Texts

Preface to the Félire Óengusso

  • Middle Irish
  • prose
  • Medieval Irish literature, Preface
A Middle Irish preface added to the text of Félire Óengusso.

Classification

Medieval Irish literatureMedieval Irish literature
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PrefacePreface
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Contents
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Work in progress

The following is based on Stokes' edition and translation of the texts in Leabhar Breac and Laud Misc. 610. It does not (yet) take into account possible variants that are found elsewhere.

Place, time, author and cause of invention

Summary:
The four things essential to every work of art (elada) are given in the following order of importance:
  1. Place (locc)
  2. Time (aimser)
  3. The author (persa) of the work
  4. The cause of invention/composition (fáth airicc or cuis scribind).
» References: On the four conditions of art, see e.g. Robin Flower, ‘Quidam Scotigena .i. discipulus Boëthii, or Boëthius and the four conditions of a tale’, Ériu 8 (1916)

(3) The author

Summary:
Both Leabhar Breac and Laud Misc. 610 contain a note on the pedigree of the author (Óengus), but in Leabhar Breac it comes by way of a marginal note, while in Laud 610 the pedigree has been incorporated in the main body of the text.

Óengus is here given as a son of Óengoba s. Oiblén s. of Fidrue s. of Diarmait s. of Ainmire s. of Cellar s. of Óengus s. of Natsluag s. of Coelbad s. of Crundbadrai s. of Eochaid Coba.

Laud Misc. 610 continues...

» Manuscript details: RIA 23 P 16, p. 75a; Laud Misc. 610 » People: Óengus mac Óengoband • Óengoba mac Oibléin • Oiblén mac Fidrui • Fidrue mac Diarmata • Diarmat mac Ainmirech • Ainmire mac Cellair • Cellar mac Óengussa • Óengus mac Natsluaig • Natsluag mac Coelbuid • Coelbad mac Cruindbadrai • Crundbadrai mac Echach Cobai • Eochaid Coba » Type: marginalia • genealogy

(2) The time of composition: Áed Oirdnide » entry

Summary:
The preface claims that Óengus wrote the martyrology in the time of Áed Oirdnide (son of Níal Frossach), who succeeded Donnchad mac Domnaill as king of Ireland. The reason given for this is that Donnchad's death is recorded in the (first) Prologue.

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» People: Óengus mac Óengoband • Áed Oirdnide mac Néill • Níall Frossach • Donnchad mac Domnaill • Conmach • Saint Patrick • Fothud na Canóine » Places: Dún Cuair • Mide • Leinster
Metre: rinnard

(4) Cause of composition

(1) Place of composition

Sources

Primary sources Text editions and/or modern translations – in whole or in part – along with publications containing additions and corrections, if known. Diplomatic editions, facsimiles and digital image reproductions of the manuscripts are not always listed here but may be found in entries for the relevant manuscripts. For historical purposes, early editions, transcriptions and translations are not excluded, even if their reliability does not meet modern standards.

[ed.] [tr.] Stokes, Whitley, The martyrology of Oengus the Culdee, Henry Bradshaw Society, 29, London: Harrison, 1905.  
Edition and translation of the Félire Óengusso, with introduction, notes, etc.
CELT – edition (prefaces, prologue, main text and epilogue): <link> Internet Archive: <link>, <link> Internet Archive – originally from Google Books: <link>, <link>
2–9 Text from the Leabhar Breac direct link
[ed.] [tr.] Stokes, Whitley, The martyrology of Oengus the Culdee, Henry Bradshaw Society, 29, London: Harrison, 1905.  
Edition and translation of the Félire Óengusso, with introduction, notes, etc.
CELT – edition (prefaces, prologue, main text and epilogue): <link> Internet Archive: <link>, <link> Internet Archive – originally from Google Books: <link>, <link>
8–15 Text from Laud Misc. 610 direct link
Contributors
Dennis Groenewegen
Page created
February 2013, last updated: January 2024