F1
VITAE SANCTORUM EX CODICE INNISENSI
17th cent. Paper. 31 x 20.5 cm. [i–x] + 304 pp. Scribe: Franciscan Br. John Goolde, 1627. Transcript of the so-called Codex Insulensis, apparently named for Saints’ Island in Lough Ree, preserved in Oxford, Bodleian Library, MS Rawlinson B 485 and MS Rawlinson B 505, containing medieval Latin Lives of Irish saints. Of the thirty-nine lives in the Codex Insulensis, MS F1 comprises thirty-three; the omitted saints are Patrick, Columba, Brigit, Fursa, Laurence O’Toole, and Colman of Dromore.
The manuscript was found in the papers of John Colgan after his death. Formerly in the Library of the Franciscan Friary, Merchant’s Quay, it was subsequently moved to Dún Mhuire, Killiney. During the mid-twentieth century it was known as MS A24 (but earlier known as F1). It did not form part of the initial transfer of the Franciscan collection to UCD Archives in 2005, nor part of the larger consignment in 2018. It was added to that collection in 2026.
p.
i . Index Vitarum Sanctorum in hoc extracto Codiecis Insule Sanctorum [Index listing the vitae alphabetically by saint]
ii . Vita S. Samthannae Virginis [First page only; full vita at pp. 206–212]
iii . Vita S. Athractae virginis fragmentum [Attracta of Killaraght]
1 . Vita S. Finiani de Cluain Irard [Finnian of Clonard]
14 . Vita Ruadani de Lochra [Ruadhán of Lorrha]
21 . Vita S. Tyarnachi Episcopi et confessoris [Tigernach of Clones]
27 . Vita Baoithini Abbatis de S. Conaill [Baithéne of Iona]
31 . Vita S. Molassii alias Lasrianus Damhinsi [Mo-Laisse of Devenish]
39 . Vita S. Moling confessoris et Episcopi [Moling of Luachair]
42 . Vita S. Mochuae [Mochua of Timahoe]
46 . Vita S. Comgalli Abbatis [Comgall of Bangor]
50 . Vita S. Brandani Abbatis de Cluanfearta [Brendan of Clonfert]
95 . Vita S. Caymgini Abbatis de Lagenia orti [Kevin of Glendalough]
99 . Vita S. Molua Droma Sneachta [Molua of Kyle and of Drumsnat]
104 . Vita S. Kerani de Cluain mic nois [Ciarán of Clonmacnois]
111 . Vita S. Helvaei Episcopi [Ailbe of Emly]
124 . Vita S. Barrini Episcopi [Finbarr of Cork]
130 . Vita S. Colmani Ela [Colmán Elo of Lynally]
142 . Vita S. Kynici Abbatis [Cainnech of Aghaboe]
157 . Vita S. Munnu qui Fintanus dicitur [Fintan of Taghmon]
165 . Vita S. Aidi qui dicitur Áed mac Bric [Áed mac Bricc of Rahugh]
178 . Vita S. Boecii Episcopi [Buite of Monasterboice]
187 . Vita S. Columbae de Tyrdaglass [Columba of Terryglass]
194 . Vita S. Flannani Episcopi [Flannán of Killaloe]
206 . Vita S. Samthannae Virginis [Samthann of Clonbroney; first page (206) crossed out with the pen, rewritten and added to the antematter p. ii]
212 . Vita S. Midae Virginis [Ité of Killeedy]
220 . Vita S. Fechini Abbatis [Féichín of Fore]
228 . Vita S. David Episcopi [David of Menevia, Wales]
237 . Vita S. Kerani Pontificis de Saygir [Ciarán of Saigir]
244 . Vita S. Senani Insi Catha [Senan of Scattery Island]. A small slip of paper containing additional text has been pasted onto the page.
251 . Vita S. Geraldi Abbatis [Gerald of Mayo]
257 . Vita S. Finani Abbatis [Finán Cam of Kinnitty]
264 . Vita S. Maedocy Ferna [Máedóc of Ferns]
275 . Vita Berachy Confessoris et Abbatis [Berach of Kilbarry]
285 . Vita S. Fintani Cluana Ednach [Fintan of Clonenagh]
291 . Vita S. Endei Abbatis de Arain [Éanna of Inishmore]
304 . Colophon (crossed out), reading: Ego frater Joannes Goolde ordinis minorum regularis obseruantiae Prouinciae Hyberniae, religiosus Corcagiensis, et conuentus Cassellensis humilis Guardianus, ex mandato R. P. fratris Francisci Matthaei, ministri prouincialis, diligenter et ueraciter, anno 1627, propria manu exscripsi praescriptas omnes triginta tres vitas sanctorum Hyberniae, ex authentico transumpto uetustissimi manuscripti pertinentis ad Inis na naom super Loch Rij, qui quidem uetustus liber originalis in custodia cuiusdam nobilis uiri G. E. fideliter conseruatur. In cuius rei fidem et testimonium praesentibus subscripsi rogans lectoris preces et orationes ut sanctorum meritis et intercessione ad gaudia eterna peruenire ualeam, prestante Domino nostro Jhesu Christo, cui sit laus et gloria in saecula saeculorum. Amen. Frater Joannes Goolde qui supra.
© Niamh Wycherley, 2026.