Narrator:

Laurence was born in 1128 in Castledermot, Co. Kildare. His father and mother followed the Irish custom of having, Laurence fostered at a young age to Donagh O'Connor, King of Offaly. Laurence's father, Maurice O'Toole, as local Chieftain, owed obedience to Dermot Mac Murrough, King of Leinster. In 1138 Dermot Mac Murrough demanded a hostage from the family of Maurice O'Toole to be assured of the loyalty of the O'Toole family in his struggle to become high King of Ireland. If the O'Toole family broke the agreement, the hostage would either have been killed or maimed. Maurice gave his son, Laurence, as a peace hostage.

In 1140 Dermot MacMurrough agreed to exchange Laurence for Twelve of his own soldiers which had been captured by the O' Toole clan.

As neither family trusted each other they asked the Bishop of Glendalough to be the mediator and Glendalough Abbey was chosen as the place where the exchange took place. Maurice O'Toole was so grateful to have his son back after two years of captivity that he agreed to send one of his sons to Glendalough Abbey to be educated. Laurence was educated in Glendalough and became a member of the community. In 1153 Laurence was elected Abbot of Glendalough.

Laurence's Concern for the Poor

Narrator

As Abbot in Glendalough Laurence was concerned about the needs of the people in the Wicklow area who faced a severe famine.The story is told that the day after he was made Abbot Laurence went out into the misty morning , he saw a crowd of people sitting and lying on the ground outside the gate. He looked at them through the bars. They were thin and wretched. All gazed at him appealingly, but not one spoke.

Reader 1:(Laurence): What ails you, my children?

Narrator

An old man tottered to the gate.

Reader 2:

We are starving! Our crops have failed, our beasts have perished . We haven't a crust of bread or a drop of milk for the children. Have pity on us!

Narrator:

Lawrence unbarred the gate and flung both sides wide open.

Reader 1:

(Laurence): Come in! The guest hall is prepared. You shall not be kept waiting.

Narrator:

They swarmed about the young Abbot as he led the way into the big hall. The monks came running and, before the wind had blown away the mist, great bowls of hot porridge were placed down the centre of the tables. All the benches in the monastery were brought down for the people. But there were so many that most of them had to sit on the floor. As the bowls were emptied Laurence saw more people crowding up the path to the gate. These came from the far side the mountains, yet they told the same story-the crops had failed, their cattle had perished.

Reader 3: 'Twas the late frosts!

Reader 4: Not at all! 'Twas the twenty-one days' drought!

Narrator:
The Abbot heard how the seed shriveled in the ground, the grass was brown and he earth like hot powder.

Reader (a Monk):

It's a famine. There hasn't been one like it for years! How shall we feed them all? What shall we do when all our provisions are gone?

Reader 1 (Laurence):

When the time comes we shall learn!

Narrator:

Whole villages came trooping into the courtyard until it was like an encampment. Outside, on every level patch of ground, some family sat down, and there they all waited for the young Abbot to feed them. When the last bit of food in the monastery was eaten. Lawrence said to the monk who had charge of the stores:

Reader 1(Laurence):

Take what money we have and buy food. The people must be fed!'

Narrator:

When all the money in the monastery was spent, Laurence exchanged manuscripts and anything of value he could find for more food. He sent to his family for help, and to everyone he knew. Cartloads of food came trundling over the causeway and, by the time of the next harvest, the young Abbot could boast that he had not refused food to person who had asked for it. The Abbey in Glendalough became a centre of relief for famine victims. As well as a school, Laurence established a hospital and an orphanage for the care of the famine victims.