Texts
Scéla Pátraic ocus Luigdech meic Lóegairi
Incoming data
Medieval Irish legend about St Patrick, Lugaid son of Lóegaire mac Néill, king of Tara, and Michael the archangel. It is an aetiological anecdote which serves to account for the custom of ‘St Michael’s portion’ at Michaelmas, when sheep would be slaughtered to provide for the poor.
Manuscript witnesses
Text
Cork, University College, Book of Lismore
incipit: [A]raile fechtus tánic Pátraic cu Temraigh ar amus na ríghna bái oc Læguiri mac Néill d'fhoirithin a meic imonn ainces búi fair
ff. 86ra–86rb
MS
Cork, University College, Book of Lismore
Story about Patrick, Lóegaire's queen and Lugaid mac Lóegairi
f. 86ra–
MS
Oxford, Bodleian Library, MS Rawlinson B 512/I (ff. 101-122, 1-36, 45-52)
Legend of St Patrick, Enna son of King Loegaire, and Michael the Archangel, which serves to explain the origin of the custom of Michaelmas sheep or ‘Michael’s portion’. Cf. the version on f. 143r (unit IV).
f. 108r
Text
Oxford, Bodleian Library, MS Rawlinson B 512/I (ff. 101-122, 1-36, 45-52)
incipit: Dia mbai conflicht mór etir Loegaire mac Neill ⁊ Patraic
ff. 108rb–108vb
Text
Oxford, Bodleian Library, MS Rawlinson B 512/IV (ff. 123-144)
incipit: Feachtas tanic Patraic co Temraidh ar amas na righna bai ac Laeghaire
f. 143rb
MS
Oxford, Bodleian Library, MS Rawlinson B 512/IV (ff. 123-144)
Irish legend of St. Patrick, King Lóegaire's son and Michael the Archangel
f. 143rb
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.
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.
Stokes, Whitley, The tripartite Life of Patrick: with other documents relating to that saint, 2 vols, vol. 2, Rerum Britannicarum Medii Aevi Scriptores, 89.2, London: Eyre and Spottiswoode, 1887.
Internet Archive: <link>, <link> Internet Archive: <link>
556–559 [id. 24. ‘The Michaelmas sheep’] First Rawlinson B 512 version (f. 108rb). direct link
Secondary sources (select)
Wiley, Dan M., “An introduction to the early Irish king tales”, in: Dan M. Wiley (ed.), Essays on the early Irish king tales, Dublin: Four Courts Press, 2008. 13–67.
Kenney, James F., “Chapter IV: The monastic churches, their founders and traditions: I. The primitive foundations”, in: James F. Kenney, The sources for the early history of Ireland: an introduction and guide. Volume 1: ecclesiastical, Revised ed., 11, New York: Octagon, 1966. 288–371.
348 (§ 141.ii) [id. 141.2.]
Flower, Robin, Catalogue of Irish manuscripts in the [British Library, formerly the] British Museum, vol. 2, London: British Museum, 1926.
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518 [id. 65.]
