latter
conjecture appears
to have been a
»3 The Life has " vix verve- Tripartite it,
cinse cames erant in ore eorum, cum ecee ira Dei ascendit super eos, carniumque esus
velut toxicum, justa Domini ira, injuriam servi sui vindicante, Sathanse satellites illico cxtinxitcum suoDuce et Antesignano Dergio
mistake, according to Dr.
conjecture appears
to have been a
»3 The Life has " vix verve- Tripartite it,
cinse cames erant in ore eorum, cum ecee ira Dei ascendit super eos, carniumque esus
velut toxicum, justa Domini ira, injuriam servi sui vindicante, Sathanse satellites illico cxtinxitcum suoDuce et Antesignano Dergio
mistake, according to Dr.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v3
He got the character of being patron saint of medicinal springs.
At Chadshunt, there was an oratory, and a well, bearing hisname.
Chadwell—onesourceoftheNewRiver—is,perhaps,acorrup- tion of St.
Chad's well.
*^ In the Clog Almanacks, St.
Chad's emblem is a
thishadbeen — the readinthe Perhaps, suggested by Gospel,'^ Mass,
branch.
and on the feast of his Translation formerly celebrated on the 2nd of August, with great pomp, at Lichfield. So long as the virtues of chastity, humility and a forsaking of all for Christ's sake, are esteemed among men, the name of this great Mercian Apostle ought not to be forgotten. "*
Article II. —St. Montan, or Mantan, Deacon, of Blaris, County of Down, and of Kill Mantan, County of Wicklow. \Fifth Century. '] It is thepropertyoftruewitorhumour,tobearnomalice; ithasnobitternessat heart ; it carries no venom beneath its tongue ; it aims no shafts at goodness or worth. It is not self-seeking or envious of another's reputation ; its laughter isharmless,itssparklingbeamissunny,itsaimisgenerous. Itisachildof light and of warm-heartedness. Impurity, indecency, indelicacy, it holds in aversion. Even the forfeiture of self-respect is an outrage on refinement and social propriety. In such an aspect, St. Montan or Mantan appears to have regarded the silly or sinful drolleries of strolling outcasts, at an early period,
'* At the examination of Oscott College, St. Chad's relics are thus described : No. I. A femur of the left side, nearly entire ; Nos. 3 and 3. The two tibiae, both broken at the lower ends, one having the head of the fibula adhering ; No. 4. Portion of a hume- rus. The relics were wrapped up in the slate-coloured silk, which originally enclosed them. The box containing them, and
of Bishop Wiseman. It is signed by Bishop Walsh, Bishop Wiseman, and Bishop Kyle (of Scotland).
'S It is situated on Snow Hill, between
Nos. 62 and 69 Bath Street, Birmingham, A convent dedicated to St. Chad, and also a Grammar school, under ecclesiastical direction, are among the religious institutes of the diocese.
^ See Rev. S. " Lives of Baring*Gould's
the Saints," vol, iii. , March ii. , pp. 32, 33. 'i See St. John xv. , where allusion is
made to the fruitful vine branches,
**
See Rev. S. Baring-Gould's "Lives of the Saints," vol. iii. , March ii. , p. 33.
covered with velvet and
lace,
was reclosed.
It was bound with a white silk riband, and
sealed by Bishop Walsh and by Bishop
Wiseman. An attestation of the above ex- amination and a description of the relics, dated 20th June, 1841, is in the handwriting
March 2. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 81
and who were regarded with aversion, by men of sense, of judgment, and of moral courage. His Acts, by Colgan,^ at the 2nd of March, refer to this single attributed incident of his life, and it is indicated or foreshadowed, by our previous remarks. The Bollandists^ have only a passing allusion to this saint, and some doubts respecting his identity have been thrown out. The Irish Martyrologist, Cathal Maguire, states, that Montan was venerated in a
place, called Blarus. We can only find one locality, in Ireland, bearing a denomination, at all corresponding. Within the county of Down lies the townland of Blaris,3 and there may be seen an old graveyard, with very little of the ancient church remaining. Blaris or Lisburn parish being intersected
Blaris Graveyard, County of Down.
by the River Lagan, belongs to both the counties of Down and of Antrim.
In some old Inquisitions, it is called Bally-templeblarisse. s It is denomi- nated, on an old map, " Blare. " The church and graveyard give name to
this parish. Its etymological meaning may have been derived, from Blar, " a plain," or field, and Rus " a wood ;" or perhaps, more probably, from Rus " for the soil around is of a kind. ^ Save a
s See Rev. William Reeves' "Ecclesias-
tical Antiquities of Down, Connor and Dro-
red," everywhere
red, sandy
Article ii. —' See " Acta Sanctorum Hibemise," ii. Martii. De S. Montano, Dia- cono, pp. 450, 451.
p. 125.
3 It is situated in the parish as Blaris, and
barony of Upper Castlereagh. It is marked ''
more," n. (h), p. 47.
^ The writer is indebted to Rev. David
'See "Acta
tomus Martii ii. Among the pretermitted Saints,
Sanctorum,"
i. ,
—
B. Mulcahy, C. C. , Lisburn an excellent
on the Ordnance Survey Townland Maps notes, in a letter, dated, Lisburn, 8th of
for the County of Down," Sheet 14.
* The portion of it in Down is described on Sheets 8, 14, 15, ibid. That within the barony of Upper Massariene is noted on the " Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the
County of Antrim," Sheets 64, 67, 68.
August, 1877.
7 Two of the holy water fonts are now in
the possession of Mr. P. Connery, Bridge- street, Lisburn. These were got in the old church of Blaris. The accompanying view of Blaris graveyard was sketched on the
Irish scholar, well versed in local and general Irish history—for much of the infor- mation contained in the text and illustrative
F
82 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 2.
small portion of the north side-wall—now called the old wall—the former churchhasdisappeared. ? Theornamentalstoneworkoftheeasternwindow was removed to Mr. Carlton's place, he being the former proprietor. ^ It may be questioned, whether or not, the present holy man could have been bom here ; but, now, there is not any account whatsoever of St. Mantan, in the place. It is also problematical, if he can be considered as identical with a certain St. Mantan, or Montan, Deacon, who flourished, at an early period of ourhistory. Weknowlittleregardinghim,exceptwhatcanbegleanedfrom St. Patrick's Tripartite Life ; and from this, Jocelyn seems to have related the matter, yet in a form, somewhat dissimilar. 9 Montanus is classed as a disciple to the great St. Patrick. '° He is said to have assisted the Irish Apostle, in various ministerial labours. From his designation of Deacon," we may fairly infer, that he was never elevated, beyond such an ecclesiastical rank, although Maguire, or his Scholiast, calls him a Presbyter, In the Tri- partite Life," we are told, that having arranged the religious affairs of Ara Church,^3 St. Patrick betook himself to the Hi-Fidhgente''* region, where he was hospitably received by Lonan,'s son of Eric. This chieftain prepared a banquet for him, in a castle, situated on Mount Kea,^^ and near Carn-Fera- dhuic'7mountain,inthesouthernpartofMunster. Montanassistedinpre- paring this banquet. While thus engaged, a certain band of Druids and buffoons arrived at the '^ These demanded food from St.
place. persons
Patrick, in an importunate, and even in an insulting manner. '? Fearing they
would spread scandalous reports among his new converts, unless they should receive refreshments, since the saint and his companions might be said to enjoy themselves at table, whilst others were hungry ; St. Patrick requested Lonan and Montan to send them something, to satisfy their importunities. But, disregarding the efforts of such worthless characters, to spread disparag- ing reports against the great Irish Apostle, Lonan and Montan delayed com- plying with this request, until the meat should be thoroughly cooked, and afterwards blessed by Patrick. Meantime a youth, named Nessan,^" who, together with his mother, was bearing a basket filled with viands to Lonan's
spot, by Mr. Goodman, of Belfast. It has
been transferred to the wood, by "William
F. Wakeman, and it has been engraved by George A. Hanlon.
^ When the graveyard was enlarged, more than fifty years ago, a chalice is said to have been found in the digging, by his workmen, Of this sacred object there is no trace, at present.
5 Jocelyn conceals all mention of Mon- tan's name.
tuimnig Amu. —"History of Ireland," book ii.
'^ Jocelyn calls him " de Comdothan. "
'*
It rises just on the borders of the counties of Cork and of Limerick,
'^ Fearadhach's Cam or Heap. In the " Book of Lecan," fol. 204, it is referred to as being on the southern boundary of Cliu- Mail territory. It was probably the ancient name of Seefin, in the barony of Coshlea, in the south of Limerick county. See Dr,
'° "
See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Quinta Appendix ad Acta S. Patricii, cap. xxiii. , p. 267.
©'Donovan's AnnalsoftheFourMasters," vol. i. , n. (g), p. 41.
'^
It seems probable, that these buffoons had certain characteristics with the /iw/;w«<'j, introduced from Etruria, by the ancient Romans, B. C, 364. Such dancers or tumblers are found represented on old Etruscan monuments. Illustrations of comic and tragic acting, with theatrical arrange- ments at Pompeii are numerous enough, in Thomas H. Dyer's "Pompeii : Its History, Buildings and Antiquities," part i. , chap. vii. , pp. 188 to 214.
'» Jocelyn only mentions one, whom he designates, "quidam improbus, nomine Dercardius," yet seeming to indicate, that he was leader of a band.
" We are told, by Colgan, that in Book "
i. of St. /Engus' Opuscula," cap. iii. , he is styled "Diaconus," See j^/af. , n. 74, p. 186.
"See ibid. Septima Vita S, Patricii, pars. iii. ,. cap. xlii. , pp. 157, 158.
'3 Ara Cliach was situated in the county of Limerick, and it lies round Knockany. See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the Four
Masters," vol. i,, n. (b), p. 47.
** At the reign of Diarmaid Mac Ceirb-
heoil and Conall Caol, Keating states, that this was the plain of the county of Limerick.
til -pomseince t\e i\4i'6cioi\ cli:^ Conc<\e
March 2. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 83
table, had been asked by St. Patrick to divide its contents among the buffoons. '' No sooner had they tasted this food, however, than God's vengeance fell upon them, for injuries offered to his great saint. ^^ hSS. of these men dropped dead. ''3 But, St. Patrick was likewise offended, at the disobedience of Lonan and Montan to his orders. As a punishment for their fault, he pre- dicted, that none of Lonan's seed should enjoy the regal or pontifical dignity ; while, the Church of Montan, he declared, should be humble and of mode- ratedimensions; moreover,itshouldbecomeaplaceofresortforthevulgar, and even over Montan's tomb and body, sheep and swine should afterwards
range uncontrolled, according to the Apostle's prediction,^* We cannot
Kilmantan Hill, South of Wicklow Town,
account, for the change of scene, to a place far more distant ; but, this church is said to have been situated, on the sea shore, in the eastern part of Leinster. The site is still remembered, and called after the name of the present saint. Killmantan Hiil^s is known, in the county town of Wicklow. ^^
'° tells us, this St, called Colgan Nessan,
the Deacon, had been venerated, on the
25th of July, in the Monastery of Mungar-
ret, and that he was synchronos and a dis-
ciple of St, Patrick. Or he says, there was
another St. Nessan of Cork, venerated on
the 17th of March, See "Trias Thauma-
turga," n, 75, p. 186. Also, " Acta Sancto-
rum Hibemise," Martii ii, De S. Montano Dia-
cono, n, I, p, 451. Also at xvii, Martii, De
S. Nessano Presbytero, Corcagiensi Patrono,
p. 629, For proof of this statement, he cites
St, ^ngus, Marianus O'Gorman, Maguire,
the Calendar of Cashel, and other authori-
" The food is called " vervecem coctum,"
ties. Ibid. , n. 2, p. 630. However, this sect, viii,, n, 53, p. 154.
latter
conjecture appears
to have been a
»3 The Life has " vix verve- Tripartite it,
cinse cames erant in ore eorum, cum ecee ira Dei ascendit super eos, carniumque esus
velut toxicum, justa Domini ira, injuriam servi sui vindicante, Sathanse satellites illico cxtinxitcum suoDuce et Antesignano Dergio
mistake, according to Dr. Lanigan ; for, he, whose feast occurs at that day, is St. Nessan,
Abbot of Mungret, who lived at a later period. See, the Acts of this latter, at the 25th of July,
—which means cooked mutton— partite Life of St, Patrick,
^'
in the Tri-
Jocelyn mentions this entertainment, also, and about Saint Patrick having taken a share of it. Instead of a roasted sheep, however, he makes the saint give those fellows a live animal. See " Trias Thauma- turga. " Sexta Vita S, Patricii, cap. ixxv. , p, 82, " He thus gave a twist to the anec- dote," adds Dr. Lanigan, "lest he should appear to acknowledge that there was flesh-
—See "Ecclesias- tical History of Ireland," vol. i. , chap, iv,,
meat on Lonan's table,"
84 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS [March 2.
Buidhe-cloch, or " the yellow stone," is said to have been an ancient name forWicklow. =7 Inthistovvn^^maybeseensomeinterestingremainsofthe former Franciscan Abbey,^9 which Father John Colgan must have lived in, at one time. The eminence of Killmantan is on that rock, south of the River Leitrim, but no trace of the old church can be seen there any longer. 3° Even the burial-ground, which was attached to it, has undergone various processes of desecration. Although the former Kill-Mantain Churchsi ^r^s situated, in the midst of a flourishing and growing town,32 ^ot only had its roof gone to decay, but its walls were crumbled and ruined to such a degree, that sheep, swine, with other beasts, found easy access to its interior, and frequently made it their place of refuge and rest. 33 The remains of the dead were for a long time subjected to neglect or disrespect. 34 Irishtown lies between this closed graveyard, and the Black Castle, which is situated on a steep rock overhanging the sea. That reverence,35 formerly entertained towards this church, had been transferred to another, built within the same town, and which was dedicated to St. Patrick. 3^ Notwithstanding, the memory of St Montan had not been forgotten ; for, his name was communicated, not alone to his church, but even to the district, in which it was situated. 37 We have only to add, that the festival of St. Mantan is recorded in our Martyrologies, at the 2nd of lMarch. 33 His name appears, in the Martyrology of Tallagh,39 at the 2nd of March. Marianus O'Gorman, likewise, records his festival.
Schirii filio, de septentrionalibus Desiis ori-
"
Annals of the Four Masters," vol. iv. , n. (y), pp. 991, 992.
33 Alluding to this town, Ussher says, "Giraldus Cambrensis Wykingelo, Angli
ginem trahente. " =* See Colgan's
"
Trias Thaumaturga. " Septima Vita S. Patricii, pars, iii. , cap.
HibemiKilmantanvocant. "—*' De
xlii. , pp. 157, 158.
"5 Thishistoric placehasnoseparatedistinc- tion of name on the Ordnance Survey Maps. ^ The site is shown, however, on the " Ordnance Sur\'ey Townland Maps for the County of Wicklow," Sheet 25, The town itself is in the baronies of Arklow and New-
castle, and its houses lie in the parishes of Drumkay, Kilpoole and Rathnew.
"
Sketch of the History and Antiquities of the Southern Islands of Ara—n, lying off the West Coast of
"
Ireland," &c. Transactions of the Royal
Irish Academy," vol. xiv. , p. 125.
Wicklo,
"
^* Giraldus Cambrensis, speaking of this
V.
»7 See John T. O'Flaherty's
Britannicarum Ecclesiarum Primordiis,"
cap. xvii. , p. 846.
3* Several human bones have been turned
up, in this place ; and, it is a tradition in
Wicklow, that in the year 1798, the soldiery and yeomen used to take human skulls from
it, in which they placed lighted candles, in order to terrify passengers at night. The
accompanying engraving of Kilmantan Hill was drawn on the wood, by William F.
Wakeman, and engraved by George A. Hanlon, from a photograph, kindly pro- cured for the author, by Mrs. Ryan, 89 South Great George's-street, Dublin. The
rough, in the mid-distance. The Wicklow
mountains, to the Sugar-Loaf, are repre-
sented in the background.
35 Colgan tells us, that he afterwards wit-
nessed, with his own eyes, a literal fulfil- ment of St. Patrick's prophecy, with regard to the desecration, which Kilmantan burial- ground underwent.
portus apud Wikingelo,"
the hill
diately over Wicklow town, and the Mur-
remarks in reference to the tides, along the
east coast of Ireland. See "Opera," vol.
"
Topographia Hibernica," Dist. ii. , cap. ii. , p. 77. Edited by James F. Dimock, M. A.
^Aviewofit,drawnbyT. G. Brien,is
found engraved, in Grose's "Antiquities of Ireland," vol. ii. , p. 44.
iail and court house of this town are not far removed.
3' Cill-Mantain, i. e. , the cell or church of St. Mantan. This is the ancient and present Irish name for the town of Wicklow.
3' *' It should also be remarked, that concAe cViilLe rHAncAiri is still the—Irish name, for the county of Wicklow. " Dr.
has some curious
imme-
3° The exact site is now occupied by a
garden and orchard walled round, and be-
longing to a Mr. Gregory, on the side of a
lane, branching from the main street of not easily be determined ; but, it seems Wicklow, and right over the harbour. The
O'Donovan's
foreground represents
itself,
3' Whether Colgan alludes to the parish church, or to the Franciscan church, can-
most probable, to the fonner. Some ruins of the latter are yet standing, within beauti- ful grounds, which are occupied by the parish priest.
3^ See ibtd. , nn. 2, 3, p. 451.
39
37 See Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- nise," ii. Martii. Vita S. Montani, cap. iii. , P;4SI-
Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xvii.
March 2. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. S5
We read, in the Martyrology of Donegal,*" that Montan, Priest, was vene- rated, on this day. In his Martyrology, Maguire states, that our saint was venerated, at a place called Blarus. ''^ He is called St. Mantan of Blarus, in a Calendar, compiled by Dr. Reeves. -*^ Colgan confesses himself unable to say,whetherornotBlarusshouldbeconfoundedwithKill-Mantain. Inour opinion, it seems more probably referable to a distant place, in the north of Ireland. About one mile and a half from Blaris graveyard-^s rises the flourish-
Lisburn, County of Antrim.
ing town of Lisburn,** surrounded by extensive bleach-greens, flax and spinning mills ; it being a chief seat of the Ulster linen manufactures. '5 The
town, although of comparatively modern growth, yet has a history of very considerable interest. ^^ An old burial-ground, called Kilrush,*/ lies near the town of Lisburn, and beside the Lagan River. ^^ The year of St. Montan's death is not known, although it appears pretty certain, that he flourished, a
*° Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 60, 61.
situated in the barony of Upper Castlereagh
is marked on the " Ordnance Survey Town-
land for the of Down," Sheet Maps County
14-
-ts The accompanying view of the town is
" Acta Sanctorum Hiber- nias," ii. Martii, nn. 2, 3, p. 451.
*'
See, Colgan's
** See " Ecclesiastical Antiquities
Down, Connor and Dromore. " Appendix from a photograph, kindly procured for the
LL. , p. 377.
^^ The gravedigger affirms, he found ashes,
straw and scollops, here, in the digging of graves ; also, stones, with sculptured faces
on them. He adds, a gentleman not long since told him, he had read in a book, that
a monastery was founded there, in the year 142 1, by a chieftain of the neighbourhood, named Magennis.
** That portion, situated in the barony of Upper Massareene, is shown on the ' ' Ord- nance Survey Townland Maps for the County of Antrim," Sheet 68 ; while that
writer, by Rev. David B. Mulcahy, C. C, Lisburn. It has been transferred to the wood by William F. Wakeman, and it has been engraved by Mrs. Millard.
** See an account of it, in Lewis' "Topo- graphical Dictionary of Ireland," vol. ii. , pp. 278 to 280.
47 This, however, has no designation on the Ordnance Survey Maps.
48 In 1849, appeared a volume of Poems, called * Lispings of the Lagan," by Francis Davis, " the Belfastman. " It contains some interesting local allusions.
of
86 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 2.
littleafterthemiddleofthefifthcentury. Anotherfestival,inhonourofthe present, or of a different, St. Montan, is kept, on the 26th of this month,^?
according to Colgan ; and, yet, at such date, we find him omitted, by our national hagiologist, as indeed he is likewise omitted, from most of our Calen- dars, at the last-named day.
Article III. —St. Ioava or Joava, Bishop of Leon, in Lesser BritANY, France. \Sixth Caitury. ^ From much earlier records, it would seem,thatAlbertLeGrande^producedtheActsofSt. IoavaorJoava; and, from such account, in French, we have the life of this holy man, rendered into Latin, by Father John Colgan,=' by the Bollandists,3 and by other writers. Lobineau has also some particulars, recording his achievments and virtues ;* while, the Rev. Alban Butler,5 and Rev. S. Baring-Gould, have brief notices of his life, in English. ^ The originals, from which his biography has been compiled, were old manuscript histories and legends, preserved at Leon, whenAlbertLeGrandfirsteditedhisLife,7intheyear1623. ^ Thechiefof these was an old record, containing Acts of the bishops over Leon Diocese. s We are assured, however, by Dom. Gui Alexis Lobineau, that some of St. Johava's ^vritten life appears to be false and unsustainable. ^"* From our sources, we learn, that St. lovava, Ioava, laova, lovinus, lohcevius," or Joevinus"—as he is diflferently called—had been an Irishman, by birth, and he was uncle, on the mother's side, to a prince, named Tinidorus,^3 the father ofSt. Tenenan. ^4 ThemotherofoursaintwasownsistertoSt. PaulAure-
lian. ^s However this St. some time in Wales. ^^ He may be, Joava spent
said to have studied there, under his maternal uncle, St. Paul. '7 In the
course of a short time, Joava became a great proficient in Philosophy and Theology. '* Then, having obtained his uncle's permission, our saint returned
to his father, and to his native country, where he was greatly respected for
<9 See some notices of him, at the 26th of
VIII. , the dukedom was annexed to the crown of France, a. d. 149 1, See the Bol- landists' "Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Martii iL De S. Ioava seu Jovino, &c. Albert Le Grand's Life, num. 15, and n. (n), p. 141.
»°
March. —' Articleiii.
See
"
Les Vies des Saints
de la Bretagne Armorique," «S:c.
» See "Acta Sanctorum Hibernise,"
Martii ii. Vita S. loavas, Episcopi Leon- ensis, pp. 441 to 444.
See "Histoire de Bretagne," tome i. , liv. ii. , num. ccix. , p. 76.
3 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus i.
thishadbeen — the readinthe Perhaps, suggested by Gospel,'^ Mass,
branch.
and on the feast of his Translation formerly celebrated on the 2nd of August, with great pomp, at Lichfield. So long as the virtues of chastity, humility and a forsaking of all for Christ's sake, are esteemed among men, the name of this great Mercian Apostle ought not to be forgotten. "*
Article II. —St. Montan, or Mantan, Deacon, of Blaris, County of Down, and of Kill Mantan, County of Wicklow. \Fifth Century. '] It is thepropertyoftruewitorhumour,tobearnomalice; ithasnobitternessat heart ; it carries no venom beneath its tongue ; it aims no shafts at goodness or worth. It is not self-seeking or envious of another's reputation ; its laughter isharmless,itssparklingbeamissunny,itsaimisgenerous. Itisachildof light and of warm-heartedness. Impurity, indecency, indelicacy, it holds in aversion. Even the forfeiture of self-respect is an outrage on refinement and social propriety. In such an aspect, St. Montan or Mantan appears to have regarded the silly or sinful drolleries of strolling outcasts, at an early period,
'* At the examination of Oscott College, St. Chad's relics are thus described : No. I. A femur of the left side, nearly entire ; Nos. 3 and 3. The two tibiae, both broken at the lower ends, one having the head of the fibula adhering ; No. 4. Portion of a hume- rus. The relics were wrapped up in the slate-coloured silk, which originally enclosed them. The box containing them, and
of Bishop Wiseman. It is signed by Bishop Walsh, Bishop Wiseman, and Bishop Kyle (of Scotland).
'S It is situated on Snow Hill, between
Nos. 62 and 69 Bath Street, Birmingham, A convent dedicated to St. Chad, and also a Grammar school, under ecclesiastical direction, are among the religious institutes of the diocese.
^ See Rev. S. " Lives of Baring*Gould's
the Saints," vol, iii. , March ii. , pp. 32, 33. 'i See St. John xv. , where allusion is
made to the fruitful vine branches,
**
See Rev. S. Baring-Gould's "Lives of the Saints," vol. iii. , March ii. , p. 33.
covered with velvet and
lace,
was reclosed.
It was bound with a white silk riband, and
sealed by Bishop Walsh and by Bishop
Wiseman. An attestation of the above ex- amination and a description of the relics, dated 20th June, 1841, is in the handwriting
March 2. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 81
and who were regarded with aversion, by men of sense, of judgment, and of moral courage. His Acts, by Colgan,^ at the 2nd of March, refer to this single attributed incident of his life, and it is indicated or foreshadowed, by our previous remarks. The Bollandists^ have only a passing allusion to this saint, and some doubts respecting his identity have been thrown out. The Irish Martyrologist, Cathal Maguire, states, that Montan was venerated in a
place, called Blarus. We can only find one locality, in Ireland, bearing a denomination, at all corresponding. Within the county of Down lies the townland of Blaris,3 and there may be seen an old graveyard, with very little of the ancient church remaining. Blaris or Lisburn parish being intersected
Blaris Graveyard, County of Down.
by the River Lagan, belongs to both the counties of Down and of Antrim.
In some old Inquisitions, it is called Bally-templeblarisse. s It is denomi- nated, on an old map, " Blare. " The church and graveyard give name to
this parish. Its etymological meaning may have been derived, from Blar, " a plain," or field, and Rus " a wood ;" or perhaps, more probably, from Rus " for the soil around is of a kind. ^ Save a
s See Rev. William Reeves' "Ecclesias-
tical Antiquities of Down, Connor and Dro-
red," everywhere
red, sandy
Article ii. —' See " Acta Sanctorum Hibemise," ii. Martii. De S. Montano, Dia- cono, pp. 450, 451.
p. 125.
3 It is situated in the parish as Blaris, and
barony of Upper Castlereagh. It is marked ''
more," n. (h), p. 47.
^ The writer is indebted to Rev. David
'See "Acta
tomus Martii ii. Among the pretermitted Saints,
Sanctorum,"
i. ,
—
B. Mulcahy, C. C. , Lisburn an excellent
on the Ordnance Survey Townland Maps notes, in a letter, dated, Lisburn, 8th of
for the County of Down," Sheet 14.
* The portion of it in Down is described on Sheets 8, 14, 15, ibid. That within the barony of Upper Massariene is noted on the " Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the
County of Antrim," Sheets 64, 67, 68.
August, 1877.
7 Two of the holy water fonts are now in
the possession of Mr. P. Connery, Bridge- street, Lisburn. These were got in the old church of Blaris. The accompanying view of Blaris graveyard was sketched on the
Irish scholar, well versed in local and general Irish history—for much of the infor- mation contained in the text and illustrative
F
82 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 2.
small portion of the north side-wall—now called the old wall—the former churchhasdisappeared. ? Theornamentalstoneworkoftheeasternwindow was removed to Mr. Carlton's place, he being the former proprietor. ^ It may be questioned, whether or not, the present holy man could have been bom here ; but, now, there is not any account whatsoever of St. Mantan, in the place. It is also problematical, if he can be considered as identical with a certain St. Mantan, or Montan, Deacon, who flourished, at an early period of ourhistory. Weknowlittleregardinghim,exceptwhatcanbegleanedfrom St. Patrick's Tripartite Life ; and from this, Jocelyn seems to have related the matter, yet in a form, somewhat dissimilar. 9 Montanus is classed as a disciple to the great St. Patrick. '° He is said to have assisted the Irish Apostle, in various ministerial labours. From his designation of Deacon," we may fairly infer, that he was never elevated, beyond such an ecclesiastical rank, although Maguire, or his Scholiast, calls him a Presbyter, In the Tri- partite Life," we are told, that having arranged the religious affairs of Ara Church,^3 St. Patrick betook himself to the Hi-Fidhgente''* region, where he was hospitably received by Lonan,'s son of Eric. This chieftain prepared a banquet for him, in a castle, situated on Mount Kea,^^ and near Carn-Fera- dhuic'7mountain,inthesouthernpartofMunster. Montanassistedinpre- paring this banquet. While thus engaged, a certain band of Druids and buffoons arrived at the '^ These demanded food from St.
place. persons
Patrick, in an importunate, and even in an insulting manner. '? Fearing they
would spread scandalous reports among his new converts, unless they should receive refreshments, since the saint and his companions might be said to enjoy themselves at table, whilst others were hungry ; St. Patrick requested Lonan and Montan to send them something, to satisfy their importunities. But, disregarding the efforts of such worthless characters, to spread disparag- ing reports against the great Irish Apostle, Lonan and Montan delayed com- plying with this request, until the meat should be thoroughly cooked, and afterwards blessed by Patrick. Meantime a youth, named Nessan,^" who, together with his mother, was bearing a basket filled with viands to Lonan's
spot, by Mr. Goodman, of Belfast. It has
been transferred to the wood, by "William
F. Wakeman, and it has been engraved by George A. Hanlon.
^ When the graveyard was enlarged, more than fifty years ago, a chalice is said to have been found in the digging, by his workmen, Of this sacred object there is no trace, at present.
5 Jocelyn conceals all mention of Mon- tan's name.
tuimnig Amu. —"History of Ireland," book ii.
'^ Jocelyn calls him " de Comdothan. "
'*
It rises just on the borders of the counties of Cork and of Limerick,
'^ Fearadhach's Cam or Heap. In the " Book of Lecan," fol. 204, it is referred to as being on the southern boundary of Cliu- Mail territory. It was probably the ancient name of Seefin, in the barony of Coshlea, in the south of Limerick county. See Dr,
'° "
See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Quinta Appendix ad Acta S. Patricii, cap. xxiii. , p. 267.
©'Donovan's AnnalsoftheFourMasters," vol. i. , n. (g), p. 41.
'^
It seems probable, that these buffoons had certain characteristics with the /iw/;w«<'j, introduced from Etruria, by the ancient Romans, B. C, 364. Such dancers or tumblers are found represented on old Etruscan monuments. Illustrations of comic and tragic acting, with theatrical arrange- ments at Pompeii are numerous enough, in Thomas H. Dyer's "Pompeii : Its History, Buildings and Antiquities," part i. , chap. vii. , pp. 188 to 214.
'» Jocelyn only mentions one, whom he designates, "quidam improbus, nomine Dercardius," yet seeming to indicate, that he was leader of a band.
" We are told, by Colgan, that in Book "
i. of St. /Engus' Opuscula," cap. iii. , he is styled "Diaconus," See j^/af. , n. 74, p. 186.
"See ibid. Septima Vita S, Patricii, pars. iii. ,. cap. xlii. , pp. 157, 158.
'3 Ara Cliach was situated in the county of Limerick, and it lies round Knockany. See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the Four
Masters," vol. i,, n. (b), p. 47.
** At the reign of Diarmaid Mac Ceirb-
heoil and Conall Caol, Keating states, that this was the plain of the county of Limerick.
til -pomseince t\e i\4i'6cioi\ cli:^ Conc<\e
March 2. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 83
table, had been asked by St. Patrick to divide its contents among the buffoons. '' No sooner had they tasted this food, however, than God's vengeance fell upon them, for injuries offered to his great saint. ^^ hSS. of these men dropped dead. ''3 But, St. Patrick was likewise offended, at the disobedience of Lonan and Montan to his orders. As a punishment for their fault, he pre- dicted, that none of Lonan's seed should enjoy the regal or pontifical dignity ; while, the Church of Montan, he declared, should be humble and of mode- ratedimensions; moreover,itshouldbecomeaplaceofresortforthevulgar, and even over Montan's tomb and body, sheep and swine should afterwards
range uncontrolled, according to the Apostle's prediction,^* We cannot
Kilmantan Hill, South of Wicklow Town,
account, for the change of scene, to a place far more distant ; but, this church is said to have been situated, on the sea shore, in the eastern part of Leinster. The site is still remembered, and called after the name of the present saint. Killmantan Hiil^s is known, in the county town of Wicklow. ^^
'° tells us, this St, called Colgan Nessan,
the Deacon, had been venerated, on the
25th of July, in the Monastery of Mungar-
ret, and that he was synchronos and a dis-
ciple of St, Patrick. Or he says, there was
another St. Nessan of Cork, venerated on
the 17th of March, See "Trias Thauma-
turga," n, 75, p. 186. Also, " Acta Sancto-
rum Hibemise," Martii ii, De S. Montano Dia-
cono, n, I, p, 451. Also at xvii, Martii, De
S. Nessano Presbytero, Corcagiensi Patrono,
p. 629, For proof of this statement, he cites
St, ^ngus, Marianus O'Gorman, Maguire,
the Calendar of Cashel, and other authori-
" The food is called " vervecem coctum,"
ties. Ibid. , n. 2, p. 630. However, this sect, viii,, n, 53, p. 154.
latter
conjecture appears
to have been a
»3 The Life has " vix verve- Tripartite it,
cinse cames erant in ore eorum, cum ecee ira Dei ascendit super eos, carniumque esus
velut toxicum, justa Domini ira, injuriam servi sui vindicante, Sathanse satellites illico cxtinxitcum suoDuce et Antesignano Dergio
mistake, according to Dr. Lanigan ; for, he, whose feast occurs at that day, is St. Nessan,
Abbot of Mungret, who lived at a later period. See, the Acts of this latter, at the 25th of July,
—which means cooked mutton— partite Life of St, Patrick,
^'
in the Tri-
Jocelyn mentions this entertainment, also, and about Saint Patrick having taken a share of it. Instead of a roasted sheep, however, he makes the saint give those fellows a live animal. See " Trias Thauma- turga. " Sexta Vita S, Patricii, cap. ixxv. , p, 82, " He thus gave a twist to the anec- dote," adds Dr. Lanigan, "lest he should appear to acknowledge that there was flesh-
—See "Ecclesias- tical History of Ireland," vol. i. , chap, iv,,
meat on Lonan's table,"
84 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS [March 2.
Buidhe-cloch, or " the yellow stone," is said to have been an ancient name forWicklow. =7 Inthistovvn^^maybeseensomeinterestingremainsofthe former Franciscan Abbey,^9 which Father John Colgan must have lived in, at one time. The eminence of Killmantan is on that rock, south of the River Leitrim, but no trace of the old church can be seen there any longer. 3° Even the burial-ground, which was attached to it, has undergone various processes of desecration. Although the former Kill-Mantain Churchsi ^r^s situated, in the midst of a flourishing and growing town,32 ^ot only had its roof gone to decay, but its walls were crumbled and ruined to such a degree, that sheep, swine, with other beasts, found easy access to its interior, and frequently made it their place of refuge and rest. 33 The remains of the dead were for a long time subjected to neglect or disrespect. 34 Irishtown lies between this closed graveyard, and the Black Castle, which is situated on a steep rock overhanging the sea. That reverence,35 formerly entertained towards this church, had been transferred to another, built within the same town, and which was dedicated to St. Patrick. 3^ Notwithstanding, the memory of St Montan had not been forgotten ; for, his name was communicated, not alone to his church, but even to the district, in which it was situated. 37 We have only to add, that the festival of St. Mantan is recorded in our Martyrologies, at the 2nd of lMarch. 33 His name appears, in the Martyrology of Tallagh,39 at the 2nd of March. Marianus O'Gorman, likewise, records his festival.
Schirii filio, de septentrionalibus Desiis ori-
"
Annals of the Four Masters," vol. iv. , n. (y), pp. 991, 992.
33 Alluding to this town, Ussher says, "Giraldus Cambrensis Wykingelo, Angli
ginem trahente. " =* See Colgan's
"
Trias Thaumaturga. " Septima Vita S. Patricii, pars, iii. , cap.
HibemiKilmantanvocant. "—*' De
xlii. , pp. 157, 158.
"5 Thishistoric placehasnoseparatedistinc- tion of name on the Ordnance Survey Maps. ^ The site is shown, however, on the " Ordnance Sur\'ey Townland Maps for the County of Wicklow," Sheet 25, The town itself is in the baronies of Arklow and New-
castle, and its houses lie in the parishes of Drumkay, Kilpoole and Rathnew.
"
Sketch of the History and Antiquities of the Southern Islands of Ara—n, lying off the West Coast of
"
Ireland," &c. Transactions of the Royal
Irish Academy," vol. xiv. , p. 125.
Wicklo,
"
^* Giraldus Cambrensis, speaking of this
V.
»7 See John T. O'Flaherty's
Britannicarum Ecclesiarum Primordiis,"
cap. xvii. , p. 846.
3* Several human bones have been turned
up, in this place ; and, it is a tradition in
Wicklow, that in the year 1798, the soldiery and yeomen used to take human skulls from
it, in which they placed lighted candles, in order to terrify passengers at night. The
accompanying engraving of Kilmantan Hill was drawn on the wood, by William F.
Wakeman, and engraved by George A. Hanlon, from a photograph, kindly pro- cured for the author, by Mrs. Ryan, 89 South Great George's-street, Dublin. The
rough, in the mid-distance. The Wicklow
mountains, to the Sugar-Loaf, are repre-
sented in the background.
35 Colgan tells us, that he afterwards wit-
nessed, with his own eyes, a literal fulfil- ment of St. Patrick's prophecy, with regard to the desecration, which Kilmantan burial- ground underwent.
portus apud Wikingelo,"
the hill
diately over Wicklow town, and the Mur-
remarks in reference to the tides, along the
east coast of Ireland. See "Opera," vol.
"
Topographia Hibernica," Dist. ii. , cap. ii. , p. 77. Edited by James F. Dimock, M. A.
^Aviewofit,drawnbyT. G. Brien,is
found engraved, in Grose's "Antiquities of Ireland," vol. ii. , p. 44.
iail and court house of this town are not far removed.
3' Cill-Mantain, i. e. , the cell or church of St. Mantan. This is the ancient and present Irish name for the town of Wicklow.
3' *' It should also be remarked, that concAe cViilLe rHAncAiri is still the—Irish name, for the county of Wicklow. " Dr.
has some curious
imme-
3° The exact site is now occupied by a
garden and orchard walled round, and be-
longing to a Mr. Gregory, on the side of a
lane, branching from the main street of not easily be determined ; but, it seems Wicklow, and right over the harbour. The
O'Donovan's
foreground represents
itself,
3' Whether Colgan alludes to the parish church, or to the Franciscan church, can-
most probable, to the fonner. Some ruins of the latter are yet standing, within beauti- ful grounds, which are occupied by the parish priest.
3^ See ibtd. , nn. 2, 3, p. 451.
39
37 See Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- nise," ii. Martii. Vita S. Montani, cap. iii. , P;4SI-
Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xvii.
March 2. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. S5
We read, in the Martyrology of Donegal,*" that Montan, Priest, was vene- rated, on this day. In his Martyrology, Maguire states, that our saint was venerated, at a place called Blarus. ''^ He is called St. Mantan of Blarus, in a Calendar, compiled by Dr. Reeves. -*^ Colgan confesses himself unable to say,whetherornotBlarusshouldbeconfoundedwithKill-Mantain. Inour opinion, it seems more probably referable to a distant place, in the north of Ireland. About one mile and a half from Blaris graveyard-^s rises the flourish-
Lisburn, County of Antrim.
ing town of Lisburn,** surrounded by extensive bleach-greens, flax and spinning mills ; it being a chief seat of the Ulster linen manufactures. '5 The
town, although of comparatively modern growth, yet has a history of very considerable interest. ^^ An old burial-ground, called Kilrush,*/ lies near the town of Lisburn, and beside the Lagan River. ^^ The year of St. Montan's death is not known, although it appears pretty certain, that he flourished, a
*° Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 60, 61.
situated in the barony of Upper Castlereagh
is marked on the " Ordnance Survey Town-
land for the of Down," Sheet Maps County
14-
-ts The accompanying view of the town is
" Acta Sanctorum Hiber- nias," ii. Martii, nn. 2, 3, p. 451.
*'
See, Colgan's
** See " Ecclesiastical Antiquities
Down, Connor and Dromore. " Appendix from a photograph, kindly procured for the
LL. , p. 377.
^^ The gravedigger affirms, he found ashes,
straw and scollops, here, in the digging of graves ; also, stones, with sculptured faces
on them. He adds, a gentleman not long since told him, he had read in a book, that
a monastery was founded there, in the year 142 1, by a chieftain of the neighbourhood, named Magennis.
** That portion, situated in the barony of Upper Massareene, is shown on the ' ' Ord- nance Survey Townland Maps for the County of Antrim," Sheet 68 ; while that
writer, by Rev. David B. Mulcahy, C. C, Lisburn. It has been transferred to the wood by William F. Wakeman, and it has been engraved by Mrs. Millard.
** See an account of it, in Lewis' "Topo- graphical Dictionary of Ireland," vol. ii. , pp. 278 to 280.
47 This, however, has no designation on the Ordnance Survey Maps.
48 In 1849, appeared a volume of Poems, called * Lispings of the Lagan," by Francis Davis, " the Belfastman. " It contains some interesting local allusions.
of
86 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 2.
littleafterthemiddleofthefifthcentury. Anotherfestival,inhonourofthe present, or of a different, St. Montan, is kept, on the 26th of this month,^?
according to Colgan ; and, yet, at such date, we find him omitted, by our national hagiologist, as indeed he is likewise omitted, from most of our Calen- dars, at the last-named day.
Article III. —St. Ioava or Joava, Bishop of Leon, in Lesser BritANY, France. \Sixth Caitury. ^ From much earlier records, it would seem,thatAlbertLeGrande^producedtheActsofSt. IoavaorJoava; and, from such account, in French, we have the life of this holy man, rendered into Latin, by Father John Colgan,=' by the Bollandists,3 and by other writers. Lobineau has also some particulars, recording his achievments and virtues ;* while, the Rev. Alban Butler,5 and Rev. S. Baring-Gould, have brief notices of his life, in English. ^ The originals, from which his biography has been compiled, were old manuscript histories and legends, preserved at Leon, whenAlbertLeGrandfirsteditedhisLife,7intheyear1623. ^ Thechiefof these was an old record, containing Acts of the bishops over Leon Diocese. s We are assured, however, by Dom. Gui Alexis Lobineau, that some of St. Johava's ^vritten life appears to be false and unsustainable. ^"* From our sources, we learn, that St. lovava, Ioava, laova, lovinus, lohcevius," or Joevinus"—as he is diflferently called—had been an Irishman, by birth, and he was uncle, on the mother's side, to a prince, named Tinidorus,^3 the father ofSt. Tenenan. ^4 ThemotherofoursaintwasownsistertoSt. PaulAure-
lian. ^s However this St. some time in Wales. ^^ He may be, Joava spent
said to have studied there, under his maternal uncle, St. Paul. '7 In the
course of a short time, Joava became a great proficient in Philosophy and Theology. '* Then, having obtained his uncle's permission, our saint returned
to his father, and to his native country, where he was greatly respected for
<9 See some notices of him, at the 26th of
VIII. , the dukedom was annexed to the crown of France, a. d. 149 1, See the Bol- landists' "Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Martii iL De S. Ioava seu Jovino, &c. Albert Le Grand's Life, num. 15, and n. (n), p. 141.
»°
March. —' Articleiii.
See
"
Les Vies des Saints
de la Bretagne Armorique," «S:c.
» See "Acta Sanctorum Hibernise,"
Martii ii. Vita S. loavas, Episcopi Leon- ensis, pp. 441 to 444.
See "Histoire de Bretagne," tome i. , liv. ii. , num. ccix. , p. 76.
3 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus i.
