" Several
memorials
of St.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v3
This dis-
"
trict was called Magh-liffe, or the
Killuassuille,"^ so called from St. Auxilius, or Usaille,"? whom the saint left at this place, now known as Killashee,"^ or Killossy ;"9 as also, Kill-Cuilinn,'=° now known as Old KilcuUen,'^^ which belonged to St. Iserninus,"^ and to St. Mactail ;^^3 while other churches were established by him, of which a record
of Ireland. We learn from the Scholiast, on St. Patrick founded an abbey, and that it the Martyrology of Aengus tlie Ceile De, was not far from Kildare. He calls Auxi- that it was in one of the Fotharta of lius K nephew of St. Patrick. See " Mon- Leinster. See Dr. Todd's "St. Patrick,
Apostle of Ireland. " Introduction. Ap- pendix A. , Table v. , p. 253, and chap, i. , pp. 286, 290, 338.
'°5 Such is the name, as written in the Irish Tripartite. This king's name does not appear in the Annals, but he was perhaps a near connection of Nathi, who opposed St. Palladius and Patrick, in the same country. He was a person of considerable importance, being a member of the same family, as the kings of Leinster.
"° The Irish Tripartite Life states, that he refused Patrick, regarding his feast, at Rath-Inbhir, on Laeghaire's account.
"' He does not appear to have been
identified with any saint in our Calendars,
although his pedigree has been traced, in Dr.
Todd's "St. Patrick, Apostle of Ireland. "
Introduction. Appendix A. , Tablev. , p. 253. ^" The Rev. Dr. Lanigan remarks, that
this is a proof, furnished by the Tripartite, that St. Patrick did not always abstain from
"
obscure.
"'* See the pedigree of the Ui-Garchon,
asticon Hibernicum," p. 332.
"7 According to the " Annals of the Four
flesh-meat. See
Ireland," vol. i. , chap, vi. , sect, v. , n. 42, p. 276.
and it is described, on the dare," Sheet 28.
Ecclesiastical History of
plain of the Liffey. " In it were founded,
'^-
Nennius, and some other wTiters, "^ This probably illustrates some old state, that Auxilius and Iserninus were Celtic custom, the origin of which is now ordained with St. Patrick. It is held, by
"
of Ireland. " Introduction. Appendix A,
some, that these disciples only received Minor Orders, at that time. The Ulster Annals indicate, that Iserninus died A. D.
given by Dr. Todd, in
St. Patrick, Apostle
"
Table v. , p. 253. It should, however, be siarum Antiquitates," cap. xvii. , p. 438, and
""
Index Chronologicus at A. D. ccccLXix.
"3 He is said to have died, June nth, A. D. 548. This saint could not have been Mag-Liffe is erroneously made to be the there, if this date be correct, even as a
observed, that this pedigree appears to be incorrect and defective.
"5 In O'Conor's map of Scotia Antiqua,
county of Dublin. See
"
Dissertations on
disciple, of St. Patrick, at the time of Isser- ninus' appointment.
"•See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Secunda Vita S. Patricii, cap. xxvi. , p. 14,
the History of Ireland," sect, xiii. , p. 172. Ed. Dublin, 1812.
"' Here Archdall states, incorrectly, that
Masters," he died on the 27th August, A. d. 454. On that day, the Calendar of the O'CIerys has his festival.
"^ This is a parish, situated in North and South Naas Baronies, and it is shown, on the " Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the County of Kildare," Sheets 19, 23, 24. The townland proper is marked, on the latter sheet.
"9 Rawson places it, within a mile of
Naas. See " Statistical Sui'vey of the
County of Kildare," p. vi.
'^° This was formerly a considerable town.
It has given way, however, to the new Kil- cuUen, or Kilcullen-bridge, which was not founded, until the fourteenth century. See
Seward's "Topographical Dictionary of Ireland," at Kilcullcn.
"' The townland so called presents the chief antiquities of KilcuUen parish to view,
"
Ordnance Sur- vey Townland Maps for the County of Kil-
469. See Ussher's
Britannicarum Eccle-
March 17. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 689
does not seem to have been preserved. Over these, too, he left holy ministers to preside ;"+ for, in all such cases, the illustrious man resolved, that the seed sown should be tended, by industrious labourers.
CHAPTER XVIII.
ST. PATRICK APPROACHES LEIX—DESIGN ON HIS LIFE AND PROVIDENTIAL ESCAPE—HE NEXT VISITS DUBTACH IN HY-KINSELLACH—HE CONSECRATES ST. FIACH AS BISHOP OF SLETTY—CRIMTHAIN, SON OF ENDA KINSELLAGH, PATRONIZES HIS EFFORTS AND FOUNDS MANY CHURCHES—ST. PATRICK THEN VISITS THE OSSORIAN DISTRICT.
Having accomplished the preceding series of transactions, St. Patrick next proceeded to visit the territory of Leix. ' At the time, and long afterwards,
this appears to have been one of the most important principalities in Leinster. But, while journeying towards it, some of the people, on the Youte, had contrived a snare for the saint and for his disciples. ^ According to Jocelyn, certain wicked people, living in the plain of the Liffey, had pre- pared an ambush for the holy missionary. This design seems to have been formed, and partially accomplished, on the western bank of the Liffey, as he approachedtheboundsofLeix. SomechildrenofBelialdugdeeppits3and holesintheway,wherethesaint,withallhisretinue,wastopass. Thosetraps werecoveredoverwithbranchesandgreensodsofgrass. But,anumerousand benevolent family, who had a knowledge of the trap laid for his destruction, sent him a timelyjwarning. The saint, full of confidence in God, gave his bene- diction to this holy family, and so he, and his retinue passed, without receiving any detriment. The green sods, like solid earth, afforded them a firm passage. The saint commanded a pious matron,* or a young maid,s Briga,^ or Brig,7 who noticed them regarding the ambush laid, to call her father. ^ With his ten sons, and three daughters, St. Patrick converted that man to the Christianfaith. Hisdaughtersbecamenuns,andthesewereveiledbythesaint's own hands. Of the sons, five flourished in the world, it is said, in great prosperity, while five others became monks, remarkable for great perfection and sanctity, as the saint had prophesied concerning them. Again, the holy man had a prevision, that the evil-disposed should be a servile and a depen- dent race,9 subject to strange rulers, while neither princes nor prelates were to spring from their line. It appears, from the narrative, that the Apostle hadnowarrivednear,ifnotwithin,theUiErcainboundaries. '" St. Patrick
nn. 39, 40, pp. 18, 19; Tertia Vita S.
Patricii, cap. Iviii. , p. 25, and nn. 52, 53, p.
32 ; Quarta Vita S. Patricii, cap. Ixxv. , p.
44 ; Sexta Vita S. Patricii, cap. Ixviii. ,
Ixix. , Ixx. , Ixxi. , Ixxii. , pp. 90, 91, and nn.
68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, pp. Ill, 112 ; Sep-
tima Vita S. Patricii, pars, iii. , cap. xiv. , Life. We are told, that the name Brig XV. , xvi. , xvii. , xviii. , pp. 151, 152, and nn. differs from Brigid. We find, that the
23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, pp. mother to St. Comgall of Bangor, bora "
184, 185. See, also. Miss Cusack's Life in Magheramorne, near Larne, County
of St. Patrick, Apostle of Ireland," pp. 457 to 461, with the corresponding notes.
Chapter xviii. —' It embraced at this
Antrim, was named Brig, and the Calendar of the O'Clerys mentions four holy persons
named
time the
® The Irish thus Tripartite
of the -''
greater part
present Queen's
dramatically " For God's sake,"
"Drive on, then, for God's sake, your
horses,"
9 Never having rest from persecution or
complaints, as the Irish Life adds. 2X
County.
The plotters had intended, as we are told,
to draw them into bogs, there to kill them.
pits, '•
relates this occurrence
said the little boys, drive on, your horses,"
3 The Irish
calls them water- According to the Tripartite Life.
cried Patrick,
Tripartite
s As Jocelyn says.
®
daughter to Fergna, son of Cobtach. Her
She is supposed to have been Briga,
feast is thought to be, at the 7th of Ja- nuary.
^ So is she called, in the Irish Tripartite
Brigh.
:
690 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 17.
blessed Briga, and all her family, who belonged to the Hy-Erchon tribe, and he declared, that brave chiefs and estimable cleries should always abound
among them. " Thus, St. Patrick and his companions providentially escaped from those dangers. In our Apostle's time, that place was known as Laigis micfinn ;" and when the writer of his Tripartite Life flourished, it was a marshy
spot, called Moin-Choluim. The Irish Tripartite Life apparently states,
that here the saint pronounced a malediction, not on the territory Laighis, but on a Laighis, son to Find. '3 It is said, Moin Choluim^4 is now the old
church of Moone,'5 giving name to a parish and to a barony, near Timolin,'^ in the south of the present county of Kildare. Then, Patrick alighted, from his horse, while on the hillock, which was then called Bile-Mac-Cruaich,'7 After-
itwascalledForrach-Patrick. '^ He thatthereshouldnever said,
wards, however,
be a foreign king or steward over the people there, and that when the King of Leinster should be distributing the animals for food, in his royal house, the Satrap, or Steward, of Hy-Ercon,'9 should be entitled to one-fourth of the cattle and heifers slain, for the king's kitchen. ^° It was declared, moreover, that they should have Patrick's respect, and their place was V^inc\. '? ,forrach, or " seat. "''' They were destined to have, likewise, the dignity of laics and clerics, as also to have wealth and renown. ^^ or down to
Eight princes, justiciaries^^ they had,
the reign of Conchobar,^^ son of Donnchadh,^5 son to Domhnall,^^ monarch at Tara ; and, this succession was held to confirm the predictions of St. Patrick, inreferencetothem. "7 Traditionsappeartoabound,inthispartofthecountry,
which show it was blessed, by the presence of our great Irish Apostle. ^^
in the barony of Kilkea and Moone, Nar- ragh and Reban East and West, in the county of Kildare. Its extent is shown, on the " Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the County of Kildare," Sheets 31, 32, 35, 36. The townland proper is shown, on Sheets 32, 36.
'3 These are said to have been derivetl,
from Ercan, eighth in descent, from Eoch- aidh-Finn-Fothart, founder of the Fotharts'
tribe, in this part of the country.
*° So states the Latin Tripartite Life.
According to the Irish Life, it is said, the Ui-Ercain steward should have one shin (of beef ), and the King of Leinster the other.
*' It was also called, "Forum Patricii,"
and Norragh Patrick, in Archbishop Alan's
" Viride. " In his it had Repertorium time,
many neighbouring churches succursal to it.
Narraghmore, or the "great Forrach," was used to denote its site.
" Several memorials of St. Patrick exist,
'°
the south part of the county of Kildare.
This tribe seems to have been seated, in
" See Sexta Vita S. Patricii," cap. cxx. , p. 92.
" The Irish Tripartite Life states, that Laighs was the tribe-name of the youths, who committed the misdeed, against St. Patrick and his companions.
'^ It is not, however, inconsistent with the former statement.
'* It is said to have been formerly called, 11lAein, and niAein ChoUntn-clnLte, be- cause the church had been erected, by the great Abbot of lona, and because a frag- ment of St. Colum-Cille's Cross was there shown. Eventually, it became a Franciscan
house. See Dr. O'Donovan's
"
Annals of
the Four
and Rev. Dr. Reeves' Adamnan's " Life of St. Columba," Additional Notes G, p. 280.
'S This parish extends, through the baro- nies of East Olfaly, Kilkea and Moone,
Masters,"
vol.
ii. ,
n.
(c), p. 781,
Narragh and Reban East, and it is defined,
in that part of the country.
on the " Ordnance Townland Survey Maps
^3 The Latin Life " octo Tripartite has,
for the County of Kildare," Sheets 22, 31, 35) 36) 38. The townland proper is on Sheets 36, 38.
'* The townland, town and parish of Ti- molin, in the barony of Narragh and Reban East, are shown, on the " Ordnance Survey Townland for the of
supremi diaecetes sive Justiciarii," appa- rently having jurisdiction, in their own locality.
^* Conchobhar ascended the throne A. D. 818, and he died in 831.
'^ He reigned, from A. D. '766 to 792.
"* He from A. D. to See reigned, 739 758.
Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four
Masters," vol. i. , for the particulars of these
foregoingeventfulreigns.
^'J This indicates a period of composition,
anterior to the time of the Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland.
Maps County Kildare,"
Sheet 36.
'7 Said to mean, " the tree of the son of
Cruaich,"supposedtohavebeenoftheHy Lugair tribe.
'**
Identified, by William M. Hennessy, with the chiirch of Narraghmore, a parish
March 17. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 691
This glorious leader of men had now approached the bounds of Southern Leinster—known as Hy-Kinnselach'^^—and there dwelt3° that Arch-Poet Dubtach, also called Dubhtach Mac Ui-Lugair,3^ who had formerly received him with such marks of honour, when many years before the glad tidings of RedemptionhadbeenpreachedatTemoria. s^ Accordingtosomeautho- rities,Christianityhadbeenalreadyintroducedtothisterritory. 33Thatdis- tinguished bard lived at a place, which is called Magh-Criathar,34 and it was in the territory of Ui-Cinnselaigh. ss This famous tribe received its appellation, from Eanna Ceinnsealach,36 who was the fourth in descent from Cathaoir Mor,37 a renowned Monarch of Ireland. He was the King of Leinster, about a. d. 358,3^ At a place, called Domnach-Fiec,39 or Domnach-Mor,'»° and said to have been also called Sleibhte, now Sleaty, or Sletty, within the modern barony of Slievemarigue, or Slievemargy, and in the present Queen's County, both those friends now met each other. Patrick requested from Dubhtach a handsome youth, who should not be of a lowly family, and a man of one wife,'^^ for whom but one son was born. At this time, Fiach^^ was a young gentleman of excellent education, and learning, remarkable as well for his eloquence, as for his personal attractions. He had married a wife, only a few years, before St. Patrick's visit. Within a short time, however, she died,
and left behind her an only son, who was named Fiachra.
of St. Patrick had been " said
expressed, Hem," Dubhtach,
When the desire
" that is
the son of Ere—I am afraid—the man of those qualities, who went from me
to the territory of Connacht, with poems for the kings. " At these words,
Fiacc came towards him. "What are you considering? " asked Fiacc. "Dubhtachforthecrozier,"saidPatrick. "Thatwillbeablemishtomany, indeed," said Fiacc " why should not I be taken, in place of him ? " " You
;
will be received, indeed," replied Patrick. This great saint, by an internal
" Behold a man of one wife, who ac- cording to the Apostle may be worthily advanced to the sacred order of
illumination of the Holy Ghost, said
:
^'^ See Rev, John Francis Shearman's
" Loca Patriciana," No. vii. , pp. 122 to 127, and notes.
^3 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga. " Quarta Vita S. Brigidse, n. 7, p. 565.
3° Dr. Lanigan remarks, that his habita- tion was in some part of the present county ofCarlow. See"EcclesiasticalHistoryof Ireland," vol. i. , chap, vi. , sect, v. , p. 273.
s' Regarding this remarkable personage, much interesting information will be found, in Rev. John Francis Shearman's " Loca Patriciana," No. i,, ii. , iii. , iv. , v. , vi. , pp. I to 104.
3= The poetic name for Tara.
33 It has been supposed, by St. Isseminus, or Bishop Fith, as the Book of Armagh calls him.
3* According to the Book of Armagh, it is also called, Domnach-Mar-Criathar ; -but,
the counties of Wexford, Carlow, and
to it, we are told, the county of Kilkenny. This Seward has done, but he has inaccura- tely included Wicklovv. See Rev. Dr. Lani- gan's "Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. i. , chap, vi. , sect, v. , n, 45, pp. 276, 277.
3^ This warlike but cruel King of Leinster flourished, about the middle of the fourth century, and under the Irish monarch, Eo- chaidh Moighmeodhin. Some notices re- garding him occur, in Rev. Jeoffry Keating's " General History of Ireland," part i.
37 He reigned, from a. d. 173, until A. D. 177, when he was slain, by Con-Ced Cath- ach, at Magh Agha. He was buried at Enach Aiibhe.
38 xhe date of his death is not recorded, but it must have been much later. See
"
Leabhar na g-Ceart, or Book of Rights," n. (g), pp. 208, 209.
39 According to the Irish Tripartite Life, '•° It is said to have been, within the terri-
tory of Ui-Cinnseallach, called in Arch- bishop Ussher's work, the larger and more powerful part of Leinster. See "Primor- dia," cap. xvii. , p. 863.
*' See i Tim. iii. 2.
"*- HeiscalledthesonofEre.
ts Colgan has much, regarding this holy bishop, in " Prima Vita S. Patricii," Scholia and nn. I to 9, pp. 4, 7> 8.
locality
seems to be uncertain.
its exact
35 This district comprehended a part of
Queen's County, according to one account. See Harris' Ware, vol. ii. , "Writers of Ire- land," at Fiach. However, in his account of ancient
Harris confines it to a great part of Wexford County. See /iJzrtf. "An- tiquities of Ireland," chap. vii. Now, instead of thus confining it, he should have added
territories,
John O'Donovan's
Fiacc,43
692 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 16.
priesthood, and even to the episcopal dignity. " Then, Patrick began to in- struct him, in the tenets of Divine Faith, and admonished him to be baptized.
The young gentleman, wondering how the saint came to penetrate the very secret of his soul, then received baptism, which was administered by the
Apostle. At first, Dubtach was unwilling to part with his disciple ; but, at last, he consigned this young poet to the care of St. Patrick. With the holy
Apostle's blessing, Fiach made great progress in learning, after St Patrick had given him an alphabet,'t4 written with his own hand, so that in one day, he learned the whole Psalter,45 and, in a short time, he attained a sufficient under- standingoftheSacredScriptures. Successivelywasheinvestedwiththedifferent Holy Orders, and, in fine, he was made a bishop, over the church of Sclepten, or Sletty. While in this episcopal See, he governed a flourishing convent of monks. Hereceivedangelicteaching,andtherewashecelebrated,forthe sanctityofhislife,forhislearning,andforhisconspicuousmiracles. '*^ This distinguished prelate is said to have been the first bishop, who was ordained, in Leinster ; and, we are told, that the Archbishopric of Leinster was given to him,bySt. Patrick. Besides,Fiach'sonlyson^Fiachra,^? wasalsoordained. ''^ Afterwards, the holy Patrick gave Fiacc a case, containing a bell, a reliquary, a crozier, and a book-satchel. In addition, the Apostle is said to have left seven of his people, with him. These are named, IMochatoc^s of Inisfail, Augustin5° of Inis-beg, Tegan or Tecan,si also Diarmait,52 and Nainnid,53 Paul,54 and Fedilmidh. ss We are told, that, afterwards, Fiach resided in Dom- nach-Feic,5^ and that he was there, until three score of his people died with him. Then,anangelappearedtohimanddeclared,thathisplaceofresur- rection should be in Cuilmaighe,^? which was west of the River Barrow. It was told him, that there he should meet a boar, and that there, too, his com- panionsshouldbuildtheirrefectory; and,also,thatwheretheyshouldmeet
44 Although Fiech, as a scholar of Dub-
tach, must have known how to write, yet in
the very same chapter of the Tripartite Life,
the saint is stated to have given him an
alphabet, written with his own hand. This
was presented, for the purpose of his learn-
ing it. Yet, it ought solely to be regarded, as
the Roman alphabet, which he must have
learned, to enable him to master the Latin
language, in the opinion of Rev. Dr. Lanigan.
Here, even, we have a proof, that the art
of writing was known and practised, in Ire-
land, before the arrival of St. Patrick. See
*'
5= His feast has been assigned, to the loth
of January.
53 One, bearing this name, is said to have
given Holy Viaticum, to St. Brigid, the great Abbess of Kildare ; but, Colgan sup- poses, he must be distinguished from the present holy man.
54 He is said, to have lived in a desert island, probably in the East Island of Aran, where the people have wonderful traditions
regarding him. There, he was visited, by the great navigator St. Brendan.
55 He is related, to have been the patron of Kilmore, where his festival is celebrated, on the 9th of August. See Miss Cusack's "Life of St. Patrick, Apostle of Ireland," chap, ii. , pp. 46, 47.
5* According to the Rev. Mr. Shearman, this place was east of the River Slaney, and
in a plain, then called Magh-da-Con, " the plain of the two dogs. " See " Loca Patri- ciana," No. ix. , p. 186.
57 This
4^ He was venerated, on the 12th of the "corner of the plain," and, it might
Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. i. ,
chap, vi. , sect, v. , n. 47, p. 277.
45 The writer of the Irish Tripartite Life,
relating this wonderful exercise of memory, adds, as has been related to me.
46 See "Sexta Vita S. Patricii," cap. cxv. , p. 91.
47 The O'CIerys' Calendar states, he was of the same church, viz. , Sleibhte, that his
father
October, the same day as his father.
"
trict was called Magh-liffe, or the
Killuassuille,"^ so called from St. Auxilius, or Usaille,"? whom the saint left at this place, now known as Killashee,"^ or Killossy ;"9 as also, Kill-Cuilinn,'=° now known as Old KilcuUen,'^^ which belonged to St. Iserninus,"^ and to St. Mactail ;^^3 while other churches were established by him, of which a record
of Ireland. We learn from the Scholiast, on St. Patrick founded an abbey, and that it the Martyrology of Aengus tlie Ceile De, was not far from Kildare. He calls Auxi- that it was in one of the Fotharta of lius K nephew of St. Patrick. See " Mon- Leinster. See Dr. Todd's "St. Patrick,
Apostle of Ireland. " Introduction. Ap- pendix A. , Table v. , p. 253, and chap, i. , pp. 286, 290, 338.
'°5 Such is the name, as written in the Irish Tripartite. This king's name does not appear in the Annals, but he was perhaps a near connection of Nathi, who opposed St. Palladius and Patrick, in the same country. He was a person of considerable importance, being a member of the same family, as the kings of Leinster.
"° The Irish Tripartite Life states, that he refused Patrick, regarding his feast, at Rath-Inbhir, on Laeghaire's account.
"' He does not appear to have been
identified with any saint in our Calendars,
although his pedigree has been traced, in Dr.
Todd's "St. Patrick, Apostle of Ireland. "
Introduction. Appendix A. , Tablev. , p. 253. ^" The Rev. Dr. Lanigan remarks, that
this is a proof, furnished by the Tripartite, that St. Patrick did not always abstain from
"
obscure.
"'* See the pedigree of the Ui-Garchon,
asticon Hibernicum," p. 332.
"7 According to the " Annals of the Four
flesh-meat. See
Ireland," vol. i. , chap, vi. , sect, v. , n. 42, p. 276.
and it is described, on the dare," Sheet 28.
Ecclesiastical History of
plain of the Liffey. " In it were founded,
'^-
Nennius, and some other wTiters, "^ This probably illustrates some old state, that Auxilius and Iserninus were Celtic custom, the origin of which is now ordained with St. Patrick. It is held, by
"
of Ireland. " Introduction. Appendix A,
some, that these disciples only received Minor Orders, at that time. The Ulster Annals indicate, that Iserninus died A. D.
given by Dr. Todd, in
St. Patrick, Apostle
"
Table v. , p. 253. It should, however, be siarum Antiquitates," cap. xvii. , p. 438, and
""
Index Chronologicus at A. D. ccccLXix.
"3 He is said to have died, June nth, A. D. 548. This saint could not have been Mag-Liffe is erroneously made to be the there, if this date be correct, even as a
observed, that this pedigree appears to be incorrect and defective.
"5 In O'Conor's map of Scotia Antiqua,
county of Dublin. See
"
Dissertations on
disciple, of St. Patrick, at the time of Isser- ninus' appointment.
"•See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Secunda Vita S. Patricii, cap. xxvi. , p. 14,
the History of Ireland," sect, xiii. , p. 172. Ed. Dublin, 1812.
"' Here Archdall states, incorrectly, that
Masters," he died on the 27th August, A. d. 454. On that day, the Calendar of the O'CIerys has his festival.
"^ This is a parish, situated in North and South Naas Baronies, and it is shown, on the " Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the County of Kildare," Sheets 19, 23, 24. The townland proper is marked, on the latter sheet.
"9 Rawson places it, within a mile of
Naas. See " Statistical Sui'vey of the
County of Kildare," p. vi.
'^° This was formerly a considerable town.
It has given way, however, to the new Kil- cuUen, or Kilcullen-bridge, which was not founded, until the fourteenth century. See
Seward's "Topographical Dictionary of Ireland," at Kilcullcn.
"' The townland so called presents the chief antiquities of KilcuUen parish to view,
"
Ordnance Sur- vey Townland Maps for the County of Kil-
469. See Ussher's
Britannicarum Eccle-
March 17. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 689
does not seem to have been preserved. Over these, too, he left holy ministers to preside ;"+ for, in all such cases, the illustrious man resolved, that the seed sown should be tended, by industrious labourers.
CHAPTER XVIII.
ST. PATRICK APPROACHES LEIX—DESIGN ON HIS LIFE AND PROVIDENTIAL ESCAPE—HE NEXT VISITS DUBTACH IN HY-KINSELLACH—HE CONSECRATES ST. FIACH AS BISHOP OF SLETTY—CRIMTHAIN, SON OF ENDA KINSELLAGH, PATRONIZES HIS EFFORTS AND FOUNDS MANY CHURCHES—ST. PATRICK THEN VISITS THE OSSORIAN DISTRICT.
Having accomplished the preceding series of transactions, St. Patrick next proceeded to visit the territory of Leix. ' At the time, and long afterwards,
this appears to have been one of the most important principalities in Leinster. But, while journeying towards it, some of the people, on the Youte, had contrived a snare for the saint and for his disciples. ^ According to Jocelyn, certain wicked people, living in the plain of the Liffey, had pre- pared an ambush for the holy missionary. This design seems to have been formed, and partially accomplished, on the western bank of the Liffey, as he approachedtheboundsofLeix. SomechildrenofBelialdugdeeppits3and holesintheway,wherethesaint,withallhisretinue,wastopass. Thosetraps werecoveredoverwithbranchesandgreensodsofgrass. But,anumerousand benevolent family, who had a knowledge of the trap laid for his destruction, sent him a timelyjwarning. The saint, full of confidence in God, gave his bene- diction to this holy family, and so he, and his retinue passed, without receiving any detriment. The green sods, like solid earth, afforded them a firm passage. The saint commanded a pious matron,* or a young maid,s Briga,^ or Brig,7 who noticed them regarding the ambush laid, to call her father. ^ With his ten sons, and three daughters, St. Patrick converted that man to the Christianfaith. Hisdaughtersbecamenuns,andthesewereveiledbythesaint's own hands. Of the sons, five flourished in the world, it is said, in great prosperity, while five others became monks, remarkable for great perfection and sanctity, as the saint had prophesied concerning them. Again, the holy man had a prevision, that the evil-disposed should be a servile and a depen- dent race,9 subject to strange rulers, while neither princes nor prelates were to spring from their line. It appears, from the narrative, that the Apostle hadnowarrivednear,ifnotwithin,theUiErcainboundaries. '" St. Patrick
nn. 39, 40, pp. 18, 19; Tertia Vita S.
Patricii, cap. Iviii. , p. 25, and nn. 52, 53, p.
32 ; Quarta Vita S. Patricii, cap. Ixxv. , p.
44 ; Sexta Vita S. Patricii, cap. Ixviii. ,
Ixix. , Ixx. , Ixxi. , Ixxii. , pp. 90, 91, and nn.
68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, pp. Ill, 112 ; Sep-
tima Vita S. Patricii, pars, iii. , cap. xiv. , Life. We are told, that the name Brig XV. , xvi. , xvii. , xviii. , pp. 151, 152, and nn. differs from Brigid. We find, that the
23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, pp. mother to St. Comgall of Bangor, bora "
184, 185. See, also. Miss Cusack's Life in Magheramorne, near Larne, County
of St. Patrick, Apostle of Ireland," pp. 457 to 461, with the corresponding notes.
Chapter xviii. —' It embraced at this
Antrim, was named Brig, and the Calendar of the O'Clerys mentions four holy persons
named
time the
® The Irish thus Tripartite
of the -''
greater part
present Queen's
dramatically " For God's sake,"
"Drive on, then, for God's sake, your
horses,"
9 Never having rest from persecution or
complaints, as the Irish Life adds. 2X
County.
The plotters had intended, as we are told,
to draw them into bogs, there to kill them.
pits, '•
relates this occurrence
said the little boys, drive on, your horses,"
3 The Irish
calls them water- According to the Tripartite Life.
cried Patrick,
Tripartite
s As Jocelyn says.
®
daughter to Fergna, son of Cobtach. Her
She is supposed to have been Briga,
feast is thought to be, at the 7th of Ja- nuary.
^ So is she called, in the Irish Tripartite
Brigh.
:
690 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 17.
blessed Briga, and all her family, who belonged to the Hy-Erchon tribe, and he declared, that brave chiefs and estimable cleries should always abound
among them. " Thus, St. Patrick and his companions providentially escaped from those dangers. In our Apostle's time, that place was known as Laigis micfinn ;" and when the writer of his Tripartite Life flourished, it was a marshy
spot, called Moin-Choluim. The Irish Tripartite Life apparently states,
that here the saint pronounced a malediction, not on the territory Laighis, but on a Laighis, son to Find. '3 It is said, Moin Choluim^4 is now the old
church of Moone,'5 giving name to a parish and to a barony, near Timolin,'^ in the south of the present county of Kildare. Then, Patrick alighted, from his horse, while on the hillock, which was then called Bile-Mac-Cruaich,'7 After-
itwascalledForrach-Patrick. '^ He thatthereshouldnever said,
wards, however,
be a foreign king or steward over the people there, and that when the King of Leinster should be distributing the animals for food, in his royal house, the Satrap, or Steward, of Hy-Ercon,'9 should be entitled to one-fourth of the cattle and heifers slain, for the king's kitchen. ^° It was declared, moreover, that they should have Patrick's respect, and their place was V^inc\. '? ,forrach, or " seat. "''' They were destined to have, likewise, the dignity of laics and clerics, as also to have wealth and renown. ^^ or down to
Eight princes, justiciaries^^ they had,
the reign of Conchobar,^^ son of Donnchadh,^5 son to Domhnall,^^ monarch at Tara ; and, this succession was held to confirm the predictions of St. Patrick, inreferencetothem. "7 Traditionsappeartoabound,inthispartofthecountry,
which show it was blessed, by the presence of our great Irish Apostle. ^^
in the barony of Kilkea and Moone, Nar- ragh and Reban East and West, in the county of Kildare. Its extent is shown, on the " Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the County of Kildare," Sheets 31, 32, 35, 36. The townland proper is shown, on Sheets 32, 36.
'3 These are said to have been derivetl,
from Ercan, eighth in descent, from Eoch- aidh-Finn-Fothart, founder of the Fotharts'
tribe, in this part of the country.
*° So states the Latin Tripartite Life.
According to the Irish Life, it is said, the Ui-Ercain steward should have one shin (of beef ), and the King of Leinster the other.
*' It was also called, "Forum Patricii,"
and Norragh Patrick, in Archbishop Alan's
" Viride. " In his it had Repertorium time,
many neighbouring churches succursal to it.
Narraghmore, or the "great Forrach," was used to denote its site.
" Several memorials of St. Patrick exist,
'°
the south part of the county of Kildare.
This tribe seems to have been seated, in
" See Sexta Vita S. Patricii," cap. cxx. , p. 92.
" The Irish Tripartite Life states, that Laighs was the tribe-name of the youths, who committed the misdeed, against St. Patrick and his companions.
'^ It is not, however, inconsistent with the former statement.
'* It is said to have been formerly called, 11lAein, and niAein ChoUntn-clnLte, be- cause the church had been erected, by the great Abbot of lona, and because a frag- ment of St. Colum-Cille's Cross was there shown. Eventually, it became a Franciscan
house. See Dr. O'Donovan's
"
Annals of
the Four
and Rev. Dr. Reeves' Adamnan's " Life of St. Columba," Additional Notes G, p. 280.
'S This parish extends, through the baro- nies of East Olfaly, Kilkea and Moone,
Masters,"
vol.
ii. ,
n.
(c), p. 781,
Narragh and Reban East, and it is defined,
in that part of the country.
on the " Ordnance Townland Survey Maps
^3 The Latin Life " octo Tripartite has,
for the County of Kildare," Sheets 22, 31, 35) 36) 38. The townland proper is on Sheets 36, 38.
'* The townland, town and parish of Ti- molin, in the barony of Narragh and Reban East, are shown, on the " Ordnance Survey Townland for the of
supremi diaecetes sive Justiciarii," appa- rently having jurisdiction, in their own locality.
^* Conchobhar ascended the throne A. D. 818, and he died in 831.
'^ He reigned, from A. D. '766 to 792.
"* He from A. D. to See reigned, 739 758.
Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four
Masters," vol. i. , for the particulars of these
foregoingeventfulreigns.
^'J This indicates a period of composition,
anterior to the time of the Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland.
Maps County Kildare,"
Sheet 36.
'7 Said to mean, " the tree of the son of
Cruaich,"supposedtohavebeenoftheHy Lugair tribe.
'**
Identified, by William M. Hennessy, with the chiirch of Narraghmore, a parish
March 17. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 691
This glorious leader of men had now approached the bounds of Southern Leinster—known as Hy-Kinnselach'^^—and there dwelt3° that Arch-Poet Dubtach, also called Dubhtach Mac Ui-Lugair,3^ who had formerly received him with such marks of honour, when many years before the glad tidings of RedemptionhadbeenpreachedatTemoria. s^ Accordingtosomeautho- rities,Christianityhadbeenalreadyintroducedtothisterritory. 33Thatdis- tinguished bard lived at a place, which is called Magh-Criathar,34 and it was in the territory of Ui-Cinnselaigh. ss This famous tribe received its appellation, from Eanna Ceinnsealach,36 who was the fourth in descent from Cathaoir Mor,37 a renowned Monarch of Ireland. He was the King of Leinster, about a. d. 358,3^ At a place, called Domnach-Fiec,39 or Domnach-Mor,'»° and said to have been also called Sleibhte, now Sleaty, or Sletty, within the modern barony of Slievemarigue, or Slievemargy, and in the present Queen's County, both those friends now met each other. Patrick requested from Dubhtach a handsome youth, who should not be of a lowly family, and a man of one wife,'^^ for whom but one son was born. At this time, Fiach^^ was a young gentleman of excellent education, and learning, remarkable as well for his eloquence, as for his personal attractions. He had married a wife, only a few years, before St. Patrick's visit. Within a short time, however, she died,
and left behind her an only son, who was named Fiachra.
of St. Patrick had been " said
expressed, Hem," Dubhtach,
When the desire
" that is
the son of Ere—I am afraid—the man of those qualities, who went from me
to the territory of Connacht, with poems for the kings. " At these words,
Fiacc came towards him. "What are you considering? " asked Fiacc. "Dubhtachforthecrozier,"saidPatrick. "Thatwillbeablemishtomany, indeed," said Fiacc " why should not I be taken, in place of him ? " " You
;
will be received, indeed," replied Patrick. This great saint, by an internal
" Behold a man of one wife, who ac- cording to the Apostle may be worthily advanced to the sacred order of
illumination of the Holy Ghost, said
:
^'^ See Rev, John Francis Shearman's
" Loca Patriciana," No. vii. , pp. 122 to 127, and notes.
^3 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga. " Quarta Vita S. Brigidse, n. 7, p. 565.
3° Dr. Lanigan remarks, that his habita- tion was in some part of the present county ofCarlow. See"EcclesiasticalHistoryof Ireland," vol. i. , chap, vi. , sect, v. , p. 273.
s' Regarding this remarkable personage, much interesting information will be found, in Rev. John Francis Shearman's " Loca Patriciana," No. i,, ii. , iii. , iv. , v. , vi. , pp. I to 104.
3= The poetic name for Tara.
33 It has been supposed, by St. Isseminus, or Bishop Fith, as the Book of Armagh calls him.
3* According to the Book of Armagh, it is also called, Domnach-Mar-Criathar ; -but,
the counties of Wexford, Carlow, and
to it, we are told, the county of Kilkenny. This Seward has done, but he has inaccura- tely included Wicklovv. See Rev. Dr. Lani- gan's "Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. i. , chap, vi. , sect, v. , n, 45, pp. 276, 277.
3^ This warlike but cruel King of Leinster flourished, about the middle of the fourth century, and under the Irish monarch, Eo- chaidh Moighmeodhin. Some notices re- garding him occur, in Rev. Jeoffry Keating's " General History of Ireland," part i.
37 He reigned, from a. d. 173, until A. D. 177, when he was slain, by Con-Ced Cath- ach, at Magh Agha. He was buried at Enach Aiibhe.
38 xhe date of his death is not recorded, but it must have been much later. See
"
Leabhar na g-Ceart, or Book of Rights," n. (g), pp. 208, 209.
39 According to the Irish Tripartite Life, '•° It is said to have been, within the terri-
tory of Ui-Cinnseallach, called in Arch- bishop Ussher's work, the larger and more powerful part of Leinster. See "Primor- dia," cap. xvii. , p. 863.
*' See i Tim. iii. 2.
"*- HeiscalledthesonofEre.
ts Colgan has much, regarding this holy bishop, in " Prima Vita S. Patricii," Scholia and nn. I to 9, pp. 4, 7> 8.
locality
seems to be uncertain.
its exact
35 This district comprehended a part of
Queen's County, according to one account. See Harris' Ware, vol. ii. , "Writers of Ire- land," at Fiach. However, in his account of ancient
Harris confines it to a great part of Wexford County. See /iJzrtf. "An- tiquities of Ireland," chap. vii. Now, instead of thus confining it, he should have added
territories,
John O'Donovan's
Fiacc,43
692 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 16.
priesthood, and even to the episcopal dignity. " Then, Patrick began to in- struct him, in the tenets of Divine Faith, and admonished him to be baptized.
The young gentleman, wondering how the saint came to penetrate the very secret of his soul, then received baptism, which was administered by the
Apostle. At first, Dubtach was unwilling to part with his disciple ; but, at last, he consigned this young poet to the care of St. Patrick. With the holy
Apostle's blessing, Fiach made great progress in learning, after St Patrick had given him an alphabet,'t4 written with his own hand, so that in one day, he learned the whole Psalter,45 and, in a short time, he attained a sufficient under- standingoftheSacredScriptures. Successivelywasheinvestedwiththedifferent Holy Orders, and, in fine, he was made a bishop, over the church of Sclepten, or Sletty. While in this episcopal See, he governed a flourishing convent of monks. Hereceivedangelicteaching,andtherewashecelebrated,forthe sanctityofhislife,forhislearning,andforhisconspicuousmiracles. '*^ This distinguished prelate is said to have been the first bishop, who was ordained, in Leinster ; and, we are told, that the Archbishopric of Leinster was given to him,bySt. Patrick. Besides,Fiach'sonlyson^Fiachra,^? wasalsoordained. ''^ Afterwards, the holy Patrick gave Fiacc a case, containing a bell, a reliquary, a crozier, and a book-satchel. In addition, the Apostle is said to have left seven of his people, with him. These are named, IMochatoc^s of Inisfail, Augustin5° of Inis-beg, Tegan or Tecan,si also Diarmait,52 and Nainnid,53 Paul,54 and Fedilmidh. ss We are told, that, afterwards, Fiach resided in Dom- nach-Feic,5^ and that he was there, until three score of his people died with him. Then,anangelappearedtohimanddeclared,thathisplaceofresur- rection should be in Cuilmaighe,^? which was west of the River Barrow. It was told him, that there he should meet a boar, and that there, too, his com- panionsshouldbuildtheirrefectory; and,also,thatwheretheyshouldmeet
44 Although Fiech, as a scholar of Dub-
tach, must have known how to write, yet in
the very same chapter of the Tripartite Life,
the saint is stated to have given him an
alphabet, written with his own hand. This
was presented, for the purpose of his learn-
ing it. Yet, it ought solely to be regarded, as
the Roman alphabet, which he must have
learned, to enable him to master the Latin
language, in the opinion of Rev. Dr. Lanigan.
Here, even, we have a proof, that the art
of writing was known and practised, in Ire-
land, before the arrival of St. Patrick. See
*'
5= His feast has been assigned, to the loth
of January.
53 One, bearing this name, is said to have
given Holy Viaticum, to St. Brigid, the great Abbess of Kildare ; but, Colgan sup- poses, he must be distinguished from the present holy man.
54 He is said, to have lived in a desert island, probably in the East Island of Aran, where the people have wonderful traditions
regarding him. There, he was visited, by the great navigator St. Brendan.
55 He is related, to have been the patron of Kilmore, where his festival is celebrated, on the 9th of August. See Miss Cusack's "Life of St. Patrick, Apostle of Ireland," chap, ii. , pp. 46, 47.
5* According to the Rev. Mr. Shearman, this place was east of the River Slaney, and
in a plain, then called Magh-da-Con, " the plain of the two dogs. " See " Loca Patri- ciana," No. ix. , p. 186.
57 This
4^ He was venerated, on the 12th of the "corner of the plain," and, it might
Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. i. ,
chap, vi. , sect, v. , n. 47, p. 277.
45 The writer of the Irish Tripartite Life,
relating this wonderful exercise of memory, adds, as has been related to me.
46 See "Sexta Vita S. Patricii," cap. cxv. , p. 91.
47 The O'CIerys' Calendar states, he was of the same church, viz. , Sleibhte, that his
father
October, the same day as his father.
