Irish Texts Society.

Comann na Sgríbeann Gaedilge.

Vol. XVI.

[1914.]

Life of St. Declan of Ardmore,

(Edited from MS. in Bibliotheque Royale, Brussels),

AND

Life of St. Mochuda of Lismore,

(Edited from MS. in the Library of Royal Irish Academy),

With Introduction, Translation, and Notes,

BY

Rev. P. Power, M.R.I.A.,

University College, Cork.

1914.

Page of Life of Declan, MS. 4190-4200, Royal (Burgundian) Library, Brussels. [Handwriting of Brother Michael O'Clery.]

PREFACE.

It is solely the historical aspect and worth of the two tractsherewith presented that appealed to their edition and firstsuggested to him their preparation and publication. Hadpreparation in question depended for its motive merely onconsiderations of the texts' philologic interest or value it would,to speak frankly, never have been undertaken. The editor, whodisclaims qualification as a philologist, regards these Lives asvery valuable historical material, publication of which may serveto light up some dark corners of our Celtic ecclesiastical past. He is egotist enough to hope that the present "blazing of thetrack," inadequate and feeble though it be, may induce other andbetter equipped explorers to follow.

The present editor was studying the Life of Declan forquite another purpose when, some years since, the zealous Hon.Secretary of the Irish Texts Society suggested to him publicationof the tract in its present form, and addition of the Life ofCarthach [Mochuda]. Whatever credit therefore is due tooriginating this work is Miss Hull's, and hers alone.

The editor's best thanks are due, and are hereby mostgratefully tendered, to Rev. M. Sheehan, D.D., D.Ph., Rev. PaulWalsh, Rev. J. MacErlhean, S.J., M.A., as well as to Mr. R.O'Foley, who, at much expense of time and labour, have carefullyread the proofs, and, with unselfish prodigality of their scholarlyresources, have made many valuable suggestions and corrections.

P.P.

INTRODUCTION.

I.—GENERAL.

A most distinctive class of ancient Irish literature, andprobably the class that is least popularly familiar, is thehagiographical. It is, the present writer ventures to submit, asvaluable as it is distinctive and as well worthy of study as it isneglected. While annals, tales and poetry have found editors theLives of Irish Saints have remained largely a mine unworked. Into the causes of this strange neglect it is not the purpose ofthe present introduction to enter. Suffice it to glance inpassing at one of the re

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