Ireland, Council of

(Conciliunm Ilibernicum), a title of four different councils. The first of these was held about 456. By this council were published thirty-four canons under St. Patrick's name, and two other bishops, Auxililus and Jeserinus (or Iserinus). From the 6th of these canons it is evident that the priests, deacons and other clergy (to whom they are addressed) were married (comp. Wilkins, Conc. 1, 2). Another council was held about the same time, or shortly after, also said to have been presided over by St. Patrick; but for this assertion no evidence exists, and there is not only no possibility of determining the presiding officer, but even the place and date where and when it convened are very doubtful, except that the mention of a heathen population in Canon 2 makes it certain that it cannot have been much later than the council above alluded to. By this council, which, for convenience sake, we may call the 2nd, 32 canons were published, the 7th of which forbids "to re-baptize any who have received the outward form, by whomsoever administered, since the iniquity of the sower infects not the seed itself." A third council was held in 684, according to Mansi, who adds that the canons of this and other councils held about this time form together the code known as the "Irish Code" (part of it is given in the Spicilegisum of D'Achery, 1, 491). Another council was held about 1097, but its enactments are of but little importance. See Landon, Manual of Councils, p. 267 sq.; Labbe, 10:613; Wilkins, Concil. 1,4, 374. (J. H.W.)