Texts

verse beg. Cétna laithe tairiraith

  • Middle Irish
  • verse

Middle Irish poem (9 qq) on the seven journeys of the soul after if leaves the body. It is found in the Leabhar Breac, where it is attributed to Moelmoedóc Ua Mongair but internally, in the final quatrain, to Moelmoedóc mac Diarmada, possibly referring to the abbot of Glen Uissen (Killeshin, Co. Laois) (ob. 917).

First words (verse)
  • Cétna laithe tairiraith
Author
Ascribed to: Moelmoedóc mac DiarmadaMoelmoedóc mac Diarmada
Entry reserved for but not yet available from the subject index.

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Manuscripts
p. 88
rubric: ‘Moelmoedoc hUa Mongair cecinit’
beg. ‘Cetna laithe tairaith’

Lower part, in a blank space below a copy of Félire Óengusso and its scholia, but possibly having no association with them.

Language
  • Middle Irish
Form
verse (primary)
Metre
  • aí fhreisligi (7³+7²+7³+7²)
Length
Number of stanzas: 9 qq.
Textual relationships
Related: Anum ó téid as a corpAnum ó téid as a corpLate Middle Irish poem (9 + 4 qq) on the seven days’ journey, or seven journeys, of the soul after it leaves the body.

Classification

Subjects

seven journeys of the soulmotifs relating to the soul
seven journeys of the soul
id. 63281

Seven journeys, or seven days’ journey, of the soul after it departs from the body.

Sources

Primary sources Text editions and/or modern translations – in whole or in part – along with publications containing additions and corrections, if known. Diplomatic editions, facsimiles and digital image reproductions of the manuscripts are not always listed here but may be found in entries for the relevant manuscripts. For historical purposes, early editions, transcriptions and translations are not excluded, even if their reliability does not meet modern standards.

[ed.] [tr.] Herbert, Máire, “The seven journeys of the soul”, Éigse 17:1 (samhradh 1977, 1977–1979): 1–11.
[ed.] [tr.] OʼHanlon, John, The life of Saint Malachy O’Morgair, bishop of Down and Connor, archbishop of Armagh, Dublin: John O'Daly, 1859.
Internet Archive: <link>
185–187 Edition and translation by Eugene O'Curry.

Secondary sources (select)

Wright, Charles D., “Latin analogues for The seven journeys of the soul”, in: John Carey, Emma Nic Cárthaigh, and Caitríona Ó Dochartaigh (eds), The end and beyond: medieval Irish eschatology, vol. 1, 17.1, Aberystwyth: Celtic Studies Publications, 2014. 475–481.
Contributors
Dennis Groenewegen
Page created
December 2022, last updated: June 2023