nty you shall have offspring." The couple returned home, with
great joy for the blessing and for the promise of the offspring. The
following night, Fintan lay with his wife and she conceived and brought
forth twin sons, scil.: Fiacha and Aodh, who, together with their
children and descendants were under tribute and service to God and
Declan.

40. When it was made known to a certain holy man, scil.:--Ailbe of Emly
Iubar, chief bishop of Munster, that his last days had come, he said to
his disciples: "Beloved brethren, I wish, before I die, to visit my very
dear fellow worker, scil.:--Declan." After this Ailbe set out on the
journey and an angel of God came to Declan notifying him that Ailbe was
on his way to visit him. On the angel's notification Declan ordered his
disciples to prepare the house for Ailbe's coming. He himself went to
meet Ailbe as far as the place which is called Druim Luctraidh
[Luchluachra]. Thence they came home together and Ailbe, treated with
great honour by Declan and his people, stayed fourteen pleasant days.
After that the aged saint returned home again to his own city, scil.:--to
Emly Iubar. Declan came and many of his people, escorting Ailbe, to
Druim Luchtradh, and Ailbe bade him return to his own city. The two knew
they should not see one another in this world ever again. In taking
leave of one another, therefore, they shed plentiful tears of sorrow and
they instituted an everlasting compact and league between their
successors in that place. Ailbe moreover blessed the city of Declan, his
clergy and people and Declan did the same for Ailbe and they kissed one
another in token of love and peace and each returned to his own city.

41. On a certain day the Castle of Cinaedh, King of the Deisi, took fire
and it burned violently. It happened however that Declan was proceeding
towards the castle on some business and he was grieved to see it burning;
he flung towards it the staff to which we have referred in connection
with the drying up of the sea, and it (the staff) flew hovering in the
air with heavenly wings till it reached the midst of the flame and the
fire was immediately extinguished of its own accord through the grace of
God and virtue of the staff and of Declan to whom it belonged. The place
from which Declan cast the staff was a long mile distant from the castle
and when the king, i.e. Cinaedh, and all the others witnessed this
miracle they were filled with amazement and ga