The present saint seems to have
succeeded
succeeded
soon after St.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v8
, Augusti xx.
Among the pretermitted saints,
Beano successit. B. "—Bishop Forbes' " Ka- lendars of Scottish Saints," pp. 209 and p. 2.
239.
* See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iv. ,
Augustixx. AmongthepretermittedSaints,
4 See the Third Volume of this work, at
4th of March, Art. —ii.
l
,
p.
See the Eleventh Volume of this work for his Life, at the 3rd
2.
s Thus the opinion is written : "Utinam
Article viii. of November, Art. i.
nobis licuisset inspicere documenta e quibus ilium accepit Ferrarius, vel addidisset ipse-
2
See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iv. , Augusti xx. Among the pretermitted feasts,
met, cujus temporis ac notoe ea fuerint ; quae
siquidem satis antiqua ac bona esse con-
staret, praesulem hunc aliis Sanctis annume- stanza is transcribed from Leabhar Breac
rassemus : verum quia novimus, hagiologos quosdam nimis esse faciles ac profuse libera- les in multiplicando titulum sancti ; liceat nobis desiderare certiora testimonia, quibus verus, legitimus ac religiosus hujus viri cultus antiquus et immemorabilis stabiliri
queat. "
6 See Bishop Forbes' " Kalendars of
'
copy : the English translation furnished by Whitley Stokes, LL. D. :—
nochef mop "OiAfcopup dp Cropc cmj; Afpervou pAwpit bpeo ip&mpu CoinoppUiAjuo 501-011.
Scottish Saints,"— 326. p.
' Article vii. At
with a
Sanc- fair host" Transactions of the Royal
Irish Academy,"Irish ManuscriptSeries, vol. i. , part i. On the Calendar of Oengus, p. cxxiv.
August, in his Calendar is entered tusStolbrandusEpiscopusetMartyraDanis in Maia Insula. "— Bishop Forbes' " Kalen- dars of Scottish Saints, p. 239.
the 20th
of
" —"
marvellous,
great,
:
day
P- 5- — Article ix.
The Irish following
"Greatly suffered Dioscorus for Christ champion who is most manly.
a
flame that is most
— Pamphilius,
August 21. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 305
The Bollandist Father Joannes Pinius commemorates this holy martyr, at the
same date, on the authority of various martyrologies ; although he states, that the age, when this athlete of Christ lived, was totally unknown to him, as were also his acts. 3
ArticleX. —FeastofSt. Pamphilius,BishopandMartyr. Inthe
""
Feilire of St. ^Engus, at the 20th of August, the Festival of St. Pamphilius
has been honoured. 1 He was both a and 2 He seems, Bishop Martyr.
Father Joannes Pinius states, to have been venerated with many holy
martyrs—called confessors—at Synnada,
other Martyrologists, at this same date, as seen in the Acta Sanctorum oftheBollandists. 3 Littleappearstohavebeenknownwithcertaintyabout Pampilius and his companions ? yet, the scholiast on the Leabhar Breac copy of the " Feilire " calls Pamphilus a Bishop and a Martyr.
Etoentp-jffrsit JBap of august.
ARTICLE I. —ST. SINACH OR SENACH, BISHOP OFCLONARD, COUNTY OF MEATH.
[SIXTH CENTUR Y. ]
can be more remarkable than that air of solitude and NOTHdIesNertGion, which at present surrounds the site of places, once hallowed by the living presence of our saints, and where they had gathered
around them so many disciples and scholars, to learn discipline and wisdom in their cloisters and schools. Such is the feeling that must fill the pious pilgrim, who visits the sites of those holy places. But for the authentic records of our ecclesiastical annals, we might well be inclined to question their populousness and celebrity in past ages. These remarks are especially applicable to the place of this saint.
In the of 1 a festival is entered at the 21st of Martyrology Tallagh,
in honour of Sinach, Bishop, it is said, of Cluand Iraird. 2
August, In the very early
and known as the "
In Latin
turn monachos in Thcbaide yEgypti. "— Arco, Maximo Confessore, Pamphilio,
metrical Calendar of St.
2"
Aengus,
Feilire,"
3 we are
in Raban and Phrygia, according to
Prespiter qui habebat cen- partim Martyribus, partim Conf. Piricio,
:
Ibid. , p. cxxxii.
3 See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus iv. , Au-
gusti xx. De Sancto Dioscoro M. Alexan-
Colouo, Confessore. Item de Diomede,
Agatico, Zelo, Synnadse in Phrygia, p. 36. 4 Father Pinius observes, that those, not
specially noted as Confessors, it seems to
dria, p. 35. — Article x.
'
See "Transactions of the
be as regarded
Royal Irish Academy," Irish Manuscript Series, vol. i. , pars i. On the Calendar of
Oengus, by Whitley Stokes, LL. D. , p. cxxiv.
2
See
3 See tomus iv. , August! xx. De SS.
x
Edited by
Rev. Dr.
ibid. , p.
cxxxii.
inaifvo.
""
him, may Article
2
In the Book of Leinster copy, at this 3 In that copy found in the " Leabhar
— p. xxxii.
Martyrs.
I.
Kelly,
same date, we read Sinach epr Cluam
306 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [August 21.
recommended on the 21st of August, to ask the prayers of the eloquent bishopofClonard,Senach. Itseemsprobable,likewise,thatsomefurther
light has been afforded, regarding his connexion with another place in ancient Meath. Acommentatoronthecopyofthiscalendar,foundintheLeabhar Breac, has added, that Senach was tutor of Ailbe, and successor of Finden, and that his place was in Cluain Fota Fine, in Fir Tulach, i. e. , Cluain Fota Librein. 4
St. Senach was born, probably about the earlier part of the sixth century. When the holy founder of Clonard, St. Finian, had established his celebrated school there, he became tutor to many of the great saints of Ireland. The family origin of the present holy person is not known ; but according to the following account, Senach appears to have been abducted from his parents, if they were then living, and at a very early age.
IntheLifeofSt. s of Finnian,
it is 6 thatatone stated,
Clonard,
time, some wicked persons came by night to the place where he then
dwelt, called Escair Branain ;? and they brought with them a boy, who
being wearied with travelling was left upon the glebe, belonging to St. Finnian's Church. This holy man, on the following morning, came to the
boy, and after giving him proper instructions, he received tonsure, at the instance of the abbot. We are told, that having a prophetic knowledge, this boy should succeed as abbot ; St. Finnian gave him every necessary instruction, and imbued his mind with a knowledge of letters. Following
the order of the biographical narrative, we are led to infer, that the early lessons of Senach were received at Escair-Branain or Ard-bren-n Domnuich,
8
It is supposed, that St. Finian did not leave that place, until about a. d. , 530 ;9 when, it is likely, those then under his tuition followed their master to his
new foundation at Clonard. 10
It would appear, that our saint afterwards studied at Clonard," and that
St. Finian reposed great confidence in him. Here, too, Senach had the
great advantage of companionship with that galaxy of holy, learned and eminent men, who subsequently shed such a lustre on the glorious Irish
12
Church of the sixth century.
We are told, that St. Finnian, wishing to know how his disciples were
and which at a later time received the denomination of Airdleac.
Breac," the following stanza occurs, at this date, and the English tra—nslation is given by
within the bounds of Meath, and not far from the River Boyne ; while it seems to
Whitley Stokes, LL. D.
5uit) i£eil Uincencn OochunpiAm ^iCAnmAin
ercop Senach ruiUnn ctuana Ipairvo atjoaiI.
"Beseech on Vincentius' feast to help thy
soul bishop Senach the eloquent, of vast
"
Clonard. "— Transactions of the Royal
Irish Academy,"Irish Manuscript Series, vol. i. , part i. On the Calendar of Oengus, p. exxiv.
4
See ibid. , p. exxxii.
5 His Life is written, at the I2th of De-
cember, the date for his chief feast.
6 See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber- nise," xxiii. Februarii. Vita S. Finniani seu Finneni Abbatisde Cluain-Eraird, cap. xvii. ,
of
Clonard, although afterwards a dependency of the latter monastery. In the Litany of dingus, he invokes the prayers of twelve belonging to St. Finnian's family, interred at Ard-bren-ndomnuich.
p. 395.
:
have in date the foundation preceded
cient and Modern," vol. i. , chap, ii. , We are informed, that this place was p. 12.
8
See ibid. , n. 21, p. 398. 9 See Rev. Dr. Lanigan's
"
Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. i. , chap, ix. , sect.
viii. , p. 465.
10
tion of Clonard, at a. d. 544. See " Biitan- nicarum Ecclesiaium Antiquitates," Index Chronologicus, p. 530.
" See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Iliber-
nia. ," xxiii. Februarii. Vita S. Finniani,
cap. xix. , p. 395.
M See Rev. Anthony Cohan's " Ecclesias-
tical History of the Diocese of Meath, An-
Archbishop Ussher places the founda-
August 21. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 307
employed, sent Senach one day to see them at their several tasks. Our
saint found them all engaged at work, although differently employed ; some
being occupied in manual labour, while others were studying the Holy
Scriptures. Among them, St. Columba,^ son to Crimthann, was found in
prayer, with his hands extended towards Heaven, while birds alighted on
him. When Senach related this circumstance to his master, Finnian said :
" He it is, who shall administer the holy Sacrament to me, at the hour of
1
my departure. " '* It seems most likely, that Senach lived under the rule and
discipline of his celebrated master, St. Finian, until the latter departed this
life, on the 12th of December, and about the middle of the sixth century. 15
Senach profited so much by those lessons of piety and of learning he had
received in earlier years, that in course of time, he became the chosen suc-
16
cessor of Finnian.
Whether or not, Senach immediately succeeded St. Finnian, as Abbot of
Clonard, is unknown ; however, our saint enjoyed this dignity not long after his death, and we may suppose, his character well qualified him. He also discharged the office of Bishop. The Martyrology of Donegal,^
at the 21st of August, styles him Senach, Bishop, of Cluain-fhoda Fine, in Fir-tulach, i. e. , Cluain-fhoda Librein. However, an error committed by the commentator on the "Feilire" of ^Engus, as found in the Leabhar Breac copy, appears to have led the O'Clerys to mistake the locality, which had special connexion with the memory of this holy prelate. We do not know of any Finnen connected with Cluain-fhoda Fine or Cluain-fhoda Librein, now Clonfad, in the barony of Fertullagh, and county of Westmeath,18 whereas St. Finian was the well-known patron of Clonard in the county of Meath. To this latter place must be assigned the present holy man, notwith- standing contrary statements. But, it must not be forgotten, that the relics of St. Finian were long preserved at Clonfad,^ and it is thought, also, that he founded its monastery, although St. Etchen20 is held to have been its chief
patron.
The present saint seems to have succeeded soon after St. Finian's death, and to have had a long term of rule, both over the monastery, and as
monastery of Cluain-foda Libren is supposed to have perished during the Danish wars, although it seems to have remained to the close of the tenth
He died on the 21st of a. d. 2 - At this same day August, 587.
bishop.
year is the following record, "St. Seanach, Bishop of Cluain-Iriard, died. 22 Probably this saint was connected both with Clonfad, or Cluain-foda-fine in Westmeath, as likewise with Clonard, in the county of Meath. 23 The
century.
24 UndertheheadofCluain
Foda-Fine,
2s DualdMacFirbislikewise
13 His festival occurs, at 13th of Decern- ber.
14 See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
nise," xxiii. Februarii. VitaS. Finniani, cap.
^ This is a locality, about five miles and
a-half south-east from Mullingar, in the
county of Westmeath, and making some claims to have been an ancient bishopric.
xx. , p. 395. See
Parliamentary Gazetteer of Ireland,"
*3 While the Four Masters place his death at A. D. 548, the Annals of Inisfallen have it A. D. 551, and Rev. Dr. Lanigan, at a. d.
"
20
See an account of him, in the Second
<j$2. See
n. 74, pp. 24, 25.
Volume of this work, at the nth of Feb-
ruary, Art. ii.
ZI "
See Colgan's Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
nise," xxiii. Februarii. Vita S. Finniani, Appendix, cap. i. , p. 406.
Ecclesiastical History of Ire- land," vol. ii. , chap, x. , sect, v. , p. 22, and
16
See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
nix," xxiii. Februarii. Vita S. Finniani,
22
See Dr. O'Donovan's Annals of the
cap. xvii. , p. 395. Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 212, 213.
J? Edited by Drs. Todd and 2* See Rev. A. ** Diocese Reeves, pp. Cogan's
226, 227.
18
See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , n. (n), p. 452.
of Meath, Ancientand Modern," vol. iii. , chap.
lxxiv. , p. 555.
s*
"
vol. i. , p. 440.
See#*tf. , p. 556.
3 o8 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [August 21.
enters Senach, bishop, adding that he was from Cluain-foda-fine, in Fera tulach, i. e. , Cluain foda-Librein. We are informed, moreover, that the
Article II. —St. Celba, or Caelbadh,of Ctll-Caelbadh, probably
comarb and disciple of St. Finnen of Clonal d, was this bishop Senach. The feast of St. Senaich is entered in the Kalendar of Drummond2
21st of August.
Kilbeg or Kilmainhambeg, County of Meath. The published 1
Martyrology of Tallagh, registers Celba, at the 21st of August. In that copy, contained in the Book of Leinster, this name is united
2
with that of another saint, at the present date. From the following
account of his locality, lying on the north side of Ceananus, now Kells, in
the County of Meath, it may be possible to identify his church. The Martyrology of Donegal mentions Caelbadh, of Cill Caelbaidh, on the north side of Ceananus,* as having been venerated, at this same date. Kilbeg5 or Kilmainham-beg,6 a parish in the barony of Lower Kells, and in the County of Meath, seems to be the most probable identification for the site of this saint's former church. It appears also to have given name to
that place.
Article III. —St. Masse, or Maisse, Virgin. Sheltered from the
baneful influence of a corrupt world, this holy Virgin grew each day in goodness, unconscious of evil, and in innocence like the angel who watched over her. The name of Masse occurs in the Martyrology of
2
Maisse, Virgin, appears in the Martyrology of Donegal, at the 21st of
August. In the table, superadded to this latter work, after her name, we find the word species occurring. 3
Article IV—Sr. Uncan or Unchan Tughneda. No doubt, from his early days, the ambition of this saint received a right direction. Yet
Both in the and unpublished published
1 at the 21st of
copies, this name is united with that Celba, already noticed. Nothing, how- ever, seems to be known, regarding her place or period. The name of
Tallagh
August.
those and his subsequent years are buried in obscurity.
According to the
published Martyrology
of
Tallagh,
1 veneration was
given
to Unchan
=s Now Clonfad in the barony of Fartul-
lagh, County of Westmeath. See William
M. Hennessey's note.
26
See "Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy," Irish Manuscript Series, vol. i. , part i. , pp. 102, 103. —
de Lacy, Lord of Meath ; and a lease of it
"
*i Thus: xii. Kal. Sept. Item apud dall's "Monasticon Hibernicum," pp. 551
Hiberniam Sancti Episcopi et Confessoris Senaich. "—Bishop Forbes' "Kalendars of Scottish Saints," p. 22.
Article 11. —'Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xxxii.
2 In this manner CetbAe Agup ITUppe.
3 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
226, 227. *TheancientnameforKells.
s "A Commandery for Knights of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem was founded here, in the reign of Richard I. by Walter
to 554.
Article ill. — Edited by Rev. Dr.
Kelly, p. xxxii. •
*
Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 226, 227.
3 See ibid. , pp. 440, 441. Dr. Reeves interprets this word as the Latin equivalent for her name, Maisse, which in Irish signi- tiesbeauty. SpeciosaoccursintheMartyr- o'. ogy of Molanus, at the 18th March.
Article 1 v. — "Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xxxii.
was granted, in the year 1500, by the Prior of Kilmainham, to Peter Barnwell of Stack*
alien. "
—" Gazetteer of Ire- Parliamentary
land," vol. ii. , p. 363.
6 See an account of its history in Arch-
26 ? , at the
August 21. ] LIVES OE THE IRISH SAINTS. 369
2
Tughneda, at the 21st of August. It seems a difficult matter to identify his
place, at present, or to find the time when he flourished. The simple entry,
Uncan, appears in the Martyrology of Donegal,3 at this same date. In life, he must have been respected, and his time must have been greatly spent in prayer for himself and others.
Article V. —St. Mogin Mor, or Moghin. The name of Mogin Mor, 12
is set down in the published Martyrology of Tallagh, at the 21st of August.
The suffix " Mor, signifying
seems to indicate, that he was a
of distinction. However, in the O'Clerys' Calendar,* he is called simply
Moghin, on this day.
Article VI. —Reputed Feast of St. Sevilon, a Scottish Bishop, ofVerda,Saxony. FerrariusquotesaCalendarandtheScottishBreviary, for the festival at the 21st of August of St. Sevilon, one of those, who, in the time of Charlemagne, brought the Faith to the Saxons. He is said to have been a Bishop of Verda, in Saxony. He is commemorated by Dempster.
the 1 who note such at this date, desire to However, Bollandists, particulars,
acquirefurtherinformationregardinghim. Atthe21stofAugust,Dempster introduces the name of Ceuilon, Bishop of Verda, into his Menologium
2
great/'
person
In his Ecclesiastical History,* St. Cevilo is reckoned the fifth bishop of that place, which See the Scots held for many years. 4 We do not find on what authority Dempster makes him a student of medicine, and the author of a Book intituled " Dubiorum in Hippocrate Locorum Explana-
Scotorum.
as also four " Lectionem Sacrorum. " He is said to have Books,
tionem,"
lived, in the year 827. s
Article VII. —Reputed Festival of St. Mazota, Virgin. The Bollandists l remark, that Castellan has commemorated St. Mazota, a Virgin, in Scotia, at the 21st of August ; while Dempster mentions her at the 22nd and 23rd of December. 2 This appears to have been the Mayota or Mazota, connected with Abernethy, and the dedication of the neighbouring lands to St.
3 and of which we have record in the Pictish Chronicle. * The in Brigid, story
the legend of the Breviary of Aberdeen is different. 5 The proper date for her
6
feast appears to be December 23rd, where further notices of her may be found.
p.
Beano successit. B. "—Bishop Forbes' " Ka- lendars of Scottish Saints," pp. 209 and p. 2.
239.
* See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iv. ,
Augustixx. AmongthepretermittedSaints,
4 See the Third Volume of this work, at
4th of March, Art. —ii.
l
,
p.
See the Eleventh Volume of this work for his Life, at the 3rd
2.
s Thus the opinion is written : "Utinam
Article viii. of November, Art. i.
nobis licuisset inspicere documenta e quibus ilium accepit Ferrarius, vel addidisset ipse-
2
See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iv. , Augusti xx. Among the pretermitted feasts,
met, cujus temporis ac notoe ea fuerint ; quae
siquidem satis antiqua ac bona esse con-
staret, praesulem hunc aliis Sanctis annume- stanza is transcribed from Leabhar Breac
rassemus : verum quia novimus, hagiologos quosdam nimis esse faciles ac profuse libera- les in multiplicando titulum sancti ; liceat nobis desiderare certiora testimonia, quibus verus, legitimus ac religiosus hujus viri cultus antiquus et immemorabilis stabiliri
queat. "
6 See Bishop Forbes' " Kalendars of
'
copy : the English translation furnished by Whitley Stokes, LL. D. :—
nochef mop "OiAfcopup dp Cropc cmj; Afpervou pAwpit bpeo ip&mpu CoinoppUiAjuo 501-011.
Scottish Saints,"— 326. p.
' Article vii. At
with a
Sanc- fair host" Transactions of the Royal
Irish Academy,"Irish ManuscriptSeries, vol. i. , part i. On the Calendar of Oengus, p. cxxiv.
August, in his Calendar is entered tusStolbrandusEpiscopusetMartyraDanis in Maia Insula. "— Bishop Forbes' " Kalen- dars of Scottish Saints, p. 239.
the 20th
of
" —"
marvellous,
great,
:
day
P- 5- — Article ix.
The Irish following
"Greatly suffered Dioscorus for Christ champion who is most manly.
a
flame that is most
— Pamphilius,
August 21. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 305
The Bollandist Father Joannes Pinius commemorates this holy martyr, at the
same date, on the authority of various martyrologies ; although he states, that the age, when this athlete of Christ lived, was totally unknown to him, as were also his acts. 3
ArticleX. —FeastofSt. Pamphilius,BishopandMartyr. Inthe
""
Feilire of St. ^Engus, at the 20th of August, the Festival of St. Pamphilius
has been honoured. 1 He was both a and 2 He seems, Bishop Martyr.
Father Joannes Pinius states, to have been venerated with many holy
martyrs—called confessors—at Synnada,
other Martyrologists, at this same date, as seen in the Acta Sanctorum oftheBollandists. 3 Littleappearstohavebeenknownwithcertaintyabout Pampilius and his companions ? yet, the scholiast on the Leabhar Breac copy of the " Feilire " calls Pamphilus a Bishop and a Martyr.
Etoentp-jffrsit JBap of august.
ARTICLE I. —ST. SINACH OR SENACH, BISHOP OFCLONARD, COUNTY OF MEATH.
[SIXTH CENTUR Y. ]
can be more remarkable than that air of solitude and NOTHdIesNertGion, which at present surrounds the site of places, once hallowed by the living presence of our saints, and where they had gathered
around them so many disciples and scholars, to learn discipline and wisdom in their cloisters and schools. Such is the feeling that must fill the pious pilgrim, who visits the sites of those holy places. But for the authentic records of our ecclesiastical annals, we might well be inclined to question their populousness and celebrity in past ages. These remarks are especially applicable to the place of this saint.
In the of 1 a festival is entered at the 21st of Martyrology Tallagh,
in honour of Sinach, Bishop, it is said, of Cluand Iraird. 2
August, In the very early
and known as the "
In Latin
turn monachos in Thcbaide yEgypti. "— Arco, Maximo Confessore, Pamphilio,
metrical Calendar of St.
2"
Aengus,
Feilire,"
3 we are
in Raban and Phrygia, according to
Prespiter qui habebat cen- partim Martyribus, partim Conf. Piricio,
:
Ibid. , p. cxxxii.
3 See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus iv. , Au-
gusti xx. De Sancto Dioscoro M. Alexan-
Colouo, Confessore. Item de Diomede,
Agatico, Zelo, Synnadse in Phrygia, p. 36. 4 Father Pinius observes, that those, not
specially noted as Confessors, it seems to
dria, p. 35. — Article x.
'
See "Transactions of the
be as regarded
Royal Irish Academy," Irish Manuscript Series, vol. i. , pars i. On the Calendar of
Oengus, by Whitley Stokes, LL. D. , p. cxxiv.
2
See
3 See tomus iv. , August! xx. De SS.
x
Edited by
Rev. Dr.
ibid. , p.
cxxxii.
inaifvo.
""
him, may Article
2
In the Book of Leinster copy, at this 3 In that copy found in the " Leabhar
— p. xxxii.
Martyrs.
I.
Kelly,
same date, we read Sinach epr Cluam
306 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [August 21.
recommended on the 21st of August, to ask the prayers of the eloquent bishopofClonard,Senach. Itseemsprobable,likewise,thatsomefurther
light has been afforded, regarding his connexion with another place in ancient Meath. Acommentatoronthecopyofthiscalendar,foundintheLeabhar Breac, has added, that Senach was tutor of Ailbe, and successor of Finden, and that his place was in Cluain Fota Fine, in Fir Tulach, i. e. , Cluain Fota Librein. 4
St. Senach was born, probably about the earlier part of the sixth century. When the holy founder of Clonard, St. Finian, had established his celebrated school there, he became tutor to many of the great saints of Ireland. The family origin of the present holy person is not known ; but according to the following account, Senach appears to have been abducted from his parents, if they were then living, and at a very early age.
IntheLifeofSt. s of Finnian,
it is 6 thatatone stated,
Clonard,
time, some wicked persons came by night to the place where he then
dwelt, called Escair Branain ;? and they brought with them a boy, who
being wearied with travelling was left upon the glebe, belonging to St. Finnian's Church. This holy man, on the following morning, came to the
boy, and after giving him proper instructions, he received tonsure, at the instance of the abbot. We are told, that having a prophetic knowledge, this boy should succeed as abbot ; St. Finnian gave him every necessary instruction, and imbued his mind with a knowledge of letters. Following
the order of the biographical narrative, we are led to infer, that the early lessons of Senach were received at Escair-Branain or Ard-bren-n Domnuich,
8
It is supposed, that St. Finian did not leave that place, until about a. d. , 530 ;9 when, it is likely, those then under his tuition followed their master to his
new foundation at Clonard. 10
It would appear, that our saint afterwards studied at Clonard," and that
St. Finian reposed great confidence in him. Here, too, Senach had the
great advantage of companionship with that galaxy of holy, learned and eminent men, who subsequently shed such a lustre on the glorious Irish
12
Church of the sixth century.
We are told, that St. Finnian, wishing to know how his disciples were
and which at a later time received the denomination of Airdleac.
Breac," the following stanza occurs, at this date, and the English tra—nslation is given by
within the bounds of Meath, and not far from the River Boyne ; while it seems to
Whitley Stokes, LL. D.
5uit) i£eil Uincencn OochunpiAm ^iCAnmAin
ercop Senach ruiUnn ctuana Ipairvo atjoaiI.
"Beseech on Vincentius' feast to help thy
soul bishop Senach the eloquent, of vast
"
Clonard. "— Transactions of the Royal
Irish Academy,"Irish Manuscript Series, vol. i. , part i. On the Calendar of Oengus, p. exxiv.
4
See ibid. , p. exxxii.
5 His Life is written, at the I2th of De-
cember, the date for his chief feast.
6 See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber- nise," xxiii. Februarii. Vita S. Finniani seu Finneni Abbatisde Cluain-Eraird, cap. xvii. ,
of
Clonard, although afterwards a dependency of the latter monastery. In the Litany of dingus, he invokes the prayers of twelve belonging to St. Finnian's family, interred at Ard-bren-ndomnuich.
p. 395.
:
have in date the foundation preceded
cient and Modern," vol. i. , chap, ii. , We are informed, that this place was p. 12.
8
See ibid. , n. 21, p. 398. 9 See Rev. Dr. Lanigan's
"
Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. i. , chap, ix. , sect.
viii. , p. 465.
10
tion of Clonard, at a. d. 544. See " Biitan- nicarum Ecclesiaium Antiquitates," Index Chronologicus, p. 530.
" See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Iliber-
nia. ," xxiii. Februarii. Vita S. Finniani,
cap. xix. , p. 395.
M See Rev. Anthony Cohan's " Ecclesias-
tical History of the Diocese of Meath, An-
Archbishop Ussher places the founda-
August 21. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 307
employed, sent Senach one day to see them at their several tasks. Our
saint found them all engaged at work, although differently employed ; some
being occupied in manual labour, while others were studying the Holy
Scriptures. Among them, St. Columba,^ son to Crimthann, was found in
prayer, with his hands extended towards Heaven, while birds alighted on
him. When Senach related this circumstance to his master, Finnian said :
" He it is, who shall administer the holy Sacrament to me, at the hour of
1
my departure. " '* It seems most likely, that Senach lived under the rule and
discipline of his celebrated master, St. Finian, until the latter departed this
life, on the 12th of December, and about the middle of the sixth century. 15
Senach profited so much by those lessons of piety and of learning he had
received in earlier years, that in course of time, he became the chosen suc-
16
cessor of Finnian.
Whether or not, Senach immediately succeeded St. Finnian, as Abbot of
Clonard, is unknown ; however, our saint enjoyed this dignity not long after his death, and we may suppose, his character well qualified him. He also discharged the office of Bishop. The Martyrology of Donegal,^
at the 21st of August, styles him Senach, Bishop, of Cluain-fhoda Fine, in Fir-tulach, i. e. , Cluain-fhoda Librein. However, an error committed by the commentator on the "Feilire" of ^Engus, as found in the Leabhar Breac copy, appears to have led the O'Clerys to mistake the locality, which had special connexion with the memory of this holy prelate. We do not know of any Finnen connected with Cluain-fhoda Fine or Cluain-fhoda Librein, now Clonfad, in the barony of Fertullagh, and county of Westmeath,18 whereas St. Finian was the well-known patron of Clonard in the county of Meath. To this latter place must be assigned the present holy man, notwith- standing contrary statements. But, it must not be forgotten, that the relics of St. Finian were long preserved at Clonfad,^ and it is thought, also, that he founded its monastery, although St. Etchen20 is held to have been its chief
patron.
The present saint seems to have succeeded soon after St. Finian's death, and to have had a long term of rule, both over the monastery, and as
monastery of Cluain-foda Libren is supposed to have perished during the Danish wars, although it seems to have remained to the close of the tenth
He died on the 21st of a. d. 2 - At this same day August, 587.
bishop.
year is the following record, "St. Seanach, Bishop of Cluain-Iriard, died. 22 Probably this saint was connected both with Clonfad, or Cluain-foda-fine in Westmeath, as likewise with Clonard, in the county of Meath. 23 The
century.
24 UndertheheadofCluain
Foda-Fine,
2s DualdMacFirbislikewise
13 His festival occurs, at 13th of Decern- ber.
14 See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
nise," xxiii. Februarii. VitaS. Finniani, cap.
^ This is a locality, about five miles and
a-half south-east from Mullingar, in the
county of Westmeath, and making some claims to have been an ancient bishopric.
xx. , p. 395. See
Parliamentary Gazetteer of Ireland,"
*3 While the Four Masters place his death at A. D. 548, the Annals of Inisfallen have it A. D. 551, and Rev. Dr. Lanigan, at a. d.
"
20
See an account of him, in the Second
<j$2. See
n. 74, pp. 24, 25.
Volume of this work, at the nth of Feb-
ruary, Art. ii.
ZI "
See Colgan's Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
nise," xxiii. Februarii. Vita S. Finniani, Appendix, cap. i. , p. 406.
Ecclesiastical History of Ire- land," vol. ii. , chap, x. , sect, v. , p. 22, and
16
See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
nix," xxiii. Februarii. Vita S. Finniani,
22
See Dr. O'Donovan's Annals of the
cap. xvii. , p. 395. Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 212, 213.
J? Edited by Drs. Todd and 2* See Rev. A. ** Diocese Reeves, pp. Cogan's
226, 227.
18
See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , n. (n), p. 452.
of Meath, Ancientand Modern," vol. iii. , chap.
lxxiv. , p. 555.
s*
"
vol. i. , p. 440.
See#*tf. , p. 556.
3 o8 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [August 21.
enters Senach, bishop, adding that he was from Cluain-foda-fine, in Fera tulach, i. e. , Cluain foda-Librein. We are informed, moreover, that the
Article II. —St. Celba, or Caelbadh,of Ctll-Caelbadh, probably
comarb and disciple of St. Finnen of Clonal d, was this bishop Senach. The feast of St. Senaich is entered in the Kalendar of Drummond2
21st of August.
Kilbeg or Kilmainhambeg, County of Meath. The published 1
Martyrology of Tallagh, registers Celba, at the 21st of August. In that copy, contained in the Book of Leinster, this name is united
2
with that of another saint, at the present date. From the following
account of his locality, lying on the north side of Ceananus, now Kells, in
the County of Meath, it may be possible to identify his church. The Martyrology of Donegal mentions Caelbadh, of Cill Caelbaidh, on the north side of Ceananus,* as having been venerated, at this same date. Kilbeg5 or Kilmainham-beg,6 a parish in the barony of Lower Kells, and in the County of Meath, seems to be the most probable identification for the site of this saint's former church. It appears also to have given name to
that place.
Article III. —St. Masse, or Maisse, Virgin. Sheltered from the
baneful influence of a corrupt world, this holy Virgin grew each day in goodness, unconscious of evil, and in innocence like the angel who watched over her. The name of Masse occurs in the Martyrology of
2
Maisse, Virgin, appears in the Martyrology of Donegal, at the 21st of
August. In the table, superadded to this latter work, after her name, we find the word species occurring. 3
Article IV—Sr. Uncan or Unchan Tughneda. No doubt, from his early days, the ambition of this saint received a right direction. Yet
Both in the and unpublished published
1 at the 21st of
copies, this name is united with that Celba, already noticed. Nothing, how- ever, seems to be known, regarding her place or period. The name of
Tallagh
August.
those and his subsequent years are buried in obscurity.
According to the
published Martyrology
of
Tallagh,
1 veneration was
given
to Unchan
=s Now Clonfad in the barony of Fartul-
lagh, County of Westmeath. See William
M. Hennessey's note.
26
See "Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy," Irish Manuscript Series, vol. i. , part i. , pp. 102, 103. —
de Lacy, Lord of Meath ; and a lease of it
"
*i Thus: xii. Kal. Sept. Item apud dall's "Monasticon Hibernicum," pp. 551
Hiberniam Sancti Episcopi et Confessoris Senaich. "—Bishop Forbes' "Kalendars of Scottish Saints," p. 22.
Article 11. —'Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xxxii.
2 In this manner CetbAe Agup ITUppe.
3 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
226, 227. *TheancientnameforKells.
s "A Commandery for Knights of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem was founded here, in the reign of Richard I. by Walter
to 554.
Article ill. — Edited by Rev. Dr.
Kelly, p. xxxii. •
*
Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 226, 227.
3 See ibid. , pp. 440, 441. Dr. Reeves interprets this word as the Latin equivalent for her name, Maisse, which in Irish signi- tiesbeauty. SpeciosaoccursintheMartyr- o'. ogy of Molanus, at the 18th March.
Article 1 v. — "Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xxxii.
was granted, in the year 1500, by the Prior of Kilmainham, to Peter Barnwell of Stack*
alien. "
—" Gazetteer of Ire- Parliamentary
land," vol. ii. , p. 363.
6 See an account of its history in Arch-
26 ? , at the
August 21. ] LIVES OE THE IRISH SAINTS. 369
2
Tughneda, at the 21st of August. It seems a difficult matter to identify his
place, at present, or to find the time when he flourished. The simple entry,
Uncan, appears in the Martyrology of Donegal,3 at this same date. In life, he must have been respected, and his time must have been greatly spent in prayer for himself and others.
Article V. —St. Mogin Mor, or Moghin. The name of Mogin Mor, 12
is set down in the published Martyrology of Tallagh, at the 21st of August.
The suffix " Mor, signifying
seems to indicate, that he was a
of distinction. However, in the O'Clerys' Calendar,* he is called simply
Moghin, on this day.
Article VI. —Reputed Feast of St. Sevilon, a Scottish Bishop, ofVerda,Saxony. FerrariusquotesaCalendarandtheScottishBreviary, for the festival at the 21st of August of St. Sevilon, one of those, who, in the time of Charlemagne, brought the Faith to the Saxons. He is said to have been a Bishop of Verda, in Saxony. He is commemorated by Dempster.
the 1 who note such at this date, desire to However, Bollandists, particulars,
acquirefurtherinformationregardinghim. Atthe21stofAugust,Dempster introduces the name of Ceuilon, Bishop of Verda, into his Menologium
2
great/'
person
In his Ecclesiastical History,* St. Cevilo is reckoned the fifth bishop of that place, which See the Scots held for many years. 4 We do not find on what authority Dempster makes him a student of medicine, and the author of a Book intituled " Dubiorum in Hippocrate Locorum Explana-
Scotorum.
as also four " Lectionem Sacrorum. " He is said to have Books,
tionem,"
lived, in the year 827. s
Article VII. —Reputed Festival of St. Mazota, Virgin. The Bollandists l remark, that Castellan has commemorated St. Mazota, a Virgin, in Scotia, at the 21st of August ; while Dempster mentions her at the 22nd and 23rd of December. 2 This appears to have been the Mayota or Mazota, connected with Abernethy, and the dedication of the neighbouring lands to St.
3 and of which we have record in the Pictish Chronicle. * The in Brigid, story
the legend of the Breviary of Aberdeen is different. 5 The proper date for her
6
feast appears to be December 23rd, where further notices of her may be found.
p.
