Life of S. Kieran of Saighir.
Beatissimus
episcopus Ciaranus sanctorum Hibernia
primogenitus i.e.
bishop Kieran of Saighir was the first saint born in
Ireland; and was of Leinster’s eastern portion, which is
called Ossory. In that time the Irish all were
non-christians and gentiles. Laighne was his father’s name
and he was of the nobles of Ossory; his mother’s name was
Liadain, and she was of the southern part of Munster, being
indeed [to be more precise] of the Corca-laighde by race.
Before she conceived Kieran in her womb his mother had a
dream: as it were a star that fell into her mouth; which
dream she related to the magicians and to the knowledgeable
ones of the time, and they said to her: “thou wilt bear a
son whose fame and whose virtues shall to the world’s
latter end be great [i.e. notorious].” Afterwards that holy
son Kieran was born; and where he was [actually] brought
forth and nursed was in Corca-laighde, on the island which
is called Cléire. Verily God chose him in his mother’s
womb.
When Ireland then had [first and vaguely] heard Christ’s
name the disposition of Christian devotion had its first
origin in Kieran; his parents and every other one
marvelling at the extent to which all his deeds were
virtuous. He was mild in his nature, and of converse sweet;
his qualities were attended with prosperity, his counsel
was instruction, and so with all else that appertained to a
saintly man.
One day that he was in Cléire there it was that, he being
at the time but a young child, he made a beginning of his
miracles; for in the air right over him a kite came soaring
and, swooping down before his face, lifted a little bird
that sat upon her nest. Compassion for the little bird took
Kieran, and he deemed it an ill thing to see it in such
plight; thereupon the kite turned back and in front of
Kieran deposited the bird half dead, sore hurt; but Kieran
bade it rise and be whole. The bird arose, and by God’s
favour went whole upon its nest again.
A score and ten years now before ever he was baptised
Kieran spent in Ireland in sanctity and in perfection both
of body and of soul, the Irish being as we have said
gentiles. But the Holy Spirit being come to dwell in His
servant, in Kieran, he for that length [of time] lived in
devotion and in perfect ways; then he heard a report that
the Christian piety was in Rome and, leaving Ireland, went
thither, where he was instructed in the Catholic faith. For
twenty years he was there: reading the Holy Scripture,
collecting his books and learning the rule of the Church;
so that when the Roman people saw our Kieran’s wisdom and
cunning, his devotion and his faith, he was ordained into
the Church. Afterwards he reached Ireland again; but upon
the way from Italy Patrick (primate of Ireland) had met
him, and when they (God’s people) saw each other they made
much rejoicing and had great gladness. Now at that time
Patrick was not a bishop, but was made one later on.
Celestinus it was that made a bishop of him and then sent
him to preach to the Irish; for albeit before Patrick there
were saints in Ireland, yet for him God reserved her
magistracy and primacy until he came; nor till his advent
did their kings or their lords believe by any other’s
means.
Said Patrick to Kieran: “precede me into Ireland; and in
the marching of her northern with her southern part, in her
central point, thou shalt find a well. At such well (the
name of which is uardn) build thou a monastery; there shall
thine honour abide for ever and thy resurrection be.”
Kieran answered and said: “impart to me the spot
where the well is.” Patrick said to him: “the Lord will be
with thee : go thou but straight before thee take to thee
[first] my little bell, which until thou reach the well
that we have mentioned shall be speechless; but when thou
attainest to it the little bell will with a clear melodious
voice speak out: so shalt thou know the well, and at the
end of nine years and a score I will follow thee to that
place.”
They blessed and kissed each other, and Kieran went his way
to Ireland; but Patrick tarried in Italy. Kieran’s bell was
without uttering until he came to the place where was the
well of which Patrick spoke: Uarán namely; for when Kieran
was come - into Ireland God guided him to that well, which
when he had reached, straightway the little bell spoke with
a bright clear voice: barcán
Ciaráin ‘tis
called, and for a token is now in Kieran’s parish and in
his see; throughout the territories round about ‘tis
carried to be sworn upon [in covenants] between kings, for
a sanction that they shall keep their troth. Moreover it is
borne about to all peoples in general to procure for the
successors to - Kieran’s monastery all that of which they
may stand in need. Where it was made was with Germanus the
bishop, Patrick’s master, who also gave it to Patrick.
Touching that well of which we have spoken: the very spot
in which it is is in the mearing betwixt two parts of
Ireland, Mun ster being the southernmost part and..., the
northern; howbeit in Munster actually the country is which
men call Ely. In that place Kieran began to dwell as a
hermit (for at that time it was all encircled with vast
woods) and for a commencement went - about to build a
little cell of flimsy workmanship (there it was that
[later] he founded a monastery and metropolis which all in
general now call Saighir Chiaráin). When first Kieran came
hither he sat him down under a tree’s shade; but from the
other side of the trunk rose a wild boar of great fury
which, when he saw Kieran, fled and then turned again as a
tame servitor to him, - he being by God rendered gentle.
Which boar was the first disciple and the first monk that
Kieran had there; and moreover went to the wood to pull
wattles and thatch with his teeth by way of helping on the
cell (human being there was none at that time with Kieran,
for it was alone and away from his disciples - that he came
on that eremiteship). And out of every airt in which they
were of the wilderness irrational animals came to Kieran: a
fox namely, a brock, a wolf, and a doe; which were tame to
him, and as monks humbled themselves to his teaching and
did all that he enjoined them.
But of a day that the fox (which was gross of appetite,
crafty, and full of malice) came to Kieran’s brogues he
e’en stole them and, shunning the community, made for his
own cave of old and there lusted to have devoured the
brogues. Which thing being shewn to Kieran he sent another
monk of the monks of his familia (the brock to wit) to
fetch the fox and to bring him to the same spot [where all
were]. To the fox’s earth the brock went accordingly, and
caught him in very act to eat the brogues themselves (their
lugs and thongs he had consumed already). The brock was
instant on him that he should come with him to the
monastery; at eventide they reached Kieran, and the brogues
with them. Kieran said to the fox: “brother, wherefore hast
thou done this thievery which was not becoming for a monk
to perpetrate? seeing thou neededst not to have committed
any such; for we have in common water that is void of all
offence, meat too we have [of the same]. But and if thy
nature constrained thee to deem it for thy benefit that
thou shouldst eat flesh, out of the very bark that is on
these trees round about thee God would have made such for
thee.” Of Kieran then the fox besought remission of his
sins and that he would lay on him a penance; so it was
done, nor till he had leave of Kieran did the fox eat meat;
and from that time forth he was righteous as were all the
rest.
Afterwards his own disciples came to Kieran, with many
more; - then he began to build a stately monastery, and
henceforth those animals in their own condition abode still
with Kieran, for they diverted him. Now grew the Christian
faith in Ireland [insomuch that] before Patrick’s advent
thither there were three - most saintly bishops: as Ailbe
of Imlech iubhair, bishop Braus, with Declan in his land
and country, in the Decies of Munster; while of his own
country too, of Ossory, Kieran the holy turned - many men
to the Catholic faith.
It was after this that from Pope Celestinus the glorious
Arch bishop Patrick came into Ireland; from whom all that
land was filled with the Christian faith and baptism.
To Kieran came once a young woman: he made of her a
Christian and a veritable servant to God, and near to the
monastery built for her a small but honourable cell; about
her he assembled other saintly maidens, and of these was
the most exquisite virgin whose name was Bruinneck:
daughter of a noble lord of Munster. By Kieran’s mother she
was beloved dearly and zealously; she was under Liadain’s
special care, and profitable in all her ways. But when the
chief of Hy-Fiachrach heard the fame of this girl’s beauty
that we have mentioned, with great bands of kerne he came
and carried her away forcibly; his name was Díma, and with
him in his castle she was for a long time; indeed she slept
by him, and he held her dear exceedingly. Kieran came to
Díma to require the girl of him, but DIma consented not to
dismiss her; he said further that by no means would he
suffer her to depart from him unless that a stork’s voice
it were that on the morrow woke him (it was time of winter
then and great snow was fallen; but on the spot where
Kieran was with his disciples fell no whit of the same). On
the morrow’s morn then (although the thing were against
nature) on every housetop that was in the precinct a stork
uttered; which when Díma heard, speedily he sought Kieran,
on his knees he fell before him, and let the young woman
go. She was pregnant then, which was not good in Kieran’s
sight; therefore upon her body he signed the Holy Cross,
and her burden vanished quite away; then he led her to her
own cell which [now] is called Cill Liadain.
In love for the woman Díma was entangled hugely however,
and repented him that he had dismissed her. He returned to
carry her away again, but God wrought conformably to the
will of three: of Kieran, of his mother, and of the woman’s
self; so that when he came to the town Bruinnech died. Díma
took it ill, and said to Kieran: “wherefore hast thou slain
my wedded wife that before me never knew a man, for as a
lawful spouse I bound her to me? thy habitation therefore
shall not be in this place, but I will expel thee out of
it.” Kieran answered: “not of thyself are the powers by
which thou mightest do that or any other thing; but God it
is that hath given thee faculty, as it were an earthly
shadow, for so long as it may please Him. Therefore my
place I will not leave for thee but, whether it like thee
or like thee not, will still be in it.” Dima when he heard
it departed with great anger, and against Kieran uttered
threats; but in revenge of his injustice distress of God
fell on him, insomuch that when he came to his castle he
found it and all as many buildings as surrounded it on
fire. Now a favourite [little] son that he had was
forgotten in the house and he asleep in Díma’s bed; but his
nurse, when she perceived that for man it was not possible
to rescue him from the flames, cried with a loud voice:
“beloved babe, I make thee over to Kieran of Saighir, and
to his safeguard do consign thee!" whereat the flames being
fallen and the prernises cooled down, the child was found
whole as though but asleep. When Díma saw it he came where
Kieran was (and the bishop called Aedh with him); from
Kieran he accepted a sore penance and dedicated to him his
two Sons: Donough (the son that the Saint had himself saved
from the fire) and another one, with their seed and
posterity after them, [with] both monastery and revenue,
and with burial place. Then to his own place Díma returned
again, with joy and with Kieran’s benediction. As for this
latter it grieved him that his charge was so quickly gone
from the world, and he knew that thenceforth Díma would no
more do him violence; where the young woman’s body was
thither he went therefore, atld in her behalf made prayers
to God so that she rose From death and for a long time
after that lived on.
Of another day the steward that Kieran had in order to the
monastery’s work [of construction] came to him saying: “we
lack swine.” Kieran made answer: “even as God giveth us
every Dther thing so too will He furnish swine.” Sure
enough on the morrow there came to the workmen an exceeding
great sow and along with her of little pigs a dozen, from
which in the sequel proceeded many porkers.
Of Kieran upon yet another day the self-same man sought
sheep. Kieran said: “the One that gave us swine will give
us sheep;" and the steward being gone out saw on the green
a score and eight white sheep that ate grass. Then he took
them away, and of them came many sheep.
A certain man of power that was in that country :-and to
Kieran he brought his dead son to be made alive again
(Laeghaire was the boy’s name). Kieran having prayed to his
Lord, the lad - rose up from death and lived long after; in
gratitude for which that man bestowed on Kieran and on his
representative for ever the land that is called
Ráth-feráin.
It was after this that Patrick the Preacher came into
Ireland, and to the king of Munster: to Angus son of
Nadfraech, who believed in God and in Patrick; and Patrick
baptised him. In that time came one of the seed of Duach,
of the country of Ossory, and of set purpose killed
Patrick’s horse; by the king’s people he was seized and
without delay set in fetters, that he might be put to
death. Howbeit in his behalf his friends besought Kieran,
who came to the king and in lieu of the other gave him
wealth of gold and of silver, so procuring [the prisonerl
to be enlarged free to his own country. But Kieran being
gone the - treasure went to nothing, whereby anger took the
king and he summoned Kieran. He enquired of him why for the
culprit that he held he had given him empty riches (mock
substance that is to say); Kieran answered and said: “all
riches whatsoever, ‘tis but of nought they come and into
nought must go.” Again anger took the king, and he
threatened Kieran; but from God vengeance came on the king,
for on the instant his sight was taken from him and in the
presence of all that were present he fell to the earth.
Then came Carthach (that was pupil to Kieran and related to
the king) and besought Kieran for him; [in the end] by
prayer of Carthach and of many more it came to pass that
for the king Kieran relighted his eyes and he rose up whole
(now to many it had seemed as though the king were dead,
and it were his resurrection that Kieran had effected
thus), and being risen conferred many alms on Kieran, and
to God gave thanks.
Some good harpers that Angus the king had at that
time--they were melodious as they sang poems and played
their harps. Of a day that they walked through Muskerry in
the province of Munster, there they were slain by some that
were enemies to them; their bodies were hidden in a loch
adjoining to the open ground in which they were killed, and
their harps were slung in a tree on the loch’s shore. Now
this [i.e. the harpers’ absence] misliked Angus, and he
took it ill that he knew not what was befallen them; but he
was aware that Kieran was full of the Holy Spirit’s virtue,
and he came to him in order to learn that which had
happened to the harpers: for (seeing that he had embraced
the faith of Christ) he would not seek it of his magician.
What Kieran said to him was: “thine harpers are slain
privily, and their bodies hidden in a loch hard by the spot
where they were killed; their harps moreover hang in a tree
on the loch’s shore.” The king besought Kieran that he
would go with him to the loch in order that he might find
the bodies to have them raised; to the loch they went, and
for three days Kieran fasted in order that it should be
possible to raise the bodies: which three days’ fast
being accomplished the loch’s water ebbed to an extent such
that they were no longer hidden at all. They were lifted
and brought into the presence of Kieran, who made prayer to
God so that before all men the dead rose as though they had
but slept: their number was eight, and the length of time
that they had been in the loch an entire month. Out of the
tree they (as Kieran instructed them) took to them their
harps, and in presence of the king, of Kieran, and of all
the rest in general, played delicious melody: in which
music was delightfulness such that great number of the
multitude fell asleep to it; and glory was given to God and
to Kieran (as for the loch in which they had been drowned,
from that time forth water gathers not there; only that for
a commemoration of that miracle it still is called loch na
gcruitiredh, i.e. ‘Loch of the Harpers’). Then Kieran,
after the king’s and the harpers’ benediction had, returned
- to his own metropolis.
On yet another day as the king’s (Angus’s) steward walked
through the land that is called Múscraighe tíre there came
in his way a herd of swine, and he bade his people kill a
hog of them; they killed and took it into the nearest wood
to eat it. [Which while they did] certain that were their
enemies happening on them slew the steward and a score of
his people on the bank of the river that is called
Brosnach. When Kieran was certified of this, by his pupil
Carthach (that was brother to Angus the king, or it may be
his grandson) and by others he was entreated that they
might go fetch the bodies of that company, so that wild
beasts should not devour them. They having reached the
bodies then, Kieran saw that such number as he had with him
sufficed not to carry them to the church; with a loud voice
therefore he said: “in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ
rise wretched people! come with me!" they rose straightway
(the hog also with them), and a certain holy man that had
Eochaid to his name, and was of that same country, returned
to his house; but they that were raised up [and had not
previously been holy men] were from that time pious monks
with Kieran.
Yet another day Kieran walked, and in his way there was by
chance a brake on which was great abundance of
blackberries; and from his seer’s quality he comprehended
that [for some purpose] these would be needed yet He
provided them with a covering therefore, that the winter’s
cold should not touch them; and it was his intent that,
though to a year’s end they were there, they should be none
the worse, if not indeed all the better. It was after this
that by a certain chief of his people (Concraidh king of
Ossory: he was the chief in question) a feast was prepared
for the king, for Angus; to consume which feast the king
came, and his queen, and with them a great multitude, the
season being then just after Easter. At this banquet the
queen fell in love with Concraidh and (for he was comely of
form exceedingly) besought him to respond to her; but
Concraidh refused this thing. In order that after the king
she might remain with Concraidh in the town the queen
resorted now to a feigned sickness, and said that if she
might have blackberries to eat she would be whole (for she
never thought that at that season it were feasible to get
blackberries). On account of the king, Concraidh for his
part feared to have her in the town; he went therefore to
where his own peculiar patron Kieran was, to whom he shewed
each particular that we have mentioned (now every spot in
Ossory belongs to Kieran’s ecclesiastical jurisdiction).
Kieran when he had heard the matter said “blackberries she
shall have,” and so went to the brake upon which in the
foregoing autumn he had left blackberries under cover; of
which he brought back a vessel full and by Concraidk sent
them to the queen. She ate them and was whole, for on the
spot she cared no whit more for him; it was the taste of
honey moreover that the queen and every one that ate them
found in those blackberries. She perceived then that it was
a miracle had been performed on her by Kieran, wherefore
she came and humbled herself to him and craved forgiveness;
Kieran gave her remission and his blessing too, but said:
“from the death that is pronounced for thee I may not save
thee: for in the one day thyself and Angus must find death
in battle; but God will have mercy on you” (this was Eithne
Uathack daughter of Enna Cinnselach’s son Crimthann;
Patrick foretold so much for them, and Kieran too on this
occasion, and it was true: for by Muirchertach mac Erca and
Illann son of Dúnlang king of Leinster, and by Conn’s Half,
Angus and that queen fell in the battle of Cill-osnad on
Moy-Fea of Offaley (sic); the day on which that battle was
delivered being the eighth of the Ides of October, when the
Lord’s Age was thirteen years and fourscore and four
hundred years. Patrick’s demise in the same year).
Yet another day Patrick and Angus son of Nadfraech with a
great multitude came to Saighir (where Kieran was), and
eight oxen were slaughtered for them besides other meat
[provided]. Said some one or other to Kieran: “for yon so
great multitude of people where is the profit in what meat
is here?" Kieran answered: “He that in the wilderness did
with a little bread and fish satisfy many thousands may
well effect that to yonder numbers this small portion of
meat shall be satiety.” He blessed his own well, and turned
it to wine; and of God’s grace and Kieran’s it came that,
so long as ever all such throngs as were present there
desired it, they had their sufficiency of meat and of wine.
Yet another time came the king of Tara with a strong force
to take the men of Munster’s pledges. Olioll king of Cashel
would not submit to him, but made a great gathering to
oppose him; and close to Kieran’s metropolis they met
Kieran would fain have made peace between them; they would
not have it [i.e. his mediation] of him, and from God he
procured that which of proud human folk he had not gained:
for in the face of Munster as they marched to the battle a
mighty wood sprang up, while to bar Conn’s Half the
Brosnach’s stream swelled over her banks so that not one
dared take it. When they saw that miracle fear seized them:
the king, seeing the current which formerly was passable
for his hosts rise against them now, turned away from that
stream and departed to his own country; and that night
Munster lay in the vicinity of Kieran’s metropolis. He sent
to the king a beef and a pig ready cooked; with which meat
the whole army was replete, and they left fragments. By
these various miracles God’s name and Kieran’s were
magnified.
Of another time great bands of marauders came out of other
countries into the marches of Munster, to do pillage and to
kill people; but a good man of Munster whose name was Lonan
overtook them, and the outlaws turned to flight. When they
saw that they might not by any means escape, they prayed
Kieran to save them out of that extremity; and when Lonan
and his people would have taken and killed them, a
thunderbolt fell betwixt them and the robbers. Great fear
took Lonan and his men, so that beyond that point they
followed them not, but reverted to their own
dwelling-place; and the bandits recognised that they were
Kieran’s miracles which had succoured them. They repaired
to him therefore and told him their story; and the course
on which they resolved was to don religious habits, and
thenceforth to serve God and Kieran; this was performed by
them, and until they died they continued under Kieran’s
hand in good works and in piety.
Yet another day came a thief (whose name was Cairbre) of
Leinster’s province, and stole an extraordinary good cow
that Kieran’s monks had; but as he made for Slievebloom a
mist and a darkness came down upon him so that the way was
no longer patent to him, and he falling into a river was
drowned. The cow turned and to Kieran and to the monks came
back again.
Yet another day Kieran sent to his nurse, to Cuinche, a
team of oxen (they having no man with them) to plough for
her. Whenever the oxen were come to her she knew that it
was Kieran had sent them to her to plough: now it was a
long way between Kieran and Cuinche’s monastery i.e.
Ros-bennachoir, for this is in the sea’s neighbourhood, in
the eastern part of Ireland. Those oxen ploughed of
themselves and (the time of ploughing ended) returned to
Kieran, there being no one with them. It was Kieran’s use
upon every Christmas eve (after from his own hand
administering communion to his familia in Saigizir) to
resort to his nurse’s monastery, to Ros-bennachoir and from
his own hand again to give her too the communion of
Christ’s Body; on which same night then he would return to
his own convent. And the manner after which we understand
that it was God that did this is [by considering] how he
wrought with Abacus in bringing him from India (his own
country) to Chaldæa and back to India again in but a brief
space of the day. S. Cuinche’s great stone (on which she
practised to pray to and to supplicate her Lord) stood on
the sea’s shore a space from the monastery: its name is
Carraig Chuinche now, round about which the sears waves
would oftentimes come up. Kieran one day mounted upon this:
stone and it floated on the sea; then, when Kieran so
willed it, came back to its place. Nor was this wonderful,
for it is written: mirabilis Deus in sanctis suis (Ps.
cxxxv.) i.e. “God is marvellous in his saints.”
The pupil whom we have said that Kieran had, Carthach
namely: he and a virgin of Liadain’s familia fell
immoderately in love with each other and conceived a
contaminated intention of sinning; they appointed a place
of meeting where they should be at their ease to court, and
attended the same; but when they would have embraced, a
thunderbolt fell between them so that - hardly they escaped
unconsumed. Great fear took them, and for the magnitude of
their terror they uttered not a single word; they returned
back [from their assignation] but the virgin was stricken
blind, and till the time of her death was so: nor was it an
inequitable judgment that the woman who had blinded her
mind even to [the pitch of committing] sin should have her
eyes blinded of corporal [i.e. physical] light. Carthach
for his part submitted to the penance imposed on him, and
went on a pilgrimage. Whence also Kieran’s sanctity is
manifest; for God would not that those two virgins should
sin that were in the saint’s keeping, seeing that in
safeguarding of his flock he was a most zealous pastor.
To Kieran came two that were brethren to each other (Odhran
and Medhran their names were, of Múscraighe-thíre and of
the town called Letrach): and when these reached Saighir
the one man (it was Zk[ea!hran) longed to abide with
Kieran; but Odhran said: “not thus thou promisedst, my
brother,” and told Kieran not to keep back his brother from
him. Kieran answered: “God shall judge betwixt us whose he
shall be: in his hand let him take this taper, let him blow
on it with his breath, and if the taper kindle let him
remain with me; if it light not, let him go with thee.” The
taper was given him in his hand, he blew on it with his
breath, and straightway it lighted; therefore in great
sanctity and in good works Medhran till his death’s day
abode with Kieran. To Odhran Kieran said: “I tell thee,
Odhran, that though thou range the whole world, yet ‘tis in
thine own town, in Letrach, thou shalt die; return
therefore and in that same pass thy time, for ‘tis from
thee that it shall have its name for ever.” Through
Kieran’s words Odhran returned to his own town, where he
made an honourable monastery; his virtues and his sanctity
were great, and after performance of miracles in number (as
is read in his own life) he went to Heaven. Thus then
Kieran’s words were verified, for Letrach Odhrain it is
which serves that place for a name.
Awoman called Etill walked one day and chanced to be thrown
down, so that her bones were broken and she died; at three
days’ end Kieran brought her to life again and she conceded
to him the land on which she had the fall: léirn Etille
[i.e. ‘Etill’s Leap’] is its name. Moreover she gave thanks
to God and to Kieran.
Aretainer of the king’s people, Cennfaela by name: he slew
Cronan that was a friend to Kieran; the saint revived him
(and at the seventh day’s end it was he did it) in the name
of Christ He then [Cronan] being in the presence of all the
rest whole again, Kieran said: “he that killed thee
(Cennfaela namely) shall be slain, and in the castle which
is called Rath... of Ely (?) his body shall be burned.”
Yet another day the king of Munster (Olioll) addressed
Kieran with surly words, and departed from him in great
wrath; but it was no long time before the king was stricken
dumb, so that for eight days he was speechless. He came to
Kieran and prostrated himself before him; he accused
himself of his unlawful deeds [which he had committed] and
craved forgiveness; and Kieran, when he perceived that the
king felt true penitence, blessed his tongue so that at
once and with plain clear utterance he spoke, then, after
Kieran’s blessing received, went away whole to his house
and magnified God’s name and the saint’s.
One night Kieran and a pilgrim named Germanus that was with
him entered into a stream of cold water, in which when they
had now been for a long time Germanus said: “Kieran, I may
no longer hold out in the water.” Kieran made the sign of
the Holy Cross upon the water, whereby he turned it to be
ternperate and of bathing heat; and there they were
praising God.
Kieran said: “to-morrow, Germanus, a beloved guest will
come to us: Carthach namely, the king of Munster’s son and
mine own pupil, whom for a sin that he lusted to commit
[and] had not God and I hindered him [would have committed]
I sent on a pilgrimage: [I hindered him I say] for I would
not that he should have ruined [or ‘thrown away’] all his
hitherto devotion and his labour. He having obtained
remission of his sins, and being cleansed of his fault,
returns even now; thou therefore take of this fish that
surrounds thee, so that it shall be ready against my
beloved son.” As Kieran had bidden him, so Germanus caught
a great fish; and on the morrow (as also Kieran had said)
Carthach came.
Yet another time by a certain king named Furbaidhe Kieran
of Clonmacnoise was taken and set in bonds: the cause being
that of the king’s treasure, which was in Kieran’s custody,
the saint (for he was full of pity) bestowed great portion
on the poor of God. Where Kieran was [in prison] thither
the king came one day, and through jocoseness said: “if I
got four bald cows, red-bodied, with white heads on them, I
would enlarge thee.” He answered: “God is able for that
same; but let me out to seek them, and if I find them not I
will myself return again to be at thy disposal.” His bonds
were loosened then and he came to Saighir, where the other
Kieran was, to whom he told this matter; at which time both
the Brendans were with Kieran, and to them all it was a
gladdening that Kieran of Cluain was come. Said the other
Kieran to his man of trust: “what shall these saints have
to eat to-night?" the man of trust rejoined that, saving
flesh alone, he had no meat Kieran said: “with speed make
ready that thou hast” The flesh then being boiled, Kieran
blessed it and in the others’ presence changed it at his
discretion to oil, to fish, to pottage, and to various
meats; while by God’s grace it came to pass that for the
meal of those saints whom we have mentioned all the vessels
of the house were filled up with fine wine. There was
within there a monk (mac Congair he was) to whom it was
distasteful to eat meat with the saints, and he said that
he would not use the meats that were made out of the flesh.
Kieran pronounced: “thou shalt e’en eat flesh in Lent, and
on the day in which thou shalt eat it thine enemies shall
slay thee; thy head also shall be taken from thee, and thou
shalt not possess the kingdom of God; and thy life thou
shalt spend disastrously, for thy monk’s habit thou shalt
lay aside.” Now Kieran’s words came true, for close to
Saighir of Kieran he was killed.
Then those four saints (two Kierans and two Brendans) made
an alliance between themselves and between their successors
after them. Kieran of Cluain, after leave taken of those
other saints and their blessings had, turned to go his way,
lacking all knowledge where were the kine which the king
demanded of him. Kieran of Saighir came a piece of the way
with him to convey him, and either gave the other farewell
benediction. Said Kieran of Cluaitt: “by my blessing’s
efficacity be there for ever in thy town riches, and much
treasure, and cattle;" Kieran of Saighir said: “by virtue
of my blessing be there in thy place for ever wealth both
of wisdom and of piety.” When then they were come to the
ford that is called Ath-salach, upon the river’s bank they
got four bald and white-headed cows. Kieran of Cluain said:
“seest thou how God hath given us the cows which the king
required of us?” They parted from each other then, having
first rendered thanks and praise to God, and having in
token of peace and of grace given and received blessing and
osculations; Kieran the elder returned back to Saighir and
the other Kieran went to Cluain. He sent the kine to the
king, who marvelled how it could be that cows such as they
had been found; but Kieran being now discharged of his
promise they vanished away to nothing, so that from that
time to this no account whatsoever of them has been had.
Whereupon the king was aware that that which he had done to
Kieran was unrighteous.
In the monastery of Clonmacnoise was a child whose name was
Crithid: that in good works was no more than a fool; but in
bad works of maliciousness, right noxious. He came to
Saighir and for a while was there with Kieran the elder,
who had enjoined that till a year’s end a certain holy fire
which at the previous Eastertide he had consecrated must
not be quenched within the monastery, but be nourished and
safeguarded there; yet at the Devil’s instigation the child
of whom we spoke came, and of set purpose quenched the
fire. Kieran said: “know ye that the accursed child whom
men call Grithid of Cluain hath quenched the sacred fire
that we had? vengeance shall come on him for this, and he
will die to-morrow.” Which also was verified for on the
morrow the wolves killed him on the lands abroad, and there
he was left [uneaten]. Kieran said “up to Easter shall be
no fire in the church unless God put it there.” But Kieran
of Cluain heard that the child was perished so, and
speedily he came to Saighir where he was received with much
honour. The monastery wanted all fire however; for it was
from the aforesaid holy flame that every night they kindled
others there, and Kieran had pronounced that (unless God
sent such from Heaven) there should not until Eastertime be
fire in it. But to the town on that day came [as we have
said] guests Kieran of Cluain and his company, who were
much oppressed with cold, for it was snowy weather then.
Kieran the elder went out and with vehement prayer
stretched forth his hand to God; into his breast fell then
a fiery mass, round about which he wrapped his mantle’s
skirt and took it into the house where the guests were. Who
being now warmed, supper was made ready for them; but when
they were set to eat it Kieran of Cluain declared that till
he should have restitution of the child he would not eat
meat Kieran the elder said: “we know that such is thy
journey’s purpose, and God will grant us that he come back
alive to us; eat thy meat then, for that child is on his
way to us.” Even as Kieran said the word the child came,
whom when they saw they rendered thanks to God and to his
sanctity. They ate their meal; and Kieran of Cluain, having
received Kieran the elder’s blessing, departed taking his
child with him.
Yet another day: one of Kieran’s own brethren came and
unguardedly, not of purpose, quenched the fire again; he
did penance and had absolution. That same day Ruadhan of
Lothra came to the town on a visit to Kieran, and in the
monastery was no fire for the period of the guests’ stay.
Kieran went therefore to a great stone that was near him
and blessed it; forthwith the stone took fire, and in that
condition he carried it to the house in which the guests
were. Which when Ruadhan with his disciples saw, to God and
to Kieran they gave glory and laudation.
The brother whom we mentioned, Báithin: he spilt a vessel
of milk that he had carrying it; but Kieran made the sign
of the cross on the utensil and it was full again. Fear
before their master, before Kieran, fell on the brother
that had spilt the milk and on some others of the brethren;
after which many were confirmed in the faith and in good
works.
Kieran prayed to his Lord one day: an angel came and shewed
him that the season of his death was [comprised] within but
a short space. In the angel’s presence he craved of God
petitions three, and these he had of the angel even as he
desired them, for they had been promised to him by God: the
first petition of them was that, whosoever should be buried
in his metropolis, in his burial-ground, the gates of Hell
should not be shut on him after the Judgment-day; the
second petition was that, whosoever should shew honour to
his day, lack of the world’s wealth should not afflict him,
and that on the yonderside he should have Heaven; the third
petition was that the tribe of which he was and to which he
was patron, they of Ossory namely, never should by any
extern tribe such as might come unlawfully to take their
country be worsted in battle, neither themselves go to make
unjust conquest in any other land.
This holy one of whom we have spoken, Kieran of Saighir: in
every place he was full of humility, and to his death’s
date loved to hear, to read, and to learn [i.e. study] the
Scripture. It is related too that he (with the saints of
Ireland his contemporaries) was with Finnian of Clonirard,
and entered that school at an advanced age, where he
attained to great theology; so that on him (as on the
others) was bestowed the designation of ‘Finnian’s pupil.’
He being now grown ancient, being of great wisdom also,
instructed perfectly (as we have said), and an honourable
bishop, nevertheless (for love of humility and of
knowledge) was contented to learn still, while from him [at
the same time] others derived instruction. Moreover, from
his ‘young age’ [i.e. from childhood] Kieran never drank
apght by which he might be drunken, never wrapped himself
in downy or in soft raiment, never partook of a banquet,
never slept his fill, nor for love of carousing and of good
company rushed off anywhither. And his own tribe, the tribe
of Ossory (forby many other men) he converted to the faith.
Many times he was visited by angels; he ordained great
number of bishops, of priests, and of other orders of the
Church. The angel instructed him also of a venerable well
by which much various disease and infirmity is healed: its
name is tobar Cicirain [i.e. ‘Tubberkieran’ or ‘Kieran’s
Well’]. Thirty years Kieran, passed in zealous service to
God before his baptism. Then when by age and by sickness he
was now become infirm, the days of his death drew near to
him; and out of every quarter where they were he summoned
to him his people and his parishioners, and blessed them.
He enjoined on them to keep God’s commandments, and on the
third of the nones of March he, being surrounded by choirs
of saints, with Christ’s peace received the sacraments of
the Church. He dismissed his spirit and, by God’s leave, in
the one night with him a score and ten bishops that he had
himself ordained went likewise to the Kingdom of God.
Here is an end of the Life of Kieran: written by Maurice
O’Conor, ship-carpenter, in Cork.