E06131: Tírechán's Collection records diverse baptisms, ordinations, ecclesiastical foundations and miracles of *Patrick (missionary and bishop of Ireland, 5th c., S01962). Written in Latin in Ireland, probably shortly after c. 668. Overview entry
Creators: name: Bryan
Publisher: name: University of Oxford
Year: 2018
Subjects: History

description: Tírechán, Collection (BHL 6496) <br><br>Summary:<br><br>The work as it survives has no title, only the heading: 'Bishop Tírechán has written this, based on the words and the book (ex ore uel libro) of Ultán, whose fosterling and pupil he was.'<br><br>(1.) On Patrick's four names, according to the book of Bishop Ultán of Connor: Magonus, Succetus, Patricius and Cothirthiacus; his seven years of solitude; his visitation by the angel Victor; his journeys, after his release from captivity, through Gaul, Italy and the Tyrrhenian Sea; his thirty years on the island of Aralenensis [Lérins?] <br><br>(2.) His death 433 years after Christ's passion.<br><br><br>[Book one: Patrick's deeds in the territory of the Uí Néill]<br><br>(3.) His journey to the islands of Moccu Chor 'with his Gauls,' and the ordinations he performed there. <br><br>(4.) His landing at Mag Breg. <br><br>(5.) His first church in the valley of Sescán, and baptism of the boy Benignus, his successor as bishop at Armagh. <br><br>(6-7.) On the bishops and lesser clergy ordained by Patrick. <br><br>(8.) On the churches he founded at Mag Breg, and his miraculous confrontation with the druids (magi) Cruth and Lochlethlanu. <br><br>(9.) How he cursed Coirpriticus son of Níall; (10.) and baptised Conall son of Níall, where the Great Church of Patrick now stands (Aeclessia Patricii Magna). <br><br>(11.) The church he founded at Ford of the Mill. <br><br>(12.) His visit to Loíguire son of Níall in the city of Tara. <br><br>(13.) The church he founded at Carrac Dagri, and his baptism of many thousands. <br><br>(14.) His baptism of Conall, to whom Bishop Cethiachus later entrusted his monastery. <br><br>(15.) How Énde offered Patrick his son and inheritance. <br><br>(16.) More churches founded, and bishops ordained, by Patrick, including that at the Moat of Dallbronach, held by Bishop Mac Cairthin, the uncle of Saint *Brigit [abbess of Kildare, ob. c. 525, S01885]; at Carmell's Head in Mag Teloch, where the same saint was veiled; and at Mag Réin, where he founded a church for Bruscus, who after he died arranged the translation of his own body (see $S07407).<br><br>(17.) How Patrick sent Nie Brain, who made prophecies, to the Moat of Slecht; and how his charioteer was buried in what is now called Boidmall's Wood, which was given to Patrick.<br><br><br>[Book two: Patrick's deeds in Connacht]<br><br>(18.) Tírechán remarks how his 'heart... is filled with the (sorrowing) love for Patrick, because I see deserters and arch-robbers and war-lords of Ireland hate Patrick's territorial supremacy, because they have taken away from him what was his and are afraid'; he states that 'God gave him the whole island with its people through an angel of the Lord ... all the primitive churches of Ireland are his.' <br><br>(19.) How Patrick crossed the river Shannon, and fasted and prayed to banish the 'magical evil' (magica tenebrarum) of the magi Máel and Capitolauium from Mag Aí. <br><br>(20.) The church he established at Mag Glais called Cell Mór, where he installed his monks, the barbari Conleng and Ercleng. <br><br>(21.) The magus Hono who received Patrick as a guest, and to whom he prophesied priests and abbots as descendants. <br><br>(22.) On Bishop Assicus, a coppersmith and monk of Patrick, whose bones lie at Mag Sereth in Ráith Cungi. <br><br>(23.) The church he founded at Mound of the Uí Ailello called Senchell Dumiche, where he installed the 'holy men' Macet and Cetgen and the priest Rodanus. <br><br>(24.) How he and Rodanus veiled Benignus' sister Mathona, who came on 'pilgrimage' to visit him; how Mathona established a 'free church' at Tamnach; the oath of friendship she swore with Rodanus's successor at his relics (see $E06253).<br><br>(25.) How bishops consecrated by Patrick installed bishops at Tamnach - yet now 'the community of Clonmacnoise claims them, as they hold forcibly many of Patrick's places since the recent plague.' <br><br>(26.) How Patrick converted and baptised Ethne and Fedelm, the daughters of King Loíguire and the magi Caplit and Máel at Clébach; and how he built a church over the graves of the daughters, who died after their first communion (see $E06254). <br><br>(27.) How he founded a church at Ard Licce called Sedomnach, and installed his monk Coimanus there; and how he installed the monk Laloca at Ard Senlis. <br><br>(28.) How he left the deacon Justus, 'little more than a small boy' (puer pusillus) at Fidarte in the region of the Uí Maini. <br><br>(29.) How the 'Franks of Patrick' (Franci... Patricii) left him; among whom were Bishop Bernicius and Ernicius and their sister Nitria, who were given many places, including 'the Basilica of the Saints' (Bassilica Sanctorum). <br><br>(30.) Patrick's journey to Selc, with many bishops; and the church he established at Loch Selcae. <br><br>(31.) The church he founded in Drummae, where he dug a miraculous well. <br><br>(32.) His miraculous intervention in a property dispute at Drummut Cérrigi, and the church he founded there. <br><br>(33.) The church he founded at Nairni; and how Medbu visited him there, who was later ordained deacon at Armagh. <br><br>(34.) The cell he founded at Senes, at the well called Mucno. <br><br>(35.) The quadrangular churches he established in the territory of Conmaicne. <br><br>(36.) His journey to Mag Foimsen, where he installed the priest Conán. <br><br>(37.) How at Ached Fobuir he veiled a maiden (sancta filia), ordained her brother Senachus as bishop, and consecrated a church there. <br><br>(38.) How he fasted for 40 days and nights at Cruachán Aigli, and established a church at Mag Humail. <br><br>(39.) How he baptised thousands and founded three churches at the well of Sine; and how he showed how the well of Sian, which the pagans worshipped, only held water. <br><br>(40.) How in Dichuil he raised a giant from the dead and baptised him. <br><br>(41.) How at Findmag he spoke to a dead pagan, and moved the cross accidentally placed over his grave to that of a Christian. <br><br>(42) How he crossed the river Moy, and cursed and killed the chief magus Recrad; and how he founded a church in the Wood of Fochloth, where the 'holy bones' of Bishop Mucnoe now lie (see $E06255). <br><br>(43.) How he baptised the seven sons of Mace Dregin, and veiled two nuns, for whom he blessed a place at the Wood of Fochloth. <br><br>(44.) How he built a clay church at Foirrgea; and baptised in the womb the unborn child of a dying woman; and built a church at Ros mace Caitni, where she was buried. <br><br>(45.) The stone cross he raised at Bartagh; the church he founded beside the Moat of Rigbart; and how he gave a tooth that fell out of his mouth to his companion Brón 'as a relic' (in reliquias). <br><br>(46.) His foundations at Tamnach, Echenach, Cell Angle, Cell Senchuae, Druim Léas, Domnach Ailmage and Mag Aine; and how he cursed the rivers Dub, Oengae and Séle, and blessed the river Drowes. <br><br>(47.) His foundations at Ráith Argi, Mag Latrain, Sirdruimm, and Mag Tóchui. <br><br>(48.) How he built seven churches at Dul Ocheni; and monastic cells at Eilne; and how he sat on a rock in Dún Sobairche, now called 'Patrick's Rock' (petra Patricii); and how he gave relics of Peter and Paul to Bishop Olcanus (see $E06256). <br><br>(49.) Of the vision of the magus Miliucc. <br><br>(50.) Patrick's footprint at Slíab Scirte, where he saw an angel of the Lord and 'went up to heaven' (ascendisset in caelum); and his foundation at Maugdornai of a great church, and consecration of Bishop Victoricus. <br><br>(50.) The churches he built beside Bile Torten, and in eastern Tortiu; the 'House of the Martyrs' (Domum Martirum) he established at Druimm Hurchaille; the churches he founded at Mag Lifi and Roigne; and further ordinations.<br><br><br>Text and Translation: Bieler 1979. Summary: B. Savill.