Leabhar Ua Maine
Encyclopedia
Leabhar Ua Maine is an Irish
genealogical compilation
, created c. 1380.
, died 1372 of the prominent family of historians and musicians in East Galway, it was later also known as the Book of the O'Kelly's, written at the behest of Archbishop of Tuam
, Muircertach Ó Ceallaigh (died 1407).
The book was written by ten scribes in Uí Maine before 1392 and after 1394. There were ten scribes, eight of whom are anonymus
. The principal scribe
was Ádhamh Cúisín
(fl. c.1400); the only other scribe known by name is Faolán Mac an Ghabhann na Scéal (died 1423).
It is a massive, oversized vellum
book written in Irish. It was property of the O'Kelly clan until 1757, when it was sold to William Betham
In 1814, Betham proceeded to sell the manuscript to the Duke of Buckingham
. The Duke then donated the manuscript to the Royal Irish Academy
in 1883, where it is currently houses.
book written in Irish, its contents are described by one of the scribes as bolg an tsolathair (a mixed bag of contents). It includes a series of metrical
dindsenchas
, An Banshenchas
, Cormac's Glossary, Lebor na Cert, portions of Lebor Gabála, poems, genealogies and pedigrees
.
The largest single section is devoted to the origins and genealogies of the Ó Cellaigh dynasty of Ui Maine, its contents updated to the time of compilation.
Works found in this work are quatrain
s paying tribute to the long reign and continuing prosperity of the Uí Dhiarmada (i.e., the descendants of Diarmuid Mac an Bháird), praising the Mac an Bhaird
s in their capacity as Chiefs of Cinél Rechta Soghain
of east-central County Galway
.
Dubhaltach MacFhirbhisigh drew upon some of the missing material while writing Leabhar na nGenealach
at Galway
in 1649-1650. Texts he utilised included Seanchas Síl Ír, and perhaps Clann Ollamhan Uaisle Eamhna. Material was also incorporated into Cuimre na nGenealach
, written in early to mid 1666. MacFhirbhisgh's transcriptions are noted by Nollaig Ó Muraíle
as been very faithful compared to surviving portions.
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
genealogical compilation
Compilation
Compilation may refer to:* In computer programming, the translation of source code into object code by a compiler.* Compilation, in accountancy, the presentation of information in the form of financial statements that are the representation of management, without expressing any opinion or assurance...
, created c. 1380.
History
Previously known as Leabhar Uí Dubhagáin, after Seán Mór Ó DubhagáinSeán Mór Ó Dubhagáin
Seán Mór Ó Dubhagáin was an Irish Gaelic poet.-Background:Ó Dubhagáinn was among the first notable members of the bardic family Baile Uí Dhubhagáin , near Loughrea, County Galway...
, died 1372 of the prominent family of historians and musicians in East Galway, it was later also known as the Book of the O'Kelly's, written at the behest of Archbishop of Tuam
Archbishop of Tuam
The Archbishop of Tuam is an archiepiscopal title which takes its name after the town of Tuam in County Galway, Ireland. The title was used by the Church of Ireland until 1839, and is still in use by the Roman Catholic Church.-History:...
, Muircertach Ó Ceallaigh (died 1407).
The book was written by ten scribes in Uí Maine before 1392 and after 1394. There were ten scribes, eight of whom are anonymus
Anonymity
Anonymity is derived from the Greek word ἀνωνυμία, anonymia, meaning "without a name" or "namelessness". In colloquial use, anonymity typically refers to the state of an individual's personal identity, or personally identifiable information, being publicly unknown.There are many reasons why a...
. The principal scribe
Scribe
A scribe is a person who writes books or documents by hand as a profession and helps the city keep track of its records. The profession, previously found in all literate cultures in some form, lost most of its importance and status with the advent of printing...
was Ádhamh Cúisín
Ádhamh Cúisín
-Life and career:Ádhamh Cúisín is the name of one of some ten scribes who compiled the Book of Uí Maine.His name seems to be of Norman origin, the Annals of the Four Masters noting that King Ruaidrí Ó Gadhra of Sliabh Lugha was killed in 1256 by "David, son of Richard Cuisin." The Annals of...
(fl. c.1400); the only other scribe known by name is Faolán Mac an Ghabhann na Scéal (died 1423).
It is a massive, oversized vellum
Vellum
Vellum is mammal skin prepared for writing or printing on, to produce single pages, scrolls, codices or books. It is generally smooth and durable, although there are great variations depending on preparation, the quality of the skin and the type of animal used...
book written in Irish. It was property of the O'Kelly clan until 1757, when it was sold to William Betham
William Betham
Sir William Betham was an English herald and antiquarian, the Ulster King of Arms from 1820 until his death in 1853. He had previously served as the Deputy Ulster from 1807 to 1820.-Life:...
In 1814, Betham proceeded to sell the manuscript to the Duke of Buckingham
Duke of Buckingham
The titles Marquess and Duke of Buckingham, referring to Buckingham, have been created several times in the peerages of England, Great Britain, and the United Kingdom. There have also been Earls of Buckingham.-1444 creation:...
. The Duke then donated the manuscript to the Royal Irish Academy
Royal Irish Academy
The Royal Irish Academy , based in Dublin, is an all-Ireland, independent, academic body that promotes study and excellence in the sciences, humanities and social sciences. It is one of Ireland's premier learned societies and cultural institutions and currently has around 420 Members, elected in...
in 1883, where it is currently houses.
Contents
The manuscript is a massive, oversized vellumVellum
Vellum is mammal skin prepared for writing or printing on, to produce single pages, scrolls, codices or books. It is generally smooth and durable, although there are great variations depending on preparation, the quality of the skin and the type of animal used...
book written in Irish, its contents are described by one of the scribes as bolg an tsolathair (a mixed bag of contents). It includes a series of metrical
Meter (poetry)
In poetry, metre is the basic rhythmic structure of a verse or lines in verse. Many traditional verse forms prescribe a specific verse metre, or a certain set of metres alternating in a particular order. The study of metres and forms of versification is known as prosody...
dindsenchas
Dindsenchas
Dindsenchas or Dindshenchas , meaning "lore of places" is a class of onomastic text in early Irish literature, recounting the origins of place-names and traditions concerning events and characters associates with the places in question...
, An Banshenchas
Banshenchas
An Banshenchas is a medieval text which collects brief descriptions of prominent women in Irish legend into a poetic narrative....
, Cormac's Glossary, Lebor na Cert, portions of Lebor Gabála, poems, genealogies and pedigrees
Pedigree chart
A pedigree chart is a diagram that shows the occurrence and appearance or phenotypes of a particular gene or organism and its ancestors from one generation to the next, most commonly humans, show dogs, and race horses....
.
The largest single section is devoted to the origins and genealogies of the Ó Cellaigh dynasty of Ui Maine, its contents updated to the time of compilation.
Works found in this work are quatrain
Quatrain
A quatrain is a stanza, or a complete poem, consisting of four lines of verse. Existing in various forms, the quatrain appears in poems from the poetic traditions of various ancient civilizations including Ancient Greece, Ancient Rome, and China; and, continues into the 21st century, where it is...
s paying tribute to the long reign and continuing prosperity of the Uí Dhiarmada (i.e., the descendants of Diarmuid Mac an Bháird), praising the Mac an Bhaird
Mac an Bhaird
The Mac an Bháird family was one of the learned families of late medieval Ireland. The name has evolved over many centuries, the anglicized forms coming down to us as MacAward, McWard, MacEward, MacEvard, Macanward, M'Ward, and its most commonly used variant today: Ward...
s in their capacity as Chiefs of Cinél Rechta Soghain
Soghain
The Soghain were a people of ancient Ireland. Dubhaltach Mac Fhirbhisigh identified them as part of a larger group called the Cruithin, and stated of them:...
of east-central County Galway
County Galway
County Galway is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the city of Galway. Galway County Council is the local authority for the county. There are several strongly Irish-speaking areas in the west of the county...
.
Lost material
Some forty folios have become detached and lost.Dubhaltach MacFhirbhisigh drew upon some of the missing material while writing Leabhar na nGenealach
Leabhar na nGenealach
Leabhar na nGenealach is a massive genealogical collection written mainly in the years 1649 to 1650, at the college-house of St. Nicholas's church, Galway, by Dubhaltach MacFhirbhisigh. He continued to add material until at least 1666, five years before he was murdered in 1671...
at Galway
Galway
Galway or City of Galway is a city in County Galway, Republic of Ireland. It is the sixth largest and the fastest-growing city in Ireland. It is also the third largest city within the Republic and the only city in the Province of Connacht. Located on the west coast of Ireland, it sits on the...
in 1649-1650. Texts he utilised included Seanchas Síl Ír, and perhaps Clann Ollamhan Uaisle Eamhna. Material was also incorporated into Cuimre na nGenealach
Cuimre na nGenealach
Cuimre na nGenealach is an abridgment of Dubhaltach Mac Fhirbhisigh's Leabhar na nGenealach, written at his home in County Sligo in the spring and summer of 1666.-Origins and background:...
, written in early to mid 1666. MacFhirbhisgh's transcriptions are noted by Nollaig Ó Muraíle
Nollaig Ó Muraíle
Nollaig Ó Muraíle is an Irish scholar. He published an acclaimed edition of Dubhaltach Mac Fhirbhisigh's Leabhar na nGenealach in 2004. He was conferred with the honour of admittance to the Royal Irish Academy in 2009.-Life and career:...
as been very faithful compared to surviving portions.
See also
- An Leabhar MuimhneachAn Leabhar MuimhneachAn Leabhar Muimhneach, also known as The Book of Munster, is an Irish genealogical manuscript.An Leabhar Muimhneach is preserved in a number of 18th century manuscripts, the best been the work of the scribe Richard Tipper of Dublin, 1716-1717...
- Irish genealogyIrish genealogyIrish genealogy is the study of individuals and/or families who originated on the island of Ireland.-Origins:Genealogy was cultivated since at least the start of the early Irish historic era. Upon inauguration, Bards and poets are believed to have recited the ancestry of an inaugurated king to...
- Leabhar Adhamh Ó CianáinLeabhar Adhamh Ó CianáinLeabhar Adhamh Ó Cianáin or The Book of Adhamh Ó Cianáin, now G 2-3 NLI , is a book written in or about the 1340s by Adhamh Ó Cianáin by and for himself, and out of the book of his teacher, Seán Mór Ó Dubhagáin....
- Leabhar Cloinne Maoil RuanaidhLeabhar Cloinne Maoil RuanaidhLeabhar Cloinne Maoil Ruanaidh, or the Book of Mac Dermot, is the title given by Nollaig Ó Muraíle to "a collection of genealogies sometimes referred to as 'The Book of Mac Dermot' ..." which now forms the fourth and most significant part - 'd' - of RIA MS 539 [D i 3].A colophon on folio 43r reads...
- Leabhar na nGenealachLeabhar na nGenealachLeabhar na nGenealach is a massive genealogical collection written mainly in the years 1649 to 1650, at the college-house of St. Nicholas's church, Galway, by Dubhaltach MacFhirbhisigh. He continued to add material until at least 1666, five years before he was murdered in 1671...
- Lost Annals of Lecan
- Ó Cléirigh Book of GenealogiesÓ Cléirigh Book of GenealogiesThe O'Clery Book of Genealogies, aka Royal Irish Academy Ms. 23 D 17Written by Cú Choigcríche Ó Cléirigh, one of the Four Masters, who was transported in the 1650's to Ballyacroy, County Mayo, "under the guidance of Rory O'Donnell, son of Col. Manus O'Donnell, slain at Benburb, 1646."Upon his death...
- Rawlinson B 502
External links
- http://www.ucc.ie/celt/online/G105007.html
- http://www.isos.dias.ie/english/index2.html
- http://ria.ie/Library/Special-Collections/Book-of-Ui-Mhaine.aspx