No More Learning

" There is a gloss to the Feilire Aenguis, at the l6th of September, in which this place is called Cluain-Conaiie-Tomain.
" A description and history of Cloncurry by Patrick O'KeefTe may be seen in "Letters containing Information relative to the Anti- quiliesofthe County of Kildare, collected during the Progress of the Ordnance Survey in 1837," vol. i. , Letter dated Edenderry, October 30th, 1837.
!
See Goidilica,' p. 104.
'7 See Rev. John Francis Shearman's " Loca Patriciana," No. x. , p. 248, n. I, and p. 249, n. 1.
l8 By John of Fordun and others, it is stated, that he died in the time when Theo- dosius Junior was Emperor. See " Chro- nica Gentis Scotorum," lib. hi. , cap. ix. , p. 95, William Skene's edition.
^See William Nimmo's "History of
Stirlingshire," vol. i. , chap, xxi. , p. 376. 20See "Relationum Historicarum de
Rebus Anglicis," tomus i. Aetas Quinta, num. 33. De Niniano, p. 87.
13 Thus —runs the Irish comment, on x. , chap, i. , p. 23.
Moenend: " Cluana Claire i "The Rev. Mackenzie E. C. Walcott espcop
ttuaiscert Ua f Faelain, in marjg. man. rcc. writes
Mo-nenn ,i. id est Ninnianus episco/ms story of cathedral churches, with its frag-
Candidae Casae. " It is thus rendered into
English, "bLhop of Cluain Conairi, in the
northern part of Hui Faelain. My Nenn,
:
ment of an eastern arm, a solitary south-
west Norman doorway, and two canopied monumental recesses on the north side, one
i. e. Ninnian, bishop of Whithern. "—Dr. of which is attributed to the tomb of St.
Whitley Stokes' pp. 178, 179.
"
Felire Hui Gormain,"
Ninian, connecting it with the similar posi- tion of St. David's Shrine, and so, perhaps, with an old British traditionary custom, observed also in Wales. "—" Scoti-Monas- ticon," p. 228.
14
this work, at the 17th of March, Art. i.
'5 His feast occurs at the 12th October.
See his Life in the Third Volume of
"
2I
See Le Comte de Montalembert's Les Moines d' Occident," tome iii. , liv.
'• Wiiheme closes the melancholy
September 16. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 40:
buried in the Church of the Blessed Martin, which he had built from the
2 foundations, and his body was placed in a stone sarcophagus, near the altar. 3
While giving vent to sighs and tears, the clergy and people present at his obsequies sang those solemn and celestial. Hymns, which are so impressive and mournful in the Office for the Dead.
In after times, the faithful in large numbers resorted to his tomb, when innumerable miracles were wrought, in favour of the sick and infirm. Some of the most remarkable are related by Ailred. A poor deformed son had caused great grief to his parents, as his limbs were twisted awry. Knowing the power of the most Blessed Ninian, and full of faith, they brought their wretched offspring before the sacred relics. With floods of tears, and pouring forth prayers to the hour of vespers, they left their infirm child before the tomb, and returned to their home. But, in the silence of the midnight-hour, appeared a form, clothed in episcopal robes, and shining with celestial light. It approached, and touched the head of the miserable creature, telling him to arise, to be restored, and to give thanks to God, his Saviour. On departure, as if awaking from a deep slumber, the boy by an easy motion found his limbs naturally placed, and having recovered their full use, he returned safe and sound to his home. Afterwards, he became wholly devoted to the Church and to ecclesiastical discipline. He received tonsure, was ordained a priest, and ended life in the service of his father. 2* A poor man, named Adefridus, had his body covered with an extraordinary scab, that spread over his skin and members, so that the courses of his veins and arteries were closed, and nothing but death seemed to await him. Full of faith, however, in the merits of St. Ninian, he approached the tomb in prayer and great compunction of heart. Nor did he cease these petitions, until the pity of the saint and the power of Christ were manifested. In a few days, he was restored to his former health. A girl, named Deisuit, was afflicted with pains in her eyes, that resulted in a total loss of sight. The skill of phy- sicians was tried in vain to restore it. Full of faith in the merits of St. Ninian, she asked to be led before his tomb, and praying there, darkness was taken away and light was restored. To the great joy of her parents, she returned home, and guided solely by her own eye-sight. Moreover, two lepers, who had pious trust in the saint's intercession, came to a fountain dedicated to him, and bathing in it, they returned quite healed to their friends. Althoughclosinghisbookwiththeforegoingincident,Ailredstates, that the miracles of St. Ninian did not cease to shine even to the time of writing his Life.
Under the head of Cluain-Conaire25 Tomain, Duald Mac Firbis enters
Maoinen, bishop in Cluain-Conaire Tomain, in the north of Faolin. 26 The 2
present saint is mentioned, also, in the Martyrology of Donegal, ? at the same date, as Maoineann, bishop of Cluain-Conaire, in the north of Ui Faelain. That Cluain-Conaire or Cloncurry is a place of great antiquity is established from the fact of its being mentioned in the annals of the Four Masters, at
23 However, "An old Irish account men- tions, that he spent his last years in Ireland, where he founded a church in Leinster called Cluain Conaire ; he was afterwards commemorated there under the name of Monenn
"
obsequiis vitam finivit. " The allusion here is probably to his father and patron, St. Ninian.
ss Now Cloncurry.
26 See " Proceedings of the Royal Irish
(Nenn being simply the Irish mo, or my, prefixed). "
i. ,
Encyclo- psedia Britannica," vol. xvii. , p. 513.
ioo, ioi,
i? Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
2< Ailred states it thus : "in ipsius patris
248, 249.
' —Ninian' with
Irish MSS. Series, vol. i. , Academy," part
pp.
Xc
402
LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [September16.
a. d. 28
586, 778,
An Abbot and Anchorite of this died place
29 and
a. d. 869. 31 Cluain-Conaire seems to have been plundered in 1171, during a
212, 213.
29 See ibid. , pp. 384, 385-
30 This year there was a great kingly
meeting at Cluain-Conaire-Tomain, be- 1 ween Niall Caille, monarch of Ireland, and Feidhlimidhf son of Crimthann. See ibid. , pp. 456 to 459.
v See ibid. , pp. 514, 515.
32 See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. ii. , pp. 1 186, 1187.
33 See " Parliamentary Gazetteer of Ire-
clarent miraculorum choruscatione vt non solum ilium ibidem visitantibus prodesse tantum ad sanitatem morborum quantum incolis tociusprouinciead temporalis comodi incrementum sed et de cecorum claudorum et languidorum curationibus legant Scoto- rum Anglorum Yberniencium Niniani deuoti cultores quantum illis in partibus
vol. i. ,
34 See Sir James Ware's "De Hibernia et
Antiquitatibus ejus, Disquisitiones," cap. xxvi. , p. 147.
43 Thus : "In Pichalandia Niniani
illius Apostoli et Candida; Casae episcopi, cujus vita tota miraculorum scena est, et sepulchrum Britannorum Hirlandorumque
land,"
p. 430,
gentis
nicum," p. 314.
36 See Bishop Forbes' " Kalendars of
Scottish Saints," p. 387. See, also, pp. 421 to 425 for St. Ninian.
—Bishop Forbes' Saints," p. 211.
837. 3°
37 Thus: "Et in Hibernia Natale Sanc-
et Sacerdotum Lasren copi et Confessoris. "
torum Confessorum — — Monein et Lasren. " Ibid. , p.
Epis- Martyrologium
38 Thus 39 —
fessoris. "
40 Thus : "S. Niniani
"Niniaui
Thus: "Niniani Episcopi
61.
et Con- deenand
:
Epi. "
Ibid, p. , 75.
48 See
Banff," p. 320. ibid. , p. 579.
lee. "
41 Thus: "Niniani Epi. Conf. ma -6 meo
tin -oe mry. "
—42 Thus: "Decimo Sexto Kl\ Octobris.
In Scocia Sancti Niniani et episcopi
confessoris sepultus apud cathedrale ceno-
Banff," vol. iii. , p. 389.
24. Ibid. , p.
138. ShiresofAber-
Epi.
d.
f. ix.
49 John Leslie,the historian, became parson of Oyne in 1559. Afterwards he was bishop of K oss. He lived from a. d. 1526 to a. d.
"
1596. See Francis H. Groome's Ordnance
Gazetteer of Scotland," vol. v. , pp. 146, 147.
50 See " of Aberdeen and Antiquities
Cornelius Mac Gelan, of Kildare, bishop
incursion. 32 In
and who had a great reputation for learning, died, and was buried in that church. 33 A Carmelite Friary, under the invocation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, was founded here a. d. 1347,34 by John Roche, and by licence from King Edward III. In 1405, however, the friary and village were burned by the Irish septs. In the 35th year of King Henry VIII.
, this friary and its appurtenances were suppressed, on the 18th of January. 35 In Ireland, how- ever, we do not find any commemorations of Ninian, as so called, either here or elsewhere.
This saint was especially venerated in Scotland. 36 It is a noteworthy circumstance that while the Kalendar of Drummond altogether omits the name ofNinianatthe16thofSeptember,itenterstheIrishMonein. 37 Ninianis
8
in the Kalendarium de Culenros,3 the Kalendar de Nova Farina,39 the Kalen-
darium de Arbuthnott,40 the Kalendarium Breviarii Aberdonensis. 41 At the 1 6th of September, the Martyrology of Aberdeen commemorates St. Ninian. *2 Thomas Dempster, in his Menologium Scoticum, has notice of him, at the same date. 43 However, Camerarius44 and the Scottish Calendar^ place his festivalatthe18thofthismonth. IntheRomanMartyrologythefeastof
St. Ninian is set down at the 16th of September. 40
The fame of St. Ninian's or Ringan's name has been embalmed in the
many churches, chapels, parishes, and localities, that had been dedicated to him throughout Scotland. Special veneration was given to St. Ninian, at Andat, in Methlick, Aberdeenshire. 4? Also, at Pitmedden, in Oyne,48 a parish in Garioch district,40 and at Fetterneir. 5° At Aberdeen was St.
28 Dr. O'Donovan's edition, vol. i. , pp. bium Candidecase. Cuius reliquie tanta
predatory
1223,
35 See Archdall's "Monasticon Hiber- peregrinationibus frequentissimum. M. L. "
profuit e—t indies ad salutem prodesse non "
desinet. " Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland," vol. ii. , p. 268.
44
See ibid. , p. 240.
45 See ibid. , p. 255.
46 "
Thus —
"
Kalendars of Scottish
:
Romanum,"editio novissima, 47 See " Collections on the
In Scotia Sancti Niniani "
p.
September 16. I LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
403
Ninian'sChapelofCastleHill. 51 TherewasanAltarage52 ofSt. Ninianin St. Nicholas, Aberdeen. S3 One of the scanty remains of pre-Reformation religious art is a fresco on the wall of St. Congan's Church54 at Turriff,55 where a figure of St. Ninian has been displayed. 56 The Lands of St. Ninian are mentioned as having been in Kintyre,57 Argyleshire. In the Island of Sanda is a memorial of St. Ninian. 58 In the Island of Mull is Kilninian. 50
Previous to the Reformation, the Castle of Dundonald, in Ayrshire, had a
chapel, chapel
;
60 which
62 are now discoverable. In the
St. Ninian's Hospital, called Kilcaiss, in Ayrshire.
66
Ayr- Kildonan,65 Kilsanctniniane is in
'
s See Chalmers'
vol.
64 See Chalmers'
book ii. , chap, vii. , p. 315, n. (1).
"Caledonia," book ii. , chap, vii. , p. 315, n. (1).
i. ,
"Caledonia,'
vol.
the of St. Ninian 6x but no remains of that
Ardmillan. 6? Kincase68 or 60- in the Kingscase Hospital,
of was Ayr,
memory
preserved
shire, in the village of Colmonell,6* there is a Kil St. Ninian. 64
vicinity
dedicated to St. Ninian, and it is probable the celebrated well adjacent ; as
also the united parishes of Prestwick? and Monkton. 71
to be a separate rectory down to the ReformationJ2
where a chapel to him formerly stood, is in Banffshire. 73
in Rathven74 and Bellie? 5 were dedicated to this saint. On Runa-Ringan, rendered Ninian's Point, in Rothsay Parish, Bute, stood a chapel dedicated to this saint, and there is also St. Ninian's Bay, lying opposite the Island of Inchmarnock. ? 6 At the Head of Wick, a large coast-parish and a royal
8
burgh,77 in Caithness^ St. Ninian was celebrated. 70
In Kirkintilloch,
52 An emolument for priests arising from
oblations of the faithful, and destined for
altar-services. See Du Cange's " Glossa-
rium ad Scriptores Mediae et Infimse chap, iv. , sect, viii. , p. 411, n. (i). Latinitatis," tomus i. , sub verbis, Altagium,
Altalagium, Altaragium, Alteragium, Alte- lagium," cols. 347, 348, 349.
53 See " New Statistical Account of Aberdeen," p. 329.
67 Retours, Ayr, p. 352.
68 See " New Statistical Account of Scot-
54 St. Comgan or Congan is supposed to
have flourished in the latter halt of the
seventh century, and the old parish church
of Turriff, in the north-west of Aberdeen-
shire, is thought to have been built by principal door of the present Presbyterian Malcolm Ceannmor, 1058-93.
55 For an account of this town and parish
see Francis H. Groome's •' Ordnance
Gazetteer of Scotland," vol. vi. , pp. 455 to
457-
s6 See the " Book of Deer," p. cxlii.
57 See Retours, Argyle, pp. 21, 93.
58 See "Origines Parochiales Scotiae," part ii. , p. 9.
59 See Chalmers' "Caledonia," vol. i. , book ii. , chap, vii. , p. 315, n. (1).
60 See the "New Statistical Account of Scotland," vol. v. Ayrshire, Parish of Dun- donald, p. 676.
church, is supposed to be not less than 700 or 800 years old.
61 See Chalmers' "
vol.
77 Both are well described in Francis H.
Groome's " Ordnance Gazetteer of Scot-
land," vol. vi. , pp. 48710491.
78 See "New Statistical Account of Scot-
land," vol. xv. Caithness, Parish of Wick,
Caledonia," chap, iv. , p. 411, n. (i).
iii. ,
62 It had an endowment annexed, and the
patronage was vested in the prince.
63 See an account of it in Francis H.
Groome's"OrdnanceGazetteerofScotland,"
vol. 280. i. , p.
p.
160. 79See "
coast-parish
of
Carrick,
South
The latter continued St. Ninian's cemetery, The chapel of Enzie
65 See "Origines Parochiales Scotise,' pars ii. , p. 737.
66 See Chalmers' "Caledonia," vol. iii.
land," vol. v. Ayrshire, pp. 75 and 173. 69 This is said to have been . a charitable institution, endowed by King Robert Bruce. 70 In 1 163, Prestwick church was dedi- cated to St. Nicholas, and Monkton church
to St. Cuthbert.
71 A Saxon arch, over what was once the
72 See " New Statistical Account of Scot-
land," vol. v. Ayrshire, pp. 169 to 178.
73 See Chalmers' "Caledonia," vol. i. ,
book ii. , chap, vii. , p. 315, n. (1).
74 See Jervise's "Epitaphs and Inscrip-
tions in the North-East of Scotland," p. 277.
75 "
See Antiquities of Aberdeen and
Banff," vol, ii. , p. 267.
76 See " New Statistical Account of Scot-
land," 96.
vol. v.
Bute,
Parish of
Rothsay, p.
Origines pars ii. , p. 772.
Parochiales
Scotiae,"
404 LIVES 01 THE IRISH SAINTS. [September 16
Dumbarton, there was a commemoration of St. Ninian,8° There was
;m Altarage in the Parish Church of Dumfries, to honour St. Ninian. 81
* 82
There was also an Altarage of St. Ninian attached to St. Giles. 8* Bridge-End, Leith, had association with St. Ninian. 8* St. Ninian's Lands were at
In Edinburgh, St. Ninian's Chapel, was near the Leper Hospital.
86
1097.
It stretches from the immediate vicinity
Lindsays," WSce D. Miller's "Arbroath and its
Arbroath*Priory, Scotland.
Among
cliffs and caves, east of the harbour of Ar- broath,93 where a fine ruined Abbey may be seen,94 is St. Ninian's
Hench. 95 Sometimes i—t is called St. N—inian's Croft. 96 The ancient
8
abbey of Aberbrothoc97 now Arbroath9 was founded by William the
Lion, King of Scotland in 1178, and it was dedicated to Saints
80" 88 See Registrum Episcopatus Glasg.