by O'Curry in the 'I. R. Record' for 1864. The text of
the 'Record' edition of 1910 is from Leabhar Breac collated with other
MSS. The order in the various copies is not the same and some copies
contain material which is wanting in others. The "Rule" commences with
the Ten Commandments, then it enumerates the obligations respectively of
bishops, abbots, priests, monks, and culdees [anchorites]. Finally there
is a section on the order of meals and on the refectory and another on
the obligations of a king. The following excerpt on the duties of an
abbot ('I. E. Record' translation) will illustrate the style and spirit
of the Rule:

"Of the Abbot of a Church.
1.--If you be the head man of a Church noble is the power, better for you
that you be just who take the heirship of the king.
2.--If you are the head man of a Church noble is the obligation,
preservation of the rights of the Church from the small to the great.
3.--What Holy Church commands preach then with diligence; what you order
to each one do it yourself.
4.--As you love your own soul love the souls of all. Yours the
magnification of every good [and] banishment of every evil.
5.--Be not a candle under a bushel [Luke 11:33]. Your learning without a
cloud over it. Yours the healing of every host both strong and weak.
6.--Yours to judge each one according to grade and according to deed; he
will advise you at judgment before the king....
10.--Yours to rebuke the foolish, to punish the hosts, turning disorder
into order [restraint] of the stubborn, obstinate, wretched."

Reservation of the Coarbship of Mochuda at Lismore in favour of Kerrymen
is an extremely curious if not unique provision. How long it continued
in force we do not know. Probably it endured to the twelfth century and
possibly the rule was not of strict interpretation. Christian
O'Connarchy, who was bishop of Lismore in the twelfth century, is
regarded as a native of Decies, though the contrary is slightly
suggested by his final retirement to Kerry. The alleged prophecy
concerning Kerry men and the coarbship points to some rule, regulation
or law of Mochuda.

MAP OF IRELAND.

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