G 294

Foras Feasa ar Éirinn

18th cent. Paper. 33 × 19.5 cms. 216 pp. (scribal i-xv, [xvi-xviii], unnumbered title-page, 1-123 (omitting 101), 14 (recte 124)-88(recte 198). Scribe: Seamus Ua Cuinn (James Quin), Drommin, Co. Limerick, 1763-64 (pp. i, [xviii], 108, 73 [recte 183], 77 [187], 78 [188], 79 [189], 82 [192], 84 [194], 87 [197]). The scribe writes in various styles but is liberal with his signature leaving no doubt about his change of hand.

The scribe's son, also named Seamus Ua Cuinn (`Young James Quin') wrote some stanzas and a colophon on the last page in 1785. He probably also wrote the stanza on p. 110.

Bound in brown calf with `Forus Feasa ar Eirinn' gilt-lettered on spine and `Phillipps MS 22247' inside front cover. Listed under `Ex Bibl Miscellaneis' in Phillipps's Catalogus. Purchased by the National Library for £6 10s. from Sotheby on 29 June 1936.

Page

1 Foras Feasa ar Eirinn. `James Quin.' Dionbhrollach. Ends (p. [xviii]) with colophon `Seamus Ua Cuinn, criochnuighthe líom fein, an 12 don mhíosa December 1764' followed by unnumbered title-page (incomplete). P. 1 An Chead Leabhar. Ends (p. 108) `Finit Libra Prima' and colophon `Ag sin don chéad leabhar dForus Feasa ar Eirinn. Arna Sgríobh liomsa Seamus Ua Cuinn annso Dromin, an Aoibh Conuill Gabra ris a raidhtear Contae Luimnigh an tan so, chum mo thairbhe ┐ mo úsaide fein agus suirim ar an leighthoir guídhe orm ar son mo shaothair, do bhrígh nách obair gan duadh a sgriobh. An seachtmhadh lá fithchead do November 1764'. Followed by Tri bliadhna don chúaille cuir. 2½ qq. and colophon `Drommin November the 23<sup>d</sup> 1764 Seamus Ua Cuinn, ┐ go ndeanadh Dia trocuire ar manm an uair is marb mé Amen'. P. 109 Bull (`Laudabiliter') of Pope Adrian IV headed `Adrian / Servant of the servants of God, to his son in Christ Jesus Henry King of England sends greeting and Apostolical Benediction.' Beg. The desire your Magnifence expresses to advance the glory of name on earth. P. 110. Seal is me am aonar aig rior an bhróin. 1 st. Remainder of page blank. P. 111 Forus Feasa ar Eirinn. Liber Secundus. Ends p. 73 [recte 183] `Finis Libri Secundi this 31st of October 1763 thirty [...]'. Followed by `Do Gabhalúghadh Chlainne Míleadh annso'. Genealogies. Ends (p. 87 [recte 197]) with `Finit / James Quin his book wrote by himself this 28th of March 1764 Amen.' and Truagh sin a leabhair bhig bháin. 1 q.

The following colophons and signatures occur in the section on genealogies: `Seamus Ua Cuinn a leabhair ┐ lamha', p. 77 [recte 187]; `Fuil chagad ní tSeagan Cíasóg annso Dromin ag sgriobh aig Séamus Ua Cuinn' [sic], p. 78 [recte 188]; `Seamus Ua Cuínn, pp. 79 [recte 190], 82 [recte 192]; `Guidhim gach léaghthóir eagnuídhe uim gan aithfear do thabhairt ar lochtaibh an leabhair so, óir má tá ní inbhéime ann, as luadhas et dithionas as adhbhar leis / Sheamus Ua Cuinn / Nobhember the 15th 1763 sixty and three', p. 84 [recte 194].

87 [recte 197] `Aig seo leabhair agus dochtuir [sic] Sheamus Ua Cuinn an 8 madh lá don mhíosa September airna chríochnughadh san mbaile reis a raidhtear Gortroe a porósde na Gráinsuige ar bruach na Duíle, san mbliadhain daois an Tighearna míle seacht ccéad ceithre fichthead air cuige bhliadhna [sic] 1785 eighty five / Young James Quin his' (see introductory remarks above). Nuair smuainim air saoithibh na hEirinn. 2 stt. alternating with 2 stt. of English rendering Irish heroes when I remind. P. 88 [recte 198] blank.