Bibliography

Caoimhín
Breatnach
s. xx–xxi

35 publications between 1986 and 2020 indexed
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Works authored

Breatnach, Caoimhín [ed.], Patronage, politics and prose: Ceasacht ingine Guile, Sgéala muice Meic Dhá Thó, Oidheadh Chuinn Cheadchathaigh, Maynooth Monographs, 5, Maynooth: An Sagart, 1996.

Works edited

Breatnach, Caoimhín, Meidhbhín Ní Úrdail, and Gordon Ó Riain (eds), Lorg na leabhar: a Festschrift for Pádraig A. Breatnach, Dublin: National University of Ireland, 2019.
Breatnach, Caoimhín, and Meidhbhín Ní Úrdail (eds), Aon don éigse: essays marking Osborn Bergin’s centenary lecture on bardic poetry (1912), Dublin: Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies, 2015.
Breatnach, Pádraig A., Caoimhín Breatnach, and Meidhbhín Ní Úrdail (eds), Léann lámhscríbhinní lobháin: The Louvain manuscript heritage, Éigse Publications, 1, Dublin: National University of Ireland, 2007.  
Proceedings of a conference held in the School of Irish, Celtic Studies, Irish Folklore & Linguistics, University College Dublin, on 2 December 2006.
Proceedings of a conference held in the School of Irish, Celtic Studies, Irish Folklore & Linguistics, University College Dublin, on 2 December 2006.
Breatnach, Caoimhín, John Carey, Brian Ó Cuív, Pádraig Ó Fiannachta, Martin McNamara, Jean-Daniel Kaestli, and Diarmuid Ó Laoghaire (eds), Apocrypha Hiberniae, part I: Evangelia infantiae, 2 vols, vol. 1, Corpus Christianorum, Series Apocryphorum, 13, Turnhout: Brepols, 2001.
Breatnach, Caoimhín, John Carey, Brian Ó Cuív, Pádraig Ó Fiannachta, Martin McNamara, Jean-Daniel Kaestli, and Diarmuid Ó Laoghaire (eds), Apocrypha Hiberniae, part I: Evangelia infantiae, 2 vols, vol. 2, Corpus Christianorum, Series Apocryphorum, 14, Turnhout: Brepols, 2001.
McNamara, Martin, Caoimhín Breatnach, John Carey, Jean-Daniel Kaestli, Brian Ó Cuív, Pádraig Ó Fiannachta, and Diarmuid Ó Laoghaire (eds), Apocrypha Hiberniae, part I: Evangelia infantiae, 2 vols, Corpus Christianorum, Series Apocryphorum, 13-14, Turnhout: Brepols, 2001. xvi + iv + 1203 pp.  
abstract:

In 1927 M. R. James published Latin Infancy Gospels, identified by him in two related but not identical manuscripts (one the British Library Arundel 404; the other from Hereford), together with a parallel text from the Irish manuscript known as the Leabhar Breac. Later researches brought to light more manuscripts of this Latin work, and also of the Irish text. James recognized that his apocryphal Latin Infancy text was compiled from a combination of the Protevangelium of James and a hitherto unknown text which he named "The Source". Recent research has identified a full Latin translation of the Protevangelium of James. A hitherto unrecognized Irish Infancy Narrative has also been identified in the Dublin manuscript known as the Liber Flavus Fergusiorum. A deep study of this related tradition was called for. This has been carried out over the past ten years by an Irish team in conjunction with Professor Daniel Kaestli and AELAC. The fruits of this labour are published in these two volumes.

Volume 13 has a general introduction with a historical sketch of New Testament apocrypha in Ireland and a history of research on the subject. This is followed by a comparison of the Infancy Narratives in the Leabhar Breac and the Liber Flavus Fergusiorum. There are special introductions to these Infancy texts, followed by critical editions of the Irish texts, accompanied by English translations and rich annotation. Next there is similar treatment of the Irish versified Narrative (from ca. 700) of the Childhood Deeds of Jesus (commonly known as the Infancy Narrative (or Gospel) of Thomas. There is then (in volume 14, but with continuous pagination) the edition and translation of an Irish thirteenth-century poem with elements from Infancy Narratives, and both Latin and Irish texts on the wonders at Christ's birth, accompanied by translations and notes. The edition of the Irish material is followed by a critical edition of the full Arundel and Hereford forms of the Infancy Narrative (here referred to as the "J Compilation"), together with a detailed study of all the questions relating to this work. The volume concludes with a critical edition (by Rita Beyers) of the Latin text of the Protevangelium of James, accompanied by a detailed study of the work.

The work contains a detailed study of the Latin translations of the Protevangelium of James and the transmission of this work in the West. The "J Compilation" (a combination of the Protevangelium and texts of Pseudo-Matthew) can be traced back in manuscript transmission to ca. 800, and must have originated some time earlier. Behind it stands an earlier "I ("I" for Irish) Compilation" without influence from Pseudo-Matthew, the form found in the Irish witnesses. It is argued that M. R. James's "Source" may be of Judaeo-Christian origin and may really be the Gospel of the Nazoreans. Among the indexes there is a list of all the Irish words found in the texts.

includes: John Carey (ed.) • Caoimhín Breatnach (ed.) • Brian Ó Cuív (ed.) • Martin McNamara (ed.) • Pádraig Ó Fiannachta (ed.) • Diarmuid Ó Laoghaire (ed.) • Jean-Daniel Kaestli (ed.), Apocrypha Hiberniae, part I: Evangelia infantiae, vol. 1 • John Carey (ed.) • Caoimhín Breatnach (ed.) • Brian Ó Cuív (ed.) • Martin McNamara (ed.) • Pádraig Ó Fiannachta (ed.) • Diarmuid Ó Laoghaire (ed.) • Jean-Daniel Kaestli (ed.), Apocrypha Hiberniae, part I: Evangelia infantiae, vol. 2
abstract:

In 1927 M. R. James published Latin Infancy Gospels, identified by him in two related but not identical manuscripts (one the British Library Arundel 404; the other from Hereford), together with a parallel text from the Irish manuscript known as the Leabhar Breac. Later researches brought to light more manuscripts of this Latin work, and also of the Irish text. James recognized that his apocryphal Latin Infancy text was compiled from a combination of the Protevangelium of James and a hitherto unknown text which he named "The Source". Recent research has identified a full Latin translation of the Protevangelium of James. A hitherto unrecognized Irish Infancy Narrative has also been identified in the Dublin manuscript known as the Liber Flavus Fergusiorum. A deep study of this related tradition was called for. This has been carried out over the past ten years by an Irish team in conjunction with Professor Daniel Kaestli and AELAC. The fruits of this labour are published in these two volumes.

Volume 13 has a general introduction with a historical sketch of New Testament apocrypha in Ireland and a history of research on the subject. This is followed by a comparison of the Infancy Narratives in the Leabhar Breac and the Liber Flavus Fergusiorum. There are special introductions to these Infancy texts, followed by critical editions of the Irish texts, accompanied by English translations and rich annotation. Next there is similar treatment of the Irish versified Narrative (from ca. 700) of the Childhood Deeds of Jesus (commonly known as the Infancy Narrative (or Gospel) of Thomas. There is then (in volume 14, but with continuous pagination) the edition and translation of an Irish thirteenth-century poem with elements from Infancy Narratives, and both Latin and Irish texts on the wonders at Christ's birth, accompanied by translations and notes. The edition of the Irish material is followed by a critical edition of the full Arundel and Hereford forms of the Infancy Narrative (here referred to as the "J Compilation"), together with a detailed study of all the questions relating to this work. The volume concludes with a critical edition (by Rita Beyers) of the Latin text of the Protevangelium of James, accompanied by a detailed study of the work.

The work contains a detailed study of the Latin translations of the Protevangelium of James and the transmission of this work in the West. The "J Compilation" (a combination of the Protevangelium and texts of Pseudo-Matthew) can be traced back in manuscript transmission to ca. 800, and must have originated some time earlier. Behind it stands an earlier "I ("I" for Irish) Compilation" without influence from Pseudo-Matthew, the form found in the Irish witnesses. It is argued that M. R. James's "Source" may be of Judaeo-Christian origin and may really be the Gospel of the Nazoreans. Among the indexes there is a list of all the Irish words found in the texts.

Contributions to journals

Breatnach, Caoimhín, “Explanations of three rare words in the tale known as Úath Beinne Étair and a re-assessment of this title”, Ériu 70 (2020): 73–81.  
abstract:

Explanations of the three rare words sennin, sincreth and nemceissi in a tale to which the title Úath Beinne Étair has been assigned are proposed. It is also argued that there is little justification for assigning this title to the tale.

abstract:

Explanations of the three rare words sennin, sincreth and nemceissi in a tale to which the title Úath Beinne Étair has been assigned are proposed. It is also argued that there is little justification for assigning this title to the tale.

Breatnach, Caoimhín, “Manuscript abbreviations and other scribal features in the Liber Flavus Fergusiorum”, Ériu 61 (2011): 95–163.  
The purpose of this paper is to provide a comprehensive analysis of manuscript abbreviations and other scribal features in a section comprising twenty-four folios of the important fifteenth-century manuscript now known as the Liber Flavus Fergusiorum (RIA MS 476 (23 O 48)). Some issues with regard to the expansion of manuscript abbreviations will also be discussed, and it will be seen that several abbreviations serve many more functions than their original ones.
The purpose of this paper is to provide a comprehensive analysis of manuscript abbreviations and other scribal features in a section comprising twenty-four folios of the important fifteenth-century manuscript now known as the Liber Flavus Fergusiorum (RIA MS 476 (23 O 48)). Some issues with regard to the expansion of manuscript abbreviations will also be discussed, and it will be seen that several abbreviations serve many more functions than their original ones.
Breatnach, Caoimhín, “Aspects of the textual transmission of Sex aetates mundi and Druimm Cetta céte na noem”, Éigse 35 (2005): 9–26.
Breatnach, Caoimhín, “The significance of the orthography of Irish proper names in the Codex Salmanticensis”, Ériu 55 (2005): 85–101.
Breatnach, Caoimhín, “Manuscript sources and methodology: Rawlinson B 502 and Lebar Glinne Dá Locha”, Celtica 24 (2003): 40–54.
Celtica – PDF: <link>
Breatnach, Caoimhín, “The transmission and structure of Immram curaig Ua Corra”, Ériu 53 (2003): 91–107.  
abstract:
The extant narrative of Immram curaig Ua Corra has been transmitted in several versions. The earliest version is that found in the Book of Fermoy, written in the fifteenth century. A second version, found only in manuscripts of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, apparently derives from the Book of Lismore, another manuscript of the fifteenth century. A third version in a mixture of prose and verse also survives only in late manuscripts; the beginning of this is now lost and has been replaced in some manuscripts by a fragment of the version apparently deriving from the Book of Lismore. Structural and linguistic evidence suggests that all the versions of Immram curaig Ua Corra derive from a composite narrative written some time after the mid-twelfth century.
abstract:
The extant narrative of Immram curaig Ua Corra has been transmitted in several versions. The earliest version is that found in the Book of Fermoy, written in the fifteenth century. A second version, found only in manuscripts of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, apparently derives from the Book of Lismore, another manuscript of the fifteenth century. A third version in a mixture of prose and verse also survives only in late manuscripts; the beginning of this is now lost and has been replaced in some manuscripts by a fragment of the version apparently deriving from the Book of Lismore. Structural and linguistic evidence suggests that all the versions of Immram curaig Ua Corra derive from a composite narrative written some time after the mid-twelfth century.
Breatnach, Caoimhín, “An Irish homily on the life of the Virgin Mary”, Ériu 51 (2000): 23–58.
Breatnach, Caoimhín, “The transmission of Ceasacht inghine Guile: some observations”, Éigse 32 (2000): 138–145.
Breatnach, Caoimhín, “Oidheadh Chloinne Tuireann agus Cath Maige Tuired: dhá shampla de mhiotas eiseamláireach”, Éigse 32 (2000): 35–46.
Breatnach, Caoimhín, “The religious significance of Oidheadh Chloinne Lir”, Ériu 50 (1999): 1–40.
Breatnach, Caoimhín, “Rawlinson B 502, Lebar Glinne Dá Locha and Saltair na rann”, Éigse 30 (1997): 109–132.
Breatnach, Caoimhín, “The historical context of Cath Fionntrágha”, Éigse 28 (1994): 138–155.
Breatnach, Caoimhín, “Oidheadh Chloinne Uisnigh”, Ériu 45 (1994): 99–112.
Breatnach, Caoimhín, “Early Modern Irish prose reconsidered: the case of Ceasacht inghine Guile”, Ériu 42 (1991): 119–138.
Breatnach, Caoimhín, “The early modern version of Scéla mucce Meic Da Thó: tempus, locus, persona et causa scribendi”, Ériu 41 (1990): 37–80.
Breatnach, Caoimhín, “Varia IV”, Ériu 40 (1989): 184–186.
Breatnach, Caoimhín, “Corrigenda to The annals of Inisfallen”, Celtica 18 (1986): 193–198.

Contributions to edited collections or authored works

Breatnach, Caoimhín, “The language and manuscript tradition of Eachtra an mhadra mhaoil and Eachtra mhacaoimh an iolair”, in: John Carey (ed.), The matter of Britain in medieval Ireland: reassessments, 29, London: Irish Texts Society, 2017..
Breatnach, Caoimhín, “The transmission and authorship of Rudimenta grammaticae Hibernicae”, in: Gordon Ó Riain (ed.), Dá dtrian feasa fiafraighidh: essays on the Irish grammatical and metrical tradition, Dublin: Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies, 2017. 273–291.
Breatnach, Caoimhín, “The transmission of a medieval Irish text on the marvels of the birth of the Saviour and related texts”, in: Axel Harlos, and Neele Harlos (eds), Adapting texts and styles in a Celtic context: interdisciplinary perspectives on processes of literary transfer in the middle ages: studies in honour of Erich Poppe, 13, Münster: Nodus Publikationen, 2016. 135–153.
Breatnach, Caoimhín, “The transmission and text of Tóruigheacht Dhiarmada agus Ghráinne: a re-appraisal”, in: Sharon J. Arbuthnot, and Geraldine Parsons (eds), The Gaelic Finn tradition, Dublin: Four Courts Press, 2012. 139–150.
Breatnach, Caoimhín, “Exploiting the past: Pearse as editor and interpreter of fiannaíocht literature”, in: R. Higgins, and R. Uí Chollatáin (eds), The life end after-life of P. H. Pearse. Pádraic Mac Piarais: saol agus oidhreacht, Dublin: Irish Academic Press, 2009. 195–207.
Breatnach, Caoimhín, “Foinsí an leagain de Bheatha Cholaim Chille a scríobhadh faoi stiúradh Mhaghnuis Uí Dhomhnaill”, in: Pádraig A. Breatnach, Caoimhín Breatnach, and Meidhbhín Ní Úrdail (eds), Léann lámhscríbhinní lobháin: The Louvain manuscript heritage, 1, Dublin: National University of Ireland, 2007. 127–138.
Breatnach, Caoimhín, “Lismore, Book of”, in: Seán Duffy (ed.), Medieval Ireland: an encyclopedia, New York and London: Routledge, 2005. 279–280.
McNamara, Martin [intr. and notes], Pádraig Ó Fiannachta [ed. and tr.], Brian Ó Cuív [ed.], Caoimhín Breatnach [ed. and tr.], Máire Herbert [tr.], and Jean-Daniel Kaestli [notes], “The Infancy narrative of the Leabhar Breac and related manuscripts”, in: Caoimhín Breatnach, John Carey, Brian Ó Cuív, Pádraig Ó Fiannachta, Martin McNamara, Jean-Daniel Kaestli, and Diarmuid Ó Laoghaire (eds), Apocrypha Hiberniae, part I: Evangelia infantiae, 2 vols, vol. 1, 13, Turnhout: Brepols, 2001. 247–439.
McNamara, Martin [intr., notes], Diarmuid Ó Laoghaire [ed. and tr.], Caoimhín Breatnach [ed. and tr.], Máire Herbert [tr.], and Jean-Daniel Kaestli [notes], “The Liber Flavus Fergusiorum Infancy narrative”, in: Caoimhín Breatnach, John Carey, Brian Ó Cuív, Pádraig Ó Fiannachta, Martin McNamara, Jean-Daniel Kaestli, and Diarmuid Ó Laoghaire (eds), Apocrypha Hiberniae, part I: Evangelia infantiae, 2 vols, vol. 1, 13, Turnhout: Brepols, 2001. 135–245.
Breatnach, Caoimhín, “Early Modern Irish prose”, in: Kim R. McCone, and Katharine Simms (eds), Progress in medieval Irish studies, Maynooth: Department of Old Irish, St. Patrick's College, 1996. 189–206.
Breatnach, Caoimhín, “Cath Fionntrágha”, in: Pádraig Ó Fiannachta (ed.), An fhiannaíocht, 25, Maynooth: An Sagart, 1995. 128–143.