748,-^ or more
correctly
753.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v2
, p.
410.
ii. , cap. xvii. , p.
"
Annales Ordinis
Febris, Spasmus, Paralysis, Calculus, et Hernia, Curantur, ac Hydropsis, Breviter, et omnia
Quce sanare nequit Physis, Sanat ejus gratia. "
" Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
'° Desmay says, that this hymn was to be found in our saint's office, before issuing an edition of the new breviary. Sometime
3^ See
niae," ix. Februarii. Vita S. Furssei, cap. xxi. , p. 298.
Colgan's
442 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS [February 9.
of St. Fursey, in the time of Desmay. ^i Into this opening, infirm persons were accustomed to introduce pocket-handkerchiefs, or hnens, to touch the holyman'sremainswiththem. Also,those,whowereafflictedwithhead- ache, apphed their heads to this aperture, when they frequently experienced im,mediaterelieffromsuchmalady. Inmemoryofvariousbenefitsreceived by them, different valetudinarians, who had recovered their strength through St. Fursey's intercession,^^ at several periods, down to the seventeenth century, wished to perpetuate such personal favours. As memorials, they hung up several waxen images, before the holy confessor's altar. -^3 Desmay vindicates this, as an ancient and pious custom in the church,'*'* although it excited the ire and calumnies of Calvinists in his day. -^s As expiatory offerings, the Phillistines hung up before the ark five golden emerods and five golden mice ;^*^ while, as perpetual memorials, the Jews always willed them, there to continue. '*^ The Church has wisely provided,'*^ however, that nothing unbecoming, or of a dishonest signification be permitted, in practises of this kind.
Article V. —St. Colman, of Cluain Eraird, or Clonard, County OF Meath. [^Possibly in the Seventh Century? ^ A stranger, viewing the towers, abbeys and monasteries, dispersed throughout the county of Meath,
would be inclined to exclaim,
" "* The This was the land of saints, indeed !
present holy man is styled Mocolmoc, Cluana Iraird, in the Martyrology of Tallagh,^ at the 9th of February. If what follows be correct, he must have been a nephew to the celebrated founder of Clonard,3 in the ancient territory of Meath ; for, we are told, that Rioghnach,'* sister of Finnen, ol Cluain Eraird was his mother. Her parents, therefore, seem to have been Fintan, descended from the family of Loschain, and her mother's name was Talech. The present St. Colman must have Hved, in that case, in the sixth century. According to the published Martyrology of Donegal,s on this day was venerated, Colman, of Cluain Eraird. In Harris' Ware, we read, that a
before he wrote, the new edition had been observavit Metaphrastes. Multa etiam hujus
pubUshed. '''InhisepistletoPopeHormisdaSjSt.
generis signa in sede D. Virginis Lauretana Ger- exstant. "
** Acta Sanctorum Hiber- formerly noticed at the tombs of holy martyrs. niae," ix, Februarii. Vita S. Furssei, cap.
St. Csecilia's body, Blosius relates this cir- cumstance.
^'^
Desmay says, that during ages preced-
ing his own time, numberless miracles had
been wrought, at the tomb of our saint. So mains of towns and villages near each, many blind persons had been restored to the
use of sight, so many lame to that of walk-
ing, and so many, afllicted with all sorts of
diseases, to a perfect state of health, that if
an exact relation of each particular case were
recorded, the biographer declares, he should
never be able to conclude the Life of our
saint.
manus testifies, that such were *5 See many openings
Colgan's
Even, a short time before Desmay wrote the
Life ot St. P^ursey, the illustrious Cardinal
Paulus Sfrondatus discovered an aperture of
like character A. D, 1599, at the tomb ol St. passage,, Q. 13. Cecilia. In his book, on the discovery of -^^
-•^ See the
and fourth
1 2th of Deceml^er.
* In a note, Dr. Todd says at Rioghnach,
twenty-first chapter, section of the Life, by Desmay.
^* " De qua inter alios veteres Theodoretns libro 8, de curandis Grsec. affect. Idem ad Vitam Danielis Stillitse tmdecima Decembris
xxi. , p. 298.
'**' See i. Kings, chap. vi.
'*' So writes Tostatus Abulensis, on this
at the time of the Council
Especially, of Trent, —
'
who makes " from the number
The writer,
Article v.
this remark, continues,
of these religious foundations, and the re-
arises a fair conclusion, that the population
of Meath, i—n ages far remote, was very con- "
siderable. " Robert Thompson's Statis-
tical Survey of the County of Meath," chap,
i. , sect, i. , p. 4.
=
"The words within brackets are added in the more recent hand. "
s Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 42, 43.
Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xv.
3 jjt, Finian, whose Life occurs at the
February 9. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 443
Colman O'Heir died, on the 9th of February, a. d. 700. ^ I cannot find the authority, for placing his death on the present date of the month ; but, our Annals concur in stating, that Colman-Ua-hEire died Abbot of Clonard,^ in the year 700. ^ It is possible, he may be identified, with the present St. Colman.
Article VI. —St. Caireach or Cairec Dergain, Virgin of Cluain- BoiRiNN, NOW Clonburren, Parish of Moore, County of Roscommon.
"
\_Stxth Century. ^ St. ^ngus the Culdee, in his
Feilire," notices this holy
woman, and eulogises her as
"
Coeirech Dergan, the Godly. " In the Mar-
tyrology of Tallagh,^ at the 9th of February, there is an entry of Cairec
Dergain. Marianus O'Gorman and Maguire, also, commemorate her. Carecha de Dergain was daughter to Conall, the Red, and sister to St. Enda, of Aran,"* and to St. Libeus,3 as also to St. Fanchea,* St. Lochinas and St. Darenia. ^ She was a scion of the race of Colla-da-Chrich, on the father'sside whilehermother —somecalledAibfinnia—was
;
Briga by grand-
—— daughtertoRonan,KingofFerard. St. Caireach likehersisterFanchea
was born probably at Rathmore,^ in the vicinity of Clogher. Like her brothers and sisters, she left family and home, and in exchange for the
domestic ties of a princely social circle, she sought God, in the religious state. The Martyrology of Donegal^ enters the feast of Caireach Dergdin,
virgin, of Cluain-Boirinn,9 in Ui Maine, at this date. This appears to have been the place, where she lived in conventual seclusion. It is nearly opposite to the seven churches of Clonmacnoise ;^° and that part of the Shannon, lying between both places, was anciently called Sndrah-dd-en. " A portion of this virgin's church, referred to Ireland's primitive ages of Christianity, yet remains, and some ancient inscriptions are said to have been there seen. " There were O'Kellys, who Uved at Cluainbuarain. ^3
^
See vol. i. , "Bishops of Meath," p. 139.
by some error Colgan promised to give her Life, at the 6th ot June. See Drs. Todd's
7 The parish of Clonard, in the barony of ""
and Reeve's "Martyrology of Donegal," Upper Movfenrath, is shown on the Ord- pp. i86 to 189, and Acta Sanctorum Hi- nance Survey Tow^nland Maps for the berniae," xxi. Martii. Vita S. Endei, cap.
County of Meath. " Sheets 40, 41, 46, viii. , and nn. 16, 17, pp. 706, 710.
47. The townland proper is described on
Sheets 41, 47. ^"
' This vi^as probably on the site of the
beautiful grounds, within the demesne of the
Protestant Bishop of Clogher. It is a lofty
earth-work or fortress, protected on the
See Dr. O'Donovan's Annals of the Four Masters," v—ol. i. , pp. 300, 301.
Article vi.
Kelly, p. XV.
'
Endaei, cap, iv. , p. 713.
3 He is said, by Colgan, to have been vene-
rated at the iSth of February, or at the 26th of December. Indeed, at both days, we find him under the form Molioba, of Eanach Elti, in Ui Eachadh-Uladh.
^
and south a fosse by deep
See her Life at the ist of January.
tyrology of Donegal,
" O 61tt
Edited by Rev. Dr. west
this, to the south, is a camp, surrounded by
" Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
^ See
niae," xxi. Martii. Appendix ad Vitam S. tumulus or cairn, encircled by a raised
Colgan's
a fosse. Still further southward is a single
I
s Also called Loichein, who is venerated |\inn a]\ biAutiA fiotiA. " H. i, 10, 123 b.
at the 1 2th of
^ The feast day of St. Darenia does not
appear, in our calendars ; however, the Acts of St. Enda relate, that she was, also, called Moninna, who had her religious house in
June.
Belslebhe, which appears to have been p. 134.
another form of name for Kill-slebhe. She " Yet,. Dr. O'Donovan vainly searched was venerated on the 6th of July—although for them in the graveyard, a. d. 1836. See
earth-work. See Lewis' "Topographical "
42, 43.
9 In a note, appended to this entry, in
William M. Hennessy's copy of the Mar-
Dictionary of Ireland,
vol. i. , p. 342.
^ Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
find,
'° See Dr. O'Donovan's Ancient Map
prefixed to his " Tribes and Customs of Hy-
Many. "
" See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga. "
Septima Vita S. Patricii, lib. ii. , cap. xxxiii. ,
;
beyond
bA|\-
444 LTVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February 9
There is at present a parish, called Clonbern,*^ on the western border of the
half-baronyofBallymoe,countyofGalway. ^s Thisparishconsistsofamain body and of a detached district. The latter is situated three-fourths of a
mile to the north-north-east. Bog and arable land chiefly compose the surface, while a lacustrine water-area of 130 acres, 3 roods, and 39 perches—
comprising the greater part of Lough Mackeeran, and about the half of Lough Doo—lies within the bounds. '^ This happy virgin's death is re- corded, at the 9th of February, a. d. 577, in the Annals of the Four Masters. '^ We learn, also, that her place is identical with the present Cloonburren,^^ on the west side of the Shannon, in the parish of Moore,'9 barony of Moycarn, and county of Roscommon. 2° Archdall perpetrates the mistake, of placing the death of Cairecha Cergain—as he spells it—at the 5th of February. '^ Doubtless, he mistook the v. of the February Ides—which is correct—for the 5th day of this month.
Article VIL—St. Ronan, Bishop of Lismore. [Possibly in the Eighth Cejitury. '] A saint's name is entered, in the Martyrology of Tallagh,^ at this date, as Ronan, Lios-moir. There is a Ronan entered, among the Bishops of Lismore, in Harris' Ware,^ and he appears to have had as pre- decessors Macoge,3 or Maccoigeth, who died a. d.
748,-^ or more correctly 753. 5 He is called, however, only an abbot ; but, he may, likewise, have beenabishop. Again,ata. d. 752,^wefindmentioned,thedeathofSinchu, Abbot of Lismore, and at a. d. 755,7 Condath, Abbot of Lismore. Also, in the year 763,^ died the Abbot Aedhan of Lismore. At this same year is noted the death of Ronan, in Harris' Ware,9 and in Archdall, who quotes
the same
authority.
'° Whether he was identical with the present holy man,
or not, may be questioned. Under the head of Lis-mor, Duald Mac Firbis
enters, Ronan, bishop, of Lis-mor Mochuda, at February the 9th. " His
name is also thus registered, in the Martyrology of Donegal," as Rondn,
Bishop of Lis-mor. He was venerated on this day, according to the fore- going authorities.
Article VIH. —St. Attracta, Virgin, of Killaraght, County of Sligo. [lifth or Sixth Century. ] Our national hagiologist, Father John
"Tribes and Customs of Hy-Many," n. 9,
p. 82. Also, Buile Suibhne, a MS. in the
K. I. A. , p. 141 is quoted.
'3 See ibid. Additional notes, D, p. i66.
Article vii. —''Edited by Rev. Dr.
3 See
tion with Cluain-Boirinn. It is included on niee. " Index, p. 835, col. i.
^4 in This has some similarity
pronuncia-
Colgan's
the " Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the County of Galway. " Sheets 17, 18, 30, 31.
'S See Lew^is' "Topographical Dictionary of Ireland," vol. i. , p. 350.
'^ See ** The Parliamentary Gazetteer of
Ireland," vol. i. , p. 427.
'7 See O'Donovan's edition, vol. i. , pp.
It is described on the Ordnance Sur- vey Townland Maps for the County of Ros- common. " Sheets 54, 56.
'9 Described on Sheets 50, 51, 53, 54, 55,
Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. i. , n. (w), p. 209.
'* "
See Monasticon Hibemicum," p. 608.
* See Dr. 6' Donovan's " Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 350, 351.
5 The "Annales Ultonienses," have his
death at A. D. 752, See ibid. , n. (o), p. 351.
^ See ibid. , pp. 354, 355. 7 See ibid. , pp. 358, 359.
^
See tbid. , pp. 366, 367.
9 See vol. i. , "Bishops of Lismore," p.
208, 209.
»^ "
56.
='° "
Academy," Irish MSS. series, vol. i. , part
i. , pp. 118, 119.
'^
Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 42, 43.
See Dr. O'Donovan's
Kelly, p. xv.
=" "
See vol. i. , Bishops of Lismore," p. 549.
549.
'° "
'* Acta Sanctorum Hibex-
See Monasticon Hibemicum," p.
692. ""
See Proceedings of the Royal Irish
February 9. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 445
Colgan,^ has inserted the Acts of St. Attracta, taken from the MS. book,
belonging to the Island of Lough Ree, and partly compiled from other sources. The Bollandists have published the Acts of this saint, likewise, with a previous commentary, at this day. ^ Some notices of her are to be found, in Bishop Challoner's work,3 in Rev. Alban Butler's* and Rev. S. Baring-Gould's :5 all unite in assigning her festival to this date. The Acts, published by Colgan, are said, not to have been written, until six hundred years after her death, and that they are therefore of very little authority to illustrate her history. ^ She is classed among the virgins, veiled by St. Patrick. 7 I have preferred the authorities of our Irish Martyrologists, for placing St. Attracta's biography, at the nth of August; especially, as her festival is locally kept, with great veneration, on that day.
Article IX. —Feast of St. Tarahata. {Probably in the Fifth or Sixth Century? ^ The festival of a St. Tarahatta is found in many foreign
martyrologies, at this day. ^ She is supposed, by Colgan, to have been identical with St. Attracta, whose Acts he published, at the 9th of February. ^ Several of our modern saint writers, also, have her under both forms of name. 3
ArticleX. —FeastofSt. Eada,aPriest. {PossiblyintheSixthor
Seventh Century. ] In the Kalendar, added to the Manuscript Martyrology ascribed to St. Jerome,^ Eada Presbyter is entered at the 9th of February.
The Bollandists acknowledge themselves to be ignorant regarding his identity, unless he be Eata, who, from having been abbot, became Bishop of Hagul- stadiensis, in England,^ and concerning him further notices will be found, at his recognised festival-day, the 26th of October.
Article XL—Reputed Feast of St. Erhard, Bishop of Ratisbon.
[Seventh Century. ] At the 9th of February, Camerarius has entered the
festival of Erehardus or Erchardus, the prepositus of a monastery. ^ Colgan says, that Camerarius frequently errs, and that he agrees with no writer. Yet, the authority of Pantaleon^ is referred to, and Velser. 3 Again, at this very date, we find St. Erhard, Abbot, occurring in the Annals of the Cis- tercian Monks,4 as also in the " Circle of the Seasons. " 5 By Mersceus and
other German writers, this saint is called Eberhardus.
Article viii. —^ See '<Acta rum Hibernise," ix. Februarii.
His Acts have been
Attracts
partim ex aliis, pp. 277 to 282.
^
See, likewise, the Seasons," p. 40.
^ the article, See previous
Virginis, partim
ex MS.
See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , ix. Februarii. De S. Attracta, sive Tarahata,
to
3 Such as Bishop Challoner, Rev. Alban Butler, Rev. S. Baring-Gould, &c.
Article X. —* The Bollandists add, " exarato ante annum loccxLi. "
^ " Acta tomus Feb- See Sanctorum," ii. ,
in
3 See " Britannia
Virgine,
Hibernia, pp. 296
300. Sancta," part i. . p. 113.
* See "Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs and
other Principal Saints," vol. ii. , February jecti, p. 227. —
Sancto- Vita S. Insulensi,
Article ix. —'
*' Circle of
*'De Statu
ruary ix. , pp. 236 to 238. Conversione," lib. i. , pars ii. , cap. iii. , sect.
^
ix.
s See "Lives of the Saints," vol. ii, , Feb- veteris simul ac novae Ecclesios et Infidelium
See Bishop Challoner's "Britannia 2, p. 147.
Sancta," part i. , p. 113.
7 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga,"
="" Prosopographiae, pars i.
Quinta Appendix ad Acta S. xiii,, p, 270.
Patricii, cap.
-» See 221. p.
s See p. 40.
ruarii ix. Praetermissi et in alios dies re-
Article XI.
^
See
Hominis,
3 " Boicarum Rerum," lib.
ii. , cap. xvii. , p.
"
Annales Ordinis
Febris, Spasmus, Paralysis, Calculus, et Hernia, Curantur, ac Hydropsis, Breviter, et omnia
Quce sanare nequit Physis, Sanat ejus gratia. "
" Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
'° Desmay says, that this hymn was to be found in our saint's office, before issuing an edition of the new breviary. Sometime
3^ See
niae," ix. Februarii. Vita S. Furssei, cap. xxi. , p. 298.
Colgan's
442 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS [February 9.
of St. Fursey, in the time of Desmay. ^i Into this opening, infirm persons were accustomed to introduce pocket-handkerchiefs, or hnens, to touch the holyman'sremainswiththem. Also,those,whowereafflictedwithhead- ache, apphed their heads to this aperture, when they frequently experienced im,mediaterelieffromsuchmalady. Inmemoryofvariousbenefitsreceived by them, different valetudinarians, who had recovered their strength through St. Fursey's intercession,^^ at several periods, down to the seventeenth century, wished to perpetuate such personal favours. As memorials, they hung up several waxen images, before the holy confessor's altar. -^3 Desmay vindicates this, as an ancient and pious custom in the church,'*'* although it excited the ire and calumnies of Calvinists in his day. -^s As expiatory offerings, the Phillistines hung up before the ark five golden emerods and five golden mice ;^*^ while, as perpetual memorials, the Jews always willed them, there to continue. '*^ The Church has wisely provided,'*^ however, that nothing unbecoming, or of a dishonest signification be permitted, in practises of this kind.
Article V. —St. Colman, of Cluain Eraird, or Clonard, County OF Meath. [^Possibly in the Seventh Century? ^ A stranger, viewing the towers, abbeys and monasteries, dispersed throughout the county of Meath,
would be inclined to exclaim,
" "* The This was the land of saints, indeed !
present holy man is styled Mocolmoc, Cluana Iraird, in the Martyrology of Tallagh,^ at the 9th of February. If what follows be correct, he must have been a nephew to the celebrated founder of Clonard,3 in the ancient territory of Meath ; for, we are told, that Rioghnach,'* sister of Finnen, ol Cluain Eraird was his mother. Her parents, therefore, seem to have been Fintan, descended from the family of Loschain, and her mother's name was Talech. The present St. Colman must have Hved, in that case, in the sixth century. According to the published Martyrology of Donegal,s on this day was venerated, Colman, of Cluain Eraird. In Harris' Ware, we read, that a
before he wrote, the new edition had been observavit Metaphrastes. Multa etiam hujus
pubUshed. '''InhisepistletoPopeHormisdaSjSt.
generis signa in sede D. Virginis Lauretana Ger- exstant. "
** Acta Sanctorum Hiber- formerly noticed at the tombs of holy martyrs. niae," ix, Februarii. Vita S. Furssei, cap.
St. Csecilia's body, Blosius relates this cir- cumstance.
^'^
Desmay says, that during ages preced-
ing his own time, numberless miracles had
been wrought, at the tomb of our saint. So mains of towns and villages near each, many blind persons had been restored to the
use of sight, so many lame to that of walk-
ing, and so many, afllicted with all sorts of
diseases, to a perfect state of health, that if
an exact relation of each particular case were
recorded, the biographer declares, he should
never be able to conclude the Life of our
saint.
manus testifies, that such were *5 See many openings
Colgan's
Even, a short time before Desmay wrote the
Life ot St. P^ursey, the illustrious Cardinal
Paulus Sfrondatus discovered an aperture of
like character A. D, 1599, at the tomb ol St. passage,, Q. 13. Cecilia. In his book, on the discovery of -^^
-•^ See the
and fourth
1 2th of Deceml^er.
* In a note, Dr. Todd says at Rioghnach,
twenty-first chapter, section of the Life, by Desmay.
^* " De qua inter alios veteres Theodoretns libro 8, de curandis Grsec. affect. Idem ad Vitam Danielis Stillitse tmdecima Decembris
xxi. , p. 298.
'**' See i. Kings, chap. vi.
'*' So writes Tostatus Abulensis, on this
at the time of the Council
Especially, of Trent, —
'
who makes " from the number
The writer,
Article v.
this remark, continues,
of these religious foundations, and the re-
arises a fair conclusion, that the population
of Meath, i—n ages far remote, was very con- "
siderable. " Robert Thompson's Statis-
tical Survey of the County of Meath," chap,
i. , sect, i. , p. 4.
=
"The words within brackets are added in the more recent hand. "
s Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 42, 43.
Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xv.
3 jjt, Finian, whose Life occurs at the
February 9. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 443
Colman O'Heir died, on the 9th of February, a. d. 700. ^ I cannot find the authority, for placing his death on the present date of the month ; but, our Annals concur in stating, that Colman-Ua-hEire died Abbot of Clonard,^ in the year 700. ^ It is possible, he may be identified, with the present St. Colman.
Article VI. —St. Caireach or Cairec Dergain, Virgin of Cluain- BoiRiNN, NOW Clonburren, Parish of Moore, County of Roscommon.
"
\_Stxth Century. ^ St. ^ngus the Culdee, in his
Feilire," notices this holy
woman, and eulogises her as
"
Coeirech Dergan, the Godly. " In the Mar-
tyrology of Tallagh,^ at the 9th of February, there is an entry of Cairec
Dergain. Marianus O'Gorman and Maguire, also, commemorate her. Carecha de Dergain was daughter to Conall, the Red, and sister to St. Enda, of Aran,"* and to St. Libeus,3 as also to St. Fanchea,* St. Lochinas and St. Darenia. ^ She was a scion of the race of Colla-da-Chrich, on the father'sside whilehermother —somecalledAibfinnia—was
;
Briga by grand-
—— daughtertoRonan,KingofFerard. St. Caireach likehersisterFanchea
was born probably at Rathmore,^ in the vicinity of Clogher. Like her brothers and sisters, she left family and home, and in exchange for the
domestic ties of a princely social circle, she sought God, in the religious state. The Martyrology of Donegal^ enters the feast of Caireach Dergdin,
virgin, of Cluain-Boirinn,9 in Ui Maine, at this date. This appears to have been the place, where she lived in conventual seclusion. It is nearly opposite to the seven churches of Clonmacnoise ;^° and that part of the Shannon, lying between both places, was anciently called Sndrah-dd-en. " A portion of this virgin's church, referred to Ireland's primitive ages of Christianity, yet remains, and some ancient inscriptions are said to have been there seen. " There were O'Kellys, who Uved at Cluainbuarain. ^3
^
See vol. i. , "Bishops of Meath," p. 139.
by some error Colgan promised to give her Life, at the 6th ot June. See Drs. Todd's
7 The parish of Clonard, in the barony of ""
and Reeve's "Martyrology of Donegal," Upper Movfenrath, is shown on the Ord- pp. i86 to 189, and Acta Sanctorum Hi- nance Survey Tow^nland Maps for the berniae," xxi. Martii. Vita S. Endei, cap.
County of Meath. " Sheets 40, 41, 46, viii. , and nn. 16, 17, pp. 706, 710.
47. The townland proper is described on
Sheets 41, 47. ^"
' This vi^as probably on the site of the
beautiful grounds, within the demesne of the
Protestant Bishop of Clogher. It is a lofty
earth-work or fortress, protected on the
See Dr. O'Donovan's Annals of the Four Masters," v—ol. i. , pp. 300, 301.
Article vi.
Kelly, p. XV.
'
Endaei, cap, iv. , p. 713.
3 He is said, by Colgan, to have been vene-
rated at the iSth of February, or at the 26th of December. Indeed, at both days, we find him under the form Molioba, of Eanach Elti, in Ui Eachadh-Uladh.
^
and south a fosse by deep
See her Life at the ist of January.
tyrology of Donegal,
" O 61tt
Edited by Rev. Dr. west
this, to the south, is a camp, surrounded by
" Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
^ See
niae," xxi. Martii. Appendix ad Vitam S. tumulus or cairn, encircled by a raised
Colgan's
a fosse. Still further southward is a single
I
s Also called Loichein, who is venerated |\inn a]\ biAutiA fiotiA. " H. i, 10, 123 b.
at the 1 2th of
^ The feast day of St. Darenia does not
appear, in our calendars ; however, the Acts of St. Enda relate, that she was, also, called Moninna, who had her religious house in
June.
Belslebhe, which appears to have been p. 134.
another form of name for Kill-slebhe. She " Yet,. Dr. O'Donovan vainly searched was venerated on the 6th of July—although for them in the graveyard, a. d. 1836. See
earth-work. See Lewis' "Topographical "
42, 43.
9 In a note, appended to this entry, in
William M. Hennessy's copy of the Mar-
Dictionary of Ireland,
vol. i. , p. 342.
^ Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
find,
'° See Dr. O'Donovan's Ancient Map
prefixed to his " Tribes and Customs of Hy-
Many. "
" See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga. "
Septima Vita S. Patricii, lib. ii. , cap. xxxiii. ,
;
beyond
bA|\-
444 LTVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February 9
There is at present a parish, called Clonbern,*^ on the western border of the
half-baronyofBallymoe,countyofGalway. ^s Thisparishconsistsofamain body and of a detached district. The latter is situated three-fourths of a
mile to the north-north-east. Bog and arable land chiefly compose the surface, while a lacustrine water-area of 130 acres, 3 roods, and 39 perches—
comprising the greater part of Lough Mackeeran, and about the half of Lough Doo—lies within the bounds. '^ This happy virgin's death is re- corded, at the 9th of February, a. d. 577, in the Annals of the Four Masters. '^ We learn, also, that her place is identical with the present Cloonburren,^^ on the west side of the Shannon, in the parish of Moore,'9 barony of Moycarn, and county of Roscommon. 2° Archdall perpetrates the mistake, of placing the death of Cairecha Cergain—as he spells it—at the 5th of February. '^ Doubtless, he mistook the v. of the February Ides—which is correct—for the 5th day of this month.
Article VIL—St. Ronan, Bishop of Lismore. [Possibly in the Eighth Cejitury. '] A saint's name is entered, in the Martyrology of Tallagh,^ at this date, as Ronan, Lios-moir. There is a Ronan entered, among the Bishops of Lismore, in Harris' Ware,^ and he appears to have had as pre- decessors Macoge,3 or Maccoigeth, who died a. d.
748,-^ or more correctly 753. 5 He is called, however, only an abbot ; but, he may, likewise, have beenabishop. Again,ata. d. 752,^wefindmentioned,thedeathofSinchu, Abbot of Lismore, and at a. d. 755,7 Condath, Abbot of Lismore. Also, in the year 763,^ died the Abbot Aedhan of Lismore. At this same year is noted the death of Ronan, in Harris' Ware,9 and in Archdall, who quotes
the same
authority.
'° Whether he was identical with the present holy man,
or not, may be questioned. Under the head of Lis-mor, Duald Mac Firbis
enters, Ronan, bishop, of Lis-mor Mochuda, at February the 9th. " His
name is also thus registered, in the Martyrology of Donegal," as Rondn,
Bishop of Lis-mor. He was venerated on this day, according to the fore- going authorities.
Article VIH. —St. Attracta, Virgin, of Killaraght, County of Sligo. [lifth or Sixth Century. ] Our national hagiologist, Father John
"Tribes and Customs of Hy-Many," n. 9,
p. 82. Also, Buile Suibhne, a MS. in the
K. I. A. , p. 141 is quoted.
'3 See ibid. Additional notes, D, p. i66.
Article vii. —''Edited by Rev. Dr.
3 See
tion with Cluain-Boirinn. It is included on niee. " Index, p. 835, col. i.
^4 in This has some similarity
pronuncia-
Colgan's
the " Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the County of Galway. " Sheets 17, 18, 30, 31.
'S See Lew^is' "Topographical Dictionary of Ireland," vol. i. , p. 350.
'^ See ** The Parliamentary Gazetteer of
Ireland," vol. i. , p. 427.
'7 See O'Donovan's edition, vol. i. , pp.
It is described on the Ordnance Sur- vey Townland Maps for the County of Ros- common. " Sheets 54, 56.
'9 Described on Sheets 50, 51, 53, 54, 55,
Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. i. , n. (w), p. 209.
'* "
See Monasticon Hibemicum," p. 608.
* See Dr. 6' Donovan's " Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 350, 351.
5 The "Annales Ultonienses," have his
death at A. D. 752, See ibid. , n. (o), p. 351.
^ See ibid. , pp. 354, 355. 7 See ibid. , pp. 358, 359.
^
See tbid. , pp. 366, 367.
9 See vol. i. , "Bishops of Lismore," p.
208, 209.
»^ "
56.
='° "
Academy," Irish MSS. series, vol. i. , part
i. , pp. 118, 119.
'^
Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 42, 43.
See Dr. O'Donovan's
Kelly, p. xv.
=" "
See vol. i. , Bishops of Lismore," p. 549.
549.
'° "
'* Acta Sanctorum Hibex-
See Monasticon Hibemicum," p.
692. ""
See Proceedings of the Royal Irish
February 9. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 445
Colgan,^ has inserted the Acts of St. Attracta, taken from the MS. book,
belonging to the Island of Lough Ree, and partly compiled from other sources. The Bollandists have published the Acts of this saint, likewise, with a previous commentary, at this day. ^ Some notices of her are to be found, in Bishop Challoner's work,3 in Rev. Alban Butler's* and Rev. S. Baring-Gould's :5 all unite in assigning her festival to this date. The Acts, published by Colgan, are said, not to have been written, until six hundred years after her death, and that they are therefore of very little authority to illustrate her history. ^ She is classed among the virgins, veiled by St. Patrick. 7 I have preferred the authorities of our Irish Martyrologists, for placing St. Attracta's biography, at the nth of August; especially, as her festival is locally kept, with great veneration, on that day.
Article IX. —Feast of St. Tarahata. {Probably in the Fifth or Sixth Century? ^ The festival of a St. Tarahatta is found in many foreign
martyrologies, at this day. ^ She is supposed, by Colgan, to have been identical with St. Attracta, whose Acts he published, at the 9th of February. ^ Several of our modern saint writers, also, have her under both forms of name. 3
ArticleX. —FeastofSt. Eada,aPriest. {PossiblyintheSixthor
Seventh Century. ] In the Kalendar, added to the Manuscript Martyrology ascribed to St. Jerome,^ Eada Presbyter is entered at the 9th of February.
The Bollandists acknowledge themselves to be ignorant regarding his identity, unless he be Eata, who, from having been abbot, became Bishop of Hagul- stadiensis, in England,^ and concerning him further notices will be found, at his recognised festival-day, the 26th of October.
Article XL—Reputed Feast of St. Erhard, Bishop of Ratisbon.
[Seventh Century. ] At the 9th of February, Camerarius has entered the
festival of Erehardus or Erchardus, the prepositus of a monastery. ^ Colgan says, that Camerarius frequently errs, and that he agrees with no writer. Yet, the authority of Pantaleon^ is referred to, and Velser. 3 Again, at this very date, we find St. Erhard, Abbot, occurring in the Annals of the Cis- tercian Monks,4 as also in the " Circle of the Seasons. " 5 By Mersceus and
other German writers, this saint is called Eberhardus.
Article viii. —^ See '<Acta rum Hibernise," ix. Februarii.
His Acts have been
Attracts
partim ex aliis, pp. 277 to 282.
^
See, likewise, the Seasons," p. 40.
^ the article, See previous
Virginis, partim
ex MS.
See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , ix. Februarii. De S. Attracta, sive Tarahata,
to
3 Such as Bishop Challoner, Rev. Alban Butler, Rev. S. Baring-Gould, &c.
Article X. —* The Bollandists add, " exarato ante annum loccxLi. "
^ " Acta tomus Feb- See Sanctorum," ii. ,
in
3 See " Britannia
Virgine,
Hibernia, pp. 296
300. Sancta," part i. . p. 113.
* See "Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs and
other Principal Saints," vol. ii. , February jecti, p. 227. —
Sancto- Vita S. Insulensi,
Article ix. —'
*' Circle of
*'De Statu
ruary ix. , pp. 236 to 238. Conversione," lib. i. , pars ii. , cap. iii. , sect.
^
ix.
s See "Lives of the Saints," vol. ii, , Feb- veteris simul ac novae Ecclesios et Infidelium
See Bishop Challoner's "Britannia 2, p. 147.
Sancta," part i. , p. 113.
7 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga,"
="" Prosopographiae, pars i.
Quinta Appendix ad Acta S. xiii,, p, 270.
Patricii, cap.
-» See 221. p.
s See p. 40.
ruarii ix. Praetermissi et in alios dies re-
Article XI.
^
See
Hominis,
3 " Boicarum Rerum," lib.
