The chieftain's
satellites
were sent, to apprehend the author of this crime ; but, when they had discovered his place of retreat, not daring to violate a recog- nised sanctuary, they returned to Theodoric, with an account of what had occurred ; and, stating their own scruples, in prosecuting further proceed- ings.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v3
io8, and Septima Vita S.
Patricii, cap.
civ.
, cv.
, cvi.
, p.
i68.
^^ See notices of a St. Diuren, at the 6th of October.
**
At the 27th of July, see some notices of a saint so called.
'^^ In his account of Kildysart parish,
Clonderalaw barony, county of Clare, Mr. O'Donovan says, "To the east of Canon Island, at no great distance is Inis-luaidhe (Inishloe), which is mentioned in St. Senan's
'' The reader is referred to what has been
said of Mota or Mola, in a preceding Life as containing a church. But there is no
chapter,
'° St. ^ngus states, that a certain Blatius
had several sons, in a Tract, lib. iii. , cap. iii. Whether Segarius was one of these or not, has yet to be determined.
ruin on it at present, nor even a graveyard, nor anything but an old tree, which is be- lieved to have been blessed by St. Senan. To this parish also belongs Inis-tubrid, which is mentioned in St. Senan's Life, but
*' See
niae," viii. Martii, n. 29, p. 536.
Colgan's
" Acta Sanctorum Hiber- there is no ruin on it at present. " See County of Clare Antiquarian Letters of the
"See ibid. Vita Secunda S. Senani, cap. xlii. , p. 533.
^3 It is doubtful, however, if Limerick could have had this early origin.
=•* A like miracle is recorded of St. Patrick, by Jocelyn, in his Life of that saint, chapter 193, as also in the Tripartite Life, part iii. , chapters 104, 105, 106. See Col-
Irish Ordnance Survey, vol. ii. , p. 59. Mr.
O'Donovan's Letter, dated Kildysart, 9th
November, 1839.
==*
Colgan could find nothing regarding this priest, unless he was Cetheus, denomi- nated the Traveller, Bishop and Martyr in
the city ot Aternensis, in the time of Pope Gregory, and who is set down, in the Car-
248 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 8.
other holy men, assembled to assist at the burial of St. Senan. 3° Those,
who were present, complained much of the loss religion had sustained, owing to our saint's death ; and, the more so, as he had not designated his suc-
cessor, nor signified his dying wishes, regarding the affairs of his church nor the state of his monastery. 3' Nor did he make any will, whereby all things mighthavebeenarranged,withsatisfactionandpermanency. Whilethese remarks were circulating, to the great surprise of all, St. Senan arose in his coffin, as if awaking from a profound sleep. He saluted all those, who were standing around, and he requested them to lay aside their pious solicitude ; saying, that whilst in the Kingdom of Heaven, through Divine clemency, he should not have less care and protection for his church, than if he were yet livingamongmen. HethentoldhismonkstoelectOdran,astheirabbot;
and, afterwards, to choose his successors, according to their exalted virtues and merits, and not on account of race or family, nor through considerations offleshorblood. Herecommendedhissuccessors,tobemildtowardstheir subjects, to be hospitable to strangers and to poor persons ; to their subjects he recommended obedience, and the austerities of exact observance ; whilst he exhorted both to shun faults, and to practise charity, piety and all other virtues. Afteralongdiscoursetomultitudesthereassembled,whoweretrans- ported beyond themselves, with what they had heard and seen, and who were giving vent to their admiration by proclaiming the Divine praises, the period for his true release from earthly bonds had come, and, in fine, St. Senan reposed in the Lord. His body was buried in the church, with great honour ; and, to the time when the author of his Prose Life wrote, frequent miracles
were wrotight, through this holy patron's merits and intercession. 3^
CHAPTER VI.
POSTHUMOUS RENOWN OF ST. SENAN—MONUMENTS AND MEMORIALS RECORDING HIM— MIRACLES OCCURRING AFTER HIS DEATH, AND ATTRIBUTED TO HIS INFLUENCE LOCAL AND CALENDAR COMMEMORATIONS—CONCLUSION.
When the Almighty had summoned his great servant, to everlasting rest, fame spread abroad his wonderful miracles and virtues. Especially in the
thusian Martyrology, at the 13th of June. His era, about the year 600, favours this
svipposition. He might be called the Tra- veller, in all probability, because he left his own country. Colgan thinks it still more probable, he was identical with St. Caiteus, in whose name the Church of Kill-chaide in the adjoining diocese of Tuani had been dedicated.
"i Colgan thinks his festival may be
assigned, either to the 20th of January or to
the 13th of August.
"
30 See
Martii, nn. 31, 32, 33, 34, p. 536.
Eng-
Acta Sanctorum Hibernioe," viii.
3' Dr. Lanigan remarks, regarding Deron, Bishop of Limerick, who is named in the foregoing account, that neither was there a bishop nor a city of Limerick, in those days. As to the city, Ferrar could not find any- thing authentic concerning it, until the middle of the 9th century. See his " His-
tory of Limerick," part i. , chap, i. , p. 3. Neither Ware nor Harris were able to dis-
cover any undoubted bishop in its see, be- fore Gillebert, who lived in the eleventh century ; as to St. Munchin or Manchan —whose Life is
at the 2nd of January Dr. Lanigan thinks it is more probable, thathewasnotBishopofLimerick. Even if he were, as some say, its first bishop, it is argued, that see was not yet formed in Senan's time, whereas Munchin lived in the seventh century. It is to be observed, that the author of the Second Life lived at a very
late period, and after the arrival of the
lish in Ireland, when Limerick had become a respectable city. In the First or Metrical Life, which is more ancient, the names of the bishops and abbots, who were at Senan's funeral, are not given. See " Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, xi. , sect. iv. , n. 33, pp. 92, 93.
3= See Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- nise," viii. Martii. Vita Secunda S. Senani, cap. xliii. , p. 533, and Vita Metrica S. Senani, cap. xxv. , xxvi,, pp. 523, 524.
March 8. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 249
south-western parts of Ireland, his memory was held in the highest respect. Thus, St. Senan an—d St. Ita' were popularly assumed, as the great saints of
Hy-Connaill-Gaura representedbythebaroniesofUpperandLowerCon- nilloe. From such circumstance, it has been inferred, that Senan's jurisdic- tion, besides including some parts on the northern bank of the Shannon, comi^rised districts lying to the south, and to the south-east side of that river. 2 He was regarded, as particular patron of the ancient territory of Thomond. This is said, to have been originally set apart for the Firbolgs, and for other races, conquered by the Milesians. It is embraced, south and east, by the River Shannon ; its westerly bound extends a long distance, by the sea, into the bay of Galway. 3
St. Senan died, in all probability, either about, or shortly after, the middle of the sixth century. Most likely, his remains were enshrined on Scattery Island ; but, the Danish incursions of after times caused his monastery
there to be profaned and despoiled. '^ Although, it had been formerly de- faced,5 by those barbarians, the monument of holy Senan is said to have been seen, on Iniscathy Island, towards the close of last century. The saint's head, covered with a mitre, according to a local tradition, had been fixed in a stone, that closed the top of an altar window, in the great church. This image w^as boldly executed, and, in the last century, but very little de- faced. Severalcellsweretobeseen. ^ Oncertainfestivals,likewise,numerous pilgrims repaired to this island. ? A learned writer remarks,^ that notwith- standing the great fame of St. Senan, and the many monuments still recording his name and transactions, in connection with Iniscatthy Island, a modern pseudo-antiquary has had the effrontery to write, that he was no other than theRiverShannonpersonified. 9 ByPtolemythisriveriscalledSenus,'°andby Irish writers, it is designated Sionna," or Seinnon, and Latinized, Sinnanus, orSinennus. " Itisnotnecessary,ofcourse,tonoticeseriouslysuchanex- travagant conjecture ; but, an allusion to it, in the subjoined note,^3 will give the reader of our saint's Life some idea of the manner, in which the Rev. Dr. Ledvvich deals with Irish history and antiquities, in his pedantic, prejudiced, and very worthless compilation. We can scarcely wonder, that the learned Dr. Lanigan should give vent to his honest indignation, by indulging in re-
marks, manifesting an accerbity of tone and feeling, towards this ignorant writer ; and, that he should sometimes employ expressions, beneath historic
Chapter vi. —' See her
Life,
at the
15th
' See Rev. Dr. Leclwich's " of Antiquities
of January.
^ " '°
See Dr. Lanigan's Ecclesiastical His- tory of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, xi. , sect, iv,, p. 90, and nn. 26, 27, 28, pp. 11, 12.
TJius it is marked, on his ancient Map of Ireland.
" See the Vita S. Fintani, Cluain Ednach, cap. iii.
'^
So is it MTitten, in the Life of St. Senan himself, in which he is constantly
3 See that most readable and thoughtful
work, which does equal justice to the
scholarship and learning of the distinguished
American writer, Thomas C. Amory, called Senanus. "Transfer of Erin: or the Acquisition of
Ireland by England," chap, xiii. , p. 62.
* See Archdall's "Monasticon liiberni-
cum," pp. 49 to 52.
s See Dr. Sylvester O'Halloran's " His-
'3 Dr. I>anigan pertinently remarks, in this connexion, and in reference to Led-
wich " Does he mean to drive out of ex-
:
istence hundreds of Irish families, that bear
the name of Shannon ? Accoiding to his
mode of treating antiquities, many persons should be changed into rivers. The cele-
brated St. Nilus, with whom Senan was
nearly contemporary, would have been a
and — more than the River phantom, notiiing
tory of Ireland," vol. ii. , p. 236. ^"
See Charles Smith's Ancient and
Present State of the County of Kerry,"
of Limerick. "
chap, viii. , p. 227. 7 See Ferrar's
"History Appendix, No. XV. , p. 378.
"
Nile personified. " "Ecclesiastical History See Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical His- of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, xi. , sect, iv. , n.
tory of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, xi. , sect, iv. , 38, p. 99.
p. 91. '* In justice to Dr. Lanigan, it must be
Ireland," p. 32.
250
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 8.
when
writers and students, the character of Ledwich's so-called
Ireland " is now understood. The work itself has long since fallen into deserved contempt and neglect. In addition to what has been already stated, it must be observed, that the gift of poesy, as of prophecy, was attri- buted to the holy Patron of Iniscathay. 'S
The author of St. Senan's Prose Life gives us an account, regarding some
of those miracles, said to have been wrought through his merits, and, which took place, previous to that time when he wrote. An account of these may
prove interesting to the reader,^nd may furnish a clue to the comparatively recent period of the composition. On the authority of this biography, many statements, contained in preceding chapters, rest. During a time, that Theo- doric,^^ son to Thadeus O'Brien,'? ruled over the principality of Thomond,'^ a certain man, subject to his rule, being accused of having committed homi- cide in a brawl, fled to the monastery of St, Senan. Its church had always been considered, a place of refuge and a safe asylum, in these parts.
The chieftain's satellites were sent, to apprehend the author of this crime ; but, when they had discovered his place of retreat, not daring to violate a recog- nised sanctuary, they returned to Theodoric, with an account of what had occurred ; and, stating their own scruples, in prosecuting further proceed- ings. On hearing this, the chief was excited to anger. Accompanied by a great band of soldiers, he proceeded to St. Senan's Monastery. Here, he quartered himself and his troops, 'for that night, to the great inconvenience of the monks, belonging to this house, who, as being subject to his rule, were also subjected to his exactions. On the following night, he stopped at the church of Kill-mic an dubhain'9—now called Kilmacduane^°—which was an appendagetotheMontisteryofIniscatthy, WhileTheodoricremainedthere, St. Senan appeared to the Prior of Iniscatthay Monastery, as if preparing for a journe}^ Being asked who he was, or whither he was bound, the appari- tion answered, he was Senan, and that he wished to proceed to inflict punish-
dignity,
referring
to such absurd statements. ^"^ By all Irish historical
remarked, that these expressions are not
found in the body of his history, but, rather, in its notes,
'* " The principality of Tiiomond, gene- rally called the country of the Dal-Cais, com- prised the entire of the present county of
'5 In a MS. Codex, classed Vol. iv. , Part Clare ; the parishes of Iniscaltra and Clon-
ii. , there is an Irish Life of St. Senan, at p.
rush, in the county of Galway ; the entire of
half of the barony of Clanwilliam, in the county of Tipperary ; thebaroniesof Owney-
beg, Coonagh and Clanwilliam, and the eastern halves of the baronies of Small and Coshlea, in the county of Limerick. "— County of Clare Antiquarian Letters of the Irish Oi'dnance Survey. Mr. O'Donovan's Ancient Territories in Thomond, as com-
an account of the
O' Carroll the baronies of ;
Ii8;
after death, through St. Senan, at p, 233 ; and different Poems attributed to St. Senan, to St. Brendan and to others, in Irish, at p.
142. These were transcribed, by Michael O'Clery, from older MSS. , and they arenow
preserved in the Burgundiau Library, at Bruxelles. It is to be regretted, that some efforts have not been made, to procure copies of those valuable Codices.
Ely
Upper and Lower Ormond, Owney and Arra, and somewhat more than the western
miracles, wrought
Ikerrin,
'* This was not the celebrated King of
Munster, Toirdhealbhach O'Brian, who piled or signed, by "J. O'D. , February afterwards became Monarch over all Ireland, 13th, 1841," p. 9.
and who died at Kincoradh, A. D. io86, in ''This is now a parish church, in the
the seventy-seventh year of his age. See ^ ancient temtory of Corcobaschin, near Inis- "
Dr, O'Donovan's Annals of the Four catthy, and belonging to the diocese of Kil-
Masters," vol, ii. , pp. 926, 927.
'7 Said to have been son to Donat Car-
brech, by some authorities, or rather, per-
haps, as Colgan seems to think, grandson of
the same, by his son Cornelius, according to
the opinion of certain historians. See "Acta 58, The Townland proper, divided into Sanctorum Hibemiae," Martii viii,, n. 35, p. East and West, is in the barony of Moyarta 536. alone, and shown on Sheets 47, 48, 57, 58.
laloe.
''°
*'
This parish, situated in the baronies of Ibrickan and Moyarta, is described, on the
Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the County of Clare," Sheets 38, 39, 47, 48, 57,
"
Antiquities of
March 8. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS 251
nient on the chief, for his temerity. A short time afterwards, and, on the same night, he appeared to Theodoric, whom he transfixed with the end of his staff. This stroke inflicted a wound, in the leg, which caused the chief- tain much torture. While this latter asked, why he had become thus wounded ; the saint answered, that it was on account of violence and injury inflicted on his church, and on his subjects. Saying these words, the appari- tion instantly vanished. On awaking, Theodoric found himself in a state, from which he could obtain no relief, through his medical attendants, until he died, after having suffered most extreme torture. ^^
At another time, a certain insolent noble, named Murchad O'Brien, who
was accompanied by a band, subject to him, came to Iniscatthy. They wished to take from it, by violence, a vessel, the property of its monks. The
prior and clergy, belonging to the monastery, met them, and earnestly be- sought the troop, not to act sacrilegiously upon a spot, always regarded as a place of asylum. But, this rapacious band still persisting in such purpose, some members of the congregation, belonging to the monastery, hastened to assistthemonks. Atlength,thisaffairproceededtoblows,andtheimpiety of Murchad went so far, as to cause his striking one of the clergy present, with his hand, and, in such a manner, as to cause a severe wound. After- wards, the chief and his band fled from that place ; but, God's judgments followed him, in punishment for his sacrilegious conduct. On that very night, while he was asleep, St. Senan appeared to him, and threatened punish- ment for his crimes. When the culprit learned this, he endeavoured to —obtain the saint's pardon by prayers, and by any satisfaction he might impose
but, in vain ; for, presently, he felt a great pain, in the left side, and he then awoke, crying out, that it had been transfixed by God's holy servant. While his wife and family ask the cause for his outcries and pain, the chief said, that on account of injuries inflicted on the clergy, their Patron, St. Senan, had given a wound, which must shortly result in his death. Immediately afterwards, he expressed a desire to make his will, that thus his affairs might be arranged, previous to his departure. " At another time, having violently invaded Corcobaschind territory, Richard de Clare^^ devastated every place with fire and sword, making no distinction between lay and ecclesiastical property. Among his other acts of rapine, he spoiled St. Senan's church ; when the clergy and people of the territory, moved by this sacrilegious act, poured forth a petition to their patron, that he would procure the infliction of meritedpunishment,onthisimpiousinvader. Theirprayerswereheard,and on the night after, Senan appeared to the monastery sacristan, who was told, that in consequence of petitions, offered to the patron, he would inflict chastise- ment on Richard de Clare, for the rapine and outrages visited on the saint's church and territory. Immediately afterwards, the saint appeared in person, to this chief, whom he struck with his staff; and, in consequence thereof, De Clare became imbecile and his head was rendered delirious. Three days after, this offender fell, by the hands of his enemies, in a hostile encounter. '^
Among the many churches, dedicated to St. Senan, was one named Kill- challige. ^s it was reverenced by the people, and with a veneration, second
^^ See " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- Colgan's
nise," viii. Martii. Vita Secunda S. Senani,
cap. xlvi. , p. 534,
^^ This church was situated within the
^^ See
"Acta Sanctorum Hiber- niae," viii. Martii. Vita Secunda S. Senani,
cap. xliv. , p. 533.
" See the Bollandists' " Acta Sancto-
Colgan's
S. Senani, cap. vii. , num. 53, pp. 777, 778. "3 On the authority of Camden, the Bol-
Moyarta, and county of Clare. Tliere was a burying-ground, called Cill-na-g-Caileach,
_
rum," tomus i. , viii. Martii. Vita Secunda present parish of Kilfearagh, barony of
landists place his death, at A. D, 1262. See i. e. , ibid. , num. 54, note (i).
the Church of the Nuns. " It lies in
"
the townland, to which it has given name.
252 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 8.
only to that entertained for Iniscatthy. By degrees, however, respect for it began to languish, until, in course of time, this edifice was converted into a barn. Such an irreverent use of the building was thought to have called forth our saint's displeasure, and, through a very humble instrument ; for, a sparrow having taken a burning brand, from some neighbouring fire, com- municated it to lieaps of straw, which, with the house, perished, in a con- flagration, that immediately followed. The people, however, prepared materials to restore this building. Whilst in need of lime and mortar, for such a purpose, St. Senan appeared to a villager, named Senanin O'Hettro- main,^^ telling him, that he must dig to some depth, near the house of a daughter of Y-bhmachain, where he should find so much lime, as ought to suffice, for rebuilding the church. These orders were obeyed, and, according to the promise given, so much lime was found, as served their purpose ; while the heap did not seem at all diminished in the trench, during the pro- gress of this building. ^7 What is further remarkable, in connexion with this lime, there was a curative property, it was popularly supposed to possess, in reference both to men and cattle. ^^ Donatus, son to Donald, who ruled over
Corcobaschind territory, had violated the churches of St. Senan, through
Satan'sinstigation; and,hehadevenviolentlydrivenawayherds,belonging to the neighbouring tenants. Having plundered the churches*? of Kill-na-
callige,3° Kill-charitain, and Ros-anaircheil, the Vicar of St. Senan, the vicars of other churches, with the clergy of this region, arranged themselves in a solemn procession. Bringing forth the various relics in their custody, they proceeded to Donatus, and on representing the immunity due to property, belonging to their respective churches, they asked him to restore what he had taken. They threatened those unjust invaders with the malediction of God, of St. Senan, and of other saints, connected with those churches, rendered holy by being their burial places, and by the possession of their relics. The heart of Donatus, however, proving obdurate, he disregarded these warnings. AVherefore, the clergy had recourse to the spiritual arms of the Church ; and, they fulminated a sentence of excommunication against him, with the sound- ing of bells. Although, at first, disposed to show some signs of penitence, yet, the unjust invader relapsed again into a state of more obstinate impiety. This chief, having supported a large band of soldiers, was obliged at great expense to procure them sustenance and largesses, for half of the year. At the end of this time, when he led them to the field, Donatus, his brothers, and his paid satellites, who were accomplices in the sacrilege perpetuated on the churches of God and of St. Senan, all miserably perished. His brother,
Part of the church walls were standing here, within the recollection of Eugene O'Curry,
that limit, though they were almost all boat- men. "— /(5/</. , p. 357.
but now there is not a
visible. See
"
Vita Secunda S. Senani,
County of Clare Antiquarian Letters of the
Irish Ordnance Survey, vol. i. , p. 356. Mr.
Eugene Curry's Letter, dated Kilidisert, 8th
November, 1839. In his identification of
this place with Kill-Challige, Mr, O'Curry
refers to the present and to a subsequent
passage, taken from the Life of St. Senan,
cap. xlvii. , xlviii. '
36 (( The O'Hedromans are still numerous, in the parish of Moyarta adjoining, and are traditionally remembered as the ferrymen and fishermen of St. Seanan, who, it is said, left them the privilege that none of the name should ever be drowned between Inis Cath- aigh and Kilcardain ; nor was any of them remembered to have been drowned within
vestige
Colgan's
Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
^^ See
nije," viii. Martii.
cap. xlvii. , p. 534.
""^
See ibid. , cap. xlviii.
=» These were situated, not far from Scat-
tery Island, in the territory of Corco-bhas-
cinn, and in the diocese of KilJaloe, as
Colgan states, in n. 37, p. 536.
30 This church has been identified, in a
note to the foregoing paragi-aph. But, I am unable to identify the other two places, after a careful examination of the MS. Index to the Townland and Parishes of Clare County, as preserved in the Irish Ordnance Survey Office, Phcenix Park. Hence, I suppose, the names have become obsolete, in that part of the countrv.
March 8. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 253
Bernard, who, in no manner had been connected with those outrages, alone escaped. 3^
Another time, Mathgamanius, or Matthew, son to Domnald, son to Mur- chertach, wished to take away by violence certain herds, which were kept in a place of refuge, sacred to St. Senan. When his vicar, and the people of this place, wished to prevent that violence, Matthew shot two arrows at the vicar, intending to deprive him of life ; however, these arrows did not even pene- trate his garments, against which they lightly glanced. On seeing this, the chief was enraged, and leaping in among the cattle, he killed an ox ; but, be- fore himself or his companions could remove the quarters, Matthew was seized with a sudden illness, and he immediately expired. 3^ On a certain occasion, some wicked depredators, entering the lands dedicated to St. Senan, took away a cow, from the herd of a venerable priest, named O'Regan. Thisanimalwasbutcheredatapond,somedistancefromthat place, where the theft had been committed ; and, afterwards, a calf belonging to this cow, was covered with its hide, and sunk in the bottom of a pit near the pool. A public search was instituted, for recovery of the missing cow ; during which, it was believed, that the authors of this robbery must incur St. Senan's displeasure. After a month had elapsed, the robbers returned to the pit, whence they drew forth the skin-covered calf ; when, to their surprise, this animal was alive, and signified the fact, by bleating aloud three different times. Being seized with astonishment, at what they looked upon as a mira- culous occurrence, those thieves returned to the priest. To him they con- fessed, what had taken place ; whilst, at the same time, they promised him restitution for the injustice committed. They likewise engaged the future amendment of their lives. ^3
A clerical Synod being at one time convened, in St. Senan's church ;
amongst other decrees, one was passed, for the erection of a chapel, in
honour of the Blessed Virgin. But, a difficulty was presented, in the way of
obtaining stones, which could easily be dressed, or which might serve for the purpose of being converted into lime. While in such state of perplexity, the
clergy retired on this day; but, on the following, when going out, one of these clerics found near the church the very stones required, and, sufficient in
quantity,
Iniscattery was the see of a bishop, before the English invasion, and until
united with Limerick, about the beginning of the twelfth century. 35 Long after the death of St. Senan, the O'Brians held Iniscathay, to repel the Danish invaders of their territories. It was long an object for contention, between both parties, and our Annals3^ abound with notices of their quarrels. This island contains nearly 180 acres ; and about 20 of these were under wood, previous to the dissolution of monasteries,37 but, not a shrub now remains. 38
to build the whole sacred edifice. 3-t
" Acta Sanctoram Hiber- nise," viii. Martii. Vita Secunda S. Senani,
cap. xlix. , p. 534.
3^ See ibid. , cap. 1. , p. 534.
S. Senani, cap. vii. , num. 59, p. 778. Albert le Grand relates this incident, in a different manner. See n.
^^ See notices of a St. Diuren, at the 6th of October.
**
At the 27th of July, see some notices of a saint so called.
'^^ In his account of Kildysart parish,
Clonderalaw barony, county of Clare, Mr. O'Donovan says, "To the east of Canon Island, at no great distance is Inis-luaidhe (Inishloe), which is mentioned in St. Senan's
'' The reader is referred to what has been
said of Mota or Mola, in a preceding Life as containing a church. But there is no
chapter,
'° St. ^ngus states, that a certain Blatius
had several sons, in a Tract, lib. iii. , cap. iii. Whether Segarius was one of these or not, has yet to be determined.
ruin on it at present, nor even a graveyard, nor anything but an old tree, which is be- lieved to have been blessed by St. Senan. To this parish also belongs Inis-tubrid, which is mentioned in St. Senan's Life, but
*' See
niae," viii. Martii, n. 29, p. 536.
Colgan's
" Acta Sanctorum Hiber- there is no ruin on it at present. " See County of Clare Antiquarian Letters of the
"See ibid. Vita Secunda S. Senani, cap. xlii. , p. 533.
^3 It is doubtful, however, if Limerick could have had this early origin.
=•* A like miracle is recorded of St. Patrick, by Jocelyn, in his Life of that saint, chapter 193, as also in the Tripartite Life, part iii. , chapters 104, 105, 106. See Col-
Irish Ordnance Survey, vol. ii. , p. 59. Mr.
O'Donovan's Letter, dated Kildysart, 9th
November, 1839.
==*
Colgan could find nothing regarding this priest, unless he was Cetheus, denomi- nated the Traveller, Bishop and Martyr in
the city ot Aternensis, in the time of Pope Gregory, and who is set down, in the Car-
248 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 8.
other holy men, assembled to assist at the burial of St. Senan. 3° Those,
who were present, complained much of the loss religion had sustained, owing to our saint's death ; and, the more so, as he had not designated his suc-
cessor, nor signified his dying wishes, regarding the affairs of his church nor the state of his monastery. 3' Nor did he make any will, whereby all things mighthavebeenarranged,withsatisfactionandpermanency. Whilethese remarks were circulating, to the great surprise of all, St. Senan arose in his coffin, as if awaking from a profound sleep. He saluted all those, who were standing around, and he requested them to lay aside their pious solicitude ; saying, that whilst in the Kingdom of Heaven, through Divine clemency, he should not have less care and protection for his church, than if he were yet livingamongmen. HethentoldhismonkstoelectOdran,astheirabbot;
and, afterwards, to choose his successors, according to their exalted virtues and merits, and not on account of race or family, nor through considerations offleshorblood. Herecommendedhissuccessors,tobemildtowardstheir subjects, to be hospitable to strangers and to poor persons ; to their subjects he recommended obedience, and the austerities of exact observance ; whilst he exhorted both to shun faults, and to practise charity, piety and all other virtues. Afteralongdiscoursetomultitudesthereassembled,whoweretrans- ported beyond themselves, with what they had heard and seen, and who were giving vent to their admiration by proclaiming the Divine praises, the period for his true release from earthly bonds had come, and, in fine, St. Senan reposed in the Lord. His body was buried in the church, with great honour ; and, to the time when the author of his Prose Life wrote, frequent miracles
were wrotight, through this holy patron's merits and intercession. 3^
CHAPTER VI.
POSTHUMOUS RENOWN OF ST. SENAN—MONUMENTS AND MEMORIALS RECORDING HIM— MIRACLES OCCURRING AFTER HIS DEATH, AND ATTRIBUTED TO HIS INFLUENCE LOCAL AND CALENDAR COMMEMORATIONS—CONCLUSION.
When the Almighty had summoned his great servant, to everlasting rest, fame spread abroad his wonderful miracles and virtues. Especially in the
thusian Martyrology, at the 13th of June. His era, about the year 600, favours this
svipposition. He might be called the Tra- veller, in all probability, because he left his own country. Colgan thinks it still more probable, he was identical with St. Caiteus, in whose name the Church of Kill-chaide in the adjoining diocese of Tuani had been dedicated.
"i Colgan thinks his festival may be
assigned, either to the 20th of January or to
the 13th of August.
"
30 See
Martii, nn. 31, 32, 33, 34, p. 536.
Eng-
Acta Sanctorum Hibernioe," viii.
3' Dr. Lanigan remarks, regarding Deron, Bishop of Limerick, who is named in the foregoing account, that neither was there a bishop nor a city of Limerick, in those days. As to the city, Ferrar could not find any- thing authentic concerning it, until the middle of the 9th century. See his " His-
tory of Limerick," part i. , chap, i. , p. 3. Neither Ware nor Harris were able to dis-
cover any undoubted bishop in its see, be- fore Gillebert, who lived in the eleventh century ; as to St. Munchin or Manchan —whose Life is
at the 2nd of January Dr. Lanigan thinks it is more probable, thathewasnotBishopofLimerick. Even if he were, as some say, its first bishop, it is argued, that see was not yet formed in Senan's time, whereas Munchin lived in the seventh century. It is to be observed, that the author of the Second Life lived at a very
late period, and after the arrival of the
lish in Ireland, when Limerick had become a respectable city. In the First or Metrical Life, which is more ancient, the names of the bishops and abbots, who were at Senan's funeral, are not given. See " Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, xi. , sect. iv. , n. 33, pp. 92, 93.
3= See Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- nise," viii. Martii. Vita Secunda S. Senani, cap. xliii. , p. 533, and Vita Metrica S. Senani, cap. xxv. , xxvi,, pp. 523, 524.
March 8. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 249
south-western parts of Ireland, his memory was held in the highest respect. Thus, St. Senan an—d St. Ita' were popularly assumed, as the great saints of
Hy-Connaill-Gaura representedbythebaroniesofUpperandLowerCon- nilloe. From such circumstance, it has been inferred, that Senan's jurisdic- tion, besides including some parts on the northern bank of the Shannon, comi^rised districts lying to the south, and to the south-east side of that river. 2 He was regarded, as particular patron of the ancient territory of Thomond. This is said, to have been originally set apart for the Firbolgs, and for other races, conquered by the Milesians. It is embraced, south and east, by the River Shannon ; its westerly bound extends a long distance, by the sea, into the bay of Galway. 3
St. Senan died, in all probability, either about, or shortly after, the middle of the sixth century. Most likely, his remains were enshrined on Scattery Island ; but, the Danish incursions of after times caused his monastery
there to be profaned and despoiled. '^ Although, it had been formerly de- faced,5 by those barbarians, the monument of holy Senan is said to have been seen, on Iniscathy Island, towards the close of last century. The saint's head, covered with a mitre, according to a local tradition, had been fixed in a stone, that closed the top of an altar window, in the great church. This image w^as boldly executed, and, in the last century, but very little de- faced. Severalcellsweretobeseen. ^ Oncertainfestivals,likewise,numerous pilgrims repaired to this island. ? A learned writer remarks,^ that notwith- standing the great fame of St. Senan, and the many monuments still recording his name and transactions, in connection with Iniscatthy Island, a modern pseudo-antiquary has had the effrontery to write, that he was no other than theRiverShannonpersonified. 9 ByPtolemythisriveriscalledSenus,'°andby Irish writers, it is designated Sionna," or Seinnon, and Latinized, Sinnanus, orSinennus. " Itisnotnecessary,ofcourse,tonoticeseriouslysuchanex- travagant conjecture ; but, an allusion to it, in the subjoined note,^3 will give the reader of our saint's Life some idea of the manner, in which the Rev. Dr. Ledvvich deals with Irish history and antiquities, in his pedantic, prejudiced, and very worthless compilation. We can scarcely wonder, that the learned Dr. Lanigan should give vent to his honest indignation, by indulging in re-
marks, manifesting an accerbity of tone and feeling, towards this ignorant writer ; and, that he should sometimes employ expressions, beneath historic
Chapter vi. —' See her
Life,
at the
15th
' See Rev. Dr. Leclwich's " of Antiquities
of January.
^ " '°
See Dr. Lanigan's Ecclesiastical His- tory of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, xi. , sect, iv,, p. 90, and nn. 26, 27, 28, pp. 11, 12.
TJius it is marked, on his ancient Map of Ireland.
" See the Vita S. Fintani, Cluain Ednach, cap. iii.
'^
So is it MTitten, in the Life of St. Senan himself, in which he is constantly
3 See that most readable and thoughtful
work, which does equal justice to the
scholarship and learning of the distinguished
American writer, Thomas C. Amory, called Senanus. "Transfer of Erin: or the Acquisition of
Ireland by England," chap, xiii. , p. 62.
* See Archdall's "Monasticon liiberni-
cum," pp. 49 to 52.
s See Dr. Sylvester O'Halloran's " His-
'3 Dr. I>anigan pertinently remarks, in this connexion, and in reference to Led-
wich " Does he mean to drive out of ex-
:
istence hundreds of Irish families, that bear
the name of Shannon ? Accoiding to his
mode of treating antiquities, many persons should be changed into rivers. The cele-
brated St. Nilus, with whom Senan was
nearly contemporary, would have been a
and — more than the River phantom, notiiing
tory of Ireland," vol. ii. , p. 236. ^"
See Charles Smith's Ancient and
Present State of the County of Kerry,"
of Limerick. "
chap, viii. , p. 227. 7 See Ferrar's
"History Appendix, No. XV. , p. 378.
"
Nile personified. " "Ecclesiastical History See Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical His- of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, xi. , sect, iv. , n.
tory of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, xi. , sect, iv. , 38, p. 99.
p. 91. '* In justice to Dr. Lanigan, it must be
Ireland," p. 32.
250
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 8.
when
writers and students, the character of Ledwich's so-called
Ireland " is now understood. The work itself has long since fallen into deserved contempt and neglect. In addition to what has been already stated, it must be observed, that the gift of poesy, as of prophecy, was attri- buted to the holy Patron of Iniscathay. 'S
The author of St. Senan's Prose Life gives us an account, regarding some
of those miracles, said to have been wrought through his merits, and, which took place, previous to that time when he wrote. An account of these may
prove interesting to the reader,^nd may furnish a clue to the comparatively recent period of the composition. On the authority of this biography, many statements, contained in preceding chapters, rest. During a time, that Theo- doric,^^ son to Thadeus O'Brien,'? ruled over the principality of Thomond,'^ a certain man, subject to his rule, being accused of having committed homi- cide in a brawl, fled to the monastery of St, Senan. Its church had always been considered, a place of refuge and a safe asylum, in these parts.
The chieftain's satellites were sent, to apprehend the author of this crime ; but, when they had discovered his place of retreat, not daring to violate a recog- nised sanctuary, they returned to Theodoric, with an account of what had occurred ; and, stating their own scruples, in prosecuting further proceed- ings. On hearing this, the chief was excited to anger. Accompanied by a great band of soldiers, he proceeded to St. Senan's Monastery. Here, he quartered himself and his troops, 'for that night, to the great inconvenience of the monks, belonging to this house, who, as being subject to his rule, were also subjected to his exactions. On the following night, he stopped at the church of Kill-mic an dubhain'9—now called Kilmacduane^°—which was an appendagetotheMontisteryofIniscatthy, WhileTheodoricremainedthere, St. Senan appeared to the Prior of Iniscatthay Monastery, as if preparing for a journe}^ Being asked who he was, or whither he was bound, the appari- tion answered, he was Senan, and that he wished to proceed to inflict punish-
dignity,
referring
to such absurd statements. ^"^ By all Irish historical
remarked, that these expressions are not
found in the body of his history, but, rather, in its notes,
'* " The principality of Tiiomond, gene- rally called the country of the Dal-Cais, com- prised the entire of the present county of
'5 In a MS. Codex, classed Vol. iv. , Part Clare ; the parishes of Iniscaltra and Clon-
ii. , there is an Irish Life of St. Senan, at p.
rush, in the county of Galway ; the entire of
half of the barony of Clanwilliam, in the county of Tipperary ; thebaroniesof Owney-
beg, Coonagh and Clanwilliam, and the eastern halves of the baronies of Small and Coshlea, in the county of Limerick. "— County of Clare Antiquarian Letters of the Irish Oi'dnance Survey. Mr. O'Donovan's Ancient Territories in Thomond, as com-
an account of the
O' Carroll the baronies of ;
Ii8;
after death, through St. Senan, at p, 233 ; and different Poems attributed to St. Senan, to St. Brendan and to others, in Irish, at p.
142. These were transcribed, by Michael O'Clery, from older MSS. , and they arenow
preserved in the Burgundiau Library, at Bruxelles. It is to be regretted, that some efforts have not been made, to procure copies of those valuable Codices.
Ely
Upper and Lower Ormond, Owney and Arra, and somewhat more than the western
miracles, wrought
Ikerrin,
'* This was not the celebrated King of
Munster, Toirdhealbhach O'Brian, who piled or signed, by "J. O'D. , February afterwards became Monarch over all Ireland, 13th, 1841," p. 9.
and who died at Kincoradh, A. D. io86, in ''This is now a parish church, in the
the seventy-seventh year of his age. See ^ ancient temtory of Corcobaschin, near Inis- "
Dr, O'Donovan's Annals of the Four catthy, and belonging to the diocese of Kil-
Masters," vol, ii. , pp. 926, 927.
'7 Said to have been son to Donat Car-
brech, by some authorities, or rather, per-
haps, as Colgan seems to think, grandson of
the same, by his son Cornelius, according to
the opinion of certain historians. See "Acta 58, The Townland proper, divided into Sanctorum Hibemiae," Martii viii,, n. 35, p. East and West, is in the barony of Moyarta 536. alone, and shown on Sheets 47, 48, 57, 58.
laloe.
''°
*'
This parish, situated in the baronies of Ibrickan and Moyarta, is described, on the
Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the County of Clare," Sheets 38, 39, 47, 48, 57,
"
Antiquities of
March 8. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS 251
nient on the chief, for his temerity. A short time afterwards, and, on the same night, he appeared to Theodoric, whom he transfixed with the end of his staff. This stroke inflicted a wound, in the leg, which caused the chief- tain much torture. While this latter asked, why he had become thus wounded ; the saint answered, that it was on account of violence and injury inflicted on his church, and on his subjects. Saying these words, the appari- tion instantly vanished. On awaking, Theodoric found himself in a state, from which he could obtain no relief, through his medical attendants, until he died, after having suffered most extreme torture. ^^
At another time, a certain insolent noble, named Murchad O'Brien, who
was accompanied by a band, subject to him, came to Iniscatthy. They wished to take from it, by violence, a vessel, the property of its monks. The
prior and clergy, belonging to the monastery, met them, and earnestly be- sought the troop, not to act sacrilegiously upon a spot, always regarded as a place of asylum. But, this rapacious band still persisting in such purpose, some members of the congregation, belonging to the monastery, hastened to assistthemonks. Atlength,thisaffairproceededtoblows,andtheimpiety of Murchad went so far, as to cause his striking one of the clergy present, with his hand, and, in such a manner, as to cause a severe wound. After- wards, the chief and his band fled from that place ; but, God's judgments followed him, in punishment for his sacrilegious conduct. On that very night, while he was asleep, St. Senan appeared to him, and threatened punish- ment for his crimes. When the culprit learned this, he endeavoured to —obtain the saint's pardon by prayers, and by any satisfaction he might impose
but, in vain ; for, presently, he felt a great pain, in the left side, and he then awoke, crying out, that it had been transfixed by God's holy servant. While his wife and family ask the cause for his outcries and pain, the chief said, that on account of injuries inflicted on the clergy, their Patron, St. Senan, had given a wound, which must shortly result in his death. Immediately afterwards, he expressed a desire to make his will, that thus his affairs might be arranged, previous to his departure. " At another time, having violently invaded Corcobaschind territory, Richard de Clare^^ devastated every place with fire and sword, making no distinction between lay and ecclesiastical property. Among his other acts of rapine, he spoiled St. Senan's church ; when the clergy and people of the territory, moved by this sacrilegious act, poured forth a petition to their patron, that he would procure the infliction of meritedpunishment,onthisimpiousinvader. Theirprayerswereheard,and on the night after, Senan appeared to the monastery sacristan, who was told, that in consequence of petitions, offered to the patron, he would inflict chastise- ment on Richard de Clare, for the rapine and outrages visited on the saint's church and territory. Immediately afterwards, the saint appeared in person, to this chief, whom he struck with his staff; and, in consequence thereof, De Clare became imbecile and his head was rendered delirious. Three days after, this offender fell, by the hands of his enemies, in a hostile encounter. '^
Among the many churches, dedicated to St. Senan, was one named Kill- challige. ^s it was reverenced by the people, and with a veneration, second
^^ See " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- Colgan's
nise," viii. Martii. Vita Secunda S. Senani,
cap. xlvi. , p. 534,
^^ This church was situated within the
^^ See
"Acta Sanctorum Hiber- niae," viii. Martii. Vita Secunda S. Senani,
cap. xliv. , p. 533.
" See the Bollandists' " Acta Sancto-
Colgan's
S. Senani, cap. vii. , num. 53, pp. 777, 778. "3 On the authority of Camden, the Bol-
Moyarta, and county of Clare. Tliere was a burying-ground, called Cill-na-g-Caileach,
_
rum," tomus i. , viii. Martii. Vita Secunda present parish of Kilfearagh, barony of
landists place his death, at A. D, 1262. See i. e. , ibid. , num. 54, note (i).
the Church of the Nuns. " It lies in
"
the townland, to which it has given name.
252 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 8.
only to that entertained for Iniscatthy. By degrees, however, respect for it began to languish, until, in course of time, this edifice was converted into a barn. Such an irreverent use of the building was thought to have called forth our saint's displeasure, and, through a very humble instrument ; for, a sparrow having taken a burning brand, from some neighbouring fire, com- municated it to lieaps of straw, which, with the house, perished, in a con- flagration, that immediately followed. The people, however, prepared materials to restore this building. Whilst in need of lime and mortar, for such a purpose, St. Senan appeared to a villager, named Senanin O'Hettro- main,^^ telling him, that he must dig to some depth, near the house of a daughter of Y-bhmachain, where he should find so much lime, as ought to suffice, for rebuilding the church. These orders were obeyed, and, according to the promise given, so much lime was found, as served their purpose ; while the heap did not seem at all diminished in the trench, during the pro- gress of this building. ^7 What is further remarkable, in connexion with this lime, there was a curative property, it was popularly supposed to possess, in reference both to men and cattle. ^^ Donatus, son to Donald, who ruled over
Corcobaschind territory, had violated the churches of St. Senan, through
Satan'sinstigation; and,hehadevenviolentlydrivenawayherds,belonging to the neighbouring tenants. Having plundered the churches*? of Kill-na-
callige,3° Kill-charitain, and Ros-anaircheil, the Vicar of St. Senan, the vicars of other churches, with the clergy of this region, arranged themselves in a solemn procession. Bringing forth the various relics in their custody, they proceeded to Donatus, and on representing the immunity due to property, belonging to their respective churches, they asked him to restore what he had taken. They threatened those unjust invaders with the malediction of God, of St. Senan, and of other saints, connected with those churches, rendered holy by being their burial places, and by the possession of their relics. The heart of Donatus, however, proving obdurate, he disregarded these warnings. AVherefore, the clergy had recourse to the spiritual arms of the Church ; and, they fulminated a sentence of excommunication against him, with the sound- ing of bells. Although, at first, disposed to show some signs of penitence, yet, the unjust invader relapsed again into a state of more obstinate impiety. This chief, having supported a large band of soldiers, was obliged at great expense to procure them sustenance and largesses, for half of the year. At the end of this time, when he led them to the field, Donatus, his brothers, and his paid satellites, who were accomplices in the sacrilege perpetuated on the churches of God and of St. Senan, all miserably perished. His brother,
Part of the church walls were standing here, within the recollection of Eugene O'Curry,
that limit, though they were almost all boat- men. "— /(5/</. , p. 357.
but now there is not a
visible. See
"
Vita Secunda S. Senani,
County of Clare Antiquarian Letters of the
Irish Ordnance Survey, vol. i. , p. 356. Mr.
Eugene Curry's Letter, dated Kilidisert, 8th
November, 1839. In his identification of
this place with Kill-Challige, Mr, O'Curry
refers to the present and to a subsequent
passage, taken from the Life of St. Senan,
cap. xlvii. , xlviii. '
36 (( The O'Hedromans are still numerous, in the parish of Moyarta adjoining, and are traditionally remembered as the ferrymen and fishermen of St. Seanan, who, it is said, left them the privilege that none of the name should ever be drowned between Inis Cath- aigh and Kilcardain ; nor was any of them remembered to have been drowned within
vestige
Colgan's
Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
^^ See
nije," viii. Martii.
cap. xlvii. , p. 534.
""^
See ibid. , cap. xlviii.
=» These were situated, not far from Scat-
tery Island, in the territory of Corco-bhas-
cinn, and in the diocese of KilJaloe, as
Colgan states, in n. 37, p. 536.
30 This church has been identified, in a
note to the foregoing paragi-aph. But, I am unable to identify the other two places, after a careful examination of the MS. Index to the Townland and Parishes of Clare County, as preserved in the Irish Ordnance Survey Office, Phcenix Park. Hence, I suppose, the names have become obsolete, in that part of the countrv.
March 8. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 253
Bernard, who, in no manner had been connected with those outrages, alone escaped. 3^
Another time, Mathgamanius, or Matthew, son to Domnald, son to Mur- chertach, wished to take away by violence certain herds, which were kept in a place of refuge, sacred to St. Senan. When his vicar, and the people of this place, wished to prevent that violence, Matthew shot two arrows at the vicar, intending to deprive him of life ; however, these arrows did not even pene- trate his garments, against which they lightly glanced. On seeing this, the chief was enraged, and leaping in among the cattle, he killed an ox ; but, be- fore himself or his companions could remove the quarters, Matthew was seized with a sudden illness, and he immediately expired. 3^ On a certain occasion, some wicked depredators, entering the lands dedicated to St. Senan, took away a cow, from the herd of a venerable priest, named O'Regan. Thisanimalwasbutcheredatapond,somedistancefromthat place, where the theft had been committed ; and, afterwards, a calf belonging to this cow, was covered with its hide, and sunk in the bottom of a pit near the pool. A public search was instituted, for recovery of the missing cow ; during which, it was believed, that the authors of this robbery must incur St. Senan's displeasure. After a month had elapsed, the robbers returned to the pit, whence they drew forth the skin-covered calf ; when, to their surprise, this animal was alive, and signified the fact, by bleating aloud three different times. Being seized with astonishment, at what they looked upon as a mira- culous occurrence, those thieves returned to the priest. To him they con- fessed, what had taken place ; whilst, at the same time, they promised him restitution for the injustice committed. They likewise engaged the future amendment of their lives. ^3
A clerical Synod being at one time convened, in St. Senan's church ;
amongst other decrees, one was passed, for the erection of a chapel, in
honour of the Blessed Virgin. But, a difficulty was presented, in the way of
obtaining stones, which could easily be dressed, or which might serve for the purpose of being converted into lime. While in such state of perplexity, the
clergy retired on this day; but, on the following, when going out, one of these clerics found near the church the very stones required, and, sufficient in
quantity,
Iniscattery was the see of a bishop, before the English invasion, and until
united with Limerick, about the beginning of the twelfth century. 35 Long after the death of St. Senan, the O'Brians held Iniscathay, to repel the Danish invaders of their territories. It was long an object for contention, between both parties, and our Annals3^ abound with notices of their quarrels. This island contains nearly 180 acres ; and about 20 of these were under wood, previous to the dissolution of monasteries,37 but, not a shrub now remains. 38
to build the whole sacred edifice. 3-t
" Acta Sanctoram Hiber- nise," viii. Martii. Vita Secunda S. Senani,
cap. xlix. , p. 534.
3^ See ibid. , cap. 1. , p. 534.
S. Senani, cap. vii. , num. 59, p. 778. Albert le Grand relates this incident, in a different manner. See n.
