Corpus of Electronic Texts Edition: G201000

Bethada Náem nÉrenn

Author: Unknown

Background details and bibliographic information

File Description

Charles Plummer

Electronic edition compiled by Elva Johnston

Funded by University College, Cork and
Professor Marianne McDonald via the CURIA Project.

2. Second draft, revised

Extent of text: 130580 words

Publication

CELT: Corpus of Electronic Texts: a project of University College, Cork
College Road, Cork, Ireland

(1996) (2015)

Distributed by CELT online at University College, Cork, Ireland.
Text ID Number: G201000

Availability [RESTRICTED]

Available with prior consent of the CELT programme for purposes of academic research and teaching only.

Notes

For a description of the MS see Catalogue of Irish Manuscripts in the Royal Irish Academy, fasc. 23 (ed. Elizabeth FitzPatrick and Kathleen Mulchrone, Dublin 1940) 2780–83. The following texts occur only in O'Clery 1: Cóemgen I, Cóemgen II and Colmán Ela. The following occur only in O'Clery 2: Berach, Brendan I, Ciarán of Saighir II, and Úi Suanaigh. The following are found only in Stowe: Ciarán I and M' Áedóc I. The following are found both in O'Clery 1 and Stowe: Abbán, Bairre, Mo Chuda I. The following are found in O'Clery 2 and Stowe: Ruadán and Mo Chuda II (in part). Where Lives occur in two or more MSS more detailed information is given below about them and the use made of them. Abbán: this Life occurs in O'Clery 1, ff 145b–50, and Stowe, pp 205–21. Plummer prints the putatively more conservative text of O'Clery 1 and cites copious variant readings from Stowe and indicates parallel passages in the Latin Lives of the same saint. Only the text of O'Clery 1 is retained in the electronic edition. The chapter numbers (=div2 of the electronic text) derive from O'Clery 1, the sub-sections (=div3 of the electronic text) derive from Plummer. Bairre: this Life occurs in O'Clery 1, ff 122b–28a (see Pádraig Ó Riain, Beatha Bharra: Saint Finbarr of Cork: the complete life, Irish Texts Society 57 (1993) [1994], 42–47, with facsimiles of p. 122b and 128b), and Stowe, pp 1–17 (see Ó Riain, op. cit. 46–52, with facsimile of p. 277), which derive from the same exemplar. Two fragments of a third copy occur in Dublin, Royal Irish Academy, Book of Fermoy, f 59c–60a (MS 1134), vellum, scribes various, 15th cent. (lacunose) and containing sub-sections 1–7, 49, 50. For a description of this MS see Catalogue of Irish Manuscripts in the Royal Irish Academy, fasc. 25 (ed. Gerard Murphy and Elizabeth FitzPatrick, Dublin 1940) 3091–3125; Ó Riain, op. cit. 40–43 (with facsimile of Book of Fermoy, p. 88). Plummer collated these fragments for his edition. Plummer also makes reference to a later expanded recensions that occurs in several late MSS (18th–19th cent.), siglum Ir2. In fact, the modernised recensions exists in some 23 MSS and for a full discussion of these MSS and their texts see Ó Riain, op. cit. 188–99, and for an edition of the text, ibid. 200–22. In this electronic edition, the readings from Fermoy, Stowe, Ir2 are ignored. The chapter numbers (=div2 of the electronic text) derive from O'Clery 1, the sub-sections (=div3 of the electronic text) derive from Plummer. Berach: the electronic edition represents O Clery 2, ff 71–88 Brénainn: the electronic edition represents O Clery 2, ff 224a–263b. For a discussion of its relationship with other texts bearing on Brénainn, Plummer, op. cit. p. xvii–xxv. Dá apstol décc na h-Érenn: There are two vellum MSS and three paper of this text. (1) Dublin, Royal Irish Academy, Liber Flauus Fergusiorum, v ff 7c–8b, aliter 50v (=23 O 48=MS 476), 15th cent.; for a description of the MS see Catalogue of Irish Manuscripts in the Royal Irish Academy, fasc 10 (ed. Winifred Wulff and Kathleen Mulchrone), 1254–73. (2) London, British Library, Egerton 1781, ff 152d–153d, written in 1487 by Diarmait Bacach Mac Parthalain; for a description see O'Grady and Flower, Catalogue of Irish Manuscripts in the British Library, ii (London 1926, repr. Dublin 1992) 526–45: 544 no. 30). (3) O'Clery 1. (4) Brussels, Bibliothèque royale, 5100–4, f 12a, written in 1634 by Michael O'Clery. MSS (3) and (4) are copied from the same MS, Leabur Ruadh Muimhnech, written by Murchad Ó Coinlis. (5) London, British Library, Egerton 136, AD 1630 (for a description see O'Grady and Flower, Catalogue of Irish Manuscripts in the British Library, ii (London 1926, repr. Dublin 1992) 554–63: 560–61 no. 19. Plummer prints O'Clery 1 with variants from Liber Flauus Fergusiorum, Egerton 1781 and Egerton 136. The electronic edition represents the text of O'Clery 1 and the variants are ignored. The text is also edited from Brussels, Bibliothèque royale, 5100–4, f 12a with variants from Liber Flavus Fergusiorum by Rudolf Thurneysen, 'Eine Variante der Brendan-Legende', Zeitschrift für celtische Philologie 10 (1915) 408–420: 409–16 (text), 416–20 (translation into German). Ciarán Saighre I: this text is from the unique copy in Stowe. Ciarán Saighre II: this text is from the unique copy in O'Clery 2, ff 144a–53b. Cóemgen I: this text is from the unique copy in O'Clery 1, ff 274a–77b. Cóemgen II: this text (wholly in verse) is from the unique copy in O'Clery 1, ff 278a–86b. Cóemgen III: there are four MSS of this life, both late. (1) Dublin, Trinity College Library, H. 4. 4 (1346), p. 146–66, written by Aodh Ó Dálaigh (Hugh O'Daly) in January 1725 in Dublin (for an inadequate account of the MS see T. K. Abbott and E. J. Gwynn, Catalogue of Irish Manuscripts in the Library of Trinity College Dublin (Dublin 1921) 170–71). (2) Dublin, Royal Irish Academy, 24 M 38 (MS 60), ff 1–36, 19th cent., written by Owen Connellan. (3) Dublin, Royal Irish Academy, 23 K 24 (MS 59), pp 35–70, written in 1765 by Labhrás Mhac an Alladh (Laurence McNally); (4) Dublin, Royal Irish Academy, 24 L 35 (MS 61), pp 1–19, written by Fr Anthony Gernon in Louvain in 1640. MS 2 and 3 are confused by Plummer, op. cit. p. xxvii, but it is clear that his references are to MS 2. MS 4 was unknown to Plummer and is not the archetype of MS 1. For details of MSS 2–4 see Catalogue of Irish Manuscripts in the Royal Irish Academy, fasc. 2 (ed. Kathleen Mulchrone), 167–73. Plummer edits the text from MS 1 with variants from MS 2. The electronic edition represents the text of MS 1. Colmán Ela: this text is from the unique copy in O'Clery 1, ff 219a–26b. M' Áedóc I. This text is from the unique copy in Stowe, pp 132–47. M' Áedóc II. Three MSS are used in Plummer's edition. (1) O'Clery 1, ff 168a–218b, copied in 1629 from and older MS. (2) Dublin, Royal Irish Academy, 23 O 41 (MS 181), pp 241–328, written in 1721 by Semus Mhaguidhir (James Maguire) (for a description of the MS see Catalogue of Manuscripts in the Royal Irish Academy, fasc. 4 (ed. Kathleen Mulchrone), 496–99). (3) Dublin, Trinity College Library, H. 6. 3 (1406), written in 1737 by Aodh Ó Dálaigh (Hugh O'Daly) (inadequately described, Abbott and Gwynn, op. cit. 266). There are late MSS not used by Plummer. Plummer edits the text from MS 1 with variants from MS 2 and MS 3. The electronic edition represents the text of MS 1 with one correction from Osborn Bergin. Mo Chuda 1: Text from O'Clery 1, ff 151a–57b with variants readings from Stowe. The electronic text represents the text of O'Clery 1. Indarba Mo Chuda a r-Rathin=Mo Chuda II. The text occurs in (1) O'Clery 2, ff. 266a–71b. (2) Book of Fermoy (23 E 29, MS 1134), 34b2–36b, vellum, 15th cent., ends imperfect (for a description see Catalogue of Irish Manuscripts in the Royal Irish Academy, fasc. 25 (ed. Gerard Murphy and Elizabeth FitzPatrick), 3091–125: 3099). (3) Oxford, Bodleian Library, MS Ashmole 1763, f 58. (4) Stowe, a (slightly abbreviated) version inserted into the life of Mo Chuda above. These MSS have been collated by Plummer who prints O'Clery 2 with copious variants from MSS 2–4. The electronic edition represents the text of O'Clery 2 only. A different recensions of sub-sections 2–20 of this text is edited from Oxford, Bodleian Library, Rawlinson B 512, f 59b (with translation in Whitley Stokes (ed), The Martyrology of Oengus the Culdee, Henry Bradshaw Society 29 (London 1905) 92–97. Do mhacuibh Úa Suanaig: the text is the unique copy in O'Clery 2, ff 272a–74b.Rúadán. The text is printed from O'Clery 1, ff 193–202, with variants from Stowe, 287ff. The electronic text represents the text of O'Clery 1.

Sources

    Manuscript sources
  1. Brussels, Royal Library, MS 2324–40, written by Michael O'Clery, AD 1620–1635 (hereafter O'Clery 1).
  2. Brussels, Royal Library, MS 4190–200, written by Michael O'Clery, AD 1627–1635 (hereafter O'Clery 2).
  3. Dublin, Royal Irish Academy, MS 968 (olim A iv 1 olim Stowe MSS, vol. 9, see Catalogue of the Irish Manuscripts in the Royal Irish Academy, fasc. 22, p. 2780), copied at Cork by Domhnall Ó Duinnín for Francis O'Mahony, provincial of the Friars Minor of Ireland in September 1627 (hereafter Stowe).
    Edition
  1. Charles Plummer, Bethada Náem nÉrenn. Lives of the Irish Saints (Oxford: Clarendon Press 1922, repr. 1968). 2 vols. Vol. 1: Introduction, texts, glossary; vol. 2: Translations, notes, indexes.
    Select bibliography of the writings of Charles Plummer
  1. P. Allen; F. M. Stenton; R. I. Best, Charles Plummer 1851–1927 [with bibliography], Proceedings of the British Academy 15. Separately printed [1931].
  2. P. Grosjean, Charles Plummer, Revue celtique 45 (1928), 431–435.
  3. Charles Plummer, The Conversion of Loegaire and his Death, Revue celtique 6 (1884), 162–172.
  4. Charles Plummer, Notes on the Stowe Missal, Zeitschrift für vergleichende Sprachforschung 27 (1885), 441–448.
  5. Charles Plummer, Some new light on the Brendan legend, Zeitschrift für Celtische Philologie 5 (1905), 124–141.
  6. Charles Plummer, Cáin Eimíne Báin, Ériu 4 (1908), 39–46.
  7. Charles Plummer, Betha Farannáin, Anecdota from Irish Manuscripts 3 (1909), 1–7.
  8. Charles Plummer, Vitae Sanctorum Hiberniae (Oxford 1910). 2 vols.
  9. Charles Plummer, The miracles of Senan, Zeitschrift für celtische Philologie 10 (1914), 1–35.
  10. Charles Plummer, Notes on some passages in the Brehon laws, Ériu 8 (1916 (17)), 127–132; 9 (1921), 31–42; (1923), 109–117; 10 (1926), 113–129.
  11. Charles Plummer, On the meaning of Ogam stones, Revue celtique 40 (1923), 387–390.
  12. Charles Plummer, Notes on some passages in the Thesaurus Palaeohibernicus of Stokes and Strachan, Revue celtique 42 (1925), 376–378.
  13. Charles Plummer, Irish Litanies (London 1925). Henry Bradshaw Society 62.
  14. Charles Plummer, Miscellanea Hagiographica Hibernica (Brussels 1925). Société des Bollandistes, Subsidia Hagiographica 15.
  15. Charles Plummer, On the colophons and marginalia of Irish scribes, Proceedings of the British Academy 12, 11–44. Separately printed, 34 pp. (London [1926]).
  16. Charles Plummer, On the fragmentary state of the text of the Brehon laws, Zeitschrift für celtische Philologie 17 (1927), 157–166.
  17. Charles Plummer; J. Fraser; P. Grosjean, Vita Brigitae (Irish Texts 1 (1931), 2–18).
    Editions, secondary and reference works
  1. John Francis [=Iain] Campbell, Popular Tales of the West Highlands, orally collected with a translation by J. F. Campbell; vol. I, 48 (Edinburgh: Edmonston and Douglas, 1860–1862).
  2. Charles Plummer (ed.), Vitae sanctorum Hiberniae, 2 vols. (Oxford 1910; repr. Oxford 1968) [SS Abbanus, Aedus, Albeus, Barrus, Berachus, Boecius, Brendanus, Cannicus, Carthagus, Ciaranus de Cluain, Ciaranus de Saigir, Coemgenus, Colmanus de Land Elo, Comgallus, Cronanus, Declanus, Endeus, Fechinus, Finanus de Cenn Etigh, Fintanus, Geraldus, Ita, Lasrianus seu Molaissus, Maedoc, Mochoemog, Mochua de Tech Mochua, Moling, Molua seu Lugidus, Munnu, Ruadanus, Samthanna, Tigernacus].
  3. Charles Plummer, Bethada Náem nÉrenn. Lives of the Irish Saints (Oxford: Clarendon Press 1922, repr. 1968). 2 vols. Vol. 1: Introduction, texts, glossary; vol. 2: Translations, notes, indexes.
  4. Silva gadelica, 2 vols. (London, 1892), i 1–65, ii 1–69 [Lives of SS Ciarán of Saigir, Mo Laise, Maigniu, Cellach; respectively from London, BL, Egerton 112; s. xviii (1780–2); London, BL, Additional 18205; s. xvi; London, BL, Egerton 91; s. xv; Dublin, RIA, 1230 olim 23 P 16 al. Leabhar Breac].
  5. D. B. Mulcahy (ed. & trans.), Beatha naoimh Chiaráin Saighre: Life of S. Kiaran (the Elder) of Seir (Dublin 1895).
  6. Rudolf Thurneysen, 'Eine Variante der Brendan-Legende', Zeitschrift für Celtische Philologie 10 (1914), 416–420 [available online at CELT].
  7. Paul Grosjean (ed.), 'Vita S. Ciarani episcopi de Saigir ex codice hagiographico Gothano', Analecta Bollandiana 59 (1941), 217–71.
  8. W. W. Heist (ed.), Vitae sanctorum Hiberniae ex codice olim Salmanticensi nunc Bruxellensi, Subsidia Hagiographica, 28 (Brussels 1965) [SS Brigida, Furseus, Brendanus (2), Ciaranus Cluanensis, Darerca seu Monenna, Finnianus de Cluain Iraird, Tigernachus, Columba Hiensis (2), Fintanus de Dun Blesci, Albeus, Lugidus seu Molua (2), Fintanus de Cluain Edhnech, Finanus de Cenn Etigh, Ruadanus, Aidus episcopus Killariensis, Cainnechus, Fintanus seu Munnu (2), Colmanus de Land Elo, Columba de Tir Da Glas, Aedanus seu Maedoc Fernensis, Abbanus, Cronanus de Ros Cré, Laurentius episcopus Dublinensis, Flannanus, Senanus, Comgallus, Carthachus seu Mochuda, Lasrianus seu Molaisse, Maccarthinnus, Ciaranus Saigirensis, Dairchellus seu Moling, Colmanus Dromorensis, Caemgenus Glenndalochensis, Baithinus Hiensis, Daigeus mac Cairill, Mochteus, Eoganus Ardsratensis, Macnissseus, Cuannatheus seu Cuanna Limorensis, Mochulleus].
  9. Liam de Paor, St Patrick's world: the christian culture of Ireland's apostolic age (Dublin 1993) 227–80 [SS Ailbe, Déclán, Ciarán of Saigir].
  10. Pádraig Ó Riain, Beatha Bharra: Saint Finnbarr of Cork, the Complete Life (London: Irish Texts Society 1994).
  11. Máire Herbert, 'Hagiography', in: Progress in medieval Irish studies (Maynooth 1996).
  12. Ingrid Sperber (trans.), 'The Life of St Ciarán of Saigir', in William Nolan and Timothy P. O'Neill (eds.), Offaly: history and society (Dublin 1998) 131–52 [from Dublin, Marsh's L, Z 3.1.5. olim V. 3. 4; s. xv].
  13. Christina Harrington, Women in a Celtic Church: Ireland 450–1150 (Oxford 2002).
  14. Thomas Charles-Edwards, 'The Northern Lectionary: a Source for the Codex Salmanticensis', in: Jane Cartwright (ed), Celtic Hagiography and Saints' Cults (Cardiff: University of Wales Press 2003) 148–160.
  15. Nathalie Stalmans, Saints d'Irlande: Analyse critique des sources hagiographiques (VIIe-IXe siècles) (Rennes 2003).
  16. Pádraig Ó Riain, A dictionary of Irish Saints (Dublin 2011) (with bibliography).
  17. Charles Doherty, Linda Doran and Mary Kelly (eds), Glendalough: City of God (Dublin 2011).
  18. Pádraig Ó Riain, 'The Lives of Kevin (Caoimhghin) of Glendalough', in Charles Doherty, Linda Doran and Mary Kelly (eds), Glendalough: City of God (Dublin 2011) 137–144.
    The edition used in the digital edition
  1. Bethada Náem nÉrenn. in Lives of the Irish SaintsCharles Plummer (ed), Richard Irvine Best (ed), Second edition, in that the text is reprinted from the corrected sheets of the first edition [vol. 1: xliv + 346 pp; vol. 2: 484pp] Clarendon PressOxford (1922) (repr. 1968)

Encoding

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CELT: Corpus of Electronic Texts

Sampling Declaration

All editorial introduction, translation, glossary, notes and indexes have been omitted. Editorial corrigenda are integrated into the electronic edition. Only the text of the main MSS has been been retained, since variants are cited, in cases where there are other MSS, in a non-systematic way and Plummer did not attempt a critical edition that would lend itself to appropriate variant recording. Missing text supplied by the editor is tagged.

Editorial Declaration

Correction

Text has been checked and proof-read. All corrections and supplied text are tagged. Further checking is required.

Normalization

The electronic text represents the edited text. The editor's expansions of abbreviations are marked throughout. Words are segmented in accordance with CELT practice.

Quotation

Quotation marks are rendered q; double quotation marks are nested within single quotation marks.

Hyphenation

Soft hyphens are silently removed. When a hyphenated word (hard or soft) crosses a page-break or line-break, the page-break and line-break are marked after the completion of the hyphenated word.

Segmentation

div0=the volume; div1=the individual saint's Life or religious text; sections (which derive from the MSS) are marked div2; sub-sections, which derive from the editor, are marked div3, when present; poems are marked for stanzas and lines. Typographical line-breaks are not marked. Page-breaks and folio numbers of the manuscript are marked.

Standard Values

Dates are standardized in the ISO form yyyy-mm-dd.

Interpretation

Names of persons (given names and surnames), groups (dynasties, tribes, peoples etc.), places are tagged. Offices and titles (king, abbot, lord etc.) are tagged. Numbers and dates are tagged. Tagging is not yet complete.

Canonical References

This text uses the DIV1 element to represent the Life.

Refs: LINE (<LB>)

This text uses the DIV1 element to represent the Life.

Profile Description

Created: By unknown authors in Irish monastic scriptoria Date range: c. 1000-1200, various and unknown.

Use of language

Language: [GA] Over 99% in Middle Irish and Early Modern Irish.
Language: [LA] Less than 1% in Latin, mostly biblical citations and textual formulae.
Language: [EN] Supplied title and editor's annotations are in English.

Revision History