the Book of Armagh, and in that
part of that Book which was copied from _St. Patrick's own manuscript_.
Even could it be proved that St. Patrick never wrote these Canons, the
fact that they are in the Book of Armagh, which was compiled, according
to O'Curry, before the year 727, and even at the latest before the year
807, is sufficient to prove the practice of the early Irish Church on
this important subject.

[124] _Further.--Life of St. Patrick_, p. 315.

CHAPTER IX.

St. Patrick visits Tara--Easter Sunday--St. Patrick's Hymn--Dubtach
salute him--He overthrows the Idols at Magh Slecht--The Princesses
Ethnea and Fethlimia--Their Conversion--Baptism of Aengus--St. Patrick
travels through Ireland--His Success in Munster--He blesses the whole
country from Cnoc Patrick--The First Irish Martyr--St. Patrick's
Death--Pagan Prophecies--Conor Mac Nessa--Death of King Laeghaire--The
Church did not and does not countenance Pagan Superstition--Oilioll
Molt--Death of King Aengus--Foundation of the Kingdom of Scotland--St.
Brigid--Shrines of the Three Saints--St Patrick's Prayer for Ireland,
and its Fulfilment.

[A.D. 432--543.]

On Holy Saturday St. Patrick arrived at Slane, where he caused a tent to
be erected, and lighted the paschal fire at nightfall, preparatory to
the celebration of the Easter festival. The princes and chieftains of
Meath were, at the same time, assembled at Tara, where King Laeghaire
was holding a great pagan festival. The object of this meeting has been
disputed, some authorities saying that it was convoked to celebrate the
Beltinne, or fire of Bal or Baal; others, that the king was
commemorating his own birthday. On the festival of Beltinne it was
forbidden to light any fire until a flame was visible from the top of
Tara Hill. Laeghaire was indignant that this regulation should have been
infringed; and probably the representation of his druids regarding the
mission of the great apostle, did not tend to allay his wrath.
Determined to examine himself into the intention of these bold
strangers, he set forth, accompanied, by his bards and attendants, to
the place where the sacred fire had been kindled, and ordered the
apostle to be brought before him strictly commanding, at the same time,
that no respect should be shown to him.

Notwithstanding the king's command, Erc, the son of Dego, rose up to
salute him, obtained the grace of conversion, and was subsequently
promoted to the episcopate. The r