An account of St. Munchin of Limerick from Fr. John Lanigan's Ecclesiastical History of Ireland, Vol III (1822), Chapt. xvii, p. 29 ff.
St. Manchan abbot of Meno-drochit (79) died in 652. (80) He was surnamed the wise and enjoyed a great reputation. (81) Some writers make him the same as Manchan abbot of Mohill in the now county of Leitrim (82) but there is reason to think that they were different persons. (83) Manchan the wise was I believe the same as the Manchan or as vulgarly called Munchin who is supposed to have been the first bishop of Limerick. For this supposition there is no sufficient authority (84) and as far as I can discover it rests on no other foundation than that Manchan the wise founded perhaps a monastery where Limerick now stands or that the first church in that place was dedicated in his name. Of the identity of Munchin of Limerick with Manchan the wise a stronger proof need not be required than that his festival is kept on the 2nd of January, the day assigned to the memory of Manchan the wise in all the Irish calendars. (85) There is not the least hint in any old document relative to our Church history of this Manchan having been raised to the episcopal rank but the veneration in which he was held at Limerick and the circumstance of its oldest church bearing his name gave rise at a late period to the opinion of his having been a bishop. Mistakes of this kind have occurred not only in Ireland but likewise in other countries.
(79) It is how called Mundrehid and is in the barony of Upper Ossory Queen's county The tract in which it lies was formerly called Disert chuillin. There was an abbot Lasren in this place who died AD 600. Tr. Th. p 376.
(80) Annals of Ulster and Usher p. 970 and Ind. Chron.
(81) The author of the work De Mirabilibus S. Scriputrae, of which hereafter, takes particular notice L. 2 c. 4 of the death of Manchan or as the present text has Manichaeus as one of the wise men of Ireland. He places it in the last year of the eleventh reckoning from the beginning of the world cycle of 532 years which according to his chronological principles was the same as AD 652 (See Usher p. 970). From the name Manichaeus Usher ib. seems to have concluded that Manachan's real name was the Hebrew Mendham which has been changed into Manichaeus. But Colgan maintains AA. SS. p. 332 that Manchan is a diminutive of the Irish Manach, a monk, and means a little monk. He observes that there were many persons in Ireland called Manchan, Manchen or Manchin and all names of the same import. Manichaeus is, as he justly remarks, probably a corruption of Manchanus and it will be seen that other Irish names have been corrupted in the text of that work. St. Manchan was in all probability the same as the holy and wise man named Manchen who is mentioned in the Life of St Mulua of Clonfert-molua as a survivor of his. See Usher p, 969.
(82) Usher seems to have been of this opinion. He had, see p. 969, a Life of St Manchan of Mohill said to have been written by Richard Fitz-Ralph, archbishop of Armagh, in which Manchan was called a Canon Regular of St Augustin and stated to have flourished in the year 608. But there were no such Canons regular in those times. He is there called also patron of seven churches. It is said that ever since said year glebes, lands, fiefs, tythes, &c. were granted to the estabtishmerit of Mohill. This account smells of a period much later than 608 for neither fiefs nor tythes were then known in Ireland. (Ware Antiq. cap. 26 at Leitrim makes him the same as Manchan of Mene-drochit and so does Archdall at Mohill as appears from his assigning his death to 652.
(83) In the Irish Calendars quoted by Colgan at 14 Febr. where he treats of Manchan of Mohill they are spoken of as destinct persons. Manchan the wise is mentioned at 2 January while the one of Mohill appears at 14 February. This is a strong proof that they were different although I will allow the only one for very little is known concerning these Manchans notwithstanding the great esteem in which the one surnamed Wise was held Colgan says that in want of authentic documents to prove the contrary he must consider them as different persons
(84) Ware Bishops at Limerick says that St Munchin son of Sedna was the first bishop of that city He does not refer to any authority nor had he any except a passage of a genealogical hagiology ap AA. SS. p 332 in which among five Manchans is reckoned Manchinus Lumnichensis fdius Sednae But this Manchin or Manchan is not called a bishop although a Manchan mentioned just before him is marked by that title I do not find either in the Irish calendars or annals any Manchan bishop of Limerick nor even one called of Limerick It is very probable that Manchan the wise was son of Sedna who is said to have been a descendant of Cormac Cas king of Munster and the founder of the Dalcassian line of princes As Thomond in which was comprized the country about Limerick was the patrimony of this race it is natural to suppose that Munchin son of Sedna was greatly revered in that territory of which he was probably a native And thus it can be easily accounted for why there was a church in Limerick called by his name without recurring to the unauthorized hypothesis of his having been bishop there Ware acknowledges that he was not able to find any account of Mun chin's successors at Limerick until about the beginning of the twelfth century and elsewhere Antiquities cap 29 at Limerick says that it is a very difficult point to ascertain who Munchin of Limerick was He mentions the opinion of those who make him the same as the Mancenus who according to Jocelin was left in Tirawley by St Patrick We have already seen Chap v 12 and ib Not 118 that this pretended Mancenus of St Patrick's times was no other than Manchan of Meno drochit But even if he were different and if there was a Manchan in Tyrawley at that early period how has it come to pass that neither in Joce line nor in the Tripartite is a word to be found about said Manchan having become bishop of Limerick although the latter work is particularly minute as to St Patrick's proceedings in the now county of Limerick The fact is that in St Patrick's days there was neither a town nor I dare say a village nor monastery in the place where Limerick is situated Ware touches also on the opinion that Munchin was the same as Munchan of Mene drochit which strange to think he supposed to be less probable than the other But he assigns no reason for his having thought so O Halloran pretends History fyc B vm ch 7 not only that Manchan was bishop of Limerick soon after the arrival of St Patrick in Ireland and that he had been employed in Connaught but likewise that before he became bishop he was abbot and the first of Muingharid Mungret near Limerick O Halloran confounded Mungret with Mene drochit notwithstanding their being most clearly distinguished by Colgan Harris &c &c The first abbot of Mungret at least on record was Nessan who died in 552 See Chap xi 6
(85) See A A SS p 333 In Ware's Antiquities cap 29 the first of January is mentioned by mistake for the festival of St Munchin instead of the second This mistake has not been corrected by Harris.
Showing posts with label St. Munchin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label St. Munchin. Show all posts
Tuesday, 26 March 2019
Saint Munchin of Limerick (Dublin University Magazine)
An account of St. Munchin of Limerick from the Dublin University Magazine, Vol. 28, (1846), p. 27:
Little is known of Limerick previous to the arrival of the Northmen except its being the site of a cathedral in the seventh century and it is to Ivan not Sitric we owe the first foundation of the city. St Munchin of the Dalcassian tribe was the first bishop but the old cathedral bearing his name is now no more a parish church of no very particular beauty supplying its place with associations of the archaism of its builder not the most impressive. The original edifice was beautifully situated overhanging the Shannon and the churchyard in which still repose the crumbling memorials of a little world once as busy as our own was bounded by the city wall John's castle and the chief of the seventeen gates of the town immediately adjoining. An old legend connected with the erection of this remnant of antiquity has survived the destructive hand of the modern architect known as Saint Munchin's prayer and as shadowing a truth of no little significance perhaps our friends of this part of the Shannon will thank us for its preservation.
In those very primitive times we are informed and how refreshing the intelligence it was no uncommon thing for the predecessors of our mitred lords to lay aside occasionally the crozier and crook for those humbler but not less useful implements the hammer and trowel St Munchin laying the foundation of his church in propria persona happened to require the assistance of one of our predatory friends already spoken of to raise a large stone but was refused. A stranger happening to pass proffered his aid when the saint exceeding wroth knelt down and abjured after no measured terms the conduct of the former praying that the efforts of a stranger in the city should ever prosper rather than those of one born within its walls.
Without alluding to the consanguinity of the wish of the saint and the thought according to the familiar formula of Wordsworth or whether the curse still continues in all its stringency perhaps there may be some other more philosophic mode of accounting for the matter. Bubbling up with kindliness and good nature we shall not entertain the problem. There are those in the world it cannot be denied who are ever anxious to build the sepulchres of the ancient prophets while the great minds of the present hour delving and digging in the common places of the world around are neglected and forgotten. Whether the legend has any covert allusion to such we shall not wait to examine.
[St. Munchin is among the Saints of Limerick on the excellent 'Omnium Sanctorum Hiberniae' blog.]
Little is known of Limerick previous to the arrival of the Northmen except its being the site of a cathedral in the seventh century and it is to Ivan not Sitric we owe the first foundation of the city. St Munchin of the Dalcassian tribe was the first bishop but the old cathedral bearing his name is now no more a parish church of no very particular beauty supplying its place with associations of the archaism of its builder not the most impressive. The original edifice was beautifully situated overhanging the Shannon and the churchyard in which still repose the crumbling memorials of a little world once as busy as our own was bounded by the city wall John's castle and the chief of the seventeen gates of the town immediately adjoining. An old legend connected with the erection of this remnant of antiquity has survived the destructive hand of the modern architect known as Saint Munchin's prayer and as shadowing a truth of no little significance perhaps our friends of this part of the Shannon will thank us for its preservation.
In those very primitive times we are informed and how refreshing the intelligence it was no uncommon thing for the predecessors of our mitred lords to lay aside occasionally the crozier and crook for those humbler but not less useful implements the hammer and trowel St Munchin laying the foundation of his church in propria persona happened to require the assistance of one of our predatory friends already spoken of to raise a large stone but was refused. A stranger happening to pass proffered his aid when the saint exceeding wroth knelt down and abjured after no measured terms the conduct of the former praying that the efforts of a stranger in the city should ever prosper rather than those of one born within its walls.
Without alluding to the consanguinity of the wish of the saint and the thought according to the familiar formula of Wordsworth or whether the curse still continues in all its stringency perhaps there may be some other more philosophic mode of accounting for the matter. Bubbling up with kindliness and good nature we shall not entertain the problem. There are those in the world it cannot be denied who are ever anxious to build the sepulchres of the ancient prophets while the great minds of the present hour delving and digging in the common places of the world around are neglected and forgotten. Whether the legend has any covert allusion to such we shall not wait to examine.
[St. Munchin is among the Saints of Limerick on the excellent 'Omnium Sanctorum Hiberniae' blog.]
Wednesday, 2 March 2016
The See of Limerick (-1207)
From Chapter XXIV of 'History of the Irish Hierarchy' by Fr. Thomas Walsh:
Was founded in the twelfth century Some attribute its foundation to Saint Munchin, the son of Sedna, but there is no certainty that he was bishop.
Ferrar in his history of Limerick could not find anything authentic until the middle of the ninth century nor could Ware or Harris discover any undoubted bishop of Limerick until Gilbert who flourished in the eleventh.
Though the Danes of Limerick had been converted to the Christian faith in the early part of the eleventh century still they did not enjoy the benefit of a resident prelate until Gilbert was unanimously chosen by clergy and people in the year 1106.
This prelate had been abbot of Bangor and probably had been consecrated before his election to Limerick was an Irishman though some assert that he was a Dane for it so appears evident from the correspondence which occurred between him and St. Anselm with whom he became acquainted in his travels on the Continent.
While Gilbert presided he exerted himself in establishing an uniform system in the liturgical practices of Ireland and for this purpose composed a treasise De usu Ecclesiastico. In this tract he assures the prelates and clergy of the Irish church that in compliance with the wishes of many of their brethren he has endeavored to point out the canonical system of saying the hours of the divine office and performing the duties of the ecclesiastical order.
Gilbert wrote another tract in which he arranges the different gradations of the highest ecclesiastical dignitaries to the humblest official of the order assigning to each their respective powers and duties Gilbert was also legate apostolic an office which he resigned in 1139 and died the year following.
Donald O Brien, king of Limerick, founded and endowed the Cathedral of Limerick and dedicated it to the Virgin Mary. In the 13th century Donatus O Brien bishop of Limerick became a great benefactor factor to this cathedral he assigned prebends to the dean and chapter and made some constitutions concerning the liturgy used in his church and the privileges of his canons. About the year 1490 the citizens of Limerick rebuilt the nave of the cathedral which had fallen to ruin.
In the twelfth century the see of Inniscathy was united to that of Limerick on the death of Aid O'Beachain, the last bishop of that see.
Gillbert, bishop of Limerick and apostolic legate of Ireland died in 1140. St. Malachy O'Moore of Armagh was appointed legate in his stead.
Patrick, bishop of Limerick succeeded in 1140 and through the influence of the Danes was sent to England where he was consecrated by Theobald, archbishop of Canterbury, to whom Patrick made the following profession of obedience: "I Patrick, elected to the government of the church of Limerick and now through the grace of God to be consecrated by thee most Rev. Father Theobald, archbishop of the holy church of Canterbury, and primate of all Britain, do promise that I will pay due subjection and canonical obedience to thee and to all thy successors who shall succeed thee canonically."
Patrick was the only bishop of Limerick and the last of the Irish prelates who made a profession of obedience to the see of Canterbury. Patrick presided but a short time.
Harold a Dane succeeded. Died in 1151.
Turgese, a Dane or Ostman sat in 1152, assisted at the council of Kells held in that year by Cardinal Paparo.
Brictius, who was also a Dane, succeeded. He was one of the Irish prelates who assisted at the council of Lateran in the years 1179 and 1180. Donald O'Brien, king of Limerick, granted the lands of Mungret and those of Ivamnach to this prelate and his successors and to the clergy of St Mary's, Limerick.
Donatus O'Brien descended of the royal family of the name succeeded about the close of the twelfth century. Illustrious by birth but more so by his learning wisdom and liberality, Donat enlarged the cathedral and supplied it with secular canons to whom he assigned prebends and laid down rules for their guidance. This prelate died in the year 1207.
SEE OF LIMERICK
Was founded in the twelfth century Some attribute its foundation to Saint Munchin, the son of Sedna, but there is no certainty that he was bishop.
Ferrar in his history of Limerick could not find anything authentic until the middle of the ninth century nor could Ware or Harris discover any undoubted bishop of Limerick until Gilbert who flourished in the eleventh.
Though the Danes of Limerick had been converted to the Christian faith in the early part of the eleventh century still they did not enjoy the benefit of a resident prelate until Gilbert was unanimously chosen by clergy and people in the year 1106.
This prelate had been abbot of Bangor and probably had been consecrated before his election to Limerick was an Irishman though some assert that he was a Dane for it so appears evident from the correspondence which occurred between him and St. Anselm with whom he became acquainted in his travels on the Continent.
While Gilbert presided he exerted himself in establishing an uniform system in the liturgical practices of Ireland and for this purpose composed a treasise De usu Ecclesiastico. In this tract he assures the prelates and clergy of the Irish church that in compliance with the wishes of many of their brethren he has endeavored to point out the canonical system of saying the hours of the divine office and performing the duties of the ecclesiastical order.
Gilbert wrote another tract in which he arranges the different gradations of the highest ecclesiastical dignitaries to the humblest official of the order assigning to each their respective powers and duties Gilbert was also legate apostolic an office which he resigned in 1139 and died the year following.
Donald O Brien, king of Limerick, founded and endowed the Cathedral of Limerick and dedicated it to the Virgin Mary. In the 13th century Donatus O Brien bishop of Limerick became a great benefactor factor to this cathedral he assigned prebends to the dean and chapter and made some constitutions concerning the liturgy used in his church and the privileges of his canons. About the year 1490 the citizens of Limerick rebuilt the nave of the cathedral which had fallen to ruin.
In the twelfth century the see of Inniscathy was united to that of Limerick on the death of Aid O'Beachain, the last bishop of that see.
Gillbert, bishop of Limerick and apostolic legate of Ireland died in 1140. St. Malachy O'Moore of Armagh was appointed legate in his stead.
Patrick, bishop of Limerick succeeded in 1140 and through the influence of the Danes was sent to England where he was consecrated by Theobald, archbishop of Canterbury, to whom Patrick made the following profession of obedience: "I Patrick, elected to the government of the church of Limerick and now through the grace of God to be consecrated by thee most Rev. Father Theobald, archbishop of the holy church of Canterbury, and primate of all Britain, do promise that I will pay due subjection and canonical obedience to thee and to all thy successors who shall succeed thee canonically."
Patrick was the only bishop of Limerick and the last of the Irish prelates who made a profession of obedience to the see of Canterbury. Patrick presided but a short time.
Harold a Dane succeeded. Died in 1151.
Turgese, a Dane or Ostman sat in 1152, assisted at the council of Kells held in that year by Cardinal Paparo.
Brictius, who was also a Dane, succeeded. He was one of the Irish prelates who assisted at the council of Lateran in the years 1179 and 1180. Donald O'Brien, king of Limerick, granted the lands of Mungret and those of Ivamnach to this prelate and his successors and to the clergy of St Mary's, Limerick.
Donatus O'Brien descended of the royal family of the name succeeded about the close of the twelfth century. Illustrious by birth but more so by his learning wisdom and liberality, Donat enlarged the cathedral and supplied it with secular canons to whom he assigned prebends and laid down rules for their guidance. This prelate died in the year 1207.
Wednesday, 4 November 2015
Mungret Abbey
From Fr. Walsh's History of the Irish Hierarchy:
St. Nessan, who died AD 552, was the disciple of St. Ailbe of Emly. Nessan was most probably the founder of Mungret monastery. He never attained in the church a higher dignity than that of deacon by which title he is constantly known, yet his reputation is so great that he is reckoned among the fathers of the Irish church. His festival was celebrated at Mungret on the 25th of July.
The monastery of the island called Ireland's Eye in the county of Dublin is said to have been founded by a St. Nessan. That isle originally called Inis faithlen obtained the name of Inis Mac Nessan from the sons of Nessan, who were revered there on the 15th of March. Their names are Dichull Munissa and Neslug.
A.D. 552 died the abbot St. Nessan. St. Manchin, called the first bishop of Limerick, is said to have been abbot of Mungret.
A.D. 760 died the abbot Ailill.
A.D. 820 and 834 the Danes devastated the abbey of Mungret.
A.D. 1102 the 5th of October, the blessed Mugron O'Moore, principal professor of divinity at Armagh and in all the west of Europe, died in this abbey.
A.D. 1107 this abbey was again sacked. The psalter of Cashel relates that this establishment had at one period six churches within its walls and contained, exclusively of scholars, 1500 religious, 500 of whom were learned preachers, 500 were psalmists, and the remaining 500 applied themselves to contemplation, works of charity, and other spiritual exercises.
St. Nessan, who died AD 552, was the disciple of St. Ailbe of Emly. Nessan was most probably the founder of Mungret monastery. He never attained in the church a higher dignity than that of deacon by which title he is constantly known, yet his reputation is so great that he is reckoned among the fathers of the Irish church. His festival was celebrated at Mungret on the 25th of July.
The monastery of the island called Ireland's Eye in the county of Dublin is said to have been founded by a St. Nessan. That isle originally called Inis faithlen obtained the name of Inis Mac Nessan from the sons of Nessan, who were revered there on the 15th of March. Their names are Dichull Munissa and Neslug.
A.D. 552 died the abbot St. Nessan. St. Manchin, called the first bishop of Limerick, is said to have been abbot of Mungret.
A.D. 760 died the abbot Ailill.
A.D. 820 and 834 the Danes devastated the abbey of Mungret.
A.D. 1102 the 5th of October, the blessed Mugron O'Moore, principal professor of divinity at Armagh and in all the west of Europe, died in this abbey.
A.D. 1107 this abbey was again sacked. The psalter of Cashel relates that this establishment had at one period six churches within its walls and contained, exclusively of scholars, 1500 religious, 500 of whom were learned preachers, 500 were psalmists, and the remaining 500 applied themselves to contemplation, works of charity, and other spiritual exercises.
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