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+Project Gutenberg's The Life of St. Declan of Ardmore, by Anonymous
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Life of St. Declan of Ardmore
+
+Author: Anonymous
+
+Translator: P. Power
+
+Posting Date: August 5, 2008 [EBook #823]
+Release Date: February, 1997
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LIFE OF ST. DECLAN OF ARDMORE ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Dennis McCarthy
+
+
+
+
+
+LIFE OF ST. DECLAN OF ARDMORE
+
+(Edited from MS. in Bibliotheque Royale, Brussels).
+
+Translated from the Irish With Introduction
+
+by Rev. P. Power, M.R.I.A.
+
+University College, Cork.
+
+
+
+
+INTRODUCTION
+
+
+     "If thou hast the right, O Erin,
+     to a champion of battle to aid thee
+     thou hast the head of a hundred
+     thousand, Declan of Ardmore"
+     (Martyrology of Oengus).
+
+
+Five miles or less to the east of Youghal Harbour, on the southern
+Irish coast, a short, rocky and rather elevated promontory juts, with a
+south-easterly trend, into the ocean [about 51 deg. 57 min. N / 7 deg.
+43 min. W]. Maps and admiralty charts call it Ram Head, but the real
+name is Ceann-a-Rama and popularly it is often styled Ardmore Head. The
+material of this inhospitable coast is a hard metamorphic schist which
+bids defiance to time and weather. Landwards the shore curves in clay
+cliffs to the north-east, leaving, between it and the iron headland
+beyond, a shallow exposed bay wherein many a proud ship has met her
+doom. Nestling at the north side of the headland and sheltered by the
+latter from Atlantic storms stands one of the most remarkable groups of
+ancient ecclesiastical remains in Ireland--all that has survived of St.
+Declan's holy city of Ardmore. This embraces a beautiful and perfect
+round tower, a singularly interesting ruined church commonly called the
+cathedral, the ruins of a second church beside a holy well, a primitive
+oratory, a couple of ogham inscribed pillar stones, &c., &c.
+
+No Irish saint perhaps has so strong a local hold as Declan or has left
+so abiding a popular memory. Nevertheless his period is one of the great
+disputed questions of early Irish history. According to the express
+testimony of his Life, corroborated by testimony of the Lives of SS.
+Ailbhe and Ciaran, he preceded St. Patrick in the Irish mission and
+was a co-temporary of the national apostle. Objection, exception or
+opposition to the theory of Declan's early period is based less on any
+inherent improbability in the theory itself than on contradictions and
+inconsistencies in the Life. Beyond any doubt the Life does actually
+contradict itself; it makes Declan a cotemporary of Patrick in the fifth
+century and a cotemporary likewise of St. David a century later. In
+any attempted solution of the difficulty involved it may be helpful
+to remember a special motive likely to animate a tribal histrographer,
+scil.:--the family relationship, if we may so call it, of the two
+saints; David was bishop of the Deisi colony in Wales as Declan was
+bishop of their kinsmen of southern Ireland. It was very probably part
+of the writer's purpose to call attention to the links of kindred which
+bound the separated Deisi; witness his allusion later to the alleged
+visit of Declan to his kinsmen of Bregia. Possibly there were several
+Declans, as there were scores of Colmans, Finians, &c., and hence
+perhaps the confusion and some of the apparent inconsistencies. There
+was certainly a second Declan, a disciple of St. Virgilius, to whom the
+latter committed care of a church in Austria where he died towards
+close of eighth century. Again we find mention of a St. Declan who was
+a foster son of Mogue of Ferns, and so on. It is too much, as Delehaye
+("Legendes Hagiographiques") remarks, to expect the populace to
+distinguish between namesakes. Great men are so rare! Is it likely there
+should have lived two saints of the same name in the same country!
+
+The latest commentators on the question of St. Declan's period--and they
+happen to be amongst the most weighty--argue strongly in favour of the
+pre-Patrician mission (Cfr. Prof. Kuno Meyer, "Learning Ireland in the
+Fifth Century"). Discussing the way in which letters first reached our
+distant island of the west and the causes which led to the proficiency
+of sixth-century Ireland in classical learning Zimmer and Meyer contend
+that the seeds of that literary culture, which flourished in Ireland of
+the sixth century, had been sown therein in the first and second decades
+of the preceding century by Gaulish scholars who had fled from their own
+country owing to invasion of the latter by Goths and other barbarians.
+The fact that these scholars, who were mostly Christians, sought asylum
+in Ireland indicates that Christianity had already penetrated thither,
+or at any rate that it was known and tolerated there. Dr. Meyer answers
+the objection that if so large and so important an invasion of scholars
+took place we ought have some reference to the fact in the Irish annals.
+The annals, he replies, are of local origin and they rarely refer in
+their oldest parts to national events: moreover they are very meagre in
+their information about the fifth century. One Irish reference to the
+Gaulish scholars is, however, adduced in corroboration; it occurs in
+that well known passage in St. Patrick's "Confessio" where the saint
+cries out against certain "rhetoricians" in Ireland who were hostile
+to him and pagan,--"You rhetoricians who do not know the Lord, hear and
+search Who it was that called me up, fool though I be, from the midst
+of those who think themselves wise and skilled in the law and mighty
+orators and powerful in everything." Who were these "rhetorici" that
+have made this passage so difficult for commentators and have caused
+so various constructions to be put upon it? It is clear, the professor
+maintains, that the reference is to pagan rhetors from Gaul whose
+arrogant presumption, founded on their learning, made them regard with
+disdain the comparatively illiterate apostle of the Scots. Everyone is
+familiar with the classic passage of Tacitus wherein he alludes to the
+harbours of Ireland as being more familiar to continental mariners than
+those of Britain. We have references moreover to refugee Christians who
+fled to Ireland from the persecutions of Diocletian more than a century
+before St. Patrick's day; in addition it is abundantly evident that
+many Irishmen--Christians like Celestius the lieutenant of Pelagius,
+and possibly Pelagius himself, amongst them--had risen to distinction or
+notoriety abroad before middle of the fifth century.
+
+Possibly the best way to present the question of Declan's age is to put
+in tabulated form the arguments of the pre-Patrician advocates against
+the counter contentions of those who claim that Declan's period is later
+than Patrick's:--
+
+
+   For the Pre-Patrician Mission.            Against Theory of Early
+                                               Fifth Century period.
+
+   I.--Positive statement of Life,      I.--Contradictions, anachronisms,
+      corroborated by Lives of SS.         &c., of Life.
+      Ciaran and Ailbhe.               II.--Lack of allusion to Declan in
+  II.--Patrick's apparent avoidance        the Lives of St. Patrick.
+      of the Principality of Decies.  III.--Prosper's testimony to the
+ III.--The peculiar Declan cult and        mission of Palladius as first
+      the strong local hold which          bishop to the believing Scots.
+      Declan has maintained.           IV.--Alleged motives for later
+                                           invention of Pre-Patrician story.
+
+
+In this matter and at this hour it is hardly worth appealing to the
+authority of Lanigan and the scholars of the past. Much evidence not
+available in Lanigan's day is now at the service of scholars. We are to
+look rather at the reasoning of Colgan, Ussher, and Lanigan than to the
+mere weight of their names.
+
+Referring in order to our tabulated grounds of argument, pro and con,
+and taking the pro arguments first, we may (I.) discard as evidence for
+our purpose the Life of St. Ibar which is very fragmentary and otherwise
+a rather unsatisfactory document. The Lives of Ailbhe, Ciaran, and
+Declan are however mutually corroborative and consistent. The
+Roman visit and the alleged tutelage under Hilarius are probably
+embellishments; they look like inventions to explain something and they
+may contain more than a kernel of truth. At any rate they are matters
+requiring further investigation and elucidation. In this connection it
+may be useful to recall that the Life (Latin) of St. Ciaran has been
+attributed by Colgan to Evinus the disciple and panegyrist of St.
+Patrick.
+
+Patrick's apparent neglect of the Decies (II.) may have no special
+significance. At best it is but negative evidence: taken, however, in
+connection with (I.) and its consectaria it is suggestive. We can
+hardly help speculating why the apostle--passing as it were by its
+front door--should have given the go-bye to a region so important as the
+Munster Decies. Perhaps he sent preachers into it; perhaps there was no
+special necessity for a formal mission, as the faith had already
+found entrance. It is a little noteworthy too that we do not find St.
+Patrick's name surviving in any ecclesiastical connection with the
+Decies, if we except Patrick's Well, near Clonmel, and this Well is
+within a mile or so of the territorial frontier. Moreover the southern
+portion of the present Tipperary County had been ceded by Aengus to the
+Deisi, only just previous to Patrick's advent, and had hardly yet had
+sufficient time to become absorbed. The whole story of Declan's alleged
+relations with Patrick undoubtedly suggests some irregularity in
+Declan's mission--an irregularity which was capable of rectification
+through Patrick and which de facto was finally so rectified.
+
+(III.) No one in Eastern Munster requires to be told how strong is the
+cult of St. Declan throughout Decies and the adjacent territory. It is
+hardly too much to say that the Declan tradition in Waterford and Cork
+is a spiritual actuality, extraordinary and unique, even in a land
+which till recently paid special popular honour to its local saints. In
+traditional popular regard Declan in the Decies has ever stood first,
+foremost, and pioneer. Carthage, founder of the tribal see, has held and
+holds in the imagination of the people only a secondary place. Declan,
+whencesoever or whenever he came, is regarded as the spiritual father
+to whom the Deisi owe the gift of faith. How far this tradition and the
+implied belief in Declan's priority and independent mission are derived
+from circulation of the "Life" throughout Munster in the last few
+centuries it is difficult to gauge, but the tradition seems to have
+flourished as vigorously in the days of Colgan as it does to-day.
+Declan's "pattern" at Ardmore continues to be still the most noted
+celebration of its kind in Ireland. A few years ago it was participated
+in by as many as fourteen thousand people from all parts of Waterford,
+Cork, and Tipperary. The scenes and ceremonies have been so frequently
+described that it is not necessary to recount them here--suffice it to
+say that the devotional practices and, in fact, the whole celebration
+is of a purely popular character receiving no approbation, and but bare
+toleration, from church or clergy. Even to the present day Declan's name
+is borne as their praenomen by hundreds of Waterford men, and, before
+introduction of the modern practice of christening with foolish foreign
+names, its use was far more common, as the ancient baptismal registers
+of Ardmore, Old Parish, and Clashmore attest. On the other hand Declan's
+name is associated with comparatively few places in the Decies. Of these
+the best known is Relig Deaglain, a disused graveyard and early church
+site on the townland of Drumroe, near Cappoquin. There was also an
+ancient church called Killdeglain, near Stradbally.
+
+Against the theory of the pre-Patrician or citra-Patrician mission we
+have first the objection, which really has no weight, and which we shall
+not stop to discuss, that it is impossible for Christianity at that
+early date to have found its way to this distant island, beyond the
+boundary of the world. An argument on a different plane is (I.), the
+undoubtedly contradictory and inconsistent character of the Life. It is
+easy however to exaggerate the importance of this point. Modern critical
+methods were undreamed of in the days of our hagiographer, who
+wrote, moreover, for edification only in a credulous age. Most of the
+historical documents of the period are in a greater or less degree
+uncritical but that does not discredit their testimony however much it
+may confuse their editors. It can be urged moreover that two mutually
+incompatible genealogies of the saint are given. The genealogy given by
+MacFirbisigh seems in fact to disagree in almost every possible detail
+with the genealogy in 23 M. 50 R.I.A. That however is like an argument
+that Declan never existed. It really suggests and almost postulates the
+existence of a second Declan whose Acts and those of our Declan have
+become mutually confused.
+
+(II.) Absence of Declan's name from the Acts of Patrick is a negative
+argument. It is explicable perhaps by the supposed irregularity of
+Declan's preaching. Declan was certainly earlier than Mochuda and yet
+there is no reference to him in the Life of the latter saint. Ailbhe
+however is referred to in the Tripartite Life of Patrick and the
+cases of Ailbhe and Declan are "a pari"; the two saints stand or fall
+together.
+
+(IV.) Motives for invention of the pre-Patrician myth are alleged,
+scil.:--to rebut certain claims to jurisdiction, tribute or visitation
+advanced by Armagh in after ages. It is hard to see however how
+resistance to the claims in question could be better justified on the
+theory of a pre-Patrician Declan, who admittedly acknowledged Patrick's
+supremacy, than on the admission of a post-Patrician mission.
+
+That in Declan we have to deal with a very early Christian teacher of
+the Decies there can be no doubt. If not anterior to Patrick he must
+have been the latter's cotemporary. Declan however had failed to convert
+the chieftain of his race and for this--reading between the lines of the
+"Life"--we seem to hear Patrick blaming him.
+
+The monuments proper of Declan remaining at Ardmore are (a) his ORATORY
+near the Cathedral and Round Tower in the graveyard, (b) his STONE on
+the beach, (c) his WELL on the cliff, and (d) ANOTHER STONE said to have
+been found in his tomb and preserved at Ardmore for long ages with great
+reveration. The "Life" refers moreover to the saint's pastoral staff and
+his bell but these have disappeared for centuries.
+
+The "Oratory" is simply a primitive church of the usual sixth century
+type: it stands 13' 4" x 8' 9" in the clear, and has, or had, the usual
+high-pitched gables and square-headed west doorway with inclining jambs.
+Another characteristic feature of the early oratory is seen in the
+curious antae or prolongation of the side walls. Locally the little
+building is known as the "beannacan," in allusion, most likely, to
+its high gables or the finials which once, no doubt, in Irish fashion,
+adorned its roof. Though somewhat later than Declan's time this
+primitive building is very intimately connected with the Saint.
+Popularly it is supposed to be his grave and within it is a hollow space
+scooped out, wherein it is said his ashes once reposed. It is highly
+probable that tradition is quite correct as to the saint's grave, over
+which the little church was erected in the century following Declan's
+death. The oratory was furnished with a roof of slate by Bishop Mills in
+1716.
+
+"St. Declan's Stone" is a glacial boulder of very hard conglomerate
+which lies on a rocky ledge of beach beneath the village of Ardmore.
+It measures some 8' 6" x 4' 6" x 4' 0" and reposes upon two slightly
+jutting points of the underlying metamorphic rock. Wonderful virtues are
+attributed to St. Declan's Stone, which, on the occasion of the patronal
+feast, is visited by hundreds of devotees who, to participate in its
+healing efficacy and beneficence, crawl laboriously on face and hands
+through the narrow space between the boulder and the underlying rock.
+Near by, at foot of a new storm-wall, are two similar but somewhat
+smaller boulders which, like their venerated and more famous neighbour,
+were all wrenched originally by a glacier from their home in the
+Comeragh Mountains twenty miles away.
+
+"St. Declan's Well," beside some remains of a rather large and
+apparently twelfth century church on the cliff, in the townland of
+Dysert is diverted into a shallow basin in which pilgrims bathe feet
+and hands. Set in some comparatively modern masonry over the well are
+a carved crucifixion and other figures of apparently late mediaeval
+character. Some malicious interference with this well led, nearly a
+hundred years since, to much popular indignation and excitement.
+
+The second "St. Declan's Stone" was a small, cross-inscribed jet-black
+piece of slate or marble, approximately--2" or 3" x 1 1/2". Formerly
+it seems to have had a small silver cross inset and was in great demand
+locally as an amulet for cattle curing. It disappeared however, some
+fifty years or so since, but very probably it could still be recovered
+in Dungarvan.
+
+Far the most striking of all the monuments at Ardmore is, of course, the
+Round Tower which, in an excellent state of preservation, stands with
+its conical cap of stone nearly a hundred feet high. Two remarkable, if
+not unique, features of the tower are the series of sculptured corbels
+which project between the floors on the inside, and the four projecting
+belts or zones of masonry which divide the tower into storeys
+externally. The tower's architectural anomalies are paralleled by its
+history which is correspondingly unique: it stood a regular siege in
+1642, when ordnance was brought to bear on it and it was defended
+by forty confederates against the English under Lords Dungarvan and
+Broghil.
+
+A few yards to north of the Round Tower stands "The Cathedral"
+illustrating almost every phase of ecclesiastical architecture which
+flourished in Ireland from St. Patrick to the Reformation--Cyclopean,
+Celtic-Romanesque, Transitional and Pointed. The chancel arch is
+possibly the most remarkable and beautiful illustration of the
+Transitional that we have. An extraordinary feature of the church is
+the wonderful series of Celtic arcades and panels filled with archaic
+sculptures in relief which occupy the whole external face of the west
+gable.
+
+St. Declan's foundation at Ardmore seems (teste Moran's Archdall) to
+have been one of the Irish religious houses which accepted the reform of
+Pope Innocent at the Lateran Council and to have transformed itself
+into a Regular Canonry. It would however be possible to hold, on the
+evidence, that it degenerated into a mere parochial church. We hear
+indeed of two or three episcopal successors of the saint, scil.:--Ultan
+who immediately followed him, Eugene who witnessed a charter to the
+abbey of Cork in 1174, and Moelettrim O Duibhe-rathre who died in
+1303 after he had, according to the annals of Inisfallen, "erected and
+finished the Church" of Ardmore. The "Wars of the Gaedhil and Gall"
+have reference, circa 824 or 825, to plunder by the Northmen of Disert
+Tipraite which is almost certainly the church of Dysert by the Holy Well
+at Ardmore. The same fleet, on the same expedition, plundered Dunderrow
+(near Kinsale), Inisshannon (Bandon River), Lismore, and Kilmolash.
+
+Regarding the age of our "Life" it is difficult with the data at hand
+to say anything very definite. While dogmatism however is dangerous
+indefiniteness is unsatisfying. True, we cannot trace the genealogy
+of the present version beyond middle of the sixteenth century, but its
+references to ancient monuments existing at date of its compilation show
+it to be many centuries older. Its language proves little or nothing,
+for, being a popular work, it would be modernised to date by each
+successive scribe. Colgan was of opinion it was a composition of the
+eighth century. Ussher and Ware, who had the Life in very ancient
+codices, also thought it of great antiquity. Papebrach, the Bollandist,
+on the other hand, considered the Life could not be older than the
+twelfth century, but this opinion of his seems to have been based on a
+misapprehension. In the absence of all diocesan colour or allusion one
+feels constrained to assign the production to some period previous to
+Rathbreasail. We should not perhaps be far wrong in assigning the first
+collection of materials to somewhere in the eighth century or in the
+century succeeding. The very vigorous ecclesiastical revival of the
+eleventh century, at conclusion of the Danish wars, must have led to
+some revision of the country's religious literature. The introduction,
+a century and-a-half later, of the great religious orders most probably
+led to translation of the Life into Latin and its casting into shape for
+reading in refectory or choir.
+
+Only three surviving copies of the Irish Life are known to the writer:
+one in the Royal Library at Brussels, the second in the Royal Irish
+Academy Collection (M. 23, 50, pp. 109-120), and the third in possession
+of Professor Hyde. As the second and third enumerated are copies of one
+imperfect exemplar it has not been thought necessary to collate both
+with the Brussels MS. which has furnished the text here printed. M. 23,
+50 (R.I.A.) has however been so collated and the marginal references
+initialled B are to that imperfect copy. The latter, by the way, is in
+the handwriting of John Murphy "na Raheenach," and is dated 1740. It has
+not been thought necessary to give more than the important variants.
+
+The present text is a reproduction of the Brussels MS. plus lengthening
+of contractions. As regards lengthening in question it is to be noted
+that the well known contraction for "ea" or "e" has been uniformly
+transliterated "e." Otherwise orthography of the MS. has been
+scrupulously followed--even where inconsistent or incorrect. For the
+division into paragraphs the editor is not responsible; he has merely
+followed the division originated, or adopted, by the scribe. The Life
+herewith presented was copied in 1629 by Brother Michael O'Clery of the
+Four Masters' staff from an older MS. of Eochy O'Heffernan's dated 1582.
+The MS. of O'Heffernan is referred to by our scribe as "seinleabar,"
+but his reference is rather to the contents than to the copy. Apparently
+O'Clery did more than transcribe; he re-edited, as was his wont, into
+the literary Irish of his day. A page of the Brussels MS., reproduced in
+facsimile as a frontispiece to the present volume, will give the student
+a good idea of O'Clery's script and style.
+
+Occasional notes on Declan in the martyrologies and elsewhere give some
+further information about our saint. Unfortunately however the alleged
+facts are not always capable of reconciliation with statements of our
+"Life," and again the existence of a second, otherwise unknown, Declan
+is suggested. The introduction of rye is attributed to him in the
+Calendar of Oengus, as introduction of wheat is credited to St. Finan
+Camm, and introduction of bees to St. Modomnoc,--"It was the full of his
+shoe that Declan brought, the full of his shoe likewise Finan, but the
+full of his bell Modomnoc" (Cal. Oeng., April 7th). More puzzling is the
+note in the same Calendar which makes Declan a foster son of Mogue
+of Ferns! This entry illustrates the way in which errors originate. A
+former scribe inadvertently copied in, after Declan's name, portion of
+the entry immediately following which relates to Colman Hua Liathain.
+Successive scribes re-copied the error without discovering it and so it
+became stereotyped.
+
+
+
+
+LIFE OF ST. DECLAN
+
+or "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], i.e. 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 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.
+
+And this Life of St. Declan was transcribed electronically for the
+public domain by Dennis McCarthy, a layman, in the city of Atlanta in
+Georgia of the United States of America. He copied this life from the
+1914 translation from the Irish to the English tongue by Rev. P. Power
+of University College, Cork. Dennis has completed this work on February
+27 in the year of Our Lord 1997, and prayerfully dedicated it to the
+memory of his deceased siblings.
+
+
+
+
+NOTE
+
+
+The Irish text of the "rann" from paragraph 26 reads:
+
+  Ailbe umal; Patraicc Muman, mo gacrath,
+  Declan, Patraicc na nDeisi: na Deisi ag Declan gan brat.
+
+
+And the Latin rendering:
+
+     Albeus est humilis dixit Caephurnia proles;
+     Patriciusque esto hinc Ailbee Momonia.
+     Declanus pariter patronus Desius esto;
+     Inter Desenses Patriciusque suos.
+
+
+
+
+     +-------------------------------------------+
+     |                                           |
+     |                        __   __---_        |
+     |                  ,-~~~  ~\/      ~\       |
+     |                ,_/                 |      |
+     |                /,_                   /    |
+     |           _       _/                 ~\   |
+     |        /~~ ~\/~-_|                    /   |
+     |       \                            /~     |
+     |       \ _                       _\/       |
+     |        ,'                     |           |
+     |       /~                Tara    \         |
+     |       \                     *    |        |
+     |        '~|__-                    /        |
+     |        .-,/~                    \         |
+     |           |                      /        |
+     |          /                       |        |
+     |        /_,_/~                    |        |
+     |        /         Cashel         /         |
+     |   ,--~             *           |          |
+     |   /---                   __|_-_/          |
+     |  ,-~                -,-~                  |
+     |   \_-~/          \ /~ *                   |
+     |   ,-~/=        _/~   Ardmore              |
+     |    --~/_-_-/~'~                           |
+     |                                           |
+     +-------------------------------------------+
+     |              MAP OF IRELAND               |
+     +-------------------------------------------+
+
+
+
+TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE
+
+The source for this text includes an introduction, Irish text & English
+translation on facing pages, and notes. The introduction and the notes
+are quite lengthy and should take longer to transcribe than the English
+text. Except for the part of the introduction specific to the "Life of
+Declan" and a few notes transplanted in brackets to the body of the text
+I have not transcribed them. Due to inexperience with the Irish language
+and its alphabet/font I have decided not to attempt to transcribe the
+Irish text. Hopefully someone with the appropriate talent and interest
+will undertake that task some day. I have corrected the errata as
+indicated in the source and a few obvious printer errors. Please note
+that this text is full of variant spellings of names and words sometimes
+inconsistently applied.
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's The Life of St. Declan of Ardmore, by Anonymous
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LIFE OF ST. DECLAN OF ARDMORE ***
+
+***** This file should be named 823.txt or 823.zip *****
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