From Lecale to Lumiar

Did you know that a relic of one of Ireland's saints can be found in Lisbon?

In 1283 three knights from Ireland arrived in Lisbon. They are said to have been on the Aragonese Crusade. They met with King Denis and presented him with the skull of Saint Brigid! Who were they though and where did they come from?

In 834 the remains of Saint Brigid were transferred from Kildare to Downpatrick to conceal them from the ravages of the Vikings. Later in the same century Saint Columba's remains were brought here, also. This fulfilled a prophecy that the two would come to the same place as Saint Patrick.

Eventually though the threat of plunder came to Downpatrick. So it was decided that they should be hidden and buried. The spot was forgotten and when English knight John de Courcy arrived in 1177 he ordered the Bishop, Malachy, to find them. He prayed and prayed and was one day directed by divine instruction to a particular spot in the Cathedral yard in 1185. A spectacular translation was then made to a new crypt in 1186 by Cardinal Vivian who came all the way from Rome.

When John de Courcy arrived he brought a new way of life to Ireland which seen the erection of castles all around Lecale. This was to protect a fruitful corn growing region and ensure that English law was upheld. The largest castle was built at Dundrum which protected Lecale from the West, the same direction John and his soldiers had came from Dublin.

After John was thrown to the Tower of London in 1205 the castle became home to the Knights of Saint John the Baptist (also known as the Knights Templar). In 1266 a new church dedicated to Saint John the Baptist was erected in Lumiar.

It appears that a decision was made to send three knights to this church. They arrived in Lisbon and presented the skull of Saint Brigid to King Denis. They remained in the church with the relic and on the death of the last an instruction was honoured to inscribe his tomb. The year was 1283 and since this date the relic has been preserved here.

In 1928 Saint Brigid's Church in Killester, Dublin, was surprised to receive the news that a piece of the skull was being sent to them. For the first time in many centuries the long forgotten story of the knights came to light. The church in 2016 celebrated 750 years and I was pleased to join them just before the Feast of Saint Brigid.