The life of St. Patrick and his place in history

by J. B. Bury

ut de seculo credentes traheret ad gratiam

Dominumque sequerentur sedem ad etheriam.

[100] The Confession shows that this comparison was sometimes in Patrick’s mind.

[101] Perfectam vitam, Hymn v. 4. Secundinus died A.D. 447, acc. to Ann. Ult.

[102] Telltown comes by popular etymology from the genitive Taillteann. The site is marked by a round rath. O’Donovan said in 1856 that it had been in recent times a resort for the men of Meath for hurling, wrestling, and other sports (Four Masters, i. p. 22).

[103] Herbord, Vit. Ott. ii. 14. The silence of early authorities is decisive against the isolated statement that Patrick preached at Taillte against the “burning of the first-born offspring.” (See [Appendix B, note].)

[104] Mac Fechach.—Tírechán, 310₂₄.

[105] Áth Brón.—Tír. 307₂₈.

[106] St. Colomb’s House. For its description and measurements see Petrie (Round Towers, 430-31), who compares it with St. Kevin’s House at Glendalough, and Dunraven’s Notes on Irish Architecture, vol. ii. p. 50 (plans and photograph).

[107] Tírechán, 310-11.