CollectionRoyal Irish Academy
LocationDublin, Ireland
ShelfmarkRIA MS 23 M 27; 17
LanguagesIrish; ga
Date created1684-1707; 1600-1699; 1700-1799
Pagination24 pp.
SubjectPoetry
ProvenanceThe manuscripts RIA MS 23 M 25 to RIA MS 23 M 34 inclusive were originally a single manuscript. On p. 59, margin, there is the following signature: “Connor Lyne, Connor Lion.” In 1814 the (composite) manuscript was in the hands of Piaras Móinseul, of Doneraile, who transcribed a number of the poems (cf. Gadelica, i, 4 n., and Ir. Texts Soc., xviii, pp. 38, 264). Subsequently in the possession of John O’Daly, Seán Ó Dálaigh who is known to have made several partial transcripts of the manuscript, see for instance part of RIA MS 23 E 14 (dated 1846), most of RIA MS 24 M 43 (dated 1848), and the manuscript sold with the Carton (Duke of Leinster’s) library in Dublin in 1925. These ten manuscripts (originally a single manuscript) were the work of Cork scribe, Eoghan Ó Caoimh (1656–1726) and were penned at various dates between 1684 and 1707. They consist mainly of poetry in Irish from the seventeenth and earlier centuries and were acquired not directly from John O’Daly, Seán Ó Dálaigh but in 1853 through the William Elliott Hudson bequest (Proc. RIA, vi, 1,1853).
CoverageCounty Cork; County Kerry
MaterialPaper
BindingsBound in half-leather and gilt -lettered on the back similar to RIA MS 23 M 25 "The O'Keeffe MSS. No. 1, 1684" with change of number and date.
ScribesÓ Caoimh Eoghan
ContributorsHudson William Elliott RIA, 1853
Dimensions7⅔" × 5⅘"
Online since2018
RelationRIA MS 23 M 25; RIA MS 23 M 26; RIA MS 23 M 28; RIA MS 23 M 29; RIA MS 23 M 30; RIA MS 23 M 31; RIA MS 23 M 32; RIA MS 23 M 33; RIA MS 23 M 34
NotesMost of the volumes, being thin, are eked out with blank and unnumbered leaves inserted by the binder. The text is sometimes faded and soiled. The pagination of the different volumes is as follows : RIA MS 23 M 25: pp. 45-154, RIA MS 23 M 26: Pp. 155-246, RIA MS 23 M 27: pp. 247- 270, RIA MS 23 M 28: Pp.271-300, RIA MS 23 M 29: Pp. 301-346, RIA MS 23 M 30: Pp.349- 364, 437-460, and 481-492, RIA MS 23 M 31: pp. 493-522, RIA MS 23 M 32: Pp.523-556, RIA MS 23 M 33: Pp. 557-574, RIA MS 23 M 34: pp. 575-612. Some of the volumes have recently been given (not always accurately) an independent pagination, starting from 1, the original pagination is followed here, except where it goes astray for a few pp. in RIA MS 23 M 30, or where, towards the end of RIA MS 23 M 34, it ceases to be legible. RIA MS 23 M 27 is bound in half-leather and has gilt-letters on back similar to RIA MS 23 M 25 “The O’Keeffe MSS. No. 1. 1684” with change of number and date.
RightsCopyright Royal Irish Academy; Copyright image source Irish Script on Screen, School of Celtic Studies, DIAS.
DescriptionThe ten manuscripts numbered RIA MS 23 M 25 to RIA MS 23 M 34 inclusive all form part of an original single manuscript. The present division, it would appear, originated with John O’Daly, Seán Ó Dálaigh, 1800-1878, the antiquarian bookseller, publisher and manuscript collector. Written in Gaelic on paper by the Cork scribe Eoghan Ó Caoimh (1656–1726) in the 17th and early 18th centuries 23 M 27 contains the following tales: P.247: CEISNEAMH INGHINE GHUIL. Beg. Rígh fírean formdhlightheach sáorbhreathach saidhbhir sochineoil saoruasal soilbhir saoirbhéasach . . .P. 267 m. [Maghnus Ó Domhnaill]. Dar liom as galar an gradh. 3 qq. P. 267 i. anon. Truagh sin, a chinn mo chroidhe. 19 qq. P.269. anon. Iomdha éagnach ag Éirinn. 21 qq.P. 270. As damhna cneadh an bhreath so ar Éirinn uill, 1 st.
ReferencesBreatnach (Caoimhín), The transmission of Ceasacht inghine Guile: some observations.In Éigse 32 (2000), pp. 138–145. Text of the episode of the seduction of Guiles’s daughter, edited from RIA MS 23 M 27, with English translation (source of the anecdote supplied by D. Ó Cróinín, in Éigse 31 (1991), p. 36).
