OMNIUM SANCTORUM HIBERNIAE

ALL THE SAINTS OF IRELAND

  • Saint Illadan of Rathlihen, June 10

     

    On June 10 we commemorate the memory of an Irish abbot/bishop of Rathlihen, County Offaly. Illadan, like many of the early Irish saints, boasts an impressive aristocratic pedigree and whilst he has left no written Life of his own, he features in the hagiography of another saint, Aéd of Killaire. In the Life of Saint Aéd he acts as a mentor to the boy Aéd and discerns that he is destined for greatness. Canon O’Hanlon’s entry for Saint Illadan tells us something of the locality where the saint flourished and includes a description of the sad fate of its church ruins. Today such remains would come under the protection of the law but then they were seen as fair game for reuse. O’Hanlon is unimpressed by this 19th-century recycling initiative and censures the local people for allowing this act of Vandalism (spelt with a capital ‘V’ in those days!) to take place. I have reproduced the sketch of the church ruins at Rathlihen, from page 613 of Volume 6 of the Lives of the Irish Saints. We also learn that in the 17th century, the Irish hagiologist, Father John Colgan, saw a statue of Saint Illadan, which depicted him in episcopal splendour but which had since disappeared:

    ST. ILLADAN OR IOLLADHAN, SON OF EOCHAIDH, BISHOP OF RATHLIPHTHEN, NOW RATHLIHEN, KING’S COUNTY.

    A few particulars only are recorded of this holy man, and these are to be found chiefly in the Life of St. Aidus, Bishop of Killare. The pedigree as given in the Irish Genealogies refers his origin to the pagan Monarch of Ireland Laoighre, who was contemporaneous with St. Patrick, and whose death is- recorded with curious incidents, at A.D. 458. To the latter, he was great grandson, being third in descent. This holy man called Illadan or Iolladhan was son to Damen, son of Ennius, who was son to Laoghaire, King of lreland. He is also named Illand or Illandus. He was descended from the race of Niall of the Nine Hostages, as we can glean from the foregoing pedigree. It is not improbable, he had been born in that particular part of Meath province, with which his memory is especially connected, and in the earlier period of the sixth century. According to Ussher, our saint flourished, in the year 540.

    Having left the cares of this world, Illand became Abbot over some monks, at a place called Rathlibhthen, in a part of ancient Meath, called Feara Ceall. This now comprises Ballycowen and Ballyboy baronies, in the King’s County. The place called Rath Liphthen, in Firceall, Meath, where he was venerated, has been identified with Rathlihen, or Rathlin, a part of Killoughey parish, barony of Ballyboy, in the King’s County. This place is Latinized Arx Libteni; and doubtless, it was so called from an ancient Fort, which rose near the site of the old monastery, and probably at a much earlier period than the erection of the latter building. It has been known as Rathlibhthen, a townland denomination a few miles from the town of Frankfort, in the King’s County. It is also written, Ralihin, and Rath-Jihin, but locally pronounced Rawleen. We have no means for knowing if our saint had been the original founder of the first monastery in this locality; yet, it appears highly probable, as he lived in an age so remote from the present time. Here, there was a school, in which the Sacred Scriptures were taught, as also where secular learning was cultivated. It is supposed, this saint founded his monastery, about the middle of the sixth century.

    St. Illand was a principal instrument, in the hands of God, for determining the ecclesiastical vocation of St. Aidus, Bishop of Killare, whom he instructed, and sent on his mission. Our saint, besides being Abbot, exercised episcopal jurisdiction, also, as we find him called Bishop, in the Life of St. Aidus. The ruins of an old church yet lie within Rathlihin townland, in Killoughy parish. An enclosed cemetery now surrounds them. Only a few years back, the plan and form of the old chapel were distinguishable. But the stones—excepting some of those in the west end—were torn down, and used in building a wall round the cemetery. The church was twenty two feet six inches in width; and it measured about 60 feet in length, so far as could be calculated by the writer. At the western gable, on the inside, there was an apartment, with a coved stone roof, extending the whole breadth of this edifice. Mortar still remaining on the roof shows, that it had been built over wicker-work. However, it is now greatly injured, owing to an act of Vandalism which the people of that neighbourhood allowed to be perpetrated over twenty years ago. A pious person having bequeathed a small sum of money to have a wall erected round the exposed graveyard, a stonemason contracted for its erection, and he at once proceeded to pull down the old church walls—then tolerably perfect —so that their materials were used for his purpose. Excepting the coved-roof chamber or cell, nearly every other part of the church has been removed, and even a considerable portion of that has been destroyed, as we were assured on the spot by a guide, who was cognizant of the facts we have already related. The east gable has been pulled down to within a few feet of the soil on the outside; interiorly, it supports one side of the coved-roof. A small fragment of the north side wall stands. The fine limestone of the district had been used in constructing the entire building. Immediately south of the churchyard, there is a very remarkable moat, which like so many of its class in Ireland appears to to have been in great part the work of human hands. Advantage had been taken of a natural eminence, to scarp it into an artificial and a symmetrical shape, probably to place a fortification on the upper surface. About a quarter of a mile to the same side of it, Lady Well is seen, towards the east by south of this church. It was dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, and it used to be frequented, on the 8th of September, one of her festivals. On an eminence near the old church stands a castle in ruins, which tradition says had been built by O’Molloy, to whom also the erection of the church is ascribed.

    The memory of the Patron Saint Illadan was held in great veneration, at Rathlibhthen church, for many centuries after his death, and even until the time of Colgan; who tells us, that the statue of St. Illand, with a mitre on its head, and a crozier in hand, was to be seen there in his day. This image, however, shared the fate of many other venerable remains of Christian art, it having been broken by modern sectaries, before the middle of the seventeenth century. The saint’s statue, with an episcopal mitre on its head and a crozier in its hand, long remained in this church, and it was to be seen there towards the close of the last century, but the head had been broken off by sacrilegious hands. In 1838, Thomas O’Conor could obtain no information about the statue of St. Iolladhan, and as may supposed still less can any tradition about it be recovered at the present time. The year of this saint’s death is not known; but, his festival was kept, on the 10th day of June, probably that of his death. We find a feast set down, in the Martyrology of Tallagh, at the 10th of June, in honour of Illadan mac Eucdoch o Raith Liphiten. We are told, moreover, that Marianus O’Gorman and a commentator on St. Aengus have the festival of Illand Hua Eochaidh, on the same day. The Martyrology of Donegal records him, at the same date, under the title of lolladhan son of Eochaidh. Under the head of Rath-Libhthen, Duald Mac Firbis enters Iolladan, descendant—rather should he be styled son—of Eochaidh, and a bishop, at June 10th. His festival is entered in that copy of the Irish Calendar compiled for use of the Irish Ordnance Survey, at the iv. of the June Ides, or 10th of this month.

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  • Saint Colum Cille of Iona, June 9

    June 9 is the feast day of Saint Colum Cille (Columba) of Iona. The entry in the Martyrology of Donegal reads:9. F. QUINTO IDUS JUNII. 9.

    COLUM CILLE, son of Felim, Abbot of Black Monks, at Doire Choluim Chille and at I, in Albain. Crimhthann was his first name; and he was called Colum from his similarity to the bird which is called the dove, from his mildness and gentleness. The reason that he is named Of the cill [or church] is, because he was fostered at Cill-mic-Nenain, in Cinel Conail, in his own patrimonial land. On the seventh day of the month of December he was born at Gartan, in Cinel Conaill aforesaid, A.D. 520.

    He spent two score and two years of his life in Erin disseminating religion, piety, and good deeds ; in preaching and teaching the word of God ; healing every disease and every distemper (as is evident from the book which contains his life); founding many monasteries and churches throughout Erin, as at Doire, Rathboth, Senglenn, Torach, Cill-mic-Nenain, Druim Tuama, Gartan, Tulach-Dubhghlaisi, Baile Meg-Robhartaigh, in Cinel Conaill; and at Druim-cliabh in Cairbre Droma-cliabh, and Serin in Connacht; Serin in Meath, Cenannas, Dermagh, Surd, Maein, and many other churches throughout Erin. He afterwards went to Albain on a pilgrimage, and dwelt on the island which is called I Coluim Cille, and this place was offered to him, and many other churches. And he did more service in Albain for the love of the Lord than in Erin, though he did much good there also; for it was he that brought them from the darkness of paganism and of sin to the light of faith and good deeds. And he spent thirty-four years of his life in that country serving God, until he went to Heaven on Sunday night exactly, after completing his seventy-sixth year. His body was brought to Erin after his death, so that it was buried with honour and great veneration in one tomb with Saint Patrick and with Saint Brighit, at Dun-da-lethghlas in Ulster. For these are the three chief patrons of Erin : Patrick, Colum Cille, and Brighit. And Colum Cille was of the noble races of Erin, i.e.,his father was of the race of Conall Gulban, son of Niall of the Nine Hostages. Eithne, daughter of Dioma, son of Noe, of Leinster, of the race of Cathaoir Mor, king of Erin, was his mother ; and what some people say, that his mother was the daughter of Mac Consnamha, is not true, for there were several hundred years from the birth of Colum Cille to the time that O Ruairc had his name, from whom Mac Consnamha is descended.

    Cuimin, of Condeire, says, in the poem beginning “Patrick of the fort of Macha loves”, that Colum Cille used not to take of food during the week as much as would satisfy a poor man for one meal. Thus he says :-

    “The holy Colum Cille loves :
    Son of Feidhlimidh, of generous deeds,
    There went not for a week into his body
    What would satisfy a poor man one turn.”

    It was A.D. 599 when he resigned his spirit.

    “Three years was he without light,
    Colum in his Duibh-regles.
    He went with angels out of his earthly prison
    After six years and seventy.”

    A very ancient old-vellum-book, in which is found the Martyrology of Tamhlacht-Maoilruain and the Irish saints of the same name, states, that Colum Cille was like unto Andrew the Apostle in his habits and life.

    The Life of Ciaran, of Cluain, chap. 47, states that the Order of Colum Cille was one of the eight orders that were in Erin.

    Note: Further resources on Saint Colum Cille can be found at my other site Trias Thaumaturga.
    Content Copyright © Omnium Sanctorum Hiberniae 2012-2015. All rights reserved.

  • Saint Brón of Killaspugbrone, June 8

    June 8 is the commemoration of a County Sligo saint, Brón of Killaspugbrone (Ceall Easpaig Bhróin ‘the church of Bishop Brón’), which some sources also refer to as Cassel-Irra. There is no written Life of Saint Brón but he features in the hagiography of both Saint Patrick and Saint Brigid. Indeed, the genealogical sources portray Saint Brón as being a blood relative of the Irish patroness, as Professor Ó Riain records in his Dictionary of Irish Saints. Canon O’Hanlon mentions in his account below that Saint Brón was the son of Icnus, but Ó Riain adds his maternal genealogy, saying that he was ‘one of the forty-seven children – mostly associated with churches in north Connacht – credited to Cuman daughter of Dallbhrónach, a sister of Brighid of Kildare’. At my other blog here I have recorded the account of a miracle from the vernacular Life of Saint Brigid where, fortunately for Saint Brón, his illustrious aunt is on hand when he is falsely accused of fathering a child. It just remains to say that sadly by the nineteenth century, the memory of Saint Brón had been lost in the local area, but the Sligo Heritage site has recovered some of the indigenous folklore and published it here.
    ST. BRON, BISHOP OF CASSEL-IRRA, COUNTY OF SLIGO.
    [FIFTH AND SIXTH CENTURIES.]
    ALTHOUGH having close relations, with the great Apostle of Ireland; yet, little seems to be known, regarding the personal history of this primitive and holy bishop. It was the intention of Father John Colgan, had he lived, to have published the Acts of St. Bron, at the 8th day of June. In the published edition of the Martyrology of Tallagh, we find mention of “Broin Esp. Caisil,” at the vi. of the Ides (8th) of June. The Bollandists notice the Irish Bishop Bron, at this same date, and refer to Colgan’s published work; while, they remark, that he had promised to give more regarding him, at the 8th of June, and the fulfilment of which promise was to be expected at the hands of succeeding Franciscans.

    Although of obscure origin, it is said, that St. Bron was the son of Icnus. In the Tripartite Life of St. Patrick, Bron or Bronius is called “Alius ignis,” but more correctly perhaps, “filius Icnus.” Colgan says, he is at a loss to know, why this saint was called “filius ignis,” unless it were that his father’s name had been Aodh, or Oedh, which signifies fire. This holy man is mentioned on more than one occasion, in the Acts of the Irish Apostle. Thus, while he was in the region called Dumha-graidh, beyond the Shannon, St. Patrick had an internal revelation, that St. Bron, the monk Olcan, and his disciple Macerca, were on their way to visit him, but that they were afraid to cross at Traigh-eothuile. Through the miraculous agency of Ireland’s Apostle, however, they were freed from all danger. St. Bron was a disciple of St. Patrick,  and probably, at that time, when the Irish Apostle first journeyed to Connaught. He was elevated to the episcopal dignity, also, by the Irish Apostle.  St. Bron is said to have ordained St. Maneus, who was baptized by St. Patrick. With the holy man and one named Bitseus, St. Bron assisted at the consecration of Bishop Carellus,  who was set over the Church of Tanmach.

    St. Patrick passed from Forrach-mac-n Amhalgaidh, or “the Assembly Place of the Sons of Awley,” to Ros Filiorum Caitni, where he built a church. Crossing the Muaidh or Moy, at Bertriga or Bartragh, he raised a cross there, and he proceeded thence to the mound of Riabart, near which he built a church for his disciple. Another structure is traditionally connected with St. Patrick, while in this part of the country, and with it a legend is associated. This speck of land, which rises over Cummeen Strand, is known as Doonan Patrick, a church in ruins being seen to the south-west. The peninsula here alluded to lies south-west of Sligo town. In St. Patrick’s Tripartite Life, this was called the Church of Cassel Irra, the foundations of which were laid by Bron. We find, however, in one account, that the church of this holy bishop was known as Cuil-Iorre. The name Cassel Irra is no longer remembered among the people, although Cuil-irra is still retained in this part of the country, as a denomination which applies to a district of land, lying west of Sligo town.

    The people say, that Cuil-irra extends from where Killaspugbrone is bounded by St. John’s parish, to the east and south-east, and southwards to Ballindroichet. This old church, now in ruins, is situated in the townland of Killaspoigbrone, and it is close to the sea-shore. At the present time, the church which was founded here is known by the name of Killaspugbrone, being called after St. Bron.  This name seems to be as old as the end of the fifth, or the beginning of the sixth, century. The present name, Killaspugbrone, is very little altered from the orignal Cill-easpuig-Broin, or “the church of bishop Bronus.” The former territory of Cassel-Irra comprised the present parishes of Killaspugbrone and Kilmacowen, in Carbury barony, county of Sligo. The last-named of those two denominations now forms a parish, a short distance south-west of Sligo town. In the townland of Killmacowen, there is an old church in ruins, at which there is also a well, dedicated to the great Irish Apostle. There is a stone at this well, which presents a reddish or rust-like colour, and it is indented, the people say, with an impression of St. Patrick’s knee, and stained with the blood of this same saint. Nothing is now known of the saint to whom this parish  is dedicated.

    In the Life of St. Brigid, Patroness of Kildare, the primitive bishop of this locality, St. Bron, is specially noticed. It is stated, that he was present at a Synod, where St. Patrick and himself attended.  A very scandalous falsehood had been concocted by an infamous woman, who preferred an unfounded charge against Bishop Broon, St. Patrick’s disciple. This is said to have been disproved by a miracle, through which the innocent bishop’s character had been amply vindicated.  In the presence of all assembled, the woman professed her repentance, while the sanctity of our saint was gloriously magnified. However, the whole account of this matter is false and contradictory; for, there are several irreconcilable particulars, in different versions of the narrative. The two first Lives of St. Brigid omit it altogether, although relating several of her miracles less remarkable, and worthy of being recorded. A ruined little church still remains on the very spot, where St. Bron officiated; but, it cannot be the structure erected in the time of St. Patrick, for the style of masonry proves, that it belongs to a very much later period. In the beginning of this century, a village adjacent to the old church was gradually engulfed by the blowing sands, and its inhabitants, as a consequence, were compelled to remove.

    Our saint died on the 8th day of the month of June, in the beginning of the sixth century. In the Irish Calendar, at the vi. of the Ides of June, corresponding with June 8th, this saint is commemorated. On the 8th of June, the O’Clerys  record the festival of Bron, Bishop of Caiseal Irrae, in Ui Faichrach-Muaidhe. Again, under the head of Caisiol Iorra, Duald Mac Firbis, records Bron, bishop of Caisiol-Iorra, in Hy Fiachrach of the Moy. These authorities also have his death, at A.D. 511, which agrees with the chronology, in the Annals of the Four Masters. This year is usually regarded as that, in which he died. Our saint appears to have been interred at Cassel-Irra. The people of Killaspugbrone do not at present know the Patron Saint or Patron Day of this Parish, the latter observance having been discontinued long since. St. Biteus of Caissel-ira is supposed to have become bishop there after A.D. 512, the year succeeding that in which Bronius died; and, accordingly, he must have been very young, when he was a disciple of St. Patrick. He is said to have been buried at Rathcunga. We are not able to add, any additional particulars to elucidate the episcopacy of the present St. Bron; nor do we find that special Acts remain, to make his biography more complete.

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