Lebor na hUidre (RIA MS 23 E 25) is the oldest manuscript housed in the Library that is written entirely in the Irish language. It contains the earliest versions to have been transmitted to us of some of the most celebrated sagas: Táin Bó Cuailnge, Togail Bruidne Da Derga, Fled Bricrenn, Mesca Ulad, Tochmarc Emire and several others, in addition to much material of a historical or religious nature. Included in the latter is Amra Choluim Chille, believed by many to be the earliest continuous text we have in Irish.

Given Lebor na hUidre’s unique position, it is not surprising that many aspects of its content and composition have been the subject of research and discussion. One of the most important studies to be carried out was that of R.I. Best ‘Notes on the script of Lebor na hUidre’, which appeared in Ériu 6 (1912), pp. 161–174. In this paper Best identified three separate hands that were involved in writing the manuscript and his important findings were incorporated in the diplomatic edition of the text that he and O.J. Bergin published in 1929.

To listen to the conference papers click here. 

Thursday 22 November 

2.15pm: Opening remarks

2.30pm – 3.15pm: ‘Clerics, Lineage and Literature’ – Donnchadh Ó Corráin, MRIA

3.15pm – 4pm: ‘Lebor na hUidre and Clonmacnois’ – Máire Herbert, MRIA

4.30pm – 5.30pm: ‘The Palaeography of Lebor na hUidre’ – Elizabeth Duncan

 

Friday 23 November  

9.30am – 10.15am: ‘Compilatio and the Creation of Lebor na hUidre‘ – Abigail Burnyeat

10.15am – 11am: ‘Lebor na hUidre: Some Early Connacht Associations’ – Ruairí Ó hUiginn, MRIA

11.30am – 12.15pm: ‘H and his World’ – John Carey, MRIA

12.15pm – 1pm: ‘Lebor na hUidre’s Sojourn in Íochtar Connacht, 1359–1470’ – Nollaig Ó Muraíle, MRIA

2pm – 2.45pm: ‘Eschatological Themes in Lebor na hUidre: The Body, Judgement and the End’ – Elizabeth Boyle

2.45pm – 3.30pm: ‘History and Salvation in Lebor na hUidre‘ – Gregory Toner

4pm – 4.45pm: ‘Lebor na hUidre: Some Linguistic Aspects’ – Liam Breatnach, MRIA

4.45pm – 5pm: Closing remarks