234 Proceedings oj the Royal Irish Academy. 



3. Dubhdaleithi IT succeeded Muiredach as abbot in 965. In 989 he 

 became also comarb of Columcille. Died 2 June, 998. 



•4. Muirecan claimed the abbacy in 993, probably on the ground that 

 Dubhdaleithi's appointment as comarb of Columcille had vacated it. He 

 seems to have been in undisputed possession from 998 to 1001. Died 1005. 



5. Mael Muire claimed the abbacy in 1001. He had undisputed possession 

 from 1005 to his death on 3 June, 1020. 



6. Amhalgaid. Elected abbot 1020. Died 1049. 



7. Dubhdaleithi III. Decanie abbot in 1049. Died 1 September, 1064. 

 His possession Wi\s disputed in 1060 by Cumuscach, who died in 1074. The 

 Annals of Ulster imply that Dubhdaleithi retained the office till his death. 



8. Mael Isu succeeded as abbot in 1064. Died 18 December, 1091. 



9. Domnall succeeded in 1091. Died 1105; buried at Armagh 

 12 August. 



10. Cellach succeeded in 1105. He took holy orders 23 September. He 

 " received tl)e degree of arclil>islioj» (n^l•^L (wiijuig)," on the occasion uf a 

 circuit of Munstcr, in 1 lOti. 



Among the |>ersons mentioned in tlicse notes tliere i.s unc wliose position 

 is uncertain. In tliree early lists of coniarbs of Patrick printed by Todd 

 Cumnscuh appeare as tlie lliird pretlecessor of Cellach.' It is unnecessary 

 to argue the ijuestion wiielher he is rightly included in the lists. For my 

 purpose it is suHicieul to observe that the Annals of Ulster do not recognize 

 his claim : they nowliere call iiim coiuarb of Patrick, and clearly regard him 

 as an unsuccessful candidate for the office. 



Now the first of tiiese t«n acknowledged comarbs is .said to have been a 

 bishop, and the consecration of the tenth in the year following his election is 

 duly recorded; but of the intervening eight tiiere is no hint that any one 

 was of the episcopal order. Moreover it is plainly intimated that the tenth 

 was witliout orders at the time of his election : Cellach was elected abbot on 

 or soon after 12 August, 1105 ; he was not ordained till 23 September. And 

 the very fact that bis ordination is recorded indicates that it was unusual for 

 comarbs of Patrick to be ordained, even after their entry upon the office. 

 From the Annals uf Ulster we may infer with confidence that the eight 

 predecessors of Cellach were not bishops ; and with hardly less assurance 

 that they were " without ordere." This coincidence between the Annals and 

 St. Bernard cannot be due to accident. 



But St. Bernard is not contt^nt with his negative statement about 

 Malaohys eight predecessors. He further informs us that they were married 



' J. H. Todd, SI. Patrick, AposUe uf IriUittd, 1S04, i>p. 178, IT.), 182. 



