From the date of the first establishment of Clogher
See, the rule of its bishops was commensurate with the civil district.
See, the rule of its bishops was commensurate with the civil district.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v8
, p.
145.
3? When treating of St. Maccarthen, at. the
the "The good people of that church in Inish-owen wished, I dare say, to claim the honour of its having been governed by the celebrated prelate of Clogher ; but the compilers of the Tripartite, finding this could not accord with the circumstance of his life, and striving to patch up the business, introduced the second Maccarthen. And we may observe that the real Maccarthen was most probably too young, at the period we are treating of, to be
learned Irish ecclesiastical historian.
by
" William First phical, by James Doherty,
LIVES OE THE IRISH SAINTS.
Maccarthens, who were brothers, had been consecrated bishops, by St.
with that in glorious Apostle
Certain writers maintain, that our saint had been engaged for some time, as a regionary bishop ; he not being attached to any fixed See, and travelling much in company with St. Patrick. This mistake seems to have arisen from the narrative, which intro- duces us to the occasion for their first meeting in Connaught, and which then anticipates in statement our saint's episcopal consecration. Elsewhere, we are likely to find a truer account, that having served the Irish Apostle for a considerable time as his disciple, and in the capacity of a priest, he was
afterwards elevated to the episcopal rank.
The Acts or circumstances connected with St. Macarthen's childhood and
early education are not recorded. Some are of opinion, that our saint had been
a disciple to St. Patrick, before this latter holy personage had come into Ireland, to preach the Christian religion, and that when St. Patrick arrived on the shores of his native country, this intimacy must have had its first origin. Indeed, the conjecture does not appear consonant with the particulars related in his Acts. We are told, in our Irish Apostle's Life, that he visited Rome on one or two occasions, after he had here announced the Gospel. It may be, that Maccarthenn—the name by which he is best known—had accompanied him thither ; and such a journey might have been misconceived, so as that it had been assigned to an earlier period of his life. One account has it, that he accompanied St. Patrick from Italy "to Ireland, having been his constant companion. 37 Notwithstanding such statement, and the fact, that our saint had been advanced in years, when St. Patrick set him over the church of Clogher, nothing very certain can be determined on this point. However,
Maccarthenn was a very constant companion of the Irish Apostle, while the
latter was on his travels 8 and, we are led to that engaged missionary ;3 infer,
soon after he began to preach the Gospel in Ireland, the two sons of Carthenn must have become his disciples, since during his stay in Connaught they have been represented officiating as bishops.
So far as we can understand the very confused account regarding our
saint,39 contained in the Tripartite Life of St. Patrick,* we are informed, that
while St. Patrick was in that 1 Enda or who was son to province,* Enna,
Niall the Great, came to welcome him on his arrival, at a place called AileachAirtich. 42 St. Patrickaskedhimforasiteonwhichtobuildachurch, over which he intended to place one of his disciples. This chieftain returned an evasive answer, by enquiring, if local clergy could not be found for that particular district. On the day following, Enda returned bringing with him his son Eochacius,*3 or Eochan, surnamed Luscus, in order that he might be
24th of March, the Martyrology of Salis- 4I It must be observed, that in the Tripar- bury makes such a statement. See Colgan's tite Life, as in several other Acts of St.
Patrick 6 and, that laboured ;3 they
zealously gaining over their countrymen to the Faith.
"Acta Sanctorum Hibernire," xxiv. Martii.
De S. Macaerthenno Epis. Clochorensi. Ex
variis, cap. iii. , p. 737.
38 See Bishop Challenor's " Britannia
Sancta," part ii. , p. 83.
39 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaluiga,"
Septima Vita S. Patricii, pars ii. , cap. exxiii. , pp. 145, 146, and 1111. 179, 180, 181, 182, 183, p. 181.
40 The reader is referred to the Life of St.
Patrick, chap, xiv. , xvi. , at the 17th of March, in the Third Volume of this work, Art. i. , for previous notices of St. Maccar- thenn.
Patrick, the order of narrative and chrono-
logical and chorographical incidents or allu- sions are frequently found to be inverted. And here, it seems to us more likely, this portion of the narrative has reference to a subsequent period, and probably the inci- dent mentioned in the text happened when St. Patrick subsequently visited Ulster.
<* This place does not appear to have been identified.
43 "Qui quiescit in Inbher. "—Colgan's
"Trias Thaumaturga," Septima Vita S.
Patricii, pars ii. , cap. exxiii. , p. 145.
4<
Jocelyn relates these particulars more
[August 15.
August 15. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. "3
consecrated bishop by St. Patrick. At the time, however, this saint chanced to be absent, having retired to pray at a spot where he might not suffer interruption. But, having met the two bishops, Maccarthen and other disci- ples of St. Patrick, who were engaged instructing and baptizing the people, Enda preferred a request, that his son might be elevated to the episcopal rank, by the two former. St. Maccarthen of Clogher told him, that St. Patrick must first be consulted on the matter; but, when he found that his brother maintained the propriety of assenting to Enda's request, he also yielded. Eochod was then consecrated bishop. When St. Patrick afterwards learned what had been done, he bitterly reproved the consecrating bishops, for their uncanonical proceedings j and, he then declared in a spirit of prophecy, and as a retribution for their acts, that the See of one should never enjoy peace and concord, nor that of the other power and riches. " This prophecy was afterwards verified ; for, the See of Clogher,** over which our saint presided, was disturbed by discord and contention; while that of Domnach-mor Muige-tochuir—over which his brother ruled—was afterwards found in straitened and impoverished circumstances. *6
CHAPTER II.
SERVICES RENDERED BY ST. MACCARTHEN TO ST. PATRICK—APPOINTMENT OF ST. MACCARTHEN TO THE SEE OF CLOGHER—THE ANCIENT TERRITORY OF ORIEL OR OIRGHIEL—EOCHOD RULER OF THAT TERRITORY—ANECDOTES IN THE OLD ACTS OF ST. MACCARTHEN.
Our saint continued to assist St. Patrick in all his ministerial labours, and to
accompany him during his journeys.
briefly, while not giving the names of the several persons as mentioned in the Tripartite Life of St. Patrick. See ibid. , Sexta Vita S, Patricii, cap. cxxiii. , pp. 92, 93.
45 The Calendar of Cashel derives the
name of this See and city, Clochar from
Cloch-oir, which word means "the golden
"
quo Gentiles habebant idola aurea et argentea. " This derivation is confirmed by an extract from the Martyrology of
On several occasions, when the great
dinatum, quern istius fulminse sentential fulgura non reliquerunt intactum ait ; Sanc- tuarium, in quo Clerici tarn temere ordinati ossa sepelientur, erit latronum duorum, a patrato horaicidio redeuntium, domicilium : & a quodam filio lucis, qui in partibus Aus- tralibus nascetur, annis cxx. possidebitur, &posteamihirestituetur. Quaeomniaesse certo oraculo praedicta, rerum probavit even- tus. Nam Eochani Episcopi ossa primo in colle amoeno recondita, postea translata sunt
Colganremarks "Duohiesuntobservanda. Primum, Sanctum Kieranum filium Fabri, Abbatem Cluanensem in Media, licet ipse ejusque parentes fuerint ex domo Rodericio- rum in Ultona oriundi ; eum tamen in re- gione Mediae fuisse natum, ut habet ejus vita, cap. i. , & hinc dici ipsum in partibus
stone,"
"
Item oppi-
Maguire, as given by Colgan.
dum Clochar appellari a Cloch-oir, id est,
lapide aureo, nempe auro et argento ccelato,
qui asservatur Clocharise ad dextram ingie-
ciientio Ecclesiam ; et quern Gentiles auro Fabri ; sed postea ad Patricii successores obtegebant, quia in eo colebant summum devoluta. " In a note on this passage,
partium Aquilonarium —Idolum, Cermand "
:
Clestach, nuncupatum. " Colgan's Acta Sanctorum Hiberniae,"xxiv. Martii. Appen- dix ad Acta S. Macaerthenni Epis. , cap. i. ,
p. 740.
46
See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga,"
VitaSeptima S. Patricii, parsii. , cap. cxxiii. ,
pp. 145, 146. The foregoing relation might Australibus nascendum. Secundum est, help us, in determining the antiquity of this ilia verba annis cxx. , non esse, cum imme- Life of our national Apostle, attributed to diate praecedentibus, sed cum sequentibus St. Evin, who died at or before the com- construenda. Non enim sensus est quod mencementoftheseventhcentury. Thischap- Kieranussitanniscxx,nascendusposttem- ter thus closes
:
u Et ad Episcopum sic or- pus hujus prophetiae, sed quod annis cxx Me
ad humilem vallem : & in priori loco sole- bant esse latrones & homicidae residere. Et Ecclesia concessa fuit S. Kierano filio
2i4 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [August i$.
Apostle, worn down with age and infirmity, felt a difficult)' in proceeding on 1
foot over rugged and marshy places, St. Maccarthen bore him on his shoulders, with ever willing zeal, affection and care. 2
Such kind of labour he most cheerfully performed, until his own strength and years declined. At this period, we are introduced to events recorded in anacephalousandamutilatedLifeofoursaint,publishedbyColgan. 3 init we are told, that on a certain occasion, having carried his master over a river, and deposited him safely on its bank, he manifested signs of fatigue, by his heavy breathing. * The Apostle drew from him a confession of his great debility, and advanced age, with a desire he felt and expressed, to avoid the labour of further travel, by being stationed in some place where he should be enabled to serve God, and at the same time, not be separated by too great a distance from his beloved master. This desire met with approval from St.
"
Patrick, who said,
on the street before the royal seat of Urgall, where the place of thy glorious resurrection shall be. The habitations of worldlings shall be made desolate, but thine shall be augmented continually ; and from thy holy cemetery, many shall arise to a life of felicity. Take this staff, with which my steps are supported, during my journeys, and this shrine, which contains relics of
the Holy Apostles, the Blessed Virgin's hair, the Hofy Cross of our Lord, and other memorials connected with His sepulchre. " Having said these words, our saint was dismissed with the kiss of peace, and with a blessing pronounced on him. s A few days after this occurrence, St. Patrick, who then governed the See of Clogher, set Maccarthen over it, and according to Jocelyn's account—which seems a very probable one—it was only at that time our saint had been consecrated bishop, having received from the Irish Apostle a chrismal, which was also a gift from Heaven. 6
In St. Patrick's time, Oriel comprised that district in which Clogher is situated. It has been stated, that St. Patrick first governed the See of Clogher ; but, regarding the circumstances which brought about its founda- tionwehavenoaccount. The or"
of the Kings," was derived from the circumstance, that it had been regarded
as the chief city of an ancient territory, formerly known as Ergal,? and the
people of which were distinguished as Orghialla. Formerly the district had
very enlarged dimensions. At the present day, two parishes retain the
etymon of this old territory. The River Blackwater divides them. Errigal
8
Keerogue lies in the County of Tyrone, while Errigal Truagh9 lies in the
locus ab ipso ejusque successoribus posside- Jocelyn, both substantially agree in giving bitur : cum S. Kieranus anno cetatis 33, & this account of our saint's appointment to
Christi 548 decesserit : & sic non fuerit na- tus post annos cxx. ab adventu Pat—ricii in
Clogher See.
6 " Et cum consecrasset eum in Episco-
Go in peace, my son, and erect a monastery for thyself,
denomination, Clochar-na-righ,
Clogher
Hiberniam, qui in an. 432, incidit. "
nn. 182, 183, p. Chaj'TKR 11.
Cairthinn was champion to Patrick, and he "clear fishing weir. " This was probably
used to carry him over every rugged place. the spot, called Ath-Ergal, or " ford of the 3 See "Acta Sanctorum Hibernian," Ergal," situated on the Abbain-Mor, or Martii xxiv. De S. Macaerthenno Epis. "great River," now the Blackwater, in Clocherensi. Ex variis, cap. vii. to xiv. , pp. Ulster. See in "The Northern Star" of 738, 739- June, 1 871, a communication, signed * See "Acta Sanctorum Hibernise," "Oriel," the Rev. Daniel O'Connor's alias.
—181. '
susceperat. " Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Sexta Vita
S. Patricii, cap. cxliii. , p. 96.
' This name is thought to have been de-
Hence, he is called the staff of St. Patrick's declining years, in our
lbiJ.
contulit ei ccelitus sibi destinatum
%
—
Irish Apostle's Acts.
2 According to the O'Clerys, Bishop Mac rived from Aire-gal, i. e. , "a bright" or
ex Codice Salmanticensi, Acta Sancti
Maccartini, num. 1, col. 799.
s The Tripartite Life of St. Patrick and
•
This is said to have been called after the
pum,
chrismatorium, quod
patron St. Dachiarog.
s» It was also called Trinch Ched Chla-
August i$. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 21$
County of Monaghan.
From the date of the first establishment of Clogher
See, the rule of its bishops was commensurate with the civil district. This
became contracted in the course of time. The ruling prelate is often called ""
Bishop of Ergal. " Sometimes, he was styled Bishop of Clones," or ""
Cluaineois," but in modern times, he was always called Bishop of Clogher. " Intheeleventhcentury,thisSeeembracedtheSeesofArdstraw and of Louth. Formerly, however, Ardstraw was a distinct Bishop's See, and Eoghan or Eugenius was its first bishop. The period of its annexation to Clogher is uncertain. In like manner, our Irish Apostle erected an inde- pendent See at Louth, anciently called Lughmagh, " the plain of Lugh. " He was probably some local chieftain. This See appears to have had its own bishop, at least down to a. d. io44. to Soon afterwards, Louth merged into the See of Clogher. When it had thus gathered under its wings both the Sees already mentioned, the bounds of Clogher diocese on the east and west reached from one ocean to the other, from where the Saimer River flows into the sea near Bundoran to Clogher Head and the mouth of the Boyne, taking in the celebrated Abbey of Mellifont. About the twelfth century, Clogher became divested of Louth ; and, in the thirteenth century, the See of Ard- straw was annexed to Derry. Yet, even after losing these wings, the extent of Clogher diocese was very great, and it included powerful tribes of the
11
territory, Tyrone.
then has been attributed the erection of a monastery in Clogher ; this
opinion, however, is grounded more upon supposition than on any positive certainty.
About this time, Eochod, son toCrimthan, had been the ruler of Orgiell^
of was situated. 1 * It is said to be known on Ulster, Clogher
Colla Dacrioch extraction.
churches, monasteries and other religious houses in Ireland. The descendants of Niali of the Nine Hostages, who from him were called the O'Neills, after- wards added it to their own known as 12 To St. Maccar-
in which
—stood on the undoubtedly
earthwork or Dun
supposed
as
Regia.
The ancient — of the of " dwelling place kings Ergal"
lofty
daigh, i. e. , "the district of the hundred ""
following extract : "To the east of Rath- more, in the hollow ground fronting the
Palace, are to be seen two adjoining springs
of limpid water, tastefully surrounded by a
brick-work enclosure. They still are called to
this " The and were so called day Sisters,"
on account of a convent which stood on the
— towards the south of these sloping ridge
forts," or hillocks. "
It also possessed many among the foremost
region Ptolemy's map
to be the ancient Rathmore 1S within the modern demesne or grounds of the Protestant
10
Then Mael Mocta of Louth died, ac-
cording to Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 844, 845.
" Such as the Mac Mac Kennas, &c.
Mahons, Maguires,
12
See the letter of Mr.
dated
Cootehill, May 27th, 1835, in "Letters
containing Information relative to the Anti
quities of the County of Armagh and
Monaghan, collected during the Progress
of the Ordnance Survey in 1835," p. 131 B.
of hill is called the yet
13
See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
O'Donovan,
nise," xxiv. Martii, n. 10, p. 739.
14 The most ancient form of the name hopeless of exploration than the ruined cities
"Clogher," as given by Adamnan, is Clochur Filiorum Daimeni. Eochaidh was sixth in descent from Colla da Crioch. See Rev. Dr. Reeves' Adamnan's "Life of St. Colum- ba," lib. ii. , cap. v. , and n. (c), pp. m, 112.
15 Under the *' the signature Sacerdos,"
Very Rev. Daniel O'Connor, P. P. , of Emy- vale, has contributed a learned article to
"The People's Advocate," Monaghan. It appeared in the number for Saturday, Feb- ruary 24th, 1877. From it we take the
of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Something
has been already done towards casting light on the ancient history of this remarkable loca-
very
springs which ridge
"Nun's Hill. " This hill would seem tocor-
respond with the ancient name Drumdnbhan, on which stood a celebrated convent. The visitor to these historic spots must feel, in traversing this sacred ground, that here in- deed is a "City of the dead ;" a locality more
lity in papers contributed to the
"
Northern
Star," in 1870, entitled
I have seen the MS. of a
carefully prepared "Lecture on the Life and Times of St. MacCartin," from the pen of the learned and respected parish priest of Clogher, the Rev. Philip Connolly, and it is a pity that this MS. should remain unpub-
" Clogher-na-righ. "
erudite and
216
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[August 15.
of
bishop Clogher.
16 There is scarcely a doubt, but it was the Rath-mor or 18
great fortress of Magh-Leamhna, ? built by Queen BaineV during the Pagan
period of Clogher. It is called by the Four Masters Rath-trwr, at Clogher.
J
Tins Queen Baine* was buried on a hill 9 about two miles north of Clogher,
and on the summit of which there is a -sepulchral enclosure, or cromlech. Her name is identified with this hill, which is called Knockmany. 20 The earthwork or fortress in Clogher is surrounded by a —deep fosse, and there yet appear in the vicinity of it traces of water-courses an ancient method of fortifying princely residences in . Ireland. This hill is now called " Castle Hill. "31 Fromthebeautifulandcommandinghill ofKnockmany,"maybe had charming views of Clogher and an extensive part of the ancient kingdom
of Ergal. — St. Cinnia a3
otherwise called Ricinne from her royal descent
—
was the
lished, as it clearly sets forth the leading their illustious dead. "—Vol. iv. , Fourth
facts regarding the religious foundations at
Series, p. 96.
Clogher—the cradle of Christianity in this extensive diocese. "
20
The Rev. Mr. O'Connor was the first to
16
The present residence of Ellison Mac-
identify this place with Cnoc Baine, in the newspaper article already alluded to : "It
requires very little knowledge of Irish ety- mology to perceive the close resemblance
between the original name Cnoc-baine, and the modernized form of it, Knockmany. Nor will it excite surprise to be told that as they are one and the same name, so they designate
cartney, Esq. , M. P.
1 It was otherwise called Clossach, in the
County of Tyrone and Diocese of Clogher. It is shown on an old Map of Ulster,
preserved in the State Papers Office, Lon-
"
Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 46, 47, and one and the same place. The locale of this
don. See Dr. O'Donovan's n. (o).
18
Annals of the
hill, as given by the Four Masters, was in Magh Leamna (pronounced Moy Leney).
The name of Queen Baine is also preserved in the townland denomination of Mullagh- beney, a hill convenient to Knockmany. See Roderick O'Flaherty's Ogygia," The late William Carleton, who was a na- tive of this neighbourhood, has connected these hills, and in fact, all the notable parts of this locality, with his undying stories. Even the Witch "Anyia," of whom he writes in his " Legend of Knockmany," when divested of the exaggeration of the folk-lore of the neighbourhood, is no other than the historical Queen Baine. At the foot of Mullaghbeney lies the townland of Killaney, so called, probably, after St. En- dens, brother of St. Fanchea. * * * There we find it stated that St. Fanchea was founder and superioress of a convent of reli- gious at Rossory, near Enniskillen, and that Rathmor, near Clogher, was her birth- in the domain of Irish topography and place. Her natale is commemorated on the
SheissaidtohavebeenthedaughterofSeal, and she was mother of Feidhlimidh Reach- tmhar, or the Law-giver, Monarch of Ireland from A. D. in to A. D. 119. Her father Seal
Balbhis saidtohavebeenKingofFinland. "
pars iii. , cap. lvi. , p. 303.
'» In Irish, it is written Cnoc mb<vme. In
the "Journal of the Royal and Historical and Archaeological Association of Ireland,"
for the year 1876, there is an interesting Paper, by William F. Wakeman, on "The Megalithic Sepulchral Chamber of Knock-
many, County Tyrone, with some Remarks on Dolmens in Fermanagh and its borders. '' So far as the description of the monument goes, nothing could be better told. The en- gravings also, of this Sepulchral Chamber and of two of its Sculptured stones, appear to be artistic and of great interest and im- portance. The great Dr. O'Donovan, who
archaeology had certainly no superior, failed
to identify Cnoc-baine, which occurs in the
•'Annals of the Four Masters," under the
year 1 1 1 of the Christian Era. He says, that
the name of Cnoc-baine, a hill in Clossach,
is now obsolete. See vol. i. , n. (g), p. 102. Maighen. Had Mr. Wakeman learned the
of that celebrated monument before his article was written, the account could have been rendered more complete. In the article already referred to, writing of this hill, he
"
such a site in the times of cam building and cremation could hardly fail to have been chosen by a primitive people as a fitting spot whereon to deposit the ashes of
22 Celebrated in verses elegant
by the late
justly says,
34 St. Cetemana was the first Irish
who received the veil, and from the hands of St. Patrickhimself. Shewasplacedbyhim over the nunnery of Drumdubhain, near
history
1st of January. "
11
Castle Hill or Rathmor, at Clogher, singularly resembles the ancient ruins in the
plain of Donagh Moyne, called Maighen or Mannan Castle, the ancient Domnach
William Carleton.
23 See an account of her, in the Second
V—olume of this work, at the 1st of February
the date for her Art. iii. feast,
virgin
August 15. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 217
daughter of Echodius, the dynast of that territory. She was placed there by 2
St. Patrick, and left under the care of St. Cetemaria. * Echodius himself was unwilling to become a Christian, but he was induced by the Irish Apostle to permit his daughter to take the veil and to consecrate her virginity to God. The descendants of Eochod were called in later times Clann- Daimhin, represented so late as the fourteenth century by the family of Dwyer. The famous Glen of Altadaven, about four miles to the south-east of Clogher, still retains the name of that once powerful clan. The Glen of Altadaven is partly celebrated for the romantic wildness and beauty of its scenery, and it adjoins Lough Mor, the source of the Abhain Mor or Blackwater.
On one occasion, according to St. Maccarthan's fragmentary Life, Eochod ordered a beast, which had been useful in carrying necessaries for the monas- tery,tobedrivenfromapastureandtiedtoastone. Sufferingfromhunger, this poor animal commenced a piteous lowing, which, when a Magus in the
prince's confidence had heard, he said to Eochod " Know, that thou hast
:
incurred a great loss, because thou hast ordered the bishop's ox to be tied. For, wheresoever this animal's lowing was heard, that land shall be in the bishop's possession. " This prophecy is said to have been afterwards fulfilled ; but, fearing its verification, Eochod then sent his youthful son, Corpre, with orders to expel God's servant from his possession. However, his queen forbade her boy to convey this message to the saint, lest his malediction should follow, rather than a benediction, she hoped to procure for her son. Nevertheless, the father urged Corpre to execute his commands. The son went through obedience, although with unwillingness, which was manifested by a flood of tears. The queen was greatly moved, on witnessing these signs of reluctance, and she gave an apple to the child on his departure. When the boy came to the middle of a highway, he lost that apple, and he vainly searched for it a long time. The disturbance of his mind at length induced him to fall into a profound sleep. A great number of persons on foot and on horseback passed by, without seeing or injuring him, and without even disturbing his repose. Wondering what delayed his son so long, Eochod sent messengers after him. They returned without being able to find him. This failure plunged the king and his entire court into the greatest sorrow. Their grief was only dispelled on the following day, by the return of his boy, who, after awaking from sleep, immediately found the apple he had before vainly sought. Being questioned about the
cause of his delay, he related what had occurred during his absence, declar-
ing that during his sleep, he believed himself to have been covered by the
bishop's mantle, whilst a fragrant odour was diffused around the place of his
repose.
2 *
Nevertheless, supposing
that
magic
arts had been to effect employed
this miracle, Eochod again sent one of his people to extinguish the fire in our
saint's monastery, and to expel him from Orgiell territory. However, as this
messenge* was about to execute the dynast's order, he felt his hands unable to move. Thus finding chastisements of Heaven visited on him, falling on his knees before the servant of God, Eochod humbly implored forgiveness. This being freely granted, his punishment was remitted, and he returned, relating all that had occurred. Still unchanged in purpose, the dynast resolved in person to execute his intentions. With drawn sword, he was about to deal a fatal stroke against our saint, when he became rigid as a marble statue, beifig unable to move hand or foot, whilst at the same time he was deprived of the use of speech. His queen followed her husband, to
"
Acta Sanctorum Hiber- called the Nun's Hill. Near it are two niae," xxiv. Martii. De S. Macaerthenni enclosed wells or springs, called "the Epis. Clochorensi. Ex variis, cap. viii. , pp.
Sisters. "
Clogher— probably that place in the demesne 25 See Colgan's
738, 739.
2i8 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[August i$
defeat, if possible, such murderous intentions. Seeing him thus visibly punished for his impious attempt, she gave away to tears, and prayed our
saint to restore him. The saintly bishop, moved by her passionate request, sprinkled the husband with holy water, and immediately Eochod recovered his former faculties. When understanding had resumed the place of passion in the king's mind, he fell prostrate on the earth before the man of God, and
promised faithfully to perform whatever might be required. Afterwards, he bestowed lands on Maccarthen, for the use of his newly-founded monas-
6 tery. '
One day, whilst our saint had been engaged in the study of Sacred Scrip-
ture, the shades of night began to approach. But, the Almighty, who had regard for his servant's pious wishes, and for a regret he would have felt in
being obliged to desist from study, diffused a light, powerful as that of the noon-day sun, around the monastery, and this continued during the whole night. We are told, that on one occasion, St. Maccarthen commenced a sermon at day-break, and continued it during a whole night, until morning again dawned. *? Although he excelled as a preacher of God's word, yet it is difficult to believe, that such extraordinary physical and mental exertion could naturally be endured, without some periods of interruption.
In the exercise of merciful works and of hospitality, our saint was ever en- gaged. Atonetime,somestrangeguestscametovisithim,whenhisstores of provision had been exhausted. Our saint besought the Lord, who provides for the meanest wants even of the brute creation, to extend his compassion on this occasion, for the relief of his servants' necessities. His prayers were heard, and relief was miraculously afforded.
3? When treating of St. Maccarthen, at. the
the "The good people of that church in Inish-owen wished, I dare say, to claim the honour of its having been governed by the celebrated prelate of Clogher ; but the compilers of the Tripartite, finding this could not accord with the circumstance of his life, and striving to patch up the business, introduced the second Maccarthen. And we may observe that the real Maccarthen was most probably too young, at the period we are treating of, to be
learned Irish ecclesiastical historian.
by
" William First phical, by James Doherty,
LIVES OE THE IRISH SAINTS.
Maccarthens, who were brothers, had been consecrated bishops, by St.
with that in glorious Apostle
Certain writers maintain, that our saint had been engaged for some time, as a regionary bishop ; he not being attached to any fixed See, and travelling much in company with St. Patrick. This mistake seems to have arisen from the narrative, which intro- duces us to the occasion for their first meeting in Connaught, and which then anticipates in statement our saint's episcopal consecration. Elsewhere, we are likely to find a truer account, that having served the Irish Apostle for a considerable time as his disciple, and in the capacity of a priest, he was
afterwards elevated to the episcopal rank.
The Acts or circumstances connected with St. Macarthen's childhood and
early education are not recorded. Some are of opinion, that our saint had been
a disciple to St. Patrick, before this latter holy personage had come into Ireland, to preach the Christian religion, and that when St. Patrick arrived on the shores of his native country, this intimacy must have had its first origin. Indeed, the conjecture does not appear consonant with the particulars related in his Acts. We are told, in our Irish Apostle's Life, that he visited Rome on one or two occasions, after he had here announced the Gospel. It may be, that Maccarthenn—the name by which he is best known—had accompanied him thither ; and such a journey might have been misconceived, so as that it had been assigned to an earlier period of his life. One account has it, that he accompanied St. Patrick from Italy "to Ireland, having been his constant companion. 37 Notwithstanding such statement, and the fact, that our saint had been advanced in years, when St. Patrick set him over the church of Clogher, nothing very certain can be determined on this point. However,
Maccarthenn was a very constant companion of the Irish Apostle, while the
latter was on his travels 8 and, we are led to that engaged missionary ;3 infer,
soon after he began to preach the Gospel in Ireland, the two sons of Carthenn must have become his disciples, since during his stay in Connaught they have been represented officiating as bishops.
So far as we can understand the very confused account regarding our
saint,39 contained in the Tripartite Life of St. Patrick,* we are informed, that
while St. Patrick was in that 1 Enda or who was son to province,* Enna,
Niall the Great, came to welcome him on his arrival, at a place called AileachAirtich. 42 St. Patrickaskedhimforasiteonwhichtobuildachurch, over which he intended to place one of his disciples. This chieftain returned an evasive answer, by enquiring, if local clergy could not be found for that particular district. On the day following, Enda returned bringing with him his son Eochacius,*3 or Eochan, surnamed Luscus, in order that he might be
24th of March, the Martyrology of Salis- 4I It must be observed, that in the Tripar- bury makes such a statement. See Colgan's tite Life, as in several other Acts of St.
Patrick 6 and, that laboured ;3 they
zealously gaining over their countrymen to the Faith.
"Acta Sanctorum Hibernire," xxiv. Martii.
De S. Macaerthenno Epis. Clochorensi. Ex
variis, cap. iii. , p. 737.
38 See Bishop Challenor's " Britannia
Sancta," part ii. , p. 83.
39 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaluiga,"
Septima Vita S. Patricii, pars ii. , cap. exxiii. , pp. 145, 146, and 1111. 179, 180, 181, 182, 183, p. 181.
40 The reader is referred to the Life of St.
Patrick, chap, xiv. , xvi. , at the 17th of March, in the Third Volume of this work, Art. i. , for previous notices of St. Maccar- thenn.
Patrick, the order of narrative and chrono-
logical and chorographical incidents or allu- sions are frequently found to be inverted. And here, it seems to us more likely, this portion of the narrative has reference to a subsequent period, and probably the inci- dent mentioned in the text happened when St. Patrick subsequently visited Ulster.
<* This place does not appear to have been identified.
43 "Qui quiescit in Inbher. "—Colgan's
"Trias Thaumaturga," Septima Vita S.
Patricii, pars ii. , cap. exxiii. , p. 145.
4<
Jocelyn relates these particulars more
[August 15.
August 15. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. "3
consecrated bishop by St. Patrick. At the time, however, this saint chanced to be absent, having retired to pray at a spot where he might not suffer interruption. But, having met the two bishops, Maccarthen and other disci- ples of St. Patrick, who were engaged instructing and baptizing the people, Enda preferred a request, that his son might be elevated to the episcopal rank, by the two former. St. Maccarthen of Clogher told him, that St. Patrick must first be consulted on the matter; but, when he found that his brother maintained the propriety of assenting to Enda's request, he also yielded. Eochod was then consecrated bishop. When St. Patrick afterwards learned what had been done, he bitterly reproved the consecrating bishops, for their uncanonical proceedings j and, he then declared in a spirit of prophecy, and as a retribution for their acts, that the See of one should never enjoy peace and concord, nor that of the other power and riches. " This prophecy was afterwards verified ; for, the See of Clogher,** over which our saint presided, was disturbed by discord and contention; while that of Domnach-mor Muige-tochuir—over which his brother ruled—was afterwards found in straitened and impoverished circumstances. *6
CHAPTER II.
SERVICES RENDERED BY ST. MACCARTHEN TO ST. PATRICK—APPOINTMENT OF ST. MACCARTHEN TO THE SEE OF CLOGHER—THE ANCIENT TERRITORY OF ORIEL OR OIRGHIEL—EOCHOD RULER OF THAT TERRITORY—ANECDOTES IN THE OLD ACTS OF ST. MACCARTHEN.
Our saint continued to assist St. Patrick in all his ministerial labours, and to
accompany him during his journeys.
briefly, while not giving the names of the several persons as mentioned in the Tripartite Life of St. Patrick. See ibid. , Sexta Vita S, Patricii, cap. cxxiii. , pp. 92, 93.
45 The Calendar of Cashel derives the
name of this See and city, Clochar from
Cloch-oir, which word means "the golden
"
quo Gentiles habebant idola aurea et argentea. " This derivation is confirmed by an extract from the Martyrology of
On several occasions, when the great
dinatum, quern istius fulminse sentential fulgura non reliquerunt intactum ait ; Sanc- tuarium, in quo Clerici tarn temere ordinati ossa sepelientur, erit latronum duorum, a patrato horaicidio redeuntium, domicilium : & a quodam filio lucis, qui in partibus Aus- tralibus nascetur, annis cxx. possidebitur, &posteamihirestituetur. Quaeomniaesse certo oraculo praedicta, rerum probavit even- tus. Nam Eochani Episcopi ossa primo in colle amoeno recondita, postea translata sunt
Colganremarks "Duohiesuntobservanda. Primum, Sanctum Kieranum filium Fabri, Abbatem Cluanensem in Media, licet ipse ejusque parentes fuerint ex domo Rodericio- rum in Ultona oriundi ; eum tamen in re- gione Mediae fuisse natum, ut habet ejus vita, cap. i. , & hinc dici ipsum in partibus
stone,"
"
Item oppi-
Maguire, as given by Colgan.
dum Clochar appellari a Cloch-oir, id est,
lapide aureo, nempe auro et argento ccelato,
qui asservatur Clocharise ad dextram ingie-
ciientio Ecclesiam ; et quern Gentiles auro Fabri ; sed postea ad Patricii successores obtegebant, quia in eo colebant summum devoluta. " In a note on this passage,
partium Aquilonarium —Idolum, Cermand "
:
Clestach, nuncupatum. " Colgan's Acta Sanctorum Hiberniae,"xxiv. Martii. Appen- dix ad Acta S. Macaerthenni Epis. , cap. i. ,
p. 740.
46
See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga,"
VitaSeptima S. Patricii, parsii. , cap. cxxiii. ,
pp. 145, 146. The foregoing relation might Australibus nascendum. Secundum est, help us, in determining the antiquity of this ilia verba annis cxx. , non esse, cum imme- Life of our national Apostle, attributed to diate praecedentibus, sed cum sequentibus St. Evin, who died at or before the com- construenda. Non enim sensus est quod mencementoftheseventhcentury. Thischap- Kieranussitanniscxx,nascendusposttem- ter thus closes
:
u Et ad Episcopum sic or- pus hujus prophetiae, sed quod annis cxx Me
ad humilem vallem : & in priori loco sole- bant esse latrones & homicidae residere. Et Ecclesia concessa fuit S. Kierano filio
2i4 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [August i$.
Apostle, worn down with age and infirmity, felt a difficult)' in proceeding on 1
foot over rugged and marshy places, St. Maccarthen bore him on his shoulders, with ever willing zeal, affection and care. 2
Such kind of labour he most cheerfully performed, until his own strength and years declined. At this period, we are introduced to events recorded in anacephalousandamutilatedLifeofoursaint,publishedbyColgan. 3 init we are told, that on a certain occasion, having carried his master over a river, and deposited him safely on its bank, he manifested signs of fatigue, by his heavy breathing. * The Apostle drew from him a confession of his great debility, and advanced age, with a desire he felt and expressed, to avoid the labour of further travel, by being stationed in some place where he should be enabled to serve God, and at the same time, not be separated by too great a distance from his beloved master. This desire met with approval from St.
"
Patrick, who said,
on the street before the royal seat of Urgall, where the place of thy glorious resurrection shall be. The habitations of worldlings shall be made desolate, but thine shall be augmented continually ; and from thy holy cemetery, many shall arise to a life of felicity. Take this staff, with which my steps are supported, during my journeys, and this shrine, which contains relics of
the Holy Apostles, the Blessed Virgin's hair, the Hofy Cross of our Lord, and other memorials connected with His sepulchre. " Having said these words, our saint was dismissed with the kiss of peace, and with a blessing pronounced on him. s A few days after this occurrence, St. Patrick, who then governed the See of Clogher, set Maccarthen over it, and according to Jocelyn's account—which seems a very probable one—it was only at that time our saint had been consecrated bishop, having received from the Irish Apostle a chrismal, which was also a gift from Heaven. 6
In St. Patrick's time, Oriel comprised that district in which Clogher is situated. It has been stated, that St. Patrick first governed the See of Clogher ; but, regarding the circumstances which brought about its founda- tionwehavenoaccount. The or"
of the Kings," was derived from the circumstance, that it had been regarded
as the chief city of an ancient territory, formerly known as Ergal,? and the
people of which were distinguished as Orghialla. Formerly the district had
very enlarged dimensions. At the present day, two parishes retain the
etymon of this old territory. The River Blackwater divides them. Errigal
8
Keerogue lies in the County of Tyrone, while Errigal Truagh9 lies in the
locus ab ipso ejusque successoribus posside- Jocelyn, both substantially agree in giving bitur : cum S. Kieranus anno cetatis 33, & this account of our saint's appointment to
Christi 548 decesserit : & sic non fuerit na- tus post annos cxx. ab adventu Pat—ricii in
Clogher See.
6 " Et cum consecrasset eum in Episco-
Go in peace, my son, and erect a monastery for thyself,
denomination, Clochar-na-righ,
Clogher
Hiberniam, qui in an. 432, incidit. "
nn. 182, 183, p. Chaj'TKR 11.
Cairthinn was champion to Patrick, and he "clear fishing weir. " This was probably
used to carry him over every rugged place. the spot, called Ath-Ergal, or " ford of the 3 See "Acta Sanctorum Hibernian," Ergal," situated on the Abbain-Mor, or Martii xxiv. De S. Macaerthenno Epis. "great River," now the Blackwater, in Clocherensi. Ex variis, cap. vii. to xiv. , pp. Ulster. See in "The Northern Star" of 738, 739- June, 1 871, a communication, signed * See "Acta Sanctorum Hibernise," "Oriel," the Rev. Daniel O'Connor's alias.
—181. '
susceperat. " Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Sexta Vita
S. Patricii, cap. cxliii. , p. 96.
' This name is thought to have been de-
Hence, he is called the staff of St. Patrick's declining years, in our
lbiJ.
contulit ei ccelitus sibi destinatum
%
—
Irish Apostle's Acts.
2 According to the O'Clerys, Bishop Mac rived from Aire-gal, i. e. , "a bright" or
ex Codice Salmanticensi, Acta Sancti
Maccartini, num. 1, col. 799.
s The Tripartite Life of St. Patrick and
•
This is said to have been called after the
pum,
chrismatorium, quod
patron St. Dachiarog.
s» It was also called Trinch Ched Chla-
August i$. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 21$
County of Monaghan.
From the date of the first establishment of Clogher
See, the rule of its bishops was commensurate with the civil district. This
became contracted in the course of time. The ruling prelate is often called ""
Bishop of Ergal. " Sometimes, he was styled Bishop of Clones," or ""
Cluaineois," but in modern times, he was always called Bishop of Clogher. " Intheeleventhcentury,thisSeeembracedtheSeesofArdstraw and of Louth. Formerly, however, Ardstraw was a distinct Bishop's See, and Eoghan or Eugenius was its first bishop. The period of its annexation to Clogher is uncertain. In like manner, our Irish Apostle erected an inde- pendent See at Louth, anciently called Lughmagh, " the plain of Lugh. " He was probably some local chieftain. This See appears to have had its own bishop, at least down to a. d. io44. to Soon afterwards, Louth merged into the See of Clogher. When it had thus gathered under its wings both the Sees already mentioned, the bounds of Clogher diocese on the east and west reached from one ocean to the other, from where the Saimer River flows into the sea near Bundoran to Clogher Head and the mouth of the Boyne, taking in the celebrated Abbey of Mellifont. About the twelfth century, Clogher became divested of Louth ; and, in the thirteenth century, the See of Ard- straw was annexed to Derry. Yet, even after losing these wings, the extent of Clogher diocese was very great, and it included powerful tribes of the
11
territory, Tyrone.
then has been attributed the erection of a monastery in Clogher ; this
opinion, however, is grounded more upon supposition than on any positive certainty.
About this time, Eochod, son toCrimthan, had been the ruler of Orgiell^
of was situated. 1 * It is said to be known on Ulster, Clogher
Colla Dacrioch extraction.
churches, monasteries and other religious houses in Ireland. The descendants of Niali of the Nine Hostages, who from him were called the O'Neills, after- wards added it to their own known as 12 To St. Maccar-
in which
—stood on the undoubtedly
earthwork or Dun
supposed
as
Regia.
The ancient — of the of " dwelling place kings Ergal"
lofty
daigh, i. e. , "the district of the hundred ""
following extract : "To the east of Rath- more, in the hollow ground fronting the
Palace, are to be seen two adjoining springs
of limpid water, tastefully surrounded by a
brick-work enclosure. They still are called to
this " The and were so called day Sisters,"
on account of a convent which stood on the
— towards the south of these sloping ridge
forts," or hillocks. "
It also possessed many among the foremost
region Ptolemy's map
to be the ancient Rathmore 1S within the modern demesne or grounds of the Protestant
10
Then Mael Mocta of Louth died, ac-
cording to Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 844, 845.
" Such as the Mac Mac Kennas, &c.
Mahons, Maguires,
12
See the letter of Mr.
dated
Cootehill, May 27th, 1835, in "Letters
containing Information relative to the Anti
quities of the County of Armagh and
Monaghan, collected during the Progress
of the Ordnance Survey in 1835," p. 131 B.
of hill is called the yet
13
See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
O'Donovan,
nise," xxiv. Martii, n. 10, p. 739.
14 The most ancient form of the name hopeless of exploration than the ruined cities
"Clogher," as given by Adamnan, is Clochur Filiorum Daimeni. Eochaidh was sixth in descent from Colla da Crioch. See Rev. Dr. Reeves' Adamnan's "Life of St. Colum- ba," lib. ii. , cap. v. , and n. (c), pp. m, 112.
15 Under the *' the signature Sacerdos,"
Very Rev. Daniel O'Connor, P. P. , of Emy- vale, has contributed a learned article to
"The People's Advocate," Monaghan. It appeared in the number for Saturday, Feb- ruary 24th, 1877. From it we take the
of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Something
has been already done towards casting light on the ancient history of this remarkable loca-
very
springs which ridge
"Nun's Hill. " This hill would seem tocor-
respond with the ancient name Drumdnbhan, on which stood a celebrated convent. The visitor to these historic spots must feel, in traversing this sacred ground, that here in- deed is a "City of the dead ;" a locality more
lity in papers contributed to the
"
Northern
Star," in 1870, entitled
I have seen the MS. of a
carefully prepared "Lecture on the Life and Times of St. MacCartin," from the pen of the learned and respected parish priest of Clogher, the Rev. Philip Connolly, and it is a pity that this MS. should remain unpub-
" Clogher-na-righ. "
erudite and
216
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[August 15.
of
bishop Clogher.
16 There is scarcely a doubt, but it was the Rath-mor or 18
great fortress of Magh-Leamhna, ? built by Queen BaineV during the Pagan
period of Clogher. It is called by the Four Masters Rath-trwr, at Clogher.
J
Tins Queen Baine* was buried on a hill 9 about two miles north of Clogher,
and on the summit of which there is a -sepulchral enclosure, or cromlech. Her name is identified with this hill, which is called Knockmany. 20 The earthwork or fortress in Clogher is surrounded by a —deep fosse, and there yet appear in the vicinity of it traces of water-courses an ancient method of fortifying princely residences in . Ireland. This hill is now called " Castle Hill. "31 Fromthebeautifulandcommandinghill ofKnockmany,"maybe had charming views of Clogher and an extensive part of the ancient kingdom
of Ergal. — St. Cinnia a3
otherwise called Ricinne from her royal descent
—
was the
lished, as it clearly sets forth the leading their illustious dead. "—Vol. iv. , Fourth
facts regarding the religious foundations at
Series, p. 96.
Clogher—the cradle of Christianity in this extensive diocese. "
20
The Rev. Mr. O'Connor was the first to
16
The present residence of Ellison Mac-
identify this place with Cnoc Baine, in the newspaper article already alluded to : "It
requires very little knowledge of Irish ety- mology to perceive the close resemblance
between the original name Cnoc-baine, and the modernized form of it, Knockmany. Nor will it excite surprise to be told that as they are one and the same name, so they designate
cartney, Esq. , M. P.
1 It was otherwise called Clossach, in the
County of Tyrone and Diocese of Clogher. It is shown on an old Map of Ulster,
preserved in the State Papers Office, Lon-
"
Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 46, 47, and one and the same place. The locale of this
don. See Dr. O'Donovan's n. (o).
18
Annals of the
hill, as given by the Four Masters, was in Magh Leamna (pronounced Moy Leney).
The name of Queen Baine is also preserved in the townland denomination of Mullagh- beney, a hill convenient to Knockmany. See Roderick O'Flaherty's Ogygia," The late William Carleton, who was a na- tive of this neighbourhood, has connected these hills, and in fact, all the notable parts of this locality, with his undying stories. Even the Witch "Anyia," of whom he writes in his " Legend of Knockmany," when divested of the exaggeration of the folk-lore of the neighbourhood, is no other than the historical Queen Baine. At the foot of Mullaghbeney lies the townland of Killaney, so called, probably, after St. En- dens, brother of St. Fanchea. * * * There we find it stated that St. Fanchea was founder and superioress of a convent of reli- gious at Rossory, near Enniskillen, and that Rathmor, near Clogher, was her birth- in the domain of Irish topography and place. Her natale is commemorated on the
SheissaidtohavebeenthedaughterofSeal, and she was mother of Feidhlimidh Reach- tmhar, or the Law-giver, Monarch of Ireland from A. D. in to A. D. 119. Her father Seal
Balbhis saidtohavebeenKingofFinland. "
pars iii. , cap. lvi. , p. 303.
'» In Irish, it is written Cnoc mb<vme. In
the "Journal of the Royal and Historical and Archaeological Association of Ireland,"
for the year 1876, there is an interesting Paper, by William F. Wakeman, on "The Megalithic Sepulchral Chamber of Knock-
many, County Tyrone, with some Remarks on Dolmens in Fermanagh and its borders. '' So far as the description of the monument goes, nothing could be better told. The en- gravings also, of this Sepulchral Chamber and of two of its Sculptured stones, appear to be artistic and of great interest and im- portance. The great Dr. O'Donovan, who
archaeology had certainly no superior, failed
to identify Cnoc-baine, which occurs in the
•'Annals of the Four Masters," under the
year 1 1 1 of the Christian Era. He says, that
the name of Cnoc-baine, a hill in Clossach,
is now obsolete. See vol. i. , n. (g), p. 102. Maighen. Had Mr. Wakeman learned the
of that celebrated monument before his article was written, the account could have been rendered more complete. In the article already referred to, writing of this hill, he
"
such a site in the times of cam building and cremation could hardly fail to have been chosen by a primitive people as a fitting spot whereon to deposit the ashes of
22 Celebrated in verses elegant
by the late
justly says,
34 St. Cetemana was the first Irish
who received the veil, and from the hands of St. Patrickhimself. Shewasplacedbyhim over the nunnery of Drumdubhain, near
history
1st of January. "
11
Castle Hill or Rathmor, at Clogher, singularly resembles the ancient ruins in the
plain of Donagh Moyne, called Maighen or Mannan Castle, the ancient Domnach
William Carleton.
23 See an account of her, in the Second
V—olume of this work, at the 1st of February
the date for her Art. iii. feast,
virgin
August 15. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 217
daughter of Echodius, the dynast of that territory. She was placed there by 2
St. Patrick, and left under the care of St. Cetemaria. * Echodius himself was unwilling to become a Christian, but he was induced by the Irish Apostle to permit his daughter to take the veil and to consecrate her virginity to God. The descendants of Eochod were called in later times Clann- Daimhin, represented so late as the fourteenth century by the family of Dwyer. The famous Glen of Altadaven, about four miles to the south-east of Clogher, still retains the name of that once powerful clan. The Glen of Altadaven is partly celebrated for the romantic wildness and beauty of its scenery, and it adjoins Lough Mor, the source of the Abhain Mor or Blackwater.
On one occasion, according to St. Maccarthan's fragmentary Life, Eochod ordered a beast, which had been useful in carrying necessaries for the monas- tery,tobedrivenfromapastureandtiedtoastone. Sufferingfromhunger, this poor animal commenced a piteous lowing, which, when a Magus in the
prince's confidence had heard, he said to Eochod " Know, that thou hast
:
incurred a great loss, because thou hast ordered the bishop's ox to be tied. For, wheresoever this animal's lowing was heard, that land shall be in the bishop's possession. " This prophecy is said to have been afterwards fulfilled ; but, fearing its verification, Eochod then sent his youthful son, Corpre, with orders to expel God's servant from his possession. However, his queen forbade her boy to convey this message to the saint, lest his malediction should follow, rather than a benediction, she hoped to procure for her son. Nevertheless, the father urged Corpre to execute his commands. The son went through obedience, although with unwillingness, which was manifested by a flood of tears. The queen was greatly moved, on witnessing these signs of reluctance, and she gave an apple to the child on his departure. When the boy came to the middle of a highway, he lost that apple, and he vainly searched for it a long time. The disturbance of his mind at length induced him to fall into a profound sleep. A great number of persons on foot and on horseback passed by, without seeing or injuring him, and without even disturbing his repose. Wondering what delayed his son so long, Eochod sent messengers after him. They returned without being able to find him. This failure plunged the king and his entire court into the greatest sorrow. Their grief was only dispelled on the following day, by the return of his boy, who, after awaking from sleep, immediately found the apple he had before vainly sought. Being questioned about the
cause of his delay, he related what had occurred during his absence, declar-
ing that during his sleep, he believed himself to have been covered by the
bishop's mantle, whilst a fragrant odour was diffused around the place of his
repose.
2 *
Nevertheless, supposing
that
magic
arts had been to effect employed
this miracle, Eochod again sent one of his people to extinguish the fire in our
saint's monastery, and to expel him from Orgiell territory. However, as this
messenge* was about to execute the dynast's order, he felt his hands unable to move. Thus finding chastisements of Heaven visited on him, falling on his knees before the servant of God, Eochod humbly implored forgiveness. This being freely granted, his punishment was remitted, and he returned, relating all that had occurred. Still unchanged in purpose, the dynast resolved in person to execute his intentions. With drawn sword, he was about to deal a fatal stroke against our saint, when he became rigid as a marble statue, beifig unable to move hand or foot, whilst at the same time he was deprived of the use of speech. His queen followed her husband, to
"
Acta Sanctorum Hiber- called the Nun's Hill. Near it are two niae," xxiv. Martii. De S. Macaerthenni enclosed wells or springs, called "the Epis. Clochorensi. Ex variis, cap. viii. , pp.
Sisters. "
Clogher— probably that place in the demesne 25 See Colgan's
738, 739.
2i8 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[August i$
defeat, if possible, such murderous intentions. Seeing him thus visibly punished for his impious attempt, she gave away to tears, and prayed our
saint to restore him. The saintly bishop, moved by her passionate request, sprinkled the husband with holy water, and immediately Eochod recovered his former faculties. When understanding had resumed the place of passion in the king's mind, he fell prostrate on the earth before the man of God, and
promised faithfully to perform whatever might be required. Afterwards, he bestowed lands on Maccarthen, for the use of his newly-founded monas-
6 tery. '
One day, whilst our saint had been engaged in the study of Sacred Scrip-
ture, the shades of night began to approach. But, the Almighty, who had regard for his servant's pious wishes, and for a regret he would have felt in
being obliged to desist from study, diffused a light, powerful as that of the noon-day sun, around the monastery, and this continued during the whole night. We are told, that on one occasion, St. Maccarthen commenced a sermon at day-break, and continued it during a whole night, until morning again dawned. *? Although he excelled as a preacher of God's word, yet it is difficult to believe, that such extraordinary physical and mental exertion could naturally be endured, without some periods of interruption.
In the exercise of merciful works and of hospitality, our saint was ever en- gaged. Atonetime,somestrangeguestscametovisithim,whenhisstores of provision had been exhausted. Our saint besought the Lord, who provides for the meanest wants even of the brute creation, to extend his compassion on this occasion, for the relief of his servants' necessities. His prayers were heard, and relief was miraculously afforded.
