A 1: Bibliography of Irish philology and manuscript literature: publications 1913-1941

by R. I. Best

1942 (repr. 1969). x + 254 pp.

€30

ISBN 0 901282 23 5

PREFACE

THE present volume is a continuation of that published for the National Library of Ireland in 1913 by H.M. Stationery Office. It comprises publications from the year 1913 to the end of 1941. As both volumes will naturally be used in conjunction it is unnecessary here to define the scope and plan of the work, which is set out in the Introduction to the former volume. Some slight modifications in the arrangement may, however, be mentioned, which it is believed will make reference more convenient, namely, miscellaneous papers on Etymology and Lexicography have been combined under a single heading; likewise editions of Early Poetry, formerly classified as (A) Lyrical, Religious and (B) Historical, Topographical, Didactic, in an endeavour to distinguish true poetry from mere metrical compositions, have been united in a single alphabet. As regards scope, Modern Poetry is brought down no farther than the close of the seventeenth century, when the bardic schools had closed down and strict syllabic metre had given place to stressed. As the subsequent period has been fully catalogued and indexed by Risteard De Hae and Brighid Ní Dhonnchadha in Clár Litridheacht na Nua-Ghaedhilge, 1850-1936, it seemed needless to go over the same ground a second time. It would have been more satisfactory perhaps if these later poets also had been arranged in alphabetical order, rather than chronologically, for there is overlapping, and anonymous compositions are not always susceptible of precise dating. These later poems (with a few earlier) are brought together in the Index of Initial Lines, which does not, however, include those in the collected works of a given poet, e.g., Aonghus Fionn Ó Dalaigh, Pilip Bocht, Tadhg Dall Ó Huiginn, etc., except when published separately by a different editor. Nor are Ossianic poems included, for the most part late, the stereotyped opening lines of which are as a rule a sufficient identification. An Index of Words studied in special articles is also provided. The omission of this in the former volume has now been repaired. Also some references that had escaped notice, or had accidentally dropped out, together with a few that were defective have been reprinted here. In the Corrigenda only such errors as might prove misleading have been noted : others that can be easily rectified are passed over. For a number of these and also some addenda to both volumes, I have to thank Prof. T. F. O'Rahilly.

Almost all the entries have been made direct from the originals, only a few, mainly foreign, at second-hand. For these I am largely indebted to M. Vendryes' invaluable 'Bibliographie' and 'Chronique' in the Revue Celtique and its successor Etudes Celtiques. Professor Pokorny's lists in the Indogermanisches Jahrbuch have also been most useful. It has unfortunately not been possible to include recent Continental publications, inaccessible in the present world crisis.

In conclusion I should like to take the opportunity now afforded of expressing my gratitude to those friends and fellow-workers who have in their writings testified to the usefulness of this Bibliography, and who were unfailing in their interest in its continuation. First, to those eminent scholars who have passed away, M. Joseph Loth, Dom Louis Gougaud, O.S.B. ; and the Rev. Charles Plummer, and next to M. Joseph Vendryes, Dr. Robin Flower and Dr. James Kenney, to whose monumental Sources for the Early (Ecclesiastical) History of Ireland one will naturally turn for more ample and detailed information than will be found here. To many others also who were kind enough to write letters of appreciation and oner helpful suggestions, I return my grateful thanks, trusting that the present volume will meet with the same indulgence, despite any vexatious errors or omissions that it may contain.

R. I. B.

May 30, 1942.