The literature of the Celts : its history and romance / by Magnus Maclean.

  • Magnus MacLean
Date:
1902
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: The literature of the Celts : its history and romance / by Magnus Maclean. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    65/424 page 45
    And with the King of Connaught, whose son had been slain, they marched their forces southward. A furious battle ensued at Cooldrevna, in the red ruin and carnage of which King Diarmad was defeated with the loss of 3000 men. Two years after, the Hegira took place, when the saint fled or migrated on his great mission to Scotland—hence- forth an exile from Erin. Speculation has been rife as to the real motive that drove this intensely patriotic Irishman over the wave. Many would fain believe, in view of its epoch-making significance, that this momentous step was purely voluntary “ for the love of Christ,” as the “ Old Irish Life ” puts it. Adamnan, while connecting it with the battle, also puts this construction upon it. “ In the second year after the battle of Culdreimhne,” he says, “ and in the 42nd year of his age, St. Columba resolving to emigrate for Christ sailed from Scotia (that is Ireland) to Britain.” Many other saints had wandered else- where on similar missions. But there is a persistent tradition that this unique missionary was banished by the Synod of the Saints in Ireland for the bloodshed he had caused ; and that this sentence was confirmed by St. Molaise, whom the un- happy Columba consulted, and who advised him to seek as many souls in conversion among the heathen as there fell of men in battle. Some, on the other hand, construe his action as a voluntary penance, self-inflicted. Others find mainly a political motive in his removal to Dalriada, where he might be of immense service to his kinsmen in helping to avert the ever increasing and harassing incursions of the Piets. Certainly he became a bulwark to them. Imbued with a high missionary zeal, there is no doubt that ultimately he went forth to the new spiritual campaign voluntarily, but, as in the case of most fateful careers, it is evident that circumstances wound him up to the task, the most conspicuous and compelling of which was Cooldrevna. That the parting from Erin was bitter, a very tearing of the heart, is matter of history. The verses, the records attributed to himself on this occasion, reveal the depths of his feelings.
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