Argues that the earliest Echternach codices were strongly influenced by Irish scribal tradition. Rath Melsigi (identified as Clonmelsh, Co. Carlow), mentioned by Bede, is suggested as training ground for Willibrord’s mission to Frisia. Uuictberct, an Anglo-Saxon scholar, is identified with Ichtbricht on the witness list of Cáin Adomnáin. Posits a reference to Druim Léas (Drumlease, Co. Leitrim) in the Calendar of Willibrord. Incl. app. ‘Some field monuments in the townlands of Clonmelsh and Garryhundon, Co. Carlow’, pp. 43-49 by Thomas Fanning. Cf. K. Murphy, in Peritia 8 (1994), p. 169.
Repr. in D. Ó Cróinín, Early Irish history and chronology, pp. 145-172.
Review article of: Latin and the vernacular languages in early medieval Britain, ed. by Nicholas Brooks (Leicester: University Press, 1982). Incl. sections on: [1.] The behaviour of loanwords; [2.] The dating of loanwords; [3.] Intervocalic /b/ and /w/; [4.] Quality and quantity in the vowel systems.
On the origin of the description of the position of Ireland in the 11th c. ‘Míniugud’ recension of Lebor gabála Érenn (cf. R. Thurneysen, Zu irischen Handschriften und Literaturdenkmälern, §15. Leabhar gabhála [Best² 1017]).
Discussion of Adomnán’s terms for physical features of monasteries. [1.] The monastery (e.g. Lat. monasterium, cenubium, cella, cellula, ec(c)lesia); [2.] The church and cemetery (e.g. Lat. ec(c)lesia, oratorium, exedra (cf. ? Ir. airdam), cubiculum); [3.] The domestic buildings (e.g. Lat. monasterium, magna domus, domus, domucula, hospitium / hospitiolum, habitaculum, lectulus); [4.] The plate(ol)a monasterii; [5.] Desertum and peregrinatio (e.g. desertum (> OIr. dísert), herimum).
Review article of: Corpus iuris Hibernici, ed. by D. A. Binchy (Dublin: DIAS, 1978). Discusses in particular the close relationship between vernacular and canon law. Section V includes text and English translation of Udhacht Athairne (CIH iii 1115.3-22) with commentary in section VI. Section VII includes a list of 134 Latin citations from canon law, scripture and other sources with identifications of 30 of these.
Discusses Bretha nemed, dated to between 721 and 742, composed in Munster by three kinsmen: Forannán (a bishop), Máel Tuile (a poet) and Báethgalach hua Búirecháin (a judge). Incl. ed. with transl. of six verses of a poem beg. Aimirgin Glungeal tuir teand by Gilla in Choimded Ua Cormaic from RIA MS D ii 1 (Bk of Uí Mhaine). Old Irish version of Collectio Canonum Hibernensis Book XLII, chaps 1-4, ed. with translation and notes from Cotton Nero A 7. Some discussion of rosc and ‘Archaic Irish’.
Brand (Paul A.): King, church and property: The enforcement of restrictions on alienations into mortmain in the Lordship of Ireland in the later middle ages.
Review article of: Celtic Leinster: towards an historical geography of early Irish civilization, A. D. 500-1600, by Alfred P. Smyth (Dublin: Irish Academic Press, 1982).