[1.] Introduction; [2.] Anno Domini dating; [3.] Bissextile; [4.] Anno Domini dating in AU; [5.] The origin of March-Anno Domini dating; [6.] Ferials and epacts; [7.] Au’s list of papal succession; [8.] Bissextile data; [9.] Anno Mundi; [10.] Pre-AD dating of records in Ireland; [11.] Conclusion: AU includes two different dating systems. Discusses the historical background for the adoption of 1 January or 25 March as the date for the beginning of the year.
Provides an assessment of all 37 astronomical phenomena found in the Irish annals 442-1133, and suggests an eschatological motivation for their observation and recording.
In Appendix: A chronological tabulation of all astronomical references found in the Irish annals.
Studies the non-Irish pre-Patrician entries in the annals, focusing on the Annals of Inisfallen and the Annals of Tigernach, and advances the hypothesis that these are based on an early 5th c. chronicle by Rufinus of Aquileia.
Offers a critical, chronological and textual analysis of all annalistic entries on the life of St. Brigit of Kildare, and argues that Annals of Tigernach and Chronicon Scotorum preserve the oldest chronology presented originally in the Iona chronicle.
Mc Carthy (Daniel P.): The Irish annals: their genesis, evolution and history.
Dublin: Four Courts, 2008. xvi + 416 pp. 13 plts.
Rev. by
Lisa M. Bitel, in Speculum 85/2 (Apr., 2010), pp. 432-434.
Denis Casey, in Early medieval Europe 18/1 (Feb., 2010), pp. 126-128.
T. M. Charles-Edwards, in StH 36 (2009-2010), pp. 207-210.
Colmán Etchingham, in Éigse 37 (2010), pp. 178-185.
Henry A. Jefferies, in IHS 36, nº 144 (May, 2009), pp. 618-619.
Bernard Merdrignac, in ÉtC 38 (2012), pp. 327-330.
Discusses the analysis, correction, and synchronization of kalends, ferials and entries of the Annals of Tigernach and Chronicum Scotorum, taking the year of the death of St. Patrick as an example.
Repr. in D. Ó Cróinín, Early Irish history and chronology, pp. 58-75.