Textual classifications • CODECS: Online Database and e-Resources for Celtic Studies

A single quatrain relating to St Mo Chóemóc of Liath (Leigh). It is found in the Book of Leinster and originally, may have been part of a longer poem.

Sáerchlanna Érenn uile

verse

12 st.

A syllabic poem incorporated in the two Middle Irish recensions of the saga concerning the revolt of the aithech-thúatha, Bruiden Meic Da Réo and Scél ar Chairbre Cinn Cait. It consists of twelve stanzas.

Saltair na rann

verse

1,947 st.

Middle Irish verse composition giving accounts of biblical history, from the time of Creation to the resurrection of Christ. It is divided into 150 cantos of varying lengths, ranging from just 3 quatrains to as many as 138.

Saltair na rann

Saltair na rann/1 Mo rí-se rí nime náir

verse

84 st.

beg. Mo rí-se rí nime náir

The opening poem or canto (84qq) in the Middle Irish series of poems known as Saltair na rann. It deals with the universe and its creation, drawing on biblical narrative as well as other sources.

Samhoin so, sodham go Tadg

verse

beg. Samhoin so, sodham go Tadg

Mac Líacc [Muirchertach]

Mac Líacc ... Muirchertach

(d.. 1014 / 1016 (AU))

Middle Irish poet, who is described as 'chief poet of Ireland' (ard-ollamh Érenn) in the Annals of Ulster; becomes the subject of a body of later medieval Irish literature.

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Poem of 47 quatrains. The speaker of the poem is Mac Líacc, poet to Brian Bóruma, who describes his journey from Limerick to the residence of Tadg Úa Cellaig, king of Uí Maine, with whom he is accustomed to spend the other half of the year. Tadg is one of the chieftains who died fighting on Brian’s side in the Battle of Clontarf in 1014.

Samthann fri soillsi sainmann

verse

beg. Samthann fri soillsi sainmann

Áed Allán mac Fergaile

Áed Allán mac Fergaile

(d. 743)

king of Ailech and high-king of Ireland; son of Fergal mac Máele Dúin

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Poem on St Samthann of Clúain Brónaig (3 qq), ascr. to Áed Allán (ob. 743), who was king of Ailech and high-king of Ireland

Saoth liom do chor a Cholla

verse

28 st.

beg. Saoth liom do chor, a Cholla

Mac Muireadhaigh (Cathal)

Mac Muireadhaigh (Cathal)

(fl. first half of the 17th century)

Gaelic poet and scribe.

Poem (28 qq) by Cathal Mac Muireadhaigh, addressed to Colla Ciotach.

Commentary on the Amra Choluim Chille

Scél lem dúib

verse

beg. Scél lem duib

Finn mac Cumaill

Finn mac Cumaill (Find úa Báiscni)

(time-frame ass. with Finn Cycle, Finn mac Cumaill, Cormac mac Airt)

Finn mac Cumaill (earlier mac Umaill?), Find úa Báiscni: central hero in medieval Irish and Scottish literature of the so-called Finn Cycle; warrior-hunter and leader of a fían

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Early Irish poem on the coming of winter.

Scéla Cormaic meic Cuilennáin ocus na crosán

verse

prose

beg. Truaghan sin, a Rí na righ

A brief Irish prose story, with poem, concerning the death of Cormac mac Cuilennáin, who was slain in the battle of Mag Ailbe (908). On the night before the battle, three entertainers (crossáin) promise the king to perform before him the following night, but the king and the crossáin do not live to meet again. By some act of divine providence, however, the crossáin are allowed to perform their art and utter a poem beg. Truaghán sin, a Rí na righ (10qq).

Scíath Dé do nim umam

verse

26 st.

beg. Scíath Dé do nim umam

Colum Cille

Colum Cille

(fl. 6th century)

founder and abbot of Iona, Kells (Cenandas) and Derry (Daire).

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A lorica (lúirech) attributed to Colum Cille.

Scíath rígh Gaela, glantar hí

verse

beg. Scíath rígh Gaela, glantar hí

Mac Líacc [Muirchertach]

Mac Líacc ... Muirchertach

(d.. 1014 / 1016 (AU))

Middle Irish poet, who is described as 'chief poet of Ireland' (ard-ollamh Érenn) in the Annals of Ulster; becomes the subject of a body of later medieval Irish literature.

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Scuchais in fer cerdda ar cáe

verse

6 st.

beg. Scuchais in fer cerdda ar cáe

Poem (6qq) on Cairid mac Findcháem, an ancestor of the Conmaicne Cúile Tolad and Síl Caritha, who was blessed by St Patrick. The earliest manuscript version, which is in Rawlinson B 502, adds two additional quatrains, which are, however, metrically distinct from the first 6 qq of the poem.

Se bliadna .l. malle

verse

7 st.

beg. Sé blíadna .l. 'mallé

Late Middle Irish synchronistic poem (7 qq). The latest date to occur in the poem is the year 1126.

Sé bruidni Érenn gan dáil

verse

beg. Sé bruidni Érenn, gan dáil

Seacht bpearsain fhichead uair mé

verse

beg. Seacht bpearsain fhichead uair mé

Irish bardic poem on the optative subjunctive (itche). It is atttested in a copy of Irish grammatical tracts III–IV.

Sechnaid ifern a dhaine

verse

13 st.

beg. Sechnaid ifern, a dhaine

Colum Cille

Colum Cille

(fl. 6th century)

founder and abbot of Iona, Kells (Cenandas) and Derry (Daire).

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Medieval Irish poem attributed to Colum Cille, which describes the terrible punishments awaiting sinful souls in hell.

Secht meic áille Óengusa

verse

9 st.

beg. Secht meic áille Óengusa

Colum Cille

Colum Cille

(fl. 6th century)

founder and abbot of Iona, Kells (Cenandas) and Derry (Daire).

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An Early Irish poem (9 qq) attributed to Colum Cille on the seven sons of a certain Óengus: Mo Thrianóc, Itharnaisc, Eóganán, Torannán, Troscán, Mo Chullian and Agatán. According to the poem, they crossed the sea, presumably from Scotland, and founded a number of monasteries in Ireland, in what became Uí Néill territory in Meath and Leinster. By God’s grace, four of these sons are said have to died together on the same day (8 June).

Secht meic Carbaid cróda in chrech

verse

8 st.

beg. Secht meic Carbaid, cróda in chrech

Early Irish genealogical poem (8qq) on the sons of Carbad mac Cais meic Fachtna Fáthaig.

Secht n-affrinn écnairce áin

verse

3 st.

beg. Secht n-affrinn écnairce áin

Three quatrains of religious Irish verse

Secht o. f. n.

verse