Bibliography
Clodagh
Downey s. xx–xxi
2022
article
2020
article
2019
article
Downey, Clodagh, “Rumann mac Colmáin, poeta optimus: life and work”, Studia Hibernica 45 (2019): 1–17.
abstract:
Rumann mac Colmáin, whose death in 747 is recorded in the Annals of Ulster, was clearly a poet of great stature. He is called poeta optimus in his death notice, and if this is a Latin rendering of ollam filed (as suggested by F. J. Byrne), then this is the first reference to a secular poet’s office in the annals. Rumann’s fame and significance as a poet may also be inferred from the name of a metre, ollbairdne Rumainn recomarcach, which seems to have been named for him. Our sources connect Rumann with Trim, in present-day Co. Meath, and some poetry still survives that is ascribed to him. In this article, the available evidence relating to Rumann’s life will be gathered and relevant historical factors will be considered with a view to ascertaining what connections Rumann may have had to political affairs. All surviving verse ascribed to Rumann that I have been able to discover will be presented and the question of authorship of that verse will be examined, taking linguistic, metrical and historical factors into consideration.
abstract:
Rumann mac Colmáin, whose death in 747 is recorded in the Annals of Ulster, was clearly a poet of great stature. He is called poeta optimus in his death notice, and if this is a Latin rendering of ollam filed (as suggested by F. J. Byrne), then this is the first reference to a secular poet’s office in the annals. Rumann’s fame and significance as a poet may also be inferred from the name of a metre, ollbairdne Rumainn recomarcach, which seems to have been named for him. Our sources connect Rumann with Trim, in present-day Co. Meath, and some poetry still survives that is ascribed to him. In this article, the available evidence relating to Rumann’s life will be gathered and relevant historical factors will be considered with a view to ascertaining what connections Rumann may have had to political affairs. All surviving verse ascribed to Rumann that I have been able to discover will be presented and the question of authorship of that verse will be examined, taking linguistic, metrical and historical factors into consideration.
2017
article
2015
article
article
2013
article
article
Downey, Clodagh, “Cúán ua Lothcháin and the transmission of the Dindshenchas”, in: Ailbhe Ó Corráin, and Gordon Ó Riain (eds), Celebrating sixty years of Celtic studies at Uppsala University: proceedings of the Eleventh Symposium of Societas Celtologica Nordica, 9, Uppsala: Uppsala Universitet, 2013. 45–61.
2010
article
Downey, Clodagh, “Dindṡenchas and the tech midchúarta”, Ériu 60 (2010): 1–35.
The banqueting hall (tech midchúarta) of Tara is vividly described in a variety of medieval Irish sources. This paper examines descriptions of the physical layout and social regulation of the banqueting hall in some of these sources with a view to retrieving how their authors understood its form and function, and assesses evidence associating the banqueting hall with the cursus monument in Tara known today as Tech Midchúarta.
The banqueting hall (tech midchúarta) of Tara is vividly described in a variety of medieval Irish sources. This paper examines descriptions of the physical layout and social regulation of the banqueting hall in some of these sources with a view to retrieving how their authors understood its form and function, and assesses evidence associating the banqueting hall with the cursus monument in Tara known today as Tech Midchúarta.
2008
article
article
article
article
2005
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2004
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