says Dr Smith," he is called Colum-cille, (or Colum of the Cells), from his having founded so many churches and monasteries. Thus it appears that killi or cille is viewed as the plural. When we find the same form of combination, not only in the neighbourhood of the Culdees, but in what is supposed to have been their original seat;—not only the names Kilmenie, Kilconquhar, Kilrenny, Kilbirnie, &c. but Kilremont and Kilreul ;—it affords a strong presumption of analogy between the name of the Keledei as a body, and the names of the places that have been denominated from individuals, many of whom, in all probability, belonged to this very society. 2 With respect to the Irish Culdees, it may be added, that Colgan mentions Comganus Kele-De, or Keledeus, and also Aengusianus Keledeus. The latter seems to be the same person to whom Toland refers. Have we any reason to suppose that the Culdees of St Andrews emigrated to Ireland, after they were ejected from their offices and possessions here ? "In the greater churches of Ulster," Archbishop Usher says, "as at Cluaninnis and Daminnis, and principally at Armagh, in our own memory, there were priests called Culdees, who celebrated divine service in the choir. Their president was stiled Prior of the Culdees, and acted as praecentor." Their influence in Ireland was similar to that which they had so long enjoyed in Scotland. Corruption," says a learn 'Life of S. Columba, p. 1. 3 See above, p. 354. 66 4 ed writer of that country, "was powerfully retarded by the firmness of the hierarchy and the Culdees. The latter were looked up to as the depositaries of the original national faith, and were most highly respected by the people for their sanctity and learning." It was not, indeed, till the eleventh century, that Ireland was completely subdued to the Roman authority. Here also we perceive the same opposition to this society. Wherever the influence of Rome prevailed, the Culdees were removed, and Columba himself was not supplicated as a patron and saint before the year 1741;' although, in ancient times, acknowledged as "the primate of all the Irish churches," and " of all the Irish bishops." 4 2 Giraldus Cambrensis, who went to Ireland with King John in the year 1185, thus describes the island Monaincha; "In North Munster is a lake containing two isles: in the greater is a church of the ancient religion, and, in the lesser, a chapel, wherein a few monks, called Culdees, devoutly serve God." On this passage Dr Ledwich observes; "We may easily understand what Cambrensis meant by the church here being of the old religion. The Culdees, its possessors, had not even at this period, when the council of Cashel had decreed uniformity of faith and practice, conformed to the reigning superstition; they devoutly served God in this wild and dreary retreat, sacrificing all the flattering prospects of the world for their ancient doctrine and discipline." 'Ledwich's Antiq. p. 94. I The same Cambrensis gives an account of Culdees in Wales."The isle of Bardsey," he says, " is inhabited by religious monks, quos Coelicolas vel Colideos vocant." Goodall seems to admit that the Culdees had been introduced into the north of England, in consequence of the conversion of the inhabitants of that region by missionaries from Hij. For says; "As to the Culdees, it is very certain, that there was a sort of monks, and secular priests too, who went under that appellation, not only among the Scots, but also among the Britons and Irish, and even among the northern English, who were first converted by the Scots, particularly in the cathedral of York, [Monast. Anglican. tom. 2. p. 367, 368.”]2 he I have given a more full answer to this objection than it deserves, partly to shew its extreme futility; but especially, because the warm friends of diocesan episcopacy have been so eager to avail themselves of even a shadow of argument, in their attempts to disprove, not only the authority, but the early existence of a society, to which the cause of religion, in this country, has been so deeply indebted. |