B 3.2.6: The Book of Leinster, formerly Lebar na Núachongbála, Vol. VI

ed. Anne O'Sullivan

1983. pp. xv + 1327-1708

€55

ISBN 0 901282 76 6

Foreword

The present volume, the sixth, concludes the diplomatic edition of the Book of Leinster undertaken by the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies. The first volume appeared in 1954 and was succeeded by Vols. II-V between 1956 and 1967. Regrettably the earlier editors did not live to complete their work.

In the Introduction to the first volume R. I. Best provided an outline of the history and character of the manuscript and established that it was originally named Lebar na Núachongbála after Oughavall near Stradbally, Co. Leix. William O'Sullivan provided further information about its later history and added to our codicological understanding of the book partly in disagreement with Best ('Notes on the Script and Make-up of the Book of Leinster': Celtica VII (1966) pp. 1-31). Although Best recognised that the arrangement of the book was not original, in publishing he decided to follow the sequence presented by the lithographic facsimile (see below). The contents of the present volume, mostly genealogical and liturgical in character, were dispersed in different parts of the mediaeval book according to the evidence provided by the old foliation (O'Sullivan, ibid.). For instance the secular genealogies were to be found in two separate places, one section immediately before the Táin and the other after the Ulster tales, while the ecclesiastical matter, genealogies of the Irish saints, Martyrology of Tallaght, etc. followed the Dindsenchas. In 1880 the Royal Irish Academy published a lithographic facsimile of the transcript of the Book of Leinster made by Joseph O'Longan. Despite its shortcomings Irish scholars have since been greatly indebted to O'Longan. Ten leaves removed from the manuscript prior to 1627 (Best, loc.cit.) which had been identified in the Library of the Dublin Franciscans were included in the facsimile and are to be found in this volume. I should like to express my gratitude to the Guardian of the Franciscan Convent, Dún Muire, Killiney where the leaves are now housed and to Fr. Cathaldus O.F.M. for their kindness in arranging to have them deposited in the Library of Trinity College, Dublin while work on the transcription was in progress. These leaves, now MS A 3, are fully described in Catalogue of Irish Manuscripts in the Franciscan Library, Killiney by Myles Dillon, Canice Mooney O.F.M. and Pádraig de Brún. The editor is indebted to this Catalogue for useful guidance and references to published texts. The facsimile also reproduced thirty-five pages of manuscripts (pp. 337-410 Facs.) which had an accidental connection with the Book of Leinster from having been placed in the same box in Trinity College Library merely on the grounds of size. They are consequently not included in this volume.

The method of editing used in the preceding volumes is continued but as any editing involves compromise the question of how to write proper names, which preponderate in this volume, arose. In the interest of consistency it was decided, perhaps unwisely, to adopt the system used by M. A. O'Brien in his edition of part of the Book of Leinster genealogies (see below). Apart from this diplomatic aberrancy the scribe's own editorial practice is followed though the point of some features such as the use of capitals and dots is not now always self-evident. In the edition [ ] = letters barely visible hence uncertain, (...)= illegible.

Scribal signs show great variety in this part of the manuscript but as some occur on illegible margins it was considered impractical to reproduce them. The student of palaeography will, however, find O'Longan's versions of them reproduced in the facsimile. The basic signs found throughout the manuscript are however included: [paragraph mark] = paragraph or distinguishing mark: [verse mark] = verse.

As already mentioned M. A. O'Brien, one of the editors of Vols. I-V, published the parts of the secular genealogies in the Book of Leinster not found in his main text, MS Bodl. Rawl. MS. B. 502, in Corpus Genealogiarum Hiberniae (Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies 1962) and indebtedness to his work is gratefully acknowledged.

Prof. James Carney kindly read the proofs and made valuable corrections and suggestions but the editor remains solely responsible for any errors. Prof. Pádraig Ó Riain whose edition of the genealogies of the Irish saints will shortly be published by the Institute gave generous expert help.

See also

This book is one of a set of 6 volumes, available individually (see also Volume I, Volume II, Volume III, Volume IV, Volume V) or as a complete set.