ABSTRACT
O n the eve of the ninth century Irish society gave the appearance - in the annals, at any rate - of having achieved a happy equilibrium. Apart from the occasional outrage, such as the 'dishonouring of the staff of Jesus and relics of Patrick by Donnchad mac Domnaill [southern Ul Neill claimant to the high-kingship] at an assembly in Mth Airthir', recorded in AD789, church and state had arrived at a modus vivendi which suited both well. The more important churches enjoyed the privilege of seeing their respective 'Laws' (cana) promulgated in their own provinces and sometimes beyond, while they and their humbler sister-churches were able to take the relics of their founders on circuits, thereby raising the consciousness of their flocks and some much-needed financial contributions as well. lhe 'commutation' (commotatio) of relics is recorded in the Annals of Ulster in AD784: the relics of Mac Erccae (patron of Ardstraw, Co. Tyrone) 'arrived at the city of Tailtiu' (Teltown, Co. Meath); in AD785: Ultfu1's relics were on circuit from Ardbraccan (Co. Meath); in AD790: those of Kevin of Glendalough and Mo-Chua of dondalkin (Co. Dublin) were taken about; the lesser relics of T61a, from the Deisi in Waterford, on circuit in the same year; in AD794: there was commutation of the relics of Trian (perhaps Mo-Thrian6c of Ruscaghbeg, Co. ' affaly). During the same period several 'Laws' were promulgated or renewed: AD783: Ciin Patraic in Connaught, pronounced by the abbot of Armagh Duh-da-Lethi and Tipraite mac Taidc, king of Connaught; AD788: Ciar:ln of Clonmamois's cain also in Connaught; AD793: the eana of Coman, of Roscommon, in Connaught, and Ailbe of EmIy in Munster. 1bis latter occasion marked the apex of church-state collaboration with the first recorded ordination of an Irish king: '!be Law of Ailbe in Munster and the ordination of Artri mac Cathail as king of Munster' (Lex Ailbhi for Mumain 7 ordinatio Artroigh m. Gathail in regnum Mumen).
