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ARDMORE, PLACE WHERE ST. DECLAN LANDED  Ardmore is the oldest Christian settlement in Ireland. St. Declan lived in the region 350-450 AD and christianised this area before the coming of St. Patrick. He was an early Irish bishop and abbot.The legend goes as follows: St Declan returned form Rome via Britain, and left behind him in Wales his bell. He was sea borne when he realized this, and was much grieved by his absent-mindedness - the bell had been gifted to him from Heaven as he celebrated Mass, and was therefore very precious. Declan's prayers for the bell's safe return were answered, when a boulder carrying the bell came sailing over the water to his boat! From there, it sailed before the craft, navigating the way across the channel. Declan vowed before his crew to establish his city and bishopric wherever the bell led him, and so it came to be that he came ashore on an island by the west Waterford coast. A member of his party ascended the hill, and queried the wisdom of setting up on what he called 'this little height'. Declan is said to have replied: "Do not call it little hill, but Great Height." The land was granted by the king of the DéisÃ, and was named 'Ardmore Declan'. Following Declan's prayers, the generosity of the king was echoed and enhanced by God, when the sea retreated from between the island and the mainland, leaving a more substantial swathe of land to the nascent community. After this, "many persons came to Declan, drawn from the uttermost parts of Ireland, by the fame of his holy living". Thus the monastery grew. More about life of Declan >> These images may not be used in any form without written permission. All rights reserved. Author´s contact YOUR COMMENT >> |
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