He recommended to their notice a holy
fellow-religious named Stephen, whose piety, zeal, and learning he said would more than supply his own removal.
fellow-religious named Stephen, whose piety, zeal, and learning he said would more than supply his own removal.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v9
See
Dr. Whitley Stokes' " Felire Hui-Gor-
main," pp. 178, 179.
l8
Whether the entry in the Book of Leinster Martyrology of Tallagh, at the 17th of September, 5r\eLl*ir» epi . 1. o Lymt), or '* Giallani Eps. o Laind," at this date, in the "Martyrology of Tallagh," edited by Dr. Kelly, have reference to our
saint or not, I am unable to determine,
"
Et cathach, id est prceliator,
43o LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [September 17.
O'Cronghaile, or Cronelly, who were the ancient Comharbas of the saint. This term of Comharba had moreover an ecclesiastical meaning, and
according to the usages which prevailed in early times, and in our country, generally it signified successor in a see, church, or monastery; but, in due c—ourse, it had a wider signification, and the Comhorba was regarded as the vicar
alegalrepresentativeofthePatronSaint,orfounderoftheChurch. But, the word Comhorba is not exclusively ecclesiastical ; for in the ancient laws of Erin, it meant the heir and conservator of the inheritance ; and, in the latter
sense,
it is
always used,
in our ecclesiastical 23 The crozier of St. writings.
Grellan was in existence, so late as the year 1836, it being then in the pos-
session of a poor man, named John Crcnelly, the senior representative of
the Comharbas of the saint, who lived near Ahascra, in the east of the
2 county of Galway ; but, it is not to be found at present, in that county. * It
was probably sold to some collector of antiquities, and it is not now known to
be in the possession of any person ; yet it seems incredible, that such an interesting relic could have been lost, as we have been enabled to ascertain
the fact of its preservation to a comparatively recent period.
The house of Imaney was known, since the eleventh century, by the
name of O'Kelly. Formerly this renowned family enjoyed all the rights of sovereignty in the western parts of Ireland, where they possessed so very extensive a territory. Even from the invasion of the English down to the reigns of Mary and Elizabeth, the chiefs of this house maintained their
2* The name occurs in the civil and ecclesiastical frequently
independence.
annals of the country, especially during the middle ages. At the beginning of the fifteenth century the house of O'Kelly divided into four principal branches, each family of which had for its appanage one of the four baronies
73 In addition to the foregoing, the late
Professor Eugene O'Curry, whose acquaint- ance with the laws, manners and customs of
to discharge the offices of the church, according to its dignity, whilst the natural abbot administered the temporal offices and the management of the land,
"The Airchinnech or Erenach was a mere temporal agent or steward of the church lands, under the Comhorba, whoever he might be. He sometimes took the ton-
any insult or injury offered to him. He was generally a married man, without any official value or reverence of person, but what was derived from the character, or ecclesiastical dignity of the Patron Saint, whosesecularinheritancehemanaged. It happened often, however, that the whole administration of the Church and its land was performed by one and the same person. This was when the abbot, bishop, or priest performed himself the clerical duties, and also acted as his own Airchinnech. or steward. "
24 Such is the statement of Canon Ulick
J. Bourke, P. P. , of Claremorris, Co. Mayo, in a letter, dated thence March 7th, 1879, and in reply to queries addressed to him by Thomas A. Kelly, Esq. , St. Grellan's Monkstown.
^According to Charles Denis Count
O'Kelly Farrell's Manuscript, "Gone Days of I Mainey, Memorials of Clan-Kellae," p. \.
our ancestors, renders his opinions of great weight on a subject of this nature, has given the following information to the author, and for a much fuller account, the reader is re- ferred to his " Life of St. Malachy
O'Morgair," chap. xiii. : —
"There was an understood original com-
and
sure some other
pact, recognised by the ' Brehon Laws,' which vested the Comhorbship of the Church and its lands in two families ; namely, in that of the Patron Saint or founder, and in that of the person who gave the original site and endowment.
" It was the family of the Patron Saint,
that invariably supplied the Abbot, as long as there could be found among them even a
p>alm-singer, to take the office ; and when they failed to supply a fit person, then he was sought from the family of the owner of the land. If, in the meantime, a better and more learned man of the Patron's
family should spring up, the abbacy was to be handed over to him ; but, if he were not better, he should wait until it became vacant
by death or otherwise.
"
If, however, in the absence of a quali- fied person from either family, an unqualified person should succeed as temporal heir, he was obliged to provide a suitable clergyman
minor
raised his Kric, or composition, in case of
order,
which
September 17. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 431
of Kilyan, Athlone, Tiaquin, and Kilconnel ; the southern half-barony of Ballymo falling to the share of the branch of Kilyan.
The government of Imaney was alternatively exercised by the chiefs of the first and two last of those branches. However, that of Kilconnel or
Aughrim, though a younger branch, held in latter times the dignity of chieftain of the O'Kellys. The principal seat of their residence was at Aughrim, while their burial place was at Clonmacnoise, and in latter years they were interred at Kilconnel Among the western clans they are distin- guished. ThechieftainoftheKilconnelorAughrimO'Kellyswasbuttitular
at the accession of James I. This branch was dispersed under Cromwell, and at this day it is extinct. The branches of Kilyan and Tiaquin, or Gallagh, also lost the greater part of their properties during the Revolutions of 1641 and of 1 6 88. The chieftains of Athlone or Skryne, whose territory lay still nearer to the English settlements, required all their watchfulness to guard against the common enemy. These O'Kellys did not lay claim to their rightsofalternativegovernment. Weariedatlastwithdisastrouswarswhich had retarded the march of civilization in their unfortunate country, they submitted to Mary Queen of England, thus sacrificing their feelings to take a step which they believed should secure to their posterity civil and religious liberty. However, they found themselves compromised and deceived under the following reigns.
The Athlone branch of the O'Kellys still possesses part of the ancient
principality of Imaney, of which Colonel O'Kelly, its lord, was deprived under Cromwell. He was afterwards reinstated in it by letters patent from Charles II,, in reward for services rendered by him to the Royal cause during the Revolution. 26 These were rendered freely to his brother King James II. in his closing struggle with King William III. Like most of their countrymen, the O'Kellys were remarkable in every age for their attachment to the faith of their fathers ; but abroad were most of them expatriated gentlemen, distinguished in the camps, cabinets, and courts of the Continent.
More ample details than the author could be expected to insert, in the present brief Memoir, will be found in that work, to which allusion has beenalreadymade,"TheTribesandCustomsofHy-Many. " There,not only are the O'Kellys' territory, family and kindred tribes recorded ; but in his Appendices to that Tract, its learned editor has very fully treated regarding personal history and genealogy, which must have an interest for Irishmen, who are anxious to be informed about the career and fortunes of their gallant, adventurous and enterprising countrymen, at home and abroad. After a scarcely interrupted struggle during many ages at home, yielding
at last to the advantages of an enemy favoured by more fortunate circum-
stances,theO'KellyswereobligedtocapitulateandyieldtotheEnglish. Our Irish Annals record their valiant opposition to the invading hosts, and they were among the last Irish chieftains who fell under the foreign yoke.
Article II. —St. Rodino or St. Rouin, Abbot of Beaulieu, France. At the 17th of September, Colgan intended to publish the Acts of St,
26
Since the death of his relative, Denis H. Manuscript, "Gone Days of I Mainey," Kelly, of Castle Kelly, Count Conor O'Kelly "Memorials of Clan-Kellae," &c. His Farrell, a Major in the 59th French ancestors, belonging to the branch of the Regiment of the Line, is the present Skryne O'Kellys, settled in the south of representative of the O'Kellys of Skryne France. In 1776, the title of Count was or Castle Kelly. He served with distinction conferred on the living representative by in the Crimea, and in the late Franco- Louis XVI. The family was engaged in the Prussian wars. He is the son of Charles Irish Brigade of Spain, and in the French Penis Count O'Kelly Farrell, who wrote the Diplomatic Service.
432 LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS [September17. 12
Menard edited two Lives of this Saint. Baillet,3 Mabillon,*
Rodingus.
and D'Achery have published this Saint's Acts. * In like manner the
6
Bollandists, following Mabillon, have inserted the Life of St. Rodingus or
Cheaudingus, founder and abbot ofBellilocensis/and attributed to the pen of Abbot Richard. This is preceded by a Previous Commentary8 of Father Constantine Suysken, S. J. , with accompanying notes. 9 A small Life of this
Saint has been written in French by Dr. Jules Didiat.
10
This Saint has
been variously named Rouin, Rovin," Rodinagus, Chaudingus, and
Chrodincus. 12 He was born in about the his Ireland, year 594. During
minority, he exhibited all marks of that sublime vocation, to which he aspired in after life. Humble, modest, and of retiring manners, he cherished within his breast most inflamed desires for an intimate union with Jesus Christ, to whom his actions were ever referred. His purity and charity becamedistinguishingfeaturesinthischildofgrace. Prayerwasatalltimes his delight. To this, he was accustomed to add meditations, on the most moving truths of Religion. At an early age, he embraced a monastic life.
He was promoted to Holy Orders, after passing with distinction, through a sufficient course of sacred learning. As this Saint is named Bishop in the Benedictine and Gallican Martyrologies, it may be possible, he had been elevated to the rank of chorepiscopus or rural Bishop, before leaving Ireland ; since from accounts of his life most to be relied on, St. Rouin was not appointed to any See after his departure from that country. In order to perfect himself still more in religious observances, and to contribute his share of labour, in extending God's holy worship, he abandoned his native couutry and arrived in France. He sought an asylum about the year 628, in Tholey monastery, situated in the diocese of Treves. Although he entered this establishment to learn those virtues, which he conceived were wanting in him to become a perfect religious ; yet, all the monks of this house soon learned to look on St. Rouin as a master, from whom they might derive most desirable lessons for their monastic profession. In the faithful observance of rule, in attention to all wants of the brethren, in obedience to his superiors, and in various practices of piety, Rouin was a model for the imitation of all those religious, among whom he dwelt. At that time, St. Paul, afterwards elevated to the episcopal seat of Verdun, taught Holy Scripture, and delivered Lectures on sacred science within this house. A tender intimacy sprung up between him and St. Rouin, owing as much to a
Article 11. —x See " Actuum Abbot, is contained in 14 Catalogus
paragraphs: Sanctorum quae MS. habentur, ordine there are previous observations in four
Mensium et Dierum. "
2 In his observations on the Benedictine 5 See Rev. Alban Butler's " Lives of the
Martyrology, Mabillon says, "unam in lib. 2 Fathers, Martyrs and other principal ex schedis Bellilocensibus, alteram ad Saints," vol. ix. , September xvii. operiscalcemexmscodiceCatalaunensi. "— 6See"ActaSanctorum,"tomusv. , Sep- "Acta Sanctorum Ordinis S. Benedicti, tembris xvii. , pp. 508 to 517.
? Piope Bellum-Locum in Campania Galliae.
8
In two sections and thirty paragraphs.
9 The Life is in two chapters and sixteen
paragraphs.
,0 It is intituled "Saint Rouin, et son
tomus vi. , sec. iv. , p. 531. "
3 See Les Vies des Saints," tome iii. , pp. 212 to 214. His feast, as first Abbot of Beaulieu, in Argonne, is placed at the 17th
of September.
4 The life of this Saint is
given by
Mabillon, from a Catalonian MS. , and by Pelerinage. " Added to this Life there are
paragraphs.
to the first-named three — conversations between St. According supposed
Menard.
learned editor, it is supposed to have been Chodrain his
written by the Abbot Richard, who which are arranged after the manner of the flourished in the eleventh century. See " Following of Christ. " A Mass, vespers,
Mabillon's "Acta Sanctorum Ordinis S. Benedicti," vol. vi. , saec. iv. , pp. 531 to 536, appendix. The Life of St. Roding,
of the saim follow.
" He is so called by Baillet.
"
But usually Roding.
Irish name—and a
pilgrim,
September 17. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 433
certain congeniality of their dispositions as because their acquirements led them into association, It is said, that after St. Paul's departure from the monastery in 631, our Saint was named to succeed him in discharging the duties of professor and preacher. An account, which has a more question- able authenticity, gives a relation respecting his election, as abbot over Tholey monastery by the religious, and by St. Modoald, Bishop of Treves, when holy Abbot Wandelin paid the debt of nature. However this may be, the reputation of his virtues drew a great number of visitors to our saint requesting the favour of his prayers, and most of those desired instruction from him on the obligations of their several states, or under circumstances which required great prudence on his part, and confidence tobereposedinhimastheiradviser. Theincreasedrepetitionofthosevisits,
and a necessity for frequently interrupting his regular duties on their account, placed our saint under great apprehensions of becoming daily more and more removed from the conversation of his Divine Saviour. In order to be
more fully at liberty to gratify his pious inclinations, he resolved by removing from Tholey to prevent for the future such interruptions. In the year 640, he left for Verdun, with two or three of his companions, who had attached
themselves to him, in a particular manner. Here, meeting with his friend, St. Paul, who was then Bishop, this latter sought by every argument to induce our saint to remain in his diocese, hoping much for the advancement of religion by his preaching and missionary labours. The saint remained two years with this venerable prelate, and then feeling a strong reluctance to sever those ties of friendship and religion that bound them together, Rouin nevertheless abandoned himself once more to an idea of serving God in greater retirement. Directed by such a purpose, the saint penetrated into the wooded solitudes of Argonne, and he spent some time there, in search of a suitable place whereon to found his future habitation. He at length selected a very remote site, known as Vasloge or Watzlew. Here, in
company with his disciples, Rouin commenced the erection of a few rude huts, to serve for their lodgings. But, as they had taken possession of this place, without, any authority on the part of its owner, this latter who was
named Austrese, received an exaggerated report regarding their trespass. Without seeking to make himself acquainted with the designs of these
strangers, he despatched orders for their immediate departure. As they yet lingered beyond a time specified for their stay, the lord of the soil sent his servants, to drive them away, with whips and clubs. This small family of religious being thus dispersed, St. Rouin equipped himself as a pilgrim, with the view of taking a journey to Rome that he might visit its holy places. We know not how long he was engaged in accomplishing this object, or what exact purpose he designed in effecting it, if not to satisfy his devotion j but we are assured, towards the year 647, he returned to that place, whence he had been so rudely ejected. During his absence, many domestic calamities had befallen Austrese. However, an application made to him or to his sister Bave by our saint was received on this occasion with the attention it merited. Honours were heaped upon St. Rouin, to atone, in some measure, for former indignities ; and he obtained from the Seigneur Austrese a tract of land, with promises of further assistance, which
might enable him to found a religious house. The site of this monastery, the foundations for which were immediately laid, was afterwards called Beaulieu. It was thus denominated, probably owing to the beauty of its surrounding scenery. So soon as the house was com- pleted, the sanctity of its founder, who was destined to become its first Abbot,
brought together a large community. The members of this congregation 1E
434 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [September 17.
feltdesirousofprofitingbyhisinstructionsandexample. Thespiritofthe blessed Rouin diffused itself among his disciples ; while their fervour and regularity showed the admirable nature of his government. In order to obtain confirmation and approval from the Pope in favour of his new establishment, our saint undertook a second journey to Rome in 654. His applications were readily accorded by the Sovereign Pontiff; and on his return from the Eternal City, when passing through Agaune, St. Rouin carried with him the relics of St. Maurice the Martyr and of his companions. He
intended to place those in the church, which he had dedicated to this great
champion of Christ. Such was the esteem in which St. Rouin was held,
that Clovis II. of France and his pious queen, Bathilde, desired to see him.
With this design he invited Rouin to court. But the saint, who despised all
worldly honours and splendour, however much he appreciated the motives
that procured for him such a mark of distinction, sent them word in reply,
that as a religious should never without necessity issue from his enclosure,
the distraction which might be produced in his mind by this visit, formed a
principal reason that influenced him to decline their invitation. Childeric,
King of Austrasie, who was second son to the King and Queen of France,
added other possessions to the Monastery of St. Rouin in 665. Childeric
also took the Abbey of Beaulieu under his special protection, and by royal
letters he conferred a valuable Charter on the religious and their house.
A love for holy retirement and contemplation was an ever-ruling passion with this venerable Abbot. From his position, St. Rouin found himself sub-
ject to the inroads of frequent visitors, and charged with governmental cares, which to all perfect religious are found the most burdensome of duties.
The saint began to think at last of resigning that charge imposed on him, to make due preparation for the last conflict, which was daily approaching with his increasing years. With such an object in view, he called the monks
together, and much to their regret announced a resolution, which no per- suasion on their part could alter.
He recommended to their notice a holy
fellow-religious named Stephen, whose piety, zeal, and learning he said would more than supply his own removal. This good man was immediately elected as his successor. These matters being thus disposed of, our saint erected a small and convenient hermitage for himself and one of his disciples who accompanied him. This hermitage was in a very retired place, and only at a short distance from the Abbey. ^ Here, St. Rouin gave himself entirely to prayer and contemplation ; but, although it might be supposed the infirmities of old age should reasonably interrupt the performance of more laborious duties, our saint was not altogether disposed to lead solely
Sundays and on all principal Festivals, he repaired to the Church to preach the word of God, or to offer up the Holy Sacrifice of Mass. In the pursuit of these labours, St. Rouin had attained his eighty-sixth year ;
13 M Communaut6
avoir
la il fit 61ire
avec un seul — mener la
Apres
gouverne long-temps
compagnon, pour y
"
avoit
vie
Histoire
He never for a moment abandoned his solicitude for
a contemplative life.
the government of the Abbey, over which he had so long presided ; and hence he was careful in his casual wanderings about its walls, to remark anything that demanded admonition or correction. To avoid all appearance of unwarrantable interference, in the concerns of a house, with which he now seemed to be connected only as an extern ; generally he visited only bynight,andwhenhispresenceorobservationsmightbelessnoticed. On
formee,
son succeseur ; et abdiquant la charge de l'Eglise Gallicane," tome iv. , liv. x. , p.
d'Abb£, il se retira dans le fond d'un bois 1,55.
qu'il
Eremitique. "
Longueval's
September 17. ] LIVES 01 THE IRISH SAINTS. 435
and towards the year 680, those infirmities inseparable from advanced age confined him to his bed. Finding his weakness gradually increase, he sent for the Abbot Stephen, with his religious, that he might address a few impressive remarks, at this closing period of his life. On arrival, they sought by most earnest persuasions to induce the Saint to suffer his removal into the monastery, as his accommodation would be better provided for there, than in his lonely habitation ; but the dying recluse would not consent to relax his penitential resolution of living out the short remainder of life, as became a solitary. Reclining on a hair mattress, he addressed his exhorta- tions to the brothers, who stood around ; and, by the most affecting and persuasive arguments, St. Rouin urged the faithful observance of their rule and their various religious obligations. Then, as well as his feeble voice would allow, having chaunted the Litany for a happy death, he closed his eyestothelightofthisworldonthe17thdayofSeptember. Thebrethren, at once convinced of his sanctity, felt no difficulty in placing him among the number of beatified dead, and as a Saint of God they invoked his potent intercession. His body was interred before an Altar of St. John the Evan-
gelist in Beaulieu Abbey, according to his particular request. It has been preserved there with peculiar honour to our own time. The present Abbey belonged to St. Vanne's congregation, a reformation of the justly celebrated BenedictineOrder. TheCircleoftheSeasonsentersafestivalofSt. Rouin,
at this date. 1* The Catholic mind of Ireland is and abbot, yet vigorous
energetic. With God's assistance, it must survive the political wrongs and socialdegradationofthepresenttimeandofpastcenturies; anditshallyet triumph over sectarian opposition, which it has hitherto so fearlessly encountered. The history of our Island teaches us we are the children of M a holy generation. " If we have not had part in the missionary triumphs of the past, we can at least claim a share in the inheritance of our Fathers, and still emulate their virtues and glories. The Island, which has given birth to this Saint and sent him forth to dispense the treasures of Faith in a distant and favoured land, can effect in the present age, through the inscrutable decrees of Divine Providence, wonders that have been wrought of old.
Article III. —St. Brogan Cloen, Abbot of Rostuirc, in Ossory. [Seventh Century. '] Although by some, the present saint ha—s been identified
rocan the with a St. of in Waterford or B—
Brogan, Maethail-Bhrogain ScribecommemoratedintheFeilireofOengusatthe8thofJuly yetishe
to be distinguished, as the author of an Irish Poem, in which are celebrated
the life and virtues of the St. great
2 It is the attribute of possible
Brigid.
being a scribe, with the accidental synonym applying to both, may have producedsuchanimpression. TheBollandists,3apparentlycallinghiscultus in question, still introduce their notices of Broganus, at the 17th of September. ThissaintisalsocalledBercan,Brechan,BrecanandBrocan. * In Latin, his name is usually written Berchanus, Broganus or Broccanus.
14 See page 261—.
Article hi.
*
3 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. , See remarks regarding Septembris xvii. Among the pretermitted
him, at the 8th of July, in the Eighth saints, p. 463.
Volume of this work, Art. vi. 4 See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum
2
of this work, at the 1st of February, Abbatis de Magharnuidhe, cap, xxxiv. , p.
Art. i. •
See her Life in the Second Volume Hibernise," xvi. Martii. Vita S. . Abbani
618, and n. 40, p. 624.
43^ LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [September17.
On this day, in the Feilire of St. ^Engus,s there is a festival for Bracan or Broccan, of Ruiss or Roiss Tuircc. In a scholion appended, this place is
6
is said to have been connected with Cluain Imorchuir, for which a mysterious
indicated as being in Mag Raigne in Ossory ;
and, by the commentator, he
derivation is 7 We given.
find,
at the of 17th
September,
8
this u Broecan entry,
Rois tuiric," in the Martyrology of Tallagh.
According to the Calendar of Cashel and Marianus 0'Gorman,9 he is venerated on this same day. St. Brogan Cloen was born—it has been supposed—about the close of the
sixth or beginning of the seventh century. However, if we are willing to 10
allow,thathehadformedafriendshipwithSt. Brendan, mostprobablyof Clonfert, St, Brogan Cloen must have been born earlier than the sixth century,asSt. Brendanissaidtohavediedintheyear577. Thatoursaint was an Abbot, at the time this friendship had been formed, may be inferred
11
St. Brocan is found classed among the disciples of St. Patrick. This statement, however, cannot be accepted as chrono- logically correct. The founder of a monastery at Rosturic^ in Ossory, near the Slieve Bloom mountain, is unknown. 1 -' The O'Clerys state, that Rostuirc was situated in Magh Raighne, which is held to have been the great central
from the Life of St. Abban. 12
plain
Kilkenny.
we find
C1ITO bl-KVOttA OtvAcan fUnrr Umncc cuipme
5 In the Leabhar Breac "
13 " Ilia Ecclesia est vicina monti
Bladhma ; et Ecclesia Cluainmorensi ubi
scholiastes hujus hymni [scil. S. Brigklse]
supra in asserit eundem Hymnum composi- tumesse. "—"TriasThaumaturga. " Prima
Vita S. Brigidse, nn. I, 2, p. 518.
14 Archdall says: "We know not the
situation of this abbey, nor to whom it
owed its origin, but are told it was near the
— copy eupemiA cent)! pi41
the following stanza :
n<MT)
apAir
15 A writer10 in the
of the
states, that he has "grounds for believing that St. Broghan, the poet-priest of Ossory, had his principal church or monastery at Kilbricken, between Callan'7 and Kells. 18 However, in a reply to his communication,10 the Rev.
County
of
Kilkenny Journal
La
Thus rendered by Dr. Whitley Stokes :
"
Euphemia without reproach tell her pas-
"
Transactions of the Royal Irish Academy,"
Cluainimu—rchir, in the life-time of St.
Abban. " "Monasticon Hibernicum," 596. In confirmation of the foregoing statements, Archdall refers to Colgan's
fell jvomAich RiajIai.
sion at a year's end. Reckon Broccan of mountains of Slieve Bloom. St. Brendan
Ros Tuirc, with Riagail's excellent feast. "— governed this church, and was abbot of
Irish Manuscript Series, vol. i. , part i. Calendar of Oengus, p. cxxxviii.
6
p.
See ibid. , p. cxlvi.
7 The commentator adds : "i. e. Flandan, A. A. SS. , p. 224, and Tr. Th. , p. 518. In
son of Toirdelbach, came once to the stead the first instance, Colgan has no such matter
that he might be carried. Thence it is at p. 224 ; but it is evident Archdall meant
called Cluain Imorchuir ('meadow of p. 624, and note 40. Yet even" here, there
carrying'). " is nothing about St. Brendan, yet there is
8
See in the Book of Leinster copy allusion to him in the notes succeeding.
DfoccAin . 1. rtoir coinc, and in Dr. Kelly's "Calendar of Irish Saints," at p. xxxiv.
' 5 In a letter to the writer, and dated Kil-
managh, Co. Kilkenny, March 4th, 1895, this is affirmed, by the Rev. Nicholas
9 He is noticed as Broccan, and a
P. P. , of Kilmanagh.
16 Who styles himself " Layman. "
in a of the same barony
ographer indicates, that he was of Ross
Tuirc in Raini in See Dr. Magh Ossory.
17 This
gloss-
Murphy,
parish, ""
Whitley Stokes' Felire Hui Gormain," designation, is shown on the Ordnance
pp. 178, 179-
Survey Townland Maps for the County —of
—allan town Kilkenny,'' Sheets 22, 26. C
dividedintoNorthandSouth isdescribed on Sheet 26.
18 The parish of Kells—partly in the
barony of Kells and partly in the barony of Shillclogher—is notedonthe"Ordnance
Survey Townland Maps for the County of Kilkenny," Sheets 23, 27. The town of Kells is shown on Sheet 27.
10 FifthVolumeofthiswork,Art. i.
11
See a notice of his festival at the 16th
See his life at the 16th of May, in the
of March in the Third Volume of this work,
Art. ii. However, his Life and chief feast
occuronthe27thofOctober.
12
See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Quinta Appendix ad Acta S. Fatricii, cap. xxiii. , p. 266.
September 17. ] LIVES OE THE IRISH SAINTS. 437
Nicholas Murphy, P. P. , of Kilmanagb, observes, that Cluain Uimurchaire has been identified by Father Shearman with Kilbriccan, near Aghaboe. And the Rostuirc in Magh Roighne is, as all authorities allow, represented
by Rosmore, the adjoining townland to Kilbrahan,20 in the parish of Kilma- nagh. The monastery of St. Broghan is also stated by Colgan to have been
situated ad on the border-land of fines Ossraighe,
Ossory. verifiedconcerningKilbrahan,intheparishofKilmanagh. Attherequest
of St. Ultan of Ardbraccan, Brogan composed the Life and Acts of St. Brigid in an Irish poem. In it, her sanctity and miracles are recorded. The place where this tract was written is said to have been either at Slieve-Bloom or at
the Cluainmore of St. Maidoc.
22
These accounts are gleaned from an
anonymous writer or scholiast in a short preface ; and Colgan places this
Irish poem, with a literal Latin translation, foremost among his six Lives of
St. Brigid. 23 He assigns its authorship to a. d. 526, but this is manifestly
too early a date for its composition, as it ranges back to a year long previous
to St. birth. The " Chronicum Scotorum " the death of
as the Annals of the Four Masters 25 Ultan's give
Brogan's places
Ultan Mac Ui Conchobhair on the second of the Nones of September in
the 2 * year 653.
However,
age to be one hundred and eighty years, when he died on the 4th of
26 September, 656 ;
Colgan argues, that he may have been living a. d. 526, to assist St. Brogan Cloen in the composition of that Hymn in praise of St.
2
Brigid. ? St. Brogan is named as abbot of Rostuirc, at the year 525, by
Archdall,28whorestshisstatementontheauthorityofColgan. Thatearly date, however, cannot be allowed. It is said by an old scholiast, that St. Ultan of Ardbraccan 29 collected the Acts of St. Brigid 3° for St. Brogan Cloen. The same scholiast informs us, that our Saint's poem, on St. Brigid's virtues and miracles, had been composed in the time of King Leogaire's son Lughadh, Monarch of Ireland, and when Alild, son to
was
King
died3 overtwentyyearsbeforetherestofSt. Brigid,33anallusiontowhich
2
19 Addressed to the Kilkenny Journal of
February, 1895.
:o This townland, in the barony of Cran-
2?
Dr. Whitley Stokes' " Felire Hui-Gor-
main," pp. 178, 179.
l8
Whether the entry in the Book of Leinster Martyrology of Tallagh, at the 17th of September, 5r\eLl*ir» epi . 1. o Lymt), or '* Giallani Eps. o Laind," at this date, in the "Martyrology of Tallagh," edited by Dr. Kelly, have reference to our
saint or not, I am unable to determine,
"
Et cathach, id est prceliator,
43o LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [September 17.
O'Cronghaile, or Cronelly, who were the ancient Comharbas of the saint. This term of Comharba had moreover an ecclesiastical meaning, and
according to the usages which prevailed in early times, and in our country, generally it signified successor in a see, church, or monastery; but, in due c—ourse, it had a wider signification, and the Comhorba was regarded as the vicar
alegalrepresentativeofthePatronSaint,orfounderoftheChurch. But, the word Comhorba is not exclusively ecclesiastical ; for in the ancient laws of Erin, it meant the heir and conservator of the inheritance ; and, in the latter
sense,
it is
always used,
in our ecclesiastical 23 The crozier of St. writings.
Grellan was in existence, so late as the year 1836, it being then in the pos-
session of a poor man, named John Crcnelly, the senior representative of
the Comharbas of the saint, who lived near Ahascra, in the east of the
2 county of Galway ; but, it is not to be found at present, in that county. * It
was probably sold to some collector of antiquities, and it is not now known to
be in the possession of any person ; yet it seems incredible, that such an interesting relic could have been lost, as we have been enabled to ascertain
the fact of its preservation to a comparatively recent period.
The house of Imaney was known, since the eleventh century, by the
name of O'Kelly. Formerly this renowned family enjoyed all the rights of sovereignty in the western parts of Ireland, where they possessed so very extensive a territory. Even from the invasion of the English down to the reigns of Mary and Elizabeth, the chiefs of this house maintained their
2* The name occurs in the civil and ecclesiastical frequently
independence.
annals of the country, especially during the middle ages. At the beginning of the fifteenth century the house of O'Kelly divided into four principal branches, each family of which had for its appanage one of the four baronies
73 In addition to the foregoing, the late
Professor Eugene O'Curry, whose acquaint- ance with the laws, manners and customs of
to discharge the offices of the church, according to its dignity, whilst the natural abbot administered the temporal offices and the management of the land,
"The Airchinnech or Erenach was a mere temporal agent or steward of the church lands, under the Comhorba, whoever he might be. He sometimes took the ton-
any insult or injury offered to him. He was generally a married man, without any official value or reverence of person, but what was derived from the character, or ecclesiastical dignity of the Patron Saint, whosesecularinheritancehemanaged. It happened often, however, that the whole administration of the Church and its land was performed by one and the same person. This was when the abbot, bishop, or priest performed himself the clerical duties, and also acted as his own Airchinnech. or steward. "
24 Such is the statement of Canon Ulick
J. Bourke, P. P. , of Claremorris, Co. Mayo, in a letter, dated thence March 7th, 1879, and in reply to queries addressed to him by Thomas A. Kelly, Esq. , St. Grellan's Monkstown.
^According to Charles Denis Count
O'Kelly Farrell's Manuscript, "Gone Days of I Mainey, Memorials of Clan-Kellae," p. \.
our ancestors, renders his opinions of great weight on a subject of this nature, has given the following information to the author, and for a much fuller account, the reader is re- ferred to his " Life of St. Malachy
O'Morgair," chap. xiii. : —
"There was an understood original com-
and
sure some other
pact, recognised by the ' Brehon Laws,' which vested the Comhorbship of the Church and its lands in two families ; namely, in that of the Patron Saint or founder, and in that of the person who gave the original site and endowment.
" It was the family of the Patron Saint,
that invariably supplied the Abbot, as long as there could be found among them even a
p>alm-singer, to take the office ; and when they failed to supply a fit person, then he was sought from the family of the owner of the land. If, in the meantime, a better and more learned man of the Patron's
family should spring up, the abbacy was to be handed over to him ; but, if he were not better, he should wait until it became vacant
by death or otherwise.
"
If, however, in the absence of a quali- fied person from either family, an unqualified person should succeed as temporal heir, he was obliged to provide a suitable clergyman
minor
raised his Kric, or composition, in case of
order,
which
September 17. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 431
of Kilyan, Athlone, Tiaquin, and Kilconnel ; the southern half-barony of Ballymo falling to the share of the branch of Kilyan.
The government of Imaney was alternatively exercised by the chiefs of the first and two last of those branches. However, that of Kilconnel or
Aughrim, though a younger branch, held in latter times the dignity of chieftain of the O'Kellys. The principal seat of their residence was at Aughrim, while their burial place was at Clonmacnoise, and in latter years they were interred at Kilconnel Among the western clans they are distin- guished. ThechieftainoftheKilconnelorAughrimO'Kellyswasbuttitular
at the accession of James I. This branch was dispersed under Cromwell, and at this day it is extinct. The branches of Kilyan and Tiaquin, or Gallagh, also lost the greater part of their properties during the Revolutions of 1641 and of 1 6 88. The chieftains of Athlone or Skryne, whose territory lay still nearer to the English settlements, required all their watchfulness to guard against the common enemy. These O'Kellys did not lay claim to their rightsofalternativegovernment. Weariedatlastwithdisastrouswarswhich had retarded the march of civilization in their unfortunate country, they submitted to Mary Queen of England, thus sacrificing their feelings to take a step which they believed should secure to their posterity civil and religious liberty. However, they found themselves compromised and deceived under the following reigns.
The Athlone branch of the O'Kellys still possesses part of the ancient
principality of Imaney, of which Colonel O'Kelly, its lord, was deprived under Cromwell. He was afterwards reinstated in it by letters patent from Charles II,, in reward for services rendered by him to the Royal cause during the Revolution. 26 These were rendered freely to his brother King James II. in his closing struggle with King William III. Like most of their countrymen, the O'Kellys were remarkable in every age for their attachment to the faith of their fathers ; but abroad were most of them expatriated gentlemen, distinguished in the camps, cabinets, and courts of the Continent.
More ample details than the author could be expected to insert, in the present brief Memoir, will be found in that work, to which allusion has beenalreadymade,"TheTribesandCustomsofHy-Many. " There,not only are the O'Kellys' territory, family and kindred tribes recorded ; but in his Appendices to that Tract, its learned editor has very fully treated regarding personal history and genealogy, which must have an interest for Irishmen, who are anxious to be informed about the career and fortunes of their gallant, adventurous and enterprising countrymen, at home and abroad. After a scarcely interrupted struggle during many ages at home, yielding
at last to the advantages of an enemy favoured by more fortunate circum-
stances,theO'KellyswereobligedtocapitulateandyieldtotheEnglish. Our Irish Annals record their valiant opposition to the invading hosts, and they were among the last Irish chieftains who fell under the foreign yoke.
Article II. —St. Rodino or St. Rouin, Abbot of Beaulieu, France. At the 17th of September, Colgan intended to publish the Acts of St,
26
Since the death of his relative, Denis H. Manuscript, "Gone Days of I Mainey," Kelly, of Castle Kelly, Count Conor O'Kelly "Memorials of Clan-Kellae," &c. His Farrell, a Major in the 59th French ancestors, belonging to the branch of the Regiment of the Line, is the present Skryne O'Kellys, settled in the south of representative of the O'Kellys of Skryne France. In 1776, the title of Count was or Castle Kelly. He served with distinction conferred on the living representative by in the Crimea, and in the late Franco- Louis XVI. The family was engaged in the Prussian wars. He is the son of Charles Irish Brigade of Spain, and in the French Penis Count O'Kelly Farrell, who wrote the Diplomatic Service.
432 LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS [September17. 12
Menard edited two Lives of this Saint. Baillet,3 Mabillon,*
Rodingus.
and D'Achery have published this Saint's Acts. * In like manner the
6
Bollandists, following Mabillon, have inserted the Life of St. Rodingus or
Cheaudingus, founder and abbot ofBellilocensis/and attributed to the pen of Abbot Richard. This is preceded by a Previous Commentary8 of Father Constantine Suysken, S. J. , with accompanying notes. 9 A small Life of this
Saint has been written in French by Dr. Jules Didiat.
10
This Saint has
been variously named Rouin, Rovin," Rodinagus, Chaudingus, and
Chrodincus. 12 He was born in about the his Ireland, year 594. During
minority, he exhibited all marks of that sublime vocation, to which he aspired in after life. Humble, modest, and of retiring manners, he cherished within his breast most inflamed desires for an intimate union with Jesus Christ, to whom his actions were ever referred. His purity and charity becamedistinguishingfeaturesinthischildofgrace. Prayerwasatalltimes his delight. To this, he was accustomed to add meditations, on the most moving truths of Religion. At an early age, he embraced a monastic life.
He was promoted to Holy Orders, after passing with distinction, through a sufficient course of sacred learning. As this Saint is named Bishop in the Benedictine and Gallican Martyrologies, it may be possible, he had been elevated to the rank of chorepiscopus or rural Bishop, before leaving Ireland ; since from accounts of his life most to be relied on, St. Rouin was not appointed to any See after his departure from that country. In order to perfect himself still more in religious observances, and to contribute his share of labour, in extending God's holy worship, he abandoned his native couutry and arrived in France. He sought an asylum about the year 628, in Tholey monastery, situated in the diocese of Treves. Although he entered this establishment to learn those virtues, which he conceived were wanting in him to become a perfect religious ; yet, all the monks of this house soon learned to look on St. Rouin as a master, from whom they might derive most desirable lessons for their monastic profession. In the faithful observance of rule, in attention to all wants of the brethren, in obedience to his superiors, and in various practices of piety, Rouin was a model for the imitation of all those religious, among whom he dwelt. At that time, St. Paul, afterwards elevated to the episcopal seat of Verdun, taught Holy Scripture, and delivered Lectures on sacred science within this house. A tender intimacy sprung up between him and St. Rouin, owing as much to a
Article 11. —x See " Actuum Abbot, is contained in 14 Catalogus
paragraphs: Sanctorum quae MS. habentur, ordine there are previous observations in four
Mensium et Dierum. "
2 In his observations on the Benedictine 5 See Rev. Alban Butler's " Lives of the
Martyrology, Mabillon says, "unam in lib. 2 Fathers, Martyrs and other principal ex schedis Bellilocensibus, alteram ad Saints," vol. ix. , September xvii. operiscalcemexmscodiceCatalaunensi. "— 6See"ActaSanctorum,"tomusv. , Sep- "Acta Sanctorum Ordinis S. Benedicti, tembris xvii. , pp. 508 to 517.
? Piope Bellum-Locum in Campania Galliae.
8
In two sections and thirty paragraphs.
9 The Life is in two chapters and sixteen
paragraphs.
,0 It is intituled "Saint Rouin, et son
tomus vi. , sec. iv. , p. 531. "
3 See Les Vies des Saints," tome iii. , pp. 212 to 214. His feast, as first Abbot of Beaulieu, in Argonne, is placed at the 17th
of September.
4 The life of this Saint is
given by
Mabillon, from a Catalonian MS. , and by Pelerinage. " Added to this Life there are
paragraphs.
to the first-named three — conversations between St. According supposed
Menard.
learned editor, it is supposed to have been Chodrain his
written by the Abbot Richard, who which are arranged after the manner of the flourished in the eleventh century. See " Following of Christ. " A Mass, vespers,
Mabillon's "Acta Sanctorum Ordinis S. Benedicti," vol. vi. , saec. iv. , pp. 531 to 536, appendix. The Life of St. Roding,
of the saim follow.
" He is so called by Baillet.
"
But usually Roding.
Irish name—and a
pilgrim,
September 17. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 433
certain congeniality of their dispositions as because their acquirements led them into association, It is said, that after St. Paul's departure from the monastery in 631, our Saint was named to succeed him in discharging the duties of professor and preacher. An account, which has a more question- able authenticity, gives a relation respecting his election, as abbot over Tholey monastery by the religious, and by St. Modoald, Bishop of Treves, when holy Abbot Wandelin paid the debt of nature. However this may be, the reputation of his virtues drew a great number of visitors to our saint requesting the favour of his prayers, and most of those desired instruction from him on the obligations of their several states, or under circumstances which required great prudence on his part, and confidence tobereposedinhimastheiradviser. Theincreasedrepetitionofthosevisits,
and a necessity for frequently interrupting his regular duties on their account, placed our saint under great apprehensions of becoming daily more and more removed from the conversation of his Divine Saviour. In order to be
more fully at liberty to gratify his pious inclinations, he resolved by removing from Tholey to prevent for the future such interruptions. In the year 640, he left for Verdun, with two or three of his companions, who had attached
themselves to him, in a particular manner. Here, meeting with his friend, St. Paul, who was then Bishop, this latter sought by every argument to induce our saint to remain in his diocese, hoping much for the advancement of religion by his preaching and missionary labours. The saint remained two years with this venerable prelate, and then feeling a strong reluctance to sever those ties of friendship and religion that bound them together, Rouin nevertheless abandoned himself once more to an idea of serving God in greater retirement. Directed by such a purpose, the saint penetrated into the wooded solitudes of Argonne, and he spent some time there, in search of a suitable place whereon to found his future habitation. He at length selected a very remote site, known as Vasloge or Watzlew. Here, in
company with his disciples, Rouin commenced the erection of a few rude huts, to serve for their lodgings. But, as they had taken possession of this place, without, any authority on the part of its owner, this latter who was
named Austrese, received an exaggerated report regarding their trespass. Without seeking to make himself acquainted with the designs of these
strangers, he despatched orders for their immediate departure. As they yet lingered beyond a time specified for their stay, the lord of the soil sent his servants, to drive them away, with whips and clubs. This small family of religious being thus dispersed, St. Rouin equipped himself as a pilgrim, with the view of taking a journey to Rome that he might visit its holy places. We know not how long he was engaged in accomplishing this object, or what exact purpose he designed in effecting it, if not to satisfy his devotion j but we are assured, towards the year 647, he returned to that place, whence he had been so rudely ejected. During his absence, many domestic calamities had befallen Austrese. However, an application made to him or to his sister Bave by our saint was received on this occasion with the attention it merited. Honours were heaped upon St. Rouin, to atone, in some measure, for former indignities ; and he obtained from the Seigneur Austrese a tract of land, with promises of further assistance, which
might enable him to found a religious house. The site of this monastery, the foundations for which were immediately laid, was afterwards called Beaulieu. It was thus denominated, probably owing to the beauty of its surrounding scenery. So soon as the house was com- pleted, the sanctity of its founder, who was destined to become its first Abbot,
brought together a large community. The members of this congregation 1E
434 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [September 17.
feltdesirousofprofitingbyhisinstructionsandexample. Thespiritofthe blessed Rouin diffused itself among his disciples ; while their fervour and regularity showed the admirable nature of his government. In order to obtain confirmation and approval from the Pope in favour of his new establishment, our saint undertook a second journey to Rome in 654. His applications were readily accorded by the Sovereign Pontiff; and on his return from the Eternal City, when passing through Agaune, St. Rouin carried with him the relics of St. Maurice the Martyr and of his companions. He
intended to place those in the church, which he had dedicated to this great
champion of Christ. Such was the esteem in which St. Rouin was held,
that Clovis II. of France and his pious queen, Bathilde, desired to see him.
With this design he invited Rouin to court. But the saint, who despised all
worldly honours and splendour, however much he appreciated the motives
that procured for him such a mark of distinction, sent them word in reply,
that as a religious should never without necessity issue from his enclosure,
the distraction which might be produced in his mind by this visit, formed a
principal reason that influenced him to decline their invitation. Childeric,
King of Austrasie, who was second son to the King and Queen of France,
added other possessions to the Monastery of St. Rouin in 665. Childeric
also took the Abbey of Beaulieu under his special protection, and by royal
letters he conferred a valuable Charter on the religious and their house.
A love for holy retirement and contemplation was an ever-ruling passion with this venerable Abbot. From his position, St. Rouin found himself sub-
ject to the inroads of frequent visitors, and charged with governmental cares, which to all perfect religious are found the most burdensome of duties.
The saint began to think at last of resigning that charge imposed on him, to make due preparation for the last conflict, which was daily approaching with his increasing years. With such an object in view, he called the monks
together, and much to their regret announced a resolution, which no per- suasion on their part could alter.
He recommended to their notice a holy
fellow-religious named Stephen, whose piety, zeal, and learning he said would more than supply his own removal. This good man was immediately elected as his successor. These matters being thus disposed of, our saint erected a small and convenient hermitage for himself and one of his disciples who accompanied him. This hermitage was in a very retired place, and only at a short distance from the Abbey. ^ Here, St. Rouin gave himself entirely to prayer and contemplation ; but, although it might be supposed the infirmities of old age should reasonably interrupt the performance of more laborious duties, our saint was not altogether disposed to lead solely
Sundays and on all principal Festivals, he repaired to the Church to preach the word of God, or to offer up the Holy Sacrifice of Mass. In the pursuit of these labours, St. Rouin had attained his eighty-sixth year ;
13 M Communaut6
avoir
la il fit 61ire
avec un seul — mener la
Apres
gouverne long-temps
compagnon, pour y
"
avoit
vie
Histoire
He never for a moment abandoned his solicitude for
a contemplative life.
the government of the Abbey, over which he had so long presided ; and hence he was careful in his casual wanderings about its walls, to remark anything that demanded admonition or correction. To avoid all appearance of unwarrantable interference, in the concerns of a house, with which he now seemed to be connected only as an extern ; generally he visited only bynight,andwhenhispresenceorobservationsmightbelessnoticed. On
formee,
son succeseur ; et abdiquant la charge de l'Eglise Gallicane," tome iv. , liv. x. , p.
d'Abb£, il se retira dans le fond d'un bois 1,55.
qu'il
Eremitique. "
Longueval's
September 17. ] LIVES 01 THE IRISH SAINTS. 435
and towards the year 680, those infirmities inseparable from advanced age confined him to his bed. Finding his weakness gradually increase, he sent for the Abbot Stephen, with his religious, that he might address a few impressive remarks, at this closing period of his life. On arrival, they sought by most earnest persuasions to induce the Saint to suffer his removal into the monastery, as his accommodation would be better provided for there, than in his lonely habitation ; but the dying recluse would not consent to relax his penitential resolution of living out the short remainder of life, as became a solitary. Reclining on a hair mattress, he addressed his exhorta- tions to the brothers, who stood around ; and, by the most affecting and persuasive arguments, St. Rouin urged the faithful observance of their rule and their various religious obligations. Then, as well as his feeble voice would allow, having chaunted the Litany for a happy death, he closed his eyestothelightofthisworldonthe17thdayofSeptember. Thebrethren, at once convinced of his sanctity, felt no difficulty in placing him among the number of beatified dead, and as a Saint of God they invoked his potent intercession. His body was interred before an Altar of St. John the Evan-
gelist in Beaulieu Abbey, according to his particular request. It has been preserved there with peculiar honour to our own time. The present Abbey belonged to St. Vanne's congregation, a reformation of the justly celebrated BenedictineOrder. TheCircleoftheSeasonsentersafestivalofSt. Rouin,
at this date. 1* The Catholic mind of Ireland is and abbot, yet vigorous
energetic. With God's assistance, it must survive the political wrongs and socialdegradationofthepresenttimeandofpastcenturies; anditshallyet triumph over sectarian opposition, which it has hitherto so fearlessly encountered. The history of our Island teaches us we are the children of M a holy generation. " If we have not had part in the missionary triumphs of the past, we can at least claim a share in the inheritance of our Fathers, and still emulate their virtues and glories. The Island, which has given birth to this Saint and sent him forth to dispense the treasures of Faith in a distant and favoured land, can effect in the present age, through the inscrutable decrees of Divine Providence, wonders that have been wrought of old.
Article III. —St. Brogan Cloen, Abbot of Rostuirc, in Ossory. [Seventh Century. '] Although by some, the present saint ha—s been identified
rocan the with a St. of in Waterford or B—
Brogan, Maethail-Bhrogain ScribecommemoratedintheFeilireofOengusatthe8thofJuly yetishe
to be distinguished, as the author of an Irish Poem, in which are celebrated
the life and virtues of the St. great
2 It is the attribute of possible
Brigid.
being a scribe, with the accidental synonym applying to both, may have producedsuchanimpression. TheBollandists,3apparentlycallinghiscultus in question, still introduce their notices of Broganus, at the 17th of September. ThissaintisalsocalledBercan,Brechan,BrecanandBrocan. * In Latin, his name is usually written Berchanus, Broganus or Broccanus.
14 See page 261—.
Article hi.
*
3 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. , See remarks regarding Septembris xvii. Among the pretermitted
him, at the 8th of July, in the Eighth saints, p. 463.
Volume of this work, Art. vi. 4 See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum
2
of this work, at the 1st of February, Abbatis de Magharnuidhe, cap, xxxiv. , p.
Art. i. •
See her Life in the Second Volume Hibernise," xvi. Martii. Vita S. . Abbani
618, and n. 40, p. 624.
43^ LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [September17.
On this day, in the Feilire of St. ^Engus,s there is a festival for Bracan or Broccan, of Ruiss or Roiss Tuircc. In a scholion appended, this place is
6
is said to have been connected with Cluain Imorchuir, for which a mysterious
indicated as being in Mag Raigne in Ossory ;
and, by the commentator, he
derivation is 7 We given.
find,
at the of 17th
September,
8
this u Broecan entry,
Rois tuiric," in the Martyrology of Tallagh.
According to the Calendar of Cashel and Marianus 0'Gorman,9 he is venerated on this same day. St. Brogan Cloen was born—it has been supposed—about the close of the
sixth or beginning of the seventh century. However, if we are willing to 10
allow,thathehadformedafriendshipwithSt. Brendan, mostprobablyof Clonfert, St, Brogan Cloen must have been born earlier than the sixth century,asSt. Brendanissaidtohavediedintheyear577. Thatoursaint was an Abbot, at the time this friendship had been formed, may be inferred
11
St. Brocan is found classed among the disciples of St. Patrick. This statement, however, cannot be accepted as chrono- logically correct. The founder of a monastery at Rosturic^ in Ossory, near the Slieve Bloom mountain, is unknown. 1 -' The O'Clerys state, that Rostuirc was situated in Magh Raighne, which is held to have been the great central
from the Life of St. Abban. 12
plain
Kilkenny.
we find
C1ITO bl-KVOttA OtvAcan fUnrr Umncc cuipme
5 In the Leabhar Breac "
13 " Ilia Ecclesia est vicina monti
Bladhma ; et Ecclesia Cluainmorensi ubi
scholiastes hujus hymni [scil. S. Brigklse]
supra in asserit eundem Hymnum composi- tumesse. "—"TriasThaumaturga. " Prima
Vita S. Brigidse, nn. I, 2, p. 518.
14 Archdall says: "We know not the
situation of this abbey, nor to whom it
owed its origin, but are told it was near the
— copy eupemiA cent)! pi41
the following stanza :
n<MT)
apAir
15 A writer10 in the
of the
states, that he has "grounds for believing that St. Broghan, the poet-priest of Ossory, had his principal church or monastery at Kilbricken, between Callan'7 and Kells. 18 However, in a reply to his communication,10 the Rev.
County
of
Kilkenny Journal
La
Thus rendered by Dr. Whitley Stokes :
"
Euphemia without reproach tell her pas-
"
Transactions of the Royal Irish Academy,"
Cluainimu—rchir, in the life-time of St.
Abban. " "Monasticon Hibernicum," 596. In confirmation of the foregoing statements, Archdall refers to Colgan's
fell jvomAich RiajIai.
sion at a year's end. Reckon Broccan of mountains of Slieve Bloom. St. Brendan
Ros Tuirc, with Riagail's excellent feast. "— governed this church, and was abbot of
Irish Manuscript Series, vol. i. , part i. Calendar of Oengus, p. cxxxviii.
6
p.
See ibid. , p. cxlvi.
7 The commentator adds : "i. e. Flandan, A. A. SS. , p. 224, and Tr. Th. , p. 518. In
son of Toirdelbach, came once to the stead the first instance, Colgan has no such matter
that he might be carried. Thence it is at p. 224 ; but it is evident Archdall meant
called Cluain Imorchuir ('meadow of p. 624, and note 40. Yet even" here, there
carrying'). " is nothing about St. Brendan, yet there is
8
See in the Book of Leinster copy allusion to him in the notes succeeding.
DfoccAin . 1. rtoir coinc, and in Dr. Kelly's "Calendar of Irish Saints," at p. xxxiv.
' 5 In a letter to the writer, and dated Kil-
managh, Co. Kilkenny, March 4th, 1895, this is affirmed, by the Rev. Nicholas
9 He is noticed as Broccan, and a
P. P. , of Kilmanagh.
16 Who styles himself " Layman. "
in a of the same barony
ographer indicates, that he was of Ross
Tuirc in Raini in See Dr. Magh Ossory.
17 This
gloss-
Murphy,
parish, ""
Whitley Stokes' Felire Hui Gormain," designation, is shown on the Ordnance
pp. 178, 179-
Survey Townland Maps for the County —of
—allan town Kilkenny,'' Sheets 22, 26. C
dividedintoNorthandSouth isdescribed on Sheet 26.
18 The parish of Kells—partly in the
barony of Kells and partly in the barony of Shillclogher—is notedonthe"Ordnance
Survey Townland Maps for the County of Kilkenny," Sheets 23, 27. The town of Kells is shown on Sheet 27.
10 FifthVolumeofthiswork,Art. i.
11
See a notice of his festival at the 16th
See his life at the 16th of May, in the
of March in the Third Volume of this work,
Art. ii. However, his Life and chief feast
occuronthe27thofOctober.
12
See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Quinta Appendix ad Acta S. Fatricii, cap. xxiii. , p. 266.
September 17. ] LIVES OE THE IRISH SAINTS. 437
Nicholas Murphy, P. P. , of Kilmanagb, observes, that Cluain Uimurchaire has been identified by Father Shearman with Kilbriccan, near Aghaboe. And the Rostuirc in Magh Roighne is, as all authorities allow, represented
by Rosmore, the adjoining townland to Kilbrahan,20 in the parish of Kilma- nagh. The monastery of St. Broghan is also stated by Colgan to have been
situated ad on the border-land of fines Ossraighe,
Ossory. verifiedconcerningKilbrahan,intheparishofKilmanagh. Attherequest
of St. Ultan of Ardbraccan, Brogan composed the Life and Acts of St. Brigid in an Irish poem. In it, her sanctity and miracles are recorded. The place where this tract was written is said to have been either at Slieve-Bloom or at
the Cluainmore of St. Maidoc.
22
These accounts are gleaned from an
anonymous writer or scholiast in a short preface ; and Colgan places this
Irish poem, with a literal Latin translation, foremost among his six Lives of
St. Brigid. 23 He assigns its authorship to a. d. 526, but this is manifestly
too early a date for its composition, as it ranges back to a year long previous
to St. birth. The " Chronicum Scotorum " the death of
as the Annals of the Four Masters 25 Ultan's give
Brogan's places
Ultan Mac Ui Conchobhair on the second of the Nones of September in
the 2 * year 653.
However,
age to be one hundred and eighty years, when he died on the 4th of
26 September, 656 ;
Colgan argues, that he may have been living a. d. 526, to assist St. Brogan Cloen in the composition of that Hymn in praise of St.
2
Brigid. ? St. Brogan is named as abbot of Rostuirc, at the year 525, by
Archdall,28whorestshisstatementontheauthorityofColgan. Thatearly date, however, cannot be allowed. It is said by an old scholiast, that St. Ultan of Ardbraccan 29 collected the Acts of St. Brigid 3° for St. Brogan Cloen. The same scholiast informs us, that our Saint's poem, on St. Brigid's virtues and miracles, had been composed in the time of King Leogaire's son Lughadh, Monarch of Ireland, and when Alild, son to
was
King
died3 overtwentyyearsbeforetherestofSt. Brigid,33anallusiontowhich
2
19 Addressed to the Kilkenny Journal of
February, 1895.
:o This townland, in the barony of Cran-
2?
