Corpus of Electronic Texts Edition
An Liagh i n-Eirinn i n-allod. II (Author: [unknown])

p.229

An liaigh i n-Erinn I n-allod. II.

THE following five extracts are from RIA 23 K 42, a paper MS. in the RIA. The treatise on Materia Medica occupies pp. 332–444, and breaks off at the word ‘Gladiolus’ (heading of next article). It discusses the healing properties of various plants, trees, metals, gums, stones, animals, etc., etc., in accordance with the common stock of European knowledge in the 14th and 15th centuries. Similar mediaeval tracts on materia medica are found in most European languages. Usually the Latin name comes first, followed by the name and uses, etc., in the vernacular. These tracts are nearly always taken from originals written in Latin — the common language of educated Europe at the time. This treatise seems to have been popular in Ireland, as several copies are known to exist in different stages of perfection. I supply variants from TCD, H. 3. 5. RIA 23 O 23 (458) is a vellum MS. of the same in a very imperfect condition, and seems to belong to a much earlier date than RIA 23 K 42. The latter is known as The Book of the O'Shiels, and was written by Pádraic Gruamdha O'Shiel in the years 1657 and 1658. The O'Shiels were hereditary physicians to the Mac Coghlans of Delvin in Ossory, and also to the Mac Mahons of Oriel. There is a modern transcript of the whole book, 3 A 36, copied 1870, by Joseph O'Longan and his son, Michael.

The MS. is interesting apart from the subject matter, as Pádraic breaks into lamentations every now and then, and the whole book is full of these little personal touches. On the fly-leaf is the following note in an 18th century hand: ‘Leabhar Phadraic oig i Shiaghail. Et da racha se ar seachran benacht Dia et na heaglaise don te doberadh do fen é.’ On page 126 is the following interesting announcement: — ‘As maith ata fuil an mhil muighe mar dhubh againn 18 Augusti, 1657.’ On page 184 is the date ‘Novembris xi[ordm ], 1657.’ On page 211: ‘Ataim tuirseach gan chodladh — I n-Druim Scuabach1 dhamh anocht — Nouembr. 26, 1657. Patr: Shyell.’

Again: ‘Agsin duit, a Phadruig óig I Shiaghuail od sheisi & od bhrathair ionmhuin Padruic gruamdha O Siaghuil, & Dia mór dar ttoghairm ar áon as an choigcrichsi iona bhfuilmid, i gCoigeadh Ol nEgmhocht, dochum ar nduthchuis atharrdha


p.230

& sinnsiordha .i. go h-Ibh Eathach: Isin Choill Laguigh dhamh anocht láimh re Cruachan Gaileang. Decembris 15, 1657. Laus Deo.’ p. 262. On page 340 he breaks out again: ‘As tuirseach ataimsi a niogh i g-Cartun an Bhrugaidh, i sgeamhghal na ngarlach isin tighsi amuigh dom bhuaidhreadh, i gan sgéla o Ibh Eathach agum.’ Again: ‘I n-Ocham Bhaile i Edhra dhamh aniu, xxi. Octob 1658. Patr. Shyell,’ p. 379. On page 396: ‘I g-Cúil Iorra dhamh anocht Oidhche Fheile Martain, 1658. Misi Padruic gruamdha O Siaghail: tabhradh gach áon leighfeas so a bheannacht ar mh'anmuin.’ And on page 444 this: ‘Sum tuirrseach i gCartún an Bhrughaidh, 9vemb. xx., 1658.’