Having thus placed himself again under the
direction
of St.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v5
Colmani, vulgo Macduach, cap.
i.
.
p.
248.
^- There is a curious little poem, quoted by Sligo, had its denomination. See Roderick Duald Mac Firbis in his large genealogical O'Flaherty's " Ogygia," pars, iii. , cap. work, describing the residence of King
Ixxix. , p. 374.
'* Dr. Sylvester O'Halloran calls her a
princess of the Saxon nation ; but, the Saxons at that period had no settlement in England. See "General History of Ire- land," vol. i. , Book vi. , chap, v. , p. 288.
'' Roderick O'Flaherty remarks, that the Saxons, in conjunction with the Scots, Picts and Attacots, had frequently invaded Bri- tain, before the period of the Anglo-Saxon
Eoghan Beul.
^3 On it. Dr. John O'Donovan "saw dis-
tinct traces of its earthen ramparts, in the year 183S. ''—Addenda Q to " Genealogies, Tribes and Customs of Hy-Fiachrach," p, 473-
-
.
^* See thd. Explanatory Index to the Map, p. 492.
^5 It is in the p. irish of Ballinchalla, and in the barony of Kilmaine, as shown, on the
Conquest. See "Ogygia," pars, iii. , cap. Ixxix. , pp. 376 to 378.
'^ Called Kellan, in that pedigree, given by Culgan, in " Acta Sanctorum Hiberniae," Februarii iii. , Appendix ad Acta S. Col- mani, vulgo Macduach, cap. ii. , p. 248.
to have been the first Irish sovereign to es- tablish Christianity by decree in Ireland. Sec "General History of Ireland," vol. ii. , Bookvii. , chap, v. , pp. 33, 34.
'9 He ruled for twenty years over Ireland,
" He had two sons, Dathi, King of Ire-
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May i.
Meantime, during the stormy period of his father's reign,=7 Eoghan Beul was obliged to defend his principaHty by force of arms, from the attacks of turbu- lent and powerful tribes surrounding him. His principahty was often invaded, but he usually repelled the invaders and scored a victory. However, a great confederacy of the people belonging to Tyrone and Tyrconnell, with other Ulster tribes, under the leadership of Ferguss and Donald,^^ made an irrup- tion into Connaught, and penetrated so far as the River Moy, carrying devas- tation along their course. This obliged Eoghan Beul to collect the forces of his province, and soon the rival armies came to blows. About the year of our Lord 537,"' a battle was fought at Sligo, and it was fiercely contested. 3° The Northern army, however, gained a victory over the Connacians, who were obliged to yield, after an obstinate engagement. In it, Eoghan Beul received his death-wound, and he was borne from the field by his soldiers, who crossed their spears and lances, to support his body, and to serve the pur- pose of a litter. However, our saint's father survived the battle of Sligo—in which he was mortally wounded—for three days ^3' or, according to other accounts, for a week. Soon, afterwards, Guaire asserted his pretentions to rule over Connaught. 3' At Clonmacnoise, Ceallach remained, until the disas- trous issue of that battle 33 had called him forth from his retirement on the Shannon. The Connaught chiefs, and especially these belonging to Hy- Fyachrach, deprecating the calamities which were likely to ensue for their province, held frequent interviews with their dying king, to ascertain his wishes in reference to a successor, and most likely to avert the crisis now approaching.
During that interval which elapsed, after receiving his wound, and before his death took place, it is said, that Eoghan persuaded the tribe of Hy-Fiachrach, to elect his elder son as King of Connaught. 3+ His other son, Cuchoingelt, orMuireadhach,hadnotyetattainedhismajority. 35 Inaccordancewiththis request of the dying monarch, messengers were despatched to Clonmacnoise, and to announce the result of that Sligo battle, with Ceallach's consequent promotion. Thesedelegateswereinstructed,torepresentthedesperatestate of their affairs to St. Kieran. The latter received them very hospitably, but he refused acceding to their wishes, as he deemed the monastic rules could not be dispensed with, in the case of Ceallach. However, the delegates re-
" Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the County of Mayo," sheet 117.
"^ He founded Clonmacnoise, it is said, A. D. 548, and died A. D. 549, according to the chronolo<^y of Ussher, in "Britannicaium Ecclesiarum Atitiquitates. " Inde. x. See his Life, at the 9th of September.
=7 He is said to have lived for thirty-six years, according to the Vita S. Kellaci, sect. i.
** These reigned one year over Ireland, according to the Ulster Annals, A. D. 565. See Archbishop Ussher's '• Britannicarum Ecclesiarum Antiquitates," cap. xvii. , p. 947.
"9 The Annals of Innisfallen place this
event, at A. I). 536 ; the Annals of Tigernach
have it, A. D. 543; while the Annals of chap, iv. , p. 135.
Ulster have it, at A. D. 542, and they again '5 The king had also ordered, that he enter it, at A. D. 546. See Rev. Dr. should be interred in an upright position,
O'Conor's " Rerum Hibernicarum Scrip- tores," tomus ii. , pp. 6, 137, and tomus i v. , pp. 17, 18.
30 See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of" the Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 178 to 181.
3 1 According to the Life of our Saint, a copy of wliich remained in posses-ion of Messrs. Hodges and Smith, the publishers to the University 01 Dublin,
3=TheAnnalsofInnisfallenrecord thedeath of Guaire Ai'ihne, at653. Aijain, the " An- nalesUitonienses" place hisde. ith, attheyear 662, which does not well accord with the statements in St. Kellach's Lite. See Rev. Dr. OConor's " Rerum Hilieinicarum Scriptores," tomus ii. , p. 15 ; also, tomus iv. , p. 55.
33 'fhis statement appears to conflict, with the date assigned for the battle, and with that given f. >r the death of St. Kieran.
with his red javelin in his hand, and with his face turned towards Ulster, as if fighting with his enemies. See John O'Donovan's " Gencalo^^ies, Tribes and Customs of Hy- Fiachrach," Addenda Q, p. 472.
3* See Major Wood- Martin's " History of Sligo, County and Town," &c. , Book ii. ,
May I. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
mained tlierefor two days, and on the last night, they urged upon Keallach those arguments, which caused him to resolve on leaving Clonmacnoise. He was told, that lie had been chosen unanimously by chiefs and people, to succeed his father on the throne of Connaught, and accordingly, the young prince accepted their nomination. Without communicating his intention to the saint, under whose guardianship he was placed, Kellach prepared to depart. For this apparent insubordination, St. Kieran is said to have pronounced a maledic- tion, which was thought to have been prophetic of his future fate. ^^
With the usual ceremonies of inauguration,37 Kellach was elected King of theHy-Fiachrach. 3^ Aftersometime,however,theKingofHy-Fiachrach Aidhne 39 revolted, as probably, feeling desirous to obtain the first distinction inthatprovince. Theisolatedpositionofhisdistrict4°itwouldseemafforded him means and opportunity for insurrection. A public convention was held by the subordinate chiefs and people, in order to effect some terms of agree- ment. Great numbers of partisans on both sides were present. A treaty of reconciliation was arranged ; and to this Keallach adhered in good faith, but his opponent was more wily and insincere. He invited Keallach to his for- tress, and the latter accepted this invitation. He went thither, accompanied by a train of guards and followers. Notwithstanding, treachery seems to have been practised, for some of these were killed, while Keallach and twenty- seven of his followers saved themselves by flight. While revolving in vexation of mmd a mode to be revenged on the perfidious king, a better thought at last presented itself to Kellach ; for, recollecting the judgment denounced against him by St. Kieran, he resolved to quit once more the ambitious views and high station to which he had been drawn. 4' Soon, therefore, lie retired to a desert place, in the midst of woods, and then like another Peter, he wept tears of sorrow for deserting his Divine INlaster. ^^ Here, too, he remained for a year: and then, taking with him the twenty-seven companions, who were savedfromdeath,KellachresolvedonreturningtoClonmacnoise. Yet,he remained without this city, for a time ; because, he felt a diffidence and reproach of conscience, at the presence of St. Kieran. There he waited ad- mission, until some of the monks met and recognised him. They exchanged
with him the kiss of peace, and promised to prepare the Abbot for an inter- view with his prodigal son, who had been dead to them, but who came to life again, who was lost and yet who had been found. ''3 He appears to have conciliated the favour of his former instructor, however, and the Abbot felt
3* These foregoing and subsequent parti- culars, in reference to our saint, are briefly and elegantly narrated in Mrs. M. C. Fergu- son's " Story of the Irish before the Con- quest," chap, v. , pp. 161 to 163.
37 For a poetic inspiration on this subject, the reader is referred to Thomas Davis' "National and Historical Ballads, Songs, and Poems," part iii. The True Irish King, pp. 103 to 106.
3^ There is an excellent and interesting Map of Hy-Fiachrach, with some of the ad- jacent districts in the counties of Mayo and Sligo, compiled by John O'Donovan, and setting forth, in the Irish character and Ian- guage, the names of those districts, with their historical places.
39 This territory was commensurate M'ith the present diocese of Kilmr. ctiuagh. and its inhabitants were called Cineal Guaire, or the descendants of Guaire Aidhne, King of
Connaught, in the seventh century. See "The Genealogies, Tribes and Customs of Hy-Fiachrach," edited by John O'Donovan, pp. 2, 3, and nn. (f, g). Ibid.
^^ Seethe position of this principality, as defined on John O'Donovan's Map, prefixed to " The Tribes and Customs of Hy-Many, commonly called U'Kelly's Country. "
*' Six quatrains, attributed to St. Ceal- lach, regretting that at the instigation of friends, he had been induced to abandon the clerical profession, in oider to assume the Kingship of Connaught, are to be found in the published " Le. Jjhar Breac," at p. 273, col. i. , line 41.
^. ^ t^t. Mattliew xxvi. , 75.
s . St. Luke xv. , 32.
^"^ See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Mail
i. , De . "^-ancto Kellaco Kpiscopoin Hibernia,
Vita, sect. 3, 4, p. I05. "
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May i.
greatly rejoiced, that his spiritual son had returned to assume the yoke which he had borne in youth. Kellach fell on his knees before the Abl)Ot. St. Kieran affectionately raising him said : " My son, I regret exceedingly I pronounced thatmalediction,whenyoudesertedus,yetitisnowirrevocable; stillyoushall not be deprived of reward and glory, if you only persevere and advance in your first vocation ; bear then cheerfully the light and sweet yoke of Christ, than whose love nothing else can be so delightful, than whose company nothing can be more full of solace, while no kingly state or pleasure can be at all so glorious. '4^ These words gc^ve great consolation to Ceallach, and prepared him once more for the sweets of a religious life.
CHAPTER II.
KELLACH LIVES A HOLY LIFE AT CLONMACNOISE—HE IS ORDAINED PRIEST, AND AFTERWARDS HE BECOMES BISHOP OF KILLALA—HIS VIRTUES—GUAIRE, KING OF CONNAUGHT, IS WICKEDLY ADVISED TO TAKE AWAY HIS LIFE—KEALLACH RETIRES TO AN ISLAND IN LOUGH CONN—FOUR OF HIS STUDENTS ARE INVITED TO DURLUSS, WHERE THEY ARE PERSUADED TO MURDER THEIR HOLY PRECEPTOR.
Having thus placed himself again under the direction of St. Kieran, Ceallach became thoroughly devoted to his mastf^r, and profited by his precepts. ' The Holy Spirit then poured on him the choicest graces. He sent away the band of seculars, who seem to have been his guards, to wait upon his young brother Muredach, who found refuge with his fosterer the dynast of Lugnia. ^ With renewed ardour, Cellach followed the course of monastic studies and rules, so that he gave the greatest possible satisfaction to St. Kieran. At length, he was deemed worthy of being promoted to the sacerdotal grade. In due course, a vacancy occurring in the See of Killala, the clergy of that diocese, hearing about the merits and virtues of Ceallach, united their suffrages, to promote him as their chief Pastor. During the reign of Tuathal Melgarb,^ King of Ireland, who ruled from a. d. 533 + to a. d. 544, ^ Ceallach was elevated,
it is tiiought, to the episcopal chair, as Uishop of Killala. ^ Here, there is a remarkable round tower, standing quite perfect, and even retaining its original stone roof, of conical shape. 7 Near it is the Protestant cathedral, rather a poor structure, and presenting no special feature of interest. ^ The bishop's house was formerly in this town,9 celebrated for having been captured by the
Chapter11. —' It is curioustonotice, thnt the Annals of Innisfallen refer llie foundation of Clonmacnoise, to a. d. 573; and, they state, that it was called Cluain, because it became the scholastic reireat of the sons of the King of Connaugiit. See Dr. O'Conor's " Reruin Hibernicarum Scrip- torc^,"tomusii. , p. 6.
^ This was a region of Connaught, where the present county olSligo lies, and in which the dioce! ^e of Aclionry is situated. See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum," Januarii xx. Vita Secunda S. F\chini. n. 2, p. 140.
3 He mounted tlie throne, A. D. 528, and he
was slain, a. d. 538, after reigning eleven
years, according to I>r. O'Donovan's Topographical and Historical Hibernian " Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. Ga/etteir. " &c. , p. 276.
176 to iSl, "^ See Mr. and Mrs. Hall's "Ireland, its
*AccordingtotheAnnalsofUlster. See Rev. Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum Hibermcarum Scriptores," tomus iv. , p. 15.
s See Roderick O'Flalierty's "Ogygia," pars, iii. , cap. xciii. , p. 430.
'In Harris' Ware, he "is said to have been Bisho|) of Killala. " See vol. i. , " Bis- hops of Killala," y. 650.
' 1 he accompanying illustration wasdrawn on the spot and transferred to the wood, by William K. Wakeman. It was engraved, by Mrs. Mdl. nrd.
^ See W. F. Wakeman's " Touri>ts' Guide to Ireland," p. 270.
'Sre Rev. G. Ilansbrow's "Improved
May I. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
French, in August, 1798. '° No vestige of the ancient church remains. " To about the year 540, his acceptance ol this dignity has been referred. But for the authority of this Life,'* we should look in vain to the authentic cata- logue, for his place among the Bishops of Killala. '3 Nevertheless, there can hardly be a doubt, that at least for a short time, he had assumed the office. Although Ceallach, as we are told, anxiously watched over the See of Killala ; yet, he found time to visit Clonmacnoise most frequently, thus wishing to unite the fruitful cares of Martha, with the pious retirement of Mary. The revenues ot his bishopric were spent, in providing for the wants of the poor, and in aiding those addicted to literary pursuits. ' Students flocked to him
Killala, County of Mayo.
from all parts of Ireland, through which the fame of his holiness and liberality hadspread. '* ItappearsthatGuaire'5—fromtheperiodindicatedhemight be regarded as a distinct person from another Guaire surnamed Aidhne '^ became a successful usurper of the Connaught throne. He feared, however, the more rightful claims of the Bishop to that station he then usurped. Accordingly, Guaire conceived a mort:al hatred towards Ceallach. At
Scenery,Character,"&c. ,vol. iii. , p. 379. " See Nicliolas Carlisle's "Topogiapliical
Dictionary of Ireland," siih voce Killala.
" See Walter Harris' Ware, vol. i. , " Bis-
hops of Killala, ' p. 650.
'5 Archdeacon Henry Cotton has placed
i. De Sancto Kellaco Episcopo in Hiber- nia, Vita, &c. , sect. 5. p. 105.
'5 In the account of the Life and Death of St. Cellach, as lound in the " LeaMiar Breac," he is called Guaire. son of Colnian, and also Guaire Aidlme. Here, he is made a contemporary with St. Kieran oi Clon-
him in this rank, only as a conjecture, be-
tween 534 to 544. See " Fasti Ecclesise macnoise, who IS said to have founded it A. D. Hibernicse," vol. iv. , p. 61. 548, and to have died in 549. See Rev. Dr.
'* See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Maii Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical History of Ire-
—
182, pp. 52, 58 59.
Latinized Prceaggeris sacri lapidum Fera- dagi—and which was fought between the people of Mun^ter and of Connaught. In it, Failbe-Fland was conqueror, while Guaire Aidne fled. Failbhe Flann did not long survive, as his death is recorded, at a. d. 631, in the Annals of Innisfallen. The death of Guaire Aidhne, King of Connaught, is placed at A. D. 663, and he was buried at Clonmacnoise, according to the Annals of Tighernach. See Rev. Dr. O'Conor's
*' Reruni Hiberniiarum . Scriptores," tomus ii. ,pp. 12, 13, and 1S9. 203.
mentioned in our text.
'' Very exquisite steel plate engravings of
Lough Conn and Mount Neph. n, the Pon- toon Bridge and Islands there, will be found, in W. H. Bartlett's " Scenery and Antiquities of Ireland," vol. i. , sect, x. , PP- 72, 11-
" The Bollandist editor of St. Kellach'. * Life thinks this must be sought for, in the county of Siigo, and not far from the River Moy. See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. ,
—:
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [T^lAY
one lime, tlie holy bishop had been engaged making a visitation of his dio- cese, and accompanied by a great number of his clerics being on his way to Kilmore,'7 which was near the River Muad or Moy ; Guaire, the son of Colman, happened to be residing at Duilus,'^ with his son Narus, and with Neniedius, son to Fercogha. 'When Nemedius discovered, that the pious pre- late had passed their house, without paying them a visit, he said to Guaire, "Unceremoniously and with little friendliness hath Bishop Kellach passed us by, as if he were hostile to us. " " It matters not," replied Guaire, " that he has gone on his way, for I shall despatch a messenger to invite him, in my name,
to return, and to hold a conference with us. " Accordingly, selecting one of his confidants, the latter reached Kellach, at the end of that day's journey. He then told the Bishop, that Guaire felt displeased, because he had passed by, but still he requested, that Ceallach might return. It happened to be on the Sabbath eve, and the Bishop replied, that as the Sunday was approaching, he should be engaged all the day, either in celebrating the holy Sacrifice of the Mass, or in other sacred duties, at which Guaire who was near might assist,' and even have an opportunity for an interview with him. The bishop de- clared, also, that if Guaire should come to him, on the Monday following, he would willingly return the visit. But, that messenger distorted the words of the holy bishop. Being a person of depraved mind and hostile to him, the en- voy declared, that Kellach would not go to the king, nor did he show a friendly feeling towards the latter. Then, in a transport of rage, Guaire cried out
" Return to him again, and tell him, that unless he hurry away from these parts, on this very night, I shall burn down the church on himself and on his people. " This threatening message was conveyed to Kellach, who relying nevertheless on Divine Providence remained there, until the Monday follow- ing. Then, he went to a village, on the borders of Lough Conn,'9 where he spent that night. Afterwards, his course was extended towards Claon-loch. "° Here was an Island called Etgair,*' or Oilen Edghair, and over it in the air was witnessedavision,representingagreatnumberofHolyAngels. Movedbysucha
land," vol. ii. , chap, x. , sect, xi. , nn. iSo, '^ This fortress was situated near Kinvara,
in the south-west of the county of Galway. ** We read, that Guaire Aidline was de- It was the name of the residence of Guaire feated in the battle of Carn-Feradaig, in the Aidhne, King of Connaught. It is now territory of Clia, and he fled from it, Failbe called Dun-Guaire. See John O'Donovan's Flann Femhin being the victor, A. D. 627. " Genealogies, Tribes, and Customs of Hy- At 621, the Annals of Innistallen have en- Fiachrach," pp. 2S4, 285, n. (b), and- pp. tered the battle of Cath-Cairn Feradaig 290, 291, n. (t). However, there was another Durlus Muaidhe, near the River Moy. See ibid. Addenda I. , p. 416. It seems likely enough, this latter was the place,
'? Now known as Kihnoremoy, ntar Bal-
lina, and now a vicarage in tiie Diocese of Mail i. Vita S. Kellaci, n. (d), p. 107. Killala. " It is reported to have been the However, it does not seem to be different
See of a Bishop in the sixth century ; but we hear of only one prelate. "—Archdeacon Henry Cotton's " Fasti EcclesiseHiberuica;," vol. iv. , p. 96.
from Lough Conn.
•' By tliis name, it does not appear now to
be recognisable.
" '
'
The banks in many places are hand-
May I. ] LIVES OF TBU IRISH SAINTS.
spectacle,theBishopwithhisfollowerspassedoverthelaketowardsit. There, he discovered no sacred foundations had yet been established, nor was there any monumentormemorialofahermitknown. Deemingtheangelicapparition to denote this island, a^ the place for his future habitation, he resolved not to leave it. His clerics, who were with him, at first treated this resolve as one lightly made.
^- There is a curious little poem, quoted by Sligo, had its denomination. See Roderick Duald Mac Firbis in his large genealogical O'Flaherty's " Ogygia," pars, iii. , cap. work, describing the residence of King
Ixxix. , p. 374.
'* Dr. Sylvester O'Halloran calls her a
princess of the Saxon nation ; but, the Saxons at that period had no settlement in England. See "General History of Ire- land," vol. i. , Book vi. , chap, v. , p. 288.
'' Roderick O'Flaherty remarks, that the Saxons, in conjunction with the Scots, Picts and Attacots, had frequently invaded Bri- tain, before the period of the Anglo-Saxon
Eoghan Beul.
^3 On it. Dr. John O'Donovan "saw dis-
tinct traces of its earthen ramparts, in the year 183S. ''—Addenda Q to " Genealogies, Tribes and Customs of Hy-Fiachrach," p, 473-
-
.
^* See thd. Explanatory Index to the Map, p. 492.
^5 It is in the p. irish of Ballinchalla, and in the barony of Kilmaine, as shown, on the
Conquest. See "Ogygia," pars, iii. , cap. Ixxix. , pp. 376 to 378.
'^ Called Kellan, in that pedigree, given by Culgan, in " Acta Sanctorum Hiberniae," Februarii iii. , Appendix ad Acta S. Col- mani, vulgo Macduach, cap. ii. , p. 248.
to have been the first Irish sovereign to es- tablish Christianity by decree in Ireland. Sec "General History of Ireland," vol. ii. , Bookvii. , chap, v. , pp. 33, 34.
'9 He ruled for twenty years over Ireland,
" He had two sons, Dathi, King of Ire-
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May i.
Meantime, during the stormy period of his father's reign,=7 Eoghan Beul was obliged to defend his principaHty by force of arms, from the attacks of turbu- lent and powerful tribes surrounding him. His principahty was often invaded, but he usually repelled the invaders and scored a victory. However, a great confederacy of the people belonging to Tyrone and Tyrconnell, with other Ulster tribes, under the leadership of Ferguss and Donald,^^ made an irrup- tion into Connaught, and penetrated so far as the River Moy, carrying devas- tation along their course. This obliged Eoghan Beul to collect the forces of his province, and soon the rival armies came to blows. About the year of our Lord 537,"' a battle was fought at Sligo, and it was fiercely contested. 3° The Northern army, however, gained a victory over the Connacians, who were obliged to yield, after an obstinate engagement. In it, Eoghan Beul received his death-wound, and he was borne from the field by his soldiers, who crossed their spears and lances, to support his body, and to serve the pur- pose of a litter. However, our saint's father survived the battle of Sligo—in which he was mortally wounded—for three days ^3' or, according to other accounts, for a week. Soon, afterwards, Guaire asserted his pretentions to rule over Connaught. 3' At Clonmacnoise, Ceallach remained, until the disas- trous issue of that battle 33 had called him forth from his retirement on the Shannon. The Connaught chiefs, and especially these belonging to Hy- Fyachrach, deprecating the calamities which were likely to ensue for their province, held frequent interviews with their dying king, to ascertain his wishes in reference to a successor, and most likely to avert the crisis now approaching.
During that interval which elapsed, after receiving his wound, and before his death took place, it is said, that Eoghan persuaded the tribe of Hy-Fiachrach, to elect his elder son as King of Connaught. 3+ His other son, Cuchoingelt, orMuireadhach,hadnotyetattainedhismajority. 35 Inaccordancewiththis request of the dying monarch, messengers were despatched to Clonmacnoise, and to announce the result of that Sligo battle, with Ceallach's consequent promotion. Thesedelegateswereinstructed,torepresentthedesperatestate of their affairs to St. Kieran. The latter received them very hospitably, but he refused acceding to their wishes, as he deemed the monastic rules could not be dispensed with, in the case of Ceallach. However, the delegates re-
" Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the County of Mayo," sheet 117.
"^ He founded Clonmacnoise, it is said, A. D. 548, and died A. D. 549, according to the chronolo<^y of Ussher, in "Britannicaium Ecclesiarum Atitiquitates. " Inde. x. See his Life, at the 9th of September.
=7 He is said to have lived for thirty-six years, according to the Vita S. Kellaci, sect. i.
** These reigned one year over Ireland, according to the Ulster Annals, A. D. 565. See Archbishop Ussher's '• Britannicarum Ecclesiarum Antiquitates," cap. xvii. , p. 947.
"9 The Annals of Innisfallen place this
event, at A. I). 536 ; the Annals of Tigernach
have it, A. D. 543; while the Annals of chap, iv. , p. 135.
Ulster have it, at A. D. 542, and they again '5 The king had also ordered, that he enter it, at A. D. 546. See Rev. Dr. should be interred in an upright position,
O'Conor's " Rerum Hibernicarum Scrip- tores," tomus ii. , pp. 6, 137, and tomus i v. , pp. 17, 18.
30 See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of" the Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 178 to 181.
3 1 According to the Life of our Saint, a copy of wliich remained in posses-ion of Messrs. Hodges and Smith, the publishers to the University 01 Dublin,
3=TheAnnalsofInnisfallenrecord thedeath of Guaire Ai'ihne, at653. Aijain, the " An- nalesUitonienses" place hisde. ith, attheyear 662, which does not well accord with the statements in St. Kellach's Lite. See Rev. Dr. OConor's " Rerum Hilieinicarum Scriptores," tomus ii. , p. 15 ; also, tomus iv. , p. 55.
33 'fhis statement appears to conflict, with the date assigned for the battle, and with that given f. >r the death of St. Kieran.
with his red javelin in his hand, and with his face turned towards Ulster, as if fighting with his enemies. See John O'Donovan's " Gencalo^^ies, Tribes and Customs of Hy- Fiachrach," Addenda Q, p. 472.
3* See Major Wood- Martin's " History of Sligo, County and Town," &c. , Book ii. ,
May I. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
mained tlierefor two days, and on the last night, they urged upon Keallach those arguments, which caused him to resolve on leaving Clonmacnoise. He was told, that lie had been chosen unanimously by chiefs and people, to succeed his father on the throne of Connaught, and accordingly, the young prince accepted their nomination. Without communicating his intention to the saint, under whose guardianship he was placed, Kellach prepared to depart. For this apparent insubordination, St. Kieran is said to have pronounced a maledic- tion, which was thought to have been prophetic of his future fate. ^^
With the usual ceremonies of inauguration,37 Kellach was elected King of theHy-Fiachrach. 3^ Aftersometime,however,theKingofHy-Fiachrach Aidhne 39 revolted, as probably, feeling desirous to obtain the first distinction inthatprovince. Theisolatedpositionofhisdistrict4°itwouldseemafforded him means and opportunity for insurrection. A public convention was held by the subordinate chiefs and people, in order to effect some terms of agree- ment. Great numbers of partisans on both sides were present. A treaty of reconciliation was arranged ; and to this Keallach adhered in good faith, but his opponent was more wily and insincere. He invited Keallach to his for- tress, and the latter accepted this invitation. He went thither, accompanied by a train of guards and followers. Notwithstanding, treachery seems to have been practised, for some of these were killed, while Keallach and twenty- seven of his followers saved themselves by flight. While revolving in vexation of mmd a mode to be revenged on the perfidious king, a better thought at last presented itself to Kellach ; for, recollecting the judgment denounced against him by St. Kieran, he resolved to quit once more the ambitious views and high station to which he had been drawn. 4' Soon, therefore, lie retired to a desert place, in the midst of woods, and then like another Peter, he wept tears of sorrow for deserting his Divine INlaster. ^^ Here, too, he remained for a year: and then, taking with him the twenty-seven companions, who were savedfromdeath,KellachresolvedonreturningtoClonmacnoise. Yet,he remained without this city, for a time ; because, he felt a diffidence and reproach of conscience, at the presence of St. Kieran. There he waited ad- mission, until some of the monks met and recognised him. They exchanged
with him the kiss of peace, and promised to prepare the Abbot for an inter- view with his prodigal son, who had been dead to them, but who came to life again, who was lost and yet who had been found. ''3 He appears to have conciliated the favour of his former instructor, however, and the Abbot felt
3* These foregoing and subsequent parti- culars, in reference to our saint, are briefly and elegantly narrated in Mrs. M. C. Fergu- son's " Story of the Irish before the Con- quest," chap, v. , pp. 161 to 163.
37 For a poetic inspiration on this subject, the reader is referred to Thomas Davis' "National and Historical Ballads, Songs, and Poems," part iii. The True Irish King, pp. 103 to 106.
3^ There is an excellent and interesting Map of Hy-Fiachrach, with some of the ad- jacent districts in the counties of Mayo and Sligo, compiled by John O'Donovan, and setting forth, in the Irish character and Ian- guage, the names of those districts, with their historical places.
39 This territory was commensurate M'ith the present diocese of Kilmr. ctiuagh. and its inhabitants were called Cineal Guaire, or the descendants of Guaire Aidhne, King of
Connaught, in the seventh century. See "The Genealogies, Tribes and Customs of Hy-Fiachrach," edited by John O'Donovan, pp. 2, 3, and nn. (f, g). Ibid.
^^ Seethe position of this principality, as defined on John O'Donovan's Map, prefixed to " The Tribes and Customs of Hy-Many, commonly called U'Kelly's Country. "
*' Six quatrains, attributed to St. Ceal- lach, regretting that at the instigation of friends, he had been induced to abandon the clerical profession, in oider to assume the Kingship of Connaught, are to be found in the published " Le. Jjhar Breac," at p. 273, col. i. , line 41.
^. ^ t^t. Mattliew xxvi. , 75.
s . St. Luke xv. , 32.
^"^ See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Mail
i. , De . "^-ancto Kellaco Kpiscopoin Hibernia,
Vita, sect. 3, 4, p. I05. "
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May i.
greatly rejoiced, that his spiritual son had returned to assume the yoke which he had borne in youth. Kellach fell on his knees before the Abl)Ot. St. Kieran affectionately raising him said : " My son, I regret exceedingly I pronounced thatmalediction,whenyoudesertedus,yetitisnowirrevocable; stillyoushall not be deprived of reward and glory, if you only persevere and advance in your first vocation ; bear then cheerfully the light and sweet yoke of Christ, than whose love nothing else can be so delightful, than whose company nothing can be more full of solace, while no kingly state or pleasure can be at all so glorious. '4^ These words gc^ve great consolation to Ceallach, and prepared him once more for the sweets of a religious life.
CHAPTER II.
KELLACH LIVES A HOLY LIFE AT CLONMACNOISE—HE IS ORDAINED PRIEST, AND AFTERWARDS HE BECOMES BISHOP OF KILLALA—HIS VIRTUES—GUAIRE, KING OF CONNAUGHT, IS WICKEDLY ADVISED TO TAKE AWAY HIS LIFE—KEALLACH RETIRES TO AN ISLAND IN LOUGH CONN—FOUR OF HIS STUDENTS ARE INVITED TO DURLUSS, WHERE THEY ARE PERSUADED TO MURDER THEIR HOLY PRECEPTOR.
Having thus placed himself again under the direction of St. Kieran, Ceallach became thoroughly devoted to his mastf^r, and profited by his precepts. ' The Holy Spirit then poured on him the choicest graces. He sent away the band of seculars, who seem to have been his guards, to wait upon his young brother Muredach, who found refuge with his fosterer the dynast of Lugnia. ^ With renewed ardour, Cellach followed the course of monastic studies and rules, so that he gave the greatest possible satisfaction to St. Kieran. At length, he was deemed worthy of being promoted to the sacerdotal grade. In due course, a vacancy occurring in the See of Killala, the clergy of that diocese, hearing about the merits and virtues of Ceallach, united their suffrages, to promote him as their chief Pastor. During the reign of Tuathal Melgarb,^ King of Ireland, who ruled from a. d. 533 + to a. d. 544, ^ Ceallach was elevated,
it is tiiought, to the episcopal chair, as Uishop of Killala. ^ Here, there is a remarkable round tower, standing quite perfect, and even retaining its original stone roof, of conical shape. 7 Near it is the Protestant cathedral, rather a poor structure, and presenting no special feature of interest. ^ The bishop's house was formerly in this town,9 celebrated for having been captured by the
Chapter11. —' It is curioustonotice, thnt the Annals of Innisfallen refer llie foundation of Clonmacnoise, to a. d. 573; and, they state, that it was called Cluain, because it became the scholastic reireat of the sons of the King of Connaugiit. See Dr. O'Conor's " Reruin Hibernicarum Scrip- torc^,"tomusii. , p. 6.
^ This was a region of Connaught, where the present county olSligo lies, and in which the dioce! ^e of Aclionry is situated. See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum," Januarii xx. Vita Secunda S. F\chini. n. 2, p. 140.
3 He mounted tlie throne, A. D. 528, and he
was slain, a. d. 538, after reigning eleven
years, according to I>r. O'Donovan's Topographical and Historical Hibernian " Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. Ga/etteir. " &c. , p. 276.
176 to iSl, "^ See Mr. and Mrs. Hall's "Ireland, its
*AccordingtotheAnnalsofUlster. See Rev. Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum Hibermcarum Scriptores," tomus iv. , p. 15.
s See Roderick O'Flalierty's "Ogygia," pars, iii. , cap. xciii. , p. 430.
'In Harris' Ware, he "is said to have been Bisho|) of Killala. " See vol. i. , " Bis- hops of Killala," y. 650.
' 1 he accompanying illustration wasdrawn on the spot and transferred to the wood, by William K. Wakeman. It was engraved, by Mrs. Mdl. nrd.
^ See W. F. Wakeman's " Touri>ts' Guide to Ireland," p. 270.
'Sre Rev. G. Ilansbrow's "Improved
May I. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
French, in August, 1798. '° No vestige of the ancient church remains. " To about the year 540, his acceptance ol this dignity has been referred. But for the authority of this Life,'* we should look in vain to the authentic cata- logue, for his place among the Bishops of Killala. '3 Nevertheless, there can hardly be a doubt, that at least for a short time, he had assumed the office. Although Ceallach, as we are told, anxiously watched over the See of Killala ; yet, he found time to visit Clonmacnoise most frequently, thus wishing to unite the fruitful cares of Martha, with the pious retirement of Mary. The revenues ot his bishopric were spent, in providing for the wants of the poor, and in aiding those addicted to literary pursuits. ' Students flocked to him
Killala, County of Mayo.
from all parts of Ireland, through which the fame of his holiness and liberality hadspread. '* ItappearsthatGuaire'5—fromtheperiodindicatedhemight be regarded as a distinct person from another Guaire surnamed Aidhne '^ became a successful usurper of the Connaught throne. He feared, however, the more rightful claims of the Bishop to that station he then usurped. Accordingly, Guaire conceived a mort:al hatred towards Ceallach. At
Scenery,Character,"&c. ,vol. iii. , p. 379. " See Nicliolas Carlisle's "Topogiapliical
Dictionary of Ireland," siih voce Killala.
" See Walter Harris' Ware, vol. i. , " Bis-
hops of Killala, ' p. 650.
'5 Archdeacon Henry Cotton has placed
i. De Sancto Kellaco Episcopo in Hiber- nia, Vita, &c. , sect. 5. p. 105.
'5 In the account of the Life and Death of St. Cellach, as lound in the " LeaMiar Breac," he is called Guaire. son of Colnian, and also Guaire Aidlme. Here, he is made a contemporary with St. Kieran oi Clon-
him in this rank, only as a conjecture, be-
tween 534 to 544. See " Fasti Ecclesise macnoise, who IS said to have founded it A. D. Hibernicse," vol. iv. , p. 61. 548, and to have died in 549. See Rev. Dr.
'* See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Maii Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical History of Ire-
—
182, pp. 52, 58 59.
Latinized Prceaggeris sacri lapidum Fera- dagi—and which was fought between the people of Mun^ter and of Connaught. In it, Failbe-Fland was conqueror, while Guaire Aidne fled. Failbhe Flann did not long survive, as his death is recorded, at a. d. 631, in the Annals of Innisfallen. The death of Guaire Aidhne, King of Connaught, is placed at A. D. 663, and he was buried at Clonmacnoise, according to the Annals of Tighernach. See Rev. Dr. O'Conor's
*' Reruni Hiberniiarum . Scriptores," tomus ii. ,pp. 12, 13, and 1S9. 203.
mentioned in our text.
'' Very exquisite steel plate engravings of
Lough Conn and Mount Neph. n, the Pon- toon Bridge and Islands there, will be found, in W. H. Bartlett's " Scenery and Antiquities of Ireland," vol. i. , sect, x. , PP- 72, 11-
" The Bollandist editor of St. Kellach'. * Life thinks this must be sought for, in the county of Siigo, and not far from the River Moy. See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. ,
—:
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [T^lAY
one lime, tlie holy bishop had been engaged making a visitation of his dio- cese, and accompanied by a great number of his clerics being on his way to Kilmore,'7 which was near the River Muad or Moy ; Guaire, the son of Colman, happened to be residing at Duilus,'^ with his son Narus, and with Neniedius, son to Fercogha. 'When Nemedius discovered, that the pious pre- late had passed their house, without paying them a visit, he said to Guaire, "Unceremoniously and with little friendliness hath Bishop Kellach passed us by, as if he were hostile to us. " " It matters not," replied Guaire, " that he has gone on his way, for I shall despatch a messenger to invite him, in my name,
to return, and to hold a conference with us. " Accordingly, selecting one of his confidants, the latter reached Kellach, at the end of that day's journey. He then told the Bishop, that Guaire felt displeased, because he had passed by, but still he requested, that Ceallach might return. It happened to be on the Sabbath eve, and the Bishop replied, that as the Sunday was approaching, he should be engaged all the day, either in celebrating the holy Sacrifice of the Mass, or in other sacred duties, at which Guaire who was near might assist,' and even have an opportunity for an interview with him. The bishop de- clared, also, that if Guaire should come to him, on the Monday following, he would willingly return the visit. But, that messenger distorted the words of the holy bishop. Being a person of depraved mind and hostile to him, the en- voy declared, that Kellach would not go to the king, nor did he show a friendly feeling towards the latter. Then, in a transport of rage, Guaire cried out
" Return to him again, and tell him, that unless he hurry away from these parts, on this very night, I shall burn down the church on himself and on his people. " This threatening message was conveyed to Kellach, who relying nevertheless on Divine Providence remained there, until the Monday follow- ing. Then, he went to a village, on the borders of Lough Conn,'9 where he spent that night. Afterwards, his course was extended towards Claon-loch. "° Here was an Island called Etgair,*' or Oilen Edghair, and over it in the air was witnessedavision,representingagreatnumberofHolyAngels. Movedbysucha
land," vol. ii. , chap, x. , sect, xi. , nn. iSo, '^ This fortress was situated near Kinvara,
in the south-west of the county of Galway. ** We read, that Guaire Aidline was de- It was the name of the residence of Guaire feated in the battle of Carn-Feradaig, in the Aidhne, King of Connaught. It is now territory of Clia, and he fled from it, Failbe called Dun-Guaire. See John O'Donovan's Flann Femhin being the victor, A. D. 627. " Genealogies, Tribes, and Customs of Hy- At 621, the Annals of Innistallen have en- Fiachrach," pp. 2S4, 285, n. (b), and- pp. tered the battle of Cath-Cairn Feradaig 290, 291, n. (t). However, there was another Durlus Muaidhe, near the River Moy. See ibid. Addenda I. , p. 416. It seems likely enough, this latter was the place,
'? Now known as Kihnoremoy, ntar Bal-
lina, and now a vicarage in tiie Diocese of Mail i. Vita S. Kellaci, n. (d), p. 107. Killala. " It is reported to have been the However, it does not seem to be different
See of a Bishop in the sixth century ; but we hear of only one prelate. "—Archdeacon Henry Cotton's " Fasti EcclesiseHiberuica;," vol. iv. , p. 96.
from Lough Conn.
•' By tliis name, it does not appear now to
be recognisable.
" '
'
The banks in many places are hand-
May I. ] LIVES OF TBU IRISH SAINTS.
spectacle,theBishopwithhisfollowerspassedoverthelaketowardsit. There, he discovered no sacred foundations had yet been established, nor was there any monumentormemorialofahermitknown. Deemingtheangelicapparition to denote this island, a^ the place for his future habitation, he resolved not to leave it. His clerics, who were with him, at first treated this resolve as one lightly made.
