Bibliography — Classification Index

Includes an appendix on the principal divisions in early Irish social ideology, the four main classes being áes dána, díberga, briugaid, féni (flaithi / ríg).

Discusses the motif of revenge by killing, using as a case-study the deaths of Cú Roí and Cú Chulainn.

Studies the saga of Fergus mac Léti, focusing on the version in the opening two sections of Cethairṡlicht athgabálae, and argues that §1 was composed in strict verse together with §2 with the purpose of illustrating the law of distraint. Includes the restored text and English translation of §1 of this version and of §2 of the Old Irish commentary version (which is also argued to be composed in verse), and supplies an additional section of the commentary version omitted in D. A. Binchy’s edition in Ériu 16 (1952), pp. 33-48 (discussion in Appendix).

Edition and translation of a text concerning the naming of the seven sons of Medb and Ailill, possibly excerpted from a version of Cath Bóinde. Semi-diplomatic text from MS TCD H 3. 17, with textual notes and English translation (diplomatic text in Appendix).

Discusses the inconsistencies in Táin bó Cúailnge (Recension I), and argues that its compiler intended his work to be regarded as historical rather than literary.

Edition with notes and indices (no translation) from MS TCD H 2.16 (YBL), MS RIA 23 P 12 (Book of Ballymote), and MS TCD H 2. 17. Includes passages of verse and roscada omitted from W. Stokes, in RC 24 (1903), pp. 270-287 (Best¹, p. 98).

Explores the association of fluvial water with female sexuality and its interaction with warlike activity.

Presents and discusses evidence from the Ulster tales that touches upon the landscape of Emain Macha (arranged by type of feature, with references), concluding that much of the description is imaginary and bears no relation to the actual site.

[1.] Introduction: reference to Síd Truim in poem in Serglige Con Culainn; [2.] Síd Truim and the Tuatha Dé Danann; [3.] Síd Truim as the place of Cú Chulainn’s birth: in first version of tale Compert Con Culainn contained in MS RIA D iv 2 (1223); [4.] Síd Truim as the place of Cú Chulainn’s burial: in poem A Oisín fuirigh ar Dhia; [5.] The location of Síd Truim; [6.] Conclusions.

ad LU, lines 9259-9260 (broga forfuil ina díaid inétside).

Discusses the replacement of oak by pine in descriptions of Medb and Ailill’s house.

Types of characters spared form physical violence in early Irish literature.

Provides citations and discussion of terms for 'fortification’, both permanent and temporary in the Ulster cycle: baile, borg, cathair, daingen, dind, dún, dúnad, les, ráth, búaile, caisel, doé, fuithirbe, forad, múr, sonn, táible, tor, costud, longphort, sosad.

Repr. in Selected writings of John V. Kelleher, pp. 187-204.

Appendix: Annal entries relating to the death tales with other relevant entries on the Ulster Cycle and Rónán mac Colmán.

Examines various examples of conflict of obligations caused by the hero’s code of honour and the gessi imposed on him, focusing on the case of Cú Chulainn.

Discusses the significance of lists of personal names within narratives, culminating in suggestion that alliteration and syllable count are used to help build up background atmosphere foreshadowing narrative and may illustrate aspects of pre-Christian heritage.

Also on the status of the Briatharthecosc Con Culainn.

Includes a discussion of the Briatharthecosc Con Culainn.

Repr. in Coire sois, pp. 271-279.

On the importance of considering the MS context within which OCU survives, and the relevance of Táin bó Flidais.

On OIr. claideb, colg, etc. Based on linguistic and literary evidence.

Craebruad does not describe a building but more likely to describe a sacred grove. Curaid na Craebruaide represents the only legitimate employment of the term craebruad. Suggests that Emain Macha may mean ‘grove of Macha’, and that emain may derive from nemain, possibly related to Irish nemed and Gaul nemeton.

Examines references to snow and other types of precipitation in Old and Middle Irish texts.

Studies misogynistic attitudes present in early Irish literature, particularly in the Ulster Cycle.

Examines instances of Cú Chulainn’s transgression of gender, identity and tribal boundaries, with reference to Julia Kristeva’s concept of ‘abjection’.

Concerns the story of Macha.

The beginning of the biblical story of Ahab and Jezebel concerning wives’ advice (1 Kings, 21.4-5) served as a model in Wales and in Ireland (e.g. Scéla muicce Meic Da Thó, Fled Bricrenn).

Begins: Ni hada dom anmaim, text from Egerton 88, TCD H 2. 16 and TCD H 3. 18.

Provides an overview of the debate about the origin of the name, its place in medieval historical sources, and its representation in early Irish literature.

Discusses sources on the early Celts recorded prior to Posidonius and Caesar.

Analyses three Gaulish episodes from Roman legendary history (concerning T. Manlius Torquatus, Valerius Corvinus, and the prodigium of Sentinum) and their relationship to certain elements found in the Ulster and Fenian cycles.

A reappraisal of K. H. Jackson, The oldest Irish tradition: a window to the Iron Age (Cambridge, 1964) [BILL 4927].

Argues that the early Irish tradition of descriptions of chariot and team was influenced by Isidore’s authoritative account on horses. Includes an appendix listing the Old Irish terms used in the descriptions, with references to texts.

Suggests the formula co-cloth ní, used to introduce saga rhetorics, refers to the act of poetic composition.

On the Cuchullin ballads in J. F. Campbell’s Leabhar na Féinne and their survival in oral tradition.

Compared to Cú Chulainn, Aiax son of Oileus, and Horatius, the champion against the Alban Curiatii.

Suggests that some motifs from Irish myths could be based on the appearances of comets.

Examines traditions, textual sources and topography linking the death of Conall with Ballyconnell.

Rev. by
Johan Corthals, in ZCP 58 (2011), pp. 253-254.