G 295

English Translations of Verse and Prose

19th cent. Paper. 32 × 20 cms. 154 ff. with modern numbering in pencil. The manuscript was written by an unidentified scribe some time between the years 1838 (watermark) and 1854 (the year it was acquired by Phillipps). The scribe would also appear to be the translator. Another hand wrote ff. 62 v, 92-100, and a third hand, writing in pencil, gives occasional variant translations (ff. 38 v, 39, 42 etc.). Writing on recto only except ff. 38 v, 62 v, 98 v, 116 v.

Bound in green cloth with `Translations from the Irish' in gilt and `13257' labelled on spine. Inside the front cover is the following: `Betham', `13257 Ph', `Lot 127 / £3-10-0 Sothebys 24.vi.35 / Phillipps Sale', `Watermark 1838', `Phillipps MSS 13257', `a 55 1185'. Listed under `Sir Wm Betham's MSS 1854' in Phillipps's Catalogus.

Page

1 Title-page: `Translations of Antient Irish Poems - from the Original MSS.' Ff. 1 v-3 v blank.

4 `A Poem on Tara by Caoilte or St. Benin (Benignus).' Tara the Palace where the descendants of Con resided. 99 qq. numbered. `End of St. Benen's Poem.' F. 21 blank.

22 `The qualities and achievements of Goll.' Goll the active, the chivalrous / The chief leader of championship. 82 lines. `End.' F. 25 blank.

26 `Last poem in Dinsheanchus Vol. XI p. 185 attributed to Caolte mac Ronan.' Prose preface beg. Cnucha why so called. Poem beg. Cnucha is a hill which overhangs the river Liffey. 64 qq. numbered `End.' An additional quatrain on f. 27 inner margin is headed `Leacan has this as the last stanza'. F. 37 blank.

38 `A poem by Caoilte Vol. XXII p. 293.' Cold and piercing is the winter breeze / Which furiously blows past me. 6 qq. numbered. `End.'

39 `A poem by Caoilte son of Ronan on a well out of which the Fenians were in the habit of drinking. Vol XXII p. 293.' There is a well in the southward direction / Which will become profitable to you. 6 qq. numbered. `End.' Variant translations of qq. 5, 6 in pencil by another scribe on f. 38 v.

40 `A poem by caoilte which he composed for the fairies of Eas Roe (or the RedCateract) after being cured by Bebinn, the Queen of the Fairy mansion at that place.' My benediction be to the fairy host. 3 qq. numbered. `End.' F. 41 blank.

42 Acephalous. Beg. with q. 4. He left her after him on the waves. 7 qq. numbered 4-10. `End/Tonn Clidhna or the wave of Clidhna is situated south west of Cloch-na-Coillte (Cloghnekilty) in the Co. Cork.' Followed (f. 43) by a note on Manannan.

44 `Vol. I p. 139 / Caoilte son of Ronan sings in the presence of Patrick.' The sorrowful song for the fall of the good chief / Fionn the son of Cumhall, the son of Trenmor. 34 qq. numbered. `End of Caoilte's poem.'

50 `Caoilte Mc Ronan Vol. XI. p. 190.' My speech today is not good. 16 qq. numbered, with blank space only for qq. 5, 6. `End of Caoilte's poem.' F. 53 blank.

54 `A poem on Dun Eochair Maighe and Dun Tri Liag by Caoilte Vol V p. 311.' Though delightful this eastward fortress be. 12 qq. numbered. `End of Dun Eochair Maighe and Dun Tri Liag.'

56 `Page 292 / The following was addressed by Fionn to a young officer of his army who was deserting from him.' Art thou there thou bold red back / Thou noble hero of destruction. 3 qq. numbered. `End.'

57 `Vol. XXII p. 291 / A poem by Fionn son of Cumhall addressed to some of his chiefs who are going to battle with the Tuath De Danans on Slieve Ban Fionn (or the Mountain of the fair women).' You assemblage of champions on the Hill of the Druids. 5 qq. numbered. `End.'

58 `Caoilte son of Ronan Vol. XXII p. 316.' Thou delightful lofty mound / At which the Fenians were wont to assemble. 8 qq. numbered. `End.'

59 `Page 318.' This is the monument of her who begat Fionn / Is not the circumstance well stored in my mind. 2 qq. numbered. `End.'

60 `A poem ascribed to Caoilte contained in Dinsheanchus Vol. XV p. [blank space].' Though delightful is this eastward fortress. Breaks off with q. 7 and with `I find I translated it before.' See f. 54 above.

62 `Caoilte mac Ronan on hearing the first Mass said? Vol. XX p. 28.' Rare and strange to my head / Is the hearing of melodious reading. 4 qq. numbered. `End.'

62i `Page 44 / Cliodhna (near Cork).' Prose preface beg. Manannan Mac Lir (son of the sea) had a chief. F. 63 Cliodhna of the fair hair lasting is the pity for her. 3 qq. with variant translations of qq. 1, 2 by a different scribe on f. 62v.

64 `Poems by Caoilte Vol. XXII. 29.' The seat of the Fenians is a wilderness this night. 6 qq. numbered. `End.'

65 `A poem on Lios Aine p. 292.' Abandoned today is Lios Aine. 3 qq. numbered. `End.'

66 `Caoilte the son of Ronan on the death of Bearraidhe Breac, daughther of Cas Cuailgne Vol. V. p. 295.' Bearach Breac / The daughter of Cas Cuailgne was my love. 4 qq. numbered.

66i `On the death of a small greyhound pet of Fionn the son of Cumhall's which was drowned by Goll through spite.' Sorrowful to me is the death of the little hound. 3 qq. numbered.

67 `On Fionn the son of Cumhall and on Oisin.' Were I questioned upon historical facts / Or upon the merits of Fionn, of his sons and of his enemies. 2 qq. numbered.

68 `The Chase of Slieve Grot by Caoilte son of Ronan Vol. V p. 379.' Hear you nobles of the men of Fail / The cause through which the angry strife arose. 63 qq. numbered. `Finis.' F. 79 blank.

80 `Lay of the Heads or the Dialogue between Conall Cearnach and Iobhar or Eimhir, the lady [cancelled widow Superscript] of Cuchullan.' The history of Cuchullain without reserve. 35 qq. numbered. `End of the Lay of the Heads.'

86 `A poem on Allen of Leinster by Caoilte Vol V. p. 310.' Allen of Leinster the forte of the Fenians. 23 qq. numbered. `End of Allen of Leinster.'

90 `A poem by Fionn the son of Cumhall V xxii p. 317.' Unhappy for the Fenian who heard the account / After our arrival at Snamh-da-ean. 4 qq. numbered. F. 91 blank.

92 `Cab an Dasain of Ceas Coran.' Early one morn at break of day / The Fenian heroes went their way. 59 stt. numbered (56 repeated). F. 101 blank.

102 `V I p. 344 / The Convention at the house of Conan of Cinnsleive.' English version of Feis Tighe Chonáin Chinntsléibhe. Beg. A celebrated and extraordinary hunting chase was held by Fionn the son of Cumhall. Ends (f. 144) long were his wounds and scars without closing or healing. `End.' Remainder of manuscript.