up and carried away with him in his hand. Hence (that ford is
named) Ath-Ubhla in Fermoy [Ballyhooley]. His attendant asked Mochuda
for the apple, but the latter refused to give it saying--"God will work
a miracle by that apple and through me to-day: we shall meet Cuana Mac
Cailcin's daughter whose right hand is powerless so that she cannot move
it from her side. But she shall be cured by the power of God through
this apple." This was accomplished. Mochuda espied the child playing a
game with the other girls in the faithche [lawn] of the Lios. He
approached and said to her:--"Take this apple." She, as usual, put
forth her left hand for the fruit. "You shall not get it in that hand,
but take it in the other." The girl full of faith tried to put out the
right hand, and on the instant the hand became full of strength and
blood and motion so that she took the apple in it. All rejoiced thereat
and were amazed at the wonder wrought. That night Cuana said to his
daughter: "Choose yourself which you prefer of the royal youths of
Munster and whomsoever your choice be I shall obtain in marriage for
you." "The only spouse I shall have," said she, "is the man who cured
my hand." "Do you hear what she says O Mochuda?" said the king.
"Entrust the child to me," answered Mochuda, "I shall present her as a
bride to God who has healed her hand." Whereupon Cuana gave his
daughter Flandnait, together with her dowry and lands on the bank of
Nemh, to God and to Mochuda for ever. Cuana was almost incredibly
generous. Mochuda took the maiden with him to Rahen where she passed her
years happily with the religious women there till Mochuda was expelled
by the kings of Tara as you may hear. He took Flandnait with him (from
Rahen) in his party to her own native region that she might build
herself a cell there. She did build a famous cell at Cluain Dallain in
Mochuda's own parish.
Previous to his expulsion (from Rahen) Mochuda visited the place where
(later) he built Lismore and he heard the voice of persons reading at
Rahen, wherefore he said to his followers: "I know that this is the
place where God will permit us to build our monastery." This prophecy
was subsequently verified.
On a certain occasion Columcille came to Rahen where Mochuda was and
asked him:--"Is this place in which you now are dear to you?" "It is,
indeed," answered Mochuda. Columcille said: "Let not what I say to you
trouble you--this will not be the
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