These four _petits conies_, found in VG only, are clearly designed
to set forth the superiority of Clonmacnois above its rival
establishments.
(_a_) This story tells how Findian ranked Ciaran above all the notable
saints and scholars of his time, and how they had to acknowledge his
pre-eminence by their very jealousy. Colum Cille is the only saint
whom the homilist will allow to approach his hero.
(_b_) This is a thrust at the monastery of Birr. It says, in effect,
"Clonmacnois is situated on the great river Shannon, Birr on the
insignificant Brosna; and the relative importance of the two
establishments is to be estimated by the size of their respective
rivers--even Brenainn, the founder of Birr, said this himself!" There
was a contest between the people of Clonmacnois and those of Birr at
a place now unknown, _Moin Coise Bla_ (the bog at the foot of Bla)
in the year 756, according to the _Annals of Clonmacnois_ and of
_Tigernach_. The circumstances which led to this event are not on
record; but it is not far-fetched to see an echo of it in the story
before us. This would give us an approximate date for the construction
of the story, though the compilation in which it is now embedded is
considerably later.
(_c_) This story further exalts Clonmacnois as the place containing
a valuable relic that ensures eternal happiness in the hereafter. Of
this relic we have already spoken.
(_d_) Again exalts Clonmacnois by relating a dream in which the
founder is put on a level with the great Colum Cille. This vision is
related also in the Lives of the latter saint (see, for instance, LL,
852). An analogous vision, not related in the Lives of Ciaran, is that
of the three heavenly chairs, seen by Saint Baithin. He saw a chair of
gold, a chair of silver, and a chair of crystal before the Lord.
As interpreted by Colum Cille, the first was the seat destined for
Ciaran, on account of the nobility and firmness of his faith;
the silver chair was for Baithin, on account of the firmness and
brightness and rigour of his faith; and the third was for Colum Cille
himself, on account of the brightness and purity--and brittleness--of
his faith.[18]