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History of the Irish state to 1014 - National Library of Scotland

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VII SAINT PATRICK loiAfter his return in 431 he probably consecrated Patrick<strong>to</strong> succeed Palladius as bishop for <strong>the</strong> <strong>Irish</strong> mission(432) (6). Tradition tells that his first landing was on<strong>the</strong> coast <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> south Laigin, from which Palladius hadapparently been driven. Patrick in his turn seems <strong>to</strong>have been repulsed by <strong>the</strong> king <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Ui Cennselaig,and we can well understand from <strong>the</strong> relations <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>Tara kings, Niall and Loeguire, with <strong>the</strong> Laigin leadersthat <strong>the</strong> district was in no way prepared for a peacefulChristian mission. He was forced <strong>to</strong> sail on a course<strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> north, <strong>to</strong>uching at various harbours and islandstill he reached <strong>the</strong> dangerous strait which forms <strong>the</strong>sole entry <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> great fiord <strong>of</strong> Loch Cuan (Strangford)—an arm <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> sea eighteen miles long—with its traditionalthree hundred and sixty-five islands.No one who has watched in <strong>the</strong> narrow neck <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>fiord <strong>the</strong> fierce race <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> tide when <strong>the</strong> water levelfalls swiftly in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Irish</strong> Sea, or who has followed <strong>the</strong>course <strong>of</strong> Patrick's boat within <strong>the</strong> loch when thisdanger was surmounted, can doubt that <strong>the</strong> journeywas carefully planned beforehand (possibly from CandidaCasa), and guided by a skilled pilot <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> country (7).West lay <strong>the</strong> wide sweep <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> land-locked waters,with <strong>the</strong> swirling tides round <strong>the</strong> ominous dun andbare level hand-breadth <strong>of</strong> desolation, " Diinnaneill <strong>of</strong><strong>the</strong> hostages " (harsh prison <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> forfeited hostages <strong>of</strong><strong>the</strong> Ui Neill) ;with <strong>the</strong> heavy dark cormorants winging<strong>the</strong>ir ceaseless way across <strong>the</strong> waters from harbour <strong>to</strong>harbour, like omens <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> future black pirates. Ascarcely noticed creek suddenly breaks <strong>the</strong> border-line,sweeping among swamps and islands wooded <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong>water's edge, <strong>to</strong> end in <strong>the</strong> marshy mazes <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Quoileround <strong>the</strong> ancient rath <strong>of</strong> Dun Celtchair (Downpatrick).Opposite Castle island Patrick's boat entered <strong>the</strong> windings<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> sluggish stream Slaney through <strong>the</strong> morass,till it came <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> border <strong>of</strong> dry land at what was probablyeven <strong>the</strong>n an old water-s<strong>to</strong>re, where a trackway <strong>of</strong>two miles led east along <strong>the</strong> edge <strong>of</strong> firm ground <strong>to</strong> Dun

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