founded a great
monastery
here, in the middle of the sixth century.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v3
"^ The Kalendar of Drummond, at the Kalends, or ist of March, commemorates St.
David, Archbishop of Britain, and amongst the Irish, it states, that the holy Bishops and Confessors, Senan and Moynenn, went to heaven.
"9 In the Martyrology, printed at Cologne, a.
d.
1490, St.
Monan, Confessor, is entered, at this date ; likewise, in Hermann Greuen's additions to Usuard,3° we read, in Scotland, Monan, Levite and Confessor, for this day ; a manuscript copy of Florarius, however, places him in Anglia, as a Bishop and Confessor, at this date.
s^ In the Kalendar of Hyrdmanis- toun, there is an entry of St.
Monan's feast, at the ist of March.
He is
'9 See Hector Boece, " Scotorum Hysto-
northern pirates at this time carried on wars with the Gauls and Belgians, who were Christians, these martyrs might be con- sidered, as coming from Belgium or Gaul, to
take refuge in Scotland ; or, rather, they think it more probable, that they may have been missionaries, newly arrived from Hiber- nia, to spread the Gospel among the Picts. See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Martii i. De S. Monano Archidiacono Andreopoleos
Scot. , p. 261.
'^'^ He from A. D. to reigned 1329 1370.
See George Buchanan's account of the stir- ring events during his time in " Rerum Scoticarum Historia," lib. ix. , pp. 262 to 285.
lib. ccvi. X. , p.
rise,"
^° The Bollandists suggest, that as the
Commentarius prcevius, num. 2,
^* See "New Statistical Survey of Scot-
land," Fife, pp. 337, 350.
""5 See " Old Statistical Survey of Scot-
land," vol. ix. , p. 334.
-*
See "Origines Parochiales Scotise," vol. ii. , part ii. , p. 478.
*' See Bishop Forbes' " Kalendars of
'
p. 413.
See New Statistical Survey of Scot-
land," Fife, p. 944.
*' See "Bishop Forbes' "Kalendars of
Scottish Saints," p. 6.
^o Edited A. D. 1515 and 1521.
^i See the Bollandists' "Acta Sancto-
rum," tomus i. , Martii i. De S. Monano
Archidiacono Andreopoleos in Scotia, num. 4, p. 87.
in Scotia.
pp. 86, 87. ^^
According
deen ; yet, in the Martyrology of Aberdeen, the place is called Inuere in Fyfe. " Thither, "fama sanctitas Monam tam de vrbibus quam de agris vulgus innumerabile tam validorum quam languidorum ad bene- fica Monani consequenda continue confluit. " —"Proceedings of the Society of Anti- quaries of Scotland," vol. ii. Sessions MDCCCLiv—V. MDCCCLVI—VII. Com- municated by David Laing, Esq. , F. S. A. ,
to the old
Breviary
of Aber-
Scottish Saints, " *^'*
'^ See Spottiswoode's Religious Houses, "
in Keith's Scottish Bishops," p. 445. Russel edition.
March i. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 65
noted as a Confessor, who had an Office, comprising nine Lessons. 3^ The Kalendar De Nova Farina, has Monan, Abbot, at the same date. 33 The Kalendar of Arbuthnott notes St. Monan, a' Confessor, with an Office of nine Lessons. 34 The Kalendar of the Aberdeen Breviary, at the ist of March, has the festival of St, Monan, of St. Marnan, Bishop, and of St. David, Bishop,withofficesrespectivelyofnineLessons. 35 IntheMartyrology^^for the use of the Church of Aberdeen,37 St. Monan is noticed as a Confessor, in Scotia, at this date. s^ But, from what has been already stated, as also in that which follows, it must be extremely difficult to reconcile conflicting accountsrespectinghim. InAdamKing'sKalendar,"St. Mynnane,archi- deacon and confess, in Scotland vnder king constantine ye 2," 39 is entered, at the ist of March. 't° Dempster has Minnan, Archdeacon, in his " Menolo- giumScoticum,"atthesamedatc*^ Mostunaccountably,thiswriterelse- where distinguishes between a St. Monan and a St. Minnan, making both archdeacons, however, and the authors of books. Thus, he states, St. Monan " ad lib.
and " Carmina Sacra," lib. i. , and that he suffisred martyrdonij-^^ with St. Adrian, and his companions. 13 The reader is referred to another volume of this work, for further details of theirpassion. <+ AttheistofMarch,CamerariushasthefeastofSt. Monan,
composed Epistolse Diversos," i. ,
Martyr. He officiated in the province of Fife, and in the country adjoining the Island, Maia. He was celebrated' for his miracles. '^s At the ist of March, Dempster has an account of a St. Minnanus, who is called an arch- deacon, and who had a great reputation for piety and learning. He is said, to have been a great favourite of King Kenneth, and after his death, Minnan retired from the Court of Donald V. , being disgusted with his luxu-
He is
Unione,"
The Martyrology of Donegal,5° on this day, records Maoineann, Bishop of Cluain-fertaBrenainn. ThisplaceisnowknownasClonfert,neartheRiver
Shannon, in the barony of Longford, and county of Galway. St. Brendan
rious habits of
to have "
Pictici The ChurchofKilminnaninGallovidiawasdedicatedtohim. Accordingtothe Scottish Breviary, he was venerated on this day, and he lived, a. d. 878. 4^ Now, it seems difficult beyond measure, to identify the foregoing Minnan or Monon, with Moinend or Maoineann, said to have been a bishop over the see of Clonfert. St. ^ngus, the Culdee, has a notice of this latter saint. '*' On the ist of March, the Martyrology of Tallagh-*^ also mentions Moinend, Bishop, but without indicating his see. Alluding to the holy man recorded at this date, Marianus O'Gorman calls him " the fair, tall, smooth Moenen. "'t9
Regni
lib.
i. ,
living. cum Scotico
stated,
written, Apologiam pro Rege,"
3' See Bishop Forbes' "Kalendars of Scottish Saints," p. 37.
33 See /^/c/. , p. 69.
*' See "Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Scotorum," tomus ii. , lib. xii. , num. 834, p. 451- „, .
3* - sTheir See ibid. ^ p. 97.
festival is usually assigned to the 4th of March.
^^ See vol. of Feb- ii. , Twenty-Third day
ruary, Article iv. , Saints Mannan and Tiaan, of Aredh-Suird, or Airiudh h-Uird.
45 See Scottish Entries in the Kalendar of 38 See "Proceedings of the Society of David Camerarius. Bishop Forbes' " Kal-
35 See ibid. , p. 113.
3* From a
Manuscript
of the sixteenth
century.
3' Communicated by David Laing, Esq. ,
F. S. A. , Scot.
Antiquaries of Scotland," vol. ii. Sessions
261.
endars of Scottish Saints," p. 235.
* See " Historia Ecclesiastica Dempster's
Gentis Scotorum," tomus ii. , lib. xii. , num.
851, p. 453.
' a note on Moinend, in the " Feilire "
lib. v. , pp. 158, 159.
'See Bishop Forbes' "Kalendars of mo^bA CluAriA 'pet\CA bt\enAin'o, i. e. ,
Scottish Saints," p. 146. "Bishop and Coarb of Cluaia-Ferta of *' See ibid. , p. 193. Brenaind. "
MDCCCLiv—v. MDCCCLVi—
VII. , p. According to George Buchanan, King Constantine II. reigned from A. D. 858 to 874. See "Rerum Scoticarum Historia,"
39
" De
of St. ^ngus thus runs : ej'poc ocax'^ co-
Legitima lib. i.
£
66 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March i.
The present saint is thought to have been a companion of St. Brendan, during the seven years of his trans-Atlantic voyage ; and to have afterwards lived under this holy abbot's rule, at Clonfert. But, indeed, historic notices have been so obscure regardmg him, that little of a definite character can be gleaned for his Acts. The ancient building at Clonfert had been remodelled, at various periods, and it is now used for the Protestant episcopal parish church. It consisted of nave, chancel and transepts. The chancel, supposed to be the oldest part of the building, is 27^ feet long, by 22 feet in breadth 3 while
the nave measures 54 feet in length, and 27 feet 6 inches in breadth, clear of thewalls. Thesouthwallofthenaveisabout14or15feethigh,and2feet 6 inches in thickness, while the chancel wall only measures 2 feet in depth. The gables are
highly pitched, yet so covered with
thick ivy, that there is no way of seeing what was the nature of the roof. Themason- ry of this build-
ing is in irregular courses of rough
sandstone, laid in rough mortar, without ashlar work. 5' Thedoor- way of sandstone deserves a parti-
cular study. 53 Two outer pilasters sup- port a high pitched
the
pediment :
doorway proper is
deeply recessed,
in six jamb-shafts
and piers, on
either side, sur-
rounded by capi-
tals. From these
springs a beautiful
columnar rounded
arch, with a row
of bosses, all
varied in pattern.
The most quaint and elaborate carving appears on all the stones of which it is composed ; and, an amazing variety of ornament, showing a marvellous fertility of invention,54 is manifested in a work, which has hitherto so well
*^ Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xvii. By Edwin, third Earl of Dunraven, edited 4' See Bishop Forbes' " Kalendars of by Margaret Stokes, vol. ii. , p. 106.
founded a great monastery here, in the middle of the sixth century. 5*
^
Scottish Saints," p. 412.
50 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves,
pp. 60, 61.
5' See Archdall's "Monasticon Hibcmi«
cum," p. 278.
53 Two fine autotypes accompany the letter-press of the noble work, to which allusion has been made in the previous note. The accompanying illustration of the door- way has been copied therefrom by the writer, with kind permission of Miss Stokes. It has
5» See
"
Notes on Irish Architecture. "
Doorway of Clonfert Church, County Galway.
March i. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 67
stood the ravages of time. Colgan would fain make St. Moinend or Monen- neus the same as Moena, who died Bishop of Clonfert, in the year 570, or
571. But, Dr. Lanigan asks, how could a man, who had been a bishop in Britain, before Tigernach became one in 506, be supposed to have lived to so late a period ? Besides, as he remarks, the names are plainly different. ss To wind up the uncertain accounts regarding him, we have only to state, the Annals of the Four Masters, at a. d. 570, mention, that St. Maeineann, Bishop of Cluain-fearta-Breanainn, died on the ist of March. s^ Tighernach,57 and the Annalists of Ulster, assign his death to a. d. 571. 5^ The foregoing account must mean, our saint was either a bishop assistant, or a bishop desig- nate, of St. Brendan's foundation, as the death of the founder is, by the Annals of Ulster, -9 and of the Four Masters, assigned to a. d. 576. ^° Yet, we heartily wish, the foregoing notices should be more critically examined, by future writers.
Article VI. —Obituary Festival of St. Senan, Abbot of Scattery Island,CountyofClare. \SixthCenturyi\ Oneofthemostrenowned among our old saints was St. Senan, Abbot of Iniscathaigh. At this date, as noticed by Colgan' and by the BoUandists,^ his death occurred ; althougli, his chief festival is set down, at the 8th of March, where his Life will be found written more at length. The old metrical Acts, published by Calgan, allude to the coincidence of his departure on St. David's day; and, with the illus- trious prelate of Menevia, he was bound in a special spiritual friendship. Senan, Bishop, is the only mention made of him, in the Martyrology of Tal- lagh,3 at this date. At the Kalends of March, the Calendar of Cashel places the death of St. Senan. Marianus O'Gorman, and Maguire have his festival, also, at the present date. It is stated to be that day, when his departure fromlifefirsttookplace; but,that,throughasingulardispensationofDivine Providence, he was again revivified, and that on the eighth day subsequent, Senan was finally summoned away to heaven. The Martyrology of Donegal* mentions on this day Senan, of Inis Cathaigh. s in the table affixed, this saint's name has been Latinized, Priscianus. ^ Under the head of Inis Cat- haigh, Duald Mac Firbis enters, Senan, Bishop, from Inis-Cathaigh, at March
ist. 7 ThereisanotherfeasttoSenin,onthe8thofMarch; but,thispresent
been drawn on the wood by William F.
Wakeman, and engraved by George A. Hanlon.
5* In Richard Rolt Brash's "Ecclesias-
tical Architecture of Ireland," there is a Hiberniae," Martii i. De S. Senano Epis-
minute and critical detailed description of
the workmanship, at p. 42.
ss See "Ecclesiastical History of Ire-
land," vol. i. , chap ix. , sect, ii. , n. 17, p. 437.
Article vi,—'See "Acta Sanctorum copo, p. 440.
5« See Dr. O'Donovan's
pp. 206, 207.
R. I'A.
58 See Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum Hiberni-
carum tomus ii.
Scriptores," Tigernaci
Annales, p. 151. The Annales Ultonienses state ''Moena Eps Cluana ferta Brenain
* Edited Drs. Todd and by
57
According
60, 61.
s " Aut de Insula
to the MS.
and English, which is to be found in the
of the Irish Scribe of * handwriting Brannan,
Edition,
vol.
i. ,
Reeves, pp. " state the Bol-
copy,
in Irish
Gatag, landists, at this date.
"The
Charles O'Conor, of Belanagare, fol. 22, 23. pp. 464, 465. Dr. Todd here remarks ;
Cluana:
». £•. , Episcopus civitatis Cluaufert] quievit. "
Academy," Irish MS. Series, vol. i. , parti. , pp. 114, 115.
^ Dr. Todd in a note at the word adds,
Aen^hus : "Or rather, according to the
[yi/<7^«a Episcopus
fertae Brendani,
—Ibid. , tomus iv. , p. 26. S9 See ibid. , p. 28.
*"Seeibid. , pp. 208,209.
*
See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. ,
Martii i. Among the pretermitted Saints,
p. 4.
3 Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xvii.
See,
of Martyrology Donegal,"
"The Irish word Sean signifies antiquus, priscus. "
^ See " of the Irish Proceedings Royal
68 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March i.
one is the commemoration of his death, as the O'Clerys inexactly state,
according to Aenghus. ^ The same thing is understood, from the Life of Sen^n, where it treats about his death.
Article VII. —St. Cassan, Casyn, or Cassain, Son of Neman. \Sixth Century^ A brief notice of this holy man is given, by the BoUan- dists,^ who remark on Colgan having omitted all mention of him, at this day, although assigning his festival to it. This supposes him to be identical with a holy man, who must have flourished, so early as the sixth century. He is alluded to as Casyn, in the Acts^ of St. Brigid,3 Abbess of Kildare. To illus-
"
trate his pedigree, Colgan cites the twenty-second chapter of the
Sanctilogic
Genealogy. "* St. Finian of Clonard^ met St. Cassan, the son of Neman, in
the country of Fortcherten. The latter greatly rejoiced at his approach ;
whilehesubjectedhimselfandhischurchtoFinian. ThenameCassanmac
Nemain, without any further designation, occurs in the Martyrology of Tal- lagh,^ at the ist of March. At this date, also, Marianus O'Gorman com-
memorates him. Again, on this day was venerated, according to the Martyrology of Donegal,? Caissin, son of Nemdn. There was a Caisin of the
Dal Buain, adds the compiler, who belonged to the race of Eochaidh, son to Muiredh, and who sprung from the posterity of Heremon.
Article VIII. —St. Enan Mac Nissi, Bishop. The Bollandists record
a St. Macnissius or Maonissius, at this date, relying on the Irish Martyrolo- gists,althoughacknowledging,thatotherwisehewasunknown. ' Thename
Enan, without any other title, is found in the Martyrology of Tallagh,* at the ist of March ; but, it would seem Macnisi, with its adjunct, bishop, ought to be placed in conjunction with the first name. Marianus O'Gorman, likewise, notices him. According to the Martyrology of Donegal,3 on this day was venerated Endn, Mac Nissi. -*
Article IX. —Reputed Festival of St. Non, Nonna, Nonnita or Melari, Mother of St. David, Archbishop of Menevia, Wales. \^Fifth Century? [ InamanuscriptcopyofFlorarius,thepiousmotherofSt. David,^
Archbishop of Menevia, in Wales, is entered as St. Nonnita, Martyr, at this date. But, the Bollandists assert, that elsewhere, she is not found among the lists of saints, neither does it appear, that her life was crowned by martyr- dom. ^ The illustrious David's mother, Non, or Nonnita, by name, is usually designated a nun. But, in the oldest and most consistent Life of St. David, and also in the Life given by Colgan, she is spoken of as a beautiful girl, whom the chieftain of Ceretica, Xantus, met as he journeyed into Demetia,
Scholiast on Aengiis, whose words are,
Article viii. —'See "Acta Sancto-
rum," tomus i. , Martii i. Among the pre-
termitted Saints," p. 3.
^
Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xvii.
3 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
60, 61.
* In a note, Dr. Todd here "The says:
Mart. Taml. distinguishes Enan and Mac
Nissi, but M. O'Gorman, as explained by the gloss, makes—them one and the same. "
'
Article ix. See his Life, already
given, at this date.
* See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. ,
Martii i. Among the pretermitted Saints, p, 3.
'
obitus est in hoc—die. '"
Article VII. ' See " Acta Sancto-
rum," tomus i. , Martii i. Among the pre- termitted Saints," p. 3.
"
See the BoUandist Collection, at the 1st
of sect, xiii. , num. Ii6. February, 105, p.
3 See her Life, at the 1st of February.
* See " Acta Sanctorum Hibernias," xxiii.
Februarii. Vita S. Finniani seu Finneni
Abbatis de Cluain-Eraird, n. 20, p. 398.
5 See his Life, at the 12th of December. ' Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xvii.
1 Edited bv Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
-
60, 61,
March i.
'9 See Hector Boece, " Scotorum Hysto-
northern pirates at this time carried on wars with the Gauls and Belgians, who were Christians, these martyrs might be con- sidered, as coming from Belgium or Gaul, to
take refuge in Scotland ; or, rather, they think it more probable, that they may have been missionaries, newly arrived from Hiber- nia, to spread the Gospel among the Picts. See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Martii i. De S. Monano Archidiacono Andreopoleos
Scot. , p. 261.
'^'^ He from A. D. to reigned 1329 1370.
See George Buchanan's account of the stir- ring events during his time in " Rerum Scoticarum Historia," lib. ix. , pp. 262 to 285.
lib. ccvi. X. , p.
rise,"
^° The Bollandists suggest, that as the
Commentarius prcevius, num. 2,
^* See "New Statistical Survey of Scot-
land," Fife, pp. 337, 350.
""5 See " Old Statistical Survey of Scot-
land," vol. ix. , p. 334.
-*
See "Origines Parochiales Scotise," vol. ii. , part ii. , p. 478.
*' See Bishop Forbes' " Kalendars of
'
p. 413.
See New Statistical Survey of Scot-
land," Fife, p. 944.
*' See "Bishop Forbes' "Kalendars of
Scottish Saints," p. 6.
^o Edited A. D. 1515 and 1521.
^i See the Bollandists' "Acta Sancto-
rum," tomus i. , Martii i. De S. Monano
Archidiacono Andreopoleos in Scotia, num. 4, p. 87.
in Scotia.
pp. 86, 87. ^^
According
deen ; yet, in the Martyrology of Aberdeen, the place is called Inuere in Fyfe. " Thither, "fama sanctitas Monam tam de vrbibus quam de agris vulgus innumerabile tam validorum quam languidorum ad bene- fica Monani consequenda continue confluit. " —"Proceedings of the Society of Anti- quaries of Scotland," vol. ii. Sessions MDCCCLiv—V. MDCCCLVI—VII. Com- municated by David Laing, Esq. , F. S. A. ,
to the old
Breviary
of Aber-
Scottish Saints, " *^'*
'^ See Spottiswoode's Religious Houses, "
in Keith's Scottish Bishops," p. 445. Russel edition.
March i. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 65
noted as a Confessor, who had an Office, comprising nine Lessons. 3^ The Kalendar De Nova Farina, has Monan, Abbot, at the same date. 33 The Kalendar of Arbuthnott notes St. Monan, a' Confessor, with an Office of nine Lessons. 34 The Kalendar of the Aberdeen Breviary, at the ist of March, has the festival of St, Monan, of St. Marnan, Bishop, and of St. David, Bishop,withofficesrespectivelyofnineLessons. 35 IntheMartyrology^^for the use of the Church of Aberdeen,37 St. Monan is noticed as a Confessor, in Scotia, at this date. s^ But, from what has been already stated, as also in that which follows, it must be extremely difficult to reconcile conflicting accountsrespectinghim. InAdamKing'sKalendar,"St. Mynnane,archi- deacon and confess, in Scotland vnder king constantine ye 2," 39 is entered, at the ist of March. 't° Dempster has Minnan, Archdeacon, in his " Menolo- giumScoticum,"atthesamedatc*^ Mostunaccountably,thiswriterelse- where distinguishes between a St. Monan and a St. Minnan, making both archdeacons, however, and the authors of books. Thus, he states, St. Monan " ad lib.
and " Carmina Sacra," lib. i. , and that he suffisred martyrdonij-^^ with St. Adrian, and his companions. 13 The reader is referred to another volume of this work, for further details of theirpassion. <+ AttheistofMarch,CamerariushasthefeastofSt. Monan,
composed Epistolse Diversos," i. ,
Martyr. He officiated in the province of Fife, and in the country adjoining the Island, Maia. He was celebrated' for his miracles. '^s At the ist of March, Dempster has an account of a St. Minnanus, who is called an arch- deacon, and who had a great reputation for piety and learning. He is said, to have been a great favourite of King Kenneth, and after his death, Minnan retired from the Court of Donald V. , being disgusted with his luxu-
He is
Unione,"
The Martyrology of Donegal,5° on this day, records Maoineann, Bishop of Cluain-fertaBrenainn. ThisplaceisnowknownasClonfert,neartheRiver
Shannon, in the barony of Longford, and county of Galway. St. Brendan
rious habits of
to have "
Pictici The ChurchofKilminnaninGallovidiawasdedicatedtohim. Accordingtothe Scottish Breviary, he was venerated on this day, and he lived, a. d. 878. 4^ Now, it seems difficult beyond measure, to identify the foregoing Minnan or Monon, with Moinend or Maoineann, said to have been a bishop over the see of Clonfert. St. ^ngus, the Culdee, has a notice of this latter saint. '*' On the ist of March, the Martyrology of Tallagh-*^ also mentions Moinend, Bishop, but without indicating his see. Alluding to the holy man recorded at this date, Marianus O'Gorman calls him " the fair, tall, smooth Moenen. "'t9
Regni
lib.
i. ,
living. cum Scotico
stated,
written, Apologiam pro Rege,"
3' See Bishop Forbes' "Kalendars of Scottish Saints," p. 37.
33 See /^/c/. , p. 69.
*' See "Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Scotorum," tomus ii. , lib. xii. , num. 834, p. 451- „, .
3* - sTheir See ibid. ^ p. 97.
festival is usually assigned to the 4th of March.
^^ See vol. of Feb- ii. , Twenty-Third day
ruary, Article iv. , Saints Mannan and Tiaan, of Aredh-Suird, or Airiudh h-Uird.
45 See Scottish Entries in the Kalendar of 38 See "Proceedings of the Society of David Camerarius. Bishop Forbes' " Kal-
35 See ibid. , p. 113.
3* From a
Manuscript
of the sixteenth
century.
3' Communicated by David Laing, Esq. ,
F. S. A. , Scot.
Antiquaries of Scotland," vol. ii. Sessions
261.
endars of Scottish Saints," p. 235.
* See " Historia Ecclesiastica Dempster's
Gentis Scotorum," tomus ii. , lib. xii. , num.
851, p. 453.
' a note on Moinend, in the " Feilire "
lib. v. , pp. 158, 159.
'See Bishop Forbes' "Kalendars of mo^bA CluAriA 'pet\CA bt\enAin'o, i. e. ,
Scottish Saints," p. 146. "Bishop and Coarb of Cluaia-Ferta of *' See ibid. , p. 193. Brenaind. "
MDCCCLiv—v. MDCCCLVi—
VII. , p. According to George Buchanan, King Constantine II. reigned from A. D. 858 to 874. See "Rerum Scoticarum Historia,"
39
" De
of St. ^ngus thus runs : ej'poc ocax'^ co-
Legitima lib. i.
£
66 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March i.
The present saint is thought to have been a companion of St. Brendan, during the seven years of his trans-Atlantic voyage ; and to have afterwards lived under this holy abbot's rule, at Clonfert. But, indeed, historic notices have been so obscure regardmg him, that little of a definite character can be gleaned for his Acts. The ancient building at Clonfert had been remodelled, at various periods, and it is now used for the Protestant episcopal parish church. It consisted of nave, chancel and transepts. The chancel, supposed to be the oldest part of the building, is 27^ feet long, by 22 feet in breadth 3 while
the nave measures 54 feet in length, and 27 feet 6 inches in breadth, clear of thewalls. Thesouthwallofthenaveisabout14or15feethigh,and2feet 6 inches in thickness, while the chancel wall only measures 2 feet in depth. The gables are
highly pitched, yet so covered with
thick ivy, that there is no way of seeing what was the nature of the roof. Themason- ry of this build-
ing is in irregular courses of rough
sandstone, laid in rough mortar, without ashlar work. 5' Thedoor- way of sandstone deserves a parti-
cular study. 53 Two outer pilasters sup- port a high pitched
the
pediment :
doorway proper is
deeply recessed,
in six jamb-shafts
and piers, on
either side, sur-
rounded by capi-
tals. From these
springs a beautiful
columnar rounded
arch, with a row
of bosses, all
varied in pattern.
The most quaint and elaborate carving appears on all the stones of which it is composed ; and, an amazing variety of ornament, showing a marvellous fertility of invention,54 is manifested in a work, which has hitherto so well
*^ Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xvii. By Edwin, third Earl of Dunraven, edited 4' See Bishop Forbes' " Kalendars of by Margaret Stokes, vol. ii. , p. 106.
founded a great monastery here, in the middle of the sixth century. 5*
^
Scottish Saints," p. 412.
50 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves,
pp. 60, 61.
5' See Archdall's "Monasticon Hibcmi«
cum," p. 278.
53 Two fine autotypes accompany the letter-press of the noble work, to which allusion has been made in the previous note. The accompanying illustration of the door- way has been copied therefrom by the writer, with kind permission of Miss Stokes. It has
5» See
"
Notes on Irish Architecture. "
Doorway of Clonfert Church, County Galway.
March i. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 67
stood the ravages of time. Colgan would fain make St. Moinend or Monen- neus the same as Moena, who died Bishop of Clonfert, in the year 570, or
571. But, Dr. Lanigan asks, how could a man, who had been a bishop in Britain, before Tigernach became one in 506, be supposed to have lived to so late a period ? Besides, as he remarks, the names are plainly different. ss To wind up the uncertain accounts regarding him, we have only to state, the Annals of the Four Masters, at a. d. 570, mention, that St. Maeineann, Bishop of Cluain-fearta-Breanainn, died on the ist of March. s^ Tighernach,57 and the Annalists of Ulster, assign his death to a. d. 571. 5^ The foregoing account must mean, our saint was either a bishop assistant, or a bishop desig- nate, of St. Brendan's foundation, as the death of the founder is, by the Annals of Ulster, -9 and of the Four Masters, assigned to a. d. 576. ^° Yet, we heartily wish, the foregoing notices should be more critically examined, by future writers.
Article VI. —Obituary Festival of St. Senan, Abbot of Scattery Island,CountyofClare. \SixthCenturyi\ Oneofthemostrenowned among our old saints was St. Senan, Abbot of Iniscathaigh. At this date, as noticed by Colgan' and by the BoUandists,^ his death occurred ; althougli, his chief festival is set down, at the 8th of March, where his Life will be found written more at length. The old metrical Acts, published by Calgan, allude to the coincidence of his departure on St. David's day; and, with the illus- trious prelate of Menevia, he was bound in a special spiritual friendship. Senan, Bishop, is the only mention made of him, in the Martyrology of Tal- lagh,3 at this date. At the Kalends of March, the Calendar of Cashel places the death of St. Senan. Marianus O'Gorman, and Maguire have his festival, also, at the present date. It is stated to be that day, when his departure fromlifefirsttookplace; but,that,throughasingulardispensationofDivine Providence, he was again revivified, and that on the eighth day subsequent, Senan was finally summoned away to heaven. The Martyrology of Donegal* mentions on this day Senan, of Inis Cathaigh. s in the table affixed, this saint's name has been Latinized, Priscianus. ^ Under the head of Inis Cat- haigh, Duald Mac Firbis enters, Senan, Bishop, from Inis-Cathaigh, at March
ist. 7 ThereisanotherfeasttoSenin,onthe8thofMarch; but,thispresent
been drawn on the wood by William F.
Wakeman, and engraved by George A. Hanlon.
5* In Richard Rolt Brash's "Ecclesias-
tical Architecture of Ireland," there is a Hiberniae," Martii i. De S. Senano Epis-
minute and critical detailed description of
the workmanship, at p. 42.
ss See "Ecclesiastical History of Ire-
land," vol. i. , chap ix. , sect, ii. , n. 17, p. 437.
Article vi,—'See "Acta Sanctorum copo, p. 440.
5« See Dr. O'Donovan's
pp. 206, 207.
R. I'A.
58 See Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum Hiberni-
carum tomus ii.
Scriptores," Tigernaci
Annales, p. 151. The Annales Ultonienses state ''Moena Eps Cluana ferta Brenain
* Edited Drs. Todd and by
57
According
60, 61.
s " Aut de Insula
to the MS.
and English, which is to be found in the
of the Irish Scribe of * handwriting Brannan,
Edition,
vol.
i. ,
Reeves, pp. " state the Bol-
copy,
in Irish
Gatag, landists, at this date.
"The
Charles O'Conor, of Belanagare, fol. 22, 23. pp. 464, 465. Dr. Todd here remarks ;
Cluana:
». £•. , Episcopus civitatis Cluaufert] quievit. "
Academy," Irish MS. Series, vol. i. , parti. , pp. 114, 115.
^ Dr. Todd in a note at the word adds,
Aen^hus : "Or rather, according to the
[yi/<7^«a Episcopus
fertae Brendani,
—Ibid. , tomus iv. , p. 26. S9 See ibid. , p. 28.
*"Seeibid. , pp. 208,209.
*
See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. ,
Martii i. Among the pretermitted Saints,
p. 4.
3 Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xvii.
See,
of Martyrology Donegal,"
"The Irish word Sean signifies antiquus, priscus. "
^ See " of the Irish Proceedings Royal
68 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March i.
one is the commemoration of his death, as the O'Clerys inexactly state,
according to Aenghus. ^ The same thing is understood, from the Life of Sen^n, where it treats about his death.
Article VII. —St. Cassan, Casyn, or Cassain, Son of Neman. \Sixth Century^ A brief notice of this holy man is given, by the BoUan- dists,^ who remark on Colgan having omitted all mention of him, at this day, although assigning his festival to it. This supposes him to be identical with a holy man, who must have flourished, so early as the sixth century. He is alluded to as Casyn, in the Acts^ of St. Brigid,3 Abbess of Kildare. To illus-
"
trate his pedigree, Colgan cites the twenty-second chapter of the
Sanctilogic
Genealogy. "* St. Finian of Clonard^ met St. Cassan, the son of Neman, in
the country of Fortcherten. The latter greatly rejoiced at his approach ;
whilehesubjectedhimselfandhischurchtoFinian. ThenameCassanmac
Nemain, without any further designation, occurs in the Martyrology of Tal- lagh,^ at the ist of March. At this date, also, Marianus O'Gorman com-
memorates him. Again, on this day was venerated, according to the Martyrology of Donegal,? Caissin, son of Nemdn. There was a Caisin of the
Dal Buain, adds the compiler, who belonged to the race of Eochaidh, son to Muiredh, and who sprung from the posterity of Heremon.
Article VIII. —St. Enan Mac Nissi, Bishop. The Bollandists record
a St. Macnissius or Maonissius, at this date, relying on the Irish Martyrolo- gists,althoughacknowledging,thatotherwisehewasunknown. ' Thename
Enan, without any other title, is found in the Martyrology of Tallagh,* at the ist of March ; but, it would seem Macnisi, with its adjunct, bishop, ought to be placed in conjunction with the first name. Marianus O'Gorman, likewise, notices him. According to the Martyrology of Donegal,3 on this day was venerated Endn, Mac Nissi. -*
Article IX. —Reputed Festival of St. Non, Nonna, Nonnita or Melari, Mother of St. David, Archbishop of Menevia, Wales. \^Fifth Century? [ InamanuscriptcopyofFlorarius,thepiousmotherofSt. David,^
Archbishop of Menevia, in Wales, is entered as St. Nonnita, Martyr, at this date. But, the Bollandists assert, that elsewhere, she is not found among the lists of saints, neither does it appear, that her life was crowned by martyr- dom. ^ The illustrious David's mother, Non, or Nonnita, by name, is usually designated a nun. But, in the oldest and most consistent Life of St. David, and also in the Life given by Colgan, she is spoken of as a beautiful girl, whom the chieftain of Ceretica, Xantus, met as he journeyed into Demetia,
Scholiast on Aengiis, whose words are,
Article viii. —'See "Acta Sancto-
rum," tomus i. , Martii i. Among the pre-
termitted Saints," p. 3.
^
Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xvii.
3 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
60, 61.
* In a note, Dr. Todd here "The says:
Mart. Taml. distinguishes Enan and Mac
Nissi, but M. O'Gorman, as explained by the gloss, makes—them one and the same. "
'
Article ix. See his Life, already
given, at this date.
* See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. ,
Martii i. Among the pretermitted Saints, p, 3.
'
obitus est in hoc—die. '"
Article VII. ' See " Acta Sancto-
rum," tomus i. , Martii i. Among the pre- termitted Saints," p. 3.
"
See the BoUandist Collection, at the 1st
of sect, xiii. , num. Ii6. February, 105, p.
3 See her Life, at the 1st of February.
* See " Acta Sanctorum Hibernias," xxiii.
Februarii. Vita S. Finniani seu Finneni
Abbatis de Cluain-Eraird, n. 20, p. 398.
5 See his Life, at the 12th of December. ' Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xvii.
1 Edited bv Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
-
60, 61,
March i.
