Kelly's "Cambrensis Eversus,"by
Gratianus
Lucius Hibernus, vol.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v6
Ixviii.
,
20=
The O'Clerys cite chap. 8.
In O'Donnell's Life of St. Columkille,
He left this world, just as Columba
this account is in the First Book and Twelfth
chapter. See "Trias Thaumaturga," p. 391.
201
His feast occurs, at the 23rd of lxix.
2°8
August. O'Donnell records the prediction of
202
See "Acts of Archbishop Colton in his "Boetius filius Bronaigh," that is "boiue Metropolitan Visitation of the Diocese of mac rjrvonAig, who was the founder of
Derry, a. d. mcccxcvii. ," &c. Edited by Rev. Dr. William Reeves, M. R. I. A. , n. (q), pp. 9 to 11.
2°3 In chapter 9 of the Irish Life, accord- ing to the division of the O'Clerys.
204 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga,"
Monasterboice, in " Trias Thaumaturga," Quinta Vita S. Columba, cap. xiv. , p. 391. This is mentioned, also, in the Second Life
of St. Columba, cap. ii.
2
°9 The O'Clerys quote chapter 9 of the Irish Life for this prophecy.
2I0 The feast of St. Boetius or St. day
Buite.
Quinta Vita S. Columbre, lib. P- 391-
i. , cap. xiii. ,
2 7 o LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 9.
venerated by men, was then born, that Columba should come with a band of twelve companions to Monasterboice and open there his own tomb, and remove his relics to a more suitable place, while after a lapse of years, he should welcome Columba's appearance in Heaven. 211
Visionswerevouchsafedtoproclaimhisadvent. Onenight,betweenthe
conception and nativity of St. Columkille, an Angel appeared to Aethne his mother in a dream. 212 This Angel brought her a wonderfully rich robe, or cloak, in which most beautiful tints of the most exquisite flowers were delight- fully blended. Then, he presented it to her, but he took it away presently ; and, having raised it aloft, he spread it out, when it floated off slowly through the air. 2I 3 Being very sorrowful thereat, she said to the Angel who appeared in the likeness of a very grave venerable man: "Why do you withdraw this
" *' delightful mantle so soon from me ? " Because," answered he, it apper-
tains to me, and you cannot long retain this robe, for the reason it is so magnifi- cent. 21'' With these words, Aethne saw the robe drawn further away from
her, and floating gracefully in the air. Then, it began to stretch out in extent, so as to cover the large fields, mountains and forests. 215 She heard, more-
over, a voice directed to her, in the following words " Woman, be not
:
aggrieved, for you shall bear to your husband an illustrious son, who as one of
the Prophets of God shall be ranked among them. He is predestined by God, to be a great leader, and to conduct innumerable souls to Heaven. " Hearing these remarkable words, Aethne awoke. It is said, before he was born at Gartan,216 that a woman, who envied Ethnea, had a dream, in which she saw a number of birds bear off her veil—which they tore—to various paits of Ire- land and Scotland. This she maliciously thought must be interpreted, as an evil omen, and she related it to Ethnea ; but, the latter pious matron drew from it the augur}', that her son in time to come should be universally extolled for his sanctity in both Scotias. 21 ? St. Finnen 2l8 saw in a vision a moon of gold and a moon of silver. The moon of gold rose in the north side of Erin, lighting Erin, Albain, and the west of the world ; while the moon of silver rose over Cluain mic Nois, and lighted the middle of Erin, with its brillia—nce and radiance. 21 ^ Finnen himself delivered the interpretation of the
T
dream viz. , that the wife of Feidhlim, son to Fergus Cennfoda, son to
Conall Gulban, son to Niall of the Nine Hostages, should bring forth a son, and that his name should be Colum Cille, and that the fame of his exemplary
piety, and the brightness of his angelic life, his wisdom, his knowledge, his word, and his preaching, should extend over the west of the world ; and that
220 son of the should be the silver on account of his
Ciaran,
211
Allusion is made to this prophecy, in a Life of St. Boetius, chap, xviii.
2,3 See Le Comte de Montalembert's " Les Moines d'Occident," tome iii. , liv. xi. , chap, i. , pp. 108, 109.
moon,
as also in the Fourth Adamnan, Book iii. , cap. i.
written
" Primer of the Church of History
ii. ,
Life,
by King's
Ireland," vol. i. , book i. , chap, ix. , p. 75.
carpenter,
213 This account is contained in Columba's
First Life, cap. i. , in the Second Life, cap. is greatly eclipsed by his. " Rev. Robert
214 See the Bollandists' "Acta Sancto- 2'7 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," rum," tomus ii. , Junii ix. De Sancto O'Donnell's or Vita Quinta S. Columbce, Columba, &c. Vita Brevior auctore forsan lib. i. , cap. xix. , p. 392.
Cumineo Albo, Hiensi Abbate, ex Belfortii
2l8
Abbot of Clonard, whose feast occurs
Manuscripto, cap. i. , num. I, p. 185. Also, at the 23rd of February and at the I2th of
in Vita Secunda, that of Adamnan, lib. iii. , cap. i. , num. 84, p. 228.
December,
2I9 See Rev. Drs. Todd's and Reeves'
of 160, 161. Donegal," pp.
" Albain, according to chapter xiv. This tember.
a's TheIrish
relates, that the cloak spread over Erin and
Life, quoted by
the
O'Clerys,
Martyrology
story seems to be substantially repeated, in chapter xv. , yet with some slight variation.
2l6 A beautiful Lake, in the northern
of Donegal, and "where his name is to this day held in the greatest veneration, so that in that part of Ireland the fam—e of St. Patrick
230
His festival occurs, on the 9th of Sep-
part
June 9. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 271
virtuesandgooddeeds. 221 Asinthecase,whenMary,themotherofChrist, visited her holy cousin Elizabeth, the infant St. John rejoiced in his mother's
223 when a
womb 222 as ; so,
man called St. "4 Fergna
legends relate,
visited his kinswoman, Ethnea, the infant, as yet unborn, miraculously mani- fested his joy on the occasion of this coming. 225
Besides the fame derived from his virtues, Columba's origin was of the highest rank, according to the usual notions of mankind,226 and he derived descent from one of those. great Irish families, whose ancestors go back to a period, where they are lost in the night of time. 22? His father is called Fedhlim, and
sometimes
Feidlimid,
who ruled over the north-western
of 228 at part Ireland,
the — of St. Columba's birth. St. Columb—a period
229
Nielli the dominant race or as called in Irish
to the belonged Nepotes
the Hy-Neill, and so deno-
221
See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga,"
and that of his descendants on the throne of
because these were descended from Niall of the Nine 23° Hostages.
minated,
Feidhlim had been twice married, and he had sons by both of his wives ; those by his first wife 231 belonging to the southern Hy-Neill branch or clan, and those by his second wife 232 being called the Northern Hy-Nialls. Of this latter family was Columba, who was descended from Niall Neigiallach,233 on the father's side, he being the son of Fedhlimid or Felim, who was a great grand-
son to that renowned
23* From Niall of the Nine —
king. Hostages descended,
at least forty-six supreme monarchs, who ruled over all Ireland viz. , Laeg- haire,235 his son Lugaidh,236 Muircheartach Mor Mac Earca,23? Tuathal Mael-
Quinta Vita S. Colunibse, lib. i. , P- 392.
222
cap. xx. ,
Ireland, the. reader is referred to the learned "
See St. Luke i. , 41.
223 St. Mura of Fahan relates this mira-
cle.
224 Among other holy men so called in our
Calendars, Colgan does not undertake to
identify him.
225 See Colgan's Trias Thaumaturga,"
Vita Quinta S. Columbse, lib. i. , cap. xxi. , p. 392, and n. 36, p. 449.
226 The O'Clerys state, in their Calendar,
that Colum Cille belonged to the noble races
of Erin ; for, this father sprung from the
race of Conall Gulban, son to Niall of the
Nine Hostages. Eithne, daughter of Dioma,
son to Noe, of Leinster, and belonging to
the race of Cathaoir Mor, King of Erin, was
his mother. See Rev. Drs. Todd's and
Reeves' " Martyrology of Donegal," pp. 152,
153-
2Q? See Le Comte de Montalembert's
" Les Moines d'Occident," tome iii. , liv. xi. ,
chap, i. , p. 104.
228 The brothers of Fedhlim were Sedna,
from whom descend the Siol Sedna, and
whose son was Ainmire, King over Ireland, who died A. D. 569 ; Ninnidh, whose s. on was Baedan, King over Ireland, who died a. d. 586 ; Brenann and Loarn. See this pedigree
very clearly set forth, in the Genealogical Table of the early Abbots of Hy, appended to Rev. Dr. Reeves' Adamnan's " Life of St. Columba," Additional Notes N, p. 342.
22» See Thomas D'Arcy M'Gee's "Popu- lar History of Ireland," vol. i. , book i. , chap, iv. , pp. 28, 29.
230 He is sometimes called Niall the Great, in our Irish Annals. To illustrate his reign
Ogygia," pars iii. , cap. lxxxv. to cap. xciii. , pp. 393 to 436.
"
231 The sons of this monarch, by his first
wife, were Laeghaire, St. Patrick's contem-
porary, and Conall Crimthann, grandfather cf Dairmait mac Cerbhaill, whose descend- ants occupied Meath, and who from their position were styled the southern Hy- Neill.
233 By his second wife, he had Eoghan,
ancestor of the Cinel-Eoghain, who gave name to Tyrone and Inishown, and who in after times were represented by the O'Neill family ; Conall Gulban, ancestor of the Cinel-Conaill, who gave name to Tir-Con- nell, near Donegal, the territory of the O'Donnells; Cairbre, Enna, and others of in- ferior note, collectively formed the Northern Hy-Neill branch.
233 Monarch of Ireland, from A. D. to 379
405. See an account of him in Rev. Dr.
Kelly's "Cambrensis Eversus,"by Gratianus Lucius Hibernus, vol. i. , pp. 494 to 497.
234 A list of thirty-seven Monarchs of Ire-
land, who preceded him in a direct line is
set forth, with their names in Colgan's
•'
Trias Thaumaturga," Quinta Vita S. Columbse, n. 9, p. 447.
235 His reign commenced A. D. 428, and
lasted for thirty years, when he died A. D.
458.
236 He reigned from a. d. 478 to A. D. 503,
a period of twenty-five years.
23? His reign began a. d. 503, and lasted
twenty-four years, when he perished at the River Boyne, A. D. 527.
238 He succeeded to the throne A. D. 528, and he died A. D. 538.
holy
Roderick O'Flaherty's
272 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 9.
238 Diarmaid 239 Domnald and garbh, L, I. ,
Fearghus,
240 the two sons of Muir-
cheartachMorMacEarcainthe
joint sovereignty
of
Ireland,
BaedanI. 2*1 and
EochaidXIII. 242jointsovereignsoverIreland,243 Ainmire,24*BaedanII. ,** ,
Aedh 2*6 Aedh 2*? surnamed
Slaine,
and Colman
2*8 Rimidh, joint
II. ,
III. , Ireland/*
2 s° surnamed
2 * 1 Mael-
Aedh 222
over
cobha,232 Suibhne Meann, 53 Domhnall II. , 54 Conall Cael and Ceallach, ss
sovereigns
IV. ,
Uairidhnach,
of
239 He is also called Mac Feargusa Ceirr-
bheoil, and he became king A. n. 539, and
after a reign of twenty years, he was slain by Aedh Dubh, as Adamnan mentions, a. d. 558. He was the first monarch over Ire- land of the southern Ui-Niall.
240 In A. n. 559 they began to reign, but both died after the short term of three years, A. D. 561. They are mentioned by Adam- nan in his Vita S. Columbse, lib. i. , cap. vii.
241 He was brother to the preceding mon- arch Domnald I.
242 He was son to Domnald I.
243 Their reign began A. D. 562, and both were slain by Cronan, chief of Cianachta- Glinne-Gemhin, in the second year of their reign, A. D. 563.
244 The son of Sedna, descended from Conall Gulban, and he was the first of the Tirconnell branch of the Northern Ui-Niall who ascended the throne of Ireland, A. D. 564. He only held the sovereignty for three years, when he was slain by Fearghus, son of Niall, at the instigation of Beadan, A. D. 566. Ten kings of this Northern Ui-Niall branch were supreme monarchs of Ire- land.
245 This instigator of the preceding mon- arch's death was son to Ninnidh, son of
Fearghus Ceannfhoda, but he only ruled for one year, having been killed in battle, A. D. 567, by the two Comains.
246 He was son of Ainmire, and he began
to reign A. D. 568. He reigned for twenty- seven years, and he was slain in the battle
of Dunbolg, by Brandubh, King of Leinster, A. D. 594.
247 He is thus distinguished in numerical order by Colgan ; the Rev. Dr. Kelly calls him Aedh II. in his version of Dr. Lynch's " Cambrensis Eversus. " This prince was son to Diarmaid I.
248 He was son to Beadan I.
249 They began to rule A. D. 595, and
after six Colman was slain Lochan years, by
Dilmana, and Aedh II. by Conall, son of Suibhne, near Lough Sewdy, a. d. 600.
250 He was son of Domhnall Ilchealgach, son of Muircheartach, son to Muiradhach, son of Eoghan, and he began to reign A D. 601. After he enjoyed the sovereignty for seven years, he died at Ath-da-fearta, A. D. 607.
joint sovereigns
Ireland,
joint sovereigns 230 surnamed Flead- 11. 262 or of Ceann 263 2°*
2S7
hach, Loingseach, Congall ,
258
231 Or Hugh of the Shivering Disease ;
either the ague or palsy. He was regarded as a just ruler.
252 He was son of Aedh, son to Ainmire, and he began to reign a. d. 608. He only ruled for three years, when he was slain in the battle of Sliabh Toadh, A. D. 610.
253 He was the murderer of Maelcobha, and he immediately succeeded a. d. 611. After a reign of thirteen years, he was slain by Congal Claen, son of Scannal, in the battle at Triagh-Brena, near Aileach, over Lough Swilly, A. D. 623. A beautiful poem "Com- gal," by Sir Samuel Ferguson, commemo- rates this transaction.
254 Son of Aedh, son to Ainmire. He ascended the Irish throne A. D. 624, and he died after the victory of penance, A. D. 639, having reigned sixteen years.
235 These were sons to Maelcobha, son of Aedh, son to Ainmire. They reigned seven- teen years from a. d. 640 to 656, when the former was slain by the sword of his succes- sor, Diarmaid, and the latter died a natural death at Brugb-Mic-an-Og, near Stackallen Bridge, at the village of Slane, in Meath.
236 These were two sons of Aedh Slaine.
They began to reign A. D. 657, and after eight years they were carried off by the Cho- naill Buidhe or Great Yellow Plague, A. D. 664.
237 He was son of Blathmac, and he ascended the throne A. D. 665. He only reigned five years, when he was killed by Dubhduin, chief of Cinel-Cairbre, A. D. 669.
238HewassonofBlathmac. Hebegan to reign A. D. 670, and after four years, he was slain by Finnachta Fleadhach, his suc- cessor, A. D. 673.
239 He was son to Dunchadh, and grand- son to Aedh III. He ruled for twenty years from A. D. 674 to a. d. 693, when he was slain at Greallach-Dollaith.
over
Ireland, Seachnasac, 2DO 201
Ceannfaelaidh,
Finnachta,
Maghair, Fearghal
,
Diarmaid II. and 2s6 Blathmac,
260 This word " the signifies
Hospitable," and the monarch was so called on account of his lavish hospitality. He is venerated as a
saint, at the 14th of November.
261 He was son of
II. His reign began a. d. 694, and after eight years he was slain in a battle at Corann, a. d. 701.
/Engus,
son to Domhnall
June 9. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
273
Mac
269 Niall Domchadh 2? 2 Aedh 2? 3 surnamed
268 sur-
2? 1
274 sometimes called
2 79
ghalach,
IV. ,
283 Maelseachlainn 28* sometimes called Mala- Mor,
Maelduin, Fogartach,
Cinaeth,
Flaithblieartach,
V. , Frosach,
named Ollain or Domhnall Allan,
III. ,
27° surnamed Oirdnidhe, Conchobhar,
III. ,
Maelseachlainn,
I. , 2 7S
surnamed
VI. , Caille,
2 ? 6
2 ? 7
Niall
Malachias Primus or
surnamed Niall 280 surnamed
Sinna,
282 Domhnall
Malachy I. ,
IV. , Glundubh,
Donnchadh 281 Con- II. ,
262 Ke was son of Fergus, another son of Domhnall II. His reign commenced A. D. 702, and after a seven years' rule he was carried off by a sudden illness, A. D. 708.
263 Said now to be called Kinnaweer, at the head of Mulroy Lough, in the Barony of Kilmacrenan, and county of Donegal.
264 He was great-grandson to Aedh IV. , and his reign began A. D. 709. Having been monarch for ten years, he was slain in a battle at Almhain or the Hill of Allen, in
the county of Kildare, a. d. 718.
265 He was son to Niall, son of Cearnach
Sotal, son to Diarmaid II. He only reigned
one year, a. d. 719, when he fell in the battle
of Delgean,
266 He was son of Irgalach, and descended
and his reign began a. d. 818. After he had been fourteen years in the monarchy of Ireland, his life closed after the victory of penance, A. D. 831.
275 He was son of Aedh Oirdnidhe, begin- ning his reign a. d. 832, and ruling thirteen years, he was drowned a. d. 844.
276 Because he lost his life in the River Callainn.
20=
The O'Clerys cite chap. 8.
In O'Donnell's Life of St. Columkille,
He left this world, just as Columba
this account is in the First Book and Twelfth
chapter. See "Trias Thaumaturga," p. 391.
201
His feast occurs, at the 23rd of lxix.
2°8
August. O'Donnell records the prediction of
202
See "Acts of Archbishop Colton in his "Boetius filius Bronaigh," that is "boiue Metropolitan Visitation of the Diocese of mac rjrvonAig, who was the founder of
Derry, a. d. mcccxcvii. ," &c. Edited by Rev. Dr. William Reeves, M. R. I. A. , n. (q), pp. 9 to 11.
2°3 In chapter 9 of the Irish Life, accord- ing to the division of the O'Clerys.
204 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga,"
Monasterboice, in " Trias Thaumaturga," Quinta Vita S. Columba, cap. xiv. , p. 391. This is mentioned, also, in the Second Life
of St. Columba, cap. ii.
2
°9 The O'Clerys quote chapter 9 of the Irish Life for this prophecy.
2I0 The feast of St. Boetius or St. day
Buite.
Quinta Vita S. Columbre, lib. P- 391-
i. , cap. xiii. ,
2 7 o LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 9.
venerated by men, was then born, that Columba should come with a band of twelve companions to Monasterboice and open there his own tomb, and remove his relics to a more suitable place, while after a lapse of years, he should welcome Columba's appearance in Heaven. 211
Visionswerevouchsafedtoproclaimhisadvent. Onenight,betweenthe
conception and nativity of St. Columkille, an Angel appeared to Aethne his mother in a dream. 212 This Angel brought her a wonderfully rich robe, or cloak, in which most beautiful tints of the most exquisite flowers were delight- fully blended. Then, he presented it to her, but he took it away presently ; and, having raised it aloft, he spread it out, when it floated off slowly through the air. 2I 3 Being very sorrowful thereat, she said to the Angel who appeared in the likeness of a very grave venerable man: "Why do you withdraw this
" *' delightful mantle so soon from me ? " Because," answered he, it apper-
tains to me, and you cannot long retain this robe, for the reason it is so magnifi- cent. 21'' With these words, Aethne saw the robe drawn further away from
her, and floating gracefully in the air. Then, it began to stretch out in extent, so as to cover the large fields, mountains and forests. 215 She heard, more-
over, a voice directed to her, in the following words " Woman, be not
:
aggrieved, for you shall bear to your husband an illustrious son, who as one of
the Prophets of God shall be ranked among them. He is predestined by God, to be a great leader, and to conduct innumerable souls to Heaven. " Hearing these remarkable words, Aethne awoke. It is said, before he was born at Gartan,216 that a woman, who envied Ethnea, had a dream, in which she saw a number of birds bear off her veil—which they tore—to various paits of Ire- land and Scotland. This she maliciously thought must be interpreted, as an evil omen, and she related it to Ethnea ; but, the latter pious matron drew from it the augur}', that her son in time to come should be universally extolled for his sanctity in both Scotias. 21 ? St. Finnen 2l8 saw in a vision a moon of gold and a moon of silver. The moon of gold rose in the north side of Erin, lighting Erin, Albain, and the west of the world ; while the moon of silver rose over Cluain mic Nois, and lighted the middle of Erin, with its brillia—nce and radiance. 21 ^ Finnen himself delivered the interpretation of the
T
dream viz. , that the wife of Feidhlim, son to Fergus Cennfoda, son to
Conall Gulban, son to Niall of the Nine Hostages, should bring forth a son, and that his name should be Colum Cille, and that the fame of his exemplary
piety, and the brightness of his angelic life, his wisdom, his knowledge, his word, and his preaching, should extend over the west of the world ; and that
220 son of the should be the silver on account of his
Ciaran,
211
Allusion is made to this prophecy, in a Life of St. Boetius, chap, xviii.
2,3 See Le Comte de Montalembert's " Les Moines d'Occident," tome iii. , liv. xi. , chap, i. , pp. 108, 109.
moon,
as also in the Fourth Adamnan, Book iii. , cap. i.
written
" Primer of the Church of History
ii. ,
Life,
by King's
Ireland," vol. i. , book i. , chap, ix. , p. 75.
carpenter,
213 This account is contained in Columba's
First Life, cap. i. , in the Second Life, cap. is greatly eclipsed by his. " Rev. Robert
214 See the Bollandists' "Acta Sancto- 2'7 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," rum," tomus ii. , Junii ix. De Sancto O'Donnell's or Vita Quinta S. Columbce, Columba, &c. Vita Brevior auctore forsan lib. i. , cap. xix. , p. 392.
Cumineo Albo, Hiensi Abbate, ex Belfortii
2l8
Abbot of Clonard, whose feast occurs
Manuscripto, cap. i. , num. I, p. 185. Also, at the 23rd of February and at the I2th of
in Vita Secunda, that of Adamnan, lib. iii. , cap. i. , num. 84, p. 228.
December,
2I9 See Rev. Drs. Todd's and Reeves'
of 160, 161. Donegal," pp.
" Albain, according to chapter xiv. This tember.
a's TheIrish
relates, that the cloak spread over Erin and
Life, quoted by
the
O'Clerys,
Martyrology
story seems to be substantially repeated, in chapter xv. , yet with some slight variation.
2l6 A beautiful Lake, in the northern
of Donegal, and "where his name is to this day held in the greatest veneration, so that in that part of Ireland the fam—e of St. Patrick
230
His festival occurs, on the 9th of Sep-
part
June 9. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 271
virtuesandgooddeeds. 221 Asinthecase,whenMary,themotherofChrist, visited her holy cousin Elizabeth, the infant St. John rejoiced in his mother's
223 when a
womb 222 as ; so,
man called St. "4 Fergna
legends relate,
visited his kinswoman, Ethnea, the infant, as yet unborn, miraculously mani- fested his joy on the occasion of this coming. 225
Besides the fame derived from his virtues, Columba's origin was of the highest rank, according to the usual notions of mankind,226 and he derived descent from one of those. great Irish families, whose ancestors go back to a period, where they are lost in the night of time. 22? His father is called Fedhlim, and
sometimes
Feidlimid,
who ruled over the north-western
of 228 at part Ireland,
the — of St. Columba's birth. St. Columb—a period
229
Nielli the dominant race or as called in Irish
to the belonged Nepotes
the Hy-Neill, and so deno-
221
See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga,"
and that of his descendants on the throne of
because these were descended from Niall of the Nine 23° Hostages.
minated,
Feidhlim had been twice married, and he had sons by both of his wives ; those by his first wife 231 belonging to the southern Hy-Neill branch or clan, and those by his second wife 232 being called the Northern Hy-Nialls. Of this latter family was Columba, who was descended from Niall Neigiallach,233 on the father's side, he being the son of Fedhlimid or Felim, who was a great grand-
son to that renowned
23* From Niall of the Nine —
king. Hostages descended,
at least forty-six supreme monarchs, who ruled over all Ireland viz. , Laeg- haire,235 his son Lugaidh,236 Muircheartach Mor Mac Earca,23? Tuathal Mael-
Quinta Vita S. Colunibse, lib. i. , P- 392.
222
cap. xx. ,
Ireland, the. reader is referred to the learned "
See St. Luke i. , 41.
223 St. Mura of Fahan relates this mira-
cle.
224 Among other holy men so called in our
Calendars, Colgan does not undertake to
identify him.
225 See Colgan's Trias Thaumaturga,"
Vita Quinta S. Columbse, lib. i. , cap. xxi. , p. 392, and n. 36, p. 449.
226 The O'Clerys state, in their Calendar,
that Colum Cille belonged to the noble races
of Erin ; for, this father sprung from the
race of Conall Gulban, son to Niall of the
Nine Hostages. Eithne, daughter of Dioma,
son to Noe, of Leinster, and belonging to
the race of Cathaoir Mor, King of Erin, was
his mother. See Rev. Drs. Todd's and
Reeves' " Martyrology of Donegal," pp. 152,
153-
2Q? See Le Comte de Montalembert's
" Les Moines d'Occident," tome iii. , liv. xi. ,
chap, i. , p. 104.
228 The brothers of Fedhlim were Sedna,
from whom descend the Siol Sedna, and
whose son was Ainmire, King over Ireland, who died A. D. 569 ; Ninnidh, whose s. on was Baedan, King over Ireland, who died a. d. 586 ; Brenann and Loarn. See this pedigree
very clearly set forth, in the Genealogical Table of the early Abbots of Hy, appended to Rev. Dr. Reeves' Adamnan's " Life of St. Columba," Additional Notes N, p. 342.
22» See Thomas D'Arcy M'Gee's "Popu- lar History of Ireland," vol. i. , book i. , chap, iv. , pp. 28, 29.
230 He is sometimes called Niall the Great, in our Irish Annals. To illustrate his reign
Ogygia," pars iii. , cap. lxxxv. to cap. xciii. , pp. 393 to 436.
"
231 The sons of this monarch, by his first
wife, were Laeghaire, St. Patrick's contem-
porary, and Conall Crimthann, grandfather cf Dairmait mac Cerbhaill, whose descend- ants occupied Meath, and who from their position were styled the southern Hy- Neill.
233 By his second wife, he had Eoghan,
ancestor of the Cinel-Eoghain, who gave name to Tyrone and Inishown, and who in after times were represented by the O'Neill family ; Conall Gulban, ancestor of the Cinel-Conaill, who gave name to Tir-Con- nell, near Donegal, the territory of the O'Donnells; Cairbre, Enna, and others of in- ferior note, collectively formed the Northern Hy-Neill branch.
233 Monarch of Ireland, from A. D. to 379
405. See an account of him in Rev. Dr.
Kelly's "Cambrensis Eversus,"by Gratianus Lucius Hibernus, vol. i. , pp. 494 to 497.
234 A list of thirty-seven Monarchs of Ire-
land, who preceded him in a direct line is
set forth, with their names in Colgan's
•'
Trias Thaumaturga," Quinta Vita S. Columbse, n. 9, p. 447.
235 His reign commenced A. D. 428, and
lasted for thirty years, when he died A. D.
458.
236 He reigned from a. d. 478 to A. D. 503,
a period of twenty-five years.
23? His reign began a. d. 503, and lasted
twenty-four years, when he perished at the River Boyne, A. D. 527.
238 He succeeded to the throne A. D. 528, and he died A. D. 538.
holy
Roderick O'Flaherty's
272 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 9.
238 Diarmaid 239 Domnald and garbh, L, I. ,
Fearghus,
240 the two sons of Muir-
cheartachMorMacEarcainthe
joint sovereignty
of
Ireland,
BaedanI. 2*1 and
EochaidXIII. 242jointsovereignsoverIreland,243 Ainmire,24*BaedanII. ,** ,
Aedh 2*6 Aedh 2*? surnamed
Slaine,
and Colman
2*8 Rimidh, joint
II. ,
III. , Ireland/*
2 s° surnamed
2 * 1 Mael-
Aedh 222
over
cobha,232 Suibhne Meann, 53 Domhnall II. , 54 Conall Cael and Ceallach, ss
sovereigns
IV. ,
Uairidhnach,
of
239 He is also called Mac Feargusa Ceirr-
bheoil, and he became king A. n. 539, and
after a reign of twenty years, he was slain by Aedh Dubh, as Adamnan mentions, a. d. 558. He was the first monarch over Ire- land of the southern Ui-Niall.
240 In A. n. 559 they began to reign, but both died after the short term of three years, A. D. 561. They are mentioned by Adam- nan in his Vita S. Columbse, lib. i. , cap. vii.
241 He was brother to the preceding mon- arch Domnald I.
242 He was son to Domnald I.
243 Their reign began A. D. 562, and both were slain by Cronan, chief of Cianachta- Glinne-Gemhin, in the second year of their reign, A. D. 563.
244 The son of Sedna, descended from Conall Gulban, and he was the first of the Tirconnell branch of the Northern Ui-Niall who ascended the throne of Ireland, A. D. 564. He only held the sovereignty for three years, when he was slain by Fearghus, son of Niall, at the instigation of Beadan, A. D. 566. Ten kings of this Northern Ui-Niall branch were supreme monarchs of Ire- land.
245 This instigator of the preceding mon- arch's death was son to Ninnidh, son of
Fearghus Ceannfhoda, but he only ruled for one year, having been killed in battle, A. D. 567, by the two Comains.
246 He was son of Ainmire, and he began
to reign A. D. 568. He reigned for twenty- seven years, and he was slain in the battle
of Dunbolg, by Brandubh, King of Leinster, A. D. 594.
247 He is thus distinguished in numerical order by Colgan ; the Rev. Dr. Kelly calls him Aedh II. in his version of Dr. Lynch's " Cambrensis Eversus. " This prince was son to Diarmaid I.
248 He was son to Beadan I.
249 They began to rule A. D. 595, and
after six Colman was slain Lochan years, by
Dilmana, and Aedh II. by Conall, son of Suibhne, near Lough Sewdy, a. d. 600.
250 He was son of Domhnall Ilchealgach, son of Muircheartach, son to Muiradhach, son of Eoghan, and he began to reign A D. 601. After he enjoyed the sovereignty for seven years, he died at Ath-da-fearta, A. D. 607.
joint sovereigns
Ireland,
joint sovereigns 230 surnamed Flead- 11. 262 or of Ceann 263 2°*
2S7
hach, Loingseach, Congall ,
258
231 Or Hugh of the Shivering Disease ;
either the ague or palsy. He was regarded as a just ruler.
252 He was son of Aedh, son to Ainmire, and he began to reign a. d. 608. He only ruled for three years, when he was slain in the battle of Sliabh Toadh, A. D. 610.
253 He was the murderer of Maelcobha, and he immediately succeeded a. d. 611. After a reign of thirteen years, he was slain by Congal Claen, son of Scannal, in the battle at Triagh-Brena, near Aileach, over Lough Swilly, A. D. 623. A beautiful poem "Com- gal," by Sir Samuel Ferguson, commemo- rates this transaction.
254 Son of Aedh, son to Ainmire. He ascended the Irish throne A. D. 624, and he died after the victory of penance, A. D. 639, having reigned sixteen years.
235 These were sons to Maelcobha, son of Aedh, son to Ainmire. They reigned seven- teen years from a. d. 640 to 656, when the former was slain by the sword of his succes- sor, Diarmaid, and the latter died a natural death at Brugb-Mic-an-Og, near Stackallen Bridge, at the village of Slane, in Meath.
236 These were two sons of Aedh Slaine.
They began to reign A. D. 657, and after eight years they were carried off by the Cho- naill Buidhe or Great Yellow Plague, A. D. 664.
237 He was son of Blathmac, and he ascended the throne A. D. 665. He only reigned five years, when he was killed by Dubhduin, chief of Cinel-Cairbre, A. D. 669.
238HewassonofBlathmac. Hebegan to reign A. D. 670, and after four years, he was slain by Finnachta Fleadhach, his suc- cessor, A. D. 673.
239 He was son to Dunchadh, and grand- son to Aedh III. He ruled for twenty years from A. D. 674 to a. d. 693, when he was slain at Greallach-Dollaith.
over
Ireland, Seachnasac, 2DO 201
Ceannfaelaidh,
Finnachta,
Maghair, Fearghal
,
Diarmaid II. and 2s6 Blathmac,
260 This word " the signifies
Hospitable," and the monarch was so called on account of his lavish hospitality. He is venerated as a
saint, at the 14th of November.
261 He was son of
II. His reign began a. d. 694, and after eight years he was slain in a battle at Corann, a. d. 701.
/Engus,
son to Domhnall
June 9. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
273
Mac
269 Niall Domchadh 2? 2 Aedh 2? 3 surnamed
268 sur-
2? 1
274 sometimes called
2 79
ghalach,
IV. ,
283 Maelseachlainn 28* sometimes called Mala- Mor,
Maelduin, Fogartach,
Cinaeth,
Flaithblieartach,
V. , Frosach,
named Ollain or Domhnall Allan,
III. ,
27° surnamed Oirdnidhe, Conchobhar,
III. ,
Maelseachlainn,
I. , 2 7S
surnamed
VI. , Caille,
2 ? 6
2 ? 7
Niall
Malachias Primus or
surnamed Niall 280 surnamed
Sinna,
282 Domhnall
Malachy I. ,
IV. , Glundubh,
Donnchadh 281 Con- II. ,
262 Ke was son of Fergus, another son of Domhnall II. His reign commenced A. D. 702, and after a seven years' rule he was carried off by a sudden illness, A. D. 708.
263 Said now to be called Kinnaweer, at the head of Mulroy Lough, in the Barony of Kilmacrenan, and county of Donegal.
264 He was great-grandson to Aedh IV. , and his reign began A. D. 709. Having been monarch for ten years, he was slain in a battle at Almhain or the Hill of Allen, in
the county of Kildare, a. d. 718.
265 He was son to Niall, son of Cearnach
Sotal, son to Diarmaid II. He only reigned
one year, a. d. 719, when he fell in the battle
of Delgean,
266 He was son of Irgalach, and descended
and his reign began a. d. 818. After he had been fourteen years in the monarchy of Ireland, his life closed after the victory of penance, A. D. 831.
275 He was son of Aedh Oirdnidhe, begin- ning his reign a. d. 832, and ruling thirteen years, he was drowned a. d. 844.
276 Because he lost his life in the River Callainn.
