Texts

Commentary to Félire Óengusso

  • Middle Irish
  • prose, prosimetrum
  • Medieval Irish literature
The Middle Irish commentary which accompanies manuscript texts of the Félire Óengusso.
Author
Anonymous
Manuscripts
Language
  • Middle Irish
Date
12th century?
Form
prose, prosimetrum (primary)
verse (secondary)
Associated items
An frimm, a Rí richidh ráinAn frimm, a Rí richidh ráinAtbér mór do mathibAtbér mór do mathib

Middle Irish poem on Cú Roí mac Dáire and his exploits, which are brought far afield, even extending into Greece, Asia, Africa and in general terms, ‘the south of the world’ (descert domain). He is depicted as a warrior fighting against dog-heads (Conchinn) and commanding a fleet and army, with Fomoiri and Amazons (Cígloiscthi) in his service, as well as a lord of opulent wealth. The poem concludes with the assertion that Gregory the Great is of Cú Roí’s lineage.

Cotlud cen chrinad collaCotlud cen chrinad collaShort Irish poem (2qq) on the saint Mo Chóe of Óendruim/Nóendruim (modern Nendrum, Co. Down).
Flann for ÉirinnFlann for ÉirinnPraise poem for Flann Sinna mac Maíle Sechnaill, who is addressed as ‘king of Tara’.Is ór glan is nem im gréinIs ór glan is nem im gréinOld Irish praise poem in honour of a religious man, whom manuscript tradition identifies as the saint Mo Ling. This praise is delivered in the form of analogies with both natural and man-made things. In several manuscript versions, the poem is introduced by a prose anecdote which explains that the Devil had appeared to Mo Ling disguised as Christ but was unsuccessful in his attempts to deceive the saint. Mo Ling challenged the Devil and forced him into uttering this poem in his honour.ÍsucánÍsucánPoem cited in the [[Commentary to Félire Óengusso |Middle Irish commentary to the Félire Óengusso]], under 15 January (St Íte's feast-day).Mo Ling and Máel DoborchonMo Ling and Máel DoborchonAnecdote about Mo LingMo Ling and the DevilMo Ling and the DevilAnecdote about Mo LingMo Ling and the trenching of his millstreamMo Ling and the trenching of his millstreamMiddle Irish anecdote about Mo Ling, here presented as a fosterson of St Máedóc of Ferns, and the trenching of a watercourse or millstream (taídiu) at Tech Mo Ling.Duodecim apostoliDuodecim apostoli

A single quatrain in the Liber hymnorum (TCD MS 1441, f. 31vb), which lists names of the twelve apostles. A note in at least one version of the Commentary to Félire Óengusso (31 July) gives the same quatrain but adds another quatrain with names of prominent Irish saints corresponding in part to other lists of the ‘twelve apostles of Ireland’.

Tan bím eter mo shruitheTan bím eter mo shruitheTrea ropo maith in benTrea ropo maith in benBrief Irish poem (4 qq) on Trea or Créde, daughter of Rónán king of Leinster, and the strange conception of her son Baethín, patron saint of Ennisboyne.

Classification

Medieval Irish literatureMedieval Irish literature
...

Subjects

Félire Óengusso
Félire Óengusso
id. 310

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>
Contributors
C. A., Dennis Groenewegen
Page created
April 2016, last updated: January 2024