" See " Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs
and other principal Saints," vol.
and other principal Saints," vol.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v6
It seems likely, moreover, that these usages had been received andpractisedbytheYoungerSt.
Sincheall.
Wefindnofurtheraccountr ingtheActsofthelatterholyman.
Itisprobable,helivedanddiedinthe
monastery at Killeigh, although the year and place of his departure are not foundinourAnnals. Atthe25thofJune,however,thefeastofSt. Sincheall
the is set Younger
18 The of Kil- parish
of
patron's name is now forgotten, in that locality. The old church there was
in the
down,
tinnel, nearCourtown Harbour, in the barony of Ballaghkeen, county of Wex- ford, was probably dedicated to the present saint or to the Elder so called. The
Martyrology
Donegal.
16 The foregoing particulars have been
gleaned, from occasional personal observa-
tion. The accompanying illustration is from
a sketch, tnken by the writer on the spot, in
August, iSSS. It has been transferred to middle of page 17, third column.
18
the wood, by William F. Wakeman. It was Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
engraved by Mrs. Millard. 178, 179.
17 These are to be found, among the Ten
Folia of the " Hook of Leinster," now in
possession of the Franciscan Community,
Merchants' Quay, Dublin. See about the
June 25. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
789
17feet6inchesinbreadth; but,itslengthcannotatpresentbeeasilyascertained, as both of its gables are destroyed and levelled with the ground. Parts of the side walls remain, nevertheless, and from which it may be conjectured, this rude building was about five centuries old, in 1840. * There is a Kiltennel parish, also, in Carlow County. There a patron or pattern-day was lately—if not still- held on the 25th of June, when that day happened on a Sunday. 20 Other- wise, it was held on the next Sunday, following the 25th of June," as being the most convenient festival and a disengaged time. " The ruins of Kiltennel
church in the county of Carlow are described as being 16 yards Ion* by 7 yards broad, and covered with ivy, in 1839. On the south side wall near the
gable there was a doorway, 6 feet high, with a segmental arch of mason work. In breadth, it was 5 feet, on the outside, and 6 feet on the inside. On the east sideofthisentrance,thewallwasbrokenaway. Attheeastgable,thewall was partly pulled down, and that gable stood detached. On it, there was a window. A 23 nowin was
2 church. *
ArticleII. —St. MoluogofLiss-mor,Scotland. [SixthorSeventh Century-. ] One of the prominent features of the early Celtic Church was in- tense devotion towards the memory of those, who were the founders of its
20
This was ascertained, owing to a cor-
chapel, ruins,
attached to the east end of this
clan monasteries.
people, by their veneration of the great man, whose sons the clan claimed to be,andafterwhomtheywerenamed. Eventheecclesiasticalrevolutionof the sixteenth century, and an altered condition of things, did not extinguish that popular regard, which had long been cherished for the early founders of Celtic churches. The continued vitality of their memories has attracted the notice of many intelligent writers, even among those, not specially pre- possessed in favour of the Catholic Church. 1 As we have already seen, St. Moluoc is entered in the " Feilire" of St. ^Engus, at the 25th of June, and with very high commendation. 2 In a scholion, he is noticed as Moluoc of
19 See " Letters containing Information Edmund Byrne, as a slab on the wall states, relative to the Antiquities of the County of and it was consecrated, by Most Rev.
Wexford, collected during the Progress of
theOrdnance in vol. i. Letter Survey 1840,"
ofJohnO'Donovan,p. 11.
Edmund Byrne, Archbishop of Dublin in the
xxxi. , p. 342.
24 See " Letters relating to the Antiquities
of the County of Carlow, containing Infor- mation collected during the Progress of the
respondence between the Earl of Courtown
and the Rev. James Graves, in reference to
the first-named parish in Wexford, where
The like feeling manifested itself in the civil polity of the
some antiquities of a curious character were Ordnance Survey in 1839. " Letter of T.
"
Proceedings and Papers of the
found. See
Kilkenny and South-East Archaeological
O'Conor, dated Carlow, July 1st, 1839, pp.
*
legendary
early saints now remained. He adds: "But
in Scotland, even in spite of the vast counter- wave of the Reformation, the local attrac- tions of the primitive missionaries still hold
Society. " New Series, vol. iv. , part i. , a. d. 1862, pp. 144, 145, and pp. 198, 199.
297 to 300. — Article II.
Dr. the Stanley,
" See ibid. 22
Thus,
Dean of Westminster, in one of his recent Lectures, remarked that in England little association, or historical, of the
been made to the Rev. William Reeves, he was of opinion, that not only the Carlow Kiltennel, but also the Wexford Kiltennel, had been dedicated to the present saint. He thus unsolves the
Application having
problem: Cill u Sinchill, " Church of their ground, and their successive apparitions Sinchill, will exactly make this name, by may well recall for a moment the various eliding, the letter S, and also it will account stages of the original Celtic faith.
for a transition into the modern form—Cibl 2 See "Transactions of the Royal Irish c-Sinchitt, Kil-tinchill, Kil-tinhil, Kil- Academy," Irish Manuscript Series, vol. i. , tinnil, Kiltennel. part i. On the Calendar of Oengus. By
23 This had been erected, by Captain Whitley Stokes, LL. D. , p. xcv.
See AntiquitiesoftheCountyofCarlow,"chap.
year 1709.
John Ryan's
" and History
79° LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 25.
Lismore in Scotland, i. e. , of Cill Delga in Ardgal. 3 We read, in the Martyr- ology ofTallagh,4 that Moluoc Lis-moir is entered, as having a festival, at the 25th of June. There is a notice of St. Molocus, who is said to have flourished a. d. 590, in the Ecclesiastical History of Scotland, by Thomas Dempster ;5 and,asusual,withsomeofthatauthor'sinventions. 6 Thedateforhisfestival,
however, is not there stated. Also, by Camerarius,? there is an entry re-
Heisnoticed,likewise,byBishopChallenor,11 Rev. AlbanButler,"Rev. S. Baring-Gould,13 and Chambers. 14 This holy man flourished, according to some writers, in the sixth century,^ or in the seventh century, according to
garding St. Molocus, at the 25th of June.
St. Moloc or Molonach, Bishop in Scotia, at the 25th day of June; but, there is no further account of him, in the Fifth Volume of their work for that month. Their Acts 9 of him appear, however, in the succeeding Tome. 10
other accounts. 16 he was illustrious Formerly,
among
the Northern
Britons,
whose Apostle he became. It is thought, by Colgan, that he is the St.
Molugadius, Molugedus, or Lugadius, son of Lanneon, son to Fintan, son of
Lugad,sontoEnnaBogun,sonofConallGulban. 1? Amongthethirty-seven
18 MoluansmentionedbySt. yEngustheCuldee, thepresentoneiscalledSt.
Moluanus,10 the son of Lanneon. 20 His name is recorded in many of our native Calendars. According to the Breviary of Aberdeen, Molocus was
descended from a noble Scottish 21 His family.
original
The pedigree of this saint, who is variously called Molocus, Moluoc, Molua,
Lugaidh, pronounced Lua, Mo-Lugadius, Mo-Lugedus or Lugadius, is set downintheSanctilogiumGenealogicum. Withtheendearingsuffixoc,Lua becomes Luoc or Luoch, and with the honorific mo, he becomes Molua,
MoluocandMoloch. Afterwards,thisnamecametobegreatlycorrupted; for, it is written Moluach, Moloak, M'huluoc, Malogue, Emagola and Mul-
3 See ibid. , p. cvii.
4 Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xxvii.
s See tomus ii. , lib. xii. , num. 840,
P- 449-
6 As a specimen of Dempster's singular
facility for contradicting himself, he has this same holy disciple of St. Brendan under the
14 See " The Book of Days," vol. i. , June
25th, p. 820.
'5 St. Moloc flourished about A. D. 540,
according to Hector Boece. See "Histo-
rise Scotorum," lib. ix. , p. 478.
16 St. Moloch is set down at A. D. 697, in
Rev. Dr. J. F. S. Gordon's " Scotichroni- name of St. Molonathus, averring that he con," vol. i. , pp. 67, 68.
flourished in the year 628. See ibid. , num. 856, p. 455-
17 See "Trias Thaumaturga," Quarta Ap-
pendix ad Acta S. Columbia, cap. iii. , num.
Libro Homonymorum Sancto-
19 In one of the work, on the copy
Genealogies of the Saints of Ireland this saint is named Mo-luanus, son of Lonnan ; while, in another, he is designated Molacus or Moluocu*, son of Lanan.
i- In Libro " De Scotorum Pietate,
at
34. p. 481. ,8 '•
xxv. Junii.
8 See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. ,
In rum. "
xxv. Sancti coluntur, p. I.
qui
vii. Kalendas
Julii
Junii
9 They have a Preceding Sylloge, in seven paragraphs, and his Acts are from the
Lessons of an ancient Breviary, in six proper Lessons. These are edited and annotated
by Father Conrad Jannings, S. J.
10 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus vi. ,
Appendix ad Diem xxv. Junii. De S. Moloco seu Monolacho, Episcopo in Rossia, Scotiae Hodiernae Provincia, pp. 240 to
20 See " Trias Colgan's
243-
" See " Britannia Sancta," part i. ,
25th
cap. iii. , p. 481.
21 See the Bollandists'" Acta Sanctorum,"
tomus vi. , Appendix ad Diem xxv: Junii. De S. Moloco seu Molonacho Episcopo in Rossia. Officium S. Moloci, Lect. i. , p. 241.
22
At the 29th of January, where the Life of St. Gildas occurs, among his brothers is one named Mailocus, and in a comment on his name, Colgan explains the various
June, pp. 386, 387.
" See " Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs
and other principal Saints," vol. vi. , June xxv.
"
13 See Lives of the Saints," vol. vi. , June changes to which it has been subjected, in
25th, p. 341. "Acta Sanctorum Hiberniac," xxix. Janua-
8
The Bollandists have noticed
name was 22 Lugaidh.
Thaumaturga," Quarta Appendix ad Acta S. Columbas,
June 25. ] LIVES OF THE LRISH SAINTS.
791
nay. We find the name again written Mulvay 23 and 24 His Muluy.
pedi- gree is given, as being the son of Lucht, son to Finnchadh, son of Fodari, son to Fiacha Araidhe, from whom the Dalariadhe. 2* He is stated, but incor- rectly, to have been the Luanus, mentioned by St. Bernard,26 as having been the founder of one hundred monasteries. He is not to be confounded, how- ever,withthatLugidusorMoluaofClonfertMolua. 27 St. Molochbecamea disciple of the Abbot St. Brendan,28 a manofsingular sanctity and wisdom. 29 He was educated with great care from his infancy, as also he was instructed in sacred and profane literature. 30 He had a remarkably retentive memory,
and for his piety was distinguished while among his companions. When these
built houses for profane uses, Moloc was engaged erecting churches and
altars. 31 One day, requiring a square iron bell, Moloc asked a neighbouring artificer to fashion one. But, the latter excused himself, as not having coals. Moluoc then went out and collected a bundle of rushes or reeds, which mira- culously supplied their place. 32 Not chosing to be distinguished among his brethren, he went to the northern parts of Ireland, and he seems to have had a circuitous and dangerous passage by sea. 33 There he dwelt for a little time, and having at last found persons animated with his own spirit, a light ship was procured to sail away for more deserted places. However, knowing the number of miracles wrought by him, and proclaimed beyond the seas, which they desired to sail over ; his fellow-travellers resolved on sailing without him, and Moluoc was left behind on the sea-shore. At this juncture, St. Moluoc betook himself to prayer, earnestly desiring to visit Alba, and the Almighty favouredhisdesiresinamiraculousmanner. Atthattime,hehappenedto be standing on a rock, and this moved out to sea on which it floated, until it rested at the port of Lismore, 3 * in Scotland. Moreover, he reached that port inadvanceofthosewhosailedintheship. AtLismorewasafterwardsshown thatrock,onwhichSt. Moluocsailed; and,itsshapewassopeculiar,thatit was distinguished from all other stones on that Island. 3 * The spot, where the
egregius antistes, setate turn gravis, qui sa- cram doctrinam, primseva adolescentia a —Brandano venerabili abbate acceptam," &c.
" Sanctorum Historiae," lib. ix. , fol. clxxii.
3I According to the Officium S. Moloci, Lect. i.
32 That bell was afterwards preserved in 2* See also his account of Baul Muluy, the church of Lismore, where it was
rii. Vita S. Gildse Badonici, n. 4, p. 188. 23 "John Morison of Bragu told me that when he was a boy, and going to the church of St. Mulvay, he observed the natives kneel and say a pater nost—er at four miles' distance from the church. " Martin's "Description
of the Western Isles of Scotland," p. 28.
ibid. , at p. 225.
2s See Rev. Dr. Reeves' " Ecclesiastical
held in great veneration. Officium S. Moloci, Lect. ii.
33 See Officium S. Moloci, Lect. 111. ,
p. 241.
3< As places well known, yet distinct,
there are two Lismores : one in Ireland, and one in Scotland. Towards the close of the twelfth century or beginning ci the thir- teenth, the latter was constituted an episcopal
Antiquities of Down, Connor and Dromore. " 26 "
In"VitaS. Malachias, cap. vi.
» See Bishop Forbes' "Kalendars of
Scottish Saints," p. 409.
28 There were two very celebrated Irish
Abbots of this name; the one known as St. Brendan of Clonfert, and whose feast was
of Scotland. See ^
celebrated on the 16th of May
who was Abbot of Birr and whose festival fell on the 29th day of November. The latter
;
to have been the
3» Hector Boece writes : divus Molocus,
Hector Boece's xiii. , p. cclxxviii.
"
lib.
is
master of St. Moluoc.
29
Dempster has it :
pulus S. Brendani, S. Machuti, aut Congalli, quod verius, nam Machutes socius Moloci, non preceptor, notet Pitsseus. »-" Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Scotorum," tomus ii. , lib. xii. , num. 840, p. 449. "
35 According to the Officium S. Moloci,
«
Lect. iv. See the Boilandists
rum," tomus vi. , Appendix ad Diem, Junn xxv. De S. Moloco seu Monolacho, pp. 241,
242.
36 Here, in Timothy Pont s Map 1S given a
Rock called Mo ochoskyr.
37 Se L*T l °P°SraPhlcal Dictl0nary
f
of Scotland," p. 179-
supposed by Tannings,
Acta Sancto-
" S. Molocus, disci-
theother cityby
William
King
Scotorum Historic,
792 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 25.
debarkation took place is still shown,3° and it is named Port Maluag. 37 At this time, pagans dwelt on that Island, and Moluoc found them greatly indisposed to hear the word of God. Then, also, in Meloros, there was a monastery, and thither his course was directed. Here, Moloc assumed the habit of the monks, and he observed their rule, under direction of the Abbot. After some time, this Abbot sent him back to Lismore, where Moluoc 3* laboured successfully, and soon he brought the inhabitants of that Island to a profession of the true Faith. One of the most original passages, in the Legends of the Breviary of Aberdeen,39 occurs in the office of St. Lughaidh or Moluoc, an Irishman, and the founder of Scottish Lismore, who is there stated, to have had a bell made for his church. These ancient bells were fashioned from iron, and quadrangular, as may be seen in many that have come down to our times/ Lismore and Appin form a parish, in the district of Lorn, and in the county of Argyle. They were formerly called the parish of Kil-Muluag, or Kill-Maluag, from this saint. There Moluoc began to estab- lish churches and monasteries. In these, he placed approved men, and these were indoctrinated in the science of heavenly wisdom. 41 Some writers attri- bute to St. Molocus the conversion of St. Oswald, and of his brethren, the
2
Princes of Northumberland. ''
King of Scotland is said to have bestowed the Island of Lismore on the Church, and to have endowed it in such a way, that it became free from any tribute or other exaction. *3 Our holy missionary then went to the Island of Tyle,44 where he laboured in a new field, and he instructed numbers in the Christian doctrine. He had the satisfaction of gaining that people over to the Faith. 4 * Afterwards, the holy man went to Ross, where he preached to the people, with great zeal, and he made many converts. He dedicated those northern parts in honour of the Holy Mother of Christ/6 He preached the Gospel of Christ with great fruit in the province of Mar. *' According to Dempster, he wrote Vita Erandani Magistri, lib. i. , and also Commonito- rium ad Scotos, lib. 1'. 48 This statement, however, is not to be credited. Some accounts have it, that Moluoc had been a companion of St. Kiritine, who was also surnamed Boniface. Thus, we are told, that in St. Moloch's extreme old age, St. Bonifacus Queretinus was associated with him/ Our saint is said to have outlived Boniface for many years. Before his death, Moloch ordered, that he should be interred in the same church, and near his deceased friend. 50 According to some accounts, this holy man died before
3* Dempster calls him " Argadum Apos-
tolus, a—pud quos in Lismorensi basilica se-
pultus. '" "Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis
Scotorum," tomus ii. , lib. xii. , num. 840, p. 242.
p. 449. 4? Speaking of St. Moloc, Hector Boece
39 " Sed et die quadain cum ferrenm cam- remarks : "plerosque in Arcadia atquc Mar- panametquadratamsueecclesi—aperneces- rea,inquibusregionibusfrequentiusest
sariam fabricandam liaberet. " Proprium diversatus, propria: SS. Par. Estiv. , fol. 6ti, a.
40 See "Transactions of the Royal Irish
Academy," vol xiv. , part ii. , pp. 46, 47.
41 Officium S. Moloci, Lect. v.
4* See Bishop Challenor's " Britannia
p. 449.
See Hector Boece's
"
Owing to the persuasion of St. Moluoc, the
Scotorum Histo- 43 See Officium S. Moloci, Lect. vi. , riae," lib. ix. , fol. 172*7. Editio 1575.
Sancta," part i. , June 25th. p. 387. p. 242.
Dr. J. F. S. Gordon's " Sco-
44 The
5° ^ce Kcv.
tichronicon,"
5I See his Life, at the 9th of June, in the
of this Island has been dis- Some consider it to be Iceland, while others think it must have been one of
the Shetland or Islands. Orkney
vol. i. , 6S. p.
puted.
identity
45 See Officium S. Moloci, Lect. vi. , p. 242.
*6
See Officium S. Moloci, Lect. vi. ,
:-alutis mortalium vit—ia aciius carpendo, fecit admonitos," &c.
" . ->cotorum Historise," lib. ix. , p. clxxii.
monastery at Killeigh, although the year and place of his departure are not foundinourAnnals. Atthe25thofJune,however,thefeastofSt. Sincheall
the is set Younger
18 The of Kil- parish
of
patron's name is now forgotten, in that locality. The old church there was
in the
down,
tinnel, nearCourtown Harbour, in the barony of Ballaghkeen, county of Wex- ford, was probably dedicated to the present saint or to the Elder so called. The
Martyrology
Donegal.
16 The foregoing particulars have been
gleaned, from occasional personal observa-
tion. The accompanying illustration is from
a sketch, tnken by the writer on the spot, in
August, iSSS. It has been transferred to middle of page 17, third column.
18
the wood, by William F. Wakeman. It was Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
engraved by Mrs. Millard. 178, 179.
17 These are to be found, among the Ten
Folia of the " Hook of Leinster," now in
possession of the Franciscan Community,
Merchants' Quay, Dublin. See about the
June 25. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
789
17feet6inchesinbreadth; but,itslengthcannotatpresentbeeasilyascertained, as both of its gables are destroyed and levelled with the ground. Parts of the side walls remain, nevertheless, and from which it may be conjectured, this rude building was about five centuries old, in 1840. * There is a Kiltennel parish, also, in Carlow County. There a patron or pattern-day was lately—if not still- held on the 25th of June, when that day happened on a Sunday. 20 Other- wise, it was held on the next Sunday, following the 25th of June," as being the most convenient festival and a disengaged time. " The ruins of Kiltennel
church in the county of Carlow are described as being 16 yards Ion* by 7 yards broad, and covered with ivy, in 1839. On the south side wall near the
gable there was a doorway, 6 feet high, with a segmental arch of mason work. In breadth, it was 5 feet, on the outside, and 6 feet on the inside. On the east sideofthisentrance,thewallwasbrokenaway. Attheeastgable,thewall was partly pulled down, and that gable stood detached. On it, there was a window. A 23 nowin was
2 church. *
ArticleII. —St. MoluogofLiss-mor,Scotland. [SixthorSeventh Century-. ] One of the prominent features of the early Celtic Church was in- tense devotion towards the memory of those, who were the founders of its
20
This was ascertained, owing to a cor-
chapel, ruins,
attached to the east end of this
clan monasteries.
people, by their veneration of the great man, whose sons the clan claimed to be,andafterwhomtheywerenamed. Eventheecclesiasticalrevolutionof the sixteenth century, and an altered condition of things, did not extinguish that popular regard, which had long been cherished for the early founders of Celtic churches. The continued vitality of their memories has attracted the notice of many intelligent writers, even among those, not specially pre- possessed in favour of the Catholic Church. 1 As we have already seen, St. Moluoc is entered in the " Feilire" of St. ^Engus, at the 25th of June, and with very high commendation. 2 In a scholion, he is noticed as Moluoc of
19 See " Letters containing Information Edmund Byrne, as a slab on the wall states, relative to the Antiquities of the County of and it was consecrated, by Most Rev.
Wexford, collected during the Progress of
theOrdnance in vol. i. Letter Survey 1840,"
ofJohnO'Donovan,p. 11.
Edmund Byrne, Archbishop of Dublin in the
xxxi. , p. 342.
24 See " Letters relating to the Antiquities
of the County of Carlow, containing Infor- mation collected during the Progress of the
respondence between the Earl of Courtown
and the Rev. James Graves, in reference to
the first-named parish in Wexford, where
The like feeling manifested itself in the civil polity of the
some antiquities of a curious character were Ordnance Survey in 1839. " Letter of T.
"
Proceedings and Papers of the
found. See
Kilkenny and South-East Archaeological
O'Conor, dated Carlow, July 1st, 1839, pp.
*
legendary
early saints now remained. He adds: "But
in Scotland, even in spite of the vast counter- wave of the Reformation, the local attrac- tions of the primitive missionaries still hold
Society. " New Series, vol. iv. , part i. , a. d. 1862, pp. 144, 145, and pp. 198, 199.
297 to 300. — Article II.
Dr. the Stanley,
" See ibid. 22
Thus,
Dean of Westminster, in one of his recent Lectures, remarked that in England little association, or historical, of the
been made to the Rev. William Reeves, he was of opinion, that not only the Carlow Kiltennel, but also the Wexford Kiltennel, had been dedicated to the present saint. He thus unsolves the
Application having
problem: Cill u Sinchill, " Church of their ground, and their successive apparitions Sinchill, will exactly make this name, by may well recall for a moment the various eliding, the letter S, and also it will account stages of the original Celtic faith.
for a transition into the modern form—Cibl 2 See "Transactions of the Royal Irish c-Sinchitt, Kil-tinchill, Kil-tinhil, Kil- Academy," Irish Manuscript Series, vol. i. , tinnil, Kiltennel. part i. On the Calendar of Oengus. By
23 This had been erected, by Captain Whitley Stokes, LL. D. , p. xcv.
See AntiquitiesoftheCountyofCarlow,"chap.
year 1709.
John Ryan's
" and History
79° LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 25.
Lismore in Scotland, i. e. , of Cill Delga in Ardgal. 3 We read, in the Martyr- ology ofTallagh,4 that Moluoc Lis-moir is entered, as having a festival, at the 25th of June. There is a notice of St. Molocus, who is said to have flourished a. d. 590, in the Ecclesiastical History of Scotland, by Thomas Dempster ;5 and,asusual,withsomeofthatauthor'sinventions. 6 Thedateforhisfestival,
however, is not there stated. Also, by Camerarius,? there is an entry re-
Heisnoticed,likewise,byBishopChallenor,11 Rev. AlbanButler,"Rev. S. Baring-Gould,13 and Chambers. 14 This holy man flourished, according to some writers, in the sixth century,^ or in the seventh century, according to
garding St. Molocus, at the 25th of June.
St. Moloc or Molonach, Bishop in Scotia, at the 25th day of June; but, there is no further account of him, in the Fifth Volume of their work for that month. Their Acts 9 of him appear, however, in the succeeding Tome. 10
other accounts. 16 he was illustrious Formerly,
among
the Northern
Britons,
whose Apostle he became. It is thought, by Colgan, that he is the St.
Molugadius, Molugedus, or Lugadius, son of Lanneon, son to Fintan, son of
Lugad,sontoEnnaBogun,sonofConallGulban. 1? Amongthethirty-seven
18 MoluansmentionedbySt. yEngustheCuldee, thepresentoneiscalledSt.
Moluanus,10 the son of Lanneon. 20 His name is recorded in many of our native Calendars. According to the Breviary of Aberdeen, Molocus was
descended from a noble Scottish 21 His family.
original
The pedigree of this saint, who is variously called Molocus, Moluoc, Molua,
Lugaidh, pronounced Lua, Mo-Lugadius, Mo-Lugedus or Lugadius, is set downintheSanctilogiumGenealogicum. Withtheendearingsuffixoc,Lua becomes Luoc or Luoch, and with the honorific mo, he becomes Molua,
MoluocandMoloch. Afterwards,thisnamecametobegreatlycorrupted; for, it is written Moluach, Moloak, M'huluoc, Malogue, Emagola and Mul-
3 See ibid. , p. cvii.
4 Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xxvii.
s See tomus ii. , lib. xii. , num. 840,
P- 449-
6 As a specimen of Dempster's singular
facility for contradicting himself, he has this same holy disciple of St. Brendan under the
14 See " The Book of Days," vol. i. , June
25th, p. 820.
'5 St. Moloc flourished about A. D. 540,
according to Hector Boece. See "Histo-
rise Scotorum," lib. ix. , p. 478.
16 St. Moloch is set down at A. D. 697, in
Rev. Dr. J. F. S. Gordon's " Scotichroni- name of St. Molonathus, averring that he con," vol. i. , pp. 67, 68.
flourished in the year 628. See ibid. , num. 856, p. 455-
17 See "Trias Thaumaturga," Quarta Ap-
pendix ad Acta S. Columbia, cap. iii. , num.
Libro Homonymorum Sancto-
19 In one of the work, on the copy
Genealogies of the Saints of Ireland this saint is named Mo-luanus, son of Lonnan ; while, in another, he is designated Molacus or Moluocu*, son of Lanan.
i- In Libro " De Scotorum Pietate,
at
34. p. 481. ,8 '•
xxv. Junii.
8 See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. ,
In rum. "
xxv. Sancti coluntur, p. I.
qui
vii. Kalendas
Julii
Junii
9 They have a Preceding Sylloge, in seven paragraphs, and his Acts are from the
Lessons of an ancient Breviary, in six proper Lessons. These are edited and annotated
by Father Conrad Jannings, S. J.
10 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus vi. ,
Appendix ad Diem xxv. Junii. De S. Moloco seu Monolacho, Episcopo in Rossia, Scotiae Hodiernae Provincia, pp. 240 to
20 See " Trias Colgan's
243-
" See " Britannia Sancta," part i. ,
25th
cap. iii. , p. 481.
21 See the Bollandists'" Acta Sanctorum,"
tomus vi. , Appendix ad Diem xxv: Junii. De S. Moloco seu Molonacho Episcopo in Rossia. Officium S. Moloci, Lect. i. , p. 241.
22
At the 29th of January, where the Life of St. Gildas occurs, among his brothers is one named Mailocus, and in a comment on his name, Colgan explains the various
June, pp. 386, 387.
" See " Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs
and other principal Saints," vol. vi. , June xxv.
"
13 See Lives of the Saints," vol. vi. , June changes to which it has been subjected, in
25th, p. 341. "Acta Sanctorum Hiberniac," xxix. Janua-
8
The Bollandists have noticed
name was 22 Lugaidh.
Thaumaturga," Quarta Appendix ad Acta S. Columbas,
June 25. ] LIVES OF THE LRISH SAINTS.
791
nay. We find the name again written Mulvay 23 and 24 His Muluy.
pedi- gree is given, as being the son of Lucht, son to Finnchadh, son of Fodari, son to Fiacha Araidhe, from whom the Dalariadhe. 2* He is stated, but incor- rectly, to have been the Luanus, mentioned by St. Bernard,26 as having been the founder of one hundred monasteries. He is not to be confounded, how- ever,withthatLugidusorMoluaofClonfertMolua. 27 St. Molochbecamea disciple of the Abbot St. Brendan,28 a manofsingular sanctity and wisdom. 29 He was educated with great care from his infancy, as also he was instructed in sacred and profane literature. 30 He had a remarkably retentive memory,
and for his piety was distinguished while among his companions. When these
built houses for profane uses, Moloc was engaged erecting churches and
altars. 31 One day, requiring a square iron bell, Moloc asked a neighbouring artificer to fashion one. But, the latter excused himself, as not having coals. Moluoc then went out and collected a bundle of rushes or reeds, which mira- culously supplied their place. 32 Not chosing to be distinguished among his brethren, he went to the northern parts of Ireland, and he seems to have had a circuitous and dangerous passage by sea. 33 There he dwelt for a little time, and having at last found persons animated with his own spirit, a light ship was procured to sail away for more deserted places. However, knowing the number of miracles wrought by him, and proclaimed beyond the seas, which they desired to sail over ; his fellow-travellers resolved on sailing without him, and Moluoc was left behind on the sea-shore. At this juncture, St. Moluoc betook himself to prayer, earnestly desiring to visit Alba, and the Almighty favouredhisdesiresinamiraculousmanner. Atthattime,hehappenedto be standing on a rock, and this moved out to sea on which it floated, until it rested at the port of Lismore, 3 * in Scotland. Moreover, he reached that port inadvanceofthosewhosailedintheship. AtLismorewasafterwardsshown thatrock,onwhichSt. Moluocsailed; and,itsshapewassopeculiar,thatit was distinguished from all other stones on that Island. 3 * The spot, where the
egregius antistes, setate turn gravis, qui sa- cram doctrinam, primseva adolescentia a —Brandano venerabili abbate acceptam," &c.
" Sanctorum Historiae," lib. ix. , fol. clxxii.
3I According to the Officium S. Moloci, Lect. i.
32 That bell was afterwards preserved in 2* See also his account of Baul Muluy, the church of Lismore, where it was
rii. Vita S. Gildse Badonici, n. 4, p. 188. 23 "John Morison of Bragu told me that when he was a boy, and going to the church of St. Mulvay, he observed the natives kneel and say a pater nost—er at four miles' distance from the church. " Martin's "Description
of the Western Isles of Scotland," p. 28.
ibid. , at p. 225.
2s See Rev. Dr. Reeves' " Ecclesiastical
held in great veneration. Officium S. Moloci, Lect. ii.
33 See Officium S. Moloci, Lect. 111. ,
p. 241.
3< As places well known, yet distinct,
there are two Lismores : one in Ireland, and one in Scotland. Towards the close of the twelfth century or beginning ci the thir- teenth, the latter was constituted an episcopal
Antiquities of Down, Connor and Dromore. " 26 "
In"VitaS. Malachias, cap. vi.
» See Bishop Forbes' "Kalendars of
Scottish Saints," p. 409.
28 There were two very celebrated Irish
Abbots of this name; the one known as St. Brendan of Clonfert, and whose feast was
of Scotland. See ^
celebrated on the 16th of May
who was Abbot of Birr and whose festival fell on the 29th day of November. The latter
;
to have been the
3» Hector Boece writes : divus Molocus,
Hector Boece's xiii. , p. cclxxviii.
"
lib.
is
master of St. Moluoc.
29
Dempster has it :
pulus S. Brendani, S. Machuti, aut Congalli, quod verius, nam Machutes socius Moloci, non preceptor, notet Pitsseus. »-" Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Scotorum," tomus ii. , lib. xii. , num. 840, p. 449. "
35 According to the Officium S. Moloci,
«
Lect. iv. See the Boilandists
rum," tomus vi. , Appendix ad Diem, Junn xxv. De S. Moloco seu Monolacho, pp. 241,
242.
36 Here, in Timothy Pont s Map 1S given a
Rock called Mo ochoskyr.
37 Se L*T l °P°SraPhlcal Dictl0nary
f
of Scotland," p. 179-
supposed by Tannings,
Acta Sancto-
" S. Molocus, disci-
theother cityby
William
King
Scotorum Historic,
792 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 25.
debarkation took place is still shown,3° and it is named Port Maluag. 37 At this time, pagans dwelt on that Island, and Moluoc found them greatly indisposed to hear the word of God. Then, also, in Meloros, there was a monastery, and thither his course was directed. Here, Moloc assumed the habit of the monks, and he observed their rule, under direction of the Abbot. After some time, this Abbot sent him back to Lismore, where Moluoc 3* laboured successfully, and soon he brought the inhabitants of that Island to a profession of the true Faith. One of the most original passages, in the Legends of the Breviary of Aberdeen,39 occurs in the office of St. Lughaidh or Moluoc, an Irishman, and the founder of Scottish Lismore, who is there stated, to have had a bell made for his church. These ancient bells were fashioned from iron, and quadrangular, as may be seen in many that have come down to our times/ Lismore and Appin form a parish, in the district of Lorn, and in the county of Argyle. They were formerly called the parish of Kil-Muluag, or Kill-Maluag, from this saint. There Moluoc began to estab- lish churches and monasteries. In these, he placed approved men, and these were indoctrinated in the science of heavenly wisdom. 41 Some writers attri- bute to St. Molocus the conversion of St. Oswald, and of his brethren, the
2
Princes of Northumberland. ''
King of Scotland is said to have bestowed the Island of Lismore on the Church, and to have endowed it in such a way, that it became free from any tribute or other exaction. *3 Our holy missionary then went to the Island of Tyle,44 where he laboured in a new field, and he instructed numbers in the Christian doctrine. He had the satisfaction of gaining that people over to the Faith. 4 * Afterwards, the holy man went to Ross, where he preached to the people, with great zeal, and he made many converts. He dedicated those northern parts in honour of the Holy Mother of Christ/6 He preached the Gospel of Christ with great fruit in the province of Mar. *' According to Dempster, he wrote Vita Erandani Magistri, lib. i. , and also Commonito- rium ad Scotos, lib. 1'. 48 This statement, however, is not to be credited. Some accounts have it, that Moluoc had been a companion of St. Kiritine, who was also surnamed Boniface. Thus, we are told, that in St. Moloch's extreme old age, St. Bonifacus Queretinus was associated with him/ Our saint is said to have outlived Boniface for many years. Before his death, Moloch ordered, that he should be interred in the same church, and near his deceased friend. 50 According to some accounts, this holy man died before
3* Dempster calls him " Argadum Apos-
tolus, a—pud quos in Lismorensi basilica se-
pultus. '" "Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis
Scotorum," tomus ii. , lib. xii. , num. 840, p. 242.
p. 449. 4? Speaking of St. Moloc, Hector Boece
39 " Sed et die quadain cum ferrenm cam- remarks : "plerosque in Arcadia atquc Mar- panametquadratamsueecclesi—aperneces- rea,inquibusregionibusfrequentiusest
sariam fabricandam liaberet. " Proprium diversatus, propria: SS. Par. Estiv. , fol. 6ti, a.
40 See "Transactions of the Royal Irish
Academy," vol xiv. , part ii. , pp. 46, 47.
41 Officium S. Moloci, Lect. v.
4* See Bishop Challenor's " Britannia
p. 449.
See Hector Boece's
"
Owing to the persuasion of St. Moluoc, the
Scotorum Histo- 43 See Officium S. Moloci, Lect. vi. , riae," lib. ix. , fol. 172*7. Editio 1575.
Sancta," part i. , June 25th. p. 387. p. 242.
Dr. J. F. S. Gordon's " Sco-
44 The
5° ^ce Kcv.
tichronicon,"
5I See his Life, at the 9th of June, in the
of this Island has been dis- Some consider it to be Iceland, while others think it must have been one of
the Shetland or Islands. Orkney
vol. i. , 6S. p.
puted.
identity
45 See Officium S. Moloci, Lect. vi. , p. 242.
*6
See Officium S. Moloci, Lect. vi. ,
:-alutis mortalium vit—ia aciius carpendo, fecit admonitos," &c.
" . ->cotorum Historise," lib. ix. , p. clxxii.
