On the following day St. Patrick repaired to Taillten, where the public games were commencing; and there he remained for a week, preaching to an immense concourse of people.  Here his life was threatened by Cairbre, a brother of King Laeghaire; but the saint was defended by another of the royal brothers, named Conall Creevan, who was shortly after converted.  The church of Donough Patrick, in Meath, was founded by his desire.  It is said that all the Irish churches which begin with the name Donough were founded by the saint, the foundation being always marked out by him on a Sunday, for which Domhnach is the Gaedhilic term.

Having preached for some time in the western part of the territory of Meath, the saint proceeded as far as Magh Slecht, where the great idol of the nation, Ceann [or Crom] Cruach was solemnly worshipped.  The legend of its destruction, as given in the oldest annals, is singularly interesting.  We give a brief extract from Professor O’Curry’s translation:  “When Patrick saw the idol from the water, which is named Guthard [loud voice] (i.e., he elevated his voice); and when he approached near the idol, he raised his arm to lay the Staff of Jesus on him, and it did not reach him; he bent back from the attempt upon his right side, for it was to the south his face was; and the mark of the staff lies in his left side still although the staff did not leave Patrick’s hand; and the earth swallowed the other twelve idols to their heads; and they are in that condition in commemoration of the miracle.  And he called upon all the people cum rege Laeghuire; they it was that adored the idol.  And all the people saw him (i.e., the demon), and they dreaded their dying if Patrick had not sent him to hell."[126]

After this glorious termination of Easter week, the saint made two other important converts.  He set out for Connaught; and when near Rath Cruaghan, met the daughters of King Laeghaire, the princesses Ethnea and Fethlimia, who were coming, in patriarchal fashion, to bathe in a neighbouring well.  These ladies were under the tuition of certain druids, or magi; but they willingly listened to the instruction of the saint, and were converted and baptized.

The interview took place at daybreak.  The royal sisters heard the distant chant of the priests, who were reciting matins as they walked along; and when they approached and beheld them in their white garments, singing, with books in their hands, it was naturally supposed that they were not beings of earth.

“Who are ye?” they inquired of the saint and his companions.  “Are ye of the sea, the heavens, or the earth?”

St. Patrick explained to them such of the Christian mysteries as were most necessary at the moment, and spoke of the one only true God.

“But where,” they asked, “does your God dwell?  Is it in the sun or on earth, in mountains or in valleys, in the sea or in rivers?”