DEDICATION

PREFACE.

CONTENTS.

vii

BOOK I.

FROM THE INTRODUCTION OF CHRISTIANITY INTO

IRELAND TO THE SYNOD OF RATHBREASAIL, A.D. 1110.

CHAPTER I.

THE EARLY HISTORY OF IRELAND, AND ITS APOSTLE PATRICK.

Early colonization of Ireland-The Sacred Island-Threatened invasion by the
Romans-King Cormac "turned to the adoration of God"-First planting of
Christianity in Ireland, and Coelestius-Palladius sent to Ireland by Pope
Celestine His want of success-Patrick had been already in Ireland-No
notice taken of him by Pope Leo I.—Patrick's Confession; his history--Not
sent from Rome-Planted in Ireland the ecclesiastical arrangements of Brittany
-Why Palladius unsuccessful in Ireland--The Lives of Patrick not trust-
worthy― Palladius and Patrick confounded—Patrick attempts the conversion
of Laoghaire-His hymn-Great number of bishops ordained by Patrick in
Ireland-Patrick not free from superstition-Early Irish Church used no
images in worship-Did not practise the rite of Extreme Unction, and knew
no Purgatory-Patrick, and the Reform of the Civil Law.
Page 3-24

CHAPTER II.

FROM THE DEATH OF PATRICK TO THE DEATH OF COLUMBKILLE, A.D. 465

TO A.D. 597.

All the early Irish bishops not natives-The Welsh Church-Early prevalence of
monasticism in Ireland-Monasticism of earlier growth than Christianity-
Brigid and the nunnery of Kildare-Monks among the Druids-Monasteries
at Armagh, Clonard, Clonfert, Bangor, &c.—Columbkille, his lineage and
character-His dispute with Finnian of Moville-Battle near Sligo-The
Cathach-Columbkille excommunicated-His mission to Iona-Apostle of
Northern Picts-His ecclesiastical polity-Jurisdiction over bishops-His
piety His death - The Christianity of Columbkille and his contempo-
raries
Page 25-39

CHAPTER III.

FROM THE DEATH OF COLUMBKILLE TO THE DEATH OF ADAMNAN, A.D. 597

TO A.D. 704.

IRISH MISSIONARIES, IRISH SEMINARIES, AND IRISH CIVILIZATION.

Great number of monks in Ireland, and prosperity of Irish seminaries-Irish

missionaries on the Continent-Columbanus; his attainments--Passes, first

into Britain, and then into France-Settles in Burgundy-The discipline of his

monasteries-Disputes with the French clergy about Easter-Writes to

Gregory I. His respect for Scripture-Again writes to the Pope-Offends

King Thierry, and banished his dominions-Removes to Switzerland, and then

passes into Italy-Settles at Bobbio-His remarkable letter to Boniface IV.

-What he thought about the bishop of Rome-A truly great character-His

disciple Gallus the apostle of Switzerland-Kilian, his labours and his

martyrdom-Other Irish missionaries on the Continent-Fame of the Hiber-

nian seminaries-Jealousy of Englishmen -Theodore, Adrian, and Aldhelm

-Ireland had not now attained a high degree of civilization-Wars of the

monks and chieftains—The clergy at length "exempted from hostings."

Page 40-55

CHAPTER IV.

FROM THE DEATH OF COLUMBKILLE TO THE DEATH OF ADAMNAN, A. D. 597

TO A.D. 704.

THE EASTER CONTROVERSY AND THE CLAIMS OF ARMAGH,

Romish missionaries arrive in England-Their character-Dispute relative to
Easter and the Tonsure-Differ from the Irish in their religious rites and mode
of Church government-The old British Church in Wales-Irish and British

refuse to hold communion with the Romish missionaries-Complaining letter

of the archbishop of Canterbury and two other Romish prelates-Letter to

the Irish from Pope Honorius-Synod of Magh-Lene-Irish deputies sent all

over the Church to make inquiries respecting the keeping of Easter; their

report-The Southern Irish adopt the Roman mode of keeping Easter-The

epistle of Cummian relating to the Paschal Cycle-Another epistle from

Rome-Some of the Northern Irish conform to the Roman observance-

Thomian of Armagh-Causes of the decline of Iona-Growing importance of

Armagh Jealousy between Armagh and Downpatrick-Stories invented to

support Armagh-Quarrels between monks of Patrick and Columbkille-The

yellow plague and other disasters-Invasion of Ireland by king of Northum-

bria—Visit of Adamnan to England for the liberation of captives— Adamnan

adopts the Roman mode of keeping Easter, and retires from Hy-Ascendency

of the Southern Hy Niall and ruin of Aileach-Growing pretensions of

Armagh- No metropolitans now in Ireland-Influence of monks from England

in Ireland-Cummian's zeal for Romanism and his Penitential-The Lives of

Patrick-Early Irish forms of religious service-Liturgies in Irish-Increasing

superstition-Scriptures still highly valued
Page 56-89

CHAPTER V.

FROM THE DEATH OF ADAMNAN TO THE FIRST ATTACK OF THE NORTHMEN

ON IRELAND, A.D. 704 TO A.D. 795.

Monks in Iona and Ireland conform to the Roman mode of keeping Easter-

Papal supremacy not acknowledged in Ireland-Celibacy not obligatory on the

Irish clergy-Irish missionaries on the Continent-The Irish bishop Clemens

and his two sons-The Irishman Virgil disputes with Boniface-Virgil settles

at Salzburg-Two learned Irishmen, Clemens and Albin, patronized by

Charlemagne-Alcuin corresponds with Colgu of Clonmacnois-Charlemagne

does not overlook Ireland-The Apostolic Succession in the Church of Ireland

No archbishops originally in Ireland--Brigid and her bishop Conlaedh

-No diocesan bishops in Ireland-Presbyter abbots ordain; the case of

Findchan-The Irish co-arbs-The old Irish bishops thickly planted-One

bishop ordained bishops-Endowment of the monasteries-Termon-land and

Herenachs-The co-arb of Patrick-His influence with the king of Ireland-

His dislike of the king of Ulidia-Hugh Allan, king of Ireland, promotes

the ambitious views of the abbot of Armagh- Dispute between the monks of

Durrow and Clonmacnois-The Cain Phatraig-Abbot and bishop of Armagh

different-Tribute to co-arb of Patrick extended—Spurious title-deeds of See

of Armagh-A spurious canon-The Book of Armagh-The Book of the

Angel-The abbot of Armagh prepared to acknowledge the claims of the

Pope-Increasing superstitions in Ireland-The staff of Jesus-The arts

cultivated in Ireland-Stone churches-Round towers-Irish use instrumental

music in worship

Page 90-125

CHAPTER VI.

FROM THE FIRST ATTACK OF THE NORTHMEN ON IRELAND TO THE DEATH

OF BRIAN BORUMHA, A.D. 795 TO A.D. 1014.

The Vikings-Black and White Strangers-Attacks on Rechrann, Iona, Inish-

murry, Bangor, and Armagh-Turgesius rns over Northern Ireland; his

death-Dissensions of native Irish chiefs-Northmen find allies in discon-

tented native dynasts-Black and White Strangers quarrel; battle of Carling-

ford-Dublin the capital of the Northmen-Learned Irishmen go abroad-

Unfriendly reception of Irish clergy on the Continent-Canon of Council of

Chalons-Canon of Council of Celcyth-No diocesan hierarchy in Ireland—

Comparatively pure faith of Irish Church-Evidences of Irish piety-No

image-worship in Ireland —Transubstantiation not acknowledged in Ireland—

Sedulius and his commentaries-Sedulius ignores the supremacy of the Pope;

opposed to image-worship and transubstantiation; his views as to justification

and the marriage of the clergy; regards bishops and presbyters as originally

the same-Dungal, the Irishman, settles at Pavia; opposes Claudius, bishop of

Turin-Claudius of Turin and his views-Claudius not an Irishman, but pro-

bably instructed by an Irishman-Intellectual eminence of Irishmen in the

ninth century; causes of this-Johannes Scotus; his genius, wit, and learning

--His views relative to reprobation and transubstantiation—Mode of ad-

ministration of the Eucharist in the ancient Church of Ireland-Old Eucha-

ristic hymn-Incorrect modes of speech relative to the Eucharist--John

Scotus, the Saxon monk-Patrick of Glastonbury-Many high-born Irishmen

now ecclesiastics-Cormac Mac-Culinan; his character and remarkable career

-Fighting clergy-Continued attacks of the Northmen-Malachy II. king of

Ireland-Brian Borumha (or Boru), his early career; his vigorous and wise

administration-Battle of Clontarf; Brian's religious exercises on that day-

Worship of the Irish at this period-Gradual introduction of Latin-Increasing

power of co-arb of Patrick-Disputes about the co-arbship-Influence of the

Book of Armagh-Pilgrimages to Rome-Brian Boru makes a remarkable

entry in the Book of Armagh.
Page 126-157

CHAPTER VII.

FROM THE DEATH OF BRIAN BORUMHA TO THE CLOSE OF THE SYNOD OF

RATHBREASAIL, A.D. I014 TO A.D. IIIO.

State of Ireland after the death of Brian Boru-Ireland has still some literary
reputation-Marianus Scotus, Tighernach, and others-Pilgrimages to Rome
¡ -Conversion of the Northmen to Christianity-Bishops of Dublin, Water-
ford, and Limerick, their ecclesiastical position-Effect of Norman Conquest
of England on Ireland-Letter from Gregory VII. to the Irish-Lanfranc,
archbishop of Canterbury, and the Church of Ireland-Letters of Lanfranc

to the king of Dublin and to Turlogh O'Brien-Anselm of Canterbury and

his correspondence with Ireland--Number of bishops still in Ireland-

Malchus, bishop of Waterford-O'Haingly, bishop of Dublin-Gillebert,

bishop of Limerick and his zeal for Romanism-King Murtogh O'Brien and

his correspondence with Anselm of Canterbury-Murtogh favourable to

ecclesiastical changes-Bestows the city of Cashel on the Church - Celsus of

Armagh-Degeneracy of the co-arbs of Patrick-Visitations of the co-arbs of

Patrick-Celsus consents to new arrangements-The Synod of Rathbreasail-

Gillebert, the Pope's legate, presides; comparatively few bishops present-

Murtogh O'Brien and the Synod-Diocesan episcopacy set up-Distribution of

the dioceses-Synod of Usneagh-Old Irish bishops not chorepiscopi-

Deterioration of the Irish Church-Increase of superstition-Conduct of the

clergy when pestilence apprehended-Fasting of the clergy-Liberty of the

Irish Church lost by the Synod of Rathbreasail .

Page 158-184

BOOK II.

FROM THE SYNOD OF RATHBREASAIL TO THE DEATH

OF HENRY VII. A.D. 110 TO A.D. 1509.

CHAPTER I.

FROM THE SYNOD OF RATHBREASAIL TO THE CLOSE OF THE SYNOD OF

CASHEL, A. D. IIIO TO A.D. 1172.

State of Ireland not improved by recent ecclesiastical legislation-Civil war—
Destruction of churches and monasteries—Malachy O'Morgair and his
biographer Bernard-Malachy son of a clergyman-Ivar O'Hegan and
Malachy-Malachy ordained and acts as vicar for Celsus—Malachy afterwards
instructed by Malchus at Lismore-His acquaintance with King Cormac Mac
Carthy-Malachy becomes abbot of Bangor; becomes bishop of Connor-
Bernard's account of Connor-Ritualism of Malachy-Irish marriages why
condemned-Malachy's labours at Connor-Appointed archbishop of Armagh
-Driven out of Ulster-Opposition of the family which had long enjoyed the
co-arbship of Armagh—Malachy returns from Kerry to Ulster; makes a com-
promise and obtains the staff of Jesus; after some time resigns the primacy;
becomes bishop of Down -Malachy sets out for Rome-Visits Clairvaux-
His intercourse with the Pope-Appointed Papal legate-Directions relative
to the Palls-Cistercian monks settled at Mellifont-Malachy's zeal-Malachy
encounters an opponent of transubstantiation-Bernard's Life of Malachy not
quite trustworthy-Malachy again sets out for Rome-His death at Clairvaux
- His suspicious miracles-Cardinal Paparo now sent to Ireland-Synod of