COROTSH DEDICATIONS. 115 



"I," answered the man addressed, ''I am Enna by name, 

 son of Amalgaidh, and come from tlie Wood of Fochlad." 



Instantly Patrick turned on him: — " You, you come from 

 the "Wood of Fochlad ! It is thither I am called. When you 

 return home, I will accompany you." "No thank you," replied 

 Enna, " We shall get into trouble with our people, if we introduce 

 you among them with your new-fangled notions. It might end 

 in both of us being killed." 



" Unless you take me with you, you shall not return at all," 

 said Patrick. 



After some demur and discussion, Enna consented to Patrick 

 baptizing his son, Conall, but he decHned to submit to baptism, 

 himself, " Lest he should be laughed at." *' 



Ten years after his baptism. Ere was consecrated bishop, and 

 was sent about as a Missioner. 



His first field of labours seems to have been in what is now 

 Kerry, for, although there is no record of his work there, yet 

 Tarmuin-Eirc, or the Sanctuary of Ere, remains at Lerrig, about 

 three miles North of Ardfert. It was whilst he was there that 

 he saw one night the sky illumined with the auroral lights, and 

 not understanding that it was a natural phenomenon, he took it 

 into his head that it signified the birth of some marvellous man. 



He instituted enquiries in his immediate neighbourhood, and 

 learned that the wife of a man named Einlog, at Fenit, seven 

 miles distant, had been brought to bed that night of a boy. He 

 at once went to the place to congratulate the parents, and assure 

 them that the flickering heavenly display could signify nothing 

 other than that this son was to become a luminary of the Church. 

 They were flattered and convinced, and consented that the child 

 should be given to him to be fostered and educated. 



This took place in or about 484. Ere proceeded to baptise 

 the child by the name of Mobi, but he is known by that of 

 Brendan. Then he committed him to be nursed by S. Itha, who 

 at this time had a house at Tubrid Beg, flve miles from Tralee. 



Brendan remained in S. Itha's care for flve years, and then 

 returned to Ere, who taught him letters and formed his mind. 



* Tirechan's Collections, Tripartite Life, II, 308. 



