3 This is said to have been Cill-mor-Dith-
ruibh, wrongly supposed to have been in the
"
3 A note by Dr.
ruibh, wrongly supposed to have been in the
"
3 A note by Dr.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v8
Kyran's Keeve, persons are accustomed to bathe, and this is supposed to be a remedy for various kinds of diseases.
People drink the water contained in the Upper Well, which supplies the Keeve by a running stream.
Both of these wells are dedicated to St.
Kieran.
s On the opposite side of the road, beneath some aged trees, a stone, with the im- pression of this Saint's knee is pointed out ; but, it is not easy to identify
the St. — here venerated. A Kyran patron
was
Sunday saidbysomepersonstohavebeenregardedasthelastSundayof
Article vl—x Edited Rev. Dr. Article x. —f Edited Rev. Dr. by Kelly, by
p. xxxi. In the Book of Leinster copy, the entry is 11 LcAin.
2 Edited Drs. Todd and Reeves,
by pp.
Leinster copy, the name is written Le-abAii.
Kelly, p. xxxi. In the Book of Leinster copy is the
214, 215. Article VII.
214, 215. Article XI.
—
Kelly, p. xxxi. In like manner in the Book of
* Edited
by Rev. Dr.
*
Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
22 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
214, 215.
Article VI11. --'Edited by Rev. Dr.
Kelly, p. xxxi.
2
The Book of Leinster copy enters the namettloLoce.
3 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
Thomas O'Conor, in a -communication Article ix. 'Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, dated Koscrea, October 24th, 1840, and
214, 215. —
p. xxxi. The Book of Lejnster copy enters the name trUcliAC.
2
Edited by Drs. Tood and Reeves, pp. 214, 215.
found in " Letters containing Information relative to the Antiquities of the County of Tipperary, collected during the Progress of the Ordnance Survey in 1840. " Vol. iii. ,
of 1 and Martyrology Tallagh
formerly
entry Cechni mac epcAin.
2 Edited
by
Drs. Todd and
—
p. xxxi. In the Book of Leinster copy the
entry is CiArw\m.
held on Garland
Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly,
214, 215.
3 This is shown, on the "Ordnance Survey
TownlandMapsfortheCountyofTipperary," sheet 5.
4
See ibid. , sheet 4.
s Allusion is made to this St. Kieran, by
Reeves, pp.
August 9. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 139
6 However, it seems more probable, we should regard Garland
as the first Sunday of August. It is remarkable, that there was a patron round a holy well, on the 9th of August, dedicated to the memory of a St. Kyran, in the parish of Kildacommoge,? sometimes called Keeloges, near Foxford, county of Mayo, on the 9th of August. It was on the borders of the baronies of Gallen and of Carna. A lake is also near the well,8 and it is called Lough Keeraun. 9 The present saint seems likely to have been that traditional patron.
Article XII. —The Four Sons of Dioman, of Kilmore, County of
1
Roscommon. The Martyrology of Tallagh mentions a festival, at the 8th
of August, in honour of Ceithri meic Dimmain. In a later record, their
is identified. The of 2 also records, at the place fully Martyrology Donegal
samedate,theFourSonsofDioman. Itadds,thatallofthesebelongedto Cill-mor Dithruibh, except Cruimther Nathi [and also3 Cruimther Riagan,
July.
Sunday
but this is not
As we have
seen, at the — of St. entry
certain]. —imidh's name, on this
already present holy
men were also at least in
the
a
Article XIII. —St. Brecan. In a life thoroughly devoted to God's service, this saint exemplified, that the true Christian must be the most earnest and constant worker, be most kind and considerate, and be "out- done by none in good manners. " The name Brecan, is inserted in the
of 1andof 2atthe of
Martyrologies Tallagh Donegal, 9th August. But,
little more seems to be known about him.
pp. 89, 90.
6
Fedl
part connected with Kilmore,
and in the county of Roscommon. It is in the diocese of Elphin, and situated a short distance south-east from the confluence of the Boyle and Shannon Rivers. '* However, it would seem the Calendarist had not very clear information, or notions, on this subject ; as apparently mistakes or con- tradictions may be detected, by comparing his present statement, with some of the previous entries for this day.
7 This parish is partly within the barony of
Gallen, and this portion contains 4,656a. ir.
1 op. ; while that within the barony of Carna,
day
parish in the barony of Ballintober North,
William M. Hennessy, Esq. , M. R. I. A. ,
informs me, however, that the First Sunday
in August is Garland Sunday. I know of
no other St. Ciaran, or Kyran, whose feast Kelly, p. xxxi. In the Book of Leinster so nearly answers this time, as he venerated
on the 9th of August.
has only 2,896a. 3r. and 28p. It is shown of this paragraph about the Saints of
"
for the County of Mayo," sheets 70, 71, 79. Latin reading given above. " Allusion is
Ordnance Survey Townland Maps Kilmore must have been written before the
8 Such is the substance of a communication made to this insertion " Novemdecem
on the
addressed to me in a letter of the late Very Rev. Canon Ulick Bourke, P. P. , dated, Claremorris, August 3rd, 1884. It is also stated, that many years ago the people used to
:
Sancti Kilmorenses (quae Cathedralis sedes est), uno die coluntur. "
* It is defined, on the " Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the County of Ros-
sheets 1— 18. common," 1, 12, 17,
*
butter into the
put lake; but,
their
motive for doing so was unknown.
Article xiii.
'Allusion is made to both, in "Letters
relating to the Antiquities of the County of Mayo, containing Information collected
during the Progress of the Ordnance Survey
Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xxxu In the Book of Leinster
copy the entry is DrxeccAin.
2 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp
214, 215.
in 1838," vol. ii. Communication of John O'Donovan, dated, Ballinrobe, August 14th, 1838, pp. 368, 369.
—
copy we read Cechjvi mac "OimAin.
Article xii.
•
214, 215.
3 A note by Dr. Todd says, at these words:
" This is also the second hand. The whole
2
Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
Edited
by
Rev. Dr.
i 4 o LIVES OE THE IRISH SAINTS. [August 9. Article XIV. —St. Udhnochtad. We find the name Udhnochtad,
without further set down in the of any designation, Martyrologies
2
and of Donegal, at the 9th of August.
1
of
Tallagh, 2
1 at the
of in honour of Curitan. The of 9th August, Martyrology
Article XV. —St. Curitan. A festival is entered in the Martyrology
records the name, Curitan, at the same date. At the
Donegal simply
entry of Curitan's name in the Martyrology of Tallagh, it is placed in an order to include all the foregoing saints, together with the Three Daughters of Ailill or Ailalla. There also follows a remark, that all the foregoing
belonged to Cill-mor-Ditruib. In the published copy of the Martyrology of Donegal,3 preceding the foregoing entries in the Irish and English languages, it is stated, in Latin, that nineteen saints of Kilmore, which is an episcopal see, had been commemorated on one day. This entry is so placed, that we are to regard their festivals as referable to the 9th of August.
Article XVI. —St. Rathnat of Cille Rathnaite, now probably
CountyofKildare. Inthe ofTallagh,1 wefind Martyrology
Kilrenny,
that veneration was given to St. Rathnat of Cille Rathnaite, at the 9th of
August. Itappearsprobableenough,thisplacemaybeidentifiedwiththe present Kilrenny, a parish in the barony of Carbery, and county of Kildare. 3
Article XVII. —St. Colman, Son of Baoth, of Druim-Rath,
and of 2 it is mentioned, that veneration was Donegal,
probably Drumrat, County of Sligo. In the of
given,
August, to Colman, son of Baoth, of Druim-rath. 3 This is probably identical
with Drumrat, a parish in the barony of Corran, and county of Sligo. It lies
to the north of the Curlieu Mountains. '* However, it is also a — con- probable
—ith Drumrath or
jecture, that his place may be identified w Drumrany
where therewasformerlyanancientmonastery sixmilesnorth-eastfromAthlone,
and in the county of Westmeath. s
Article XVIII. —Reputed Feast of St. Suitbert, Bishop of
Verden, Lower Saxony. Already, at the 30th of April, there is an account
12
of this Saint. But, the Bollandists have barely noticed him, at the 9th of
August, because Camerarius has done so. They remark, however, that they know not on what authority he thus enters that holy bishop.
Article xiv. —* Edited Rev. Dr. Article xvii. —' Edited Rev. Dr. by by
Kelly, p. xxxi. In the Book of Leinster Kelly, p. xxxi. In the Book of Leinster
copy we read Colnian ni-ac baeich m "Oruiim IIacIi.
a
Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. Article xv. 'Edited by Rev. Dr. 214,215
copy this name is written U-onochcAin. "Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
214, 215. —
Kelly, p. xxxi. The Book of Leinster copy
reads Cor\ic<\m, and after this are inserted
the words hi omnepti Cillrnoin"Oich]unb. 2 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
214, 215.
3 This is said to have been Cill-mor-Dith-
ruibh, wrongly supposed to have been in the
"
3 A note by Dr. Todd says at Druimrath :
County of Cavan. — Article xvi.
•
Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xxxi. In the Book of Leinster
copy is tlachnac Cille flAchnaice.
2 See Lewis' Topographical Dictionary of Ireland," vol. ii. , p. 202.
* Martyrologies Tallagh
The more recent hand adds here, in italic characters, ' Romanus Mar. ' See the Roman Mart, at this day. "
4 See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. iii. , n. (w),
s See Rev. A. Cogan's" Diocese ol Meath,
Ancient and Modern," vol. iii. , chap, lxxiv. , pp. 558, 559. —
ARTICLE xvm. See, at that date, in the Fourth Volume of this work, Art. vail.
2 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , Augusti ix. Among the pretermitted saints,
p.
291.
Tallagh
at the of 9th
August io. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 141
Article XIX. —Festival of the Martyrs, Antoninus, Firmus and Companions. In the Irish Church, at the 9th of August, the feast of Saints Antoninus, Firmus, and Companions, was celebrated, as we find from allusion to them in the "Feilire" of St. /Engus. 1 The Bollandists have an
2
account of St. Antoninus, Martyr, mentioned in the Greek Martyrologies, at
this same date ; as also of Firmus and Rusticius, with their Companions,
3 Martyrs.
Article XX. —Reputed Feast of St. Mochoat, Confessor, Scot-
1
land. The Martyrology of Aberdeen enters for this day the Festival of St.
Mochoat, Confessor. Some think he is the same as Machutus, Maclovius,
Maclou, or Malo. 2 His origin and identity have not been sufficiently traced ; but, it has been supposed, that St. Mochoat has had his memory in
Scotland preserved in the fair of Feil Macoit, at Logierait, in Athol, and which was held on the 22nd day of August. 3 Others identify St. Mochoat* with a holy Irish virgin named Mayota or Mazota,s who is stated to have
6
been a companion or disciple of St. Brigida of Ireland. ?
JCenfl) JBaj) of august
ARTICLE I. - ST. BLANE, OR BLAAN, BISHOP OF CEANN-GARADH, NOW KINGARTH, IN BUTE, SCOTLAND.
[SUPPOSED TO HAVE LIVED IN THE SIXTH CENTURY. ]
CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTION—SOURCES FOR BIOGRAPHY—THE PARENTAGE AND BIRTH OF ST. BLAAN—HIS EARLY EDUCATION—HIS CONNECTION WITH THE ISLAND OF BUTE— FOUNDATION OF DUNBLAINE.
the accounts which have come down to our time, Blan, or Blaan,
FROM among
while some of the Scottish Calendarists
—have
placed
his festival at the
of 1 most authorities the
was illustrious the Scottish saints. As we have
already stated,
p. 399-
Article xix. — See
"
Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland," vol. ii. , p. 267.
2
See an account of him, at the 15th of November, the day for his feast.
3 See "New Statistical Account of Scot- land," Perth, pp. 697, 701.
4See Forbes'"KalendarsofScottish Bishop
Saints," pp. 381, 382, 395, 396, 400.
s Her feast is kept, on the 23rd of
December.
6 See her in the Second Volume of life,
this work, at the 1st of February, Art. i. ? This,too,istheopinionofMr. Skene.
3See "Acta
Augusti ix. 413,414.
3 See ibid.
'
Transactions of
the Royal Irish Academy," Irish Manuscript Series, vol. i. , part i. On the Calendar of
Oengus. By Whitley Stokes, LL. D. , p. cxxiii.
tomus
De S. Antonino Martyre, pp.
De SS. Firmo et Rustico
Sanctorum,"
ii. ,
Mart. Veronoe in Italia, to A pp. 414 423.
Commentary precedes in two sections and twenty-threeparagraphs. TheirActsarein two chapters and fourteen paragraphs, with notes.
—'Thus: "V.
—
notices of him, at that date, in the Seventh
Article xx.
Augusti. —In Scocia Mochoat Confessoris. "
Volume of this Art. viii. work,
"See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. ,
Idus
—
notably Camerarius and Dempster
19th July, assign "
Article
1.
—Chapter
* 1.
See some
142 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [August io.
ioth day of August as that for his principal feast. As in so many other
cases, we have greatly to regret, that various contradictory and fabulous accounts have been transmitted to us, regarding this holy bishop, and which
contribute so much to obscure his personal history.
From the Aberdeen Breviary, the Acts of this saint are chiefly drawn.
The life of St. Blane was written by G. Newton, Archdeacon of Dunblaine, in 1505. Some accounts of him may be found, in the works of Thomas
Dempster, of John Leland, and of Bishop Tanner. Some particulars regarding him are to be found, likewise, in the Bollandists. 2 These remarks are contained in eleven paragraphs. Interesting notices of St. Blane are
"
Christian Biography. "* He is noticed, also, in the Works of Bishop
given by Bishop Forbes,3 in les Petits Bollandistes,* and in the
Dictionary of
6 of Rev. Alban Butler,' and of Rev. S. 8 Baring-Gould.
Challoner,
While some writers place the time of St. Blane so early as the fifth ,9 it is
more generally thought, that he lived in the sixth century. However, his period of life has given rise to great differences of opinion. That he lived earlier than the beginning of the ninth century is certain, since we find him commemorated in the " Felire " 10 of St. ^Engus, on this day. His mother was Ercha, or Erca, of Irish birth ; but, her name is written Ertlia, in the BreviaryofAberdeen. 11 ShewasasisterofSt. Catan,12andthushewasallied to a distinguished Irish family. '3 Far different is the account of Dempster, who calls her Bertha. King Aidan, the son of Gauran, is stated to have been his father or grandfather, and he died in a. d. 604. Wherefore, our saint was probably born at the end of the sixth or beginning of the seventh
1 * St. Blaan is said to have been uncle to St. Laserian,15 and century. Bishop
Patron of Leighlin.
St. Blaan was born in the Island of Bute, which lies off the south-western
shore of Scotland. In his youth, Blaan was instructed by his uncle, the Blessed Cathan, who lived there, and who is thought to have built the original church of Kingarth, the parish of which seems to have originally
included the whole of that Island. 16
Ep.
3 See his "Kalendars of Scottish Saints,"
pp. 280, 281.
4 See "Les Vies des Saints," tome ix. x
Jour d'Aout, p. 429.
5 Edited by Dr. William Smith and Pro-
fessor Wace, vol. i. , p. 319.
"
other principal Saints," vol. viii, August x. , pp. 78, 79-
8 See "Lives of the Saints," vol. viii. ,
August 10, p. 112.
' In his List of Scottish Episcopal Suc-
cession, the Rev. Dr. J. F. S. Gordon assigns
his position as Bishop among the Southern Picts as third in order, and at A. D. 446. See
" Scotichronicon," &c, vol. i. , p. 25.
10 " "
In the Leabhar Breac copy is the
following stanza, with its English translation by Whitley Stokes, LL. D. :—
Cpoch tan taurine "OeocliAW "Old chonp An oacaIa-o
La fbuAg flan f^ef* po'OAch OlAAn caw Chirro 5Ap<vo.
The ruins of its ancient church are
" The full cross of Deacon Laurentius to his poor body was hard. With a host sound, noble, fair, Blaan of beautiful Cenn Garad. " "Transactions of the Royal Irish Academy," Irish Manuscript series, vol. i. , part i. On the Calendar of Oengus, p. exxiii.
11 Lect. 1.
12
His feast occurs, it is stated, on the 1st of February, and at that date some account of him may be found in the Second Volume of this work, Art. v-
13 See Colgan's" Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
nian," Februarii i. , De S. Catano, alias
Cadano Episcopo, pp. 233, 234.
M See Rev. Dr. Smith's and Professor
Wace's "Dictionary of Christian Biogra-
phy," vol. i. , p. 319.
15 1 lis life we have given at the 18th day
x. De S. Blano seu Blaano
Augusti
Conf. pp. 560, 561.
6" See
Britannia Sancta,"part ii.
the St. — here venerated. A Kyran patron
was
Sunday saidbysomepersonstohavebeenregardedasthelastSundayof
Article vl—x Edited Rev. Dr. Article x. —f Edited Rev. Dr. by Kelly, by
p. xxxi. In the Book of Leinster copy, the entry is 11 LcAin.
2 Edited Drs. Todd and Reeves,
by pp.
Leinster copy, the name is written Le-abAii.
Kelly, p. xxxi. In the Book of Leinster copy is the
214, 215. Article VII.
214, 215. Article XI.
—
Kelly, p. xxxi. In like manner in the Book of
* Edited
by Rev. Dr.
*
Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
22 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
214, 215.
Article VI11. --'Edited by Rev. Dr.
Kelly, p. xxxi.
2
The Book of Leinster copy enters the namettloLoce.
3 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
Thomas O'Conor, in a -communication Article ix. 'Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, dated Koscrea, October 24th, 1840, and
214, 215. —
p. xxxi. The Book of Lejnster copy enters the name trUcliAC.
2
Edited by Drs. Tood and Reeves, pp. 214, 215.
found in " Letters containing Information relative to the Antiquities of the County of Tipperary, collected during the Progress of the Ordnance Survey in 1840. " Vol. iii. ,
of 1 and Martyrology Tallagh
formerly
entry Cechni mac epcAin.
2 Edited
by
Drs. Todd and
—
p. xxxi. In the Book of Leinster copy the
entry is CiArw\m.
held on Garland
Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly,
214, 215.
3 This is shown, on the "Ordnance Survey
TownlandMapsfortheCountyofTipperary," sheet 5.
4
See ibid. , sheet 4.
s Allusion is made to this St. Kieran, by
Reeves, pp.
August 9. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 139
6 However, it seems more probable, we should regard Garland
as the first Sunday of August. It is remarkable, that there was a patron round a holy well, on the 9th of August, dedicated to the memory of a St. Kyran, in the parish of Kildacommoge,? sometimes called Keeloges, near Foxford, county of Mayo, on the 9th of August. It was on the borders of the baronies of Gallen and of Carna. A lake is also near the well,8 and it is called Lough Keeraun. 9 The present saint seems likely to have been that traditional patron.
Article XII. —The Four Sons of Dioman, of Kilmore, County of
1
Roscommon. The Martyrology of Tallagh mentions a festival, at the 8th
of August, in honour of Ceithri meic Dimmain. In a later record, their
is identified. The of 2 also records, at the place fully Martyrology Donegal
samedate,theFourSonsofDioman. Itadds,thatallofthesebelongedto Cill-mor Dithruibh, except Cruimther Nathi [and also3 Cruimther Riagan,
July.
Sunday
but this is not
As we have
seen, at the — of St. entry
certain]. —imidh's name, on this
already present holy
men were also at least in
the
a
Article XIII. —St. Brecan. In a life thoroughly devoted to God's service, this saint exemplified, that the true Christian must be the most earnest and constant worker, be most kind and considerate, and be "out- done by none in good manners. " The name Brecan, is inserted in the
of 1andof 2atthe of
Martyrologies Tallagh Donegal, 9th August. But,
little more seems to be known about him.
pp. 89, 90.
6
Fedl
part connected with Kilmore,
and in the county of Roscommon. It is in the diocese of Elphin, and situated a short distance south-east from the confluence of the Boyle and Shannon Rivers. '* However, it would seem the Calendarist had not very clear information, or notions, on this subject ; as apparently mistakes or con- tradictions may be detected, by comparing his present statement, with some of the previous entries for this day.
7 This parish is partly within the barony of
Gallen, and this portion contains 4,656a. ir.
1 op. ; while that within the barony of Carna,
day
parish in the barony of Ballintober North,
William M. Hennessy, Esq. , M. R. I. A. ,
informs me, however, that the First Sunday
in August is Garland Sunday. I know of
no other St. Ciaran, or Kyran, whose feast Kelly, p. xxxi. In the Book of Leinster so nearly answers this time, as he venerated
on the 9th of August.
has only 2,896a. 3r. and 28p. It is shown of this paragraph about the Saints of
"
for the County of Mayo," sheets 70, 71, 79. Latin reading given above. " Allusion is
Ordnance Survey Townland Maps Kilmore must have been written before the
8 Such is the substance of a communication made to this insertion " Novemdecem
on the
addressed to me in a letter of the late Very Rev. Canon Ulick Bourke, P. P. , dated, Claremorris, August 3rd, 1884. It is also stated, that many years ago the people used to
:
Sancti Kilmorenses (quae Cathedralis sedes est), uno die coluntur. "
* It is defined, on the " Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the County of Ros-
sheets 1— 18. common," 1, 12, 17,
*
butter into the
put lake; but,
their
motive for doing so was unknown.
Article xiii.
'Allusion is made to both, in "Letters
relating to the Antiquities of the County of Mayo, containing Information collected
during the Progress of the Ordnance Survey
Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xxxu In the Book of Leinster
copy the entry is DrxeccAin.
2 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp
214, 215.
in 1838," vol. ii. Communication of John O'Donovan, dated, Ballinrobe, August 14th, 1838, pp. 368, 369.
—
copy we read Cechjvi mac "OimAin.
Article xii.
•
214, 215.
3 A note by Dr. Todd says, at these words:
" This is also the second hand. The whole
2
Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
Edited
by
Rev. Dr.
i 4 o LIVES OE THE IRISH SAINTS. [August 9. Article XIV. —St. Udhnochtad. We find the name Udhnochtad,
without further set down in the of any designation, Martyrologies
2
and of Donegal, at the 9th of August.
1
of
Tallagh, 2
1 at the
of in honour of Curitan. The of 9th August, Martyrology
Article XV. —St. Curitan. A festival is entered in the Martyrology
records the name, Curitan, at the same date. At the
Donegal simply
entry of Curitan's name in the Martyrology of Tallagh, it is placed in an order to include all the foregoing saints, together with the Three Daughters of Ailill or Ailalla. There also follows a remark, that all the foregoing
belonged to Cill-mor-Ditruib. In the published copy of the Martyrology of Donegal,3 preceding the foregoing entries in the Irish and English languages, it is stated, in Latin, that nineteen saints of Kilmore, which is an episcopal see, had been commemorated on one day. This entry is so placed, that we are to regard their festivals as referable to the 9th of August.
Article XVI. —St. Rathnat of Cille Rathnaite, now probably
CountyofKildare. Inthe ofTallagh,1 wefind Martyrology
Kilrenny,
that veneration was given to St. Rathnat of Cille Rathnaite, at the 9th of
August. Itappearsprobableenough,thisplacemaybeidentifiedwiththe present Kilrenny, a parish in the barony of Carbery, and county of Kildare. 3
Article XVII. —St. Colman, Son of Baoth, of Druim-Rath,
and of 2 it is mentioned, that veneration was Donegal,
probably Drumrat, County of Sligo. In the of
given,
August, to Colman, son of Baoth, of Druim-rath. 3 This is probably identical
with Drumrat, a parish in the barony of Corran, and county of Sligo. It lies
to the north of the Curlieu Mountains. '* However, it is also a — con- probable
—ith Drumrath or
jecture, that his place may be identified w Drumrany
where therewasformerlyanancientmonastery sixmilesnorth-eastfromAthlone,
and in the county of Westmeath. s
Article XVIII. —Reputed Feast of St. Suitbert, Bishop of
Verden, Lower Saxony. Already, at the 30th of April, there is an account
12
of this Saint. But, the Bollandists have barely noticed him, at the 9th of
August, because Camerarius has done so. They remark, however, that they know not on what authority he thus enters that holy bishop.
Article xiv. —* Edited Rev. Dr. Article xvii. —' Edited Rev. Dr. by by
Kelly, p. xxxi. In the Book of Leinster Kelly, p. xxxi. In the Book of Leinster
copy we read Colnian ni-ac baeich m "Oruiim IIacIi.
a
Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. Article xv. 'Edited by Rev. Dr. 214,215
copy this name is written U-onochcAin. "Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
214, 215. —
Kelly, p. xxxi. The Book of Leinster copy
reads Cor\ic<\m, and after this are inserted
the words hi omnepti Cillrnoin"Oich]unb. 2 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
214, 215.
3 This is said to have been Cill-mor-Dith-
ruibh, wrongly supposed to have been in the
"
3 A note by Dr. Todd says at Druimrath :
County of Cavan. — Article xvi.
•
Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xxxi. In the Book of Leinster
copy is tlachnac Cille flAchnaice.
2 See Lewis' Topographical Dictionary of Ireland," vol. ii. , p. 202.
* Martyrologies Tallagh
The more recent hand adds here, in italic characters, ' Romanus Mar. ' See the Roman Mart, at this day. "
4 See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. iii. , n. (w),
s See Rev. A. Cogan's" Diocese ol Meath,
Ancient and Modern," vol. iii. , chap, lxxiv. , pp. 558, 559. —
ARTICLE xvm. See, at that date, in the Fourth Volume of this work, Art. vail.
2 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , Augusti ix. Among the pretermitted saints,
p.
291.
Tallagh
at the of 9th
August io. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 141
Article XIX. —Festival of the Martyrs, Antoninus, Firmus and Companions. In the Irish Church, at the 9th of August, the feast of Saints Antoninus, Firmus, and Companions, was celebrated, as we find from allusion to them in the "Feilire" of St. /Engus. 1 The Bollandists have an
2
account of St. Antoninus, Martyr, mentioned in the Greek Martyrologies, at
this same date ; as also of Firmus and Rusticius, with their Companions,
3 Martyrs.
Article XX. —Reputed Feast of St. Mochoat, Confessor, Scot-
1
land. The Martyrology of Aberdeen enters for this day the Festival of St.
Mochoat, Confessor. Some think he is the same as Machutus, Maclovius,
Maclou, or Malo. 2 His origin and identity have not been sufficiently traced ; but, it has been supposed, that St. Mochoat has had his memory in
Scotland preserved in the fair of Feil Macoit, at Logierait, in Athol, and which was held on the 22nd day of August. 3 Others identify St. Mochoat* with a holy Irish virgin named Mayota or Mazota,s who is stated to have
6
been a companion or disciple of St. Brigida of Ireland. ?
JCenfl) JBaj) of august
ARTICLE I. - ST. BLANE, OR BLAAN, BISHOP OF CEANN-GARADH, NOW KINGARTH, IN BUTE, SCOTLAND.
[SUPPOSED TO HAVE LIVED IN THE SIXTH CENTURY. ]
CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTION—SOURCES FOR BIOGRAPHY—THE PARENTAGE AND BIRTH OF ST. BLAAN—HIS EARLY EDUCATION—HIS CONNECTION WITH THE ISLAND OF BUTE— FOUNDATION OF DUNBLAINE.
the accounts which have come down to our time, Blan, or Blaan,
FROM among
while some of the Scottish Calendarists
—have
placed
his festival at the
of 1 most authorities the
was illustrious the Scottish saints. As we have
already stated,
p. 399-
Article xix. — See
"
Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland," vol. ii. , p. 267.
2
See an account of him, at the 15th of November, the day for his feast.
3 See "New Statistical Account of Scot- land," Perth, pp. 697, 701.
4See Forbes'"KalendarsofScottish Bishop
Saints," pp. 381, 382, 395, 396, 400.
s Her feast is kept, on the 23rd of
December.
6 See her in the Second Volume of life,
this work, at the 1st of February, Art. i. ? This,too,istheopinionofMr. Skene.
3See "Acta
Augusti ix. 413,414.
3 See ibid.
'
Transactions of
the Royal Irish Academy," Irish Manuscript Series, vol. i. , part i. On the Calendar of
Oengus. By Whitley Stokes, LL. D. , p. cxxiii.
tomus
De S. Antonino Martyre, pp.
De SS. Firmo et Rustico
Sanctorum,"
ii. ,
Mart. Veronoe in Italia, to A pp. 414 423.
Commentary precedes in two sections and twenty-threeparagraphs. TheirActsarein two chapters and fourteen paragraphs, with notes.
—'Thus: "V.
—
notices of him, at that date, in the Seventh
Article xx.
Augusti. —In Scocia Mochoat Confessoris. "
Volume of this Art. viii. work,
"See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. ,
Idus
—
notably Camerarius and Dempster
19th July, assign "
Article
1.
—Chapter
* 1.
See some
142 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [August io.
ioth day of August as that for his principal feast. As in so many other
cases, we have greatly to regret, that various contradictory and fabulous accounts have been transmitted to us, regarding this holy bishop, and which
contribute so much to obscure his personal history.
From the Aberdeen Breviary, the Acts of this saint are chiefly drawn.
The life of St. Blane was written by G. Newton, Archdeacon of Dunblaine, in 1505. Some accounts of him may be found, in the works of Thomas
Dempster, of John Leland, and of Bishop Tanner. Some particulars regarding him are to be found, likewise, in the Bollandists. 2 These remarks are contained in eleven paragraphs. Interesting notices of St. Blane are
"
Christian Biography. "* He is noticed, also, in the Works of Bishop
given by Bishop Forbes,3 in les Petits Bollandistes,* and in the
Dictionary of
6 of Rev. Alban Butler,' and of Rev. S. 8 Baring-Gould.
Challoner,
While some writers place the time of St. Blane so early as the fifth ,9 it is
more generally thought, that he lived in the sixth century. However, his period of life has given rise to great differences of opinion. That he lived earlier than the beginning of the ninth century is certain, since we find him commemorated in the " Felire " 10 of St. ^Engus, on this day. His mother was Ercha, or Erca, of Irish birth ; but, her name is written Ertlia, in the BreviaryofAberdeen. 11 ShewasasisterofSt. Catan,12andthushewasallied to a distinguished Irish family. '3 Far different is the account of Dempster, who calls her Bertha. King Aidan, the son of Gauran, is stated to have been his father or grandfather, and he died in a. d. 604. Wherefore, our saint was probably born at the end of the sixth or beginning of the seventh
1 * St. Blaan is said to have been uncle to St. Laserian,15 and century. Bishop
Patron of Leighlin.
St. Blaan was born in the Island of Bute, which lies off the south-western
shore of Scotland. In his youth, Blaan was instructed by his uncle, the Blessed Cathan, who lived there, and who is thought to have built the original church of Kingarth, the parish of which seems to have originally
included the whole of that Island. 16
Ep.
3 See his "Kalendars of Scottish Saints,"
pp. 280, 281.
4 See "Les Vies des Saints," tome ix. x
Jour d'Aout, p. 429.
5 Edited by Dr. William Smith and Pro-
fessor Wace, vol. i. , p. 319.
"
other principal Saints," vol. viii, August x. , pp. 78, 79-
8 See "Lives of the Saints," vol. viii. ,
August 10, p. 112.
' In his List of Scottish Episcopal Suc-
cession, the Rev. Dr. J. F. S. Gordon assigns
his position as Bishop among the Southern Picts as third in order, and at A. D. 446. See
" Scotichronicon," &c, vol. i. , p. 25.
10 " "
In the Leabhar Breac copy is the
following stanza, with its English translation by Whitley Stokes, LL. D. :—
Cpoch tan taurine "OeocliAW "Old chonp An oacaIa-o
La fbuAg flan f^ef* po'OAch OlAAn caw Chirro 5Ap<vo.
The ruins of its ancient church are
" The full cross of Deacon Laurentius to his poor body was hard. With a host sound, noble, fair, Blaan of beautiful Cenn Garad. " "Transactions of the Royal Irish Academy," Irish Manuscript series, vol. i. , part i. On the Calendar of Oengus, p. exxiii.
11 Lect. 1.
12
His feast occurs, it is stated, on the 1st of February, and at that date some account of him may be found in the Second Volume of this work, Art. v-
13 See Colgan's" Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
nian," Februarii i. , De S. Catano, alias
Cadano Episcopo, pp. 233, 234.
M See Rev. Dr. Smith's and Professor
Wace's "Dictionary of Christian Biogra-
phy," vol. i. , p. 319.
15 1 lis life we have given at the 18th day
x. De S. Blano seu Blaano
Augusti
Conf. pp. 560, 561.
6" See
Britannia Sancta,"part ii.
