Article II
THE WATERHOUND and ST ABHAN
It is said that St. Patrick foretold the birth of three Saints in Leinster whose names were Abhan, Kevin, and Moling. The father of St. Abhan was Cormac, king of Leinster. Abhan, noticed that the people of the territory of Ely were still unbelievers. He travelled to the kingdom of Eile where the Prince of Ely asked to test him. He found a large rock buried partially within the earth, and asked, " Tell me which part of this stone of great length is greater? The part in the earth, or the part above it?"
Abhan replied that it is equal below and above the ground. The Prince, then having the stone unearthed saw that it was as Abhan had said. It was this proof that induced the people of the kingdom of Eile to declare Abhan their patron Saint of Eile O'Carroll.
The event took place at the Manor House called Raith-Becain, on the river Brosna in Kings County, ancient Munster. This is different than the river Brosna in County Kerry. A legendary symbol is attributed to St. Abhan. He apparently had an encounter with a strange wild animal in the district. It was said to have not been previously recognized, but that it was very poisonous, walked like a great cat, was as large as a yearling calf, and had a fiery head, a flaming tail, immense teeth, and long nails. The soldiers and mastiffs could not subdue the beast as their weapons simply broke upon its stone like body.
Oddly enough, this beast came to be later recognized as the Heraldic Salamander of Northern Europe. The Saint was asked by the people to free them from this monster as it was wounding them, and laying waste to their flocks. St. Abhan performed the miracle of leading the beast away from the people to a lake, where he was able to bind it with chains. The beast is today, named as our Waterhound, the fiery Salamander of Eile!
St Abhan lived during the sixth century and died during the early part of the seventh, when he was later styled as one of the Twelve Apostles of Erin.
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