considerable period pursuing their studies together.

6. There were seven men dwelling in Magh Sgiath, who frequently saw
the fiery globe which it has been already told they first beheld at
the time of Declan's birth. It happened by the Grace of God that
they were the first persons to reveal and describe that lightning.
These seven came to the place where Declan abode and took him for
their director and master. They made known publicly in the presence
of all that, later on, he should be a bishop and they spoke
prophetically:--"The day, O beloved child and servant of God, will
come when we shall commit ourselves and our lands to thee." And it
fell out thus (as they foretold), for, upon believing, they were
baptised and became wise, devout (and) attentive and erected seven
churches in honour of God around Magh Sgiath.

7. Declan remained a long time with Dioma, the holy man we have
named, and acquired science and sanctity and diversity of learning
and doctrine, and he was prudent, mild, and capable so that many who
knew his nobility of blood came when they had heard of the fullness
of his sanctity and grace. Moreover they submitted themselves to him
and accepted his religious rule. Declan judged it proper that he
should visit Rome to study discipline and ecclesiastical system, to
secure for himself esteem and approbation thence, and obtain
authority to preach to the (Irish) people and to bring back with him
the rules of Rome as these obtained in Rome itself. He set out with
his followers and he tarried not till he arrived in Rome where they
remained some time.

8. At the same period there was a holy bishop, i.e. Ailbe, who had
been in Rome for a number of years before this and was in the