Monthly Archives: June 2024

Posted in Irish church history

Seventeen Irish Martyrs – 20th June

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In 1992 a representative of seventeen Irish martyrs, were chosen from a list of almost three hundred who died for their faith in the 16th and 17th centuries. They were beatified by St. Pope John Paul II.

Below is the list of these martyrs as listed on a plaque mounted on the wall beside the gate at St. Oliver Plunkett’s & the Martyrs’ parish church side entrance; close to the wheelchair carparking area. Stories on these 17 martyrs are largely taken from “Our Martyrs” written by D. Murphy.

1) Dermot O’Hurley was the archbishop of Cashel & Emily, who suffered brutally at the hands of Walter Dunlop and Adam Loftus, heretics with authority in Dublin whom employed enticements and extreme torture of hot oils; burning off the skin and muscles of his feet. Walter later had Dermot killed under court martial for not reneging the Catholic faith in 1584.

2) Patrick O’Healy, was the Franciscan Bishop of Mayo, appointed by Pope Gregory XIII. He set off for Ireland from Brittany accompanied by Cornelius O’Rourke, a fellow Franciscan. They landed at Dingle in Kerry. They were seized on landing by heretics and brought to the Countess of Desmond, who sent them onwards to Limerick, out of political expediency. There, the two Franciscans faced a court martial under a Catholic man of authority named Drury. In 1578, the two Franciscans were enticed with high office to renounce the faith, and having refused, they were tortured; being placed on a rack, with sharp needles inserted between the nails, their fingers cut off, their high bones broken. They were hanged afterwards, for which Drury suffered a strange malady, that brought him to his death three days later. Before he died, Drury confessed that he was guilty of killing innocent religious men.

3) Cornelius O’Rourke (O.S.F.) Was the 1st son of the prince of Brefny, but renounced worldly pursuits for the religious life. He was martyred along with bishop Patrick 0’Healy.

4) Matthew Lambert and the martyred sailors; Wexford 1581 (info taken from Catholic Ireland Website Jun 20 – The Irish Martyrs of the (16th & 17th centuries) – Catholicireland.netCatholicireland.net

Mathew Lambert was a Wexford baker who organised with five sailors safe passage by ship for Viscount of Baltinglass and his Jesuit chaplain Robert Rochford. English troops pursued these two fugitives, for their involvement with the Second Desmond Rebellion (1579-83). Authorities got word of the plan and Matthew was arrested with his sailor friends. They were thrust into prison, and questioned about politics and religion. Lambert’s reply was: “I am not a learned man. I am unable to debate with you, but I can tell you this, ‘I am a Catholic and I believe whatever our Holy Mother the Catholic Church believes.’”

Nb* Mathew’s name does not appear listed in “Our Martyrs” by Rev. D. Murphy, S.J.

5) Edward Cheevers, was one of those Wexford sailors martyred. He was hung drawn and quartered with his Catholic associates.

6) Robert Myeler was another sailor and associate of Mathew Lambert.

7) Patrick Cavanagh was also an associate of Mathew Lambert. The remaining sailors’ names are unknown. Together, all the Wexford associates were found guilty of treason and sentenced to death.

8) Margeret Ball in Drogheda was the mother of the infamous Walter Ball, (the royalist who snitched on Bishop Dermot O’Hurley). Margaret desired that her son Walter, would revert to Catholicism, and she often impressed upon her son of the importance of the faith. But the Catholic faith was to be scorned for position of power, and Margaret’s own son as Lord Mayor of Dublin shamefully had his mother thrown into the dungeons of Dublin Castle. Walter had his mother tortured as to force her to renounce the faith. She never did, and she died in the dungeon of failing health in 1584.
Nb* Margaret’s name does not appear listed in “Our Martyrs” by Rev. D. Murphy, S.J. and the information about Margaret has been gleaned from the Catholic Ireland website Jan 30 – Bl Margaret Ball (d. 1584) and Bl Francis Taylor (d. 1621) – Catholicireland.netCatholicireland.net

9) Maurice McEnraghty or Kireghtin (Muiris Mac Ionrachtaigh) was a secular priest from Kilmallock in the Limerick dioceses. He became a chaplain to the Earl of Desmond, who had joined a confederate for the Catholic cause. Maurice was a man of virtue, and fell into the hands of Murtogh Swiney, a blood thirsty soldier who himself was a deserter. Maurice was handed over to Sir John Norris, president of Munster. Maurice was then thrown into prison in Clonmel. He remained steadfast to the Catholic faith, as the unique way of salvation. He was allowed bail for one night to celebrate the sacrament of confession among the Catholic faithful in Clonmel, thanks to a Victor White who provided the jailer with money. However, a wicked spy, brought this to the attention of president John Norris. All who attended a secret mass were then set upon by English soldiers. There was panic in the air, and Catholics fled for fear, jumping from dangerous heights to escape. Maurice hid under a bail of hay, the soldier searched, prodding the hay with swords, but the priest evaded them. Victor was now in grave danger, and so Maurice gave himself up in exchange for Victor’s release. Maurice was cast into the dungeons of the prison. He was illegally sentenced to death by hanging, and would not renounce his faith. His head was later cut off, and his body carved into four parts at Clonmel on 20th April 1585.

10) Dominic Collins was from nobility in Youghal, East Cork. He became a Soldier in France and later served as captain of the marines in Spain under King Phillip before he became a Jesuit priest as a late vacationer. It was during his captaincy in Spain, where there was relative peace, enabling him to pursue spiritual matters. He became a type of army chaplain for the Irish confederate project with the help of Spain. He was good with caring for the war wounded and offering spiritual help. He landed at Dunboy Castle and was seized already by heretics, and put in prison in Cork under George Carew, president of Munster. Mountjoy, the viceroy of Ireland failed to entice Dominic to renounce the faith, sentenced him to hanging and disembowelling after been tied to the rack in 1602.

11) Conor O’Devany entered religious life at the age of twelve as a Franciscan. He studied in Rome at a later age, and Pope Gregory XIII appointed him as bishop of Down & Connor. He administered his duties very well. In 1592 he was imprisoned in Dublin castle. After three years starving in prison, he was released on conditions. The governors of the prison regretted letting him go free, and tried in vain to recapture him. In 1611 he was seized together with a Fr. Patrick O’Loughran. They were brought to trial on false accusations that merely served as pretexts, to gloss over the real problem, namely being a Catholic clergy. They were sentenced to death, and Conor helped Patrick face his martyrdom before his own triumphant martyrdom in 1612.

12) Patrick O’Loughran (O.S.F.) was executed along with Conor O’Devany.

13) Francis Taylor was a Dublin senator (Alderman) who died for the faith in the dungeons of Dublin Castle in 1621. He was the most respected senator in Dublin, and esteemed by all good men. He would never be induced to renounce the faith nor to renounce obedience to Rome.

14) Peter Higgins (O.P.) was taken captive at the beginning of the Irish confederate war. The heretics knew he was innocent of any crime or involvement; however, he suffered kindly the injustice, and later hanged in 1642.

15) Terance Albert O’Brien – He was appointed bishop of Emily by Pope Urban VIII. Terance was a Limerick man from nobility, he studied in Spain. In Limerick city he was besieged and put to death in 1651 by Henry Ireton, Cromwell’s son in law. Henry was struck down by a plague soon after the execution.

16) John Kearney – (O.S.F.) This man was from Cashel. He learned the faith from his mother, and from priests on the run-in safe keeping at his residence. He became a Franciscan priest, and was later seized by heretics, put to the rack, and thrown in the dungeon. He managed to be set free, and was shipped out of the country. He returned however to Wexford from France. In Cashel he fell into the hands of a cruel captain Wilmer, who brought him to prison in Clonmel. The president of Munster Sankey had sentenced John Kearney to death for his Catholic faith. He was hanged in his Franciscan vestments in 1651.

17) William Tirry – (O.S.A). A man of noble birth who chose to become an Augustinian over worldly pursuits. He remained with the viscount Sarsfield living a quiet holy life until he was found out by heretics, who tried to entice him to renounce the faith for lure of riches, then threw him into a dungeon prison before having him executed. At the prison in Clonmel, William welcomed his executioners like they were his best friends doing him the great honour of brining him to eternal life in 1654.

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Blessed Dermot O’Hurley stands up to the Royalists – Martyred on June 19th, 1584

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Dermot O’Hurley was born in Lickadoon outside limerick city. His father William was an owner of the estate of Lickadoon, and he also was a steward for James Fitzgerald, the Earl of Desmond. Dermot’s mother was Honor O’Brien, a descendent of the Earls of Thomond, whom were once upon a time the royals of Munster.

Dermot received a good education, and went on to study theology and canon law at Louvain in Belgium. He was appointed Archbishop of Cashel & Emily by Pope Gregory III. With difficulty Dermot was to regain entry to Ireland, as the heretics were always on the watch. The archbishop took a passage on a Drogheda bound ship, from Britany in France. At first, Dermot landed off the coast of Ireland, on the island of skerries. From that island he took a short hop to the Drogheda coastal town. Finally at the port town, he stayed at an Inn, where there was aroused a religious discussion by a heretic called Walter Baal. It was at the Inn, that the archbishop fell into grave danger. His involvement in the discussion, revealed his Catholic identity. Walter suspecting a clergy in his midst, made communication with various Royalists in Dublin about the distinguished Dermot. Thankfully, another man called Dillon warned Dermot to flee Drogheda. Dillon in turn suffered imprisonment for helping the archbishop escape.

Dermot set off for Slane, and went into hiding thanks to the help of Catherin Preston, wife of Thomas Fleming, an Anglo-Irish baron of Slane. As time passed on, security for the fugitive became lax. [One day, a Royalist called Robert Dillon, one of the colonial queen’s judges, came to visit the baron of Slane. While there, a religious question began at table. With some heretics present, they gave their opinions, to such an extreme folly, that the silent Dermot could not restrain himself any longer. To the astonishment of all, he easily refuted the baseless doctrines, with an air of authority, education and eloquence. Robert Dillon quickly surmised that this distinguished person might greatly obstruct heresy. Dillon related the matter to Adam Loftus, Chancellor of Ireland, and to Henry Wallop, Lord Treasurer. Both were Englishmen, and acting as proxy to an absent Viceroy of Ireland, namely the highest colonial British office of governance in the land. Loftus and Wallop ordered Baron Thomas under heavy penalties, to send them the Archbishop in chains.]

The Archbishop, having meantime fled Slane, was hunted down and arrested by the Baron and Royalists emissaries in the castle at Carrick-on-Suir in the month of September, 1583, whilst staying with Thomas Butler, surnamed the Black, Earl of Ormond. The exasperated Thomas Fleming, pleaded with Dermot to accompany him to Dublin in order to be acquitted of any wrong doing. Now the journey was long, so the Baron had the archbishop placed in prisons for security, while enroute to Dublin. Having arrived in Dublin O’Hurley was cross examined by heretics who failed to find fault with the archbishop. So the high rank heretics, namely Henry Wallop and Adam Loftus found themselves resorting to military law to do away with the archbishop, due to the impossibility of such a result through civil and common law. They tried cruelty to implicate him, or that the archbishop might renounce the catholic faith.

We have an account from a Dublin man of nobility, who witnessed the cruelty. The archbishop cried out Jesus, Son of David, have mercy upon me. He raised his voice each time despite the pouring of hot oil over his body from head to toe, causing horrific wounds to the skin, and the muscles, and the nerves, to such point that the whole body was devoured by the heat, yet at the same time bathed in a cold sweat. The executioner became uneasy, realising that he had applied excessive force on archbishop, and had in fact hastened his death, which was not the objective of the cruelty. To escape the crime of killing an innocent man, the executioner had the archbishop taken immediately into great care, with another torture to follow up later. It was thanks to the medical skill of a Jesuit priest, that brought the archbishop back to a reasonable recovery.  In the end Dermot would not give in to temptations of high office or a good life in exchange for the renouncing of the faith which incurs the allegiance of an anti-Catholic monarch in Ireland. So Wallop Dunlop had the archbishop killed by hanging under martial law. His body was buried in the ruinous chapel of St. Kevin’s in Camden Row. Many miracles flowed from him tomb.

Excerpts taken from Our Martyrs by Rev. D. Murphy S. J.  P. 126 onwards…

[Some Excerpts added from Part 20 of Chapters towards a History of Ireland in the reign of Elizabeth (ucc.ie)]

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St. Davnet: the Lily of Fire; Irish Virgin & Martyr -14th June

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The story of St. Davnet (Damhnait), known as Dympna in the anglicised world, goes back to the 6th & 7th century. Davnet is the patron saint of mentally ill patients. There are accounts of the Irish saint from a 13th century opus called ”Life of the Saint”, written by Pierre, a canon of St Aubert at Cambrai in France near the Belgium border. Piere recounts a tradition where St. Davnet, had been venerated at a church dedicated to her in Gheel, Belgium. Piere drew this biography from oral tradition.

Davnet was the daughter of a petty Irish pagan Irish king of the ancient Oriel Kingdom. By petty, we mean that this ”king” was subject to another King. Davnet’s mother, herself a woman from nobility, was a devout Christian. She was remarkable both for her piety and great beauty. She lavished on Davnet, every affection and attention from birth. The young princess resembled the great beauty of her mother. Heaven favoured Davnet with special graces. She was secretly baptised by St. Gerebernus, a priest who would become her confessor. When still very young Davnet, chose Jesus to be her Lord & Saviour, and took him as her Divine Spouse, consecrating her virginity to Him and to His Blessed Mother by a vow of perpetual chastity.

As a noble family in the ancient kingdom of Oriel, they lead their lives in a state of tranquillity and peace. However, when Davnet’s mother passed away, the petty king was inconsolable. His courtiers advised him to find a new wife, as a remedy for his broken heart. The king agreed… only on condition that the courtiers could find him a match, in the exact image of his late wife.  The only choice left to the courtiers then was his own daughter Davnet… The petty father and king went with that idea.

Naturally the young princess became distraught that her own father, would seriously consider taking her hand in marriage. She immediately looked for the good council of her confessor & priest Fr. Gerebernus. He advised her to flee from Ireland, as it was a grave matter; poor Davnet could not delay. With all haste, she set out to head for continental Europe, accompanied by her confessor, as well as the court jester with his wife. Fr. Gerebernus had religious friends on the continent and they would provide a refuge for Davnet. Once they implemented the plan and fled, their lives were in grave risk. There could be no turning back.

Their first day’s journey brought them across Slieve Beagh to what became known as Cooldavnet, (Davnet’s corner) in Co. Monaghan. They rested themselves here, drinking from the fresh bog water of a small well. They travelled onto and stayed in what became known as Tydavnet (Davnet’s house). They then travelled onwards to Lavey in Cavan , before heading for Achill. From the coast of Achill, they crossed the sea to Antwerp. Arriving on the continent, they finally set for Gheel in Northern Belgium, not far from Brussels. Here Fr. Gerebernus had religious friends at the chapel of St. Martin.

The petty Irish king discovered Dymphna’s flight from Ireland, and immediately set out with his followers in search of her possible whereabouts. They eventually came to know Davnet’s whereabouts in Belgium, thanks to the help of identification an Irish money trail that they found in the hands of many of the poor peasants starting from Antwerp. To Davnet’s surprise, her insane father finally arrived at St. Martin’s chapel in Gheel. He tried to persuade his daughter to return with him and be his wife, but Fr. Gerebernus sternly rebuked him for his perverse intentions. The Irish king was stubborn however and gave orders that the priest should be put to death. The king’s wicked retainers executed the order, laying violent hands upon the priest and striking him on the neck with a sword. With one blow, Fr. Gerebernus’ head was cut off from the shoulders. Thus he became a glorious martyr for Christ on the day of 15th of May.

Further attempts by the petty king, to induce the Irish princess to return to Ireland proved futile. With undaunted courage, Davnet spurned his enticing promises and scorned his cruel threats. Such promised and threats persisted for some weeks, to no avail. Infuriated by her resistance, her own father drew a dagger and struck off the his young daughter’s head. The holy virgin fell at the feet of her insane father. Thus she earned the glorious crown of martyrdom at the age of fifteen, in the early half of the 7th century. Public witnesses to the execution became instantly cured from mental illnesses of the mind and for this reason, St. Davnet became the patron saint of those suffering from Mental illness.

The corpses of St. Davnet and St. Gerebernus were put in sarcophagi in a cave until they were later rediscoverd. The body of St. Davnet was translated and buried in the church of Gheel, and the bones of St. Gerebernus were translated elsewhere. From the tombs of these two Holy Martyrs, miracles and cures began to occur in continually increasing numbers. Gradually St. Davnet’s fame as patroness of victims of nervous diseases and mental disorders became widespread from country to country. More and more mentally afflicted persons were brought to the tomb in Gheel by relatives and friends, as well as pilgrims from far off places. Novenas were had, and St. Davnet’s relic was applied to the patients. The remarkable cures reported caused confidence in the saint to grow daily.

Psychiatrists have since stated that psychiatric institutions can help patients with certain mental cases, only to a certain extent. But when that point of help is reached, patients need to have recourse from a source outside the institution if any further progress is to be made. The shrine to St. Davnet in Gheel is the living confirmation of this statement.

St. Davnet is celebrated in the Irish Liturgical Calender on the 14th June

NB* This article on St. Davnet has been peppered with information from a previous article which appeared from Tabernacle and Purgatory, published by Benedictine Convent Sisters, Clyde, Mo., May, 1946.

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St. Colum Cille; the dove of Iona – 9th June

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St. Colum Cille is one of the three Patron Saints of Ireland. He was born at Garten, Donegal in Ulster, 7th December, 521. Colum Cille was from the noble O’Donnell Clan. His father was Fedhlimdh (Irish for Phillip) and his mother was Eithne, of Leinster nobility. Fedhlimdh’s father was Felimy, whose grandfather was great King Niall, who was dubbed Niall of the Nine Hostages. King Niall kidnapped St. Patrick along with his sisters Lupita and Dererca and a host of other victims from Armoric Britain. Colm Cille’s baptismal name was Chiomhthainn (Chriffin) but he became known as Colum, which signifies a dove. His name was further adjusted becoming Colum-cille, meaning “dove of the Church”.

When he attained a foundational level of education, he entered St. Finnian’s monastary of Movilla in Co. Down. Finnian had once upon a time studied under St. Colman of Dromore. At Movilla, Colum Cille’s sanctity began to manifest itself by miracles, and he also received his ordination to diaconate. Traditions attests through the writings of St. Eunan, (Adamnan) that by Colum Cille’s prayers, he converted water into wine, for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass (Adam., II, i). St. Columba was also tall and dignified. St. Eunan further says: “He was angelic in appearance, graceful in speech, holy in work” (Praef., II). His voice was strong, sweet, and sonorous capable at times of being heard at a great distance.

From Movilla, Colum Cille travelled southwards into Leinster, and he became a pupil of an aged bard named Gemman for a while. He later entered the monastery of Finnian of Clonard, and became one those twelve Clonard disciples. These twelve subsequently became known as the Twelve Apostles of Ireland. It was around this time, he was ordained a priest by Bishop Etchen of Clonfad. Colum Cille founded several important monasteries, including at places like Derry, and Durrow.

Colum Cille travelled to Tours in France. There he managed to get a relic of those gospels that had lain on the bosom of St. Martin for a one hundred years. Tradition says this relic was deposited in Derry (Skene, Celtic Scotland, II, 483).

Colum Cille left Ireland for Iona in Scotland in 563 in his forty-fourth year. He took with him twelve companions, on a mission, crossing the Irish sea in a currach. The twelve took to land at Iona on the eve of Pentecost, 12 May, 563. Iona island, according to Irish sources, was granted to Colum Cille by King Conall of Dalriada, who was his kinsman. St. Bede however, an English monk, attributes the gift of the island by the Picts (Fowler, p. lxv). These diverse explanations offer expediency; an way to appease Colum Cille’s  kinsmen of Dalriada and the Picts of Caledonia.

From Iona, St. Comgall, St. Canice, and St. Colum Cille travelled up to the highlands of Scotland. There, they would seek to visit King Brude at his royal residence near Inverness. However, admittance was denied to the missionaries, and the doors were all shut up, and the gates shut off. To gain entrance, they made the sign of the cross at the gates, and suddenly the bolts flew back, and the doors & gates opened out. The three monks walked right into the castle. Amazed by so obvious a miracle, king Brude, then gave ear to Colum Cille with reverence. From this exceptional encounter the Pictish King Brude was baptized. His people soon followed his example of baptism, and thus Christianity took sway over the whole of Caledonia. The Druids lost their status in the Highlands.

Tradition tells us that St. Colum Cille occupied frequently within an hour, his studies, his prayers, and the likes. He was regularly engaged in transcribing, even upon the  eve of his death. Colum Cille was a prolific transcriber and it is believed he wrote 300 books, two of which are extant; “The Book of Durrow” and the psalter called “The Cathach”. This psalter enclosed in a shrine, was once upon a time carried into battle by the O’Donnells as a pledge of victory.

St. Colum Cille was conscious of his death looming, in the spring of 597. By Saturday, 8 June, he climbed up the hill on Iona, overlooking his monastery, giving it his final blessing. He was to make himself present for vespers, and after the prayers, the monastic bell summoned the community for a midnight service. Colum Cille forestalled his monks, deciding to enter the church without assistance. As he made his way to the altar, the aging Abbot sank down, breathing forth his last, by now surrounded by his disciples. This happened between the 8th and 9th of June, 597. He died in his monastery in Iona, Scotland. The relics of St. Colum Cille were carried back to Ireland and deposited in the church of Downpatrick in Ireland. He is now buried there together with the two other national patrons of Ireland, St. Patrick. and St. Brigid.

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St. Colman the Lagan Man, who never lagged far behind – 7 June

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This saint is also know as St. Colman of Dromore

Droim Mór, means large ridge, and today Dromore is a small market town in County Down. It was to become an important centre in the days when St. Colman came of age.

St. Colman was born around 450 A.D. He was venerated from early times in Scotland and Ireland. He is affectionately known as Mocholmoc, or Mocholmog which is three words in one, meaning my young Colum; Mo = My, Cholm = Colum / Colman, and og or oc = young or little. The Life of Saint Colman of Dromore preserved in the Codex Salmanticensis. From this, we learn the traditions. They tell us that St. Colman of Dromore was born in the ancient Dalriada Kingdom, which extended from the Antrim Coasts, up into the western Isles of Scotland.

Tradition also tells us that St. Colman was baptized by his uncle, a bishop bearing the same name. The story fascinates, as the Almighty God caused a fountain to burst forth from the earth, and with such fountain, the young Colman was baptized. After this miracle inspired baptism, his parents sent him to be instructed by St. Caylan, abbot over Nendrum on Mahee Island in Strangford Lough. Mahee is interchangeable with Mochay, a term of endearment to master Caylan. Mochay is also known as Coelan or Caetan. The young Colman received the rudiments of literature, and practical lessons for a devout life. He grew capable of learning by perfect memory. One day his spiritual director told him, to remove a certain rock impeding the progress of the monks, when reciting their Matins. Colman miraculously removed this rock, by making a sign of the cross.

After excelling in his studies under Caylan, Colman then studied under St. Ailbe of Emly in south Tipperary. He studied with Ailbe to perfect his knowledge of the Scriptures, staying some years in Tipperary. He returned to Nendrum and acted for some time as assistant to Mochay at his school.

Colman would finally seek advice about his future religious life from his friend, Aengus MacNissi (Macanisius). Aengus had been baptised by Patrick and founded the church of Connor. He advised Colman thus… “It is the will of God that you erect a monastery within the bounds of Coba plain”. The Coba plain lies within the Lagan valley, passing through Dromore. Acting on this advice, Colman established his community by a river, called Locha, now known as the Lagan which passes through Dromore. His most notable pupil was St. Finnian of Moville who went on to establish a monastery at Maigh Bhille (“plain of the ancient tree”) or Movilla on Strangford Lough.

A remarkable account of St. Colman is written, when one time he preached to a great multitude, in the woods, when some importunate bards began to demand of him a gift. Colman replied: “At present, I have nothing to give you, but God’s word.” But they were not happy, and one told Colman to, “Keep the word of God for yourself, and give us something else.” Colman reacted saying, “You foolishly reject the best and select the worst of gifts.” But they urged him all the more to work miracles for them. God’s power was made manifest on those insolent bards. The earth suddenly  swallowed them up, and that was the end of that.

Colman’s feast is celebrated 7 June. His monastery along the Lagan River later became diocese of Dromore, and Colman is today the patron of that diocese.

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Jarlath, disciple of Benignus, disciple of Patrick

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St. Jarlath of Tuam (Iarlaithe mac Loga)

Jarleth was the son Loga, son of Dana, of the Conmaicne clan. Jarlath’s mother was Mongfinn daughter of Ciardubán of the Cenél Chinnenn clann. These parents Recognized Jarlath’s spiritual potential, sending him to be educated under St. Enda of Arran about 495 A.D. Jarlath grew in holiness and understanding and later went to study under Benignus, a disciple of St. Patrick, in Kilbannon. Benignus was also baptized by St. Patrick, and grew up to became coadjutor in the See of Armagh.

Jarlath Moved out from Kilbannon and founded a monastery at Cluain Fois (Cloonfush), (meadow of the respite), near Tuam. This monastery attracted scholars from all parts of Ireland. Two notable pupils were, St. Brendan of Ardfert, and St. Colman of Cloyne. The “Felire” of Aengus says that Jarath was a man of ascetics, noted for his fasting, watching, and mortification. Three hundred times by day and three hundred times by night did this saint bend the knee in prayer. St. Patrick prayerful influence continued through St. Jarlath, who was also endowed with the gift of prophecy.

An aging Jarlath received a spiritual prompting, not to remain in Cloonfush. It was recommended that Jarlath “sit in his wagon” and the location where the wagon wheels break will “mark the spot of his resurrection…”. And so, in the 6th century Jarlath travelled a short distance and arrived at a place, where the wheel fell off the wagon. He interpreted this to be a divine sign, and he established a monastery there on that spot. This place became known as ‘’Tuaim dá Gualann’’ which means tomb of the two shoulders. There Jarlath died, ‘full of days,’ on 26 December.

Since around Jarlath’s time, the broken wheel has been the emblem of St. Jarlath in Tuam. His feast is kept on 6th June, being the date of the translation of his relics to a church built in his honour. Its now a ruin that adjoins the cathedral of Tuam. His remains were, encased in a silver shrine inside the 13th century built church called Teampall an scrín, (temple of the shrine).

We shall conclude with a short prayer associated with our Tuam Saint. ‘’St. Jarlath of Cloonfush and Tuam, we pray to you for inspiration and enthusiasm, for a sense of adventure and mission, to spread the Gospel and live the faith. When the spokes close to the hub needs repairs, when the chariot wheel falls off, keep us on track, on the right road, as we continue our pilgrim journey, through your intercession and prayer’’. NB* – Prayer taken from a short video created in 2022, on St. Jarlath given by bishop Fintan Monaghan of Killaloe diocese.

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Comely Kevin of Glendalough… What?!

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Kevin is the first person in history to carry such a name. He was also the fulfilment of the prophecy of St. Patrick. For Kevin was foretold by Patrick to come to evangelize the region south of Dublin. He was canonised informally by Cultus confirmation in the beginning of the twentieth century.

Now Kevin was born around 498 of good looking parents judging by their names. So to draw a parallel, Jesus and His parents Joseph & Mary were known as the Holy family, while Kevin and his parents were in a phrase, ”the comely family”. How do we come to such conclusion??? Is this all made up? No! Here is how we can demonstrate it, using tradition, in which we can know many things about St. Kevin. We take our sources from a transcription by Michael O’Çlery from the original Latin text which we still have today. The Codex Kilkenniensis contains three Latin Lives, and they are accounts written in the medieval period based on tradition.

The name Kevin is the anglicised version of Caoimhín, which is modern Irish derived from Coemgen which is two words like a double barrel name meaning comely generated; pulcher-genitus; or the fair-begotten. So lets deduce coem as comely and gen as generated. Tradition tells us that an angel appeared before the child was baptised and gave him the name Coemgen. Now Kevin’s father was already called Coemlug, and Kevin’s mother was called Coemell. So without known the full meaning of their names we get a glimpse that putting the three names together, they were ”a comely family”. This is an opinion, based on deduction from a foundation that offers a reasonable degree of certainty.

Tradition confirms that Kevin was considered handsome, as it regales a story about him in formation to be a priest. At the monastery of Kilmanagh, Kevin unconsciously won the heart of a certain comely Kathleen! So the story goes that comely Kathleen saw the handsome Kevin in a field with his fellow monks working away. She was instantly infatuated by him and followed him into the woods, when he was alone. She desired his heart and yearned for his embrace. Kevin was tempted, but he threw himself into a bed of nettles. This did not deter comely Kathleen from making advances on him, so he had to resort to draconian tactics. He lit a fire from dried leaves, and flung it at her to dispel her advances. Kevin acted like an impassioned man fighting fire with fire. In the end comely Kathleen got the message and better than a perfect romance novel, she became a nun and gave her heart totally for Christ.

From the Monastery of Kilmanagh, Kevin while in formation, skived off off for a while. He loved the nature and a holy angel guided him to Glendalough and straight to a cave which was to become known as St. Kevin’s bed. He was found out later, after a straying cow came nearby and began to give quantities of milk in a miraculous way. The owner of the cow brought Kevin’s whereabouts to light and Kevin’s professors from Kilmanagh came to retrieve the lad from his solitude. His three professors were St. Eonaghan, St. Petroc of Cornwall who moved to Ireland in 492 and Kevin’s uncle, St. Eugenius.

A story from his period of formation at Kilnamanagh shows kevin as an extraordinary monk. One day Kevin forgot to prepare small fire from another large fire, in view of lighting the candles for Mass. He was told to ‘run quickly to the [source] fire to get those candles burning’. Kevin was hesitant and asked, ‘How will I carry it? You’ll carry it ‘in your bosom,’ was the reply. So Kevin went and collected the fire in a garment waist around him. Miraculously, neither his clothes nor his flesh was burned. The older monk, recognising this, full of remorse, remarked, ‘O holy youth, I see that you are full of the Holy Spirit.’

Kevin was ordained by Bishop Lugidus and following his ordination, he established his initial monastery, now lost in time & space. A most interesting tradition regarding Kevin’s next foundation is about a pet goose which belonged to King O’Toole of Glendalough. Both the king and the goose were becoming frail with time, and the goose was by now unable to fly. The King heard of Kevin’s sanctity and power, and sent for him, seeking a miracle. He wished his beloved goose to be young and agile. Kevin gave his price, namely; whatever land the goose would fly over was to be granted to Kevin. King O’Toole thought little of the price, not believing his goose would fly at all. When Kevin healed the bird, it grew firm, and flew over the entire valley of Glendalough. With such extensive lands, Kevin founded the monastery of Glendalough.

In Glendalough, Kevin initially lived an ascetical life in solitude. He lived near the upper lake, in that narrow cave called ‘St Kevin’s Bed’. In the solitude  “the branches and leaves of the trees sometimes sang sweet songs to him, and heavenly music alleviated the severity of his life.”

His ascetical life was severe… He wore wild animal skins and ate whatever food growing on the surrounding trees and plants. He slept on a stone slab with a smaller stone for a pillow. For further penance he recited the psalms standing in cold waters, which is a common penitential practice for Irish monks. One time Kevin dropped his psalm book in the lake, but it was retrieved undamaged and dry by an otter.

Kevin established a hermitage near his cave at the upper lake at Templenaskellig, and divided his time between his hermitage and a growing community of followers below at the lower lake. As an abbot he founded a monastic centre. So numerous were his disciples, that Glendalough became a veritable city. Glendalough became an episcopal see, but was later incorporated with Dublin diocese. In all seven Churches of Glendalough have for established within the monastic city. The monastery enjoys pilgrim status with plenary indulgence, and several trips to Glendalough is equivalent to one trip to Rome.

Another good story is about Kevin working in Kevin’s kitchen to help pilgrims who were hungry. He told his attendants to fill the ale jars with water and gather together the bare meat bones. Praying over the water and bones, he changed the elements to ale and meat, to everyone’s satisfaction.

St. Kevin had a special love for birds and animals. The “Acta Sanctorum” is based on an ancient manuscript contains a number of traditions. The afore mentioned otter was to be a great help mate to Kevin, bringing him fish each day. Such was the effect Kevin had on nature. For the animals were without fear in his presence. The otter only fled much later on in life, as the community grew and one of the newer monks considered it good for game.

Before his death, Kevin remained permanently at his hermitage near the upper lough. His monks were requested not to bring him food, nor help, nor disturbance in any way. For Kevin enjoyed the company of the wild animals. One day, a wild boar, being hunted for game, cowered its way towards Kevin, in the woods. The hunting dogs and their masters where in hot pursuit. The hounds lay down on seeing St. Kevin, and ceased to go after the boar. The hunters willed to kill the boar, but for a flock of birds settling in the tree above the praying saint. They took this as a sign from God, and left saint and beast alone.

St. Kevin died in his hermitage soon after. The Annals of Ulster mention the year of his death as 618. That’s 120 years of life granted to the Irish Saint.

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