" After
pronouncing
these
pointed out to St.
pointed out to St.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v6
This Angel
" O servant of Christ, that rock hanging over the cave I3 in which you
said
dwell,willsoonfallupon wherefore lookoutforsomeother 1*
:
it, speedily place. " This is a narrow place in which I dwell, but, I wish to remain in it, during the time of Lent, if it be pleasing to God. " The Angel continued : "Truly, the hand of the All-powerful God shall sustain this rock
for many days, lest it should deprive thee of life. " Saying these words, the Angel vanished. Holy Kevin then said within himself: "Trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ, my God, here shall I remain, until Eastertide. " There can be no question, as enormous precipices of amorphus granite soar at the head of Glen- dalough, and are cut irregularly across by fissures, that, in former times, vast masses of rock have tumbled away to their base, or slipped down from their brow, and formed a kind of gigantic or acclivitous stair, in certain places, to the verysummitofthemountain. ^ ToaprovidentialescapeofSt. Kevinfrom one of these landslides is allusion here made ; and, it has been an early tra- dition in the Irish Church, that such an accident actually occurred, during the time he resided l6 under the brow of Lugduff. Nay more, immediately over the ruined cell of the saint, in the upper valley, the geological spectator at the present day may have ocular demonstration of a vast rent, from the face of that mountain, which must have carried large masses of stone into the valley beneath, or further even into the waters of the Lough. When the holy evening of Easter came, the Angel again warned St. Kevin : "Depart imme- diately from this cave following me. " Then, blessed Kevin followed the Angel across the Lake and with dry feet. As the Angel had intimated, the
St. Kevin replied :
"
10 It was formerly overgrown with trees and brambles; but, these have been cleared away from this church and its cemetery. Its Cyclopean doorway shows to great advan-
stood on the margin of the Lake, may be
questioned ;but,mostprobably, itrelatestothe latter, as being the chief place where he lived. * 4 At present, there is a remarkable open- It had a nave and chancel, now ing between the rocks on the south side of
tage.
restored ; the voussoirs of the chancel-arch have been set in their place, and the arched heads of windows, recovered from heaps of
According to the local guides, it the Giant's Cut, a long fissure in
fit over them, and in their origi- nal position. The churchyard's boundaries have been ascertained, and fenced, with ap-
proaches, appropriately planned.
11 These are usually of clay-slate, and for
the most part small and rudely fashioned.
"One of these, said to have had an in-
scription, which designated it as that of King 0'Toole,has been so mutilated, that the for- mer inscription cannot now be recognised.
13 Whether this refers to St. Kevin's Bed on the brow of the cliff, or to that cell, which
stones, now
G. R.
the lake.
is called
the Glen's side, where the mighty F—inn Ma- coul (they say) tried his sword. " Powell's "Official Railway Hand-book to Bray, Kingstown, the Coast, and the County of Wicklow," p. 70.
"
' 5 See "Parliamentary Gazetteer of Ire- land," vol. ii. , p. 267.
,6 In the " mansiunculum," or cell, "in
loco angusto inter montem et stagnum. " In ""
the Feilire of Oengus, he alludes to St.
Coemhghan escaping, from the perils of the mountain, at Gleann da Locha.
* On a knoll above the Righfeart Church,
June 3. ]
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
1 ? so soon as ou—r saint had taken Abbot Munna IQ who lived in his monastery called Teach-Munna, in the southern part of Hy-Kinsellagh terri-
rock fell afterwards on the immediately
cave, departure. day, holy
his 18 On another the
tory—heard one demon, conversing withanother, and after this manner
O friend, is thy countenance so sorrowful, and so very pale, at this time ? "
The demon thus addressed " replied :
Why
with my other confederates fought bravely for a long time against one man,
andwehavebeenvanquished. Theplaceinwhichhedwellshadbeenours,
from the beginning of the world. But now, as it is impossible for any living man to exist in a burning fire, so it is difficult for us to traverse the space, between that place and the sky ; for, we are consumed with the flame of his prayer. If you wish to know who this man is, his name is Coemgen, and he dwells in the valley of the two Lakes. However, at this time, we have per- suaded him to set out on a pilgrimage, from that place ;
pared
to
go,
if God shall not
prevent
his
journey.
20 On
hearing
these
words,
through the Divine assistance, St. Munnu bound this demon with a fiery
chain. 21 Then,St. MunnasentmessengerstoholyKevin,totellhimminutely
those designs of the demon, directed against him. Giving thanks to God and to his servant Munna, our saint did not fulfil that vow he had made, to
22
On a certain night, it is related, that St. Kevin and his monks
were engaged singing a hymn to St. Patrick. ^ Suddenly, the holy Abbot remained in a silent ecstasy, and then ordered his brethren to sing
undertake his
projected pilgrimage.
this hymn three different times.
sing it so often, the Abbot said
you have sung, stood on the pavement leaning on his staff, and he blessed
us,
2* when we ceased our
:
singing. "
We are then that this was St. told,
overhanging the upper lake, and command-
ing a fine view of the valley, is a circular en-
closure about iofeet in diameter, containing
a rude cross of clay-slate, and formed by a
wall of loose stones, about two feet high,
with an entrance facing the east. This looks
like a sepulchral enclosure ; but, the late
George V. Du Noyer thought it to have been
the cell, which St. Kevin built for his habi-
tation. See "Proceedings of the Royal
Irish Academy," vol. vii. Mr. G. V. Du related in the Sacred Scripture. See Tobias Noyer's description of his Series of 118 Ori- viii. , 3.
ginal Drawings of Irish Antiquities, includ- "See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Junii
ing 21 sketches of Glendalough, p. 256, and iii. Vita S. Coemgeni, cap. iii. , n. 22, p.
vol. ix. , at p. 424.
316.
l8 ^ee "Acta *3 In the sixth and . . . . Sanctorum," tomus L, Junii
beginning of the seventh iii. Vita S. Coemgeni, cap. iii. , n. 21, century, Father Baert remarks, there is
P- 3 J 6.
13 This saint's festival is celebrated, on the
hardly a doubt, many hymns, composed in honour of St. Patrick, were extant. There is a hymn said to have been composed before the time of St. Kevin, by St. Secundin, and another by St. Fiech of Sletty. See the latter, Irish, with Latin translation and notes, in " Trias
21st of October. In a note, at this passage of our saint's Life, after explaining that St. Munnu was also called Fintan, son of Tul- chan, Father Francis Baert promised, that St. Munua's Life should be
at the 2 1 st of October; but, he fears that abound- ing as it does in prodigies of narrative, the reader may well suspect the authenticity of many stories there recorded. See n. (c),
Thaumaturga," Hymnus
published,
Colgan's
seu Prima Vita S. Patricii, pp. 1 to 10.
P- 3! 7-
ao Hsec audiens S. Munna, dcemonem " Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Junii iii. Vita
ilium in catena ignita per virtutem Christi alhgavit, per lapideum titulum Dei auxilio hue usque in memoriam virtutis ligatum. "
S. Coemgeni, cap. iii. , n. (e), p. 317.
2
* It is perfectly credible, that St. Patrick would have blessed those reciting his Hymn,
should I not be sad ? I For,
When the monks enquired, why they should " Our holy Patron Patrick, whose hymn 2*
and, he is now pre-
The latter part of the foregoing sentence does
not furnish as with any very intelligible idea; but, it probably refers to some local legend or tradition, which had been known at that time, when the author of our saint's Life composed his narrative,
This account in the text will naturally
suggest to the reader the circumstance of the
Angel Raphael taking the devil, and bind- ing him in the desert of Upper Egypt, as
"* However, Father Baert does not think, that it was that hymn, said to have been composed, by one Sechnal, as mentioned by Colgan, in Tertia Vita S. Patricii. See
M :
Why,
52
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 3.
26 the
who had converted Ireland from the errors of
Archbishop,
Lake, and in the same manner, with dry feet. Seeing him following in this
way,blessedKevinsaidtohim "OBrother,whyhastthoudaredtounder- :
take this unusual journey without my leave? Wherefore, I tell you, that your
bones cannot rest in the place, where my remains shall be interred. But,
however, that you may not be driven to despair, you shall repose with me in
Heaven. " Itissomewhatremarkable,thattheoccupationofthetanner,and
successful tanneries,3° have been established from probably the sixth to the
present century, in or near Glendalough, where extensive oak forests and cop-
pice woods are; yet to be found. 31 Cronan followed this trade,32 in the
community of St. Kevin. Being obedient, faithful, and humble, these things
happened, according to the prophecy of his holy Abbot. 33 Soon, however,
it was destined, that the latter should leave his hermitage, in the unsociable
desert of the steep encircling mountains surrounding the Lakes, and seek
" O saint of God, the Lord hath sent me with a message, that you may be induced to go to a place he hath appointed for you, eastwards from the lesser Lake. Thereyoushallbeamongyourbrethren,anditshallbetheplaceof
Patrick,
paganism to the true Faith ; who, many years before, had departed happily ; and, it is stated, that the efficacy of this hymn was to be found related in his Life. 2? On the night following such occurrence, St. Kevin walked over the Lake with dry feet, from that place where he had sung the hymn of St. Patrick, with his monks, and he came to that spot, where his city afterwards stood. 28 The holy Abbot thought he had not been observed, during this migration ; but, his tanner, named Cronan,29 followed our saint across the
another 3* for the site,
foundation of his
After these things, an Angel of the Lord came to St. Kevin and said :
resurrection. "
your
in the mannerdescribed.
26
St. Kevin
replied :
" H it would not the displease
Lord,
See his Life, in the Third Volume of this work, at the 17th of March, Art. i.
"7 It is doubtful, if that Life of St. Patrick,
to which allusion is here made, be extant.
Its superior antiquity to the published Acts of St. Kevin must be manifest.
28 The writer of St. Kevin's Life has it "now stands. "
2» Baert maintains, that this Cronan must
have been a different person, from the
Cronan, who is said to have baptized St.
Kevin ; although, the last-named Cronan is
there represented, as saying prophetically, that he should be first monk with the child
3° Especially those established, by the re-
spectable family of the Byrnes of Croney-
Byrne.
3I See on this subject Robert Fraser's
" General View t>f the Agriculture and Mineralogy, Present State and Circum- stances of the County of Wicklow," &c, part iii. , chap, v. , sect. 18, pp. 267 to 271.
** It is interesting to meet with such early
indications of manual industries, in the an-
cient ecclesiastical establishments of Ireland,
as instanced from this old Life of our saint.
he baptized. For, Baert observes, if he were the same, it should be necessary to assign him a lifetime, at least extending to one hundred and In the
iii. Vita S. Coemgeni, cap. iii. , nn. 23, 24,
pp. 316, 317.
3* —
It is thus described, by John D'Alton,
forty years.
portion of our saint's Life, —a Cronan—sup-
:
" In the east, no envious
Shut out the golden flood of light ;
posed to be the present one was to survive St. Kevin, for the duration at least of one year. Now, St. Kevin is said to have lived one hundred and twenty years. The Cronan, by whom he was baptized, must have been not less probably than twenty-five years old, being a Priest at the time of the baptism. Baert remarks, moreover, that the place, where the relics of both these saints had been deposited, is not now known. See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Junii iii. Vita S. Coemgeni, n (f), p. 317.
No interposing forest—
permanent
monastery.
ensuing
height
33 See
"
Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Junii
in his Poem
—
. "Dermid orErininthe of
To veil the rising or
Full in the breach fate
that rode
Had placed it there a golden gate, To guard and gild this sacred ground ; While, brightly arched o'er all, and
wound — Aboutthemountains'tops thesky Closed up the enchanted scenery. "
;
Days Boru,"
b
stood
——
e'en now
;
as
June 3. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
53
I should wish to remain to the day of my death in this place, where I have
toiled for Christ. " The Angel answered
:
" If you, with your monks, go to
thatplaceindicated,manysonsoflightshallbealwaysinit; andafteryour
time, the monks shall have a sufficiency of earthly possessions, and many
thousands of happy souls shall arise with you, from that place, to the king-
:
dom of Heaven. " Kevin said " Indeed, O holy messenger, it is impossible
for monks to dwell in this valley surrounded by mountains, unless God assist
:
thembyhispower. " TheAngelthenspoke "Hearme,OmanofGod,if
you desire it, the Lord will maintain without earthly food fifty holy men in that place, should they remain unanimous after thy departure. And, to the day of judgment, another shall succeed for those after their death, in the same habitandprofession,havingfearandloveforGod. " Kevinanswered "I
:
do not wish that my monks should be so few, in that place. " Then, said the
"
Angel :
If you are unwilling, that they be few, many thousands shall dwell
there prosperously and abundantly, the Lord preparing for them all earthly necessaries. 35 And thou, from thy celestial habitation, thou shalt aid thy
earthly family, as thou mayest wish in Christ, and through God's assistance, here and hereafter, thou shalt govern thy monks. For, that place shall be sacred and venerable ; kings and the powerful ones of Ireland shall honour it with a religious veneration, on thy account. It shall be enriched with lands, gold and silver, precious gems and silken garments,30 with gifts from beyondthesea,aswithregaltreasuresandabundance. Agreatcity37shall spring up ; and the ministry of thy monks shall be so perfect, that none of them, buried under this soil, shall endure the pains of hell. 38 And, if thou desirest, that these four mountains, surrounding this valley, should become pleasant and fruitful plains, no doubt the Almighty would so order it, on thy account. " St. Kevinsaid:"Idonotdesire,thatGod'screaturesbemoved on my account, for the Lord can otherwise assist my place ; and, moreover, all animals about these mountains are mild and domesticated towards me, and they should feel sorrowful, at what thou sayest. " With these and like dis- courses, the Angel and St. Kevin walked upon the waters of the Lake, towards a locality indicated. Diligently examining this site, holy Kevin said to the Angel " This place is rugged obstructions 39 cover its surface
:
;;
fitted for burial within it. " The " These Angel replied :
there is no
stones are immovable from the first day of creation, to this time ; yet, from this day, they shall always be movable. "40 We are told, that in this soil,
and,
place
Not " In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, arise with thy monks, and go to that place, which the Lord hath ordained for thy resurrection.
" After pronouncing these
pointed out to St. Kevin, by the Angel, no stone is found immovable. *
long afterwards, the same Angel appeared to St. Kevin. He said words, the Angel departed.
Canto v. , sect, xi. , p. 132.
35 From this statement, it appears evident,
that the author of our saint's Acts set down, what had been the current popular tradition,
in his day, and when the early religious es- tabl. shment of holy Kevin at Glendalough
enjoyed a great degree of temporal and spiritual prosperity.
36 Such a description plainly indicates, not alone the author's familiarity with a civilized state of society, but even with objects of great value and luxury, then abounding in the
4 ' 37 This seems to have been written, while iii.
"
"
houses of Ireland.
Glendalough was yet a flourishing city. p. 317.
Junii
religious
:
38 This promise must have been made, under certain reservations. In any case, if given, it can only be'accepted as applicable
generally to deceased persons, happdy dis- posed for death, and there buried,
3? The Latin word is
scrobes," which
has either the signification of ""
furrows," or
of sloughs.
4° It is a remarkable circumstance, that
the whole of the lower valley at Glenda- lough is covered with huge boulders, and large detached stones.
See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. ,
Vita S. Coemgeni, cap. iv. , n. 25,
1
54
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 3. While St. Kevin yet remained in that same place he chose for a home,
8 son to and descended from a noble Tiagni,
a man named good
Dymma,*
Leinster family, came to him. At that time, this valley of Glendalough is said
to have been in the possession of Dymma, and the following story is told, to account for its transfer to our saint. Dymma and his sons presented it to God
: andtohisservantKevin,inthismanner. ThelattersaidtoDymma"On
a day appointed, do you and your people come to me, that you may transfer the chattels and houses of your brethren to another place, appointed by God. " Coming as he had promised, Kevin asked this man, if he had brought all his people with him as commanded. Dymma answered, that he had brought eightsonsandotherfollowerswithhim; but,thataninthsonremainedat home, unwilling to come. Kevin asked the name of the recusant, and then
" :
:
should be located. He received this answer from our saint
herd was formerly buried, and around him many shall arise ; for, the local cemeteryshalltherebefound. " St. KevinthensaidtoDymmaandtohis sons: " O my children, cut away the thorns and brambles, and make a com- mencement,inthisplace,sinceinityoushallbeburied; here,afteracon- siderable time, a temple shall be built to God in my name, and under its altarshallyourepose. " ThisfoundationofamonasteryatGlendaloughhas been assigned, to the year 549 ;** but, we are of opinion, it must be referred
to a period much later, in the sixth century. The eighth son of Dymma, named Dycoll, laboured in an humble manner, and more than all the rest, in pro-
portion to his strength. Our saint said to him " O my son, thou shalt be
:
blessed by God and by men, and thou shalt be amiable, in the sight of all; as thou hast been more humble than all the rest, so shalt thou and thy seed be elevated above others, and thou^shalt rule over thy brethren. " Then, Dymma and his sons, rejoicing in the saint's benediction, went to their own habitations.
There, Kevin began to live holily, in that spot he had chosen for his dwelling. Clothed in rough garments, he lay without a bed on the bare ground ; he fasted much, only tasting herbs and a little water. Without a fire to warm him, or a roof to shelter him, he lived mostly in the open air, and for a long time. At length, at the request of his disciples, some pious men withdrew him, by reasonable representations, from those austerities, and attracted him to the society of his brethren. A renowned and religious city soon arose there, in honour of St. Kevin. ** It was called Gleanndaloch,from the name of that valley, in which it was situated.
*" He is not more particularly identi- fied.
*3 Interpreted in Latin, "Calvus lugubris," which may be Anglicized, "a sorrowful bald man. "
44 See Rev. M. J. Brennan's " Ecclesiasti-
learned,thathewascalledMoelguby. Thensaidthesaint
! itisa
Alas
meet name for him ; because, after a few days, he shall be crucified, in the southern part of Leinster, called Kinsellagh ; and, indeed, the name Moel- guby« seems to suit him, for a dolorous end awaits him. Then, St. Kevin said to Dymma, in a prophetic manner : "You and your eight sons shall not be butchered, but after penance you shall peaceably depart to Heaven. " This prophecy was duly fulfilled. After such predictions, Dymma, with his sons, servants, and others, removed their habitations and effects to that place, in- " In this place shall my city be built, and within it, my resurrection shall be accomplished. " Dymma and his sons asked where the church and cemetery of Glendalough
dicated by the Angel to Kevin. Afterwards, our saint said
The surrounding territory was called
cal History of Ireland," chap. Hi. , p. 91. Duffy's Edition, 1864.
«s See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Junii iii. Vita S. Coemgeni, cap. iv. , num. 26, 27, pp. 317, 518.
+* The Forthuatha or Fothartha, Angli-
:
" Here, a shep-
June 3. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 55
A certain
with his request. However, the swindler, departing with his treasure, mira- culously missed his way three different times. Having thus found himself at fault, he returned to blessed Kevin, acknowledging his fraud, and afterwards he did penance for it. *' At another time, St. Kevin hearing that the three
Abbots,
made to St. Kieran in
probable, that as Comgall did not become an Abbot before a. d. 555, the jour- neyofoursaintoccurredafterthislatterdate. 53 Onthedayofhisarrival,agreat concourse of people flocked to that locality, to see St. Columba. This latter, however, beholding Kevin approach the assembly, and at a distance, arose to honourhim. Columbaremainedstanding,untiloursaintcameup; and,while on his way towards the assembly, having been attacked by ferocious dogs, it was thought by all, that these animals should tear him in pieces. However, making a sign of the cross on their approach, blessed Kevin at once ap- peased their fury, and in a gentle manner, with their ears, nostrils, and tongues, those dogs stroked the feet and garments of God's servant. On seeing this wonder, those who were present blessed the Lord in his saints. Certain rustics, at this assembly, upbraided Columba, for standing so long, on the
appearance of Kevin. Holy Columba then said to them " Why, foolish
:
men, should we not arise at the arrival of Kevin, the servant of God,
when at his approach the Angels of our Lord arise in heaven. " And all, who
were there present, felt much edified, at this testimony to the blessed Abbot's
s+ sanctity.
CHAPTER IV.
RESOLUTION OF ST. KEVIN TO UNDERTAKE A PILGRIMAGE, BUT DISSUADED FROM IT BY ST. GARBAN—ST. KEVIN VISITS ST. BERCHAN—THE TANIST COLMAN AND HIS SON FOELAN—MURDER OF MELERIUS BY SCHOLASTICS—WORKS ATTRIBUTED TO ST. KEVIN—INVASION OF LEINSTER BY THE HY-NIALL—THE OUTLAWS OF DEGHA— THE MONK BERCHAN—MIRACLES—
TRINITY,
AT GLENDALOUGH.
One day, the devotion of Kevin had it in contemplation, to make a pilgrimage alone,andforsomeconsiderabledistance. Holdingthispurposeinmind,heleft
"
6 and it
in the eastern
of Leinster
Fortuatha,*
man, hearing that a golden zone had been given as a present to St. Kevin, deceitfully came to ask for it, pretending that his mother was a captive, and thathewantedthisvaluablegifttoeffectherransom. Oursaintcomplied
Wicklow and the bordering territories. "
Ireland,"
book 22. i. , chap, iii. , p.
Rev.
53 See Rev. Dr. " Ecclesiastical Lanigan's
Francis Shearman's Patriciana," No. i. , n. I, pp. II, 12.
47 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Junii iii. Vita S. Coemgeni, cap. iv. , num. 28, p. 318.
48 See his Life in this Volume, at the 9th ofJune, Art. i.
John
lay
part
province.
Saints 8
Columba,* Comgell,^9 andCainnic,
50 were assembled
together, in a place called Hicysneach^ went to them, to strengthen his acquaintance and friendship. According to one account, this visit took place, before that
549,
as mentioned in his Life 52 it seems more j but,
1
— " Loca
ST. MOGOROC—CHURCHOFTHEHOLY
cized
called Forths, were in various parts of Ire- 50 His festival is held, on the nth of
Strangers' Territories," and also *9 His feast occurs on the 10th of May.
land. They are so denominated, because October.
their inhabitants were immigrants, and not of the royal race. " The Leinster Forthua- tha were in the mountainous regions of
51 This is intended for Usneach, in Meath.
52 See Harris' Ware, vol. ii. , "Writers of
History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, x. , sect, x. , D. 156, p. 49.
54 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Junii iii. Vita S. Coemgeni, cap. iv. , num. 29, p. 318.
56 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
his monastery. But, a holy hermit, named Garban, or Garbhan, on seeing
" O servant of God, whither art thou bound ? It is better for thee to remain in one spot, serving the Lord, than to go about from place to place, in thy old age ; for, thou hast heard, that no bird, while flying, can hatch her eggs. "
him alone, said
punction,
promised
to return to his
place. Then,
St. Garbhan 2
presented
:
and he
Hearing this, the holy Abbot felt some degree of com-
himself with his cell to God and to St. Kevin. This St. Garban dwelt near
the city of Athcliath, in the northern part of Leinster, and lying on the sea-
shore. The author of our saint's Life remarks, that in the Scottish language this city was called Dublus,3 which is interpreted in Latin by these words,
Nigratherma,andthiscitywasapowerfulandwarlikeoneinhisday; while, initdweltmen,whowerealwaysvaliantinbattle,andskillednavigators. * No doubt, he alludes to the Scandinavians^ who were dominant in Dublin, ante- rior to the Anglo-Norman Invasion. Returning from St. Garban, holy Kevin went to the venerable senior Berchan,6 who was blind, that they might hold conferences together on some sacred subject. St. Berchan had a divine ad-
monition, concerning the approach of his guest, and he said prophetically to
" O
rable old man, Kevin, who is on his way towards us. " After our saint's
his disciples :
my children, quickly prepare
a bath for the and vene- holy
arrival, Berchan said
:
" Holy Father, wash thy body in this bath, prepared
for Divine monition. " Kevin thee, by
" from the Indeed, father,
replied :
time I resolved upon a religious life, in my youthful days, to this time, I have
never bathed, but in cold water, that I might chastise my body ; however, on thy account, and for the sake of that God, whose servant thou art, I will bathe. " Whilstoursaintwaslavinghimselfinthebath,Berchandesiredhis servant,tobringSt. Kevin'swoodenshoestohim. Afteraninspiredmanner, wearetold,St. Berchansawthetempterofmanuponthem. Hethenasked the demon, why he had dared to enter the holy man's shoes. Satan answered : " The demons can persuade him to do nothing, but by presenting their temp- tations, under some appearance of good, and hence, I entered his shoes, per- suadinghimtomakeapilgrimage,andtodeserthisplace. Thiswasanevil act, disguised under the appearance of good. " Saying these words, the demon cried out, in a loud manner, requesting that he might be permitted to depart thence; for,inthepresenceofGod'ssaints,hefelthimselfdeprivedofpower. His request was complied with, and then he vanished from sight. After- wards, St. Kevin and St. Berchan entered upon a holy conference ; and, while the latter remained within his cell, fearing and loving God, the former returned to his monks glorifying the Divine name. ?
"
Chapter iv. — * See Nolan's Joseph
iii. Vit9 S. num. Coemgeni, cap. iv. ,
31,
History and Antiquities of Glendalough," chap, iii. , p. 18.
2 " This Garbhan, who is called the sou of
pp. 318, 319.
$ See Charles Haliday's "Scandinavian
Kingdom of Dublin," &c, edited by John P. Prendergast, for an account of their prowess, after making Dublin their chief place of settlement in Ireland.
6 This Berchan was most the probably
saint who is venerated, on the 12th of Octo- ber, at a place called Glas-naoidhan, in the territory of Galenga, near the River Liffey. See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Acta S. Brigidae, Appendix Quarta, cap. 3, p. 613.
" O servant of Christ, that rock hanging over the cave I3 in which you
said
dwell,willsoonfallupon wherefore lookoutforsomeother 1*
:
it, speedily place. " This is a narrow place in which I dwell, but, I wish to remain in it, during the time of Lent, if it be pleasing to God. " The Angel continued : "Truly, the hand of the All-powerful God shall sustain this rock
for many days, lest it should deprive thee of life. " Saying these words, the Angel vanished. Holy Kevin then said within himself: "Trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ, my God, here shall I remain, until Eastertide. " There can be no question, as enormous precipices of amorphus granite soar at the head of Glen- dalough, and are cut irregularly across by fissures, that, in former times, vast masses of rock have tumbled away to their base, or slipped down from their brow, and formed a kind of gigantic or acclivitous stair, in certain places, to the verysummitofthemountain. ^ ToaprovidentialescapeofSt. Kevinfrom one of these landslides is allusion here made ; and, it has been an early tra- dition in the Irish Church, that such an accident actually occurred, during the time he resided l6 under the brow of Lugduff. Nay more, immediately over the ruined cell of the saint, in the upper valley, the geological spectator at the present day may have ocular demonstration of a vast rent, from the face of that mountain, which must have carried large masses of stone into the valley beneath, or further even into the waters of the Lough. When the holy evening of Easter came, the Angel again warned St. Kevin : "Depart imme- diately from this cave following me. " Then, blessed Kevin followed the Angel across the Lake and with dry feet. As the Angel had intimated, the
St. Kevin replied :
"
10 It was formerly overgrown with trees and brambles; but, these have been cleared away from this church and its cemetery. Its Cyclopean doorway shows to great advan-
stood on the margin of the Lake, may be
questioned ;but,mostprobably, itrelatestothe latter, as being the chief place where he lived. * 4 At present, there is a remarkable open- It had a nave and chancel, now ing between the rocks on the south side of
tage.
restored ; the voussoirs of the chancel-arch have been set in their place, and the arched heads of windows, recovered from heaps of
According to the local guides, it the Giant's Cut, a long fissure in
fit over them, and in their origi- nal position. The churchyard's boundaries have been ascertained, and fenced, with ap-
proaches, appropriately planned.
11 These are usually of clay-slate, and for
the most part small and rudely fashioned.
"One of these, said to have had an in-
scription, which designated it as that of King 0'Toole,has been so mutilated, that the for- mer inscription cannot now be recognised.
13 Whether this refers to St. Kevin's Bed on the brow of the cliff, or to that cell, which
stones, now
G. R.
the lake.
is called
the Glen's side, where the mighty F—inn Ma- coul (they say) tried his sword. " Powell's "Official Railway Hand-book to Bray, Kingstown, the Coast, and the County of Wicklow," p. 70.
"
' 5 See "Parliamentary Gazetteer of Ire- land," vol. ii. , p. 267.
,6 In the " mansiunculum," or cell, "in
loco angusto inter montem et stagnum. " In ""
the Feilire of Oengus, he alludes to St.
Coemhghan escaping, from the perils of the mountain, at Gleann da Locha.
* On a knoll above the Righfeart Church,
June 3. ]
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
1 ? so soon as ou—r saint had taken Abbot Munna IQ who lived in his monastery called Teach-Munna, in the southern part of Hy-Kinsellagh terri-
rock fell afterwards on the immediately
cave, departure. day, holy
his 18 On another the
tory—heard one demon, conversing withanother, and after this manner
O friend, is thy countenance so sorrowful, and so very pale, at this time ? "
The demon thus addressed " replied :
Why
with my other confederates fought bravely for a long time against one man,
andwehavebeenvanquished. Theplaceinwhichhedwellshadbeenours,
from the beginning of the world. But now, as it is impossible for any living man to exist in a burning fire, so it is difficult for us to traverse the space, between that place and the sky ; for, we are consumed with the flame of his prayer. If you wish to know who this man is, his name is Coemgen, and he dwells in the valley of the two Lakes. However, at this time, we have per- suaded him to set out on a pilgrimage, from that place ;
pared
to
go,
if God shall not
prevent
his
journey.
20 On
hearing
these
words,
through the Divine assistance, St. Munnu bound this demon with a fiery
chain. 21 Then,St. MunnasentmessengerstoholyKevin,totellhimminutely
those designs of the demon, directed against him. Giving thanks to God and to his servant Munna, our saint did not fulfil that vow he had made, to
22
On a certain night, it is related, that St. Kevin and his monks
were engaged singing a hymn to St. Patrick. ^ Suddenly, the holy Abbot remained in a silent ecstasy, and then ordered his brethren to sing
undertake his
projected pilgrimage.
this hymn three different times.
sing it so often, the Abbot said
you have sung, stood on the pavement leaning on his staff, and he blessed
us,
2* when we ceased our
:
singing. "
We are then that this was St. told,
overhanging the upper lake, and command-
ing a fine view of the valley, is a circular en-
closure about iofeet in diameter, containing
a rude cross of clay-slate, and formed by a
wall of loose stones, about two feet high,
with an entrance facing the east. This looks
like a sepulchral enclosure ; but, the late
George V. Du Noyer thought it to have been
the cell, which St. Kevin built for his habi-
tation. See "Proceedings of the Royal
Irish Academy," vol. vii. Mr. G. V. Du related in the Sacred Scripture. See Tobias Noyer's description of his Series of 118 Ori- viii. , 3.
ginal Drawings of Irish Antiquities, includ- "See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Junii
ing 21 sketches of Glendalough, p. 256, and iii. Vita S. Coemgeni, cap. iii. , n. 22, p.
vol. ix. , at p. 424.
316.
l8 ^ee "Acta *3 In the sixth and . . . . Sanctorum," tomus L, Junii
beginning of the seventh iii. Vita S. Coemgeni, cap. iii. , n. 21, century, Father Baert remarks, there is
P- 3 J 6.
13 This saint's festival is celebrated, on the
hardly a doubt, many hymns, composed in honour of St. Patrick, were extant. There is a hymn said to have been composed before the time of St. Kevin, by St. Secundin, and another by St. Fiech of Sletty. See the latter, Irish, with Latin translation and notes, in " Trias
21st of October. In a note, at this passage of our saint's Life, after explaining that St. Munnu was also called Fintan, son of Tul- chan, Father Francis Baert promised, that St. Munua's Life should be
at the 2 1 st of October; but, he fears that abound- ing as it does in prodigies of narrative, the reader may well suspect the authenticity of many stories there recorded. See n. (c),
Thaumaturga," Hymnus
published,
Colgan's
seu Prima Vita S. Patricii, pp. 1 to 10.
P- 3! 7-
ao Hsec audiens S. Munna, dcemonem " Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Junii iii. Vita
ilium in catena ignita per virtutem Christi alhgavit, per lapideum titulum Dei auxilio hue usque in memoriam virtutis ligatum. "
S. Coemgeni, cap. iii. , n. (e), p. 317.
2
* It is perfectly credible, that St. Patrick would have blessed those reciting his Hymn,
should I not be sad ? I For,
When the monks enquired, why they should " Our holy Patron Patrick, whose hymn 2*
and, he is now pre-
The latter part of the foregoing sentence does
not furnish as with any very intelligible idea; but, it probably refers to some local legend or tradition, which had been known at that time, when the author of our saint's Life composed his narrative,
This account in the text will naturally
suggest to the reader the circumstance of the
Angel Raphael taking the devil, and bind- ing him in the desert of Upper Egypt, as
"* However, Father Baert does not think, that it was that hymn, said to have been composed, by one Sechnal, as mentioned by Colgan, in Tertia Vita S. Patricii. See
M :
Why,
52
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 3.
26 the
who had converted Ireland from the errors of
Archbishop,
Lake, and in the same manner, with dry feet. Seeing him following in this
way,blessedKevinsaidtohim "OBrother,whyhastthoudaredtounder- :
take this unusual journey without my leave? Wherefore, I tell you, that your
bones cannot rest in the place, where my remains shall be interred. But,
however, that you may not be driven to despair, you shall repose with me in
Heaven. " Itissomewhatremarkable,thattheoccupationofthetanner,and
successful tanneries,3° have been established from probably the sixth to the
present century, in or near Glendalough, where extensive oak forests and cop-
pice woods are; yet to be found. 31 Cronan followed this trade,32 in the
community of St. Kevin. Being obedient, faithful, and humble, these things
happened, according to the prophecy of his holy Abbot. 33 Soon, however,
it was destined, that the latter should leave his hermitage, in the unsociable
desert of the steep encircling mountains surrounding the Lakes, and seek
" O saint of God, the Lord hath sent me with a message, that you may be induced to go to a place he hath appointed for you, eastwards from the lesser Lake. Thereyoushallbeamongyourbrethren,anditshallbetheplaceof
Patrick,
paganism to the true Faith ; who, many years before, had departed happily ; and, it is stated, that the efficacy of this hymn was to be found related in his Life. 2? On the night following such occurrence, St. Kevin walked over the Lake with dry feet, from that place where he had sung the hymn of St. Patrick, with his monks, and he came to that spot, where his city afterwards stood. 28 The holy Abbot thought he had not been observed, during this migration ; but, his tanner, named Cronan,29 followed our saint across the
another 3* for the site,
foundation of his
After these things, an Angel of the Lord came to St. Kevin and said :
resurrection. "
your
in the mannerdescribed.
26
St. Kevin
replied :
" H it would not the displease
Lord,
See his Life, in the Third Volume of this work, at the 17th of March, Art. i.
"7 It is doubtful, if that Life of St. Patrick,
to which allusion is here made, be extant.
Its superior antiquity to the published Acts of St. Kevin must be manifest.
28 The writer of St. Kevin's Life has it "now stands. "
2» Baert maintains, that this Cronan must
have been a different person, from the
Cronan, who is said to have baptized St.
Kevin ; although, the last-named Cronan is
there represented, as saying prophetically, that he should be first monk with the child
3° Especially those established, by the re-
spectable family of the Byrnes of Croney-
Byrne.
3I See on this subject Robert Fraser's
" General View t>f the Agriculture and Mineralogy, Present State and Circum- stances of the County of Wicklow," &c, part iii. , chap, v. , sect. 18, pp. 267 to 271.
** It is interesting to meet with such early
indications of manual industries, in the an-
cient ecclesiastical establishments of Ireland,
as instanced from this old Life of our saint.
he baptized. For, Baert observes, if he were the same, it should be necessary to assign him a lifetime, at least extending to one hundred and In the
iii. Vita S. Coemgeni, cap. iii. , nn. 23, 24,
pp. 316, 317.
3* —
It is thus described, by John D'Alton,
forty years.
portion of our saint's Life, —a Cronan—sup-
:
" In the east, no envious
Shut out the golden flood of light ;
posed to be the present one was to survive St. Kevin, for the duration at least of one year. Now, St. Kevin is said to have lived one hundred and twenty years. The Cronan, by whom he was baptized, must have been not less probably than twenty-five years old, being a Priest at the time of the baptism. Baert remarks, moreover, that the place, where the relics of both these saints had been deposited, is not now known. See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Junii iii. Vita S. Coemgeni, n (f), p. 317.
No interposing forest—
permanent
monastery.
ensuing
height
33 See
"
Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Junii
in his Poem
—
. "Dermid orErininthe of
To veil the rising or
Full in the breach fate
that rode
Had placed it there a golden gate, To guard and gild this sacred ground ; While, brightly arched o'er all, and
wound — Aboutthemountains'tops thesky Closed up the enchanted scenery. "
;
Days Boru,"
b
stood
——
e'en now
;
as
June 3. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
53
I should wish to remain to the day of my death in this place, where I have
toiled for Christ. " The Angel answered
:
" If you, with your monks, go to
thatplaceindicated,manysonsoflightshallbealwaysinit; andafteryour
time, the monks shall have a sufficiency of earthly possessions, and many
thousands of happy souls shall arise with you, from that place, to the king-
:
dom of Heaven. " Kevin said " Indeed, O holy messenger, it is impossible
for monks to dwell in this valley surrounded by mountains, unless God assist
:
thembyhispower. " TheAngelthenspoke "Hearme,OmanofGod,if
you desire it, the Lord will maintain without earthly food fifty holy men in that place, should they remain unanimous after thy departure. And, to the day of judgment, another shall succeed for those after their death, in the same habitandprofession,havingfearandloveforGod. " Kevinanswered "I
:
do not wish that my monks should be so few, in that place. " Then, said the
"
Angel :
If you are unwilling, that they be few, many thousands shall dwell
there prosperously and abundantly, the Lord preparing for them all earthly necessaries. 35 And thou, from thy celestial habitation, thou shalt aid thy
earthly family, as thou mayest wish in Christ, and through God's assistance, here and hereafter, thou shalt govern thy monks. For, that place shall be sacred and venerable ; kings and the powerful ones of Ireland shall honour it with a religious veneration, on thy account. It shall be enriched with lands, gold and silver, precious gems and silken garments,30 with gifts from beyondthesea,aswithregaltreasuresandabundance. Agreatcity37shall spring up ; and the ministry of thy monks shall be so perfect, that none of them, buried under this soil, shall endure the pains of hell. 38 And, if thou desirest, that these four mountains, surrounding this valley, should become pleasant and fruitful plains, no doubt the Almighty would so order it, on thy account. " St. Kevinsaid:"Idonotdesire,thatGod'screaturesbemoved on my account, for the Lord can otherwise assist my place ; and, moreover, all animals about these mountains are mild and domesticated towards me, and they should feel sorrowful, at what thou sayest. " With these and like dis- courses, the Angel and St. Kevin walked upon the waters of the Lake, towards a locality indicated. Diligently examining this site, holy Kevin said to the Angel " This place is rugged obstructions 39 cover its surface
:
;;
fitted for burial within it. " The " These Angel replied :
there is no
stones are immovable from the first day of creation, to this time ; yet, from this day, they shall always be movable. "40 We are told, that in this soil,
and,
place
Not " In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, arise with thy monks, and go to that place, which the Lord hath ordained for thy resurrection.
" After pronouncing these
pointed out to St. Kevin, by the Angel, no stone is found immovable. *
long afterwards, the same Angel appeared to St. Kevin. He said words, the Angel departed.
Canto v. , sect, xi. , p. 132.
35 From this statement, it appears evident,
that the author of our saint's Acts set down, what had been the current popular tradition,
in his day, and when the early religious es- tabl. shment of holy Kevin at Glendalough
enjoyed a great degree of temporal and spiritual prosperity.
36 Such a description plainly indicates, not alone the author's familiarity with a civilized state of society, but even with objects of great value and luxury, then abounding in the
4 ' 37 This seems to have been written, while iii.
"
"
houses of Ireland.
Glendalough was yet a flourishing city. p. 317.
Junii
religious
:
38 This promise must have been made, under certain reservations. In any case, if given, it can only be'accepted as applicable
generally to deceased persons, happdy dis- posed for death, and there buried,
3? The Latin word is
scrobes," which
has either the signification of ""
furrows," or
of sloughs.
4° It is a remarkable circumstance, that
the whole of the lower valley at Glenda- lough is covered with huge boulders, and large detached stones.
See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. ,
Vita S. Coemgeni, cap. iv. , n. 25,
1
54
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 3. While St. Kevin yet remained in that same place he chose for a home,
8 son to and descended from a noble Tiagni,
a man named good
Dymma,*
Leinster family, came to him. At that time, this valley of Glendalough is said
to have been in the possession of Dymma, and the following story is told, to account for its transfer to our saint. Dymma and his sons presented it to God
: andtohisservantKevin,inthismanner. ThelattersaidtoDymma"On
a day appointed, do you and your people come to me, that you may transfer the chattels and houses of your brethren to another place, appointed by God. " Coming as he had promised, Kevin asked this man, if he had brought all his people with him as commanded. Dymma answered, that he had brought eightsonsandotherfollowerswithhim; but,thataninthsonremainedat home, unwilling to come. Kevin asked the name of the recusant, and then
" :
:
should be located. He received this answer from our saint
herd was formerly buried, and around him many shall arise ; for, the local cemeteryshalltherebefound. " St. KevinthensaidtoDymmaandtohis sons: " O my children, cut away the thorns and brambles, and make a com- mencement,inthisplace,sinceinityoushallbeburied; here,afteracon- siderable time, a temple shall be built to God in my name, and under its altarshallyourepose. " ThisfoundationofamonasteryatGlendaloughhas been assigned, to the year 549 ;** but, we are of opinion, it must be referred
to a period much later, in the sixth century. The eighth son of Dymma, named Dycoll, laboured in an humble manner, and more than all the rest, in pro-
portion to his strength. Our saint said to him " O my son, thou shalt be
:
blessed by God and by men, and thou shalt be amiable, in the sight of all; as thou hast been more humble than all the rest, so shalt thou and thy seed be elevated above others, and thou^shalt rule over thy brethren. " Then, Dymma and his sons, rejoicing in the saint's benediction, went to their own habitations.
There, Kevin began to live holily, in that spot he had chosen for his dwelling. Clothed in rough garments, he lay without a bed on the bare ground ; he fasted much, only tasting herbs and a little water. Without a fire to warm him, or a roof to shelter him, he lived mostly in the open air, and for a long time. At length, at the request of his disciples, some pious men withdrew him, by reasonable representations, from those austerities, and attracted him to the society of his brethren. A renowned and religious city soon arose there, in honour of St. Kevin. ** It was called Gleanndaloch,from the name of that valley, in which it was situated.
*" He is not more particularly identi- fied.
*3 Interpreted in Latin, "Calvus lugubris," which may be Anglicized, "a sorrowful bald man. "
44 See Rev. M. J. Brennan's " Ecclesiasti-
learned,thathewascalledMoelguby. Thensaidthesaint
! itisa
Alas
meet name for him ; because, after a few days, he shall be crucified, in the southern part of Leinster, called Kinsellagh ; and, indeed, the name Moel- guby« seems to suit him, for a dolorous end awaits him. Then, St. Kevin said to Dymma, in a prophetic manner : "You and your eight sons shall not be butchered, but after penance you shall peaceably depart to Heaven. " This prophecy was duly fulfilled. After such predictions, Dymma, with his sons, servants, and others, removed their habitations and effects to that place, in- " In this place shall my city be built, and within it, my resurrection shall be accomplished. " Dymma and his sons asked where the church and cemetery of Glendalough
dicated by the Angel to Kevin. Afterwards, our saint said
The surrounding territory was called
cal History of Ireland," chap. Hi. , p. 91. Duffy's Edition, 1864.
«s See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Junii iii. Vita S. Coemgeni, cap. iv. , num. 26, 27, pp. 317, 518.
+* The Forthuatha or Fothartha, Angli-
:
" Here, a shep-
June 3. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 55
A certain
with his request. However, the swindler, departing with his treasure, mira- culously missed his way three different times. Having thus found himself at fault, he returned to blessed Kevin, acknowledging his fraud, and afterwards he did penance for it. *' At another time, St. Kevin hearing that the three
Abbots,
made to St. Kieran in
probable, that as Comgall did not become an Abbot before a. d. 555, the jour- neyofoursaintoccurredafterthislatterdate. 53 Onthedayofhisarrival,agreat concourse of people flocked to that locality, to see St. Columba. This latter, however, beholding Kevin approach the assembly, and at a distance, arose to honourhim. Columbaremainedstanding,untiloursaintcameup; and,while on his way towards the assembly, having been attacked by ferocious dogs, it was thought by all, that these animals should tear him in pieces. However, making a sign of the cross on their approach, blessed Kevin at once ap- peased their fury, and in a gentle manner, with their ears, nostrils, and tongues, those dogs stroked the feet and garments of God's servant. On seeing this wonder, those who were present blessed the Lord in his saints. Certain rustics, at this assembly, upbraided Columba, for standing so long, on the
appearance of Kevin. Holy Columba then said to them " Why, foolish
:
men, should we not arise at the arrival of Kevin, the servant of God,
when at his approach the Angels of our Lord arise in heaven. " And all, who
were there present, felt much edified, at this testimony to the blessed Abbot's
s+ sanctity.
CHAPTER IV.
RESOLUTION OF ST. KEVIN TO UNDERTAKE A PILGRIMAGE, BUT DISSUADED FROM IT BY ST. GARBAN—ST. KEVIN VISITS ST. BERCHAN—THE TANIST COLMAN AND HIS SON FOELAN—MURDER OF MELERIUS BY SCHOLASTICS—WORKS ATTRIBUTED TO ST. KEVIN—INVASION OF LEINSTER BY THE HY-NIALL—THE OUTLAWS OF DEGHA— THE MONK BERCHAN—MIRACLES—
TRINITY,
AT GLENDALOUGH.
One day, the devotion of Kevin had it in contemplation, to make a pilgrimage alone,andforsomeconsiderabledistance. Holdingthispurposeinmind,heleft
"
6 and it
in the eastern
of Leinster
Fortuatha,*
man, hearing that a golden zone had been given as a present to St. Kevin, deceitfully came to ask for it, pretending that his mother was a captive, and thathewantedthisvaluablegifttoeffectherransom. Oursaintcomplied
Wicklow and the bordering territories. "
Ireland,"
book 22. i. , chap, iii. , p.
Rev.
53 See Rev. Dr. " Ecclesiastical Lanigan's
Francis Shearman's Patriciana," No. i. , n. I, pp. II, 12.
47 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Junii iii. Vita S. Coemgeni, cap. iv. , num. 28, p. 318.
48 See his Life in this Volume, at the 9th ofJune, Art. i.
John
lay
part
province.
Saints 8
Columba,* Comgell,^9 andCainnic,
50 were assembled
together, in a place called Hicysneach^ went to them, to strengthen his acquaintance and friendship. According to one account, this visit took place, before that
549,
as mentioned in his Life 52 it seems more j but,
1
— " Loca
ST. MOGOROC—CHURCHOFTHEHOLY
cized
called Forths, were in various parts of Ire- 50 His festival is held, on the nth of
Strangers' Territories," and also *9 His feast occurs on the 10th of May.
land. They are so denominated, because October.
their inhabitants were immigrants, and not of the royal race. " The Leinster Forthua- tha were in the mountainous regions of
51 This is intended for Usneach, in Meath.
52 See Harris' Ware, vol. ii. , "Writers of
History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, x. , sect, x. , D. 156, p. 49.
54 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Junii iii. Vita S. Coemgeni, cap. iv. , num. 29, p. 318.
56 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
his monastery. But, a holy hermit, named Garban, or Garbhan, on seeing
" O servant of God, whither art thou bound ? It is better for thee to remain in one spot, serving the Lord, than to go about from place to place, in thy old age ; for, thou hast heard, that no bird, while flying, can hatch her eggs. "
him alone, said
punction,
promised
to return to his
place. Then,
St. Garbhan 2
presented
:
and he
Hearing this, the holy Abbot felt some degree of com-
himself with his cell to God and to St. Kevin. This St. Garban dwelt near
the city of Athcliath, in the northern part of Leinster, and lying on the sea-
shore. The author of our saint's Life remarks, that in the Scottish language this city was called Dublus,3 which is interpreted in Latin by these words,
Nigratherma,andthiscitywasapowerfulandwarlikeoneinhisday; while, initdweltmen,whowerealwaysvaliantinbattle,andskillednavigators. * No doubt, he alludes to the Scandinavians^ who were dominant in Dublin, ante- rior to the Anglo-Norman Invasion. Returning from St. Garban, holy Kevin went to the venerable senior Berchan,6 who was blind, that they might hold conferences together on some sacred subject. St. Berchan had a divine ad-
monition, concerning the approach of his guest, and he said prophetically to
" O
rable old man, Kevin, who is on his way towards us. " After our saint's
his disciples :
my children, quickly prepare
a bath for the and vene- holy
arrival, Berchan said
:
" Holy Father, wash thy body in this bath, prepared
for Divine monition. " Kevin thee, by
" from the Indeed, father,
replied :
time I resolved upon a religious life, in my youthful days, to this time, I have
never bathed, but in cold water, that I might chastise my body ; however, on thy account, and for the sake of that God, whose servant thou art, I will bathe. " Whilstoursaintwaslavinghimselfinthebath,Berchandesiredhis servant,tobringSt. Kevin'swoodenshoestohim. Afteraninspiredmanner, wearetold,St. Berchansawthetempterofmanuponthem. Hethenasked the demon, why he had dared to enter the holy man's shoes. Satan answered : " The demons can persuade him to do nothing, but by presenting their temp- tations, under some appearance of good, and hence, I entered his shoes, per- suadinghimtomakeapilgrimage,andtodeserthisplace. Thiswasanevil act, disguised under the appearance of good. " Saying these words, the demon cried out, in a loud manner, requesting that he might be permitted to depart thence; for,inthepresenceofGod'ssaints,hefelthimselfdeprivedofpower. His request was complied with, and then he vanished from sight. After- wards, St. Kevin and St. Berchan entered upon a holy conference ; and, while the latter remained within his cell, fearing and loving God, the former returned to his monks glorifying the Divine name. ?
"
Chapter iv. — * See Nolan's Joseph
iii. Vit9 S. num. Coemgeni, cap. iv. ,
31,
History and Antiquities of Glendalough," chap, iii. , p. 18.
2 " This Garbhan, who is called the sou of
pp. 318, 319.
$ See Charles Haliday's "Scandinavian
Kingdom of Dublin," &c, edited by John P. Prendergast, for an account of their prowess, after making Dublin their chief place of settlement in Ireland.
6 This Berchan was most the probably
saint who is venerated, on the 12th of Octo- ber, at a place called Glas-naoidhan, in the territory of Galenga, near the River Liffey. See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Acta S. Brigidae, Appendix Quarta, cap. 3, p. 613.
