[233] See Smith’s Dictionary of Geography.
[234] See Introd. to Celtic Scotland, page 3, vol. i.
[235] See Reeves’ Adamnan, page 169, note.
[236] See Bishop Reeves’ excellent edition of Adamnan’s Life of Columba.
[237] See Reeves’ Adamnan, page lxix.
[238] “By genealogy he had a natural right to the kingship of Ireland, and it would have been offered to him had he not put it from him for God’s sake.”—Life in the Book of Lismore.
[239] It is more likely that his ordination took place after he left Glasnevin on his homeward journey.
[240] This mistake led to important consequences. Columba not being himself a bishop found it necessary to have a bishop, subject to his jurisdiction, to perform episcopal functions in his monasteries. It was an unusual arrangement, as Bede declares, “Habere solet ipsa insula (Hy) rectorem semper abbatem presbyterum, cujus juri et omnis provincia, et etiam episcopi, ordine inusitato, debeant esse subjecti, juxta exemplum primi doctoris illius, qui non episcopus sed presbyter extitit et monachus.”—Bede, H.E. III. 4.
[241] A.D. 545—“Daire Colum Cille fundata est” (recte, 546).
[242] See the Felire of Ængus.