side of the Decies close to the Leinstermen in order that, at the hour of
death, he might receive the Body and Blood of Christ and the Sacraments
of the Church from his hands. Thereupon he foretold to his disciples the
day of his death and he commanded them to bring him to his own city, for
it was not there he dwelt at the time but in a small venerable cell which
he had ordered to be built for him between the hill called Ardmore
Declain and the ocean--in a narrow place at the brink of the sea by which
there flows down from the hill above a small shining stream about which
are trees and bushes all around, and it is called Disert Declain. Thence
to the city it is a short mile and the reason why Declan used go there
was to avoid turmoil and noise so that he might be able to read and pray
and fast there. Indeed it was not easy for him to stay even there
because of the multitude of disciples and paupers and pilgrims and
beggars who followed him thither. Declan was however generous and very
sympathetic and on that account it is recorded by tradition that a great
following (of poor, &c.), generally accompanied him and that moreover the
little cell was very dear to him for the reason we have given, and many
devout people have made it their practice to dwell therein.

46. When Declan fell ill and became weak in body, but still strong in
hope and faith and love of God, he returned to his own city--his people
and disciples and clergy surrounding him. He discoursed to them on the
commands of God and he enjoined on them to live holily after his death,
to be submissive to authority and to follow as closely as possible the
way he had marked out and to preserve his city in a state of piety and
under religious rule. And when they had all heard the discourse it
grieved them greatly to perceive, from what he had said, he realised that
in a short time he would go away to heaven from them. But they were
consoled by his gentle words and then there came to him the holy man, to
wit, MacLiag, at his own request, already referred to. He [Declan]