St. Patrick’s Missions Around 443
Above: Statue of St Patrick
He passed into Dailriada where, abont 443. He baptized bishop Olcan of Armoy. Fearghus Mor mac Earca made him an offering of the best part of his patrimony, and was blessed by the Saint in turn. He founded manv chinches 1 and cloisters in this territory, over one of V’1 11 ‘C l>lace<l Eanan son of Mudhan. Dun Sobhairce he afso blessed. About this time it was, probably, that he first re-1 Arma8′h and founded its famous school. Patrick crossed the Bann at Toombe, and into the region of Uirtre surrounding Magherafelt. Forty nights he abodehim, Cairtheann Mor, the king, sought to expel he upshot being that the kingship was conferred on Cairtheann Beag, then in exile. The new king, more was baptised by the Saint, as was his wife, and their daughter Trea. In this territory he founded seven churches names of most of which still survive. Later he went to jfl men of Gabhra, between Stewartstown and Dungannon and thence to the men of Iomchlar for whom he establi^B Donaghmore.
Instead of going to Armagh,1 his biographers note, he fl went to Clogher in West Oirghiall, travelling from TealB Maine, where he had a warm welcome from Maine sonM Conlaedh, to the royal seat of the Ui Cremthainn. In crossH the Blackwater his strong man Mac Cartain complaine^B failing strength after his fourteen strenuous years’ labfl and laid down his burden. " I am old and infirm," he said " and thou hast left my comrades in churches while In still on the road."
" I will leave thee, too, in a church," Patrick reply " and it shall not be too near for good neighbourhood fl too far for a friendly visit." And he gave him his own staff, and the Domhnach Airgid containing most precious relief. At the royal palace of Rathmore, in the neighbourhood, two sons and a daughter of King Eochu. Cairbre, onfl the sons, accepted the faith; the other, Breasal, declinM the daughter Cinnu, though promised in marriage to Cor^B son of Cairbre son of Niall, took the veil from the aposB A site was also found for Mac Cartain’s seminary.
From Clogher Patrick went to Maigh Leamhna and from an eminence overlooking Altadavin preached for three Am and three nights. Thence he pursued his journey to TeM Talan .1. Tehallen, east of the town of Monaghan. HH Eoghan the king and all his people believed. From TehaBJ he proceeded to Crioch Mughdhoirn, coming to DonaghmaM a couple of miles north of Carrickmacross. On his appro^B Victor who lived there hid in a brake ; but he was discov^B and, being baptised, was instructed, ordained and conseclB™ bishop of Donaghmore ; and all the people were conven On his way southward to Eanach Conglais futile attempts! made to poison and slay him near a ford on the border* Louth, Meath and Monaghan. Thence he passed through Meath to Dunshaughlin, over which he placed his nephew Seachnall. Before proceeding to the South, he is said to have visited Finglas and Dublin.
