" '* '°
See O'Sullevan Beare's Historiae Ca- tholicte Iberniae Compendium," tomus i.
See O'Sullevan Beare's Historiae Ca- tholicte Iberniae Compendium," tomus i.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v2
xcviii.
, p.
167.
367.
*" See ibid,, n. 133, p. 188.
7 Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xvi.
" Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
52, 53.
9 See Dr. O'Donovan's edition, vol. i. ,
andn. — (r), pp. 292, 293.
Duobus Sanctis Ossanis, pp. 366, 367, with notes.
Chapter iii.
3 Colgan thinl« he is the same, as Aedh
Coel, or " the lean," son of Feradach, and
"
Article xi.
• It was by no means an unusual custom
to have more than one, bearing the same name, in old Irish families. They were generally distinguished, however, by some
cognomen.
s Book i. It is to be regretted, so many of
our Hagiographical Tracts are yet in MSS.
Article xviii.
Sanctorum Hiberniae," xvii. Februarii. De
" tothe According
Sanctilogic Genealogy,
'
Aedhan, Dartaighe, at the same date, in this work,
chapter iii.
3 See Drs. Todd's and Reeves' " Martyr-
ology of Donegal," pp. 52, 53.
Article xix. —' See " Acta Sanctorum
Hibei-uice," xvii. Februarii. De Tribus
See Colgan's "Acta
noted in the
the 12th of February ; and who, as Marianus adds, was venerated in Cluain Dartadha. See also a notice of St of Cluain
Martyrology of Tallagh," at
February 17. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 609
''
told, that according to the
whose pious father, Aidus Senior, was a saint, and the latter was son of Aidus, son to Lugad, son of David, son of Fiachrach. Thus he belonged to the race of Hy-Fiachrach. His feast has been assigned to the 17th of
7 February.
Article XX. —St. Miodhu, Son of Fachtna. On the 17th of Feb-
ruary, we find entered, in the Martyrology of Tallagh,^ Midu, son of Fachtna, o Shgid. It would seem, that the place of this saint's residence must be
sought for near Sligo. The Martyrology of Donegalj^* on this day, records, Miodhu, son of Fachtna. 3 This was possibly the St. Medanus, son of Fechina,
mentioned by Colgan, as having studied, when a youth,^ under Petrocus, the Briton.
ArticleXXI. —St. Dochonna,SonofOdhran. Dochonna,sonof Odhran, is mentioned in the Martyrologies of Tallagh^ and of Donegal,=^ on
this
day.
Article XXII. —St. Brelach, Son of Fithcheallach. We read in
the Martyrologies of Tallagh^ and of Donegal,^ as having a festival, on this day, Brelach, son of Fithcheallach. It has been conjectured, that the present
saint might possibly be identified with a Brochlecha, from Carbry, who assisted at the great Council of Ballysadare, about a. d. 580. 3 The latter ap- pears, however, to have been a female saint.
ArticleXXIII. —St. Fedcellaigh. ThenameofFedcellaigh,with-
out further designation, occurs in the Martyrology of Tallagh,^ at the 17th of
February. A query or note of interrogation is appended to the name, as if it were entered through some mistake of a copyist.
Article XXIV. —St. Roibne, Bishop. According to the Martyrology of Donegal,^ St. Roibne, as Bishop, was venerated, on this day.
Article XXV. —St. Gobnat, of Ballybooly. It seems doubtful, if this saint be identical with St. Gobnat,^ Patroness of Ballyvourney, or if she be a distinct St. Gobnat, connected with a place, called Ballybooly. ^
^
ix.
7 See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
nipe," iii. Februarii. Appendix ad Acta S.
Article xxi. —^ Edited Rev. Dr. by
Kelly, p. xvi.
^ Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
Chapter
Colmani, cap. ii,,—p. 248. 52, 53. ^^
Article xx. Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xvi.
Article xxii. — Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xvi.
^ Edited
^ Edited 52, 53-
"Acta Sanctorum Hiber- nise," xv. Februarii,—n. 41, p. 340.
by
Drs. Todd and
by
Drs. Todd and Reeves,
pp.
Reeves, pp.
at this word Fachtna, "The more recent hand adds,
52, 53-
3 In a note Dr. Todd
Menologic Genealogy,"^ there was a St. Aidus,
3 See
'M. Taml. addit. juxta Sligeach. ' 'The Article xxiiL ^Edited by Rev. Dr.
M. Taml, adds near Sligo,' [oc Stipt). ]" Colgan thinks it possible this Fachtna may
Kelly, p. xv. — ARTICLE XXIV.
^
have been the father of a
who as-
Edited by Drs. Todd Reeves, pp. 52, 53.
Mifrisius,
sisted at the great Synod of Dromceat, A. D. 580. See "Acta Sanctorum Hibernia;,"
and —
Article xxv.
nth of February.
ipeb. 17.
XV.
Februarii,
n.
^ jj^ ^. -q. Irish
MS. ,
10, 129a,
34, p. 339. '• "
See Colgan's Acta Sanctorum Hiber- nise," xii. Martii. Vita S. Dagani, cap. iv. , p. 585, and nn. 11, 12, 13, p. 586.
says
Colgan's
^ See her
classed H. I.
there is an entry to this effect : ^obnA-o o bAile boile 1 ino|\ in An'oe|'ce|\c ei\enn,
Life,
at the
2R
.
Pars Hyemalis, fo). Iv. , at Feb. 17. 7 See his Life, at the 31st of August.
6io LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[February i 7.
Article XXVI. —St. Finan, Bishop of Lindisfarne, England.
\Sei! enth Century? ^ This very holy man is said to have sprung from the race of the Scots, and to have been of a noble family. He was so devoted to study, without admonition on the part of his teachers, and he so strove to makehimselflearned,thathegavepromiseoffuturehighpromotion. ^ The Acts of this distinguished Missionary Bishop have been given already, at the 9th day of January. A St. Finanus is mentioned at the 17th of February, in the Anonymous Catalogue of Irish Saints, published by O'Sullevan Beare. Again, in the list of Henry Fitzsimons, at the same date, we find Finianus, Abbot, for which he quotes the authority of Floratius. ^* The Bollandists give, in a historic commentary of two sections and 15 paragraphs, the Acts of St. Finan,3 Bishop of Lindisfarne, at this day. ^ Colgan has entered, likewise, abriefnoticeregardinghim. s TheAberdeenBreviarystates,^thattheyear after the child-bearing of the Virgin, 650, Finan was a man of venerable life, a bishop of great sanctity, an eloquent teacher of the infidel races, remark- able for his training in virtue and" for his liberal education. The people declared with one consent, that this man of God was worthy of the episco- pate,andtheyfrequentlypredictedwhathisfutureshouldbe. Hesurpassed all his equals, in every manner of learning and knowledge, as well as in circumspection and prudence. He chiefly gave himself up to good works, and exhibited a most apt example of virtue. He was most obedient to his superiors, a very slave to his equals, and the lowly companion of those who were beneath him. Despising all other delights of the world, Finan occupied himself, above all things, by imbuing his mind with the Divine law, and in the practice of Divine contemplation. With all patience, humility and sub- jection, he betook himself to teachers and holy men, well instructed in the Christian Faith ; what he learned from them, he committed to memory, and commended to others in his preaching. On the death of Aidan,? the clergy and people held a meeting and unanimously elected St. Finnanus, who was of the name and race of the Scoti, to be Bishop of Lindisfern. ^ This he is said to have obtained, a. d. 651. 9 He is called, the Apostle of the Mercians, or Middle Angles, by the author of the English Martyrology. This authority assigns his death, to about the year 660. *° Our native Martyrologists insert his feast at the 9th of January ; but, Herman Greuen, and certain Scotch authorities enter his festival, at the present date. Thus, we find, that St. Finnan, Bishop and Confessor, is placed by Camerarius, among his Scottish Saints. " Other writers of Scotland class him with her saints, and this is quite correct ; for, if his birth be referable to Ireland, his missionary labours were connected with Scotland, as also with England. The Kalendar and the Aberdeen Breviary enter St. Finnanus, Bishop and Confessor, at the xiii.
Article xxvi. —* See Lessons in the
"Aberdeen Breviary," cj\ioted in Bishop "
Forbes' Kalendars of Scottish Saints," p.
348.
" '* '°
See O'Sullevan Beare's Historiae Ca- tholicte Iberniae Compendium," tomus i. , lib. iv. , cap. xi. , p. 49, and cap. xii. , p. 54.
3 See Symeon Dunelm, p. 27.
^ See "Acta Sanctorum," Februarii xvii. , tomus iii. De S. Fmano Episcopo Lindis- farnensi in Anglia, pp. 21 to 23.
5 See "Acta Sanctorum Hibernije," xvii.
Februarii. De S. Finano Episcopo Lindis-
506, p. 275.
See, likewise, the newly published and
most researchful work of William F, Skene,
which most ably investigates the early eth- nological condition of northern Britain, "Celtic Scotland: a History of Ancient Alban," vol. i. , book i. , chap, v. , p. 258. At the present date, Colman is made to succeed St. Finan.
" See " De Statu Hominis veteris simul ac novse Ecclesias, et Infidelium Conver- sione," lib. i. , pars ii. , cap. iii. , sect. 2, p. 149.
farnensi, p. 357. ^
" See **
of Aberdeen. "
» See Dempster's " Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Scotorum," tomus i. , lib. vi. , num.
Breviary
February 17. ] LIVES OB THE IRISH SAINTS. 611
KalendsofMarch. Hehadanofficeofninelessons. " Wefind,also,that in his Kalendar, at the 17th of February, Adam King enters the Feast of St. " Finnane bischop of Northumberland and confess, in Scotland vnder king ferguharde'3 ye 2. "^* Bishop Forbes has some interesting biographical par- ticulars, regarding this holy man, in his work. '5 We know not, on what authority, Dempster^^ states Finnanus to have been at first a disciple of
"
hardumRegem;"^7 but,probablyhehadonlyhisownfertilebraintoguide
Nennius, and that he wrote a book, intituled,
Salutaria Monita ad Fergu-
assertion. '9 aswehavealreadyseen,areassignedforthedeathofthisholybishop in-
correctly said by Dempster^° to have retired from episcopal functions before
it occurred. ^^ He over Lindisfarne for ten We are further presided years. *'
informed, that before the Reformation, his festival and relics had been honoured by a great concourse of people in England, and to the place where he formerly resided.
Article XXVII. —St. Dachonna or Machonna. In the Life of St. Attracta, Colgan^ treats about a certain St. Dochonna or Mochonna. ' It is said the Irish Calendars notice this holy person, at the 17th of February. There, however, Colgan omits all mention of such a saint. To this patron, a church had been dedicated, in the diocese of Clonfert,3 and not far removed from Kilconnell. '^ The Bollandists have also some passing allusion to this saint. 5 Marianus O'Gorman is said to have a notice of a Dachonna, son to Oran, and the compilers of the Tallagh Martyrology note a Dachonna, son to Odrain, at the 6th of September^ and at the i6th of November. 7
in forwardsucha
him,^^ putting groundless
different — Very dates,
"2
See Bishop Forbes' "Kalendars of Scottish Saints," p. 1 12.
'3 King Ferchaid II,, son to Ferchard I. , is said to have commenced his reign a. d. 646, and to have ruled fourteen years in per- fect tranquillity. See William Guthrie's
"General History of Scotland," vol. i. , book ii. , p. 123.
** See Bishop Forbes' "Kalendars of Scottish Saints," p. 144.
cipal King at Arms. A new edition, by See Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis John Caley, Esq. , F. S. A. , Henry Ellis,
'5 See ibid,, pp. 348, 349. '^ "
Scotorum," tomus i. , lib. vi. , num. 506, p. 274. He also states, that Finnanus was a
disciple of the Abbot Segene.
^^
LL. B. , F. R. S. , and the Rev. Bulkeley Bandinel, M. A. ," vol. i. , Lindisfarn. pp. 219,220. —^ "
Article xxvii. See Acta Sancto-
rum Hiberniae," ix. Februarii. Vita S. At«
tractae Virginis, cap. vii. , p. 279.
"^ On the variations of the name Dachonna.
'7 See ibid. ,
p. 275.
Ferchard II. is stigmatized as a monster
of impurity and tyranny ; he is said to have
been excommunicated by St. Colman, and
to have died a miserable death. See William See ibid. , xiii. Januarii. De S. Connano
Guthrie's "General History of Scotland,"
vol. i,, book ii. , p. 123.
"
Acta Sanctorum Hiber- niae," Februarii xvii. De S. Finano Epis-
copo Lisdisfarnensi, n. i, p. 357. ^° "
Episop. Mannise, n. i, p. 60.
3 The parish, which was the nucleus of
this diocese, in the barony of Longford, is shown on the " Ordnance Survey Townlaud
Maps for the County of Galway. " Sheets 88, 100, loi, 108, 109.
4 The parish of Kilconnell, in the barony of the same name, is defined, ibid. Sheets
73, 74, 86, 87.
s See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , Feb-
ruarii xvii. Among the pretermitted saints, P- 3-
*•
See what is said at this date.
7 The reader is referred to notices of St.
Mochonna, at this day.
'9 See Colgan's
See Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Scotorum," tomus i. , lib. vi. , num. 506, p.
275. *^
Seethe Bollandists' "Acta Sanctorum,"
tomus iii. , Februarii xvii. De S. Finano
Episcopo Lindislarnensi, in Anglia, sect, ii. ,
a His-
tory of the Abbies, and other Monasteries, Hospitals, Frieries and Cathedral and Col-
num.
15, p. 23. ^'^ ''
See Monasticon Anglicanum :
legiate Churches, with their Dependencies, in England and Wales : also of such Scotch,
Irish, and French Monasteries, as w^ere in any manner connected with Religious Houses
in England. Together with a particular account of their respective Foundations, Grants, and Donations, and a full statement
of their Possessions, as well temporal as spiritual, originally published in Latin by
Sir William Dugdale, Knight, Garter prin-
612 LIVESOPTHEIRISHSAINTS, [Februaryi7.
Article XXVIII. —Reputed Festival of a St. Ronan, Bishop of
THE Scots. \Fifth and Sixth Ce? ituries. '\ In his history, Dempster^ asserts, that a St. Ronan, a bishop of the Scots, lived a. d. 603, and that his festival was held on this day. ^ He is also called a Roman Priest of Cantia. 3 Demp- ster states, that the present Ronan must be distinguished from that monk, called Ronan, or Roman, who so strenuously defended the Roman Paschal observance,'^ in that Synod, convened at Streaneshalch,5 a. d. 664. ^ It is quite evident, Dempster confounds the latter person, supposed to be distinct, with the former, a real historic character. 7 Hence, the Bollandists have only a doubtful record of his festival, at the 17th of February,^
Article XXIX. —St. Silvin, reputed to be an Irish Bishop, at
Alciac, or Auchy, in Belgium. [Seventh and Eighth Centuries^ By many writers, it has been remarked, that in past ages no less than in later times, Ireland seems to have been indifferent to the fame of her illustrious children, who have served and blessed other countries, by their presence and labours. Desirous to remove some part of this reproach, we should not be willing to omit any record, that might tend to recover even a possible appro- piation of fading renown. Thus, St. Silvin, Bishop of Alciac, or Auchy, in Belgium, is said, in an unpublished life, to have been a Scotus, by which term we may consider him an Irishman. His feast occurs on this day,^ in several Calendars. In the city of Rheims, in France, Federicus Flouetus"* had seen a Manuscript Life of St. Silvinus, in which it was asserted, that the present holy man was a Scot by birth. 3 Nor have we any very strong reason to doubt, that such was the case ; for, not only are the names of Sillan-^ or Silvans purely Celtic, but, in the time of this saint, many Irishmen were accustomed to emigrate and to settle in different parts of France. Yet, we have a different account, regarding the place of his birth,^ in a Life of St. Silvin, at first said to have been written by a bishop, called Antenor,7 and afterwards considerably amended, and apparently altered, by some anony- mous writer. He was engaged on this task, by request of an abbess, named
Article xxviii. —' See **Historia Ec-
clesiastica Gentis Scotorum," tomus ii. , lib.
xvi. , num. 1038, p. 552.
= As we are told, according to a Scottish
Breviary.
3 Now Kent.
* See " Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Sco-
torum,"tomusii. , lib.
*" See ibid,, n. 133, p. 188.
7 Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xvi.
" Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
52, 53.
9 See Dr. O'Donovan's edition, vol. i. ,
andn. — (r), pp. 292, 293.
Duobus Sanctis Ossanis, pp. 366, 367, with notes.
Chapter iii.
3 Colgan thinl« he is the same, as Aedh
Coel, or " the lean," son of Feradach, and
"
Article xi.
• It was by no means an unusual custom
to have more than one, bearing the same name, in old Irish families. They were generally distinguished, however, by some
cognomen.
s Book i. It is to be regretted, so many of
our Hagiographical Tracts are yet in MSS.
Article xviii.
Sanctorum Hiberniae," xvii. Februarii. De
" tothe According
Sanctilogic Genealogy,
'
Aedhan, Dartaighe, at the same date, in this work,
chapter iii.
3 See Drs. Todd's and Reeves' " Martyr-
ology of Donegal," pp. 52, 53.
Article xix. —' See " Acta Sanctorum
Hibei-uice," xvii. Februarii. De Tribus
See Colgan's "Acta
noted in the
the 12th of February ; and who, as Marianus adds, was venerated in Cluain Dartadha. See also a notice of St of Cluain
Martyrology of Tallagh," at
February 17. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 609
''
told, that according to the
whose pious father, Aidus Senior, was a saint, and the latter was son of Aidus, son to Lugad, son of David, son of Fiachrach. Thus he belonged to the race of Hy-Fiachrach. His feast has been assigned to the 17th of
7 February.
Article XX. —St. Miodhu, Son of Fachtna. On the 17th of Feb-
ruary, we find entered, in the Martyrology of Tallagh,^ Midu, son of Fachtna, o Shgid. It would seem, that the place of this saint's residence must be
sought for near Sligo. The Martyrology of Donegalj^* on this day, records, Miodhu, son of Fachtna. 3 This was possibly the St. Medanus, son of Fechina,
mentioned by Colgan, as having studied, when a youth,^ under Petrocus, the Briton.
ArticleXXI. —St. Dochonna,SonofOdhran. Dochonna,sonof Odhran, is mentioned in the Martyrologies of Tallagh^ and of Donegal,=^ on
this
day.
Article XXII. —St. Brelach, Son of Fithcheallach. We read in
the Martyrologies of Tallagh^ and of Donegal,^ as having a festival, on this day, Brelach, son of Fithcheallach. It has been conjectured, that the present
saint might possibly be identified with a Brochlecha, from Carbry, who assisted at the great Council of Ballysadare, about a. d. 580. 3 The latter ap- pears, however, to have been a female saint.
ArticleXXIII. —St. Fedcellaigh. ThenameofFedcellaigh,with-
out further designation, occurs in the Martyrology of Tallagh,^ at the 17th of
February. A query or note of interrogation is appended to the name, as if it were entered through some mistake of a copyist.
Article XXIV. —St. Roibne, Bishop. According to the Martyrology of Donegal,^ St. Roibne, as Bishop, was venerated, on this day.
Article XXV. —St. Gobnat, of Ballybooly. It seems doubtful, if this saint be identical with St. Gobnat,^ Patroness of Ballyvourney, or if she be a distinct St. Gobnat, connected with a place, called Ballybooly. ^
^
ix.
7 See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
nipe," iii. Februarii. Appendix ad Acta S.
Article xxi. —^ Edited Rev. Dr. by
Kelly, p. xvi.
^ Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
Chapter
Colmani, cap. ii,,—p. 248. 52, 53. ^^
Article xx. Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xvi.
Article xxii. — Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xvi.
^ Edited
^ Edited 52, 53-
"Acta Sanctorum Hiber- nise," xv. Februarii,—n. 41, p. 340.
by
Drs. Todd and
by
Drs. Todd and Reeves,
pp.
Reeves, pp.
at this word Fachtna, "The more recent hand adds,
52, 53-
3 In a note Dr. Todd
Menologic Genealogy,"^ there was a St. Aidus,
3 See
'M. Taml. addit. juxta Sligeach. ' 'The Article xxiiL ^Edited by Rev. Dr.
M. Taml, adds near Sligo,' [oc Stipt). ]" Colgan thinks it possible this Fachtna may
Kelly, p. xv. — ARTICLE XXIV.
^
have been the father of a
who as-
Edited by Drs. Todd Reeves, pp. 52, 53.
Mifrisius,
sisted at the great Synod of Dromceat, A. D. 580. See "Acta Sanctorum Hibernia;,"
and —
Article xxv.
nth of February.
ipeb. 17.
XV.
Februarii,
n.
^ jj^ ^. -q. Irish
MS. ,
10, 129a,
34, p. 339. '• "
See Colgan's Acta Sanctorum Hiber- nise," xii. Martii. Vita S. Dagani, cap. iv. , p. 585, and nn. 11, 12, 13, p. 586.
says
Colgan's
^ See her
classed H. I.
there is an entry to this effect : ^obnA-o o bAile boile 1 ino|\ in An'oe|'ce|\c ei\enn,
Life,
at the
2R
.
Pars Hyemalis, fo). Iv. , at Feb. 17. 7 See his Life, at the 31st of August.
6io LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[February i 7.
Article XXVI. —St. Finan, Bishop of Lindisfarne, England.
\Sei! enth Century? ^ This very holy man is said to have sprung from the race of the Scots, and to have been of a noble family. He was so devoted to study, without admonition on the part of his teachers, and he so strove to makehimselflearned,thathegavepromiseoffuturehighpromotion. ^ The Acts of this distinguished Missionary Bishop have been given already, at the 9th day of January. A St. Finanus is mentioned at the 17th of February, in the Anonymous Catalogue of Irish Saints, published by O'Sullevan Beare. Again, in the list of Henry Fitzsimons, at the same date, we find Finianus, Abbot, for which he quotes the authority of Floratius. ^* The Bollandists give, in a historic commentary of two sections and 15 paragraphs, the Acts of St. Finan,3 Bishop of Lindisfarne, at this day. ^ Colgan has entered, likewise, abriefnoticeregardinghim. s TheAberdeenBreviarystates,^thattheyear after the child-bearing of the Virgin, 650, Finan was a man of venerable life, a bishop of great sanctity, an eloquent teacher of the infidel races, remark- able for his training in virtue and" for his liberal education. The people declared with one consent, that this man of God was worthy of the episco- pate,andtheyfrequentlypredictedwhathisfutureshouldbe. Hesurpassed all his equals, in every manner of learning and knowledge, as well as in circumspection and prudence. He chiefly gave himself up to good works, and exhibited a most apt example of virtue. He was most obedient to his superiors, a very slave to his equals, and the lowly companion of those who were beneath him. Despising all other delights of the world, Finan occupied himself, above all things, by imbuing his mind with the Divine law, and in the practice of Divine contemplation. With all patience, humility and sub- jection, he betook himself to teachers and holy men, well instructed in the Christian Faith ; what he learned from them, he committed to memory, and commended to others in his preaching. On the death of Aidan,? the clergy and people held a meeting and unanimously elected St. Finnanus, who was of the name and race of the Scoti, to be Bishop of Lindisfern. ^ This he is said to have obtained, a. d. 651. 9 He is called, the Apostle of the Mercians, or Middle Angles, by the author of the English Martyrology. This authority assigns his death, to about the year 660. *° Our native Martyrologists insert his feast at the 9th of January ; but, Herman Greuen, and certain Scotch authorities enter his festival, at the present date. Thus, we find, that St. Finnan, Bishop and Confessor, is placed by Camerarius, among his Scottish Saints. " Other writers of Scotland class him with her saints, and this is quite correct ; for, if his birth be referable to Ireland, his missionary labours were connected with Scotland, as also with England. The Kalendar and the Aberdeen Breviary enter St. Finnanus, Bishop and Confessor, at the xiii.
Article xxvi. —* See Lessons in the
"Aberdeen Breviary," cj\ioted in Bishop "
Forbes' Kalendars of Scottish Saints," p.
348.
" '* '°
See O'Sullevan Beare's Historiae Ca- tholicte Iberniae Compendium," tomus i. , lib. iv. , cap. xi. , p. 49, and cap. xii. , p. 54.
3 See Symeon Dunelm, p. 27.
^ See "Acta Sanctorum," Februarii xvii. , tomus iii. De S. Fmano Episcopo Lindis- farnensi in Anglia, pp. 21 to 23.
5 See "Acta Sanctorum Hibernije," xvii.
Februarii. De S. Finano Episcopo Lindis-
506, p. 275.
See, likewise, the newly published and
most researchful work of William F, Skene,
which most ably investigates the early eth- nological condition of northern Britain, "Celtic Scotland: a History of Ancient Alban," vol. i. , book i. , chap, v. , p. 258. At the present date, Colman is made to succeed St. Finan.
" See " De Statu Hominis veteris simul ac novse Ecclesias, et Infidelium Conver- sione," lib. i. , pars ii. , cap. iii. , sect. 2, p. 149.
farnensi, p. 357. ^
" See **
of Aberdeen. "
» See Dempster's " Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Scotorum," tomus i. , lib. vi. , num.
Breviary
February 17. ] LIVES OB THE IRISH SAINTS. 611
KalendsofMarch. Hehadanofficeofninelessons. " Wefind,also,that in his Kalendar, at the 17th of February, Adam King enters the Feast of St. " Finnane bischop of Northumberland and confess, in Scotland vnder king ferguharde'3 ye 2. "^* Bishop Forbes has some interesting biographical par- ticulars, regarding this holy man, in his work. '5 We know not, on what authority, Dempster^^ states Finnanus to have been at first a disciple of
"
hardumRegem;"^7 but,probablyhehadonlyhisownfertilebraintoguide
Nennius, and that he wrote a book, intituled,
Salutaria Monita ad Fergu-
assertion. '9 aswehavealreadyseen,areassignedforthedeathofthisholybishop in-
correctly said by Dempster^° to have retired from episcopal functions before
it occurred. ^^ He over Lindisfarne for ten We are further presided years. *'
informed, that before the Reformation, his festival and relics had been honoured by a great concourse of people in England, and to the place where he formerly resided.
Article XXVII. —St. Dachonna or Machonna. In the Life of St. Attracta, Colgan^ treats about a certain St. Dochonna or Mochonna. ' It is said the Irish Calendars notice this holy person, at the 17th of February. There, however, Colgan omits all mention of such a saint. To this patron, a church had been dedicated, in the diocese of Clonfert,3 and not far removed from Kilconnell. '^ The Bollandists have also some passing allusion to this saint. 5 Marianus O'Gorman is said to have a notice of a Dachonna, son to Oran, and the compilers of the Tallagh Martyrology note a Dachonna, son to Odrain, at the 6th of September^ and at the i6th of November. 7
in forwardsucha
him,^^ putting groundless
different — Very dates,
"2
See Bishop Forbes' "Kalendars of Scottish Saints," p. 1 12.
'3 King Ferchaid II,, son to Ferchard I. , is said to have commenced his reign a. d. 646, and to have ruled fourteen years in per- fect tranquillity. See William Guthrie's
"General History of Scotland," vol. i. , book ii. , p. 123.
** See Bishop Forbes' "Kalendars of Scottish Saints," p. 144.
cipal King at Arms. A new edition, by See Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis John Caley, Esq. , F. S. A. , Henry Ellis,
'5 See ibid,, pp. 348, 349. '^ "
Scotorum," tomus i. , lib. vi. , num. 506, p. 274. He also states, that Finnanus was a
disciple of the Abbot Segene.
^^
LL. B. , F. R. S. , and the Rev. Bulkeley Bandinel, M. A. ," vol. i. , Lindisfarn. pp. 219,220. —^ "
Article xxvii. See Acta Sancto-
rum Hiberniae," ix. Februarii. Vita S. At«
tractae Virginis, cap. vii. , p. 279.
"^ On the variations of the name Dachonna.
'7 See ibid. ,
p. 275.
Ferchard II. is stigmatized as a monster
of impurity and tyranny ; he is said to have
been excommunicated by St. Colman, and
to have died a miserable death. See William See ibid. , xiii. Januarii. De S. Connano
Guthrie's "General History of Scotland,"
vol. i,, book ii. , p. 123.
"
Acta Sanctorum Hiber- niae," Februarii xvii. De S. Finano Epis-
copo Lisdisfarnensi, n. i, p. 357. ^° "
Episop. Mannise, n. i, p. 60.
3 The parish, which was the nucleus of
this diocese, in the barony of Longford, is shown on the " Ordnance Survey Townlaud
Maps for the County of Galway. " Sheets 88, 100, loi, 108, 109.
4 The parish of Kilconnell, in the barony of the same name, is defined, ibid. Sheets
73, 74, 86, 87.
s See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , Feb-
ruarii xvii. Among the pretermitted saints, P- 3-
*•
See what is said at this date.
7 The reader is referred to notices of St.
Mochonna, at this day.
'9 See Colgan's
See Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Scotorum," tomus i. , lib. vi. , num. 506, p.
275. *^
Seethe Bollandists' "Acta Sanctorum,"
tomus iii. , Februarii xvii. De S. Finano
Episcopo Lindislarnensi, in Anglia, sect, ii. ,
a His-
tory of the Abbies, and other Monasteries, Hospitals, Frieries and Cathedral and Col-
num.
15, p. 23. ^'^ ''
See Monasticon Anglicanum :
legiate Churches, with their Dependencies, in England and Wales : also of such Scotch,
Irish, and French Monasteries, as w^ere in any manner connected with Religious Houses
in England. Together with a particular account of their respective Foundations, Grants, and Donations, and a full statement
of their Possessions, as well temporal as spiritual, originally published in Latin by
Sir William Dugdale, Knight, Garter prin-
612 LIVESOPTHEIRISHSAINTS, [Februaryi7.
Article XXVIII. —Reputed Festival of a St. Ronan, Bishop of
THE Scots. \Fifth and Sixth Ce? ituries. '\ In his history, Dempster^ asserts, that a St. Ronan, a bishop of the Scots, lived a. d. 603, and that his festival was held on this day. ^ He is also called a Roman Priest of Cantia. 3 Demp- ster states, that the present Ronan must be distinguished from that monk, called Ronan, or Roman, who so strenuously defended the Roman Paschal observance,'^ in that Synod, convened at Streaneshalch,5 a. d. 664. ^ It is quite evident, Dempster confounds the latter person, supposed to be distinct, with the former, a real historic character. 7 Hence, the Bollandists have only a doubtful record of his festival, at the 17th of February,^
Article XXIX. —St. Silvin, reputed to be an Irish Bishop, at
Alciac, or Auchy, in Belgium. [Seventh and Eighth Centuries^ By many writers, it has been remarked, that in past ages no less than in later times, Ireland seems to have been indifferent to the fame of her illustrious children, who have served and blessed other countries, by their presence and labours. Desirous to remove some part of this reproach, we should not be willing to omit any record, that might tend to recover even a possible appro- piation of fading renown. Thus, St. Silvin, Bishop of Alciac, or Auchy, in Belgium, is said, in an unpublished life, to have been a Scotus, by which term we may consider him an Irishman. His feast occurs on this day,^ in several Calendars. In the city of Rheims, in France, Federicus Flouetus"* had seen a Manuscript Life of St. Silvinus, in which it was asserted, that the present holy man was a Scot by birth. 3 Nor have we any very strong reason to doubt, that such was the case ; for, not only are the names of Sillan-^ or Silvans purely Celtic, but, in the time of this saint, many Irishmen were accustomed to emigrate and to settle in different parts of France. Yet, we have a different account, regarding the place of his birth,^ in a Life of St. Silvin, at first said to have been written by a bishop, called Antenor,7 and afterwards considerably amended, and apparently altered, by some anony- mous writer. He was engaged on this task, by request of an abbess, named
Article xxviii. —' See **Historia Ec-
clesiastica Gentis Scotorum," tomus ii. , lib.
xvi. , num. 1038, p. 552.
= As we are told, according to a Scottish
Breviary.
3 Now Kent.
* See " Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Sco-
torum,"tomusii. , lib.
