he obtained a great many
disciples, and from thence he proceeded to visit his friend, the poet
Dubtach, who, it will be remembered, paid him special honour at Tara,
despite the royal prohibition to the contrary. Dubtach lived in that
part of the country called Hy-Kinsallagh, now the county Carlow. It was
here the poet Fiacc was first introduced to the saint, whom he
afterwards so faithfully followed. Fiacc had been a disciple of Dubtach,
and was by profession a bard, and a member of an illustrious house. He
was the first Leinster man raised to episcopal dignity. It was probably
at this period that St. Patrick visited Munster, and the touching
incident already related occurred at the baptism of Aengus. This prince
was singularly devoted to religion, as indeed his conduct during the
administration of the sacrament of regeneration could not fail to
indicate.

The saint's mission in Munster was eminently successful. Lonan, the
chief of the district of Ormonde, entertained him with great
hospitality, and thousands embraced the faith. Many of the inhabitants
of Corca Baiscin crossed the Shannon in their hidecovered boats
(curaghs) when the saint was on the southern side, in Hy-Figeinte, and
were baptized by him in the waters of their magnificent river. At their
earnest entreaty, St. Patrick ascended a hill which commanded a view of
the country of the Dalcassians, and gave his benediction to the whole
territory. This hill is called Findine in the ancient lives of the
saint; but this name is now obsolete. Local tradition and antiquarian
investigation make it probable that the favoured spot is that now called
Cnoc Patrick, near Foynes Island.

The saint's next journey was in the direction of Kerry, where he
prophesied that "St. Brendan, of the race of Hua Alta, the great
patriarch of monks and star of the western world, would be born, and
that his birth would take place some years after his own death."[130]

We have now to record the obituary of the only Irish martyr who suffered
for the faith while Ireland was being evangelized. While the saint was
visiting Ui-Failghe, a territory now comprised in the King's county, a
pagan chieftain, named Berraidhe, formed a plan for murdering the
apostle. His wicked design came in some way to the knowledge of Odran,
the saint's charioteer, who so arranged matters as to take his master's
place, and thus received the fatal blow intended for him.

The See of Armagh was founded about the ye