Mr. Petrie on the History and Antiquities of Tara Hill. 115 



or Senex Patriclus, was interred at Glastonbury; but according to the lives, 

 Patrick the Apostle was buried at Saul or Downpatrick. On this point, how- 

 ever, the accounts are so legendary and contradictory, that, if any conclusion 

 could be drawn, it would be that they are all fabulous, and that nothing was 

 known on the subject. This is acknowledged by Tirechan, who writes that 

 where his bones are no one knew : — " uhi sunt ossa ejus nemo novit" It is 

 true, that he afterwards states that his place of burial was pointed out at Saul- 

 Patrick by St. Columbkille, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit : 



" Colomb cille Spiritu Sancto instigante ostendit sepulturam Patricii, ubi est confirmat, id est in 

 Sahul Patricii, id est in aeclesia juxta mare, ubi est conductio martirum, id est ossium Coluimb cille 

 de Brittannia, et conductio omnium Sanctorum Hibernias in die judicii." — Fol. 13, i, & 16, a. 



But this legend was evidently fabricated after the death of Columbkille, for the 

 purpose of giving to Saul the honor of having the sepulchre of both. 



The life by Maccuthenius has a more ridiculous legend to account for his 

 interment at Dun-leth-glaisse. It states that the saint, feeling his end approach- 

 ing, commanded himself to be carried to Armagh, but was prevented by an 

 angel, who desired him to return to Saul ; and that afterwards the same angel 

 advised him as to his burial," and directed that after his death two untamed oxen 

 should be suffered to proceed wherever they wished, and that where they should 

 rest a church should be founded in honour of his body, which was accomplished 

 accordingly, the Son of God guiding them to Dun-leth-glaisse, where Patrick 

 was buried. These legends require no comment ; and it is pitiable to find such 

 a man as Dr. Lanigan endeavouring to account for the uncertainty on this point 

 apparent in the lives, by the supposition that the exact spot of his grave only was 

 meant. But, according to Maccuthenius, the exact spot was known, for he says 

 that in after times, when the church was in progress of building over his body, 

 the men who were digging the ground perceived fire to break out from the grave, 

 and retiring, they fled with fear from the flame. It is enough to state that on 

 this point the ancient annals are silent, with the exception of the Annals of 

 Ulster, in which is transcribed from the Life of Columbkille, the legend that 

 narrates that saint's discovery of the sepulchre of Patrick, but without naming 

 the locality. 



From the preceding data, then, it will be apparent : 



I. That the Irish authorities clearly prove the existence of at least two teachers 



p2 



