The Cycles of Irish Myth
Filed by Aine MacDermot
This from Miles Dillon’s Early Irish Literature:–
The Oldest Irish Documents are in verse:
1. Leabhar na hUidre, The Book of the Dun Cow (before 1106) - contains heroic sagas.
2. Lebhar Na Níachongbála, Book of Leinster (around 1150) - contains history, genealogy, sagas and poetry.
3. Dindshenchas : Lore of Places - found in leaves written in the 12th century and comprises about 176 poems in total - contains legends in prose and verse explaining names of families, places, rivers, lakes and hills.
4. Four great volumes written in the late 14th or early 15th century:
The Yellow Book of Lecan (Leabhar Buidhe Lecain) - 1391-1401
The Great Book of Lecan (Mór Mhic Fhir Bhisigh Leacain) - 1418
The Book of Hy Many (Leabhar Uí Mhaine) - 1394
The Book of Ballymote (Leabhar Bhaile an Mhóta) - 1391
5. Three other folios:
Speckled Book of Mac Egan (Leabhar Breac) - late 14th century
The Book of Fermoy (The Book of Roche) - 1373
The Book of Lismore - 1417
The last professional scribe was Joseph O Longan who died in the 1880’s.
Keating’s History of Ireland was c. 1640
Sources : “Irish Literature,” Microsoft Encarta Online Encyclopedia 2005, Wikipedia : Irish Mythology
Vickie Longan wrote:
I was wondering if I could get some address of my relitives who live in Down county or else where in Eire. My last name is O`Longan or Longan, or perhaps Lonigan.
I would be ever so grateful to be able to meet and talk with them.
Posted on 03-Jun-07 at 12:11 pm | Permalink
Rosemary Whittle wrote:
How do you pronounce Pangur? I am a choir director teaching a student a song based on the poem Pangur Ban. It is called “The Monk and His Cat”.
Thanks
Posted on 12-Jan-08 at 1:45 pm | Permalink