Cín Dromma Snechtai
Encyclopedia
Cín Dromma Snechtai or Lebor Dromma Snechtai ("book of Druimm Snechta") is a now long-lost early Irish manuscript. Old Irish cín, derived from the Latin quinio "five", was a small book made of five folded vellum
leaves; lebor, modern Irish leabhar, is the standard word for a book. It is "named from the place of its origin or preservation, namely Druim(m) Snechta (Drumsnat, County Monaghan
), where a monastery had been founded in the sixth century."
Rudolf Thurneysen
, who made a convincing reconstruction of its contents in 1912-13, proposed a date in the early 8th century for the writing of the book. Other scholars have proposed dates in the 9th or 10th century, although these are disputed. It is cited as a source by many of the most important early Irish manuscripts, including Lebor na hUidre
, the Book of Leinster
, the Book of Ballymote
, the Great Book of Lecan
, and the MS Egerton 88. It was probably no longer extant by the 17th century, as Geoffrey Keating
made no use of it in compiling his Foras Feasa ar Éirinn. Texts believed to originate from the Cín Dromma Snechtai are notable for their archaic language, and include:
Vellum
Vellum is mammal skin prepared for writing or printing on, to produce single pages, scrolls, codices or books. It is generally smooth and durable, although there are great variations depending on preparation, the quality of the skin and the type of animal used...
leaves; lebor, modern Irish leabhar, is the standard word for a book. It is "named from the place of its origin or preservation, namely Druim(m) Snechta (Drumsnat, County Monaghan
County Monaghan
County Monaghan is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Ulster. It is named after the town of Monaghan. Monaghan County Council is the local authority for the county...
), where a monastery had been founded in the sixth century."
Rudolf Thurneysen
Rudolf Thurneysen
Eduard Rudolf Thurneysen was a Swiss linguist and Celticist.Born in Basel, Thurneysen studied classical philology in Basel, Leipzig, Berlin and Paris. His teachers included Ernst Windisch and Heinrich Zimmer...
, who made a convincing reconstruction of its contents in 1912-13, proposed a date in the early 8th century for the writing of the book. Other scholars have proposed dates in the 9th or 10th century, although these are disputed. It is cited as a source by many of the most important early Irish manuscripts, including Lebor na hUidre
Lebor na hUidre
Lebor na hUidre or the Book of the Dun Cow is an Irish vellum manuscript dating to the 12th century. It is the oldest extant manuscript in Irish. It is held in the Royal Irish Academy and is badly damaged: only 67 leaves remain and many of the texts are incomplete...
, the Book of Leinster
Book of Leinster
The Book of Leinster , is a medieval Irish manuscript compiled ca. 1160 and now kept in Trinity College, Dublin, under the shelfmark MS H 2.18...
, the Book of Ballymote
Book of Ballymote
The Book of Ballymote , named for the parish of Ballymote, County Sligo, was written in 1390 or 1391....
, the Great Book of Lecan
Great Book of Lecan
The Book of Lecan is a medieval Irish manuscript written between 1397 and 1418. It is in the possession of the Royal Irish Academy....
, and the MS Egerton 88. It was probably no longer extant by the 17th century, as Geoffrey Keating
Geoffrey Keating
Seathrún Céitinn, known in English as Geoffrey Keating, was a 17th century Irish Roman Catholic priest, poet and historian. He was born in County Tipperary c. 1569, and died c. 1644...
made no use of it in compiling his Foras Feasa ar Éirinn. Texts believed to originate from the Cín Dromma Snechtai are notable for their archaic language, and include:
- Compert Con CulainnCompert Con CulainnCompert Con Culainn is an early medieval Irish narrative about the conception and birth of the hero Cú Chulainn. Part of the Ulster Cycle of Irish mythology, it survives in two major versions.-Manuscripts:...
("the conception of CúchulainnCúchulainnCú Chulainn or Cúchulainn , and sometimes known in English as Cuhullin , is an Irish mythological hero who appears in the stories of the Ulster Cycle, as well as in Scottish and Manx folklore...
") - Compert Mongán ("the conception of MongánMongán mac FiachnaiMongán mac Fiachnai was an Irish prince of the Cruthin, a son of Fiachnae mac Báetáin. Little is certainly known of Mongán's life as only his death is recorded in the Irish annals...
") - Immran Brain ("the voyage of Bran")
- Echta Conlaí ("the adventure of Conla")
- A version or précis of Togail Bruidne Dá Derga ("the destruction of Dá Derga's hostel")
- A version of Tochmarc ÉtaíneTochmarc ÉtaíneTochmarc Étaíne , meaning "The Wooing of Étaín", is an early text of the Irish Mythological Cycle, and also features characters from the Ulster Cycle and the Cycles of the Kings. It is partially preserved in the manuscript known as the Lebor na hUidre , and completely preserved in the Yellow Book...
("the wooing of ÉtaínÉtaínÉtaín is a figure of Irish mythology, best known as the heroine of Tochmarc Étaíne , one of the oldest and richest stories of the Mythological Cycle. She also figures in the Middle Irish Togail Bruidne Dá Derga . T. F...
) - Verba Scáthaige fri Coin Culaind ("The Words of ScáthachScáthachScáthach is a figure in the Ulster Cycle of Irish mythology. She is a legendary Scottish warrior woman and martial arts teacher who trains the legendary Ulster hero Cú Chulainn in the arts of combat...
to Cúchulainn") - Forfes Fer Fálchae ("the siege of the men of Fálchae")
- An early version of Lebor Gabála ÉrennLebor Gabála ÉrennLebor Gabála Érenn is the Middle Irish title of a loose collection of poems and prose narratives recounting the mythical origins and history of the Irish from the creation of the world down to the Middle Ages...
("Book of Invasions of Ireland")