Yellow Book of Lecan
Encyclopedia
The Yellow Book of Lecan (Leabhar Buidhe Lecain), or TCD MS 1318 (olim H 2.16), is a medieval Irish
manuscript
written no later than the dawn of the 15th century. It is currently housed at Trinity College, Dublin
and should not be confused with the Great Book of Lecan
.
and contains 344 columns of text. The first 289 were written by 1391; the remainder were written by 1401. It is written in Middle Irish
.
The book contains nearly the whole of the Ulster Cycle
, including a partial version of the Táin Bó Cúailnge which is a compilation of two or more earlier versions, indicated by the number of duplicated episodes and references to other versions in the text. This incomplete Táin Bó Cúailnge overlaps with the partial version given in the Book of the Dun Cow
; the complete text known today was derived from the combination of these recensions. The version of Fergus mac Róich
's death tale in the Yellow Book of Lecan is the oldest one that survives. The Yellow Book of Lecan also contains parts of the Táin Bó Flidhais
or the Mayo Táin, a tale set in Erris, Co. Mayo.
In addition to that material which would be placed with certainty within the Ulster Cycle, the book has a later version of The Voyage of Máel Dúin, a collection of Irish triads, and the same ogham
tract as is recorded in the Book of Ballymote. Also of note is Suidiugud Tellaich Temra ("The settling of the manor of Tara"). It contains a story of the life of Saint Patrick
as told by Fintan mac Bóchra that contains the account of Trefuilngid Tre-eochair, a giant at the Hill of Tara
who is first to hear about the crucifixion
of Jesus Christ.
obtained the book from one of two sources; Ruaidhrí Ó Flaithbheartaigh
about March 1700 at Park, An Spidéal; or from Dáthí Óg Ó Dubhda of Bunnyconnellan, County Sligo, in the same year. Ó Flaithbheartaigh and Ó Dubhda would have obtained them from Dubhaltach Mac Fhirbhisigh
, whose family created and preserved the book. Lhuyd bound together seventeen manuscripts as a single volume and dubbed them The Yellow Book of Lecan.
Some of the manuscripts were written by Giolla Íosa Mór Mac Fhirbhisigh between c.1398 and c.1417. Nollaig Ó Muraíle
calls it
Giolla Íosa was assisted by his student, Murchadh Riabhach Ó Cuinnlis. Ó Cuinnlis penned an excellent manuscript in east Ormond
(now County Tipperary
in 1398-99) which is now part of YBL.
Giolla Íosa wrote that he wrote this book for himself and for his son after him, and elsewhere, that it was for himself and his family after him.
Ó Muraíle further states:"That is one index of Giolla Íosa Mac Fir Bhisigh's importance; to his scribal labours we owe the preservation of the most celebrated of medieval Irish tales, Táin Bó Cúailnge." (p. 23) YBL also contains Aided Nath Í, Togail Bruidne Da Derga, Táin Bó Fraích, Longes ma nUislenn; Dá Brón Flatha Nime and Mesca Ulad
by his son, Tomás Cam Mac Firbhisigh.
In 1986 (see below) Professor Tomás Ó Concheanainn stated his belief that much of the Yellow Book of Lecan/Leabhar Giolla Íosa was derived from Leabhar Gleann Dá Locha (The Book of Glendalough) and Lebor na Nuachongbála now The Book of Leinster.
A fragment of the Yellow Book is in the hand of Solamh Ó Droma, one of the three scribes of the Book of Ballymote
.
Lhuyd derived the title from a note by Ciothruadh Mac Fhirbhisigh:
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...
manuscript
Manuscript
A manuscript or handwrite is written information that has been manually created by someone or some people, such as a hand-written letter, as opposed to being printed or reproduced some other way...
written no later than the dawn of the 15th century. It is currently housed at Trinity College, Dublin
Trinity College, Dublin
Trinity College, Dublin , formally known as the College of the Holy and Undivided Trinity of Queen Elizabeth near Dublin, was founded in 1592 by letters patent from Queen Elizabeth I as the "mother of a university", Extracts from Letters Patent of Elizabeth I, 1592: "...we...found and...
and should not be confused with the Great Book of Lecan
Great Book of Lecan
The Book of Lecan is a medieval Irish manuscript written between 1397 and 1418. It is in the possession of the Royal Irish Academy....
.
Overview
The manuscript is written on 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...
and contains 344 columns of text. The first 289 were written by 1391; the remainder were written by 1401. It is written in Middle Irish
Middle Irish language
Middle Irish is the name given by historical philologists to the Goidelic language spoken in Ireland, Scotland and the Isle of Man from the 10th to 12th centuries; it is therefore a contemporary of late Old English and early Middle English...
.
The book contains nearly the whole of the Ulster Cycle
Ulster Cycle
The Ulster Cycle , formerly known as the Red Branch Cycle, one of the four great cycles of Irish mythology, is a body of medieval Irish heroic legends and sagas of the traditional heroes of the Ulaid in what is now eastern Ulster and northern Leinster, particularly counties Armagh, Down and...
, including a partial version of the Táin Bó Cúailnge which is a compilation of two or more earlier versions, indicated by the number of duplicated episodes and references to other versions in the text. This incomplete Táin Bó Cúailnge overlaps with the partial version given in the Book of the Dun Cow
Lebor na hUidre
Lebor na hUidre or the Book of the Dun Cow is an Irish vellum manuscript dating to the 12th century. It is the oldest extant manuscript in Irish. It is held in the Royal Irish Academy and is badly damaged: only 67 leaves remain and many of the texts are incomplete...
; the complete text known today was derived from the combination of these recensions. The version of Fergus mac Róich
Fergus mac Róich
Fergus mac Róich is a character of the Ulster Cycle of Irish mythology...
's death tale in the Yellow Book of Lecan is the oldest one that survives. The Yellow Book of Lecan also contains parts of the Táin Bó Flidhais
Táin Bó Flidhais
Táin Bó Flidhais, also known as the Mayo Táin, is a tale from the Ulster Cycle of early Irish literature. It is one of a group of works known as Táin Bó, or "cattle raid" stories, the best known of which is Táin Bó Cúailnge...
or the Mayo Táin, a tale set in Erris, Co. Mayo.
In addition to that material which would be placed with certainty within the Ulster Cycle, the book has a later version of The Voyage of Máel Dúin, a collection of Irish triads, and the same ogham
Ogham
Ogham is an Early Medieval alphabet used primarily to write the Old Irish language, and occasionally the Brythonic language. Ogham is sometimes called the "Celtic Tree Alphabet", based on a High Medieval Bríatharogam tradition ascribing names of trees to the individual letters.There are roughly...
tract as is recorded in the Book of Ballymote. Also of note is Suidiugud Tellaich Temra ("The settling of the manor of Tara"). It contains a story of the life of Saint Patrick
Saint Patrick
Saint Patrick was a Romano-Briton and Christian missionary, who is the most generally recognized patron saint of Ireland or the Apostle of Ireland, although Brigid of Kildare and Colmcille are also formally patron saints....
as told by Fintan mac Bóchra that contains the account of Trefuilngid Tre-eochair, a giant at the Hill of Tara
Hill of Tara
The Hill of Tara , located near the River Boyne, is an archaeological complex that runs between Navan and Dunshaughlin in County Meath, Leinster, Ireland...
who is first to hear about the crucifixion
Crucifixion
Crucifixion is an ancient method of painful execution in which the condemned person is tied or nailed to a large wooden cross and left to hang until dead...
of Jesus Christ.
History
Edward LhuydEdward Lhuyd
Edward Lhuyd was a Welsh naturalist, botanist, linguist, geographer and antiquary. He is also known by the Latinized form of his name, Eduardus Luidius....
obtained the book from one of two sources; Ruaidhrí Ó Flaithbheartaigh
Ruaidhri Ó Flaithbheartaigh
Ruaidhri Ó Flaithbheartaigh, King of Iar Connacht and Chief of the Name, fl. 1244-1273.-Biography:Ruaidhri was a brother of the preceding chief, Morogh...
about March 1700 at Park, An Spidéal; or from Dáthí Óg Ó Dubhda of Bunnyconnellan, County Sligo, in the same year. Ó Flaithbheartaigh and Ó Dubhda would have obtained them from Dubhaltach Mac Fhirbhisigh
Dubhaltach Mac Fhirbhisigh
Dubhaltach MacFhirbhisigh, also known as Dubhaltach Óg mac Giolla Íosa Mór mac Dubhaltach Mór Mac Fhirbhisigh, Duald Mac Firbis, Dudly Ferbisie, and Dualdus Firbissius was an Irish scribe, translator, historian and genealogist...
, whose family created and preserved the book. Lhuyd bound together seventeen manuscripts as a single volume and dubbed them The Yellow Book of Lecan.
Some of the manuscripts were written by Giolla Íosa Mór Mac Fhirbhisigh between c.1398 and c.1417. 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:...
calls it
a great composite manuscripts. Ninety-nine folios of Giolla Isa's survive (which may be termed, for convenience, 'Leabhar Giolla Íosa' - LGÍ), containing some of the most important Irish literary texts from the Old and Middle Irish periods, including the only (virtually) complete copy of Rescension I of Táin Bó CúailngeTáin Bó Cúailngeis a legendary tale from early Irish literature, often considered an epic, although it is written primarily in prose rather than verse. It tells of a war against Ulster by the Connacht queen Medb and her husband Ailill, who intend to steal the stud bull Donn Cuailnge, opposed only by the teenage...
. Two colophonColophon (publishing)In publishing, a colophon is either:* A brief description of publication or production notes relevant to the edition, in modern books usually located at the reverse of the title page, but can also sometimes be located at the end of the book, or...
s by Giolla Íosa indicate 1392 as the date of writing, though the work may not have been brought to completion for some years after that"
Giolla Íosa was assisted by his student, Murchadh Riabhach Ó Cuinnlis. Ó Cuinnlis penned an excellent manuscript in east Ormond
Ormond
-Places:* Ormond , an ancient kingdom in the Province of Munster* Ormond Beach, Florida, a city in Florida* Ormond-By-The-Sea, Florida, a city in Florida** Ormond Beach Middle School, a middle school located in the city of Ormond Beach...
(now County Tipperary
County Tipperary
County Tipperary is a county of Ireland. It is located in the province of Munster and is named after the town of Tipperary. The area of the county does not have a single local authority; local government is split between two authorities. In North Tipperary, part of the Mid-West Region, local...
in 1398-99) which is now part of YBL.
Giolla Íosa wrote that he wrote this book for himself and for his son after him, and elsewhere, that it was for himself and his family after him.
Ó Muraíle further states:"That is one index of Giolla Íosa Mac Fir Bhisigh's importance; to his scribal labours we owe the preservation of the most celebrated of medieval Irish tales, Táin Bó Cúailnge." (p. 23) YBL also contains Aided Nath Í, Togail Bruidne Da Derga, Táin Bó Fraích, Longes ma nUislenn; Dá Brón Flatha Nime and Mesca Ulad
Mesca Ulad
Mesca Ulad is a narrative from the Ulster Cycle preserved in the 12th century manuscripts the Book of Leinster and in the Lebor na hUidre. The title Mesca Ulad occurs only in the Book of Leinster version.-Manuscript sources:*Book of Leinster : p 261b-268b . Second part missing...
by his son, Tomás Cam Mac Firbhisigh.
In 1986 (see below) Professor Tomás Ó Concheanainn stated his belief that much of the Yellow Book of Lecan/Leabhar Giolla Íosa was derived from Leabhar Gleann Dá Locha (The Book of Glendalough) and Lebor na Nuachongbála now The Book of Leinster.
A fragment of the Yellow Book is in the hand of Solamh Ó Droma, one of the three scribes of the Book of Ballymote
Book of Ballymote
The Book of Ballymote , named for the parish of Ballymote, County Sligo, was written in 1390 or 1391....
.
Lhuyd derived the title from a note by Ciothruadh Mac Fhirbhisigh:
[Leab]ar an Buide Leacain anim an leabhair so; mise Cirruaidh mac Taidg Ruaidh/The Yellow Book of Lecan is the name of this book; I am Ciothruagh son of Taidg Ruaidh
Contents
The numbering for the texts given below is both by column (as in the manuscript) and by number of pagination (as in the facsimile edition). The titles here do not necessarily refer to the titles given in the manuscript (if any), but conform to those of the main recensions.| columns | page | text |
|---|---|---|
| 1-2 | 436-7 | Life of St. Féchín Saint Feichin Saint Féchín or Féichín , also known as Mo-Ecca, was a 7th-century Irish saint, chiefly remembered as the founder of the monastery at Fore , Co. Westmeath.-Sources:... of Fore (fragment 1) |
| 3-87 | 255, 283 | Sanas Cormaic Sanas Cormaic Sanas Cormaic , also known as Cormac's Glossary, is an early Irish glossary containing etymologies and explanations of over 1,400 Irish words, many of which are difficult or outdated. The shortest and earliest version of the work is ascribed to Cormac mac Cuilennáin , king-bishop of Munster... 'Cormac's Glossary', text B |
| 88-122 | 421-31 | Etymological tract. |
| 123-4 | 432-3 | One leaf with the beginning of Togail Bruidne Da Derga The Destruction of Da Derga's Hostel Togail Bruidne Dá Derga is an Irish tale belonging to the Ulster Cycle of Irish mythology. It survives in three Old and Middle Irish recensions. It recounts the birth, life, and death of Conaire Mór son of Eterscél Mór, a legendary High King of Ireland, who is killed at Da Derga's hostel by his... |
| 125-8 | 434-5 | Life of St. Féchín Saint Feichin Saint Féchín or Féichín , also known as Mo-Ecca, was a 7th-century Irish saint, chiefly remembered as the founder of the monastery at Fore , Co. Westmeath.-Sources:... of Fore (fragment 2) |
| 128-216 | 361-404 | Duanaire or Book of Miscellaneous Poems, written by Seanchan, son of Maelmuire O'Maelchonaire in 1473. Includes Aibidil Luigne maic Éremóin 'The alphabet of Luigne mac Éremóin'. |
| 217 | 405 | Cáin Domnaig 'The Law of Sunday' |
| 221 | 407 | Regula Mochuta Raithin |
| 224 | ? | On the Célí Dé Culdee Céli Dé or Culdees were originally members of ascetic Christian monastic and eremitical communities of Ireland, Scotland and England in the Middle Ages. The term is used of St. John the Apostle, of a missioner from abroad recorded in the Annals of the Four Masters at the year 806, and of Óengus... . |
| 227 (line 8) | 410 | Rhapsody of the Irish prophet Bec mac Dé Bec mac Dé Bec mac Dé , Irish druid, died 557.Bec mac Dé was known as the greatest seer of all time. He could speak with nine men at once and answer all their questions with a single reply.... |
| 228b (line 17) | 410 | Apgitir Chrábaid (maxim) |
| 229a (line 42) | 411 | Bríathra Flainn Fhína maic Ossu 'The wise sayings of Flann Fína Or Aldfrith, son of Oswiu'. |
| 233 | 413 | 96-line poem ascribed to Flann Fína Aldfrith of Northumbria Aldfrith sometimes Aldfrid, Aldfridus , or Flann Fína mac Ossu , was king of Northumbria from 685 until his death. He is described by early writers such as Bede, Alcuin and Stephen of Ripon as a man of great learning, and some of his works, as well as letters written to him, survive... |
| 234 (line 3) - 236 | 413b-414b | Audacht Morainn 'The Testament of Morann', a Speculum principum or 'Mirror of princes' |
| 236 | 414 | Trecheng Breth Féne, known as the "Triads of Ireland Triads of Ireland The title Trecheng Breth Féne "A Triad of Judgments of the Irish", more widely known as "The Triads of Ireland", refers to a miscellaneous collection of about 214 Old Irish triads on a variety of topics, such as nature, geography, law, custom and behaviour... ". |
| 244 | 418 | Tech Midchuarta (plan and description). |
| 245 | 419 | Suidigud Tige Midchuarta (poem). |
| 247 | 420 | Short account of the twelve Apostles |
| 248 | 420 | Poem ascribed to Cormac mac Cuilennáin Cormac mac Cuilennáin Cormac mac Cuilennáin was an Irish bishop and was king of Munster from 902 until his death. He was killed fighting in Leinster, probably attempting to restore the fortunes of the kings of Munster by reimposing authority over that province.Cormac was regarded as a saintly figure after his death,... |
| 249 | 284 | History of the Jews from Abraham to David. |
| 281-310 | Cath Maige Rath 'The Battle of Mag Rath' (cols 281-2 barely legible). Cf: cols 945-9. | |
| 310 | 313b-318b | Aided Muirchertaig meic Erca 'The Death of Muirchertach mac Ercae' |
| 320 (line 14) | 318 | Poem ascribed to Columcille |
| 321 | 319 | Fled Dúin na nGéd 'The Banquet of the Fort of the Geese' |
| 332 (line 45). | 324 | First rann by Mac Liag, bard of Brian Boru. |
| 333 | 325 | Fianṡruth Fianshruth The title Fianṡruth refers to two alphabetically arranged Middle Irish lists of names associated with the Finn Cycle, preserved only in the Yellow Book of Lecan and probably datable to the twelfth century. The lists A and B are preceded by almost identical introductions... , list A |
| 335 | 326 | Short account of St. Cuimín Fota, metrical dialogue between him and St Comgan (Mac Da Cherda 'The son of two arts') |
| 336 | 326 | Metrical prayer by St. Mael Isa O'Brallaghan |
| 336 (line 17) | 326 | Scúap Chrábaid 'Besom of Devotion', litany ascribed to Colcu ua Duinechda |
| between 336 and 337 | small scrap of vellum | |
| 338 (line 4) | 327 | Irish Litany to the Holy Trinity (first words in Latin: "O Deus Pater omnipotens, Deus exercituum, miserere nobis") |
| 338b (line 4) | 327 | List of Archbishops of Armagh from St. Patrick to Giolla Mac Liag (Gelasius). |
| 338b (line 69) | 327 | Short genealogical account of the Clann Breasail |
| 339 | 328 | Frithfolaid ríg Caisil fri túatha Muman 'The counter-obligations of the king of Cashel Cashel, County Tipperary Cashel is a town in South Tipperary in Ireland. Its population was 2936 at the 2006 census. The town gives its name to the ecclesiastical province of Cashel. Additionally, the cathedra of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly was originally in the town prior to the English Reformation.... towards the peoples of Munster Munster Munster is one of the Provinces of Ireland situated in the south of Ireland. In Ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for administrative and judicial purposes... ' (first recension). |
| 340 | Poem ascribed to St. Moling Saint Moling Mo Ling was the second Bishop of Ferns in Ireland. The town of Monamolin in County Wexford is named after him, as is the parish church in Ballycanew.... , entitled Baile Moling 'St Moling's Ecstasy/Prophecy' (47 stanzas) |
|
| 341 | 329 | Tochmarc Moméra 'The Wooing of Moméra |
| 343 (line 31) | 331 | Various extracts: 1. how Finn mac Cumaill made peace between Glangressach, chief ollam of the Meic Miled, and Sodelb, daughter of Cormac; 2. Aided Fergusa maic Roig 'The Death of Fergus mac Róich Fergus mac Róich Fergus mac Róich is a character of the Ulster Cycle of Irish mythology... ' (how Fergus mac Róich Fergus mac Róich Fergus mac Róich is a character of the Ulster Cycle of Irish mythology... went to Connaught after his murder of the sons of Usnech, and of his death); 3. the arrival of Silvius, grandson of Ascanius, in Britain. |
| 344 (line 31) | 330 | Account of celebrated trees of Ireland prostrated by a storm in the year 665. |
| 344 (line 54) | 330 | Account of St. Bec mac Dé. |
| 345 (ff. 6) | 331 | Táin Bó Flidhais Táin Bó Flidhais Táin Bó Flidhais, also known as the Mayo Táin, is a tale from the Ulster Cycle of early Irish literature. It is one of a group of works known as Táin Bó, or "cattle raid" stories, the best known of which is Táin Bó Cúailnge... (fragment). |
| 365-6 | A short account of the mother and five sisters of St. Patrick. | |
| 367-8 | Illegible | |
| after 368 | Inserted letter written by Thaddæus Roddy of Crossfield in 1700 | |
| 370 | i | Fragment of 8 ff. Immram curaig Maíle Dúin Máel Dúin Máel Dúin is the protagonist of Immram Maele Dúin or the Voyage of Máel Dúin, a Christian tale written in Old Irish around the end of the first millennium. He is the son of Ailill Edge-of-Battle, whose murder provides the initial impetus for the tale.Máel Dúin is the son of a warrior and chieftan.... 'The voyage of Máel Dúin's coracle'. On ff. 380-1, a footnote reads "The Yellow [Book] of Lecan is the name of this book. I [am] Cirroe, the son of Teige Roe." |
| 391 (line 16) | 11 | Immram Snédgusa ocus Maic Riagla 'The Voyage of Snedgus and Mac Riagla' |
| 395 (line 37) | 13 | Immram Brain maic Febail 'The Voyage of Bran mac Febaill' |
| 397 (line 8 from foot) | Irish homily | |
| 400 (line 26) or 399 (?) | 16 | Echtrae Chonnlai 'The adventure of Connla'. Cf: cols 914-5. |
| 401 | 438-455 | Fragment of nine ff. 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... of Tara and Aicill, all down to Slíab Mairge. The dindsenchas on Tara includes Turim Tigi Temrach "The enumeration of the House of Tara" (cols. 403). |
| 437a-450 | 341-66 | Medical treatise (fragment, 10 ff). See further col. 463, 465-6 |
| 477-86 | 454-7 | Medical treatise on four elements (fragment), de semine animalium; de virihus animalium. |
| 487-99 | 456-62 | Commentary on seventh book of the Aphorisms of Hippocrates (2-59), ascribed to Gillapatrick Albanach in 1413 on the penultimate page. These ff. (cols. 477-499) "were formerly inverted by mistake of the binder, and the numbering of the cols, was perverted accordingly." |
| 500 | 217 | Leabhar Ollamhan, including the Auraicept na n-Éces Auraicept na n-Éces Auraicept na n-Éces is claimed as a 7th century work of Irish grammarians, written by a scholar named Longarad.... 'Poets' Primer', a treatise on Ogam, etc. (ff. 18 1/2), written in 1408. Irish notes written by scribe at the bottom of several pages. |
| 549 | 241b-251b | Immacallam in dá Thúarad 'The Colloquy of the Two Sages'. |
| 570-2 | (252) | Catechism, beginning with the maxims of St. Fursa; cf: col. 228. |
| 573-958 | Probably part of the Yellow Book of Lecan | |
| 573-619 | 17 | Táin bó Cúailnge Táin Bó Cúailnge is a legendary tale from early Irish literature, often considered an epic, although it is written primarily in prose rather than verse. It tells of a war against Ulster by the Connacht queen Medb and her husband Ailill, who intend to steal the stud bull Donn Cuailnge, opposed only by the teenage... |
| 620 | 41 | Account of Ailill's and Medb's heroes |
| 644 | 53 | Táin bó Táin Bó The Táin Bó, or cattle raid , is one of the genres of early Irish literature. The medieval Irish literati organised their work into genres such as the Cattle Raid , the Voyage , the Feast , the Wooing , the Conception and the Death , rather than the familiar but... Dartada 'The Raid of the Cattle of Dartaid' |
| 646 | Táin bó Regomon | |
| 648 | Táin bó Regamna | |
| 649 | Táin bó Fráich Fráech Fráech is a Connacht hero in the Ulster Cycle of Irish mythology. He was the nephew of Boann, goddess of the river Boyne, and was renowned for his handsomeness. He belongs to the Fir Domnann.... |
|
| 658 | 60 | Táin bó Aingen = Echtrae Nerai Nera (mythology) Nera is a warrior of Connacht in the Ulster Cycle of Irish mythology.One Samhain night when the warriors of Cruachan were feasting, King Aillil offered a prize to any man who was brave enough to put a wicker band around the ankle of a corpse that had been hanged... |
| 662 | 62 | Account of the Patriarchs (Old Testament) |
| 680 | 71 | Amra Coluimcille 'Songs of Columcille', written by Dallan Forgaill Dallan Forgaill Saint Dallán Forgaill —also Dallán Forchella; Dallán of Cluain Dalláin; born Eochaid Forchella—was an early Christian Irish poet best known as the writer of the Amra Choluim Chille and the early Irish poem Rop tú mo baile, the basis of the modern English hymn Be Thou My Vision.-Personal... |
| 690 | 74 a 31 | Longes Labrada 'The Exile of Labraid ('Lorc' Loingsech)' |
| 700 | 81 | Homily In Teanga Bithnua 'The New Tongue' |
| 705 | 81 | Continuation of In Teanga Bithnua (four columns) |
| 707 | 86 | Immram Snedhghusa acus mec Riaghla "The Voyage of Snedgusa and Mac Ríagla", also Eachtrae clerech Choluimcille 'The adventures of Columcille's clerics'. Cf: the different version at col. 391. |
| 716 | 91 | Togail Bruidne Da Derga 'The Destruction of Da Derga's Hostel' |
| between 731-2 | In O'Donovan's time, four paper leaves now transferred to the end of the book. One leaf tells of Brian Boru. | |
| 740 | 105 | Suidiugud Tellaich Temra 'The Settling of the Manor of Tara' |
| 749 (line 20) | 109 | Longes mac n-Uislenn 'The Exile of the Sons of Uisliu |
| 754 | 112 | Orgain Denna Ríg 'The Destruction of Dind Ríg' |
| 756 (line 47) | 113 | Esnada Tige Buchet 'The Songs of Buchet's House |
| 759 (line 5) | 105 | Fled Bricrenn ocus Loinges mac nDuíl Dermait 'Bricriu's Feast, and the Exile of the sons of Dóel Dermait' |
| 765 s.f. | 117 | Tochmarc Becfhola 'The Wooing of Becfhola' |
| 768 (line 36) | 119 | Fianṡruth Fianshruth The title Fianṡruth refers to two alphabetically arranged Middle Irish lists of names associated with the Finn Cycle, preserved only in the Yellow Book of Lecan and probably datable to the twelfth century. The lists A and B are preceded by almost identical introductions... , List B |
| 770b (line 24) | 120 | How Enoch Enoch (ancestor of Noah) Enoch is a figure in the Generations of Adam. Enoch is described as Adam's greatx4 grandson , the son of Jared, the father of Methuselah, and the great-grandfather of Noah... and Elijah were taken up into Heaven |
| 772 (line 40) | 121 | Stories about King David of Israel |
| 776 (line 47) | 123 | Aided Con Roí 'The Violent Death of Cú Roí'. On the deaths of Cú Roí mac Dáire Cú Roí Cú Roí mac Dáire is a king of Munster in the Ulster Cycle of Irish mythology. He is usually portrayed as a warrior with superhuman abilities and a master of disguise possessed of magical powers. His name probably means "hound of the plain/field", or more specifically, "hound of the battlefield"... and Blathnát Blathnát Bláthnat , sometimes Bláthíne, is a character in early Irish literature, a king's daughter, wife of the warrior Cú Roí and the lover of his rival Cú Chulainn.-Love triangle:... . |
| 780 (line 27) | 125 | Poem (78 ranns) by Flanacan son of Cellach, king of Bregia |
| 781 (line 43) | 125 | Clesa Conculaind 'The Feats of Cú Chulainn Cú Chulainn Cú Chulainn or Cúchulainn , and sometimes known in English as Cuhullin , is an Irish mythological hero who appears in the stories of the Ulster Cycle, as well as in Scottish and Manx folklore... ' |
| 782 (line 126) | 126 | Assembly of Druim Cet |
| 783 (line 44) | 126b | Aided Néill Nóigíallaig maic Echdach Muigmedoin 'The Death of Niall of the Nine Hostages' |
| 785 (line 21) | 127 | Elegy on the death of Niall of the Nine Hostages Niall of the Nine Hostages Niall Noígíallach , or in English, Niall of the Nine Hostages, son of Eochaid Mugmedón, was an Irish king, the eponymous ancestor of the Uí Néill kindred who dominated Ireland from the 6th century to the 10th century... (15 ranns) |
| 786 | 128 | Gein Branduib maic Echach ocus Aedáin maic Gabráin 'The Birth of Brandub son of Eochu and of Aedán son of Gabrán' |
| 786 (line 46) | 128a-132b | Scéla Cano meic Gartnáin Scéla Cano meic Gartnáin The Scéla Cano meic Gartnáin is an Old Irish prose tale of the ninth century or later. It forms part of the Cycles of the Kings.It deals with the exile and return of Cano mac Gartnáin in sixth century Scotland... 'The Story of Cano son of Gartnán' |
| 795 | 132 | Part of Cath Cairn Chonaill 'The Battle of Carnn Conaill' |
| 795 (line 21) | 133 | Story about St. Colman mac Duach and King Guaire Guaire Aidne mac Colmáin Guaire Aidne mac Colmáin was a king of Connacht. A member of the Ui Fiachrach Aidhne and son of king Colmán mac Cobthaig . Guiare ruled at the height of Ui Fiachrach Aidne power in south Connacht.-Early reign:... |
| 797 (line 12) | 133 | Story about King Guaire, Mac Dá Cherda and Cuimín Fota. |
| 798 s.f. | 134 | Story about Mac Dá Cherda son of Mael Ochtrach |
| 800 (line 34) | 135 | 'Why Mongán was Deprived of Noble Issue', story about Mongán, Eochaid the chief poet of Ireland, and Fiachnae mac Báetáin Fiachnae mac Báetáin Fiachnae mac Báetáin , also called Fiachnae Lurgan or Fiachnae Find, was king of the Dál nAraidi and high-king of the Ulaid in the early 7th century. He was a son of Báetán mac Echdach and brother of Fiachra Cáech Fiachnae mac Báetáin (died 626), also called Fiachnae Lurgan or Fiachnae Find, was... , king of Ulster. |
| 802 | 136 | Stories about Mac Dé (and Diarmait mac Cerbaill) |
| 803 (line 22) | 136 | The Conversion of Constantine and the Finding of the Cross |
| 805 (line 13) | 137 | On the first satire composed in Ireland by Cairbre for Bres mac Eladan Bres In Irish mythology, Bres was a king of the Tuatha Dé Danann. His parents were Prince Elatha of the Fomorians and Eri, daughter of Delbaith. He was an unpopular king, and favoured his Fomorian kin... |
| 806 (line 7) | 138 | On King Salemon of Greece |
| 807 (line 8) | 138 | On the beheading of the John the Baptist John the Baptist John the Baptist was an itinerant preacher and a major religious figure mentioned in the Canonical gospels. He is described in the Gospel of Luke as a relative of Jesus, who led a movement of baptism at the Jordan River... and poem on the four Herods by the poet Bran |
| 808 (line 9) | 139 | Tréide Cétna Labratar iarna Genemain? On the three persons in Ireland who spoke directly after birth. |
| 810 (line 40) | 140 | Description of the Banqueting Hall at Tara Hill of Tara The Hill of Tara , located near the River Boyne, is an archaeological complex that runs between Navan and Dunshaughlin in County Meath, Leinster, Ireland... , cf: col. 244. |
| 811 (line 23) | 140 | Poem on the sons of King Cormac mac Airt; short notes on St Patrick |
| 812-823 | 141 | Passion of the Lord |
| 823 | Gospel of Nicodemus | |
| 839 (line 19) | 154 | Homily of the Blessed Virgin |
| 852-7 | 161-3 | 'Dialogue of the Soul and Body' |
| 857 fin. | 163 | Word from the scribe, Giolla Íosa Mór Mac Fhirbhisigh in 1380. |
| 858 | 164 | Short story about St. Columcille and Aidan son of Gabrán |
| 858 (line 23) | 164 | 'Precepts of Gregory of Rome' |
| 860 | 165 | Life of Gregory |
| 863 (line 38) | 166 | Tegasc Rig Solmain meic David 'Instructions of King Solomon son of David' |
| 869 (line 9) | 169 | Homily on Michael the Archangel |
| 869b | 169 | Poem (15 ranns) and description of the 17 wonders on the night of Christ's birth; memorandum by a later Mac Firbis. |
| 869c-d, 870-875 | 171 | Aided Díarmata meic Cerbaill 'The Death of Diarmait mac Cerbaill Diarmait mac Cerbaill Diarmait mac Cerbaill was King of Tara or High King of Ireland. According to traditions, he was the last High King to follow the pagan rituals of inauguration, the ban-feis or marriage to goddess of the land.... ' in prose and verse |
| 875 (line 28) | 174 | On the migration of the Ciarraighe into Connaught |
| 876 (line 6) | 175 | Tochmarc Étaíne Tochmarc Étaíne Tochmarc Étaíne , meaning "The Wooing of Étaín", is an early text of the Irish Mythological Cycle, and also features characters from the Ulster Cycle and the Cycles of the Kings. It is partially preserved in the manuscript known as the Lebor na hUidre , and completely preserved in the Yellow Book... 'The Wooing of Étain' |
| 877 (line 28) | 175 | Fotha Catha Cnucha 'The Cause of the Battle of Cnucha' |
| 878 (line 47) | 176 | Abbot Hugh on a legend about the Dagda and others of the Tuatha Dé Danann |
| 880 | 177 | Tochmarc Lúaine 7 Aided Athairne 'The Wooing of Lúan and the Death of Athairne Athirne Athirne or Athairne the Importunate was a poet and satirist of the court of Conchobar mac Nessa in the Ulster Cycle of Irish mythology. He was the foster-father of Amairgin mac Echit, who succeeded him as Ulster's chief poet.... ' |
| 885 (line 26) | 179b-180a | Compert Conchobair 'The Conception/Birth of Conchobor' |
| 886 (line 48) | 180 | Geneamuin Chormaic Ua Chuind 'The Birth of Cormac mac Airt' |
| 889 (line 26) | 181 | Echtra Cormaic i Tír Tairngire 'Cormac mac Airt Cormac mac Airt Cormac mac Airt , also known as Cormac ua Cuinn or Cormac Ulfada , was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, a High King of Ireland... 's Journey to the Land of Promise' |
| 898 (line 10) - 906 | 186 | Aided Chrimthainn meic Fhidaig 7 Trí Mac Echach Muigmedóin 'The Death of Crimthann Crimthann Crimthann or Cremthann may refer to:*Crimthann mac Fidaig, legendary High King of Ireland of the 4th century AD*Crimthann Nia Náir, legendary High King of Ireland of the 1st century AD... son of Fidach and of Eochaid Muigmedóin’s three sons' |
| 902 (line 41) | 188 | Echtra mac n-Echach Muigmedóin 'The Adventures of the Sons of Eochaid Eochaid Eochaid or Eochaidh is a popular medieval Irish and Scots Gaelic name deriving from Old Irish ech, horse, borne by a variety of historical and legendary figures, including:*Eochaid mac Eirc, mythological king of the Fir Bolg in the 16th or 20th century BC*Eochaid Ollathair, also known as... Mugmedon' |
| 906 (line 9) | 190 | Imtechta Moga Ruith 'The Adventures of Mog Ruith Mug Ruith Mug Ruith is a figure in Irish mythology, a powerful blind druid of Munster who lived on Valentia Island, County Kerry. He could grow to enormous size, and his breath caused storms and turned men to stone. He wore a hornless bull-hide and a bird mask, and flew in a machine called the roth rámach,... ' |
| 907 | 190 | The Four Jewels of the Tuatha Dé Danann Four Treasures In the Mythological Cycle of early Irish literature, the four treasures of the Tuatha Dé Danann are four magical items which the mythological Tuatha Dé Danann are supposed to have brought with them from the four island cities Murias, Falias, Gorias and Findias, when they arrived in... . On the Tuatha Dé Danann Tuatha Dé Danann The Tuatha Dé Danann are a race of people in Irish mythology. In the invasions tradition which begins with the Lebor Gabála Érenn, they are the fifth group to settle Ireland, conquering the island from the Fir Bolg.... and their magical education, with a poem on the same. |
| 907 | Scribe Giolla Íosa Mór Mac Fhirbhisigh | |
| 908 | 191 | Baile Findachta, Ríg Connacht. Poem on the baile (prophecy, revelation) of Fínnachta, king of Connaught. |
| 909 (line 12) | 191b-192b | Suidigud Tellaig na Cruachna 'The Settling of the Manor of Cruachan', also known as Aided Nath Í 'The Violent Death of Nath Í'. |
| 910 (line 4) | 192 | Poem ascribed to Torna Éces, on pre-Christian kings of Ireland buried on Croghan; on burial places in Teltown |
| 911 s.f. | 192 | Compert Mongáin 'The Birth of Mongán' |
| 912 | 'A story from which it is inferred that Mongán was Finn mac Cumaill' and Aided Fhothaid Airgdig 'The Violent Death of Fothad Airgdech'. Cf: col. 953-4. | |
| 913 (line 42) | 193 | Scél Mongáin 'Stories of Mongán' |
| 914 (line 24) | 194 | Tucait Baile Mongáin 'The occasion of Mongán's frenzy' |
| 914 (line 49) | Echtrae Chonnlai 'The adventure of Connla'. Cf: cols. 399-400. | |
| 916 | 195 | Story about Mac Liag, chief poet of Brian Boru Brian Boru Brian Bóruma mac Cennétig, , , was an Irish king who ended the domination of the High Kingship of Ireland by the Uí Néill. Building on the achievements of his father, Cennétig mac Lorcain, and especially his elder brother, Mathgamain, Brian first made himself King of Munster, then subjugated... |
| 917 s.f. | 195 | Story about the poet Flann mac Lonáin Flann mac Lonáin -Background and career:Flann mac Lonáin was a famed and at times controversial poet. He was the Chief Ollam of Ireland He seems to have being born in the east Clare/west Tipperary region... |
| 919 (line 31) | 196 | Poem |
| 920 | 197 | On the seven orders of 'bards' |
| 938 (line 11) | 205 | Aided [Lugdach] Meic Con 'The Death of [Lugaid] Mac Con' |
| 939 (line 8) | 206 | Cath Almaine 'The Battle of Allen' |
| 942 (line 8) | 207 | Cath (Belaig) Duine Bolc 'The Battle of Dunbolg' |
| 945 s.f. | 209 | Cath Maige Rath 'The Battle of Mag Rath' (cf: the longer version at col. 321-332) |
| 949 (line 40) | 211 | Ces Noínden Ulad 'The Debility of the Ulstermen' |
| 951 (line 8) | 212 | Bruiden Átha Í (early story of the Finn Cycle) |
| 951 (line 34) | 212 | 'How Fiachna mac Baedáin Obtained the Kingdom of Scotland' |
| 952 | Tucait Fagbála in Fesa do Finn 7 Marbad Cuil Duib 'How Finn obtained knowledge, and the slaying of Cul Dub' | |
| 953 (line 38) | 213 | 'A story from which it is inferred that Mongán was Finn mac Cumaill' and Aided Fhothaid Airgdig 'The Violent Death of Fothad Airgdech'. Cf: col. 912. |
| 955 | 214 | Aided Óenfir Aífe 'The Death of Aífe Aífe Aífe is a character from the Ulster Cycle of Irish mythology. She appears in the sagas Tochmarc Emire and Aided Óenfhir Aífe . In Tochmarc Emire she lives east of a land called Alpi, usually understood to mean Alba , where she is at war with a rival warrior-woman, Scáthach... 's only son (=Connla Connla Connla or Conlaoch is a character in the Ulster Cycle of Irish mythology, the son of the Ulster champion Cú Chulainn and the Scottish warrior woman Aífe. He was raised alone by his mother in Scotland... )' |
| 957 (line 12) | 214 | Cáin Domnaig 'The Law of Sunday', cf: col. 217. |
Sources
- The Celebrated Antiquary, p. 16 and 23, Nollaig Ó Muraíle, MaynoothMaynoothMaynooth is a town in north County Kildare, Ireland. It is home to a branch of the National University of Ireland, a Papal University and Ireland's main Roman Catholic seminary, St. Patrick's College...
, 1996. - The manuscript tradition of two Middle Irish Leinster tales, Tomás Ó Concheanainn, Celtica xviii (1986), pp. 13–33.
- A personal reference by Giolla Íosa Mór Mac Fhirbhisigh, Tomás Ó Concheanainn, Celticia xviii (1986), p. 34.
- The YBL fragment of Táin Bó Flidais, Tomás Ó Concheanainn, Celtica xiiii (1980), p. 56-57.
- Abbott, Thomas Kingsmill. Catalogue of the manuscripts in the library of Trinity College. Dublin, 1900. 328-37.
- Abbott, Thomas Kingsmill and E.J. Gwynn.Catalogue of the Irish manuscripts in the Library of Trinity college. Dublin, 1921. 94-110. Available from the Internet Archive
- Contents list with links to translations