Declan, Saint, Bishop of Ardmore, active 6th century -- Legends
4. Colman thereupon returned to his own abode; he commanded that Declan
should be brought up with due care, that he should be well trained, and
be set to study at the age of seven years if there could be found in his
neighbourhood a competent Christian scholar to undertake his tuition.
Even at the period of his baptism grace and surpassing charity
manifested themselves in the countenance of Declan so that it was
understood of all that great should be the goodness and the spiritual
charm of his mature age. When Dobhran had heard and seen these things
concerning his kinsman Erc he requested the latter and Deithin to give
him the child to foster, and with this request Erc complied. The name of
the locality was "Dobhran's Place" at that time, but since then it has
been "Declan's Place." Dobhran presented the homestead to Declan and
removed his own dwelling thence to another place. In after years, when
Declan had become a bishop, he erected there a celebrated cell in honour
of God, and this is the situation of the cell in question:--In the
southern part of the Decies, on the east side of Magh Sgiath and not
far from the city of Mochuda i.e. Lismore. For the space of seven years
Declan was fostered with great care by Dobhran (his father's brother)
and was much loved by him. God wrought many striking miracles through
Declan's instrumentality during those years. By aid of the Holy Spirit
dwelling in him he (Declan)--discreet Christian man that he was--avoided
every fault and every unlawful desire during that time.
5. On the completion of seven years Declan was taken from his parents
and friends and fosterers to be sent to study as Colman had ordained. It
was to Dioma they sent him, a certain devout man perfect in the faith,
who had come at that time by God's design into Ireland having spent a
long period abroad in acquiring learning. He (Dioma) built in that place
a small cell wherein he might instruct Declan and dwell himself. There
was given him also, to instruct, together with Declan, another child,
scil., Cairbre Mac Colmain, who became afterwards a holy learned
bishop. Both these were for a considerable period pursuing their studies
together.
6. There were seven men dwelling in Magh Sgiath, who frequently saw the
fiery globe which it has been already told they first beheld at the time
of Declan's birth. It happened by the Grace of God that they were the
first persons to reveal and describe that lightning. These seven came to
the place where Declan abode and took him for their director and master.
They made known publicly in the presence of all that, later on, he
should be a bishop and they spoke prophetically:--"The day, O beloved
child and servant of God, will come when we shall commit ourselves and
our lands to thee." And it fell out thus (as they foretold), for, upon
believing, they were baptised and became wise, devout (and) attentive
and erected seven churches in honour of God around Magh Sgiath.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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