and the spiritual charm of his mature age.  When Dobhran had heard and seen these things concerning his kinsman Erc he requested the latter and Deithin to give him the child to foster, and with this request Erc complied.  The name of the locality was “Dobhran’s Place” at that time, but since then it has been “Declan’s Place.”  Dobhran presented the homestead to Declan and removed his own dwelling thence to another place.  In after years, when Declan had become a bishop, he erected there a celebrated cell in honour of God, and this is the situation of the cell in question:—­In the southern part of the Decies, on the east side of Magh Sgiath and not far from the city of Mochuda i.e.  Lismore.  For the space of seven years Declan was fostered with great care by Dobhran (his father’s brother) and was much loved by him.  God wrought many striking miracles through Declan’s instrumentality during those years.  By aid of the Holy Spirit dwelling in him he (Declan)—­discreet Christian man that he was—­avoided every fault and every unlawful desire during that time.

5.  On the completion of seven years Declan was taken from his parents and friends and fosterers to be sent to study as Colman had ordained.  It was to Dioma they sent him, a certain devout man perfect in the faith, who had come at that time by God’s design into Ireland having spent a long period abroad in acquiring learning.  He (Dioma) built in that place a small cell wherein he might instruct Declan and dwell himself.  There was given him also, to instruct, together with Declan, another child, scil., Cairbre Mac Colmain, who became afterwards a holy learned bishop.  Both these were for a considerable period pursuing their studies together.

6.  There were seven men dwelling in Magh Sgiath, who frequently saw the fiery globe which it has been already told they first beheld at the time of Declan’s birth.  It happened by the Grace of God that they were the first persons to reveal and describe that lightning.  These seven came to the place where Declan abode and took him for their director and master.  They made known publicly in the presence of all that, later on, he should be a bishop and they spoke prophetically:—­“The day, O beloved child and servant of God, will come when we shall commit ourselves and our lands to thee.”  And it fell out thus (as they foretold), for, upon believing, they were baptised and became wise, devout (and) attentive and erected seven churches in honour of God around Magh Sgiath.

7.  Declan remained a long time with Dioma, the holy man we have named, and acquired science and sanctity and diversity of learning and doctrine, and he was prudent, mild, and capable so that many who knew his nobility of blood came when they had heard of the fullness of his sanctity and grace.  Moreover they submitted themselves to him and accepted his religious rule.  Declan judged it proper that he should visit Rome to study discipline and ecclesiastical system, to secure for himself esteem and approbation thence, and obtain authority to preach to the (Irish) people and to bring back with him the rules of Rome as these obtained in Rome itself.  He set out with his followers and he tarried not till he arrived in Rome where they remained some time.