673
tradition attributes its foundation to St.
tradition attributes its foundation to St.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v3
" " I am
old and infirm," exclaimed Mac Carthend,
"
familiarity, and that shall not be too distant for intercourse between us. "
*^ This, as we are told, was sent to St.
and you have left all my early companions
March 17. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 669
given to him, as a precious souvenir^^ of the Irish Apostle's fond remem- brances. It is a highly ornamented reliquary,5° enclosing Latin copies of the
four Gospels ;5i and, even yet, it is preserved in the Museum of the Royal Irish Academy, in Dublin. It is stated, traditionally, that Bishop Mac-Car- thenn founded a monastery, before the chief's palace, at Clogher, when the royal family had been converted. Not many years ago, the walls of this foundation were supposed to be discovered, when a portion of the old ceme-
tery was dug away, to make room for a more spacious thoroughfare, in that part of the town, known as Church Hill. s^
Eochaid had a daughter, called Cinnia, or Cinnu,53 and her father wished
her to marry a man of noble family. This chieftain is called Cormac,S4 son
of Cairpre Mac Neill. He also obtained the soubriquet of Cormac Caech.
While she walked along, Cinnia met St. Patrick, with his companions, on the
way. Patrick preached to her, that she might unite herself, to the spiritual
prophet; and, she not only believed, but she furthermore resolved on em-
bracing a religious life. Patrick instructed her, and baptized her afterwards.
When her father subsequently sought to give her to the man of his choice,
she and Patrick went to converse with him. Patrick requested that he would
permit her to wed the Eternal Spouse. At last, Eochaidh agreed to this, on
condition, that Heaven should be given to him in return, and that himself be
not compelled, through any miracle, to be unwillingly baptized. Patrick then promised these two conditions ; for, he had an intuition, that Providence
must work out great results, in this case. The king afterwards consented, that his daughter Cinnu should be united to Christ, and thus Patrick re- garded her, as one of his female disciples. The Irish Apostle then com- manded a certain virgin to instruct her. This mistress, over the young novice, is called Cechtumbarss or Cethuberis,^^ gf Druim-Dubhain,^? in which place both virgins rest. This was a church1)eside Clocher, Cechtumbar is stated,5^ to have been the first of all the Irish virgins, who received the veil from St. Patrick. Perhaps, Cinnia may have been the person, to whom St. Patrick refers, 59 wl^ere he says, alluding to the conversions he had effected :
Patrick from Heaven, and while he was on the sea, coming over to Erinn.
9 11 has been described, by Dr. George Petrie, in the "Transactions of the Royal Irish Academy," vol. xviii.
5° One of the figures, sculptured on it, is supposed to represent St. Mac Carthainn.
5' Extracts have been made, from Dr.
Mael-mor, tutor of Diarmaid Mac Cearb- haill, who succeeded. The " Annals of Ulster" gives Tuathal's death at 543 ; those of Clonmacnois, at 547 ; but, Dr. O'Dono- van, on the authority of Tighernach, says 544 is the true year. See "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 180 to 182, and n. (z. ) With this agrees, also, the " Chro- nicon Scotonim. "
"
the Manuscript Materials of Ancient Irish
Lectures on
History," lect. xv. , pp. 322 to 327. A Life; but, in the Latin version, the name is
Petrie's account, in O'Curry's
translation, from the Irish Tripartite Life of the passage relating to St. Mac Carthend, is there included.
Cetamaria.
^sjocelyn, who thus calls her, says she was the first Irish virgin, that took the veil. This, the Monk of Eurness repeats, where he gives her the name of Et/iembna. Yet,
5^ Scandalous to relate ! the bones and
ashes of the -dead were not re-interred, in
consecrated earth ; but, when removed, where he got this information cannot be dis-
they were used as surface dressing, for some surrounding fields. Thus, even the relics of St. Mac-Carthen, and of his pious succes- sors, may be mingled with the rich pastures,
where
covered.
S7 According to Colgan, she was interred
in her own church, with many other holy
around the desecrated
^ See " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- Colgan's
graveyard, they had so long been deposited.
mx," i. Februarii. De Sr Cinnia, sive Kinnia Virgine, cap. iv. , and nn. ii, 12, p. 235.
Si Her feast occurs, at tlie 1st of February.
5* He was the father of Tuathal Mael-
garbh, who was King over Ireland for
eleven years, and who was slain, in 538, by num. 18. Father Joachimo Laurentio
55 So is she called, in the Irish Tripartite
virgins, and seven bishops,
59 See " Confessio S. Patricii," cap. iv. ,
670 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 17.
" The sons of the Scoti, and the daughters of chieftains, appear now as monks and virgins of Christ. And, especially, one blessed Scottish lady, of
noble birth, and of great beauty, who was an adult, and whom I baptized. " Altadaven,^° one of the most charming retreats in Ireland, is situated in the
parish of Errigle-Trough,^^ and barony of Clogher, about three miles south- eastfromthistown. Theglenitselfextends,withirregularwindings,nearly a mile from north to south ; and, it is a scene of surpassing beauty. It is
lined, on either side, by perpendicular walls of rocks, which vary in height, from one hundred feet, to even a greater altitude, In the valley below flows a stream, and its agitated waters run from Lough Mor, usually with a slender contingent of force, into the broad Blackwater. In former times, this secluded and romantic glen is traditionally held, to have been a seat of
St. Patrick's Chair, Altadaven Glen.
Druidism. The people relate, that our great Apostle St. Patrick reached
this spot, probably on some occasion, when he visited Clogher. He not only succeeded, it is said, in removing from here all traces of Druidic rites
and superstition ; but, he even converted this retreat, into a place of worship, for the true God. Here, surrounded by tangled underwood, is shown a rude altar formed of solid rock ; and, in its middle, there is a portion marked out by deep carving, as if for the chalice. In front, its height is nearly four feet, while the altar-table measures not less than six feet in length, being in width more than two feet. In front of this altar, and on the Gospel side, is a
Villanueva's " Sancti Patricii, Ibernorum Trough, and this portion is shown on the
" Ordnance Townland for the Apostoli, Synodi, Canones, Opuscula," «&c. , Survey Maps
County of Monaghan," Sheets i, 2, 3, 4, 5>
"the Glen of 6 and, a is in the of Clogher, ; part barony
p. 202.
^It has been
interpreted
the Gods," or " the Glen of Demons ;" but, which is to be seen on the ' ' Ordnance Sur-
**
the term, aLc, more usually means a vey Townland Maps for the County of
cliff," or "glen-side," while "OAiriin, "a Tyrone," Sheets 59, 65. Altadaven is
young ox," or *'bull," may more correctly account for the derivation.
^' This parish is partly in the barony
shown, on the latter Sheet.
*' The accompanying sketch, drawn on the spot by the writer, was transferred to
March 17. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 671
gigantic mass of solid stone/' called the chair of St. Patrick. ^3 From the basement to the head, it measures not less than eight feet. ^^ In the centre of a large block, some distance below the chair, there is a deeply-carved font,
very elegantly moulded. ^^ Although evidently not fed by any stream or fountain, the people there remark, that it has never been known to run dry of water. About half-way down the glen, a beautiful green sward, soft and smooth as a velvet carpet, opens on the view. Tall firs and forest trees stand around, in wavy branches, as a barrier against the outer scenery ; while the blue heavens above form the only canopy. On the borders of this green sward, there is an icy-cold well of crystal clearness, and most agreeable to the taste. On every side, the surrounding scenery is majestic, and it forms no unstrained picture of a fairy-land ; rocks, woods, precipices and ravines, in every conceivable shape and variety, reveal those enchanting delights, thrown out by nature's God, and with a lavish hand.
Intent still more on enlarging the bounds of God's spiritual fold, the
great herald of salvation entered the territory of Hy-Meith,^^ or Hy-Meith- Tire,^7 to announce the Gospel to its chief and people. Eoghan,^^ or Owen, was the ruler, at this time, and he reverently received the messenger of Christ. He showed such great faith and confidence, as to beseech the
wonder-working Patrick to resuscitate his grandfather, named Muiredach,*^? who had died a heathen, so that living once more, the deceased might receive eternal Hfe. This was a truly sublime and charitable desire, and it pleasedtheholymantoassent. Heprayed,andthenraisedMuredachtolife. This pagan chief afterwards heard, from the Irish Apostle, the mysteries of Divine Faith ; he was instructed and baptized ; then did his soul once more
the wood, by William F. Wakeman, and engraved by Mrs. Millard.
their contiguity to Armagh, foi'merly deno- minated Macha, and the Ui Meith Tire, the same tribe, derived name from their in-
"
^3 This was pronounced to be a very sili-
cious sandstone, of the Yoredale series, by land situation, cii\e meaning of or belong-
Richard Joseph Cruise, Esq. , M. R. I. A. , and of the Geological Survey of Ireland, who accompanied the Rev. Daniel
O'Connor, C. C, and the writer, on the occasion of an excursion here, and to
Clogher, in June, 1878.
*^ " Though it presents to the eye the
ing to a country," because they seem to have lived chiefly in the inland county of
Monaghan ; while, probably, they were also located, on the south of the River Black- water, and in the west of the county of Ai'magh. The Ui Meith Mara were so called, from rriA^A, "of or belonging to the sea," because their country was a maritime one, and it extended from the former terri- tory, into the county of Louth ; while, pro- bably, it included a part of the east and south of Armagh County. The name seems to be preserved, in the Anglicised name of
full shape and appearance of a high-backed
chair, yet its form, and the measure of art
displayed on it, tell us that in the age in
which it was made, art was only in its
swaddling clothes, and that science had as
yet lent it but very feeble support. "—" The
Northern Star. " Communication of Rev. "O'Meath," a district in the county of Daniel O'Connor.
'5 In a communication, from William F.
Wakeman, dated from Enniskillen, May,
1879, the writer is further informed, that on
the lands of Lislane, not far from Clogher, chap, vii. , sect, i. , p. 51, and also John in the direction of Aughentain, may be seen O'Donovan's " Leabhar na g-Ceart, or another St. Patrick's chair and a holy well.
They are situated, in a most exquisitely beautiful wooded glen. The "chair" is
ahollow
and the well is a tiny spring, close to it.
^ Thus is it called, in the Latin Tripartite
Life of St. Patrick. There were two tribes,
so distinguished, in the province of Oirghi- alla ; the Ui Meith Macha, otherwise called the Ui Meith Tire, and the Ui Meith Mara. The Ui Meith Macha were so called, from
Book of Rights," n. (a), pp. 148 to 150.
^^ Such is the name it receives, in the Irish
simply
recess,
inthenatural
rock,
Tripartite.
^** Hewasthesonof sonofMuire- Brian,
dach, son to Imchadh, son of Colla-fo-
Crich, according to the Irish Tripartite Life.
^3 The Muiredach, grandson of Colla da Crich, here mentioned, was generally called Muiredach Meth, and from him the Ui-
Meiths were designated.
Louth, between Carlingford and Newry. Ui Meith Mara was apparently called, in more ancient times, Cuailghne. See Harris'
Ware, vol. ii. , "Antiquities of Ireland,"
672 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 17. escape the prison of the body, but this time it received the rewards of the
just.
7° His friends buried him
again,
in a called the Erende,? ' or Omna place,
renne,7^ on the borders of Mughdorna and Ui-Meith ; but, the locality be-
longed to the dition of Mughdorna. The people of Hy-Meth eagerly
embraced the truths of Religion, so wondrously confirmed by these signs, and St. Patrick bestowed his special blessing on them, and on their chief. There our saint is said to have erected a church, at Teaghtalian, now known as Tehallan,73 in the county of Monaghan. About three miles north-east- wards from the town of Monaghan,74 and on the very summit of a beautiful hill, surrounding a most charming and fertile undulating tract of country, 75 is the old graveyard of Tehellan. It is evidently a very ancient foundation ; and, at present, a Protestant church is within the enclosure. Close beside it, some grassy mounds cover the foundation v/alls of an earlier church. 7^ This was a richly-endowed erection, in St. Patrick's time. There the Irish Apostle left relics, he had brought to Ireland, from beyond the sea ; and, overit,St. Killianwasappointedbishop. 7? Whileinthispartofthecountry, a ridiculous legendary story is told of some thieves,7^ who were miraculously convicted of having stolen a goat,79 belonging to the saint. ^° It seems pro- bable, likewise, that the old church of Donagh^' was within this territory, and
"
''° Jocelyn gives quite a different version
of this narrative, to that recorded in the
Tripartite Lives. By him, we are told,
that tlie grandfather of the chief of Humes-
tia—so does he render Hy-Meith—Avas
called to life, to convince the Regulus, the top of a mountain, called Mullyash. It about the doctrine of the final bodily Resur-
rection, and as a test of God's power, in
this matter. This, St. Patrick effected, at the
tomb, before the chief and a multitude of his
people. After signing it, with the Staff of
"
Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the offered a prayer. Then arose the buried County of Monaghan," Sheets 7, 9, 10
Jesus, and causing tlie ground to be dug, he
man, of immense size, and very fearful to
behold. This great miracle caused all to
believe in Gods Providence. In an epistle,
directed to a dear friend of his beyond the . Monaghan," Sheets 9, 10, 13, 14. The seas, it is said, St. Patrick deposed to such town itself is on Sheet 9.
:
miraculous signs, in these terms " Our 75 The writer, in company with the Rev.
Lord imparted to me, His unworthy little one, the virtue of working such signs among this Pagan people, so that never had the
Daniel O'Connor, visited this place, in June, 1878.
7* It was stated, by the sexton, that within the memory of persons living, some of the ruined walls, near the foundations, were to be seen. Old fragments of crosses have been found, beneath the surface.
like been wrought even by the Apostles
themselves. InthenameofourLordJesus,
I have raised from the dead bodies, turned
into dust many years before. Notwithstand-
ing, I pray that none esteem me for these,
or other like miracles, as worthy to stand in
comparison with the Apostles, or with any
perfect men, considering I am a wretched but, this is evidently a mistake for Ui-
sinner, and contemptible. " Jocelyn calls
of St.
Meith-Tire, as found in the Irish version.
79 See Richard " De Vita S. Stanihurst,
to this
Patrick's perfection ; for, while working Patricii, Hibernise Apostoli," lib. ii. , pp.
special attention,
gi-eat degree
such wonders, he thought most humbly, re- garding his own deserts. And the writer, too, even admires more this humility, than the saint's power of raising dead bodies to life.
7' So is it written, in the Irish Tripartite Life.
7^ This is the name it has, in the Latin Tripartite Life. The writer of a note, in
62, 63.
^ As a sequal to this legend, the Latin
Miss Cusack's
it is probably the present Omra, or Oram, in the parish of Muckno, barony of Cre- morne,andcountyofMonaghan. Thereis a large mound, with a circle of stones, on
Life of St. Patrick," states,
borders on the county of Armagh, and it is
called, in the Ulster Inquisitions, Owram-
lisdonny.
73 This parish, in the baronies of Cre-
morne and Monaghan, is shown on the
^^ The parish of Monaghan, in the barony so called, is described on the "Ordnance
Survey Townland Maps for the County of
77 His feast occurs, on the 27th of May.
'^ The Latin Trijiartite Life has it, that these were "ex gente de Hi Torrorra ;"'
Tripartite adds
:
" Ad cujus miraculi aug-
mentum et continuam memoriam accessit,
quod imprecante Patricio tota posteritas is-
torum furum, velut auita htereditate semper barbas, caprinis subsimiles, habeant. "
^'
It lies near Glaslough. The parish of Donagh, in the barony of Trough, is on the
INlARCH 17. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
673
tradition attributes its foundation to St. Patrick. Its ruins^^ stand on the top of a hill, within an old cemetery, and the view on every side is very beautiful,
overanundulatingcountry. Itisevident,thatinformertimes,alakeskirted the hill-side ; and, its site is indicated, by a bog, at present. The church ruins measure 28 feet in length, by 25 in width, on the outside. ^3 At some past time, additions and modernizations have been made, to serve for private burial enclosures. Several graves are seen, in the outer cemetery.
Donagh Old Church, County of Monaghan.
Thence, St. Patrick went into the district, called Mughorna,^4 or rather theIrishformofthisterritorywasCrioch-Mughdhorna. ^5 ThewordCrioch
" Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the
County of Monaghan," Sheets 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10. The townland proper is on Sheets 6, 7.
^^ The accompanying illustration has been
transferred to the wood, by William F.
Wakeman, from a sketch, by the writer, in
June, 1878, and the engraving is by Mrs. Millard.
means a " or " nation,"
while the other denomination was fromMughdornDubh. ^^ InthetimeofSt. Columba,^7thisdistrictwasco- extensive with the modern baronies of Cremorne, and of Farney,^^ in the county of Monaghan. ^9 From an early date, the lords of Crioch Mugha- horna9° are named, in the Irish Annals. The king of this district, also called Fearn-mhagh, or Farney, had a title to tribute. 9^ When St. Patrick visited
country,"
derived,
^* He was the son of Colla Mean, who fell in battle, A. D. 331. See Dr. O'Dono- van's "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 124, 125.
^7 His feast occurs, at the 9th of June.
*^ An interesting account of it will be
found, in Evelyn Philip Shirley's Descrip- tion of the ancient Dominion of Farney.
^3 Colgan, who is followed by Harris, and ^3 These measurements were taken, at the by other writers, makes Mugdorna the time, by the Rev. Daniel O'Connor, C. C, same as Mourne, in Down. See Harris'
who accompanied the writer.
^^ So is it designated, in the Irish Tripar-
tite Life.
"
of Ireland," chap, vii. , p. 52. It is probable, that Mourne, also, was called Mugdorn, as Rev. Dr. *s Colgan Latinized it into "regie Mug- Lanigan remarks, in his "Ecclesiastical
dornorum. " The people, too, are called
"Mughdorni. "
Vol. III. —No. ii.
History of Ireland," vol. i. , chap, vi. , sect, iii. , n. 30, p. 270.
2 U
Ware, vol.
ii. ,
Antiquities
674 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 17.
the Mughdorni, a chief, named Victor, presided over them ; but, he felt an insuperable dislike to meet the glorious missionar}', who had already reached the place, afterwards known as Domhnach-Maighen, now the parish of Donaghmoyne. When Victor,? ^ who was in that place, heard tliat Patrick had come to it ; during the night, he went away to avoid the saint, and fled from his residence, to a thorny brake, at the side of the town. This chief felt afraid, that if he appeared in the saint's presence, he should be forced by
the bright evidence of doctrine, and by signs, to renounce idolatry. Dark- ness fell on the land, but God's servant illuminated the darkness. Coming to that place, where Victor was, a bright and subtile light issued from the saint. The splendour thereof pierced even to that secret place, where Victor waslurking. Thismiraculousportentwasintended,toremovefromhiseyes the scales of sin. Thus, too, St. Patrick became as a light shining in dark- ness,93 and this wonderful call of Divine Grace exerted an extraordinary in- fluence, over the reason and feelings of Victor. A complete change took possession of his soul. Bowing with humble submission, to the decrees of Heaven, in his regard, the converted man desired most earnestly to be re- generated, in the saving waters of baptism. Then truly was he deserving the name of Victor, for he had accomplished the most difficult task, of having overcome his former deep-rooted prejudices. St. Patrick most cheerfully assentedtohispiousentreaties,andhebecameaChristian. Notthatalone, but all the members of his household and his people were instructed in the faith,andthusregenerated. SoferventdidVictorbecome,thathewillinglymade an offer of all his lands and possessions to the Irish Apostle, so that a church might there be built and endowed. At present, Donaghmoyne Protestant church94 and cemetery95 stand on the summit of a round hill, about two miles northwards from the charming little town of Carrickmacross. 9'5 Its physical
position, in ancient times, was almost insular. 97 In the centre and highest part of the graveyard, some remains of the old church may be discerned ; yet, no part of the walls can be seen. ^s It was an oblong building, and run- ning from east to west ; the measurements being, about 49 feet long by 23 feet wide, in the inside. The present thickness of the debris of side-wall is about 8 feet. s9 The churchyard'°° is surrounded by trees of ash and beech,
»=> Tlie Miighdoinians are regarded, as the descendants of Colla Meann, according to the " Book of Lecan. " See Shirley's "His- tory of the County of Monaghan," chap, i. , pp. 3 to II.
9' See Dr. John O'Donovan's edition of
" Leabhar na g-Ceart, or Book of Rights,"
57 West of it lies the dried-up bed of a lake, and north of it, there was another lake, not quite so well drained off, yet the site and outlines are quite visible.
9* The accompanying sketch, taken on the spot, in February, 1879, by William F. Wakeman, and transferred to the wood, has
pp. 152, 153. — — been engraved by Mrs. Millard. In the 9^ Victor's name not being Irish fails foreground is the old church site, and im- to appear in our native Caicnciars. But, its mediately west of it, there is an enclosed
Irish form, Buadhbeo, may lead to the dis- coveiy. A saint bearing this latter name is venerated, on the 17th of November. Col- gan, however, has chosen to give the Acts of the present holy man, at the 28lh of Febniary.
9' St. John, i. 5. « Built in 1827.
tomb, with yew trees growing within the space. This is the burial-place of a local
Catholic family, named Kernan, and they were relatives to the late Most Rev. Edward
Kernan, Catholic Bishop of Clogher.
99 It is stated, that a Protestant church
had been built, on this site, probably subse- quent to the Insurrection of 1641. See
95 No monuments, in the cemeteiy, have. Evelyn Philip Shirley's "Some Account of an earlier date than the beginning of the the Territory or Dominion of Farney,"
last century. chap, vii. , p. 160. Yet, it seems equally 9* It is in the parish of Magheross and probable, that it was on the site of the
barony of Famey. It is shown, on the original church, foimded by St. Patrick, and
" Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the presided over by Victor.
County of Monaghan," Sheet 31.
">°
There is a beautiful Celtic cross of
March 17. ] LIVES OF THE IklSH SAINTS.
<^75
which in summer completely shut out the view; except towards the west, where the scene is by far the most extensive. '"^ The churchyard is sur- rounded, by a modern wall, and it is approached, by a suitable entrance. '°^ The ancient church-site of Donaghmoync'°3 is surrounded by steep, round hills
Donaglimoyne Church and Graveyard, County ^lonaghan,
of rich pasture and tillage land, clothed in many parts with modern planta- tions. '""^ Here, most humbly did the good man place himself as a disciple, under St. Patrick, and profited so much by his instruction and training, that thenovicesoonwasremarkableforgreatholinessandwisdom. Indueprocess of time, Victor attained to such learning, and sanctity, that he was made a bishop. He is said to have ruled over a church, which had been built, by St. Patrick, within his former territory. The pious Bishop Victor well discharged the duties of his episcopal office. During this mission, the people of Mugh- dorna were converted by, and obedient to, St. Patrick. So pleased was the saint with tlicse nen- converts, that he predicted, many warlike and distin- guished chiefs, as also venerable prelates in the clerical profession, should
white marble with design of interLacing
closely resembling, if not actually copied
from, the Cross ot St. IMuiredach, at ^lon-
asterboice. This cross is a monument, IManning's Castle. This may be seen des- erected to the memory of the notorious
William Stewart Trench, agent to the
Marquis of Bath. Besides being an exter-
minating land-agent, he was a calumniator
of the people of Farney, in liis work, " The
Realities of Irish Life. " He died 4lh
August, 1S72. The monument was made' cahan, in a letter dated Monaghan, March byHarrisonofDublin.
"' However, on no side can the eye reach beyond the borders of historic Farney.
^°- The churchyard is used as a burial- place by Protestants and Catholics alike, but principally by Catholics, and it is strewn
with tombs and crosses of great variety.
"' About half a mile, north-west of Donaghmoyne, lies the hill, on which stood
cribed and sketched, in Shirley's "Some Account of the Territory or Dominion of
Farney," chap. vii.
''-"^ Formostoftheforegoingdescription
of Donaghmoyne, the writer feels indebted, to the Rev. Daniel O'Connor, C. C. , Cor-
IS'. , 1879. HeaccompaniedMr. Wakeman to the spot, and insisted on defraying the expenses, in connection with the illustration. This, however, forms only a small part of the obligations, he has imposed so kindly, on the writer's grateful remembrance.
676 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 17.
belong to their race. '°3 He also imparted a special blessing. ^'* Among the Mughdorni, St. Patrick's mission and preaching proved to be eminently successful.
Afterwards, Patrick went to the Fera-Ros/°7 who lived in Crich Rois,'°^
a territory, not well defined, which lay, however, in the south of the County of Monaghan. '°9 HeadvancedtoEnachConglais,"°whereheremainedfora Sunday. While there, the Ui-Lilaigh'" are stated to have given St, Patrick poisoned cheeses ; but, knowing their intent, he made a sign of the cross over these, and immediately they were converted into stones. This miracle was a subject for great admiration to many present, and of confusion to the plotters against his life. His enemies were still actuated by malice, and he therefore wished to leave their district, so that he might go into another region. While Patrick travelled on Monday, across the ford of a certain
river, southwards, the Ui-Iilaigh went with fifty horsemen,? to watch the ford,'" and to slay him. Patrick then turned towards them, upon the banks,
" You
and to the south of the ford, when he raised his left hand, and said
shall neither come out of the ford here, nor go the other way ; but, you shall be in that water, for ever. " All were drowned, in that river, as he had declared, nor could their bodies be recovered, afterwards, although a diligent search had been made for them. Near Enach Conglais was shown a rock, or stones,"3 at the ford, where this miracle took place ; and, its memory was preserved, in the name Ath-Hiliolaigh, or " the ford of the Ui-Lilaigh," which was given to the spot,^'^ by those who bore the incident in remembrance.
CHAPTER XVII.
ST. PATRICK REVISITS MEATH—THE HYMN OF ST. SECUNDINUS—ST. PATRICK IS SAID TO HAVE PASSED FROM MEATH TOWARDS DUBLIN—HE VISITS NAAS—MIRACLES RE- CORDED, IN CONNEXION—WITH BOTH PLACES—HIS JOURNEYS TO HY-GARCHON, AND THROUGHMAGHLIFFE CHURCHESSAIDTOHAVEBEENFOUNDEDBYHIM,INTHE PRESENT COUNTY OF KILDARE.
A SECOND time was the important province of Meath blessed, through the ministrations of St. Patrick. He entered by its northern parts,' and his first
Lagan, in some part of the parish of Kill- aney, on the borders of Monaghan and Louth.
"3 The Fourth Life of St. Patrick states, that St. Patrick's persecutors were turned into these submerged stones, which miglit be seen, by those walking near the place. See cap. Ixxiv. , p. 44.
"•See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga. " Tertia Vita S. Patricii, cap. Ixv. , Ixx. , pp. 26, 27, and nn. 62, 63, p. 32. Quarta Vita S. Patricii, cap. Ixxii. , Ixxiii. , Ixxiv. , p. 44, and nn. 49, 50, p. 49. Sexta Vita S. Patricii, cap. Ixxix. , p. 83, cap. Ixxxii. , p. 84, cap.
old and infirm," exclaimed Mac Carthend,
"
familiarity, and that shall not be too distant for intercourse between us. "
*^ This, as we are told, was sent to St.
and you have left all my early companions
March 17. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 669
given to him, as a precious souvenir^^ of the Irish Apostle's fond remem- brances. It is a highly ornamented reliquary,5° enclosing Latin copies of the
four Gospels ;5i and, even yet, it is preserved in the Museum of the Royal Irish Academy, in Dublin. It is stated, traditionally, that Bishop Mac-Car- thenn founded a monastery, before the chief's palace, at Clogher, when the royal family had been converted. Not many years ago, the walls of this foundation were supposed to be discovered, when a portion of the old ceme-
tery was dug away, to make room for a more spacious thoroughfare, in that part of the town, known as Church Hill. s^
Eochaid had a daughter, called Cinnia, or Cinnu,53 and her father wished
her to marry a man of noble family. This chieftain is called Cormac,S4 son
of Cairpre Mac Neill. He also obtained the soubriquet of Cormac Caech.
While she walked along, Cinnia met St. Patrick, with his companions, on the
way. Patrick preached to her, that she might unite herself, to the spiritual
prophet; and, she not only believed, but she furthermore resolved on em-
bracing a religious life. Patrick instructed her, and baptized her afterwards.
When her father subsequently sought to give her to the man of his choice,
she and Patrick went to converse with him. Patrick requested that he would
permit her to wed the Eternal Spouse. At last, Eochaidh agreed to this, on
condition, that Heaven should be given to him in return, and that himself be
not compelled, through any miracle, to be unwillingly baptized. Patrick then promised these two conditions ; for, he had an intuition, that Providence
must work out great results, in this case. The king afterwards consented, that his daughter Cinnu should be united to Christ, and thus Patrick re- garded her, as one of his female disciples. The Irish Apostle then com- manded a certain virgin to instruct her. This mistress, over the young novice, is called Cechtumbarss or Cethuberis,^^ gf Druim-Dubhain,^? in which place both virgins rest. This was a church1)eside Clocher, Cechtumbar is stated,5^ to have been the first of all the Irish virgins, who received the veil from St. Patrick. Perhaps, Cinnia may have been the person, to whom St. Patrick refers, 59 wl^ere he says, alluding to the conversions he had effected :
Patrick from Heaven, and while he was on the sea, coming over to Erinn.
9 11 has been described, by Dr. George Petrie, in the "Transactions of the Royal Irish Academy," vol. xviii.
5° One of the figures, sculptured on it, is supposed to represent St. Mac Carthainn.
5' Extracts have been made, from Dr.
Mael-mor, tutor of Diarmaid Mac Cearb- haill, who succeeded. The " Annals of Ulster" gives Tuathal's death at 543 ; those of Clonmacnois, at 547 ; but, Dr. O'Dono- van, on the authority of Tighernach, says 544 is the true year. See "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 180 to 182, and n. (z. ) With this agrees, also, the " Chro- nicon Scotonim. "
"
the Manuscript Materials of Ancient Irish
Lectures on
History," lect. xv. , pp. 322 to 327. A Life; but, in the Latin version, the name is
Petrie's account, in O'Curry's
translation, from the Irish Tripartite Life of the passage relating to St. Mac Carthend, is there included.
Cetamaria.
^sjocelyn, who thus calls her, says she was the first Irish virgin, that took the veil. This, the Monk of Eurness repeats, where he gives her the name of Et/iembna. Yet,
5^ Scandalous to relate ! the bones and
ashes of the -dead were not re-interred, in
consecrated earth ; but, when removed, where he got this information cannot be dis-
they were used as surface dressing, for some surrounding fields. Thus, even the relics of St. Mac-Carthen, and of his pious succes- sors, may be mingled with the rich pastures,
where
covered.
S7 According to Colgan, she was interred
in her own church, with many other holy
around the desecrated
^ See " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- Colgan's
graveyard, they had so long been deposited.
mx," i. Februarii. De Sr Cinnia, sive Kinnia Virgine, cap. iv. , and nn. ii, 12, p. 235.
Si Her feast occurs, at tlie 1st of February.
5* He was the father of Tuathal Mael-
garbh, who was King over Ireland for
eleven years, and who was slain, in 538, by num. 18. Father Joachimo Laurentio
55 So is she called, in the Irish Tripartite
virgins, and seven bishops,
59 See " Confessio S. Patricii," cap. iv. ,
670 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 17.
" The sons of the Scoti, and the daughters of chieftains, appear now as monks and virgins of Christ. And, especially, one blessed Scottish lady, of
noble birth, and of great beauty, who was an adult, and whom I baptized. " Altadaven,^° one of the most charming retreats in Ireland, is situated in the
parish of Errigle-Trough,^^ and barony of Clogher, about three miles south- eastfromthistown. Theglenitselfextends,withirregularwindings,nearly a mile from north to south ; and, it is a scene of surpassing beauty. It is
lined, on either side, by perpendicular walls of rocks, which vary in height, from one hundred feet, to even a greater altitude, In the valley below flows a stream, and its agitated waters run from Lough Mor, usually with a slender contingent of force, into the broad Blackwater. In former times, this secluded and romantic glen is traditionally held, to have been a seat of
St. Patrick's Chair, Altadaven Glen.
Druidism. The people relate, that our great Apostle St. Patrick reached
this spot, probably on some occasion, when he visited Clogher. He not only succeeded, it is said, in removing from here all traces of Druidic rites
and superstition ; but, he even converted this retreat, into a place of worship, for the true God. Here, surrounded by tangled underwood, is shown a rude altar formed of solid rock ; and, in its middle, there is a portion marked out by deep carving, as if for the chalice. In front, its height is nearly four feet, while the altar-table measures not less than six feet in length, being in width more than two feet. In front of this altar, and on the Gospel side, is a
Villanueva's " Sancti Patricii, Ibernorum Trough, and this portion is shown on the
" Ordnance Townland for the Apostoli, Synodi, Canones, Opuscula," «&c. , Survey Maps
County of Monaghan," Sheets i, 2, 3, 4, 5>
"the Glen of 6 and, a is in the of Clogher, ; part barony
p. 202.
^It has been
interpreted
the Gods," or " the Glen of Demons ;" but, which is to be seen on the ' ' Ordnance Sur-
**
the term, aLc, more usually means a vey Townland Maps for the County of
cliff," or "glen-side," while "OAiriin, "a Tyrone," Sheets 59, 65. Altadaven is
young ox," or *'bull," may more correctly account for the derivation.
^' This parish is partly in the barony
shown, on the latter Sheet.
*' The accompanying sketch, drawn on the spot by the writer, was transferred to
March 17. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 671
gigantic mass of solid stone/' called the chair of St. Patrick. ^3 From the basement to the head, it measures not less than eight feet. ^^ In the centre of a large block, some distance below the chair, there is a deeply-carved font,
very elegantly moulded. ^^ Although evidently not fed by any stream or fountain, the people there remark, that it has never been known to run dry of water. About half-way down the glen, a beautiful green sward, soft and smooth as a velvet carpet, opens on the view. Tall firs and forest trees stand around, in wavy branches, as a barrier against the outer scenery ; while the blue heavens above form the only canopy. On the borders of this green sward, there is an icy-cold well of crystal clearness, and most agreeable to the taste. On every side, the surrounding scenery is majestic, and it forms no unstrained picture of a fairy-land ; rocks, woods, precipices and ravines, in every conceivable shape and variety, reveal those enchanting delights, thrown out by nature's God, and with a lavish hand.
Intent still more on enlarging the bounds of God's spiritual fold, the
great herald of salvation entered the territory of Hy-Meith,^^ or Hy-Meith- Tire,^7 to announce the Gospel to its chief and people. Eoghan,^^ or Owen, was the ruler, at this time, and he reverently received the messenger of Christ. He showed such great faith and confidence, as to beseech the
wonder-working Patrick to resuscitate his grandfather, named Muiredach,*^? who had died a heathen, so that living once more, the deceased might receive eternal Hfe. This was a truly sublime and charitable desire, and it pleasedtheholymantoassent. Heprayed,andthenraisedMuredachtolife. This pagan chief afterwards heard, from the Irish Apostle, the mysteries of Divine Faith ; he was instructed and baptized ; then did his soul once more
the wood, by William F. Wakeman, and engraved by Mrs. Millard.
their contiguity to Armagh, foi'merly deno- minated Macha, and the Ui Meith Tire, the same tribe, derived name from their in-
"
^3 This was pronounced to be a very sili-
cious sandstone, of the Yoredale series, by land situation, cii\e meaning of or belong-
Richard Joseph Cruise, Esq. , M. R. I. A. , and of the Geological Survey of Ireland, who accompanied the Rev. Daniel
O'Connor, C. C, and the writer, on the occasion of an excursion here, and to
Clogher, in June, 1878.
*^ " Though it presents to the eye the
ing to a country," because they seem to have lived chiefly in the inland county of
Monaghan ; while, probably, they were also located, on the south of the River Black- water, and in the west of the county of Ai'magh. The Ui Meith Mara were so called, from rriA^A, "of or belonging to the sea," because their country was a maritime one, and it extended from the former terri- tory, into the county of Louth ; while, pro- bably, it included a part of the east and south of Armagh County. The name seems to be preserved, in the Anglicised name of
full shape and appearance of a high-backed
chair, yet its form, and the measure of art
displayed on it, tell us that in the age in
which it was made, art was only in its
swaddling clothes, and that science had as
yet lent it but very feeble support. "—" The
Northern Star. " Communication of Rev. "O'Meath," a district in the county of Daniel O'Connor.
'5 In a communication, from William F.
Wakeman, dated from Enniskillen, May,
1879, the writer is further informed, that on
the lands of Lislane, not far from Clogher, chap, vii. , sect, i. , p. 51, and also John in the direction of Aughentain, may be seen O'Donovan's " Leabhar na g-Ceart, or another St. Patrick's chair and a holy well.
They are situated, in a most exquisitely beautiful wooded glen. The "chair" is
ahollow
and the well is a tiny spring, close to it.
^ Thus is it called, in the Latin Tripartite
Life of St. Patrick. There were two tribes,
so distinguished, in the province of Oirghi- alla ; the Ui Meith Macha, otherwise called the Ui Meith Tire, and the Ui Meith Mara. The Ui Meith Macha were so called, from
Book of Rights," n. (a), pp. 148 to 150.
^^ Such is the name it receives, in the Irish
simply
recess,
inthenatural
rock,
Tripartite.
^** Hewasthesonof sonofMuire- Brian,
dach, son to Imchadh, son of Colla-fo-
Crich, according to the Irish Tripartite Life.
^3 The Muiredach, grandson of Colla da Crich, here mentioned, was generally called Muiredach Meth, and from him the Ui-
Meiths were designated.
Louth, between Carlingford and Newry. Ui Meith Mara was apparently called, in more ancient times, Cuailghne. See Harris'
Ware, vol. ii. , "Antiquities of Ireland,"
672 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 17. escape the prison of the body, but this time it received the rewards of the
just.
7° His friends buried him
again,
in a called the Erende,? ' or Omna place,
renne,7^ on the borders of Mughdorna and Ui-Meith ; but, the locality be-
longed to the dition of Mughdorna. The people of Hy-Meth eagerly
embraced the truths of Religion, so wondrously confirmed by these signs, and St. Patrick bestowed his special blessing on them, and on their chief. There our saint is said to have erected a church, at Teaghtalian, now known as Tehallan,73 in the county of Monaghan. About three miles north-east- wards from the town of Monaghan,74 and on the very summit of a beautiful hill, surrounding a most charming and fertile undulating tract of country, 75 is the old graveyard of Tehellan. It is evidently a very ancient foundation ; and, at present, a Protestant church is within the enclosure. Close beside it, some grassy mounds cover the foundation v/alls of an earlier church. 7^ This was a richly-endowed erection, in St. Patrick's time. There the Irish Apostle left relics, he had brought to Ireland, from beyond the sea ; and, overit,St. Killianwasappointedbishop. 7? Whileinthispartofthecountry, a ridiculous legendary story is told of some thieves,7^ who were miraculously convicted of having stolen a goat,79 belonging to the saint. ^° It seems pro- bable, likewise, that the old church of Donagh^' was within this territory, and
"
''° Jocelyn gives quite a different version
of this narrative, to that recorded in the
Tripartite Lives. By him, we are told,
that tlie grandfather of the chief of Humes-
tia—so does he render Hy-Meith—Avas
called to life, to convince the Regulus, the top of a mountain, called Mullyash. It about the doctrine of the final bodily Resur-
rection, and as a test of God's power, in
this matter. This, St. Patrick effected, at the
tomb, before the chief and a multitude of his
people. After signing it, with the Staff of
"
Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the offered a prayer. Then arose the buried County of Monaghan," Sheets 7, 9, 10
Jesus, and causing tlie ground to be dug, he
man, of immense size, and very fearful to
behold. This great miracle caused all to
believe in Gods Providence. In an epistle,
directed to a dear friend of his beyond the . Monaghan," Sheets 9, 10, 13, 14. The seas, it is said, St. Patrick deposed to such town itself is on Sheet 9.
:
miraculous signs, in these terms " Our 75 The writer, in company with the Rev.
Lord imparted to me, His unworthy little one, the virtue of working such signs among this Pagan people, so that never had the
Daniel O'Connor, visited this place, in June, 1878.
7* It was stated, by the sexton, that within the memory of persons living, some of the ruined walls, near the foundations, were to be seen. Old fragments of crosses have been found, beneath the surface.
like been wrought even by the Apostles
themselves. InthenameofourLordJesus,
I have raised from the dead bodies, turned
into dust many years before. Notwithstand-
ing, I pray that none esteem me for these,
or other like miracles, as worthy to stand in
comparison with the Apostles, or with any
perfect men, considering I am a wretched but, this is evidently a mistake for Ui-
sinner, and contemptible. " Jocelyn calls
of St.
Meith-Tire, as found in the Irish version.
79 See Richard " De Vita S. Stanihurst,
to this
Patrick's perfection ; for, while working Patricii, Hibernise Apostoli," lib. ii. , pp.
special attention,
gi-eat degree
such wonders, he thought most humbly, re- garding his own deserts. And the writer, too, even admires more this humility, than the saint's power of raising dead bodies to life.
7' So is it written, in the Irish Tripartite Life.
7^ This is the name it has, in the Latin Tripartite Life. The writer of a note, in
62, 63.
^ As a sequal to this legend, the Latin
Miss Cusack's
it is probably the present Omra, or Oram, in the parish of Muckno, barony of Cre- morne,andcountyofMonaghan. Thereis a large mound, with a circle of stones, on
Life of St. Patrick," states,
borders on the county of Armagh, and it is
called, in the Ulster Inquisitions, Owram-
lisdonny.
73 This parish, in the baronies of Cre-
morne and Monaghan, is shown on the
^^ The parish of Monaghan, in the barony so called, is described on the "Ordnance
Survey Townland Maps for the County of
77 His feast occurs, on the 27th of May.
'^ The Latin Trijiartite Life has it, that these were "ex gente de Hi Torrorra ;"'
Tripartite adds
:
" Ad cujus miraculi aug-
mentum et continuam memoriam accessit,
quod imprecante Patricio tota posteritas is-
torum furum, velut auita htereditate semper barbas, caprinis subsimiles, habeant. "
^'
It lies near Glaslough. The parish of Donagh, in the barony of Trough, is on the
INlARCH 17. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
673
tradition attributes its foundation to St. Patrick. Its ruins^^ stand on the top of a hill, within an old cemetery, and the view on every side is very beautiful,
overanundulatingcountry. Itisevident,thatinformertimes,alakeskirted the hill-side ; and, its site is indicated, by a bog, at present. The church ruins measure 28 feet in length, by 25 in width, on the outside. ^3 At some past time, additions and modernizations have been made, to serve for private burial enclosures. Several graves are seen, in the outer cemetery.
Donagh Old Church, County of Monaghan.
Thence, St. Patrick went into the district, called Mughorna,^4 or rather theIrishformofthisterritorywasCrioch-Mughdhorna. ^5 ThewordCrioch
" Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the
County of Monaghan," Sheets 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10. The townland proper is on Sheets 6, 7.
^^ The accompanying illustration has been
transferred to the wood, by William F.
Wakeman, from a sketch, by the writer, in
June, 1878, and the engraving is by Mrs. Millard.
means a " or " nation,"
while the other denomination was fromMughdornDubh. ^^ InthetimeofSt. Columba,^7thisdistrictwasco- extensive with the modern baronies of Cremorne, and of Farney,^^ in the county of Monaghan. ^9 From an early date, the lords of Crioch Mugha- horna9° are named, in the Irish Annals. The king of this district, also called Fearn-mhagh, or Farney, had a title to tribute. 9^ When St. Patrick visited
country,"
derived,
^* He was the son of Colla Mean, who fell in battle, A. D. 331. See Dr. O'Dono- van's "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 124, 125.
^7 His feast occurs, at the 9th of June.
*^ An interesting account of it will be
found, in Evelyn Philip Shirley's Descrip- tion of the ancient Dominion of Farney.
^3 Colgan, who is followed by Harris, and ^3 These measurements were taken, at the by other writers, makes Mugdorna the time, by the Rev. Daniel O'Connor, C. C, same as Mourne, in Down. See Harris'
who accompanied the writer.
^^ So is it designated, in the Irish Tripar-
tite Life.
"
of Ireland," chap, vii. , p. 52. It is probable, that Mourne, also, was called Mugdorn, as Rev. Dr. *s Colgan Latinized it into "regie Mug- Lanigan remarks, in his "Ecclesiastical
dornorum. " The people, too, are called
"Mughdorni. "
Vol. III. —No. ii.
History of Ireland," vol. i. , chap, vi. , sect, iii. , n. 30, p. 270.
2 U
Ware, vol.
ii. ,
Antiquities
674 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 17.
the Mughdorni, a chief, named Victor, presided over them ; but, he felt an insuperable dislike to meet the glorious missionar}', who had already reached the place, afterwards known as Domhnach-Maighen, now the parish of Donaghmoyne. When Victor,? ^ who was in that place, heard tliat Patrick had come to it ; during the night, he went away to avoid the saint, and fled from his residence, to a thorny brake, at the side of the town. This chief felt afraid, that if he appeared in the saint's presence, he should be forced by
the bright evidence of doctrine, and by signs, to renounce idolatry. Dark- ness fell on the land, but God's servant illuminated the darkness. Coming to that place, where Victor was, a bright and subtile light issued from the saint. The splendour thereof pierced even to that secret place, where Victor waslurking. Thismiraculousportentwasintended,toremovefromhiseyes the scales of sin. Thus, too, St. Patrick became as a light shining in dark- ness,93 and this wonderful call of Divine Grace exerted an extraordinary in- fluence, over the reason and feelings of Victor. A complete change took possession of his soul. Bowing with humble submission, to the decrees of Heaven, in his regard, the converted man desired most earnestly to be re- generated, in the saving waters of baptism. Then truly was he deserving the name of Victor, for he had accomplished the most difficult task, of having overcome his former deep-rooted prejudices. St. Patrick most cheerfully assentedtohispiousentreaties,andhebecameaChristian. Notthatalone, but all the members of his household and his people were instructed in the faith,andthusregenerated. SoferventdidVictorbecome,thathewillinglymade an offer of all his lands and possessions to the Irish Apostle, so that a church might there be built and endowed. At present, Donaghmoyne Protestant church94 and cemetery95 stand on the summit of a round hill, about two miles northwards from the charming little town of Carrickmacross. 9'5 Its physical
position, in ancient times, was almost insular. 97 In the centre and highest part of the graveyard, some remains of the old church may be discerned ; yet, no part of the walls can be seen. ^s It was an oblong building, and run- ning from east to west ; the measurements being, about 49 feet long by 23 feet wide, in the inside. The present thickness of the debris of side-wall is about 8 feet. s9 The churchyard'°° is surrounded by trees of ash and beech,
»=> Tlie Miighdoinians are regarded, as the descendants of Colla Meann, according to the " Book of Lecan. " See Shirley's "His- tory of the County of Monaghan," chap, i. , pp. 3 to II.
9' See Dr. John O'Donovan's edition of
" Leabhar na g-Ceart, or Book of Rights,"
57 West of it lies the dried-up bed of a lake, and north of it, there was another lake, not quite so well drained off, yet the site and outlines are quite visible.
9* The accompanying sketch, taken on the spot, in February, 1879, by William F. Wakeman, and transferred to the wood, has
pp. 152, 153. — — been engraved by Mrs. Millard. In the 9^ Victor's name not being Irish fails foreground is the old church site, and im- to appear in our native Caicnciars. But, its mediately west of it, there is an enclosed
Irish form, Buadhbeo, may lead to the dis- coveiy. A saint bearing this latter name is venerated, on the 17th of November. Col- gan, however, has chosen to give the Acts of the present holy man, at the 28lh of Febniary.
9' St. John, i. 5. « Built in 1827.
tomb, with yew trees growing within the space. This is the burial-place of a local
Catholic family, named Kernan, and they were relatives to the late Most Rev. Edward
Kernan, Catholic Bishop of Clogher.
99 It is stated, that a Protestant church
had been built, on this site, probably subse- quent to the Insurrection of 1641. See
95 No monuments, in the cemeteiy, have. Evelyn Philip Shirley's "Some Account of an earlier date than the beginning of the the Territory or Dominion of Farney,"
last century. chap, vii. , p. 160. Yet, it seems equally 9* It is in the parish of Magheross and probable, that it was on the site of the
barony of Famey. It is shown, on the original church, foimded by St. Patrick, and
" Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the presided over by Victor.
County of Monaghan," Sheet 31.
">°
There is a beautiful Celtic cross of
March 17. ] LIVES OF THE IklSH SAINTS.
<^75
which in summer completely shut out the view; except towards the west, where the scene is by far the most extensive. '"^ The churchyard is sur- rounded, by a modern wall, and it is approached, by a suitable entrance. '°^ The ancient church-site of Donaghmoync'°3 is surrounded by steep, round hills
Donaglimoyne Church and Graveyard, County ^lonaghan,
of rich pasture and tillage land, clothed in many parts with modern planta- tions. '""^ Here, most humbly did the good man place himself as a disciple, under St. Patrick, and profited so much by his instruction and training, that thenovicesoonwasremarkableforgreatholinessandwisdom. Indueprocess of time, Victor attained to such learning, and sanctity, that he was made a bishop. He is said to have ruled over a church, which had been built, by St. Patrick, within his former territory. The pious Bishop Victor well discharged the duties of his episcopal office. During this mission, the people of Mugh- dorna were converted by, and obedient to, St. Patrick. So pleased was the saint with tlicse nen- converts, that he predicted, many warlike and distin- guished chiefs, as also venerable prelates in the clerical profession, should
white marble with design of interLacing
closely resembling, if not actually copied
from, the Cross ot St. IMuiredach, at ^lon-
asterboice. This cross is a monument, IManning's Castle. This may be seen des- erected to the memory of the notorious
William Stewart Trench, agent to the
Marquis of Bath. Besides being an exter-
minating land-agent, he was a calumniator
of the people of Farney, in liis work, " The
Realities of Irish Life. " He died 4lh
August, 1S72. The monument was made' cahan, in a letter dated Monaghan, March byHarrisonofDublin.
"' However, on no side can the eye reach beyond the borders of historic Farney.
^°- The churchyard is used as a burial- place by Protestants and Catholics alike, but principally by Catholics, and it is strewn
with tombs and crosses of great variety.
"' About half a mile, north-west of Donaghmoyne, lies the hill, on which stood
cribed and sketched, in Shirley's "Some Account of the Territory or Dominion of
Farney," chap. vii.
''-"^ Formostoftheforegoingdescription
of Donaghmoyne, the writer feels indebted, to the Rev. Daniel O'Connor, C. C. , Cor-
IS'. , 1879. HeaccompaniedMr. Wakeman to the spot, and insisted on defraying the expenses, in connection with the illustration. This, however, forms only a small part of the obligations, he has imposed so kindly, on the writer's grateful remembrance.
676 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 17.
belong to their race. '°3 He also imparted a special blessing. ^'* Among the Mughdorni, St. Patrick's mission and preaching proved to be eminently successful.
Afterwards, Patrick went to the Fera-Ros/°7 who lived in Crich Rois,'°^
a territory, not well defined, which lay, however, in the south of the County of Monaghan. '°9 HeadvancedtoEnachConglais,"°whereheremainedfora Sunday. While there, the Ui-Lilaigh'" are stated to have given St, Patrick poisoned cheeses ; but, knowing their intent, he made a sign of the cross over these, and immediately they were converted into stones. This miracle was a subject for great admiration to many present, and of confusion to the plotters against his life. His enemies were still actuated by malice, and he therefore wished to leave their district, so that he might go into another region. While Patrick travelled on Monday, across the ford of a certain
river, southwards, the Ui-Iilaigh went with fifty horsemen,? to watch the ford,'" and to slay him. Patrick then turned towards them, upon the banks,
" You
and to the south of the ford, when he raised his left hand, and said
shall neither come out of the ford here, nor go the other way ; but, you shall be in that water, for ever. " All were drowned, in that river, as he had declared, nor could their bodies be recovered, afterwards, although a diligent search had been made for them. Near Enach Conglais was shown a rock, or stones,"3 at the ford, where this miracle took place ; and, its memory was preserved, in the name Ath-Hiliolaigh, or " the ford of the Ui-Lilaigh," which was given to the spot,^'^ by those who bore the incident in remembrance.
CHAPTER XVII.
ST. PATRICK REVISITS MEATH—THE HYMN OF ST. SECUNDINUS—ST. PATRICK IS SAID TO HAVE PASSED FROM MEATH TOWARDS DUBLIN—HE VISITS NAAS—MIRACLES RE- CORDED, IN CONNEXION—WITH BOTH PLACES—HIS JOURNEYS TO HY-GARCHON, AND THROUGHMAGHLIFFE CHURCHESSAIDTOHAVEBEENFOUNDEDBYHIM,INTHE PRESENT COUNTY OF KILDARE.
A SECOND time was the important province of Meath blessed, through the ministrations of St. Patrick. He entered by its northern parts,' and his first
Lagan, in some part of the parish of Kill- aney, on the borders of Monaghan and Louth.
"3 The Fourth Life of St. Patrick states, that St. Patrick's persecutors were turned into these submerged stones, which miglit be seen, by those walking near the place. See cap. Ixxiv. , p. 44.
"•See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga. " Tertia Vita S. Patricii, cap. Ixv. , Ixx. , pp. 26, 27, and nn. 62, 63, p. 32. Quarta Vita S. Patricii, cap. Ixxii. , Ixxiii. , Ixxiv. , p. 44, and nn. 49, 50, p. 49. Sexta Vita S. Patricii, cap. Ixxix. , p. 83, cap. Ixxxii. , p. 84, cap.
