Marianus
O'Gorman has a like entry.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v2
, p.
265.
" " This district comprised, besides oth—er
tracts, a great part of the King's County. " Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical History of
Ireland," vol. i. , cap. vi. , sect, xi. , n. 112,
p. 304.
*^ in reference to this object, Henri Mar-
cipe lumineux et solaire. "
'S Joceline's or Vita Sexta S. Patricii, cap. tin writes " Mais il a fort 4 croire que Ixxiii. , calls him " Rufus. " See
: y
les Scotts n'avaient point apporte avec eux
ce dieu, qui est une divinite cosmogonique et scientifique bien plutot, qu' heroique. Croniy la courbe generatrice du cercle, I'eter- nel, pere du temps, qui apparait entour^
Foylge
ibid. ^ p. 91. However, in the whole of this
account, we may well conclude, that many fabulous incidents have crept into the narra- tive.
Munster,
year 451,
les pays Celtiques et Scandinaves," chap, vii. , sect, i. , p. 275.
'3 Dr. Lanigan thinks, however, "that
this second Failge was brought on the stage, in compliment to some illustrious families of
the Hyfalgian line, and to wipe off the shame of their —being descended from a
bigoted tyrant. " "Ecclesiastical History
of Ireland," vol. i. , cap. vi. , sect, ix. , n.
113, p. 304.
'* The Third Patrick Life of St.
makes the wicked Foilge progentitor of the other
Foilgi. See Colgan s cap. lix. , p. 2$.
'*
Trias Thaumaturga,"
February 19. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 633
such a purpose, he resolved on arresting the progress of the Christian Reli-
gion, by effecting the destruction of its greatest promoter. However, Provi- dence frustrated his purpose, although it does not seem, that St. Patrick had
any suspicion of the threatened danger. Yet, his charioteer, Odhran, had
some prevision of the consequences likely to ensue.
'^
In most accounts, it
is said, that having had previous intimation of this design, Odran concealed
his knowledge concerning it from St. Patrick, whom he induced to occupy
the driver's seat in the chariot, whilst Odran himself should have some short
timeforrest. '7 TheholyApostlemostreadilyassented. Heunsuspectingly
relinquished his place, and assumed the reins, in order to gratify his servant's
wish. They had passed from Birr, and were traveUing along an ancient
road, which bore in an eastern direction, north of the Slieve Bloom moun-
tains, where their enemy lay in wait. Failge met the travellers on their
journey. Rushing against Odran, whom he mistook for St. Patrick, the furious chief transfixed him, with a stroke of his lance. Horrified at the
sight thus presented, the Apostle was about to pronounce a malediction on the murderer, when the dying Odran prayed it should rather descend on a
veryhightree,thatgrewonanadjoininghill,calledBrig-damh. Yet,forhis Satanic perfidy, the murderer was struck dead immediately afterwards ; and as a just punishment for his grievous crime, his soul was buried in hell, while angels were seen bearing that of Odhran to heaven, where he joined the array of purple-robed martyrs. St. Patrick furthermore announced, that the poste- rity of that wicked Foilge should wane, and lose power, in the principality ; while, Foilge Ros and his posterity should rule therein, which prediction was fulfilled. In an old Biburgensian Manuscript Life of St. Patrick, we are told, that when the soul of Foilge, for his wickedness, had been carried away to hell, the devil took possession of his living body, and dwelt in it, until St. Patrick came to the house of that cruel chief. It is stated, the Irish Apostle asked one of the servants for his master, and that he was told Foilge was within. " Call him to me," said Patrick. But, the servant returned, and told the Apostle in great sorrow, that he only found the dry bones of his
master. Then said Patrick :
*'
From the time, when Foilge butchered my
charioteer before me, he was buried in hell, but the devil came to possess his
body, so that while his soul was consigned to perdition, his body was also
dishonoured by demoniac influences. "'^ Attempts have been made to
identify the place, where this martyrdom occurred. Afterwards, it received
the name, Desart-Odran of Hy-Failge ; yet, this local denomination appears to have died out of popular recollection, notwithstanding the celebrity of the
^^ "
See Dr. Lanigan's Ecclesiastical His-
tory of Ireland," vol. i. , chap, vi. , sect, xi. ,
p. 302.
^^ This pious contrivance of Odran is not
mentioned in St. Patrick's Third Life ; but,
it is there said, that Failge butchered Odran,
before his master and in the chariot. See
close of this little volume, is however worth
transcribing. "The second tale, Foilge ; or the Possessed, is a veritable Irish tradition. It is the earliest account that the author has been able to trace, of that belief, which still prevails in many parts of the world, viz. , of an evil spirit entering into the body of a dead man, and making tha—t dead man appear as
a it be if he were still living belief, may
remarked, very different from that which
"
S. Patricii, cap. lix. , p. 25.
Colgan's '^
teresting
prevails
Scripture that is, living men, into whose bodies an evil spirit had entered. Foilge as
Trias Thaumaurga. '' VitaTertia William 13ernard MacCabe, in his in-
little work, entitled,
"
AGrand-
s to the demoniacs described in a—
father's Story Book," has recorded this in-
cident of Odran's death, under the heading,
"
P'oilge ; or the Possessed," pp. 91 to 128.
It need scarcely be remarked, that as the
tale was chiefly written for juveniles, its
writer rather intends to give a dramatic, than
a historic interest, to his imaginative nar-
rative. The following note, towards the vians. " Seep. 211.
portrayed in the Irish legend, {Act. Sanct. Feb. , vol. iii. , pp. 131, 132) was the same in most respects as the modern vampire ; in some particulars like to the malignant dead described in the Sagas of the Scandina-
634 LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [February19.
transaction, which shoiiM be likely to preserve a recollection of it. On the road, between Frankfort ;ind Roscrea, is the little village of Killyon ;^9 and about two miles from the latter village, is yet shown the place, where Foilge attemptedthelifeofSi. Patrick. ^° Odran'snameoccurs,insomeforeignMar- tyrologies; yet, his festival has been assigned to distinct days, from the
^'^
present date. Thus, the 8th of May,
2nd and the 27th of October^3 have been conjecturally mentioned, in con-
nexion with it, by various Martyrologists. About, or soon after, the middle of the fifth century, this martyrdom of Odran is considered to have occiirred.
Yet, we find Dempster^^ absurdly placing this saint's death at a. d. 509, or ten years later ; while, he further has the presumption to state, that the relics of
Odran were preserved at Glascow, and transferred to Ireland, after the lapse of some ages. Again, it is asserted he wrote a certain book. '^s This saint is
honoured as a martyr, chiefly on the 19th of February ; but, in certain places, asweareinformed,onthe27thofOctober. ^^ Somechurcheswereformerly
dedicatedtohim,inthecountryaboutBirr,andintheOrmonds. ^7 Yet,we have no further means for ascertaining their whereabouts. Killurin,='^ in the
parish of Killoghey,^^ and barony of Ballyboy, King's County, was probably calledfromSt. Odhan. Itisprobable,thatmanyofthosecircumstancesre- lated, as connected with St. Odran's death, are unreliable ; although, we take it for granted, that this saint must have lost his life, for liis attachment to the Christian faith, and while faithfully serving his illustrious master.
Article II. —St. Baoithin or Baetin, Bishop, of Taech Baoithin,
OR Taghboyne, County Westmeath. [Sixth Century. ^ What a striking example do not the conduct and lives of the first Christians present to us ! Were their actions more closely followed, there would not be so much sin in the world ; and, the nearer our lives resemble theirs, so much in proportion shall our love for what is good increase. The holy Baoithin or Boetin was one of Ireland's best sons. Our great hagiographer has collected some notices, regarding him ;^ while the Bollandists leave him, on this day, with
*9 This village is sho-\vn on the "Ord- nance Survey Townland Maps for the King's County," Sheet 36. On Sheet 35, are shown the ruins of its old church or monas-
tery.
'° A moat, covered with hawthorn, points
about one mile and a half from Leap Castle, the romantic residence of Mr. Darby. The latter is shown on Sheet 39.
This information, I have obtained from Mr.
Elwood, Dublin, who formerly resided near
the locality.
=3 According to the Martyrologium Su- bense in Bavaria, Florarius, Hermann Greuen, Ferrarius and Dempster. Likewise
the Irish Martyrologists have a St. Odran, at this date, but he is thought, by most
writers, to differ from this holy martyr,
'^ See *' Historia Ecclesistica Gentis
Scotorum," tomus ii. , lib. xiv. , num. 986. ^s Said to have been inscribed with the
"
title, De Veritate Catholica," lib. i. See
iduL "^
It is generally thought, however, that he was a different Odran.
=7 Letter of Dr. llenehan, previously
out the
spot,
** Acta Sanctorum Hiber- mx," xix. Februarii. De S. Odrano Mar-
^' See
Colgan's
tyre, ex variis, n. 17, p. 372. Also the quoted. " =^
I'. ollandists' Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , Killurin old ruined church, with some Februarii xix. De S. Odrano Martyre curious ancient entrenchments near it, is
Auriga S. Patricii in Hibernia, num. I, p.
131.
" This seems to be a mistake of Father
shown on the
"
Ordnance Survey Townland
Henry Fitz-Simon, in his Calendar of the 16, 23, 24, 25, 31, 32. See idic/. It be-
Irisli Saints, for the 27th of October. Yet he calls this St. Oran a bishop, and quotes
the English Martyrology, as an authority.
See idit/. Also, O'Sullevan Bcare's " His-
toria2 Catholicse Ibernias Compendium," Sanctorum Hibernice," xix. Febniarii. Dc tomus i. , lib. iv. , cap. xii. , p. 56. S. Baitheno, Episcopo, pp. 369, 370.
the 27th of September," as also the
Maps for the King's County," Sheet 24. =9This parish is described on Sheets 15,
longs to the diocese of Meath. See Sir
Charles Cootes'
'*
Statistical Survey of the
King's County," chap, xix. , sect. 5, p. 198. Article ii. —'See Colgan's "Acta
February 19. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 635
somebrieferremarks. ^ IntheIrishlangiu^;e,wefindthisholyman'sname variedly written, Baoithin, Baetin, Baithen, Baithin, Baoithine, Boethan,
Boetin and Baothan ; while, it is Laiinized, Baithinus, Baithenus, Baitheneus, Boelhinus and Boethanus. His Acts were thought to have been extant, in Colgan's time ; and this inference he drew, from the Irish Life of the illus- trious St. Columkille. 3 In the "Feilire" of St. ^ngus,4 at the 19th of Feb-
he was a bishop, and son to Cuana, and that his place was Tech Baoithin, eitherinAirteachofConnaught,''^orinthewestofMidhe. TeachBaoithin in Midhe is identical with the present Tegh Boyne or Teboyen, in the barony of Rathconrath, and county of Westmeath. The genealogy of this holy man is thus traced. ^5 His father was Cuanach, son of Connmag, also called ^ngus, son to Enna Finn, son to Niall the Great. '^ According to
" On the Mothers of the Irish Saints," the mother of St. Baoithen is called Caomhnat, of Dal Buachalla, of the Ullta. ^7 Yet, dis- tinguished as he was by family descent, his virtues caused him to be still more celebrated. From early youth, Baithin's piety was remarkable, while his proficiency in studies and learning was very admirable ; so that, in due
St. Boethin is commemorated. s In like the of manner, Martyrology
ruary,
Tallagh,^ and the Calendar of Cashel,7 at this same date, enter Baithin, son of Cuanach, Bishop.
Marianus O'Gorman has a like entry. In an ancient Martyrology, belonging to the Cathedral Church of the Most Holy Trinity, Dublin,^ and by Cathald Maguire,9 this holy Confessor's feast is entered, at the xi. of the March Kalends, corresponding with the present day. '° We find, too, that under the head of Teach Baithin," Duald Mac Firbis enters, Baothin, Bishop, at February the 19th. " Besides, the O'Clerys have an entry of St. Baoithin's festival, at the 19th of February. ^3 They state, that
the Tract of St.
^ngus,
= See "Acta Sanctorum," tomusiii. , Feb- ruarii xix. Among the pretermitted saints, p. 121.
3 Chapters 220 and 246. See "Acta Sanctorum Hibernise," xix. Februarii. De S. Baitheno Episcopo, and nn. 3, 9, p. 369.
waite and Dr. Todd, Introduction, pp. Iv. , Ivi. The Commentator adds, that there are
three Tigh-Boethins, viz. , Tigh-Boethin in Meath, Tigh-Boethin in Tirconnell, and Tigh-Boethin in Airtech, near Cruachan of Connaught, in the west. There were like- wise four Boethins, viz. , the son of Brennan,
4 The following extract, from the "Leab-
liarBreac"copy,withtheEnglishtranslatio—n, thesonofFindach,thesonofAlia,theson
has been supplied by Professor O'Looney
A. x\i, kt. still tTo tAc La pAi]^ pAuLi, pAi|' mA]\cibb innro buA'OAch ;
of Cuanach.
9 This writer identifies him with Teagh-
baithin, in Westmeath.
"
Hennessy's note,
"boechme ino'jx inAinech, niAC CAir>X)elcA CuAnAch.
Commemorate, thou, with the
passion of Paul,
The passion of Marcellus the
^'^
"
^^
is the identification given in William M.
mind ;^
Of Boethin the great treasure,
Academy," Irish MSS. Series, vol. i. , part i,, pp. 128, 129,
'^ See the "Martyrology of Donegal," Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
52, 53.
'* This identification is likewise repeated,
in the Table, postfixed to this Martyrology. See ibid. , pp. 362, 363.
triumphant
The luminous son of Cuana.
5 There is a gloss, in which he is called
the son of Cuanach, son to Coeim, son of
Enna, of Tigh-Boethin, in the West of Meath.
^ Edited by the Rev, Dr. Kelly, p. xvi.
7 This authority implies a doubt, as to whether the present saint had been vene- rated at Teagh-baithin in Westmeath, or in Airteach.
^ See " Book of Obits and Martyrology of the Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity, Dublin. " Edited by John Clarke Crosth-
'5 According to the
logy," chap, vii, ^° "
"
Sanctilogic Genea-
:
^°
omitted from the prefixed Calendar.
See p, 89. This name, however, is
Tibohine, in the County Roscommon,
^^ "
See Proceedings of the Royal Irish
Yet the Calendar of Cashel," at the
19th of February, makes Enna, the son of Connall Dearg, of the race of the Colla Dacrioch. Cathal Maguire, at the 19th of February, has Baithenus, the son of Cuanach,
son to Gabhren, son of Emia.
^^ According to the
"
Martyrology of
636 LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [February19.
course, few were more distinguished for sanctity and accomplishments. There is a poem extant, attributed to St. Columkille,^^ and in the form of a dialogue between himself and the present saint, who is called Baithine Mor, son of Cuanna. It is on the subject of St. Columba's chief relics, viz. , the GreatCross,theCathachandhisCowl. Itseemsprobable,thatSt. Baithine spent some time with him in Iona. '9 In features and form, it is said, this Baoithen was also characterized for manly grace and beauty, to such a degree, that he surpassed in face and figure, all the bishops, clergy and people, assembled at the great Synod of Drumceat,^^ which he attended a. d. 590. This St. Columba publicly declared. Yet, such wa^ the humility of our
saint, that he asked the Almighty to deprive him of such dangerous gifts. We are told his prayers were heard, and that an ulcer changed his comeliness
so that, in consequence, he was
and ruddy colour, to ugliness and pallor ;
afterwards called Baithen Ban—
"
or
"
word bloodless. " Yet, his merits raised him to the episcopal dignity.
white"
the latter
compound
meaning
thinks, he presided over two different churches : one in Airtech, in Con-
naught, while, the other was at Teagh-Baoith, or Teaghbaoithen,^'' not far
fromthehillofUsneach,inMeath. Heerectedamonasteryatthelatter place,knownnowasTeboyen,inWestmeath. Theearlypartoftheseventh
^^ and from him his
tion, St. Boethen's house or church, was derived. Yet, the edifice there built may have been standing towards the close of the sixth century, as even then our saint was greatly distinguished, which may be judged from foregoing accounts. The old church is on an elevated site, with a very extensive view of the surrounding country. It measures 41 by 16 feet. The venerable gray walls cannot fail to awaken holy reminiscences. A holy well, called Tobar-Boyne, rises adjacent to them. St. Baithene or Boyne is also the patron of Balrathboyne, near Kells, county of Meath. ='3 This old church measures internally 72 feet, by 18 ; but, the walls have been torn down, and the stones removed for building purposes. The church of Ballrathboyne^^ was founded by St. Boethin, near a moat or fort, and hence the name. This is stated to have been the mother church, while Rathboyne was only a chapelry in the parish. Here there is a holy well, as also a hill, called after
"
is the
for its
foundation,
century ""
period assigned
designa-
the patron saint. There is another well, called Tobar na gloire, or
the FountainofGlory. " ThesiteoftheoldchurchisstillpointedoutatBall- rathboyne. It has, however, been pulled down, and uprooted. ^s There is
a Taghboyne, once a parish, but now only a townland, in the parish of Churchtown,^^baronyofRathconrath,='7anddeaneryofMuUingar. There
Donegal," Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 52, 53-
»8
Modern," vol. iii. , chap. Ixxiv. , pp. 603, 604.
="» The parish of Balrathboyne, in the baronies of Upper Kells and Lower Navan, is described on the "Ordnance Survey Town- land Maps for the County of Meath. " Sheets 16, 17, 23, 24. The townland proper and glebe division are marked on the latter sheet.
See his Life, at the 9th of June.
'9 See Rev. William Reeves' Adamnan's Life of St. Columba. " Additional Notes,
"
M. , pp. 318, 319.
-°
Though at present, there are no local
traditions to help in the identification of the
spot, it was well known in Colgan's time.
See "Trias Thaumaturga," n. 13, p. 204.
However, it is doubtful, if this be the Baoi-
then, who attended at Dromceat, or St.
Baithen, who immediately succeeded St.
Columba in the abbacy at lona, and whose vey Townland Maps for the County of
feast occurs, on the 9th of June.
Westmeath. " Sheets 18, 24, 25. In the two latter sheets, the townland is defined,
^' ** See Archdall's
Monasticon Hibemi-
cum," p. 728.
27 See an account of
in the
•'
Parlia-
"
»3 See "Diocese of Meath, Ancient and
it, mentaryGazetteerofIreland,"vol. i. , p.
393.
ByRev. AnthonyCogan.
^'s See Rev. A. Cogan's "Diocese of Meath, Ancient and Modern," vol. ii. , chap, xvi. , pp. 262, 263.
=" It is described, on the " Ordnance Sur-
Colgan
February 19. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 637
is a holy well there called Tobar-Baoithin, and also a graveyard. ^*^ By cer- tain writers, it is thought, that this saint, among the Irish bishops, and in common with others, had been addressed, in a letter from Rome,^9 written A. D. 640, in reference to the Easter controversy. 3° This however is doubt- ful enough ; for, it may have been another Baitan. We know, that Smiths^ makes Bishop Baithan, named in the Roman epistle, Baithan of Clonmac- nois. This place belonged to the southern half of Ireland, according to Dr. Lanigan, and none of the southern prelates or clergy were concerned in thePaschalcorrespondence. NeitherwasBaithanofClonmacnoisabishop,
so early as 640. We know, furthermore, from Cummian, that the Abbot or Bishop of Clonmacnois declared in favour of the Roman computation, at
the synod of Maghlene. 3=^ If the present St. Baithin were the person indi- cated, it is plain, that he must have lived until a. d. 640, and probably to a later period. The Rev. Dr. Reeves33 supposes him to have been patron, likewise, of another place. Teghbaithin, in the barony of Frenchpark, and in the diocese of Elphin, as also in the old district of Airteach,34 was not far from the town of Tibohine,35 which is said to have been called after a S—t.
*^ See ibid. , chap, xviii. , pp. 424, 425,
^^9 See Ussher's "Veterum Epistolarum
Hibemicarum Sylloge," epist. ix. , pp. 22, 23.
3° See the Life of St. Diman or Dima Dubh, Bishop of Connor, at the 6th of Jan- uary.
**
3^ In his edition of Venerable Bede's
Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Anglorum,"
lib. xix. ii,, cap.
" Ecclesiastical His-
32 See Dr.
tory of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, xv. , section xi. , and n. 91, pp. 409, 413.
Lanigan's
Additional notes, M. , p. 318, n. (g. )
34 It was commensurate with tlie present parish of Tibohine. See Dr. O' Donovan's
See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , Februarii xix. Among the pretermitted saints, p. 112.
"Annals of the Four Masters," vol.
iii. ,
n.
3 Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xvi,
4 Edited Drs. Todd and Reeves, by
pp.
(z), p. 248. Its position is further shown
on the map prefixed to the "Genealogies,
Tribes and Customs of Hy-Fiachrach. "
35 The parish of Tibohine is represented
52, 53.
s See Harris' Ware, vol. i. . Archbishops
of Armagh, p. 43.
whet—
her the Baithan of this
Baoithin.
" " This district comprised, besides oth—er
tracts, a great part of the King's County. " Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical History of
Ireland," vol. i. , cap. vi. , sect, xi. , n. 112,
p. 304.
*^ in reference to this object, Henri Mar-
cipe lumineux et solaire. "
'S Joceline's or Vita Sexta S. Patricii, cap. tin writes " Mais il a fort 4 croire que Ixxiii. , calls him " Rufus. " See
: y
les Scotts n'avaient point apporte avec eux
ce dieu, qui est une divinite cosmogonique et scientifique bien plutot, qu' heroique. Croniy la courbe generatrice du cercle, I'eter- nel, pere du temps, qui apparait entour^
Foylge
ibid. ^ p. 91. However, in the whole of this
account, we may well conclude, that many fabulous incidents have crept into the narra- tive.
Munster,
year 451,
les pays Celtiques et Scandinaves," chap, vii. , sect, i. , p. 275.
'3 Dr. Lanigan thinks, however, "that
this second Failge was brought on the stage, in compliment to some illustrious families of
the Hyfalgian line, and to wipe off the shame of their —being descended from a
bigoted tyrant. " "Ecclesiastical History
of Ireland," vol. i. , cap. vi. , sect, ix. , n.
113, p. 304.
'* The Third Patrick Life of St.
makes the wicked Foilge progentitor of the other
Foilgi. See Colgan s cap. lix. , p. 2$.
'*
Trias Thaumaturga,"
February 19. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 633
such a purpose, he resolved on arresting the progress of the Christian Reli-
gion, by effecting the destruction of its greatest promoter. However, Provi- dence frustrated his purpose, although it does not seem, that St. Patrick had
any suspicion of the threatened danger. Yet, his charioteer, Odhran, had
some prevision of the consequences likely to ensue.
'^
In most accounts, it
is said, that having had previous intimation of this design, Odran concealed
his knowledge concerning it from St. Patrick, whom he induced to occupy
the driver's seat in the chariot, whilst Odran himself should have some short
timeforrest. '7 TheholyApostlemostreadilyassented. Heunsuspectingly
relinquished his place, and assumed the reins, in order to gratify his servant's
wish. They had passed from Birr, and were traveUing along an ancient
road, which bore in an eastern direction, north of the Slieve Bloom moun-
tains, where their enemy lay in wait. Failge met the travellers on their
journey. Rushing against Odran, whom he mistook for St. Patrick, the furious chief transfixed him, with a stroke of his lance. Horrified at the
sight thus presented, the Apostle was about to pronounce a malediction on the murderer, when the dying Odran prayed it should rather descend on a
veryhightree,thatgrewonanadjoininghill,calledBrig-damh. Yet,forhis Satanic perfidy, the murderer was struck dead immediately afterwards ; and as a just punishment for his grievous crime, his soul was buried in hell, while angels were seen bearing that of Odhran to heaven, where he joined the array of purple-robed martyrs. St. Patrick furthermore announced, that the poste- rity of that wicked Foilge should wane, and lose power, in the principality ; while, Foilge Ros and his posterity should rule therein, which prediction was fulfilled. In an old Biburgensian Manuscript Life of St. Patrick, we are told, that when the soul of Foilge, for his wickedness, had been carried away to hell, the devil took possession of his living body, and dwelt in it, until St. Patrick came to the house of that cruel chief. It is stated, the Irish Apostle asked one of the servants for his master, and that he was told Foilge was within. " Call him to me," said Patrick. But, the servant returned, and told the Apostle in great sorrow, that he only found the dry bones of his
master. Then said Patrick :
*'
From the time, when Foilge butchered my
charioteer before me, he was buried in hell, but the devil came to possess his
body, so that while his soul was consigned to perdition, his body was also
dishonoured by demoniac influences. "'^ Attempts have been made to
identify the place, where this martyrdom occurred. Afterwards, it received
the name, Desart-Odran of Hy-Failge ; yet, this local denomination appears to have died out of popular recollection, notwithstanding the celebrity of the
^^ "
See Dr. Lanigan's Ecclesiastical His-
tory of Ireland," vol. i. , chap, vi. , sect, xi. ,
p. 302.
^^ This pious contrivance of Odran is not
mentioned in St. Patrick's Third Life ; but,
it is there said, that Failge butchered Odran,
before his master and in the chariot. See
close of this little volume, is however worth
transcribing. "The second tale, Foilge ; or the Possessed, is a veritable Irish tradition. It is the earliest account that the author has been able to trace, of that belief, which still prevails in many parts of the world, viz. , of an evil spirit entering into the body of a dead man, and making tha—t dead man appear as
a it be if he were still living belief, may
remarked, very different from that which
"
S. Patricii, cap. lix. , p. 25.
Colgan's '^
teresting
prevails
Scripture that is, living men, into whose bodies an evil spirit had entered. Foilge as
Trias Thaumaurga. '' VitaTertia William 13ernard MacCabe, in his in-
little work, entitled,
"
AGrand-
s to the demoniacs described in a—
father's Story Book," has recorded this in-
cident of Odran's death, under the heading,
"
P'oilge ; or the Possessed," pp. 91 to 128.
It need scarcely be remarked, that as the
tale was chiefly written for juveniles, its
writer rather intends to give a dramatic, than
a historic interest, to his imaginative nar-
rative. The following note, towards the vians. " Seep. 211.
portrayed in the Irish legend, {Act. Sanct. Feb. , vol. iii. , pp. 131, 132) was the same in most respects as the modern vampire ; in some particulars like to the malignant dead described in the Sagas of the Scandina-
634 LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [February19.
transaction, which shoiiM be likely to preserve a recollection of it. On the road, between Frankfort ;ind Roscrea, is the little village of Killyon ;^9 and about two miles from the latter village, is yet shown the place, where Foilge attemptedthelifeofSi. Patrick. ^° Odran'snameoccurs,insomeforeignMar- tyrologies; yet, his festival has been assigned to distinct days, from the
^'^
present date. Thus, the 8th of May,
2nd and the 27th of October^3 have been conjecturally mentioned, in con-
nexion with it, by various Martyrologists. About, or soon after, the middle of the fifth century, this martyrdom of Odran is considered to have occiirred.
Yet, we find Dempster^^ absurdly placing this saint's death at a. d. 509, or ten years later ; while, he further has the presumption to state, that the relics of
Odran were preserved at Glascow, and transferred to Ireland, after the lapse of some ages. Again, it is asserted he wrote a certain book. '^s This saint is
honoured as a martyr, chiefly on the 19th of February ; but, in certain places, asweareinformed,onthe27thofOctober. ^^ Somechurcheswereformerly
dedicatedtohim,inthecountryaboutBirr,andintheOrmonds. ^7 Yet,we have no further means for ascertaining their whereabouts. Killurin,='^ in the
parish of Killoghey,^^ and barony of Ballyboy, King's County, was probably calledfromSt. Odhan. Itisprobable,thatmanyofthosecircumstancesre- lated, as connected with St. Odran's death, are unreliable ; although, we take it for granted, that this saint must have lost his life, for liis attachment to the Christian faith, and while faithfully serving his illustrious master.
Article II. —St. Baoithin or Baetin, Bishop, of Taech Baoithin,
OR Taghboyne, County Westmeath. [Sixth Century. ^ What a striking example do not the conduct and lives of the first Christians present to us ! Were their actions more closely followed, there would not be so much sin in the world ; and, the nearer our lives resemble theirs, so much in proportion shall our love for what is good increase. The holy Baoithin or Boetin was one of Ireland's best sons. Our great hagiographer has collected some notices, regarding him ;^ while the Bollandists leave him, on this day, with
*9 This village is sho-\vn on the "Ord- nance Survey Townland Maps for the King's County," Sheet 36. On Sheet 35, are shown the ruins of its old church or monas-
tery.
'° A moat, covered with hawthorn, points
about one mile and a half from Leap Castle, the romantic residence of Mr. Darby. The latter is shown on Sheet 39.
This information, I have obtained from Mr.
Elwood, Dublin, who formerly resided near
the locality.
=3 According to the Martyrologium Su- bense in Bavaria, Florarius, Hermann Greuen, Ferrarius and Dempster. Likewise
the Irish Martyrologists have a St. Odran, at this date, but he is thought, by most
writers, to differ from this holy martyr,
'^ See *' Historia Ecclesistica Gentis
Scotorum," tomus ii. , lib. xiv. , num. 986. ^s Said to have been inscribed with the
"
title, De Veritate Catholica," lib. i. See
iduL "^
It is generally thought, however, that he was a different Odran.
=7 Letter of Dr. llenehan, previously
out the
spot,
** Acta Sanctorum Hiber- mx," xix. Februarii. De S. Odrano Mar-
^' See
Colgan's
tyre, ex variis, n. 17, p. 372. Also the quoted. " =^
I'. ollandists' Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , Killurin old ruined church, with some Februarii xix. De S. Odrano Martyre curious ancient entrenchments near it, is
Auriga S. Patricii in Hibernia, num. I, p.
131.
" This seems to be a mistake of Father
shown on the
"
Ordnance Survey Townland
Henry Fitz-Simon, in his Calendar of the 16, 23, 24, 25, 31, 32. See idic/. It be-
Irisli Saints, for the 27th of October. Yet he calls this St. Oran a bishop, and quotes
the English Martyrology, as an authority.
See idit/. Also, O'Sullevan Bcare's " His-
toria2 Catholicse Ibernias Compendium," Sanctorum Hibernice," xix. Febniarii. Dc tomus i. , lib. iv. , cap. xii. , p. 56. S. Baitheno, Episcopo, pp. 369, 370.
the 27th of September," as also the
Maps for the King's County," Sheet 24. =9This parish is described on Sheets 15,
longs to the diocese of Meath. See Sir
Charles Cootes'
'*
Statistical Survey of the
King's County," chap, xix. , sect. 5, p. 198. Article ii. —'See Colgan's "Acta
February 19. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 635
somebrieferremarks. ^ IntheIrishlangiu^;e,wefindthisholyman'sname variedly written, Baoithin, Baetin, Baithen, Baithin, Baoithine, Boethan,
Boetin and Baothan ; while, it is Laiinized, Baithinus, Baithenus, Baitheneus, Boelhinus and Boethanus. His Acts were thought to have been extant, in Colgan's time ; and this inference he drew, from the Irish Life of the illus- trious St. Columkille. 3 In the "Feilire" of St. ^ngus,4 at the 19th of Feb-
he was a bishop, and son to Cuana, and that his place was Tech Baoithin, eitherinAirteachofConnaught,''^orinthewestofMidhe. TeachBaoithin in Midhe is identical with the present Tegh Boyne or Teboyen, in the barony of Rathconrath, and county of Westmeath. The genealogy of this holy man is thus traced. ^5 His father was Cuanach, son of Connmag, also called ^ngus, son to Enna Finn, son to Niall the Great. '^ According to
" On the Mothers of the Irish Saints," the mother of St. Baoithen is called Caomhnat, of Dal Buachalla, of the Ullta. ^7 Yet, dis- tinguished as he was by family descent, his virtues caused him to be still more celebrated. From early youth, Baithin's piety was remarkable, while his proficiency in studies and learning was very admirable ; so that, in due
St. Boethin is commemorated. s In like the of manner, Martyrology
ruary,
Tallagh,^ and the Calendar of Cashel,7 at this same date, enter Baithin, son of Cuanach, Bishop.
Marianus O'Gorman has a like entry. In an ancient Martyrology, belonging to the Cathedral Church of the Most Holy Trinity, Dublin,^ and by Cathald Maguire,9 this holy Confessor's feast is entered, at the xi. of the March Kalends, corresponding with the present day. '° We find, too, that under the head of Teach Baithin," Duald Mac Firbis enters, Baothin, Bishop, at February the 19th. " Besides, the O'Clerys have an entry of St. Baoithin's festival, at the 19th of February. ^3 They state, that
the Tract of St.
^ngus,
= See "Acta Sanctorum," tomusiii. , Feb- ruarii xix. Among the pretermitted saints, p. 121.
3 Chapters 220 and 246. See "Acta Sanctorum Hibernise," xix. Februarii. De S. Baitheno Episcopo, and nn. 3, 9, p. 369.
waite and Dr. Todd, Introduction, pp. Iv. , Ivi. The Commentator adds, that there are
three Tigh-Boethins, viz. , Tigh-Boethin in Meath, Tigh-Boethin in Tirconnell, and Tigh-Boethin in Airtech, near Cruachan of Connaught, in the west. There were like- wise four Boethins, viz. , the son of Brennan,
4 The following extract, from the "Leab-
liarBreac"copy,withtheEnglishtranslatio—n, thesonofFindach,thesonofAlia,theson
has been supplied by Professor O'Looney
A. x\i, kt. still tTo tAc La pAi]^ pAuLi, pAi|' mA]\cibb innro buA'OAch ;
of Cuanach.
9 This writer identifies him with Teagh-
baithin, in Westmeath.
"
Hennessy's note,
"boechme ino'jx inAinech, niAC CAir>X)elcA CuAnAch.
Commemorate, thou, with the
passion of Paul,
The passion of Marcellus the
^'^
"
^^
is the identification given in William M.
mind ;^
Of Boethin the great treasure,
Academy," Irish MSS. Series, vol. i. , part i,, pp. 128, 129,
'^ See the "Martyrology of Donegal," Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
52, 53.
'* This identification is likewise repeated,
in the Table, postfixed to this Martyrology. See ibid. , pp. 362, 363.
triumphant
The luminous son of Cuana.
5 There is a gloss, in which he is called
the son of Cuanach, son to Coeim, son of
Enna, of Tigh-Boethin, in the West of Meath.
^ Edited by the Rev, Dr. Kelly, p. xvi.
7 This authority implies a doubt, as to whether the present saint had been vene- rated at Teagh-baithin in Westmeath, or in Airteach.
^ See " Book of Obits and Martyrology of the Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity, Dublin. " Edited by John Clarke Crosth-
'5 According to the
logy," chap, vii, ^° "
"
Sanctilogic Genea-
:
^°
omitted from the prefixed Calendar.
See p, 89. This name, however, is
Tibohine, in the County Roscommon,
^^ "
See Proceedings of the Royal Irish
Yet the Calendar of Cashel," at the
19th of February, makes Enna, the son of Connall Dearg, of the race of the Colla Dacrioch. Cathal Maguire, at the 19th of February, has Baithenus, the son of Cuanach,
son to Gabhren, son of Emia.
^^ According to the
"
Martyrology of
636 LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [February19.
course, few were more distinguished for sanctity and accomplishments. There is a poem extant, attributed to St. Columkille,^^ and in the form of a dialogue between himself and the present saint, who is called Baithine Mor, son of Cuanna. It is on the subject of St. Columba's chief relics, viz. , the GreatCross,theCathachandhisCowl. Itseemsprobable,thatSt. Baithine spent some time with him in Iona. '9 In features and form, it is said, this Baoithen was also characterized for manly grace and beauty, to such a degree, that he surpassed in face and figure, all the bishops, clergy and people, assembled at the great Synod of Drumceat,^^ which he attended a. d. 590. This St. Columba publicly declared. Yet, such wa^ the humility of our
saint, that he asked the Almighty to deprive him of such dangerous gifts. We are told his prayers were heard, and that an ulcer changed his comeliness
so that, in consequence, he was
and ruddy colour, to ugliness and pallor ;
afterwards called Baithen Ban—
"
or
"
word bloodless. " Yet, his merits raised him to the episcopal dignity.
white"
the latter
compound
meaning
thinks, he presided over two different churches : one in Airtech, in Con-
naught, while, the other was at Teagh-Baoith, or Teaghbaoithen,^'' not far
fromthehillofUsneach,inMeath. Heerectedamonasteryatthelatter place,knownnowasTeboyen,inWestmeath. Theearlypartoftheseventh
^^ and from him his
tion, St. Boethen's house or church, was derived. Yet, the edifice there built may have been standing towards the close of the sixth century, as even then our saint was greatly distinguished, which may be judged from foregoing accounts. The old church is on an elevated site, with a very extensive view of the surrounding country. It measures 41 by 16 feet. The venerable gray walls cannot fail to awaken holy reminiscences. A holy well, called Tobar-Boyne, rises adjacent to them. St. Baithene or Boyne is also the patron of Balrathboyne, near Kells, county of Meath. ='3 This old church measures internally 72 feet, by 18 ; but, the walls have been torn down, and the stones removed for building purposes. The church of Ballrathboyne^^ was founded by St. Boethin, near a moat or fort, and hence the name. This is stated to have been the mother church, while Rathboyne was only a chapelry in the parish. Here there is a holy well, as also a hill, called after
"
is the
for its
foundation,
century ""
period assigned
designa-
the patron saint. There is another well, called Tobar na gloire, or
the FountainofGlory. " ThesiteoftheoldchurchisstillpointedoutatBall- rathboyne. It has, however, been pulled down, and uprooted. ^s There is
a Taghboyne, once a parish, but now only a townland, in the parish of Churchtown,^^baronyofRathconrath,='7anddeaneryofMuUingar. There
Donegal," Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 52, 53-
»8
Modern," vol. iii. , chap. Ixxiv. , pp. 603, 604.
="» The parish of Balrathboyne, in the baronies of Upper Kells and Lower Navan, is described on the "Ordnance Survey Town- land Maps for the County of Meath. " Sheets 16, 17, 23, 24. The townland proper and glebe division are marked on the latter sheet.
See his Life, at the 9th of June.
'9 See Rev. William Reeves' Adamnan's Life of St. Columba. " Additional Notes,
"
M. , pp. 318, 319.
-°
Though at present, there are no local
traditions to help in the identification of the
spot, it was well known in Colgan's time.
See "Trias Thaumaturga," n. 13, p. 204.
However, it is doubtful, if this be the Baoi-
then, who attended at Dromceat, or St.
Baithen, who immediately succeeded St.
Columba in the abbacy at lona, and whose vey Townland Maps for the County of
feast occurs, on the 9th of June.
Westmeath. " Sheets 18, 24, 25. In the two latter sheets, the townland is defined,
^' ** See Archdall's
Monasticon Hibemi-
cum," p. 728.
27 See an account of
in the
•'
Parlia-
"
»3 See "Diocese of Meath, Ancient and
it, mentaryGazetteerofIreland,"vol. i. , p.
393.
ByRev. AnthonyCogan.
^'s See Rev. A. Cogan's "Diocese of Meath, Ancient and Modern," vol. ii. , chap, xvi. , pp. 262, 263.
=" It is described, on the " Ordnance Sur-
Colgan
February 19. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 637
is a holy well there called Tobar-Baoithin, and also a graveyard. ^*^ By cer- tain writers, it is thought, that this saint, among the Irish bishops, and in common with others, had been addressed, in a letter from Rome,^9 written A. D. 640, in reference to the Easter controversy. 3° This however is doubt- ful enough ; for, it may have been another Baitan. We know, that Smiths^ makes Bishop Baithan, named in the Roman epistle, Baithan of Clonmac- nois. This place belonged to the southern half of Ireland, according to Dr. Lanigan, and none of the southern prelates or clergy were concerned in thePaschalcorrespondence. NeitherwasBaithanofClonmacnoisabishop,
so early as 640. We know, furthermore, from Cummian, that the Abbot or Bishop of Clonmacnois declared in favour of the Roman computation, at
the synod of Maghlene. 3=^ If the present St. Baithin were the person indi- cated, it is plain, that he must have lived until a. d. 640, and probably to a later period. The Rev. Dr. Reeves33 supposes him to have been patron, likewise, of another place. Teghbaithin, in the barony of Frenchpark, and in the diocese of Elphin, as also in the old district of Airteach,34 was not far from the town of Tibohine,35 which is said to have been called after a S—t.
*^ See ibid. , chap, xviii. , pp. 424, 425,
^^9 See Ussher's "Veterum Epistolarum
Hibemicarum Sylloge," epist. ix. , pp. 22, 23.
3° See the Life of St. Diman or Dima Dubh, Bishop of Connor, at the 6th of Jan- uary.
**
3^ In his edition of Venerable Bede's
Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Anglorum,"
lib. xix. ii,, cap.
" Ecclesiastical His-
32 See Dr.
tory of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, xv. , section xi. , and n. 91, pp. 409, 413.
Lanigan's
Additional notes, M. , p. 318, n. (g. )
34 It was commensurate with tlie present parish of Tibohine. See Dr. O' Donovan's
See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , Februarii xix. Among the pretermitted saints, p. 112.
"Annals of the Four Masters," vol.
iii. ,
n.
3 Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xvi,
4 Edited Drs. Todd and Reeves, by
pp.
(z), p. 248. Its position is further shown
on the map prefixed to the "Genealogies,
Tribes and Customs of Hy-Fiachrach. "
35 The parish of Tibohine is represented
52, 53.
s See Harris' Ware, vol. i. . Archbishops
of Armagh, p. 43.
whet—
her the Baithan of this
Baoithin.
