Chapter One. #

¹ “Gird up your loins like a man.” — The Holy Spirit, the Spirit which excels all other spirits, the Spirit which has illumined the Church of the two-fold Covenant with the grace of wisdom and prophecy — that Spirit it is which has inspired these words through a man of the grace of God, even Job the afflicted, saying: “Gird up your loins…”; that is, it was to praise that holy man that God spoke to the devil: “Have you considered my servant Job…?”

² Many holy and righteous men, both of the Old and the New Covenant, have fulfilled this teaching; that is, they have subdued and restrained their flesh and have shown many examples of well-doing to peoples and to churches; even as it was fulfilled by the ray, the flame, the precious stone, the shining lamp whose festival and commemoration fall at this time and season, namely Saint Adamnan, the holy arch-presbyter Adamnan.

Chapter Two. #

¹ It is, then, at this time that we are told how Adamnan was addressed by the devil, who came to him in human form to assail him, because the men of Munster had forcibly constrained him to go to Adamnan; and so he came with many questions. One of the questions was whether the devil had sinned in his original angelic form or in his fallen deformity, and whether Adam had transgressed knowingly or through ignorance. “That is a daring question,” said Adamnan. “Do not be amazed,” said the warrior. “He who addresses you is one who knows; for I was present when it happened.” Adamnan gazes at him wrathfully and at once makes the sign of the cross in his face. Thereupon the man of tribulations departed from his sight, leaving his stench behind in the assembly, so that the whole multitude recognised that it was the devil in the shape of a man who had gone forth to deceive the multitudes. And the name of God was magnified through his expulsion by Adamnan.

Chapter Three. #

¹ Another time Adamnan was in the royal assembly of Conall and Coirbre at Assaroe levying his tribute. There comes the heir to the crown of Mac Anmirech — that is, Flannabra son of Cummascach — bringing with him in custody a female prisoner who had killed another woman, that he might know Adamnan’s will concerning her; and he said to the cleric: “Deliver a righteous judgement on this woman who has killed the other woman.” Adamnan said — and a flush of wrath came over him — “What else seems right to you but to put her to death?” “Who shall put her to death?” said the warrior. “One whom no mother has borne,” said Adamnan. “Such a one am I,” said the warrior, “for I was not born at all, but was taken forth through my mother’s side after her death.” “I do not know that counter-plea,” said Adamnan. “Nevertheless, God has delivered the woman; and you shall not go without punishment, for you yourself shall die speedily, and no descendant of yours shall hold kingship, nor shall any man of your race ever have a band of soldiers outnumbering five.” Then Adamnan took the kingship from the children of Dungal son of Elodach for the race of Loegaire son of Fergus son of Ailell, king of the Hy Echach, after they had sworn by the hand of Adamnan.

Chapter Four. #

¹ Moreover, Adamnan took the kingship from Irgalach, grandson of Conaing, and from his children, because he had slain Niall mac Cernaig in defiance of Adamnan. A decree went forth from Finnachta son of Dunchad, king of Tara, that the land of Columbcille should have only equal immunity from burdens with the land of Patrick and Findia and Ciarán — that is, that it too should come under bondage. That was told to Adamnan, and it did not seem right in his eyes; for the men of Ireland had granted to Columbcille, because of the excellence of his race above all other saints in Ireland, that his land should be free from burdens. Said Adamnan: “Short shall be the life of the king by whom this proclamation has been made; he shall be slain by his own kindred, and there shall be no ruler of his race until the Day of Judgement, nor shall any man bearing his name be in the kingship of Tara.” And even so it came to pass.

Chapter Five. #

¹ Conall Oirgnech son of Congal, king of the race of Maine, said that he would not accept the law of Adamnan. Said his brother Connla: “Were I the king, I would accept the law.” Then Conall derided his brother’s feebleness of spirit. Said Adamnan: “Short shall be the life of Conall, and a dog’s death shall carry him off; and there shall be no ruler of his race over Tethba until the Day of Judgement. And Connla son of Congal shall be ruler, and by his descendants shall the kingship be held, unless they resist my successor.” And so it came to pass.

² Moreover, Adamnan took the kingship from Cathusach son of Eochu, king of Dalriada, and from his children for ever. And he took the kingship over the Hy Fidgenti from Flaithbe of the race of the sons of Erc and from his children for ever, and gave it to the race of Laippe of the Hy Echach of Munster, because he had slain Dungal son of Fergus.

Chapter Six. #

¹ Another time Adamnan went to the province of Leinster to contest the possession of Leix of Telach Bregmon against the community of Glendalough. Cellach son of Gerthide was king of Leinster at the time, and Dubgal was abbot of Glendalough. Adamnan went to them upon the hill. No one rose before him; for the erenagh had said that it was not right for him to rise before Adamnan, since he was a bishop and Adamnan only a priest. But Murchad son of Bran rose before him — a lord of that district was he. Then Adamnan said to them: “You have not been humble towards me, in that you did not rise before us. The bishop, first of all, who did not rise in an act of humility — he shall rise to commit a shameful sin and shall persist in that sin to the day of his death; and he shall die in the arms of a harlot, and that neither away from home nor at home; he shall dwell in hell; nor shall it be long before this befalls him. The king, again — out of his kingship shall he rise before the man who has risen before me, namely Murchad son of Bran.” And he told Murchad to rise and come with him, for he would be slain if he stayed on the hill. The men of Leinster went to Murchad and made him king; and Cellach went in exile to Congal son of Fergus, king of Tara. Then Congal accompanied Cellach against the men of Leinster with the hosts of the Hy Neill until he reached Farnagh. Adamnan went into the provinces of Connacht until he met them at that hill. Adamnan said to Congal that Cellach should not be made king in defiance of the command of God and of Adamnan himself. Congal said that the affairs of the churches would be settled according to the will of Adamnan, but that to himself belonged the disposition of king and people. However, Adamnan declared that Cellach should not be king, and that there should never be a ruler of his race over Leinster, and that each man of his offspring should be worse than those who went before him. He said, moreover, to Congal son of Fergus: “You shall not be king from this day forth; and you shall not reach your own land alive; a sudden death shall carry you off, and there shall never be a ruler sprung from you.” And all came to pass as Adamnan said.

Chapter Seven. #

¹ Once when Adamnan was going round a graveyard on Tory Island, the saint gazed at the graveyard and blessed it, and said: “The body of a woman with child is in the graveyard, and it is an offence to the saints that she should be there. Her grave is over there — open it and take the body to the sea-shore. There are four men in that graveyard; and if they should pray to God to turn the sea that lies between Tory and the mainland into dry land, or to lift up the sky from the earth if it should fall upon it, it would be done at their request.”

Chapter Eight. #

¹ The Saxons of the north went to Ireland and laid waste Magh Bregh as far as Bealach Ddin, and carried off a great spoil of captives, men and women. The men of Ireland begged Adamnan to go to the Saxons to ask for their spoils. Adamnan went to ask for the spoils; and he came upon a stretch of sea-coast — long was its beach and swift its tide. Such is its swiftness that the best horse in the land of the Saxons beneath a good rider, with its back to the waves when the tide is coming in, will hardly bear its rider to land even swimming, for the extent of the beach and the swiftness of the tide. The Saxons would not allow Adamnan to land on the shore. “Draw your coracles upon the shore,” said Adamnan to his followers, “for both the sea and the land are subject to the will of God, and nothing can be done against God.” The clerics did as they were told. Adamnan with his crozier drew a circle round the coracles, and God made the strand firm beneath the coracles and made a high wall of the sea around them, so that it was on an island they were; and the sea went past the island to its bounds, and no harm happened to them. When the Saxons saw that great miracle, trembling seized them for fear of Adamnan, and they granted him his full will. And the will of Adamnan was that the entire spoil should be given to him and that the Saxons should never make another raid on Ireland. And Adamnan brought back the entire spoil.

Chapter Nine. #

¹ Another time it happened that Adamnan was on a Sunday in the northern part of Magh Bregh — that is, in Hy mic Uais. There it was that a hundred cooked sheep were given to him, and amongst them a hound which had been cooked likewise. Through the grace of the Holy Spirit, Adamnan discerned the hound among the sheep, and he said to those who had provided the food: “Which of you has given us the hound among the sheep?” Each of them swore for himself that it was not he. Then said Adamnan to the hound: “In the name of the Lord, rise quickly and make known to us your master.” The hound rose at once at the word of Adamnan and sprang on his master and bore him to the ground. Adamnan asked the man: “How many of you have had a hand in this deed?” “Four men of the Hy Cuirb,” said the man. Then Adamnan spoke, cursing them:

² “A curse upon them and around them, who are…
Out of Uachtar Aird I pronounce it on the Hy Cuirb.”
And he said that their posterity should never outnumber four men.

Chapter Ten. #

¹ It happened once that the body of Bruide mac Bili, king of the Picts, was brought to Iona. His death was a deep grief to Adamnan; and he said that the body of Bruide should be brought to his house that night. And he kept watch by the body in the house till morning. The next morning, when the body began to move and to open its eyes, it was then that a certain austere devotee came to the door of the house and said: “If there is any likelihood of Adamnan’s raising the dead, I declare that no cleric who comes in his place shall be made abbot unless he too can raise the dead.” “There is some justice in that,” said Adamnan. “If it be more fitting, let us bestow a blessing on the body and on the soul of Bruide.” Then Bruide once more sent forth his spirit to heaven, with the blessing of Adamnan and of the community of Iona. Then it was that Adamnan said:

² “Many wonders works the King who was born of Mary:
Life He gives to Scuabanin Mulle, death to Bruide mac Bili.
It is strange — after he has been in the kingship of the people —
A hollow withered oak-stump round the son of the king of
Ail-Cluaithi.”

Chapter Ten (alternative). #

From Skene, W. F. (ed.) 1867, Chronicles of the Picts, Chronicles of the Scots, and Other Early Memorials of Scottish History. Edinburgh: H. M. General Register House.

¹ The body of Bruide son of Bile, king of the Cruithnigh, was brought to Ia, and his death was sorrowful and grievous to Adamnan, and he desired that the body of Bruide should be brought to him into the house that night. Adamnan watched by the body till morning. Next day, when the body began to move and open its eyes, a certain pious man came to the door of the house and said: “If Adamnan’s object be to raise the dead, I say he should not do so; for it will be a degradation to every cleric who shall succeed to his place if he too cannot raise the dead.” “There is something of right in that,” replied Adamnan. “Therefore, as it is more proper, let us give our blessing to the body and to the soul of Bruide.” Then Bruide resigned his spirit to heaven again, with the blessing of Adamnan and the congregation of Ia. Then Adamnan said:

² “Many wonders does He perform,
The King who was born of Mary;
He takes away life —
The death of Bruide son of Bile.
It is rare, it is rare,
After ruling in the northern kingdom,
That a hollow stick of withered oak
Is about the son of the king of Alcluaith.”

Chapter Eleven. #

¹ Another time Adamnan was in Iona fasting for three days and three nights in his house with closed doors, without coming to the monastery. A few saintly monks went to the house to see how the cleric was. They looked through the keyhole and saw a most beautiful little boy on Adamnan’s lap. Moreover, Adamnan was fondling the child; so that they were sure that it was Jesus who had come in the form of a babe to cheer Adamnan.

Chapter Twelve. #

¹ Another time when Adamnan was in Iona a corpse was brought to the island. The bell was rung; all went to meet it except Adamnan. When they reached the sea, the corpse rose from its coracle of hide and said to them: “You should have sought a master of learning to converse with me rather than come to fetch me to my burial.” Thereupon it put many strange questions to them, which were brought to Adamnan, and he solved them all. “Ask of Adamnan,” said the corpse — “for well does he solve questions” — “what is meant by the word that is in the baptismal service, namely: urget te Melthiel.” They tell that to Adamnan. Adamnan said: “From hell that question was put to Columbcille, and no wonder that Amelthiel should be the name of the rank of the heavenly hierarchy from which the devil fell by transgression. Open the grave of Columbcille,” said Adamnan. It was done even so, and Adamnan pronounced a blessing in the direction of the corpse. Then was heard the outcry and clamour of Satan as he departed from the corpse to hell.

Chapter Thirteen. #

¹ Among the special gifts of Adamnan were preaching and instructing. In the last year of his life he used to preach that about the festival of John tribulation would come upon the men of Ireland and Alba. A stranger used to visit Colman of Cruachan Aigle (Croaghpatrick) — an anchorite who was in Connacht — and this man used to tell Colman of many wonders; and he told him what Adamnan was prophesying, namely tribulation to the men of Ireland and Alba about the festival of John. “Indeed?” said Colman. “It will prove true,” said the man. “This is the tribulation: that Adamnan shall go to heaven on the festival of John. It is a great happening, and a great sorrow it is in the west of the world. And send word to him,” said the man. Colman sent that message to Adamnan. “It is likely that will be true,” said Adamnan, “that I should go to our heavenly home in the name of God and of Columbcille.” And afterwards he sang:

² “If death should come to me in Hy,
It will be a deliverance of mercy;
I know not beneath blue heaven
A spot which were better for my
last hour.”

Chapter Fourteen. #

¹ A righteous man indeed was this man, with purity of nature like a patriarch; a true pilgrim like Abraham; meek and forgiving of heart like Moses; a praiseworthy psalmist like David; a treasury of knowledge like Solomon; a chosen vessel for proclaiming the truth like the Apostle Paul; a man full of the grace and favour of the Holy Spirit like the youth John; a lovely garden, fair with plants; a vine-branch with fruitfulness; a shining fire with flames to give warmth and heat to the sons of life in kindling and zeal of charity; a lion in strength and power; a dove in meekness and simplicity; a serpent in cunning and prudence towards good; meek, lowly and gentle towards the sons of life; very austere and harsh towards the sons of death; a slave in toil and service for Christ; a king in dignity and power for binding and loosing, for delivering and imprisoning, for slaying and giving life. When the hour of his death drew near, the holy Adamnan sent forth his spirit heavenwards to the Lord whom he served. But his body is still with us in this present world, with honour and reverence, working miracles every day. Great as his glory may be now, it shall be greater on the last day, when he shall shine like the sun and shall put forth as fruit his preaching and his fair deeds, his pilgrimage, his chastity and his humility, to the Lord of the elements. In the unity of the nine orders of heaven who have done no sin; in the unity of the saints and holy virgins of this world, of patriarchs and prophets, of apostles and disciples of Jesus; in the unity of the Godhead and the humanity of the Son of God; in the unity which is higher than all other unity — the Unity of the Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit — I beg God’s mercy through the intercession of Adamnan, that I may reach that unity for ever and ever. Amen.