Early Christian Ireland

Part ii. The Romance of the Early Kings

This volume deals with the earl}^ legends relating to the social settlements of Ireland, the Condition of the Country in early times, the Administration of Justice, theu Druids, Poets, and Lawgivers. It describes the Public Assemblies, Dwellings and Manner of Life, and the position of Women and Children, and it relates the legends of the Pre-Christian Kings of Ireland. It is specially adapted for young people and children, and for class teaching.

By the same Author,

IL— EARLY CHRISTIAN IRELAND.

Part i. Ireland under her Native Rulers.

Part ii. The Island of Saints.

Part iii. Irish Art, Architecture and Learning. By the same Author

HI. -IRELAND UNDER THE NORTHMEN.

This volume deals with the struggle between the Irish Princes and the Northmen from the Irish point of view. Separate chapters will be given to the reigns of Maelsechlain I. and II., Niall Glundubh, Murtough of the Leather Cloaks, Cormac Mac Cuileanan, Brian Boru, &c.

The development of social life in Ireland during the same period (i.e. from 795 to the coming of the Normans in 117O; is traced, and the foundation of the cities of Dublin, Limerick and Waterford dealt with.

(In Ppepanation).

C5p0cljs ai Jrtslj l^tstorj,— H.

Early Christian Ireland

BY

ELEANOR HULL

AUTHOR OF "THE CDCHULLIN SAGA IN IRISH LITERATURE" "pagan IRELAND" ETC.

London

DAVID NUTT

At THE Sign of the Phcenix, Long Acre

M. H. GILL & SON, Ltd.

Dublin

Dublin :

68-71 Great Strand Street.

44444

Part Ii.— The Island Of Saints

Chapter IX. — St. Patrick's Youth Chapter X. — St. Patrick and his Work Chapter XI. — The Early Life of St. Columcille contents.

Page Chapter XII. — St, Coldmcille leaves Ireland . . io6

Chapter XIII. — St. Columcille in Iona (Hi) .. .. ii6

Chapter XIV. — St. Finnian of Clonard .. .. 129

Chapter XV. — St. Brigit, "The Mary of the Gael" 140

Chapter XVI. — Hermit Monks, Anchorites, enclosed

Monks AND Culdees .. .. .. ..150

Chapter XVII. — Foreign Work of the Irish Church.. 162 Chapter XVIII.— St. Adamnan and the Question of

PART III.— IRISH ART AND ARCHITECTURE, Etc. Chapter XIX. — Early Christian Architecture . . 187

Chapter XX. — The Round Towers . . . . . . 206

Chapter XXI. — Books and Illumination .. .. 217

Chapter XXII. — Metal Work Shrines .. .. 242

Chapter XXIII. — Learning and Learned Men . . 250

Chapter XXIV. — Irish Libraries Abroad . . . . 268

INTRODUCTION.

In the following account of the Social and Church life of Christian Ireland, I have, as far as possible, let the old records tell their own story, refraining from unnecessary comment. My object is not to discuss the position and religious beliefs of the Irish Church, but to show the practical effect of its influence on the daily hfe of the people. There will always be questions connected with the discipline and doctrines of the Irish Church which will be answered differently according to the stand-point from which we set out to examine them. So much attention has been concentrated upon these questions, that it would sometimes seem as though the whole history of this most interesting period of the nation's life were supposed to be dependant on the solution that is given to them. Meanwhile, the clear and fascinating picture of the social life of the time, given in the lives of the early saints, and the remarkable developments in the national character and conditions consequent on their teaching and system of things, have been lost sight of. From a purely historical point of view, a clear grasp of these changes and conditions is essential, and it is on these that we have fixed our attention.

11. INTRODUCTION.

In much the same way, amid the scholastic discussions to which the personaHty and work of St. Patrick have given rise, the only Patrick of whose identity there can be no doubt has been lost sight of. The Patrick who wrote those invaluable " Confessions " which are still in our hands may not be as striking- a personality to the popular mind, or come with such professed credentials, as the numerous shadowy St. Patricks who have been substituted for him. Yet he is at least a real man; and a man who, amid deep discouragements and opposition from both foes and friends, accomplished, according to his own showing, a great work. We have allowed this real St. Patrick to speak in his own words with as little addition as possible from later and more doubtful authorities.

To understand this period and the influence exercised by the Church in political affairs, it is essential to read the Ecclesiastical and Secular History side by side. At the same time, the manner in which these two contemporaneous stories are presented to us by the old historians is so different that it is impossible to mix them without experiencing a sense of incongruity. In enlarging the facts of the political history, the old writers fell inevitably into the manner of the pure romance; they so mingled the facts with picturesque additions drawn from their own imagination, that it is difficult to distinguish the historical tales from those which are more confessedly fabulous, and difficult again to sift the

INTRODUCTION. 111.

kernel of fact from the imag-inative setting in which it is placed. We are still in a world half-real, halftouched by fancy. As time goes on, the imag-inative accretions become fewer, and we arrive at length in the region of unadorned fact; but even up to the Battle of iNIoira, which occurred near the close of the period we are now considering, as well as in some tales of the Norse epoch, much imaginative detail as well as much linflated description 'has been added.

The authors of the saints' lives felt that this class of tale was out of place in writings intended for the edification of the faithful; and though they too had their conventional setting, the setting of miracle, there is a simplicity and directness about many of the Irish Lives that places us at once in intimate touch with the conditions of their day. Except Adamnan's invaluable Latin Life of St. Columba, the Irish Lives of the Saints from the Book of Lismore seem to me unapproached in hagiological literature for naivete, freshness and picturesqueness, and I know of no material which places so clearly before us the social conditions of the time. I have therefore drawn largely upon this source of information.

In correct chronological order, the lives of St. Brigit and St. Finnian of Clonard should precede that of St. Columcille; Brigit lived near to the time of St. Patrick, and Finnian was the teacher of Columcille; but the latter played so much more important a part in the

IV. INTRODUCTION.

political life of his time, and sums up in his career so much of Irish mediaeval church history, that I have thought well to give him the place of prominence which he actually occupied in his own day. Two of the most important figures on the historical canvas of early Ireland are St. Columcille and St. Adamnan; their influence predominated over both secular and ecclesiastical affairs; and to be rightly understood, their lives should be read in connection with the political history of the time. The convictions of Adamnan led him to counteract, in some im.portant particulars, the leaching and organisation of his great predecessor, and to renounce for his church that independent position which it had so long maintained, and which it parted with only after near a century of struggle; our satisfaction at his success will be regulated by the point of view from which his action is regarded, but of the far-reaching importance of the step he took, there can be only one opinion. His death brings to a close the history of the home development of the Celtic Church in Ireland, as the Synod of Whitby, forty years before, ended its independent career in the sister island.

I have placed the political history first, as some knowledge of the outward circumstances of the time is essential to enable the reader to obtain a grasp of the conditions amid which the Christian organisation had its rise and development.

I am indebted to the late Rev. M. Moloney,

INTRODUCTION. V.

whose death will long be lamented by his friends, for reading- some chapters of this book in manuscript and for making- several suggestions that have been useful to me ; also to Rev. Malvine Youngman, who is engaged in a collation of the Irish codices for the Oxford Edition of the Vulgate, for reading Chapter XXL, and for much interest and help always ungrudgingly given. And to Dr. Whitley Stokes, who was good enough to spare time, amidst his heavy labours, to read a couple of chapters for me.

Note — The Irish names, both of persons and places, must always present a difficulty to readers unacquainted with the Gaelic language. Where a recognised English equivalent exists I have either used it or given it in brackets ; as Suibhne (Sweeny), Muirchertach (Murtough), Magh-Rath (Moira), Almhain (Allen), Sligeach (Sligo). Many of the less common names have, however, no equivalent in English and in these cases I have thought it better to retain the form actually used in the Irish annals rather than to coin a name which, though it might imitate the pronunciation, would probably present no likeness whatever to the eye. Nothing is more confusing than the variety of spellings used in Irish for the same name ; in addition to this, each modern writer adopts his own nomenclature, making confusion worse confounded for the unfortunate learner.

In the Chronology especially, therefore, I have adhered to the actual forms, in order that any reader who wishes to turn to the authorities themselves, may not be needlessly discouraged by failing to discover the names that he is in search of. It is to be noted by the English reader that when a double name, such as Congal Claen or Tuathal Mael-garbh, is met with, the second name is not an equivalent for

VI. INTRODUCTION.

the modern sur-name, which did not then exist, but is an adjective denoting some quality or peculiarity by which the individual was known.

I have retained certain old names, such as Alba for Scotland and Hi for lona, because they were the only ones known at the time with which we are dealing, and a false element is introduced by antedating the change. I have, however always added the modern form.

Note. — The dates given are those of the Four Masters, but they are generally a year or two (or more) in arrears. All the Annals differ widely amongst themselves as to the Chronology. For the more important events I have added the accepted dates.

ANNO DOM.

429-458 — Reign of Laegaire (Leary), son of Niall of the Nine Hostages.

431 — Pope Celestine sent Palladius to preach "to the Scots (i.e., Irish) believing in Christ." He is said to have landed in Leinster and founded three wooden churches, where he left books and relics. He died on his way back to Rome.

432 — St. Patrick came to Ireland.

457 — Laegaire taken prisoner by the men of Leinster at Ath- Dara, but released.

457 — Ard-Macha (Armagh) founded by St. Patrick.

4-58 — Laegaire killed by the elements.

459-478— Reign of Oilioll Molt, son of Dathi.

461— Death of St. Patrick.

478— Oilioll Molt killed in the Battle of Ocha.

479-503 — Reign of Lugaidh (Lewy), son of Laegaire. He is killed by a flash of lightning at Achadh-Farcha. From this time to Alalachy II. all the Kings of Tara were of the race of the Hy Neill.

498 (506)— Feargus Mor (Fergus the Great) went with his brothers to Scottish Dalriada.

CHRONOLOGY.

504-527— Reign of Muirchertach M6r Mac Erca (Murtough the Great). He was drowned and burned at Cleiteach (Cletty) on the Boyne.

520-1— Birth of St. Columcille.

525— St. Bridget, Abbess of Cill-Dara (Kildare), died.

528-53S — Reign of Tuathal Mael-qarbh (Toole the "rough bald one"). He is slain by the tutor of Diarmaid Mac Cearbhall (Dermot Mac Karvalj.

537 — Battle of Sligeach (Sligo), in which Ecghan (Owen) Bel, King of Connaught, fell by Fergus and Domnall, sons of Muirchertach Mac Erca.

538P-558 (565) — Reign of Diarmaid Mac Cearbhall (Dermot Mac Karvalj.

543 — The " Buidhe Conaill " or Great Plague, "swept away a third part of the human race."

545-6 — Columcille founded the Church of Doire (Deny). 548 — Death of St. Ciaran, Abbot of Clonmacnois.

549 (563) — Death of St. Finnian the Wise, abbot of Clonard on the Boyne.

554 — Church of Beannchoir Mor (Bangor the Great), founded by St. Coragall.

554 (560) — The last Feis of Teamhair (Tara) was made by King

Diarmaid.

555 (561) — Battle of Cuil-Dreimhne (Cuildrevny) between the

Cinel Conaill and Cinel Eoghan (the O'Neills and O'Donnells) with St. Columcille, against King Diarmaid.

557 (563^— St. Columcille leaves Ireland and goes to Hi (lona) in

Alba (Scotland).

558 (565) — Diarmaid Mac Cearbhall slain at Rath Beg.

CHRONOLOGY.

559-561 — Joint reigns of Domhnall (Donall) and Fearghus (Fergus), sons of Muirchertach Mac Erca. They gained the Battle of Gabra Liffe over Leinster.

563 — Death of St. Laissren or Molaisi of Daimhinis (Devenish, on L. Erne].

564-567 — Reign of Ainmire, son of Setna.

571 (573)— Death of St. Brendan of Birr.

567 (571) — Death of Eochaid (Eochy) the Fair and Baetan, joint

Kings.

568 (?)-594 (598) — ^Reign of Aedh, son of Ainmire.

575 — The Convention of Drum-ceat, held by Aedh, s. of Ainmire. Aedan, son of Gabhran, King of Scottish Dalriada, and St. Columcille were present.

576 (577)— Death of St. Brendan of Clonfert.

594 (598) — Aedh, son of Ainmire, slain at Dunbolg in avenging

t"he death of his son, Cumuscach.

597— Death of St. Columcille at Hi (lona). St. Augustine lands in England.

595 ^597) -600 (604)— Joint reigns of Aedh Slaine and Colman

Rimidh, slain 604.

600 (601) — Death of St. Comgall of Beannchoir (Bangor, Co., Down).

601-607— Reign of Aedh (Hugh) UaridJinach "of the Ague."

608-610 — Reign of Maelcobha, son of Aedh Mac Ainmire. Slain by Suibhne Menn.

611-623— Reign of Suibhne (Sweeny) Memi.

617 — Death of St. Caemhghin (Kevin) of Glendalough.

622 — Battle of Carn Feradaig by Failbe Flann over Guaire Aidne of Connaught.

CHRONOLOGY.

623 (627)— Suibhne Menn slain at Traigh-Brena by Congal Caech, •'squint-eyed," or Claen "one-eyed," King of Ulad-

r.24-639 (642)— Reign of Domhnall (Donell), son of Aedh, son of Ainmire. The Battle of Dun-Ceithern gained by him over Congal Claen.

624 — Birth of St. Adamnan.

629 — Death of Eochaid Buidhe, son of Aedan, King of Dalriada.

634 (637)— Battle of Magh Rath (Moira, Co. Down), gained by Domhnall over Congal Claen.

640 (642) — Reign of Conall Gael, "the Slender," and Ceallach,

grandsons of Aedh, s. of Ainmiri.

N.B. — ^The succession of the Kings is hereabouts very uncertain.

645 (648) — Raghallach, King of Connaught, killed.

645 (648)— Battle of Carn Conaill (Co. Galway), gained by Diarmaid, son of Aedh Slaine against Guaire Aidne of Connaught.

647 — Two sons of Blathmac, son of Aedh Slaine, drowned by men of Leinster in the Mill of Maelodran (Co. Westmeath).

657-664 — Joint reigns of Diarmaid Ruadnaidh and Blathmac, sons of Aedh Slaine.

661 — St. C\\mn\\x\e Fada, "the tall," Bishop of Cluain-Fearta- Breanainn (Clonfert), died.

€62— Guaire Aidne of Connaught diea.

664 — The Great Pestilence decimated Western Europe. Kings Diarmaid and Blathmac died of it, also the Abbots of Clonard, Fore, Clonmacnois, and other monasteries.

665 — Reign of Sechnasech, s. of Blathmac.

666-669 — Fresh outbreak of the Plague, or " Buidhe Conaill." Four Abbots of Bangor died of it in succession.

CHRONOLOGY.

670 — Reign of Ceannfaeladh, s. of Blathmac.

674 — Reign of Finnachta Flcadhach, "the Festive," who slew Ceannfaeladh in the Battle of Aircealtair.

682— Domhnall Breac, King of Dalriada, killed in battle with the Britons.

683— Magh Breagh (East Meath) devastated by Northumbrians under Berchus.

684 — Great mortality of cattle.

687 — Adamnan brings 60 captives back to Ireland from Northumbria.

694 — Reign of Loingseach. Slain with three sons in the Battle of Corann, by Ceallach, s. of Raghalach, 701.

697— Adamnan again in Ireland ; he promulgates the Cain Adamnain, exempting women from warfare. St. Moling of Luachra died.

702 — Reign of Conal of Ceann Maghair.

703 — Adamnan induced the South of Ireland to observe the Canonical Easter.

704 — Death of Adamnan, Abbot of Hi (lona).

Death of Ceallach, son of Raghallach, King of Connaught, after becoming a priest.

709 — Reign of Fearghal. Killed in the Battle of Almhain (Allen, Co. Kildare).

719 — Reign of Fogartach. Killed in the Battle of Delgean by Cineath (Kenneth), son of Irgalach.

720 — Reign of Cineath, son of Irgalach, killed in the Battle of Druim-Corcrain.

723 — Reign of Flaithbheartach (Flaherty), son of Loingseach. He sends for a fleet of vessels from Dalriada to fight the men of Ulster.

CHRONOLOGY.

729 — Flaithbheartach resigns his crown and dies in the Monastery of Armagh.

730 — Reign of Aedh (Hugh) Allan. He almost extirpates the Leinstermen in the Battles of Ath-Seanaith and Allen.

738— Aedh Allan falls in battle at Magh ' Seirigh (near Kells) with Domhnall, s. of Murchadh.

739 (743)-758 (763)— Reign of Domhnall (Donall) first King of Clann-Colmain. He reigns twenty years and dies in his bed.

759 — Reign of Niall Frosach. A great famine in his reign.

76C — Reign of Donnchadh, s. of Domhnall. Reigned twentyseven years.

790 (794) — The first Gentiles appeared off Reachrainn Isle and plundered.

Index

Adamnan, St., 9th Abbot of Hi (lona), iii., iv. ; his life,

176-183 ; his character, 183-184 ; his friendship with K.

Finnachta, 62, 176-178; quarrel with, 183, 66-69; his efforts

for conformity, 175, 181-183 ; he sets free Irish captives, 71,

179; Law of Adamnan, 180; his Life of St. Columba, iii., 38;

other writings, 184. .Aedan, Prince of Scottish Dalriada, 31. Aedh, s. of Ainmiri, K. of Ireland, 31 ; at Council of Drumceat,

32 ; his defeat in Leinster, 34-37 ; bestows land on Columcille,

106.

Aedh Slaine, joint-K. of Ireland, 38. Aileran, Abbot of Clonard, 253.

Alcuin, 184.

Aldhelm, 266, 267.

Alexander, Pope, 248.

Alfrid, K. of Northumbria, "Flann Fina," 71, 102, 178, 182;

his poem on Ireland, 179, 213 ; Adamnan presents to him

his book on the Holy Land, 184.

Ambrose, St., of Milan, 257.

Amhra Coluimcille, 33.

Angus, St., the Culdee, 158-161; Calendar of, 158, 244. Aran Isles, Co. Galway, 192-198.

Arch, first idea of, 200; advance in, 205. Architects, Irish, fame of, 203.

Architecture, Irish Eccle., rise of , 188; characteristics of, 198-

201. 205.

Ardagh Chalice, 248.

Armagh, Synod at, 181 ; destruction of, 208 ; "Great Church"

of, 201, 202.

INDEX.

Ath-Dara, Battle of, 5.

Augustine, Irish Monk, 255.

Augustine of Hippo, 255.

Baithen, Second Abbot of Hi (lona), 111, 125.

Banagher Church, 199.

Bangor, Co. Down, 133, 166, 196, 258; Antiphonary of, 173-

174, 270.

Bards, reduction of their numbers, 32. Battles, Dunbolg, 37; Sligo, 14; Dun Ceithern, 38; Moira,

Bells, 208, 245, 246 ; small size of, 213 ; reverence paid to, 214 ;

shrines for, 254; "Bell of the Will," 246; of St. Gildas,

247 ; "gapped" bells, 247.

Blathmac, joint-K. of Ireland, 55 ; death of plague, 61. Bobio, Italy ; founded by St. Columbanus, 166, 173 ; its library,

Books (Manuscripts), rarity of, 103 ; multiplication of, 110-111 ;

Dimma, 233, 238, 241 ; Book of Deer, 239 ; Book of the Dun

(Leabhar na h-Uidhre), 135-136; Book of Plymns (Liber

Book of Lismore, Intro., iii. ; Book of Mac Durnan, 217, 233 ;

Book, Speckled (Leabhar Breac), 231. Boromhe, 5 ; lost to the K. of Ireland, 64-68. Brandubh, K. of Leinster, 33 ; his wars with Aedh, 33-37. Brendan, St., 133, 197, 253; oratory of, 204. Brian, King, 200, 205, 226, 227.

Brigit, St., "The Mary of the Gael," 140, 145 ; her history, 140-

148 ; her generosity, 143 ; her humility, 143 ; consecrated as

a Bishop, 144 ; her energy, 148.

Brude, K. of the Plcts, 120.

Burials, standing, 0, IG,

Caimin, St., of Iniscaltra, 60.

Cairthinn, Mac, Bishop, 236.

Canice, St. (St. Kenneth), of Kilkenny, 133.

Cashel, Cormac's Chapel at, 201, 205.

Cassian, 257.

Celestine, Pope, 1, 2.

Chalices of stone, 248 ; of metal, 248.

Charles the Bald, 254, 261.

Christianity, introduction of, 1, 2 ; system of in Ireland, 2, 3 ;

slow growth, 4, 12.

Churches, primitive, 96, 98-100, 191-198 ; form of, 203 ; small

size of, 201-202.

Church, Celtic, clan system in, 175 ; question of conformity,

iv., 175; differences in customs, 181-183. Ciaran, St., his church, 17, 105, 134-137; his early life, 134; his

generosity, 104; his sanctity, 105.

Claudius, B. of Turin, 251, 269.

Cleiteach (Cletty), on the Boyne, 9, 12. Clemens, 269, 279.

Clogher, See of, 211, 236.

Clonmacnois, Monastery of, 17, 104-105, 134-137 ; gift from

Charlemagne, 103 ; Queen Dervorgill's Church at, 205 ;

Round Tower at, 209.

Colman Rimidh, joint-K. of Ireland, 38. Columba, see Columcille.

Columban or Columbanus, St., life, 166-174; estaLlishes

Luxeuil and Fontaines, 171 ; Bobio, 173 ; poems, 257 ; his

copy of the Gospels, 227, 272; Commentary on the Psalms,

274.

Columcille, St. (Cplumba), iv. ; his childhood, 97-99 ; his

270 ; withdrawal to Hi (lona), 111-113, 116-118 ; meeting with

St. Kentigern, 121 ; death, 122-127 ; at Council of Drumceat, 31; '^Rule" of, 138; O'Donnell's life of, 113, 282.

Comgall, St., of Bangor, 38, 133.

Congal Claen, Provincial K. of Ulster, murders Sweeny Menn, 38 ; his character, 41, 44 ; his death, 49-54.

Cormac O'Cillen, Abbot of Clonmacnois, 200.

Coroticus, St. Patrick's Epistle to, 93-94.

Corpus Christi College, Oxford, 270.

Cross of Cong, 248-249.

Culdees (Cele-De), 157, 158.

Culdremhne, Battle of, 29, 113.

"Cumdachs" or metal book-covers, 242.

Cummian, Abbot, his Epistle, 256-257.

Cummine, St., Bishop of Clonfert, 57, 60.

Dalian Forgall, 33.

Dalriada, Scottish, 8, 13 ; independence of, 32 ; saved by St Ctlumba, 116-118.

David, St., 4; awarded the Welsh Primacy by St. Finnian, 130-131.

Deer, Book of, 239.

Dermot Mac Cearbhal, driven into exile, 17 ; King of Ireland, 18 ; his reign, 19 ; endeavour to centralise authority, 21 ; his death, 28 ; buried at Clonmacnois, 29.

Dermot Ruadnaidh, joint-K. of Ireland, 55 ; defeats Guaire Aidne, 58; death of plague, 61.

Derry, Church of, 106-107 ; its size, 202.

Dervorgill, Church of, 205.

Devenish, Round Tower of, 211 ; wealth of, 212-213.

Dicuil, 263; his writings, 264-266.

Dimma, Book of, 233, 238 and note, 241.

Domhnall (Donnall), s. of Aedh, K. of Ireland, 38; his character, 39, 43.

Domnach Airgid, Gospels, 211, 233 ; age of, 235-238.

Doulough's (St.) Church, Malahide, 153.

Dresden, Royal Library of, 279.

Drumceat, Council of, 31.

Dunbolg, Battle of, 37.

Dungal of Pavia, 251, 268, 272.

Egfrid, K. of Northumbria, 70.

Eitgal, Abbot of Scelig, 195.

Eochaid Buidhe, K. of Scottish Dalriada, 42, 49.

Eogan Bel, 14 ; buried standing, 16.

Faroe Isles, 265.

"Fasting upon" the King, 25, 26.

Ferdomnach, 267.

Fergus Mor, 7, 116.

Fergus, K. of Ireland, 31.

Fermanagh, Monasteries of, 213.

Finnachta the "Festive," K. of Ireland, his rise to power, 62-, loss of the Boromhe, 64-68 ; his violent death, 69 ; his friendship with St. Adamnan, 62, 176-178.

Finnian, St., of Moville, 99, 129 ; his copy of the Psalms, 112 , his "Golden Gospels," 232.

Finnian, St., of Clonard, "the Wise," 101, 129 ; his education, 100, 129-130; settles in Leinster, 131; his school, 103-105, 132 ; his austerities, 138-139 ; death by plague, 31, 138.

Fintan, St., of Clonenagh, 137.

Flann, Abbot of Armagh, 181.

Flann, K. of Ireland, 243.

Fore, Westmeath, anchorite at, 153.

Fridolin, St., The Wanderer, 163-166.

Gall, St., 172 ; Canton of, 165 ; Library of, 226, 275-281. Gallerus, Oratory of, near Dingle, 204. Gaul, condition of, 168, 250.

Gerbert, Abbot of Bobio, 271.

index;

Giraldus of Wales, 217, 224.

Glarus, Canton of, 165.

Glencolumcille, Donegal, 109.

Glendalough, 150, 201.

Spain and Britain, 252-253 ; Greek Testament, 228, 258 ; Greek

Liturgies, 253, 258.

Gregory the Great, 257.

Gregory of Tours, 250.

Grimald, Abbot of St. Gall, 268.

Guaire, Aedh, of Connaught, 22 ; is outlawed, 23 ; he murders

St. Cellach, 56.

Guaire Aidne, "the Hospitable," of Connaught, 55; def. at

Carn Conaill, 57 ; his hospitality, 58-60.

Hi, see lona.

Hounds, Irish, an article of trade, 81.

Inishcaltra, Church of, 200.

lona (Hi), St. Columba's withdrawal to. 111, 118 ; a missionary

centre, 118 ; its destiny, 124-125 ; remains of, 127 ; destroyed

by the Northmen, 127, 128.

John Scotus Erigena, 260, 276, 279; his writings, 262; knowledge of Greek, 262.

John of Malmesbury, 267.

Jerome, St., 229, 274.

Kells, St. Columcille's "House" at, 109, 200-201; Abbot of lona retires to, 128; Round Tower of, 210; Book of, 109, 110, 189, 217, 233, 238, 240-241 ; its "cumdach" lost, 243.

Kenneth Mac Alpin, 117.

Kentigern, St. (St. Mungo), 4; meets St. Columba, 121; exchanges crosiers, 122.

Kevin, St., of Glendalough, 38; his "Kitchen," 201. Kildare Monastery, 147, 150; illuminated Ms. at, 217. 224. Killaloe, Church of, 200.

Kilmalkedar, Oratory of, 204.

Laegaire (Laery), King, 1; his paganism, 4; codifies the laws, 5; wars and death, 5, 6; buried standing, 6; his meetings with St. Patrick, 85-88; daughters of, 88.

Laegaire, Rath, at Tara, 6.

Lambeth Library, 223

Landnamabok, 265.

Lia Fail, 13.

Lismore, Book of, iii.

Lothaire, K. of the Franks, 269.

Lugaid, King, 6.

MacDurnan, Gospels of, 217, 223.

Maghera Church, 199.

Magh-Rath (Moira), Battle of, 39, 40-54.

Mai, Cardinal, 254.

Malachy, Archbishop of Armagh, 196.

Malmesbury Abbey, founded by an Irish Monk, 266 • Malmes-

bury, William of, 261.

Manuscripts, see Books.

Marianus Scotus (Maelbrigte), of Fulda, 154; his life, 15-'1-157 ;

wrote a Chronicle of the World, 156, 225. Marianus (Muiredach), of Ratisbon, 221 ; his Copy of the

Pauline Epistles, 221.

Martin, St., his Gospel, 212.

Mel, Bishop of Kildare, 147.

Mochuda, St., Abbot of Lismore, 60, 61.

Moengal, Abbot of St. Gall, 276-279.

Molaise, St., of Devenish, 38, 211-213; Gospels of St. Molaise, 211-212.

Monasterboice, 108, 109.

Monasteries, 2-4, 99-100 ; as schools of learnings, 102-103 ; as industrial communities, 150-151 ; destroyed by fire, 72 ; mixed, 140; monastic rules, 137, 155, 170.

Monks, their learning, 20; their duties, 101-102, 136; fighting, 3, 72-73 ; exemption from, 73 ; they defy the law, 20 ; they fast upon the King, 25 ; they bring about the fall of Tara, 25-27 ; their missionary labours, 125, 162-174 ; their community life, 150; as anchorites, 151-152. ^J2-196 ; their austerities, 138-139, 152-153, 197 ; enclosed Monks, 153-157 ; "Rule" for, 155 ; their appearance, 167.

Alunich, Library of, 224.

Muratorian fragment, 273, 280.

Murchertach (Murtough) Mac Erca, 8,9 ; romance of, 9-12.

Music, 278 and note.

Nantes, 171.

National Museum, Dublin, 236, 249, 270.

Ninnian, St., of Withern, Gallov/ay, 77, 129, 197.

Ninnid, St., of Clonard, 103, 239.

Ninnid, St., of Mull, 146, 147.

Niirnberg, Library of, 222.

Ocha, Battle of, 6.

Oilioll, Molt, 6, 14.

O'Lochlinn, Conor Mac Fergall, 209.

O'Lochlinn, Murtoch, 209.

O'Lochlinn, Donall, 246.

Palladius, 2.

Paris, 275.

Pascal fires, 85-86.

Patrick, St., his writings, 75-77, 93; his birthplace, 77; his captivity, 78; his knowledge of Irish, 79; his vision, 82; his mission, 84-85; his meeting with K. Laegaire, 85^; codifies the laws, 5; his preaching, 89; his "Breastplate," 91, 92; his grave, 95; his "Confession," 76, 189, 237; letter to Coroticus, 76, 93; Muirchu's Life of the Saint, 76, 82; his Gospels ("Domnach Airgid"), 211, 226, 233, 235-L 7.

Paul V. Pope, 273.

Pavia, School of, 269.

Pepin of Heristal, 165.

Picts, Irish captives sold to, 93 ; conversion of, 120.

Ratisbon, in Bavaria, 220, 223.

Reichenau, Library of, 274-275.

Reinau, Monastery of, 277.

Right of Sanctuary, 20.

Ruadan, Abbot of Lorrha, defies the King, 20, 23 ; his character, 24 ; curses Tara, 27, 28.

Satchels for books, 239, 270.

Saxons, their descents on Ireland, 70, 71. Scannlan, Prince of Ossory, 32.

Scelig Michael, Co. Kerry, 192-196.

Scotland, rise of the Kingdom of, 7, 8, 13.

Scribe, ofiice of, 217, 224-225 ; manner of writing, 223 ; rev/ard?- of, 241.

Seckingen, 164-165.

Sedulius, Abbot of Kildare, 253, 276, 279 ; his poems, 254-255.

Sedulius, author of "Carmen Paschale," 258.

Sigebert, King of the Franks, 169.

Sigerson, Dr., quoted, 270.

Sligo, Battle of, 14.

Soldiers, fettered in battle, 45, 54.

"Soul-friend" or Confessor, 177.

Christian Art in Ireland," 191.

Strasbourg, 164.

Suibhne (Sweeny) Menn, K. of Ireland, 38. Suibhne (Sweeny), Prince of Ulster, his madness, 48.

Tallaght, near Dublin, 159.

Tara, 6 ; its power weakened, 19 ; fall of, 25-28 ; Synod of, 180 ;

Pagan festival at, 85.

Trinity College, Dublin, 75, 241, 267. Tuathal (Toole) Mael-garbh, 14; his violent death, 17. Turin, Irish Mss. at, 173, 227.

Ulster, wars of, 14, 15.

Vatican Library, 254, 273.

Versions of Scripture, old Latin, 228-229; British and Irish,

Vienna, Imperial Library of, 221, 272, 275 ; Monastery of, 222. Virgil (Fergal) of Salzburg, "The Geometrician," 263.

Westwood, Prof. J. O., quoted, 241.

William of Malmesbury, 261.

Women, heads of mixed monasteries, 140 ; released from

warfare, 180.

Writing on parchment, 218, 223; on wax tablets, 218; on

wooden tablets, 219; "uncial" and "cursive," 238; stiles

used in, 267; Irish script disused, 281. Wiirzburg, 150, 222, 274, 280.

CHAPTER I. KING LAEGAIRE (laERY) (429-458) AND THE TIMES OF

St. Patrick.

Authorities : Tripartite Life of St. Patrick, Edited by Dr. Whitley Stokes ; Introduction to the Senchus Mor ; Lives of the Saints from the Book of Lismore, Edited by Dr. Wh. Stokes.

With the reign of Laegaire (Laery), son of Niall of the Nine Hostages, we reach a turning point in the history. From this time forward, paganism, which had gradually lost its hold upon a large number of the people through their connection with foreign nations, such as Britain and Gaul, which were professedly Christian, ceased to be the national form of belief, and Christianity took its place. It is probable that for a long time back there had been some Christians in Ireland, for you remember that it is said that even King Cormac mac Airt, over a hundred and fifty years before, professed himself to believe in Christ, of whom he had probably heard during his foreign wars or his sojourn in Alba. We learn, too, that early in Laery 's reign, the Pope had