AN GAOḊAL.
955
to believe that they were commenced at least two
centuries before this period.
The Monastery of Inis Faithlenn (pron; "Inish
Fah-len"), or Inisfallen, on the island of the same
name, in Loch Lein (the Lake of Killarney), is of
great antiquity, dating from the sixth century, in
the latter part of which it was founded by Saint
Finan Lobhar, who was also the founder of Ard
Finan (in the modern County of Tipperary), and
other churches. The festival of the Saint was ob¬
served on the 16th of March, according to the
Martyrology of Aengus Ceile De.
Amongst those who flourished in this monastery
at the close of the tenth century, we find the name
of Maelsuthain O'Cearbhaill (pron. "Maelsoohan
O'Carroll). This remarkable man was Lord of the
Eoganacht or Eugenian Tribes of the territory of
Loch Lein. It is probable that he had received his
early education within the walls of Inisfallen;
and at the close of his days, after an eventful life,
we find him again amongst its innates, as was not
unusual in those times. Maelsuhtain appears to
attain great eminence as a scholar. He is styled
the chief Saoi or Doctor of the western world, in
the notice of his death, under the year 1009, in the
Annals of the Four Masters. He attained also a
high degree of consideration amongst his contem¬
porary princes.
There is reason to believe that Brian Boroimhe
was educated under the care of this Maelsuthain,
and at a subsequent time we find him named the
Anmchara, or Counsellor, of that great Dalcassian
chief, when monarch of Erinn. His association
with Brian is well evidenced by a curious note still
legible in the Book of Armagh. This note was
written about 1002. by Maelsuthain's own hand, in
the presence of the king.. This valuable entry
shall be brought under your more immediate con¬
sideration on a future occasion. I only mention it
at present, as affording proof of the important
rank and position of O'Carroll.
Amongst some few other notices of Maelsuthain
which I have met with, the following is altogether
so singular, and throws light on so many subjects
of interest to the Irish historian, that, though of
a legendary character, I think it worthy of a place
here. I may observe that I have seen but one co¬
py of the tract in which it is found.
"There came three students at one time," says
the narrator, "from Cuinnire [the ancient church
from which the diocese of Conor, in Ulster, is now
called to receive education from the Anmchara
of Brian Mac Kennedy (or Brian Boroimhe), that
is Maelsuthain O'Carroll, of the Eoganachts of
Loch Lein, because he was the best sage of his
time. These three students resembled each other
in figure, in features, and in their name, which was
Domnall. They remained three years learning
with him. At the end of three years they said to
their preceptor: 'It is our desire,' said they, 'to go
to Jerusalem, the land of Judea, in order that our
feet may tread every path which the Saviour walk¬
ed in when on Earth.” The master answered,
"You shall not go until you have left with me the
reward of my labour.'
"Then the pupils said: 'We have not anything
that we could give, but we will wait three years
more, to serve you humbly, if you wish it.' 'I do
not wish that,' said he, 'but you shall grant me
my demand, or I will lay my curse on you. We
will grant you that,' said they, 'if we have it.' He
then bound them by an oath on the Gospel of the
Lord. 'You shall go in the path that you desire',
said he, 'and you shall die at the same time toge¬
ther, on the pilgrimage. And the demand that I
require from you is, that you go not to Heaven af¬
ter your deaths, until you have first visited me, to
tell me the length of my life, and until you tell me
whether I shall obtain the peace of the Lord.' 'We
promise you all this', said they, 'for the sake of
the Lord', and then they left him their blessings
(and departed).
"In due time they reached the land of Judea,
and walked every path in which they had heard
the Saviour had walked.
"They came at last to Jerusalem, and died toge¬
ther there, and they were buried with great honour
in Jerusalem. Then Michael the Archangel came
from God for them. But they said: 'We will not
go, until we have fulfilled the promise which we
mede to our preceptor, under our oaths on the
Gospel of Christ'. 'Go', said the Angel, 'and tell
him that he has still three years and a half to live
and that he goes to Hell for all eternity, after the
sentence of the day of judgment'. "'Tell us', 'said
they, 'why he is sent to Hell'. 'For three causes',
said the angel, 'namely, because of how much he
interpolates the canon, and because of the number
of women with whom he has connection, and for
having abandoned the Altus'.
"The reason why he abandoned the Altus", says
the narrator of this singular story, "was this — He
had a very good son, whose name was Maelpatrick.
This son was seized with a mortal sickness, and
the Altus was seven times read around him, that
he should not die. This was, however of no avail
for them, as the son died forthwith. Maelsuthain
then said that he would never again sing the Alt¬
us, as he did not see that God honored it. But",
continues the narrator, "it was not in disonour of
the Altus that God did not restore his son to health
but because he chose that the youth should be am¬
ong the family of Heaven, rather than among the
people of Earth.
"Maelsuthain had been then seven years with¬
out singing the Altus.
"After this his three former pupils came to talk
to Maelsuthain, in the forms of white doves, and
he bade them a hearty welcome. 'Tell me', said
he, 'what shall be the length of my life and if I
shall receive the Heavenly reward'. 'You have',
said they, 'three years to live, and you go to Hell
for ever then' 'What should I go to Hell for'?
said he. 'For three causes', said they. and they
related to him the three causes that we have al¬
ready mentioned. 'It is not true that I shall go
to Hell,, said he. 'for these three vices that are
mine this day, shall not be mine even this day,
nor shall they be mine from this time forth, for I
will abandon these vices, and God will forgive me
for them, as He Himself hath promised, when He
said. "Impietas impii in quacumque hora conver¬
us fuerit non nocebit ei" [Ezek. xxxiii 12. (The
impiety of the impious, in whatever hour he shall
be turned from it, shall not injure him.) I will
put no sense of my own into the canons, but such
as I shall find in the divine books. I will perform
an hundred genuflections every day. Seven years
have I been without singing the Altus, and now I
will sing the Altus seven times every night while
I live; and I will keep a three days' fast every
week. Go you now to Heaven', said he, 'and on
the day of my death come and tell me the result'.
'We will come', said they, and the three departed
