The Amra Choluim Chilli of Dallan Forgaill (from Lebor na hUidre)

contrivance to obtain the publication of the praises he had written, he insisted that he might be allowed to follow out his [St. Columba’s] life with praises after his death, in case that it should be happily ended; and this request he accordingly obtained.

“The Saint accordingly, having returned to Britain, died after some years. Immediately as soon as he died, St. Dallan received the announcement of his death by angelic ministry and composed that very learned little work which we have mentioned. When he had finished this, he was gifted again with the light of his eyes—which he had lost immediately after his previous work—and further received a promise: that any person who would recite these praises from memory and from the heart would close his life with a happy end.” Regarding the other works of Dallan, Colgan John Colgan (1592–1658), an Irish Franciscan hagiographer and historian. says:

“He composed, also, another poem for the death and funeral praise of Senan, Bishop of Inis Cathaig original: Inis Cathaig; modern: Scattery Island, County Clare, which is always held in great esteem among those fond of antiquity on account of its ancient style and antique gracefulness. Because of the grace of preservation from blindness and other special indulgences In this context, spiritual favors or blessings granted by God. which are believed to be granted by God to him who recites it from memory, it is held in great veneration among devout persons.

He composed also a third little work in praise of St. Conall, surnamed Coel, Abbot of Inis Coel modern: Iniskeel, in Tir Connail (now Iniskeel in Donegal). Of him also he

¹² The meaning is that Dallan, to whom Columba allowed the use of his eyes while making the poem, lost that use immediately on finishing it, but was immediately regifted with it.—Editor.

¹³ Also another poem. I have in my possession this little work, which can hardly be understood today without the explanations of antiquaries. [There is a copy of this Amra term: Amra; an Old Irish genre of eulogistic song or poem, specifically one written for a saint. in H. 2. 16: Trinity College Dublin: and another in H. 3. 17: Trinity College Dublin, and fragments in various manuscripts].—Editor.

¹⁴ In praise of St. Conall. This is recorded in the aforesaid Preface, but whether it is still extant or not is unknown to me.

¹⁵ Conall, Abbot of Inis Coel. This church is on an island, surrounded by the