He says: "This pestilence did no less harm, in the island of Ireland.

Many of the nobility and of the lower ranks of the English nation were there at that time, who, in the days of Bishop Finan and Colman, forsaking their native land, retired thither, either for the sake of divine studies, or for a more continent life.

The Scots willingly received them all, and took care to supply them with food, as also to furnish them with books to read and their teaching gratis."[181] In 673 Finnachta Fleadhach, or the Hospitable, began his reign.

He yielded to the entreaties of St.Moling, and remitted the Boromean Tribute, after he had forced it from the Leinster men in a bloody battle.

In 687 he abdicated, and showed his respect for religion still further by embracing the monastic state himself.