TitleAn Cath Catharda
CollectionUniversity College Dublin
LocationDublin, Ireland
ShelfmarkMS A 17
LanguagesIrish; ga
Date created1600-1699; 1616
Pagination139 ff.
SubjectHistorical Tract
ProvenanceThe main hand seems to be that of the scribe of Brussels 20978-9, which was probably written in Co. Fermanagh in 1618 (see B. Ó Cuív, Éigse 9 (1959-60) 173 ff.). The initial intention of the Irish Franciscans at Louvain, Belgium in the early seventeenth century to collect the lives of the saints developped into a major historical and genealogical project which involved locating, collecting, and transcribing materials on the secular and ecclesiastical history of Ireland. Dispersal of the original and much larger collection of Irish and Latin manuscripts from Louvain began in the late eighteenth century with the French revolution. The collection was moved for safekeeping to St Isidore's College, Rome in 1792 where it remained until 1872 when it was moved to the Franciscan Friary at Merchants' Quay Dublin, again for safe-keeping, then to Section A (hence the name) of the newly established Franciscan Library at Dún Mhuire, Killiney in 1946, and, finally to University College Dublin in November 2000.
CoverageCo Fermanagh; Belgium; Italy; Dublin
MaterialPaper
BindingsBound in cover of pasteboard and vellum marked 'No. 20' and ' and labelled with press-marks A . 19, G XXVII, and A 17 on front cover.
ContributorsFranciscan Archives, 1792-2000; UCD, 2000
Dimensions7.3" x 5.7"
Online since2004
NotesAn Cath Catarda [The Civil War]. Irish translation of the Roman writer Lucan's account of the civil war between Julius Caesar and the forces of the Roman Senate led by Pompey, also known as Pharsalia. Beg. Ceithri hiostudha flaitiusa itarrustar flaithius et forlamus for criocaib et cendnachaib na cruindi domandae. Ends (f. 139 v í) in tan at cluinfitis anaitri et ambraitri do commarbad araili icomraictib in cathae sae. Chapter-headings on upper margins, ff. 4 r-97 r. This is the only complete copy of the text that has been preserved and it was used by W. Stokes for his edition, Irische Texte IV pt ii (1909); see p. vi. Ff. 139+4 blank leaves at beginning and 8 at end. There is some variation in script but most of the text seems to be the work of one hand, with brief passages in other hands on ff. 27 r (?), 62 r, 103 v, 113 v, 121 r-122 v (?). Ruling by dry point. Dates in the year 1616 occur at ff. 23 r i (.30. Se[pt].), 30 r i (.i. October), 66 v i, 86 r i (.22. October), 108 r i (.8. November).
RightsCopyright University College Dublin; Copyright image source Irish Script on Screen, School of Celtic Studies, DIAS.
DescriptionUCD MS A 17 is a Gaelic manuscript from the 17th century. Written in Gaelic on paper probably by the scribe of Brussels 20978-9 in Co. Fermanagh in 1618 , it contains an Irish translation of Pharsalia [The Civil War] by the Roman writer Lucan. Part of the Franciscan Collection previously kept at the Franciscan College, Louvain; St. Isidore's College, Rome, 1792; Franciscan Friary, Merchant's Quay, Dublin, 1872; Franciscan Library, Dún Mhuire, Killiney, Co. Dublin, 1946 and, from November 2000 University College Dublin.
