^°5 There is a
reference
to St.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v3
581
animmenserude,uprightstone,^^° ofgreatweightandheight,crownsthesum- mit, within a most remarkable oblong and ancient fortress/^' Much of the stone
—supposed to have been a pagan monument—is buried in the ground besideit, anotherstone'^^ofgreatlengthliesprostrated,'^3andnotfarremoved
Edentinny Fort, near Ballinamore, County of Leitrim.
are similar prostrate stones,^^-* which, once upright, must have rendered this eminence very conspicuous. Other writers state,^^s that this plain of Magh
Sleachta lay, in the present barony of TuUyhaw, in the county of Cavan. ^^^ When Patrick arrived at Magh Sleaght,^^7 there was erected the large statue,
of an obliterated city beside them are passed
over, with the imperfect description of "cams. " This whole district has yet to
engage the explorations of historians and archaeologists, for the elucidation of social
conditions, in an age very remote ; and, it
must be added, in this connexion, that
socially considered, as well as topographi-
cally and historically, the scenery and capa- bilities of Leitrim County need higher
appreciation and improvement, than have been bestowed by most of its large landed
proprietors.
'"Itissaidtobe "thebrow Anglicised,
of fire. "
'^° This "galloon" is at least 12 feet in
height, and artificially formed.
'^' Huge stones are found, forming the
outer face of an embankment, on the two smaller ends : on the depressed sides, the rock has been quarried and removed, to form a steep, not easy of access. Several of the loose flanking stones have been re-
moved, for building purposes, by former inhabitants of the adjacent village of Aiden-
'^3 The accompanying illustration, taken from a drawing on the spot, in June, 1876, by the author, was traced on the wood, by
William F. Wakeman, and engraved by George A. Hanlon. It represents the up- right "galloon," and that prostrate one, within the old fortification.
184 A woman, whose farm-house was near, informed the writer, that she had seen one of these upright, and she had even witnessed its accidental falling, some few years before.
'^3 See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , n. (a), p. 43. The
of Baile
incorrect, as referring to the exact locality. '^7 The origin of the name of Magh Slecht
is to be found, in the " Book of Ballymote," fol. 220, a. a.
'^^ It is so called, in the Tripartite. The Rev. Dr. Todd says, this word "seems to
and
'^^ It is nearly as large as the upright one.
tinny,
by
their
neighbours.
island of and the Port,
Meg- Shamhradhain, now Ballymagauran, are said by Dr. O'Donovan, to have been in that plain. See ibid. , vol. iv. , n. (c), p. 882, at A. D. 1431. Also, Rev. Dr. Todd's "St. Patrick, Apostle of Ireland," Intro- duction, p. 127, and chap, iii. , n. 3, p. 464. »^^ In our opinion, these statements are
village
; while,
582 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 17.
oranidol,calledbysome,CromCruach. ^^^ Totheirchiefidol,thepagans were accustomed to present the firstlings of animals and other offerings. '^9 Twelve other idols'9° are said to have stood near or around Crom Cruach ;^9^ and with the intention of destroying the prestige or efficacy of these idols, Patrick soon came to a river, called Gath-ardj's^ within sight of them. There and then, he beheld a great multitude of persons assembled. In some accounts,'93 it is asserted, that King Laeghaire himself was present, and en- gagedinthesameofficesofidolatrousworship. ThepeopleatEdentinny show a broad, rushing, clear stream, named St. Patrick's well,'9* which escapes from beneath the perpendicular face of steep, rock, and from its sub- terranean course, into the lower grounds. These are now converted into moorland, but once—and not so long ago—they formed the bed of an ex- tensive lake,^9S on the margin of which arose the artificially-scarped ledge of rock,onthetopofwhichwasanearlyoblongCaherorfortification. Theidol of this locale, called Crom-Cruach, is said to have been the principal one of all the colonists that settled in Ireland, from the earliest times to the period of St. Patrick. ^9^ Certainwritershaveit,thatCrom,'97orCrom-eacha,^98wasthe titlebestowedontheirFireGod,bythePaganIrish. ^99 Hewasregardedas
^°°
the of vital dispenser
and of
of
Mc Follaigh, King of Ireland, who reigned from a. m. 3580 to a. m. 3656,^°'
heat,
signify the bent, or stooping mound. "
Tighemmas
Jocelyn
calls the same
idol, Ceancroithi,
'97 This is said to have been derived from
an "fire. " Egyptianword,Chrom,meaning
'9^ It is also thought, this idol had been termed Crom-dubh, "the black stooping
which he interprets "Caput omnium deo-
rum. " The Third Life calls this idol Cen-
fecundity,
prosperity.
nerbhe. See cap. xlvi. , p. 25. Dr. stone ;" and, under this latter appellation,
Keating terms it, Crom-cruadh, in his to have given rise to the name, Domhnach
*'
History of Ireland," at the reign of Crom-duibh, or Cromduff Sunday, which
Tighemmas. See Rev. Dr. Todd's
"
St.
O'Flaherty says fell, on the Sunday imme- diately before the Kalends of August. About this time, the people in different parts of Ireland have the traditional name, Garland Sunday, applied to that incidence ; while others transfer such name, to the first Sunday of August, and, it is always regarded in the light of a sportive celebration. O'Flaherty thinks, the Sunday in question
"
iii. , cap. xxii. , pp. 198, 199.
'99 The Irish Crom Cruith is thought to
express an idea of " God the Creator. " The sun or fire was thought most strongly to ex-
press the symbolic form of the Supreme Being, by our Pagan ancestors. Cruith is
possibly derived from the word Cruithain,
which " to form " or "to create. " signifies,
Hence, the Irish word, Cruitheoir, which
''
Patrick, Apostle of Ireland," Introduction, n. I, p. 120.
'89 See Rev. Dr. O'Conor's "Rerum Hi- bernicarum Scriptores," tomus i. , pars. i. Prolegomina, p. 22.
'9° Rev. Dr. Lanigan shrewdly considers these idols referred to, as having been circles of stone. See "Ecclesiastical History of Ire-
land," vol. i. , chap, v. , sect, viii. , p. 239.
'9' Dr. Lanigan conjectures, that the Cruach's destruction. See Ogygia," pars,
large idol was only a rude stone, occupying a central position, and representing the sun, while in a circular form around it, the twelve lesser stones represented the signs of the zodiac. See ibid. , sect, v. , n. 45, p. 229. Similar stone circles are numerous, in various parts of Ireland.
'»' The Irish Life
Tripartite interprets
""
this 2. % gtith voice," and ard high," be-
cause St. Patrick raised his voice there to
denouncetheidolaters. AtaRathGuthard,
the Senchas Mor is alleged to have been
partially composed. See " Senchas Mor," face to "Y Gwir yn erbyn y Byd,"
vol. i. Preface, p. xxx.
'93 Those of the Third, and of the Tripar-
tite Lives.
'9^ Here popular tradition has it, that St.
Patrick baptized many persons.
'95 A middle-aged peasant informed the
writer, that he recollected the time, when a sheet of water covered the present moor- lands.
'96 According to the Dinnsenchus.
otherwise denominated, " Barddas ; or a col- lection of Original Documents, illustrative of the Theology, Wisdom and Usages of the Bardo-Druidic System of the Isle of Bri- tain," there is a considerable amount of vague speculation, and some useful informa- tion, on this specific subject. See vol. i. , pp. xiii. to Ixxxii. The original Welsh, re-
ferring to symbol, theology and wisdom, and an English translation and notes,
had been so called, in memory of Crom-
means
200 ggg «» Irish Folk Lore," by Lagenien-
the Creator. "
sis, chap, xxiii. , pp. 195, 196. In the Pre-
March 17. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
583
commanded sacrifices to this idol, on the day of Saman 202 ;
he
and, ordained,
thatbothmenandwomenshouldadoreit, prostrateontheground,untilblood flowedfromtheirnoses,foreheads,kneesandelbows. Asmanydiedfromthe
severity of those genuflexions, ^°3 in this demoralizing and barbarous worship, the place was afterwards called Magh Sleacht. ^°'<- The persons, present when St. Patrick arrived here, were engaged, in the adoration of their idolatrous object. There, according to some accounts, was seen the king himself, acting as high priest. But, the spell of superstition, then holding sway, was soon dissolved bySt. Patrick. Onfindinghecould,neitherbyferventsermons,norbygreat miracles, reclaim those people from the madness of their idolatry, the saint had recourse to his wonted arms of holy prayer. No sooner did he elevate his pure hands, for the subversion of that idol, than, in a threatening manner, on approaching, he lifted up the Staff of Jesus against it. ^°5 The idol fell down instantly, and upon the left side,^°^ although the Bachall Isa did not touch it, nor leave St. Patrick's hand. 2°7 AH the gold and silver dissolved into dust, while the little gods were swallowed up by the earth, even to their necks. Their heads, however, continued over the ground, even to the
twelfth ^°^ century.
who saw that believed in the prodigy,
Hereupon, many,
true and living God, and these were baptized in a fountain, which the saint,
by his prayers, produced out of the earth. 2°9 There, too, in the exertion of his arms against the idol, a jibula,'''^° or gratf,'^'^^ which confined the extremi- ties of his garment, fell among the heather. Afterwards, the saint cut away all the heath, in that place, until he found the graif. A popular tradition prevailed,thatnoheathergrewthere,norintheplainnearit, owingtothe incident recorded. The Tripartite Life states, that a demon was concealed within the idol, and thence banished by the saint. He then called all the
people, with King Laeghaire, who there worshipped those idols. All, who saw the demon, feared death, unless Patrick would banish him to hell, and with this expressed wish, the saint complied. In this district, St. Patrick is said to have built a church, called Domnachmor,^" and to have placed Mauran,='3 surnamed Barban, or Banban, over it. But, how long he con-
follow. This work has been edited for the it stood. According to this account, also, Welsh MSS. Society, by the Rev. J. the chief idol is said to have been adorned Williams ab Ithel, M. A. This vol. was with gold and silver ; while, it is added,
"
ii. , published in 1874, is similarly edited inde erga Idolum positi. "
^^"^ Such is the statement of
the Irish Tripartite Life, states, that the idol inclined over to its right side (for to- wards the south its face was turned), and the mark of the (5a<r/^a// lived in its left side,
"^ The Latin Tripartite there relates, "ad latus dextrum versus occidentem, coepit sat sinistre corruere. Faciem enim versam versus Temoriam habebat. "
published at Llandovery, 1862, 8vo. Vol.
et duodecim Dii jerei fabricati hinc et
and
Its contents refer to the Privilege and Usage of Bardism.
^°' On the very night of Samhain, A. M. 3656, Tighernmas died, with three-fourths of the men of Ireland about him, while
worshipping Crom Cruach, at Magh-slecht. ^^ This corresponded with All-Hallows' eve, and this day is yet called in Ireland
from " and Samhain, fAth, summer," T^uin,
"end. "
^"3 Dr. O'Conor translates this "
Jocelyn; but,
arranged.
propter excidium quod passi sunt viri Hibernice ;"
208 According to Jocelyn's account.
^°9 At such account is Edentinny,
yet
but. Dr. O'Donovan states, this is erroneous.
evidently
corroborated, by popular tradition,
^'° Such is the Latin term for this dress
ornament.
^" The Irish name for it. The object
itself must have been a sort of button, or a buckle.
^''^ The Latin Tripartite, renders this, by the words, " Basilicam magnam. " The Irish Tripartite Life calls it, Domhnach-
Maighe-Slecht.
^'^ The Irish Tripartite Life states, that
°°'» See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , nn. (b, c), ^. 43, at A. M. 3656.
^°5 There is a reference to St. Patrick's overthrow of the idol, Crom Cruach, in the
"
Book of Lecan," fol. 250, b. a. , line 20. The fourth Life calls the idol Slecht, pro- bably from the name of the plain, on which
584 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 17.
tinued here, at this time, cannot be accurately ascertained. ^'* Although the foregoing varying accounts are mingled greatly with popular fables,'''^ there
can hardly be a doubt, regarding the historical celebrity attaching to those localities, and yet commemorated, in existing curious monuments, and in current traditions.
CHAPTER XI.
THE IRISH APOSTLE RESOLVES TO VISIT CONNAUGHT—HE CROSSES THE SHANNON—THE DRUIDS MOEL AND CAPLAT—PATRICK PREACHES THE GOSPEL TO THOSE PEOPLE, LIVING IN ROSCOMMON—ST. ASCICUS—CONVERSION OF ETHNEA AND FETHLIMIA, THE DAUGHTERS OF KING LAOIGHAIRE—LABOURS OF ST. PATRICK IN TIR-CHAI- REDHA AND HY-MANY.
The great Apostle purposed to travel round the whole island, that he might convert it to Christ ; but, he bore in mind, more particularly, that vision, which formerly he beheld in sleep, and wherein, he seemed called, by the infants of a western part of the country, even in their mothers' womb. He desiredtheretheincreaseofGod'skingdom,withgreatereffect; for,hehad a special call of Providence, to visit that remote region. Patrick thus deter- mined to go into Connaught, there to preach the Gospel, to the inhabitants of that province. He probably had spent the year 433, and a good part of 434,' on the Meath, Longford and Leitrim missions. Afterwards, according to the Tripartite Life, he crossed the Shannon, at a place, called Snav-daen,= or Snamh-daen,3 where a ford was then first found,* which enabled the Apostle and his companions to cross that wide river, with great ease. 5 There, one of St. Patrick's servants, who was named Buadmael,^ died and was buried. A church, afterwards, had been erected, at the spot ; and, from
him, it got the designation, Cill-Buadhmaoil. ' This erection was regarded, as being specially under Patrician jurisdiction. ^
he left there, Mabran Barbarus, Patrick's relative and prophet. Colgan cannot find such a name, in our Irish Calendars ; how- ever, there are more Banbans than one, and,
he conjectures, the present may have been St. Banban, the Wise, venerated at the gtli
'*
called in the Book of Armagh vadum
duorum avium," identical with Snamh da en, "the ford of the two birds," was the name of that part of the River Shannon, lying between Clonmacnoise, in the King's County, and Clonburren, in the county of
"
Tribes and Customs of Hy-Many," Introductory Remarks, n. (f),
p. 5.
3 This is alluded to, in the Trinity
College, Dublin, Manuscript, classed, H, 2. 16, p. S71.
of May.
="^ bee Dr. Lanigan's
"
Roscommon. See
Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. i. , chap, v,, sect. viii. , and coiTesponding notes, 67, 69, 71,
74, pp. 237 to 240.
="5 See Tertia Vita S. Patricii, cap. xlvi. ,
Vita S.
42 ; Sexta Vita S. Patricii, cap. 1. , Ivi. , cii. ,
cxi. , cxiv. , pp. 76, 77, 88, 89, 90, 91 ; Sep- timaVita S. Patricii, lib. ii. , cap. xx. , xxi. , xxii. , xxiii. , xxiv. , xxv. , xxvi. , xxvii. , xxviii. , xxix. , xxx. , xxxi. , pp. 132, 133, 134. Also, see Miss Cusack's " Life of St. Patrick, Apostle of Ireland," pp. 397 to 400. —
'
* This is said to have been
produced, owing to St. Patrick's merits, Tlie Irish Tripartite Life remarks, that the learned will yet find that esker, in the bed of the river, and which thus rose up, under
St. Patrick, in the ford.
^ On this occasion, Ferrar very incorrectly states, that our saint crossed the Shannon at Lumneach, now Limerick. See his " His- tory of Limerick," p. 4.
''
Colgan could find nothing regarding him, in the Irish Kalendars, imless he could have been identical, with a Buadan, whose feast has been referred, to the 14th or 241! ! of January, or to the 23rd of March,
p. 25 ; Quarta
Patricii, cap. liii. , p.
miraculously
Ussher places St. Pa- trick's journey to Connaught, in the year
Chapter XI.
434. See his A. D. ccccxxxiv.
"
Index Chronologicus," at
^ Dr. Lanigan asks, if this might not have been near Drum-snave, in Leitrim. But, according to Dr. O'Donovau, the place.
March 17. J LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 58:
In the western province were two celebrated Magi, named respectively, Maol and Capiat, who were charged by King I^aoighaire, with the education of his daughters, Ethne and Fethelm. 9 By magic spells, those diviners pro- cured a notable darkness, to settle over the lands of Magh Aoi,'° for three whole days. " But, on the approach of St. Patrick, he blessed that region, and the obscurity was dissolved, by a remarkable brightness, in the atmos- phere, except in that place, where Maol and Capiat dwelt. " The inhabitants, admiring those portents, turned with all their hearts to the teaching of God's servant, whom they greatly lauded, and a moral light, also, began to dawn withintheirminds. BeyondtheShannon,atacertainplace,calledDumha- graidh,^3 St. Patrick ordained a St. Ailbe,'* and he was afterwards connected with the church of Senchua,'S in Tirellil,'^ or in Olild territory. ^? When Patrick was at Dumha Graidh,'^ ordaining the great multitude, he had the spirit of prophecy, and he smiled. " What has now happened ? " asked his
their festival
Benen. ^9 " Bron^° and the monk
^'^ said "who Patrick,
Olcan,"
come towards me, along Traig-Eothaili,^^ and my foster-son, Mac-Erca,^3
withthem; awaveoftheseamadeagreatdash,andtriedtocarryoffthe
youth. " ^4 He went, afterwards, through the territory of Ui-Oilella,^^ and he founded the church eastwards, in Tamhuagh. =^^ This church was built, through God's providence, and by man's efforts. These people afterwards held it in singular veneration, and it was liberally endowed. Over this church, Carell^7 was set, he having been ordained by Patrick, Bron, and Bite,^^ according to the established ecclesiastical usage.
disciple
^ This local denomination, at the time, seems to have become obsolete.
* It was probably situated, within the
parish of Moore, in the barony of Moycar- non, and county of Roscommon.
places
named
Doogary,
present
9 Colgan has notices of these holy virgins,
at the nth of January, although nothing
has been exactly discovered, regarding June.
^' A feast of St. Olcan, or is Bolcan, held,
day.
'° Probus has ^^ campim Hat," as lying
on his way, near the course of the River
Synon. See Quinta Vita S. Patricii, lib. ii. ,
cap. xiii. , p. 53. This Colgan explains, by
Machaire Connacht, or the plain of Con- See John O'Donovan's "Genealogies,
naught. See ibid. , nn. 11, 12, p. 63.
Tribes and Customs of Hy-Fiachrach," Ex- planatory Index to the map, at p. 499.
°3 It is doubted, by Colgan, if he can be identified with certain saints, mentioned in our Irish Calendars.
^» The Latin Tripartite attributes to St. Patrick's vision, and to his merits, the pro- tection then afforded.
^= Also written, Hua Noilella.
-^ Now the church of Taunagb, or Taw- nagh, in the barony of Tirerrill, and county of Sligo.
-^ Colgan thinks, he was venerated at Tir-
ros, on the 13th of July.
-^ A saint of this name is venerated, on the
*'
Jocelyn states, this darkness was in-
tended to prevent St. Patrick approaching
that country.
'^
This was in the level country of Ros-
common. See Seward's "Topographical
Dictionary of Ireland," at J\Iagh-ai.
'3 That it was in Connaught, Colgan tells us, in his Topographical Index to "Trias
Thaumaturga," p. 709 ; but, he does not in- form us, in what part.
'•* He is thought to have been identical with Cruimther-Ailbe, or St. Elbhe, vene- rated on the 30th of January.
'5 Now Shancoe, or a Shancough, parish
in the barony of Tirerrill, and county of 22nd, and on the 29th of July. The Irish
Tripartite Life, moreover, states, in Latin,
as if from an older " et quoting authority,
ipse fecit amicitiam ad reliquias Assici, Ro- dani ; et successores eoruni epulalantur in- vicem. " The Latin Tripartite has a nearly similar statement ; but, it omits the name of Assicus. It adds, that between this church
Sligo.
'" Now the
of Tirerril.
See " The
barony
Topograpliical Poems of John O'Dubhagain
and Giolla na Naomh O'Huidhrin," edited
by Dr. O'Donovan, p. xxxvi. , n. 254.
'' See Roderick " OTlalierty's Ogygia,"
pars. iiJ. , cap. Ixxix. , p. 374,
'^ There are six
in the county of Mayo, and two so called, in
Roscommon. It is difficult, at present, to ascertain this locality.
'9 His feast occurs, on the 9th of Novem- ber.
^°
His festival was held, on the 8th of
on the 20th of February.
°^ Now Trawhohelly, a famous strand
near Tonrego, on the east boundary of the barony of Tireragh, and county of Sligo.
Among the poste-
5S6 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAJIvTS. [March 17.
rity of Oilill, he baptized St. Maneus,=9 who was ordained subsequently, by Bishop Bron, of Cassel-irra. 3° Thence, St. Patrick went to a place, called
Mag-Glais,3'= where the people joyously received him, and presented him with a grant of land, on which he laid the foundations of a basilica, afterwards
called Killmore, or ** the great church. " 3^ He left this mission, in charge of
two disciples. 33 Next, he went into the district of Corc—a-ochland,3* or Corcu Achland,3S or Seachlann,3S ^-q ^\^q south of Ui-Ailella another desig- nation for Tir-Oillil—and to the north was a mountain, called Bagna,37 or Badh- ghna. 38 There our saint found two brothers, called Ida, or Id, and Hono,39 or Ono, who were Druids. There, too, he desired to erect a church. Hono asked Patrick, what he would give for some land, which was shown to him.
Thereupon,
answered, Eternity. " Hono, disregarding
Patrick
" such an
" You
" I have given much, but God will offer more. " 4° He afterwards found a mass of gold, in a place, where swine had been rooting. Then, Patrick gave that gold to Hono for his land. It was called Tir-na-brotha. -*' To reprove his
" No of race shall rule for ever. " ^^ This king thy
offer, said,
it to me instead. " Patrick
possess gold : give replied,
St, Patrick
prediction caused Ono to shed tears, when the holy man felt compassion for
avarice,
said,
his and he added sorrow,
" There shall not be a unassisted king
subsequently,
by thy race, and who shall not be proclaimed by them. " So it came to pass,
for the Cenel Maic Erce was the strongest and most powerful sept, in
Connaught ; notwithstanding, they did not govern like high-kings. Ono then presented his farm and house, to St. Patrick ; and Imleach-Ono was its desig-
nation, at that time. There, the Apostle built a church, and Ailfinn, or Elphin, was its subsequent denomination. '»3 It became, afterwards, the seat of a well-known episcopal See. "''* On account of his penitence and liberality,
Ono and his posterity were blessed by Patrick, who declared, that the palm
and that of Rodan, a kindly feeling and
fellowship prevailed, on the part of those, who ministered in them.
*9 His feast is supposed to have fallen, on
the 2nd of September.
3° This territory comprised the present
parishes of Killaspugbrone and of Kilmac-
nowen, in the barony of Carbury, and
county of Sligo.
3' There is a Moyglass, in the barony of
Bailintobber North, county of Roscommon, in which there is also a church, called Kil-
more, giving name to a parish.
3' The church was otherwise called, Cill-
mor Dithruibh.
33 These are called, Conleng and Ercleng,
in the Irish Tripartite.
3* So called, in the Latin Tripartite.
35 In the Irish Annals, it is called Corca-
Achlann.
3"^ This was a territory, in the east of
Roscommon County, and it comprised the parishes of Bumlinn, Kiltrustan, Cloonfen- lough, with the western portion of the
39 The Irish Tripartite alleges, that he was the son of Aengus, son of Ere Derg, or Ere the Red, who was the son of Brian, from whom the Ui-Honach descend,
*° According to Jocelyn, St. Patrick told
the Magus, that whatever money he pos-
sessed had been expended, in building churches, or in relieving the necessities of
the poor.
animmenserude,uprightstone,^^° ofgreatweightandheight,crownsthesum- mit, within a most remarkable oblong and ancient fortress/^' Much of the stone
—supposed to have been a pagan monument—is buried in the ground besideit, anotherstone'^^ofgreatlengthliesprostrated,'^3andnotfarremoved
Edentinny Fort, near Ballinamore, County of Leitrim.
are similar prostrate stones,^^-* which, once upright, must have rendered this eminence very conspicuous. Other writers state,^^s that this plain of Magh
Sleachta lay, in the present barony of TuUyhaw, in the county of Cavan. ^^^ When Patrick arrived at Magh Sleaght,^^7 there was erected the large statue,
of an obliterated city beside them are passed
over, with the imperfect description of "cams. " This whole district has yet to
engage the explorations of historians and archaeologists, for the elucidation of social
conditions, in an age very remote ; and, it
must be added, in this connexion, that
socially considered, as well as topographi-
cally and historically, the scenery and capa- bilities of Leitrim County need higher
appreciation and improvement, than have been bestowed by most of its large landed
proprietors.
'"Itissaidtobe "thebrow Anglicised,
of fire. "
'^° This "galloon" is at least 12 feet in
height, and artificially formed.
'^' Huge stones are found, forming the
outer face of an embankment, on the two smaller ends : on the depressed sides, the rock has been quarried and removed, to form a steep, not easy of access. Several of the loose flanking stones have been re-
moved, for building purposes, by former inhabitants of the adjacent village of Aiden-
'^3 The accompanying illustration, taken from a drawing on the spot, in June, 1876, by the author, was traced on the wood, by
William F. Wakeman, and engraved by George A. Hanlon. It represents the up- right "galloon," and that prostrate one, within the old fortification.
184 A woman, whose farm-house was near, informed the writer, that she had seen one of these upright, and she had even witnessed its accidental falling, some few years before.
'^3 See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , n. (a), p. 43. The
of Baile
incorrect, as referring to the exact locality. '^7 The origin of the name of Magh Slecht
is to be found, in the " Book of Ballymote," fol. 220, a. a.
'^^ It is so called, in the Tripartite. The Rev. Dr. Todd says, this word "seems to
and
'^^ It is nearly as large as the upright one.
tinny,
by
their
neighbours.
island of and the Port,
Meg- Shamhradhain, now Ballymagauran, are said by Dr. O'Donovan, to have been in that plain. See ibid. , vol. iv. , n. (c), p. 882, at A. D. 1431. Also, Rev. Dr. Todd's "St. Patrick, Apostle of Ireland," Intro- duction, p. 127, and chap, iii. , n. 3, p. 464. »^^ In our opinion, these statements are
village
; while,
582 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 17.
oranidol,calledbysome,CromCruach. ^^^ Totheirchiefidol,thepagans were accustomed to present the firstlings of animals and other offerings. '^9 Twelve other idols'9° are said to have stood near or around Crom Cruach ;^9^ and with the intention of destroying the prestige or efficacy of these idols, Patrick soon came to a river, called Gath-ardj's^ within sight of them. There and then, he beheld a great multitude of persons assembled. In some accounts,'93 it is asserted, that King Laeghaire himself was present, and en- gagedinthesameofficesofidolatrousworship. ThepeopleatEdentinny show a broad, rushing, clear stream, named St. Patrick's well,'9* which escapes from beneath the perpendicular face of steep, rock, and from its sub- terranean course, into the lower grounds. These are now converted into moorland, but once—and not so long ago—they formed the bed of an ex- tensive lake,^9S on the margin of which arose the artificially-scarped ledge of rock,onthetopofwhichwasanearlyoblongCaherorfortification. Theidol of this locale, called Crom-Cruach, is said to have been the principal one of all the colonists that settled in Ireland, from the earliest times to the period of St. Patrick. ^9^ Certainwritershaveit,thatCrom,'97orCrom-eacha,^98wasthe titlebestowedontheirFireGod,bythePaganIrish. ^99 Hewasregardedas
^°°
the of vital dispenser
and of
of
Mc Follaigh, King of Ireland, who reigned from a. m. 3580 to a. m. 3656,^°'
heat,
signify the bent, or stooping mound. "
Tighemmas
Jocelyn
calls the same
idol, Ceancroithi,
'97 This is said to have been derived from
an "fire. " Egyptianword,Chrom,meaning
'9^ It is also thought, this idol had been termed Crom-dubh, "the black stooping
which he interprets "Caput omnium deo-
rum. " The Third Life calls this idol Cen-
fecundity,
prosperity.
nerbhe. See cap. xlvi. , p. 25. Dr. stone ;" and, under this latter appellation,
Keating terms it, Crom-cruadh, in his to have given rise to the name, Domhnach
*'
History of Ireland," at the reign of Crom-duibh, or Cromduff Sunday, which
Tighemmas. See Rev. Dr. Todd's
"
St.
O'Flaherty says fell, on the Sunday imme- diately before the Kalends of August. About this time, the people in different parts of Ireland have the traditional name, Garland Sunday, applied to that incidence ; while others transfer such name, to the first Sunday of August, and, it is always regarded in the light of a sportive celebration. O'Flaherty thinks, the Sunday in question
"
iii. , cap. xxii. , pp. 198, 199.
'99 The Irish Crom Cruith is thought to
express an idea of " God the Creator. " The sun or fire was thought most strongly to ex-
press the symbolic form of the Supreme Being, by our Pagan ancestors. Cruith is
possibly derived from the word Cruithain,
which " to form " or "to create. " signifies,
Hence, the Irish word, Cruitheoir, which
''
Patrick, Apostle of Ireland," Introduction, n. I, p. 120.
'89 See Rev. Dr. O'Conor's "Rerum Hi- bernicarum Scriptores," tomus i. , pars. i. Prolegomina, p. 22.
'9° Rev. Dr. Lanigan shrewdly considers these idols referred to, as having been circles of stone. See "Ecclesiastical History of Ire-
land," vol. i. , chap, v. , sect, viii. , p. 239.
'9' Dr. Lanigan conjectures, that the Cruach's destruction. See Ogygia," pars,
large idol was only a rude stone, occupying a central position, and representing the sun, while in a circular form around it, the twelve lesser stones represented the signs of the zodiac. See ibid. , sect, v. , n. 45, p. 229. Similar stone circles are numerous, in various parts of Ireland.
'»' The Irish Life
Tripartite interprets
""
this 2. % gtith voice," and ard high," be-
cause St. Patrick raised his voice there to
denouncetheidolaters. AtaRathGuthard,
the Senchas Mor is alleged to have been
partially composed. See " Senchas Mor," face to "Y Gwir yn erbyn y Byd,"
vol. i. Preface, p. xxx.
'93 Those of the Third, and of the Tripar-
tite Lives.
'9^ Here popular tradition has it, that St.
Patrick baptized many persons.
'95 A middle-aged peasant informed the
writer, that he recollected the time, when a sheet of water covered the present moor- lands.
'96 According to the Dinnsenchus.
otherwise denominated, " Barddas ; or a col- lection of Original Documents, illustrative of the Theology, Wisdom and Usages of the Bardo-Druidic System of the Isle of Bri- tain," there is a considerable amount of vague speculation, and some useful informa- tion, on this specific subject. See vol. i. , pp. xiii. to Ixxxii. The original Welsh, re-
ferring to symbol, theology and wisdom, and an English translation and notes,
had been so called, in memory of Crom-
means
200 ggg «» Irish Folk Lore," by Lagenien-
the Creator. "
sis, chap, xxiii. , pp. 195, 196. In the Pre-
March 17. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
583
commanded sacrifices to this idol, on the day of Saman 202 ;
he
and, ordained,
thatbothmenandwomenshouldadoreit, prostrateontheground,untilblood flowedfromtheirnoses,foreheads,kneesandelbows. Asmanydiedfromthe
severity of those genuflexions, ^°3 in this demoralizing and barbarous worship, the place was afterwards called Magh Sleacht. ^°'<- The persons, present when St. Patrick arrived here, were engaged, in the adoration of their idolatrous object. There, according to some accounts, was seen the king himself, acting as high priest. But, the spell of superstition, then holding sway, was soon dissolved bySt. Patrick. Onfindinghecould,neitherbyferventsermons,norbygreat miracles, reclaim those people from the madness of their idolatry, the saint had recourse to his wonted arms of holy prayer. No sooner did he elevate his pure hands, for the subversion of that idol, than, in a threatening manner, on approaching, he lifted up the Staff of Jesus against it. ^°5 The idol fell down instantly, and upon the left side,^°^ although the Bachall Isa did not touch it, nor leave St. Patrick's hand. 2°7 AH the gold and silver dissolved into dust, while the little gods were swallowed up by the earth, even to their necks. Their heads, however, continued over the ground, even to the
twelfth ^°^ century.
who saw that believed in the prodigy,
Hereupon, many,
true and living God, and these were baptized in a fountain, which the saint,
by his prayers, produced out of the earth. 2°9 There, too, in the exertion of his arms against the idol, a jibula,'''^° or gratf,'^'^^ which confined the extremi- ties of his garment, fell among the heather. Afterwards, the saint cut away all the heath, in that place, until he found the graif. A popular tradition prevailed,thatnoheathergrewthere,norintheplainnearit, owingtothe incident recorded. The Tripartite Life states, that a demon was concealed within the idol, and thence banished by the saint. He then called all the
people, with King Laeghaire, who there worshipped those idols. All, who saw the demon, feared death, unless Patrick would banish him to hell, and with this expressed wish, the saint complied. In this district, St. Patrick is said to have built a church, called Domnachmor,^" and to have placed Mauran,='3 surnamed Barban, or Banban, over it. But, how long he con-
follow. This work has been edited for the it stood. According to this account, also, Welsh MSS. Society, by the Rev. J. the chief idol is said to have been adorned Williams ab Ithel, M. A. This vol. was with gold and silver ; while, it is added,
"
ii. , published in 1874, is similarly edited inde erga Idolum positi. "
^^"^ Such is the statement of
the Irish Tripartite Life, states, that the idol inclined over to its right side (for to- wards the south its face was turned), and the mark of the (5a<r/^a// lived in its left side,
"^ The Latin Tripartite there relates, "ad latus dextrum versus occidentem, coepit sat sinistre corruere. Faciem enim versam versus Temoriam habebat. "
published at Llandovery, 1862, 8vo. Vol.
et duodecim Dii jerei fabricati hinc et
and
Its contents refer to the Privilege and Usage of Bardism.
^°' On the very night of Samhain, A. M. 3656, Tighernmas died, with three-fourths of the men of Ireland about him, while
worshipping Crom Cruach, at Magh-slecht. ^^ This corresponded with All-Hallows' eve, and this day is yet called in Ireland
from " and Samhain, fAth, summer," T^uin,
"end. "
^"3 Dr. O'Conor translates this "
Jocelyn; but,
arranged.
propter excidium quod passi sunt viri Hibernice ;"
208 According to Jocelyn's account.
^°9 At such account is Edentinny,
yet
but. Dr. O'Donovan states, this is erroneous.
evidently
corroborated, by popular tradition,
^'° Such is the Latin term for this dress
ornament.
^" The Irish name for it. The object
itself must have been a sort of button, or a buckle.
^''^ The Latin Tripartite, renders this, by the words, " Basilicam magnam. " The Irish Tripartite Life calls it, Domhnach-
Maighe-Slecht.
^'^ The Irish Tripartite Life states, that
°°'» See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , nn. (b, c), ^. 43, at A. M. 3656.
^°5 There is a reference to St. Patrick's overthrow of the idol, Crom Cruach, in the
"
Book of Lecan," fol. 250, b. a. , line 20. The fourth Life calls the idol Slecht, pro- bably from the name of the plain, on which
584 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 17.
tinued here, at this time, cannot be accurately ascertained. ^'* Although the foregoing varying accounts are mingled greatly with popular fables,'''^ there
can hardly be a doubt, regarding the historical celebrity attaching to those localities, and yet commemorated, in existing curious monuments, and in current traditions.
CHAPTER XI.
THE IRISH APOSTLE RESOLVES TO VISIT CONNAUGHT—HE CROSSES THE SHANNON—THE DRUIDS MOEL AND CAPLAT—PATRICK PREACHES THE GOSPEL TO THOSE PEOPLE, LIVING IN ROSCOMMON—ST. ASCICUS—CONVERSION OF ETHNEA AND FETHLIMIA, THE DAUGHTERS OF KING LAOIGHAIRE—LABOURS OF ST. PATRICK IN TIR-CHAI- REDHA AND HY-MANY.
The great Apostle purposed to travel round the whole island, that he might convert it to Christ ; but, he bore in mind, more particularly, that vision, which formerly he beheld in sleep, and wherein, he seemed called, by the infants of a western part of the country, even in their mothers' womb. He desiredtheretheincreaseofGod'skingdom,withgreatereffect; for,hehad a special call of Providence, to visit that remote region. Patrick thus deter- mined to go into Connaught, there to preach the Gospel, to the inhabitants of that province. He probably had spent the year 433, and a good part of 434,' on the Meath, Longford and Leitrim missions. Afterwards, according to the Tripartite Life, he crossed the Shannon, at a place, called Snav-daen,= or Snamh-daen,3 where a ford was then first found,* which enabled the Apostle and his companions to cross that wide river, with great ease. 5 There, one of St. Patrick's servants, who was named Buadmael,^ died and was buried. A church, afterwards, had been erected, at the spot ; and, from
him, it got the designation, Cill-Buadhmaoil. ' This erection was regarded, as being specially under Patrician jurisdiction. ^
he left there, Mabran Barbarus, Patrick's relative and prophet. Colgan cannot find such a name, in our Irish Calendars ; how- ever, there are more Banbans than one, and,
he conjectures, the present may have been St. Banban, the Wise, venerated at the gtli
'*
called in the Book of Armagh vadum
duorum avium," identical with Snamh da en, "the ford of the two birds," was the name of that part of the River Shannon, lying between Clonmacnoise, in the King's County, and Clonburren, in the county of
"
Tribes and Customs of Hy-Many," Introductory Remarks, n. (f),
p. 5.
3 This is alluded to, in the Trinity
College, Dublin, Manuscript, classed, H, 2. 16, p. S71.
of May.
="^ bee Dr. Lanigan's
"
Roscommon. See
Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. i. , chap, v,, sect. viii. , and coiTesponding notes, 67, 69, 71,
74, pp. 237 to 240.
="5 See Tertia Vita S. Patricii, cap. xlvi. ,
Vita S.
42 ; Sexta Vita S. Patricii, cap. 1. , Ivi. , cii. ,
cxi. , cxiv. , pp. 76, 77, 88, 89, 90, 91 ; Sep- timaVita S. Patricii, lib. ii. , cap. xx. , xxi. , xxii. , xxiii. , xxiv. , xxv. , xxvi. , xxvii. , xxviii. , xxix. , xxx. , xxxi. , pp. 132, 133, 134. Also, see Miss Cusack's " Life of St. Patrick, Apostle of Ireland," pp. 397 to 400. —
'
* This is said to have been
produced, owing to St. Patrick's merits, Tlie Irish Tripartite Life remarks, that the learned will yet find that esker, in the bed of the river, and which thus rose up, under
St. Patrick, in the ford.
^ On this occasion, Ferrar very incorrectly states, that our saint crossed the Shannon at Lumneach, now Limerick. See his " His- tory of Limerick," p. 4.
''
Colgan could find nothing regarding him, in the Irish Kalendars, imless he could have been identical, with a Buadan, whose feast has been referred, to the 14th or 241! ! of January, or to the 23rd of March,
p. 25 ; Quarta
Patricii, cap. liii. , p.
miraculously
Ussher places St. Pa- trick's journey to Connaught, in the year
Chapter XI.
434. See his A. D. ccccxxxiv.
"
Index Chronologicus," at
^ Dr. Lanigan asks, if this might not have been near Drum-snave, in Leitrim. But, according to Dr. O'Donovau, the place.
March 17. J LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 58:
In the western province were two celebrated Magi, named respectively, Maol and Capiat, who were charged by King I^aoighaire, with the education of his daughters, Ethne and Fethelm. 9 By magic spells, those diviners pro- cured a notable darkness, to settle over the lands of Magh Aoi,'° for three whole days. " But, on the approach of St. Patrick, he blessed that region, and the obscurity was dissolved, by a remarkable brightness, in the atmos- phere, except in that place, where Maol and Capiat dwelt. " The inhabitants, admiring those portents, turned with all their hearts to the teaching of God's servant, whom they greatly lauded, and a moral light, also, began to dawn withintheirminds. BeyondtheShannon,atacertainplace,calledDumha- graidh,^3 St. Patrick ordained a St. Ailbe,'* and he was afterwards connected with the church of Senchua,'S in Tirellil,'^ or in Olild territory. ^? When Patrick was at Dumha Graidh,'^ ordaining the great multitude, he had the spirit of prophecy, and he smiled. " What has now happened ? " asked his
their festival
Benen. ^9 " Bron^° and the monk
^'^ said "who Patrick,
Olcan,"
come towards me, along Traig-Eothaili,^^ and my foster-son, Mac-Erca,^3
withthem; awaveoftheseamadeagreatdash,andtriedtocarryoffthe
youth. " ^4 He went, afterwards, through the territory of Ui-Oilella,^^ and he founded the church eastwards, in Tamhuagh. =^^ This church was built, through God's providence, and by man's efforts. These people afterwards held it in singular veneration, and it was liberally endowed. Over this church, Carell^7 was set, he having been ordained by Patrick, Bron, and Bite,^^ according to the established ecclesiastical usage.
disciple
^ This local denomination, at the time, seems to have become obsolete.
* It was probably situated, within the
parish of Moore, in the barony of Moycar- non, and county of Roscommon.
places
named
Doogary,
present
9 Colgan has notices of these holy virgins,
at the nth of January, although nothing
has been exactly discovered, regarding June.
^' A feast of St. Olcan, or is Bolcan, held,
day.
'° Probus has ^^ campim Hat," as lying
on his way, near the course of the River
Synon. See Quinta Vita S. Patricii, lib. ii. ,
cap. xiii. , p. 53. This Colgan explains, by
Machaire Connacht, or the plain of Con- See John O'Donovan's "Genealogies,
naught. See ibid. , nn. 11, 12, p. 63.
Tribes and Customs of Hy-Fiachrach," Ex- planatory Index to the map, at p. 499.
°3 It is doubted, by Colgan, if he can be identified with certain saints, mentioned in our Irish Calendars.
^» The Latin Tripartite attributes to St. Patrick's vision, and to his merits, the pro- tection then afforded.
^= Also written, Hua Noilella.
-^ Now the church of Taunagb, or Taw- nagh, in the barony of Tirerrill, and county of Sligo.
-^ Colgan thinks, he was venerated at Tir-
ros, on the 13th of July.
-^ A saint of this name is venerated, on the
*'
Jocelyn states, this darkness was in-
tended to prevent St. Patrick approaching
that country.
'^
This was in the level country of Ros-
common. See Seward's "Topographical
Dictionary of Ireland," at J\Iagh-ai.
'3 That it was in Connaught, Colgan tells us, in his Topographical Index to "Trias
Thaumaturga," p. 709 ; but, he does not in- form us, in what part.
'•* He is thought to have been identical with Cruimther-Ailbe, or St. Elbhe, vene- rated on the 30th of January.
'5 Now Shancoe, or a Shancough, parish
in the barony of Tirerrill, and county of 22nd, and on the 29th of July. The Irish
Tripartite Life, moreover, states, in Latin,
as if from an older " et quoting authority,
ipse fecit amicitiam ad reliquias Assici, Ro- dani ; et successores eoruni epulalantur in- vicem. " The Latin Tripartite has a nearly similar statement ; but, it omits the name of Assicus. It adds, that between this church
Sligo.
'" Now the
of Tirerril.
See " The
barony
Topograpliical Poems of John O'Dubhagain
and Giolla na Naomh O'Huidhrin," edited
by Dr. O'Donovan, p. xxxvi. , n. 254.
'' See Roderick " OTlalierty's Ogygia,"
pars. iiJ. , cap. Ixxix. , p. 374,
'^ There are six
in the county of Mayo, and two so called, in
Roscommon. It is difficult, at present, to ascertain this locality.
'9 His feast occurs, on the 9th of Novem- ber.
^°
His festival was held, on the 8th of
on the 20th of February.
°^ Now Trawhohelly, a famous strand
near Tonrego, on the east boundary of the barony of Tireragh, and county of Sligo.
Among the poste-
5S6 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAJIvTS. [March 17.
rity of Oilill, he baptized St. Maneus,=9 who was ordained subsequently, by Bishop Bron, of Cassel-irra. 3° Thence, St. Patrick went to a place, called
Mag-Glais,3'= where the people joyously received him, and presented him with a grant of land, on which he laid the foundations of a basilica, afterwards
called Killmore, or ** the great church. " 3^ He left this mission, in charge of
two disciples. 33 Next, he went into the district of Corc—a-ochland,3* or Corcu Achland,3S or Seachlann,3S ^-q ^\^q south of Ui-Ailella another desig- nation for Tir-Oillil—and to the north was a mountain, called Bagna,37 or Badh- ghna. 38 There our saint found two brothers, called Ida, or Id, and Hono,39 or Ono, who were Druids. There, too, he desired to erect a church. Hono asked Patrick, what he would give for some land, which was shown to him.
Thereupon,
answered, Eternity. " Hono, disregarding
Patrick
" such an
" You
" I have given much, but God will offer more. " 4° He afterwards found a mass of gold, in a place, where swine had been rooting. Then, Patrick gave that gold to Hono for his land. It was called Tir-na-brotha. -*' To reprove his
" No of race shall rule for ever. " ^^ This king thy
offer, said,
it to me instead. " Patrick
possess gold : give replied,
St, Patrick
prediction caused Ono to shed tears, when the holy man felt compassion for
avarice,
said,
his and he added sorrow,
" There shall not be a unassisted king
subsequently,
by thy race, and who shall not be proclaimed by them. " So it came to pass,
for the Cenel Maic Erce was the strongest and most powerful sept, in
Connaught ; notwithstanding, they did not govern like high-kings. Ono then presented his farm and house, to St. Patrick ; and Imleach-Ono was its desig-
nation, at that time. There, the Apostle built a church, and Ailfinn, or Elphin, was its subsequent denomination. '»3 It became, afterwards, the seat of a well-known episcopal See. "''* On account of his penitence and liberality,
Ono and his posterity were blessed by Patrick, who declared, that the palm
and that of Rodan, a kindly feeling and
fellowship prevailed, on the part of those, who ministered in them.
*9 His feast is supposed to have fallen, on
the 2nd of September.
3° This territory comprised the present
parishes of Killaspugbrone and of Kilmac-
nowen, in the barony of Carbury, and
county of Sligo.
3' There is a Moyglass, in the barony of
Bailintobber North, county of Roscommon, in which there is also a church, called Kil-
more, giving name to a parish.
3' The church was otherwise called, Cill-
mor Dithruibh.
33 These are called, Conleng and Ercleng,
in the Irish Tripartite.
3* So called, in the Latin Tripartite.
35 In the Irish Annals, it is called Corca-
Achlann.
3"^ This was a territory, in the east of
Roscommon County, and it comprised the parishes of Bumlinn, Kiltrustan, Cloonfen- lough, with the western portion of the
39 The Irish Tripartite alleges, that he was the son of Aengus, son of Ere Derg, or Ere the Red, who was the son of Brian, from whom the Ui-Honach descend,
*° According to Jocelyn, St. Patrick told
the Magus, that whatever money he pos-
sessed had been expended, in building churches, or in relieving the necessities of
the poor.
