two parts, whereof one is fair and agreeable, and contains a church, whilst the other is rough and uncultivated, and a favourite haunt of devils. In the latter part of the island, he adds, there were nine caves, in any one of which, if a person were bold enough to pass the night, he would be so tormented by the demons, that he would be fortunate if he escaped with life; and he says, it is reported that a night so spent relieved the sufferer from having to undergo the torments of purgatory hereafter[1].
In the ancient Office of S. Patrick occurred the following verse:—
“Hie est doctor benevolus,
Hibernicorum apostolus,
Cui loca purgatoria
Ostendit Dei gratia.”
Joscelin, in his life of the saint, repeats the fable. Henry de Knyghton, in his history, however, asserts that it was not the Apostle of Ireland, but an abbot Patrick, to whom the revelation of purgatory was made; and John of Brompton says the same. Alexander Neckham calls it S. Brandan’s Purgatory. Cæsar of Heisterbach, in the beginning
- ↑ Girald. Gambr. Topog. Hiberniæ, cap. v.
