enjoyed the miseries of his country- men/
of at a. d. Ireland,
2. *1 The same is stated to have been the first for year
83
his successor, Niall Caile, son to Aedh Oirdnaidhe ; but, the true year, as we are told, is a. d. 833. 4* In the " Chronicum Scotorum,"43 at the year 836, is an entry regarding the taking of the oratory at Cill-dara," against Forannan,** Abbot of Ard-Macha, with the congregation of Patrick besides, by Feidhlimidh, son of Crimhthann, by battle and arms ; and, as stated,
4° See Charles O'Conor's " Dissertations on the History of Ireland," &c, sect, xvi. , pp. 223,224. Third edition, Dublin, 1812, 8vo.
4I See 4rmaL& UL<voh, or Annals of Ulster,
edited by William M. Hennessy, vol. i. , pp.
330, 331.
42 Such is the of Roderick chronology
O'Flahertyin his Carmen Chronographicum, Ogygia; suae summam complectens, at A. D.
: 833 -
,. _ . . ,. u XT. . . Calneus ormdio regnavit patre Niellus
Autumnis tredecim flumine : raptus equo. Pars secunda» P- 456.
43 Edited by William M. Hennessy,
pp. 140, 14I.
44 Now Kildare.
4s Also called Faranan. He is said to
have been Archbishop of Armagh from a. d. 834 to A. D. 848, when he abdicated that see to make room for Dermod O'Tigernach.
3* Also called a Magh Breagh,
large plain or level territory in East Meath, which con-
"
The Topogra- phical Poems of John O'Dubhagain and Giolla na Naomh O'Huidhrin," edited by
tained five cantreds. See
John O'Donovan, LL. D. , n. II. 'p. iii.
33 See Dr. O'Donovan's pp. 444, 445, and n. (b), ibid.
vol.
34 See " Chronicum Scotorum," edited by
WilliamM. Hennessy,pp. 138,139.
35 See Dr. O'Donovan's edition, vol. i. ,
pp. 446, 447, and n. (k), ibid.
36 See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 446, 447, and n. (q), ibid.
37 Situated on the east bank of the River Shannon, in the barony of Garrycastle, King's County.
38 In the barony of Ballycowen, King's County.
edition,
i. ,
39 See the . annata tlld'ori, or Annals of
Ulster, edited by William M. Hennessy, See Harris' Ware, vol. i. , "Archbishops of vol. i. , pp. 332, 333. Armagh," p. 45.
August 28. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 403
they were taken prisoners with their submission. This is related to have happened, a. d. 835,^ in the "Annals of the Four Masters. " The " Annals of Ulster" agree with this latter date 4? while those of Gonmacnoise have
;
a. d. Z-x>2>y f°r such transaction. In 836 *8 occurred the plundering of the race
of Cairbre Crom4 9 by Feidhlimidh, son of Crimhthann. '
In the year 837,5° a great royal meeting between Niall Caille and Feidh-
limidh, son of Crimhthann, took place at Cluain-Conaire-Tomain, now
Cloncurry, in the County of Kildare. The " Annals of Ulster" agree with
1
this date;- while those of Clonmacnois have a.
