G 22

Leabhar Gearr na PailIse

18th cent. Paper. 30 × 18.9 cms. Pp. ii+178+[6]. Scribe: Tomás Ó Suilleamháin (Thos. O'Sullivan) who transcribed the ms. in 1772 for Éadbhard Denny (Edwd. Denny) (see title on p. i, inserted leaf at front and colophon on p. 143). Other scribal entries and dates occur on pp. 42, 71, 172; the phrase Nihil hic deest occurs twice (pp. 159, 169) at the end of genealogies. Bound in half-leather with gilt-lettered Irish Manuscript on spine. The book-plate of Andrew Coltee Ducarel L.L.D. (see his note below) is pasted on the inside of the front cover and the former nos. C. 33, Phillipps 8218 and pencilled jottings Ireland, Compendium appear there also. Phillipps acquired the ms. at the sale of the Heber mss. (see Phillipps ' Catalogus Librorum Manuscriptorum). The binder has inserted one blank leaf after the front cover and another before the back cover. The last numbered page (p. 178) is followed by six blank pages. The ms. is rubricated and the pagination is scribal. Two leaves are tipped in on the inside margin of the title-page. On the recto of first leaf, in the hand of the scribe, is written Title. The short book of Palles written by me Thos. O'Sullivan for the use of Edw^d Denny, in the year of Christ 1773; this is followed by his English rendering of the opening lines of the first item (Lebhar Gabhála). On the recto fo second leaf Ducarel wrote the following: This MS. entitled The Compendium of Palles, recited the Wars and Loves of some of the earliest Irish Heroes, composed by the ancient Bards, who usually attended their Princes - Palles, near Cashell, in the County Tipperary, was the Residence of the Ancient Monarchs of Ireland- This Compendium was formed out of the Annals kept there by the Bards, who noted down all the Events of the Country - The original Irish MS. is now [1774] at Cashell probably in the Archives of the Abp. of Cashell - from whence this Copy was taken by a poor man belonging to the County of Kerry, and presented to me by Arthur Blenerhassett of Dover Street Esq. Dec. the 20th 1774 - And: Coltee Ducarel.

From the above description by Ducarel and from the colophon on p. 143 (see infra) it would appear that thisms. is a transcript of a lost ms. of the late 17th cent. known as Leabhar Gearr na Pailíse. Other copies are in the following mss.: B.M. Eg. 106 and 150, R.I.A. 12 F 20 and 24L21 and Liverpool Ms. 12029 M (catalogued by A. Mac Lochlainn, Celtica, vol. iii, p. 217). The present transcript may include a complete copy of the original compilation. The earliest known copy is that referred to in the colophon in Eg. 106 and was apparently written by Eoghan mac Carrthaigh in 1648 (see B.M. ii, p. 397). The title "Leabhar Gearr na Pailíse" is not, however, included in that colophon; it appears only in the colophon in the present ms., R.I.A. 12 F 20 - where it is mistakenly given as Leabhar Giolla na Pailíse in R.I.A. Cat. Ir. Mss., p. 2613 - and Liverpool 12029 M. "An Leabhar Muimhneach" is given as the source in the colophon in 24 L 21 (written 1811).

Flower says (B.M. ii, pp. 396-7) that this compilation was in the McCarthy interest and probably made by a dependent of the McCarthys. A noteworthy feature of this compilation is the annalistic excerpts which the compiler used to give the tales an historical significance and "to form a kind of romatic history of Munster A.D. 174-1138" (Flower, loc. cit.).

Page

i Title-page: An Leabhear Gearr no Palighease. Airna sgríobha líomsa idhoin Tomás Ó Suilleamháin do chum úsaide Eádbhaird Denny san mbliaghain d'aois Chríosd M.DCC,LXIII.

ii Blank.

1 An Leabhar Gachála (abbreviated form). Headed An Chéad Ghabháil Éire d'eis dílinn ann so. Beg. Da fás folamh Éire trí chéad bliadhan iar ndilinn. The other divisions of this tract are headed as follows: (2) An dara gabháil fuair Éire ann so, p. 1. (3) An treas ghabháil fúair Éire le Túathaibh Dé Danainn ann so, p. 2. (4) Tosach an Treas Aois ann so, p. 3. (5) An ceathramhadh gabháil fúair Éire le Macaibh Mileadh sonn, p. 4. (6) Tosach an ceathramhadh haois do réir an Leabhar Gabhála ann so, p. 6. (7) Cóigidhig na hÉireann san aimsir sin, p. 14. Ends p. 16 ... as ann san aimsir chéadna do marbhadh Cúmhall mic Tréanmhóir .i. athair Fhinn a ccath Chnuca le Conn Cheadchathach ┐ le Clannaibh Mórna amhail do léirbhrachtus an stair ionnár ndíaid.

16 Cath Chnuca. The late historical romance of the battle of Cnucha beg. Dia mbádar Laighnigh gan rath gan rígh gan do chathréim a Chuinn, 8qq., p. 41) and is followed by the scribal note: gonadh é sin Cath Chnuca go nuige sin. Neoch is trímhúghadh lá don mhíosa Márta san mbliadhain d'aois ár tTíagharna Íosa Críosd, míle seacht ccéad ┐ trí bliadhana déag ar trí fithchid. After this note comes the following: Do ghabh Conn iar sin ceannus agus cómharbas trí ccóige d'Éirinn .i. cóige Ula, cóige láimhdhearg Laighin agus cóige cháomháluinn Chonnocht. Cf. G 18 supra, p. 439 (449.) For versions of this tale and printed editions see B.M. ii, p. 397.

43 Ionnsoighe Muighe Léana. Headed Ionnsoighe Múighe Léana sonn; dá a ttorchair Eóghan Taidhleach. Beg. Dála chlainne déadla datháilne Deirgthine ┐ clanna lánghasda léidmhighe Luighdheach. Ends p. 68 with the usual ending after which comes the following: Adeir an Seanchus gur ar a leabaidh do marbhadh Eóghan re Goll. This is the Short Recension of the tale Cath Maighe Léna for which see K. Jackson, Mod. and Med. Ir. Series, vol. ix, p. xiii.

69 Annalistic matter beg. Conn Chead Chathach mic Feidhlime Rachtmhar sé bliadhana déag a lan Rígh Éirionn introductory to a brief account of the battle of Ceann Abhrait Sléibhe Caoin (p. 70) for which the title Tráchta ar Chath Sleibhe Caoin appears on top of the following page (p. 70). Ends p. 70 ...amhail is léir don stair re ráidhthear Cath Múigh Mucraimhe.

70 Cath Muighe Mucraimhe. Beg. Árdrigh cródha cruthniamhdha ceartbhreathach ró ghabhusdar árdcheannus na hÉireann go bhfreasabhra. For information regarding this text and editions of it see B.M. ii, p. 400.

93 Annalistic matter headed Forus Feasa (which is also the running title on pp. 94-5) and beg. Seibhéarus Peirtinex ocht mbliadhana a Ríghe an Domhain a ccómhaimsir re hArt mic Cuinn ┐ Aureilius seacht mbliadhana mergin into the account of Cath Crionna.

93 Cath Crionna. Beg. Cormac mic Airt cheathrachad bliadhan a Rígh Eirionn go bhfreasabhra. For information regarding this text see B.M. ii, p. 401. This is followed (pp. 95-99) by annalistic matter from the death of Cormac mac Airt (beg. Adbath Cormac iar sin a ttig cléiticc) until the beginning of the Scandinavian invasions: there is special emphasis on Munster.

99 List of kings headed Anmna na naoi Rígh, et faid a bhflathusa sonn. Beg. Ailgheanán mic Donnghaile seacht mbliadhana ┐ a éag. Ends (p. 100) Lorcán mic Coinnleagáin mic Corcráin mic Cuirc mic Artghoile bliadhain go leith ┐ a éag adharta iaramh.

100 Trácht ar Chath Droma Dámhghaire. Introduction beg. Ní tualaing teanga a fhaisnéis créad é méid an dochair ná 'n ármhach ┐ na n-easbadha mora tug Lochlannaicc ar fhearaibh Múmhan. Text proper beg. Dob é adhbhar an chatha sin .i. Leath Cuinn iarna chómharlúghadh do Chormac a cíos rígh do thógbháil ar Mhuímhneachaibh. A summary account of the feud between the Leinster men and the Munster men which caused the Leinsterman not to lend aid to the Munstermen in the latter's fight against the norse. An earlier and more expanded version of this text ("Forbuis Droma Damhghaire") is ed. by M. L. Sjoestedt, Rev. Celt., vols. xviii-xliv (1926-27). The text in this ms. ends on p. 101 and is immediately followed by an introduction beg. Is dofhaisnéis ar fhuilingsiott Muímhnaicc do bhroid ┐ do bhúanacht Lochlonnach ris an ré sin which leads to the next item (Cathúghadh Chealleacháin Caisil).

101 Cathúghadh Chealleacháin Caisil re Lochlonnachaibh Sonn. Beg. Is ann sin d'éirgheadar seacht ttúatha dhéag Chaisil uim Chealleachán. This is the modern version of what is sometimes entitled Caithréim Ceallacháin Chaisil. Most modern copies are divided into two parts, of which the following item (p. 118) is the second. For further information see B.M. ii, pp. 402-3 and "The Historical Content of the `Caithréim Ceallacháín Chaisil'" by Rev. J. Ryan, S.J., J.R.S.A.I., lxxi, 89-100, 1941.

118 Tóruígheacht na tTaoiseach ar Chealleachán. Beg. Is ann sin do chinnsud na curadha. Ends p. 130. See previous item.

130 Annalistic matter beg. Anno Domini 913. Maolfógurtach mic Flainn mic Donnchaidh. (Forus Feasa is running title pp. 130-31). Ends p. 132 with Gurab iad san na fátha fár tionnsgnadh cath eaturra Aoine an Chéasda dá ngorthar Cath Chluana Tarbh. (Mar tá ann sa taoibh eile.)

133 Cath Chlúana Tarbh Sonn. Beg. Anno Domini. cheithre bliadhana déag ar fhithchid ┐ míle. Do rine Brían sluagh Múmhan Connocht ┐ Mídhe go rabhadar a bhfoslongphuirt ar Ghallaibh. Ends p. 140. See B.M. ii, p. 403.

140. Annalistic matter beg. A.D. 1035. Donncha mic Bríain Bóroimhe do ghabháil rígh caogad bliadhan. Ends p. 141 Do ghabh Donchadh Cairbreach mic Dómhnaill Mhóir flathus Túamhúmhan ┐ as é do thóg Mainistir Donnchadh Cairbricc a Luimneach.

141 Cíos Ríogh Caisil an allód ann so. Beg. Dlíghid Rígh Caisil ó na Músgroidhibh ... míle bó agus míle torc gacha blíaghain. Ends top p. 142. See Leabhar na gCeart, ed. O'Donovan, p. 42.

142 Túarusdal gach taoisicc ó Rígh caisil gach tráth bhias cathúghadh ar ó Leath Cuinn nó o allmhurchaibh. Beg. Dlíghidh Rígh Dáil cCais an uair nách biadh ceannus nó flathus Múmhan aige. Ends p. 142. See Leabhar na gCeart, ed. O'Donovan, p. 80.

143 Scribal colophon: Aig sin Fórus Feasa Sleachta Mhílidh Easbáinne ┐ ar ghabh lAnrígh Éireann díobh ┐ Ríghe dá Chóige Múmhan fó leith, arna chur dá sgríobha le hÉadbhárd Denny as an leabhar re ráidhtear Leabhar Gearr na Pailíse. A mbliaghain d'aois ár tTíagharna Íos[a] Críost. Míle seacht ccéad et trí bliaghana deag ar trí fithcid.

143 Poem headed Prionnsadha Saxon ón cCongchus. Beg. Dá Uilliam aon Stíabhna is Seon, 2 qq. giving the names of English kings from William to James II. Under the same heading are given quatrains giving the obits of St. Patrick (493), Domhnall, an Chéad Iarla (1506) and Gearóid Iarla (1583).

144 Blank.

145 Genealogies:-

Mág Carrthaicc Mhóir, (p. 148) Clann Charrthaicc Mhúsgroidhe, (p. 149) Tiagharna Choisi Mainge, Clann Dómhnaill Ruadh, Mac Fhinghín, Mac Dhonnachadh, Mac Carrtha Riabhaicc, Magh Amhlaoibh, (p. 150) Ó Ceallacháin, Ó Suilleamháin Mór, (p. 151) Ó Súilleamháin Béara, Ó Caoimh, Ó Donchúdha Mór, (p. 152) Ó Donnchúdha an Ghleanna, Ó Mathghamhna Finn, Ó Muircheartaicc, (p. 153) Ó Donabháin, Ó Coileain Chairbreach, (p. 154) Do Chraobhsgaoile Sleachta Chormaic Cais .i. an dara mac le hOilioll Oluim: Ó Bríain .i. íarla Tuadhmhúmhan, (p. 156) Do Chraobhsgaoile Sleachta Céin mic óilioll Óluim: Ó Cearbhuill, Ó Meachair, (p. 157) Ó Áradh, Ó Gadhradh, (p. 158) Ó Conchubhair Chiannachta, Do chr[a]obhsgaoile Sleachta Ír mic Míleadh: Mág Aongusa, (p. 159) Do Chraobhsgaoile sleachta Fheargusa mic Róigh: Ó Conchubhair Chíarruidhe, (p. 160) Do Craobhsgaoile Sleachta Eireamhoin ann so: Ó Néill, (p. 161) Ó Dómhnaill, (p. 162) Geinealach uí Chonchubhair Ruadh ann so, mar a ttiobhram asteach sliocht Bhríain mic Eachadh uile, ends (p. 163) with leoghan ór a srolle uainthe, griomh ingneach is daor faoi na más, fíghuir na croise ós a cíonn Aramas shíol cConchubhair. (p. 164) Do Craobhsgaoile Sleachta Fhiachradh mic Eochaidh Muighmheadhoin: Ó Seachnusaicc, (p. 165) Do Chlann nDómhnaill air ttúis: Mac Samhairle Íarla Anntruim, Ó Ceallaigh, (p. 167) Dáilriada Alban, (p. 168) Mág Murchaidh, (p. 170) Annois do Osruídhibh: Mac Giolla Phattraicc, (p. 171) Do Chraobhsgaoile Sleachta Lúghaidh mic Íthe: Ó hÉidirsgeoil, (p. 172) Dubhdhálaicc (a note on the reason of their migration from Tír Fiachrach Muaidhe to Meath, with poem beg [p. 173] Clann Taithlicc Muaidhe gan mheirg, 5 qq.) (p. 174) Do Chraobhs[g]aoile Gearaltach: Iarla Deasmhúmhan, (p. 175) Fear na Claonghlaisi, Ridre an Ghleanna, Fear Bhaile an PhinitEaraicc, Fear Bhaile an Phoill, (p. 176) Iarla Chille Dara, Iarla Chloinne Riochárd, Barún Choisleáin uí chonuing followed by Stanza beg. Búrcaidh fine nár fionnadh a ngleó re Criost, (p. 177) Ia[r]la Barach followed by quatrain beg. Mo theist ar Bharachaibh riamh riamh (sic).

178 Blank.