his relics, contrast the
dying injunction of Cuthbert to his monks, that they should dig up his
bones and transport them whithersoever they should go.[27]

The _Little Church_ intended by the author is presumably the small
chapel, of which the ruins still remain at Clonmacnois, called Saint
Ciaran's chapel. It is a century or two later than Ciaran's time, but
may very probably stand on the site of Ciaran's wooden church. Hard by
is the end of a raised causeway leading to the Nunnery; this may be
the "Little Height" referred to.

L. THE VISIT OF COEMGEN (LA, VG)

Coemgen's petulance at the preoccupation of the bereaved monks (VG)
is in keeping with other traditions of that peppery saint. The
resurrection of Ciaran after three days is another touch in imitation
of the Gospel story: it is, however, also told of Saint Darerca, who
appeared to her nuns three days after her death (CS, 185).

The story before us is thus related in the Life of Coemgen: "At
another time most blessed Coemgenus made his way to visit most holy
Kyaranus the abbot, who founded his settlement Cluayn meic Noys, which
is in the western border of the territory of Meath, on the bank of
the river Synna over against the province of the Connachta. But Saint
Cyaranus on the third day before Saint Coemgenus arrived, passed from
this world to Christ. His body was laid in a church on a bier, till
Saint Coemgenus and other saints should come to bury him. And Saint
Coemgenus coming late to the monastery of Saint Chyaranus, he entered
the church in which was the holy body and commanded all the brethren
to go forth, wishing to spend that night alone beside the sacred body.
And when all the brethren had gone out, Saint Coemgenus carefully
closed the door of the church, and remained there alone till the
following day; but some of the brethren were watching till morning
before the doors of the church. And as Saint Coemgenus prayed there,
the most blessed soul of Saint Chiaranus returned to his body, and he
rose and began to speak in health-giving words to Saint Coemgenus. The
brethren remaining outside heard the voice of each of them clearly.
Saint Kyaranus asked blessed Coemgenus that they should interchange
their vesture, as a sign of everlasting fellowship: and so they did.
On the following day when the door of the church was opened, the
brethren found Saint Coemgenus clad in the vesture of Saint Kyaranus,
and Kyaranus wrapped in the vestments of Saint Coemgen