ar 455, towards the close of
the great apostle's life. The royal palace of Emania, in the immediate
neighbourhood, was then the residence of the kings of Ulster. A wealthy
chief, by name Daire,[131] gave the saint a portion of land for the
erection of his cathedral, on an eminence called _Druim-Sailech_, the
Hill of Sallows. This high ground is now occupied by the city of Armagh
(Ard-Macha). Religious houses for both sexes were established near the
church, and soon were filled with ardent and devoted subjects.

The saint's labours were now drawing to a close, and the time of eternal
rest was at hand. He retired to his favourite retreat at Saull, and
there probably wrote his _Confessio_.[132] It is said that he wished to
die in the ecclesiastical metropolis of Ireland, and for this purpose,
when he felt his end approaching, desired to be conveyed thither; but
even as he was on his journey an angel appeared to him, and desired him
to return to Saull. Here he breathed his last, on Wednesday, the 17th of
March, in the year of our Lord 492. The holy viaticum and last anointing
were administered to him by St. Tussach.[133]

The saint's age at the time of his death, as also the length of his
mission in Ireland, has been put at a much longer period by some
authors, but modern research and correction of chronology have all but
verified the statement given above.

The intelligence of the death of St. Patrick spread rapidly through the
country; prelates and priests flocked from all parts to honour the
mortal remains of their glorious father. As each arrived at Saull, he
proceeded to offer the adorable sacrifice according to his rank. At
night the plain resounded with the chanting of psalms; and the darkness
was banished by the light of such innumerable torches, that it seemed
even as if day had hastened to dawn brightly on the beloved remains. St.
Fiacc, in his often-quoted Hymn, compares it to the long day caused by
the standing of the sun at the command of Joshua, when he fought against
the Gabaonites.

It is said that the pagan Irish were not without some intimation of the
coming of their great apostle. Whether these prophecies were true or
false is a question we cannot pretend to determine; but their existence
and undoubted antiquity demand that they should have at least a passing
notice. Might not the Gaedhilic druid, as well as the Pythian priestess,
have received even from the powers of darkness, though despite their
wi