School: Knockminna (roll number 12720)
- Location:
- Knockmoynagh, Co. Sligo
- Teacher: Máire Ní Scannláin
Archival Reference
The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0183, Page 372
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- (continued from previous page)The colonel never dreamed that in the shadow of the demolished walls there lay a secret passage to Emlaghfad When he heard the secret, he ordered his informer to leave but the betrayer would not stir without his promised reward of gold. Hawkins, who was on guard outside, hearing the angry voices and thinking the colonel was in danger, entered, drew his sword and stabbed the traitor who fell at the officer's feet.
"Cast the slave from the camp", ordered the colonel so that every Papist in the land may shudder at the vengeance their conquerors will inflict upon them. Ho! lads he cried in glee to the soldiers make ready sword and dagger, for to night, yonder Abbey falls.
The Abbot, Father Columba, heard in Sacramental Confession of the traitor's betrayal but his lips were sealed with the Confessional Seal, so he could do nothing to save either himself_ or his monks who were sleeping peacefully all unconscious of their immediate danger.The Abbot alone remained awake with the dread foreknowledge of coming death overpowering him and affording a bitterness far worse than death. At any moment, the brutal soldiers may burst in and murder his brethern before his eyes He wanted to rush down the corridor and warn them of their danger, or to secure the door of the vault so that his brethern might escape, but he could make no use of his Sacramental knowledge.
