whose name and renown spread throughout Erin because of his great and
diverse miracles, he commenced to build a great monastery by the south
side of the stream which flows through the island into the sea. This
monastery is illustrious and beautiful and its name is Ardmor Declain, as
we have said. After this came many persons to Declan, drawn from the
uttermost parts of Ireland, by the fame of his holy living; they devoted
themselves, soul and body to God and Declan, binding themselves beneath
his yoke and his rule. Moreover he built himself in every place
throughout the territory of the Decies, churches and monasteries and not
alone in his own territory (did he build) but in other regions of Ireland
under tribute to him. Great too were the multitudes (thousands) of men
and women who were under his spiritual sway and rule, in the places we
have referred to, throughout Ireland, where happily they passed their
lives. He ordained some of his disciples bishops and appointed them in
these places to sow the seed of faith and religion therein. Gentleness
and charity manifested themselves in Declan to such an extent that his
disciples preferred to live under his immediate control and under his
direction as subjects than to be in authority in another monastery.

22. After this the holy renowned bishop, head of justice and faith in
the Gaelic island came into Ireland, i.e. Patrick sent by Celestinus, the
Pope. Aongus Mac Nathfrich went to meet him soon as he heard the account
of his coming. He conducted him (Patrick) with reverence and great
honour to his own royal city--to Cashel. Then Patrick baptised him and
blessed himself and his people and his city. Patrick heard that the
prince of the Decies had not been baptised and did not believe, that
there was a disagreement between the prince and Declan and that the
former refused to receive instruction from the latter. Patrick thereupon
set out to preach to the prince aforesaid. Next, as to the four bishops
we have named who had been in Rome: Except Declan alone they were not in