The Normans were ihe
introducers
of the fine Gothic churches, that afterw.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v4
But, if you had not thus spoken, God's Angels would have prayed for us, on this night.
" Having finished their meal, they gave thanks to God.
' We are reminded, by Colgan, thatCronanflourished A.
D.
625, when he was present at the death of St.
Mobian, son to Hua Alto, and, afterwards, he is said to have lived many years.
^ A holy man, named Colman, was about to die.
'* He sent for our saint to visit him, before his departure.
But, before St.
Cronan's arrival, Colman died.
Having arrived, our saint prayed to God for the deceased, who was restored to life.
Then, giving thanks to his benefactor, Colman placed himself and his people, under our saint's patronage.
Another man, bearing a like name, having been killed by his enemies, was restored to life, by Cronan, in presence of many persons ; and, having subsequently lived, for seven whole years, he devoted himself during this time to the service of God.
s On another occasion, while our saint and his charioteer passed along a road, their chariot was stopped by a tree, whichhadfallen'acrosstheirway.
Thedriverasked,whatshouldbedone, and being told to place his head on Cronan's breast, the tree stood upright, nor did it fall for many subsequent years.
Nine men, who were looking on by the roadside, afterwards entered St.
Cronan's monastery.
Some light is thrown on his period, owing to the following story. Fingen,* King of Munster,7 went to the country of Hely, and he encamped at a place calledRathbecain. ^ Wiiilstinthisplace,twoofhishorseswerestolen,bya robber, who came from Meath f but, supposing this to have been the act of people
livingintheneighbourhood,thatkinghadresolvedonbeingavenged. '" Hearing of this intention, St. Cronan obtained an audience from the prince, to dispose himtowardsclemency,onbehalfofthosewhowereinnocent. Atthesametime, havinghealedachiefservant belonging to thatking, the latter, through veneration for our saint, dismissed all thoughts of vengeance against the neighbouring in-
' Heis said to have after the History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap. xv. ,n. 91, lived,
pp. 413, 414.
" See " Vies des Saints," tome v. , xxviii".
begin- ning of the seventli century, since his son Maelmachus survived to A. D. 660, according
"
Acta Sanctorum Hibemiae, xx. Januarii, Vita S. Fechini.
' Also called Finine, King of Cashel.
' This same place is alluded to, in the Vita
Sane-
Jour d'Avril, p. 57. ** "
to Colgan's
See Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. iii. , chap, xvii. , sect, ii. , p. 6.
' See Ussher's " Britannicarum Ecclesia-
rum — xvii. , Antiquilales," cap. p. 474.
'
Chapter III. This visitor is thought
xxi. , as Col- Abbani, cap. published by
to have been the St. Mochoemhog, or Pul-
chcrius. Abbot of Liath-More, and whose
Life has been given already, in vol. iii. of region of Heli. But, Colgan could not
this work, at the 13th of March.
' See " Ada Sanctorum," torn, iii. , xxviii.
Aprilis. Vita S. Cronani, cap. iii , num. 12, p. 582.
5 See "Acta Sanctorum Hibernix," ix.
Febru. irii, De S. Cronano qui et Cuaranus,
n. 1 1, p. 303.
* There is an ancient church, called Kil-
colman, about six miles north from Roscrea. Perhaps this St. Colman was the patron.
' See " Acta . Sanctorum," torn, iii. , xxviii.
Aprilis, Vita S. Cronani, cap. iii. , num. 13, p. 582.
determine, from which of the saints, called
Becan,ithadbeennamed. Seep. 616,and
n. 27, p. 623.
'"T—he ancient Meath was contiguous to
Ele. " Rev. Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical
History of Ireland," vol. iii. , chap, xvii. , sect, ii , n. 29, p. 10.
"' This seems like an incident, which is otherwise told in the Life of St. Mochoemoc, a contemporary of Failbe Fland. See cap. xx. inColgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hibemia:," xiii. Martii, pp. 592, 593.
" The Life tells us, that these were mira-
-
S.
gan, at the i6th of March, in "Acta torum Hibemiae. " There, it is Latinized "atrium Becani," and it is placed in the
526 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 28.
habitants. St. Cronan also presented that king with two piebald horses from
the Lake of Cre," and with this present the potentate was greatly jileased. The saint likewise healed a son of this king, who was botli deaf and mute.
At another time, having lost a copy of the Gospels, in the Lake of Cre, it remained immersed in water, for forty days and as many nights, when it was found to have escaped, without the erasure of a single letter, much to the joy of our saint, who was gready concerned at its loss. Atone time, a golden apple, with two chains attached to it, was found in Clonfert city. " The inha- bitants of this place, knowing it would be claimed by the King of Cashel,'^ wiiose jurisdiction extended there, formed a similar ornament of brass, and it was gilt on the outside. Hearing of tJiis occurrence, the prince sent his officer to Clonfert. '* He demanded the treasure found, but he received only the brazenornament. Atthistime,St. Cronanchancedtobearesidentatthe king's court. He was then blind, through extreme age. Having, however, taken the ornament in his hand, St. Cronan was moved to cry out : "This, lieing made of Ijrass, is not the one found in Clonfert city, for the finders have fraudulently substituted gilt brass for gold. " The ornament being broken, the truth of Cronan's statement became manifest ; when the king again sent his messengers to the inhabitants of Clonfert. 'I'hey were then com- pelled to restore his legal tribute. This incident increased tiie king's regard for our saint, when he went to the city of Cashel. At this time, Cronan was a decrepid old man. On departing from it, the kmg and the people took leaveofhim,andtreatedhimwithdistinguishedhonour. Shortlyafterwards, the saint returned to his monastery, at Roscrea. 's
In the Life of St, Cronan, he is called only Abbot, without tlie least allusion to his ever having exercised episcopal functions. Whether
the Ros-crea—rendered Cre's Wood'^—
to which he returned was Mona-
hincha, or the present Roscre, we feel unable to determine. But ros
has several meanings, besides that of " wood ;" for, il is used to signify,
"""""
a promontory,'"' an isthmus," a plain," arable land," a rose,"
a disease so called, "science," "knowledge," "ingenuity," or "craft. '"' """
Also cre means earth," clay," or dust. "'9 Notwithstanding, although sometimes called Bishop of Roscrea,^° it is quite probable, that the place had
from the lake, and wilh golden reins on their necks, they went direct to St. Cronan, and quietly
stood before him.
" This must have been Clonfert Molua,
now Kyle, in ihe Queen's Ciunty.
'^ He seems to have liad jurisdiction over Clonfert Molua, at that time ; aUhough we read, in the Life of St. Molua, the patron of that place, that he obtained the siie for his establishment there, from Berach, the Kin^' of Leix. For further particulars, the reader is referred to St. Molua's Life, which occurs at the 4th of August, the date
"' We are told, that Roscrea, in
is thus written in the liook of Leinster. See
"
Dr. P. \V. Joyce's
Irish Names of Place. -," p. irt iv. , chap, viii. , p. 478.
"' This description should well apply to
the present, and possibly to the past. api>ear- ance of Monahincha, even in the time of St. Cronan ; for the earth, on which the build- ings stood, seems to have projected from the
Irish-English
culously produced
; for,comingup
Tipperary,
religious
mainland.
'* "
°°
'< Papebroke considers this, to have been James Ware calls him bishop, otherwise
for his festival.
Treating on the Life of Cronan, Sir
Clonfert, in the county of Galway, and lying between Loughs Ree and De. i'rg, not far from the Shannon river. He also imagines, that the rule of the King of Cashel extended over this part of Connaught, m St. Cronan's
which is incorrect.
'5 See " Acta Sanctorum," torn, iii. , xxviii.
Aprilis. 'Vita S. Cronani, cap. iii. , num. 14, I5> i6, 17. P- 582-
abbot of Roscrea. See "De Scriptoribus Hiberni^," lib. i. , cap. xiii. , p. 89.
age,
motive for giving him that title was, because
Roscrea had formerly been an episcopal See,
and his thence suppoing, that it was such so early as Cronan's time. See "Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. iii. , chap, xvii. , ^'='='- "•> '°- *°' I'- 8-
See Edward O'Reilly's Diciionary," j«* w<r^.
'^ See ibid.
=
Rev. Dr. Lanigan suspects, that Ware's
Origin and Hisiory of
April 28. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 527
notbeenerectedintoaSee,untilafterSt. Cronan'sdeath. " Duringthelast century, an interesting mediaeval structure was there, which served for pur- poses of Protestant wor-
St. Cronan's Chorch, Roscrea, of
County Tipperary.
Abbey ofRoscrea. '' The roof of that clogtheach buildmg has fallen, so that its present height does not exceed eighty feet. It is fifty feet in cir- cumference, and the wall is foutfeet in diameter. The tower is built of
" A later Protestant church has since been built within the graveyard, which is still much used for interments.
'5 The accom|ianyins illustration is repro- duced from a photograph lately t. -iken, and it has been dr. iwn on the wood, by William K. Wakeman. It is engraved, by Mrs. Millard.
"* In accordance w th the erroneous im- pressionsexistini; in Archdall's time, . ind not even yet wholly abandoned by historians and architects, who ought to be better informed, the frontage of the former Roscrea chuich is
"
said to have been of
Now, the Saxons adopted the purely Celtic style from their early Irish apostles in the seventh century, always preserving the simi- larity of form . ind fashion then prevailing in Ireland, down to the time of the Anglo- Norman inv. Tsion.
The Normans were ihe introducers of the fine Gothic churches, that afterw. irds succeeded, and of which so many
magnificent specimens still exist in these countries.
'' Archdall adds, "at a little distance is a cross in a circle, with a crucifix on one side, adjoining to which is a stone carved in various figures, and at each end a mezzo relievo of a saint, both aie called, if we mi—s- take not, the shrine of St. Cronan. " "Monasticon Hil)ernicum," p. 673.
dall, for the fore-oing particulars.
^' There are two beautiful woodcut illus-
trations of the Belfry . ind Wist Front of St. Cronan's church, and another West Front View of St. Cronan's church, Roscrea, drawn by George Petrie, and engraved by Swain,
Saxon architecture. "
ship. "' Yet, portions of it remain, and especially the front gable, and entrance door'3 under a projecting half gate, with a niciie on
eitherside,andinastyle cor- responding. Abelfry-loop tops the gable. The door- way is surmounted by re- cessed arches, in the ornate
Irish style. '^ An image, it is thought of St. Cronan, but much defaced owing to
the ravages o( time, is near the doorway. '5 To the north-west, there is a fine round tower, eight feet, three inches, in diameter, with two steps around if, at the bottom about fifteen feet
window, with a regular arch, andatan equal height, there is another window, witli a pointed arch. "* We are told, that the round tower
stands twenty-tiiree feet to the right of the west gable, belonging to the ancient
;
from the ground, there is a
" Pococke's Journal is quoted, by Arch-
in the Earl of Dunraven's
"
Notes on Irish
Architecture," edited by Margaret Stokes,
in vol. ii. , pp. 6, 8.
"^
The doorway is nine feet, nine inches, from the ground, the level of which, how- ever, in one part has been raised two feet higher than it was originally. The aperture is on theeast-'ide of the building, and it faces the church. Its dimensions are four
feet,
s** LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 28.
sand-stones, in irregular courses, spirally-shaped, andnotched peculiarly, lapping into one another. The stones are of moderate size, and worked roughly to a
curve ; while; on the interior and below the door,''^ there is rough masonry, evi- dently intended to be filled up to that level. There is another aperture, trian- gularly headed, on the north-east side, about twenty-five feet above the level of theplinth. =9 Thiswaseitheradoorwayorawindow. ^"Onthewestside,3'there isaquadrangularwindow,s'andanothersmallone33isonthenorthside. Each of these apertures was placed, so as to light a separate story. On the inside of the wall are projecting stones. Two floors of timber remained in 1840,3*
^^•^>nkV<£v^
Round Tower, Roscrea, County Tipperary.
while in 1815, the interior of the round tower was inhabited. 35 In the year 1131,3*lightningpiercedthesteepleofRoscrea. 37 Theagefortheerection
three inches, in height, and two feet, one inch, at the base, and two feet, at tlie spring- ing of the arch. It is round arched, and tlie arch is formed out of three stones, most of which extend the full thickness of the wall. There are contrivances for double doors in this entrance, and these have been accurately described, in Dr. Petrie's " Ecclesiastical Architectaie and Round Towers of Ireland,"
P- 369-
^ This is on a level with the average sur-
''' About thirty-seven feet from the
ground.
3" About twenty-seven inches high, by one
foot wide, at tlie l)ase.
33 It is squared-headed, with inclined
jambs.
3t Then it was visited, by Mr. O'Keefe,
while engaged on the Ordnance Survey of Ireland.
35 Such information was given, by the sexton of the church, in 1840.
which is close by.
3° It is four feet, eleven inches, high, to the springing of the arch ; while, it is five feet, three inches, to the apex of the triangle ; it is two feet, one inch, wide, at the base, and one foot, ten inches, at the top of the jamhs. This aperture is arched inside ; it is four feet, four inches, in height, and three feet, nine inches, in depth. Some curious
carvings are to be found, on the inside.
3* According to the rum. "
Chronicum Scoto-
"
face of the
porch,
"
Notes on Irish Architecture," edited by Margaret
Stokes,vol. ii,, pp. 6to8.
3* The present illustration is from a draw-
ing, which was taken on the spot, by William F. Wakeman ; and, afterwards, it was trans- ferred by him to the wood, engraved by Mrs. Millard.
3' See the Earl of Dunraven's
April 28. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 529
of the round tower is not known, but, it must have a respectable antiquity. '* Beside it is a mill, now in ruins. --'
At Senruys, or Lough Cre, it is stated, that St. Cronan departed from this life. <° It is possible, that a Lough was near Roscrea,'*' as well as at Mona- hincha ; and, from the context of the Bollandist Life, it would appear, he died at the former place, rather than at the latter. Of both places, however, he may be regarded, as the special founder and patron. When the last days of Cronan approached, he called his people together ; and, although weak in body, his mind was yet vigorous. He exhorted them, always to observe peace and unity, as also to remain constant, in those good purposes, which at first animated them. Raising his hand, he afterwards blessed them and their city. Having received the most Holy Sacrament, St. Cronan departed this life, on the 4th of the May Kalends, corresponding with the 28th of April. 4' The year of our saint's death has not been exactly ascertained ; but, it is stated, that he attained a venerable old age, before he was called to bliss. From early youth to that moment, he had always faithfully observed the Divine precepts. We are told, that St. Cronan survived St. Lugid, otherwise called St. Molua ; and, following this mere statement, Archdall assigns St. Cronan's death to the beginning of the seventh century. '*' In all probability, St. Cronan died, during the reign of King Fingen of Munster, who is men- tioned in his Acts. The death of Cronan "is recorded, soon after his return to Roscrea from Cashel. Now, Fingen or Finine is stated to have died in 619, or more probably towards "626 ; since his successor and brother Failbhe Fland *< is . said to have reigned eight years, and he died a. d. 633,^5 accord- ing to the Irish Annals. <* It is stated, by Colgan,^' that Cronan was alive in 625. The Bollandists go still further, pretending that he might have hved untilafter639. Forthisstatement,theyhadnoauthoritywhatever,excepta very unfounded conjecture of their own,*' that he might have been that first- named priest Cronan, mentioned with Thomian and others. Bishops, in a letter of the Roman clergy, which has been published by Archbishop Ussher. -"
About the year 640 is a time assigned for St. Cronan's departure, by the Rev. Alban Butler ;5° but, it is altogether improbable he lived to that date.
The venerable man Cronan was. buried with great honour, in his favourite city of Roscrea. There, we are informed, his relics were preserved for succeeding ages. There, likewise, many miracles were wrought, through his merits and
» A view of both objects will be seen in Miss Stokes' work.
*" See " Acta Sanctorum," torn, iii. , xxviii. Aprilis, Vita S. Cronani, cap. ii. , n. 9, p. 581.
< Nothing of the kind appear^ there at present, more than a mill pond, beside the round tower. See a partial view of it, in "Notes on Irish Arcliitecture," by Kdwin, third Earl of Dunraven, edited by Miss Margaret Stokes, vol. ii. , p. 6.
Ancient Irish," part ii. , chap, i. , pp. 441 to 445.
<* HewasyoungerbrothertoFinghin. See Dr. O'Donov. in's "Annals of the Four Mas.
ters," vol. i. , pp. 252, 253, and n. (i), ibid. "See "Acta Sanctorum Ilibernix," ix. , Februarii. De S. Cronano qui et Cueranus,
n. II, p. 303.
*' Papebroke thinks, tiiat as Cronan must
have aUained a very old age, at this time,
his name should naturally rank first among
the priests named. See "Acta Sanctorum,"
" Arclulall incorrectly states, that our "
saint died on the lotli of May. See Monas- ticon Hibemicum," p. 672 He had no authority whatever, tor such an assertion.
""
See Rev. Or. Lanigan's Ecclesiastical
History of Ireland," vol. iii. , chap, xyii. , sect, ii. , n. 31, p. 10.
**See an account of these princes, in
iii. , A|)rilis xxviii. De Sancto Cro-
" Collectanea De Rebus Dissertations on the National Customs, and State Laws of the
" See "Veterum Hibernicarum Sylloge. " Epist. ix. , pp. 22,23.
5o gee "Lives of the Fathers,
xxviii.
General Hibernicis," vdI. i.
Vallancey's
Martyrs and other principal Saints," vol. iv. , April
<> See Kev. Dr.
History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, xiv. , sect, iii. , n. 39, pp. 311, 312.
Lanigan's
tomus
nano, &c. I'raemium. num. 8, p. 580.
" Ecclesiastical
LI
S30 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 28.
intercession. 5' In our own time, a beautiful new parochial Gothic church has
been erected, by the spirited efforts, both of the j)riests and people at Ros- crea; and,mostappropriatelyhasitbeendedicatedtoSt. Cronan,thelocal
patron. It has a nave, transept and side aisles. Lusmagh,5= near Banagher, in the King's County, is also under our saint's patronage, and there, too, do the people annually commemorate him. 53
In the Feilire =< of St. . ^Engus, the festival of St. Cronan occurs, at the 28th
of April. On this day,, likewise, in the Martyrology of Tallagh,5S we read the nAme Cronan of Ruis Cre. We find mentioned, in the Martyrology of Donegal,5^ that on this day a festival was celebrated, in honour of Cronan, of Ros-cre. In the anonymous catalogue published by O'Sullivan Beare, Chronanus is set down at the 28lh of April. '? The Kalendar of Drummond has the festival of St. Chronain, at the very same day. s^ The Calendar of the Seasons enters his feast, also, at this date. 59 In various other calendars and
records, the memory of this celebrated,saint has been preserved, and notices regarding him are inserted, by different writers. The old author of his Acts
has declared, that Cronan was distinguished for his merciful disposition ; for his patience, modesty and humility ; for his fasts and prayers, being a reproach to tiie tepid ; but above all, he excelled in the great precepts of
charity.
Article II. —St. Luchtighern, Abbot of Ennistymon, or Inistvmon, County OF Clare. \SixtIi Ctntnry? ^ Little is known regarding this holy man,
5' See " Acta Sanclorum," torn. iii. ,xxviii.
Aprilis. Vita S. Cronani, cap. iii. , n. l8, pp.
582, 583-
5* Here "he remnined a considerable
P. "Lives of Irish time. "—D.
Some light is thrown on his period, owing to the following story. Fingen,* King of Munster,7 went to the country of Hely, and he encamped at a place calledRathbecain. ^ Wiiilstinthisplace,twoofhishorseswerestolen,bya robber, who came from Meath f but, supposing this to have been the act of people
livingintheneighbourhood,thatkinghadresolvedonbeingavenged. '" Hearing of this intention, St. Cronan obtained an audience from the prince, to dispose himtowardsclemency,onbehalfofthosewhowereinnocent. Atthesametime, havinghealedachiefservant belonging to thatking, the latter, through veneration for our saint, dismissed all thoughts of vengeance against the neighbouring in-
' Heis said to have after the History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap. xv. ,n. 91, lived,
pp. 413, 414.
" See " Vies des Saints," tome v. , xxviii".
begin- ning of the seventli century, since his son Maelmachus survived to A. D. 660, according
"
Acta Sanctorum Hibemiae, xx. Januarii, Vita S. Fechini.
' Also called Finine, King of Cashel.
' This same place is alluded to, in the Vita
Sane-
Jour d'Avril, p. 57. ** "
to Colgan's
See Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. iii. , chap, xvii. , sect, ii. , p. 6.
' See Ussher's " Britannicarum Ecclesia-
rum — xvii. , Antiquilales," cap. p. 474.
'
Chapter III. This visitor is thought
xxi. , as Col- Abbani, cap. published by
to have been the St. Mochoemhog, or Pul-
chcrius. Abbot of Liath-More, and whose
Life has been given already, in vol. iii. of region of Heli. But, Colgan could not
this work, at the 13th of March.
' See " Ada Sanctorum," torn, iii. , xxviii.
Aprilis. Vita S. Cronani, cap. iii , num. 12, p. 582.
5 See "Acta Sanctorum Hibernix," ix.
Febru. irii, De S. Cronano qui et Cuaranus,
n. 1 1, p. 303.
* There is an ancient church, called Kil-
colman, about six miles north from Roscrea. Perhaps this St. Colman was the patron.
' See " Acta . Sanctorum," torn, iii. , xxviii.
Aprilis, Vita S. Cronani, cap. iii. , num. 13, p. 582.
determine, from which of the saints, called
Becan,ithadbeennamed. Seep. 616,and
n. 27, p. 623.
'"T—he ancient Meath was contiguous to
Ele. " Rev. Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical
History of Ireland," vol. iii. , chap, xvii. , sect, ii , n. 29, p. 10.
"' This seems like an incident, which is otherwise told in the Life of St. Mochoemoc, a contemporary of Failbe Fland. See cap. xx. inColgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hibemia:," xiii. Martii, pp. 592, 593.
" The Life tells us, that these were mira-
-
S.
gan, at the i6th of March, in "Acta torum Hibemiae. " There, it is Latinized "atrium Becani," and it is placed in the
526 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 28.
habitants. St. Cronan also presented that king with two piebald horses from
the Lake of Cre," and with this present the potentate was greatly jileased. The saint likewise healed a son of this king, who was botli deaf and mute.
At another time, having lost a copy of the Gospels, in the Lake of Cre, it remained immersed in water, for forty days and as many nights, when it was found to have escaped, without the erasure of a single letter, much to the joy of our saint, who was gready concerned at its loss. Atone time, a golden apple, with two chains attached to it, was found in Clonfert city. " The inha- bitants of this place, knowing it would be claimed by the King of Cashel,'^ wiiose jurisdiction extended there, formed a similar ornament of brass, and it was gilt on the outside. Hearing of tJiis occurrence, the prince sent his officer to Clonfert. '* He demanded the treasure found, but he received only the brazenornament. Atthistime,St. Cronanchancedtobearesidentatthe king's court. He was then blind, through extreme age. Having, however, taken the ornament in his hand, St. Cronan was moved to cry out : "This, lieing made of Ijrass, is not the one found in Clonfert city, for the finders have fraudulently substituted gilt brass for gold. " The ornament being broken, the truth of Cronan's statement became manifest ; when the king again sent his messengers to the inhabitants of Clonfert. 'I'hey were then com- pelled to restore his legal tribute. This incident increased tiie king's regard for our saint, when he went to the city of Cashel. At this time, Cronan was a decrepid old man. On departing from it, the kmg and the people took leaveofhim,andtreatedhimwithdistinguishedhonour. Shortlyafterwards, the saint returned to his monastery, at Roscrea. 's
In the Life of St, Cronan, he is called only Abbot, without tlie least allusion to his ever having exercised episcopal functions. Whether
the Ros-crea—rendered Cre's Wood'^—
to which he returned was Mona-
hincha, or the present Roscre, we feel unable to determine. But ros
has several meanings, besides that of " wood ;" for, il is used to signify,
"""""
a promontory,'"' an isthmus," a plain," arable land," a rose,"
a disease so called, "science," "knowledge," "ingenuity," or "craft. '"' """
Also cre means earth," clay," or dust. "'9 Notwithstanding, although sometimes called Bishop of Roscrea,^° it is quite probable, that the place had
from the lake, and wilh golden reins on their necks, they went direct to St. Cronan, and quietly
stood before him.
" This must have been Clonfert Molua,
now Kyle, in ihe Queen's Ciunty.
'^ He seems to have liad jurisdiction over Clonfert Molua, at that time ; aUhough we read, in the Life of St. Molua, the patron of that place, that he obtained the siie for his establishment there, from Berach, the Kin^' of Leix. For further particulars, the reader is referred to St. Molua's Life, which occurs at the 4th of August, the date
"' We are told, that Roscrea, in
is thus written in the liook of Leinster. See
"
Dr. P. \V. Joyce's
Irish Names of Place. -," p. irt iv. , chap, viii. , p. 478.
"' This description should well apply to
the present, and possibly to the past. api>ear- ance of Monahincha, even in the time of St. Cronan ; for the earth, on which the build- ings stood, seems to have projected from the
Irish-English
culously produced
; for,comingup
Tipperary,
religious
mainland.
'* "
°°
'< Papebroke considers this, to have been James Ware calls him bishop, otherwise
for his festival.
Treating on the Life of Cronan, Sir
Clonfert, in the county of Galway, and lying between Loughs Ree and De. i'rg, not far from the Shannon river. He also imagines, that the rule of the King of Cashel extended over this part of Connaught, m St. Cronan's
which is incorrect.
'5 See " Acta Sanctorum," torn, iii. , xxviii.
Aprilis. 'Vita S. Cronani, cap. iii. , num. 14, I5> i6, 17. P- 582-
abbot of Roscrea. See "De Scriptoribus Hiberni^," lib. i. , cap. xiii. , p. 89.
age,
motive for giving him that title was, because
Roscrea had formerly been an episcopal See,
and his thence suppoing, that it was such so early as Cronan's time. See "Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. iii. , chap, xvii. , ^'='='- "•> '°- *°' I'- 8-
See Edward O'Reilly's Diciionary," j«* w<r^.
'^ See ibid.
=
Rev. Dr. Lanigan suspects, that Ware's
Origin and Hisiory of
April 28. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 527
notbeenerectedintoaSee,untilafterSt. Cronan'sdeath. " Duringthelast century, an interesting mediaeval structure was there, which served for pur- poses of Protestant wor-
St. Cronan's Chorch, Roscrea, of
County Tipperary.
Abbey ofRoscrea. '' The roof of that clogtheach buildmg has fallen, so that its present height does not exceed eighty feet. It is fifty feet in cir- cumference, and the wall is foutfeet in diameter. The tower is built of
" A later Protestant church has since been built within the graveyard, which is still much used for interments.
'5 The accom|ianyins illustration is repro- duced from a photograph lately t. -iken, and it has been dr. iwn on the wood, by William K. Wakeman. It is engraved, by Mrs. Millard.
"* In accordance w th the erroneous im- pressionsexistini; in Archdall's time, . ind not even yet wholly abandoned by historians and architects, who ought to be better informed, the frontage of the former Roscrea chuich is
"
said to have been of
Now, the Saxons adopted the purely Celtic style from their early Irish apostles in the seventh century, always preserving the simi- larity of form . ind fashion then prevailing in Ireland, down to the time of the Anglo- Norman inv. Tsion.
The Normans were ihe introducers of the fine Gothic churches, that afterw. irds succeeded, and of which so many
magnificent specimens still exist in these countries.
'' Archdall adds, "at a little distance is a cross in a circle, with a crucifix on one side, adjoining to which is a stone carved in various figures, and at each end a mezzo relievo of a saint, both aie called, if we mi—s- take not, the shrine of St. Cronan. " "Monasticon Hil)ernicum," p. 673.
dall, for the fore-oing particulars.
^' There are two beautiful woodcut illus-
trations of the Belfry . ind Wist Front of St. Cronan's church, and another West Front View of St. Cronan's church, Roscrea, drawn by George Petrie, and engraved by Swain,
Saxon architecture. "
ship. "' Yet, portions of it remain, and especially the front gable, and entrance door'3 under a projecting half gate, with a niciie on
eitherside,andinastyle cor- responding. Abelfry-loop tops the gable. The door- way is surmounted by re- cessed arches, in the ornate
Irish style. '^ An image, it is thought of St. Cronan, but much defaced owing to
the ravages o( time, is near the doorway. '5 To the north-west, there is a fine round tower, eight feet, three inches, in diameter, with two steps around if, at the bottom about fifteen feet
window, with a regular arch, andatan equal height, there is another window, witli a pointed arch. "* We are told, that the round tower
stands twenty-tiiree feet to the right of the west gable, belonging to the ancient
;
from the ground, there is a
" Pococke's Journal is quoted, by Arch-
in the Earl of Dunraven's
"
Notes on Irish
Architecture," edited by Margaret Stokes,
in vol. ii. , pp. 6, 8.
"^
The doorway is nine feet, nine inches, from the ground, the level of which, how- ever, in one part has been raised two feet higher than it was originally. The aperture is on theeast-'ide of the building, and it faces the church. Its dimensions are four
feet,
s** LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 28.
sand-stones, in irregular courses, spirally-shaped, andnotched peculiarly, lapping into one another. The stones are of moderate size, and worked roughly to a
curve ; while; on the interior and below the door,''^ there is rough masonry, evi- dently intended to be filled up to that level. There is another aperture, trian- gularly headed, on the north-east side, about twenty-five feet above the level of theplinth. =9 Thiswaseitheradoorwayorawindow. ^"Onthewestside,3'there isaquadrangularwindow,s'andanothersmallone33isonthenorthside. Each of these apertures was placed, so as to light a separate story. On the inside of the wall are projecting stones. Two floors of timber remained in 1840,3*
^^•^>nkV<£v^
Round Tower, Roscrea, County Tipperary.
while in 1815, the interior of the round tower was inhabited. 35 In the year 1131,3*lightningpiercedthesteepleofRoscrea. 37 Theagefortheerection
three inches, in height, and two feet, one inch, at the base, and two feet, at tlie spring- ing of the arch. It is round arched, and tlie arch is formed out of three stones, most of which extend the full thickness of the wall. There are contrivances for double doors in this entrance, and these have been accurately described, in Dr. Petrie's " Ecclesiastical Architectaie and Round Towers of Ireland,"
P- 369-
^ This is on a level with the average sur-
''' About thirty-seven feet from the
ground.
3" About twenty-seven inches high, by one
foot wide, at tlie l)ase.
33 It is squared-headed, with inclined
jambs.
3t Then it was visited, by Mr. O'Keefe,
while engaged on the Ordnance Survey of Ireland.
35 Such information was given, by the sexton of the church, in 1840.
which is close by.
3° It is four feet, eleven inches, high, to the springing of the arch ; while, it is five feet, three inches, to the apex of the triangle ; it is two feet, one inch, wide, at the base, and one foot, ten inches, at the top of the jamhs. This aperture is arched inside ; it is four feet, four inches, in height, and three feet, nine inches, in depth. Some curious
carvings are to be found, on the inside.
3* According to the rum. "
Chronicum Scoto-
"
face of the
porch,
"
Notes on Irish Architecture," edited by Margaret
Stokes,vol. ii,, pp. 6to8.
3* The present illustration is from a draw-
ing, which was taken on the spot, by William F. Wakeman ; and, afterwards, it was trans- ferred by him to the wood, engraved by Mrs. Millard.
3' See the Earl of Dunraven's
April 28. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 529
of the round tower is not known, but, it must have a respectable antiquity. '* Beside it is a mill, now in ruins. --'
At Senruys, or Lough Cre, it is stated, that St. Cronan departed from this life. <° It is possible, that a Lough was near Roscrea,'*' as well as at Mona- hincha ; and, from the context of the Bollandist Life, it would appear, he died at the former place, rather than at the latter. Of both places, however, he may be regarded, as the special founder and patron. When the last days of Cronan approached, he called his people together ; and, although weak in body, his mind was yet vigorous. He exhorted them, always to observe peace and unity, as also to remain constant, in those good purposes, which at first animated them. Raising his hand, he afterwards blessed them and their city. Having received the most Holy Sacrament, St. Cronan departed this life, on the 4th of the May Kalends, corresponding with the 28th of April. 4' The year of our saint's death has not been exactly ascertained ; but, it is stated, that he attained a venerable old age, before he was called to bliss. From early youth to that moment, he had always faithfully observed the Divine precepts. We are told, that St. Cronan survived St. Lugid, otherwise called St. Molua ; and, following this mere statement, Archdall assigns St. Cronan's death to the beginning of the seventh century. '*' In all probability, St. Cronan died, during the reign of King Fingen of Munster, who is men- tioned in his Acts. The death of Cronan "is recorded, soon after his return to Roscrea from Cashel. Now, Fingen or Finine is stated to have died in 619, or more probably towards "626 ; since his successor and brother Failbhe Fland *< is . said to have reigned eight years, and he died a. d. 633,^5 accord- ing to the Irish Annals. <* It is stated, by Colgan,^' that Cronan was alive in 625. The Bollandists go still further, pretending that he might have hved untilafter639. Forthisstatement,theyhadnoauthoritywhatever,excepta very unfounded conjecture of their own,*' that he might have been that first- named priest Cronan, mentioned with Thomian and others. Bishops, in a letter of the Roman clergy, which has been published by Archbishop Ussher. -"
About the year 640 is a time assigned for St. Cronan's departure, by the Rev. Alban Butler ;5° but, it is altogether improbable he lived to that date.
The venerable man Cronan was. buried with great honour, in his favourite city of Roscrea. There, we are informed, his relics were preserved for succeeding ages. There, likewise, many miracles were wrought, through his merits and
» A view of both objects will be seen in Miss Stokes' work.
*" See " Acta Sanctorum," torn, iii. , xxviii. Aprilis, Vita S. Cronani, cap. ii. , n. 9, p. 581.
< Nothing of the kind appear^ there at present, more than a mill pond, beside the round tower. See a partial view of it, in "Notes on Irish Arcliitecture," by Kdwin, third Earl of Dunraven, edited by Miss Margaret Stokes, vol. ii. , p. 6.
Ancient Irish," part ii. , chap, i. , pp. 441 to 445.
<* HewasyoungerbrothertoFinghin. See Dr. O'Donov. in's "Annals of the Four Mas.
ters," vol. i. , pp. 252, 253, and n. (i), ibid. "See "Acta Sanctorum Ilibernix," ix. , Februarii. De S. Cronano qui et Cueranus,
n. II, p. 303.
*' Papebroke thinks, tiiat as Cronan must
have aUained a very old age, at this time,
his name should naturally rank first among
the priests named. See "Acta Sanctorum,"
" Arclulall incorrectly states, that our "
saint died on the lotli of May. See Monas- ticon Hibemicum," p. 672 He had no authority whatever, tor such an assertion.
""
See Rev. Or. Lanigan's Ecclesiastical
History of Ireland," vol. iii. , chap, xyii. , sect, ii. , n. 31, p. 10.
**See an account of these princes, in
iii. , A|)rilis xxviii. De Sancto Cro-
" Collectanea De Rebus Dissertations on the National Customs, and State Laws of the
" See "Veterum Hibernicarum Sylloge. " Epist. ix. , pp. 22,23.
5o gee "Lives of the Fathers,
xxviii.
General Hibernicis," vdI. i.
Vallancey's
Martyrs and other principal Saints," vol. iv. , April
<> See Kev. Dr.
History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, xiv. , sect, iii. , n. 39, pp. 311, 312.
Lanigan's
tomus
nano, &c. I'raemium. num. 8, p. 580.
" Ecclesiastical
LI
S30 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 28.
intercession. 5' In our own time, a beautiful new parochial Gothic church has
been erected, by the spirited efforts, both of the j)riests and people at Ros- crea; and,mostappropriatelyhasitbeendedicatedtoSt. Cronan,thelocal
patron. It has a nave, transept and side aisles. Lusmagh,5= near Banagher, in the King's County, is also under our saint's patronage, and there, too, do the people annually commemorate him. 53
In the Feilire =< of St. . ^Engus, the festival of St. Cronan occurs, at the 28th
of April. On this day,, likewise, in the Martyrology of Tallagh,5S we read the nAme Cronan of Ruis Cre. We find mentioned, in the Martyrology of Donegal,5^ that on this day a festival was celebrated, in honour of Cronan, of Ros-cre. In the anonymous catalogue published by O'Sullivan Beare, Chronanus is set down at the 28lh of April. '? The Kalendar of Drummond has the festival of St. Chronain, at the very same day. s^ The Calendar of the Seasons enters his feast, also, at this date. 59 In various other calendars and
records, the memory of this celebrated,saint has been preserved, and notices regarding him are inserted, by different writers. The old author of his Acts
has declared, that Cronan was distinguished for his merciful disposition ; for his patience, modesty and humility ; for his fasts and prayers, being a reproach to tiie tepid ; but above all, he excelled in the great precepts of
charity.
Article II. —St. Luchtighern, Abbot of Ennistymon, or Inistvmon, County OF Clare. \SixtIi Ctntnry? ^ Little is known regarding this holy man,
5' See " Acta Sanclorum," torn. iii. ,xxviii.
Aprilis. Vita S. Cronani, cap. iii. , n. l8, pp.
582, 583-
5* Here "he remnined a considerable
P. "Lives of Irish time. "—D.
