Texts

Lebor gabála Érenn, second redaction ‘The book of the taking of Ireland’

  • Middle Irish, Early Modern Irish
  • Cycles of the Kings, Irish legendary history, Lebor gabála Érenn, Mythological Cycle
The so-called second recension of Lebor gabála Érenn.
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Scope
redaction/recension
Context(s)The (textual) context(s) to which the present text belongs or in which it is cited in part or in whole.
Manuscripts
Y (Scowcroft)/V (Macalister) =
Manuscript fragments that are thought to belong together and to have been written by the scribe of the Yellow Book of Lecan proper.
V1 (Macalister) =
L (Scowcroft)/Λ (Macalister) =
ff. 1–16 (facsimile)
Macalister's sigl. Λ (sometimes miswritten as A).
D =
Written by Muirghius Ó Maolchonaire. Notes in the margin frequently credit LU as a source.(1)n. 1 Thomas F. O'Rahilly • Kathleen Mulchrone • A. I. Pearson • Elizabeth Fitzpatrick, Catalogue of Irish manuscripts in the Royal Irish Academy (1926–1970): Vol. 6 (1943), fasc. 27: 3367ff.
ff. 1–9
revised, abridged version, with the verse omitted
Fragments
London, British Library, MS Additional 18948
f. 65b
Language
  • Middle Irish Early Modern Irish
  • Middle Irish and Early Modern Irish.

Associated items
A chóemu cláir Chuinn choímfhinnA chóemu cláir Chuinn choímfhinn

Middle Irish poem (25 qq) attributed to Eochaid úa Flainn concerning the first settlements of Ireland by Cessair and Partholón. The poem as we have it was incorporated in the Lebor gabála Érenn and is common to all major recensions.

A Emain idnach óebindA Emain idnach óebind

Middle Irish poem which is concerned with the origins of Emain Macha and is attested as a poem incorporated in recensions of Lebor gabála Érenn. While the Book of Leinster version seems to break off after 16 qq, the longer version which occurs in other recensions (46 qq) has a final quatrain which attributes the poem to Eochaid úa Flainn.

Capa is Laigni is Luasad grindCapa is Laigni is Luasad grind

Early Irish poem (9 st.) in Lebor gabála Érenn concerning the arrival of three fishermen from Spain to Ireland before the Flood.

Cethracha ríg doralaCethracha ríg doralaView incoming dataComaimsera ríg nÉrenn ocus ríg na Cóiced iar CreitimComaimsera ríg nÉrenn ocus ríg na Cóiced iar CreitimA tract that synchronises the reigns of the high-kings and provincial kings of Ireland. The list extends from Lóegaire mac Néill to Muirchertach mac Toirrdelbaig Ua Briain.Doluid Milid as in ScithiaDoluid Milid as in ScithiaView incoming dataDinnshenchas of Emain MachaDinnshenchas of Emain MachaProse story relating the dinnshenchas for Emain Macha.Finnachta for hUib Néill co féinFinnachta for hUib Néill co féinView incoming dataFithir ocus DáirineFithir ocus DáirineView incoming dataFlann for ÉirinnFlann for ÉirinnPraise poem for Flann Sinna mac Maíle Sechnaill, who is addressed as ‘king of Tara’.Gabail Hérenn nert nar fhandGabail Hérenn nert nar fhandView incoming dataGóedel Glas ó tát GoídilGóedel Glas ó tát GoídilIn chloch fors' tát mo dí sháilIn chloch fors' tát mo dí sháilA Middle Irish poem attributed to Cináed úa hArtacáin, of which one quatrain on the Lía Fáil in Tara is preserved in recensions of the Lebor gabála Érenn.Indiu cia chenglait cuacaIndiu cia chenglait cuacaView incoming dataLebor gabála Érenn 1C. De imthechtaib GoídelLebor gabála Érenn 1C. De imthechtaib GoídelOn the wanderings of the GoídilLebor gabála Érenn 2A. IntroductionLebor gabála Érenn 2A. Introduction

An introduction to the tract De gabálaib Érenn. It lists the peoples who are said to have invaded Ireland before the Goídil, namely Cessair, Partholón, Nemed, the Fir Bolg, the Fir Domnann, the Gáiléoin and the Túatha Dé Danann. Their narratives are told in the course of the tract.

Lebor gabála Érenn 2B. The AntediluviansLebor gabála Érenn 2B. The AntediluviansAn account of the first people to set foot on Ireland before the Deluge, namely Banba, later followed by Partholón, or three certain fishermen from Spain, although they navigated the waters of Ireland without setting foot on land.Lebor gabála Érenn 2C. CesairLebor gabála Érenn 2C. CesairAn account of the settlement of Ireland by Cesair, granddaughter of Noah, before the Flood.Lebor gabála Érenn 2D. PartholónLebor gabála Érenn 2D. PartholónAn account of the invasion of Ireland by Partholón and his sons (the first to be undertaken after the Flood), their struggles with the Fomoire and the bursting forth of seven new lakes.Lebor gabála Érenn 2E(1). Gabáil NemidLebor gabála Érenn 2E(1). Gabáil NemidAn account of the invasion of Ireland by Nemed and his sons (from Scythia), the bursting forth of four new lakes, their struggles with the Fomoire and Nemed’s death by plague.Lebor gabála Érenn 2E(2). Togail Tuir ChonaindLebor gabála Érenn 2E(2). Togail Tuir ChonaindAn account of the fortunes of Nemed’s people after their leader’s death by plague, namely their revolt against the Fomoire, the siege of the Tower of Conand/Conaing and the dispersal of Nemed’s people.Lebor gabála Érenn 2F(1). Gabáil Fer mBolgLebor gabála Érenn 2F(1). Gabáil Fer mBolgAn account of the taking of Ireland by the Fir Bolg, the Fir Domnann and the Gáiléoin; and the reign of the Fir Bolg under a succession of high-kings.Lebor gabála Érenn 2F(2). Immirgi Mac nÚmóirLebor gabála Érenn 2F(2). Immirgi Mac nÚmóirAn account of the flight of the Fir Bolg to a number of islands following their defeat in the battle of Mag Tuired; their expulsion by the Picts; and their return to Ireland with the aid of Ailill and Medb of Connacht.Lebor gabála Érenn 2G(1). Gabáil Tuath nDéLebor gabála Érenn 2G(1). Gabáil Tuath nDéAn account of the taking of Ireland by the Tuatha Dé Danann, from their previous whereabouts and first arrival in Ireland to the defeat of the Fir Bolg in the first battle of Mag Tuired.Lebor gabála Érenn 2G(2). Kings of the Túatha Dé DanannLebor gabála Érenn 2G(2). Kings of the Túatha Dé DanannAn account of the kings of the Tuatha Dé Danann, namely Nuadu, Lug, the Dagda, Delbaeth, Fíacha and the trio Mac Cuill, Mac Cécht and Mac Gréine; and their conflict with the Fomoire, culmimating in the second battle of Mag Tuired.Lebor gabála Érenn 2G(3). Genelach Tuath DéLebor gabála Érenn 2G(3). Genelach Tuath DéAn enumeration of the deities of the Tuatha Dé Danann, their pedigrees and other items of interest.Lebor gabála Érenn 2H(1). The death of ÍthLebor gabála Érenn 2H(1). The death of ÍthAn account of the meeting between Íth mac Breogain and three kings of the Tuatha Dé Danann at Ailech Néit; and of Íth’s death in his attempt to arbritrate a dispute among the Tuatha Dé.Lebor gabála Érenn 2H(2). Gabáil Mac MíledLebor gabála Érenn 2H(2). Gabáil Mac MíledAn account of the taking of Ireland by the sons of Míl. The first part or textual layer is concerned with Milesian history until the time when Ireland is divided between Érimón and Éber. The second enumerates the tuatha that spring from the sons of Míl.Lebor gabála Érenn/3B. King-listsLebor gabála Érenn/3B. King-listsView incoming dataLebor gabála Érenn 4. Comaimsera ríg in domuin ocus gabal nÉrenn / fri rígaib ÉrennLebor gabála Érenn 4. Comaimsera ríg in domuin ocus gabal nÉrenn / fri rígaib ÉrennFourth tract of Lebor gabála Érenn. It contains synchronisms (comaimsera) that place Irish national history, from the legendary Partholón to the historical king Fergal mac Maíle Dúin, in the Eusebian chronological scheme of world history.Ochtauin August ind ríOchtauin August ind ríView incoming dataOllar ocus OllarbaOllar ocus OllarbaView incoming dataRéidig dam, a Dé, do nim (Flann Mainistrech)Réidig dam, a Dé, do nim (Flann Mainistrech)A series of seven poemsRíg Themra dia tesband tnúRíg Themra dia tesband tnúMiddle Irish poem attributed and presumably written by Flann Mainistrech.
Túatha Dé Danann fo diamairTúatha Dé Danann fo diamair

Poem (11 quatrains) embedded in the Lebor gabála Érenn.

Ugaine uallach amraUgaine uallach amraView incoming data

Classification

Cycles of the Kings
Cycles of the Kings
id. 80
Irish legendary historyIrish legendary history
...

Lebor gabála Érenn
Lebor gabála Érenn
id. 4019
Mythological CycleMythological Cycle
...

Sources

Notes

Thomas F. O'Rahilly • Kathleen Mulchrone • A. I. Pearson • Elizabeth Fitzpatrick, Catalogue of Irish manuscripts in the Royal Irish Academy (1926–1970): Vol. 6 (1943), fasc. 27: 3367ff.

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.] Macalister, R. A. S., Lebor gabála Érenn: The book of the taking of Ireland, 5 vols, Irish Texts Society, 34, 35, 39, 41, 44, Dublin: Irish Texts Society, 1932–1942.
Internet Archive – Vol. 1 (1938 ed.): <link> Internet Archive – Vol. 2 (1939 ed.): <link> Internet Archive – Vol. 3 (1940 ed.): <link> Internet Archive – Vol. 4 (1941 ed.): <link> Internet Archive – Vol. 5 (1956 ed.): <link>

Secondary sources (select)

Carey, John (ed.), Lebor gabála Érenn: textual history and pseudohistory, Irish Texts Society, Subsidiary Series, 20, Dublin: Irish Texts Society, 2009.
Scowcroft, R. Mark, “Leabhar Gabhála. Part I: the growth of the text”, Ériu 38 (1987): 79–140.  
Scowcroft, R. Mark, “Leabhar Gabhála. Part II: the growth of the tradition”, Ériu 39 (1988): 1–66.  
Hamel, A. G. van, “On Lebor Gabála”, Zeitschrift für celtische Philologie 10 (1915): 97–197.
Internet Archive: <link> Internet Archive: <link>
Contributors
C. A., Dennis Groenewegen
Page created
June 2012, last updated: January 2024