Then,thevesselofthat holy man glided with the Divine assistance up this stream, though from the
scantiness
of its waters, it is otherwise unnavigable.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v2
CathalMaguirehasnotforgottentostatehisfamily descent, and to characterize his place Cluain-coirpthe, as being in the desert ofCinel-Dobtha,inConnaught.
Hewasalsoveneratedinothercountries besides Ireland.
In the Kalendar of Drummond, at the 15 th of February, inHibernia,thefestivalofSt.
Beraig,confessor,isnoted.
43 Itseemsdoubt- ful, if this be the saint, whose feast is set down, at the 24th of February, by
Galesinus, by Arnold Wion, by Menard, and by the English Martyrology. 44 By these writers, that saint is called Berectus. '^s On the 15th of February
is registered, in the Martyrology of Donegal,^^ Berach, Abbot, of Cluain Coirpthe,inConnaught. Inthetable,postfixedtothisCalendar,hisname is Latinized, Barrachias. 47
As a superior, St. Berach ruled over many jdIous monks ; and, his great holiness of life caused the grace of God perfectly to abound among them. He shone with the light of wisdom, and he burned with the fervour of
charity. While he was a man of comely appearance, his eloquence was fluent, and he exercised it in preaching. His prayers were incessant; his judgments were thoroughly conscientious ; he was most patient under injuries ; he was exact in the maintenance of morals and discipline ; while,
"
3** See Monasticon Hibernicum," p. 5» P- S33.
Patrick died a. d. 580 or 600. 3^ However, the year of his death is
Berach. " 41 The Calendar of and Marianus Cashel,
him,
O'Gorman call him Berach, of Cluain Coirpthe, in Connaught, and they give his genealogy in full. This saint is also called Beri, and he is regarded as a bishop, in a more modern insertion of his feast, which was celebrated with an office of nine lessons. This we find, in that Calendar, prefixed to the
608.
-i^ Edited by the Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xv.
tutelary
35 ^ " ^^ See I'Abbe Ma-Geoghegan's Histoire
de rirlande, Ancienne et Moderne," tome i. Seconde Partie, chajD, iii. , p, 304.
In which of his works, we are not in* formed by Colgan. The name of this saint is also Latinized Beracius.
^'-^ See the edition of Clarke Cros- John
thwaite and Dr. Todd. Introduction, p. xliii. and p. 62.
43 gee Bishop Forbes' "Kalendars of
Scottish Saints," p. 5.
44 ggg the Bollandists' "Acta Sancto-
tomus Februarii xv. De S. rum," ii. ,
Berachio, sive Beracho, &c. Commentarius
3*" For
incorrectly quotes Acta Sanctorum Hiberniae," pp. 346, 347 and Index. Yet, all that Colgan states, in his Index Chronologicus, is, that
Berach flourished A. D. 580. 37 So states Colgan.
39 Thus is he noticed, by Florarius, by
Hermann Greuen, by Philip Fei-rarius, and
by Peter Canisius, in their respective Cakn-
dars, at this date. We are toid, by Colgan,
that St. ylingus places him among the holy xv. Februarii. Vita S. Berachi Abbalis, Irish bishops, in his Book of Orders. See also n. 32, p. 347.
"
Colgau's
this, "
Archdall
3^ See Dr.
lory of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, xiv. , section vi. , and n. 88, pp. 324, 325.
Lanigan's
" Ecclesiastical His-
prtevius, num. 6, p. 833.
45 Colgan remarks, that if he is to be
identified with this saint, the foregoing writers err in j^lacing his death, at 714 or 720. See "Acta Sanctorum Hibernian,"
Acta Sanctorum," tomus ^o Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
the Bollandists'
ii. , Februarii xv. De S. Berachio, sive 48, 49.
Beracho,&c. Commentariuspraevius,num, ^7j^eg/i^? V/. ,pp. 364,365.
552 LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [February15.
in conversation, Charity was a virtue, which predominated, and which rendered him a most perfect example of the holiest among men. I
ARTICLE IL—ST. FARANNAN, CONFESSOR, AND TATRON OF ALL-
FARANNAN, NOW ALTERNAN, PARISH OF EASKEY, COUNTY 01- SLIGO.
[SIXTH CENTURY. ] CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTION—OLD IRISH LIFE OF ST. FARANNAN—IIIS ACTS—ST. COLUMKILLE AND THE CONVENTION AT DRUMCEAT—ITS PROBABLE SITE.
Fairly to sift, and to weigh by comparison, the primary and secondary sources of knowledge, may be regarded as the chiefest requisite, in deline- atingthegreatmenandhistoricincidentsofaformerperiod. TheLifeofthis
saint had been originally written, in the Irish language, with great accuracy and judgment. It has been translated, into Latin, by Colgan. He states, that the original writer must have executed his task, after the year 1200. ^
Although containing few particulars, regarding our saint ; nevertheless, this Life possesses great historical value, as must appear, from its textual sub- stance. Here, the writer treats about St. Columkille,'' and he mentions the names of several saints, that Farannan met in Ireland. All of these, so far as enquiry enables us to discover, were certainly contemporaneous with the illustrious Caledonian Apostle. 3
Colgan gives the Acts of St. Farannan,^ at the 15th of February, where our Irish hagiologist remarks, that this holy confessor was different from
manyotherIrishsaints,bearingthesamename. 5 TheBollandistshaveonly a transient notice regarding him. ^
Article ii, —Chapter i. —^ It has been
year 796. For the deaths of these foregoin£j Farannans, we are referred to the " Annals of the Four Masters," at the several years
stated, that Cathald, surnamed Croibhdherg,
was mentioned in the Irish, from which
Colgan's translation had been made. Yet, noted. But, at a. d. 796, we find no men-
in Colgan's Latin version, I find no mention of such name. Cathal Crovderg died in the year 1224. See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. iii. , pp. 208 to 215, and nn. (g, h, i, k).
^^
SeehisLife,atthe9thofJune.
3 Colgan adds, that their holiness and
tiou of a Forannan or Farannan, in Dr. O'Donovan's edition of that work ; whereas, at the year 769, we have recorded the death of a Forannan, scribe and Bishop of Treoit (Trevet), and at A. D. 751, the death of a Forannan, Bishop of Meathas Truim, while Forannan, Abbot of Clonard, is said to have died A. D. 740, according to the
celebrity were not only established, by a re-
ference to the Irish Mcnologies, but also by latter authority. 4. St. Farannan of Kill-
other religious records.
4 See "Acta Sanctorum Hibernice," xv.
Februarii. Vita S. Farannani Confessoris,
ex Hibernico to — versa, pp. 336 340.
acnsis, whose Natalis occurs on the 22nd of
December, according to the Martyrologies of Tallagh, of Marianus Gorman and of the
s These are thus enumerated: I. St.
Farannan, Abbot of Kildare, who died, in
the year 697. 2. St. Farannan, Abbot of of which place he is regarded as the patron. Clonard, who died, in the year 751 [rccte
740) the I2th of February, on which day
his Natalis was observed, according to the
Martyrologies of Tallagh and of Marianus
Gorman. 3. St. Farannan, Bishop of brated on the 15th of February, according Tref hod, who is said to have died, in the to the Martyrologies of Tallagh and of Ma-
Commentator on
St.
yEngus. 5. Farannan,
Archbishop of Armagh, whose Natalis is celebrated on the 30th of April, at Wasor,
Colgan says, that while this present saint must be distinguished, from others he has named ; yet, he seems to have been identical with the Forannan, whose Natalis was cele-
February 15. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 553
According to the Irish Life, Farannan was the son of Quintiis or Constans,7 son to Colgan, or Colga,^ son to Edus, son of Finnbarr,9 son to Eiigenius,^° or Eoghan," son to Niall of the Nine Hostages, Monarch of Ireland. " But, the virtues of our saint were far more admirable, than his nobility of birth ; for, he was more solicitous to practise piety, than the vicious are to pursue false pleasures. Both by word and by action, h—e was careful to reprobate vice, —and to promote virtue. He practised and apparently from early youth great austerities against the flesh ; while, his virtues and miracles spread his fame, throughout the whole island. His example was a salutary lesson to many, for the amendment of their lives. When duly promoted to a position in the Church, he preached the Holy Gospels, with much fruit and zeal. ^3 "We are told in his Life, that our saint was contemporaneous with the great St. Columkille, who, burning with zeal for the propagation of the true faith, left his native island, for the shores of Albion,^4 that he might gain a Christian conquest over the incredulous Picts. ^5 We are also informed, that St. Columba had another reason, for seeking these shores. Some intestine divisions and strife arising among members of his
family, who stood high in rank and station, at home, the saint vainly endea- voured to restore peace. Not being able to succeed, he took a resolution of leaving his native country, to which he never -intended to return. ^^ The Apostle of the Picts directed his course towards Iona,'7 where having erected a noble monastery, he became a great promoter of monastic rules and
^^ St. Forannan is classed
whether his
his
novitiate commenced in Ireland, or at lona, does not appear to be well
known.
The kindred of St. Columba, in Ireland, earnestly desired this saint's
presence among them, and they sent frequent messages to induce his return. He constantly refused compliance with these entreaties, until a great public necessity compelled him to revisit his native island. His object was to effect areconciliationbetweentheScotsofHiberniaandthoseofAlba. ^" Apublic convention or council was called at Dromceat, in order to deliberate on thosespecialmatters. Others,ofgreatnationalandecclesiasticalimportance, engaged the attention of this grand deliberative assembly.
It is only, at a late period, the site of this celebrated convention seems
practices.
among
disciples ;^9 but,
rianus Gorman. There, he is called the son of ^dus, according to a usual Irish custom ;
for, even although remotely descended, from an ancestor so named, the descendants were
styled sons of a distinguished progenitor,
This opinion of Colgan is by no means con-
elusive.
^"
See Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , Feb-
"
Sanctilogium Genea- logicum," cap, 2. Colgan intended to make further reference to him, in his notes to the Life of St. Dagius, bishop, which was to
have been published at the 1 8th of August.
" See the " Martyrology of Donegal. "
^2 The Irish Life of St. Farannan is
quoted by the O'Clerys, for the pedigree of the present holy man.
ruarii xv. , p. 804. They promise there to
examine more at length his possible identity
with St. Farannan, Abbot and Patron of nise," xv. Februarii. Vita S. Farannani,
Wasor, when treating about him, at the 30th
cap, i, , ii. , p. 336.
^4 Rather Alba or Caledonia.
^s Then living as Pagans,
^^
Such are the accounts usually given by Irish writers.
'7 A remarkable Hebridean island,
'^ See the Rev, Dr. Reeves' Adamnan's " Life of St. Columba," /rt'jj/w.
^9 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga. " Appendix ad Acta S, Columbce, p, 490,
'^° Such are the accounts Irish and Scottish historians.
of April. ^ In the
"
Martyrology of Donegal," he is
called Conn,
^" See the
9 In the
gal" we have the following addition, "Take notice, that Fionnbarr was not of the ten sons that Eoghan had,"
'° From this Eugene, sixteen kings of Ire-
Martyrology of Donegal. "
" of Done- published Martyrology
and more than saints
thirty descended,
usually given by
land,
as appears from the Catalogue of Kings of
Ireland, as also from
'3 See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
554 LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [February15.
to have been settled. Dr. O'Donovan, and, after him, Dr. Reeves, Professor
and other
in Roe Park, beside Limavady, as the scene for this celebrated meeting. O'Donnell tells iis,^^ that Columba, after sailing across the river now known as Lough Foyle, and at the part where it is broadest, turned the prow of his vesseltotheRiverRoe,whichflowsintotheFoyle.
Then,thevesselofthat holy man glided with the Divine assistance up this stream, though from the scantiness of its waters, it is otherwise unnavigable. But, the place in which the boat was then anchored, thenceforth from that circumstance called
O'Ciirry,
writers,
have fixed
upon
Mullagh,"
Daisy Hill,"
"
After making a moderate delay at that place, the holy man, with his venerable
Hill of the Boat," is very near Drumceat. retinue, set out to that very charming, gently-sloping hill, commonly called
Cabhan-an-Churaidh, that is, the
Drumceat. Dr. Reeves Then,
that hill called " The =^ which Keady,"
states,
commences about two miles out of Newtownlimavady,''3 might be supposed,
from the apparent similarity of the name, to be the spot. He thinks, also, there can be little doubt, that the artificial mound in Roe Park, called "The
and sometimes tlie "
we believe, the Rev. John Keys O'Dogherty^s has furnished reasons, for a more probable selection of locality. His narrative is substantially contained,
in the following descriptive account, which argues a careful study of the question, and of the locality. He infers the site of the convention, to have beenasmallhill,ontheoppositesideoftheRoe,fromtheMullagh. *^ He is convinced, moreover, that the Keady derives its name from, and is only a modernized form of, the latter part in the word Drum-ceatta. The initial C in Irish words being pronounced hard, like the letter K, would give us the Avord, as if written Kcatta, precisely similar in sound, and not very different in spelling from the modern Keady.
The River Roe at this particular part may be said to run east and west, and the bank, on either side, may correctly enough be termed northern and southern. This will assist the reader, to some extent, in understanding the relative positions of those hills, for which claim is made of being the Drum- ceat in Irish history. On the southern bank of the river is the Mullagh. About a quarter of a mile, farther up the stream, than where it passes the Mullagh, the river is engaged among rocks ; so, it may be assumed for certain, that the Hill of Convention, on whatever side of the river it lies, cannot be farther up than the Mullagh. Hence, the' Rev. Mr. O'Dogherty thinks, we are to look for it, somewhere near the Roe, between the Mullagh and the mouth of the Roe. There are numerous hills on both sides of the
Mullagh,"
Daisy Hill,''
is the real Drumceatt. ^4
Still,
''See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga.
"
about 190 by 170 feet. The prospect from it is exceedingly extensive and varied, com- manding a view of Magilligan, with its IJcnyevenagh, Aghanloo, Drumachose,
Tamlaght-Finlagan, and part of Inishowen. Tiicre is no local tradition about the spot, except that it is reckoned "gentle," and that it is unlucky to cut the sod. The truth is, the effects of the plantation have utterly —effaced all the old associations of the jtlace. "
"Acts of Archbishop Colton in his Metro-
politan Visitation of Derry, A. D. MCCCXCVll.
Additional Notes, H, p. 133.
=^5 parish ofNewtownstewart. priest
=^
See the townland, so called, in the parish of Tamlaght Finlagan and barony of Kcc- naght, on the " Ordnance Survey Townland
Maps for the County of Londonderry. " Sheets 9, 16.
Life of St. Columkille, lib. iii. , cap. iv. , p.
431. ^^
There are two townland denominations ofKeady; oneintheparishofDrumachose, barony of Keenaght, and the other in the
parishofMaghera, barony of Loughinshol in. These are to be seen described on the " Ord- nance Survey Townland Maps for the CountyofLondonderry. " Sheetslo,32.
^3 Alias Rathbrady Beg. It is in the
parish of Drumachose, and barony of Kee- naught. See "Ordnance Survey Townland
for the of
Maps County Londonderry. "
Sheet 9.
''^ The Rev. Dr. Reeves adds: "It is
situate in a meadow, at a little distance from the house, on the N. W. ; it rises to the height of about twenty feet, and measures
the "
or "
February 15. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 555
river, and, to select any one of them appears to be, to some extent, a question of probabilities. The eminence required, probably is a remarkable one ; so is the Mullagh ; this seems to be the sole reason, and the sum total of its claims. The name, however, is much against it ; firstly, because a Mullagh cannot be a Drium ; and secondly, as Urumceat was a well-known place, tlie Irish-speaking people never would have changed its name, into the
A little farther down the river, on the, same southern bank, is a ridge, called Drum-bally-donaghy. =7 Donaghy, if it be not a family name, might retain traces of Donagh, /. <? . , Domniica, and, therefore, of the religious functions, that used to be celebrated there. Near to Drum-bally-donaghy is
"
a pool, in the river, called the boat-hole. " This might be supposed to
correspond, with Cabhan-an-Churaidh ; but, it is a place, where a boat
usuallywas,andevennowisoccasionallykept. Noargumentcanbedrawn fromthisinfavourofDrum-bally-donaghy. Nordoesthereseemtobeany reason, for selecting any other amone the ridges, on the same side of the Roe.
On the north side of this stream, and just opposite the Mullagh, there is
a hill, the form of which attracts attention, whether viewed, when descending
the river, that is, coming from Dungiven to Limavady, or ascending, by the same road, which runs along the south bank of the river. The name of this hill is Enagh. 2^ It is the Irish name still for a " fair. " In earlier times, it meant a gathering for /^////V^/ purposes ; and, in later times, an assembly for religions purposes. The name, therefore, suggests, that this was the hill so well known in Colgan's time ; and which, he says, Avas in his day and for ever venerable, especially on account of the many pilgrimages and the public religious ceremonies (Theophoriam), which, on the festival of All Saints, in memory of the aforesaid synod there celebrated, are annually made, with an immense concourse from all the neighbouring districts. Now Drumceat, which " the Drum" or "
commonplace appellation Mullagh.
language have died out, at present in the locality, but they had not died out when this Irish name was given to it.
means,
ridge
of the
pleasant swelling ground," being
a commonplace appellation, might easily give way in the lapse of time, to the name Enagh.
Standing on Enagh, the most beautiful view, in the whole valley of the
Roe, is presented. Looking northwards. Lough Foyle, sweeping from Inishowen Head round the lovely shores of Greencastle, Moville, and Iska-
heen, comes upon the eye ; and it is bounded, from this point of view, by the range of hills, which culminates in the ruin-crowned summit of Greenan, once known as "Aileach of the Kings. " Still looking north, but on this side of the Foyle, to the right, the lowlands of Myroe and Magilligan rise by swelling ridges, like mimic Tartar steppes, till they mount into the grand romanticrangesofBenyevenaghandtheKeady. Standinguponasome- what insulated ridge, which rears itself 160 feet high, in a valley stretching north and south, its narrowest part under the feet ; before the spectator, it spreads out into the lowlands of Lough Foyle shores ; while, on the south, it widens out, in the direction of Dungiven, only turning more towards the west. If you examine these rising swells just near you, you will see the ruins of Drumachose—St. Canice's Church—crowning one of them
;
while, turning and looking up the south opening of the valley, you could, were it not for the intervening groves, see the ruins of Tamlaght Finlagan,
^^ It is to be seen on the same sheet of the and barony of Keenaglit.
*'
Ordnance Sur-
map with Mullagh. vcy Townland Maps for the County of Lon«
=^^
This is in the parish of Dmmachose donderry. " See Sheets 9, 10.
No doubt the Irish tradition and
556 LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [February15.
or St. Finloch's Church. The Roc, however, runs between the two ; but,
thereisaveryshallowford,justintheline,separatingthem. Itisprobable, that a hill would be selected convenient for the clergy of both churches, as also on the side nearest to the more important church—the " Magna Ecclesia de Ro ;" and, we might also add, on the side nearest the county Antrim, wherein lay the territories about which, according to some authorities, the dispute was chiefly pending. —
On what has been designated the north bank of the river
opposite to the Mullagh—there is an insulated rock, like a huge milestone or finger-post. This marked out Enagh, and it is called the " Boat-Rock. " It is the first met, on either side, when passing up the river, from the Foyle ; there is no other for half a mile farther up, where the gorges of the river commenceabruptly. Thisparticularspotisjustsuchaspot,asshouldinvite a boat's crew to land. The juxtaposition of this rock to Enagh—and from this point the hill looks most picturesque—and its being on the same side of the river with it, weigh much, with the Rev. Mr. O'Dogherty, when deciding
but the toivnland oi that name—seems also an
/////, argument
in favour of this theory. It is probable, that what we know did occur in
many other cases, occurred also in this, viz. , that the name Keady, which is
now confined to one townland, once extended over an entire district, and
that the district got such a name, perhaps from this very hill. When a large
townland was divided into two or three smaller ones, the smaller ones got
what we may term surnames. By degrees, the latter or distinctive name
alone was preserved, while the original name clung to only one of the
divisions, and to that one, because the original possessor, may have retained
it to himself. Colgan's description suggests to the mind, that the hill was
not near, but some little distance from the Roe. Thus, it was quite near. ='9
The venerable man, he tells us, made a slight delay at the place where he
landed, and then ^uent to the assetJibly. All the other hills are either too
near, or too far off, to answer this description. The Mullagh is almost on
the brink of the river. The appearance of Enagh is such, as from most
points of view, might suggest, to a—Latin writer, the derivation, for Drumceat,
in favour of Enagh, not only as against the Mullagh, but as against any other of those hills, that rise along the river. The proximity of Enagh to the
Ready—not the
of"Dorsum orin "thebackofawhale. " Nootherhill
Cete," English
around could suggest the same idea. Enagh agrees in every respect, with the
"
description of Drumceat. It is a collis,'' for it is in ;
—sulated and it is at the sametimea"dnmforridge. Adnwiisabackbone aspurthatamountain sends out—but, more prolonged, and more easy of slope, on its flanks, than
what we ordinarily mean, when we speak of a mountain-spur, and projecting also from a lower elevation of the mountain. It is not easy to find a place, which one person could with propriety call a drum, and another with equal propriety term a collis ; but, it seems, that both designations are applicable toEnagh,andtonootherofthehillsaround. Itisverybeautiful,3°whether considered in its own aspect, or in the delightful prospect it affords. It is gradually ascending, which none of the other hills are, and certainly not the
Mullagh. 3^
These are the principal arguments, that lead the Rev. Mr. O'Dogherty to
adopt Enagh, in preference to the Mullagh ; and, though there may be but a balance of probabilities in favour of his theory, still the Mullagh seems to him entirely out of a competition, for claiming the ancient title of Drum-
°9 He uses the term
"pervicinus. "
3i The terms are "leniter descriptive
acclivis. "
3° The term is *' descriptive
peramsenus. "
the side
February 15. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 557
ceat. The most that can be said of it is, that it rises as a remarkable hill, near the Roe ; and, when this has been said, all has been repeated that can be urged. After it, at least Enagh is the most remarkable hill ; from its situa- tion, it is the hill likely to be chosen for the assembly ; it answers perfectly the description of Drumceat ; it retains, by its neighbourhood, traces of the name ; its name indicates a place of religious concourse ; it is on the same side of the river with, and near to, a remarkable rock, standing up out of the bank, and called the " Boat-Rock," with no reason, we can now see, for prefixing the term Boat to it ; and lastly, it affords space on its summit for the royal pavilions and tents, which, O'Donnell tells us, were scattered over the hill, in the manner of military camps. On the top of the Mullagh, there is no space for the like ; Enagh, at least, is required for this. So much then, for the site of this famous Convention, which left its mark, not only on that era, but also on after ages. s^ It seems to us, the foregoing arguments bear the highest meed, for shrewdness of conjecture, and for research, in the accurate examination of historic evidence.
CHAPTER II
ST. COLUMKILLE PROCURES THE RELEASE OF SCANLAN, PRINCE OF OSSORY—ST. COLUMBA's SPIRITUAL JURISDICTION—AT EASDRA HE MEETS VARIOUS HOLY MEN AND WOMEN, AT A PUBLIC ASSEMBLY.
St. Columkille had another object in view, by returning to Ireland. He greatly desired the release of Scanlan, son to Kinfalius, King of Ossory, who
was detained in prison by Aidus,^ son to Anmirach, Monarch of Ireland. ^ This Aidus3 was a kinsman to St. Columba himself. The latter succeeded in this endeavour, as also in his desire of effecting peace, between the belli- gerent parties, and princes of the period. He was detained for some time, in Ireland. There, as we are told, he exercised spiritual rule,^ over various
communities of men and women. s -No religious
doubt,
in a restricted
sense,
this was quite true.
Before returning to Britain, St. Columba founded a cluirch in the territory
ofCairbre. ^ This was called Druimcliabh. 7 Thence, he went to a place, called Easdra f and, here he was met by all the bishops of the surrounding
3- See a series of
" The Conven-
Patrick the Abbot of lona had holy
Papers,
tion of Drumceat, A. D. 590," chap. ii.
These contributions appeared in The Lou-
supreme powerinspiritualmattersoverallthemonks
donder? y jfourna—l, A-^n\26\\\z. \\d2? >\h. , 1876. ^
and nuns, throughout Ireland.
s Colgan denies the truth of the passage
in Farannan's Acts, as he could not believe, that all the monasteries of Ireland M'ere
subject to St. Columba's spiritual rule, al- though many appear to have been under his
discipline and control. See ibid. , n. 15, p. 339.
^ It was a little to the north of situated,
Sligo, and it is now in the diocese of Elphin. St. Mothoria is said to have been the first abbot under the founder. This name occurs
Chapter ii. This Aidus or Hugh I.
began his reign, in the year 572 ; and, he
ruled twenty-six years, according to Ussher's
"
Britannicarum Ecclesiarum Antiquitates," cap. xvii. , pp. 490, 500, and "Index Chro- nologicus," p. 535.
^ He was killed at the battle of
A. D. 598, according to Ussher. See ibid.
3 Many particulars are recorded about
Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hibernioe," xv. Februarii, n. 14, p. 339.
"The Acts of St. Farannan have a state- ment, regarding -Columba, that after St.
Columba. " Additional Notes G, p. 279. 7 It is now called Drumclifife,
^
Colgan dues not attempt to identify this place.
Dunbolg,
him, and regarding his celebrated son,
Domnald, in the Acts of Dromcheat Synod,
as also in other ancient documents. See Rev. Dr. Reeves' Adamnan's Life of St.
in the Calendar, at the 9th of June. See "
55S LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS [February15.
country, and by many holy persons of both sexes. The place, where this assembly was held, seems to have been Easdara,9 as formerly called, and at
present Ballysadare,'° in the county of Sligo. The author of our saint's Acts says, that of Cumne's race" alone, there were many men and women renowned for their sanctity. She was the daughter of Dalbronnius and a sistertoBrotsecha,themotherofSt. Brigid. " Shewascelebratedforher numerous and holy progeny. ^3
The names of some among these holy persons are only given. We find enumerated, St. Moninnia^^ of Sliabh Culinn ; the two sons of ConalPs of
Killchora ; Manius,^^ Bishop of Tyr-Oilill ; Muredach,''7 of Killala, in Tyr- Amhalgaidh ; Ronius,^^ Bishop of Kill-Ronius \ Caiminus'9 of Inis-Kealtra ;
Regulus,=° of Mucinis, in the territory of Dalgeis ; Senanus,^^ of Inis-Cathy ; Senanus,^^ of Lathir Brivin ; Erninus,^3 of Cluain-reilgeach, in Meath ; Seven Bishops of Cluain Hemain f^ Libania^s and Fortchern,^^ of Odhba Keara,
9 It opens on a bay, into which falls the
Unshion or Ballysadare River. This issues
from Lough Arrow, near Boyle, and here it
is joined by the Coolaney River. At this
place, it falls over several ledges of rocks,
the last of which is ten feet in height, into
that arm of the sea, called Ballysadai-e
channel. vSee Lewis' "Topographical Dic- no ordinary size. But, he is of opinion, tionary of Ireland," vol. i. , p.
Galesinus, by Arnold Wion, by Menard, and by the English Martyrology. 44 By these writers, that saint is called Berectus. '^s On the 15th of February
is registered, in the Martyrology of Donegal,^^ Berach, Abbot, of Cluain Coirpthe,inConnaught. Inthetable,postfixedtothisCalendar,hisname is Latinized, Barrachias. 47
As a superior, St. Berach ruled over many jdIous monks ; and, his great holiness of life caused the grace of God perfectly to abound among them. He shone with the light of wisdom, and he burned with the fervour of
charity. While he was a man of comely appearance, his eloquence was fluent, and he exercised it in preaching. His prayers were incessant; his judgments were thoroughly conscientious ; he was most patient under injuries ; he was exact in the maintenance of morals and discipline ; while,
"
3** See Monasticon Hibernicum," p. 5» P- S33.
Patrick died a. d. 580 or 600. 3^ However, the year of his death is
Berach. " 41 The Calendar of and Marianus Cashel,
him,
O'Gorman call him Berach, of Cluain Coirpthe, in Connaught, and they give his genealogy in full. This saint is also called Beri, and he is regarded as a bishop, in a more modern insertion of his feast, which was celebrated with an office of nine lessons. This we find, in that Calendar, prefixed to the
608.
-i^ Edited by the Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xv.
tutelary
35 ^ " ^^ See I'Abbe Ma-Geoghegan's Histoire
de rirlande, Ancienne et Moderne," tome i. Seconde Partie, chajD, iii. , p, 304.
In which of his works, we are not in* formed by Colgan. The name of this saint is also Latinized Beracius.
^'-^ See the edition of Clarke Cros- John
thwaite and Dr. Todd. Introduction, p. xliii. and p. 62.
43 gee Bishop Forbes' "Kalendars of
Scottish Saints," p. 5.
44 ggg the Bollandists' "Acta Sancto-
tomus Februarii xv. De S. rum," ii. ,
Berachio, sive Beracho, &c. Commentarius
3*" For
incorrectly quotes Acta Sanctorum Hiberniae," pp. 346, 347 and Index. Yet, all that Colgan states, in his Index Chronologicus, is, that
Berach flourished A. D. 580. 37 So states Colgan.
39 Thus is he noticed, by Florarius, by
Hermann Greuen, by Philip Fei-rarius, and
by Peter Canisius, in their respective Cakn-
dars, at this date. We are toid, by Colgan,
that St. ylingus places him among the holy xv. Februarii. Vita S. Berachi Abbalis, Irish bishops, in his Book of Orders. See also n. 32, p. 347.
"
Colgau's
this, "
Archdall
3^ See Dr.
lory of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, xiv. , section vi. , and n. 88, pp. 324, 325.
Lanigan's
" Ecclesiastical His-
prtevius, num. 6, p. 833.
45 Colgan remarks, that if he is to be
identified with this saint, the foregoing writers err in j^lacing his death, at 714 or 720. See "Acta Sanctorum Hibernian,"
Acta Sanctorum," tomus ^o Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
the Bollandists'
ii. , Februarii xv. De S. Berachio, sive 48, 49.
Beracho,&c. Commentariuspraevius,num, ^7j^eg/i^? V/. ,pp. 364,365.
552 LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [February15.
in conversation, Charity was a virtue, which predominated, and which rendered him a most perfect example of the holiest among men. I
ARTICLE IL—ST. FARANNAN, CONFESSOR, AND TATRON OF ALL-
FARANNAN, NOW ALTERNAN, PARISH OF EASKEY, COUNTY 01- SLIGO.
[SIXTH CENTURY. ] CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTION—OLD IRISH LIFE OF ST. FARANNAN—IIIS ACTS—ST. COLUMKILLE AND THE CONVENTION AT DRUMCEAT—ITS PROBABLE SITE.
Fairly to sift, and to weigh by comparison, the primary and secondary sources of knowledge, may be regarded as the chiefest requisite, in deline- atingthegreatmenandhistoricincidentsofaformerperiod. TheLifeofthis
saint had been originally written, in the Irish language, with great accuracy and judgment. It has been translated, into Latin, by Colgan. He states, that the original writer must have executed his task, after the year 1200. ^
Although containing few particulars, regarding our saint ; nevertheless, this Life possesses great historical value, as must appear, from its textual sub- stance. Here, the writer treats about St. Columkille,'' and he mentions the names of several saints, that Farannan met in Ireland. All of these, so far as enquiry enables us to discover, were certainly contemporaneous with the illustrious Caledonian Apostle. 3
Colgan gives the Acts of St. Farannan,^ at the 15th of February, where our Irish hagiologist remarks, that this holy confessor was different from
manyotherIrishsaints,bearingthesamename. 5 TheBollandistshaveonly a transient notice regarding him. ^
Article ii, —Chapter i. —^ It has been
year 796. For the deaths of these foregoin£j Farannans, we are referred to the " Annals of the Four Masters," at the several years
stated, that Cathald, surnamed Croibhdherg,
was mentioned in the Irish, from which
Colgan's translation had been made. Yet, noted. But, at a. d. 796, we find no men-
in Colgan's Latin version, I find no mention of such name. Cathal Crovderg died in the year 1224. See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. iii. , pp. 208 to 215, and nn. (g, h, i, k).
^^
SeehisLife,atthe9thofJune.
3 Colgan adds, that their holiness and
tiou of a Forannan or Farannan, in Dr. O'Donovan's edition of that work ; whereas, at the year 769, we have recorded the death of a Forannan, scribe and Bishop of Treoit (Trevet), and at A. D. 751, the death of a Forannan, Bishop of Meathas Truim, while Forannan, Abbot of Clonard, is said to have died A. D. 740, according to the
celebrity were not only established, by a re-
ference to the Irish Mcnologies, but also by latter authority. 4. St. Farannan of Kill-
other religious records.
4 See "Acta Sanctorum Hibernice," xv.
Februarii. Vita S. Farannani Confessoris,
ex Hibernico to — versa, pp. 336 340.
acnsis, whose Natalis occurs on the 22nd of
December, according to the Martyrologies of Tallagh, of Marianus Gorman and of the
s These are thus enumerated: I. St.
Farannan, Abbot of Kildare, who died, in
the year 697. 2. St. Farannan, Abbot of of which place he is regarded as the patron. Clonard, who died, in the year 751 [rccte
740) the I2th of February, on which day
his Natalis was observed, according to the
Martyrologies of Tallagh and of Marianus
Gorman. 3. St. Farannan, Bishop of brated on the 15th of February, according Tref hod, who is said to have died, in the to the Martyrologies of Tallagh and of Ma-
Commentator on
St.
yEngus. 5. Farannan,
Archbishop of Armagh, whose Natalis is celebrated on the 30th of April, at Wasor,
Colgan says, that while this present saint must be distinguished, from others he has named ; yet, he seems to have been identical with the Forannan, whose Natalis was cele-
February 15. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 553
According to the Irish Life, Farannan was the son of Quintiis or Constans,7 son to Colgan, or Colga,^ son to Edus, son of Finnbarr,9 son to Eiigenius,^° or Eoghan," son to Niall of the Nine Hostages, Monarch of Ireland. " But, the virtues of our saint were far more admirable, than his nobility of birth ; for, he was more solicitous to practise piety, than the vicious are to pursue false pleasures. Both by word and by action, h—e was careful to reprobate vice, —and to promote virtue. He practised and apparently from early youth great austerities against the flesh ; while, his virtues and miracles spread his fame, throughout the whole island. His example was a salutary lesson to many, for the amendment of their lives. When duly promoted to a position in the Church, he preached the Holy Gospels, with much fruit and zeal. ^3 "We are told in his Life, that our saint was contemporaneous with the great St. Columkille, who, burning with zeal for the propagation of the true faith, left his native island, for the shores of Albion,^4 that he might gain a Christian conquest over the incredulous Picts. ^5 We are also informed, that St. Columba had another reason, for seeking these shores. Some intestine divisions and strife arising among members of his
family, who stood high in rank and station, at home, the saint vainly endea- voured to restore peace. Not being able to succeed, he took a resolution of leaving his native country, to which he never -intended to return. ^^ The Apostle of the Picts directed his course towards Iona,'7 where having erected a noble monastery, he became a great promoter of monastic rules and
^^ St. Forannan is classed
whether his
his
novitiate commenced in Ireland, or at lona, does not appear to be well
known.
The kindred of St. Columba, in Ireland, earnestly desired this saint's
presence among them, and they sent frequent messages to induce his return. He constantly refused compliance with these entreaties, until a great public necessity compelled him to revisit his native island. His object was to effect areconciliationbetweentheScotsofHiberniaandthoseofAlba. ^" Apublic convention or council was called at Dromceat, in order to deliberate on thosespecialmatters. Others,ofgreatnationalandecclesiasticalimportance, engaged the attention of this grand deliberative assembly.
It is only, at a late period, the site of this celebrated convention seems
practices.
among
disciples ;^9 but,
rianus Gorman. There, he is called the son of ^dus, according to a usual Irish custom ;
for, even although remotely descended, from an ancestor so named, the descendants were
styled sons of a distinguished progenitor,
This opinion of Colgan is by no means con-
elusive.
^"
See Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , Feb-
"
Sanctilogium Genea- logicum," cap, 2. Colgan intended to make further reference to him, in his notes to the Life of St. Dagius, bishop, which was to
have been published at the 1 8th of August.
" See the " Martyrology of Donegal. "
^2 The Irish Life of St. Farannan is
quoted by the O'Clerys, for the pedigree of the present holy man.
ruarii xv. , p. 804. They promise there to
examine more at length his possible identity
with St. Farannan, Abbot and Patron of nise," xv. Februarii. Vita S. Farannani,
Wasor, when treating about him, at the 30th
cap, i, , ii. , p. 336.
^4 Rather Alba or Caledonia.
^s Then living as Pagans,
^^
Such are the accounts usually given by Irish writers.
'7 A remarkable Hebridean island,
'^ See the Rev, Dr. Reeves' Adamnan's " Life of St. Columba," /rt'jj/w.
^9 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga. " Appendix ad Acta S, Columbce, p, 490,
'^° Such are the accounts Irish and Scottish historians.
of April. ^ In the
"
Martyrology of Donegal," he is
called Conn,
^" See the
9 In the
gal" we have the following addition, "Take notice, that Fionnbarr was not of the ten sons that Eoghan had,"
'° From this Eugene, sixteen kings of Ire-
Martyrology of Donegal. "
" of Done- published Martyrology
and more than saints
thirty descended,
usually given by
land,
as appears from the Catalogue of Kings of
Ireland, as also from
'3 See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
554 LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [February15.
to have been settled. Dr. O'Donovan, and, after him, Dr. Reeves, Professor
and other
in Roe Park, beside Limavady, as the scene for this celebrated meeting. O'Donnell tells iis,^^ that Columba, after sailing across the river now known as Lough Foyle, and at the part where it is broadest, turned the prow of his vesseltotheRiverRoe,whichflowsintotheFoyle.
Then,thevesselofthat holy man glided with the Divine assistance up this stream, though from the scantiness of its waters, it is otherwise unnavigable. But, the place in which the boat was then anchored, thenceforth from that circumstance called
O'Ciirry,
writers,
have fixed
upon
Mullagh,"
Daisy Hill,"
"
After making a moderate delay at that place, the holy man, with his venerable
Hill of the Boat," is very near Drumceat. retinue, set out to that very charming, gently-sloping hill, commonly called
Cabhan-an-Churaidh, that is, the
Drumceat. Dr. Reeves Then,
that hill called " The =^ which Keady,"
states,
commences about two miles out of Newtownlimavady,''3 might be supposed,
from the apparent similarity of the name, to be the spot. He thinks, also, there can be little doubt, that the artificial mound in Roe Park, called "The
and sometimes tlie "
we believe, the Rev. John Keys O'Dogherty^s has furnished reasons, for a more probable selection of locality. His narrative is substantially contained,
in the following descriptive account, which argues a careful study of the question, and of the locality. He infers the site of the convention, to have beenasmallhill,ontheoppositesideoftheRoe,fromtheMullagh. *^ He is convinced, moreover, that the Keady derives its name from, and is only a modernized form of, the latter part in the word Drum-ceatta. The initial C in Irish words being pronounced hard, like the letter K, would give us the Avord, as if written Kcatta, precisely similar in sound, and not very different in spelling from the modern Keady.
The River Roe at this particular part may be said to run east and west, and the bank, on either side, may correctly enough be termed northern and southern. This will assist the reader, to some extent, in understanding the relative positions of those hills, for which claim is made of being the Drum- ceat in Irish history. On the southern bank of the river is the Mullagh. About a quarter of a mile, farther up the stream, than where it passes the Mullagh, the river is engaged among rocks ; so, it may be assumed for certain, that the Hill of Convention, on whatever side of the river it lies, cannot be farther up than the Mullagh. Hence, the' Rev. Mr. O'Dogherty thinks, we are to look for it, somewhere near the Roe, between the Mullagh and the mouth of the Roe. There are numerous hills on both sides of the
Mullagh,"
Daisy Hill,''
is the real Drumceatt. ^4
Still,
''See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga.
"
about 190 by 170 feet. The prospect from it is exceedingly extensive and varied, com- manding a view of Magilligan, with its IJcnyevenagh, Aghanloo, Drumachose,
Tamlaght-Finlagan, and part of Inishowen. Tiicre is no local tradition about the spot, except that it is reckoned "gentle," and that it is unlucky to cut the sod. The truth is, the effects of the plantation have utterly —effaced all the old associations of the jtlace. "
"Acts of Archbishop Colton in his Metro-
politan Visitation of Derry, A. D. MCCCXCVll.
Additional Notes, H, p. 133.
=^5 parish ofNewtownstewart. priest
=^
See the townland, so called, in the parish of Tamlaght Finlagan and barony of Kcc- naght, on the " Ordnance Survey Townland
Maps for the County of Londonderry. " Sheets 9, 16.
Life of St. Columkille, lib. iii. , cap. iv. , p.
431. ^^
There are two townland denominations ofKeady; oneintheparishofDrumachose, barony of Keenaght, and the other in the
parishofMaghera, barony of Loughinshol in. These are to be seen described on the " Ord- nance Survey Townland Maps for the CountyofLondonderry. " Sheetslo,32.
^3 Alias Rathbrady Beg. It is in the
parish of Drumachose, and barony of Kee- naught. See "Ordnance Survey Townland
for the of
Maps County Londonderry. "
Sheet 9.
''^ The Rev. Dr. Reeves adds: "It is
situate in a meadow, at a little distance from the house, on the N. W. ; it rises to the height of about twenty feet, and measures
the "
or "
February 15. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 555
river, and, to select any one of them appears to be, to some extent, a question of probabilities. The eminence required, probably is a remarkable one ; so is the Mullagh ; this seems to be the sole reason, and the sum total of its claims. The name, however, is much against it ; firstly, because a Mullagh cannot be a Drium ; and secondly, as Urumceat was a well-known place, tlie Irish-speaking people never would have changed its name, into the
A little farther down the river, on the, same southern bank, is a ridge, called Drum-bally-donaghy. =7 Donaghy, if it be not a family name, might retain traces of Donagh, /. <? . , Domniica, and, therefore, of the religious functions, that used to be celebrated there. Near to Drum-bally-donaghy is
"
a pool, in the river, called the boat-hole. " This might be supposed to
correspond, with Cabhan-an-Churaidh ; but, it is a place, where a boat
usuallywas,andevennowisoccasionallykept. Noargumentcanbedrawn fromthisinfavourofDrum-bally-donaghy. Nordoesthereseemtobeany reason, for selecting any other amone the ridges, on the same side of the Roe.
On the north side of this stream, and just opposite the Mullagh, there is
a hill, the form of which attracts attention, whether viewed, when descending
the river, that is, coming from Dungiven to Limavady, or ascending, by the same road, which runs along the south bank of the river. The name of this hill is Enagh. 2^ It is the Irish name still for a " fair. " In earlier times, it meant a gathering for /^////V^/ purposes ; and, in later times, an assembly for religions purposes. The name, therefore, suggests, that this was the hill so well known in Colgan's time ; and which, he says, Avas in his day and for ever venerable, especially on account of the many pilgrimages and the public religious ceremonies (Theophoriam), which, on the festival of All Saints, in memory of the aforesaid synod there celebrated, are annually made, with an immense concourse from all the neighbouring districts. Now Drumceat, which " the Drum" or "
commonplace appellation Mullagh.
language have died out, at present in the locality, but they had not died out when this Irish name was given to it.
means,
ridge
of the
pleasant swelling ground," being
a commonplace appellation, might easily give way in the lapse of time, to the name Enagh.
Standing on Enagh, the most beautiful view, in the whole valley of the
Roe, is presented. Looking northwards. Lough Foyle, sweeping from Inishowen Head round the lovely shores of Greencastle, Moville, and Iska-
heen, comes upon the eye ; and it is bounded, from this point of view, by the range of hills, which culminates in the ruin-crowned summit of Greenan, once known as "Aileach of the Kings. " Still looking north, but on this side of the Foyle, to the right, the lowlands of Myroe and Magilligan rise by swelling ridges, like mimic Tartar steppes, till they mount into the grand romanticrangesofBenyevenaghandtheKeady. Standinguponasome- what insulated ridge, which rears itself 160 feet high, in a valley stretching north and south, its narrowest part under the feet ; before the spectator, it spreads out into the lowlands of Lough Foyle shores ; while, on the south, it widens out, in the direction of Dungiven, only turning more towards the west. If you examine these rising swells just near you, you will see the ruins of Drumachose—St. Canice's Church—crowning one of them
;
while, turning and looking up the south opening of the valley, you could, were it not for the intervening groves, see the ruins of Tamlaght Finlagan,
^^ It is to be seen on the same sheet of the and barony of Keenaglit.
*'
Ordnance Sur-
map with Mullagh. vcy Townland Maps for the County of Lon«
=^^
This is in the parish of Dmmachose donderry. " See Sheets 9, 10.
No doubt the Irish tradition and
556 LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [February15.
or St. Finloch's Church. The Roc, however, runs between the two ; but,
thereisaveryshallowford,justintheline,separatingthem. Itisprobable, that a hill would be selected convenient for the clergy of both churches, as also on the side nearest to the more important church—the " Magna Ecclesia de Ro ;" and, we might also add, on the side nearest the county Antrim, wherein lay the territories about which, according to some authorities, the dispute was chiefly pending. —
On what has been designated the north bank of the river
opposite to the Mullagh—there is an insulated rock, like a huge milestone or finger-post. This marked out Enagh, and it is called the " Boat-Rock. " It is the first met, on either side, when passing up the river, from the Foyle ; there is no other for half a mile farther up, where the gorges of the river commenceabruptly. Thisparticularspotisjustsuchaspot,asshouldinvite a boat's crew to land. The juxtaposition of this rock to Enagh—and from this point the hill looks most picturesque—and its being on the same side of the river with it, weigh much, with the Rev. Mr. O'Dogherty, when deciding
but the toivnland oi that name—seems also an
/////, argument
in favour of this theory. It is probable, that what we know did occur in
many other cases, occurred also in this, viz. , that the name Keady, which is
now confined to one townland, once extended over an entire district, and
that the district got such a name, perhaps from this very hill. When a large
townland was divided into two or three smaller ones, the smaller ones got
what we may term surnames. By degrees, the latter or distinctive name
alone was preserved, while the original name clung to only one of the
divisions, and to that one, because the original possessor, may have retained
it to himself. Colgan's description suggests to the mind, that the hill was
not near, but some little distance from the Roe. Thus, it was quite near. ='9
The venerable man, he tells us, made a slight delay at the place where he
landed, and then ^uent to the assetJibly. All the other hills are either too
near, or too far off, to answer this description. The Mullagh is almost on
the brink of the river. The appearance of Enagh is such, as from most
points of view, might suggest, to a—Latin writer, the derivation, for Drumceat,
in favour of Enagh, not only as against the Mullagh, but as against any other of those hills, that rise along the river. The proximity of Enagh to the
Ready—not the
of"Dorsum orin "thebackofawhale. " Nootherhill
Cete," English
around could suggest the same idea. Enagh agrees in every respect, with the
"
description of Drumceat. It is a collis,'' for it is in ;
—sulated and it is at the sametimea"dnmforridge. Adnwiisabackbone aspurthatamountain sends out—but, more prolonged, and more easy of slope, on its flanks, than
what we ordinarily mean, when we speak of a mountain-spur, and projecting also from a lower elevation of the mountain. It is not easy to find a place, which one person could with propriety call a drum, and another with equal propriety term a collis ; but, it seems, that both designations are applicable toEnagh,andtonootherofthehillsaround. Itisverybeautiful,3°whether considered in its own aspect, or in the delightful prospect it affords. It is gradually ascending, which none of the other hills are, and certainly not the
Mullagh. 3^
These are the principal arguments, that lead the Rev. Mr. O'Dogherty to
adopt Enagh, in preference to the Mullagh ; and, though there may be but a balance of probabilities in favour of his theory, still the Mullagh seems to him entirely out of a competition, for claiming the ancient title of Drum-
°9 He uses the term
"pervicinus. "
3i The terms are "leniter descriptive
acclivis. "
3° The term is *' descriptive
peramsenus. "
the side
February 15. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 557
ceat. The most that can be said of it is, that it rises as a remarkable hill, near the Roe ; and, when this has been said, all has been repeated that can be urged. After it, at least Enagh is the most remarkable hill ; from its situa- tion, it is the hill likely to be chosen for the assembly ; it answers perfectly the description of Drumceat ; it retains, by its neighbourhood, traces of the name ; its name indicates a place of religious concourse ; it is on the same side of the river with, and near to, a remarkable rock, standing up out of the bank, and called the " Boat-Rock," with no reason, we can now see, for prefixing the term Boat to it ; and lastly, it affords space on its summit for the royal pavilions and tents, which, O'Donnell tells us, were scattered over the hill, in the manner of military camps. On the top of the Mullagh, there is no space for the like ; Enagh, at least, is required for this. So much then, for the site of this famous Convention, which left its mark, not only on that era, but also on after ages. s^ It seems to us, the foregoing arguments bear the highest meed, for shrewdness of conjecture, and for research, in the accurate examination of historic evidence.
CHAPTER II
ST. COLUMKILLE PROCURES THE RELEASE OF SCANLAN, PRINCE OF OSSORY—ST. COLUMBA's SPIRITUAL JURISDICTION—AT EASDRA HE MEETS VARIOUS HOLY MEN AND WOMEN, AT A PUBLIC ASSEMBLY.
St. Columkille had another object in view, by returning to Ireland. He greatly desired the release of Scanlan, son to Kinfalius, King of Ossory, who
was detained in prison by Aidus,^ son to Anmirach, Monarch of Ireland. ^ This Aidus3 was a kinsman to St. Columba himself. The latter succeeded in this endeavour, as also in his desire of effecting peace, between the belli- gerent parties, and princes of the period. He was detained for some time, in Ireland. There, as we are told, he exercised spiritual rule,^ over various
communities of men and women. s -No religious
doubt,
in a restricted
sense,
this was quite true.
Before returning to Britain, St. Columba founded a cluirch in the territory
ofCairbre. ^ This was called Druimcliabh. 7 Thence, he went to a place, called Easdra f and, here he was met by all the bishops of the surrounding
3- See a series of
" The Conven-
Patrick the Abbot of lona had holy
Papers,
tion of Drumceat, A. D. 590," chap. ii.
These contributions appeared in The Lou-
supreme powerinspiritualmattersoverallthemonks
donder? y jfourna—l, A-^n\26\\\z. \\d2? >\h. , 1876. ^
and nuns, throughout Ireland.
s Colgan denies the truth of the passage
in Farannan's Acts, as he could not believe, that all the monasteries of Ireland M'ere
subject to St. Columba's spiritual rule, al- though many appear to have been under his
discipline and control. See ibid. , n. 15, p. 339.
^ It was a little to the north of situated,
Sligo, and it is now in the diocese of Elphin. St. Mothoria is said to have been the first abbot under the founder. This name occurs
Chapter ii. This Aidus or Hugh I.
began his reign, in the year 572 ; and, he
ruled twenty-six years, according to Ussher's
"
Britannicarum Ecclesiarum Antiquitates," cap. xvii. , pp. 490, 500, and "Index Chro- nologicus," p. 535.
^ He was killed at the battle of
A. D. 598, according to Ussher. See ibid.
3 Many particulars are recorded about
Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hibernioe," xv. Februarii, n. 14, p. 339.
"The Acts of St. Farannan have a state- ment, regarding -Columba, that after St.
Columba. " Additional Notes G, p. 279. 7 It is now called Drumclifife,
^
Colgan dues not attempt to identify this place.
Dunbolg,
him, and regarding his celebrated son,
Domnald, in the Acts of Dromcheat Synod,
as also in other ancient documents. See Rev. Dr. Reeves' Adamnan's Life of St.
in the Calendar, at the 9th of June. See "
55S LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS [February15.
country, and by many holy persons of both sexes. The place, where this assembly was held, seems to have been Easdara,9 as formerly called, and at
present Ballysadare,'° in the county of Sligo. The author of our saint's Acts says, that of Cumne's race" alone, there were many men and women renowned for their sanctity. She was the daughter of Dalbronnius and a sistertoBrotsecha,themotherofSt. Brigid. " Shewascelebratedforher numerous and holy progeny. ^3
The names of some among these holy persons are only given. We find enumerated, St. Moninnia^^ of Sliabh Culinn ; the two sons of ConalPs of
Killchora ; Manius,^^ Bishop of Tyr-Oilill ; Muredach,''7 of Killala, in Tyr- Amhalgaidh ; Ronius,^^ Bishop of Kill-Ronius \ Caiminus'9 of Inis-Kealtra ;
Regulus,=° of Mucinis, in the territory of Dalgeis ; Senanus,^^ of Inis-Cathy ; Senanus,^^ of Lathir Brivin ; Erninus,^3 of Cluain-reilgeach, in Meath ; Seven Bishops of Cluain Hemain f^ Libania^s and Fortchern,^^ of Odhba Keara,
9 It opens on a bay, into which falls the
Unshion or Ballysadare River. This issues
from Lough Arrow, near Boyle, and here it
is joined by the Coolaney River. At this
place, it falls over several ledges of rocks,
the last of which is ten feet in height, into
that arm of the sea, called Ballysadai-e
channel. vSee Lewis' "Topographical Dic- no ordinary size. But, he is of opinion, tionary of Ireland," vol. i. , p.
