Steps are hewn out of the huge rocks ; every difficult point of marsh, intersecting stream, or perplexing
declivity
is bridged over with solid stones, time-worn, but still firmly set.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v5
^^
We find, from an Irish poem of unknown date,^7 that some bond of alliance is supposed to have been established between Saints Cainnech,"* Barre,^^andBrenand,3° Onacertainday,St. Brendanwaswalkingthrough the woods with his disciples. A great storm raged, and the trees began to fall, owing to its violence. One of the monks said to his companions : " We are here greatly exposed to danger, in these woods. " Then, St. Brendan said: " One night while the monks were sleeping in the ship, I was alone watching, when we drifted by an island, where great perils threatened us. Four feet ex- tending into the deep only sustained that Island overitself, and between these fewfeet,ourshipwentoutundertheIsland. 3' Thus,wepassedthroughwhile sailing,theIslandstandingoverus. Know,brothers,thattheAlmighty,who sustained that Island on four feet, and who made us sail safely under it, can bring us without injury from the falling of these trees. " Having heard such incidents thus related, the monks were greatly strengthened in Christ. 3^
At one period, the King of Munster levied agreat army, with which he marched into the Connaught province to ravage it. 33 However, the people there en-
*'' SeeMostRev. PatrickFrancisMoran's " Acta Sancti Brendani," Vita S. Brendani, cap. xxiv. , pp. 21, 22.
-s This illustrates a mediceval opinion, that the torments of the dumned varied from the extremeofcoldiothegreatestintensityofheat.
"TheunityofCainnechandBarrae And of Brenand, both one and other : Whoever outrages any one of them The miracles of the three (will be)
— avenging him. "
"Transactions of the Royal Irish Aca-
^•^ See Most Rev. Patrick Francis Moran's demy," Irish Manuscript Series, vol. i. ,
"Acta Sancti Brendani," Vita S. Brendani, cap. XXV. , p. 22.
^^ It is thus quoted, by the scholiast to the copy of the Fcilire Unguis, in the Leabhar Breac: —
<\er\uu Choinmj \\ bA^A^AAi Ocuf 'biAenAint) •oibbnAib Cipe •pA^AAije)' necVi oib |:e]\cAi in C]\i]\ oca'015aiI.
It is thus translated, into English, by Dr. Whitley Stokes :—
part i. On the Calendar of Oengus, by Whitley Stokes, LL. D. , p. Ixxxvii.
^^ Patron of Kilkenny, venerated at the nth of October.
'^^
Patron of Cork, venerated at the 25th of September.
^o Patron of Clonfert, and Ardfert, vene- rated at the present date.
^i
Acts of St. Brendan, is not very intelligible.
This literal translation, found in the
3^ See Most Rev. Patrick Francis Moran's " Acta Sancti Brendani," Vita S. Brendani, cap. xxvi. , p. 23.
35 It seems difficult to identify this ac- count, with any known record in tlie Irish Annals.
^'^ This miracle is alluded to, also, by John Capgrave, in his " Legenda Sanctorum AnghK," and towards the end of his Life of St. F. rendan.
*3 See Most Rev. Patrick Francis Moran's
"Acta Sancti Brendani," Vita S. Brendani, brensis Eversus," &c. , edited by Rev.
Matthew Kelly, D. D. , vol. i. , cap. ii, pp. 124 to 129.
••3 See Roderick O'Flaherty's " Chorogra- phical Description of West or H-Iar Con- naught," edited by James llardiman, Af. R. I. A. , p. 82.
•'' This is stated by Dr. Pococke, in his "Tour through Ireland, A. D. 1752," which is yet unpublished, and classed among the Manuscripts of Trinity College, Dublin, as ^- 4- 15-
. .
"^ See ihid. , p. 59. There is a curious
communication on this subject, in some ad-
ditional Notes.
39 See an account of it, in Martin •"' This is stated, in the l-eAbh4]\ b^Aedch-
cap. xxvii. , pp. 23, 24.
3^ It is described, on the "Ordnance Sur-
vey Townland Maps for the County of Mayo," sheets 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24, 33. It comprises 29. 492a. 3r. I5p.
37 This is the Irisli form of the name Inif jIuAi^e. See " Genealogies, Tribes antl Customs of Hy-Fiachrach," edited by John O'Donovan, p. 492. It is shown, on that Irish Map, prefixed to the work.
3** This small Island —comprising 37a. or.
Ilaverty's " Visit to the Isles of Arran. "
^^ Through mistake, Giraldus Cambrensis seems to refer the tradition here given to the Arran Islands. See " Opera," vol. v. Edited by James F. Dimock, M. A. , " Topogra- ])hiaT-Iibernica," Dist. ii. , cap. vi. , pp. S3,
84.
•' " Ccrnore Inisgloiiii est pelage, quod prospicit Irras
Insula aVos, alavosque solo post fatascpultos
—
Townland Maps lor the County of -Mayo," sheets 9, 16.
28p.
is shown, on the " Ordnance Survey
Effigies servare suas, vegetisque vigere,
Unguibus, atque comis. Hominum caro nulla putrescit. "
—See
Pars iii. , cap. i. , verse 7, pp. 290, 291.
Roderick O'Flaherty's "Ogygia,"
*- See Gratianus Lucius, Hibernus, " Cam-
iiAch <\nn]'o pf, or " the Irish Version of Nennius," sect, ii. , pp. 192, 193.
^7 Inis Gluaire is rendered "Island of Purity," by Dr. O'Donovan.
••^ Dr. Gcoige Petrie refers this building, constructed with lime cement, to the begin- ning of the sixth century. See " Ecclesias- tical Architecture and Round Towers of
Ireland," part ii. , sect, ii. , pp. 127, 12S. "The accompanying inteiior illustration was drawn on the wood, from a sketch, in the Royal Irish Academy's Collection, by
—
456 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 1 6.
treated the holy senior Brendan to go forth and meet the Momonians, and to ask for peace with them. Still, the proud Munstermen would not promise peace nor terms to the saint of God. But, marching out one day, the invading foescouldnotadvance,onlymakingacircuitaroundonespot. Believingthis to be a miracle telling against their expedition, they feared much, and they resolved to turn back into their own land. Wlierefore, unable to resist the Divine will, they returned without spoil. On leaving them, the venerable old man Brendan was presented on the way to a boy, who had been mute from the day of his birth. 34 The holy man, blessing that boy, restored to him the perfect use of speech. Those, who witnessed that miracle, gave praise to the Lord. 35
Abouta mile, west of the village denominated Cross, in the parisliofKilmore,^^ off the coast, and in the barony of Erris, county of Mayo, thereisan Islandcalled Inisgluair,37 or Inishglora,3S which is held to have been sacred to St. Bren- dan. 39 It was long believed,'*° tliat the bodies there buried do not decay even the hair and nails were said to grow,4' so that one could recognise his grandfather in the grave. ^^ However, the tradition was proved by experience to be false,43 although it is still vividly remembered, by the inhabitants of Erris and of Inis Seidhe. It was thought, also, that no rat or mouse could live in Inisgluair ;4'» and, that even if its earth were brought and shaken in a rick of corn, none of those vermin should touch it. ^s Nor does meat unsalted rot in it. 46 This Island in now uninhabited ;*? but, it contains the ruins of three small churches. There, St. Brendan's oratory—the oldest ^^—is shown, which gives some reason for supposing he lived within it, for a time. Even yet, a
May16.
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
457
wooden statue of the saint is there preserved, and mounted on a rude wooden table, intended to represent a pedestal or an altar. ''9 Leeks and other garden herbs still grow wild, and these are the relics of former monastic civilization. s° On this little Island are to be seen the ruins of four primitive stone
St. Brendon's Cell and Statue, on Inisgloria, County of Mayo.
houses, called Clog- hans, nearly of a bee-hive form. Two of the small churches s' there are not many hun- dred years old. 5^ The inhabitants of tlie adjoining coasts of Mayo, when sail- ing by Inis Gluaire, lower their top-sails in honour of St Bren- dan; and, he seems to have been the most distinguished saint ofthose Islands on the west coast of Connaught. 53
Moreover, St Bran- don's oratory,54 and St. Brandon's well,5S alittleto the west, on the summit of Bran- don Mountain, as also Brandon Head and Brandon Bay, both in the imme- diate vicinity, indi- cate sufficiently the connexion our saint ^'^^^ ^^'^^^ ^^'^}^ remote district of Kerry.
The oratory stands in a slightly indented or hollowed space, on the extreme summit of the mountain, and it commands an unobstructed view at all sides.
William F. Wakeman. It was engraved, by Mrs. Millard.
s° These are said to have been introduced, by the Monks of St, Brendan. See Le^b- liAt\ 'bi\e<ichtiAcli oiHiTpo •pi'p, or " the Irish Version of Ncnnius," edited by Rev. Dr. James Henthorn Todd, and by the lion. Algernon Herbert, n. (b). ]i. 193.
5' "That near St. Brendan's is called CeAiiipuLL 11A b-i:eA]\, the church of the men ; and the other, CeAinpiilL ha m-bAn, or the church of the women. Near the latter is a well dedicated to the saints. "—Roderick O'Flaherty's " Chorographical Description of West or H-Iar Connaught," edited by James Hatdiman, M. R. I. A. , n. (f), p. 82.
S' In a Letter, dated Binghamstown, June 5th, 1838, John ODonovan gives a most minute and a very interesting account of the ruins yet remaining at Inis Gluaire, in " Letters relating to the Antiquities of the County of Mayo, containing information Collected during the Progress of the Ord- nance Survey in 1S38," vol. i. , pp. 198 to 207. Some well-executed tracings are given by the writer, to illustrate his text.
55 See ilu'il. , p. 205.
5-» See Miss Cusack's " History ot the Kingdom of Kerry," chap, xviii. , pp. 392 to 395-
55 Both are shown, on the " Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the County of
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS, [May i6.
The remains of the ruin are plainly defined. For the most part, they are moss- covered, and in many places crumbling with age. Facing the east, rises the venerablestone-builtaltar,nowcrownedwithasimplewoodencross. Cool, clear, and sparkling, St. Brandon's well offers the pilgrim a constant supply of delicious water. The holy mount itself, on which it is said he spent so much of his time in prayer, is easily ascended from Cloghane,5^ while the path is clear and well defined all through to the very summit, and by no means offers a difficulty to any one, who would not mind some reasonable exertion, in walking up the ascent. =7 This path of exploration continues for about two miles, until the tourist or pilgrim reaches an elevation, about 2,000 feet abov^e the sea-level. There a splendid prospect is afforded. Enthroned like a monarch among giants, its mighty head lightly wreathed in white floating clouds, its sides clothed in sombre hues, and at its feet a deep and extensive glen gemmed with numerous pretty little lakes, and traversed by many streams, Brandon Mountain still towers before the excursionist. Rocks, chasms and declivities appear on every side. However, in olden times, the monks appear to have made a roadway through this almost impassable defile. The guides proudly point it out, while all passengers can trace it plainly and joyfully along the whole way.
Steps are hewn out of the huge rocks ; every difficult point of marsh, intersecting stream, or perplexing declivity is bridged over with solid stones, time-worn, but still firmly set. The work shows unmis- takable proofs of a remote antiquity and a special design. Up to this point, the course of this rude roadway skirts around the other side of the valley. It is traceable from near the ruined church of Cloghane on to the Oratory
a distance thus counted, amounting altogether to some three miles. It could serve none other than pious purposes—for there is no sign of traffic or of other earthly business having required such a road. s^ Following this plain path, the pilgrim makes way through the second stage of the ascent. The brow of a hill that overhangs the stupendous valley, a maze of massive rocks, along the sides of tiny lakes, soft green slopes, and marshy ground, attend on hisfootsteps. But, the roadway is firm, throughthegenerousforethoughtof olden friends, who planned and executed this line, when county surveyors and road sessions were as little known as modern taxes. This second stage ends at the foot of a towering steep. Another quarter of a mile of steady work will bring a ti-aveller to the summit. However, even by remaining here, the visitor will find more than enough, to make him congratulate himself right heartily onhistrip. Athisfeetliesanoblevalley,stretchingawaytotheboundsofCon- nor Hill. The lakes and the rivulets sparkle sometimes in the sunlight, where the sun can penetrate, or they add a deeper tint to the shade, where gloomy gran- deur reigns undisturbed. Pastoral life peeps out here and there, to remind us, that we are still in the material world. The mountain cattle, and their caretakers, disport themselves, at this awful elevation, as the most cherished pets of the lowland farms. Far to the east—far as the eye can reach—opens a magnificent vision. Sea and shore, islands and lakes, valleys and hills, make up a sublime picture. The third stage must still bereached. Up a gentle slope, clad in rich verdure—the soft thick dewy grass most grateful to tired feet—we run, the mountain and sea breezes blowing in a manner exquisitely refreshing. A few minutes more, and we find ourselves within the Oratory of St. Brendan.
458
Kerry," sheet 34.
5* Here too is shown a well dedicated to
St. Brendan, as may be seen on the Maps alluded to, on sheet 35.
5? The journey, however, is often accom- plishcd by riding on the mountain ponies of
that district, which the guides are always ready to procure.
^s \ similar rude roadway is traceable at the other side of the mountain, leading from far-famed Keelmalchedar to the same des- tination, a distance of nearly seven mUes.
—
59 See James J. Long's "Mount Saint
Brandon Religious Celebration
Christians uitje regulam dederit. " Ibid.
^'' See " Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Scotorum," tomus i. , lib. ii. , Num. 143,
p. 82.
°5 in " Lignum Vitce," lib. ii.
*^ In a very singular manner, Thomas
Dempster has mention of a St. Brandan, Abbot, and different from him, who was Apostle of the Orcades; and, he is said to have written " Qua;dani Prrecepta ad Fra- tres," lib. i. He flourished, accordino' to Dempster, in 1066, being very dear to Mal- colm H. The Scottish Breviary is quoted as authority for the statement, tliat he was venerated, on the i6tli of May, temples and altars having been dedicated to him through- out Scotland. His Acts have perished, ac- cording to Dempster. See " Historia Eccle- siastica Gentis Scotorum," tomus i,, lib. ii. .
the Scenery, Antiquities, and History of West Kerry,"
pp. 5 to 8.
*°See " Scriptorum Illustrium Majoris
Britanniae, quam nunc Angliam, et Scotiam vocant, Catalogus," cent, xiv. , No. Ixxxviii. , p. 236.
*' This begins with these words: "Con- fiteor tibi summe, increate," &c.
*^ This commences with the vi'ords " Quisquis sapiens hcereditatem uendi," &c. *' This latter work is said to have been dictated to him by an Angel. However, the following words are amusing, as showing forth the peculiar spirit of Bale, in this com- ment : "Sedexecrabilishabeatur (inquitapos- tolus Paulus) angelus ille, quisquis fuerit, qui praeter id quod accepistis, Evangelium, ant
;
:—
May 1 6. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 459
The first burst of the prospect, when here, as seen from the top of the preci- pitous ascent, is startHng in the extreme. The view which meets the eye at the other side is bewilderingly beautiful. We are nearly a thousand feet above the point, from which we surveyed this scene, when on the stage below. We are now standing on an elevation of 3,125 feet. All below and about is rolled out before us—a living map. Brandon Bay and Tralee Bay seem all but united. Thethinlineoflandthatseparatesthemvariestheexpanseofwater, while the bright sandy coasts of each, glowing like burnished gold in the sun's brilliant rays, set off to greater advantage the broad green valleys and the dark brown hills that adjoin. The Samphires and Magherees are small but lovely. Farther on is Kerry Head. Farther still is the lordly Shannon crowned by Loop Head. Farther on, again, Avran Islands seem to realize the fairy idealofHy-Brasail. TheConnemaramountainsrimthehorizontowardsthat point. The Atlantic from Brandon Head out is seen for a vast distance, until the sea and sky get confused. The eye needs rest, after straining to take in this vast prospect. Lofty Slievemish is below that level. Turning to the west, the bay of Smerwick presents itself. Sybil Head, and the pretty hills, known as the the "Three Sisters," the magnificent Blasquet group of islands, and Marhan Mountain—all are seen, and challenge attention. On towards the south, the broad expanse of Dingle Bay, with the most interesting points on the coast to the sparkling Skelligs, and with glimpses so far as Bantry, makeaprospect,whichwecouldlovinglydwellonforhours. Lookinginland, the Tralee, Killarney, and ^Dme oftlie Cork mountains, present a rare illustra- tion of mountain scenery. What a place for contemplation was this ! How
happily could the saintly soul withdraw from the world to commune with God here ! Can we any longer wonder, why Brandon selected this spot for his prayerful Retreat ? Can we not almost fancy again the outpourings of those heavenly feelings, which proceeded from his pure soul, as he knelt in lowly reverence here, on the heights of the eternal hills, and surrounded by the mira- culous works of the Creator's hand ? 59
If we credit the statements of certain writers, St. Brendan devoted some time to literary pursuits, but we are at a loss to verify the record. The following
works are attributed to him, by Bale :^° Confessionem Christianam,^' lib. i.
;
Chartam Cselastis Hsereditatis,^^ lib. i. ; Monachorum Regulam, lib. i. ,^3 and anotherbook. Again,Dempster^*andArnoldWion^snametwootherworks of his : De fortunatis Insulis, lib. i. , and Revelationes de futuris Temporibus. ^^ He is also said to have written some Epistles. Bishop Tanner mentions him as having been the author of many works, and among these, one upon the
——
460 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 16.
Fortunate Islands f^ while, the Abb^ de la Rue with great plausibility con- jectures, that his having made a voyage thither was probably the basis for that legend, which describes him as having voyaged to Paradise. ^^ Allusion is made, likewise, to the Purgatory of St. Brendan, on which . Alexander Necham has composed a Tetrasticon. ^9 A prayer of St. Brendan in Irish has been preserved. '" Wehavealsopublished,theLatinversionofan"OratioS. Brendani,"whichhasthecharacterofaLitany;7i and,itissaidtohavebeen dictated by the Archangel Michael,7^ while the holy Navigator crossed the seven seas, in quest of the Island of Promise, which he sought for seven con- tinuous years. For the singing or recital of this one hundred times, on bended knees, or stretched on the ground, a great spiritual favour was re- served for one's self, or for a friend or familiar, living or dead, viz. , remission ofallsins,andsafetyfromthepainsofHell. 73 InaFranciscanManuscript,74 there is a list of Moral Maxims and Aphorisms, with abriefdescriptionofHeaven and Hell, alleged to have been addressed by St. Brendan to a Bishop Moinenn, after a trance, in which the saint's soul had visited Heaven and Hell. This is theonly"VisioBrendani,"Mr. Hennessyhadseen but,thebeginningof
;
this tract is so defaced, that it is difficult toascertain, whether the Brendan in- tended was St, Brendan of Clonfert, or St. Brendan of Birr. 75 A prophecy of 192 verses, and delivered by way of a Dialogue, between St. Senan of Iniscathy and St. Brendan, is extant. '^ In his age, none of the saints were more respected than was the latter illustrious Abbot; and now, destined for that true Paradise beyond this world, he was about to receive those rewards, which he had been the means of procuring for so many thousands. 77
On a Sunday, while St. Brendan—now very old—was at the convent of
^ See " Bibliotheca Britannico-Hiber- nica," p. 123.
^ See Blackwood's Edinburgli Magazine, vol. xxxix. . No. ccxlviii. , June, 1836. " Tlie Anglo-Norman Trouveres," p. 807.
*>9 This is cited, by some writers, as fol- lows :
" Asserit esse locum solennis fama di- catum
Brendano, quo lux lucida scepe niicat.
Purgandas animas, datur liic transire per ignes,
UtdignK facie judicis esse queant. " 7° Among the Books and Manuscripts, which formerly belonged to Baron Sey- mour of P'iorence, were the following, announced for sale, in London, December, 187 1, by Sothby, Wilkinson and Hodge. They were thus numbered and described, on the Catalogue : 664. Brandaiii Sancti
( Hiberni) Oratio. A Manuscript on vellum. 4to sa. c. XV, There is a Prayer in Italian prefixed. 665. Brandano (I>cato) Devotis- sima Oiati<jne. A Manuscript on vellum, 4t0, SJEC. XV.
7' This has been published, from a Sesso- rian Library MS. , by Most Rev. Patrick Francis Moran, in his "Acta S, Brendani," pp. 27 to 44.
7^ See 15ishop Tanner's " Bibliotheca Bri- tannico-IIibernica," p. 123.
" The statement in our text is in Rubric, in the Sessorian MS.
" Belonging to the Convent, Dublin, at
p. 17, col. I.
'1^ Most likely it was the former, as the
treatise is followed at the end of the column, by a short tract, containing a few notes re- lating to prodigies, which preceded the birth of St. Brendan of Clonfert, son to Fidlug, son of Elchu, son of Delta, who is stated to have l:)cen of the Ciarriagi Luachra, and of the Altraighe Chaille, in particular. The prodigies, such as fire falling from Heaven, &c. , as related in his Life, were seen by his mother and by Bishop Ere.
'* A copy, written by Michael Oge O'Longan, in or after the year 1799. is in the lietham Collection of Manuscripts, in the Royal Irish Academy, folio paper, vol. iv. , pp. 50 to 53.
" The old French metrical Chronicle thus expresses it :
"Quantvintaltensqueil finat, Ralat se Deus lui destinat
Al regne de Dcu, en alat il,
Par lui en vunt plusur que mil. "
These lines, which have been here quoted from that curious mediaeval romance, are thus rendered into English metre : —
" And when at length that time did come
For God to call him to his home, To that blest kingdom did he go.
To which iie pointed thousands
moe. "
'^ See Most Rev. Patrick I'rancis Moran's
num. 134, p. 76.
May i6. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 461
Enachduin, after he had offered the Most Holy Sacrifice of the Body and Blood of Christ, the venerable senior said to his sister, and to his monks, who were present : " My dear ones, to-day the Lord my God calls me to eternal happiness, and I adjure you, in the name of Christ, to carry out my instructions, if you desire my benediction. Conceal my death from the people here, so that my corpse may be brought to my city of Clonfert. There, I have selected the place of my resurrection. If these people here learn about my deatli, I should be buried in the spot I have not desired. Act now, as I direct : place my corpse on a waggon, and disguise other matters so well, that only one of my monks shall accompany it, while he shall answer to all asking, that he is conveying the property of Brendan to his city of Clonfert. Only one shall question him, in a troublesome manner. A soldier, named Currynn, blind in the left eye, shall meet him on the way, and more astute than others,
' Tell me what you so secretly convey in the waggon,' and moreover, he shall search it. When seeing my dead body, he shall cry out, in a threatening manner, ' Leave here with us the Saint of God. ' And he shall say to my corpse, ' In our place shalt thou be gloriously interred, so that thy resurrection shall be there, O Saint of God. ' Then, the brother shall look into an adjoining trench, and he shall there see a mass of pure gold. He shall offer it to the soldier,
saying,' Receive,Oman,thegoldsentbytheAlmighty,andleaveusfree. ' And then, the soldier shall answer, ' Indeed, I shall not. ' The monk shall reply, * Allow us to depart, and thou shalt have power in thy nation, as also thy posterity after thee. ' But, incredulous, he shall still refuse. Then, the monk shall say, 'You shall not obtain life eternal, unless you permit the saint of God to be buried in the place he has chosen, and I give you a certain sign,
man, for in thy heart, on meeting us, thou hast resolved to hold an inherit- ance, by killing your own relations. ' Then, that soldier, hearing tliis from another, and having a consciousness of its truth, shall know, that the pro- phecy of the monk must be verified. He shall then allow the monk to go away in security, with my body. And, the brother shall cordially bless him, while afterwards going on his way rejoicing. " The sister of our saint and his monks, hearing these directions and prophecies, declared they should observe thecommandsofthevenerablesenior. ? ^ Then,themostholyBrendanblessed his sister and his monks. Rising up, he entered the house and stepped on the lintel, saying with his eyes fixed on Heaven : " Into to thy hand, O Lord, 1 commend my spirit, release me, O Lord, my God. " Afterwards, he de- parted this life.
We are told, moreover, by certain writers, that St. Brendan flourished in the year 560,79 or 566. ^° The date for his death is variedly set down at 570,^^ 571,^^ and 575-^3 The year 576 is noted, however, by someof our annalists,^* as that in which St. Brenainn, Abbot of Cluain-ferta-Brenainn, was taken from this world, and when he sought rest among the blessed. Others have it, at
he shall say to the brother, not believing him, these words
:
this, or during the succeeding, year. ^s
"ActaSancti Brendanf," Vita S. Brendani, cap. xxviii. , pp. 24, 25.
We find, from an Irish poem of unknown date,^7 that some bond of alliance is supposed to have been established between Saints Cainnech,"* Barre,^^andBrenand,3° Onacertainday,St. Brendanwaswalkingthrough the woods with his disciples. A great storm raged, and the trees began to fall, owing to its violence. One of the monks said to his companions : " We are here greatly exposed to danger, in these woods. " Then, St. Brendan said: " One night while the monks were sleeping in the ship, I was alone watching, when we drifted by an island, where great perils threatened us. Four feet ex- tending into the deep only sustained that Island overitself, and between these fewfeet,ourshipwentoutundertheIsland. 3' Thus,wepassedthroughwhile sailing,theIslandstandingoverus. Know,brothers,thattheAlmighty,who sustained that Island on four feet, and who made us sail safely under it, can bring us without injury from the falling of these trees. " Having heard such incidents thus related, the monks were greatly strengthened in Christ. 3^
At one period, the King of Munster levied agreat army, with which he marched into the Connaught province to ravage it. 33 However, the people there en-
*'' SeeMostRev. PatrickFrancisMoran's " Acta Sancti Brendani," Vita S. Brendani, cap. xxiv. , pp. 21, 22.
-s This illustrates a mediceval opinion, that the torments of the dumned varied from the extremeofcoldiothegreatestintensityofheat.
"TheunityofCainnechandBarrae And of Brenand, both one and other : Whoever outrages any one of them The miracles of the three (will be)
— avenging him. "
"Transactions of the Royal Irish Aca-
^•^ See Most Rev. Patrick Francis Moran's demy," Irish Manuscript Series, vol. i. ,
"Acta Sancti Brendani," Vita S. Brendani, cap. XXV. , p. 22.
^^ It is thus quoted, by the scholiast to the copy of the Fcilire Unguis, in the Leabhar Breac: —
<\er\uu Choinmj \\ bA^A^AAi Ocuf 'biAenAint) •oibbnAib Cipe •pA^AAije)' necVi oib |:e]\cAi in C]\i]\ oca'015aiI.
It is thus translated, into English, by Dr. Whitley Stokes :—
part i. On the Calendar of Oengus, by Whitley Stokes, LL. D. , p. Ixxxvii.
^^ Patron of Kilkenny, venerated at the nth of October.
'^^
Patron of Cork, venerated at the 25th of September.
^o Patron of Clonfert, and Ardfert, vene- rated at the present date.
^i
Acts of St. Brendan, is not very intelligible.
This literal translation, found in the
3^ See Most Rev. Patrick Francis Moran's " Acta Sancti Brendani," Vita S. Brendani, cap. xxvi. , p. 23.
35 It seems difficult to identify this ac- count, with any known record in tlie Irish Annals.
^'^ This miracle is alluded to, also, by John Capgrave, in his " Legenda Sanctorum AnghK," and towards the end of his Life of St. F. rendan.
*3 See Most Rev. Patrick Francis Moran's
"Acta Sancti Brendani," Vita S. Brendani, brensis Eversus," &c. , edited by Rev.
Matthew Kelly, D. D. , vol. i. , cap. ii, pp. 124 to 129.
••3 See Roderick O'Flaherty's " Chorogra- phical Description of West or H-Iar Con- naught," edited by James llardiman, Af. R. I. A. , p. 82.
•'' This is stated by Dr. Pococke, in his "Tour through Ireland, A. D. 1752," which is yet unpublished, and classed among the Manuscripts of Trinity College, Dublin, as ^- 4- 15-
. .
"^ See ihid. , p. 59. There is a curious
communication on this subject, in some ad-
ditional Notes.
39 See an account of it, in Martin •"' This is stated, in the l-eAbh4]\ b^Aedch-
cap. xxvii. , pp. 23, 24.
3^ It is described, on the "Ordnance Sur-
vey Townland Maps for the County of Mayo," sheets 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24, 33. It comprises 29. 492a. 3r. I5p.
37 This is the Irisli form of the name Inif jIuAi^e. See " Genealogies, Tribes antl Customs of Hy-Fiachrach," edited by John O'Donovan, p. 492. It is shown, on that Irish Map, prefixed to the work.
3** This small Island —comprising 37a. or.
Ilaverty's " Visit to the Isles of Arran. "
^^ Through mistake, Giraldus Cambrensis seems to refer the tradition here given to the Arran Islands. See " Opera," vol. v. Edited by James F. Dimock, M. A. , " Topogra- ])hiaT-Iibernica," Dist. ii. , cap. vi. , pp. S3,
84.
•' " Ccrnore Inisgloiiii est pelage, quod prospicit Irras
Insula aVos, alavosque solo post fatascpultos
—
Townland Maps lor the County of -Mayo," sheets 9, 16.
28p.
is shown, on the " Ordnance Survey
Effigies servare suas, vegetisque vigere,
Unguibus, atque comis. Hominum caro nulla putrescit. "
—See
Pars iii. , cap. i. , verse 7, pp. 290, 291.
Roderick O'Flaherty's "Ogygia,"
*- See Gratianus Lucius, Hibernus, " Cam-
iiAch <\nn]'o pf, or " the Irish Version of Nennius," sect, ii. , pp. 192, 193.
^7 Inis Gluaire is rendered "Island of Purity," by Dr. O'Donovan.
••^ Dr. Gcoige Petrie refers this building, constructed with lime cement, to the begin- ning of the sixth century. See " Ecclesias- tical Architecture and Round Towers of
Ireland," part ii. , sect, ii. , pp. 127, 12S. "The accompanying inteiior illustration was drawn on the wood, from a sketch, in the Royal Irish Academy's Collection, by
—
456 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 1 6.
treated the holy senior Brendan to go forth and meet the Momonians, and to ask for peace with them. Still, the proud Munstermen would not promise peace nor terms to the saint of God. But, marching out one day, the invading foescouldnotadvance,onlymakingacircuitaroundonespot. Believingthis to be a miracle telling against their expedition, they feared much, and they resolved to turn back into their own land. Wlierefore, unable to resist the Divine will, they returned without spoil. On leaving them, the venerable old man Brendan was presented on the way to a boy, who had been mute from the day of his birth. 34 The holy man, blessing that boy, restored to him the perfect use of speech. Those, who witnessed that miracle, gave praise to the Lord. 35
Abouta mile, west of the village denominated Cross, in the parisliofKilmore,^^ off the coast, and in the barony of Erris, county of Mayo, thereisan Islandcalled Inisgluair,37 or Inishglora,3S which is held to have been sacred to St. Bren- dan. 39 It was long believed,'*° tliat the bodies there buried do not decay even the hair and nails were said to grow,4' so that one could recognise his grandfather in the grave. ^^ However, the tradition was proved by experience to be false,43 although it is still vividly remembered, by the inhabitants of Erris and of Inis Seidhe. It was thought, also, that no rat or mouse could live in Inisgluair ;4'» and, that even if its earth were brought and shaken in a rick of corn, none of those vermin should touch it. ^s Nor does meat unsalted rot in it. 46 This Island in now uninhabited ;*? but, it contains the ruins of three small churches. There, St. Brendan's oratory—the oldest ^^—is shown, which gives some reason for supposing he lived within it, for a time. Even yet, a
May16.
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
457
wooden statue of the saint is there preserved, and mounted on a rude wooden table, intended to represent a pedestal or an altar. ''9 Leeks and other garden herbs still grow wild, and these are the relics of former monastic civilization. s° On this little Island are to be seen the ruins of four primitive stone
St. Brendon's Cell and Statue, on Inisgloria, County of Mayo.
houses, called Clog- hans, nearly of a bee-hive form. Two of the small churches s' there are not many hun- dred years old. 5^ The inhabitants of tlie adjoining coasts of Mayo, when sail- ing by Inis Gluaire, lower their top-sails in honour of St Bren- dan; and, he seems to have been the most distinguished saint ofthose Islands on the west coast of Connaught. 53
Moreover, St Bran- don's oratory,54 and St. Brandon's well,5S alittleto the west, on the summit of Bran- don Mountain, as also Brandon Head and Brandon Bay, both in the imme- diate vicinity, indi- cate sufficiently the connexion our saint ^'^^^ ^^'^^^ ^^'^}^ remote district of Kerry.
The oratory stands in a slightly indented or hollowed space, on the extreme summit of the mountain, and it commands an unobstructed view at all sides.
William F. Wakeman. It was engraved, by Mrs. Millard.
s° These are said to have been introduced, by the Monks of St, Brendan. See Le^b- liAt\ 'bi\e<ichtiAcli oiHiTpo •pi'p, or " the Irish Version of Ncnnius," edited by Rev. Dr. James Henthorn Todd, and by the lion. Algernon Herbert, n. (b). ]i. 193.
5' "That near St. Brendan's is called CeAiiipuLL 11A b-i:eA]\, the church of the men ; and the other, CeAinpiilL ha m-bAn, or the church of the women. Near the latter is a well dedicated to the saints. "—Roderick O'Flaherty's " Chorographical Description of West or H-Iar Connaught," edited by James Hatdiman, M. R. I. A. , n. (f), p. 82.
S' In a Letter, dated Binghamstown, June 5th, 1838, John ODonovan gives a most minute and a very interesting account of the ruins yet remaining at Inis Gluaire, in " Letters relating to the Antiquities of the County of Mayo, containing information Collected during the Progress of the Ord- nance Survey in 1S38," vol. i. , pp. 198 to 207. Some well-executed tracings are given by the writer, to illustrate his text.
55 See ilu'il. , p. 205.
5-» See Miss Cusack's " History ot the Kingdom of Kerry," chap, xviii. , pp. 392 to 395-
55 Both are shown, on the " Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the County of
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS, [May i6.
The remains of the ruin are plainly defined. For the most part, they are moss- covered, and in many places crumbling with age. Facing the east, rises the venerablestone-builtaltar,nowcrownedwithasimplewoodencross. Cool, clear, and sparkling, St. Brandon's well offers the pilgrim a constant supply of delicious water. The holy mount itself, on which it is said he spent so much of his time in prayer, is easily ascended from Cloghane,5^ while the path is clear and well defined all through to the very summit, and by no means offers a difficulty to any one, who would not mind some reasonable exertion, in walking up the ascent. =7 This path of exploration continues for about two miles, until the tourist or pilgrim reaches an elevation, about 2,000 feet abov^e the sea-level. There a splendid prospect is afforded. Enthroned like a monarch among giants, its mighty head lightly wreathed in white floating clouds, its sides clothed in sombre hues, and at its feet a deep and extensive glen gemmed with numerous pretty little lakes, and traversed by many streams, Brandon Mountain still towers before the excursionist. Rocks, chasms and declivities appear on every side. However, in olden times, the monks appear to have made a roadway through this almost impassable defile. The guides proudly point it out, while all passengers can trace it plainly and joyfully along the whole way.
Steps are hewn out of the huge rocks ; every difficult point of marsh, intersecting stream, or perplexing declivity is bridged over with solid stones, time-worn, but still firmly set. The work shows unmis- takable proofs of a remote antiquity and a special design. Up to this point, the course of this rude roadway skirts around the other side of the valley. It is traceable from near the ruined church of Cloghane on to the Oratory
a distance thus counted, amounting altogether to some three miles. It could serve none other than pious purposes—for there is no sign of traffic or of other earthly business having required such a road. s^ Following this plain path, the pilgrim makes way through the second stage of the ascent. The brow of a hill that overhangs the stupendous valley, a maze of massive rocks, along the sides of tiny lakes, soft green slopes, and marshy ground, attend on hisfootsteps. But, the roadway is firm, throughthegenerousforethoughtof olden friends, who planned and executed this line, when county surveyors and road sessions were as little known as modern taxes. This second stage ends at the foot of a towering steep. Another quarter of a mile of steady work will bring a ti-aveller to the summit. However, even by remaining here, the visitor will find more than enough, to make him congratulate himself right heartily onhistrip. Athisfeetliesanoblevalley,stretchingawaytotheboundsofCon- nor Hill. The lakes and the rivulets sparkle sometimes in the sunlight, where the sun can penetrate, or they add a deeper tint to the shade, where gloomy gran- deur reigns undisturbed. Pastoral life peeps out here and there, to remind us, that we are still in the material world. The mountain cattle, and their caretakers, disport themselves, at this awful elevation, as the most cherished pets of the lowland farms. Far to the east—far as the eye can reach—opens a magnificent vision. Sea and shore, islands and lakes, valleys and hills, make up a sublime picture. The third stage must still bereached. Up a gentle slope, clad in rich verdure—the soft thick dewy grass most grateful to tired feet—we run, the mountain and sea breezes blowing in a manner exquisitely refreshing. A few minutes more, and we find ourselves within the Oratory of St. Brendan.
458
Kerry," sheet 34.
5* Here too is shown a well dedicated to
St. Brendan, as may be seen on the Maps alluded to, on sheet 35.
5? The journey, however, is often accom- plishcd by riding on the mountain ponies of
that district, which the guides are always ready to procure.
^s \ similar rude roadway is traceable at the other side of the mountain, leading from far-famed Keelmalchedar to the same des- tination, a distance of nearly seven mUes.
—
59 See James J. Long's "Mount Saint
Brandon Religious Celebration
Christians uitje regulam dederit. " Ibid.
^'' See " Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Scotorum," tomus i. , lib. ii. , Num. 143,
p. 82.
°5 in " Lignum Vitce," lib. ii.
*^ In a very singular manner, Thomas
Dempster has mention of a St. Brandan, Abbot, and different from him, who was Apostle of the Orcades; and, he is said to have written " Qua;dani Prrecepta ad Fra- tres," lib. i. He flourished, accordino' to Dempster, in 1066, being very dear to Mal- colm H. The Scottish Breviary is quoted as authority for the statement, tliat he was venerated, on the i6tli of May, temples and altars having been dedicated to him through- out Scotland. His Acts have perished, ac- cording to Dempster. See " Historia Eccle- siastica Gentis Scotorum," tomus i,, lib. ii. .
the Scenery, Antiquities, and History of West Kerry,"
pp. 5 to 8.
*°See " Scriptorum Illustrium Majoris
Britanniae, quam nunc Angliam, et Scotiam vocant, Catalogus," cent, xiv. , No. Ixxxviii. , p. 236.
*' This begins with these words: "Con- fiteor tibi summe, increate," &c.
*^ This commences with the vi'ords " Quisquis sapiens hcereditatem uendi," &c. *' This latter work is said to have been dictated to him by an Angel. However, the following words are amusing, as showing forth the peculiar spirit of Bale, in this com- ment : "Sedexecrabilishabeatur (inquitapos- tolus Paulus) angelus ille, quisquis fuerit, qui praeter id quod accepistis, Evangelium, ant
;
:—
May 1 6. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 459
The first burst of the prospect, when here, as seen from the top of the preci- pitous ascent, is startHng in the extreme. The view which meets the eye at the other side is bewilderingly beautiful. We are nearly a thousand feet above the point, from which we surveyed this scene, when on the stage below. We are now standing on an elevation of 3,125 feet. All below and about is rolled out before us—a living map. Brandon Bay and Tralee Bay seem all but united. Thethinlineoflandthatseparatesthemvariestheexpanseofwater, while the bright sandy coasts of each, glowing like burnished gold in the sun's brilliant rays, set off to greater advantage the broad green valleys and the dark brown hills that adjoin. The Samphires and Magherees are small but lovely. Farther on is Kerry Head. Farther still is the lordly Shannon crowned by Loop Head. Farther on, again, Avran Islands seem to realize the fairy idealofHy-Brasail. TheConnemaramountainsrimthehorizontowardsthat point. The Atlantic from Brandon Head out is seen for a vast distance, until the sea and sky get confused. The eye needs rest, after straining to take in this vast prospect. Lofty Slievemish is below that level. Turning to the west, the bay of Smerwick presents itself. Sybil Head, and the pretty hills, known as the the "Three Sisters," the magnificent Blasquet group of islands, and Marhan Mountain—all are seen, and challenge attention. On towards the south, the broad expanse of Dingle Bay, with the most interesting points on the coast to the sparkling Skelligs, and with glimpses so far as Bantry, makeaprospect,whichwecouldlovinglydwellonforhours. Lookinginland, the Tralee, Killarney, and ^Dme oftlie Cork mountains, present a rare illustra- tion of mountain scenery. What a place for contemplation was this ! How
happily could the saintly soul withdraw from the world to commune with God here ! Can we any longer wonder, why Brandon selected this spot for his prayerful Retreat ? Can we not almost fancy again the outpourings of those heavenly feelings, which proceeded from his pure soul, as he knelt in lowly reverence here, on the heights of the eternal hills, and surrounded by the mira- culous works of the Creator's hand ? 59
If we credit the statements of certain writers, St. Brendan devoted some time to literary pursuits, but we are at a loss to verify the record. The following
works are attributed to him, by Bale :^° Confessionem Christianam,^' lib. i.
;
Chartam Cselastis Hsereditatis,^^ lib. i. ; Monachorum Regulam, lib. i. ,^3 and anotherbook. Again,Dempster^*andArnoldWion^snametwootherworks of his : De fortunatis Insulis, lib. i. , and Revelationes de futuris Temporibus. ^^ He is also said to have written some Epistles. Bishop Tanner mentions him as having been the author of many works, and among these, one upon the
——
460 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 16.
Fortunate Islands f^ while, the Abb^ de la Rue with great plausibility con- jectures, that his having made a voyage thither was probably the basis for that legend, which describes him as having voyaged to Paradise. ^^ Allusion is made, likewise, to the Purgatory of St. Brendan, on which . Alexander Necham has composed a Tetrasticon. ^9 A prayer of St. Brendan in Irish has been preserved. '" Wehavealsopublished,theLatinversionofan"OratioS. Brendani,"whichhasthecharacterofaLitany;7i and,itissaidtohavebeen dictated by the Archangel Michael,7^ while the holy Navigator crossed the seven seas, in quest of the Island of Promise, which he sought for seven con- tinuous years. For the singing or recital of this one hundred times, on bended knees, or stretched on the ground, a great spiritual favour was re- served for one's self, or for a friend or familiar, living or dead, viz. , remission ofallsins,andsafetyfromthepainsofHell. 73 InaFranciscanManuscript,74 there is a list of Moral Maxims and Aphorisms, with abriefdescriptionofHeaven and Hell, alleged to have been addressed by St. Brendan to a Bishop Moinenn, after a trance, in which the saint's soul had visited Heaven and Hell. This is theonly"VisioBrendani,"Mr. Hennessyhadseen but,thebeginningof
;
this tract is so defaced, that it is difficult toascertain, whether the Brendan in- tended was St, Brendan of Clonfert, or St. Brendan of Birr. 75 A prophecy of 192 verses, and delivered by way of a Dialogue, between St. Senan of Iniscathy and St. Brendan, is extant. '^ In his age, none of the saints were more respected than was the latter illustrious Abbot; and now, destined for that true Paradise beyond this world, he was about to receive those rewards, which he had been the means of procuring for so many thousands. 77
On a Sunday, while St. Brendan—now very old—was at the convent of
^ See " Bibliotheca Britannico-Hiber- nica," p. 123.
^ See Blackwood's Edinburgli Magazine, vol. xxxix. . No. ccxlviii. , June, 1836. " Tlie Anglo-Norman Trouveres," p. 807.
*>9 This is cited, by some writers, as fol- lows :
" Asserit esse locum solennis fama di- catum
Brendano, quo lux lucida scepe niicat.
Purgandas animas, datur liic transire per ignes,
UtdignK facie judicis esse queant. " 7° Among the Books and Manuscripts, which formerly belonged to Baron Sey- mour of P'iorence, were the following, announced for sale, in London, December, 187 1, by Sothby, Wilkinson and Hodge. They were thus numbered and described, on the Catalogue : 664. Brandaiii Sancti
( Hiberni) Oratio. A Manuscript on vellum. 4to sa. c. XV, There is a Prayer in Italian prefixed. 665. Brandano (I>cato) Devotis- sima Oiati<jne. A Manuscript on vellum, 4t0, SJEC. XV.
7' This has been published, from a Sesso- rian Library MS. , by Most Rev. Patrick Francis Moran, in his "Acta S, Brendani," pp. 27 to 44.
7^ See 15ishop Tanner's " Bibliotheca Bri- tannico-IIibernica," p. 123.
" The statement in our text is in Rubric, in the Sessorian MS.
" Belonging to the Convent, Dublin, at
p. 17, col. I.
'1^ Most likely it was the former, as the
treatise is followed at the end of the column, by a short tract, containing a few notes re- lating to prodigies, which preceded the birth of St. Brendan of Clonfert, son to Fidlug, son of Elchu, son of Delta, who is stated to have l:)cen of the Ciarriagi Luachra, and of the Altraighe Chaille, in particular. The prodigies, such as fire falling from Heaven, &c. , as related in his Life, were seen by his mother and by Bishop Ere.
'* A copy, written by Michael Oge O'Longan, in or after the year 1799. is in the lietham Collection of Manuscripts, in the Royal Irish Academy, folio paper, vol. iv. , pp. 50 to 53.
" The old French metrical Chronicle thus expresses it :
"Quantvintaltensqueil finat, Ralat se Deus lui destinat
Al regne de Dcu, en alat il,
Par lui en vunt plusur que mil. "
These lines, which have been here quoted from that curious mediaeval romance, are thus rendered into English metre : —
" And when at length that time did come
For God to call him to his home, To that blest kingdom did he go.
To which iie pointed thousands
moe. "
'^ See Most Rev. Patrick I'rancis Moran's
num. 134, p. 76.
May i6. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 461
Enachduin, after he had offered the Most Holy Sacrifice of the Body and Blood of Christ, the venerable senior said to his sister, and to his monks, who were present : " My dear ones, to-day the Lord my God calls me to eternal happiness, and I adjure you, in the name of Christ, to carry out my instructions, if you desire my benediction. Conceal my death from the people here, so that my corpse may be brought to my city of Clonfert. There, I have selected the place of my resurrection. If these people here learn about my deatli, I should be buried in the spot I have not desired. Act now, as I direct : place my corpse on a waggon, and disguise other matters so well, that only one of my monks shall accompany it, while he shall answer to all asking, that he is conveying the property of Brendan to his city of Clonfert. Only one shall question him, in a troublesome manner. A soldier, named Currynn, blind in the left eye, shall meet him on the way, and more astute than others,
' Tell me what you so secretly convey in the waggon,' and moreover, he shall search it. When seeing my dead body, he shall cry out, in a threatening manner, ' Leave here with us the Saint of God. ' And he shall say to my corpse, ' In our place shalt thou be gloriously interred, so that thy resurrection shall be there, O Saint of God. ' Then, the brother shall look into an adjoining trench, and he shall there see a mass of pure gold. He shall offer it to the soldier,
saying,' Receive,Oman,thegoldsentbytheAlmighty,andleaveusfree. ' And then, the soldier shall answer, ' Indeed, I shall not. ' The monk shall reply, * Allow us to depart, and thou shalt have power in thy nation, as also thy posterity after thee. ' But, incredulous, he shall still refuse. Then, the monk shall say, 'You shall not obtain life eternal, unless you permit the saint of God to be buried in the place he has chosen, and I give you a certain sign,
man, for in thy heart, on meeting us, thou hast resolved to hold an inherit- ance, by killing your own relations. ' Then, that soldier, hearing tliis from another, and having a consciousness of its truth, shall know, that the pro- phecy of the monk must be verified. He shall then allow the monk to go away in security, with my body. And, the brother shall cordially bless him, while afterwards going on his way rejoicing. " The sister of our saint and his monks, hearing these directions and prophecies, declared they should observe thecommandsofthevenerablesenior. ? ^ Then,themostholyBrendanblessed his sister and his monks. Rising up, he entered the house and stepped on the lintel, saying with his eyes fixed on Heaven : " Into to thy hand, O Lord, 1 commend my spirit, release me, O Lord, my God. " Afterwards, he de- parted this life.
We are told, moreover, by certain writers, that St. Brendan flourished in the year 560,79 or 566. ^° The date for his death is variedly set down at 570,^^ 571,^^ and 575-^3 The year 576 is noted, however, by someof our annalists,^* as that in which St. Brenainn, Abbot of Cluain-ferta-Brenainn, was taken from this world, and when he sought rest among the blessed. Others have it, at
he shall say to the brother, not believing him, these words
:
this, or during the succeeding, year. ^s
"ActaSancti Brendanf," Vita S. Brendani, cap. xxviii. , pp. 24, 25.
