Bibliography
Sarah
Sanderlin
1982
article
1975
article
Sanderlin, Sarah, “The date and provenance of the ‘Litany of Irish saints-II’ (The Irish litany of pilgrim saints)”, Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy 75 C (1975): 251–262.
abstract:
A linguistic analysis of the ‘Litany of Irish saints-II’, articles 1-49, suggests that it was written ca. A.D. 900. Certain elements are older than this date, notably the references to Romani and ‘Egyptian monks’, and possibly also the pilgrimage element; while other aspects, particularly the inclusion of various immrama legends, are evidently contemporary with the language. The litany also displays a curious three-fold martyrdom concept in that every article appears to reflect one of the three ‘colours’ of martyrdom. This concept is possibly as old as the seventh century in Ireland. The various archaisms in the short litany may be explained by the suggestion that an antiquary was responsible for the compilation. As it is in Irish, not Latin, there is reason to doubt that this litany was ever said. A study of the identifiable place-names and geographic indications, strongly suggests that the litany was written at Lismore, Co. Waterford.
abstract:
A linguistic analysis of the ‘Litany of Irish saints-II’, articles 1-49, suggests that it was written ca. A.D. 900. Certain elements are older than this date, notably the references to Romani and ‘Egyptian monks’, and possibly also the pilgrimage element; while other aspects, particularly the inclusion of various immrama legends, are evidently contemporary with the language. The litany also displays a curious three-fold martyrdom concept in that every article appears to reflect one of the three ‘colours’ of martyrdom. This concept is possibly as old as the seventh century in Ireland. The various archaisms in the short litany may be explained by the suggestion that an antiquary was responsible for the compilation. As it is in Irish, not Latin, there is reason to doubt that this litany was ever said. A study of the identifiable place-names and geographic indications, strongly suggests that the litany was written at Lismore, Co. Waterford.
