perfect agreement with Patrick. It is true that subsequently to this
they did enter into a league of peace and harmonious actions with Patrick
and paid him fealty. Ciaran, however, paid him all respect and reverence
and was of one mind with him present or absent. Ailbe then, when he saw
the kings and rulers of Ireland paying homage to Patrick and going out to
meet him, came himself to Cashel, to wait on him and he also paid homage
to him (Patrick) and submitted to his jurisdiction, in presence of the
king and all others. Bear in mind it was Ailbe whom the other holy
bishops had elected their superior. He therefore came first to Patrick,
lest the others, on his account, should offer opposition to Patrick, and
also that by his example the others might be more easily drawn to his
jurisdiction and rule. Bishop Ibar however would on no account consent
to be subject to Patrick, for it was displeasing to him that a foreigner
should be patron of Ireland. It happened that Patrick in his origin was
of the Britons and he was nurtured in Ireland having been sold to bondage
in his boyhood. There arose misunderstanding and dissension between
Patrick and Bishop Ibar at first, although (eventually), by intervention
of the angel of peace, they formed a mutual fellowship and brotherly
compact and they remained in agreement for ever after. But Declan did
not wish to disagree at all with Patrick for they had formed a mutual
bond of friendship on the Italian highway and it is thus the angel
commanded him to go to Patrick and obey him:--

23. The angel of God came to Declan and said to him "Go quickly to
Patrick and prevent him cursing your kindred and country, for to-night,
in the plain which is called Inneoin, he is fasting against the king, and
if he curses your people they shall be accursed for ever." Thereupon
Declan set out in haste by direction of the angel to Inneoin, i.e. the
place which is in the centre of the plain of Femhin in the northern part
of the Decies. He crossed Slieve Gua [Knockmaeldown] and over the Suir