Collectanea. 193
gerous landing places and multiplicity of stations discouraged pilgrims, and the great organized pilgrimage each August to Croaghpatrick has nearly deprived it of distant visitors. However, I saw there was no lack of recent offerings in its oratory — pins, fish hooks, nails, buttons, copper coins, shot and rosaries, — the act of homage (as usual) being more essential than the intrinsic value of the offerings. O'Donovan's notes (1839) and the additions made by Dr. Charles Browne (1895) are of high interest, as knowledge of the legends and observances is rapidly dying out.
Kilmoremoy, close to Ballina, though near the tidal estuary of the Moy, can hardly be included among the places on the coast; however (as in the case of Dundomhnall), I must notice it to complete my notes, it being so germane to the subject of my paper. The Tripartite Life of St. Patrick tells of his visit to Cil mór Muidhe where "he erected the banner of the cross" on the Leac fionn bhaile. He baptized Eocho, son of Dathi, son of Fiachra, at the ford below, raising Eocho's wife, Echtra, from the dead, at her grave near it, called Pert Echtra. John O'Donovan strangely takes the words "erected the banner of the cross" to mean that St. Patrick cut the cross now called Lia na manach (Monk's slab)[1]; this, the rude stone monument Leaba Liabadoir near the ford, the church and the well of Tobar Phadruig still remain.[2]
At Crospatrick, near Killala, is shown a slab with what are said to be the mark of the saint's pipe (!), like a small crozier, and the mark where he sat.[3]
Leaba Phadruig, near Aughagower Church and Round Tower, was also used as a station by devout pilgrims, who, after their
- ↑ O'Donovan (Ord. Survty Letters, Mayo, vol. i. p. 66) understands as literal what is evidently symbolic. "Nostrae religionis vexillum triumphale Christi crucem exreit." This can hardly mean that St. Patrick carved the cross on the Leac.
- ↑ Roy. Soc. Antt. Ir. vol. xxviii. p. 287, gives an illustration. Olchan, St. Patrick's disciple, is the more probable founder.
- ↑ Ord. Survey Letters, Mayo, vol. i. p. 57. I question if O'Donovan is right in placing Fert Echtra to the S.E. and making it a stone structure. It was "ad vadum ante fores," presumably opposite the west door of the church.
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