G 397

Ossianic and other Verse

19th cent. Paper. 19.5 × 14.5 cms (maximum) with leaves of varying dimensions. 150 pp. with modern pencil pagination; pp. 43-74 of maximum dimensions and bearing scribal numbering appears to be a fragment of another manuscript by the present scribe, Eamon Magcraith `a gCarg na Suire' (pp. 41, 101). Other hands include Seamus Mág Craith, 1818 (item on pp. 144-5, signature and date, pp. 34-5; `James McGrath book', pp. 43, 113, 148-9), Uilliam Mac G[raith] (item and jottings, p. 102, unfinished signature, p. 75 outer margin); unidentified hand, p. 134.

Names and jottings in the manuscript, other than scribal, include `William Walsh's book dated November the 8th 1818', pp. 34, 42; `Mathew Quan Esq.', p. 42; `Padruig Ó Domhling Gaoideilgeoir maith blasda bínn', p. 67; `Micheál F. Ua Dualaigh Baile Cnuic', p. 108; alphabet, title and first three lines of item on p. 135; jottings, pp. 148-9; alphabet repeated 7 times, p. 150; `Daniel Hickey of R(....)', p. 150. Jottings on pp. 1, 74 etc. Bound in with the manuscript are (i) letter (see below) from Micheál F. Ó Dualaigh, one-time owner, to Pádruig Ó Briain, subsequent owner of manuscript (see below) (ii) Printed (Waterford 1897) copy of `Rósaire na Maighdine Muire ...'.

Bound in half-leather with `Laoidh na Mná Móire ┐c' gilt-lettered on spine. Misplacement of leaves: pp. 3-4 should follow p. 6. Ó Casaide ms 64.

Page

i `Bheirim an leabhar so do mo charaid Gaedhealach Pádruig Ó Briain. / Micheál F. Ó Dualaigh, Baile Cnuic, Carraig-ar-Siuir- / Mí Meadhon an Fhóghmair 1897. Fuaras an leabhar so ó Sheaghan Ó Dualaigh Baile-na-bhFaoitheach 1896.' P. ii blank.

1 `Laoidh na Mná Móire.' A Oisín is binn liom do bhéal. 82 qq. `Crioch.' Pp. 3-4 should follow p. 6.

15 `Laoidh na Seilge.' O. A Phadraig a gcuala to an tseilg. 84 qq. `Finis.'

29 `Laoidh Airigín.' Lá dá raibh Pádraig na mhúr. 33 qq. `Finis.'

37 `Laoi Thailc mic Treoinn.' Cnoc an Áir air an gcnoc so shiar. 24 qq. `Finis / Finis Eamon Magcraith.' P. 42 blank except for scribbles.

43 `Agalamh Padraig ┐ Oisin.' P. A. Oisíon [sic] is fada do shúan. 137 qq. `Finis leis an Agallamh.'

75 `Aig seo Eachtradh Sheamuis Graodh.' Aig seo eachtradh Sheamuis Graodh bhi ag foghluim leighean ┐ sgolaireacht. 19 stt.

82 `Gioladh an Amarain le Donchadh Rúadh Mic Conmharadh.' Do ríarfuin sgeól dom chomharsa ar aon rod. 39 stt. (p. 91) `Foircean leis an cead roint. / An ttara roinn na ttrachtar ar iongantas adhbhal mór a modh aislinge le hAoibhil na Cairige Leithe ... ┐ ar eadarguide feinn fa deoigh.' Eistig feasta go naithrisin sgéal díbh. 40 stt. `Crioch le Giolladh an Amarainn do Eamon Mhagcrait a gCarg na Suire.' Followed by alphabet [repeated] and `Eamon', p. 101.

102 A duine nach ttuigean tu cuirsaoi an tsaoghail. 1 st. Also jottings.

103 `Eachtra Sheamus na Sron.' A Dhia mór nach cruadh an sgéal dhom. 76 stt. `Comhairle an tsagairt do Shéamos.' (p. 119) A Sheamais cháidhe do rás na bPaorach. 7½ stt. `Freagradh Sheamuis.' (p. 121) Do bhreath nidh fhóghnan glór gan eifeacht. 20 stt. `Freagra an tsagairt air Seamus.' (p. 125) Is furas aitne an peaca rin Eabha. 20 stt. `Foircean. / Bagradh Sheamuis air an sagart.' (p. 129) A Righ Seoirse mo dhianstór féin tu. 10 stt. `Finis.'

132 `Adhbhran Dhoncadh Ruadh.' As I was walking one evening fair / is me go déighionach a mBaile chSeaghuinn. 4½ stt.

134 See introductory remarks.

135 `An bacach aig iaradh déirce.' Beg. Go mbeanuíghe Dia ┐ Muire, mná na gceanaighthe ┐ da cheann Chorcaighe dhuit. Ends (p. 144) an días san a bheith pósda agá chéile an tógánach san óigbhean chéadhna. `Foircheann.' Contains (p. 141) poem beg. A chrón chéadhna. `Foircheann.' Contains (p. 141) poem beg. A chrón caile dóid smeartha mionairig. 5 stt.

144 `Mollad an tSacramín Naomtad.' Nár lia angiol a bhflathus faoi lamh an Righ. 5 stt. `Arna sgriobhta le Seamus Mágcráith i mbliadhain na ngrása 1818.' Pp. 146-7 bank.

Letter (bound in with manuscript) addressed `St. John's College, Waterford, 24 Sept. `97' to Pádraig Ó Briain from Micheál F.Ó Dualaigh offering him the present manuscript and stating that `There are a lost of these old writings often offered to me in my holiday time. When I get an opportunity again I shall take them ....' The writer tells of his progress in learning Irish and the books which are his `constant companions'. He encloses a printed copy of `Rósaire na Maighdine Muire / nó / An Paidrín Páirteach / mar ghnáthuightear é i gCúige Mumhan / Sagart Riaghalta do ghleus / N. Harvey & Co., Publishers, Waterford 1897' which he says `was got out in Melleray'.