Texts
Maol Póil and the dead nun
Incoming data
Short story in which Maol Póil úa Cináetha, abbot of Cell Becáin, meets the ghost (bann-scál) of a dead gospel-nun (mainches soiscéla). Having discussed astrology with a fellow monk, the abbot goes to sleep. He has a dream-vision in which a nun, who had died six days previously, approaches him and insists that the abbot intercedes for her by chanting the Biait (Psalm 118: Beati immaculati...) in her honour.
Manuscript witnesses
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.] Pokorny, Julius [ed.], “Drie Erzaehlungen aus dem Buch von Lismore”, in: J. Fraser, Paul Grosjean, and J. G. OʼKeeffe (eds), Irish texts, fasciculus I, London, 1931. 42–44.
comments: An edition of three narratives from the Book of Lismore:
- I. Colum Cille, Comgall und Cainnech [fol. 43b2 ff], pp. 42-43
- II. St Patrick und Laegaire's Sohn Lugaid [fol. 44a1 ff], pp. 43-44
- III. Maoil Póil und die tote Nonne [fol. 44b1 ff], p. 44.
[ed.] [tr.] Stokes, Whitley [ed. and tr.], Lives of saints from the Book of Lismore, Anecdota Oxoniensia, Mediaeval and Modern Series, 5, Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1890.
Secondary sources (select)
Flower, Robin, Catalogue of Irish manuscripts in the [British Library, formerly the] British Museum, vol. 2, London: British Museum, 1926.
