YALE UNIVERSITY
LIBRARY

PII ANTISTITIS ICON;

SIVE,

DE VITA ET MORTE
REYEEENDISSIMI FRANCISCI KIROYMi;
ALLADENSIS EPISCOPI.
AUTHORE
JOANNE LYNCHAEO,
A.RCH1DIACONO TCAMEN8I.

MACLOVII. M.DC.LXIX.
DUBLINII :
APUD JACOBUM DUFFY,

M.DCCC.XLVIII.

THE PORTRAIT OF A PIOUS BISHOP J
OR,
THE LIFE AND DEATH OF
THE MOST REVEREND FRANCIS KIRWAN,
BISHOP OF KILLALA.
TRANSLATED I ROM THE LATIN OF
JOHN LYNCH,
ARCHDEACON OF TUAM,
(GR.tTIANUS LUCIUS, — AUTHOR OF "CAMBRENSI8 BVBRSUS,'')
WITH NOTES,
By REV. C. P. MEEHAN.

DUBLIN:
JAMES DUFFY, 10, WELLINGTON-QUAY.

M.DCCC.XLVHI.

TO
THE VERY KEY. DEAN MEYLEP,
Vicar-General of the Arehdioeese of Dublin, P.P. of St. Andrew's, &e. fie.

Very Rev. Sib — I dedicate to you the translation of a
work which, for a long time, has been inaccessible to the
generality of readers.
I need not expend many words on the merits of the
eminent author whose text is now republished after the
lapse of more than a century and a half ; nor is it
necessary to call public attention to his interesting memoir.
It is quite enough to state, that the pious Prelate, whose
portrait has been painted by Archdeacon Lynch, lived
at a period when the Catholics of this country made a
gallant, though ineffectual struggle for nationality, and
witnessed the horrors which Cromwell's unsparing* sword
inflicted on their altars, liberties, and homesteads.
Nor is it required that I should enter into a narrative
of Archdeacon Lynch's life. The Light of the West, the
venerable Hardiman, to whom I am under lasting obli
gations, has set forth all that could be collected regarding
Gratianus Lucius ; while Mr. M'Ghee, in the " Gallery of
Irish Writers" has given us such an interesting relation
as renders further biographical notices unnecessary. In
fact, it is gratifying to reflect that owing to the diffusion
of our Irish literature, very few with any pretension to
learning* can be found ignorant of the life and works of
such an eminent ornament to his religion and country as
was the man who triumphantly confuted Sylvester Griraldus.

VI DEDICATION.
While the author's great work, " Cambrensis Eversus" has
been familiar to the student of Irish History, this little
volume has remained comparatively unknown. Now and
again, a copy has been offered to public competition in an
auction-room ; and a notion may be formed of the value
set on it, when that sold amongst the late Bishop Heber's
collection brought the large sum of eighteen pounds, ten
shillings. Having premised so much regarding- the author and
his works, I now turn to the more pleasing duty of ex
pressing to you, Very Rev. Sir, the deep sense of gratitude
and esteem which I entertain towards you, however feebly
either may be shadowed forth in the following pages. Not
to speak of the condescension and affability with which
you have at all times personally treated me, I can assert
that all who are anxious for the diffusion of religious
education and liberal enlightenment will bear willing-
testimony to the discernment of Archbishop Murray in
appointing you to such an exalted place in the government
of his diocese. Need I say with what justice, firmness,
and moderation you have discharged the important trust
committed to you ? — or is it necessary that I should wish
you health and length of years to witness the blessing's
that must permanently flow from the wise and benevolent
policy of our illustrious Metropolitan ?
It would ill become me to particularize the virtues
which adorn your character. Your, sensitiveness would
be pained did I essay to picture that kind and dignified
deportment which marks your relation to the exemplary
and talented clergymen whose immediate Superior you
are ; and the same consideration prevents me from giving*
utterance to all I that know of your unaffected zeal, 
cultivated mind, — and unostentatious piety. Whosoever
would have evidence that these high virtues eminently

DEDICATION. ( Vll
exist in you, need but look to your church, so solemnly
ornate in all that pertains to the splendor of the Catholic
ceremonial, — to your schools, so manifestly indicating
your solicitude for the education of the poor confided to
your pastoral charge, — and to the constant attendance of
the multitudes who frequent St. Andrew's for the purpose
of hearing, the Word of God, and enjoying the valuable
facilities afforded of receiving the sacraments, through
the unceasing attentions of the zealous coadjutors asso
ciated with you in the ministry. In truth, Very Rev. Sir,
that harmony which exists between yourself and your
domestic Priests — forming, as it were, a family circle of
common life, — is the admiration of all, while it gives a
valuable and great lesson to the clergy of the Diocese.
Independent of all this, those who have enjoyed the hap
piness of your society will not fail to remember the charm
of your conversation, — dignified without effort, — full of
ingenuousness — and teeming with those grand require
ments so well befitting a dignitary of the Catholic Church.
Enlightenment like yours, to which I hold myself in
debted, has a right to acknowledgment ; and, having no
medium save this whereby to make it, I gladly seize the
present opportunity of adding my humble tribute of esteem
to that of the honest and intelligent men who appreciate
your character as it deserves.
As to this translation, which amused some of my
evenings during the last winter, I am free to confess that
it is not so much condensed as I could wish it ; but the
peculiarities of the Latin idjom will be my best excuse.
The translation does not pretend to be literal, yet, I should
hope that I have not in any instance distorted or sup
pressed the animus of the author. It is absurd to sup
pose that a translation, to be a good one, must be literal ;
the very structure of a foreign tongue will often nullify

VIII DEDICATION.
the attempt to make it such, and no matter what pains a
translator may be at to render verbum verbo, he must ^ still
continue to be what Hudibras Butler describes him— one
who dyes an author like an old stuff into a new colour,
but can never give it the beauty and lustre of the first
tincture." If, however, the shade of the Archdeacon
should wax wrathful at my version of his very elegant
Latin, he need but recal the epigram provoked, I presume,
by that liberty-taking with an illustrious original to which
my translation may bear some resemblance, —
"Cum recitas meus est, O Fidentine, libellus,
Sed male dum recitas, incipit esse tuus,"
The notes, though few, will, I trust, serve to elucidate
the text, and throw some additional light on the Eccle
siastical history of Ireland in the seventeenth century.
To those who may be disposed to judg*e this book by the
title, and conclude that it is a dry and uninteresting
narrative, I will briefly observe that they are mistaken,
and that in the pages now presented to them they will find
"Dreams that the soul of youth engage
Ere fancy has been quelled ;
Old legends of the monkish page,
Traditions of the saint and sage,
Tales that have the rime of age,
And chronicles of eld."
In conclusion, I beg to assure you, Very Rev. Sir, that
I will deem myself more than remunerated for whatever
trouble this little volume may have cost me, if my humble
exertions only tend to convince you of the gratitude and
respect with which you shall be always regarded by your
obedient servant,
THE TRANSLATOR.
SS. Michael and John's,
Dublin, April 7, 1848.

DE VITA ET MORTE
RMI. D. FRANCISCI KIROVANI.
THE LIFE AND DEATH OF
THE RT. REV. FRANCIS KIRWAN.

EPISTOLA,
ADMODUM EEVEEENDO DOMINO
D. GREGORIO JOYCE,
8. QUDUJCa: PRIMI ORDINIS CANONICO,
ET MARCHIONI CARACENiE, BELGARUM GUBERNATORI A SACRIS.

Qvje singulse causae (Reverende admodum Domine) scriptores ad
patronos suis lucubrationibus adsciscendos inducunt; esedem uni-
versse ad me impellendum concurrunt, ut sub fausto tuorum auspicio-
rum astro partus ille meus in lucem edatur. Nam tuorum erga me
benenciorum magnitudo exigit ut monumentum aliquod exstet, quo
tuse beneficentiae memoriam animo meo penitus infixam esse mons-
tretur. Facultas vero mihi non suppetit aliud tibi quam hoc levidense
munusculum deferre, extimam nempe sermonis mei sportulam, cui
tamen gratiam tuam inde conciliatam iri confido, quod institutoris
tui_ vitam tanquam pretiosam gemmam inclusam habeat ; qua
scripturae meae laciniis hactenus involuta nunc comptiori typogra-
phise amictu tuis impensis ornata in publicum prodit. Unde illam
tuo tibi jure vindicas, ita ut piaculo me non expiabili maculare
viderer, si tuo nomini cui multis nominibus adstrictus sum, eam non
inscriberem, qui ejus disciplinae alumnus pias ejus in'stitutiones
cumulate imbibisti, et in pectus tuum alte demisisti. Adeo ut quaa in
hoc libello de illo referuntur, mutato narrentur nomine de te qui
viva ejus imago, quem orationis penicillo delineare aggredior Quia
enim, sacra testante scriptura, gloria patris est filius sapiens • pii
antistitis gloriam plurimum obscurarem, si quas in te (quem insti-

DEDICATORY EPISTLE,
TO THE VERY REVEREND
D. GREGORY JOYCE,
CANON OF THE FIRST ORDER OF THE CHURCH OF ST. GUDULE,
AND MINISTER OF SPIRITUAL AFFAIRS
TO THE MARQUIS OF CARACENA, GOVERNOR OF THE BELGIANS.

The motives (Very Reverend Sir) which induce writers to
gain to themselves Patrons by their lucubrations, each and all
concur in causing me to send this, my labour, into the world under
your most favourable auspices ; for, the greatness of the benefits
you have conferred on me, demands that some monument should
set forth how deeply seated in my soul is the remembrance of
your kindness; but my capability does not permit me to offer unto
you any other than this small gift — a casket of my own com
position, which I trust will be acceptable, inasmuch as it holds
within a precious gem, — to wit, the life of him who reared you.
Hitherto, this work has lain folded up among my papers, but it
now goes before the public adorned with the more elegant vesture
of type, and at your expense; it is, therefore, by right your own;
but surely I would incur the most inexpiable guilt, if I did not
dedicate it to you, who have bound me by so many obligations, —
to you, who in youth-time were a disciple of him whose blessed
teaching you so copiously imbibed and planted in the depths of your
bosom — so much so, that whatever is related of him in this little
book, if we change but the name, may be told of you, who are
the living image of him whom I essay to delineate with my pen ;
and, since the Sacred Scripture testifies that a wise son is the glory

IV EPISTOLA.

tutione filium ejus fuisse constat) virtutes ejus documenta generarunt
silentio praeterirem.
Siquidem pietatem cum nutricis laete suxisti, cujus plura speci-
mina nondum ex ephebis egressus edidisti : nam pueriles tuiludi
pietatem redolebant, et ludi theatrales, quibus plurimum capiebans,
a te tum exhibiti, non ludicrum sed pium argumentum ex history
sacra, depromptum referebanfc. Imo pietatem a cums ad canos conti-
nenter coluisti, qui tempora tibi ante tempus tingebant, et mdicio
fuerunt vere de te dici quod ante annos mentemque geris curamque
virilem. Namque tibi ingenium et rerum prudentia velox ante
pilos venit. Vere vulgo dicitur,
Cura facit canos quamyis homo non haheat annos.
Turn enim (ut S. Ambrosius de Valentino scribit) annorum imma-
turitas, consilorum senectus, et cana prudentia sub imberbi mento
vigebat, qua impense tum excultus fuisti, cum studiorum stadium
Hispali permensus, culturaa majoris accessione in Gallia cumulatus,
patriae denique redditus uberrimos pietatis et scientiae fontes peregre
haustos popularibus tuis liberaliter effudisti ; et a natura, disciplina-
que limatus non solum populi mores sed etiam cleri naviter expohvisti,
et quos adolescens habuisti magistros eruditionis, adultus reperisti
discipulos pietatis. Adfui cum fcelicissimae memorise martyr Ma-
lachias Quelaeus Tuamensis Archiepisctfpus, in Synodo, te proto-
typon clero suo proponeret, cujus similitudinem hortabatur ut
moribus referrent. Qui vero forma factus es gregis alieni, dignus
es qui fias pastor tui.

Ad teneram aetatem virtutum tyrocinio imbuendam accessisti ;
aetatis adultaa cordibus solidam virtutem inseuisti ; tepidi, te hertante,
vetcrnum excusserunt ; mali ad bonam frugem se receperunt,

DEDICATORY EPISTLE. V
of his father, I would obscure the splendor of this illustrious Bishop,
were I to pass over in silence the virtues which his teaching
nurtured in you, who are his son by precept and example.
With the nurse's milk you imbibed devotion, of which you have
given many proofs ere yet you ceased to be a stripling; your
boyish pastimes savoured of piety, and the scenic amusements, to
you so fascinating, and which you loved to exhibit, eschewed
everything that was ludicrous, and had for their plot some passage
taken from Sacred History. Verily, from the cradle to hoary
years, piety has been your study, and the hairs which blanched
your brow even in advance of time, evidence how truly we may
say, " genius and experience, outstepping age, have come swift
upon you ;" nor need we do more than quote the aphorism —
All time attests the oft.told story,
Care maketh youth down bent and hoary.
For of you we may tell what S. Ambrose has recorded of the
Emperor Valentinian ; though immature in years, you, like him,
were gifted with the wisdom of old age, and in beardless youth-tide
you justly established a reputation for prudence. Richly endowed,
indeed, were you with all these qualities, when you finished your
academic course in Seville, and, thence proceeding into France,
increased still more the amount of your acquirements. Restored to
your native land, liberally did you pour out amongst your people
these rich fountains of piety and knowledge of which you had so
deeply drunk. Exquisitely adorned by nature and early training,
your teaching tended to polish the minds and morals of the laity
and clergy, so much so, that those who were your preceptors ere
you attained man's estate, became disciples of your piety when your
boyhood had gone by. I, myself, was present when Malachy
Queely, Archbishop of Tuam, a martyr of most blessed memory,
pointed you out to his clergy assembled in Synod, as the archetype
to whose similitude they should shape their lives ; and indeed it was
just that you, who were held up as a model to a foreign flock, should
in time be appointed the pastor of your own.
You commenced your labours by enlisting the tender in years
in the service of virtue, and in the hearts of the adult sedulously
did you sow its seeds; the tepid, at your exhortation, cast off

VI EP1STOLA.

flagitiosi scelerum coeno emerserunt, et ad tutissimum confessioms
et Eucharistiae presidium confugerunt ; pii sacram synaxim longe
crebrius solito frequentarunt. Ardentibus etiam admonitionum
facibus civium tuorum animos ad fidem catholicam, et patriam for-
titer propugnandam saepius accendisti. Et instar Jobi, vacillantes
confirmaverunt sermones tui. Quia vivus erat sermo tuus et efficax
et penetrabilior omni gladio ancipite. Vere ex animi tui sententia
monitiones tuae successerunt.

Neque hic eximius ille tuus pietatis ardor substitit: sed altius
evolans augustissimi Eucharistiae Sacramenti cultum magnopere
amplificasti, sacro ejus sodalitio Galviam inducto, cui se sexus et aetas
omnis supremi, medii, et infimi ordinis homines catervatim aggrega-
ruht. Ita ut tota poene civitas, novo quodam animi amoris igne
non consumente sed inflammante succensa, sacrae hostiae venerati-
onem novis in dies incrementis cumularet. Ut- non jam ea domicilium
iniquitatis, sed sanctitatis delubrum fuisse videatur. Crebrae certe
supplicationes opera, tua. institutaa tam sumptu pretiosae, ornatu
speciosae, ac ordine concinnae fuerunt ; ut in catholicis quibusque
orbis terrae urbibus spectabiles extra dubium haberentur. Itaque
Galvia, cuius optimates omnes cognatione attingis, tibi acceptum
refert, quod per ea tempora, Salvator panis integumentis obductus,
in spiritu et veritate adoratus, et non solum in altaris umbra, cultus,
sed etiam in adorationis publicae solem eductus fuerit. Nimirum
panem vivum qui de ccelo descendit, sacram scilicet synaxim, am-
plissimum divinae liberalitatis monumentum, quo nihil nobis majus
a Deo dari, aut praestantius a nobis accipi potuit, sub dio, tectoque
nostris oculis et animis assidue obversari voluisti. Sed tantae
felicitatis, quam perennem fore votis omnibus exoptavimus, pro-
gressum temporum istorum iniquitas quae te in exilium propulsavit,
nostris delictis poenam istam promeritis, coercuit; et populo, cui
verbis Doctor, et exemplo ductor virtutis eras, te subtraxit. 'ista
non auribus do. Non enim extra veri limites abeunt, ut quae ipse
non auditione sed oculis comperi.

DEDICATORY EPISTLE. Vll
their sordidness ; evil-doers returned ta their duty ; and the vicious
came forth from the slough of crime, betaking them to that most
safe citadel, — penance and the Holy Eucharist. Nay, the pious in
creased in fervour, and became still more frequent guests at the
Lord's most blessed table. With words of fire did you inflame
the hearts of your fellow-citizens, ceaselessly adjuring them to
stand valiantly up in defence of their Catholic faith and country.
Like Job's, your eloquence strengthened the infirm; for it was
living, effectual, and more penetrating than a two-edged sword.
Tour admonitions, truly, proceeded from your inmost soul.
Nor did the exquisite ardour of your piety rest content with
this, but, taking a loftier flight, wonderfully did you increase
the worship of the most holy Sacrament, by estabUshing in
Galway that sacred sodality, in which people of every sex and
age, from the highest to the lowest orders, hastened in troops to
enrol themselves ; in fact, the whole city, inflamed with a fire of love,
not consuming but brightly radiating day after day, bestowed
multiplied proofs of veneration on the Sacred Host. By your ex
ertions, public supplications were instituted, rich in pomp, ornate in
all ceremonial concomitants, and highly decorous in their arrange
ment. Verily, in the Catholic cities of any part of the world, these
pubhc demonstrations of piety would have been regarded as
admirable ; with good reason, then, did Galway, with each of whose,
higher families you are in somewise related, attribute to you that,
during those days, the Saviour, shrouded under the veil of bread,
was adored in spirit and in truth, and not only in the tabernacle
of the altar, but abroad, and under the sun of heaven ; in fact,
it was your most ardent wish, that the hving bread which de
scended from heaven, that is to say, the Holy Sacrament, the
most ample testimonial of divine liberality, than which nothing
greater could be given us or received by us, should ever be present
to our eyes and souls, abroad in the blaze of day or under cover
of our roofs. But the continuation of so much happiness, which we
earnestly prayed might be perennial, the iniquity of later days
did check, and this same iniquity drove you into exile, a punish
ment, doubtless, merited by our sins ; thus were you taken from a
people to whom you were in speech a teacher, and in example a
virtuous guide. These things I state not on hearsay ; they nowise

Vlll EPISTOLA.

Caeterum abscessus tuus e patria non tam funestus, quam tuus
in Belgium accessus gloriosus fuit. Nam exilii, quod Patriarcha
Josephus in .iEgypto passus est, genuinam imaginem tuus in Bel
gium adventus exhibuit. Ille cum iEgypti Rege, tu cum Belgii
gubernatore gratiam inivisti ; ilium Rex profanis, te gubernator
sacris Ministeriis admovit ; ille Praefecturam, tu primi Ordinis
Canonicatum in Ecclesia Bruxellensi S. Gudulas adeptus es, ille
fratrum suorum, tu popularium tuorum necessitatibus subvenisti ; ille
in iEgyptum, tu in Belgium non hominum consilio, sed Dei volun-
tate missus es ; sicut de illo, sic de te homines cogitaverunt malum,
sed Deus vertit illud in bonum. Quia diligentibus Deum omnia
cooperantur in bonum.

Sicut Conon et Aristides duces Athenienses, Damaratus Lace-
demonius, et Dion Syracusanus in exiho versati patriae commodis
prospexerunt ; sic tu opes e censu tuo provenientes non in opipara-
rum epularum apparatu, aut splendidarum vestium luxu profudisti,
sed contribulibus tuis, quos exilii miseriae ad rei familiaris angustias
redegerunt, fovendis impendisti. Omnes qui e- nostra natione in dis-
persionem gentium post vires et opes omnes in catholica religione
tuenda exhaustas abeuntes, Bruxellas accesserunt, tuam uberrimam
munificentiam perceperunt. Eorum pusionibus victum et institu-
tionem contulisti, adolescentibus qui ad capessendas literas animos
adjunxerunt, vivendi et studendi rationem subministrasti aetatis
maturitatem et studiorum finem attingentes, alios sacerdotio initiari
curasti, alios ad Religiosos ordines ineundos anhelantes acuisti et
ut voti compotes fierent adjuvisti ; eo semper spectans, ut operarios
accurate uteris et Ecclesiasticis institutis expohtos patriae crebro
suppeditares, qui Domini vineam impensius excolerent.

Potes cum S. Paulo dicere, quis infirmatur, et ego non infirmor ?

DEDICATORY EPISTLE. IX
go beyond the boundaries of truth, for I narrate not what I heard,
but what I saw.
But your departure from your country was not so deplorable as
your reception in Belgium was glorious ; your advent there was,
in many respects, hke to the exile which Joseph endured in Egypt ;
he arrived at a high position with the Egyptian monarch — you
gained an exalted place, in the esteem of the Governor of Belgium.
The King appointed Joseph over secular affairs ; the Governor of
Belgium raised you to power over the spiritualities of the country.
Joseph was made a ruler; you have obtained a canonry of the
First Order in the Church of St. Gudule at Brussels. Joseph
brought timely aid to the necessities of his brethren ; you have
reheved the wants of your countrymen ; he was sent into Egypt,
and you into Belgium, not by the counsel of men, but by the
dispensation of God : as of him, so of you, did men devise .evil,
but God turned it into good — because, " all things work together
for good with them that love God."
Conon and Aristides, the Athenian generals, Damaratus the
Lacedemonian, and Dion of Syracuse, in the very time of their
punishment, looked fondly to their country's interest ; and you, too,
squandered not on dainty banquets, or splendid apparel, the sums
derived from your revenue, but disbursed them all in succouring
the companions of your misfortunes, whom misery, ever concomitant
on exile, had reduced to dire distress. Those who were driven out
of our country, and scattered amongst the nations, after having
exhausted all their means in maintaining the Catholic religion, when
soever they bent their steps to Brussels, received largely of your
most abundant munificence ; to their httle ones you gave subsistence
and education ; to youths devoted to the study of letters,1' you
supplied the means of living and studying ; when they became
matured in years, and had concluded the academic course, you
provided that some of them should be ordained priests, and those
who yearned to be admitted into the religious orders, you helped in
the prosecution of their desire ; and these efforts of yours had but
one scope, — that your country might be supplied with labourers,
richly laden with sacred and profane learning, that they might be
fit to toil assiduously in the cultivation of the Lord's vineyard.
You can say with St. Paul, " who is weak, and I am not weak ?"

EPISTOLA.

Nam in medela. conterraneis tuis aegritudine correptis administranda,
in advocatione litium laqueo irretitis praebenda, in hberatione iis
qui carcere tenebantur obtinenda. nullis laboribus aut sumptibus
pepercisti. Ac praeterea conclusisti eleemosinam in sinu pauperum
tuorum. Plurimis e gente tua dubitantibus quid potissimum agerent
sanum consihum; afflictionum perturbatione agitatis, salubre solatium,
et Ecclesiasticis viris, etiam Episcopis, in exiho positis, lautum
hospitium praebuisti, imo apud te diversari, sicut discipuli Emaum
petentes Christum, nonnunquam pcene coegisti. Et quoniam Episcopis
Angeli nomen Apocalypsis tribuit, Angelos hospitio recepisse
merito dicendus. Dominicanis, gentis nostrae patribus, conductas
aades Lovanii, plures annos incolentibus, et frequentium emigra-
tionum molestias subire coactis, sedem stabilem et domicihum
fixum largitus es, et a fundamentis templum excitasti ; ut in
hoc pietatis exercitiis, in illo literarum studiis incumberent ;
et qui ex hac eruditionis, et virtutis officina. cumulate utraque limati
prodirent, saluti animarum in patria tuis popularibus comparanda
diligenter invigilarent.

Quapropter non exihum passus, sed perfugium nactus es et
asylum, ad quod profugi nostri se recipientes sospitatem et praesidium
consecuti sunt. Tu scililcet sapientium monitis obsecutus es
praecipientium, si quem fortunas splendorem sumus consecuti, eum
nostris impertire opus est, et cum proximis communicemus. Nimi-
rum cedunt interdum ipsa fehciter mala, et in exihum pulsi rem
amphssimam, et summos honores adepti sunt. Themistocles, primum
Athenis, mox tota. Graecia. excedere jussus, a Rege Persarum divitiis
ita cumulatus est, ut saepius dixerit periissem nisi periissem.
Claudium virum nobilissimum in exihum a civibus actum, Galha
excepit, in qua adeo locuples et clarus evasit, ut patriam postea non
desideraverit. Petrum Eliacensem Cameracensis civitas Episcopum
ejecit, Roma ex exule fecit cardinalem. Nimirum viri virtute
praediti a civibus despecti et ejecti nonnunquam ab exteris suscipi-
untur et suscipientur.

DEDICATORY EPISTLE. XI
for in administering remedies to your countrymen, stricken with
sickness, — in affording counsel to those meshed in litigation, —
in obtaining the hberation of those who languished prisoners in
gaols — you spared no toil or expense ; and truly did you conceal your
alms in the bosoms of your poor. To many of your co-patriots, a
prey to difficulties, nor knowing what course they ought to adopt,
you have administered sage advice; to many of them, rocked in dire
afflictions, you have afforded solace; and to ecclesiastics — aye, even
to Bishops, wandering in exile, you have exhibited ample hospitality.
Nay, you have compelled them to take up their abode with you,
even as the disciples going to Emaus constrained our Lord to abide
with them ; and since the Apocalypse calleth Bishops Angels, you
may be justly said to have given shelter unto Angels. For the
Dominican Fathers of our nation, a long time dwelling in a hired
domicile at Louvain, and compelled to undergo all the annoyance of
constant wanderings, you have provided a fixed domicile, and you
built them a Church, from the very foundations, that, in the one,
they might devote themselves to the practices of holiness, and in
the other, apply themselves to the study of letters, and thus go
forth from this asylum of erudition and virtue, armed with sanctity
and lore, to keep sleepless vigil over the souls of your countrymen
at home.
Wherefore, you may be said, not to have suffered the pains of
exile, but rather to have found a refuge and an asylum, which
has proved to our banished countrymen a safe resting-place,
wherein they have experienced warm welcome and hospitality.
You have literally carried out the teachings of the sages, who
admonish us that, " when we have acquired the blessings of splendid
success, we ought to share it with our fellows, and communicate it
to our neighbours." It is true, beyond doubt, that out of evil often
cometh good; and those who have been proscribed in their own
land, have been known to attain wealth and the highest honours in
other chmes. Themistocles, driven out of Athens, and then com
manded to retire from the territory of Greece, was, in progress of
time, so splendidly enriched by the King of Persia, that he was
often heard to say, " Had I not fallen, I must have perished."
Gaul received most noble Claudius when the citizens decreed his
banishment, and he subsequently became so wealthy and distin-

XU EPISTOLA.

Nec in te tantum a teneris (ut ajunt) unguiculis ignicuh pietatis
eruperunt ; sed etiam tui generis genius est, ut imbibendas pietati
quam addictissimum sit. Curionum familiaa laudi datum est quod
in ea tres continua serie orat'ores ; et familia? Fabiorum, quod in
ea tres continui Senatus Principes extiterunt. Major profecto laus
vobis inde manat, quod tu tresque tui fratres, nuntio profanis
voluptatibus remisso, in cleri Religiosorumque contubernium ultro
concessistis, quorum duo felicem vivendi finem fecerunt, duo super-
stites praeclare agendi finem non facitis : praeter quamplurimos vestri
nominis et generis ex utroque sexu, qui, fluxis terrae jucunditatibus
penitus conteinptis, divini numinis' cultui se libenter tradiderunt.
Quorum alii post vitam hanc pie transactam, ad Ecclesiam trium-
phantem transierunt, alii adhuc in militante, ministeriis Ecclesiasticis
naviter obeundis invigilant. Memorabile quoque laudis ornamentum
ex eo fertis, quod vestrae familiae inter haereticos assidue versatae
religionis Catholieae professio nuUis maohinis excuti, aut pravitatis
haBreticaa persuasio ingeri potuit. Ita ut gentis vestras singulare
sit encomium in medio gentis pravae haeresis contagione nunquam
fuisse depravatam. Quid memorem sex vestri nominis in Anglia
fratres saeculo 14, nomina Praedicatorum ordini dedisse, quorum
unus, Thomas Joyce, postquam diu Regi Angliae a confessionibus,
Provincialis etiam sui ordinis septem annos extitisset, ad cardinala-
tum evectus, dum legationem Apostolicam obiret mortem obivit.
Alii duo Gualterus et Rolandus Primates Hibernias, renuntiati ea
dignitate ultro tandem abdicarunt ut solicitudine tanta. soluti ex
pedites pietati vacarent. Gualterum sui ordinis historici pastorale
munus diligenter implevisse praedicant. Ex historiis patriis Rolan-
dumin suae Sedis dignitate tuenda acerrimum se propugnatorem
praebuisse, et sicut Moyse, extensis in monte manibus, orante,
Amalecitas Israelitae vincebant copias ; sic sui Reo-is a Scoto tunc
. hoste luculentam, illo benedictionem impertiente, victoriam retulisse
percipimus.

DEDICATORY EPISTLE. XUI
guished, that he yearned not for home; when the people of Camerana,
expelled Peter Eliacensis, their Bishop, Rome joyfully received and
raised him to the sacred purple. Thus it happens, that men, strong
in virtue, ejected and despised by their own, are warmly welcomed
by others ; and such shall be the case throughout all time.
Nor did these fires of early piety, sparkling and glowing in
your youthhood, belong to you alone ; devotion has ever been the
marked characteristic of that family of which you come. It is the
glory of the Curii, that their family gave three distinguished
orators successively to the world ; the Fabii were justly proud, that
three great men of their race were distinguished in the senate ; but
you have claim on greater praise, since you and your three brothers,
renouncing worldly pleasures, have betaken you to the ranks of the
secular and regular clergy. Two of them have passed out of this hfe
in blessedness ; two of you still survive, awaiting the term beyond
which your earthly usefulness may not go. It were unnecessary
for me to name here the many of your kindred of both sexes, who,
contemning the transient enjoyments of the age, gave themselves,
body and soul, to the subhme worship of the Godhead. Some of
them, after a life spent in hohness, have departed to that land
wherein the Church is triumphant ; those who still remain in
the Church militant, employed in sacred offices, vigilantly watch
over its concerns. A grand memorial of your family is it, that none
of your kindred, though abiding amongst Protestants, have re
nounced the CathoUc faith ; no taint of error sullies your devotion,
and no power of force or persuasion has been able to shake your
fealty to the Catholic religion. Surely, it is your highest encomium
that, living in the midst of a perverse people, you have not caught the
contagion of heresy. I need not dwell at length on the six brothers of
your name, who, in the fourteenth century, embraced' the order of
Friars Preachers. One of them, Thomas Joyce — a long time Confessor
to the King of England, subsequently, Provincial of his Order for a
term of seven years — was raised to the honors of the Cardinalate, and
died whilst discharging the duties of Apostohc Legate. Two of them,
Walter and Roland, elevated to the Primacy of Ireland, retired from
that eminent dignity, that, released from its sohcitudes, they might
be more at liberty to serve God. The historians of the Dominican
Order attest how faithfully Walter discharged the Pastoral duty,

XIV EP1STOLA.

Quas hactenus et infra de te commemoro, non eo tendunt ut in os
te laudem, aut ori tuo verecundo ruborem suffundam ; sed ut luceat
lux vestra coram hominibus, et videant opera vestra bona, et glori-
ficent patrem vestrum qui in ccelis est. Cui gratiae immortales
habendae sunt, quod tibi vitam ad haec misera tempora protraxerit,
qui de vita functis optime meritus es, dum beneficio tuo non solum
AUadensis Episcopi, sed ahorum etiam patriaB nostras luminum, in
hujus opuscuU candelabro coruscantium, memoria oblvioni subtrahi-
tur ; et nunc vivos tibi devinxisti, quorum vitam exemplo informas,
tenuitatemque subsidio sublevas. Posteritatem etiam obstrinxisti,
quaB tibi acceptum refert quod in AUadensis vitam quaUtercunque
descriptam tanquam in speculum, intuens ad ipsius simiUtudinem
suos mores fingere ac formare possit. Patriam etiam in obUgationem
traxisti, ut cui recentium et integrorum miUtum suppetias identidem
submisisti, non ferro ad feriendum hostem, sed scientiae telis
armatas, ad civium tuorum animas haereticorum technis subtra-
hendas. "Novum etiam apud me beneficium coUocabis, si, qui
locuples veritatis in hoc libello prolatae testis es, idem strenuus
contra maledicorum obloquia patronus esse non graveris. Cui
proinde feUcitatem seternam apprecabitur Tibi addictissimus,
JOANNES LYNCH^US.

25 Sept., 1668.

DEDICATORV EPISTLE. XT
guarding, Uke a most vaUant soldier, of the Church, the immunities
and dignities of his See. The soldiers of Israel scattered the troops
of the Amalekites while Moses prayed with out-stretched arms on
the mountain, and history tells us, too, how England's King won a
briUiant victory over the Scot while Walter implored the blessing of
Heaven upon his swordsmen.
What I have hitherto written, or hereafter shall have occasion to
write, is not meant to flatter you or bring the modest blush to your
cheek, but, rather, " that your Ught may so shine before men that
they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in
Heaven." Praise everlasting be unto Him who has preserved you
in these disastrous times ! You, who have merited so weU of the
departed ; since, by your beneficence, the memory of the Bishop of
Killala and that of other ornaments of our country, flickering in the
feeble Ught of these pages, has been rescued from obhvion. The
Uving, too, you have laid under lasting obhgations ; for to them
your own Ufe has been a bright example, and your beneficence has
aUeviated their indigence. Posterity wiU owe you a debt of
gratitude, for, looking into the history of the .Bishop of Killala as
into a mirror — no matter how that history may be written — to you it
shaU certainly attribute the revival of that grand model according
to which men may shape and conform their lives. Your country is
eternaUy bound to you by weighty obhgations ; for it has been
your care to furnish her with fresh and trained troops, who go forth,
armed, not with the sword of the flesh, but girt and panoplied witb
the armour of piety and science, to rescue the souls of your feUow-
citizens from the snares and machinations of the heretic. As for
me, you wiU place me under additional obhgation, if you, who are
so well able to attest the truth of what I set forth in this volume —
if you, to whose patronage I commit it, wiU guard it strenuously
against the cavils of calumniators. Henceforth, to pray that you
may obtain eternal feUcity shaU be the duty of
Your most attached,
JOHN LYNCH.
25th Sept. 1668.

PII ANTISTITIS ICON,
SIVE
DE VITA ET MORTE
EMI. D. FKANCISCI KIROYAJH,
ALLADENSIS EPISCOPI.
CAPUT PRIMUM.
DE FRANCISCI KIROVANI PATRIA, ORIGINE, ET PARENTIBUS.
Prjeclare cum iis extra dubium agitur, quibus nascendi sors inter
Catholicos singulari Dei beneficio contingit : doctrinam enim cum
nutricis lacte suctam aegerrime quis unquam ponit : hanc faeUcita-
tem Francisco Deus impertivit, ut quem primam lucis hujus usuram
haurire in Hibernia voluit, quae insula Sanctorum et optimarum
artium officina, quondam ; fidei cathohcae tenacissima nuper audut.
In occidua Hibernia? regione celebre Galviae oppidum ConnaciEe
caput visitur ; quas non ita pridem civibus frequens, negotiatoribus
fervens, opibus florens fuit : Illud muri e viridi marmore pluribus
firmati turribus, et aedes ex eodem saxo in quatuor aut quinque con-
tignationum altitudinem ut plurimum exurgentes, et plateae quam
ampUssimae adornant ; elegans omnium partium Symmetria concin-
nat, itaque sicut Hierosolyma Jeremiae ; sic mihi Galvia urbs per-
fecti decoris fuisse videtur ; et lacus Corbius praeterlabitur, insignem
Ecclesiam collegiatam Galviensem S. Nicolao sacratam, Tuamensis

THE PORTRAIT OF A PIOUS BISHOP !
OR,
THE LIFE AND DEATH OF
THE RT. REY. FRANCIS KIRWAN,
BISHOP OF KILLALA.

CHAPTER I.
OF THE COUNTRY, ORIGIN, AND PARENTS OF FRANCIS KIRWAN.
Happily, beyond aU doubt, doth it fare with them, who, by the
special blessing of God, have had the good fortune to be born amongst
CathoUcs ; for, nothing can be more difficult than to renounce the
doctrine which one has imbibed with the nurse's milk. God bestowed
this blessing on Francis, whom he destined to see the Ught in Ireland,
which, in ages gone, was caUed an Island of Saints — the home and
sanctuary of aU that is splendid in art — and, in these, our times, has
won renown for its unbroken fealty to the CathoUc ReUgion.
On the western shore of Ireland stands the famed city of Galway,
the metropolis of Connaught, which a short time ago could not ex
hibit a population so numerous, merchants so opulent, or wealth
so flourishing. This city was adorned with green marble walls,
flanked by numerous towers; within the precincts of these waUs
were edifices, for the most part four or five stories high, built of the
same green marble : its noble squares and fair proportions, sym
metrically elegant, gladdened the eye; so much so, thatt Galway has
ever appeared to me, what Jerusalem was to Jeremias, — a city of
c

18 VITA REVEREND. D. FRANCISCI KIROVANI.
Archiepiscopi privUegiis, et proventibus Ecclesiasticis a Sede Apos-
tohca deinde confirmatis, et Cives redditibus instruxerunt.

Ex ejus collegis (qui novem esse consueverunt) octo tam Theologiae
quam Juris doctoratu insignitos, et tres ad Episcopi fastigium
evectos vidimus ; nimirum Franciscum Alladensem, de quo nobis hic
sermo futurus, Andream Lynchaeum Finniborensem adhuc supersti-
tem, et Walterum Lynchaeum Clonfertensem nuper fato functum,
virum supra quamcumque commendationem positum, ut qui literis,
Humanioribus, Philosophies, Theologicis, et Jurisprudential ita
cumulate excultus fuit, ut in iis vix quidpiam lateat, quod ipsum
latuerit ; quippe qui non se solum, sed alios etiam iis instruxerit
tantam Theologiae et Juris utriusque scientiam, acris ingenu fecun-
ditate, et studendi assiduitate consecutus, ut in utraque Facultate
ad fastigium Doctoris evehi promeruerit.

Ecclesiae collegiatae Galviensis praepositum, sive ut vulgo dicitur,
Wardianum multis lustris egit ; in qua administranda, sicut se laud-
abilem, ita in ejus privilegns tuendis, sedulum et strenuum praebuit :
populo ad virtutem salubribus monitis excitando, naviter incubuit :
e suggestu plumrimas et creberrimas conciones, summa eloquentia,
quae famiharis ilU fuit, aspersas, ad viam salutis eidem populo
monstrandam habuit. Organa sibi, licet intra privati sacelh an-
gustias coarctato, fabricari curavit, quibus cum in sacro diebus
festis caneretur, astantium animi pia. quadam voluptate, perfun-
debantur, et ad ccelestia cogitatione evolvenda erigebantur, ut non
solum verbo et exemplo, sed aliis etiam rationibus, pietatem suis
instiUaret.

Satis copiosam librorum supellectilem sibi comparavit uno tandem
incendio ab haereticis absumptam ; in quibis evolvendis plus oblecta-
menti, quam ex alia quavis re capiebat, ex qua lectione tantam scien-

LIFE OF THE RT. REV. FRANCIS KIRWAN. 19
most perfect beauty. Through this city floweth Lough Corrib's water,
gUding past the splendid Collegiate CEurch sacred to St. Nicholas.
This CoUegiate Church the citizens amply endowed, when the Holy
See had confirmed the, privileges of the Archbishop of Tuam and
aU matters pertaining to its ecclesiastical revenues.
Of its fellows (of whom there were usually nine), we ourselves
have seen eight honoured with the degree of Doctor in Theology
and Canon Law, and three of them elevated to the Episcopal dignity ;
to wit, Francis. Bishop of Killala, concerning whom we are about to
write ; Andrew Lynch, Bishop of Kilfenora, who still survives ; and
Walter Lynch, of Clonfert, who has lately died. The Bishop of Clon-
fert was a man whom no weak words of mine can elevate ; deeply
skilled in polite literature, and thoroughly versed in theology, phi
losophy, and jurisprudence; these various faculties contained nothing,
however abstruse or recondite, that he did not comprehend. Nor
was this great amount of learning stored up merely for his own
sake ; on the contrary, he made it ancillary to the instruction of
others. So profound, in fact, was his knowledge of theology and the
laws of either forum, and acquired with such intense application, and
ready perspicacity, that he was justly honoured with the degree of
Doctor in both faculties.
Very many years did he hold the situation of Provost, or, as they
commonly term it, Warden in the Collegiate Church of Galway : in
the discharge of this important office, he won for himself the high
est praise, and scrupulously maintained each and all of its privileges.
By wholesome exhortations he encouraged his people in the at
tainment of virtue ; from the pulpit he pronounced innumerable
discourses rich in eloquence, which he fondly cultivated, thus point
ing out the road that leads to salvation. Nay, not content with
instilling piety into the hearts of .his flock by word and example,
he caused organs to be built at a time when he was obhged to
perform his ministrations within the narrow limits of an oratory,
that on festival days the blended harmony of instrument and voice,
diffusing a holy pleasure, might tend to elevate souls to the con
templation of heaven.
He suppUed himself, too, with a considerable collection of books,
which the heretics committed to the flames. Poring over the
volumes in his library afforded him more gratification than he

20 VITA REVEREND. D. FRANCISCI KIROVANI.
tiam hausit, ut non tantum conciones ex tempore, nullo, aut minimo
spatio adpraemeditandum sumpto, utpote potens sermone, frequenter
habuerit, sed etiam coUoquia familiaria eruditis leponbus et narra-
tionibus ad institutum sermonem apposite, spectantibus, conoiverit.
Unde tantam de doctrinae eius praestantia opinionem omnes nnbibe-
runt, ut ad controversias decidendas, dissidia sedanda, difficultatum
saepius enascentium nodos expediendos a pluribus adhibitus fuent.
Modico et parabili cibo potuque utebatur, epuUs, magis ut umtan-
tium, voluntati se accommodaret, quamut cupediae indulgeret, quan-
doque accumbens.

Itaque tot praeclaris dotibus expoUtus Decanus primo, Tuamensis,
deinde, Sede vacante, Vicarius generalis, denique Clonfertensis
Episcopus merito evasit ; quas omnes dignitates meritis aequavit, et
officiis implevit ; nuUas molestorum itinerum, aut brumaUum tempo
rum asperitates declinans, ut ad pericula, quae Ecclesiae et Reipub-
licae tum bello plurimum quassatis impendebant, amovenda, consiUi
opem in conventibus Ecclesiasticis et Regni Comitiis, ferret : nam
consilio sagax, eloquio facundus fuit ; ac proinde in celeberrhno Ulo
Clonmacnocensi viginti Antistitum (praeter plures absentium Antis-
titum procuratores, et ordinum ReUgiosorum Provinciales) conventu,
omnium suffragiis, ob uberem in scribendo facultatem, et summam
in expediendis negotiis promptitudinem electus secretarium egit.
Post quod munus cumulate obitum, oves suas probis institutis,
pro suo more, non prius imbuere destitit, quam hostium potentia
ilium sua sede abegerit ; qui sicut in opera gregi suo ad virtutem
monitis adducendo S. Brendani primi Clonfertensis Episcopi, se imi-
tatorem, sic eidem in peregrinatione marina, se quodammodo simi-
lem praebuit ; nam ille septem annos in veUs per mare faciendis, hic
oceanum immensum emensus, duodecim annos in exiho posuit-; pri-
mum aliquandiu Bruxelhs in Belgio, deinde longe diutius Tauruni in
Hungaria, moratus, ubi demum ann. 1664 mortuus est. Postquam
aliquot annos in Ecclesia Cathedrali canonicum, et in functionibus
Episcopahbus Episcopi vicem egit in honore semper habitus, et
sumptibus ad vitam, pro dignitate tolerandam, cumulate instructus,

LIFE OF THE RT. REV. FRANCIS KIRWAN. 21
could derive from any other source : and, so great were the
benefits which he derived from study, that he could preach at
the shortest notice, and, as it were, without premeditation; for
in truth, he was powerful in discourse. Nay, more ; his coUoquial
language teemed with graces of fact and argument with which
he did not fail to embellish the sermons delivered from the altar.
Hence, so great was the esteem in which his learning was held,
that he was sought by many to decide controversies, allay dissen
sions, and extricate htigants from the meshes of their embarrass
ments. His food was of the plainest description, and if he occasionally
went abroad to the tables of others, it was rather for the sake of
obhging his hosts than to indulge the palate.
Thus highly gifted, he was first appointed Dean of Tuam ; when
the See became vacant, Vicar-General; and finally Bishop of Clonfert;
all of which high offices and dignities he faithfully and meritori
ously discharged, shrinking not from painful journeys even in the
rigours of winter, that he might give his services to the ecclesiastical
conventions and general assembhes of the kingdom, that sought to
avert the dangers then lowering over church and state, which had
sustaine'd serious injuries from the war. Sage in counsel — eloquent
in diction, the suffrages of all raised him to the post of secretary,
in the celebrated meeting of the twenty prelates (together with the
proxies of the absent bishops and the provincials of the religious
orders), held at Clonmacnoise : this honour he deserved for his
fluency in writing, and promptness in the despatch of business.
And now, when the duties of secretary had been faithfully dis
charged, he ceased not to labour for his flock, tiU the force
of the enemy prevaihng, compeUed him to retire from his See.
Ever before his eyes was the example of Saint Brendan, the
first Bishop of Clonfert, and in cultivating the virtues of the
people committed to his charge, he closely imitated the blessed
Saint, to whom many passages of his subsequent life more closely
assimilated him: for, as holy Brendan spent seven years sailing
the seas, so did his successor pass over the mighty ocean and suffer
twelve years of exile. For a short time did he rest at Brussels in
Belgium, and finally bent his steps to Taurunum, in Hungary, where
he gave up the ghost A. D. 1664. For a considerable number of
years did he occupy the place of Canon in the Cathedral Church,

22 VITA REVEREND. D. FRANCISCI KIROVANI.
ad extremum, spiritum, quem ubi emisit solemni ac splendido funere
ad Cathedralem Ecclesiam delatus est.

Sed ut ad Galviam revertatur oratio. Extra muros ejus ad occi-
dentem Dominicani, ad austrum Augustiniani, ad Septentrionem
Franciscani, monasteria solo nunc aequata, religione Catholica flo-
rente, incoluerunt, ut urbs eorum Sanctorum, quos iUi ordines pro
Patronis habent, et S. Brigidae (cujus saceUum in orientah suburbio
positum est) prassidio vallata fuisse .videatur. Sed haeresis furore
paululum subsidente, intra urbem ahquandiu conductas domos iUi
ordines insederunt: ubi primum, nobis pueris, Patres Societatis
Jesu ad teneram astatem fidei rudimentis ; adultam et provectam,
solida doctrina imbuendam, sedulam operam dederunt. Cappucini et
Carmelitae discalceati post miserum bellum exortum, UUc diversari
cceperunt.

Ilia collegiata S. Nicolai Ecclesia, tum cum herbam urbs hosti
porrigeret Wardianum, sive prepositum habuit D. Patricium
Lyncheum Decanum postea Tuamensem sacraB Theologiae Doctorem,
hterarum disciplinis insigniter excultum, ut qui Rhetoricam, et Phi-
losophiam in Gallia, hanc deinde Galviae docuit. IUe vir fuit inte
ger vitae, scelerisque purus, qui " exhortari in doctrina sana, et eos
qui contradicebant arguere" non destitit, ac in civium salutem, inter
quos curam animarum, plusquam viginti annos dihgenter exercuit,
toto pectore incubuit, scelerum reprehensor acerrimus, ita de mu-
nere parrochi obeundo solhcitus, ut dum pestis in urbe saeviret, ex
ea, licet in solitudinem versa, civibus multis peste haustis, et aliis
pene omnibus, sui_ periculo subducendi causa, rus confugientibus,
pedem non extulerit.

Boae seu Vararum morbus quadam vice per urbem grassatus, plu-

LIFE OF THE RT. REV. FRANCIS KIRWAN. 23
and discharge all the duties attendant on the Episcopal office, as
he was appointed assistant to the Diocesan. Venerated during his
life-time, and amply provided with income sufficient for the mainte
nance of his dignity, when he died they bore his remains in solemn
and splendid ceremonial to the Cathedral Church.
But it is time that I return to Galway. Without the walls, while
the Cathohc Religion flourished, stood three Convents now rased to
the foundations. The Dominicans dwelt on the west, the Augustin-
ians on the south, and the Franciscans on the north side of the
city. Thus was the city sentinelled, as it were, by the saints whom
these orders venerate as their founders, together with St. Brigid
(whose chapel stood in the eastern suburb). When the rigours
of the persecution begun to be relaxed, the aforesaid orders came
to take up their abode within the walls, in houses rented by them.
There, then, it was that the Jesuits informed our young minds
in the rudiments of the faith, and there too they laboured to
strengthen our mature years with sohd learning. After the break
ing out of that weary war, the Cappucines, and discalced Carmelites
took up their residence in like manner.
While Galway was in the hands of the enemy, the Provost, or
Warden, ' of the Collegiate Church of St. Nicholas, was Patrick
Lynch, afterwards Dean of Tuam. This man was a Doctor of
sacred theology, admirably skiUed in Uterature, having for a long
time filled the chair of rhetoric and philosophy in France, and on
his return to his native land he taught the latter faculty in Galway.
He was all that the poet says " of blameless life and unsulhed
repute." He ceased not to confirm the weak and correct the evil ;
and laboured assiduously more than twenty years for the weal of
that portion of the citizens committed to his charge. There lived
not one who was more desirous to reprove vice, and, so diligent was
he in discharging the duties of parish-priest, that when the plague
raged in the city, and the citizens either became its victims, or fled
to the country, thus reducing the city to the condition of a wilder
ness, he stood his ground, and could not be induced to flinch from
his post.
At one time the small-pox spread a pestilence through Galway
and carried off multitudes of the citizens Now, it so happened
that Patrick Lynch was called in to administer the holy- viaticum to

24 vita reverend, d. francisci kirovani.
rimos mortales e medio sustuUt; cuidam ex ea morbiUorum lue
ad mortis fores adducto, sacram iUe synaxim praebuit, quam pene
statim ac aeger in languidum stomachum demisit, vomitione enusit,
integram a Patricio mox absorptam, verito ne sacramentum vomicae
frustis forsan immistum, temeraretur, nee tamen ex ea re vel nau
seam, vel detrimentum aUud contraxit : stato deditionis die appe-
tente, ille oppido excessit, perinde ac si cum S. Hilarione diceret,
non possum "videre subversas Eeclesias, calcata Christi altaria:"
tandem anno exilii octavo, et Christi 1660, mense Novembris, Nan-
netis in Armorica, e vivis excessit ; in S. Nicolai, quem summe
coluit sepulturam nactus.

Cives Galvienses ingenui fuerunt, et generosi pecuUariter appel-
lati, adeoque culti moribus, ut Henricus Sidnasus Hiberniae prorex
Galviae anno salutis 1575, diversatus, eos concinnitate morum quos-
vis aUarum ubivis urbium incolas, saltern aequasse dixerit, quod ex
inconditis accolarum moribus (regiones enim circumjectae bello tum
circumquaque perstrepebant) nullam labem contraxerint, non secus
ac MassiUenses, qui a circumfusis indomitis gentibus non efferati,
mores sinceros integrosque ab accolarum contagione servarunt :
praecipua vero illorum commendatio est, quod Catholicae fidei con-
stantissimi semper cultores fuerunt, pro ea tuenda nupero beUo
coepto, animos reUgionis constantia fortiter, moenia propugnacuUs ad
castrensis disciplinae praescriptum concinne fabricatis, firmiter mu-
nierunt, et caeterarum Hiberniae urbium primi arma sumpserunt,
ultimi non solum Hiberniae, sed etiam e Britanniae majoris urbibus,
contra communem hostem posuerunt. Unde Galvia sequente Elogio
commendata est — "Inter Juvernas urbes, urhesque Britannas
Postrema hostili Galvia capta dolo est."
Hoc in oppido Franciscus noster anno salutis 1589 (diem ejus na-
talem nondum comperi) in lucem editus, parentes Matthaeum Kiro-
vanum, et Julianam Lynchaem e praestantioribus oppidi familiis
progenitos nactus est. Ut faustum sidus exortum esse videtur, post
sedatam tempestatem superioris anni, quem annum fore mirabUem,

LIFE OF THE RT. REV. FRANCIS KIRWAN. 25
one who was brought to the doors of death by this disease. Scarcely
had the sick man received the Holy Eucharist, when his languid
stomach rejected its contents, and the good pastor, piously appre
hensive of any desecration, gathered up the vomit and swaUowed
it without however sustaining detriment or even nausea. On
the day the city was surrendered, he departed from its gate as
though he would say with St. Hilarion, " I wiU not behold the
Churches of God overthrown, and the altars trodden under foot."
At length, in the year of our Lord 1660, and the eighth of his exile,
he departed this Ufe, about the month of November, in the city of
Nantes, and was buried in the Church of St. Nicholas, for whom he
always entertained a particular devotion.
The Galweygians were at aU times remarkable for their
generosity and politeness, so much so, that the Lord Deputy, Henry
Sidney, having visited Galway in the year 1575, did not hesitate to
assert that in urbanity of manners they were not surpassed by the
people of any other city. Happily for them they were no wise
tainted by the rude and ignorant manners of their neighbours, for
at that period aU the circumjacent regions resounded with the din
of arms. In this respect the Galweygians resembled the people of
MarseiUes, who preserved themselves clear from the barbarisms of
the wild races who surrounded them. What redounds more to
their credit is, that they have ever proved themselves most faithful
to the Catholic reUgion and in the late war undertaken for its defence,
having first fortified their souls, they immediately set about
strengthening the waUs of their city, according to military teach
ing, and being the first of aU the Irish cities that drew the sword,
they were the last, not only of the Irish, but of aU Great Britain's
towns, to yield to the common enemy. Hence, the common saying,
" Of all the Irish or English towns,
Galway was the last captured by fraudful treachery."
In this city Francis Kirwan was born, in the year of our Lord
1589. I have not as yet ascertained his natal day. His parents
were Matthew Kirwan and Juhana Lynch, both of whom came of the
most distinguished famiUes of the aforesaid city. He appeared Uke
a blessed star, after the tempest of the preceding year had sub
sided, and it is remarkable that astrologers, far and near, gave out
that this should be a wondrous year, if not the very cUmacteric of

26 VITA REVEREND. D. FRANCISCI KIROVANI.
et mundi climacterium, Astronomi longe ante praesagierunt, quae in
partem classis Hispanicae invincibihs tunc vulgo dictae, naufragium
ad Hiberniae litora passam, immaniter saevit ; ejus enim vectores e
feri maris fluctibus eluctati, multo feriorem hostem in terris offende-
runt, nempe Proregem Hiberniae GuUelmum Fits-Williams, cujus
jussu eorum plerique obtruncati sunt, Regina saevitiam facinoris
damnante. " Prorex tamen Hispanorum bona naufragio ejecta in-
dagat, et rigide exigit, eoque nomine nonullos ut Hispanorum fau-
tores incarcerat, inter alia turbulentis motibus, qui postea prorupe- 1
runt, occasio data et accepta fuit." Hispani Galviam procellis '
abrepti, eo excidio perierunt, omnibus enim ad extremam luctam ;
animose ineundam, Hispani Augustiniani, quos a sacris habuerunt,
concione incitatis, ac deinde ad coUem S. Augustini, monasterio tunc
ornatum urbi ab austro imminentem eductis, cervices excisae sunt;
matronis Galviensibus singula cadavera syndone involventibus. Ac-
cepimus duos tantum Hispanos huic exitio subductos, Galviae diu
latitasse, et in patriam tandem incolumes invasisse.

Paternum Francisci genus a, Roderico Hiberniae, ante fidem
christianam ab Hibernis imbibitam, rege, maternum ab Hugone
Lacaeo, "quem inter proceres Regis Anglorum, qui erant in Hiber
nia, praecipuum et praecellentem habitum fuisse" Neubrugensis aflir-
mat ; antiquarii accersunt ad Rodericum plurimi Sancti Hiberniae
Monarchae, et provinciarum Reges originem suam referunt. Lynchaei
a Lacaeo propagati urbis Galviae et insigniorum illius aediticiorum
praecipui conditores fuerunt. In vetusto coUegii libro Dominicum
Lynchaeum, cognomento nigrum anno salutis 1505, mortuum, inti-
nium CoUegii fundatorem fuisse legi : quibus verbis meo quidem
judicio innuitur, ilium ex integro, ope nullius efflagitata, coUegium
exstruxisse, ejus insignia in januae superliminare vetustate pene jam
exesa visuntur. Stephanus ilhus Dominici filius Andreae Finniborensis
nunc Episcopi abavus, anno salutis 1535, mortuus, australe tempfi
latus e viridi marmore affabre dolato, sicut pater collegium, aedifica-
vit ; gentiUtium ejus scutum tribus trifoUis in campo cyaneo deau-

LIFE OF THE RT. REV. FRANCIS KIRWAN. 27
the world. These predictions in some sort may have regarded the
wreck of the Armada, caUed " the Invincible," on the Irish coast.
The men who sailed in these ships, having, in many instances,
escaped the dangers of the raging sea, met, on their landing, a foe
more implacable in the person of the viceroy, William Fitzwilliams,
by whose order many of them were basely butchered. The Queen
of England censured this unjustifiable cruelty. The viceroy was
intent, saith Camden, on seizing whatever of the Spanish property
was cast on shore, and, having instituted a rigid inquiry, committed
many persons to prison as abettors of the Spaniards, and thus was
given an occasion to many for the turbulences which afterwards en
sued. The Spaniards cast ashore at Galway, were doomed to
perish ; and the Augustinian friars, who served them as chaplains,
exhorted them to meet the death-struggle bravely, when they were
led out, south of the city, to St Augustin's hill, then surmounted
by a monastery, where they were decapitated. The matrons of
Galway piously prepared winding-sheets for the bodies, and we have
heard that two of the Spanish sailors escaped destruction by lurk
ing a long time in Galway, and afterwards getting back to their own
country. The paternal race of our Bishop derives from Roderick, who
was King in Ireland, before the preaching of the faith. On his
mother's side he was descended of Hugo de Lacy, who is de
scribed as being one of the most noble and distinguished of the
EngUsh Knights, if we may give credit to WiUiam of Newberry.
Many holy men of the Une of Roderick were distinguished
Irish monarchs, and the provincial Kings trace their descent from
him. The Lynches sprung from the Lacys, and were the principal
founders of most of the remarkable edifices in Galway. In a very
ancient book of the CoUege, I have read that Dominick Lynch,
commonly called " the black," who died in the year 1505, " was the
principal founder of the College," which words in my judgment
clearly prove that he, unaided, raised the whole structure. His
armorial bearings, almost effaced by age, may still be seen above
the transom of the gate. Stephen, son of theaforesaid Dominick,
great-grandfather of Andrew, now Bishop of Kilfenora, who died
in the year 1535, built the southern side of the Church of polished
green marble, as his father built the College. His coat of arms,

28 VITA REVEREND. D. FRANCISCI KIROVANI.
ratis constans, in summo muro prope subgrundium cernitur. Idem
etiam Stephanus conventum Eremitarum sancti Augustini in coUe
urbi finitimo, et aUus e Lynchaeis Finniborensis Episcopi Majoribus
coenobium Dominicanorum ab occidente condidit. Praeturam Galvi-
ensem anno post Christum natum 1486, institutam, ad annum 1654,
quo indigenae, quia Cathohci magistratu moti sunt, unus et octoginta
Lynchaei gesserunt ; pluribus eorum, quam omnium illius oppidi fa-
mUiarum supremum iUum urbis magistratum, eo temporis intervaUo,
consecutis.

CAPUT SECUNDUM.

DE PUERILI FRANCISCI EDUCATIONE ET STUDIIS PEREGRE
PERACTIS.
Franciscus noster jam puer in disciplinam traditus est venerabiU
Sacerdoti Arthuro Lynchaeo matris patruo, qui annos paulo minus
quinquaginta Sacramentis Galviae administrandis, populo fidei insti-
tutis excolendo, fluctuantibus in religione ad firmitatem, improbis ad
bonam frugem, lapsis in haeresim ad pahnodiam canendam tum in-
cubuit, cum per Hiberniam universam haereticorum rabies in Ca-
thohcis omni tormentorum genere cruciandis atrocissime fureret:
haec sevitia Galviam irrepsit, in qua satellites iniquitatis, angulos
omnes ad Arthurum e latebris in carcerem rapiendum creberrime
sed frustra scrutati sunt : nam divini favoris aura sic ei semper
afflavit, ut pedicas ei capiendo tensas fcehciter declinaverit ; in multa
tamen discrimina inter fugiendum saepius incidens, sub dio per
domorum tecta repens non raro pernoctavit, de die plerumque lati-

LIFE OF THE RT. REV. FRANCIS KIRWAN. 29
consisting of a shield with three golden shamrocks on an azure
ground, may be still seen on the topmost part of the waU near the
eaves. The same Stephen erected the Convent of the Hermits of
St. Augustin, on the eminence hard by the city; and another
Lynch, an ancestor of the Bishop of Kilfenora, founded the
convent of the Dominicans on the west. Eighty-one members of
the family of the Lynches held the office of Mayor of Galway since
its institution in the year 1486 till 1654, when the natives, because
they were Cathohcs, were deprived of the dignity. During the
interval we have aUued to, more members of this than of the other
high families of the city, enjoyed the supreme magistracy.

CHAPTER II.
OF THE EARLY EDUCATION OF FRANCIS KIRWAN, AND OF HIS
STUDIES IN FOREIGN PARTS.
Francis, whUe yet a boy, was sent to school to his maternal uncle,
Arthur Lynch, a venerable priest, who, for a term httle less than
fifty years, devoted himself to administering the sacraments and
instructing the people of Galway in the practices of their rehgion.
Sedulously did he labour to strengthen the weak, reclaim the
wicked, and win back those who had faUen into heresy. AU this
did he at a time when the wrath of unbelievers raged furiously
against the CathoUcs, inflicting every species of torment most cruelly
upon them. This flagitious persecution extended to Galway, in
which the ministers of iniquity searched, though vainly, every
corner, in order to discover Arthur, and cast him into prison ; but,
protected by the special ward of the divine favour, he always escaped
the pitfalls set for him, — not, however, without incurring imminent
risks in his flight. Exposed to the weather, and creeping on the roofs
of the houses, he was frequently obhged thus to pass the night, and
conceal himself in the day-time. When night came on often was

30 VITA REVEREND. D. FRANCISCI KIROVANI.
tans, noctu sedem frequentissime mutare coactus, Sacerdotalia munia
obivit. Ita pietati fuit addictus, nt intempesta nocte somnum interrum-
pens, matutinum officium ad provectam aetatem recitaverit; ut
potuerit cum Davide dicere, " media nocte surgebam ad confitendum
tibi," more scilicet in Ecclesiae primordiis usitato : refert enim S.
Dionysius S. Carpum nocte concubia e strato ad Deum precibus
exorandum, et laudibus exornandum exiluisse : porro easdem matu-
tinas, caeterasque canonicas horas, nunquam nisi genibus innixus, et
aperto capite percurrebat, ut qui carnibus in adventu, in Quadra
gesima, et sextis totius anni feriis, lacticiniis abstinuit. In eo cha-
ritas ejus enituit, quod pleraque in ilium a Catholicis munifice col-
lata in egenos Uberaliter effuderit : vir fuit simplex et apertus
tanquam alter Nathaniel vere Israelita in quo dolus non fuit ; qui
majore pietate, quam literatura praeditus, primum haeresis furorem
solus Galviae sustinuit, et alios e civibus in fide nutantes a, lapsu
continuit, alios ab eadem aberrantes in viam revocavit, ut plus labo-
ris in civibus ab haeresis contagione servandis exhauserit, quam plures
postea, Uteris plurimum expohti, in iis virtute imbuendis impende-
runt. Nam in primo illo et praevalido haereticae tempestatis impetu,
suos ille naufragio subduxit, et in tuto fidei portu coUocavit: hi
Galvienses jam in salutis portu navigantes assiduis quidem monitis
in recta, fidei professione citra. multam difficultatem conservarunt.

Apud hunc Franciscus institutionis tyrocinium, ut Samuel apud
Heli, S. Laurentius Dubliniensis apud Episcopum Glandalocensem, S.
Malachias apud S. Imarum, posuit, et primam virtutum sementem
fecit ; quarum uberior messis in adulto postea maturuit : nimirum,
ut ait Fabius, " tenacissimi sumus eorum quae primis annis arripui-
mus;" additque S. Hieronymus "difficulter eraditur, quod rudes
anni perhibuerunt." Etenim "adolescens juxta viam suam, etiam
cum senuerit, non recedet ab ea." Quibus Juvenalis concinnit,
dicens odorem quo semel est imbuta recens servabit testa diu.

LIFE OF THE RT. REV. FRANCIS KIRWAN. 31
he forced to shift his quarters, nevertheless he discharged the
priestly functions.
So truly pious was this man, that even in his hoary years he was
accustomed to forego sleep, rising in the night-time to recite matins.
Well might he say with David " at midnight did I rise to praise
thee," and that after the manner adopted in the early ages of the
Church. On this subject it is barely necessary to state that St.
Dionysius teUs how Carpus was wont to forsake his bed at night to
supplicate the Lord and praise his name. Arthur, moreover, recited
matins, and all the canonical hours, on bended knees, and with head
reverently bare. Flesh-meat he did not use in Advent or in Lent,
and every Friday of the year he abstained from milk and butter.
So eminently charitable was he that whatever gifts the munificence
of Catholics conferred, passed from his hands to the indigent ; he
was in sooth a man unsophisticated and candid — a second Nathaniel
" an Israelite in whom there was no guile." Gifted with more
piety than literary attainments, he alone sustained the first shock
of persecution in Galway, and kept some of those who wavered from
falling into heterodoxy ; others did he recal to the right path, when
they blindly erred ; so much so, that he underwent more labour to
prevent the citizens from being corrupted with the poison of infidelity
than did others in after times, how learned soever they may have-
been, in making them virtuous : for in that first and overwhelming
storm of persecution he saved his people from shipwreck and placed
them in a safe haven. The men of later times, finding the people
in secure anchorage, had not much difficulty in keeping them there
by salutary admonitions.
With this master did Francis spend his early years, as Samuel
with HeU, St Laurence of DubUn with the Bishop of Glandalough,
and St. Malachi with Imar. Arthur indeed it was who sowed the
first seeds of virtue in his heart, which gave a rich harvest in his
maturer years ; for, as Fabius saith, " we are most tenacious of
these things which we have learned in our early years," and St.
Jerome adds " it is difficult to eradicate the impressions which our
immature years have received ; " for a. youth, according to his way,
even when he groweth old, " wiU not depart from it ; " and to this
Juvenal superadds, " the vessel will long retain the odour which has
once been poured into it."

32 VITA REVEREND. D. FRANCISCI KIROVANI.
Sicut autem Malachias, sic etiam Franciscus in patria humaniores
Uteras edoctus est. Ulyssiponis scientias elatiores postea imbibit,
unde patriam repetens a Davide Karnaeo CassUiensi Archiepiscopo
sacris ordinibus anno salutis 1614 initiatus ; anno _ sequente GaUias
adiit, ut uberiori scientiarum copia, mentem expoUret; ibi Congre-
gationis Oratorii aggregatum, Dieppae anno salutis 1618, studium
philosophicum docendo percurrentem vidi: eo per ipsum Rotho-
mago ductus, ut studiis humanioribus incumberem, iUo curante ut
sumptus subministraretur.

CAPUT TERTIUM.

UT FRANCISCUS FACTUS EST VICARIUS GENERALIS TUAMENSIS AB
ARCHIEPISCOPO FLORENTIO CONRIO, ET QUAS VIRTUTES IN
ILLO OFFICIO EXERCUIT.
Dum Franciscus Dieppae juventutem philosophia imbueret, avunculus
ejus Carmelita GuUelmus Lynchaeus eum convenit, et pene reluctan-
tem Dieppa. Lovanium abduxit, ubi tunc illustrissimus Dominus
Florentius Conrius ex ordine Minorum ad Tuamensem Archiepis-
copatum elatus, in Hibernorum sui ordinis conventu agebat, ut
memoratum Gulielmum, molestia, quam in patria Vicarius generalis
Tuamensis ei facessivit, liberaret, aut saltern levaret. In eo conventu
R. P. Valentinum Browne, iter in Germaniam jam tunc adornantem
offenderunt, unde in patriam bonis avibus eum averterunt ; quippe
qui tanta, pietate inter suos eluxit, ut sui ordinis in Hibernia Provin-
ciaUs brevi postea renunciatus fuerit : jam inde tam pius, ut assiduis
monitis pravos ad virtutem, tam doctus, ut crebris concertationibus
haereticos ad fidem catholicam adduxerit, et ab opera his officiis
gnaviter impendenda, nee bellorum strepitu, nee pene continuis per-
secutionum terroribus etiamnum percellatur.

LIFE OF THE RT. REV. FRANCIS KIRWAN. 33
Like Malachy, so also did Francis receive the first rudiments of
education in Ireland. In Lisbon he subsequently studied in the
higher classes, and thence returning to his country was ordained
priest by David Kearney, Archbishop of Cashel, in the year 1614.
The year foUowing he proceeded to France to acquire a still greater
amount of knowledge, and having joined the congregation of the
Oratory, I myself saw him teaching philosophy at Dieppe, in the
year 1618. He caused me to proceed to him from Rouen that I
might apply myself to the study of humanity at his expense.

CHAPTER III.
HOW FRANCIS WAS MADE VICAR-GENERAL BY FLORENCE GONRY,
ARCHBISHOP OF TUAM, AND WHAT VIRTUOUS ACTIONS HE PER
FORMED IN DISCHARGE OF THAT OFFICE.
While Francis was engaged at Dieppe, teaching philosophy to
the young scholars, his uncle, WilUam Lynch, a Carmelite friar,
came to see him, and, contrary to his inclination, removed him to
Louvain. About this time the most illustrious Florence Conry, of
the Order of Friars Minors, had been promoted to the Archiepis-
copal See of Tuam, and was staying in the Irish convent of his own
order to make such arrangements as might release the aforesaid
William Lynch from the cares attendant on him as Vicar-General
of the Archdiocese of Tuam, or at least lighten his labours. In
the Irish convent they met the Rev. Valentine Browne, then about
to proceed into Germany. They diverted his intention however,
and, praying him God speed, induced him to return to Ireland.
Such was the repute he enjoyed with the people of his order, for
piety, that a short time afterwards he was made Provincial in his
own country. This truly pious man, by incessant exhortations,
brought back the depraved to the practices of virtue, and so learned
was he, that his argumentative sermons converted even heretics.
D

34 VITA REVEREND. D. FRANCISCI KIROVANI.

IUustnssimus Tuamensis vir erat scriptis partim in lucem datis,
partim prelo nondum traditis, et summa eruditione longe clarissi-
mus, et tam fcelix ut ab Urbano octavo nondum Pontifice consecratus,
tam pius ut conventus Lovaniensis Franciscanorum Hibernorum fun-
dator fuerit ; memorabili commendatione ideo afficiendus, quod sicut
S. Bernardus et S. Antoninus tanta solertia, fuerit, ut nuUo praecep-
tore usus assidua lectione varias lucubrationes elaboraverit ; magna
etiam sagacitate in discernendis hominum ingenus praeditus fuit ;
ideoque Francisci nostri indole, industria et solhcitudine, propensione
ad pietatam, et in Uteris perspecta, et accurate perpensa, (quoniam
avunculus ejus e patria, quod in beUo pro religione, a Comite Tyro-
naeo steterit, proscriptus fuit) ; eum in Dicecesi Tuamensi Vicarium
suum generalem instituit. Ut S. Malachiae S. Celsus primas Arma-
chanus suas ei vices commisit, seminare semen sanctum et dare
rudi populo legem vitae et disciplinae. Ille vero sicut Malachias,
suscepit mandatum in omni alacritate, sicut erat spiritu fervens,
nee talentis incubans, seu inhians lucris, non propriis meritis, sed
ope divina fretus, dicens cum S. Paulo, confortatus omnia possum
in eo qui me confortat.

Itaque in patriam anno salutis 1620, profectus ubi res in cultiori-
bus Dicecesis regionibus rite composuit, ad incultiores saxetis aspe-
ras, montibus arduas, silvis obsitas, et paludibus fere inaccessas iter
habuit ; Societatis Jesu patribus sibi in comites adscitis, ac praeser-
tim R. P. Joanne Baptista Duigin, qui Jresidentiae Galviensi viginti
ferme annos praefuit ; et ita summae doctrinae pietatique summam
prudentiam adjunxit, ut praestantissimi quique Galviae Cives ejus
monita pro oracuhs habuerint : nam sicut Malachiae, sic socii tales
nunquam deerant lateri ejus : et ut Malachias ejusmodi peregri-
nationibus, non vehebatur equo, sed pedes ibat, et in hoc virum se
Apostolicum probans. Tum vero Malachiam imitatus, et per se et

LIFE OF THE RT. REV. FRANCIS KIRWAN. 35
He was not deterred from these holy proceedings by the din of
war, nor is it likely that he will give over labouring thus sedu
lously to escape that continued persecution which even now rageth
fiercely. The most illustrious Archbishop of Tuam was far famed for
erudition, of which there is abundant proof in his published and
unpublished works. He had the happiness of being consecrated by
the man who was subsequently raised to the Tiara with the title of
Urban VIII. His piety and munificence are well known, for he
was the founder of the Irish Franciscan Convent of Louvain.
Truly did he merit the highest commendations; for, like Saint
Bernard, and Saint Antoninus, he was gifted with such talent, that
he produced various works, aided solely by indefatigable reading.
Florence Conry was blessed moreover with a singular power of intui
tion, which enabled him almost to read the souls of men ; wherefore,
having duly weighed and considered the ability and industry of
Francis Kirwan, as well as his love of piety and letters, he resolved
to send him to Ireland in the capacity of his Vicar-General. His
uncle, it should be told, was banished his country because he stood
by the Earl of Tyrone, when he waged war for the Catholic religion.
As Saint Celsus, Archbishop of Armagh, appointed Saint Malachi, in
his stead to sow the holy seed and give to a rude people the law
of hfe and discipline, he, too, like blessed Malachi, received the
commission with alacrity for he was fervent in spirit, not hiding
his talent, or lusting after lucre, but solely depending on divine as
sistance, being one of those who could say with St. Paul : I can
do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me.
Having returned to Ireland, A.D. 1620, as soon as he arranged
matters in the more cultivated regions of the diocese, he undertook
a journey to the wilder districts, which were covered with rocks and
rugged mountains, and rendered almost inaccessible by bogs and
marshes. On this visitation he was accompanied by some of the
Jesuit leathers, the principal of whom was John Baptist Duigin, who,
for nearly twenty years was superior of the society's house in
Galway. To profound learning this father joined the most consum
mate piety and judgment, so much so, that his opinions and decisions
. were at all times regarded as oracles by the best of the people.
Like Saint Malachi, Francis never went abroad, save in com-

36 VITA REVEREND. D. FRANCISCI KIROVANI.
per alios linguae sarculo ccepit eveUere, destruere, dissipare ,et de
die in diem factitans prava in directa et aspera in vias planas, exul-
tavit ut gigas ad currendum. Diceres ignem urentem in consumendo
criminum vepres : diceres securim vel asciam in dejiciendo planta-
tiones malas. In iis locis oratio Dominica et fidei rudimenta pas
sim ignorabantur, quorum cognitione illos imbui primum curavit,
multa nummorum vi in egenos erogata, ut ad christianam doctrinam
imbibendam, et Eucharistiae poenitentiaeque sacramenta frequentanda
facilius alUcerentur ; peregrinationem quotannis in ea loca, et occidui
maris Insulas, periculis et aerumnis itinerum minime territus instituit
quam vis illae regiones annonae difficultate semper laboraverunt, etraris
humilibusque tuguriolis a se invicem longo intervaUo dissitis habita-
rentur, et saxetis glabrae, uUginibus sic humectatae fuerint, ut humus
aratro findi non potuerit, licet tumulos aliquot solidiores ad parum
avenae, vel hordei ferendum, incolae sarculo subinde seiderint ; quae
agricultura nee sufficientem quidem panis (quem pro majori anni
parte non viderunt) copiam ipsis suppeditabat. Quadam jejunU die,
Vicarius et comites iter diluculo per istas regiones ingressuri prandio
sibi apposito, se accubituros negarunt, quod non Ucitum erat
jejunium nisi sub meridiem solvere, licet quidam ex astantibus,
genu, morumque regionis gnarus, iUos serio monuerit, nihil sibi
uspiam reperturos; qui non vanus vates fuit: iUi enim impransi et
inccenati sine lectis humi, cubarunt.

Hic tamen eventus majorem hilaritatem quam tristitiam Vicario
movit, ut qui per eas regiones iter habens, mensae tenuibus escis
instructae, quam opiparis alibi epulis laetior accubuit, comitibus in

LIFE OF THE RT. REV. FRANCIS KIRWAN. 37
pany of admirable helpmates, and, like Malachi, he went not on
horseback, but on foot, even in this particular proving himself an
apostolic man. With this subhme model always before him, he
and his co-ordinates laboured with the ploughshare of the tongue, to
outroot and destroy every thing that was vicious, and he toiled, even
as a giant who exults in the race, to make crooked ways straight and
the rugged smooth. Consuming the weeds of vice, he deserved to
be called a wasting fire, and in felling the plantations of crime, a
keen edged axe. Every where throughout these regions the Lord's
Prayer, and the rudiments of the faith were unknown, and it was
therefore his special care that the people should be duly instructed
to win them to a knowledge of the Christian doctrine, and in
duce them to frequent the sacraments of Eucharist and penance.
He distributed large sums of money to the indigent, and, undis
mayed by the difficulties of the journey, year after year made his
visitation in the mountain districts and the Islands of Aran.
These various tracts of country, at all times were remarkable for
their scanty produce, and were inhabited by people dwelhng in
miserable huts, scattered over the land at a considerable distance
from each other, and so plashy was the nature of the soil, which
was covered with bald rocks, that the ploughshare could scarcely
furrow it; the inhabitants, however, in process of time, contrived
to tiU a few of the more solid patches, and thus cultivated a little
- barley and oats, but agriculture of this sort did not produce them
a sufficient supply of bread, and this was an article of food unheard
of for the greater part of the year. On a certain day, as the
Fathers were about to set out on their journey to these districts,
some one intimated that their meal would be ready at an early hour,
but they refused to partake of food, alleging that it was not ac
cording to reUgion to break the fast tiU noon, although one of them,
weU acquainted with the habits and resources of the country,
seriously advertised them that they would nowhere find a mouthful
in the land of their mission. He was not a false prophet, for on
that night they were obhged to sleep on the ground dinnerless
and supperless.
This circumstance afforded more mirth than chagrin to the Vicar-
General, who, in his journey in these parts, preferred the poorly
supplied table to the sumptuous banquet, and was wont to remark

38 VITA REVEREND. D. FRANCISCI KIROVANI.
ejusmodi prandiis iUi assidentibus dicere solitus parcum iUurn, et
insipidum cibum multo plus ad mortales intra temperantiae limites
continendos, quam lautiora convivia conducere, et cum prisci Ro-
mani in privatis rebus minimo contenti, tenuissimo cultu vixerint, et
hujus regionis incolae, toto anno, victu elegantiori, quam iUo, quem
nobis apponunt, non vescuntur : aequum est ut nos (inquit) qui tan
tum exiguam hic moram facturi sumus, ahmento indigenis fami-
liari, Ubenter utamur.
Ex his peregrinationibus reversus, caeteros Diceceseos angulos
soUicite obibat, et verus imitator Malachiae, quidquid incompositum
quidquid indecorum, quicquid distortum obvium habebat, non parce-
bat oculus ejus, sed velut grando grossos e ficubus, et pulverem ven-
tus a facie terrae, sic coram facie sua, ejusmodi nitebatur to tum pro
viribus exturbare, ac delere de populo suo, et pro his omnibus tra-
debat jura ccelestia, et operam dedit ut justi justificarentur adhuc ;
ad pcenitentiam propensos rationibus et leviori reprehensione in
spiritu lenitatis excipiens, clementer scihcet, ut persuasio huma-
nitatis asperitatem correctionis excluderet, ratio proficeret ad per-
suasionis effectum, et correctio emendaret affectum. Sed monitis
praefracte obluctantes, minis primum, meritis deinde posnis, si in
protervia pergerent, afficiebat : extra prudentiae tamen limites in
puniendo nunquam progressus : vir enim erat, ut sanctus Aidanus
noster, gratia discretionis, quae virtutum mater est, ante omnia
imbutus : Ideo tantum raro peccantes coram omnibus arguens, ut
et caeteri timorem haberent.
Cujus rei specimen egregium tum edidit, cum institutis in quaque
Parochia exploratoribus, seu excubatoribus, qui de illorum nomini
bus ilium certiorem facerent, a quibus graviori aliquo crimine con-
taminatis exempli contagio peaeundi periculum aliis creari timeretur.
Dicecesim quadam vice lustrans, aliquos in quadam parochia flagiti-
orum cceno alte immersos esse rescivit, quos ut ad pcenitentiam
adduceret, monitis tantum prima vice adhibitis, graves minas addidit
nisi scelerum laqueis, quibus se ultro implicuerunt, ante suum in
eam Parochiam reditum expedirent, in eos se gravissime animad-
versurum : tantum autem abfuit ut ad bonam iUi se frugem interim
receperunt. Quare Vicarius in Parochiam illam reversus sugges- •

LIFE OF THE RT. REV. FRANCIS KIRWAN. 39
to his companions seated with him, that meagre and unsavoury food
was better calculated to keep them within the limits of temperance
than splendid repasts. He then remarked on the frugal fare
of the ancient Romans, who, in the early times of the common
wealth, were satisfied with most moderate food, and concluded by
observing, the people of this region throughout the whole year
partake not of better fare than is now before us, and it is therefore
just that we, who are to bide but a short while with them, should
put up with their ordinary diet.
Returned from these visitations he proceeded zealously into the
other districts of the diocese, and hke a true imitator of Malachi,
his eye spared not anything that was disorderly or indecorous,
but Uke hail which shatters the thorns from the fig, and the wind
which scatters the dust, even so did he toil to destroy and dissipate
whatever was unseemly in his flock, and for this did he lay down
the eternal law and work, that the just might be more just. Those
who were inclined to do penance, he blandly received with sooth
ing admonition and argument : all this did he in the true spirit of
lenity, that gentle persuasion might exceed the asperity of correc
tion, that reason might beget conviction, and finally that correction
might chasten the soul. Those who obstinately rebeUed against
reUgion, he first visited with threats, and finding threats unavailing,
if they persevered in contumacy, he did not fail to inflict on them
the penalties they deserved. But in punishing he never exceeded
the boundaries of prudence ; for, like St. Audeon, he was gifted
with the grace of discretion, which is the mother of all virtues, and
if he rebuked publicly it was that others also might fear.
Of this discretion he gave a singular illustration, at a time when
he estabUshed monitors in each parish, who returned to him the
names of those who lived in great criminality, in order to arrest the
contagion of evil example and prevent others from perishing. On
a certain occasion, going through the diocese, it was told him that
in a certain parish there were some persons steeped in vice ; these
he endeavoured to bring to condign reparation by admonition, and
then stated that he would inflict the most rigid penalties if they did
not abandon their irregularities before he came again amongst them.
But they were very far from being inclined to repent. Wherefore,
when the Vicar again visited the parish, he ascended the pulpit, and

40 VITA REVEREND. D. FRANCISCI KIROVANI.
turn conscendit, et multitudini circumfusae indicavit, schedae, quam
manu praeferebat, eorum inscribi nomina, qui e scelerum volutabro
emergere praefracte renuerunt, quorum ad monita, minasque obsur-
descentium, et nullam resipiscendi spem prae se ferentium perti-
nacia gravissimis pcenis coercenda est, ne (inquit) sicut grex totus
in agris unius scabie perit, et porrigne porci aut sicut modicum
fermentum totam massam corrumpit, sic iniquitatis eorum tabo, ad
vos sensim sine sensu serpente, corripiamini ; a quo malo ut indem-
nitas vobis comparetur, mox tollentur, de medio vestrum, et excom-
niunicationis gladio configentur, et Satanae tradentur in interitum
carriis ut spiritus salvus fiat.

Utinam illorum animos vel cogitatio subeat accurate perpendendi,
quae mala illis excommunicationis laqueo irretitis impendeant, et ad
quas miserias angustiasque redigendi sunt. Eorum tecta ab invi-
sentium frequentia non subibuntur ; familiares se ab eorum contu-
bernio subducent, nee Ave iis dicent, nee solum aris et sacra-
mentis Ecclesiae, sed etiam aditu prohibebuntur. Praecipit enim
EvangeUum, qui Ecclesiam non audit, sit nobis sicut Ethnicus et
publicanus, ut jam ab omnibus derelicti, tanquam in soUtudine
versentur, omnibus eos tanquam syderatos, aut e ccelo tactos aver-
santibus, et ab iis tanquam putridis membris vel aspectum aversan-
tibus. In Anglia Sigebertus Rex ab excommunicato comite invitatus ei se
convivam adjunxit; quapropter ilium domi suae interemptum iri
Cedda Episcopus ei praesagivit, et eventus praesagio respondit:
Quod si tam graves poenas dent, qui excommunicatorum mensae ac-
cumbunt, longe profecto gravioribus torquebuntur, qui excommuni
cationis vinculis illigantur. Sacrae scripturae tradunt Annaniam et
Saphiram excommunicationis cassibus irretitos, morte mulctatos;
Elimam Magum caecitate punitum, fornicarium Corinthium Satanae
discerpendum traditum fuisse : Alia quampluri'ma gravissimarum
pcenarum exempla, quas excommunicati dederunt, historiae Eccle-
siasticae suppeditant. In vita S. Ambrosii legimus, ubi StiUiconis
ille famulum anathemate percussit, quod eodem momento spiritus
immundus eum arreptum discerpere ccepit : Carisius clericus ana-
thematis a Gennadio Patriarcha Constantinopolitano contorti con-

LIFE OF THE RT. REV. FRANCIS KIRWAN. 41
addressing the assembled multitude, informed them that the memo
randum in his hand contained the names of those who were living
in sin, and who, despite admonition and threats, remained as though
they were deaf. As you, said he, exhibit no marks of sorrow for
the past, or desire to amend your Uves, your pertinacity must
be visited with the most grievous penalties, lest the whole flock
perish by the contamination of one rotten sheep, or (as a little
leaven corrupts the whole mass), lest the infection of iniquity,
imperceptibly creeping, may seize you all. That your safety
may be guarded against such calamity, these evil doers shall be
taken away from among you, smitten with the sword of excom
munication, and dehvered to Satan for the destruction of the flesh
that the spirit may be saved.
I would to God that men pondered deeply in their souls the evils
which beset those, who are meshed in the net of excommunication,
and learn to know to what straits it reduces them. Their thres
holds are not to be crossed by visitors, their acquaintances are not
to seek their society nor say to them " Hail." They are not only
to be driven from the altar and sacraments, but, are to be refused
admission to the Church. The Gospel saith, " Who heareth not the
Church let him be to thee as the heathen and the publican." Thus
abandoned by all, they must dwell, as it were, in a solitude, every
body flying them, as though they had been stricken from on high,
and everybody shunning them as putrid members.
In England King Sigebert being invited by an excommunicated
Earl, accepted his hospitahty ; Cedde, the Bishop, hearing this,
foretold that Sigebert would be murdered in his own palace, nor did
the result falsify the prophecy. But if they pay such bitter penal
ties who sit down at the tables of the excommunicated, much more
terrible shaU be the torments of those who are stricken with such
frightful censure. The sacred Scriptures tell how Ananias and
Saphira, after being excommuuicated, were struck dead; how Elimas,
the magician, was punished with blindness ; and, how the incestuous
Corinthian was delivered to Satan. Many other examples of the
grievous penalties attached to the excommunicated, are recorded in
ecclesiastical history. In the life of St. Ambrose we read that
when he inflicted this penalty on the servant of Stillico, a foul demon
seized and begun to tear him to pieces at the same moment.

42 VITA REVEREND. D. FRANCISCI KIROVANI.
temptor, postridie mortuus in lecto inventus fuit. Nantinus Eng-
lesmi comes, ab Heraclio Episcopo excommunicatus obiit, inclamans
se ab Heraclio comburi. Nee homines tantum anathematis telo
confixi, sed etiam bruta et res inanimatae perierunt, legimus enim
extinctas locustas, fugatos lupos, consenuisse arbores, aruisse segetes,
ubi excommunicationis fulmine perstricta fuerunt. Sanctus Antoni
nus Archiepiscopus Florentinus, et Nicolaus CardinaUs Albergatus,
viri eximia, pietate praediti, ut censurarum vim demonstrarent,
panem dira imprecatione in atrum colorem verterunt, lustratumque
sacra prece pristino candori restituerunt.

Ubi haec Franciscus ardentibus oculis, excandescente vultu, voce
quantum potuit, intenta peroravit, tantum terrorem auditoribus in-
cussit, ut summa. sceleratorum miseratione tenerentur qui tam de>
testabiles pcenas illico subituri erant : et qui e sceleratis aderant se
pone caeteros prae pudore abdebant ; quos ubi tanta, consternatione
correptos fuisse Franciscus perspexit, schedae faciem mox vertit;
dicens se nondum nomina sceleratorum editurum, quia sperabat fore
ut improbos mores imposterum probis mutarent, et pristina flagitia
exosi recte vivendi rationem posthac inituri essent. Nee Ulum spes
fefellit; iUi enim Vicarii consiliis obtemperantes enormiter delin-
quendi finem fecerunt. Sicut quae Franciscus de maUs ab excom-
municatione promanantibus, commemoravit, stuporem populo, sic
reUgiosis ipsius Francisci comitibus summam admirationem ejus
prudentia movit, qua, post minarum procellam, ad quem petivit,
portum emendationis, miseros legis divinae praevaricatores, citra
severitatem tranquille deduxit.

Nee solum in peccatorum sordibus, quae suoruni animis inhere-
bant, eluendis, sed etiam gratiae incremento ilUs comparando, sedulo
desudavit : promulgandi enim Jubilaeum ac indulgentias plenarias,
ab Apostolica sede profectas, ipse per se munus obivit, Diocesim
studiose lustrans, gregemque suum tempestive praemonens, nuUo
praestantiore apparatu, ad tam uberem gratiarum copiam pro merito
excipiendam, animas suas praemunire posse, quam si ex area, consci-
entiae suae peccatorum spurcitias pcenitentiae scopis everrerent : nee

LIFE OF THE RT. REV. FRANCIS KIRWAN. 43
Carisius, a cleric, making light of the anathema pronounced by
Gennadius, Patriarch of Constantinople, was found dead in his bed,
next morning. Nantinus, Duke of Angouleme, excommunicated by
Heraclius, died, crying out that Herachus was heaping fire on him.
Nor did men only perish when thus stricken; the brute and the
inanimate thing have died under its curse ; for we read how locusts
were destroyed; how wolves were scattered; how trees withered
and crops wasted away, struck by the Ughtening of excommunica
tion. St. Antoninus, Archbishop of Florence, and Cardinal Nicholas
Albergati, men of great piety, in order to show the force of this
censure, with dire imprecation changed the colour of bread, and then
praying over it restored it to its former whiteness.
When Francis descanted on these subjects with flaming eyes and
glowing countenance, he so struck his auditors with terror, that
they were seized with commiseration for the dehnquents who were
about to undergo such dire penalties. Those of the guilty who
were present, overwhelmed with shame, hid themselves behind the
crowd ; and when Francis saw them thus covered with confusion,
he turned his face to the memorandum and said, he would not now
pubhsh the names of the guilty parties, but hoped they would
abandon their iniquities for thepractices of virtue, and renouncing
their flagitious course thenceforth lead proper lives. Nor did his
hope disappoint him ; for they, in obedience to the admonition of the
Vicar- General, renounced their wickedness. As the evils flowing
from the curse of excommunication, impressed the minds of the
people with salutary terror, so did his prudence awaken in the
minds of his holy companions the most profound admiration, for it
was by prudence, when the storm of threat was over, that he brought
these miserable prevaricators of the law into safe port, and that
without applying any measure of severity.
Nor did he labour only to outroot the filth of sin from the souls
of his people, but wrought as sedulously that they might receive the
increase of divine grace. For this end, he toiled to promulgate the
jubilee, and announce the indulgences conceded by the ApostoUc
See, going through the diocese warning his flock that they could
not fit themselves for applying to their souls this most abundant
spring-head of graces, with any preparation more becoming, than
cleansing their consciences from all stains of sin at the tribunal of

44 VITA REVEREND. D. FRANCISCI KIROVANI.
in alia, re magis assiduus ille fuit, quam in suis ad sacramenta fre
quentanda et digne percipienda suadendis. Ne tamen ex Dicecesanis
aliquis pubUca delicta impune ferri videntes ad paria per Ucentiam
patranda spe impunitatis praecipites ruerent, palam delinquentes
publica quandoque poena plecti curavit. Vidimus in adulterio palam
obstinate persistentes, flagris ejus jussu pubUce caedi : et quoscunque
exemplo nocuisse rescivit, eos ad sacram synaxim non ante admisit,
quam publica pcenitentia culpam eluerent, et pcenam aUquam pubUce
perferrent, quae populum expleret.

Alios potius quam seipsum ad verbum Dei populo annuntiandum
adhibuit ; tum quod pubhcorum negotiorum multitudo cogitationes
ejus alio avocavit, tum praesertim quod ad tantam sui dejectionem se
demisit, ut in animum penitus induxerit, Us se dotibus vacuum esse,
quibus vel mediocris concionator praeditus esse debebat, ea se fa-
cundia destitutum esse dicens, quae movere, et doctrina, quae audi
tores erudire posset ; cum tamen eloquentia vernacula ita floruerit,
ut audientium animos ad quoscunque veUet affectus flectere consue-
verit, ac tam erudita piaque inter concionandum protulerit, ut in
auscultahtis multitudinis corda dicta ejus alte descenderint. Roga-
tus a quibusdam ut concionaretur, ubi plures eruditos concioni suae
interfuturos cognovit vota petentium se prius expleturum negavit,
quam iUi ad populum se verba facturos pollicerentur ; quibus pos-
tulatis cum annueretur, ille a sua, in dicendo facultate extenuanda
initium dicendi ducens, tam uberem eloquentiae copiam in orationis
suae tenuitate auditoribus inculcanda,, exercuit, ut admirationem om
nibus moverit, et verbi divini precones post eum concionaturi, suae
concionis tali facundia exornandae spem abjecerint.

Quo rariores erant Francisci conciones, e6 acriori voluptate audi
entium animos perfundebant : ita ut ad eas auscultandas sic aures
erigerent, ut e concionantis ore pendere viderentur. Quidam viri
sagaces ab ejus concione rccenter cgressi, laudibus eum sic cxtule-

LIFE OF THE RT. REV. FRANCIS KIRWAN. 45
penance. Nor was his solicitude in any respect more conspicuous than
in his efforts to make the people frequent the sacraments, and re
ceive them with all due preparation. Lest, however, any of his
people, seeing public scandals passed over with impunity, might
thence take occasion of rushing precipitately into a similar course
with the hope of escaping unreproved, it was sometimes his custom
to punish the openly profligate with some public mark of reprobation.
Thus we have seen persons who obstinately persevered in adultery,
publicly whipped by his order, nor did he ever admit to the Holy
Sacrament of the Eucharist those who had propagated evil example,
tiU they canceUed their error by some public act of penance and
made reparation to the people.
He chose rather to procure able preachers, who might instruct
the people from the pulpit, than to do so in his own person. His
thoughts were too much occupied elsewhere by the amouflt of
public business, and a deep sense of humility so seized posses
sion of his soul, as to make him think he lacked these faculties
with which, even a mediocre preacher should be gifted. He was
wont to say that he stood in need of that eloquence which is re
quired to move, and that learning which is necessary to indoctrinate
others. Nevertheless, he was so eminently master of the vernacu
lar language, that he could produce any effect on the minds of his
hearers, and so erudite and pious were the facts which he was ac
customed to cite in his discourses, that they made deep and lasting
impression on the hearts of the congregations. Being asked to
preach, on an occasion when he knew that a considerable number
of learned persons would be present, he would not consent to comply
with the expressed wish, till they promised they would subsequently
address the people. This being agreed to, Francis commenced his
discourse by dwelling at great length on his poverty of eloquence ;
but in that sermon he exhibited such abundant power that he ex
cited the admiration of all who heard him, and they who pledged
themselves to follow him abandoned all hope of rivalling him in
efficacy and adornment of language.
The rarer the discourses of Francis, the more real gratification
did they convey to the souls of those who sought him ; so much so,
that the people not only heard him attentively, but seemed to hang
on his words. On one occasion some learned men having heard

46 VITA REVEREND. D. FRANCISCI KIROVANI.
runt, ut dixerint eum exquisita quaeque monita sacrarum scriptu-
rarum et sanctorum Patrum adita eruisse, quae ad populum docen-
dum accominodatissima fuerunt, illaque tanto dicendi sapore
condivisse, ut in audientium animos sensim irrepserint, et ad
pietatem amplectendam non invitos illexerint. Nee mitibus tantum
iUiciis in hac concione Franciscus virtutis amorem hominum menti-
bus in seruit, sed etiam ad flagitiorum odium in eorum animis accen-
dendum, verborum fulmine sic intonuit, ut in obdurata quaeque ad-
stantium corda ejus verba sic irruperint, ut eorum in malo pertinaciam
fregerint ac ad pravos pristinos mores mohoribus mutandos indux-
erint, seu potius impulerint, ita ut S. Bernardi verba in iUum appo
site cadant dicentis quod, homines spirituales vita, et opinione con-
spicui, fide puri, spe firmi, pluentes pluviam verbi salutarem tonant
increpationibus, legem vitae et disciphnae digito quidem scriptam in
semetipsis ostendunt ad dandam scientiam salutis plebi ejus.

Nee solum in eo summa, sui despicientia tenebatur, quod tantam
sibi doctrinam supplere non crediderit quanta vel mediocris verbi
divini preco instrui deberet ; sed etiam adeo sibi contemptui fuit, ut
ullum honoris titulum sibi ab eum compeUantibus deferri aegerrime
tulerit. Abbas collis victoriae in agro Galviensi a sua sanctitate in
commenda, ut vocant, institutus, a quodam postea in congressu
Abbas salutatus est. Sed rubor in ejus vultu obortus quam ea salti-
tatione mens cruciaretur, prodidit et post salutantis abscessum, cum
comite graviter questus est, sibi longe satius fuisse ut aUquo con-
vitio pungeretur, quam ut ea. compellatione honoraretur.
In periculo quadam vice constitutus, quendam amicum, de quo
quondam et optime meritus est, enixe rogavit, ut ad ipsum discri-
mini tantisper subducendum opem ferret, in qua petitione cum re-
pulsam pateretur, ira, sic in amicum subito excanduit, ut de illhis
ingratitudine cum comite graviter expostulaverit ; et cum pluribus
dicteriorum aculeis perstrinxerit ; sed ubi se collegit, longe pluribus
in se maledictis, quam in amicum saeviit, cujus recusationem officii

LIFE OF THE RT. REV. FRANCIS KIRWAN. 47
him preach, came forth extoUing him, and remarking how ably he
handled even the most abstruse passages of the Sacred Scriptures,
and Holy Fathers, making both available to improve the morality of
the people ; for with such unction did he season whatever fell from
his Ups that it plainly found its way to the hearts of the hsteners,
inducing even the reluctant to adopt hohness. Nor was Francis
satisfied with infusing a love of virtue into the hearts of men by
means of gentle persuasion ; on the contrary, he laboured to ex
cite in their souls a hatred of crime ; and, with words of thunder,
so did he strike their consciences, that he triumphed over the
pertinacious, and induced them to renounce immoralities, and
change their lives. I should rather have said, that he abso
lutely compeUed them; for to him we may aptly apply the
words of St. Bernard — spiritual men remarkable for the exem-
plarity of their Uves, the soundness of their judgment, the purity
of their faith, and the fastness of their hopes, whensoever they
pour out the salutary waters of the word, thunder-strike when they
chide, and show the law of life and discipUne, written as it were
with the finger on their hearts that they may be able to give the
knowledge of salvation to their people.
Nor was his contempt of self remarkable only in that particular
to which we have already alluded, to wit, his belief that he possessed
not as much learning as should be found even in a defective preacher
— nay, so lowly was he in his own estimation, that he could not
bear to be addressed by any title of distinction. When he was
appointed by the Pope, Abbat in commendam, of the Hill of
Victory, he was soon after met by a person who greeted him
with this title, but the comphment brought a modest blush
to his cheek, and when the person departed, Francis remarked
to his companion that it were better for him had he been insulted
than honoured with that salutation.
On another occasion, being placed in difficulties, he earnestly en
treated a friend to whom he had formerly done signal service, to
lend his aid in extricating him from the embarrassment. His
petition being rejected, allowing warmth to possess him, he thereon
grew angry with his former friend, and expostulated with one
present on this marked ingratitude. But when he became coUected,
his bitterest rage was turned against himself, and he himself be-

48 VITA REVEREND. D. FRANCISCI KIROVANI.
praestandi non ab ingratitudine, sed a. legitimo impedimento prove-
nisse dicebat, se potius ingratum, temerarium, querulum murmura-
torem, ac detractorem appellans, quod tam impatienter non iniquam
postulationis denegationem tulerit, et charissimum amicum tot con-
vitiis injuriosissime prosciderit : nimirum vbi se levissima quaevis
despiciendi occasio exoriebatur, ad summam se humilitatem protinus
abjiciebat. Quanquam Episcopi dignitate non fuit insignitus, quia tamen
Archiepiscopi vices obibat, hospitahtatem Episcopis unice commen-
datam cumulate coluit, non modicam enim familiam Galviae continen-
ter aluit, in qua, praeter parentes ad rei familiaris angustias et
senectutem redactos, juvenes ingenui literis, et Ecclesiae destinati
semper versabantur : plurimorum enim fomiti primam ille scintillam
ad pium vivendi cursum ineundum sermone subjecit, et exemplo :
magnus etiam Juvenum numerus monitis ejus ad pietatem impulsus
variis Religiosorum ordinibus nomina ultro dedit : aliis pluribus ad
sacerdotium amplectendum animos fecit ; ita ut quando gloria patris
est filius sapiens, non modica sit ad eum gloria redundatura, qui
pluribus ad melioris, vitae stadium ingrediendum patrem se praebuit
ac ducem : proinde inter eos referendus est, qui ad justitiam erudi-
vit multos, quasi stellae in perpetuas aeternitates fulgebunt,

Eos qui e Tuamensi Dioecesi sacrorum ordinum suscipiendorum
studio tenebantur, non ante iis initiari permittebat, quam post
annum in ipsius contubernio actum, tanquam in sacerdotii tyrocinio
positi, disciplinis ad sacerdotium rite gerendum accommodatis, ap-
prime informarentur ; annosiores Sacerdotes caeremoniarum Ecclesiae
non satis accurate peritos domi suae tamdiu hospitio excepit, donee
easdem concinne agere, probe scirent: quos Curiones peritia ad
Parochi officium rite implendum necessaria, destitutos vidit, iis
ministerio sacramentorum interdixit: sed postea ubi accurato ex
amine adhibito, sufficientem sibi scientiam studiis incumbendo com-
parasse deprehendit, officio pristino administrando admovit.
Nee operam solum dedit, ut sacerdotes eruditione, sed etiam

LIFE OF THE RT. REV. FRANCIS KIRWAN. 49
came the object of his chiding. He then said that his friend's
recusancy did not arise from ingratitude, but rather from a legiti
mate impediment, and that he himself was the ingrate, the mur-
murer, and blameworthy man, who did not bear patiently the
refusal, but loaded with contumely and injury his most dear friend.
Thus, ever, when the most trivial occasion of humbling himself was
at hand, he did not fail to seize it.
Although he was not honored with the Episcopal dignity, yef.
as he filled the place of an Archbishop, he discharged the duties of
hospitality, so singularly recommended by the Apostle to Bishops.
Thus, at Galway, he always retained a considerable number of
persons in his house, whom he supported. Here, along with
parents reduced to want and old age, you might find youths given
to letters, who were destined for the Church. To very many of
the latter, did he, by discourse' and example, administer, such in
formation as was necessary to kindle the first fires of virtue in their
souls on their outset in hfe ; so that many young people, urged by
his teachings to foUow piety, enroUed themselves in the various
reUgious orders. Many others were there who aspired to the
priesthood, and these were the objects of his special care. There
fore, as a wise son is the glory of his father, much glory must be
given to him, who showed himself a parent and a guide to those
who set out in life to win its proudest goal. Verily, he must be
numbered amongst those, who, having taught many unto justice,
shaU shine as stars for ever and ever.
None of those who were then preparing themselves for Holy
Orders in Tuam, did he aUow to be invested with the sacred cha
racter, till they had spent a year in his own society ; that, thus
schooled in the Ecclesiastical disciphne, they might be properly fitted
to discharge its duties. Aged priests, not sufficiently acquainted
with the ceremonies of the Church, did he retain under his own roof
tiU they were sufficiently instructed to perform them with propriety.
The persons whom he found destitute of that knowledge, necessary
for the fulfilment of Parochial duty, he forbade to administer the
Sacraments; but when he found by examination that they had
acquired sufficient learning for aU these great purposes, he restored
them to their former office.
Nor did his exertions tend that priests might become learned, to

50 VITA REVEREND. D. FRANCISCI KIROVANI.
pietate imbuerentur, nam ubi tempus et occasio ferebat, eos nonnun
quam exercitiis spiritualibus incumbere domi suae persuasit. Quos
Parochos incontinentiae reos compererat, eos parochia, sua pulsos,
ad remotiora, asperiora, et incultiora Dioecesis loca, quorum supra
memini, protinus ablegabat, nee iUinc pedem prius efferre permitte-
bat, quam prasscripta poenitentia, in iis locis ad amussim peracta, spem
certam dedissent, se vitam in posterum sic instituros, ut in prioris
criminis ne suspicionem quidem venire possent. Demum Ecclesias
ticis viris deprecatoribus, concedebat, ut curam animarum suscipe-
rent, non in priori populo ; ne refricata prioris exempU memoria
denuo delinquendi ansam ulli praeberent, sed in alia regione procul
distante. In sacerdotes lusui addictos sic animadvertit, ut omne
lucrum ex ludo acquisitum collusori reddere cogerentur, a quo eorum
quae sacerdos perdiderat, restitutionem fieri vetabat.

Ante Tuamensis Sedis administrationem Francisco coUatam, sacer-
dotum paucitas effecit, ut in duabus paraeciis unus Curionem ageret:
hanc consuetudinem Concilii Tridentini decretis contrariam abolere
Vicarius non tam severe imperando, quam mollius persuadendo,
constituit, et voti compos tandem factus est, licet nonnuUi altera
curia inviti cederent. E quibus quidam aetate jam provectior, unum
e Patribus Societatis, qui Vicarium comitabatur, enixe rogavit, a
Vicario impetrare, ut e duabus paraeciis neutram sibi adimeret, in
quibus animarum saluti procurandae tot annos impendit, se vegetum
adhuc esse, et ad faerendos labores jam occaluisse affirmans; sed
surdo ista cecinit. Nam pater ille mox Dominum Vicarium compel-
lans : Domine Vicari, ait, bonus hic sacerdos famiharis meus duabus
paraeciis oneratur, rogo ut curiae unius onere iUum leves, altera
5111 concessa, ut ei sit, unde vitam toleret. Dictum, factum.

Nee magis in coercendis Ecclesiasticorum cupiditatibus Justus,
quam in decidendis Utibus prudens fuit. Quidam ab uxore divor-
tium fecit ; quae ad Vicaru tribunal venit. Vir non invitus vadimo-
nium obivit confisus fore ut secundum se Us daretur : quapropter
vehementer oravit, ut ab uxore sejungi per Vicarium ei liceret. Sed

LIFE OF THE RT. REV. FRANCIS KIRWAN. 51
the exclusion of piety, for, as often as time and opportunity aUowed,
he devoted himself to conducting spiritual exercises in his own
house. Whenever he discovered any parish-priest guilty of the
crime of incontinence, he banished him from the parish to the
remote, rugged, and uncultivated mountain-tracts of which I have
already spoken ; nor did he aUow him thenceforth to move a single
inch till he had filled the allotted measure of penance, and given
sure hope that ever afterwards he would be above suspicion. He
also arranged, that those who acted as intercessors for the inculpated
parties, should not have the cure of souls amongst the people who
had been scandalized, lest, reviving the memory of the past, any
one might thence take an opportunity of sinning ; for the avoid
ance of this, he caused the aforesaid intercessors to remove to
a distance. He also punished priests given to gambling, and made
the winner give the loser aU his gains, forbidding the latter to
restore the money under colour of restitution.
Before the administration of the See of Tuam was conferred on
Francis, the paucity of the priests required that one priest should
preside over two parishes. The Vicar was desirous to aboUsh this
practice, so opposed to the decrees of the Council of Trent ; not
however by imperiously enforcing the law, but- rather by gentle
persuasion. He thus succeeded according i to his wishes, although
some were reluctant to cede one of their parishes. One of these
clergymen, now advanced in years, solicitously implored a father
of the Jesuits, to pray the Vicar-General that neither of his
parishes should be taken from him, as he had laboured in them for
many years, winning the people to salvation, and was still hale
enough to bear their duties. But he expostulated in vain, as the
Jesuit, soon after, addressing the Vicar-General, spoke thus : " Good
Mr. Vicar, this excellent friend of mine is overwhelmed with the
labours of two parishes ; I pray you to relieve him of the burden
of one of them, and leave him the other, that he may get where
withal to live." No sooner said than done.
Nor was he more just in repressing the cupidity of ecclesiastics,
than prudent in deciding controversies. A certain man divorced
himself from his wife. She forthwith appealed to the Vicar, and
the husband gave bail for his appearance, quite sure that the case
would be decided in his favour ; wherefore he prayed the Vicar

52 VITA REVEREND. D. FRANCISCI KIROVANI.
ubi querelas ab iUo in uxorem effusas vanas esse Vicarius, et qui ei
assidebant viri Ecclesiastici, (ab iUo, semper ad difficiliores Utium
nodos facilius et securius citra errorem dissolvendos, adhibiti;) per-
spexerunt ; virum etiam atque etiam obtestati sunt, ut uxorem suam
sibi rursus adsciscere animum inducat, in qua sibi non socianda si
pertinaciam protrahat, edicunt certissimum ei sempiternae damna-
tionis periculum imminere, et ilium in infernalium flammarum cruci-
atibus aeternitatem proculdubio acturum : tum ille, aequiori (inquit)
animo ignis tartarei ardorem, quam uxoris meae societatem perferam.
Voce tam execrabili Vicarius merito commotus, acerrima eum incre-
patione primum excepit ; deinde non auderes ( inquit) homo amen-
tissime, ardenti lucernae digitum, dum divortii sententia ex voto
tuo lata legitur, admovere : mox iUe prae gaudio exiUens, nee modo
digitum, ait, sed totum pugnum flammis immitterem, ea lege ut extra
conjugis contubernium vivere in posterum mihi permittatur: at
dicto citius accensae faci manum injecit, sed ardorem ferre non
valens, eam flammis post exiguam moram subtraxit, et infernalis
incendii, cogitatione in animum alte demissa, decreto Vicaru obse-
cutus uxori reconcihatus est.

Franciscus familiaritatem aeque cum divitibus et inopibus coluit.
In itinire apud opulentum amicum suum diversatus, obvium habuit
quendam cui res famiUaris longe angustior erat, sed sibi tamen valde
famiUaris, qui questus D. Vicarium aedes divitum adire tenuium
decUnare, si tectum ejus humile subire dignaretur hospitio eum
honesto quidem, licet non tam instructa lautaque mensa, quam in
locupletis ilhus domo exceptum iri. Respondit Vicarius praecipuum
officn sui munus in eo positum esse, ut ad peccata de medio toflenda
conatutn omnem adhibeat : cum autem opibus abundantes, in pec-
candi periculo plus versentur, quam qui egestate premuntur, aequum
esse ut crebrius iUorum aedes, quam horum frequentet, ut vel ad
praeterita peccata delenda, vel ad futura praecavenda suam operam
conferret.

Ab his itineribus Galviam reversus, honestas viduas et senes ad
inopiam redactos mensae suae assidue admovit. iEgris etiam

LIFE OF THE RT. REV. FRANCIS KIRWAN. 53
most earnestly to sanction the divorce; but when the latter, together
with the ecclesiastics who assisted (for he always employed such,
in adjudicating on difficult questions), found the charges advanced
by the husband to be false, they over and over implored him to
take back his wife, stating, that if he persevered in refusing to be
associated with her, he would run great risk of incurring damnation,
and must most certainly involve himself in the torment of eternal
flames ; to which this wretched man then replied, " I had rather
bide the heat of heU, than the society of my wife." But the Vicar,
excited by this execrable sentence, first ohid him severely, and then
added, " You would not dare, 0 mad-man! to place your finger on
the candle now burning before us, for such time as the reading of the
sentence of divorce, ( were we a consenting part to it,) must occupy.
Whereon, this infatuate, in the height of his joy, rejoined — " Nay,
not only my finger, but my whole hand, would I hold to the flame,
on condition that I be permitted henceforth to hve apart from my
wife." And thereon, more quickly than I have narrated it, he
placed his hand over the candle's flame, but, not being able to bear
the pain, he soon removed it, and having let the consideration of
heU's fire sink into his soul, in obedience to the advice of the Vicar,
he was reconciled to his wife.
Francis sought the society of the rich as weU as the poor. At
one time, travelling, he stayed in the house of an opulent friend,
and on the way met with a person of straitened circumstances,
very well known to him, who complained that the Vicar shunned
the houses of the indigent, and sought those of the wealthy. —
" If, however," said he, " you would not disdain my humble roof,
you wUl be received with generous hospitahty ; not, however, with
such lavish luxury as in the house of that rich man." To this the
Vicar answered, that the principal duty of his office was to out-root
sin, and that for this object he should strain every exertion. "Now,"
quoth he, " whereas, those who abound in wealth are exposed to
greater danger of sinning than those who are poor, it is but just
that I should more frequently seek the houses of the former, to
lend my aid in causing them to cancel past crimes, or guard against
the contingent."
Returned to Galway from these visitations, he brought to his
table, virtuous widows and old people who had been reduced to

54 VITA REVEREND. D. FRANCISCI KIROVANI.
honesto loco natis aedes ejus tanquam Xenodochium patuerunt;
matris amitae, pedibus, manibus, ocuUs et Ungua captae, tectum,
lectum, victum, et ministerium aliquot annos domi suae praebuit.
Peregrinos quoque viros Eccleciasticos Uberali hospitio semper
excepit. Ad eum concursus viduarum inopumque fiebat opem ejus
contra potentum injurias implorantium ; quibus iUi discrimini subdu-
cendis non segnem operam saepissime navavit. Nimirum Deum
audivit jubentem ; libera eum qui injuriam patitur de manu superbi :
eos etiam semper solatio fovit, et sumptibus juvit. Denique fregit
esurienti panem suum, et egenos vagosque duxit in domum suam, cum
vidit nudum operuit eum.

Plerisque Religiosorum tum Galviae commorantium ordinibus
holosericam altaris supeUectilem ; et praeter hujusmodi, sancti
Nicolai templo argenteam elargitus est, sciUcet calicem, ciborium,
pelvim et urceolos : in omnes demum liberaUs, in se unum parcus,
seu potius saevus fuit. Etenim induebatur ciUcio, et humihabat in
jejunio animam suam ; nam tenuem cibum semper adhibebat, qui
famem levabat potius quam Satiabat ; nimirum comedebat ad refl-
ciendum, non ad luxuriam ; siquidem comedit, ut viveret, non vixit
ut comederet, in epulis quamvis opiparis, a cupediis et condituris,
quae bulamiam potius irritant quam explent, prorsus temperavit;
nee ullus helluo satius unquam abdomini, quam ille secum habitans
jejunio indulsit. Sextas ferias sine lacticiniis, Adventum sine carnibus
transigere consuevit : unde suum corpus sic extenuavit, tantamque
maciem contraxit, ut vix ossibus cutis haeserit : Inter convivas cibum
dehbavit magis, quam manducavit : bellaria primoribus tantum labiis
degustavit, ita ut totus vitae cursus continuum jejunium fuisse vide
atur, quo suum corpus mirum in modum proterebat.

Per ea tempora, ubi persecutionum tempestatibus subinde pacatis,
aliqua tranquillitatis malacia Catholicis affulsit, Ecclesiastici per urbes

LIFE OF THE KT. REV. FRANCIS KIRWAN. 55
indigence. Respectable persqns, when afflicted with sickness, found
the doors of his house ever open, and turned into an hospital.
Within his own house, he, for a considerable number of years,
provided bed and board for his mother's aunt, then suffering from
paralysis of the feet, hands, eyes, and tongue. Ecclesiastics from
foreign parts were always welcome to his generous hospitality,
and great was the concourse of widows and poor people ever
seeking protection at his hands, against the oppression of the
dominant; to each of those he afforded valuable assistance, in
getting rid of their difficulties. He truly hearkened to God com
manding him to deliver those who suffer at the hands of the proud,
nor did he faU to succour them with his counsel and purse. 'Finally,
he broke his bread to the hungry, and brought the poor that were
cast out unto his house, and when he saw them naked he covered
them. To many of the religious orders then staying at Galway, he
presented silken apparel for their altars, and to the Church of
Saint Nicholas, he gave a chalice, ciborium, wash-hand basin, and
cruets of silver. Liberal and generous to all, he practised in his
own person the greatest mortification ; nay, I should rather have
said, that to himself he was cruel — for his clothing was saekcloth,
and he humbled his soul with fasting. He partook only of the
most meagre food, which diminished, rather than satisfied, the
cravings of hunger; for he ate not to indulge luxury, but solely
for the refection of the body,; — or, in other words, he made use of
food that he might live, but he hved not to eat. He abstained from
all highly-seasoned and luxurious fare, which is calculated to excite
bile, rather than serve the constitution, and never did there exist
gourmand more devoted to the appetite, than he was to the morti
fication of it. Throughout Advent he abstained from flesh-meat,
and on Friday he ate not of milk or butter, and so did he waste the
body by self-denial, that his skin barely adhered to the bones. At
convivial meetings, he may be said to have tasted food without
consuming it, and as to dainties, they rarely passed his lips, so that
his whole life was a protracted fast, by which he wonderfully pros
trated his bodily strength.
At that time, when a dawn of tranquillity appeared to the
Cathohcs, after the storm of persecution had been lulled, the priests

56 VITA REVEREND. D. FRANCISCI KIROVANI.
Hiberniae domos conduxerunt, in quibus spatiosa, et ornamentis
speciosa sacella, quae Catholicis ad rem divinam et conciones
audiendas, paterent, aperuerunt, quae omnia una persecutionis
proceUa anno 1648, exorta occlusit. Prorex enim Hiberniae,
Vicecomes Faklandiae magistratu abiens, veritus ne in AngUam
appulsus hbertatis tantae Catholicis permissae reus ageretur, jussit
omnes aedes ejusmodi sacellis ornatas dominis in perpetuum eripi, et
fisco cedere ; Sacerdotum Galviensium sacellum, cui ad elegantiam
non vulgarem perducendo, multos sumptus impenderunt, hoc nau-
fragio involutum illis, et domus sacello sacrata Domino periit ; tum
Franciscus dicere auditus est, cum sanguis martyrum Ecclesiae sit
semen, non ante pax hanc persecutionis tempestatem excipiet, quam
D. FaUonus, ( sacerdos prae caeteris pietate et eruditione spectabilis)
et ego ex utroque arae cornu strangulati pendeamus. Ardorem quo
animus ejus sanguinis sui pro fide fundendi flagrabat, verbo prodens.

Sicut Atticus oUm Constantinopolitanus Episcopus, sic Ule non
modicam promeruit laudem, quod in pauperes, et maxime in Ulos,
quos mendicare pudebat, munificus fuerit ; sicut etiam S. Gregorius
Romanorum pauperum, et Joannes Eleemosinarius Alexandrinorum ;
sic ille Galviensium inopum nomina in album retulit, ut aequalis
erogatio stipis singulos expleret. In orientaUbus Galviae suburbus,
aedes S. Brigidae, vulgo dictas a leprosis olim inhabitatas, sed nostra
memoria penitus eversas, denuo aedificavit, ac temph eidem Divae
Brigidae sacri, quod audiendae missae gratia leprosi quondam adi-
bant, fundamenta jecit, et parietes ad mediocrem altitudinem eduxit,
sed ad umbiUcum, injuria temporum impediente, non perduxit.
Nosocomium Galviense instaurari, et caminis, fenestris, cubicuUsque
instrui curavit,"egenisque illud insidentibus non solum stipem crebram,
sed lauta quoque prandia saepe largitus accumbentibus ministrare
gestivit. Xenodochia enim et carceres assidue frequentavit : et illi
familiare fuit urbem aliquam ingredienti et egredienti, alloquio et
pecuniario subsidio carceribus inclusos consolari.

LIFE OF THE RT. REV. FRANCIS KIRWAN. 57
purchased houses throughout Ireland in which they prepared chapels,
remarkable for their adornments, and in every manner fitted for
preaching and hearing confessions, — all of which, however, were
destroyed in the convulsions of the year 1648. Lord Falkland,
viceroy of Ireland, when retiring, grew alarmed, lest, when arrived
in England, he would be accused of having allowed the Irish
Catholics such an amount of liberty, and ordered aU these chapels
to be taken out of the possession of their owners and confiscated
to the crown. In this general spohation, the Galway clergy lost
their ohapel, purchased at great expense, and richly ornamented
at their cost. When Francis witnessed his clergy and church
involved in this dire loss, he was heard to say, that, since the blood
of martyrs is the seed of the Church, peace would not come to
succeed this storm of persecution, till he and Father Fallon (a priest
eminent for learning and sanctity), were both hanged at either
horn of the altar; thus, showing forth his anxious desire to shed
his blood for the faith.
Like unto Atticus, Bishop of Constantinople, much praise did
Francis deserve for his munificence to that section of the poor who
blushed to beg. Like St. Gregory, who had the poor of Rome for
his special charge, — like John of Alexandria, eminently dis
tinguished as the almsgiver, — did Francis inscribe in a book the
names of the needy, that he might succour their poverty by an
equal distribution of charity. In the eastern suburb of Galway,
stood the building caUed St. Brigid's Church, a long time inhabited
as a lazar house ; this place, almost destroyed within our own
recoUection, did he re-erect, and he laid, too, the foundations of the
Church sacred to St. Brigid, which the lepers were wont to frequent
for hearing mass. The walls of this latter building he raised to
a considerable height, but the disturbance of the times prevented
the completion of the work. He took special care that the hospital
of Galway should be provided with chimneys, windows, and cham
bers. Not content with giving sustenance to those who were
detained in this infirmary, it was his custom also to afford them
ample repasts, at which he himself presided. The hospitals and
the prisons he often and often visited, and he was well-known,
when visiting a city or leaving it, to console prisoners, not only
with words of comfort, but likewise with pecuniary relief.

58 VITA REVEREND. D. FRANCISCI KIROVANI.
Sollicitudo quam ad subveniendum carcere Galviensi detentis,
adhibuit, memorabiUs est ; iisdem officiis et beneficiis, quae similis
miseriae socus alibi exhibuit, eos prosecutus est: stipem iis saepius
erogans, et moestos e tristitia verbis placidissimis in spem crebro
erigens ; Stentoria, voce, qua stipem a praetereuntibus illi assidue
flagitabant tota vicinia longe lateque praesertim domus Roberti
Kirovani e regione carceris posita personabat. Hinc ansam arripiens
Franciscus eundem Robertum monens, ideo forsan Deum statuisse ut
aures ejus die ac nocte clamoribus istis pulsar entur, ut animum ejus
cogitatio liberalitatis. in tam miseros clamatores exercendae subiret :
Robertus assensum tam salubribus monitis facile praebens, grandio-
rem pecuniae summam in eos usus contulit ; quae non mediocrem
annuum censum, ad opem iis alendis ferendum subministraret.

Alia quoque ratione Franciscus eodem carcere conditis beneficium
praebuit : sexto quoque mense judices Hiberniam ad implicatiores
lites decidendas, et carceres sceleratis exonerandos obierunt: cum
Galviae judicia pro tribunali exercerunt, eos qui in extremi suppUcii
subeundi periculo versabantur, e carcere in memorati Roberti domum
carceri finitimam Franciscus educi curabat : ubi dehctis per confes-
sionem expiatis, post animam sacra, synaxi munitam, et corporis
famem affluente prandio expletam, in custodiam recesserunt. Qua
dam vice sacerdos inter eos relatus solhcitiori custodia septus e
carcere pedem efferre non permittebatur. Quare Franciscus, custo-
dibus largitione delinitis, ad eum clam penetravit, et sacramentis ad
victoriam in extrema lucta referendam, si morti addiceretur neces-
sariis armavit, et cohortationibus ad mortem aequo animo perferen-
dam firmavit.

Post sorores suas suis sumptibus nuptui datas, non mediocres
impensas in tenuioris fortunae puellis matrimonio collocandis saepis-
sime fecit : Denique viduae illius auxilio sustentabantur, et pupUli in
eo repererunt patrem ; Deo scilicet obsecutus est praecipienti : esto
pupillis misericors ut pater, et pro viro matri eorum, Quid quod
ejus liberalitas Hiberniae finibus clausa non fuit ; sed in exteras se

. LIFE OF THE RT. REV. FRANCIS KIRWAN. 59
Record-worthy was his sohcitude for those detained in the gaols
of Galway ; with the same acts and offices of benevolence did he
visit them, as he did their companions in misery in other quarters.
Again and again did he relieve them with his purse, and call back
their despairing souls to hope. Far and near, might be heard the
loud importunity of the prisoners begging succour from those who
passed by, but no where more distinctly than in the house of Robert
Kirwan, hard by the prison. From this circumstance did Francis take
occasion to admonish the aforesaid Robert, that it might have been
God's wish to smite his ears with this unceasing cry, that the sense
of charity, sinking deeply in his soul, might urge him to succour
the unfortunate. Robert, lending willing ear to the suggestion,
bestowed a large sum of money for these pious uses, and thus
contributed a considerable annual amount towards feeding the
detained. In other respects did Francis labour to alleviate the sufferings
of the prisoners. Every sixth month the judges made the circuit
of L'eland, to try the more intricate cases, and make gaol dehveries.
Whensoever they sat at Galway, and any one was placed in such
circumstances as imperilled his hfe, Francis caused the prisoner to
be brought out of the gaol to the house of Robert Kirwan, which,
we have said, was hard by. Here, when the unfortunate made his
confession and fortified his soul with the holy Eucharist, our Francis
provided for his bodUy support an excellent meal, of which he
partook before going back. On one occasion, a priest was numbered
among the last named class of culprits, but he was more rigidly
guarded, — so much so, that he could not come a step outside the
prison ; wherefore, Francis, having given largesses to the jailor, got
access to him privately, and armed him with the Sacraments
necessary to sustain him in the last conflict, and exhorted him
likewise to bear death, should such be his fate, with the resignation
and true courage of a Christian.
When he had given his sisters the dowry which came from his
own purse, and saw them married, he was careful to confer no
slight portion upon poor girls who were about embracing the
married state. Finally, widows were supported by him, and in him
did orphans find a father, for he obeyed God commanding him
" to be merciful to orphans and as a husband to their mothers.'

60 VITA REVEREND. D. FRANCISCI KIROVANI.
quandoque regiones extulerit ; is enim seminaria nostratum in
Catholicis regionibus, principum, magnatum, et piorum hominum
opibus plerumque fota, ad id instituta, ut idonei ministri fidei in
Hibernia conservandae et propagandae suppeditarentur, muneribus
non raro donavit; admirationem nemini moveat, virum copiis non
admodum abundantem, tam uberi munificentia in aUos usum fuisse ;
cum Dominus dicat, quod inquirentes Dominum non minuentur
omni bono. Nee vivis tantam ejus cura, sed et mortuis quoque
subvenit ; per Ecclesias enim, aut coemiteria gradiens, pro vita
functis preces fundere, opemque divinam, psalmum De Profundis
recitans iis implorare consuevit : et ut nuUum esset pietatis genus
cui non vacaverat, ad peregrinationes quoque obeundas animum
adjecit, nee satis habuit loca Connaciae peregrinationibus destinata,
ut quae fuerunt Sanctorum incolatu et cruciatibus ad carnem macer-
andam sibi ultro illatis sacrata, frequentare, et prae caeteris arduum
S. Patricii montem miUe passus altum crebro ascendere ibique, ut
peregrinandi ritus fert, per certa spacia exiguis lapidum fragmentis
consita, nudis genibus innixus repere ; et per aUa tam saxetis aspera,
quam vel ipso visu, ob praecipitii periculum, horrida incedere ; nisi
etiam in Ultoniam profectus, decantatissimum illud S. Patricii pur-
gator ium adiret, in quo jejunium in nonum diem protrahitur, quoque
interim die pane tantum et aqua lacustri, nullo aUo obsonio adhibito
semel vescentes, immo unum e novem diebus antri angustiis inclusi,
sic jejuni transigunt, ut nihil omnino gustent solummodo, si fauces
areant, parum aquae iis humectandis adhibent : deinde mane, sub
meridiem, et vesperam, per semitas acutis et minutis lapiUis stratas,
et Sanctorum vestigiis olim tritas, genibus in terram demissis, eunt :
Per aUa quoque scabra loca, quondam etiam a Sanctis criminum ex-
piandorum causa, frequentata, nudis pedibus incedunt: per undas
etiam nunc erecti, nunc in genua procumbentes ad plures passus
progrediuntur. Caeterum diei tempus precibus fundendis, et piis
colloquiis habendis sic impendunt, ut in tam sacro loco, nullus risui,
nedum scurriUtati locus sit ; nocte somnum non in stragulis, sed in
straminibus carpunt, potius quam capiunt ; non aUo pulvinari quam
femoraUbus cervicem fulcientes. Franciscus his piis et piacularibus
exercitiis ter singulis diebus, ut caeteri ad amussim peractis, audi-
endis etiam peregrinorum confessionibus aurem, et ad poenitentiam
hortandis linguam adhibuit ; e Scripturis sacris, pluriumque Sancto-

LIFE OF THE RT. REV. FRANCIS KIRWAN. 61
Nor was his UberaUty Umited to Ireland, but extended to
foreign lands, for he often benefited, to the best of his power,
the seminaries of our countrymen, raised and maintained by
CathoUc princes and pious men, that thence might come forth bands
of missionaries to propagate the faith in Ireland. Nor let it be a
cause of wonder to any one, that a man, not abounding in worldly
wealth, could be so munificent to others, since our Lord has said,
there shaU be no want in those who seek him. Nor was his
sohcitude for the Uving only ; on the contrary, his heart yearned for
the departed. Whenever he passed through the churches or
cemeteries, he was wont to offer suffrages for the deceased, reciting
the psalm " De Profundis," and imploring the Divine mercy. That
he might not be wanting in any species of piety, he reverenced in
his soul the custom of undertaking pilgrimages. Nor was he
satisfied with visiting such places in Connaught as were consecrated
by the sojourn of the saints, and above all, the rugged mountain,
called Cruach Patrick, which he was wont to frequent, often ascend
ing its steep sides, a thousand paces in height, and there staying,
according to usage, on the very summit, covered with loose stones,
and creeping on bended knees over the rough rock fragments, which
struck one with horror, not to speak of the danger of yawning
chasms and precipices ; often, too, did he go into Ulster, to the far-
famed Purgatory of St. Patrick, in which the pilgrims are wont to
abstain from meat for nine days, using no food, save a little bread,
and water from the lake. During one of the nine days, they are
shut up in the dismal darkness of a cavern, and, therein fasting,
partake of nothing, save a httle water to moisten their throats when
parched with thirst. At noontide and evening, they go on bended
knees over paths beaten by the feet of saints, and strewn with sharp
stones. In other quarters, they walk barefooted over rugged ways,
in the olden time frequented by holy men for the expiation of sin.
Sometimes walking, and some times on their knees, they advance
to a considerable distance into the sea. Thus do they spend the
day, pouring out their prayers to God, and listening to holy
discourses; nor in this sacred place is there to be seen or
heard anything scurrilous or ludicrous. When night comes
on, they lie down not to enjoy repose, but to snatch ,a few
hours sleep ; their beds are of straw, unfurnished with coverlids,

62 VITA REVEREND. D. FRANCISCI KIROVANI.
rum, ac nominatim sanctorum Augustini, Norberti, et Vincentii
Ferrerii exemplis, beatos esse pacificos hausit. Proinde summum
studium sopiendis inimicitiis, et litibus decidendis, fehci semper
eventu, impendit. Quidam nobiles, forensi contentione diu mul-
tumque persequebantur subsellia judicum ; assidue terebant opes
et advocatos in dies ditabant. Suas tandem fortunas potius exhauriri,
quam causam expediri, et controversiam magis imphcari quam
dirimi perspicientes, ejus decisionem ad amicorum arbitrium saepe
frustra retulerunt. Tandem Franciscum integrae causae omnium
consensu judex institutus, eam sic dijudicavit, ut utramquae partem
ejus sententia penitus expletam, firma demum amicitia conglutina-
verit.

Quae conciliatio, Judicum, patronorum, Scribarum, reUquaeque
Forensis turbae iram sic in Franciscum accendit, ut ob tam opimam
praedam suis unguibus ereptam, per accensum DubUnio missum eo
ilium ad tribunal rapi praeceperint. Sed propugnacuU Galviensis
gubernator, cui ejus comprehendendi negotium datum est, a rehgione
quidem Catholica, non item a, Francisco, propter notam ejus integri-
tatem, alienus, eum admoneri clam curavit, ut discrimini se subdu-
ceret, ac deinde latebris aedium ejus ad eum indagandum non
segniter excussis, insectantium expectationem elusit; qua ratione
Francisco beneficium, et supremo magistratui obsequium praestare
conatus est. Ut autem luculentius obsequu specimen erga magistra-
tum supremum ederet, alterius Francisci Kirovani aedes de re-
pente subiit, et in eum manus injiciens Dubhnium advolare jussit;
resciens vero patrem famiUas eum esse, uxoris liberorumque cura
impUcitum, ulteriorem UU molestiam non facessivit : sic mediante
Francisco Us sopita et penitus extincta est : Ille profecto crebris
plurimorum sermonibus plures htes, quam omnes totius provinciae
Judices diremisse ferebatur ; et Archiepiscopus Tuamensis rehgione
Protestans Galviae quadam vice diversatus Francisci amicis, Judices
DubUnienses iniquissime ferre causarum decisiones ab iUo sibi auferri

LIFE OF THE RT. REV. FRANCIS KIRWAN. 63
nor do they use any pillow but their garments. Thrice each
day did Francis, with the other pilgrims, punctually perform these
duties, and there did he apply himself to hearing confessions and
preaching sermons. From the sacred Scriptures and examples of
the saints, particularly St. Augustine, St. Norbert, and St. Vincent
Ferrer, did he learn that splendid truth — " blessed are the peace
makers." Hence it was, that Francis enjoyed the highest reputa
tion, for aUaying hostilities and terminating law-suits happily and
successfully. It so happened, that certain persons of distinction
were a long time occupying the attention of the judges with a
complicated suit, which, exhausting their resources, filled the pockets
i of the lawyers. At length, seeing that they were wasting their
property instead of forwarding their cause, and rendering the case
at issue stUl more complex, they frequently had recourse to an
umpire, at the suggestion of their friends. At length, by consent
of both parties, they left the matter to the arbitration of Francis,
and so satisfactory was his decision, that they were perfectly con
tent, and thenceforth joined in indissoluble friendship.
This reconcihation so much annoyed the judges, counsellors,
clerks, and others of the bar, that, seeing such rich spoil snatched
from their talons, they issued a warrant from Dublin, ordering
Francis to present himself in the courts of that city. But the
governor of the fortress of Galway, who was not of Francis's
creed, yet admired his integrity, privately warned him of his dan
ger, whereon he concealed himself in his house, which, not being
rigorously examined, afforded him means of eluding search. Thus
did the governor show his kindness to Francis and obedience to the
executive. But that he might show his devotion stiU more clearly
to the latter, he broke into the house of another Francis Kirwan,
and, seizing him, commanded him to depart instantly for Dublin ;
but subsequently, finding that he was a father of a family, occupied
with the care of a wife and children, he caused him no further
molestation. Thus, owing to the mediation of Francis, the law
suit was finaUy quashed. He was reputed to have extinguished more
litigation by his advice, than the entire bench of Irish judges, and
the Protestant Archbishop of Tuam, staying on a certain occasion
at Galway, was heard to remark to Francis's friends, how ill the
judges took it in Dublin, that such decisions were totally independent

64 VITA REVEREND. D. FRANCISCI KIROVANI.
retulit ; quam ille rem facile compererat, ut qui erat in Hibernia
Regi a Consiliis. Franciscus quidem summae vir integritatis erat,
et acriter dissidentium, citra tumultum, conciUator, et sive Judex pro
tribunali sententiam ferebat, sive controversial ad ejus voluntatem
partibus consentientibus delatae, arbiter sedebat. ^Equi semper
tenax fuit, neque causas ad libram amicitiae, vel trutinam pecuniae ;
sed ad justitiae stateram ponderabat : nimirum UU nulla erat acceptio
personarum, nee erat illi cura de aliquo, nee enim respiciebat personas
hominum. Ex aequo enim et bono diviti et pauper ijustitiam admin-
istrabat, ad dextram vel ad sinistram minime flectens, sed rectum
semper tenens, implexas lites, ad quas pro Judicum tribunafibus
dirimendas multi sumptus profusi sunt, nullo negotio saepius expe-
divit ; nee tamen qui causa, cecidit, eam ad forum denuo discutiendam,
ut ab amantibus Utigia plerumque fit, revocabat ; sed VicarU judicio
licet invitus acquiescebat : ne omnium convitio vapularet, qui dice-
bant eluvionem terras ante rursus operturam, quam a, recto Vicarius
latum ungem discederet : Itaque virtutes, quibus ornabatur, ejus
amore sic quosque accendebant, ut odio nemini fuerit, Ucet in plures
multam eum asperitatem exerere opportuerit, et eo judicante multi
causa, ceciderint.

Ubi resciebat vel Vicecomites, sive monarchas rurales, vel prae-
tores Urbanos, aut ahos quoscunque magistrates Catholicos ab
officio rite obeundo vel minimum deflexisse, aut crumenae suae
potius quam justitiae adimplendae incubuisse, sceleratorum licentiam
non coercuisse, insontium fontunis inhiasse, et in judicando sententias
decretorias, non pro aequitate, sed pro suo erga litigantium alteram
studio protulisse : mox eos conveniebat, et periculi quod illis immme-
bat, placide monebat ; illos dicens inane gaudium, exiguum emolu-
mentum, et brevem voluptatem ex iniquitate percepturos, quae
Ulos aeternis cruciatibus torquendos in infernum trudet ; non esse
prudentis, viri delictis ejusmodi se contaminare, quae damnationem illi
sempiternam comparabunt, immo discrimini se aperto salutis anima
rum suarum amittendae objicere, si non vitae probioris, et politioris
exemplo us, quos gubernabant, facem ad virtutem preferrent.

LIFE OF THE RT. REV. FRANCIS KIRWAN. 65
of their tribunal. No one was better informed on this subject
than the aforesaid prelate, who was a privy councillor. Francis
was, in fact, a man of most perfect integrity, and one who laboured
strenuously to heal dissensions without noise or tumult, and, whether
as a judge pronouncing sentence, or as an arbiter in cases committed
to him for his decision, ever proved himseU so tenacious of right,
that he weighed'aU matters, not according to the standard of friend
ship, or monetary consideration, but in the scale of justice, for
he was not a respecter of persons ; he cared not for any one ; nor
did he regard the persons of men. To the good rich man, as well
as to the poor one, did he administer justice with an impartial hand,
never leaning to the right or left, but always pursuing an upright
course. Thus was he enabled to enodate the most complex suits
without expense, though much money had been already wasted,
whUe the Utigants were in the hands of the legal functionaries.
Nor did they who lost their suit at his tribunal, ever go into court
again, a thing of no rare occurrence with the lovers of litigation, but
readUy acquiesced in the Vicar's decision, fearing that they would be'
reproached, by aU who asserted that the deluge should come
again to drown the earth, before Francis would depart the length of a
nail-pairing from right. Wherefore, the virtues with which he was
adorned, kindled in every body's breast such love of him, that no
one disliked him, although he was obliged to exercise much severity
towards some, and many found themselves disappointed at his bar.
Whensoever he learned that Earls, or Lord Lieutenants of
counties, City Mayors, or other Cathohc magistrates, had in
the least degree departed from the strictest justice in discharge of
their respective duties, consulting their own interests rather than
equity, not suppressing the licentiousness of evU-doers, lying
in wait for the property of the falsely-accused, and giving judicial
sentence, not according to rectitude, but in compliance with their own
bias to either party, he did not faU to approach and mildly warn
them of the danger that impended : pointing out how the hollow
joy, paltry emolument, and short-hved pleasures they were about
to gain from iniquity, must plunge them in the torments of hell.
Then did he admonish them, that no discreet man should contaminate
himseU with crimes which are calculated to merit everlasting punish
ment ; nay, more, that they exposed their souls to imminent danger,

66 VITA REVEREND, D. FRANCISCI KIROVANI.

His monitis acres deinde objurgationes intexebat, ut pungeret ad
poenitentiam, sed modestas, ut non irritaret ad indignationem,
Unde factum est ut magis persuadendi potestate, quam jubendi
authoritate Ulos ad munus suum accuratius obeundum eo facilius
perduxerit, quod solitam ejus sinceritatem et integritatem perspec-
tam habuerunt, et non alia, de causa ad ipsos increpandos motum
fuisse sciverint quam ut ipsorum saluti consuleret. In negotiatoribus
foenerationum consuetudinem abolere adorsus, foenerationem repressit
quidem, sed non penitus compressit: effecit enim ut cautius ab
omnibus, ab aliquibus, ut non nisi post doctos, singula ad quae
inirent foenerationis pacta, consultos, pecunias foenori locarent.

A magistratibus et foeneratoribus coercendis, et e vitiorum luto
educendis, ad varios iUiberaUum artium opifices ad bonam frugem
revocandos descendit ; qui Galviae in coetum ut artium suarum
rebus prospicerent, saepius coeuntes non tam negotiis agendis incu-
buerunt, quam commessationibus sic indulserunt, ut crebro mentes
ratione, animas gratia, corpora sanitate, suasque famaUas omni re
familiari spoliaverint. Franciscus multum tempus et conatum in iis
a, pergraecandi consuetudine deducendis frustra terebat. Tamen
Ulos tandem eo pietatis attraxit, ut quaeque opificum classis, stata
quadam hebdomadis die virum Ecclesiasticum ad quamque classem
instruendam designatum adirent, et monita salutis, doctrinamque
Christianam edocentem accuratius audirent ; cum ad hos auscultandos
ilh saepius accederent, nonnulh sic resipuerunt, ut tabernas et ebrie-
tatem aversati, sobrietati deinde questuique, quo famUiam alerent,
faciendo naviter incubuerint. Quidam autem ex iis tanta, inopia.
laborabant, ut ea comparare non potuerint, quibus ad artem suam
colendam opus habebant : quare ad Franciscum accurrentes ejus
opem in iis angustus implorabant. Ille acriter in crepitis, ob fortu-
nas potando effusas, vel numerata, pecunia, quae petebant, emebat,

LIFE OF THE RT. REV. FRANCIS KIRWAN. 67
if they held not up to those whom they governed the light of virtue
and, by their own example, led them to a life of probity and inte
grity. To admonitions of this sort, he was wont to add such gentle
remonstrances as might excite to penance, without awaking a single
feeUng of indignation. Hence, he suceeded in keeping them to
the faithful discharge of their offices, not so much by the authority
of command, as the efficacy of his persuasions, and this conse
quence resulted from their convictions of his sincerity and rec
titude, with which they were all famiUar ; they all knew, more
over, that he was simply motived, whensoever he corrected, by
by his sohcitude for their souls' salvation. Having sought to abolish
usury in the mercantile class, if he was not able to suppress it, it
was some consolation to him that he saw it placed within restriction;
for, he saw his efforts so far availing, that some of the above-named
class thenceforward proceeded more cautiously, and others lent no
money out, on interest, without previously having well weighed the
conditions of the various contracts.
From restraining the vices of magistrates and usurers, and
raising them up from the slough of sin, he turned his attention to
winning the mechanic class back to better life. Those men were
in the habit of meeting together in Galway, on pretence of looking
after the interests of their respective handicrafts; but, far from
consulting the advancement of their trades, they so indulged in
carousals, that they frequently deprived themselves of reason,
stripped their souls of grace, impaired their health, and left their
famiUes destitute of common necessaries. Much time and labour
did Francis expend in endeavouring to restrain them from these
habits of debauch. At length, however, so far did wholesome
exhortations prevail over them, that each class of tradesmen on a
stated day, approached an ecclesiastic appointed to give them
instructions, and imbue their souls with a knowledge of the
Christian faith and its practical doctrines. Great, then, became the
concourse which resorted to these pious instructions; and some
became so converted, that renouncing taverns and drunkenness, they
sedulously devoted themselves to temperance, and the exercise of
their crafts for the support of their families. Some of them
laboured under such destitution, that they could not purchase the

68 VITA REVEREND. D. FRANCISCI KIROVANI.
vel fide sua, mutua sumpsit, opem se UUs unquam postea laturum
negans, si sua, culpa in posterum ad egestatem redigerentur.

Nee magis varii sunt hominum ordines, quam diversae fuerunt
rationes, quas ille ad eos Deo reconciliandos excogitavit. Mos vetus
Galviae fuit, ut urbis portae, festis diebus, diu post et ante meridiem
clausae tenerentur ; ac proinde quia nullus sacerdos in suburbiismora-
batur, qui e suburbiorum incolis ante portas clausas, intra urbem
sacro non aderant, isto die praeceptum Ecclesiae jubentis, ut festis
diebus sacro quivis intersit, non implebant. Huic incommodo
Franciscus prospicere volens, in suburbia tempestive diebus festis
concedebat, et januis oppidi clausis sacrum fecit, ad quod audiendum
ii confluxerunt, quibus per negotia mane urbem inire non licuit.
In Dominicae quoque nativitatis praevigiho, in Usdem suburbiis per-
noctabat, ut nocturnorum sacrorum, et verbi divini solatium ac
beneficium Usdem incolis impenderet, quod accessus in urbem rei
divinae audiendae gratia non patuerit. In multa laude quondam
pontium exstructio posita fuit, nee ultima pontificum cura fuisse
videtur iis condendis incumbere, cum a pontibus faciendis Varro
Pontificis nomen deducat : quare Franciscus Pontificis provinciam,
non gradum gerens, ac Pontificiae dignitatis nesciens candidate,
fluviis ponte jungendis, et inviis uUginum semitis, egesta, humo, et
lapide sternendis, operam et sumptum non mediocrem impendit.
Dum autem in ponte flumini Tuamae finitimo, qui vadari hieme vii
ac ne vix quidem potuit, imponendo latomi desudarent, forte iter
illuc habuit Gulielmus Daniel, Archiepiscopus Tuamensis rehgione
Protestans, qui molem ullam operis ferme prae sui palatii foribus
erigi, se inscio, miratus, in iracundas voces prorumpens, Quis
(inquit) ad audendum adeo projectus fuit, ut fabricam ullam in mea
ditione, atque adeo vicinia, me inconsulto, inchoaverit ? Ubi autem
structuram impensis D. Kirovani fieri comperit, mox iram posuit;
imo e suis aedibus victum et potum operarus subinde ministrari
curavit : quippe vir minime malus fuit, et tenerioris aetatis institu-

LIFE OF THE RT. REV. FRANCIS KIRWAN. 69
instruments necessary for their callings ; whereon, they proceeded
to Francis to implore his interposition, and to be relieved from their
difficulties. He having bitterly inveighed against guzzling, in which
they had squandered their resources, either purchased what they
needed with ready money, or went bail for them, protesting at the
same time, that he never again would lend them any countenance,
if by their own folly they relapsed into the Uke misery.
Nor were the conditions in life more various, than the means
which he devised for reconciling men to God. It was an im
memorial custom at Galway, that the gates of the city should remain
closed for a considerable time before and after noon on all festivals.
Wherefore, as there was no priest in the suburbs, such of those as
had not gone within the walls before the gates were closed, to be
present at the holy sacrifice, failed to comply with the precepts of
the Church, ordering us to make holy both the Sabbath and the
festival. To remedy this inconvenience, Francis proceeded at an
early hour, on each festival day, to the suburbs, and when the gates
were closed, offered the sacrifice of the mass, which was attended
by a multitude whose employments did not allow them to enter
the city in the morning. On Christmas eve, too, he was accustomed
to spend the night in the suburbs, that he might thus afford to the
inhabitants the consolations of the mid-night mass, and pious ex
hortation. This was the more necessary, as it was not permitted
any one to enter the town at that hour. At one time bridge-making
was held in high repute, as is evident from the fact, that Varro
derives the name of Pontiff from bridge-building Wherefore, as
Francis held the place of Pontiff, without being invested with
its character, and ignorant of the pontifical destiny which waited
him, he expended no trifling labour and money, in spanning
rivers, and making stone crossings over marshy ways. While thus
employed at the river which runs near Tuam, and which in winter
time could not be forded without great difficulty — while thus em
ployed superintending the masons, it so happened, that WiUiam
Daniel, the Protestant Archbishop of Tuam, utterly ignorant that
that any such work had been undertaken in the vicinity of his
palace, rode by, and, wonder-struck, broke into the following strain.
" Who," demanded he, " has been so bold as to construct any build
ing in my jurisdiction and vicinity, without my knowledge or

70 VITA REVEREND. D. FRANCISCI KIROVANI.
tione, non indolis vitio haeresim tenacissime amplexus, novum testa-
mentum Hibernice vertit: utpote natione Hibernus, quorum sicut et
WaUorum, sic maU deterrimi sunt, ut nusquam pejores, ita bonis
meliores non reperias ; Gallis in hoc similes, quibus, teste Baronio(
vix in orbe invenire est aequales probitate et constantia, sic de
perversis in haereses haud facile est invenire nequiores.

Humanitatis Francisco praestitae origo inde manavisse videtur,
quod vice quadam in Franciscum per viam pubhcam equo vectum
forte pseudo-Archiepiscopus incidens, eum ex improviso comprehendi
praeceperit, sacerdotem esse suspicatus, veritatem se suspicione
assecutum perspiciens, asseclis UUco custodiendum tradidit: Dub-
Unium, quo ille • tum tendebat, abducendum, cujus consuetudine
captus, post brevem moram Dublinii factam, equum ab uno e custo-
dibus ephippium ab aho, et sarcinam ab aUo ei abreptam, restitui
jubens, ultro dimisit, non tam moestum ob itineris longi molestiam,
quam laetum quod Thomas French Sacerdos Galviensis, qui cum
summa eruditione virtutem adaequavit, ad opem Vicario in via,
salutis pandenda, ferendam, urbe tum profectus, laqueos quibus ipse
irretitus est, effugerit. Florentius Conrius, Tuamensis Archiepis-
copus, ille vivendi, Franciscus Vicarium Generalem agendi finem
anno salutis 1629 fecit ; qui ex jam dictis testimonium habuit bonum
ab iis qui foris sunt.

Novennio toto, quod iUo Sedem Tuamensem administrante, effluxit
non monita, sed et opera, nee dicta, sed et facta, nee verba, sed etiam
exempla ad rudem populum probis institutis excolendum contulit;

LIFE OF THE RT. REV. FRANCIS KIRWAN. 71
consent?" But when he learned that the work was carried on
at Kirwan's cost, he became appeased ; nay, sent from his own
residence, meat and drink to the workmen. He was, in sooth, a
man, far from being badly disposed, and embraced heterodoxy in
his youth, rather from early prejudice than any vice of character.
He translated the New Testament into the Irish language as he was
a native of Ireland, of the inhabitants of which country, we may
here affirm, what Cambrensis has stated of the people of Wales :
" When bad, they are of the worst description, no where will you
find worse. Thus, none will you find better than the good among
them." A similar testimony doth the historian Baronius give of the
French, of whom he writes : " Nowhere in the world will you find
people more remarkable for probity and fidelity, and worse you
will not meet than the perverse amongst them who have fallen into
heresy." The kindness shown Francis, on the occasion above narrated,
seems to have originated in the foUowing circumstance. At a
certain time the Protestant Archbishop met Francis on the high
road riding his horse ; wherefore the Archbishop, suspecting him to
be a priest, and finding his conjectures well founded, immediately
committed him to the custody of his retainers to be brought to
Dubhn, whitherward the Archbishop was then travelling. Capti
vated by his manner, after a short detention, the Protestant Arch
bishop kindly released him, having ordered his horse, saddle, and
baggage to be restored to him, all of which had been seized by the
followers of the Archbishop. Nor was Francis so chagrined by
the inconvenience of this long journey, as he was delighted at the
escape of Thomas French, a priest of Galway, remarkable for
erudition and virtue and the Vicar's feUow-labourer, who narrowly
escaped the snare into which Kirwan had fallen, as he was just
leaving the city. Florence Conry, Archbishop of Tuam, died in
the year of our salvation, 1629 ; and in the same year Francis
Kirwan ceased to be Vicar-General of the diocese. From what has
been already narrated, it is clearly evident, that " he had a good
testimony even from those who are without."
During the nine years that he administered the affairs of the
Archdiocese of Tuam, he was not content with admonitions, but
relied on works ; he rested not satisfied with sayings, but looked to

72 VITA REVEREND. D. FRANCISCI KIROVANI.
ut enim S.Leo dixit " validiora sunt exempla, quam verba, et plenius
est opere docere, quam voce": additque S. Cyprianus, " efficacius est
vitae, quam linguae testimonium"; cui S. Bernardus adstipulatw
dicens, " sermo efficax exemplum operis, facile faciens suadibile quod
dicitur, quando ostenditur esse faetibile quod mandatur": et iUe quod
lingua pinxit, vita non expunxit, et quod loquendo praecepit, osten-
dendo adjuvit ut fiat. Nihil est (inquit S. Chrysostomus) doctore
frigidius, qui verbis tantum philosophatur, non exempUs; et S.
Hieronymus ait, perdit authoritatem dicendi, cujus sermonem opera
labefactant.

CAPUT QUARTUM.
QUID VACANTE SEDE ET POSTEA IN EODEM VICARIATU AB ARCHI
EPISCOPO MALACHIA DENUO CONSTITUTUS EGERIT, ET CUR EA
DIGNITATE SE ULTRO ABDICANS IN GALLIAM PROFECTUS
FUERIT.
Intervallum, quo Sedes Tuamensis vacavit, ad sanam doctrinam,
et Ecclesiasticam disciplinam ubique disseminandam, et ad eorum
conatus coercendos, qui omnes virium nervos intenderunt, ut is ad
Archiepiscopatum Tuamensem eveheretur, impendit. Nam ejus
amici Romae omnem lapidem erant moturi ut eam iUe dignitatem
adipisceretur : et in patria propinqui ad sumptus ei negotio expedi-
endo subministrandos promptissimi fuerunt. IUe autem honorem
omnem aversatus suorum molitionibus compescendis operose desu-
dans onus tum, ut S. Laurentius Dubliniensis Glindalacensem Episco-
patum, detrectavit.

LIFE OF THE RT. REV. FRANCIS KIRWAN. 73
facts, nor did he depend on words so much as examples, in re
forming a rude people by wholesome teaching. Even as St. Leo
saith, "examples are more efficacious than words, and it is far
better to teach by deed than word ;" to which St. Cyprian adds,
'¦ the testimony of life is more efficacious than that of the tongue"--
and to crown aU, let us subjoin the opinion of St. Bernard, " the
efficacious sermon is the work you have to show ; this makes what
ever you would recommend easy of accomphshment, when you evince
that you have actuaUy performed what you recommend." Truly,
Francis canceUed not in his life, the picture he drew in his dis
courses ; and, whatsoever he held up for the imitation of others, he
exhibited in his own person, the exemphfication of it. " Nothing,"-
says St. Chrysostom, is more frigid than a doctor who does nothing
but philosophise in words ;" and St. Jerome adds, " he loses all
power of persuasion whose works weaken his discourse."

CHAPTER IV.
WHAT TOOK PLACE DURING THE VACANT SEE, AND HOW FRANCIS
KIRWAN WAS A SECOND TIME APPOINTED VICAR-GENERAL BY
ARCHBISHOP MALACHY, AND WHY HE FINALLY RESIGNED THE
DIGNITY, AND RETIRED INTO FRANCE.
While the See of Tuam remained vacant, Francis laboured every
moment to disseminate sound doctrine and ecclesiastical discipline ;
nor was he less active in constraining the efforts of those who
exerted all their power to have him raised to the Archbishopric.
His friends at Rome were about to exercise all their influence for
the attainment of that object, and his relatives in Ireland were
ready to come forward with sums of money to defray all necessary
expenses. But he, shrinking from such an honour, did not spare
himseU in labouring to overthrow the plans of his admirers; and,
like St. Lorchan of DubUn, who could not be persuaded to accept

74 VITA REVEREND. D. FRANCISCI KIROVANI.

Ego quidem credo divinam providentiam ita statuisse, ut S. Hier-
lathi primi Tuamensis Archiepiscopi vaticinio explendo locus fieret
quod signate praesagivit Malachiam Quaelaeum, primum, post
caliginem haeresis amotam, in Tuamensi sede coUocatum iri, virum
tam egregiis animi corporisque dotibus instructum, ut quosvis ho-
norum in patria gradus promeruerit ; ut qui omnes praestantissimi
Antistitis partes cumulate adimplevit : nimirum scientiis in illustrisi-
mae Parisiensis Academiae fonte ubertim haustis sacrae Theologiae,
Doctor ibidem evasit : ut ita potens fuerit exhortari in doctrina.
sana,, et eos qui contradicebant arguere : cum summa. eruditione*
pietatem omnibus numeris absolutam adjunxit, crebris enim itineribus
Dioecesis suae fines obiens, clerum ac populum facundi oris eloquio
ad virtutem attraxit, et probos multo studio prosecutus, non zelavit
facientes iniquitatem ; quos vel suasionumiUicUs, vel poenarum com-
minationibus ad officium tandem explendum plerumque adduxit, fuit
praeterea irreprehensibilis, modestus, non vinolentus, et inter in-
structissimas mensas, aliis ab ipso, vel ipsi ab aliis appositas maxime
sobrius, prudens, pudicus, continens, et quod mireris sine ullis cen-
sibus hospitalis ; hospitalitatem per intervaUa ; dum quae Cathoficis
largientibus acceperat, exhaurirentur, UberaUter exercens. In
seditione, ante nuperum beUum ob reUgionem gestum, oborta,
ferocis vulgi in direptiones et caedes tumultuario impetu ruentis
furorem authoritate coercens, quamplurimis fortunarum et vitae
praesidum fuit, et cohortem suis stipendiis conductam sibi non tam
ad hostium aggressiones propulsandas, quam ad suorum impetus
compescendos, adscivit, ejus prudentia tantam illi hominum existima-
tionem, scientia honorem, integritas venerationem comparavit, ut non
solum in privatorum dissentionibus, sed etiam in comitiis regni, dissi-
dentium sententiae ad ejus plerumque arbitrium compositae fuerint,
et ipse hcet Archiepiscoporum postremus, tamen maturitate,judicii et
gravitatis pondere, tribus aliis Archiepiscopis praelatus fuerit. ...

LIFE OF THE RT. REV. FRANCIS KIRWAN. 75
the bishopric of Glendalough, Francis refused to bear a similar
responsibility. I indeed believe that all this was specially ordained by Divine
providence, in order that the prophecy of St. Jarlath, first Archbishop
of Tuam, so clearly predicting Malachy Queely as the first Arch-
hop, who was to govern the See, after the darkness of heresy had
been disipated, might be fulfilled. He was, in truth, a man so
greatly gifted with all that ennobles mind and body, that he won
every honour in his own country, and amply discharged all the duties
of a most excellent bishop. Having exhausted the fountains of
knowledge in the Parisian University, he there was elevated to
the Doctor's degree, that he might be able to exhort in sound
doctrine and correct those who gainsaid. To the profoundest learn
ing he joined most consummate piety, and, making frequent visitations
to the remotest boundaries of his diocese, he attracted clerics and
laics to the practice of virtue, by his most abundant eloquence.
Encouraging the good, he had no love for the evU-doers, whom, by
sweet persuasion or threats of penalties, he generally was able to
reclaim. He was, moreover, irreprehensible, and modest, nor given
to wine ; and, whether presiding at his own board, or the guest of
others, he was ever and always sober, prudent, modest, continent ;
and what wiU surprise youmore, though devoid of revenues, hospitable
withal. Tea, liberally from time to time did he exercise this latter
virtue, even until he had exhausted whatever the Catholics be
stowed on him. In the disturbances which preceded the late war,
waged for religion's sake, he was a tower of strength for the hves
and fortunes of many, as he was enabled, by his authority, to
repress the rage of the infuriated lower orders, who tumultuously
rushed to plunder and slaughter. Nay, even at his own expense,
he kept a company of armed men, not so much for repelling tUe
attacks of the enemy, as for checking the licentiousness of his own
people. His prudence won him the esteem of all men, — his learning
caused him to be honored, — and his probity made him an object
of veneration, so much so, that not only in private disputes, but in
the general assembhes of the kingdom, the points at issue were
submitted to his arbitration; and, though the last of the Arch
bishops, his matured judgment and wisdom raised him above his
three co-ordinates.

76 VITA REVEREND. D. FRANCISCI KIROVANI.
Denique tanto sui gregis studio tenebatur ut vitam suam pro ejus
salute inter pugnandum 25, Octobris anni 1645, sanctissime posuerit
post quindecem annos in aequissima, Dioecesis Tuamensis admini-
stratione impensos. Indubitatus ideo martyr habitus, quod in bello
sacro decertans animam profuderit : in quo, ut ait S. Bernardus
quam gloriosi revertuntur victores de praeho, tam beati moriuntur
martyres in praeUo. sic Rolandus in acie contra Saracenos, et Olaus
Norvegiae rex in bello contra cultores idolorum, cadens, martyres
habentur, ut et Maximilianus Laureacensis Episcopus, qui fidem
christianam et patriam contra Evilasium Praetorem armis propug-
nans in pugna occubuit. Et S. Thomas martyres vocat illos, qui dum
Rempub. Christianam et Ecclesiam Cathohcam ab hostibus tutantur,
occiduntur. VenerabUis Sacerdotis Jacobi 6 Finnachtii sic virtutibus
exculti, ut miracula patret, Uteris certior factus sum quingentos
variis morbis laborantes, reliquns Malachiae Quaelei admotis, dum
sequentia verba proferrentur. Si Deus omnipotens vult, ut hono-
rificetur anima ejus, cujus reliquia hic est, honore Sancti et martyris
super terrain discedat ista infirmitas ; ad pristinamredUsse sanitatem,
et iisdem magnam vim ad abigendos daemones inesse, experimen-
toque quotidiano deprehensum esse ; quod eaedem reliquiae foeminis
partus tormento cruciatis expedite medeantur.

Hic talis ac tantus vir integritatem Francisci perspeetam habens,
in partem solhcitudinis eum cooptavit, et in eadem authoritate,
quam a decessore retulerat, collocavit ; quod officium circiter sep-
tennium, ex Archiepiscopi et omnium voto accuratissime obivit, ita
ut Archiepiscopus nuUam interim sententiam ab Ulo pro tribunali
prolatam, resciderit, et omnes res ab illo gestas, quamdiu Archi
episcopi vicibus per Diocesim functus est, vehementer approbaverit.
tum Demum ad ingenuos adolescentes in GaUiam educendos animum
penitus adjecit, ut Uteris affluentur instructi patriam deinde repe-
terent, et populares suos ac praesertim Tuamensis Dioecesis incolas
sanis institutis excolerent, quod consilium Franciscus tam alte menti
defixit, ut illud vel Archiepiscopi, vel amicorum quam vis intimorum
suasiones ei avellere non potuerint, adeo ut alter Aidanus fuisse
videatur, qui multos suos discipulos fecit atque sacerdotalem usque
gradum erudiendo atque instituendo provexit; ejus abcessum ho-

LIFE OF THE RT. REV. FRANCIS KIRWAN. 77
Finally, so intensely did this holy prelate love his flock, that he
laid down his Ufe most holily, fighting for them on the 25th day
October 1645 after having spent fifteen years governing the Arch
diocese of Tuam. Surely we must esteem him a holy martyr, who
thus lost life, batthng in that sacred warfare, concerning which
St. Bernard saith, "as the conqueror returns glorious from the field,
so do martyrs die, blessed in battle." Thus, Roland, leading the
van against the Saracens, — thus Olaus, King of Norway, batthng
against idolaters, were reputed martyrs when they feU in the fray.
Similar fame and character were won by the Bishop Maximilian,
what time he was slain doing battle against Evilasius, for his country
and religion ; and St. Thomas caUs those " martyrs" who are killed
whUe defending the Christian commonweal and the CathoUc reUgion.
I have learned from letters sent me by the venerable priest,
James O'Finaghty, a man of known virtues, — indeed a wonder
worker, that some five hundred persons, labouring under various
diseases, were restored to health, when touched with the relics of
Malachy Queely, while the foUowing words were being pronounced.
" If it be the pleasure of the Most Mighty God that the soul of
this man, whose relics are here, should be honoured with the re
verence and honour of a martyr on earth, let this infirmity forth
with depart." In fact, experience has taught us, that these rehcs
have power to expel devils, and aUay the agonies of the parturient.
This splendid man, having weU examined and appreciated the
holiness of Francis, selected him to bear a part in his solicitudes,
and placed him in the same position which he held under his
predecessor. This office did he fill fully seven years, to the utmost
satisfaction of the Archbishop and all others; so much so, that his
Grace never was known to have reversed any sentence given by the
Vicar, — on the contrary, he approved of aU acts of his performed
during the vacant See. At length, the Vicar set his mind on bring
ing a chosen band of youths to France, that they might thence
return splendidly educated, and amply instructed to impart the
blessings of solid rehgious education to his countrymen, and
particularly to the people of the Archdiocese of Tuam. This
determination took such fast hold on the heart of Francis, that the
expostulations of the Archbishop and his friends could no wise
shake it; so that he appears to us in this phasis like another

78 VITA REVEREND. D. FRANCISCI KIROVANI.
mines tam aegre tulerunt, ut ad eum salutandum, dum in equum
ascensurus erat, maximus omnis conditionis, sexus, et aetatis con
cursus factus fuerit, quare per aham Galviae portam se proripuit,
magno sui desiderio omnibus relicto.

CAPUT QUINTUM.
QUID ILLI IN ITINERE CONTIGIT, AC DEINDE IN GALLIAM APPULSUS,
ET ALIQUANDIU IN EA MORATUS, QUID EGIT.
Summi studU, quo erga eum Galviensse ferebantur indicium non
obscurum fuit, quod eorum quadraginta se comites in equis ei Dub-
linium petenti ad multam viam praebuerint aliqui Dublinium usque,
unus in Angliam et Galham processerit : navis qua vehebantur vix
DubUnio solvebat, cum in Syrtes et brevia, ingentibus procellis
de repente obortis, abrepta, in aperto pereundi periculo versabatur ;
sed ex Us tandem eluctata in AngUam ineolumis appuUt, quam pene
totam qua, longa est, Franciscus longis itineribus emensus, Doveram,
unde in Galliam trajicitur, pervenit, sed ibi detrectans regi princi-
patum Ecclesiae in suis ditionibus juramento asserere Londinum
reversus immunitatemab ejusmodi cathoUcis omnibus consequi frustra
conatus, sibi comitique tantum impetravit, qui Doveriam regressi
navem, tali juramento minime praestito, conscenderunt, et portum
ad urbem Galliae Dieppam incolumes tenuerunt. Franciscus Ro-
thomagum inde profectus gravissimo morbo correptus est, qui moram
expectatione diuturniorem coeptis ejus injecit.

LIFE OF THE RT. REV. FRANCIS KIRWAN. 79
Audeon, " who made unto himself many disciples, and by doctrine
and practices, caused them to be raised to the priestly rank."
So sorely did the people take his departure from among them, that
a vast concourse, of every condition, age, and sex, came to wait on
him as he was mounting his horse; wherefore he departed from
Galway by another gate, leaving its inhabitants to mourn his loss
and cherish the desire of seeing him restored to them again.

CHAPTER V.
HOW IT FARED WITH HIM ON THE JOURNEY — :HOW HE PASSED OVER
INTO FRANCE, AND, STAYING THERE SOME TIME, WHAT ACTS HE
PERFORMED.
No trifling proof of the ardent love with which he was regarded
by the people of Galway, may be gathered from the fact, that
forty of its inhabitants took horse to bear him company to Dublin,
some going a great distance, and others as far as the metropohs ;
nay, one of them proceeded with him into England and France.
The ship in which they took their passage, had scarcely sailed from
Dubhn, when great storms arising, carried it immediately amongst
shoals and quicksands, so that the vessel was well nigh lost ; but,
having weatherd this storm, she at last arrived in safety on the
EngUsh coast. Over the whole length of that country, did Francis
proceed, by continuous journeys, tiU he reached Dover, whence you
pass to France. Arrived at Dover, he refused to affirm on oath
that the King was head of the Church in his realms, and thereon
returned to London, with the hope of procuring an exemption for
aU Catholics from such oaths ; but the effort proving fruitless, save
for himseU and companion, they returned to Dover without having
taken the oath, and. weighing anchor, arrived safely at Dieppe.
Thence did Francis set out for Rouen, but, being seized with a
serious malady, he was obliged to delay much longer there than he
intended.

80 VITA REVEREND. D. FRANCISCI KIROVANI.
Ex quo ubi convaluit, primum Rhedonibus, deinde Cadomi domi-
ciUum fixit, ubi paucorum annorum moram fecit; cum beUum in
patria, exortum omnem viam obstruxit, qua, sumptus ei ad suos
adolescentes alendos subministrari consuevit : etenim ante discessum
ejus e patria, censum instituit, qui quotannis in GaUiam missus in
futuris suis alumnis enutriendis impenderentur: Deinde iUorum
aliqui in patriam remearunt, alU reUgiosis ordinibus se adscripserunti;
aUi alio dilapsi sunt.

Franciscus Parisios concessit, ubi cum tribus viris non vulgaris
sed eximiae pietatis fulgore splendentibus, Patre Vicentio, Goffreo,
et Barone Ranti famiUaritatem et gratiam inivit; primus author
Missionariorum fuit, qui junior em clerum accurata, rituum Ecclesi-
asticorum cognitione, ac rerum coelestium meditatione imbuunt, in
populo ad confessiones, et Eucharistiae sacramenta frequentanda,
perversis ad bonum frugem^ haereticis ad fidem cathohcam amplec
tendam adducendis unice desudant : Alter salutis animarum et corpo-
rum studiosissimus, immo et sitientissimus decessoris sui patris
Bernardi (cujus vita in hagiologiam relata est) vestigiis acriter in-
stitit : in carceribus frequens, ad subveniendum captivis ; in Xeno-
dochiis assiduus, ut aegrorum animis corporibusque sanandis pro-
spiceret.

Postremi nimirum Baroni de Rantu vitam legi, unde iUum pro
hujus saeculi phoenice habeo, utpote qui matrimonio implicitus,
divitUs nuncium ultro remisit, summum sui contemptum imbibit;
divinarum rerum contemplationi precibusque ad Deum fundendis
totus incubuit; suigubernandi etmoderandi potestatem aUis tradidit,
ad quorum arbitrium et nutum se finxit et accommodavit ; copias
suas in egenos largiter effudit : morbidis, quorum vel aspectus
nauseam aliis movebat, manum et medicinam libens admovit ; piis
colloquii plures ad summum pietatis gradum extulit ; in rudiori plebe
fidei rudimentis imbuenda,, multam operam posuit ; multos labores
et longorum itinerum molestias ad dissidentes concUiandos subiit,
in carceribus detenti libertatem ejus opera, nacti sunt : pauperes non

LIFE OF THE RT. REV. FRANCIS KIRWAN. 81
When convalescent, he went to Rennes, and finally took up his
residence at Caen, where he dwelt a few years. But now, the war,
commenced in Ireland, obstructed the communications by which
money used to be forwarded for the support of the students he
brought with him. Here let us observe, that, before leaving
Ireland, he had arranged that a certain sum should annually be
sent him, and expended for the education of the aforesaid. Such
obstructions prevailing, some of the scholars returned home ; some
joined the reUgious orders; and others disposed of themselves in
different ways.
Francis soon proceeded to Paris, where he became a favourite
with three men singularly remarkable for their exalted piety.
Their names were Father Vincent, Geoffrey, and the Baron de
Renty. The first-named of this triad, was founder of the Mis
sionaries, whose special charge it is to inform the junior clergy
with accurate knowledge of the sacred rites, and elevate their souls
by a course of uninterrupted meditation. For one great end do
they sweat and toU ; that is, to induce the faithful to frequent the
sacraments of Penance and Eucharist, that they may thus reclaim
the perverse, and bring back heretics to the true religion. The
second of these men burned with zeal for the corporal and spiritual
weal of his fellows, and, closely following the steps of his predecessor,
Father Bernard, (whose life is in the hagiology), gave all his time
to relieving prisoners in the jails, and was almost a dweller in the
hospitals, that he might look after the spiritual and temporal
ameUoration of the infirm.
Concerning the last of them, Baron de Renty, here let me
speak ; I have read his hfe, and regard him as the phoenix of his
age. Though bound by the tie3 of marriage, he renounced wealth
and cherished the profoundest contempt of self; he gave himseU
altogether to God, ever pouring out prayers and constantly wrapt
in heavenly contemplations ; he utterly renounced his own will, and
placed himself totally in the hands of others, according to whose
dispositions he shaped his Ufe and actions; to the poor he gave
great alms, and to the diseased, whose very appearance caused
sickness and disgust, his hand conveyed food and medicine. By
holy exhortations, he raised many to the highest grade of piety ;
nor did he neglect to labour for the less cultivated orders of the

82 VITA REVEREND. D. FRANCISCI KIROVANI.
solum largam stipem ab eo consecuti, sed etiam artem aliquam ad
vitam tolerandam edocti sunt : aUquot Ecclesiae ab eo restauratae,
supellectile sacra instructae, et ad officium divinum concinnius obe-
undum inductae sunt. Quid multis ? nullum est pii studii genus in
quo ille non exercitissimus fuit. Itaque vel haec arcta consuetudo
cum talibus viris a Francisco contracta non obscurum pietatis ejus
documentum est; juxta vulgi dictum: "Noscitur ex sociis, qui non
cognoscitur ex se."

Ab his triumviris Franciscus monitus est ut e conterraneis suis,
qui tum Lutetiae studiis incumbebant coetum conflaret, cui ipse
authoritate praeesset, exemplo praeiret ; addideruntque se daturos
operam, ut satis amplae vivendi rationes ilhs suppeterent ; sperantes
eos ex iUo coetu, aliquando prodituros, qui uberi scientiarum copia
cumulati rudioribus in patria popuUs doctrinae panem frangerent, et
haereticae perversitatis furfure aspergi non permitterent. Verum
tam pia consilia in fumum abierunt ; etenim Hiberni tum Parisiis
commorati in coetum coeuntus, dum de hac re verba ultro citroque
jacerent, quidam ex eo conventu in acerbiores voces prorupit, in Fran
ciscum acriter invectus, eum larva quidem virtutis indutum, non re
imbutum, ac proinde purum putum hypocritam, et inanem pietatis
ostentatorem tantum, non sincerum cultorem fuisse dixit : nimirum
nulla tam modesta foelicitas est, quae maUgnitatis dentes vitare
possit. Ad hanc contumeliam nullum Franciscus responsum tulit, et eum
qui in procinctu fuit ad os convitiatori obstruendum, compescuit ; ut
in hoc conflictu quia suis subvenire sedulo contendit summa ejus
charitas; quia tantam injuriam moderate tulit, egregia patientia
plurimum enituerit. Hanc autem procellam laetitiae malacia mox
excepit ; nam eum in intimam amicitiam R. P. Carolus Taure qui
Canonicos regulares ad accuratam pristinae discipUnae observantiafi
in Galliae poene collapsam revocavit, et eorum, qui eandem obser-

LIFE OF THE RT. REV. FRANCIS KIRWAN. 83
people, whom he imbued with the knowledge of the Christian
faith. Long and wearisome journeys did he undertake to conciUate
dissidents, and, by means of his exertions, many who had been
detained in prisons regained their liberty. Nor was he content with
bestowing a large amount of alms on the poor ; nay, he caused
them to learn some handicraft, whereby they might eke out hfe.
Churches were restored by him, — supplied with the sacred require
ments, and made in every way fitted for the hearing of confessions,
and the preaching of God's word. Why should I say more?
There was nothing pertaining to religious life with which he was
not intimately conversant; wherefore, this intimate famiharity
between Francis aud these holy men, was, of itself, sufficient proof
of his piety, for, according to the aphorism, " a man, who would
be otherwise unknown, is often known by his associations."
By this triumvirate our Francis was advised to gather together
a number of his countrymen, then at Paris, that he might preside
over them as their superior, and guide them by his example ; and
they assured him that they would provide ample means for their
support. They hoped, by this plan, to rear up a set of men, who,
in time, would go forth, richly gifted with sacred acquirements,
and in every way prepared to " break the bread" of knowledge
to their ignorant brethren at home, and preserve them from tare-
seeds of heretical pravity. But such creditable devices ended in
smoke ; for the Irish students, then at Paris, had scarcely got to
gether, when, beginning to discuss the project, one of them broke
into invectives against Francis, holding him up as a pure hypocrite,
with the semblance of piety but void of its reality; nay, he cud
not hesitate to denounce him as an empty parader of virtue, and
the very reverse of being sincere. So true is it that no purity, how
ever unpretending, can escape the fangs of mahce.
To this contumely, Francis made no reply, and he appeased the
friend who was about to close the mouth of the calumniator. Even
in the heat of the conflict he laboured to do good to his own, — such
was his unbounded charity ; and clearly did he evince his patience,
by calmly bearing the indignity put upon him. This storm was
succeeded by an auspicious dawn, for he soon after contracted an
intimacy with the Rev. Father Charles Taure, who was restoring
the ancient discipline of the Canons Regular, then dying out in

84 VITA, REVEREND. D. FRANCISCI KIROVANI.
vantiam coluerunt primus Generalis, adscivit, et amice monuit de-
siderio se flagare videndi vineam Domini a sui ordmis viris in Hiber
nia excoli. Proinde si quos probos adolescentes Hibernos suis
Canonicis Regularibus aggregandi cupidos ipse nosset, se illos
in suum ordinem libentissime co-optaturum. Franciscus quam
sedulus in suadendis, tam foelix fuit in persuadendis aliquibus e sui
seminarii Cadomensis alumnis, et alns, ut ordinem Canonicorum
quantocius inirent, non mediocri gaudio elatus, quod disciplinae suae
alumnos Canonicorum Regularium ordini nomina sua dedisse con-
spexerit : eorum enim Religiosorum multo studio tenebatur ; et in
carcere et exiUo constitutus, unum ex iis Jacobum Lynchaeum
Congae Abbatem longe dignissimum Alladensi Dioecesi vice sua. mode-
randae praefecit : immo in spem venit fore ut is ordo, qui Hiberniam
fide Christiana, primus excoluit, eandem in ea coUapsam denuo in-
stauraret ; ad ita sentiendum adductus, quod disertis verbis Joannes
Copingerus S. Patricum Hiberniae Apostolum ex ordine Canonico
rum Regularium fuisse testetur ; et celeberrima Hiberniae mon-
asteria Saballense, et Armachanum S. Patricio : Kildarien. a S.
Brigida, ; Dermachense, Dercalgense, et Kenanense a S. Columba,
Clonardense a S. Finnano ter mille monachorum ; Foverense, Con-
gense, et Ballasaderense a S. Fechino trecentorum ; Daminnse a S.
Laserano miUe quingentorum: Aranense a S. Endeo paris numeri :
Benchorensea S. Comgallotrium milUum; Clonfertense et Enachdu-
nense a S. Brendano totidem monachorum patre condita sunt. His
Majonense coenobium adjicio, primum a S. Colmanno institutum,
deinde a, S. oriraldo trecentis supra ter mille monachis instructum :
et alia quaeque vetustiora monasteria Canonici Regulares tum
insederunt, cum Henricus octavus fisco suo coenobia addixit, et per
omnem praeteriti temporis memoriam, quis eadem, ante iUos, ordo
ncoluerit ignoretur.

Post fidem catholicam ab Henrico octavo, et ejus filio Edwardo
sexto ex Hibernia, eUminatam, quinquennale quietis flustrum Eccle
siae a Maria, Regina comparatum, eundem quem ilia vitae finem
habuit. De cujus imperii brevitate, illud apposite dici potest, quod
de Joviniani obitu Theodoretus protulit dicens : omnium moderator
in poenam malorum nostrorum, ostendere tantum nobis bona videtur,

LIFE OF THE RT. REV. FRANCIS KIRWAN. 85
Franee, and when appointed general of the order, he expressed
a burning anxiety to see the Lord's vineyard in Ireland re-tilled by
his Religious. He thereon assured Francis, that he would most
willingly receive any of the Irish youths who might be desirous of
joining the Canons Regular. Francis was not more sedulous in
advising, than fortunate in inducing some of his scholars at Caen
and elsewhere, to embrace the above-mentioned order ; nor may we
pause to describe his joy in seeing those whom he had trained,
joining the Canons Regular, for he loved the Order. While in
prison and exile, he selected James Lynch, Abbat of Cong, and a
member of the aforesaid religious Order, as the fittest person to
preside in his stead over the diocese of Killala. Nay, he indulged
a hope that this order, which brought the Christian faith to Ireland,
would be instrumental in repairing its decay. He was led to
cherish this idea, from reading the work of John Coppinger, who
learnedly proves that St. Patrick was a Canon Regular, and that
the most celebrated monasteries in Ireland were founded by
members of this order ; to wit, Saul, and Armagh by St. Patrick ;
Kildare by St. Brigid ; Durrow, Derry, and Kells, by St. Columba :
Clonard, with its three thousand monks by St. Finian; Foure,
Cong, and Ballysadare, by St. Fechin, — this last named contained
three hundred monks ; Devinish, with its fifteen hundred, by St.
Laserian ; that of Aran, with a similar number, by St. Endeus ;
Bangor, with its three thousand, by St. Comegal ; Clonfert and
Annadown, by St. Brendan, with a like number of blessed inmates :
to these, I add the monastery of Mayo, founded by St. Colman, and
furnished, subsequently, by St. Giraldus with three thousand three
hundred religious. Many other monasteries were possessed by the
Canons Regular, when Henry VIII, confiscated them to the crown :
nor does any record remain to inform us what orders held those
monasteries anterior to the introduction of the Canons Regular.
After the faith had been almost destroyed in Ireland, by Henry
VIII, and his son Edward VI, Queen Mary restored five years'
repose to the Church, but it terminated with her reign. Of that
short reign we may here state what Theodoret writes of the decease
of the Emperor Jovinian : " The great Ruler of all, to punish our
sins, presents blessings to us, and then strips us of them, as though

86 VITA REVEREND. D. FRANCISCI KIROVANI.
et mox nos iisdem spoliare, docereque velle quam facile sit illi
praebere quaelubeat, simulqueet arguere, quam bonis simus indigni,
et ad meliorem vitam capessendam cohortari. Illi recte accommo-
dari possunt quae Virgilius de Marcello cecinit :
" Ostendunt terris hunc tantum fata, neque ultra esse sinunt."
Nimirum optimus quisque minime diurnat: sane flagrantibus Catho-
Ucorum studiis ante tempus erepta est : ejus enim obitum cathohcae
fidei abolitio, et Ecclesiasticorum exterminatio ab EUzabetha Regina
imperata excepit ; quae patris fratrisque vestigiis acriter insistens
sicut caeteros Religiosorum ordines ex ipsorum ; sic Canonicos Regu-
lares e supra memoratismonasterus, in quae Regina Maria Ulos pos-
tliminio induxit abegit ; cum igitur in priori posteriorique monacho
rum e monasterus extrusione, eorum quae supra retulimus, monaste-
riorum aliorumque plurimorum possessio penes Canonicos fuerit cujus
interruptio ab aho aliquo ordine, per anteactorum saeculorum
cursum, facta fuisse non deprehenditur, nemo inficias ibit in perpetuo
monasteriorum eorundem incolatu post Hiberniam a, S. Patricio
fidei luce perfusam, Canonicos Regulares permansisse.

Nee industria Francisci nostri solum in suis alumnis inter Canon
icos Regulares referendis operosa fuit : etiam R. D. Gregorium Joyce
suum olim alumnum, post Theologiae studia Hispalis peracta, in
Galliam accitum suis Juvenibus moderandis praefecit ; quibus dis-
persis, eum Patribus missionariis, accurata. ilia, et exacta,, omnibusque
numeris absoluta disciplina clericaU expoliendum tradidit, qua ipsi
plurimum exculti alios affluenter limant : eam autem disciphnam D.
Gregoirum ubertim hausisse, vel inde constat, quod in patriam
reversus, ea clerum ac populum longe lateque imbuerit ; in clero
morum modestiam, pietatis fervorem, et caeremoniarum concinnita-
tem, faelicis memoriae Malachia Tuamensi Archiepiscopo multum
applaudente, non mediocriter accendebat. E suggestu teneriorem
aetatem fidei rudimentis, adultam solidioris doctrinae pabulo fove-
bat : in Confessariorum tribunali cordium adita rimabatur, et animas
occultis quibusque peccatorum sordibus suaviter et foeUciter eluebat :
Denique confraternitatis sanctissimi Sacramenti, in Ecclesia colle-
giata. S. Nicolai Galviae, foelicem institutionem, et amplam, et viris

LIFE OF THE RT. REV. FRANCIS KIRWAN. 87
he would teach us how easily he can bestow them, and at the same
time convince us how unworthy we are of them that, he may
exhort us to lead a better life." And here, too, is apposite, that
which Virgil has sung of Marcellus : —
" Him the Fates shall permit to appear on earth but not long remain."
Thus it has ever been: the best is always the fleetest. Verily,
she was snatched, prematurely, from the hoping hearts of the
CathoUcs; for, after her demise came on the destruction of the
faith, and extermination of the Churches, when EUzabeth ascended
the throne. Walking in the footmarks of her father and brother,
she ejected the various religious orders from their monasteries, and
also the Canons Regular, from the convents above named, to which
Queen Mary, a short time before, had restored them. Since, then,
it is evident, that in the first and last expulsion of the monks,
from the monasteries already enumerated, — since, I say, it is certain
that these monasteries were held by Canons Regular, without
mention of their holdings having been at any time disputed by any
other order, no one will deny that the Regular Canons, were
inmates of them since the time that blessed Patrick shed the light
of faith on the Island.
Nor did our Francis confine his exertions to enrolling Irish
youths in the order of the Regular Canons ; he even caused the
Rev. Gregory Joyce, formerly his pupil, to repair to France, after
he had completed his studies at Seville, and placed him over his
young scholars. When they were dispersed, Francis committed
the said Gregory to the care of the missionary fathers, to be per
fected in all clerical acquirements, the great benefits of which they
so admirably dispense. How deeply skilled did this Gregory
become, under their training, is evident from the conduct, which,
when he returned to his country, marked his relations with clerics
and laics. The clergy then became still more remarkable for the
modesty of their lives, the fervour of their piety, and the elegance
of the manner in which the sacred ceremonies were performed ;
so much so, as to win the commendations of Archbishop Malachy,
of happy memory. From the pulpit, he delivered many discourses,
in order that the young might be nourished in the rudiments of the
faith, while to the adult he imparted more solid food. At the

88 VITA REVEREND. D. FRANCISCI KIROVANI.
et foeminis ei se catervatim ascribentibus, propagationem iUi accep-
tam referimus. Tandem in fidei cathohcae per Hiberniam naufra-
gio, salutis portum Bruxellis nactus, virtutibus promerentibus S.
Gudulae Canonicus evasit.

Noster autem Franciscus pro nihilo duxit efficere ut divini nu-
minis cultui se viri addicerent, nisi foeminis etiam simile beneficium
ipsius opera, praestaretur. Itaque dum Cadomi suorum adolescen-
tium curam ageret, cum Conventus Ursulanarum fundatrice gratiam
et pia colloquia saepius inivit, et eidem aUquando aperuit se in optatis
habuisse ut Ursulanarum ordo, qui sicut Societas Jesu juventuti
literis imbuendae, sic puellis legendi, scribendi aUarumque mulie-
briumartium cognitione informandis operam dat, inHibernia. floreret;
ac proinde illam hortatus est, ut animum induceret ahquot bonae
indolis Hibernas sui ordinis institutis excolere, quae quasi semen
ordinem'in Hibernia propagaret. Ilia Francisci monitis obsecuta,
apud animum statuit coenobium sui ordinis in Hibernia, cum tempus
ferret, suis sumptibus condere ; et ut consilii fundamenta tempes-
tive jaceret, duas probas Hibernas puellas Ursulanarum institutionem
Conventu Cadomensi amplexas, et sine dote professas multo studio
prosecuta est : quae muniis suis rite plusculos annos adimpletis, pia.
morte vitam terminarunt. AUis quoque duabus simUis notae puellis
Hibernis, Alladensi duobus ante obitum mensibus rogante, similem
charitatem impendit, eo gratiorem, quia gratuitam, et Us inchoandi
tyrocinu aetatem nondum assecutis exhibitam.

An non AUadensis in hoc facto se S. Malachiae simillimum prae-
buit, qui teste S. Bernardo Claravalle discedens, et alta suspiria
trahens, quod non liceret sibi pro suo desiderioremanere, hos (iniquit)

LIFE OF THE RT. REV. FRANCIS KIRWAN. 89
tribunal of penance he pierced the depths of the heart, and gently
and sweetly cleansed the soul from all its inmost stains. Finally,
to him must we ascribe the founding of the confraternity of the
most Holy Sacrament in the Collegiate Church of St. Nicholas, at
Galway ; this splendid work was truly his, and his instrumentahty
won for it an enormous amount of members of both sexes. At last,
when the faith was wrecked in Ireland, he found a sanctuary in
Brussels, and won, by his virtues, a canonry in the Cathedral of
St. Gudule.
Nor did our Francis think that he accomplished all that was
necessary, whUe labouring to turn men's hearts to the worship of
God ; it occured to him that he might be instrumental in advancing
the interests of the other sex. While staying with his pupils at
Caen, he became acquainted with the foundress of the Ursuline
convent, and, having many pious colloquies with her, he expressed
a wish that the UrsuUne order (which looks after female education,
as the Jesuit's does to the education of the male sex) might be
introduced into Ireland, to teach young women the art of reading
and writing, and indoctrinate them in all knowledge pertaining to
their state. He thereon prayed the foundress to receive a few
young talented Irish maidens, to be instructed in her rule, who
might afterwards advance the order in Ireland. The superioress,
hearkening to Francis's application, resolved to estabUsh a branch
of the order in Ireland, at her own expense, whensoever the
circumstances of the country would permit. By way of laying the
foundations of her pious resolve, she received into the convent of
Caen two Irish maidens, whom she greatly loved, and professed
without dowry ; — they, however, lived but a few years, and having
faithfully discharged their duties, departed. A similar favour did
the superioress confer on two other Irish ladies, at the request of
Francis, Bishop of Killala, two months before his death. The same
generous treatment did she exhibit to these two ladies, to which,
if you add that they were both dowerless, and under the novice's
age, you wiU say that in this respect her conduct was still more
gracious. Was not the Bishop of Killala, in these instances, somewhat like
St. MalacUy, when about to go away from St. Bernard at Clair-
vaux ? " Then, heaving deep sighs, since it was not permitted him

90 VITA REVEREND. D. FRANCISCI KIROVANI.
interim pro me oro retineatis, qui a vobis discent, quod nos postmo-
dum doceant : et erunt nobis in semen, et in isto semine benedicentur
Gentes quae illae a diebus antiquis monachi quidem nomen audie-
runt, monachum non viderunt : et dimissis quatuor a latere suo,
abiit, qui probati, et digni inventi, monachi facti sunt. Post aliquod
tempus cum jam sanctus esset in terra, sua, misit alios, et factum est
de illis similiter ; quibus per aliquantum tempus instructis, et eruditis
corde in sapientia, dato eis in patrem S. Fratre Christiano, qui erat
unus ex ipsis, emisimus eos adjungentes de nostris, quanti suffice
rent, ad numerum Abbatiae, quae concepit, et peperit Alios quinque,
et multiplicato semine augescit indies numerus monachorum.

Hujus prototypi vera imago in Francisci factis expressa cernitur :
etenim Malachias summo ardore ad pietatis, Franciscus ad rehgionis
etiam cathohcae fines profer endos accendebatur, et ad eam longe lateque
spargendam novas Religosorum colonias in Hiberniam deducere con-
tendebat ; sicut Hiberni quondam Monachi quidem nomen audierunt,
monachum non viderunt : sic iidem nostra memoria Canonicorum
Regularium, Missionariorum, et Ursulanarum nomen audierunt, ipsos
ordines non viderunt : ille tyrones Cisterciensibus, hic Canonicis
Regularibus, Missionariis et Ursulanis, disciplinis regularibus ad
alios deinde in patriam derivandis, excolendos tradidit: iUe voti
eompos jam effectus, Cistercienses monachos per Hiberniam late dif-
fusos, varia sibi monasteria comparasse vidit ; hujus consUium tem-
poris iniquitas repressit quidem, sed non compressit. Licet enim
haec tempora Canonicos potius monasteriis exuant, quam donent, e
Canonicorum tamen laboribus uberes fructus Hiberni percipiunt;
utilitatem quam Hiberni a Missionariis hauserunt, ante hoc indicavi.
Ursulanarum adhuc in herba, messis est, nondum in re, sed in spe, in
quam erigimur fore, ut ilia dies tandem elucescat, qua. puellae nos-
trates in Cadomense, coenobium, a matre fundatrice (quae sicut S.
Bernardus, quot sufficerent ad numerum Abbatiae, in Hiberniam
amandavit ; sic Virginium numerum implendo conventui accommo-
dum eodem missura esse dicitur) co-optatae et co-optandae plura
virginum agmina demum emittent, quae per varias Hiberniae regio-

LIFE OF THE RT. REV. FRANCIS KIRWAN. 91
to remain, thus spoke St. Malachy : ' I pray you to keep those
for my sake, that they may learn from you what they may teach
us in time to come, and be to us that seed in which the people will
be blessed — that people who, since the earliest times, have been
famihar with the name of a monk, but have not seen one.' And
then, having left four behind him, he went his way ; — these four,
being duly tried, were found worthy, and made monks. Some
time afterwards, when the Saint was in his own country, he sent
others, with whom it fared in like manner, who, having been trained
and instructed unto justice, were sent out by us in charge of
Brother Christian, who was one of their own, nation, and to these
we added some of our own, — that is, as many as were sufficient, for
founding an abbacy, which conceived and brought forth five
children ; and, the seed being thus multiplied, the number of monks
increaseth daily."
A true copy of this grand archetype may be found in all the
actions of Francis. Malachy was inflamed with ardour for ex
tending the boundaries of piety ; Francis, in like manner, burning
to spread the Catholic faith, and to propagate it far and near,
introduced new colonies of religious into Ireland ; for, as the Irisb
had heard the name of monks, but had seen none, — thus, in our
recoUection, they had heard of the Missionaries, and the Ursuhne
nuns, but the orders themselves they saw not. Malachy sent
novices to the Cistercians ; Francis sent novices to the Regular
Canons, Missionaries, and Ursulines, to be so taught by them that
they might be able to impart instruction to the people, on their
return. Malachy saw his wishes realized — the Cistercians scattered
over Ireland, and possessing various monasteries : the iniquity
of our times frustrated the wishes of our Francis, but did not
destroy them; for, although these times spoliate instead of pro
tecting the Canons Regular, nevertheless, the Irish derive benefit
from their labours, and I have already pointed out what blessings
they gained by the Missionaries. Concerning the Ursulines, the
crop is still young, — not in reality, but in hope, — and we look
forward to the day in which our maidens, admitted into the Caen
convent by the foundress, (who, as St. Bernard sent into Ireland
as many as were sufficient to found an abbacy, is about to send
thither as many as will be sufficient to estabUsh a nunnery), will

92 VITA REVEREND. D. FRANCISCI KIROVANI.
nes coenobia tum condent, cum fidei splendor, haeresis caliginem
arcebit, cui jam interitus impendere videtur, cum fere ad longissi-
mum tempor'is spatium, ad quod sectae superiores (quarum singulis
sua periodus fuit) hominum malitia produxit, progressa fuerit

CAPUT SEXTUM.
EPISCOPI DIGNITATEM DIU DETRECTANS, EA DEINDE INSIGNITUS
EST, ET QUID EI IN PATRIAM CONTENDENTI CONTIGIT.
Interea dum Franciscus in eo studium omne collocat, ut ratio
aliqua iniretur qua, futuri in Hiberniea Domini vinea, operarU pietate
ac Uteris expolirentur, Malachias Tuamensis Archiepiscopus ejus
indolem ad Ecclesiasticam administrationem accommodatissimam esse
conspicatus, omnes animi nervos intendit ut Episcopus renunciatus
patriam repeteret : quod consilium illi per literas aperit, sed ad illud
amplectendum adducere non valuit. Quare crebris postea monitis ei
aerius institit, ut se infulis ornari facile pateretur, sed surdo cecinit ;
quam enim ille in hoc ad eam dignitatem capessendam hortando as-
siduus fuit, tam sedulum hic in ea detrectanda se praebuit ; non
tamen coepta prosequi Tuamensis ante destitit, quam D. Edmundo
Duyer procuratori suo Romae, tum agenti, in mandatis dedit ut a
summo Pontifice AUadensem Episcopatum Francisco impetrari
quantocyus curaret ; ac deinde pontificiae concessionis diploma Pa-
risios ad Nuncium Apostolicum deferri, qui authoritate ac monitis ad
sententiae mutationem eum flecteret. Boetius Eganus quem pietatis
ac doctrinae merita e Minorum ordine ad Elfinensem Episcopatum
evexerunt, conatum etiam non mediocrem adhibuit, ut AUadensis
Episcopatus Francisco conferretur.

LIFE OF THE RT. REV. FRANCIS KIRWAN. 93
thence lead forth bands .of virgins, who will raise monasteries
throughout Ireland, when the! splendour of the faith dissipates the
darkness of heresy ; and even now, ruin seems brooding over error,
since it has reached that period to which the malice of men has
protracted aU other sects, to each of which has been allotted a
certain term of existence.

CHAPTER VI.
HOW FOR A LONG TIME HE DECLINED THE EPISCOPAL DIGNITY, AND
WAS AFTERWARDS RAISED TO IT. HOW IT FARED WITH HIM
RETURNING TO HIS OWN COUNTRY.
Meantime, while Francis was solely intent on devising plans,
by which the future workmen in the Lord's vineyard of Ireland
might be fully prepared with piety and learning, Malachy,
Archbishop of Tuam, seeing his fitness for any department of
ecclesiastical administration, strained every nerve that he might be
elevated to the Episcopacy and sent to his own country. This
did the Archbishop signify to him in his letters, but he could not
prevail on him to adopt his counsel; wherefore, he continued to
urge it on him by frequent sohcitations, insisting that he should
suffer himself to be consecrated, but it was as though he sang unto
the deaf. The more urgent the Archbishop, the more reluctant
was Francis, yet the former did not desist before commissioning
Edmund O'Dwyer, then his agent at Rome, to pray his Holiness to
cause the bishopric of KUlala to be confered on Francis without
delay. For this purpose, the Bull was to be forwarded to the
ApostoUc Nuncio at Paris, who, by his influence and authority,
was charged to bring about a change of his resolve. Boetius Egan,
whose weU known fame for learning and piety had raised him from
the Order of Friars Minors to the See of Elphin, laboured likewise
that the bishopric of Killala might be bestowed on Francis.

94 VITA REVEREND. D. FRANCISCI KIROVANI.
Dum Edmundus injuncto sibi muneri adimplendo non oscitanter
incumbit, amici quibuscum Franciscus pietatis societatem Parisiis
inivit, eum instanter suadent, ut pertinaciam in Episcopatu repudi-
ando ponat, faciliorem illi viam ad religionem in Hibernia ferendam
inde pandi asserentes. Unde remissior ad reluctandum effectus a
D. Nuncio tandem accersitur, et de Episcopatus coUatione iUi a Pon
tifice facta certior ab eo factus, capularem aetatem, sibi jam instare
causatus, se dignum esse negavit, qui ad EpiscopaUs dignitatis culmen
eveheretur. Tum D. Nuncius, quot annos (inquit) te superstitem
fore confidis ? ad triennium, subjungit ille, vitam forte protraham :
Eia, retorquet D. Nuncius, salvator noster, plus boni postremo vitae
triennio, quam toto praeteritae vitae cursu praestitisse legitur ; tu
ilium imitare, et in Episcopi officio rite obeundo vel triennium im-
pende.

Acquievit iUe demum adeo quidem invitus, ut potuerit cum psalm-
ista dicere : Exaltatus, autem humiliatus sum et conturbatus. Sed
onus diu detractatum diutius cum laude sustinuit, similitudinem in
hoc Malachiae referens : quia sicut Gilberto Pontificis Legato, S.
Celso Primate Armachano, et principibus terrae instantibus, ad
Archiepiscopatus primatusque fastigium reluctans ascendit : sic Fran
ciscus non nisi Nuncii Apostolici, sui Metropolitani, et aUorum effla-
gitatu invitus Episcopatum inivit. Nam legisse videtur, quod nemo
primatum appetat, ne humilitatem amittat, nemo oblatum accipiat,
nisi invitus et electus, ut arrogantiam evitet, et ab obedientia non
discedat : quamdiu licet, recuset, ultra non protrahat pertinaciam.
Tam enim superbum est dignitatem concupiscere, quam majorum
jussis omnino parere nolle, et divinae reluctari voluntati.

Consecrationem Episcopalem illi et Edmundo Duyer in Richardi
Arthuri Episcopi Limbricensis Coadjutorem cooptato 7. Man anno
reparatae salutis 1645. die Dominica ParisUs in S. Lazari collatam
13 Episcopi, 15 Abbates, 30 Doctores Sorbonici, et alii plures sua
praesentia cohonestarunt. Dum caeremoniae consecrationis per-

LIFE OF THE RT. REV. FRANCIS KIRWAN. 95
WhUe the aforesaid Edmund was accurately performing the task
committed to him, the friends, with whom a community of pious
associations had identified Francis, in Paris, exhorted him to set
aside the reluctance with which he shrunk from the Episcopacy ;
clearly proving to him, that it would be the means of planting
reUgion stUl more extensively in Ireland. When his reluctance
had been somewhat overcome, he was sent for by the Nuncio, and
informed that the promotion had been conferred on him by the
Pope ; whereon, Francis observed, that he was now at death's door,
and far from being worthy of the Episcopal dignity. " Then," said
the Lord Nuncio, " how long, think you, are you Ukely to live ? "
"Not more than three years," was the reply. "Then," remarked the
Nuncio, " we read of our Lord, that he did more good during his
last three years than at any preceding one of his life ; go you and
imitate him, and spend three years well, exercising the Episcopal
functions." He at last acquiesced, however, against his will — so much so, that
he could say with the Psalmist, "I am exalted, yet humbled.
But the responsibiUty, from which he so long shrunk, he sub
sequently bore with honour. Even in this we may see his
assimUation to the blessed Malachy, for the latter resisted Gilbert,
the Pope's Legate, and St. Celsus, Archbishop of Armagh, nay,
even the princes of the land, when they urged him to accept the
high grade of Archbishop and Primate. Even thus did Francis
take on him his high office, not according to his own wish, but at
the instance of the Apostolic Nuncio, his metropolitan and others.
Verily, heseemeth to have studied the admonition — "Let no one am
bition a primacy, lest he sacrifice humility ; let no one receive such
grade, save reluctant and elected, that he may avoid arrogance and
depart not from obedience. As long as it is lawful, let him refuse,
but beyond that let him not persevere in recusancy ; for there is as
much pride in coveting dignity, as there is in opposing the com
mands of our superiors, and resisting the divine will."
At length, Francis Kirwan was consecrated Bishop of Killala,
on Sunday the 7th of May, A.D. 1645, in the Church of St.
Lazarus, at Paris, and at the same time was consecrated Edmund
O'Dwyer, Coadjutor to Richard Arthur, Bishop of Limerick.
Thirteen Bishops, fifteen Abbats, and thirty Doctors of the

96 VITA REVEREND. D. FRANCISCI KIROVANI.
agerentur, singularis quaedam, et non vulgaris gravitas ac modestia
in eo enituit, venerationem indicans, qua sacrum Episcopatus ordinem
prosequebatur ; et ubi verba quibus provincia saluti gregis prospi-
ciendi Episcopo demandatur proferri audivit, mente evolvens quam
grave sit Episcopi onus, tantam vim lachrimarum effudit, ut commi-
serationem piissimo Silvanectensi Episcopo e consecrantibus uni
moverit, et ex ejus oculis uberes lachrimas elicuerit.

Ille jam Episcopali consecratione initiatus iter paulo post in pa
triam per Normanniam arripuit, in qua provincia integros dies a
prima luce usque ad solis occasum, ad sacramentum confirmationis
impertiendum, et ad altaria, saceUa, sacraque vasa sacranda inde-
fesse contulit, minime solicitus si valetudo tam assiduo labore tere-
retur : in hoc S. CaroU Boromei (quem cultu maximo prosequebatur)
vestigia terens, qui monitus si tot ac tantas tamque crebras molestias
ultro subire non desineret, aliis quidem profuturum, sed sibi nocitu-
rum ; animae salutem ahis allaturum, sibi corporis brevi ablaturum,
lion magis sapienter, quam animose respondit ; candelam aUis lucere
non posse, quin ipsa paulatim absumatur. Franciscus post haec
pietatis officia peracta, in itinere progressus, non modicam Ubrorum
et nonnullam altaris supellectilem in natale solum navi deferendam
imponit, ipse aUa vectus e portu solvit, et in patriam incolumis ap-
pulit : altera vero navi in hostiles piratas incidente, Ubrorum et,
sacrae supellectilis jacturam fecit. ,

LIFE OF THE RT. REV. FRANCIS KIRWAN. 97
Sorbonne, were present on this occasion. During the ceremonies
of consecration, our Francis was the observed of all, as well he
might be, by reason of that gravity and modesty which marked his
veneration for the Episcopal order. While he listened to the
sacred words which constituted him pastor over his flock, he deeply
pondered in his soul on the great responsibility of such a charge,
and copious tears streamed from his eyes, thus gaining him the
commiseration of aU present, and causing the consecrating pre-
ate (the Bishop of De SenUs) to weep.
Soon after his inauguration, he proceeded homewards, through
Normandy, where he halted for a while, and, from sunrise to sunset,
employed himself administering the sacrament of Confirmation,
and blessing altars, oratories, and sacred vessels. Little, indeed,
was he sohcitous about his health, nor did he pause to consider how
he might thus impair it. In this respect, he closely followed the
example of St. Charles Borromeo, (for whom he cherished a par
ticular veneration,) who, when warned, that if he relaxed not his
wearisome and incessant labours, he would do fatal injury to himself,
though great good to others — and, while saving the souls of his
people, must surely sacrifice his hfe — not less wisely than spiritedly
observed, "the lamp that giveth Ught unto others must consume
itseU." When Francis had discharged aU the offices above alluded
to, he coUected a considerable number of books, together with
apparel for the altar, which he destined for his native land, and,
having placed them on shipboard, he embarked in another vessel,
and arrived on his own shore in safety. The ship that conveyed
his books and altar furniture feU into the hands of pirates, and so
he lost them aU.

98 VITA REVEREND. D. FRANCISCI KIROVANI.

CAPUT SEPTIMUM.

QUALEM VITAM, JAM EPISCOPUS, IN PATRIA REBUS ADHUC PACATIS,
ET POSTEA TURBATIS DUXERIT.
KiLKENiiE (quam aUqui recte Canicopolim, quasi Canici oppidum
appellant) aliquandiu subsistens, supremo ConcUio acceptissimus fuit,
et ab IUustrissimo Reverendissimoque Domino Joanne Rinuccino
Archiepiscopo, et Firmano Principe extraordinario Summi Pontificis
in Hibernia Nuncio in intimam amicitiam adscitus, et in omnium
Episcoporum, quos infulis insignivit, consecratione adjutor adhibitus
est ; et post modicum tempus, arctam cum CathoUco Prorege amici
tiam inivit ; nimirum principibus placuisse viris laus ultima non est.

Postea Galviam, et inde mox in suam Dioecesim hostiUum et pro-
priorum militum excursionibus penitus vastatam profectus, ejus pos
sessionem 5. Octobris anni 1646. adnt ; nee inde pedem ante unquam
extulit, quam hostium accessu nunciato, fugam arripere coactus
fuerit. Tum Galviae tantisper diversatus ad pristinam hberahtatis pau-
peribus impertiendae consuetudinem rediit : viduis, pupiUis et aliis
egenis mendicare erubescentibus in album relatis pro facultate sub-
venit. Carcerem et Nosocomium prandiis aUeno nomine quandoque
pavit, ut morem Salvatoris sequeretur dicentis. Te faciente Eleemo
sinam, nesciat sinistra tua quid faciat dextra tua, ut sit eleemosina
tua in abscondito, et pater tuus, qui videt in abscondito, reddet tibi,
Et vero usitatus illi mos semper fuit, stipem, quam occulte potuit
erogare : quem morem pauperior Episcopus, quam Vicarius frequen-
tavit. Sicut enim Alexander Pap^a V. dicere solebat, se divitem
fuisse Episcopum, pauperem Cardinalem, mendicum Pontificem : sic

LIFE OF THE RT. REV. FRANCIS KIRWAN. 99

CHAPTER VII.
HOW, (HAVING BEEN MADE BISHOP,) HE COMPORTED HIMSELF IN HIS
OWN COUNTRY DURING ITS TRANQUILLITV, AND SUBSEQUENT
REVERSES.
While staying in Kilkenny, (which some call Canicopolis,
i.e. the City of Saint Canice), he was most warmly received by
the Supreme CouncU, and contracted, moreover, an intimate friend
ship with the most iUustrious and reverend Lord John Baptist
Rinuccini, Archbishop and Prince of Fermo, and Nuncio Extra
ordinary from the court of Rome to the Irish people. In fact,
whensoever the Nuncio consecrated an Irish Prelate, he invariably
availed himself of the assistance of the Bishop of Killala, whose
good fortune it was, at a subsequent period, to form lasting and
close intimacy with the Catholic viceroy. Indeed, it is no trifling
cause of praise to have secured the good pleasure of people high
in authority.
From Kilkenny he proceeded to Galway, and, soon after, to his
diocese, then almost laid waste by the movements of the confederated
and , hostile armies. Of his See he took possession on the 5th of
October, 1646, nor thenceforth did he ever quit it, till he was
compelled to fly on the approach of the enemy.
Having delayed a short while in Galway, he betook himself to
his old custom of liberally succouring the poor. Widows, orphans,
and other indigent persons, ashamed to beg, were the special objects
of his care, and to this end he made a memorandum, that he might
relieve them according to his means. To the inmates of jails and
hospitals he was wont to send quantities of food — not in his own name,
but in that of another party, that he might thus follow the rule
laid down by our Lord, who warns us — " When thou givest thine
alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth ; that
thine alms may be in secret, and thy Father, who seeth in secret,
himself shaU reward thee openly." Truly this was an invariable
rule with him, to administer to the wants of the poor as secretly

100 VITA REVEREND. D. FRANCISCI KIROVANI.
ille se divitem Vicarium, pauperem Episcopum, et mendicum exulem
vocare potuit.

Hinc crebris itineribus ad regni comitia Kilkeniam et Waterford-
iam accessit, quibus vir in discernendo perspicax, et decernendo
sedatus de rebus propositis suffragia Reipub. salutaria semper tulit,
ac proinde ob singularem prudentiam, a Comitiis inter Concilii
Supremi patres, quandoque relatus est. Portumnae qua iter AUa
densis habebat, Marchio Clanricardiae in Palatio suo commorabatur,
qui ad summam nobilitatem amplasque fortunas praestantissimas
quasque animi dotes adjunxit, ac propterea Ucet Catholicus, in ex
trema rerum Hibernicarum difficultate, Hiberniae prorex, rege vol-
ente, renunciatus est, maximo Hibernorum gaudio, qui post haeresim
ante centum annos in Hibernia enatam, proregem cathoUcum non
viderunt : hic vir nondum prorex AUadensem redeuntem domi suae
duos fere menses retinuit, et arctam interea cum eo famUiaritatem
ita contraxit, ut sermonem de Ulo postea cum aUis habens suum Epis
copum, et verum genuinumque Episcopum appeUaret, aUisque elogiis
eum ornare consueverit ; centum aureos a Marchinonissa, discedenti
oblatas non accepit, et sacellanum suum accipere vetuit.

Nee admisit munificentiam non multum absimilem ei a D. Rogero
o Sachnesy exhibitam, nobilissimo equite aurato nemini totius Con-
naciae, cum a, Marchione discesseris, hospitalitate liberaUtateque se-
cundo. Nimirum ad quosvis hospitio excipiendos donisque afficien-
dos addictissimus fuit; ut ejus valvis apponi potuerit decantata
ilia inscriptio : porta patens esto, nulli claudatur honesto. Instar :
progenitoris sui Guarii Connaciae quondam Regis, qui ad liberalita-
tem omnibus prestandam adeo propensus fuit; ut cum summae
liberalitatis elogio aliquem efferimus, Guario munificentiorem esse

LIFE OF THE RT. REV. FRANCIS KIRWAN. 101
as possible ; and this rule did he follow now, when Bishop, and much
more needy than when he was Vicar-General — for, as Alexander V.
was wont to say, " I was rich when a Bishop, poor when'I was
made Cardinal, and a beggar when raised to the Tiara ; " so might
our Francis affirm, " I was affluent when Vicar-General, but poor
now that I am Bishop" — he might have added, "a beggar and an
exUe Ukewise."
Frequent were his journeys to Kilkenny and Waterford, to
attend the general assembhes of the kingdom, and on these
occasions his perspicacity and sound judgment guided him in giving
salutary suffrages to the commonweal; and for these reasons, to
which may be added his remarkable prudence, he was elected of
the Supreme Council. At this period the Marquis of Clanricarde
dwelt hi his Castle of Portumna, through which lay the route of
our Francis, in his journeys to Kilkenny and Waterford. This
Marquis of Clanricarde added to his nobiUty of hneage and princely
fortune the most consummate adornments of mind ; and on this
account, although a Catholic, was appointed Lord Lieutenant by
the King, when affairs in Ireland grew desperate. This appoint
ment was received by the Irish with the greatest joy ; for,
since the introduction of heresy, a hundred years went by without
seeing a CathoUc viceroy. Long before Clanricarde was raised to
this office, he caused the Bishop of Killala to stay with him fully
two months, as he was journeying homewards; and so intense
became his friendship for him, that he was afterwards heard to
call him " his own Bishop, — a true Bishop," and comphment him
with other such epithets. On his leave-taking, the Marchioness pre
sented him with two hundred golden pieces, which he declined, and
forbade his chaplain to accept.
Nor did he accept the munificence, of a similar character,
exhibited to him by Roger O'Shaughnessy, a most noble knight,
and second to no one, in the whole province of Connaught, for
hospitality and UberaUty — second, I say, to no one, save the Marquis
of Clanricarde. This Roger O'Shaughnessy was most lavish of
hospitaUty and gifts ; so much so, that the well-known epigraph,
" Let this door be ever open and never closed to an honest man,"
might be aptly inscribed on his gate. He was well worthy his
great progenitor, Guaire, King of Connaught, who was so famed

102 VITA REVEREND. D. FRANCISCI KIROVANI.
dicamus. Munera vero a proceribus AUadensis ideo referre noluit
quod non mediocri eorum miseratione teneretur, qui fortunis et red-
ditibus mirum in modum accisis, pristinae munificentiae faciendae
indulgere non potuerint ; imo a donis ab ullo accipiendis plurimum
abhorruit : et adhuc Vicarius Generahs Tuamensis munera pluries
a, Parochis ei delata semper rejecit.

Cum autem Illustrissimus et Reverendissimus Dominus Joannes
Baptista Rinuccinus Archiepiscopus et princeps Firmanus, et in
Hibernia Nuncius ApostoUcus extraordinarius Supremum ConcUium,
ob conditiones aliquas religioni cathohcae, ut asser ebatur noxias,
pactis induciarum cum Inshiquinniae Barone tunc haeretico et hoste
initarum insertas, et omnes ei adhaerentes excommunicationis telo an.
1648. confoderet, Casus tulit ut AUadensis a partibus ConcilU, ste-
terit, aliorum consiliis et rationibus recti speciem prae se ferentibus
persuasus. Sed ubi se postea deliquisse timuit ; tanta eum errati
poenitentia cepit, ut locupletissimi testes affirment Ulum e suggestu
sub annos 1650. et 1651, se praesentibus, magna, hominum corona
septum priorem sententiam improbasse, summumque doloris, spe
cimen edidisse, dum mala ex obsequio D. Nuncii sententiae denegato
emanantia deplorans sermonem singultibus et lachrymis interrupit,
tantamque miserationem astantibus movit, ut in fletum nonnulli
eorum eruperint. Nee hac publica, culpae agnitione contentus, licet
jura ferant ut Episcopi ea excommunicatione non irretiantur, cui
nominatim non includuntur, et D. Nuncii sententia in omnes quidem
generaliter, non specialiter in Episcopos lata fuerit. IUe tamen in
tantam se humilitatem abjecit, ut ad D. Jacobum Falonum sanctae
Theologiae Doctorem Vicarium ApostoUcum Achadensem, unum ex
iis, quibus D. Nuncius ex Hibernia discedens authoritatem imperlSit
eos a memorata excommunicatione absolvendi, qui absolutionem pe-
terent, accurrerit et absolutionem ab eo perceperit. In exihum
vero postea trusus, ubi rescivit potestatem a Summo Pontifice qui-
busdam PraesuUbus factam fuisse, absolutionem ab istis censuris iis
conferendi, qui eam rogarent, protinus ad Reverendissimi Domini
Roberti Barrii Corcagiensis Episcopi eam authoritatem inter >cae-
teros consecuti genua provolutus, absolutionem demisse flagitavit, et

LIFE OF THE RT. REV. FRANCIS KIRWAN. 103
for hospitality, that, when we would describe great liberality,
we are wont to say, " Such a one is more munificent thanGuaire."
The reason why the Bishop of Killala declined the presents made
him by these nobles, was, because he pitied them, whose fortunes
and revenues had sustained considerable diminution, and he knew
right well they could not afford to indulge in the customs of other
times. In fact, he always entertained an abhorrence of presents ;
so much so, that, when Vicar-General of Tuam, he always rejected
those made him by the parish-priests.
When John Baptist Rinuccini, Archbishop and Prince of Fermo,
and Nuncio Apostolic in Ireland, in the year 1648, hurled excommu
nication against the Supreme Council and all its adherents, on
account of the articles of peace to which they agreed with Inchiquin,
a heretic and an enemy, — in which articles there were certain
conditions prejudicial to the Catholic religion — the Bishop of Killala
adopted the party of the Supreme Council, persuaded thereto by the
arguments of others, and the apparent rectitude of the proceeding ;
but afterwards, when he began to fear he had erred, so great was
his sorrow, that most creditable witnesses affirm, he was frequently
heard, in the years 1650 and 1651, by a vast concourse of persons
round his pulpit, to execrate his former opinion, and exhibit the
most Uvely grief, whilst deploring the evils which foUowed the
slighted advice of the Nuncio. In fact his sermon on these occasions,
was interrupted by his tears and moans, and so much did he affect
hir audience, that some of them wept aloud. Nor was he content
with this pubhc acknowledgement of his error. Although the law
asserts, that Bishops are not touched by any form of excommuni
cation in which they are not nominally included, and the Nuncio's
sentence was pronounced against aU in a general sense, but not
speciaUy against Bishops ; nevertheless, such was his humility, that
he sought and gained absolution from D. James FaUon, Vicar Apos
toUc of Achonry, whom the Nuncio, on leaving Ireland, empowered to
absolve from censure all those who sought absolution. Subsequently,
when in exUe, learning that the Pope had conferred authority on
certain Bishops to< absolve from the aforesaid censures all who sought
forgiveness, our prelate cast himself upon his knees before Robert
Barry, Bishop of Cork, who, amongst others, held the faculties, and,
thus lowly suppUcating, graciously received the sought-for boon,

104 VITA REVEREND. D. FRANCISCI KIROVANI.
gratiose impetravit. Cujus apographum ex antigraphy, qui penes
me est, depromptum hic subjicio. Quamvis nulla sit facta mentio
expressa de aUquibus Episcopis in excommunicatione fulminata
per IUustrissimum ac Reverendissimum D. Nuncium Apostoli-
cum in Hibernia, nihilominus juxta humilem ac suppUcem petiti-
onem Reverendissimi D. Francisci Kirovani AUadensis Episcopi,
authoritate ApostoUca nobis commissa ipsum ad cautelam ab omnibus
censuris, si quibus fuerit ligatus, absolvimus et absolutum esse per
praesentes declaramus, Robertus Corcagiensis ct Cloanensis. Sanc
tus Cyrillus Patrui sui Theophili tam in Alexandrino Pontificatu,
quam in impugnatione S. Joannis Chrysostomi successor non solum
verbis, sed etiam scriptis diu multumque_ contendit ut Chrysostomo
nullus esset in Dipthycis locus, id est, in libris,in quibus Episcoporum
vita functorum nomina describebantur, ut eorum memoriae commu-
nicaretur, precesque pro iis fierent, sed errore divinitus perspecto,
culpam resarcivit, et ut inter Episcoporum, qui pio fine vitam ter
minarunt, album referretur nemo aerius institit. Paschasius Eccle
siae Romanae Diaconus eximiae sanctitatis vir Laurentium adversus
Symmachum secutus, antequam animam efflavit resipuit, et post mor
tem miracuhs enituit. Sanctus Vincentius Ferrariensis Antipapae
Petri a, Luna causae impensius justo studuit : sed ubi se in schismatis
luto haesisse deprehendit, ad veri Pontificis partes amplectendas illico
transiit. Qui omnes etsi aliqua culpa, tenerentur erroris humani, a
scelere certe liberati fuerint; AUadensis autem sicut Sanctos hosce
per errorem delinquentes, sic eosdem errati poenitentiam agentes
secutus est.

Offensionibus vero per ignorantiam admissis facUe Deum ignoscere
vel inde cognoscimus quod plurima mala, quae S. Paulus ignorans
fecit, non impediverint, quo minus postea Dei gratia superabun-
daverit. Quoniam autem e superiori testimonio posteriorem, et e D.
Falloni agnitione (quam inscriptis habeo) priorem absolutionem Alla-
densi ad cautelam tantum impensam fuisse constat, et dubitatio si
AUadensis excommunicatione ista, teneretur necne assertioni prae-
fatae inserta eum fateri arguat se potius excommunicationis expertem
quam reum fuisse, ac saepius e re nata et publice se aut ullum alitjffl

LIFE OF THE RT. REV. FRANCIS KIRWAN. 1Q5
A copy of this document, taken from the original, now in my posses
sion, I here subjoin : — " Although there is not express mention made
of any Bishop in the excommunication pronounced by the most
iUustrious and Rev. Nuncio Apostolic in Ireland, nevertheless, in
compliance with the humble and suppliant petition of the Most Rev.
Francis Kirwan, Bishop of KUlala, by virtue of the Apostolic au
thority committed to us, we absolve him for caution's sake from aU
censures, tf he was bound by any, and by these presents declare him
absolved. — Robert, Cork and Cloyne." St. Cyril, successor to his
uncle Theophilus, in the See of Alexandria and his successor like
wise in opposing St. John Chrysostom, not by words alone, but
writings, long and strenuously contended that Chrysostom's name
ought not to be inserted in the Dipthycs — that is, in the books in
which the deceased Prelates were recorded, that their memories
might be venerated and prayers offered for them ; yet, when
Divine inspiration pointed out this error, he amended his fault and
none laboured more successfully to have the Saint's name inscribed
amongst those of the Bishops who terminated their career with dis
tinguished hohness. Paschasius, a Deacon of the Roman Church, and
a man of eminent sanctity, sustained Laurence against Symmachus:
yet, before he gave up the ghost, he retracted, and after his death,
was famed for miracles. St. Vincent Ferrar adhered to the party
of Peter De Luna, the Anti-Pope, but when he found that he had
fallen into the filth of schism, he immediately passed over to the
side of the true Pope. All of whom, though they incurred some
guUt of error, were assuredly implicated in no crime; and our
Bishop of Killala. as he followed those Saints, sinning through igno
rance, followed them Ukewise when doing penance for their
failing. But we know full well that God is easily moved to pardon the sins
of ignorance, since the many crimes which St. Paul perpetrated in
ignorance did not so operate as to prevent God's grace from super-
abounding in him afterwards. But since it appears from the testi
mony already recorded, as well as from the statement of James
Fallon, (which I have in writing,) that the former absolution was
given to the Bishop of Killala only for caution's sake, and as it is
still doubtful, whether the Prelate was affected by the excommuni
cation, or whether it was inserted in the aforesaid formula, it argues

106 VITA REVEREND. D. FRANCISCI KIROVANI.
Episcopum ea censura involutum esse negaverit. Necesse _ est ut
eum ad publicam illam sui doloris agnitionem faciendum idcirco ac-
cessisse credamus, ut S. Hieronymi consiUo pareret dicenti: sine
culpa veniam postulabimus, rectius arbitrati pacem loco motam petere,
quam aequo gradu certamina coacitare. Nam ut ait S. Gregorius,
bonarum mentium est ibi culpam agnoscere ubi non est, et S. Fran
ciscus, beatus qui sustinet confusionem autjreprehensionem, ubi cul
pam non commisit: et S. Bonaventura, bona conscientia culpam
timet ubi culpa non est. Et de mirae pietatis puero Gazaeus dicit, id
culpae dare quod culpa non est, sanctitatis tessera est. Certe qui
dam nostrates et exteri sancti gravissimas a se levioris culpae poenas
exegisse legimus.

Galviae simultatibus extinguendis, et amicis odio mutuo dissiden-
tibus conciliandis aliquandiu haesit. Summa enim peritia et foehcitate
in discordiis sopiendis coelitus ei, ut creditur, impertita instructus
fuit. Deinde cum, remotioribus Hiberniae plagis bello perstrepen-
tibus, serenitas aliqua pacis Connaciae affulgeret ; quam Epidemica
contagio Galviae tum exorta, perque Hiberniam postea totam
grassata funestavit, in Dioecesim mense August. 1649. reversus,
Episcopali officio per triennium fungendo totus incubuit : malos ad
bonam frugem continuis poene monitionibus et increpationibus re-
vocavit ; lites altercantium decidit, dissensiones sustuUt ; aliena-
tione disjunctos conciliavit ; mendicis quotidie stipem statis horis
erogari praecepit; sedibus suis hostium infestatione pulsos domo
excepit, et mensae admovit : moniahbus quibusdam ad incitas poene
redactis alendis decimarum suarum partem contulit.

IUum ordines in sua Diocesi conferentem quidam ordinibus ini-
tiandus Uteris dimissorialibus et commendatitiis abunde instructus
adiit ; cujus doctrinam et mores non admodum accurate exploravit ;
ut qui de suorum, quam aUenorum scientia cognoscenda magis labo-
rare consuevit. Nam sibi persuadebat horum praefectos literas

LIFE OF THE RT. REV. FRANCIS KIRWAN. 107
that he thought himself rather untouched by the censure than
otherwise ; nay more, in private conversation as weU as in public, he
was often heard to affirm, that neither he nor any other Bishop was
smitten with it. It is therefore necessary, that we regard him making
this public declaration of his sorrow in obedience to the counsel of
St. Jerome, who says : " We may seek forgiveness without a fault,
when we deem it wiser to restore peace than to fight battles upon
equality." For as St. Gregory has it : " 'Tis the part of good souls
to acknowledge a fault, though it does not exist." And St. Francis :
" Blessed is he who sustains confusion and reprehension where he
has committed no crime." And St. Bonaventure : " A good con
science dreads crime where there is none." And Gazaeus, speaking
of the singular piety of a certain youth : " To admit as culpable that
which is not culpable, is a test of sanctity." Surely we read, that
some of our own Saints as well as foreign Saints, punished themselves
severely for a minor failing.
WhUe staying at Galway, he persevered for some time in allaying
old animosities and reconciling friends who had 'been severed ; for
truly he was eminently skilled in the art of calming stormy strifes,
and this faculty seems to have been given to him from on high.
About this time, when the remote districts of Ireland resounded with
the din of arms, and a ray of tranquillity shone on Connaught, the
pestilence appeared in Galway, which subsequently swept all Ire
land, and our Bishop returned to his Diocese in the month of
August, 1649. Three years incessantly did he labour in discharging
the Episcopal duties. Never-ending admonitions and exhortations
were employed by him to reclaim the wicked ; Utigations were ter
minated through his instrumentality ; dissensions were appeased by
him — the divided became reconciled ; to the mendicants at certain
hours he gave daUy bread ; to those who had been expelled their
homes by the enemy, he gave the shelter of his own house, and
board ; and to certain of the nuns, reduced almost to beggary, he
allotted a portion of his revenues.
While conferring orders in his Diocese, he was waited on by a
person furnished with dimissorial letters, as well as recommendatory ;
and it so happened, that our Bishop did not institute a rigid inquiry
into the morals and learning of this person seeking to be ordained —
for, in fact, Bishop Kirwan concerned himseU mainly with the qualifi-

108 VITA REVEREND. D. FRANCISCI KIROVANI.
dimissorias aut commendatitias Us non ante concessisse, quam erudi-
tionem eorum et mores perspectos habuissent. Cum autem hunc
jam sacris ordinibus insignitum, non eo morum nitore praeditum
fuisse deprehendit, quo ille Sacerdotem ornari oportere judicabat,
tanto dolore collatorum UU ordinum corripiebatur, ut animi cruci-
atttm non voce solum valde lugubri expresserit ; sed suum etiam
corpus in terram prae poenitentia, non semel afflixerit ; in hac re S.
Ambrosio non absimilis, qui quendam a multis commendatum hoc
solo recipere noluit ad Clericatum, quod gestus ejus plurimum dede-
ceret ; alterum vero in Clero jam repertum ob insolentes incessus,
jussit ne unquam praeiret sibi. Religiosus quidam in Conventu sui
ordinis intra Diocesis AUadensis fines posito, concionem habuit, ad
quam audiendam Episcopus rogatus accessit, et populus etiam fre-
quens confluxit: Concionator documenta producturus fuisse puta-
batur, quae a vitiis deterrerent, et ad virtutem attraherent, ac ora-
tionem ad uberiorem argumenti e sacra, pagina, deprompti, a quo
concionis initium duxit, expositionem laxaturus, ut probis institutis
auditores instrueret : Sed iUe de via, perpetuo concionantium usu
trita,, in aviam maledicendi semitam abiens sermonem ad contumehas
in praesentem Episcopum evomendas maUs avibus flexit, nee tamen
interea Episcopus ullam animi commotionis indicium dedit, ubi vero
concionator dicendi et populus discedendi finem fecit concionatorem
et socios compellans injuriae magnitudinem tam apertis documentis
ob oculos iis posuit, ut protinus ad ejus genua provoluti veniam
flagitaverint. Hinc summa ejus patientia enituit, quod tot calum-
niarum telis, in sua, Dioecesi, in oculis et ore sui gregis, pubUce, et
praesens impetitus iram compescuerit ; moderatio eluxit, quod
placida, potius quam aculeata. oratione, aut poenarum acerbitate
calumniantium insolentiam fregerit : mansuetudo emicuit, quod
nuUam in delicti gratia delinquentibus facienda, moram fecerit.

Deinde animum ad Ecclesiam Cathedralem poene dirutam instau-
randam adjecit : ad quod opus magnam calcis, et alterius materiae
copiam congessit ; Episcopalis quoque palatu aream muro cinxit :
sumptu, quem in his rebus fecit, emolumentum omne quod ex Episco-
patu percepit superante ; ct quod aegrius ferendum est, impensa-

LIFE OF THE RT. REV. FRANCIS KIRWAN. 109
cations of his own subjects, and, besides, he persuaded himself that
the superiors of this person would not have given him dimissorial or
recommendatory letters, without being cognizant of the conduct and
acquirements of the applicant. When, however, after the ordination
he found that this person was not qualified with that purity of morals
which should adorn a priest, he was seized with such sorrow for
having conferred orders, that he gave expression to his pained
feelings, not only by word of mouth, but by humbling his body to
the dust in penance. In this instance, he greatly resembled St.
Ambrose, who refused to admit a candidate to the priesthood, though
strongly recommended, because his carriage seemed unbecoming ;
nay more, this same Saint strictly ordered another cleric never to
walk before him, on account of his indecorous gestures. A certain
Friar of a convent within the Diocese of Killala, preached a sermon^
at which the Bishop was asked to be present, and thither flocked a
great multitude of the people ; every body thought that the Friar
was about to deliver arguments which would appal the vicious, and
attract the virtuous, and that he would have descanted on the theme
furnished by the Scriptures, to instruct and inform the lives of his
auditors. But he, not departing from the old beaten path, launched
out into imprecations, and begun to pour out contumely on the
Bishop, who, during the discourse, exhibited no mark of astonishment;
but when the sermon was terminated, he sent for the preacher, and
his brotherhood, and so clearly convinced them, with indisputable
documents, of the magnitude of the injury, that they cast themselves
on their knees fo implore pardon. In this did. his great patience
show itself, that notwithstanding the weapons of calumny hurled at
him in the hearing and under the eyes of the people of his diocese,
he soothed aU irritation. His moderation, too, was not less remark
able, for it was not by scourging-speech or bitter penalties he curbed
insolence, but rather by gentle reproof ; if we needed evidence of his
mildness, we may easily find it in that prompt pardon which he im
mediately exhibited to the penitent offender.
Nor was he remiss in repairing the Cathedral Church, then almost
dilapidated. For this object he collected a vast quantity of the neces
sary materials ; and he caused the area of the Episcopal residence to
be enclosed by a waU. The expenditure on these works far exceeded
his revenue, and, what is worse, the enemy was destined to benefit in

110 VITA REVEREND. D. FRANCISCI KIROVANI.
rum ejus fructu postea hostis potitus est. Ut perspicuum sit ex iis
Episcopis eum non fuisse, qui hoc animo pascunt oves, ut suas velint
esse, non Christi ; se convincunt, amare non Christum, vel gloriandi,
vel dominandi vel acquirendi cupiditate, non obediendi, vel subveni-
endi, et Deo placendi charitate.
Hisce pietatis officiis AUadensi vacante hostilis exercitus Conna-
ciam obvia quaeque ferro flammaque vastans, percurrit ; ac tandam
8. JulU anno 1651. Galviae obsidionem ad nonum mensem obsesso-
rum opera protractam admovit : Interea Cathohcis copns, ob suam
paucitatem, et stipendia non soluta, progredi detrectantibus, omne
studium ad hostem ab obsidione pellendum AUadensis contuUt. Nam
crucem ante se a Presbytero gestari curans, ditionem suam indefesse
peragravit, omnes etiam atque etiam rogans, ut pro rege, aris, et
focis, conjugibus, et liberis decertare non dubitarent, et nummos
conferre, qui militibus numeraretur, et suppetias, quarum accessione
Cathohcus exercitus Galviam obsidione hberaret, et ipsos ultimo
exitio subduceret.

Diceres ahum fuisse S. Bernardum oratione homines inflamman-
tem, ut ad beUum sacrum turmatim confluerent, et Ulud largiori
opum subsidio prosequerentur : aut alterum S. Laurentium copias
ad suum DubUnium hosti eripiendum prece et praetio undique
contrahentem. Quorum trium virorum licet conatus irriti ceciderint,
ut diuturniori calamitatum tolerantia, hominum scelera expiarentur,
et merita cumularentur, non tamen impetus, quo in haec studia
ferebantur, divinitus afflatus fuisse non censendus est : Deus enim
hominum animos ad bellum quandoque accendit, quod non expetito
exitu subinde terminatur.
Ubi christianos in Palaestina, fusos fuisse per Europam innotuit ;
mox in S. Bernardum linguas vulgus exacuit, et omnem iUatae cladis
culpam in eum contuUt, qui concionibus effecit, ut infinita hominum
multitudo ei militiae nomina dederit : quam ignominiam cum S. Ber
nardus molestius ferret, quidam pater eum enixius obsecravit, ut filio
oculis capto videndi facultatem a Deo precibus impetraret. IUe
primum renixus, quod petebatur in sua potestate situm esse negavit,
sed assiduis astantium efflagitationibus impulsus, in genua tandem

LIFE OF THE RT. REV. FRANCIS KIRWAN. Ill
after times by all this outlay. Thus was it made manifest that he
belonged not to those Bishops " who feed the flock that it may be
their own, not Christ's, and clearly show that they love not our Lord,
but themselves, being influenced by lust of domineering and glo
rifying themselves, and utterly unmotived by charity in obeying,
and pleasing God."
While the Bishop of Killala was intent on these pious undertakings,
the hostile army marched into Connaught, laying the province waste
with fire and sword, and on the 8th of July, 1651, laid that siege to
Galway which continued to the ninth month. Meantime, the Bishop
laboured with all his energies to drive the besiegers from before the
city — and this at a moment when the Catholic troops, either owing
to their paucity or non-payment of their arrears, were unwilling to
march. He caused a priest to precede him, carrying a cross, and
in this fashion passed through his entire Diocese beseeching the
people not to hesitate to do battle for their King, altars, and country,
and contribute money for the supply of the soldiery ; for, he hoped,
by means of additional subsidies, the Catholics would raise the siege
of Galway, and save themselves from impending ruin.
Tou might justly style him another Bernard, inspiriting men, by his
eloquence, to rally in masses for the prosecution of the holy war,
and sustain it with augmented contributions ; or another St. Lorchan,
gathering forces by money and intreaty, to snatch his DubUn
from the enemy's hands. Yet, though the efforts of those three
men proved unavaihng, to the end, that by long endurance of
calamities, crimes might be expiated, and deserts increased ; never
theless, they are to be regarded as divinely inspired; for God
sometimes inflames men's minds for war, which does not invarirbly
bring about the result desiderated.
When it came to be known in Europe, that the Christians were
overwhelmed in Palestine, then did the rabble whet their tongues
against St. Bernard, and cast upon him the blame of all the
slaughter ; for he, by his preaching, caused an infinite multitude
of men to enrol themselves among the Crusaders. Whilst Bernard
was brooking all this ignominy, a certain parent earnestly entreated
him to obtain by his prayers from God, the restoration of sight for
his son, who had been stricken blind. At first, the saint positively

112 VITA REVEREND. D. FRANCISCI KIROVANI.
provolutus Deum oravit : si ab eo verbum iUius praedicationis exierat,
si praedicanti spiritus ejus afflaverat, in ilUus illuminatione ostendere
dignetur. Illico parvulus quae ante oculos erant perspicue vidit : hoc
miraculo convitiatores in admirationem versi, convitia missa faci-
entes in Bernardi laudes ora solverunt.

Galvia tandem 12. Aprilis 1651. deditione certis conditionibus
nequaquam adimpletis facta,, hostibus cessit, qui sibi deinde totam
Connaciam sine obice vindicarunt, per quam intra paucos menses
longe lateque dominati Episcopahs AUadensis aedes in nobilem Ca-
tholicum Walterum Scaevolam de Burgo suo castro detrusum mense
JuUo contulerunt, nobiUs viri damnum ea permutatione cumulate
resarcitum fuisse rati : Ille autem domi suae Episcopum latere facile
passus, immo, et laetatus est, qui mox in arcti cubicuU angustias se
ultro abdidit, quod duorum lectorum in quibus ipse sacellanusque de-
cumbebat, et arcae capax exiguam lucem per fenestram admisit, eta
muribus plurimum infestabatur, qui super dormientes cursitabant, et
lucernam subinde proripiebant.

Ex hoc cubiculo pedem totos octo menses bis tantum extuUt ; cum
Omnibus aedium angulis accurate ad arma investiganda excussis,
lodice involutus educeretur, et non agnitus pro sene languenteha-
beretur ; nee intenso hiemis frigore ad focum adactus, nee nobifis
hospitis, qui magno eum honore et studio, prosequebatur, assiduis
efflagitationibus adductus fuit, ut ejus mensae quotidie accumberet;
ne iUo, a, miUtibus dies noctesque domum frequentantibus deprehenso,
exitium hospiti pareretur. Area vero pro ara. usus, super eam quo
tidie uno e lectis amoto, ut spatium ad astandum altari laxius pateret,
sacrum fecit. Nimirum sicut Pontifices olim a christianae religionis
hostibus exagitati in cryptis; sic ille simiU Catholicorum vexatione
recrudescente, in aedium latebris sacris operatus est.

LIFE OF THE RT. REV. FRANCIS KIRWAN. 113
denied that he had any such power ; but, urged by the incessant
expostulations of the bye-standers, he flung himself upon his knees
and implored God, " that if the word of his preaching had come
from Him, or if- his Holy Spirit was with him, he would deign to
evidence it by restoring vision to the bhnd one ;" thereon, the boy
saw all objects before him clearly, and the calumniators, converted
into admirers by this miracle, renounced their objurgations, and
spoke aloud in St. Bernard's praise.
At length, on the 12th of AprU, 1652, Galway yielded to the
besiegers on certain conditions, which were far from being fulfilled ;
and a few months after, the whole province of Connaught passed
into the hands of the enemy, who, now being the dominant party,
bestowed the Episcopal residence of Killala on Walter Scoevola de
Burgo, a noble Catholic, ejected from his castle in the month of
July. By this transfer, the successful party fancied they made
ample reparation to the foresaid nobleman for the losses he had
sustained. This Sccevola de Burgo not only gave permission to
pur Bishop to conceal himself in his house but rejoiced ex
ceedingly at the opportunity. The prelate, therefore, hid himseU
within the limits of a cooped up sleeping room, which
contained two beds, for himself and chaplain. This apartment was
feebly hghted by a window, and was large enough to hold
a chest. The room was infested by mice, which kept continually
running over the heads of the sleepers, and frequently made away
with their candle.
Thrice, only, during eight entire months, did the Bishop go
outside this room. On one occasion he was carried out, wrapped
in a sheet, while the enemy were searching every corner of the
house for arms, but he was recognized only as a feeble and worn
down old man. During the intense cold of winter-time, he
could not be induced to go near the fire, nor could the repeated
urgencies of his noble host, who treated him with all honour and
attention, induce him to take a seat at his board, lest, falhng into the
hands of the soldiers, who by day and night ransacked the mansion,
he might be the cause of De Burgo's ruin. The chest, already
mentioned, was used for an altar, and each day one of the beds was
removed, to give more room to the person officiating, and on that
chest was the holy sacrifice celebrated. Thus, in the olden time,

114 VITA REVEREND. D. FRANCISCI KIROVANI.

Totum autem illud tempus continuis precationibus, vigiliis, et
jejuniis impendit, in tribulationibus patiens, orationibus instans. In
Adventu sibi carnium esu interdixit : tum cum non mediocri annonae
difficultate regio tota laboraret, carnium solummodo copia abundaret;
quare jusculum ex hordeo cocto confectum plerumque, et parabile
quodhbet esculentum in obsonium hbens adhibuit. Acerbiores hic
lerumnas volens, et subinde nolens, quam postea in carcere passus ;
hisce tamen cancellis arctari maluit, quam in laxiori extra Dioecesim
loco morari : quippe hic gregis sui commodis tempestive prospicere
potuit ; ei autem alibi constitute nisi lenta remedia suorum malis
adhibere per locorum intervalla non licuit.

Praefectus illis regionibus ab hoste appositus, nobUi cathohco
familiariter usus, ejus aedes mense Martio, uxore, ac pluribus or-
dinum ductoribus, aliisque in mUitari dignitate constitutis comitatus,
ad eum amice invisendum subiit ; quibus lautiore epulo exceptis, et
cum patrefamilias ad captandam auram egressis, praefectus et ejus
uxor domi substiterunt ; ilia mensae assidens cum matrefamUias diu
collocuta, in eum sermonem venit, ut sciscitaretur, ubi gentium AUa
densis Episcopus versaretur: cum haec jampridem alio concessisse
responderit. Praefectus in aulae area, deambulans eas obaudiens :
at inquit, locum hujus domus, ubi latet digito monstrare possum :
matrifamilias oratio ista non modicum terrorem incussit, sed moles
tiam placida, vultus compositione celans, sermonem aho flexit, et
maritum reversum tacite monuit se proditos et perditos esse. Nam
aUquis delator, inquit, praefectum certiorem fecit Episcopum in his
aedibus recondi.

Ille rei seriem mox Episcopo pandit ; et hospites magno illius
videndi desiderio flagrare indicavit ; ad haec ille, quia (inquit) divina
voluntas ita tulit; ut latibulum meum illos jam non lateat ; quod ilia

LIFE OF THE RT. REV. FRANCIS KIRWAN. 115
even Pontiffs, driven by persecution into the catacombs, were wont
to officiate, and in like manner did our Bishop conduct himself,
in the recesses of a mansion, at the time the persecution was
raging against the Cathohcs.
AU that time was spent by him in continual prayer, watchings,
and fastings; for, he was patient in tribulation, and instant in
prayer. During Advent, he deprived himseU of flesh-meat, and
that at a time when the whole district was labouring under a great
dearth of the annual produce, and abounded only in meat ; where
fore, he made use of a little porridge, made out of barley, and any
esculent easily procured afforded him an agreeable meal. Here
did he voluntarily bear more bitter sufferings than those which
awaited him, and which he had to endure subsequently, in prison.
Yet he preferred to live thus cooped up within walls, to being
more at large in another place outside his diocese; for here, he
could look after the exigencies of his flock, but located elsewhere,
he could only bring tardy remedies to their disorders, by reason of
the distance that should intervene.
The General, appointed by the enemy, to the command of these
districts, having contracted friendly intimacy with the noble family,
came, accompanied by his wUe, officers, and other persons of
military rank, to pay a visit, and were sumptuously entertained by
De Burgo. Now, it so happened, that when the head of the family
went out to take the air, the general and his wife remained behind.
The latter, while at table, conversed at great length with the
mistress of the mansion, and the discourse having turned on the
Bishop of Killala, she inquired where he was staying ; but, being
informed that he had long since gone off, the General, walking
about the room, hearing the conversation, observed, " I can point
out with my finger the spot in this house where he is hiding." The
mistress shocked by this observation, — concealed her pain of mind
under a placid countenance, — diverted the conversation, — and, on
her husband's return gave him to understand that they were
betrayed and ruined; "for," quoth she, "some informer must
have certified the General that the Bishop is in this house."
De Burgo soon made the prelate aware of the fact, and signified
that his guests were most anxious to see him ; whereon the Bishop
said " since the Divine will has so ordained that my hiding-place

116 VITA REVEREND. D. FRA^fclSCI KIROVANI.
statuit, libens amplectar : quoniam autem illi hue animi relaxandi
gratia concesserunt, eorum oblectationibus tanquam importunus
interpellator hac me nocte non obtrudam ; eras me iUis spectandum
praebebo : ista, nocte in precationibus acta, post sacrum postridie
factum, in conspectum hospitum, seu majus hostium ultro prodiit.

Omnibus prae stupore diu obmutescentibus, et obtutum in ilium
firme defigentibus, post officiosam salutationem illis ab Episcopo
factam, Uxor praefecti silentium prima rumpens; Domine, ait,
alios tui ordinis multa niolitos fuisse audivimus, tu tamen ab omnibus
bene semper audivisti: nescio (subdit praefectus) quantum scriptis
aut consiUis praestare potuit ; in me profecto reciperem centum ejus
modi hominum impetum frangere ; deinde in coUoquium de rehgione,
ut apud eos moris est, prolapsi sunt : quam Episcopus succincta
limataque oratione propugnavit ; post digressum, praefectus inter fa-
miliares summa, se veneratione Antistitem prosequi, ideoque hi ipsum
nun quam manus injecturum esse professus, praeterea poUicitus est,
si in militum globos sub aUis merentes, Ultra suae ditionis fines, inci-
deret ; se ala, Equitum emissa,, ilium ex eorum manibus erepturum,
ac suae custodiae asserturum, utpote in tractu cui ipse praeerat,
captum.

In eas partes saevior alia hostium legio, et longe majori Catholi-
corum odio imbuta brevi ventura fuit, quae rabie, quam in Sacer
dotes, et avaritia, in hospitio Ulos excipientium fortunas praeceps
ferebatur. Ne autem Episcopus certum sibi pereundi periculum
crearet, et causa esset, cur fortunis omnibus amici everterentur, se
suae Dioecesi necessario subduxit et parochis popuUsque magnam vim
lachrymarum, illo discedente, effundentibus, in viam se Galviam
versus dedit ; sperabat enim se Galviae tutius occultatum iri, cum
cives, per pacta cum hoste inita, priora privilegia, et domicUia retu-
lerint : sed inanem se spem fovisse postea deprehendit, cum factae
jam pactiones per summam perfidiam convellerentur. In eo itinere
ab una tantum domo exclusus, ab aliquibus hospitio timide exceptus
est, ne legum laqueis irretirentur, praecipientium ut sacerdotum

LIFE OF THE RT. REV. FRANCIS KIRWAN. 117
could not escape then* detection, I will not contravene the will of
God, but accept it ; but, since your guests have come hither for
relaxation. I will not act an intruder, and interfere' with their
S'easures this night ; tomorrow, however, I wiU show myself to
em. Having spent that night in prayer, after the celebration
of mass on the next day, he, of his own accord, presented himself
to the guests, or, I should rather say, his enemies.
All being struck dumb with wonderment, and fixing their eyes
on him as soon as the Bishop had graciously saluted them, the
wife of the General, interrupting the silence, said, " my lord, we have
heard that many of your order have done much agamst us, but of
you, we have always heard good things spoken by every per
son." " I know not," subjoined the General, " what he might be
able to achieve by his writings or his counsels, but I would under
take to repel the attack of a hundred such men as this." Then,
as was their custom, they began to discourse about religion, which
the Bishop sustained by a collected and elegant speech. When
aU was over, the General told his friends, that he regarded the
Bishop with the greatest veneration ; and then declared that he
would never lay hands on him, and promised, moreover, that if he
feU into the hands of any of the companies commanded by other
officers, provided it occurred within the limits of his jurisdiction,
he would despatch a body of horse to rescue him, and claim him
as his own, being made prisoner within his district.
A body of the enemy's soldiers, more ferocious and hating the
Cathohcs with bitterer hatred than any of their predecessors, were,
in a short time, about to be marched into this district ; their rabid
detestation of the priests, and insatiable avarice, as far as their
entertainers were concerned, threatened the fortunes of both. But,
the Bishop, dreading to augment his danger of perishing, and
revolting at the idea of being instrumental in periling all the
prospects of his friend, retired of necessity from his diocese ; and,
surrounded by the parish-priests and people, who wept copiously
at his departure, bent his steps towards Galway. Here he imagined
that^he might the more easily conceal himseU, since the citizens had
secured their rights and homesteads by treaty with the enemy.
But he soon found out that he had been indulging a delusion ; for
the aforesaid treaty was perfidiously violated. On that journey

118 VITA REVEREND. D. FRANCISCI KIROVANI.
hospites bonorum omnium jacturam paterentur : plures laetitia elati
sunt, quod eorum tecta subierit.

Nunquam enim in Hibernia post Haeresim exortam, defuerunt
imitatores Abdiae, viduae Saraptanae, Onesipharis, et S. Albani, qui
viros Ecclesiasticos libentes occultabant et fovebant, gravissimis
quibusque poenis affici malentes, quam a consuetudine primis catho
licis famiUari, latum unguem discedere : Sub Christianae religionis
exordia, praestantissimi quique sacerdotes ad supplicia quaere-
bantur, et rapiebantur. Sed S. Lucina S. Marcellum Papam, S.
Prudentiana S. Pium Papam : Olympias clarissimos Episcopos, et
Praxedes cujusvis generis Christianos domi suae aluit, et abdidit.
Hujusmodi exemplis plurimi nostrates excitati nullis poenarum ter-
riculamentis, ab hospitio Dei famulis, et animae suae pastoribus
benigne exhibendo abduci avellive possunt. Gnari eorum opera
aeterna se tabernacula consecuturos, quae ab humana, potestate nee
dari nee auferri possint.

Episcopus non multam deinde viam emensus, famulos omnes, qui
ilh erant a, pedibus, fletum et ejulatum ubertim emittentes, salario
numerate ad mechanichas artes ediscendas dimisit : ipse autem,
solo sacellano comitante, in via progressus, ad quendam nobUem tum
digressus est. Cum a rebeUibus ParlamentarUs in Hibernia tunc
dominantibus equi ad sessorem ferendum utcunque habUes per totam
Hiberniam 24. Februarii cathohcis omnibus abriperentur, in hac
equorum direptione Sacellanus equm amisit; ejus tamen deinde
solertia, secundum divinam providentiam, Episcopi equm rapinae,
et ipsum discrimini subduxit, sed mox ad longe gravius transiturum.

Dum enim apud amantissimum sui hospitem ahquandiu diversatus
in procinctu ad discedendum esset, equites aUquot e finitimo prae-
sidio ex equis improvise pro foribus exilierunt, sed ingredi, patrefami-
Uas absente, noluerunt, coenam in propinquis aedibus sibi apponi
matremfamilias rogarunt ; eorum tamen aUquibus in domo noctu

LIFE OF THE RT. REV. FRANCIS KIRWAN. 119
he was rejected by a single family ; by some he was received with
great dread, lest they might be implicated in the violation of the
law, forbidding all persons to receive priests into their houses on
peril of forfeiting their property ; yet there were many who rejoiced
that he sought shelter under their roofs.
For never yet in Ireland, since the spread of heresy, were there
wanting imitators of Abdias — the widow of Sareptha, — Onesipharis,
and St. Alban, who gladly sheltered ecclesiastics and sustained
them; thus, preferring to subject themselves to the weightiest
penalties, rather than depart from the old custom sacred amongst
Catholics. In the early times of Christianity, the best of the
priesthood were hacked and nailed to gibbets ; but St. Lucina
concealed in her house St. Marcellus, Pope ; St. Prudentiana, thus
treated St. Pius, Pope. In like manner did Olympias act to
illustrious Bishops, — and Praxedes made her house a refuge for
Christians of every grade. Motived by such examples, many of
our people could not be driven by any threat of terror or torment,
from exhibiting hospitahty to the servants of God, and their soul's
pastors ; weU did they know, that by such works, they would win
a sanctuary which it could not be in the power of man to take
or give away.
The Bishop had not gone far on his journey, when he dismissed
aU his servants who followed him on foot, and whUe they wept and
mourned aloud, he counted to each his salary and sent them to
learn some handicraft ; but he, accompanied solely by his chaplain,
proceeded on his way, and then sought the residence of a certain
nobleman, a friend of his. On the 24th of February, whilst the
Parhamentarian rebels were carrying out their tyrannical measures,
every horse fit for the saddle was taken from the Catholics, and
in this wholesale plunder the chaplain lost his; yet his activity,
under Divine Providence, saved the Bishop's horse, and himself from
danger ; but a more serious one, into which he was destined soon
to pass, awaited him.
For after he had dwelt for some time with his most generous hosf,
and was on the point of taking his departure, a body of cavalry, from
a neighbouring garrison unexpectedly made their appearance, and,
jumping from their saddles, alighted at the hall door, refusing how
ever to enter the house in the absence of the father of the family ;

120 VITA REVEREND. D. FRANCISCI KIROVANI.
decumbentibus, noctem totam Episcopus insomnem in oratione et
anxietate traduxit, de sua, salute minime laborans, sed ne ansa ex
hospitio sibi praebito hospitis optimi fortunis omnibus spoliandi ar-
riperetur plurimum pertimescens, non dubitavit enim quin ab ipsis
visus fuerit ; cum in domus vestibulo positus, pedem iis conspectis
referret: et post intempestam noctem, unus ex iis auditus est
suadere, ut Episcopi fortunis se locupletent, alius dissuadere, quia
praefectus ipsorum damnum patrisfamUias, qui cum iUi arcta ami-
citia intercessit, inferri molestissime ferret; salus Episcopo, et
indemnitas hospiti benignissimo parta, Episcopi precibus ascripta
est.

CAPUT OCTAVUM.

QUOMODO GALVIJE DELITUIT, AC TANDEM CAPTUS AC IN CARCEREB4
TRUSUS EST.
Deinde Galviam parvis itineribus tendit, et eam tandem sub vespe
ram alienam personam ementitus ingreditur, ubi diu tutus ac tectus
apud amicos latuit : fama, vero Ulum in urbe versari demutn vulgata,
praesidiarii mihtes in eo indagando, multam operam impenderunt,
et luserunt : certiores enim ab exploratoribus facti, ad quas domos
ille plerumque divertit, iUarum abditissimos quosque recessus sedulo
rimati, sed ut plurimum postridie quam inde se recepit, in Ulum non
inciderunt ; tam acris tamen ad eum comprehendendum insectatio in
causa, fuit, cur in supremis domorum contignationibus, sub tegulis,

LIFE OF THE RT. REV. FRANCIS KIRWAN. 121
they then requested the mistress to have supper prepared for them
in the adjoining houses. Some of those troopers slept, however, in
the house that night, and the Bishop employed it in sleepless vigil,
giving his soul to prayer, though racked with afflicting anxiety. His
apprehensions did not concern his personal safety, but he only
dreaded, that the hospitahty he hadreceived, might prove prejudicial
to the interests of his most exceUent host, and furnish the soldiers
with a pretext for spoliation ; he never doubted for a moment that
the latter had seen him, for he was on the threshold of the door
when the soldiers made their appearance, and it was then he turned
back. After this sleepless night had passed, one of the soldiers was
heard to exhort his feUows to get possession of the Bishop's property ;
whereas, another laboured to dissuade them, aUeging, that their com
mander would take it exceedingly ill if any injury should thus be
done the Bishop's host, who was on most intimate terms of friendship
with the aforesaid officer. Every one subsequently attributed the
" Bishop's preservation, and the indemnity of his most kind host, to
the prayers of our prelate.

CHAPTER VIII.

HOW HE LAY CONCEALED IN GALWAY, AND, BEING MADE PRISONER,
WAS CAST INTO JAIL.
He then proceeded, by short marches, to Galway, and finally entered
the city about eventide, in disguise. Here he remained safe for a
long time, protected by his friends ; but a rumour was soon spread
that he was concealed in the city, whereon, the soldiers of the gar
rison expended and squandered much time searching for him. They
had been certified by informers of the houses which the Bishop was
wont to frequent, and then searched their inmost recesses ; but as
the search was instituted, generally speaking, about three days after
the Bishop had retired thence, they did not arrest him. So keen, how-

122 VITA REVEREND. D. FRANCISCI KIROVANI.
media, hieme, sine igne jaceret, et extra tectum se aliquando prori-
peret, et investigatoribus appropinquantibus finitimam domum per
tecti fenestellam irreperit. Ita enim inter se connexae sunt plerae-
que domus Galviae, ut in culmine tutus incedere, et in varias domos
se inferre quis posset : parietum enim interior pars tectum fulcit, in
exteriori, pinnae murorum surgunt, mtra quas tanquam hi podia
agitur.

Difficiliorem ingressum in ahquorum domos Episcopo fecit, non
solum timor ne illo deprehenso, fortunae omnes puncto temporis
diriperentur, sed etiam praeter tria Dei flagella, famis, pestis et
belli, quae cives plurimum infestabant, quartern Dei flageUum aliqui
fuisse dictitabant hebdomadariam stipendu mUitaris exactionem, quae
tanta, cum atrocitate fiebat, ut nisi singulis sabbathi diebus, tuba
canente, ac tympano personante, indictum stipendium ad amussim
persolveretur, in domos illico milites irruerent, et sclopulo, viorum,
ac muUerum pectoribus admoto, mortem extemplo subeundam esse
minarentur, si petita summa citra moram non exhiberetur ; quod si,
bonis, continua, pensionum solutione exhaustis, solvendo non essent
culcitrae, spondae, lodices, mappae, disci, et obvia quaque suppeUex,
immo ipsae muherum vestes in forum e vestigio rapiebantur, et viii
pretio distrahebantur, ita ut sabbathi dies aUquam supremi judicii
simiUtudinem retulisse videretur, quod tubae clangor utrobique pa-
rem fere terrorem audientibus incusserit.

Sed ut eo unde deflexi, redeam ; quoniam Episcopus in elabendo
foeUcior, quam iUae harpyae in eo assequendo fuerunt, ejus bonis
summopere inhiarunt, quare ad aedes Marci Kirovani, in quibus
commorari consuevit, advolarunt, et parvulos tantum famulosque in
Us nacti, aedium Domino ejusque filio carcere tum inclusis, et matre-
familias, in iis educendis implicata, tota, domo studiosissime percursa
ad obscuriorem recessum progressi, radios aliquos inde micantes,
viderunt quorum indicio ligneum, tabernaculum bacilUs deauratis
ornatum, et Ugnea candelabra deaurata, quae in ahqua, Ecclesia
Episcopus collocaturus erat, ilUnc extraxerunt, quae nulla, prece aut

LIFE OF THE RT. REV. FRANCIS KIRWAN. 123
ever, was.their pursuit of him, that he was obliged to take refuge in
the topmost stories of the houses, aneath the tiles, and, this too, at
mid-winter, without a spark of fire. Sometimes he was forced to go
out on the roof, and, whilst his pursuers were gaining on him,
to descend into a neighbouring house by the dormant-window.
For, as most of the houses in Galway are connected, a person can
safely walk on the roofs, and thus pass from one house to another ;
and, as the interior walls support the roof, parapets rise on the
outside, under cover of which, it is easy to find shelter.
Nor was it only dread of forfeiting all their substance, should the
Bishop be arrested under any man's roof-tree, that made it more diffi
cult for him to find a refuge in the houses of certain parties; for, along
with the three scourges of God — famine, plague, and war, there was
another, which some caUed the fourth scourge, to wit, the weekly ex
action of the soldiers' pay, which was extorted with incredible
atrocity, each Saturday, — bugles sounding, and drums beating.
On these occasions the soldiers entered the various houses, and,
pointing their muskets to the breasts of men and women, threat
ened them with instant death if the sum demanded was not imme
diately given. Should it have so happened, that the continual
payment of these pensions had exhausted the means of the people,
bed, bedding, sheets, table-cloths, dishes and every description of
furniture, nay, the very garments of the women, torn off their per
sons, were carried to the market-place and sold for a small sum ; so
much so, that each recuring Saturday bore a resemblance to the day
of judgment, and the clangor of the trumpet smote the people
with terror, almost equal to that of doom's-day.
But let me return to my subject. Since the Bishop was more
fortunate hi effecting his escape, than were those harpies in their
pursuit, they began to lust after his property ; whereon they pro
ceeded to the residence of Mark Kirwan, in which the Bishop was
wont to stop. In the house they found only young children and
servants, together with the mother, who superintended their edu
cation ;' for the father and his son were then in prison. Having
ransacked the whole house, the soldiers entered an inner room where
they saw some glittering rays of light, and in this recess they dis
covered a wooden tabernacle, ornamented with gilded mouldings,
and wooden candlesticks, likewise gilt, which the Bishop meant to be

124 VITA REVEREND. D. FRANCISCI KIROVANI.
pretio adducti ut redderent postea discerpserunt, multasque reliquias'
in tabernaculo repositas distraxerunt.

Adeo autem fervide isti mihtes Episcopi vestigus institerunt, ut in
domum, ad quam Episcopus sui celandi causa, concessit, isti noctu,
perfraetis foribus, irruperint, rati accolas (quibus gravissima poena
inflicta fuit, si vel semel in urbe pernoctarent) inibi diversari ; quod si
in aedium adyta penetrassent, expetitam praedam extra dubium
offendissent, sed moniti, dum adhuc in aula, haererent, accolas in
vicinia, agere, eo accelerarunt et miseros accolas in custodiam rapue-
runt, Episcopo imminens periculum effugiente. Unde locus datus est
ei dicendi Cum Davide ; in die malorum protexit me in abscondito
tabernaeuli sui. Sacellano etiam, qui muUeri in aUa domo peste
(quae turn Galviae mense Januario fervebat) laboranti, ac peccata
confitenti aurem praebuit, contagionem non contrahente, et ad paucos
passus extra domum progresso, mortuae.

Demum Episcopus varus insidiantium technis fauste declinatis,
cujusdam- amici non admodum copiosi domo laetanter excipitur:
hospes enim parvum de jactura, bonorum, quae magna esse non potuit,
plurimum de Episcopi salute laborabat. Hic media, hyeme in supe-
riori tabulate, cui tectum impendet, sine igne tam diu egit, quamdiu
valetudo ejus tuUt, noctu tantum ad inferius conclave dormitum
descendit : ex hac sedentaria fatigatione insalubri loco, et anteaetis
aerumnis gravissimus iUum morbus corripuit, ac proinde lecto affigi co
actus, ab insolentia miUtum domos omnes creberrime percursantium,
diu tutus esse non potuit. Quare ne tumultuariis mUitum aggressi-
onibus obnoxius esset, ab amicis persuasus est gubernatori se dedere,
qui eum animum agere prae morbi vehementia perspiciens, locupletio-
ribus civibus fide jussoria cautione se obstringentibus fore ut, coram
gubernatore se, si superstes esset, sisteret, mihtes UU molestiam
ampUus vetuit facessere. Quae ad ilium hic constitutum ab amicis
subsidia venerunt, verecundis pauperibus, quibus tum urbs abun-
dabat, poene omnia largitus est, et pristmam sanitatem praeter ex-
pectationem consecutus ad pristmam dissidentium conciliandorum

LIFE OF THE RT. UEV. FRANCIS KIRWAN. 125
placed in some church ; all these sacred objects did the soldiers drag
out of the house, nor could they be induced by supplication, or money,
to restore them; they subsequently tore them aU to pieces and
scattered many relics deposited in the tabernacle.
Sp ardently did these soldiers persevere in tracking the Bishop,
that on a certain night, they burst open the doors of a house in
which he was actually concealed ; they thought they would have
found some of the peasantry here, (the latter were forbidden under
most grievous penalty, to bide for even one night in the city,) but
had they entered the inner apartments of the house, they must,
beyond doubt, have come upon then' prey. While staying in the hall,
they were told that the peasantry were elsewhere in the neighbour
hood, so they sped thither, and, arresting the poor people, carried
them to prison ; and thus did the Bishop escape this imminent
danger. WeU might he echo the saying of the Psalmist : " In the
day of evils he protected me in the depths of his tabernacle." This
same circumstance effected the escape of the chaplain, who had
gone a few doors off to hear the confession of a woman smitten with
the plague, which raged in Galway in the month of January. The
chaplain was not infected by the contagion, but the woman died.
At length, after the Bishop had eluded the various snares set for
him, he was joyously received by a certain friend who was not very
rich. Little did this man care for the loss of his property which was
inconsiderable, but greatly was he concerned for the safety of his
Prelate. Here, in mid-winter, on the floor, right under the roof,
without a fire, was he obhged to lurk as long as his health permitted
him, nor did he descend to the lower chamber tUl night-time when
he required sleep. Owing to this irksome, sedentary habit, and
unhealthy position, together with aU his former sufferings, he was
seized with a most grievous malady, and compeUed to betake him to
his bed, nor could he much longer escape the soldiers, who Ucentiously
visited every house ; wherefore, to protect him from their ruffian
assaults, he was advised by some friends to surrender himself
to the Governor, who, seeing that the virulence of his disease
was kilUnghim, forbade the soldiers to give him any trouble, as
soon as some of the richer citizens had entered into security
for his appearance in the Governor's court, provided he sur
vived. Whilst he was thus circumstanced, he bestowed upon

126 VITA REVEREND. D. FRANCISCI KIROVANI.
conseuetudinem rediit. Maximus enim hominum litium finem expe-
tentium concursus ad eum tunc factus est.

Junio proxime secuto Joannes de Burgo Tuamensis Archiepisco
pus undecimo die superioris Martii captus : Episcopus AUadensis, et
aln plures Ecclesiastici per amicorum domos plerumque sparsi, qui
illos, ubi primum a praefecto accierentur, praesto futuros esse satis
dederunt, Galviae in custodiam non traduntur, sed truduntur:
omnes enim non secus ac si ad triremes damnati essent, instructis
ordinibus mUitum corona septi, tuba canente, tympano perstrepente,
Alladensi praeeunte (nam Archiepiscopus nondum rure abductusfuit)
in carcerem deducebantur; magna vero accessione saeerdotum
sagaci apparitorum indagine indies comprehensorum ad superiorem
numerum faeta, laxioribus aedibus suo sumptu conductis claudeban-
tur. AUadensis omne tempus, quo carcere coercebatur, non otio
transegit, sed ad beneficentiam varus hominum generibus exhiben-
dam contuUt, ac, primum aes alienum non mediocre contraxit, ut
captivorum inopia laborantium necessitati tempestive subveniret,
deinde simultates inter eos subinde gliscentes gratiose compescuit,
tum invisentium confessiones non invitus excepit.

Denique in pusionibus sacro Confirmationis oleo obhnendis, ad
fenestram in aversa domus parte positam, frequens fuit : ad aram
creberrime operates est, et ad virtutem omnibus facem praetuUt,
immo Institutionem SacerdotaUum CardinaUs Toleti exemplaria
sacer dotibus contuUt, ut non otio tempus, sed ejus Ubri lectione
tererent, et crebris disceptationibus de re lecta habitis, Ubri doctri-
nam in animos altius demitterent.

LIFE OF THE RT. RVE. FRANCIS KIRWAN. 127
the poor, with whom the city abounded at that period, nearly all the
supphes furnished by his friends. Having recovered his wonted
health, contrary to every one's expectation, he returned to his old
custom of conciliating dissidents ; for at that time a great concourse
of men, engaged in litigation, sought him to put an end to their
animosities. In the June following, John De Burgo, Archbishop of Tuam, who
was arrested on the 11th day of the preceding March, together with
the Bishop of KiUala, and many other ecclesiastics, dispersed through
various houses, being summoned by the Governor, immediately sur
rendered themselves, and were not committed, but driven into custody
at Galway; all of them, indeed, were treated as though they were
galley-slaves, marched in bodies surrounded by soldiers, drums
beating, and bugles sounding. The foremost of all was the Bishop
of KiUala, (for the Archbishop had not yet been brought in from
the country,) and all of them were thus led to jail. A great acces
sion of priests was added to the number of those already in custody ;
and, owing to a wise regulation in favor of the caterers, they were
locked up in houses lured for the occasion at the cost of the prisoners.
All the tune that the Bishop of , KiUala was in jail passed not idly,
but was expended in doing good to men of every class. In the first
place, he got into debt, in order to reUeve the necessities of prisoners
who languished in want ; secondly, he assuaged old animosities,
which mamfested themselves amongst the prisoners ; and willingly
did he hear the confessions of parties visiting the jail.
Nay, more ; he frequently administered the sacrament of Confirma
tion to the children wUo presented tUemselves at a window in the rere
of theprison. At thealtar he frequently celebrated the holy mysteries,
and proved himself a living Ught of virtue. To the priesthood, he
bestowed copies of Cardinal Toleto's work, that they might not spend
tune in idleness, but consume it in study ; and, by holding frequent
disputations on the subject-matter of the book, sow the seeds of its
doctrine more deeply in their souls.

128 VITA REVEREND. D. FRANCISCI KIROVANI.

CAPUT NONUM.
QUARE IN EXILIUM PULSUS ET QUALI EXILIO IN GALLIA FUNCTUS
EST.
Post quatuordecem menses in carcere Uoc pacto actos, eorum pleri
que terribili hastatorum Sclopetariorumque satelUtio cincti ad navem
ex improviso rapiuntur, nee de exUii decreto praemoniti fuerunt, ne
viatico ab amicis praestito praemuniti forent : nee Archiepiscopo
saluti fuit quod prae gravissimo tibiarum morbo vestigia figere, vix
potuerit ; aut Episcopo quod aetate squaloreque fractus fuerit :
nempe quoniam a custodibus deprehensum est, non mediocre com-
modum ab iis vel in carcere constitutis, ad Cathohcos in re rehgionis
emanasse, praefeeti eos in exihum ejicere statuerunt, ne latius fides
catholica serperet. Quatriduo postquam navis Galviae portu solvit,
Nannetes mense Augusto anni 1655. appulsa iter peregit, quod
tantillo tempore vix ulla unquam navis emensa est ; nimirum Deus
longam carceris molestiam, placida secundae navigationis brevitate
lenire voluit, ac tristibus alternatim laeta succedere : AUadensis
Nannetibus aUquandiu subsistens, rei famiUaris difficultate sic labo-
ravit, ut libros, supellectilem et reculas aUquot, ad vitam tolerandam
vendiderit, qua tandem inopia Ulum quingentorum nummorum au-
reorum donum a generaU trium Armoricae ordinum conventu ei
imperisum abunde liberavit : tantundem plures e nostris Episcopis
in exiUum fidei causa, per 15. annos aut circiter ab eodem conventu,
ad se frugaUter alendos retulerunt : hujus vero summae trientem
AUadensis e vestigio pauperibus erogavit ; duobus aUis trientibus in
necessarios usus impendit. Tum etiam talarem tunicam et chlamy-
dem violacei coloris nigredine tinxit, clericalem potius quam Epis-
copalem habitum, ideo gestans, ut in exiho positus clericalem mo-
destiam amplecteretur, et Episcopalem honorem non appeteret.

LIFE OF THE RT. REV. FRANCIS KIRWAN. 129

CHAPTER IX.
WHY HE WAS BANISHED, AND HOW HE SPENT THE TIME OF HIS
EXILE IN FRANCE.
After fourteen months passed in prison, as we have described, nearly
all of them were suddenly carried off to a ship, and on their way were
surrounded by a terrible escort of spear-men and musketeers ; nor
had they any previous notice of the decree of banishment, lest their
friends might succour them with any viaticum. This decree was
far from being beneficial to the Archbishop, who suffered from
a serious malady in the legs, so much so, that he could not plant his
feet on the ground ; nor was it beneficial to the Bishop, who was
thoroughly broken down by age and sufferings. But in fact, as
soon as it was discovered that the prisoners were conferring spiritual
benefits on the Catholics, the high authorities determined to banish
them, lest the CathoUc reUgion might be further propagated. Four
days after the ship sailed from Galway, they dropped anchor in
the port of Nantes, in the August of 1655. Rarely did any other
vessel make the voyage in so short a time, for, God wished to
assuage the long sufferings they had sustained in prison, by the
brevity of this second passage, and, to cause joy to alternate
with sorrows. The Bishop of Killala, having stayed some time
at Nantes, was so straitened in circumstances, that he felt
himseU obliged to sell his books, furniture, and some things of
minor value, to procure subsistence. From this state of destitution
he was at length relieved, by a general meeting of the orders of
Brittainy, who bestowed on him the sum of fifty golden pieces;
this same assemby had already supported many of our Bishops,
who had passed fifteen years in exile for the faith. Of the sum
received by the Bishop of Killala, he gave a third part to the poor,
and expended the remaining two-thirds on various necessaries.
He then caused his purple soutane and cloak to be dyed black,
preferring a clerk's habit to the Episcopal garb ; he wished,
K

130 VITA REVEREND. D. FRANCISCI KIROVANI.

Nobiles quidam Hiberni, quibus avitorum agrorum possessione et
patria deturbatis, res poene ad incitas rediit, Armorica Comitia
demisse orarunt, ut eorum indigentiae sublevandaesubsidium aliquod
elargirentur. Cum autem omnium a comitiis implorantium vota
expleri non potuerint, et in dubio esset, qui subsidium ab Us, quique
repulsum relateri erant, AUadensis consultus, si par esset, ut illi
nobiles postulatis fruerentur, respondit post initum ab EUzabetha
regnum, et religionem catholicam legibus per vim latis abrogatam,
toto poene centum annorum decursu nullos proventus Ecclesiasticos
clero aut religiosis suppetisse : nobiUtatem interea prae caeteris,
omnium ordinum Ecclesiasticis, ea quibus- opus habebant, abunde
suppeditasse, ac proinde aequum esse, ut iUorum fortunis omnibus
jam exutorum, major quam cujusvis ordinis Ecclesiastici ratio ha-
beatur. Nobilibus hujus commendationis beneficio petita consecutis, sacer
dotes exules Episcopo- magnopere succensuerunt, culpam in eum
conferentes, quod expetita et expectata Comitiorum Uberalitate, ipsi
exciderint, quapropter in asperiora obloquia proruperunt, eo ten-
dentia, ut ille de sacerdotaU gradu pessime merituS audiret, licet
culpa vacasse ideo judieandus fuerit, quod medioerem sumptum ad
vitam honeste tolerandam sacerdotes e Missis perceperint, nullum ad
nobiles emolumentum, nisi a, catholicorum benevolentia, pervenerit :
nimirum, ut ait S. Hieronymus, fieri non potest, ut absque morsu
hominum vitae hujus curricula quis pertranseat. IUe tamen in hoc
facto S. Laurentii DubUniensi Archiepiscopi se imitatorem praebuit,
qui DubUnio capto, direpto, et succenso, majori affectu movebatur
in ipsos cives cladi superstites, quos prius viderat foehcitate uberiori
florere, et subito in summam miseriam conjectos esse, summum enim
infoelicitatis genus est, fuisse foelieem.

AUadensem post biennium Nannetibus actum, Rhedones migran-
tem, nobiUs vidua Domina de Bellestre Brandin (sicut vidua Eliam
in Sareptam Sidoniae) duos annos primum, deinde Dominus de Bic-
queneul, et eo mortuo, generi ejus, et filiae, ad extremum vitae diem,

LIFE OF THE RT. REV. FRANCIS KIRWAN. 131
moreover, to consult clerical modesty, nor did he' ambition Hier
archical honour.
Some Irish noblemen, who by loss of patrimonial inheritances,
and the result of the wars, were almost reduced to beggary,
suppliantly prayed the committee of Brittany, to afford some
succour to their miserable state ; but as the committee could not
satisfy the prayers of each and every one, and questions arose as
to those who should receive, or be denied reUef, the Bishop of
Killala was consulted on the fitness of complying with the petitions
of the noblemen. He thereon replied, that for fully one hundred
years after Elizabeth had ascended the throne, and the Catholic
reUgion had been assaulted by iniquitous laws, the secular and
regular clergy were deprived of all ecclesiastical revenues. This
being the case, the nobihty, meantime, afforded means of subsistence
to the clergy of all orders ; wherefore, it was most equitable that
the claims of the nobihty, now so reduced, should have precedence
even of any ecclesiastical body.
The nobles, having thus got what they sought, some of the
exiled priests fumed against the Bishop, laying it at his door, that
they had been excepted from the indulgence of the committee ; and
furthermore, giving expression to harsh sentiments, charged him
with having deserved ill of the clerical body. One would have thought
that he should not be blamed, seeing how the priests could have eked
out a moderate means of support, by saying of masses ; whereas, the
nobles had no resource, save what was derived from the benevolence
xof CathoUcs. Even this is another proof of what St. Jerome says ;
" No man can go through this IUe, without the bite of men." Our
Bishop, however, in this transaction, showed himseU to be an
imitator of St. Lorchan, Archbishop, who, when DubUn was taken,
sacked and burnt, felt most for the survivors of the slaughter, whom
he had known to be in flourishing circumstances previously, and
were afterwards precipitated into the greatest misery ; so true is it,
that there can be no greater unhappiness than the recollection of
by-gone feUcity.
After two years, spent at Nantes and when Ue was about to proceed
to Rennes, a noble widow, Madame De Bellestre Brandin, received
our Bishop (even as she of Sarepta received Elias at Sidon), and shel
tered him two years in her house. Subsequently, M. De Bicqueneul

132 VITA REVEREND. D. FRANCISCI KIROVANI.
hospitio lautissimo, patre in testamento sic jubente, exceperunt, tan-
toque studio prosecuti sunt, ut aegerrime tulerint eum alibi ahquan
diu diversari. Ille quadam vice Cadomum a D. Bernier, etejus
sorore Ursulanarum Cadomensium fundatrice D. AUadensis valde
studiosis accitus, et moram diuturniorem apud eos trahens, creber-
rimis illorum Uteris reditum maturare enixe flagitatus est: cum
autem ad propere redeundum Uteris non attraheretur, et eorum
expectatione diutius absentiam protraheret ; qui erant melioris in
familia notae, Cadomum ad eum reducendum profecti sunt, quibus
persuadentibus RUedones reverso, D. de la Pottiere gener, et
Domina de la Poterie filia Domini de Bicqueneul, omnia quae illi ad
vitam honorifice traducendam necessaria erant, abunde suppedita-
runt.

Apud quos cum summo otio frueretur, ad consueta pietatis studia
rediens, initium a, peregrinatione duxit : exigua enim mora Rhe-
donibus contracta, hyeme jam adulta, votum adimplevit, quod pri-
dem nuncupavit se S. Annae templum aditurum, quod in confinio
superioris et inferioris Britanniae Armoricae intra Venetensis
Dioecesis fines summa rehgione colitur, et assiduo hominum concursu
frequentatur. Hic in recessu seorsim positus precibus et contem
plation! octiduo vacavit: Deinde Natales Christi dies apud
Capuccinos Aurocsenses egit ; tum ad Carthusianos media tantum
leuca, inde dissitos transiit, upud quos novem dies moratus, carnibus
a, D. Prioro saepius delatis, ultra septuagesimum aetatis annum
progressus vesci noluit.
Quidam e religiosis septuagesimum aetatis annum agens,
gravissimo morbo laboravit, qui accipiens Episcopum in coenobio
diversari, ab eo se invisi plurimum expetiit : Episcopus aegri votis
obsecundans, post pia coUoquia ultro citroque aUquandiu habita,
sub discessum signum cruris manu efformans, aegro benedictionem
impertiit postridie autem aeger sacellanum accersit ; et post vitae
suae ordinem, antequam se Carthusianis ascripsit, ei relatum ; ideo
(mquit) in sermonem tecum venire optavi, ut exploratum haberes,

LIFE OF THE RT. REV. FRANCIS KIRWAN. 133
took him home, and when the latter died, his sons-in-law and
daughters, in comphance with their father's testament, bestowed on
him the most lavish hospitality, which they were directed to
continue to the latest moment of his life. So zealously did they
discharge this duty, that they could not bear to let him
lodge anywhere apart from them. On a certain occasion, he was
invited to Caen, by M. De Bernier, and his sister, the foundress of
the Ursuline Nuns, both being his particular friends ; now, as he
tarried longer than he expected, numerous letters were despatched
praying his hasty return ; but, as the letters failed to bring him
back, and he still delayed, all the best members of the family
went to Caen to urge his departure thence. At their instances
he returned to Rennes, and M. De la Potiere, the son-in-law,
and Madame De la Potiere, daughter of M. De Bicqueneul,
abundantly supplied him with every thing necessary for his honour
able sustenance.
Whilst staying with them, and in the enjoyment of the greatest
comfort, he devoted himself to his usual habits of piety, and
commenced all by making pilgrimages ; for, having remained a
short while at Rennes, when the winter was advanced, he discharged
a vow, which he made of visiting the Church of St. Anne, situated
on the confine of Upper and Lower Brittany, within the diocese of
Vannes. This Church is held in the highest veneration, and is
frequented by a perpetual concourse of devout people. Here did
he spend eight days in retreat, ' abandoning himself to prayer and
holy meditation. The festival of Christmas, he passed at the
convent of the Auray Capuchins, and thence proceeded to the
Carthusians, half a league distant; with the latter he spent nine
days ; and, now, when over seventy years of age, he refused to make
use of flesh-meat, suppUed him by the Prior.
One of the religious, a septuagenarian, was then lying ill of
a grievous malady, and Uearing that the Bishop was staying in the
convent, anxiously desired to be visited by him. The Bishop, in
compliance with the sick man's wishes, called on him, and, after
some pious conversations, was about taking leave, when he signed
him with the sign of the cross, and bestowed on him his benediction.
Next day he called to him the chaplain, and, after recounting to
him the history of his life, before he joined the Carthusians, thus

134 VITA REVEREND. D. FRANCISCI KIROVANI.
me affirmante, Episcopi tui meritis, me morbo non modo levatum
sed et liberatum, et e' lethi faucibus ereptum fuisse, quam rem dum
ille in vivis est tacitam apud te retine : si vero illi superstes fueris,
evulgare non dubita.
Ista, et pleraque alia in hoc opusculo memorata a. R. P. Thomas
Kellii, seu more patrio, Gillcheallii Canonico Regulari ordinis S.
Augustini, sacellano AUadensis Episcopi, et ejus individuo per annos
fere quindecim Achate cognovi ; quem a puero tam probum fuisse
novi, ut de iUo pronunciare non dubitem, quod S. Bernardus vitam
S. Malachiae scripturus de Cogano Abbate dixit, qui res a S.
MalacMa gestas S. Bernardo indicavit. Sane narrationis Veritas
secura apud me est, intimata a vobis, haud alia proculdubio pro-
testantibus, quam quae certissime comperta sunt vobis.
Hac peregrinatione peracta., Rhedones reversus, licet extra suam
Dioecesim positus in otio vixerit, ejus tamen otium, magnum habuit
negotium : nee minus unquam solus, quam cum solus fuit, in cubiculo
enim clausus, et ab aliis seclusus orationi et lectioni sedulo incubuit ;
quae duae sunt alae, quibus in coelum volatur : nimirum audiens fuit,
divino numini praecipienti, dum oraveris, intra in cubiculum tuum,
et clauso ostio, ora patrem in abscondito, et pater tuus qui videt in
abscondito reddet tibi: nee unquam ejus cubiculum ex improviso
ingressi, eum nisi genibus nixum, ac precibus implicitum deprehen-
derunt, horas canonicas poplitibus demissis, si , valetudo plerumque
infirma ferret, recitare consuevit, psalmos omnes, officium B. Vir-
ginis, varias Litanias ad unguem memoria tenuit ; et ubi tempus
postulabat, et occasio ferebat, ore protulit ; litaniis semper inserens
Angelum custodem, SS. Joannem Baptist. Augustinum, Patricium,
Nicholaum Myrensem, Franciscum, Carolum Boromaeum, Philipum
Nerium, Ignatium, Franciscum Xaverium. Sanctas Brigidam,
Genovevam, Teresam, aUosque Sanctos et Sanctas, quos singulari
quadam veneratione coluit ; biennio ante mortem in piissimas Divae
Brigitae de passione Christi orationes incidit, quas nullo deinde
die legere omisit.

LIFE OF THE RT. REV. FRANCIS KIRWAN. 135
spoke to him. "I wished to converse with you, that you might be
certified by my lips, that owing to the merits of your Bishop, I am
not only relieved, but absolutely cured of this malady, and thus
snatched from the jaws of death : while the Bishop lives, let this
fact rest with yourself, but. should you survive him, fail not to
publish it.
These facts, as well as others, related in this little work, I have
learned from the Rev. Father Thomas KeUy, or ratUer Gill Kelly,
a Canon Regular of St. Augustin's order, chaplain to the Bishop
of Killala, and his inseparable companion for fully fifteen years.
This man I have known from boyhood, nor do I fear to pronounce
of him what St. Bernard, — when about to write the life of St. Mal
achy, — said of Abbat Cogan, who furnished him with materials
for the biography: "Verily, the truth of this history is un
questionable in my hands, furnished to me by you, who, beyond
doubt, affirm nothing, save what has been known to you as most
certain." Having completed this pilgrimage, he returned to Rennes; and,
although living far away from his diocese, his leisure was devoted
to matters of weighty import, nor was he ever less alone than when
alone. Shut up in his chamber, and apart from all, he gave
himself up to prayer and reading, for these are the two wings by
which the soul soars heavenwards. In truth, he hearkened to the
Divine voice, saying : " When thou prayest enter into thy closet ;
and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father in secret,
and thy Father who sees in secret shall reward thee." At no time
did any one unexpectedly enter his room, without finding him
on his knees and rapt in prayer. He was accustomed to recite
the canonical hours on bonded knees, as long as his health, generally
speaking, impaired, permitted him. He had by heart all the
psalms, the office of the blessed Virgin, and various litanies ; these
he was in the habit of reciting audibly, when time and opportunity
allowed, and he was wont, moreover, to insert in the litanies, his
Angel-Guardian, SS. John Baptist, Angustin, Patrick, Nicholas
of Myrra, Francis, Carlo Borromeo, Philippo Neri, Ignatius, Francis
Xaviere, SS. Brigid, Genovieve, Teresa, and other holy men and
women, whom he worshipped with particular veneration, Two
years before his death, he became acquainted with the most pious

136 VITA REVEREND. D. FRANCISCI KIROVANI.

In exercitiis spiritualibus creber, in aUis pietatis officiis frequens
fuit, tumor et rubor palpebrarum non obscurum indicium fuit, ilium
magnam lachrimarum vim nonnunquam inter precandum effudisse.
Rhedonibus e secunda domus, quam Episcopus incolebat, contigna-
tione pusio nondum trimulus in subjectam plateam subito praecipi-
tatus est, mox Episcopus tam funesto casui subsidium e coelo precibus,
S. Josepho deprecatore adhibito, accersivit ; quibus Deus annuisse
vulgo creditus est ; quod puerulus intra triduum sospes domum per-
curreret ; nempe oculi Domini super justos, et aures ejus in preces
eorum, sed ut cum S. Bernardo loquar, hbentius fateor, imitandis
immoror, potius quam admirandis.

Sicut non una,, sed geminis alis fit volatus, sic Franciscus cum
oratione lectionem tanquam alteram alam copulans mentem in coelum
sustulit : nam omnis profectus ex lectione et meditatione procedit,
quae enim nescimus, lectione discimus, quae didiscimus, meditatione
conservamus. Quare morem S. Paulo gessit, dicenti, attende lec-
tioni ; in itineribus vix aha, se sarcina, onerayit, quam pus libris et
schedis, aut calamo exaratis, aut prelo mandatis, pia lemmata conti-
nentibus, quibus tanquam jaculis pietas in legentium animis infige-
retur, et praesertim Thomam a Kempis de imitatione Christi, libros
meditationum, et alios pietatem edocentes assidue circumferebat ;
sacras literas incredibili cura volvebat, ut dicere potuerit, in corde
meo abseondi eloquia tua ut non peceem tibi. Novit enim animae
christianae pabulum esse, si in lege Domini meditetur die ac nocte.
A prandio et coena sancti alicujus vitam sibi, nisi necessitas obstitisset,
praelegi curabat : ait enim S. Hieronym. ita semper concedendum
est, ut cibum oratio sequatur et lectio.

Denique in quibuscunque Ubris, e quibus vel doctrina, vel pietas
hauriebatur, versandis, quantum ocuh, qui pridem ilh dolebant, pa-
ticbantur, creber erat : didicit enim ex S. Hieronymo, quod lectio

LIFE OF THE RT. REV. FRANCIS KIRWAN. 137
meditations of St. Brigid on our Lord's passion, which he failed not
to read every day afterwards.
Constant in all spiritual exercises, he was unremitting in every
other pious function, and his swollen and inflamed eye-lids, gave
convincing proof, that in praying he shed copious tears. At Rennes,
a child not three years old, was precipitated from the second story
of the house, inhabited by our prelate, into the square below ;
whereon, the Bishop sought by importuning heaven with prayers,
and through the intercession of St. Joseph, to alleviate a casualty
so dreadful. God, it was commonly thought, hearkened to his
petitions, for the chUd three days afterwards was running through
the house, safe and sound ; so true is it, that the " eyes of the Lord
are on the just, and his ears are ever open to then* prayers ; " and,
let me add with St. Bernard, " I frankly avow, that I dweU more
on what he has left us to imitate, than in admiration thereof."
As the soul goes not upwards on one wing, but on two, so did
Francis join study to prayer as a second pinion, that his soul might
thus take flight to heaven ; for " all proficiency comes of reading
and meditation, for what we are ignorant of, we learn from reading,
and what we learn we treasure up by meditation." Thus, did he
obey St. Paul, teUing Timothy "to attend to reading." On his
journeys he never cumbered himseU0 with any baggage, save, pious
books, memorandums, either in manuscript or type, aU of them
containing holy themes, which pierced the soul with devotion, even
as the javelin striketh. The chief and principal of these books,
was that of a, Kempis on the imitation of Christ, together with
works of contemplation, and practical piety which he invariably
brought with him. Incredible was his care in studying the sacred
scriptures, so much so, that he could say "In my heart have I
hidden thy words, that I may not sin before thee," for he knew
full well that the food of a cbristian soul, is to imitate God's law
by day and night. When he sat down to dinner or supper, if
there was no impediment he caused a person to read to him the
life of some saint, in compliance with St. Jerome, who says, " always
proceed so that prayer and reading may follow food."
Indeed, he was unremitting in the study of every manner of
book, which supplied him with devotion or doctrine, and as long
as the condition of his eyes, which had long since been impaired,

138 VITA REVEREND. D. FRANCISCI KIROVANI.
orationem juvat, et oratio lectionem sustentat ; orantes enim cum
Deo loquimur, sicut legentes Deus nos alloquitur : et quemadmodum
orando quod nobis opus est, postulamus, ita legendo quid a nobis fa
ciendum sit, intelligimus. cui S. Ambrosius accinit dicens : Christum
alloquimur dum oramus, ilium audimus cum divina legimus oracula :
et iterum S. Agustinus ; quando legis, Deus tibi loquitur, quando
oras, cum Deo loqueris. AUadensis a S. Bernardo suxisse videtur,
quod lectio docet quid facias, discernit quod caveas, ostendit quo
tendas.

Frequens ista lectio ; quasi sementis in subacto pectoris novali jacta,
fructum pietatis uberrimum protulit ; subsidium enim inde depromp-
sit, familiaria quaeque coUoquia ad pietatem fleetendi ; quippe cum de
re futili sermo haberetur, eum ille mox alio scite torquebat, et ad
instillandam virtutem accommodabat, nee aUud ejus facta dictave
spirabant, quam pietatem, quae eo spectabant ut animarum corpo-
rumque saluti prospiceretur : etenim non satis habens multos mor
tales monitis ad virtutem stimulare, etiam eorum inopiae pro suis fa-
cultatibus crebro subvenit ; nam eorum pleraque quae divitem libe-
ralitas illi contuUt, dispersit, et dedit pauperibus: et in nobiles e
patria sua exulantes (quorum nonnullis diu sumptum in diversoriis
Rhedonensibus, et vestitum suppeditavit) hterarum studiosis, alios
Xenodochiis, aUos carceribus inclusos, in omnium denique egenorum
hominum genus effudit, ea prudentia semper adhibita, quam Tobias
suadet dicens, quomodo poteris, ita esto misericors, si multum tibi
fuerit, abundanter tribue, si exiguum tibi fuerit, etiam exiguum li-
beraliter impartiri stude. In patria, Ulo persuadente, et opem etiam
non modicam (ut accepi) conferente, D. Edmundus Kirovanus vir
consularis eam pecuniae summam Patribus Societatis Jesu elargitus
est, quae sedem stabilem,ac domicilium certum, sumptusque ad vitam
frugaliter tolerandam idoneos iis Galviae comparare possit, si tem
porum iniquitas non obstitisset, et patres eo proventu spoliassct.

LIFE OF THE RT. REV. FRANCIS KIRWAN. 139
allowed him, he devoted himself to the aforesaid pursuits. He
learned from St. Jerome, " that reading aids prayer, and prayer
supports reading; for, when praying, we hold communion with
God, as God speaks to us when we read ; and, as when praying
we beg the things of which we stand in need, thus, by reading do
do we discover what we ought to do." St. Ambrose aptly adds,
" We address Christ when we pray — we hear him when we study
the sacred oracles :" and St. Augustin says, " When you read, God
addresses you, when you pray, you speak with God." Of a certainty,
the Bishop of Killala seems to have treasured that saying of St.
Bernard," reading teacheth what you are to perform, points out what
you are to avoid, and shows you what road you ought to walk."
This frequent reading, Uke unto seed broad-cast on the fallow-
field of his bosom, yielded a most abundant harvest of piety. This
furnished him with means of interspersing all his familiar
conversations with devotional remarks; for, whensoever any body
conversed of useless matters, he sapiently changed the subject, and
shaped it to the inculcation of virtue, nor did any other words or
acts of his, tend to any other purpose than piety ; thus, ever having
nearest his heart, the spiritual and temporal well-being of every
one. Truly, he did not rest satisfied with exhorting many unto
virtue, but sought, moreover, to alleviate their indigence according
to his means, -and this did he constantly. Almost every thing
given him by the liberality of wealthy people, he dispersed and
gave to the poor, and to the noblemen banished from their county,
(many of whom, staying in the hotels at Rennes, he supplied with
meat and raiment,) he afforded means of pursuing their studies.
Largely did he contribute to the reUef of every grade, whether
lying sick in hospitals, or confined in jails. He was always guided
by the teaching of Tobias, who says, " In every way possible be
merciful ; if you have much, give abundantly, if you have little,
even strive to share it liberally." In his own country, and at his
persuasion (as I have heard), Edmund Kirwan, a man of consular
station, gave to the Fathers of the Society of Jesus a sum of money,
and considerable aid towards founding a fixed domicile for them.
This expenditure would have been adequate to their maintenance
in Galway, had not the iniquity of the times prevailed, and robbed
the Fathers of that support.

140 VITA REVEREND. D. FRANCISCI KIROVANI.
Nec in charitate aliis, quandiu licuit, exhibenda. magis utilis, quam
bene de aliis merendi stuuiosus, ac in Episcopali functione, dum ex-
ularet, obeunda, indefatigabilis fuit. Nullum enim unquam laborem
hominum animabus salutarem subterfugiebat : sacris ordinibus nu-
merosam multitudinem in variis Dioecesibus saepissime initiavit:
multum temporis et sudoris in immensa. pusionum caterva, confirma-
tionis sacramento munienda, impendit ; diuturnam etiam operam,
in Ecclesiarum altaribus, aris, ut vocant, portatilibus, et calicibus
sacrandis posuit. Denique omnibus Episcopi munUs summa
alacritate, et gaudio semper functus est : nihil unquam satius aut
optatius habens, quam iis se officiis peregre impendi, et superimpendi,
quae in sua Diocesi exercere vis inimica non permisit.
Semper illi voluptati fuit ad ReUgiosorum coenobia ex itinere
divertere : qui mensam in ornatiori coenaculo excipiendis hospitibus
destinato UU sternere statuentes reluctanti tamen, et in tricUnio a
Religiosis pransuris, et coenaturis frequentari solito, mensae accum-
bere malenti assentiri tandem consueverunt. Quadam die praefecto
coenobii et suo sacellano latus ejus utrumque claudentibus, discumbe-
bat et mensae cibis instructae, vasculum vinarium, aquarium et aceta-
rium apponebatur : praefectus, repentina, quadam occasione exigente,
mensae se subduxit : Episcopus hanc opportunitatem nactus non
vinum, sed acetum cypho infudit, et non alio quam eo potu (nemine
pium dolum, nisi cum amoveretur mensa, percipiente) sitim potius
acuit, quam sedavit : nam acetum summa, valet exsiccandi facultate
tantumque abest ut sitim extinguat, quin potius longe majorem ex-
citet : Sed citra dubium aceti a Christo animam agente hausti me
moria pectus ejus tam alte perfodit ; ut acerbitatem aceti gustus ejus
non senserit.

Ille Maclovium concessit, ut propinquum suum Reverendissimum
Andream Linchaeum Finniborensem Episcopum inviseret, qui
gravissimis morbis diu multumque conflictatus fuit, ut poene, ad
mortis fauces abriperetur : sed iUo moriendi periculum evadente,
et paululum convalescente, post trium mensium moram Maclovii
factam, ad Abbatiam S. Petri de Rilleio prope Fulgeres profectus,
summum ibi sacrum in Pontificalibus die B, Virginia Assumptioni

LIFE OF THE RT. REV. FRANCIS KIRWAN. 141
Nor was he less remarkable for his beneficence to others, as long
as it was in his power, than desirous of winning the good opinion
of every one, — nay, more, even in his exile, he was indefatigable
in discharging the duties of a Bishop. He never shunned any
work likely to advance the spiritual interests., of his fellow men-
most freqently has been known to confer Holy-orders on multitudes
in various dioceses; and much time and labour did he expend
administering the sacrament of Confirmation to immense troops of
children. Much time did he also consume in consecrating churches,
chaUces, and portable altars. FinaUy, with the greatest joy and
alacrity, he discharged all the episcopal functions, having nothing
dearer to his heart, than to be engaged in overseeing these duties
which hostUe violence forbade him to exercise in his own diocese.
Nothing afforded him greater pleasure than when on a journey,
to turn into the monasteries of the religious, who immediately
prepared to receive him in the supper-hall, usuaUy adorned for
distinguished guests. On such occasions, he dechned the proffered
honour, and preferred to take his place at the ordinary table when
the reUgious sat to dinner or supper. On one occasion, he sat
down to table, having the guardian of the convent on one side
of him, and the chaplain on the other. Now, it so happened, that
there was before him a wine-flask, a water-croft, and a vessel of
vinegar; the guardian having been suddenly caUed away, the Bishop
seized occasion to pour, not wine, but vinegar into his glass, and
with this draught he rather inflamed than cooled his thirst, and this
pious artifice remained unobserved till the dinner things were
removed. Now every one knows, that a chief property of vinegar
is to exsiccate, and so far is it from aUaying thirst that it increases
it more and more. But, doubtless, the remembrance of the bitter
draught given to our Lord in his agony, sunk so deeply into his
soul, that his palate felt not the acidity of the vinegar.
He proceeded to St Malo, for the purpose of visiting his kinsman,
the Most Rev. Andrew Lynch, Bishop of Kilfenora, who was now
broken down by most grievous maladies, and brought almost to the
jaws of death. When this danger had vanished, and the Bishop
was somewhat convalescent, our prelate, after a delay of three
months at St. Malo, took his departure for the Abbey of St. Peter
de RiUe, near Fulgeres, where he officiated pontifically on the feast of

142 VITA REVEREND. D. FRANCISCI KIROVANI.
sacro fecit: ne levissima, morbi aura tum afflatus: postridie Rhe-
dones petiit equo vectus, quem D. de la Poiettiere taedio absentiae
illius affectus, ad ilium domum suam referendum, cum famulo misit :
ubi Rhedones iUe tenuit, et D. de la Poiettiere obvium habuit, hue
inquit, charissime Domine veni, ut apud te ultimum spiritum
emittam ; post multos annos, subdit alter. Sed AUadensis non
vanus mortis suae vates fuisse videtur, quam nono post die oppetiit.

CAPUT DEC1MUM.
DE MORBO EJUS LETHALI, MORTE, ET FUNERE.
Ille totum exilU otium in pias quasvis operas Ubentissime contulit ;
quare ad ministeria a minorum gentium sacerdotibus adimpleri
solita non invitus quandoque descendit, aegrorum enim et moribun-
dorum confessionibus exeipiendis aurem libens admovit: hujusmodi
officium gravissimo morbo laboranti ab iUo praestitum lethalem UU
morbum comparavit, ubi enim vestibus sacerdotalibus indutus, et ad
sacrum faciendum accinetus fuit, quendam accepit aegritudine con
fectum animam illico efflaturum, sacris indumentis se celeriter exuens,
ad aegrum mox accurrit, noxarumque sordes ab aegro admissas et
patefactas sacerdotalis spongia. potestatis abstersit, et Ulo piis accura-
tisque monitis ad poenitentiam aceenso, ac ad supremam luetam
armato, ad sacrum faciendum rediit, cui finem ante non imposuit,
quam aegritudinis initium sensit, quae ad octo dies protracta, Ulum
e medio sustulit ; inter morbi molestias crebro exclamantem, 0
Domine si me modo paratum esse deprehendis, me hmc ad te ocyus
effer, sin mihi vitam prorogare malis, eam mihi gratiam confer, qua
peccatorum sordes animae meae affixas, studiosiiis posthac excutiam,
et saluti curandae operosius incumbam.

LIFE OF THE RT. REV. FRANCIS KIRWAN. 143
our Blessed Lady's assumption. Next day he returned to Rennes, on
a horse sent for his use by M. De la Potiere, together with a
servant, as the aforesaid gentleman was much affected by his
protracted absence. When arrived at Rennes, on meeting M. De
la Potiere he remarked, " I have returned hither, my dearest sir,
to give up the ghost in your house," to which the former answered ;
" many years hence." — But the Bishop of Killala was not a false
prophet, for, nine days after, death came to him.

CHAPTER X.
OF HIS LAST ILLNESS, DEATH, AND FUNERAL OBSEQUIES.
Most heartily did he give all the moments of his exile, to the
performance of pious works of every description, nor did he
prove himself unvrilling to discharge those offices, which pertain
to the ministration of the inferior orders of the clergy ; thus did
he hasten to receive the confessions of the sick and dying. In the
execution of this pious charge, he contracted a mortal malady from
one who was infected ; for, having vested himself with the sacer
dotal robes, and when about to offer the holy sacrifice, he was
informed that a certain person was overpowered by disease and
about to give up the ghost ; he, therefore, laid aside the vestments,
and hastened to the sick man. He cleansed the soul of the sufferer
by virtue of the priestly power, and having exhorted him to
penance by pious and truthful exhortations, and armed him for the
death struggle, returned to say mass ; but, that mass was not over,
before he experienced the commencement of his own disease, which,
eight days afterwards, removed him from this life. During the
torment of his malady, he frequently exclaimed, " 0 Lord, if you
deem me now prepared, take me hence immediately unto you ; but,
if you wish my sojourn to be protracted, confer on me grace that

144 VITA REVEREND. D. FRANCISCI KIROVNAI.

Multam deinde pietatem verbis exprimens sacrae synaxeos et
unctionis extremae Sacramentis contra supremam concertationem
rite munitus est, ipso ea ministrantibus respondente: postea in
effigiem crucifixi saepius oculos intense figens, dum UU mens et
loquela constaret, brevibus precum ejaculationibus Dei misericor-
diam continenter implorabat. Ad eum, dum febris aestu ferveret
optimi et clarisssmi quique, faustae precationis ab eo impetrandae
causa, frequenter accesserunt.
Ubi vero die 27. Augusti bora, noctis undecima ultimum emisit
spiritum, Rhedonenses ingenti ejus desiderio capti, conclave pullo
peristromate obductum, in quo cadaver infulis ornatum super feretro
jacebat, adeo certatim adibant, ut locus ad ingrediendum vel egre-
diendum vix patuerit. Aliis rosaria, libros precum, aliaque pietatis
symbola, vultui ejus (quia caeterum corpus Episcopalia ornamenta
operiebant) admoventibus, aliis crines ejus abscindentibus, nonnuUis
pios libeUos ab iUo legendo solitos, aUasque reculas assiduo ejus
attractu, ut ipsi indicabant, sacratas auferentibus, et haec sibi
munimenta fore credentibus. Tum etiam cUicium ejus e puis, et
flagellum e funibus textum, latebris ab iUo semper damnata in lucem
educta sunt, aperta macerati clam corporis indicia. Postea cre-
berrimis vulgi sermonibus eum sanctum virum appellantis, et alns
encomiis efferentis Rhedones personabant, et die Dominica postridie
illius diei qua extinctus est, concionatores eum fuisse virum prae-
dicabant, cujus vita plurimam sanctitatem redolebat.
Omnes deinde tanto concursu ad justa UU persolvenda sub horam
decimam ahtemeridianam diei 29. Augusti anno Domini 1661. con-
fluxerunt, ut a multis annorum lustris nuUius exequia tanta, hominum
frequentia, Rhedonibus cohonestatae fuerint, nee tot hominum ag-
mina ad ipsam corporis Christi supplicationem obeundam conven-
erint. Plaustra, currus, et aliae quaevis obices e via, sublatae sunt,
ut pompae funebris incessus expeditior foret, cujus prospiciendae ut
plures facultatem adipiscerentur, fenestrae aUquot perfractae sunt :
Ecclesiasticis viris funus prosequentibus, nonnulU ordines Religiosi
ad exequias raro prodire soliti se adjunxerunt; agmen Capucini dux-

LIFE OF THE RT. REV. FRANCIS KIRWAN. 145
I may wash out the stains on my soul, and, henceforth, labour more
sedulously for my eternal salvation.
Thus, giving expression to his great piety, he was strengthened
with the holy Eucharist and Extreme Unction for the final combat.
He himself gave out the responses, while they were ministering to
him, and then, fixing his eyes intently on the effigy of our Redeemer,
whilst reason and power of speech remained, he ardently implored
the mercy of God by brief ejaculatory prayers. When the fever
raged most fiercely, the best and most distinguished of the people
approached him, for the sake of securing his pious prayers.
His spirit departed on the 27th of August, an hour before mid
night; and then the people of Rennes, who loved him intensely,
rushed in such numbers to the coffin, (containing the body in its
episcopal robes,) covered with a black pall, and laid on a bier, that it
was hard to find means of ingress or egress. Some of them touched
his face (the rest of the dead body being shrouded) with their
rosaries, prayer-books, and other devotional objects ; some clipped
off his hair, and others seized the pious books he was accustomed
to read, and such hke effects, which they regarded as consecrated
by his touch, and venerated as memorials of him. Then were
brought forth from the concealment to which he had consigned
them, the hair-shirt, and the scourge made of cords, giving clear
evidence of the punishment he inflicted on himself in private
Then did Rennes resound with the discourses and encomiums of
the people, calUng him a holy man; and on Sunday, the day
following his decease, the preachers pronounced him to have been
one whose hfe savoured of sanctity.
Such a vast concourse came to his obsequies, about ten o'clock
in the forenoon of the 29th of August, in the year of our Lord
1661, that for innumerable years the people of Rennes honored no
other man's funeral with such an immense cortege — nay, there
came not such a mighty multitude, even on the festival of Corpus
Domini. Wains, carriages, and aU impediments, were immediately
removed, that no interruption might disorder the pomp of this
mortuary procession ; and, that it might be seen, many a window
was UteraUy broken. Many of the religious orders, unaccustomed
to appear at such solemnities, on this occasion joined the other
ecclesiastics. The Capucines led the van, then followed the Minims,

146 VITA REVEREND. D. FRANCISCI KIROVANI.
erunt ; deinde Minimi, postea Dominicani, proxime Carmelitae in-
cesserunt. His omnia Paroehialium Eeclesiarum collegia, crucibus
et vexillis praecedentibus, subierunt, circiter octoginta ex illis sup-
erpelUcea, aliis triginta pluvialia nigra gestantibus, quos Monachi
S. Melani secuti sunt, agmen tandem Canonici Cathedralis Ecclesiae
cappis et pluvialibus nigris induti clauserunt.

Hoc Ecclesiasticorum coetu quasi instructis ordinibus ad Ecclesiam
Soeietatis Jesu, in qua ipse sibi sepulchrum elegit, tendente, et cera,
in singulorum manibus lucente, omnium templorum campanae con
tinuum tinnitum ediderunt. Dum autem in memorata Soeietatis
Jesu Ecclesiae, Cannonici mortuale sacrum, solemni musico cantu
adhibito, facerent, sex sacerdotes cadaver ideo cingentes, ut ab eo
impressionem irruentes turbae arcerent, circumfusae multitudinis
rosaria, et alia pietatis instrumenta cadaveri continentur admo-
verunt ; aliquibus subinde succlamantibus, oro ut meum rosarium
sanctum Episcopum attingat, solemne sacrum concio funebris ab uno
e Patribus Soeietatis babita excepit : a, quo inter concionandum
scheda lecta Episcopum Societati Jesu se morientem aggregasse
docens, sibi et auditoribus lachrymas, quia summam pietatem redo-
lebat, elicuit; illam ad hujus opuscuU calcem apponam, caeterum
per AUadensis Episcopi laudes facunde et foecunde concio tota ex-
currit, quarum uberem segetem ejus vita suppeditavit.

LIFE OF THE RT. REV. FRANCIS KIRWAN. 147
after whom came the Dominicans and Carmelites ; those were
followed by the coUeges of the parochial Churches, preceded by
their crosses and respective standards ; of the latter, about eighty
were habited in surplices, and thirty of them wore black copes.
Those were foUowed by the monks of St. Melan, and the whole
line of the procession was closed by the Canons of the Cathedral
Church, clad in capes and funeral copes.
The beUs of the various religious edifices rang out solemnly,
as this great multitude of ecclesiastics, each of them bearing a
lighted taper, marched in ordered companies to the Church of the
Jesuits, in which the prelate had chosen his last resting place.
Whilst the mortuary mass was being sung by the Canons, in the
aforesaid Church, six priests kept guard on the mortal remains, in
order to prevent the crowd from rushing on them ; these priests
touched the dead body incessantly, with the rosaries, and other
pious objects belonging to the scattered groups. It was no un
common thing to hear them speak after this fashion : " Oh ! I pray
you, let my rosary touch the holy Bishop." The sacred rite ter
minated with a funeral oration, pronounced by a father of the
Society of Jesus. Ere the sermon closed, the preacher read from
a paper, that the Bishop, when dying, had enrolled himself in the
Society, and this fact, evidencing his consummate piety, caused tears
to flow copiously. This document I will give at the end of the
book; but as to the sermon, it treats eloquently and amply the
merits of the Bishop of Killala, whose life afforded a rich harvest
of praise and honours.

148 VITA REVEREND. D. FRANCISCI KIROVANI.
CAPUT UNDECIMUM.
EJUS ELOGIUM, ET JAM MORTUI IN MORTALES BENEFICIA.
Certe lex veritatis fuit in ore ejus, et iniquitas non est inventa in
labiis ejus, in pace et in aequitate ambulavit, et multos avertit ab
iniquitate. Recte faciendo suos recte facere docuit. Nee dominates
est in clero forma gregis factus, ac Deo rite obsecutus dicenti, rec-
torem te posuerunt, noli extolli, esto in UUs quasi unus ex ipsis,
curam illorum habe. Nee curam tantum, sed etiam curationem suo
gregi saepe saepius adhibuit, eorum plurimis, e dissolutiori vita, ad
saniorem disciplinam, nunc lenitate, nunc animadversione attractis,
ita ut malis formidabihs, bonis amabilis, utrisque admirabUis fuerit.
NuUius rei majori studio tenebatur, quam ut animarum saluti pro-
curandae solertissime prospiceretur. Novit enim omnium divinorum
divinissimum esse cooperari Deo, in salutem animarum, et nullum
omnipotenti Deo tale esse sacrificium, quale est Zelus animarum,
nee ullum officium esse Deo charius, et nihU sic Deo placere, sicut
Zelus et lucrum animarum. Immo ut ait idem si immensas pecunias
pauperibus eroges, plus tamen effeceris, si unam converteris animam.
Proinde quia messis multa et operarii pauci in patria fuerunt, e6
cogitationis omnes unice intendit,'ut Ephebium ad juventutem Uteris
imbuendam peregre institueretur : et dum cathohcae rehgioni pro-
fitendae in Hibernia froenum injieeretur, et quando impunitas
ejusdem religionis professioni in patria oompararetur Patres Soeie
tatis Jesu juventuti Uteris in urbe natali excolendae incumberent.

Quam in alios benignus, tam in se saevus extitit. Nam flagris,
cilicio, et jejuniis carnem aspere domabat, ut potuerit cum Psal-
mista dicere : operui in jejunio animam meam, posui vestimentum
meum, cilicium. Viliori cibo quam exquisitius apparato Ubentius
vescebatur, eo nimirum comedendo spectans, ut vires reficerentur,

LIFE OF THE RT. REV. FRANCIS KIRWAN. 149

CHAPTER XI.
EULOGY OF THE BISHOP OF KILLALA. THE BENEFITS CONFERRED
BY HIM AFTER HE HAD PASSED OUT OF THIS LIFE.
" The law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found
in his lips : he walked in peace and equity, and did turn many
away from iniquity." A practical inculcator of virtue, he taught
all around him to love and venerate it : he lorded it not over the
clergy, for he who was the brightest model of the flock, gave ear
unto the teaching of the Holy Spirit. " Have they made thee a
ruler? Be not lifted up, but be among tUem as one of them —
have care of them." Nor was he merely soUcitous for his flock ;
nay, he was its active and laborious pastor. With words of gentle
suasion, and mild rebuke, oh ! how many did he cause to abandon
dissoluteness and return to holiness. Verily, he was dreaded by
the evil-doers, loved by the virtuous, and respected by both.
Nothing did he ambition so much as to be instrumental in the
salvation of souls. For he knew well, that, of all tUings divine,
the most divine is to co-operate with God in the salvation of souls,
and no sacrifice can be more acceptable to God than zeal for souls :
nay, that there is no occupation more loved of God, or pleasing to
him than gaining of souls. And as St. Dion saith, " What, though
you give great sums in charity to the poor ? — you achieve a more
glorious work, provided you convert a single soul." Hence, as the
harvest was great, and the workmen few in his native land, he
laboured sedulously to establish schools in foreign parts for the
education of youth, as long as religion was manacled at home.
When, however, the penal restrictions were relaxed, he caused the
Jesuits to preside over the school of his natal city.
Benignant to all, to himself he was cruel. With scourges,
sackcloth, and fastings, he curbed the flesh, so that he might say
with the psalmist : " I covered my soul in fasting : and made
haircloth my garment." Gladly did he partake of the plainest food,
preferring it to luxurious fare ; for he ate not to satisfy the appetite,

150 VITA REVEREND. D. FRANCISCI KIROVANI.
non ut fames penitus expleretur, ita ut ipse suam abstinentiam non ad
certos dies contraxisse, sed cum toto vitae cursu adaequasse videatur,
nimirum cUicio opprimere, precibus avertere, flagris fugare, gemitibus
difflare, fervoris igne extinguere purgatorii flammas contendit : nee
magis in se crudelis, quam in alios benignus fuit: nudis enim vestitum,
famehcis escam, peregrinis commeatum, viduis opem, scholasticis
sumptum, aegris medicinam, nosocomUs epulum, reis solatium, puellis
dotem, pupiUis domicilium, verecundis pauperibus subsidium praebuit.

Ejus etiam exercitium spirituale non ad exigui temporis Umites
coercitum, sed poene continuum fuit; siquidem solus vel orati-
oni, vel contemplationi, vel lectioni semper incubuit; in ahorum
consortio constitutes, nullum verbum protulit, quod non aut ad Dei
laudem, aut eorum, qui aderant, emendationem pertinuit : mores
ejus graves, severi, compositi, humanitatis tamen et facilitatis con-
dimento temperati fuerunt, ut eos quibuscum colloquium inivit incre-
dibUi quadam jucunditate sibi concUiaret, et exemplo suo ab omni
improbitate revocaret. In prosperis quoque moderatio ejus, et in
adversis animi magnitudo enituit : nee enim animum ejus ad insolen-
tiam foelicitas extuUt, aut carceris aerumnarumque squalor ad impa-
tientiam depressit.
Itaque virtutes illae omnes quibus ornatus fuit, Ulos qui eum intus et
in cute noverunt, in indubitatam opinionem adduxerunt, iUum civem
Sanctorum, et domesticum Dei jam evasisse, et accepisse coronam
vitae, quam repromisit Deus dUigentibus se, cum exploratum habue-
rint ilium D. Leoni paruisse dicenti. Studeamus viduarum defensioni,
pupillorum utilitati, lugentium consolationi, dissidentium paci ; Susci-
piatur peregrinus, adjuvetur oppressus, vestiatur nudus, foveatur
aegrotus, ut quicunque nostrum de justis laboribus auctori bonorum
omnium Deo sacrificium hujus pietatis obtulerit, ab eodem regni coe-
lestis praemium recipere mereatur. Cum etiam praeterea certo com-
pererint plurimos, qui gravioribus morbis laborarunt, ubi calamitica
ejus, indusium, aut ahud ejus indumentum iis admotum est, penitus
convaluisse. Ipse quoque compertum habeo, flammam, quae caminum

LIFE OF THE RT. REV. FRANCIS KIRWAN. 151
but that the body might be refreshed ; and, indeed, his abstinence
was not of a season, but commensurate with his whole life. Verily,
he strove as one who would smother the flames of purgatory with
sackcloth, avert them by prayer, and quench arid subdue them
with holy fervour. Nor was he more cruel to himself than he was
kind to others. To the naked he gave covering — to the hungry,
food — to the wanderer, refreshment — to the widow, solace — to the
scholar, book and board ; the sick were tended by him— the hospitals
were objects of his munificence — to the condemned he brought
consolation — on the dowerless maiden he bestowed marriage por
tion — the orphan found refuge neath his roof, and whoso blushed
to beg, found in him a delicate and commiserating friend.
Nor was he one of those who now and then retire from the
world into the sohtude of the soul; on the contrary, he hved in
perpetual retreat ; for when alone, he devoted himself to prayer,
¦ meditation, or study ; wUen in the society of strangers, he spake
no word that did not redound to the praise of God, and the edifi
cation of his neighbour. His manners, though grave and austere,
were tempered with urbanity, — so much so, that he won the esteem
of all with whom he conversed, and by his example rescued many
from evU pursuits. His moderation was conspicuous in his pros
perity, and his greatness of soul showed itself in the days of his
adversity ; for affluence and happiness did not elate him, nor did
the squalor of a jaU, witU its concomitant miseries, depress his
spirit. Nor are we to wonder, U those who knew him intimately and
accurately, pronounced him a citizen of the saints and a servant of
God : nor are we to be astonished at hearing them declare that he
"received the crown of hfe, which the Lord hath promised to
those who love him," when they must have known that he attended
to the teaching of St. Leo, who says : " Let us defend the widow —
assist the orphan — console the afflicted — reconcile the dissentient.
Be it ours to receive the outcast, to help the oppressed, to clothe
the naked, and cherish the weary of heart, that whosoever of us
shah have made a sacrifice to God, the Author of all good, may
deserve to receive from Uim the reward of the heavenly kingdom."
Nor need I pause here to tell Uow many who had suffered from
serious iUness, became perfectly convalescent when touched by his

152 VITA REVEREND. D. FRANCISCI KIROVANI.
quendam ita corripuit, ut non solum camino, sed et ipso teeto pe-
riculum conflagrationis immineret, AUadensis jam extincti ope
implorata, subsedisse, ac penitus quievisse : In ara, cui tumulus ejus
adjacet, novendialia sacra saepius ab iis fieri curantur, qui voti
compotes, ejus auxilio pluries efflagitato, facti sunt : Pictor ad D.
AUadensis jam fato functi effigiem coloribus, et peniciUo exprimen-
dam accersitus podagra jampridem tam misere cruciabatur, ut operi
manum admovens in miserandos clamores eruperit : Sed Domina de
la Potterie miseratione iUius tacta, monuit ut in lecto, in quo D.
AUadensis extremo morbo laborans jacuit, sequenti nocte quieti se
traderet ; ille matronae monitis obsecutus, ubi somnum in eo lecto
cepit, eo se postridie plene cumulateque morbo liberatum extent.
Deinde imagini D. AUadensis pingendae naviter incumbens, formam
ejus affabre adumbravit.
Proverbio non magis veteri quam vero dicimus, vocem populi,
vocem esse Dei : nam opinio populi animis firmiter infixa, et crebris
ej usdem sermonibus unanimiter asserta, non ab nominibus (in quo
rum mentibus, dissensio, judiciis dissonantia, et tanta in opinionibus,
quanta in faciebus dissimilitudo ut plurimum dominatur) efformata,
sed ab ipso Deo coeUtus instiUata fuisse censetur. Cum vero piorum
hominum numerosa multitudo tacito quodam mentis impetu pulsa,
singulari quadam veneratione mortuum AUadensem prosequantur,
non erit abs re argumentum inde, et ab aliis non obscuris doeumentis
ante memoratis, desumere, ilium nunc coelos insidere.
Quanquam vero terram coelo mutavit, tamen sicut hastae cuspis
extracta, impugnandi, expugnandique vim poene omnem adimit, sic
iUo e vivis ablate, ac tanquam capite suae Dioecesis corpori avulso,
in AUadensi Sede, quae post haeresim exortam, non ab Episcopis
plerumque sed a, Vicariis Generalibus, vel Apostolicae Sedis, vel
ArcUiepiscoporum Tuamensium designatione constitutis administrata
est, Ecclesiasticae anthoritatis, ac disciplinae acies, non parum he-
betata, multum elanguit ; etenim post eum inde abactum, in Ulam
lupi rapaces intraverunt, non parcentes gregi ; et ubi pius Episcopus
sanae doctrinae triticum seminavit inimicus homo superseminavit
Zizania haeresis ; cujus professores summa rerum non in eo solum
tractu, sed et in universa, Hibernia potiti, clerum ex Ecclesiis, Catho-

LIFE OF THE RT. REV. FRANCIS KIRWAN. 153
shirt or other garment. For myself, I can bear witness that a
chimney took fire, and threatened the roof of a certain house, till,
at the invocation of the Bishop's aid, it was almost entirely extin
guished. Close by the tomb which holds his remains, many persons
have been accustomed to offer novenas, and it is certain that through
his interposition their requests have been granted. An artist was
.engaged to paint the likeness of the deceased Bishop ; but, as he
was a martyr to gout, he could not raise the brush to the easel
without causing himseU excruciating agony, — so much so, that he
uttered most piteous cries. Now, Madame De la Potterie, com
miserating the artist, advised him to sleep in the bed wherein the
Bishop lay during his last illness ; the advice was taken — he slept
one night in that bed, and next day found himself perfectly cured.
He then set about painting the likeness, which he executed in a
style of truthful elegance.
An old proverb, as true as it is old, asserts, that the voice of the
people is the voice of God ; for, an opinion unanimously asserted
cometh not from men — (in whose minds there are discrepancies, in
whose judgments there is such difference, and in whose opinions
there is as much variety as there is in the human countenance) ;
such an opinion must come of God. And, now, since such a great
multitude, stirred, as it -were, by some secret impulse, has begun to
regard the Bishop of KiUala, even after his decease, with feelings
of veneration ; surely it cannot be deemed absurd, if, from this and
other such arguments, we incline to believe that he is now a
denizen of Heaven.
Yes, he has left earth for heaven.; and, as a javelin, deprived of
the spear-head, loses all power defensive and offensive, so was it
with his diocese when its chief and head was violently torn from
the moral body : and it is worthy of note, that since the introduction
of heresy, the See of Killala was governed by Vicars-General,
who were appointed either by the Holy See or the Archbishops of
Tuam; but, having lost its Bishop, ecclesiastical authority and
discipline began to be relaxed; for, when the pastor was driven off,
there " came ravening wolves who spared not the flock ;" and
where the pious Bishop had sown the seeds of sound doctrine,
thither came the enemy and scattered the cockle of heresy. And
no sooner did its professors get possession of this region, and the

154 VITA REVEREND. D. FRANCISCI KIROVANI.
licos ex avitis laribus et focis arcuerunt. AUadensis autem, qui in
finem dilexit suos, sicut Joannes Baptista e vinculis, discipulos ad
Sal vatorem nostrum ^salutaribus doctrinis instituendos misit, sic in
carcere, latebris, et exilio positus per literas et viros, eruditione,
pietateque ornatos suorum animos moerore prostatos erexit, nutantes
a lapsu cohibuit, firmos ut incitatiori cursu in via virtutis ferrentur,
hortatus est.

Nee solum suae Dioecesis, sed etiam vicinae commodis soUicite
prospexit ; Achadensis enim Sedes (quae finitima est) Vicario Apos-
tolico D. Jacobo Fallono sanctae Theologiae Doctori meritissimo,
quem, utpote civem et consanguineum suum unice dUexit, Ubros et
alia necessaria ad munus suum obeundum e Gallia non sine memo
rabili sumptu, subministravit. Jacobus enim suae Dioecesis, et
Collegiatae Galviensis Ecclesiae cura, impUcitus, in partem etiam
sollicitudinis ab Archiepiscopo Tuamensi in carcerem prius, deinde
in exihum abeunte cooptatus, ab haereticis in Jar Connacta, captus,
et copiosa Ubrorum supellectile ita spoliates est, ut ne breviarium
quidem penes ilium ab illis reUctum fuerit. Ante vero quam com-
prehensus fuit, sub dio perdius et pernox diu agebat, et tuguriolum
ad rupis radicem e frondosis viminibus contexi curabat, quibus cum
caprae frondes abraderent, latebras mutare coactus, aho et inde aUo
concessit, noluit enim in aedibus Catholicorum moram trahere ; ne
in Us repertus aedium dominis fortunarum omnium jacturam pareret.

Ille tamen ab his aerumnis non ad quietem, sed ad majorem
calamitatem transut, siquidem ab hostibus e latebris extractus, in
carcerem abreptes est ; deinde variorum ergastulorum Galviae, in
Innisbofinniae Araniaeque insulis, aliquot annos inquilinus, tandem
aUquando diu post nostri Regis inaugurationem, aegre Ubertatem
cum caeteris captivis Sace'rdotibus, ea lege consecutus est, ut quando
acciretur, se Judici citra moram sisteret, ad quod pactum ab iUo
implendum amici se Syngraphis datis obstrinxerunt, quibus si fidem
ille falleret, grandis iis mulcta mox irrogaretur. IUe vero libertatem
hanc qualemcunque adeptus, quia disertissimus et selectissimus verbi

LIFE OF THE RT. REV. FRANCIS KIRWAN. 155
whole of Ireland, than they began to cast the clergy out of the
churches, and the Cathohc proprietors from their ancient shrines
and homesteads. But the Bishop of Killala loved his own even to
the end, and as John the Baptist, who, when in chains, sent
disciples to our Saviour to be taught in saving truths — so did he,
whether in prison, hiding-places, or exile, both by salutary epistles
and learned men, exhort the sorrow-stricken to rise above whelming
misfortunes, the vacillating to remain steady, and the steady to
pursue unswervingly the road of virtue and piety.
Nor was he satisfied with looking after lus own church, but
sedulously watched over the weal of the conterminous diocese.
The See of Achonry was then in charge of James Fallon, Vicar
ApostoUc, and a most distinguished doctor of theology. This
ecclesiastic, the feUow-citizen and kinsman of our Bishop, was
naturaUy much loved by him, and he did not hesitate to send to
him from France, at considerable expense, books and other
necessaries pertaining to reUgious service. . James FaUon, though
occupied with the care of his own diocese and the Collegiate
Church of St. Nicholas, was employed also by the Archbishop of
Tuam, when the latter was made prisoner, and subsequently, when
going into exUe. James FaUon was arrested in Jar-Connaught,
and so did the heretics plunder him of books, that they did not
leave him even a breviary. Before he was made prisoner, he
dwelt night and day in a hut at the base of a rock. This hut he
covered over with leafy brambles, but even from this refuge was he
obfiged to fly as soon as the goats browsed upon the foUage. Nor
would he take up his abode in the houses of Catholics, as he feared
to be instrumental in compromising their hves and fortunes.
From trials such as these, he was destined to pass to still greater,
for he was finaUy driven from his lurking-place, captured by
his enemies, and cast into prison. After various sufferings in
Galway, Inisbofin, and the islands of Aran, where he remained for
some years a prisoner, he was restored to hberty together with
other captive priests, long after the restoration of Charles II.
The condition on which he regained his freedom, was, that he
would be at aU times ready to present himseU in court when
summoned, and some of his friemds pledged themselves for his
appearance, failing which, they were liable to be most heavily

156 VITA REVEREND. D. FRANCISCI KIROVNAI.
divini preco, tantaque dicendi ubertate, rcrumque cognitione prae-
ditus fuit, ut extempore concionaretur, non potuit officio suo sine
libris rite fungi. Sed proh dolor ! diuturnum beneficium ex assi-
duis ejus concionibus, piisque monitis populus percipere non potuit :
gravissimus enim ac diuturnus morbus e tot miseriis contractus illi
vitam ademit anno 1662. 14. Augusti, post annos plusquam 40. in
vinea, Domini naviter excolenda. positos.

In Ecclesia veteri mos adolevit, ut qui carceri ob fidei confessi-
onem traditi tormenta non subirent, confessores; UU vero martyres
audirent, qui aerumnas ob fidem passi placida morte sublati sunt.
Hinc Eleutherius, Zepherinus, Melchiades et alii Papae suppliciis
subducti, carnificis vero manum, aut ferrum minime passi, martyris
titulum retulerunt : et S. Pheletraeus postquam corpus suum om
nibus tormentis lacerandum praebuit, vita, in exUio functus martyr
habetur. Et Beatissima Virgo, cujus exitus dulcissimo somno simi-
lius fuit, martyr] martyrum a Sanctis vocatur : immo Ecclesia pro
fide orthodoxa, propugnanda proscriptos, inque exilio animas efflantes
Martyrologiis inseruit, ac tanquam martyres Uaberi decrevit. Sic
in Martyrologium relati sunt, octavo Idus octobris, PaUatis et Lau-
rentia; pridie Idus Novembris, S. Martinus Papa, quarto Calend.
Decemb. Valerianus, Urbanus, Crescentius, Felix, Hortulanus, et
Florentianus : quod si spiritum per ea tempora Franciscus duxisset,
quia fidem catholicam interpellates coram fidei hostibus confessus est,
confessoris ; martyris etiam nomine decoraretur, quod in exUium
trusus, ultimum in eo spiritum emisit.

In se quidem prisci temporis cftigiem expressit, nee enim sibi
sumpsit honorem, sed vocatus est a, Deo tanquam Aaron. Et ut
antiqui presules aurei, calices eorum lignei fuerunt : sic ille totus e
virtutum auro conflates. Nee eorum solummodo patrum, qui per
anteacta dudum saeeula fioruerunt, immo etiam viri superiori saeculo
summe commendati virtutem sectatus est ; utpote Joannis Fisheri

LIFE OF THE RT. REV. FRANCIS KIRWAN. 157
mulcted. Once more at large, subject to the aforesaid restrictions,
although a most elegant and eloquent preacher — one, in fact, who
could ascend the pulpit without preparation, yet, owing to the loss
of his library, he could not discharge his sacred duties as he would
have wished. But, alas ! the people were not to have the benefit
of his pious labours for any considerable time ; for, being seized
with a serious malady, the result of multiplied hardships, he died
on the 14th of August, A.D. 1662, after having toiled more than
forty years in the Lord's vineyard.
In the primitive Church it was the usage that they who had
been cast into prison for the faith, should be called Confessors,
even when they had not been subjected to torture. It was cus
tomary likewise to call tUose Martyrs, who, having suffered bodily
pain for the faith, afterwards passed tranquilly out of this life.
Hence, Eleutherius, Zepherinus, Melchiades, and other Popes, who
had been brought to the place of torture, were called martyrs,
although they felt not the hand or the instrument of the executioner.
The same may be said of St. Pheletraeus, who, after he had his
body pitifully mangled, died in exile. The blessed Virgin, too,
whose transit is likened unto a most balmy sleep, has been called
by holy men " the martyr of martyrs." Yea, the Church has
inscribed on the list of martyrs, the names of those who were
banished for upholding the orthodox faith, and has decreed that
they should be called martyrs. Thus the martyrology records
Pallas and Laurentia, on the eighth of the ides of October — on the
day before the ides of November, St. Martin, Pope — on the fourth
of the calends of December, Valerian, Urban. Crescent, FeUx,
Hortulanus, and Florentianus. So that, had our Bishop lived in the
primitive ages, he would have been called a Confessor, inasmucU as
he had been arraigned for the faith, and confessed it; nor would the
palm of martyrdom be denied him, as he endured banishment for
the faith, and gave his last sigh in a land of exile.
Thus was he a vivid Ukeness of the men of the olden time ; " for,
he took not to himseU the honor, but was called by God as Aaron
was :" yea, as in early times our prelates were golden while their
chahces were of wood, so was Bishop Kirwan fashioned out of the gold
of aU virtues. Nor did he confine himself to imitating the examples of
those who died long ages gone ; on the contrary, he worshipped the

158 VITA REVEREND. D. FRANCISCI KIROVANI.
Roffensis in Anglia Episcopi, viri, conversationis suavitate, morum
gravitate, animi robore, vitae innocentia, pietatis, fidei, reUgionis
sinceritate, cum Apostolicis initio nascentis Ecclesiae christianae viris
merito conferendi: qui Margaritae Henrici VII. Regis Angliae
matri author fuit, ut in Academia Cantabrigensi CoUegia duo con-
struxerit : qui etiam solebat pro sua, facultate, bonae spei adoles
centes, maxime pauperiores liberaliter ad studia nutrire, ac benigne
homines hospitio excipere, iis epulas non spernendas, viles sibi afferri
jubens. Praeterea morum sanctitate, doctrina, dUigenti cura, la
borious indefessus, et largitionibus, credito sibi gregi profuit : Xe-
nodochia saepius invisit, et suum corpus cihcio in ejus arcula. post
mortem reperto, et aliis pietatis artibus artus suos domuit.

Nemo qui libellum hunc non perfunctorie legendo percurret, talia
Francisco pro suis opibus, tam famiUaria fuisse inficiabitur, ut non
sit ovum ovo, quam hic illi simiUus in hoc quidem dissimihs, quod
iUe ad Cardinalis, hic non ultra Episcopi fastigium elates, iUe martyr
laureates, hic designatus tantum fuerit. Nimirum vere S. Chry-
sostomus dixit : Non difficile nobis est quod a Sanctis geritur
imitari, cum praecedenti exemplo ab antiquis taUa gesta conspicimus,
ut non ipsi aliorum aemuli redderentur, sed aemulandae virtutis,
seipsos nobis praeberent exemplum, ut dum nos ex ipsis, et ex nobis
alii proficiunt : sic Christus in suis semper servis in Ecclesia sancta,
laudator.

Sicut autem ex hactenus a me dictis Franciscum piorum anteacti
temporis Episcoporum non segnem imitatorem fuisse constat, sic eum
terrestrem honorem, coelesti ; laborem quiete, mortahtatem immor-
talitate mutasse non vane quis e sequenti S. HilarU loco divinabit,
dicentis : per servum fidelem significari Episcopum commoda atque
utilitates commissi sibi gregis curantem, qui si dicto audiens et prae-
ceptis obediens erit. id est si doctrinae opportunitate et veritate
infirma confirmet ; disrupta consolidet, depravata convertat, et ver
bum vitae in eternitatis cibum alendae familiae dispendat, itaque

LIFE OF THE RT. REV. FRANCIS KIRWAN. 159
virtues of the men of later times. Thus did he love the memory
of John Fisher, Bishop of Rochester — a prelate, who for suavity
of speech, gravity of morals, strength of mind, innocence of life,
and sincerity of religion, deserved to be ranked with the apostolic
men of the infant Church. This glorious Bishop caused Margaret,
mother of Henry VII. of England, to buUd two colleges at
Cambridge ; nor need I pause to describe here, how he was wont
to support, according to his means, youths of the poorer class, who
were given to letters. Who has not heard of his hospitahty, and
how he was accustomed to provide good cheer for others while his
own table was poorly supplied ? his sanctified morals, great learn
ing, care, and incessant toil, contributed vastly to Uis flock — he
visited the sick, curbed his flesh with sackcloth and scourges, and
these instruments were found in a trunk, after he had passed out
of this IUe.
Any one reading this httle book, even cursorUy, cannot fail to be
struck with the points of resemblance between those two men, and
no one wUl deny that Francis was as like to BisUop FisUer, as egg
is to egg ; let us, however, state the traits in which they did not
resemble each other. One of them was called to the honours of
the Cardinalate, the other was but a Bishop. Fisher was in fact
a laureUed martyr, while Kirwan barely deserved to be called such.
With great truth doth Chrysostom say : " We can have no great
difficulty in imitating the acts of the saints, when we find from the
example of early times, that men did not rival men, but rather vied
with their virtues; thus teaching us, that while we profit by them,
we should so regulate ourselves that others may profit by us, to
the end, that Christ may be always honoured by his servants in
Holy Church."
Since, therefore, it is evident from all I have already stated, that
Francis was a close imitator of the prelates of the earlier times,
it must be evident too, that he has exchanged terrestrial for heavenly
glory, toU for tranquU rest, and mortaUty for immortaUty. This
conclusion must result from a consideration of the passage in St.
Hilarian's commentary on St. Matthew : by " faithful servant," is
signified a Bishop who carefully regards the interests of the flock
committed to him. Such a Bishop, obedient to the law and precepts,
that is, strengthening the infirm by sound doctrine and truth,

160 VITA REVEREND. D. FRANCISCI KIROVANI
haec agens hisque immorans deprehendatur, gloriam a Domino tan
quam dispensator fidelis, et vUlicus utihs consequetur, et super omnia
bona sua constituet eum, id est in Dei gloria coUocabitur, quia nihil
est ultra quod melius sit.
Sed ut dicendi finem faciam, et lectorem taedio, quod e rerum
supra fusius relatarum lectione haurire forsitan possit, levem, brevem
ejus vitae tabellam uberius jam ante narrata, paucis complectentem
hic exhibeo, in qua uno quasi intuitu effigies ejus perspici possit.
Proinde dico quod fuerit pupillorum pater, maritus viduarum,
afflictorum asylum, derelictorum portus, peregrinorum Uospitator,
rudium in via salutis informator, flagitiosorum e scelerum luto educ-
tor, juventutis recte instituendae studiosissimus, tyronum animos
Uteris adjungentium Maecenas, oppressorum patronus, acerrimus
fldei propugnator, reUgionis propagator, piorum amor, et amator,
quam in ratione ad pietatem amplificandam ingeniosus, tam in iUa ad
finem perducenda. foelix fuit : munificus fortunarum suarum largitor,
carceribus et nosocomis inclusorum sublevator, aequanimis injuria-
rum perpessor, inopum pueUarum in matrimonio collocator, esurien-
tium cibator, accuratus temperantiae cultor, corporis sui macerator
asperrimus, Ecclesiasticae disciplinae custos, pastorum et ovium
tutela, injuriarum extinctor, dissentientium concUiator, veteris dis
ciplinae restaurator novae institutor, implexarum litium decisor,
pacis et concordiae perpetuus author, sagax prioris memoriae spe
culator, venturae vivum speculum, sui denique ordinis in Hibernia
splendor. Qui summo Soeietatis Jesu studio vivens tenebatur, quippe quam
sciebat, ut ait Florimundus, scientiarum fuisse secessum, eruditionis
domicilium, foecundorum ingeniorum receptaculum, et firmum contra
haereses murum ; quapropter moriens pro sui affectus erga eam
testimonio, testamenti quoddam genus condidit, quo quam praestan-
tiorem habuit haereditatem, nempe seipsum illi legavit, in haec
verba, prout videre est in impresso exemplari, ex quo sequentia
excerpsi.

LIFE OF THE RT. REV. FRANCIS KIRWAN. 161
binding the broken, converting the depraved, and dispensing the
word as food for eternity, — such a Bishop shall acquire glory from
God, as a faithful servant and steward, and him shall the Lord place
over all his goods, that is, in the glory of God, for nothing can
exceed the deserts of such a one."
But it is time that I draw to a close, nor tire the reader with a
recapitulation of all that I have narrated in these pages. Here,
then, let me present to you a brief sketch, in which you may
recognize at a glance the portraiture of this illustrious Bishop. He
was a father to the orphan — the protector of the widow — the
asylum of the afflicted — the refuge of the outcast — the shelter of the
wanderer — the enlightener of the ignorant — the converter of the
impious — the patron of youth cultivating literature— the champion
of the oppressed — a bulwark of the faith — the love and lover of the
pious — a man who was not less fortunate in kindling\the flame of
piety, than in keeping it alive. Munificent of his fortune, he
consoled the dweller in jails and Uospitals — submitted to evils with
unruffled mind — bestowed dowries on poor maidens— gave food unto
the famishing — cultivated the virtues of temperance — and scourged
his own flesh. He was the guardian of ecclesiastical discipline — the
defender of his flock — an extinguisher of injuries — a conciliator of
dissentients — tUe restorer of ancient discipline — a decider of contro
versies — a perpetual author of peace and concord — one who dwelt
fondly on olden memories, made himself a mirror unto future times,
and the splendour of his order in Ireland.
And throughout his days, well did he love the Society of Jesus ;
for he knew it to be what Florimundus hath described it : to wit,
a retreat of science, a domicile of erudition, a receptacle of talent,
and a strong wall against heresy. Wherefore, when dying, to
show his love for the Society, Bishop Kirwan made a sort of will,
by which he bequeathed to it the best heirloom he possessed, that is,
himself, as appears from the following passages which I have ex
tracted from the printed copy.

162
JESUS MARIA.
SALUTEM LEGENTIBUS SEMPITERNAM FRANCISCUS EPISCOPUS
ALLADENSIS.
Cum a puero religiosissimorum Patrum Soeietatis Jesu pia, institu-
tione usus fuerim, nee non salutaribus eorum consiliis adjutus, aetate
jam grandis profiteor eandem Societatem a, me in omni vita mea et
cultam fuisse et adamatam : cumque ante annos aliquot (quod opta-
veram) in tam sanctum corpus cooptari vivens non potuerim, humil-
limis votis Reverendum admodum Patrem Mutium Vitelescum tunc
Soeietatis Praepositum generalem deprecates sum, ut saltern mo-
riens pro pia,, nonnullorum consuetudine, ejusdem Soeietatis vota
inutilis de reliquo servus emitterem, quod et concessit gratiose
pius pater, Uteris ad Reverendos admodum Patres Provinciales et
rectores ea super re datis 15. Januar. 1640. ac Soeietatis suae sigiUo
munitis, quae mihi nunc haec scribenti prae manibus sunt, tibique
haec eadem legenti annexas exhibeo sistoque. Igitur praesentes
inspecturis testatum volumus, hanc fuisse et esse etiamnum volun-
tatem nostram, et si mors praepropera aut casus ahus (quod avertat
Deus) dictam nunc professionem averterit ; esse, inquam, hanc
voluutatem, et eandem professionem juxta Soeietatis communem
vovendi ritum, ac formulam emissam, de reUquo Deo me permittens
ac Patrum eorundem Religiosissimorum curae : quos deprecor sup-
plex ad extremum moriens, grandaevus et Episcopus, ut in eandem
Societatem nuUis suffragantibus meritis meis suscipere me non gra-
ventur intuentes in remuneratorem ac sponsorem Jesum Christum
Dominum nostrum, quo Soeietatis membrum, quod vivens non potu-
eram, moriens efficiar, adjuverque post mortem piis illorum precibus
ac sacrificiis, quorum contemplari virtutes ac vitae innocentiam de-
lectabat otiosum magis (quod refero dolens) quam imitari ; sic quibus
coUigari non potui vivus in victu et vestitu, habitatione, et legibus ;
mortus saltern, quod confido, sepulchro ac templo eorum communi,
etiamnum superstite anima,, animabus eorum in coelo consociabor.
Sic volo, sic spero. Amen.
Datum Rhedonis 30. Aprilis 1660.
Franciscus, Alladensis Episcopus.

163
JESUS MARY.
TO THE READER, FRANCIS, BISHOP OF KILLALA, WISHETH ETERNAL
SALVATION.
Whereas, since boyhood, I have been famihar with the institute
of the Fathers of the Society of Jesus, and aided by their counsels ;
now, having arrived at great old age, I hereby declare, that the
Society has ever been loved and venerated by me ; and, whereas,
I was not enabled to become a member of such a holy body during
my Ufe-time — a desire for some years cUerished by me — I there
fore humbly prayed the V.R.F. Mutius Viteleschi, General of the
Society, that he would allow me to follow a pious usage of very
many persons, and make the vows when about to die. This pri-
rilege was graciously conceded to me, as appears from the General's
letters to the Rev. Provincials and Rectors. These letters, dated
January 15th 1640, and sealed with the Society's seal, are now
before me, and I submit them, reader, to your perusal, Be it
known, therefore, to all wUo wUl inspect tUese letters, that this
has been, and stUl is, my desire, and in case sudden death or any
accident (which God avert), should prevent the foresaid profession —
this I repeat shaU be regarded as sucb, and made according to the
common rule and formula of the Society. As for the rest, I commit
mysetf to God, and the care of the most pious Fathers of the
Society, whom I, a Bishop bowed down by years, humbly implore
to receive me into the aforesaid Society, not on account of any
merits I may possess, but looking rather to our Lord Jesus Christ,
our remunerator and sponsor. Thus admitted a member of the
Society, when about to die, not having been able to accomplish this
wish in my life-time, — it is my ardent desire to be assisted by the
prayers and sacrifices of those, -whose virtues and innocence of Ufe
(I grieve to say) engaged more of my contemplation than imitation.
Thus, as I could not be joined with them in habit, discipline, and
domicile while living, dead at least I trust I shall be allowed a
sepulchre with them in their Church, and that the soul that is still
in this life shall be associated with theirs in Heaven. This is my
wish, this is my hope.
Given at Rennes, 30th April, 1660. Francis, Bishop of Killala.

164

EPITAPHIUM
RMI. D. FRANCISCI KIROVANI EPISCOPI ALLADENSIS,
IN ECCLESIA RHEDONENSI SOC1ETATIS JESU SEP0LTI.
Qui bene preclari Pastoris Episcopus egit
Munia, qui populo norma salutis erat ;
Vocis, et exempli qui traxit pondere ad almam
Virtutem summa, dexteritate gregem ;
Quique peregrinos donis cumulavit et aras,
Pro stipe currentis pauperis atque sinum ;
Quemque gravis morbi vinclorum et tormina passi
Persensere sibi ferre frequenter opem ;
Cujus et auxiho viduae miserique pupilli
Pauperiem crebro deposuere suam ;
Quique cruentavit peracutis tergora flagris,
Pavit et exiguo viscera macra cibo ;
Multaque qui passus terraque marique pcricla,
Quique diu coluit carceris antra miser ;
Sedibus e propiis quem truserat haeresis atra,
Insontem et tristi tradidit exiho ;
Quique dedit nomen sub mortem Patribus illis,
Qui Jesus nomen cunctipotentis habent ;
Nimirum qui multa tulit pro nomine Jesus
In Jesus voluit rehgione mori ;
iEternam tandem nactus post fata quietem
Finiit acrumnas hac cumulates humo.

16".

EPITAPH
ON THE RIGHT REV. FRANCIS KIRWAN, BISHOP OF KILLALA,
INTERRED IN THE CHURCH OF THE SOCIETY OF JESUS AT RENNES.
He, as a Bishop, fulfilled sublimely a pastor's duty ;
He was a rock of salvation to all who gave him their trust.
He, by example and word, by a life of glory and beauty,
Won the worst sinners to tears, and to lead the life of the just.
Ever was his right hand with preciousest gifts outstretched.
Unto the altar of God, unto God's houseless poor,
And to the widow and orphan, and the imprisoned and wretched,
Gave he what alms he had — and cheerfully opened his door.
Fasting was one of his joys, and he lashed his body with scourges ;
All the hfe of that man lay in his innermost soul ;
Much he suffered on land, much on the ocean surges,
And in a dungeon lay long, enduring ineffable dole.
Yet from the See that he held, black heresy forcibly drove him,
Drove him afar from his land, and sought to brand him with
shame,
Him who, living and dying, made all who knew him to love him ;
Him, the bright star of that band who bear the Redeemer's name.
Much had he suffered for Jesus, from men and powers infernal ;
Therefore, in His Society willed Ue to breath his last. —
Till, in the hope of obtaining rest and solace eternal —
Here he calmly reposes, his pains and his labours past.

NOTES.

DEDICATORY EPISTLE.
Note 1. — Page. i.
The Marquis of Caracena.
It wiU be recoUected that this family treated the Irish with marked
respect. In the year 1602, a Marquis of Caracena was commissioned by
the King of Spain, to attend on Red Hugh O'Donnell, who subsequently
died at VaUadolid. The Caracena who appointed Joyce to such an
important position in the Cathedral of Brussels, was of the same family.
I have, designedly called D. Gregory, "Minister of Spiritual Affairs,"
although I find him mentioned in the Hib. Dom. as cappellanus to
Caracena. Note 2. — Page iii.
Joyce.
A very ancient family of English descent, " a race of men," says the
Venerable Hardiman. (Hist, of Galway, p. 14,) " remarkable for their
extraordinary stature, who for centuries inhabited the mountainous
districts in Jar Connaught. Much to the same purport is the description
given by Ussher (in Primord, p. 726.) "Populus magnus sicut Gigantes,
Procerae Homines staturae, et fortissimi." The D. Gregory Joyce, to
whom Lynch dedicates his book, was of this family, as appears from a
genealogical account compiled for a " Mr. Gregory Joyes," who died at
Madrid, 1745. Hardiman, in the notes to O'Flaherty's West Connaught,
(p. 248.) seems to discredit it, and terms it " a corruption of History."
We lay a part of it before the reader, as it has reference to the latter
portion of the Dedicatory Epistle. " Dominus Jacobus Waraeus refert,
quod in seculo 14° Eminentissimus, Thomas Joise fuit Cardinalis S.
Sabinae et quod Waltents Joise, ordinis Proedicatorum (Frater dicti

168 NOTES. — dedicatory epistle.
Cardinalis,) fuit consecrates Archiep. Armach. a Nicholao Card. Ostiensi;
et quod forte is idem fuit Walterus Anglicus quem Raphael Volaterraneus
Edwardi Regis Angliae fuisse, Confessorem, et Genuae in Italia Sepul-
tum asserit. Archiepiscopatum (Armach,) resignavit Anno 1311. Hic
Sex habuit fratres ulterius, qui omnes ejusdem fuerunt ordinis Proedica
torum. Rolandus de Joise Dominicanus, et dicti Walteri frater germanus,
consecrates est Archiepiscop. Armach. is porro Archiepiscopatum se
abdicavit, Anno 1321."
As it is not quite certain that any Irishman was ever honored with a
Cardinal's hat, we leave the question to be discussed by others. It is
however worthy of note, that the battle in which the prayers of Primate
Joyce brought victory to the English army, was fought near Dundalk
(1318), in which Edward Brace was defeated by the English, under Sir
John Bermmgham. Bruce had reduced the Archdiocese of Armagh to
sucli a fearful condition, that we can scarcely credit Camden's account
of it.
" Many were so hunger starved," says he (Annal. p. 177), " that, in
Church-yards they took the bodies out of their graves, and in their
skulls boiled the flesh, and fed thereon : yea and women did eat their
own children for stark hunger."
I have not been able to ascertain at what period D. Gregory left
Ireland, but it is likely he may have fled immediately after the dissolu
tion of the Catholic League. He was a Friar — a Canon Regular, and
sought an asylum from persecution. His exertions at Brussels in favor
of the Domincian Friars, are set forth at considerable length in the Hib.
Dom. p. 444. This document, in which the Dominicans bind themselves
to say Souls-Masses, and recite Offices for the Kith, and Kin of D. G.
Joyce, is signed by Dominick 0' Kelly, William de Burgo, and Thomas
Lynch. It is dated January, 1659. The foundations of the Irish
Dominican Convent were laid A.D. 1666. Vide. Hib. Dom. p. 446.
and the notices prefixed to Dr. French's works.
Note 3.— Page v.
I myself was present when Malachy Queely,
Malachy Queely (or, more probably, O'Kealy,) Archbishop of Tuam,
slain by Coote at Sligo, a short time before Rinuccini's arrival in Ireland,
was a very learned and brave man. A.D. 1645, he compiled a description
of the Churches and Chapels in the Archdiocese of Tuam, for Colgan, in
whose Acta S.S. they will be found at page 714. One of Rinuccini's first
acts on his mrival at Limerick, was to celebrate the obsequies of this

NOTES. — dedicatory epistle. 169
soldier-prelate in the church of St. Mary. The Nuncio has left us some
details which I think worth translating, as they refer to this distin
guished leader of the Confederates. "During the few days I remained
at Limerick, there came the sad tidings of the melancholy death of the
Archbishop of Tuam  This worthy Prelate returned to Kilkenny,
after the capture of Sligo, and I have learned that on going away from
the former place, he took leave of many persons and carried off his
baggage, stating that he should never revisit Kilkenny. He quoted
some prophecies regarding the Pastors of his Church, and I may observe
that this (Irish) people is much given to such folly of vaticination.
Returned to besiege Sligo, he was informed that the enemy's force was
increased ; but, either discrediting the assertion, or not talcing sufficient
precaution, he suffered himself to be surprised, and, being obliged to
retreat, two Friars were killed at his side, and he himself was soon after
slain by a pistol-shot in the loins. He was heard to say in his last
moments, that he had done his utmost for the defence of the Catholic
ReUgion, and that he gladly laid down his life for the same object."
This great Prelate was not a Connaught man (Nunziatara, pp. 69. 102.)
This Archbishop, " slain in actual defence of the faith," (Rinuccini, p.
70,) was succeeded by John de Burgo, of the house of Clanricarde.
It appears from the Nuncio's correspondence, that the appointment of
this Prelate was not what he would have wished, and it is interesting to
know that the Grand Duke of Tuscany, sought the vacant mitre, for a
Father Nicholas DonneUan, of the order of St. Augustin, who in the year
1647, was a lector of Theology in Vienna. Rinuccini opposed the
election of Friars to Episcopal Sees on the plea, that the Regular Clergy
were more skilled in Theology than Canon law, a profound knowledge of
the latter faculty, being necessary to regulate the Church "in Foro
externo." There was moreover a prejudice against the Friars, as being
too much identified with the aristocracy whom they served as Chaplains.
Nunziatara. p. 102. It wiU be seen, however, that he had no reason to be
satisfied with Malachy O'Kealy's successor.
Note 4. — Page vii.
Verily in the Catholic Cities of any part of the World, $c.
I believe that this eulogy was as applicable to Waterford as to Galway.
In the year 1646, these two cities excelled all the other Irish towns in
religious pomps. During Rinuccini's nunciature, every moment he could
snatch from diplomacy was devoted to enforcing a strict conformity
with the Roman ritual and Pontifical. He attached vast importance to

170 NOTES. — DEDICATORY EPISTLE.
processions, and would fain see our Irish Ecclesiastics as fond of such
pageants as those of his own country ; Galway in particular, as appears
from his report, presented to Innocent X. on his return to Rome, came
nearest his " ideal of a Christian Church." (Vide Nunziatura in Irlanda,
p. 443). Let us now see what was the state of Ecclesiastical discipline in
Ireland, on the Nuncio's arrival — of course we are bound to place implicit
reliance on the statement of a man who was the accredited minister of
the Roman court. "I now pass to describe the actual state of Ecclesias-
¦ tical affairs — the principal object of my mission, and of this I cannot
write without grief  for, the old bishops who have been accustomed
to perform their few functions clandestinely, make no account of the
splendour and grandeur of religion. Hence, it is, that they abhor, rather
than adopt, sacred costume and ceremonials; celebrating (Mass) like
ordinary priests, and administering the Sacrament of Confirmation, not
only without a mitre and robes, but almost in laic apparel  but if this
imbecility (fiacchezza) characterizes the greater number of the Bishops, he
assured that it is much more conspicuous in the Uves of the Friars. The
latter, accustomed to live outside their Convents, and serve as chaplains
to the aristocracy, from whom they receive ample payment, — free from a
monastic discipline, and the habits of their orders, are very reluctant to
listen to an adjustment, which would restore religious rigour, and cause
them the loss of the aforesaid exemptions  hence, some of them
have not scrupled to preach that the restoration of the Churches has
nothing to do with the substance of faith, alleging the Bible teaches that
the Hebrews were centuries without a Temple, and Christ instituted the
Eucharistic sacrifice in a private house. Now, if persons of an other
way of thinking had not endeavoured to remedy abuses Uke these, the
lower orders would be wrought upon by such opinions, for as they have
been accustomed to have Mass celebrated in their houses, they set so
much value on this accommodation, that up to the present moment, I
have not been able to induce (the Clergy) to carry the most Holy Sacra
ment processionally to the sick, nay, nor to have the consecrated particles
kept in Tabernacles, as every vfle craftsman must have Mass offered at
his bedside during iUness — and, what makes the scandal greatest, offered
on the very table, which, when stripped of the sacred apparel, serves as a
card-table, whereon they place large vessels of beer and viands for the
dinner. It may be, that the excessive authority conceded to Friars,
under the title of Missionaries, has occasioned these disorders. It is to
be remarked, moreover, that this Irish Nation, the most negligent of all
Europe, in whatsoever regards industry, is quite satisfied with what
nature dictates; and hence it is, that the people exert no extraordinary

NOTES — CHAPTER I. 171
diligence in sacred or profane matters, but content themselves with Mass
celebrated in a cabin, feed on whatever the land produces without toil,
and imbibe these cold humours that make them accommodate themselves
to the circumstances of the times." (Rinuccini, p. 111.) It is likely
enough that the Nuncio contributed greatly to stimulate the energies of
the clergy, and excite a love of these solemnities for which Lynch so
strongly commends D. Gregory Joyce. A glance at Sir Henry Sidney's
letters, about the year 1575, wiU convince any unbiassed mind, that the
straits to which EngUsh persecution had reduced the CathoUc Priest
hood, must have rendered them heedless of aU ceremonial which was not
absolutely necessary for the celebration of Mass and administration of the
Sacraments ; nor should we forget that Tuam and Cashel were the only
sees, of whose temporaUties their respective Archbishops got possession,
after the rising of 1641. "These two," says the memorandum given the
Nuncio on leaving Rome, " have reblessed their metropohtan Churches,
and are now in possession of their revenues." ( Nunziatura, p. 44.^)

CHAPTER I.
Note 5.— Page 19.
This Collegiate Church. $c.
This CoUegiate Church, was instituted by Donates O'Murry, Arch
bishop of Tuam, A.D. 1484, and confirmed by a Bull of Innocent VIII.
in the same year. The estabUshment of the Collegiate Church met
terrible opposition from the " ferocious O'Flaherties," and Joyces, who,
in contrast to the " modest," and " civil" Galweygians " residing in a
town surrounded withwaUs," are described in the Bull, as "mountainous
and wfld people," who disturbed the CoUegiate advocates so much "that
they could not assist at Divine Service, nor receive the Holy Sacraments
according to the EngUsh decency, rite and custom ; they being much
disquieted therein, and sometimes robbed of their goods, and kiUed by
those unlearned men." (v. Hist, of Galway, by Hardiman.) No
wonder that the people of Galway wrote on their doors, "from the
ferocious O'Flaherties deUver us,. 0 Lord !" Savage as they may have
been, they were not worse than the iconoclast promoters of the "Reforma
tion ;" for, one of the first acts of Lord Deputy Grey, was to seize and
confiscate th§ jewels, ornaments, and crosses of the Collegiate Church
" according to the English decency, rite, and custom," observed by the
missioners of the new faith.

172 NOTES.  CHAPTER I.
Note 0.— Page 19.
Andrew Lynch, Bishop of Kilfenora.
He is described by Rinuccini, (p. 84,) as having been a long time
Vicar Apostolic of the aforesaid diocese. " He is a man," says the Nuncio,
"who has always conducted himself well, though, sooth to say, his
tendencies incline rather to Christian simplicity than an active life."
Note 7.— Page 19.
Walter Lynch, Bishop of Clonfert,
He was formerly Vicar Capitular of Tuam, and is described by the
Nuncio (p. 152) as " a learned man, a great preacher, and exercising much
influence in his own district." "At the present writing," (A.D. 1646,)
says this accurate observer of men and manners, " he is most enthusiastic
for the Catholic cause, and his appointment is much desired by the clergy
and laity." Three years afterwards, the Nuncio had reason to repent him
of his commendations, for he cited Walter Lynch, together with the
Archbishop of Tuam, to appear at Rome, and render an account of the
opposition given him in Galway, when the aforesaid Archbishop and
Bishop, in the teeth of his interdict, entered by the roof of the CoUegiate
Church, and celebrated Mass coram populo. If we are to believe
Rinuccini, those were not the only Bishops who betrayed their trust in
accepting the terms of Inchiquin's " peace." The Aa-chbishop of Tuam
was always opposed to his one-principled policy, and entertained strong
personal resentments to the Nuncio, who endeavoured to promote another
to the See of Tuam. When, however, the excommunication was issued
against all abettors of the peace between the Supreme CouncU and
Inchiquin, the Jesuits, looking to their interests, joined the Archbishop
and discalced CarmeUtes— in a word, sided with the strongest, and
preached against the excommunication and interdict. The most active
and energetic opponents of the Nuncio's questionable power (to interdict,
and excommunicate,) were Peter Walsh the Franciscan, and the Arch
bishop of Tuam who "preached publicly against him." (Rin. p. 337.)
Strange to say, the subject of Lynch' s memoir was amongst the number,
but of this — more anon. In another letter, dated Galway 29th August,
1647, Rinuccini launches out into the following eulogy of the Bishop
(Walter Lynch) : " Concerning the man whom your Holiness has been
pleased to appoint to Clonfert, the testimony of Father Scarampi wiU be
satisfactory, for he has had much intercourse with him, and I thank God
that this appointment has been made, because this Bishop grows daily

NOTES. — CHAPTER I. 173
more deserving in my esteem, and, since my arrival in Galway, I have
seen him more exact and diligent than any other in all matters pertaining
to the Church. He is a man of vast capacity — a preacher — a judge, and
so beloved that nobody speaks UI of him, while every one envies him. —
The Archbishop , of Tuam, on the other hand, is a most impracticable
person, and whensoever the occasion offers, proves himself inflexible to
my authority." (Rin. 245.) If we except the one sUght stain on Lynch's
character, by which we mean his resistance to the Nuncio, it were hard
to find any bishop more praise-worthy. That his tastes were of a high
order there can be no doubt; the pathetic allusion to the loss of his
Ubrary reminds one of Sadolet's wad over his valuable CoUectanea,
devoured by another element ; and then, " the pair of organs," as the old
Ecclesiastical inventories term the instrument, are proof of the Prelate's
love of clerical decorum. Alas! the organ "Cantahat mcestis tibia
funeribus," and the poor Bishop, sharing the fate of others, was driven
out by Cromwell and doomed to seek an exile's grave at Semlin, or
Belgrade. Before aUuding to the assembly at Clonmacnoise, it may not
he amiss to state, that, in the year 1646, a memorial was forwarded to
Pope Innocent X. by the clergy of this ancient Diocese, praying the
re-establishment of its bishopric. The See was united to that of Meath
in the time of Queen EUzabeth, and its re-erection was so anxiously
wished for, that Anthony Geoghegan, a Franciscan, then guardian of
Kilkenny Convent, was proposed to the Holy See, as a fit and proper
person to preside over the diocese of Clonmacnoise. Rinuccini, (p. 103,)
states that it was one of the poorest in all Ireland, and that a certain
gentleman, then in possession of a portion of its temporalities, scrupled
holding Church property and was wUUng to give it up. Clonmaerioise
however was not destined to have a bishop, and is likely to remain a
mass of ruin attesting by-gone sanctity's splendour.
Soon after the death of Charles I, the Confederates proclaimed the
Prince of Wales in aU the cities and towns then held by Ormond and
the Supreme CouncU. The Committee at the Hague ratified the peace
between the Confederates and the Viceroy, and the wreck of the Catholic
troops was then put in motion tiU the army under Ormond was beaten
at Rathmines by Michael Jones (August 2nd 1649.) Eleven days after
wards CromweU landed in Dublin, and on the fourth of December
foUowing, twenty CathoUc Bishops assembled at Clonmacnoise to take
counsel for the safety of the realm. Ormond wrote to twenty-four
Bishops to come and meet him at Limerick on the 8th of March, 1650,
but the Mayor of that city would not hear of their assembling within
these famous walls. The Prelates then proceeded to Longhreagh, where

174 NOTES.  CHAPTER I.
they had scarcely arrived when they were informed that the new King,
at the instance of the Scotch Puritans, annulled the peace already ratified.
From Loughreagh they moved to James-town, and there, in the Francis
can Convent, drew up a document in which they declared themselves
absolved from the terms of the peace with Ormond, whom they began to
suspect to be false and fickle, — but alas ! when too late. During these
transactions, Walter Lynch acted as secretary to many of the meetings
held at Clonmacnoise, Loughreagh, and James-town. In endeavouring to
conclude a treaty with the Duke of Lorrain, he showed himself an able
diplomatist, but it is needless to dweU here on the miserable failure of
aU the plans concerted at Clonmacnoise and elsewhere. The battle of
Worcester gave the finishing blow to the royal cause in Ireland. Clanri
carde, the Catholic Viceroy, was driven out of Galway, the last stronghold
of the Nationalists, which was taken A.D. 1652. Then commenced the
exile of this worthy Bishop, whose chequered Ufe somewhat resembled
that of St. Brendan, who is said to have saded to America nine hundred
years before Columbus. A young and highly-gifted friend has sung
sweetly of Brendan's voyages in the University Magazine," January, 1848,
and another has versified a legend of this saint of the seas, which I am
sure is worth rescuing from a " vagabond Ufe, in newspapers, and peri
odicals." The author of these exquisite verses, Mr. Thomas M'Gee, has
done great service in his valuable work on the writers of the seventeenth
century. It may be observed, too, that Walter Lynch, likethe founder
of the See of Clonfert, was a lover of peace and a determined enemy of
€$e §>tviit*£)obitv.
St. Brendan related, that, sailing one night on the great ocean, there came to
him the soul of one (who had been an angry monk, and a sower of strife among
brethren) supplicating his prayers — Ushek's Religion of the Ancient Irish, p. 20.
What time St. Brendan on the sea
At night was sailing,
A spirit voice from the ship's lee
Rose, wildly wailing,
Crying, " Blessed Brendan, pray for me
A prayer availing ;
" For I have been, Oh Saint, thro' life
A sinner ever ;
With murmurings my course was rife
As any river j
I never ceased from sowing strife,
Good men to sever.

NOTES.  CHAPTER I. 175
" Within our convent's peaceful wall
Was song and prime ;
But I loved never music's call,
Nor voice of chime ;
The Host, that must good hearts appal,
Awed never mine.
' ' In chancel, choir, or lonely cell —
On the sea shore,
The love of strife, as a strong spell,
Was ever more
Upon me — 'till sore sick I fell,
And was given o'er.
" Then in the brief hours of my pain,
To God I cried ;
And mourn' d — nor, Father, mourn'd in vain —
My strifes and pride ;
My soul departed — rent in twain—
Half justified.
" Twixt Heaven and Hell, in doubt I am
Oh ! Holy Saint ;
Oh ! supplicate the bleeding Lamb
To hear my plaint ;
Oh ! bless me with thy words of balm
I faint — I faint."
Saint Brendan seized his rosary,
And knelt him low,
And prayed, whoso the soul might be
That passed him fro,
That God, and Christ His Son, would free
It from its woe.
And never any night at sea
In his long sailing,
Heard the Saint after from the lee
The spirit's wailing —
He deemed it with the just to be
Thro' prayer availing.
Note 8.— Page 23.
There then it was that the Jesuits, fyc.
The Jesuits sought to revive the school of St. Nicholas, the great
seminary of the west. Alexander Lynch, our author's father, presided
over 1200 scholars in the year 1608, when Primate Usher made a
visitation to close the doors of the seminary, and inhibit education. Vide
Hardiman's West Connaught.

176 NOTES. — CHAPTER I.

Note 9— Page 25.

The Lord Deputy H. Sydney, fyc.
No wonder that the Deputy should think highly of the people of
Galway, when he found the Clandonnells, and Mac WiUiams "able
to speak Latin, though the latter could not speak English." The
testimony of the Italian traveUer who has left such an interesting de
scription of the city, even after the enforcement of the penal laws, is more
to our purpose. " Being at Mass in a private house, he saw, at one view
the blessed Sacrament in the hands of the Priest, boats passing up and
down the river, a ship entering the port in fuU sail, a salmon killed with a
spear, and hunters and hounds pursuing a deer." Hist. Galway, p. 85.
It is difficult to think that Lynch was correct in his estimate of the Clan
donnells, Joyces, and O'Flaherties, who were goaded into rebeUion and
despair, by the rapacity and cruelty of Fitton, appointed President A.D.
1569. We are also to remember the valuable testimony of Stanihurst,
who, describing the Irish, says, " they speak Latin like a vulgar language,
learned in their common schools of leachcraft and law, whereat they
begin children, and hold on sixteen or twenty years." The reader will
at once perceive that Lynch speaks of the mountain tribes, as Livy did
of the Gauls, who spurned to be cooped up within the rampaits of
Marseilles. Note 10. Page 27.
The wrech of the Armada.
A pamphlet in Marsh's Library, published September, 1588, gives
the following list of the vessels lost off the western coast.
t
In Sligo Haven, ... 3 great Ships.... 1500 men.
Tirawley  1 Ship  400
Clere Island ... 1  300
Finglasse  1  400
O'Flartie  1  200
Irrise  2 
Galway Bay ... 1  70
Sir Wm. Fitzwilliam visited the city in 1589, and acted the brutal
tragedy described by Lynch. The Deputy commissioned one Fowle
to hunt out the unfortunate Spaniards and Portuguese from their lurk
ing places, and caused about 200 of them to be put to death. The
pious conduct of the matrons of Galway, offers a splendid contrast to

NOTES.  CHAPTER II. 177
the cold blooded cruelty of the refined English Viceroy. It is scarcely
necessary to observe, that Fitzwilliam perpetrated these murders because
he could not find gold or silver in possession of the sailors or native
Irish. Ware says, he undertook a journey in hopes to finger some
portion of the treasure; but to no purpose. — Ware, ad An. 1589.
Note 11.— Page 29.
Eighty-one members, fyc.
Mr. Hardiman states that there were eighty-four. Thomas Lynch
Fitz-Ambrose was the last Catholic Mayor, when the inhabitants were
dispossessed by Cromwell, A.D. 1654. — Hist. Galway, p. 18.

CHAPTER II.
Note 12.— Page 81.
With this master, fyc.
A learned French priest, M. l'Abbe Cochet, in a most interesting-
work on the churches of Normandy, states, that the sarcophagus of St.
Laurence has been restored by King Louis Philip. The relics of this
ulustrious Irish Saint, are still venerated at Eu ; and the archives of the
great monastery, formerly belonging to the Canons Regular, contain
many rare documents pertaining to the life of St. Lorchan. Imar
O'Hsedhagain, the preceptor of the iUustrious Malachi Morgair, who
succeeded Celsus in the Primacy, died at Rome, A.D. 1134.
Note 13.— Page 23.
David Kearney.
In the year 1605, a proclamation was published, " commanding the
Popish Clergy to depart the Kingdom," and in the foUowing year, the
Viceroy set out on a torn* of extermination to Munster. A fragment of
a letter given in " OUver's CoUections," page 252, describes the Arch
bishop of Cashel, as " lying hid," with his brother Barnaby Kearney, a
Jesuit. The letter is dated, " E nostro latibulo, ubi frater modo est.
4. Octob. 1606." A Latin MS., preserved in the College of Thurles,
entitled, " TriumphaUa Sanctte Cracis," states, that, in or about March,
1625, " David O'Kearney died in Dublin, after a laborious voyage from
N

178 Notes. — chapter hi.
Spain;" the MS. asserts, that the Archbishop was interred in the same
cemetery with Rev. Paul Ragget, Abbat of St. Mary's.

CHAPTER III.
Note 14.— Page 33.
Florence Conry.
Almost every fact of interest connected with the Ufe of this ulustrious
successor of St. Jarlath, has been collected by Mr. M'Gee, in the
" GaUery of Irish Writers." His epitaph wUl be found in the notice of
the Franciscan Convent at Louvain, prefixed to Dr. French's works.
Note 15.— Page 33.
Valentine Browne.
Rinuccini, writing from Rouen, (April 1649,) summons the Prior of
Galway, together with his friend Valentine Browne, both discalced Friars,
to appear at Rome, and answer the foUowing charges : first, neglecting
to observe the interdict, and celebrating Mass in pubhc after the Nun
cio's excommunication; second, for having appealed to the Supreme
Council, instead of proceeding to Rome, whither they had been ordered
to depart, under pain of excommunication ipso jure; third, for having
contented themselves with the sentence of a lay-tribunal, which pro
nounced the Nuncio's censures nuU and void. — Rin. p. 376.
Note 16.— Page 35.
Having returned to Ireland.
Kirwan's companion, Father Duigin, died in Galway, March, 1642.
" ReUgiosee vitae exemplo et multorum annorum exantlatis in hac vinea
laboribus insignis."— Oliv. Coll. 243. As to the visitation, it is neces
sary to observe, that the Vicar-General did not avail himself of the
privileges sanctioned by the Lateran CouncU, 1179, which permitted a
Rural Dean " two horses." What a contrast between poor Francis
Kirwan and the Archdeacon of Richmond, who, when visiting a church,
" brought in his train 97 horses, 21 dogs, and 3 falcons ; and consumed
more in one day, than would have sufhced the community for an age !"
—Monast. Angl. vol. ii. p. 165. If we had it not on such good authority
as Lynch's, we might be disposed to question the account given of the

NOTES.  CHAPTER III. 179
•physical and moral condition of the country. Internecine wars must have
made sad ravages amongst the people, when, in the district known as
Jar-Connaught, they were reduced to a state only equalled by that of
the coUiers, so truly and deplorably described in Lord Ashley's Report.
The rudiments of Faith, and the Lord's Prayer, utterly unknown in a
portion of Connaught, in the year 1620 ! To this state of barbarism
were the people reduced by the accursed laws, enacted by Elizabeth and
James I., against " foreign seminaries and Popish priests." So true is
it, that the proscription of education can do more in the way of unci-
tvUizing a people, than the fire of a hundred batteries ; and here again
we see the fuU force of Plato's doctrine : " Man is a docUe animal,
1 sensitive, and fond of society ; but all this depends on a good education,
without which, he must become the most ferocious and ungovernable
animal in the universe." Thank heaven, the National Schools are in
existence! As to the physical condition of the country at the time
alluded to, Mr. Hardiman observes, that it was worse at the close of the
seventeenth century, than at the beginning of it ; for we find it thus
described in O'Flaherty's " West Connaught," page 15 : " The greatest
number of cattle in this countrey is of cows, the soil being for the most
part good only for pasture and grazing, and very fertile of all kinde of
herbs. The chiefest product, therefore, and greatest commodity is beefe,
butter, taUow, hides, and of late cheese, out of the Isles of Aran ; yet it
yields as much corn, wheat, barley, oats and ry, as is enough to
mstaine the inhabitants, and furnishes the market besides." But the
people left in a state of ignorance, a prey to domestic hate, and the
horrors of oppression from without, had no other concern than that of
shedding each other's blood, or making desultory and unsystematic efforts
to repel English aggression. Hence, in about a quarter of a century
afterwards, we find agriculture so shockingly neglected, as to demand
the interposition of Parhament to enact laws against ploughing horses by
the taUs, and burning the grain out of the stalk. As to the Islands of
Aran, from which dreamers were won't to behold a fast fading elysium,
" On ocean's blue rim" —
' ' Men thought it a region of sunshine and rest,
And they called it O'Brazil the Isle of the blest."
It is only necessary to transcribe a description of them given by
O'Flaherty, at the beginning of the seventeenth century : " The three
Isles of Aran, extending in length from west to east, have the barony of
MoycuUin on the north ; Moyclea, in Corcamro barony and county of
-Clare, on the east; and the Cape of Kerry-Head, far off in sight, stretched

180 NOTES.  CHAPTER III.
out in the sea on the south. They are fenced on the south side, with
very high cliffs — some three-score, some four-score, and some five-score
fathoms deep — against the Western-Ocean's approach. The soile is almost
paved over with stones, soe as in some places nothing is to be seen but
large stones with wide openings between them, where cattle break their
legs. Scarce any other stones there but limestones and marble, fit for
tombstones, chimney mantle trees and high crosses. Among these stones
s very sweet pasture, so that beef, veal, mutton, are better and ecvrlier
in season here than elsewhere ; and of late there is plenty of cheese, and
tillage mucking, and corn is the same with the sea-side tract. In some
places the plow goes. On the shore grows samphire in plenty, ring-
root or sea-holly, and sea-cabbage. Here are Cornish choughs, with
red legs and bills ; here are ayries of hawkes, and birds who never fly
but over the sea ; and, therefore, are used to be eaten on fasting days;
to catch which, people goe down, with ropes tyed about them, into the
caves of clifts by night, and with a candle-light, kill abundance of them.
Here are severall wells and pooles ; yet in extraordinary dry weather,
people must tern their cattell off the Islands, and the com fads.
They have no fueU but cow-dung, dryed with the sun, unless they bring
turf in from the western continent. They have Cloghans, a kind of
building of stones, layed one upon another, which are brought to a roof
without any manner of mortar to cement them ; 3ome of which cabins,
will hold forty men on their floor ; so ancient, that nobody knows how
long agoe any of them was made. There is a waste island on the south
west side, called OUen-da-Branoge, where they goe to slaughter seals
yearly, and where there is abundance of samphire." — Vide West Con
naught, pp. 67, 68.
Such is O'Flaherty's description of Ara-na-Naomh, or " Ara of the
Saints." It will not be out of place to advert, that the custom of eating
sea-fowl on fasting days was no novelty, as appears from the mention
made of it by Socrates, (Sseculo quinto.) " Some abstain altogether
from animals; others, of animals eat fish only; some, along with fish,
eat also birds : saying, that according to Moses, birds, like fish, were
created out of the waters!' — Hist. Eccl. Ub. v. c. 22.
Note 17.— Page 41.
In England, King Sigebert, fyc.
However marvellous the facts narrated here, we see no reasons for
discrediting them ; they rest on the authority of the Venerable Bede,
St. Gregory of Tours, and Raynaldus. The death of Sigebert occurred

NOTES.  CHAPTER III. 181
A.D. 653; the account of which is furnished by St. Bede : (Eccl. Hist.
lib. ni. c. 22.) " WhUst the doctrine of eternal life was thus, for a con
siderable time, making progress, it happened, that the King, at the
instigation of the enemy of all good men, was murdered by his own
kindred. They were two brothers who did this wicked deed ; and, being-
asked what had moved them to it, had nothing else to answer, but that
they had been incensed against the King, because he was too apt to spare
his enemies. Such was the crime for which the King was killed ; in
which innocent death, however, his real offence was also punished,
according to the prediction of the man of God; for one of these Earls
that murdered him, was unlawfully married, which the bishop not being-
able to prevent, he excommunicated him, and commanded all that would
five ear to him, not to enter within his house, nor to eat of his meat.
he King making slight of the inhibition, and being invited by the Earl,
went to an entertainment at his house, and when he was going thence,
the Bishop met him. The King, beholding him, immediately dismounted
from his horse, trembling, and fell down at his feet, begging pardon for
his offence ; for the Bishop, who was likewise on horseback, had also
alighted. Being much incensed, he touched the King, lying in that
humble posture, with the rod he held in his hand, and using his pontifical
authority, spoke thus : ' I say to you, forasmuch as you would not
refrain from the house of that wicked and condemned person, you shall
die in that very house.' " Note 18.— Page. 47.
Abbot in commendam, of the HiU of Victory.
The Abbey of Knockmoy, called " De CoUe Victoria?." Cathal
Crovderg, the Red-Handed, founded this monastery, for Cistercians,
"giving glory to God," for a great victory won here, A.D. 1189.
Cathal died in June, 1224, and was here interred in the Cistercian
habit. The frescoes on the walls of this abbey, are still in a state of pre
servation. Mr. O'Donovan, in his splendid notes to the "Four Masters,"
(ad. An. 1224,) gives most interesting particulars of the Red-Handed
monarch, who laid down the sickle for the sword, and left a deathless
name in the mrUtary and ecclesiastical annals of his country.

182 NOTES  CHAPTER III.
Note 19.— Page 51.
He punished priests given to gambling.
Card-playing appears to have been a favourite amusement with the
Irish from a very early period. From the " Book of Howthe," we learn,'
that on the night preceding the battle of Knoctow, (A.D. 1504,) the
confederated Irish and English forces beguiled the tardy hours, " watch
ing, drinking, and playing at cards, who should have this prisoner, or
that prisoner, and thus they passed the night over." Rinuccini, (p. 112.)
speaks of the same custom as prevalent in his time; as though cards,
beer, and dinner, were essentially necessary to an Irish merry-making.
Happily, however, such sordid practice is going into desuetude, and
people are beginning to learn that the interchange of thought is a more
delectable way of passing an evening, than squabbling over " Clubs,
Knaves, and Trumps." Note 20.— Page 57.
Lord Falkland, then Viceroy of Ireland.
Lord Falkland was appointed A.D. 1662. He was a man of moderate
views, and little inclined to deal tyrannically with the Irish Catholics.
Primate Usher preached his weU-known rabid sermon in presence of
the Lord Deputy, on the 8th of September, and sought to hound him
on against the " Papists." The Primate was, however, obliged to
" explain his explanation," at the instance of Lord Falkland. Mr.
Hardiman ( History of Galway,) records many proofs of the munifi
cence of this nobleman, whose tolerant notions brought on him the
execration of the English fanatics and bigots on his departure from
this country. — Vide Grainger's Biog.
Note 21.— Page 57.
Father Fallon.
Father FaUon, Vicar Apostolic of Achonry, is mentioned by Rinuccini,
(p. 84,) as a person much loved by the people of his diocese, and worthy
of being elevated to the Episcopacy. Note 22.— Page 57.
In tlie eastern suburb.
The Hospital here mentioned, " was founded," says Hardiman,
(jjistory of Galway, p. 81,) " for the poor of the town, and each burgess

NOTES.— CHAPTER III. 183
was obhged, in his turn, to send a maid-servant to collect alms every
Sabbath-day, for its support. This charitable institution was completed
in' the year 1543, when the sweating-sickness broke out." It is likely
enough, that this reUgious foundation was weU nigh ruined in the reign
of Elizabeth, or James ; and it is certain that Kirwan's zeal sought to
re-establish it. Note 23.— Page 59.
Far and near might be heard, #c.
I beUeve, that it was customary to allow prisoners to beg from the
windows of their jaUs in this country, a century back. Any one who
traveUed in Italy ten years ago, will remember how disgustingly the
practice existed ; the ground apartments of the Capitol at Rome, echoed
the importunities of miserable wretches in our own recollection ; but it
is not likely, that Pio IX. will suffer his Consulta to be annoyed by the
incessant waitings of culprits. To what ignoble uses was not the "Hill
of Triumph" turned, when the remains of the TabeUarium became a den
of thieves, who watched with anxious eye every motion of the begging
rod, thrust through the gratings of their dungeon, and invited sympathy
with a " Ricordatevi de' prigionieri ; Carita per l'amor di Dio !" But
these sad abuses have had their day, and the great Regenerator of Italy
has cleansed the Capitol, and many other places, of thieves, high and
low. Note 24.— Page 61.
Cruach Patrick.
The metrical life of our apostle, given by Messingham, and published
by Colgan, makes distinct mention of his " going up into the mountain,"
described in the text : "In montis cacumina
Scandit, et jejunat
Glacierum fragmina
Succendens adunat."
In the " Vita Tertia," (apud Colgan,) we are told, that on a certain
occasion, St. Patrick went into the desert, i. e. to Croighan Eigle, (now
Cruach Phadruic,) in Mayo, and there sat him down on a rock ; when lo !
a flock of black birds, (devUs who assumed this shape,) flapped their wings
over the Saint's head, and distracted his devotion. Then St. Patrick
tolled his bell, (de qua, vide Reeve's Antiquities of Down, Dromore, &c.,)
and the birds took wing far over the seas. When they departed, a

184 NOTES. — CHAPTER III.
mighty multitude of angels descended on the mountain, in the appear
ance of beauteous birds, and sang sweet songs for the holy recluse.
When St. Patrick's fast was over, he came down from Croighan Eigle,
tolled his beU, and craved three boons of Heaven :
1st. " That none of the inhabitants of this region, who did penance in
his last moments, might be excluded the kingdom of God."
2nd. "That the mountain might never become the inheritance of
foreigners or barbarians."
3rd. " That four years preceding the Day of Judgment, this scene of
his penitential labours might be merged in the deep sea."
Having sought the concession of these favors, he blessed the inha
bitants, tolled his bell, and the sound thereof was heard in far off
regions. Colgan speaks thus of the pilgrimages : " Visiter magna
populi devotione, continuis totius regni peregrinationibus propter Sti
Patricii honorem, et magna quae ibi facta sunt, et indies fiunt, miracu-
lorum signa." — Vide Colgan, Acta SS. Hib.
Note 25.— Page 61.
St. Patrick's Purgatory.
It would be needless to dwell at any length, on the written or tra
ditional accounts of this famed resort of pilgrims. Henricus Salterensis,
(apud Colgan,) a Spanish Poet, and an Irish NoveUst, (Carleton,) —
not to speak of the quaint work of one Richardson, who wrote " of the
folly of going on such Pilgrimage" — have rendered this locaUty familiar
to the generality of readers. One fact, attesting the veneration in which
" the Purgatory" was held in the 17th century, has not been given by
any modern writer, so we subjoin it here. In the year 1647, Rinuccini
engaged Owen Roe O'Neill, to drive the ParUamentarians out of SUgo ;
but owing to the dissensions then rife in the Supreme Council, the
Northern General was not able to undertake the expedition ; whereon,
the Nuncio, writing to Cardinal Panzirolo, states, that if he had had 8,000
doUars, he would have made " Red Owen" irresistible, and that his
army, having seized Enniskillen, would have marched to recover " the
holy place, called St. Patrick's Purgatory, now more than a hundred
years in the possession of heretics." — Rinuccini, p. 224.
The learned De Burgo visited the "Purgatory," A.D. 1748, and
describes the spiritual exercises then practised, much in the same way
as we have them in the text. De Burgo states, that Benedict XIII.,
when Cardinal of Benevento, preached a sermon commendatory of the
Irish Patmos. — Vide Hib. Dom. p. 5.

NOTES. — CHAPTER III. 185
Note 26.— Page 63.
The Protestant Archbishop of Tuam.
WiUiam Daniel, or O'Donel, born in Kilkenny, and one of the first
FeUows of T.C.D., was consecrated Protestant Archbishop of Tuam
in St. Patrick's Church, August 1609. He was a learned and bene
volent man, and translated the Book of Common Prayer out of Eno-Hsh
and the New Testament out of Greek, into the Irish tonmie; "he was
also," says Ware, "very knowing in the Hebrew." He'aied at Tuam,
July, 1628, and was buried in the Cathedral, nnder the same tomb with
his predecessor, Donelan. — Vide Ware.
Note 27.— Page 69.
Bridge-Building.
The authority alluded to in the text, (Var. L. 4 de L. L. c. 15,) says
" Sacerdotes universi a sacris dicti : Pontifices ut Scoevola Pontifex max-
imus dicebant a posse, etfacere : Ego a Ponte arbitror, nam ab iis Sub-
licius est factus primum." Whether this derivation be correct or not,
certain it is, that we are indebted to the genius, zeal, and perseverance
of churchmen, for many of the most splendid bridges in Europe. In fact,
bridge-buUding was esteemed a work of charity in the middle ages, as
passengers were no where more exposed to danger of IUe and property,
than at the passage of rivers. Hence, sprung up the " Conf ratemite
des Ponts," an order of Monks and lay-men, who have left us ample
evidence of their ability and industry ; witness, for example, the " Pont
St. Esprit," across the Rhone, the first stone of which was laid A.D.
1265, by Jean de Tianges, prior of the monastery of St. Esprit. This
fabric, nearly 3000 feet long, was finished in 1309. In fact, the abbats
of the Cistercian order, must be reckoned amongst the grandest archi
tects of the 13th century. If poor Kirwan did not rival the great
buUders of the middle ages, he deserves no trifling praise for his labours
in bridge-making. Mr. Hardiman has directed attention to this subject,
in the " West Connaught;" and we hope to see it followed up. The
actual Pontiff, Pio Nono, meditates throwing three suspension bridges
over the Tiber, and when he carries out his plan for lighting Rome
with gas, he may add the title of " Lucifer," to his Pontifical dignity.

186 NOTES. — CHAPTER IV.

CHAPTER IV.
Note 28.— Page 75.
In the disturbances which preceded the late war.
A glance at Dr. Lanigan's Ecclesiastical History, wUl convince the
reader, that St. Jarlath was not the first Archbishop of Tuam, as the
See was not raised to that dignity, tiU long after the death of its founder.
The eulogy, however, bestowed on O'Kealy, for his merciful conduct at
the " rising of 1641," was merited by many other CathoUc Bishops and
laymen, who stood between the infuriated masses and the objects of
popular vengeance; we need but recal the conduct of the O'ReiUys
in Cavan, when Bishop BedeU was made their prisoner, to convince us of
the humanity of many CathoUcs at that period of Irish history.
Long after that time, we feel pleasure in being able to point to the
merciful interposition of Father Curran, on Wexford-bridge. The
deliberate lies of Temple and Borlase, (not to speak of the shocking
frontispiece prefixed to the History of the Irish RebeUion, written by the
former,) have in some degree given a plausible colouring to the gross
misrepresentations of interested and lying writers. Ere long it will be
seen, that the most prominent leader of 1641, Sir Phelim O'Neill, was
not guilty of a tithe of the atrocities for which he subsequently suffered.
I believe it could be easily proved from Father MulhoUand's Diary, that
Munro committed more cold-blooded murders, about the afore-mentioned
period, than any of the leaders of the Confederates. He is said to have
tied sixty of the M'Garrys, back to back, and to have cast them into
the river Black- Water, on whose banks they had Uved by the peaceful
pursuits of fishermen. As to the wholesale murders, said to have been
committed by the Catholics, what are we to think of their calumniators,
after reading the comment of the celebrated O'Flaherty? In the
Preface to the Reader : " 140,000 souls, in a few weeks dislodged by the
authority of Temple, is by many thousands further from truth, than the
relation of seventeen persons only massacred, as appeal's by the
streight enquiryes made in Cromwell's time ; and yet, but few of these
many thousands could be found to have been reaUy murthered. For
there were not soe many thousands of Protestants living then in all
Ireland, much less in Ulster, where most of these murthers were said to
have been committed. Wherefore, the Black Booke in Athlone, upon
which 'Temple's Rebellion' was grounded, was soe falsifyed in most
particulars thereof, as well by the witnesses, who were said to have

NOTES.  CHAPTER IV. 187
thereunto deposed, as also by some of the persons, then living, who, in
that book were sworn to have been murthered, that it was for shame set
by, as no evidence ! It is also avowed, the first massacres were
committed on the Irish: and the several murthers in could blood, com
mitted on them, did twenty times exceed what they acted. Besides, the
Irish Nation in general, were so much unconcerned in those murthers,
that at their humble proposalls, aU murthers were excepted out of the
articles of peace, A.D. 1648 ; and since his Majesty's restoration, it was
their request, by their agents, to except all murthers on both sides out of
the Act of Indemnity." — Vide Hardiman's West Connaught, p. 432.
Note 29.— Page 57.
O'Finaghty.
O'Finaghty, the wonder-working Priest, or Thaumaturgus of the
17th century, aUuded to in the text, is a character very Uttle known to
the generaUty of Irish readers. His strange history induces me to
collect, in as condensed a form as I possibly can, all that is necessaiy to
be known of him.
He was a native of the Province of Connaught, and lived for a whUe
in the capacity of servant to a venerable Jesuit, caUed Father Moore,
who enjoyed great repute as an exorcist. Walsh, ( Peter,) who speaks
of this remarkable man, describes him as " iUiterate and undiscerning ;
one, who never had studied, not only, not any thing to be considered
in either natural or rational phUosophy, but not one word in divinity,
which might enable him to discern, or try his own spirit."
Nevertheless, the fame enjoyed by him for a time, would go almost to
contradict this assertion. He appears to have commenced his extra
ordinary career, early in the time of the Confederation, and before he was
admitted to orders; i.e. he became an exorcist before receiving Minor
Orders. His first effort was ludicrous enough ; he himself states it thus :
"He had a brother, whose breeches the DevU stole away at night;
whereupon, he took a book of exorcisms, and thence read a prayer over
him which was so effectual, that the Devil restored his breeches ; and
this was the first time he discovered his latent powers." — (vide Part 2,
First Treatise of the Irish Remonstrance.) It was not, however, till
towards the decline of the Protectorate, that he appeared pubUcly in
character as Thaumaturgist. At that time, when men were asking, "si
in hoc tempore restitues regnum Israel ?" which may be understood as
"meaning the dynasty of the Stuarts, or the restoration of CathoUcism,
banned by Cromwell and the Puritans, it was not unUkely that portents

188 NOTES.  CHAPTER IV.
and miraculous interpositions, should be sought after. Richard Bellings
and Geoffrey Brown believed that God's providence was signally mani
fested in the person of Father O'Finaghty, who, having obtained "a
pass," proceeded out of Connaught into Munster and Leinster, followed
by thousands of the population ; some of whom believed themselves
to have been cured of various maladies, by his " rubbings and touching ;"
in fact, Bellings asserted that he cured him of the gout, although the
attack returned less violently; and Brown stated, that, "in CromweU's
time, when O'Finaghty began to be first cryed up, he had himself been
present, when, in a wood in Connaught, whither a multitude came to the
Father, he had cured a cripple, who for many years before had been
always a cripple, and as such living at the Augustinians of Galway."
These and similar reports soon traveUed to London, whither Finaghty
was invited to try his miraculous power in the court of King Charles II.
The subject who sought his intervention, was a Portuguese lady,
attached to the Queen's retinue. The miracle to be performed was, to
restore to her her sight ; but Finaghty faded, and soon after returned to
Ireland. Although he failed, " he was honourably conveyed in a coach
of six horses through Oxford to Chester, and thence to Holyhead,
whence he sailed and landed at Ring's-end, in the year 1665." It should
be borne in mind, that O'Finaghty had been ordained Priest, previous to
his visiting England; and if we reflect on the circumstances of the
period at which he was admitted to holy orders, we wiU not be surprised,
that a bishop could be found to ordain him, or one like him ; for the
bishops had no alternative, and were forced by necessity to confer orders
on many persons who, however distinguished for moraUty, did not
possess as much knowledge as would now entitle them to a middle place
in a grammar-school. It is necessary, • however, that we account for
O'Finaghty's six-horse coach, " exitus de Egypto," notwithstanding his
failure in the Queen's court. Father Caron, a celebrated Franciscan,
then staying at London, teUs us : " that Finaghty was (even through
fear conceived by the Protestant Clergy of England, he would, by his
miracles, convert their flocks to the Roman Church,) dismissed London,
and subequently patronised by Lord DiUon and Gerrot Moor, Esq."
Arrived at Dublin, O'Finaghty was sought after by thousands of
ignorant and superstitious people, who were ready to beUeve any thing
and every thing of his wonder-working powers. He was esteemed a
saint : " one who could give sight to the blind, going to the lame, and
hearing to the deaf." Nor were his votaries confined to the illiterate
and credulous classes ; on the contrary, Lord Fingall, Richard BelUngs,
and Geoffry Brown, were amongst his warmest admirers. Lord Fingall,

NOTES  CHAPTER IV. 189
however, soon ceased to be a believer, and the circumstance which shook
his faith in O'Finaghty is worth relating. A Lancashire woman (may
hap a witch) came with the Thaumaturgus to Ireland, and O'Finaghty
gave out that she was a demoniac, and proposed to dispossess her in the
house of the Earl of FingaU. Amongst the company assembled to
witness the performance, was the celebrated Father Peter Talbot, who
insisted that the dispossession should take place signo visibili, but
O'Finaghty, after all nis adjurations, failed to make the devU give any
sensible proof of his exit; whereon, many began to doubt the veracity
of the Father ; and, as for the Protestants, they laughed outright.
Nevertheless, the ignobile vulgus were ready to make an act of faith
in this illiterate impostor, who, three years before had blessed "the weU
of St. John Baptist, near Dublin," and at ClonsUlach (five miles from the
city,) was followed by such an extraordinary concourse from the adjacent
" countries," that many of the dupes, " were trodden almost to death."
— Irish Rem. p. 713.
It was after his return from England, that Father Peter Walsh met
him at the " Chapel of Father Ailmer, a secular priest, who officiated at
St. Owen's arch," and there and then he received the account of the
miracle touching "his brother's breeches." O'Finaghty, nowise abashed
by any of his recent failures, requested Walsh to obtain Lord Ormond's
permission for a pubUc trial of his miraculous powers. This, Father
Peter promised to secure on the return of the Viceroy to Dublin ; ad
monishing him, at the same time, " to consider seriously and frequently
of the scorn and laughter to which he would expose himself and others
of his reUgion, if, upon such a license granted, and such a public trial
made, he chanced to fail." Fairly established in Dublin, the house in
which he Uved was besieged by cripples, idiots, hypochondriacs, et hoc
genus omne, expecting as " much virtue" from him as though the hem of
his coat could brace the palsied, restore sight to the blind, going to the
lame, and hearing to the deaf. Young imaginative females, " troubled
with fairies" "boys with closed eye-Uds," and others who attributed con
stitutional aUments to supernatural agencies, crowded about the "exorcist,"
who proceeded with innumerable adjurations, breathings, and rubbings,
to expel devils, who existed only in his own imagination. Some fancied
they were cured, others that they were partially healed ; and as for
O'Finaghty, he accumulated a rich harvest — a fact not to be wondered
at, when we find people at a more enlightened period contributing to the
support of mesmerists, and political jugglers at home and abroad.
It is not to be supposed, however, that the clergy, secular or regular,
encouraged O'Finaghty, or approved his doings ; on the contrary, almost

190 NOTES  CHAPTER IV.
to a man, they accused him of vices which are rarely found in one gifted
with miraculous powers. " Some in plain terms, calling him a grand
impostor, and a covetous wretch, who cheated aU the world ; received all
that was offered to him, by some weU-meaning, but deluded people; viz.
horses, watches, gold, sUver, pieces of linen, wooUen cloth, &c. which,
said they, (the clergy) argued him not to be a man of so much as
ordinary grace or virtue." Nay, a certain Father Dempsey, a venerable
and experienced Franciscan, affirmed in the Convent of Clane, "that
the said O'Finaghty's pretence of exorcising and dispossessing devils,
was, to his knowledge, a lying cheat; that his custom was to get a mul
titude together in some open field, and there to single out before them
all some young maid ; then, to say she had been possessed by the devU;
and, if she denied it, to box her lustily tiU she had confessed what he
pleased, and answered aU his interrogatories as he would."
Now, in order to ascertain whether this man was influenced by the
Holy Ghost, or led away by a spirit of vile imposture and fanaticism,
F. Peter Walsh obtained Lord Ormond's permission for the wonder
worker to prove his sanctity and miraculous gifts in the city of Dublin.
Ormond, however, astutely observed to Bellings, " Look you to it, that
instead of converting Protestants to your own reUgion, by bringing that
miraculous man of your's hither, and exposing him to more prying, more
narrow searching than any he hath met with amongst men that are
themselves wiUing to be deceived, you find not quite contrary effects,
and make him an object of scorn for mountebankery, and yourselves for
laughter." O'Finaghty sent word to Ormond, that he did not except " against
any description of natural sickness, but in order to prove that the Catho
Uc was the only true religion, would undertake to cure any number
of infirm people that would be brought to him, no matter what their
disease might be." A day being appointed for the trial, O'Finaghty took
up his abode with Peter Walsh, who then resided in " Kennedy-lane,
in the city of Dublin." A few days previous to the trial, Sir Wm. Petit
and Sir Robert Southwel came to visit Walsh, and Petit, having told
O'Finaghty that he suffered from defective vision, asserted, at the same
time, that he would conform to the Catholic ReUgion if he, O'Finaghty,
would rid him of the annoyance. The wonder-worker then put on a
stole, read several prayers out of a book caUed Flagellum Dcemonum,
and rubbed the eye-lids of good Sir WiUiam ; but the experiment faded,
and Petit remained what he was — a pink of latitudinarianism. Whether
mortified by this failure, or fearing to risk his reputation in presence of
some scientific people, who were invited to be present at the pubhc trial

NOTES  CHAPTER IV. 191
soUcited by the wonder-worker himself, and conceded by Ormond, the
former now began to manifest a reluctance to appear. He alleged that
bis state of health required a speedy transit to his native air, and an
occasion offering of " horses then in town," he thought it better to post
pone the trial — but that, when recovered, he would come back to DubUn,
astound aU sceptics, and make Ormond as good a CathoUc as his two
sisters, then nuns in a Convent at KUkenny. Walsh fought hard against
this change of the wonder-worker's mind, and kept him in his own
house in Kennedy-lane, where he gave him his own bed — whenlo! on
the morning of the day appointed for the miracle-feat, O'Finaghty took
horse for Loughreagh, leaving behind him the repute of a clumsy
impostor. Confoimded in the metropoUs, this fanatic, who imposed on
the creduUty of Archdeacon Lynch, (although the Jesuits sternly opposed
him,) set about proving in the province of Connaught, that aU the women
in Ireland were possessed of a devU. Some weak-minded creatures so
far yielded to his discipUne, as to aUow themselves to be shut up in
a tower at Portumna, wherein they were rendered stark mad by the
treatment they received at his hands. That tower, had a good
many of the horrors, without any of the poetry, of Ugohno's " Muda."
The Archbishop of Tuam at length interfered, and put an end to the
presumptuous doings of this crazed cleric, who soon found a rival in the
person of the protestant Greatrakes; but this feUow, like his predecessor,
" went out like the snuff of a candle." No one need be told how abhorrent
to the spirit of CathoUcity is aU such mummery, and the writer of this
short notice, is painfully aware of the insults offered to a deceased
CathoUc Prelate by a modern Finaghty, who, having been suspended by
the superiors of his Convent, persevered in his contumacy — celebrated
Mass, despite. aU prohibitions, and reaped a lucrative harvest, by reason
of the cures he affected to perform on credulous old women and chUdren.
One of the noblest and most ancient ecclesiastical structures in Ireland
was desecrated by this ignorant impostor, for whose unholy quack
eries the law provided no remedy. When the Prelate alluded to
denounced his unwarrantable practices, the wonder-worker marked an
action against him for defamation. The poor bishop was caUed to a
higher tribunal before the proceedings commenced, and the wonder-worker
will astound aU who learn that he has set about curing himself. Fiat,
fat.

192 NOTES— CHAPTER V.

CHAPTER. V.

Note 30.— Page 81

ov

Francis soon proceeded.
The reader will at once perceive that Kirwan had the good fortune to
become the friend and associate of the Ulustrious St. Vincent de Paul.
There is not a particle of exaggeration in the estimate which Lynch has
formed of the character of the Baron de Renty, concerning whom,
vide St. Vincent's Life, published by Duffy, DubUn.
Note 31— Page 85.
John Coppinger.
Ware mentions two writers of this name, and I presume that John,
mentioned in the text, was an ecclesiastic of the Co. Cork, who wrote a
book entitled " A Mnemosynon to the CathoUcs of Ireland," at the end
of which is added, " St. Cyprian's Epistle to the Thibaritans, exhorting
them to suffer martyrdom." — Vide Ware's Irish Writers.
Note 32.— Page 85.
Canons Regular.
Before stating the little that our Umits allow, respecting the Canons
Regular, it may be useful to know that the foUowing Abbats of this
Order sat as spiritual peers in the House of Lords. The abbat of St.
Thomas, Dublin; the abbat of SS. Peter and Paul, of Rathoy, in
Kerry; the Prior of the H.T. Dublin; the Prior of SS. Peter and Paul,
at Newtown, near Trim; the Prior of the B.V.M. and St. David's
of Conal, in the Co. Kildare; the Prior of the B.V.M. at Kells, Co.
KUkenny ; the Prior of All Saints, DubUn ; the Prior of St. Edmund's
(Atthassel); the Prior of the Holy Cross, (KiUeigh); and the Prior
of the B.V.M. of Louth. The foUowing were Chancellors of Ireland: —
Thomas Sherlock, Prior of St. Mary's, DubUn, 1366, and Thomas
Geraldine, A.D. 1448.
It were beyond our scope to controvert what Archdeacon Lynch
asserts, touching the antiquity of the Canons Regular in Ireland. A
glance at Archdall will satisfy the curious on that important subject.
it is evident, too, from the instructions given the Nuncio, that imme
diately after the rising of 1641, the Canons Regular came in considerable

NOTES — CHAPTER V. 193
numbers to Ireland. It is Ukely enough that Father Taure laboured to
reinstate them in some of their old monasteries; they could not, however,
repossess themselves of the revenues and termons without special lisence
from the Court of Rome, (Rin. p. 44), and the Pope was very cautious
in interfering with the lay proprietors. We may here briefly state, that
Rinuccini deprived the Canons Regular of the splendid Church of St.
John, at Kilkenny, which, together with its dwelling-house, he gave to
the Jesuits. This did the Nuncio, notwithstanding the opposition of the
poor Canons. It was a piece of gross injustice, and Rinuccini, writing
from France (1649), gives the fact to prove the ingratitude of the
Society. It should be borne in mind that the Nuncio was supported by
the non-Anglicised Fathers, and that up to the time of Inchiquin's
peace, the best understanding had subsisted between him and the com
munity at Kilkenny. The Jesuits, in fact, presented him with a coach
and six horses, and lent him the sum of twelve hundred pounds, (W.H.
I. Rem.), with a view to getting possession of St. John's.
Note 35.— Page 91.
That people, who since the earliest times.
There is, no doubt, a good deal of exaggeration in this strange as
sertion, and it may be observed here, that the same characteristic per
vades St. Bernard's Life of Malachy. Bernard and Geroch, Provost of
Reichersberg, met very few in their own times worthy of the name or
habit of monk, according to their estimate of conventual Ufe. St.
Bernard's notion of a dissipated convent, is conveyed to us in the fol
lowing words from his own pen : " Claustrum ipsum monasterii frequen
ter stipari mUitibus, urgeri negotiis, jurgns personari," &c. It is likely
enough, that minor scandals of a similar character occurred at the gates
and within the cloisters of our Irish monasteries. But it would be
absurd to conclude, from the words of St. Malachy, that Ireland had
not' great numbers, who were in reaUty true Friars — that is to say, men
devoted to the cloister, keeping themselves apart from worldly concerns,
feastings, revelries, &c, and proving to. all mankind that the habit
covering their bodies was a symbol of piety and mortification, not
a means of making out bread in slothfulness, and ignorance.
Rinuccini's instructions (p. 44.) may be quoted here to show what a
speedy reform of the religious orders foUowed the " rising of 1641."
" The Regulars, who were hitherto scattered through the towns and
private houses, and were not distinguishable from seculars, have assembled
in considerable numbers, and have put on the habits of their respective

194 NOTES— 'CHAPTER VI.
orders, to the great wonder and consolation of the people, unaccustomed
to behold a friar's frock  The nuns, moreover, have come together
in considerable bodies, and observe the cloister-rule of St. Clare 
The Franciscans, Dominicans, and Discalced CarmeUtes, have convoked
provincial chapters of their orders — have had public theses, and have
done many other acts of singular edification." This was to be famihar
with the name of a monk, as weU as to witness the furtherance of the
grand object of a monk's calling. As to the charge of exaggeration
against ot. Bernard, we need do nothing more than cite the well-known
passage descriptive of the state of Connor.  "Tunc inteUexit homo
Dei (Malachias) non ad homines se sed ad bestias destinatum. Nusquam
adhuc tales expertus fuerat in quantacunque barbarie; nusquam re-
pererat sic protervos ad mores, sic ferales ad rites, sic ad fidem impios,
ad leges barbaros," &c. At page 135, Lynch prints Cogan — the name,
however, is Congan.

CHAPTER VI.
Note 34.— Page 93.
Boetius Egan.
Boetius Egan is highly commended by the Nuncio, in a letter to Car
dinal Panfili, dated August, 1646. Rinuccini thought to have him pro
moted to the See of Ross ; but he was subsequently consecrated Bishop
of Elphin. This learned and heroic Friar, (a fac simUe of whose auto
graph is given in Bindon's Notices of the Irish MSS. in the Burgundian
Ubrary,) died in Ireland, as appears from the fragment of Bishop
French's Elenchus, preserved in the Hib. Dom. This Boetius is not to
be confounded with the Bishop of Ross, who was hanged " habenis equi
sui, in odium fidei." Note 35.— Page 95.
Edmund O'Dwyer,
Edmund O'Dwyer escaped in the habit of a peasant, after the sur
render of Limerick, and died in exile at Brussels. His coadjutor, Terence
A. O'Brien, resisted Ireton to the teeth, and died, as a brave man should,
for his God and his country.

NOTES  CHAPTER VIII. %195 NV
Note 36.— Page 97.
Bishop of Senlis.
This ancient bishopric was suppressed in 1791, and has not been
re-established. Senlis is in the department of De L'Oise, and diocese of
Beauvais. S. Procul founded this See. Between 863 and 1402, eight
Councils were held at Senlis.

CHAPTER VII.
Note 37.— Page 101.
Alexander V.
Lynch's description of this illustrious Pope seems to have been taken
from the third tome, Rer. Ital. It is scarcely necessary to remind the
reader that this Pontiff was a native of Candia, and raised to the tiara
despite the opposition of Gregory and Benedict, anti-popes. Alexander
V., it is commonly thought, was poisoned by Cardinal Cossa, A.D. 1410.
This accused, ascended the pontifical throne, and was deposed by the
CouncU of Constance. — Vide Muratori, Annal. d' Italia, ad An. Citat.

CHAPTER VIII.
Note 38.— Page 101.
He was well worthy his great progenitor.
Roger O'Shaughnessy's name occurs in a letter, written by French,
Bishop of Ferns, and Nicholas Plunket, to Rinuccini, dated Kilkenny,
1648. The writers state that they were on their journey, to confer with
the Nuncio, when, within three miles of Galway," they were informed he
had saded from Ireland. " Then," says the letter, " we proceeded to the
castle of Roger O'Shaughnessy, thinking no greater misfortune could
have befallen us." For an account Of King Guaire Aidhne, so famed for
hospitality, vide Tribes and Customs of Hy. Fiachrach, pp. 31. 63.

196 NOTES — CHAPTER IX.

CHAPTER IX.
Note 39.— Page 121.
They had been certified by informers.
Priest-catchers were patronised and promoted in Ireland from the first
moment of the penal statutes. David Roth, Bishop of Ossory, gives an
interesting account, in the "Analecta," of the stratagems to which Irish
Catholic clerics were obliged to resort, when about to saU for Rome or
Spain, to pursue their studies. The difficulties they had to contend with,
in order to get a passage out, were immeasurably inferior .to those they
had to encounter when returning to their native soil. There has been a
good deal of romance-writing on this subject, in Ueu of which we select
some passages from De Burgo, (Hib. Dom. pp. 157-8, 160.) The
priest-catching trade was at its zenith in the reign of Queen Anne.
In the 8th year of her reign, it was enacted, that whosoever apprehends
an Archbishop, Bishop, Monk, or Jesuit, not lawfully registered, shaU
receive £50 as the reward of conviction. Whosoever apprehends any of
the aforesaid, who, not being registered, exercise ecclesiastical jurisdiction,
such informer, or catcher, shall receive £20, to be levied on the county
in which such jurisdiction has been exercised. " Hence," says De Burgo,
" there was to be found in Ireland a class of men of surpassing infamy,
who, motived by the love of money, accepted these rewards. I myseU"
have known many priests, who, having been long detained prisoners, were
subsequently transported beyond the seas." " About the beginning of
the reign of George I." says the same venerable authority, " the priest-
catchers' occupation became excessively odious to Protestants, as weU as
Catholics." De Burgo states that, "when a child, he saw ruffians of
this calling assailed by a shower of stones flung by Protestants and
Catholics.' Nevertheless, King George I. was too much in love with the
priest-catching profession, to abolish it in a moment. De Burgo relates
that, in the year 1718, a certain Jew, named Garzia, not finding an El-
Dorado in his own country, (Portugal,) came over here, and, in the
city of DubUn, convicted seven priests, who, having been transported,
subsequently returned to Ireland. This Garzia was an accomplished
" detective," — he sometimes put on the mien of a priest, for he affected
to be one, and thus worming himself into the good graces of some con
fiding Catholic, got a clue to the whereabouts of the clergy. One 6f
the aforesaid seven priests was Father Anthony Maguire, a Dominican,
who died in Dublin, A.D. 1724.

NOTES — CHAPTER IX. 197
Note 40.— Page 129.
From this state of destitution he was relieved, fyc.
We are enabled to form some estimate of the aUowance given the
exiled Irish Bishops by the generous French people, about the period of
Kirwan's banishment. Walsh, (Irish Rem. p. 747,) speaking of the
Bishop of Kilfinuragh, states, that " he received, ever since the year
1652, the sum of 300 pistoles annually." The Bishop of Ardag-h had a
like sum granted to him, together with a house and garden. Walsh's
account of the last named prelate, is so calculated to show the evU animus
of the false friar, that it may be of use to quote it. " He (the Bishop of
Ardagh) went sometimes to the country, though returning soon after to,
and residing commonly in, DubUn, but never in his own Diocese of
Ardagh, for which, his non-residence, let himseU answer the Canons;
as likewise for his endless imposition of hands, i. e. ordination of so vast
a number of all sorts of men, the very most iUiterate, and otherwise too
in aU respects contemptible persons, whereby the order of priesthood is
now despised, even amongst those of the Roman CathoUc profession, in
that very country : it being now reported to be more easy to find a priest
in Ireland, than a horse-groom or cow-herd." — Irish Rem. p. 749.
Note 41.— Page 133.
The Church of St. Anne.
This Church is a league distant from Auray, to which it gives the
name of " Holy." Thousands of pilgrims from the fertile country about
Lyons, the valleys of Goero, and the arid plains of Cornuaille, stiU resort
to this ancient shrine. Fathers and mothers frequent it annually, to
make oblations for their children ; in fact, " Les Bretons" may be said
to be.the most zealous of the French CathoUcs. La grande Chartreuse,
mentioned in the text as haU a league from Auray, was abandoned by
the Carthusians in 1790. The building is now occupied as a Pensionat,
directed by the FiUes de la Sagesse. In 1824 an expiatory chapel
was added to the ancient church, within which is a tomb, inscribed with
952 names of the victims of Quiberon, who perished in 1795. In this
neighbourhood the flower of the French noblesse fell under the fire of
the Republicans. Hoche murdered them, after a noble capitulation.
Some fine bas-reliefs in the church, represent the landing and attack on
Fort Penthievre, in July, 1795. The blood of the royalists has been
avenged, for on the day we pen this note a crown has been trodden in
the dust, and the gamins of Paris are making a mockery of Louis
Philip's throne.

198 NOTES  CHAPTER IX.
Note 42.— Page 133.
Diocese of Vannes.
This Bishopric was not suppressed. The reader wUl recal the ancient
city of the Venites, so often mentioned in Caesar's Commentaries.
Note 43.— Page 133.
Capucines of Auray.
In the "Descriptio Chorographica Conventuum omnium Ord. Min.
Sti. Francisci Capucinorum," published in the 17th century, there is
mention of this convent, which must have been the chiefest of Bretagne
Armorique. Note 44.— Page 141.
St. Peter de Rille, near Fulgeres.
An abbey of Augustinians was in this place, tiU 1788, when it was
suppressed, and the revenue of the benefice annexed to the cure De
Lorient. Fulgeres is in the arrondissement of IUe-et^Vilaine.

THE END.

CORRIGENDA.

Page 27, line 3 from bottom, for, ' ' great-grandfather of Andrew, " read, ' ' father of
the great-grandfather of Andrew."
Page 62, line 9, pro, "Franciscum," lege, "Franciscus."
Page 134, line 10, pro, "Cogano" lege, "Congano."

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