baptised him thereupon, giving him the name of Declan. When, in the
presence of all, he had administered Baptism, Colman spoke this prophecy
concerning the infant "Truly, beloved child and lord you will be in
heaven and on earth most high and holy, and your good deeds, fame,
and sanctity will fill all (the four quarters of) Ireland and you will
convert your own nation and the Decies from paganism to Christianity.
On that account I bind myself to you by the tie of brotherhood and I
commend myself to your sanctity."

4. Colman thereupon returned to his own abode; he commanded that Declan
should be brought up with due care, that he should be well trained, and
be set to study at the age of seven years if there could be found in his
neighbourhood a competent Christian scholar to undertake his tuition.
Even at the period of his baptism grace and surpassing charity
manifested themselves in the countenance of Declan so that it was
understood of all that great should be the goodness and the spiritual
charm of his mature age. When Dobhran had heard and seen these things
concerning his kinsman Erc he requested the latter and Deithin to give
him the child to foster, and with this request Erc complied. The name of
the locality was "Dobhran's Place" at that time, but since then it has
been "Declan's Place." Dobhran presented the homestead to Declan and
removed his own dwelling thence to another place. In after years, when
Declan had become a bishop, he erected there a celebrated cell in honour
of God, and this is the situation of the cell in question:--In the
southern part of the Decies, on the east side of Magh Sgiath and not
far from the city of Mochuda i.e. Lismore. For the space of seven years
Declan was fostered with great care by Dobhran (his father's brother)
and was much loved by him. God wrought many striking miracles through
Declan's instrumentality during those years. By aid of the Holy Spirit
dwelling in him he (Declan)--discreet Christian man that he was--avoided
every fault and every unlawful desire during that time.

5. On the completion of seven years Declan was taken from his parents
and friends and fosterers to be sent to study as Colman had ordained. It
was to Dioma they sent him, a certain devout man perfect in the faith,
who had come at that time by God's design into Ireland having spent a
long period abroad in acquiring learning. He (Dioma) built in that place
a small cell wherein he might instruct Declan and