No More Learning

47 See the ground-plan and another beauti-
ful illustration of the ruins, in Rev. Mackenzie
—"
43 " Call it not vain — do not
tion, from Pennant's engraving, may be seen ""
E. C. Walcott's 328, 529.
"
Scoti-Monasticon," pp.
they err,
2*92 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February 4
mained, a few years subsequently, when Francis Grose had come to sketch and describe the old abbey. -^^ From several appearances in the ruins now remaining, there is reason to believe, that there had been buildings, at Dry- burgh, of the ancient foundation, when the new works were erected in the twelfth century. 49 Fragments of a more ancient style of architecture are found, intermixed with those of King David's age. 5° Modan gave six or seven hours every day to prayer. s^ Moreover, he seasoned with it all his other actions and employments. ^^ In these good works, he is said to have beenemulated,byhisbrotherMedan. ss Wherethelatterlived,wearenot informed. Prayer is founded in the purity of man's affections. It is also the fruit of self-denial, humility and obedience. Hence, proceeded the ardour, with which Modan studied to crucify his flesh and senses, by practi- sing the greatest austerities. He wished to place himself beneath all crea- tures, by the most profound and sincere humility ;54 and, in all things, he desired to subject his will to that of his superiors, with such an astonishing readiness and cheerfulness, that these directors unanimously declared, they never saw any one, like Modan, so perfectly divested of all self-seeking and so deadtohimselfss InthemonasteryatDryburgh,thisholydisciplededicated himselftoGod,abouttheyear522,accordingtoCamerarius. s^ This,how- ever,istooearlyadate. IntheChronicleofScone57aresomedistinctiveno- tices, regarding this saint. He is classed among those, belonging to the Bene- dictineorder,byJohnWilsons^andbyArnoldWion. s9 Yet,FatherJohn Boland very justly remarks, that if he lived, in the beginning of the sixth century,*^° such could not have been the case, since at that early period, the Benedictine institute had not been extended beyond Italy f^ whereas, if he flourished, about 800, the matter might be less doubtful, for Boland thinks, at the latter period, the Benedictine rule and manner of living had been widely spread throughout Britain. ^^^ But, Hector Boetius^3 and Lesley^'* aver, that Medan and Modan were brothers, who became monks, and who were remarkable for their sanctity and learning. They flourished, it is said, during the reign of King Achaius,^5 and this brings them so late as the ninth
'''^ See'* p. 108.
Antiquities
ofScotland,"vol. i. ,
s*See"DeStatuHominis,veterissimul ac novae Ecclesije, et Infidelium Conver- sione," lib. i. , pars ii. , cap. iii. , sec. 2, p.
142.
s? There is a beautiful illustration of the
Market Cross and Palace Gate at Scone, in
Rev. Mackenzie E. G. Walcott's " Scoti*
Monasticon," p. 19.
'
assert.
*' For proof of this assertion, the reader
''5 This opinion seems to be confirmed from the fact, that there was a sacristy or chapel and an ahar, dedicated to St. Modan. See Rev. Mackenzie E. C. Walcott's "Scoti-
Monasticon," p. 329, ""
5" See Grose's Antiquities of Scotland, vol. i. , p. 163.
58
S9 in "Lignum Vitae. " ^° As Hector Boetius,
5' See Camerarius, "De Statu Hominis,
veteris simul acnovee
Conversione," lib, i. , pars ii. , cap. iii,, sec. 2, p. 142.
Ecclesiae,
et Infidelium
John Lesley, Thomas Dempster and David Camerarius
s^" See Rev. Alban Butler's " Lives of the
Fathers, Martyrs and other Principal may consult Mabillon's "Annales Ordinis
Saints," vol. ii,, February iv.
s-* See Camerarius, "De Statu Hominis, veteris simul ac novee Ecclesiaj, et Infidelium
Conversione," lib. i. , pars ii,, cap. iii. , sec. 2, p. 142.
55 See Rev. Alban Butler's " Lives of the
Fathers, Martyrs and other Principal Saints," vol. ii. , February iv.
S. Benedicti," tomus i.
^* See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Feb*
ruarii iv. De S. Modano, Abbate in Scotia,
sec. 7, p. 497.
^^ See "Scotorum Hystorite," lib. viii. ,
fol. clvii.
^* See "Historia Scotise," lib. v. , p, 178. *s He died a,d. 819. See Johannis de
Fordun, "Chronica Gentis Scotorum," edited by William F. Skene, lib. iii. , cap. liii. , p. 138.
" Historia Ecclesiastica
sj See
Gentis Scotorum," tomus ii. , lib. xii. , num. 844, p, 450.
Dempster's
In the English Martyrology.
February 4. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
^^^
century ; for, the latter is said to have lived contemporaneously with the
Emperor Charlemagne, who was his ally. ^^ The abbacy of Dryburgh falling vacant,Modanwasraised,againsthiswill,tothatdignity. Itissaid,hewas thereverencedandmostreligiousfatherofmanymonks. ^7 intakingthis charge, his conduct was a clear proof, establishing the well-known maxim, that no man possesses the art of governing others well, unless he is perfectly a master over himself. ^^ From the hearts of many sons of iniquity, he cast
away anger, by his patience ; he extinguished envy, by love ; he prostrated pride, before humility ; he overcame sloth, by diligence in watching and prayer. Thus, he subdued every vice by its opposite virtue. His inflexible
firmness, in maintaining every point of monastic discipline, was tempered by the most winning sweetness and charity, and by an unalterable calmness and meekness. ^s» He wrought many wonderful miracles. Subduing his lower nature, St. Modan was content with bread and water, and he only took for nutriment herbs and water from the spring. He did not use wine or flesh. Thus, appeasing his hunger and thirst, his body was made a mirror of reli- gion ; while, frugal and sparing in food, his life was a model, in the ways of truth, virtue, and holiness. The name Modanus is said to have been be- stowed on him, because he hated all evil customs. 7° His habits were so
angelic, that what he lacked in heavenly grace he obtained by his prayers. 7^
Such, moreover, was his prudence, and such the unction of his words, when
instructing or reproving others, that his labours were most successful ; his
precepts and his very reprimands gave pleasure, and gained all hearts. His
presence inspired love, and communicated the spirit of every duty. He
tamed the external senses of sight and of hearing, which have been termed
the windows of death, and he closed these windows, with the bolts of Divine
fear and love. He never experienced irregular motions to sin ; for, by
chastity, he banished sensuality. He imbued with his doctrine the whole
Scotic race, who lived on the west side of the River Forth, or near the Scottish
sea. The people about Falkirk especially were converted to the inviolate
faith of Jesus Christ. ? ^ Dempster makes this saint the writer of various
tracts, only one of which remained,73 after the wreck of time ; however,
Father John Boland is sceptical regarding his statement, on which even he
throws discredit. 74 Although, St. Modan is called a bishop, by Dempster;
yet, we are told, that his place is unknown, and that, through the lapse of
time, many other statements are doubtful regarding him. 75 St. Modan
preached the word of life, with great zeal, and with no less fruit, in the country
7'5 His career was illustrious for the wonders he At wrought.
about
various places, near the River Forth, and especially at Falkirk, he carried
Sterling.
^ See Hector Boetius, " Scotorum Hys- toriae," lib. x. , fol. cxc. et seq.
Scottish Saints," p. 401.
73 it is called " De Episcopi Officio," lib.
—"
*^ See the Breviary of Aberdeen. of St. Modan, lect. i.
^^
Historia Ecclesiastica Geiitis Scoto- rum," tomus ii. , lib. xii. , num. 869, p. 459. 74 gee "Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Feb-
ruarii iv. , sect. 8, pp. 497, 498.
75 Thus some will have it, that he lived
A. D. 535, while others state, that he flour- ished a. d. 803. P'or notices regarding him and his brotlier Medan, Dempster quotes
Uion's "Lignum VitJe," lib, ii. , p. cdxxi. , "
See Rev. Alban Butler's "Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs and other Principal Saints," vol. ii. , February iv.
'^ See Camerarius, " De Statu Hominis, veteris simul ac novae Ecclesiae, et Infidelium
Conversione," lib. i. , pars ii. , cap. iii. , sec. 2, p. 142.
Office iii.
7° His office says, "quasi Modos odiens and lib. iii. , p. ccccxxi. See Hisioria
vanos, seu Motus vacuos, vel Mores angelicos habens," lect. iv.
7^ See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Feb-
ruarii iv. , p. 498.
7^ See Bishop Forbes' " Kalendars of
Ecclesiastica Gentis Scotorum," tomus ii. ,
lib. xii. , num. 844, p. 450, and num. 869,
p. 459.
7" See Bishop Challoner's "Britannia
Sancta," part i. , p. 107.
/52
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February 4.
on missionary work. His disciples usually accompanied him.
''7 Though his mind was still active and ready to preach, the Blessed Modan was at last worn down, by his excessive labours, and through study for his own and for the salvation of others. At last, he became so exhausted, that he could scarcely walk. 7^ He frequently interrupted his apostolic employments, notwith- standing,toretireamongthecraggymountains,nearDunbarton. 79 There, he usually spent, in great austerity, thirty or forty days, at once, while his soul was enraptured, by the heavenly exercises of devout contemplation, and in reading the Holy Scriptures. ^° In these occupations, he enjoyed a kind of anticipation or foretaste of those delights, in which consists the happiness of the blessed. ^' His retirement, we are told, was at a secret place, near the ocean of Scotia, not far from Dunbarton and Lochgarloch. ^^ Here, he wascompletelyseparatedfromman. Highmountainssurroundedhim,on every side. After many wonderful miracles, he fell asleep in the Lord, and in that place, where the parochial church of Rosneth now stands. In a chapel of the cemetery there, his sacred relics were for a long time preserved and greatly venerated. There, too, a parochial church stood, and it was
dedicated to his honour. ^3 The place, called Rosneath, is said to have been
"
derived from the Celtic Rosneveth, which means the promontory of the
"
It is a promontory in Dumbartonshire, formed by the Gareloch and Loch
sanctuary. " ^^ Sometimes, it was called simply Neveth,
Long. Fromthissaint,theplaceprobablyacquiredanearlycharacterfor
^^ It to have had the most intimate connexion seems, likewise,
sanctity. "
withhismemoryinScotland. Thesaint'sdeathisplaced,bycertainwriters, in the seventh century ; although, others think he flourished at a later period. ^7 it is said,^^ that the name of St. Modan was formerly celebrated atBrechin,^9acelebratedepiscopalseeintheprovinceofAngus. Brechin was the seat of ecclesiastical institutions, at an early date. 9° Among the few architectural relics there left, the Culdees of Brechin built one of those re- markable " round towers," which serve to perpetuate the memory and the
Irish origin of that church, which gave them birth. Q'' It is stated,^^ that
77 Among these, named by Hector Boetius,
as preaching the Gospel, through the lands
of Scots and Picts, during the reign of King
Conran, are, Colman, Priscus, Medan, ^s See Origines Parochiales Scotise," Modan and Euchinus. See " Scotorum
Hystoriae," lib. viii,, fol. clvii. Whether
these preached in conjunction or otherwise does not appear.
*'
Scottish Saints, p. 402.
'^7 See Rev. Alban Butler's "Lives of
the Fathers, Martyrs and other Principal Saints," vol. ii. , February iv,
7^ See Bishop Forbes'
Kalendars of the
Scottish Saints," p. 401. 79Thisplaceissaidtohavebeencalled
^^ByDempster. See"HistoriaEccle- Alcluid, being a fortress on the River siastica Gentis Scotorum," tomus ii. , lib.
Cluid. Afterwards, it was called Dun- xii. , num. 869, p. 459.
britton.
^° See Camerarius, "De Statu Hominis, veteris simul ac novae Ecclesise, et Infidelium
Conversione," lib. i. , pars ii. , cap. iii. , sec. 2, p. 142.
^^ See a very interesting account of this place, in Rev. Mackenzie E. C. Walcott's
^'
5° See
ensis cui accedunt Cartae quamplurimfe Ori-
parti. , p. 28.
'^^
"
Scoti-Monasticon," pp. 1 17 to 125.
Registrum Episcopatus Brechin-
See Rev. Alban Butler's "Lives of ginales," I. Registrum, vol. i. , preface, p.
the Fathers, Martyrs and other Principal Saints," vol. ii. , February iv.
^^ See its beauties described, in the " Im- perial Gazetteer of Scotland," vol. i. , pp. 702, 703.
^3 See Bishop Forbes' "Kalendars of Scottish Saints," pp. 401, 402.
iv. This work is one of the Bannatyne Club publications, edited by the brothers Chalmars of Aldbar, and C. Innes, and printed at Aberdeen, 1856, 4to.
91 Several very beautiful illustrations of the round tower, cathedral and other subjects of interest, in connexion with Brechin, are
the Sanctuary. " ^5
^* See Dr. Petrie's "Round Towers and
Ecclesiastical Architecture of Ireland," part
i. , sect, iii. , p. 57. "
See Bishop Forbes' "Kalendars of
*'
February 4. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 295
Kenneth Mac Malcolm 53 bestowed the great city of Brechin on the Lord. 9* The following places, in Scotland, seem to have been called after St. Modan. Kilmadan, in Argyleshire, known anciently as Glenduisk and Glendaruell,
variously styled Kilmoden, Kilmodden, Kilmiiddane and Kilvowan. QS In addition, Balmhaodan, the old name of Ardchattan. Here are the ruins of an ancient church and the saint's well. 9^ St. Modan's Church, at Faulawe, isnoted,inthedeaneryofLothian. 97 Again,Falkirk,whichwastheancient Eglais Breac, or Varia Capella. To our saint was particularly built and dedicated the High Church of Sterling. Finally, perhaps St. Modan's Chapel, at Freswick, may be referred to this saint. s^ In Ireland, it seems doubtful, if we had any church erected, in honour of this St. Modan ; and, that his name has been omitted from our national calendars, at this date, does not necessarily disprove, that our island may have been the country of his birth, although Scotland received the greatest benefits from his life and
labours.
Article III. —St. Lomman, of Lough Gill, County of Sligo. [Sixth Century. '] The whole efforts of a monastic race, who tenanted the various cells and religious houses in Ireland, even during ages of European
barbarism, prove, that our early ecclesiastics were worthy representatives of a missionary people. They were destined to bear aloft the lights of Faith and of Learning, amid the turbulence of political strife and discord. St. Loman was the son of Dalian, son to Bressail, son to Manius, son of Eochaid, son of Domnhail, son to Imchad, son of Colla Dacrioch. ' To this latter race he belonged. "* He was bom, probably, in the earlier part of the sixth century, when Ireland so much abounded in holy men, and in learned teachers. We find him mentioned, in the Martyrology of Tallagh,3 at the 4th of February, asLomman. Here,thisnameisunited,withthatofanothersaint,Colman, Tamlachta Gluidh. This, however, is clearly a peculiarity, or a mistake of entry, on the part of a scribe. '^ We cannot learn, that the Acts of this holy manhavebeenpreserved; but,fromtheLifeofSt. Farannan,5wearein- formed,thathelived,towardsthecloseofthesixthcentury. IntheMartyr- ology of Donegal,^ is set down as having a festival, on this day, Lom. man, of Loch Gile, between Cairbre7 and Breifne. ^ The locaUty, in question, is the beautiful Lough Gill, lying between the counties of Sligo and of Leitrim, but
distributed throughout the volume, pre- viously quoted.
9=^ In an ancient chronicle.
93 He is thought to have reigned, about the end of the tenth century.
^ There appears to have been no other connexion, between St. Lomman and St. Colman, but the fad, that both their festi- vals occur on the same day.
s This will be found, at the 15th of Feb- ruary.
94 See Innes'
95 See "
part ii. , p; 55, and
of " vol. iv. , Scotland,
is comprised in the modem
" Origines
" Scoti-Monasticon," p. 138.
Critical Essay," p. 788.
^ Edited 38, 39.
^ This
territory
barony of Carbury, in the northern part of Sligo county. Its name was derived from
Cairbre, son to Niall of the Nine Hostages,
who was chief of this territory in St. Pa- 98 See Bishop Forbes' "Kalendars of trick's lime. See "The Topographical
"
Scotise,"
Parochiales
Old Statistical Survey
by
Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
pp. 337, 342.
9^ See " New Statistical Survey of Scot-
land. " Argyle, p. 498.
97 See Rev. Mackenzie E. C. Walcott's
Scottish Saints," p. 402.
Article hi. -—' According to the "Ge-
nealogies of the Irish Saints," chap. 18. ='* ^
See the Martyrology of iJonegal," edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 38,
39.
3 Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xiv.
This territory, formerly of considerable extent and importance, comprised the pre- sent counties of Leitrim and Cavan. See
ibid. ^ p. xxxvi. , n. 260.
Poems of John CDubhagain and Giolla na Naomh O'Huidhrin," edited by Dr. O'Dono- van, p. xxxviii. , n. 278.
296 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS, [February 4.
chiefly within bounds of the former county. Probably, on one of its islands, our saint had erected his hermitage, about, or a little after, the middle of the sixth age. We find this samt had been a contemporary, with the renowned St. Columkille. He assisted, at the great Synod of Dromceat,9 which ac- cording to some writers was held, about the year 580,'° while others defer it, toA. D. 590. " Here,oursainthadthesingularhonourandhappiness,no
Old Church, on Cottage or Gallagher's Island, Lough Gill.
doubt,towelcomethegreatApostleofCaledonia; but,itmaybe,thattheir acquamtance and friendship had not then been made for the first time. When the traveller takes his departure for Lough Gill, by boat, from the upper bridge at Sfigo," and ascends the river, widening while he advances, scenes of surpassing loveliness begin to open on his view, as he gazes in admiration on either shore. On the northern bank are the spreading forest trees of Hazlewood Demesne,^3 fringing, on that side, the water's edge; while, on the southern bank, the magnificent plantations of Cleaveragh Demesne^4spreadalonginmazesandmassesofvariedsylvanbeauty. Afew small wooded islands, here and there, speck the broad expanse of this noble river. At length, our boat shoots out by a jutting promontory, closing
9 The place, where this convention was held, is said, by O'Mahony, to be now called Daisy Hill, near the River Roe, not far from Newtown Limavaddy, county of Londonderry. The Rev. John Keys O'Doherty, however, identifies Dromceat, with Enagh Hill, in a series of interesting chapters, lately published, in The London- deny Journal, April 24th, 26th and 28th,
1876.
'° "
'3 This is shown in the parish of Calry, and barony of Carbury, on " The Ordnance
Maps for the County of
See Colgan's
Survey
Sligo. " Sheets 14, 15.
Acta Sanctorum Hiber- nise," XV. Februarii. Vita S. Farannani, Confessoris, ex Hibernico versa, cap. vii. ,
"See
of Ireland," book ii. , part i. , chap, i. , n. 56, p. 446.
" The town of Sligo, situated within the parishes of St. John's and Calry, in the barony of Carbury, is depicted on " The Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the County of Sligo. " Sheet 14.
*' This is shown in the parish of St.
John's, barony of Carbury, on "The Ord-
nance Survey Townland Maps ^for the O'Mahony's Keating's "History County of Sligo. " Sheets 14, 15.
"""^i o 33. PP 337, 339-
Townland
February 4.