was
designated Scotia Magna, to distinguish it from the country which so
obtained, and has since preserved, the name of the old race.

Muircheartach, A.D. 504, was the first Christian King of Ireland; but he
was constantly engaged in war with the Leinster men about the most
unjust Boromean tribute. He belonged to the northern race of Hy-Nial,
being descended from Nial of the Nine Hostages. On his death, the crown
reverted to the southern Hy-Nials in the person of their representative,
Tuathal Maelgarbh.

It would appear from a stanza in the Four Masters, that St. Brigid had
some prophetic intimation or knowledge of one of the battles fought by
Muircheartach. Her name is scarcely less famous for miracles than that
of the great apostle. Broccan's Hymn[140] contains allusions to a very
great number of these supernatural favours. Many of these marvels are of
a similar nature to those which the saints have been permitted to
perform in all ages of the Church's history.

Brigid belonged to an illustrious family, who were lineally descended
from Eochad, a brother of Conn of the Hundred Battles. She was born at
Fochard, near Dundalk, about the year 453, where her parents happened to
be staying at the time; but Kildare was their usual place of residence,
and there the holy virgin began her saintly career. In her sixteenth
year she received the white cloak and religious veil, which was then the
distinctive garment of those who were specially dedicated to Christ,
from the hands of St. Macaille, the Bishop of Usneach, in Westmeath.
Eight young maidens of noble birth took the veil with her. Their first
residence was at a place in the King's county, still called Brigidstown.
The fame of her sanctity now extended far and wide, and she was
earnestly solicited from various parts of the country to found similar
establishments. Her first mission was to Munster, at the request of Erc,
the holy Bishop of Slane, who had a singular respect for her virtue.
Soon after, she founded a house of her order in the plain of Cliach,
near Limerick; but the people of Leinster at last became fearful of
losing their treasure, and sent a deputation requesting her return, and
offering land for the foundation of a large nunnery. Thus was
established, in 483, the famous Monastery of Kildare, or the Church of
the Oak.

At the request of the saint, a bishop was appointed to take charge of
this important work; and under the guidance of Conlaeth, who heretofor