"BETHA DECCLAIN."
1. The most blessed Bishop Declan of the most noble race of the kings of
Ireland, i.e., the holy bishop who is called Declan was of the most noble
royal family of Ireland--a family which held the sceptre and exacted
tribute from all Ireland at Tara for ages. Declan was by birth of noble
blood as will appear from his origin and genealogy, for it was from
Eochaidh Feidhleach, the powerful Ardrigh of Ireland for twelve years,
that he sprang. Eochaidh aforesaid, had three sons, scil.:--Breas, Nar,
and Lothola, who are called the three Finneavna; there reigned one
hundred and seven kings of their race and kindred before and after them,
i.e. of the race of Eremon, king of Ireland,--before the introduction of
Christianity and since. These three youths lay one day with their own
sister Clothra, daughter of the same father, and she conceived of them.
The son she brought forth as a consequence of that intercourse was marked
by three red wavy lines which indicated his descent from the three youths
aforesaid. He was named Lugaidh Sriabhdearg from the three lines
[sriabaib] in question, and he was beautiful to behold and of greater
bodily strength in infancy than is usual with children of his age. He
commenced his reign as king of Ireland the year in which Caius Caesar
[Caligula] died and he reigned for twenty-six years. His son was named
Criomthan Nianair who reigned but sixteen years. Criomthan's son was
named Fearadach Finnfechtnach whose son was Fiacha Finnolaidh whose son
again was Tuathal Teachtmhar. This Tuathal had a son Felimidh Reachtmhar
who had in turn three sons--Conn Ceadcathach, Eochaidh Finn, and Fiacha
Suighde. Conn was king of Ireland for twenty years and the
productiveness of crops and soil and of dairies in the time of Conn are
worthy of commemoration and of fame to the end of time. Conn was killed
in Magh Cobha by the Ulstermen, scil.:--by Tiopruid Tireach and it is
principally his seed which has held the kingship of Ireland ever since.
Eochaidh Finn was second son to Felimidh Reachtmhar and he migrated to
the latter's province of Leinster, and it is in that province his race
and progeny have remained since then. They are called Leinstermen, and
there are many chieftains and powerful persons of them in Leinster.
Fiacha Suighde moreover, although he died before he succeeded to the
chief sovereignty, possessed land around Tara. He left three sons--Ross,
Oengus, and Eoghan who were renowned for martial deeds--valiant and
heroic in battle and in conflict. Of the three, Oengus excelled in all
gallant deeds so that he came to be styled Oengus of the poisonous
javelin. Cormac Mac Art Mac Conn it was who reigned in Ireland at this
time. Cormac had a son named Ceallach who took by force the daughter of
Eoghan Mac Fiacha Suighde to dwell with him, i.e. Credhe the daughter of
Eoghan. When Oengus Gaebuaibhtheach ("of the poisonous javelin") heard
this, viz., that the daughter of his brother had been abducted by
Ceallach he was roused to fury and he followed Ceallach to Tara taking
with him his foster child, scil.:--Corc Duibhne, the son of Cairbre, son
of Conaire, son of Mogha Lamha whom Cormac held as a hostage from the
Munstermen, and whom he had given for safe custody to Oengus. When
Oengus reached Tara he beheld Ceallach sitting behind Cormac. He thrust
his spear at Ceallach and pierced him through from front to back.
However as he was withdrawing the spear the handle struck Cormac's eye
and knocked it out and then, striking the steward, killed him. He
himself (Oengus) with his foster child escaped safely. After a time
Cormac, grieving for the loss of his son, his eye and his steward at the
hands of Oengus of the poisonous javelin and of his kinsmen, ordered
their expulsion from their tribal territory, i.e. from the Decies of
Tara, and not alone from these, but from whole northern half of Ireland.
However, seven battles were fought in which tremendous loss was inflicted
on Cormac and his followers before Oengus and his people, i.e. the three
sons of Fiacha Suighde, namely, Ross and Oengus and Eoghan, as we have
already said, were eventually defeated, and obliged to fly the country
and to suffer exile. Consequent on their banishment as above by the king
of Ireland they sought hospitality from the king of Munster, Oilill Olum,
because Sadhbh, daughter of Conn Ceadcathach was his wife. They got land
from him, scil.: the Decies of Munster, and it is to that race, i.e. the
race of Eoghan Mac Fiacha Suighde that the kings and country of the
Decies belong ever since.
2. Of this same race of Eoghan was the holy bishop Declan of whom I
shall speak later scil.: Declan son of Eirc, son of Trein, son of
Lughaidh, son of Miaich, son of Brian, son of Eoghan, son of Art Corp,
son of Moscorb, son of Mesgeadra, son of Measfore, son of Cuana
Cainbhreathaigh, son of Conaire Cathbuadhaigh, son of Cairbre, son of
Eoghan, son of Fiacha Suighde, son of Felimidh Reachtmhar, son of Tuathal
Teachtmhar. The father of Declan was therefore Erc Mac Trein. He and
his wife Deithin went on a visit to the house of his kinsman Dobhran
about the time that Declan's birth was due. The child she bore was
Declan, whom she brought forth without sickness, pain or difficulty but
in being lifted up afterwards he struck his head against a great stone.
Let it be mentioned that Declan showed proofs of sanctification and power
of miracle-working in his mother's womb, as the prophet writes:--"De
vulva sanctificavi te et prophetam in gentibus dedi te" [Jeremias 1:5]
(Before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee and made thee
a prophet unto the nations). Thus it is that Declan was sanctified in
his mother's womb and was given by God as a prophet to the pagans for the
conversion of multitudes of them from heathenism and the misery of
unbelief to the worship of Christ and to the Catholic faith, as we shall
see later on. The very soft apex of his head struck against a hard
stone, as we have said, and where the head came in contact with the stone
it made therein a hollow and cavity of its own form and shape, without
injury of any kind to him. Great wonder thereupon seized all who
witnessed this, for Ireland was at this time without the true faith and
it was rarely that any one (therein) had shown heavenly Christian signs.
"Declan's Rock" is the name of the stone with which the Saint's head came
into contact. The water or rain which falls into the before-mentioned
cavity (the place of Declan's head) dispels sickness and infirmity, by
the grace of God, as proof of Declan's sanctity.
3. On the night of Declan's birth a wondrous sign was revealed to all,
that is to the people who were in the neighbourhood of the birthplace;
this was a ball of fire which was seen blazing on summit of the house in
which the child lay, until it reached up to heaven and down again, and it
was surrounded by a multitude of angels. It assumed the shape of a
ladder such as the Patriarch, Jacob saw [Genesis 28:12]. The persons who
saw and heard these things wondered at them. They did not know (for the
true faith had not yet been preached to them or in this region) that it
was God who (thus) manifested His wondrous power (works) in the infant,
His chosen child. Upon the foregoing manifestation a certain true
Christian, scil.:--Colman, at that time a priest and afterwards a holy
bishop, came, rejoicing greatly and filled with the spirit of prophecy,
to the place where Declan was; he preached the faith of Christ to the
parents and made known to them that the child was full of the grace of
God. He moreover revealed to them the height of glory and honour to
which the infant should attain before God and men, and it was revealed to
him that he (Declan) should spend his life in sanctity and devotion.
Through the grace of God, these, i.e. Erc and Deithin, believed in God
and Colman, and they delivered the child for baptism to Colman who
baptised him thereupon, giving him the name of Declan. When, in the
presence of all, he had administered Baptism, Colman spoke this prophecy
concerning the infant "Truly, beloved child and lord you will be in
heaven and on earth most high and holy, and your good deeds, fame, and
sanctity will fill all (the four quarters of) Ireland and you will
convert your own nation and the Decies from paganism to Christianity. On
that account I bind myself to you by the tie of brotherhood and I commend
myself to your sanctity."
4. Colman thereupon returned to his own abode; he commanded that Declan
should be brought up with due care, that he should be well trained, and
be set to study at the age of seven years if there could be found in his
neighbourhood a competent Christian scholar to undertake his tuition.
Even at the period of his baptism grace and surpassing charity manifested
themselves in the countenance of Declan so that it was understood of all
that great should be the goodness and the spiritual charm of his mature
age. When Dobhran had heard and seen these things concerning his kinsman
Erc he requested the latter and Deithin to give him the child to foster,
and with this request Erc complied. The name of the locality was
"Dobhran's Place" at that time, but since then it has been "Declan's
Place." Dobhran presented the homestead to Declan and removed his own
dwelling thence to another place. In after years, when Declan had become
a bishop, he erected there a celebrated cell in honour of God, and this
is the situation of the cell in question:--In the southern part of the
Decies, on the east side of Magh Sgiath and not far from the city of
Mochuda i.e. Lismore. For the space of seven years Declan was fostered
with great care by Dobhran (his father's brother) and was much loved by
him. God wrought many striking miracles through Declan's instrumentality
during those years. By aid of the Holy Spirit dwelling in him he
(Declan)--discreet Christian man that he was--avoided every fault and
every unlawful desire during that time.
5. On the completion of seven years Declan was taken from his parents
and friends and fosterers to be sent to study as Colman had ordained. It
was to Dioma they sent him, a certain devout man perfect in the faith,
who had come at that time by God's design into Ireland having spent a
long period abroad in acquiring learning. He (Dioma) built in that place
a small cell wherein he might instruct Declan and dwell himself. There
was given him also, to instruct, together with Declan, another child,
scil., Cairbre Mac Colmain, who became afterwards a holy learned bishop.
Both these were for a considerable period pursuing their studies
together.
6. There were seven men dwelling in Magh Sgiath, who frequently saw the
fiery globe which it has been already told they first beheld at the time
of Declan's birth. It happened by the Grace of God that they were the
first persons to reveal and describe that lightning. These seven came to
the place where Declan abode and took him for their director and master.
They made known publicly in the presence of all that, later on, he should
be a bishop and they spoke prophetically:--"The day, O beloved child and
servant of God, will come when we shall commit ourselves and our lands to
thee." And it fell out thus (as they foretold), for, upon believing,
they were baptised and became wise, devout (and) attentive and erected
seven churches in honour of God around Magh Sgiath.
7. Declan remained a long time with Dioma, the holy man we have named,
and acquired science and sanctity and diversity of learning and doctrine,
and he was prudent, mild, and capable so that many who knew his nobility
of blood came when they had heard of the fullness of his sanctity and
grace. Moreover they submitted themselves to him and accepted his
religious rule. Declan judged it proper that he should visit Rome to
study discipline and ecclesiastical system, to secure for himself esteem
and approbation thence, and obtain authority to preach to the (Irish)
people and to bring back with him the rules of Rome as these obtained in
Rome itself. He set out with his followers and he tarried not till he
arrived in Rome where they remained some time.
8. At the same period there was a holy bishop, i.e. Ailbe, who had been
in Rome for a number of years before this and was in the household of
Pope Hilary by whom he had been made a bishop. When Declan with his
disciples arrived in Rome Ailbe received him with great affection and
gladness and he bore testimony before the Roman people to his (Declan's)
sanctity of life and nobility of blood. He (Declan) therefore received
marks of honour and sincere affection from the people and clergy of Rome
when they came to understand how worthy he was, for he was comely, of
good appearance, humble in act, sweet in speech, prudent in counsel,
frank in conversation, virtuous in mien, generous in gifts, holy in life
and resplendent in miracles.
9. When Declan had spent a considerable time in Rome he was ordained a
bishop by the Pope, who gave him church-books and rules and orders and
sent him to Ireland that he might preach there. Having bidden farewell
to the Pope and received the latter's blessing Declan commenced his
journey to Ireland. Many Romans followed him to Ireland to perform their
pilgrimage and to spend their lives there under the yoke and rule of
Bishop Declan, and amongst those who accompanied him was Runan, son of
the king of Rome; he was dear to Declan.
10. On the road through Italy Bishop Declan and Patrick met. Patrick
was not a bishop at that time, though he was (made a bishop) subsequently
by Pope Celestinus, who sent him to preach to the Irish. Patrick was
truly chief bishop of the Irish island. They bade farewell to one
another and they made a league and bond of mutual fraternity and kissed
in token of peace. They departed thereupon each on his own journey,
scil.:--Declan to Ireland and Patrick to Rome.
11. Declan was beginning mass one day in a church which lay in his road,
when there was sent him from heaven a little black bell, (which came) in
through the window of the church and remained on the altar before Declan.
Declan greatly rejoiced thereat and gave thanks and glory to Christ on
account of it, and it filled him with much courage to combat the error
and false teaching of heathendom. He gave the bell for safe keeping and
carriage, to Runan aforesaid, i.e. son of the king of Rome, and this is
its name in Ireland--"The Duibhin Declain," and it is from its colour it
derives its name, for its colour is black [dub]. There were manifested,
by grace of God and Declan's merits, many miracles through its agency and
it is still preserved in Declan's church.
12. When Declan and his holy companions arrived at the Sea of Icht
[English Channel] he failed, owing to lack of money, to find a ship, for
he did not have the amount demanded, and every ship was refused him on
that account. He therefore struck his bell and prayed to God for help in
this extremity. In a short time after this they saw coming towards them
on the crest of the waves an empty, sailless ship and no man therein.
Thereupon Declan said:--"Let us enter the ship in the name of Christ, and
He who has sent it to us will direct it skilfully to what harbour soever
He wishes we should go." At the word of Declan they entered in, and the
ship floated tranquilly and safely until it reached harbour in England.
Upon its abandonment by Declan and his disciples the ship turned back and
went again to the place from which it had come and the people who saw the
miracles and heard of them magnified the name of the Lord and Declan, and
the words of the prophet David were verified:--"Mirabilis Deus in Sanctis
Suis" [Psalm 67(68):36] (God is wonderful in His Saints).
13. After this Declan came to Ireland. Declan was wise like a serpent
and gentle like a dove and industrious like the bee, for as the bee
gathers honey and avoids the poisonous herbs so did Declan, for he
gathered the sweet sap of grace and Holy Scripture till he was filled
therewith. There were in Ireland before Patrick came thither four holy
bishops with their followers who evangelized and sowed the word of God
there; these are the four:--Ailbe, Bishop Ibar, Declan, and Ciaran. They
drew multitudes from error to the faith of Christ, although it was
Patrick who sowed the faith throughout Ireland and it is he who turned
chiefs and kings of Ireland to the way of baptism, faith and sacrifice
and everlasting judgment.
14. These three, scil.:--Declan, Ailbe and Bishop Ibar made a bond of
friendship and a league amongst themselves and their spiritual posterity
in heaven and on earth for ever and they loved one another. SS. Ailbe
and Declan, especially, loved one another as if they were brothers so
that, on account of their mutual affection they did not like to be
separated from one another--except when their followers threatened to
separate them by force if they did not go apart for a very short
time. After this Declan returned to his own country--to the Decies of
Munster--where he preached, and baptized, in the name of Christ, many
whom he turned to the Catholic faith from the power of the devil. He
built numerous churches in which he placed many of his own followers to
serve and worship God and to draw people to God from the wiles of Satan.
15. Once on a time Declan came on a visit to the place of his birth,
where he remained forty days there and established a religious house in
which devout men have dwelt ever since. Then came the seven men we have
already mentioned as having made their abode around Magh Sgiath and as
having prophesied concerning Declan. They now dedicated themselves and
their establishment to him as they had promised and these are their
names:--Mocellac and Riadan, Colman, Lactain, Finnlaoc, Kevin, &c.
[Mobi]. These therefore were under the rule and spiritual sway of bishop
Declan thenceforward, and they spent their lives devoutly there and
wrought many wonders afterwards.
16. After some time Declan set out to visit Aongus MacNatfrich, king of
Cashel, to preach to him and to convert him to the faith of Christ.
Declan however had two uterine brothers, sons of Aongus, scil.: Colman
and Eoghan. The grace of the Holy Ghost inspiring him Colman went to
Ailbe of Emly and received baptism and the religious habit at the
latter's hands, and he remained for a space sedulously studying science
until he became a saintly and perfect man. Eochaid however remained as
he was (at home)--expecting the kingdom of Munster on his father's death,
and he besought his father to show due honour to his brother Declan. The
king did so and put no obstacle in the way of Declan's preaching but was
pleased with Declan's religion and doctrine, although he neither believed
nor accepted baptism himself. It is said that refusal (of baptism) was
based on this ground: Declan was of the Decies and of Conn's Half, while
Aongus himself was of the Eoghanacht of Cashel of Munster--always hostile
to the Desii. It was not therefore through ill will to the faith that he
believed not, as is proved from this that, when the king heard of the
coming to him of Patrick, the archbishop of Ireland, a man who was of
British race against which the Irish cherished no hate, not only did he
believe but he went from his own city of Cashel to meet him, professed
Christianity and was immediately baptised.
17. After this Declan, having sown the word of God and preached to the
king (although the latter did not assent to his doctrines), proceeded to
his own country and they (the Desii) believed and received baptism except
the king alone and the people of his household who were every day
promising to believe and be baptised. It however came about through the
Devil's agency that they hesitated continually and procrastinated.
18. Other authorities declare that Declan went many times to Rome, but
we have no written testimony from the ancient biographers that he went
there more than three times. On one of these occasions Declan paid a
visit to the holy bishop of the Britons whose name was David at the
church which is called Killmuine [Menevia] where the bishop dwelt beside
the shore of the sea which divides Ireland from Britain. The bishop
received Declan with honour and he remained there forty days, in
affection and joy, and they sang Mass each day and they entered into a
bond of charity which continued between themselves and their successors
for ever afterwards. On the expiration of the forty days Declan took
leave of David giving him a kiss in token of peace and set out himself
and his followers to the shore of the sea to take ship for Ireland.
19. Now the bell which we have alluded to as sent from heaven to Declan,
was, at that time, in the custody of Runan to carry as we have said, for
Declan did not wish, on any account, to part with it. On this particular
day as they were proceeding towards the ship Runan entrusted it to
another member of the company. On reaching the shore however the latter
laid the bell on a rock by the shore and forgot it till they were half
way across the sea. Then they remembered it and on remembrance they were
much distressed. Declan was very sorrowful that the gift sent him by the
Lord from heaven should have been forgotten in a place where he never
expected to find it again. Thereupon raising his eyes heavenward he
prayed to God within his heart and he said to his followers:--"Lay aside
your sorrow for it is possible with God who sent that bell in the
beginning to send it now again by some marvellous ship." Very fully and
wonderfully and beautifully the creature without reason or understanding
obeyed its creator, for the very heavy unwieldy rock floated buoyantly
and without deviation, so that in a short time they beheld it in their
rear with the bell upon it. And when his people saw this wondrous thing
it filled them with love for God and reverence for their master. Declan
thereupon addressed them prophetically:--"Permit the bell to precede you
and follow it exactly and whatsoever haven it will enter into it is there
my city and my bishopric will be whence I shall go to paradise and there
my resurrection will be." Meantime the bell preceded the ship, and it
eased down its great speed remaining slightly in advance of the ship, so
that it could be seen from and not overtaken by the latter. The bell
directed its course to Ireland until it reached a harbour on the south
coast, scil.:--in the Decies of Munster, at an island called, at that
time, High Sheep Island [Aird na gCcaorac] and the ship made the same
port, as Declan declared. The holy man went ashore and gave thanks and
praise to God that he had reached the place of his resurrection. Now, in
that island depastured the sheep belonging to the wife of the chieftain
of Decies and it is thence that it derives its Irish name--Ard-na-
Ccaorac, scil.:--there was in it a high hill and it was a promontory
beautiful to behold. One of the party, ascending the summit of the hill,
said to Declan:--"How can this little height support your people?"
Declan replied:--"Do not call it little hill, beloved son, but 'great
height' [ard mor]," and that name has adhered to the city ever since,
scil.:--Ardmore-Declain. After this Declan went to the king of the Desii
and asked of him the aforesaid island. Whereupon the king gave it to
him.
20. Declan next returned to Ait-mBreasail where, in a haven at the north
side, were the shipping and boats of the island, plying thither and
backwards. The people of the island hid all their boats not willing that
Declan should settle there; they dreaded greatly that if Declan came to
dwell there they themselves should be expelled. Whereupon his disciples
addressed Declan:--"Father," said they, "Many things are required (scil.:
from the mainland) and we must often go by boat to this island and there
will be (crossing) more frequently when you have gone to heaven and we
pray thee to abandon the place or else to obtain from God that the sea
recede from the land so that it can be entered dry shod, for Christ has
said:--'Whatsoever you shall ask of the Father in my name He will give it
to you' [John 15:16]; the place cannot be easily inhabited unless the sea
recede from it and on that account you cannot establish your city in it."
Declan answered them and said:--"How can I abandon the place ordained by
God and in which He has promised that my burial and resurrection shall
be? As to the alleged inconvenience of dwelling therein, do you wish me
to pray to God (for things) contrary to His will--to deprive the sea of
its natural domain? Nevertheless in compliance with your request I shall
pray to God and whatever thing be God's will, let it be done." Declan's
community thereupon rose up and said:--"Father, take your crosier as
Moses took the rod [Exodus 14:16] and strike the sea therewith and God
will thus show His will to you." His disciples prayed therefore to him
because they were tried and holy men. They put Declan's crosier in his
hand and he struck the water in the name of the Father and of the Son and
of the Holy Ghost and made the sign of the cross over the water and
immediately, by command and permission of God, the sea commenced to move
out from its accustomed place--so swiftly too that the monsters of the
sea were swimming and running and that it was with difficulty they
escaped with the sea. However, many fishes were left behind on the dry
strand owing to the suddenness of the ebb. Declan, his crosier in his
hand, pursued the receding tide and his disciples followed after him.
Moreover the sea and the departing monsters made much din and commotion
and when Declan arrived at the place where is now the margin of the sea a
stripling whose name was Mainchin, frightened at the thunder of the waves
and the cry of the unknown monsters with gaping mouths following the
(receding) water, exclaimed:--"Father, you have driven out the sea far
enough; for I am afraid of those horrid monsters." When Declan heard
this and (saw) the sea standing still at the word of the youth it
displeased him and turning round he struck him a slight blow on the nose.
Three drops of blood flowed from the wound on to the ground in three
separate places at the feet of Declan. Thereupon Declan blessed the nose
and the blood ceased immediately (to flow). Then Declan declared:--"It
was not I who drove out the sea but God in His own great power who
expelled it and He would have done still more had you not spoken the
words you have said." Three little wells of clear sweet water burst
forth in the place where fell the three drops of blood at the feet of
Declan, and these wells are there still and the colour of blood is seen
in them occasionally as a memorial of this miracle. The shore, rescued
from the sea, is a mile in width and is of great length around (the
island) and it is good and fertile land for tillage and pasture--lying
beneath the monastery of Declan. As to the crosier which was in Declan's
hand while he wrought this miracle, this is its name--the Feartach
Declain, from the miracles and marvels [fertaib] wrought through it. I
shall in another, subsequent, place relate some of these miracles
(narrated).
21. After the expulsion of the sea by this famous Saint, scil.: Declan,
whose name and renown spread throughout Erin because of his great and
diverse miracles, he commenced to build a great monastery by the south
side of the stream which flows through the island into the sea. This
monastery is illustrious and beautiful and its name is Ardmor Declain, as
we have said. After this came many persons to Declan, drawn from the
uttermost parts of Ireland, by the fame of his holy living; they devoted
themselves, soul and body to God and Declan, binding themselves beneath
his yoke and his rule. Moreover he built himself in every place
throughout the territory of the Decies, churches and monasteries and not
alone in his own territory (did he build) but in other regions of Ireland
under tribute to him. Great too were the multitudes (thousands) of men
and women who were under his spiritual sway and rule, in the places we
have referred to, throughout Ireland, where happily they passed their
lives. He ordained some of his disciples bishops and appointed them in
these places to sow the seed of faith and religion therein. Gentleness
and charity manifested themselves in Declan to such an extent that his
disciples preferred to live under his immediate control and under his
direction as subjects than to be in authority in another monastery.
22. After this the holy renowned bishop, head of justice and faith in
the Gaelic island came into Ireland, i.e. Patrick sent by Celestinus, the
Pope. Aongus Mac Nathfrich went to meet him soon as he heard the account
of his coming. He conducted him (Patrick) with reverence and great
honour to his own royal city--to Cashel. Then Patrick baptised him and
blessed himself and his people and his city. Patrick heard that the
prince of the Decies had not been baptised and did not believe, that
there was a disagreement between the prince and Declan and that the
former refused to receive instruction from the latter. Patrick thereupon
set out to preach to the prince aforesaid. Next, as to the four bishops
we have named who had been in Rome: Except Declan alone they were not in
perfect agreement with Patrick. It is true that subsequently to this
they did enter into a league of peace and harmonious actions with Patrick
and paid him fealty. Ciaran, however, paid him all respect and reverence
and was of one mind with him present or absent. Ailbe then, when he saw
the kings and rulers of Ireland paying homage to Patrick and going out to
meet him, came himself to Cashel, to wait on him and he also paid homage
to him (Patrick) and submitted to his jurisdiction, in presence of the
king and all others. Bear in mind it was Ailbe whom the other holy
bishops had elected their superior. He therefore came first to Patrick,
lest the others, on his account, should offer opposition to Patrick, and
also that by his example the others might be more easily drawn to his
jurisdiction and rule. Bishop Ibar however would on no account consent
to be subject to Patrick, for it was displeasing to him that a foreigner
should be patron of Ireland. It happened that Patrick in his origin was
of the Britons and he was nurtured in Ireland having been sold to bondage
in his boyhood. There arose misunderstanding and dissension between
Patrick and Bishop Ibar at first, although (eventually), by intervention
of the angel of peace, they formed a mutual fellowship and brotherly
compact and they remained in agreement for ever after. But Declan did
not wish to disagree at all with Patrick for they had formed a mutual
bond of friendship on the Italian highway and it is thus the angel
commanded him to go to Patrick and obey him:--
23. The angel of God came to Declan and said to him "Go quickly to
Patrick and prevent him cursing your kindred and country, for to-night,
in the plain which is called Inneoin, he is fasting against the king, and
if he curses your people they shall be accursed for ever." Thereupon
Declan set out in haste by direction of the angel to Inneoin, i.e. the
place which is in the centre of the plain of Femhin in the northern part
of the Decies. He crossed Slieve Gua [Knockmaeldown] and over the Suir
and arrived on the following morning at the place where Patrick was.
When Patrick and his disciples heard that Declan was there they welcomed
him warmly for they had been told he would not come. Moreover Patrick
and his people received him with great honour. But Declan made obeisance
to Patrick and besought him earnestly that he should not execrate his
people and that he should not curse them nor the land in which they
dwelt, and he promised to allow Patrick do as he pleased. And Patrick
replied:--"On account of your prayer not only shall I not curse them but
I shall give them a blessing." Declan went thereupon to the place where
was the king of Decies who was a neighbour of his. But he contemned
Patrick and he would not believe him even at the request of Declan.
Moreover Declan promised rewards to him if he would go to Patrick to
receive baptism at his hands and assent to the faith. But he would not
assent on any account. When Declan saw this, scil.:--that the king of
the Decies, who was named Ledban, was obstinate in his infidelity and
in his devilry--through fear lest Patrick should curse his race and
country--he (Declan) turned to the assembly and addressed
them:--"Separate yourselves from this accursed man lest you become
yourselves accursed on his account, for I have myself baptised and
blessed you, but come you," said he, "with us, to Patrick, whom God has
sent to bless you, for he has been chosen Archbishop and chief Patron of
all Erin; moreover, I have a right to my own patrimony and to be king
over you as that man (Ledban) has been." At this speech they all arose
and followed Declan who brought them into the presence of Patrick and
said to the latter:--"See how the whole people of the Deisi have come with
me as their Lord to thee and they have left the accursed prince whose
subjects they have been, and behold they are ready to reverence you and
to obey you for it is from me they have received baptism." At this
Patrick rose up with his followers and he blessed the people of the Deisi
and not them alone, but their woods and water and land. Whereupon the
chiefs and nobles of the Deisi said:--"Who will be King or Lord over us
now?" And Declan replied:--"I am your lord and whomsoever I shall
appoint offer you as lord, Patrick and all of us will bless, and he shall
be king over you all." And he whom Declan appointed was Feargal
MacCormac a certain young man of the nation of the Deisi who was a
kinsman of Declan himself. He (Declan) set him in the midst of the
assembly in the king's place and he was pleasing to all. Whereupon
Patrick and Declan blessed him and each of them apart proclaimed him
chieftain. Patrick moreover promised the young man that he should be
brave and strong in battle, that the land should be fruitful during his
reign. Thus have the kings of the Deisi always been.
24. After these things Declan and Feargal Mac Cormac (king of the Deisi)
and his people gave a large area of land to Patrick in the neighbourhood
of Magh Feimhin and this belongs to his successors ever since and great
lordship there. And the place which was given over to him is not far
from the Suir. There is a great very clear fountain there which is
called "Patrick's Well" and this was dear to Patrick. After this, with
blessing, they took leave of one another and Patrick returned to Cashel
to Aongus Mac Natfrich and Declan went with him.
25. A miracle was wrought at that time on Declan through the
intercession and prayers of Patrick for as Declan was walking carelessly
along he trod upon a piece of sharp iron which cut his foot so that blood
flowed freely and Declan began to limp. Ailbe of Emly was present at
this miracle and Sechnall a bishop of Patrick's and a holy and wise man,
and he is said to be the first bishop buried in Ireland. The wound which
Declan had received grieved them very much. Patrick was informed of the
accident and was grieved thereat. He said:--"Heal, O Master (i.e. God),
the foot of your own servant who bears much toil and hardship on your
account." Patrick laid his hand on the wounded foot and made over it the
sign of the cross when immediately the flow of blood ceased, the lips of
the wound united, a cicatrix formed upon it and a cure was effected.
Then Declan rose up with his foot healed and joined in praising God. The
soldiers and fighting men who were present cried out loudly, blessing God
and the saints.
26. As Patrick and the saints were in Cashel, i.e. Ailbe and Declan with
their disciples, in the territory of Aongus Mac Nathfrich, they made much
progress against paganism and errors in faith and they converted them
(the pagans) to Christianity. It was ordained by Patrick and Aongus Mac
Natfrich in presence of the assembly, that the Archbishopric of Munster
should belong to Ailbe, and to Declan, in like manner, was ordained
(committed) his own race, i.e. the Deisi, whom he had converted to be his
parish and his episcopate. As the Irish should serve Patrick, so should
the Deisi serve Declan as their patron, and Patrick made the "rann":--
"Humble Ailbe the Patrick of Munster, greater than any saying, Declan,
Patrick of the Deisi--the Decies to Declan for ever."
This is equivalent to saying that Ailbe was a second Patrick and that
Declan was a second Patrick of the Decies. After that, when the king had
bidden them farewell and they had all taken leave of one another, the
saints returned to their respective territories to sow therein the seed
of faith.
27. Declan and Ferghal Mac Cormac, king of the Deisi, with his army and
followers, met one another at Indeoin and they made still more strong on
the people the bond of Christian obligation. The king we have already
mentioned, scil.:--Ledban, the recusant to the Christian name, was
rejected of all and he came to nothing, leaving no knowledge (memory) of
his history, as is written of the enemies of the faith:--"Their memory
perisheth like a sound" [Psalm 9:7]. Moreover Declan and Fergal and the
chief men of the Deisi decreed this as the place where the king of the
Deisi should be inaugurated for ever thenceforward, because it was there
Patrick and Declan blessed the king, Fergal; moreover tradition states
that it was there the kings were crowned and ruled over the Deisi in
pagan times.
28. At that time there broke out a dreadful plague in Munster and it was
more deadly in Cashel than elsewhere. Thus it affected those whom it
attacked: it first changed their colour to yellow and then killed them.
Now Aongus had, in a stone fort called "Rath na nIrlann," on the western
side of Cashel, seven noble hostages. It happened that in one and the
same night they all died of the plague. The king was much affected
thereat and he gave orders to have the fact concealed lest it should
bring disgrace or even war upon him, for the hostages were scions of the
strongest and most powerful families in Munster. On the morrow however
Declan came to Cashel and talked with Aonghus. The king welcomed him
heartily and addressing him said to him in presence of persons of his
court, "I pray you, Declan, servant of God, that in the name of Christ
you would raise to life for me the seven hostages whom I held in bondage
from the chieftains of Munster. They have died from the plague of which
you hear, and I fear their fathers will raise war and rebellion against
me, for they are men of strength and power, and indeed we are ashamed of
their death, for they will say that it is we ourselves who killed them."
Declan answered the king, saying to him:--"Such a matter as this--to
raise one to life from death--belongs to Omnipotence alone--but I shall
do whatever is in my power. I go where the bodies lie and pray to God
for them and let Him do in their regard what seems best to Him." Next,
Declan, with a multitude and his disciples together with the king's
councillors, went to the place where the corpses of the young men lay.
The king followed after them until he came in sight of the bodies.
Declan, full of divine faith, entered the house wherein they lay and he
sprinkled holy water over them and prayed for them in the presence of
all, saying:--"O Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the living God, for thine
own name's sake wake the dead that they may be strengthened in the
Catholic faith through our instrumentality." Thereupon, at Declan's
prayer, the group (of corpses) revived and they moved their eyelids and
Declan said to them "In the name of Christ, our Saviour, stand up and
bless and glorify God." And at his words they rose up immediately and
spoke to all. Declan then announced to the king that they were alive and
well. When people saw this remarkable miracle they all gave glory and
praise to God. The fame of Declan thereupon spread throughout Erin and
the king rejoiced for restoration of his hostages.
29. After this the people of Cashel besought Bishop Declan to bless
their city and banish the plague from them and to intercede with God for
those stricken with sickness who could not escape from its toils. Declan
seeing the people's faith prayed to God and signed with the sign of
Redemption the four points of the compass. As he concluded, there was
verified the saying of Christ to His disciples when leaving them and
going to heaven:--"Super aegros imponent manus et bene habebunt" [Mark
16:18] (I shall place my hands on the sick and they shall be healed).
Soon as Declan had made the sign of the cross each one who was ill became
well and not alone were these restored to health but (all the sick) of
the whole region round about in whatsoever place there were persons
ailing. Moreover the plague was banished from every place and all
rejoiced greatly thereat as well as on account of the resurrection of the
dead men we have narrated. The king thereupon ordered tribute and honour
to Declan and his successors from himself and from every king who should
hold Cashel ever after. Upon this the glorious bishop Declan blessed
Aongus together with his city and people and returned back to his own
place.
30. One night Declan was a guest at the house of a wealthy man who dwelt
in the southern part of Magh Femhin; this is the kind of person his host
was, scil.:--a pagan who rejected the true faith, and his name was
Dercan. He resolved to amuse himself at the Christians' expense;
accordingly he ordered his servants to kill a dog secretly, to cut off
its head and feet and to bury them in the earth and then to cook the
flesh properly and to set it before Declan and his company as their meal.
Moreover he directed that the dog should be so fat that his flesh might
pass as mutton. When, in due course, it was cooked, the flesh, together
with bread and other food, was laid before Declan and his following. At
that moment Declan had fallen asleep but he was aroused by his disciples
that he might bless their meal. He observed to them:--"Indeed I see,
connected with this meat, the ministry of the devil." Whereupon he
questioned the waiters as to the meat--what kind it was and whence
procured. They replied: "Our master ordered us to kill a fat ram for
you and we have done as he commanded." Declan said, "Our Master is Jesus
Christ and may He show us what it is that connects the ministry of Satan
with this meat and preserve thy servants from eating forbidden food." As
he spoke thus Declan saw in the meat the claw of a dog, for, without
intending it, they had boiled one quarter of the dog with its paw
adhering; they thought they had buried it (the incriminating limb) with
the other paws. Declan exclaimed, "This is not a sheep's but a dog's
foot." When the attendants heard this they went at once to their master
and related the matter to him. Then Dercan came to Declan, accepted his
faith and received Baptism at his hands, giving himself and his posterity
to Declan for ever. Moreover he gave his homestead to Declan and his
people were baptised. After this Dercan requested that Declan should
bless something in his homestead which might remain as a memorial of him
(Dercan) for ever. Then Declan blessed a bell which he perceived there
and its name is Clog-Dhercain ("Dercan's Bell"); moreover, he declared:
"I endow it with this virtue (power) that if the king of Decies march
around it when going to battle, against his enemies, or to punish
violation of his rights, he shall return safely and with victory." This
promise has been frequently fulfilled, but proud (men) undertaking battle
or conflict unjustly even if they march around it do not obtain victory
but success remains with the enemy. The name of that homestead was
Teach-Dhercain ("Dercain's House") and its name now is Coningean, from
the claw [con] of the hound or dog aforesaid. To this place came the
saintly concourse, scil:--Coman and Ultan, MacErc and Mocoba and
Maclaisren, who dedicated themselves to (the service of) God and placed
themselves under the spiritual rule and sway of Declan.
31. Thereupon Declan established a monastery in that place, scil.--in
Coningin--and he placed there this holy community with a further band of
disciples. Ultan however he took away with him to the place whither he
went.
32. On another (subsequent) occasion Declan visited Bregia, i.e. the
original territory which belonged to his race previous to the expulsion
of his ancestors. There he was treated with particular honour by the
king of Tara and by the chieftains of Meath by whom he was beloved, since
it was from themselves (their tribe and territory) that his forbears had
gone out, for that region was the patrimony of his race and within it
lies Tara. Declan instituted therein a monastery of Canons, on land
which he received from the king, and it is from him the place is named.
Moreover he left therein a relic or illuminated book and a famous gospel
which he was accustomed to carry always with him. The gospel is still
preserved with much honour in the place and miracles are wrought through
it. After this again he turned towards Munster.
33. Declan was once travelling through Ossory when he wished to remain
for the night in a certain village. But the villagers not only did not
receive him but actually drove him forth by force of arms. The saint
however prayed to God that it might happen to them what the Sacred
Scripture says, "Vengeance is mine I will repay" [Deuteronomy 32:35].
The dwellers in the village, who numbered sixty, died that same night
with the exception of two men and ten women to whom the conduct of the
others towards the saint had been displeasing. On the morrow these
men and women came humbly to the place where Declan was and they told
him--what he himself foreknew--how miserably the others had died. They
themselves did penance and they bestowed on Declan a suitable site
whereon he built a monastery and he got another piece of land and had the
dead buried where he built the monastery. The name of that monastery is
Cill-Colm-Dearg. This Colm-Dearg was a kind, holy man and a disciple of
Declan. He was of East Leinster, i.e. of the Dal Meiscorb, and it is
from him that the monastery is named. When he (Declan) had completed
that place he came to his own territory again, i.e. to the Decies.
34. On a certain day Declan came to a place called Ait-Breasail and the
dwellers therein would not allow him to enter their village; moreover
they hid all their boats so that he could not go into his own island, for
they hated him very much. In consideration however of the sanctity of
his servant, who prayed in patience, God the All-Powerful turned the sea
into dry land as you have already heard. Declan passed the night in an
empty stable out in the plain and the people of the village did not give
him even a fire. Whereupon, appropriately the anger of God fell on them,
who had not compassion enough to supply the disciple of God with a fire.
There came fire from heaven on them to consume them all [together with
their] homestead and village, so that the place has been ever since a
wilderness accursed, as the prophet writes: "civitates eorum
destruxisti" [Psalm 9:7] (the dwellings of the unmerciful are laid
waste).
35. On yet another occasion Declan was in his own region--travelling
over Slieve Gua in the Decies, when his horse from some cause got lame so
that he could proceed no further. Declan however, seeing a herd of deer
roaming the mountain close to him, said to one of his people: "Go, and
bring me for my chariot one of these deer to replace my horse and take
with you this halter for him." Without any misgiving the disciple went
on till he reached the deer which waited quietly for him. He chose the
animal which was largest and therefore strongest, and, bringing him back,
yoked him to the chariot. The deer thereupon obediently and without
effort carried Bishop Declan till he came to Magh Femhin, where, when he
reached a house of entertainment, the saint unloosed the stag and bade
him to go free as was his nature. Accordingly, at the command of the
saintly man and in the presence of all, the stag returned on the same
road back (to the mountain). Dormanach is the name of the man aforesaid
who brought the stag to Declan and him Declan blessed and gave him a
piece of land on the north of Decies close by the Eoghanacht and his
posterity live till now in that place.
36. On another occasion, Declan, accompanied, as usual, by a large
following, was travelling, when one member of the party fell on the road
and broke his shin bone in twain. Declan saw the accident and, pitying
the injured man, he directed an individual of the company to bandage the
broken limb so that the sufferer might not die through excess of pain and
loss of blood. All replied that they could not endure to dress the wound
owing to their horror thereof. But there was one of the company, Daluadh
by name, who faced the wound boldly and confidently and said: "In the
name of Christ and of Declan our patron I shall be surgeon to this foot";
and he said that jestingly. Nevertheless he bandaged the foot carefully
and blessed it aright in the name of God and Declan, and in a little
while the wound healed and they all gave praise to God. Then Declan said
to Daluadh: "You promised to be surgeon to that foot in Christ's name
and in mine and God has vouchsafed to heal it at these words: on this
account you will be a true physician for ever and your children and your
seed after you for ever shall also possess the healing art, and
whomsoever they shall practise healing upon in God's name and mine,
provided there be no hatred [in their hearts] nor too great covetousness
of a physician's fee to him, God and myself shall send relief." This
promise of Declan has been fulfilled in the case of that family.
37. On another occasion, as Declan was travelling in the northern part
of Magh Femhin beside the Suir, he met there a man who was carrying a
little infant to get it baptised. Declan said to the people [his
"muinntear," or following]: "Wait here till I baptise yonder child," for
it was revealed by the Holy Ghost to him that he [the babe] should serve
God. The attendant replied to him that they had neither a vessel nor
salt for the baptism. Declan said: "We have a wide vessel, the Suir,
and God will send us salt, for this child is destined to become holy and
wonderful [in his works]." Thereupon Declan took up a fistful of earth
and, making prayer in his heart to God, he signed the clay with the sign
of the cross of redemption. It (the handful of earth) became white, dry
salt, and all, on seeing it, gave thanks and honour to God and Declan.
The infant was baptised there and the name of Ciaran given him. Declan
said: "Bring up my spiritual son carefully and send him, at a fitting
age, for education to a holy man who is well instructed in the faith for
he will become a shining bright pillar in the Church." And it was this
child, Ciaran Mac Eochaidh, who founded in after years a famous monastery
(from which he migrated to heaven) and another place (monastery) besides.
He worked many miracles and holy signs and this is the name of his
monastery Tiprut [Tubrid] and this is where it is:--in the western part
of the Decies in Ui Faithe between Slieve Grot [Galtee] and Sieve Cua and
it is within the bishopric of Declan.
38. On another day there came a woman to Declan's monastery not far from
the city where she dwelt. She committed a theft that day in Declan's
monastery as she had often done previously, and this is the thing she
stole--a "habellum" [possibly an item of tribute]; she departed homewards
taking it with her and there met her a group of people on the highway,
and the earth, in their presence, swallowed her up, and she cast out the
tabellum from her bosom and it was quickly turned into a stone which the
wayfarers took and brought with them to Declan. Declan himself had in
supernatural vision seen all that happened to the woman in punishment of
her theft, and the name of Declan was magnified owing to those marvels so
that fear took possession of all-those present and those absent. The
stone in question remains still in Declan's graveyard in his own town of
Ardmore-Declain, where it stands on an elevated place in memory of this
miracle.
39. A rich man named Fintan was childless, for his wife was barren for
many years. He himself, with his wife, visited Declan and promised large
alms and performance of good works provided he (Declan) would pray that
they might have children: they held it as certain that if Declan but
prayed for them God would grant them children. Declan therefore, praying
to God and blessing the pair, said: "Proceed to your home and through
God's bounty you shall have offspring." The couple returned home, with
great joy for the blessing and for the promise of the offspring. The
following night, Fintan lay with his wife and she conceived and brought
forth twin sons, scil.: Fiacha and Aodh, who, together with their
children and descendants were under tribute and service to God and
Declan.
40. When it was made known to a certain holy man, scil.:--Ailbe of Emly
Iubar, chief bishop of Munster, that his last days had come, he said to
his disciples: "Beloved brethren, I wish, before I die, to visit my very
dear fellow worker, scil.:--Declan." After this Ailbe set out on the
journey and an angel of God came to Declan notifying him that Ailbe was
on his way to visit him. On the angel's notification Declan ordered his
disciples to prepare the house for Ailbe's coming. He himself went to
meet Ailbe as far as the place which is called Druim Luctraidh
[Luchluachra]. Thence they came home together and Ailbe, treated with
great honour by Declan and his people, stayed fourteen pleasant days.
After that the aged saint returned home again to his own city, scil.:--to
Emly Iubar. Declan came and many of his people, escorting Ailbe, to
Druim Luchtradh, and Ailbe bade him return to his own city. The two knew
they should not see one another in this world ever again. In taking
leave of one another, therefore, they shed plentiful tears of sorrow and
they instituted an everlasting compact and league between their
successors in that place. Ailbe moreover blessed the city of Declan, his
clergy and people and Declan did the same for Ailbe and they kissed one
another in token of love and peace and each returned to his own city.
41. On a certain day the Castle of Cinaedh, King of the Deisi, took fire
and it burned violently. It happened however that Declan was proceeding
towards the castle on some business and he was grieved to see it burning;
he flung towards it the staff to which we have referred in connection
with the drying up of the sea, and it (the staff) flew hovering in the
air with heavenly wings till it reached the midst of the flame and the
fire was immediately extinguished of its own accord through the grace of
God and virtue of the staff and of Declan to whom it belonged. The place
from which Declan cast the staff was a long mile distant from the castle
and when the king, i.e. Cinaedh, and all the others witnessed this
miracle they were filled with amazement and gave thanks to God and to
Declan when they came to know that it was he who wrought it. Now the
place where the castle stands is not far from the Suir, i.e. on the south
side of it and the place from which Declan cast the staff is beside a
ford which is in the Suir or a stream which flows beside the monastery
called Mag Laca [Molough] which the holy virgins, daughters of the king
of Decies, have built in honour of God. There is a pile of stones and a
cross in the place to commemorate this miracle.
42. On another occasion there approached a foreign fleet towards
Declan's city and this was their design--to destroy and to plunder it of
persons and of cattle, because they (the foreigners) were people hostile
to the faith. Many members of the community ran with great haste to tell
Declan of the fleet which threatened the town and to request him to beg
the assistance of God against the invaders. Declan knew the man amongst
his own disciples who was holiest and most abounding in grace, scil.,
Ultan, already mentioned, and him he ordered to pray to God against the
fleet. Ultan had pity on the Christian people and he went instantly, at
the command of Declan, in front of the fleet and he held his left hand
against it, and, on the spot, the sea swallowed them like sacks full of
lead, and the drowned sailors were changed into large rocks which stand
not far from the mouth of the haven where they are visible (standing)
high out of the sea from that time till now. All Christians who
witnessed this rejoiced and were glad and they gave great praise and
glory to God and to Declan their own patron who caused the working of
this miracle and of many other miracles besides. Next there arose a
contention between Ultan and Declan concerning this miracle, for Ultan
attributed it to Declan and Declan credited it to Ultan; and it has
become a proverb since in Ireland when people hear of danger or
jeopardy:--"The left hand of Ultan against you (the danger)." Ultan
became, after the death of Declan, a miracle-working abbot of many other
holy monks.
43. The holy and glorious archbishop, i.e. Patrick, sent one of his own
followers to Declan with power and authority (delegation) from the
archbishop. And proceeding through the southern part of Decies he was
drowned in a river [the Lickey] there, two miles from the city of Declan.
When Declan heard this he was grieved and he said: "Indeed it grieves me
that a servant of God and of Patrick who sent him to visit me, having
travelled all over Ireland, should be drowned in a river of my own
territory. Get my chariot for me that I may go in haste to see his
corpse, so that Patrick may come to hear of the worry and the grief I
have undergone because of his disciple's death." The body had been
recovered before the arrival of Declan by others who were close at hand
and it had been placed on a bier to be carried to Ciaran for interment.
Declan however met them on the way, when he ordered the body to be laid
down on the ground. They supposed he was about to recite the Office for
the Dead. He (Declan) advanced to the place where the bier was and
lifted the sheet covering the face. It (the face) looked dark and
deformed as is usual in the case of the drowned. He prayed to God and
shed tears, but no one heard aught of what he said. After this he
commanded:--"In the name of the Trinity, in the name of the Father and of
the Son and of the Holy Ghost whose religious yoke I bear myself, arise
to us for God has given your life to me." He (the dead man) rose up
immediately at the command and he greeted Declan and all the others.
Whereupon Declan and his disciples received him with honour. At first he
was not completely cured but (was) like one convalescent until (complete)
health returned to him by degrees again. He however accompanied Declan
and remained some time with him and there was much rejoicing in Declan's
city on account of the miracle and his (Declan's) name and fame extended
over the country generally. This disciple of Patrick was named Ballin;
he returned with great joy and he told him (Patrick) that Declan had
raised him from the dead. To many others likewise he related what had
happened to him. Patrick, in presence of many persons, hearing of the
miracle gave glory and thanks to God and the name of Declan was
magnified.
44. With this extraordinary miracle wrought by Declan we wish to
conclude our discourse. The number of miracles he wrought, but which are
not written here, you are to judge and gather from what we have written.
And we wish moreover that you would understand that he healed the infirm,
that he gave sight to the eyes of the blind, cleansed lepers, and gave
"their walk" to cripples; that he obtained hearing for the deaf, and that
he healed many and various diseases in many different places throughout
Ireland--(things) which are not written here because of their length and
because they are so numerous to record, for fear it should tire readers
to hear so much said of one particular person. On that account we shall
pass them by.
45. When Declan realised that his last days were at hand and that the
time remaining to him was very short he summoned to him his own spiritual
son, scil., MacLiag (residing) in the monastery which is on the eastern
side of the Decies close to the Leinstermen in order that, at the hour of
death, he might receive the Body and Blood of Christ and the Sacraments
of the Church from his hands. Thereupon he foretold to his disciples the
day of his death and he commanded them to bring him to his own city, for
it was not there he dwelt at the time but in a small venerable cell which
he had ordered to be built for him between the hill called Ardmore
Declain and the ocean--in a narrow place at the brink of the sea by which
there flows down from the hill above a small shining stream about which
are trees and bushes all around, and it is called Disert Declain. Thence
to the city it is a short mile and the reason why Declan used go there
was to avoid turmoil and noise so that he might be able to read and pray
and fast there. Indeed it was not easy for him to stay even there
because of the multitude of disciples and paupers and pilgrims and
beggars who followed him thither. Declan was however generous and very
sympathetic and on that account it is recorded by tradition that a great
following (of poor, &c.), generally accompanied him and that moreover the
little cell was very dear to him for the reason we have given, and many
devout people have made it their practice to dwell therein.
46. When Declan fell ill and became weak in body, but still strong in
hope and faith and love of God, he returned to his own city--his people
and disciples and clergy surrounding him. He discoursed to them on the
commands of God and he enjoined on them to live holily after his death,
to be submissive to authority and to follow as closely as possible the
way he had marked out and to preserve his city in a state of piety and
under religious rule. And when they had all heard the discourse it
grieved them greatly to perceive, from what he had said, he realised that
in a short time he would go away to heaven from them. But they were
consoled by his gentle words and then there came to him the holy man, to
wit, MacLiag, at his own request, already referred to. He [Declan]
received the Body and Blood of Christ and the Sacraments of the Church
from his [MacLiag's] hand--surrounded by holy men and his disciples, and
he blessed his people and his dependents and his poor, and he kissed them
in token of love and peace. Thus, having banished images and the
sacrifices to idols, having converted multitudes to the true faith,
having established monasteries and ecclesiastical orders in various
places, having spent his whole life profitably and holily, this glorious
bishop went with the angels to heaven on the ninth day of the Kalends of
August [July 24] and his body was blessed and honoured with Masses and
chanting by holy men and by the people of the Decies and by his own monks
and disciples collected from every quarter at the time of his death. He
was buried with honour in his own city--in Declan's High-Place--in the
tomb which by direction of an angel he had himself indicated--which
moreover has wrought wonders and holy signs from that time to now. He
departed to the Unity of the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost in
Saecula Saeculorum; Amen. FINIS.
The poor brother, Michael O'Clery originally copied this life of Declan
in Cashel, from the book of Eochy O'Heffernan. The date, A.D., at which
that ancient book of Eochy was written is 1582. And the same life has
now been re-written in the Convent of the Friars at Druiske, the date,
A.D., 27th February, 1629.