Chapter XXIV: (continued) (3)

[54] Ipse mutus latrat per Albinum (in some MSS. Alpinum) canem grandem et corpulentum, et qui calcibus magis saevire possit quam dentibus; habet enim progeniem Scotticae gentis de Brittanorum vicinia.--_Praef. in Lib._ iii., _Jeremiæ_.

[55] _Epist._ 185, No. 1.

[56] _Carmina._

[57] _Commonitorium._

[58] Propter acrimoniam et facundiam.

[59] "Omni Deum desideranti necessarias."

[60] Tacitus, _Agricola_, c. 24.

[61] It is clear from his own confession that _Britain_ (Brittaniae) was his native country (_patria_); but Britain then included Scotland.

[62] He became familiar with the Irish language, but it was, as he himself implies, at the expense of the vernacular, which in his case was the provincial Latin, a corrupt dialect.

[63] _Legends of St. Patrick_, by Aubrey de Vere.

[64] This is manifest from the _Confession_--Et iterum post paucos annos eram in Britannis cum parentibus meis.

[65] The _Tripartite_ says that "Caelestinus, Abbot of Rome, read Orders over Patrick," and the Scholiast on Fiacc's Hymn, says that Germanus said, "Go to Caelestinus that he may confer Orders upon thee, for he is proper to confer them."--_Stoles' Edition_, vol. ii., 419.

[66] _Tripartite._

[67] What is naturally just comes from the Holy Ghost, as the author of the Natural Law.

[68] Aubrey de Vere, _Legends of St. Patrick_.

[69] _The Legends of St. Patrick_, by Aubrey de Vere.

[70] Almost every member of a family could play on the harp. See Gerald Barry's _Descriptio Kambriæ_, p. 183.

[71] _Book of Armagh._

[72] Tirechan's Collections--"Et secum fuit multitudo episcoporum sanctorum, et presbiterorum, et diaconorum, ac exorcistarum, hostiarium, lectorumque, necnon filiorum quos ordinavit."--_Book of Armagh_, fol. 9.

[73] See _Wasserschleben's_ great collection, published at Leipzig, 1885.

[74] See Todd's _St. Patrick_, p. 457.

[75] See _Wasserschleben_, page 61, Lib. xx., c. 5; _Haddan and Stubbs_, vol. ii., Part ii., page 332.

[76] "Si vero in illa (Cathedra Patricii) cum suis sapientibus facile sanari non poterit causa praedictae negotionis, ad sedem Apostolicam decrevimus esse mittendam, id est, ad Petri Apostoli Cathedram, auctoritatem Romæ Urbis habentem." "Hi sunt qui hoc decreverunt id est, Auxilius, Patricius, Secundinus, Benignus."--See _Stokes_, p. 356, vol. ii.

[77] See Stokes' _Tripartite_, Vol. ii., page 507.

[78] _Tripartite_, page 97.

[79] _Tripartite_, page 75.

[80] Scholiast on _Fiacc's Hymn_.

[81] _Trip._ p. 105, vol. i.

[82] "Libros legis, evangelii libros, et reliquit eos in locis novis." _Book of Armagh_, f. 9.

[83] See "Tirechan's Collections," _Book of Armagh_, fol. 18, _a_2--"Ocus dubbert Patrice cumtach du Fiacc, idon, clocc, ocus menstir, ocus bachall, ocus poolire."

[84] _Trip._ vol. i., page 87.

[85] See Du Cange, _sub voce_.

[86] Benignus succeeded Sechnall as Coadjutor or Auxiliary Bishop.

[87] For instance the Cotton MS. Nero. E. 1, fol. 171; and two in the Bodleian Fell. I., ff. 7_a_-11_b_ and Fell. III., fol. 158-164.

[88] "Nam sermo et loquela mea translata est in linguam alienam, sicut facile potest probari ex saliva scripturae meae."--_Confession._

[89] Patrem habui Calpornum diaconum filium quendam Potiti filii Odissi presbyteri.

[90] Deum verum ignorabam.

[91] The strange phrase--"Repuli sugere mammellas corum"--seems to signify that he rejected the proferred intimate association with them. _Mammella_ was used metaphorically as a term endearment, in classical Latin.

[92] This is the opinion of Skene--_Celtic Scotland_, p 158. vol. i.

[93] See Todd's _St. Patrick_, p. 391.

[94] "Et devastaverunt servos et ancillas domûs patris mei."

[95] The Decurio was under the Empire an official somewhat like a Mayor or Resident Magistrate.

[96] Irish Preface to the Hymn.

[97] It was first published in 1647 by Colgan from the Isidore MS., and then by Ware in his _Opuscula S. Patritii_. It is also published in Stoke's _Tripartite_ in the series of the Master of the Rolls.

[98] For instance:--

"Maximus namque in regno cœlorum vocabitur,
Qui quod verbis docet sacris factis adimplet bonis:
Bono procedit exemplo formamque fidelium,
Mundoque in corde habet ad Deum fiduciam."

[99] See _Krantz Danaiae_ Liber iv., c. 19.

[100] "Hymnus quando Communicarent Sacerdotes."

[101] _Tripartite Life._

[102] We know from St. Paul that no person who has been twice married can be lawfully ordained.--1 Tim. iii. 2.

[103] See _Liber Hymnorum_, vol. ii., page 287.

[104] _Scela_ and _lini_.

[105] The entire passage is as follows:--"Timorem Dei habui ducem itineris mei per Gallias atque Italiam, etiam in insulis quae sunt in mari Tyrrheno--De Saeculo recessistis ad paradisum--Deo Gratias--Æcclesia Scotorum, imo Romanorum, ut Christiani ita et Romani sitis--Ut decantetur vobiscum oportet omni hora orationis vox illa laudabilis, Kyrie eleison, Christe eleison--Omnis æcclesia, quae sequitur me cantet, 'Kyrie eleison, Christe eleison, Deo gratias.'"

[106] In the early ages of the Church a bishop was placed over every town.

[107] "Acta S. Patricii partim Latino, partim Hibernico Sermone."

[108] He says that Colgan's argument furnishes a choice specimen of an undistributed middle term.

[109] Strictly speaking, that building was a collection of cells, each of which was tenanted by three monks.

[110] _Petrie_ p. 161.

[111] See _Life of St. Moling_, and of other saints.

[112] Additional Notes, page 336.

[113] _Vita Brendani_, cap. 14.

[114] Cap. II., De Silentio.

[115] "Cibus sit vilis et vespertinus."

[116] See _I. Eccles. Record_, Jan. 1865.

[117] Regula., cap. 3.

[118] "Votum Monasticum."--_Adamnan._

[119] St. Patrick had, we are told, three maidens who were constantly employed on embroidery work for sacred purposes--one was his own sister, Lupait, another is called Cruimtheris, and the third was King Daire's royal daughter.

"Beneath a pine three vestals sat close veiled:
A song these childless sang of Bethlehem's child,
Low-toned, and worked their altar cloth, a Lamb,
All white, on golden blazon."

Columcille, too, had his own special embroideress for working his vestments and altar cloths. She was called Coca, and has given her name to the ancient church of Kilcock, in the County Kildare, which she founded.[A] In the _Book of Kells_, too, we find examples of vestments in the ornamentation portrayed in the richest and most vivid colouring.

[A] See O'Curry, _Manners and Customs_, vol. iii., p. 123.

[120] The Romans were those who enjoyed the rights of the Imperial citizenship, which at this time had come to be in reality a badge of slavery.

[121] See the _Salamanca MS._, p. 161.

[122] Benignus was, says the author of the _Tripartite Life_ of St. Patrick, an "adolescens facie decorus, vultu modestus, moribus integer, nomine uti et in re Benignus," and his voice "cunctos oblectans."

[123] The full title of the work is _De Excidio Britaniæ Liber Querulus_.

[124] "The penmanship is," says Bishop Reeves, "of extreme elegance, and is admirable throughout for its distinctness and uniformity."

[125] "Ferdomnach hunc librum, dictante Torbach, herede Patricii scripsit." The only word somewhat illegible is "Torbach."

[126] This is the only _complete_ copy of the Scriptures of the New Testament, which has come down to our times from the Celtic Church of Ireland. The rest were all destroyed by the Danes.

[127] The ornamentation is so minute and elaborate that Professor Westwood declares that he counted in the small space of three quarters of an inch long by less than half-an-inch in width, no fewer than 158 interlacements of a slender ribbon pattern!--_Archæol. Journal_, vol. x. p. 278.

[128] If the nuns at Clonbroney, Co. Longford, were not before them.

[129] _Tripartite_, page 37.--"Patrick went to Inver Boinde. He found a wizard in that place who mocked at Mary's virginity. Patrick sained the earth, and it swallowed up the wizard."

[130] Aubrey de Vere, _Legends of St. Patrick_.

[131] See O'Hanlon's _Life of St. Brigid_.

[132] She was in an especial manner the patroness of the 'Sons of Reading,' as students were then called; "and the Lord gives them, through Brigid's prayer, every perfect good that they ask."--_Irish Life._

[133] See _Round Towers_, page 203.

[134] _Dictionary of Christian Antiquities_--'Lamps.'

[135] Dr. Todd was of opinion that the manuscript described by Gerald Barry must have been the _Book of Kells_, which might have been removed at that time to Kildare for safe custody. But there is no historical foundation for this conjecture.

[136] _Tripartite_, p. 40.

[137] O'Clery's _Martyrology_.

[138] Du Cange. See Dr. M'Carthy's able Paper in the _Proceedings of the R.I.A._, May, 1889. In the _Tripartite_ (Stokes, p. 251), _menister_ seems to mean the paten, and _mias_ (quasi _mensa_) the altar-table.

[139] It has been said that Ninian died A.D. 432; but as Skene observes, without any authority. See _Celtic Scotland_, vol. ii., p. 4.

[140] "Proselytus Brito, homo sanctus, S. Patricii discipulus." _Secunda Praefatio_, p. 6.

[141] _Four Masters_, A.D. 922.

[142] We believe this stream is a tributary of the Fane river, which in fact does come from the County Monaghan to Louth.

[143] Ad Scotos in Christum credentos ordinatus a Papa Caelestino Palladius primus episcopus mittitur.

[144] Hence the name Ailbe = _ail-beo_, "living under the rock."

[145] See Stokes' _Calendar of Ængus_.--April 23rd.

[146] In the _Tripartite_ he is represented as founding Pallas Green in the Barony of Coonagh, co. Limerick.

[147] See _Kilk. Arch. Soc._, vol. iv., New Series, page 90.

[148] His father was son of Laei, son of Tadhg, son of Cian, son of Oilioll Olum. See _Book of Rights_, page 50, and page 103.

[149] Others think Kilbanon was the church of 'Benen, brother of Cethech,' who is distinguished in the Tripartite from 'Benen, successor of Patrick.' This is highly probable.

[150] _Celtic Scotland_, Book II, p. 44.

[151] _Histor. Eccles._, Liber III., c. 4.

[152] "Vade ad Brittaniam ad Rosnatum monasterium, et esto humilis discipulus Manceni, Magistri illius monasterii." _Vita S. Endei._

[153] Lib. III. c. 4.

[154] _Primordia_, page 1058.

[155] _Chron. Picts and Scots_, page 56.

[156] _Trias Tham._, page iii. note 67.

[157] The word Rosnat simply means a sea-girt promontory, and would be equally applicable to Whithern and St. David's Head.

[158] Called also _Bealagh-na-haite_, from the overhanging cliffs.

[159] In Irish _Bealagh-na-fearback_.

[160] The lighthouse throws a red sector over the rock and shoal, which are also marked by a red buoy.

[161] Admirably edited by Miss Stokes, to whom Irish scholars owe so much.

[162] Aubrey de Vere's Translation--_Irish Odes and other Poems_.

[163] "In the Islands of the Tyrrhene Sea."--_Fiacc's Hymn._

[164] _Confession_, page 396, Vol. II., Rolls Series.

[165] Loman was a Briton, and Scotha, mother of Fortchern, was also a Briton, perhaps a connection.

[166] _Loca Patriciana_, page 152.

[167] The Life in the _Book of Lismore_ says that he was then thirty years of age, and that he had previously founded three churches in his native territory--Ross Cuire, Drumfiaid, and Magh Glass.

[168] Gerald Barry seems to think the name meant the Valley of Roses, of which he says there were none--it should rather be called the Marble Valley.

[169] See _Itinerarium Cambriae_, page 102.

[170] See _Tripartite_, vol. ii., page 632.

[171] See _Loca Patriciana_, page 204.

[172] "His daily meal was a bit of barley bread and a drink of water. On Sundays and holidays it was wheaten bread and a piece of broiled salmon."--_Irish Life._

[173] See the Irish Life in the _Book of Lismore_.

[174] See Colgan's _Life of St. Columba of Tir-da-glas_.

[175]

Regressus in Clonardiam
Ad cathedram lecturae,
Apponit diligentiam
Ad studium Scripturae.
--_Hymn from St. Finnian's Office._

[176]

Trium virorum millium
Sorte fit doctor humilis;
Verbi his fudit fluvium
Ut fons emanans rivulis.

[177] The Irish Life also makes him son of Fintan.

[178] The modern diocese of Meath is an aggregate of seven or eight ancient dioceses; hence it has no cathedral church, but takes its name from the ancient principality (Midhe) with which it is almost conterminous.

[179] _Leabhar Breac._

[180] See Father D. O'Donoghue's interesting Paper in the _Journal_ of the R.S.A.I. for 1891, page 706.

[181] _Life of St. Ita._

[182] See _Latin Life of St. Brendan_, edited by Cardinal Moran.

[183] "Bute (Scotland) is said to derive its name from _bothe_, a cell, St. Branden having once made it the place of his retreat, and for the same reason, the natives of this isle, and also of Arran, have been sometimes styled Brandani."--Pennant's _Tour in Scotland_, vol. ii., 4th edition, Dublin, 1775, p. 164.

[This note was sent to us by the late lamented Mr. Hennessy.]

[184] _Annals of Clonmacnoise._

[185] From the late W. M. Hennessy we received shortly before his lamented death the following note:--

"In an Irish MS. in Trinity College, Dublin (Class H. 1, 7), in a tract beginning on fol. 84, two poems are copied, the composition of which is ascribed to St. Brendan (obviously of Clonfert). The first, No. 7, begins--

An da Aodh mo dha Charaid
(The two Hughs, my two friends).

The second begins--

Beannacht an Choimhdhe chomachtaigh
(The blessing of the Almighty Lord).

This," adds Mr. Hennessy, "is stated to be in praise of Aedh, King of Cashel; but there is no record of such a King of Cashel in the time of St. Brendan." It is much more likely it refers to Aedh, King of Connaught, who gave Inchiquin to Brendan.

[186] There are families near Clonfert, who bear this name at the present day.

[187] _Life of St. Tighernach._

[188] Whiterne in sound for Irish ears is nearly the same as Futerne, the Latin being Futerna.

[189] Some confound this St. Fursey with another Fursey, son of Lochan of the Dal-araidhe.

[190] Fursey must have been very young, certainly not more than ten years of age, when Brendan died in A.D. 577.

[191] We have made a minute examination of all this locality with the help of the Very Rev. J. Barrett, P.P., V.F.

[192] To whom we are indebted for much information about Cummian.

[193] Note to Archdall, _sub voce_, "Clonfert."

[194] There is a characteristic story of Cummian, Guaire, and Caimin, told by the scholiast on the Felire of Ængus. The three half brothers were at one time in Caimin's Church of Inis Cealtra in Lough Derg. "What would you wish to have this Church filled with?" said Caimin to Guaire. "With silver and gold," he replied, "that I might give it for my soul's sake to saints and to churches, and to the poor." "And you, Cummian, what would you have it filled with?" "I would have it full of books to instruct studious men, to enable them to preach the Gospel, and save souls," said Cummian. Then they said, "But thou, Caimin, what would you wish to have in it?" "I would wish to have the full of it of diseases and sicknesses to afflict my body," replied Caimin. And all three got their wish, "the earth to Guaire, wisdom to Cummian, and sickness and disease to Caimin;" and they all went to heaven in the way they wished.

[195] Primo loco de observatione Paschae Domini, et uno die et uno tempore per omnem orbem a nobis observetur et juxta consuetudinem litteras ad omnes tu dirigas.

[196] See Hefele. _Councils_, vol i., page 314. French Edition, 1869.

[197] Was this Breacan of Dairinis, near Waterford, half-brother to Cummian? He might have been then at Hy.

[198] Perhaps to Disert Chuimin, where he wrote: "Ut me ut nycticoracem in domicilio latitantem defenderem." Epistola.

[199] Skene says this "is the oldest authentic notice of St. Patrick."--_Celtic Scot._, vol. ii., p. 17.

[200] This is the synodical decree quoted in the _Book of Armagh_, and already referred to in this work at page 60. Its citation by Cummian so early as A.D. 640 is a clear proof that the Synod's decrees are authentic.

[201] Tome 87. _Patr. Latina_.

[202] In some ancient MSS. Fada is written Fota, but it is the same word, meaning 'Tall.'

[203] _Ecclesiastical Architecture of Ireland_, page 44.

[204] And sometimes Ninian, because he was confounded with the original founder.

[205] Book ii. c. i.

[206] _Le gach boin a boinin._

[207] Cardinal Moran's _Essays_, page 138.

[208] _Book of Rights_, page 100, note.

[209] See _Chronicon Scotorum_, compiled at Clonmacnoise.

[210] _Vita S. Ciarani._

[211] This date of the Latin Life is quite accurate. The Dominical letter for that year is C.B.; therefore the 1st of January was on Friday, and the 23rd was Saturday; and the 9th of Sept. was also on Saturday. We cannot, however, now ascertain the exact day of the moon, for the old cycle was then in use.

[212] _Chronicon Scotorum._ Anno 544.

[213] Colgan says that some of the Druids continued in Ireland down to the eighth century, and were held in high esteem in certain parts of the country as poets and sheanachies.--_Acta SS._, page 149, n. 15.

[214] See Dr. Monaghan's interesting _Records of Ardagh and Clonmacnoise_.

[215] One of the "Patres priores."

[216] "Cheranus Scottorum gloria gentis."

[217] This was the hide of the dun cow which Ciaran brought to Clonard where she gave milk to the Twelve Apostles of Erin.

[218] _Annals of Loch Cé._

[219] See Lord Dunraven's _Notes_.

[220] See Professor Stokes' _Lectures_.

[221] It has been translated for Miss Stokes by Mr. O'Looney.

[222] See _Christian Inscriptions_, page 79.

[223]

Epistola Albini Magistri ad Colcum Lectorem in Scotia--
Benedicto Magistro, et Pio Patri Colcuo Alcuine humilis levita salutem.

[224] _Acta Sanctorum_, page 379.

[225] _Wars of the G. G._ Introduction, xiv.

[226] _Four Masters_, A.D. 840.

[227] Professor Stokes repeats these mistakes in his _Lectures--Celtic Church_, page 200. Keating, however calls Cormac Archbishop of Cashel, which he certainly was not.

[228] At his conference with Niall at Clonfert, Felim sat in the seat of the abbots as a token of his superiority over Niall, not as a bishop.

[229] It is not unlikely that his family resided at Cluain Ui Braoin, now Cloonybrian, near Boyle.

[230] See _Lectures_, page 127.

[231] It was first published in 1807 by M. Walckenaer from two MSS. in the Imperial Library of Paris. In 1814, M. Letronne produced a still more learned and accurate edition, in which he shows the advantages that scholars may derive from a careful study of Dicuil's work. It is entitled: _Recherches Geographiques, et Critiques sur Le Livre "De Mensura Orbis Terrarum," composé en Irlande au Commencement du Neuvième siècle par Dicuil_.

[232] It might be rendered a trustworthy brother.

[233] See Smith's _Dictionary of Geography_.

[234] See Introd. to _Celtic Scotland_, page 3, vol. i.

[235] See Reeves' _Adamnan_, page 169, note.

[236] See Bishop Reeves' excellent edition of Adamnan's _Life of Columba_.

[237] See Reeves' _Adamnan_, page lxix.

[238] "By genealogy he had a natural right to the kingship of Ireland, and it would have been offered to him had he not put it from him for God's sake."--Life in the _Book of Lismore_.

[239] It is more likely that his ordination took place after he left Glasnevin on his homeward journey.

[240] This mistake led to important consequences. Columba not being himself a bishop found it necessary to have a bishop, subject to his jurisdiction, to perform episcopal functions in his monasteries. It was an unusual arrangement, as Bede declares, "Habere solet ipsa insula (Hy) rectorem semper abbatem presbyterum, cujus juri et omnis provincia, et etiam episcopi, _ordine inusitato_, debeant esse subjecti, juxta exemplum primi doctoris illius, qui non episcopus sed presbyter extitit et monachus."--Bede, H.E. III. 4.

[241] A.D. 545--"Daire Colum Cille fundata est" (_recte_, 546).

[242] See the _Felire of Ængus_.

[243] Notes to the _Felire_.

[244] Fecerat autem priusquam Brittaniam veniret monasterium nobile in Hibernia, quod a copia roborum _Dearmach_ linguâ Scottorum, _i.e._ Campus roborum cognominatur.--Book iii. 4.

[245] The 'Great House' was perhaps the abbot's residence. See Petrie's _Round Towers_, page 431.

[246] Ps. xc. verse 11.

[247] See Reeves' _Adamnan_, page 276.

[248] _Ibid_, page 269.

[249] Gilbert, _National MSS._, page 10.

[250] See Professor Stokes' very interesting Lecture.

[251] The Irish Life in the _Book of Lismore_ indirectly implies that Kells was founded by St. Columba, as well as many other churches in Bregia.

[252] _Round Towers_, page 437.

[253] _Four Masters._

[254] At the Dissolution in A.D. 1539 the Book came into the hands of Gerald Plunket of Dublin, but he appears to have restored it to the monks of Kells.

[255] Such is the opinion of the learned Cardinal Moran expressed to the writer in person.

[256] See Reeves' _Adamnan_, page 275.

[257] _Green Leaves_, by T. D. Sullivan.

[258] From an account written in A.D. 1761.

[259] This cross 'in margine viae' is the only cross now in the island which could answer Adamnan's description as that nigh to which Columba sat down to rest himself on his last journey from the monastic farm.--Page 231.

[260] _Irish Life._

[261] Codex A. of Adamnan's _Vita_.

[262] Greek characters are found in Adamnan's earliest MSS.

[263] In the Irish Rule attributed to Columcille we find:--"Three labours in the day, _i.e._, prayers, work, and reading," prescribed for all. But Adamnan's statement is even more authoritative and explicit:--

"Nullum etiam unius horae intervallum transire poterat (Columba), quo non aut orationi, aut lectioni, vel scriptioni, vel etiam alicui operationi incumberat."--_Adamnan's_ Praefatio II.

[264] In the Life in the _Book of Lismore_ it is said that "Columba had thrice fifty monks for contemplation, and sixty for the active life"--that is in their turn.

[265] See _Haddan and Stubbs_, Vol. II., part I., page 120.

[266] See the Irish Life in the _Book of Lismore_, which enumerates several of these churches.

[267] The first part of this Vita Secunda is not the work of Cuimine the Fair.

[268] _Matt._ x., 8.

[269] "Scitote quod nullus citra Alpes compar illi in cognitione divinarum scripturarum et in magnitudine scientae reperitur."--_Salamanca MS._

[270] See _School of Clonfert_.

[271] For instance, the details of the martyrdom of St. Blaithmac of Iona by the Danes in A.D. 824, which he describes in Latin verse, and may have learned from a fugitive who was, perhaps, the bearer of this very MS.

[272] "Erat enim vir bonus et sapiens, et scientia Scripturarum nobilissime instructus."

[273] "Edoctus est omnes liberales, sacras et asceticas disciplinas, linguas etiam Hebraicam et Graecam; et quicquid patria lingua (in qua tunc pleraeque scientiae et Dryadum quae non fuerant damnata dogmata) scriptum est vel artium vel legum vel historiarum."

[274] Book II., c. 45.

[275] See Petrie's _Tara_, page 147.

[276] "Dedit legem innocentum populis."

[277] The story of Adamnan's carrying his mother on his back originated in his well-known filial piety. Vol. III.

[278] Up to the tenth century Britannia included Scotland.

[279] See _Haddan and Stubbs_, vol. ii., part 1, p. 120.

[280] _Four Masters_, A.D. 1034.

[281] Decoro vultu, crine nitenti, ultra communem valentiam hominum, formâ erat speciosus, divinus ac humanis litteris et eloquentiâ erat praeditus.--_Vita._

[282] No. 1247 (Theol. 287).

[283] See _Transactions of the R.I.A._, Vol. vii., 295.

[284] The author has received from Most Rev. Dr. Donnelly, Bishop of Canea, a duly attested relic of the Blessed Marianus--Ex sepulchro S. Merchertachi Scoti.

[285] _Four Masters._

[286] According to O'Donovan's identification.

[287] See Reeves' _Adamnan_, page 405.

[288] _Annals of Ulster._

[289] _Four Masters._

[290] Skene thinks that this Cellach was the Benedictine abbot Celestinus to whom the Pope granted Hy in 1203, probably after this attempt to seize the place by the authority of Ronald, Lord of the Isles.--_Celtic Scotland_, vol. ii., p. 417.

[291] See _Four Masters_, A.D. 1152.

[292] See the poem from the _Saltair na Rann_ on the Patron Saints of Ireland, Cambr. Eversus, vol. ii., page 779.

[293] He was born in Mourne of Antrim, near Larne, not in Mourne of Down as stated here, and belonged to the Picts of Dalaradia.

[294] In the _Second Life_.

[295] Cardinal Moran thinks he was born as early as A.D. 530.

[296] Sinell himself studied at Clonard. His feast day is Nov. 12th.

[297] It is said that it was in Cluains Columbanus wrote his Commentary on the _Psalter_, lately published by the learned Ascoli. See Stokes' _Island Monasteries_. Journal of the R.S.A.I., page 663.

[298] It is said that Columban when working at the spade wore leather gloves through reverence for the Holy Sacrifice which he used to offer.

[299] It was a ship--"quae Scotorum commercia vexerat"--trading between Gaul and Ireland.--_Vita_, c. 22.

[300] According to others he was nearly ninety.

[301] Some writers assert that Bobbio had been founded many years previously, and that this was the second journey of Columban into Lombardy. We follow old Jonas.

[302] See Migne's _Patrologia_, vol. lxxx., page 210.

[303] "Ergo quotidie jejunandum est, sicut quotidie orandum est, quotidie laborandum, quotidie est legendum."

[304] It appears to us more likely that the Bangor Missal has the Patrician liturgy; and that the Mass in the Stowe Missal is of Welsh origin.--See _Irish Eccl. Record_, Jan., 1891.

[305] Inver Becne was the ancient name of Bangor Bay; the islands near the shore, in one of which is an ancient graveyard, are now called the Copeland Islands--the name of the foreigner who enjoyed the lands of Bangor Abbey. Dr. M'Cormick, the last Abbot of Bangor, died in Maynooth, and is buried in Larahbrine.--See Laverty's _Down and Connor_.

[306] Quantum igitur spatii lata dimensio (Zodiaci) porrectis sideritus occupat, duabus lineis limitatum est, et tertia ducta per medium ecliptica vocatur, quia cum cursum suum in eadem linea pariter sol et luna conficiunt, alterius eorum necesse est evenire defectum; solis si ei tunc luna succedat, lunae si tunc adversa sit soli. Ideo nec sol unquam deficit nisi cum tricesimus lunae dies est; et nisi quinto decimo cursus sui die, nescit luna defectum; sic enim evenit ut aut lunae contra solem positae, ad mutuandum ab eo solidum lumen, sub eadem lineae inventus terrae conus obsistat, aut soli ipsa succedens, objectu suo ab humano aspectu lumen ejus repellat. In defectu autem sol ipse nihil patitur ... luna vero circa proprium defectum laborat non accipiendo solis lumen cujus beneficio noctem colorat.--_Migne's Patrol._, No. 105, page 454.

[307] See Lothaire's Capitular, _De Doctrina_, published by Muratori. "Primum in Papia conveniunt ad Dungalum de Mediolano, de Brixia, etc., etc." So that Dungal may be justly regarded as the founder of the University of Pavia.

[308] The authenticity of these famous Caroline Books can no longer be questioned.

[309] The real number is unknown. See Hefélé, vol. v., p. 102.

[310] Hefélé clearly proves that the eighty-five Capitula sent to the Pope were not exactly the same as they are in the _Libri Carolini_ which we have. But there was no substantial difference between them.

[311] Sacris etiam literis ornatum, et simul in grammaticali foro ac Prisciani deliciis enutritum, ut facile legenti constabit.--See Lanigan, vol iii., ch. 20.

[312] Muratori adds, that in one of the MSS. are inscribed these words:--

"Sancte Columba tibi Scotto tuus incola Dungal
Tradidit hunc librum, quo fratrum corda beentur.
Qui leges ergo Deus pretium sit muneris, oro."

[313] Some critics have doubted if Dungal, the recluse of St. Denys, who wrote the letter on the double eclipse of the sun, were the same as Dungal of Pavia. But there is not a shadow of proof offered in support of their theory; hence, to refute it is to fight with a shadow. The unusual name, the similarity of style, the testimony of the learned, the phrase ex quo (tempore) in hanc terram (Italiam) advenerim, all point to the identity of Dungal in Paris and in Italy.

[314]

"Te precor Omnipotens quadrati conditor orbis,
Dungalus ut vigeat miles ubique tuus,
Sidereum ut valeat rite comprendere Olympum
Sum sanctis vitamque participare queat."

[315] St. Bernard says it was "nobilior inter caeteras regni illius."

[316] See St. Bernard's graphic account.

[317] See Vita Malachiae, c. 10.

[318] "Notandum quod haec ecclesia, sicut et aliae per Hiberniam et Walliam plures, abbatem laicum habet." _Itin. Cambriae_, L. II., C. 4. A similar practice existed at the same time in the Celtic Church of Scotland.

[319] At a place now called Churchfield, where a disused churchyard is supposed to mark the site of a church built there in his honour.

[320] _Salamanca MS._

[321] "All transcripts," says Skene, "show the orthography and forms of their period" of transcription.--_Four Ancient Books of Wales_, p. 184.

[322] "Cujus (vallis) in occidentali parte versus meridiem extensum inter duos montes repperit stagnum."--_Salamanca MS._

[323] Others think it was the _Reefert_ Church, as it is now called.

[324] Petrie--_Round Towers_, p. 451.

[325] Petrie says there were no such early dedications to the B. V. Mary; but the Life of Carthach of Lismore shows that he built and dedicated a church in honour of the B. V. Mary.

[326] See page 342, where the equivocation is put in another way.

[327] See O'Hanlon, Volume vi., page 714.

[328] See Archdall.

[329] See Life in the _Salamanca MS._

[330] It is likely that his first name was Cuda, and that he got the name of Carthach Junior in honour of his master.--_Martyrology of Donegal._

[331] Constantine, a British king, was vice-abbot of Rahan, some time between 588 when he was converted, and 596, when he was martyred in Kintyre. See Forbes' _Calendars_, page 311.

[332] O'Hanlon's _Lives_, page 263, Vol. v.

[333] In the Office of St. Cathaldus it is stated that:--

Adolescens liberalibus disciplinis eruditus ad eam brevi doctrinæ excellentiam pervenit ut ad ipsum audiendum Galli, Angli, Scoti, Theutones aliique finitimarum aliarum regionum quam plurimi Lesmoriam convenirent.

Morini tells in elegant verse of the same influx of students to Lismore from most of the countries of Europe.

Celeres, vastissima Rheni
Jam vada Teutonici, jam deseruere Sicambri;
Mittit ab extremo gelidos Aquilone Boemos,
Albis et Arverni coeunt, Batavique frequentes
Et quique colunt alta sub rupe Gebennas ...
Certatim hi properant diverso tramite ad urbem
Lesmoriam, juvenis primos ubi transigit annos.

[334]

Ille terrarum mihi praeter omnes
Angulus ridet, ubi non Hymetto
Mella decedunt, viridique certat
Bacca Venafre.

Ver ubi longum, tepidasque praebet
Jupiter brumas, et amicus Aulon
Fertili Baccho minimum Falernis
Invidet uvis.

[335] See _Salamanca MS._, page 931.

[336] Such is Colgan's opinion; but Skene's opinion is more probable, that Jarnlach was abbot of the Scottish Lismore. Colman was probably abbot for 40 years.

[337] See _Opera_ Ed., Giles, p. 94. He says that the English swarmed to the Irish Schools like bees, whilst the great School of Canterbury was by no means overcrowded.

[338] He is called Mailduf by Bede; but it is merely another way of rendering the Irish name--_Maeldubh_. Bede calls Malmesbury _Maildufi urbem_, that is, Mailduf's-bury, contracted afterwards into Malmesbury. William of Malmesbury describes it as founded by _Meildulf_. "Natione Scotus, eruditusque philosophus, professione monachus." See Lanigan, Vol. iii., p. 100.

[339] See _Christian Inscriptions_. Vol. ii., p. 31.

[340] _Christian Inscriptions._ Vol. ii., p. 118.

[341] See _Lectures on MS. Materials_.

[342] "The Lives of Saints from the Book of Lismore" have been lately (1890) edited and translated into English by Dr. Whitley Stokes, and issued from the Clarendon Press at Oxford. The "Lives" are preceded by an elaborate critical Preface on the language and matter of the text. There is also a very complete Glossary of all the Irish words in the volume. The Dialogue has also been recently published in the _Silva Gadelica_ by Mr. S. H. O'Grady.

[343] Liber iii. c. 27. "Erant (in Hibernia) eo tempore multi nobilium simul et mediocrium de gente Angelorum ... quos omnes Scoti libentissime suscipientes victum eis quotidianum sine pretio, libros quoque ad legendum, et magisterium gratuitum praebere curabant."

[344] Mr. Caulfield seems to think that Loch Irce was the lake since called Gougane Barra: but such does not seem to have been Colgan's opinion. See _Life of St. Barre_, page iv.

[345] Father Lyons says the name is derived from its being a 'shaky' place in St. Finbarr's time.

[346] London, 1864. There is an _Irish Life_ in the Book of Lismore.

[347] See 25th Sept.

[348] See _Vita S. Davidis_, Lectio vi., p. 394. Rolls Series, Vol. iii.

[349] This clearly shows that Loch Eirce was at Cork, not in the mountains at Gougane Barra, _for they rest with Finbarr_.

[350] In the _Annals of Ulster_ the death of Diarmaid and Blathmac, sons of Aedh Slaine, is marked both at A.D. 664 and 667; the former is the true date.

[351] _Acta SS._, page 471.

[352] It is not easy to see how Fachtna could have visited the School of Cork, for he died young, and the school could scarcely be founded before the last quarter of the sixth century.

[353] _Acta SS._, page 471.

[354] See _Acta SS._, page 607, _Life of St. Talmach_.

[355] See the Paper by the Rev. Thomas Olden (in the Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy, Jan., 1884), who gives the text and a translation of this geographical poem of Mac Cosse.

[356] Book I., c. xv.

[357] _Martyr. Doneg._ April 13th.

[358] Others say he was Kennedy, son of Maenag. Becnait, daughter of Cian, was his mother.

[359] "Alio autem tempore ratis fabricatus est in insula apud S. Finanum, et missum est ab eo ad regem stagni Lein, scilicet Fedelmith, ut portaretur secum ratis." ... "Et portaverunt ratem secum (angeli) super stagnum Lugdech."

[360] _History of Kerry_, p. 100.

[361] It contains about two acres, and is called Church Island. The ruins of both church and cell are still to be seen on the island.

[362] The original entry may still be seen in the _Book of Armagh_, as follows: "Sanctus Patricius iens ad caelum mandavit totum fructum laboris sui tam baptismi tam causarum quam elemoisinarum deferendum esse apostolicae urbi quae Scotice nominatur Ardd-Macha. Sic reperi in Bibliothecis Scotorum. Ego scripsi, id est, Calvus Perennis in conspectu Briain imperatoris Scotorum et quod scripsi finivit pro omnibus regibus Maceriae."

[363] _Lectures_, MS. Materials, p. 77. Though Anmchara generally means confessor, it sometimes means counsellor. It is applied to the Angel Victor by the scholiast on Fiacc's Hymn.

[364] In a letter to Thomas Wright, 15th Jan., 1803.

[365] That is, 'Cloyne of the Caves.'

[366] Lough Lein is written Loch Leighinn in an old MS., and the natives of the district explain the word as the Lake of Learning.

[367] There is no foundation for O'Halloran's statement that Mungret was founded before the time of St. Patrick.

[368] Aubrey de Vere.

[369] _The Feast of Knock Cae._

[370] On this passage Dr. M'Carthy has kindly sent me the following note:--

That is: do not refuse what is offered, but dispense what you do not require for your own needs: ask not, but accept what is proffered, without being vainglorious thereat, or without concealing the benefaction (in order to hoard it without incurring the censure of being avaricious).

The metre is heptasyllabic, each line ending in a word of three syllables. Its name is _Casbairdne_.

The chief Old-Irish form is _ragabae_==_ro-a-gabae_: that is, the relative pronoun a (them) is placed (infixed) between the verbal particle ro and the verb--_them you shall accept_. A mediæval forger could not have coined an expression of the kind.

Plainly, the quatrain embodied a _rule_ of the monastery of Nessan; for most of their regulations were embodied in verse, being thus easier to be remembered.

[371] Nessan is expressly named amongst the saints of the Second Order; if, indeed, it be Nessan of Mungret who is referred to.

[372] The _Psaltair of Cashel_ is quoted for this statement, but that work no longer exists; Keating, however, saw it.

[373] The remains of a smaller, but later church, are still to be seen a little to the south of the older and larger building.

[374] Sneidhius of Disert Diarmada was Cormac's principal tutor.

[375] See the Rev. Denis Murphy in the _Journal of the R. H. A. A._, for July, 1889.

[376] See _Life of St. Fintan_ in this work, p. 399.

[377] The ruins of a mediæval monastery may still be seen at Terryglass; and a beautiful new church has been lately erected through the munificence of Colonel Hickie of Slevoir, at a cost to him of nearly £10,000.

[378] This anchorite, who died in A.D. 898, is called Cosgraich. He dwelt in the round tower, which on that account is sometimes call Cosgraich's tower.

[379] "_Wars of the Gael_," page 139.

[380] "Qui Propheta in scholis illiset etiam Sanctorum Hiberniae habebatur." _Vita._

[381] Ad gurgitem Ruyad, perhaps Ballyshannon.

[382] See Gilbert's _National Manuscripts_, Vol. i., page 21.

[383] See Skene's _Celtic Scotland_, Introduction, page 3.

[384] _Bede_, Liber iii., C. v.

[385] See _Irish Ecclesiastical Record_, for April, 1887.

[386] Bede, _Eccles. Hist._, Book iv., c. 4.

[387] A.D. 644, "Navigatio Colmain episcopi cum reliquis Scotorum ad insulam Vaccae Albae in quâ fundavit ecclesiam." _Ch. Scotorum._

[388] They say he came in the year in which Diarmait and Blathmac died; that is, in A.D. 664, according to the first entry.

[389] See the _Four Masters_, the second entry in the _Annals of Ulster_ A.D. 667, and _Tighernach_, who has it in A.D. 668.

[390] See also O'Hanlon's _Lives of the Saints_.

[391] Clare was a part of Connaught, at least at an earlier date.

[392] Bede, _Eccles. Hist._, Book.

[393] See Reeves' _Adamnan_, 378.

[394] See _Brady_, Vol. ii., p. 134.

[395] See Theiner, _Vet. Mon._, page 4.

[396] See Theiner. _Vet. Mon._, p. 2.

[397] See _Acta Sanctorum_, pp. 308-310.

[398] _Martyr. of Donegal_, page 349.

[399] _Annals of Ulster_, page 467.

[400] See _Loca Patriciana_, page 474.

[401] O'Donovan says it is another form of "Tuaim da Ghualann."

[402] In like manner Bishop O'Cattan is described in the previous year as High-bishop of Ferns, as there was as yet no Archbishop of Dublin.--See _Four Masters_, A.D. 1135.

[403] The ancient poem ascribed to Ængus Cele De, and quoted by Colgan from the _Saltair na Rann_, describes the Siol Briuin of Roscommon as under the patronage of Ciaran of Clonmacnoise.

[404] See _Cambrensis Eversus_, Vol. ii., p. 786.

[405] See O'Hart's _Pedigrees_, page 556.

[406] _Round Towers_, page 317.

[407] _Round Towers_, page 317.

[408] Wilde's _Lough Corrib_, pages 179, 180.

[409] _Early Christian Art_, by Miss Stokes, page 109.

[410] See _Christian Inscriptions_, Vol. ii., page 129.

[411] See _Christian Inscriptions_, Vol. ii., page 129.

[412] See _Pro. Roy. I. Ac._, vii., p. 514.

[413] See Dr. Monaghan's _Records_, p. 354.

[414] "Protulit in lucem quem mater Hibernia primum, instituit, docuit, nutrivit ... amavit."--_Poemata._

[415] "Hic pater et pastor, humilis doctusque sacerdos corpore Virgilius pausat, quem Hibernia tellus, Disponente Deo, partes direxit in istas," etc.

[416] Virgilius et Sidonius religiosi viri apud Bojoarium provinciam degentes, suis apud nos litteris usi sunt, per quas intimaverunt quod tua reverenda paternitas eis injungeret Christianos denuo baptizare. Sanctissme frater, si is qui baptizavit, non errorem introducens aut heresim sed pro sola ignorantia Romanae locutionis infringendo linguam baptizans dixisset ut supra fati sumus, non possumus consentire ut denuo baptizentur.

[417] There is very good reason to believe that Boniface though born in England, was himself of Irish origin. See _Irish Eccles. Record_ for 1884, pages 115, 190.

[418] "Malignatur adversum te pro eo quod confundebatur a te, erroneum se esse a Catholica doctrina."

[419] "Immissiones faciens Ottiloni duci Bojoariorum ut odium inter te et illum seminaret."

[420] "Quod a nobis esset absolutus."

[421] "Quod alius mundus et alii homines sub terra sint et sol et luna." See _Epistola_ xi. Zachariae ad Bonifacium, Migne's edition, page 943.

[422] "De perversa autem et iniqua doctrina ejus, qui contra Deum et animam suam locutus est; _si clarificatum fuerit_ ita eum confiteri quod alius mundus et alii homines sub terra sint, seu sol et luna, hunc, habito concilio, ab ecclesia pelle sacerdotii honore privatum."[A]

[A] See Zachary's letter to Boniface loco citato.

[423] It was while building this church that the saint so paid his men, that none of them could take out of the money-bag (pelle) more than his labours entitled him to. See the _Lessons_ on the saint's Feast.

[424] The epitaph on the saint's tomb in St. Peter's Abbey is worth transcribing:--

"Hic pater et pastor humilis doctusque sacerdos
Corpore Virgilius pausat, quem _Hibernia tellus_
Disponente Deo partes direxit in istas,
Quique regebat ovans praesentis culmina sedis
Ferme quater denos, caris cum fratribus annos
A quibus ille et amatus erat, pie quos et amavit.
Interim et extruxit pulchro molimine multa
Templa, loco quaedam nunc cernuntur in isto
Insuper et miseris largus, simul omnibus aptus,
Pro quo, quisquis legis versus orare memento."

[425] See _Haddan and Stubbs_, Vol. ii., part i., page 7.

[426] "Sedulius Episcopus Britanniæ de genere Scotorum, huic constituto a nobis promulgato subscripsi."--_Labb._ vi., 1458.

[427] _Four Masters._

[428] _Palaeographia Graeca_, iii.

[429] See Professor Stokes' _Celtic Church_, page 226.

[430] "Quid Hiberniam memorem, contempto pelagi discrimine, pene toto cum grege philosophorum ad littera nostra migrantem," "concrepantibus," says William of Malmesbury, "undique belli fragoribus."

[431] "Non ita sum territus auctoritate, aut minus capacium animorum expavesco impetum, ut ea quæ vera ratio clare colligit indubitanterque definit aperta fronte pronuntiare confundar, praesertim cum de talibus non nisi inter sapientes tractandum sit, quibus nil suavius est ad audiendum vera ratione, nil delectabilius ad investigandum, quando quæritur, nil pulchrius ad contemplandum quando invenitur."

[432] We can only quote the headings:--

1. Quod una tantum sit prædestinatio Dei.
2. Quod liberum hominis arbitrium per gratiam sanetur.
3. Quod Deus omnes homines velit salvos fieri.
4. Quod Christus pro omnibus hominibus passus sit.

The opponents of these propositions could not be orthodox.

[433] As, for instance, when he says--"Spiritualiter enim Christum immolamus, et intellectualiter eum mente, non dente, comedimus." Scotus meant spiritualiter et realiter in the same sense precisely as St. Augustin used similar words to the exclusion of the carnal revolting meaning of the Capharnaites.

[434] See Dean Cogan's _Diocese of Meath_, Vol. i., page 58.

[435] See _Dictionary of Christian Biography_, Arts. 'Sigebert' and 'Dagobert,' and the authorities there cited.

[436] Book iii., chapters iv. and xxvii.

[437] See _Bohn's_ Edition, page 163.

[438] Was this the "Colman of the Britons" mentioned in the _Additions to Tirechan_? See Stokes' _Tripartite_, Vol. ii., page 341.

[439] _Bede_, Book iii., c. 13.

[440] Agilbert may have been consecrated bishop in Ireland. The following are the words of Bede:--

"Venit in provinciam de Hibernia pontifex quidam nomine Agilberctus, natione quidem Gallus, sed tunc legendarum gratia Scripturarum in Hibernia non parvo tempore demoratus ... cujus eruditionem atque industriam videns rex rogavit eum, accepta ibi (in Wessex) sede episcopali, suae genti manere pontificem."--_Haddan and Stubbs_, Vol. iii., p. 91.

[441] By A. G. Richey in the _Introduction_, for which he declares himself alone responsible. Vol. iv., c. vii.

[442] Vol. iv., page 355.

[443] Vol. iv., page 361.

[444] See O'Curry. _Lectures_, page 240.

[445] See _Senchus Mor_, p. 231.

[446] See O'Curry, Lecture iii., Vol. ii., p. 53.

[447] _Annals of Innisfallen_, anno 1127.

[448] Keating.

[449] See _Lectures on MS. Materials_.

[450] _Acta SS._, page 5.

[451] See _Acta SS._, page 5, n. x.

[452] Fol. 58, b. a.

[453] _Manuscript Materials_, Lecture iii., page 53, and _Manners and Customs_, Vol. ii., pages 90-178.

[454] _Irish Writers_, page xlvii. to page lxxxv.

[455] See O'Curry, page 29.

[456] The "Tain-Quest" in the _Lays of the Western Gael_.

[457] Page 221.

[458] O'Donovan's _Four Masters_, A.D. 891--note.

[459] _Annals of Ulster_, A.D. 974 and 663.

[460] See page 24 of this present work.

[461] See O'Curry's _Lectures_, p. 521.

[462] See O'Reilly, page lxiv.

[463] Its Irish title is _Cogadh Gaedhil re Gallaibh_.

[464] See page 51.

[465] See page 117.

[466] It was this narrative that inspired Moore's beautiful lyric--"Rich and Rare."

[467] _Manners and Customs_, Vol. ii., page 138.

[468] The _Annals of Lough Cé_, A.D. 1024.

[469] _Annals of Ulster_ and _Four Masters_.

[470] Chapter II., page 21.

[471] _Brehon Laws_, Vol. iii., p. 89.

[472] _Grammatica_, p. xxxiv.

[473] "Lingua formis suis, et regulis certis, circumscripta."

[474] See O'Curry's Lectures--_Manners and Customs_--Vol. ii., p. 154.

[475] _Lectures_, Vol. i., p. 53.

[476] Lectures--_Manners and Customs_--Vol. ii., page 157.

[477] _Tripartite_, Rolls Series, Vol. ii., page 530.

[478] Vol. ii., page 349.

[479] O'Curry, _M. & C._--Vol. ii., p. 33.

[480] The earliest authority we know for the first part of this title is the ancient author of St. Alban's Life:--"In hac insula tot viri eximiae sanctitatis fuerunt quod _Insula Sanctorum_ nomine appropriato dicebatur." The corresponding Irish form was _Inis na Naomh_. Marianus Scotus, in his Chronicle, also calls it by the same title--Insula Sanctorum--under date of the year 696, but which is really A.D. 589. See Reeves' notes in the _Ulster Journal of Archæology_, vol. vii., p. 228.

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Transcriber's Notes:

Passages in italics are indicated by _italics_.

Footnote 250 appears on page 306 of the text, but there is no corresponding marker on the page.

The original text includes Gaelic characters that are represented as [Gaelic] in this text version.

End of Project Gutenberg's Insula Sanctorum et Doctorum, by John Healy